of the B. M. Catalogue of Birds. 399 



difference in size, but the adult male of P. christophori has 

 an olive-green, not a black head, has no vestige of a yellow 

 collar behind, has tail olive-green instead of black, and has 

 the black collar in front double the depth of that of P. astrolabi. 

 In fact there are no two birds of the yellow-throated group 

 more widely separated : one is the largest and the other the 

 smallest of the group. Of both we possess adult and young 

 of both sexes. With the next species, P. torquata, is united 

 P. intermedia, Layard. The references are given to Mr. 

 Layard''s very careful observations on the spot, from the 

 P. Z. S. and ^Ibis,' but his remarks are totally ignored. He 

 has pointed out that P. torquata is confined to Taviuni, while 

 on Viti Levu is found P. intermedia. 1£ Dr. Gadow has ever 

 seen the two together it is difficult to conceive how he could 

 have confounded them. The one has a black gorget, the other a 

 faint black line; the one has the throat and all the lo^er 

 plumage rich orange, the other has the underside yellow ; the 

 back of the one is very dark olive, the other very pale olive- 

 green. P. torquata has no loral yellow spot, P. intermedia 

 has. The description of the female of P. torquata is scarcely 

 recognizable from the type, while the female of P. intermedia 

 is totally different, being brown and mottled grey instead of 

 chocolate. But it is unfortunately evident that while Mr. 

 Layard^s papers have been referred to, they have not been 

 read. 



A similar ignoring of authorities meets us in the next 

 species of the Catalogue, P. graeffei, to which is united the 

 distinct species P. neglect a. Not a word of explanation is 

 given, and yet the descriptions and notes of Layard are re- 

 ferred to as though they had been examined. P. graeffei is 

 confined to Vanua Levu, P. neglecta to Ovalau. The under- 

 side of the former is deep orange, with yellow loral spots, of the 

 latter rich brilliant yellow, with no loral spots. Even if these 

 differences be not specific, subspecific, or racial, they ought 

 at least to have been mentioned for the guidance of students. 

 P. jacquinoti is next described merely as " very similar to 

 P. astrolabi, Bp., but differing from that species in having the 

 whole throat and fore neck deep shining black." There is 



2g2 



