140 DR, F. WOOD JONES ON THE [ Feb. 16, 
position on the fourth day, and was killed. This bird does not 
occur on Christmas Island, and is not seen far from the atoll—it is, 
in fact, a sign that the atoll is near when one is seen on the 
voyage from Java. 
ARDEIFORMES, 
(6) Demrecrerra sacra Sharpe. 
Native name, ‘ Blakok.” 
Exists in fair numbers, especially in Pulu atas, where as many 
as twenty may be seen fishing together. Birds in the white 
phase and in the grey phase mix freely together; though 
it is said in the islands that white pair with white, and 
grey with grey. ‘The nest is made in the Pisonia trees, and two 
pale blue eggs are laid. I obtained specimens in January. 
In Pulu atas I have also seen a solitary individual of a larger 
species of Heron, that, in the distance, appears to be pure white ; 
this individual was well known to the natives of the atoll. 
PELECANIFORMES. 
Suborder FREGATI. 
(7) Frecara Aquiia Linn. 
Native name, “ Burung itam.” 
Does not breed in the main atoll, but nests in large numbers 
in Keeling Island. The nest is a slight collection of twigs, stolen 
from the nesting Gannets, and placed on the flat tops of the 
Pemphis bushes. ‘The nests are crowded together in thousands ; 
one egg only is laid, which is pure white and its surface is shining ; 
eggs were abundant in June. The bird is so tame in Keeling 
that it has to be driven from the egg, and those birds that are 
sitting in the hot sun, with thei wings half spread, may easily: 
be approached and lifted from the ground. 
(8) FReGATA ARIEL Gould. 
This species is more common than the last. Its habits are 
similar, and it nests freely with the larger species. It is also 
called Burung itam by the natives. 
Suborder Sun &, 
(9) Suna sua Linn, 
Native name, “‘ Burung bebek.” 
I have never seen this bird in the main atoll, and its numbers 
are somewhat limited in Keeling Island. It lays one or two 
dirty white eggs on the bare ground, at the top of the western 
sand-beaches. 
(10) Suna apsorrr Ridgw. 
Native name, “ Burung gangsa.” 
Is not common in Keeling, and, so far as I have observed, does 
