OCR Text |
Show 742 ON T H E B I R D S O F T O N G A T A B U , FIJI, E T C . [Nov. 6, green; secondaries margined externally very narrowly with yellow ; under wing-coverts ashy grey, the under-surface of wings darker; tail-feathers with a grey cross band above the ends, scarcely visible on the outer web ; tail from below ashy grey, with an ill-defined white cross band above the end. Female like the male. Long. tot. lin. C 8 al'. in. lin. 5 5 5 7 caud. in. lin. 2 9 2 9 rostr. a front. in. 5 41 tars. lin. 12 12 dig. med. lin. 94 d 2 Peale's figure is somewhat incorrect; the head appears too blue, and has no purplish-red margin ; the remiges are not coloured blue. The very interesting fact of the very localized distribution of the numerous species of the genus Ptilonopus in the Pacific archipelago is most strongly exemplified by this species, peculiar to the Tahiti group. The pale purplish-lilac cap and the want of the usual dark vent-spot, distinguish this species at once as regards coloration. But, besides, it is very well characterized by the B form of the first primary, which is shown in figure A, whereas in the other Polynesian species before m e (Pt. fasciatus, porphyraceus. pelewensis, ponapensis, perousei, and] dupetit-thouarsi) this feather is much attenuated in the apical half (see fig. B.). 4. ARDEA SACRA, Gm. No. 562. Tahiti. Female. 563. „ ,, Young. " Eyes orange ; feet and legs greenish in the adult."-J.M. No. 562 is white, strongly developing slate-blue feathers ; No. 563 is slate-coloured, with a broad white chin-stripe. |