SOME NOTES ON LAND-BIRDS 27 



Northern Entrance one common tern was seen. When 

 about four miles from the White Dogs, the weather now 

 was thick with misty rain, so that I could not see further 

 than 1| miles. A flock of some kind of small birds, — finches 

 I think, flew round the ship and attempted to rest, but the 

 wind was too strong and soon carried them to leeward and 

 out of sight. Consequently I did not get a good view of 

 these. Later after passing the White Dogs I saw a black 

 petrel; the weather being still misty, I could not note any 

 special feature. One moth came on board here, but was 

 blown overboard almost as soon as I saw it. Then I saw a 

 small flock of some duck-like bird, but though I recognise 

 that these are to be met with from here to the Gulf of 

 Pechili, I have never got a good enough view to describe 

 their special features. 



October 12th. — Being 3 miles east of Peshan Island. 

 A fresh northerly wind and rough sea. One gull (L canus) 

 follows in the ship's wake all the forenoon. This afternoon 

 when off Crate Island, the ship being 1 mile to the eastward, 

 a large hawk, possibly a goshawk, flew past, but of course 

 one is seldom sure if correct in naming a bird seen only for 

 a few minutes, and by the time I had got my binoculars to 

 view it was out of range, going in the direction of the land to 

 the west. 



October 13th. — Being north of Steep Island Pass. A 

 fresh northerly wind and fair. Not until we were through 

 the Pass was any bird seen to-day, and now 11 a.m. I see 

 half a dozen gulls following in our wake. These remained 

 two hours and disappeared as quickly as they come. Passing 

 through the Cairnsmore Channel at the Northern End I saw 

 one gannett — immature — fishing on the edge of the tidal 

 stream. Here a few very large rufous coloured medusae 

 were seen. 



October 14th.— Lat. 33-05' N., Long. 122-50' E. Light 

 northerly airs and very fine clear weather. Last night the 

 cat caught a dove, but would not let me take it away, and 

 being dark I could not see very well, but it was probably the 

 common Chinese turtle dove (T Orientalis). Since daylight 

 •several species of land-birds have been on board, but up to the 

 present I have been unable to get a good view. One however 

 appears to be some kind of fly-catcher, and amongst the 

 others is a finch or two. Being now in Lat. 34-00' N., 

 Long. 122-47' E. The wind having just shifted to the N.W. 

 (4) ; sky overcast and dull with a few drops of rain. A small 

 flock of land birds, flying low, close to the water, passed 

 ahead of the ship; it was now getting dark but I thought 

 they were swallows. A pair of grey wagtail came to rest 



