48 



THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



even on the back of the old birds. The sexes are alike. The size, as usual in this 

 genus, varies considerably individually. 



13. Zosterops flaviceps, Peale (PI. XIV. fig. 1). 



Zosterops flaviceps, Peale: F. & H., Orn. Central-Polyn., p. 52, t. vi ; Layard, Proc. Zool. Soc, 

 1875, p. 430; Finsch, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1S77, p. 733. 



[No. 71. Levuka. Female. (Specimen figured.) 



No. 72. „ Male. Eyes black.] 



In coloration this species is so like Zosterops tveslernensis (Quoy et Gaim.) of 

 Australia, that Dr Hartlaub and Mr Gould could find only in the somewhat stronger bill 

 a ground of distinction ; but as the specimens now before me show only a difference of 

 half a millimetre, this character can no longer stand. However, I now observe that the 

 Fiji bird has the under tail-coverts of a deeper yellowish ; so that I think Zosterops 

 flaviceps may be kept separate until more specimens show this difference also to be of no 

 constant value. 



14. Zosterops explorator, Layard (PI. XIV. fig. 2). 



Zosterops explorator, Layard , Proc. Zool. Soc, 1875, p. 

 p. 734. 



431 ; Fhisch, Proc. Zool., Soc. 1877, 



[No. 57. Kandavu. Female. (Specimen figured.) 



No. 58. „ „ Eyes black.] 



The discovery of this species is clue to Mr John Murray, of the Challenger Expedition. 

 As Mr Layard has published only a short diagnosis, I think a full description will be 

 necessary — the more so as the specimens now before me are the types. 



Upper surface yellow olive-green, more yellow on the top and sides of the head and 

 neck, changing into pure citron-yellow on the lores ; chin, throat, and breast the same 

 as the under tail-coverts ; lower part of breast and remaining under surface yellowish- 

 white ; flanks distinctly washed with pale brownish-grey ; under wing-coverts white ; wing- 

 and tail-feathers brown-black, narrowly margined externally with olive-green ; remiges 

 margined on their inner webs with white ; there seems to be a narrow white eye-ring, 

 surrounded by a narrower blackish one ; bill blackish, lower mandible pale at base ; legs 

 plumbeous. 



