128 .A DAY AT CHRISTMAS ISLAND, 



bright red, each containing three seeds. They are peculiarly 

 irritating even when handled like those of Caryota urens and 

 Kentia Macarthuri. The tree produces a very excellent sago 

 which is used as food by Mr. Ross' party. Indeed Christmas 

 Island produces, for an island of its size, a remarkably large 

 supply of natural vegetable and animal food, for besides the 

 sago, there are plenty of Gayam [Inocarpus edulis) and 

 Indian almonds [Terminalia catappa) both eatable and ex- 

 cellent fruits ; while land crabs, pigeons and frigate birds 

 supply plenty of animal food. 



The birds of the island are somewhat interesting. A pret- 

 ty brown ground thrush with a red abdomen was very abun- 

 dant and tame, hopping about everywhere, and small green 

 warblers (Zosterops natalis, Sharpe) flew about in little flocks 

 and were very bold and fearless. A small brown hawk like a 

 kestrel {Urospizias na talis, Sharpe) appeared on one occasion 

 and fell to the gun. But the attraction to the party who 

 landed from the Redpole lay in the pigeons, of which there 

 were two species, one resembling the common green pigeon, 

 the other a large blue dove, known as Carphophaga Whar- 

 toni, peculiar to this island. This is a very beautiful bird al- 

 lied to the common Pergam [C. cened), but of a rich deep blue 

 colour. It is very abundant especially on the top of the hill, and 

 towards sunset the woods resounded with its loud note. It 

 sits high up in the lofty trees and is by no means easy to see. 

 It is a very strong bird, several receiving four complete 

 charges of shot before dropping and, like the common Pergam, 

 is tough and not worth eating, but as an ornamental bird it 

 has been successfully introduced into the Cocos Islands by 

 Mr. Ross. 



Of the marine birds, the Frigate Bird [Fregata aquila), 

 tropic birds [Phaethonflavirostris) andboobies [Sula piscatrix) 

 were verv abundant nesting on the trees and filling the air 

 with their fishy odour. The Frigate Bird is, we found, very 

 good eating, having dark brown flesh with a good and not 

 fishy flavour. Towards evening the great fox bats (Pteropus 

 natalis, Thorn.), began to appear and clung squeaking to the 

 branches of the trees which were in fruit. They are quite 

 different from the common fox bat, being entirely black. I saw 



