142 Mr, E. L. Layard on some little-known 



that the Taviuiii race, if not specifically distinct, possessed 

 some marked characters ; and I made the accompanying me- 

 morandum respecting it, determining to lose no opportunity 

 of seeing more of the species : — 



''There is a marked difference between the red-breasted 

 Parrots found in Taviuni and on the islands of the western 

 portion of the group. The Taviuni bird is considerably smaller, 

 to begin with." 



A male shot by my son measures, length 14", wing 7" 6'", tail 

 7" 8'" (not fully grown ?), tarsi 10'", centre toe (without nail) 

 1" 1'", bill 1" ; a male shot on the Rewa measures, length 

 16" 6"', tail 9" 6'" (not fully grown), wing 9" 6"', tarsi 11"', 

 centre toe (without nail) 1"3"', bill V 2%'" ; form less robust; 

 the whole coloration is darker, but especially the crimson, 

 which, in the Taviuni bird, is turned into a deep maroon, 

 much the darkest on the forehead and lores. The Taviuni 

 bird also wants the blue patch at the back of the neck. 



Just before my departure from Taviuni, a kind friend (Mr. 

 Tempest, of Ndreketti), who had been collecting for me in 

 Vanua Levu, brought me a small lot of birds, among which 

 were a splendid pair of Parrots. To my astonishment the 

 coloration was that of the Taviuni bird, but with the addition 

 of a blue nuchal collur, but not so well defined as in the Viti- 

 Levu birds, but still marked enough, and possessed by both 

 sexes. In size it resembles the Viti-Levu bird, the male 

 being a noble specimen, 17" long. 



This made me more anxious than ever for a fine series of 

 Taviuni birds; and we consequently killed a lot of them, old 

 and young of both sexes ; but not one exhibited the least trace 

 of the blue nuchal collar, while all were of the same deep cho- 

 colate-crimson, or maroon ; moreover they all, especially 

 the young, showed traces of dark green on the breast, body, 

 and legs, chiefly on the latter, where in some specimens it is 

 much developed, giving the thighs a scaly appearance. This 

 green occupies the entire base of each feather. In some spe- 

 cimens the rump appears scaly with the deep maroon ; this 

 is never seen in the Viti-Levu race. Both sexes are smaller 

 than the Viti-Levu race. But a fresh surprise awaited us. 

 On our way down from Taviuni we anchored some hours at 



