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Show • GG8 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNIN^E. [June 20, Marquesas. From that group, apparently the outpost of the species, I ha^e examined three specimens, which differ so remarkably from Head of Gygis Candida. all others that I cannot consider them mere varieties, and propose for them the name of GYGIS MICRORHYNCHA, sp. nov. Alba: similis G. candidae, sed minor, rostro multo minore tenuiore, rectricum scapis albis nee nigris, distinguenda. In length of wing it is nearly an inch shorter than G. Candida ; the tail-feathers are more rounded, and the 3rd is the longest, whereas the 2nd is the longest in the larger species : the shafts of the first three primaries are merely clay-coloured, and the rest are pure white, whereas in G. Candida they are all nearly black ; and barely a trace of colour is to be observed on those of the tail. The bill is Fig. 5. Head of Gygis microrhyncha. slender at the base, and quite different in shape from that of Gr. Candida (as shown in the accompanying drawings). Sparrman's figure and description are both very bad; but Gmelin's, based upon Latham, distinctly points out the characteristics of the larger and black-shafted species ; so I have adopted his name for it. On the other hand I cannot identify Sparrman's bird |
