MERULA VITIENSIS, Zayard. 
VANUA LEVU OUZEL. 
Merula vitiensis, Layard, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) xvii. p. 305 (1876); id. Ibis, 1876, 
pp. 390, 392 ; Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. iii. p. 337 (1879), vii. p. 113 (1883) ; Tristr. 
Cat. Coll. p. 129 (1889); Wiglesw. Aves Polyn., Abhandl. К. zool. Mus. Dresden, 1890-91, . 
no. 6, p. 39 (1891). 
Merula vanicorensis (nec Quoy et Gaim.), Layard, Ibis, 1876, p. 151. 
Turdus vitiensis, Layard, P. Z. S. 1876, pp. 492, 505; Tristr. Ibis, 1879, p. 188; Nehrk. J.f. O. 
1879, p. 405. 
Merula vanuensis, Seebohm, P. Z. S. 1890, p. 667. 
M. rostro flavo: pedibus flavis: griseo-brunnea, pileo dorsoque concoloribus: facie laterali, gutture et pectore 
pallidioribus et paullo cinerascentibus : abdomine obsoleté vel paullulum rufescente. 
Тнк rufous colour on the abdomen is scarcely to be distinguished in the male bird, but is 
more pronounced in the female, so that the species may be classed with the chestnut- or 
ochre-bellied section of the genus Merula. Тһе male of M. vitiensis is very like M. javanica 
in appearance, notwithstanding the enormous distance which separates the habitats of the two 
Species. 
The original specimen of M. vitiensis was procured in Vanua Levu, at Bua in Sandalwood Bay, 
by Mr. Tempest, who sent it to Mr. E. L. Layard. The species was described by the latter 
gentleman in 1876, and shortly afterwards additional specimens were procured by his son in the 
same island of Vanua Levu. Тһе name of vitiensis can scarcely be regarded as a happy choice, as it 
suggests the island of Viti Levu as the habitat of the species, and the discovery of a distinct form on 
the latter island (LM. layardi) induced Mr. Seebohm to propose the name vanuensis for the Vanua Levu 
bird. Although this change has not been adopted by Mr. Wiglesworth, I feel convinced that the 
Vanua Levu species will ultimately be called М. vanuensis (Seebohm), as the name of vitiensis is 
misleading. 
Mr. Tempest says that the species is extremely shy and difficult to procure. Its note and 
habits resemble those of the European Blackbird, and it scratches on the ground like the latter 
species. The nest is also said to be like that of Merula merula. 
Adult male. General colour above uniform brown, the head of the same colour as the back, the 
hind-neck and mantle scarcely any lighter brown than the head and back; quills and tail deep 
sepia-brown ; sides of face, throat, and breast lighter and more ashy-brown, rather darker again on 
the flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts, the latter being entirely uniform ; the feathers of the lower 
breast and abdomen slightly edged with rufous-ochre, imparting a rufescent tint to these parts; a 
white spot on the lower abdomen: “bill light orange; feet bright yellow; iris dark brown" 
(С. L. Layard). Total length 8:5 inches, culmen 0:9, wing 4:3, tail 2:85, tarsus 1-4. 
Adult female. Similar to the male, but showing more rufous on the breast and abdomen. 
Total length 7:7 inches, culmen 0:95, wing 4:2, tail 2-7, tarsus 1:35. 
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