NATATORES. 



387 



" Observed throughout all the islands of the Dangerous Archipelago 

 or Paumotu Group, and on most of the coral islands of the Pacific 

 Ocean, breeding on those that are not inhabited by man. At Honden 

 Island, this bird was found in great numbers, on the 21st of August, 

 when the young were just able to fly. The nests were mere concavities 

 in the coral sand, under low bushes. The number and proximity were 

 such, that it required great care in walking, to avoid crushing both 

 young and old birds under our feet. 



The young is entirely brown ; the dorsal feathers tipped with 

 yellowish-white ; the outer tail-feathers not attenuated, as in the 

 adult. Egg two and one-tenth inches long, by one and nine-tenths 

 inches in diameter, yellowish-white, with umber spots, some of which 

 are very pale, and appear as if seen through the shell." 



We have great pleasure in transferring to our pages the following 

 sketch of this species, and of one of the localities at which it was 

 found in abundance, for which we are again indebted to the kindness 

 of Dr. Pickering : 



"October 7th, 1839. Land was discovered this forenoon, appearing 

 like a single rock in the midst of the ocean, but on nearer approach, 

 this was found to be a clump of trees. Indeed, this appearance is so 

 deceptive at times, that Captain Vanderford, who appears to have first 

 seen this island (near twenty years ago), passing it during a strong 

 breeze, while the surf was beating heavily, did not suspect its true 

 character. 



" Rosa Island is in fact an annular coral reef, precisely similar in 

 its structure to others, but is inundated at high water, with the ex- 

 ception of two banks, one of which is covered by a grove of trees. 

 The remainder is in general only distinguishable by a line of breakers 

 and masses of dead coral projecting above the shelf It appeared to 

 be scarcely more than two miles in diameter in any direction. Mr. 

 Couthouy found here some boulders of vesicular lava, the first that 

 we have seen in any of the Coral Islands ; and some were also seen by 

 myself, smooth and rounded, and weighing perhaps twenty pounds. 

 They evidently could not have been brought here by human agency. 

 Remained on shore until 6 p. m. 



"Great numbers of birds were seen flying over and about the grove 

 above-mentioned, and perching on the trees, but we were not aware of 

 the immense multitude until we reached the spot, when various spe- 

 cies raised into the air literally in clouds. The Terns, and especially 



