16 



LORD HOWE ISLAND. 



tail feathers, render it quite as conspicuous as tlie last species. In Gould's 

 figure of O.fuUqinosus the two characteristic tail feathers are represented 

 black with a white edging, whereas, in reality, they are quite white, with the 

 slightest possible cloud on the inner margin. The egg is laid on any exposed 

 surface, ledge or rock, or on bare spots amongst grass, without protection of 

 any kind, from immediately above high-water mark upwards to the full 

 height of the island. The eggs, which vary much in the mottling of the 

 surface, are plentiful at the beginning of September. They have been 

 since described by Dr. E. P. Bamsay.* 



The Tropic Birds are represented at Lord Howe by PhMon pliainicurus, 

 G-ould, known as the Ecd-tailcd Tropic or Boatswain Bird. We observed 

 them on the west side of Mount Ledgbird and on the seaward precipitous 

 face of the North llidge. It is a remarkably shy and difBeult bird to obtain. 

 A frigate-bird, probably Attarjen ariel, Gould, the small frigate-bird of Torres 

 Straits, is also said to be a visitant. 



The Ganncts are confined to tlie Admiralty Islets, although one or two 

 stray individuals of Sula australis, Gould, were seen sailing about the 

 Lagoon. The bird inhabiting the Admiralty's is Sula cyanops, of which we 

 obtained a fine series. On approaching from seaward, the white plumage of 

 this bird renders it a most conspicuous object, presenting to the eye large 

 white dots scattered in all conceivable positions over the side of the hill. S. 

 cyanops is yerj stupid, sluggish, and easily captured, for when climbing 

 the steep sides of the Islet, they may be literally walked over,^ before any 

 attempt on their part is made to waddle off. The egg, of which we 

 obtained a few, is white, noth withstanding Gould's statement to the contrary, 

 that it is stained red. Dr. llamsay has lately doscribedf examples brought 

 by us. 



The eggs are simply laid between tussocks of grass. In Gould's figure, 

 the legs and feet are represented as of a peculiar green, and the iris of 

 the eye yellow. Every example collected by us, on the other hand, had these 

 portions of tlic body black. Gould's representation is far from a good one. 

 Lastly a Pelican is said to sometimes visit Lord Howe, but there is not 

 enough brackish water for these birds. 



The tameness of the land-birds on this oceaii-girt island is very re- 

 markable, so much so that at times it is difficult to get sufficiently far 

 enough away from certain species to avoid blowing the specimen to pieces. 

 This trait is taken advantage of by the residents who frequently obtain 

 birds alive by hand snaring. It is particularly noticeable in the case of 

 Merula vinitincia, both species of Gerygone, PaahycepJiala, and to some 

 extent also Aplonis fuscus. A similar friendliness of disposition is described 

 by Darwin in the case of the birds of the Galapagos Islands. J " I must 

 describe," he remarks, " more in detail the tameness of the birds .... 

 There is not one which will not approach sufliciently near to be killed with a 

 switch, and sometimes as I have myself tried with a cap or hat." 



* Loc. cit., p. 678. 

 + Loc cit., p. 679. 

 X Journ. Kcicarchea Geol, and Nat. Hist., H.M.S. "Beagle," 1S39, p. 47 



