XXVI 
Introduction 
had a parrot or other bird and teased it to make it cry out, all 
the others which heard it assembled around to defend it and 
let themselves be taken. We returned on board with a quantity 
of these birds, everyone highly pleased at this incident.’ 
We learn, however, that before Bontekoe’s crew left 
the island the unfortunate birds had grown more shy. 
The third testimony of the existence of Brevipennate 
Didine birds in Bourbon quoted by Strickland is that 
of M. Carre, who accompanied Caron in Admiral de la 
Haye’s squadron, which called at the island en route to 
Surat in 1671 ; 1 and the fourth witness is Dubois, 
whose narrative is given in the present work. M. 
Bellanger de Lespinay who was on board the Sultanne , 
in the same fleet under de la Haye, likewise describes 
the Didine species which was known as the Solitaire 
in Bourbon; 2 and it was doubtless from Du Quesne’s 
compilation of the foregoing accounts brought home by 
Carre, Dubois, and de Lespinay, that Frangois Leguat 
identified the Didine bird of Rodriguez as similar to the 
Solitaire of Bourbon. 
Professor Newton 3 has remarked that two eye-witnesses 
speak to the plumage of the Bourbon Dodo being white 
1 ‘ I here saw a kind of bird which I have not found elsewhere ; it is that 
which the inhabitants call the “ Solitary Bird,” for, in fact, it loves solitude, 
and only frequents the most secluded places. One never sees two or more of 
them together, they are always alone. It is not unlike a Turkey, were it not 
that its legs are longer. The beauty of its plumage is delightful to behold. 
It is a changeable colour which verges upon yellow. The flesh is exquisite ; 
it forms one of the best dishes in this country, and might form a dainty at 
our tables. We wished to keep two of these birds to send to France and 
present them to His Majesty, but as soon as they were on board ship they 
died of melancholy, having refused to eat or drink.’— Voyage des hides 
Orientates , par M. Carre, 1699, vol. i. pp. 12, 13. 
2 ‘ There is here another kind of bird which is excellent and fat, which is 
found in the mountains quite alone; they catch it by hand; they call it 
Solitaire.’—Memoires de Z. A. Bellanger de Lespinay (1670-1675), p. 42. 
3 On a picture supposed to represent the Didine Bird of the Island of 
Bourbon (Reunion). By Alfred Newton, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc. Plate 
lxii. Read February 14th 1867. — Transactions of the Zoological Society, vi. 
P- 373- 
