1886.] MR. H. SAUNDERS ON BIRDS FROM DIEGO GARCIA. 'A'.i5 



2. On the Birds obtained by Mr. G. C. Bourne on the Island 

 of Diego Garcia, Chagos Group. By Howard Saunders, 

 F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. 



[Eeceived 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 (his littie-known island or group of islets. As will be seen by 

 the following list, the species are but few in number, and some of 

 tbem 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. Foudia madagascariensis (Linn.). "Cardinal." 



This species was no doubt introduced from Mauritius. 



[No. 4. c? . Eye brown. Sept. 30th, 1885. One specimen in 

 spirits. 



Common. 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. Fregata AauiLA (Lmn.). "Frigate." 



[No. 2. cf . Sept. 29th, 1885. Eye dark brown. Naked skin 

 on the throat lavender-coloured. 



Common, and may olten 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 ; I have seen one wheehng 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. SULA PISCATOR (LiuD.). 



[No. 15. c? adult. Common at the south end of the island.] 



4. Ardea coromanda (Bodd.). " Macaque blanc." 



[No. 11. c? . 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 vnnter plumage, 

 but I think it is the Indian species and not the African Ardea 

 buhulcus. The latter is found in Madagascar, and is believed to 

 breed there in September, so that the African species would be in 



