Vol. II, Pt. I] GIFFORD— BIRDS OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 91 



more than one in a nest when they approach the feathered 

 stage. The great difference in size between the two nestlings 

 in the same nest is particularly noticeable as their age increases ; 

 one is small and puny, the other robust and strong. When we 

 visited Hood Island again in latter June, there were a number 

 of young about, which still had some down on them. 



A young bird in down was taken on Enderby on May 14. 

 Its bill and feet were olive-gray. 



On one occasion Mr. Beck saw an adult Peruvian Booby 

 taking care of a downy Man-o'-war Bird in a nest of the 

 latter species. 



Unless continually persecuted, these boobies exhibit practi- 

 cally no fear of man. The young particularly show consid- 

 erable curiosity. Just south of Hood Island, on June 23, we 

 encountered large numbers of them, many of which kept 

 alighting within two or three feet of the schooner. Fifty or 

 sixty were seen on the water intermingled with as many Dusky 

 Shearwaters. 



On Hood Island, Peruvian Boobies were to be seen sprinkled 

 about among the Man-o'-war Birds, Blue-footed Boobies, and 

 Galapagos Albatrosses, which had nesting-sites close to the 

 cliffs. When asleep at the nest, these boobies thrust the bill 

 down the middle of the back under the feathers. 



Apparently the boobies are bothered somewhat by the Gala- 

 pagos Hawks, for I noticed an adult booby, with a young one 

 in the nest, show considerable alarm when a hawk alighted on 

 a rock close by. In defence against human intruders, the 

 boobies use their bills with telling effect. 



During March, when on the south coast of Albemarle 

 Island, Peruvian Boobies were noted each evening flying to- 

 ward Brattle Island. The flight was not particularly swift or 

 graceful. Several slow wing-beats were succeeded by a long 

 sail. Single birds usually flew somewhat higher than the 

 flocks. When three or four were together they kept time in 

 all their movements, usually following a leader, sometimes one 

 behind another, sometimes bunched. One was observed fol- 

 lowing a Blue-footed Booby in a similar manner. At sea 

 they not infrequently circled about the vessel. On land they 

 waddle, usually with the tail scraping the ground. 



