98 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



well-known as a cage-bird in Europe. It is in- 

 digenous to Madagascar, but has been introduced 

 into the Comoros and doubtless other islands. The 

 male is green with a grey head and neck, while 

 the female is green all over ; both have a black 

 bar across the tail. They were always in pairs, 

 and their flight was wonderfully rapid. 



We were somewhat disappointed at not meeting 

 with lemurs in Madagascar. After having seen 

 so many in the Comoro Islands we had had hopes 

 of finding them in the Foret d' Ambre, but although 

 several hours were spent there we saw none of 

 these beautiful creatures. The only mammal we 

 actually met with was the tenrec,* several of which 

 were caught by a small terrier belonging to our 

 guide. In one place, guided by the barking 

 of the dog, I found a family party of these strange- 

 looking " hedgehogs " under the roots of a fallen 

 tree, while, in an open tract of grass, lying near the 

 edge of the forest, the dog found several and killed 

 them all, in spite of the fearful smell which they 

 emitted on being annoyed. 



Early in the afternoon, after our walk in this 

 fascinating forest, we returned to Diego Suarez. 

 We descended in the same tram as that used for 

 the ascent on the previous day, but so steep was 

 the slope that the tram slid down of its own accord, 

 and no mules were required until shortly before 

 we reached the town. While passing through a 



* Centetea ecaudatua. 



