TOWNSEND AND WETMORE : THE BIRDS. 207 



islands in the Paumotu Archipelago. With series from all the locali- 

 ties several forms in addition to those described here will be found 

 without doubt. There is much variation in this species in specimens 

 from the same localities. Specimens that have the entire plumage 

 strongly suffused with rufescent color are common, and a very gray 

 phase is also evident. In addition some specimens are more or less 

 albinistic, and there is considerable individual variation in length of 

 wing and tail without reference to locality. All these are confusing, 

 and the actual divisions and relationships among the birds from 

 different islands are evident only after careful study and comparison. 



In the present study of this species no attempt is made to define the 

 form inhabiting the isolated island of Hereheretue, as the only speci- 

 men taken there was preserved in spirits, but there is little question 

 but that it is distinct. The delicate grays, browns, and yellows found 

 in the plumage of Conopodcras aiijpha are liable to injury from immer- 

 sion in alcohol, so that this bird is not available for color comparison. 

 Measurements of the specimen are as follows: — wing 87.0, tail 84.0, 

 exposed culmen 20.0, tarsus 29.5. It will be seen from these that the 

 tail is longer than in any other specimen available at this time, while 

 the culmen and tarsus are short when compared with the length of 

 wing. Apparently the bird was pale below and quite brown above. 

 To assign a subspecific name to this specimen under the circumstances 

 would lead to confusion, so that it is merely listed here under the 

 general discussion of the species. 



Following are the subspecific forms of Conopodcras atypha at present 

 recognized. 



64. CONOPODERAS ATYPHA ATYPHA. 



Description. — Type p. 206. Crown, hind neck, back, and scapu- 

 lars olive-brown, the feathers of back edged more or less with paler; 

 rump between honey-yellow and Isabella color; upper tail coAcrts 

 buffy brown; rectrices olive-brown, the outer pair edged with whitish 

 and all save the two middle pairs tipped with whitish; remiges olive- 

 brown, the feathers margined with tilleul-buff, tertials both margined 

 and tipped with tilleul-buff; wing coverts olive-brown, the greater 

 coverts tipped obscurely with dull ivory-yellow; spot on lower eyelid 

 and superciliary stripe (extending forward to base of bill) iA'ory- 

 yellow; loral feathers fuscous, tipped with ivory -yellow; streak 

 behind eye olive-brown ; throat and breast whitish, washed lightly 



