V °i' o' 11 1 MlLLlGAN, Description of a New Gymnorhina. I O I 



surface dingy brownish-black, with greyish-white edgings ; bill 

 changing from horn colour to bluish, but without glaze or polish. 

 Over-all measurements, \2\ x 4^; tail-band, i\ ; culmen, 2.25 

 inches. In another, but slightly older bird, of the same sex, the 

 dark-coloured plumage showed a sheen, exxept on the lower 

 abdomen, which was brown. The vent feathers were long and 

 brownish, with white ends ; wing edges mottled. Over-all 

 measurements, 13 x 4^; tail band, 2; culmen, 2.25 inches. 

 In a third young female the mantle feathers were deep black, 

 with sparse and indistinct white edgings, producing a spotted 

 appearance, and the feathers of the rump were black with white 

 edgings, producing a barred appearance. Over-all measurements, 

 12 x 3f ; tail-band, 2§- ; culmen, 2 inches. In a fourth young 

 bird of the same sex the head was brownish-black, with white 

 edgings, irregularly disposed ; under surface dingy blackish 

 brown. Over-all measurements, I2f x 4 ; tail-band, 2\ ; culmen, 

 1 -J inches. 



The measurements of the tails of all birds varied from 5.75 to 

 6.6 inches. It is perhaps worthy of remark that in many instances 

 the tails of the young birds exceeded in length those of fully 

 matured ones. 



As the dates of capture have only in one or two instances been 

 inscribed on the labels attached to the skins, I regret to say that 

 I have been unable to trace the several colour changes (for such 

 I am convinced occur) of the first year, and the subsequent feather 

 changes, and, perhaps, colour changes. Whilst on the subject 

 of feather-change I must mention an instance of an unseasonal 

 moult in an adult male shot in the vicinity of Perth in the month 

 of January. The feathers of the head and neck had (probably 

 the result of some misadventure) been lost, and those portions 

 showed new feathers encased in sheaths appearing on the other- 

 wise nude surfaces. The ordinary moult would take place in 

 June or July. 



From the foregoing observations, and from the resujt of ex- 

 amination not here recorded, and from field notes and observa- 

 tions of birds, in captivity, I deduce the following as characteristic 

 of an adult male and female in full and mature plumage : — 



Male. — (1) Colour dispositions sheeny blue-black and snow- 

 white, sharply contrasting and uniform ; (2) wing edges pure 

 white, not mottled ; (3) stems of feathers of white and black 

 portions of tail correspondingly and relatively white and black ; 

 (4) terminal black tail-band not exceeding 1 inch ; (5) vent- 

 patch pure white, small, and inconspicuous ; (6) mandibles 

 polished pale blue for basal half, deep blue distal half. 



Female. — (1) Similar to male, except mantle, which is black, 

 with conspicuous and well-defined white edgings to feathers ; 

 (2) similar to male ; (3) stems of feathers wholly black ; (4) ter- 

 minal black band exceeds 1 inch ; (5) and (6) similar to male. 



In well-advanced females of the first year the white band and 

 almost black band are the distinguishing characteristics. 



