Avifauna of the Fiji Islands. 283 



A large dull-coloured Eagle, carrying a small hare in its 

 talons, I was unable to identify. 



I was surprised to see a pair of Ravens {Corvus umhrinns) 

 hopping about in the Desert sand, while another quite un- 

 familiar bird which appears to be abundant in the district is 

 the Pied Kingfisher {Ceryle rudis). 



Shortly after entering the Canal (Nov, 30th) we were visited 

 by a small party of White Wagtails (Motacilla alba), which 

 remained on board till night fell, in spite of the attentions 

 of the ship's cat. In the salt marshes on both sides of the 

 Canal, the water was obscured by immense flocks of Ducks, 

 the identity of which, owing to the failing light, I could not 

 distinguish ; there wei'e, however, great numbers of Grebes, 

 amongst which the Black-necked species [Podicipes nigri- 

 collis) could be recognised. Purple Herons and Black Storks 

 were present in numbers. Of the Waders the Common 

 Sandpiper, Curlew, Redshank, and Ringed Plover were there 

 in their tens of thousands. The commonest species of 

 Gull seen was the Mediterranean Black-headed Gull {Larus 

 melanocephalus) . 



The Kites at Aden [Milvus migrans) are a familiar sight to 

 every visitor ; great numbers surrounded the ship, snatching 

 the offal from the water and cleverly transferring dainty 

 morsels to their beak while in flight. The aerial antics of 

 these birds in pursuit of one another were quite remarkable, 

 they were often seen to turn a complete somersault in 

 the air. Above the town of Aden, Egyptian Vultures were 

 soaring, and in direct contrast to them it was strange to see 

 and hear what I took to be the Arctic Tern *. 



For several days after leaving Aden, whilst in the open 

 Indian Ocean, long. 60° E., lat. 10° N., large flocks of Grey 

 Phalaropes {Phalaropus fulicai'ius) flew parallel with the ship, 

 constantly alighting on the water and resuming their journey 

 eastward when overtaken by a flock following in the rear. 



At Colombo the voyager is briefly introduced to the 

 avifauna of the Indian region, the ubiquitous Indian Crow 



* I identified this species through field-glasses. 



SER. IX. VOL. VI. X 



