646 DR. F. H. H. GUILLEMARD ON BIRDS COLLECTED [Junel6, 



146. Manucodia chalybeata, Penu, 

 Manucodia chalybeata, Salvad. op. cit. vol. ii. p. 498. 



a. S . Mysol. 



Iris red ; bill and feet black. Length 39'0 centims., wing 1 9"0, 

 tail 16*5, bill from gape 4-8. 



Salvadori separates M. chalybeata from M, atra by the wavy 

 feathers of the upper back and by the black velvety band at the 

 apex of each feather of that part and the under surface, which charac- 

 teristics he states to be constant at all ages. The feathers of the 

 anterior part of the neck are, he considers, broader and more golden, 

 and the measurements somewhat smaller. 



The present example is evidently an old male, and is in splendid 

 plumage. It corresponds to Salvadori's description of M. chalyleata 

 in every way, and I have accordingly placed it under this designation, 

 as I have only twenty-four individuals of this and the alHed species, 

 as against a series of nearly five times that number catalogued in the 

 •Ornitologia della Papuasia.' At the same time I am strongly 

 inclined to regard the two species as identical. The black velvety 

 bauds on the feathers of the breast and back are, I think, a charac- 

 teristic of not much value, since Salvadori himself describes them as 

 " in very old individuals extending on to the uropygium,'' thereby 

 admitting that age can produce them in feathers in which they were 

 not previously apparent. With regard to dimensions, the present 

 example slightly exceeded the average of twenty M. atra, and the 

 beak was considerably larger, so that size as a diagnostic point is of 

 no value. With regard to the plumage of M. atra no constancy is 

 apparent ; all colours between oily green and deep violet or purple 

 being observable, while in some the wrinkled plumes of the breast 

 are beginning to appear. 



It seems improbable that there should be two such closely allied, 

 yet distinct species coexisting in the same districts ; and I should 

 therefore be inclined to consider M. chalybeata as an older stage of 

 M. atra. 



147. Manucodia jobiensis, Salvad. 

 3Ianucodia jobiensis, Salvad. op. cit. vol. ii. p. 502. 

 a. S • Near Ansus, Jobi ; November 11th, 



Iris red ; bill and feet black. Length 33-5 centims., wing I7'5, 

 tail 15-0, bill from gape 3'8, tarsus 3-4. 



The above measurements are considerably less than those given by 

 Salvadori. 



This Manucode, which is easily recognizable as a distinct species, 

 was apparently uncommon in Jobi. 



148. Manucodia atra (Less.). 

 Manucodia atra, Salvad. ojj. cit. vol. ii. p. 504. 



a. (5 . Mysol. 



b, c. 5 . Mysol. 

 rf-m. cJ. Waigiou. 



