94 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



and on the tops of sea-cliffs. On south James they were seen 

 in the mangroves. It was not unusual to find them asleep in 

 broad daylight. An entire flock, however, was never caught 

 napping, two or three birds always being awake and on the 

 lookout. 



When offshore and on a journey, the Blue- footed Boobies 

 frequently flew in single file, all following the undulations of 

 the leader. On the south coast of Albemarle Island, in May, 

 they were noted flying towards Brattle Island each evening. 

 Single birds met with offshore usually circled about the 

 schooner. The birds noted about the bays and coves had the 

 habit of continually looking downward when flying, appar- 

 ently in search of fish. 



The fish were almost invariably caught by diving, although 

 an occasional flying-fish was chased and caught while in the 

 air. It was a common thing to see Blue-footed Boobies fish- 

 ing in flocks, often all diving simultaneously. They dive with 

 wings half-closed and neck rigid and straight, striking the 

 water with great force. As all would not get fish when div- 

 ing in a flock, there was usually considerable squabbling over 

 captures. One day a booby was seen to enter the water 

 obliquely at a very small angle, appearing quickly on the sur- 

 face again and continuing its line of flight without a pause. 



At Finger Point, Chatham Island, in the middle of Febru- 

 ary, there were several Blue-footed Boobies standing about in 

 the vicinity of some old nests three or four hundred feet above 

 the ocean. Whenever a bird alighted, there was a great deal 

 of squawking and bowing and waddling carried on by it and 

 its mate. In latter March during the mating-season at Tagus 

 Cove, Albemarle Island, they were quite demonstrative, the 

 mated birds seeming to talk to each other, and managing to 

 keep up an incessant racket. One of them as a rule did con- 

 siderable strutting about, lifting its feet very high with each 

 step, and appearing to us very ridiculous. They made a very 

 elaborate bow, uttering one or two short notes at the same 

 time. With the breast almost touching the ground, the neck 

 stretched upwards, and the wings outspread but held verti- 

 cally, the ceremony of bowing would last for about half a 

 minute.^ 



^Cf. Beck, Condor, v. 6, pp. 6-8. 



