Collecting-trip in the New Hebrides, &c. 297 
scrub. - Separated from it by a deep-water channel, about one 
one hundred yards across, lies the island of “ Palakura’’*. 
This is a somewhat larger island, long and narrow, not more 
than a mile at its greatest length. These two small patches 
of upheaved coral are completely swarming with birds, espe- 
cially Pigeons. When one of the rare trading-vessels is 
anchored anywhere within ten miles, they send a boat’s crew 
“gunning” on Sunday morning, and the men never come 
back with less than a hundred big Pigeons. The small island 
was strewed with broken fragments of the eggs of the two 
large Pigeons (Carpophaga vanwycki and C. rubricera) and of 
the Heron (Ardea sacra), sucked by rats andiguanas. Though 
the other ten islands of the archipelago are all closely ad- 
joining, none of us saw a “‘ Yellow-belly”’ anywhere else, 
except my own solitary specimen from Blanche Bay. 
Dicrurvus L&mMostictus, Sel. 
This scarce and very wary Drongo is, as far as I saw, only 
found in the dense dark forests that clothe the steep ravines .. 
down the mountain-sides. Its quick shrill note is heard a 
long distance. 
CisTICOLA RUFICEPS, Gould. 
This little bird is only found in the long grass on the level 
land between the sea and the hills. 
PHILEMON COCKERELLI, Scl. 
Native name “ Akou;” very abundant in New Britain. 
Corvus ORRU. 
A difficult bird to approach. 
DoNACICOLA SPECTABILIS, Scl. 
This little Finch was found only in Blanche Bay. It was 
in large flocks, diligently hunting for grass-seeds on the ground 
in the banana- and cocoanut-plantations. Very easy to ap- | 
proach. I killed seven at one shot. 
NECTARINIA ASPASIA. 
This lively bird is very common, though in the height of 
the breeding-season, July and August, I could not find any 
* See P. Z.S. 1879, p. 446 et segg. as to the birds obtained by Mr. 
Brown on this island. 
