OCR Text |
Show 1877.] BIRDS OF TONGATABU, FIJI, ETC. 727 P. vitiensis, F. & II. Ornith. Central-Polyn. p. 172, t. xii. f. 3. P. indicus, Cass. (nee. Hors., nee F. & H.). P. vitiensis, F. & H., Journ. f. Orn. 1870, p. 135 (Tonga) ; H. &F., P.Z.S. 1871, p. 27 (Savai). P. samoe'nsis, F., Journ. f. Orn. 187*2, p. 55. P. vitiensis, Layard, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 439 (Fiji); ibid. 1876, p. 497 (Navigators'), and 1876, p. 503 (Tonga). P. indicus, Whitmee (nee Horsf.), Ibis 1875, p. 446 (Samoa). No. 21. Tongatabu. Female. "Eyes red; the only specimen seen ; shot July 22."-J. M. Long. aire. in. hn. 8 6 caud. in. 3 rostr. a rict. lin. 16| rostr. scut. incl. in. lin. 2 3 latit. scut. lin. 9 long. tars. in. lin. 2 10 tib. lin. 15 dig. med. in. lin 2 9 I have already explained (P. Z.S. 1871, p. 27) that P. indicus, Horsf, does not occur in Polynesia, as has been stated by Mr. Cassin, but that the Central-Polynesian Islands (Fiji, Navigators' and Friendly group) possess only one species ; P. samoensis, Peale. The description in the 'Ornithology of Central Polynesia' (p. 170) taken from a Javan specimen of the true P. indicus, Horsf., must therefore be cancelled altogether. Specimens from the Fijis and Tonga group look apparently somewhat larger than those from the Navigators'; but on comparing the series of measurements given, it will be easy to see that in respect to size no specific distinction can be made out. In coloration there is also no difference. B. BIRDS OF T H E FIJI ISLANDS. These birds were shot on the island of Matuka on July 24, 1874, on the island of Kandavu on July 25 and from August 3 to 6, 1874, and on the island of Levuka from July 28 to August 1, 1874. They are 82 in number and represent 25 species. 1. ASTUR RUFITORQUES, Peale. Nisus cruentus, Schleg. (nee Gould), Mus. P.-B. Astures, p. 40. Astur cruentus, F. & H. (nee Gould), Ornith. Central-Polyn. pp. 3 and 273 ; Layard, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 424. A. rufitorques, Sharpe, Cat. Brit. Mus. i. p. 121. Nisus rufitorques, Schleg. Mus. P.-B. Accip., Revue, p. 80(1873). No. 34. Matuka. Female. "Eyes brown; several of these were seen, only two shot." No. 35. Matuka. Female. 36. „ Male. " Eyes yellow." 62. Kandavu. Female. " Eyes yellow ; shot July 27." 80. „ Female. " Eyes yellow, cere yellow, legs yellow ; the stomach contained a portion of a lizard. Shot Aug. 5." |