OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 73 



19. — Merula ruficeps, Ramsay, P. Linn. Soc. N.S. W. See ante 



page 43. 



This fine species was obtained at Kandavu to which district I 

 believe it is confined — its habits and actions and nidification are 

 similar to other species of Merula. 



20. — Aplonis cassinii, Peak, U.S. Expl. Pxjid. pi. 7. 1. 



This is very common in Fiji and seems dispersed all over the 

 group. 



21. — Amblynura pealei, Eartlaub. 



Probably a local variety of A. CYANOVTRENS, Peak, of which 

 Lobiospiza notabilis of Hartlaub and Finsch, is the young. 



There are three specimens in the collection, including a young 

 bird which has the blue and yellow carunculje at the base of the 

 lower mandible and round the gape well developed. 



22.- — Platycercus splendens, Parti, and Finsch. 



Only one specimen of this fine species appears to have been 

 obtained, although the birds are by no means rare, and found 

 . throughout the group. 



This species may be easily distinguished from P. hysginus by 

 having a bright blue collar round the back of the neck, in some very 

 old specimens this collar becomes at least two inches in width. I 

 have lately examined a bird of this species, in which a streak of white 

 was conspicuous along, and on either side of the shaft of the quills 

 of the wings and tail feathers ; the crimson of the head and under 

 surface is much brighter in tint than in either P. hysginus or P. 

 tabuensis. 



23. — Platycercus personatus, O. R. Gray. 



This, one of the most common species in Fiji, appears to be 

 somewhat nocturnal in its habits. I have noticed specimens in 

 confinement particularly drowsy during the day time, but when 

 liberated at night, wander about the house, talking and chattering 

 incessantly. In Fiji, they prove very destructive to the crops. 



