148 
Mr. E. L. Layard on some little-known 
a single specimen we procured has the bill as short as S'", 
the maximum quoted by Drs. Finsch and Hartlaub. Then, 
again, they describe the iris as “ white,” and so figure it; 
in ours they are all buff, a darker shade prevailing. The 
wattle is very different from that of P. procerior , but hardly 
resembles that figured by Drs. Einsch and Hartlaub. If 
found distinct on actual comparison, I would name it P. si- 
milis. I would call it after the island, of the birds of which 
I now write; but I possess some specimens from Bua and 
Mathuata islands which are identical. 
I shall have more to say on the identity of some of the 
birds of this coast with Taviuni presently; meanwhile I must 
refer to a species of Ptilotis from Fortuna Island, which is 
clearly quite distinct; but being one of Mr. Liardeffs bad 
skins, is hard to describe. 
It does not seem to have a pendent wattle, but a thickened, 
bare, fleshy, elongated yellow spot, between which and the 
bill is a black patch of feathers, and behind it, over the ears, 
a spot of bright yellow feathers. Its whole coloration is 
lighter than P .procerior and P. similis , especially on the chest 
and belly, which are rather brightly tinged with yellow; and it 
has nowhere that scaled” appearance which, I find, in certain 
lights is exhibited by all the other species. In form it seems 
more slender. Length about 6" 6 or 7 ,n , wing 3" 9 ,n , tail 
3" 3 W , tarsi 1" V u , bill V. If new, I propose for this species 
the name of Ptilotis flavo-aurita. 
Lamprolia victorle, Einsch. 
One of my chief objects in proceeding to Taviuni was to 
see this singular and beautiful species in its native haunts. 
It frequents the higher ranges of the mountains, never by any 
chance coming down to the sea-level. It is, as far as my present 
knowledge goes, confined to the island of Taviuni—though 
a gentleman, on whose observations I do not place much con¬ 
fidence, has assured my son that he has seen it on the neigh¬ 
bouring islands of Yanua Levu. A lad also told me, both it 
and the “ Orange Dove ” ( C . victor ) inhabit the Jasawas 
group of islands. It is never seen together in greater numbers 
