the Avifauna of Neiv Caledonia. 259 



Total length (skiu) 4" 3"', wing 2" 5'", tail 1" 10'", tarse 8'", 

 bill 8'". 



\^Note. In all the scarlet-backed species oi Myzomela I find 

 individuals, probably immature, in which the scarlet on the 

 back is interrupted. — H. B. T.] 



57. ZosTEROPs XANTHOCHROA, G. R,. Gray. 



58. ZosTEROPs GRisEiNOTA, G. R. Gray. 



Both these species are found round Noumea ; but in Lif u 

 they seem to be replaced by two entirely new species, the 

 largest and smallest of the genus we have yet met with. We 

 commence with the smallest, which we call 



ZoSTEROPS MINUTA, Sp. UOV. 



Upper parts all a bright yellow tinged with green, brightest 

 on the front of the head ; forehead as far as the eyes bright 

 yellow ; eyelids white, as usual, but with a narrow black line 

 under the lower lid ; chin, throat, chest, centre of belly, and 

 under tail-coverts bright yelloAV ; sides of belly and flanks 

 bufi"; wing- and tail-feathers grey-brown, edged with the 

 colour of the back. Length 3" 8"', wing 2" 1'", tail 1" 6'", 

 tarse 8'", bill 6'". 



The other we designate 



ZoSTEROPS INORNATA, Sp. nOV. 



Head above dull green ; back obscure sepia, faintly tinged 

 with green ; no white eyelid visible ; wing- and tail-feathers 

 same as the back, but externally edged with green ; chin 

 greyish ; throat and chest dirty greenish ; sides of chest sepia- 

 brown ; flanks inclining to buff ; centre of belly pale sepia; bill 

 above very dark brown, below pale. Length 5" 6'", wing 3" 1'", 

 tail 2" 4'", tarse 11'", bill 11'", very strong and sharp-pointed. 



The obscure colours of this bird render a description 

 of it very difficult ; but when lying in company with others 

 from these islands it is most conspicuous, from its sombre 

 livery and robust shape. The label bears the native name 

 '' Sinekato.^' 



ZosTEROPs MELANOps, G. R. Gray, B. Trop. I. p. 15, 

 is omitted from M. Marie^s list ; we have not seen it. Mr. 

 Gray {loc. cit.) states it is from the Loyalty Islands. 



t2 



