GEOFFROYIUS SIMPLEX. 
Blue-collared Parrot. 
Pionias simplex, Meyer, Mitth. zool.-botanischeii Gesellscli. Wieii, xxiv. p. 39 (1874). 
Geoffroyhis simplex, Salyad. Ann. Mns. Civic. Genov, vii. p. 759 (1875). 
In a paper contributed by him to the Zoological and Botanical Society of Vienna, Dr. Meyer describes this 
new species of Parrot discov^ered by him in New Guinea ; and I am now able to give correct figures, thanks 
to his kindness in sending me the type specimens for that purpose. 
After giving a full description of the bird, the learned Doctor proceeds as follows : — “ I obtained in the 
same locality a female of a Pionias (the one descril)ed being a male bird), which I think may be the female 
of this species, as it resembles the male in general aspect and in some particular characters. It differs 
from the male in wanting the blue collar ; hut at the same time it exhibits a slight but well-prononnced 
bluish green shade on the head and cheeks. The whole uj)pcr surface is uniform green ; but, on the other 
hand, the yellowish brown spot on the wing-coverts is more strongly indicated than in the male. The 
underparts are uniform light green. The tail is not so pale-coloured below as in the male.” 
“ As the female bird exhibits a bluish shade on its head, and the male has nothing of this on the same part, 
it might be imagined that the male now before me is not quite in ftdl plumage ; but this is not likely, as it has 
the blue collar so Avell developed ; therefore, from the above-mentioned differences, it is by no means im- 
probable that we have here two separate species, the male belonging to one and the female to another. As 
I only obtained two specimens, and as the occurrence of several very closely allied but specifically well 
distinguished species in the same locality is nothing uncommon among the birds, and especially the Parrots, 
of New Guinea, I am not able to affirm or deny the fact with certainty ; but in my own mind I have good 
reason to believe that they are male and female of one species.” 
The following is a translation of Dr. Meyer’s description of the male ; — “ Green ; the back brownish ; 
rump washed with blackish; under surface of body lighter green; round the neck a collar of light blue, 
somewhat shaded with lilac under certain lights, and being broader and less defined on the na])e ; wings 
green, the inner webs of the quills black ; under Aving-coverts sky-blue, this colour descending somewhat on 
the sides of the chest ; under surface of the quills blackish, the secondaries with a pale yellow spot on the 
inner web ; on the edge of the wings a yellowish white spot ; wing-coverts above and below with a slight 
patch of yellowish brown ; cheeks and chin paler green like the under surface ; abdomen shaded with brown; 
under tail-coverts pale green shaded with yellowish ; upper surface of the tail green, below greenish yellow. 
Bill and cere, feet and nails black.” 
“I obtained this new species in July 1873 on the Arfak Mountains in the north-vA^est of Ncav Guinea, 
about 3000 feet above the level of the sea, and I name it simplex on account of its plain coloration.” 
The figures in the accompanying Plate are of the size of life. 
