MONARCHA ME LAM ON O TA , Sclater.
MONARCHA MELANONOTA, Sclater.
Papuan Yellow Flycatcher.
Monarcha chrysomela auct., ex Novii GuineA
Arses chrysomela, Gray, Haadl. B. no.. 4805 (1 869, nee Garn.).
D r. Sclater h a ^b ro u g h t to my notice the feet th at this species, usually called M . chrysomela by authors, is
not the true M . chrysomela o f Garnot, which is from New Ireland. I t will be seen th at the present bird,
which is an inhabitant o f New Guinea and Mysol, is distinguished by the greater extent of the blaek on
the back, and by other characters mentioned by Dr. Meyer. I have not had a sufficient series for com-
parison; but I question whether M . melammta can really be separated specifically from M. aruenm of
Salvador! (Ann. Mus. Civic. Genova, vi, p. 309), and in the case o f their identity the latter name will have.
precedence. I r . .... , , ..
•Nothing has been recorded concerning the habits o f this species, which, by reason o f its brdlianbpolointipny
is one o f the most beautiful o f all Flycatchers. . . . . .
I add a full description o f the sexes of this species, which has been figured from some o f D r. Meyer s
specimens. He procured it on the mainland o f New Guinea, a t Nappau, Passim, Andai, and Puta. I have
a specimen in my collection obtained by Mr. Hoedt at Waigaama in Mysol.
Adult male. Back, from tbe nape to the rump, purplish black; entire head and nape, sides o f neck, and
hinder p art o f ear-coverts golden yellow, deepening to orange on the crown ; a narrow frontal line, lores,
fore p art o f ear-coverts, and entire throat glossy purplish black ; under the eye a spot o f white feathers ;
round the eye a ring of purplish black plumes, yellow where they adjoin the yellow o f the ear-coverts ; least
and median series of wing-eoverts yellow ; primary-coverts and greater series black, tbe innermost o f the
latter yellow, some o f the outer greater coverts also slightly tipped with yellow; quills purplish black, the
innermost secondaries broadly edged with yellow; rump and upper tail-coverts bright yellow; tail black,
with slight indications o f a tiny yellow tip ; under surface of body, from the fore neck downwards br.1,ant
yellow ; thighs black ; under wing-coverts yellow, the lower ones whiter ; quills blackish below, white along
the inner webs. ...
Adult female. General colour above olive-green, rather yellower, on the head ; wing-coverts and quills
brown, externally edged with the same olive-green as the b a c k ; tail-feathers light brown, washed with olive-
green on both webs ; lores dull whitish, tipped with dusky ; in front of the lower p art o f the eye a white
spot ■ sides o f face olive-green like the back ; entire under surface of body yellow, more dingy on the throat,
the chin somewhat dusky; under wing-coverts pale yellow; quills light brown below, edged with fulvous
brown along the inner webs ; “ bill bluish, the tip b lack ; feet lead-colour; iris dark ” ( Wallacd).
T h e principal figures in the accompanying Plate are of life-size.