PSITTEUTELES WILHELMIN &.

Wilhelmina Lorikeet.

Trichoglossus wilhelmine, Meyer, J. f. O. 1874, pp. 56, 57, 111.—Id. Sitz. k. Akad. Wissensch. lxix. p. 74 (1874).

 

Ip it were possible to use such a term in speaking of a bird, I should describe this exquisite little Lorikeet
as being an example of the maudtum in parvo principle as regards colouring. Its diminutive size, together
with the great variety of its tints, combine to render it one of the most striking of the birds obtained by
Dr. Meyer during his recent travels to New Guinea and the adjacent islands. Although for the present
I associate P. arfaki, P. placens, and this species under one genus, it must not be overlooked that they differ
in one important character, namely in the possession of fourteen tail-feathers by P. arfaki, whereas
P. placens and P. wilhelmine have only twelve, like other Parrots. Its beautifully coloured graduated tail
is, in fact, the only character which it possesses in common with P. arfaki, the fashion of the coloration
being very similar.

In naming this species P. wlhelmine Dr. Meyer has paid a graceful compliment to his wife, who has
been a constant companion of his travels, not only in Europe, but also to the far distant Molucca Islands ;
and I must confess that it gives me great pleasure in figuring the species in an early number of my work,
and thereby assisting to perpetuate the name of a lady so heroic.

That other species of this little genus remain to be discovered one can hardly doubt, seeing the vast
accessions to our knowledge of ornithology which each successive collection from the northern part of New
Guinea brings to us.

On the accompanying Plate two males and a female are depicted, as nearly of the natural size as
possible; but it will perhaps be desirable to add a detailed description, since the female differs in some
points from the male as regards the colour and disposition of the markings; but the most prominent is
the entire absence of red on the under surface of the wing. Her other tints, though similar to the male,
are not so fine.

The following is a description of a male sent :—“‘ Bill yellow; face, throat, and under surface generally,
lively pale green, with a large patch of lengthened narrow stripes of yellow on the breast, each stripe
being margined with a dark colour; crown of the head and nape reddish brown, with narrow blue feathers
interspersed down the latter; mantle and upper surface green; lower part of the back fiery red, succeeded
by a patch of purple, blending into green on the upper tail-coverts; two central tail-feathers black at
their bases, passing into greenish at their tips; the bases of all the external feathers fiery red, succeeded
by black, and green tippings; on the flank a small patch of yellow joining the red of the back; the feet
appear to have been grey.

‘Total length of male 4% inches, wing 23, tail 28, tarsi 3.

‘“« Hab. New Guinea, passim.”