732 DR. O. FINSCH ON THE [NoV. 6, 



10. Ptilotis carunculata (Gm.). 



Ptilotis carunculata, Layard, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 432. 



No. 47. Matuka. Male. 

 48. „ Female. 



"These birds (the same as Nos. 12, 13, 14 and 15 from Tonga- 

 tabu) did not appear so common as in Tongatabu, and seem to be 

 rather smaller." — /. M. 



On comparing the measurements above given with those of the 

 Tongatabu specimens, Mr. Murray's opinion as to the smaller size 

 of the Fiji birds seems to be confirmed ; but a reference to the table 

 of measurements published by me (Journ. f. Orn. 1870, p. 126), 

 taken from 29 specimens from the Navigators' and Tonga groups 

 (those of the latter series having been sent over in spirits and mostly 

 dissected by myself), will show all gradations of size,*and the impos- 

 sibility of separating the Fiji bird on account of its smaller size. In 

 coloration specimens from the Fijis, Tonga, and Navigators' are 

 precisely alike. 



The occurrence of the true Pt. carunculata on the Fijis (doubted 

 by me, Journ. f. Orn. 1872, p. 36) has been already established by 

 Mr. Layard. According to this gentleman the species is confined to 

 the island of Loma Loma. He endeavours also to introduce a new 

 species {Pt. similis), said to be peculiar to the island of Vanua Levu ; 

 but the short diagnosis (Ibis, 1876, p. 148), " having pale yellowish 

 grey ear-tufts instead of bright golden yellow," seems to me insuffi- 

 cient to distinguish it. Perhaps it will turn out to be P. procerior. 



Mr. Layard also remarks that hi our 'Ornithology of Central 

 Polynesia ' we wrongly describe the iris to be white, as it is in fact 

 brown or ashy-brown. As we never had an opportuity of seeing the 

 bird alive, we could follow only the notice of Dr. Griiffe, who gave 

 the iris as "white;" but we also noticed "brown" (Peale), "ashy- 

 grey" (Latham), and "blue-black" (Forster). 



1 1 . Ptilotis procerior, F. & H. 



Ptilotis procerior, Orn. Central- Polyn, p. 62, t. v. f. 3 ; Layard, 

 P. Z. S. 1875, p. 431. 



Nos. 73 and 74. Male. Levuka. 



This species is well distinguished from the former (P. carun- 

 culata) by having no true wattle, but a naked space below the ear- 

 region, surrounded by a blackish line, and by the absence of the 

 yellow moustache, which is always visible in P. carunculata. 



Through the Museum Godefifroy I have received many specimens 

 for inspection from the following localities : — Ovalau, Vatu Lele, 

 Vanua Levu, and Lavu-savu. 



Young birds are of a sombre olive, without the yellowish tinge on 



