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Show 738 DR. O. FINSCH ON THE [Nov. 6, Polynesian specimens in comparison with examples of the true A. superciliosa from New Zealand. The Fiji specimens before me confirm my statement; but going again close into the matter, I feel rather doubtful with respect to our A. pelewensis. I formerly thought it possible to separate this form specifically by the buff coloration of the sides of head, chin, and throat, and by the imperfect dark moustache-stripe always so conspicuous in New- Zealand specimens; but the Fiji specimens prove these characters not to be constant, as No. 108 agrees perfectly with the Pelew bird, whereas No. 98 shows the dark moustache. The rusty-brown longitudinal band on the outer web of the last secondaries also, as I have noticed since, is not a constant character for A. pelewensis. Therefore only the smaller size remains noticeable ; but in comparing the table of measurements given above it seems rather difficult to found upon this an available specific character; and I think A. pelewensis cannot be allowed to be more than a scarcely smaller race. C. BIRDS OF API, NEW HEBRIDES. "• Our parties were landed for about three hours on Api, with orders not to wander far from the beach. During this time six specimens of birds were obtained, belonging to five species."-J. M. 1. HIRUNDO TAHITICA, Gm. No. 120. Api. Female. " Eyes, legs, and bill black. Stomach contained insects."-J.M. This example agrees exactly with specimens from Fiji. 2. COLLOCALIA UROPYGIALIS, G. R. Gray. Collocalia uropygialis, G. R. Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. vol. xvii. p. 123 (New Hebrides.) No. 121. Api. Male. 122. „ „ . " Legs, eyes, and bill black. Stomach contained insects."-Murray. This is a very remarkable species, of which I subjoin a description. Upper parts black, with a very distinct dark steel-green stripe on the head, back, and shoulders, which, under certain lights, changes into steel blue-black on the wings and tail; on the rump a broad band of pure silky white ; second and third tail-feathers with a longitudinal median patch on the basal part of the inner web ; chin, throat, and sides of breast and vent dull black, remaining underparts white; under wing-and tail-coverts black with steel blue-black gloss ; the anterior portion of under tail-coverts black with white apical margins ; bill black ; feet brownish. Male (121) exactly like, but the white spots on the second and third tail-feathers more restricted. Long. tot. al. caud. tars. dig. med. in. in. lin. lin. lin. Tin. c, 3 3 6 18 3^ 2\ No. 121. >» >> ,> >, 122. |