NISUS RUFITORQUES AND N. POLIOCEPHALÜS. 5 



presented in Ceram and Amboina by another species, viz. 

 the Carpophaga neglecta. 



These Unes may be sufficient to show , that an establish- 

 ment of more than one species on Nisus rufitorques is 

 "well-nigh impossible , and is to be considered as a loss , 

 not a gain to science. 



NISUS POLIOCEPHALÜS. 



The first specimens of this species brought into Europe , 

 were collected by a civil officer of the Dutch Government 

 sent in 1825 to explore the Aru-islands by the late 

 Governor-General of Dutch India, Baron van der Capelle. 

 I examined this specimen in 1827, but did not think it con- 

 venient to establish a new species on a single individual ap- 

 parently in immature plumage. I could not procure this 

 specimen for the museum earlier than in 1866. In the 

 meanwhile Mr. Wallace had sent to England the adult 

 female of a bird shot in the Aru islands , which I recog- 

 nized at belonging to the same species as my specimen. It 

 was described by G. R. Gray ') under the name of Acci- 

 piter poliocephalus. 



Nisus poliocephalus has only been observed in the 

 North-Western peninsula of New-Guinea , and in the neigh- 

 bouring islands of Batanta , Salawatti , Mysol and Aru. The 

 specimens of New-Guinea were collected near Dorey , 

 Andaï and in the Arfak-mountains, 



We have seen that Nisus rufitorques is coexistent 

 with Nisus poliocephalus in all those countries , but that 

 the former has a far more extended range, and is found in 

 tracts not frequented by the latter species. 



Both these birds, though closely allied, exhibit constant 

 distinctive characteristics , and can by no means be con- 

 founded : Nisus poliocephalus being generally a little smaller 



1) Proceed. Zool. Soc. London, 1838, p. 170. 



Notes from the Leyden Museum, 



