observed during the Voyage of the ' Valhalla' 677 



an interesting sight to see the birds digging these holes and 

 throwing out the sand with their feet. 



Besides the Penguins, Cormorants (Phalacrocora.v capensis 

 and P. neglectus) were seen, the former being especially 

 numerous. These birds are strictly preserved for their 

 "guano/"' and during the breeding-time no one is allowed to 

 go near the colony, as if the birds are driven from their eggs 

 the Gulls (Larus dominicanus) swoop down and take them. 

 Close to the Cormorants was a colony of Sacred Ibises (Ibis 

 cethiopica) , which we were told were very destructive to the 

 young Cormorants, feeding on their intestines. This we 

 found to be a fact, as, when handled, the young Ibises 

 brought up portions of intestine. The nests of Ibis cethiopica 

 are built close together, and resemble one large fiat heap 

 of rubbish with numerous depressions, in which the eggs 

 are laid. I obtained several young Ibises for specimens, 

 and kept two alive, which are now in the Gardens of the 

 Zoological Society of London. A specimen oiPhalacrocorax 

 neglectus was also obtained and a young Penguin, which is 

 now in the Zoological Gardens. Besides these birds we 

 saw examples of the following species on Dassen Island : 

 Motacilla capensis, Hosmatopus moquini, JEgialitis pecu- 

 aria, Calidris arenaria, Strepsilas interpres. Machetes pugnax, 

 Ossifraga gigantea, Swallows (Hirundo rustled) were also 

 fairly numerous. On the passage back I saw a Noddy (Anous 

 stolidus). This is the first recorded occurrence of this 

 species at the Cape of Good Hope. 



The following day we climbed Table Mountain under the 

 guidance of Mr. W. L. Sclater, and on another occasion 

 visited Kalk Bay. I collected specimens of the following 

 birds during my stay at Capetown, besides those obtained on 

 Dassen Island : — 



Cossypba iolsema. 



Saxicola familiaris. 



Dryodromas t'uh icapilla. 



Fringillaria capensis. 



Chrysomitris totta. 



Sphenoeacus africanus. 

 Nectarinia famosa. 



Anthobaphes violacea. 

 Cotile rufigula. 

 Phalacrocorax capensis. 

 Sula capensis. 

 Procellaria pelagica. 

 Majaqueus aequinoctialis. 



