574 DR. F. H. H. GUILLEMARD ON BIRDS COLLECTED [June 2, 



5G. Semioptera. wallacei (G. R. Gr.). 



Semioptera wallacei, Salvad. op. cit. vol. ii. p. 5/2. 



fl— 2. c? . Batchian. 



k. (J vix ad. Batchian. 



l-o. (S juv. Batchian. 



p, q. ? . Batchian. 



Iris brown ; bill horn-colour ; tarsus vellowish orange. Length 

 297-30 centims., wing 15-2-15-8 ( ? 14-9-15-4), bill from gape 

 4-2-4 -4. 



The young males in the first stage of plumage appear not to differ 

 in any way from the females. The assumption of the adult dress 

 appears to take plnce by a gradual change in the colouring of the 

 feather, not by moult. Thus, in one individual there is a small 

 patch of green on the lower part of the neck, the subalar tufts 

 forming the points of the metallic shield have just appeared, and 

 two or three feathers on either side of the breast are shaded with 

 metallic green. The standards are fully formed, but the nasal tufts 

 are tinged with rufous. The appearance of the ahr standards seems 

 to be an early step in the progress towards full plumage. In ex- 

 ample h the whole of the sides of tjie neck and breast is a mass of bare 

 feather-cases, from which are springing the bright green pectoral 

 tufts ; the front of the breast has finished moulting. The standards, 

 though nearly of full length, are still encased in their sheaths at tiie 

 base; they are very broad (1-4 centim.) and greyish, not ruddy 

 white as in the other birds. The nasal tufts have no shade of 

 rufous. This is undoubtedly an old bird, and it may therefore be 

 assumed that the ruddy tinge of the nasal plumes in some individuals 

 is a sign of immaturity. 



From the number of specimens that our hunters brought us, it is 

 evident that this species must be tolerably abundant in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the village of Batchian, although I never had the good 

 fortune to see it alive. The natives told us that it was very local, 

 frequenting certain parts of the forest only. This is certanily the 

 case with some others of the Paradiseidse. I cannot help thinking 

 that a further exjjloration of the large uninhabited island of Obi 

 would add either this or some closely allied species to its avifauna. 

 Its geological characteristics appear to be the same as those of 

 Batchian. There are no volcanic rocks, but conglomerate and sand- 

 stone abound, and coal is said to exist, though a visit we made, in 

 company with the Resident of Ternate, in search of it was unsuc- 

 cessful. 



57. Ptilopus superbus (Temm.). 



Ptilopus superbus, Salvad. op. cit. vol. iii. p. 6. 

 fl-c. c? • Ternate. 

 d, e. 5 . Ternate. 



Iris yellow ; bill slate, yellow at tip ; feet red. Length 23*3 

 centims., wing I2'6-13*l. 



