SEMI-ALBINO SPECIMEN OP DACELO GIGAS — NOBTH. 
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larger than usual, the cusps very prominent and sharp. The 
premolar and molar series of the two sides converge before and 
behind ; the curve continued forward would fall within the 
anterior teeth. The mandibular premolar inclines very slightly 
outward. In D. lumholtzi the incisor lies in a line with the 
inferior edge of the mandible, whereas in D. dorianus it is tilted 
greatly upwards. Unlike what is found in other species, the 
ascending rami, and more especially the coronoid processes, con- 
verge rapidly above, and are thus accommodated to the very 
narrow intertemporal area. 
A comparison shows that the skull is by far the largest repre- 
sentative of the genus ; the intemporal breadth and the diastema 
are, however, actually less than in other species. 
These points together with the peculiar teeth, the bulging 
frontals — infinitely more marked than in D. lumholtzi — the sagittal 
crest and other features, show that the cranium is as distinct as 
the external aspect of the animal. The examination of an 
immature skull only, can show the amount of development the 
crest undergoes during the lifetime of the animal. 
The aggregate characters of the skull indicate a further stage 
than has been reached by other species in the progress of differ- 
entiation from a radical stock. 
Note on a SEMI- ALBINO SPECIMEN of DACELO GIGAS. 
By Alfred J. North, F.L.S. 
(Ornithologist to the Australian Museum.) 
One of the most interesting of the recent additions to the 
Ornithological Collection is a semi-albino example of Dacelo yigas 
procured at “ Thirribir,” Boggabri, New South Wales, by Mr. 
F. J. Parks during the month of June, and which has been pre- 
sented by that gentleman to the Trustees. As the bird was 
received in the flesh and is in perfect plumage, I have taken 
the opportunity of describing it. 
General colour above and below pure white ; a spot in front of 
the eye, and a broad line extending from the gape to the ear- 
coverts, dull rufous ; ear-coverts rufous-brown with white shaft- 
lines ; median portion of the lengthened crest-feathers and an 
indistinct nuchal spot, dull rufous ; scapulars and interscapular 
region slightly washed with brown, the lower back faintly barred 
with brown ; rump and upper tail coverts dull rusty-rufous, the 
