272 Messrs. E. L. and E. L. C. Layard on Birds 



birds. From Mr. Layard's remarks I have no doubt that 

 what I assumed to be the female of M. melanura is a distinct 

 species. I have carefully compared my three specimens with 

 M. albiventris, Peale, from Samoa, and with M. latirostris, 

 Gould, from Timor, and I cannot detect any difference. I have 

 no doubt that Cassin is correct in uniting these latter (U.S. 

 Explor. Exp. p. 149) ; and I venture also to include the New- 

 Hebrides species. M. rubecula (Lath.) andM. caledonica, Bp., 

 are very distinct. — H. B. T.] 



16. Myiagra ? 



A chestnut-bellied Myiagra was seen on Vate; but my 

 cartridge missed fire ; and he never gave me a second chance at 

 him. — L. L. 



This was probably M. vanicorensis, Q. et G., which Mr. 

 Gray {' Birds of Tropical Islands,^ p. 17) gives from Vanicoro 

 and Fiji. The Fijian bird, however, is separated by Verreaux 

 under the name of castaneiventris, though united by Drs. 

 Finsch and Hartlaub. It is much to be regretted that speci- 

 mens of this species were not procured, that a comparison 

 might have been instituted between it and the various red- 

 bellied species from Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia, all of 

 which are in our collection. — E. L. L. 



17. Pachycephala chlorura, G. E. Gray. 



This Pachycephala betrays its presence throughout the 

 islands by its loud ringing note, reminding one of the Taviuni 

 P. torquata, Layard. Like his cousins, he is shy and retiring, 

 frequenting the densest bush, where he is more easily heard 

 than seen. I sought one for nearly two hours before I shot 

 him, being guided by his voice the whole while, and being 

 not more than a dozen yards from him, he remaining motion- 

 less and unseen. Iris dark brown ; bill black ; legs and feet 

 ashy. — L. L. 



Male and female of this species were brought ; the latter 

 do not resemble their Fijian sisters in their dress, affecting 

 brighter colours (yellow, white, and green) instead of the 

 sombre red-browns of the latter. Our New-Caledonian bird, 

 which much resembles this, is almost mute. — E. L. L. 



