DICAUM EXIMIUM, Selater.
Brown Diczum.

=

Diceaum eximium, Sclater, P. Z.S. 1877, p. 102, pl. xiv. fig. 2.

 

Tue home of this beautiful little bird, justly named eximium, is New Ireland, where it was procured by
Mr. George Brown in March 1876. In describing the bird, Dr. Sclater remarked that it was different
to him; and in looking over my series of Diceide, I cannot find any single one

from any species known
Indeed it is seldom that such a very distinct species comes to

which approaches it in style of coloration.
our notice in these days; and we may fairly suppose that the group of islands where Mr. Brown worked
will yield many further discoveries in natural science as they become better explored.

I have copied below the original description given by Dr. Sclater; and I can scarcely agree with him that
the Diceum eneum of Messrs. Jacquimot and Pucheran (Voy. Pole Sud, Zool. ili. p. 97) is likely to turn out
The last-named species is said to have been procured in the Solomon

to be the female of the present bird.
It is as follows :—

Islands; and perhaps a translation of the description may be useful for comparison.

Grey, with bronzy reflections on the head, back, and upper wing-coverts ; throat white, somewhat tinged

with yellow, this yellow colour being a little more pronounced on the thorax ; middle of abdomen white, the

quills blackish above, with the inner webs edged with clear greyish ; under wing-

sides yellowish olive ;
s of the neck, and

coverts white, and the wing below ashy grey; the grey colour occupies also the side
median line; quills blue-black, duller below ; their coverts in the latter sense

impinges somewhat on the
with a little yellow

are yellow, somewhat inclining to whitish ; the iris is yellow; bill and feet blue-black,
at the base of the lower mandible.

The following is Dr. Sclater’s original diagnosis of D. eaimium :—Above dark bronzy green, the crown
and sides of the head browner ; rump crimson ; under surface of body white, with a narrow pectoral band

of crimson; sides of body and middle of belly dusky slate-colour ; the flanks bronzy, as on the back ; under

wing-coverts white. Total length 3°3 inches, wing 2°0, tail 1:0.
The figure in the Plate is taken from the type specimen lent to me by Dr. Sclater, to whom,
of Tweeddale, I am under great obligations for allowing me to figure so many of the fine

and to

the Marquis
novelties discovered by Mr. George Brown.

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