GEOFFROYIUS SIMPLEX.

Blue-collared Parrot.

Pionias simplex, Meyer, Mitth. zool.-botanischen Gesellsch. Wien, xxiv. p. 39 (1874).
Geoffroyius simplex, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civic. Genov. vii. p. 759 (1875).

 

In a paper contributed by him to the Zoological and Botanical Society of Vienna, Dr. Meyer describes this
new species of Parrot discovered by him in New Guinea ; and I am now able to give correct figures, thanks
to his kindness in sending me the type specimens for that purpose.

After giving a full description of the bird, the learned Doctor proceeds as follows :—‘I obtained in the
same locality a female of a Pionias (the one described being a male bird), which I think may be the female
of this species, as it resembles the male in general aspect and in some particular characters. It differs
from the male in wanting the blue collar; but at the same time it exhibits a slight but well-pronounced
bluish green shade on the head and cheeks. The whole upper surface is uniform green ; but, on the other
hand, the yellowish brown spot on the wing-coverts is more strongly indicated than in the male. The
underparts are uniform light green. The tail is not so pale-coloured below as in the male.”

« As the female bird exhibits a bluish shade on its head, and the male has nothing of this on the same part,
it might be imagined that the male now before me is not quite in full plumage ; but this is not likely, as it has
the blue collar so well developed; therefore, from the above-mentioned differences, it is by no means im-
probable that we have here two separate species, the male belonging to one and the female to another. As
I only obtained two specimens, and as the occurrence of several very closely allied but specifically well
distinguished species in the same locality is nothing uncommon among the birds, and especially the Parrots,
of New Guinea, I am not able to affirm or deny the fact with certainty; but in my own mind I have good

reason to believe that they are male and female of one species.”

 

The following is a translation of Dr. Meyer's description of the male :—‘‘ Green ; the back brownish ;
rump washed with blackish ; under surface of body lighter green; round the neck a collar of light blue,
somewhat shaded with lilac under certain lights, and being broader and less defined on the nape; wings
green, the inner webs of the quills black ; under wing-coverts sky-blue, this colour descending somewhat on
the sides of the chest ; under surface of the quills blackish, the secondaries with a pale yellow spot on the
inner web; on the edge of the wings a yellowish white spot ; wing-coverts above and below with a slight
patch of yellowish brown; cheeks and chin paler green like the under surface ; abdomen shaded with brown;
under tail-coverts pale green shaded with yellowish ; upper surface of the tail green, below greenish yellow.
Bill and cere, feet and nails black.”

“TI obtained this new species in July 1873 on the Arfak Mountains in the north-west of New Guinea,
about 3000 feet above the level of the sea, and I name it simplex on account of its plain coloration.”

The figures in the accompanying Plate are of the size of life.