PHLOGQENAS JOHANNA, | Selater.

Mrs. Sclater’s Ground-Dove.

Phlogenas johanne, Sclaten, 2) ZS: 11877, p. 112) pl. 116.

 

Dr. Sclater, in describing the present bird (named in compliment to his wife), remarks :—“‘ The nearest
species known seem to be P. stairi, of the Samoans, from which, however, P. yohanne may be known by its
lovely pure white breast, and P. canifrons, Hartl. & Finsch, of the Pelew group (Journ. Mus. Godeffr. viii,
p. 27, pl. v. foam») 500 which the bind part of the neck is rusty red.”

Unfortunately we do not know the exact habitat of this pretty Ground-Dove. It was sent by Mr. George
Brown, in a collection of birds from the Duke-of-York Island, New Britain, and New Ireland; but from
which of these three localities P. johanne was procured was not indicated when the specimens were sent
home.

The following is a translation of Dr. Sclater’s description of the Species ==

Adult. Dusky chestnut, washed on the back with bronze; lesser wing-coverts externally shining purple ;
head and neck all round, as well as the breast, pale grey, this colour darker on the crown, clearer on the
breast, and passing off into pure white ; occiput, like the back, washed with bronze; the white colour of the
breast arranged in a semicircle, and girt by a purple margin, as on the wing-coverts ; primaries uniform
dusky black, the secondaries and the scapulars externally uniform with the back; tail above uniform with
the back, underneath blackish; round the eye a bare space; feet red. Total length 7-8 inches, wing 4°4,
tail 2-7, tarsus 1:1.

The figures in the Plate are drawn from the typical birds, kindly lent me by Dr. Sclater ; they are now

in the collection of the Marquis of Tweeddale.