Avifauna of the Fiji Islands. 295 



In soliciting food it uttered a curious note, somewhat like 

 a loud-ticking clock, and agitated its whole body. After I 

 had had it six weeks in my possession and it had become 

 fully fledged, it w^as mortally injured by a fall out of its 

 box on to the floor. 



Hypocharmosyxa aureicincta (Layard). 

 I did not see this species, but was told by a planter that 

 it is still common in the mountain-forest of Taviuni. 



Cacomantis infuscatus (Harth), 



This species was seen in the neighbourhood of Suva only for 

 a short period from the middle of April to the end of June, 

 when it was extremely common. After that it entirely 

 disappeared. No evidence of its nesting could be obtained, 

 though according to Hanlaub it does breed there. It was 

 mobbed in flight by the small birds, notably by the Myiagra. 



Dimorphic forms were noticed, there was a dark and a 

 much lighter variety ; specimens which were shot shewed 

 this coloration to bear no relation to sex. The generative 

 organs of those procured in April and May were undeveloped. 



[S • April 17, 1910. Tamavua, Suva, Vitilevu. 



Q? May 7, 1910. Tamavua, Suva, Vitilevu. 



The first of these has the barred feathers of the neck 

 and breast washed with rufous, the second has but a trace of 

 rufous. Both are just completing a body-moult only ; 

 the barred feathers are new and appear in the second 

 specimen to be replacing bronze-brown feathers of the 

 previous plumage. Both specimens are alike on the back. 

 Wing 127 and 128 mm.— C. B. T.] 



Halcyon sacra (Gmel.). 



"Sese''^ of the natives. 



This is one of the most striking and familiar Fijian birds. 

 Its shrill cry is one of the most characteristic sounds in 

 the islands. It seems equally at home inland and on 

 the sea-coast. One used commonly to visit our garden and 

 catch insects and grasshoppers on the lawn, darting down 

 upon them from a favourite stump. This is one of the only 

 birds with which the natives seem to be more or less familiar. 



