







884, Letters, Announcements, &c. 
It has subsequently been applied, but incorrectly, as it seems 
‘to me, to some other allied species, including the Hawk of 
the Fiji Islands (Astur rufitorques of Peale). 
Mr. Layard, following Drs. Finsch and Hartlaub, has re- 
ferred to this species under the name of A. cruentus in his 
interesting papers on the birds of the Fiji Islands (anted, 
p. 144, and P. Z.S. 1875, p. 424) ; and I am therefore de- 
sirous of pointing out that Astur rufitorques is treated as a 
separate and distinct species by Mr. Sharpe in his recent 
work on the Diurnal Birds of Prey—in which, as it seems 
to me, he is undoubtedly correct ; the descriptions of the two 
species given by Mr. Sharpe will suffice to show the differ- 
ences between them; and I therefore need not here mention 
these in detail. 
I desire, however, also to allude to the Harrier of the Fiji 
Islands (Circus approximans of. Peale), which is referred to 
by Mr. Layard (again following the nomenclature of the 
Bremen ornithologists) as Circus assimilis (vide P. Z. 8. 1875, 
p. 424). 
I have only seen one example of the Fijian Harrier, an 
immature male, collected by Mr. Layard, and in the posses- 
sion of Lord Walden, who kindly permitted me to examine it. 
This Harrier is not a specimen of the true Circus assimilis 
(C. jardinit of Gould), but resembles the immature plumage of 
Circus wolfi, and also that of Circus gouldi, with which latter 
Mr. Sharpe identifies Circus approximans. Whether the 
Fijian Harrier is really referable to C. wolfi or to C. gouldi, 
or is distinct from both, is a point which cannot be settled 
with certainty until an adult male is procured and carefully 
examined. 
I am yours &c., 
J. H. Gurney. 
P.S. Lord Walden’s Fijian Harrier appears, by the ticket 
attached to it, to have had in its stomach lizards and shrimps, 
the latter a remarkable diet for a bird of this genus. 
Srr,—A couple of examples of the rare Tern, Sterna albi- 
gena, Riipp., shot on the Bombay coast near Hurnee (?) on 

