690 PROF. NEWTON ON A NEW SPECIES OF DREPANIS. [Nov. 7, 



Ctenochilus PILIPALPUS. 

 Epipona pilipalpa, Spiu. I.e. p. 252 (1851). 

 This species was based on a single female specimen. I have 

 never seen it. 



7. On a new Species of Brepanis discovered by Mr. R. C. L. 

 Perkins. By Alfred Newton, F.Z.S. (Communicated 

 on behalf of the Joint Committee, appointed by the 

 Royal Society and the British Association, for the 

 Zoological Exploration of the Sandwich Islands.) 



[Eeceived November 7, 1893.] 



The severe labours undergone by Mr. Perkins, who has for some 

 months past been exploriug Molokai, one of the Sandwich Islands, 

 have met with a suitable reward in the unexpected discovery of a 

 new species of Drepanis, of which he has sent home several speci- 

 mens ; and, in describing it at his request, I feel bound to express 

 the satisfaction of the Joint Committee under whose direction he 

 has been working, coupled with my own regret that his modesty 

 hinders him from introducing his discovery to the world. Its 

 sombre plumage and the sad fate that too probably awaits the 

 species induce me to propose for it the name of 



Drepanis funerea. 



Diagn. — Atra,remigihus mamialihus extern^ gnsei-limbatis, rostro 

 valde clecurvato, maxilla mandibidam multo transeunte. 



Long. tot. 8 ; alu' 4 ; caud. 2'7o ; rostri cidminis 2'5 ; tarsi 1"25 

 uncc. 



Hah. in montibus sylvestribus insidse Molokai. 



The sexes are outwardly alike. Mr. Perkins states that the nasal 

 opercula aud the base of the bill between the nostrils are yelloA\-, 

 especially in the young ; the irides " pale yello\A-ish-brown." 



It woidd be easy to point out characters that in the eyes of 

 some writers would justify the foundation of a new genus for this 

 bird. At first sight the configuration of its bill naturally suggests 

 the genus Jlemy/nathus ; but closer inspection shows that in its 

 breadth and height at the base it wholly agrees with Drepanis, 

 as restricted by modern authors, only differing therefrom in its 

 exaggerated maxilla. Some inequaUty in the length of the man- 

 dibles is, however, exhibited by D.pacifica, and the examples of the 

 new species sent by Mr. Perkins show no httle variability in this 

 respect. For the rest it is distinct enough, its almost lustreless 

 black plumage not being relieved by any yellow feathers, though 

 the patch of that colour at the base of the maxilla must be a 

 conspicuous feature in life. 



