CRASPEDOPHORA INTERCEDENS, Sharpe.

Port Moresby Rifle-bird.

Craspedophora magnifica (nec V.), Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W. ii. p. 266 (1877), iv. p. 97 (1880).—Tristr.
Ibis, 1889, p. 554.—De Vis, Ann. Queensl. Mus. no. 4, Oo. 7 CEO»).

Ptilorhis tntercedens, Sharpe, Journ. Linn. Soc. xvi. p. 444 (1882).—D’Hamony. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1886,
pp. 504, 508.

Craspedophora intercedens, Meyer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. ii. p. 382 (1885).—Id. Ibis, 1886, p. 250.—Salvad. Age.
Orn. Papuasia, ii. p. 157 (1890).—Meyer, Ibis, 1890, p. 419.

Piilorhis magnifica (nec V.), Goodwin, Ibis, SOO arom tos

 

When first I described the Rifle-bird from South-eastern New Guinea I gave to it the name of intercedens,
because it seemed to me that it was intermediate between C. magnifica and C. alberti, but the specific
characters then propounded for its separation are not those on which the distinctness of the species rests.
A further examination of specimens has convinced me that in colour the Southern bird differs very little from
the Rifle-bird of North-western New Guinea (C. magnifica) ; but, in addition to the shorter bill, it will be found
that C. intercedens has the base of the culmen hidden by the frontal feathers, which unite on each side of it.
This peculiarity is observable in both sexes, and L have therefore no hesitation in recognizing C. intercedens as
a valid species.

As far as is known, the range of this Rifle-bird extends over the greater part of Eastern New Guinea, for
it is found in the interior of the Port Moresby district and also on the Astrolabe range of mountains. In the
former locality it has been met with by Messrs. Goldie and Broadbent, and the latter naturalist obtained
specimens at Cloudy Bay. The late Karl Hunstein found the species in the Horseshoe range of the
Astrolabe Mountains, and it was also obtained during Sir William Macgregor’s expedition, Mr. A. P.
Goodwin, who accompanied the latter, writes :—‘* We met with this Rifle-bird on Mount Kowald and Mount
Belford, in the Owen Stanley 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, requirivg no little skill in acquiring
a specimen.”

Hunstein forwarded the following note with his specimens :— Very similar to the Australian Rifle-bird,
bat hasa different call. It calls on two notes, one deeper than the other, similar to that of the Raven. The
bird is shy and difficult to get at; it resorts mostly to the Ranges, and frequents trees with plenty of vines
and creepers on them.”

Mr. Basil Thomson procured the species at Milne Bay in South-eastern New Guinea. It would also
seem to extend to the North-eastern coast, as Dr. Meyer records a specimen from Constantine Harbour,
obtained there by Mr. Kubary. Further westward than the Astrolabe Range it does not appear to extend,
as the Rifle-bird of the Upper Fly River is the true C, magnifica.

Adult male. Similar to C. magnifica in colour, but distinguished by the much smaller bill, the base of the
culmen being completely hidden by the impinging frontal feathers: bill, feet, and iris black (Hunstein).
Total length 11 inches, culmen 1:8, wing 7°2, tail 3°8, tarsus 1-7.

Adult female. Similar to the female of C, magnifica, but rather more asby whitish below, the cross-bars
being narrower, producing a generally paler appearance: the base of the culmen is hidden as in the male.
Total length 11:5 inches, culmen 2, wing 7-2, tail 4-15, tarsus 1-7.

The figures on the Plate represent a pair of birds of the size of life, and are drawn from the typical

examples in the British Museum.