THE ZOoLoGIst—APRIL, 1875. 4413 
some weak or slender bough, the tail is held almost horizontally ; 
when at rest we have noticed that sometimes the tail is pressed 
against the perch. The writer could multiply instances of the 
occurrence of F. ferox, and give more notes of the bird it preys on, 
but cuz bono? There will still be found the same uncertainty in 
the minds of many as to the existence of one or two species, which 
doubts may last till the genus is improved from off the face of the 
earth. Up the Waio river, South Westland, at breeding time, these 
birds have been known to chase cattle-dogs to the shelter of the 
stockman’s horse. 
(To be continued.) 
A few additional Notes on the Habits of the Flying Fish. 
By Francis Smiru, Esq., R.N. 
(Communicated by Gervase F. Mathew, Esq., R.N., F.L.S.) 
I HAVE just received from my friend, Mr. Francis Smith, R.N., 
of H.M. ship ‘Repulse, a copy of some interesting notes on 
angling for flying-fish and on their motions under water, and 
1 forward them on at once to you for publication in the pages 
of the ‘ Zoologist,’ as I feel sure that any fresh observations on 
the habits of this curious fish will prove acceptable to many of 
your readers. 
Angling for Flying-Fish.—* The monotony of a sea cruise was 
pleasantly broken on the 25th of January by an occurrence so 
unusual as to excite the wonder of our oldest sailors. We were on 
our way from Payta, Peru, to Callao, and had had very light winds 
since we left port, a week before, and on the day in question the 
wind had dropped, there being scarcely enough even to ripple the 
water. A large shoal of flying-fish kept by us all day, and afforded’ 
excellent sport during the afternoon. A variety of baits were 
employed in their capture—bits of red bunting, small spoon-baits, 
and artificial minnows and flies, the most taking being a large red 
fly and a small gilt minnow, but all the baits mentioned caught 
some. In following the minnow through the water, the fish 
would open both pectoral fins and poise themselves for a rush 
at it; spreading the wings also had the effect of checking their 
' progress if their suspicions were aroused by a near inspection of 
the bait. When hooked they proved very game fish, taking out 
SECOND SERIES—VOL. x. U 
