DICAUM PRYERL, Sharpe.

Pryer’s Diczeum.

Diceum pryeri, Sharpe, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 795.

 

Mr. Pryer and his brother are both known for their labours in the cause of ornithology, both of them being
excellent observers and collectors. Mr. H. Pryer has done very good work in J apan, while Mr. W. B. Pryer
is now collecting in North-eastern Borneo, in a part of the country whence no previous collection has been
forwarded. The province of Sandakan forms part of the territory now belonging to the North-Borneo
Company; and we hear of several naturalists who have joined the staff, who are likely to make us well
acquainted with the ornithology of this part of Borneo. To Mr. Pryer, however, belongs the credit of
having sent home the first consignment of bird-skins from that part of the world; and the present interesting
little species is one of the novelties which have rewarded his efforts.

Mr. Bowdler Sharpe gives the following diagnosis of the species :—

“Similar to D. nigrimentum of Salvadori, but distinguished by the whole of the throat as well as the sides
of the neck and sides of body black. Total length 2-9 inches, culmen 0°4, wing 1-85, tail 1-0, tarsus 0°45.”

He also gives the accompanying note :—‘‘ The first collection sent by Mr. Pryer contained a single
specimen of this Diceum ; it appeared to be quite different from D. xigrimentum, which is in the collection
of the British Museum. Subsequently Mr. Pryer forwarded some more adult males, in his second and
third consignments ; and as all of these agree in having the whole of the throat black, I have no doubt that
it is a good species.”

The figure in the Plate has been drawn from the typical specimen, which is a male bird. The female is

at present unknown.

[R. B. S.]