Mr. Strickland’s correction of the error about the monumental evidence of the discovery of Bourbon by the Portuguese, in 1545, will aid research into the period at which it was first visited and named; but my stock of Portuguese literature is but small, and not all of it accessible {486} to me at present.  In the meantime it may be acceptable to Mr. Strickland to know, that there is a detailed account of Portuguese discoveries in a book whose title would hardly indicate it, in which one passage will probably interest him.  I allude to the rare and interesting folio volume printed at Lisbon in 1571. De Rebus Emanuelis Regis Lusitanie, invictissimi Virtute et Auspicio Gestis, auctore Hieronymo Osorio Episcopo Silvensis.  These annals embrace the period from 1495 to 1529.  In narrating the principal events of Vasco de Gama’s first voyage, after he had rounded the Cape of Good Hope on the 25th November, 1497, steering to the east along the southern coast of Africa, the vessels anchor in the bay of St. Blaize, where—­

“In intimo sinu est parva quaedam Insula, ad quam nostri aquandi gratia naves-appulerunt.  Ibi phocarum armenta conspexere admiranda quaedam multitudine.  In quibus inerat tanta feritas et truculentia, ut in homines irruerent.  AVES etiam eo in loco visae sunt, quas incolas apellant SOLTICARIOS, pares anscribus magnitudine:  plumis minime vestiuntur, alas habent similes alis verspertionum:  volare nequeunt, sed explicatis alarum membranis, cursum celeritate summa conficiunt.”

The islet was probably that of La Cruz; but what were the birds? and what was the indigenous name which is represented by Solticarios?  It is possible that some of your correspondents may be familiar with the original narration which Osorio follows, or Mr. Strickland may be able to solve the question.

I may just remark, that my observation respecting the improbability of Tradescant’s stuffed specimen having been a fabrication could hardly be considered superfluous, seeing that some naturalists, Dr. Gray, I believe, among others, had suggested that it most probably was one.

S.W.  SINGER.

May 3. 1850.

* * * * *

ABBEY OF ST. WANDRILLE.

In reply to the Vicar of Ecclesfield (No. 24. p. 382.), I am sorry to say that the “Chronicle of the Abby of St. Wandrille,” to which I alluded (No. 21. p. 338.), contains nothing relating to the subject of his inquiry.  The Abbey of Fontanelle, or St. Wandrille, was founded A.D. 645; and this chronicle contains a very concise account of a few only of its abbots and most celebrated members, down to the year 834:  written, it is supposed, by a cotemporary of Ansegisus, the last abbot therein mentioned.  It is followed by an appendix containing a compilation from a book on miracles wrought in the translation of the body of St. Wilfran, by an “eye-witness,” which also recounts incidentally some of the acts