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E.T. Doane on the Atoll of Ebon.  =—S»=— 898 
The shores of the reef at low tide, and the bare rocks, are a 
little enlivened by the brown and white Heron. Small flocks of 
snipe (Scolopax) gather on the sand bars—or single individuals 
are running along the beach picking up food. An occasional 
plover (Charadrius) is to be seen. Sea swallows (Sterna stolida 
baw) 
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is want of caution is Pa ieg seen in he ject way a native 
will ascend a tree in which the bird is roosting and with a. slip- 
noose capture him, An interesting explanation of the origin of 
the single variety of the Cuculus is given by the natives—so 
skillful has this bird been in concealing its birth-place. As the 
natives find it only full grown they say that it is born and nour- 
ished in the clouds and falls to the earth of full size. 
At least five species of reptiles are found on the atoll. Four 
are of the Lacertinidaee—and one, Geckotidz. The Gecko readily 
domesticates himself, and lives upon the house flies and gnats 
efinds. The Lacertinids find their homes on trees and bushes. 
The varieties of insects are interestingly numerous. It might 
seem as though these atolls, so comparatively recent in their 
origin would be but. feebly represented 
mal life. But the entomologi falas ing here not an uninteresting 
field of study. The nat ae mon kind of insect is the par- 
asite veime disgustingly ae in the heads of natives; 
a large size He a dragon fly, is quite numerous, and a few 
of the diurnal and nocturnal Dee ee are found. dp ants 
mosquitoes ahd ce there are large swarms. 
e Crustacea are numerous on land and in the water. We 
Seem to have a great abundance of the Paguridae—hermit crabs. 
I have thought they were more numerous on these coral 
than on the volcanic ones. 
e Mollusca too are abundant. Some rare specimens are 
found. ane orange eon, is common to pom of he Es a 
smaller than Ebon, th “for their size they are equally fertile. 
sas of them seem to veritable fairy-lands—so soft is the 
