on Birds seen during the Crtiise of the " Valhalla," R. Y.S. 147


Assumption, and the Rail, Rallus aldabra?ius, has a very strong

resemblance to the Assumption bird. These Rails appear not

to fly, but they can do so, as those at the Zoological Gardens fly

with ease to the higher perches. These Rails fed at once on

anything that was offered them, preferring meat, bread, lettuce

and currants. In the settlement I saw, perched on the arm of a

boy, a perfectly tame Great Frigate-bird.


From Aldabra our intention had beeu to visit Cosmoledo

and Astove Islands, but owing to an unexpected current we had

the ill fortune to run the yacht aground on Assumption, and

when we fortunately got off after 24 hours of considerable

anxiety, it was necessary to go to Seychelles, where we stayed

three weeks. Owing to extremely bad weather we were unable

to visit nearly all the islands that we had hoped to, but we

spent some time at Mahe, and a visit to Mr. Hans Thomasset's

plantation at Cascade was very delightful. Here we found most

of the existing peculiar birds to be abundant. The beautiful

Rose-crowned Fruit Pigeon particularly so. This bird rises and

falls on the wing like our own Wood Pigeon. Its favourite food

is a small fig, but it eats various fruits, and its movements are

regulated by the ripening of the fruits of certain trees. This

Pigeon shows little fear of man, and it is easy to catch the adult

alive with a noose. We brought three home with us, a fine adult

pair and an immature bird. These were tame from the very first

and showed not the slightest objection to being caged. They

throve on cut banana, raisins, fig cut up, and sultanas. We had

a small supply of their natural food to start with. Fruit Pigeons

in confinement usually soon die of extreme fat ; no doubt this is

brought about by giving them free access to farinaceous and

starchy foods.


A large Thrush-Bulbul, Ixocincla crassirostris, abounds in

Mahe. We also saw great numbers in Prastin and some on

Felicite Islands. It appears to be universal throughout the

Archipelago to which it is pecuiliar. It is known by the name of

Merle. I consider this bird to be the most quarrelsome, the

most objectionably noisy, and generally the most objectionable

bird I have ever had to do with. Its raucous squawking songis

unceasing and it has no beauty to recommend it. Still its



