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Show 1870.] MR. P. L. SCLATER ON NEW PHEASANTS. 163 The new Impeyan Lophophorus sclateri, as will be seen by the figure which I now exhibit (Plate XIV.), is at once distinguishable from the L. impeyanus of the Himalayas, as also from the more recently discovered L. I'huysi* of Szechuen by well-marked characters. The sides of the head are widely naked, and covered with bright blue skin. The top of the head is covered with short curly feathers of a bright green ; and there is no appearance at all of the remarkable crest whence the genus has obtained its name, though it is just possible that this may be developed at a later period, for other indications lead me to believe that our specimen is not quite adult. The general colour of the plumage is velvety black, above glossed with green, and with coppery on the nape and wing-coverts. The lower back and upper tail-coverts are pure white, with some longitudinal black shaft-streaks. The tail-feathers are dark chestnut, terminated, I believe, by a narrow white end-band-although this is not distinguishable in our specimen, from the imperfect state of the tail; but. it is mentioned by Dr. Jerdon, and there were some indications of it when the example first arrived. The bill is long and curved, and the feet large, as in the other Impeyans. The beak is of a yellowish horn-colour, the legs and feet dark horn-colour, the irides dark brown. There can be no doubt, I think, that the present bird belongs to a species perfectly distinct from the two previously known members of the genus, and forms a third of this magnificent group of Phasianidae. Our example of this bird, which is the only individual of the species yet obtained, was received from the Mishmi Hills in Upper Assam, the same locality that has produced the remarkable mammal Budorcas taxicolor. Not less easily distinguishable from its congeners hitherto known is Ceriornis blythii, of which I likewise exhibit a figure (Plate XV.). Amongst the described species of the genus it most nearly resembles Ceriornis caboti, being below mesially of a nearly uniform colour, somewhat as that species, and not distinctly ocellated as in the three other members of the genus. It is, however, to be recognize, at first sight by the splendid golden yellow of the naked face and throat. It is not very easy to describe a living bird with accuracy ; but no description of this species having yet appeared in this country, I have drawn up the subjoined diagnosis, which may be useful, until an opportunity occurs of making a better one. CERIORNIS BLYTHII. (Plate XV.) Ceriornis temminckii, Jerdon, Ibis, 1869, p. 147. Ceriornis blythii, ej. J. A. S. B. 1870, p. 60. Supra rubescenti-brunneus, nigro variegatus et albo ocellatus, capite, collo undique et pectore aur antiaco-ca stands: vitta verticali lata et fascia utrinque auriculari nigris : facie et gula nuda splendide aureis, hac in parte inferiore nitide viride- * For notice and figure of this species see P. Z. S. 1808, p. 1, pl. 1. |