GERYGONE DORSALIS, S elate?'. 
Rufous-backed Gerygone. 
Gerygone dorsalis, Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1883, p. 199. 
This is one of the most distinct species of the genus Gerygone. The rufous colour of the back, so markedly 
in contrast with the grey head, is a character approached by none of the other species of the genus. 
Mr. Forbes, who discovered this new bird, sent a large series from Moloe Island in the Tenimber group: — 
The following is a description of the typical specimen kindly lent to me by Dr. Sclater : — 
Adult male. General colour rufous or bay ; the lesser and median wing-coverts like the back ; greater 
series, bastard wing, and primary-coverts, as well as the quills, dusky brown, edged with rufous like the back ; 
tail-feathers light brown, margined with rufous, all but the centre feathers with a blackish shade before the 
tips, which are pale brown ; near the end of the inner wehs a white spot, which increases in extent towards 
the outermost feather ; head dull ashy brown, contrasting with the back ; a spot of dusky white on the lores ; 
ear-coverts light ashy brown as well as the sides of the neck ; feathers below the eye, cheeks, and under 
surface of body white ; the sides of the breast and flanks light rufous or bay ; thighs also light rufous ; under 
tail-coverts buffy whitish ; under wing-coverts and axillaries yellowish white ; quills dusky below, yellowish 
white along the inner web ; “ bill, legs, and feet black ; iris black ” ( H . 0. Forbes'). Total length 4 inches, 
culmen 055, wing 2T, tail T5, tarsus 0'8. 
Adult female. Resembling the male in colour, but with the head a trifle duller. Wing 2T5 inches, 
tarsus 085. 
The Plate represents a male and female of this species, of the natural size. 
[R. B. S.] 
