observed during the Voij ay e uf the 'Valhalla.' 699 



The Aldabran White-eye is not a very abundant bird on 

 the island. It is extremely restless and active. In general 

 coloration it somewhat resembles Z. madagascariensis, but 

 is much smaller and paler and has a yellowish forehead ; 

 the breast and abdomen are almost pure white. 



ClNNYRIS ALDABRENSIS RidffW. 



Cinnyris aldabrensis Ridgway, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xviii. 

 p. 536 ; Nicoll, Bull. B. 0. C. xvi. p. 106. 



Three adult males and one adult female. 



Bill, tarsi, and toes black. 



The Aldabran Sun-bird is very common on the island. 

 This species differs from C. abbotti of Assumption chiefly in 

 having only a band of sooty-black across the breast below 

 the maroon breast-band, while the abdomen is yellowish 

 green. It seemed to be particularly fond of the Casuarina- 

 trees, and was met with chiefly in pairs at the time of our 

 visit, when the males were in full plumage. 



DlCRTJRUS ALDABRANUS (RidgW.). 



Buchanga aldabrana Ridgway, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xviii. 

 p. 537; Nicoll, Bull. B. O. C. xvi. p. 106. 



One adult female. 



Bill, tarsi, and toes black. 



Although this bird is fairly numerous near the Settlement, 

 I was unable to obtain more than one example. The males 

 were exceedingly shy and wild ; the individual obtained was, 

 however, exactly the reverse; it was the only female seen. 



NESACANTHIS ALDABRANUS (RidgW.). 



Foudia aldabrana Ridgway, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xviii. 

 p. 538. 



Four adult males and one adult female. 



Iris black; bill black ; tarsi and toes yellowish brown. 



The Aldabran Weaver-bird is the most abundant land-bird 

 near the Settlement, where it seems to take the place of the 

 English Sparrow, nocking round the houses to pick up 

 crumbs, &c. At the time of our visit it was just beginning 

 to nest in the Casuarina-trees, and the males were in perfect 

 plumage. 



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