4 



NISUS RUFITORQUES AND N. POLIOCEPHALUS. 



say, even at tbc under coverts of wings and tail crossed 

 by very distinct grayisb wbite bars, lastly, tbe quills 

 and great under coverts of the wings show the black bars , 

 distinguishing the first plumage of the species. We possess 

 ten specimens of this variety killed in Halmahera '). 



As to the immature individuals of this species , the 

 markings of their plumage is liable to variations; and in 

 those of New-Guinea and the adjacent islands, the col- 

 or of the markings is in general paler and inclining to 

 rufous , but all of them have the great under coverts of 

 the wing and the quills furnished with black cross bars, 

 which fade more or less completely away in the adult 

 bird. 



We must observe, that our young specimen of the 

 island of Bouro agrees in every sense with the description 

 of the young Astur Wallacii of the same island, given 

 by Mr. Sharpe. 



The length of the wing varies with Nisus rufitorques 

 of from 7 to 10 inches and 3 lines; that of the tail of 

 from 5 and a half to 8 inches (fi'ench measure). 



Our Museum possesses specimens of this species killed 

 in the Fidji islands, in the isle of Mefoor (bay of Geel- 

 vink) , in the North- West peninsula of New-Guinea , and in 

 the islands of Misool , Great and Little Key , Aru , Banda , 

 Geb^h, Obi-lattu, Morotay, Ternate, Batjan, Halmahera 

 and Bouro. 



It may be seen from the foregoing review, that Nisus 

 rufitorques has an unusual wide geographical range, and 

 that this range is subject to a no less remarkable in- 

 terruption , the species being excluded from Ceram and 

 Amboina where it is represented by Nisus iogaster, al- 

 though it occurs again in the isle of Bouro. A similar 

 example of this kind is presented by the Carpophaga per- 

 spicillata , living in Halmahera and Bouro , and being re- 



1) Mr. Sliarpe assigns to tliis variety a longer middle too; but I could 

 not make out this characteristic. 



Notes irom the Leytlen !M!useuin. 



