Birds of Celebes: Meropidae. 
249 
Observation. A specimen in the Dresden Musenin (Nr. 6870) “Moluccas” without a black 
patch on the throat has, nevertheless, very long spatules 40 — 50 mm. Another, in 
which the black throat-har is very imperfectly formed (0 1 855 — Sangi), has spatules 
of 45 length. In others, which are in adult plumage, the spatules vary much 
in length fC '2213 — Manado = 16 nun; 0 2215 — Manado = 33 mm). Specimens 
with the crown varied Avith pale blue-tipped feathers amongst the green ones, have 
spatules of all lengths (in 0 12203 — Mantehage = 8 mm; 0 2220 — Togian g 1 spat. 
= 13 mm, the other 25 mm; 0 2030 — Manado = 20 mm; 0 2218 — Manado = 
19 and 21 mm; 0 2221 — Manado = 27 mm; C 2212 — Manado = 41 mm; C 1855 
— Sangi = 45 and 47 mm; C 2224 — Manado = 72 mm). In several of these cases 
the tAvo middle rectrices have not attained their full groAvth, and the spatules rest 
upon the other rectrices, not reaching to their tip. 
It may he seen that the blue feathers in the crown of specunens 2224 (spatule 
72 mm), 1855 (spatule 45 mm), 2212 (spatule 41 mm), and others are Avorn and old, 
Avhereas the yellow-green feathers arc fresh and j)erfect, shoAving that the birds are 
assuming a green crown. It might he inferred that these are all immature specimens 
in process of assuming the adult dress, and that the length of the spatules varies 
gi-eatly in different indiriduals. After fidl consideration we find that this view must 
he rejected; specimens 1855 and 2224 are among those Avith the very longest bills 
in a large series, being about 5 mm longer than in young specimens, and it is in- 
conceivable that such a hud as 2224, with one old spatule 72 mm long and a new 
one sprouting, can he a young bird. The primaries — such as are remaining — are 
old and very much Avoin, as if the bird had been engaged in incubation in its nesting- 
hole in the sand; we take it for a very old female and infer that in the breeding 
season the croAvn and under-parts in this sex ai’e strongly Avashed Avith blue, much 
as in the young. Unfortunately, no positive observations on this subject have been, 
so far as AA^e are aAvare, yet made. 
Measurements. Wing 106 — 116 mm (Manado, ad. 0 2211; Sangi, ad. 0 2441 and others); 
tail, without spatule, 78 mm ca.; hill 26 (juv.) — 31 (ad.). 
Eggs. 4 or 5 (Gld. 7). Beautiful pearly white; circa 21.6 X 18.3 mm (Australia — North 
25] ; “23 X 20 : The eggs of all Meropidae are spherical, very glossy and Avhite, when 
not dirtied by rotting matter in the nest, in Avhich case they often appear clay-yellow, 
like the eggs of the Podicipedulae" (Nehrkorn MS.). 
Nest. “The eggs are deposited and the young reared in holes made in the sandy hanks of 
rivers or any similar situation in the forest favom’ahle for the purpose. The entrance 
is scarcely larger than a mouse-hole, and is continued for a yard in depth, at the 
end of which is an excavation of sufficient size for the reception of the four or five 
beautiful pinky-Avhite eggs” (Australia — Gould II, 7). 
Breeding season. Li Nbav South Wales October, November, December (North 25). 
Distribution. Throughout Australia as far as knoAvn; New Guinea; Noav Britain; Avest to 
Talaut and Sangi; Celebes and Lombok i). 
For exact localities cf. Salvador! 12, adding Karkellang, Talaut (Nat. Coll, in Dresd. and 
Tring Mus.); Great Sangi (Fischer 8, Meyer 75); Siao (Nat. Coll.); Peling (iid.); 
Samao (f. Biittikofer 27). 
Observation. Dr. Sharpe omits Java — as it apjoears to us with good reason. Borneo is 
included in its range by Mr. Dresser; but Mr. Everett omits it from his list of, 
Bornean Birds (J. Str. Br. R. As. Soc. 1889). 
As to specimens from Timor, Lombok etc. see below. 
Meyer Wigleswortli, Birds of Celebes (Oct. 27tli, IS97). 
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