MER U LA C E L /E N O P S [Stejneger).
SEVEN-ISLANDS OUZEL.
Turdus celcenojps, Stejneger, Science, x. p. 108 (1887); id. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 188/, p. 484.
Merula celcenops, Seebohm, Ibis, 1890, p. 98; id. B. Japan. Empire, p. 50 (1 ).
M. rostro et pedibus fuscis, mandibula flava: axillaribus griseis: corporis lateribus aurantiaco-castaneisI pileo
et gutture n ig ris: notseo reliquo rufescenti-brunneo. I ’cemina pileo e t regione parotica runneis,
concoloribus, gutture albicanti-brunneo distinguenda.
T h is species bears considerable resemblance to Merula chrysolaus of Japan, and to M. froto-
momdmia of-the Burmese countries; but it is distinguished from the former by its black ea
and throat, and from the latter by having the axillaries grey instead of orange-rufous like the
sides of the body. . . . ,
The species appears to be confined to the Seven Islands, the first examples having been
described by Dr. Stejneger from the island of Miyake-shima. These islands are situated about
fifty miles from the main islands of Japan, and about a hundred miles south, of Yokohama.
The typical specimens are in the Smithsonian Institution.
Mr. Holst, who visited the: Japanese Islands for Mr. Seebohm, obtained specimens on
Fatsizio, an island about seventy miles further to- the southward, and examples of both sexes
are in the Seebohm Collection. Holst says that it was called “ Okawara ” by the natives and was
found in the bushes about the houses, females being scarcer than males. ^ ■
Eggs of the present species, of which Mr. Namiye sent sketches to Dr. Stejneger, are sai y
the latter to show a greater resemblance to the eggs of M. cardis, as far as colour is concerne ,
than to those of. the more closely related M. chrysolaus; but the shape is somewhat different,
apparently agreeing better with those of the latter species.
Adult male. General colour above dark ochreous-brown, slightly more rufescent on the
lower back, rump, and upper tail-coverts; wing-eoverts like the back; bastard-wmg, pnmaiy-
coverts, and quills blackish, edged with slaty-grey, the inner secondaries externally like the back;
tail-feathers blackish, with hoary-whitish fringes at the ends; crown of head and hind-neck,
sides of face, throat, and fore-neck black; chin white; throat also slightly tinged with w te ,
remainder of under surface from the fore-neck downwards bright orange-chestnut, centre o
abdomen white; thighs blackish; under tail-coverts blackish, tinged with rufous and broa y
centred with white; axillaries slaty-grey, tipped with white; under wing-coverts dusky slate co our,
with narrow hoary-grey margins; quills dusky below, rather more ashy on the inner we s .
“ upper mandible dusky greyish-black, the edges of the basal half, as well as the lower mandib e,
light yellow, except the end half, which is somewhat dusky; feet brownish grey, yellowish be
and on the heel-joint; iris dark brown; eyelid bright yellow (-P. -4- Holst). Total length
9’3 inches, culmen 0-95, wing 0-75, tail 3*2, tarsus T3.
Adult female. Differs from the male in wanting the black head and throat. General colour
above dusky ochraceous-brown, the head like the back; lores dusky blackish, sides o ace
J 9. n