596 Mr. D. A. Bannerman on the 



One perched on tlie ball on the top of each mast, while 

 others took up positions in the rigging. We saw none after 

 leaving New Zealand. 



Larus dominicanus. New Zealand Black-backed Gull. 



On Oct. 27, at 11 a.m., when fifteen niiles oflf Cape Farewell 

 (Cook Strait), the first of these birds flew over the ship. By 

 noon, off Farewell Spit, half a dozen were about us, among 

 them an immature bird showing the dark terminal tail- 

 band. Night fell as we passed the entrance to Wellington, 

 and we saw no more of this species until on Nov. IG off 

 Cape Curanmilla (Chile), where several came out to meet 

 us. In Valparaiso harbour they are very numerous, perch- 

 ing on the giant iron buoys. 



Catharacta lonnhergi. Australian Skua. 



I saw but a single example of this bird on the voyage, 

 namely, on Oct. 31, in very cold Mcatlier, when it was 

 blowing a gale and there had been a few snowflakes. This 

 bird appears in flight as of a heavy, squat form, with 

 roundish tail ; the white markings near the ends of the 

 wings are very noticeable. 



XXXVIII. — Report on the Birds collected by the late 

 Mr. Boyd Alexcmder [Rifle Brigade) during his last 

 Expedition to Africa. — Part I. The Birds of Prince's 

 Island. By David A. Bannerman, B.A., M.B.O.U., 

 F.R.G.S. 



The following paper is tlie first of a series which I hope 

 to publish dealing Avith the collections made by the late 

 Mr. Boyd Alexander on his last memorable expedition to 

 Africa, from which, as all the world knows by now, he never 

 returned. Much has been written of Boyd Alexander since 

 his untimely death, which need not be recapitulated here. 



He made a great reputation for himself as an ornitholo- 

 gist and explorer, and the present collections, which I have 

 been privileged to work out, show that his admirable qualities 

 as a collector had in no wise diminished. The birds which 

 he sent home are in point of fact of exceptional value, 



