504 MR. E. L. LAYARD ON BIRDS [June 6, 



32. Sterna panaya, Gm. 



These were all common in the harbour at Tongatabu, the last 

 being in specially fine plumage. 



33. Gygis alba, Sparrm. 



A few of these were killed on Tongatabu ; but on arriving at Eooa 

 I found the ravines full of them, and so tame that they would 

 almost perch on the gun-barrel, if it was held out. The officers 

 of the ship made the same observation on their tameness at a lagoon 

 in Vavaw. They perch constantly on trees ; but for what purpose 

 I could not ascertain ; the stomachs of six I shot were entirely 

 empty. The lovely blue tints at the base of the bill fade soon after 

 death. 



34. Anoxjs stolidus, L. 



35. Anous leucocapillus, Gould. 



The former I saw at sea, off the islands ; the latter was common 

 even in the harbour. Petrels were also seen. 



36. Phaeton rubricauda, Bodd. 

 3". Phaeton jEthereus, L. 



38. Phaeton candidus, Gray. 



All the Phaet&ntes were observed about the islands. At Eooa 

 I obtained an egg, said to be of the latter, which is called by the 

 natives " Tavaki." 



39. Dysporus piscator, L. 



40. Dysporus sula, L. 



41. Tachypetes aquilus, L. 



Gannets were seen from the ship when near land, but none ob- 

 tained. Frigate-birds hovered over our mast-heads, and tempted 

 Captain Suttie to two or three shots, in the hope of procuring me a 

 specimen ; but their small bodies, at the great altitude they always 

 maintained, escaped the shot. 



These seas, as a rule, are very destitute of birds. If any are seen, 

 it is a sure indication that land is not far off. The "Frigates " and 

 "Phaetons" approach the ship, while the " Noddies," "Petrels," 

 and " Puffins " keep at a respectful distance, and can only be iden- 

 tified through my faithful companions my binoculars. A little practice 

 enables one to do this with tolerable certainty ; there is sure to be 

 some marked peculiarity by which, if the bird is once fairly identi- 

 fied, it can always afterwards be recognized. 



Carefully made collections from each of the numerous small 

 islands dotted over these seas would, I am convinced, exhibit some 

 interesting facts in the distribution and variation of species. The 

 volcanic islands especially would afford a fine field for scientific in- 



