THE SOLOMON ISLANDS AND NEW BRITAIN. 131 



of one aud the same species ; yet tliey show certain differences 

 which it is well to record under certain (specific) designations. 



Note on Astur soloensis, Ramsay (nee Lath.). 



Dr. Finsch, who has examined my specimen of Astur soloensis 

 from Cape Pitt, is of opinion that it is not the true A. soloensis, 

 Lath. 



I therefore propose for the Solomon-Island bird the name of 



6. Astur pulchellus, sp. nov. — Astur soloensis, Mamsay ijiec 

 Lath.), P. L. S. ofN. S. W. iv. pt. 1, p. 66. 



Hah. Solomon Islands. 



7. Ptilotis eugenic, Gray. 



After a careful comparison of many specimens, I have reluc- 

 tantly come to the conclusion (which I have stated elsewhere) 

 that the Ftilopus I referred to previously (P. L. S. of N, S. W. 

 vol, iv. p. 73) as Ptilopus viridis is the female of P. eugenice 

 (Grray ). It is remarkable that the female of this species should be 

 so brightly coloured on the breast. Moreover, young birds and 

 so-called females, similar in plumage to the adults in all except 

 having a purple breast, were obtained with the specimens I put 

 down as P. viridis S • 



The ornithology of the Solomon Islands is of so great interest 

 that, an opportunity having offered, I have sent one of our 

 taxidermists to the island of " Ugi," who, through the kindness 

 of Capt. Bruce, E.N., will have opportunities of collecting and 

 throwing some light on the subject, by carefully sexing the 

 species. I hope by this means to clear up the doubt as to the 

 sexes of my Myiagra ferrocyanea and 31. pallida, and other birds 

 of which we know little or nothing^. 



On the Homology of the Conario-hypophysial Tract, or the so- 

 called Pineal and Pituitary Glands. By Professor Owen, 

 C.B., E.E.S., F.L.S., &c. 



[Eead December 1, 1881.] 



The structure and local relations of the pituitary and pineal 

 glands, in Man, have received such close attention in anthropoto- 

 mical works as to dispense with repetition. But, before entering 

 upon the special aim of the present Paper, I feel bound to refer to 



