1873.] MR. SCLATER ON BIRDS FROM NEW GUINEA. 559 



The peculiarity of this bird consists in the formation of the bill and 

 head, and in the softness of the plumage. At first it does not appear 

 to have the beauty peculiar to other birds of this class; but when 

 observed more closely and in a strong light, the plumage is seen to 

 be rich and brilliant. The feathers rising from the base of the beak 

 are of a metallic green and reddish copper colour; the feathers of 

 the breast when smooth are of a violet-grey, when raised form a 

 semicircle round the body, reflecting a rich golden colour. Other 

 vio et-grey feathers arise from the flanks, which are edged by a rich 

 metall.c violet tint ; and when the plumage is entirely expanded, the 

 bird appears as if it had formed two semicircles around itself, and is 

 very handsome. The tail and wing-feathers are yellowish ; under- 

 neath they are of a darker shade. The head is barely covered with 

 small round feathers, which are rather deficient at the back of the 

 ears; the shoulders are tobacco-colour, and under the throat black 

 blending into ohye. The breast is violet-grey, banded by a line of 

 olive the rest white. The beak is black, eyes chestnut, and the feet 

 ot a dark leaden colour. 



This species is met with in the vicinity of Mount Arfak. Its food 

 is not known, nothing having been found in the stomachs of those 

 prepared except clear water. 



5. [Paradisea raggiana, sp. nov.*] 



The mutilated skins of this bird resemble those of the Red Paradise- 

 bird of Waigiou, but differ in some particulars. I procured them at 

 Orangeisa Bay where P.papuana and P. apoda are not known to 

 the natives, judging by their surprise when I exhibited some skins 

 of those species. Should the present bird prove to be new, I should 

 wish it to be named after the Marquis Francis Raggi, a great lover 

 of natural history, and especially of ornithology. 



6. DlPHYLLODES SPECIOSA (Bodd.). 



This bird is very rare in the mountains, but more numerous on 

 the plains and near the coast; still I could not obtain any adult 

 males and could only procure a few skins prepared by the natives 

 The skins sent will probably be interesting. natives. 



7. [Otidiphaps nobilis, Gould. f] 



This is a very interesting and a rare bird, even should it not be 

 new. I met with three specimens in the forest, but could only 



i *'Tm t ^. im P, erfect sk "« of this species sent seem to prove that it » 

 decidedly distinct from P. rubra, as supposed by Signor d'Albertf, IJTL r I 

 more nearly allied to P apoda and pZinor, havinf?he ?tiortS^d enfra 

 rectnees rounded as m the two latter, and not concave with one side open L?n 

 P. rubra But lt agrees rather with P. rubra in the colour o^theleat lateral 

 pectoral tufts, and m having a distinct though narrow yeUow baM(Uk e the 

 back) interposed between the green throat and dark breast/ As regards thlhead 

 however, the green front is quite narrow as in P. minor. I h^Kmedlbis 

 Paradise-bn-d P. raggwia, in compliance with its discoverer's wishes -PL S 



t Gould, Ann. Nat. Hist. ser. 4, vol. v. p. 62 It is of imi*™*»rL 7 i 

 ascertained the exact locality of this remarkable bird. lm P 0ltance to h »™ 



