observed during the Voyage of the ' Valhalla' 705 



On the evening of March 16th we left Aldabra for 

 Cosmoledo, whence Lord Crawford intended to visit Astone. 

 These two islands are said, to have many land-birds and 

 have not yet been visited by a naturalist. 



During the night of March 11th, however, we were carried 

 twenty miles out of our course by a current, and ran ashore on 

 Assumption, fortunately on the "leeward" side of the island. 

 There we remained fast for twenty-four hours, finally getting 

 off without any damage. After this, however, it was 

 necessary to go to some port, and. on March 22nd we 

 anchored at Mahe, in the Seychelles. We stayed at the 

 Seychelles Islands until May 8th, and landed on the 

 Islands of Praslin and Eelicite. Lord Crawford intended 

 to visit most of the islands of this group, but owing to the 

 very bad weather his plan had to be abandoned. During 

 our stay at Mahe, Mr. Hans Thomasset rendered us great 

 help in collecting, and gave us every assistance; aud 

 Mr. Meade-Waldo and I passed a most enjoyable time 

 at his house " Cascade Estate," where I obtained the 

 following birds, one of which I have since described 

 as new. 



Ixocincla crassirostris (E. Newton). 



Lcocincla crassirostris Ridgway, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 

 xviii. p. 514. 



Two adult males, one adult female, one immature 

 female. 



Iris hazel ; bill orange ; tarsi and toes brown. 



This bird is very abundant ou Mahe and is probably the 

 commonest species in the Seychelles. I have never met with 

 such a noisy bird, or one with a more unpleasant song. Three 

 examples were brought home alive, and I fancy that no one 

 on board during the remainder of the voyage will ever forget 

 them ; they commenced to sing at daylight and did not stop 

 till nightfall. In a wild stale these birds flock together 

 during the heat of the day in a thick tree and sing in chorus. 

 In appearance they are very Thrush-like. The young are 

 browner above than the adults and streaked below. 



