Vol. II, Pt. I] GIFFORD— BIRDS OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 105 



times before the bird finally entered the hole. On Hood Island 

 they usually went directly to their holes without hesitation. 



Only twice in the archipelago were these birds seen on the 

 water; once I saw three off Daphne Island, and on another 

 occasion one off Mt. Pitt, Chatham Island. In the latter case 

 the bird flew as we passed and shook itself just after getting 

 out of the water. As far as we observed, the tropic-birds are 

 practically immune from the attacks of Man-o'-war Birds. 

 On one occasion only did I see Man-o'-war Birds harass a 

 tropic-bird, and then without success. 



The food of the Red-billed Tropic-bird, as shown by the 

 stomachs examined, consists of fish and squids. These were 

 very often disgorged by both young and old when they were 

 taken from their burrows. This species dives for its food 

 somewhat, like a tern. 



Red-billed Tropic-birds could be recognized at almost any 

 time by their cry, which is long and shrill and consists of a 

 lot of short, high, rasping notes given in quick succession. 

 Birds flying about the nesting-places often gave it, and birds 

 disturbed on the nest also gave it. The young when taken 

 from the nest uttered the same cry, and I have even heard a 

 young bird only a day or so old give three or four notes of it 

 when handled. 



The nesting-places were usually holes in cliffs and hillsides 

 in the vicinity of the sea. As a rule the single egg was laid 

 at the end of a short burrow or in a cavity under a rock, but 

 sometimes it was laid in an open depression. I have found 

 them nesting two or three hundred feet above the sea, as for 

 instance, on Daphne Island, where they nest from top to bot- 

 tom of the island. Often two birds would be taken from a 

 burrow ; when such was the case no eggs or young were found. 

 One bird which I disturbed on its nest was in a good light so 

 that I could see it. It was sitting on its egg with wings droop- 

 ing at its sides, feathers raised, and every feature showing 

 rage at my intrusion. 



The following are some of the breeding-places : Daphne 

 in April and November; Hood in February, September, and 

 October; Onslow in February. Young birds and eggs were 

 taken on Daphne in the latter part of November; a fresh egg 



