BY E. P. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 25 



^Elursedus melanocephalus, sp. nov. 



I have compared a large number of JElurcedus from Mount 

 Astrolabe flange, with both jE. arfacki and jE. melanotus, 

 and find that it differs from the first in having the whole of the 

 head, nape, and mantle spotted ; from the second, jE. Melanotus, 

 in having a jet black head with small round fulvous spots in the 

 centre of the feathers ; lores and ear-coverts black ; there are only 

 indications of spots on the wing coverts and tips of secondaries \ 

 the whole of the under surface is washed with yellowish ochre, 

 the throat and chest only distinctly spotted. This bird is quite 

 distinct from Mr. Gould's plates of the both above-mentioned 

 species ; the under surface of the tail feathers have a decided 

 greenish blue tinge on the margins of the inner webs, the feathers 

 all largely tipped with white. 



On comparison with Mr. Gould's plates and Mr. Sharpe's 

 description, (Cat. of Bds„ Vol VL), I think sufficient distinction 

 will be found to warrant this species being separated from all 

 other known species. Total length 11 '5, wing 6 in., tail 5 in., 

 tarsus 1*6, bill 1"3, from gape 146. 



Hah. — Mount Astrolale, N.G. Hunstein, A. Rolles. 



For the pleasure of describing these species I am indebted to the 

 Hon. William Macleay, who purchased them with a collection of 



birds of Mr. Goldie. 



Manucodia atra. 



There are two specimens of eggs said to belong to this bird, in 

 length 1-3 in. in breadth ; the ground color is a light greenish grey 

 crowded with dots and spots of brown or reddish brown, and dark 

 slate grey. 



In a second specimen the ground color is almost wholly 

 obscured by freckles of dull rich brown. (Mr. Macleay's Coll.) 



Psecilodryas albifacies (Sharpe.) 



A neat cup- shaped nest like that of all the genus; it is composed of 



wiry rootlets, pieces of dry palm leaves, &c. The margins are 



ornamented with green mosses ; it is placed between upright forks 



of the branches ; the inside is very deep, 1*6 in., the whole height 



