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Show 574 DR. F. H. H. GUILLEMARD ON BIRDS COLLECTED [June 2, 56. SEMIOPTERA WALLACEI (G. R. Gr.). Semioptera wallacei, Salvad. op. cit. vol. ii. p. 572. a-i. 8 • Batchian. k. 3 vix ad. Batchian. l-o. 8 juv. Batchian. p, q. 2 • Batchian. Iris brown ; bill horn-colour ; tarsus yellowish orange. Length 29*7-30 centims., wing 15*2-15*8 ($14-9-15*4), bill from gape 4*2-4*4. The young males in the first stage of plumage appear not to differ in any way from the females. The assumption of the adult dress appears to take place by a gradual change in the colouring of the feather, not by moult. Thus, in one individual there is a small patch of green on the lower part of the neck, the subalar tufts forming the points of the metallic shield have just appeared, and two or three feathers on either side of the breast are shaded with metallic green. The standards are fully formed, but the nasal tufts are tinged with rufous. The appearance of the alar standards seems to be an early step in the progress towards full plumage. In example h the whole of the sides of the neck and breast is a mass of bare feather-cases, from which are springing the bright green pectoral tufts ; the front of the breast has finished moulting. The standards, though nearly of full length, are still encased in their sheaths at the base; they are very broad (1*4 centim.) aud greyish, not ruddy white as in the other birds. The nasal tufts have no shade of rufous. This is undoubtedly an old bird, and it may therefore be assumed that the ruddy tinge of the nasal plumes in some individuals is a sign of immaturity. From the number of specimens that our hunters brought us, it is evident that this species must be tolerably abundant in the neighbourhood of the village of Batchian, although I never had the good fortune to see it alive. The natives told us that it was very local, frequenting certain parts of the forest only. This is certainly the case with some others of the Paradiseidae. I cannot help thinking that a further exploration of the large uninhabited island of Obi would add either this or some closely allied species to its avifauna. Its geological characteristics appear to be the same as those of Batchian. There are no volcanic rocks, but conglomerate and sandstone abound, and coal is said to exist, though a visit we made, in company with the Resident of Ternate, in search of it was unsuccessful. 57. PTILOPUS SUPERBUS (Temm.). Ptilopus superbus, Salvad. op. cit. vol. iii. p. 6. a-c. 3 - Ternate. d, e. 2 • Ternate. Iris yellow ; bill slate, yellow at tip ; feet red. Length 23*3 centims., wing 12*6-13*1. |