ZOSTEROPS STRENUUS, Gowda

Robust Zosterops.

Zosterops strenuus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., July 24, 1855.

Tue present new species is the largest member yet discovered of a group of birds comprising numerous
species, aoe which are oo generally dispersed over the old world from India to Australia ; Aone of the
islands of the South Pacific are also tenanted by their own peculiar species ; Norfolk Island claims two which
have not been found elsewhere, and we now find that Lord Howe’s Island, although but scantily supplied
with vegetation, is not devoid of bird-life even of the great order of Insessores, it being inhabited by at least
two species of the present genus. Her Majesty’s Ship Herald, commanded by Captain Denham, having paid
a visit to this interesting spot in the wide ocean, Mr. MacGillivray had an opportunity of extending his fame
as a successful naturalist by securing and sending, with many other interesting objects, an example of each
of these species, which I find to be quite different from all others that have come under my notice. The
bird here represented is the larger of the two, and its prominent characters consist in its comparatively great
size, robust form of body and unusually lengthened and powerful bill; at the same time, in the general style
of its colouring, in its snow-white eye-ring, and in all other essential points, it closely agrees with the other
species of the genus of which it is a member.

The only specimen of this new bird which has yet been transmitted to this country, now forms part of the
National Collection, where all the other novelties which may be acquired by Captain Denham’s Expedition
will be deposited.

Head and upper surface bright olive-green, with a mark of dark grey across the shoulders; wings and
tail slaty-brown, margined with greenish-olive ; eyes surrounded by the usual ring of white feathers, beneath
which is a narrow line of black ; chin and throat yellow; flanks pale vinaceous-brown ; centre of the abdomen
nearly white ; under tail-coverts pale yellow; bill and feet bluish-black.

The figures are of the natural size.

DE SANS SE SA CENS