^^ THE BIRDS OF THE FIJI ISLANDS. 



procured several specimens. From his description of its habits I should be 

 inclined to place it near the ' Chats ' (Saxicolinse), the curious white upper 

 half of the tail helping me to this idea. Mr. Liardet says the natives call it 

 ' Wali-na-koli,' v^^hich means ' the dog cannot catch it/ in allusion to its habit 

 of running on the ground and, when pursued by the dog, flying up just out 

 of reach. It is only known to the natives in its immediate vicinity." 



The Plate is taken from a male and female in my own collection, both 

 obtained at Ngila, Taviuni, Fiji, by Mr. Layard -.—the male, 2nd August, 1875 ; 

 the female, 29th July, 1875. The food is stated to be insects. 



No illustration can give the beautiful soft plumage of this species, which 

 resembles velvet, and has a lovely sprinkling of lustrous tips to the feathers 

 on the head, throat, and breast. The female is smaller than the male. Both 

 sexes have the white patch on the rump, which is not of a dull, but shining 

 white, like satin. The bird must be in life quite a little gem, of which the 

 faded skins can present but a faint resemblance. 



Mr. E. L. Layard says (Ibis, 1876, 3rd ser. vol. vi. p. 148) :— 



*'Lamprolia viCTORiyE, Fiusch. 



'' One of my chief objects in proceeding to Taviuni was to see this 

 singular and beautiful species in its native haunts. It frequents the higher 

 ranges of the mountains, never by any chance coming down to the sea-level. 

 It is, as far as my present knowledge goes, confined to the island of Taviuni, 

 though a gentleman (on whose observations I do not place much confidence) 

 has assured my son that he has seen it on the neighbouring islands of Vanua 

 Levu. A lad, also, told me both it and the ' Orange Dove ' QChrysxna victor) 

 inhabit the Jasawas group of islands. It is never seen together in greater 

 numbers than three — a family party, father, mother, and chick ; for, strange 

 to say, the female never lays more than one egg. We found so many nests with 



