THE ALDABRA ISLES 
213 
Strongly endemic character of an oceanic island with 
as yet but little adulteration Human desire for gain 
has not hitherto succeeded in destroying the originality 
of this secluded corner. The lower animals seem to be 
weakly represented, and point to an immigration from 
Madagascar or Africa. Among the grasshoppers, Phmi 
croptei^a na 7 ta is the most common; among the praying 
locusts, there are found Majitis pi'asiiia and Hieroditla 
Vdhkozviana. Mosquitoes are a regular plague and 
make residence in the bush almost impossible. Land 
crabs [Birgtis spk^ are represented by two varieties 
differing in colour. 
Of higher animals, the almost entire absence of mammals 
is notewofthy; there is only a single small bat and 
possibly also a flying fox (Ptei^opits). Rats and mice have 
been introduced and do great damage to the maize 
plantations. 
The feathered tribes are uncommonly rich in individuals, 
but not in species, as only 27 have hitherto been mentioned. 
Many oceanic birds find Aldabra a secure resting-place. 
The feathered creatures seem here for the most part to 
have entirely laid aside their fear of man, their fami¬ 
liarity is so great that sometimes they let themselves be 
taken by hand, or they come innocently into the huts. 
A small turtle dove [Tttrtur alciabraims) may be indicated 
as the characteristic bird of the island, being met with at 
every step; corviis scaptilahts has already come here, but 
only a few specimens are to be seen. A small goat¬ 
sucker [Capidniulgus aldabrezisis) moves silently through 
the air in the twilight. The strand is animated with 
stone curlews, sandpipers, herons and terns. Gannets 
[Sida piscatrix) and frigate-birds have their sleeping- 
places here, but at daybreak they take their long 
flights over the sea. Reptiles are represented by two 
small species of gecko and a small sand lizard [AblepJiarus 
boutozii ); chameleons seem to be entirely wanting, as also 
