102 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



has been described as peculiar is a dove,* but since 

 we did not find it, although we walked nearly over 

 the whole of the island during our short stay, I 

 fear it must be nearly, if not quite, extinct. 

 Great frigate birds were most conspicuous. The 

 males were flying overhead, their scarlet pouches 

 extended, while the females were sitting upon 

 their nests mere heaps of sticks placed near the 

 top of tall trees or were crowded together in 

 the tree-tops in company with gannets.f Lord 

 Crawford shot several adult frigate birds to take 

 home in spirit, as it was not known by what 

 means this bird extends its pouch during the 

 breeding season. 



Of the land-birds the white-eye, of the same 

 species as that seen in the Foret d' Ambre, Madagas- 

 car, was the most abundant, and it was to be found 

 in great numbers all over the island. Now and 

 again a black kitej was observed sailing overhead. 

 This species is, as far as we could ascertain, only a 

 winter visitor to Glorioso, and it is at no time 

 abundant there. A few crows of the same 

 species as that found in the Comoros and Mada- 

 gascar are residents. It is somewhat surprising 

 that there is no rail on Glorioso, as on both Assump- 

 tion and Aldabra there are forms of this bird, 

 distinct but nearly allied to the rail of Madagascar. 

 We made particular enquiries of the proprietor 



* Turtur coppingeri. f Svla piecator. 



J Mttvua migrans. Corvus scapulatus. 



