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No. «5.— MAY, 1905

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF GOVERNMENT LABORATORIES

I. BIRDS FROM THE ISLANDS OF ROMBLON,
SIBUYAN, AND CRESTA DE GALLO

11. FURTHER NOTES ON BIRDS FROM TICAO,

CUYO, CULION, CALAYAN, LUBANG,

AND LUZON

BY

Richard C. McGregor

\ \.s y ' ^.'V^'*^'^' > , i , .? ' "'-' '- f r^'-

-VC-

25471

MANILA

BUREAU OP PUBLIC PRINTING
1905

PREFIOUS PUBLICATIONS OP THE BUREAU OF GOVERNMENT LABORATORIES.

No. 1, 190f, Biological Xa^iorafon/.— Preliminary Report of the Appearance in the Philippine
Islands of a Disease Clinically Resembling Glanders. By R. P. StroniE:, M, D.

No. ^, 1902, Chemical Laboratory. —'Yhv I'rex^siration of Hoiizoyl-Acetyl Peroxide and Its l^se
as an Intestinal Antiseptic in Cholera and Dysentery. I'reliniinary Notes. By Paul
C. Freer, M. I)., Ph. I).

No. 3, 190S. Biological Jjiboratory. — A I'reliminary Rei)ort on Tryy)anosoniiasis of Horses in
the Philippine Islands. By W. E. Musgrav(\ M. D., Acting Director Biological
Laboratory, and Norman E. Williamson. Assistant Bacteriologist Bureau of ( Jovcrinnent
Laboratories.

No. U, 1903, Serum L«5oraiori/.— Preliminary Report on the Study of I^indtTpest of Cattle Hiid
Carabaos in the Philippine Islands, }^y James W. Jobliiig, M I)., Director of the
Serum Laljoratory.

No. 5. 1903, Biological /yf6oraton/.—Try])iinosoma find Trypanosomiasis, with Special Refer
ence to Surra in the Philippine Islands. By \V. K. Musgrave, M. D., Acting Director
Biological Laboratory, and Moses T. Clegg, Assistant Bacteriologist Biological Labora-
tory.

No. 6, 1905.— J. New or Noteworthy Philippine Plants. II The American Rh'ment in the
Philippine Flora. By Elmer D. Merrill, Botanist. (lssue<l Januarv 20. PH»I.)

No. 7, 1903, Chemical Laboratory.— T\\q (\\\iUi Percha and Rubber of the l'lnli{>pine Islands.
By Penoyer L. Sherman, jr., J*h. I)., Chemist, Chemical Laboratory

No. 8, 1903.--A Dictionary of the Plant Nanu-s ui" the Philii>pine Islands. By Elmer I).
Merrill, Botanist.

No. 9, 1903, Biological Laboratory. — A Report on Hemorrhagic S(>|>tic;cmiH in .Animals in the
Philippine Islands. By Paul G. Woolley, M. D., and .1. W. .b)l>!ing, M. D.

No. 10, 1903, Biological Laboratory.— X Report on two cases of a Peculiar Form of Hand
Infection (Due to an Organism Resembling the Koch Weeks Bacillus) By .lolin R.
McDill, M. D., and Wm. B. Wherry, M. 1).

No. 11, 1903, Biological Lal)arat<rry.—VA\U}m()]og\cH\ Division, Bulletin No. 1, Preliminary
Bulletin on Insects of the Cacao. (Prepared Es]HH'ial1y for tln^ Benefit of Farmers.)
By Charles S. Banks, F^ntomologist Bureau of Government Laboratories.

No. IZ, 1903, Biological Laboratory.— Ro])OYt on Some Pulmonary Lesions Produced I)y
the Bacillus of Hemorrhagic Septic;emia of Carabaos. By Paul G, Woolley. M. I).

No. 13, 190/t, Biological Laboratory.— A Fatal Infection by a Hitherto Undescribed Chromo-
genic Bacterium: Bacillus aureus fa'tidus. By Maximilian Herzog, M. D.

No. lU, 190U. — Serum Laboratory: 1. Texas F^everin the Philippine Islands and the Far East.
By J. W. Jobling, M. D., and Panl G. Woolley, M. I). Biological Laboratory: 11. The
Australian Tick (Boophilus Australis F'uller) in the Philippine Islands. By Charles
S. Banks, Entomologist.

No. 15, 190h, Biological and Serum Laboratories. — Report on Bacillus Violaceus Manila?: A
Pathogenic Micro-Organism. By Paul G. Woolley, M. D.

No. 16, 190k, Biological Laboratory/.— Protective Inoculation Against Asiatic Cholera: An
Experimental Study. By Rtchard P. Strong, M. 1).

JVo. 11, 190/t.— 'New or Noteworthy Philippine Plants. By F]lmer I). Merrill, Botanist.

No. 18, 190k, Biological Laboratory. — I. Amebas: Their ('nltivation and Etiologic Signifi-
cance. By W. E. Musgrave, M. D,, and Moses T. Clegg. II. The Treatment of Uncom-
plicated Intestinal Amebiasis (Amebic Dysentery) in the Tropics. By W. E. Musgrave,
M. D.

No. 19, 190k, Biological Laboratory.— Some Observations on the Biology of the Cholera
Spirillum. By Wm. B. Wherry, M. D.

(Continued onr third pag^e of cover.)

No. aS.—MAY, 1906

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF GOVERNMENT LABORATORIES

L BIRDS FROM THE ISLANDS OF ROMBLON,
SIBUYAN, AND CRESTA DE GALLO

II. FURTHER NOTES ON BIRDS FROM TICAO,

CUYO, CULION, CALAYAN, LUBANG,

AND LUZON

BY

Richard C. McGregor

25471

MANILA

BUREAU OF PUBLIC PRINTING
1905

11)

o

r

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

Department of the Intekior,
' Bureau of Government Laboratories,

' Office of the Superintendent of Laboratories,

Manila, P, L, November 26, 1904.
-^ Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith and recommend for
publication articles entitled ^^I. Birds from the Islands of Eomblon,
Sibnyan, and Cresta de Gallo/^ and "II. Further Notes on Birds
from Ticao, Cuyo, Cnlion, Calayan, Lubang, and Luzon/' by
Richard C. McGregor, collector of natural-history specimens.

Very respectfully, ■

EiGHARD P. Strong,
Director Biological Laboratory,
Acting Superintendent Oovernment Laboratories,
Hon. Dean C. Worcester,

Secretary of the Interior, Manila, P. J.

3

149831

I. BIRDS FROM THE ISLANDS OF ROMBLON, SIBUYAN,
AND CRESTA DE GALLO.'

By Richard C. McGregob.

PREFATORY NOTE.

Department of the Interior,

Manila, November 18, 1904.
In order to facilitate administration, Mr. Eichard C. McGregor,
collector of natural-history specimens, and his two Filipino assist-
ants have been transferred from the Ethnological Survey to the
Bureau of Government Laboratories. The results of the work of
Mr. McGregor and his assistants have heretofore been published by
the Ethnological Survey imder the title ^^BuUetins of the Phil-
ippine Museum.^^ They will hereafter be issued as publications
of the Bureau of Government Laboratories.

Dean C. Worcester,

Secretary of the Interior,

On May 25, 1904, the writer with two Filipino assistants left
Manila for the purpose of collecting on the more important islands
of the Eomblon group. Eomblon Island was first visited. The
ten days spent there enabled us to secure specimens of its peculiar
birds and to add several interesting species to Worcester's list.
From Eomblon we moved to the town of San Fernando in the
Island of Sibuyan, where we remained, with the exception of a one-

^ The first four bulletins in the ornithological series were published by
the Ethnological Survey under the title '^Bulletins of the Philippine
Museum.*' Future ornithological publica,tions of the Government will
appear as publications of the Bureau of Government Laboratories.

5

day trip to Cresta d6 Gallo^ until our departure for Manila on the
21st of July.

Thus far our only knowledge of the birds of Eomblon Province
has been based upon the work of Prof. Dean C. Worcester, who,
with his collector, Mateo Francisco, visited and collected on the
three largest islands of the group, viz, Eomblon, Tablas, and
Sibuyan. The results, as published in Worcester and Bourns^ ^^Dis-
tribution List," show 71 species for Tablas, 65 for Sibuyan, and 47
for Eomblon.^ Altogether 88 species were recorded from the three
islands visited, 7 of which were described as new, viz, lyngipicus
menageij Ghibia menagei, Dicceum intermedium, Dicceum sihuya-
nicum, lole cinereiceps, Rhipidura satdi, Ilyloterpe major. The
last species, Ilyloterpe major, is omitted from the "Distribution
List," as it is considered to be the same as H, winchelli. To this list
we have added 25 species found by us either in Homblon or Sibuyan
or in both islands, and 3 more from Cresta de Gallo, making the
total number of species known from the province 116. In addition
to the interesting new species discovered by Worcester, 2 in our
collection seem to be peculiar to Eomblon Province and are here
described as new. One of these, the Loricidus, has long been under
suspicion, and the other, a screech owl, is of a genus now first
recorded from this province.

The physical features of the islands require few remarks here,
having been described by Worcester,^ who also points out the
peculiar character of their avian fauna. Eomblon is a small, nearly
circular island whose shores rise abruptly from the water and
whose whole surface is broken, making travel difficult. A large
part of the old forest, even to the highest points, has been cleared
off to make way for cocoanut groves. The few small patches of
woods remaining cling to steep hillsides and afford little or no

^ In the "Preliminary Notes" the authors give only 66 species for
Tablas and 44 for Romblon. This difference is probably due to a more
complete identification of their material when their "Distribution List"
was prepared.

2 The Philippine Islands and Their People, 1901, pp. 465, 466; also
Proc. U. S. N. M., XX, p. 584. I suspect that the tree in Sibuyan, supposed
to be a conifer, is Gasuarina equisetifoUa, a peculiar species somewhat
resembling, in the distance, a pine. It is quite abundant along the Rio
Grande in Sibuyan, and a considerable number of trees of the same kind
were found in Calayan, Babuyan group, specimens of which were identified
for me by Miss Alice Eastwood, of the California Academy of Sciences.

protection to forest-loving birds. It is not strange^ therefore, that
but few species are known from this island.

The area of Sibnyan is four to five times that of Komblon. The
island measures roughly 20 miles in length by 10 in greatest
breadth. A large part of the island is well wooded, and the
central part reaches a considerable elevation. The highest moun-
tain; Giting Giting, is said to have an altitude of 6,500 feet. Con-
siderable areas have been cleared for cocoanuts, but the forests
of the interior have not been disturbed. The weather during
our stay in Sibuyan was such as to make it useless to attempt a
trip into the interior, although my men spent three days on the
mountain and secured beautiful specimens of Zonophaps and
Ptilopus, On account of poor health, my own work was limited
for the most part to the house and I was obliged finally to return
to Manila long before the work was completed. In spite of the
many interesting species collected, this expedition was a disappoint-
ment to me, as I had hoped to work high up on Giting Giting,
the mountain in Sibuyan, and to visit the small islands to the
north of Eomblon, which will, without doubt, prove to be good
ground. Our work has been directed, as heretofore, by the Hon.
Dean C. Worcester, Secretary of the Interior.

NOTES ON THE SPECIES OBSERVED.

Megapodius cumingi Dillwyn.

The "tabon^^ has been recorded from the three largest islands of
Romblon Province, Eomblon, Tablas, and Sibuyan, and appears
to be rare. We observed it on Cresta de Gallo only, off the coast
of Sibuyan, where it is said to be abundant. Plate I is reproduced
from a photograph taken by Secretary Worcester on Tanobon
Island, Calamianes group, and shows an unusually high mound of
the "tabon.^^ In their efforts to gather the eggs the natives usually
reduce the mounds to a level as fast as the birds build them up.
Plate I 6^5 is another view of the same mound and shows the
entrance to a burrow.

The mound figured herewith was measured by Secretary Wor-
cester; its base was 21 by 23 feet in diameter, and its greatest
height was 6 feet. Mr. H. D. McCaskey, Chief of the Philippine
Mining Bureau, supplies the following note on Tanobon Island:
^Tanobon [is], according to my notes and map, a worn-down

remnant of a hilly island, now surrounded by coral reefs, about
4 miles NE. of Point Calauit on Busuanga Island/^

EXCALFACTORIA LINEATA (Scop.).

Three adults and two very small young were taken on Sibuyan
early in July. The species is not previously recorded from Komblon
Province. The young may be described as follows: Upper parts,
including wings and coverts, blackish brown; top of head marked
by three buffy lines, extending from forehead to nape, and separated
by wide blackish brown bands ; wing coverts and feathers of back
with edges and shafts buff ; chin and throat pale buffy yellow ; sides
and flanks black with wide shaft markings of white; upper breast
blackish, fading into dirty buff on belly. Bill dirty white ; legs and
nails dusky brown. Museum numbers 4545 and 4546; Sibuyan,
July 2, 1904.

Gallus gallus (Linn.).

Observed by us in Sibuyan only, where a fine male was killed.

OsMOTRERON AXILLARIS (Gr. K. Gray).

Two males in full plumage from Eomblon.

Phabotreron nigrorum Sharpe.

Specimens were secured in Sibuyan where the species seems to be
rare.

LEUOOTREROlSr OCCIPITALIS Bp.

Six adults and two birds of the year from Sibuyan constitute
the first record of this species for Eomblon Province. Salvadori
says: "Garrod mentions 16 tail feathers in the present species,
while I have found only 14.^' ^ ;N"one of our specimens has more
than 14 tail feathers.

Leucotreron leclancheri (Bp.).

Bourns and Worcester ^ record this species from Tablas and we
now have specimens from Romblon and Sibuyan.

Carpophaga jenea (Linn.).

One specimen killed in Sibuyan, where the species is uncommon.

ZoNOPHAPs poliocephala (Hartl.).

Three specimens of this fine pigeon were killed in thick woods in
the interior of Sibuyan, and another was taken in small growth

^ Cat. Bds., XXI, p. 72.

* Minn. Acad. Nat. Sei., Oc. Papers, I, No. 1, p. 29.

near the beach. The species is described as having "upper parts,
with wings, neck, and breast golden green." ^ In our specimens
this is true only when the bird is held toward the light. If the
bird is held away from the light, the upper parts are beautiful
deep vinous and the wings and breast metallic copper color. The
length is given as about 13.5 inches; our specimens measured in
the flesh from 16 to 17 inches.

A nearly adult female differs from the adult male in having the
copper color of the back extending onto the middle tail-feathers.
Color of soft parts in this specimen were : Irides light clay brown ;
bill very dark brown with a small white mark on tip; bare skin
around eye, dark flesh; legs pale crimson; nails blackish brown.
The species is now recorded from Eomblon Province for the first
time.

Ptilocolpa caroia Bp.

It appears to me that Grant and Whitehead were correct in
considering P. griseipectus the male and P. carola the female of the
same species.^ The two forms are found in company, as stated
by Mr. Whitehead, and I think there can be little doubt that they
are male and female of one species. It has not been previously
recorded from Eomblon Province. We have males and females
from Benguet, Luzon, and from Sibuyan. The species occurs in
the vicinity of Manila also and is occasionally brought into the
market here alive.

Myristicivora bicolor (Scop.).

One specimen of the "camasu" was taken on Cresta de Gallo.
The natives say that it occurs in Sibuyan, which is quite probable,
but we did not see it there nor is there any previous record of
the species for Eomblon Province.

Columba griseigularis (Wald. and Lay.).

This beautiful pigeon, which is widely distributed in the Philip-
pines, is now recorded for the first time from Eomblon and Sibuyan,
where we took several perfect specimens.

Macropygia tenuirostris Bp.

Not uncommon in Eomblon and specimens taken in Sibuyan;
new to Eomblon Province.

' Cat. Bds., XXI, p. 209.

'Cf. Grant, Id., Jan., 1895, p. 117; also Whitehead, Id., Oct., 1899, p. 489.

10

Streptopelia DUSSUMiEEi (Temm.).
Taken in Eomblon and Sibuyan.

Chalgophaps indioa (Linn.).
Eomblon and Sibnyan.

Hypot^nidia toequata (Linn.).

Bourns and Worcester record this common rail from Eomblon,
where we also took a specimen. We observed the species in Sibnyan.

POLIQLIMNAS CINERIUS (Yicill.).

- One specimen from Sibuyan, where previously it was not known.

Gallicrex cinerea (Lath.).

A female from Sibuyan, where the species is not uncommon,
constitutes a new record for the province.

Sterna bergii Licht.

Eecorded by Bourns and Worcester from Eomblon. I saw large,
terns in the harbor which were probably of this species.

Sterka melanauohen Temm.

One specimen of this beautiful rose-breasted tern, taken by us
on Cresta de Gallo, appears to be the first capture of the species in
the Philippines as restricted,^ although it is known from Paragua.

^GIALITIS DUBIA (Scop.).

One specimen from Sibuyan where the species was not previously
known. •

^GIALITIS PERONI (Bp.).

Three specimens from Eomblon and one from Sibuyan. The
species was scarce on both islands and previously had not been
known from the province.

EosTRATULA CAPENSis (Linn.).

The taking of one specimen of the painted snipe in Sibuyan
constitutes a new record for Eomblon Province.

Garzetta garzetta (Linn.).

One specimen from Eomblon is the first recorded for the province.

Demiegretta sacra (Gm.).

One specimen of the reef heron from Eomblon. Is was also
observed along the beach in Sibuyan.

^ Cf. Worcester, Proc. U. S. N. M., XX, p. 698.

11

BUTORIDES JAVANICA (Horsf.).

This common species was noted in Sibuyan and a specimen wa^
killed in Eomblon.

Pyrrherodias manillensis (Meyen).
One specimen from Romblon.

Ardetta cikkamomea (6m.).
One specimen taken in Sibuyan.

Dendrocygna arouata (Horsf.).

A few tree dncks were to be found along the river in Sibuyan,
where three specimens were killed. This is the only duck so far
known from Romblon Province ; another species of duck, probably
Anas luzonica, was said to visit Sibuyan, but it was not observed
by us.

Spilornis pakayensis Steere.

The serpent eagle was taken in both Romblon and Sibuyan.
These specimens and two from Masbate are easily distinguished
from a specimen of S, holospilus from Tarlac Province, Luzon,
which is larger, darker below, and has fewer white spots on the
breast. The throat of the Luzon bird is brown, while in 8,
panayensis this region is gray.

Haliaetus leucogaster (Gm.).
Romblon and Sibuyan.

Haliastur iisrTERMEDius Gurney.
Observed in Sibuyan.

Pernis ptilorhynchus (Temm.).
One specimen from Sibuyan.

Elanus hypoleucus Gould.

A live kite, brought to our house in Sibuyan, is the only specimen
of this species known from Romblon Province.

Palco peregrinus Tunst.

One specimen of the duck hawk from Sibuyan.

NiNox spiLONOTUS Bourns and Worcester.

In color pattern this is remarkably similat to N, mindorensis
but is considerably darker and more rusty on the lower parts. In
our specimen, a male from Sibuyan, the white patches on scapulars,
conspicuous in other species of Ninox, are reduced to bars of pale

.12

fulvous. In the original description, however, it is stated that some
of the scapulars are "with large, nearly white spots on outer webs/^ ^
As pointed out by Grant ^ the species is at once distinguished from
mindorensis by its much greater size. In our specimen, a male,
the wing measures 8.25 inches and the tail 4.40, while in mm-
dorensis of the same sex these parts are 6.30 and 3.50 inches,
respectively, as already recorded in my last paper.

If we compare the two species mentioned above with a typical
hawk owl, Ninox japonica, we are struck by the great difference
in color and color pattern. In the former nearly the whole plumage
is finely barred, the only longitudinal markings being those on
chin and throat. In japonica the entire under parts are marked
with broad stripes and the upper parts are nearly uniform except
for the large white patches on scapulars and inner tertiaries. The
banding on the tail is also strikingly different in the two groups.

OTUS ROMBLONIS, new species.

Specific characters. — Similar to Otus cuyensis McGregor but
smaller; wings and tail much shorter.

Type. — Adult female, No. 4386, Philippine Museum; Eomblon
Island, Philippines; June 2, 1904; McGregor et alise.

Description. — Feathers of upper parts rufous with median black
stripes on head, neck, and back, heaviest on head; "horns'^ colored
like neck and inconspicuous ; white spots on scapulars washed with
pale fulvous; lower parts and wings patterned as in 0. cuyensis
but more rufescent; black band on side of head narrower and less
marked than in cuyensis. Total length in flesh, 8.75 inches; wing,
6.23 ; tail, 3 ; tarsus, 1.15 ; middle toe with claw, 1.10.

Like others of its genus the Eomblon owl may be heard often
enough but is difficult to locate in the dense foliage it frequents.
The type, the only specimen seen by us, was killed in a cocoanut
grove near the town of Eomblon.

So far as I am aware no species of Otu^ has been reported from
the central Philippines (Negros, Guimaras, Masbate, Panay, Ticao),
where one might reasonably expect to find the nearest relative of
the Eomblon screech owl. In Mindoro Otus mindorensis (White-
head) occurs, but this is another style of owl, related to 0. longi-

^Minn. Acad. Nat. Sci., Oc. Papers, I, No. 1, p. 8.
*Ibis, Oct., 1896, p, 227.

13

cornis of Luzon^ and according to Grant has a wing measurement
of 5.3 inches. There is no known resemblance between the faunae
of Romblon Province and Mindoro that would lead one to expect
the same species of Otus in the two districts. In my last paper an
unfortunate error occurs in the tail measurement of the female
type of 0. cuyensis which should be 3.47^ not 3.27^ inches.

EuRYSTOMUs ORiENTALis (Linn.).
Sibuyan.

Pelargopsis gigantea Walden.

In an immature bird of June 27 from Sibuyan the ochraceous
parts are noticeably deeper in color than in the adult, and each
feather of the lower throat and upper breast is narrowly margined
with black, forming numerous crescentic marks on these parts;
dusky edges are present on feathers of hind neck also. The bill
in this specimen measures from base only 2.70 inches, while in an
adult female, taken at about the same time, the bill is 3.30 inches.
In color the bill is duller than in the adult and is washed with
dark brown. The legs are pale salmon mottled with brown.

Ceyx cyanopectus (Lafres.).

A single specimen from Sibuyan. .

Ceyx bournsi Steere.

One specimen from Sibuyan.

Halcyon" wikchelli Sharpe.
Two specimens from Sibuyan.

Halcyon chloris (Bodd.).
Eomblon and Sibuyan.

Merops bicolor Bodd.

Four specimens from Sibuyan, where this species was not before
known; the species was seen on Cresta de Gallo.

Merops philippinus Linn.

Two specimens from Sibuyan. ISTot previously recorded from
Romblon Province.

Caprimulgus manillensis Walden.

Fairly common along the beach on Romblon, where three speci-
mens were taken by us.

14

Caprimulgus griseatus Walden.

Abundant along the beach on Sibuyan, where specimens were
frequently killed in broad daylight/ being flushed from the shelter
of low vegetation. The nesting period appeared to have been
finished, as we took several full-grown birds in young plumage.
The adults were in many cases unfit for skins, hating lost either
several primaries or the entire tail.

A pair of full-grown young birds differ from the adult in the
following particulars: Underparts about the same shade of gray
as in the adult but more finely mottled and with no spots of fulvous
on the breast. The white spots on throat are just indicated, by
white in the male and pale fulvous in the female. Upper parts
blackish brown, very finely vermiculated with white, and lacking
the conspicuous black blotches and fulvous edges of scapulars which
are present in the adult plumage. The wings and tail are as in
the adult. The young female differs from the young male in having
the entire plumage washed with pale fulvous.

Types.— No. 4487, male, June 15, 1904, and 'No. 4521, female,
, June 38, 1904, Sibuyan.

Caprimulgus macrurus is credited to Sibuyan,^ which if correct
is no more curious than some other facts in the distribution of
birds in Komblon Province. Mr. Worcester tells me that he
remembers nothing about this record.

Salangana marginata (Salvad.).

We have already recorded this little-known swift from the Islands
of Luzon, Mindoro, and Calayan, and in the last-named island we
collected immature birds. We are now prepared to present a few
notes on its nesting habits as observed in Sibuyan. I was unable
to visit the colony myself and so record the observations of my
assistant, Mr. Andres Celestino, who collected the nests, eggs, and
birds on June 11, 1904. He described the nests as being 6 feet
from the ground and cemented to the face of a large rock which
with two other bowlders formed an inclosure. There were forty

* All the specimens of C. manillensis which we have taken were killed at
dusk, just before it became too dark to see, at which time they were
hawking for insects. I never but once saw a specimen in the daytime, and
that was flushed from thick brush in Ticao Island.

Since writing the above note I have flushed at midday a specimen of
manillensis from a patch of thick brush near Manila.

^ Bourns and Worcester, Preliminary Notes, p. 34.

15

to fifty nests in the colony, although many were unoccupied. The
nests are composed of a blackish brown hair-like moss ^ cemented
with the characteristic glutinous saliva. The saliva serves also
to hold the nests to the rock. The nests of Salangana whiteheadi
examined by us were supported by little ledges, not fastened to the
rock nor to each other. Plate II shows how closely associated were
the nests of ^S'. marginuta, one wall serving for two adjoining nests,
so that in most cases it would be impossible to separate two nests
without destroying one of them. The eggs resemble those of other
species of the genus. Those figured on Plate III measure, respec-
tively,, 0.72 by 0.43 and 0.67 by 0.46 inch. Three odd eggs, too
far advanced in incubation to be blown, had the following dimen-
sions: 0,67 by 0.43, 0.70 by 0.45, 0.69 by 0.44 inch. Many of the
nests held young of various sizes.

Salangana troglodytes (Gray).

A few observed and one taken in Eomblon. Another specimen
was taken in Sibuyan, where the species is not common.

Salangana v^hiteheadi (Grant).
Very abundant in Sibuyan, where several specimens were taken.

EUDYNAMIS MINDANENSIS (Linn.).

Eomblon and Sibuyan.

Centropus vieidis (Scop.).

An egg of this species was taken from the oviduct of a female
killed in Sibuyan, June 10, 1904. It measures 1.20 by 0.86 inches,
and has a smooth, dull white surface which may be easily scraped
off. This chalky outer layer is not so thick, however, as it is on
eggs of the American Grotophagce. Centropus viridis was seen in
Eomblon also.

Prioniturus discurus (Vieill.).

A few specimens of this racket-tailed parrot taken in Sibuyan
had the tail broken or but incompletely grown.

Tanygnathus luzonensis (Linn.).

Specimens of the Luzon parrot from Eomblon and Sibuyan are
in worn plumage.

^Mr. Elmer D. Merrill tells me this is a scale moss of the family
Jungermanniacece. In two nests only was any other material used, where
leaves of Casuarina were mixed with the scale moss.

16
LOKICULUS BOURN SI, new species.

Loriculus regulus Bourns and Worcester, Oc. Papers, Minn. Acad. Nat.
Sci., I, No. 1, p. 36. Worcester and Bourns, Bistributioti List, Proc. U. S.
N. M., XX, p. 557 (part) ; Worcester, id., p. 583.

Type.— 1^0, 4462, male, Philippine Museum; Sibuyan Island,
Philippines, June 13, 1904; McGregor et aliae. Wing, 3.82 inches;
tail, 1.80 ; culmen, from front margin of cere, 0.54.

Specific characters. — Related to L. regulm but male distinguished
by the smaller orange crown patch, and weaker nucal band. I am
inclined to think that the red breast patch averages smaller in
bournsi, hut I do not care to offer this as a reliable character. The
female is indistinguishable from the female of regulus.

JSTo. 4358, male, from Eomblon, has a peculiar feather in one
wing which is worth noting. The outer web of fifth primary is
lemon yellow for a distance of an inch and a quarter while the inner
web is white for about the same distance.

In the last paper cited above Worcester says : "And I ought to
state here that in the large series of Loriculus regulus obtained in
Tablas, Romblon, and Sibuyan not a single male was found with
as much orange on the head as is shown by Panay specimens in
good plumage.^^ This observation is confirmed by a comparison
of seven males in the present collection from Romblon and Sibuyan
with specimens of Loriculus from Ticao and Masbate. Unfortu-
nately we have no birds from Panay, but Masbate birds were iden-
tified as regulus by Bourns and Worcester and are no doubt typical.

The species is named for Dr. Frank S. Bourns in recognition
of his work on Philippine ornithology during two trips to these
islands as a member of the Steere Expedition and of the Menage
Expedition.

Xafthol^ma eoseum Dumont.

A single specimen from Romblon is the first recorded from that
island.

Iyngipicus MENAGE! Bourns and Worcester.
Several specimens taken in Sibuyan.

COKONE PHILIPPINA Bp.

Romblon and Sibuyan.

Sarcops calvus (Linn.).

Romblon and Sibuyan. A bird killed June 17 had a hard-
shelled egg in the oviduct.

17

Calornis panayensis (Scop.).
Taken in Sibuyan.

Oriolus chinensis Linn.

Eomblon and Sibuyan. A nest with one egg was found July
14, 1904.

MuNiA JAGORI Martens.

Abundant in Sibuyan and Eomblon; several occupied nests were
found in pandanus bushes on the latter island.

Uroloncha everetti (Tweed.).
Abundant in Sibuyan.

Alauda gulgula Franklin.

The Chinese skylark is very abundant in the vicinity of Manila,
where the natives net large numbers for the market, but it appears
to be rare outside of Luzon, having been recorded from Bohol
and Ticao only. In Sibuyan we took a single specimen. The
species is probably more abundant than these records seem to
indicate, as it is a bird generally overlooked, its habits being very
similar to those of Anthus rufulus, for which it is easily mistaken.

Anthus rufulus Vieill.
Eomblon and Sibuyan.

iETHOPYGA MAGNIFICA Sharpc.

Abundant in Sibuyan, where both adult and immature birds
were taken. The immature male resembles the adult female but
has the breast, throat, and chin mottled with red.

CiNNYRis SPERATA (Linn.).

Specimens from Eomblon and Sibuyan are in the collection.

CiNNYRis JUGULARis (Linn.).

Abundant on Eomblon and Sibuyan. June 22, 1904, a nest
with three eggs was taken in Sibuyan, where the species is known
to the natives as "tiamis.^^

Anthreptes chlorigaster Sharpe.

Abundant in Sibuyan, where both adults and birds of the year

were taken during June and July. Adult males agree with Lubang

skins in coloration but have decidedly longer bills. It is rather

curious that this sunbird occurs in Eomblon Province and Lubang

25471 2

18

while no species of the genus has been found in Mindoro^ which is
situated directly between these two groups. Another curious fact
is that chlorigaster appears to be absent from Luzon^ where it is
replaced by griseigularis, a very distinct species.

Dictum sibuyanicum Bourns and Worcester.

The Sibuyan flower pecker is easily distinguished from the
Komblon bird by the clear ashy gray of chin, throat, and upper
breast, which in the latter species are washed with pale greenish
yellow. It is stated that ^'fully adult birds always have the base
of the lower mandible whitish, as do the young of most other species
of the genus.^^ ^ In the face of this statement it is rather sur-
prising to find that not one of our nine adult males has any whitish
color on the lower mandible, the whole bill being black. Several
young males, birds of the year, were collected, and as this plumage
is undescribed the following notes are offered :

Type of juvenile, — Ko. 4426, male, bird of the year, Sibuyan,
June 10, 1904. Upper parts washed with olive green; wings and
tail black; primaries (except the first), secondaries, and primary
coverts narrowly edged with blue; tertiaries and median and lesser
coverts edged with green ; lower parts light olive green ; chin, middle
of breast, and abdomen light greenish yellow. Bill bright yellow
except a light-brown tip ; legs pale slate blue ; nails blackish.

Dictum intermedium Bourns and Worcester.
Two males were taken in RombJon.

DiCJEUM PYGM^UM Kittlitz.

Taken in Komblon, where it was not previously known to occur.

PiPRisoMA iERUGiNOSUM (Bourns and Worcester).

One specimen from Romblon. Three birds of the year, taken
July 7, 1904, in Sibuyan, are somewhat similar to the adult,
but the upper parts are darker and lack the greenish-olive wash of
the adult. The stripes on lower parts are more indefinite, almost
obsolete. The whole plumage is gray, rather than brown as in
the adult. Colors of soft parts: Upper mandible, dark brown;
lower mandible, dirty white ; corners of mouth, light yellow ; irides,
light tan; legs and nails, dirty steel blue, almost black. No. 4568,
male, is selected as the type of the juvenile plumage.

^ Bourns and Worcester, Minn. Acad. Nat. Sci., Oc. Papers, I, No. 1, p. 18.

19

ZosTEROPS NiGRORUM Tweed.

The discovery of the Negros silver eye on the little Island of
Cresta de Gallo was the most surprising find of our trip. The
species is found in Masbate to the eastward and in Negros to the
southward of Cresta de Gallo, but has not been taken in Sibuyan
and almost certainly does not exist there, although the two last-
named islands have but 8 miles of water between them. Our speci-
mens differ from the Masbate and Ticao bird in having slightly
longer bills ; no other difference is observable.

Hyloterpe wiisrcHELLi Bourns and Worcester, Proc. U. S. N. M.,

XX, p. 56.

Hyloterpe major Bourns and Worcester, Minn. Acad. Nat. Sc, Oc.
Papers, I, No. 1, p. 22 (Cebu, Tablas, Sibuyan).

In their "Preliminary Notes'^ Bourns and Worcester described
the thickhead of Cebu, Tablas, and Sibuyan and named it H,
major. Later, in their "Distribution List,'^ the same authors have
birds from the above islands listed under H. winch eUi, which,
judging from Masbate and Sibuyan birds, seems to be correct. We
secured seven specimens in Sibuyan, where the species is somewhat
scarce.

Artamus leucogaster (Wagler).
Abundant in Eomblon and Sibuyan.

LOCUSTELLA OCHOTENSIS ( Middcud. ) .

One specimen of the Middendorf grasshopper warbler, secured
in Romblon, is a new record for the province.

Megalurijs ruficeps Tweed.

Specimens from Eomblon and Sibuyan; abimdant in the latter
island.

CiSTicoLA EXiLis (Vig. and Horsf.).

One specimen taken in Eomblon, where is appears to be somewhat
rare and confined to the highest hills. A nest of this species
containing three incubated eggs was found in Sibuyan July 5;
as shown in Plate IV it is supported by a number of grass stems
which stand 12 or 14 inches above the domed roof and at the same
time serve to conceal the nest. The nest is composed of dry grass
blades not very closely interwoven and is lined with spider silk,
except at the bottom, which is provided with a thick mat of fine

20

white vegetable down. The outside measurements are 4^ by 2|
inches. The upright position and the domed entrance are well
shown in the plate. The three eggs measure in inches: 0.55 by
0.42; 0.56 by 0.42; 0.57 by 0.44. In color they are light blue,
marked with spots and dots of reddish brown, most of which are
about the larger end. This nest was collected by Celestino, and I
think there can be no reasonable doubt as to its being that of
Cisticola. Another nest holding three young birds and found on
July 2 was in every way similar to the one described. The young
which were almost ready to leave the nest are very similar to the
adult. The feathers of upper parts are umber brown broadly edged
with dark ocreous brown, forming stripes on top of head; lower
parts white washed with pale yellow on chin, throat, breast, and
cheeks; flanks washed with light brown.

COPSYCHUS MINDANENSIS (Gm.).

Komblon and Sibuyan.

loLE OINEEEICBPS Bourns and Worcester.

Several specimens of this large and very distinct fruit thrush are
in the collection from Eomblon, where it was found only in the
woods. A young bird which was evidently out of the nest but a
short time has interesting undescribed plumage.

Juvenile. — Female, Eomblon Island, May 29, 1904. Upper parts
dark gray washed with dark rusty brown; wings blackish brown
edged with rusty brown; the tail, which is dark brown, does not
reach to tip of primaries; lower parts white; sides of head, a
band across breast, and sides of body gray. Bill pale brown ; legs
and nails light steel blue.

The Eomblon I oh is of a size with Hypsipetes fugensis. In the
former species, however, the bill is considerably longer and the
tail is much shorter. The tarsal envelopes are variable in our
specimens of lole cinereiceps, some being entire and others showing
indications of scutes, but in none is the tarsus so strongly scutellated
as in Hypsipetes fugensis. In the matter of rictal bristles I wish
to recant my previous statement in which I was misled by a com-
parison of large species of Hypsipetes with small species of lole.^

Pycnonotus goiavier (Scop.).

June 1 a pair of this species was taken on Eomblon, where it
was not previously known. A large egg was found in the female.

^ Cf. Bull. Phil. MiiS., No. 4, p. 32.

21

Lalage NIGER (Porster).

Fairly abundant in Rombion and in Sibuyan. Dr. Richmond
writes that Turdus terat Boddaert, 1783, is the same species as
Turdus niger Forster, 1781, and that Mliller's name, Turdus domi-
nicus, is also preoccupied. Therefore our species commonly known
as Lalage terat will have to stand as above.

Hypothymis occipitalis Vig.

Rombion and Sibuyan. A specimen from the latter locality has
a wide white bar across the primaries and secondaries of each
wing.

Rhipidura nigritorquis Yig.
Rombion and Sibuyan.

Zeocephus rueus (G. R. Gray).
Rombion and Sibuyan.

Cyorkis philippinensis Sharpe.
Rombion and Sibuyan.

HiRUNDO JAVANICA Sparrm.

This species is now recorded for the first time from Rombion
and Sibuyan. Specimens were taken on each island and a nest with
young was seen in the church at San Fernando, Sibuyan, July 20.

Pitta erythrogaster Temm.
Rombion and Sibuyan.

Pitta atricapilla Less.

Specimens taken in Rombion and in Sibuyan; both localities
are new for the species.

LIST OF SPECIES FROM ROMBLON PROVINCE MENTIONED
IN THE PRECEDING LIST, BY LOCALITIES.

Osmotreron axillaris. Demiegretta sacra.

Leucotreron leclancheri. Butorides javanica.

Columba griseigularis. Spilornis panayensis.

Macropygia tenuirostris. Haliaetus leucogaster.

Streptopelia dussumieri. Otus romblonis.

Chalcophaps indica. Halcyon chloris.

Hypotaenidia torquata. Caprimulgus manillensis.

Sterna bergii. Salangana troglodytes,

^gialitis peroni. Eudynamis mindanensis.

Garzetta garzetta. Centropus viridis.

22

List of species from Romhlon Province, etc. — Continued.
ROMBLON — continued.

Tanygnathus luzonensis.
Lorieulus bournsi.
Xantholaema roseum.
Corona philippina.
Sarcops calvus.
Oriolus ehinensis.
Munia jagori.
Anthus rufulus.
Cinnyris sperata.
Cinnyris jugularis.
Dicseum intermedium.
Dica3um pygmseum.
Piprisoma seruginosum.
Artamus leucogaster.

Locustella ochotensis.
Megalurus rufieeps.
Cisticola exilis.
Copsychus niindanensis.
lole cinereiceps.
Pyenonotus goiavier.
Lalage niger.
Hypothymis occipitalis.
Rhipidura nigritorquis,
Zeocephus rufus.
Cyornis philippinensis.
Hirundo javanica.
Pitta erythrogaster.
Pitta atricapilla.

Excalfactoria lineata.
Gallus gallus.
Phabotreron nigrorum.
Leucotreron leclancheri.
Leucotreron occipitalis.
Carpophaga senea,
Ptilocolpa carola.
Zonophaps poliocephala.
Columba griseigularis.
Macropygia tenuirostris.
Streptopelia dussumieri.
Chalcophaps indica.
Poliolimnas cinerius.
Hypotsenidia torquata.
Gallicrex cinerea.
^gialitis peroni.
^gialitia dubia.
Rostratula capensis.
Demiegretta ^ sacra.
Butorides javanica.
Pyrrherodias manillensis.
Ardetta cinnamomea.
Dendrocygna arcuata.
Spilornis panayensis.
Haliaetus leucogaster.
Haliastur intermedius.
Pernis ptilorhynchus.
Falco peregrinus.

Ninox spilonota.
Eurystomus orientalis.
Pelargopsis gigantea.
Ceyx cyanopectus.
Ceyx bournsi.
Halcyon winchelli.
Halcyon chloris.
Merops bicolor.
Merops philippinus.
Caprimulgus griseatus.
Salangana whiteheadi.
Salangana marginata.
Salangana troglodytes.
Eudynamis mindanensis.
Centropus viridis.
Prioniturus discurus.
Tanygnathus luzonensis.
Lorieulus bournsi.
lyngipicus menagei.
Corone philippina.
Sarcops calvus.
Calornis panayensis.
Oriolus ehinensis.
Munia jagori.
Uroloncha everetti.
Alauda gulgula.
Anthus rufulus.
^thopyga magniflca.

23

List of species from Romhlon Province, etc. — Continued.
SIBUYAN — continued.

Oinnyris sperata.
Cinnyris jugularis.
Anthreptes chlorigaster.
Dicseum sibuyanicum.
Hyloterpe winchelli.
Artamus leucogaster.
Megalurus ruficeps.
Cisticola exilis.
Copsychus mindanensis.

Megapodius cumingi.
Myristieivora bicolor.
Sterna melanauchen.
Demiegretta sacra.
Haliaetus leucogaster.
Merops bicolor.

Lalage niger.
Hypothymis occipitalis.
Rhipidura nigritorquis.
Zeocephus rufus.
Cyornis philippinensis.
Hirundo javanica.
Pitta erythrogaster.
Pitta atricapilla.

CRESTA DE GALLO.

Halcyon chloris.
Corone philippina.
Oriolus chinensis.
Zosterops nigrorum.
Lalage niger.

II. FURTHER NOTES ON BIRDS FROM TICAO, CUYO,
CULION, CALAYAN, LUBANG, AND LUZON.

By Richard C. McGbegor.

In this paper 1 propose to ojffer notes on a few specimens whose
proper identification has been delayed through lack either of neces- •
sary literature or of typical specimens, and to describe such of
the rarer nests and eggs as are now in our collections.

PoKZANA PLUMBBA Gray.
Porzana tahuemis Sharpe, Cat. Bds., XXIII, p. Ill (pt.).
Porzana plumhea Sharpe, Hand-List, I, p. 102.

The only Philippine record of this rail rests upon a juvenile
bird taken in Luzon by Maitland-Heriot and contained in the
Tweeddale collection, whence it passed to the British Museum.
It gives me pleasure to record the species as of not uncommon
occurrence in' the vicinity of Manila. Our specimens were pur-
chased in Quinta Market, Manila, where they were brought by
natives from towns along the bay shore. The natives of Paranaque
are especially active in snaring small birds, for which they find a
ready sale in Manila. Our specimens of the plumbeous rail were
purchased in August and September, 1902, and in September, 1904.

LiMicoLA platyrhyncha (Tcmm.).

A male and female of this species, identified by Dr Richmond,
were collected, in Cuyo in January, 1903. The other Philippine
records are Palawan, Bohol, and Negros.

Penelopides panini (Bodd.).

The Panay hornbill is abundant on Ticao Island, where we
secured a good series of skins and discovered the eggs. As the
nesting habits of this genus are but imperfectly known, the follow-
ing notes may be of interest :

Nest No. 1: Our first nest was located May 3, 1902, in a tree
near a small stream. At 10 feet from the ground the tree

25

26

measured 7f feet in circumference. The entrance to the nest, 39^
feet from the ground, was an opening 4| inches high by 3J inches
wide, but when discovered the width was reduced to a narrow slit by
two cakes which prevented the female from absenting herself from
duty. Small bits of wood are the principal constituent of these
cakes, but mixed with the wood are legs and elytra of beetles, occa-
sional feathers, and numerous small seeds. What the cementing
substance is I can not say, but it certainly renders the materials
fairly cohesive, as the cakes may be removed entire and subjected to
rough handling without being broken. Plate VIII shows a portion
of the tree (nest No. 2) with the cakes in place. As will be seen
the cakes meet neither at top nor bottom and serve only to narrow
the natural opening without reducing its height.^ The distance
from center of opening of this first nest to the bottom of the cavity
was 18 inches. Two small young and an addled egg rested on a
mass of fine chips mixed with a few seeds and small soft fruits;
material that would ordinarily accumulate.

Nest No. 2 : In the case of our second nest, examined May 9,
we were more fortunate, as it contained three perfect eggs, varying
somewhat as to incubation, but easily blown. This nest was situated
considerably higher than the first, the entrance being 53 feet from
the ground, where the tree was 4^ feet in circumference. The
opening measured 4 inches by 6, and as in the first nest was
reduced to a slit by being plastered up on each side. The three
eggs from this nest measure in inches: 1.91 by 1.28; 1.84 by 1.33;
1.80 by 1.30. In color they are dull white with no markings except
a few nest stains; their surface is chalky with occasional minute
lumps. They are figured on Plate IX.

Nest No. 3 : On May 25 the cavity described as nest No. 1 was
again occupied, the female being already plastered in. While we
were waiting for our climber the male bird visited the tree and
clung woodpecker-like at the lower side of the hole. In this posi-
tion the slightly spread tail was apparently used as a prop and the

^Newton (Die. of Bds., p. 437) says: "When the hen begins to sit the
cock plasters up the entrance with mud or clay, leaving only a small window
through which she receives the food he brings her during her voluntary
imprisonment." On page 436 of the Dictionary is figured a nest of the
Indian species Dicroceros hicornis in which the tip of the female's bill
protrudes from a round opening. In these two points, the shape of the
opening and the material used in the cakes, the nest of the Panay hornbill
differs from that of the Indian species described b}^ Newton.

27

head was moved about as if its owner had swallowed a fish bone.
Several times this uneasy bird thrust his bill into the nest opening
and I suspect that the female was being fed by regurgitation. The
same performance^ observed by my assistant on the day preceding,
was accompanied by a low call. This time we opened the nest too
soon^ as no eggs had been deposited. During the nesting period
the hornbill undergoes a more or less complete molt and females
taken from the nesting cavities were in a sorry condition as to
wings and tails. Probably they are at times unable to fly. I do
not think that these birds drill out their nesting holes, although
they may do something at enlarging a natural cavity. No doubt a
choice cavity is used year after year, for it must be rather difficult
for so large a bird to find a hole large enough for its use. In the
same tree with the hornbilFs nest shown on the plate were eggs of
PrionituriiS ; these were in a cavity above the hornbill 's hole.

Ch^tuea gigantea (Temm.).

The giant swift is to be added to the list of Culion birds, the
record being based on two female specimens collected in September,
1904, by Secretary Worcester and Major Carter.

TACHORNIS PALLIDIOR, new species.

Taohornis infumata McGregor, Bull. Phil. Mus., No. 1, p. 6 (Ticao) ; id.
No. 4, p. 21 (Luzon).

Specific characters. — Similar to TacJiornis infumata (Sclater)
but lighter in color on the underparts, especially on the throat;
tail shorter.

Type. — ISTo. 4140, adult male, Philippine Museum ; Anao, Tarlac
Province, Luzon; March 16, 1904; McGregor et aliae.

Description of type. — Upper parts dark brown; nearly black on
head, neck, and back, which have a faint green gloss; rump and
upper tail-coverts lighter brown, the latter with dark shafts; wing
feathers blackish brown, glossy on outer webs, dull brown on inner
webs; short primaries narrowly edged with white on inner webs;
tail of the same color as wings; sides of head brown ; chin and throat
light gray, merging gradually into the smoky brown of the lower
breast and abdomen, where the feathers are narrowly edged with
gray; stiff feathers in front of eye white with brown tips. Total
length in flesh, 4.5 inches; wing (pressed flat on rule), 4.70; lateral
rectrices, 1.97; central rectrices, 1.22.

Known habitat. — Tioao and Luzon, Philippines.

28

Dr. Richmond has examined three specimens of the new palm
swift and I am glad to have his opinion before giving it a name.
He says: "I have compared the specimens with two skins of T.
infumata from Trong, Lower Siam, and find that they have shorter
tails^ and are generally lighter in color on the underparts^ especially
on the throat. This difference is not great, but it is very evident,
and sufficient, I think, to warant the separation of the Philippine
bird.^^

Tachornis is easily recognized, when in the hand, by the deeply
forked tail and the peculiar arrangement of the toes, which are in
pairs, two on each side of the median tarsal line, while in Salangana
the toes are disposed normally, three in front and one behind.
Although these two genera are very distinct it is well-nigh impos-
sible to distinguish their members on the wing, for their coloration
and size are very similar. This does not refer to the smaller
Salangance, the Philippine species of which possess distinctive white
markings. It is no great wonder then that the presence of Tachornis
in these Islands has been overlooked for a long time.

The species was not uncommon in the two localities recorded,
but on account of its high flight specimens were taken with dif-
ficulty. When it was first seen in Tarlac Province I felt sure of
its identity, but I can not say how it may be recognized on the
wing. The flight is perhaps more deliberate than in the larger
species of Salangana and a glimpse of the deeply forked tail is
enough to settle the question.

Should the Philippine bird turn out to be the same as the
Bomean form, it would have to be called infumata, since Gypselus
infumatus of Sclater comes from Borneo, and the Siamese bird
would require another name.

Salangana linohi (Horsf. and Moore).

Linch^s swifts were frequently seen feeding near Irisan, Benguet,
but never in company with other species. Whitehead's swifts
hawked in the open and frequently passed over our camp in small
companies, while the Linch's swifts were almost invariably found
darting in and out among the branches of pines. On one occasion
I saw a bird collecting nesting material from a pine limb. For
a long time we were puzzled as to where the smaller species nested,
and when an Igorrote lad told us that it nested on the ground I

29

gave up hope of getting help from him. The same boy, however,
led us to two nests which undoubtedly belonged to birds of this
species. The first nest was well hidden among ferns on a gently
sloping hillside and was on the ground. It is composed for the
most part of dry moss ; the uphill side is thin and has a few lichens
mixed with moss; a few dry grass stems also enter into its com-
position, but the glutinous substance is almost entirely wanting.
Depth, inside, 1 inch; outside, 2 inches; diameter, inside. If by 2;
outside, 2 by 3. The two white eggs were slightly incubated and
measure 0.88 by 0.55 and 0.85 by 0.55, respectively.

The second nest, situated about 200 yards from the first, was
similarly placed beneath weeds and ferns. This nest is composed
of the lichen Usnea. The outer rim is well-rounded and along the
uphill side is a considerable patch of the characteristic glutinous
material. The outside diameter is 3 inches; inside, 2-J; outside
depth, 1.00 ; inside depth but little less, as the bottom is very thin.
This nest held two well-fledged young. Both nests were collected
May 19, 1903.

Salangaista whiteheadi (Grant).

Whitehead's swift was fairly abundant in the vicinity of our
Irisan, Benguet camp, where a nesting colony of forty to fifty pairs
was discovered in a waterworn cave. On May 21 a few fresh to
heavily incubated eggs were found, but most of the nests held
young, some of which were able to fly. The nest figured on Plate
X contained two fresh eggs and is typical; its base is composed of
dirty dead moss ; the rim and inside are of moss, which was bright
green when the nest was collected; the whole nest is compact and
well glued together, but there are no masses of the glutinous
material that are of commercial value. This nest is 2-| inches in
outside diameter and the inside depth is half an inch; the walls
and bottom are about half an inch in thickness, so that the nest
has somewhat the shape of a very thick individual butter dish.
The pure white eggs were fresh and measure, respectively, 0.88 by
0.55 and 0.93 by 0.56. They are figured on Plate III.

Sturnia sinensis (Gm.) ; McGregor, Bull. Phil. Mus., No. 4,

p. 24.

Our Calayan specimen of this species has been examined by
l^r. Richmond, who sends me the following: ^^Oates says (Fauna
Brit. India, Bds., I, p. 526, 1889), 'some time after the molt the

30

«

beautiful rose color fades to white, or is present in only a very slight
degree/ One of our birds from Canton (May) is similar to yours;
the rest have the ^rose^ color or rusty shade pronounced/^ This
explains the difference between our Luzon bird taken March 13
and the Calayan bird taken September 15. Colors of soft parts in
flesh : Irides white ; bill pale stone gray ; legs and nails bright
brown. In Sturnia violacea the difference between spring and fall
birds is similar to that noted in 8. sinensis. Dr. Eichmond writes
me that the proper name for our common species is Sturnia philip-
pensis (Forster), Motacilla violacea of Boddaert, 1783, being the
same as Motacilla phiUppensis of Forster, 1781.

Spodiopsar serioeus (Gm.) ; McGregor, Bull. Phil. Mus., ISTo. 4,

p. 24.

My identification of our Calayan specimen has been confirmed
by Dr. Richmond. Colors of soft parts in the flesh were: Irides
dirty white; basal half of bill reddish yellow, tip dusky; legs
bright yellow; nails yellowish brown. I notice a misprint under
this species in Bulletin of the Philippine Museum ISTo. 4, where the
specific name used by Cassin is given servicea for sericea.

^THOPYGA EUBRINOTA, new species.

Mthopyga flavipectus McGregor, Bull. Phil. Mus., No. 3, p. 10.

Specific characters. — Closely allied to the Luzon species^ ^tho-
pyga flavipectus Grant;, from which it is distinguished by the much
paler breast.

Type. — No. 1598^ adult male^, Philippine Museum; Port Tilig,
Lubang Island^ Philippines; October 30, 1902; E. C. McGregor
and A. Celestino.

Description of type. — Crown and edges of wdng feathers including
coverts green ; mantle, sides of neck and face, dark red ; chin, throat,
breast, and rump lemon yellow; between moustachial line and
throat a narrow line of dark red ; abdomen and flanks white.
Metallic colors, when held toward the light, position C : ^ Forehead,
upper tail coverts, long middle tail feathiers, and posterior half
of moustachial line light green; anterior half of moustachial line,
ear patch, and outer webs of short tail feathers light rich purple.
In position B: Forehead and edges of short tail feathers dark
purple; posterior half of moustachial line, tail coverts, and long

^ Cf. Dictioiiary of Birds, p. 98.

31

tail feathers dark green ; ear patch and anterior half of moustachial
line deep blue. Measurements in inches: Length, 3^; wing, 1.68;
tail, 1.16; exposed culmen, 0.56.

Female. — No. 1552, Philippine Museum; Port Tilig, Lubang,
Philippines; October 25, 1902; R. C. McGregor and A. Celestino.

The female may be described brie% as follows : Dull olive green
above, grayish green on breast, throat, and_ sides of neck ; abdomen
and flanks white with a wash of pale yellow on middle of belly;
rump pale lemon yellow. Measurements of the type in inches :
Total length, 3|; wing, 1.56; tail, 0.90; exposed culmen, 0.51.

In this species the yellow throat and breast are of the same
shade as that found in Eudrepanis jefferyi, while in ^tJiopyga
flavipectus, its nearest relative, the color is much deeper, as in
^. honita. Near the center of breast patch there are traces of
the red lines such as are developed in other Philippine species of
this genus — e. g., shelleyi and bonita. This varies in different
individuals of rubrinota from a narrow line on a single barb to
small patches extending over several barbs, but in no case are the
red marking evident except upon close examination. This variation
occurs in nine of the fifteen skins before me and is found in
immature males as well as in those fully adult.

IjOcustella LxVNCeolata (Temm.),

Our first specimens of this small grass warbler w^ere taken in
Benguet, Luzon, where one was killed well up in a small pine April
18 and another ]\Tay 14, 1903. In October and November of the
same year we found the species not uncommon in Calayan, where
its habits were very diiferent from those observed in Benguet.
Near the town of Calayan were large meadowlike fields covered
with short grass, clumps of low weeds, and stunted guava bushes.
It was in the shelter of these weeds and bushes that lanceolata
hid and skulked, taking to its weak wings only when hard pressed,
and then ducking beneath the first cover. I never saw one of
these birds take flight voluntarily and even when flushed they
seldom flew more than 20 or 30 feet, just clearing the tops of
mtervening weeds. Dr. Richmond has identified our specimens.

LocusTELLA FASCIOLATA (Gray) ; McGregor, Bull. Phil. Mus.,

No. 4, p. 29.

Our Calayan specimen referred to this species has been examined
by Dr. Richmond and he considers my determination correct.

32

HoRORXis MiNUTA (Swiiih.) ; McGregor, Bull. Phil. Mus., No. 4,

p. 30.

Dr. Eichmond has examined two of our Calayan specimens and
confirms my identifications.

loLE GUiMABASENSis Steerc.

lole guimarasensis Steere, List Bds. and Mamm. Steere Exp., p. 19
(Negros, Panay, Guimaras) ; Grant, Ibis. Oct., 1896, p. 546 (Negras).

lole philippinensis Bourns and Worcester, Minn Acad. Nat. Sci., Oc.
Papers, I, No. 1, p. 60; McGregor, Bull. Phil. Mus., No. 1, p. 11 (Masbate
and Ticao) ; id. No. 3, p. 12 (Verde).

Hypsipetes philippensis Clarke, Ibis, Oct. 1895, p. 120 (Negros).

Some doubt has been raised as to the validity of Dr. Steere^s
lole guimarasensis^ and after puzzling oyer a series from several
islands I am not surprised that opinions differ on this point.
Steere described the species from Negros^ Guimaras^ and Panay
and it is quite probable that the Masbate lole is of the same variety,
although no comparison of skins has been possible. Bourns and
Worcester consider guimarasensis not entitled to separation, while
Grant agrees with Steere and says: "The much larger bill of this
bird and the paler color of the throat are differences easily ap-
preciated.^^

To settle the first point I have prepared a table of measurements
of specimens from several islands and give the results in condensed
form showing under each head extremes and averages. It will
be seen that while the extreme dimensions overlap, the averages for
Masbate-Ticao specimens are nearly all greater and never less than
the averages for birds from Mariveles, Luzon. The only color
difference seems to be that of the throat, which in philippensis is
bright tawny rufous, while in guimarasensis the color is pale rufous,
becoming quite dingy in worn specimens. April specimens from
Benguet, Luzon, and from Ticao are used in the color comparison.
The color difference is quite constant and taken with the larger
size of guimarasensis seems to entitle that species to recognition.

With the Yerde Island birds I have been bothered not a little.
They are in fresh plumage, having been taken in December and
are therefore not strictly comparable with our specimens from
Masbate and Ticao, which were taken in April, May, and June.
The six specimens from Verde Island are certainly not philippensis
but appear to be very closely related to the Masbate species, if not
identical with it. The measurements of so few specimens are of

33

little value for comparison, but the pale coloration of the throat
makes it necessary, for the present at least, to refer these Yerde
birds to guimarasensis. The Lubang bulbul has the throat very
slightly darker than the Luzon bird.

Steere states that the Mindoro bulbuF has a longer bill than
lole philippensis, and Grant claims^ that the reverse it true. Our
series show but little difference in the length of bill of the two
species. The longer tail of mindorensis is a point not mentioned
by either of the above authors. It is unnecessary, however, to
study measurements in this case as mindorensis can be recognized
at a glance by its gray throat and breast.

Measurements of Philippine species of lole.

Locality.

Sex.

Num-
berof
skins.

Wing.

Tail.

Exposed culmen.

Masbate and Ticao

Do

Males

Females __

Males

Females —

Males

do —

Females —

Males

Females _-

10
9

10
10
.7
4
2
10
4

4.04-4.36 (4.20)
3.87-4.17 (3.91)
3.78-4.10 (3.94)
3.60-3.89 (3.69)
3.96-4.08 (4.01)
3.94-4.03 (3.99)
3.74-3.92 (3.88)
4.00-4.23 (4.13)
3.87-3.91 (3.89)

3.40-3.72 (3.55)
3.42-3.60 (3.48)
3.47-3.54 (3.55)
3.19-3.51 (3.36)
3.59-3.70 (3.63)
3.60-3.80 (3.57)
3.46-3.74 (3.60)
3.56-3.91 (3.76)
3.58-3.75 (3.61)

0.86-0.99 (0.92)
.81- .98 ( .84)

Mariveles

.80- .88 ( .81)

Do

. 74- . 88 ( . 77)

Lubang _

.80- .92 ( .83)

Verde

Do

.86- .90 ( .89)
. 81- . 81 ( . 88)

Mindoro

. 83- . 95 ( . 90)
.84- .86 ( .85)

Do

Locality.

Sex.

Num-
ber of

skins.

Bill from nostril.

Tarsus.

Masbate and Ticao

Males

Females —

Males

Females __

Males

do -

10
9

10

10
7
4
2

10
4

0.61-0.70 (0.67)
. 58- . 68 . 62)
. 58- . 62 ( . 61)
. 58- . 65 ( . 58
. 56- . 64 • . 59)
.64- .68 ( .67)
.61- .65 ( .63)
. 61- . 72 ( . 67)
. 61- . 65 ( . 63)

0.77-0.89 (0.82)

Do

.70- .86 ( .79)

Mariveles

.73- .84 ( .78)

Do

.76- .86 ( .79)
.71- .80 ( .7^)

Lubang

Verde

.70- .78 ( .74)
.66- .72 ( .69)

Do

Females __

Males

Females —

Mindoro

.72- .82"( .78)

Do

.76- .80 ( .78)

HiRUNDO STRiOLATA (Boie) ; McGregor, Bull. Phil. Mus., E'o. 4,

p. 33 (Calayan).

Some of our Calayan specimens have been examined by Dr.
Richmond and he agrees with me that they are not typical of
striolata. He says: "I think it more likely that your birds are
migrants from the north, rather than from the direction of Java,
and thus nearer to japonica than striolata,^^ Calayan was certainly
favored with a number of migrants from the north; e. g. —
Polionetta, Spodiopsar, Chrysomitris, Saxicola, and Fringilla, and

^ List Bds. and Mamm. Steere Exp., p. 19.
25471 3

' Ibis, Oct., 1896, p. 466.

34

the mosque swallows also may well have come from that direction.
I have retained the name striolata for our Calayan birds as that
name has been used for the Philippine mosque swallow and as our
birds appear to be typical of neither striolata nor japonica. In
dealing with this group of swallows it is well to note the remarks of
Dr. K. B. Sharpe on "Himndo daurica and its allies/^ ^ In part
he says : "The breadth of the rump band or the amount of striation
on the rump, seems to me to be equally as variable as the length
of the wing and the coarseness or fineness of the shaft stripes on
the under surf ace. Some stress has also been laid by Mr. Hume on
the dusky ear coverts; and at one time I thought myself that this
would prove a reliable point of difference between the races; but
I find that in a large series the darker and coarser the breast stripes
the darker the ear coverts/ and just as every gradation in length of
wing can be found, so every intermediate form between the nar-
rowly striped examples, with finely streaked ear coverts, and the
coarsely streaked specimens, with nearly uniform blackish ear
coverts, can be met with in a series * * *. It also appears to
me impossible to settle the question of some of these races until a
larger series is at our disposal from various parts of China, and
especially from the headquarters of these swallows in winter.^^

^Cat. Bds., X, pp. 158-159.

o

, S. MAB6INATA.

# §

? V. EGGS OF CISTICOLA EX

Jl

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^ .,,,.:.«<*»'•►

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.^*;. „

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b Vi. SWALLOWS.

Plate VII. SWAL

,^^'i,. .••■=«'*'*''S' :?■»;■

wT^m^i^r- '-7 el -A

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