482 Mr. Swainson on Nezc Australasian Birds. 



green ; each colour alternately preponderating as the direction of 

 the light is varied. The middle of the throat is occupied hy a 

 large patch of the same colour, which, as it approaches the breast, 

 divides, and forms a stripe on each side. The chin and breast 

 appear to be of an intense velvety black ; but, when held in 

 certain lights, become glossed with the most beautiful reflections 

 of lilac and purple. The feathers on the body are yet more 

 changeable ; in some directions they seem entirely black, in others 

 they appear black, margined by a rich olive green ; while in 

 another position, the black centre of each feather is glossed by 

 brilliant reflections of lilac and purple intermixed, and relieved 

 by a narrow line of bright green bordering the duller hue of the 

 margins. The feathers on the Jlanks are the same, and much 

 lengthened. The side feathers of the body are black and very 

 long, being nearly as much developed as those of Paradisea 

 sexsetacea. 



The Kings are black and glossy, and although not long, the 

 quills are remarkably broad, yet so abruptly truncated that the 

 greater quills hardly exceed the lesser ones in length. The shafts 

 of all, except those nearest the body, end in a lengthened pointed 

 hair, extending beyond the radii: the first quill is half as long as 

 the second, and is pointed ; the second is but slightly pointed, 

 and is scarcely shorter than the third. 



The tail is short, fasciculated, somewhat concave, and even ; 

 each feather is abruptly truncated, and has the shaft terminated 

 in the same manner as those of the quills: the colour of the lateral 

 feathers are deep black ; but the middle pair are of a shining 

 metallic green-blue, and half an inch shorter than the others. 

 The bill is black, and considerably compressed from its base, 

 having towards the tip of the upper mandible an appearance of a 

 notch. This character is common to the Meliphagidw and Para- 

 diseida; but is entirely wanting among all the Promeropida I have 

 hitherto seen. In this sex the nostrils are completely hid by the 

 frontal feathers, which entirely cover the membrane. 



The legs are very short, and the knees concealed by feathers ; 

 the lateral scales of the tarsi arc entire. The size of the three 

 fore claics are equal; but the hind tlaw is considerably stronger. 



