88 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



and one evening, on our way back to the ship 

 after a day's collecting in the mangrove swamps, 

 we shot one as it flew over the steam launch. 

 Its fur was of a reddish colour, thick and soft. 

 A most unpleasant skunk-like smell clings to one's 

 hands after touching one of these bats, and this 

 is especially noticeable when the animal has just 

 been shot. On several occasions I saw these fruit 

 bats splash into the salt-water of the harbour, 

 but whether they were drinking or washing I 

 do not know. 



During our visit to the Comoros we steamed 

 across to Anjouan Island, but owing to the heavy 

 sea and strong wind we were unable to get in close, 

 and had to return to Mayotte. This was much 

 to be regretted, as the fauna of Anjouan is some- 

 what different to that of Mayotte. 



Our last day was spent in the virgin forest, 

 on one of the highest peaks of Mayotte. My special 

 object on this excursion was to get examples of 

 the peculiar fruit-pigeon,* which is only to be found 

 on the wooded peaks. We saw, altogether, four 

 examples of this remarkable bird, and I shot two 

 adults. In appearance it is short and thickset, 

 the entire plumage is deep blue, with the ex- 

 ception of the head, neck, and upper breast, 

 which are grey tinged with yellow. The feathers 

 of the fore neck and upper breast are elongated 

 and lanceolate in form, while round the eye is a 



* Alectroenas sganzini. 



