AMBLYORNIS INORNATA. 



DULL-COLOURED BOWER-BIRD. 



PTILONORHYNCHUS INORNATUS, Schleg. Tijdsch. Dierk. (1871) pi. v. p. 51. 

 AMBLYORNIS INORNATA, Elliot, Ibis, (1872) p. 114. 



Hab. New Guinea (Rosenberg). 



This apparently new species of Bower-bird is another of the novelties which rewarded the difficult undertaking 

 of M. von Rosenberg during his journey into the interior of New Guinea. Several specimens were obtained, 

 which were sent to the Leyden Museum, and described by Prof. Schlegel as quoted above. The Professor states 

 in his article, " Only two species of this genus are known at the present day inhabiting New Guinea with 

 its groups of neighbouring islands. One of these, the Ptilonorhynchus buccoides, easily recognizable from the black 

 spots near the eyes, which on the lower parts are sprinkled upon a yellowish ground, has been observed at 

 Waigiou, Batanta, Salwatti, and in several localities of the two coasts of the northern part of the great island 

 of New Guinea. The other, the Ptilonorhynchm melanotis of G. R. Gray, has been found by Wallace in the 

 Aru group, whence MM. von Rosenberg and Hoedt have sent us a fine series of specimens : and it has since 

 been rediscovered by the latter traveller in My sol. The last expedition commanded by M. von Rosenberg, into 

 the interior of the northern part of New Guinea, has supplied us with a third species, the Ptilonorhynchus 

 inornatus, of which we give a description. It resembles in its form the Ptilonorhynchus buccoides ; but the tail 

 is a little longer, and the bill and feet are less strong ; and it is distinguished from all the other species by its 

 excessively simple style of coloration. The female is absolutely the same in colour as the male ; but she is a little 

 more slender in form." 



Head and upper part of back rufous brown ; rest of upper parts dark brown. Wings rufous brown, primaries 

 dark brown. Entire underparts dark buff. Tail dark brown. Bill, feet, and tarsi black. 

 No difference in the plumage of the sexes. 



