650 DR. F. H. H. GXJILLEMARD ON BIRDS COLLECTED [JunC 16, 



1 56. Craspedophora magnifica (Vieill.). 



Craspedophora magnifica, Salvad. op. cit. vol. ii. p. 554. 



a-d. S ■ Near Andai. 



e,f. Locality unknown. 



g. $ . Locality unknown. 



Iris lemon-yellow with a shade of green, as in P. minor; bill and 

 feet black. Wing 17-3-1 8-3 centims. Native name /so;?. 



The female much resembles that of Seleucides nigricans ; the 

 general tone of the breast is dirty white, instead of dull yellowish, 

 and the primaries are all chestnut instead of having the inner webs 

 black ; but otherwise there is but little difference. While at 

 Samatee, the Rajah of Salwatti informed me that this species 

 existed on the island, but it was neither obtained nor geeu by 

 ourselves or our hunters. 



15/. Seleucides nigricans (Shaw). 



Seleucides nigricans, Salvad, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 561. 



a. S ■ Samatee, Salwatti. 



h. Jr. o • Samatee. 



c-g. Jr. S • Salwatti. 



h. (S . Locality unknown. 



i. $ . Locality unknown. 



Iris holly-berry red, of female orange ; bill black ; inside of 

 mouth and throat grass-green ; legs and feet the colour of pink 

 coral. In the young bird the feet are flesh-coloured. Length 

 34'8-37"6 centims. (Salvadori gives 25*0 !) ; wing lG-5-17"2. 



During our visit to Salwatti we were fortunate enough to acquire 

 a living specimen of this exquisite species. The way they are caught 

 appears almost incredible. The native searches in the forest until, 

 by the droppings, he has discovered the usual roosting-place of 

 the species. He conceals himself beneath the tree to discover the 

 exact branch chosen by the bird, and then climbing up at night, 

 quietly places a cloth over it ! The species being exceedingly fond of 

 the fruit of the Pandanus the roosting-))laces are easily recognized by 

 the dejecta, but in three weeks our hunters only secured one 

 bird. This was a male in full plumage (a), which afterwards became 

 very tame and lived for many weeks on board the ' Marchesa,' 

 though we were unfortunate enough to lose him before our arrival 

 in England. I find the following notes in my diary: — "Tbe 

 Seleucides alba is now wonderfully tame, and will eat out of one's 

 hand. He feeds on the fruit of the Pandanus, on Papaw (C'arica 

 papaya) when it can be obtained, on cockroaches, and occasionally 

 on banana. He is fond of resting motionless with the head sunk 

 low on tbe chest. The top of the head is very flat and low, so that 

 the upper margin of the eyes protrudes above it. He remains more 

 or less quiet during the day, but in the morning and evening is more 

 restless, moving from perch to perch with a peculiar bounding hop. 

 In feeding he is most wonderfully neat. With his long sharp bill 

 he catches a cockroach with lightning rapidity, taking it across the 



