26 SOME NOTES OX LAND-BIRDS 



September 9th. — North Saddle Island, south about 15 

 miles. At daybreak I heard several land-birds fly past, later 

 when light enough, a number of swallows were seen, and 

 when nearing the Fairway Buoy several sooty petrel follow 

 in our wake as far as Tangsha Light vessel. Also, some 

 swallows, these hawking close about until the ship anchored 

 ofi Woosung. 



September 26th. — Hankow to Swatow. WindN.E. (4-5); 

 overcast sky and some rain. When North of Steep Island 

 the sea was very phosphorescent. After passing Steep 

 Island about 9 p.m. I heard a flock of sandpipers whistling as 

 they passed close by overhead. 



September 27th. — Being midway between Hieshan 

 Island and Heachu. Wind N.E. (4); overcast but fine. A 

 very rough sea and greatly discoloured. Before 8 a.m. I 

 saw one black petrel flying some distance ahead. And one 

 land-bird, a bunting I think, flew round the ship a few times, 

 then it left us. 



September 28th. — Approaching the Season Channel. A 

 strong N.E. monsoon. Several moths came on board but 

 it is hard to say where they came from. Also one tern seen, 

 but unable to identify this. Having Kwing Island S.W. 

 distant 8 miles. A grey wagtail (M melanope) came on 

 board remaining until dark. To-night the sea was phospho- 

 rescent. 



September 29th. — Dodd Island N.W. 14 miles. Fresh 

 N.E. monsoon — fine weather. One grey wagtail seen at day- 

 light, and may be the same bird that was seen yesterday. 

 A petrel blackish brown was seen some distance away. 

 Throughout the day plankton present greatly discolouring 

 the sea, forming long streaky patches, of a yellowish colour. 

 Some seaweed also seen. No flying fish have been seen this 

 trip. 



October 4th-5th. — Swatow to Hongkong. Fresh N.E. 

 monsoon; very fine. A sparrow came on board at Swatow 

 and remained on the ship until arrival in Hongkong. Before 

 sunrise several land-birds were seen, one was about the size 

 of a dove but had a long tail: it was still too dark to see 

 more than the outline of the birds, and they had all gone 

 before sunrise. Medusae very plentiful all the trip. 



October 11th. — Hongkong to Tsingtau and Newchwang. 

 We left port at 7 a.m. on the 8th instant. Met a strong 

 N.E. monsoon and fine clear weather. Nothing seen until 

 on the 10th instant when entering the Southern Entrance 

 to Haitan Strait, a few gulls (L canus) put in an appearance, 

 and medusae were seen. Owing to the N.E. gale I anchored 

 in the strait all night. This morning after clearing the 



