OCR Text |
Show 1877.] BIRDS OF TONGATABU, FIJI, ETC. 737 little red pepper so common on shore (chili). The gizzard was quite ordinary, and contained nothing of the nature of that in Nos. 88, 96 (Carpophaga latrans). The first specimen we have taken of this pigeon. Shot August 6." No. 107. Male. Kandavu. This pigeon seems also peculiar to the Viti group, although assigned in our book and by Mr. Layard also to the Navigators' Islands. On the specific distinctness of the representative form in the latter group (C. castaneiceps, Peale), conf. Finsch, Journ. f. Ornith. 1872, p. 47. 23. CARPOPHAGA LATRANS, Peale. Carpophaga latrans, F. & H. Ornith. Central-Polyn. p. 140 ; Layard, P.Z.S. 1875, p. 438. No. 88. Kandavu. Female. " Cere and eyes red; legs red or purplish ; bill black. The stomach contained the fruit of some tree unknown to me1. The coat of the stomach had hard pupilla-like ossifications of a circular form, in two or three rows. These indurations are composed of a horny substance. Shot August 5." No. 96. Kandavu. Female. " Eyes red ; bill black ; cere red ; legs purple. Stomach contained a large green fruit. Same as No. 88. Shot August 6."-J. M. These examples agree with specimens from Viti-Levu. The species is peculiar to the Fiji group, and, according to Mr. Layard, is found on nearly all of the islands. 24. ARDEA SACRA, Gm. Ardea sacra, Layard, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 440 (Fiji). No. 33. Matuka. Female. July 24. A uniform slate-coloured specimen, with white chin-stripe. 25. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA, Gm. Anas superciliosa, F. & H. Orn. Central-Polyn. p. 213 ; Layard, P.Z.S. 1875, p. 440. A.pelewensis, H. & F. Journ. Mus. Godeffr. Heft viii. 1875, p. 40. No. 98. Kandavu. Male. " Eyes dull pink; bill black; legs flesh-colour with a salmon tinge. Stomach contained worms and mud. Shot August 6."-J. M. No. 108. Kandavu. Male. rostr. Long. al. caud. a front. in. lin. No. 108. Fiji 8 10 98. Fiji 8 6 Tonga 8 9 Navigators'.. 8 3 Pelew 7 8-8 6 New Zealand 9 0-9 6 in. lin. lin. 2 7 194 - 19 - 19 2 7 23 2 6-3 0 17-19* 6 3 1-3 4 204-22 8 Altit. rostr. lin. 7h 8 9 - 4-7 -84 Latit. rostr. lin. 84 8* 9 - Long. dig. tarsi, med. hn. lin. 17 20 17 21 17 21 18 21 8-8i 14-17 18-20 (7 spec.) 9-9£ 17-18 21-23 (4 spec.) I have already repeatedly noticed the smaller size of Central- 1 Oncocarpus vitiensis. See Prof. Garrod's paper in P.Z.S. 1878 (Jan. 15th).-ED. |