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



branches for tlieir perches. Also on low bushes and Pandanus 

 trees on the grassy uplands. Iris dark brown ; bill ashy ; 

 feet and legs black. — L. L. 



Mr. G. R. Gray {' Birds of Tropical Islands ') does not in- 

 clude any species of Artamus fi'om the New Hebrides. The 

 species seems to me identical with the New-Caledonian race. 

 E. L. L. 



23. Erythrura, sp. inc. 



I saw a small flock of an Amadavat in the yam-gardens of a 

 cannibal village on the mountains in the interior of the island 

 of Vate. As I was creeping up to them one of my companions 

 fired at a " Flying Fox/' and startled them away. They were 

 green and scarlet, like the New-Caledonian species E. psit- 

 tacea (Gm.); but the scarlet seemed much brighter. — L. L. 



24. Trtchoglossus massena, Bp. 



These Parrakeets are common on Vate, but difficult to pro- 

 cure on account of their wildness. They frequent the 

 pawpan trees, devouring the fruit. On the little island of 

 " Nguna/' adjoining Vate, I found them on the cocoanut- 

 trees. The ^r^/Mrma was not in flower at this season. They 

 usually fly in small flocks, probably the members of one 

 family. They feed very silently; and the first notice one 

 usually has of their presence is the piercing scream they emit 

 when they dart off" from the tree to convey themselves to a 

 safer locality. — L. L, 



25 & 26. Trichoglossus, spp. incc. 



A Parrakeet was seen on Vate, Santo, and Api — a very 

 small species, probably T. palmarum; and another in the 

 centre of Santo, with a red breast, and about the size of Lorius 

 solitarius of Fiji. — L. L. 



27. CucuLUs BRONziNUS, G. R. Gray. 



Seen or heard on all the islands, but very shy ; the only 

 specimen procured was the one mentioned above. Iris orange ; 

 bill black ; legs and feet yellow. — L, L. 



This bird resembles the New-Caledonian, but has a far 

 more robust bill. Our bird is certainly migratory. Mr. L. 

 Layard was in the New- Hebrides group from the beginning 

 of June to the middle of Julv. — E. L. L. 



