mi Iron)):' wl!Siii! fflsm i NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE. Vol. XXXVI, 1930-31. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE H Journal of Zooiow IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRING MUSEUM. EDITED BY LORD ROTHSCHILD, E.R.S., Ph.D., Dr. ERNST HARTERT, and Dr. K. JORDAN. Vol. XXXVI, 1930-31. (WITH SEVEN PLATES.) Issued at the Zoological Museum, Tkino. PK1NTED BY HAZELL, WATSON k VINEY, Ltd., LONDON AND AYLESBURY 1930-1931 CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXXVI (1930-31). 6- 15 16 -17 18- -in 27- 128 181- 183 184— 190 GENERAL SUBJECTS. PAGES 1. My Dutch New Guinea Expedition, 1928. Ernst Mayr .... 20—20 AVES. 1. Welche Paradiesvogelarten der Literatur sind Hybriden Ursprungs. Erwin Stresemann ......... 2. Notes on the preceding article of Dr. Stresemann. Lord Rothschild :t. On a collection of Birds made by Dr. Ernst Mayr in Northern Dutch New Guinea. Ernst Hartert ........ 4. List of the Birds collected by Ernst Mayr. Ernst Hartert . 5. A Preliminary Review of the Mooruk (Papuanus bcnnetti) Group of Casso- waries (Plates I and II). Lord Rothschild ..... (i. Types of Birds in the Tring Museum. Ernst Hartert .... 7. A note on some Early Plumage Phases in the Steganopodes, with a descrip- tion of a previously undescribed phase in Fregata aguHa (Linn.). Percy R, Lowe 201— 20T> 5. On a collection of Birds made by Mr. F. Shaw Mayer in the Weyland Mountains, Dutch New Guinea, in 1930 (Plates III and IV). Lord Rothschild 250 L'Tli 9. Two new Malaysian subspecies of Birds. F. N. Chasen and C. Boden Kloss 279 Id. Zur Systematik der Gattung Oerygone (Plates V-VH). Dr. Wilhelm Mi'.isi: 317—37!) LEPIDOPTERA. 1. Description of New Sphingidae and remarks on some others. Karl Jordan 2. Revisional notes on the genus Epamera (Lep., Lycaenidae). N. D. Riley . 3. On the two species of Deudorix known from New Guinea (Lep., Lycaenidae). Karl Jordan .......... 4. Geometric! descriptions and notes. Louis B. Prout 6. List of Lepidoptera collected by Dr. Ernst Hartert and Mr. Frederick Young in Morocco in 1930. Lord Rothschild ...... 6. Descriptions of new species of Japanese, Formosan. and Philippine Py ralidac. R. J. West 206—219 7. On Cypa decolor and some allied species (Lep., Sphingidae). Karl Jordan . 235 — 242 8. On the geographical variation of the Pine Hawk-Moth, Hi/loiciis pinastri. Karl Jordan 243—249 9. Two new Zygaenidae (Lep.). Karl Jordan ...... 277 — 278 1—5 146 147- -149 151 ISO 191- L'llll VI CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXXVI (1930-31). COLEOPTERA. 1. Three new Anthribidae from British India. Karl Jordan 2. Anthribidae versus Platystomidae. Karl Jordan . 3. Anthribidae collected by F. C. Drescher on the island of Java. Kari Jordan ......... 4. Two new Oriental Anthribidae. KiRL Jordan 5. Some Anthribidae from tropical Africa. Karl Jordan . PAGES 143— H5 281—287 288—302 303—304 305—310 SIPHON APTERA. 1. On some South African Fleas. Karl Jordan ..... 129 — 138 2. A new Xenopsylla from South Africa. Botha De Meillon . . 139 — 142 3. Three new species of Neopsylla (Siphonaptera) from the Oriental Region. Karl Jordan .......... 220 — 224 4. Siphonaptera collected by Mr. F. J. Cox in France. Karl Jordan . . 225 — 229 5. Records of Fleas from the Austrian Tirol and the Dolomites. Karl Jordan 230 — 232 0. On some Fleas collected by Monsieur Heim de Balzac in Western Algeria. Karl Jordan .......... 233 — 234 7. Three new South American Fleas. Karl Jordan ..... 311 — 316 INDEX 381—404 PLATES IN VOLUME XXXVI PLATES I— II. Heads of Cassowaries. PLATES III-IV. Heads and Breast Plumage of Epimachus. PLATES V-VII. Schnabel und ausserste Sehwanzfedern von Oerygone. ERRATA. P. 120, lino 11 from below road leucoca/piUus instead of U ucocnpillas. P. 130, line 11 from below, and p. 132, lino 9 from above read Myolumys instead of Mystomys. P. 143, line 7 from above read Mcsuu instead of Mcscca. P. 196. lino 10 from above read Pararge instead of Parage. P. 263, line 6 from above read Poecilodryas instead of Paecilodryas. P. 270, lines 7, 9, 16, 17 from below read musschenbroeki instead of muschenbrokei. P. 271, line 12 from above read Charmusyna instead of Carmosyna. P. 276, line 10 from below read feathers instead of features. P. 314, lines 16, 19 from below read Gnincopsylla instead of Graniopsylla. NOYITATES ZOOLOGICAE. H journal of Zoology EDITED BY LORD ROTHSCHILD, F.R.S., Ph.D., Dit. ERNST HARTERT, and Dr. K. JORDAN. Vol. XXXVI. No. 1. Pages 1-149. Issued November 15th, 1930, at the Zoological Museum, Tring. PRINTED BY HAZKLL, WATSON t VINBY, Ltd., LONDON AND AYLESBURY. 1930. Vol. XXXVI. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE. EDITED BX LORD ROTHSCHILD, ERNST HARTERT, and KARL JORDAN CONTENTS OF NO. I. \-M.E~ 1. DESCRIPTION OF NEW SPHINGIDAE AND REMARKS ON SOME OTHERS . . Karl Jordan . 1—5 2. WELCHE PARADIESVOGELARTEN DER LITERATURSINDHYBRIDENURSPRUNGS? Erwin Stresemam, C— 15 3. NOTES ON THE PRECEDING ARTICLE OF DR. STRESEMANN Lord Rothschild . 16—17 4. ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS MADE BY DR. ERNST MAYR IN NORTHERN DUTCH NEW GUINEA Ernst Harterl 18—19 5. MY DUTCH NEW GUINEA EXPEDITION, 1928 Ernst Mayr . . 20—26 6. LIST OF THE BIRDS COLLECTED BY ERNST MAYR Ernst Hartert . 27—128 7. ON SOME SOUTH AFRICAN FLEAS . . Karl Jordan . . 129—138 8. A NEW XENOPSYLLA FROM SOUTH AFRICA Botha de Meillon . 139—142 9. THREE NEW ANTHRIBIDAE FROM BRITISH INDIA Karl Jordan . . 143-145 10. REVISION AL NOTES ON THE GENUS EPAMERA (LEP. LYCAENIDAE) . . N. D. Riley . . 146 11. ON THE TWO SPECIES OF DEUDORIX KNOWN FROM NEW GUINEA (LEP. EYCAENIDAE) Karl Jordan . . 147—140 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE Vol. XXXVI. NOVEMBER 1930. No. 1. DESCRIPTION OF NEW SPHINGIDAE AND REMARKS ON SOME OTHERS. By DR. K. JORDAN. (With eleven text-figures.) l. Polyptychus serrator commodus subsp. nov. (text-figs. 1, 2). cJ. In colour and pattern like P. serrator serrator Jord. 1929 and P. pygarga spurrelli R. & J. 1912, from West Africa. The markings of the single specimen rather indistinct, as is sometimes the case also in P. p. spurrelli ; forewing, above, with a brown costal subapical spot 3 mm. long ; brown suffusion at termen deeper in tone than in P. p. spurrelli. Underside buffish clay-colour ; at apex of forewing a brown triangle along costa about 6 mm. long, the grey suffusion at termen thereby narrowed into a point at apex. Clasper very distinct : dorsal apical process (dp) of clasper long and curved frontad, pointed, as shown in text-fig. 1 (view from inside), and 2 (dorsal aspect) ; dorsal margin (dm) of clasper rounded-expanded, but smooth, not denticulate as in P. s. serrator. Armature of penis-sheath similar to that of P. s. serrator, but the patch of teeth less oblique and the apical teeth directed apicad- ventrad (probably variable indi- vidually). Hab. Victoria Nyanza, Sesse Islands : Lutoboka Bugalla, larva at forest edge, pupated 2.1. , emerged 20.1.1913 (Dr. D. H. Carpenter), 1 <$ in Hope Department, Oxford. 1 2 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 2. Polyptychus trilineatus sonantis Bubsp. nov. (text-figs. 3-5). c?$. This subspecies, from South India, and P. t. luteatus R. & J. 1903, from Ceylon, are in structure remarkably different from the two Himalayan subspecies, P. t. trilineatus Moore 1888, from the Western Himalayas, and P. t. undatus R. & J. 1903, from the Eastern Himalayas and Assam, and resemble each other very closely. In colour P. t. sonantis agrees better with Himalayan specimens than with Ceylonese ones, differing from the latter particularly in the zigzag line placed in between the two outer lines of the forewing, upperside, being but indicated or even absent. The specimens are bred and have a grey bloom, which must not be expected to be present in caught specimens which have been on the wing for some time. Genitalia . <J : Anal tergite somewhat longer than in P. t. luteatus, but much shorter than in P. t. trilineatus and P. t. undatus. Anal sternite (text-fig. 3) a rather high thin ridge which is incurved in middle, whereas in P. t. luteatus it is medianly pro- duced into an obtuse lobe. Gasper as in P. t. luteatus, the ridge (mr) on the harpe somewhat longer (text-fig. 4). Unpaired ventral process of penis-sheath not fish- tail like as in the northern sub- species, but asymmetrical as in the Ceylonese subspecies, the apex being dilated towards one side only, this projection a little shorter than in P. t. luteatus. $ : Post- vaginal plate somewhat more rounded laterally than in P. t. undatus (we have no $? of P. t. luteatus and P. t. trilineatus) ; tergite VIII divided into two rounded lobes (text-fig. 5), which do not bear a hump on the upperside as they do in P. t. undatus. Hab. South India: North Kanara, Karwar, 2 $<$, 3 ??, bred by T. R. Bell, who has very kindly presented this series to the Tring Museum. 3. Polyptychus trilineatus trilineatus Moore 1888 (text-figs. 6, 9). A $ bred by Major F. B. Scott enables me to supplement and correct what we said in the R e v i s i o n , p. 238. This specimen has the lines of the forewing in the same position as the various other subspecies, proving the type-specimen of P. t. trilineatus (a $) to be an aberrant individual as suggested in the Revi- sion. In colour Major Scott's o almost agrees with P. deniatus Cram. 1777, being paler than P. t. undatus R. & J. 1903. The Q-avia&iwxG of the specimen NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 3 is characterized by the two apical teeth of the harpe being close together, the ventral tooth being but slightly longer than the upper one (text-fig. 6) ; the size of these teeth is rather variable in P. I. undatus and may be expected to vary also in P. t. trilineatus. The fish-tail process of the penis-funnel (text- fig. 9), as well as the lateral processes of the funnel (pdr and pdl, cf. Revision, p. 25, fig. 2) as in P. t. undatus, the right prong of the fish-tail longer than the left one, as is also the case in P. t. undatus (the processes pdr and pdl not present in the subspecies from South India and Ceylon). Hah. Western Himalayas : Dharmsala (1 $ in Mus. Brit.) and Dehra Dun, 1 $ bred October 1026 (Major F. B. Scott). 4. Polyptychus trilineatus mincopicus subsp. nov. (text-figs. 7, 10). (§. In colour and pattern like P. t. undatus R. & J. 1003, differing only in the genital ar- mature : the two apical teeth of the harpe (text-fig. 7, view from frontal side) almost of equal length, nearer together than in P. t. undatus ; the ventral margin of the harpe convex close to base of lower tooth. Anal tergite apically somewhat flatter and less pointed than in P. t. undatus. Unpaired fish-tail process of penis- funnel (text-fig. 10) apically broader than in P. t. undatus, with the two prongs less produced. Hab. Andamans : Port Blair, 1 o in Mus. Tring. 5. Polyptychus trilineatus kelanus subsp. nov. (text-fig. 8). (J. In colour and pattern like P. t. undatus, differing only in the genital armature : impaired fish-tail process of penis-funnel as in P. t. mincopicus. its apex slightly more rounded at sides. The two apical teeth of harpe (text-fig. 8, view from frontal side) on a neck which is somewhat longer than the ventral tooth ; the latter about twice the length of the upper tooth. Hab. Sumatra : Langkat, Balei Codjah, April, 1 <$ in Mus. Tring, received from M. E. Le Moult. 6. Polyptychus dentatus Cram. 1777. In the Revision we described the penis-sheath as being without arma- ture. The statement is erroneous. At that time we had only one damaged cj for dissection. In fresh specimens from Bangalore, S. India (Major F. B. 4 XoYlTATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. Scott), the penis-sheath bears a very long and slender apical process which is directed frontad, but (in a relaxed specimen) is movable to some extent at the junction with the sheath. 7. Nyceryx draudti Gehlen 1926 (text-fig. 11). Described from one <J in the Berlin Museum, ex coll. Staudinger, locality : Shanusi, Peru, S.W. of Yurimaguas. The specimen agrees so well in size and colouring with N. stuarli Roths. 1894 that Dr. B. Preston Clark, in 1928, sank draudti as a synonym of stuarti. Herr Gehlen has since submitted the type of draudti to me for inspection, together with other Sphingidae described by him. The comparison with the long series of N. stuarli in our collection proves the type of N. draudti to be different from anything we have. The external dis- tinctions are slight, but they are corroborated by the genitalia, and for that reason we must consider the specimen named N. draudti as representing a species distinct from N. stuarti. However, the matter is not yet settled beyond all doubt ; for the genitalia of ^V. draudti are of almost the same build as in N. stuarti except in the position of the lateral ventral horns of the anal segment. In N. stuarti sternite X lies entirely below tergite X, so that in a dorsal view the long curved horn of X.st. is visible inside the space between the anal cone (An) and X.t., whereas in N. draudti the whole of X.st. is lateral, lying on the outside of the process of X.t., as shown in text-fig. 11 (taken from type of N. draudti). At the base of the horn of X.st. there is a conical tooth as in N. stuarli. The process of X.t. is somewhat shorter than in N. stuarti. X.st. 8. Macroglossum melas pullius subsp. nov. Macroglossum melas Roths. & Jord., Revision of Sphingidae, p. 646, no. 585 (1903) (partim). <?. Yellow patch on hindwing. on upperside, divided by a line on submedian fold, this line missing in the cJ<J from Key, the locality of M. m. melas ; on underside the abdominal area of hindwing more grey. ?. Yellow patch of hindwing either as in $ or at least separated below cell from costal area by a black streak which connects the terminal bonier with the black basal area ; underside as in <^. NOV1TATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 5 Hab. New Guinea : Sariba Is. (type) and Milne Bay (A. S. Meek), Hydro- grapher Mts. and West side of Herzog Mts. (A. F. Eichhorn) ; 2 £$, 5 $$. We have 3 JtJ, 1 ? of M. m. melas from Little Key (H. Kiihn). 9. Hippotion exclamationis austrinum subsp. no v. cJ. Forewing slightly broader than in H. e. exclamationis Fawc. 1915, the discal line more proximal, crossing R1 halfway between cell and termen, accentu- ated on the veins, but not developed into a stripe from SCS to R1 as in H. e. exclamationis ; cloud at apex of cell diffuse, smaller in type than in paratype. Ground-colour of hindwing and of underside more rufescent than in H. e. excla- mationis (perhaps owing to the specimens of the new subspecies being quite fresh ?). On underside the discal line broad and prominent in type, less so in paratype. ^-genitalia differ in the harpe being slenderer. Hab. Zululand : Eshowe, August 1929, bred by Mr. E. E. Piatt, who has very kindly presented to the Tring Museum the two <$$ here described. H. exclamationis resembles H. roseipennis Butl. 1882, but the discal line of the forewing, instead of joining the apical streak, is anteriorly curved towards the costa, and the median line, which is placed outside the cell-apex in H. rosei- pennis, is absent from H. exclamationis. The anal sternite of H. exclamationis is not indented in middle, but rounded. NOYITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. WELCHE PARADIESVOGELARTEN DER LITERATUR SIND HYBRIDEN URSPRUNGS ? Von ERWIN STRESEMANN (Berlin). OC'HON wiederholt haben Beschreiber oder Benrteiler gewisser seltener ^ Paradiesvogelarten den Verdackt geaussert, dass man es hier mit Bas- tarden und nicht mit natiirlichen Spezies zu tun habe. Dieser Verdacht wurde aber stets aufs neue zuriickgewiesen. Man glaubte, sich darauf stiitzen zu konnen, dass Neu-Guinea, insbesondere seine Hochgebirge, noch immer sehr mangelhaft erforscht sei ; wenn also die eigentliehen Wohnplatze einer solehen Paradiesvogelart bisher nicht bekannt geworden seien, so miisse man sie eben in diesen noch unbetretenen Regionen suehen. Oder man verwies darauf, dass Art- und Gattungsbastarde unter Singvogeln grosse Seltenheiten darstellen ; warum sollten sie gerade unter den Paradiesvogeln formlich gehauft auftreten 1 Solehen Argumenten wurde naturgemass von alien denen, die ihre Freude an der Mannigfaltigkeit der Natur haben, gern Gehor geschenkt, und diese nahmen die Kunde von der Entdeckung neuer Paradiesvogelarten allemal mit Begeisterung zur Kenntnis, ohne sich irgendwelchen Zweifeln hinzugeben. Nun ist Neu-Guinea seit dem Kriege weiterhin nach den verdachtigen Paradiesvogeln durchsucht worden, aber ohne jeden Erfolg. Auch der wich- tigste Zufluchtsort, welchen sich die Phantasie gewahlt hatte, um ihn mit diesen ratselhaften Paradiesvogelarten zu bevolkern, das Arfakgebirge namlich, ent- tauschte alle Hoffnungen : Dr. Ernst Mayr brachte von dort nur solche Arten mit, an deren " Giite " niemals ein Zweifel geherrscht hat. So schien es mir denn zeitgemass, alle irgendwie verdachtigen Para- diesvogelarten einmal unter dem Gesichtspunkt zu betrachten, ob es nicht vielleicht doch Gattungs- oder Artbastarde sein konnten. Den Anstoss dazu gab mir ein 1929 vom Tring-Museum im Tausch erhaltenes Stuck von Ptilorhis numtoui, das ich sofort als einen Mischling von Ptilorhis magnified x Seleucides ignotus ansprach. Auf breiter Grundlage durchfiihrbar aber waren die Unter- suchungen nur im Tring-Museum mit seiner unvergleichlich vollstandigen Paradiesvogelsammlung. Ich mochte auch an dieser Stelle Lord Rothschild meinen warmsten Dank aussprechen, nicht allein dafiir, dass er mir die Durchar- beitung seiner Schatze gestattete, sondern auch fiir das rege Interesse, mit dem er meine Arbeit begleitete, und fiir die vielen wertvollen Hinweise und Ratschlage, die er mir in Tring und bei gemeinsamer Durchsicht der Paradies- vogelsammlung des Britischen Museums hat zuteil werden lassen. Nachtraglich vermochte ich, dank dem freundlichen Entgegenkommen des Herrn Prof. Dr. E. D. van Oort, auch noch die im Leidener Museum verwahrten Typen von Neoparadisea ruysi und Janihothorax bensbachi zu untersuchen. Das Ergebnis meiner Untersuchungen sei vorangestellt : ich fand meine Erwartungen nicht nur erfiillt, sondern sogar iibertroffen. Nicht weniger als 18 Arten und 8 Gattungen der Paradiesvogelliteratur sind hybriden Ursprungs NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 193(1. und niiissen aus den Verzeichnissen der existierenden Vogelarten gestrichen werdcn. Zur Veranschaulichung der Befunde diene das beigefiigte Diagramm. PARADIGALLA *© EPIMACHUS X© DIPHYLLODES CICINNURUS (1) Rhipldornis gulielmi-tertii, Cicinnurus lyogyrus unci Cicinnurus good/ elloim. (2) Neoparadisea ruysi. (3) Paradisaea maria und Paradisaea duivenbodii. (4) Janthothorax mirabilis. (5) Jantho- thorax bensbachi. (6) Heteroptilorhis mantoui. (7) Paryphephorus duivenbodii. (8) Lamprothorax wilhelminae. (9) Parotia duivenbodii. (10) Loboramphus ptilorhis. (11) Loboramphus nobilis. (12) Pseudastrapia lobata. (13) Pseudastrapia ellioti und Epimachus astrapioides. SPEZIELLER TEIL. A. GATTUNGS-BASTARDE. 1. (a) Rhipidornis gulielnii-tertii (A. B. Meyer) "1 (= Diphyllodes (b) Cicinnurus lyogyrus Currie magnificus (Penn.) x (<•) Cicinnurus goodiellowi Og. Grant J ( Cicinnurus regius (L.). (a) Diphyllodes gulielmi III A. B. Meyer, Der Zoolog. Garten 16, p. 29 (1875—" Waigeu ") ; Berlioz, Bull. Soc. Zool. de France, 52, 1927, p. 397 ; Meise, Abh. Mus. Dresden, xvii. 4, 1929, p. 8 (mit ausfuhrlichem Literaturverzeichnis). Abbildimg : Gould, Birds of New Guinea, i. 1876, tab. XXI. (b) Cicinnurus lyogyrus Currie, Proc. U.S. Nat. Museum, 22, p. 497 (1900— Patria ignota) ; Roth- schild, Ibis, 1911, p. 362. (c) Cicinnurus goodfelloioi Og. Grant, Bull. B.O. Club, 19, p. 39 (1907— Zyklopen-Gebirge) ; Strese- mann, Arch./. Naturgesch. 1923, A7, p. 35. Zu a. Es sind iiber 15 Exemplare bekannt, davon etwa 10 in Tring, 2 in Dresden, 2 in London, mindenstens je 1 in Leiden und Paris, 1 in Berlin. Es war wohl Berlioz (1927), der als Erster diese "Art " unbedenklich als Bastard hingestellt hat ; bald darauf hat Meise (1929) ausfuhrlich dargelegt, dass alle morphologischen Eigentiimlickheiten von "Rhipidornis " mit dieser Annahme zwanglos erklart werden konnen. Ich kann hier auf seine Erlauterun- 8 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVTI. 1930. gen verweisen, da ich ilinen in alien Punkten beistimme. Es ist sehr merkwiirdig, dass sich die Ornithologen dieser Einsicht so lange versehlossen haben. Der von E. Nyman vor 30 Jahren an das Tring-Museum eingesandte Balg tragt in Nymans Handschrift den Vermerk : " Cicinnurus regius x Diphyllodes magnified. Iris ? N. Guinea, zwischen Bongu und Stephansort. April 1899. Von einem Eingeborenen aus Bismarekarchipel geschossen." Da Cicinnurus regius im Tiefland von ganz Neu-Guinea neben Diphyllodes magnificus lebt, so werden auch iiberall gelegentlich Bastarde anftreten ; man hat solche in der Tat sowohl aus HollSndisch- wie aus Deutsch- und Britisch- Neuguinea erhalten. Zu b und, c. Nur 3 Exemplare sind bekannt geworden ; Typ 6 ist in Washington, Typ c in London und Berlin vertreten. b und c unterscheiden sich nur unwesentlich voneinander und konnen daher gemeinsam behandelt werden. Sie sind von alien Exemplaren des " Rhipidornis " durch eine weite Kluft getrennt und stehen in morphologischer Hinsicht Cicinnurus weit naher ; kein Wunder daher, dass man sie fur Bastarde zwischen Rhipidornis gulielmi- tertii und Cicinnurus gehalten hat (Rothschild, Ibis, 1911, p. 364) oder fur das Ergebnis der Riickkreuzung von [Diphyllodes magnificus x Cicinnurus regius] X Cicinnurus regius (Meise 1929). Ich halte diese Hypothese jedoch fiir un- vvahrscheinlic'h ; hat sie doch zur Voraussetzung, dass " Rhipidornis " ein fruchtbarer Bastard ist, was noch zu beweisen ware. Statt dessen mochte ich annehmen, dass die reziproke Kreuzung von Diphyllodes X Cicinnurus versehie- dene Ergebnisse liefert, weil gewisse Faktoren, welche Farbung und Form des Gefieders beeinflussen, im Geschlechtschromosom Uegen. Analoge Beispiele sind aus der Klasse der Vogel wiederholt bekanntgegeben worden. So unterscheiden sich bei der Kreuzung Konigsfasan X Ringfasan (Syrmaticus reevesi X Phasianus colchicus torquatus) die reziproken Bastarde, wenigstens im rnannlicken Geschlecht, sehr wesentlich von einander, wie J. C. Phillips nachgewiesen hat.1 Das gleiche wird behauptet fiir die reziproken Bastarde von Birkwild X Auerwild (Lyrurus tetrix X Tetrao urogallus). Ich bin geneigt, anzunehmen, dass " Rhipidornis " aus der Kreuzung Diphyllodes magnificus^ x Cicinnurus regius^ hervorgeht, Cicinnurus lyogyrus und C. goodjelloivi dagegen aus der reziproken Kreuzung, die danach wesentlich seltener vorkommen wiirde. 2. Neoparadisea ruysi van Oort = Paradisaea minor minor Shaw x Diphyllodes magnifica magnifica (Penn.). Neoparadisea ruysi van Oort, Notes Leyden Museum, xxviii, p. 129 (1906 — bei Warsembo an der Westkiiste der Geelvlnk-Bai, gegeniiber der Insel Amberpon). Beurteilung nach der Untersuchung des Typus, dem sich bisher kein zweites Stuck hinzugesellt hat. Eine Abbildung existiert leider nicht. Der Vogel wurde beschrieben nach einem Balg, der im Sommer 1905 von Papuas am angegebenen Ort gesammelt worden sein soil, was durchaus glaubhaft erscheint. Fliigelliinge mit 150 mm. intermediar zwischen Paradisaea (177-189 mm.) und Diphyllodes (111-119 mm.). 1 J. C. Phillips, " Reciprocal Crosses between Reeves's Pheasant and the Common Ring-Neck Pheasant producing unlike Hybrids," Atner. Naturalist, Jcvii, 1913, pp. 701-4. Novitates Zoologicae XXXVI. 1930. 9 3«. Paradisaea maria Reichenow = Paradisaea apoda augustae-victoriae Cab. Paradisaea ("Trichoparadisea " guilelmi Cab. Paradisea maria Reichenow. Ornilh. Monatsber. ii, p. 22 (1894 — Finisterre-Gebirge, 1500' hoch) ; Rothschild, Bull. B.O. Club, 27, p. 36 (1910) ; Stresemann, Arch.f. Natnrgesch. 1923, A7, p. 40 ; Stresemann, O.M.B. 33, 1925, p. 128. Abbildung : Journ.f. Orn. 1897, tab. V. Untersucht : 5. Exemplare, namlich die folgenden : in Berlin den Typus vom Finisterre-Gebirge und einen angeblich an den siidlichen Abhiingen des Herzoggebirges, wahrscheinlich aber am Oberlauf des Adlerflusses (Dr. Mayr, miindlich) erlegten Handelsbalg ; ferner in Tring 3 Exemplare, von denen 2 die offenbar richtige Herkunftsangabe " Sattelberg " tragen. Schon Rothschild (1910) und spater ich selbst (1923) haben diese "Art" fiir einen Bastard zwischen P. augustae-victoriae und P. guilelmi erkliirt ; meine 1923 wegen der Farbe der Schmuekfedern geausserten Bedenken sind insofern hinfallig geworden, als ich mich durch Augenschein iiberzeugen konnte, dass " Paradisaea apoda granti " ein Synonym von P. apoda augustae-victoriae ist (die roteren Schmuekfedern des granti-Typus, weisen offenbar auf kiirzere Trag- dauer des Gefieders hin ; solche Individuen werden auch am Sattelberg gefunden). 36. Paradisaea duivenbodei Menegaux = Paradisaea minor finschi A. B. Meyer (?) x Paradisaea ("Trichoparadisea") guilelmi Cab. Paradisea duivenbodei Menegaux, Revue Franc. d'Ornith. 5, p. 49 und 172 (1913 — " pres de Yaour, dans la baie de Geelvink "). Nur der Typus bekannt (Mus. Paris). Beurteilung nach der Urbeschreibung und nach Notizen, die sich Lord Rothschild bei personlicher Untersuchung des Typus gemacht hat. Fliigellange desselben 190 mm. Fiir die Elternschaft von P. minor finschi und nicht P. apoda augustae-victoriae spricht folgendes : die strohgelbe Riickenfarbe dehnt sich nicht, wie bei " P. maria," auf die oberen Scliwanzdeckfedern aus, die Schmuekfedern sind gelb und nicht, wie bei " P. maria," rostlich rot getont. Der Fundort Yaour ist ohne Frage falsch ; der Vogel stammt viehnehr sicher aus Deutsch-Neuguinea. Es ist mir nicht bekamit, ob P. guilelmi irgendwo sein Verbreitungsgebiet mit P. minor finschi teilt ; doch ist dies vielleicht am Oberlauf des Ramu oder im westlichen Finisterre-Gebirge der Fall. 4. Janthothorax mirabilis (Reichenow) = Paradisaea minor Shaw :■- Seleucides nigricans Shaw. Paradisea mirabilis Reichenow, Orn. Monatsher. 9, p. 186 (1901 — "angeblich in der Umgebung von Friedrich-Wilhelms Hafen geschossen " ) ; Janthothorax mirabilis Rothschild, Bull. B.O. Club, xiii, p. 31 (1903) ; Rothschild, Ibis, 1911, p. 358 : Hartert, Nov. Zool. xxvi, 1919, p. 130 ; Stresemann, Arch. f. Naturgesch. 1923, A7, p. 32. Abbildung : Journ. f. Orn. 1902, tab. I. Schon bei der Beschreibung des Typus ausserte Reichenow, der Vogel stelle wahrscheinlich das Ergebnis einer Kreuzung von Paradisaea und Seleucides dar. Von anderer Seite ist diese Ansicht energisch zuriickgewiesen und als Irrtum bezeichnet worden, aber sie besteht dennoch zu Recht. 10 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. Im Tring-Museum befinden sich gegenwartig 3 Exemplare, namlich ausser dem Typus, der sehr wohl aus der Umgebung von Friedrich-Wilhelma Hafen (= Madang) stammen konnte (dann waren Paradisaea minor finschi und Seleucides nigricans attripennis seine Eltern), nocli 2 Stiick von " Arfak-Praepara- tion." Intcrinediar zwischen beiden Gattungen ist beim Bastard gar mancherlei : Schnabellange und Schnabelgestalt, Schwanzlange, Befiederung und Farbung. Den " Drahten " von Paradisaea entsprechen bei Janthothorax verliingerte , spitz zulaufende, mit ganz schmalen, blaugriinsehillernden Barten versehene centrale Steuerfedern. Die Struktur der Oberkopffedern gleicht derjenigen der beiden Eltern, sie besitzen aber nicht den violett-erzfarbenen (SeZeMCMZ&s-Schiller, sondern schillern blaugriin. Die Riickenfedern schillern etwa in der Ausdehnung des gelben Paradisaeakragens blau und enden teihveise in schmutzig braunen Spitzen. Unterriicken, Schwingen, Steuerfedern (ausser dem blaugriinsehillernden centralen Paar) sind gleichfalls schmutzig braun gefarbt : das Mischungsprodukt zwischen der Eumelaninfarbung bei Seleucides und der rostlichen Phaeomelanin- Farbung bei Paradisaea. Kehle blaumetallisch in der Ausdehnung der griin- metallischen Paradisaea-Kehle, von da ab iiberzieht die Brust ein braunliches Schwarz mit sehr schwachem Metallschiller ; die hintersten seitlichen Brustfedern tragen die griinsehillernde Endbinde von Seleucides, aber verschmiilert und von stumpferem Glanz. Ein iiberraschendes Kombinationsergebnis scheint zuniichst die stark melanotische Fiirbung der von Paradisaea ererbten Schmuekfedern der seitlichen Brustflur zu sein ; indessen erfiillt ja das Eumelanin auch die Drahte von Seleucides ! 5. Janthothorax bensbachi (Biittikofer) = Paradisaea minor Shaw x Ptilorhis magnifica Vieillot. Janthothorax bensbachi Biittikofer, Notes Leyden Mus. vol. 16, p. 163 (1894 — " Arfak-Gebirge ") Rothschild, Paradiseidae (1898), p. 22. Abbildung : Sharpe, Monograph of the Paradiseidae, 1896, vol. i. tab. VIII. Nachdem die Deutung von Janthothorax mirabilis sichergestellt ist. kann man bei Priifung des im Leidener Museums aufbewahrten Unikums von J. bensbachi nicht im Zweifel dariiber bleiben, dass hier das Produkt einer Kreuzung von Paradisaea minor und Ptilorhis magnifica vorliegt : viillig geschwiirzte Unterseite und die Qualitat des Schillers an verschiedenen Regionen des Gefieders schliessen Seleucides aus und zeugen fur Ptilorhis. 6. Heteroptilorhis mantoui (Oustalet) = Ptilorhis magnifica (Vieill.) Seleucides nigricans (Shaw). ' raspedophora mantoui Oustalet, Le Xatnraliste, 13, p. 260 (1891 — " Xeuguinea ") ; Craspedophora Iruijni Biittikofer, Not. Leijd. Mus. 16, p. 161 (1894 — " Arfakgebirge ") ; Ptilorhis mantoui Rothschild, Paradiseidae (1898), p. 25 ; Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. x, 1903, p. 74. Abbildungen : Xouv. Arch. Mus. Paris (3)4, 1892, tab. XV; Sharpe, Monograph of the Paradiseidae (1896), I, tab. V. Es sind mindestens 9 Stiick dieser " Art " bekamit : 1 in Paris, 1 in Leiden, 6 in Tring, 1 in Berlin — kein Wunder, denn die Gattungen Ptilorhis und Seleucides, deren Kreuzung dieses Ergebnis liefert, sind offenbar sehr nahe mit einander verwandt. Sogar die Verliingerung der 6 Flankenfedern zu aus- und vonvarts NOV1TATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 11 gebogenen Drahten, die das hauptsachliehe Kennzeiehen der Gattung Seleucides ausmachen, ist bei Ptilorhis magnified schon angedeutet, gewissermassen im Keime vorhanden. Beim Bastard sind die hintersten Brustfedem liinger als bei Ptilorhis magnified und nicht so lang wie bei Seleucides ; wie bei Seleucides sind sie mit einern schmalen metallischen Endsaum versehen, der indessen nicht griin, sondern violettblau scliillert. Die Kehl- und Brustfedem halten in ihrer Struktur genau die Mitte zwischen der Samtstruktur von Seleucides und der Schillerstruktur von Ptilorhis magnifica. Federn des Kinnwinkels starker verlangert als bei P. magnifica, aber nicht so lang wie bei Seleucides. Struktur der Oberkopf-Federn und deren Farbung viel niiher Seleucides als Ptilorhis, aber Nasenlocher wie bei Ptilorhis von Federn verdeckt, nicht nackt wie bei Seleucides. Riicken nicht samtschwarz wie bei Ptilorhis, sondern wie bei Seleu- cides mit metallischem Schiller, aber nicht mit griinem, sondern mit violett- erzfarbenem. Oberschnabel seitlich etwas starker zusammengedriickt als bei Ptilorhis, aber nicht ganz so stark wie bei Seleucides. Fussfarbe intermedial- zwischen Seleucides (hell rosa) und Ptilorhis (schwarz). Seitliche Schmuckfedern, Analgegend und Unterschwanzdecken zuweilen ganz geschwarzt (mantoui- Typus), meist aber in wechselnder Ausdehnung weisslich bleibend (bruijni- Typus). 7. Paryphephorus duivenbodei (A. B. Meyer) = Ptilorhis magnifica (VieiU.) x Lophorina superba (Perm.). Craspedophora duivenbodei A. B. Meyer, His, 1890, p. 419 (1890 — " N.W. Neuguinea ") ; Paryphe- phorus duivenbodei, Rothschild, Paradiseidae (1898), p. 22 ; Rothschild, Ibis, 1911, p. 353 ; Meise, Abh. u. Ber. Mus.f. Tierk. Dresden, xvii, 4, 1929, p. 6. Abbilclung : Ibis, 1890, tab. XII. Nur 2 Exemplare bekannt : der Typus in Dresden und ein Stuck im Tring- Museum, das nach Aussage von A. E. Pratt bei Foula, 4000' hoch, im Gebirge zwischen Aroa-Fluss und St. Joseph 's-Fluss erbeutet worden ist (Rothschild, 1011). Das letztere ist also aus einer Kreuzung von Ptilorhis magnifica inter- cedeus Sharpe und Lophorina superba minor Ramsay hervorgegangen. Schon Meise (1929) hat vermutet, dass Paryphephorus duivenbodei das Produkt der oben angegebenen Kreuzung sei. Das in Tring befmdliche Stuck steht so genau in der Mitte zwischen Ptilorhis und Lophorina, dass ich an seiner Bastardnatur nicht den geringsten Zweifel hege. 8. Lampro thorax wilhelminae A. B. Meyer = Lophorina superba (Penn.) > Diphyllodes magnificus (Penn.). Lamprothorax wilhelminae A. B. Meyer, Abh. Mus. Dresden, 1894/5, Nr. 2 (1894 — Arfak-Gebirge) ; Biittikofer, Notes Leyd. Mus. 16, 1894, p. 164; Rothschild u. Hartert, Nov. Zool. x, 1903, p. 73 ; Meise, Abh. Mus. Dresden, xvii, 4, 1929, p. 6. Abbildung : Abh. Mus. Dresden, 1894/95, tab. Nur 3 Exemplare bekannt : je eines in Dresden (" Arfak-Gebirge "), in Leiden (" Arfak-Gebirge ") und Tring (ohne Fundort). Ein sehr komplizierter Bastard. Kompromiss zwischen kurzen und ausserst stark verlanserten mittleren Schwanzfedern wie bei Janthothorax. 12 NoVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 9. Parotia duivenbodei Rothschild = Lophorina superba (Penn.) x Parotia sefilata (Penn.). Parotia duivenbodei Rothschild, Bull. B.O. Club, x, p. 100 (1900 — " Holliindisch Neuguinea"); Rothschild, Ibis, 1911, p. 355. Abbildung des Typus : Ibis, 1911, tab. V. Nur 2 Exemplare bekannt : je eines in Tring nnd Paris. Grosse und Schnabelform interniediar zwischen Lophorina und Parotia. Innere Arm- sehwingen oberseits nicht samtschwarz wie bei Parotia, sondern mit violett- erzfarbeneni Schiller, sehr ahnlich wie bei Lophorina. Interniediar ferner u.a. : Befiederung des Kinnwinkels, Struktur der metallischen Brustfedern, Lange der Flankenfedern, Gestalt der Spitzen der 1. und 2. Handschwinge, Ausdehnung der metallischen Oberkopffedern. Wahrend dem Pariser Stiick die 6 Flaggen- federn von Parotia samtlich fehlen, hat der Tringer Bastard merkwiirdiger Weise ein einziges Paar von diesen in ungekiirzter Lange ererbt. 10. Loborhamphus ptilorhis Sharpe = Parotia sefilata (Penn.) \ Paradigalla carunculata Less. Loborhamphus ptilorhis Sharpe, Bull. B.O. Club, xxi, p. 67 (1908 — " angeblich aus Holliindisch Neuguinea ") ; Rothschild, Ibis, 1911, p. 358. Nur der Typus (Brit. Mus. 1908, 4, 101) bekannt. Er ist in vielen Eigen- schaften interniediar zwischen Parotia und Paradigalla, aber Fliigel und Schwanz zeigen violetten Schiller, ebenso schillert der Bauch violett. Merkwiirdigerweise sind die Flankenfedern breit schwarz und braunlich rahmfarben quergebandert, in einer Breite, wie sie weder der jungen Parotia noch der jungen Paradigalla eigen ist, wie sie sich aber beim $ von Astrapia findet. 11. Loborhamphus nobilis Rothschild = Paradigalla carunculata Less, x Lophorina superba (Penn.). Loborhamphus nobilis Rothschild, Bull. B.O. Club, xii, p. 34 (1901 — " Holliindisch Neuguinea " ) ; Rothschild u. Hartert, Nov. Zool. x, 1903, p. 72. Abbildung : Nov. Zool. x, 1903, tab. I. Nur 2 Exemplare bekannt, beide im Tring-Museum. Wie bei " Lobo- rhamphus ptilorhis " und " Pseudastrapia lobata," so verraten auch hier die knrzen gelben Hautlappen am Mundwinkel deutlich die Partnerschaft von Paradigalla, ; die grell metallische Kopfplatte hingegen entspricht in ihrer Ausdehnung ganz der von Lophorina. Unter dem Einfluss von Lophorina sind die seitlichen Brustfedern und die Nackenfedern verlangert. Fliigel- und Schnabellange sowie die Gestalt der Spitze von 1. und 2. Handschwinge interniediar. Der Bauch hat — als " Neuerwerb " — violetten Schimmer angenommen ! Dem griinen Kehllatz von Lophorina entsprechen in der centralen Area ziemlich kurze rotvio- lette (!) Schillerfedern ; die Kopfplatte schillert rotviolett, nicht wie bei Lopho- rina : griin ! Die Schwanzlange der beiden bekannten Exemplare ist nur schein- bar sehr verschieden, denn eines von ihnen hat die langen mittleren Schwanz- federn eingebiisst ! NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 13 12. Pseudastrapia lobata Rothschild = Paradigalla earunculata Less, x Epimachus fastosus (Herm). Pseudastrapia lobata Rothschild, Bull. B.O. Club, 21, p. 25 (1907 — " Hollandisch-Xeuguinea ") ; Rothschild, Ibis, 1911, p. 361 ; Hartert, Nov. Zool: xxvi, 1919, p. 129. Nur der Typus (im Tring-Museum) bekannt. Er tragt ofEenbar das I. Jahreskleid und steht daher noch nicht in vollem Schmuck. Darum fehlt audi jede Andeutung der " Schmuckfliigel " des alten Epimachus. Kurze gelbe Mundwinkellappen wie bei den beiden " Loborhamphus-Arten." Grosse, Lange und Farbung des Schwanzes intermediar zwisehen Paradigalla earunculata und Epimachus. Schnabel nur wenig langer als bei Paradigalla und nur urn ein weniges starker gebogen. 13. (a) Pseudastrapia ellioti (Ward) und (b) Epimachus astrapioides Rothschild = Epimachus fastosus (Herm.) x Astrapia nigra (Gmel.). (a) Epimachus ellioti Ward, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1873, p. 742 (1873 — ohne Fuudort) ; A. B. Meyer Ibis, 1890, p. 418. Pseudastrapia ellioti, Rothschild, Ibis, 1911, p. 361. Abbildungen : Elliot, Monogr. Paradis. tab. XX (1873) ; Gould, Birds of New Guinea I, tab. VIII (1890) ; Sharpe, Monogr. of Birds of Parad. tab. XVI (1896). (h) Epimachus astrapioides Rothschild, Bull. B.O. Club, vii, p. 22 (1898 — " HollSadisch Neuguinea ") ; Falcinellus astrapioides, Rothschild, Paradiseidae (1898), p. 30. Abbildung : Nov. Zool. xviii, 1911, tab. VII. Nur 3 (adulte) Exemplare bekannt : je eines in London (Typus von ellioti), in Dresden (aus " Nord-West-Neuguinea ") und in Tring (Typus von astra- pioides). Der Typus von " Epimachus astrapioides " steht so gut in der Mitte zwisehen Epimachus fastosus fastosus und Astrapia nigra nigra, dass deren Zusammen- wirken bei der Erzeugung des Bastards ohne weiteres einleuchtet. Etwas anders steht es mit " Pseudastrapia ellioti," in dem man vielleicht den reziproken Bastard gefunden hat. Er hat zwar die breiten, violett schillernden Schwanz- federn von Astrapia, die am Ende Epimachus-axtig zugespitzt sind ; er hat " Schmuckfliigel " ahnlich wie Epimachus, sein Bauch schillert griinlich wie bei Astrapia und sogar der rotlich-metallische Brustlatz von Astrapia ist gut ange- deutet, aber an seinem Schnabelwinkel finden sich kurze gelbliche Hautlappen, ganz als ware Paradigalla mitbeteiligt gewesen. Ein hochst sonderbares Kombi- nationsergebnis der Erbanlagen ! 14. Ptilonorhynchus rawnsleyi (Diggles) = Ptilonorhynchus violaceus Vieill. x Sericulus chrysocephalus Lewin. Scriculus rawnsleyi Diggles, Orn. Austr. tab. 52 (1866 — bei Brisbane) ; Ptilonorhynchus rawnsleyi, Ramsay, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1875, p. 69. Abbildungen : Gould, Birds of Austr., Suppl., 1869, tab. XXXIV ; Elliot, Monogr. Paradis. 1873, tab. XXIX. Dieser Vogel ist Unikuni gebliebcn. Seitdem Ramsay (1875) seine Bastard- natur klargelegt hat, ist " Ptilonorhynchus rawnsleyi " endgiiltig aus der Liste existierender Arten gestrichen worden. 1-t NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. B. ART-BASTARDE. Paradisea mixta Rothschild = Paradisaea minor fiiischi A. B. Meyer x Paradisaea apoda augustaevictoriae Cab. Paradisea mixta Rothschild, Bull. B.O. Cluh, 41, p. 127 (1921 — Fundort unbekannt) ; Hartert, Nov. Zool. 34, 1928, p. 190. Zwei dieser Bastarde befinden sich im Tring-Museum. Sic diirften vom westlichen Teil des Finisterre-Gebirges oder vom Oberlauf des Ramu stammen. SCHLUSSFOLG ERUNGEN. Das Diagramm (Seite 7) wird gewiss jeden, der es betrachtet, aufs hochste iiberraschen. Es lehrt, dass die meisten Gattungen der echten Paradiesvogel Neuguineas naher mit einander verwandt sind, als man gemeinhin angenommen hat, derm das Urteil hat sich in der Regel an der triigerischen Pracht der Mannchen gebildet und nicht an dem konservativen Habitus der Weibchen. Nur die folgenden 6 Gattungen konnten bisher nicht in die lange, durch Kreuzungen zusammengeschweisste Kette aufgenommen werden : Loboparadisea, Cnemo- ]}hilu.s, Loria, Macgregoria, Pteridophora, Drepanornis. Ereignet sich die Bastardierung in freier Natur bei den Paradiesvogeln haufiger als in anderen Vogelgruppen ? Das scheint zunachst so ; man iibersehe aber nicht, dass seit Jahrzehnten gewaltige Mengen von Paradiesvogelbalgen auf den Markt gokommen sind, von den haufigeren Arten gewiss weit mehr als von irgend einer anderen Species — die jagdbaren Vogel, wie Hiihnervogel und Enten, etwa ausgenommen. Und seit Jahrzehnten haben die Federhandler grossen Stiles (wie Renesse van Duivenbode und Bruijn in Ternate, Mantou in Paris) die Myriaden von Paradiesvogelbalgen, die den Modesalons zugefiihrt werden sollten, sorgsam nach ungewohnlichen Stiicken durchmustert, weil die Museen sehr hohe Preise dafiir zahlten. Wer kann sagen, was das Ergebnis ware, wenn Singvogel anderer Familien mit ebensolchem Eifer verfolgt wiirden und unter ihnen mit gleichem Spiirsinn nach Bastarden gesucht werden wiirde ? Wir kennen eine ziemlich grosse Zahl von Bastarden zwischen Fringilla coelebs und Fringilla montifringilla, und mindestens 8 Bastarde von Delichon urbica X Hirundo rustica aus Europa. Immerhin mag es sein, dass die Kreuzungen bei Paradiesvogeln relativ haufiger vorkommen als bei den meisten anderen Passeres ; vielleicht ist das mit der Annahme zu erklaren, dass, Hand in Hand mit dem ausserordentlich stark betonten Geschlechtsdimorphismus, das £ dieser Vogel nach stattgehabter Befruchtung des $ sich nicht weiter um das Fortpflanzungsgeschaft kummert — wie wir das von den (ehelosen) Waldhiihnern der Gattungen Tetrao und Lyrurus und von den Kolibris kennen. Bastarde von Tetrao und Lyrurus sind bekannt- lich nicht gar selten, und das gleiche kann von manchen Kolibris gesagt werden : hier kemit man eine ganze Reihe von Gattungsbastarden (Helianthea lutetiae X Bourcieria torguata = " Eudosia traviesi " ; Rhamphomicrus microrhynchus X Heliangelus clarissae = " Heliangelus rothschildi " ; Lesbia X Thalurania = " Neolesbia nehrkorni " ; Lampornis nigricollis X Chrysolampis mosguitus = " Crinis calosoma," etc.1 1 Cf. Berlioz, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 52, 1927, p. 396. NOVITATES ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 15 Alle beschriebenen Paradiesvogelbastarde sind bisher ausnahmslos mann- lichen Geschlechts gewesen. Da die Weibchen der Paradiesvogel keinen Handels- wert besitzen und daher ungleich seltener als die Mannchen zur Untersuchung gelangen, so ist auf diese Tatsache kein allzu grosses Gewicht zu legen : immerhin besteht eine gewisse Wahrscheinliehkeit dafiir, dass das weibliche Geschlecht unter den intergeneren Paradiesvogelbastarden wirklich erheblich in der Minder- zahl ist. Man kann sich dabei auf die Erfahrungen berufen, die bei Gattungs- bastarden anderer Vogelgruppen, insbesondere von Tauben und Hiihnervogeln, gemacht worden sind und die gelehrt haben, dass mit Abnahme der Verwandt- scliaft der Eltern die Zahl der weiblichen Nachkommenschaft abnimmt, bis schliesslich nur noch Mannchen und bei noch entfernterer Verwandtschaft nur gonadenlose Bastarde erzeugt werden,1 welch letztere mannliche Farbung besitzen diirften. Eine genaue Analyse der so komplizierten Paradiesvogelbastarde in Hinsicht auf die Kombinationen von Farbung und Struktur steht noch aus ; ich habe nicht Zeit gefunden, sie vorzunehmen, und muss mich hier darauf beschranken, auf den Farbeffekt hinzuweisen, der zuweilen bei der Kombination zweier ver- schiedener Schillerfarben entsteht. Blaugrim-Schiller X Mattschwarz ergibt namlich nicht selten violetten Schiller, oder es tritt bei Kreuzung mattschwarz X mattschwarz ein deutlicher Violettschiller auf. Das erinnert an den violetten Schiller des Rackelhahns, hervorgegangen aus dem Blauschiller des Birkhahns und dem Grunschiller des Auerhahns und zeigt an, dass das den Schiller erzeu- gende diinne Hornblattchen, das die Radiuszellen umgibt, beim Bastard eine andere Dicke besitzt als bei jeder der beiden Elternarten.2 In Ornithologenkreisen hat man es erst neuerdings wieder alien Ernstes als moglich hingestellt, dass die Bastardierung zur Entstehung neuer Vogelarten f iihren konne (sogar unter Berufung auf die angebliche — aber de facto gar nicht bestehende — vollige Gleichformigkeit aller " Rhipidomis "-Exemplare). Ich halte es fur iiberfliissig, auf diese Hypothese erneut einzugehen, da ich es bereits friiher einmal getan und dabei meinen ablehnenden Standpunkt begriindet habe.3 1 Posthumous Works of Charles Otis Whitman, vol. ii, Washington (Carnegie Instit.), 1919, Insbesondere pp. 15-22 ; R. H. Thomas and J. S. Huxley, " Sex-Ratio in Pheasant Species-Crosses," Journ. of Genetics, xviii, 1927, pp. 233-40. 2 Vgl. hierzu Th. Elsasser, Die Struktur sehillernder Federn, Juurn. f. Orn. 73, 1925, pp. 337-389. 3 E. Stresemann, " Zur Frage der Entstehung neuer Arten durch Kreuzung," Club van Nederl. Vogelkundigen, Jaarber. No. 9, 1919, pp. 24-32. 16 NOV1TATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. NOTES ON THE PEECEDING ARTICLE OF DR. STRESEMANN. By LORD ROTHSCHILD, F.R.S. AS I was present during most of the work of Dr. Stresemann preliminary -^*- to the actual writing of his paper, and in virtue of the very great interest 1 have had for the " Birds of Paradise " for more than forty years, I venture to make these few notes and criticisms. First let me say I am now in complete accord with Dr. Stresemann on all points raised in his paper except the following two main questions : (1) As to Reciprocal or Reversed versus Secondary hybrids. (2) As to the status of Paradisaea grand North. Taking these questions seriatim, of the 18 named forms treated of by Dr. Stresemann only 3 appear to me to require discission under heading (1), and I will take the two Cicinnurus, C. goodfellowi O. Grant and C. lyogurus Currie, first : Dr. Stresemann believes that these are products of the reciprocal or reverse cross of C. regius $ X D. magnified § as contrasted with the cross D. magnified <J X G. regius $ from which Rhipidornis gulielmi-tertii Meyer has apparently sprang. He has come to this conclusion because the majority of hybrids in nature, as well as those artificially produced by man, prove to be sterile. While I do not for a moment wish to deny this fact, I must point out that among birds and mammals there are several families which produce absolutely or partially fertile hybrids either inter se or with either parent species, such as the true " Pheasants," the " Ducks " and Geese, the Parrots, the " Deer " and the " Oxen." I therefore prefer to leave this question open and say although it is quite possible, nay probable, that C. goodfellowi and C. lyogurus are really the products of the reciprocal or reversed cross to that of R. gulielmi-tertii, it is also possible that they are the result of a secondary cross of C. regius x R. guillelmi- tertii. The unassailable fact remains that a majority of characters in the Rhipidornis are those of Diphyllodes, whereas in the two so-called Cicinnurus the characters of Cicinnurus strongly predominate. The third form, viz. Pseudastrapia ellioti Ward is much more complicated as the possibility exists that it is a tri-generic hybrid as opposed to a bi-generic hybrid such as most of the remaining 17 forms appear to be. This bird, the oldest described of the supposed hybrid Paradisaeidae except Ptilinorhynchm rawnsleyi Diggle shows undoubted characters of Epimachus and Astrapia, but also possesses a mouth wattle, the sign manual of the Paradigalla hybrids. Dr. Stresemann in his paper treats P. ellioti as the reciprocal or reverse cross to that which produced Epimachus astrapioides Rothsch. and suggests that the wattle is a character lying dormant in all " Birds of Paradise," and that it was brought out by the stimulus of hybridisation. I prefer to consider P. ellioti as a secondary hybrid of either Pseudastrapia lobata x Astrapia nigra or of Epimachus astrapioides X Paradigalla caruncidata. But, as said above, it appears to me better also to leave this an open question, for our knowledge of the biology of the Paradisaeidae is too scanty to allow the fertility of their hybrids to be taken for granted. One curious fact I should, however, like to point out ; namely, that it appears NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 17 rather strange that Diphyllodes, which builds a crow-like open nest in tree branches, should hybridise with Cicinnurus which breeds in hollows of trees. This fact, I think, confirms Dr. Stresemann's supposition that after copulation the $ alone builds the nest and attends to everything connected with reproduc- tion in the same way as in the case of the Tetraonidae and other game-birds. In regard to question (2), the status of Paradisaea granti North, I have gone rather more fully into the question of this bird since Dr. Stresemann and I discussed it together, and I find the following facts. First of all, the type of granti was a trade skin ; and secondly, the describer strongly emphasizes the wide yellow neck band on the foreneck, both in the drawing and in the description. Now all the examples since referred to granti have also, it is true, been trade skins, but were selected from large cases containing birds identical with examples from N.E. New Guinea of typical P. apoda augustae-victoriae. Both typical augustae-victoriae and so-called granti have all got exceedingly narrow, and in some cases interrupted, 3'ellow neck bands on the foreneck. On the other hand, the red plumed P. apoda intermedia has exactly the wide yellow neck band given in the figure and description of granti by North. From all my investigations I have now come to the conclusion that there is no Paradisaea apoda granti North in Europe, and never has been, and that it is either a paler, more orange, aberration of P. a. intermedia, or else is a "Racial Hybrid " between P. apoda intermedia x P. apoda augustae-victoriae captured where their respective areas meet ; in the same way as we find " Racial Hybrids" between P. apoda raggiana X P. apoda novaeguineae in the Fly River district where their areas of distribution overlap. 18 XOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. I. ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS MADE BY DR. ERNST MAYR IN NORTHERN DUTCH NEW GUINEA. By ERNST HARTERT. TY7HEN Dr. Ernst Mayr of the Berlin Museum declared to Dr. Erwin Strese- " mann that he was willing to make a collecting expedition to New Guinea for Dr. L. C. Sanford and Lord Rothschild we first directed him to the Arfak Peninsula, now called the Vogelkop, the north-western Peninsula of New Guinea (or Papua). On this Peninsula, mostly going out from Andai to the Hatam valley and at Dorey (now called Manokwari), some of the most important collections from New Guinea were made, and many species were first described from Dorey and Arfak Mountains. Thus R. P. Lesson had been there and got together most important material, during the expedition of the French ship Coquille. H. von Rosenberg collected there 1869 and 1870, A. B. Meyer of the Dresden Museum also (cf. Sitzungsber. kais. Akad. Wiss. Wien 1874 and other books), and the Italian collectors Beccari (Beccari, Nuova Guinea, 1924), and D'Albertis (1872 to 1877) were there. Later the Dutch collector Bruijn sent his men there to collect many birds, and Guillemard collected near Dorey and Andai for a short time.1 It was for us of the greatest importance to get series from Arfak, for very often we had fine material from other parts of New Guinea, chiefly from the south-east, but needed series from Arfak, from where we often had only single poor specimens, or none at all. J. Dumas made a small collection on the eastern slopes of the Arfak Mts., going up from Oransbari to Mount Moari (called Mori by Salvadori), which Lord Rothschild and I erroneously believed to be near Humboldt Bay. Dr. Ernst Mayr sent us some birds from Dorey (Manokwari). and rich series from several localities on the mountains. He first went from Momi to the Manikion district in the southern Arfak region, and then to the Anggi lakes, where obviously former collectors had never been, and got there some new subspecies of species only known from other parts of the island ; it seems that only the British butterfly collectors Bros. Pratt had been there, and discovered many rare and new lepidoptera, but did not collect birds in that district, where there seems to be much grass but little forest. Then Mayr went to the Wandammen Peninsula, where he found a most interesting ornis ; the majority of birds were the same as the ones found in the Arfak Peninsula, while many others were those inhabiting other localities much further eastwards, on the northern coast, etc., and quite a number were new subspecies. Unfortunately the illness of Mayr's men and the most unfavourable weather made a long enough stay there impossible, and he then proceeded to the Hollandia region, and chiefly the Cyclops Mountains, just west of the frontier between the former German colony and Dutch Papua. This region had never been fully explored, though a Dutch expedition under Dr. Wichmann, 1 See Cruise of Tlr Mnrqii'sa, 1886 and second ed. 1SS0. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 19 accompanied by Prof. Beaufort, Mr. Dumas, and Mr. Walter Goodfellow, were there, and each collected a few skins. Naturally the large collections, chiefly of smaller birds, made here by Dr. Mayr were of the greatest interest, and con- tained quite a number of new forms. In working out Dr. Mayr's collections I have been helped by Lord Rothschild and Mr. Arthur Goodson, and I am much obliged to Dr. E. Stresemann in Berlin, Dr. Meise in Dresden, and Dr. Gestro in Genova, who kindly sent me specimens for comparison, and during part of my studies I was assisted by Stresemann and Mayr at Tring ! Dr. Ernst Mayr has kindly written some notes on his expedition, which will appear in front of my list of his birds. He collected 2,700 specimens of 352 species and subspecies. His material has greatly enlarged our knowledge of the birds of New Guinea. About half of his collection is being sent to the American Museum in New York, including half of the type specimens. A third set has been sent to the Museum at Buitenzorg in Java. Dr. Dammerman, the director of the Javan Museum, and his assistant, Mr. Siebers, have very kindly helped Dr. Mayr, given him most useful and experienced collectors and forwarded his skins from Java to England. We are greatly obliged to them and thank them very much. The collection is wonderfully rich in smaller birds (Passeres and others) and in Rnllidce, but rather poor in Rapaces and Owls. In the following pages are described 2 new species and 30 subspecies from Dr. Ernst Mayr's collection, and 9 other subspecies. Only a few eggs were collected. 20 Novitates Zoological XXXVI. 1930. II. MY DUTCH NEW GUINEA EXPEDITION, 1928. By ERNST MAYR. TN the autumn of the year 1927 I was asked to undertake a collecting trip ■*- to Northern New Guinea for Dr. Sanford and Lord Rothschild. In spite of my inexperience in bird collecting I accepted their proposition with enthusiasm and began immediately with my preparations. I studied in the Museums of Tring and Berlin the bird fauna of New Guinea and, when I left Germany in February 1928, I knew the name and systematical position of every bird which 1 expected to meet. This helped me in my fieldwork very much and enabled me to collect large series of the interesting species. In March 1928 I arrived at Java, where I made the necessary arrangements with the Dutch Government and the Buitenzorg Museum. After a beautiful trip through the Moluccas, I arrived on the 5th of April at Manokwari, the capital of North- West New Guinea. My main task was to collect the mountain ornis of New Guinea, especially that of the Arfak Mountains in the Vogelkop (Berau Peninsula). During the past century this mountain range has been visited by quite a number of zoological expeditions and its bird life was considered to be well known. But many of the species were collected only in few specimens (often without exact labels), and larger series of Arfak birds were therefore badly wanted, especially for comparison with the representatives from the other mountain ranges of New Guinea. .Manokwari is well known under the name Dorei as terra typica of many New-Guinea species, and it would have been of value to collect in this locality, but I decided not to lose any time in the lowlands (where I collected only from the 6th to the 10th of April) and to start for the mountains as soon as possible. On the 12th of April I went by the small motorboat Griffioen, belonging to the Dutch Government, to Momi (Mum) (Wariap), where I collected lowland birds for two days till my carriers arrived. As I had planned to stay in the mountains for three or four months, I needed more than fifty boys to transport all my provisions and the collecting outfit. The mountain tracks are very rough and the New Guinea boys are not used to the work of carriers. They never want to take a load heavier than 25 or 30 lb. I was accompanied by three Javanese " mantris " (Malayan preparators) and three coastal natives (as butterfly collectors). The latter I had to send back to the coast very soon, because they turned out to be extremely lazy and useless. I replaced them with mountain natives who worked better, but it takes a lot of experience to become a successful butterfly collector. The native path from Momi to the mountains led us first for four hours through the wonderful virgin lowland forest. Characteristic of this woodland is the sombre light, the immense silence (which is interrupted only occasionally by the calls of a bird, especially by the notes of Pachycephalia and Monarcha) and the scarceness of undergrowth below the giant trees. We passed a little village and numerous streams till we finally arrived at the bed of a small mountain river, which we followed upwards for some time. NOVITATES ZOOLOGIC'AE XXXVI. 1030. 21 When bathing at Manokwari I had hurt my foot on a coral reef, and the con- tinually wet shoes due to wading in the water made the sore worse every minute. Finally we left the creek, the road went up the hillside and the climbing of Mount Taikbo (1,400 m.) began. In these Islands, native tracks very seldom zigzag across the slope of mountains, but lead usually straight upwards, mostly along a crest. I think all the native roads here have been originally pig tracks and the pigs prefer to make their tracks along the ridges, as I foimd out in the uninhabited Wandammen and Cyclops Mountains, and later on in the Solomon Islands. My boys, not used to carrying, did not get along very well, and I was forced to make camp at an altitude of 1,100 m. The forest had changed while I climbed, it became lighter, the trees smaller, the undergrowth denser, palms and ferns were numerous and moss and lichens became conspicuous. After eleven o'clock the higher zone (above 800-900 m.) was enveloped in a dense veil of mist. It did not rain (yet !), but big drops were falling down from all the branches. The bird life too had changed ; the calls of the well-known lowland birds (Dicrurus, Craciicus, Philemon, Mino, etc.) had vanished and I heard now for the first time Lophorina, Drepanornis albertisi, Pachycare and the mountain Pachycephala species. The night temperature went down to 18° C. and my boys felt the cold and did not get much sleep, in spite of the big fires. The next morning we ascended to the summit and went down to the village of Siwi, which consists of isolated houses and is situated along the slopes of a little mountain valley. There are no big villages in the Arfak Mountains, but the communities are made up of groujjs of isolated houses. I established my camp at the bottom of the valley (800 m.) at the side of a little river, where I had no trouble in getting water for washing and cooking. The weather was rather bad at first, and I lost several days because my hunters stayed in camp on account of the rain and the cold. I was handicapped by sickness, too. One of my mantris had a bad attack of malaria, and another suffered from arsenic poisoning, one of the bo3's developed pneumonia and the third mantri and myself sores, which forced me to stay in camp for quite a long time. On the 18th of April I started to employ native hunters while my preparatory stayed in the camp and did all the skinning. The natives of the Arfak Mountains were rather keen hunters and had a marvellous knowledge of the habits of the various species. Birds are their most important meat, and whenever they have nothing else to do they go out with bow and bird-arrows and shoot birds for food. It was easy for me to get hunters, but most of the natives were inclined to go too close to the birds and shot them to pieces. It took me quite a long time to teach them to shoot from a proper distance. The collecting of butterflies was not very successful, especially as the nights were not favourable. The bottom of the Siwi valley and the lower slopes are mostly covered with native gardens, secondary forest and alang-alang, which is burned down every year. Farther away from the houses the mountains are covered with the typical hill-forest, and above an altitude of approximately 4,500 feet with the mountain forest, in which the former gradually merges. In the grassland (and on the edges of the secondary growth) I found Malurus, Erythrura papuana, Artamus maximus, Munia tristissima, and as migrant Locustella fasciolata. In the lull-forest I met most of the species Dr. Hartert enumerates in the following 22 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. list under the locality Siwi. They were collected at an altitude of from 800 and 1,500 m. From the 4th to the 10th of May I was away from Siwi, having gone to Momi for mail and food and to send away the first collection ; in the meantime the Malayans sexed the birds, which has to be considered when studying the specimens. After my return from the coast I tried to get larger series of all birds of which I had not many specimens yet, especially of those species which occur only in the hill-forest, i.e. between the lowland and 4,500 feet. The weather was very changeable ; some days we had no rain at all, while on other days it rained all the time, but I think we never had a day without fog. The temperature at 800 m. was usually 18°-19° C. in the morning, 24°-26° C. at noon and 22°-23° C. in the evening. I stayed in Siwi till the 24th of May, and during all the time I remained on the best terms with the natives. Some small troubles were caused by my inexperience and by the native police which were sent to me by the Dutch Govern- ment. After I got rid of this police force I had no more difficulties with the natives. On the 22nd carriers of three villages arrived and we broke up our camp on the morning of the 23rd, but as I had a fainting fit on account of fever, we left on the 25th only, when we went as far as Ninei (800 m.). The next day we only went as far as the foot of the 1,800 m. high Mundi Mountain, as I was very weak after a day's fever. Finally on the 27th we climbed the Mundi, went down the other side to the river and then up again to the village of Ditschi (Ditshi), which is situated at 1,200 m. It was a very trying march for me, but very interesting too, because I met on Mount Mundi for the first time real moss forest with all its interesting birds (such as Clytomyiaa, Psittacella, etc.). The Ditschi valley has such a luxurious forest that I hardly believed I was 1,200 m. up, but my thermometer showed me that it was considerably cooler in the night than at Siwi, the temperature in the morning being 16°-17° C, noon 22°-23° C, evening 19°-20° C. Ditschi is situated on the slopes of Mount Wamma, opposite Mount Lehuma, both mountains having an altitude of 1700-1800 m. ; here I collected most of my mountain birds. Only a few miles west was Mount Lima (2,870 m.), which I could see very clearly through my field-glasses, and the desire to visit and collect on still higher mountains than the ones around Ditschi grew stronger in me from day to day. It was impossible to reach Mount Lima without great trouble, but after long negotiations I succeeded in arranging a visit to the Anggi lakes and surrounding mountains, which reach an altitude of 2,400 m. I was warned by Government officials and coastal natives not to go to this dangerous place. Till recently the Anggi natives had been great fighters, and they were still considered to be untrustworthy. Finally I sent a messenger up and asked for an invitation. If I could go up there as a guest, everything would be safe for me, and I calculated that the curiosity of this people to see a white man would be stronger than their defiance and aloofness. White people visit this part of the Arfak Mountains extremely seldom, and in most of the villages I was the first white man. Women and children left the houses screaming when I appeared. Two days later the chief of Kofo, a village of Anggi gidji (the male Anggi NOVITATES ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 23 lake), arrived at Ditschi with ten boys, to invite me to his village. On the 9th of June I left Ditschi with my mantri Sario and two Siwi boys, the rest being the quite harmless Anggi boys. The track up to the Anggi lakes was a constant up and down, led across rivers, and frequently was hardly visible, etc. I was rather pleased to arrive at Dohunsehik, a little village on the upper Issim (1,400 m.), which is wonderfully situated in the middle of the mountain forest. The next morning I wanted to give out small cartridges, but noted to my horror that I had taken the wrong box. I sent back a boy to Ditschi, who, as I hoped, would arrive at the Anggi lakes one or two days later. After a strenuous climb, I arrived at Kofo at three o'clock, the boy with the cartridges arriving at five o'clock, he had thus run a three days' march in one day's time. I quote this example to show the marvellous efficiency of these mountain Papuans. On the way we had to pass the summit of Mount Dohoidjoko (and Hoidjosera), which is 2,400 m. high, and has a very interesting vegetation. After we had left Dohunsehik we passed first through typical mountain forest, higher up through moss forest, but on the ridge, especially above 2,000 m., I found a vegetation quite unfamiliar to me. It was a kind of open heath with grassland patches and rhododendron, etc., shrubs between. As far as I could ascertain, this region had no birds peculiar to it, with the exception perhaps of Scolopax ; I found one species of butterfly nowhere else. It was rather disappointing for me to hear, to see and to shoot at 2200-2400 m. only the same birds as 1,000 m. farther down, which rather spoiled for me the wonderful view one gets from here of the two Anggi lakes. After a short rest we descended to the Anggi gidji, and here in the reed edge of the lake and the surrounding strip of grassland I got the great surprise of my Arfak excursion : I found quite a number of species which were hitherto completely unknown from this region. The Anggi gidji is about 7 km. long and 2-4 km. wide. At its north end the Profi River leaves the lake, later on flowing through the Hattam valley, and at this end of the lake there are vast stretches of reed, while at the south end of the lake (where I collected) the mountain slopes fall steep into the lake and only where the streams reach the lake there are small patches of reeds. Here I found Acrocephalus arundinaceus, Falica atra, Anas super ciliosus, Podiceps ruficoUis, Porzana tabuensis and Rallus pectoralis mayri. In the adjoining grass country I found the new Munia vana and Megalurus timoriensis and in the mountain forest the typical New Guinea mountain birds. I was favoured by the weather and had hardly any rain during the five days I stayed at the lakes, but it was rather cold (at 6 h. 9£°-12° C, 9 h. 16°-17J°, 12 h.170 (after rain) 23°, 15 h. 19°-21°, 18 h. 15°-16° ; in Dohunsehik 1,400 m. from 6h.-18h. 14°, 19J°, 23°, 22°, 19° C). On account of an order of the Dutch authorities I could not stay longer than five days, and left the lakes very reluctantly on the 16th of June. It was one of my most successful collecting trips and the natives did everything to help me and make me comfortable. In Dohunsehik I stayed two days more to get Astrapia which occurred, according to native information, only in this locality. The boys succeeded in getting one specimen and some other fine birds, such as Climacteris and Orthonyx novaeguineae. On the 19th I returned to Ditschi, where my other boys had worked without my sujrervision for the last ten days. ^4 Novitatks Zoologioae XXXVI. 19.10. I would have liked to stay at Ditschi for some time longer, but I had to return to the coast on the 22nd for different reasons. After a forced march of three days I arrived at Momi on the afternoon of the 24th. I left my bird-skinners there to pack the birds and to collect some of the more interesting lowland species, and I went by canoe to Manokwari (00 miles away) to get fresh provisions and the new outfit (ammunition, etc.) which I expected by the June steamer. On the 28th of June I went back to Momi in two canoes, my own loaded with outfit, the other one with provisions. On the next day we had a terrible storm and the other canoe disappeared. I waited in Momi from the 30th of June to the 4th of July without getting any news about my provisions. In the meantime the Griffioen had arrived to take me to Wasior (Wandammen), whither I departed without having received the food necessary for my intended trip to the Wandammen Mountains. On the 4th of July I left Momi with my skinners and all the outfit and arrived at Wasior after a very interesting voyage (passing Rumberpon (Amberpon) and Mios-War) on the morning of the 5th. The high, steep and isolated range of the Wandammen Mountains was visible far away and promised a good collection. On the 5th I packed my loads, tried to get some sago and dried fish cured by natives (I had neither rice nor meat tins nor any other provision on account of the canoe disaster), and started for the mountains on the morning of the 6th of July. We had to cut our way through the undergrowth in this uninhabited range and progress, therefore, was very slow ; on the 7th I reached at 1,400 m. the highest place with water, and made camp. It was a very disagreeable place in the wet mountain forest and the unfavourable weather made it worse. The eleven days I stayed there it rained all the time ; we had just half an hour of sun. We could not find dry firewood, we could not dry our clothes, and it was no wonder my boys got ill and became discontented very soon, there being insufficient food also. I had to agree to return to the coast much earlier than I had intended, which was a great pity considering the splendid results I had obtained in this quite unknown region. In spite of the bad conditions I made a collection of 200 specimens in the mountain camp. The abundance of bowers of Amblyomis inornatus was striking. The birds proved to be very interesting links between the fauna of the Arfak Momitains and that of the Snow Mountains. Returning to the lowland I collected there for some days till the steamer Van Noort picked me up and brought me to Hollandia. Hollandia is situated on Humboldt Bay, near the border of ex-German New Guinea. My task here (proposed by the Tring Museum) was to collect thoroughly not only the birds of the Cyclops Mountains, but also those of the lowlands, which were almost unexplored as yet in this vicinity. The Cyclops Mountains were considered to be of special interest, because the Dumas collection from Mount Moari, a collection which contained many interesting species, among them the type of Mellopilta gigantea, was supposed to have come from this locality. Very soon after I had started my collecting in the mountains I became convinced that the Dumas collection never came from this locality and I could prove later on that Mount Moari (" Mori " Salva- dor^ is in the Arfak Mountains near Oransbari between Andai and Momi. Many zoogeographical difficulties could be solved now as a result of this discovery. Novitates Zoolocicae XXXVI. 1930. 25 The birds of the Cyclops Mountains were therefore still unknown : de Beaufort had collected in the lowlands and the collection obtained by Goodfellow at a low altitude had never been worked out, only one supposed new species (Cicinnurus goodfdlowi) having been described. The Cyclops Mountains fall very steeply into the sea on the north side and are quite inaccessible there ; I had to try therefore to reach the summit from the Sentani Lake, which is situated south of the mountains. The region of the Sentani Lake is well populated and it is not very hard to get carriers there, which was another advantage. The road from Hollandia to the lake, which latter is the largest in Northern New Guinea, was a great surprise to me. While the whole of Western New Guinea is covered with tropical forest, I met here the first grass steppe. For miles and miles around the Sentani Lake all the country is grassland, and the many indigenous subspecies prove that it must be of very old origin. Nowadays the natives burn the grass regularly, and the forest is going back every year, but I am convinced (contrary to the opinion of botanists) that this grassland here is a very old one. It is isolated now more or less from the grassland patches of Eastern New Guinea, but I think that in former geological periods the steppe had a much wider distribution in New Guinea than now. In Ifar, the government station on the Sentani Lake, I succeeded after several days in getting carriers and a guide, who promised to take me to the highest point in the mountains where there was water. On the 18th of August we departed. For the first two hours the path led through the burning hot alang-alang grass. I imagined I was travelling through the more than man-high grass of an African savannah, till we finally reached the foot of the mountain and entered the cool forest. The guide led us up the bed of a small river or mountain-stream and we climbed with much difficulty over the big rocks, till finally waterfalls barred our way completely. The guide admitted now that he had never gone up so far and tried to persuade me to leave this unsafe place and go back into the lowlands. There was nothing else for me to do but to take the leadership myself and try to find a way up. I went away from the brook and finally found a ridge with a pig-track. We cut our way through the heavy undergrowth and ascended slowly. At an altitude of about 800 m. I was forced to establish my first camp near a spring, and the next morning, after I had tried in vain to find a higher stream, I sent the carriers back. The first collecting day proved to me that the bird life of the Cyclops Mountains was very poor. I did not hear the notes of any of the interesting species which were so well known to me from the Arfak and Wandammen Mountains, and especially listened in vain for those of the high mountain Birds of Paradise. I tried again to find a higher " water place " in the hope of getting interesting species higher up. After eight days of searching on these terribly steep mountain slopes, I finally succeeded in finding a good camping place at an altitude of 1,400 m., whereto we changed our camp on the 3rd of September. I climbed from here several times to the summit (2,170 m.), but I could not find many new birds in spite of all my efforts. The little bush-mites were very bad in our camp and we all got sores from too much scratching. After I had collected series of most of the birds I returned to Ifar, mainly because most of my hunters and Malays had left me before on account of sickness and the cold. It would take too long to describe all the troubles and difficulties one meets with in New Guinea. 26 NoVITATES ZoOLOGlCAE XXXVI. 1930. I was back in Ifar on the 14th of September and started to collect the interesting grassland- and lake-birds. In the grassland I found several species of Munia, Cisticola exilis, Megalurus t imor iensis suhsp., Saxicola caprata aethiops, Malurus alboscapulatus, Merops philippinus salvadorii, CMamydodera cervini- ventris, Synoicus plumbeus and other interesting species ; on the lake cormorants, ducks, rails and Irediparra. Besides these, I collected some other interesting lowland birds, such as Stigmatops, etc. During the first week of October I finished my lowland collecting and returned to Hollandia, to send away my collection and to prepare for my depar- ture to " German New Guinea." In the meantime I had sent some of my boys to Hoi (also called Hoi tekong), which is opposite Hollandia on the other side of Humboldt Bay (not far from the mouth of the Tarni). They collected there a good series of Drepanornis bruijni and. as they maintained, in the mangrove swamps two specimens of Megacrex inepta. Dr. Hartert, thinking Hoi to be an abbreviation of Hollandia, had not kept the Hoi birds separate from the Hollandia birds, but when I called his attention to this fact he corrected his MS. and proof ; it is, however possible that in one or more cases a mistake was made. The expedition came to an end the middle of October, my Malayans returning to Java on the 20th of October, while I went to former German New Guinea on the 21st. In six and a half months I had collected almost 3,000 specimens of vertebrates (2,700 birdskins and 260 mammals, also about 260, mostly damaged and flat bird hides). Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. 27 III. LIST OF THE BIRDS COLLECTED BY ERNST MAYR. By ERNST HARTERT. 1. Gymnocorvus tristis (Less. & Garnot). This common bird which is spread over New Guinea, where it is also common on the Hydrographer Mountains, was found in various stages of coloration in Arfak on the hills near Siwi, 7 . v . 1 928, at Wondiwoi (Wandammen) 1900 m. high, at Hollandia and Ifaar on Lake Sentani (south of Hollandia). The Iris is marked light blue (juv.) and brown (med.). In the stomach fruits. (According to the researches of Sherborn the above name was published first. For a long time this Raven was known as Gymnocorvus senex.) 2. Ailuroedus melanotis arJakianus Meyer. Ailuroedus arfakiatius A. B. Meyer, Silzungsber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, xlix, p. 82 (Arfak Mts.). This form was found to be not rare at Siwi (Arfak) and Ditchi (1200 m.). " Iris braun, hellbraun, dunkelbraun. Schnabel weissgrau, hellhornfarben. Fiisse grau." Of great interest are two young birds from Siwi, shot 19. iv. and 15. v. 1928. They have thick brownish white downy plumage on the underside in which a feather of the adult is just appearing. The head is thickly covered with rufous- brown down, the underside with a mesoptile of soft down-like plumage of a brownish-grey, darker basally, sides of body browner. Interscapulium and wings already green as feathers in adult. " Iris grau, Schnabel hell, Fiisse bleigrau." Wings of sexed males 163, 167, 160 — others moulting. A female is evidently shorter in the wing, but the latter is too much worn to give a measure- ment. In 1895 Lord Rothschild described, from a specimen bought from Renesse van Duivenbode a skin without a label, but said to be from Jobi, as "Ailuroedus jobiensis." Later on he considered this name to be a synonym, and I concurred in this opinion. I am, however, now convinced that it is not a synonym. Besides the type we have now three other specimens of various native preparations which differ from the eight adult skins sent by Dr. Ernst Mayr, in having the spots on the head not pure white or very nearly white but brown, and much larger, and quite brown (instead of whitish) centres to the feathers of the hind- neck and upper interscapulium ; moreover, in the type of jobiensis and one of our other specimens the black of the throat reaches further down to the breast. These specimens have no indication of locality, but I now consider it possible, that they are from another locality, though perhaps not from Jobi. These birds approach Stresemann's guttaticollis from the Hunsteinspitze, Sepik Region. '28 Novitates ZoOLOOICAE XXXVI. 1930. 3. Ailuroedus buccoides geislerorum A. B. Meyer. Ailuroedus geislerorum A. B. Meyer. Abh. Mua. Dresden, iii. 4. p. 12 ( 1 S9 1 -Astrolabe Bay ami Huongulf). A series of adults from Hollandia is fairly uniform, though the size of the black spots on the underside varies somewhat. A juvenile shot 11.x. 1928 (No. 2813) has the crown of the head much darker with a median stripe of yellowish brown spots. The iris of the adults is red, in one case brownish red, that of the young bird is described as grey. (There is also a juvenile female from Momi, on the east coast of the Arfak Peninsula, 25. vi. 11(28 (iris not described), with the crown still darker brown, the median line of light spots indistinct. This must belong to either .4. b. oorti or A. b. buccoides !) A female from Ifaar, 24. ix. 11128 (apparently adult), has the crown much lighter and more rufous, differing from the head in Ai. buccoides molestus R. & H. (Nov. Zool. xxxv, p. 59, 1929) in being less rufous and with a greenish wash along the centre ; more material would be necessary to say what the meaning of this coloration is. The wings of adult males vary from about 130 to 136, females 130 or 129 mm. 4. Chlamydera cerviniventris cerviniventris Gould. Chlamydera cerviniventris Gould, Proc. Zool, Soc. London, part xviii, p. 201 (Cape York. This part, according to Sclater, was only published in 1851, though called 1850). (An abridged description (without measurements) appeared in Jardine's Conir. Orn. 1850, p. 106 (err. 160 !), without locality. This lias priority over the appearance in public of the description in the Proceedings, according to Mathews.) This species which inhabits the Cape York Peninsula of North Queensland and Eastern New Guinea, was hitherto only known as far west as Hatzfeldhafen, but was found common at Ifaar, on Sentani Lake south of the Cyclops Mountains near Hollandia. Mayr collected 28 specimens during the second half of September. The iris is marked as " braun " and " dunkelbraun " in one case " bleich grau- braunlich." The testes were mostly found well enlarged, eggs of females very large, some laying. The wings measure up to 150, exceptionally 153, the females as a rule 4 to 5 mm. shorter. Specimens from S.E. Papua and Cape York are usually smaller, wings not over 150, or 151, but some Ifaar males have also 145 and 146, 148. There is thus too much variation in the size to claim the Ifaar birds as a larger subspecies. A. B. Meyer, in the Abh. Mus. Dresden, vol. v, No. 10, named eggs of this species Chlamydera recondita, Mathews later on called specimens from British Papua Chi. cerviniventris nova. Neither of these names is referable exclusively to the Ifaar birds. There is thus a lot to say about the nomenclature of this bird, though Mathews says it has "no teclmical history," meaning that it has no nomenclatorial history. By the discovery of this bird on the Sentani Lake its distribution has been extended westwards for about 550 km. Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. 29 5. Xanthomelus aureus (L.). Coracias aurea Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. x, p. 108 (1758 — " Asia " ! Ex Edwards, pi. 112). 2 <$ ad., 3 " $," 1 " (J " in plumage of female and young, from the mountains at Siwi (about 900 m.). The male is not bigger than the females, but it has wide (not narrow) pale yellow shaft-stripes on the scapulars, and this seems to be the difference of the male from the female. The iris of females and young is brown, that of the adult males lemon-yellow. One of the adult males shot 25. iv. 1928 is moulting on the crown, lower back and underside, the middle rectrices are not quite fully grown. cJ. Wondiwoi (Wandammen Peninsula), 14.vii.1928, has the throat black, the crown and sides down over the ears orange, but back, rump, wings and tail olive-brown ; the scapulars have also wide yellowish shaft-stripes. Though not in adult plumage the testes were large ! I believe Wandammen is a new locality. 6. Amblyornis inornatus inornatus (Schleg.). PlUonorhynclms inornatus Schlegel, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierkunde, iv, p. 51 (1871 — Northern Peninsula, i.e. Arfak or Berau Peninsula of New Guinea. Sexes alike ! Ex Rosenberg MS.). Dr. Mayr sent 23 skins from Siwi, Mountains near Ditschi, Gunong Mundi near Ditschi, 1500 m., and Lehuma, others from Wondiwoi in the Wandammen Peninsula. The iris is marked as brown. The underside is darker, more brownish in the Wondiwoi specimens, but one from Ditschi and some from Lehuma are exactly alike the Wondiwoi ones ; the paler birds are perhaps faded, the plumage having been longer worn. It is strange that older skins collected by Bruijn's hunters near Hatam (Atam), Arfak, have the upperside more rufous, the tail browner, less blackish brown, the freshly collected skins of Mayr having rather dark, almost blackish brown tails. Probably this is due to their having become " foxy," like C. L. Brehm's skins in some instances, because they are such a long time in collections. The sexes are alike, except that the females are very slightly smaller. Wings in males 131-137 mm., in birds marked females 125-132 mm. Weight 105-140 g. All these birds have no sign of a large occipital crest. Salvadori, in his immortal Orn. Pap. ii, p. 667, enumerates 26 skins from Hatam, collected by D'Albertis, Beccari's and Bruijn's hunters, and none of them had a sign of a crest, nor had the types, and therefore they were called inornatus ! It was not before 1895 that there was a mention of crested males from Dutch New Guinea. Then in Bull. B.O. Club, iv, no. xxiii, p. xvii, the late A. B. Meyer described what he called the " hitherto unknown male of Amblyornis inornala," with a large crest ! This was then accepted by Sharpe and Lord Rothschild. I too thought this was correct. But is this really correct ? The following facts must be considered. (1) It is very peculiar that among the skins received in Europe from 1871 to 1895 there was not a single crested specimen, in fact the opposite would be more probable, as the native hunters were out for strikingly coloured " beautiful " birds, but might not have sent the uncrested simple brown birds. (2) Though Lord Rothschild has received since 1895 till now not less than eleven large-crested birds of native preparation, we do not know the exact locality of any of them. In 1895 both Dr. Meyer and the Tring Museum received each a skin said to be from Karon (or Karoon), N.W. of Arfak, on the north 30 XoVITATKS ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. coast of the Beran Peninsula. They came from Mr. Renesse van Duivenbode, but had of course no label, and this information was merely from hearsay. The skins of the crested males are filled with cocoanut fibre, one with some dried leaves, and they are rough and hard, as if dried over fire. But none of these skins came apparently from Arfak ! (3) Both Dr. Ernst Mayr and Mr. Shaw-Meyer were emphatically told that crested males never occurred in Arfak or thereabouts, and both failed to even see one. Yet somewhere they must be common. Of course we find in the mountains of S.E. New Guinea the very closely allied (but underneath duller and on the upperside less dark) Amblyornis inornatus musgravii, and on the Saruwaged Mountains the also closely allied Ambl. inornatus yermanus, but the crested males described above never came from either of these localities, where birds of that preparation never originated. The question now is : Are the crested males of which specimens were received (said to be from Karon) after all the males of the A. inornatus inornatus, or are they a representa- tive crested form from a different locality 1 In the latter case they require a new name. There is still another mystery : from where are the three Amblyornis fliirifrons Rothsch. ? There is a rumour that they may occur somewhere inland of the Berau Peninsula, but this requires confirmation. The three skins are rather of the better " Arfak preparation," with " heels " sown together and filled with " kapok." And how are the females ? Maybe the females are hardly separable from those of " inornatus." The figure of A. flavifrons in Sharpe's Monograph of the Paradiseidae is, I am sorry to say, very bad. The crest is too reddish orange, and the shape of the crest-feathers is wrong, as they are all long narrow parallel feathers rising at the forehead, not ending all over the crown, as in the figure. The fact is that the " crested " males of inornatus from the northern part of the " Vogelkop " (Berau Peninsula) have the underside darker, more rufous brown, the sides of the neck darker, and the back and wings deeper rufous, without the olivaceous tinge of the specimens from the Snow and Weylandt Mountains. As I consider the latter to be — for the time being — inseparable from A. i. musgravii, I name the form from Karon Amblyornis inornatus mayri subsp. nov. Type : 3 ad., probably Karon (" Karoon "), northern " Vogelkop." 7. Paradigalla carunculata Less. Paradigalla caruncvlata Lesson, Hist. Xat. Ois. de Paradis, p. 242 (1835 — Xo locality indicated. The Type is a specimen with replaced breast and abdomen). Dr. Mayr sent a o from the mountains near Ditschi 12. vi. 1928, and a female from Lehuma, 29. v. 1928. Mr. F. Shaw-Meyer obtained a female on the Arfak Mountains in August 1928, at an altitude of 7,000 feet. Mayr described the iris as " dark," bill black, feet grey, Meyer says feet and bill black ! Mayr says : " Schnabellappen zitronengelb, am ausseren Rande etwas ziegelfarbig, Unterschnabellappen oben violettblau, unten gelbrot." Meyer : " Upper wattles NoVITATES ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 31 yellowish-green, base of lower mandible bright blue ; a small patch of orange- red underneath." Wing of (J 195, $ 159, 160 mm. $ weight 170 g. Evidently this species is only known from the Arfak Peninsula. 8. Parotia sefilata sefilata (Penn.). Paradisea sefilata Pennant in Forsler's Zool. Indica, Faunula indica, p. 40 (1781 — Ex Daubenton. PI. Enl. 633. In the text no locality, but at that time only the Arfak form was known). Dr. Mayr found this species common in the mountains of the Arfak region, at Ditschi and Siwi, and still more so in the mountains of Wondiwoi in the Wandammen Peninsula. I believe it was only known with certainty from Arfak. The fine series of females and males in ofi-plumage from Wondiwoi are under- neath generally more rufous brown than those from the Arfak Mountains, but this is, in my opinion, not geographical variation, but due to their being all in fresh plumage, and some are practically undistinguishable. The iris of both sexes is blue with an outer yellow ring, bill black, feet greyish or blackish brown. Weight £ 175-200, ?*160-185 g. The young bird in first plumage has rufous red outer and inner edges to the quills and upper wing-coverts. In the Ibis, 1911, p. 366, Lord Rothschild has treated Parotia lawesi and helenae as subspecies of sefilata. This was criticized by Stresemann in 1923. At first sight lawesi and sefilata look very much the same, but there are greater differences than are at first apparent. P. lawesi is throughout much smaller ; the tail is not much more than half the length of that of sefilata ; in sefilata the frontal tuft of feathers is black-brown with greyish-white tips, in lawesi thev arc less stiff and snow-white at base, black-brown on tip ; the colour of the glittering nuchal patch and the much deeper and rufous-brown underside of the female of lawesi are insignificant characters. Considering the striking differences of size and headgear of males it is perhaps wisest to accept Stresemann 's grouping : P. sefilata (Penn.) — P. lawesi lawesi and P. lawesi helenae. — P. wahnesi. P. carolae carolae, P. carolae meeki, P. carolae berlepschi, all in accordance with Lord Rothschild 1911, except the first. Then there is the very peculiar Parotia duivenbodei Rothsch. Two speci- mens are known, both purchased from plumassiers, the type in the Tring Museum, from Mr. van Renesse van Duivenbode, with 2 plumes, one on each side of the head, one in the Paris Museum, without any plumes on the head, otherwise quite like the type. 9. Lophorina superba superba (Penn.). Paradisea superba Pennant, Forsler's Indische Zool., Faunula Indica, p. 40 (1781 — Ex Daubenton PI. Enl. 632. No locality, but hitherto only known from Arfak). Mayr sent a good series from Siwi and 3^.2$ from Wondiwoi in Wandam- men. Here too the females are rather more rufous on the underside than the Arfak specimens (Siwi), but one of the Arfak ones is almost indistinguishable ! Weight $ 87-105, $ 67-5-85 g. (Judging from the males Lord Rothschild identified Grant's fern inina (1915) from the Utakwa River with latipennis (1907). Certainly there seemed to be 32 Novttates Zoolocicae XXXVI. 1930. no difference between males from the Utakwa, the Weylandt and Rawlinson Mountains, but females from the latter were not known. Judging from two females sent by Dr. Mayr from N.E., formerly German, New Guinea, they are quite different from the females of Weylandt and Snow Mountains, having the crown like minor and being underneath whitish, not rufescent. Therefore feminina would be a good subspecies, differing in the female. This woidd also be more in accordance with zoogeographical knowledge. Mayr's skins from N.E. Papua have only numbers, no localities, on their preliminary labels, so I cannot yet say if they are from the Rawlinson or Hertzog Mountains. Written November 1929.) 10. Ptiloris (Craspedophora) magnifica magnifica (Vieill.). Fatrinrlliis maanifirits Vieillot. Xnur. Dirt., nouv. ed., vol. 28, p. 167 and pi. Gf. 3 (1807 — "La Nouvelle Guinee "). This form is widespread from Arfak along the northern coast to apparently Astrolabe Bay, and in the south-eastwards to the Fly River. Mayr sent adult males and young males in female plumage and one female from Arfak (Siwi, Momi, Warior), Wondiwoi, Hoi and Cyclops Mountain. I don't think it is far wrong to separate the soft feathered Ptiloris (rectius PUlorhis), type paradisea, from the harsh-feathered Craspedophora, much as I am in favour of few genera. 11. Drepanomis albertisi albertisi Sol. Drepanephorus albertisi Sclater, Nature, viii, pp. 151, 195 (1873 — No description, only "long incurved bill" mentioned, no locality). Drepanomis albertisi Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1873. pp. 558, 560, plate 47. (Full description, figure, locality Arfak Mountains). This is another form only known from the Arfak Peninsula. Dr. Mayr sent 4 adult males and two in juvenile plumages from the moun- tains above Ditschi and near the Anggi Lakes in the Arfak region. He also sent an adult female, which seems to belong to this subspecies from Wondiwoi (Wandammen), shot S.vii.1928. Weight 3 105-125 g. 12. Drepanomis bruijnii Oust. I in panotitis bruijnii Oustalet, Ann. Sri. nat. ser. 6, ix, article 5 (1880 — Said to live evidently further east than D. albertisi, as it was obtained by Bruijn — rectius Bruijn's hunters — between long. 136° and 137°, in fact I suppose that it came from further east still than 137°). Later specimens from the north coast east of 138°, and from Tana Mera east of Humboldt Bay, came to hand. Mayr obtained a series at Hoi (Humboldt Bay) in August and October, mostly still in moult, but testes of males in some cases greatly enlarged. Therefore, probably, the nesting season will be November. Nest and eggs unknown. The males in female plumage are exactly like the adult females, only slightly larger. Weight 4 J 100 g. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 33 13. Seleucides melanoleucus ' auripennis Schlut. Seleucidcs ignotus auripennis Schliiter, Falco, vii, p. 2 (1911 — Dallmannshafen). Mayr found this remarkable bird not rare near Hoi in August and again on October 12th. This subspecies was described as more golden yellow on the plumes and smaller. The bright yellow colour of the plumes is, however, very fleeting, and it is doubtful if there is much difference between freshly moulted fresh adult S. melanoleucus melanoleucus and auripennis. The dimensions are smaller all round, the bill shorter and slenderer. The wings of 14 adult males measure 165-170 mm., those of the larger race up to 181 mm. The sexual organs were greatly enlarged in October and fairly small in August. Weight (J 170-200, ? 160, 160 g. 14. Epimachus fastosus fastosus (Hermann). (Epimachus speciosus, Falcinellus striatus auctorum). Promerops fastosus Hermann, Tab. Aff. Anim. etc. pp. 194, 202 (1783 — Ex Montbeillard in Bufjon, vi, p. 472, " Grand Promerops a parements frises," New Guinea. As all specimens used to come from the Arfak Peninsula, I accept Arfak as the typical locality). Ernst Mayr and Shaw Mayer collected specimens in the mountains near Ditschi and Lehuma, at 2,000 m., more or less. The iris of the male (according to Mayr) is red, according to Mayer reddish orange, that of the female, according to Mayr red-brown, in one case pale brownish red. All these males have the breast and abdomen nearly black, but with a pronounced brown tint, while all the old trade skins that usually represent this species in collections are underneath more brown, one might say very deep chocolate ; I have no doubt that this is due to their being in collections for a long time, all killed in the last century, and one procured by Dr. Guillemard at Arfak is exactly like the other trade skins. This typical form is evidently only found in the Arfak Peninsula (Berau, " Vogelkop "). Weight cJ in full plumage 250-280, $ 160-235 g. 15. Epimachus fastosus atratus (Rothsch. & Hart.). Falcinellus striatus atratus Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. xviii, p. 160 (1911 — " Mt. Goliath, at altitudes of not less than 5,000 feet "). Ernst Mayr collected six adult males and a number of females and young males from Wondiwoi in the Wandammen Peninsula ; these, to my surprise, are not E. fastosus fastosus, but agree with our E. f. atratus from Mt. C4oliath and Mt. Kunupi in the Weylandt Mountains. E. f. atratus is therefore the form of 1 I must reluctantly enter here upon a nomenelatorial explanation, because this species has usually been known under different names. For a long time it has been called alba and nigricans, while Rothschild reverted to ignotus. The name ignotus, however, was only used by Forster in the Latin translation for the " unbekannte Paradiesvogel " and has no nomenelatorial value. Recently Stresemann and others returned to nigricans, but omitted entirely Paradisea vielaywleuca Daudin, Traitc Elem. et cornplet d'Orn. ii, p. 278 (1800 — " Waigiu," probably errore, as not yet found there, but Arfak Peninsula). Daudin's name is undisputable, the description : " Noir par devant, blanc par derriere, avec douze tiges setac^es, courbees, et presque depourvues de barbes " un- mistakable. Nor can Daudin's names be rejected, because in a few cases he used three names ! In fact a number of names from Daudin, such as Circus ranivorus, Otogyps auricularis, Curtcuma vocifer, Polemaetus bellicosus, Lophoaetus occipitalis, Helotarsus ecaudatus and others have never been disputed on that account ! 3 34 XciMTATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. the great central range, called in its various parts Weylandt, Nassau, Orange Range and Snow Mountains in the middle. E. f. atratus is a close ally of E. f. fastosus but differs in the male being underneath of a deeper black, entirely or almost devoid of the chocolate tinge. The females and young males differ from those of E. f. fastosus in their more olivaceous, much less rufescent tails. (There is no difference in fresh specimens in the ornamental side-plumes.) Weight 3 in full plumage 250, 255, 255, 275, 275, $ 165, 185, 210 g. [Epimachus fastosus stresemanni subsp. nov. The Berlin Museum received from the Sepik Expedition 17 specimens, collected by Dr. Burgers, of a dark form of E. fastosus, agreeing in coloration with E. f. atratus. Dr. Stresemann already suggested (p. 34 of his article on Burgers' ornithological collection) that the Snow Mountains form differed in size from the Sehraderberg (Upper Sepik) form and gave careful measurements, showing that the bills ' varied from 62 to 66-5 mm. in adult males, wings 210 to 222, bills 63-5 to 72 in adult females, wings 175-182 mm. As the wings of adult atratus from Mt. Goliath, the Weylandt Mountains and Wandammen measure only : <J ad. wings 190, 195, 196, 198, 187, the bills 58-60, $ ad. wings 156 to 170 (if the latter is not a young male), the Sehraderberg specimens form clearly a considerably larger subspecies, therefore I propose to name this after my friend Dr. Stresemann. Type <J a(1- m the Tring Museum, Sehraderberg 13.vi.913, No. 2094 of the collector.] 16. Astrapia nigra (Gm.). ParacUsea nigra, Gmelin. Syst. Xat. i. 2, p. 401 (1789 — Ex Latham "Gorget Paradise Bird," Gen. Syn. i, p. 478, pi. 20. Latham says that the " Alfoories in Messowal shoot these birds and sell them to the people of Tidore." I don't know where " Messowal " was, but the original locality should be regarded as Arfak). 1 "o" hi "off plumage" from Dohunsehik, Issim valley, 17. vi. 1928. " Iris dunkel, Schnabel schwarz, Fiisse graubraun." This specimen has a wing of only 176 mm. It is rather blackish, there are only traces of whitish speckles, and the wings have no rufous edges on the outside. Mayr did not find this species in the other collecting stations in Arfak, where it is now probably rare, having been collected there for a long time. It is, however, still found there, as Mr. Shaw Mayer obtained a fine adult male in the Arfak Mountains, 2,300 m. high, 17 .viii. 1928. This species apparently is found only in the Arfak or Berau Peninsula. 17. Cicinnurus regius claudii Ogilvie-Grant. ( 'icinnurus regius clumlii ( >gilvie-Grant, Ibis, Suppl. p. 16 (1915 — From the Mimika River eastwards to S.E. New Guinea at least as far as Collingwood Bay, westwards to Misol. Type Mimika River). A fine series from Momi, collected in June, and two in full moult from 15.iv.1928, but no females, nor nests were found. This widely spread form has the black spot above the eye rounded, more 1 Measured from forepart of nostrils to tip with a compass. NOVTTATES ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 35 or less distorted in skins, if they are not of the very first quality, but never linear as in coccineifrons, cryptorhynchus and similis. Weight 53-61 g. 18. Cicinnurus regius similis Stres. Cicinnurus regius similis Streseinann (ex Neumann MS.), Journ. f. Orn. 1922, p. 405 (Torricelli Mts. to Astrolabebay). Mayr found the " King Bird " apparently very common near Hollandia and Hoi, from where he sent a fine series, obtained in August, and from the Cyclops Mountains and Ifaar, shot in the latter part of August. Wright 50-52, rarely 56 g. The iris of all Cicinnurus regius is brown, the bill in males yellow, feet light " violet blue." In females the iris is also brown, bill duller yellow, feet " blue." The testes of the red males were more or less enlarged, but also those of a male in female plumage were greatly enlarged. Males shot August 3rd and October 10th and 15th are in full moult from the brown female plumage to the red one. A male shot 13.x. has a curious plumage which is, I think, the second year's garb ; it is mixed, but the brown parts are not greyish olivaceous brown, but more yellowish brown, while the elongated central rectrices are only half rolled up and their shafts are not quite bare ; in the specimen from October 13th one of these feathers is like that of a perfectly adult male and the underside has the green pectoral bar and white abdomen, also the green-tipped pectoral tufts ! I do not know how Ogilvio-Grant made out that the first rjlumage was worn two years. I think they must moult into the " mixed " garb in the second year. The females and out-of-plumage males and young are perfectly alike, except that the males have a bit longer wings. All these birds are on the upper- side more greyish olivaceous than females and juv. of G. r. claudii, while those of C. r. regius (Aru Islands) and C. r. coccineifrons (Jobi) are in colour like similis ! In some young males in first plumage the middle rectrices are several millimetres longer than the rest, and show a slight enarrated web on the tip which is slightly curved. The Berlin Museum received from Prof. Schultze some skins from the mouth of the Tami River, but these specimens cannot possibly be correctly labelled, therefore I fear they may have been received from natives because they agree absolutely with C. r. coccineifrons from Jobi, not even with Strese- mann's cryptorhynchus from the north coast, though the latter is very near to coccineifrons. 19. Diphyllodes magnificus magnificus (Perm.)- Paradisea magnified Pennant, Forsler's Indische Zool., Faunula Indica, p. 40 (1781 — Ex Daubenton's Oiseau de Paradis de la Nouvclle Guinie dit le Magnifique, pi. 631. Terra typica restricta : Arfak !). Paradisea speccosa (error for speciosa), Boddaert, Tabl. PI. Enlum. p. 38 (1783 — Also ex Daubenton'a pi. 631). Both Ernst Mayr and Shaw Mayer sent skins from Arfak, the former a fine series from Siwi, and also from Wondiwoi, Wandammen, the latter two males from near Sorong, 200 feet alt., and Agamuri village, 1,000 m. alt. The iris is dark brown, bill bluish white, light bluish grey, lead-grey, whitish blue- grey, the feet bright blue, violet-blue. Weight <J 85-111, $ 71-88 g. The 36 Xuvitates Zoological XXXVI. 1930. Manikion name according to Shaw Mayer " Pcna," the Malayan name " Batarotang." A specimen from 17. v. in full moult. The nomenclature and distribution of the various forms of Diphyttodea magnificus requires some explanation as it has hitherto not been sufficiently understood. The oldest name is Pennant's Paradisea magnified of 1781. This name, magnified, has also been usually used, by Salvadori, Sharpe, Rothschild, Strese- maim and most others, but Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1915, Suppl. p. 22, preferred the name speciosa (" speccosa ") because he did not look up Salvadori nor Rothschild, and quoted Pennant in Forster's I rid. Zool. 1795, but the first edition of that appeared in 1781. Moreover, Ogilvie-Grant applied the name speciosa (both names, magnified and " speccosa," were based on the same plate, 631, of Daubenton) to the wrong bird. There is no doubt whatever that Daubenton figured the form with what Ogilvie-Grant called " clay-coloured " secondaries, though the clay-colour has a distinct yellow admixture and is glossy. Mayr's and Mayer's specimens from the Arfak region show without doubt that the Arfak form is the one with yellowish glossy clay-coloured secondaries. The colour of the secondaries (in many descriptions called " wings " !) varies somewhat, sometimes being darker, more brownish, sometimes paler (probably faded), but it is never orange. Sharpe, in his Monograph of the Birds of Pdreidise, figured specimens with somewhat darker secondaries, under the name of D. seleucides Lesson, but seleucides is obviously a synonym of magnified. Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1915 Suppl. p. 24, gave the name of " Diphyllodes rothschildi sp. nov." to specimens from a plumassier, supposed to have come from Salwatti, with duller " clay-coloured wings." This was entirely erroneous, as the birds with " clay- coloured " secondaries are the ones inhabiting Arfak, and in fact most or the whole of the Berau (or Arfak) Peninsula, as Mayer collected a specimen near Sorong. Goodfellow (Ibis, 1915 Suppl. p. 25) must be quite right that there are no Paradise-Birds on the little island of Sorong, but that all skins purchased there come from Salwatti is doubtful, as it also occurs near by on the mainland. [Along the foot-hills of the Snow Moim tains occurs a form with the secondaries brighter, more glossy and more orange yellow than in magnificus, but much less bright than in chrysopterus, thoiigh somewhat variable. They are thus clearly intermediate between nmgnificus and chrysopterus and cannot be united with either of these, consequently they must have a new name, and I call it by the name that is suggested by these facts : Diphyllodes magnificus intennedius, subsp. nov. Type: £ ad. Snow Mountains, 2,500 feet, 1 3 . viii . 1910. No. 4604, A. S. Meek coll. We have now three males, two from Meek, one collected by Pratt Bros, from the Wanggar district, south of Geelvink Bay, 2,000 feet high, 20 miles from the sea, January 1921. Wings 114, 115, 116 mm. The females have wings of 105, 106 mm., and agree in coloration with the Arfak birds, D. m. magnificus. There are half a dozen fully adult males from the Kapare, Waitakwa, Utakwa valleys, agreeing with ours, though one is a bit more bright, but not like D. m. chrysoptera ! One is partially bright orange on the secondaries, but this is obviously not normal and apparently stained.] NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1030. 37 A form with orange secondaries inhabits Jobi and the north coast of Papua as far east as the Speik river district and possibly still farther eastwards (Astrolabe Bay ?). This form must be called chrysopterus. This name is beyond doubt. Stresemann rejected it, because it is uncertain that the type came from Jobi, but the type is in the British Museum and has been well described and figured, so whether it came from Jobi or the north coast of New Guinea, there is no doubt about its meaning, and jobiensis Meyer 1885 is a synonym of it. East New Guinea, i.e. what used to be called British New Guinea, now an Australian colony (stupidly called " Papua " in opposition to other parts of New Guinea, while Papua is the old name often applied to New Guinea as a whole, and by no means given to the British colony in particular), and the Kai or Huon Peninsula : Simbang, Bongu, Sattelberg, Finisterre Mountains are inhabited by a race with bright orange secondaries, shorter wings, generally more reddish back and rump and much more glossy orange crown. This form is hunsteini Meyer, septentrionalis being a synonym. The females also differ slightly. Those of D. magn. magnificus from the Arfak (Berau) Peninsula and Wandam- men, also Kapaur (Onin Peninsula) have the upperside olivaceous, with a more or less distinct golden or rufescent tinge, and underside is more rufescent, wings $ 106-110, once 112, males in female plumage wings 113-115. Females of D. magnificus chrysopterus are above more olivaceous, the edges to the wings less yellowish, more greenish, and the underside lacks the slight rufescent tinge of magnificus. Wings of $ 110-115, males in female plumage 117-119 mm. Females of D. magnificus hunsteini have the upperside more reddish brown, especially the crown more rufous. Wings $ 104-110, once 112, males in female plumage 110-116 mm. 20. Diphyllodes magnificus chrysopterus Elliot. Diphyllodes speciosus var. chrysopterus Elliot (ex Gould MS.), Mon. Paradis. text to piate 13 (1873 — Locality unknown). Diphyllodes jo'nensis Meyer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. ii, p. 388 (1885 — Jobi). A fine series of both sexes from Hollandia (August) and the Cyclops Moun- tains (end of August). The iris was found to be dark brown, but in a white-spotted variety ($) it was whitish grey ! This specimen has the whole upperside intermixed with white feathers and a few white feathers on the throat and chest. Weight (J 92-111, $ 83-104 g. The forms of Diphyllodes magnificus to be recognized are therefore as follows : 1. Diphyllodes magnificus magnificus (Penn.). Pamdisea magni/icu Pennant. Fors er's Ind. ZooL, Faun. Ind. p. 40 (1781 — Ex Daubenton G.31). Puradisea spetcosa (err. for speciosa) Boddaert (1783 — Based also on Daubenton 631). Diphyllodes seleucides Lesson, Hist. Nat. Ois. Paradis (1835 — New name for magnificus). Diphyllodes rothschildi Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1915, Sitppl. p. 24 (Salawatti or Salwatti Island, from a specimen in the Gould coll.) Arfak (Berau) and Onin Peninsula, also Salwatti. 2. Diphyllodes magnificus intermedins Hart. See above, p. 36. 38 Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. Foot of Snow Mountain Range, Kapare, Iwaka, Utakwa Rivers, up to 2,500 and 2,900 feet. 3. Diphyllodes magnificus chrysopterus Ell. Diphyllodes spedosus var. chrysopterus Elliot, ex Gould MS., Mutt. Punidis. text pi. 13 (1S73 — Locality unknown). Diphyllodes jobiensis Meyer, Zeitsehr. ges. Orn. ii, p. 388 (1885 — Jobi). Jobi and north coast east of Geelvink Bay at least as far east as the Sepik River. 4. Diphyllodes magnificus humteini Mey. Diphyllodes Humteini A. B. Meyer, Zeitsehr. ges. Orn. ii, ]>. 3811 (18S5 -" Hufeiseiigehirge " in Owen Stanley Range). Diphyllodes chrysoptera sejihiilrionalis A. B. Meyer, Joiim.f. Orn. 1892, p. 261. Diphyllodes xanthoptera Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Genova, xxxvi, p. 1 11 (1896- Bubui River, north of Huon Gulf). Eastern Papua, former British (now Australian) New Guinea and former German colony (now " Mandated Territory "). 21. Paradisaea minor minor Shaw. Paradisea minor Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii, 2, p. 486 (1809— No locality. I substitute Arfak, from where these birds used to come). Adult males, females, and junior birds from Arfak (Siwi and Momi), Wondiwoi in the Wandammen Peninsula, and again near Hollandia and Mount Cyclops. From April to July males were in fullest plumage, but one April male is moulting. Shaw Mayer sent a male from the " mainland " opposite Sorong Island in full plumage, shot in October. The iris is yellow, with a faint tinge of green, feet grey to bluish-slate colour, bill bluish grey, whitish grey, " almost lavender." Weight 225-285 g. The males in female plumage are larger than the females, and the underside, from the throat onwards, is snow white, with a more or less distinct yellow tinge on the sides. The females sent by Mayr have a brownish red zone beyond the dark brown throat, and this brownish red colour spreads along the sides. This, however, is apparently not a peculiarity of the females, but may be a sign of juvenility, as Doherty sent also males of that coloration. The ornamental plumes of the males are in fresh plumage very bright, quite orange, especially in one from Momi, but in the collection they seem to get lighter, less orange. 22. Manucodia chalybatus chalybatus (Penn.). Paradisea chalybata Pennant, Forsler's Zool. Ind., Faunxda Indira, p. 40 (1781 — Ex Daubenton's pi. 634, New Guinea). Both sexes were collected near Siwi, Wondiwoi and Wasior (in the coastal forest) in April, May and July. The iris of adult males was red or yellowish red. Wings $ ad. 180-187, $ 176 mm. Weight $ 225-250, ? 210 g. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 39 23. Manucodia chalybatus orientalis Salvad. Manucodia orientalis Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova (2), xvi, p. 103 (1896 — Owen Stanley Mts.). 2 c?. 1 9 Hollandia and Ifaar on Lake Sentani. Wings <J 174, 180 !, $ 160 mm. Weight " $ " 210, $ 240 g. 24. Manucodia ater ater (Less.). Phonygama ater Lesson, Voy. Coquille. Zool. i, part 2, p. 638 (1828— Dorey, Arfak). A good series from Manokwari (Arfak), Wasior, Ifaar and Hollandia. Iris red. Weight cJ 205, 210, $ 200, 225 g. 25. Phonygammus keraudrenii keraudrenii (Less. & Gain.). Barila keraudrenii Lesson et Garnot, Ferussac's Bull. Sc. Nat. et de Giologie, viii, p. 110 (1826 — Deser. from specimens collected by Lesson at Dorey, Arfak). Fourteen skins from Siwi, Manokwari, the hills near Siwi and Momi. Weights (J 140-175, £ 130-140 g. These specimens show great variation in the colour, especially in that of the back which varies from a glossy steel-green to glossy purplish blue. The females are like the males, but are smaller and the tufts above and behind the eyes are as a rule shorter. Moulting specimens show that the juvenile plumage is a sort of raven-black, burnished or graphite black. The iris, at least of adult birds, is red, bill and feet black. This series is very instructive, and it confirms my idea that there is only one form in S.E. New Guinea. Lord Rothschild was the first to state in print that Ph. jamesi Sharpe (Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii, p. 181, 1877, Aleya, S.E. New Guinea) was the juvenile of Ph. purpureoviolacea Meyer 1885, described from the Astrolabe Mountains. In 1915 Ogilvie-Grant (Ibis Suppl. pp. 5 and 6) declared that in S.E. New Guinea lived a form of the plains, which was identical with keraudrenii, while in the mountains lived purpureoviolacea, jamesi Sharpe being the young of keraudrenii and not of purpureoviolacea ; he says that Lord Rothschild now agreed with him ; apparently he wavered once in conversation, but I am of opinion that he was quite right in admitting Jamesi as the young purpureoviolacea, and not as the young of keraudrenii. We know from the series in Tring and elsewhere that both keraudrenii and hunsteini (the form of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands) have blackish young, and our specimens in moult prove to me that the same is the case with jamesi (= purpureoviolacea). The specimens from S.E. New Guinea which Ogilvie-Grant declares to be keraudrenii are nearly all in moult from a juvenile plumage ; one specimen, said to be from the Brown River, collected by Emil Weiske, but without indication of date and sex (though from size surely a female) is indeed very similar to a keraudrenii, but the two forms are of course closely allied, and some stages of plumage vary much and young of the two forms are not always distinguishable ; the rectrices of young are more pointed than in the adult birds. Nor is there in my opinion enough material to prove that the more brilliant birds (" purpureoviolacea ") are all from higher elevations ; in fact we have a specimen which Ogilvie-Grant called keraudrenii shot by A. S. Meek's men at about 6,000 feet or more. Grant some- what doubted the correctness of the elevation, but there can be no doubt about that whatever, so Grant ruled it out as an exceptional occurrence. 40 Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. We have therefore the following forms of Phony gammus, which are all subspecies : Phonygammus keratidrenii keraudrenii (Less. & Garnot). Berau and Onin Peninsulas, southern slopes of Snow Mountains, east apparently to the Fly River, and Aru Islands. Phonygammus keraudrenii neumanni Rchw. 1918. Only known from the Lordberg, about 1,058 m., on the Upper Sepik River. Phonygammus keraudrenii jamesi Sharpe 1877. Synonym Ph. purpureoviolacea Meyer 1885. South-East New Guinea, chiefly on the mountains. Phonygammus keraudrenii hunsteini Sharpe 1882. Fergiisson and Normanby Islands. Synonym Manucodia thomsoni Tristram, Ibis, 1889. Phonygammus keraudrenii gouldii Gray 1859. Synonym Phonygammus yorki Mathews 1924. Cape York Peninsula (North Queensland). 26. Oriolus szalayi (Mad.). (Oriolus striatus Quoy et Gaimard 1830 is unfortunately preoccupied by Oriolus striatals Hermann 1783 !) Mimela szalayi Madarasz, Termeszetrajzi FiiseteJc, xxiv, p. 80 (1901— Madang (Finschhafen), North New Guinea). <$ Manokwari, 7.iv.l928. <?? near Siwi, 26. iv, 5. v. 1928. Iris blood-red. Bill red. Feet grey or black. The female has the face and throat blacker ; we have a number of birds like it, but this character does not seem peculiar to the female sex, according to the material available. 27. Mino dumontii dumontii Lesson. Mino dumontii Lesson (1826 — Dorey, now called Manokwari). Both sexes from the terra typica, Manokwari, from Wasior, Hollandia, Momi and Ifaar on Sentani Lakes. Males have longer wings than females. The Manokwari specimens of April 10th and 11th have numerous little white plumes on the back and sides of the neck, and some on the black portions of the abdomen and back. These were correctly described by Sharpe as " hair- like white plumelets," and even more in detail by Lesson, Voyage Coquille, i, p. 652, as long ago as 1826. They look at first glance as if they were appendices on the tip of the feathers, but they are independent feathers rising from the skins between the feathers, quite narrow, shafts only, at base, but at the tip with a droplike white spatula. It seems that they are only greatly in evidence in freshly moulted birds, while they are worn off and largely fall out later on — perhaps they are comparable to the small white ornamental plumes of the cormorants, which disappear when the breeding time begins ! Novitates Zoologicae XXXVI. 1930. 41 28. Aplonis (Calornis) metallicus metallicus (Temm.). Manokwari, Hollandia. 29. Aplonis cantoroides cantoroides (Gray). If aar (Sentani Lakes), 15., 18., 19.ix.l!)28. 30. Dicrurus bracteatus carbonarius Bp. 1850. This common bird was met with and collected at Wasior (coast) 23., 24.vii.1928, Momi 2.vii.l928, Hollandia August and October, Cyclops Moun- tains 31.viii.1928, and Ifaar on Lake Sentani, end September 1928. The iris of adults is red, of the young greyish brown. A female from Ifaar in moult is mainly covered with a soft downy smoky black plumage, a few metallic glossy feathers beginning to grow on the underside, many on the upperside, wings and tail. As the body is about full grown and the dull black downy feathers are much too long for a first nestling's plumes it seems as if that downy sort of fluff dress is a second " mesoptile " plumage. Adult females are like males, but considerably smaller. Weight 73-5-86 g. 31. Chaetorhynchus papuensis Meyer 1874. Terra typica, Arfak. A big series from Siwi, April and Wondiwoi Mountains in the Wandammen Peninsula, July. Iris very dark brown. At the base of the inner secondaries is a hidden patch of small entirely or partially snow-white feathers. Salvadori described them as a scapular patch, Meyer and Sharpe do not mention this peculiarity. Skins from Siwi partially in moult, some showing remains of a loose fluffy juvenile plumage. Females smaller than males. Weight 37-49 g. 32. Artamus maximus A. B. Meyer. Siwi and Ditschi. Iris deep brown. Bill grey-blue. Adults weigh 53, 55, 58, 63-5, 71 g. 33. Artamus leucorhynchus leucopygialis Gould. Seven ad. from Ifaar on Sentani lakes, middle September, 1 Kaju Pulu (near Hollandia), 15.x. 1928. Wings 125-137 mm. Adults weigh 40-44 g. Stresemann, Nov. Zool. 1913, pp. 289, 292, separates A. leuc. leucopygialis, wing 121-135 mm., average about 129 mm., from Australia, S.E. New Guinea, and Fergusson Islands (possibly only winter visitors in New Guinea), and A. leuc. papuensis Bp., wing 128-139 mm., and bill larger, from the Moluccas, Western Papuan Islands and New Guinea, with exception of S.E. New Guinea. As will be seen, the wing-measurements of the Ifaar birds are hardly deci- sive. The bills are, it is true, sometimes much smaller in the Australian form, but very often, if not mostly, as big as in " papuensis." Although I myself once separated the Cape York form as parvirostris I did not afterwards recognize it as different. I believe it will be better to await more material before separating 42 Novitates Zooloqicae XXXVI. 1930- /( tifo/ii/ijitilis and papurnsis, though it seems that some of the former do have smaller bills, and often shorter wings. 34. Munia vana spec. nov. $ Upperside earth-brown, lighter on the forehead, darker on the back. Upper tail-coverts with dull straw-yellow tips, middle rectrices with straw- yellow edges, apparently slightly elongated and tapering. Quills deep brown, inner edges faun colour. Chin and sides of head under eyes brownish white, a brown form side to side over the jugulum, followed by a narrow dull white band, breast and abdomen, thighs and under tail-coverts light chestnut-ochra- ceous. " Iris dark, bill leaden grey, feet dark grey. "Wing 51-5 mm., tail worn. Kofo, Anggi gidji Lake, 1 l.vi.1928. Typus ! Beside the type there arc three others, all three sexed " $ " which were bad skins, but are now made up quite nicely, all from the same place and date. Two are evidently adult males in moult, the third moulting from the juvenile plumage to that of the adult, and there is one young. They agree in coloration with the type. The wings measure ."iO-51 mm. Weight 10-12 g. 35. Munia spectabilis mayri subsp. nov. Differs from Munia spectabilis spectabilis (Scl.) of New Britain by having the back lighter, without any trace of the blackish colour on the interscapulium , and the bills are smaller. " iris brown. Bill whitish-grey, feet dark grey " (Mayr). The upper tail-coverts are also much more yellow, not so brownish as in M. s. spectabilis. Wings q 40, 47, 48, 49, $ 46, 47, 48 mm. Weight 8-9-5 g. Type : $ ad. Ifaar, 27. ix. 1928. No. 2039 Mayr coll. A series Ifaar, Sentani Lake, September and October. Sexual organs large in both sexes, evidently laying. Named after its discoverer, Dr. Ernst Mayr. 30. Munia grandis destructa subsp. nov. Very close to M. grandis grandis, but back more brownish, upper tail-coverts and edges to rectrices yellower. Wing (J 58, $ 50 mm. Type : ? ad. Ifaar, 22. ix. 1928. No. 2508 Ernst Mayr coll. These two specimens were collected inland and were not brought in before night, when they were already in bad condition. Only two specimens, $ and $, were shot, and the male lost its tail. 37. Munia tristissuna Wall. 1805. Adult and young were collected at Siwi, Arfak, where the type came from, Ditschi and Ifaar on Lake Sentani. We had it formerly also from the Hydro- grapher Range. Weight 8-5-12 g.1 1 Minna tris/i^^i/nu was described from Arfak. Later on Reichenow described Munia cala- minoros [Orn. Monatsber. xxiv, p. 109, 1916, Augustahafen), but Stresemann says that he compared his type with Arfak specimens, and does not separate it. I believe that the brown and spotted specimens are females, but our Arfak material is poor. Possibly an eastern subspecies will be separable, but our present material does not enable me to understand these forms. NoVTTATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 43 38. Munia castaneothorax sharpii (Mad.). Donacicola sharpii Madarasz, Bull. B.O. Club, iii, p. xlvii (1894 — Bongu). cJ9 ad. Ifaar, Lake Sentani, 19. ix. 1928. The males have the crown of the head lighter than the females. Probably the birds from Vulcan Island should be separated, because they have lighter backs, but more material from the mainland of Papua should be compared. Weights S 10, $ 10-5 g. 39. Erythrura trichroa sigillifera De Vis. Lobospingus sigiUifer De Vis. [bis 1897. p. .'i89. (No locality, but apparently Mt. Scratchley.) Erythrura trichroa goodfellowi Ogilvie-Grant, Butt. B.O. Club, xxix, p. 29 (1911 — Moroka Mts., S.E. New Guinea). cJ Mountains near Ditschi 31. v., o a(k and juv. Kofo (Anggi gidji), 12.vi. 1928. cj$ Siwi and Lehuma. These birds belong to the small form, named goodfellowi. Weight 13-15 g. Wings 61-63 mm. A synonym is evidently Erythrura trichroa ma yjillivrayi Mathews, Austral Avian Record, ii, p. 103, 1914, from the C'laudie River, North Queensland. Mathews says the blue on the head goes farther over the crown, but this is not constant. 40. Erythrura papuana Hart. Erythrura trichroa papuana Hartert, Nov. Zool. vii, p. 7 (1900 — Arfak Mts.) 3 ad. Siwi, Arfak Mountains, 27. iv. 1928. ? ad. Siwi, 10. v. 1928. " Iris dark brown, bill black, feet pale flesh colour or pale reddish brown." Weight 19 and 21 g. These two birds agree with the type, having a very large bill, wings of 69 and 68-5 mm., the blue on the forehead extending almost as far back on the crown as in the type. We have similar specimens from the Aroa River and Kotoi in S.E. Papua. This form occurs in the same countries with the form described as goodfellowi by Grant, it can therefore not be a subspecies of trichroa, if goodfellowi it is. We have thus a similar case as in the genus Oeospiza on the Galapagos Islands, a large and a small form occurring together. 41. Myzomela nigrita nigrita (?). Myzomela nigrita Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858, pp. 173, 190 (Aru Islands). Mayr sent two adult males from Siwi, Arfak Mountains, May 1928, weighing 9 and 10-5 g. These two males (females were not sent) agree with males from the Aru Islands. Their wings measure 59-60 mm. Specimens of M. nigrita meyeri from the Sepik River Mountains have longer wings, up to 64 mm., but some are, teste Stresemann, smaller, with wings only 58-5 mm. The distribution given by Stresemann is peculiar ; most of our S.E. Papuan birds agree more or less with the Arfak birds, and so do some from the Snow Mountains, while others from there have still shorter wings. " Novitates Zoolooicak XXXVI. 1930. 42. Myzomela cruentata cruentata A. B. Meyer. Myzomela crui ntata A. B. Meyer, 1874, Arfak. Dr. Ernst Mayr sent a series from the Arfak Mountains, from Siwi and Ditschi, April, May and Jmie. Also two males from the Cyclops Mountains, 24.viii. 1928. <? ad. 7-5-8 g. 43. Myzomela erythrocephala adolphinae Salvad. Myzomela adolphinae Salvadori, 1875, Arfak. Two $ near Siwi, Arfak. Weight 7 and 8 g. The females of M . e. adolphinae differ from those of M. cruentata cruentata by their smaller bill, lighter upper- and imderside and brown tail and rump without red edges ! " Iris dark brown, bill black, feet brownish grey or reddish grey." 44. Myzomela rosenbergii Schleg. Myzomela rosenbergii Schlegel, 1871, Arfak Peninsula. Mayr found this species on the mountains above Ditschi, between 1,200 and 1,500 m., at the Gimong Mundi near Ninei, 1,800 m., and on the Cyclops Moun- tains. On the latter they were apparently breeding. Iris dark brown. Weight 9-11-5 g. 45. Myzomela eques eques (Less.). Cinnyris eques Lesson, Voy. Coqu., Zool. i, p. 678, pi. 30 (1828— Waigiu and Arfak Peninsula) 1 cj ad. Siwi, 11. v. 1928. $ juv. Hollandia, 13.x. 1928. The last specimen agrees with a pair from the Mamberano River described by Rothschild and Hartert, Nov. Zool. 1903, p. 223. Stresemann has described the juvenile plumages, and I am now sure that our specimens from the Mamberano and Hollandia about which we were doubtful are juvenile eques. 46. Toxorhamphus iliolophus iliolophus (Salvad.). .1/.///. ■/. i iliiiUiphns Salvadori, I ST.. (Miosnom and Jobi). Siwi, mountains near Ditschi 1300 m., Ditschi, Hollandia, and Cyclops Moun tarns.1 All these birds, like those from Jobi and Arfak, do not exhibit the pale yellow tufts of flank feathers which are conspicuous in a series from S.E. New Guinea, but some are intermediate. " Iris brown, bill black, feet grey." The females are, as is well known, much smaller than the males. For the genus, see Nov. Zool. xxi, p. 394, 1914. Weights £ 11-13-5, $ 9-10 g. om 1 The specimens from the Cyclops Mountains are probably like the typical iliolophus fr Miosnom and Jobi, of which, however, no good skins are available. Skins from the Arfak Peninsula seem to be less greenish, especially on the head, while 8.E. Papuan birds are paler! There are therefore probably three subspecies (except Jcrgussoitia), but finer skins from Arfak are desirable ! NOV1TATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1!»30. 45 47. Toxorhamphus novaeguineae novaeguineae (Less.). Cinnyris Novae-guineae Lesson, Yoy. Coqville. Zool. 1828 (Arfak, Dorey). Sivvi, mountains above Siwi, Hollandia and Cyclops Mountains. Weights $ 13-14, 9 10 and 11-5 g. 48. Melilestes megarhynchus stresemanni subsp. nov. Differs from M. megarhynchus megarhynchus from the Arfak region, Kapaur, lower Snow Mountains, Aru Islands and S.E. Papua by the colour of the under- side, which is less yellowish-greenish, more greyish-brownish, and the darker, browner upperside. In colour like M. m. vagans of Waigiu, but bill slenderer ! The bill of M. m. vagans is much thicker than that of its allies. Type of M. m. stresemanni J ad. Hollandia, 13.x. 1928. No. 2835 Ernst Mayr coll. " Iris red. Bill black. Feet grey." Mayr sent 2 J Hollandia, 1 9 Cyclops Mountains, 23.viii. 1928. Wings <J 101, 103, ? 105 mm. To this subspecies belong also our birds from Takar, W. A. Doherty coll. 1896. Their wings measure $ 102-104, 9 95 mm. Weights cJ 46, 47, $ 42, 45 g. 49. Melilestes megarhynchus megarhynchus (Gray). Plilotis megarhynchus Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858, p. 174 (Aru Islands, type a young bird). 1 £ ad., 1 $ juv. Siwi, Arfak, 2. v. 1928. $ ad. 40 g. Iris of the adult " rotlich (gelb)," of the young brown. The young are underneath streaked with very pale yellow, and there is a pale sulphur yellow ring round the eye. 50. Glycichaera fallax Salvad, <J ad. Siwi, Arfak, 16. v. 1928. "Iris hellgelb. Schnabel schwarzlich. Fiisse blaugrau." Weight 12-5 g. 51. Oedistoma pygmaeum pygmaeum Salvad. ? Siwi, 15. v. 1928. 9 Cyclops Mountains, 24.viii. 1928. 9 Hollandia, 11.x. 1928. Weight 5-5-5 g. 52. Melipotes fumigatus goliathi R. &. H. Melipoles gymnops goliathi Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. xx, p. 515 (1913 — Mt. Goliath). Eleven specimens of both sexes from the Cyclops Mountains, first half of September. The sexual organs were rather highly developed. " Iris brown, bill black, feet grey." The large patch of bare skin around the eyes is " gam- boge " according to Boden Kloss. The distribution is rather interesting : Mount Goliath, Utakwa River, Mount Kunupi on the Weylandt Mountains, Schraderberg on the Upper Sepik River and Cyclops Mountains : " (J "wing 122, 117, 112, 115-5, 120, 119, 124, 114mm. ; " 9" wing 110, 111-5, 111 mm. 4(1 Novitates Zoological XXXVI. 11130. Weight S 52-64, $ 50-58 g ! I conclude from these measurements that Stresemann's supposed larger form anthophilus from the Hunsteinspitze are not separable from M. f. goliaihi, otherwise we would have both forms from the Cyclops Mountains, as topo- typical goliaihi measure £ 114-117, and two from Mount Kunupi 120, females 109-111 mm. 53. Melipotes gyninops Scl. Melipoies gymnopa Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 695, pi. 56 (Hatam in the Arfak Mts.). Mayr sent a series from the mountains near Siwi and Ditsehi, from Lcliuma and Wondiwoi in Wandammen. " Iris brown." " Nackte Haut dunkcl dotter- gelb." 3 wings 115-120, $ 108-112, once 115 mm. Weight (J 58-61-5, $ 48-55 g. 54. Melidectes torquatus torquatus Scl. Melideclis lonjuntus Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1873, p. 694, pi. 55 (Hatam. Arfak). This subsjjecies, by no means common in collections, seems only known from Arfak, where Mayr collected seven specimens in the mountains near Siwi and Ditsehi. Only two were males. The sexes are alike in coloration, but the males are considerably larger, o whig 112, 115, $ 102-105 mm. Weight <J 48, $ 39-45 g ! " Iris dark. Bill and feet blue-grey. Naked space around eyes bright lemon-yellow ; bare skin at base of bill brick-red ; little lappet on upper edge of rictus whitish pink." 55. Melidectes (Melirrhophetes) leucostephes Meyer. Mountains of Siwi, Ditsehi and Lehuma. This form seems to be only known from the Berau Peninsula, now called " Vogelkop." Naked skin around eyes whitish sky-blue, wattles on sides of neck bright brick-red. Its iris is very dark, bill whitish or bluish grey, feet blue-grey (Mayr). The characteristic wattles on the sides of the foreneck are present in both sexes, but absent in young. The colour of these wattles is dark brick-red (E. Mayr). Weight J 78-93, $ 65-78 g ! 56. Melidectes (Melirrhophetes) ochromelas ochromelas Meyer. Melirrhophetes ochromelas A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsher. Akad. Wissensch. Wien, lxx, p. Ill (1874 — Arfak Peninsula). Two mountains near Ditsehi, June. Three Lehuma, June. One Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula, 10.vii.1928. " Iris dark grey and dark brown, skin around eye greenish white, feet whitish, in the Wondiwoi specimen (?) ' hellblaugrau.' " Weight cJ 61-5-65, $ 54-62-5 g ! As usual female smaller, otherwise like male. 31. ochromelas bate.si inhabits S.E. New Guinea. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 47 57. Meliphaga notata sharpei (R. & H.). P/ilolis aruensia sharpei Rothschild & Hartert, Xov. Zool. x, p. 442 (1903 — Dorey in Arfak). A very typical male, with long yellow ear-tufts and with blackish middle portions of the elongated rump feathers was obtained at Ifaar on Lake Sentani, near Hollandia, 15. ix. 1928. Testes much enlarged! "Iris greyish brown. Bill black. Feet grey." Wing 89 mm. Weight 27 g. (Stresemann, Journ. f. Orn. 1925, in his excellent article on the forms and allies of Mel. analoga describes M. analoga vicina as a subspecies of notata, but I think that it is rather a form of M . analoga !) 58. Meliphaga analoga analoga (Reichenb.). (The type of Reichenbach's analoga was apparently from Triton Bay.) Collected at Manokvari (Dorey), Siwi, Ditschi, Hollandia, Ifaar and Cyclops Mountains. Quite young birds resemble the old ones very much in coloration, but are paler. Weight $ ad. 18-5, 22, $ 18-20 g. The specimens from Ifaar and Cyclops Mountains have mostly darker yellow ear-coverts, one female from Manokwari has white ear-coverts (aberr. albonotata). Possibly more than one subspecies may be separable on the main- land of New Guinea, but I doubt it. Specimens from Arfak are usually duller ! The genus Meliphaga (formerly Ptilotis) has been reviewed by me in Nov. Zool. 1913, p. 519, and by Stresemann, Journ. f. Orn. 1925, p. 255. Grant's review in Ibis, 1915, Supplement, p. 63, is greatly confused. 59. Meliphaga montana montana (Salvad.). Ptilotis montana Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, xvi, p. 77 (1880 — Arfak Mts.) ; id. Orn. Pup. ii, p. 333. Mayr sent three skins of this somewhat uncommon form from the Arfak region : $ Manokwari, 9.iv.l92S. Wing 79 mm. 2 (J Siwi, 29. iv. and 1. v. 1928. Wing 88, S9 111111. Weight 32 g. The outer edges to the quills are olivaceous-greenish ! 00. Meliphaga montana gennanorum subsp. nov. Three specimens from the Sattelberg (Wahnes coll.), from the Hunsteinspitze on the Upper Sepik River (Burgers coll.) and the Cyclops Mountains (Ernst Mayr coll.) are very much darker, not greenish but a deep dark olive-brown on the upperside, which is especially striking on the quills. The undersurface is not uniform, but even more distinctly scaly than in topotypical montana, the feathers being greyish in the middle, and slightly yellowish on the edges. " Iris graubraunlich, Schnabel schwarz, Fiisse blaugrau." Ernst Mayr collected specimens on the Sattelberg and in another locality in the " Mandated Territory " of Papua. Wings <J 89-91, $ 85 mm. Type : <$ ad. Cyclops Mountains, 30 . viii . 1928. No. 2097, Ernst Mayr coll. Weight 32 g. 48 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAD XXXVI. 1930. Very near to M. montana germanorum (all specimens known to me were sent by German collectors) is the form from the Aicora River in S.E. New Guinea. They do not belong to M. montana montana, being much less greenish, especially on the wings. The Aicora River specimens are either M. montana germanorum or a new unnamed subspecies with slenderer bills. M. montana mimikae, in the original description erroneously compared with M. orientalis, is not more greenish than M. m. montana and in fact not separable from the latter, except by having a generally smaller bill. More material must show if that is constant enough to warrant its separation as a subspecies. 61. Stigniatops alboauricularis Rams. Stigmalops alboauricularis Ramsay, l'roc. Linn. Soc. .V.N. Wales, iii, pp. 75, 285 (1878 — Small islet near S.E. point of New Guinea). 3 S Waar, 24. ix., 1.x., 2.x. 1928. " Iris dark, bill black, feet grey." Weights 13-5, 14, 17 g. The distribution of this distinct and peculiar species is remarkable. Except the types there seem to be only known specimens collected by Tappenbeck on the Lower Ramu River. 62. Xanthotis flaviventer flaviventer (Less.). Myzantha flaviventer Lesson. Manuel d'Orn. ii, p. 67 (1828 — Dorey in Arfak Peninsula). A number of specimens of both sexes from Siwi, April and May. Males much larger, wing of two males 108, 110, females 96-104 mm. Also one female from Wasior. Weight $ 47 and 50, $ 40-44-5 g. 63. Xanthotis flaviventer meyeri (Salvad.). Plilolis meyeri Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 947 (1875 — Jobi). Hollandia, Ifaar near Lake Sentani, evidently common. " Iris dark brown, bill black, feet grey." Males as usual much larger than females. The ear-tuft is orange yellow. Weight <S 40-53, ? 42-47 g. 64. Xanthotis polygramma poikilosternos Mey. Xanthotis poikilosternos A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsber. k. Akad. Wiss. Wien, hex, p. 112 (1874 — Andai, at foot of Arfak Mts.). $ ad. Hollandia, 11.x. 1928, q juv. Siwi, 9. v. 1928. As mentioned already by Stresemann, the young bird lacks the white spots on the nape and has pale rufous or rusty edges to the upper wing-coverts — also the yellow ear patches are paler and sometimes washed with grey. Of the Siwi bird Mayr describes the iris as " dark," bill black, skin above and below the eye yellow, behind the eye pink. Weight <? 20 g. It is curious that it has not hitherto been mentioned, that the Waigiu specimens have not yellow, but glossy ashy grey ear-coverts, a black line in front as in X. p. poikilosternos. The Waigiu bird has also longer wings, 2-3 mm. X. polygramma (Gray) was originally described from Waigiu only, and it is NOVITATES ZOOLOCIICAE XXXVI. 1930. 49 therefore wrong in the Cat. B. Brit. Mus. ix, p. 233, to say that the Mysol speci- mens were the types ! In fact the Mysol specimens differ again from poikilo- sternus. There are 5 in Tring and 4 in London and none of them has the crown black with short olive longitudinal stripes, but olive with some dull dusky spots and stripes. It is true we have only two adult ones, and those in London are juvenile, but the old birds also have the heads greenish, not blackish. Iris according to Kiihn, chocolate or dark coffee-brown. Size as in X. p. poikilosternos. Type : " $ " Misol (Mysol), 21 .i. 1900. Heinr. Kiihn coll. I propose for the Misol subspecies the name Xanthotis polygram/ma kuehni, subsp. nov. (The three races were separated for years in the Tring Museum drawers.) 65. Ptiloprora erythropleura (Salvad.). Plilotis erythropleura Salvador!, 1875, Arfak Mta. Eight skins from the mountains above Ditschi, 1500 m., end of May, one from Lehuma, 29. v. 1928. " Iris red-brown to red, bill black, feet blue-grey." Wing <$ 83, 90, $ 77-80 mm. Weight <J 21, 21, 23, ? 18-5-20-5 g. As Pt. erythropleura and a subspecies of P. guisei occur together on the southern Snow Mountains, the latter and its allies cannot be subspecies of erythropleura. One of the important differences is the colour of the iris which is green or greenish in all known subspecies of Pt. guisei, but red or reddish brown in Pt. erythropleura. The latter is a new species for the Tring collection, which we had only known from descriptions and more recently from the coloured plate in Grant's Ibis Supplement, 1915. 66. Ptiloprora guisei praedicta subsp. nov. 4 (J, 1 $ from Wondiwoi (Wandammen) are very closely allied to Pt. guisei lorentzi from the Snow Mountains, but the rump is less rufous-brownish. This form was already marked on the labels as " subsp. nov." by the collector, it is, however, surprising that it is so close to the Snow Mountains form. Type : <J ad. Wondiwoi, 8.vii. 1928. No. 1394 Mayr coll. " Iris yellowish green, light greyish green. Bill black. Feet light blue-grey." Weight (J 30-5-32, $ 26 g. Wings <J 101, 102, 104, $ 90 mm. 67. Ptiloprora guisei mayri subsp. nov. Differs from Pt. guisei guisei by larger size, the pure grey edges to the feathers on the head, which are olivaceous-grey in P. g. guisei, and somewhat narrower and less bright rufous edges to the feathers of the back. Wing q 98-104, mostly 99-101, only once 194, $ 90-94, mostly 90-92 mm. " Iris greyish green." Weight <$ 28-5-35, ? 27-29 g. The young have on the underside greenish sulphur-yellow edges to the feathers. Type: S ad. Cyclops Mountains, 31 .viii.1928. No. 2125. Mayr coll, 4 50 Novitates Zoological XXXVI. 1930. On 6.ix. 1928 a female was shot with an egg ready for laying ; others from the same time had the ovaries only a little developed. This form was common on the Cyclops Mountains, west of Hollandia, where a fine series was collected. 68. Ptiloprora cinerea cinerea (Scl.). Ptilolis cinerea Solater, Proe. Zool. Soc. London., 1873, p. (193 (Hatam, Arfak Mts.). A series of ten from Siwi and the mountains above Siwi, Arfak Mountains. The iris of this species is brown. The males and females are similar in colour, but the latter are smaller. This is another form only known from the Arfak Mountains ; it is repre- sented in S.E. New Guinea by Pt. cinerea marmorata, which has also been collected on the southern slopes of the Snow Mountains. In one female fruits were found in the stomach. Weight S 45, 48, 50, $ 40-5-44 g. 69. Philemon novaeguineae jobiensis Meyer. Philemon jobiensis A. B. Meyer, Silzungsber. Ak. Wiss. Wien, Ixx, p. 113 (1874 — Jobi). Half a dozen specimens from Ifaar, near Lake Sentani, September 1928. " Iris brown or dull grey." Wings £ 155-161, § 155-158 mm. Weight cJ 140-160, $ 127, 140 g. ! Five subspecies are recognizable on New Guinea and Aru Islands. Grant, Ibis Supplement, p. 78, expressed doubt in the differences of these forms, but without reason. Stresemann, in his Sepik article, p. 64, recognized them all. 70. Philemon (Philemonopsis) meyeri Salvad. Philemon meyeri Salvadori, Ann. Mils. Civ. Geneva, xii. p. 339 (1878 — Rubi). $ Hollandia, 16.x. 1928. Weight 45 g. $ Cyclops Mountains, 2.ix.l928. Weight 42 g. " Iris dark brown-grey or brown." 71. Timeliopsis fulvigula fulvigula (Schleg.). Euthyrhynchvs fulvigula .Schlegel, Nederl. Tijdsehr. Dierkunde, iv, p. 40 (1S71 — Arfak region). One male, head shot to pieces, mountains near Ditschi, 31. v. 1928. " Iris red-brown, bill black, feet greyish brown." Weight 16-5 g. Wing 78 mm. This form, from which T.f. meyeri (Salvad.), of S.E. New Guinea is doubt- fully distinct, is very rare in collections. In the Ibis Suppl. 1915, p. 79, Ogilvie-Grant called this bird Timeliopsis flavigula meyeri, instead of T. fulvigula meyeri ! 72. Timeliopsis griseigula (Schleg.). Euthyrhynchus griseigula Schlegel, Nederl. Tijdsehr. Dierkunde, iv, p. 39 (1871 — .Sorong and near west coast of Geelvink Bay). cj Hollandia, 15.x. 1928. This specimen agrees with a male from Takar, collected by Doherty, and fairly well with one from Andai (Arfak), though the latter is more reddish and brighter, but that may be due to individual variation. Wing 96 mm. Novitates Zoological XXXVI. 11)30. 51 1 used the name griaeigula, though there is no grey (" gris rougeatre tres pale "), but this is not mentioned in the description by Salvadori, who had two Andai examples, and who had examined the Leiden specimens. I cannot call the bird flavigula because the wing is supposed to be only 80 mm., which is too little for any " griseigula." Perhaps flavigula is the same ! 73. Cinnyris jugularis frenata (S. Mull.). Nectarinia frenata S. Miiller, Verh. Nat. Gesch., Land- en Volkenkunde, p. 173 (1843 — Lobo, New Guinea). 2 <J ad. and 1 $ Manokwari, one female, Ifaar. The eastern subspecies is well marked and is now called Cinnyris jugularis flavigaMra (Gould), originally described from New Ireland. One female was weighed : 7-5 g. 74. Cinnyris sericeus sericeus Less. Cinnyris sericeus Lesson, Did. Scienc. Natur. i, p. 21 (1827 — Dorey). Manokwari, Hollandia and Ifaar. Weight £ 8-9 g. 75. Dicaeum geelvinkianum simillimum subsp. now Extremely similar to D. g. diversum R. & H. (Nov. Zool. 1903, p. 215), but differs by the deeper red colour of the crown, breast patch and rump. Type : c? ad. Hollandia, 1 . viii. 1928. No. 1690 E. Mayr coll. Weight 6 g. With this specimen agrees a male from "near Humboldt Bay," received from J. Dumas. With the type of diversum agrees the series from the southern Snow Moun- tains, and a female from Takar, north coast of New Guinea, has the crown lighter than in adult females of rubrocoronatum, so that I consider it to belong to diversum, and not to simillimum. It is perhaps risky to describe a form which differs so little, but this form is interesting as standing in between rubrocoronatum and diversum, in having the deep red of the former and the more steel-blue (not purplish) edges of the latter, and its geographical position is equally intermediate. 76. Dicaeum pectorale S. Mull. Dicaeum peclorale S. Miiller, Vcrh. Nat. Gesch. Ned. Ind., Land- en Volkenkunde, p. 162 (Lobo). A small series from Siwi, above Wasior, and Manokwari, also one (J ad. from Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula.1 Weight rj 7-5-8, $ 7-5 g. 77. Melanocharis bicolor bicolor Rams. Melanocharis bicolor Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, iii, p. 277 (1879 — " Goldie River, British New Guinea "). Ten adult males and some adult females, with enlarged ovaries, were collected near Hollandia and on the Cyclops Mountains in August and October. 1 What is Dicaeum arfahianum Finsch, Notes Leyden Museum, xxii. ]>. 70 (1900 — supposed Moris, Arfak Mountains), described from one skin at Leiden, with a brownish grey crown, yellow tufts on the sides of the breast, and a wing of 02 nun. ! Dr. Mayr considers it to be an Acmonorhynch.ua with wrong Locality ! 52 XnVlTATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. " Iris brown, bill and feet black." The males are blue-black above and below, females above olivaceous-green, underneath grey with an olive-greenish wash. Wings <$ 63-67, mostly 64-66, $ 61-65, mostly 62-64 mm. Weight J 10-12, $ 13-5-16-5 g. 78. Melanocharis nigra nigra (Less.). Dicaeum niger Lesson, You. Coquille, Zool. i, p. 673 (1828 — Dorey, now called Manokwari). Two males Siwi, May 1928. Weight 12 and 13 g. " Iris dark grey-brown." This bird is not very numerous in collections, and I should say it would be impossible to distinguish it in the trees from Melan. (" Urocharis ") longicauda. In our Notes on Papuan Birds Lord Rothschild and I mixed this bird up with N. longicauda, but in Nov. Zool. 1907, p. 476, we put ourselves right and stated the differences between males and females of the two species. 79. Melanocharis longicauda Salvad. Melanocharis longicauda Salvador!, Ann. Mile. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 942 (1875 — Arfak). A series was obtained near Siwi, Ditschi, Lehuma, and two at Wondiwoi. " Iris <J brown, $ greyish brown." Weight <J 11-13, $ 13, 14-5, 15 g. Loranthus was found in one stomach. I do not consider the more emarginated first primary and the tail, which is some millimetres longer, useful generic characters, and therefore unite " Urocharis " (type longicauda) unhesitatingly with Melanocharis. 80. Pristorhamphus versteri versteri Finsch. Pristorhamph.ua versteri Finsch, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1875, p. 642 (Arfak). c?9 Dohunsehik (Issim valley), 17. vi. 1928. Kofo (Anggi lakes), 13.vi.1928. 3 <S, 2 (J juv., 6 $ mountains above Ditschi, May. Adult males, juvenile males and many females from the Cyclops Mountains, September and August. " Iris dark brown." The two forms which Rothschild and I separated in Bull. B.O. Club, xxix, p. 36, are very good. It may be added that the back of P. v. versteri and P. v. maculiceiis DeVis is in the adult male much more gloss_y than in P. v. meeki and that the abdomen of P. v. meeki is darker in the middle than in P. v. versteri, of which we had only two poor males and a female. The larger body, bill, wings and shorter tails of the females of Pristo- rhamphus have been noted by most writers. The young males are like the females but they have more black in the tails and are easily distinguished by the narrower, smaller bills and shorter wings. Weight <J ad. 10-25-13-5 g, $ 16-17-5 g. 81. Oreocharis arfaki (Meyer). Parol (?) arfaki A. B. Meyer. Sitzungsber. Isis, Dresden, 1875, No. of April 1 (Arfak). Four males Lahuma (Arfak) and Kofo (Anggi gidji), June 1928. " Iris dark, bill black, feet blackish." Weight 18-5-20 g. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 53 82. Zosterops minor A. B. Meyer. Zosterops albiventer minor A. B. Meyer, Sitzwngsber. Akad. Wiss. Wieti. lxx. p. 115 (1874 — Jobi). 1 c? ad. Cyclops Mountains, 27.viii. 1928. Testes large. Weight 10-5 g. This species (minor Mey. 1874, aureigula Salvad. 1878) was formerly only known from Jobi, but Burgers discovered it on the mountains of the Sepik region, and now one was sent from the Cyclops Mountains. It agrees with our five Jobi specimens except that the orange-yellow throat appears less restricted ; but this is apparently due to preparation, the throat in the Cyclops Mountain skin being too much contracted, those of the Jobi specimens very much elongated. 83. Zosterops chrysolaema Salvad. Zosterops chrysolaema Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 954 (1880 — Arfak). 1 t?> 1 $ Siwi. " Iris bleich grau-braun. Schnabel schwarz. Fiisse dunkelgrau." c? Weight S 11 g- 84. Zosterops novaeguineae Salvad. Z. novaeguineae Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, xii, p. 341 (1878 — Arfak). 6 <J$ ad. and two juveniles with fluffy plumage and paler yellow throats, Siwi, Arfak, 23. iv. 1928. One male from Wokan, Aru Islands, appears to be duskier, darker on the sides of the head, but a series would be necessary to confirm this ! Weights 1 J 10-5, 1 $ 10-5 g. 85. Zosterops fuscicapilla Salvad. Zosterops fuscicapilla Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 955 (Arfak). Four Siwi, Arfak, three Cyclops Mountains. " Iris brown. Bill black. Feet grey." Weight cj 11-5-12-5, $ 12-12-5 g. 86. Pachycare flavogrisea flavogrisea (A. B. Meyer). Pachycephala flavogrisea A. B. Meyer, Sitznitgsber. k. Akad. Wissensch. Wien, lxix, p. 495 (1874 — Arfak). A fine series from Siwi, Ninei, and three from Wondiwoi. Weight S 17-35-19-5, $ 18 g. The Wondiwoi specimens are very bright, more orange yellow, but they are not so orange as P.f. subaurantia, though the orange yellow on the underside and face differs somewhat in brightness. It seems that this colour fades, as seven old skins, collected in 1874 and 1879 in the Arfak Mountains by Bruijn's hunters, are paler than our fresh material. There can, however, be no doubt that the birds from S.E. New Guinea are paler than the Arfak ones and they also differ in having finer, less bulky bills. The wings of the S.E. New Guinea specimens are also on an average shorter, ranging from 63 to 66, very nearly 67, while in Arfak the wings are 66 to 67, rarely 68 mm. I therefore name the S.E. Papuan form Pachycare flavogrisea subpallida, subsp. nov. Type: $ ad. Bihagi, head of Mambare River, 28.iii.1906. A. S. Meek coll. (Eichhorn praep.). No. A. 2670 Meek coll. 54 XoYITATES ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. There can be no doubt (though a few specimens are wrongly sexed on the labels) that the specimens with a dusky patch on the ear-coverts are females ; they are also smaller, wings 3-4 mm. shorter, than males. A young female of subaurantia is paler underneath than the adidt, the forehead quite pale and there is no black cross-bar across the forehead behind the yellow line, the bill is much shorter. Specimens from the Aicora River in N.W. British New Guinea, and a female from the Rawlinson Mountains seem somewhat intermediate between subpallida and flavogrisea, but to belong to subpallida. It seems that the yellow colour in skins is subject to fading in time, as old skins are apparently failed, compared with fresh ones. 87. Pachycephala schlegelii sehlegelii Sohleg. Pachycephala Schlegelii Schlegel (name ex Rosenberg MS.), Nederl. Tijdschr, Dierkunde, iv. p. 4.'i (1873 — Interior of Arfak Peninsula). Both sexes from the mountains above Ditschi and Lehuma, Arfak Peninsula, also series of both sexes from Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula. The series from the Arfak Peninsula agrees perfectly with those from Wondiwoi. Some young birds have traces of the red-brown first juvenile plumage on the head and wing-coverts. Unfortunately many of this form and the following were moulting their body plumage. 88. Pachycephala schlegelii cyclopum subsp. nov. cJ ad. In coloration like P. s. schlegelii, but bill as a rule larger, higher, wings longer. $ ad. Like that of P. s. schlegelii, but upperside somewhat more greenish, less brownish, wings longer, chest paler grey, followed by a paler band. Wings P. s. schlegeli J ad. : 86, 85, 85-5, 85, 87, 86, 87, 84, 84, 85, 87-5, 85 (84-87-5) mm. Weight 19-5-24-5 g. P. s. schlegeli $ ad. : 80, 85, 86, 86, 85, 85, 85, 81, 81, 84, 83, 83, 81, 81, 82-5 (80-86) mm. Weight 19-5-25 g. P. s. cyclopum Hart. $ ad. 88, 91, 90-5, 91, 91-5, 89-5, 90, 88-5, 89-5, 90, 88, 89, 91 (88-91) mm. Weight 23-5-26-5 g. P. s. cyclopum $ ad. : 87, 87-5, 88, 87, 87, 87, 89, 90, 90, 89-5, 87 (87-90) mm. Weight 24-26-5 g. Type : $ Cyclops Moimtains 31 .viii.1928. No. 2123 Ernst Mayr coll. 89. Pachycephala meyeri Salvad. Pachycephala meyeri Salvadori, Aggiunte Orn. Pap. ii, p. 104 (1890 — Hatam, Arfak Mts. Type in Mus. Dresden, compared by me with Mayr's specimens 8.ii. 1930). As far as 1 know only the two specimens (unfortunately for many years mounted in the glass-cases and therefore now dirt}-, the throats brownish gre}') in Dresden were hitherto known. They are both females. Now Mayr sent a male and female adult from the moimtains near Siwi, 21 .iv. 1928 and 13. v. 1928, and an apparent young male from Ditschi. The sexes are alike. The crown is slaty grey, rest of upperside olive-green, throat greyish white with faint dusky tips to the feathers, a pale brown chest-band ; abdomen and NOVITATES ZOOLOGIC'AE XXXVI. 1930 55 under tail-coverts bright lemon yellow, under wing-coverts and axillaries very pale yellow. " Iris brown. Bill black. Feet grey." Wing 90 mm. Weight (J 19 g. 90. Pachycephala griseiceps squalida Oust. Pachycephala squalida Oustalet, Bull. Soc. Philomatique septiime serie, ii, p. 56 (Publ. 1S78 — 1 $ young from Amberbaki, north coast of Berau or Arfak Peninsula). A series from Siwi, 800 m., in the Arfak Mountains must, I think, belong to this subspecies. The throat is whitish and in the very cleanly and smoothly made skins the throat is mostly very distinctly striated with pale grey, but some- times the streaks are hardly visible, and in skins where the throat is a bit ruffled the streaks cannot be seen.1 The abdomen is pale sulphur yellow. Wing c? (5) 81-83, once 85, $ 78-80, once 81, once 74 mm. Weight <£$ 18-23 g. " Iris dark brown, bill black, feet grey." The line from base of upper bill to eye is distinctly brownish white, ear-coverts brown and whitish. The forms of P. griseiceps are somewhat difficult to define, not only, though mainly, on account of want of well-collected and sufficient series ; unfortunately few skins came to hand as perfect and smooth as those of Albert Eichhorn. We have now before us the following forms : Pachycephala griseiceps griseiceps Gray, 1858, Aru. We have specimens from various islands of the Aru group, but all in worn plumage ; the streaks on the throat are very faint, but clearly present in at least some specimens. With the Aru birds seem to agree those from the Aroa River in S.E. New Guinea, though it is possible that they differ slightly if equally good material was at hand from the Aru Islands. Pachycephala griseiceps squalida Oust., 1878, Amberbaki. Except the Arfak specimens those from Misol, Sorong and Waigiu seem to belong to this form, though it is possible that the latter are less clearly striated on the underside, but at present this cannot be said with certainty. The Misol specimens have the brown chest-band very pronounced (more like Aru birds, i.e. typical griseiceps). Pachyceplwla griseiceps jobiensis Meyer, 1874, Jobi. Underside undoubtedly slightly brighter yellow, at least on abdomen and under tail-coverts, striations on throat and breast absent or only faintly indi- cated. Ear-coverts brown. We have this form from Jobi Island, but we cannot distinguish from the Jobi skins those from Kapaur (Fakfak) on the southern part of the Onin Peninsula. This is, as far as our present knowledge goes, not a satisfactory distribution, but it may be that this form is one of the plains and much wider spread than we know. (P. griseiceps rubiensis Meise, Abh. & Berichte Mus. Tierkunde, Dresden, xvii, No. 4, p. 15, 1929, is indistinguishable from jobiensis. Compared with 1 Monsieur Berlioz kindly tells me that in the type of squalida the throat and breast are in bad condition, and that he cannot see any trace of stripes ; I think nevertheless that our specimens from the Arfak region are the same, as sometimes the stripes are practically absent, and in bad skins they would be invisible. 56 XoVTTATES ZooLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. squalida it is not more intensively yellow underneath, and the edge of the wing is of the same colour. Described from one old skin, compared with one Andai specimen !) 91. Pachycephala griseiceps subflavidior subsp. no v. Very similar to P. g. jobiensis from Jobi, but abdomen and especially under tail-coverts brighter yellow, the latter brightest. The whitish line from bill to eye is hardly indicated, ear-coverts brown ! This form replaces jobiensis on the north coast east of Geelvink Bay, at Takar and the Cyclops Mountains and Hollandia. Ernst Mayr sent a series of nine from the latter two places. Weight 19-5-23 g. Type : $ ad. Cyclops Mountains 23.viii. 1928. No. 1959 Mayr coll. Pachycephala griseiceps perneglecta subsp. nov. The specimens from the southern Snow Mountains differ by the dark and distinct striations not only on the throat and breast, but even along the abdomen. There is a distinct greyish brown band across the chest and the superciliary line from bill to over the eyes is distinct and dirty whitish. Ear-coverts brownish, not striated. Abdomen and under tail-coverts very pale yellowish. Wings o of to 85 and 86 mm. Type: S ad. Snow Mountains, 26.x. 1910. No. 4903 A. S. Meek coll., skinne'd by A. Eichhorn. Pachycephala griseiceps miosnomensis Salvad. 1879, Miosnom. We do not possess a specimen of this long- winged form, but a similarly large subspecies inhabits the small island south-west of Waigiu, called Gagi. Both have the wings about 90 mm. or more and are generally larger. (P. dubia I cannot confidently regard as a subspecies of griseiceps, as it occurs in many places in S.E. Papua, also on the Hydrographer Mountains, while P. griseiceps is found there at Naiabui, Kotoi district, and Aroa River.) 92. Pachycephala hyperythra hyperythra Salvad. Pachycephala hyperythra Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 932 (1875 — Arfak Mts. and Kapaur). 13 (J 9 ad. from Siwi, Arfak Mountains, 1 $ Ninei, $ juv. mountains near Ditschi, 1 <J Wondiwoi. Weight 25-29-5, one $ 33-75 g ! The males have the upperside less rufous, more yellowish than the females, the edges to the primaries a shade less reddish. " Iris dark brown, bill blackish, feet greyish pink, flesh-colour." The young bird has the edges of some of the upper wing-coverts and outer edges to the quills rufous-chestnut, and the bill in our specimen is (in skin) light, not blackish, the throat not so white, more yellowish. 93. Pachycephala rufinucha rufinucha Scl. Pachycephala rufinucha Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1873, p. 692 (Hatam). Half a dozen from the mountains above Ditschi, about 1,500 feet, end of May and June. Two from Lehuma. " Iris hellbraun, blass graugelblich, milchkaffeefarbig. Schnabel schwarz." Wing $ 90, 90, 92 (one 87 might be $), $ 86, 87, 89, 88 mm. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 57 Weight cJ 36, ? 35, 41 g. The forehead is grey without black centres to the feathers. There is no blackish chin-spot. This species is also somewhat short-tailed, and if P. hattamensis is generically separated as Paehycephalopsis, then rufinucha must either be united with the latter, or receive another generic or subgeneric name. The bright rufous colour of the young shows, however, the close relationship to other species of Pachy- cephala. (Voice and habits of rufinucha prove the Pac/w/ce^/wia-relationship, while hattamensis is something quite different. — E. Mayr.) 94. Pachycephala rufinucha niveirrons subsp. nov. This form agrees with P. r. gamblei in having the much larger chestnut nuchal patch and dark centres to the frontal feathers, but the latter are purer snow-white, and the sides of the body are darker olive-green, also the upper surface is a shade darker and greener. Wings cJ 86, $ 84, 86 mm. Weight <J 43, $ 40, 40 g. Type: ^ ad. Wondiwoi Mountains, Wandammen, 1 1 . vii . 1928. No. 1465 Ernst Mayr coll. 1 cj, 2 $ from the Wondiwoi Mountains. With these birds agree in every detail the seven skins collected by A. S. Meek on Mount Goliath in January and February 1911. There is a curious variation in the colour of the iris in P. rufinucha. The three Wondiwoi specimens have the iris marked: " £ gelblichgrau, $ dunkel- braun." The Mount Goliath birds : £ " Light yellowish brown, light yellowish white, silvery grey (several) ; $ pale chocolate, silvery grey, brown." The P. r. gamblei from S.E. New Guinea : J light brown (several), silvery brown, dull yellow, silvery grey, light reddish brown ; $ silvery grey, brown, light brown (several). (P. r. rufinucha, see under that heading.) 95. Pachycephala pectoralis soror Scl. Pachijcepliala soror Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1873, p. 692 (Arfak). Mountains near Siwi and Ditschi, Ninei. (J ad. " Iris brown. Bill black. Feet grey." Weight S 25-26, $ 24-27 g. These specimens are of course typical soror. Ogilvie-Grant correctly separated what used to be called soror into three forms, differing by the colora- tion of the rectrices, soror from the Arfak Mountains, kiossi from the Snow Mountains, bartoni from S.E. New Guinea ; though these are very close to each other, they must be distinguished. A more difficult question is if these forms are subspecies of pectoralis or if they form a separate species. (Dr. Stresemann's reasons for not considering them subspecies of pectoralis are perhaps not valid. Neither the occurrence of an Australian subspecies in the lowland of Naiabui, S.E. New Guinea, where P. soror has never been recorded, nor the fact (if universally established) that soror is a mountain bird, while the forms of pectoralis inhabit the lowlands, reflect on the status of soror as a species or subspecies of pectoralis.) 58 Xovitates Zoological XXXVI. 1930. 96. Pinarolestes megarhynchus megarhynchus (Quoy et Gaimard). Mwcicipa megarhyncha Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. Astrolabe, Zool. i. p. 172. pi. iii, fig. 1 (1830 — Dorey, Arfak Peninsula). Ernst Mayr sent a nice series from Siwi (in the mountains S.E. of Anggi Lakes) Mountains near Ditschi, Manokwari (Dorey), and Wondiwoi (Wandam- men). The males and females have a dark horn-brown bill ! Wings o 94-102, $ 92-94 mm.. Weight cJ 34-37-5, $ 36-37 g. 97. Pinarolestes megarhynchus obscurus (Mey.). Rectes obscura A. B. Meyer. Silzungsber. k. Akad. Wise. Wien, 1874 (Ansus, Jobi Island). 11 o, 1 5 Hollandia (Humboldt Bay), Hoi, Cyclops Mountains, Ifaar near Lake Sentani. Weight of nine males 35-40 g. Testes of some large. This form belongs to the group in which the males (at least the adult ones) have black bills, while in the females they are brown. Comparing these specimens with our poor series of badly made skins from Jobi (Ansus), I cannot confidently separate them. Dr. Meise separated the north coast form under the name of hybridus (Abh. u. Ber. Mus. f. Tiertunde, Dresden, xvii, No. 4, p. 17, 1929) from obscurus, but he had only one bad skin from the Tring Museum, from Tana Mera, collected by William Doherty. I do not admit it for the time being ; it was certainly premature and probably wrong to separate this form on such meagre evidence, especially as one from the Mamberano River does not agree with the type of " hybridus." Wings of Mayr's specimens : <J 99, 99-5, 99, 98, 100-5, 100, 95 ; $ 95, 95 mm. The 95 $ has a black bill. Some specimens in September and October moult wings and body feathers. Pinarolestes megarhynchus has many subspecies, and I agree with Meise, who includes in this species also the greyish forms, obscurus, etc., with black- billed adult males. Pinarolestes megarhynchus misoliensis Meise 1929 is a very distinct form with pale underside, bill <$ pale brown. Very close to aruensis, only underside still paler, as a rule. Pinarolestes megarhynchus batantae Meise 1929 is very closely allied to P. m. megarhynchus, but the upperside slightly more olivaceous, less rufescent. Edges of quills not olivaceous. Bill of male as in females, brown. Pinarolestes megarhynchus affinis of Waigiu is very distinct, having an olivaceous grey underside without rufous. Pinarolestes megarhynchus aruensis (Gray) 1858. Pale underside but still more reddish than the very pale misoliensis. Bill of both sexes brown. Pinarolestes megarhynchus tappenbechi (Rchw.) 1899 from the Sepik to the Astrolabe Bay is very similar to P. m. megarhynchus, but usually the upper throat darker and more grey. Bill also in male brown. Pinarolestes megarhynchus madaraszi R. & H. 1903 from N.E. Papua (" Kai Peninsula ") is smaller than lappenbecki, and the male has a black bill. Pinarolestes megarhynchus maeandrinus Stres. 1921. Underside paler than in tappenbechi and madaraszi, bill adult male blackish. Novitates Zoologicae XXXVI. L930. 59 About other subspecies, see Nov. Zool. 1903, and Stresemann, Archiv f. Naturg. vol. 89, 1923, p. 76. [For twenty years we had in the Tring Museum a Pinarolestes shot by one of Albert Meek's men at Merauke in South New Guinea, east of the Marianne Strait and Frederik Hendrik Island. This specimen does not agree with any of the known New Guinea subspecies of Pinarolestes megarhynchus, but the upper- side is more reddish than any specimen in the large series of P. megarhynchus rufogaster (and gorddi, if the latter is separable), mostly from the Mathews collec- tion. That this new form is nearer to the Australian ones than to any of the New Guinea races is very interesting, as the Merauke plains show a striking faunal affinity to Australia. In the list of a poor and badly prepared and labelled collection from Merauke listed by Bangs and Peters in the Bull. Mus. Camp. Zool. Harvard, lxvii, 1926, p. 421, and in Dr. van Oort, Nova Guinea, 1909, about half a dozen birds are mentioned from Merauke, which are otheiw isc only known from Australia ! Unfortunately the region of Merauke is very imperfectly known. I call the Merauke form Pinarolestes megarhynchus goodsoni subsp. nov. after my faithful assistant Arthur Goodson, who has helped me comparing Mayr's Papuan collection. Type: 3 ad. Merauke, 4.vi.l910. "Iris light brown. Bill horn colour. Feet dull pinky shade."] 98. Pitohui nigreseens nigrescens (Schleg.). Redes nigrescens Schlegel, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk. iv, p. 46 (1871— Arfak Mts.). 3 cJ Lehuma, Arfak Mountains, 1 3 Kofo (Anggi gidji), 11. vi. 192S. 1 cj Dohunsehik, 1,400 m., 17. vi. 1928. 3 $ Lehuma, l.vi.1928. The females are of the typical coloration, the upperside dull rufous-brown, crown generally with a distinct grey tinge, underside much paler and as a rule with a faint, greyish tinge on the abdomen. The adult males are slaty-black, the bill black. Younger males are bright ochraceous underneath and have the bill not black, later on the upper bill becomes black, the lower mandible whitish. Weight o1 58-72, $ 65, 66 g. 99. Pitohui nigrescens wandamensis subsp. nov. 1 cJ, 1 $ Wondiwoi, 9.vii. and 14.vii.1928. The male agrees in every way with that of P. nigrescens nigrescens, except that the abdomen is a little deeper and purer black, but the female is deeper rufous brown above and below the crown like the back, the underside brighter and more rufous on the lower throat. Type : $ ad. Wondiwoi. No. 1410 Mayr coll. The two females from the Weyland Mountains are less bright than the type of meelci, but not so dark as wandamensis. Weight J 73-5, ? 68-5 g. 60 NOV1TATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 103(1. 100. Pitohui dichrous dichrous (Bp.). Pedes dichrous Bonaparte, Corrupt. Bend. Acad. Paris, xxxi, p. 563 (1850 — Lobo. from Salomon Miillcr). 5 $ ad., 1 <J juv., Siwi, April-May 1928. 4 £ Wondiwoi, Wandammen, 17.vii.1928. <J$ Hollandia, 3.viii.l928, 2 $ October. 16 (J? Cyclops Mountains, August 1928. (J$ Ifaar, September 1928. The iris is marked as red and red-brown, in one case as grey-brown. Weight, 63-80, mostly about 68-73 g. The sexes are alike in colour, and so are the young, but the plumage of the latter is more fluffy and more silky. Wing £ 107-112, ? 102-106 mm., a " $ " with 105 mm. is perhaps wrongly sexed. End of August sexual organs began to get much enlarged, but by no means in all individuals. 101. Pitohui kirhocephalus kirhocephalus (Less.). Lanius kirhocephalus Lesson, Voy. Coquille, Atlas, pi. xi (1827 — New Guinea, collected by Lesson near Dorey, Arfak Peninsula, see Voy. Coquille, Atlas, i, 2, p. 633). 1 cJ, 3 $Manokwari, 9. -10. iv. 1928. 2 <3 (?), 1 $, 1 unsexed Momi (Wariap), April and June 1928. Males darker on back and head, throat and abdomen, bill darker (" blackish "), in female " reddish grey." There is some variability in these birds, apparently not entirely dependent on sex. A " $ " from Mount Moari, in the Berau Peninsula (near Oransbari), 3,000 feet, collected by J. M. Dumas, appears to belong to this form, also an unsexed bird, but obviously $, from Etna Bay, taken 3.viii.l896, which agrees much better with kirhocephalus than with decipiens which should range to Etna Bay, according to Stresemann. Weight cJ 81, $ 74, 77, 85 g. 102. Pitohui kirhocephalus dohertyi R. & H. Pitohui dohertyi Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. x, p. 95 (1903 — Ron Island, just north of the Wandammen Peninsula, Geelvink Bay). 11 <$, 10 $ Wasior, coast of Wandammen Peninsula, 20.-31 .vii. 1928. Agree perfectly with the Ron specimens. c?? iris dark brown, bill and feet black. While the males are all black-headed, the females vary from dark grey, almost black, to a dull ashy grey, and some such specimens are hardly separable from some decipiens, though the latter, in the series, are different. Weight ^ 95-103, $ 90-5-102 g. Wings c? 118-128, mostly 122-123, $ 117-123 mm. 103. Pitohui kirhocephalus meyeri R. & H. Pitohui meyeri Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. x, p. 96 (1903— Takar, Tana Mera). 9 (J$ Hollandia, 3 <?$ Cyclops Mountains, 27 Ifaar, near Sentani Lakes, September 1928. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAB XXXVI. 1!)30. 61 Bills always brownish in skin, marked as reddish grey, greyish-red, fleshy. Iris dark brown. Weight $ 73-79, $ 68-80 g ! Younger birds are paler on the underside, but variable. K)4. Pitohui ferrugineus ferrugineus (Bp.). Rhectes ferrugitiens Bonaparte, Compt. Rend. Acad. Paris, xxxviii, p. 536 (1850 — Ex Miiller in Mus. Lugd., from Lobo). 1 Manokwari, 4 Siwi and mountains above Siwi, 1 Wasior, 2 Hollandia, 3 Cyclops Mountains, 2 Ifaar. All these differ somewhat individually in the tint of coloration, but no local forms can be separated. The iris is marked as cream-colour, twice as cafe au lait, bill black, feet light grey, or lead-colour. Weight 83-100 g. 105. Pitohui cristatus cristatus (Salvad.). Rectes crislata Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 930 (1875 — Mt. Morait in West New Guinea). 2 <J, 3 $ Siwi, Arfak Mountains. The young bird has the bill smaller and not black, but brownish. Plumage the same in colour. Iris dark brown, or brown. Weight <J ad. 103-111-5, $ 97 g. 106. Pitohui cristatus arthuri subsp. nov. Differs from P. c. cristatus in having the crown of the head lighter and not so deep rufous brown, but almost olivaceous brown, the whole back, scapulars, wing-coverts and outside of wings more olivaceous brown, less deep rufous brown. Wings <J 126, ? 118 mm. Weight 104 and 100-5 g. <J? Cyclops Mountains, 22., 23.viii. 1928. Type ^ No. 1962 Ernst Mayr coll. Named after Mr. Arthur Goodson, who has greatly helped me with the working out of Dr. Mayr's collection. There are three subspecies of Pitohui cristatus : 1. P. cristatus cristatus (Salvad.) West Papua. Exact distribution un- certain, but apparently Berau Peninsula to Lower Snow Mountains. 2. P. cristatus brunneiceps (Ramsay). ? Rhectes (Oreoica ?) hrunncipes ' Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, iv, p. 467 (1879 — Goldie River, S.E. Papua. 30 miles inland). S.E. New Guinea. Upperside as in P. c. cristatus, but underside beyond the dark rufous jugulum much paler, ochraceous-buff, to almost buff. 107. Craticus cassicus (Bodd.). 1 ^ Manokwari, 2 <$<$, 1 $ Momi, and (o juv.) Ifaar. "Iris very dark brown." Weight adult 150-165 g. 1 Obvious misprint for brunneiceps. 62 XoYITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 108. Craticus quoyi quoyi (Less.). 1 cJ Wasior and 1 o, 1 ? Hollandia. Weight of a male 170 g. lo'.i. Gerygone palpebrosa palpebrosa Wall. Ot rytjont palpi Irom Wallace, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1865, p. 475 (Aru Islands). Siwi and mountains near Sivvi, both sexes. Iris red or red-brown. Weight (J 8-9 g, $ 7-8 g. On the south coast this form, not wahnesi, extends to Avera on the Aroa River ! The shape of the white line is easily altered by preparation, being more like a round patch, when the neck is made short and thick, line-like and narrower, when the neck is long and thin. 110. Gerygone palpebrosa wahnesi (Mey.). Pseudogerygone wahnesi A. B. Meyer, <hn. Monatsber. 1899, p. 144 (Bongu, German New Guinea). <$ Hollandia, £ Cyclops Mountains, August 1928. Iris red. Weight as in G. p. palpebrosa. We have this excellent subspecies, which differs in its dusky black crown, now from Simbang (Wahnes), Kumusi River (Meek), and Hydrographer Moun- tains (Eichhorn). The underside in these is not paler than in G. p. palpebrosa, except in the Jobi example, which is paler underneath. Another subspecies is G. palpebrosa personata Gould 1866 from Australia, in which the black of palpebrosa is replaced by brown. I am obliged to Arthur Goodson, who called my attention to this relationship. ill. Gerygone cinerea Salvad. Gerygone (?) cinerea Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Geneva, vii, p. 958 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). cj$ Mountains above Ditschi, June 1928. $ Mount Wondiwoi, 1,000 m., 17. vii. 1928. 9 Mount Lahuma, 1 .vi. 1928. " Iris chestnut-brown." Sexes alike. Weight 6-7 g. 112. Gerygone chloronota cinereieeps (Sharps). Pseudo-gerygone cinereieeps Sharpe, Nature, xxxiv, p. 340 (August 12, 1886 — Astrolabe Mts., S.E. New Guinea). Gerygone platida Madarasz, Orn. Monatsher. viii, p. 3 (1900 — Sattelberg). cj Siwi, 24. iv. 1928. Iris brown, bill and feet black. Weight 6-5 g. G. placida is a synonym, and Stresemann, in lilt., now quite agrees with me that it is not separable. G. cinereieeps is a subspecies of the North Australian chloronolus (1842), from which it differs, however, in the more greenish, less yellowish, upperside. G. chloronota clarwini Mathews, Austral Avian Rec. i, 2, p. 4 (1912 — N.W. Australia) is a synonym of chloronottis ; the supposed longer wing is due to Mathews having only females from the Northern Territory, and the head is not lighter as a rule. G. chloronota apsleyi Mathews, I.e., from Melville Island is also a synonym, as there is no constancy at all in the supposed darker head and greener back. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 63 113. Gerygone chrysogaster Gray. Gerygone chrysogaster G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1858, p. 174 (Aru Islands). 1 $ Cyclops Mountains, 21 . viii. 1928. "Iris brown, bill black, feet pale yellowish grey." Weight 7-5 g. The sides of the head are somewhat greyish, the crown perhaps more greyish than the back. [It seemed to me, after comparing our fine series from various parts of New Guinea and the Aru Islands and Jobi, that a northern form from Jobi and the north coast of New Guinea could be separated from the typical one from Aru to the foot of Snow Mountains and S.E. New Guinea, as among the former there were some lighter heads. It seems, however, that dark and more greyish heads are found in the same regions, as, for example, on the Sepik River. Specimens from the Mimika River were separated from the typical form as being darker above and paler yellow, but I cannot confirm this difference. As there is no "green tinge " on the vent in typical 67. chrysogaster, I cannot see how it can be absent in " guineensis," as Mathews called his supposed new form ; the name " guineensis " is absurd, as Guinea is part of West Africa.] 114. Gerygone magnirostris ramuensis Rchw. Gerygone ramuensis Reichenow, Orn. Monalsber. v, p. 26 (1897 — Ramu, Mandated Territory, N.E. New Guinea). 3 <J, 3 $ Ifaar, Sentani Lake, second half of September and beginning of October 1928. " Iris red-brown. Bill black. Feet dark grey." Weight 7-8 g. I prefer to call this form ramuensis, as it agrees entirely with the latter, of which I have many specimens to compare (among them one of the co-types), from East and S.E. Papua. Stresemann calls these birds affinis Meyer, and says the type locality of that name is Jobi. I have before me, through the kindness of Dr. Meise, the type and co-types of Meyer, from Jobi and Passim. Unfortunately these are old and have mostly been mounted, and are therefore hardly fit for intricate comparison, but it seems to me that the specimens from Jobi approach ours from Kapaur, which we called conspicillata, and that the Passim ones are partially ramuensis. Fresh material from Jobi and Passim may very likely prove that ramuensis and affinis are the same, but at present this is doubtful. 115. Gerygone ruficollis ruficollis Salvad. Gerygone ? ruficollis Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 959 (1875 — Hatam, Arfak Mts.). <J, about 1,000 m., in the mountains near Siwi, 17. v. 1928. "Iris light red-brown, bill and feet black." Wing 52-5 mm. Weight 6 g. I think that this specimen is 67. ruficollis. Through the kindness of Dr. Gestro I have the type of 67. ruficollis (the only specimen 1 know of) before me. It is of course true that there is a (somewhat indistinct) rufous loral line and that the throat is rufescent, as described, but this rufescent colour is pale, and, though the Siwi example has the throat white, T think it must be the same, and 04 Novitates Zoological XXXVI. 1931). there is a rufescent patch on the sides of the neck. The tail is incomplete and on the outer rectrix is also a white spot on the outer web, in the type only on the inner web. Another subspecies seems to inhabit N.E. New Guinea. 116. Gerygone neglecta virescens (Blyth). "' Sylvia vireseens S. Mull." Blyth, Ibis. 1870. p. 169 (" New Guinea." The specimen in the Leyden Museum, which Salomon Miiller had called " Sylvia I'irescens," was from Lobo Bay !). Cf. Finsch, Notes Leyden Museum, xx, p. 135, 1898. — Hartert, Nov. Zool. 1920, p. 493. Gerygone neglecta dohertyi Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. x, p. 473 (1903 — Kapaur). 1 <J Siwi, 18. v. 1928. "Iris dark grey. Bill (upper) black. Feet light grey-brown." Testes small. Weight 7-75 g. This form, of which we had a series from Kapaur, does not seem to have been found before in the Arfak Peninsula. The wing measures only 51 mm., which agrees with our Kapaur females, while the males have longer wings ! (Possibly this bird from Siwi is a §, label changed by native ?) 117. Gerygone (Eugerygone) rubra (Sharpe). Pseitdogerygone rubra Sharpe, Notes Leyden Mils, i, p. 30 (1879 — Arfak Mts.) ; Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iv, p. 225. 2 £ ad. Kofo (Anggi gidji), Arfak Mountains, 12., 15. vi. 1928. "Iris dark brown, bill black, feet yellowish brown." ^ juv. mountains near Ditschi, 31. v. 1928. §, label lost, probably Kofo. This red-backed species is very rare in collections. Lord Rothschild and I recorded specimens from S.E. New Guinea in Nov. Zool. 1903, pp. 474, 475. On the 6th or 7th primary begins a white bar across the wing, formed by white spots on the outer webs, while on the underside of the wing is a wider bar of whitish buff on the inner remiges. Wings <J 58-62-5 mm. Weight 8 g. The younger male has the upperside not pure crimson, but crimson with a yellowish wash. The female has hitherto remained undescribed. What Rothschild and I described, Nov. Zool. 1903, p. 475, is not the female ! The skin without a label is obviously adult and agrees in every way with the male, except that the upperside is brown with a rufous tinge. The white markings on wings and tail are as in the male. Wing 57-5 mm. The tail is longer than in other Papuan Gerygone (and Pseitdogerygone), and this may for genus-splitters be an excuse for the genus Eugerygone. 118. Phylloscopus trivirgatus poliocephalus (Salvad.). Gerygone 1 poiiocephala Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 960 (1875 — Arfak). Eight skins from Siwi and four from Ditschi in the Arfak region obviously belong to this rare form. " Iris dark greyish brown or dark greenish grey. Bill black. Feet dark grey (in adults)." Wings (J 56-57, $ 52-53. Weights <J 8-5, ? 9-5 g. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 65 The yellow line across the wings, formed by the tips to the greater wing- coverts, is sometimes indistinct, generally quite visible. The greyish dusky crown is, especially in females, often quite brownish to olive-brown ; in an apparently younger bird greenish brown, and the throat yellow. 119. Phylloscopus trivirgatus cyclopum subsp. no v. Very near to Ph. trivirg. giulianettii, but upperside a little brighter, more yellowish, the top of the head (the sides, not the yellowish median line) less blackish, more greenish, sides of head less yellowish, more greyish, sides of body, under wings, cleaner yellow. Wings aj>parently a little shorter : ^ 57, § 53, 54 mm. " Iris grey-brown, once brown-grey, bill blackish (lower however pale i), feet grey." Type $ Cyclops Mountains, 24.viii. 1928. Weight (J 8-5, $ 8, and 9-5 g. Only three skins, Cyclops Mountains, 12. ix. and 24.viii. 1928. I am obliged to Dr. Ernst Mayr, who called my attention to this quite distinct subspecies. (The species was heard in the Wandammen Mountains, but no specimens could be obtained. — Ernst Mayr.) 120. Microeca griseiceps occidentalis R. & H. Microeca griseiceps occidentalis Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. x, p. 471 (1903 — " Warmendi," Arfak). 3 cJ$ Siwi, 3 o Ditschi. " Iris dark, bill underneath yellow, above blackish, feet orange yellow." Wing <J 75, $ 71, 74 mm. Weight <J 12, $ 12, 12-5, 13-5 g. Differs from M. griseiceps griseiceps of S.E. New Guinea in having the crown more olive-brown, the back of a slightly darker green, the whitish colour of the throat generally more extended, and larger size, wing in M . g. griseiceps ^ 68-69, $ 66 mm. The latter we had also from the Hydrographer Mountains. Young birds are rufous, spotted with whitish tips ! Another subspecies of M. griseiceps, and in fact hardly separable, is " Kempi- ella " Icempi Mathews. It is only a little browner on the head and darker on the back, and perhaps smaller. There are (in Europe) only three specimens, one good male and two bad ones, two from Cape York, one from Claudie River, North Queensland. When Mathews described it (Austral Avian Rec. ii, p. 12, 1913), he compared it with Poeciliodryas capita, being ignorant of the existence of Microeca griseiceps ; the form must therefore be called Microeca griseiceps kempi. It adds another Papuan form to the fauna of the Cape York Peninsula. 121. Microeca fiavovirescens Gray. Microeca fiavovirescens Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1858, p. 178 (Aru Islands). cj?$ Hollandia. August and October 1928. One female had an egg almost ready for laying on 9.x. Weight 14-5-15 g. 5 66 Nuvitates Zoological XXXVI. 1930. 122. Microeca papuana Mey. Microeca papuana Meyer, Silzungsb. Ges. Isis, 1875, p. 74 (Arfak). S Kofo (Anggi gidji), 11 .vi. 1928. 2 <$, 1 $ Lehuma, June 1928. $ juv. mountains near Ditschi, 9.vi.l928. $ Wondivvoi Mountains, Wandammen Peninsula, 10.vii.1928. " Iris dark brown. Bill, upper and under, black. Feet orange yellow." Weight 12-14-5 g. Microeca hemixantha Scl. 1883 from Tenimber is very much like M. papuana and might be looked upon as a subspecies, but the under mandible is pale (" colour-less " as Kiihn puts it on a label) and the feet are black ! 123. Poecilodryas cyanus cyanus (Salvad.). Myiolestes 1 cyanus Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 394 (1875 — Hatam, Arfak Mts.). 1 (J mountains near Siwi. 1 jj, 4 $ mountains above Ditschi. The sexes are alike in colour, but males larger. Wings <J 86, 86-5, $ 82-84-5 mm. Weight S 24, 24-5, ? 20-5, 22-5, 22-5 g. 124. Poecilodryas cyanus subcyaneus De Vis. Poecilodryas subcyanea De Vis, Ibis, 1897, p. 377 (S.E. New Guinea). (Cf. Nov. Zool. x, p. 470. 1903, for synonyms.) 3 cJ, 5 $ Wondiwoi Mountains, Wandammen Peninsula, July. 10 (J, 16 $ Cyclops Mountains, September. Wings 3 94-101, $ 83-88, sometimes 90 and 93 mm., if the latter are correctly sexed. Weight <J 27-5-34, $ 20-5-28 g. In colour like P. cyanus cyanus, but a little darker and more bluish. It is interesting that the Wandammen specimens agree in this case with the eastern form ; the fauna of Wandammen is a mixed one, but in the majority of cases the birds are the same as in the Arfak peninsula. Sexual organs very large in September. 125. Poecilodryas leucops melanogenys Mey. Poecilodryas melanogenys A. B. Meyer, Abh. <£• Per. Mus. Dresden, 1892-93, Art, 3, p. 12 (Sattelberg). Poecilodryas salvadorii Madarasz, Orn. Monalsber. viii, p. 1 (1900 — Sattelberg). Poecilodryas leucops nigriceps Neumann, Verh. Orn. Ges. Bayern, xv, p. 237 (1922 — Hunstein Range). Twenty-eight from the Cyclops Mountains. A quite young bird shot 27. viii. 1928 in fluffy down plumage is dark dull chestnut-brown with paler shaft- lines, one from 21 .viii. 1928 retains still juvenile feathers on back and underside. Weight 14-5-19 g. I do not think that nigricejJS is separable. 126. Poecilodryas leucops leucops (Salvad.). Lrurophanles leucops Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 921 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). A series from Siwi, above Ditschi, and Ninei. Wing (J 75-81 mm. Weight 15-18 g. A young bird from Ditschi, 8.vi., is like the one from 21. viii. of melanogenys, but has not yet much white on the forehead. NOVITATES ZOOLOGR'AE XXXVI. 1930. 67 127. Poecilodryas leucops mayri subsp. nov. Almost exactly like P. 1. leucops, but no black line from eye to base of bill ! There is also generally more greenish wash on nape and hind-neck, the bill is generally slightly larger and wings 79-82 mm. Type : ^ ad. Wondiwoi, 14.vii. 1928. No. 1526 Dr. Ernst Mayr coll. This form inhabits Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula. It is very near to P. I. nigroorbitalis, but slightly longer winged, the white on the throat a little less extended, the crown and nape less blackish. P. I. nigroorbitalis is known from the Snow Mountains. 128. Poecilodryas cryptoleucus spec. nov. Differs from Poecilodryas cyanus cyanus and subcyaneus in having a white patch at the base of the inner primaries, the head is not so blackish, more greyish, and therefore less in contrast to the back, the back less blue, more sooty grey, the underside pale grey, almost without any blue in it. " Iris dark brown. Bill and feet black." Wings <$ 82-88, ? 78-5 mm. Weight (^ 18, 19, 20 g. Type : c? ad. Lehuma, 4.vi. 1928. No. 993 Ernst Mayr coll. This species, though somewhat near to P. cyanus, is, as described, quite distinct. We had it from the mountains near Ditschi and Lehuma, four specimens in all, also an old one from Hatam, collected by Beccari. Salvadori, in his immortal Orn. Pap. ii, p. 89, mentions the white patch at the base of the remiges, visible from the underside, in the diagnosis of P. cyanus. This mistake was caused by two specimens which he had of Poecilodryas cryptoleucus, which he describes and of which he said they were perhaps not quite adult. In the blue specimens (cyanus) there is no such white patch, or only a paler shade. These two species occur together, as do Parus palustris and atricapillus, Certhia familiaris and brachydactyla and others in Europe. 129. Poecilodryas brachyura brachyura (Sol.). Leucophantes brachyurus Solater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1873, pp. 691, 692, pi. liii ("Hatam, Arfak Mts.," but this is an error, as they came from Andai on the coast. Cf. Salvadori, Orn. Pap. ii, p. 87). 1 cJ above Wasior, Wandammen Peninsula, 25.vii.1928. "Iris dark brown, bill black, feet pale flesh-colour." Wing 89 mm. Weight 25 g. 130. Poecilodryas brachyura dumasi Grant. Poecilodryas brachyura dumasi Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis Sirppl. 1915, p. 163 ("Northern New Guinea," Dumas coll.). Upperside black like the head instead of dark grey. See also Stresemann, Sepik-Vogel, p. 88. 2 (J Hollandia, 3 <$ ad., 3 $ ad., 1 <J juv. Cyclops Mountains. The young bird is in moult, on the nape, back and underside some dark chestnut feathers of the first plumage are retained. Weight 22-27-5 g. The Jobi form I do not know. 68 Novitates ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 131. Poecilodryas hypoleucus hypoleucus (Gray). Petroica hypoleuca CI. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, p. 155 (Dorey). cJ$ Momi (near Wariah), on the east coast of the Berau Peninsula, 25. vi. and l.vii.1928. Weight cJ 19-5 , ? 17 g. The female is brown above, the male may be called black, though the black is duller than in specimens from Hollandia and Ifaar. This species is somewhat difficult to divide into subspecies. In all descrip- tions (Salvadori, Sharpe, Gray) the upperside is described as brown or brownish black. This seems to apply to birds from Arfak, Kapaur, Misol and Waigiu, though the latter may still differ in other respects. On the other hand, our specimens from Hollandia and Ifaar are pure black above, and the white alar speculum is wider than in most western birds. There are nevertheless some specimens from S.E. New Guinea and the Utakwa and Setekwa Rivers which are not so black and agree better with the Arfak ones — the size of the white alar speculum differs also. Of the Utakwa examples Grant (Ibis, 1915, Suppl. p. 164) has already mentioned this variability. The white line above the lores varies in width and length and is not a subspecific criterion. The browner birds before me are females, but other females are as black as males. 132. Poecilodryas hypoleucus hermani Mad. Poecilodryas hermani Madarasz, Bull. B.O. Club, iii, p. xlvii (1894 — Finisterre Mts.). 2 <J Hollandia, 13.x., 2 <J Ifaar, 25. ix. 1928. Weight 19, 19-5, 20, 21 g. 133. Poecilodryas albonatatus albonatatus (Salvad.). Megalestes albonotatus Salvadori, Ann. Mas. Civ. Gen. vii. p. 770 (1875 — Arfak). 1 J ad. Arfak Mountains, 2,000 m., 18.viii.1928. "Iris brownish black. Bill and feet black." Mayer. CoU. by F. Shaw Mayer. <J ad. Siwi. No. 127. Coll. by Ernst Mayr. Oidy a " tag," no real label. These two specimens are the topotypical albonotatus, only known from Arfak. Wings 113, 114 mm. We had formerly only two very bad skins, therefore we united with albonotatus the birds from S.E. New Guinea, which, however, are quite different. I separate this latter form as Poecilodryas albonotatus correctus subsp. nov. Upperside paler grey, especially on the head. The black of the throat and foreneck, which in P. a. albonotatus reaches to the centre of the breast, only just surpasses the throat. The white on the abdomen is pure and conspicuous. Wings £ 103, 104, 104-5, 105, 100, 106, 106, 107, 108, $ 100, 101, 102, 102 mm. Type: o, Mount Cameron, Owen Stanley Range, lO.viii. 1896. A. S. Anthony coll. 134. Poecilodryas bmiaculatus bimaculatus (Salvad.). Mijiolestes ? bimacidatus Salvadori. Ann. Mils. < 'iv. Oenova, vi, p. 84 (1874 — Putat, Arfak Peninsula). 9 cJ? ad., 1 juv., Siwi, April and May. Weight 21-75-30 g. Judging from the young specimen and another of P. bimac. vicaria from S.E. New Guinea, the young are duller, browner, but not spotted, except with brown terminal patches to the wing-coverts. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 69 135. Pachycephalopsis hattamensis hattamensis Mey. Pachycepltala hattamensis A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsher. k. Alail. Wise, lxix, p. 391 (1874 — "Hattani" in the Arfak Mts.). 16 (J$ from the mountains near Siwi, 1 mountains near Ditschi, 1 Ninei, 1 Lehuma. " Iris brown and jjale brown, bill black, feet pale grey -reddish." Weight 34-39, once 41 g. Wings 3 106, 103, 98, $ 92, 95, 94, 94, 90, 91, 94, 95, 95, 93-5 mm., also two 97, 98 mm., which may be males. The short tail removes this species from Pachyceplmla. 136. Pachycephalopsis hattamensis ernesti subsp. nov. This interesting new subspecies differs from P. hattamensis hattamensis as follows : The white patch on the chin and upper throat is less extended and separated from the olive-green breast by an ashy grey patch ; the breast is darker, olive-green, and there is less yellow on the abdomen, the under tail- coverts are pale greenish yellow instead of light rusty. Iris in two specimens " whitish," in one ochre. Wings $ 92, 93, 94 mm. Weight 33, 35, 35 g. Type : $ Wondiwoi, 17.vii. 1928. No. 1564 Ernst Mayr coll. This form is very interesting, because of the existence of a form almost exactly like P. h. hattamensis on the Snow Mountain range. It is so distinct that it was already recognized as a new subspecies by the collector in the field and marked as new subspecies on one of the labels. I gave it the collector's Christian name, as using his family name would easily have caused confusion with the Pachycephala named after A. B. Meyer. 137. Heteromyias albispecularis albispecularis (Salvad.). Pachycephala albispecularis Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 931 (the article is dated 31 .xii. 1875, so it must have priority over the name cinereifrons — Arfak Mts.). 6 <J$ Lehuma, Arfak Mountains, 1 mountains near Siwi, 2 mountains near Ditschi, 2 Dohunsehik in the Issim Valley. " Iris dark brown, bill blackish, feet whitish, to pinkish white." Weight 28-37-5 g. I agree with Stresemann, that H. armiti from S.E. New Guinea should be looked upon as a subspecies of albispecularis, though the pure white instead of grey post-superciliary stripe, black lores, auricular patch and crown (instead of grey), and whiter underside give it a rather different appearance, but equally H. cinereifrons is a subspecies of albispecularis, differing in the paler grey crown, more rusty back and upper tail-coverts, dark rusty ear-coverts, rusty sides of body, belly and under tail-coverts. " Poecilodryas ? cinereifrons " Ramsay is described in the Proc. Zool. Soc. London " 1875," but according to Mathews was not published till April 1876. But there are still more subspecies, and we must accept the following forms : Heteromyias albispecularis albispecularis, Arfak Mountains. Heteromyias albispecularis armiti, S.E. New Guinea. Heteromyias albispecularis rothschildi subsp. nov., Snow Mountains. Heteromyias albispecularis subsp. ?, Weyland Mountains. Heteromyias albispecularis subsp. ?, Schraderberg. Heteromyias albispecularis cinereifrons, North Queensland. H. a. albispecularis and armiti have been shortly characterized above. 70 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. H. a. rothschildi from Mt. Goliath (cf. Nov. Zool. xx, p. 497, 1913) differs from armiti in having the chin-spot not slate-colour but dull black, the same colour as the head. Wings males : 97-5, 96-5, females : 91, 92, 91, 92 mm. Type : $ ad. Mount Goliath, 17. ii. 1911. No. 5412 A. S. Meek coll. The wings of H. a. armiti are <J 98, 100, 101, 101, 102, $ 89-94 mm. H. albispecularis subsp. from the Weyland Mountains is probably different again, as our only specimen has the back darker and seems to have a grey band across the breast. H. albispecularis subsp. from the Schraderberg may also be different again, as Stresemann said his only specimen had a much paler buff vent and abdomen. Another point is of great interest : While the whole bill is black or blackish in both sexes in H. a. albispecularis, it is black or blackish with a white or whitish tip in males of H. a. armiti and rothschildi, quite black in females, while in H . a. cinereifrons it seems to have a yellow tip in both sexes ! The systematic position of Heleromyias is very interesting. The young bird is chestnut-red, like so many young Pachycephala ! 138. Monachella miilleriana (Schleg.). Muscicapa Miilleriana Schlegel, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk. iv, p. 40 (1871 — North Peninsula of New Guinea). One unsexed, canvp above Momi, 125 m., 16. iv. 1928. 139. Machaerirhynchus nigripectus nigripectus (Schleg.). Macheirhynchus nigripectus Schlegel, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk: iv, p. 43 (1871 — Arfak Mts.). <J ad., $ ad. Lehuma 8.vi. <J ad., $ ad., <J juv. Kofo (Anggi gidji), 11 . vi. Wings cJ 58-60, $ 62-64 mm. Weight 10-12g. M. nigripectus saluratus R. & H. is a very distinct subspecies, larger and deeper yellow, § nearly black above. M. nigripectus liarterti van Oort seems to be only distinguishable in the female ! 140. Machaerirhynchus flaviventer albifrons Gray. Machaerirhynchus albifrons G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, p. 429, pi. 43, fig. 1 (Waigiu and Misol). 3 cJ ad., Siwi, Arfak Mountains, 1 cJ Hollandia, cJ$ (with large egg in oviduct) Cyclops Mountains o Ifaar. Weight 1 ^ 11, 1 $ 10-5 g. 141. Peltops blainvillii blainvillii (Less, et Garn.). Eurylamus blainvillii Lesson et Garnot, Ferussac's Bull. Sc. Nat. et Geologie, xi, p. 302 (1827 — Dorey, formerly called Doreri). 6 cJ$ Hollandia, August. $ Wasior, Wandammen. This is the form first described, which has a larger bill and shorter wing and tail than the mountain subspecies, appropriately called montanus by Strese- mann. The wings of these specimens measure : <J 98, 98-5, 98, 99, " J " 97, 99 mm. Weight (J? 28-29 g. NOVITATES ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 71 142. Peltops blainvillii montanus St res. Peltops blainvillii montanus Stresemann, Anzeiger Orn. Ges. Bayern, No. 5, p. 35 (1921 — Hunstein- spitze on the Upper Sepik). $ Ditschi, 7 ad. (J$, one unsexed juv. Mountains near Siwi. As Stresemann described : Bill conspicuously smaller, specially shorter, wings and tail longer, white patch on back larger. The white patch on back, however, varies in extent, and its larger size is sometimes obscured in bad skins. Wings <$ 112, $ 110, 110, 108, 114, cr. 107, 107, 111 mm. Weight 29-35 g. The existence of a smaller and larger form was already recognized by De Vis, who in 1894 (Report on New Guinea for 1893, p. 2) named the small form " from the sea-level " Peltops minor. The specimens he had were evidently partially young. Stresemann distinguished the two forms as species, but they are the most typical subspecies, montanus being the mountain form of blainvillii blainvillii. Moreover, there are, specially from the Kumusi River, at least in size, intermediates, whether just varieties, or from intermediate altitudes (?) or hybrids, one cannot at present say. Stresemann mentions already a wing of the small race of 103, one of the big form with 105 mm., which is not much of a difference. We have examples from Stephansort with wing 107, Kumusi River 105, Upper Aroa River 108 mm. (montanus), and specimens from Kumusi and Milne Bay have small, though not very stumpy, bills, those from Kumusi having wings of 96 ($) to 106 mm. (£), the bills being also somewhat variable. The mountain form (montanus) is common in S.E. New Guinea, on the Hydrographer, Owen Stanley Mountains, Upper Aroa, Upper Mambare River, etc. The full juvenile garb is not yet known. The white patch on the back is absent, while probably all the head and neck are white, and there are white tips to the greater wing-coverts. 143. Chenorhamphus grayi (Wall.). Todopsis grayi Wallace, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1862, p. 166 (Sorong, Arfak Peninsula). 1 ? Siwi, 1 $ Cyclops Mountains, 700 m., 20.viii. 1928. " Iris brown. Bill black. Feet brownish earth-colour." In the male the crown is dull greyish blue, the middle of the abdomen like the rest of the underside pale blue, brightest towards the belly. In the female the crown is dull black, between the crown and the black ear-coverts and stripe behind the eye a pale blue line. Middle of abdomen white, under tail-coverts cream-colour. Wings <$ 63, $ 58, 59, 62 mm. Weight $ 13 and 16 g. 144. Clytomyias insignis insignis Sharpe. Clytomyias insignis Sharpe, Notes Leyden Mils, i, no. 10, p. 30 (1878 — Tjobonda, Arfak Mts.). ^? Mount Mundi near Ninei, Arfak Mountains, 1,800 m., 27. v. 1928. Weight not stated. The differences between C. i. insignis and C. i. oorti (S.E. New Guinea) are correctly described Nov. Zool. xiv, p. 460, 1907. There is no difference in colour between the sexes if the two specimens from Mount Mundi are correctly sexed : <J wing 55, $ 58-5 mm. 72 Xovitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. 145. Todopsis cyanocephalus cyanocephalus (Quoy et Gaimard). Todus cyanocephalus Quoy et Gaimard, Yoy. Astrolabe, i, p. 227, pi. 5, fig. 4 (1830 — Dorey). J? Siwi, $ Momi, $ Siwi (No. 769), 21 .v. 1928. cj ad. weight 14 g. 140. Todopsis cyanocephalus dohertyi R. & H. Todopsis cyanocephalus dohertyi Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. x, p. 477 (1903 — Takar on the north coast). 3 $ Hoi, 2 cS, 1 ?! Wasior, Wandammen Peninsula, 3 o, 2 $, Ifaar, near Lake Sentani. Weight c? 13, 14, $ 10-5, 12 g. We described this subspecies on account of the deeper, more chestnut, upperside. In Nov. Zool. xx, p. 499, we said : " Possibly T. c. dohertyi from Takar will not be tenable, the dark colour of the back perhaps being due to dampness of the skins while diying." We find now, however, that the Wasior and Ifaar birds, which were not exposed to dampness, are as dark as the Takar ones, being darker than the Arfak females. I must therefore, for the time being, recognize dohertyi, though it is closely allied and only discernible in the female. See also Nov. Zool. xxvii, 1920, p. 457. 147. Todopsis wallacii Gray. Todopsis wallacii G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, pp. 429, 434, pi. 43, fig. 2 (Mysol). 5 (J$ Siwi, Arfak Mountains. Weight 8 and 8-5 g. 148. Monarcha frater frater Scl. Monarcha frater Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London. 1873, p. 691 (Hatam, Arfak Mts.). 12 (J? Siwi, 1 $ Ditschi. Weight 18 ($) to 23 g. 149. Monarcha guttula (Garnot). Muscicapa guttula Garnot, Yoy. Copt., Zool. i, 2, p. 591, pi. xvi, fig. 2 (1828 — Dorey, Arfak). 5 <J Hoi and Hollandia, 1 $ Cyclops Mountains. Weight 16-17-5 g. 150. Monarcha alecto chalybeoeephalus (Garnot). Muscicapa chalybeoeephalus Garnot, Yoy. Coquille, Zool. Atlas, pi. 15, fig. 1 ($) (1828 — New Ireland). cJ$ series from Ifaar, Hoi, Momi, Wasior (Wandammen) and (1) Manokwari. We have not dared to separate the New Guinea birds from New Ireland ones. As it happens, our New Ireland female specimens are rather light. It is possible, but not probable, that the New Guinea females are generally a little darker on the upperside, but females from Feni Island appear to be darker again. Mathews, Bull. B.O. Club, xlviii, p. 93 (1928), named three supposed new subspecies of Monarcha alecto : " Piezorhynchus alecto woodlarketms," which is the same as lucida (but was compared with alecto only !) ; NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 73 " Piezorhynchiis alecto longiroslris " from Timorlaut, which is a tenable subspecies, and "Piezorhynchiis alecto novae-gitineensis," Mimika River $ ! The diagnosis of the latter is perfectly useless, as it is only compared with the different alecto $, but not with ehalybeocephalus ! ! If the New Guinea form should be separated, the name of Mathews must be accepted, though he did not grasp its nearest relationship ! 151. Monarcha axillaris axillaris Salvad. Monarcha axillaris Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ, Genova, vii, p. 921 (1875 — Arfak). 7 (J$ Siwi, 5 cJ$ Ditschi, Arfak Mountains. <J§ Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula, July 1928. " Iris brown. Bill whitish blue-grey. Feet blackish or blackish grey." The two Wondiwoi specimens may belong to another form : the male has white spots on the sides of the breast and on the abdomen, the female about as much white as the males from Arfak. Specimens from the Lordberg (Sepik) are like Arfak ones. Adult females are very much like the males, but less glossy black on head and throat, the white patches on the sides of the breast more restricted. Wings (J 79-83 mm. Young birds are greyish. [Monarcha axillaris fallax (Rams.). Rhipidura fallax Ramsay, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1884. p. 580 (Astrolabe Range, S.E. New Guinea. Piezorhynchiis reichenowi Madarasz, Orn. Monatsber. viii, 1900, p. 2 (Sattelberg). There is no doubt, as pointed out long ago by Grant, that Rhipidura fallax of Ramsay is not a Rhipidura, but a form of Monarcha axillaris. It is the form which Madaraz described as Piezorhynchiis reichenoivi from the Sattelberg. This form is much smaller (cf. Stresemann, Archiv f. Naturg. 89, 8tes Heft, p. 2, 1923) and the white patch on the sides of the breast is reduced in size, in the females still more. Young birds are slaty, there are only some small dull white tips to the slaty grey axillaries. The bill is apparently darker, it is described on labels as dark chalky blue with black tip. Wings <J 74-78 mm. Specimens from the Aroa River, head of Mambare, Hydrographer Range, and Sattelberg (Mayr coll.) are alike.] 152. Monarcha chrysomela melanonotus Scl. Monarcha melanonotus Sclater, Proc. Zool. .S'oc. London, 1877. p. 100 (" New Guinea " — Sclater had only Arfak specimens from New Guinea, therefore Arfak is the terra typica !). 2 cS Momi, 15.iv. and 25. vi. Weight 16-5 and 18 g. The April specimen is typical of the Arfak form, but the June one is deeper, more orange, on the underside, and thus resembles M. chrys rmela aurantiacus ! 153. Monarcha chrysomela aurantiacus Mey. Monarcha melanonotus aurantiacus A. B. Meyer, Abh. & Ber. Mus. Dresden " 1890-91," Art. 4, p. 9 (1892 — Kafu and Stephansort). 5 $ Hol, 1 $ Cyclops Mountains. Weight (J 15-17 g. This form is very closely allied to melanonotus, only the orange colour is deeper— one of the Momi specimens is not really distinguishable. 74 NoVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 154. Monarcha rubiensis (Mey.). Tchilrea rubiensis A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsber. Akad. ]\'issensch. Wien, lxix, p. 494 (1874 — Rubi). cJMomi, 25. vi. 1928. This specimen, evidently a young male, has the lores and forehead much paler than it is in adult females. In females the colour of the abdomen varies to some extent. 155. Arses telescophthalmus telescophthalmus (Gam.). Muscicapa telescophthalmus Garnot, Voy. OoguiUe, Zool. i, p. 593, pi. 18 (1828 — Dorey). 3 (J, 1 $ Siwi, 3 <J, 2 $ Momi, 2 <$ Wasior, Wandammen Peninsula. " cJ " iris deep brown. Bare skin around eye whitish blue. Bill whitish blue-grey, lead-grey. Feet dark grey. " $ " iris dark brown. Bill greenish grey, bluish grey — in a young $ in female's garb tip dark brown. 156. Arses (telescophthalmus) insularis Mey. Monarcha insularis A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsber. Akad. Wien, lxix, p. 395 (1874 — Jobi). 3 (J, 2 $ Hol and Hollandia, 2 <$, 1 $ Cyclops Mountains. Synonym is evidently Arses fenicheli Madarasz, Aquila, i, p. 93 (1894 — Bongu on Astrolabe Bay), described from one female ! It may be doubtful if it is not premature to decide if insularis should be considered to be a subspecies of telescophthalmus. The distribution of insularis is from Jobi along the north coast and its hinterland to the Astrolabe Bay, this interrupting that of two obvious subspecies of telescophthalmus. The form from the S.E. of New Guinea with a white-bellied female and golden orange throat and chest in the male is A. (t.) henkei Meyer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. iii, p. 16 (1886 — Astrolabe Mountains !). Later on Salvadori (Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, xxix, p. 566, 1890 — Rigo, on the coast, S.E. of Port Moresby) described A. orientalis with a light rufescent abdomen. In 1903 Lord Rothschild and I thought this must be variety of henkei, but it may be a geographically separable form ? We have the white- bellied form (typical henkei) from Nicura, Aroa River, Brown River, the Kotoi and Oriori district of the Owen Stanley Mountains, the rufescent-bellied one (typical orientalis) from Collingwood Bay, 7 from th'e Hydrographer Mountains, 5 Kumusi River. Further observations must show, if these forms occur together, or if they are (as it seems) geographically represented. In very worn plumage the back in henkei gets browner (less rufous) and a cream-coloured collar becomes conspicuous. 157. Rhipidura leucophrys subsp. 2 " $> " Manokwari, but one has a wing of 111 mm. which is a large measure- ment for a female. (J juv. Ifaar. The young bird is glossless black with red-brown tips to the feathers, the superciliary white line is wider, cream-coloured and reaching to the nape. It is difficult to decide about the subspecies. It was not so stupid of us and Ogilvie-Grant to unite all the birds from East and North Australia with those of New Guinea and Papuan Islands. The various forms seem to differ XovITATES ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1030 75 only by size ; as they vary a good deal, no form can be separated except when a good series is available. Mathews showed that the name leucophrys Latham is older than tricolor ! This was important for the nomenclature, but in 1928 the same author made a difficulty for his brother ornithologists by giving a name (amboynensis) to the birds from the Moluccas, but he compared them only with the birds from Aru, leaving one in ignorance about those from New Guinea, New Ireland (terra typica of Melaleuca !), etc., etc. 158. Rhipidura threnothorax S. Mull. Rhipidura threnothorax S. Miiller, Verh. Land- en Volkenk. p. 185 (1844 — Lobo, which is at Triton Bay). Setosura threnothorax novae-guineensis Mathews, Bull. B.O. Club, xlviii. p. 92 (1928 — Mimika River). 4 ^, 3 ? Siwi, Arfak Mountains, May 1928. The males are darker, more blackish, on the abdomen, wings £ 85, 82-5, 83, 84, $ 77, 79, 80 mm. Weight 18-5-21 g. Mathews described the Mimika River bird as having the under surface dis- tinctly darker and the white spots on the chest smaller. The darker underside is characteristic of males, the white spots vary considerably in the same localities ! From the Kumusi River we have four skins and one from Boboli, China Straits, in the utmost east of New Guinea, which all have the underside pale like females from Western New Guinea ; though three are sexed " male," it looks as if they were females, judging by the colour of the abdomen, but their wings are all three over 80 mm. A greater series might show that there is a race with lighter abdomen in S.E. New Guinea ? In both sexes the upper mandible is black, but the lower whitish ! 159. Rhipidura rufiventris gularis Mull. Rhipidura gularis S. Miiller, Verh. Land- en Yolkenkiinde, p. 185 (1844 — Lobo, Utanata). Siwi, Wasior (Wandammen), Hoi, Hollandia and Ifaar. Weight 13-15 g. 160. Rhipidura hyperythra mulleri Mey. Rhipidura Mulleri A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsber. k. Akad. Wien, lxix, p. 502 (1874 — New name for Rhip. rufiventris Miiller, nee Vieillot ! Terra typica therefore Lobo). 4 <J Siwi, 1 $ Ninei, 6 $ Cyclops Mountains. Weight 10-5-13-75 g. This form, the continental representative of the Aru Islands Rhip. hyperythra hyperythra Gray, is hardly separable from the latter. The accepted difference is that the Aru form is to have a smaller, the New Guinea bird a larger, white chin-spot. This seems to be the case, but many of our Aru birds, as well as of the Siwi and Cyclops Mountain one, have the throat badly prepared. I prefer to keep the two forms separate, but it is not a crime to unite them. On the other hand, Ogilvie-Grant is quite wrong, when (Ibis, 1915, Suppl. p. 154) he says that the variability in the size of the white ends to the rectrices is so great, that they may obscure the difference. The fact is, that the white ends to the rectrices are considerably larger in the S.E. birds, which must be called Rhip. 76 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. hyper, castaneothorax Ramsay. Rhip, manayoensis De Vis, Report New Guinea, 1894, p. 2 (evidently from Mount Manaeao), being a synonym. A young bird of the latter form, from the Hydrographer Range (where the species is common), has the whole throat dirty white, rest of underside paler and duller than in the adults, and rufous tips to smaller and larger upper wing- coverts. In all these subspecies the upper bill is black, the lower whitish. 161. Rhipidura rufidorsa Mey. Rhipidura rufidorsa A. B. Meyer. Sitzungsber. k. Akad. Wise. Wien, lxx, p. 200 (1874 — Rubi, Passim, Jobi). 2 (J, 1 $ Siwi, Arfak Mountains. Weight (J 10 and 11, ? 8-5 g. (Mathews has separated two supposed new subspecies in 1928. In April (Bull. B.O. Club, xlviii, p. 92) he named Rhipidura rufidorsa nova from a Mimika River specimen in the British Museum. He says the head is darker grey and the under surface more suffused with buff than in R. r. rufidorsa. I cannot find these differences at all constant. In July he named (Nov. Zool. xxxiv, p. 373) Rhipidura rufidorsa kumusi from specimens in the Tring Museum from the Kumusi River in S.E. New Guinea, saying that they had a lighter, more greyish head and a lighter brick-red back and rump. This does not seem to be separable either, but the beautifully prepared Kumusi River specimens do look somewhat light. The question must remain in abeyance until we have a series of equally well-prepared examples from the typical localities.) 162. Rhipidura brachyrhyncha Schleg. Rhipidura brachyrhyncha Schlegel, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierkunde, iv, p. 42 (1873 — Arfak Peninsula). Rhipidura riifa Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 923 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). Rhipidura montana Mathews, Bull. B.O. Club, xlviii, p. 92 (1928 — " Mt. Albert Edward, S.E. New Guinea"). For about half a century this species, except for the single types of Rh. brachyrhyncha and rufa, remained unknown, and now it seems to turn up every- where. In 1894 De Vis recorded both Rh. brachyrhyncha Schleg. and Rh. rufa Salvadori from Mount Manaeao in S.E. Papua — but Salvadori mistook Schlegel's brachyrhyncha for the female of Rh. atra, and redescribed brachyrhyncha under the name of Rh. rufa. Let us hope that one of De Vis's two species is the true brachyrhyncha. Stresemann quoted the true brachyrhyncha from the Upper Sepik River in 1923. Mathews described a specimen in the British Museum from Mount Albert Edward as Rh. montana, mentioning as a probable ally Rh. lepida from the Pelew Islands, having no knowledge of Rh. brachyrhyncha and rufa, and their history. Of course it is possible that the S.E. form differs slightly, the type looking somewhat brighter in colour, but it is the same species. Dr. Ernst Mayr sent one cj from the mountains near Ditschi, 9.vi.l928, another <$ from Kofo (Anggi gidji), 15. vi. 1928, on the label of which is marked : " Iris dark brown. Bill ' schwarzrotlich.' Feet ' graurosa.' ' Weight 8-5 g. Wings 68-5 and 70 mm. Literature : Finsch, Notes Leyden Museum, xv, 1893, p. 81. NoVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 77 A specimen of the same date (15.vi. 1928) from Kofo, and a 9 from Lahuma agree with the two males of Rh. brachyrhyncha, except in the tail ! The latter is deep brown from above, outer edges rufescent, the tips much paler, greyish. The shafts of the two middle rectrices are black, those of the others white or whitish, thus reminding one of some New Zealand and other species. One is, as I have said, a female ; the sex of the other, though the importance was known, could not be determined. Both are smaller, wings of both 63-5 mm. What are these birds ? I am inclined to think they must be the females of Rh. brachyrhyncha. Against this theory, however, speaks the fact that this kind of sexual dimorphism is not known in the genus Rhipidura, and that Mayr collected in N.E. Papua a specimen of apparently a closely allied but different subspecies with the tale of the latter two specimens, but sexed it rf, and the wing is over 70 mm. 163. Rhipidura atra Salvad. Rhipidura aim Salvadori, Ann. Mns. Civ. Genora, vii.p. 922 (1875 — Hatam and Mori). Descr. of <J. Rhipidura cinnamomea Meyer, Zeitschr.f. ges. Orn. iii, p. 17 (1886 — Owen Stanley Mts., S.E. slopes). Rhipidura brachyrhyncha (nee Schlegel !) Salvadori, Orn. Pap. ii. p. 72. (The history of the type of brachyrhyncha Schlegel and Salvadori's error in considering a female of atra to be Schlegel's type, is clearly explained by Biittikofer, Notes Leyden Mus. xv, p. 81.) 2 J, 3 $ Mountains near Ditschi (Arfak Mountains). 1 $ Ninei, Arfak Peninsula. 2 ^, 2 $ Mountains Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula. 7 <J, 6 $ Cyclops Mountains. Some of the females from the Cyclops Mountains shot 5 . ix . 1 928 had very large eggs, one was shot by the side of an empty nest. The differences suggested by Ogilvie-Grant, and quoted by Stresemann for specimens from S.E. and N.W. New Guinea, are individual. The amount of white on the under wing-coverts and axillaries is most variable in the same localities, and so is the intensity of the rufous of the females, both in N.W. females and in those from S.E. Papua. Only the Cyclops Mountains females are all six rather dark, which must be accidental. 164. Rhipidura albolinibata albolimbata Salvad. Rhipidura albo-limbata Salvadori, Ann. Mils. Civ. Geneva, vi, p. 312 (1874 — Hatam, Arfak). Rhipidura albo-limbata lorentzi van Oort, Nova Guinea, ix, i, p. 85 (1909 — Hellwig Mts.). 2 (J mountains near Ditschi, 7 cJ$ Cyclops Mountains. The closely allied Rh. (albolimbata) auricularis De Vis, described in ignorance of the existence of albolimbata, differs only in the paler upperside and somewhat paler, greyish portions of the underside. Nevertheless, it must be separated as a subspecies, and our remark that the Mount Goliath specimens agree " per- fectly " with those from the Aroa, Angabunga and Mambare Rivers is incorrect. De Vis seems to have redescribed his auricularis as Rhip. concinna in another " Report," about a year afterwards. Young birds have rufous tips to the secondaries, rump-feathers and scapulars, also on the underside, but we have only moulting specimens, none in full juvenile plumage. 78 XnvITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 165. Rhipidura leucothorax Salvad. Rhipidura leucothorax Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vi, p. 311 (1874 — Hatam, Arfak Mts.). Cf. Nov. Zool. 1903, p. 463. 1 (J, 2 $ Wasior (Wandammen), 3 <J Ifaar. The upper bill is black, the lower mandible whitish (pale horn-colour, teste Doherty). A small series from S.E. New Guinea has the back paler than in specimens from Arfak, Wandammen, the north coast and Setekwa River. If this difference is constant, they must be separated as Rhipidura leucothorax episcopalis Ramsay. (Rh. episcopalis Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, ii, p. 371, 1878, from an example with uncertain locality, but probably from the south coast of New Guinea. Ramsay of course stated no differences from leucothorax of which he was in ignorance.) 166. Malurus alboscapulatus alboscapulatus Mey. Miliums alboscapulatits A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsber. k. Akad. Wissensch. Wien, lxix, p. 496 (1874 — Arfak Mts. about 3,500 feet). 4 <J ad. in black plumage, 5 apparently adult females with white underside (black sides to chest and some black feathers across the breast), 1 <J in moult and white underside, 2 $ juv., like females, but plumage fluffier, above brown, underside creamy white, flanks buffy. All Arfak Mountains. Weight <J 10-5-12 g. This is doubtless the true alboscapulatus, in which the female remains white underneath, through life. 167. Malurus alboscapulatus aida subsp. nov. 2 (J ad. Hollandia, 12 <J, 10 $ Ifaar, on the Sentani Lakes. Weight (J 9-11, $ 8-10 g. In this form neither the young nor the adult females are white underneath, but black. These black females are like the males, but smaller and less glossy, the glossy blue-black edges to the feathers being entirely or almost entirely absent. The young is sooty brown all over. Cf. R. & H., Nov. Zool. x, 1903, p. 478. Wings $ 49-51, $ 45-5-47 mm. Weights cj$ 8-10-5 g. Iris brown. Many specimens in moult in September. Type : $ Ifaar, 26. ix. 1928. No. 2622 Ernst Mayr coll. [Further subspecies are : Malurus alboscapulatus naimii Salvad. & Alb. In colour like M. alboscapulatus alboscapulatus from the Arfak Peninsula, but smaller ! Cf. Nov. Zool. 1903, p. 478, Stresemann, Sepik-Vogel, p. 9. S.E. and N.E. New Guinea ! Malurus alboscapulatus lorentzi van Oort. Males like those of M. alboscapulatus alboscapulatus, but females and young males above not so black as in the other forms, being quite brown, on the rump fawn, underside white without any black markings, flanks and under tail-coverts buff or pale fawn colour. NoVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 79 Southern slopes of Snow Mountains from the Noord River (Lorentz) to the Weyland Mountains. The different coloration of females and a number of males (which we now look upon as non-adults) has puzzled authors considerably. There have been suggestions of a non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, of dimorphism in juveniles and in females, etc. But my friend Stresemann and I have compared the wonderful series collected by Ernst Mayr, Meek and Eichhorn, and other collectors, and we have now come to the above conclusions. Cf. Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. 1903, p. 478, 1913, p. 502 ; Van Oort, Nova Guinea, ix, i, p. 91, 1909 ; Stresemann, Sepik-Vogel in Archiv f. Naturg. 89, 1923, Heft 7 & 8, pp. 8-10 ; Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis Suppl. 1915,j)p. 107-110.] 168. Cisticola exilis diminuta Math. Cisticola exilis diminuta Mathews, B. Australia, ix, p. 373 (May 1922 — Cape York, North Queensland. It seems that the above is the correct name — if, as it seems, mixta Math., which has priority, is somewhat different ? — for all the New Guinea specimens of C. exilis ; we hope soon to learn all about this in Lynes's forthcoming mono- graph of the genus. 5 (J ad. with unstriped heads, September, 2 J with striped heads of the same date, one of the latter with fairly large testes, and three with more or less yellowish underside, which must all three be more or less juvenile, one $, the other two doubtful, but the § is said to have had a large ovary — all from Ifaar. Weight of adults 8-8-5 g. 169. Megalurus timoriensis stresemanni subsp. nov. 6 Kofo (Anggi gidji), 11. and 12. vi. 1928, 5 $ (1 testes large), 1 $, but according to size also a male. Weight cJ 29-32 g. These specimens are puzzlingly near M. t. macrurus from S.E. New Guinea, but flanks richer buff (except one from S.E. which has equally rich sides), and the under tail-coverts with black shaft-lines, or at least the shafts black. The heads are rather dark chestnut, the tails deep chestnut-brown, the backs dark and boldly striped, the wings outside rather dark. In all these characters, however, except the striped under tail-coverts, we find single specimens from the S.E. that equal these birds from the Arfak Peninsula. Wings 72, 73, 73, 72, 75 (" $ "), 77 > mm. Type : <J Kofo, 12. vi. 1928. Ernst Mayr coll. No. 1107. From Meg. tim. mayri these birds differ in the much darker upperside, like Meg. tim. macrurus. 170. Megalurus timoriensis mayri subsp. nov. 9 c?, 7 $, 6 (J juv. Ifaar, September and October. Weight cJ ad. 27-30, $ ad. 23-26 g. These specimens differ from 19 (J$ from S.E. New Guinea and one from the Rawlinson Mountains (Keysser coll.), 1,450 m. above the sea, in being much lighter above, the ground colour not so deep rufous, more yellowish and with a 1 This specimen moults the first primaries and it may be that the longest ones, which form the tip of the wing, are already pushed forward, previously to falling out, 80 XoYITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. faint greyish tinge, and the edges to the secondaries equally much lighter, less rufous. Also the tail is less rufous. The females are much smaller than the males. What must be more or less juvenile birds have the crown not rufous (more or less sharply striped with dusky) but pale brown with wider and more distinct blackish stripes, the back and tail still less rufous. Quite young birds have yellow on the underside. Wings <J 70-74-5, $ 67-68 mm. The dimensions of M. t. macrurus, the S.E. Papuan subspecies, are similar ; in worn plumage the upperside of the latter fades and resembles more that of mayri. The specimen from the Rawlinson Mountains belongs undoubtedly to the darker, more sufous S.E. race. The oldest name of the species is M. timoriensis Wall., and not alisteri. The Amboina bird was described by Salvadori in 1875, evidently from females only, as the small measurements show. It would seem that the Amboina birds are nothing but migrants from Australia ; but it is not likely that such a short-winged and long-tailed bird is much of a migrant ; against this stands further the fact that we have five skins that were collected in Amboina in January and March, but these January and March specimens do not differ from a number of Australian birds. Mathews pointed out correctly that Temminok's name Malurus galactotes was inapplicable, and that it certainly was never meant for an Australian bird, but for an African Cisticola ! He therefore named the common Australian form alisteri, but the names timoriensis and amboinensis are much older — whether amboinensis is absolutely the same as the Australian form or a slightly different subspecies nesting on Amboina. The name amboinensis is also a year older than macrurus ! Type of Megalurus timoriensis mayri : cj Ifaar, 26 . ix . 1928. Ernst Mayr coll. No. 2625. We may therefore distinguish : 1. Megalurus timoriensis macrurus (Salvad.). Sphenoeacus maruriis Salvadori, Ann. 31ns. Civ. Genova, ix, p. 35 (1876 — S.E. Xew Guinea). S.E. New Guinea to Rawlinson Mountains. (The Konstantinhafen speci- men— Astrolabe Bay — may belong to this form, or j>ossibly to mayri.) 2. Megalurus timoriensis inter scwpularis Scl. Megalurus interscapularis Selatcr, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1880, p. 65, pi. vi. Very similar to macrurus, but less rufescent. New Britain and New Ireland. 3. Megalurus timoriensis amboinensis (Salvad.). Sphenoeacus amboinensis Salvadori, Ann. Mils. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 988 (1875 — Amboina). Synonyms probably alisteri Mathews, dulciei Math., oweni Math., mayi Ashby, but further investigations desirable. — ; — Amboina and apparently Northern Australia to New South Wales. If characters should be found to separate the Australian form, that must be called alisteri. Like M. I. mayri but smaller ! Novitates Zoologicae XXXVI. L930. 81 4. Megalurus timoriensis melvillensis Math. Megaliirus alisteri melvillensis Mathews, Austral Avian Rec. i, p. 92 (Melville Island). More rufous, almost exactly like macrurus, but flanks more rufescent and smaller ! Two specimens from Melville Island in the Mathews collection. 5. Megalurus timoriensis stresemanni Hart. Antea p. 79. Differs from its nearest ally Meg. amb. macrurus from S.E. New Guinea in its striped under tail-coverts. Arfak Peninsula, where it was discovered by Dr. Ernst Mayr. 6. Megalurus timoriensis mayri Hart. See antea p. 79. Only known, so far, from Ifaar, Sentani Lakes. 7. Megalurus timoriensis timoriensis Wall. Megalurus timoriensis Wallace, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1863, p. 489 (1864 — Timor). Seems to be larger than amboinensis ! Timor only ? 8. Megalurus timoriensis inquirendus Siebers. Megalurus macrurus inquirendus Siebers, Treubia, x, p. 403 (1928 — One specimen from East Sumba !). Has been separated by Siebers, because it is somewhat reddish on the upperside and the head very strongly spotted. But it is a juvenile ! Sumba. 171. Crateroscelis sanfordi spec. nov. The whole underside dull rufous brown (somewhat like raw umber of Ridg- way), sometimes a little darker. Upperside blackish chocolate-colour. Sides of the head generally darker than the underside. Iris marked variously as dark brown, rust-brown, red-brown, pale red-brown, ochre. " Bill black," but the under mandible is more or less light-coloured, probably pale horn-brown. Feet reddish grey. Wings cj 64, 62, 63, 64, $ 59 ; tail <? 37-39 ; tarsus $ 29, $ 26 ; bill cJ$ 16-17 (from base) mm. Weight (J 19-19-5, $ 17-5 g. Type : <$ Wondiwoi, 14.vii.1928. No. 1521 Ernst Mayr coll. 3 (J, 1 $, 2 ?, all from Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula, mid July 1928. 172. Crateroscelis robusta deficiens subsp. nov. This form is a little deeper brown on the upperside than C. r. robusta, more blackish, less rufous on the upper tail-coverts and rectrices and wanting entirely the dark ashy brown pectoral band which is so well marked in males of C. r. robusta. Iris brown or chestnut brown. Wings <J 65-67, once 68, P 61-64, once 65 mm. Weight 19-22-5, once 24 g. 6 82 Xovitatks Zoological XXXVI. 1930. 13 <J$ Cyclops Mountains. Testes mostly swollen first lialf of September. Type : (J ad. Cyclops Mountains, 10. ix. 1928. No. 2266 Ernst Mayr coll. 173. Crateroscelis robusta peninsularis subsp. nov. In colour like C. r. deficient, the throat being white, the rest of the underside whitish, sides, belly and under tail-coverts dark brown, the belly about chocolate- brown. Iris males " whitish, light yellowish red, dark red," females " grey- brown, brownish grey." Wings £ 60-64, § 55-60 or 61 mm. Weight 12-16 g. Bill shorter than in deficient. A quite young bird, has the whole underside brown, the feathers being lighter, more whitish, towards the base. Type : <J Lehuma, Arfak Mountains, 8 . vi . 1 928. No. 1 065 Ernst Mayr coll. Nine more or less adult c?$ Lehuma and mountains above Ditschi, Arfak Mountains. The following forms of Crateroscelis robusta, the first described by Roths- child and Hartert as C. pectoralis in 1900, are established. 1. Crateroscelis robusta robusta De Vis 1898. S.E. New Guinea: Upper Aroa River, Mount Cameron, 7,000 feet; Mount Knutsford, 11,000 feet; Mount Scratchley. Anthony, Meek, and Weiske coll. 2. Crateroscelis robusta albigula Rchw. 1915. Schraderberg and Huon or Kay Peninsula. 3. Crateroscelis robusta deficient Hart. 1930. Cyclops Mountains. 4. Crateroscelis robusta peninsularis Hart. 1930. Arfak Mountains. 174. Crateroscelis murinus (Scl.). Myiothera mwrina Bonaparte, Consp. Gen. Av. p. 18 (Nomen nudum ex Muller MS. in Leyden Mus.). Brachypteryx murina Selater, Journ. Linn, Soc. London, ii, p. 158 (1858 — Lobo !). 6 <J$ Siwi, 1 Hollandia, 7 Cyclops Mountains. Iris red-brown, in one cocoa-brown. Weight 13-16, once 17 g. 175. Sericornis magnirostris cantans Mayr. Sericornis arfakiana Salvadori, Ann. Mus. ('if. Genova, vii, p. 962 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). Sericornis magnirostris cantans Mayr, Orn. Monatsb. 1930 (Xom. nov. pro Sericornis arfakiana, nee Geryone arfakiana which is a Sericornis !). 6 (J, 10 $, 3 juv. from Siwi, Ditschi and Lehuma, Arfak. Weight 11-14 g. These birds are very puzzling. I was at first inclined to look upon them as two species, one was on head and neck more rufescent, underside darker, more rufous, and the edges of the greater upper wing-coverts dull olivaceous-rufous, another with less phaeomelanin in the plumage, the underside being more pale dirty yellowish, the throat hardly or not at all rufescent, the edges of the greater upper wing-coverts whitish or pure white and sharply defined. There are, however, intermediate specimens, in which the white edges to the wing-coverts are indicated, while the brownish colour is present underneath, and specimens with a yellowish underside lack the clear white edges to the wing-coverts. 1 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 83 cannot, therefore, think otherwise than that all the above birds are one and the same subspecies, and they can only be a subspecies of S. magnirostris. This remarkable dichromatism — if my view is correct — is still more strikingly developed in the Cape York form, Sericornis minima of Gould. The males of that form have the forehead and lores blackish, the females rufous brown, and in both adults there is a wide white short streak above the lores and a white line above and below the eyes ; the young of this form look almost exactly like the adults ! But there is at Cape York also a form with a rufous head all round, with the breast and abdomen suffused with rufous (while they are pale sulphur- yellow in the typical minima, there are no blackish lores), and the white stripes above the lores are only indicated. The greater upper wing-coverts have distinct white spots, but not the white edges of the sharply marked males with less phaeomelanin. If this theory should not be correct, we would have two distinct species as well in Arfak as at Cape York, in Arfak with intermediates, at Cape York not — at least we have not seen them ; in each case the brownish birds without black and white markings on the head would undoubtedly be subspecies of 8. magnirostris, the other two would require new names, and would be subspecies of S. minima. I have been greatly assisted in the study of these birds by Dr. Stresemann and Mr. Arthur Goodson, to whom my thanks are due. 176. Sericornis magnirostris cyclopum subsp. nov. 4 (J$ Cyclops Mountains, 4 <J$ Wondiwoi (Wandammen). The lores of adult males are sometimes very deep brown, almost black, there is a white line above the lores, but not so wide as in adult males of minima, and there are a few white feathers above and below the eye ; there are white edges to the great upper wing-coverts ; upperside a shade darker than in minima, almost exactly as in cantons. Underside pale yellow, sides washed with olive, throat whitish, sometimes faintly sj)otted, chest clouded with greyish olivaceous, sometimes distinctly sjxitted. In other males and females the lores are dull rufous brown as in females and there is no white above and below the eyes, and the white above the lores is more or less brownish and only indicated. The iris is " red-brown." Wings £ 59-63, $ 55, 57 mm. Type : <$ ad. Cyclops Mountains, 22.viii. 1928. No. 1938 Ernst Mayr coll. Weights <$ 11-5, 12-5, 12-5, 13-5, $ 12-5 g. We have also a specimen taken by J. Dumas near Humboldt Bay. Sericornis 7nagnirostris cyclopum is very much like S. magnirostris beccarii from the Aru Islands, but in the latter the black and white markings are always distinct in the males, the rufous brown and white ones distinct in the females ; wings cJ 59, 59, 59, $ 52-5, 52, 58-5 mm. Stresemaim, in his Sepik article, was the last to attempt a list of the sub- species of tills group. The Papuan subspecies would be : Sericornis magnirostris nouhuysi Oort, Snow Mountains. Underside uniform rufous, no black and white markings on head. S. magnirostris oorti R. & H, Underside yellowish. S.E. New Guinea. 84 XnvITATES ZooLOGICAK XXXVI. 1930. S. magnirostris rufescens Stres. Like oorli but larger. Schraderberg. S. magnirostris pontifex Stres. Underside hardly yellowish at all, almost dirty greyish. Lordberg and Hunsteinspitze. S. magnirostris virgata (Rchw.) does not seem to differ in colour from pontifex but seems smaller ; if not separable, virgata would have priority over pontifex. S. magnirostris keysseri from the Rawlinson Mountains. S. magnirostris cantons Mayr, Arfak Mts. (See p. 82.) 177. Sericornis perspicillata goodsoni subsp. nov. Upperside as in 8. p. perspicillata, underside often, but not always, less fulvescent, but the ear-coverts not reddish isabelline, but pale brown, the ring round the eyes (eyelids) not reddish isabelline or bright fulvous, but cream- colour with a brownish tinge. Iris dark brown, bill black, feet pale reddish grey. Wings <J 53-55, ? 51-52 mm. Weight 8, 8-5, 9 g. 5 cj, 2 juv., 3 $ Lehuma, Dohunsehik in Issim Valley, and mountains near Ditschi in the Arfak Mountains, May and June. Type : <J Lehuma, 4.vi. 1928. No. 975 Ernst Mayr coll. Named after Arthur Goodson, Tring. The discovery of this form in Arfak is of great interest, as 8. perspicillata was hitherto not known from the Arfak Peninsula. At Lehuma, Arfak Mountains, a young Cuculide, which seems to be Caco- mantis castaneiventris arfahianus Salvad., was taken from the nest of this form, No. 968 being the foster-parent. 178. Sericornis arfakiana arfakiana Salvad. Sericornis arfakiana Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova vii, p. 960 (1876 — Arfak). Though very closely allied to S. arfakiana olivacea from the mountains of S.E. New Guinea, all the specimens from the Cyclops Mountains have a less pigmented underside, the throat and chest, as wrell as the sides, being less greyish olivaceous, the throat and chest in S. a. olivacea having distinctly ashy central stripes to the feathers, which are absent in S. a. arfakiana. Wings males 52-55, females 49-52, mostly 50 mm. Weight females 7-5-8-5, males 8-5-9, once 10-5 g. 2 $ Siwi, 1 (J, 3 $ Ditschi, $ Lehuma, 7 <^$ Wondiwoi (Wandammen), 8 (J$ Cyclops Mountains. Iris dark brown, dark grey-brown. Bill black. Feet pale pinkish grey. [Sericornis rufescens (Salvad.), described as Gerygone, has not been found by Dr. Mayr (cf. Orn. Monatsb. 1930).] 179. Aethomyias spilodera spilodera (Gray). Entomophita ? spilodera G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1859, p. 155 (Dorey, Arfak). 2 (J, 6 $ Siwi, Arfak Mountains. " Iris brown-red, red-brown, red, bill pale reddish, pale flesh-colour, feet reddish grey." Weight 9, 10, 10-5 g. Wings <J 60, $ 55-5-58, once 60 mm., but perhaps £ ? Lord Rothschild and I have (Nov. Zool. xx, p. 501) quite correctly said Novitates Zoolouicae XXXVI. 1930. 85 that Snow Mountains specimens are very near Ae. spilodera guttata Sharpe from S.E. New Guinea, but possibly a new subspecies. Ogilvie-Grant called them " Ae. spilodera." The British Museum specimens from the south slopes of the Snow Mountains confirm this, and the Snow Mountains form must be nominally separated. I name them in memory of Ogilvie-Grant, who — though he tried to disagree with us wherever he thought he could — has done much to further the knowledge of those parts of New Guinea : Aelhomyias spilodera granti subsp. nov. This subspecies differs from its nearest ally, Ae. s. guttata, in being smaller, the spots on the throat less blackish, the ear-coverts slightly more reddish. Wings in A. s. guttata up to 67-5, and in adult males always over 60, females smaller. In A. s. granti : Adult males not over 60-5 mm. Type: J Snow Mountains, 2,000 feet, 25.viii. 1910. A. S. Meek coll. No. 4636. In Tring Museum. 180. Amalocichla incerta incerta (Salvad.). Eupeles incerlus Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 967 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). cJ$, 9 juv. Kofo (Anggi gidji), 11., 12., 15. vi. 1928. $ juv. mountains near Ditschi, 16. vi. 1928. These are the birds which Stresemann called Pseudopitla incerta, and which we used to call Amalocichla brevicauda. We had quite overlooked Salvadori's Eupetes ? incertus, while Reichenow (Journ. f. Orn. 1915, p. 129) was not acquainted with Drymoedus brevicauda de Vis 1894, which Rothschild and Hartert called Amalocichla brevicauda. In fact, the specimens from S.E. New Guinea, of which we now have 8 adults and 4 young from the Kotoi district, Upper Aroa River, Mambare and Angabunga Rivers, is so much like the Arfak incerta, that I cannot say for certain how it differs, unless the bill in brevicauda is generally longer. Dr. Mayr marked the iris as dark brown, bill black, feet greyish pink and pale grey-brown. Weight 27 and 28 g. Wings of the two adults cj 80, $ 77 mm., in A. incerta brevicauda $ 81-5, 83-5, 84, § 79, 80, 81 mm. Young birds are spotted like young Thrushes. 181. Amalocichla incerta olivascentior subsp. nov. Upperside deeper, less rufous brown throughout, sides of head more blackish, less rufous brown, throat white with fine sooty brown tips to the feathers, under- side more olivaceous, middle of abdomen only dirty white. " Iris dark. Bill black. Feet greyish black." $. Weight 34 g. Wing 76, tarsus 31, bill from base 20 mm. Type and unique specimen $ Wondiwoi Mountain, 1,900 m., 14. vii. 1928. No. 1517 Ernst Mayr coll. Another, probably distinct, form is in the Tring Museum from Mount Goliath, which is somewhat intermediate in appearance between A. i. olivascentior and A. incerta brevicauda. Cf. Nov. Zool. 1913 (xx), p. 504. Both this and the Wondiwoi specimen have pointed tail-feathers, but their plumage is not juvenile, because we have young specimens moulting into the plumage of adults. 86 XovlTATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 182. Drymoedus superciliaris beccarii Salvad. Drytnoeilus heccarii Salvadori, Ann. Mux. Civ. Qenova, vii, p. 965 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). 8 (J$ Siwi, 2 <$ Ditschi, $ Ninei, 1 $, 2 $ Cyclops Mountains. Seen but not shot on Mount Wondiwoi. " Iris very dark brown. Bill black. Feet pinkish grey, pale flesh-colour, pinkish grey." Weight <J 47-57, $ 35-42, once 47 g. On 24.viii.1928, Cyclops Mountains an egg almost ready for expulsion was found in a female. Wings q 88-92, $ 79-82 mm. The young in fluffy plumage is above rufous-chestnut with indicated paler spots, underside paler, abdomen whitish, wing-spots buff. This form is a very much darkened subspecies of D. superciliaris of Cape York. We have thus : 1 . D. superciliaris superciliaris Gould. Cape York Peninsula, N. Queensland. 2. D. superciliaris colcloughi Math. Roper River, Northern Territory. 3. D. superciliaris brevirostris De Vis. S.E. New Guinea, and apparently Aru Islands, (adjacens Math.) 4. D. superciliaris beccarii Salvad. Arfak Peninsula to Cyclops Mts. 183. Eupetes castanonotus castanonotus Salvad. Eupeles castanonotus Salvadori. Ann. Mus. Civ. Qenova, vii, p. 966 (1875 — Mt. Morait, on the north- western coast of the Arfak Peninsula, 700-1000 m. high). 10 (J$ from near Siwi, $ and $ juv. mountains near Ditschi, $ Ninei. " Iris dark, bill black, feet brownish black." Weight from 66, 67 in females to 83 in another female, but in males 69-77 g. Wings cj 94-100, $ 90-96 mm. As known the rump and upper tail-coverts are blue in the male, but over- spread with chestnut-red in the females. The young female has the head and upper back dull dark chestnut-brown, lores and stripe behind eye dull black, above the latter an indicated paler streak, lower back and rump darker. Chin and throat white, rest of underside dull brownish black, wings and tail black, a metallic blue sheen on the rectrices and some of the inner remiges. 184. Eupetes caerulescens caerulescens Temm. Eupetes caerulescens Temminck, PI. Col. 574 (1835 — New Guinea, type from Loto). 3 <J, 3 $ Cyclops Mountains and Hoi, 1 q above Wasior (Wandammen). Iris brown. The females have the ear-coverts not so deep black or quite greyish blue and the black line which passes from the lores and the ear-coverts round the white throat is narrower and sometimes hardly visible. Weight 44-5-62 g. 185. Eupetes leucostictus leucostictus Scl. Eupetes leucostictus Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1873, p. 690, pi. 52 (Hatani. Arfak Mts.). 2 rS, 3 $ Arfak Mountains, Lehuma and Ditschi Mountains. The true Arfak leucostictus has always been rare in collections, and even now there is not a large series. The breast is bluish, not greenish. Weight 41, 46 g. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 87 186. Eupetes leucostictus mayri subsp. nov. This very striking new subspecies differs from E. leucostictus leucostictus Scl. from Arfak, in having the forehead to the end of the upper tail-coverts rufous chestnut instead of greenish-olive. The chest below the triangular black patch on the throat is greenish olive like the sides of the body. The black triangular throat-patch has more or less white edges to the feathers, but they are only a few in some specimens and absent in one, while they are more numerous and regular in E. I. leucostictus. " Iris dark brown. Bill black. Feet reddish grey, dirty flesh-colour." Type: J ad. Wondiwoi, 9.vii.l928. No. 1411 Mayr coll. Wings $ 79-81, ? 76-77 mm. Ernst Mayr sent 4 males, 1 unsexed, 2 $ from Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula. It is a pleasure to me to name this fine new subspecies in honour of the ardent collector, who was at once struck by its red back. Nobody seems to have ever seen this bird, except in the Tring Museum. In fact we have had for many years a specimen without sex or indication of locality, once mounted and then dismounted. We then received a female from Mount Goliath from which we came to the conclusion that they were the females of leucostictus of which we had only one bad specimen ! Our conclusion was, however, quite erroneous, as is now proved beyond doubt. We had also a specimen from the Mamberano River and two from Mount Kunupi, Weyland Mountains. We have thus a distribution from the Snow Mountains to the Mamberano and Wondiwoi Mountains. Weight 41-5-54-5 g. 187. Eupetes leucostictus loriae Salvad. Eupetes loriae Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, xxxvi, p. 102 (1896— Moroka, S.E. New Guima). 17 (J$ ad., 2 juv. Cyclops Mountains, September 1928. This subspecies differs from E. leucostictus leucostictus only in the olive- greenish, not bluish, chest and unspotted black triangle on the jugulum. Weight 48-54 g. We have also a male collected on the Rawlinson Mountains by the Rev. Keysser. Some of the Cyclops Mountains specimens have somewhat shorter bills than S.E. Papuan specimens, but this character is not constant enough for separation. Description of young, Nov. Zool. 1903, p. 231. 188. Pomareopsis bruijni (Salvad.). cj$ mountains near Ditschi, Arfak Mountains, 1,300 m. 189. Motacilla cinerea caspica (Gm.). Parus caspicus (!) S. G. Gmelin, Reise d. Russland, iii, p. 104, Taf. 20, fig. 2 (1774— Enzeli, S. Caspian Sea). Budytes Novae-Guineae Meyer, Sitzungsber. Isis Dresden, 1875, p. 74 (Arfak). An unfortunate "Grey Wagtail" was met with at Siwi, 20. iv. 1928. A specimen also from Arfak was received by A. B. Meyer, but this Wagtail is rare in New Guinea. 88 Novitates Zoological XXXVI. 1930. 190. Saxicola caprata aethiops (Scl.). Poecilodryas aethiops Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1880, p. 66, pi. vii, fig. 1 (New Britain). Pralincola caprutu aethiops Rothschild & Hartert. Nov. Zool. 1907, p. 467 ; Stresemann, Nov. Zool. six, 1912, p. 322 ! 5 (J, 5 $, the latter mostly terribly worn, Ifaar, September and October 1928. " Iris dark brown. Bill black, feet black, in both sexes." Weight 19-20-5 g. Wings males 74-76, once (worn) only about 72 mm. 191. Locustella Jasciolata (Gray). Acrocephalus fasciolatus G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1860, p. 349 (Batjan). 3 $, 1 unsexed Siwi, April and May. This East Siberian migrant is rather uncommon in collections from New Guinea, but we had already received bad specimens from Dorey and Yamna on the north coast from Doherty. 192. Acrocephalus arundinaceus subsp. In a swamp at Kofo (Anggi gidji) Reed-Warblers were observed 12. vi. and 14.vi. 1928, and one good skin and a spoiled one were sent, both sexed as males. They were singing and the testes of one were large. This is probably a distinct subspecies, but as I cannot state differences from some Australian specimens (Acroc. arundinaceus australis) I cannot give a name to these Arfak birds. The wings measure 73 and (barely) 69 mm., so probably the second (bad) specimen is a female. " Iris bleich graubraunlieh." The wing of A. arundinaceus cervinus De Vis from S.E. New Guinea is said to be 80 mm. long, but as only one " female " (?) is known, and that was shot in July, when Australian migrants frequent New Guinea, our knowledge of this form is most insufficient. (About the forms of these Reed-Warblers, see Treu-bia, vi, and Festschrift E. Hartert, Suppl. Journ. f. Orn. 1929.) In Salomonsen's article in the latter it must be mentioned that the bird which I had carefully refrained from naming after examination of one male only, and which he named harierti without further knowledge, came from the island of Luzon. Salomonsen says " Camarines," which probably is on Luzon, but who knows " Camarines," while Luzon is known to everybody. 193. Orthonyx temminckii novaeguineae Mey. Orthonyx, Novae Guineae A. B. Meyer, Sitsungster. k. Ah. Wien, lxix, p. 74 (1874 — Arfak Mts. 3,500 feet). c?? Dohunsehik (no labels), ^? Dohunsehik (Issim Valley), 17., 18. vi. 1928. Weight cJ 56, 57, $ 49 g. Iris dark brown. Wings £ 89, 92, $ 81, 81, 82 mm. These birds differ from two females and a male from S.E. New Guinea (Mount Knutsford and Mount Scratchley), in having a little less white on the under side, the rump being slightly darker rufous-brown, and in having smaller dimensions. The S.E. form will therefore have to be called O. temminckii victoriana (van Oort, Notes Leyden Mus. xxx, p. 234, 1909, Mount Victoria, S.E. Papua), though the description does not quite agree, as it is said to be less white underneath, and the dimensions do not agree with our specimens. Wings NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 89 in ours J 97, ? 91, also the bills are smaller in the Arfak form. We must therefore recognize 3 subspecies : 0. temminckii temminckii Ranzani : N.S. Wales to Queensland. 0. t. victoriana van Oort : S.E. New Guinea. 0. t. novaeguineae Mey. : Arfak Peninsula. 194. Pomatorhinus isidori Less. Pomalorhinus isidori Lesson, Voy. Coquille, Zool. i, pi. 29 (1929), p. 680 (1930 — Forest in neighbour- hood of Dorey, Arfak Peninsula). 31? Momi, east coast of Arfak Peninsula, $ Hoi. " Iris light brown. Bill yellow and brown. Feet dark grey-brown." 195. Neositta papuensis papuensis (Schleg.). Sitta papuensis Sehlegel, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk. iv. p. 47 (1871 — Hatam, Arfak Mts.). (J? Dohunsehik (Issim Valley), J Lehuma, June 1928. " Ring round eye yellow, iris whitish yellow. Bill yellowish, tip black. Feet light yellow." Weight 14-15 g. Wings J 84, $ 84 mm. The two males, one with enlarged testes, have black crowns, the female a greyish white head with dark grey shaft-lines. This is in opposition to Schlegel's and Salvador's descriptions, who described the female as black-headed, but I have no doubt that the black-crowned specimens are the males, as in N. p. albi- frons (Rams.) from S.E. Papua. 196. Climacteris placens placens Scl. Climacleris placens Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1873, p. 693 (Hatam, Arfak Mts.). cJ Dohunsehik 18. vi. 1928, No. 194. 197. Coracina papuensis papuensis (Gm.). Corrus papuensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, p. 371 (1788 — Ex Daubenton and Latham " hab. in Nova Guinea," doubtless western New Guinea, probably Arfak Peninsula). Only two males from Ifaar, September 1928. Weight 66, 67 g. " Iris dark." 198. Coracina caeruleogrisea strenua (Schleg.). Campephar/a strenua Sehlegel, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk. iv, p. 44 (1871 — Jobi and Arfak Peninsula I select as the terra typica of the name strenua : Arfak Peninsula !). A series of both sexes from Siwi, $ Ditschi, series from the Cyclops Mountains. I call these birds strenua, restricting the terra typica of that name to the Arfak Peninsula. I separate these birds from C. caeruleogrisea caeruleogrisea from the Aru Islands, because they are darker and more blue-grey than the distinctly paler Aru birds ! Specimens from S.E. New Guinea, as far as the Hydrographer Range, are somewhat intermediate, but more like the Aru form. Young birds have pointed and white-tipped rectrices. A young male from Siwi is partially albinistic, having the greater part of the downy head and neck and underside white ; growing feathers are blue-grey, but some greater wing-coverts white. In the Cyclops Mountains the sexual organs were greatly enlarged. 90 Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. 199. Coracina lineata axillaris (Salvad.). Graueulus axillaris Salvadori, Ann. Mvs. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 925 (1875 — Arfak Peninsula). 1 cj, 3 $ Siwi, April and May. " Iris bright light yellow, bill and feet black." Weight 70-73-5 g. The barring on the underside of the females reaches higher up in some specimens than in others. 200. Coracina boyeri boyeri (Gray). Campephaga Boyeri G. R. Gray, Gen. B. i, p. 283 (1846 — Ex Hombron & Jacq., west coast of New Guinea, by which no doubt the coast of the Berau Peninsula was meant). cJSiwi, 24. iv. 1928. 201. Edolisoma incertum incertum (Mey.). Campephaga incerta A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsl er. k. Akad. Wien, Ixix, p. 387 (1874 — Jobi). cj$$ Siwi, (J Cyclops Mountains. Weight 54-57 g. The female is much like the male, the slight differences are well described by Stresemann. E. incertum sharpei seems after all not to differ, but we are handicapped by the want of Jobi specimens ! 202. Edolisoma morio mullerii Salvad. Edoliisoma mullerii Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 927 (1875 — Xew name for Muller's Utanata specimens). 1 £ juv., 5 $ Hoi and Ifaar. No adult male was obtained. Weight 61-71 g. 203. Edolisoma montanum montanum (Mey.). Campephaga montana (errore " monlona," but corrected in same volume and year) A. B. Meyer Sitzungsber. k. Akad. Wien, lxix, p. 386 (1874 — Arfak Mts.). <J§ ad. Siwi, Ditschi and Cyclops Mountains. " Iris dark." Weight 65-75 g. Wings ^ 136-142 mm. In E. m. minus from S.E. New Guinea the wings rarely surpass 130 in males, and are mostly 129-130 mm. Two females from Cyclops Mountains have more black on the throat, but this seems" to vary somewhat. 204. Edolisoma melan melan (Less.). Lanius melas Lesson, Man. d'Orn. i, p. 128 (1828 — Dorey, Arfak). (J Manokwari, <$ Wasior, <J Hollandia. $ Siwi, $ Momi, $ Hollandia, $ Cyclops Moimtains. " Iris dark." 205. Lalage atrovirens atrovirens (Gray). Campephaga (Lalage) atrovirens G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, pp. 430, 435 (Mysol). 2 <J Ifaar (Sentani Lakes), 23. ix. 1928. Weight both 30 g. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 91 206. Pitta macklotii macklotii Temm. Pitta Macklotii Temminck, PI. Col. 547 (1834 — From a specimen collected at Lobo Bay, Triton Bay). cJ ad. Siwi, Arfak Mountains, 1. v. 1928. 2 <J ad. Momi, east coast of Arfak Peninsula, 30. vi. 1928. cJ juv. Momi, 29. vi. 1928. $ ad. Manokwari, Arfak, 9.iv.l928. These birds are typical macklotii, agreeing with others from Waigiu, Kapaur, the Lower Snow Mountains Range, the Fly River, S.E. New Guinea (except the utmost east, i.e. Milne Bay, Chad's Bay, Mullen's Harbour, to the Kumusi River, where P. m. loriae lives, and a mountain district on the Upper Aroa River, where P. m. oblita is found), and specimens from Simbang and Sattelberg. Huon Gulf. While the island forms are very easy to understand (gazellae New Britain, Rooke Island, novaehibernicae New Ireland, finschi D'Entrecasteaux Islands, meeki Rossell Island, and the very closely allied Jcuehni and aruensis) we had not hitherto understood the forms from New Guinea itself. As it is the birds from the north coast : Humboldt Bay Region, Hollandia and Cyclops Mountains, and Potsdam Harbour, differ, as quite well described by Finsch in having a much brighter red nape, which reaches to the hind part of the eyes. The other points mentioned by Finsch are not characteristic for this form, but also found in P. m. macklotii. A synonym of P. in. macklotii is also Pitta mackloti yorki Mathews, Nov. Zool. xviii, p. 299, 1912. P. m. macklotii is very rare in the northern Cape York Peninsula, and specimens from there do not differ from others from New Guinea. This form had already been named Pitta digglesi by Rrefft, Ibis, 1869, p. 350. It is true that Krefft's specimen, though said to have been obtained at Cape York, might possibly have come from New Guinea, because the veracity of the collector was doubted by Krefft, but the name digglesi was given to the Cape York bird " if that should prove to be distinct from the New Guinea Pitta mackloti " ; Mathews could therefore not say that it was from New Guinea, and that the name " is therefore a synonym of P. m. macklotii," though it is virtually a nonien nudum. 207. Pitta macklotii habenichti Finsch. Pitta Habenichti Finsch, Ore. Monatsher. 1912, pp. 102, 127 (near Potsdamhafen on the north coast of Kaiser. Wilhelmsland). 16 rj$ ad., 1 juv., Hoi, Hollandia and Cyclops Mountains. " Iris dark brown, bill black, feet greyish." Weight 72-89 g. In one male, 8.viii.l928, the testes were enlarged. Wings c? 102-109, 110, 3 $ 101, 108, 108 mm. All specimens are alike, no striking variation. 208. Pitta atricapilla atricapilla Quoy et Gaimard. Pitta atricapilla Quoy et Oaimard, Voy. Astrolabe, Zool. i, p. 258, pi. 8, fig. 3 (1830 — Dorey). Pitta norae-guineae Miiller & Schlegel. <S Momi, 29. vi., <$ Wasior 24.vii.1928. " Iris dark brown. Bill black. Feet greyish pink, pale brownish flesh." A fine series ^? Hollandia and Ifaar. 92 XoVlTATES ZOOLOQICAE XXXVI. 1930. These birds are in fine, fresh plumage, but in a few the colours of the under- side are less dark and less vivid, the blue less bright. A series from Dampier Island on the north coast of the Mandated Territory, collected in March 1914 by A. Eichhorn for A. S. Meek, were recorded by us as P. atricapilla atricapilla, but comparing them again with our now considerable series we find that the Dampier birds are duller, darker, on the breast, and the back is also slightly darker green in the series. It is therefore desirable in our opinion to call attention to this fact by a name, and I propose to call the Dampier bird Pitta atricapilla hebetior, subsp. nov. Type: <J Dampier Island, 9.iii. 1914. No. 6789 of the Meek collections, collected by Albert Eichhorn. 209. Melampitta lugubris Schleg. Melampitta lugubris Sehlegel, Ned. Tijdsc.hr. Dierk. iv, p. 47 (1871 — Arfak Peninsula). 8 (J$ ad. Lehuma, mountains near Ditschi, Dohunsehik in the Issim Valley. " Iris $ red, $ brown. Bill and feet black." Weight 41-5, 43, 45, 49 g. Wings " J " 83-87, " $ " 79-83 mm. Compared with specimens from S.E. New Guinea the bills of the Arfak birds are generally very short, but there is not enough constancy to separate them. Mellopilta lugubris rostrata Ogilvie-Grant 1913 was described from a single stout-billed individual, and is apparently a synonym of the typical Arfak form. 210. Melampitta gigantea (Rothsch.). Mellopilta gigantea Rothschild, Orn. Monatsber. 1899, p. 137 (" Mt. Moari," 3,000 feet. Mt. Moari is, however, not near Humboldt Bay, but on the east coast of the Arfak Peninsula near Oransbari, and it is Moari and not " Maori "). cj ad. Siwi, 15. v. 1928. " Iris dark brown. Bill and feet black." Weight 205 g. Wing about 143, tail 140 mm. This specimen is entirely black. Its tail is much longer than that of the other known specimens, i.e. the type from Mount Moari, a male and a female from the Snow Mountains, one in the British, one in the Tring, Museum. The tails of our other two specimens are, however, very much worn off at the tip. Even in the male collected by Mayr, the webs of the rectrices, except towards the base, are disintegrated and the feathers wide. This might be looked upon as a generic character, but otherwise this rare bird is just a gigantic M. lugubris even the young being brown as in the latter. Nothing is known about the habits and eggs of Melampitta ! 211. Caprimulgus macrurus yorki Math. Caprimulgus macrurus yorki Mathews, Nov. Zool. xviii, p. 291 (1912 — Cape York). $ Momi, ^$ Wasior, $ Hollandia, 4 (J Ifaar. I do not see how these birds can be separated from the Cape York form, which Mathews called yorki. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 93 G. m. albolaxatus Rothsch. & Hart., Nov. Zool. xxv, 1918, pp. 323, 324, was described from the " chain of islands from New Britain to Vulcan (Manu- mudar, Volcano) Islands," and the type from Volcan island has the white on the outer rectrices much longer, i.e. 64 mm. long, and the white patch on the outer primary touches the shaft. In our large series there is no other specimen with so much white on the outer rectrices, and the white on the outer primary is also usually less extended. Streseinann mentions specimens from New Britain, one from Ramu, and one from Stephansort with as much and more white (64, 65, 73 mm.), but it is accidental that his single specimens from Queensland and Arfak have only 40 mm. long white ! As it is, I fear that albolaxatus is based on specimens with abnormally much white, otherwise it must be restricted to the islands from New Britain to Vulcan Islands, and perhaps the adjoining coast of Papua, but it is not found at Hollandia, Ifaar and Arfak, where C. m. yorki occurs. 212. Collocalia fuciphaga mayri subsp. nov. This apparently new form is nearest to C. fuciphaqa hirundinacea Stres., but the tarsus is more thickly covered with dark brown feathers, all over, by which it differs also from all other known forms of fuciphaga. The wing measures about 110 mm. Type a unique male specimen from Siwi, Arfak Mountains, shot 25. v. 1928. It is perfectly true that none of our G. fuciphaga hirundinacea from the Setekwa River (terra typical of hirundinacea) has such thickly covered tarsi. I am obliged to Dr. Stresemann for his comparing our single specimen with his hirundinacea. Unfortunately the wings and tail are slightly damaged. 213. Collocalia esculenta esculenta (L.). Hirundo esculenta Linnaeus, Syst. Xal. ed. x, i, p. 191 (1758 — China, errore. Terra typica Amboina- ex Rumphius). 3 $ only from Siwi, 14. v. and 29. iv. 1928. Weight 6-5 and 7 g. 214. Hemiprocne mystacea mystacea (Less). 3 $ ad. Ifaar. Wings 231-234-5 mm. Eggs in ovary very large. (J Ninei, (J Wasior, 25.vii. 1928. Weight 71 g. 215. Lyncornis papuensis (Sohleg.). Caprimulgus papuensis Schlegel, Ncderl. Tijdschr. Dierktinde, iii, p. 340 (1866 — Salwatti and neigh- bouring coast of New Guinea). One bad specimen knocked over by natives at Wasior (Wandammen), 19. vii. 1928. Wing about 190 mm. (Mathews in " Syst. Av. Australasianarum," i, p. 395, gave quite a misleading and fanciful accoimt of the status of this species. He says that L. papuensis (Schleg.) was described from Salwatti and that the form from the Papuan " mainland " is a different subspecies. There is, however, no reason whatever for this construction. Schlegel described papuensis from Salwatti and the 94 XnYITATKS ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. western B rau Peninsula, not from Salwatti alone ! From that one must infer that Salwatti and New Guinea specimens are alike, and Mathews, who has not compared the specimens from various localities, had no right whatever to assume that papuensis was restricted to Salwatti, and that New Guinea itself held another subspecies.) 210. Aegotheles cristata affinis Salvad. Aegolheles affinis Salvador), Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 917 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). 5 $, 1 $ Siwi, mountains near Siwi, May 1928. " Iris dark brown. Bill blackish brown and black. Feet greyish pink, whitish brown." Weight 41-5-48-5, 53, 60 g. Wings <$ 130-136, $ 139 mm. It is with great satisfaction that I register this fine little series of a most rare bird, of which hitherto only the single type seems to have been known. Cf. Hartert, Ibis, 1896, p. 375, pi. vii ; Tierreich, Lief, i, p. 11, 1897. This form is nearest to Ae. c. bennetti from S.E. New Guinea, but the mark- ings on the upperside are coarser, those on the crown generally larger, the light nape-band generally wide, but sometimes only indicated, the ear-coverts through- out less blackish, more or less rufous, bars on tail generally sharp and somewhat wider. Larger, wings of Ae. c. bennetti 121-129 mm. Ae. c. wiedenfeldi Laubm. is closely allied to bennetti, but larger, tail longer, wings about 1 cm. longer, markings fine as in bennetti (not coarse as in affinis), generally darker, nape-band often wider, white or brown. We have it from Simbang, the Sattelberg, Holnicote Bay and the Kumusi River ! It is unavoidable to treat these forms as subspecies of the Australian novaehollandiae, or rather cristata as it is now called, because of a few months priority ! In Ae. c. affinis the imdcrside is whitish, throat to breast barred with brownish black, but in some specimens the throat down to the breast is rusty-buff, and along the middle a more or less unbarred brownish buff line. This is not dependent on sex or age. Abdomen and under tail-coverts are white. 217. Aegotheles albertisi albertisi Sol. Aegotheles alhertisi Sclater, Pror. Zool. Soc. London, 1873, p. 696 (Arfak Mts.). Aegolheles duhius A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsber. k. Akad. Wien, xlix, p. 75 (1874 — Arfak Mts., 3,550 feet). 1 § mountains near Siwi, 1 $ Lehuma, 1 $ mountains near Ditschi, 1 <J Kofo (Anggi gidji), Ernst Mayr coll., 1 $ Arfak Mountains, 2,000 m. Shaw Mayer coll. " Iris brown. Bill blackish. Feet flesh-colour, whitish, pale pink." Weight 25, 30, 30-5 g. Wings 119, 120, 123 mm. The colour of the upperside varies from foxy rufous to rufous brown, dark chestnut to almost black. Most specimens have a white collar, but sometimes it is obsolete, in one female quite absent. Ae. albertisi salvadorii Hart. 1892 (synonym Ae. rufescens Salvad. 1896, both described from the Moroka district in S.E. New Guinea !) is a very closely allied form, differing only in the somewhat less dark and less bright colour of the upperside from true albertisi ! The upperside varies from cinnamon-red Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. 95 to brownish chestnut and blackish brown, the white collar is mostly very distinct, but sometimes quite obsolete. Wings 113-122, once 126 mm. We have a wonderful series of 34 specimens. 218. Aegotheles (?). 1 <J Wondiwoi (Wandanimen), 10.vii.1928. Weight 44-5 g. " Iris brownish. Bill dark horn-colour. Feet pale pink." I do not venture to say what this bird is. It has the markings of Ae. albertisi salvadorii, but the wings are 138 mm. long ! It is a young bird, as the six rectrices that are left and the tips of the wings show. The ear-coverts are rather pale cinnamon rufous. If more material were to hand it would probably become clear whether this bird belongs to a very large subspecies of Ae. albertisi, or whether it is a giant (or another species ?). 219. Aegotheles insignis insignis Salvad. Aegotheles insignis Salvadori, Ann. Mns. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 916 (1875 — Hattun, Arfak Mts.) ; Hartert, Ibis, 1896, p. 375, pi. vi. $ Lehuma, $ above Ditschi, $ Dohunsehik, $ Wondiwoi. Of this form as far as I know, only the type had hitherto been recorded, though a $ from Mount Kunupi, Weyland Mountains, 6,000 feet, collected by Pratt Bros, and recorded by Lord Rothschild as Ae. pulcher, belongs, in my opinion, to Ae. insignis insignis, but this requires confirmation from more speci- mens. The iris is described as ochre, light ochre, dark ochre, and dark brown, bill brownish horn, feet pale pink. Wings <$ 164, 170, $ 160, 162 mm. The Weyland Mountains bird " $ " 165 mm. In 1898, Bull. B.O. Club, viii, p. viii, I described from a single specimen from the " mountains of British New Guinea " Aegotheles pulcher. This was bought in London, but was collected by Emil Weiske, the preparation being unmistakable, and almost certain came from the Upper Aroa River, where Meek found this bird later on quite common. When describing it nothing was known of Ae. insignis except the type, which I had, a few years before, examined, through the kindness of Dr. Gestro. I then stated the smaller size and certain colour differences. In 1907, Nov. Zool. xiv, pp. 456, 457, Lord Rothschild and I said clearly that pulcher is " doubtless a subspecies of Ae. insignis from Arfak, which is very similar." We there described the stupendous variations in the colour and markings, and in fact they are the same in the two subspecies, though among the few specimens from Western New Guinea there are not any so light and bright as some of the pulcher are. In fact there is no difference between the two races, except the larger size of pulcher, which have wings ranging from 166 to 180 mm., against 155 (type), 160, 162, 164, 165, 170 mm. in insignis insignis. From the Aroa River I have examined 34 specimens. The insignis from the Weyland Mountains is the darkest specimen seen, but one from Avera on the Upper Aroa River is almost quite as dark. 96 XuVITATES ZoOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 22iK Podargus papuensis papuensis Quoy et Gaim. Podarntx papuensis Quoy et Gaimard. Yoy. Astrolabe, Zool. i, p. 207, Atlas pi. 13 (1830 — Dorey, Ariak). <J$ Ditschi, 28. v. 1928. The male is greyish, the female more or less rufous-brownish, q Wasior, 23.vii.1928. Weight 325, 445 g. Mathews described the Waigiu form as P. p. conigravi, saying that the specimens were " distinctly darker," but he had no material justifying this statement. On the other hand, it seems that the Cape York form (Nov. Zool. xviii, p. 281), P. p. baileyi and P. p. rogersi Mathews, is in the series a lighter form, and probably the Merauke form P. p. pitmiltts Stres. (Orn. Monatsber. 1927, p. 87) is also different, and possibly the Aru and Mysol birds may belong to it or to other small forms. The iris is described as yellow, in one red (probably blood ?). 221. Podargus ocellatus ocellatus Quoy et Gaimard. Podargus ocellatus Quoy et Gaimard, Yoy. Astrolabe, Zool. i. p. 208, Atlas pi. xiv (1830 — Dorey, Arfak). 1 <J Cyclops Mountains, 29.viii. 1928. "Iris dark brown." Weight 156 g. 222. Merops ornatus Lath. cJ Siwi, 27. iv. 1928. In beautiful fresh plumage. " $ 1. " Manokwari, 9.iv. 1928. (Is evidently a female.) 5 Wasior (Wandammen), 19.vii.1928. In moult. A migrant from Australia. 223. Merops philippinus salvadorii Mey. Merops salvadorii A. B. Meyer, Ibis, 1891, p. 294 (New Britain). § ad. Ifaar, 16. ix. 1928. Weight 43 g. Ovary small. " Iris red." This specimen is very little more yellowish on the upperside than M. ph. philippinus, but the underside is much less green, rather golden brownish ; only the middle of the abdomen is pale green. The stripe under the black band along the sides of the head is very pale blue, but there are specimens of M. ph. philip- pinus in which it is equally pale. Not known so far west. 224. Eurystomus orientalis crassirostris Scl. Eurystomus crassirostris Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1869, p. 121 (" Solomon Is." errore. terra typica New Britain). <J$ Siwi, cj Wasior. Weight 180, 185, 195 g. (" E. o. waigiouensis " is erroneously kept as a separate subspecies by Mathews.) 225. Eurystomus orientalis pacificus (Lath.). A specimen from Manokwari, 9.iv.l928. Further specimens were wisely not collected. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 97 226. Rhyticeros plicatus ruficollis (Vieill.). ? Momi, S Hoi. 227. Alcyone azurea ochrogaster Rchw. Alycone ochrogaster Reichenow, Journ.f. Orti. 1903, p. 149 (Kaiser-Wilhelmsland, type from Ramu). Alcyone azurea distincta, Mathews B. Austr. vii, p. 94 (1918 — Humboldt Bay, North New Guinea). 2 tj, 1 $ Ifaar, September and October. Weight 33, 35, 36 g. The form from the Mandated Territory and the north coast as far as Ifaar and Humboldt Bay is very much lighter on the underside and distinguishable at first glance. 228. Ceyx lepidus solitarius Temm. Ceyx solitaria Temminck, PI. Col. 595 (1836 — Lobo Bay). ? Siwi, $ Wasior (Wandammen). Weight 14-5, 15-5 g. It seems a bit daring to call these smaller, slender-billed birds subspecies of lepidus, but C. I. sacerdotis R. & H. connects the two supposed species wonder- fully. I therefore follow Stresemann in treating this form and a number of allies as subspecies of lepidus. Ceyx is of course of masculine gender, though we have mechanically followed the Catalogue of Birds, Salvadori and others, in treating it as feminine. 229. Alcyone pusilla pusilla (Temm.). Ceyx pusilla Temminck, PI. Col. 595 (1836— Lobo Bay). J? Ifaar, $ Hollandia. Weight 13 and 14 g. (Mathews admits a subspecies assimilis Diggles, Trans. Phil. Soc. Queens- land, ii, p. 6, 1873, described from Cape York, but according to Mathews from the Aru Islands. I fail to see how he can make this out from the description, as the Cape York bird is very much like the Aru bird, which seems not to differ from typical pusilla.) 230. Syma torotoro torotoro Less. Syma torotoro Lesson, Bull. Sci. Nat. Ferussac, xi, p. 443 (1827 — Dorey, Arfak). 2 $ Siwi, 2 £ Wasior (Wandammen), 2 $ and 1 ^ juv. (bill quite black) Hollandia, <J Ifaar, Sentani Lakes. Weight 44, 45, 49-5, 52 g. Wings $ 81, 81, $ 79, 80, 81, 82, 84 mm. These are the only Syma that have come to hand. The treatment of this genus and its forms has so far been varied and sometimes peculiar. The form named megarhyncha has been treated as a different species by Rothschild & Hartert, Stresemann, Mathews and others. In my opinion, however, megarhyncha is just a mountain form, representing the smaller ones on the hills ; thus we have on the mountains of S.E. New Guinea and on the Snow Mountains the big megarhyncha, on the Sattelberg (and probably other hills of N.E. Papua) the sellamontis. The latter is hardly distinguishable from S. t. torotoro, but a little larger, wing $ 84, according to Stresemann (once) 88, $ 86, 87, 89 mm., bill slightly larger. In some adult 7 98 XOVITATES ZOOLOGK'AK XXXVI. 1930. males the bill is entirely yellow, but even old females have the top of the oilmen, at least near the tip, black, but one female has an entirely yellow bill. Mathews named specimens from the Lower Snow Mountains Syma torotoro pseustes (B. Auslr. vii, p. 113, 1918), because they were named differently by various authors. He also said they differed from meeki by having bluer tails and darker upperside, but this seems not to be the case. Therefore, as far as I could judge at jjresent, the following subspecies can be distinguished : Syma torotoro torotoro Less. Arfak to Sepik River, and apparently Western Papuan Islands. Syma torotoro tentelare Hart. Aru Islands. Syma torotoro meeki R. & H. S.E. New Guinea, west to Lower Snow Mountains, north to Kai Peninsula (Simbang, Heldsbach). Syma torotoro ochracea R. & H. D'Entrecasteaux Islands. Syma torotoro flavirostris Gould. North Queensland. Syma torotoro megarhyncha Salvad. Mountains of S.E. New Guinea and Snow Mountains. (Synonym S. torotoro wellsi Math. 1918.) Syma torotoro sellamontis Rehw. Mountains of N.E. New Guinea. (Mathews named also a specimen from Humboldt Bay in the British Museum of the true S. t. torotoro, calling it Syma torotoro connectens. In his Syst. Av. Australas. p. 371, he places this name as a synonym of S. megarhyncha sella- montis. The only specimen I found in the Brit. Mus. is, however, as I have said, S. t. torotoro and not sellamontis ! It must be mentioned that the sub- species of Syma described by Mathews in the Brit. Mus. are not named on the labels, nor are the type specimens marked !) 231. Melidora macrorhina macrorhina (Less.). Dacelo macrorhinm Lesson, Bull. Sci. Nat. Ferusaac, xii. p. 131, 1827, and Voy. CoquiUe, Zoo!. Atlas pi. 31 his, 1829 (both the same birds, collected by Lesson at Dorey). 1 " $" Siwi, 24. v. 1928. This specimen is not adult, as shown by the partially brown underside. The spots on the tips of the black feathers of the crown are not brownish green, but greenish blue, a good many feathers on the crown are wanting. It seems to me that this specimen must be an immature male. Unfortunately the only specimen from Arfak sent. In a large series from Arfak, Snow Mountains and S.E. New Guinea the wings measure 114-122 mm. 232. Melidora macrorhina jobiensis Salvad. Melidora jobiensis Salvadori, Orn. Pap. e Jlohicc. i, p. 502 (1880 — Jobi Island). $Hol, 4.viii.l928. 2 ^ ad., 1 $ juv., 4 $ Ifaar, September and October. Wings 117-124 mm. Weight 90-125 g ! On 19. ix. 1928 a $ with very large eggs was shot. The form from Jobi and along the north coast to the Astrolabe Bay. It has been recognized that the males are practically indistinguishable, while the females have no greenish tips or fringes to the feathers of the crown, but in a female from Ifaar (No. 2599) they are present, though very narrow. This subspecies is therefore not absolutely constant, but must be recognized. The NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 99 S.E. New Guinea has twice been named : M. goldiei Ramsay 1876, M. collaris Sharpe, 1877, the latter because it had a white nuchal collar, which is usually very prominent in S.E. New Guinea, but sometimes obsolete. On the other hand, the white nuchal band is often obsolete or quite absent in Arfak and in jobiensis, along the north coast, but if the skins are made with too short a neck, it is difficult to make out. With regard to the remarks in Nov. Zool. 1901, p. 149, it must be said, that " Mount Maori " (rectius Mount Moari) is not near Humboldt Bay, but on the east coast of the Arfak Peninsula ! [Melidora macrorhina waigiuensis subsp. nov. Specimens from Waigiu are evidently larger: Wing $ 128, 126, $ 132 in a juvenile 3 124 mm. I therefore think I am justified in naming the Waigiu form as above. The female has only very faintly indicated greenish glossy edges to the feathers of the crown. Type : $ not quite adult Waigiu, 26.xii. 1902. John Waterstradt coll.] 233. Sauromarptis gaudichaud (Quoy et Gaim.). Dacelo Gaudkliaud Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. Uranie, Zool. p. 112, pi. 25 (1825 — New Guinea). $ Manokwari, $ Siwi, $ Wasior, 2 ^, 1 $ (ovary medium) Ifaar, 2 <£, 3 $ Hoi. 234. Halcyon sancta sancta Vig. & Horsf. Halcyon sanctus Vigors & Horsfield, Trans. Linn. Soc. London, xv, p. 206 (1827 — Australia). (It seems to me that there is only one form all over Australia, the names ramsayi Mathews, westralasianus Campbell and confusus Math, being synonyms.) 2 $ Manokwari, cJ9 Siwi, 2 § Hollandia. Sexual organs small. Two specimens from Siwi and Manokwari, April 1928, are extremely bluish. Such blue birds have been named westralasianus and ramsayi, but I cannot see that they are geographical forms, nor anything else than invididual variations, and most of them are in abraded condition ; the type of ramsayi from N.W. Australia, August, however, is in beautifully fresh plumage. Similarly blue specimens we have, for example, from Bathurst in N.S. Wales, Sudest Island, March, and Talasea, New Britain, May 5th. (Mathews applies the name Alcyone ruficollaris Bankier to Halcyon sancta, but this is quite impossible, as a glance at the description shows. Obviously Bankier's bird was an Alcyone, the legs being described as reddish-yellow, while Halcyon sancta has brown feet ; in fact ruficollaris is a synonym of Alcyone azurea pulchra, and the first words " plumage glossy green " are a misprint for glossy blue, all the rest of the diagnosis referring to A. a. pulchra.) 235. Tanysiptera hydrocharis galatea Gray. Tanysiplem galatea. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1859, p. 154 (Dorey). 2 <J, 3 $ Momi. " Iris deep brown. Bill red, Feet dirty yellowish green," Weight 60-67 g. tj Wasior, 19.vii.1928, Weight 64 g. 100 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 236. Tanysiptera hydrocharis nieyeri Salvad. Tanysiptera meyeri Salvadori, Omit. Pap. e Mol., Agg. p. 54 (1889 — Kafu). $ ad. Ifaar, 2.x. 1928. Weight 63 g. Ovary much enlarged. cj juv. Hollandia, 12.viii. 1928. 237. Tanysiptera sylvia mira subsp. nov. Differs from T. s. salvadoriana in having the blue outer webs to the elongated middle rectrices and outer upper tail-coverts of a deeper, somewhat purplish blue, instead of a dull, paler, almost greenish blue. Also the underside is slightly richer rufous cinnamon. Weight o 55, $ 54 g. Wings $ about 100 mm., but all three moulting. Type : $ Ifaar, 30. ix. 1928. No. 2715 Mayr coll. 2 $ Hollandia, 1 q Ifaar. T. s. salvadoriana has hitherto only been known from S.E. New Guinea, and very few specimens are in collections. It is therefore quite surprising to find the form on the north coast near Humboldt Bay ! It is of course not surprising that the specimens differ slightly from salva- doriana. Unfortunately all three are moulting and no more were collected. 238. Cacomantis castaneiventris arfakianus Salvad. Cacomantis arfakianus Salvadori, Orn. Pap. e Mol., Aggiunte, i, p. 49 (1889 — Arfak Mts. and Western Papuan Islands). 7 ^ Siwi, 1 ^ Kofo, Anggi gidji, $ mountains near Ditschi, $ Wondiwoi, cj pull, from nest of Sericornis arfakiana, 1 $ juv. Siwi. The old birds do not differ in colour from our series of C. c. weiskei Rchw. = C. c. bihagi Math.1), but their wings are 109-115, mostly 110-112, the Wondiwoi $ only 103-5 mm., while in the S.E. subspecies (iveiskei) the wings range from 111 to 118 and even 119 mm. In the young birds from Arfak the underside is greyish brown, middle of abdomen white or whitish, while in the south-eastern form it is uniformly cinnamon-brown all over the underside. The iris of the adults is reddish grey or brown, the eyelid has a yellow edge. All these birds hardly differ from C. castaneiventris castaneiventris, except that the four specimens I have seen of the latter are underneath paler — but some Arfak ones are just as pale ! 239. Cacomantis variolosus infaustus Cab. & Heine. Curuhis assimilis Gray 1858, nee Brehm, 1831. Caromantis infaustus Cabanis & Heine, Mils. Hein. iv, p. 23 (1862 — Misol !). Cacomantis variolosus infaustus Hartert, Nov. Zool. xxxii, p. 167 (1925). Two quite young birds (pulli) taken from nest of Malurus alb. alboscajmlatus 30. iv. and 16. v. 1928. 4 <J ad., J? juv. Siwi, May 1928. Weight 26-5-38 g. " Iris of adults dark brown or brownish, edge of eyelid yellowish grey, 1 Cf. Nov. Zool. xxxii, 1925, pp. 170, 171. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 101 yellow, grey. Iris of young whitish grey or pale light brown." Wings of adult males 115-124 mm. One of the adults is underneath almost pure grey, vent and under tail- coverts rufous, the other three (perhaps not quite so old) have the whole under- side from the jugulum downwards suffused with rufous. 240. Cacomantis pyrrhophanus excitus R. & H. Cacomantis excitus Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. xiv, p. 436 (1907 — "In montibus Novae Guineae meridionalis orientalis "). Cacomantis cineraceus excitus Hartert, Nov. Zool. xxxii, 1925, p. 173. Cacomantis pyrrhophanus excitus Hartert, Nov. Zool. xxxiii, 1926, p. 56 ! 1 $ ad. above Ditschi, Arfak Peninsula Mountains, 30. v. 1928. " Iris dark brown, bill black, feet brownish yellow." Weight 42 g. Wings 140 mm. Hitherto only known from the mountains of S.E. New Guinea, and rare in collections ! 241. Chalcites ruficollis (Salvad.). Lamprococcyx ruficollis Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 913 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). 1 § Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula, 1,300 m., 13. vii. 1928. Weight 23-5 g. Ovary very large ! 242. Chalcites meyerii (Salvad.). Chrysococcyx splendidus Meyer, nee Gray ! Chrysococcyx meyerii Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vi, p. 82 (1874 — Hatam, Arfak Mts.). 4 (J, 3 $ Siwi and Lehuma, Arfak, 1 Cyclops Mountains with enlarged testes. Weight 17-21-5 g. As is well known, the female has the forehead to beyond the e37es chestnut- rufous, the male dark metallic green. 243. Caliechthrus leucolophus (Miill.). Cuculus leucolophus S. Midler, Verh. Nat. Gesch. Ned. Indie, Land- en Volkenkunde, p. 22 (1840 — Lobo Bay). 1 adult, 1 juv. (in moult, plumage partially still softer and fluffier and brownish black, instead of glossy blue-black) Hollandia and Cyclops Mountains. 244. Cuculus pallidus (Lath.). Columha pallida Latham, Index Orn., Suppl. p. lx (1801 — New South Wales, descr. from one of Watling's drawings). 1 (J juv. Momi, 25. vi. 1928. 245. Microdynamis parva (Salvad.). Eudynamis parva Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 486 (1875 — Said to be from Tidore, but apparently come from Arfak !). 1 J ad. Ifaar, 1 .x. 1928. " Iris red. Bill and feet black." This specimen is darker on the underside, and a little darker above, than our specimens from S.E. New Guinea, which, however, vary. As a quite young bird from Mount Moari (Arfak Peninsula) and one from the island of Ron in ll)2 Novitates Zoolouicae XXXVI. 1930. the Geelvink Bay are also more or less darker. I think it is quite possible that the south-eastern may be separable, but from the scanty material so far available this cannot be done. 246. Centropus menbeki menbeki Less. & Garnot. Centropus menbeki Lesson et Garnot, Yoy. Coguille, Zool. Atlas, pi. xxxiii, p. 600 (1828— N.W. New Guinea, meaning Arfak). 2 ^ ad. Ifaar. Weight 430, 460 g. <J9 Wasior, <$ juv. Momi. " Iris in adults red, young yellowish brown." 247. Centropus nigricans (Salvad.). PolopMlHs nigricans Salvadori, Ann. Mils. Civ. Genova. ix, p. 17 (1S76— Naiabui and Yule Island). 3 <J, 1 $ Ifaar, September and October 1st, 1928. " Iris red, bill black, feet dark grey. Testes large, ovary very large." Weight $ 180, 210, 225, 9 300 g. Wings $ 197-200, $ 220 mm. It is known that in these Papuan Centropus the females are generally larger than the males. (Mathews treats nigricans as a subspecies of spilopterus, but this cannot be accepted. In fact it is much nearer to Centropus phasianinus, having the light brown markings on wings and tail throughout life, and it may be looked upon as a subspecies of the latter, though it appears in Mathews' list in a different genus.) 248. Centropus bemsteini Schleg. Cenlropus bemsteini Schlegel, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierh. iii, p. 257 (1866— Either Salwatti or opposite coast region of Papua, but in vol. iv, p. 11, it is said that the type came from Salwatti ; it has, however, never again been found on that island, but in many localities in northern and southern Papua, as far east as Simbang and Sattelberg. It was therefore indefensible for Mathews to restrict its habitat to Salwatti). 5 <J ad., 2 ? ad., Ifaar, 1 $ juv. Momi. " Iris dark brown ! Bill and feet black or blackish." Weight <J 130-150, ? 160 and 200 g. Wings (J 168-179, $ 179-182 mm. (Mathews' experiment to consider both C. nigricans and C. bemsteini to be subspecies of spilopterus is a bad error, as both occur in the same areas and have fundamental differences.) 249. Lorius lory lory (L.). PsiUactu lory Linnaeus, Sysl. Nat. Ed. x. i, p. 100 (1758—" Habitat in India orientali," ex Edwards pi. 170. Substituted terra typica Berau Peninsula). 9 Ditschi, 8 c?9 Siwi. " Iris yellow." Weight 165-200 g. 250. Lorius lory rubiensis Mey. Lorius erythrolhorax rubiensis A. B. Meyer, Abh. Mus. Dresden, No. 3, 1892-93, p. 10 (1893— Rubi, S. Geelvink Bay). cJ Wasior, coast Wandammen Peninsula, 19.vii.1928. " Iris yellow." Weight 200 g. Differs at a glance from L. lory lory by the blue-black colour on the under- side being much more restricted, not covering the breast, is, however, very Novitates Zoolocicae XXXVI. 1930. 103 closely allied to erythrothorax, but is much smaller — shorter wing. To rubiensis belong also our specimens from the Southern Snow Mountains, and the bird already mentioned by Lord Rothschild from the Wanggar River, 20 miles from the coast, south of Geelvink Bay, thus almost terra typica ; the Snow Mountains specimens were erroneously called erythrothorax in Nov. Zool. 1913, p. 484. 251. Lorius lory viridicrissalis Beaufort. Lorius cyanauchen viridicrissatis Beaufort, Nova Guinea, vol. v, p. 403 (1905' — Lake Sentani, Humboldt Bay and Tarai. Terra typica Sentani lake !). cJ$ Hollandia, 3 <$, 3 $ Ifaar, <J juv., $ ad. Cyclops Mountains. Iris pink or red. Weight 160-200, once 152 g. These birds are of the form which Rothschild and I described from Takar, further west on the north coast. The under wing-coverts are black with hardly any blue in the males, while females show usually more and well pronounced blue on the under wing-coverts. Also the under tail-coverts are deeper and more purplish blue in adult males, in the females, however, lighter, almost approaching sky-blue, or verditer blue, but not green ! Therefore the name is unfortunate, being based on exaggeration, and actually quite unfit for adult males. Young birds have a yellow bar across the under wing-coverts. Wings <2 162, 162, 163, 163, $ 159, 160, 163 mm. 252. Chalcopsitta duivenbodei duivenbodei Dab. Chalcopsittacns duivenbodei Dubois, Bull. Mus. Roy. d'Hist. Xat. Belg. iii, p. 113, pi. v (1884 — New Guinea. I substitute as terra typica Tana Mera, because the specimens of North Coast species received by van Renesse van Duivenbode mostly came from Tana Mera). One unsexed Hollandia, 1 $ Ifaar. Weight 200 g. " Iris red, bill and feet black." 253. Eos fuscata incondita Mey. Eos incondita A. B. Meyer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. iii, p. 6, pi. i (1886 — S.E. New Guinea and Jobi). Five red and 1 yellow <J5 Ifaar, 1 <J, 2 $ C3'clops Mountains. Weight 160, once 150 g. While the colour differences pointed out by Meyer do not hold good, it is true that all specimens are larger than those from the Berau (Arfak) Peninsula and Salwatti. 254. Trichoglossus hamiatcdus haematodus (L.). Psittacu-s haematod. (abbreviation for haematodus, in order to save a line ; the same was done with leucoryn. for leacorhynchus, mascarin. for mascarinus, dichotom. for dichotomy* and others) Linnaeus, Mantissa Plantarum, p. 524 (1771 — Ex Brisson and Edwards, "Habitat in Amboina"!). 1 (J, 2 <j> Manokwari, 3 <$, 3 $ mountains near Siwi, 2 (J, 1 $ Wasior, on coast of western Wandammen Peninsula. It is interesting to find the Wasior form to be the same as the Arfak one. The fauna of Wandammen is curious, the birds of the plains being Arfak forms, mountain birds mostly more eastern ones (as along the north coast), with a few locally specialized peculiar forms. Weight 100, 110, 115 (several), 120, 125, 135, 140 g., the latter three Wasior. Wings 138-142 mm. 1 The reprints are not dated ! Kl-t Novitates Zoologicae XXXVI. 1930. 255. Trichoglossus haematodus intennedius K. & H. Trichoglossus haematodus intermedins Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. ZiOol. viii. p. 70 (1901 — Astrolabe Bay, type Stephansort). cJ Ifaar, 1 Hollandia. Weight 155, 160 g. This form is larger than haematodus from Arfak and Wasior. Wings 150, 156 mm. The less bluish stripes on cheeks and ear-coverts are not always well pronounced, though generally recognizable. 256. Oreopsittacus arfaki arfaki (Mey.). Tnchoglosstis (Charmosyna) Arfaki A. B. Meyer. Verh. zool. lot. Ges. Wien, 1874, p. 37 (Arfak Mts.). $ Lehuma, Arfak Peninsula, 7.vi.l928. "Iris greyish green. Bill black. Feet dark greyish green." Weight 17 g. Wing 76-5 mm. 257. Charmosyna papou papou (Scop.). Psittacus Papou Scopoli, Del. Florae et Faunae Insulr. p. 86 (1786 — Ex Sonnerat, Voy. Nouv. Ghiinee, p. 175, pi. iii. New Guinea. As terra typica I fix Arfak). Charmosyna papuensis (Ginelin) 1788, et auctorum. (I have with great reluctance adopted the name papou, instead of the usual papuensis, but if we accept priority we must do it to the bitter end, and the sooner alterations are introduced, the better.) 2 § mountains near Siwi, 1 $, 2 $ Lehuma, 6 J mountains near Ditschi. " Iris yellowish red or reddish yellow, bill red, feet orange." The sexes are almost alike in colour. Weight 74-91 g. 258. Charmosyna josephinae josephinae (Finsch). Trichoglossus josephinae Finseh, Aiti Soc. Hal. Sc. A'at. xv, p. 427, pi. 7 $ (1873 — The type is a female without locality in the Turati collection, Milan, but A. B. Meyer collected specimens near Passim, east coast of Berau Peninsula, and on the Arfak Mts. As terra typica the Arfak Mts. should be regarded). 9 <?$ ad., 2 juv. mountains at Siwi, $ mountains near Ditschi, $ Ninei, $ Lehuma. " Iris yellow." Weight 58-74 g. 259. Charmosyna josephinae cyclopum subsp. nov. Both sexes differ from Ch. josephinae josephinae in the absence of the large dull black patch on the abdomen and of the greyish blue patch on the head, in front of the black nape ; the feathers of the abdomen are blackish at the base, but red on at least the distal half, so that one can say that the black patch is indicated, but it is not developed. Instead of the bluish sincipital patch there are only a few partially greyish blue feathers. Wings <J 120-121, once 124, once 125, $ 120 mm. Type : $ ad. Cyclops Mountains, 5.ix. 1928. No. 2163 Ernst Mayr coll. 5 (J, 2 $ Cyclops Mountains. " Iris reddish, yellowish, yellow-red. Bill orange-red. Feet orange. Weight 68-75 g." I am not acquainted from sight with Neumann's Ch. josephinae sepikiana Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930 105 {Verh. Orn. Ges. Bayern, xv, 2, p. 235, 1922), but Stresemann tells me that it has an extended blackish patch on the abdomen. Neumann says it differs from Ch. jos. josephinae in having the feathers on the crown dirty grey instead of lilac ; they must therefore be still duller than in cyclopum, though they are not really " lilac " in the Arfak josephinae. Ch. josephinae sepikiana must there- fore look more like Ch. j. josephinae than like Ch. j. cyclopum. [Charmosynopsis pulchella pulchella (Gray). Mr. Shaw Mayer sent an adult female from about 2,000 in. altitude on the Arfak Mountains, shot August 1928. Papuan name " pomiki." Wing 95 mm. The distribution of this form is very interesting. We find it in Arfak, in the southern Snow Mountains, Mount Goliath, in S.E. New Guinea, and in the Huon or Kai Peninsula in N.E. New Guinea, while in the Cyclops Mountains another form is found. It seems thus, that the plains of the Rouffaer, van Daalen and Idenburg Rivers, which form the Ambernoh or Mamberano River, are a great dividing zone. Ch. pulchella has not been recorded from the Sepik River, nor so far from the Astrolabe Bay country.] 260. Charmosynopsis pulchella rothschildi subsp. nov. 7 (J, 4 $, 1 $ juv. Cyclops Mountains, September 1928. "Iris brown, reddish brown, yellowish. Bill orange. Feet orange." Weight 36-40 g. The males are brighter in colour, especially the yellow short streaks on the breast, and in the females there is a greenish yellow patch at the side of the rump, which in the male is red. The young has the breast green with dull yellow tips, but without any yellow streaks. This excellent new subspecies differs from C. pulchella pulchella from Arfak and S.E. New Guinea and N.E. New Guinea, which seem to be all the same, in having a wide green band across the upper breast in which are the yellow streaklets. In the females it reaches right across, in the adult males it is more or less restricted to a green patch, the sides of the latter being red with green or greenish bases to the feathers. In the young this green band is very wide. The black nuchal patch begins at the posterior edge of the eye, while in C. p. pulchella it does not touch the eye. On the rump is in the centre only an indica- tion or no blue-grey patch, which in C. p. pulchella it is very distinct. Wings cJ 97-101, $ 95-97 mm., thus a little larger than C. p. pulchella. This form is named in honour of Lord Rothschild, who first called my attention to the presence of the green band. Type : ? Cyclops Mountains, 12. ix. 1928. No. 2300 Ernst Mayr coll. 261. Neopsittacus musschenbroekii musschenbroekii (Schleg.). Nanodes Munschenbroekii Schlegel (ex Rosenberg), Ned. Tijdschr. Dierlc. iv, p. 34 (1873 — Arfak Peninsula). cJ mountains near Ditschi, 2 <$, 1 $ Kofo (Anggi gidji), 1 1 . vi. 1928, $ Lehuma. " Iris red, in one adult male yellowish brown, in a juvenile bird yellow. Bill yellow, feet grey." Weight 39-5-51 g." Mr. Shaw Mayer sent a $ from 2,000 m., Arfak Mountains, iris yellow, Papuan name " borida." 100 Xoyitates Zoological XXXVT. 1930. N. m. major Neum. from S.E. New Guinea is indeed larger. [N. pullicauda Hart. 1896 (" N. muschenbrorli alpinus" Grant 1914) is not known to occur in the Arfak Peninsula.) 262. Opopsitta desmai'estii desmarestii (Desm.). r.iillucns Desmarestii Dearaarest, Diet. Sri. Xat. (eel. Levrault), xxxix, p. 89 (1826 — Dorcy Harbour, Arfak Peninsula). (It was Desmarest who first fully described this bird under his own name, saying that Lesson and Garnot dedicated it to him, but Garnot's first description did not appear till 1828.) (It seems to me that not a single one of the characters given by Dr. van Oort for his O. desmarestii intermedins from Fak Fak is constant. We have specimens from Arfak which absolutely agree with others from Kapaur, which is practically the same as Skru and Fak-fak ; I therefore think that intermedins cannot be accepted as anything but a synonym.) <J?Siwi, ll.v.1928. Weight 96, 97 g. Iris brown. 263. Probosciger aterrimus goliath (Kuhl). Psittacus Goliath Kuhl, Consp. Psittacorum. p. 92 (1820 — " In India orientali," terra typioa restricta Onin, Stresemann 1923. This must oi course be accepted, though it would have been better to say Berau Peninsula, from where Kuhl's type more likely had come '). 2 <J Momi. 264. Probosciger aterrimus stenolophus (van Oort). Microglossns aterrimus stenolophus van Oort, Notes Leyden Mils, xxxiii, p. 240 (1911 — Humboldt Bay). cJ ad. Hollandia. This subspecies differs from P. a. goliath in the narrower and more blackish crest feathers. P. aterrimus aterrimus (Gm.) inhabits the Cape York Peninsula. P. aterrimus alecto (Temm.), Waigiu, Gemien, Salwatty and Misol. P. aterrimus goliath (Kuhl), Berau and Onin Peninsulas, Snow Mountains and S.E. New Guinea. P. aterrimus intermedins (Schleg.), the Aru Islands. P. aterrimus stenolophus (van Oort), Ambernoh River to N.E. New Guinea. 265. Kakatoe galerita triton (Temm.). Psittacus triton Temminck, Coup d'ceil gen. possessions ncerland. dans Vlnde archipel. iii, p. 405 (1849— Aiduma Island, Triton Bay). $ near Manokwari, $ Momi. 266. Micropsitta pusio beccarii (Salvad.). Nasiterna beccarii Salvadori, Aim. Mas. ' 'iv. Oenova, viii, p. 396 (1876 — Wairoro or Wairor on the east coast of the Berau Peninsula). 31 Momi, (J$ Wasior, 2 <J, 1 $ Ifaar, 9 <^$ Hoi and Hollandia. " Iris brown or grey-brown." These birds seem to me to be all indistinguishable, and I do not believe now that salvadorii (Rothschild & Hartert), Nov. Zool. 1901, Ambernoh River, is NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 107 different from beccarii ! We had not seen proper beccarii when we described Salvador ii. The yellow band above the eyes is an individual character, not always distinct. 267. Micropsitta bruijnii bruijnii (Salvad.). Nasiterna bruijnii Salvadori, Ann. Mas. Civ. Genova, vii, pp. 715, 753, 907 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). cj? Wondiwoi, July 1928. Weight cJ 14-5, $ 1 2-5 g. 268. Loriculus aurantiifrons batavorum Stres. Loriculus aurantiifrons batavorum Stresemann, Journ. f. Orn. 1913, p. 602 (Snow Mts., etc.). 1 $Hollandia, lO.viii. 1928. Weight 14 g. Wing 68 mm. Loriculus aurantiifrons aurantiifrons was described and is only known from Misol. 269. Psittacella modesta modesta Schleg. Psilacella ' modesta Schlegel, Sederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. iv, p. 36 (1873 — Arfak Peninsula). 1 <$ Lehuma, Arfak Peninsula, 4.vi.l928. "Iris light red. Bill whitish grey. Feet grey." Weight 39 g. Psittacella modesta collaris Ogilvie-Grant 1914, from the Snow Mountains (Utakwa River) and Mount Goliath is distinguishable, but the yellow collar on the nape is more or less irregular and not always well defined in the males as well as the females. The sides of the head and the throat in collaris are more rufous brownish than in P. m. modesta, which is a very rare bird in collections. 270. Psittacella brehmii brehmii Schleg. Psittacella Brehmii Schlegel, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk. iv, p. 35 (1873 — Arfak Peninsula). cJ? mountains near Ditschi, <J Kofo (Anggi gidji), 4 $ ad., 1 <J ad., 2 juv., 1 marked $, 1 $ Lehuma. " Iris yellow-brown, in one <$ ' pink.' ' Weight 102 to 116 g. The young have the breast green with narrow dull yellow cross-bars, but without black cross-markings. In the <J the yellow patch on the sides of the neck is beginning, a few yellow feathers making their appearance. Shaw Meyer sent specimens from Anggi Gita, 2,000 m. [The following forms of Psittacella brehmii are known : Psittacella, brehmii brehmii Schleg. Arfak Peninsula. Psittacella brehmii biirgersi Rchw. Mandated Territory N.E. New Guinea. Psittacella brehmii pallida Mey. S.E. New Guinea. Psittacella brehmii intermixta subsp. nov. This form was called by us P. brehmii brehmii, but the differences were stated. Ogilvie-Grant called them pallida. Now that we have a sufficient series from the Arfak Peninsula one can unhesitatingly say that the series from the Snow Mountains and Mount Goliath are neither. The males are underneath more yellowish green, upper throat and sides of head are paler, the light bars on the upperside are more yellowish, less grass-green. The female has the 1 Quoted " Psittactu " by Rothschild & Hartert, and later on by Mathews ! Under the descrip- tion no locality is given, but on p. 35 it is clearly stated that the two new forms of Psittacella were obtained in the Arfak (Berau) Peninsula. 108 NOV1TATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. abdomen more yellowish green, sides of head and upper throat paler, bars on back much yellower. They differ strikingly from P. b. pallida by the much darker and browner head and throat and larger size. P. b. biirgersi has the back much more green, less yellowish, a different brown on the head, and is smaller ! The bill much smaller ! Type of P. b. intermixta $ ad. Mount Goliath, 30. i. 191 1. No. 5249 A. S. Meek coll. In Tring Museum. Psittaeella lorentzi Oort from the Wichmann and Orange Mountains seems to be related to P. picta, and may be a subspecies of the latter ; perhaps the type was not adult ?] 271. Geoff roy us geoffroyi jobiensis Salvad. Geoffroyus jobiensis Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, x, p. 30 (1877 — Jobi Island). ? Geoffroyus personatus minor Neumann, Verb. Orn. Gee. Bayern, xv, 2, p. 235 (1922 — " Deutsch Neuguinea, westlich des Sattelberges und das noidliche Hollandisch — Xeuguinea bis zum Mamberano." Type Jagei, tributary of Eamu River). 3 (J, 2 $ Hoi and Hollandia, July, August and October. October speci- mens in very worn plumage, female with greatly enlarged ovary. Weight 150 and 180 g. Wings <J 162, 169, 165, ? 165, 166 mm. Our series do not bear out Neumann's contention that specimens from North New Guinea are constantly smaller. Wings of Jobi specimens (J 166, 168, 174, of specimens from the Mandated Territory 156-170 mm. 272. Geoffroyus geoffroyi1 pucherani Souance. Geoffroyus Pucherani Souance, Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1856, p. 218 (Ex Hombron et Jacquinot et Pucheran, from specimens collected at Triton Bay !). <J$ Momi, east coast of Berau (Arfak) Peninsula, end of June. 273. Geoffroyus simplex simplex (Mey.). Pionias simplex A. B. Meyer, Verh. k. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, lxx, p. 29 (1874— Arfak Mts. 3,500 feet). $ ad. mountains near Ditschi, 5.vi.l928. Weight 165 g. Wing 159 mm. Unfortunately no males were sent. It seems that Neumann's G. simplex biirgersi (1922) is separable, but I should like to examine a series of males from Arfak to confirm the distinctness. 274. Eclectus roratus pectoralis (Miill.). {Larius (sic) Boddaert, Tabl. PI. Enl. 1783). Psiltacus pectoralis P. L. S. Miiller, Natursyst. Suppl. p. 78 (1776 — " China," errore, New Guinea terra typica subst. Ex Buffon — rectius Montbeillard — Hist. Nat. Ois. vii, p. 93, and Dauben- ton's PI. Enl. 514, £). 1 cJ, 3 $ Siwi, Arfak Peninsula, 3 <J Ifaar, near Sentani Lakes, 3 <$, 2 $ Hoi. The iris (in the various subspecies) seems to vary ! As a rule it is no doubt whitish yellow or yellowish white in the females, and brown or dark red in the 1 In " Austral Avian Record" ii, pp. 105, 106, Mathews somewhat violently accuses a brother ornithologist of having accepted personatus Shaw as the name of the Timor form, saying that it was published in 1812, while Psiltacus geoffroyi Bechstein appeared in 1811. In the Systema Avium Australasianarum (sic), p. 324, however, he says that P. personatus Shaw was also published in 1811 ! Is it therefore necessary to accept geoffroyi instead of personatus ? NOVTTATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 109 males. We have, however, in the collection specimens of females, in which the iris is also, sometimes, though rarely, marked as brown by reliable collectors. A $ shot Siwi 17.v. has the whole underside in full moult, breast partially naked. A $ from Ifaar shows partial " albinism," some of the upper wing- coverts and one of the inner secondaries being yellow, while some of the rectrices are varied with yellow and red. 275. Psittrichas fulgidus (Less.). {DasyptVus pesqueti auct. !) Psittacus pesqueti Lesson, Illiistr. pi. i (1831 — No locality). 1 cJ mountains near Siwi, 1 (J, 2 $ Wondiwoi. The males have a small red patch behind the eye, besides being larger than the females. Weights <J 800 and 840, $ 650 and 800 g. It is one of the horrors of modern strict priority nomenclature that our old friend Dasyptilus pesqueti must be called Psittrichas fulgidus ! 276. Alisterus amboinensis dorsalis (Quoy et Gaim.). Psittacus (Platycerciis) dorsalis Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. Astrolabe, Zool. i, p. 234, Oiseaux, pi. xxi. fig. 3 (1830— Dorey, Arfak Peninsula). 4 (J, 5 $ Siwi, Arfak Mountains, 1 <$ Ninei, 1 $ Momi, 1 $ above Wasior, east coast of Arfak Peninsula, 25.viii., primaries moulting. There is no appreciable difference of the sexes ! The iris of adults is red, of younger birds apparently yellowish red. 277. Alisterus amboinensis moszkowskii (Rchw.). Aprosmictus mozlcowskii l Reichenow, Orn. Monalsber. 1911, p. 82 (Taua). 16 (J$ Hoi and Hollandia, 1 $ Cyclops Mountains. The interscapular region is blue in the males, dark green in the females and younger birds, both sexes have the light green streak on the inner upper wing-coverts. Iris red in both sexes. The females also have green, not blue, feathers in the sides of the chest. I agree with Neumann's views in Verh. vi. Intern. Orn. Kongress. pp. 436-453, viz. that it is advisable to treat all forms of Alisterus from Peling (east of Celebes) and Sula Island to Australia (cf. Neumann, p. 438) as subspecies of one species. Within this assemblage a number of groups can of course be formed, as in most cases where a species is composed of numerous subspecies. Neumann's clear explanations are of the greatest use for the understanding of this genus. 278. Ninox theomacha (Bp.). cj juv. Siwi, Arfak, 15. v. 1928. " Iris golden yellow." The upperside is darker, more slaty than in adults, the still downy (mesoptile) underside earthy brown. 1 Not " mosskowensis " as Mathews spells it ! It is not unimportant to mention such slips, as they are copied by people not having access to literature. 110 XoVITATES ZOOLOGIC'AE XXXVI. 1930. 279. Ninox diniorpha (Salvad.). ? Siwi, Arfak, 4. v. 1928. " Iris yellow with black," bill " dark grey," feet "yellow." This long-tailed species looks " hawk-like " and should probably be placed in another genus. Perhaps a generic name is already available for it. 280. Haliastur indus girrenera (VieilL). Haliaelus Girrenera Vieillot & Oudart, Gal. Oik i, pi. 10 and p. 31 (partim) (1825 — India and Australia. Restricted typical locality Australia ! Cf. Nov. Zool. xxi, 1914, p. 210 ! !). $ ad. Siwi, $ ad. Ifaar, $ ad. $ juv. Hollandia. The old birds have of course no trace of black shafts on the white underside ! 281. Henicopernis longicauda (Garnot). Falco longicavtbis Garnot, Voy. Cogv.SU, Zool. pi. 10 (1828), p. 588 (1829 — Woods of New Guinea, type from Dorey). $ ad. Siwi, Arfak, 15. v. 1928. " Iris golden yellow. Bill black, base and cere pale flesh-colour. Feet whitish green." Weight 730 g. Outer primaries moulting. 282. Accipiter novaehollandiae leucosomus (Sharpe). Astur novae-hollandiae Subsp. a. leucosomus Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i, p. 1 19 (1874 — New Guinea). Common garb (etorques), above brownish slate-colour, clearer slate in the male, underside rufous-cinnamon : q jun. Siwi, <J<j> ad. Ifaar. White garb (leucosomus): $ Hollandia, 4.viii. 1928. Iris yellow in both colorations. $ Weight 320, 375 g. 19. ix. female with greatly enlarged eggs. 283. Accipiter poliocephalus Gray. Accipiter jjolioceplialus Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1858, p. 170 (Aru Islands). Urospizias spilothorax Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 900 (1876 — Arfak Mts., New Guinea) . 2 (J Siwi, 1 cS Ifaar. " Iris dark brown. Cere orange." Dragon-flies in stomach. Spilothorax was described, because of its striped breast and browner upper- side, but Salvadori soon corrected his mistake. It has been erroneously cited as a subspecies by Mathews. Ace. haplochrous of New Caledonia has been quoted as a subspecies of poliocephalus by Stresemann, but I do not agree, for, apart from the colour- differences, the lores are covered with black feathers, while they are almost naked in poliocephalus, and the bill of haplochrous is more elongated. Moreover, the young are very different, being patched and cross-barried in haplochrous, white with narrow shaft-stripes in poliocephalus. 284. Ieracidea berigora novaeguineae Mey. Hieracidea novaeguineae A. B. Meyer, Journ.f. Orn. 1894, p. 89 (" Nova Guinea orientali." Speci- mens from Astrolabebay, Finschhafen, Stephansort, Constantinhafen were examined). 9 Hollandia, 9.x. 1928. Ovary small. Weight 500 g. " Iris brown. Bill bluish white. Feet dirty pale grey." Wing 345, but moulting. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. Ill The distinctive characters of the subspecies novaeguineae are still somewhat doubtful, as the colour is so variable, but it seems that the Papuan race is smaller ! While the Hollandia specimen and those from the Sattelberg, Vulcan and Dampier Islands belong to the dark form, those from the Angabunga and Aroa Rivers belong to the light rufous form ; a female (Nyman coll.) from Simbang (near Sattelberg, on the coast) in worn plumage, 8.viii.l899, is some- what intermediate, but clearly also of the rufous form. We have thus dark blackish and rufous ones from the same area. In Australia the rufous and light birds are common in Western Australia and seem to be predominating and almost exclusive in the interior of Australia, very rare in Eastern and Southern Australia. They are therefore generally looked upon as subspecies, though their status as geographical representatives requires further investigation. 285. Egretta intermedia plumifera (Gould). Herodias plumiferus Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1847 (" New South Wales "). cJ? ad. Ifaar, 21. ix. 1928. Weight 460, 480 g. This Heron, though known from Australia, the Torres Straits, Aru Islands, Salwatti, Mafor, and some of the Moluccan Islands, has only once been recorded from New Guinea : Bangs and Peters, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 67, p. 424, two unsexed from the Merauke swamps. 286. Egretta garzetta nigripes (Temm.). Ardea nigripes Temminck, Man, d'Orn., second ed., iv, p. 376 (1840 — Sunda Islands). cJ ad. Ifaar, 29. ix. 1928. Weight 425 g. 287. Nycticorax caledonicus hilli Math. Nycticorax caledonicus hilli Mathews, Nov, Zool. xviii, p. 233 (1912 — N.W. Australia. This is virtually a nomen nudum, being compared with another Australian bird. Full description B. Auslr. iii, p. 459). $ Momi, cJ Ifaar, $ juv. Ifaar. N. c. hilli is much paler on the upperside and has pure white ornamental head-plumes. 288. Dupetor flavicollis gouldi (Bp.). Ardetta gouldi Bonaparte, Consp. Gen. Av. ii, p. 132 (1855 — Australia). 2 (J, 2 $ Ifaar. Large testes in September. Iris yellow. Weight 350, 355, 355, 360 g. 289. Phalaerocorax sulcirostris (Brandt). tJ$ Ifaar, 18.ix.1928. Weight c? 960, $ 700 g. " Iris bottle-green, bill and feet blackish." The female has a smaller bill and smaller dimensions generally. 112 XuMTATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 290. Phalacrocorax melanoleucus melanoleucus (Vieill.). Hydrocorax melanoleucus Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. d'Hisl. Nat., nouv. ed., viii. p. 88 (1817 — ). cjad. Ifaar, 21. ix. 1928. Weight 700 g. (Phal. melanoleucus brevirostris Gould from New Zealand is a subspecies with black breast and abdomen in adults.) 291. Anas superciliosa pelewensis Hartl. & Finsch. [Anas superciliosa Gmelin, Sysl. Nat. i, 2, p. 537 (1789— New Zealand !}.] Anas superciliosa var. peleicensis Hartlaub & Finsch, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1872, p. 108 (Pelew Islands). 2 $ ad. Ifaar, September 1928. Of. Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. 1905, p. 248, and Nov. Zool. 1914, p. 283. The wings measure 227 and 230 mm. These birds agree with Pacific Islands specimens, having a buff throat, dark upperside with brown edges to the feathers, and short wings. I can therefore only call them A. s. pelewensis. 292. (?) Anas superciliosa rogersi Math. Anas superciliosa rogersi Mathews, Austral Avian Record, i, 2, p. 33 (1912 — Augusta, S.W. Australia). <J ad. Kofo (Anggi gidji, Arfak Peninsula), 11. vi. 1928. " Testes large." This bird has wings of 260 mm. It is therefore too large for pelewensis and agrees with Australian specimens. Australian birds are not larger than New Zealand ones, as Mathews suggested, but one can say that their throats are buff, less white, in fresh specimens, and that, as a rule, the edges to the underside are less whitish, and often the upper surface, too, a little darker. I cannot follow Mathews, who makes rogersi inhabit " Western and Northern Australia and New Guinea," and lets A. s. superciliosa inhabit " New Zealand and East Australia, Tonga and Fiji Islands." If A. s. rogersi is separable it inhabits the whole of Australia, A. s. superciliosa New Zealand. Anas superciliosa pelewensis is of course not found on the Pelew Islands only ! The Kofo specimen might be an exceptionally large example, but not only are the wings longer, but the bill also — in fact the whole bird. Weight 950, the two Ifaar birds each 700 g. [According to native information this Duck breeds on the Anggi Lakes. — Mayr.] Anas superciliosa oustaleti Salvad. from Guam and Saipan is a very well marked subspecies of A. superciliosa. 293. Tadorna radjah radjah (Garnot). Anas Radjah Garnot, Voy. Coqmlle, Zool. livr. 8, pi. 49, p. 602 (1828— Buru !). <J jun. Momi, 29. vi. 1928. Weight 800 g. 294. Podiceps ruficollis tricolor Gray. Podicep* (Sylbeocyclus) tricolor, .1. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1860, p 366 (1861— Ternate). (J ad. Ifaar, 28. ix. 1928. Weight 165 g. NOVITATES ZOOLOGIC'AE XXXVI. 1930. 113 295. Podiceps ruflcollis novaehollandiae Stephens. Podiceps novaehollandiae Stephens, in Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii, p. 18 (1826 — Australia, ex Latham). $ Ifaar, 21. ix. 1928. Weight 165 g. This form is evidently a migrant from Australia. 296. Ptilinopus superbus superbus (Temm.). Columba superba Temrainck in Temminck & Snip's Pigeons, p. 75, pi. 33 (1810 — " Otaheiti," errore, substituted terra t3'pica : Hatmaheira). 5 cj, 1 $ juv. Siwi, 2 <J above Wasior, 1 $ Ditsehi, 1 $ Cyclops Mountains, 25.vii.1928. Testes large, 31 .viii. 1928. Ovary enlarged. " Iris yellow." Weight <J 114-150 g. 297. Ptilinopus coronulatus quadrigeminus (Mey.). Ptilopus quadrigeminus A. B. Meyer. Ibis, 1890, p. 421 (" Constantine Harbour or its neighbour- hood "). 6 (J, 3 $ Ifaar. " Iris oehre yellow. Feet red." Weight 65-73 g. (Female laying 18. ix. 1928.) These birds are quadrigeminus, agreeing with specimens from Constantin Harbour, Stephansort and Vulcan Island. They differ from geminus of Jobi and Takar by their slightly more bluish grey (not greenish) sides of the head, and the throat has a less defined and paler yellow middle line. The purple line between the crown and the yellow semi-circular line on the occiput is some- times quite as distinct as in geminus and not a reliable character. It is, therefore, this form which ranges to Humboldt Bay, not geminus. 298. Ptilinopus iozonus jobiensis (Schleg.). Ptilopus Immeralis jobiensis Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, iv, Columbae, p. 16 (1873 — Jobi). 3 (J, 2 $ Ifaar, September. Weight 75-100-5 g., the latter with large eggs (25. ix. 1928). "Iris yellowish, ochre, red." The iris by other collectors has been described as orange-yellow, cadmium yellow, dull brownish yellow. On the other hand, the iris of P. iozonus iozonus from S.E. New Guinea is described as milk white, creamy white, light yellow, white ! The most striking difference is of course the presence of a wide whitish apical bar on the rectrices in iozonus, which in jobiensis is not visible from above. 299. Ptilinopus ornatus gestroi Salvad. & d'Alb. Ptilinopus gestroi Salvadori & d'Albertis, Ann. Mus, Civ. Genova, p. 834 (1875 — Yule Island). (J ad. with large testes Cyclops Mountains, 28. viii. 1928. Weight 200 g. " Iris light reddish, feet dark red." (The rare P. ornatus ornatus from Arfak was not obtained.) 300. Ptilinopus aurantiifrons Gray. Ptilonopus aurantiifrons G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1858, p. 185, pi. 137 (Aru Islands). Plilopus aurantiifrons var. Novae-Gttineae A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsber. k. Akad. Wicn, xlix, p. 508 (1874 — Passim, east coast of Berau Peninsula). The differences seen in one female from Passim are purely individual, as shown by our series. 7 <J$ ad. Ifaar. Weight 120-150 g. 114 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAK XXXVI. 1930. 301. Ptilinopus pulchellus decorus Mead. Ptilopus decorus Madarasz. Ann. Mus. Nat. Hungar. viii, p. 173 (1010 — Near Erima and Friedrich Wilhelm Hafen, Astrolabebay). $, ovary with large yellowish eggs, Hollandia, 13.x. 1928. Weight 73 g. Though the whole breast is in bad condition, there can be, I think, no doubt that this specimen belongs to decorus, the male of which has distinct whitish tips to the more forked feathers of the breast, and paler abdomen and under tail-coverts. Madarasz 's statement that decorus has a larger bill is not correct. His plate, though not a careful drawing, but an impressionistic rough sketch, shows the differences well, except that the breast has not whitish tips to the feathers, but dark grey patches. We had P. p. decorus from Takar and Konstantin hafen. 302. Ptilinopus pulchellus pulchellus (Temm.). Columba pnkhella Temminck, PI. Col. 564 (1835— Lobo Bay, Sal. Muller coll.). <J Manokwari, 11 .iv. 1928. <J Momi, 25. vi. 1928. Weight 66-5 g. 303. Ptilinopus rivolii bellus Sol. Plilonopus bellus Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1873, p. 696, pi. lvii (Hatam, Arfak Mts.). Nobody can doubt that bellus is a subspecies of the rivolii group, as we now accept subspecies. This common bird was met with in the mountains in all regions. 2 $ ad., 1 $ mountains near Siwi, J juv. above Ditschi, 2 <$ Lehuma, 1 <J Wasior, 4 £, 1 $ Wondiwoi, 1 <$ Wasior, 4 cJ Cyclops Mountains. On S.ix. 1928 a male flew off a nest containing one egg. 304. Ptilinopus pectoralis pectoralis (Wagl.). Columba pectoralis Wagler, Iris, 1829, p. 740 (" Habitat in sylvis densis Novae-Guineae " — as he says " Habitat cum praecedente "). 2 <J Cyclops Mountains. " Iris yellow, outer pink ring. Bill yellow. Feet red." Weight 111 g. 305. Megaloprepia magnifica puella (Less.). Columba puella Lesson, Bull. Unit: Sc. Nat. x, p. 400 (1827 — " Port Praslin and Dorey." Port Praslin being on New Ireland is of course a mistake, the typical locality is therefore Dorey in the Arfak Peninsula). 2 $ ad. Momi, east coast of Arfak Peninsula. Wings 155, 161-5 mm. 306. Megaloprepia magnifica interposita subsp. nov. 1 (J ad. Wasior, Wandammen Peninsula, 21.vii.1928. "Iris pink. Bill yellowish. Feet yellowish green." Weight 200 g. No. 1615 Mayr coll. Type of interposita ! This form has the underside of the tail as black as in M . tn. puella from Arfak, but the vent is brighter yellow, the under tail-coverts as a rule more NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 115 yellowish, yellow spots on wing-coverts and scapulars larger, size larger. Wings cJ 173, 171, 168, 170, 168, 165, ? 163, 157-5 mm. Habitat : Wandammen (type), Etna Bay, Setekwa River, Mimika River, Lower Snow Mountains. This new subspecies stands between puella and septentrionalis and has an intermediate geographical position. 307. Megaloprepia magniflca septentrionalis Mey. Megaloprepia poliura septentrionalis A. B. Meyer, Abh. Ber. k. Zool. Mus. Dresden, 1892-93, No. 3, p. 25 (1893 — " Konstantinhafen (Astrolabe-Bay), Kafu and Jobi "). 3 <J, 1 ? Hollandia, 2,viii., 31.vii., 10.x. 1928. Weight " 185-250 g." " Iris red, edge of eyelid yellowish green." This form is very closely allied to M. m. poliura Salvad. from S.E. New Guinea, and the colour of the underside of the tail and of the under wihg-coverts is the same, though variable, but the vent is more yellow, not so olivaceous- .yellow ; it differs from M. m. puella by the underside of the tail being more greyish, less black, and the anal region is generally somewhat between that of puella and poliura, but often as in puella. Wings <$ 162-167, " 9 " 164 mm. 308. Ducula rufigaster (Quoy et Gaim.). Columha rufigaster Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. Astrolabe, Zool. i, p. 245, pi. xxvii (1830 — Dorej', now Manokwari). cj ad. Momi, J ad. Cyclops Mountains, 2.ix.l928. Testes large. 309. Ducula chalconota (Salvad.). Carpophnna chalconota Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Oenova, vi, p. 87 (1874 — Hatam, Arfak Mts.). 2 <$, 1 $ mountains near Ditschi, 11. vi. 1928, $ Wondiwoi, 10.vii.1928. 310. Ducula zoeae (Desm.). Columba zoeae Desmarest, Diet. Sci. Nat., ed. Levrault, xl, p. 314 (1826), and Lesson, Voy. Coqnille Zool., Atlas, pi. 39 (1826— Dorey, Arfak Peninsula). cJ ad. Siwi and Ifaar. Weight 555 and 600 g. 311. Columba vitiensis halmaheira (Bp.). Janthoenas halmaheira Bonaparte, Consp. Gen. Av. ii, p. 44 (1855 — ex ins. Gilolo, Ceram). Janthoenas albigularis, id. loc. cit., nee Compt. Rend. Acad. Paris, xxxix, p. 1077, 1854 ! cJ ad. mountains near Siwi, 20. v. 1928. "Weight 450 g. Iris ochre- yellow. Bill base dark red, tip whitish. Feet red." 9 juv. mountains near Ditschi. 312. Columba (Gymnophaps) albertisii albertisii Salvad. Gymnophaps albertisii Slavadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vi, p. 86 (1874 — Andai, Arfak Peninsula). 3 <$ ad., 3 9 ad., 1 $ juv. Siwi, $ ad. Lehuma, $ ad. Wondiwoi, $ Hollandia, o Cyclops Mountains. " Iris red, coral-red. Feet dark red." " Weight 220-280 g." 116 NOVITATES ZOOLOGKAE XXXVI. 1930. 313. Macropygia amboinensis doreya Bp. Macropygia doreya Bonaparte. Consp. (ten. Ar. ii, p. 57 (1855 — New Guinea. Type undoubtedly from Dorev Harbour, from the Astrolabe Expedition). 2 cJ ad., 2 $ juv., 3 § Siwi, Ditschi and Manokwari, 1 $ Wondiwoi. Weight 130, 150 g. 314. Macropygia amboinensis cinereiceps Tristr. Macropygia cinereiceps Tristram, Ibis, 1889, p. 558 (Fergusson I., d'Ent recast eaux group). 2 j ad. Cyclops Mountains, August 1928. Testes large. Weight 115, 138 g. 315. Macropygia nigrirostris Salvad. Ulacropygia nigrirostris Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 972 (1876 — Arfak). $ Siwi, $<$ Wasior and Ifaar. (M. n. major Oort, Notes Leyden Mus. xxix, p. 174 (1908), from New Britain does not seem to differ at all ! The characters described by van Oort seem to be individual.) 316. Reinwardtoena reinwardtsi griseotincta Hart. Reimvardtoenas reintmrdtsi griseotincta Hartert, Nov. Zool. iii, p. 18 (1896 — Papua, type Mailu district, British New Guinea). $ ad. mountains near Siwi, q ad. Cyclops Mountains, $ ad. Ifaar. Testes, 12. ix. 1928, large. Weights 300, 300, 310 g. " Bill base and cere red, tip dark grey." 317. Chalcophaps stephani stephani Jacq. & Puch. Chalcophaps stephani Jacquinot et Pucheran, Voy. Pole Slid, Zool. iii, p. 119 (also pi. 28, fig. 2, under the name of " Chalcophaps d'Etienne ") (1853 — " NouveUe-Guinee, cote occidentale "). ^ Wasior, $ Hollandia, 17. ix. 1928, with large eggs, $ Ifaar, 2.ix.l928, with fairly large eggs. Weight 95, 103, 115 g. 318. Henicophaps albifrons albifrons Gray. Henicophups albifrons G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, p. 432 (Waigiu). $ Momi, r? juv. Wasior, ? Wondiwoi, 1 <}, 2 ? Hollandia. Young birds have the forehead brownish, sides of head, neck and nape blackish, not deep chestnut brown, and the metallic patches on the wings smaller. Of apparently adult birds some have the forehead brownish rufous, others pure white, others again white with rufous tinge above the eyes or behind. According to the sexing of Dr. Mayr and other collectors the difference is not sexual. [Rosenberg, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Indie, xxix, p. 143 (1866 — Aru Is.) de- scribed " Rynchaenas Schlegeli." This name has always, if at all, been quoted as a synonym of Henicophaps albifrons. Mathews says that no locality was given and " restricts " the name to Waigiu. But he evidently did not look the quotation up ; the whole article of Rosenberg is only on birds from the Aru and Key Islands, and on p. 145 he says clearly which species were from Aru and which from the Key Islands. The name schlegeli must therefore be used for the Aru form, if that is different. To me it seems to differ, the underside in NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 117 our two specimens being grey or greyish, not vinous brown, and the beak is very long ! Wings in a good series from New Guinea 182-5-202, in two from Aru Islands 202 and 211 mm. long !] 319. Gallicolumba bsccarii beccarii (Salvad.). (Phlegoenas beccarii auct.) Chalcophaps beccarii Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 974 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). $ Kofo (Anggi gidji), 12. vi. 1928. Weight 72 g. 320. Gallicolumba jobiensis jobiensis (Mey.). (Phlegoenas margarithae, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. and auct.) Phlegoenas jobiensis A. B. Meyer, Mitth. Zool. Mus. Dresden, i, p. 10 (1875 — Jobi Island ; description of young bird). $ juv., $ ad. Wasior (Wandammen), $ ad., (J$ juv. Ifaar, $ juv. Momi ! (Why is not O. kubaryi from the Carolines a subspecies of G. jobiensis (margarithae) ?) 321. Gallicolumba rufigula rufigula (Jacq. & Puch.). Peristera rufigula Jacquinot & Pucheran. Yoij. Pole Sud iii, p. 118 (1845 — Xame given to the Peristere a gorge rousse on plate xxvii, fig. 1. therefore not nomen nudum ! Xo locality, but New Guinea and apparently from the Arfak Peninsula, which might therefore be taken as the terra typica). 1 ad. Momi, 1 ? juv. Momi, $$ ad. Siwi, <3 ad. Hoi. Ogilvie-Grant was apparently right in calling specimens from the Lower Snow Mountains (Setekwa River) Gall, rufigula helviventris — unless specimens from those are an intermediate form, but our Aru material is insufficient, and helviventris was described from Aru. Ogilvie-Grant was, however, wrong in saving that the presence of grey behind the eye is due to non-age, for some of our adult specimens have more grey there than young ones. Young birds have a vinous brown breast and the edges to the wing-coverts pale rufous instead of grey. The question is whether helviventris is really different from rufigula ! Grant has already quoted both from the lower hills of the Snow Mountains, rufigula from the Mimika and Wataikwa Rivers, helviventris from the Setekwa River. Both forms seem to occur in S.E. New Guinea ! From the Wanggar River, 15 miles from its mouth, south of Geelvink Bay, 600 feet high, Pratt Bros, sent typical rufigula. A specimen from the Sattelberg bought from Foerster, probably collected by Keysser, has hardly any grey behind the eyes and agrees better with helviventris. If the two forms are separable, their distri- bution requires elucidation ! 322. Trugon terrestris terrestris Gray. Trugon terrestris G. R. Gray, Gen. Birds, iii, Appendix, p. 24 (1849 — Ex " Trugon terrestre," a French name, of Hombron et Jacquinot. If the name terrestris is adopted as of Gray, then the generic term must also be accepted !) (West coast of New Guinea, which means Arfak Peninsula). $ ad. Momi, Arfak Peninsula, £$ Hollandia 18.x. and 4.viii.l928. Testes and ovary large ! " Iris red. Bill grev, forepart white. Feet whitish or pale pink." IIS XnVITATES ZooLOGICAK XXXVI. 1930. " Weight (J 370, $ 305, 340 g." The female is like the male, only smaller. The Trugon terrestris leucopareia .Meyer, from S.E. New Guinea, is a well-marked subspecies. 323. Otidiphaps nobilis nobilis Gould. Otidiphaps nobilis Gould. Ann. d- Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 4, vol. v, p. 62 (1870 — No locality, but probably came from New Guinea, and I select as terra typica Arfak). $ ad. above Wasior, Wandammen Peninsula, 26.vii. 1928. Males are much larger than females. The wing of this female measures only 193 mm. 324. Goura victoria beccarii Salvad. Goura beccarii Salvadori, Ann. Mns. Civ. Qenova, viii, p. 405 (1876 — Humboldt Bay). <J ad. Ifaar, 20. ix. 1928. "Iris reddish. Bill blackish grey. Feet dirty red." Testes large. Weight 2,750 g. Wing 385 mm. Unfortunately only this one specimen was collected. It has the upperside dark, in fact as dark as in typical Jobi specimens, but is very much larger. Our skins from Konstantinhafen (Astrolabe Bay), collected by Kubary, and those from Stephansort (close by, Astrolabe Bay), collected by Nyman, are much lighter, but not much larger, wings about 385-390 mm. They seem to belong to 0. v. huonensis, which is said to be restricted to the " Kai Halbinsel " (Huon Gulf region), but may extend to Astrolabe Bay. [The bird was in this vicinity extremely rare, and I could, in spite of all my effort, only get this one specimen. — E. Mayr.] 325. Charadrius apricarius fulvus 6m. Charadrius fuhms Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, 2, p. 687 (1789 — Tahiti). $ Manokwari, 8.iv., $ Kaju pulu, 15.x., ? Hollandia, 15.x. 1928. It will be logical, according to present conception, to regard C'h. dominie it s and fulvus as subspecies of apricarius. I suggested this in 1 920 ( Vog. pal. Fauna, ii, p. 1551), but did not take the plunge. 326. Charadrius dubius jerdoni (Legge). Aegialitis jerdoni Legge. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1880, p. 39 (Ceylon and India). $ ad. Ifaar, 18. ix. 1928 in moult. "Iris brown, eyelids golden yellow, bill black, base of lower mandible light, feet pale flesh-colour." Weight 34 g. 327. Tringa (Heteractitis) incana brevipes (Vieill.). Totanus brevipes Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. (nouv. ed), vi. p. 410 (1816 — No locality, but type from Timor, teste Pucheran). $ Kaju pulu near Hollandia, 15.x. 1928. 328. Tringa hypoleucos L. Tringa Hypoleucos Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. x. 1. p. 149 (1758 — " Europa." Terra typioa restricta Sweden). 2 <$ Ifaar, 19. ix. 1928 $ Kaju pulu near Hollandia. 15. viii. 1928. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 119 329. Numenius phaeopus variegatus (Scop.). Tantalus variegatus Soopoli, Del. Flor. et Faun. Insulr., fasc. ii. p. 92 (1786 — Luzon. Ex Sonnerat, Voy. Naur. Guinee, pi. 48, p. 85). 1 ad. Ifaar, 18.ix.1928. 330. Irediparra gallinacea novaeguineae (Rams.). Parra novae-guineae Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, iii, p. 298 (1878 — 25 miles west of Port Moresby, in S.E. New Guinea). 10 $ ad., 7 <J ad., 2 juv. Ifaar, September 1928. Iris of the adult $ and $ " cream-colour, yellowish brown, pale brown. Distal half of bill black, basal half and ' comb ' reddish or orange, in males paler, more yellowish. Feet greenish grey." Weight of males 76-92, of females 151-175 g. It is well known that the females are considerably larger than the males. Wing cJ 120-122, § 138-147 mm. This great difference in size in all parts of the body is very striking and not generally known. All eastern forms of Parridae show a difference in size between the sexes, but though we have no explanation, there must be biological peculiarities which explain this. There are three subspecies of this species : Irediparra gallinacea gallinacea (Temminck) 1828. First described from Menado, Celebes. Tail black with a steely gloss, upper surface a somewhat glossy olive-brown, nape metallic blue-black, extending to the interscapular region. This form is not rare on Celebes, and seems to extend to Mindanao, South Borneo, certain Moluccas, and the Key Islands. A single male specimen from Bum (Heinrich Kiihn coll.) seems to be of the Australian form, and other Moluccan birds I have not examined nor any from Timor. An Aru Islands female is very dark and seems to belong to the New Guinea form ! I have not been able to examine Mindanao examples, from where Mearns recorded it, nor Bornean ones, but Grabowski sent a skin and four clutches of eggs from S.E. Borneo. Irediparra gallinacea novaehollandiae (Salvad.) 1882. Described conditionally from two specimens collected in North Australia by D'Albertis ! This subspecies is strikingly paler, a sort of pale bronzy, almost greyish brown on the upper wing-coverts, secondaries, scapular and interscapuliuni. The rectrices are usually much less blackish, with a bronzy gloss, which is not present on the tail of the Celebes form. This was rather emphasized, but first pointed out by Mathews. That the black breast-band is less wide seems to be due to preparation, and is not a distinguishing character. This form is, as far as I know, peculiar to Australia, where it occurs in N.W. Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, the names rothschildi and melvillensis of Mathews being synonyms of novaehollandiae. Irediparra gallinacea novaeguineae (Rams.) 1878. This form is the darkest. It is almost entirely black on the upperside. The deep blue-black of the nape extends over the interscapuliuni to the rump and upper tail-coverts. The tail is black with a slight bronzy gloss, and almost as deep in colour as in /. g. gallinacea. The scapulars and inner secondaries are 1-0 XoVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. a very deep oil-green, the upper wing-coverts are sooty black, with little or no gloss, the breast deep black, in all subspecies the feathers of the upper breast white at base. This subspecies is found in S.E. New Guinea, on the Setekwa River, on the Sepik River, near Ifaar, on Misol, and apparently on the Aru Islands. On September 20th female with large eggs. The " comb " of the female is red-yellowish, of the males yellow-reddish, much less bright. 331. Chlidonias leucopareia fluviatilis (Gould). Hyirochelidon fluviatilis Gould. Proc. Zool. Sor. for 1842. p. 140 (1S43 — " Interior of Xew South Wales "). 1 (J, 2 $ ad. in breeding plumage, 2 $ in non-breeding garb, Ifaar, 18. and 28. ix. 1928. Tins is the form inhabiting Australia, New Guinea, Moluccas to Celebes, C. I. rogersi Math, not being separable. 332. Sterna bergii pelecanoides King. Sterna pelecanoides King, Survey Intertrop. coasts Auslr. ii, p. 422 (1826 — Torres Straits). cJ Kaju pulu near Hollandia, 15.x. 1928. 333. Sterna sumatrana sumatrana Raffl. Sterna Sumatrana Raffles, Trans. Linn. Soc. London, xiii. p. 329 (1822 — Sumatra). 3 cJ, 2 $ ad. Hoi September 1928, ? 12.viii.1928, eggs ready for laying. Several eggs were taken end of September on small coral islands outside Hoi which agree with a series of eggs from other localities. 334. Anous minutus minutus Boie. (Anous leucocapillus auct.) Anous minutus Boie, Isis, 1844, p. 188 (Australia, terra typica restricted by Mathews to " Raine Island " !). 10 ^, 8 ? Kaju Pulu near Hollandia, 15.x. 1928. Probably after breeding, sexual organs being small and plumage much worn. (As Boie's description is not very fixative it would have been better to leave matters unchanged, viz. to quote Anous minutus of Boie with a query, and to employ the name leu coca pittas, as was done by Salvadori, Saunders and others. As, however, the specific term minutus has been employed recently elsewhere, I do not propose to change it again.) [I heard there is a large breeding colony of this bird on Commerson Island (Sae), N.E. of Ninigo, and the birds probably came from there. — E. Mayr.] 335. Hypotaenidia philippensis subsp. nov. ? ? 3 <$, 1 $ Ifaar, September 1928. " Iris red." Weight 185, 210, 225, 240 g. Wings ^ 147-5, 148, 152, $ 146-5 mm. This interesting species is separable into quite a number of local subspecies, but I find it difficult to name the Ifaar birds. Their swollen testes and ovary seem to indicate that they are not astray nor winter visitors from Australia, NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 121 moreover they differ from numerous Australian specimens in their general darker colouration of the upperside and of the rufous parts, as well as heavier bills. When the Tring Museum received a fine series from Witu (French Islands) north of New Britain I called them lesouefi, but not without hesitation, and I explained at length the differences (Nov. Zool. xxxiii, p. 172, 1926). I find now that these birds cannot really be united with lesouefi ! The latter was described from New Hanover, and Mathews said he " associated with it birds from New Britain." Though lesouefi is quite a good form, it is not correct to unite with it New Britain ones, the latter being like the Witu form ! The Witu form differs from H. p. lesouefi Math, in the more or less unspotted lower back, rump, upper tail-coverts and rectrices, all these parts being heavily spotted with white in lesouefi. Also the crown is more brown, not so chestnut- red as in lesouefi. Wings <J 143-147, $ 136, 138 mm. Type : <$ ad. Witu Island (French group), 30. vi. 1925. No. 10.354, Albert F. Eichhorn coll. I call this form Hypotaenidia philippensis meyeri subsp. nov. in honour of Father Otto Meyer, who has done so much for the knowledge of New Britain and the neighbouring small islands. The specimens from Ifaar are so much like the H. p. meyeri that I refrain from separating them, though it must be said that the upperside is more fre- quently and heavier spotted. I wish to await more material before deciding if the Ifaar specimens can be separated from the Witu (and New Britain) form. I refrain from saying anything again about single specimens from other parts of New Guinea : one from the south coast of Geelvink Bay, July 1920, one from the Giriarin River, S.E. New Guinea, 5.x. 1907, and one from the China Strait, Boboli, 19.viii. 1922. These three birds have the rufous portion of the remiges lighter than in lesouefi and meyeri, more as in australis, and differ from each other. I have seen the type of H. p. admiralitatis Stres. 1929, but have no specimens to compare ; this form is near to lesouefi. 336. Rallus pectoralis mayri subsp. nov. 3 $ ad., 3 $ ad., 2 <$ juv., 1 $ juv. Kofo, Anggi Gidji, Arfak Mountains, June 1928. " Iris brown, yellowish-brown. Bill reddish, culmen and tip blackish or black. Feet dark grey." Weight 91-102 g. Wings $ 104-107, $ 101-104 mm. This new subspecies differs from R. pectoralis pectoralis Temm.1 The top of the head looks much more uniform, not being vinous chestnut with black centres to the feathers, but dull chestnut with dull blackish brown centres ; the whole back is less bright, the edges to the feathers being darker, the sides of the hind-neck are less bright chestnut. The bill is longer ! As females have a shorter bill than males, males must be compared with males, females with females. Bill J 38, 38, 39, § 34-5, 35, 36 mm. Type : J ad. Kofo (Anggi gidji), 13. vi. 1928. No. 1124 Ernst Mayr coll. 1 This is the oldest name of the species, not brachypus. Temminck {1831) described a specimen with unknown locality. Mathews says " New South Wales," meaning that he restricted the typical locality to N.S. Wales, not that it was described from there. [22 NoVITATES ZoOLOCilCAE XXXVI. 1930. The young birds are darker, crown uniform blackish, flanks dark greyish brown with a few dull whitish spots, but no white bars ! The occurrence of this large form of Rallus pectoralis in North New liuinea is of particular interest. Except the very much smaller, red-headed and red- naped Hypotaenidia pectoralis alberti Rothsch. & Hart, from the Upper Anga- bunga River, in elevations of 6-8,000 feet (Nov. Zool. xiv, p. 451), no form of this species has been known in New Guinea so far. They are evidently mountain birds in Papua. Rails are altogether difficult but most interesting birds. Rallus pectoralis exsul Hart, from Flores seems to be still unique in collections. 337. Porzana (Poliolimnas) cinerea subsp. There is one <S ad. Ifaar, 30. ix. 1928. Weight 60 g. Wing 95 mm. The review of subspecies given by Stresemann in Nov. Zool. xxi, 1914, pp. 53-55, is quite out of date, and mine in Nov. Zool. xxxi, 1924, p. 264, is now not quite complete. Mathews has discovered that Bonaparte's nude name minima was published by Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, Ralli, p. 34, 1865, with locality, Outanata (where it was collected by S. Miiller), and measurements : wing 3 pouces 3 lignes, which is S6 mm. The wing of our Ifaar bird, however, measures 95 mm. Also three specimens from Batjan, collected by John Water- stradt, have wings of 95-96 mm. In colour they are like the Ifaar bird, though the latter is clearer whitish on the underside, a difference, however, which requires confirmation by a series. The crown of the three Batjan birds is very black, in most others, all over the range, it is more greyish, but one from Ceram, collected by Stresemann, has also a black head. In fresh plumage there are greyish edges to the feathers of the crown, which wear off in time. Birds from Bum are smaller, wings 84-93 mm. The terra typica is Burn, not Key Islands, as quoted by Mathews in the Systema Avium, 1927. The Ifaar specimen cannot at present be separated, in fact any further subdivision would at the moment be hazardous. 338. Porzana tabuensis (Gm.) subsp. Rallus tabuensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, 2, p. 717 (1789 — " Habitat in Tonga-tabu, Tahiti ct insulis vicinis," ex Latham " Tabuan Rail"). 10 ad., 3 juv. from Kofo (Anggi gidji), mid June. " Iris red. Bill black. Feet reddish or red." Weight 38-5-45 g. Several specimens are marked as having very large testes, so I suppose these birds were breeding about the Anggi Lakes, and they may be numerous on swamps in many places in New Guinea. So far as I know the species has only once been recorded from Papua, viz. 1 § collected by Fenichel at Bongu, Astrolabe Bay, 29.viii. 1892. Stresemann calls it an " Irrgast," but it may just as well be at home and sedentary near the Astrolabe Bay. The collecting of swamp birds has hitherto been much neglected in New Guinea. (Mathews' list of these Rails in his " Systema Avium," i, p. 92. is useless. It is unexplainable why he makes Rallus tabuensis Gmelin a subspecies of the totally black Rallus nigra of Miller ! His various subspecies from Australia NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 11)30. 123 are indistinguishable. I dare not at present to separate the New Guinea form. Generally specimens from the Pacific Islands are smaller, but not always, while Australian ones are much larger ! The wings c tour Kofo (Arfak) specimens are : ^ 82-84, $ 80-82 mm. Now Australian birds have wings of about 85-90 mm. Their name would be Porzana tabuensis immaculata (Swains.) 1837. Examples from the Pacific Islands have wings of often 80, 82, or not rarely under 80 mm. ! They would be the typical Porzana tabuensis tabuensis (Gm.). The Papuan race would seem to be another subspecies intermediate in size. As it seems to have no name there is here an opportunity for a young (or old) man " rerum novarum cupidus " to give a name to a form which he might not have seen ! 330. Gallinula tenebrosa neumanni subsp. nov. 2 (J, 4 $ Ifaar, near Sentani Lakes, 18. to 29. ix. 1928. "Iris greyish brown, in one dark brown. Bill : tip yellowish green to olivaceous green, base brown-red, frontal shield olive-brown in all specimens ! Feet greyish green, front scutes of metatarsus tomato-red. Testes small, ovaries medium, in one female large ! Weight 290, 310, 310, 310, 370, 370, 370 g." This new form has the upperside quite without or only with an indication (in one specimen) of an olivaceous tinge. It is nearest to G. t. frontata Wall, (type from Buru !), but differs in being smaller (bill, shield, feet, wings !) and in the colour of the bill and frontal shield, which in frontata is blood-red with a yellow tip, and a bright vermilion frontal shield. Length of bill from end of frontal shield to tip <J 42-44-7, once 41, ? 40-43 mm., wing <J 182, 182, $ 163, 172, 173, 174 mm. Type : ? ad. Ifaar, 20. ix. 1928. No. 2471 Mayr coll. This most interesting new subspecies is named after Professor Oscar Neumann, who has for some time shown a special interest in Rattidae and has urged many collectors to pay special attention to this fascinating family. There is no doubt that G. t. frontata and G. t. neumanni must be treated as subspecies of G. tenebrosa. These three forms agree in the absence of the white streaks on the sides of the body, which are present in all forms of Gallinula chloropus and they breed in Celebes and possibly in S. Borneo together with a form of G. chloropus. I have not examined specimens from S.E. New Guinea, but from what Salvadori said in Orn. Pap. iii, pp. 279, 280, one most believe that the Moluccan form, or a very near ally, but not neumanni, is found in S.E. Papua. It is interesting to see that Salvadori ascribes to his G. frontata a " lievissima sfumatora olivastra " on the back and wings. 340. Fulica atra australis Gould (?). S ad. Kofo (Anggi gidji), 12. vi. 1928. " Iris brown-red, bill bluish white." Weight 590 g. Testes very large, bird not fat. There can be little doubt that this Coot is Fulica atra australis (or one of its forms if, which I don't think, several are separable), but without a series it is not advisable to be absolutely certain about this. It would seem that the species nests in New Guinea, from the notes on Dr. Mayr's label. As far as I know this species has not been recorded from New Guinea ! ] 24 Xovitates Zooi-ogicae XXXVI. 1930' 341. Megacrex inepta D'Alb. & Salvad. Megacrex inepta D'Albertis & Salvadori. Ann. Mia. Civ. Geneva, xiv. p. 129 (1879 — Fly River New Guinea) ; Bangs & Peters, Mm. Ctmyp. Zool. 67, p. 424 (1926 — Digul River, north of Merauke) ; Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis Suppl. 1915, p. 288 (Setakwa River). 2 $ Hoi, 10.viii.1928. Weight 800 and 000 g. Wings about 170 and 180 mm., but much worn. This rare bird is only known from the Fly, Digul and Setakwa Rivers and now was for the first time obtained on the north coast of the island. 342. GaUinula (Amaurornis) olivacea frankii Schleg. Gallinula Frankii Schlegel, Notes Leyden Mux. i, p. 163 (1879— Berau Peninsula, New Guinea). Cf. Nov. Zool. xxxiii, p. 172, 1926. One imsexed Momi, 3.vii.l928, <?$ Ifaar, 30. ix. 1928. Weight 200, 205 g. It seems from our (not very large !) series from the Moluccas and New Guinea that the latter are darker grey on the underside, and a shade darker olive on the back. In fact the Papuan specimens are near G. olivacea nigrifrons Hart, from New Britain, Witu Island, Duke of York and New Hanover, also Bougainville, and stand between G. olivacea moluccana and nigrifrons. It is therefore desirable not to unite the Papuan examples with the typical Moluccan birds. From my notes in Nov. Zool. 1926 it would appear that New Guinea specimens had " a small orange-coloured frontal shield," but it is only some- times indicated, not distinctly developed as in the Australian Gull inula [Amaur- ornis) olivacea ruficrissa Gould. 343. Eulabeornis tricolor tricolor (Gray). Rallina tricolor Gray, Proc. Zool. Son. London. 1858, p. 188 (Aru Islands). Eulabeornis tricolor grayi Mathews, B. Australia, i, p. 205 (1911— New Guinea). Cf. Nov. Zool. xxii, 1915, p. 26 ! c? ad. Hollandia, 9.x. 1928. 344. Rallicula rubra mayri subsp. nov. This is another most interesting discovery ! Though very different from rubra rubra and rubra forbesi, I cannot doubt that these representative forms should be considered to be subspecies of one and the same species. The male of R. rubra rubra has the whole upperside chestnut, that of R. rubra mayri has it of a darker chestnut, but the underside of both is almost alike, only a shade darker in mayri. The sides of the vent and under tail-coverts have black bars, sometimes (especially in rubra rubra) indistinct or wanting, on the sides of the belly generally accompanied by pale chestnut bars. The male of R. rubra forbesi has the whole upperside of the wings and a wide bar across the back black, upper and under tail-coverts barred with black, but rectrices without bars. Sides of vent with lighter and darker bars. The female of R. rubra rubra has the back, scapulars, inner secondaries, rump and upper tail-coverts black, covered with roundish buff to (on the back) almost whitish spots. In R. rubra forbesi these spots are less numerous and rump and upper tail-coverts are unspotted, while the upper tail-coverts have a few black bars. In the female NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 125 of R. rubra mayri these parts are not black, but dark chestnut, the little spots are more reddish buff and more or less surrounded by black ; rump and lower back unspotted, upper tail-coverts with black bars, rectrices, at least laterally, with blackish bars. Type of Rallicula rubra mayri $ ad. Cyclops Mountains, 6.ix.l928, with two eggs almost ready for expulsion ! No. 2198 Ernst Mayr coll. " Iris grey- brown, bill and feet pure black." 4 (J, 1 9 Cyclops Mountains about 1,200 m., August and September. Weight $ 119, $ 123, 123, 129 g. Wings <$ 114-117, $ 110 mm. The inner webs of the primaries and under wing-coverts of all these forms have wide white bars on a black or blackish ground. As the males from the Snow Mountains and from Arfak (terra typica of the name rubra !) do not differ, I have, like Lord Rothschild, no doubt that " Rallicula klossi " Ogilvie-Grant, Bull. B.O.C. xxxi, p. 104, and Ibis Supple- ment, 1915, p. 290, and plate vii (not very good, colour too red), is the same as R. r. rubra, though the female of the latter was, until 1913, undescribed. 345. Rallicula leucospila (Salvad.). Corethrura ? leucospila Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, vii, p. 975 (1875 — Arfak Mts.). cJ mountains near Siwi, 3. v. 1928. Weight 125 g. J Wondiwoi, Wandammen Peninsula, 17. vii. 1928. Weight 114 g. " Iris chestnut. Bill and feet black." This species, of which so far no subspecies are known, is rare in collections. The male has narrow white stripes, one on each web of the feathers of the back, the female roundish white spots ; in both sexes the back is black. 346. Synoicus ypsilophorus saturatior subsp. nov. 3 cS, 8 $ ad., 1 $ pull. Ifaar, September 1928. Both sexes have the iris dark brown, bill black, feet greenish yellow and yellowish brown. Weight <J 82-91, ? 92-128 g. The females of this north coast form are much darker than females of plumbeus on the upperside, far less rufous brown, more olivaceous brown, the black spots larger, the creamy white shaft lines usually narrower, the underside generally not so yellowish, duller. The males are very much like the males of S. ypsilophorus plumbeus, but more saturated on the upperside, the grey on the feathers of the back being more blackish, the underside more and darker greyish. Wings cJ 59-61, $ 60-64 mm. Considering that we have for comparison with the fine series from Ifaar an equally good one from S.E. New Guinea and a large series from various parts of Australia, I had to name the Ifaar form, the species having never been known from the north coast region, but only from S.E. Papua and thence up to the Astrolabebay. It was, however, with some reluctance that I named the new form, for the following reasons : While the majority of specimens are distinguish- able, a few specimens turn up in most places which are practically or quite indis- tinguishable from individuals of other subspecies. Examples : Two females shot by Mr. Fullerton Smith, jun. near Maslow, New Zealand, in 1919, where Australian birds have been introduced and are thriving well, are like females 126 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. of S.ypisolophorus saturatior, only being a faint shade more rufescent, but just as dark. A female from the Upper Aroa River, collected by Meek, 12 . xii. 1904 (No. B. 105), is utterly different from typical S. y. plumbeus females, and is like light clay-brown females of the Australian S. y. australis ! Single females of the generally quite different S. y. raalteni from Letti, Timor and Alor are as dark as and partially darker than females of S. y. plumbeus and have the large black spots on the upperside like S. y. saturatior ! What do these variations mean ? Can they be just individual varieties, can they be throw-backs to ancestral forms, or can the specimens be migrants from the habitats of other races or influenced by immigration ? The latter seems to be the most unlikely explanation. The following subspecies are obvious : 1. Synoicus ypsilophorus ypsilophorus Bosc. 1792. Tasmania. Like S. y. australis, but longer wings. Apparently sometimes darker. 2. Synoicus ypsilophorus australis (Lath.) 1801. Australia. Possibly the Cape York form, S. y. queenslandicus Math. 1912, and the north and north-west form, S. y. cervinus Gould 1805, are separable, but I cannot now go into that question. 3. Synoicus ypsilophorus plumbeus Salvad. 1894. While the females are somewhat similar to those of australis, but much darker, with finer markings above and below, the males are very different, being plumbeous grey, with brown edges to the feathers of the underside, and brown markings on the upper surface. An exceptionally dark male was shot at Kumusi. For an exceptional female from the Upper Aroa River see above. Males very rare in collections ! 4. Synoicus ypsilophorus saturatior Hart. Ifaar near Sentani Lakes, Humboldt Bay region. Only three males known. 5. Synoicus ypsilophorus raalteni Mull, 1842. Timor, Flores, Letti, Kisser, Alor, Moa, Wetter. Typical males are quite different from the former subspecies, being rufous with grey centres to the feathers, and the breast is lighter or darker rufous, always variable. Some (few) females are like those of S. y. plumbeus. 6. Synoicus ypsilophorus pallidior Hart. 1897. Savu and Sumba. Very much paler than raalteni. (Female No. 2423, Ifaar, 17. ix. 1928, has the greater part of the breast snow white ; otherwise it is quite normal.) Type of S. y. saturatior $ Ifaar, 17. ix. 1928. Ernst Mayr coll. No. 2394. The eggs on the ovary very large. Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. 127 Cf. Rothschild & Hartert, Nov. Zool. xiv, 1907, p. 447 ; Mathews, Austral. Avian Record, i, 5, p. 125 (about the name ypsilophorus) ! The generic name remains Synoicus according to the International Rules of Nomenclature, for Synoicum is not Synoicus ! An egg of Synoicus ypsilophorus saturatior was taken from the oviduct at Ifaar. It is spotless greenish white, seen through the hole against the light it is light sea-green. It measures 29-6 X 23-6 mm. 347. Megapodius reinwardt reinwardt Dumont. Megapodius Reinwardt Dumont, Diet. Sci. Nat. (edition Levrault), xxix, p. 416 ' (1823 — " Amboina " errore ! Teste Schlegel Lombok !). Megapodius Duperreyi Lesson et Garnier, Bull. Soc. Nat. viii. p. 113 (1826 — Dorey). <J§ Momi, 25. vi. 1928. " Iris yellow," error, the iris being brown. " Feet red -yellow." Weight 810, 860 g. 348. Megapodius reinwardt decollatus Oust. Megapodius decollatus Oustalet, Bull. Assoc. Sc. France, xxi, p. 248 (1878 — d'Urville Island, now " Kairiru " (!) between Hollandia and Astrolabe Bay). <J$ and one sex doubtful, Hoi, 4. viii., 14.x. 1928. Feet marked " grey- green," black in the skins. These skins agree in size with a series from Jobi Island. The two known examples of affinis Meyer from Rubi (south coast of Geelvink Bay) are very much smaller, wings 200 and 202 mm., while the Hollandia ones measure $ 220, $ 219, ? 227 mm. Formerly Lord Rothschild and myself have recorded Megapodius reinwardt reinwardt (under the name of M. duperreyi duperreyi) from Dampier and Vulcan Islands, but this was erroneous. The form found on these islands is a black- legged bird and appears to be decollatus. Examples from S.E. New Guinea (Bihagi, head of Mambare River, Meek coll.) are also black-legged, and their wings, measuring 225-235 mm., seem to be a bigger race, huonensis Stres. 1922, described from the " Kai Peninsula," where Finschhafen and the Sattelberg are. 349. Talegallus cuvieri Less. Talegallus cuvieri Lesson, Voyage Coguille, Atlas, Atlas, pi. 38 (1828 — Dorey). $ ad. Momi, 25. vi. 1928. " Iris yellow. Bill red. Feet yellowish red." Weight 1,785 g. 350. Talegallus jobiensis jobiensis Mey. Talegallus johiensis A. B. Meyer, Sitzungsber. Ak. Wiss. Wien, lxix, p. 74 (1874 — Jobi). 1 pull., 3 cS ad., 1 $ ad., 1 ? Hollandia, 3. -8. viii. 1928. " Iris dark brown. Bill dirty red. Feet red. Weight 1,610 g. Hoden fast huhnereigross." Cf. Nov. Zool. July 1901, p. 139. I can only repeat what Lord Rothschild and I said then, viz. that T. jobiensis longicaudus is a somewhat poor subspecies. The colour is the same in both, also the amount of chestnut on the neck is individually, not geographically, variable. 1 Not 146 as quoted by others ! 128 XdVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 351. Aepypodius arfakianus (Salvad.). TdUgattns arfakianus 8alvadori, Ann. Mils. Civ. ix, pp. 333, 334 (1877 — Arfak Mts.). $ Siwi, 3 <J, 1 $, 1 o pull- Cyclops Mountains August and September. " Iris pale yellowish grey or greyish green. Bill blackish grey. Bare skin on neck whitish blue with darker blue markings. Feet greenish yellow-grey." Weight 1,350, 1,530, 1,525 g. There is, in adult birds, a fleshy comb-like crest, and a fold and short wattle in front of the bare neck. Four eggs were sent from Siwi 22. v. and Ditschi 1 .vi. 1928. The eggs have rather a thin shell and are of a glossless somewhat rough-grained white, measuring 91 X 60, 94-5 X 62-5, 88 X 58 mm. (one broken). They agree perfectly with specimens collected on the Hydrographer Mountains by Albert Eichhorn, 26. ii. 1918, and measuring 95 x 61, 91 x 61-5, 89-5 X 61 and 95-8 x 59-5 mm. In the Catalogue of Eggs in the British Museum these eggs are not described. Nehrkorn in the Katalog der Eiersammlung, ii Auflage, p. 7, describes eggs from the Aroa River as those of Aepypodius as dark brownish -3'ellow, but they were the eggs of a Megapodiws, the measurements (81 X 52 mm.) also being too small. Unfortunately there are many other errors in that " Katalog." 352. Casuarius unappendiculatus rufotinctus Rothsch. ' Hsiiarius unappendiculatus rufotinctus Rothschild, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, xv, part 5, p. 137 (1900— No locality). Hoi, August 1928, one adult male and one young, about two-thirds grown. Lord Rothschild has no doubt whatever, and there is indeed no reason to doubt, though the colours are not recorded on the labels, that this is the C. unapp. rufotinctus, first described without exact locality, later on received from the " north coast," which, though vague, was apparently correct, this meaning the northern coast between the Humboldt Bay and Geelvink Bay. N0V1TATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 129 ON SOME SOUTH AFRICAN FLEAS. By DR. KARL JORDAN. (With 7 text-figures.) l. Dinopsyllus ellobius abaris subsp. nov. (text-fig. l). (J$. Similar to small specimens of D. e. ellobius Roths. 1905 from Zululand, but the apical margin of VIII. st. of cJ truncate-emarginate subventrally instead of being strongly rounded. Tubercle of frons central or slightly below centre. Pronotal comb with 26 to 30 spines, these about two-thirds the length of the pronotum ; two rows of bristles: 14 to 18, 13 or 14 (more rarely 12). On mesopleura from 16 to 30 bristles, on mete- pimerum from 13 to 20. Number of abdo- "^Nt) I ^ YliW/ f ~ spines minal to VI treme on tergites II in the ex- specimens : I X.st. ■ VIII. st. <$ h i, I, i, £ and 4 4 1 0 o . :„ ~S> T> Tj T> T > m ?» 1 -i 8 O ar.J 3 2 2 0 o . "3"> 2 > 2 J "0"» 7T J average on the two sides together in $ 4-50, 4-17, 4-67, 2-67, 0-00, in $ 4-00, 3-88, 4-88, 1-00,0-00. Bristles on tergites III, IV and VII (on the two sides together) in c? Ill 38 to 48, 18, IV 36 to 48, 18 or 19, VII 18 to 31, 17 or 18 ; in ? III 49 to 78, 18 to 22, IV 50 to 76, 18 to 22, VII 18 to 39, 10 to 13. cj. On abdominal sternite VII (the two sides together) from 27 to 35 bristles, on VIII. st. (one side) from 35 to 44. Apex of IX. st. (text-fig. 1) broad, strongly rounded dorsally, the ventral bristles placed at and below apex rather strongly spiniform ; pseudojoint halfway between frontal side of elbow and apex. Ratio between basal portion of exopodite (measured from dorsal angle between clasper and exopodite to extreme proximal end of exopodite) and free projecting portion 3 : 8 (15 : 40 or 16 : 42). Ventral apical process (p) of armature of penis truncate. At ventral apical angle of VIII. st. two bristles close together, often the next bristle placed close to the pair (text-fig. 1). $. Apical margin of VII. st. as in D. e. ellobius more deeply incurved than in D. lypusm J. & R. 1913. Bristles on VI. st. 24 to 34 and on VII. st. 55 to 69 130 Xovitatks Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. (the two sides together), on outer side of VIII. t. from below stigma 25 to 39 (one side). Length of hindfemur : q1 0-38-0-45 mm. ; $ 0-44-0-52 mm. Hab. Cape Province : Klaver, Doom R., from Arvicanthis, May 1928 (C. V. Muller), and Breede R., August 1928, off Arvicanthis (C. V. Muller) ; 2. Dinopsyllus tenax sp. nov. (text-fig. 2). cJ$. A large species, nearest to D. longifrons J. & R. 1913, but the irons as short as in D. ellobius Roths. 1905. On pronotum 3 rows of bristles, the anterior two rows (first usually incomplete) containing together 20 to 27 bristles, rarely 19. Apical spines of abdomen twice as numerous as in D. ellobius. Surface structure of setiferous areas of abdominal sternites not distinctly reti- culiform. Tubercle of irons central or a little below centre. Pronotal comb with 31 or 32 spines in cj, 33 in §, the spines shorter than in D. ellobius and D, lypusus J. & R. 1913, agreeing with those of D. longifrons. On mesopleura in o from 24 to 27 bristles, in $ from 32 to 38, on metepimerum in 9 from 17 to 26, in $ from 23 to 35. Number of spines on abdominal tergites II to VI in the extreme specimens : $ \\, ■$--", ||, -]l, -j- and Z, f, T!'T> v> tr I average on the two sides together, in c? 9-50, 10-13, 11-63, 10-25, 0-38, in ? 8-88, 9-25, 11-00, 6-50, 0-00. Bristles on tergites III, IV and VII (on the two sides together) in $ III 43 to 50, 20 to 23, IV 38 to 45, 19 or 20, VII 20 to 24, 18 to 21 ; in $ III 71 to 92, 21 to 26, IV 62 to 98, 22 to 26, VII 21 to 38, 11 to 14. (J. On abdominal sternite VII (the two sides together) 25 to 31 bristles, on VIII. st. (one side) from 36 to 44. Ventral apical angle of VIII. st. broadly rounded, the two distal ventral bristles of a row of 7 or 8 large ones rather close together, separated by a wider interspace from the next ventral bristle. Pseudo- joint of IX. st. close to middle (text-fig. 2), apex of IX. st. dorsally not much more strongly convex than ventrally ; the ventral bristles below apex weak. Ratio between basal portion of exopodite and free projecting portion 3 : 10. Ventral apical process (p) of penis-armature acuminate, strongly curved. $. Apical margin of VII. st. as in D. longifrons less deeply incurved than in D. cilnbiiis. Bristles (the two sides together) on VI. st. from 35 to 44, on VII. st. from 63 to 80, on outer surface of VIII. t. from below stigma 35 to 46 (one side). Length of hindfemur : <J 0-60-0-62 mm. ; ? 0-67-0-78 mm. Hab. Cape Province : Klaver, Doom R., from nest of Mystomys broomi and Parotomys luteolus, May 1928 (C. V. Muller), and Breede R., August 1928, off Karroo rats (C. V. Muller) ; a series. Listropsylla Roths. 1907, genotype : L. agrippinae. Head short, evenly and not strongly rounded from oral corner to hind- margin. Above middle of frons a groove with a large leaf-like tubercle. Eye present ; behind it at margin of antennal groove a long bristle. Antennal groove open, not extending to vertex. Labial palpus with 4 segments, reaching to trochanter or nearly, end -segment pointed. Pronotum with a comb of more than 24 spines and 2 or 3 rows of bristles (in exceptional specimens 1 row). Metanotum without apical comb. Novitates Zoolooicae XXXVI. 1930. 131 Abdominal tergites I to IV, or I to VI, with apical spines, which are most numerous on tergite I (at least 20). 3 strong antepygidial bristles, sometimes 4. Pygidium large, not humped, subtriangular in side-view, with the apex of the triangle directed laterad ; on each side 16 (rarely 14) or more grooves. In most dorsal notches of tibiae 3 heavy bristles. Tarsal segment V with a pair of ventral bristles in between second pair. (J. VIII. st. large, with 8 or more bristles. Manubrium of clasper very broad at base ; clasper dorsally with large bristle near base, beyond bristle a bay, flanked distally by a dorsal apical projection. Exopodite long, with the apex curved down, at ventral margin a long bristle near base or beyond middle, dorsal margin somewhat elbowed and here studded with small hairs. Ventral arm of IX. st. long and narrow, with a lateral subdorsal pair of rather heavy bristles well beyond middle, and subapical ventral bristles. §. Between the two sets of antepygidial bristles a long projection. Apical margin of VII. st. simple, at the most slightly incurved. Stylet subcylindrical, at least four times as long as basally broad. Orifice of spermatheca ventral, with a collar. A purely African genus ; not yet known from West Africa (Senegal to Angola). 7 species. i. Listropsylla agrippinae Roths. l(i04. $?. CeratophyUus agrippinae Rothschild, Nov. Zool. xi. p. 634. no. 25. tab. 12. figs. 56, 57 ; tab. 13. figs. 62, 64 (1904) (Deelfonteiii). <J$. The smallest known species. In both sexes, but more pronouncedly in $ than in o, the second segment of antenna apically so widened-rounded distad that the basal portion of the club is covered ; the bristles of this segment reach to or beyond apex of club. End-segment of proboscis at most one-half longer than penultimate one. On abdominal tergite I from 20 to 30-odd apical spines. First midtarsal segment at most 0-16 mm. long ; in hindtarsus segment V more than one-third the length of I. Stigma cavity of tergite VIII more or less far continued upward along margin of segment. On forecoxa 100 or more bristles (sometimes over 140). Hindfemur with 2 (very rarely 3) ventral subapical bristles on outside. Hindtibia with 7 dorsal notches (inclusive of apical one). <J. Body of clasper little longer than broad, the dorsal bay quite small, lower apical process short, with two bristles, of which the upper one is somewhat the smaller. Manubrium at least as long as exopodite ; the latter about three times as long as broad ; its long ventral bristle placed near base, smaller than the largest ventral bristles of segment VIII. Ventral arm of IX. st. almost straight and of nearly even width, at apex ventrally rounded and slightly dilated, and gradually narrowed to a point at the end of the dorsal margin, which remains straight ; on each side below apex 3 or more bristles directed distad and thinner than the pair of dorso-lateral bristles. $. Margin of VII. st. distinctly incurved subventrally. 4 antepygidial bristles (38 specimens), very rarely three on one side (one specimen) or on both sides (one specimen). Pygidium with 30 or more grooves each side. In front of stylet below and behind pygidium about 9 bristles. Stylet longer than midtarsal segment V. On basal area of VIII. st. no bristles between trachea and ventral 132 NOVITATES ZOOLOGRAE XXXVI. 1930. setiferous area. Rod-like sclerification behind orifice of bursa capulatrix slightly arched, as long as hindtarsal segment IV or even longer. Tail of spermatheca longer than in any of the other species, longer than the head, which is flattened above. Length of hindfemur : jj 0-45 to 0-59 mm. ; $ 0-51 to 0-61 mm. Hah. Cape Province : Deelfontein, off Otomys brantsi and 0. unisulcatus, March 1902 (C. H. B. Grant) ; Breede R. ; Calvinia, from nest of Parotomya broomi, August 1926 (T. Midler) . Klaver, Doom R., off Arvicanthis and from nests of Mystomys broomi and Parotomys hiteolus, May 1928 (C. V. Muller) ; Steynsburg, from nests of Parotomys hiteolus, October 1925 ; Cape Flats, off Rhabdomys pumilio and Otomys irroratus, February 1926 (T. Muller) ; Bellville, from nests of Arvicanthis, March 1926 (T. Muller) The bristles vary considerably in number, for instance on VII. st. (two sides together) I have counted from 22 to 38. 2. Listropsylla vicinus Roths. 1905. ' 'i ratophyUus victims Rothschild, Nov, Zool. xii. p. 484. no. 5. tab. 13. fig. 7 (1905) (Wakkerstroom, " Namaqualand " laps. cal.). (J9- Very close to L. agrippinae, somewhat larger ; only the original pair known to me. On tergites VI and VII in J no bristles below stigma, in 9 one on V, one on VI on left side, none on right, on VII none on both sides. Three antepygidial bristles in both sexes. Exopodite of <J one-third broader than in L. agrippinae ; lower apical angle of clasper not produced distad. The other distinctions mentioned in the original description are not reliable in face of the great individual variability of L. agrippinae as revealed by the series of specimens of L. agrippinae now available. The end-segment of the proboscis was stated to be double the length of the penultimate one ; on re-measuring we find it to be less than twice the length. In L. agrippinae the proportional lengths of the segments as- well as the total length of the proboscis are variable to a very marked extent, the ratio between segments III and IV being sometimes 15 : 20, sometimes 9 : 21, with intergradations. Length of hindfemur : <J 0-60 mm. ; $ 0-69 mm. Hab. South Transvaal : Wakkerstroom, off Herpestes badius, March 1904 (C. H. B. Grant), one pair. 3. Listropsylla dorippae Roths. 1904. y. Ceratophyllus dorippae Rothschild, Nov. Zool. xi. p. 636. no. 26 (1904) (Deelfontein). (2$. Antennal segment II not dilated distad ; its bristles reaching about to middle of club. Spines of pronotal comb longer than half the pronotum. Mesopleura with 7 to 11 bristles, usually 7 to 9 ; metepimerum with 15 to 21, usually fewer than 20. On abdominal tergite I 13 to 20 apical spines, usually fewer than 20, on II 2 to 7, usually 7, on IV 0 to 4, mostly 1 or 2, on V 0. Pygi- dium with 18 to 21 grooves on each side. In midtarsus segment I twice the length of V, in hindtarsus I not quite thrice as long as V. Three antepygidial bristles (in one of the $$ 4 on one side). No bristle of anterior row of abdominal tergites below stigma. Stigma-cavity of VIII. t. shortly continued upwards. cJ. On each side of VIII. st. 20 to 25 bristles, of which 4 to 6 along ventro- apical margin are long and strong. Dorsal bay of clasper, between large dorsal Novitates Zooloc.icae XXXVI. 1930. 133 basal bristle and dorsal apical projection, at most one-fourth broader than the clasper is wide at bottom of bay ; ventral angle produced into a cylindrical process which is from two to three times as long as broad and bears two apical bristles, the upper being the longer and stronger one. Exopodite similar to that of L. dolosus, its apex somewhat more strongly curved downwards. ?. Head of spermatheca irregularly elliptical, longer than in any other known species. Sclerite behind ring of bursa copulatrix long, nearly as long as midtarsal segment III. Stylet as long (or very nearly) as midtarsal segment V. On widened area of VIII. t. from 25 to 30 odd bristles on outer surface, on inside 5 to 7 marginal ones, of which 1 or 2 are ventral. Length of hindfemur : <$ 0-67-0-80 mm. ; 0-74-0-86 mm. Hab. Cape Province : Deelfontein, off Otomys brantsi, April 1902 (C. H. B. Grant) ; Bothaville, off Tateralobengidae, August 1920. Transvaal: Randfontein, from nest of Tatera lobengulae, August 1925 ; and Pyra- mid, from same host, June 1926 (Dr. A. Ingram). 4. Listropsylla prominens spec. nov. (text-figs. 3 4, 5). Similar to L. dorip- pae Roths. 1904. Ab- dominal tergite I in £ with more than 23 to 25 spines, in $ with 20 to 24 ; midtarsal seg- ment I less than twice the length of V ; lower apical process of ^-clasper long and narrow ; head of spermatheca nearly globular. cJ9. Antennal segment II not dilated distad, its bristles not or barely reaching middle of club. Dorsal spines of pronotal comb a little longer than half the pronotum. Mesopleura in 3 with 8 to 11, in $ with 10 to 15 (usually 10) bristles. On metepimerum in <$ 14 to 19, in $ 16 to 22 bristles. Spines at apices of abdominal tergites in <J I 23 to 25, II 13 to 19, III 9 to 17, IV 1 to 12, V Oto 8, VI 0 to 3, in ? I 20 to 24, II 6 to 14, III 2 to 12, IV 0 to 7, V 0, VI 0. Pygidium with 16 or 17 grooves on each side. Stigma-cavity of VIII. t. in <$ slightly continued upwards at margin, in $ practically symmetrical. Proportional lengths of mid- and hindtarsal segments in largest and smallest specimens : (J midtarsus 35, 21, 12, 8, 20, and 28, 19, 11, 7, 18 ; hindtarsus 62, 45, 21, 13,22, and 47, 34, 18, 11, 19. $ midtarsus 36, 21, 11, 8, 20, and 32, 21, 11, 8, 19; hindtarsus 63, 45, 20, 12, 22, and 56, 40, 20, 12, 21. 134 N'"\ 1TATKS ZOOLOUICAE XXXVI. 1930. Last bristle of posterior row of abdominal tergites II to VII more ventral than stigmata, often placed vertically below stigma. cj. On VIII. st. from 8 to 13 bristles of which three near ventro-apieal margin long, between the two long distal ones a wide interspace. Body of elasper (text-fig. 3) narrower and somewhat longer than in L. dorippae, its width at bottom of bay one-third less than that of exopodite at long bristle ; lower apical process (P:) of elasper at least four times as long as broad, being a very little longer than hindtarsal segment IV ; the two bristles at apex of this process thinner than in L. dorippae, being thinner at base than the subapical spiniform bristles of IX. st. Upper apical projection of elasper slightly narrower than in L. dorippae, below it, on distal side, usually a very distinct notch. Apex of exopodite less curved than in L. dorippae. large bristle longer and more strongly curved. Apex of IX. st. less rounded, being dorsallv more produced than vcntrally. $. Spermatheca conspicuously different, its head being nearly globular (R.s., text-fig. 4). Double sclerite (text-fig. 5) behind bursa eopulatrix (B.C.) much shorter and straighter than in L. dorippae, being less than twice the length of the diameter of the ring of the bursa. Stylet not quite half the length of midtarsal segment I. On VII. st. 33 to 39 bristles on the two sides together. On widened portion of VIII. t. 19 to 23 bristles on outer surface, and on inside 5 to 7 marginal ones, of which 1 or 2 are ventral. Length of hindfemur : $ 0-66-0-78 mm. ; $ 0-78-0-82 mm. Hah. Zululand : Mfongozi, from Rattu-s concha, Ratlus chrysophilus, Leggada minutoides (W. E. Jones), 5 $ J, 4 $$. L. dolosu8, L. prominens and L. dorippae give one the impression of being geographical modifications of one species. But as we know as yet very little about the distribution of these fleas, it is advisable to treat them as distinct species. 5. Listropsylla dolosus Roths. 1907. .. Ceratophyllus dolosus Rothschild. Ent. Mo. Mag. (2). xviii. p. 175. no. 2 (1907) (Kikuyu Escarp- ment). cj$. Segment II of antenna not enlarged apicad, its bristles reaching at most to middle of club. End-segment of proboscis from one-fifth to one-half longer than penultimate segment. On abdominal tergite I from 20 to 26 spines, V at most with one spine. First midtarsal segment at least 0-27 mm. long ; V a little less than one-half of I ; in hindtaisus V less than one-third of I. Pygidium with 16 grooves each side (rarely 14). Orifice of stigma cavity of tergite VIII continued upwards. 3 antepygidial bristles. tj. Dorsal margin of manubrium of elasper not much longer than one-half the exopodite ; body of elasper much longer than broad, the bay between the dorsal basal bristle and the apical angle broad and shallow ; ventral apical angle not, or very little, more produced than upper angle and bearing one bristle, which is long. Exopodite long, widest about middle, with the apex pointed and curved down ; long ventral bristle approximately at three-fifths, smaller than the lower antepygidial bristle. Apex of IX. st. rounded. $. Head of spermatheca somewhat longer than tail ; sclerite behind orifice of bursa eopulatrix short, about equalling in length the diameter of the ring of the bursa. Stylet as long as, or a little shorter than, segment V of midtarsus. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 135 Length of hindfemur ; £ 0-70-0-85 mm. ; ? 0-78-0-88 mm. Two subspecies : a. L. dolosus stygius Roths. 1908. (J. Ceraiophyllvs stygius Rothschild, Ent. Mo. Mag. (2). xix. p. 77, no. 3. tab. 1. fig. 3 (1908) (Ruwenzori). Only one jj known. The difference from the cJcJ of L. d. dolosus is very slight and may turn out to be individual. Apical portion of exopodite measured from middle of groove of long ventral bristle somewhat shorter than the distance of tip of dorsal apical projection of clasper to middle of groove of dorsal basal long bristle ; in J of L. d. dolosus the distances equal, or the apical portion of exopodite a little longer than width of bay. Two of the bristles of VIII. st. long (not one as stated in the original description, one of the two being broken away on the side figured, I.e.). Length of hindfemur : <J 0-85 mm. Hab. Ruwenzori, 13,000 ft., 1005, on Rattus denniae (A. F. R. Wollaston), 1(J. b. L. dolosus dolosus Roths. 1907. Cf. above. Slightly smaller than L. d. stygius, the length of the hindfemur varying in $ from 0-70 to 0-78 mm., in ? from 0-77 to 0-84 mm. Hab. Uganda : Bulage and Sipi, North Bugisbu, from Rattus multimam- mata and Arvicanthis spec, February 1922 (W. N. van Someren). Kenya Colony : Mutarogwa, Aberdare Mts., from Dendromys nigifrons and Graphiurus microtis saturatus, March 1910 (R. Kemp) ; Nakura, from Rattus rattus (G. H. E. Hopkins). Tanganyika Territory: Kilimandjaro, May 1910 (R. Kemp). Nyasaland : Mlanje Plateau, from Arvicanthis spec, November 1913 (Dr. S. A. Neave). 6. Listropsylla chelura Roths. 1913. <J$. Listropsylla chelura Rothschild. Ent. Mo. Mag. (2). xxiv. p. 207. tab. 5. figs. 1, 2 (1913) (Pirie Mt., King Williams Town). cJ$. Comb of abdominal tergite I with more than 40 spines. Dorsal spines of pronotal comb at the most half as long as pronotum. Pygidium with 19 to 24 grooves each side. cj. Body of clasper strongly and densely striated transversely on underside ; dorsal apical process of clasper triangular, much longer than the lower, with a row of bristles at posterior margin, which is slightly rounded. Exopodite ven- trally with a very long and strong curved bristle proximally of middle. Apex of IX. st. rounded. VIII. st. on each side with 22 to 25 bristles, of which 6 or 7 are long and strong. Anal sternite with 3 or 4 strong bristles each side. $. At orifice of bursa copulatrix a sclerified ring, behind which there is no pair of longitudinal, rod-like, sclerites. On VIII. t. between the proximal bristles of the setiferous widened area and the stigma 3 to 6 strong bristles. Proximally of stylet on lateral sclerite below pygidium from 13 to 16 bristles. Stylet almost exactly as long as hindtarsal segment III. Length of hindfemur : $ 0-66 to 0-80 mm. ; $ 0-77 to 0-80 mm. Hab. Cape Province : Kingwilliamstown, off Arvicanthis pumilio and 130 NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAK XXXVI. 1930. Myosorex tenuis (Miss F. Ross) ; Bellville, off Arvicanthis and Tat era lobengulae (T. Muller). In the Bellville specimens the end-segment of the proboscis is twice as long as the penultimate one, whereas in the type-specimen from Kingwilliamstown the ratio is 14 : 10. 7. Listxopsylla cerrita sp. nov. (text-figs. 6<J, 7$). <J$. The largest known species of the genus. Close to L. chelura, with which it shares the main distinctions from the other species. It differs from L. chelura in the (J-genitalia, par- ticularly in the body of the clasper not being transversely striated, and in the $ bearing on the basal portion of VIII. t. from the trachea of the stigma down- ward (text-fig. 7) from 7 to 10 strong bristles in- stead of 4 to 6. Dorsal spines of pronotal comb somewhat shorter than in L. chelura. End- segment of pro- boscis from 2 J to 3 times the length of the penulti- mate segment. cj. Dorsal apical process of clasper more strongly curved dorsad-frontad (text-fig. 6), the bay between it and the large proximal bristle of clasper therefore more rounded than in L. chelura, usually almost semicircular. Exopodite F narrower and somewhat longer than in L. chelura ; its large ventral bristle also longer. Ventral arm of IX. st. as in L. chelura with a pair of postmedian lateral bristles ; these bristles a little shorter and thinner than in L. chelura ; from these bristles to apex sternite IX narrower than in L. chelura and also longer, the apex itself less rounded, distinctly narrowing to tip, which is farther distant from subapical ventral spinifoi-m bristles than in L. chelura. Sternite VIII with 20 to 34 bristles each side (type 34 on one side, 30 on the other), at least 10 of these bristles large (instead of 6 or 7 as in L. chelura). $. Bursa copulatrix and spermatheca as in L. chelura. Proximally of stylet on lateral sclerite below pygidium from 10 to 14 bristles. Pygidium with 21 NoVITATES ZOOLOGIC'AE XXXVI. 1930. 137 to 24 grooves on each side. Apical spines on abdominal tergites II and III slightly more numerous than in $ of L. chdura : II 22 to 26, III 18 to 21, the numbers in L. chdura being II 16 to 21, III 12 to 16. Length of hindfemur : $ 0-73 to 0-81 mm. ; $ 0-83 to 0-94 mm. Hab. Cape Province : Klaver, Doom R., from nests of Karroo rats on side of mountain (Mystomys broomi and Parotomys luteolus), 16.viii.1929 (C. V. Muller), 4 ^ (J, 5 ?$. This is possibly a western subspecies of L. chdura a question, which can only be answered satisfactorily when sufficient material from other districts of the Cape Province is available for comparison. Key to the species of Lislropsylla . A. Segment II of antenna apically rounded-enlarged, some of its bristles reaching to apex of club or even be- yond. Pygidium with 30 or more grooves on each side. <J : body of clasper much shorter than long, its dorsal bay small, about as large as dorsal apical process ; exopodite broad, of nearly even width, its long ventral bristle slender, subventral. " $ : tail of spermatheca longer than head. 1. Abdominal tergites II to VII with at least one, usually two, bristles more ventral than stigma. $ : lower apical angle of clasper produced. $: nearly always with 4 antepygidial bristles . L. ngrippinae Roths. 1904. 2. Abdominal tergites V and VI at most with one, VII with no bristle more ventral than stigma. $ : lower apical angle of clasper not produced distad. $ : 3 antepygidial bristles L. vicinus Roths. 1905. B. Segment II of antenna not enlarged, its bristles reaching at most to middle of club. Pygidium with 25 or fewer grooves each side. Abdominal tergite I with fewer than 30 apical spines. J : body of clasper longer than broad, the dorsal bay wide ; exopodite strongly narrowing towards apex and towards base, its long ventral bristle at two-thirds (approximately). $ : tail of spermatheca shorter than head. 3. Midtarsal segment I twice as long as V. Pygidium with 18 to 25 grooves each side. <$ : ventral apical process of clasper at most thrice as long as broad. $ : head of spermatheca irregularly elliptical L. dorippae Roths. 1904. 4. Midtarsal segment I less than twice as long as V. Pygidium with 16 or 17 grooves each side. <$ : ventral apical process of clasper at least four times as long as broad. $ : head of spermatheca subglobular. L. prominens sp. nov. l:;.S NoVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 5. Midtarsal segment I at least twice as long as V. Pygidium with 16 grooves on each side (rarely 14). o : ventral apical angle of clasper not, or very little, farther produced distad than upper angle. $ : double sclerite behind ring of bursa copulatrix about equal in length to diameter of ring ..... L. dolosus Roths. 1907. ( '. Segment II of antenna not eidarged, its bristles reaching at most to middle of club. Pygidium with 19 to 24 more grooves on each side. Abdominal tergite I with 40 or more apical spines, jj : dorsal apical process of clasper triangular, large, very much larger than ventral apical projection, a row of bristles along apical margin of clasper. $ : head of spermatheca longer than tail, globular ; no double sclerite behind ring of bursa copulatrix ; stylet as long as hindtarsal segment III. 6. (J : body of clasper below densely striated transversely. $ : on basal area of VIII. t. below stigma 4 to 6 bristles L. chelura Roths. 1913. 7. (J : body of clasper not striated. $ : on basal area of VIII. t. below stigma 7 to 10 bristles (text-fig 7) . . L. cerrita sp. nov. NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 139 A, NEW XENOPSYLLA FROM SOUTH AFRICA. By BOTHA DE MEILLON, M.Sc, F.E.S., Entomological Department, South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg. Xenopsylla lobengulae sp. hov. (Text-figures 1-10.) '"PHIS flea belongs to the Xenopsylla brasiliensis subgroup of the X. cheopis group. It is very closely allied to Xenopsylla hirsuta Ingram 1928 and Xenopsylla sulcata, Ingram 1928. The male is intermediate between these two in nearly all characters, but differs more obviously from X. hirsuta in having the ante- pygidial bristle mounted on a shorter cone (figs. 1 and 2), and from X. sulcata in the shape of the VIHth sternite (figs. 3 and 4) and the paramere (figs. 5, 0 and 7). The female resembles those of the other two species very closely, but seems to be separable in having more than twenty bristles on one side of the VIHth tergite (fig. 8), there being less than twenty in the females of X. sulcata and X. hirsuta. $. Rostrum not reaching the apex of the forecoxa. Eye well developed. Dorsal groove of the head deep, continued on to the mesonotum, not as deep as in X. sulcata. Metepimerum with ten bristles in two rows of five each ; no bristle above or behind the spiracle. First abdominal tergite with two tufts of stout bristles re- sembling those of X. sulcata ; these bristles project at an angle from the tergite and are thus very conspicuous. Tergites II-VII with from ten to twelve bristles on the two sides together. Antepygidial bristle marginal, on a small cone (figs. 1 and 9). Modified segments (figs. 3 and 9) : tergite IX with a long stout bristle mounted on a cone. Sternite IX weakly chitinised, more or less parallel-sided, with a few IX. Et. VIII. st 140 Xovitates Zoor.ncirAK XXXVJ. L930. minute hairs apically. Sternite VIII resembles that of X. hirsute in having the apical margin straight. In X. sulcata this sternite is produced backwards at its dorsal apical angle (fig. 4). It bears a closely set row of 8-9 long, stout- bristles at its apical margin ; the more ventral ones of these bristles are more bent than in X. hirsute, but less so than in X. sulcata. Laterally the sternite VIII bears 8-9 bristles. Process P; of the clasper is somewhat oval in shape and bears some minute hairs laterally and along its margin ; P1 is much smaller, almost square and bears a few minute hairs. The dorsal apical angle of the paramere (Par.) is drawn out into a long projection resembling that of X. hirsute, but quite distinct from that of X. sulcata (figs. 5, 6 and 7). Apical portion of the ejaculatory duct without a dorsal tooth or hump. ?. Rostrum longer than in the male, but not reaching to the apex of the forecoxa. Tergites II-VII with 12-14 bristles on the two sides together. Tergite VIII with 20-23 bristles (on one side), of which 9-10 at the apical margin, which is more or less straight, the rest lateral. The stylet is about twice as long as wide at the base and bears a long apical bristle. Sternite VIII feebly chitinised (fig. 9). Spermatheca (fig. 10) with the head wider than the base of the tail ; portions of the duct are chitinised. The longest apical bristle of the tibia and the foretarsus reaching to the apices of the first and second tarsal segments respectively ; longest bristle of the midtarsus nearly reaching to the apex of the fifth. Hindtibia with six dorsal notches bearing stout bristles, inclusive of the apical notch. Length : £ 1-9 mm. ; $ 2 mm. Hab. South Africa, Cape Province : Chavonnes, Worcester, from Tatera lobengulae, 5.x. 1928 (B. J. Kock), a series, type in coll. N. C. Rothschild. Xenopsylla sulcata Ingr. 1928, X. hirsula Ingr. 1928 and X. logengulae sp. nov. agree with the X. brasiliensis subgroup (Jordan, Verh. International. Entomologen- NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXXVI. 1930. 141 Konyress, Zurich, Band II, pp. 610-611, 1926) in having in $ the antepygidial bristle on a marginal cone and in $ the head of the spermatheca wider than the base of the tail, also in the deep dorsal groove of the (J-head, which is continued on to the mesonotum. They differ, however, widely from the other members of this subgroup in the characters of the processes P1 and P! of the clasper. P1 is not provided with stout bristles, neither is P- curved upwards at the tip (figs. 3 and 4). It would serve no useful pur- vn.t. pose at present, however, to separate them off on this account ; they are, therefore, kept in this sub- group to which a modified key is given below. They further differ from the other members of the subgroup in having a vertical row of strong bristles on the apical margin of the VIII st. in the male. X. crinita has a brush of long bristles on the VIII st. in the $, but it differs widely in many other respects, notably in the possession of an extra bristle on the hindtibia, and in the character of P1 and P2. Key: (a) Hindtibia with six dorsal notches bear- ing stout bristles, inclusive of the apical notch . b Hindtibia with an ad- ditional stout bristle between second and third pairs . . / (b) Apical portion of ejaculatory tube (,$) with a sharp dorsal tooth r X. hamuln Jord. 1925. Tooth of ejaculatory tube absent ....... c (c) Process P1 of the clasper (^) very small, not provided with stout bristles ; ~P- oval ; VII. st. ($) with three bristles on each side. . . d Process P1 with stout bristles ; P1 almost as long as P:, which is turned up at the tip ; VII. st. ($) with more than ten bristles X. bra-nliensis Baker 1904. (d) VIII. st. ($) with apical margin straight (fig. 3) ; para mere with dorsal angle produced (figs. 5 and 7) . . . . . . . . e 142 Novitates Zoologicae XXXVI. 1U30. VIII. st. with the apical dorsal angle produced backwards (fig. 4) ; paramere without a dorsal projection (fig. 6) ; VIII. t. ($) with less than twenty bristles on one side . . . . . X. sulcata Ingr. 1928. (e) Antepygidial bristle on a small cone (fig. 1) ; bristles of marginal row of VIII. st. strong, the more basal ones twisted (q); VIII. t. (?) with more than twenty bristles on one side . . . X. lobengulae sp. nov. Antepygidial bristle on a larger cone (fig. 2), bristles of apical marginal row of VIII. st. weaker, fewer in number and less or practically not twisted at all. VIII. t. (?) with fewer than twenty bristles X. hirsuta Ingr. 1928. (/) VIII. st. (o) without brvish of long bristles, with more than twenty bristles on each side ; VII. st. ($) with more than twenty-six bristles on the two sides together, base of tail of spermatheca more or less ventricose X. scopulifer Roths. 1905. Transverse diameter of eye only equalling that of second segment of maxillary palpus, the eye being smaller than in X. scopulifer; VIII. st. (<J) with fewer than twenty bristles ; base of tail of spermatheca not ventricose ; VII. st. (?) with fewer than twenty-six bristles X. tortus J. & R. 1908. VTEL st. (o) with brush of long bristles, groove of head very deep ; female not known ....... X. crinita J. & R. 1922. Figure 1. Xenopsylla lobengulae, q, apical portion of VII. t. ,, 2. „ hirsuta Ingr. <J, apical portion of VII. t. ,, 3. ,, lobengulae, <$, terminal abdominal segments. ,, 4. „ sulcata Ingr. <J, terminal abdominal segments. ,, 5. ,, lobengulae, <$, paramere. ,, li. ,, sulcata Ingr. J, paramere. ,, 7. ,, hirsuta Ingr. q, paramere. ,, 8. ,, lobengulae, $, terminal abdominal segments. 9. ,, lobengulae, $, terminal abdominal segments. ,, 10. ,, lobengulae, 5, spermatheca. NuVITATES ZOOLOOICAE XXXVI. 1930. 143 THREE NEW ANTHRIBIDAE FROM BRITISH INDIA. By DR. KARL JORDAN. 1. Zygaenodes ferrealis sp. nov. rf. Magnus. Rostrum apice sinuatum atque longitudinc angustius. Oculus integer. Elytrum crista subbasali alta instructum. Long. (cap. excl.) 5-5 mm., lat. 3-25 mm. Hah. Assam : from Meseca ferrea seeds, ix.1928 (R. N. Parker), 2 ^^. Similar to Z. vigens Jord. 1925, from Sumatra, larger, eye not sinuate, subbasal tubercle of elytrum less elevate, occiput and posterior side of eye-stalk brown-black, with a russet tint, sharply contrasting with the vertical Irons and rostrum and the anterior side of eye-stalk, which are clayish fawn. Brown-black, slightly rufescent in parts, thorax and elytra mottled with clayish fawn. Proboscis with broadish, shallow impression near apex, apical margin very distinctly sinuate, distance from apex to tubercle of antennal groove longer than the apex is broad. Eye-stalk measured from antennal tubercle not quite three times as long as broad, about as long as the apex of rostrum is broad, flat in front, also flattened subdorsally and subventrally, recalling a prism, slightly bent down at apex. Occiput convex, medianly not sulcate, but with a faint indication of a raised line. Segment 3 of antemia almost half as long again as 4. Pronotum rather coarsely granulose, transversely depressed behind apex and at carina, lateral angle strongly projecting, less than 90°, but with the tip rounded off ; markings clayish fawn, ill defined : a narrow, inter- rupted, median stripe and on each side from carina forward three smears, of which the two outer ones unite behind carina. Scutellum clayish ochraceous. Elytra short, granulose, alternate inter- spaces slightly elevate, with blackish dots separated by clayish fawn streaks, particularly in 3 ; subbasal tubercle high, longer than broad. Pygidium with clayish fawn smear each side, granulose, slightly convex in middle, as long as basally broad, gradually narrowed to apex, which is rounded. Underside and legs mottled with grey ; on meso-metatliorax a clayish smear at side ; tarsal segment 1 about as long as 2 to 4 together, 2 slightly broader than long. 2. Tropideres luteago spec. nov. $. Pallidus, brunneo-nigro variegatus. Frons lata. Caput cum thorace fortiter punctatum. Pronoti carina dorsalis in medio angulata. Elytra fascia lata mediana luteo-notata atque signaturis subbasalibus et anteapicalibus angustis brunneo-nigris ornata. Pygidium pallidum. Long. (cap. exel.) 5 mm. Hab. N.W. India : Dehra Dun, Asan R., 11. ix.1928 (Sher Behadur), 1 $. Proboscis pubescent luteous like frons, one-sixth longer than apically broad, with 5 carinae