274 Messrs. E. L. and E. L. C. Layard on Birds 
branches for tbeir perches. Also on low bushes and Pandanus 
trees on the grassy uplands. Iris dark brown; bilk ashy; 
feet and legs black.-—L. L. 
Mr. G. E. Gray Birds of Tropical Islands does not in¬ 
clude any species oi Artamus from the New Hebrides. The 
species seems to me identical with the New-Caledonian race. 
E. L. L. 
23. Erythrura^ sp. inc. 
I saw a small flock of an Amadavat in the yam-gardens of a 
cannibal village on the mountains in the interior of the island 
of Vate. As I was creeping up to them one of my companions 
fired at a Flying Fox/^ and startled them away. They were 
green and scarlet,, like the New-Caledonian species E. psiU 
tacea (Gm.); but the scarlet seemed much brighter.—L. L. 
24. Trtchoglossus massena^ Bp. 
These Parrakeets are common on Vate, but difficult to pro¬ 
cure on account of their wildness. They frequent the 
pawpan trees, devouring the fruit. On the little island of 
^^Nguna,^^ adjoining Vate, I found them on the cocoanut- 
trees. The Erythrina was not in flower at this season. They 
usually fly in small flocks, probably the members of one 
family. They feed very silently; and the first notice one 
usually has of their presence is the piercing scream they emit 
when they dart off from the tree to convey themselves to a 
safer locality.—L. L. 
25 & 26. Trichoglossus, spp. incc. 
A Parrakeet was seen on Vate, Santo, and Api—a very 
small species, probably T, palmarwn\ and another in the 
centre of Santo, with a red breast, and about the size of Lorius 
solitarius of Fiji.—L. L. 
27. CucuLus BRONziNus, G. B. Gray. 
Seen or heard on all the islands, but very shy; the only 
specimen procured was the one mentioned above. Iris orange ; 
bill black; legs and feet yellow.—L. L. 
This bird resembles the New-Caledonian, but has a far 
more robust bill. Our bird is certainly migratory. Mr. L. 
Layard was in the New-Hebrides group from the beginninga 
of June to the middle of July.—E. L. L. i 
