42 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Mr Layarcl (Ibis, 1876, p. 141) points out the characters of four different races of 

 this parrot occurring in the Fijis : — 



(1) The bright-crimson-belliecl race, with broad blue collar, from Viti-Levu and 

 Kandavu, being the true Platycercus splendens, Peale ; 



(2) The Mathuata race, " maroon-bellied," with broad blue nuchal collar ; 



(3) The Koro race, maroon-bellied, with the faintest trace of the blue collar ; and 



(4) The Taviuni race (Platycercus taviunensis, Layarcl), " maroon-coloured and with- 

 out a trace of the blue colour." 



Of these I have before me only one specimen from Taviuni, which, indeed, differs 

 strongly from Platycercus splendens. It has the same dark maroon-purplish coloration 

 as Platycercus tabuensis, and wants the blue neck-collar ; besides it is considerably 

 smaller (wings 7 inches 8 lines). As I have become convinced by the examination of a 

 large series of Platycercus tabuensis that in this species the blue collar is also sometimes 

 almost wanting, I think that this cannot form a specific character, even less so the 

 purplish-red spots on the rump, which vary individually. If the smaller size should 

 turn out to be constant, this dark form ought to be separated from the nearest- 

 allied Astur tabuensis under the name of Platycercus anna', Bourj. (Platycercus 

 taviunensis, Layard). 



3. Platycercus personatus, G. E. Gray. 



Platycercus personatus, Finsch, Mon. Pap., vol. ii. p. 239; Proc. Zool. Soc, 1877, p. 729; 

 Layard, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1875, p. 425. 



[No. 78. Levuka. Female. Eyes orange, with streaks of red ; bill and legs black. 

 This'bird was purchased alive.] 



4. Domicella solitaria, Gm. 



Domicella solitaria, Finsch, Mori. Papag., vol. ii. p. 760; Proc. Zool. Soc, 1877, p. 729. 

 Lorius solitarius, F. and H., Orn. Central-Polyn., p. 23; Layard, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1875, 

 p. 426. 



[No. 37. Matuka. ' Female. 

 No. 38. 

 No. 39. 



No. 40. „ Male. 



These birds were not common, although when they were seen a good number 

 were in company. They were especially seen about an Erytlirina in blossom, close to the 

 landing-place. Eyes red and yellow. 



No. 89. Kandavu. Male. Eyes red; bill and legs yellow; stomach contained 

 fruit. 



