389 



hovered, and screamed big crimson-billed terns (Sterna caspia\ 

 and the yellow-billed Sterna bergii, plunging headlong, often 

 half a dozen simultaneously, into the waves. There were 

 smaller terns also (Sterna saundersi}, equally busy. Somehow, 

 the sardine in these waters seems to have rather a thin time ? 

 Nevertheless he flourishes amazingly and survives all persecu- 

 tion in acres upon acres ! Another strenuous fisher though 

 he went for bigger game was a great black ivory-billed 



WHITE-EYED GULL (Larus hucophthalmus) IMMATURE. 

 Note slightly forked tail. 



gannet, rather a weird-looking fowl, locally known as the booby 

 (Sula sula) ; and the osprey also occasionally treated us with 

 a superb exhibition of piscatorial skill plunging completely 

 beneath the waves, and re-emerging amidst flying spray with 

 a 2 Ib. bonito suspended from his claws. It was remarkable 

 that these eagle-fishers elsewhere so wild and solitude-loving 

 were here amazingly tame, sitting unconcerned on the mast 

 of a fishing-boat, or on a telegraph-post, while we passed 

 below. 



As regards the terns, by the way, all the above remarks 

 must be taken as referring exclusively to the spring season. 



