108 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



of fresh water is proved by the numbers of in- 

 habitant land-birds, but, so far as we could as- 

 certain the water-supply is entirely dependent on 

 the rainfall. At the time of our visit there was 

 plenty of it, every depression in the coral being 

 full of sweet, clear water. 



All these small islands to the north-west of 

 Madagascar are inhabited by a few species of land- 

 birds, and most of them have their peculiar species. 

 Previous to our landing on it, Assumption had 

 only once been visited by a naturalist Dr. W. 

 L. Abbott who landed there some years ago, 

 but I believe only for a very short time. We 

 therefore looked forward to our visit with pleasur- 

 able anticipation, and we were not disappointed, 

 for, apart from spending a most enjoyable time, 

 we were successful in obtaining, amongst other 

 interesting things, three previously undescribed 

 birds. 



On first entering the belt of trees and low bushes 

 which fringes the shore, we were greeted by a chorus 

 of squeals and grunts, as though a litter of pigs 

 was hidden in the cover. This remarkable noise 

 proceeded from a number of rails,* birds much 

 like our water-rail but rather more stoutly built, 

 and with wine-red breasts, barred on the flanks 

 and belly with black and white. These rails 

 were very tame, and walked about close to us in a 

 perfectly unconcerned manner. We never saw 



* Rallus abbotti. 



