134 CASSIN'S DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF PARADISEA, LINN. 



It is similar in general form only to P. magnijica, but does not resemble that nor 

 any other known species to an extent sufficient to render especial designation 

 necessary. All the species of the genus Paradisea are in the collection of the Academy. 

 The specimen now described, which is probably that of a young bird assuming 

 mature plumage, was obtained by Mr. Wilson in England, but bears no label 

 indicating locality. 



Since the publication of the description of the present species, (in August, 1850) 

 I have become aware that a new species of Paradisea had been announced by 

 Bonaparte in Comptes Rendus, xxx. p. 131, Feb., 1850. He names it Lopliorina 

 respuhUca, and gives this description : " Chlamyde ex plumis elongatus nuchee rubra ;" 

 which is noticed and copied in Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1850, p. 124, 242, and where 

 the information is given that it is related to P. magnijica. In Conspectus Avium, 

 p. 413, the new species alluded to is placed in the genus DiphjUodes, Less., with P. 

 magnijica, and only characterized again thus : " Fasciculo e plumis elongatis nuchee 

 rubris." 



The species described by me is also related to P. magnijica, which is a suspicious 

 fact, and the specimen, if it ever had a nuchal fasciculus, has lost it. I cannot 

 determine from Bonaparte's short descriptions whether my bird is identical with his 

 or not ; but as a good figure of mine is now given, the question admits of easy solution 

 by any European Ornithologist who has access to his specimen. If it is, I am not 

 the one to find fault with his name. 



