MANUCODE 



535 



a small group of species whose relationship to the Paradiseidai 

 has been frequently doubted, and must be considered uncertain. 

 These Manucodes have a glossy steel-blue plumage of much beauty, 

 but are easily distinguished from other birds of similar coloration 

 by the outer and middle toes being united for some distance, and 

 they are very remarkable for the extraordinary convolution of the 

 trachea, in the males at least, "vWth which singular structure is 

 correlated their loud and clear voice. The convoluted portion of the 

 trachea lies on the breast, between the skin and the muscles, much 

 as is found in the females of the genus Bhynclixa (Snipe), in the 

 males of the Cracidx (CuRASSOw), and in a few other birds, but 

 wholly unknown elsewhere among the Passeres. The Manucodes 

 are peculiar to the Papuan Subregion (including therein the penin- 

 sula of Cape York), and comprehend, according to Dr. Sharpe {Cat. 

 B. Brit. Mils. iii. p. 164), two genera, for the first of which, dis- 

 tinguished by the elongated tufts on the head, he adopts Lesson's 

 name Plnmygama, and for the second, having no tufts, but the 

 feathers of the head crisped, that of Manu- 

 codia; and the late Mr. W. A. Forbes 

 {Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882, p. 349) observes 

 that the validity of the separation (which 

 has not yet been generally acknowledged) 

 is confirmed by what is now known of 

 their tracheal formation. Of Phonygama 

 Dr. Sharpe recognizes three species, P. 

 Tceraudreni (the type) and P. jamesi, both 

 from New Guinea, and P. gouldi, the 

 Australian representative species ; but the 

 first two are considered by Mr. Elliot 

 {Ibis, 1878, p. 56) and Count T. Salvadori {Orn. Papuas. ii. 

 p. 510) to be insepai'able. There is a greater unanimity in 

 regard to the species of the so-called genus Manucodia proper, 

 of which four are admitted — M. chalybeata or chalyhea from north- 

 western New Guinea, 31. comrii from the south-eastern part of 

 the same country, M. atra of wide distribution within the Papuan 

 area, and M. jobiensis peculiar to the island which gives it a name. 

 Little is known of the habits of these birds, except that they are 

 as already mentioned remarkable for their vocal powers, which, in 

 P. heraudreni, Lesson describes {Voy. ^ Coquille,' Zool. i. p. 638) as 

 enabling them to pass through every note of the gamut. Mr. 

 "Wallace {Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 2, xx. p. 476) remarked that 

 M. atra was very powerful and active, clinging suspended to the 

 smaller branches of trees, on the fruits of which alone it appears 

 to feed. M. gouldi, according to an informant quoted by Forbes 

 (nt supra), frequents in pairs the dense jjalm-forests, perching high 

 up, uttering a very deep and loud guttural note ; it is graceful in its 



Tail-feathers and Bill of 



Phonygama. 



(After Swainson.) 



