THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
regard as distinct geographical species, I re-examined the material, and find that 
there is a problem which caimot be easily determined at present. Thus the 
oily-green coloration is easily seen and the birds are easily separable, but 
some birds are met with in New Guinea with the same coloration. It may he 
that this is a seasonal change in the New Guinea birds, but the material 
available does not enable a decision to be made. If it be not, then two species 
would need to be recognised, but as very few birds are yet known it seems best 
to be conservative, as these iridescent colours are difficult to judge, in some 
cases the plumage may vary from purple to green without any Imown reason. 
The Claudie River bird, however, should be separated, so that we have two 
subspecies in North Queensland, exactly as in the case of the preceding species. 
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