JL 



120 Mr. C. M. Woodford on a remarkable 



Tlie occurrence of tliis bird at Rcnnell is very interesting, 

 as after an experience extending to nearly tliirty years I 

 have never seen it in the Solomons, nor has it been recorded 

 by others. 



E-eturuiug to the beach we found three old women, who 

 appeared to be tending the graves, and after they had over- 

 come their first surprise at seeing us emerge from the bush 

 in their rear, they entered into conversation. 



At this landing place I found a strange orchid which I 

 sent to Kew, and it was described as a new species under 

 the name of Saccolabium Woodfordii Rolfe. 



As we M'ere on the point of leaving the island I had no 

 objection to use my gun, and I shot two Honey-eaters, 

 which proved to be of a common species, as well as the bird 

 which forms the subject of the present note. 



I sent the bird, in spirit, to the Australian Museum, 

 Sydney, and it was described by Mr. A. J. North in the 

 ' Victorian Naturalist,' xxiii. 1906, p. 104, and a photograph 

 of the skin forms Plate 8 of that volume. 



Mr. North's description is as follows : — 



"Family MELIPHAGID^. 



WooDFORDiA, gen. nov. 



Bill equal in length to the rest of the head, nearly 

 straight, broader at the base, deeper than broad at the 

 centre of the apical portion, the culmen distinctly ridged 

 and slightly curved towards the tip. A broad patch in 

 front of the eye and a ring round it bare of feathers, the 

 skin wrinkled, over which is sparingly distributed on that 

 portion in front of the eye, very fine, short white hairs. 

 First primary entirely suppressed, the tip of the wing formed 

 by the third, fourth, and fifth primaries. Tail imperfect, 

 some of the central feathers missing: apparently nearly 

 square, and two-thirds of the length of the wing. Tarsus 

 comparatively thick, covered with a few scales in front, and 

 nearly one-third longer than the bill ; feet fleshy and 

 robust. 



