153 
Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Fiji. 
Myiolestes compressirostris, n. sp. 
This apparently new species is intermediate between my M. 
macrorhynchus and M. vitiensis , Hartl.; but the remarkably 
thin compressed bilb with its very white base, at once dis¬ 
tinguishes it. In size it is nearest to M. vitiensis, Hartl., 
being, length 6" 6 m , wing 3" 4P 1 , tail 3", tarse IQ 1 ", bill 12 ,n . 
In coloration it closely resembles M. macrorhynchus, but is 
rather redder in general tint, and has the broad whitish tips 
to the tail-feathers found in M. vitiensis. 
My old servant, C. Pearce, who has been collecting in 
Kandavu, at my suggestion, has brought thence several 
new birds; but as they are for Mr. Ramsay, of Sydney, I re¬ 
frain from naming them. Among them, however, is a gigantic 
Myiolestes, far exceeding M. macrorhynchus in size, though 
resembling it somewhat in colour; but its bill is the chief 
feature ; this measures, length 1 " 3 t/l , depth 6 !n , breadth at 
gape 7"'. 
This variation is most interesting; and I am convinced that 
had I the opportunity of working all of the larger islands of 
the group, I should find that each (or at least certain con¬ 
geries) possessed distinct faunas. 
Pearce informs me that my Green Dove ( Chryscena viridis, 
is the Dove of Kandavu; and it certainly is not found else¬ 
where. He also has procured my Merula bicolor, Petrceca 
pusilla, a new Rhipidura, a new Warbler of a genus unknown 
to me, and fine specimens of my two new birds, Ptilotis pro- 
vocator and Zosterops explorator. Z. flaviceps is also found 
there, he tells me. 
Merula bicolor, Layard. 
Of this species I can now add a more detailed description 
from specimens brought by Mr. Pearce. Length 7", wing 
4P, tail 3", tarse V 3" 1 , bill 13 ,n . Throughout, with the ex¬ 
ception of the head and chest, sooty black, not iridescent; 
the whole of the head and chest is cinnamon-red ; bill and 
feet orange. The female is less brilliant than the male, and 
the separation between the red of the chest and black of the 
body not so well defined. 
ser. m.—VOL. VI. 
M 
