102 VOYAGES OP A NATUEALIST 



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 taU 

 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 kite| 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 IMadagascar. 

 We made particular enquiries of the proprietor 



* Turtur coppingeri. ■]- Sula piscator. 



X Milvus migrans. § Corvus scapulaUts. 



