( 57 ) 

 12. Zosterops conspicillata (Kittl.) (Onst. I. p. 205). 



Z. semperi (nee Hartl.) Oust, in Le Naturuliste 1889. p. 261. 



A series from Guam, where it is evidently common, and also some from 

 Saipan which jirobably belong to the same species. 



Hitherto only recorded from Gnam, for Z. semperi from Uuk and Pelew 

 Islands is quite another species, with no white on the forehead. 



Local name : " Nosai." Maxilla, Ridgw. III. 2 (clove-brown); mandible V. 10 

 (ochraceons bnff); legs and toes X. 15 (sage-green); claws deep brown. 



This species is, according to Kittlitz {Heine II. p. 131), rather common, keeps 

 mostly in the higher trees, and reminded liim somewhat of the Titmice. 



We have also six specimens from Saipan, shot in Jnly and Angnst. 

 Unfortunately they are mostly poor specimens, some being in moult or apparently 

 immatnre, others badly shot, so that it is ditficnlt to make them out. They seem 

 to have the white ring ronnd the eyes narrower, the lores and forehead more 

 yellowish, than typical Z. conspicillata from Guam, and there is also a distinct 

 grey wash on the sides of the neck and head, which is not perceptible in our Saipan 

 specimens. Although I can see these differences very well, I must at present 

 refrain from separating the Saipan liird, as there is an immatnre Gnam skin which 

 looks just like the Saipan birds, and in a genus like Zosterops (of which 130 species 

 are described already, and some more are to be discovered without doubt) it is 

 especially wise to be careful in separating new forms. Nevertheless it may be 

 possible to distinguish the Saipan bird when good adult specimens are to hand. 



Several nests were found on Guam in February and March. They were placed 

 three or four feet from the ground in various bushes and trees. The nest is a fairly 

 deep cup, placed in the fork of a branch, woven together of fine grasses and roots, 

 and on the outside ornamented with cobwebs, wool, and cottonwool, varjing in 

 width from 8 to 5 cm. The clutches consist of two and three eggs. The eggs are 

 pale blue, like all Zosterops eggs. They measure 18:13, 17:13-2, 17:12-2, 

 15-5 : 12-5, 17 : 13o, and between these measurements. 



[Onstalet, t.c. p. 207, mentions also Z. semperi as occurring on Rota, an 

 island between Guam and Saipan, which are, according to Onstalet, both inhabited 

 by Z. coiisjiicillatii, a view which seems to be correct, altliongh 1 could not be quite 

 certain about it. The reoccurrence of Z. semperi on Rota is very peculiar.] 



13. Acrocephalus luscinia (Quoy & Gaim.) (Oust. I. p. 209). 



Thnjnthorus luscmius Quoy & Gaim., Voy. Astrolabe I. p. 202. PI. V. (1830). 



Tiitare luscinia Gray, Gen. B. (1849) III. p. 8, App.; Biittik., Noks Leyihn Mus. XIV. p. IG (189-2). 



Acrocejih((lns nviriannae Tristr., Ihis 1883. p. 45. 



Tatare maHannae Sharpe, Cat. II. VII. p. 528 ; Oustalet, Xatiiraliste 1889. p. 2G. 



Si/lrut syiiiu- Kittl., lieisell. p. 141 (Guam, heard but not collected ! Not .S. syrinx Kittl. Carolines !). 



Tatare luscinia, Oustalet in A'oiec. Arcli. Mas. Uist. Nat. Ser. III. Vol. VII. p. 209. 



A good series both from Guam and Saipan. Birds from the two islands cannot 

 be separated. Local name Guam : " KalisO " (Quoy & Gaimard and Marche give it 

 as " Gapio "). Maxilla, Ridgw. II. 3 (blackish slate); mandible V. 11 (cream-buff); 

 iris IV. 3 ("madder-brown"); .legs and toes II. 11 (mouse-grey); claw II. 5 

 (slate-grey). 



