The White-eyes of the Aroe Islands (Aves, Zosteropidae)

From the Aroe Islands, four different species of White-eyes were recorded with more or less certainty in literature (Salvadori, 1881; Finsch, 1901; Stresemann, 1931). Mayr (1941), the latest revisor, lists three species, viz., Zosterops novaeguineae subsp., Z. minor sharpei, and Z. chloris chloris (now named Z. lutca chloris, cf. Mayr, 1944). The presence in the Leiden Museum of a small series (6 specimens) of Z. novaeguineae from the Aroe Islands, and of the type specimen of Z. sharpei, enables me to discuss these forms more fully than hitherto has been possible. Zosterops novaeguineae Salvadori As at Leiden no material for comparison was available, I sent 5 specimens from the Aroe Islands to the American Museum of Natural History, New York, where Dr. Mayr and Dr. Amadon compared them with series of Z. n. novaeguineae (7 adults) and Z. n. wuroi (4 adults and several immatures). I am very much indebted to Dr. Mayr and Dr. Amadon for their notes which enabled me to describe the Aroe specimens as a new race. Here follow the distinctive characters of the three races: Zosterops novaeguineae novaeguineae Salvadori, 1878. Eye-ring comparatively narrow; upper parts yellowish green; breast and flanks rather pale grey; throat and under tail coverts yellow. Wing: ♂ 59 (Salvadori's type specimen); ♂ 57 (Leiden Museum); ♂♂ 55, 56, 56, 58; ♀♀ 54, 56; sex ? 55 mm (American Museum). All specimens are from the Arfak Mountains, Vogelkop, Dutch New Guinea. Zosterops novaeguineae wuroi Mayr & Rand, 1935. Eye-ring broad; upper parts much greener than in the nominate race (the original publication