Subdesert mesite Subdesert mesite The subdesert mesite ("Monias benschi") is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. It is one of three species in the mesite family Mesitornithidae, and is restricted in distribution to a small low-land region in southwest Madagascar. The subdesert mesite is a medium-sized terrestrial bird which is often described as rail-like (a family with which the mesites are sometimes placed). The species has a long and downward-curved bill distinguishing it from the other members of the family. Both sexes are greyish above and show thin white eyebrows. Both have white underparts; the male has black crescent-shaped spots on the
Normanby Island (Papua New Guinea) east coast. The largest settlement, and district headquarters, is Esa’ala at the island’s northern end. In 1873, the island was visited by British Captain John Moresby, commanding "HMS Basilisk", who named it after the Marquess of Normanby, George Augustus Constantine Phipps, a governor of Queensland, Australia. Once known to produce gold, Normanby now exports copra and some timber. Recent discoveries of gold deposits are beginning to be exploited. Normanby Island (Papua New Guinea) Normanby Island is a volcanic , L-shaped island, the southern most island in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands group. It is part of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.