118 The Zoologist — March, 1866. 



when the albatross were apparently embarassed by the wind, these 

 birds actually knocked them completely over, so that they fell upon 

 the sea, and had to recover themselves before they could rise again. 

 Although I watched the frigate birds, if they be frigate birds, I never 

 saw them descend to pick up anything that the albatross disgorged : 

 all I know further upon this interesting subject is that sailors call these 

 pugnacious birds " Cape hens." 



Most sea-birds, especially Procellaria, Puffinus and Diomedea, ai'e 

 infested with parasites of the genus Lipeurus, and the Cape pigeon 

 {Daption capensis) has a flea which jumps like Pulex irritans; I was 

 very surprised at this in a bird that dires for its food. The Cape 

 pigeon is the only petrel 1 have seen do so, but I have seen it 

 dive repeatedly with its wings spread as in flying. I was unfor- 

 tunate with the fleas, for I could not catch any, they were so small 

 and lively ; I am, however, certain of their existence and also of their 

 jumping. 



I can really say very little on the various species of albatross, since 

 1 could not obtain a sufficient number of specimens. D. exulans 

 varies very much with age, but 1 believe there is an allied and much 

 larger species than the ordinary D. exulans, as yet unknown to 

 naturalists, although sailors know very well that there is "adiflerent 

 albatross off" Cape Horn." This bird is very much rarer than 

 D. exulans, and appeared to me one-third larger. I never saw it 

 north of the 52nd parallel, whilst I have seen D. exulans at the 30th. 

 The southern birds were quite white, except the sides of the neck, 

 which had a bright roseate tinge. I never saw but three of these 

 birds, and was unable to obtain a specimen ; hence I speak with some 

 diflSdence as to the existence of the species, although there is a skin 

 in the British Museum, in immature plumage, which I think may 

 possibly be the species in question, as it is evidently larger than the 

 other specimens. Benjamin T. Lowne. 



Notes on Birds ohseried at RaMiam, Kent, during the Summer 

 and Autumn q/ises. By W. H. Power, Esq. 



Merlin. — While walking on the marshes one day in September last, 

 I heard some redshanks in the creek making a great noise, evidently 

 being in a state of alarm ; presently a single redshank appeared, 

 shooting along within a hw feet of the surface of the mud, and 

 shrieking with fear; close behind him came a merlin in hot pursuit. 



