392 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



from localities in the two great oceans, and especially of the various 

 immature plumages, is yet desirable. 



Regarded as one species, this bird has a most extensive range of 

 locality, and is mentioned by the naturalists of the Expedition in the 

 Vincennes and Peacock, as having been observed very frequently, and 

 at widely distant points, especially in the Pacific Ocean. 



Mr. Peale states, with reference to this bird : 



"A specimen was obtained on the equator, in longitude 17° 44' 30" 

 in the Atlantic Ocean. It was attracted by the light at night, while 

 persons were ascertaining the temperature of the water. The skin 

 cannot be distinguished from many others obtained at the Dangerous 

 Archipelago, New Zealand, and other parts of the Pacific Ocean, ex- 

 cept that all our specimens taken in the Pacific Ocean are rather 

 larger. 



" Unlike the Sooty Tern [Sterna fuUginosa) , the presence of this 

 species does not indicate the vicinity of land. On the islands of the 

 Pacific Ocean, it builds its nest of sticks, on trees; the eggs are brown- 

 ish-white, spotted with reddish-brown, two and two-tenths inches long, 

 and one and one-half inches in diameter." 



At Gardner's Island, under date of August 19th, this species is 

 alluded to by Dr. Pickering, as of common occurrence, " Its nest," he 

 observes, " is built in the forks of a tree, with much more care 

 than is usual in this family. The egg or young is single in all the 

 instances noticed ; the former rather large for the size of the bird, 

 white, with a few reddish-brown blotches." Subsequently, at sea, 

 under date of September 4th, he states: "A common Noddy alighted 

 to-day on the taffrail, and was taken by hand. It appeared to have 

 but very limited power of perching, although it nests in trees, and 

 evidently preferred walking. It seemed awkward and confused enough 

 at first, but in an hour or two appeared to become accustomed to con- 

 finement, and adjusted its feathers very carefully, using its bill, and 

 spreading its wings and tail quite gracefully. It was set at liberty in 

 the afternoon, but would not leave the ship for some time afterwards." 



This bird is mentioned by Dr. Pickering, at nearly all points visited 

 by the Expedition in the Southern Pacific Ocean. Numerous speci- 

 mens are in the collection, in good plumage and preservation. 



