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DICTUM PRYERI, Sharpe. 

 Fryer's Dicaeum. 



Dicaum pryer i, Sharpe, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 795. 



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Mr. Pryer and his brother are both known for their labours in the cause of ornithology, both of them being 

 excellent observers and collectors. Mr. H. Pryer has done very good work in Japan, while Mr. W. B. Pryer 

 is now collecting in North-eastern Borneo, in a part of the country whence no previous collection has been 

 forwarded. The province of Sandakan forms part of the territory now belonging to the North-Borneo 

 Company ; and we hear of several naturalists who have joined the staff, who are likely to make us well 

 acquainted with the ornithology of this part of Borneo. To Mr. Pryer, however, belongs the credit of 

 having sent home the first consignment of bird-skins from that part of the world ; and the present interesting 

 little species is one of the novelties which have rewarded his efforts. 



Mr. Bowdler Sharpe gives the following diagnosis of the species : — 



" Similar to D. nigrimentum of Salvadori, but distinguished by the whole of the throat as well as the sides 

 of the neck and sides of body black. Total length 2*9 inches, culmen 0*4, wing P85, tail 1*0, tarsus 045." 



He also gives the accompanying note: — "The first collection sent by Mr. Pryer contained a single 

 specimen of this Dicaum ; it appeared to be quite different from D. nigrimentum, which is in the collection 

 of the British Museum. Subsequently Mr. Pryer forwarded some more adult males, in his second and 

 third consignments ; and as all of these agree in having the whole of the throat black, I have no doubt that 

 it is a good species." 



The figure in the Plate has been drawn from the typical specimen, which is a male bird. The female is 

 at present unknown. 



[R. B. S.] 



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