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



On comparing the measurements above given with those of the Tongatabu specimens, 

 Mr Murray's opinion as to the smaller size of the Fiji birds seems to be confirmed ; but 

 a reference to the table of measurements published by me (Journ. f. Orn., 1870, p. 126), 

 taken from 29 specimens from the Navigators' and Tonga groups (those of the latter 

 series having been sent over in spirits, and mostly dissected by myself), will show all 

 gradations of size, and the impossibility of separating the Fiji bird on account of its 

 smaller dimensions. In coloration specimens from the Fijis, Tonga, and Navigators' are 

 precisely alike. 



The occurrence of the true Ptilotis camnculata on the Fijis (doubted by me, Journ. 

 f. Orn., 1872, p. 36) has been already established by Mr Layard. According to this 

 gentleman the species is confined to the island of Loma Loma. He endeavours also to 

 introduce a new species (Ptilotis similis), said to be peculiar to the island of Vanua 

 Levu ; but the short diagnosis (Ibis, 1S76, p. 148), " having pale yellowish grey ear-tufts 

 instead of bright golden yellow," seems to me insufficient to distinguish it. Perhaps it 

 will turn out to be Ptilotis procerior. 



Mr Layard also remarks that in our Ornithology of Central Polynesia, we wrongly 

 describe the iris to be white, as it is in fact brown or ashy-brown. As we never had an 

 opportunity of seeing the bird alive, we could follow only the notice of Dr Graffe, who 

 gave the iris as "white ;" but we also noticed "brown" (Peak), "ashy-grey" (Latham), 

 and "blue-black" (Forster). 



11. Ptilotis procerior, F. & H. (PL XII. fig. 2). 



Ptilotis procerior, F. & H., Orn. Central-Pol yn., p. 62, taf. v. fig. 3 ; Layard, Proc. Zool. Soc, 

 1875, p. 431; Finsch, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1877, p. 732. 



[Nos. 73 and 74. Males. Levuka,] 



This species is well distinguished from the former (Ptilotis camnculata) by having 

 no true wattle, but a naked space below the ear-region, surrounded by a blackish hue, 

 and by the absence of the yellow moustache, which is always visible in Ptilotis 

 earunculata. The figure (PI. XII. fig. 2) is taken from specimen 74. 



Through the Museum Godeffroy I have received many specimens for inspection from 

 the following localities : — Ovalau, Vatu Lele, Vanua Levu, and Lavu-savu. 



Young birds are of a sombre olive, without the yellowish tinge on the throat and 

 breast. The size is also very variable, as is shown by the following table of measure- 

 ments : — 



