THE IBIS. 
THIRD SERIES. 
No. XXII. APRIL 1876, 
XIV .—Notes on some little-known Birds of the new Colony of 
the Fiji Islands. By Edgar L. Layard, C.M.G., F.Z.S., 
Administrator of the Government. 
The arrival of the Governor, the Hon. Sir Arthur Gordon, 
to assume the direction of the affairs of this infant colony, 
and the necessity of some relaxation from the strain and 
worry of the previous eighteen months, which had seriously af¬ 
fected my health, afforded me reasons for seizing an oppor¬ 
tunity to visit the beautiful and fertile island of Taviuni, the 
third largest of the Fiji archipelago, and one from which 
some of our most interesting birds have been procured. 
As Mr. Liardet had brought from Taviuni to Levuka some 
indifferent specimens, which he submitted to my inspection, 
and amongst which I instantly detected several new species, 
I despatched my son, Mr. Leopold Layard, in April last to 
procure better skins. This he accomplished as regards all 
those species hitherto obtained, save one; and he also 
brought a report which determined me to go thither myself 
and see this island and its treasures with my own eyes. 
On the 14th of July I started for Ngila, the hospitable 
residence of James Mason, Esq., which became my fixed abode 
ser. hi.—VOL. VI. L 
