260 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



On reviewing the three lists I find the Turtle Dove (T. 

 communis) appears in all three, and as I have observed it on a 

 previous occasion, it seems to be quite a common visitor, and 

 one feels inclined to wonder if it is gifted with insufficient powers 

 of flight to cope with the great strain put on the species at this 

 period of the year. 



The same remark certainly cannot apply to the Hirundinida, 

 yet they appear on my list and Dr. Hurlestone Jones's, and I 

 can remember in 1893 catching three Swallows (H. rustica) in 

 April when serving as a middy in H.M.S. ' Calypso.' Unfor- 

 tunately I did not keep a note-book in those days, but we were 

 somewhere between the Land's End and the south of the Irish 

 coast. By the way, the Wheatear appears on all three of our 

 lists. 



Why do birds settle on ships — that is the question ? One 

 reason undoubtedly is the attraction of lights at night, especially 

 the powerful white light which all steam vessels carry. For 

 example : — One night, when off the Australian coast, a Red-tailed 

 Tropic bird (Phaethon rubricauda, Bodd) flew up against the mast 

 this light was on, and, having stunned itself, fell on to the deck, 

 where I picked it up, and skinned it. Its two long tail feathers 

 were fortunately undamaged. 



During autumn a vessel steering north in the Red Sea, where 

 most of the birds on my list were observed, would meet, and 

 attract, birds flying in a southerly direction. Several birds I 

 have mentioned arrived and perched during the night. 



But what about the daytime ? In some cases, notably that of 

 the Turtle-Doves, land was in sight all day, yet they did not 

 leave us. The Red Sea is no great distance across at its widest 

 part, and is well provided with littoral islands, offering many 

 resting-places where the birds would be free from molestation. 

 The only really weary wayfarer was the Quail, which appeared 

 completely fatigued, and only rose at the last moment to avert 

 capture. 



In the Suez Canal, for example, the Willow Wren must 

 have visited us out of pure curiosity, as it left a green and 

 favourable-looking locality to perch on board. 



The silence of birds on board I have already touched on, also 

 the question of hunger. 



