66 ON BIRDS FROM DUKE-OF-YORK ISLAND. [Feb. 3, 



2. PcECiLODRYAS ^THioPs, sp. iiov. (Plate VII. fig. L) 

 Nigerrima ; macula scapularium utrinque, uropygio et crisso albis : 

 rostro et pedibus nigris ; caudd longiusculd, paululum rotundatd ; 

 remigibus tertio et quarto lequalibus. Long, tota 5*2, alcB 2"9, 

 caudce 2'2. 

 Hab. in Nova Britannia (Brown) . 



This bird, which is quite new to me, is very recognizable by its 

 uniform black plumage only broken by the white patch on the 

 scapulars, and the white upper and under tail-coverts, and reminds 

 one of Pratincola caprata. Count T. Salvadori, to whom I sent 

 it for inspection, reminds me that it comes nearest to his P. bimacu- 

 lata of New Guinea. 



4. MuNiA MELJENA, sp. uov. (Plate VII. fig. 2.) 



Niger ; uropygio, cauda tectricibus superioribus et rectricum 

 marginibus externis castanets ; caudd acurni?iatd, rectricilus dua- 

 bus mediis quam ccetera longioribus ; ventre medio rufo, hypo- 

 chondriis nigro variegatis, crisso nigro ; alis extus et dorso postico 

 fuscescenti-niffris, subalaribus rufescentibus ; rostro crasso et 

 pedibus nigris. Long, tota 4"3, alee 2, caudce TS. 



Hab. in Nova Britannia {Brown). 



This species is remarkable for its general black colouring varied 

 only by the chestnut upper tail-coverts and the broad rufous patch 

 on the belly. Its bill is stronger even than in M. forbesi. 



11. Rallus insignis, sp. nov. (Plate VIII.) 



Supra saturate, fuscescenti-oleagineus ; pileo, capitis lateribus et cer- 

 vice posticd rufo perfusis ; subtiis niger, fasciis angustis albis 

 usque ad medium ventrem instructus ; alis nigricanfibus, albo 

 intus transfasciatis, secundariis externis dorso concoloribiis ; rostro 

 nigro, pedibus carneis. Long, tota 12, alee .'j"4, caudee 1'3, 

 rostri a rictu IS, tarsi '2'7. 

 Hab. in Nova Britannia {Brown). 



This fine large Hail is a southern form of E. (sive Hypotcenidia) 

 celebensis, from which it differs in the want of any white markings 

 on the sides of the head, the rufous cap, the longer stronger bill, and 

 the want of any bars on the under tail-coverts. 1 have compared it 

 with the types of R. sulcirostris, Wallace, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 345 

 (from the Sula Islands) ; but that is also a perfectly distinct species. 

 The tail is unfortunately imperfect. 



Besides the skins, Mr. Brown sends a small collection of birds 

 in spirit, of which the exact localities are not stated. It contains 

 a second example of Munia hemimelcEna, also specimens of Donacicola 

 spectabilis and C'isticola riificeps, and of several other species. 



The skin of Eclectus pohjchlorus is of much interest, as it is that of 

 a nestling bird, and in the green plumage, and shows that as regards 

 this much vexed species the male is green from the nest. I assume 

 that the specimen is a male, although the sex has unfortunately not 

 been determined. 



