NASITERNA BECCARIL, Satwaa.

°9
Beccaris Pygmy Parrot.

Nasiterna beceartt, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civic. Genov. viii. p. 396 CISIE), 3. jo, MB. so, 13 (C1877).

 

Or this bird, which is closely allied to VV. pusio, Count Salvadori has lent me the single specimen at present
known ; and I have had the satisfaction of figuring it here for the first time. It differs from all the other
Nasiterne which I have seen. On the head is a well-defined cap of dull indigo-blue surrounded by brown,
the remainder of the plumage being green, as in the other members of the genus, with black spots on the
shoulder moderately strongly indicated. It is certainly one of the smallest species ; and the spines on the
tail are but little developed ; the bill is small for a Nasiterna, and of a light horn-colour. There appears no
indication of an orange-red patch in the centre of the body, as is the case with MV. pygmea and N. bruijni ;
but, as the only specimen at present in our hands is a female, it is impossible to speak very positively on
this point.

I owe to the kindness of Count Salvadori the following note on the present species :—‘“ I only know of a
female of this Parrot, which was collected by Beccari near Wairoro, on the coast of Geelvink Bay, more than
one degree to the south of Dorey. I have compared this specimen with V. puszo, to which it is nearly allied ;
and it differs from the latter species in the blue colour of the crown being more extended and brighter, in
the brown colour of the cheeks being darker, and in the smaller dimensions. The bill is rather small, as in
N. pusio and N. pygmea.”

For the accompanying description I am also indebted to the Count :-—

“Green, the underparts being much lighter ; middle of the crown dull blue, the edges of the feathers black ;
forehead and sides of the head brown, the sides of the nape greenish brown ; the two centre tail-feathers
blue with a black spot near the tip; lateral rectrices black, edged externally with green and with a yellowish
orange spot at the tip of the inner web. Size of NV. pygmea.”

The Plate contains a life-sized representation of the present species in two positions, taken from the
typical specimen. I have also introduced into the picture a figure of Eupholus bennett, a magnificent beetle
recently described from South-eastern New Guinea; and I have figured this fine insect with the greatest
pleasure, in compliment to the gentleman whose name it bears, Dr. Bennett of Sydney, who has for many

years been known to naturalists as an active patron and promoter of science in his adopted country.