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MYZOMELA CKÜENTATA., Meyer.
MYZOMELA CRUENTAT A, Meyer.
Red-tinted Honey-eater.
Myzomela cruentata, Meyer, Sitzungsber. d. k .-k . Acad. d. W . zu Wien, 16. Ju li 1874, ro l . t a . p. 202.
Dr M e y e r has been good enough to send me the type o f his Myzomela cruéntala, a charming little bird which
he procured in New Guinea. That this country should have contained an undescribed species o f this well-
defined genus is not surprising, considering that at least ten others frequent the adjacent Papuan Wands,
Australia New Caledonia, Samoa, &c. &c. M. cruéntala is closely allied to the Mehphagidte, or, more
appropriately speaking, a part of these honey-feeding birds, a little genus which frequents the flowering
trees of the forest, particularly the acacias and Eucalypti. Sprightly in all their actions, they display their
fine colours to the greatest advantage, their prevailing tints often contrasting with the blossoms of the trees
upon which they subsist. Their principal food is honey and insects, which their little brush tongues facilitate
their gathering. That Myzomela cruéntala is a very rare species is evidenced by only one specimen being
found; and, for my own part, I have never seen a second. ^
As Dr. Meyer has favoured me with a short note respecting this new species, I have the pleasure ot
inserting it here. He says:—“ Myzomela cruentata is distinguished from M. sanguinolenta, Gould, ‘ Birds
o f Australia,’ vol. iv. pi. 63, by the red colour predominating everywhere; besides, the latter has the lores
black and the tail and wings do not possess any red tint, whilst in cruentata the parts when closed appear
quite’red, although somewhat less intense on the back and under surface ; furthermore the whole o f the
underparts are intense red, while in sanguinolenta they are brownish yellow. The figure of U r th a
cardinalis. And. and Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. t. 58, shows the under surface to be quite red, and agrees in this
respect with M. cruentata; but the wings, tail, and region of the eyes are decidedly deep black.
Male. •• Red, especially on the head, back, and uropygium. Primaries and secondaries dosky black,
with red margins; the tertiaries, as well as the upper wing-coverfs, deeply tinged with red; underside of
wings grey ; base of the inner webs whitish ¡ middle tail-feathers rufous; under surface o f the tad grey
with a reddish tinge ; outer webs o f the rectrices broadly margined with the same colour. Bill, feet, and
claws black. Total length 105 millims., wings 58, tail 42, bill from the front 14.”
Hob. Arfak Mountains, New Guinea.
The figures in the accompanying Plate are of the natural size.