SEMI-ALBINO SPECIMEN OF DACELO GIOAS — NOETH. 87 



larger than usual, the cusps very prominent and sharp. The 

 premolar and molar series of the two sides converge before and 

 behind ; the curve continufd forward would fall within the 

 anterior teeth. The mandibular premolar inclines very slightly 

 outward. In D. lumhoUzi the incisor lies in a line with the 

 inferior edge of the mandible, whereas in D. dorianus it is tilted 

 greatly upwards. Unlike what is found in other species, the 

 ascending rami, and more especially the coronoid processes, con- 

 verge rapidly above, and are thus accommodated to the very 

 narrow intertemporal area, 



A comparison shows that the skull is by far the largest repre- 

 sentative of the genus ; the intemporal breadth and the diastema 

 are, however, actually less than in other species. 



These points together with the peculiar teeth, the bulging 

 frontals — infinitely more marked than in D. lumhoUzi — the sagittal 

 crest and other features, show that the cranium is as distinct as 

 the external aspect of the animal. The examination of an 

 immature skull only, can show the amount of development the 

 crest undergoes during the lifetime of the animal. 



The aggregate characters of the skull indicate a further stage 

 than has been reached by other species in the progress of diflfer- 

 entiation from a radical stock. 



Note on a SEMI-ALBINO SPECIMEN of DACELO GIGAS. 



By Alfred J. North, F.L.S. 



(Ornithologist to the Australian Museum.) 



One of the most interesting of the recent additions to the 

 Ornithological Collection is a semi-albino example of Dacelo gigas 

 procured at "Thirribir," Boggabri, New South Wales, by Mr. 

 F. J. Parks during the month of June, and which has been pre- 

 sented by that gentleman to the Trustees. As the bird was 

 received in the flesh and is in perfect plumage, I have taken 

 the opportunity of describing it. 



General colour above and below pure white ; a spot in front of 

 the eye, and a broad line extending from the gape to the ear- 

 coverts, dull rufous ; ear-coverts rufous-brown with white shaft- 

 lines ; median portion of the lengthened crest-feathers and an 

 indistinct nuchal spot, dull rufous ; scapulars and interscapular 

 region slightly washed with brown, the lower back faintly barred 

 with brown ; rump and upper tail coverts dull rusty-rufous, the 



