36 SOME NOTES OX LAND-BIRDS 



December 28th. — Approaching Darby Eeef, after hav- 

 ing been to Sebattik. Light westerly airs and fine. Again 

 many shoals of flying fish, each formed of large or small fish 

 as noticed yesterday. A few frigate birds here, and three 

 terns resting on a piece of drift wood. On the edge of tidal 

 current there was a good deal of drift wood and cut logs. 

 The ship has many insects mostly some kind of beetle, which 

 came on board at the wharf last night. Booby also here- 

 abouts and one tropic bird. 



December 29th.— Lat. 4-5' N., Long. 120-51' E. (Time 

 9.20 a.m.) Wind S.W. to Southerly, and clear. Last 

 night off Sebuku Passage very heavy tide rips causing a 

 rough sea. A moderate amount of phosphorescence here. 

 Nothing seen all day until the evening when a few booby 

 appeared, and small shoals of flying fish. 



December 30th. — Approaching Basilan Strait. Light 

 N.E. winds very fine and clear. Early this morning when 

 passing Cape Matanal we passed through a patch of phos- 

 phorescent light, about one acre in extent, which emitted 

 one enormous and brilliant glow at intervals of one second, 

 the pulsation was most regular. The sea was generally 

 phosphorescent all night but only seen w T hen disturbed by 

 the vessel's bow wave or by tidal rips. Passing Samboanga 

 several swallows were to be seen hawking round the ship. 

 Here flies again made themselves felt. A few terns were 

 seen, sometimes at rest on a piece of drift wood, but all 

 too far away to describe or identify. Many shoals of fish 

 were seen in Basilan Strait but no flying fish until we were 

 at the Western Entrance, when a few appeared. Here also 

 a very large white fish about 10 feet long jumped out several 

 times, possibly a shark or sword fish. To-night a booby 

 flies around looking for quarters for the night, but could not 

 find a quiet spot so eventually left. Several species of 

 insects, beetles and moths came on board whilst in the 

 Strait, but I did not succeed in catching any. 



December 31st. — At 9 a.m. Nogas Point bore East 2 

 miles. Wind easterly (3-4); very fine. Only a few flying 

 fish seen, and during the day some dragon flies and beetles 

 came on board remaining until dark. 



January 1st, 1917.— At 8.30 a.m. Cape Kalivite N. 60 

 E. 2\ miles. Light N.E. winds and very fine. A few 

 flying fish seen since daylight. When nearing Cabra Island 

 I had a fine view of a white-breasted sea eagle (H 

 leucogastra) which hovered round for a short time and then 

 flew towards the land. This evening when off Kapones a 

 large flock of boobies passed ahead, mostly full grown birds 

 but I saw a few immature birds amongst them, they were 



