498 mr. e. l. layard on birds [June 6, 



loveliest woman in the world would covet for her cheek ; the fifth 

 must also be added to the Fijian fauna, as it is found among the islands 

 to windward. I had often, in my cruises, noticed a large " Noddy," 

 but only obtained it lately on my return from Samoa, when one was 

 thrown on board, off Vatoa ( Turtle- Island ), during a hurricane, into 

 which I was unfortunate enough to stumble. But " it is an ill wind 

 that blows nobody luck ;" it gave me A. stolidus, and very nearly a 

 splendid specimen of A. leucocapillus ; so these two must now certainly 

 be included in the Fijian lists. 



45. Thalassidroma lineata, Peale. 



I saw a small petrel off Upolima, which was doubtless this species; 

 also a large dark petrel which I fancied must be 



4G. Procellaria c.erclea, 

 or what serves for it in these seas. 



47. Procellaria- I 



Just before my arrival a native had caught, in his workshop, a 

 large Petrel, which he brought to Mr. Whitmee. I could not iden- 

 tity it, not ha\ing any descriptions ; it however reminded me of P. 

 7/iacroptera, Smith. 



Mv Notes on Fijian Birds must here be amended. P. cerulcea, as 

 described by Drs. Finsch and Hartlaub, is found breeding in the 

 mountainous parts of severul of the Fijian Islands, e*f n as far inland 

 as the interior of Yiti Levu. It sweeps the seas in storm or calm, 

 in company with the nest and another larger species of Procellaria, 

 not ^et obtained, probably No. 47- Pvffinus nugax also breeds in 

 tbe interior, both digging holes and living in "rookeries." I have 

 obtained specimens of both, and can only say that P. cerulcea differs 

 much from what we identified with P. ccerulea at the Cape. 



48. Phaeton rubricauda, Bodd. 



49. Phaeton .ethereus, L. 



50. Phaeton candidcs, Gray. 



These three Tropic birds are found among the Navigators' Islands. 

 The last builds in the forests of Samoa, selecting as a site for its 

 nest the fork of a tree or of a huge perpendicular branch, so that 

 it can enter at one side and avoid bending or damaging its long 

 tail ! I used to watch the flocks going to their sleeping-quarters in 

 the woods passing high overhead ; and we soon observed that great 

 numbers of them were devoid of tails ; one I obtained proved to have 

 moulted this appendage. 



51. Dysporus sula, L. 



I saw " Gannets " about the Samoan seas, but not near enough to 

 distinguish the species. This species is given as an inhabitant by Drs. 

 Finsch and Hartlaub. 



