Birds Observed on Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides

862 Sco, BirdsObseed [Au•

LIT•TURE CITED

•E• f, ARTHUR CLEVELAND 1942. Life histories of North American flycatchers,•larks swallows,and their allis. U.S. Nat. Mus., Bull. 179. (Washington.) C•MAN, FRANK M. 1929. My tropical air castle. (New York.) GOSSE, PHILIP HENRY 1847. The birds of Jamaica. (London.) SKUTCH, ALaNDER F. 1943. The family life of Central American woodpeters. ScientificMon•ly, 56: 358-364. SU•ON, GEORGEMIKSCH, AND PE•INGILL, OLIN SEWALL,JR. 1942. Birdsof the G6mezFarias region, sou•western Tamaulipas. Auk, 59: 1-34. San Isidro del General Costa Rica

BIRDS OBSERVED ON ESPIRITU SANTO, NEW HEBRIDES

BY WALTER E. SCOTT, U.S. ARMY ON September24, 1944, the author landed on Espiritu Santo,the New Hebrides,possibly even a strangerland than the New Caledonia he had just left someseveral hundred miles closerto Australia. But the birds of the two localitieswere considerablyalike, so the knowl- edgegained in New Caledoniain the previousfive monthswas of great value. In the New Hebrides archipelago,Espiritu Santo is the largest island, with 875 square miles. It lies at approximately 15 degrees South Latitude, has a broad flat coastalplain and level plateaus severalhundred feet abovesea level, and a mountainousrange rising to 6,195 feet in the northwesternpart. Accordingto 'PacificWorld': "The climate is hot and humid throughoutthe year, more moderate along the coast.The wettestseason is from Novemberto May." That book also statesthat the forest vegetationextends to the beaches, including tropical hardwoods,fig trees,palms and tree ferns.' With thesefacts, especially the "hot and humid," the author thoroughly agrees. Becausethis one-manscientific expedition was sponsoredby the U.S. Army (althoughwithout their knowledge),observations of birds were entirely restricted to the southeasternportion of the island. Likewise,time was limited and althoughopportunities for studypre- sentedthemselves at every moment,it seemed,much too often they were neglectedbecause of more important duties. However, work in reconnaissanceand trail mapping and training in newly-opened Vol.1946 63'1/ SCO•I',Birds Observed onEspriitu Santo, New Hebrides 363 jungleareas took the authorout amongthe forestbirds practically all of his 51 dayson the island. Exceptfor one day when watch- ing shorebirds,binoculars were not availablefor use,but fortunately severalbird specimenswere secured from huntersand others,all of which were sent to the Milwaukee Public Museum. The only referenceavailable for this report is Dr. Ernst Mayr's 'Birds of the SouthwestPacific,' published by the Macmillan Com- pany,New York,in 1945. Thereinhe states:"All literatureon birds of the New Hebrides is either strictly technical or refers only to a singlespecies." As thisbook was not yet availableduring the period of these field observations, the work was done without reference ma- terial in the field. Therefore, more detailed notes on all strange birds were taken, but many valuable facts could have been secured had previousknowledge been available. Mayr's listsof neededeco- logical and life-history data for South Pacific birds is a valuable featureof his book. They would have inspiredmuch more complete field recording. Besidesthe evident dearth of knowledgeof even commonspecies in this area, somediscoveries were not impossible. The Whitney South Sea Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History as recentlyas 1926had found a new speciesof bird, the Thicket Warbler (Cichlorniswhitneyi Mayr, 1933), in the pri- meval mountain forest above 2,400 feet on Santo. Birds of new sub- speciesor thosenot previouslyrecorded for the area are a challenge to all students in the southwest Pacific. Of the 54 native land and fresh-waterbirds listed by Mayr for this region (the New Hebrides and Banks Islands),48 have been reportedfrom Santo. The author recorded31 of theseand, in addi- tion, two from adjacent islandsand two kinds of shorebirds. Pecul- iarly, neither English Sparrowsnor Indian Mynas were seen, but five of a speciesof introducedEstrilda, either the Red-browedWax- bill (Estrilda temporalisLatham) or Astrid (œstrildaastrild Lin- naeus),were noted near Luganville. It shouldbe mentionedhere that even with binocularsit is not always possibleto distinguish in the field betweenthe three typesof swiftletsor the two species of fantail flycatchersand white-eyes. Therefore, except when I was reasonablypositive of the exact species,all other observations were attributed to what seemed to be the most common species of thesegroups, i.e., the GlossySwiftlet (Collocaliaesculenta uro- pygialisGray), the CollaredFantail (Rhipidura [uliginosabrench- leyi Sharpe)and the YellowWhite-eye (Zosterops flavffrons brevicauda Murphy and Mathews). [Auk 364 Scour,Birds Observed on EspirituSanto, New Hebrides tJuly

Throughoutthis paperan attemptwill be madeto recordobserva- tionsespecially in regardto the ecologicaland life-historyquestions listedby Mayr. As the author lived in a coconutplantation on what mightbe calledthe lowerplateau, many of the bird recordsare from that locality. But frequenttrips were taken throughplantations of cocoa,coffee and coconutpalms, mixed with groupsof papaya,bread- fruit and bananas,and surroundedby a lowland hardwood œorest with towering crownsand an understoryof smaller trees crowded with hangingvines. In this plantation region it was not uncommon to see acresof dead trees purposely'ringed' to kill them and dry out the vegetationbelow preparatory to clearing. Only ten dayswere spent in what might be called natural jungle forest at an elevation of 750 to 1,000 feet where only trails used by the natives were previouslyknown. Here were huge banyan-liketrees with hundreds of roots,clumps of bambooso thick they were impenetrable,and a sea of vegetationforming a wall on all sidesof roadsand openings that couldbe invitingonly to a bird or a naturalist.Another type of habitat wasvisited only occasionally--thegrassland and gardenopen- ings near the seabeaches. Birds preferringcertain of theseareas, or restrictedto them, will be so noted under four habitat groups,that ! will call H1, H2, H3 and H4: (H1) coconutplantations, (H2) lowland mixed plantation and open forest, (H3) higher natural jungle forestand (H4) grassland,beach and clearedroadway. Most roadwayson Santo pass through coconutplantations for miIes on end exceptin inhabited beachareas where there are some grasslandclearings. Many roads built recently now passthrough native jungle giving the impressionof a canyonwall on either side. Out of these dark interiors birds dash to cover on the other side before passingvehicles. These new roads should prove inviting to future scientificexpeditions wishing to studythe ecologyand habits of little-known speciesof this and other South Pacific islands. Although the abovedescription of the island of Espiritu Santo and the areasin whichthese birds were seen seems inadequate, further detailswill have to be mentionedwhen necessaryin regardto the individualspecies. ! appendthe more importantrecords for Sep- tember24 to November13, 1944,inclusive, for the southeasternportion of the islandand within a radiusof twenty-fivemiles of Lugan- ville, the principalsettlement. The two shorebirdsobserved are listed at the end so as not to interrupt the order of land and fresh-water species. Specificdates will be given only when deemedadvisable as on migratorybirds or more importantobservations. Vol.1946 631J Scour'r,Birds Observed onF. splrltu Santo, New Hebrides 365

REEFHEmON (Demigretta sacra Gmelin).--Birds in the gray phasewere observed on severaloccasions. A singlebird wasseen over the SarakataRiver, and at other times in November one or more were noted over high trees near Surundu Bay where it seemedthat a rookery could have been located at a point where a stream entered the sea. There was no opportunity to investigatefurther. No white- phase individuals were noted. TANNAFRUIT DOVE (Ptilinopus tannensis Latham).--Records of this bird could be confusedwith the similar but smaller Red-bellied Fruit Dove (Ptilinopusgreyii Bonaparte)which is also found on Santo,but of five birds seenon four different daysfrom October12 to 17, three certainlywere of the larger Tanna Fruit Dove. On October 12, two took off from treetopsin a lowland wooded area near the plantationsin such a hurry that they broke branchesas they flew, giving several loud, piercing call notes at the same time. As they usually flush from treetops in H2 and seemquite wary, they never could be inspectedcarefully. PACIFICPIGEON (Ducula p. pacificaGmelin).--Throughout the period of these field observations, this bird was seen five times in H2 and four times in H3. Seldom were single birds observed,but usually two or three and once four together,and alwayson the wing, flying above treetop level or through forest openings. Going in a straight line with constantwing beat, they looked sleek in their contrasting gray-blackcolor. Most noticeablein flight was the gray head and neck, while the rest of the body lookeddarker throughout. A pair of wingsbelieved to have beenfrom this or the White-throatedPigeon (½olumba vitiensis leopoldi Tristram) were found on the edge of a coconutplantation. Allowing for a body width of six inches,the bird would have a 24-inch wingspread. RUFOUS-BROWNP•EASANT DOVE (Macropygiarn. rnackinlayiRamsay).--Seen only three times as single birds flew acrossthe road, startled by passingtrucks, but it is impossibleto forget their long tail and thrasher-likeappearance. In all cases the situation was a roadway through impenetrablesubstage of thick forest, but somehowthis bird would dash acrossthe road at a low level, swoopup into the tangle of vines and brancheson the other side, and disappear. GREEN-WINGEDGROUND PIGEON (Chalcophapsindica sandwichensisRamsay).-- This was one of the most commonbirds on the island, evidently favoring native gardens,plantations and open forest habitat. None were seen in H3, even in recentlycreated openings. As this observationperiod was supposedlyduring nest- ing season,it is surprisingthat no nestswere found. The birds were almost always observedas singlesand most frequentlyin H2. They were the favoriteprey of huntersand easily taken. In gardensand camp areaswhere they were not mo- lested, the birds could be approachedto within 20 feet. A group of four were seen feeding together on September25 and a group of three on October 27. A female secured from a hunter on October 12 had six tomato-like seeds and a hard pea-like seed in its stomach. SANTACRUZ GROUND DOVE (Gallicolurnbasanctaecrucis Mayr).--Only one bird was seen that must be attributed to this rare species. It flew acrossthe road in front of a truck in lowlandforest and wasrecognized at onceas a new bird, "dark chocolate brown" in color. COCONUTLOR¾ (Trichoglossushaernatodus massena Bonaparte).--This was one of the most commonbirds and was found in every habitat visited. However, in the jungle forestof H3, it was noted only three daysof a possibleeight. It was most commonin coconutplantations and slightly lesscommon in adjacentopen [Auk 366 SCOTT,Birds Observed on •Esplritu Santo, New Hebrides t July lowlandforest. FromSeptember 25 to October29, fiveflocks were noted averaging five birds to a flock. Birds in twosas if paired were observedabout twentytimes betweenSeptember 25 and October18, and frequently, especially near mid-October, theywere chasing each other over the coconuttrees amid screams that accentuated their often-repeatedpiercing cry. FAN-TAILEDCUCKOO (Cacomantis pyrrhophanus schistaceigularis Sharpe).--Only twice, October 20 and 29, was this resident cuckoo observed in H2. The first time, it waswatched while it sat on the top of a medium-sizedtree; rather, it was doingmost of the watchingfor, as with cuckooselsewhere, it waspeering from behind variousbranches, wary and inquisitiveof the nature of the intrusion. In the field it was comparedwith a thrasher,with "brownerunderparts," while the white pattern on the tail clearlyidentified the bird. As was so often the case, other work had to be done and the bird could not be followed or studied. BARNOWL (Tyto alba interpositaMayr).--On September 27, a hunterkilled one of theseowls near camp in lowlandforest, H2, at 3:30 P.M. Later, after much searchingamong the hugebuttresses of what wasprobably the tall tree,Elaeocarpus hortensis,the specimenwas found and the skin saved. The bird provedto be a male and had a rat four incheslong in its stomach,of which the head was partly digested,while the tip of the tail still protrudedfrom the owl'smouth. One other owl was seen in this same area at twilight on October 12, but this speciesis un- doubtedlymore commonthan the recordsindicate. VANIKOROSWIFTLET (Collocalia v. vanikorensisQuoy and Gaimard).--Swiftlets all gray or dark with no indicationof a white rump or under parts,were so noted and later attributed to this species. They were found hawking for insectsin open placesof all habitatsexcept the recentlycreated openings in the jungle forest,and proved to be most common near the sea or in lowland forest areas. Often this bird was seen in mixed groups with the GlossySwiftlet (Collocalia esculenta uropygialisGray), but it wasobserved to bc the highestflyer of all swiftletshere. Mixed groupsof as many as forty birds wcrc not uncommonin openingsof H2. They arc amongthe mostcommon birds on Santo. GLOSSYSWIFTLET (Collocalia esculenta uropygialis Gray).--This bird was prob- ably the mostcommon in numberssccn on Santo. In H2 it wasregularly found mixed with vanikorensisas previouslystated. In loosegroups these birds would swoopdown to the topsof bushesto catchinsects and then swinghigher to miss the trec border of the forest opcnlng. Their numbers would vary from several birds to the usual twenty or more. However, in H3, the newly createdopenings of the truc jungle forest, where huge banyan trees wcrc occasionallyleft because their rootsdiscouraged even the engineers,was the home of the GlossySwiftlet. Notes taken October 2 describe them as follows: "Also the common swiftlet--all today wcrc whitc-bclliedand whitc-rumpcdand had glossybacks." Other days, however,their color was not as clearly seen,but it is probablethat this was the only swiftletfound in that area. Throughoutthe day, especiallyin the morning and evening, the air seemedto bc full of these birds swoopingand gliding over the forest opening, and usual numbers here would exceed fifty birds to twenty acreswhile hundredscould bc countedin a day. This report on the swiftletswould not be completewithout the following observation:"On October12 saw a medium- sizedbutterfly actually chase,or follow, all the intricate movementsof a swiftlet for about 30 yardsI" •ol.1946 63]J SCOTT,Birds Observed onEspiritu Santo, New Hebrides 367

WHITE-COLLAREDKINGFISHER (Halcyon chlorissantoensis Mayr).--Only 16 of these birds were found on eight different days and always in H2--the lowland forest. None were observedin the true jungle at a higher elevation. These birds were not too common even in their favorite haunts (possiblybecause of an artificially heavy and indiscriminate hunting pressure),for on October 16, a full day was spent in such habitat withont seeing a single one. MELANESIANGRAYBraD (Coracina caledonica thilenii Neumann).--Thiscrow-like cuckoo-shrikewas seen frequently enough to be called common, and most often in H3 of higher elevationjungle forest. However, singlesand twos were observed several times in H2. On four occasionsthe birds were seen in pairs, and their undulating direct flight was noted. Their whistled call note was very loud and much like the sound of a sergeant'swhistle. It was heard throughout the day, even shattering the hSgh-noonsilence of the steaming-hot jungle. One was ob- servedwhile it sat on the very top branchesof a high tree in lowland forest while it gave its piercing, whistled call. On October 5 and 6, two birds attributed to this specieswere seen at fairly closerange but without binoculars. On both oc- casionsa white eye-ring was noted in contrast to the otherwiseall-dark plumage. This characteristiccannot be accountedfor by any descriptionof the bird and must refer to another speciesor a local attribute. BROAD-BILLEDFLYCATCHER (Myiagra caledonicamarina Salomonsen).--Although recordsof this bird indicate that it was recorded only five times, almost always in coconut plantations or open lowland forest near such plantations, it was ob- servedmore often and could be consideredcommon locally in this habitat. The male which dominated the coconut trees near camp was frequently seen in early morning on what seemed to be a favorite perch. These birds dart out after insectslike a true flycatcher, but more often they were seen nervously in- vestigatingthe thick crownsof coconuttrees about 25 feet up, as if seekinginsects. Becauseof the female'sreddish upper breast and throat in contrastto the male's entirely white and black colors,it was alwayspossible to identify the sex. Four males and two femaleswere recorded.-One of their calls was a sharp, low note followed by a high note, while the song, although undescribed,was sweet. BUFF-BF•LIEDFLYCATCHER (Neolalage banksianaGray).--One adult and an im- mature of this specieswere seen on October 18 in the substageof lowland forest near coconutplantations. The birds respondedto 'squeaking'and seemedfairly inquisitive. Another bird, which answeredthis form of invitation in the substage of heavy jungle in H3, met the descriptionof an adult of this species. GOL•)ENWHISTLER (Pachycephala pectoralis intacta Sharpe).--Aboutfifteen of these beautiful songsterswere heard and seen on ten different days. They were found most commonlyin H3, but also frequently in open lowland forest where they favoredthe substagebut also stayedin the higher parts of trees. According to the locationof songsin H3, it seemedthat they had definite territories. They respondedto an imitation of their songwith great interest and actually seemed to try to outsing their new rival. The winner was given credit in the record as "a wonderful tirelesssinger." SILVER-EAREDHONEY-EATER (Lichmera incana fiavotinctaGray).--This bird is, accordingto Mayr, commonin coconutplantations and gardenareas in the central New Hebrides as far north as the island Malekula, which is not far south of Santo, but evidentlyit had not as yet been reportedfrom here. The writer was very familiar with the songand habitsof the subspeciesincana on New Caledonia,and 368 Sco•,Birds Observed onEspiritu Santo, New Hebrides t[AukJuly therefore the following recordsof this bird on Santo were not discarded. On September26 and various other days this bird was the first to sing its beautiful flute-like song at the camp in a coconut plantation. The day before, a fleeting glance at a bird was attributed to this species. The song,however, is so distinctive it could hardly be mistaken. On October 18, in a plantation garden area, the following record was taken: "One larger olive and yellowish bird, larger by far than the white-eyes." Although these data are not positive without a specimen, the writer believes that this honey-eater was at least heard on Santo several times. YFLLOWWmTF-EYE (Zosteropsflavi[rons brevicaudaMurphy and Mathews).-- All white-eyesobserved were assignedto this kind unlessclearly of the next species. They were found in all habitats,although not as commonlyin the jungle of H3 as in other areas and especiallyin lowland open forest and plantations. That this is the most numerousbird on Santo is undoubtedlytrlle, for sizeablegroups were often seen,and on October 16 they were even listed as numerous. However, unlike experienceon New Caledonia, here it was not found that other birds moved with the white-eyeson their feeding expeditions,but the seasonor other factors may have been responsiblefor this observation. GRAY-BACKEDWHITE-EYE (Zosterops lateralis vatensisTristram).--On only three days,and alwaysin H2, a total of six of thesebirds wereseen and definitelyiden- tified. No doubtothers were recorded as Yellow White-eyes because of the difficulty of distinguishing them without binoculars. PACIFICGOLDEN PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica [ulva Gmelin).--This and the following specieswere found on the samelarge crop field of severalhundred acres in H2. Much of the field had been recentlyploughed and planted and there were numerous small wet spots. But although these birds were feeding and resting on the same field, they did not necessarilyassociate in feeding or in flight when flushed. On October17, a few were seen,but on the next day, when a count and study was made with binoculars,about fifty birds were recorded. Those birds that seemedin fullest breedingplumage, with black under parts and most golden on the back, were about one to eight others that were much lighter throughout. The largestgroup consisted of thirty birdswhich stayed together, but theyscattered widely in feeding. When startled,they gave their characteristiccry and flew low to the groundas a loosegroup for about 100yards, to alight and feedagain. Those in the darkestplumage seemed to stay pretty much to themselves.The last time a few of these birds were seen here was on October 19. TtatNSTONE(Arenaria interpres Linnaeus).--A single one was first seen at the crop field describedabove, on October16. On the next day about fifty were observedin groupsfeeding on the ploughedfield. When flushed,they gave their usual call note as they quickly organizedinto a tight group taking off quite high and circlingand landing much farther away than did the plovers. On October18. the last day they were seen, a small flock was watched with binoculars at close range as the birds evidentlycaptured insects between rows of radish plantsl All of these birds were in the winter plumage. It should be understoodthat both this and the foregoingspecies may have frequented this area both before and after the recordeddates which were limited by circumstances. Oahu Hawaii July x2, •945