Vol. xiv.] 78 



about 22 to 23 mm. long from the end of the hard rhampho- 

 theca to the feathering on the forehead, and about 13 mm. 

 wide at base of forehead. Short, velvety feathers covering 

 the lores, lateral bases of both mandibles, upper chin, and a 

 line across the forehead. Sides of head and throat very 

 sparsely feathered. A large, flat crest consisting of feathers 

 with segregated barbs, rising from the occiput. Uemiges 

 hard and stiff. Tail short, rounded, consisting of twelve 

 rectrices. Feet and legs naked up to just above the heel- 

 joint; the metatarsus covered in front for about two-thirds 

 with distinctly separated scutes, but the upper third smooth 

 like the sides of the metatarsus, apparently soft in life. 

 Habits terrestrial. The type was : — 



MlCROGOURA MEEKI, n. Sp. 



J ? ad. Bill chalky blue, tip black, lower mandible 

 reddish. Short velvety feathers on chin, lores, sides of 

 mouth, and a line across the forehead, black. Top of head 

 and scanty feathers on sides of same pale greyish blue; crest- 

 feathers pale bluish grey. Chest and mantle bluish grev. 

 Lower back and rump greyish brown; upper tail-coverts 

 dark brown with purplish and greenish reflections ; primaries 

 drab-brown, their inner webs with a greyish tinge ; second- 

 aries dull cinnamon, the inner webs more or less greyish 

 brown. Wing-coverts greyish brown. Rectrices dark purple. 

 Breast and abdomen bright rufous-cinnamon. Under tail- 

 coverts glossy brownish black, with cinnamon edges. Under 

 wing-coverts bright cinnamon. Iris dark brown; feet 

 purplish red. Wing, $ 195 to 197, ? about 180 to 190 mm. ; 

 tail 100 to 105, bill from base of cere 34 to 35, metatarsus 

 60, middle toe with claw 40, hind toe with claw about 

 13 mm. 



? like $ , but the wing a little shorter. 



Hob. Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands. 



Type: $, Choiseul, 7. i. 1904. No. A. 1110, Tring 

 Museum. Named after its discoverer, Mr. A. S. Meek. 



The egg is cream-coloured and measures 43 x 31-3 mm. 



