LAND BIRDS AT SEA.
By Lieut. Robert E. Vaughan, R.N.
The published notes in the 'Zoologist' under the above heading by Surgeon K. Hurlestone Jones, R.N. (ante, p. 51), and Mr. Malcolm Burr (ante, p. 144) greatly interested me, and have caused me to read up my own note-book and write a few words on the subject, more especially as I can add some fresh species to the list.
Dr. Hurlestone Jones mentions having recognized eleven species, while Mr. Burr makes mention of six. My list of land birds contains fourteen species, of which six have appeared in the two previous lists, and bring the total number under observation up to twenty-three.
My observations are of a recent date, extending from Sept. 10th to Oct. 16th, 1899, whilst travelling between Aden and Plymouth, and during the season of autumnal migration.
I happened to be returning to England from Australia in H.M.S. 'Royalist,' a small vessel, barque-rigged, and consequently supplied with numerous spars and ropes, which would form ample and convenient resting-places for any chance avian visitors, or passengers, as I may call some of them, seeing that a few remained on board for about a couple of days.
We left Sydney, Australia, on July 7th, and on the 8th, at sunset, a Noddy Tern (Anous stolidus) settled on one of the boats' davits and went to sleep, where I succeeded in capturing it. This is somewhat of a digression, but is worth recording. The Noddy is essentially a pelagic bird, which, being the case, I think makes its occurrence on board all the more noticeable, as it could have slept on the water in comfort, as the weather was fine. In fact, this is the first time during some years afloat that I have seen any sea bird settle on a vessel at sea, though when at anchor it is not unusual for some of the Laridæ to settle for a while.
