528 BIRDS FROM SEYCHELLES AND VICINITY— RIDGWAY. vol. xviii. 



15. NUMENIUS PH2EOPUS (Linnaeus). 



Three specinieiis, September U2-October G. "Common, also at (llo- 

 riosa Island," (Abbott, MS.) 



Family EALLID.E. 



1(5. DRYOLIMNAS ALDABRANUS ( Gunther). 



lltoiiiiiiiii.s alduhranus, Kidgway, Proc. F. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1893, p. 598 (AUlabni 

 Islaiid; U.S.N.M.).] 



Specijic characters. — Similar to />. ahhotii, of Assumption, but with- 

 out trace of dusky streaks ou dorsal region, and with white bars on 

 belly and Hanks much less distinct (sometimes almost wanting). 



No. 128835, U.S.l^.M., Aldabra Island, October 10, 1892; Dr. VV. L. 

 Abbott. Length (before skinning), 12.50 inches; "irides chestnut 

 brown; feet blackish brown ; bill black; base pink." 



Eight adults from Aldabra compared v/ith four from Assumption 

 Island agree in the above-mentioned characters. In the specimen (Xo. 

 128835) there is scarcely a trace of white bars on tlie abdomen, while 

 those on the flanks and thighs are nearly obsolete. Other specimens, 

 however, have these markings well developed, though never so broad 

 and distinct as in _Z>. abbotti, while in none of them is there even a trace 

 of the blackish streaks on the back, which are very conspicuous in all 

 the birds from Assumption. 



'•Very common on all the islets of the Aldabra group, abounding 

 on even the smallest, which do not contain more than half an acre, 

 excepting (rrand Terre, where it has been exterminated by the cats, 

 which run wild there. Excessively tame and unsus[)icious as well as 

 inquisitive, they run up to inspect any stranger who invades their 

 habitat, occasionally even picking at his toes. Each pair seem to reserve 

 a certain area, of Jungle for their own use and cliase off all intruders of 

 their own kind. They are very noisy, particularly in the mornings and 

 evenings. The most common note is a clear short cry, or rather whistle, 

 repeated twelve or fifteen times. While whistling the bird stands erect 

 with his neck full length and bill elevated, seemingly greatly enjoying 

 his own musical performance. Often a pair Joins in a duet, the male 

 and female standing close together facing each other. Another note is 

 a sort of squeak and appears to be a sign of anger. They also make a 

 series of short grunts, which seems to be a love note and is also used 

 in calling up their young. These birds fight among themselves (^uite 

 fiercely, flying at each other like game cocks. One free piently gets the 

 other on his back, pinning him down and pecking at him. The battle 

 is quickly decided and the vampiished gets up and runs away pursued 

 by the conqueror, who, however, soon halts and drawing himself up to 

 his full height whistles a p;eau of victory. They do not seem to inflict 

 much injury upon each other in tliese combats. Their food is anything 

 organic that they can pick up; they never scratch like fowls, but poke 

 around among the dry leaves with their bills. The few people who lived 



