PSITTEUTELES WILHELMINtE. 
Willielmilia Lorikeet. 
Trlclioghssus ivilhehnime, Meyer, J. f. 0. 1874, pp. 5(1, 57, 111. — Id. Sitz. k. Akad. Wissenscli. Ixix. p. 74 (1874). 
If it were possible to use such a term in speaking of a bird, I should describe tbis exquisite little Lorikeet 
as being an example of the multiem m parto principle as regards colouring. Its diminutive size, together 
with the great variety of its tints, combine to render it one of tbe most striking of the birds obtained by 
Dr. Meyer during his recent travels to New Guinea and the adjacent islands. Although for the present 
I associate P. P.placens, and this species under one genus, it must not be overlooked that they dilfer 
in one important character, namely in the possession of fourteen tail-feathers by P. arfaki, wiicreas 
P. placens and P. imllielmincB have only twelve, like other Parrots. Its beautifully coloured graduated tail 
is, in feet, the only character which it possesses in common with P. arfaki, the fiishion of the coloration 
being very similar. 
In naming this species P. unlhehnince Dr. Meyer has paid a graceful compliment to his wife, wdio has 
been a constant companion of his travels, not only in Europe, but also to the far distant Molucca Islands ; 
and I must confess that it gives me great pleasure in figuring the species in an early numher of my wmrk, 
and thei-eby assisting to perpetuate the name of a lady so heroic. 
That other species of this little genus remain to be discovered one can hardly doubt, seeing the vast 
accessions to our knowledge of ornithology which each successive collection from the northern part of New 
Guinea brings to us. 
On the accompanying Plate two males and a female are depicted, as nearly of the natural size as 
possible ; but it will perhaps be desirable to add a detailed description, since the female differs in some 
points from the male as regards the colour and disposition of the markings ; but the most prominent is 
the entire absence of red on tbe under surface of the wing. Her other tints, though similar to the male, 
are not so fine. 
The following is a description of a male sent; — “Bill yellow; face, throat, and under surface generally, 
lively pale green, wdth a large patch of lengthened narrow stripes of yellow on the breast, each stripe 
being margined with a dark colour; crown of the head and nape reddish browm, wdth narrow blue feathers 
interspersed down the latter ; mantle and upper surface green ; lower part of the hack fiery red, succeeded 
hy a patch of purple, hlending into green on the upper tail-coverts ; two central tail-feathers black at 
their bases, passing into greenish at their tips ; the bases of all the external feathers fiery red, succeeded 
by black, and green ti])pings ; on the flank a small patch of yellow joining the red of the back ; the feet 
appear to have been grey. 
“ Total length of male 41 inches, wing 2f , tail 2f, tarsi f . 
’■'■Hah. New Guinea, passim.” 
