7134 Zoological Notes from Aneiteum, 



feathers are minutely speckled with gray, and sometimes have also a 

 dark central line. Under wing-covers white, showing as conspicuous 

 a mark when the bird is on the wing as in P. Cookii, to which and to 

 P. mollis it is closely allied. Bill black ; tarsi fleshy black ; toes and 

 webs (except basal portion of latter, which are flesh-coloured) black. 

 Total length i^ inches ; extent of wings 28 ; wing 8^ ; tail 4^ ; bill 

 from rictus 1-rV inch, and from base I ; tarsus 1 ; middle toe and 

 claw 1-1%. There is no outward sexual distinction. 



The preceding description represents what is probably the adult 

 plumage. There is another stage, perhaps indicative of the first 

 moult, in which the pectoral band extends across the breast ; and the 

 whole of the lower surface behind this, instead of being white, is of a 

 gray colour, the under plumage being white. From dissection I 

 ascertained that females in both stages had laid eggs. A petrel* nearly 

 allied to the present, and also appearing in two different styles of plu- 

 mage, was found by me incubating as w^ell in the immature as in the 

 full dress. 



P. torquata is not confined to the island of Aneiteum. I have seen 

 it on various occasions off" the coasts of Tana and Eramanga, and was 

 assured by a native of the former island that it breeds in his district, which 

 commences about twelve miles to the southward of Port Resolution. 

 On Aneiteum it breeds in burrows on the wooded mountains of the 

 interior of the island, the highest of which attains an elevation of 2788 

 feet. A young bird, not many days old, and covered with black down, 

 was brought me on the 14th of Febvaury, but I have not yet seen an 

 egg. The Aneiteumese name is Katebu. 



Description of Pteropus Geddiei,\ a new Species of Pteropus. — 

 General colour deep black. A pale reddish yellow patch extends from 

 the occiput backwards across the shoulders, and includes the sides of 

 the neck. Back covered with glossy adpressed black hairs, mixed 

 with a few of a rusty colour ; upper surface of upper arm very thinly 

 clad with hairs ; fore arm bare. Lower part of back and upper surface 

 of thighs covered with longer and coarser black hairs, reddish at the 

 tips. Head showing many grizzled hairs, and, as well as the throat 



* From tbe Kermadec Isles. Specimens with the MS. name, P. Raoulensis, 

 attached were sent by me to the British Museum several years ago. This bird should 

 be placed by the side of P. Lessoiii. 



f In honour of the Rev. J. Geddie, who, in common with all the members of his 

 amiable family, not only materially assisted me in forming my collection, while at the 

 same time enjoying his hospitality, but has himself become a collector of zoological 

 specimens for his friends in Nova Scotia and Canada. 



