OCR Text |
Show 734 DR. O. FINSCH ON THE [Nov. 6, In coloration this species is so like Z. westernensis (Quoy & Gaim.) of Australia, that Dr. Hartlaub and Mr. Gould could find only in the somewhat stronger bill a ground of distinction ; but as the specimens now before me show only a difference of half a millimetre, this character can no longer stand. However, I now observe that the Fiji bird has the under tail-coverts of a deeper yellowish ; so that I think Z. flaviceps may be kept separate until more specimens show this difference also to be of no constant value. 14. ZOSTEROPS EXPLORATOR, Layard. Zosterops explorator, Layard, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 431. No. 57. Kandavu. Female. 58. „ „ " Eyes black." The discovery of this species is due to Mr. John Murray, of the 'Challenger' Expedition. As Mr. Layard has published only a short diagnosis, I think a full description will be necessary-the more so as the specimens now before me are the types. Upper surface yellow olive-green, more yellow on the top and sides of the head and neck, changing into pure citron-yellow on the lores; chin, throat, and breast the same as the under tail-coverts; lower part of breast and remaining under surface yellowish white ; flanks distinctly washed with pale brownish grey; under wing-coverts white; wing- and tail-feathers brown-black, narrowly margined externally with olive-green; remiges margined on their inner webs with white ; there seems to be a narrow white eye-ring, surrounded by a narrower blackish one; bill blackish, lower mandible pale at base; legs plumbeous. Long. tot. al. caud. rostr. tars. in. in. lin. lin. lin. lin. c.4 2 2\ 16 5 7\ Both specimens are precisely alike. This species comes nearest to Z. xanthochroa, Gray, from New Caledonia ; but the olive-green of the upper parts inclines decidedly to yellow, and the yellow on the throat and breast is purer and brighter. 15. MONARCHA LESSONI (Quoy & Gaim.). Monarcha lessoni, F. & H. O m . Central-Polyn. p. 88, t. vii. f. 5 ; Layard, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 434. No. 87. Kandavu. Male. " Bill light blue, darker at the base ; legs bluish ; eyes black. Stomach was crammed with broken parts of insects."-J. M. No. 103. Kandavu. Male. Shot August 6. 116. 16. MYIAGRA CASTANEIVENTRIS (J. Verr.) Myiagra castaneiventris, F. & H. Orn. Central-Polyn. p. 95 taf. ix. f. 2, 3; Layard, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 435. No. 51. Matuka. Male. "Eyes black. Frequents chiefly the mangrove trees." |