Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Fiji. 153 



Myiolestes compressirostris, u. sp. 



This apparently new species is intermediate between my Af. 

 macrorhynchus and M. vitiensis, Hartl. ; but the remarkably 

 thin compressed billj with its very white base, at once dis- 

 tinguishes it. In size it is nearest to M. vitiensis, Hartl., 

 being, length 6" G'", wing 3" 4'", tail 3", tarse 10'", bill 12'". 

 In coloration it closely resembles M. macrorhynchus , but is 

 rather redder in general tint, and has the broad whitish tips 

 to the tail-feathers found in M. vitiensis. 



My old servant, C. Pearce, who has been collecting in 

 Kandavu, at my suggestion, has brought thence several 

 new birds ; but as they are for Mr. Ramsay, of Sydney, I re- 

 frain from naming them. Among them, however, is a gigantic 

 Myiolestes, far exceeding M. macrorhynchus in size, though 

 resembling it somewhat in colour ; but its bill is the chief 

 feature ; this measures, length 1" 3'", depth 6'", breadth at 

 gape 7"'. 



This variation is most interesting ; and I am convinced that 

 had I the opportunity of working all of the larger islands of 

 the group, I should find that each (or at least certain con- 

 geries) possessed distinct faunas. 



Pearce informs me that my Green Dove {Chrysoena viridis, 

 is the Dove of Kandavu ; and it certainly is not found else- 

 where. He also has procured my Merula bicolor, Petraca 

 pusilla, a new Rhipidura, a new Warbler of a genus unknown 

 to me, and fine specimens of ray two new birds, Ptilotis pro- 

 vocator and Zoster ops explorator . Z. flaviceps is also found 

 there, he tells me. 



Merula bicolor, Layard. 



Of this species I can now add a more detailed description 

 from specimens brought by Mr. Pearce. Length 7", wing 

 4", tail 3", tarse 1" 3"', bill' 13'". Throughout, with the ex- 

 ception of the head and chest, sooty black, not iridescent ; 

 the whole of the head and chest is cinnamon-red ; bill and 

 feet orange. The female is less brilliant than the male, and 

 the separation between the red of the chest and black of the 

 body not so well defined. 



SEE. III. VOL. VI. M 



