Rev. S. J. Whitmee on Samoan Birds. 441 



{Psidium guaiava) has spread in some parts of the islands and 

 become a pest ; and to the Sturnoides atrifusca I attribute the 

 chief blame. It is exceedingly fond of this fruity and distri- 

 butes the seeds in its excrement in all parts of the bush. The 

 Fuia's note is not unlike that of the common Starling [Stur- 

 nus vulgaris), but is louder, and heard chiefly early in the 

 morning. Eggs pale blue. 



18. Erythrura cyanovirens, Peale. Segasegdmau'u. 

 This bird is not uncommon, but is often difiicult to find. 



It evidently migrates from place to place, according to the 

 time of flowering of certain trees. It is seldom to be seen 

 near the coast, except when the Erythrina indica is in flower ; 

 but at that time (July and August) it may be seen in flocks 

 feasting, Avith the Coriphilus fringillaceus , upon the nectar 

 produced in its showy red flowers. In May of last year I 

 noticed a great number about a clump of ironwood trees 

 [Casuarina equisetifolia) then in flower. 



19. LoBiospizA NOTABiLis, Hart, et Finsch. Sega-vao (?) 

 =^Senga-vao. 



I think this bird is uncommon. I have seldom seen it. 

 The natives have brought me dead examples. They usually 

 confound it with the preceding species {Erythrura cyanovi- 

 rens) ; but some distinguish it, and apply to it the name given 

 above — Sega-vao. Once I saw it in the Savaii mountains, 

 and I have also procured it on Upolu"^. 



20. Ptilonopus PEROusii, Peale. Manu-md [nxiile) , Manu- 

 lua (female). 



This beautiful bird is not often seen ; but it is not uncom- 

 mon. It frequents certain trees, and may be always found 

 if one knows its habit. Its principal habitat is the indigenous 

 banyan {Ficus prolixa) , which grows very high ; and one has 

 to watch carefully in order to see the birds, although the tree 

 may be full of them. This Ptilonopus is considered by the 



* [In a letter addressed to the Zoological Society, Dr. Ilartlaub states 

 that he and Dr. Finsch had come to the conclusion that this supposed 

 species is probably the young of Amhlyura cyanovirens {Erythrura cyano- 

 virens). See P. Z. S. 1875, p. 269.— Ed.] 



