Vol. 30, pp. 117-118 May 23, 1917 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



A NEW HONEY-EATER FROM THE MARIANNE 



ISLANDS. 



BY ALEXANDER WETMORE. 



Comparison of specimens of Myzomela rubratra (Lesson) from 

 the Caroline and Marianne Islands, has shown that birds from 

 the latter group represent a distinct form. As there is no name 

 available for this subspecies, it may be known as: 



Myzomela rubratra saffordi subsp. now* 



Characters. — Similar to Myzomela rubratra rubratra (Lesson), but red 

 of under parts, bead, back, and rump distinctly paler. 



Description. — Type No. 188,868, U. S. National Museum, male, from 

 Guam, Marianne Islands, collected June 7, 1900, by A. Seale (collector's 

 number, 1547). Wings, scapulars, an interrupted band across upper 

 back, lores, axillary region, tail, under tail coverts, thighs, and lower 

 abdomen black; rest of plumage scarlet. t 



Measurements. — Males (9 specimens from Guam), wing, 73.3-75.0 mm. 

 (73.9); tail, 50.0-54.0 (52.5); exposed culmen, 17.0-18.0 (17.5); tarsus, 

 21.3-23.0(22.1). 



Range. — Islands of Guam and Saipau. (Specimens from other islands 

 in the Marianne Group not seen. ) 



Remarks. — Myzomela r. saffordi has the wing shorter than Myzomela r. 

 rubratra from Kusaie (the type locality). The tail and culmen average 

 a very little less than in the typical form. Only one specimen, a male, 

 has been seen from Saipan in the Marianne Islands. This apparently is 

 an immature bird that is just assuming adult plumage; it has the red of 

 the underparts paler than the series examined from Guam. This differ- 

 ence may be due to age, but it is possible that with additional material 

 the Honey-eaters from the two islands may be separated as distinct forms. 

 For the present the bird from Saipan is considered identical with those 

 from Guam. 



•Named for Mr. W. E. Safford, in recognition of Ins work on the natural history of 

 Guam. 



tRidgway, R., Color Standards and Nomenclature, 1912. 



•27— Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., Vol. 30. 1917. (117) 



