446 Rev. S. J. Whitmcc on Samoan Birds. 



for description. The bird is widely distributed in the group, 

 but is not very frequently met with. 



25. DiDUNCULUs sTRiGiRosTRis, Jard. Manu-mea. 



1 have recently contributed some notes on this bird to the 

 'Proceedings^ of the Zoolocical Society {vide P. Z. S. 1874, 

 p. 183). 



26. Hallus PECTORALis, Less. Ve'a=Veha. 



Very common, especially near the coast and about the plan- 

 tations of the natives. 



27. Ortygometra quadristrigata, Horsf. Vat. 



I have never seen a living example of this bird, and have 

 had great difficulty in procuring a single dead one. This is 

 not because the bird is scarce, but because it hides so closely 

 in sedges and reeds in swamps and by streams that the natives 

 have a difficulty in getting a shot at it. I have often heard 

 its cry, and I believe it is found about water in all parts of 

 the islands. 



28. PoRPHYRio iNDicus, Horsf. (? P. vitiensis, Peale) . 

 Manu-alii. 



Common all over the islands. I am strongly inclined to 

 think that our Samoan Porphyria ought to bear the specific 

 name of vitiensis instead of indicus. This bird seems easily 

 to accommodate itself to vaiying conditions. It is hardy in 

 captivity, and will feed upon any thing which comes in its 

 way — vegetables, cooked or raw, cockroaches, rats, and 

 lizards ; and I have known one recently to attack and eat a 

 wounded Strepsilas interpres. This is in the possession of a 

 collector in my neighbourhood, who, having shot and wounded 

 the Strepsilas, placed it in the cage with the Porphyria, which 

 attacked it immediately. The PorpJiyrio is not only found 

 about swamps and lakes, but is common in the bush far away 

 from water. It frequents the taro plantations, and in some 

 parts feeds largely on that vegetable. 



29. Pareudiastes pacificus, Hart, et Finsch. Puna'e=- 

 Punahe. 



I have not learned any thing more of the habits of this 



