Avifauna of the Fiji Islands. 297 



another in the British Museum from the same place. Tliis 

 anomalous condition of there being apparetith' three closely 

 allied species of Halcyon in one island (Vitilevu) certainly 

 wants further elucidation. — C. B. T.] 



COLLOCALIA SPODIOPYGIA Pcale. 



CoIIocalia francica ((imel.). 



The Common Swift of the group was present in Vitilevu 

 in equal numbers all the year round. It does not soar to 

 any great height and has a feeble squealing note. In INIarch 

 it was found nesting in large numbers in caves amongst 

 the soapstone rocks. 



HiRUNDO TAHITICA Gmcl. 



"Kakahace'^ of the Fijians. 



This is purely a maritime species and is very locally dis- 

 tributed. During a ride through Vitilevu only a few were 

 noted on the coast-line. In the district of Loma Loma on 

 Vanua Vua there was a small colony^ but they were never 

 seen hawking over land but always over the sea. I was 

 not able to ascertain what particular insect they were in 

 pursuit of. 



Myzomela JUGULARis Pealc. 



This is undoubtedly one of the commonest and most 

 attractive birds in Fiji. Its cheery call, fairy flight, and 

 interesting feedmg-liabits make it a universal favourite. It 

 is very partial to feeding on the various species of Canna 

 which abound in most gardens in Fiji. Another flower to 

 which it is particulai'ly partial is that of a small bush, a 

 Frangipana, I believe, which has been introduced into Fiji 

 from Ceylon and is now extremely common there. In 

 feeding it hovers over the floAver in much the same manner 

 as a Humming-bird, and then suddenly plunges in its curved 

 bill, but whether in quest of insects or honey I was una!)le 

 to ascertain. The males, which could always be distin- 

 guished by the amount and brightness of the red on their 

 head and neck, are extremely pugnacious. In January and 

 February the birds were in full moult. 



This species was commonly seen every evening flying in 



