Long. tot. 



al. 



caud. 



rect. ext. 



culm. 



alt. rostr. 



tars. 





in. 



in. lin. 



lin. 



lin. 



lin. 



lin. 



— 



3 



3 3 



11 



^ 



o3 



4i 



millim. 



millim. 



millim. 



millim. 



millim. 



millim. 



millim 



180 



76 



82 



24 



12 



8 



9 



148 BIRDS OF NEW GUINEA. 



of the remiges is marked with a yellow median patch, which becomes larger, 

 broader, and darker on the secondaries ; two middle tail-feathers dark green, 

 on the apical portion black-blue, shining, with the extreme tip yellow : the 

 remainder of the tail-feathers scarlet on the apical half, black on the basal 

 half, and dark green at the base of the outer web ; the four external tail- 

 feathers with narrow blackish green apical margins ; bill black ; feet and legs 

 blackish. 



dig. ext. 

 lin. 

 5 (Enghsh). 



millim. 



11 (French). 



The above description was taken from a typical specimen collected by 

 Dr. Meyer, which (although the sex is not noticed) we consider to be that of 

 an old male. This specimen agrees in every respect with the description 

 given by Dr. Meyer, who does not mention the sexual differences. 



Dr. A. B. Meyer discovered this extraordinary and fine species in July 

 1873, during his visit to theArfak mountains in North-western New Guinea, 

 at an elevation of about 3500 feet above the level of the sea. He gives no 

 account of its habits. 



Trichoglossus arfaki is not only one of the rarest but also the most 

 peculiar species among the members of the Trichoglossinse or brush-tongued 

 Parrakeets. The markings of the tail, the uniform black and unusually 

 slender and hooked bill, but especially the singular colouring of the lores 

 and cheeks, render this species distinct from any other. With respect to 

 its systematical position, Tr. arfaki ranges among the small cuneate-tailed 

 group to which Tr. placens,Tem.m.., Tr. rubronotatus, Wall., and Tr. kordoanus, 

 Meyer, belong ; but we must remark that in Tr. arfaki the tail is more cuneate, 

 having the external feather very short. 



