from the Antipodes. 247 
the ocean but little traversed, namely that between Adelaide 
and Table Bay. 
From Adelaide to Cape Leuwin, which we rounded on the 
19th October, we saw but very few birds. An occasional Alba- 
tros ( Diomedea melanophrys) or Mutton-bird flew round the ship, 
and then left us. The weather was fine, with a westerly wind; 
but after rounding the Leuwin, we fell in with a gale from the 
north-east. On the 25th, in lat. 30°, long. 107°, we lost sight 
of our last bird, an Albatros, and saw no more till the 8th of 
November—an interval of fourteen days, during which we picked 
up the south-east trade-wind and crossed into the tropic of 
Capricorn. On the 8th, being in lat. 22° 15', long. 80° 18', and 
960 miles from Rodriguez Island (the nearest land), six Tropic- 
birds crossed over the ship, flying to the northward. This 
species, the Phaeton phcenicurus, breeds on Rodriguez and 
on some islands to the north of Mauritius. On one of these 
(Round Island, a curious volcanic boulder) I spent three days at 
the end of the year 1856, on purpose to inspect their nidification. 
They build among the rocks, at a considerable elevation, on the 
north-western side. The males and females sit indiscriminately 
on their one large egg, which is of a pale pink-purple ground, 
with dark specks; axis 2 inches 6 lines, diam. 1 inch 9 lines *. 
I procured very many, quite fresh, but found that they faded 
to a dirty purple on being blown or exposed to the light. The 
eggs are laid on the bare ground, without any nest. The young 
bird is white, barred minutely with black. 
On this island I also procured the eggs of Puffinus cinereus, 
which breeds in holes, and those of the Black-and-white Noddy 
(Onychoprion fuliginosus) and of a Gannet. Those of the former 
measure, axis 2 inches 6 lines, diam. 1 inch 6 lines, and are of a 
dull white colour. The Noddy lays its brown-mottled egg on 
the bare ground. 
On the 11th we crossed the tropic in lat. 23° 30', long. 72°; 
and on the 12th were visited by a pair of Mother Caryls Chicken 
(Thalassidroma wilsoni). 
15th, Saturday.—Again today some Mother Cary's Chicken. 
We are in lat. 24°, long. 75° 30': and on the 16th, when 110 
* Another specimen measures, axis 3 inches 1 line, diam. 2 inches. 
