394 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



Of this little-known species several specimens are in the collection 

 of the Expedition, and we find it noticed as occurring at various points. 

 The specimens alluded to are very nearly uniform in their characters, 

 and coincide with Mr. Gould's specimens now in the collection of the 

 Philadelphia Academy, and with the description by him, above cited, 

 though measurements given by Mr. Peale are greater than those of 

 Mr. Gould in his description. Those of Mr. Peale are, however, pro- 

 bably derived from the recently killed bird, and are stated as follows : 



" Total length, ten and one-half inches ; extent of wings, twenty-one 

 and one-fourth inches ; wing, from the carpal joint, seven and six- 

 tenths inches ; outer tail-feathers, three and five-tenths inches ; second, 

 four and one-tenth inches ; middle, two and seven-tenths inches ; bill, 

 one inch; to the corners of the mouth, one and four-tenths inches; 

 middle toe, one and two-tenths inches; tarsi, nineteen-twentieths of an 

 inch ; hind toe, including the nail, one-tenth of an inch. Male. 

 Sexes alike in size and color." 



The account of this bird given by Mr. Peale is : 

 This plain but pretty bird was seen first at Honden Island, one of 

 the Paumotu Group, on the 21st of August. Its eggs were then found 

 in slight concavities of the coral rocks, near the beach, Avithout any 

 nest or lining materials. Three eggs were found in one concavity, 

 the whole number is probably four. The egg is one and one-half 

 inches long by one and one-tenth inches in diameter, larger at one end, 

 and with both ends rounded ; the color is that of pale cream, with 

 irregular and scattered spots of sepia-brown, some of them very pale." 



" We saw this species, now and then, though rarely, as we passed 

 the equatorial regions of the Pacific Ocean, on or near coral islets. 

 When away from their eggs or broods, it is rare to hear them utter 

 any cry ; but when anxious about either, they are noisy, though the 

 voice is much less harsh than that of most Terns. Their flight is 

 easy and bat-like, from the great width of their wings and tail." 



6. Genus PHAETON, Linn. Sjst. Nat. I, p. 219 (1766). 

 1. Phaeton ^thereus, Linn. — The White-tailed Tropic Bird. 



Phaeton cethereus, LlNN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 219 (1766). 

 Phaeton Cateshaei, Brandt. 



