Birds observed between England and Cajpe of Good Hope. 201 



bS. Sterna fidifjinosa, Gm. — Sooty Tern. — Chiefly seen near 

 Ascension, well known as one of its principal nurseries. 



59. Anous stolida, Linn. — Noddy Tern. — Very common at 

 St Helena, where it is usually seen in large flocks. 



60. Phccthon cethereics, Linn. — White-tailed Tropic Bird. — 

 I have seen one or two near St Helena, but where they do 

 not appear to be common. 



6L Sula bassana (Linn.) — Common Gannet. — A few are 

 generally seen in the Channel, but seldom after the first day out. 



62. JStda capensis, Licht. — Cape Gannet. — Very common 

 on the Cape coast ; this species is not seen out of sight of 

 land. They are not unlike the common gannet in appear- 

 ance, the chief distinction being the black colour of the tail 

 and large wing feathers. Their mode of fishing is the same, 

 plunging into the water from a great height. They breed in 

 great numbers on Bird Island, some distance north of Algoa 

 Bay. 



63. Sida leucogaster, Bodd. — Booby. — Sometimes seen in 

 the Tropics, where it frequently alights on the yards and 

 falls asleep, and may then sometimes be caught by hand. 

 They bite severely if not cautiously taken. 



64. Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.) — Common Cormorant. — 

 Not very common off the Cape. 



65. Phalacrocorax capensis, Sparrm. — Cape Cormorant, 

 Duyker. — In appearance nearly identical with our shag, 

 these birds are very common in Table Bay, but are never 

 seen more than three or four miles from land except in a 

 fog, when a stray one is sometimes seen flying round the ship 

 at a greater distance off shore. In Cape Town docks they 

 swarm, chasing fish among the ships and perching on the 

 buoys. Large flocks pass Green Point Lighthouse morning 

 and evening, going to and from their fishing grounds. I have 

 not yet been able to discover where they breed, but suspect it 

 to be on Dassen Island or the neighbourhood.^ They are not 

 uncommon on the south-east coast, although occasionally seen. 



66. Phalacrocorax lucidus, Licht. — South African or White- 

 breasted Cormorant. — Seen occasionally about Table Bay. 



^ [Layard says they breed on Pomona Island and all the small rocks along 

 the coast. — J. J. D.] 



