MANUCODIA KERAUDRENI.
Keraudren’s Crow-Shrike.
Barita Keraudrenii, Less. Voy. de la Coq., t. 13.
Chalybeeus cornutus, Cuv. Règn. Anim., tom. i. p. 354, edit. 1829.—Gould in MacGill. Voy. of Rattlesnake, vol. ii.
p. 357.
Phonygama Keraudrenii, Less. Man. d’Orn., tom. i. p. 141.—lb. Compl. Buff., t.7.—lb. Traité d’Orn., p.344.—Gray
and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 302, Phonygama, sp. 2.
•-----------— Lessonia, Swains. Class, of Birds, vol. ii. p. 264.
------------- keraudreni, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 368, Phonygama, sp. 2.
T h is is perhaps the most marked New Guinea form that has yet been discovered on the continent of
Australia. As might be presumed, the extreme northern parts of the latter country, those in fact most
contiguous to New Guinea, are the districts in which it was found. It would be interesting to know if a
migration of such forms as the present annually takes place between the two countries. With many other
birds having greater wing-powers, such a migration would be performed with ease, and doubtless such a
change of locality occurs with many of them. At present, New Guinea, owing to the hostile character
of its native population, is a sealed country to the collector, and we really know but little of its natural
productions. There are doubtless many fine birds in the mountain districts of that country which never
quit their own forests, while others, of a more wandering disposition, will be from time to time captured
on the Cape York Peninsula and other northern promontories of Australia; by this means we shall
be made acquainted with at least a part of the fauna of that terra incognita; time and the advance of
civilization will make us acquainted with the remainder. It is not to be expected, nor indeed can it
scarcely be wished, that all the species of birds should be ascertained in one or two generations, as, in that
case, future research would be deprived of the charm which novelty communicates to the mind; let us,
then, be satisfied with the gradual unfolding of nature’s works, and leave to future generations the pleasure
of discovering those which are at present withheld from us.
I have seen two or three specimens of this bird, all of which were collected during Captain Stanley’s
Expedition. A fine example in the British Museum, obtained at Cape York, is stated by Mr. MacGillivray
to be a male; it is from this that my figures were taken.
Centre of the crown, the lengthened ear-plumes, the lanceolate feathers on the sides of the neck, back,
rump and breast green; shoulders, primaries and tail purplish-black, as are also the thighs, lower part of
the abdomen and under tail-coverts ; bill and legs black.
The figures are of the natural size.