Loriculus apicalis Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1891), 20,
528 (part); Sharpe, Hand-List (1900), 2, 36 (part); McGregor and
Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 50 (part).
Loriculus philippensis dohertyi Hartert, Novit. Zool. (1906),
13, 757.
Basilan (Steere Exp., Everett, Bourns & Worcester, McGregor).
"Adult.--Three males and three females from Basilan show at a glance a
much stronger and more reddish golden yellow wash on the back than in
the specimens from Mindanao. In the old males the whole back appears
to be golden orange, about the apical half of the feathers being golden
orange. In the females it is as strong, or nearly so, as in the males,
or in some specimens less developed, though always evident." (Hartert.)
Male.--Length, 152; wing, 94; tail, 47; culmen from cere, 15.
Female.--Wing, 94; tail, 51; culmen from cere, 12.
"The Basilan birds differ from Mindanao birds in having the nape
scarlet, not golden, and in having the feathers of the back broadly
tipped with orange. The back shows nearly as much color as in
L. chrysonotus. The species is very rare in Basilan however, and
while we think it probable that the Mindanao and Basilan birds may
eventually be separated, we do not feel warranted in establishing a
new species with so small an amount of material at our disposal.
"Two males average, 159 in length; wing, 89; tail, 44; culmen, 14;
tarsus, 97; middle toe with claw, 15. Four females, length, 144; wing,
83; tail, 45; culmen, 13; tarsus, 12; middle toe with claw, 17. Legs
and feet orange; nails black; bill scarlet." (Bourns and Worcester MS.)