1886.] MR. H. SAUNDERS ON BIRDS FROM DIEGO GARCIA. = 335 
2. On the Birds obtained by Mr. G.C. Bourne on the Island 
of Diego Garcia, Chagos Group. By Howarp SaunpDeErs, 
F.L.S., F.Z.S., &e. 
[Received June 14, 1886.] 
I have had much pleasure in examining the small collection of birds 
obtained by Mr. Bourne on his visit, described in the preceding paper, 
to this little-known island or group of islets. As will be seen by 
the following list, the species are but few in number, and some of 
them are of either a pelagic or a regularly migratory nature ; 
the general character of the avifauna is, however, Indian rather 
than Ethiopian, with the exception of one (doubtless introduced) 
Madagascar bird. 
Mr. Bourne’s remarks are added in square brackets. 
1. FoupIaA MADAGASCARIENSIs (Linn.). ‘* Cardinal.” 
This species was no doubt introduced from Mauritius. 
(No. 4. ¢. Eye brown. Sept. 30th, 1885. One specimen in 
spirits. 
Ernie, They were building during my stay, but though I 
examined several nests I never found an egg. The negroes said that 
they could find me the eggs, but never did. The nest, loosely 
constructed of grass, is dome-shaped, with a circular entrance at the 
side. | 
2. Freeata aquiva (Linn.). “ Frigate.” 
[No. 2. ¢. Sept. 29th, 1885. Eye dark brown. Naked skin 
on the throat lavender-coloured. 
Common, and may often be seen chasing Terns and Boobies till 
they make them disgorge their fish, as described by Mr. H. O. 
Forbes in his recent work. I have never seen Frigate-birds fishing 
for themselves ; they are said to do so sometimes, but very rarely. 
Their flight is magnificent ; [ have seen one wheeling round and 
round in circles for at least five minutes without once flapping its 
wings, during which time it must have covered a mile of ground. } 
A bird in immature plumage, passing into the adult stage. A 
very similar example in this state is described in P. Z. S. 1880, p. 63. 
3. Suxa prscaTor (Linn.). 
[No. 15. ¢ adult. Common at the south end of the island. } 
4. ARDEA COROMANDA (Bodd.). ‘‘ Macaque blanc.” 
[No. 11. 3. Eye lemon-yellow. Skin at base of beak yellow. 
Very rare on these islands, and appears only during the N.W. 
monsoons. It is supposed to come over from the Maldives. | 
This specimen presents some difficulty, as it is in winter plumage, 
but I think it is the Indian species and not the African Ardea 
bubulcus. The latter is found in Madagascar, and is believed to 
breed there in September, so that the African species would be in 
