1 92 1.] Birds of l^assu and udjoiniiiy Islands. 271 



periodically for fanning' ])nrposes. The trees of any size are 

 scanty : a few very tine cotton-woods are found around the 

 villaoe, the remainder seem to have been all used for maldng 

 dug-out canoes. There are, however, some oil-})alm trees at 

 the southern end of the island, the favourite resort of bats 

 and parrots. 



Tasso may be said to differ in one respect from the other 

 islands by having two very large ponds, one of which was 

 dry when I arrived and the other nearly so. These seem to 

 be the onh natural su[)ply of fresh water, and during the 

 autmnn they are frequented by large quantities of water- 

 fowl. It is therefore more than probable that Tasso will be 

 found to have a tar greater variety of birds than any of the 

 other islands. The chief interest to the ornithologist 

 respecting these islands lies in the fact that ho many birds 

 found on the high mainland are conspicuous by their absence. 

 Take, for instance, only two very noticeable ones — the 

 Plantain-eater [Turacus inacrorJii/nehrts), whose noisy habits 

 and brilliant plumage is at once missed, or again the lovely 

 little Blue Flycatcher [Plat/jsfcira c>/anea), so well known 

 and loved by all Avhite people who visit the Colony. 



I am here giving a com[)lete list of the birds obtained on 

 this and other islands, as well as those seen and whose 

 identitication is Ijeyond doubt. 



I am greatly indebted to Mr. David A. Bannerman for 

 having named the collection, and for compiling a complete 

 list of Sierra Leone l)irds, which will not only be useful to 

 compare with the island lists here given, but will also be 

 of Hreat service to those who will continue the iuterestino- 

 study of Sierra Leone birds. I have also to thank Lieut. M. 

 J. Mansergh, R.N., of H.M.S. ' Dwarf,' for preparing this 

 the first correct map of the little-ktiown liokelle River and its 

 islands. There are still, doubtless, many birds in Sierra Leone 

 which have not yet been recorded, but Mr. Bannerman's list 

 will at least bring our knowledge of Sierra Leone birds up to 

 date. 



An asterisk denotes that the bird was s«en beyond doubt, 

 but no skins were preserved. 



