INSESSORES. 633 



blue-black, the green tint predominating on the back and 

 wings ; irides red ; bill yellowish olive ; feet purplish black. 



The adult female has the head and neck glossy greenish 

 black; back, wings, and tail bronzy brown, with numerous 

 oblong spots of white on the back and wing-coverts, the 

 remainder of the wing crossed by irregular bars of white, 

 stained with rufous ; tail regularly barred with white stained 

 with rufous, and slightly tipped with white j Hue from the 

 angle of the mouth and all the under surface white stained 

 with buff, spotted with black on the sides of the throat, and 

 crossed on the abdomen and under tail-coverts with narrow 

 irregular lines of blackish brown. 



The young has the head and upper surface mingled bronze 

 and buff, disposed in large patches ; wing-coverts reddish 

 buff, crossed by narrow bands of brown ; remainder of wings 

 and tail bronzy brown, crossed by bands of rufous ; under 

 surface rufous, crossed by narrow bars of blackish brown ; tail- 

 feathers longer and more pointed than in the adult. 



Genus CENTROPUS, Illiger. 



On reference to my account of the Centropus p/iasianus, it 

 will be seen I have stated that some difference occurs in 

 specimens from different localities, intimated a belief of there 

 being more than one species, and remarked that should such 

 prove to be the case, the term macrourus might be applied to 

 the Port Essington bii'ds, and melanurus to those from the 

 north-west coast ; and these names are provisionally retained 

 until future research has proved that they are the same species. 

 The birds of this genus have a harsh and spiny kind of 

 plumage, and one of their hind toes armed with a lengthened 

 spur-like claw. The old and young differ considerably in 

 colour, the prevaihng hue of the former being black or blue, 

 while the latter are brown. Species of this form are found in 

 Asia, Africa, and Australia. 



2t 



