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Show 1873.] MR. SCLATER ON BIRDS FROM NEW GUINEA. 559 The peculiarity of this bird consists in the formation of the bill and head, and in the softness of the plumage. At first it does not appear to have the beauty peculiar to other birds of this class; but when observed more closely and in a strong light, the plumage is seen to be rich and brilliant. The feathers rising from the base of the beak are of a metallic green and reddish copper colour; the feathers of the breast when smooth are of a violet-grey, when raised form a semicircle round the body, reflecting a rich golden colour. Other violet-grey feathers arise from the flanks, which are edged by a rich metallic violet tint; and when the plumage is entirely expanded, the bird appears as if it had formed two semicircles around itself, and is very handsome. The tail and wing-feathers are yellowish ; underneath they are of a darker shade. The head is barely covered with small round feathers, which are rather deficient at the back of the ears; the shoulders are tobacco-colour, and under the throat black blending into olive. The breast is violet-grey, banded by a line of olive, the rest white. The beak is black, eyes chestnut, and the feet of a dark leaden colour. This species is met with in the vicinity of Mount Arfak. Its food is not known, nothing having been found in the stomachs of those prepared except clear water. 5. [PARADISEA RAGGIANA, sp. nov.*] The mutilated skins of this bird resemble those of the Red Paradise-bird of Waigiou, but differ in some particulars. I procured them at Orangeisa Bay, where P. papuana and P. apoda are not known to the natives, judging by their surprise when I exhibited some skins of those species. Should the present bird prove to be new, I should wish it to be named after the Marquis Francis Raggi, a great lover of natural history, and especially of ornithology. 6. DIPHYLLODES SPECIOSA (Bodd.). This bird is very rare in the mountains, but more numerous on the plains and near the coast; still I could not obtain any adult males, and could only procure a few skins prepared by the natives. The skins sent will probably be interesting. 7. [OTIDIPHAPS NOBILIS, Gould.f] This is a very interesting and a rare bird, even should it not be new. I met with three specimens in the forest, but could only * The two imperfect skins of this species sent seem to prove that it is • decidedly distinct from P. rubra, as supposed by Signor d'Albertis, and in fact more nearly allied to P. apoda and P. minor, having the two abnormal central rectrices rounded as in the two latter, and not concave with one side open as in P. rubra. But it agrees rather with P. rubra in the colour of the great lateral pectoral tufts, and in having a distinct though narrow yellow band (like the back) interposed between the green throat and dark breast. As regards the head, however, the green front is quite narrow as in P. minor. I have named this Paradise-bird P. raggiana, in compliance with its discoverer's wishes.-P. L. S. f Gould, Ann. Nat. Hist. ser. 4, vol. v. p. 62. It is of importance to have ascertained the exact locality of this remarkable bird. |