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Show 646 DR. F. H. H. GUILLEMARD ON BIRDS COLLECTED [Junel6, 146. MANUCODIA CHALYBEATA, Penn. Manucodia chalybeata, Salvad. op. cit. vol. ii. p. 498. a. 8 • Mysol. Iris red ; bill and feet black. Length 39*0 centims., wing 19*0, tail 16*5, bill from gape 4*8. Salvadori separates M. chalybeata from M. atra by the wavy feathers of the upper back and by the black velvety band at the apex of each feather of that part and the under surface, which characteristics he states to be constant at all ages. The feathers of the anterior part of the neck are, he considers, broader and more golden, and the measurements somewhat smaller. The present example is evidently an old male, and is in splendid plumage. It corresponds to Salvadori's description of M. chalybeata in every way, and I have accordingly placed it under this designation, as 1 have only twenty-four individuals of this and the allied species, as against a series of nearly five times that number catalogued in the 'Ornitologia della Papuasia.' At the same time I am strongly inclined to regard the two species as identical. The black velvety bands on the feathers of the breast and back are, I think, a characteristic of not much value, since Salvadori himself describes them as " in very old individuals extending on to the uropygium," thereby admitting that age can produce them in feathers in which they were not previously apparent. With regard to dimensions, the present example slightly exceeded the average of twenty M. atra, and the beak was considerably larger, so that size as a diagnostic point is of no value. With regard to the plumage of M. atra no constancy is apparent; all colours between oily green and deep violet or purple being observable, while in some the wrinkled plumes of the breast are beginning to appear. It seems improbable that there should be two such closely allied, yet distinct species coexisting in the same districts ; and I should therefore be inclined to consider M. chalybeata as an older stage of M. atra. 147. MANUCODIA JOBIENSIS, Salvad. Manucodia jobiensis, Salvad. op. cit. vol. ii. p. 502. a. 8 • Near Ansus, Jobi; November 11th. Iris red ; bill and feet black. Length 33*5 centims., wing 17*5, tail 15*0, bill from gape 3*8, tarsus 3*4. The above measurements are considerably less than those given by Salvadori. This Manucode, which is easily recognizable as a distinct species, was apparently uncommon in Jobi. 148. MANUCODIA ATRA (Less.). Manucodia atra, Salvad. op. cit. vol. ii. p. 504. a. 3 . Mysol. b,c. 2- Mysol. d-m. 3. Waigiou. |