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Show 1877.] BIRDS FROM THE MOLUCCAS. 195 MONARCHA CORDENSIS, Meyer, New Hanover (!), I.e. p. 320. This species has been described from Mysore ; and knowing what a limited range the species from the islands of Geelvink Bay which are representatives of New-Guinea forms have, I am rather inclined to suspect that the bird from N e w Hanover may belong to a different species. MELIDIPNUS MEGARHYNCHUS (Gr.), I. c. p. 321. The new genus Melidipnus has the same type as my genus Melilestes, Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. vii. p. 950 (1875). The Tropidorhynchus gilolensis (which I take to be the same as Melitograis striata, Sund. Meth. Nat. Av. disp. Tent. p. 50), according to me, does not belong to the same genus, but must be left in the distinct genus Melitograis, or referred to Philemon (restricted). GRACULA GNATHOPTILA, Cab. et Rchnw., I. c. p. 322, New Hanover. Cabanis and Reichenow say that this species differs from Gracula kreffti, Sclat., in having a yellow belly and in the complete absence of the naked skin along the lower edge of the mandible. I doubt whether the above-mentioned characters are sufficient to distinguish the New Hanoverian bird from that of the Solomon Islands. Having been able, through the kindness of m y friend Dr. Sclater, to examine the type specimen of his G. kreffti, I have found that, although rather discoloured by the spirit of wine in which it has been preserved, that bird also has a yellow belly ; and, according to m y notion, the naked line along the lower edge of the mandible being much narrower depends on the way in which the bird has been skinned and stuffed. In a very large series of specimens of G. dumonti from N e w Guinea and the Aru Islands there is a great variation in the width of the naked skin along the lower edge of the mandible, some examples having it much narrower than others, according to the way they have been skinned. I take this opportunity to state that the figure of Gracula kreffti (P. Z. S. 1869, pl. ix.) is quite wrongly coloured on the lower part of the back and on the upper tail-coverts, where, instead of yellow, it ought to be perfectly white. ALCEDO MOLUCCENSIS, Bechst. (sic!), I. c, p. 323, New Ireland. I suppose that" Bechst." is a misprint for "Blyth;" I have already shown that this bird must be called Alcedo ispidoides. Less. RHAMPHOCOCCYX CALORHYNCHUS (Temm.), /. c. p. 324, Ceram (!). Were the specimen or specimens brought home collected in Ceram, or received in Ceram ? Till now R. calorhynchus was believed to be peculiar to Celebes. 13* |