THE BIKDS OF AUSTKALIA. 
recently as this year, thus : In the Nov. Zool, Vol. XXII., February 12th, 
1915, Rothschild and Hartert admit : 
“ p. 29. leracidea berigora novceguinece A. B. Meyer. The only difference 
between typical H. berigora and these Papuan specimens {i.e. one from 
Dampier, one from Vulcan, and others from the Sattelberg, Owgarra on the 
Angabunga, and Avera on the Upper Aroa River) appear to be the almost 
unspotted upper wing-coverts, which have only concealed rufous spots on the 
basal portions, generally darker shoulders, crown and sides of the head of 
the Papuan race. These differences, except the darker shoulders of the 
reddish individuals, are, however, also seen in N.W. Australian specimens 
{leracidea berigora melvillensis Mathews, Austral Avian Bee., Vol. I., p. 34, 
‘ Melville Island and Northern Territory ’). As it is, further study will be 
required to prove the distinctness of /. berigora berigora, occidentalis, 
novoeguineoe, and melvillensis ; but Mr Mathews’ diagnosis of his ‘ melvillensis ’ 
— ‘ larger size and black cheeks ’ — is not a convincing one, and the larger size 
in a,ny case appears to be not constant.” p. 41. “ The sexes differ evidently 
in size, but it is a mistake to suppose that the reddish individuals are females 
— in fact, the colorations seem to be merely individual, and neither 
dependent on sex nor on age.” 
While this was in the press, the Ibis Jubilee Supplement No. 2 appeared, 
dealing with the birds of New Guinea by Ogilvie-Grant. On page 272 he 
records Van Oort’s observations, vTiting: “A specimen is recorded from 
Merauke and referred with some doubt to H. b. novce-guinece, as it appears to 
differ from the type-specimen from German New Guinea in lacking the bands 
and spots on the tail, and in having a longer tarsus, as in typical H. berigora 
from Australia.” 
The reader of my review will readily conclude that the New Guinea form 
comes into the Australian quandary : that is, if it be recognised the other 
races should be ; if they are lumped it should also be discarded. 
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