282 'Dv. P. 11. Balir : Notes on the 



XIV. — O71 a Journey to the Fiji Islands, ivith N^otes on the 

 present Status of their Avifauna, made during a Year's Stay 

 in the Group, 1910-1911. By P. H. Bahr, M.A., M.B., 

 F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., F.R.G.S. Together ivith a Description 

 of a small Collection of Skins from the same locality, by 

 C. B. TicEHURST, M.A., M.B., M.B.O.U. 



(Plate V.) 



A JOURNEY to the Fiji Islands is nowadays no perilous 

 undertaking. Though they are situated at the opposite 

 side of the globe^ the voyage may be accomplished within a 

 period of two months via Australia, or in half that time by 

 the direct mail route via Canada. To the ornithologist, 

 a passage, however rapid, through regions zoologically so 

 distinct must be of surpassing interest. 



I first propose to give a few notes ou the birds seen on 

 the outward journey via Australia, which are necessarily 

 confined to tlie more maritime species"^. 



After the familiar European forms seen during the sea 

 passage through the Bay of Biscay, at Gibraltar, and in the 

 Mediterranean, the teeming bird-life frequenting the Suez 

 Canal in December comes as a welcome change. There, 

 for the first time, the British ornithologist obtains an 

 insight into the tropical avifauna. Flocks of Flamingos, 

 making a hazy pink line, extending as far as the eye can 

 reach, fringe the blue waters of the shallow lagoons, while 

 overhead. Pelicans, in flocks of fifty or more, soar in a flight 

 strikingly powerful and majestic for such an ungainly bird. 



Birds of Prey were much in evidence : Marsh- Harriers were 

 seen in numbers in quest of frogs on the Canal banks; while a 

 number of Hobbies pursuing insects, a Lesser Kestrel, and 

 a Long-legged Buzzard (JB«/eo/«?ro.2?), of which a splendid 

 view was obtained, completes the list of the smaller Raptores. 



* In the Straits of Gibraltar and again in the Gulf of Lyons I saw 

 niunbers of the Mediterranean Shearwater (Puffinns kuhli) and the 

 \ ellow-legged Ilerring-Gull {Larus lencophccus). 



