TANYSIPTERA DANAE, Sharpe.

Crimson-and-brown Kinerfisher.

Tanysiptera nympha juv., Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales, iv. p. 4 (1879).
Tanysiptera danae, Sharpe, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. fifth series, vol. vi. p. 231 (1880).

 

I am not surprised that my friend Mr. KE. P. Ramsay, when he first received a specimen of this bird, took
it to be the young of the beautiful Zanysiptera nympha; and had I seen but one example, I believe I should
have done the same. In the collection, however, which was sent by Mr. Charles Hunstein to this country
there were at least twenty specimens, and both old and young birds were represented in plenty, and Mr.
Sharpe was no doubt right in considering it to be a new species.

The home of this beautiful bird is the interior of South-eastern New Guinea; and here it represents the
Tanysiptera nympha, which inhabits the north-western portion of the island. It is somewhat allied to the
last-named bird, having the under surface of the body crimson, as also the lower back and rump, characters
which are also possessed by 7° nympha. It differs, however, in having the head and back brown instead of
black, and by the rufous-brown colour of the side face.

We owe the discovery of this species to the energy of a young German naturalist, Mr. Charles Hunstein,
who has been collecting in South-eastern New Guinea, round East Cape, Milne Bay, and the adjacent parts,
where he discovered likewise the wonderful new Kingfisher, named by Mr. Sharpe Clytoceyx rex, and
figured in the present work.

We know nothing of the habits of this new Tanysiptera ; but there is no reason to suppose that they would
differ from those of its congeners. ‘The measurements of the adult are as follows, according to Mr. Sharpe :—

Total length 10°5 inches, culmen 1°25, wing 3:45, tail 6:4, tarsus oS

On the arrival of the specimens at the British Museum, Mr. Sharpe kindly showed them to me ; and I was

typical specimens. It represents two old birds and a

thus able to draw the accompanying Plate from the :
[R. B.8.]

young one, all being of about the natural size.