123 



CINNYRIS MAFOEENSIS. 



(MAFOOR-ISLAND BLACK SUN-BIRD.) 



Chalcostetha astasia, var. maforensis, Meyer, Sitz. k. Ak. Wissensch. zu Wien, lxx. p. 123 



(1874); Sclater, Ibis, 1874, p. 419. 

 Hermotimia maforensis, Salvad. Atti R. Ace. Torino, x. pp. 208, 227 (1874), xii. p. 301 



(1877). 



(j ad. similis C. aspasia, sed major et pileo lsete aurato distinguendus. 



Hab. in insula Papuana " Mafoor " dicta. 



Adult Male. Black with a deep-blue gloss, the entire crown golden ; the least and median series of wing- 

 coverts, the scapulars, the lower half of the back, and the upper tail-coverts metallic green very slightly 

 shaded with blue ; a few of the outer greater wing-coverts and the tail-feathers edged with the same 

 colour ; chin and throat violet-shaded steel-blue. Total length -t inches, culmeu 0"75, wing 2*5, 

 tail l - 6, tarsus 0'65. 



Hab. Island of Mafoor, in the Bay of Geelvink. 



The present species belongs to the division of the " Hermotimia " group in which the lower 

 back is green. It only differs from C. aspasice in the golden colour of the crown, which in this 

 bird is only faintly tinted with green in certain lights. It is also slightly larger. As far as we 

 yet know, it is entirely confined to the small island of Mafoor, in the Bay of Geelvink. 



The figure and description of this bird I have taken from one of the typical specimens 

 collected by Dr. Meyer, and lent to me by him. 



