[Field guide] [1935-1940]

Field notes in duplicate. Note: see museum, instructions for keeping, mating. 1 pair every species. Wind + cold activities. Colloralia Pigeons: ministry. Sandalwood.

Macmillan. 6/5 to H.F. around 438 [271] shells 410. 304 308 shells 120. 631 635 shells 160 1987 2000 leaving for Iwaca, on 13th. P.R. sydney 22nd Oct. aus obuna. 26-28. [North] clare. 28th. [South] clare 5 November. obuna. 6-7 Nov. syd. arrive. 11 Nov. Woolers 11 from forward.

1. NOTOPHOYX (NOVAEHOLLANDIAE) Heron (Brown). LIFU. 2. DEMIGRETTA (SAGRA). Reef Heron (Blue). LIFU, MARE, UVEA. COS. 3. ANAS (SUPERCILIOSA). Australid Black Duck. LIFU. 4. ACCIPITER (FASCATUS VIGILAX) Sharrow Hawk. LIFU. MARE 5. HYPOTÆNIDIA (PHILIPPENSIS SWINDELLSI) Buff-banded Landrail. UVEA. MARE 6. PORZANA (GINEREA TANNENSIS) White browed Rail. LIFU. MARE (TABUENSIS) Black Rail. MARE 7. PORPHYRIO (ALBUS CALEDONICUS) Purple boot. MARE, LIFU. 8. PTILINOPUS (GREYI) Purple crowned fruit dove. LIFU, MARE, 9. DUCULA (PACIFICA TARRALI) Large green-winged fruit pigeon. LIFU. 10. CHALCOPHAPS (INDICA SANDVICENSIS) Ground dove. (MARE, LIFU, UVEA 11. COLUMBA (VITIENSIS HYPOENOCROIA) Black pigeon. MARE, LIFU, UVEA. 12. NYMPHICUS (CORNUTUS UVEAENSIS) Crested Parrot. UVEA. 13. TRICHOGLOSSUS (ORNATUS MASSENA) Parrot. LIFU. 14. CACOMANTIS (PYRRHOPHANUS?) Chestnut cuckoo. MARE LIFU, UVEA. 15 CHALCITES (LUCIDUS LAYARDI) Bronzy cuckoo. MARE LIFU, 16. TYTO (ALBA LULU) White barnowl. MARE, LIFU. 17. COLLOCALIA (ESCULENTA UROPYGIALIS) Small Swift. MARE LIFU, UVEA. 18. COLLOCALIA (LEUCOPYGIA SPODIOPYGIA) Swift. MARE, LIFU. 19. HALCYON (CHLORIS CANACORUM) Kingfisher. MARE, LIFU, UVEA. 20. LALAGE (LEUCOPYGIA SIMILLIMA) Shrike. MARE, LIFU, UVEA. 21. CORACINA (CALEDONICA LIFUENSIS) Brown shrike. LIFU. 22. TURDUS (POLIOCEPHALUS MAREENSIS) Thrush. MARE. 23. " (" PRITZBUERI) fantail LIFU. 24. RHIPIDURA (SPILODERA VERREAUXI) Flycatcher MARE, LIFU. 25. " (FULIGINOSA BULGERI) Fantail. LIFU. 26. MYAGRA (CALEDONICA VIRIDINITENS) Flycatcher. LIFU. UVEA. 27. " (" MELANURA, MAREENSIS?) " MARE. 28. GERYGONE. (FLAVOLATERALIS²) Warbler. MARE. 29. " (" LIFUENSIS) Warbler. LIFU. 30 " (" ROUXI) Warbler. UVEA. (MARE?) 31. PACHYCEPHALA (PECTORALIS LITTAYEI) Thickhead. LIFU. 32. ARTAMUS. (LEUCORHYNCHUS MELALEUCUS). Wood swallow. MARE, LIFU. 33. APLONIS (STRIATA ATRONITENS) Starling. MARE, LIFU, UVEA. 34. PHILEMON (LESSONI) Leatherhead. MARE, LIFU. 35. LICHMERA (INCANA INCANA) Honeyeater. MARE, LIFU, UVEA. 36. MYZOMELA (CARDINALIS LIFUENSIS) Honeyeater MARE LIFU 37. ZOSTEROPS (MINUTA) (FLAY?!) Silverye. (MARE?). LIFU. 38. ZOSTEROPS (LATERALIS NIGRESSENS) MARE, UVEA. MARE (38A) (" MELANOPS) LIFU. 39. ZOSTEROPS (INORNATA) LIFU. 40. ERYTHRURA. (TRICHROA CYANEIFRONS) MARE LIFU. HYPOTHETICAL LIST Not previously recorded. 41. CIRCUS (APPROXIMANS WOLFI) MARE. 42. HALIASTUR (SPHENURUS). Brown kite hawk. (MARE??) 43. FALCO (PEREGRINUS ERNESTI) MARE 44. PANDION (HALIAETUS CRISTATUS) 45. TYTO (NOVAEHOLLANDIAE.) LIFU? 46. URODYNAMIS (TAITENSIS) (CONT)

47. AEGOTHELES (SAYESI) Frogmouth owl. MARE accidental. 48. COLLOCALIA (VANIKORENSIS 2). Black swift. 49. HIRUNDA (TAHITICA SUBFUSCA), swallow. MARE SEA BIRDS. N.B. No previous collecting done in Loyalties. POSSIBILITIES. 50. PUFFINUS (LEUCOMELAS). 51. PUFFINUS (PACIFICUS) 52. PUFFINUS (HEINROTHI) 53. PUFFINUS (LHERMINIERI) 54. PTERODROMA(BECKI) 55. PTERODROMA(ROSTRATA TROUESSARTI). 56. PTERODROMA(LEUCOPTERA) 57. NESOFREGETTA(ALBIGULARIS) 58. PHAETHON (LEPTURUS) MARE sight record, visitor only. 59. " (RUBRICAUDA) 60. SULA (SULA). 61. " (LEUCOGASTER) 62. FREGATA (MINOR) MARE sight record. (62A) " (ARIEL) 63. STERNA.(SUMATRANA)MARE cyclone visitor. A. " (ANAETHETA). B " (FUSCATA). C.THALASSEUS (BERGII) MARE sight. D.PROCELSTERNA(CAERULEA) E ANOUS. F GYGIS G STERNA (DOUGALLII BANGSI) H " (NEREIS EXSUL). i. LARUS (NOVAE HOLLANDIAE)MARE casual visitor.

(4:2.) Notophoyx novaehollandiae (Latham) BROWN HERON. Range.- Widely distributed without appreciable geographical variation. Lesser Sunda Is., Moluccas, south New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia.- In the Loyalties only known from Lifu. Description.- Fairly large heron. Prevailing color gray; forehead, sides of face, chin and throat white; lanceolate feathers of breast rufous gray. Migration.- Does it breed in the Loyalties? Food.- ? Habitat.- Mangrove? - Forest near seashore? Collecting.- A few adults, to be compared with birds of other regions. TOES MUST BE STRAIGHT NOTES. "Possibly appears on Mare Is. as casual visitor (LM). but seems unknown to natives," but they may think it young of Demipritta. * Note my note to Hays. re Hanken heron in Northern New Hebs. SEE CAYLEY:- P.237, No. 19. seems rather Seems rather a freshwater bird, no fresh water on Mare Is (LM)

NATIVE NAME MARE IS. OIAH & OI-YAH (BLUE PHASE) OIAH-GAH-DAR (WHITEPHASE) GAH-DAR = white. 2 (2:2u) Demigretta sacra. - Reef heron BLUE-BLACK REEF HERON Range.- All through the east. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Keep a record of the numbers of dark, white and speckled birds. Habitat.- Seashore Collecting.- It is advisable in this species and others with long toes to dry the specimen in such a manner as to prevent the middle toe from bending too much. The length of the middle toe is an important measurement and it can only be measured without difficulty, if it is straight. *SEE CAYLEY. P.277 NO.32.

3 (2: 1) Anas superciliosa pelewensis Hartlaub and Finsch Common Duck Range.- All through Polynesia as far as New Guinea, Lifu Island. Description.- As in New Hebrides.- There is a certain amount of size variation. Australian birds (rogersi) are much larger than Polynesian bird. It is possible that Loyalty birds are intermediate in size. Habitat.- Rivers, lakes, sometimes on seashore. Collecting.- Fresh water birds on Loyalty Islands still insufficiently known. Shovelers (Spatula) and Pochards (Nyroca australis) are known from New Caledonia and might also occur in the Loyalties. A few specimens are sufficient for establishing the record.. No geographical variation is expected in these species. *SEE GAYLEY, P246 Nos 15.. NOTES { SEVERAL species of duck appear very occasionally but never stay more than a day or so. Natives who know N.C. Ducks say they are just the same as they have seen in N.C. In south near Medew they occasionally appear for a few hours or a day appear to be just resting then fly on elsewhere. (L.M.) Mare Is. has no streams or surface water suitable to ducks (L.M.) Natives say very occasionally a duck settles on the sea more shore (LM)}

NOTES. MARE IS. Seems fairly common, but shy + wary, but not as much so as on Aniltyum as few natives have guns on shore JS (JM) Frequents coconut groves, garden lands + semi open types of scrub much (JM) Attacks domestic chickens to a great degree, can generally be found close to houses or villages (JM) Hunts in deep forest to a considerable extent + even in absolute open grassland plains far from trees, where it perches in low shrubs. Generally speaking it favours coconuts groves, + garden lands but may be met with all over island. Has wonderfully good eyesight + colour scheme is very inconspicuous + as it remains motionless for long periods is very hard to pick out even in a dry tree at 30 yds. One generally walks on to them suddenly + accidentally round a corner, as if they see a human they silently drop off a limb + slip away often using a tree trunk to hide their going keeping low. When feeding on the ground, every half minute or so they jump into the air + look allround for approaching danger. Silent + wary (JM).

NATIVE NAMES MARE IS. MAROOPO MAH-ROOP. 4 (10:3 Accipiter fasciatus vigilax (Wetmore) Goshawk LARGE SPARROW HAWK. Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu, Aneiteum, Rennell Island. SEE CAYLEY P.206 No 2 similar species. Description.- Female much larger than male. Adults with bars across the under parts, immature with longi- tudinal streaks. Wing, σ ad. 250-270; ♀ ad. 275-285. A good deal of in- dividual variation of collar. Feet and cere greenish yellow. Adults rather rare, immature common on Lifu. Do immature birds nest? Food.- Insects, Lizards, Birds. Habitat.- Edge of woodland, grassland. Collecting.- A good series is very important! Particularly adults. Native name: Wakoon or Uzu. NOTES: ANEITEUM IS. S.N.H. From casual observation in many years a living on Aniteyum H.FREEMAN says he does not think our bird but is not shure. Not found a JUV on aneitum with gonads in advanced breeding condition" (L.M.) "Note contents of aneitum stomachs (L.M) attacks domestic chickens agrestial. Never [or seldom] strikes from wing, perches in tree near prey remains perfectly still then takes long silent glide & picks up victim. Even on bare knoll top at Trumans house it used to take often a nearly flat gloat but always from a perch within 50 yds of victim. Even noted it passover wing then turn & settle in tree for half hour before striking" (L.M.) "Was never on Tanna. In past times a valuable trade in its feathers was carried on between the 2 islands. Tanna wanting the feather for chiefs dancing headdress." (L.M.)

NATIVE NAMES. MARE.I3. DENG1-DEARE 5 (4:20) Hypotaenidia philippensis swindellsii (Mathews) Common rail BUFF BANDED RAIL. Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu, Uvea Description.- Very similar to the New Hebrides birds, possibly not distinct. Food.- Snails, worms, grub. Habitat.- Native gardens, second growth (?), swamps. Collecting.- A small series. SEE CAVLEY P.221. No.8. NOTES :- Inhabits garden lands, grasslands of interior ect. No swamps in Mare Is. (L.M.) Numbers caught in all stages of growth from young to adult in Wasalene & Boni Lepu Colony area, in middle + early January 1938 (L.M.)

PORZANA TABUENSIS. (SMALL BLACK RAIL, REDEYE, SALMON LEGS.) NATIVE NAMES. MARE IS. WAH-DEAR. SEE CAYLEY, P.220, NO.5. "Occurs on Mare Is. but is rare. None seen by me, but O.R. had one as pet for few days only a week or two previous to my arrival, he had never seen it before in his 22 years on More, but natives know it well, Is said to be commonest around Nasalane + De Boni Dispensorium area but none seen by me in camps in this area. Attempts with dogs brought only Hypotemia to light. numbers of these being caught from very young to adult. (L.M.)"

(8:2) NATIVE NAME. MARE IS. DENGa. Porzana (Poliolimnas) cinerea tannensis Forster MEDIUM WHITE BROWED RAIL. Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu, Tanna, Fiji and Samoa. Description.- A small rail with the under parts grayish white and a rather distinct whitish eyebrow. Habitat.- Swamps Collecting.- A series is desirable.- Shooting off these small rails is rather difficult. Snaring by natives is the best method. If you want to shoot, cut a gang way through the swamp vegetation and then have a native drive the birds across this clearing. Other rails might occur in the Loyalties, particularly the little black rail, Porzana tabuensis. SEE CAYLEY P.163 NO.19. Is present on Mare Is. but is never very shy. Inhabits rank growths in 2nd year gardens or dense patches in grassland areas. Eyebrow is conspicuous - few white feathers on vent are noticeable if it flies, but I have only seen it do so once. Often in similar localities as Hypot. pluti. runid. but when dogs hunt it is seldom seen or caught though Hypot. is often easily caught, probably because it has stronger feet. (L.M.)

NATIVE NAME MARE IS. KET-AY. 7 (8:2) Porphyrio albus caledonicus Sarasin Purple "coot." SEE CAYLEY P.231-2 Nos.5-6. Range.- New Caledonia, Maré, Lifu. Description.- Very similar to New Hebrides bird, but slightly larger and darker. Habitat.- Woodland (?), Second growth (?), swamps. Food.- Grub, roots, native garden products. Collecting.- Very important, get as many on each island as you are permitted. NOTES. Not very common on Mare Is. in spite of natives saying the contrary as it does seem to not damage in native garden lands which it inhabits almost exclusively + small patches forest in between gardens. In Nasalane area where natives admit it is more common than elsewhere we only heard + saw a few & took 3 days to collect / pair. They call mostly at night. Feed principally on large plantain bananas, but attack yams, taro + other native garden products. I believe they flock together at certain seasons of the year + form fairly numerous bands which gives the impression of its being common, + do considerable damage in small areas, corn suffers somewhat at such times. It is possible others appear from other localities (N.Cal. Lifu, etc.) but this is doubtful + I think it more likely they are all local birds + go on considerable tricks through the island. I found cases of gardens in Rawa area (N.Lentrie) being attacked + considerable damage done in one garden especially but the man on going to Nasalane area (5 kenbu) got food as no damage was being done there. Generally speaking they are found in pairs or small family groups + hulin a garden a few days or weeks then move on to another. Natives do not complain or worry about the little damage they do. (L.M. Jun 1938).

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NATIVE NAMES. MARE IS. GWA-CEE-CHONG. 8 (2:2) [REDACTED] Ptilinopus greyi Gray (PURPLE CROWNED GREEN DOVE). FRUIT DOVE. SEE CAVLEY. P.16 NOS.1-3, similar species. JUV. have no crown or abdominal patch. Range.- Widely distributed.- Lifu, Mare, New Hebrides, Banks Island, Santa Cruz, Gower Island (Solomons). Description.- As in New Hebrides. Food.- Fruits Habitat.- Mangrove (?), Woodland. Migration.- Possibly migrating between the islands. Collecting.- Not important. One or two on each island, to establish the locality. Preserve only good specimens. NOTES. Fairly common on Mare Is. but not as common as in N.H. Mostly in 20ft shrubs, secondary growth in garden lands, Banyan trees & tall forests. Banyans a favourite place also old garden clearings + camps in shady forest during middle day. (L.M.) Generally has a peculiar pissy colour. (L.M.)

9 8:2. Ducula pacifica tarrali Bonaparte Large fruit Pigeon SEE CAYLEY, PLATE. III NO. 14, for somewhat similar but iodine underers. Range.- Loyalty Island (Lifu), New Hebrides, Santa Cruz, Solomon Island, Bismarck Archipelago. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Food.- Large fruit Habitat.- Forest Migration.- Has not been found in the Loyalty Island in a hundred years. Possibly extinct, or only occurring as an occasional visitor from the New Hebrides. Collecting.- The Lifu bird has been described by Bonaparte as a separate subspecies (sundevalli), but I do not believe that it is different. A series would be welcome to settle this finally. NOTES:- Never appears on Mare (except a possible stray after a hurricane but found no records of any such appearance) but is known to natives who know it in N. Bal. x Lifu, refer to it as 'Lotu'. It is evidently much persecuted in New Bal. x Lifu but Frenchmen who are very partial to its undoubted table virtues (L.M).

NATIVE NAMES MARE IS. MA-KET-CHE 10 (8:2) Columba vitiensis hypoenochroa Gould LARGE DARK FRUIT PIGEON, WHITE CHIN PATCH. NO AUSTRALIAN PARALLELLE. Range.- New Caledonia, Uvea (Sarasin), Lifu (Layard), Maré (Layard). Description.- Similar to leopoldi from the New Hebrides. Habitat.- Woodland Collecting.- Sarasin described the Uvea bird as uveaensis. It is supposed to differ from the New Caledonia race hypoenochroa by smaller size. I do not believe in this difference after an examination of Sarasin's type specimen, but more material is desirable to settle this point. A small series is welcome. Notes MARE. Common on Mare except in Tadine area where it is persecuted by whites for eating. Natives kill numbers but are not serious cause of mortality. Suffers somewhat from live bird fanciers. Used to be very much more plentiful but it suffers a great deal from the imported Caledonia skrike CORACINA CAL-CAL which eats its eggs + young. Generally lays 1 egg rare cases 2. Inhabits garden lands, bangan trees, tall forest + even open grasslands to a small degree. Usually called even by natives by its french name "collier-blanc" (L.M)

NATIVE NAME MARE IS. GWAN-I-NAR-RA 11 I - I Chalcophaps indica sandvicensis GROUND DOVE. SEE CAYLEY P.17.No.4. Range.- New Caledonia, Maré, Lifu, Uvea, New Hebrides, Santa Cruz Island. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Collecting.- Unnecessary. The New Caledonian bird has been separated by Brasil of the Paris Museum as disjuncta; but Brasil com- pared it with chrysochlora from Australia and not with sandvicensis from the New Hebrides. I can see no difference between New Caledonian and New Hebridean birds. NOTES:- Not very common anywhere on Mare. In Loura area (DEC.'37) was commonest in tall forest, in Nasalane area (JAN '38) was common in gardens & on roads. Probably follows seasonal foods. But nowhere can it be said to be common + compared with N.H. where it is everywhere it is rare or Mare- (L.M).

12 8:2. Nymphicus cornutus uveaensis Layard Range.- Uvea only, possibly extinct. Description.- All green, except forehead which is dark red, and edges of wing and tail-feathers which are bluish; there is a conspicuous crest on the head. Habits.- Very little is known about this species. Any information on the present status, food habitat, social behavior, etc. is welcome. How many are left? Do the natives persecute them? Collecting.- This is the "A number one" species of the Loyalty Islands. We have one old captivity specimen. Do not boast about shooting specimens of this species. We do not want to be blamed for its eventual extermination. Possibly it is gone already. Several species seem to be restricted to Uvea. Maybe more New Caledonian species are to be found on this island. NOTES. Numbers held by bird fanciers in Noumea. Used to be sold there for 25 francs, is at present sold at 150 francs ($5 U.S.), Oct. 1937. (L.M.) Said to be an exactly similar but smaller type in New Caledonia forests (L.M.) Enquiries from residents of Uvea seem to think it almost extinct; have a hurricane in 1932 for decrease. Was very common before that date. (L.M.) Bordorf definitely knows of similar N.C. bird, advise forest valleys on S.E. New Caledonia for collecting. (L.M.) O.R. Tests in hollows, some bowing scraping on entering + leaving nesting hollows. (L.M.).

Blue mountain parrot. 13 10.2 Trichoglossus ornatus massena Bonaparte Range.- Lifu, New Hebrides, Santa Cruz. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Migration.- Does this species migrate from one island to another? YES Collecting.- A series is desirable as the New Caledonian and Loyalty form may be different from the New Hebrides birds. Maru. absent.

chestnut breasted cuckoo Cacomantis pyrrhophanus pyrrhophanus (Vieillot) Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu, Uvea. Description.- Similar to schistaceigularis from the New Hebrides, but lighter and more brownish. Habits.- Parisitizes which species? Rupicola, Patroclus Collecting.- Adults only. A series of 4 or 5 will be sufficient, knowing how difficult it is to make nice Cuckoo-skins. CHAR RU-ETH-THEBA

Bronze cuckoo 15 20:6 20. Chalcites lucidus layardi (Mathews) Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu, New Hebrides, Banks and Santa Cruz Islands. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Collecting.- Small series sufficient, records on Uvea and Maré desirable. They are the same all over the above given range. Remarks: Watch for the New Zealand race in March - April and September - October. They may come through the Loyalties. More JAH-U.

White Barn own, spots under. 9:2 Tyto alba lulu (Peale) Range.- Polynesian Islands, Aneiteum, Loyalty Island (Lifu, Maré), New Caledonia. Description.- As in southern New Hebrides, but whiter and less spotted. Collecting.- Brasil has separated the Lifu bird as lifuensis, as dif- fering from lulu by the absence of the black spots on the under parts. I have shown in Amer. Mus. Novit., No. 8281 that this subspecies cannot stand. It is desirable to have a series from Lifu to learn the extent of individual variation. Native name: Méa (Lifu), Mené (Maré).

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17 6.2 Common swift on roads. Collocalia esculenta uropygialis Gray Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu, Uvea, New Hebrides. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Nest.- In caves, under the branches of big trees (?). yes. Collecting.- A few. The same in the entire range. More KAH-TEN-AY

18 12:2 duller but grey or silver grey on abdomen + underwings. 10.2 Collocalia spodiopygia leucopygia Wallace Range.- New Caledonia, Maré, Lifu. Description.- A dull colored, small Collocalia with a white rump. Habitat.- Unknown Collecting.- A good series desirable. May be different from New Caledonian race. More save as I used.

19 /2.2 Kingfisher $0'2 Halcyon chloris canacorum Brasil Range.- New Caledonia, Maré, Lifu, Uvea. Description.- Similar to the Kingfisher of the New Hebrides, but more buffy underneath and duller and more greenish above; very similar to the sacred Kingfisher of Australia. Habitat.- Near the beach (?), forest, native gardens (?) Collecting.- A good series, although the birds from the Loyalty Islands are apparently not different from the New Caledonian race. Maré ZEY-ZEY

20 12:2 Black + white stripes wige of Willywagtail. 12:2 Lalage leucopygia simillima Sarasin Range.- Maré, Lifu, Uvea, New Hebrides. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Habitat.- Forest (?) Food.- Caterpillars, small fruit (?) Collecting.- A good series is important; this subspecies differs from leucopygia from New Caledonia by the greater extent of white on the tips of the tail-feathers. I have identified specimens from the New Hebrides as simillima because they show the same character, but I have never compared them because we have no material from the Loyalty Islands. Chare JOW-WAYI JOW-WAI

Large black crow like bird. large bill. Coracina caledonica lifuensis Tristram Range.- Lifu Description.- Similar to thilenii of the northern New Hebrides, but apparently darker. Habitat.- Forest Food.- Caterpillars, other insects (?), locusts. Collecting.- A very good series. The New Hebrides form, thilenii was described as differing from caledonica by smaller size, which is exactly the principal character of lifuensis compared with caledonica. Possibly thilenii is a synonym of lifuensis, but a series from Lifu must be compared with our extensive material from the New Hebrides. Immature birds apparently the gray colour of the adults. Immatures have more pointed tails. share QUA-QUA.

Black bird, yellow legs & buffy head. 201 Turdus poliocephalus mareensis Layard and Tristram Range.- Maré Island Description.- More or less sooty black, with white or buffy feathers in the middle of the abdomen and on the vent. Habitat.- In the forest Collecting.- This is one of the most important birds of the group and a large series of adults must be collected. Not one museum in the world has adequate material of this form and this makes it very difficult to describe the thrushes of the northern New Hebrides (etc.) which are very similar. Immatures are far less interesting to us than adults, and females less than males. Maré WAH-SAR-SAI

Black bird. Turdus poliocephalus pritzbueri Layard Range.- Lifu Description.- Sooty black with a buffy head, similar to the Tanna thrush. Collecting.- A good series of this fine species is desirable. There is probably an unknown and new subspecies of this thrush on Uvea Island. Native name: Wassasa (Layard).

24 10:2 Fantail. Rhipidura spilodera verreauxi Marie Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu. Description.- A fantail with large triangular spots on the feathers of the breast, wing-coverts with white tips, belly buffy, white edges of outer tail-feathers gradually merging into the grayish centers; back washed with rufous. Habitat.- Forest Collecting.- No specimen from Lifu in any collection, so far as I know, never compared with verreauxi from New Caledonia. Series desirable. WAH-NAH-JAKI

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Fantail 8.2 Rhipidura fuliginosa bulgeri Layard Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu Description.- Similar to brenchleyi from the New Hebrides, but deeper buff on belly, shafts of tail-feathers always pure white. Habitat.- Forest Collecting.- It is doubtful whether or not brenchleyi can be separated from bulgeri. I have never examined any specimens of bulgeri. A series is desirable.

26 10.2 broad billed flycatcher, ♂ something like Welly wagtail but does not [illegible] ♀ grey with rusty throat. Myiagra caledonica viridinitens Gray Range.- Lifu, Uvea Description.- Like melanura of the southern New Hebrides but with broader white tips to the tail-feathers. Collecting.- Sarasin has separated the Uvea birds as uveaensis as having more white on the tail than birds from Lifu. A series from both islands is necessary to check this possible difference. More ♂ ♀ WAN-NEH-RAY-KOWAI.

Ditto previous 8/2 Myiagra caledonica melanura Gray Range.- Southern New Hebrides, Maré. Description.- As in New Hebrides (Tanna, Erromango). Collecting.- Two males is all that is known from Maré. These were separated by Sarasin as mareensis which however is apparently not distinct from melanura. More material is required to settle this point. 27 10: 2

28 Gerygone flavolateralis flavolateralis Gray Range.- New Caledonia, Maré Description.- This small yellow bellied warbler with the white spots on the tail-feathers is quite un- mistakable. Habitat.- Unknown. Is probably associated with a particular type of forest, otherwise it would be dif- ficult to explain its absence in the southern New Hebrides. Collecting.- A good series on each island. The Maré bird is possibly different from the New Caledonian race. WAH- KEI-MO-CHEY

ditto Gerygone flavolateralis lifuensis Sarasin Range.- Lifu Description.- Like flavolateralis, but white spots on tail smaller. Collecting.- Series!

30 8.2 ditto Gerygone flavolateralis rouxi Sarasin Range.- Uvea Description.- Much more yellowish than flavolateralis, with the white on the tail-feathers still more reduced. Collecting.- The unique type is in juvenile plumage, the characters of the adult bird are still unknown. A good series is very important.

31 /2:3 yellow brested Whistler. Pachycephala pectoralis littayei Layard Range.- Lifu Description.- The only Pachycephala of the Loyalty Islands, is large and rather different from those of the New Hebrides. Habitat.- Undergrowth in forest. Collecting.- A good series of this very distinct form is desirable. If any, Pachycephala occurs on Uvea or Maré, it is probably new.

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32 4:2 Wood swallow. purebes much in coconuts wag tail. Artamus leucorhynchus melaleucus Wagler Range.- New Caledonia, Lifu, Maré, New Hebrides. Description.- As in northern New Hebrides. No geographical variation. Collecting.- Small series sufficient. Native name.- Kat (Lifu) Maré KAH-TEH-AH see cocolah.WAH-GEHROET

33 8. 2 Starling, all black. Large bill. same type as aust. starling Diz Aplonis striata atronitens Sarasin Range.- Maré, Lifu, Uvea. Description.- The only Aplonis. Rather dark, sometimes with a grayish tinge. Habitat.- Open country, forest. Collecting.- Sarasin says that Uvea birds are smaller than Lifu birds and separates them as minor. I do not believe in this difference, but a series of adults from each island should prove the point. Maré KOH.

34 6.2 Leather head. [illegible] Philemon lessoni (Gray) Range.- New Caledonia, Maré, Lifu. Description.- Smaller than the Australian leatherhead. Loud and noisy. Collecting.- There are apparently no differences between birds from New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, but a small series is welcome. Native name.- Kuchalu (Lifu), Kutti (Maré). Kutti.

the period in [illegible]

Small honey eater. Lichmera incana incana Latham Range.- New Caledonia, Maré, Lifu, Uvea. Description.- Like the Erromango bird (flavotincta), but somewhat smaller. Habitat.- Forest (?) Food.- Insects and nectar (?) Collecting.- It is not quite certain whether birds from the Loyalty Islands belong to the large flavotincta or to the small incana, therefore a series from each island is welcome. Try to find out why females are so rare in collections. Are they less active; do they feed higher up in the trees, or are they actually in the minority. This is also true for Myzomela. Native name.- Sissi Chale WA-Si's-si

Red-b black honey eater . Myzomela cardinalis lifuensis Layard Range.- Lifu, possibly also Maré (Layard). Description.- Similar to cardinalis, but with much more black in plumage. Habitat.- Forest, native gardens. Collecting.- A good series in all plumage stages. Why is it absent on Maré and Uvea? change: WAI-5-C HON G-SUB-AD. GWAN-NAH-DERA ad full name.

37 12:2 Silver eye. 12:2 Zosterops minuta Layard Range.- Lifu, Maré (?) Description.- I have never seen this species. It is apparently small and rather yellowish green; rather similar to flavifrons of the New Hebrides. Habitat.- There are three species of Zosterops on Lifu and there are probably some differences between them in regard to food, social behavior (flocking), habitat, etc. Try to find out, what you can. Collecting.- This species is very rare in collections. Get as many as you can. Native name.- Watchu mandra (Lifu), Washosao (Maré). WASS-SHO-SHO. 2 specs.

Silver eye. Zosterops lateralis Range.- nigrescens: Maré, Uvea; melanops: Lifu. Description.- Similar to macmillani (Tanna), but very much smaller. There is some doubt, whether or not nigrescens is dif- fèrent from melanops, or whether there are not three races in the Loyalty Islands. In this case the Maré form would be new. Collecting.- A large series on each island.

39 20:2 silver eye with no white ring. Zosterops inornata Layard Range.- Lifu, possibly also Maré (Layard). Description.- Large and with a big bill; only a few white feathers in the eye-ring; lores and cheeks scarcely feathered; upper parts very dark and brownish. Habitat.- High trees in deep forest (Layard). Calls like Pachycephala (Layard). Collecting.- A large series of this rare species. Native name.- Sinekato (Layard) or Sinaming.

40 8.2 Green Finch with red tail 12'2 Erythrura trichroa cyaneifrons (Layard) Range.- Lifu, New Hebrides. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Habitat.- Clearings in forest, grasslands. Collecting.- A good series desirable to determine whether or not different from the New Hebrides bird. More G.WAN-IVAN-DEIRA

41 Large brown hawk zamias Aust. Hypothetical List Circus approximans wolfi Gurney Range.- New Caledonia, New Hebrides. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Collecting.- Not yet found in the Loyalty Islands. Any specimen will be welcome. [illegible] PAH-KOONAI

42 Sea eagle, large white sea eagle. Something like Sparrow hawk. Haliastur sphenurus Vieillot Range.- New Caledonia, Australia, New Guinea Region. Description.- A brownish, kite-like hawk which visits grasslands, as in Australia. Collecting.- Not yet found in the Loyalties and probably absent from there. The New Caledonian bird has been separated as johannae on account of smaller size compared with the Australian bird. This difference is, however, doubtful.

Small black falcon Duck Hawk. Falco peregrinus ernesti Sharpe Range.- Sunda Islands, New Guinea Region, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Fiji.- Not yet found in the Loyalty Islands. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Collecting.- Always desirable. Chare WAI-UH-AN

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44 Sea hawk. Pandion haliaetus cristatus Vieillot Osprey, Fishhawk Range.- Sunda Islands, New Guinea Region, Australian Region, New Caledonia; not yet found in Loyalty Islands. Description.- As everywhere. Collecting.- Brasil has separated the New Caledonian bird as microhaliaetus on account of its supposedly smaller size. A series would be welcome to settle the differences.

45 Owl. Tyto novaehollandiae subspecies Australian Barn owl Range.- Australia, Lifu (?) Description.- Darker, larger and with more spotting on the under parts. A different species. Collecting.- An old French collection in Noumea contained a specimen which was supposedly collected on Lifu. This is almost certainly an error. It is, however, worthwhile to look on Lifu for a second species of Barn owls.

46 Long tailed cuckoo. Brownback white streaked under tail exceeding long. Urodynamis taitensis (Sparrman) Range.- New Zealand, on migration throughout Polynesia. Has been found in New Caledonia (supposedly) breeding, but not yet in the Loyalty Islands. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Collecting.- One specimen sufficient to record the species, but gather all the information on its occurrence and migration.

[illegible]

47 Frog mouth owl. Aegotheles savesi Layard Small New Caledonian Frogmouth Range.- Known from a single specimen in New Caledonia (Liverpool Museum). Description.- A nocturnal bird, like a goat-sucker, but with a larger bill. Collecting.- It is rather strange that there are no goat-suckers or frog- mouths on the Loyalty Islands. Keep your ears open for any calls during the night. If you have to wait in Noumea for a steamer, try to get this species. Search for it with a flash light. The eyes will shine like those of a cat.

48 Collocalia vanikorensis vanikorensis Quoy Range.- New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Santa Cruz Islands. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Collecting.- There is one sight record from Noumea and one from Lifu. A series is desirable.

49 Common swallow. Hirunda tahitica subfusca Gould Range.- Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Hebrides. Description.- As in New Hebrides. Collecting.- There is one sight record from Noumea. One or two collected specimens would be suf- ficient to establish the locality. They are possibly slightly larger than the Fijian bird. Any other landbird you find on the islands would be new. Seabirds are supposed to be particularly common on Uvea and the small islands of the Uvea group. Note. WAH-THI-NECK

50 Notes on Seabirds of the Loyalty Islands (by R. C. Murphy) Since so little is known about the marine birds of this region, the following suggestions are based mostly upon species which might be found in the vicinity. Collection of any of these seabirds at the Loyalty Islands would in itself constitute an ad- dition to knowledge. Practically no collecting of seabirds has yet been done in the Loyalty Islands. Petrel, Mutton bird Puffinus leucomelas (Temminck) P.P.62 No.91 Range.- Breeds at Micronesian Islands near Japan. Migrates southward to the New Guinea region. Description.- Fairly large shear- water. Brownish gray above with a streaked head, white below. Migration.- Likely to be found at any period between August and April (?). Food.- ? Habitat.- Probably offshore Collecting.- One of the few petrels of which the American Museum possesses a highly inadequate series.

51 Mullon bird large brown. Puffinus pacificus (Gmelin) P36N4 Range.- Forms of this species breed in both northern and southern hemispheres. The Australasian race chlororhynchus might occur in the neighborhood of the Loyalties. Description.- A shearwater with a long wedged-shaped tail. The plumage may be entirely blackish or the bird may be white below. Migration.- Little is known about seasonal movements. Food.- ? Habitat.- Offshore Collecting.- A few specimens to establish subspecific identification will be sufficient.

Mubton Bird Puffinus heinrothi Reichenow Range.- Known only from New Britain. Description.- A small, wholly black shearwater, about the size of Audubon's but with a more slender bill. Migration.- Nothing is known about the movements of this bird. The fact that it has been collected at the type-locality only close to the Christmas season suggests that it may be a migrant from a northerly breeding ground. Food.- ? Habitat.- Possibly inshore waters Collecting.- Obtain as many as possible since this is one of the rarest and least known of petrels. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the sexual organs in order to find a clew about the season and place of breeding.

53 Mutton bird Puffinus lherminieri Lesson Note.- Of the two small dark- backed, white-breasted shearwaters, this would be the one most likely to be found breeding in the Loyalty region. This is the species which you found at Tanna.

Pterodroma becki Murphy Range.- Known only from two specimens taken near the Solomon Islands. Description.- A small gadfly petrel, chocolate brown above, including the head, white on the ventral surface. Collecting.- This petrel may be a tropical Melanesian representative of the large form known as Pterodroma rostrata. Every effort should be made to learn more about the bird.

Petrul Pterodroma rostrata trouessarti Brasil Range.- New Caledonia Collection.- A large series, if found in Loyalty Islands.

Petrel Pterodroma leucoptera (Gould) Note.- Some form of this petrel, which includes such races as brevipes of the Fijis and New Hebrides, perhaps breeds at the Loyalties. It is a small gray and white Pterodroma with a blackish crown like your Erromango and Tanna birds.

57 small petrel. Nesofregatta albigularis (Finsch) Range.- Polynesia, New Hebrides - Not yet known from the Loyalty Islands.

58 Term with 2 long tail streamers. 2 species, 1 red, 1 white streamer. Phaëthon lepturus Daudin 324 No. ? Note.- The lesser tropic-bird is of world-wide distribution in warmer latitudes and some form of it probably occurs at the Loyalties. This is the smallest species. It is a black and white, somewhat tern- like bird which flies with rapid wing beats, and is always iden- tifiable from its long tail.

59 Iorn. red streams Phaeton rubricauda 324/73 Red tailed, tropic bird. Not definitely known from the New Caledonia region.

Boob. 284. 19. Sula sula Linnaeus - The Red-footed Booby Note.- On islands probably com- pletely wooded this would be the only booby, since it is the only tree-nesting species in that part of the world. The adult red-footed booby is usually entirely white except for the wings from wrist to tip. It exists, however, in many phases, some of which have grayish brown bodies and white tails, others white bodies with dark tails, and still others all gray. A few specimens known to be adult might help settle the taxonomic problems.

61 Booby Sula leucogaster [illegible] Nests only on barren islands. At sea sometimes found far away from breeding colonies.

62. F. MINOR :- SEE ALEXANDER P.262; CAYLEY P.282 NO.14. Does settle on water in windy weather (LM numerous observations) Numerous sight observations on Mare Is.(LM) Perches in pine trees on south coast at night. Natives used to catch wing nests & drop to ground, numbers at a time, till one native killed 10 years back (LM 1938). Alexander says. "Visits MARCH to JULY" 62A. F. ARIEL :- SEE ALEXANDER P.286; CAYLEY P.283 NO.15.

NATIVE NAME. MARE Is. REG-JE. or RENG-JE (ng short terminal g as in "ing). 62 Fregata FRIGATE BIRD. Note.- Two species of man-o'-war birds (minor and ariel) are likely to be resident at the Loyalties. The former is the larger, and ariel is unique in that the male has a white spot on either side of its black belly. There is, of course, no mistaking man-o'-war birds because of their characteristic flight and long forked tail. NOTES Alexander says "Never settle on water", "used as messengers between islands". "all young have white heads." "I have red bill pouch". Birds on tropical islands stick nests in trees, shrubs or rocks. 1 egg, white. Fad larger than FaoL. sexes different colouring.

63. C. THALASSEUS: BERGII . SEE ALEXANDER P.162. Several sight record at Mare.(L.M). "Does not stop long because of absence of sandines, casual visitor" (O.R). SEE. CAYLEY. P. 271. NO. 19. 63. D. PROCE LST ERNA: CAERULEA:- SEE ALEXANDER P.195. E. ANOUS : STOLIDUS :- SEE ALEXANDER P.184."; CAYLEY.P.274-5 (3 species). F. GYGIS :- SEE ALEXANDER P.196. I. LARUS NOVA EHOLLANDIAE . SEE ALEXANDER. P. 148. :: CAVLEY. P.275. Sight record Mare Is.(L.M.) casual visitor, not frequently ; never stops long(L.M).

TERNS. CAYLEY. P229, 270-3. 63 Terns TERNYS, SEA SWALLOW S.ECT. I can only guess as to the terns of the Loyalty region, but the possibilities include Sterna*ALX.P.194. sumatrana, S. anaetheta, S. fuscata, the larger crested tern Thalasseus bergii, some form of the tiny blue ternlet Procelsterna carulea, one or more noddies (Anous) and a white tern (Gygis). Several of the species named require bare ground for nesting and avoid densely wooded islands. Forests would, however, be no bar to certain noddies, to the ternlet, and the fairy tern. The following terns also might occur in the Loyalty Islands: Sterna dougallii bangsi Sterna nereis exsul as well as the gull Larus novaehollandiae. 63. STERNA: SUMATRANA SEE CAYLEY.P272.NO.23. SEE ALEXANDER P.194. Slight record blown ashore by hurricane some years previously O.Bordorf. A. ANAETHETA : SEE ALEXANDER.P.181.;: CAYLEY.P.273.NO.25. B. FUSCATA : SEE ALEXANDER.P.180.SEE CAYLEY.P.273.NO.24. C. DOUGALLII BANGSI (GRACILIS?)SEE ALEXANDER P.175. SEE Caley.P.229.№29. H. NEREIS EXSUL SEE ALEXANDER P.193.

Jim Austonavia 1. Is Coracina on Epi. 2. Is Lichmera on Epi. 3. Did R. incur much after hurricanes? Birds in broken palm? 4. Was it serious doing much damage at any time? 5. Did damage fluctuate? some year little some much? 6. Is it doing much damage at present? Has it ultimately decreased after big blow when it was fertile? some years does it almost die out per Samoa 1. Is coracina present. 2. Are flamboyants present. 3. Do f. attract the insect. 4. Has anything been done in S. with f. to combat just. 5. Is the coab in samoa.

""" ORNITHOLOGY ARCHIVES 100220753 4470. 55. 385 Post Sydney Dunnea. Dunnna Mari 220°. single 385° nton. 2