522 Messrs. E. L. & E. L. C. Layard on the 



Crows also beat the Bulimi on the root as Thrushes beat the 

 common garden-snail in Europe (E. L. L.). 



40. Erythrura psittacea (Gmel.). 



This is the only Finch we possess ; and it is found generally 

 distributed throughout the island. It feeds on grass-seed^ 

 and, at one season of the year, largely on the seed of the 

 Casuarina. It is constantly to be seen on the roads scratch- 

 ing among the horse-droppings, and is generally found in 

 flocks or families. It constructs a huge domed-shaped loose 

 nest of grass and soft materials, and lays seven or eight eggs ; 

 some say that two or more hens occupy the same nest. We 

 have notes of their nesting in April, August, October, and 

 November. Eggs pure white ; axis 7'", diam. 6'". 



It utters a shrill piercing note, and sometimes, but rarely, 

 ascends high trees. Total length 5", wing 2" 2'", tail 2" 2'", 

 tarse 9"'. Iris dark brown ; bill black ; legs and feet brown, 



41. CucuLUs BRONZiNus, G. R. Gray. 



The New-Caledonian Cuckoo is generally distributed all 

 over the island, and is not uncommon, being usually betrayed 

 by its shrill trilling trisyllabic pipe. It has also another 

 note, not unlike that of the Indian Coel [Eudynamis orien- 

 talis), but not so loud. It is usually found in the forest 

 region, but is also seen on the open niaoulie-ground. We 

 have found the stomachs of some distended to an enormous 

 extent with hairy caterpillars ; others only contained flies and 

 small insects. 



Fully adult females resemble the male in brilliancy of plu- 

 mage ; but young birds are dark brown, barred all over with 

 a lighter colour. It breeds from September to November ; 

 and we have obtained fresh eggs in the nests of Gerygone 

 flavolateralis in October. They are of a warm chocolate- 

 brown throughout ; axis 9^'", diam. Q^" , and of a curious 

 truncated shape, the two ends being almost identical in size 

 and form ; in fact, they are the strangest-looking eggs we have 

 seen for a long time*. 



* We have assumed that these eggs belong to C. brojizinus because it 

 is the commonest Cuckoo of the island ; but we have been rather startled 



