DIPHYLLODES SPECIOSA. 



and covers the upper part of the hack ; this can he raised or lowered at the pleasure of the bird : at the base of 

 this mantle are a few short greyish feathers lying between it and the head : middle of the back very deep iridescent 

 red, edges of the feathers blackish ; greater wing-coverts composed of lengthened split light-buff feathers covering 

 the secondaries ; these last are light buff on the outer webs of the upper ones, dark brown on the inner, the buff 

 becoming less and less as the secondaries approach the primaries, until it is restricted to a mere line on the edge. 

 Primaries dark brown, edged with buff. Rump yellowish brown, with a sprinkling of orange-yellow, most conspicuous 

 on the upper part. Feathers of the chin project forwards, reaching halfway the length of the bill, of so deep a 

 chestnut as to appear in most lights black. Between the breast-feathers and the mantle, covering the shoulders, and 

 extending one third the length of the wing is a mass of light-brown feathers, the upper ones tipped with blackish 

 brown, the lower with rufous and black. Throat, breast, and abdomen beautiful brilliant green, with a broad line 

 of iridescent feathers extending halfway down the centre from the chin. Lower part of abdomen, thighs, and under 

 tail-coverts brownish black. Tail short, dark brown ; from the centre, above the median feathers, spring two shafts 

 with only one very narrow web, which cross each other near the place of starting, and project far beyond the tail, and 

 return towards the body in one large graceful curve. The web is brilliant green, changing to rich purple in certain 

 lights. The bill is black at the base, horn-colour towards the tip. Behind the eye is a narrow strip of bare skin. 

 Feet and tarsi apparently dark blue. 



Female. — Head and entire upper parts rufous brown ; edges of the secondaries yellowish brown ; primaries dark 

 brown. Throat whitish, covered with small brownish spots ; entire underparts brownish white, crossed with narrow 

 lines of blackish brown ; these lines broadest on the flanks. Under tail-coverts rufous brown, crossed with dark 

 brown lines. Tail rufous brown like the back. Bill bluish black, deepest at the base and on the cutting-edges of 

 both mandibles. Tarsi and feet black, or very dark blue. 



For the loan of a specimen of the female of this species, to be figured in the Plate, I am indebted to my 

 friend M. Jules P. Verreaux, to whom I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks. 



