rATJNA AJSnO FLORA OF THE FALKI/ANDS. 351 



being wittiiii easy walking distance of Stanley. In the majority 

 of instances both species were so fearless, that again and again I 

 nearly ran them down in my boat when out on the water in quest 

 of medusae. One specimen of S. Magellanicus used to visit the 

 sheltered spot next the East pier regularly about high-water, in 

 pursuit of young mullet {JEleginus maclovinus) and smelts (^Galaxias 

 attenuatus). I used to watch this bird when swimming under 

 water gradually drive a shoal of these fish into a corner between 

 the hulhs, and when they were well massed together, dash into 

 the middle of them and secure quantities. I was particularly 

 struck by its resemblance to the young porpoise when it was 

 swimming in this way ; and on the first occasion I saw one, it 

 was only after some moments of careful watching that I was able 

 to distinguish what it really was. 



Only one bird was noticed that had any pretence to a song, 

 namely Turdtis FalJdandicus. A pair of these were nearly always 

 to be seen during the early mornings near Navy Point. The 

 notes uttered by the male bird were soft, slow, and very attractive • 

 but in volume its song was not nearly equal to that of our 

 English thrush. 



I have counted as many as five specimens of carrion hawks 

 ( Milvago Australis) at one time perched in the early morning on 

 the masts and yards of the once famous steamship '* The Great 

 Britain," which is now used as a store hulk in the harbour. 

 Fortunately on one occasion I was able to make a leisurely exami- 

 nation of a living specimen of this species, which had gorged 

 itself on a dead seal washed into a cove near Hooker's Point 

 These birds, like many of the same class are best seen at a slight 

 distance, a close inspection being by no means agreeable to the 

 observer. 



Another huge bird, known to sailors as "the Stinker," 

 ( Ossifraga gigantea) was only to be seen in the harbour when the 

 weather was stormy on the coast. All these birds were invariably 

 shy, and wou-ld never come close to the shores. 



On one occasion when visiting a large " rookery "of a 

 of a species of gull, probably Larus glaucodes, I was astonished 

 to find that the nestlings had an abundant supply of living and 

 partially decayed specimens of Patella cena and large Chiton setiger 

 placed beside the nests ; evidently brought thei-e by the adult 



