SOME NOTES ON LAND -BIRDS 15 



May 5th. — At noon Kulao Kae Island bore S.W. distant 

 5 miles. Variable winds and thick misty rain. One land- 

 bird seen, also several swallows. This afternoon passed 

 through patches of plankton — very large patches of a light 

 straw colour — "whales food." Saw one ocean bird with 

 black and white plumage resting on a piece of wood. Flying 

 fish very numerous. 



May 7th. — Off the entrance to Saigon Eiver. Heavy 

 rain and thunder squalls. Saw a school of dolphin which 

 I was unable to identify. And it is difficult to describe such 

 animals, more than half submerged in the water; but they 

 were strangers to me. Here a few swallows came round 

 the ship, various other land birds and many paddy birds 

 were seen, all close to. 



May 16th. — Saigon to Hongkong. Light southerly 

 winds and showery. When passing Cape Taiwan about 

 4 p.m. numbers of jelly fish were met with and a few 

 light yellow coloured crabs swimming on the surface. 



May 17th. — Approaching Cape Padaran. Large patches 

 of plankton, straw colour; when passing through this a 

 strong smell of ozone present. Later when passing Three 

 Kings' Islets a brownish paddy bird was seen. 



May 18th. — Plenty of gulf -weed was met with through- 

 out the day. 



May i9th.— Lat. 17-47' N., Long. 110-50' E. A 

 moderate S.W. monsoon and overcast. A few gannet (im- 

 mature) were seen yesterday and to-day. A dove came to 

 rest, head white, back and wings reddish brown with 

 black collar behind. 



May 20th.— Lat. 20-52' N., Long. 113-20' E. A 

 moderate monsoon and overcast. Three more doves about, 

 like that of yesterday. A pair of black plumaged birds, white 

 rump and long tails. A pair of egret (A. Coromanda) kept 

 flying close to the ship for some hours. Flying fish plentiful, 

 many of large size. Before sunset dragon flies and moths 

 came on board. 



May 26th. — Hongkong to Saigon. Calm and fine clear 

 weather. Left here at noon and nothing was seen until the 

 ship was some 20 miles or more South of Gap Eock. When 

 we passed a few shoals of fish close to the surface. Not a 

 bird of any kind was met with. 



May 27th.— Lat. 18-55' N., Long. 111-41' E. Calm and 

 fine. In the morning passed a few streaky patches of 

 plankton, light straw colour, stretching N.W. and S. E. ; 

 medusae plentiful, and such remained all day. The sea 

 being without a ripple I could see well under water, once I 

 saw a small and peculiar fish wriggle away and one large 



