4&8 ME. O. SALVIN ON THE AVIFAUNA 



galapagensis) occur. The wide-ranging Heterosceles incanus appears here, and, lastly, 

 Lams fuUginosus. The number of species obtained by Dr. Habel in Abingdon Island 

 was 14, of which he made 84 skins. 



The following islands remain as yet unexplored: — 



Albemarle Island. — Though in area this island is perhaps as large as all the rest put 

 together, we know positively of only one species of bird having been observed there, 

 viz. Minms parvulus. The northern part of the island is very sterile, and probably 

 does not support many land-birds ; but the south-eastern end is described as thickly 

 wooded and very green. Colnett (p. 144) speaks of having seen Storm-Petrels in 

 great numbers between Albemarle and Narborough. Captain Porter landed near 

 Point Essex, and says he saw plenty of birds called " Shags," and other sea-birds ; and 

 between Point Essex and Point Christopher the rocks were everywhere covered with 

 Seals, Penguins, " guanas," and Pelecans. Captain Porter subsequently visited a spot 

 which, from his description, appears to be Tagus Cove; here, he says, he saw a 

 " variety of birds." 



Narborough Island. — No birds are recorded from this island; and, considering its 

 extreme barrenness, it is quite possible that no land-birds exist upon it. 



Hood Island. — Captain Porter incidentally remarks (p. 233) that there are few birds 

 on this island, but that they are of the same description as those found on the others. 



Tower Island. — Except Dr. Habel's brief notes, no account has been given of the birds 

 of this island. It is said to be low and different from the other islands of the archipelago. 



Barrington Island, Duncan Island, Jervis Island. — These small islands have not yet 

 been visited by any collector. They are all situated in the central part of the archi- 

 pelago. Barrington is described as rather woody, Duncan as barren on all sides, while 

 Jervis is a convenient anchorage from which to visit the south side of James Island. 



Wenman Island and Culpepper Island. — These two small islands are both described 

 as baiTen. Sea-birds resort to them ; but land-birds have not been reported. Captain 

 Porter saw abundance of Man-of-War Hawks (Iregata), Gannets, and Gulls near 

 Wenman Island. He also saw " Black Petrels," probably Procellaria tethys. 



It will thus be seen that, so far as the ornithology of the Galapagos is concerned, 

 Albemarle Island offers the best prospect of additional discoveries to a future explorer. 

 The south-western part is the best worth working, being more wooded ; but Tagus Cove 

 and Banks's Bay should also be visited. The descriptions of Narborough are such as 

 to preclude the likelihood of any land-birds being found on it ; still it should not be 

 altogether passed by. Hood Island offers a fresh field for investigation ; and as it 

 maintains a peculiar species of tortoise, peculiar land-birds may still be forthcoming. 

 Still greater prospect of novelty is held out by the investigation of Tower Island, 

 which, though small, is so situated as to be considerably detached from the rest of the 

 archipelago. Barrington Island should not be overlooked, though the prospect of any 

 species different from those found on Indefatigable is small. Duncan Island and 



