of the Island uf Rotumah. 43 



1 was not able to determine them satisfactorily from the 

 descriptions and keys as given in the ' Catalogue of Birds/ 



1. Myzomela chermesina Gray. 



Four adults, one nestling. Native name " Arumea." 



This species occurs also on the New Hebrides, while its 

 nearest ally seems to be M. rosenbergi of New Guinea. 



It breeds in Rotumah in October and November, placing 

 its nest in any fork formed by the twigs of the hifo tree 

 {Calophyllum inophylhim) . The nest is made of grass and 

 rather deep. The eggs, numbering from three to five, are 

 white, with a few red spots, very large for the size of the 

 bird. 



2. PiNAROLESTES (Myiolestes) vitiensis Hartl. 

 Four adults. " Fa-aire.'^ 



This species shows distinctly Fijian influence ; the genus 

 ranges from this group to New Guinea. 



3. Aplonis tabuensis (Gm.). 



Five adult, one nestling. " Husela." 



The eggs are blue, rather smaller than those of an English 

 Thrush, with light brown spots and splashes. 



4. Lalage PACiFicA (Gm.). 



Four adults, one young. '^ Jea" or ''Chea."' 

 The nest is very similar to that of the Myzomela, but the 

 eggs are never more than three in number, according to native 

 accounts. This species occurs also at Fiji, Tongatabu, and 

 Samoa. 



5. AsTUR cruentus (Gm.). 



Astur rufitorques Vesi\e = Accipiter rufitorques Hombr. et 

 Jacq. 



This bird, called " Jerleva," has been repeatedly seen in 

 Rotumah, but was not obtained by Mr. Gardiner. It is 

 known also from the Fiji group. 



6. Strix flammea Linn. 

 Two adults. " Ruru." 



