INSESSORES. 



175 



4. Genus PROSTHEMADERA, Gray, List, Gen. Birds, p. 15 (1840). 

 1. Prosthemadera novae-seelandiae {Gmelin). 



Merops novae-seelandiae, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 464 (1788). 

 Merops cincinnata, Lath. Ind. I, p. 275 (1790). 

 Sturnus crispicoUis, Daudin. 



Brown, 111. Zool. Plate IX ; Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af. II, Plate XCII. 



Dr. Pickering gives the following interesting note on this species : 

 " The tui, called also the poe and parson-bird, in allusion to the 

 white feathers under the throat resembling the bands of a clergyman's 

 gown, is the nightingale of New Zealand. It is often kept in cages, 

 and is a great favorite. Its proper song is sweet and musical ; but 

 this we did not often hear. In its wild state, we usually saw it perch- 

 ing high among the dead trees about the margins of woods, its note 

 much resembling that of a Samoan species, but louder. At other 

 times it would utter a sort of trumpet cry, that could hardly be called 

 musical. It appears to be easily domesticated, and would be valued 

 highly as a cage-bird in any country, and probably could be easily 

 transported." 



5. Genus MYZOMELA, Vi<j. and Hon/. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 

 XV, p. 316 (1825). 



1. Myzomela nigriventris, Peale. 



Myzomcla nigriventris, Peale, Zool. U. S. Exp. Exp. Birds, p. 150 (1848). 



Atlas, Ornithology, Plate XII, fig. 1. Adult. 



Capite, collo, pectore et nropTjgio phoenicrds, macula ante oculari nigra, 

 partibus caeteris nigris. Long. tot. 4i pollices. 



General form similar to those of M. erythrocephaJa (Gould), and M. ru- 

 hratra (Lesson), but is larger than the former and smaller than the 

 latter. Wings and tail rather long, the latter rounded. Head, neck, 

 breast, middle of the back, and rump, fine bright scarlet ; spot im- 



