iq6 Campbell and White, Birds on Capricorn Group, [i^t ^ec 



Caterpillar-eater (Edolnsoma tenuirostre). 



Several male specimens of this interesting species were observed 

 on Xorth-West and Tryon Islands. 



Pied Caterpillar-eater {Lalage leucomelana) . 



i\Ir. L. Harrison identitied at short range, with glasses, a single 

 specimen of this Caterpillar-eater on Mast-Head Island. 



White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater {Lalage tricolor). 

 Leaden Flycatcher {Myiagra rnhecula). 

 Rufous-breasted Thickhead {Pachycephala ntfiventris). 



One or two of these birds, probably on migration only, were 

 observed. A male of the first-mentioned was seen, and 

 females of the others. The Thickheads were particularly merry in 

 song on Mast-Head and Heron Islands, while on North- West Island 

 a female was seen, singing loudly, in a group of Pandanus trees. 



Western White-eye {Zoster ops westernensis). 



Zosterops were n'lmerous, and appeared to breed upon the islands, 

 judging by a few old nests. As at some of our more southern 

 camps, it was delightful to listen to the subdued chorus of the 

 birds' sweet warbling songs at daybreak. Regularly on Mast- 

 Head they commenced to warble from lo to 5 minutes before 

 5 o'clock. 



White-eyes were observed in great numbers on North -West and 

 Tryon Islands, where, also, the nesting season had not yet com- 

 menced. Several skins were procured — the first by Mr. J. W. 

 Mellor. 



From a critical examination of these skins it is at once notice- 

 able that they are not referable to Z. coeridescens, but are more in 

 agreement with the description of Quoy and Gaimard's Z. 

 westernensis.* Should further research prove them different, we 

 venture to suggest the name Z. chlorocephalus, or Green-headed 

 White-eye (on account of the " clean-cut " markings of that colour), 

 the following being the general description : — Male. — Distinct ring 

 of silvery-white round the eye, succeeded by a black line under the 

 eye ; head, mantle, upper wing coverts, and upper tail coverts 

 bright olive-green ; back grey, blending into the greenish mantle : 

 wings and tail dark brown, the primaries and tail feathers edged 

 with bright olive-green ; chin, throat, and under tail coverts 

 greenish-yellow ; rest of the under surface greyish-blue, darkest on 

 the chest, and approaching greyish-white on the abdomen. Bill 

 dark brown, the basal half of the lower mandible lighter coloured ; 

 tarsus dark grey. Dimensions in inches : — Length. 4J : wing. 2\l : 

 bill, /s ; tail, 2 ; tarsus, H. 



Dollar-Bird {Eiirystomns pacificus). 



One bird noticed on Mast-Head Island, and a flock of five or six 

 passed over North- West Island, apparently migrating. 



* A skin in the Melbourne Museum, from Fiji, supposed to be Z. flaviceps (Peale), 

 resembles exactly the Capricorns bird, Z. flaviceps — Z. westertiensis. (See Brit. 

 Mus. Cat. Birds, ix., p. 155.) 



