t
C R A S P E D O P H O R A INT ERCEDIONS , s/u.;.e.
P o r t Morcsl)y Rine-bird.
Oraspedopiiom magnifica (noe V.), Ramsay, Frac. Liim. Soc. N. S. W. ii. p. 2(i(i CIS??), iv. ji. !I7 (IBSO).—Trislr.
Ibis, 18S9, p. 634.—De Vis, Ann. Queensl. Mus. no. 2, p. 7 (1892).
Pniovhis »itoTCiÎCTS, Sharpe, Journ. Linn. Soc. xvi. p.-144 (188-2).—U'Hamonv. Bull. Soc. Zool. I'rancc, 1880,
pp. 504, 508.
Craspecbphom mtercedms, Meyer, Zcitsclir. ges. Orn. ii. p. 382 088.')).—Id. Ibis, 1886, p. 2,io.—Salvaci. Ksr^.
Orn. Papuasia, ii. p. 157 (1890).—Meyer, Ibis, 1890, p. 41!).
Plilorhis mtir/iiifica (nec V.), Goodwin, Ibis, 1890, p. 151.
Ai'nEN first I described tlie Rille-lilrd from Soiitli-eastcrii New Guinea I gave to it the name u( iii/emikiis,
because it seemed to me that it was iiitcruiediate l>otween C. magnrfwu and C. all/crl'i, liut the specilic
characters ihei) propounded for its separation arc not those on which the distinctness of tlic spccies rests.
A furtlicr examination of specimens has convinced nie that in cohiur the Sonthern bird dilTers very httle from
the liifle-hird of North-western New Guinea (C. mugmjicd) ; but, in addition to tlie shorter hill, it ivill lie fourul
that C. inlercakns has the base of the culnien hidden by the frontal feathers, which unite on each side of it.
Tiiis peculiarity is observable in both sexes, and 1 have therefore no hesitation in recognizing C. intmalcns as
a valid sjjccies.
As far as is known, tlie range of this Riile-bird extends over the greater part of Kastern New Guinea, for
it is found In the Interior of the Port Moresby district and also on llie Astrolabe range of minintains. In the
former locality It has been met with by Messrs. Goldle and Broadbent, and the hitler naturalist obtained
specimens at (loudy Hay. The late Karl Ilunstcin found the sjiecles In the Horseshoe range of the
Astrolabe Mountains, anil it was also obtained during Sir William Macgregor's expedition. Mr. A. 1'.
Goodwin, who accompanied the latter, wri tes:—"We met with Ibis IJIlle-blrd on Moinit Kowahl and .Mount
Belford, in the Oweti Staidcy range, at an altitude of from 2000 to 3000 feet. It haunts the denser scrubs
generally near a running stream, and is solitary In its habits, wild, and shy, requiring no little skill in acrjuiring
a sj)ecimen."
Hunstein forwarded tlie following note with his siicclmens :—" \'ery similar to the Australian Klile-bird,
but has a diifcrent call. It ciills on two notes, one deeper than the oilier, similar to that of the Haven. The
bird is shy and difficult to get at ; it resorts mostly to the lianges, and frequents trees with plenty of vines
and creepers on them."
Mr. liasll Thomson procured tlie species at Milne Bay in South-eastern New Guinea. It would also
seem to c.xtend to the North-eastern coast, as Dr. Meyer records a specimen from Constaiitine Harbour,
obtained there by Mr. Kubary. Further westward than the Astrolabe Uange It does not appear to extend,
as the liille-blrd of the Upper Fly [liver is the true C. magnijica.
Adult male. Similar to C. magnrfica in colour, but distinguished by the miicli smaller bill, the base of the
culmen being completely hidden by the ¡mplngliig frontal feathers: bill, feet, and iris black {IlumleUi).
Total length II Inches, culmen 1-8, wing /'S, tail 3'S, tarsus I v .
yi(hiU female. Similar to the female of C. magnijiea, but rather more asliy whitish below, the cross-bars
iielng narro^ver, ¡irodnclng a generally jialer ajipearauce: the base of the cnluieii is hidden as In the mule.
Total length 1 T o Inches, culmen 2, wing /•2, tail 4'15, tarsus 1-7.
TIic figures on the Plate represent a pair of birds of the size of life, and arc drawn from the typical
examples in the British ¡Museum.
JV Stji M. i-i /nil
r . M A S F E B O F H O M i ^ IWTEHC' IEBEK' S ,