145 



SUPERB PROMEllOPS. 



distinct from the Superb Promerops, with which 

 it has sometimes been confounded. 



SUPERB PROMEROPS. 



Proraerops superbus. P. niger violaceo mridique nitens, pennis 

 scapularibus falcatis ameo-nitentibus, cauda longissima. 



Black Promerops with violet and green gloss, falcated golden- 

 shining scapular-feathers, and very long tail. 



Upupa superba. U, atro-'ciolacea, tertice cervice ahdomirwqtie 

 superiore viridi-nitentibus, pennis scapularibus lateralibusque 

 caudcs falciformibus, cauda longissima. Lath. ind. orn. 



Grasid Promerops a paremens frises. Buff", ois. PL Enl, 639. 



Le Grand Promerops. Aud. et Vie! I. Prom, pi. 8. 



Grand Promerops. Lath. syn. pi. 32. 



This magnificent species, which exceeds all the 

 rest in the splendor and elegance of its plumage, 

 was first described by Sonnerat, and is a native of 

 New Guinea. Its total length is nearly four feet, 

 the tail being almost three times the length of the 

 remainder of the bird, which is not larger in body 

 than a common Pigeon. Its shape is slender : the 

 bill narrow, black, and pretty much curved : the 

 general colour of the whole bird is also black, ac- 

 companied, according to the different directions of 

 the light, by varying reflexions of blue, green, and 

 violet : the head, hind part of the neck, and middle 

 of the abdomen are of a golden green : the scapular 

 feathers or those situated along the sides of the 

 body rise up into two rows of reversed, falciform 

 I plumes, gradually enlarging from the shoulders to 



V. VIII. p. I. 10 



