103 [Vol. xxvii. 



run wild in several of the islands and have reverted to the 

 ■wild type o£ Jungle-fowl, but these have disappeared since 

 the introduction of the Mongoose. 



"The Mynahs have increased to an alarming extent ; tliey 

 were introduced to rid the sugar-cane of several insect-pests, 

 but have so far been mainly instrumental in driving away the 

 native birds. The Kingfisher (Halcyon sacer) is still abun- 

 dant, and is the only bird bearing a native name ; otherwise 

 the Fijian does not distinguish a Bat from a bird, and calls 

 everything indiscriminately 'Manu-Manu/ whether it be a 

 fish or a microbe under the microscope. In spite of various 

 attempts at introduction rendered abortive by the hostility of 

 several planters, the Mongoose has not established itself on 

 Taviuni, the third largest island and the garden of Fiji. There 

 the small Parroquet {Hypocharmosyna aureicincta) and the 

 Satin Flycatcher or Short-wing [Lamprolia victoria) still 

 appear to flourish. The Samoans until lately were in the 

 habit of visiting the island of Kandavu and shooting Cai- 

 liptilus solitarius and Pyrrhulopsis splendens to obtain the 

 breast-feathers to decorate their mats; but the late Governor, 

 Sir E. im Thurn, K.C.M.G., I am glad to say, put a stop 

 to this. I was able to bring specimens of Pyrrhulopsis 

 taviune.nsis home alive, but living examples of P. koroensis 

 (peculiar to the island of Koro), in spite of the promises of 

 the natives, w^ere not secured. I also brought examples 

 of the Lory (C solitarius) and the Fijian Fire-tail Finch 

 [Erythrura pealei) , which I believe had not previously been 

 brought alive to this country." 



Mr. E. BiDWELL, through the kindness of Mr. W. Whitaker, 

 exhibited a very dark Peregrine {Falco pereyrinus) which 

 that gentleman had shot at Newbold Verdon, near Market 

 Bosworth, Leicestershire, on the 31st of October, 1891. 

 The bird, which was in its second year's plumage, was 

 blacker than any specimen in the National Collection. 



Mr. Ogilvie-Grant said that he had examined this Falcon 

 and had no doubt that it belonged to the dark North 

 American race which has been named Falco nigriceps, Cassin. 



