714 The American Naturalist. [September, 
fined to Java, but is very widely distributed over the Papua, 
migrating to far distant tropie lands besides. 
Hirundo nigricans or Petrochelidon nigricans presents few fea- 
tures of coloration to distinguish it from the various forms of 
swallows of different denominations so well known in all parts 
of the world. The present bird wanders widely over the Aus- 
tralian continent and Papua. It is small of size, not much 
over five inches in total length, although many specimens 
exceed this measurement, the individual differences being un- 
usually great. Dun rumped, as Latham called this species, 
fairly characterizes it; but this appearance varies according 
to age, locality and season. In general color above, dark 
gleaming blue, faintly marked white lines prevails. Below, the 
body is buff or whitish, with a dark-hued breast. Wings above 
are dusky ; below a ruddy tinge, tail feathers similar. 
Many of the family Dicxide find a home in New Guinea or 
its islands. They are all small, usually prettily colored birds, 
allied at least in appearance to the sun birds, although hardly 
as elegant of form or richly plumaged as those delicate deni- 
zens of the tropics. 
Diceum rubrocoronatum abound in southern New Guinea, es- 
pecially near Port Moresby. Itisashowy little creature, a trifle 
over three inches in length only. Above the color is blue-violet, 
becoming less distinct on the neck, and merging into rusty on 
the wings. The tail continues this deep blue of the body; but 
over the rump and crown of the head a bright scarlet is thrown. 
This reappears in a broad segment on the upper breast. The 
female lacks this conspicuous ornament altogether, while the 
scarlet elsewhere becomes merely dull red. In other respects 
she is colored like her mate, having the under parts pale 
yellow, olive and white. She is, however, unmarked by a 
pinkish tinge on the under tail-coverts, which adorns the male 
bird. In both the middle abdomen and throat are a buffish 
white. Bill and feet dark. 
Scarcely to be distinguished from the preceding is D. pul- 
chrius, who differs chiefly in the coloration of the under tail- 
coverts, which, instead of pink, are a yellowish-brown. In 
lieu of this deficiency pulchrius has been granted a slightly 
