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Show 504 MR. E. L. LAYARD ON BIRDS [June 6, 32. STERNA PANAYA, Gm. These were all common in the harbour at Tongatabu, the last being in specially fine plumage. 33. GYGIS ALBA, Sparrm. A few of these were killed on Tongatabu ; but on arriving at Eooa I found the ravines full of them, and so tame that they would almost perch on the gun-barrel, if it was held out. The officers of the ship made the same observation on their tameness at a lagoon in Vavaw. They perch constantly on trees; but for what purpose I could not ascertain; the stomachs of six I shot were entirely empty. The lovely blue tints at the base of the bill fade soon after death. 34. ANOUS STOLIDUS, L. 35. ANOUS LEUCOCAPILLUS, Gould. The former I saw at sea, off the islands; the latter was common even in the harbour. Petrels were also seen. 36. PHAETON RUBRICAUDA, Bodd. 37. PHAETON .ETHEREUS, L. 38. PHAETON CANDIDUS, Gray. All the Phaetontes were observed about the islands. At Eooa I obtained an egg, said to be of the latter, which is called by the natives " Tavaki." 39. DYSPORUS PISCATOR, L. 40. DYSPORUS SULA, L. 41. TACHYPETES AQUILUS, L. Gannets were seen from the ship when near land, but none obtained. Frigate-birds hovered over our mast-heads, and tempted Captain Suttie to two or three shots, in the hope of procuring me a specimen ; but their small bodies, at the great altitude they always maintained, escaped the shot. These seas, as a rule, are very destitute of birds. If any are seen, it is a sure indication that land is not far off. The " Frigates " and "Phaetons" approach the ship, while the " Noddies," "Petrels," and " Puffins " keep at a respectful distance, and can only be identified through my faithful companions my binoculars. A little practice enables one to do this with tolerable certainty ; there is sure to be some marked peculiarity by which, if the bird is once fairly identified, it can always afterwards be recognized. Carefully made collections from each of the numerous small islands dotted oyer these seas would, I am convinced, exhibit some interesting facts in the distribution and variation of species. The volcanic islands especially would afford a fine field for scientific in- |
