258 turdiDjTs. 



30. Merula albifrons. 



Merula albifrons, E. P. Ramsay, P. L. Soc. N. S. Wales, iii. p. 336 

 (1879) ; E. L.i^ E. L. C. Layard, Ibis, 1881, p. 137. 



Head, neck, and chest white ; the remainder of the upper and 

 imderparts dark brown, darkest on the wings and tail ; whitish 

 shaft-lines and tips to the under tail-coverts. Bill, legs, feet, and 

 claws yellow ; wing-formula unknown. Length of wing 4 inches, 

 tail 2*8, culmen 0-95, tarsus 1"3. 



The Eromanga Ouzel is described as frequenting the mountainous 

 parts of Eromanga, one of the most southern islands of the New 

 Hebrides group. 



The British Museum does not possess a skin of this species ; nor 

 have I seen the type specimen, which appears to be the only one 

 hitherto obtained. It is doubtful whether it is more than sub- 

 specifically distinct from 31. j^'itzbiceri, which varies considerably in 

 the colour of the head, neck, and chest. 



31. Merula poliocephala. 



Ash-headed Thrush, Laf/i. Gen. Si/n. Suppl. ii. p. 373 (1801). 

 Tardus poliocephalus, Lath. Ind. Orn. fSuppl. p. xliv (1801) ; Gray, 



Hand-l. B. i. p. 2o5. no. 3708 ; Trisfiran, Ibis, 1879, p. 189. 

 Merula nestor, Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 186 ; Jard. %■ Selby, III. Orn. 



iv. pi. 37 (1840). 

 Geocichla poliocephalus (Lath.'), Bp. Consp. i. p. 268 (18o0). 

 Turdus badius, Lath, apud Gray, Iland-l. B. i. p. 255. no. 3707 



(1869). 

 Merula poliocephalus {Lath.), E. P. Ramsay, P. L. Soc. iV! S. Wales, 



iii. p. 337 (1879). 



In the aduU male the entire head, neck, and throat are pale 

 brownishgrey, slightly darker on the crown, abruptly defined on the 

 nape from the rest of the upper parts, which are a uniform dull black, 

 and shading into dark brown on the upper breast ; axillaries and 

 imder wing-coverts pale brownish grey ; the rest of the underparts 

 dark brown, each feather somewhat paler on the edges ; the under 

 tail-coverts with pale grey shaft-lines and tips. Bill yellow. Wings 

 with the third, fourth, and fifth primaries nearly equal and longest, 

 second primary about equal to the sixth, bastard primary 0-85 to 

 0-65 inch. Legs, feet, and claws yellow. Length of wing 4-52 to 

 4-05 inches, tail 3-3 to 2-85, culmen U-9 to 0-83, tarsus 1-21 to 1-1. 



The /<3?naZe scarcely differs from the male, except in having the 

 head and neck slightly darker. Birds of the year and young in 

 first plumage appear to be unknown. 



The Norfolk-Island Ouzel is confined to the island from which it 

 derives its name, between New Caledonia and New Zealand. 



a. Ad. sk. Norfolk Island. 



h, c. (S ad. sk. Norfolk Island (Dr. Voyage of H.M.S. ' Herald.' 



F. M. Rayner). 

 d.'^nA.sk. Norfolk Maud. Julius Breucbley, Esq. [P.]. 



e. Ad. 6t. Norfolk Island. 



