ILLUSTRATIONS OF ORNITHOLOGY. 
MENURA ALBERTI, Govutp. 
M. Alberti, Prince of Canino, Consp..Gen. Av. p. 215. 
Tu addition of a new species to a form of which one only, or a 
very few individuals at most were known, is always of much impor- 
tance, and if the form should belong to one of great peculiarity of 
structure, it is of still greater value, serving to clear up and fix the 
points of affinity which required to be confirmed by an additional 
example. Such has been the case with Menura, a remarkable 
Australian form, and until now known only by a single species, the 
Pheasant or Lyre-Tail of the colonists, the Menwra superba of 
Davies and modern Ornithologists. 
Mr. Gould, in the spring of the present year, received specimens 
of M. alberti from his Australian collector, and immediately after 
brought it under the notice of the Linnean Society, pointing out 
the distinctions between it and the old species, and naming it in 
honour of His Royal Highness Prince Albert. It ig found on the 
Richmond river, and among the Brushes of the eastern coast of 
Australia. No description has been yet published, although figures 
have been already lithographed, and will appear in the Supplement 
to the Birds of Australia. Meanwhile, Mr. Gould has permitted 
us to draw up a description, from a series of specimens, for the 
use of these “ Contributions,” and we have placed the character’ 
of the two species together, that they may be easily compared. 
M. alberti is distinguished by the more rufous colour of the uppe 
parts, and by a difference in the structure of the more conspicuous 
feathers of the tail. 
6 Above, crown, auriculars and back of the neck, blackish 
umber brown, slightly tinted with sienna on the forehead; the 
cheeks and around the eyes bare, with a few scattered narrow 
feathers ; back, wings, rump and upper tail-covers, umber brow!: 
with a tint of sienna, brightest on the two last; tail black, the 
_ outer feathers with indistinct sienna bars, two centre feathers pale 
umber brown. Beneath, chin, throat and upper part of the neck, 
dull sienna; breast and flanks pale yellowish umber brown; centr? 
of belly and thighs, yellowish-grey ; under tail-coyers bright sienna; 
142-18 

