( 82) 



Fergnsson and Sndest. Between specimens from all these localities we cannot 

 distinguish, thongh there is a certain amonnt of variation. The most striking 

 variation is shown in the colonr of the abdomen of the femnlcs, which is sometimes 

 purplish violet (somewhat like that of the females of E. rnrutus), while generally 

 bright lilne. One female from Biak (Dohertv) is ([nite small, and has the nnder 

 wing-coverts sjiotted with red. We believe it to be immature. Unfortunately we 

 have no series from Biak. 



We have before 2U males and 3il females from tlie following places : — Mysol 

 (H. Kilhn), Dorey, Kapaur, Takar (Doherty), Mefor and Jobi (Beccari, Doherty), 

 Biak (1 ? Doherty), Ron (Doherty), Stophausort, Simbang, Sattelberg (E. Nymau), 

 New Britain (Knbary), New Ireland, Fergnsson (A. S. Meek), Trobriaud (Meek), 

 Sndest (Meek), Nicnra (Lix), Brown River (Weiske), Little Key (Kiihn), Goram- 

 laut (Kiihn), Koer (Kiihn). 



GO. Eclectus pectoralis aruensis Gray. 



Hartert has already (Nov. Zool. 1896, p. .jiiS) shown that the Aru Eclerfiis has 

 been united erroneously with typical pectoralis. We have before us 8 males and 

 'i females from Kobroor, Wokan, Dobbo and Giabu-Lengan (Beccari, Guillemard, 

 Webster, Kilhn), and they show the following differences : They are larger ; the 

 wing from 1 to 3 cm longer. The yellow tips to the tails are wider, and sometimes 

 tinged with red in the male. The width of the yellow tips is very conspicuous in 

 freshly moulted specimens, but naturally not in much abraded individuals. The 

 tail of the female is brighter red, and less blackish towards the base. 



67. Eclectus pectoralis solomonensis subsp. nov. 



We have 2 c? cJ from Fauro, Shortland group, 20.11.1893 (Wahnes and Ribbe 

 coll.), 1 S Guadaleanar, 1.6.1887 (Woodford coll.), I S Rnljiana (Cotton and 

 Webster coll.), 1 ? Guadaleanar, 1.6.1886 (Woodford), 1 ? Rubiana (Cotton and 

 Webster). All these agree in being smaller than our 59 specimens of E. pectoralis 

 pectoralis. The bills are less bulky and less long, the wings 1 to 3 cm. shorter. 

 The largest Solomon Islands specimen is still smaller than the smallest of 

 E. pectoralis j)ectoralis. 



Type oi E. pectoralis solomonensis : S Fauro, 20.11.1893. 



The Genus GEOFFROYUS. 



A study of a material of 230 specimens in the Tring Museum has convinced us 

 that it is far more natural to accept only four s[iecies of the genus Geofny/us, with 

 15 subspecies of one of these species, instead of recognising 15 species, as has been 

 done in the Catalogue of Birds. 



Geojfroyus persoiiatits is the name to be used for the widespread species with 

 its great number of forms, that name being established as long ago as 1811. 



At present we can recognise the following 19 forms : — 



68. GeoflFroyus personatus personatus (Shaw). 

 One of the smallest forms. Bill rather small. Wing about 150—153 mm. 

 The plum-blue of the crown very pale, reaching only about 15 mm. beyond the eyes, 



