44 
Mr. R. B. Sharpens Contributions to the 
The acquisition of this specimen will, I trust, extinguish 
Bonaparte’s L. schwaneri as a species; for I have carefully 
compared Mr. Everett’s bird with a series of L. lucionensis , 
lent me by Mr. Swinhoe, and there cannot be any doubt as 
to their complete identity. Count Salvadori and Mr. Swinhoe 
have both expressed their belief that this would be the case. 
52. Irena turcosa. 
Irena cyanea (Begbie); Salvad. l.c. p. 151. 
a. “ Sibu. Iris red.” 
b. “No. 45. S. Jambusan, Sept. 11, 1874. Iris fiery 
orange-red.” 
The latter specimen is somewhat immature, as is evidenced 
by the remains of a few green plumes on the abdomen; the 
mixture of orange-colour in the iris, as noted by Mr. Everett, 
is also a probable sign of immaturity. 
With reference to the different species of Irena Lord Wal¬ 
den’s excellent remarks (Ibis, 1871, p. 171) should be studied. 
At present four species are known, viz.:—1. I. cyanogastra , 
Vig., from the Philippines; 2. I. turcosa , Walden, from Java; 
3. I.puella (Lath.), from Malabar; 4. I. cyanea (Begbie), from 
Malacca. The length of the tail-coverts is a distinguishing 
feature in these birds; but as Count Salvadori notices a ten¬ 
dency to vary in this respect, 1 have examined the series of 
skins in the British Museum with a view to test the stability 
of this character. 
Travancore [Capt. Biddulph). Both upper and under tail- 
coverts short, not reaching within 1^ inch of tip of tail; three 
of the inner greater wing-coverts tipped with blue. 
Tenasserim (/. D. C. Packman) . Two specimens agreeing 
with the foregoing example, resembling it in size, length of 
under tail-coverts, and in having large blue tips to the three 
innermost greater coverts. 
Siam ( Mouhot ). This bird seems a little deeper in colour, 
but is otherwise the same as the Indian species; four greater 
coverts tipped with blue. 
All the above are referable to I. puella. 
Malacca [Wallace). The tail-coverts are here very much 
longer, but do not come within half an inch of the tip of the 
