105 Captain R. Meincrtzliagen on 



Mauritian waters. He says that it nested on Isle aux Pons, 

 outside Maiie])ourg Harbour. 



About 18G0 it nested on Flat Isbmd [Oustalet). 



The bird has now ceased to exist in Mauritian waters, 

 but is still plentiful off Madagascar. 



There are immature examples of this species from Mauritius 

 in the British Museum. 



67. FllEGATA ARIEL. 



Fregata ariel Sharpe, Cat. Birds, xxvi. p. 447. 



La Frcgate. 



Frigate-Bird. 



Sir Edward Newton found this bird at Round Island in 

 1864. I saw an individual in the taxidermist's shed of 

 the Port Louis Museum, that had been recently shot in the 

 north of the island by a local gunner (Dec. 1910). 



08. PHAiyPHON RUBRICAUDA. 



I'hai'lhon rubricauda Sharpe, Cat. Birds, xxvi, p. 451. 



Faille en queue a brins rouges. 



Red-tailed Bo'sun Bird. 



Resident in Mauritian waters, breeding on Round Island, 

 Gunner's Quoin (Coin de Mire), and Pigeon Rock (near 

 Flat Island). 



At Round Island in October 1910 I found these birds 

 breeding in large quantities. Nests with fresh eggs and 

 young in all stages were noticed. All the nests I saw were 

 on the ground, sometimes at the foot of a palm-tree, some- 

 times under some slightly projecting rock. The parent birds 

 were fearless and allowed me to touch them, but if I 

 became too familiar they uttered a peculiar piercing shriek 

 and vomited up their last meal. 



This bird, though protected by law, is terribly persecuted 

 by the fishermen, who slay it indiscriminately on Round 

 Island Avhen opportunity offers, and sell it as food to 

 the Chinese at Port Louis, who consider it a great 

 delicacy. 



