18 SOME NOTES ON LAND-BIRDS 



June 19th. — Approaching Cape Varella; a moderate 

 S.W. monsoon and fine. Saw several tern the same species 

 as those of yesterday. Gulf weed appears to-day. Flying 

 fish appear plentiful. After passing Cape Varella, no more 

 birds were seen, also flying fish failed to appear. 



June 20th. — Off Kega Point. Moderate westerly winds 

 and fine. Passed several sea snakes, general ground colour 

 a light yellow having a black dorsal stripe from head to tail, 

 with black bars across the back, belly indistinctly seen, but 

 appeared to be plumbeous. Length about 2 feet 6 inches 

 to 3 feet. Tail compressed flat. I also saw a small school 

 of dolphin swimming in pairs, having a dorsal fin, general 

 colour of back and upper parts, ashy grey, belly not seen. 

 Medusae were plentiful. 



June 26th. — Saigon to Cebu. Light southerly airs and 

 very fine. After passing Cape St. James and holding a 

 course for Kega Point I noticed a few butterflies of various 

 kinds, some nearly all yellow, others were rather large and 

 handsomely coloured, also a few white moths seen. The 

 funnel guys and rigging are covered with spiders' webs in 

 long threads, this has been done since leaving the River. 

 We have many mosquitos but these came on board before 

 sailing. 



June 27th.— Lat. 11-24' N., Long. 110-10' E. A 

 moderate S.W. monsoon and fine clear weather. Nothing 

 seen until noon at above position. When flying fish began 

 to be plentiful ; gulf weed and plankton present. This even- 

 ing I saw a booby the only bird seen to-day. 



June 28th.— Lat. 12-36' N., Long. 113-36' E. A 

 moderate S.W. monsoon and fine. An occasional booby 

 appears, there are either two kinds, or they are fully matured 

 and immature birds. Flying fish plentiful at times, many 

 of large size. Gulf weed has been present all day. Plank- 

 ton seen in patches like grains of seed, brown coloured. 



June 29th.— Lat. 13-08' N., Long. 117-43' E. Easterly 

 winds and fine. An occasional booby seen during the day. 

 Also another large bird, general colour brown, with short 

 rounded wings, a sea-bird of some kind about the size of a 

 booby, but I was unable to identify it. Flying fish plentiful 

 at times and many large ones. Also gulf weed and plankton 

 present. 



June 30th.— Lat. 12-44' N., Long. 120-41' E. Light 

 S.E. airs and fine. Coasting along Mindoro Island; with 

 the exception of a very few flying fish and some plankton, 

 nothing else was seen all day. 



July 1st. — Nogas Island was passed at daylight, being 

 2 miles distant. Calm and exceptionally fine weather, fly- 



