nWiDS (XJLLPXTED BY DR. W. L. ABBOTT ON VARIOUS 

 ISLANDvS IN THE JAVA SEA. 



By Harry C. Oberholser, 



Of the Biological Survey, United States Department of Agriculture. 



The present paper contains the ornithological results of Dr. W. L. 

 Abbott's visits to four islands in the Java Sea. 



The writer has to thank Doctor Abbott for most of the physio- 

 graphic facts concerning these islands; and Dr. Charles W. Richmond, 

 assistant curator of birds in the United States National Museum, for 

 other help. 



The measurements used are all given in millimeters, and have been 

 taken as in the author's article on Butorides virescens} The names 

 of colors are based on Mr. R. Ridgway's Color Standards and Color 

 Nomenclature. 



I. SOLOMBO BESAR ISLAND. 



Solombo Besar Island, Solombo Island, or Masolombo Besar, as it 

 is variously called, is situated in the eastern part of the Java Sea. It 

 lies about 90 miles south of Borneo, about 145 miles north of the 

 nearest point of the eastern end of Java, and some 120 miles east of 

 Bawean Island. It is approximately 2 by 4 miles in extent, is of vol- 

 canic origin, though now surrounded by a coral reef, and has a low 

 but rather uneven contour, which culminates in a hill some 250 feet 

 in height. The soil is fertile and is extensively cultivated by the 

 resident population. Nearly all the heavy forest has been cleared, 

 and the chief remaining portion is to be found on and about the hill 

 already mentioned. The principal native mammals are rats and flying 

 foxes; and there are also many cattle running wild. Birds in 1907 

 were abundant and tame, though apparently of few species. 



Dr. W, L. Abbott visited this island from December 3 to 6, 1907, 

 and during this time collected 33 specimens of birds, Vv^hich he sent to 

 the United States National Museum. These represent 10 species, 8 

 of which are hereinafter described as new forms. One of these new 

 birds belongs to an apparently undescribed endemic genus. Also 

 a species of megapode was found on the island but not obtained. 



1 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 42, 1912, p. 533. 



Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. 54— No. 2232. 



.334.S— m— Pi-oc.N.M.vo1..^.4 13 177 



