90 MR. J. T. CUNNINGHAM ON MARINE FISHES [Jail. 18, 



all probability from one of the Mascarene islands ; Melliss 

 suggests that they are of the species Testudo indica, but this 

 species is stated by Lydekker to be extinct, and I was not able to 

 ascertain the species with more certainty. 



The commonest sea-birds were Gygis Candida and Anous stolida. 

 The former was fairly abundant in the neighbourhood of James- 

 town, and some were always to be seen on the ledges of the 

 vertical cliffs at the back of the wharf. It seemed to me that 

 they were breeding there, but I did not confirm this supposition. 

 Melliss states that the bird at St. Helena nests in rocky clifi's and 

 dykes away from the sea, although in other parts of the world it 

 nests in trees. At the request of the late Dr. Bowdler Sharpe I 

 obtained two specimens of a Petrel which he identified as Oceano- 

 droma castro ; I found it breeding at Egg Island off the coast 

 some miles west of Jamestown, and this was the first evidence of 

 its breeding at St. Helena. 



Among land- birds I noticed a mynah, not the species mentioned 

 by Melliss, Gracula religiosa, which has become extinct, but Acrido- 

 iheres tristis; the ground-dove Geopelia tranquilla from New South 

 Wales; the Java sparrow, Padda oryzivora ; the so-called cardinal, 

 really the Madagascar weaver, Foudia madagascariensis ; Serimts 

 Jiaviventris, often called the St. Helena seed-eater, from South 

 Africa ; and the wax-bill, known in the island as the avadavat, 

 Astrilda astrild, also from South Africa. The latter species is 

 seen in flocks about cultivated lands in the interior of the 

 island. Melliss states that he introduced among other birds 26 

 London sparrows ; but I am glad to say I saw no signs of this 

 impudent little bird, which if it flourished would probably exter- 

 minate others much more desirable. For kind assistance in 

 identifying these few birds I am indebted to Mr. Frank Finn. 



I have myself worked out the fishes which I collected, but for 

 the identification and annotation of the various groups of inver- 

 tebrates I am indebted to specialists of the staff of the Natural 

 History Museum. Dr. Caiman examined the Crustacea, Mr. E. 

 A. Smith the few Mollusca, chiefly shells inhabited by Pagurus, 

 Mr. Jeffrey Bell the Echinoderms, and Mr. Kirhpatrick the 

 specimens of sponge and Hydroid. To all these gentlemen I wish 

 to express my heartiest thanks for their courtesy and assistance. 

 I have thought it best to incorporate their reports in my paper, 

 partly because the specimens in each group were few in number, 

 partly because there is an advantage in keeping the results of 

 my observations on the fauna of the island together. I have 

 also to thank Mr. Boulenger for much friendly help and advice 

 in reference to my work on the fishes. All the expenses of col- 

 lecting the specimens and bringing them home were borne by 

 Mr. Mosely, and to me personally his generosity and kindness 

 were unfailing. To the Governor, Lieut. -Colonel Gallwey, my 

 sincere thanks are due for his hospitality and for the very friendly 

 interest he took in my work. I have also to thank the residents of 

 the island for much hospitality and the officials for all kinds of help. 



