GOULD'S NEOMORPHA. 143 



Although in many instances, some of which have already been mentioned, the two sexes 

 are clothed in very different plumage, there are few species where the distinction is so great as 

 is the case with the Rifle-Bird. In the male bird, the upper part of the body is deep velvet- 

 black, with a tinge of purple in a cross light, and the breast, abdomen, and under parts are of 

 the same velvety hue, but diversified with a fine olive-green, which stains the edges of each 

 feather. The crown of the head and the throat are covered with a multitude of remarkably little 

 patches of the most brilliant emerald -green, glancing with a lustrous metallic sheen that equals 

 the well-known emerald feathers of the humming-bird, and is in vivid contrast with the velvet- 

 black of the body. The tail is black, with the exception of the two central feathers, which 

 are of a rich metallic green, nearly as gorgeous as those of the head and neck. The tail is 

 black. 



The plumage of the female and young male bird is strongly contrasted with these vivid 

 colors, being as brown and homely as that of the thrush, and giving no indication of the 

 gorgeous hues that dye the feathers of the adult male. The upper parts of the female and 

 undeveloped male are an obscure rusty brown, the wings and tail being edged with a reddish 

 hue. A whitish buff -streak runs through the eye, and the under surface is half -covered with 

 many spear-headed black marks, something like the arrow-headed characters of Nineveh, 

 caused by the black hue which tips each feather, and very partially stains their edges. 



Van der Hoeven, in his "Handbook of Zoology, 7 ' places this bird in the genus Epimachus, 

 together with the two beautiful species which will be next described. It is separated from 

 them by other systematic zoologists, on account of the formation of the tail, which is com- 

 paratively short, and the feathers of nearly equal length. 



The very remarkable bird which is depicted in the accompanying illustration has been 

 very appropriately named Neomorpha, or New-form, as it exhibits a peculiarity of formation 

 which, so far as is at present known, is wholly unique. 



When this bird was first discovered, Mr. Gould very naturally considered the specimen 

 with the straight beak to be of a different species from that which has the curved bill, and 

 accordingly set them down in his list under different titles. In process of time, however, he 

 discovered the real state of the matter, as will shortly be seen by his own account. This very 

 curious anomaly in form is of considerable value to systematic zoologists, against over-esti- 

 mating the importance of form in a single limb or organ. Any one would be justified in con- 

 sidering so decided a difference of beak as a mark of distinction between two separate species ; 

 but it must not be forgotten that there are many genera, not only of birds, but of every class 

 of living beings, which have been established upon a far slighter foundation than is afforded 

 by the straight and curved beak of these birds, which have been found to be nothing more 

 than mere sexual distinctions of the same species. 



The locality and habits of the Neomorpha are briefly but graphically described by 

 Mr. Gould, in the following passage, which is taken from his " Birds of Australia" : — " These 

 birds, which the natives call E. Elia, are confined to the hills in the neighborhood of Port 

 Nicholson, whence the feathers of the tail, which are in great request among the natives, are 

 sent as presents to all parts of the island. The natives regard the bird with the straight and 

 stout beak as the male, and the other as the female. In three specimens which I shot this 

 was the case, and both birds are always together. 



"These fine birds can only be obtained with the help of a native, who calls them with a 

 shrill and long-continued whistle, resembling the sound of the native name of the species. 

 After an extensive journey in the hilly forest in search of them, I had at last the pleasure of 

 'seeing four alight on the lower branches of the tree near which the native accompanying me 

 stood. They came quick as lightning, descending from branch to branch, spreading out the 

 tail and throwing up the wings. Anxious to obtain them, I fired ; but they generally come 

 so near, that the natives kill them with sticks. Their food consists of seeds and insects ; of 

 their mode of nidification, the natives could give no information. The species are apparently 

 becoming scarce, and will probably be soon exterminated." 



In the coloring of its plumage, Gould's Neomorpha is, although rather dark, a really 



