Download

This paper aims to bring together what is known of the silktail (Lamprolia) of Fiji, in order to provide a base line for future study and particularly in order to consider the status of the little-known L. v. kleinschmidti of Vanua Levu. The contribution of previous workers, especially Theodor Kleinschmidt, is examined which, together with recent work, strongly suggests that L. v. kleinschmidti is confined to the Natewa Peninsula of eastern Vanua Levu. What little is known of L. v. kleinschmidti in the field is presented, largely by comparison with the better-known L. v. victoriae of Taveuni. Based largely on field observations by 1973 and 1975 parties of OSNZ members and other available material, particular attention is given to population strength, feeding, display, breeding and voice. Discussion, largely speculative, considers the possible relationship of Lamprolia to the Paradisaeidae, and considers the implications of the distribution of the two forms. L. v. kleinschmidti seems more likely to be the relict population, from which L. v. victoriae has been recently derived.