632 The American Naturalist. [July, 
feature should not be overlooked: upon the long, heavy tail- 
feathers may be seen superfluous feathers, somewhat loosely 
laid and extending not quite the length of those below. 
These take the shape of the keel of a boat not unlike the tail 
of our crow blackbird in flight, though devoid of the 
trimness and elegance that marks that fine bird. The habitat 
is the D’Entrescasteaux group of islands. The bird has a 
strange, low, far-penetrating whistle. The bill and feet of 
the comrii are dull black. The bill is long and power- 
ful. . The total length of the bird is between 17 and 18 
inches. The nest of this manucode has been found 
on the lower branch of a breadfruit tree near the end. 
It was composed of small vines and twigs rudely heaped 
together. The eggs were long and pointed and more than 
an inch and a half in length. Their color was buff or 
fawn blotched with purple dots and streaks. 
Considerably smaller, but quite as brilliantly adorned is the 
Green Manucode—Manucodia chalybea—whose habitat is the 
mountains near the seacoast. Although green would seem 
to be the distinctive color of this species, yet the play of 
blue over the basal black is almost as much in evidence; both 
these tints are evanescent. The little recurved feathers cover 
the head, neck and throat and the breast as far as the abdomen. 
The tail is also boat shaped and reflects blue, violet, purple 
from a smooth surface. The back is rippled over in blue, green 
and lilac waves of light whenever the bird moves or the 
angle of vision is changed. But it is on and by means 
of the spangled feathers that the most exquisite effects 
are produced. At times they seem to dart forth light like 
sparks on burnt paper. The length of this manucode is 
about 14 inches. 
Another species of Catbird besides those already mentioned 
- is the Black-naped--Aeluroedus melanocephalus. The resemblance 
is close among the several branches of this group of birds. 
Here as with all the rest grass green and pale yellow are the 
prevailing tints. In this instance the breast, head and neck are 
liberaily marked with black spots orstreaks. White with simi- 
larly black-tipped feathers takes the place of the yellow on the 
