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Show 1868.] MR. E. P. RAMSAY ON BIRDS FROM QUEENSLAND. 387 27. SITTELLA LEUCOPTERA. Of this species I received only two specimens, which I suppose must be young females. They have the whole of the head, neck, and throat black; chest and remainder of the upper surface silky white, with a black stripe down the centre of each feather. 28. GEOPELIA PLACIDA. Whether this species be considered a variety of G. tranquilla does not much signify; suffice to say that there is not the slightest difference of plumage between these two birds. The following are the admeasurements of both:- Geopelia tranquilla, from New South Wales. Total length 7-9 inches. Tail 3*85 Wing 4- Tarsi .55 Bill, from angle of the mouth -65 Bill, from forehead -48 to '5 Geopelia tranquilla, var. 1 " placida," from Rockingham Bay. Total length 7-6 inches. Tail 3*85 Wing 4- Tarsi , -53 Bill, from angle of the mouth "6 Bill, from forehead -46 to '5 29. MEGALOPREPIA MAGNIFICA, var. ASSIMILIS. A smaller race than the New-South-Wales birds, but identical in plumage. 30. ARDEA SUMATRANA. A fine pair of adults, accompanied by their young one, were obtained, the latter in an extremely interesting stage of plumage. The whole of the upper surface dark bluish slate-colour, each feather, with the exception of the primaries, secondaries, tertiaries, and tail-feathers, broadly tipped with chestnut; the wing-coverts broadly margined and tipped with the same ; feathers of the head and the whole of the neck dull dark slate-colour, centred and largely tipped with chestnut; chest, breast, flanks, and abdomen chestnut, the base of the feathers being dark slate-colour, under surface of wings (except the quill-feathers) and the under tail-coverts tipped with chestnut; upper tail-coverts dark slaty blue. These specimens were shot thirty-three miles up the river. 31. BUTORIDES FLAVICOLLIS. 32. BUTORIDES JAVANICA. 33. A R D E T T A PUSILLA. |
