102 MR, P. L. SCLATER ON BIRDS FROM [ Feb. 20, 
maculis in gutture et in pectore rotundis, distinctis: habitu 
generali D. carbonarii: long. tota 11°3, ale 6, caude@ rectr. 
ext. 5°4, med. 4°6. 
Hab. New Britain (October 1875). 
This Drongo, of which there is one skin in Mr. Brown’s collection, 
obtained in New Britain in October 1875, belongs strictly to the 
same group as D. carbonarius of New Guinea and D. bracteatus of 
Australia. I should have been rather inclined to refer it to the 
former species; but as Mr. Sharpe, who has lately been engaged on 
this difficult family, points out to me, if D. pectoralis' of the Sula 
Islands is to be considered distinct, then this bird must also be 
allowed equal rank; for in it the round feather-spots on the breast 
are quite as large and well-marked as in D. pectoralis, and extend 
moreover over the throat. 
This appears to be another case of the recurrence of Celebesian 
forms to the east of New Guinea. 
14. Dicaum EximiuM, sp. nov. (Plate XIV. fig. 2.) 
Supra saturate eneo-viride, pileo et capitis lateribus brunnescen- 
tibus : uropygio coccineo: subtus album, fascia pectorali an- 
gusta coccinea: lateribus et ventre medio fuscescenti-schista- 
ceis, hypochondriis sicut dorso e@neis: subalaribus albis : 
rostro et pedibus nigris: long. tota 3°3, ale 2:0, caude 10. 
Hab. New-Ireland (March 1876). 
This Diceum is quite distinct from any species known to me. It 
is just possible that D. eneum of the ‘ Voyage au Pole Sud’ may be 
the female of it. 
15. NECTARINIA ASPASIA. 
Cinnyris aspasia, Less. Voy. Coq. Zool. i. p. 676, Atl. t. 30. fig. 4. 
Three skins (¢, ¢ gr. et 9) of this Sun-bird from Duke-of- 
York Island. Mr. Shelley, who is now monographing this beautiful 
group of birds, kindly sends me the subjoined remarks on them:— 
“It is most interesting to find the true C. aspasia from Duke-of- 
York Island. Previously this bird was known to be a native of at 
least two thirds of the northern portion of New Guinea, and to ex- 
tend westward to the islands of Popo and Mysol. The specimens 
from Popo island have a slightly more lilac tinge to the throat, but 
are not sufficiently distinct in my opinion for specific separation. 
Lesson’s type of C. aspasia came from Havre Dorey ; and specimens 
received thence agree in every respect with the adult male from 
Duke-of-York Island, which may be thus described. General 
plumage blue black; forehead, crown and nape metallic green; 
least and median series of wing-coverts, the scapulars, the lower half 
of the back, the upper tail-coverts, and the edges of the tail-feathers 
metallic green, faintly shaded with steel-blue, in that respect con- 
trasting with the colour of the crown, which is rather golden than 
blue-green ; beneath, chin and throat steel-blue, very faintly shaded 
with lilac. 
1 Wallace, P. Z. 8. 1862, p. 342. 
