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Show 494 MR. E. L. LAYARD O N BIRDS [June 6, Fijian birds" (P.Z.S. 1875). The description under the head of P. graeffei (p. 433) applies to P. icteroides ; and that under P. vitiensis should be coupled with the latter part of P. torquata, under the head of " P. intermedia, Layard, sp. nov." P. icteroides, Peale, differs from P. graeffei in being of a much liyhter yellow (the other is orange), and in having the nostrii-spot much fainter ; indeed in some it is altogether wanting. The female shows still greater differences : that of the first is deep rufous (almost chestnut) ; of the latter, brown with grey-mottled throat and pale buff underparts. This species is said to occur in Samoa (Orn. Centr.-Pol. p. 76) ; and a native name, " Vasavasa," is given for it. This, however, is the name applied to the species before alluded to by m e ; and, as I have aheadv stated, only one species is known to us from Samoa. P. graeffei, Hartl., is, as far as I yet know, confined to the neighbourhood of Bua, on Vanua Levu ; and a single female has reached me from Rambi Island, to the north of Taviuni. P. intermedia, Layard, is intermediate between mj* P. torquata and P. icteroides, Peale. It is light-coloured, like the latter, and has only a verg narrow black collar. It has been killed on Ovalau, and on the big island of Viti Levu opposite Ovalau. P. vitiensis, G. R. Gray, J, has also a narrow black collar, but may at once be distinguished from all the others by the pure white throat and chin. The female is reddish brown below ; cheeks chestnut; top of head brown, back tinged with green; quills brown edged with rufous. As yet it has only occurred to me from Kandavu, the southernmost island of the Fijian group. 17. LALAGE TERAT, Bodd. Very common in Samoa, feeding much on the ground in the gardens attached to the European houses, as well as the native plantations. This habit I never observed in the Fijian bird, which appears to me less highly coloured than the Samoan. In December there were lots of young ones about, being fed by their parents. A most interesting specimen in this stage occurred to me: it is white beneath, with confused wavy grey bars, above pale brown, each feather being edged and tipped with white. Bill bright yellow. 18. APLONIS BREVIROSTRIS, Peale. Common throughout the island of Samoa. Feeds much on a small dark purple berry that grows in dense clusters on a fair-sized tree. These birds decompose very quickly ; I was always obliged to skin them the first on m y return home, or all the vent-feathers came off. 19. STURNOIDES ATRIFUSCA, Peale. It is singular this fine Starling should be confined to the Navigators' and not found in the Friendly Islands or Fiji. It was the first bird I saw on landing at Upolu, and involuntarily I exclaimed a "Spreo! " so exactly did its appearance, and flight,'remind me of the South- |