F ie l .M E R U L A V I T I E N S I S , ? .
„ 2 H B f l !-A Y A R ’J i , 2. :
M E R U L A V IT IE N S I S , Layard.
VANHA LEVH OIJZEL.
Merula vitiensis, Layard, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) xvii. p. 305 (1876); id. Ibis, 1876, ■
pp. 390, 392 ; Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. iii. p. 337 (1879), vii. p.. 113 (1883); Tnstr.
Cat. Coll. p. 129 (1889); Wiglesw. Aves Polyn., Abhandl. k. zool. Mas. Dresden, 1890-91,
no. 6, p. 39 (1891).
Merula vmicorensis (nec Quoy et Gaim.), Layard, Ibis, 1876, p. 151.
Turdus vitiensis, Layard, P. Z. S. 1876, pp. 492, 505; Tnstr. Ibis, 1879, p. 188; Nehrk. J .f . O.
1879, p. 405. :
Merula vanuensis, Seebohm, P. Z. S. 1890, p. 667.
M. rostro flavo: pedibus flavis: griseo-brunnea, pileo dorsoque concoloribus: facie laterali, gutture et pectore
pallidioribus et paullo cinerascentibus : abdomine obsolete vel paullulum rufescente.
T h e ru fo n s colour o n th e ab d om en is scarcely to b e d is tin g u ish ed in th e m a le b ird , b u t is
more p ro n o u n c ed in th e fem ale, so th a t th e species may b e classed w ith th e c h e stn u t- or
ochre-bellied section o f th e g en u s Merula. T h e m a le o f M. vitiensis is very lik e M. javaniea
in ap p e a ran c e , n o tw ith stan d in g th e enormous d is ta n c e w h ich sep a ra te s th e h a b ita ts o f th e two
species.
The original specimen of M. vitiensis was procured in Vanua Levu, at Bua in Sandalwood Bay,
by Mr. Tempest, who sent it to Mr. E. L. Layard. The species was described by the latter
gentleman in 1876, and shortly afterwards additional specimens were procured by his son in the
same island of Vanua Levu. The name of vitiensis can scarcely be regarded as a happy choice, as it
suggests the island of Viti Levu as the habitat of the species, and the discovery of a distinct form on
the latter island (If. layardi) induced Mr.. Seebohm to propose the name vanuensis for the Vanua Levu
bird. Although this change has not been adopted by Mr. Wiglesworth, I feel convinced that the
Vanua Levu species will ultimately be called M. vanuensis (Seebohm), as the name of vitiensis is
misleading.
Mr. Tempest says that the species is extremely shy and difficult to procure. Its note and
habits resemble those of the European Blackbird, and it scratches on the ground like the latter
species. The nest is also said to be like that of Merula merula.
Adult male. General colour above uniform brown, the head of the same dolour as the back, the
hind-neck and mantle scarcely any lighter brown than the head and ba ck ; quills and tail deep
sepia-brown; sides of face, throat,. and breast lighter and more ashy-brown, rather darker again on
the flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts, the latter being entirely uniform; the feathers of the lower
breast and abdomen slightly edged with rufous-ochre, imparting a rufescent tint to these parts; a
white spot on the lower abdomen: “ bill light orange; feet bright yellow; iris dark brown”
(C. L. Layard). Total length 8"5 inches, eulmen 0-9, wing 4’3, tail 2-85, tarsus 1-4.
A d u lt female. Similar to the male, but showing more rufous on the breast and abdomen.
Total length 7-7 inches, Culmen 0-95, wing 4'2, tail 2-7, tarsus 1-35.