CAMPEPHAGA STRENUA, Seki.

Blue-grey Campephaga.

Campephaga strenua, Schl. N. T. D. iv. p. 45.—Sclater, P. Z.S. 1873, p. 697.—Meyer, Sitz. Wien, lxix. p. 10.

 

Turis remarkable species was discovered by Baron von Rosenberg during his last voyage. Two specimens
were obtained—one in the island of Jobi, and the other in the interior of the northern peninsula of New
Guinea. D’Albertis procured it in Atam; and Dr. Meyer shot altogether four specimens—three at Rubi, a
place situated at the southern extremity of Geelvmk Bay, and one on the Arfak mountains. These are
apparently all the specimens at present in Kurope; I am not aware of any other individuals existing in any
collection.

Professor Schlegel makes the following observations on the species:—‘‘The new species which we
introduce under the name of Campephaga strenua is remarkable for its large size and excessively robust bill ;
it is, moreover, very easily recognized by its entirely blue-grey colour, broken only by the black lores, nasal
plumes, fore part of chin, primaries, and tail-feathers, as well as by the clear isabelline rufous which
pervades the axillaries and lower wing-coverts, with the exception of the greater series, which are white.
It is to be remarked, moreover, that the median wing-coverts have the inner web black, whilst the black of
the basal part of the primaries passes partially into whitish. Bill and feet black; iris blackish brown.
Total length 6'6", tail 5°10", bill from front 15”, breadth of bill at forehead 8", tarsus 13”, middle
oe O",”

Dr. Meyer obtained the female, which, he says, differs from the male in the absence of black on the wings
and chin, these parts being bluish grey in the females like the rest of the body. A hen bird which he
obtained in the Arfak mountains had the head and under surface of body brighter blue than the other
examples obtained at Rubi.

My Plate represents the bird of the natural size, and was drawn from a specimen lent me by Signor
d’ Albertis.

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