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Sydney Porter—Notes on Birds of Fiji



it was missing something, jumped into the middle of them : in a second

they had gone into hiding in the neighbouring lemon-trees, where they

became quite invisible, and not until the unwelcome guest had departed

did they return ; when I showed myself they departed as quickly, and

did not return until I re-entered the hut. I spent a whole afternoon

watching these lovely creatures, while the old Indian explained in his

halting English the doctrine of reincarnation and the need for tolerance

to our feathered friends. When he knew that I too loved the birds

and never shot nor ate them he nearly fell over my neck with joy,

and on my departure loaded me up with all kinds of fruit and said that

everything he had was mine.


It was delightful to stumble so accidentally across a simple native

with such a naive and charming love of his fellow creatures. I compared

him to a certain governor of Fiji who used to shoot semi-tame Herons

from his doorstep to try out a new rifle. I wished that I too could

believe in reincarnation; it rather soothes one’s sense of justice to think

that there will be a settling up “ hereafter ”, but I am afraid that I have

the mind of a sceptic.


To get back to the bird in question, Erythrura pealei is one of the

most beautiful of the Parrot Finches : the back is bright grass green,

which is also the colour of the wings and the under parts ; the whole

of the head and the tail and upper tail-coverts are bright scarlet. The

throat and chest are a deep rich blue. The young are a uniform grass

green. Some birds appeared to have the green replaced by a brilliant

verditer blue ; this may have been due to age or to cyanism.


This lovely Finch is common in most of the islands of the Fijian

group and is frequently seen in the gardens around Suva. It haunts

the low herbage and bushes, coming out to feed upon minute seeds.

Like most of the other Parrot Finches, it moves with lightning rapidity

and it is only caught with difficulty. It is strictly protected, and

permission is needed from the Governor either to keep or export it.


Parrot Finches are very difficult to get on to seed when captured,

especially the Red-headed species. When in New Zealand Mr. Rowland

Hutchinson imported a large number, but in spite of everything being

done for them they continued to die off like flies ; at last in desperation

we put them in an outdoor aviary, this when the’ weather was getting



