Order GALLIF0RME8 
No. 9. 
Family MEQAPODIIDJE. 
ALECTURA LATHAMI PURPUREICOLLIS. 
PUKPLE-WATTLED BRUSH TURKEY. 
Talegallus PURPUREICOLLIS Le Souef, Ibis, p. 51 (1898), Cape York. 
Talegalla lathami Forbes, P.Z.S., p. 127 (1878). 
Talegallus pmpureicollis Le Souef, Ibis, p. 51 (1898). 
Catheturus purpureicollis Le Souef, Ibis, p. 16 (1899) ; Campbell, Nests and Eggs 
Austr. B., p. 714 (1901) ; Hall, Key B. Austr., p. 74 (1906) ; Mathews, Handl. B. 
Austral., p. 6 (1908). 
Distribution. Cape York. 
Adult male and female. Similar to A. lathami lathami, but the lower portion of the neck 
and wattles purplish white. 
Nest. Similar to that of Alectura lathami lathami. 
Eggs. “ Oval in shape and smaller at one end ; they are pure white and finely granu- 
lated. One obtained at Somerset by Mr. Barnard on November 3rd, 1896, measures 
3.61 by 2.36 inches ” (Le Souef). 
Breeding season. October to January (Le Souef). 
This bird represents Alectura lathami at Cape York. “ Mr. K. Broadbent 
observed it during his extended visit there some years ago. Mr. Jardine, 
of Somerset, e York, and Mr. H. G. Barnard have lately noticed the 
variations between it and the southern form, and the latter has kindly sent me 
some skins. The principal difference between the two birds is in the 
coloration of the lower portion of the neck and wattles, which in Talegallus 
purpureicolUs is of a purphsh white, and in Talegallus lathami red, with yellow 
wattles. Otherwise the birds are very similar ; but as Mr. H. G. Barnard says, 
‘ Anyone who has seen the bird in hfe will at once observe the difference.’ 
The bright colours soon fade on the death of the bird, and the difference is not 
then so noticeable, although it can stiU be observed. During the breeding 
season, from October until January, the wattle of the male is inch in 
length, hanging from the lower portion of the neck. When the breeding 
season is over the wattle shrinks and disappears ; it is then more difficult to tell 
the male from the female when seen in the scrub.”* 
The type specimen, collected by Mr. Barnard at Somerset, Cape York, 
on the 20th October, 1896, is in the Tring Museum, and the difference pointed 
out by Mr. Le Souef is noticeable. 
* Le Souef, Ibis, p. 51 (1898). 
61 
