G^RiMTd/yLUS) FTOTTMT& 9 Ramsay.
GRAUCALUS PUSILLUS, Ramsay.
Ramsay’s Cuckoo-Shrike.
Graucalm. sp. nov., Ramsay, Nature, 1879, p. 125.
Oraucalm pmttue, Ramsay, Proe. Linn. Sac, N . S. Wales, iv. p. 71 (1 8 7 9 ).-S a lv a d . Ann. Mus. Cmc. Genov.
„ . p. 35 (1879).-v-ld. Ibis, 1880, p. 128.— Id. Orn. Papuasia, etc. ii. p. 140 (1881).
Ormcalm d m s tm im B Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soo. N . S. W. iv. p. 71 (1879).
T his species is a small island race o f Grmcalm ta ilh m , the males o f the two species being almost identical
in colour. In the present bird, which comes from the Solomon Islands, the colour is a clearer slaty blue in
both sexes and the under wing-coverts and axillaries are barred with black and white, and the bars are
narrower. . , . ,
In the females of G. pusillus the thighs are uniform blue-grey, whereas in G. axillaris they are barred with
black and white like the rest o f the under surface.
As far as is known at present, this Cuckoo-Shrike is found only in Guadalcanal where it was discovered
by Mr. Cockerell.
T he following descriptions have been drawn up from the typical specimens
Adult male. General colour above clear blue-grey; wing-coverts like the back ; large outer feather of
bastard wing black ; primary-coverts and quills black, externally blue-grey, more hoary on the outer webs of
the primaries; tail-feathers black, the centre feathers ashy for two thirds o f their length on the inner web,
not quite so extended on the outer web, the outermost feather dull ashy at the t ip ; head clear blue-grey like
the b a c k ; a narrow frontal line and lores black, occupying a distinct space in front o f the eye and extending
below the latter, as well as the upper and under edge of the eyelid ; sides of face, ear-coverts, cheeks, and
entire under surface of body clear blue-grey, with a tiny spot of black a t the base o f the chin and base of
cheeks ; under tail-eoverts darker grey, with blackish shaft-stripes; axillaries barred, ashy grey on the inner
web and on the base of the outer, the latter otherwise barred with black and ashy whitish ; under wing-coverts
slaty blue, with less distinct bars of black and ashy whitish ; quills ashy blackish below, greyer on the inner
web especially near the base, the inner web edged with white. Total length 9 inches, culmen 0 7 , wing 4-95,
tail 4 ’2, tarsus 0 -8.
Adult female. Differs from the male in having the base o f the forehead greyish black instead of deep black,
the loral patch being also ashy blackish ; the throat and chest are uniform blue-grey, but the rest of the under
surface is barred with black and ashy white on a blue-grey g ro u n d ; on each side o f the lower back a
conspicuous patch o f silky w h ite; thighs uniform blue-grey. Total length 8*5 inches, culmen 0*65, wing 4 95,
tail 3*1, tarsus 0*8.
T he Plate represents the male and female birds o f the natural size, the figures being drawn from the type
specimens which Mr. Ramsay has kindly lent to us.
[R. B. S.]