Myzomela rubratra rubratra Yamashina, Tori, 7, 1932, p. 395 (Ponapé); Hand-list Japanese Birds (part), rev., 1932, p. 172 (Ponapé); Hand-list Japanese Birds (part), 3d ed., 1942, p. 191 (Ponapé).
Myzomela cardinalis dichromata Mayr, Birds Southwest Pacific, 1945, p. 299 Ponapé).
Geographic range.—Micronesia: Caroline Islands—Ponapé.
Characters.—Adult male: Resembles adult males of M. c. rubratra, but with more extensive black markings on lores and below eye; tips of feathers lighter "scarlet."
Adult female: Resembles adult female of M. c. rubratra, but duller and with red coloring much reduced; head, neck, shoulder, ear-coverts, and sides of neck sooty brownish-gray; rest of upper parts dark brownish-gray with plumage of middle of back, rump, and upper tail-coverts tipped with scarlet; wings and tail dark brown with outer edges olivaceous-gray; chin and throat reddish; breast light brownish-gray, may be washed with reddish; axillaries, abdomen, and under tail-coverts grayish.
Immature male: Resembles adult male, but scarlet coloring less brilliant and thinner on forehead, middle of back, rump, upper tail-coverts, and underparts and absent, or nearly absent, on crown and neck.
Immature female: Resembles adult female, but scarlet coloring thinner and present only on underparts, back, rump, and upper tail-coverts; abdomen and under tail-coverts washed with buff.
Measurements.—Measurements are listed in [table 48].
Specimens examined.—Total number, 52 (26 males, 24 females, 2 unsexed), as follows: Caroline Islands, USNM—Ponapé, 3 (Feb. 11, 12); AMNH—Ponapé, 49 (Nov., Dec.).