the Avifauna of Neiv Caledonia, 257 
43. Aplonis striata (Gmel.), and Nos. 44^ 45^ 46_, & 47. 
We cannot help thinking that much confusion exists in 
the nomenclature of these Starlings. We can only find one 
species near Noumea^ the male^ female_, and young of which 
exhibit shades of plumage that might entitle them to any 
of the designations striata, nigroviridis, viridigrisea, or atro- 
nitens ! ! We are inclined to think this species ought to bear 
the name of Aplonis caledonica, Bp._, the description and 
measurements of which^ as given in the Revue Zoologique/ 
tally very well,, except that the closed wing is 10 (not 9) 
centims. We have found this species also in the Lifu collection, 
and another one considerably larger, viz. length 8^' 6'", wing 
4" 6'", tail 3" 1"', tarse bill This latter we take to be 
A. striata (Gmel.) {=Coracias pacifica, Forst. p. 261), of 
which MM. Verreaux and Des Murs say in the ‘^Revue,^ 
under the head of A. viridigrisea, G. R. Gray, ^^M. Gray 
rapproche cette espece, avec doute, du Coracias striata de 
Gmelin, qui en serait la femelle.^^ Its large size and robust 
bill at once distinguish it from the smaller species. It has 
also a bluer tinge {A. caledonica is greenish) ; there is also a 
browner tinge on the wing-primaries; and the undersides of 
the tail-feathers are brown, not black nor brown-black. 
The females are sooty, not black; and one presents a decidedly 
striated ” appearance on the undersides and head. 
48. Leptornis aubryanus, Verr. & Des Murs. 
While at Honailou E. L. L. heard of a bird answering to 
the description of this, but with the bare space about the eye 
orange, instead of crimson as figured in the Cruise of the 
Cura 9 oa,^ and described in the Revue Zoologique ^ by 
MM. Verreaux and Des Murs. Now we know, from ex¬ 
perience, that orange-coloured skin, in drying, often assumes 
a reddish or brown tint; and we are half inclined to fancy that, 
the figure and description (Zoc. cit) having been taken from 
skins, a mistake was made. If this is not so, there must be 
two distinct species oiLeptornis in New Caledonia; for E. L. L. 
closely questioned his two informants, of whom one had seen, 
and stuffed, two specimens, and the other, a botanist of some 
note, knew the bird well from the other side of the island. 
SER. IV.-VOL. II. 
t 
