Avifauna of New Caledonia., 519 



On another occasion we watched one fly down to a broken 

 bank of a stream, where, perching on the ground, it tugged 

 away at something, and finally pulled out a huge white grub, 

 with which it flew to a thick branch, and was in the act of 

 beating it to a pulp when L. L., who had crept within dis- 

 tance, secured it. As this was our second specimen only of 

 this rare bird, we were proportionally delighted. It was 

 unknown to M. Marie, unless it is his "No. 35. *Pachijce- 

 phala ? sp.-" 



At Moindou E. L. L. procured several additional speci- 

 mens, finding them always in pairs, about November, at 

 which season we believe they breed ; but their nests are, as 

 yet, unknown to us. Dead specimens give no idea of the 

 singular colour of the bill, which changes, from the moment 

 of death, from a white tinged with blue to a dirty brown 

 when dry. The gape is yellow. In young birds the bill is 

 brown ; otherwise they resemble the adult. Legs and feet 

 silver-grey, with yellow soles. Iris dark drab. Bill gaping, 

 somewhat like that of Anastomus. Thighs very robust. 

 Length 7" 3'", wing 3" 5'", tail 3" 8'". Bourail native name 

 "Nono.'' 



[I am quite satisfied that the genus Clytorhynchus cannot 

 stand. The bird is in every respect a typical Myiolestes ; and 

 its peculiarities in the shape and twist of the bill are exceeded 

 by those of the Fijian M, nigrogularis and M. macrorhynchus. 

 — H. B. T.] 



38. Aplonis caledonicus, Bp. 



We suspect there has been much confusion about the no- 

 menclature of this species, various names being given to it 

 by difl'erent authors describing from specimens of dififerent 

 ages and sexes. We can find but one species in the island, 

 which is replaced on the Loyalties by the larger A. atronitens 

 of Gray. Our present bird is common and widely distributed, 

 flies in flocks of eight or ten together, and feeds on berries of 

 all kinds, being especially fond of those of the banian. It 

 has a loud clear flute-like whistle, but is sparing of its use. 

 Our Moindou friends tell us it breeds in holes of trees, and 



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