692 Mr. M. J. Nicoll on the Birds collected and 



pouches extended, some were flying about with extended 

 pouches, while others were in the air with the pouch collapsed. 

 In this case the collapsed pouch swings to and fro, hanging 

 down some inches from the bird's chin. I made one example 

 into a skin and the others, which were especially procured 

 by Lord Crawford for the purpose of ascertaining how the 

 pouch is extended, were brought home in spirits. They 

 have been examined by Mr. Pycraft, who will shortly publish 

 a description of the anatomy of this curious ornament of the 

 breeding-season. 



On reference to my journal I find the following extract : — 



U I notice that the female Frigate-birds have a curious 



method of display when flying ; they frequently close one 



wing and plunge downwards towards the ground. The males 



may do likewise, but I never saw them do so." 



The note of these birds is a curious bubbling laugh on a 

 descending scale, and can be heard for some distance. 



On the evening of March 11th we left Glorioso for 

 Assumption, which we reached about 9 o'clock the next 

 morning. 



Assumption is a low coral island about two miles in length 

 and perhaps a mile wide. As we slowly steamed up to it 

 Gannets {Sula piscator and S. cyanops) came out to meet 

 us, accompanied by Fregata aquila and Anous stolidus. 

 Several individuals of Sula piscator perched in the rigging. 

 The weather was perfect and the sea like glass. Numbers 

 of green turtles of large size were seen along the shore. 

 We at once rowed ashore and landed on the sandy beach. 

 Assumption is composed entirely of coral of an ancient 

 formation and of a brown colour. At one end of the island 

 are several Casuarina trees, Hibiscus and other bushes grow 

 from the cracks in the coral, and several fairly large trees 

 with large glossy leaves are scattered about amongst the 

 scrub. There was a little fresh water at the time of our 

 visit, but this consisted entirely of rain-water collected in 

 holes and depressions in the coral. That this water is a 

 constant supply, however, is proved by the abundance of 



