Section XII. St Helena, Ascension, and between. 

 By L. N. G. RAMSAY, M.A., B.Sc. 



THERE is not mucli of importance to be recorded of this section of the Scotia's voyage. 



A few days were spent at each of these two oceanic islands, and a few specimens of 

 their scanty avifaunas were obtained. During the voyage between, the tropical seas 

 were devoid of bird-life, except for a few gannets seen as Ascension was neared (the 

 h'rst were observed between one and two hundred miles from the island). 



St Helena (lat. 16 S., long. 6 W.). The Scotia touched here from May 30th to 

 June 2nd (1904). Specimens of three species of birds were obtained, viz. : Anous 

 stolidus (L.) (several adults), Gygi^ Candida (Gin.) (three), and Caccabis saxatilis, 

 subsp. cJivknr (Gray) (one). The last is a species of Red-legged Partridge introduced 

 into the island. 



Ascension (lat. 8 S., long. 14 W.). At this island the Scotia lay from 7th to 

 10th June. 



One of the sights of the island is the " Wideawake Fair," or breeding-ground of the 

 " Wideawakes " (Sterna fuliginosa), millions of which are said to nest there. The birds 

 were absent at this time (although some were seen during the first day's sail after the 

 Scotia left the island), but great numbers of their corpses strewed the ground. A dozen 

 eggs of these terns were kindly presented by Mr Chalmers of the Eastern Telegraph Co. 



On June 10th, while the Scotia was trawling off Pyramid Point before leaving, 

 Mr Wilton landed from a small boat on a rock near the shore and found gannets and 

 noddies busy in bringing up their young. The eggs were laid on the bare rock, no 

 nests being built. Some of the gannets had fresh-laid eggs, others had chicks, some of 

 which were big birds almost ready for flight. No eggs of the noddy were seen, but 

 some young birds unable to fly were caught. They were much infested with lice. 



The specimens from Ascension include : 



Sula sula (L.). Three skins, immature. 



S. cyanops (Sund.). Three skins (two adults and an immature bird in dark brown 

 plumage). 



S. piscator (L.). Two skins (one adult, one nearly so but with traces of brown in 

 the mantle). 



Anous stohdus (L.). Five specimens, including a naif-grown youngster. 



Fregata aquila (L.). Two skins (adults). 



Sterna fuhginosa Gm. Two carcases in spirit, much damaged. 



YOJ,. IV. 299 13 



