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Show 734 DR. O. FINSCH ON LAMPROLIA VICTORIA. [NOV. 18, second, which is shortened and nearly equal to the eighth ; fourth and fifth quills equal and longest, third scarcely shorter ; projecting point of primaries very short; quills, especially the secondaries, very broad, with rounded tips; ten primaries and nine secondaries. EigJ. Head, wing, and tail of Lamprolia victoriee. Tail (fig. 2) short, broad, and moderately rounded, with twelve feathers, which at the end are broad, rounded, subtruncate, and exhibit a singular concavity. Tarsi long, slender, and covered by a single scale in front (cali-gated), with the inner toe shorter than the outer toe, which is united at its base with the middle toe; the hind toe long, nearly equal to the middle toe, and armed with a strong curved claw. I scarcely remember a bird which has puzzled m e in respect of its generic position so much as this curious little creature. At first glance it reminds one of a Paradiseine bird by tbe luxuriance of its coloration and the extraordinary structure of its plumage. The feathers on the back show the singular velvet-black observed in the genus Ptilorhis, whereas the shining steel-blue tips of the feathers on the head and neck, in their scale-like appearance, resemble those of Manucodia. Quite singular are the tail-feathers as regards the loose and separated disposition of their radii, and the splendid shining silky white coloration which they show on their basal portions, like the rump and upper tail-coverts. After a careful examination I come to the conclusion that this new form ranges nearest to Pen- |