Basilan (Steere, Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, McGregor); Mindanao (Bourns & Worcester).
Adult.—Very similar to Irena cyanogastra, but the upper back and mantle black instead of deep blue. Iris cherry red; bill, legs, and nails black. Length, about 230. A male from Basilan measures: Wing, 121; tail, 102; culmen from base, 27; bill from nostril, 19; tarsus, 18. A female measures: Wing, 118; tail, 98; culmen from base, 28; tarsus, 20.
“This fairy bluebird is a strictly deep woods form and a very fine singer; it is rather shy, but can readily be procured, as it never remains silent for any length of time. It is often difficult to distinguish from Dicrurus striatus when seen at a little distance, unless its tail is in plain view. All of the Philippine Irenidæ are difficult to collect in good condition. They have very thin skins and loose feathers, and frequently ruin themselves in falling. They all feed on fruit. Ten males from Basilan average: Length, 236; wing, 120; tail, 98; culmen, 30; tarsus, 18; middle toe with claw, 22. Eleven females, length, 229; wing, 116; tail, 96; culmen, 30; tarsus, 17; middle toe with claw, 22.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
474. IRENA TWEEDDALI Sharpe.
TWEEDDALE’S FAIRY BLUEBIRD.
- Irena tweeddalii Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1877), 3, 268; Trans. Linn. Soc. 2d. ser. Zool. (1877), 1, 333, pl. 51, fig. 1; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 79.
- Irena tweeddalei Sharpe, Hand-List (1901), 3, 309.
Balabac (?[65]); Calamianes (Bourns & Worcester); Palawan (Steere, Lempriere, Whitehead, Platen, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Celestino, White).
Male.—Crown, nape, hind neck, entire back, rump, upper and under tail-coverts, lesser and median wing-coverts, and tips of inner greater coverts light turquoise-blue; rest of plumage, including forehead, lores, a wide line over eye, and entire sides of head and neck deep black. Length, 240; wing, 127; tail, 99; culmen from base, 26; bill from nostril, 19; tarsus, 16.
Female.—Very different from the male, being dull verditer-blue; feathers of rump and upper and under tail-coverts tipped with brighter blue; primaries dark brown; secondaries and rectrices dark brown, their exposed edges washed with verditer-blue. Wing, 120; tail, 99; culmen from base, 26; bill from nostril, 19; tarsus, 18.
“Tweeddale’s fairy bluebird was fairly common about fruit trees in the forest and was found abundantly on Mount Pulgar at an elevation of about 750 meters. Five males from Palawan average: Length, 245; wing, 123; tail, 95; culmen, 31; tarsus, 17; middle toe with claw, 23. Four females, length, 243; wing, 122; tail, 92; culmen, 31; tarsus, 17; middle toe with claw, 24. Males and females from the Calamianes average slightly less in length. Iris red; bill, legs, feet, and nails black.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)