558 MR. SCLATER ON BIRDS FROM NEW GUINEA. [June \7, 



the adult male in company with females or young birds, but always 

 in the thickest parts of the forests. The female and young male 

 birds I have generally found in a much lower zone. 



This Paradise-bird is very noisy, uttering a note like " Gnaad- 

 ffnaad." It feeds upon various kinds of fruits, more especially on a 

 species of fig which is very plentiful in the mountain-ranges ; at 

 other times I have observed it feeding on a small kind of nutmeg. 

 To clean its rich plumage, this bird is in the habit, where the 

 ground is dry, to scrape, like a gallinaceous bird, a round place 

 clear of all grass and leaves, and in the dust produced by the 

 clearing to roll over and over again — at the same time crying out, 

 extending and contracting its plumage, elevating the brilliant silvery 

 crest on the upper part of the head, and also the six remarkable 

 plumes from which it derives the specific name of sexpennis. On 

 seeing its eccentric movements at this time, and hearing its cries, 

 one would believe it to be engaged in a fight with some imaginary 

 enemy. This bird is named " Coran-u " by the natives. I have 

 also a skeleton of a young male of this species, which, although not 

 in a perfect state, may no doubt be interesting as showing the form 

 of the cranium, on which there is an admirable muscular structure 

 which enables the bird to elevate the feathers of the head. The 

 feathers at the nape of the neck exhibit, when the rays of light 

 strike upon them, a rich and brilliant metallic hue. The eyes are of 

 a light blue, with a circle of a pale yellowish green colour. 



2. LOPHORINA ATRA. 



This bird, like the preceding, is very little known except from 

 imperfect specimens. It is found in the same mountains as the 

 last-named species, and feeds upon similar fruits. It flies from 

 branch to branch in the forests, uttering a cry of " Nied-Nied" and 

 from this peculiar note is named by the natives " Niedda." The 

 muscles used in the elevation of the crest of P. sexpennis are 

 surprising, but are surpassed in size by those of this bird ; for with 

 them it can extend, contract, elevate, and depress the long velvety 

 feathers which, commencing a little below the occiput, extend 

 along the body like a mantle ; and when these are elevated the two 

 feathers, horns, or tufts at the root of the beak are raised at the 

 same time. 



3. Epimachtjs maximus. 



I can only send a young bird of this species. It lives on the 

 highest mountains, and is very common there, according to the 

 statement of the natives, but was very rare in the district I visited. 

 It feeds upon fruits. 



4. [Drepanornis albertisi, sp. nov.*] 



This will probably prove to be a new bird, both generically and 

 specifically. It is very rare, and many of the natives did not know 

 it ; but others called it " Quarna." 



* Vide infra, p. 5G0. 



