MANUCODE 535 
a small group of species whose relationship to the Paradiseidx 
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, with 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 Lhynchxa (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. Mus. iii. p. 164), two genera, for the first of which, dis- 
tinguished by the elongated tufts on the head, he adopts Lesson’s 
name Phonygama, and for the second, having no tufts, but the 
feathers of the head crisped, that of Manw- 
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 Phonygamua 
Dr. Sharpe recognizes three species, P. 
keraudrent (the type) and LP. jamesi, both 
from New Guinea, and P. gouldi, the T4™-FEATHERS AND BIL or 
Australian representative species ; but the Pee) 
first two are considered by Mr. Elhot ; 
(Ibis, 1878, p. 56) and Count T. Salvadori (Orn. Papuas. ii. 
p- 510) to be inseparable. There is a greater unanimity in 
regard to the species of the so-called genus Manucodia proper, 
of which four are admitted—JV. chalybeata or chalybea from north- 
western New Guinea, J. comrii from the south-eastern part of 
the same country, MV. 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. keraudreni, 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. I. gouldi, according to an informant quoted by Forbes 
(ut supri), frequents in pairs the dense palm-forests, perching high 
up, uttering a very deep and loud guttural note ; it is graceful in its 
