R.B. Russin Journal SFC 14 1766 59 Opitu, Western Samoa Bonded Rail cont. abundant in the thinly settled ranch and fern areas on the seismograph road above Opitu. In the rock-strewn pasture land as many as 10-12 could be noted in early morning or at dusk in a few acres of grazed area. The birds can disappear in a flash in any types of vegetation. Also flights of up to 2-30 yds were noted. No young were found seen. The birds appear to be in good plumage at this time. Intensive feeding occurs during early morning and late afternoon until dark. On rainy days, the birds are evident even in mid-day. About the residential area of Opitu, rails can be seen on the lawns and as even noted among the domestic chickens feeding in the yards. Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio samanea Only a few seen - about one mile to the seismograph station above Opitu. There two were noted flushing from dense vegetation at the edge of the road. Huler saw several feeding on the grass strip at the airport - sea-level. Crimson-crown ed Fruit Dove Ptilinopus porphyriacus fasciatus This species was encountered in only one area at about 500 ft in fairly open pasture land with large trees interspersed. In places an orchard of some type of fruit tree was present. This area is on the outskirts of Opitu toward the airport. At a transformer (ca. 3 mi) out of Opitu a road eachable left toward the sets. Large estates are spread out at the end of the road with coffee, cocoa and a few banana and papaya trees in est groups. The open pasture land stretches R.B. Russin Journal SFC 14 1766 60 Opitu, Western Samoa Crimson-crowned Fruit Dove cont. off to the left facing the sets. The birds were not noted feeding here as more Many-colored Fruit Doves in other areas. Rather, nesting seemed to be in progress. Birds were noted booting communally in late afternoon of 31 July. Call is a short cooing note followed by a variable number of lower cooing notes, usually 2 - but apparently when a bird is slightly excited it continues the calling. On the following day (1 Aug) birds were heard plicalling about mid-morning in this area but only a few were seen. Distinctive field character separating it from Many-colored is the yellow tail tip. Otherwise they look much like females Many-colored. Many-colored Fruit Dove Ptilinopus peronsii This is the abundant species on Opitu and probably on Tutuila as well. We found them ab eguent at about 2000 ft near the seismo- graph station. There the birds were coming into fruit trees (Fig 3) of immense height 7,120 ft. As many as 10-12 was noted g to congregate in one tree. Samoan Starlings were also feeding in these trees. The birds called frequently in early morning but seldom while in fruiting trees. Call appears gine more subdued, faster and more frequent notes than the Crimson-crowned. Huler found the birds very abundant at sea level (Cresta) areas feeding in large fruiting trees (Fig). Apparently elevation is of no consequence in their distribution. Food trees likely are transplanted to wherever they come into fruit at the right stage. The yellow-tailed race is distinctive. The more somber females might be mistakes, at distance for the Crimson-crowned.