248 
Mr. P. L. Sclater on Recent 
also of Pitta maforeana, though I stayed a very short time at 
Mafor. Sericutus aureus I killed on the same fig-tree near 
Atam where D'Albertis obtained the greater part of his 
birds. It has much the same habits as a bird of Paradisea, 
lives on fruits, especially on figs; one does not find more 
than two or three individuals together, usually only one male 
and one female; the young males and females are very dif¬ 
ferent in colour; the iris is clear straw-yellow. It is a very 
lively and shy bird; when the male is killed the female and 
another, perhaps a young male, return again to their food on 
the same tree, and then are seen no more. Although it is 
found at an elevation of 3000 feet or more, it seems more 
abundant in the hills near the sea, but is always most difficult 
to find, because in each of the localities which it frequents 
there are only a few pairs. Its song, according to my 
hunters, has much resemblance to the f zigolio 3 of the 
Nectarinias, but rather more strong and sonorous. Only the 
crest of feathers on the head is erectile. The Arfaks call it 
f Komeida/ I have a great series of specimens of Macharo- 
rhynchus. There is also a violet-coloured species*. The 
Monachella saxicolina is abundant by the torrents of Arfak, 
but only in those near the sea. I have, however, only a pair 
of specimens. I have the three kinds of Todopsis; of T. 
grayi there is a single one in Bruijn^s collection. Of the 
genera Rhipidura and Monarcha I think I want several 
species; but I have got together a fine series. At Kordo I 
obtained Monarcha brehmi. The genera Pachycephala and 
Campephaga are very richly represented. Artamus maximus 
is very common from 3000 to 5000 feet, and has the same 
habits as A. papuensis ; it is enough to say that it flies like a 
Swallow, and sits on the branches of dead trees, especially in 
the middle of plantations. I have only got one or two 
specimens, because, through some fatality, I missed all the 
shots I fired at this bird. I do not believe that Cradieus 
crassirostris is a good species; but you will be able to judge 
better from the various specimens you will have to examine. 
Gymnocorvus senex is a very common bird, and goes in flocks 
* Probably this is a new species.—T. S. 
