Avifauna of Neiv Caledonia. 511 



obtuse end with brown and dull purple unequal spots and 

 blotches. E^g has altogether a chalky look, not at all po- 

 lished : axis 11'", diam. 8'". 



This species measures — length 6" &", wing 5", tail 2" 10"', 

 tarse 7'", bill 1". Bill blue, except the tip, which is black ; 

 legs and feet grey-black ; iris very dark brown. 



25. Megalurulus mariei, Verr. 



For several years after L, L. obtained our first specimen 

 of this curious little bird at Ansevata, near Noumea {cf. Ibis, 

 1877, p. 360), it evaded our earnest and unceasing endea- 

 vours to discover its habitat. At last E. L. L., on proceeding 

 to Moiudou, procui'ed several specimens in the long grass 

 and tangled herbage about the skirts of the niaoulie-forest, 

 which renders more than probable L. L.'s identification of a 

 bird which he saw pass under his horse's nose as he was 

 crossing the mountain-range from Kanala to Teremba. It 

 is therefore probable that this skulking shy little grass-warbler 

 inhabits, in limited numbers (a pair here and another there), 

 many favoured localities along the west coast, extending 

 into the mountain-ranges wherever the open nia^ ^iiv.-forest 

 affords grassy cover for its concealment. 



We (E. L, L.) obtained our first pair at Moindou in some 

 rank grass which had sprung up round a fallen tree- top near 

 the banks of the river at the edge of the niaoulie-forest. 

 They were very unwilling to fly, concealing themselves in the 

 tangled herbage, from which for some time we could not 

 dislodge them ; indeed, after killing the first one, we had to 

 wait two days before we procured the second, neither stoning 

 nor trampling the bush availing to dislodge the bird, which 

 we knew at the time still remained in the dense mass, from 

 which it could not escape without our knowledge. They 

 utter, when abroad, a sharp "tzik," but, when skulking, a 

 purring note, like the purr of a kitten. We susj)ect, from 

 those we skinned, that the breeding-season is from October 

 to November. 



Length 7" 16'", wing 3", tail 4", tarse 1", bill 11'". Bill 

 dark horn ; feet and legs lighter ; iris red-brown ; legs very 

 robust. Feed on beetles &c. 



