1895.] Birds of New Guinea. 627 
BIRDS OF NEW GUINEA ERE TT 
By G. S. MEAD. 
(Continued from page 417). 
Considerable uncertainty exists in regard to the different 
species of Rectes. The lines of division between them have 
not been clearly drawn; accordingly, we are in possession of 
more names than birds, the difficulty arising from insufficient 
information as to the size, age, locality and even sex of 
the specimens described. Passing over two or three doubtful 
forms we meet with a species new to science when D’Albertis 
and Salvadori first saw it. Itis R. brunneiceps. The back and 
scapulars are a bright cinnamon, the head and neck a clouded 
brown, the breast, abdomen, under sides of wings and tail 
fulvous. The ground color therefore, is not as distinctly laid 
as in most, if not all, of the other forms. 
Rectes aruensis is a handsome little bird of a very bright 
chestnut body, a crested head entirely black, and throat, 
breast, wings and tail the same. Under parts are of a deep 
tawny buff. The black on the breast is prolonged in a shield- 
like figure as far as the abdomen. Length, ten inches. 
Rectes jobiensis has a warm reddish brown thoughout except- 
ing where, as on the head, the coloring takes a lighter dye. 
The under parts are not materially different in coloration, a 
paler or deeper shading of the prevailing tint only being 
noticeable. Even the bill has the same general complexion. 
The female is similar to the male with the advantage of a 
somewhat larger size. As indicated by the specific name, 
jobiensis comes from the island of Jobie, northwest of the main- 
land in Geelvink Bay. He is a handsome bird like most of 
his kind, the erectile crest, which, however, is scarcely more 
than the head feathers considerably ruffled, adding to his con- 
spicuous appearance. Not much is known of his habits or of 
any of the Rectes. The total length of the ane: species is 
a fraction over nine inches. 
Pseudorectes, classed as a separate genus, are so like the 
Rectes in most respects as to make special description, if entered 
