THE ISLANDS OF THE BAY OF BENGAL. 81 



From time to time announced by its screeching and peculiar 

 note, the Hoary-headed Paroquet (P. caniceps) would pass, as 

 a rule singly, occasionally in twos or threes, high over head, 

 barely giving time for a even snap shot. Pelargopsis leucoce- 

 phala, or as I think most probably a nearly allied but distinct 

 species, was abundant, though very wary. The Allied Racket- 

 tailed Drongo (D. affinis) was plentiful, as also about the shore 

 were Blue Reef-herons. 



Several Koels were seen, and towards evening we heard 

 them calling both on this island and on the Great Nicobar. 

 A large Coucal (a red and black one, probably C. eimjcercus, 

 that Davison got at Acheen) was also seen, as well as a 

 Loriquet, but no specimens were unfortunately secured. Lastly 

 a specimen of the Long-clawed Yellow Wagtail (B. /lava), 

 unmistakeable through its conspicuous white supercilium, was 

 identified though not shot. 



This was truly a grand day, and when we finally got on board 

 after sunset, we had between us some sixty specimens that 

 must de rigeur be preserved, and it was broad daylight before 

 our unfortunate taxidermists had even stripped the skins 

 off. 



The night was superb ; the ship lay absolutely motionless 

 in a sea of glass ; the ladies, the doctor, and the Invertebrate 

 played bezique, while we played whist, and between the deals 

 recounted the day's happy experiences. 



At last the time came for bed, when of course the Crustacean 

 became more lively than ever ; we insisted that he should 

 reserve his eloquence for a more convenient season ; send for 

 his mattrass (for we always slept on deck) and pretend, at least, 

 to be asleep. He was very insubordinate for a while, but the 

 Philosopher, before whose stern glance the boldest of us 

 quailed, looked at him through his spectacles ; it was enough, 

 his claws clattered, his legs bent under him, and in a meek 

 tone of voice he summoned the native fellow subject, whose 

 constant source of anxiety he was. Now Jonathan, for such 

 was that hapless mortal of Madras extraction's name, w r as a 

 character. I knew him well, for he had once belonged to 

 our great Ichthyologist ( irreverently termed by certain scoffers, 

 Old Fishy), whom he used to intimidate in the most merciless 

 manner, getting very drunk, and when in this condition giving 

 his master evasive answers in a loud tone of voice. But he 

 was a good servant, a first-rate collector, whether of fish, 

 insects, or shells ; skilled in all necessary manipulation of 

 specimens which had to be preserved in spirits. 



