77 
1671 ] of the Island of Bourbon , &c. 
Bitterns or grands gauziers , large as big Capons, but 
very fat & good. They have grey plumage, each feather 
tipp’d with white, the neck & beak like a Heron, & the 
feet green, made like the feet of Poullets dHnde. This 
bird lives on fish. 
Water Hens , which are large as fowls. They are always 
black, & have a large white crest on the head. There are 
also some white & grey Egrets & Cormorants. 
Land Birds & their names. 
Solitaires. These birds are thus named because they 
always go alone. They are as big as a big Goose, & 
have white plumage, black at the extremity of the wings 
& of the tail. At the tail there are some feathers resem¬ 
bling those of the Ostrich. They have the neck long, & 
the beak formed like that of Woodcocks, but larger; 
the legs & feet like those of Turkey-chicks. This bird 
betakes itself to running, only flying but very little. It is 
one of the best Game of the Island. 
Oyseaux bleus , as big as the Solitaires , have the 
plumage all blue, the beak & the feet red, formed like the 
feet of fowls. They do not fly at all, but they run 
extremely fast, so much so that a dog can hardly catch 
them running. They are very good. 
Pigeons Sauvages , with which every place is filled, one 
kind having the plumage slate-coloured, & the others of a 
russet red. They are slightly larger than the pigeons of 
Europe, & have the beak larger, red at the extremity 
near the head, the eyes edged with flame-colour like 
pheasants. There’s a season when they are so fat that one 
can see nothing of their rump. They are capital eating. 
Pigeons & Turtle Doves , like those seen in Europe, & as 
good. 
Small Grey Partridges as big as quails. They catch. 
them running. 
