315 



FORK-TAILED GAPER. 



Platystvmus Blainvillii, SWAINS. 

 PLATE XXXI. 



Glossy blue-black ; stripe on the ears, and spot on the nape, 

 white ; rump, vent, and tail-covers, crimson ; tail forked. 



EurylaSmus Blainvillii, Garnot, Zool. Coquille^ PL 19 Erolla 

 Blainvillii, Lesson. Trait. tfOrn. 260 Platystomus Blain- 

 villii, Sw. Class, of Birds, ii. p. 261. 



THE structure of this exceedingly rare bird has al- 

 ready been fully explained in another place*, and 

 its affinities and analogies have just been glanced 

 at. The annexed figure and description are both 

 taken from the only specimen as yet known, now 

 in the Paris Museum, and discovered by M. Garnot 

 in the Island of New Guinea. 



The general ground colour of the entire plumage, 

 both above and beneath, is deep and uniform black, 

 glossed with blue, particularly on the head and 

 breast. A broad white stripe begins at the gape, 

 covers the ears, and terminates beyond, on each 

 side of the neck ; a similar patch, but smaller, is 

 between the nape and the interscapulars ; from the 

 lower part of the back to the upper tail-covers, the 

 * Class, of Birds, ii. p. 261. 



