J THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, VOL. VIL, [With ¥owiirev PLAiEg.] -♦♦- SYDNEY : print:ed and publiseeb for tee society by F. W. 'WHITE, 59 MAI^KET STI^EET, AND SOLD BY THE SOCIETY, I880. a>p CONTENTS OF VOL. VII. PART I. o^^^/^ PXOB On the structure of the Paired Fins of Ceratodus, with remarka on the general theory of the Vertebrate Limb. By William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. Plate 1. ... ... ... ... 2 Notes on the Pleuronectidee of Port Jackson, with descriptions of two hitherto unobserved species. By William Macleay, F.L.S. &c. 11 Notes on the Zoology of the Solomon Islands. By E. P. Eamsay, F.L.S., &c. Partly. ... ... ... ... ... I6 On a new species of Mus from the Island of Ugi, Solomon Q-roup. By E. P. Eamsay, F.L.S. , &c Plate 2. ... ... ... 43 Contributions to Australian Oology. By E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S., &c. Part I., Plates 3, 4, 5. ... ... ... ... ... 45 Notes on a Cruise to the Solomon Islands. By Alsx. Moeton. ... 69 Note on Fossarina Petterdi, Brazier. By Professor F. W. Hutton, New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... QQ List of the Freshwater Shells of New Zealand. By Professor F. W. HuTTON, New Zealand. ... ... ... ... ... 67 The Fishes of the Palmer River. By William Macleay, F.L.S., &c. 69 The Plants of New South Wales. By the Rev. Db. Woolls, D.D., F.L.S., «fec. No. VIII 71 Botanical Notes on Queensland. By tlie Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods. F.a.S., F.L.S., ... 76 Remarks on some Fluviatile Shells of New South Wales. By J. Braziek, C.M.Z.S., &c. ... ... ... ... ... 83 Notes on the Zoology of Lord Howe's Island. By E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S. 86 On a new species of Stomopneustes and a new variety of Hipponoe, va/riegata. By the Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, F.Q-.S., F.L.S., Plate 6 and 7. ... ... ... ... ... ... 93 On various deposits of Fossil Plants in Queensland. By the Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, F.G-.S., F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... 95 iv. CONTENTS. Fiax Record of new localities of Polynesian Mosses, with descriptions of some hitherto undefined species. By William Mittbn, P.L.S. 98 Definitions of some new Australian Fungi. By the Rev. C. Kalchbbenneb. ... ... ... ... ... ••• 104 On a species of Galaxias found in the Australian Alps. By William Macleat, F.L.S... ... ... ... ... ... 106 Notes on Apogon Ountheri of Castelnau, and descriptions of two new Fishes from New South Wales. By E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S., &c.... 110 Description of the Eggs of five species of Fijian Birds. By E. P. RAM3AT, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... ... 112 Note upon the Bark of a reputed Ecbolic Plant from New Caledonia. By De. Thoma8 Dickson. ... ... ... ... 114 Note on the Anatomy of two rare genera of Pigeons By William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc... ... ... ... ... 115 A list of CyprceidcB found on the Victorian Coast, collected by Mr, J. F. Bailey. By J. Bbaziee, C.M.Z.S., &c. ... ... ... 117 'Hfote on Bulimus Gtaini. By J. Braziee, CM ZS. ... ... 121 On the edible Oysters found on the Australian and neighbouring coasts. By J. C. Cox, M.D., F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... 122 Notes and Exhibits ... ... ... ... ... 65,91,134 PART II. Paob Botanical Notes on Queensland. — No. II., The Tropics. Bj the Rev J. E. Tenison- Woods, F.G.S., F.L.S. . . . . . . 136 On a new species of Oohiesox from Tasmania. By E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S,, C.M.ZS., &c. ... ... ... ... ... 148 Descriptions of Australian Micro-Lepidoptera. By E. Meybtck, B.A. No. 7. ... .. ... 148 Note on a reputed Poisonous Fly of New Caledonia. By William Macleay, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... ... 202 On a new species of ^/'opora. By the Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, F.G.S., &c ... ... 207 CONTENTS. y. On Australian Fresli-water Sponges. By William A. Haswkll, M.A., B.Sc. ... ... ... ... 208 Note on the Brain of the Tiger Shark ( Galeocerdo Rayneri). By William A. Haswbll, M.A., B.Sc. ... ... ... 210 Half century of Plants new to South Queensland. By the Rbv. B. ScoBTBCHiNi, LL.B., F.L.S. ... ... ... 213 Contribution to a knowledge of the Fishes of New Guinea. By William Maclbay, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... 224 A Monograph of the Australian Aphroditea. By William A. Haswbll, M. A., B.Sc, (Plates 6 to 11.) ... ... ... 250 Description of two new Birds from the Solomon Islands. By E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S., «fcc. ... ... ... ... ... 299 Description of a new species of Coris from Lord Howe's Island and New South Wales. By B. P. Ramsay, F.L.S., &c. ... ... 301 Notes and Exhibits ... ... .. ... ... 205,212,302 PART III. Botanical Notes on Queensland — No. III. By the Rev. J. E Tenison-Woods, F.L.S., &c. Forage Plants indigenous to New South Wales. By W. Woolls Ph. D., F.L.S Description of three new Fishes of Queensland. By Charles. W De Vis, B.A. .. Description of a species of Squill from Moreton Bay. By Charles W. De Vis, B.A. Habitat of CyprcBa citrina of Gray. By J. Brazier, C.M.Z.S., &c New variety of Ovulum depressum found at Lifou. By R. C RossiTER, Corr. Mem. On the Breeding Place of Platalea flavipes and Ardea pacifica. By K. H. Bennett, Esq. ... Botanical Notes on Queensland— No. IV. By the Rev. J. E Tenison-Woods, F.L.S., &c PAGfl 305 310 318 321 322 323 324 331 TJ. CONTENTS. Pao« On a Coal Plant from Queensland. By the Rev. J. E. Tenison- WooDS, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... ... 342 Observations on an Insect injurious to the "Vine. By William Macleat, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... ... 344 On Myoporum platycarpum, a Resin producing Tree of the Interior of New South Wales. By K. H. Bennett, Esq. ... ... 349 Contribution to a knowledge of the Fishes of New Guinea — No. II. By William Macleat, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... 351 Descriptions of two Fishes from Port Jackson. By William Macleat, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... ... 366 Description of some new Queensland Fishes. By Charles W. De Vis, B.A 367 Physical Structure and Geology of Australia. By the Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, F.G.S., &c. ... ... ... ... 371 On a large Mesoeoic Mytihis from the Barcoo. By the Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, F.G.S., &c. ... . ... ... 389 Occasional Notes on the Inflorescence and Habits of Plants indigen- ous in the immediate neighbourhood of Sydney, By E. Haviland 392 Note on some points in the Anatomy of the Pigeons referred to by Dr. Hans Gadow in a recent paper on the Anatomy of Pterocles. By William A, Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. (Edin.) ... ... 397 Notes and Exhibits ... ... ... ... ... 328,347,402 Paqx PART IV, Description of a new species of Solea from Port Stephens. By E. P. Ramsat, F.L.S., &c. ... . ... ... ... 406 Contributions to Australian Oology, Part II. By E. P. Ramsat, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... 406 Description of Australian Micro-Lepidoptera. By E. Metrick, B.A. 415 Notes on the Geology of the Western Coalfields, Part I. By Prof. Stephbns, M.A... ... ... ... ... ... 548 Oil the Edible Oysters found on the Australian Coast. By J. C. Cox, M.D., F.L.S 555 C0NTBNT8. tit. . . Page Description of two new Birds of Queensland. By Charles W. De Vis, B.A. .. ... ... ... ... ... 561 Fungi aliquot Australiae Orientalis. Reverbndo Carolo Kalch- BEENNER, DEFINITI, |... . ... ... ... 563 Botanical Notes on Queensland. By the Eev. J. E. Tenison- WooDs, F.G.S., F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... ... 565 Contribution to a knowledge of the Fishes of New Guinea, No. III. By William Magleay, F.L.S., &c. ... ... ... 585 Notes on the Geology of the Western Coalfields, Part II. By Prof. Stephens, M.A... ... ... ... ... ... 598 Preliminary note on an Australian species of Phoronis {Gephyrea ' TulicoU:) By William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. ... 606 Note on a curious instance of Symbiosis. By William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. ... ... ... ... ... ... 608 Note on the segmental organs of Aphrodita. By William A. Haswell, M. A., B.Sc. ... ... ... ... ... 610 Occasional Notes on Plants indigenous to the immediate neighbour- hood of Sydney, No. 2. By E. Haviland. ... ... ... 613 Description of a new Belideus from Northern Queensland. By Charles De Vis, B.A. ... ... ... ... ... 619 Description of two new Queensland Fishes. By Charles Db Vis, B.A. 620 Species of Eucalyi)ts first known in Europe. By the Rev. Dr. Woolls, D.D., F.L.S. ... 621 On some new Australian tubicolous Annelids. By William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. Plate 12 ... ... ... ... 633 New species of Agaricus from West Australia. By the Rev. Cael Kalchbrbnner... ... ... ... ... ... 638 On some points in the anatomy of the urogeniial organs in females of certain species of Kangaroos, Part I. By J. J. Fletcher, B.A., B.Sc 640 On a species of Brachyphyllum from Mesozoic Coal Beds, Ipswich, Queensland. By the Rev. J. E, Tenison-Woods, F.L.S., &c. 659 Note on the Coccoauut-eating habit of the Birgus in the Solomon Group. By H. B. Gupi^Y, M.B., H.M.S. * Lark.' 661 ^^ CONTENTS. Faoe Notes on Birds from the Solomon Islands. By E. P. Kamsat, F.L.S. 665 , ^ vv^ . ... 566, 611, 674 Notes and Exhibits ... ••• ••• » — 675 Annual Adress by the President Title Page, Contents, Index, &c. te Vol. VII. •♦-#- ♦ ♦ ■* ^>*VV"- :pe.ooeeidi:ltos OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. -♦ »■ WEDNESDAY, 25tii JANUARY, 1882. The President Dr. James C. Cox, F.L.S., in the Chair. MEMBEES ELECTED. "VY. Davidson, Esq., Stanthorpe, Queensland. Bev. AY. Walsh, Townsville. W. C. Hume, Esq., Toowoomba. DOXATIOIS^S. Eromthe Chief Secretary, Yictoria: "Eragmenta PhytographicT Australia?," by Baron von Mueller, Yols. 8 and 9 ; " Introduction to Botanic Teachings at the Schools o£ Yictoria," by Baron Eerd. von Mueller. Erom the Hon. William Macleay, M.L.C. : " Catalogue of the described Coleoptera of Australia," by Greorge Masters, Parts 1 to 5, complete : " Catalogue of the described Diurnal Lepidoptera of Australia, by George Masters." A 2 STEUCTUEE OF IHE PAIRED FIXS OF CERATODUS, PAPERS READ. On the Structure of the Paired Fins of Geratodus, WITH remarks on the GENERAL THEORY OF THE Vertebrate Limb. By William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. [Plate I.] In his description o£ Ceratodus JForsferi,'-^ Dr. Griintlier says respecting tlie fins : " Tlie limbs consist of two pairs of paddles similar in appear- ance to the termination of the tail ; viz., a longitudinal axis, formed by the endoskeleton and muscles and covered with scales is surrounded by a broad rayed fringe. These paddles are structurally identical with the fins of Lepidosiren : only the axis and also the fringe are much dilated. "The paddle is joined to the scapular arch by an elongate flattish, slightly curved cartilage ; its proximal end has a glenoid cavity fitting into the humeral condyle ; the joint is simple, free, allowing of a considerable amount of motion, its parts being held together by a ligament fastened around its circumference. This is the only true joint in the limb, all the other parts being fixed to one another by connective tissue. I consider this cartilage to be the forea-rm ; a horizontal section along its longitudinal axis does not shew any primary division. The next following cartilage forms the base of the paddle ; although externally it appears as a single flat broad short piece, unevennesses of its surface indicate that several primary pieces are coalesced in it." " I am confirmed in this view by a horizontal section, in which the lines of the former divisions are preserved in the shape of tracts of a white connective tissue. Three such divisions may be distinguished corresponding to the three carpals of most Plagios- tomes. If this determination is correct, then the antibrachial * Phil. Trans. 1871. BY WILLIAM A. UASWELL, M.A., B.Sc. 3 cartilage just described is not represented in that order. The remaining framework of the paddle shews an arrangement unique among the Yertebrata. Erom the middle of the basal cartilage a series of about twenty-six quadrangular pieces takes its orioin forming a longitudinal axis along the middle of the paddle to its extremity. The pieces gradually become smaller and are scarcely distinguishable towards the end of the paddle. On the two posterior corners of each ]3iece a branch is inserted runnin-^ obliquely backwards towards the margin of the fin ; the branches of the first eight or twelve pieces are three-jointed, the remainder two- jointed, the last having no branch at all. Slight irregularities, such as the origin of two branches from one side of a central piece occur, as also several four-jointed branches immediately on the basal cartilage." On this description Huxley* makes the following comments : — " In general, this description suits the pectoral fins of the specimen I have described very well. Mine, however, has only twenty median cartilages. All but the very last bear lateral rays ; but towards the distal end of the fin these become minute, and consist of a single piece. Moreover the distal joints are much more slender, especially the last. A more important point is that the second shews no trace of such divisions as those described by Dr. Griinther. To make sure of this I made a thin microscopic section of this cartilage on the right side, and thereby satisfied myself of the homogeneity of the cartilage of which it is composed." "I find no true joint between the proximal median piece and the scapular arch, the connection between the two being effected by a solid fibrous mass." Eig. 2 is copied from Huxley's figure of the pectoral fin of Ceratodus. P.Z.S., 1876, p. 46. 4 STKUCTTJEE OF THE PAIEED FIXS OE CERATODrS, It will thus be seen that both Griinther and Huxley, while their descriptions differ in various minor points connected with the arrangement of the cartilages, agree in regarding the fin of Ceratodus as essentially uniaxial, i. e. consisting of a single jointed axis, with the preaxial and postaxial sides of which a series of jointed cartilaginous rays are connected. A similar, though simpler, arrangement had already been described as characterising the fin of Lefidosiren, and before the discovery of Ceratodios, Gregenbaur had come to the conclusion from theoretical considerations that the fundamental type of the Vertebrate limb very much resembled the fin of Lepidosiren. This primitive limb he designated the arclilpterygium, and in connection with it he remarks in the second edition of his " Grrundriss der Vergleichenden Anatomic " (F. Jeffrey Bell's Transl. 1878, p. 473) — " When simplest this (the skeleton of the free part of the limb), is made up of cartilaginous rods (rays), wdiich differ in their size, segmentation and relation to one another. One of these rays is larger than the rest and has a number of other rays attached to its sides. I have given the name of Archipterygium to the ground form of the skeleton which extends from the limb-bearing girdle into the free appendage. The primary ray is the stem of this archipterygium, the character of which enables us to follow out the lines of development of the skeleton of the appendage. Cartilaginous arches beset with rays form the branchial skeleton. The form of skeleton of the appendages may be compared with them ; and we are led to the conclusion that it is possible that they may have been derived from such forms. In the branchial skeleton of the Selachii the cartilaginous bars are beset with simple rays. In many, a median one is developed to a greater size. As the surrounding rays become smaller, and approach the larger one, we get an intermediate step towards that arrangement in which the larger median ray carries a few smaller ones. This differentiation of one ray, which is thereby raised to a higher grade, may be con- BY WILLIAM A. HAS WELL, M.A., B.S.C. 5 nected with tlie primitive form o£ the appendicular skeleton ; and, as we compare the girdle with a branchial arch, so we may compare the median ray and its secondary investment of rays with the skeleton of the free appendage." " All the varied forms which the skeleton of the free appendages exhibits may be derived from a ground-form which persists in a few cases only, and which represents the first, and consequently the lowest, stages of the skeleton of the fin — the Archipterygium. This is made up of a stem which consists of jointed pieces of cartilage, which is articulated to the shoulder-girdle, and is beset on either side with rays which are likewise jointed. In addition to the rays on the stem there are others which are directly attached to the limb-girdle." " Ceratodus has a fin-skeleton of this form ; in it there is a stem beset with two rows of rays. But there are no rays on the shoulder girdle. This biserial investment of rays on the stem of the fin may also undergo various kinds of modifications. Among the Dipnoi, Frotopterus retains the medial row of rays only which have the form of fine rods of cartilage ; in the SeJacldi, on the other hand, the lateral rays are considerably developed." Thus both Gregenbaur and Huxley regard the fin of Ceratodus as representing or nearly representing a primitive type from which the limbs of the Ganoids, the Holocepliali, and the Selachii have been derived. E-easons have already been adduced by Balfour,* Thackerand others, for dissenting from this conclusion, and these, together with the facts which I am about to bring forward, seem to me to place it beyond a doubt that the limb of Ceratodus, so far from representing a primitive and generalised type, is, as indeed we should expect from various other points in the organisation of the animal, in reality highly specialised, and * Comparative Embryology, Vol. ii., p. 506 ; " On the Development of the Paired Fins of the Elasmobrauchii," etc., P.Z.S., 1881, p. 656. j6 STErCTUEE OF THE PAIEED FIXS OE CEEATODUS, is to be regarded as derivable from sucli simpler limb-skeletons as those of the Selachii. In his work on the "Development of Elasmobranch Fishes " and in his "Comparative Embryology" F. M. Balfour gives an account of the development of the fins of Scy Ilium, which is important as throwing considerable light upon this question. Externally each fin first shews itself as a ridge of epiblast, subsequently enclosing mesoblast ; the front and hind fins of each side arc connected at first in some JElasmohranchs by a very low ridge of epiblast cells ; but this connecting ridge soon disappears. Its existence, however, at this early stage would seem to render it probable, as pointed out by Balfour, that the pectoral and pelvic fins of each side had originally the form of a continuous fold similar in nature to the unpaired fins. The first rudiment of the skeleton of the fin consists of a bar of cartilage attached in front to the limb-arch and running backwards parallel with the long axis of the body ; and a plate which extends into the fin and very soon becomes divided into a series of cartilaginous rods placed at right angles to the longitudinal bar. By a series of changes which are greater in the pectoral than in the pelvic fins, and include in the former the rotation outwards of the basal bar or hcmpterycjium which becomes converted into the onetapterijglum, and the introduction of additional basal elements, the primitive longitudinal bar and segmented plate become converted into the skeleton of the adult fin. The most important result of these researches, as regards the present question, was the proof that the paired fins are developed from structures which are essentially very similar to the unpaired fins. More recently Mivart* in a memoir entitled " On the Eins of Elasmobranchs, with Considerations on the Nature and Homologues of Vertebrate Limbs " (Trans. Zool. Soc, vol. x.) has endeavoured to shew that this fundamental identity of the * And independently J. K. Thacker in a memoir on the Median and Paired Fins in the Transactions of the Connecticut Academy BY WILLIAM A. IIASWELL, M.A., B.Sc. 7 ])aired and unpaired fins might have been inferred from their adult structure as ^vell as from their mode of development. Both Giinther and Huxley, as already noted, found both the pectoral and pelvic fins to be uniaxial. I was surprised, there- fore, to find that the skeleton of the pectoral fin of the first of two specimens very kindly placed at my disposal by Mr. Kamsay, presented the arrangement shewn in fig. 1. There is first an elongate basal joint attached to the shoulder- girdle ; upon this follows a short transversely oblong joint and to the distal border of this in turn are connected (1) a series of five post-axial rays, (2) the main axis of the paddle consisting of a series of cartilaginous joints to most of which are attached a pair of jointed cartilaginous I'ays, and (3) a supplementary axis (pre-axial fin-ray of Huxley) consisting only of four joints, and having only two rudimentary rays, one attached to the anterior and distal angle of the first joint, and the other to the same point on the second. The fin of the opposite side presented the same arrangement of the cartilaginous elements, except that the anterior axis had only one rudimentary ray in place of t'wo. On examining the pectoral fins of a second specimen of Ceratodiis I found that the anterior axis of neither of them had any rudiments of rays. When the left pelvic fin of the first specimen was examined, a still greater divergence from the archipterygial type of structure presented itself. Articulating with the basal joint are (1) in front two small cartilages of irregular shape, the anterior of which supports a short ray, and (2) a broad, somewhat oblong plate. This plate is seen on a closer inspection to present traces of longitudinal division into two parts and is formed apparently by the partial coalescence of the bases (1) of a short bifurcated ray, (2) of a short branching anterior axis suj^porting five rays, (3) of the basal undivided portion of the main axis, and (4) of a short posterior axis giving off one simple and two bifurcated branches. Of the rays attached to the distal portion of the axis 8 STRTJCTrEE OF THE PAIKED FIXS OF CEEATODFS, several are bifurcated. The pelvic fin of the opposite side of the same specimen (fig. 4) has a totally different structure and very closely resembles the pectoral fins. There is a broad second joint divided distally by a fissure, the posterior division being connected distally with the main axis of the fin and supporting posteriorly three short rays, while the anterior forms the base of stout anterior ray or unbranched anterior axis. None of the rays in this fin are branched and the arrangement approaches very closely to that figured and described by Griinther (fig. 3.). The pectoral fins of the second specimen are very similar to those of the first, except that the anterior axis gives off no branches. The left pelvic fin of this specimen (fig. G) somewhat resembles that of the first, but there are important differences in detail. Thus the anterior axis is much longer and more com- plexly branched, and the main axis itself subdivides into two, only one of which, however, is continued to the extremity of the fin. The right fin (fig. 7), is very similar to the left fin of the first specimen with some slight j)oints of diff'erence which hardly require description. As Griinther and Huxley each examined two specimens, this branching of the cartilaginous skeleton of the fin of Ceratodus would appear to be an exceptional arrangement ; and it is reasonable to regard it as an instance of atavism, and as pointing back to a pre-existing condition in which the fin-skeleton consisted of branching jointed cartilaginous elements supporting a cutane- ous expansion considerably broader than that of the fin of the living Ceratodus Forsteri. The second joint seems to be formed by the coalescence of the bases of several of the main ribs or axes of the fin, and the first joint is to be regarded as derived from the equivalent of the hasipterygium of the embryonic Sci/Uium. In the absence, however, of any data on the develop- ment of Ceratodus the homologies of these cartilages cannot be determined with any certainty, but the varieties of arrangement which I have described seem to point to the above conclusion. BY WILLI.VM A. HASWELL, M.A., BSc. 9 If these cases of plurality of axes in the limb are cases of atavism, then they may perhaps point back to a common form of fin-skeleton whence the normal specialised fin of Ceratodios and the clieiropterygium of the higher vertebrates may have been derived. The speculations of Prof. Huxley (J. c, p. 56) would however, require little modification to adapt them to such a biaxial or multi- axial type of limb, and it would be idle, in view of the variations which I have shewn the fin-skeleton to present, to offer any further more detailed suggestions in this direction. If we were to speculate as to the nature of the earliest fin- skeleton, we should most probably, in view of the structure of the embryonic fin in the Elasmobranchii, come to the conclusion that at first it consisted of a series of detached nodules of cartilage ; that, as muscular action became more definite in direction, these nodules came to be arranged in rows so as to assume the form of numerous parallel, jointed rods of cartilage, which might coalesce in some cases so as to form a continuous plate ; the coalescence of the bases of these jointed rays as the two pairs of fins became differentiated from one another and the proximal part of each fin became narrowed, and the inward growth of this, probably, as Thacker has suggested, formed the hasipterygium. As the breadth of the whole fin became decreased to form the narrow, pointed paddle of Ceratodus^ the jointed rods became approximated not only at their bases but throughout a considerable portion of their length, and their partial coalescence resulted in the formation of a branching structure, the branches of which, as centralisation went on further, came to be arranged on each side of a single stem — the axis of the so-called arehi- pterijgium. A study of the soft parts of the fin in Cemtodits points to the same conclusion as the consideration of the skeleton. The pectoral fin of Ceratodus as observed by Mr. E. P. Eamsay, is capable of somewhat complex movements, and to accomplish those the muscles, though simply arranged, are somewhat more 10 STRrCTIJEE or THE PAIEED FINS OF CERATODUS, higtly specialised than in even the adult Dog Fish or Eaj. In these the muscles which move the fin are flat plates made up of coarse fasciculi radiating from the limb arch to the bases of the fin rays. In GeratocliLs there is a strong extensor muscle arising from the shoulder-girdle and inserted along the dorsal surface of the basal joint, the next joint, and the first two joints of the central axis ; and a flexor muscle with a similar arrangement but interrupted opposite the distal end of the basal joint, the distal portion of its fibres chiefly having their proximal attachment with the tubercle at the distal end of the ventral surface of the basal cartilage. Along the axis of the fin both on the dorsal and the ventral surfaces run a series of interrupted muscular fasciculi which pass between adjacent joints of the axis and the basal joints of the rays, and passing obliquely outward from those are series of fibres connected externally with the bases of the fin-rays. The front portion of the extensor turns round the anterior margin so that it acts to some extent as an abductor. Beneath it are two muscles, one arising from the shoulder girdle and inserted wholly into the basal cartilage ; and the other arising from a prominent tubercle near the distal end of that cartilage, its fibres passing in. a radiating manner to be inserted into the next joint and the two basal joints of the anterior axis ; this muscle must act as a rotator. In Ceratoclus,ii^ in all limb-bearing vertebrates, the nerves which supply the limbs converge from an extent of the spinal cord which is great compared with the breadth of attachment of the limb. In Gcratodus the pectoral fin for example is supplied by a single nerve-trunk to which fibres from four spinal nerves con- tribute. After passing the axil of the limb this main trunk divides into two, one of which turns round the anterior border of the fin to the dorsal surface, while the other runs straight onwards along the middle of the ventral surface. If the primordial limb consisted of a wide fold flanldug a number of vertebral segments, as seems highly probable from ]ir WILLIAM A. HASWELL, M.A., B.SC. 11 Balfour's researches, it would naturally be supplied by branches from most of the spinal nerves belonging to those segments j and, as the base of connection of the fin with the body became narrowed, these nerves would be brought into closer connection with one another, and wonld assume the appearance of converg- ing towards the axil of the limb. The fact that the nerves which go to supply the limbs originate from a number of spinal nerves would thus seem to afford an additional argument in favour of this view of the origin of limbs, and against the theory put forward by G-egenbaur that the limbs are modified branchial arches. Explanation of Plate I. Eig. 1. — Left pectoral fin of specimen 1. ,, 2. — Pectoral fin of Ceratodus, after Huxley. „ 3. — Pelvic fin, after Griinther. ,, 4. — Right pelvic fin of specimen 1. „ 5. — Left pelvic fin of specimen 1. „ 6. — Left pelvic fin of specimen 2. ,, 7. — Eight pelvic fin of specimen 2. Notes on the Plefkonectid^ of Poet Jackson, with descriptions of two hitherto unobserved species. By "William Macleat, P.L.S., &c. Fishes of this family are rarely seen in the Sydney Market, and the species most frequently seen and generally known as the "Plounder," cannot, in point of quality as food, be compared with the Turbot, Sole, or other Pleuronectidce of cooler seas. But it by no means follows that, because our fishermen do not catch them, they are really rare or of a quality inferior to the Flat Fish of other parts of the world, indeed I believe that in this Paper I shall be enabled to prove the contrary. 12 PLEUEONECTIDoE OF PORT JACKSON, The Fleuronectidcd are all ground Eishes, and except in tlie spawning season, keep in deep water, they moreover seldom, except in the case o£ one species, (" The Flounder ") take a bait, and the only way therefore that they can be captured in their deep haunts, is by the use of the Trawl Net. Nets of this kind may be said to have been hitherto untried in these waters, for though one or two efforts in the way of experi- ment in this mode of fishing were made some years ago, they were far from successful, chiefly I believe from the imperfect description of net used. Opportunities, I am glad to say, will now soon be given, of fairly testing the productiveness of our deep waters, and the suitableness of our coast for the use of the Trawl. The Grovern- ment, acting upon the recommendation of the Commissioners of fisheries for New South A¥ales, have lately imported a variety of Nets, Lines, and other implements of fishing of the latest and most improved kinds from England, Norway, and America. Among these are two descriptions of Trawl Nets — a large Grrimby Beam Trawl, and an Otter Trawl of 42 feet width of net. I was present at a trial of the last named net about a fortnight ago, and it is on the results of that trial, that my present paper is founded. The net was first put overboard off Middle Head, and was raised in North Harbour near Manly Beach, it was again lowered at the mouth of Middle Harbour, and raised opposite Clontarf. On both occasions the net was quite full when raised of a very miscellaneous mass of Ascidians, Sponges, Alga?, Crabs, Cephalopods and other Mollusks. The Pishes consisted of Bays — Tlroloplius testaceus, in great number, Rliinohatus tuber culatus or Angel Bay, and Sypnos subnifjrum or Numb Fish. Of Sharks there were a few young specimens of Heterodontus PhilUpil, BL, and Mliina squatina or Angel Shark. There were also specimens of Gallionymus BY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S. 13 calcaratus milii, and Trirjla Kumu, Vinii polyommafa. Of Pleiiro- nectidcB there were seven species taken : 1. Pseuclorliomhus RusseJUi. 5. Synaptura nigra, mihi. 2. ., multiradiatus. G. „ fasciata, n. sp. 8. Fardacliinis pavoninus. 7. Lopliorlioinhus cristatus, n. g- 4. Flagusia unicolor, mihi. and sp. The first of these — Pseudorliomhus Bussellii was got in consider- able number. It is the best known of our Flat Fish, taking the hook sometimes readily, and occasionally being captured in the ordinary Seine IN'et. It is a good fish for the table, though very inferior to the Sole. It is found in all seas from India to Port Jackson, and is generally called " The Flounder " by the Fisher- men, and not unfrequently "The Sole " by the Fishmonger, who thereby effects a ready sale. In fact it is not entitled to either name, and of all the European Flat Fish it most approaches the Brill fBliomhus Icevis). The second species FseudorJiomlus onultiradiatus, Grunther, has not I believe, been ever got except in Port Jackson, and that only very rarely ; it may probably be found more abundant in deeper water. Pardachirus pavoninus the next on the list was re]3resented by two rather small specimens. It is a species of wide range, but is chiefly met with in warmer seas than ours. Of the next species PJagusia unicolor mihi, sometimes called " The Lemon Sole," only two specimens were captured, one of them ten inches in length. The edible qualities of this Fish are unknown. Of the fifth species Sgnaptura nigra mihi, or " The Botany Bay Sole," one very large specimen and several small ones were obtained. This is the best of our Flat Fish, being I think, when properly cooked superior to the English Sole. In midsummer it visits in considerable numbers, for the purpose of spawning, the shallow flats in Botany Bay at the mouth of Cook's Eiver, it is then easily speared in the early morning when the water is clear and unruffled by any breeze. That it is also to be found within the 14 PLEUEONECTIDJE OF POET JACKSON Heads o£ Port Jackson is evidenced by the specimens taken on the occasion I am narrating. The remaining species met Tvith are new and may be described as follows : — Synaptfea fasciata. D. + C.+A. 148. Porm rather elongate, the height being twice and a half in the total length ; the head is short ; the mouth small and much twisted to the blind side ; the teeth are minute and regular ; the eyes are in the same vertical plane, and about their vertical diameter apart ; the dorsal fin commences over the eye, the rays are short ; the oaudal fin is rather pointed ; the ventrals are equal in size ; pectoral fins none ; the lateral line is straight ; the scales are strongly denticulated on the free margin. The colour is a pale brown, with about twenty dark brown vertical about equidistant bars over the head and body ; the fins are blackish. Length five inches. One specimen only captured. LOPHOKHOMBrS, TICW fjeiius. Eyes on the left side and close together, the lower rather in advance of the upper. Mouth small, dentition rather feeble, equally developed on both sides. Vertical fins not continuous with the caudal. Anterior rays of dorsal fin elongate. Pectoral fins well developed. Scales large, smooth, finely ciliated, and rather deciduous. Lateral line much curved above the pectoral fin. LOPHORHOMBUS CRISTATUS, 11. Sp. D. 85. A. 72. C. 16. P. 12. V. 6. Height of body one-half of the total length ; the eyes large, separated only by a narrow prominent ridge ; the dorsal fin commences near the snout, and in front of the upper eye ; the first three rays are elongate, more than twice the length of the BY W. MACLEAT, F.L.S. 15 others ; the middle rays of the caudal fin are somewhat elongated ' the left ventral fin commences in advance of the right one ; the pectoral fins are about, or nearly, as long as the head. The colour is of a lightish brown, with some indistinct darker mark- ings. All the fins are minutely speckled. One specimen about six inches in length. The fact of the capture in the Trawl of these seven species of Flat Fish — two of them not previously known — in such a small space as was traversed by the net on the occasion I mention, seems to me to prove almost beyond a doubt that the PleuronectidcB are sufficiently numerous on our sea bottoms, and that if we can only find patches along our Coasts free from rocks, Trawl fishing may become a most useful and profitable occupation. The other species of Flat Fish w^hich have been found in Port Jackson are Teratorliomhus excisiceps mihi, described in the sixth volume of the Proceedings of this Society ; Rhomloidichthys spiniceps mihi, also described in the sixth volume ; Ainmotretis rostratus, Gunther, and Solea QnicrocephaJa, Grunther, Solea Macleayana, E-amsay, and Sijnapiura qiiar/ga, Kaup. The last named species is the only one I have not seen, and I give to it the habitat of Port Jackson upon the authority of Count Castelnau. The apparently entire absence from Sydney waters of any species of the genus Bhojuhosolea , w^hichis represented by several species in Yictoria, Tasmania, and the Southern coast generally, is a peculiarity which I previously noticed in my Catalogue of Australian Fishes. I venture however to predict that a better acquaintance with the deep sea Fauna which I believe the Trawl net is destined to give us, will prove the existence, in the cool and deep currents, of species of Bhomhosolea rivalling — like one New Zealand species Wwmhosolea monopiis — the size and excellence of the European Turbot, 16 ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMO:^ ISLAI^'DS, Notes oi^ the Zoolog^t oe the Solomo]N' Islands. — Part TV. By E. p. Eamsay, E.L.S., &c. "When I first wrote on the Ornithology of the Solomon Islands in 1879, only about thirty-five authentic species were known from that group, it may therefore not be out of place, to give here a resume of all that has been done up to the present time. As far as I can ascertain the first notice of the Birds of the Solomon Islands is given by Hombron and Jacquinot in the " Voyage au Pole Sud," where the following species are described: Athene tceniata, Lorius cardinaJis, Pachycepliala orioloides, Pionias lieteroclituSy Lamprotornis fulvipennis, ,, cyanicejos, Sturnoides gifjf^s, Cacatua ducorpsil, DiccBum ceneum, Carpopliarja rufigula, Myzomela lafargei.^ Peristera stepliani. And MyzomeJa solltaria, which last being well known to come from the Eigi group alone, must be omitted, reducing the number of the then known species to 11, or 10 if we take JPionias cyaniceps as the female of P. lieterocUtus. The next notice I come to, is in Bonaparte's Conspectus Avium, from which may be added Carpopliaga pristinaria, and Nycticorax manillensis. After this little seems to have been done, imtil the voyage of the " Eattlesnake," during which Mr. John Magillivray collected the following, described by Mr. G-ould in the P.Z.S., 1856, pp. 136^ 137: Centropus iiiilo, Lorius clilorocercus, TuraccBua crassirostris, lotreron (Pfilonojms) eugenice. In Gray's Catalogue of Birds of the Tropical Islands of the Pacific, I find five additional species mentioned : Carpopliaga ruhracera, Halcyon leucopygia, Halcyon cinnamonia, Triclioglossus massence. „ sancta, BY E. P. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 17 The next notice, I believe, is that of Dr. Sclater who in P.Z.S. 1865, p. 620, describes Nasitema pusio, and again in 1869, after recapitulating what had already been written on the subject enumerates in all 34 species, (see P.Z.S., 1869, p. 124,) 21 of which were from a collection supposed to have been made in the Solomon Islands, but unfortunatel}^ the localities were very incorrect, and the following species must therefore be thrown out : Centropiis ateralhus, New Ireland. ITyzomela solitaria, Fiji Islands. Dicrurus megarhyneJms, New Ireland, Carpophaga rubricera, New Ireland. Fhilemoji vulturinus. New Guinea. Todiramphiis chloris, New Guinea. Lorius hyp(Bnochrous, New Ireland. Athene variegata, and Nasitema pusio, both from New Ire- land and the Duke of York Group. Nevertheless in this important paper three new species were recorded : Gracula hrefftii, Rallus intactus, Eurystomns crassirostris [This last requires confirmation.] The species recorded as Fhilemon vuUitrinus, being a new species afterwards described by Mr. G. E. Gray, as P. sclaterii may be added, from the Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1870, p. 327 ; in the same paper I find described also the following new species : Accipiter alhigularis, Carpophaga Irenchleyi, Ptilonopus solomonensis Megapodius Irenchleyi, And six more species added to the list — two of which Eclectus linncei, and E. intermedius, I presume are synonyms of E. polycliorus — bring the number up to 34. In the ''Voyage of the Curagoa," an account is given of the collections made by Julius Brenchley, Esq., and the above new species recorded. In the proceedings of the Zoological Soc, 1876, p, 663, Mr. E. B. Sharpe described Ninox solomonensis^ but I believe this B 18 ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMOX ISLANDS, bird is now considered to belong to a previously described species and not to have come from the Solomons ; it must therefore be omitted. I believe these are the most important, if not the whole of the notices of the Solomon Island birds previous to my paper on Cockerell's collection, which was read before the Linnean Society of N.S.W., January 29th, 1879; this contains a record of 4o species of which eight were described as new to science, and since six others there mentioned — Graucalus elegans, Ptilopus lewisii, Baza gurneyii^ Macropygia rufrocastanea, Astur 2}i('^cheUus Halcyon tristrami, have proved to belong to undescribed species ; one species, Monarcha rufrocastanea however is undoubtedly the Pomarea castaneiventris of Verreaux, and the Dicceum erythrothorax, there mentioned is D. (Bneum, Homh. et Jacq. Fifty one species were therefore recorded when the next notice appeared, in the Ibi.s of 1879, p. 437, where an important paper of the Eev. Canon Tristram's on a collection made by Lieutenant Eichards, R.N., 33 species are enumerated from the Solomons and the New Hebrides ; unfortunately those from the Solomons are not separated from those of the New Hebrides, and very few if any of the localities or habitats are given. Having had access to Lieutenant Richard's collections I feel much pleasure in acknowledging his courtesy in giving m,e the localities by record- ing them in the present paper (Part lY.) Mr. Tristram describes 1 1 species as new from the Solomons, of which seven at least will stand, the others having been previously described. These papers by Canon Tristram and myself were criticised by Count Salvador! in the Ibis of 1880, p. 126, but many of the new species, there considered doubtful, have since been proved b}'- Canon Tristram (see Ibis 1880, p. 246) and myself elsewhere, to BY E. P. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 19 be good and distinct species, notwithstanding much valuable information may be gained by the perusal of the Count's criticisms; this brings the number of authentic species up to 5S. The next paper, one of my own, appeared in the P. L. S., of N.S.W., 1881— ''Contributions to the Zoology of the Solomon Islands, pt. II." — where I described six new species from collections made by Lieutenant Richards, this was followed by another paper which I sent to the Linnean Society of London, '* on new Birds from the Solomon Islands and the Duke of York Group, &c., in which I described from the Solomon Islands, Fomarea ugiensis, Baza fiiirneyi, Astur indchcUaSy the two last I had previous mentioned in my first paper, (1879) under the nanies Baza rcimvardtii, and Astur soloensis. The next contribu- tion to the Zoology of these Islands appeared in the P. L. S. of N.S.W., 1881, (Aug. 31st) Vol YL, p. 718; in this paper are described six new species, and recently in the same publication Vol. YL, pp. 833 and 843, I have added three more — Salci/on salamonisy Rlilpiclura tenehrosa, Eurostopodas nigripenni.s. In the present paper I have endeavoured to give a complete list of all the authentic species known to inhabit the Islands of the Group which brings the number up to 99, and with a few exceptions the whole of these are represented in the Australian Museum. I may also add that I have discarded such as I have reason to believe have been wrongl}? recorded. PICARL.E. 1 . EuRosToroDUS NiGRiPEXXis, Ramsaif. F.L.S. ofJSr.S.W., 1881, Yol. YL, p. 843. The type of this species, the only specimen I have seen, was obtained by Lieutenant Farie, R.N., of H.M.S. '' Miranda." Hah. Hawthorn Sound, Pubiana f Farie. J * Jour. Linn. Soe. Loud., ZooL, Dec. 1881. 20 ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMON ISLAXDS, 2. COLLOCALIA FUCIPHAGA. Recorded by Canon Tristram, Ibis, 1879, p. 438. Morton]met ^ith a species nesting under shelving rocks on the coast of *St. Cbristoval, but failed to secure any specimens ; he describes] it as being a very small species. S. Dendrocheilidox mystacea, Less. Common throughout the Group. Sab. Ugi, Graudalcanar, St. Christoval, {jRichards, Cocherell, Morton^) 4. Merops orxattjs. Lath. Found througout the Group. Sah. Ugi, St. Christoval, {Richards, Morton), Gaudalcanar (^Coclcerell.) 5. EuRYSTOMrs CRAssiROSTRis, Sclatcr. Common throughout the Group. JLah. Ugi, St. Christoval, Savo. Gaudalcanar, {Richards, Cocker ell, Stephens, Morton.) 6. Ceyx gentiana, Tristram, This, 1879,^;. 438,^;^. xi. Hal). Makira Harbour, {Richards.) 7. Halcyon leucopygia, Verr. Ramsay, P.L.S. of KS.W., 1\ , p. 67. Llah. Gaudalcanar {Cocherell.) 8. Halcyon albicilla, Gav. Hah. Ugi {Morto7i), Makira Harbour, St. Christoval {Richards.) 9. Halcyon sanctus, Vig. &f ILorsf. Common throughout the Group. BY E. P. RAMSAY, F.L.S# 21 Sab. Ugi, {Morton, Stephens), Gaudalcanar, Savo, {Oocherell) St. Christoval, {Stephens.) 10. Halcyox tristrami, Layard. ? S, clitoris, var., Ramsay, ^. c., p. 67. This is probably the species alluded to by me under the name of H. clitoris, var., P. L. Soc. of N.S.W., IV., p. 67. Unfortu- nately the figure given in the *'Ibis" 1880, pi. xv., does not agree with the description, which is so meagre, that it rather tends to confuse matters than throw any light on the subject. 11. Halcyon salamonis, Ramsay. P. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., Vol. VI., p. 833, {mv. 1881.) This species is the representative of JELatcyon chloris, in the Solomon Islands, it has no superciliary stripe, no white nape patch, the upper parts are of a much richer blue, of a rich cobalt blue on the wings and tail ; and is a smaller bird. Hal. Ugi, St. Christoval {Morton, Stephens.) 12. Ehytidoceros plicatus, {Penn.) Hal. Gaudalcanar, Ysabel Islands, {CocTcerell, Morton.) 13. Cextroptjs MiLO, Gould, P.Z.S., 1856, p. 136. Hal. Gaudalcanar, {Ooc/cerell), Florida Island (Morton.) 14. ElJDYXAMIS CYAXOCEPHALA, Zatk, JEudynaniis taitiensis, (Sparm.,) Ramsay, P. L. S., N. S. W., Vol. IV., p. 70. 15. Chalcites, ? PLAGOSUS {Temm.) Ramsay, P.L.S. of JSf.S.W., 1872, i;. 70. Hal. Savo, {Cocherell.) 16. CUCULUS (? TYMBOXOMUS, ;S^. Miill.) Hah. Ugi, {Stephens, Morton.) 22 ZOOLOG-Y OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, PASSEEES. 17. HiRiJNDO TAHiTiCA, Gm. ; Trisfram, Ibis, 1880,^. 246. Canon Tristram records this species from Lieutenant Ricliards' collections. I have not met with any from the Solomons but I have seen specimens of ITirundo jmianica, a closely allied species from the Louisades and South-east end of New Guinea. 18. GEATJCALrs ELEGANS, Ramsay. Graiicalus JiypoUucus, Eamsay, P.L.S of N.S.W., Yol. IT., p. 71. The type of this species is from Gaudalcanar. Hah. Ugi, (Morton, StepJiens), Gaudalcanar, {Cocherell.) 19. Graucalus SX7BLINEATUS, Schter. From Lieutenant Eichards' collection. Hob. Makira Harbour, St. Christoval, (Richards.) 20. Graucalus salomonensis, Ramsay. Pro. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., IV., p. 314, (June 2btli, 1879.) Graiicalus pusillus, Eamsay, l.c, p. 71. Hah. Gaudalcanar, {Cocherell.) 21. Graucalus monotonus, Tristram, 1. c, p. 441, (1879.) 22. Edoliisoma tristrami, Ramsay. E. salomonis, Tristram, I. c, p. 440. E. tnarescottii, Eamsay, P.L.S. of N.S.W., lY., p. 71. I have been obliged to alter the name as above, to prevent confusion with my G. solomonensis, (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., lY., p. 314.) The young males resemble the females in having all the under surface chestnut ; the adult male is of a deep bluish-slate colour, with the under wing-coverts chestnut. BY E. r. KAMSAY, F.L.S. 23 The species of Gyaucaliis and especially of J'Jdoliisoma of the Solomons' and Duke of York Group require careful revision, anc? comparison of the various types of the species, but this can only be done where large series of eacii species have been brought together. 2o, Symmorphus affixis, Tristram, 1. c, p. 440. I have received several specimens of this species, but it does not appear to be a common bird. ITab. Ugi, (^Jforfon.) 24. EniPiDURA RUBROFRONTATA, Rmmay, 1. c, p. 82. Ilhipidiira russata, Tristram. Hah. Ugi, 8t. Christoval, {Morton, Richards), Gaudalcanar, ( CocJcerell. ) 25. Ehipidura texebhosa, Ramnaij. Proc. Linn. Sac, N.S.IV., Vol. YI., p. 835, 1882. Hah. " Wannu," 8t. Christoval, {^Stephens.) 2C. Sauloprocta cockerellii, Ramsay. Proc. Linn. Soc, ^\S.n^., 1\., p. 81, (1879.) //ah. Ugi, {Jlortoi), Gaudalcanar, {Cocherell.) 27. Sauloprocta tricolor, Vieill. Hah. Throughout the group, Ugi, St. Christoval, Eubiana, Gaudalcanar, &c. 28. Pi EZORHYNCHUs VIDUA, IVistram ; Ibis, 1879, p. 439. If this species is. distinct from the next, then I have never seen it, but it appears to me to be only the young of P, melano- cfi~j)halu3. 24 ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, 29. PiEZORHYNCHUS MELANOCEPHALUS, Ramsay. Proc. Linn. Soe., JSf.S.W., IV., p. 468, {Dec. 1879.) This is a common species, of wliicli I have received many- specimens in different stages of plumage, one of which I think may prove identical with the P. vidua of Mr. Tristram. Hal. Ugi, {Richards, Morfoti), Makiri Harbour, {Richards.) 30. PiEZORHYNCHUS RiCHARDSii, Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., VI., p. 177. Hah. Ugi, {Richards, Morton.) 31. PiEZORTiYNCHUS BRODiEi, Romsay. Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., IV., p. 80. Hah. Gaudalcanar, {CocJcerell.) 32. Myiagha PALLIDA, Ramsay. Proc. Linfi. Soc, N.S.W., IV., p. 70. Hah. G-audalcanar, {Cockerell.) 33. Myiagra ferrocyanea, Ramsay, 1. c, p. 78. Hah. Gaudalcanar, {CocJcerell.) 34. Myiagra cervinicaxjda, Tristram, Ibis, 1879, p. 439. Ramsay, Proc Limi. Soc, N.S.W., Vol. IV., p. 726, (1881.) Mr. Tristram's description has evidently been taken from a female, or from a young male, which in this species resembles in plumage the female. Hah, Ugi, {Morton.) 35. Pomarea CASTANEivENTRiS, Vcrr. Monarcha rufocastanea, Eamsay, P.L.S., N.S.W., IV., p. 79. This species is rare on Ugi, but was found plentiful on Gaudalcanar. 13y E. r. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 25 Sah. Ugi, (Eiehards), Gaudalcanar, {Cockerell), Florida Island, {Morton.) 36. PoMAREA UGiExsis, Ramsaij. Jouni, of Linn. Soc, Lond., Zool., 1881. This is a glossy, jet black species, with large bluish^black bill, whitish at the base of lower mandible in some specimens. Sexes alike in plumage. I believe this species is confined to the Island of Ugi, where it is not rare. Hah. Ugi, (Richards, Jlorton, Rev. George Brown) 37. PACHYCErnALA CHRiSTOPHORi, Tristram, 1. c, p. 441. This is apparently a common species, the female is like the male but has no black tliroat-band ; all the under surface being yellow. Hah. Ugi, [Richards, Morton, Stephens.) 38. Pachycephala orioloides (Feale.) Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc.y N.S. JF., IV., p. 70. I have received this fine species only from Cockerell's collection. Hah. Gaudalcanar, {Cockerell.) 39. Gracula krefftii, Sclater ; Ramsay, 1. c, p. 70. Hah. Ysabel Island, {Morton), Savo, Gaudalcanar, St. Christoval, {Cockerell, Stephens.) It is probably common throughout the group. 40. Calornis metallica, Temm. Ramsay, I, '/*)/ PSITTACID.E. 61. Cacatua ducorpsii, Ilomh. ef Jacq. A very local species. Hah. Savo. (Cockerel!). . , 62. Cacatua goffixt, O. Finscli, die Papar/. I., p. 308. Three specimens of a small white Cockatoo with a much larger crest than the preceding, appear to belong to this species. Hal). Graudalcanar, (Morton). 63. EcLECTUs POLYCHLORUs, Scop. ; Eamsav, /. c, p. 69. Common on most of the islands of the group. Hal). Ugi, (J/orfo«),Savo, (Cockeaell), St. Christoval, (Sfejjhens) 61. Geoffeoyus iiecteeoclitus, Homh ef Jacq. E-amsay, /. c, p. 68. Hah. Savo, (CockereJl), Ugi, (Richards, SfepJiens), Malayta, f Morton). Go. LoRius CHLOEOCERCus, Gould ; Eauisay, /. c. p. 68. This species appears to be very plentiful on several of the Islands of the group. Hah. Savo, (Cockerell), Ugi, St. Christoval, {Stephens, Morton)- 34 ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMOX ISLANDS, GG. Loiirus caedixalts, Ilomh. ef Jacr/. • Eiiinsay, /. c, p. G8. Numerous specimens. J£ah. Savo, (Oockerell), l"gi, St. Christoval, (Richards, StejyJieiiH MortonJ. G7. Trtchoglossus zsiassexje, Bp. Common throughout the group, it ranges from the S.E. coast of New Gruinea throughout the South Pacific Islands to New Caledonia. GS. CuAEMOSYXA MARCrAEiTH.E, Tristram, I. c.,p. 4^4i2,2)J. xii., ? . Specimens of this beautiful species in Mr. Stephens' col- lection were obtained at " Wanna " on St. Christoval ; the male differs from the female in having the sides of the rump crimson like the belly, in the female there is a patch of bright yellow on each side of the rump ; the upper tail-coverts are green in both sexes. In all the specimens I have examined I find that the black of the occiput and narrow line bordering the yellow collar and chest band, has a violet tinge in certain lights. Across the breast, below the yellow band, is another of violet- black, much broader than the upper, and in some specimens joining the yellow breast band, in others it is separated by a narrow broken line of crimson. In immature birds the violet-black bands are very indistinct, and the under wiug- coverts mixed with orange. The centre two tail feathers crimson tipped with orange-yellow, all the others are crimson in the centre, tipj^ed with yellow, which increases in size towards the outermost, they have a broad margin of black on the inner webs extending to the base, and a narrow line of green on the outer webs reaching, on the outermost feather only to the base. Bill orange-red, legs and feet 3'cllow. Sex ^ ? Total length ...7'5 7'8 varying according to length of tail. Wing 4:2 415 BY E. r. :iAMSAY, F.L.S. 35 Sex S o Tail 3"i SG varies from 3'1 to 1 in. Tarsus 0*5 O'.j Bill from nostril O'G 3'.j3 The culmen ...0-G5 OGl JIah. Malviri Harbour, St. Cliristoval, {Richards, Ste_pliens). CD. Xasiterxa Fiyscini, Bc.msa)/. Froc. Linn. Soc, X.S.W., VI., ]). 180. The adult males have a line of blue feathers round the loner mandible and an orange-red stripe down the abdomen ; the young, or what I believe to be the young of this species have a rosy tint round the lower mandible, each of the feathers havinf^ a rose spot on either side of the shaft. In the adults of both sexes, the blue round the lower mandible does not extend to the cheeks, but is confined to two or three rows of feathers only, but is more defined on the eliin ; the males alone as far as is at present known have the orange-red stripe on the abdomen. It is not unlikely that the birds with the rose tint on the feathers round tlie lower mandihle may belong to indistinct specie;^ ^ specimens lately received tend to prove this, in which case I propose to distinguish these birds under the name of Xasiterr.a mortoni. COLUMB.E. 70. CaRPOPIIAGA EREXCHLEVr, Grajf. Xumerous at times, *• found feeding in flocks on the fruit of a species of I'icus," {Morton). The iris of a young one in confinement is of a rich red, almost blood red in certain lights ; legs and feet j^ed. Rah. Ugi, {2IortonJ, St. Christoval {Stephens). 71. CARPt^PUAClA PRIST IXAIUA, Bp. JRainsaij, 1. c, pp. 72, 73. OO ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMOX ISLANDS, Ecpiallj plentiful witli the last species, and found breeding during July, 1880. J JIah. TJgi, {Morton), Graudalcanar, {CocJcereU) , St. Christoval (Stephens). j 72. Caepophaga {Glohicem) rufegula, SaJvadori. Bamsay, 1. c, p. 72. Aj)parentlj plentiful. Rah. Ugi, {Morton), Savo, {CochereJJ), Makiri Harbour, {Richards), St. Christoval, {Stephens). 73. Tlieac-'exa CTiASsmosTEis, Gould, P.Z.S., 1856, p. 13G-7. Morton informs me that this fine S2:)ecies is not scarce on L"gi, and although it may readily be detected by its clear, rather mournful whistle-like note it is difficult to obtain ; it appears to be strictly a ground pigeon with habits resembling a Macropygia; it frequents the dense parts of the scrub, and when flushed takes to the low boughs of the nearest tree ; there is no difference in the plumage of the sexes, but the males have the crest a little more developed and frequently two or three of the longest feathers reach three inches in length, and are curved np at the ends, the feathers on the nape and hindpart of the head are more or less elongated, but on the whole the crest takes the form of that of Ocyphaps lophotes. In the original description, no crest is mentioned and in the plate in the "Voyage of the Curacoa " this ornament is not correctly figured. " The bare skin round the eye is of a rich carmine, the iris bright yellow, the bill reddish carmine, the legs deep flesh-red."— (.4.J/.; Individuals vary in size, but a fully adult male of Morton's collecting reaches in total length 10 inches ; wing S'l in. ; tail 9 ill. ; tarsus I'O.j ; mid toe {s.n.J 1-5, its nail 0-35 in. ; bill from BY E. l\ RAMSAY, F.L.S. 67 forehead 1 in,, from nostril 0"5, from gape 1*1 ; ^Yidth of the tip in front 0"2. Hah. Ugi and St. Christoval, (Jforfon). 74. Macropyqia rufooastanea, Bamsai/. Froc. L'uui. Soc, ofX.S.W., Vol. IV., p. 311, {June, 1879.) Macropycjia arossi, Tristram, L c, p. M3. Macropi/fjfia sp. E-amsay, Proc. Linn. Soc, jS'.S.W., IV., p. 73. I have met with this species in four collections, but it appears to be scarce or difficult to obtain. Hah. Ugi, (Mbrfoii), Graudalcanar, (Cocherell), St. Christoval, {Stephens, Richards). 75. CiiALCOPHAPS MORTO^s^r, Bamsay. Proc. Linn. Soc. af iV.S.W., VI., p. 725, (1881). Chalcop>haps chrysochlora, jiov, Hamsay, J. c. Vol. IV., p. 73. I believe now, that certain young specimens which at different times I had determined as the 3'oung of C. chrysochlora of Grould were the immature birds of the present species, which may be distinguished by having no ivhite shoulder hand ; when fully adult C. mortoni is a decidedly larger bird and has other differences as pointed out in my description. (I. c.) I have only seen five adult specimens besides the type, one of which is i]i the Macleay Museum, and probably from Cockerell's collection.* 76. Chalcophaps sxEPHAisfi, Ilomh. et Jacg. Hah. Graudalcanar. ? I am not quite sure as to the authenticity of this locality, having forgotten to give the authority in my note book. * It is quite possible that the Olialcopha'ps I described as G. chrysochlora var satidtvicliensis, is the young of this species, and is not as some collectors have asserted it to be the young of C. chri/soc7dor:t. 3S ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMOX ISLANDS, 77. Call.i::n'as nicobakica, Linn. Ilcib. Tgi, {Morton). 78. Iaxth.-enas phtltppaX-E, Eamsa//. Proc. Linn. Soc, X.S.JF., XL, p. 721, 1881. Morton obtained this fine Pigeon on tlie Island of Ugi, and since I have observed several specimens m iMr. Stephen's collec- tion, obtained both on Ugi and St. Christoval ; in a recent letter from Mr. Stephens, he notes that some of his specimens have the throat alone white, and the legs of a dark red instead of yellow, these are donbtless the young of the present species. Hai. Ugi, {Morton, Stephens). 7P. PiELOGJ^i^AS joirAxx.T^, Sclater. Tristram, ]. c, p. 41i. Canon Tristram enumerates this bird in his " Xotes on a collection of Birds from Solomon Islands and New Hebrides," but does not state from which of these Groups it came. In all probability it is not found in either, but was obtained at Blanche Bay, Xew Britain, from whence I saw several specimens in Lieutenant Eichards' collection. 80. Ptilopl's supeeba, Temm. Ramsay, 1. c, p. 7-1. ILib. Gaudalcanar, {CoclcerclJJ, Ugi, {Morton). 81. Ptiloptjs Eugex-T, Gould. Ramsay, Journ. Linn. Soc, Lon., Zool., ISSl, $ ; Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., Vol. YI., p. 72i. Hal). Ugi, {Eichards, Morton, SteplicnsJ. 82. Ptilopus Lewisii, Bamsay. Proc. Linn. Sec, JV.S.W., YI., p. 72 i, {Auy. 1881.) I5V E. r. ILVMSAY, F.L.S. 39 Ftiloiis eugenice, ? Eainsay, Jourii. Linn. Soc, Lon., Zool., 18S1. r Ptilopus viridis var., KaiusaT, Proe. Linn. Soc, X.8.AV., 1879, p. 73. Hal). L^gi, Florida, and INLilatta, {Morton), L'gi, {RicJiarda.) 8*). Ptilopus Kicir.vitnsrr, Ihimsai/. Proc. Linn. Soc, X.S.IF., XL. p. 722, (Anr/. IS.Sl.) Hah. Ugi, {Morton. lUchanls.) M'. Ptiloih's Joii.vxxis, Schiter. FtUopus ccrassf'ipcctns. Tristram, Ptilopus soJomoncnsis, Grray. It is? most probable that the Ptilopia solo nio am sis o£ Clray iv-^ the female of this species, the description certainly answers very well, but then it might equally well have been taken from the female of P. rirotii, or P. sfropJiimn. Hal). l"gi, St. Christoval, {Morton, Picltardt.) IMEGAPODID.F.. 85. MEdAPODius p,RE>'cuLErr, G. B. Grai/. Pamsni/, 1. c, p. 75 ; JJrazirr, Proc. Linn. Soc, X.S.AV., Vol. YI. pt. 1, p. 150. Ifah. Savo, {Cocl'rreJl), I'gi. St. Christoval, {Morton, Stephens.) PvALLlD.E. 80. HYPOT.iixinrA australis, Pound throughout the group. Hah. Ugi, St. Christoval, Plorida, Gaudalcanar, {Mbrton, Pichards, Cocl-eretJ) HEKODIOXES. 87 Xycticoeax maxille]ssis, Vif/ors. I have no doubt that this is the species referred to in Bonaparte's Conspectus Avium, II., p. 140, as a young of 40 ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, Nycticorax maniUensis, Vigors, (also see P.Z.S., Lond., 1831, p. 98, for the original description by Vigors'), but I do not tbink it altogether agrees with X. manillensis of Mr. Vigors ; the black of the head and nape extends far down the neck almost on to the interscapular region in some specimens ; the white feathers from the occiput are tipped with black, and with rufous subterminally, these are preceded by a pair of elongated black feathers slightly decomposed at the ends, in form much the same as the rest of the occipital plumes but elongated beyond them, there is no superciliary stripe as is found in J\^. caledonicus, (Grm.) I have received the same species from Xcw Britain and the Duke of York Islands, the young undergo the same changes in plumage as those of iV". caledonicus. (Gmelin.) An egg sent by Mr. Stephens from Ugi is of a pale bluish- green, and measures 2*1 in. x 1'15. The eggs of iV caledomciis taken at Port Stephens on Schnapper Island measure 2'1 x 1'55 and 2'1 x 1*47, and are of the same tint. Hah. Ugi, St. Christoval, {Morton, Stephens.) 88. BUTOEOIDES .TAA^ANICA, Kovsf. One young specimen. Hah. Savo, {Cockerel!.) 89. BUTOBOIDES STAGNATILIS, Gould. One young specimen in Morton's collection. Il^h. Plorida Island, {Morton.) LIMICOL^. 90. ^SACUS MAGNIEOSTRIS, Geojjf. One specimen only. Hah. Island of Mandeylana, {Morton.) BY E. r. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 41 91. ACTITIS HVPOLEUCOS, Llnii. One specimen only, but the species is common on all the Islands of the Group and is found also on the 8. E. Coast of Xcw Guinea, the Louisades, Duke of York Group, and Xew Britain, &q.. Hah. Ugi, (StepJiciis.) 92. TOTAXUS 15REYIPES, ClCl'. Hah, St. Christoval, {Stephens.) 93. Ltmosa BAUER r, Xaum. Tristram, 1. c, p. J^44. Canon Tristram records this species, of which I have no specimen before me, but examples from the Louisades which I examined some time ago, appeared to me to be the same as our Australian species, Limosa uropygialis of Gould. ANATID.E. 91. AXAS SUPERCILIOSA. Several specimens, but all much smaller than the Australian examples ; it is considered rare at the Solomon Islands, no other species was found there. Total length 18 inches ; wing, 8-3 ; tail 3-7 ; tarsus 1*4, mid toe {s.u.) 1"95 ; bill from forehead r9, width at tip 0'8, wddth at base above 06. length from the gape 0"8. Hah. Ugi and St. Christoval, {Hichanh, Morton, StepliensJ GAVI^. 95. SfERXA GRACILIS, Gould. Hah. Eobinson Island, {Morton.) 96. Sterna burgert, Llclit. Hah. Savo, {Cockerell). 42 ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMOX ISLANDS, 97. Pn-ETOX FLATiEOSTurs, Brandt. Hal. 8avo, (^CocherelT) . 9*^. Sl'la. eusca, Goitlil. Ilah. 8avo, {Cocl-erell). 99. 8l:la pkrsoxata. Hah. Savo {CockereU). 100. SuLA FiiJER, Linn. Hah. Savo. Since the foregoiDg was in print I have received an advance copy of a paper by Canon Tristram on a collection of Birds sent to England by Lieutenant Kichards, nearly twelve months ago ; from this collection Canon Tristram describes the following four species which may be added to our list, bringing the number of authentic species up to 104 : (101). CAPiiTMUL(iUS xoBiLTs, Trisfvam, Ibis, pt. 1, p. V^\, 1882. Hah. Rendova Island. (RicJ/arJs). (102). Alcyone lucjrARusTT, Tristram, Ibis, 1882, p. Hi I. ZosTEROPS RENUOViE, a name substituted for m}^ Tq)hra,s ollvaceus on the supposition that the genus will not hold good. PiEZORHyycitus sc^'A^ri'i^YTUs, previously described by me as P. mclanocepliaJus, ssee antea. (108). Geoefroyus AG rest is, Tristram. This appears to be only the young of G. ci/aniccps. (104). i\.RDEA SACRA, Grai/. Hah. St. Christoval {Richards). BY E. r. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 43 PriLOPUS RiroDOSTicTi'S, TrisfrriDL Previously described by ine under the name of P. ricliardsi, see antea. Tlien follows a list of 1)8 species recorded from the Solomon Group, of these however the following 7 species must be thrown out : Dicrums mei/arhj/ncltm^ Crntropus nfer-albus, y^asiferna pm-f'o, Lorms InjpcDiiochrous, Cnrj^opliar/rt flns'cltii, JPhlof/cEnrfs joJuouuv, Chalcopliaps clwi/soclilorn. All of which (except the last) are from Xew Ireland, Xew Britain, or the Duke of York G-roup. Rallusintacfm, also, requires confirmation. Ornithologists may with advantage compare this paper with my list given in the foregoing pages where certain errors will be found corrected. Ox A XEW sPEcrES or 3Iu.s from the Island of Ugt, Solomox Group. By E. p. Eamsay, P.L.S., &c. [Plate v.] Mus SALAMOxrs, Hp. nov. General colour of the fur, of a light ashy grey, somewhat grizzly, and pencilled with black, the base of the hair mouse colour, the tips almost white : long black hairs extending about half an inch beyond the fur, which is slightly harsh to the touch ; the tail bare, scaly ; the whiskers long, blackish ; the ears small, inside grey, on the outside covered with minute hairs. AduJt male, described from specimen preserved in alcohol. Total length to tip of tail IT'S ; length from snout to vent 8"5, from snout to centre of eye 1 in., from snout to base of ear 1*7 ; length of ear 0"5, breadth at base 0'3 ; from nostril to upper incisors 0'^ ; width of snout at point 0-2 : length of wdiiskers 2'5 reaching to the shoulders ; length of forearm and hand 2'3 ^ width of hand 0"1, length 5 (without fingers) ; length of first finger 0'38, second O'-iG, third 0*45, fourth 0".3 ; thumb (a horny 41 ON A XEW SPECIES OF'MUS FROM Utir, tubercle) 0"05 ; hind foot and toes {s.u.) l'7o, breadth of foot between outer toes 055. Hallux 0*35 ; first toe (s.a.) 0'52, its nail 0-25 ; second toe 0*6, its nail 0*26 ; third toe 0-59, nail 0*25 ; fourth toe 0*5, nail 0"21. >S7t7^//— Length 1'95, greatest breadth 07, the auditor bulla) are small, slightly rounded above, compressed laterally ; the range of the three molars 0"4; the first 0'2, second 0*15, third i ; width of first molar 01, of the second O'll ; width of palate between the teeth 0'2 ; length of the anterior palatal foramina 0'2 ; width upart in the centre 0"11, from their hinder edge to the posterior palatal foramina 0"i, from the inner side of the incisors to tubercle in the angle of the posterior margin of the palate 0"9 ; there is a slight ridge extending down the palate between the foramina ; length of zygoma 0*9, width of the arch 0*6 ; occipital foramen, height 0'31, width 0'3. Interorbital space flat, slightly elevated in a narrow ridge on the margin of the orbits. Ilab. Island of "Ugi," Solomon Grroup. Expla:n'ation of Plate Y. Fig. 1. — -Under surface of foot. 2. — Upper surface of foot. 3. — Skull from below. 4. — Outside view of ramus of lower jaw. 5. — Side view of skull. G. — Teeth of right lower jaw, (enlarged). 7.— Teeth of right side of upper jaw, (enlarged). The working surface of the teeth in the upper jaw shows a well defined central ridge fitting into a corresjjonding depression in the series of the lower jaw. BY E. r. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 45 CovrRTurTioxs to Austhaltax Oology. — Part I. Er E. P. Eamsay, F.L.S., &c. [Plates II., III., IV.] rinding, from numerous enquiries I have lately received from England and the Continent, respecting the Eggs of our Australian Birds, that Oolorjy is becoming of greater interest among Orni- thologists, I considered that descriptions of some of our Australian Birds' Eggs may prove of interest to Oologists at the antipodes. I have accordingly selected such as appear to me to be either altogether undescribed or imperfectly known, and beg to lay before the Society descriptions of 42 species ; many of these have been for years in the Dobroyde Collection, others are to be found in the Australian Museum and in the collections of the various gentlemen whose names are mentioned in connection therewith, I need scarcely state that no Eggs of doubtful authenticity have been described. Descriptions of some rare eggs of Australian Birds will be found in previous numbers of our Society's publications. PICAEI.E. 1. Halcyox pyrrhopygia. Gold J. This species breeds in the Bourke and Cobar districts during October and Xovember, it nests in hollow boughs of trees, but on one occasion Mr. James Eamsay took five eggs from the end of a tunnel in the bank of a recently made dam or tank ; these specimens, accompanied by a skin of the parent bird, were sent to me, and measure as follows ; 1-02 x O'SS ; 1-02 x O'SS ; 1-02 x 0-88 ; 1-02 X 078 ; 1-04 x 0-87 In. ; they are of a pure glossy white colour. — (Miis. Dohr.) 2. Dacelo Leachii. Eggs four in number for a sitting, placed in a hollow bough or at the end oc tunnels excavated in the nests of the Termites. 46 COXTRIBUTIOXS TO AUSTRAL LAX OOLOGY, Colour of a pure pearly white. Leugtli A. 172 x 1'3 iu., ovcJ in shape : 11 I'G x l'8i rather round. — (Ifu-s. Dohr.} 8. EUETSTOMUS PACIFIC US, Lath. I found this bird nesting in the hollow Eucalyptus boughs on the Kichmond E/iver in 1SG7 ; they malvc no nest but lay their eggs on the dust formed by decayed wood— not unfrequently they fight with, and dispossess the DaceJo gigns, and I have seen them take the young of this bird and throw them out of the nest. The eggs are two to three in number, of a dull white, rather glossy, and sometimes variable in form, some being oval and pointed, others almost round. Length (A.) l*4-5 x 1*05, oblong ; (B.) 1*34 X I'l, roundish. — {Mus. Bohr.) PASSEEES. 4. Pomatosto:nlus rubeculus, Gould. ]S'est flask shaped, of thin sticks and twigs interwoven, lined with fine grasses, shreds of bark and sometimes a few feathers ; it is placed at the end of some bushy branch, or among thick upright twigs ; and is very similar to that of P. temporalis., as described by Mr. Grould (Handbk., I., ]). 479). The eggs three to five in number, are of a yellowisli brown tint, some with the ground colour of a somewhat saturnine hue, almost obscured by hair lines and veins of blackish sienna or of a blackish chocolate colour ; they vary considerably in tint, some have fleecy cloud like markings and but few hair lines, some are pointed in form, others oblong with both ends almost ocjual. Length 1"05 x 075 inch, oJjJong ; 1"07 x 074 inch, pointed ; 1"02 x 07 inch, rounded. (Jlr. l^arnard'.^ Collect ion.) 5. Po^rATOsT()-MU.s ruficeps, Gould. V\. 3, fig. 12. Xest similar to the foregoing. Eggs a little smaller, five i]i number. In several the ground colour has a very faint tinge of grceu, the blackish hair lines are liner and closer together, in EY E. P. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 47 some nearly ouscuriug the ground colour, others have a pinkisli chocolate tinge. Length 0'95 x 072. — (JIics. Dohr., J. A'.) 0. Paciiycepiiala OLiYAt'EA, /7y. tj* Horsf. Eggs two or three in number, rather pointed at both ends, length 1*05 to 1"1 by 0"75 to O'S in breadth, colour white or very pale buff, with rather large spots of light brown, yellowish brown or blackish brown and roundish obsolete dots of pale lilac, sparingly scattered over the whole surface but closer together at the larger end. — {From Mr. GamphelVs Collection.) 7. Paciiycepiiala melaxura, Gould. The nest is a cup shaped, shallow, rather scanty structure of fine roots and twigs lined with rootlets and grass, &c., and through the bottom of which the eggs can be seen from below, it is about three to four inches in diameter by two deep. The eggs are three in number, of a pale buff, with irregular spots of dark umber sparingly scattered over the face, but forming a zone near the thicker end. Length, A. O'So x O'Gi in. ; B. O'Si x 0*62 in. (J//'. Barnard's Coll.) S. Pteropodocts phasiaxella, Gould. PL 3, fig. 1. The nest is very similar to that of Graucalus melanops, and placed in such like situations on horizontal boughs, it is composed of grasses and stalks of various herbs slightly interwoven and fastened together by spiders' webs, &c., and lined with finer grass &c., inside diameter four inches, the depth 1"4, the height of the rim above the branch on which it is placed is one inch. The eggs are three in number, oblong in form, the shell of a delicate thin texture, the ground colour pale asparagus green with a dull brownish patch of confluent markings at the thicker end, or with freckles of the same tint thinly distributed over the surface, and a few black irregular markings at the thick end. Length 1"3 x 0-95 ; 1-35 x 095 ; 1-33 x 092 ; 1-3 x O'S? ; 1-3.5 x 0-88. 48 CONTRIBUTIOXS TO AIJSTRALTAIN" OOLOGY. They are about the same size or a trifle smaller than the eggs of Graucalus meJanops from the same district, but more elongated? of a brighter green and with fewer spots. — {Mus. Dohr.) 9. Myiagea coxcixxa, Gould. The nest is a neat cup-shaped structure of bark, and a few fine grasses neatlj interwoven, and placed on a horizontal bough usually over a fork or junction of two branches, the whole is cemented together with cobweb and scales of lichens, &c. The eggs three in number, of a delicate bluish white when fresh, with a strongly defined band of spots, and dots of wood brown to sienna, or yellowish umber, here and there a dot of slaty blue appearing as if beneath the surface. Length A. O'GA x 0*53 in. '■> B. 0*65 X 0*52 \i\.—(^From Mr. BaniarcVs Colled ion.) 10. EPKTIirAXURA TEICOLOR, Goulil. The nest is of fine grass, lined with fine rootlets and a few hairs ; it is cup-shaped, two inches in diameter inside and two inches deep, and was placed in a wind-bent tuft of coarse grass, the sides of the nest were hidden by the tops of grasses stuck in perpendicularly round the rim, hanging over it in some places, and forming a more secure frame work all round. The eggs were three in number of a pure white, with rich clear red dots sprinkled over the surface a little closer together at the thick end, but not forming a zone there. Length 0"63 x 0*5 ; 0'65 x 0'5 in. (Mils. DoJjr., J. R., 1880.) 11. EniTKrAXUJiA aueifroxs, Gould. The nest similar to that of the last species ; a round open cup- shaped structure made of fine twigs and grasses — the one before me has a feather of an Emu worked into the side, and is lined with fine grass— the inside diameter two inches, depth one inch, and was placed in a low bush. The Eggs white with small red dots, sometimes confined to the thicker end ; length O'T x 0'52 in. ; 0'6 X 0*5. — {From Bennett^ s Collection.) BY E. r. HAMSAY, F.L.S. 49 12. Malurus leuconotus, Gould. The nest like that of all other members of the genus is a dome shaped, oblong structure of fine grass, ornamented and mixed with cobweb and wool, and lined inside with the cotton from the native " Cotton Bush," or the silky down from the seed pods of an Asdepiad. The length of the nest is ^o in. x 2 "3, and was placed in a small tuft of coarse grass near the ground, others were found among the lower branches and grass at the base of "Cotton Bush" shrub. The eggs are three in number, pearly wdiite with a zone of reddish spots on the thicker end, and a few dots of the same tint sprinkled over the rest of the surface. Length 0-6 x O'J^S. Hah. Bourke District {Miis. Dohr., J. R.) 13. JVlALrRUS LEUCOPTEKUS, Quoy ^' Gaim. The nest is from the same district as the above mentioned and composed of the same materials and similarly placed ; it is a little smaller and rather more loosely put together ; the eggs are very similar, only a trifle smaller than those of M. Jeuconotus, and the zone of reddish spots not so distinct, they nevertheless vary considerably, some having the zone more defined, others which have no zone at all, are simply sprinkled all over the thicker end, with reddish brown or light red spots. — {Mus. Dohr., J. i?.) 11^. Pteehol-Emus BRUiS']N'EUs, Gould. PI. 3, fig. S. This is a remarkable species, and peculiar in the colour of its eggs, the nest is very similar to that of a Malurus, it is composed wholly of grasses loosely thrown together, without being inter- woven more than is necessary to keep them in their place ; the structure would hardly bear removal ; the lining is of hair or fur of the "Babbit-rat" Lagorcliestes, it is five inches in diameter, by three and a quarter across outside, with no hood over the opening ; the structure was placed on its side among the twigs of small shi'ub with grass growing through its branches near the D 50 CONTEIBL'TrOXS TO AUSTRALTAX OOLOGY. ground and hidden by the grass. The eggs are of a dull olive brown, nearly of a uniform bronze tint, usually without markings, one specimen has an indistinct ring of minute dots on the larger end, where it forms a patch of a darker shade, the eggs are three to four in number; length 0'78 x 0-59 ; 078 x 0'58 ; 079 x O'dS. Hah. Bourke District, Tyndarie — (JIics. Doh}\, J. B.) 15. SpIIENURA BRACIITPTERA, Lath. PI. 3, fig. 13. The nest is an oval dome-shaped structure, composed of grasses and debris, it is placed at the foot of some bushy shrub and con- cealed among the debris and grass which usually accumulates in such places. The eggs are three in number, the ground colour almost white, the whole surface thickly freckled with dots of blackish-brown and reddish-brown, with a few of a pale lilac tint here and there, some of the dots very minute others larger and roundish in shape, in one specimen they form a thick crowded patch on the thicker end, wdiere some are confluent ; the egg before me is oval, rather swollen, and the shell very thin ; length 1*02 X 075, they breed during September to December. — {Miis. DohrJ, (from Mr. JRalph Hargrace^s Collection). 16. Mexura alberti, Goidd. PI. 5, figs. 1 and 2. I have lately seen a fine specimen of this rare Qgg in the Macleay Museum, and another in the Australian Museum Collection, are all I have met with during the last twenty years ; the egg is oval, almost equal at both ends, the ground colour is of a rich purple-brown, the thicker end of the egg is blotched with large irregular markings of purplish-brown, very dark and almost forming a zone, the remainder of the surface is marked with irregularly shaped spots of the same tint, a few of them inclining to linear, others almost rounded ; length 2*23 x 17 in. The specimen in the Macleayan Museum is figured on PI. 5, fig. 2, natural size. The ground colour was a purplish-stone colour, but has faded to light slate colour, the markings are BY E. r. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 51 irregular of a dark purplisli-brown and sprinkled sparingly over the surface. 17. Mexura victorij-, GoidJ. PL 4, figs. 1 to 4. For a description of tlie Q^^g of Menura superha and notes of the species see P.Z.S., 1868, p. 19 ; [PI. 5, fig. 3.] The eggs of all three species bear a marked resemblance to one another, although they vary considerably inter se. Menura ciciorics, var. A.— Grrouud colour olive brown, of a rather light tint, with spots of blackish brown and purple brown, some confluent, others solitary, rather crowded on the top of the thicker end, there are also a few obsolete spots of a lilac tint ; length 2-87 x IQo. (Pig. 1.) Yar. B, — Ground colour purplish stone-colour, or dark brownish-purple, with obsolete spots and irregular markings of a blackish tint, crowded towards the thick end, and forming a dark patch at the top where they overlap, some of the spots on the body of the egg, elongate and interspersed among freckles of ihe same blackish tint ; length 2-11 x 173. (Fig. 2.) IS. CLTilACTERIS LEUCOPK.EA, Lath. This species of Cliinacteris, nests like all of the other members of the genus, in hollow limbs of trees often at a great distance from the ground, but occasionally low enough to admit of being taken. On two occasions only have I seen the egg of this bird during the last twenty years, once in 1860 when a single specimen was obtained after considerable difficulty by my friend Ealph Hargrave Esq., at Macquarie fields ; and more recently a pair in the Collection of Dr. Lucas, taken July 10th, 1880, have been brought under my notice. The only nest, is a small bed of dry grass placed on the decayed wood found in the hollow trunks or boughs of the aged Eucalypti, the eggs are two to three in num- ber, Avhite, with almost round reddish spots, sprinkled over the 52 ZOOLOGY OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, surface, and with specks and dots o£ the same tint, here and there ; the markings are rather closer together on the thick end. Length 0-9 x 0-67 in. MELIPHAaiDyE. 19. Philemon soedidl's, Gould. PI. 3, fig. IG. The nest o£ this species is very similar to that of the members of the genus Tropidorhynclius^ a cup-shaped structure of bark and grass, slung by the rim between forks of the twigs at the end of some horizontal or drooping bough. It is about half the size of that of Troj)idorl\i]nclms corniculatus, and equal to that of Fhilemon citreogularis of which this species is but a northern variety. The eggs are two to three in number, of a rich salmon red, spotted with a darker tint, some of the spots fleecy, confluent, and distributed alike all over the surface of the shell, rather closer near the thicker end but not forming a zone there ; in A. a few are confluent on the thick end forming a blotch on the top of the Qgg. In B. the spots are more scattered and obsolete markings of pale lilac are dispersed here and there over the surface. Length A. l-04i X 0-7 in. ; B. 1-05 x 0*75 in.— {From Mr. Barnard's Coll) 20. My Z ANT HA FLATIGULA, GouJd. The nest is a neat round structure of fine twigs occasionally ornamented with wool and the Qgg bags of spiders &c., giving the outside a beautiful white appearance ; the inside is lined with hair of different kinds and wcol, the inside diameter is three inches^ the depth two and a quarter inches ; it is usually placed among the branches of trees and shrubs frequently near the ground. The eggs arc four to five for a sitting, of a rich salmon colour with dark salmon red spot and dots all over the surface of the shell, but larger and closer on the thicker end. Length 1-02 X 0-75 in. ; 1-02 x 0-70 in. ; 1-02 x 0-75 in. ; 1 in. x 075 in. {Mus. Bohr., J. B.J BY E. r. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 53 PSITTA.CI. 21. EoLornus koseicapilla, Vleiell. Like all the members of this section the E-ose Cockatoo nests in the hollow branches of large trees, laying its eggs on the debris of decaying wood usually found in such places, they are three to five in number, white, rather oblong in form, and slightly granular ; length A. 1'^ x 1-05 ; B. l'^ x VOk--{Mus. Bohr.) 22. Ptatycercus pallidiceps, Gould. The eggs of the Moreton Bay E-osella are from three to fi.\"e in number, white, round or oblong-oval in shape ; length from 1 in. to 1*06 by from 0*88 to 0"9 inch, they are laid in the hollow boughs of trees during the months of August to December. ACCIPITRES. 23. MiLYUS isuRUs, Gould. PI. 5, fig. 4. Nest, of sticks and twigs rather loosely constructed, and lined with a few Eucalyptus leaves, placed in a fork of some of the higher branches of the trees, or in the interior where the trees are stunted and low, in any suitable branch that will bear its weight. Eggs two to three in number, the ground colour white? on the thicker end are blotches, smudges and scattered irregular spots of reddish brown or rusty red, with minute dots here and there sprinkled over the surface, frequently one egg in a set is blotched at the thin end, some are more heavily and more deeply marked than others, one specimen is covered (more numerously at the thin end) with irregular freckles only, in many places superimposed; length A. 2-03 x 1-57; B. 1*97 x 1-76; C. 2-06 x 1-67 \\\.—(Mus. Bolr.) 24. ACCIPITER CIRRHOCEPHALTJS, Vieill. The nest is a scanty structure of a few sticks generally placed crosswise over a thick horrizontal bough, where a few twigs ^4t CO^'TRIBTJTIONS TO AUSTEALIAX OOLOGY, Spring to support it, and is lined with a few leaves. Being often at a considerable distance from the graund and far out on the boughs it is difficult to get at. The eggs are usually three for a sitting, sometimes only two, and are the smallest of any of our Australian Hawk's eggs. The ground colour is greenish white, with smears and specks of yellowish buff, with here and there an irregular shaped spot of the same tint. Length A. 1*74 x 1-43 ; B. 1-8 X 1-42 inches.— fMus, Bohr.) COLUMB.E. 25. GrEOPELIA TRAK^QUILLA, Gould. The nest like that of all the members of this family, is a frail scanty structure of a few sticks and twigs placed usually near the end of a bushy bough, or top of a broken off thick limb. They are slightly larger than those of G. cuneata, oval in form and of a pure white colour. Length 0*8 x 0*6 ; 0'78 x 0'58. — (Mus. JDohr.) 2G. GrEOPELIA CUNEATA, Lath. The nest similar to that of the last species, Mr. John S. Itamsay found this bird breeding in numbers at Cardington Station on the Bell River, the nests were placed on the flattened top of the vine-stakes in the vineyord, the birds were remarkably tame, and would allow themselves to be almost taken with the hand. The eggs were invariably two in number, oval, pure white length 07 x 0*55, they breed during September and the two months following. — fDohr. Mus.) HERODIONES. 27. Platalea elavipes, Gould. The Australian Museum is indebted to Mr. K. H. Bennett for a fine pair of the eggs of this Spoonbill ; they are rather limey, long and pointed in shape, and minutely pitted all over the 151' E. P. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 55 surface of the shell. The colour is of a bluish white, with here and there a spot or smear of pale buff. — (Ausf. Mas., Syd.) I have also had an opportunity of examining three other eggs of this species in Mr. AYhittell's Collection, w^hich do not differ from those sent by Mr. Bennett. Lengths 2"7 x I '85 ; 2'73 x 1-85 ; 3-05 X 1'8. " The nest is rather a loose structure placed on branches of trees overhanging the borders of swamps and lagoons but sometimes placed on the ground by a tussock of grass or herbage."— (Tr7////r//.; 28. NlX'TICORAX CVLEDOXrCL'S, Latli. The nest is a loose structure of a few sticks placed crosswise over forks on the branches of trees overhanging creeks, &c. ; the specimens under consideration were taken by Mr. Alex. Morton, from some low bushes on Schnapper Island, near Port Stephens, they are two in number of a pale bluish green, in length 2*1 x 1'55, and l"i7 inch in breadth. 29. BOTAURUS AUSTRAL IS, C, uv. ^ est made of sedges and herbage, placed like that of a Water Hen's, near the ground on the margins of swamps and lagoons,