Birds from the New Hebrides. 
261 
4. Halcyon sanctus, Vig. & Ilorsf. 
A pair of this species are in the collection, obtained at 
Aneiteum ; the first authentic instance of the New Hebrides 
as a habitat for this Kingfisher, though Mr. Sharpe observes 
that Mr. G. R. Gray has given them as one of its localities. 
Both my specimens are adult, and have not the slightest 
tinge of cinnamon on the plumage. The under wing-coverts 
are pure white, while in H. julite they are always rich cinna¬ 
mon ; the upper wing-coverts and back are also darker than 
in that species. 
5. Myzomela cardinalis (Forst.). 
Of this brilliant little Honeybird there are several speci¬ 
mens both from Aneiteum and Aniwa, in various stages of 
plumage. Gray's description, in his ‘ Catalogue of the Birds 
of the Tropical Islands of the Pacific/ of an immature speci¬ 
men is rather applicable to the female. The adult male is 
very like M. nigriventris, Peale, from Samoa, but larger, with 
much more scarlet on the back, and the rich scarlet of the 
breast not extending so far down. 
The female is smaller than the male by *2 inch, and the 
wing by T5. It has only red on the forehead and throat, and 
a faint tinge of red on the occiput and rump. The natives 
seem to imagine it a distinct species, calling the male at 
Aneiteum “ Inhenaug," at Aniwa “ Ta-manume/' and the 
male on the former island “ Inyara/' at the latter place 
“ Ta-wenwene." A nest from Aniwa attributed to this bird 
is a very neat structure, reminding me somewhat of the nest 
of a Drymoeca, small, compact, and well finished; the outer 
portion of cocoanut fibres, and the lining of very fine vege¬ 
table fibre or rootlets. Eggs, said to be those of Myzomela 
by the natives, are pale blue; but they are doubtless those of 
Zosterops, and were not identified by my kind and careful 
correspondent or his friend Mr. Paton. 
These birds resort much to the gardens, sucking the flowers. 
6. Myzomela-? 
Specimens too much damaged for identification, but a very 
much smaller species than the above. 
