130 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



climbing over this or lying at rest on narrow 

 ledges. 



In nearly all these farms the tortoises bear a 

 number which is painted in white on the shell. 

 Many farm-owners keep a record of all their 

 stock, while at Government House a complete 

 register is made with the dates of hatching and 

 so forth. In the latter place we rode upon the 

 largest tortoise. This creature was of a fierce 

 disposition, for with outstretched neck and every 

 appearance of anger he attacked all who ventured 

 near him, and we were told that he would bite if 

 allowed the opportunity. All these tortoises have 

 been imported from Aldabra, and there are now 

 probably considerably more individuals on the 

 Seychelles than on the former island. 



After we had spent about a week on Mahe 

 the ship steamed across to Praslin, about twenty 

 miles distant. We anchored in Curieuse Bay, 

 an inlet of Praslin, and sheltered by the island 

 of Curieuse, which lies close on the other side of 

 a narrow channel. 



A short walk on shore during our first afternoon 

 was not productive. There were fewer birds 

 than on Mahe. A paradise flycatcher* of the 

 size of a sparrow, but jet black, with the 

 central tail-feathers prolonged to a great length, 

 was the most interesting bird seen. It is known 

 locally as the " veuve," or widow, but apparently 



* Terpsiphone corvina. 



