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Show 1875.] MR. E. L. LAYARD ON FIJIAN BIRDS. 439 of sedges), of raspberry-and-cream-coloured ground, speckled chiefly at the obtuse end with light purplish and dark dry blood-coloured spots; axis 1" 6'", diam. 1" 2'". They nest in November and December, and, I think, also about March. Bill rich salmon-colour; tips of both mandibles pale greyish. Legs and feet darker than the bill. Iris hair-brown. RALLUS PECTORALIS, Less.; F. & H. op. cit. p. 157. Found in the same situations as the former, but in greater numbers. This is also called " Mbidi" by the natives; in fact, I find that native names vary very much in different localities. ORTYGOMETRA QUADRISTRIGATA (Horsf.); F. & II. op.cit. p. 164. Non vidi. ORTYGOMETRA TABUENSIS (Gmel.); F. & H. op. cit. p. 167. This minute Water-Rail is found far in the interior, m y specimen having been captured at Naruku-ruku, our furthest point on the Rewa river, on the edge of the cannibal-country. I also saw another in the rushes by the river-side as I floated down in a canoe; and Mr. Boyd sent m e one caught on Ovalau, where it was called " M o " by the natives. PORPHYRIO VITIENSIS, Peale; F. & H. op. cit. p. 172. The Blue Gallinule, or " Tiri" of the natives, is pretty common, and generally distributed wherever there is suitable dwelling for it. It devours small fish, crabs, insects, sugar-cane (in too much abundance to please the planter), and berries, perching on trees readily to procure the latter, and is esteemed very good eating in its turn. It lives well in confinement, but is a dangerous neighbour to any other pets in the aviary. A pair I gave Mr. Kleinsmidt being placed too near the cage of some young Parrots (Platycercus personatus), drew them one by one through the bars, and picked out their brains with evident relish. LIMOSA UROPYGIALIS, Gould; F. & H. op. cit. p. 177. The "Godwit'' is found sparsely scattered over all our sea-board, which is singularly devoid of waders. W e often rode or walked for a whole day along the shore without seeing any thing but a solitary Heron (Ardea asha). ACTITIS INCANUS (Gmel.) ; F. & H. op. cit. p. 182. This sombre-clad Sandpiper is found solitary, or in little knots of three or four, on the shore-reefs of most of our islands, but is nowhere common. It runs quickly about along the edge of the pools, probing with its long bill in quest of worms or small crustaceans, and turning about very rapidly. In some places it is very shy ; in others it will allow of easy approach within 15 or 20 yards. I have seen it, off and on, at all times of the year. Bill greenish (livid), base of lower mandible pale yellow. Legs livid greenish ; soles of feet vellowish. Iris brown. |