620 MR. P. L, SCLATER ON A NEW PARROT [Nov. 14, 
“Capt. Bulger, in his letters and conversation with me, always 
called this bird ‘ the mocking-bird,’ and corroborated Mrs. Barber’s 
description of its vocal powers; in fact nothing was safe from its 
mimicking-powers. I have myself heard our common Sazicola 
pileata imitate the yelping of the farm-curs, the crowing and cackling 
of fowls, the calls of pheasants and partridges, the harsh notes of 
the fiscal (Lanius collaris), and the clear pipe of the robin. 
“Trusting this little history of a new species may not prove un- 
interesting. 
“‘T am, Sir, 
«Yours very faithfully, 
‘ EpGar L. Layarp, F.Z.S.”’ 
The following papers were read :— 
1. On a New Parrot or THE GENUS NASITERNA. 
By P. L. Scuater, M.A., Pa.D., F.R.S. 
(Plate XXXV.) 
Our Corresponding Member, Mr. Gerard Krefft of Sydney, has 
lately sent me two specimens of a small Parrot in spirits, stated to 
be from the Salomon Islands, which turn out upon examination to 
belong to a new and very beautiful species of the genus Nasiterna. 
The little bird is of very great interest, as being a second known 
representative of this very peculiar genus of Ps¢ttacide—hitherto 
supposed to be restricted to New Guinea and the Papuan Islands— 
and as affording an additional proof, if any such were needed, that 
the Salomon Islands belong strictly to the Austro-Malayan as di- 
stinguishable from the Pacific subdivision of the Australian Region. 
I propose to call the new species 
NasiTERNA pusio. (PI, XXXV.) 
Supra viridis, pileo summo obscure eyaneo: fronte et capitis 
lateribus cum mento fulvis: subtus dilutior, medialiter flavi- 
cans : rectricibus duabus mediis cyaneis, macula ovali ad api- 
cem nigra; ceteris nigris, pogoni internt parte apicali cum 
caude tectricibus inferioribus aureo-flavis: cauda rotundata, 
rectricum sex mediarum rachidibus protractis rigidis, acumi- 
natis, ceterarum rigidiusculis. 
Long. tota 3°3 poll. Angl., alee 2°5, caudee 11, tarsi 0°3. 
Hab. Ins. Salomonenses. 
Obs. Major quam N. pygmea, et colore pilei et faciei, neenon 
forma et colore candee, facile distinguenda. 
Of the two specimens received from Mr. Krefft, one which I now 
exhibit has been made into an excellent stuffed specimen by the 
artistic hands of Mr. Bartlett, and is the subject of the accompanying 
plate by Mr. Wolf. An examination of the second specimen left in 
spirits has enabled me to supply the following particulars concerning 
