448 Dr. J. E. Gray on the Skeleton of 



LXIII. — On a neio Sjjecies of Megapode. By R. Bowdler 

 Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c., Senior Assistant, Zoological 

 Department, British Museum. 



The Museum is indebted to Dr. Sharpey, F.R.S., for a speci- 

 men of a Megapode which was shot by Henry David Cooper, 

 Esq., on the island of Triukut, in the Nicobar group. I 

 propose to call it 



Megapodius trinJcutensisy sp. n. 



Above olive-brown, many of the feathers rather inclining 

 to clearer and more rufous brown on their margins ; wings 

 uniform with back externally, the inner webs of coverts and 

 quills deep brown, the primaries very pale fulvous brown on 

 their outer webs ; tail uniform with back ; crown of head 

 light bay ; lores, cheeks, and region of the eye bare ; ear- 

 coverts, throat, sides of neck, and hinder part of latter forming 

 a collar pale creamy fulvous ; under sm-face of body rather 

 lighter olive-brown than the back, greyish on the abdomen, 

 thighs, and under tail-coverts ; under wing-coverts olive- 

 brown like the breast, except the greater series, which are 

 greyish like the inner lining of the wing. Total length 15*5 

 inches, culmen 1*1, wing 9'7, tail 3*5, tarsus 2'45. 



Hah. Trinkut Island, Nicobars. 



This new species is closely allied to M. nicohariensis^ as 

 might have been expected ; but on examining the excellent 

 account of the latter bird lately published by Mr. Hume 

 (' Stray Feathers,' ii. p. 276), it is evident that the Trinkut 

 bird is distinct. It has none of the "French-grey" tinge on 

 the throat and sides of neck, but, on the contrary, has these 

 parts a pale fulvous colour, forming a collar round the hind 

 neck. 



LXIY. — On the Skeleton of the New-Zealand Pike WhaUy 

 Balajnoptera Huttoni (Physalus antarcticus, Hiitton). By 

 Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c. 



[Plate XVm.] 



The skeleton of the whale of which Professor Hutton's account 

 and figure are given in the ' Annals ' {ante, p. 316, PI. XVI. a), 

 from Otago Head, has arrived at the British Museum. It is in 

 a very perfect state and beautiful condition, wanting only one 

 ear-bone, which Professor Hutton says he will send at the 

 next opportunity. 



