GENERAL ZOOLOGY. 



9 



principal food. ... In the pairing-season tins species becomes very 

 noisy and lively, the mated birds chasing each other in amorous play from 

 tree" to tree, or from post to post, with loud unmusical cries, something like 

 the syllables cree — cree — cree uttered in quick succession." 



The Bush Creepers have two representatives at Lord IIowo, Zosierops 

 strenuus, Gould, and Z. tephropleurus, known as the "Silver-eyes." Both 

 species are indigenous to the island, and are met with in small flocks, 

 equally plentiful both in the open spaces and thick scrub. The chief 

 difference between the species is that of size, and slight shades of colour 

 only, but individuals were carefully sexed by Mr. Thorpe. 



The most interesting point connected with our researches amongst the 

 birds was the discovery of a new Geryr/one. Dr. Eamsay had already 

 described one species from Lord Howe, Gerygone insularis* but the new 

 one is much smaller than the latter, with a' feebly-yello\v tinted breast. 

 Two examples were shot by Mr. Thorpe and myself on August 24:th, and 

 were carefully sexed by the former when skinning thom. It has been 

 named by Dr. Eamuay Geryqone Thorpei,\ a very deserving tribute to Mr. 

 Thorpe for his exertions towards the success of our expedition. It associates 

 itself with the larger species, G. insularis, and appears to be particularly 

 fond of frequenting lemon-trees. The latter species is locally known as 

 " Pop-goes-the-Weasel," and possesses a very pleasing song-like note. 



Meruln vinitincta, Gould, a very active and pleasing bird, represents the 

 Thrushes. It is locally known as the " Doctor Bird," and is peculiar to the 

 island. Other and allied species are found throughout the Pacific Islands, 

 such as New Caledonia, Piji, the Sandwich and Solomon Islands, and the 

 jVew Hebrides ; but the genus is unknown on the Australian continent. In 

 the paper previously quoted, Dr. E. P. Bamsay says :—" It is somewhat 

 remark-able that while the genus Merula is found so close to Australia as on 

 Lord Howe Island, no species of the genus has been recorded fronr the 

 mainland. "J M. vinitincta frequents the more secluded hillsides, especially 

 at the north end of the island, although it was found in the low ground 

 borderhig the shore, on the east side, but not to the same extent. We also 

 observed'^it high upon the flanks of Mount Ledgbird. Mr. E. D. Eitzgerald§ 

 states also that the bird possesses the same leaf-tossing habits as the 

 Blackbird. The nest is composed of palm-tree fibre, and is long and 

 cylindrical, the base solid and filled up. 



A more numerous group are the Flycatchers. We obtained the really 

 elegant Rhipidiira, cervina, Eamsay, another species peculiar to Lord Howe. 

 It is a delicate bird, frequenting any open glades where insects can be taken 

 on the wing. Dr. Eamsay also records the occurrence of Myiagra plumboa, 

 V. & IL, and Eicrystomus paeificus,i\\& " Dollar-bird" of New South Wales. 

 Passing to the Pachycephalin* or "Thick-heads,"thetypegenusPflc/M/cep/(«Z» 

 is represented by 'two species, P. guttitralis, Latham, and P. riifiventris, 

 of the same author. The former we found to be common, and in no way 

 to differ from individuals found in New South Wales. It is the most 

 brilliantly coloured bird met with on Lord Howe Island, and the vivid yellow 

 breast plumage of the male is readily distinguished in the low-lying scrubs 

 and thickets." P. rjiUturalis was not seen on any of the higher points of the 

 island. P. rii-Jiventris recorded by Dr. Eamsay, did not c 

 notice. 



under 



* Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, 1878, Tii, pt. 2, p. 117. 

 t Ibid, 1887, II, pt. 4, p. 677. 



+ Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, 1878, in, pt. 1, p. 89. 

 § Hill's Lord Howe Island, loc clt., p. 38. 



