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Show 500 MR. E. L. LAYARD ON BIRDS [June 6, aware of their occasional presence -, I therefore include them Tongan list, provisionally, with a mark of doubt. 2.1 ASTUR CRUENTUS, Gould. 3. ? CIRCUS ASSIMILIS, Jard. Occasional visitants. This reminds me that a straggler has turned up in Fiji, and must be added to our list. It was shot on the Rewa by Mr. Storck, and has passed into the possession of Baron von Hiigel, who, I believe, identifies it as Falco lunatus. I have not seen it. 4. STRIX DELICATULA, Gould. The only resident bird of prey in this group. Common everywhere. 5. PLATYCERCUS TABUENSIS, Gml. In answer to my inquiries after birds, I was always comforted with, " Ah! you should get the black parrot of Eooa!" and I confess my curiosity was greatly excited. However, as I was hound to Eooa on duty, I confidently expected to get it, and charged all my messmates in H.M.S. ' Nymphe' to shoot every parrot they could see! This Eooa (or E-u-a) is a small island to the south of Tonga Tabu. It appears to me to be a mass of coral, metamorphosed, by the action of volcanic heat under great pressure, into crystallized limestone. It has then been raised to a considerable height (compared with Tonga Tabu its near neighbour) above the sea-level, and, having cracked in cooling, is traversed by numerous deep perpendicular fissures. In these flourish a luxuriant tropical vegetation, while the gently rising surface of the island itself is covered with rich grass, on which are depastured some ten or fifteen thousand sheep. As the forest has encroached in places on the pasture-land, the island, viewed from the higher levels, appears like a most beautiful park, and it has the reputation of being the "loveliest island in the South Seas." I had to visit one of the stations ; so, arming myself with " Long Tom," and handing my large double " Westly Richards " to a native, I sallied out, determined to get a " black parrot" if possible. I also specially hired a native to go in search of them, and shoot nothing else. In one of the deep fissures I heard the undoubted " ka ka " of a parrot, that sounded vastly like that of our Fijian bird; so, while I kept watch for a flying shot, I sent the native down the perpendicular sides. Presently I heard below me the loud report of my big " ten-bore," followed by the native's shout of triumph; and he shortly reappeared, bringing me my old friend Platycercus tabuensis. Here, then, was a surprise! the " black" parrot turns out a dark maroon ; and here, on this speck of land, and only on it, appears a Fijian Parrot!! The more I think over it, the more I am convinced |