The question might have been answered by these beau- 
tiful visitors themselves, but no attempt was made on 
purpose. They had hardly touched the land when the 
merceless gun was pointed at them; such as were -within 
reach paid the forfeit of their visit, instead of receiving 
that hospitality which they had sought in Mauritius, 
when borne thither by the breeze and the tempest. 
We were informed by a letter from Dr A. Vinson to 
your Secretary, that the “ Flamingoes ” had also paid a 
visit to Reunion Island — “ It is curious, the Doctor re- 
marks, that these birds as well as those which come from 
Madagascar, should land towards St Gilles where the 
Pointe aux Aigrettes ” is situate, and where also there 
exists a small marsh known in the country under the 
name of “ Mare aux Flamants.” 
cc I have always noticed, Dr. Vinson adds, that birds 
stranger to Mauritius and Reunion seem to follow the 
most direct line, landing in that part of the coast which 
is nearest to the great African Island, and that they are 
borne towards us when disturbed and induced to transmi- 
grate by atmospheric perturbations.' ” 
Two letters subsequently communicated to Your Secre- 
tary, speak of the specimen sent to Paris by Mr. V. de 
Robillard — one of these letters was addressed by Mr. 
Milne Edwards to Mr. Alfred Newton and the other was 
written by Mr. Verreaux. Both agree, beyond doubt 
that the species -which arrived here is the Phcenicopterns 
Minor. 
Mr. Verreaux is even of opinion, that they were a flock 
of birds from Madagascar which landed at Mauritius. 
Mr. Alfred Newton is inclined after all, to admit only 
two species of the genus viz : P. Antiquorum & P. Minor 
— these mentioned by J. R. Gray in the Monograph pub- 
lished in the “ Ibis ” being only mere varieties. 
Another bird killed at Black River, Avas also presented 
to the Society. The Strepsilas interpres, a small palmiped 
