THE WHITE TROPIC-BIRD. 
225 
595. PHAETON FLAVIROSTRIS. 
THE WHITE TROPIC-BIRD. 
Phaeton flavirostris, Brandt, Bull. Acad. Sc. St. Petersb. ii. p. 349 ; Hume, S. F. 
ii. p. 323, V. p. 498, viii. p. 116; Penrose, Ibis, 1879, p. 277; Leffge, Birds 
Ceylon, p. 1172. Phaeton candidus {Bi'iss.}, ajmd Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 850. 
Description. — G-eneral colour of the plumage white ; a large mark in 
front of the eye^ continued as a broad band down the sides of the head_, 
black ; the first four primaries with the outer web^ the shaft and a narrow 
portion of the inner web black to within an inch of the tip of the feathers ; 
the next few primaries more or less black on the basal portion of the shaft ; 
a broad band along the median wing-coverts, the greater portion of the 
tertiaries and the tips of the scapulars black ; shafts of the lengthened 
central tail-feathers black, those of the others black on the basal two 
thirds of their length only ; some of the upper tail-coverts with black 
marks; the longer flank-feathers streaked with slate-colour; with the 
above exceptions the whole plumage is white. 
Bill, in the dry specimen, pale yellow, with a pale plumbeous line along 
the central portion of both mandibles ; tarsus and basal portion of foot 
yellow ; remainder of foot black. 
Length 30 inches, tail 18, wing ]0*6, tarsus '9, bill from gape 2'5. 
The above description is taken from four specimens in the British 
Museum ; they are all in the same plumage and are of the same size. 
The White Tropic -bird was obtained by the late Col. Tytler at Ross 
Island, one of the Andaman group, and it must consequently occur on or 
near the Burmese coast"^'. 
It is found in the tropical seas of the whole world, and one of its breeding- 
places is the island of Ascension. 
A specimen of this bird was captured at a considerable distance from 
the sea in Cachar. 
* All sea-birds of wide range which have been recorded as occurring in the Bay of 
Bengal must necessarily find a place in this work. 
VOL. II. 
Q 
