38 Vallentin, Notes on the Falkland Islands. 



the West Falklands. My collection contains one &^^. 

 It is fairly smooth externally, and slightly glossy. It 

 measures 98 mm. in length, and Gj mm. in width. 



Another species known as the " Black Swan " has 

 been observed in the western portion of this archipelago 

 at long intervals. I have not seen one myself. 



Rhinogryphus aura, " Turkey-buzzard." Common 

 throughout the whole archipelago. These birds can be 

 easily recognised a long distance off by the tips of the 

 primary feathers being widely separated. They are 

 certainly the most graceful birds on these islands. 

 Usually four or perhaps six of this species can be observed 

 at once wheeling round high up in the sky for five 

 minutes without once closing their wings. Usually two 

 or more of this species could be seen near the slaughter 

 house at the east end of Stanley, feeding on the offal. 

 The nest I have never seen. The eggs are oval in outline, 

 and smooth. The ground colour is ivory white, and 

 blotched with reddish spots. One specimen only in my 

 collection. It measures 72 mm. in length by 47 mm. in 

 width. 



Ibycter aus traits, " Carancho." Not very numerous. 

 This species seems to have decreased considerably since 

 Darwin's visit. I once found a nest on a ledge of rocks 

 about two miles from Mount Vernet, near Berkley Sound. 

 It contained two young birds, quite ready to fly. The 

 parent birds were most courageous, and flew round and 

 round my head uttering harsh cries as I climbed to the 

 spot. Occasionally, first one bird and then the other 

 would make a swoop at my head, and at times approach 

 so closely that I was compelled to flourish my whip round 

 my head lest they should actually strike me. The nest, 

 which was placed on a deep ledge of rock about thirty 

 feet from the ground, was very bulky, and made entirely 



