collected in Neio Britain. 129 



neither of them seen an example previously in similar 

 plumage." 



Both specimens are of nearly the same dimensions, and also 

 agree generally in size with the male of H. longicauda, 

 but differ from that species materially in their coloration, 

 which is very much darker, and in the absence of the major 

 portion of the markings which are conspicuous in H. longi- 

 cauda. This peculiarity of plumage occurring in the only 

 two specimens from New Britain which we have seen, and in 

 none that have come under our notice from any other locality, 

 now induces Mr. Sharpe and myself to believe that the two 

 specimens of Henicopeimis sent from New Britain belong to 

 an uudescribed species, and are not, as we at first supposed, 

 referable to H. longicauda in its immature dress — a view 

 which is confirmed by the circumstance of Captain Bichards 

 having noted the colour of the iris in his specimen as " bright 

 orange,^^ that being a hue indicative of adult age rather than 

 of immaturity. 



Before describing the peculiarities of the plumage of the 

 New-Britain bird, for which, from its generally dark tints, I 

 would propose the specific name of " infuscata," it may be 

 convenient to give some comj)arative measurements of the 

 two New-Britain specimens and of three of H. longicauda : — 



Specimen from New Britain, in Britisli 



Museum, marked $ by Mr. Brown, 



but, I think, probably a c? 14'20 1-70 1-50 



Specimen from New Britain, marked c? 



by Lieut. Eicbards 14-00 175 1-40 



H. longicauda. 



Specimen from Waigiou, in Britisb Mu- 

 seum, marked cJ by Mr. Wallace .... 



Specimen from Mysol, in Norwich Mu- 

 seum, marked J by Mr. Wallace .... 



Specimen from Dorey, in Norwich Mu- 

 seum, marked $ by Mr. Wallace .... 



SER. IV. VOL. VI. 



