90 



THE NATUEALIST IN BEEMUDA. 



shaped bars of black, or dark brown : the tail is rounded, 

 and the elongated feathers of the centre do not appear for 

 some time. The following woodcut represents a young 

 phaeton ia the unfledged state: 



To give an idea of the number of these tropic birds, 

 which breed along the south shore of Gibbs' Hill, and 

 Somerset, I have only to remark that in 1847, being in 

 want of specimens for some friends, I sent word to the 

 sergeant's party, stationed at the Gibbs' Hill telegraph, 

 (which is close to the light-house,) that I would give a 

 shilling each for a few of those birds in full and perfect 

 plumage. I soon received a message in reply, requesting 

 me to go up and select from a number which had been 

 captured. On my arrival at the station, I found between 

 forty and fifty of these birds confined in a small room, the 

 whole of which, with a number of eggs, had been taken in 



