THE IBIS. 



THIRD SERIES. 



No. XXII. APRIL 1876. 



XIV. — Notes on some little-known Birds of the new Colony of 

 the Fiji Islands. By Edgar L. Layard, C.M.G.;, F.Z.S., 

 Administrator of the Government. 



The arrival of the Governor, the Hon. Sir Arthur Gordon, 

 to assume the direction of the affairs of this infant colony, 

 and the necessity of some relaxation from the strain and 

 worry of the previous eighteen months, which had seriously af- 

 fected my health, afforded me reasons for seizing an oppor- 

 tunity to visit the beautiful and fertile island of Taviuni, the 

 third largest of the Fiji archipelago, and one from which 

 some of our most interesting birds have been procured. 



As Mr. Liardet had brought from Taviuni to Levuka some 

 indifferent specimens, which he submitted to my inspection, 

 and amongst which I instantly detected several new species, 

 I despatched my son, Mr. Leopold Layard, in April last to 

 procure better skins. This he accomplished as regards all 

 those species hitherto obtained, save one ; and he also 

 brought a report which determined me to go thither myself 

 and see this island and its treasures with my own eyes. 



On the 14th of July I started for Ngila, the hospitable 

 residence of James Mason, Esq., which became my fixed abode 



SER. III. VOL. VI. L 



