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Neopsittacus iris wetterensis snbsp. nov. 



NeopsiUacus iris (nee Temminck) Hartert. Nov. Zoul. xi. 1904. p. 194 (Wetter Island). 



Adult. Most nearly allied to ^V. iris iris, from Western Timor, but easily 

 (listingnishable by its larger size, longer as well as more robust bill, and by having 

 the cheeks and malar region deep grass-green instead of light yellowish grey. 

 Wing 123—126; tail 80—85; bill 17—18 mm. 



Type in the Tring Mnsenm ; c? ad., Wetter Island, September 18, 19U2. 

 Collected by Heinrich Kiihn, No. 02918. 



Hab. Island of Wetter, north-east of Timor. 



Obs. When describing the large collections formed by the late Heinrich 

 Kiihn on the Sonth-west Islands, Dr. E. Hartert qnite correctly pointed out the 

 differences between X. i. rubripiletim, of Eastern Timor, and the birds from Wetter, 

 but owing to lack of material of the typical form the latter were referred to 

 N. iris. The Zoological Mnsenm of Munich having recently received ten specimens 

 of the true N. iris from a place called Lelogama in Western (Dutch) Timor, the 

 distinctness of the Wetter form became at once apparent. While agreeing with 

 N. i. iris in the reddish .violet hue of the ear-coverts and in the bluish or lilac 

 wash on the pilenm, JS. iris wetterensis is very much larger, and the sides of the 

 head are deeper and more grass-green. ^V. iris rubri pileum Salvad., from Eastern 

 Timor, may be distinguished by its smaller size, uniform red upper part of the 

 head, and more bluish ear-coverts. There are thus three races : 



(a) X. iris iris (Temm.). Western Timor. Smaller: wing 114^118; tail 

 74 — 79 ; bill 15 — 16i mm. Pileum washed with purplish blue or lilac ; ear patch 

 reddish violet ; sides of the head light yellowish green. 



(b) N. iris rubripileum Salvad. Eastern Timor (Deli, Atapupn, Filaran, etc.). 

 Wing 113—117; tail 72 — 76; bill 15—16 mm. Pilenm uniform red, or very 

 slightly tinged with greenish on posterior portion ; ear-coverts violet blue; sides of 

 head light yellowish green. 



{c) N. iris wetterensis Hellm. AVetter Island. Larger: wing 123 — 126; 

 tail 80 — 85; bill 17 — 18 mm. Coloration as in X. i. iris, but sides of head darker 

 and more grass-green. 



