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T HE I B I S ,

A

QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY,

EDITED BY

PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.,

SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
AND

HOWARD SAUNDERS, F.L.S., RZ.S.

VOL. III. 1885,
FIFTH SERIES.

Ibis avis robusta et multos vivit in annos.

LONDON:

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW.

1885.

ritlNTKK DY TAYT.On AND FRANCIS,
KK1> I.IOX OOl.irr. I'l.KK'l' STUEET.

PREFACE.

It will be evident that the Editors have had no
lack of contributions to complain of during the
past twelve months. In bulk, at least, the twenty-
seventh volume of ' The Ibis ' fairly equals the
majority of its predecessors, and, it is believed, does
not fall short of them as regards the interesting nature
of its contents.

In other countries also there seems to be no abate-
ment in the love of our favourite science ; for, al-
though one of our contemporaries has lately come
to a sudden termination, a new and flourishing journal
of ornithology was commenced last year, and the first
part of another new organ of ornithological science
has just made its appearance. Under such circum-
stances it is manifest that, notwithstanding the
"• universal depression " now so much spoken of, we
have little to fear as regards the future progress of
Ornithology.

P. L. S.

H. S.

London, October 1st. 1885.

BTLITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION.

1885.

[An asterisk indicates an Original Member.]

Date of
Election.

1881. W1LLIA.M Randal, Earl of Antrim; St. James's Palace,

London, S.W.
1885. James IIvckhouse, Jun. ; West Bank, York.
1879. Valentine Eall, F.R.S. ; Science and Art Museum, Dublin.
1872. Hanbuky Barclay, Colonel, F.Z.S. ; Cross Oak, Great Berk-

hampstead, Herts.
5 1885. Hugh G. Barclay, F.R.G.S. ; Thorpe, Norwich.

1884. Henry E. Barnes, Capt. ; Commissariat Department, India ;

care of Messrs. Ridgway & Sons, 2 Waterloo Place,

London, S.W.
1881. Richard Manliffe Barrington, LL.B. ; Fassaroe, Bray, co.

Wicklow.

1884, Frank E. Beddard, Prosector to the Zoological Society ;

9 Cleveland Terrace, Hyde Park, London, W.

1885. Capt. E. F. Becher, R.A., F.Z.S. ; Hill House, Southwell, Notts.
ro 1875. John Biddulph, Colonel, Bengal Staif Corps.

1880. Edward Bidwell ; 1 Trig Lane, Upper Thames Street, Lon-
don, E.C.

1884, C. T. Bingham, Capt. ; Moulmein, Burmah.

1873. W. T. Blanford, F.R.S. &c. ; 72 Bedford Gardens, Kensing-
ton, London, W.

1878. William Borrer, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Cowfold, Horsham.
ic 1885. William F. Brockholes ; Claughton-on-Brock, Garstang,
Lancashire.

1870. Sir Victor Brooke, Bart. ; Colcbrooko, Fermanagh, Ireland.

1866. Henry Buckley, F.Z.S. ; 27 Whceley's Road, Edgbaston,
Birmingham.

SER. V. VOL. III. d

Date of
Election.

18G8, Thomas Edward Buckley, B.A., F.Z.S. ; Glenrossal, Invershin,

Sutherlandshire, N.B.
1872. Waltek Lawry Buller, C.M.G., Sc.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. ;
Wellington, New Zealand.
20 1884. E. A. BuxLER, Lieut.-Col., 6 Tenterden Street, London, W.
1884, Geoffrey Eowell Buxton ; Sunny Hill, Thorpe, Norwich.

1879. Thomas David Gibson Carmichael; Castlccraig, Dolphinton,

N.B. ; and St. John's College, Cambridge.

1884. Abel Ceapman; Silksworth Hall, Sunderland.

1882. Robert William Chase ; Southfield, Edgbaston lload, Bir-
mingham.
25 1880. William Eagle Clarke, F.L.S. ; 18 Claremont Road, Head-
ingley, Leeds.

1876. Edward Henry Stuart, Lord Clifton, F.Z.S. ; Dumpton

Park, Ramsgate.

1880. E. H. Cooper, Lieut. -Col. ; 42 Portmau Square, London, W.
1874. John Cordeaux; Great Cotes, Uleeby, Lincolnshire.

1882. Charles B. Cory ; 8 Arlington Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A.
30 1882. Philip Crowley, F.Z.S. ; Waddon House, Croydon.

1877. J. J. Dalgleish ; 8 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh.

1874. Charles Danford, F.Z.S. ; Conservative Club, St. James',
London, S.W.

1883. James Davidson ; 32 Drumshcugh Gardens, Edinburgh.

1884. William Ruxton Davison ; Ootacamund, South India.
35 1883. ScROPE B. Doig; Public Works Department, Bombay.

1880. Arthur Dowsett ; 54 Russell Street, Reading.

1865. Henry Eeles Dresser, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; 6 Tenterden Street,

Hanover Square, London, W., and TopclyfFe Grange, Farn-
borough, Kent.
*Henry Maurice Drummond-Hat, C.M.Z.S., Lieut.-Col., Royal
Perth Rifles ; Seggieden, Perth.

1878. W. Arthur DuRNFORD ; Tankersley, Barnsley.

40 1876. George LeC. Egerton, Lieut. R.N.; The Lodge, Stoke Road,
Gosport.
1870. Daniel Giraud Elliot, F.R.S.E., &c. ; New Brighton, Staten

Island, New York, U.S.A.
1884. Algernon Elliott, Assist. Com., Yeotmahl, Berar, India.

1866. Henry John Elwes, F.Z.S. ; Preston, Cirencester.

1879. Artuur Humble Evans, B.A. ; Clare College, and 9 Harvey

Road, Cambridge.

Date of
Election.

45 1873. H. W. Feilden, Major, F.Z.S.,C.M.Z.S.; West House, Wells,
JS^orfolk.
1884. Heney Ogg Forbes, F.Z.S. ; Rubislaw Den, Aberdeen.

1880. William Foster ; The Hill, Witley, Surrey.

1865. Kev. Henry Elliott Fox, M.A. ; 12 South Bailey, Durham.

1881. Percy Evans Freke : Rosemount, Dundrum, Co. Dublin.
50 1885. Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey, Bart. ; Thirkleby Park, Thirsk.

1881. Hans Gadow, Ph.D. ; The JSTew Museums, Cambridge.
1879. Ernest Gibson ; 17 Mayiield Gardens, Edinburgh.

*Frederick DuCane Godman, F.E.S., &c. ; 10 Chandos Street,

Cavendish Square, London, W.
*Percy Sanden Godhan, B.A., C.M.Z.S, ; Muntham,
Horsham.
55 1874. H. H. Godwin-Austen, Lieut. -Col., F.R.S., &e. ; Junior
United Service Club.

1884. J. G. GooDCHiLD ; 28 Jermyn Street, London, S.W.

1871. Robert Gray, F.R.S.E., F.S.A.S. ; Bank of Scotland House,

Bank Street, Edinburgh.
1878. Henry Grey, Bengal StafFCorps ; care of Messrs. Grindlay & Co.

1885. F. H. H. Gfillemard, M.D. ; Eltham, Kent,

60 1876. Albert C. L. G. GItnther, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., &c. ; Keeper
of the Zoological Department, British Museum of Natural
History, London, S.W.
*JoHN Henry Gurnby, F.Z.S. ; Northrepps Hall, Norwich.
1870. John Hexry Gtjrney, Jun., F.Z.S. ; Hill House, Northrepps,

Norwich.
1877. Edward W. Harcourt, M.P. ; Nuneham Park, Abingdon.

1883. Lewis Vernon Harcourt ; 7 Grafton Street, London, W.

65 1876. H. C. Harford, 99th Regiment ; 2 Eldon Villa, Granada
Road, Southsea.
1877. E. Hargitt, F.Z.S. ; 1 Bedford Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick.
1868. James Edmund Harttng, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; 6 Oxford & Cam-
bridge Mansions, London, N.W.
1873. John A. Harvie- Brown, F.Z.S.; Dunipace House, Larbert,N.B.
1868. Rev. Herbert S. Hawkins, M.A. ; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk.
70 1875. J. C. Hele ; Knowles, Newton- Abbot.

1884. C. J. HoLDswoRTH ; Wilmslow, Cheshire.

1877. E. W. H. Holdsworth, F.Z.S. ; 84 Clifton HiU, St. John's

Wood, London, N.W.
1881. Robert James Howard ; Blackburn, Lancashire.

Vlll

Date of
Klection.

*WiLFRiD HcDLESTON HuBLESTON, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Oatlaiids
Park, Weybridge.
75 1879. Baron A. von Hugel; Cambridge,

1869. Allan Octavian HraiE, C.B. ; Simla, India.

1870. Hedwokth Hylxon, Lord Hylton ; Merstham, Red Hill,

Surrey.
1870. Leonard Howard L. Irby, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S. ; Army & Navy
Club, Pall Mall, London, S.W.

1884. H. Heywood Jones, F.Z.S. ; Larkhill, West Derby, Liver-

pool.
8o 1880. Henry Robert Kelham, Capt. 74tli Highlanders ; Barracks,
Hamilton, N.B.
1874. Alexander W. M. Clark Kennedy, Capt., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ;

Henbury, Wimborne, Dorset.
1882. Philip M. Kermode ; Seabridge Cottage, Ramsay, Isle of Man.
*Artuur Edward Knos, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Dale Park,
Arundel, Sussex.
1882. Rev. Edw. Ponsonbt Knubley, M.A. ; Stavely Rectory, Leeds.
85 1884. Herbert Langton ; 115 Queen's Road, Brighton.
1881. Hon. Gerald Lascelles; Queen's House, Lyndhurst.

1885. George Lawson, C.B.; 36 Craven Hill Gardens, Hyde Park,

Loudon, W.

1876. Vincent Legge, Lieut.-Col., R.A. ; Commandant's Office,

Hobart Town, Tasmania.
1868. Hamon Le Strange, F.Z.S. ; Hunstanton HaU, King's Lynn,
Norfolk.
go 1875, Paget Walter Le Strange, Lieut.-Col. Royal Artillery ;
Secunderabad, Deccan, India.
*Thomas Lyttleton, Lord Lileord, F.L.S. , F.Z.S., &c. ; Lilford
Hall, Oundle, and 6 Tentorden Street, London, W.

1874. John Hayes Lloyd, Major, F.Z.S. ; Barn-rock House, Bognor,

Sussex.

1877. J, LuMSDEN, Jun, ; Ardcn House, Alexandria, N.B.

1875. John Wingfield Malcolm ; 7 Stanhope Street, Mayfair,

London, W,
c)5 1878. Henry Stacy Marks, R.A., F.Z.S. ; 17 Hamilton Terrace,
St. John's Wood, London, N.W.
1870. C. H, T. Marshall, Major, F.Z.S. ; Superintendent, Chumba

State, via Dalhousie, India.
1885. John Marshall, F.L.S. ; Belmont, Taunton.

Date of
Election.

1878. Rev. Murray A. Mathew, M.A., F.L.S. ; Stone Hall, Wolf's

Castle, Pembrokeshire.
1883. Edmund Gustavus Bloompield Meade-Waldo; Rope Hill,
Lymington, Hants,
loo 1879. Frederick Shaw Mitchell ; Clitheroe, Lancashire.

1864. Alexander Goodman More, F.L.S., &c. ; Science and Art

Museum, Dublin.
1885. Edward Neale ; 6 Tenterden Street, Loudon, W.
1882. Thomas Hudson Nelson ; Korth Bondgate, Bishop Auckland,

Durham.
1876. Hugh Nevill ; Newton Villa, Godalming.
105 1872. Francis D'Arct William Clough Newcome ; Feltwell Hall,
Brandon, Suffolk.
*Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S.; Professor of Zoology

in the LTniversity of Cambridge.
*Edward Newton, M.A., C.M.G., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S.

1876. Francis Nicholson, F.Z.S. ; The Grove, Oldficld, Altrincham.

1882. Eugene William Oates ; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover

Square, London, W.
no *Sir John W. P. Campbell-Orde, Bart., F.Z.S. , late Captain,

42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment; Kilmorj House, Loch
Gilp Head, Argyllshire, N.B.

1883. Henry Parker, C.E. ; Public Works Department, Ceylon.
1880. Thomas Parkin, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Halton, near Hastings.

1884. R. L. Patterson, F.L.S. ; Croft House, Holywood, co.

Down,
1883. Thomas Mayer Pike, M.A. ; Westport, Wareham.
1x5 1880. Charles Matthew Prior; The Avenue, Bedford, and Trinity
Hall, Cambridge.

1872. R. G. Wardlaw Ramsay, Major, F.Z.S.; Whitehill, Rosewell,

N.B.

1879. Herbert Evelyn Rawson, F.Z.S. ; Coney Hall Farm, West

Wickham, Beckenham, Kent.

1877. Savile G. Reid, Capt. R.E. ; Ashridgewood, Wokingham.

1873. Sir Oliver Beauchamp Coventry St. John, Colonel R.E. ;

care of Messrs. H. S. King & Co., 45 Pall MaU, London,
S.W.
120 1883. William Herbert St. Quintin ; Scampston Hall, Rillington,
Yorkshire.
*Osbert Salvin, M.A,, F.R.S., &c.; 10 Chandos Street, Lon-
don, W., and Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere.

Date of
Election.

1870. Howard Saunders, P.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. ; 7 Eadnor Place,

Hyde Park, London, W.
*Philip Ltjtley Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.K.S., &e. ; 44 Elvas-

ton Place, Queen's Gate, London, S.W.
1881. J. Scully, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; care of Messrs. H. S. King & Co.,

45 Pall Mall, Londou, S.W.
125 1873. Henry Seebohm, F.Z.S. ; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover

Square, AV., and 22 Courtfield Gardens, London, S.AV,
J 871. Richard Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant,

Zoological Department, British Museum of Natural History,

London, S.W.
1870. G. Ernest Shelley, F.Z.S., late Captain, Grenadier Guards;

6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W.
1865. Rev. Charles William Shepherd, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Trotters-

clitfe Rectory, Maidstone, Kent.
188]. F. B. SiMSON ; Broom Hill, Spratton, Northampton.
130 1882. Rev. Henry H. Slater, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Irchestcr Vicarage,

Wellingboro', Northampton.
1878. George Monlaw Slaughter, Brigade-Surgeon ; Farningham,

Kent.
1864. Rev. Alfred Charles Smith, M.A. ; Yatesbury Rectory,

Calne, Wiltshire.
1874. Cecil Smith, F.Z.S. ; Lydeard House, Taunton, Somersetshire.
1881. Thomas Southwell, F.Z.S. ; 10 The Crescent, Chapel Field,

Norwich.
t35 1875. A. C. Stark; 1 Merchiston Avenue, Edinburgh.

1864. Henry Stevenson, F.L.S. ; 22 Unthank's Road, Norwich.

1881. Robert Wright Studdy, Major 63rd Regiment, India; care

of E. W. H. Holdsworth, 84 Clifton Hill, St. John's Wood,
London, N.W.

1882. Charles Swinhoe, Lieut.-Col., Bombay Staff Corps, Commis-

sariat Department, Poena, Bombay.
1884. W. C. Tait ; Oporto.
140 *Edward Cavendish Taylor, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 74 Jermyn Street,

London, S.W.
1864. George Cavendish Taylor, F.Z.S. ; 42 Elvaston Place,

Queen's Gate, London, S.W.
1873. William Bernhard Tegetmeier, F.Z.S. ; Finchley, Middlesex.
*Rev. Henry Baker Tristram, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., cfec,
Canon of Durham ; The College, Durham.

Date of
Election.

1864. Henry Morris Upcher, F.Z.8. ; Sheringham Hall, Norfolk,

and Felt well Hall, Brandon.
145 1881. WiLLOxjGHBY Verner, Capt. Royal Rifle Brigade ; 13 Bryan-

ston Square, W.
1884. A. S. Vesey ; 3 Campden Villas, Barnes, S.W.
1881. Thomas, Lord Walsingham, F.Z.S. ; Eaton Hoiise, Eaton

Square, London, S.W,, and Merton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

1874. Charles Bygrave Wharton, F.Z.S. ; Hounsdown, Totton,

Hants.
1878. Henry Thornton Wharton, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 39 St. George's

Road, Abbey Road, London, N.W.
150 1884. Joseph Whitaker, F.Z.S.; Raiuworth Lodge, Mansfield, Notts.
1871. E. Perceval Wright, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Professor of Botany

in the University of Dublin.

1875. Charles A. Wright, F.Z.S.; Kayhough House, Kew-Gardens,

Kew.

1876. Claude W. Wyatt ; Addcrbury, Banbury.

1878. John Yoxjng, F.Z.S. ; 64 Hereford Road, Westbourne Grove,
London, W.
icc 1877. J. H. Yule, Capt., Devon Regiment; Jullundur, BengaL

Extra-Ordinary Member .

1860. Alfred Russel Wallace, F.Z.S. ; Nutwood Cottage, Frith
Hill, Godalming.

Honorary Members.

1860. Professor Spencer Fullerton Baird, Secretary to the Smith-
sonian Institution, Washington^ B.C.

1860. Doctor Eduard Baldamus, Moritzwinger, No, 7, Halle.

1860. Doctor Jean Cabanis, Erster Custos am koniglichen Museum
der Friedrich-Wilhelm's Universitat zu Berlin.

1870. Doctor Otto Finsch. Bremen,
5 1880. Heinrich Gatke, C.M.Z.S., Secretary to the Government of
Heligoland.

1860. Doctor Gustav Hartlaub, Bremen.

1860. Edgar Leopold Layard, C.M.G., F.Z.S., H.B.M. Consul, iN^ew'
Caledonia.

1869. August von Pelzeln, Custos am k.-k. zoologischen Cabinete
in Wien.

Date of
Election.

Foreign Members.

1872. Prof. J. V. Barboza du Bocage, Royal Museum, Lisbon.
1.875. Hans, Graf von Berlepsch, ilfiiwc^ew, Hannover.

1880. LoTjis Bureau, M.D., Ecole de medccinc, Nantes.

1873. Robert Collett, Zoological Museum, Christiania.

5 1872. Doctor Elliott Coues, Smithsonian Institution, Washing-
ton, D. C.

1875. Marchese Giacomo Doria, Genoa.

1872. Doctor Victor Fatio, Geneva.

1872. Doctor Henry Hillyer Giglioli, Royal Institute of Superior
Studies, Florence.

1872. George N. Lawrence, New York.
lo 1872. Baron De Sely's Longchamps, Liege.

1872. Doctor A. J. Malmgren, Ifelsingfors.

1883. Prof. Othniel Cuarles Marsh, Yale College, Newhaven,
U.S.A.

1881. Doctor Adolpu Bernard Meyer, Director of the Royal

IMuseum, Dresden.

1872. Doctor A. von Middendorff, Dorpat.
1 5 1872. Prof. Alphonse Milne-Edwards, Jardln des Plantes, Paris.

1881. Colonel N. Prejevalsky, Academy of Science and Art, St.
Petsrshurg.

1872. Prof. Gustav Radde, Tlflis.

1880. Robert Ridgway, C.M.Z.S., Smithsonian Institution, Wash-
ington, D.C.

1872. Count TojiMASo Salvadoki, Zoological Museum, Turin.

CONTENTS OF VOL. III.— FIFTH SERIES.

(1885.)

Number IX., January.

Page

I. Notes on Woodpeckers. — No. IX. On the Genus Micro-
pternus. By Edavakd IIakoitt, F.Z.S 1

II. On the Muscicapine Genus Chasiempis. By P. L. Sclater,
M.A., Ph.D., F.E.S. (Plate I.) 17

III. On the Aftershaft in the Feathers of certain Birds. By
F. E. Beddard, M.A., F.Z.S., Prosector to the Zoological So-
ciety of London 19

IV. Ornithological Notes from Corsica. By John White-
head. (Plate II.) 24

V. On two Birds from Norfolk Island. By H. B. Tristram,
D.D., F.R.S 48

VI. On the Shedding of the Claws in the Ptarmigan and
allied Birds. By Leonhard Stejneger 50

VII. On the Birds of Central India.- — Part I. By Lieut.-Col.

C. SwiNHOE and Lieut. Henry Barnes 52

VIII. The Ornithology of St. Kilda. By Charles Dixon.
(Plate III.) 69

IX. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : —

1. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway on the Water-Birds of

North America . 97

SER. V. VOL. III. C

XIV CONTENTS.

Page

2. Barboza du Boeage on Birds from Angola .... 98

3. Barboza du Boeage on West-African Birds .... 98

4. Barboza du Boeage on Cinnyris erikssoni .... 98

5. Belding on the Birds of Guaymas 98

6. Belding on the Birds of Lower California .... 98

7. Bailor on rare New-Zealand Birds 99

8. Cory on the Birds of San Domingo 99

9. Coues's new Key to North-American Birds .... 100

10. Cowan on the Birds of Madagascar 101

11. De VerteuiFs 'Trinidad.' (Second edition.) . . . 102

12. De Vis on the Moa in Australia 103

13. Dresser's Monograph of the Bee-eaters 103

14. Dubois on a new Parrot from New Guinea . . . .104

15. Filhol on tlie Osteology of the Penguins 104

16. Filhol on the Diaphragm of the Penguins .... l04

17. Filhol on the Arterial System of the Penguins . . 104

18. Gurney an the Arctic Blue-throated Warbler in Norfolk 105

19. Gurney on the " Hairy " variety of the Moorhen . . 105
tiO. Haast on the Grey Pbalarope in New Zciilaiid . . . 106

21. Homeyer and Tancre on the Bir.ls of the iVlrai . . 106

22. Jouy on the Birds of Japan . 106

23. Lawrence on a new Htmiprocne 107

24. Lydekker on Siwalik Fossil Birds 107

25. Milne-Edwards on the Fauna of the Antarctic Begions 108

26. Murray's ' Vertebrate Zoology of Sind ' 109

27. Nutting on Birds from Nicaragua 109

28. Przewalslii's Journey in Tibet 110

29. Eadde's ' Ornis Caucasica ' Ill

30. Reichenow on Parrots 112

31. Ridgway on new Birds from the Commander Islands

and Petropaulovski 112

32. Ridgway on new Costa-Riean Birds 113

33. Ridgway on West-Indian Birds 113

34. Ridgway on a new Field-Spai-row 114

35. Robson on the Breeding of the Eastern Golden Plover 114

36. Schalow on anew Plaintain-eater 114

37. Sharpe on the Birds of the Voyage of the ' Alert ' .114

38. Sharpe on various Timeliidie 115

39. Sharpe on a new Wren from Timor 115

40. Sharpe on Birds from New Guinea 115

COJJTENTS. XV

Pag«

41. Sharpe on Birds from Equatorial Africa .... 115

42. Shufeldfc on the forms of the Patella in Birds . . .116

43. Smith on the Hieracidece 116

44. aonza on Bucora.v 2?y>'''hops 116

45. Stejaegor on the Natural History of the Commander

Islands 116

46. Stejneger on the Genus Ceiyphus 117

47. Travers on the Org-anic Productions of New Zealand . 117

X. Letters, Extracts, Announcements, &c. ; —

Letters from Mr. L. M. Turner and Messrs. Salvin and
Godman ; Singular Development oiOpisthocomus ; The National
Bird-Collection at Washington ; Ornithological Works in Pro-
gress ; Proceedings of the itidgway Ornithological Club . .117

NlTMBER X., ApriL

XL On two new Birds from Borneo. By the llev. R. H.
8LATEK, B.A. (Plate IV.) 121

XII. On the Birds of Central India. — Part II. By Lieut. -
Col. C. SwiNHOE and Lieut. Hen^ey' Barnes 124

XIII. Notes on some Eastern Owls. Bj J. H. Gurnev . 138

XIV. Notes on Woodpeckers. — No. X. On the Genus Thri-
ponax. By Edward Haegitt, F.Z.S . 140

XV. A Birds'-Nesting Ramble in Lapland. By Alfred
Crawhall Chapman 158

XVI. On a Collection of Birds from the Island of Cozumel.

By Osberx Salvin, M.A., E.R.S., &c. (Plate V.) .... 185

XVII. On a small Collection of Birds from Korea. By H.

B. Tristram, D.D., F.li.S . 19-!

XVIII. A List of the Buds ol)tained by Mr. Henry Whiteiy
in British Guiana. By Osberx Salvin, M.A., F.E.S., &c.
(Part I.) . 195

Xn CONTENTS,

Page
XIX. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : —

48. ' The Auk ' 220

49. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway on the Water-Birds of

North America 221

50. Berlepsch on the Birds of Bucaramanga 221

51. Bidwell on Sabine's Gull 222

52. W. Blasius on a new Trumpeter 222

53. W. Blasius on Grabowsky's latest Bornean Collec-

tions 222

54. W. Blasius on the Breast-bones of Birds .... 223

55. W. Blasius's third Taper on the Great Auk . . .223

56. Bogdanow on Russian Ornithology 223

57. British Association's Report on Migration in 1883 . 224

58. Buckley and Harvie-Brown on the Birds of Sutber-

landshire 224

59. CoUett on the Great x\.uk in Norway 225

GO. Cory on the Birds of San Doraiugo 225

61. Dresser's Monograph of the Bee-eaters 225

62. Fischer on the Birds of Masai-land 226

63. Glanville's Catalogue of the Albany Museum, Cape

Colony 226

64. Godman and Salvin's ' Biologia Ccntrali- Americana ' . 227

65. Gould's ' Birds of New Guinea ' 227

66. Gurney on the Birds of Norfolk . . . . . . .228

67. Hawtayne's Taxidermic Notes 228

68. Henke on the Ostrich-question 229

69. Homcyer on a new Stonechat 229

70. Huet on Additions to the Jardin des Plantes . . . 229

71. Le Moine on Canadian Ornithology 229

72. Meyer on Birds' Nests and Eggs from the East Indies 230

73. ' The Naturalist ' 230

74. Olphe-Galliard on the Ornithology of Western Europe 231
75-78. Ridgway on American Birds 231

79. Salvadori on the Birds of Shoa 232

80. Saunders's Edition of 'Yarrell's British Birds'. . . 232

81. Smithsonian Report for 1882 233

82. Stejneger on Trinomials in Ornithology 233

83. Taczanowski's ' Ornithology of Peru ' 234

84. Vila on the Ornithology of Gerona 234

CONTENTS. XVll

Page

XX. Letters, Announcements, &c. : —

Letter from M. Leon OIphe-Galliard ; Gift of the Salvin-
Godman Collection to the British Museum ; The Hume Collec-
tion of Indian Birds; llidgway Ornithological Club, Chicago;
News from the Caucasus ; Black Redstart in Somersetshire ;
Obituary— Dr. Eiippell, Prof. Severtzoff, Mr. E. W. White,
and Mr. E. C. Eye; Mr. J. A. Allen: New Edition of Buller's
'Birds of New Zealand' 235

Number XL, JuJy.

XXL Winter Notes from Morocco. By Capt. S. G. Reid . 241

XXII. On the Geographical Distribution of Birds in
European Russia north of the Caucasus. — Part II. Rapaces
Nocturnge. By M. Menzbier 255

XXIII. Notes on the Breeding-habits of certain Sea-Birds
frequenting Norfolk Island and the adjoining Islets. By W.

M. Ckowpoot, M.D 263

XXIV. On the Cormorants of Japan and China. By Henry
Seebohm 270

XXV. On some little-known Species of Tanagers. By P.

L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., P.R.S. (Plate VL) 271

XXVI. Notes on the Birds of Paisandu, Republic of Uruguay.

By Ernest Gibson, F.Z.S. (Communicated by J. J. Dalgxeish.) 275

XXVII. Notes on the Birds of the Genus Homorus observed

in the Argentine Republic. By W. H. Hudson, C.M.Z.S. . . 283

XXVIII. On the Coloration in Life of the naked Skin-tracts
on the Head of Geococcyx calif ornianus. By Dr. R. W. Shufeldt,
U.S. Army, Memb. of the Am. Ornith. Union, &c. (Plate VII.) 286

XXIX. Descriptions of three new Species of Birds from
South America. By Hans von Berlei'sch 288

XVIU CONTENTS.

Page

XXX. A List of the Birds obtained by Mr. Henry Whitely
in British Guiana. By Osbert SalvIxV, M.A., F.E.S., &c.
(Continued.) (Plate VIII.) 291

XXXI. Ileview of the Species of the Family Coliida;. By
Capt. G. E. 8HELLET, F.Z.S 307

XXXII. Notices of recent Oinithological Publications : —

85. Cory's ' Birds of San Domingo ' 314

86. Dresser's Monograph of the Bee-eaters 314

87. Dubois on the Genus Otocorys 315

88. Dubois on the Hornbills 315

89. Gar man on Polynomials in Zoology 315

90. Gould's ' Birds of Xew Guinea ' 31G

91. Gould's ' Supplement to the 2Voc/i<7/(?(c ' .... 316

92. Langille on North-American Birds 317

93. Lawrence on new Species of Tyninnklce, Cypselichf,

and Colamhidiv 317

94. Menzbier on the Blue Tits 317

95. ' Mittheiluugen' of the Ornithological Union of Vienna 318

96. Newton on Ornithology 318

97. Pagenstecher's ' Birds of South Georgia ' .... 319

98. Protocol of the International Ornithologists' Congress 320

99. Eeport of the Harvard Museum of Zoology .... 320

100. Ilidgway on new Birds from Cozumel Island . . . 321

101. Ilochebrune's ' Birds of Sen egambia ' 322

102. Saunders's Edition of 'Tarrell's British Birds' . .323

103. Sharpe on the Fringilliformes 323

104. Shufeldt on the Osteology of Ceryle alcyon .... 325

105. Shufeldt on the Osteology of Numenius longirostris . 325

106. Traquair on Biological Nomenclature 325

107. Tschusi zu SchmidholFcn on the Long-tailed Tits of

Europe 326

108. Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen on the Summer Duck in

Styria 32(5

109. Vorderman on the Birds of Batavia 326

110. Vorderman's ' List of Javan Birds ' 326

111. 'The Young Oologist' 327

CONTENTS. xix.

Page
XXXIII. Letters, Announcements, &c. : —

Letters from the Rev. H. H. Slater and Mr. Osbcrt 8alvin ;
Anniversary of the British Ornithologists' Union ; Xew Orni-
thological Work ; Prjevalsky's New Expedition ; The llidg^ay
Ornithological Club, Chicago, U.S.A. ; Birds breeding in Ants'
Nests ; Birds at Scotch Lighthouses ; Mr. R. B. Sharpe's De-
parture for Simla ; Obituary — Mr. Ernest William White, Dr.
Eduard Riippell, and Richard Boehm ; News of Dr. Finsch ;
New Expeditions ; New Work on the Swallows 327

Number XIL, October.

XXXIV. Additional Notes on the Ornithology of Transvaal,

By Thomas Aykes. Communicated by John Henry Gijrney . 341

XXXV. On the Birds of the L'pper Tarim, Kashgaria. By

M. Menzbier 352

XXXVI. Further Notes on the Ornithology of St. Kilda.

By Charles Dixon 358

XXXVII. Note on Baza ceyJonensis, Legge. By Samuel
Bligh. Communicated by J. H. Gurney- 362

XXXVIII. Further Contributions to the Ornithology of
Japan. By Henry Seeboum 363

XXXIX. An Autumn Ramble in Eastern Iceland, with
some Notes from the Faroes. By Wm. Eagle Claeke, F.L S.,
and James Backhouse, Jun. (Plate IX.) 364

XL. Stray Ornithological Notes. By W. Edavin Brooks . 380

XLI. On Mr. E. Lort Phillips's Collection of Birds from
Somali-land. By Capt. G. E. Shelley, F.Z.S. (Plates X.-XII.) 389

XLII. A List of the Birds obtained by Mr. Henry Whitely
in British Guiana. By Osbert Salvin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.
(Continued.) 418

XX

CONTENTS.

Page

XLIII. Notices of recent Ornithological rublications :—

112. 'The Auk' ......••••••• "^^*^

113. Blomefleld's 'lieminisccnces of Yarreir . . • • ^^1^

114. British Association's Report on Migration in 18S4 . 441

115. Buckley on the Birds of Kousay, Orkney Islands . 442
1 1 G. Bunge on Birds of the Delta of the Lena . . • . -143

117. Cory's ' List of the Birds of the AVest Indies ' . . 443

118. Dubois on Belgian Birds • • '^^^

119. Dvbovvski and Taczanowski on the Birds of Kamt-

J.J— t
schatka

120. H. 0. Forbes on the Eastern Archipelago .... 444

121. Harvie-Brown on Kumlien's Gull 445

122. Meyer on new Birds in the Dreslen Museum . . . 445

123. Mitchell's 'Birds of Lancashire" 446

124. More on Irish Birds 446

125. Nehrkorn on Birds from Waigion 447

126. « Ornithologist and Oologist ' 44/

127. Reid on the Birds of Bermuda 447

128-142. Ridgway on American Birds 448

143. Salvadori and Giglioli on new Birds from Cochin

China "if

144. 8chalow on the Birds of Mark Brandenburg . . .451

145. Schiavuzzi on Northern Birds in the Adriatic . . . 451

146. Stejneger on Lanius rohustus 451

147. Stejneger on a new Sparrow 452

148. Taczanowski on Abnormal Moults 452

149. Tait on Portuguese Birds 452

150. Zeledon on the Birds of Costa Rica 452

XLIV. Letters, Announcements, &c. : —

Letter from Mr. H. E. Dresser; Additions to the Bird-col-
lection of the British Museum in 1884 ; the Hume Collection
of Indian Birds ; The Development of the Avian Sternum ;
More News of Dr. 0. Finsch ; Habits of Raggi's Paradise-bird ;
Recent Appointments in the United States 453

Index 4<^^

Titlepage, Preface, List of Members, and Contents.

PLATES IN VOL. IIL

FIFTH SERIES.

Page

I. Chasiempis sandwichcnsis . 18

II. Sitta whiteheadi 28

III. Troglodytes hirtensis 80

IV. Parus cinerascens 122

V. Spindalis exsul 189

y-j- f Fig. 1. Tachyphonus nattereri 273

I Fig. 2. Lanio lawrencii 272

YII. Geococcyx califomianus 286

YIII. Pachyrhamphus griseigularis 302

IX. Lagopus rupestris 378

Y J Fig. 1. Dryoscopus ruficeps 402

I Fig. 2. Telephonus jamesi 403

-jr-j r Fig. 1. Argya aylmeri 404

' 1 Fig. 2. Parus thruppi 406

XII. Saxicola phillipsi 404

''■'^'^■Ia/^^.

THE IBIS.

FIFTH SERIES

No. IX. JANUARY 1885.

I. — Notes on Woodpeckers. — No. IX. On the Genus
Micropternus. By Edward Hargitt, F.Z.S.

After Mr. Hurae^s admirable paper on the genus Micro-
pternus (' Stray Feathers/ 1877^ p. 472), it would perhaps
appear unnecessary on my part to take up the same subject,
and my notes must not be viewed as a critique, but as a sup-
plement to Mr. Rumen's work. As regards the Indian and
Indo-Malayan species, I entirely agree with him ; but my
views concerning the Chinese species, M. fokiensis and M.
holroydi, are not in harmony with his. This may perhaps be
accounted for by my having had the opportunity of carefully
examining the Swinhoe collection (now in the possession
of Mr. Seebohm), which contains the types, and by my
having seen the specimens in the British Museum ; while
Mr. Hume, on his part, frankly tells us that he has only
examined one specimen of M. fokiensis, and that he has never
seen M. holroydi at all. In my opinion, M. fokiensis is as
clearly distinct from M. brachyurus as the latter species is
from M. phcBOceps ; and the Hainan bird, M. holroydi, may
be readily distinguished from M. fokiensis, the Foochow

SER. V. VOL. III. B

2 Mr. E. ITargitt on the Woodpeckers

species. I acknowledge my obligations to Mr. Hume for
the valuable assistance I have derived from his labours. His
thorough knowledge of tlie Indian species, aided by an
extensive series of specimens, has enabled him to enlighten us
on the many difficult points to be found in a genus where the
members are so closely allied, and where the individuals of
each species vary so much in size and markings according to
locality and age.

Keij to the Species.

a. Top of the head uniform.

fl'. Feathers of the chin and throat uniforin with
the iinderparts, but with paler margins ; striated
in character.
<t^. Tail rufous, narrowly barred with black; the red

on the face confined to a patch uuder the eye. . p/taoceps, p. 3.
b''. Tail barred rufous and black at the base, the
apical half black; the eye entirely surrounded

with red hadiosus, p. 6.

h^. Feathers of the chin and throat darker than the
underparts, the apical portion only margined
with whitish, scaly in character ; tail rufous,
narrowly barred with black gularis, p. 7.

b. Top of the head striated.

c\ Above rufous, barred with black ; underparts rufous ;
feathers of the chin and throat darker than the
uudei-parts, but with paler margins, scaly in cha- [p. 10.

racter ; tail barred e(|ually rufous and black .... brachyurus,
d^. AboA'e dark brown, narrowly barred with rufous,
the barring more or less indistinct ; underparts
dark brown,
c'. Head and neck very much lighter than the body ;
striations on the chin and throat strongly
marked and darker than the underparts ; back
and rump entirely barred with dull rufous : size
large — length 8"3 inches, culmen 1-], wing 5-0, [p. 12,

tail 2-8, tarsus 0-85 foldensis,

d"^. Head and neck brown, and only slightly lighter
than the body ; feathers of the chin and throat
unicolorous with the underparts, but with paler
margins ; rufous barring on the back and rump
almost obsolete : .size .small — length 7"5 inches,
culmen 1-0, wing 4-5, tail 2-4, tarsus 0-85 .... holroydi, p. 15.

of the Genus Micropternus. 3

1. Micropternus PHiEocEPs,

Picus riifus (non Grael.), Gray, Hardw. 111. Ind. Zool.
pi. xxix. fig. 2 (1821-22) .

Meiglyptes badius (non Raffl.), Hodgs. in Gray's Zool.
Misc. 1844, p. 85.

Micropternus phaioceps, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. pp. 195, 551
(1845) ; id. Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 60 (1849) ; Bp. Consp.
Volucr. Zygod. p. 9 (1854) ; Beichenb. Handb. Scans. Picinse,
p. 403. no. 939, pi. dclvii. fig. 4373, ? , pi. dclviii. fig. 4377,
? (1854) ; Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. E.T. Co. Mus. ii. p. 667
(1856-58); Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 294(1862); id. Ibis, 1872,
p. 10; Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. xliii. p. 176 (1874);
Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 392; Hume, t. c. p. 472; id. &
Gates, op. cit. 1875, p. 72 ; Blytli & Wald. B. Burm. p. 77
(1875) ; Gammie, Str. F. 1876, p. 511 ; Hume, op. cit. 1877,
p. 480; id. op. cit. 1878, vi. pp. 145, 501 ; Ball, op. cit. 1878,
vii. p. 206 ; Cripps, t. c. p. 262; Scully, op. cit. 1879, pp. 249,
365; Salvin, Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 402 (1882).

Meiglyptes brachyurus (non VieilL), Gray, Cat. Mamm. &c.
Nepal pres. Hodgs. p. 117 (1846).

Phaiopicos bhjthii, Malh. Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1849, p. 534.

Meiglyptes phaioceps, Gray, Gen. B. iii. App. p. 22 (1849) ;
id. List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 124 (1868) ; id. Hand-1. B. ii.
p. 203. no. 8840 (1870).

Meiglyptes rufinotus, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 113 (1850).

Phaiopicus 7'ufinotus, Main. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 1, pi. xlvi.
figs. 1, 2 (1862).

Micropternus phaoceps, Beavan, Ibis, 1865, p. 411 ; Bulger,
op. cit. 1869, p. 157; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 88; id. op. cit.
1880, p. 112; Bingham, t. c. p. 164; Gates, op. cit. 1882, x.
p. 192; id. B. Brit. Burm. ii. p. 57 (1883).

Picus rufinotus, Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 88 (1866);
Giebel, Thes. Orn. p. 178 (1876).

Micropternus burmanicus, Hume, P. A. S. B. 1872, pp.
70-71.

Adult male. Entirely rufous, the top of the head dusky
brown ; the whole of the back, as well as the wings and tail
and their coverts, barred with black, the barring on the back,

B 2

4 Mr. E. Ilargitt on the IVoodpeckers^

tail-coverts, and tail narrow, that on the tail-feathers about
one third the width of the intervening rufous space ; tips of
central rectrices and outer primaries black ; shafts of quills
clear orange- brown, those of the tail-feathei^s darker and
more of a dusky brown ; nasal plumes, forehead, crown, and
occiput uniform dusky brown ; the nape and hind neck rich
rufous ; occipital and nuchal feathers elongated ; the feathers
of the cheeks, chin, and throat of the same colour as the
underparts, and margined on both webs wdth a paler and
clearer shade, inclining to oclireous ; under the eye a red
spot or patch ; sides of the neck and under surface of the
body uniform, the sides of the neck, chest, and breast being
of a rich rufous, the abdomen slightly dusky, and the flanks
and thighs barred with black ; under tail-coverts with almost
obsolete black barring ; under wing-coverts and axillaries
rufous, with a few blackish bar-like spots. Total length 8*5
inches, culmen 1'18, wing 4'9, tail 2'5, tarsus 09; toes
(without claws) — outer anteiior 0"72, outer posterior 0'68,
inner anterior 0'5, inner posterior 0*28.

Adult female. Resembling the adult male, but wanting the
red spot under the eye. Total length 8'0 inches, culmen
107, wing 4-75, tail 26, tarsus OSr).

Mr. Oates gives the soft parts in this species as follows : —
" Irides brown ; eyelids plumbeous ; bill dark brown, nearly
black, plumbeous at base of lower mandible; inside of
mouth rosy fleshy ; legs and feet greyish brown ; claws
horn-colour.'''

I have in my collection a specimen from Kaukaryit {Dar-
ling), which has the chin and throat intermediate between
M. ph(Boceps and M. brachyvrus : the feathers have a very
dark-brown central stripe, the light margins being broader
than in M. brachyiirus ; the tail is the same as in typical
M. phceoceps.

The present species is perhaps the best known of the genus.
It is found in North-east and Central India, Cachar, Assam,
and southwards extends as far as Tavoy in Tenasserim, where
it is replaced by M. liracliyurus. It also ranges into Siam,
whence there is an example in the Leiden Museum (Fer-

of the Genus Micropteruus. 5

reaux). Iq the British Museum are specimens from Cochin
China [Pierre), apparently referable to the present species.
According to Jerdon M. phceoceps is found in Kumaon,
Nepal, Sikkim, Lower Bengal, and in some of the forests
of Central India ; he procured it in the Bustar jungle,
south-east of Nagpore. Dr. Scully says the Rufous Wood-
pecker seems to be rather rare in the valley of Nepal.
Capt. Bulger obtained it on the Rungmo river, in Sikkiui,
in which province Jerdon states it is not common and
keeps to the warm valleys, from 1500 to 3000 feet elevation.
Mr. Gammie observed it at Monghoo, where it was found
breeding in ants^ nests. Mr. Cripps records it from Fur-
reedpore, in Eastern Bengal. In the Rajmehal Hills it has
been procured by Mr. Ball, who observes that it extends
thence to the Godaveri valley, being found in the hilly
region. Capt. Beavan saw it at Maunbhoom. In my cabinet
are examples collected by Mr. Inglis in Cachar ; these spe-
cimens are small ; Assam examples, on the contrary, are
large. Blyth gives Tipperah and Arracan as habitats of this
species. Mr. Eugene Gates says it is "very common on the
eastern slopes of the Pegu Hills from the frontier right down
to Rangoon, round which town it is specially abundant."
Mr. Hume's collection contains examples from Tenasseriui
as follows : — Pahpoon, Reeling, Thatoue, Wimpong, Mya ■
wadee, Ko-go-Houngthraw, Kaukaryit, Houngthraw river,
Moulmein, Karope, Amherst, Meeta Myo, and Tavoy. In
the Appendix to the "Birds of Tenasserim^' ("^ Stray Fea-
thers,^ vi. p. 501 : 1878), Mr. Hume says, ^' We procured a
large additional series of this species around the base of
Nwalabo and in the country between this and Tavoy. All
of them are, on the whole, more properly referable to this
species, though two or three of them make a decided approach
to brachyurus." According to Capt. Bingham it is a fairly
common bii*d in the Thoungyeen jungles. Mr. Hume (Str.
F. 1880, p. 112) gives an isolated instance of its occurrence
at Klang, Salangore, in the Malay peninsula, and states that
the example is a typical specimen of M. phreoceps, also that
he has procured a large series of Micropterni north and

6 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Woodpeckers

south of that placC;, as well as in the same locality, and that^
with this exception, they have all been true M. brachyurus.

2. MiCROPTERNUS BADIOSUS.

Meighjptes badiosus, Temm. Mus. Lugd. ; Bp. Consp. Gen.
Av. i. p. 113 (1850); Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 126
(1868); id. Hand-1. B. ii. p. 203. no. 8646 (1870).

Micropter-nus badiosus, Bp. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 9
(1854); Reichenb. Handb. Scans. PiciniB, p. 404. no. 942
(1854) ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 58 (1874) ; Sharpe, P. Z. S.
1875, p. 103; Hume, Str. F. 1877, pp. 480, 481 ; Sharpe,
Ibis, 1879, p. 243 ; id. P. Z. S. 1881, p. 792 ; id. Ibis, 1883,
p. 89.

Phaiopicus badiosus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 6 (1882).

Picus badiosus, Sundev. Consp. Av. Piciu. p. 91 (1866) ;
Giebel, Thes. Orn. p. 143 (1876).

Adult male. Entire plumage rich rufous, slightly dusky
on the forehead and crown ; back, scapularies, and wing-
coverts uniform, the concealed portion of some of the fea-
thers having blackish barring ; bastard wing and primary-
coverts barred with black on the inner webs ; quills barred
with black upon both webs, the barring on the inner webs
broader, the bar-like spots on the outer webs of some of the
inner primaries almost obsolete, tips of primaries black ;
shafts of quills brown ; rump-feathei's black at the base_, the
apical portion having an intermarginal V-shapcd black mark-
ing ; upper tail-coverts with a similar marking on the apical
portion, and barred with black at the base ; tail-feathers
barred with black on the basal half, the width of the black
and rufous barring being equal; apical half black; dwarf
feather barred with black along its whole length ; shafts
black ; nasal plumes, forehead, and crown slightly dusky ;
occipital feathers elongated ; the feathers surrounding the
eye tipped with crimson ; cheeks, chin, and throat like the
underparts, the feathers margined with huffy whitish ; sides
of the face and neck, fore neck, and under surface of the
body uniform, the flanks and under tail-coverts with almost
obsolete blackish barring ; under wing-coverts and axillaries

of the Genus Micropternus, 7

uniform rufous : " iris dull red " (Dorla) . Total length 75
inches, culmen I'OS, wing 4'25, tail 2*15, tarsus 0"83 ; toes
(without claws) — outer anterior 0-63, outer posterior 0-57,
inner anterior 0*55, inner posterior 0*15.

Another male (apparently fully adult) from Sandakau
{Pryer), with the feathers entirely surrounding the eye
tipped with crimson, has the back and wing-coverts more
barred with black, the tail being black, with indistinct rufous
barring at the base. It appears therefore that birds fully
adult may or may not have the back clearly banded with
black. In M. phaoceps are often found fully adult specimens
having the back nearly uniform ; but the character of the
majority of individuals of each species comprised in the present
genus (except M. Aac?io5M5, judging from the examples which I
have examined) is to have the back banded. I think that the
immature and adult stages of plumage in Micropterni, as in
many other genera of Woodpeckers, are more clearly indi-
cated by coloration than by markings. In the species at
present under notice the large amount and brilliancy of the
red surrounding the eye, and the bright yellow spot on the
lower mandible, show the adult stage.

Adult female. Resembling the adult male, but wanting the
red patch on the side of the face. Total length 7*2 inches,
culmen 1"05, wing 4"23, tail 2'25, tarsus 0"83.

This species is confined to the island of Borneo. Mr.
Pryer met with it in Sandakan, and it has been obtained
at Lumbidan by Governor Ussher and Mr. Treacher, the
former gentleman having also procured it at Brunei. Mr.
Treacher found it on the Lawas river. Mr. Wallace, as well
as Marquis Doria and Dr. Beccari, obtained this species in
Sarawak, and Messrs. Mottley and Schierbrand procured
specimens at Banjermassing.

3. Micropternus gularis,

Micropternus gularis, Jerd. Madr. Journ. xiii. p. 139
(1844); Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1816, p. 17; id. Cat. B. Mus.
As. Soc. p. 61 (1849) ; Bp. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 9
(1854, pt.); Beichenb. Handb, Scans. Picinae, p. 403. no. 941,

8 Mr. E. Hargitt on the IP'oodpeckers

pi. dclviii. figs. 4375, 4376, ? S (1854) ; Jcrd. B. Ind. i.

p. 294 (1862); Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 297; Hume, Str. F.

1873, p. 434; Blanf. Ibis, 1874, p. 92; Legge, Str. F. 1875,

p. 201 ; id. Ibis, 1875, p. 283 ; Fairbank, Str. F. 1876,

pp. 255, 265 ; Hume, op. cit. 1877, pp. 480, 481 ; id. op. cit.

1879, p. 88; Legge, B. Ceyl. p. 200 (1880); Butl. Cat. B. S.

Bomb. Presid. p. 24 (1880) ; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 53 ;

Butl. t. c. p. 386 ; Salvin, Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 403 (1882) ;

Davison, Str. F. x. p. 356 (1883).

Phaiopicos jerdoni, Malh. N. Classif. Mem. Acad. Metz,

1848-49, p. 338; id. Rev. Zool. 1849, p. 535.

Me'ujlyptes gularis, Gray, Gen. B. iii. App. p. 22 (1849) ;

Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 113 (1850) ; Gray, List Picid.

Brit. Mus. p. 125 (1868) ; id. Hand-1. B. ii. p. 203. no. 8811

(1870?;.

Micropternus phaioceps (non Blyth), Layard, Ann. & Mag.

Nat. Hist. 2nd ser. xiii. p. 450 (1854).

Phaiopicus jerdoni, Malh. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 3, pi. xlvii.

figs. 1, 2, 3 (1862).

Picus giduris (non Wagl.), pt.^ Sundev. Cousp. Av. Picin.

p. 89 (1866); Giebel, Tlies. Orn. p. 157 (1876).

Adult mcde. Entire plumage bright rufous, the top of the
head and the throat darker; the back and scapularies faintly

barred with blackish ; wing-coverts barred and spotted with

black ; bastard wing, primary-coverts, and quills barred with
black, the barring broader on the inner webs of the quills,
the tips of the outermost being black and the shafts reddish
brown ; rump with almost obsolete dusky barring ; upper
tail-coverts narrowly barred with black ; tail also very nar-
rowly barred with the same, the bars being about one third
the width of the intervening rufous space ; tips of central
feathers black ; tail-shafts brown ; nasal plumes, forehead,
and crown dusky brown, the feathers with rather lighter and
more rufous margins; lores and sides of the face slightly
lighter tban the crown, the feathers of the loral region and
cheeks edged with brighter rufous ; a large crimson patch
under the eye ; the feathers of the chin and throat having a
transverse and somewhat heart-shaped dusky-brown spot at

of the GewM5 Micro pternus. 9

the tija aud margined witli whitish, this white margin con-
fined to the extreme tip of the feather ; sides of the neck and
from the fore neck, inclusive, downwards uniform, brighter in
colour on the side of the neck, fore neck, and chest ; the flanks,
thighs, and under tail-coverts faintly barred with blackish,
the barring almost obsolete on the under tail- coverts j under
wing-coverts and axillaries rufous, the former barred with
blackish. Total length 9'0 inches, culmen 1-25, wing S'O,
tail 2"6, tarsus 0'9; toes (without claws) — outer anterior 0'7,
outer posterior 0*6, inner anterior 0'55, inner posterior 0'23.
Col. Legge gives the soft parts in this sex as follows : — " Iris
chestnut-brown in some, brownish red in others ; bill black,
with a slate-coloured, or sometimes a greenish, line at the
sides of the lower mandible ; legs and feet ' slaty ' or blackish
plumbeous."^

Adult female. Differs from the adult male in wanting
the red spot under the eye : " bill dull black ; legs, feet, and
claws the same, but tinged with plumbeous; irides deep brown '^
{W. Davison). Total length 8*5 inches, culmen l-l, wing 4"8,
tail 2-4, tarsus 0-88.

The habitat of this species is the peninsula of India and
Ceylon. Mr. Vidal records it fi'om South Konkan. Capt.
Butler, in his ' Catalogue of Birds of the Southern Portion of
the Bombay Presidency/ observes : — " Permanent resident.
It is not uncommon, and occurs all along the Sahyadri range
and in the adjacent forests as far north as Khandala. Some
of the specimens procured by Mr. Vidal in the north of
Ratnagiri are pronounced by Mr. Hume to be intermediate
between gularis and pliaioceps!^ Mr. Fairbank found it at
Khandala and Mahabaleshwar on the western declivities.
Mr. Davison has obtained it at Ootacamund, but says its
occurrence at that elevation is exceptional ; he further re-
marks— " it occurs, but nowhere numerously, on the slopes of
the Nilghiris in the Wynaad and Mysore country. It avoids
the heavy forest, frequenting thin tree and bamboo jungle. ""
I have in my cabinet a specimen from Travancore [Dr. Day).
Mr. Layard says it is '' decidedly a rare species in Ceylon,
and almost confined to the south." According to Col.

10 Mr. E, Hargitt on the Woodpeckers

Legge, however, this species is Avidely distributed in tiiat
island, although perhaps more rare in the north : it appears to
be met with throughout the low country^ and Mr. Bligh has
seen it up to about 2000 feet elevation. Ceylonese examples
of this species are darker above and more distinctly barred
with black.

4. MiCaOPTERNUS BRACHYUttUS.

Picus brachyurus, Vieill. N. Diet. Hist. Nat. xxvi. p. 103
(1818) ; Bonn. & Vieill. Enc. Meth. p. 1324 (1823) ; Wagl.
Syst. Av. no. 71 (1827) ; Drap. Diet. Class. Hist. Nat. xiii.
p. 505 (1828) ; Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 89 (1866) ;
Giebel, Thes. Orn. p. 145 (1876).

Picus budius, Raffl. Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 289 (1822) ;
Less. Compl. Butf. ix. p. 313 (1837j ; Sundev. Consp. Av.
Picin. p. 90 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. p. 143 (1876).

Hemicircus badius, Eyton, P. Z. S. 1839, p. 106.

Micropternus badius, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 551 (1815
id. Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 61 (1819) ; Reichenb. Handb
Scans. Picina;, p. 403. no. 910, pi. dclviii. fig. 4374 (1854)
Horsf. & Moore, Cut. B. E.I. Co. Mus. p. 666 (1856-58)
Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 319; Tweedd. Ibis, 1877, p. 289
Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Genov. xiv. p. 184 (1879) ; Nicholson,
Ibis, 1881, p. 141 ; id. op. cit. 1882, p. 55.

Meighjptes brachyurus, Gray, Gen. B. iii. App. p. 22 (1849);
Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 113 (1850) ; Gray, List Picid.
Brit. Mus. p. 125 (1868) ; id. Hand-1. B. ii. p. 203. no. 8843
(1870).

Phaiopicos brachyurus, Malh. N. Classif. Mem. Acad. Metz,
1818-19, p. 337; id. Rev. Zool. 1849, p. 536.

Micropternus gularis (pt.), Reichenb. Handb. Scans.
Picinai, p. 403. no. 941, pi. dclviii. figs. 4375, 4376, ? S
(1854).

Micropternus brachyurus, Bp. Consp. Yolucr. Zygod. p. 9
(1851) ; Gray, List Gen. 1855, p. 94; Hume, Str. F. 1877,
pp. 480, 481 ; id. & Davison, op. cit. 1878, vi. p. 145 ; Hume,
op. cit. 1879, pp. 52, 88 ; Miiller, Orn. Ins. Salanga, p. 72
(1882) ; Gates, B. Brit. Burm. ii. p. 58 (1883).

of the Genus Micropternus. 11

Phaiopicus brachyurus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. o,
pi. xlvi. figs. 4, 5 (1862).

Pious squamigularis, Sunclev. Consp. Av. Piciu. p. 89
(1866).

Meiglyptes badiiis, Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 126
(1868) ; id. Hand-1. B. ii. p. 203. no. 88i5 (1870).

Meiglyptes S(jnamigula7'is, Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus.
p. 126 (1868) ; id. Haud-l. B. ii. p. 203. no. 8844 (1870).

Adult male. Entire hack, rump, wings and their coverts,
tail and tail-coverts rufous, barred with black; the apical
portion of the inner w^ebs of the primaries black for about
one inch of their length; the black barring on the tail-
feathers well defined and considerably broader than the
rufous interspace, and the tips of these feathers black ; head
rufous-buff, the feathers of the forehead and crown centred
with dusky brown, those under the eye tipped with red, this
colour spreading on to some of the ear-coverts ; cheeks, chin,
and throat dark brown, the feathers margined with and having
a basal stripe of buff; nape, hind neck, side of the neck,
chest, and breast imiform rich rufous ; abdomen, vent, and
under tail-coverts dusky rufous, barred with black, the barring
very faint on the abdomen ; sides of the body, flanks, and
thighs rufous, barred with black ; under wing-coverts and
axillaries rufous-buff, with dusky transverse markings : " irides
reddish brown ; upper mandible black ; lower mandible
black at tip, and behind dirty white ; legs and feet grey "
{H. 0. Forbes). Total length 7'5 inches, culmen 1-05, wing
4-25, tail 2-25, tarsus 0-83; toes (without claws) — outer an-
terior 0*62, outer posterior 0"57, inner anterior 0-47, inner
posterior 0'25.

Adult female. Differs from the adult male in wanting
the red patch under the eye. Total length 7*0 inches, culmen
1-0, wing 4-2, tail 2-05, tarsus 0-8.

Immature birds have the head lighter, and the feathers of
the chin and throat of a less dark brown. In very young
specimens the dark centres to these feathers are of a still
paler brown, and the dark centres of the occipital feathers
have a spotted character. A young female in my collection

12 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Woodpeckers

has some of the rufous feathers of the nape tinged with red ;
but this colour I have never observed on the nape of any
other specimen, and regard as purely accidental.

This species does not appear to range north of Tavoy, but
is found throughout the southern portion of Tenasserim.
Mr. Hume^s collection contains examples from Mergui,
Pakchan, Eankasoon, and Malewoon. It is also i'ound in
the Malayan peninsula; and Mr. Hume gives the' following
localities : — Penang, Malacca, Pulo Seban, Singapore, and
Wellesley Province. I also have in my cabinet a specimen
from the island of Salanga {Weber). It appears to be fairly
common in Sumatra, Bangka, and Java ; the Leiden Museum
contains numerous examples from these localities. Typical
specimens from Java are larger than the Sumatran bird, and
have the feathers of the thi'oat blacker, with white margins.
Examples from Bangka are intermediate between the Javau
and Sumatran birds.

5. MiCROPTERXUS FOKIENSIS.

Brachypternus bailius (non llaffl.), Swinh. Ibis, 1861,
p. 267.

Brachypternus fokiensis, Swinh. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 87 ; id.
Ibis, 1868, p. 63.

Micropternus fokiensis, Swinh. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 267; id.
op. cit. 1871, p. 393 ; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 54
(1877).

Picus fokiensis, Sundev. Consp. Av. Pieiu. p. 91 (1866);
Giebel, Thes. Orn. p. 154 (1876).

MeigJyptes fokiensis, Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 126
(1868) ; id. Hand-1. B. ii. p. 203. no. 8847 (1870).

Microp)ternus brachyurus (pt.), Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 481.

Adult male. Upper back uniform dark brown ; middle and
lower back, rump, scapularies, and wing-coverts blackish
brown, narrowly barred with rufous ; bastard wing and
primary-coverts blackish brown, barred with rufous ; quills
barred brownish black and rufous on both Avebs ; shafts
reddish orange on the rufous portion of the web, and blackish
where the feather is erosscnl bv a black bar; the shafts of the

of the Ge?iM5 Micropternns. 13

inner quills blackish brown ; upper tail-coverts barred black
and rufous ; tail rufous^ crossed by fine bars of black, these
bars being rather narrower than the rufous interspaces ;
shafts reddish or purplish brown; lores, forehead, crown and
occiput, sides of the face, and upper neck brownish bu^ff, the
feathers having dark-brown central stripes ; below the eye
a patch of crimson ; hind neck and lower side of the neck
more rufous than the head, the feathers having similar cen-
tral stripes ; chin and throat buff, each feather centred with
a very dark brown stripe ; fore neck and chest rufous ; entire
under surface of the body dark brown, the flanks and thighs
barred with rufous ; under tail-coverts dull rufous, with
either an interraarginal blackish line or transverse and other
varied blackish markings ; under wing-coverts rufous, varied
with black. Total length 9"0 inches, culmen 1"12, wing 5'1,
tail 2'8, tarsus 0"9 ; toes (without claws) — outer anterior 0'7,
outer posterior 0'7, inner anterior 0'55, inner posterior 0"23.
Male, ap'parenthj nut fully adult (Swinhoe's type). Entire
back, scapularies, and rump blackish brown, narrowly barred
with rufous ; wing-coverts, also the bastard wing and pri-
mary-coverts, barred blackish brown and rufous, the latter
barring broader on these parts than on the back ; quills
rufous, barred across both webs with black ; shafts reddish,
those of the inner secondaries more dusky brown ; upper
tail-coverts clearly barred rufous and black, the width of
barring about equal ; tail rufous, barred with black, the
latter about half the width of the intervening rufous space ;
shafts reddish brown ; nasal plumes, also the entire head,
neck, chin, and throat, light buffy brown, almost all the
feathers having a dusky brown central stripe, these striations
being strongly marked on the chin and throat ; feathers
under the eye tipped with crimson; under surface of the
body dusky brown, brighter rufous on the chest ; the fea-
thers of the flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts, also a few
on the abdomen, rufous, barred with blackish brown ; under
wing-coverts uniform rufous ; axillaries barred rufous and
black : " bill bluish grey, with more or less greenish yellow
on the lower mandible ; iris reddish brown ; legs and claws

14 Mr. E. Hargitt on the IVoodpeckers

greenish slaty" [Sivinhoe). Total length 8*5 inches, culmen
1*1, wing 5-0, tail 2-9, tarsus 0'88 ; toes (without claws) —
outer anterior 0'7, outer posterior 0'65, inner anterior 0*55,
inner posterior 022.

Adult female. Differs from the adult male in Avanting the
red patch under the eye. Total leugth 9"0 inches, culmen
ri5, wing 4"95, tail 2-95, tarsus 0*85.

Nestling. In general coloration and marking almost iden-
tical with the adult, but differing in having the upper back
barred black and dull rufous ; the striations on the throat of
a less dark brown, and the under wing-coverts almost uniform
pale rufous.

Swinhoe^s type specimen of the female has the head darker
and more washed with rufous-brown than any other example
I have seen. It is apparently a fully adult bird, but all the
other specimens which I have examined have the head and
neck conspicuously lighter than the rest of the body and of
a buff colour. The descriptions of the adult birds are taken
from examples in the British Museum, and I have also given
that of Swinhoe^s male type, a bird apparently not fully adult.

Swinhoe first recorded this species in ' The Ibis '' for
1861, p. 207, under the heading of Brachypternus badius.
The specimen was procured by himself in Foochow, and he
afterwards more fully described the species in the ' Proceed-
ings of the Zoological Society,' 1863, p. 87, under the name
of Brachypternus fohensis , giving the soft parts and measure-
ments of both sexes, and adding, " I have never received this
bird from any part of China but Foochow, where it is not
particularly common." The above-mentioned ornithologist,
in ' The Ibis ' for 1868, p. 63, mentions having received from
one of his hunters three females and one male, collected on
the Tiugchow mountains, about 120 miles north-east from
Amoy. Swinhoe remarks that one female had the head
and neck of a pale reddish cream-colour, the feathers marked
with blackish brown and chestnut in the middle ; and this he
believes to be the fresh-moulted bird. I would observe that
examples having the bill entirely black, and the abdomen
with dusky crescent-shaped markings, are, in my opinion, im-

of the Genus Micropternus. 15

mature, adult birds having a yellow spot at the angle of the
lower mandible and the under surface of the body entirely
uniform. Although the prevailing colour of the head and
neck in birds of this species is light ochreous brown, indi-
viduals do occur (apparently equally adult) in which these
parts are of a rufous-brown. The Leiden Museum contains
an example of the present species said to have been procured
in Cochin China [Verreaux) .

Mr. Hume makes M.fokiensis a synonym of M. brachy-
urus ; but I cannot agree with this author that, ^"^ according
to Swinhoe's own showing, the Foochow bird is referable to
M. brachyurus," for even in the first record of the bird in
'The Ibis^ for 18G1, p. 267, as M. badius, Swinhoe adds,
p. 409, t. c. : — " The Brachypternus from Foochow is much
larger (nearly double the size) than B. badius of Java. It is
of a much richer brown, but would appear otherwise similar.'^
These remarks Avere made before he described the Foochow
bird as a distinct species.

6. Micropternus holroydi.

Micropternus holroydi, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1870, p. 95 ; id.
P. Z. S. 1871, p. 393 ; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 54
(1877).

Picus holroydi, Giebel, Thes. Orn. p. 159 (1876).

Adult male (type). Entire back, rump, and scapularies
dark brown, with narrow and almost obsolete rufous barring ;
wing-coverts, bastard wing, and primary-coverts barred rufous
and black ; quills barred rufous and black across both webs,
tips of the outermost primaries black ; shafts of quills
reddish, those of the inner secondaries inclining to dark
brown; upper tail-coverts rufous, barred with black; tail
rufous, with not more than six transverse black bars, these
being slightly narrower than the rufous space between ;
shafts reddish brown ; nasal plumes, lores, and entire head
and throat brown, the feathers having paler margins ; o( ciput,
nape, and sides of the neck like the head, but the margins of
the feathers are more rufous; the feathers at the base of
the upper mandible, also those under and behind the eye,

16 On the Woodpeckers of the Genus Micropterniis.

tipped with crimson ; under surface of the body i-ufous-brown,
brighter on the chest and breast ; the thighs barred rufous
and bhack; under tail-coverts rufous, faintly barred with
black ; under wing-coverts rufous, covered with bar-like
spots of black ; axillaries rufous, striped with blackish :
"irides ochreous white; bill deep bluish grey, with the
greater part of the lower mandible and edge of the upper
greenish yellow; legs and claws slate-colour, tinged with
green" {Sivinhoe). Total length 7 5 inches, culmen I'O,
wing 4-5, tail 2'4, tarsus 0"85 ; toes (without claws) — outer
anterior O'OS, outer posterior 0-6,2, inner anterior 0-47, inner
posterior 02.

Achtlt female (type). — Differing from the adult male in
the absence of the crimson spot under the eye. Swiuhoe
gives the soft parts the same as in the male. Total length
the same as in the male. Total length 7"5 inches, culmen
1"05, wing 4-75, tail 2'45, tarsus 0"87.

This species was first procured by SAvinhoe at Tai-ping-sze,
Central Hainan, and appears to be confined to that island.
M. holroydi may be distinguished from M.fokiensis by its
very much smaller size, its darker crown and occipital
feathers, and the paler centres to the throat-feathers. The
measurements of the two species are as follows : —

M. hob'oi/di.

Total length.

Culmen. Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

(S ad. ,

7-5

1-0 4-5

2-4

0-85

$ ad. .

7-5

1-05 4-75
M. fokiensis.

2-45

0-87

cT ad. ,

8-3

M 5-0

2-8

0-85

2 ad. .

9-5

1-12 5-23

3-0

0-83

Mr. Hume (Str. F. 1877, p. 481) makes M. holroydi (with
a query) a synonym of M. phceoceps, but says that he has
not seen the bird.

Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Chasiempis. 17

II. — On the Muscicapine Genus Chasiempis.
By P. L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.

(Plate I.)

Among some specimens of birds which the authorities of the
Smithsonian Institution have kindly sent over for my exami-
nation are the two skins upon which Mr. Ridgway based
his Chasiempis sclatei'i (Proc. U. S. N. Mus. 1881, p. 337).
Having had the opportunity of comparing these skins with
the examples of Chasiempis in the British Museum, I am
enabled to offer a few remarks on this little-known type of
the family Muscicapidse.

Latham was the first author who noticed this peculiar
Sandwich-Island form. In the second volume of his 'General
Synopsis ' (p. 33 1) is described the " Sandwich Flycatcher/'
from a specimen in the " collection of Sir Joseph Banks,"
as follows : —

" Length five inches and a half. Bill black, bristly at the
base, where it is yellowish ; forehead buff-coloured ; over
the eye a white line ; the upper parts of the body brown ;
wing-coverts edged with pale rust-colour ; greater quills
brown ; both of them tipped with dusky white ; tail brown ;
all the feathers, except the two middle ones, tipped with
white ; the chin is pale, marked with dusky streaks ; on each
side of the neck a mixture of white; breast rust-colour;
belly and vent yellowish white ; legs black. Inhabits the
Sandwich Islands."

A little lower down, Latham gives the subjoined descrip-
tion of this Spotted-winged Flycatcher, which is generally
supposed to be the female of the same species : —

" Bill black ; base of the under mandible yellow at the
edges ; the plumage on the upper parts of the body ferru-
ginous brown ; the head palest ; on each of the wing-coverts,
at the tip, is a round ferruginous white spot ; the rump fer-
ruginous ; quills dusky ; the underparts of the body pale
reddish brown, changing to reddish white on the bottom of
the belly ; vent the same, but the feathers tipped with still

SEll. V. VOL. iir. c

18 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Chasiempis.

paler colour; tail brown; the outer feathers marked at the
tip of the inner web Avith white ; legs black. Supposed to
inhabit the Sandwich Islands."

Upon the first of these descriptions Gmelin established
his Muscicapa sandivichensis, and upon the second his
M. maculata.

Beyond quoting these names, subsequent authors appeared
to have done little with the present species until 1847, when
Dr. Cabanis instituted his genus Chasiemjns for Muscicapa
sandivichensis, and pointed out the significance of this
Sandwich-Island bird belonging to the true Muscicapidse,
and not to the Tyrannida?.

Notwithstanding this warning, I inserted, in 1862, in ray
' Catalogue of American Birds ' a specimen of the female of
Chasiempis sandwichensis, then in my collection, as a " Cni-
polegiis, sj^. inc." I had purchased this skin of Vcrreaux, of
Paris, labelled " Chili," and was quite unaware of what it
really was (never having seen an example of Chasiempis
sandwichensis) until I took it over to Berlin some years
later, where Dr. Cabanis kindly determined it for me by
comparison with the specimens of both sexes of this species
in the Berlin Museum. This skin I sulisequently presented
to the British Museum *. It is the original of the accom-
panying figure (Plate I. fig. 2).

The next time this species came under my notice was
when I w^as determining the birds of the voyage of the
' Challenger.^ Amongst the specimens collected during the
short sojourn of the ' Challenger ' expedition in Ililo Bay, in
Owhyhee, Hawaian group, in August 1875, were two ex-
amples of Chasiempis sandivichensis. These were labelled as
females, but are, I think, males of this species. They are
now in the British Museum, and the figure (Plate I. fig. 1)
has been taken from one of them.

Now the two specimens upon which Mr. Ridgway has
based \ns Chasiempis sclateri (Proc. U. S. N. M. 1881,

• See Cat. B. Brit. Mas. iv. p. 2-32. The specimens at Berliu were
obtained by the celebrated collector Deppe, in Oahii, as Di\ Cabanis kindly
informs me. — P. L. S.

Ibis, 1885. PI, 1.

CHASIEMPIS SANDWICHENSrS

Hanliart amp.

C^MTHAJ

On the After shaft of certain Birds. 19

p. 337) agree completely with the specimen now figured
(Plate I. fig. 2), which was formerly in my collection. If,
therefore, I am correct in referring the last-named specimens
to the female of C. sandivichensis , then C. scIateri=C. sand-
wichensis ? . And should it prove eventually that these two
forms are not male and female, but belong to two different
species, a view which receives some support from the fact
that the two ' Challenger ' skins are marked as " female "
by the collector (though I am strongly of opinion that this
was an erroneous determination), yet even then the name
" sclateri" will apparently have to yield to maculata, Gm. —
the Muscicapa maculata of Gmelin having been, as it would
seem, based on a female of this species.

It should be acknowledged that Mr. Ridgway appears in
this case to have been rather misled by Mr. Sharpe, who in
the ' British Museum Catalogue,' iv. p. 232, has omitted
any description of the female of Chasiempis sandivichensis,
although the only specimen then belonging to the Museum
was of that sex, and has only given a description of the male
from the ' Challenger ' expedition. It is true that both sexes
are introduced into the diagnoses (p. 231) ; but the characters
set forth seem to be intended to separate the two sexes of
Ch. sandivichensis from the corresponding sexes of Ch. di-
midiata, and are not sufficient to separate the two sexes of
Ch. sandwichensis from one another.

III. — On the Aftershaft in the Feathers of certain Birds.
By F. E. Beddard, M.A., F.Z.S., Prosector to the Zoo-
logical Society of London.

My attention has been directed to a recent number of the
'Actes de la Societe Linneennede Bordeaux,' which contains
part of a memoir by Dr. A. T. de Rochebrune upon the fauna
of Senegambia*.

The paper in question deals with the birds of this region ;

• " Faune de la S^nt5gambie, Oiseaux," par le Dr. A. T. de Rochebrune,
Actes d. la Soc. Linn, de Bordeaux, s^r. 4, t. viii. Mtrch 1884, p. 85.

C 2

20 Mr. F. E. Beddard on the

it is prefaced with some general considerations, in which the
antlior brings forward a great nnmber of facts relating to the
presence or absence of the structnre known as the after-
shaft in the bird's feather, and in many cases contradicts
the statements made by Nitzsch in his classical work npon
Pterylography *.

Thus, with respect to the Swifts, in Avhich birds the feathers
are stated by Nitzsch to be furnished Avith an aftershaft.
Dr. Uochebrune remarks : — " MalgTe nos recherches les
plus minutieuses, aucune espece des genres Cijpseliis, Chatura
kc, ne nous a fourni de plume adventice, et nous affirmons
que toutes indistinctement en sont depourvues."

I have examined one species of each of these genera, viz.
Chatura zonaris and Cypselus apus, and find that a distinct
aftershaft is present in both of them. The accompanying

Pectoral feather of Chatura zonaris, from behind,
to .show the aftershaft.

woodcut is a copy of one of the pectoral feathers of the
former species ; the aftershaft is here large and well deve-
loped, attaining to rather more than half the length of the
feather itself.

In Cypselus apus the aftershaft is entirely similar.

In other cases it is rather difficult to follow Dr. Roche-
brune's criticisms, and the discrepancies between his state-
ments and those of Nitzsch seem often to be due to a
different conception of what an aftershaft is. Nitzsch defines
it as follows {op. cit. p. 89) : — " The aftershaft originates from
the underside of the feather beneath the umbiliciform pit ; it
resembles the main shaft, and, like it, emits two series of
barbs, thus forming alopg with the shaft an apparently

* ' Pterylography,' English edition (Loudon, 1867).

Aftershafl of certain Birds. 21

"double feather There are^ however^ a great many

birds in which it is deficient,, and in its place a few isolated
barbs occur."

Dr. Rochebrune, on the contrary, states of the aftershaft : —
'' La plume adventicCj variable dans ses formes, ses dimensions,
sa composition, n'est pas toujours unique ; tres souvent on en
rencontre deux ou un plus grand norabre, distinctes, inde-
pendantes les unes des autres, quoique en connexion par leur
insertion sur la tige de la plume principale. Ce mode d^in-
sertion n^'est pas non plus invariablement fixe ; on voit ces
plumes adherer tantot directement a la face inferieure de la
tige principale, tantot en cote, soit au niveau de la cavite
orabilicale citec par Nitzsch, soit en-dessus ou en-dessous,
etre sessiles ou pedicellees, posees en couronne etc., enfin
dans aucun cas et sous aucun rapport, elles ne ressemblent ^
la plume principale,"

The main difference therefore between the two definitions
appears to be that the aftershaft, according to Dr. Roche-
brune, is not always single, but that there are frequently
several distinct and separate aftershafts present on the same
feather. This may be true ; but the facts brought forward
by Dr. Rochebrune, so far as I have been able to verify
them by comparison with the feathers themselves and even
with his own figures, do not appear to confirm this statement.
To take an instance ; the aftershaft of Numida is described
by Dr. Rochebrune in the following words: — "On trouve cinq
plumes adventices distinctes, d^inegale longueur, sessiles sur
la tige principale et a insertion commune ; leurs barbules sont
assez fortes, courtes et mediocrementrigides." A figure {op.
cit. pi. iii. fig. 1) is given o£ one of the feathers of this bird,
which is a sufficiently accurate representation of the original.
The aftershaft consists of a short stem bearing on either side
two or three barbs, each of which Dr. Rochebrune, if I under-
stand him rightly, considers to be the equivalent of a single
aftershaft, such as that which is stated to be found in Perdix.
It does not appear to me, however, that tliis comparisou is
at all justifiable; the barbs of the aftershafts are entirely
similar to those which spring from the lower portion of the

22 Mr. F. E. Beddard on the

main stem of the feather ; the structure as a whole only
differs from that of Perdix in being comparatively smaller
and bearing fewer barbs ; I do not at all follow Dr. Roche-
brune's distinction between the two families. If the after-
shaft be "single" in Perdix it certainly is so also in Nurnida.
In the feathers of Cathartes Dr. Eochebrune states the
presence of a lai'ge aftershaft, while Nitzsch distinguishes
this genus and Pandion from the rest of the Accij)itrin8e
Diurnse by the absence of the same structure. In these two
genera^ however^ as well as in the Owls, the aftershaft is
not entirely unrepresented, but, as Nitzsch correctly says,
its place is occupied by a tuft of isolated barbs ; it is easy to
separate the individual barbs by means of a needle, and to
assure one's self that each springs sepai'atelij from the main
stem of the feather; the structure therefore does not fall
within Nitzsch's definition of an aftershaft. This difference,
which Nitzsch has pointed out between the Accipitrinse
Nocturnse on the one hand and the Accipitrinse Diurnse, with
the exception of the two genera Cathartes and Pandion, on
the other, is perfectly plain. Dr. Rochebrune's definition of
an aftershaft, however, does include this tuft of barbs ; the
aftershaft, according to him, is occasionally ' sessile ' upon
the feathershaft, and is not always borne upon a secondary
shaft ; the feathers of Cathartes and Bubo maculosus are
furnished with an aftershaft of this kind, which is no doubt
the equivalent of the ' true ' aftershaft of the Accipitrinae
Diurnse. Dr. Rochebrune is perhaps, strictly speaking,
right in saying that the Accipitriuse Nocturnse are not
devoid of an aftershaft ; but he seems to have over-
looked that Nitzsch himself had previously noticed this same
structure, which he describes as occurring in the place of
the aftershaft. Dr. Rochebrune has therefore not pointed
out a new fact, but has merely recapitulated what Nitzsch
said many years previously, failing, however, to emphasize
the essential difference between the ' true ' aftershaft of the
Accipitrinee Diurnae and the tuft of isolated barbs which
characterize the feathers of Cathartes and the Accipitrinae
Nocturiiae,

Aftershaft of certain Birds. 23

In the Parrots, according to Nitzsch, the contour-feathers
have a large and distinct aftershaft * ; Dr. Rochebrune does
not dispute the accuracy of the fact, but makes Nitzsch
responsible for having said exactly the reverse : — " Pour
Nitzsch une pluirie adventicef large et distincte est pro-
bablement moins frequente chez les Perroquets que chez
les autres oiseaux/" The quotation is correct, but the
omission of a few words at the beginning destroys the true
sense of the passage, which in the English translation runs as
follows X '• — " Contour -feathers with a large and distinct
aftershaft, very sparsely distributed, probably present in
smaller comparative number than in any other birds.'''

Dr. Rochebrune compares the aftershaft in the three
genera Poeocephalas, Psittacus, and Palaornis to that of the
Accipitrin8eNocturn8e,a comparison which does not hold good.
In the feathers of these as of all other Parrots which I have
had the opportunity of examining, the aftershaft resembles
entirely another smaller feather attached to the base of the
stem, and is not at all like that of the Accipitrinae Nocturnse ;
in these birds, as already said, there is mei'ely a tuft of barbs
occupying the same position, and no doubt corresponding
to an aftershaft, but quite different in structure.

Dr. Rochebrune concludes his remarks upon the aftershaft
by recapitulating the chief results to which he has been led,
viz. that this structure is not absent in the Accipitrinae
Nocturnse, as stated by Nitzsch, but is absent in the Cyp-
selidse, where Nitzsch describes its presence. The last
conclusion of Dr. Rochebrune has been shown in the
present note to be manifestly incorrect ; with regard to the
former, the tuft of barbs which represents the shaft in
the Accipitrinae Nocturnge is, as Nitzsch has pointed out,
quite different from the true aftershaft of the Accipitrinae
Diurnse ; to confound them, as Dr. Rochebrune has done, is
to render useless a very convenient distinction between the
two groups.

• Op. cU. p. 95. t Op. rif. p. 9f». X Thid.

24 Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornithological

IV. — Ornithological Notes from Corsica.
By John Whitehead.

(Plate II.)

Arriving in Ajaccio in the middle of Novembei' 1882, I
remained in the neighbourhood, shooting and collecting
birds, until the beginning of January 1883, when I crossed the
island to Aleria, and worked my way down the east coast to
Bonifacio, and, via Sartene, back to Ajaccio. A great storm on
the 12th March, which lasted three days, added many birds
to my list, some of which I did not meet with again. On
the 22nd of March I started for Bastia ; but as the shooting
on the lagoon there proved a failure, I left in two days for
Ajaccio by the west coast, but during the whole journey
hardly noticed a bird. In April I returned to the east
coast, where I remained moving from place to place until the
15th of June. The shooting of the new Nuthatch induced
a second trip, but only added thirty birds new to my list.
As some of the best days of the season of jjassage were
spent in the mountains, no doubt I missed a few birds.

The following notes are the result of some fifteen months
spent in Corsica, most of the time being devoted to shoot-
ing. During the hotter months I kept out of the marshes
as much as possible, so I was unable to take several interesting
nests.

I cannot conclude without thanking several Corsican
gentlemen, who did all in their power to assist me, also Mr.
R. B. Sharpe for his notes on several species.

1. Bearded Vulture. Gypaetus barhatus.

Seen on two occasions in the mountains in the middle of
March. The shepherds say that they often lose lambs by
this Vulture in spring. A schoolmaster told me he had a
stuffed Eagle, shot near the town, which, when I went to
see it, proved to be the much moth-eaten remains of a
Bearded Vulture.

2. Golden Eagle. Aquila chrysaetus

I visited two eyries of a large Eagle in the mountains ; one

Notes from Corsica. 25

nest was touched up with fresh pine-tops, but on June 12th
was without eggs. The Eagle came within 100 yards once
or twice ; but as I was unable to shoot it, I cannot say for
certain that it was of this species. The following year a shep-
herd told me he had taken an g^^^ from a nest a short
distance from the one I visited; it is needless to say he
smashed it.

3. White-tailed Eagle. HaUaetus albicilla.

Not uncommon on the large lagoons during the winter,
where they prey chiefly on the wild fowl, I often saw a
single bird in April and May, and was told by a fisherman
that a large Eagle nested on the opposite coast of Sardinia.

4. Common Buzzard. Buteo vulgaris.

Fairly common everywhere. I found six nests during the
month of April.

5. Small Peregrine Falcon. Falco punicus.

Not uncommon during the winter on the east coast. On
the 14th of May I found a nest containing three young birds
nearly ready to fly. The following year, hoping to take the
eggs, I visited the old nest in the beginning of April, but
the birds had changed their quarters. Seeing the old birds
about, I did not give up the search, and on April 16tli found
them nesting some two miles from their old home, but,
unfortunately, the nest contained four young about a week
old.

6. Common Kestrel. Tinnunculus alaudarius.

Very common during the winter, but do not all remain to
nest. Took a nest of six eggs, quite fresh, on 29th April.

7. Eleonora Falcon. Falco eleonorce.

Several times I saw a pair of large dark-brown Hawks
hovering about the sea-coast, first seen on 15th April. As
I was unable to shoot them, it is uncertain that they belong
to this species.

8. Sparrow-Hawk. Accipiter nisus.

Common in November, less so in the other winter months.

26 Mr. J. Wliitehead's Ornithological

The only proof I had of the nesting of this species was an
egg brought in by a boy on the 7th June.

9. Common Kite. Milvus ictinus.

Plentiful in the plains throughout the year, but I never
found a nest.

10. IIen-Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

A few seen throughout the winter. On April 14th quite
a flight of these birds passed ; I sa^r as many as five on
the wing at the same time.

11. Montagu's Harrier. Circus cineraceus.

I saw a bird on November 17th which I have no doubt
was of this species.

12. Marsh-Harrier. Circus ceruginosus.

Plentiful in all the marshes during the winter. One seen
on June 21st, which was evidently breeding.

13. OsPREY. Pandion haliaHus.

Fairly common on the lagoons during the winter. I
found a nest on the 23rd April containing three eggs quite
fresh. The nest was placed on a rock about 8 feet high,
some 300 yards from the shore, in a small bay.

14. Barn-Owl. Strix flammea.

A boy brought in one alive on the 15th May; this was
the only one seen.

15. Long-eared Owl. Asio otus.

The only one seen was brought to me by a man on De-
cember 18th.

16. Short-eared Owl. Asio brachyotus,

I shot the only one seen on December 13th.

17. Scops Owl. Scops giu.

This small Owl becomes plentiful after the end of March.
As soon as the sun has set they commence their soft whistling,
often entering the villages. I found them high up in the
mountains in May. 1 took a nest of four eggs on the 3rd of
June, three of which were much sat upon, the fourth being
nearlv fresh.

Notes from Corsica. 27

18. Common Swift. Cypselus apus.

In 1883 first seen on 12th April, in 1884 on 8th April.
When in the mountain-forests I noticed the Swifts entering
the holes of the Great Spotted Woodpecker.

19. White-bellied Swift. Cypselus melba.

In 1883 first seen on 25th April, in 1884 on 10th April.
I found this species nesting in some inaccessible rocks in
the beginning of June.

20. Swallow. Hirundo rustica.

In 1883 first seen on 16th March, in 1884 on 22nd March.
A few seen going south on 16tli November. Numbers re-
main to nest.

21. Martin. Chelidon urbica.

In 1883 first seen on 20th March, in 1884 on 21st March.
Numbers remain to nest.

22. Sand-Martin. Cotile riparia.

In 1883 first seen on 11th April, in 1884 on 8th April.
Never seen in numbers. Though the river-banks, in places,
were suitable, I never saw any sign of a nest, or of a bird
after the passage was over.

23. Crag-Swallow. Cotile rupestris.

Fairly common and resident. With bad weather this bird
comes down to the plains ; otherwise it remains high up the
mountain-sides during the whole year. I took a nest on
May 13th with four fresh eggs.

24. Common Nightjar. Caprimulgus europaus.

First heard on 12th May, though they must have arrived
some time before. First eggs taken 28th May.

25. Common Kingfisher. Alcedo ispida.

Numbers seen during the winter, but they began to get
scarce after the end of January.

26. Common Bee-eater. Merops apiaster.

In 1883 first seen on 19th April, in 1884 on 14th April.

About the middle of April, the natives told me that it was

the time that the Bee-eaters arrive, and a day or two after-

28 Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornithological

wards the first company put in their appearance^ flying high
over the plain^ and uttering their monotonous note^ giep, giep.
On the 4th of June I opened several of their nests, which
were bored in a level sandy field, running in about 9 feet
from the entrance. All the nests contained their full number
of eggs, which is from five to seven. The eggs were very
dirty, being half buried in beetle^s wings and remains of
other insects, the whole nest being a moving mass of small
maggots and various kinds of lice. The Bee-eater is rare on
the west coast, the ground being unsuitable to their nesting-
arrangements.

27. Hoopoe. Vpupa epops.

In 1883 first seen on 24th March, in 1884 on 30th March.
Fairly common in the plains. I took two nests out of holes
in stone walls ; the first on 27th May, with six eggs, quite
fresh. I found a nest in an old tree on 7th June, with four
young fully grown.

28. Great Spotted Woodpecker. Dendrocopiis major.
Common in the mountain-forests, often working down to

the sea-coast in winter. First eggs taken on 20th May.

29. Wryneck. lynx torquilla.

Only two seen, one on 8th January ; the other a man had
just shot, on 17th January.

30. Whitehead's Nuthatch. Sitta ivhitelieadi. (PL II.)
On the 12th June 1883, I left a small village to visit the

nest of an Fagle which the shepherds had told me of. Start-
ing at 4 A.M. with a mule and guide (taking provisions for
two days), it was not until 2 p.m. that avc reached the summit
of the mountain. As it was close upon G o'clock before the
nest had been visited, I decided to pass the night in a small
stone hut (used by the shepherds during the hotter mouths).
The next morning, wishing to get a shot at some Alpine
Swifts, which were nesting in a high crag near, I got up
early, and when returning heard a curious whistle, which I
thought was that of the Crested Titmouse. After I had waited
a few minutes a Nuthatch crept out to the end of a pine-bough

Itis 1885.PIii.

JlT-Keulemgois litli.

SIT TA WHITE KEADI.

Htuiliart imp

Notes from Corsica. 29

and was promptly shot. Tlie bird being badly bit in the
head, I skinned it at once, and thought no more about it
until the month of October, when, wishing to know if I had
correctly named a few small Warblers, I brought the skin of
the Nuthatch to Mr. Sharpe, who assured me that he did
not know the bird. At the end of the month, on the night
of my dej)arture, he wrote to me : — " There is no doubt your
bird is a new species^^'^.

It was not until the 9th of May 1884 that I was able to
make another trip. The first day I did not see a sign of the
birds ; but on the second, after wandering about until past
mid-day, without seeing any thing but a few Golden-crested
Wrens and European Coal Tits, I heard the same curious
whistle, and looking about, soon saw and shot a bird which
proved to be a beautiful specimen of the new Nuthatch, the
head being jet-black, with well-marked and nearly white eye-
brows, the underside of the beak being of a delicate blue,
which soon faded after death. Knowing that the mate must
be near, I remained quiet, and in a few minutes it shared the
same fate ; but great was my surprise, on picking it up, to
find the black on the head entirely absent, the pale blue of
the back running up to the base of the bill ; this bird proved
to be the female. A few hours later I came across a small
band, three of which I shot.

On the 12th, provisions having fallen short, I was forced to
return to my head-quarters; but on the 16th I returned to
search for the nests and was most fortunate. The same
evening I watched a pair, which I had noticed on ray first visit,
for some hours, and saw the female go twice to a very small
and neatly-pecked hole in a very old pine-stump, some 20
feet from the ground. The following day I saw the male
enter twice with nesting-materials.

It was not until the 20th of May that I found the second nest,
and on the following day, whilst going to cut it out, found
another, which I opened first. The nests proved in nearly
every case to be most difficult of access, the trees being high,

* See Mr. Sharpe's articles, P. Z. S. 1884, pp. 233, 329, 414, pi. xxxvi.

30

Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornithological

very rotten, without branches, and much too big to swarm ;
the once mighty giants of the forest — now but whitened
skeletons, being in the last stage of decay.

Nest of Sitta tvliitehcadi.

The first nest took nearly three hours' hard work to reach,
but once arrived at, was easily cut out ; it contained five fresh
eggs. The second nest was in a much worse position and
quite 40 feet high ; but by climbing up a neighbouring tree,
with the aid of a rope I managed to swing to a branch, and
soon cut open the nest, which contained five fresh eggs.

During eleven days spent in rambling about hunting for
the nests of this species, I found no less than nine, three of

Notes from Corsica. 31

which were in holes from 70 to 100 feet from the ground,
the trees in places nearly eaten through with decay ; so that
it would have been foolish to have attempted to reach them.
This species spends much of its time pecking about at the
ends of the pine-branches. When I opened their gizzards they
contained many small beetles and other insects. The call-note
is a soft whistle, repeated quickly many times, often ending
with a peculiar hissing sound, which sounds like sch-icer,
sch-wer. They were very fearless when their nest was at-
tacked, the female often entering the nest and refusing to
move until the entrance was nearly reached, whilst the male
would take up his position a few feet above_, examining every-
thing that was going on.

All the nests found seemed to have been pecked out by the
birds themselves, and in no case was clay used to make a hole
smaller. The old holes of the Great Spotted Woodpecker
were in hundreds in these trees, and though tenanted by
Swifts and Titmice, the Nuthatches never used them. The
holes were seldom neatly rounded, and in one instance only
the sides of a large crack were pecked away. The nest is
composed chiefly of strips of bark from the Mediterranean
heath (which the birds themselves pull off) and moss, a
few feathers, and a small quantity of hair. The sides of the
cavity well padded, so as to form a cup.

The eggs, five or six, when blown, are white thickly speckled
with deep red ; they are about the size of tliose of the Great
Titmouse.

The nest figured in the accompanying drawing (p. 30) was
cut out of a tree which, after I had taken the eggs, was
pulled down with a rope.

31. Tkee-creeper. Cerihia familiaris.

Not uncommon in the mountain-forest. Besides being a
large bird, the Corsican Tree-creeper is pure white below,
like the specimens in the British Museum from the Riviera
and the south of France. It is also darker above than ex-
amples from other parts of Europe, the ground-colour of the
head being black ; but, unfortunately, I only brought one

32 Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornithological

specimen, wliich is insufficient to make exact comparisons
with.

32. Common Wren. Troglodytes parvulus.

Fairly common in the mountain-forests. Found a nest
with eggs on June 11th.

33. Wheatear. Saxicola oenanthe.

In 1883 first seen on 24th March, in 1884 on 30th March.
I saw a pair high on a mountain on 12th May, so perhaps
some remain to nest.

34. Whinchat. Pratincola rubetra.

In 1883 first seen on 15th April, in 1884 on 20th April.
The Whinchat only remains a few days.

35. Stonechat. Pratincola rubicola.

Common and resident, passing the winter months in the
plains, nesting in the high valleys. Saw fully fledged young
on 16th June.

36. Black Redstart. RuticiUa titys.

Common during the winter months ; last noticed on the
28th March. I was unable to ascertain if this species breeds
in the high mountains.

37. Redstart. RuticiUa phcenicurus.

Very few seen, first on 24th March, last on 19th April.

38. White-spotted Bluethroat. Cyanecula wolfi.
Shot the only one seen on the 28th March.

39. Redbreast. Erithacus rubecula.

Common during the winter. Found numbers nesting in
the mountain-forests.

40. Nightingale. Daulias luscinia.

In 1883 first seen on 19th April, in 1884 on 7th April.
This bird nests in numbers in all suitable localities. First
eggs taken on 26th May. A Corsican gave me a good reason
why the Nightingale sings both night and day during the
nesting-season : — " Once a Nightingale, after building its
nest and laying the eggs, went to sleep and forgot all about
them ; so finding that she was not provided with a memory.

Notes from Corsica. 33

the male sang night and day to keep her awake, until the
young were fledged."

41. Whitethroat. Sylvia cinerea.

Scarce^ arriving about 20th April. A few seen after the
middle of May in the high mountains.

42. Lesser Whitethroat. Sylvia curruca.

Fairly common and resident. Found a nest with four
eggs quite fresh on the 19th April.

43. Subalpine Warbler. Sylvia subalpina.
Plentiful, arriving about the middle of April. The first

nest was taken on the 6th May. This little Warbler spends
nearly all its time in the thick scrub, sometimes mounting
liigh into the air and uttering a short but pretty song, then
diving back into the dense bush, its whereabouts being only
discoverable by a short chattering note. The nest is often
frail, about 1 \ inch deep, and 2\ inches in diameter. It is com-
posed of dry stalks, often a good many dead thistle-leaves,
and lined with fine dry grass, sometimes with long horsehairs.
The eggs four, of a pale yellowish or greenish white, are
speckled all over, but especially at the larger end, with light
brown and slate-blue.

44. Spectacled Warbler. Sylvia conspicillata.

Owing to the difficulty of distinguishing and shooting-
all small Warblers, this bird escaped me during my first year.
It was not until the 13th May, 1884, whilst hunting up
some thick scrub high up on a hill-side, that I found a nest
like that of the Subalpine Warbler ; but as the eggs seemed
larger, I snared the female. The nest was composed of the
same materials as that of the Subalpine, and almost the
same size. The eggs were similar, but with more bluish
markings. I noticed several other examples of this species
which were every now and then mounting in the air to sing,
often perching on the top of a small tree or shrub.

45. Sardinian Warbler. Sylvia melanocephala.
Fairly common and resident. This bird seems to prefer a

bush in a well-sheltered position for its nest, often close to a

SER. V. — VOL. III. D

34 Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornithological

wall. I found two nests^ the first on loth May, with eggs
already hard-set. The nest is well made and solid, about If
inch deep and 2f inches in diameter, composed of dry grass
and other stalks, neatly lined with long horsehairs. Eggs
four, of a very light green tint, thinly speckled with brown,
and with a well-marked zone at the larger end.

46. Blackcap. Sylvia atricajnlla.

Seems inore numerous in the winter than in the summer.
I found a nest with young a few days old on 29th May.

47. Dartford Warbler. Melizophilus undatus.

I only met with this little Warbler in two localities in
February 1884. I was unable to visit the place again, so
cannot say if the birds remained to nest.

48. Marmora's Warbler. Melizophilus sardus.

Fairly common and resident. I found it more plentiful
high up on the mountain-sides, even in winter, than in the
plains. I had the good fortune to find a nest with four
eggs, a good deal sat upon, on 24th of April. The nest was
placed in a cistus bush only a few inches from the ground ;
it is very solid (even more so than that of the Sardinian
W'arbler), about If inch deep, 2 J inches diameter, com-
posed of dried grass and other plant-stems, lined with long
hair and fine grass. Fggs four, yellowish white, thickly
speckled with light brown, and at the large end a dull grey
zone. This Warbler spends most of its time chattering about
in the thick machis, but in the spring sings a pretty song as'it
works hard with his wings high up in the air ; it then suddenly
drops into the scrub, where it makes its presence known
only by a chut, chut, chut, uttered very sharply.

49. GoLDCREST. Regulus cristatus.
Fairly common in the mountain-forests.

50. FiRECREST. Regulus ignicapillus.

Fairly common. Remains in the plains throughout the
year, though I found some as high as 2500 feet.

Mr. Bowdier Sharpe, writing on one of ray specimens,
says, " There is a distinct difference between it and English

Notes from Corsica, 35

examples, as it has a grey eyebrow and grey collar round the
neck, neither of which are seen in British specimens. But these
occur in some examples from Teneriffe, and again in those
from Japan, from which it seems scarcely possible to separate
the Corsican bird."

51. Chiffchaff. Phylloscopus rufus.

A winter visitor ; none noticed during the spring.

5.2. Willow-Wren. Phylloscopus trochilus.
Numbers seen on March 21th.

53. Great Reed-Warbler. Acrocephalus turdoides.

I only met with this bird on 7th and 8th of May, during
the passage.

I shot at a small bird on 17th of November, in the marshes,
with well-marked streaks down each side of the bill, which I
have no doubt was the Moustached Warbler, Lusciniola
melanopogon.

54. Cetti's Warbler. Cettia sericea.

Common and resident in all the swamps. One of the hap-
piest little songsters I have ever met with.

55. Fantail V/arbler. Cisticola cursitans.

Common and resident in all the swamps. Though I spent
some time searching for it, I was unable to find a nest.

56. Hedge-Sparrow. Accentor modularis.
Only a few seen during the winter months.

57. Irby's Long-tailed Titmouse. Acredula irhii.
Fairly common and resident, but more plentiful on the

east coast. I watched a pair building their nest on 2nd
April, which, in a few days, they left. Found two more
nests, containing seven eggs each, on 20th April and 23rd
May.

58. Great Titmouse. Parus major.

Common and resident. Found a nest with eight eggs on
27th May.

59. Continental Coal Titmouse. Parus ater.

Fairly common and resident in the mountain-forests. I

D 2

36 Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornithological

did not find this species in the plains during the winter. I
saw a pair building their nest on May 18th.

60. Blue Titmouse. Parus ccemleus.

Fairly common and resident. I found a nest with six eggs
on 14th May.

61. White Wagtail. Motacilla alba.
Tolerably common during the winter months.

62. Grey Wagtail. Motacilla luelanope.

A few seen throughout the year. Several pairs observed
on the mountain-streams in May.

63. Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail. Motacilla fiava.

A good many seen passing from 22nd April to 1st of May.

64. Blue-headed Wagtail. Motacilla cinereocapilla.
Met with a large party of these birds migrating on 16th

April.

65. Meadow-Pipit. Anthus pratensis.
Common during the winter months.

66. Tkee-Pipit. Anthus trivialis.

Met with a small flock migrating on 21st April.

67. Tawny Pipit. Anthus campestris.

Plentiful after the end of April, and remaining to nest ;
but unfortunately I was unable to find one.

68. RocK'PiPiT. Anthus obscurus.

One shot from a small flock feeding in a marsh on 25th
March.

69. Missel-Thrush. Turdus viscivorus.

Scarce and resident. A few seen in the plains during the
winter. I found this bird in the mountain-forests in the
middle of May, with young fully fledged.

70. Song-Thrush. Turdus musicus.

Very common during the winter months ; none seen after
19th April.

Notes from Corsica. 37

71. Fieldfare. Tardus jnlaj^is.

A few seen during some very stormy weather from. 12th to
16th March, 1883.

72. Blackbird. Turdus merula.

Very common during the winter ; a few remain to breed ;
I found nests with full number of eggs after the middle of
May.

73. E-iNG-OuzEL. Turdus torquatus.

The only one seen settled within ten yards of me during
the great storm of 12th March.

74. Blue Kock-Thrush. Monticola cyanus.

Fairly common everywhere, often coming into the towns
during the cold weather. It was not until the 14th May that
I succeeded in finding a nest, which was placed in a cleft on
some very high rocks, and contained four young birds a few
days old.

75. Pale-backed Dipper. Cinclus albicollis.

A few seen on most of the mountain-streams. The breast
is somewhat of a brownish red, like that of the Pyrenean
birds, and shows an approach to C cashmiriens'is.

76. Golden Oriole. Oriolus galbula.

First noticed on 24th April. A few pass ; last seen 29th
May.

77. Spotted Flycatcher. Muscicapa grisola.

In 1883 first seen on 17th April, in 1884 on 5th May.
Remains to nest in numbers. First eggs found 22nd May.

78. Pied Flycatcher. Muscicapa atricapilla.

In 1883 first seen on 17th April, in 1881 on 22nd April.
A good many pass ; none seen after 7th May.

79. Red-backed Shrike. Lanius collurio.

In 1883 first seen on 28th April, in 1884 on 5th May.
One seen on 1st January. This Shrike is very common,
nesting in numbers. First eggs taken 29th May.

80. WooDCHAT. Lanius pomer anus.

In 1883 first seen on 24th April, in 1884 on 15th April.

38 Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornithuloykal

Out of some twenty nests I found only one which had the
salmonrcoloured eggs.

81. Alpine Chough. Pyrrhocorax alpinus.

Several large flocks seen, but I was unable to identify them
until the 16th March, 1884. The natives assured me that
these birds did not remain to nest, but I am much inclined to
think that they do.

82. Common Chough. Pyrrhocorax graculus.

On January 29th I saw five of these birds, but having
only small shot, failed to kill one. I saw five birds in the
same place again on 16tli March.

83. Common Jay. Garrulus glundarlus.

Fairly common and resident. A boy brought me five eggs
on 1st June.

84. Jackdaw. Corvus monedula,

A few seen in the winter along Avith the large flocks of
Rooks which winter on the east coast.

85. Carrion-Crow. (Jorvus corone.
Rare ; a few seen during the winter.

86. HoouEJ) Crow. Corvus comix.

Very common and resident ; many nests taken after 26th
April.

87. Rook. Corvus fruyilegiis.

Very common on the east coast during the Manter, begins
to get scarce towards the end of February ; not seen after the
beginning of March.

88. Common Raven. Corvus corax.

Fairly common and resident; three nests taken in 1884 on
11th and 16th April and 2nd May.

89. Common Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

Seen in small flocks during the winter ; not noticed after
the end of February.

90. Goldfinch. Carduelis elegans.

Very common and resident. Nests found from 2nd May
to 10th June.

Notes from Corsica. 39

91. CiTRiL Finch. Chrysomitris citrinella.

Commoa and resident. This little Finch in winter may be
seen in large flocks about the towns^ but with the spring retires
to the higher elevations to nest ; but on the 29th of April I
found a nest on the sea-coast with young birds a few days old.
On 14'th May I found a nest with four fresh eggs ; but higher
up the mountains many birds had not built their nests by
the end of May. The nest^ generally placed in an arbutus
bushj is composed of grass-stems, lined with feathers, being
rather a rude affair in comparison with those of other Finches.
Eggs four, like those of the Goldfinch.

92. Siskin. Chrysomitris spinus.

Only met with on my second visit. I shot a male on Feb-
ruary 4th : the birds remained until nearly the end of March.

93. Serin Finch. Serinus hortulanus.

Common and resident, but not quite so plentiful as the
Citril. The Serin, unlike the Citril, Finch prefers to nest in
the olive and cork trees, often quite close to the villages.
Both birds have a very pretty habit in the nesting-time of
rocking themselves about in the air, singing all the while,
as though their life depended on it. I took two nests with
fresh eggs on 8th and 16th April. The nest is a much more
beautiful bit of work than the Citril's ; it is round and
neatly made, a good deal of spider's web and lichen being
used, and neatly lined with short hair. The eggs four, like
those of the Goldfinch, but smaller.

94. Greenfinch. Ligurinus chloris.
Common and resident.

95. Hawfinch. Coccothraustes vulgaris.

Fairly common and resident, but very local. I only saw
one bird on the west coast. Took two beautiful nests, with
six and four eggs respectively — on 16th May quite fresh,
and 6th June much sat upon.

96. Italian Sparrow. Passer italicB.

Very common and resident. Is rather a late breeder ;
the boys brought in many eggs quite fresh on 8th June.

4-0 Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornithological

97. Rock-Sparrow. Petronia stulta.

Scarce and resident. Very few seen on the west coast, but
one or two small flocks noticed on the east during the winter.
I saw a few pairs, evidently nesting, in the high mountains at
the end of May.

98. Chaffinxh. Fringilla Calebs.

Very common and resident. Found first eggs 11th May.

99. Linnet. Linota cannabina.

Common during the winter ; very few remain to nest. I
watched a pair building their nest in a high valley on 17th
March.

100. Common-Crossbill. Loxia ciirvirostra.

Fairly common in the pine-forests. In May I noticed a
few families of six or seven birds flying about ; though I
shot several, none had the bright-red plumage.

101. Common Bunting. Emberiza miliaria.
Fairly common and resident.

102. CiRL Bunting. Emberiza cirlus.

Common in the plains during the winter. In the nesting-
season the greater number retire to the higher elevations.
Found a nest with young birds and one with four fresh eggs
on 6th of June.

103. Reed-Bunting. Emberiza schceniclus.
Only a few seen in the winter months.

104. Sky-Lark. Alauda arvensis.

Not nearly so common as the Wood-Lark ; none seen after
March.

105. Wood-Lark. Alauda arborea.

Seen in flocks during the winter. I found numbers of
nests after 13th May.

106. Short-toed Lark. Calandrella brachydactyla.
Only a few seen on the cast, but on 24tli June in num-
bers on the Avest coast. I found two eggs on that date.

Notes from Corsica. 41

107. Common Cuckoo. Cucalus canorus.

In 1883 first seen on 15th April, in 1881 on 4tli April.
Common. I took five eggs from the nests of the Subalpine
Warbler on May 17th and other dates.

108. RocK-DovE. Columba Uvia.

Fairly common and resident. Nesting in numbers. Took
fresh eggs on May 18th.

109. RiNG-DovE. Columba palumhus.

Common during the winter ; found a few nesting in the
mountain-forests in May.

110. Turtle -Dove. Turtur communis.

In 1883 first seen on 16th April, in 188J. on 22nd April,
after which dates they became very common. First eggs
found May 18th.

111. Red-legged Paktridge. Caccabis rufa.

A few coveys seen, but these birds are shot down and
poached at all seasons.

112. Common Quail. Coturnix communis.

Not uncommon on the east coast, where a good many are
resident. First eggs found on 8th May.

113. Common Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus.

I believe at one time fairly common, but now only to be
found on the plain of Fiumorbo. Only two were shot during
two months spent in the neighbourhood.

114. Stone-Curlew. (Edicnemus scolopax.

Only met with on a sandy plain at the head of the Gulf of
Ajaccio. Thinking they might be resident, I visited the plain
on 21st June, and, as I expected, turned up several pairs.

115. Golden Plover. Charadrius pluvialis.
Abundant during the winter on the east coast.

116. Kentish Plover. JEgialitis cantiana.

Fairly common and resident. In the winter families of
five may be seen. In April I found a few pairs in every sandy
bay, and eggs were taken on 23rd and 28th of that month.

42 Mr. J. AVliitehead's Ornitholoyical

117. Little Ringed Plover. j^Egialitis curonica.

One shot on 27th April, in company with two or three
others^ were the only ones seen.

118. Lapwing. Vanellus vulgaris.

Very common during the winter ; not noticed after
March 14th.

119. Oyster-catcher. Hcematopus ostraleyus.

Only once seen at the mouth of a river on the evening of
26th April.

120. Black-winged Stilt. Hiinantopus candidus.

The only one seen was in company with a flock of Green-
shanks on 30th April.

121. Woodcock. Scolopax rusticula.

Woodcocks are plentiful in the months of December and
January. Owing to the thickness of the machis but poor
sport is to be obtained; three or four a day would be thought
very good.

122. Great Snipe. Gallinago major.

I only met with three, one of which I shot on 25th March.

123. Common Snipe. Gallinago ctelestis.

Plentiful in November and March. A good many remain
throughout the winter. I saw the last on 30th April.

124. Jack Snipe. Limnocryples galUnula.

Common in February on the east coast, where this species
predominates. Last seen 27th March.

125. Dunlin. Tringa alpina.

A few noticed during the winter on the east coast. I
shot one on 16th March.

126. Little Stint. Tringa minuta.

Only three or four seen. I shot a pair well advanced in
their summer plumage on 7th May.

127. Temminck's Stint. Tringa lemmincki.
A pair seen on 7th May. one of which I shot.

Notes from Corsica. 43

128. Pygmy Curlew, Tringa subarquata.

This bird passes in small flocks of from three to fifteen in
number. On 8th May 1883 I shot three, one in good summer
plumage ; on the 16th May I saw a large flock all in the red
plumage. On 7th May 1884 I saw a small flock and shot
one in full summer dress.

129. Ruff. Machetes pugnax.

Saw several small flocks from 15th to 28th of April.

130. Common Sandpiper. Tringoides hypoleucus.
Fairly common during the winter. None noticed after

30tli April.

131. Green Sandpiper. Helodromas ochropus.

A few seen during the winter, one as late as 28th May.

132. Wood-Sandpiper. Tot anus glareola.

First observed on April 12th, and from time to time
until 28th May.

133. Redshank. Totanus calidris.

A few seen during the winter on the lagoons. Last seen
on 2nd June.

134. Greenshank. Totanus canescens.

A few seen during the winter. In 1883 and 1884 a good
many passed on 8th of May.

135. Black-tailed Godwit. Limosa (jegocephala"^

I saw a Godwit on 23rd April along with a Greenshank.
When it flew it seemed to be of this species ; but as I was
unable to shoot it, I cannot say for certain,

136. Common Curlew. Numenius arquata.

Fairly common during the winter months. Last seen
11th May.

137. Common Heron. Ardea cinerea.

Not uncommon on the east coast during the winter, I
think they must nest in Corsica, as I saw a few as late as the
25th April.

44 Mr. J. Whitehead's Ornitholotjical

138. Purple Herox\. Arde a purpurea.

Common ou the east coast from 14th to 27th April ; not
observed later.

139. Little Egret. Ardea garzetta.

Only two seen, on 19th April. After hunting them for
two days I shot one on 21st; the other remained in the
neighbourhood until the 28th April. As my bird was badly
shot I made a rough skin of it, which I handed over to
Mr. Sharpe. Mr. Howard Saunders, who has examined the
specimen, identifies it as A. garzetta.

140. Squacco Heron. Ardea ralloides.
Only one seen, on 25th April.

141. Night-Heron. Nydicoraw griseus.

A small flock of eight arrived on 14th April ; from time to
time one or two more were added, until they were fourteen
in number. Not seen after 23rd April.

142. Bittern. Botaurus stellaris.

Seen on 13th and 14th December. One sent to me on 23rd
February.

143. White Stork. Ciconia alba.

Only one seen, on 2nd April, which had disappeared the
next morning.

144. Flamingo. Phoenicopterus roseus.

Though I never met with this bird myself, many natives
gave me an accurate description of it.

145. Water-Rail. Rallus aquaticus.

Common during the winter. Last noticed on 15th April.
It is very likely that they remain to nest.

146. Spotted Crake. Porzana maruetta.
Passes about the middle of March.

147. Moor-hen. Gallinula chlorojms.

Common during the winter ; numbers remain to nest.

148. Common Coot. Fulica atra.

Some years Coots swarm on the lagoons on the cast coast,

Notes from Corsica. 45

but iu 1881 I only counted sixteen, while in the same lagoon
the year before they were iu hundreds. A good many remain
to breed.

149. Goose. Anser, sp. inc.

On both my visits I saw a flock of wild Geese on tlie east
coast. None remained after the beginning of March. As
far as I could make out with my glass, they were either Grey
Lag-, Bean-, or Pink-footed Geese.

150. Wild Duck. Anas boscas.

Plentiful during the winter. A good many remain to nest.
Found young first out on 27th April.

151. Gadwall. Chaulelasmus streperus.

The only one seen I shot on flight on 11th February. No
doubt it is plentiful, but it is impossible to distinguish the dif-
ferent species of Ducks which swarm at times on the lagoons.

152. Shoveller. Spatula clypeata.

Shot the first seen on 30th November; a few others seen
during the winter. It was not until the end of February and
beginning of March that they became very plentiful.

153. Common Teal. Querquedula crecca.
Very common throughout the whole Avinter.

154. Garganey. Querquedula circia.

None noticed until 5th March, after that date they became
common. Three shot on 22nd March were all males. Last
noticed on April ]8th.

155. Pintail. Dafita acuta.

Common on the lagoons in February and March. Several
of those shot were young males, just changing their plumage.

156. WiGEON. Mareca penelope.

Plentiful throughout the winter until the beginning of
March.

157. Pochard. Fuligula ferina.

Very plentiful in February and in the beginning of March.

46 jMr. J. Whitehead's Ornithological

158. Scaup. Fuligula marila.

Fairly common in winter. A female shot.

159. Tufted Duck. Fuligula cristata.

More plentiful on the rush-covered ponds than on the
lagoons. A male shot,

160. GoLDENEYE. CAungula glaucion.

A female seen in December and February. The only ex-
amples noticed were males, in small parties of from four
to eight. I observed also one of the Scoters, either CEdemia
nigra or CE. fusca.

161. White-headed Duck. Erismatura leucocephala.
The first of these curious Ducks I shot on 14th April ; it was

a male. On the 7th of May, in the same pond, I noticed
two males and three females. The males were rushing after
one another, every now and then stopping short beside the
females, and hoisting their very peculiar tails straight in the
air, spreading out every feather to its utmost, until the tails
looked exactly like a hand with all the fingers spread out.
They were still in the same place on 28th May, and, no
doubt, had nests.

162. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus serrator.

A few pairs seen on the west coast from November to the
end of January.

163. Great Crested Grebe. Podice.ps cristatus.

A few seen on tlie lagoons during the winter. One shot
on 7th March was in good breeding-plumage.

164. Eared Grebe. Podiceps nigricolUs.

Very common on the lagoons during the winter. Shot
one of a jiair in full breeding*pluraage on 19th ApriL Saw
another pair on 18th May.

165. Little Grebe. Tachybaptes fiuviatilis.

Not uncommon during the winter. Last noticed 24th
April.

166. Common Tern. Sterna fluviatilis.

Fairly common in winter about the port of Ajaccio. A
few noticed on the lagoons.

Notes from Corsica. 47

167. Sandwich Tern. Sterna cantiaca.

Not uncommon on the lagoons. A gentleman showed me
two that he had shot near Bastia.

168. White-winged Black Tern. Hijdrochelidon leu-
copter a.

Two seen on 28th May, during some very stormy weather,
hawking some small dragon-flies in a rushy pond. Thinking
they might nest I did not shoot them.

169. Black-headed Gull. Larus ridibuyidus.

Fairly common in the winter. I saw one on 30th April
during a storm, in full breeding-plumage.

170. Common Gull. Larus canus.
Fairly common during the winter.

171. Audouin^s Gull. Larus audoui/ii.

I found a wounded bird on January 14th during a storm,
and not knowing its value, did not keep it.

172. Yellow-legged Herring-Gull. Larus cachinnans.
Very common and resident. I found them nesting in

numbers on the small islands round the coast. The eggs, two
or three in number, vary much in colour, from deep brown
to light green. On 2nd May the eggs were in all stages of
incubation, a good many young having already left the nest.

173. Cinereous Shearwater. Puffinus kuhli.

Fairly plentiful on the small islands round the coast, where
I believe, it is only a summer resident. On 2nd. of May I
visited their nesting-quarters, and though some birds were
uuder the rocks, there were no eggs, while many were flyino-
close over the sea in long strings, every now and then their
white breasts flashing in the sun. On the 2nd of June I made
a more successful trip. My spaniel proved very useful, point-
ing the birds as they sat under the rocks ; in every case a fresh
white egg was the result. There seems to be an attempt at a
nest — a few feathers from the bird^s breast, a small quantity of
sticks, and seaweed loosely arranged. These birds proved very
disagreeable customers, biting our hands severely, which were

48 Canon Tristram on tivo Birds

often thrust under tlie rocks up to the shoulder. The en-
trance to the nest is difficult to find, often a rock in the short
scrub, sonic distance from the water, is the chosen spot.

174. Yelkouan Shearwater. Puffinus yeJkouan.

This species was fairly common on the small islands round
the coast. On the 2nd of May, with the aid of a small
dog", I found eight eggs ; all were placed under piles of large
rocks which had fallen from the cliff above. The eggs were
nearly hatched, the young in some having broken the shells.
While Puffinus kuhli likes to nest under single rocks some
distance from the water, this species nests only a few feet
from high-water mark. The only difference between this and
the Manx Shearwater (P. anglorum) is that all the under
tail-coverts are dusky brown, instead of pure white.

175. Pelecanus, sp. inc.

I was assured by several Corsican sportsmen that Pelicans
sometimes visit the island in winter.

176. The Shag. Phalacrocorax graculus.

Fairly common and resident ; nesting very early, in
numbers, on several of the small islands visited. All the
young were swimming about, full-grown, with their parents,
on 2nd Mav.

V. — On two Birds from Norfolk Island.
By H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.R.S.

I HAVE received from Mr.E.L. Layard specimens of thePlaty-
cercMS from Norfolk Island, referred to by him (' Ibis,^ 1881,
p. 173) as deserving of recognition and separable from P.pcn-
nanti of the Australian continent. There is no difference in
coloration, either in adult or immature plumage, between the
birds from the continent and those from Norfolk Island ;
but the latter are decidedly smaller in their dimensions.

The measurements of the continental bird are : — long. tot.
16"0poll., alae 7*1, caud. 82, tarsi 0"6, dig. med. cum ungue
1*2. Of the Norfolk-Island specimens : — long. tot. 13"0 poll.,
alse, 6*7, caud. 7*0, tarsi ()'5, dig. med. cum unguc TO.

from Norfolk Island. 49

Mr. Layard states that all liis specimens agree in size.
We may therefore fairly^ I think, recognize the race from
Norfolk Island, as Mr. Layard suggests, by the name Platy-
cercus pennanti, var. nobbsi, in honour of the E,ev, G. H.
Nobbs, the devoted friend and guide of the Norfolk Islanders,
the immigrants from Pitcairn's Island.

The Halcyon of Norfolk Island appears to me to be de-
cidedly distinct. I have before me a large series of all the
known species of the group. In dimensions it is rather
larger than most of the other species, its wing measuring
3"9 in. as against 3*6 in H. sancta, H. solomonis, Hamsay, and
H. sacra, 3*7 in H. vagans and H.julia, 4*1 in H. chloris and
H. occipitalis, and 4'2 in H. tristrami. The frontal buffy- white
spot does not, as in all the other species, except H. solomonis,
extend further than the angle of the eye, so that the light
eyebrow is entirely wanting. The under wing-coverts are
light buff, as in //. sancta, to which in general coloration it
approaches most closely, except that the green of the head
and back is decidedly duller, though not nearly so dark as in
H. vagans. But its most characteristic distinction is the bill,
which differs markedly from that of all its congeners, both
mandibles being extremely compressed, the culmen being
slightly recurved and the gonys still more so. The width of
the bill at the nostril is 0'3 inch, while the nearest approach
to this is 0'4 in one specimen of H. sancta, all the other
species ranging from 0*45 to 0*55 in width at this point. At
0"75 inch from the tip the width is 0"1 inch, all the other
species ranging from 0'15 upwards. This description will, I
think, justify the recognition of the bird, under the name
which Mr. Layard proposes for it, as

Halcyon norfolkiensis, sp. nov.
Diagn. Halcyoni sanct(B similis, sed statura majore ; super-

cilio nullo albido nee albescente ; mandibulis arctissime

compressis et recurvatis.
Hab. Norfolk Island.

SIR. V. — VOL. in.

50 Mr. L. Stejneger on the Shedding of

VI. — On the Shedding of the Claws in the Ptarmigan and
allied Birds^. By Leonhard Stejneger.

The fact of the Ptarmigans shedding their claws regularly
every summer seems not to have been observed personally by
any of the many excellent American ornithologists^ and has
thei^fore been comparatively little known to them. It may
consequently not be without interest to demonstrate this
process^ as I have material at hand which shows the proce-
dure very plainly.

The late Professor Sven Nilssou, the famous Swedish
zoologist^ was the first to discover this peculiarity in the
Ptarmigans. His countryman, Professor W. Meves, after-
wards confirmed his observations, and at the same time proved
that this singular shedding of the claws also occurs in other
birds of the family Tetraonidas — as, for instance, in both sexes
of Bonasa bonasia, UroyaUus urogallus, and also, in the female
at least, of Lyrurus tetrix.

As will be seen in the specimens of Lagopus ridgwayi
(a new species which I was fortunate enough to detect on
the Commander Islands, near Kamtschatka), shot in June
and August, before shedding, the middle claw measures 18-20
millim., while in the specimen shot on the 23rd of August,
and which has just thrown the old ones ofi*, the length of the
new claw is only 11 millim. More instructive still is a male
shot on the same day, as it has the claws only partially shed.
The old claws have become loosened from their base and are
forced 2-3 millim. out, still covering the tips of the new ones,
except on two toes, from which they have already dropped
off. Hence it is obvious that the process is not a patho-
logical one, in which the nail drops oft' as soon as it is perfectly
separate from its bed and has ceased to receive nourishment
through the blood-vessels.

Most conclusive, however, is a specimen of a quite different
species, Lagopus alhus, a specimen collected by Dr. Bean on
Unga, one of the Shumagin Islands, Alaska. About this

* Read before the Biological Society of Wasliington, April 5th, 1884^
and reprinted from the 'American Naturalist,' vol. xviii. p. 774.

the Claws in the Ptarmigan ^c. 51

specimen Dr. Bean remarks, in his " Notes on Birds collected
in Alasca/' &c., in the Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1882, p. 163,
as follows : — " This specimen (shot on July 21st) corresponds
very closely in most respects with No. 33,548, a female from
Norway, collected July 2, 1862 ; the claws, however, are
considerably shorter than in the Norway example and in all
other specimens of L. albus in the Museum.^^ Dr. Bean was
kind enough to show me the specimen, when it was apparent
that the extreme shortness of the claws was due to the fact
that the bird had shed them just before it was shot, except
on the right outer toe, on which the nail was so loose, how-
ever, that it dropped off, as I was a little too rough in
handling it.

It will thus be seen that the shedding takes place in July
or August, according to locality and other circumstances, at
the time when the toes are most denuded, in fact, almost
wholly naked, and the dark summer plumage is most com-
plete. The claws grow very rapidly, however, and reach their
full length long before the white winter plumage with the
densely clothed toes is fully developed.

So far as known, this process is confined to the members
of the family of Tetraonidae mentioned above, when in the
wild state ; but Collett, of Christiania, has mentioned a case
where a Quail {Coturnix coturnix) shed its claws in confine-
ment; but this may have been due to some pathological
process.

I am not aware that this peculiarity has been observed in
any of the American Tetraonidae except Lagopus albus ; but
there seems to be no reason why it should not occur, at least
in species living under conditions similar to those in Northern
Europe and North-eastern Asia. It is to be expected that
we shall soon hear of instances from the Nearctic region also
when attention has once been directed to it.

No histological investigation has been made to ascertain
the causes and the development of this unusual process (at
least I am not aware that any results of such an investi-
gation have ever been published), and consequently nothing
is definitely known.

E 2

52 Lieut. -Col. C. Swinhoe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

As to the use which the birds derive from this extra-
ordinary elongation of the cla^YS, I shall only quote Professor
Meves. He wrote in 1871 as follows : — " They [Lagopus and
Tetrao) have^ all through the winter, to struggle with the
snow upon which they are forced to walk. The snow is often
loose, and with a foot like that of the common fowl they
would need much greater exertion of their strength in order
to keep themselves on the surface. But the Ptarmigan, by
having the underside of the toes thickly coated with feathers,
which can be spread out, and by means of the long and
straight claws, which may be compared with snow-shoes, are
enabled to run easily over the snow; the usefulness and the
necessity of the lengthening of the nails is self-evident. In
the genus Tetrao (= Urog alius + Lyrurus + Bonasa) the lateral
horny fringes of the toes render the same excellent service,
and may fitly be regarded as a kind of snow-shoes. During
the summer this whole outfit becomes superfluous, which
may be the main cause of the periodical shedding." It may
in this connexion be mentioned that the horny fringes in
the Tetraones and the thick feathering of the toes in the
Lagopodes also moult during the summer, at which time the
toes of the latter are almost wholly denuded of feathers.

VII. — On the Birds of Central India. — Part I.
By Lieut. -Col. C. Swinhoe and Lieut. Henry Barnes.

No one appears to have collected systematically in Central
India for any length of time. Jerdon passed through Central
India on several occasions more than twenty years ago,
but does not appear to have remained more than a few days
at any of the stations.

When we, the writers of this paper, found ourselves
quartered together at Mhow, we agreed that it would be
advisable to commence collecting systematically from the
beginning of our residence, and to submit the results of our
collections and observations in a joint paper to the readers of
' The Ibis.'

the Birds of Central India. 53

We went to Mhow in September 1881. Swinhoe remained
there for ten continuous months ; Barnes for a shorter period ;
subsequently the latter went to Neemuch for some months^
and has again returned to that station^ where he is at present
quartered. The result is that up to the present we have been
able to record the occurrence of 255 species in this district,
our collections and observations not having been confined to
the immediate neighbourhood of Mhow and Neemuch, but
including the surrounding districts, and particularly the lake
countries round about. Moreover we hope shortly to be able
to submit another paper showing the further results of collec-
tions and observations still being made by Barnes.

1. VULTUR MONACHUS, LiuU.

cJ . Length 43-5 inches, expanse 108, tail 14"75, tarsus 5,
bill from gape 3*8.

The Cinereous Vulture is comparatively rare, and only
occurs during the winter months. The one from which the
above measurements were taken was shot close to Neemuch
in March.

2. Otogyps calvus (Scop.).

Length 32 inches, expanse 86, wing 23, tail 10, tarsus 4*4,
bill from gape 2"9.

The Indian King Vulture is far from uncommon; it ap-
pears to be solitary in its habits, rarely more than two being
seen together. It is pugnacious in disposition, and will not
allow others to approach while feeding. It is a permanent
resident, and breeds during February and March. A nest
found on 13th February contained a single fresh egg; it was
built in a fork near the top of a high tree, and was a huge
structure, composed of stout twigs, lined with finer twigs and
green leaves. Others were found, but in no case was there
more than one Q^^.

The eggs are glossless white, fine in texture, but very
strong. The egg-lining is green. They measure 3"6 by 2"5.

3. Gyps fulvescens, Hume.

Length 44 inches, expanse 101, wing 28, tail 13, tarsus 4,
bill from gape 31.

54 Lieut. -Col. C. Swinlioe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

The Bay Vulture is not very common, and appears to be
a permanent resident, but we did not succeed in finding a
nest.

4. Gyps pallescens, Hume.

Length 37 inches, expanse 88, wing 24, tail 10*5, tarsus
3'8, bill from gape 2'75.

The Long-billed Pale-brown Vulture is very common
throughout the district. We could not ascertain any thing
concerning its breeding-habits.

5. PSEUDOGYPS BENGALENSIS, Gm.

Length 35 inches, expanse 85, wing 23, tail 10, tarsus 3'7,
bill from gape 2' 75.

The White-backed is the commonest Vulture in Central
India, and occurs in great numbers all over the district.
It is a permanent resident, and breeds in colonies during De-
cember, January, and February. The nests are built in stout
forks near the top of lofty trees, generally banyan {Ficus
hengalensis) , and are huge structures of a platform-shape, com-
posed of stout twigs. These Vultures never lay more than one
e^^, which is white in colour, of a greenish tinge when fresh
laid, but is generally much discoloured by the droppings of
the parent bird ; they are often sjDOtted and blotched with
various shades of reddish brown. The texture is moderately
fine, and the shell is thick and strong; the egg-lining is a
deep green. The eggs vary much in shape and size, some
being moderately long ovals, while others are nearly sphe-
rical. They average 3*26 in length by 2*42 in breadth.

6. Neophron gtnginianus (Lath.).

The White Scavenger Vulture is very common, more
especially in the vicinity of towns and villages ; it breeds
during March and April, generally on trees, but occasionally
on rocky cliffs, old buildings, and such-like places. It makes
a large nest of twigs, lined with old rags or any rubbish it
can procure — straggling if built on a cliff or building, rather
more compact if on a tree. Li the latter situation the nest
is generally placed at the junction of a large limb with the
trunk, very rarely in a fork. The eggs, two in number, are

the Birds of Central India. 55

very handsome; they are somewhat chalky in texture, greyisli
white in colour, richly blotched and clouded with deep
brownish red. They vary much in size, shape, and colours.
The average is 2"6 in length by about 2 in breadth.

7. Falco peregrinator, Sund.

A jjair of Shahin Falcons frequented the waterfalls near
Mhow during the cold season of 1881. Jerdon, in his
' Birds of India/ vol. i. p. "27 , mentions an eyrie at this very
waterfall.

8. Falco juggur, J. E. Gr.

(^ . Length \7 7o inches, expanse 39, wing 12*4, tail 7*4,
tarsus 1"8. $ . Length 18 inches, expanse 43'5, wing 13'75,
tail 8"3, tarsus J "8.

The Laggar Falcon is very common, and is a permanent
resident, breeding during the first three months of the year,
most of them laying in February. The nest is found in a
variety of situations — a hole in the face of an old building or
tree, a ledge on a rocky cliff, a fork in a lofty tree, and some-
times they appropriate an old crowds nest. The eggs, three or
four in number, are oval in shajie, of a fine but chalky texture,
reddish or yellowish white in colour, so closely freckled and
stippled with reddish brown as to leave little or none of the
ground-colour visible. At such times the egg, unless looked
at closely, appears to be of a uniform brick-red. Sometimes
tlie colour is whiter, and the egg blotched_, clouded, or capped
with reddish brown, not, however, very distinct. They are
sometimes very beautiful; measurements 2 by 1*55 in.

9. Falco chicquera, Daud.

Length 13 inches, expanse 27'2, Aving 8'5, tail 6.

Tlie Turumti is not u.ncommon, and occurs throughout the
district ; it is a permanent resident, and breeds during Feb-
ruary and March. It frequents open country in the vicinity
of cultivation. The nests are often found within village
enclosures. They prefer rather high trees, such as tamarind
or peepul, and in a fork near the top they construct rather a
neat cup-shaped nest of twigs, lined with grass-roots. It
would be rather a difficult nest to find, were it not for the

56 Lieut.-Col. C. Swiiiboe and Lieut. H. Barnes oji

fussy habit the bird has of darting out and attacking any
bird that may happen to come near the tree. Jerdon says
that they do not hesitate to attack the Tawny Eagle. The
usual number of eggs is four, but Ave have sometimes found
only three. They are rather longish ovals^ somewhat chalky
in texturCj of a yellowish- or reddish-brown colour, closely
stippled_, blotched, mottled, and clouded with deeper shades
of the same colour. They measure 1"6 by 1'25.

10. Cerchneis tinnunculus (Linn.).

(^ . Length 14 inches, expanse 29'75, wing 9*7, tail 7*5.

The Kestrel is a cold- weather visitant, and occurs in great
numbers from the close of the monsoon until the commence-
ment of the hot season. Its principal food appears to be
lizards, locusts, et hoc genus onme, but it is occasionally
seen chasing small birds.

11. ASTUR BADIUS (Gm.).

(J . Length 12*5 inches, wing 7*45, tail 5'2.

The Shikra is very common. It commences to breed early
in March, but takes a very long time to complete its nest,
apparently taking no end of trouble and pains, placing and
replacing sticks and twigs a dozen times over, and the result
is a nest that no respectable Crow would own. The eggs,
three, sometimes four, in number, are oval in shape, in colour
very pale bluish white, with very faint bluish spots. They
measure 1'5 by 1*2.

12. AcciPiTER Nisus (Linn,).

The Common Sparrow-Hawk is rare; only one specimen
was obtained, in April 1882.

13. AcciPiTER viRGATus, Rcinw.

^ . Length 11*2 inches, wing 6*75, tail 5'1.

The Besra Sparrow-Hawk must be considered rare ; two
specimens were obtained at Mhow in October 1881. None
others were procured or even seen.

14. Aquila clanga. Pall.

^ . Length 25*5 inches, expanse 62*5, wing 19, tail 11.
The Spotted Eagle is not uncommon in the vicinity of the

the Birds of Central India. 57

larger tanks. It is generally to be found in the early morn-
ing, sitting on a low tree. It is a permanent resident and
breeds in March.

15. Aquila viNDHiANA^ Gray.

? . Length 27"5 inches, expanse 6'8, wing 19*5, tail 10*5.
The Tawny Eagle is very common ; it is a permanent
resident and breeds during the cold weather. A nest found
in February was built on a lofty tree ; it was a huge platform
of sticks^ lined with a few green leaves. The eggs had not
then been laid; they are broad ovals, white in colour,
sparingly spotted and blotched with reddish brown.

16. CiRCAETUS GALLICUS (Grm.).

cJ . Length 25*8 inches, expanse 70, tail 11*8, wing 20'75.

The Common Serpent-Eagle, or Jean le Blanc, is not un-
common, and is a permanent resident. The bird which
furnished the above measurements was shot close to Neemuch
in December.

17. BUTEO FEROX (Gm.).

The Long-legged Buzzard is not uncommon. Measure-
ments, although carefully taken, have been mislaid.

18. BuTASTUR TEESA (Fraukl.).

fj . Length 16*5 inches, expanse 36, wing 12*25, tail 6*5,
tarsus 2' 5.

The White-eyed Buzzard, or Teesa, is very common, seem-
ing by preference to frequent gardens and well-watered and
wooded districts, but is not altogether absent from the more
arid tracts. It is a permanent resident, and breeds during
March and April.

19. Circus macrurus (S. G. Gm.).

(J. Length 17*75 inches, expanse 41*3, wing 13*7, tail 9.
$ . Length 19*5 inches, expanse 45, wing 14*4, tail 10*75.

The Pale Harrier is very common, but only oOcurs during
the cold season.

20. Circus pygargus (Linn.).

Montagu's Harrier also occurs during the cold season.

58 Lieut,-Col. C. Swinhoe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

21. Circus ^ruginosus (Linn.).

? . Length 25'9 inches, expanse 53"5; wing 17, tail 10.

The Marsh Harrier is very common, and is to be seen
circling round every tank and jheel of any size, and along the
course of every river in the district. It only occurs during
the cold weather.

22. Haliastur INDUS (Bodd.).

The Maroon-backed or Brahniiny Kite is by no means a
common bird ; it occurs, but sparingly, on and near the larger
tanks throughout the district.

23. MiLvus GoviNDA, Sykcs.
The Pariah Kite is very common.

24. Pernis ptilonorhynchus (Linn.) .

^. Length 23*5 inches, exjjanse 50, wing 16'4, tail 9'25.
? . Length 26 inches, expanse 52, wing 18, tail 11 "75.

The Crested Honey-Buzzard is very common in all well-
wooded parts. It is a permanent resident.

25. Elanus c.eruleus (Desf.).

(J . Length 11*9 inches, expanse 33*2, wing 11, tail 5*1.

The Black -winged Kite is not common. The specimen
from which the above measurements were taken was shot at
Mhow on the 25th September ; two other specimens were
obtained, one at the Depalpore Lake in December, and the
other at the same place in January.

26. Bubo bengalensis, Frankl.
Length 22 inches, wing 16, tail 9.

The Rock Horned Owl is very common, frequenting the
banks of rivers, especially if rocky and partially covered with
brushwood. It breeds during February and March. The
eggs (there is no nest) are placed on a ledge, sometimes in a
large hole. They are three in number, and are perfect ovals,
white in colour, with a creamy tinge. They are fine in tex-
ture, and measure 2*15 by 1*75.

27. Bubo coromandus (Lath.).
Length 23'75 inches, wing 17*8, tail 8*8.

The Dusky Horned Owl is another very common species.

the Birds of Central India. 59

and breeds during December and January, making a rather
large nest in lofty trees, composed of sticks and twigs. The
eggs, two or three in number, vary much, both in size and
shape. They are creamy white in colour, and measure 2'4
by 1-8.

28. Scops pennanti, Hodgs.

^ . Length 8 inches, expanse 19'5, wing 6, tail 2'75.

The Indian Scops Owl is very rare. The specimen whose
measurements are given above was procured at Mhow, and
was the only one obtained.

29. Carine brama (Temm.).

$ . Length 8"5 inches, expanse 19, wing 5'8, tail 2'6.
The Spotted Owlet is very common ; every well or old tree
is sure to be tenanted by a colony of these noisy birds. They
breed during February and March, laying three or four
roundish white eggs.

30. HiRUNDO rustica, Linn.

^ . Length 7*9 inches, wing 4*95, tail 4*7.

The Chimney-Swallow is common during the cold season,
appearing about the middle of August and leaving towards
the end of February.

31. HiRUNDO filieera, Steph.

This most beautiful bird, the Wire-tailed Swallow, is very
common, and is a permanent resident. It breeds during
March, April, and May, building a half saucer-shaped nest
of mud under a bridge or on the sides of a well. The eggs, three
in number, are white, spotted and blotched with brownish
red and inky purple. They vary in shape, but are typically
longish ovals.

32. HiRUNDO erythropygia, Sykes.

The Red-rumped Swallow is not uncommon, but is very
locally distributed ; one locality much frequented by them is
the railway-cutting between Mhow and Kalakhund. They
are permanent residents, and commence to breed early in
June.

60 Lieut.-Col. C. Swinhoe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

33. COTILE SINENSIS (J. E. Gr.).

The Indian Sand-Martin is very common, and is a perma-
nent resident^ breeding in January and February in holes
excavated by the birds themselves in the sandy banks of the
river. These holes are from 18 to 24 inches in depth. The
eggs, four in number, are fine glossless white, oval in shape,
and slightly pointed at one end.

34. Ptyonoprogne concolor (Sykes).

The Dusky Crag-Martin is common ; it is a permanent
resident, and breeds during February and March, and again
in October and November.

35. Cypselus afeinis. Gray.

The Indian Swift is one of the very commonest birds in
the country. It breeds from January to August, a very
favourite site being under the doorways of stables. The
nests, composed of feathers, straws, &c._, are agglutinated
together with saliva. The eggs, three in number, are pure
glossless white, elongated ovals in shape, measuring "84
by -56.

36. Dendrochelidon coronata (Tick.).
The Indian Crested Swift is not uncommon.

37. Caprimulgus asiaticus, Lath.

The Indian Nightjar is rather common, and is a perma-
nent resident, breeding during May and June. The eggs,
two in number, are oval in shape, salmon-coloured, with
numerous clouds and blotches of clayey pink or brown.
They measure 1 by '75.

38. Merops viridis, Linn.

The Indian Bee-eater is very common, breeding during
March and April. They nest in holes in the ground,
generally in the face of a nullah or bank ; these are exca-
vated by the birds themselves, and are neatly cut. They are
from two to three feet in depth. The eggs, from four to six
in number, are glossy white and nearly spherical. They
measure "8 by "7.

the Birds of Central India. 61

39. Merops persicus, Pall.

The Egyptian Bee-eater at times is not uncommon, but is
not a permanent resident. First observed on the 7th of
October.

40. CoRAciAS iNDiCA, Linn.

The Indian Roller is common^ and is a permanent resident,
breeding in April and May in holes, either in trees, old
buildings, or banks. The eggs, four in number, are nearly
spherical, glossy china-white in colour. They vary consi-
derably both in size and shape, but average 1"25 by 1.

41. Pelargopsis gurial (Pears.).

^ . Length 15"75 inches, expanse 21*5, wing 6-1, tail 3*75,
tarsus '75, bill from gape 4"1, bill from front 3'4.

The Indian Stork-billed Kingfisher is a rare straggler,
but has been procured both at the Depalpore Lake and at
Neemuch.

42. Halcyon smyrnensis (Gm.).

The White-breasted Kingfisher is very common, and, like
most of the other Kingfishers, is a permanent resident whiere
found. It breeds in holes in river-banks, sides of wells, and
such-like suitable places. The eggs, five in number, are
neai'ly spherical, pure white, and highly glossy. They are
scarcely to be distinguished from those of Coracias indica,
and measure I'l by 1.

43. Alcedo bengalensis, Gm.

The Indian Kingfisher is very common, and breeds during
March and April. The eggs, five or six in number, are pure
china-white, oval in shape. They are highly glossy, and
average '8 by "7.

44. Ceryle rudis (Linn.).

The Pied Kingfisher is exceedingly common, and breeds
during March and April. This bird is not in the habit of
frequenting wells, like Halcyon smyrnensis, but where there
is plenty of water there this bird is sure to occur. The eggs,
four or five in number, are oval, pure china-white, and very
glossy. They measure I'l by "9.

62 Lieiit.-Col. C. Swinhoe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

45. LoPHOCEROs BiiiosTKis (Scop.) : Elliotts Horiibills
pi. xlviii.

Length 22 inches, expanse 32, wing 8, tail 10'5, tarsus
V7o, bill from gape 5.

The Jungle Grey Hornbill is common in all the well-
wooded parts of the district.

46. Pal^ornis eupatria (Linn.).
Length 20"9 inciies, wing 8, tail 11 •45.

The Alexandrine Paroquet is common in suitable places.
They make occasional visits in large flocks to gardens &c.,
returning in the evening to their homes on the hills. They
are very noisy when feeding. Specimens were obtained at
Depalpore, Mhow, and Neemuch.

47. Pal^.ornis torquatus (Bodd.).

The Rose- ringed Paroquet is very common, breeding from
the end of February to the commencement of April.

48. PaLvEornis purpureus (MiilL).

The Rose-headed Paroquet is common, and is a permanent
resident.

49. PiCUS MAHRATTENSIS, Lath.

Length 7'Q inches, wing 4'43, tail 2*24, bill at front 'QS.
The Yellow-fronted Woodpecker is not uncommon ; it is a
permanent resident.

50. Chrysocolaptes festivus (Bodd.).

The Black-naped Woodpecker is rare. A single specimen
only was procured, at Manpore, in May 1882.

51. Brachypternus aurantius, Linn.

(^ . Length 11"98 inches, expanse 18, wing 5*75, tail 3'97,
bill at front 1-28.

The Golden -backed Woodpecker is common near Mhow,
but less so at Neemuch. It is a permanent resident.

52. Iynx torquilla (Linn.).

Length 7*5 inches^ wing 3*52, tail 2'49, tarsus '6, bill at
front "61.

The Wryneck is very common during the cold weather.

the Birds of Central India. 63

53. MegaLjEMa caniceps (Frankl.).

Length 10"5 inches^ expanse 16^ wing 5, tail 3*5, tarsus I'l,
bill at front 1-35.

The Green Barbet occurs in the denser jungles^ but is
nowhere common.

54. Xanthol^ma h^macephala (P. L. S. MiilL).
Length 6"37 inches^ expanse 10' 75, wing 3' 12, tail 1*37,

tarsus '75, bill at gape "87^ bill at front '68.

The Coppersmith, or Crimson-breasted Barbet, is exces-
sively common ; it is a permanent resident, breeding from
the latter end of January to about the middle of March.
The eggs, three in number, are deposited in a hole made by the
birds themselves in the dead branch of a tree ; they are long
and narrow, of a pure glossless white ; they measure 1 by '7.

55. CucuLus CANORUS, Linn.

The Cuckoo is fairly common on the hills near Mhow at
the end of the rains.

56. HiEROCOCCYX VARIUS (Val.).

Length 13 inches, expanse 21" 5, wing 8, tail 7, tarsus 1,
bill from gape 1*1, bill at front 7.

The Common Haw^k-Cuckoo is very abundant, especially
after the end of the rains.

57. CoccYSTEs jACOBiNUs (Bodd.).

$ . Length 12 inches, expanse J7'5, wing 5*75, tail 6*25,
tarsus '98, bill at gape 1*1, bill at front •75.

The Pied Crested Cuckoo is very common during and after
the rains. It breeds throughout the monsoon quite up to
the end of October, depositing its eggs in the nests of Cha-
tarrhcea caudata.

58. EuDYNAMis HONORATA (Linn.).

^ . Length 15*5 inches, expanse 23_, wing 7*5, tail 7'5^
tarsus 1*12, bill at front 1. ? . Length 17-5 inches, wing
7-9, tail 8.

The Koel is a very common bird ; some of them at least
are permanent residents_, as they are occasionally seen all the
year round. About the commencement of April they become

64 Lieut. -Col. C. Swinlioe and Lieut. H. Barnes oyi

far more numerous. The female deposits two eggs in the
nest of Corvus splendens. Generally one or two, occasionally
as many as three, eggs are foimd in one nest, whether the
product of a single bird it is impossible to say. The Koel,
as a rule, does not destroy the eggs of the Crow when she
leaves her own eg^.

59. CeNTROCOCCYX RUFIPENNIS (111.).

^ . Length 20 inches, expanse 21"5, wing 7'5, tail lO'S,
tarsus 1-7, bill at front 1-3.

The Common Coucal, or, as it is commonly called, the
Crow Pheasant, is very abundant, and is a permanent
resident.

60. Taccocua leschenaulti (Less.).

The Sirkeer is not very common, but has been obtained
at Chi tor, Neemuch, Mhow, and Manpore ; it is therefore
very generally distributed.

6L CiNNYRIS ASIATICA (Lath.).

The Purple Honey-sucker is very common. It commences
breeding about the end of February.

62. Upupa epops, Linn.

? . Length 12"3 inches, expanse 18'5, wing 5*2, tail 4*4,
tarsus "7, bill from gape 2*42, bill at front 1-9.

The European Hoopoe is very common during the cold
season, but does not remain to breed.

63. Lanius lahtora, Sykes.

Length 9*6 inches, wing 4*3, tail 4*7, tarsus 1"25, bill
at front '6.

The Indian Grey Shrike is very common, and is a perma-
nent resident ; it is a very early breeder, nesting from Feb-
ruary to the end of July. It frequents low thorny thickets,
generally babool, in a fork of which it builds its nest. The
eggs, four in number, are too well known to need description.

64. Lanius erythronotus, Vig.
Length 10 inches, wing 3'6, tail 4*6.

The Rufous-backed Shrike is common, and is a permanent
resident. It breeds during May and June in somewhat

the Birds of Central India. 65

similar situations to its relative L. lahtora ; its eggs, althono-h
much smaller, are very like those of the latter, both in shape
and colour.

65. Lanius vittatus, Valenc.

? . Length 7*2 inches, expanse 10, wing 3*25, tail 3-18,
tarsus '75, bill at gape '87, bill at front 'o.

The Bay-backed Shrike is very plentiful, and is a perma-
nent resident, breeding from April to June. Its eggs,
although small, are of the true Shrike-like type.

66. Lanius cristatus, Valenc.

Length 7*8 inches, expanse 10-2, wing 3-36, tail 3-57,
tarsus '8, bill at gape -75, bill at front -43.

The Brown Shrike is very rare, a single specimen only
having been obtained at Mhow on the 2nd October, 1881.

67. Tephrodornis pondicerianus (Gm.).

^. Length 6-8 inches, expanse 10, wing 3-52, tail 2*7,
tarsus "75, bill at front '61.

The Wood-Shrike is very common ; it is a permanent resi-
dent. Examj)les were taken at Mhow and Manpore in March,
May, October, and December.

68. Lalage sykesi (Strickl.).

The Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike is rare, and only occurs
in the cold season.

69. Graucalus macei. Less.
Length 11 '5 inches, wing 6*4, tail 4*8.

The Large Cuckoo-Shrike is common in the cold season,
but does not occur during the rains.

70. Pericrocotus peregrinus (Linn.).

Length 6" 12 inches, expanse 7*46, wing 2' 78, tail 3*4,
tarsus "5, bill at gape 'SO, bill at front •31.

The Small Minivet is very common ; it is a permanent
resident, and breeds during June and July. The nest is a
very neat cup, built in the fork of a tree, and is rather diffi-
cult to find. The eggs are three in number.

.SER. v. VOL. III. F

66 Lieut. -Col. C. Swiulioe and Lieut, H. Barnes on

7\. Pericrocotus erytiiropygius, Jerd.
The White-bellied Minivet occurs sparingly throughout
the district.

7.2. BucHANGA ATRA (Herm.).

The King Crow is very common^ and is, of course, a per-
manent resident.

73. BuCHANGA LONGICAUDATA (Jcrd.).

A specimen procured at Mhow in October.

74. BucHANGA c^RULESCENs (Limi.).

The White-bellied King Crow is not common anywhere,
but still occurs sparingly throughout the district.

75. Terpsiphone paradisi (Linn.).

The Paradise Flycatcher is very copamon, and is a per-
manent resident.

7Q. Rhipidura aureola (Vieill.).

(^ . Length 7*5 inches, expanse 10, wing 3"3, tail 3'75,
tarsus "7.

The White-browed Fantail Flycatcher is very common ; it
is a permanent resident, and breeds from March to July.
The nest is small, cup-shaped, neatly and compactly made,
covered on the exterior with spider-webs. The eggs, three
in number, are broad ovals in shape, buffy white in colour,
with a nimbus or zone of buff and reddish-brown spots at
the larger end.

77. CULICICAPA CEYLONENSIS (Sw.).

The Grey-headed Flycatcher is not uncommon, occurring
in the cold weather only.

78. Stoparola melanops (Vig.).

The Verditer-Blue Flycatcher is not uncommon, but is
very locally distributed. Mhow and Manpore are at present
the only places whence we have obtained it.

79. SiPHIA TICKELLI^, Blyth.

TickelFs Blue Redbreast must be considered rare. We
obtained the male at Mhow and the female at Neemuch.
Jerdon's 305 C. banyumas and his C. tickellice are respectively

the Birds of Central India. Q7

male and female of the same species. Blyth^ however, sub-
sequently discovered that the true C. hanyumas was a different
bird, and did not occur in India. He therefore named
Jerdou^s bird C.jerdoni ; but as he had previously named the
female C. tickellice, this latter name must stand, and "jerdoni "
becomes a mere synonym.

80. Erythrosterna parva (Pall.).

The Robin Flycatcher is very common in the cold season.

81. Alseonax latirostris (Blyth).

The Southern Brown Flycatcher is rare ; a single specimen
was obtained at Manpore.

82. MoNTicoLA cyanus (Linn.).

Length 8*6 inches, expanse 13, wing 5, tail 3"1, tarsus 1,
bill at gape 1'2, bill at front '7.

The Blue Rock -Thrush is a very common winter visitant.

83. MONTICOLA CINCLORHYNCHUS (Vig.).

Length 7*5 inches, expanse 11*2, wing 3"8, tail 2*75, tarsus
•8, bill at gape 1, bill at front '58.

The Blue-headed Chat-Thrush is rather rare, and only
occurs during the cold weather.

84. Pyctorhis sinensis (Gm.).

(J. Length 6'5 inches, expanse 7, wing 2*4, tail 3"1,
tarsus "9, bill at gape "6, bill at front '43.

The Yellow-eyed Babbler is common and is a permanent
resident, breeding during June, July, and August.

85. DuMETiA HYPERY'THRA (Frankl.).

The Rufous-bellied Warbler is perhaps more common than
it appears to be, owing to its very retiring habits. At present
we have obtained it at and in the vicinity of Mhow only, in
March 1882 and December 1881.

86. Malacocercus terricolor (Hodgs.).

The Bengal Babbler is not uncommon; it is a permanent
resident, and breeds from March to the end of July.

87. Argya malcolmi (Sykes).

The large Grey Babbler is, par excellence, the Babbler of

r2

68 On the Birds of Central India.

Central India ; it is a permanent resident, and commences to
breed as early as February. The nests are generally in a
conspicuous position amongst the smaller branches of young
babool trees.

88. Chatakkhcea caudata (Linn.).

The Striated Bush-Babbler is very common, bi^eedingfrom
March to July.

89. Pycnonotus h^emorrhous (Gm.).

The Common Madras Bulbul is, as its name implies, one
of the commonest birds in the district. It is a permanent
resident, and breeds during April, May, and June.

90. ^GiTHiNA tiphia (Liuu.).

The White-winged Green Bulbul is common, occurring
usually in pairs. It breeds about the commencement of May,
and its nest is difficult to find, being so very small and placed
at such a height as to appear to a casual observer a mere
excrescence on a horizontal branch. This resemblance is
further enhanced by the bird's habit of using spider-webs
and other materials assimilating in colour to the bark as an
exterior covering to the nest. The form of the species met
with in this district has a great deal of black on the upper
surface { = ^. zeylonica).

91. Orioltjs kundoo, Sykes.

Length 8"75 to 10 inches, expanse 16, wing 5"3 to 5*7,
tail 3'4 to 3*8, tarsu.^i -7 to '8, bill at gape 1*3, bill at front
•9 to 1-06.

The Indian Oriole occurs sparingly during the cold season,
but is very common just before and during the rains. It
breeds in July and August. The nest is bag-shaped, sus-
pended between the prongs of a fork at the extreme end of a
branch. After the eggs are laid it is an easy matter to dis-
cover the nest, as on the appearance of another bird (no
matter how large) in the vicinity of the nest, it is at once
violently attacked and driven away by the Orioles. Notwith-
standing this the Crows frequently succeed in abstracting the
eggs or callow young. It is amusing to vvatch tlie artful tricks

On the Ornithology of St. Kildu. 69

of a pair of Crows who are intent on robbing an Oriole's
nest. One of the pair makes an attack on the nest, and on
being promptly resisted, flies off pursued to a distance by the
parents. The other Crow then filches a portion of the con-
tents of the nest. Upon the Orioles returning, flushed with
their fancied victory, they discover their loss, and indulge in
a frantic attack on the cunning robber, if he has not already
made himself scarce ; during the time they are engaged
in this second and unequal contest, Crow No. 1 slyly returns
and steals that which his accomplice was unable to take
away. The pirates then adjourn to a neighbouring tree,
loudly exulting. The simple Orioles, no wiser from ex-
perience, after a short season spent in mourning their loss,
recommence preparations (frequently on the same tree) for
rearing another brood. Shy as these birds naturally are on
ordinary occasions, yet if their young are taken and con-
veyed even as far as a mile distant and placed in a cage any-
where within their reach, even though it be in an oijen
verandah, they will so far overcome their natural timidity as
to supply their young with food until long after they have
arrived at maturity. The young birds are very difiicult to
keep in confinement, they usually die suddenly, or else refuse
food, pine, and die when no longer attended to by their
parents.

92. Oriolus indicus, Jerd.

Swinhoe observed the Black-naped Oriole at Maupore in
June 1882. The bird was seen quite distinctly within a few
feet of it, but unfortunately no means were at hand for
obtaining the specimen.

[To be couliiuied.]

VIII.— r^e Ornithology of St. Kilda.
By Charles Dixon.

(Plate III.)
Perhaps no part of the British Islands is more interesting
to the ornithologist than St. Kilda. On this bleak and

70 Mr. C. Dixon on the

sublimely grand ocean-rock some of the rarest and the most
interesting birds in our fauna find a congenial home ; here
alone they may be studied at their breeding-places. Now
that it is known that St. Kilda possesses a Wren peculiar to
its rocky shores the interest attaching to it will be increased,
and the fact may serve to draw the attention of British orni-
thologists to the little bird's secluded home. It is very strange
that no complete list of the birds of this remote island has ever
been compiled by any modern ornithologist, and stranger still
is the indifference with which the place and its bird -treasares
have been treated by British naturalists during the past forty
years. Perhaps the difficulty of reaching St, Kilda and the
hardships, imaginary or real, which must of necessity be en-
dured, if the sojourn on its by no means hospitable shores is
for any length of time, are the chief reasons for its having
been so much neglected. Strange it seems that while British
ornithologists have journeyed far and wide over all parts
of the known world in the interests of their favourite
science, St. Kilda, the remotest part of the United Kingdom,
has been disregarded, and a bird has existed there which,
until the summer of last year, was absolutely unknown to
science.

We find, perhaps, the earliest known record of the birds of
St. Kilda from the pen of " M. Martin, Gent.," written
in the year 1698, in his 'Voyage to St. Kilda; ^ but the
lonely island had attracted the attention of several previous
travellers, including Sir Robert Sibbald. Martin gave a by
no means bad account of the birds of these famous islands,
specially noting the Great Auk, which, as every naturalist
knows, once used St. Kilda as a breeding-station. He enume-
rates about twenty species, amongst them being a Wren, which
for nearly two hundred years has remained undetermined!
In addition to Martin, the following is a brief list of the
principal writers on the ornithology of the islands. A full
account of the birds of St. Kilda was given by the Rev. J. L.
Buchanan, in his 'Travels in the Western Hebrides between
the years 1782-1790.' In 1811 MacDonald published his
* General View of the Agriculture of the Hebrides,' which

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 71

contained a list of the birds of St. Kilda. In 1832 Mr.
Atkinson published (Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Newcastle-upon-
Tyne) an account of his visit to St. Kilda^ made during the
previous year. In 1840 John Macgillivray^ a son of the
great naturalist^ William Macgillivray, who^ however,
refers to him as " a friend of mine "" in his article on the
PuflSn, and gives the date of his visit to St. Kilda as 1839 !
(Hist. Brit. B. v. p. 369)_, after a most perilous voyage,
reached St. Kilda (staying there four days), and published
an account of its bird-life in the ' Edinburgh New Philo-
sophical Journal' (1812, p. 47); whilst in 1812 James
Wilson published an account of its ornithology in his
* Voyage round the Coasts of Scotland and the Isles.''
In 1848 Sir William Milner published in the ' Zoologist '
a very complete account of the birds of this remote
corner of the British Islands ; and in 18G9 the pages of
'The Ibis'' were enriched with a graphic account of St.
Kilda bird-life from the pen of Captain Elwes. In 187G
Sands (who spent seven weeks in the islands in 1875 and
eight months in 1876-77) published his '' Out of the World,
or Life in St. Kilda,' containing an account of its ornitho-
logy ; whilst in the following year Seton issued his ' St. Kilda,
past and present,' containing a chapter devoted to the birds.
As, however, Seton's experience of St. Kilda only extended
over a few hours, during the stay of a pleasure-steamer, his
information was compiled from contemporary writers. In
the summer of 1883 Mr. Barrington paid a visit to these
islands ; but no account of his journey seems to have been
published ; and his researches were more of a botanical than
an ornithological nature.

St. Kilda has always possessed a charm for me ; to explore
its rocky shores has been a long-cherished hope ; but the
only way to do it with any degree of thoroughness was to
spend a week or so there. Through the kindness of my
friend Mr. J. T. Mackenzie, of Dunvegan, in Skye, the pre-
sent factor of St. Kilda, I was enabled last summer to visit the
island in his smack, and to stay there for nearly a fortnight.
Mr. Mackenzie's vessel pays two visits to St. Kilda every

72 Mr. C. Dixon on the

year (in spring and autumn), and he himself generally accom-
panies her on her spring voyage. This vessel conveys meal,
tea, sugar, salt, tobacco, &c. to the St.-Kildans, and brings
back oil, feathers, cloth, salt-fish, tallow, and a few hides,
the natural products of the place.

"We left Dunvegan in the ' Eobert Hadden,' a tight little
smack of about eighty tons, at noon on Tuesday the 3rd of
June. The wind was light, scarcely sufficient to carry us
out of Loch Follart into the Minch, which we crossed during
the evening, arriving at 1.30 a.m. on Wednesday in the
Sound of Harris, where we awaited daylight to navigate
these dangerous straits. All day Wednesday we were be-
calmed in the Sound ; and I took the opportunity of exploring
some of the small islets, in company with Mr. John Mac-
kenzie, jun., and Mr. Campbell, a gentleman going out to
St. Kilda as schoolmaster. Several of the small islands in
the Sound are frequented by otters, and seals are very
common. The Oystercatcher, the Merganser, and the Eider
Duck were abundant, and the sea was studded with Guille-
mots, Razorbills, and Puffins, whilst every now and then a
string of Cormorants or Shags flew swiftly over the glassy
water, and the gaggle of Wild Geese sounded faintly from
Harris and Uist. We finally cast anchor off Obb to take in
a supply of fresh water, and got under weigh again at four in
the afternoon. As soon as we got clear of the island of
Pabbay, we caught a stiff breeze, and were speedily bowling
along W.N.W., with all sails set for St. Kilda, some fifty
miles ahead. The sea was rough, and our little craft was
tossed about considerably by the waves. Just as dusk was
falling, old Neil, one of the crew, sighted the island of Borreay
from the rigging ; and the excitement of " laud aliead " —
far-famed St. Kilda at last — was enough to make us forget
the discomforts of the protracted voyage and the by no means
gentle treatment of the wind and waves. About twenty
miles from St. Kilda we saw several Manx Shearwaters flying
in the gloom round the ship, a few Auks floated like corks
on the billows, and one or two solitary Fulmars floated Owl-
like above us and then disappeared again in the twilight.

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 73

As we approached Borreay the island became more distinct,
coming out clearly against the western horizon, whilst
beyond, again, looming like a huge dark cloud, St. Kilda
proper rose weird-like from the sea. We passed the large
inaccessible rock Levenish, which stands sentinel-like at the
mouth of East or Village Bay, into which we sailed in the
darkness, and came to anchor, as it seemed, right under the
frowning hills, at half-past one a.m. on Thursday. Inside
the bay the sea was almost as rough as outside ; and here we
were left to our fate by the islanders — left to toss and roll all
night almost within stone''s throw of the shore. About eight
o'clock the following morning a large boat put off to the
smack, manned by half a dozen St.-Kildans, to fetch us ashore.
Glad, indeed, were they to welcome us, for they had seen no
strangers and had had no communication with the outside
world for nine months ! The landing was rather a difl&cult
undertaking, owing to the treacherous swell ; but once on
shore, almost all the population came down to meet the
strangers, and universal hand-shaking was the order of the
day. The faithful old pastor, the Rev. John Mackay, was
first and foremost in his welcome, insisting on our partaking
of his hospitality, and anxiously listening meanwhile to the
doings of the busy outside world.

Viewed from the sea, St. Kilda looks far more barren and
dreary than it really is, and the same remarks apply in an
ornithological sense, for few birds are in sight. As seen from
Village Bay, St. Kilda presents a grand, majestic, and novel
appearance. The deeply indented bay is in the foreground ;
on our left is the precipitous island of Doon, looking for the
most part bare and rocky, like some dismantled fortress or
ruined cathedral, its jagged peaks rising in many places sheer
from the water. Doon forms the southern horn of the bay,
and is only separated from St. Kilda by a very narrow strait,
almost fordable at low water. Next to Boon on the mainland
rises the hill MuUach-scaill, or Bald Top ; then comes mighty
Connacher overlooking all, the morning mist settling on his
hoary head, twelve hundred feet above the sea ; whilst on the
right rises MuUach-oshavall, or the Top of Oswald, forming

74 Mr. C. Dixon on the

the northern horn of this remarkal)ly picturesque bay. At
the extreme western extremity of St. Kilda is the smaller
island of Soay, separated by a narrow strait^ in which stand
three lofty stacks of rock (Stack Biorrach, or the pointed
stacks the most difficult cliff to climb in the islands^ Stack
Soay, and Stack Doonaah, or the bad stack). On two of
these stacks sea-birds breed in great numbers. Soay rises
over a thousand feet from the sea, and affords a pasturage
for a large number of sheep, as well as a congenial home for
myriads of sea-fowl, particularly the Manx Shearwater, which
literally swarms, many parts of the island being undermined
with the burrows of these singular birds. The Stormy Petrels'
nurseries are also here. About four miles north of St. Kilda
stands the island of Boi'reay, with its attendant rocks of
Stack-an-Armin and Stack Lii, the latter being the grand
headquarters of the Gannets, which not only swarm on its
flat sloping summit, but on all the ledges, nooks, and crannies
of its lofty sides. Borreay rises over a thousand feet above
sea-level, and its mighty cliffs swarm with birds, whilst sheep
graze on the summit and the grassy ledges. St. Kilda is the
only island of the group which is inhabited by man; and at
the time of my visit in June 1 884 its population numbered
seventy-eight.

Upon landing, my trusty henchman, Sandy Campbell of
Dunvegan, introduced me to Donald M'Queen, the best crags-
man in the island, the best fowler, and the best guide to the
birds of St. Kilda. He knows them all, and supplied me
with much information respecting their habits. Unfortu-
nately he only speaks Gaelic, and my conversations had
to be carried on chiefly by Sandy^s aid, or with the assistance
of Mr. J. Mackenzie and Mr. Campbell. As soon as I landed
on this ornithological paradise, signs of birds met me at every
" step. The grovmd near the houses was strewn with birds'
wings, feathers, and bones ; the houses smelt strongly of
Fulmars ; and in a dozen different ways I was informed that
I was amongst a nation of fowlers. The houses of the St.-
Kildans are ranged in a long crescent, about four hundred
yards from the shore. Behind and before them are the

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 75

patches of cultivated ground^ chiefly sown with grain and
potatoes, and enclosed with a rough wall, which keeps out
the sheep and cows. Nearer the shore stands the store, the
church, and the manse. St. Kilda is plentifully supplied
with the best of water, both from springs and from the rivulets
which rise on Connacher. The steep sides of this hill are
seared in several places by small ravines, worn out by the
streams which dash down in rainy weather. Climbing the
hill in a south-westerly direction, and passing over the
shoulder between MuUach-scaill and Connacher, a wild and
novel scene presents itself, far more picturesque than the
portion of St. Kilda we have left behind us. Glen Mor, the
^'Amazon's Glen,^^ or '^the Glen,^^ as it is known in St.
Kilda, stretches out at our feet, sloping gently down to the
distant Atlantic at West Bay. The hills on either side of
this romantic glen fall almost sheer down in precipices to the
sea, and on them the Fulmars, great numbers of Guillemots,
Razorbills, and Gulls rear their young, whilst here and there,
in a few favourite spots, the Shearwaters burrow in the rich
soft soil. At the extremity of the glen the clifl's are low and
the shore is very rocky ; but a landing can sometimes be
made here, when the usual place in East Bay is inaccessible.
The Glen contains the finest pasturage in St. Kilda, and it is
there most of the cows are grazed. Not a tree nor a shrub
relieves the monotony of the bare hillsides or sheltered valleys
of St. Kilda ; but grass grows luxuriantly, making it literally
an " emerald isle ; " and primroses, sorrel, and many other
plants thrive on the cliffs and sloping banks. The wild hill-
sides are thickly studded with rough hovels, or " cleats,^'
made of boulders and roofed with turf, in which the St.-Kil-
dans dry their " turfs " and grass, and in which the sheep
take refuge during storms. I found the male population
exceedingly civil, obliging, merry fellows, anxious to assist
me in every way they could ; whilst the ladies were not want-
ing in hospitality to the " Sassenach,^^ many of them bringing
eggs and birds, as soon as it became known that I had come
to their islands specially to collect and examine such objects.
When I landed scarcely a sea-bird was to be seen, save

76 Mr. C. Dixon on the

a few Puffius and Gulls in the bay ; tlie great bird-nurseries
are away behind the frowning hills, where the cliifs fall almost
sheer down to the water, and on the adjoining islands and
" stacks/' One of the first birds to arrest my attention on
landing was the Hooded Crow (all apparently thorough-breds),
which perched on the roofs of the cottages with as little con-
cern as the Sparrow in a crowded city ; and next to this the
Starling and the Wheatear were the most common. I had
not been ashore long before the Wren attracted my notice,
and I saw at once that it was not the typical British form,
and set it down provisionally as Troglodytes borealis. When
I reached St. Kilda the egg-harvest was nearly over ; out of
the hundreds of eggs we took from the rocks very few were
fresh, and most were so hard-set as to render blowing them
impossible. The St.-Kildans eat vast numbers of eggs,
especially those of the Fulmar and the various species of
Auks. The cliffs of St. Kilda are divided equally amongst
the inhabitants, and a man seldom or never poaches on his
neighbour's preserves. Each year the rocks are portioned
out anew, the Saxon Mod, or council, assembling for the
purpose. The adjacent islands of Doon, Soay, Borrcay, and
the several '' stacks " are common propei'ty, and are hunted
at intervals by a party despatched in one of the boats for the
purpose, the produce of the expedition being shared equally.
The St.-Kildans are adepts at catching birds; but as for
their feats amongst the rocks, I saw nothing extraordinary,
and the climbers at Flamborough are every bit as daring. In
fact, high as the cliffs at St. Kilda arc, they are compara-
tively easy to climb, being for the most part broken into
ledges, and few of them fall sheer down to the water. Ea en
the mighty cliff of Connacher (twelve hundred feet high) does
not fall sheer, but much of it is broken up into ledges and
grassy slopes, in Avhich the Fulmars love to nest. The men
were very anxious that I should not disturb their Fulmars.
No gamekeeper watched his preserves more jealously ; and
every time I went near the cliffs where they were breeding,
if I chanced to have a gun with me, several men or boys
were sure to follow and warn me off the sacred spot.

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 77

As I was anxious to obtain a few examples of the Fulmar,
I got Donald to accompany me one evening to the cliffs on
the shoulder between Mullach-oshavall and Connacher, for
the purpose of seeing his method of catching birds. Every
St.-Kildan almost constantly wears a coil of rope slung round
his body, as well as a clasp-knife, hung with a string round
his neck. After arming himself with a rod, about ten feet
in length, at the end of which, fastened on to a hazel-twig,
was a horsehair noose, stiflened, like a carriage-whip, with
Gannets'' quills, Donald started with me for the rocks. In
spite of the gale that was blowing from the north-west, he
fearlessly descended the cliffs, creeping stealthily towards the
Fulmars that were sitting unconsciously on their nests, and
then carefully passing the rod towards one of them, he slipped
the fatal noose over its head and drew the fluttering captive
towards him. Its companions seemed little concerned at its
fate ; and he was able to catch as many as we wanted, with
the smallest possible trouble. All the sea-birds are caught
in the same manner. As soon as they are taken, the fowler
usually breaks their necks and hangs them in his belt, or
ties them hy the neck in bundles. Most of the Puffins are
caught in horsehair nooses, which are fixed on cords and set in
various parts of the cliffs and banks which they frequent, whilst
great numbers are taken from their holes, either by the fowler
himself or by his dog, which is trained for the purpose.

When climbing the more difficult parts of the cliffs the
St.-Kildans go in parties ; sometimes two men go together,
more often three or four — one descending the cliffs, the
others managing the ropes above and assisting their com-
panion to explore the most likely parts of the rocks. One
of the ropes is generally fastened round the climber^s waist
and paid out by the men at the top as it is required^ whilst
the other rope is suspended over the cliff by a stake, and is
used to relieve the body-rope as much as possible. As is
usual in nearly all cliff-climbing, the greatest danger arises
from the loose pieces of rock that are liable to fall on the
fowler. Accidents are not of very frequent occurrence, and
are usually the result of gross carelessness. Donald pointed

78 Mr. C. Dixon on the

out the place where his father lost his footing and was dashed
from the giddy height into the boiling sea below. I climbed
over the exact spot, which seemed to me one of the most
unlikely places in the cliffs for such an accident to happen.
The great ambition of a St.-Kildan is to excel as a crags-
man, to become a successful fowler ; in fact until a man
has performed certain feats of daring in the cliffs he never
■wins a wife ! The man who fails to scale the beetling Stack
Biorrach is said never to win a St.-Kildan maiden^s heart.
Even the ladies of St. Kilda are expert fowlers, devoting their
attention chiefly to the Puffins and to the management of the
snares. Sea-birds form the staple food of the people of this
remote island ; the Puffin, the Fulmar, and the Gannet are
the favourites. These birds are caught in enormous numbers
and salted down for future use, the feathers and oil being
exported. Great numbers of Puffins are simply plucked,
split open, and dried, being hung in strings across the ceilings
of the cottages and taken down as required. A mummified
Puffin is one of the dainties of St. Kilda ! Sands records
that upwards of eighty-nine thousand Puffins alone were
caught by the St.-Kiidans in 187G.

Much has been said concerning the difficulty of landing
and the anchorage at St, Kilda. The only place at which a
landing is attempted is on the rocky shore below the manse,
and boats require the most skilful management, even in the
finest weather, for there is always more or less swell and surf.
During the whole time of my stay there was a considerable
swell incessantly breaking on the shore, the spray often
dashing thirty feet or more up the cliffs, especially on Doon.
In fiict, so bad was the swell that I was prevented from land-
ing on any of the adjoining islands and ^'stacks,'-" with the
exception of Doon, which a few hours' comparative lull
afforded me an opportunity of visiting. The heavy seas that
from time to time break over St. Kilda are almost past
credence ; in some winters the spray dashes over cliffs several
hundred feet high ; the wild Atlantic waves, with their two-
thousand mile roll, threatening to overwhelm these rocky
isles that impede their progress. During fine weather the

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 79

anclibrage of St. Kilda is one of the finest on our coasts, but
should bad weather threaten_, the mariner must make all
possible haste out of the treacherous bay, or do as Mr. Mac-
kenzie does, make all snug, drop another anchor, and abandon
his vessel to her fate, to ride out the storm or go to the
bottom !

I left St. Kilda by the steamship ' Dunara Castle,^ which
paid the island a visit, remaining several hours whilst her
passengers inspected the wonders of the place. She after-
wards made a circuit of the entire group, steaming round the
islands, and firing a gun at intervals to scare the birds from
the cliffs. The wild grandeur and picturesqueness of St. Kilda
and its neighbouring isles can only be seen to advantage
from the water; then the endless variety of form and colour
which their impressive headlands and lofty cliffs assume may
be viewed in all their lonely sublimity, the scene being con-
stantly vignetted in the countless myriads of sea-birds that
literally darken the air. I left the ' Dunara Castle ' at Loch
Tarbert, and came on to Dunvegan in the mail-packet, which
had a long tedious voyage across the Minch, and finally
landed me in Skye at three a.m. on Tuesday the 17th of June.
I have appended the St. -Kilda names of most of the birds in
the following list, as they will in many cases be found to difi'er
from the Gaelic names in use amongst the Highlands.

Haliaetus albicilla.

The White-tailed Eagle can only be regarded as an acci-
dental visitor to St. Kilda. It would probably breed there
regularly were it left unmolested ; but as soon as the birds
have made a nest, the natives draw lots as to who must under-
take the perilous task of descending the cliff and setting fire
to the structure. The St.-Kildans are afraid that the Eagles
would destroy their sheep and lambs.

Falco gyrfalco (?).

Mr. Mackinnon, presumably a resident of St. Kilda, in-
formed J. Macgillivray that the Gyr Falcon bred on the main
island of the group, and that when he visited a nest the old
birds attacked him violently (Macgillivray, Brit. B. iii. App.

80 Mr. C. Dixon on the

p. 73S). There can be little doubt that Macgillivray's in-
formant made a mistake, and that the species in question was
the Peregrine.

Falco peregrinus.

The Peregrine breeds sparingly on the cliffs, two or three
pairs only tenanting the most inaccessible portions of the
islands. The lofty pinnacles of Doon are the bird's favourite
haunt.

Falco tinnunculus.

The Kestrel occasionally visits St. Kilda, but I could find
no evidence of its ever breeding there.

Aluco flammeus (?).

Donald M'^Queen told me that he remembered an Owl
caught here many years ago, which, from his description, I
took to be the Barn-Owl.

TURDUS MUSICUS.

I include the Song-Thrush as a bird of St. Kilda on the
authority of Sir William Milner. It probably occurs on
migration.

TuRDus TLiAcus. '' Smcorach."

The Redwing is seen on St. Kilda during its annual
migration, in May and September, in flocks.

Merula merula. '' Lon-dutha."

The Blackbird" visits St. Kilda on spring and autumn
migration, but never remains to breed.

Saxicola (ENANTHE. " Clacharau."

The Wheatear is very common on St. Kilda, and is one of
the most conspicuous land-birds as it flies to and fro over
the stony hillsides. I did not observe it on Doon.

Troglodytes hirtensis, Seebohm. (Plate III.)
The most interesting result of my trip to St. Kilda was the
determination of its Wren, called " Dhra-in-doun '' by the
natives. Although this little Wren was known to Martin
nearly two hundred years ago, neither he nor any subse-
quent naturalist had the least idea that the bird was difi'erent

Itis 1885.pl m.

'^^^..

/%

J - & ,Ke"ule:m.Eais Jit Ja .

TROGLODYTES HIRTENSIS

Hanhcurt imp

OrmtJioIogij of St. Kilda. 81

from the Wren iuliabitiug the rest of the United Kingdom.
This little stranger was introduced to the notice of ornitho-
logists by Mr. Seebohm ('Zoologist/ 1884, p. 333). He
writes : — '^ The St, -Kilda Wren most nearly resembles Tro-
glodytes parvuJus pallescens from the Western Aleutian
Islands, but is much more distinctly barred on the back and
head, and almost free from any traces of spots on the throat
and breast. In general colour it is quite as pale and slightly
greyer than examples of Troglodytes parvulus pallidus from
Algeria and Turkestan. The bill resembles that of Troglo-
dytes parvulus borealis from the Faroe Islands. The eye-
stripe is as distinct as in typical examples from Europe, a
character which is least developed in T. parvulus nipalensis
and T. j)arvulus fumigatus."

I had not been on St. Kilda long before the little bird
arrested my attention, as it flew from rock to rock, or glided
in and out of the crevices of the wails. It differs very little
in its habits from its congener ; only, instead of hopping rest-
lessly and incessantly about brushwood, it has to content
itself with boulders and walls. It was in full song, and its
voice seemed to me louder and more powerful than that of
the Common Wren. 1 often saw it within a few feet of the
sea, hopping about the rocks on the beach ; and a pair had
made their nest in the wall below the manse, not thirty yards
from the waves. I also saw it frequently on the tops of
the hills and in many parts of the cliffs. It was especially
common on Doon, and its cheery little song sounded from
all parts of the rocks.

As there are no bushes nor trees on St. Kilda (except
those the microscopic eye of a botanist might discover), the
Wren takes to the luxuriant grass, sorrel, and other herbage
growing on the cliffs, and picks its insect food from them.
It also catches spiders and the larvae of different insects in
the nooks and crannies which it is incessantly exploring. It
is a pert active little bird, b}^ no means siiy ; and I used to
watch a pair that were feeding their young in a nest not six
yards from our door. Its breeding-season must commence
early in May, for the young were tliree parts grown by the

SER. V. VOL. III. G

82 Mr. C. Dixon on the

beginning of June. It makes its nest either in one of the
numerous " cleats/^ or in a crevice of a wall^ or under an
overhanging bank. The nest is exactly similar to that of
the Common Wren, and abundantly lined with feathers. I
had not the good fortune to obtain any of its eggs, but I
presume that they resemble those of its near congener.

CoRvus coRAX. " Fiaeh."'

The Raven is a rare resident in St. Kilda, but the natives
occasionally rob its nest.

CoRvus coRNix. " Fannag."

The Hooded Crow is very common in St. Kilda, and, when
not engaged in family duties on the cliffs, it lives almost
exclusively near the cottages, perching on their roofs, ready
to pounce down upon any garbage that may be thrown out.
The Crows are incessantly mobbing the Gulls and fighting
with each other. All those I examined were thoroughbreds,

CoRvus FRUGiLEGUs. " Rockcish.^'

Donald M'^Queen told me that the Rook is occasionally
seen in St. Kilda during winter.

Sturnus vulgaris. " Druit."

The Starling is fairly common on St. Kilda and breeds in
the "cleats.^' I found a nest containing young birds in a
hole in the ground under a large mass of rock. At the time
of my visit many Starlings were preparing for a second
brood.

Passer domesticus.

The House-Sparrow is included in the lists of St.- Kilda
birds by the early writers ; but I am almost certain that it
does not regularly frequent the island. It may possibly
occur accidentally.

Passer montanus.

I saw a pair of Tree-Sparrows on the 9th of June and shot
one of them. They breed in the holes of the rough stone
walls that enclose the fields.

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 83

Fringilla flavirostris.

The Twite is uot uncommon on St. Kilda, and there can
scarcely be a doubt that it breeds there. In June I saw it
in small flocks, mostly young birds, feeding on the seed of
weeds in the grass-fields.

Emberiza miliaria.

Gray states that the Common Bunting extends as far west
as St, Kilda, but I never saw any traces of it. Macgillivray
says that it is common,

Emberiza citrinella.

I saw a solitary Yellow Bunting on the 15th of June in
the field near the manse.

HiRUNDO RUSTICA.

Mr. Mackenzie informs me that he saw numbers of
Swallows on St. Kilda in 1883, but he never observed them
there before. I never saw the Swallow during my stay. It
never breeds on St. Kilda.

MoTACiLLA YARRELLii. " Brachd-an-t'sil."
The Pied Wagtail is seen on St. Kilda during spring and
autumn migration. Gray seems to imply that this bird
breeds there, but the natives say that it never remains over
the summer.

Anthus pratensis.

The Meadow-Pipit occurs sparingly on St. Kilda, where it
breeds and is said to be a resident.

Anthus obscurus.

The Rock-Pipit occurs sparingly round the coasts of St,
Kilda and Doon. I saw several pairs on the cliffs mingling
with the Puffins,

Alauda arvensis.

There can be little doubt that the Sky- Lark visits St. Kilda.
Macaulay mentions the " Lark " in his list, and Macgillivray
states that it is common.

a. 9

84 Mr. C. Dixon on the

CoRAClAS GAKRULA.

Gray, writing in 1871, states that a Roller appears to have
been observed on St. Kilda '^ about twenty-five years ago."

CucuLus CANORUs. " Cunch."

The Cuckoo is heard occasionally on St. Kilda, and is
regarded by the natives with superstitious awe. They say
it portends a calamity — the death of Macleod, the proprietor
of the island !

CoLUMBA PALUMBUS.

I saw a pair of Ring-Do ves on the stony sides of jMullach-
oshavall within a few yards of the sea. They were absurdly
tame, allowing Sandy and myself to approach them within
a few paces. None of the natives ever knew this bird to visit
the island before.

CoLUMBA LI VIA.

There can be little doubt that the Rock-Dove breeds on
St. Kilda, but it is certainly not a common bird. I never
saw more than a pair; but it may be more numerous oti
Soay, Borreay, and the adjacent " stacks. ^''

Tetrao mutus,

Wilson was informed by the minister that he once saw a
Ptarmigan on St. Kilda after strong easterly winds.

Ardea cinerea. " Gorridhgr-idheach."

The Heron occasionally visits St. Kilda^ but rarely survives
long. The natives generally pick them up dead — starved to
death, for the water is too deep and the shore too precipitous
to admit of successful fishing. The St.-Kildan sometimes
stalks and snares it as it stands upon the rocks.

Crex pratensis.

Two hundred years ago INIartiu included the Corn- Crake
in his list of St. -Kilda land-birds, and from that day to this
it has occasionally visited these lonely Atlantic isles. I
neither saw nor heard this species, and do not think it breeds
there. It cannot be very common, for I could not learn that
the natives have any Gaelic equivalent for it.

Oriuthoh(jy of St. Kilda. 85

HvEMATOPUs osTKALEQUs. " Trcallachaii."

Martin includes the Oystercatclier in his list of the birds
of St. Kilda, and says that it arrives in the beginning of May.

I observed perhaps half a dozen pairs on St. Kilda, and
Mr. John Mackenzie found a nest containing three hard-set
eggs on the 12th of June. There are few suitable nesting-
places for this bird on the islands, and the nest that was ob-
tained was on some rough pebble-strewn ground at the foot
of the cliflr below JMullach-scaill.

Charadrius pluvialis.

The minister informed Macgillivray that the Golden Plover
occasionally visited St. Kilda.

Strepsilas interpres.

Gray seems to be under the impression that the Turnstone
breeds on St. Kilda, as well as on some other of the remotest
Hebrides, I never saw the Turnstone, and I cannot but
think that the small parties that frequent the western coast-
line of Scotland during the summer are immature non-
breeding birds, although I am aware that this species breeds as
far south as the southern shores of the Baltic.

NuMENius arquata. ^^ Guilbuaach.'^

I saw one or two pairs of Curlews feeding on the rocks and
small patcb of sand in East Bay. I think that they must
have had nests either on Doon or in Glen Mor, but I could
not find them. Captain Ehves says that although this bird,
is found during the greater part of the year on Islay, it does
not breed there.

NUMENIUS PH^OPUS.

I saw a pair of Whimbrels on the rocks below MuUach-
scaiil ; they were very wild and noisy.

TOTANUS HYPOLEUCUS.

I include tlie Common Sandpiper in the list of St. -Kilda
birds on the authority of Sir Vv iiliam Milner (' Zoologist,'
1848, p. 2061), v/ho saw this species on the island on the
14th of June.

86 Mr. C. Dixon on the

TrINGA ALPINA.

Although Gray states positively that the Dunlin breeds on
St. Kilda, I fancy there must besonne mistake. I never saw
a trace of this species^ and certainly on St. Kilda and Doon
there are no suitable nesting-places for it^ whatever there
may be on Soay or Borreay. It is doubtless an occasional
visitor. Macgillivray saw several pairs.

SCOLOPAX GALLINAGO. ''Niiskiu.^'

The Common Snipe is said to be a resident on St. Kilda,
but none of the natives have ever seen its eggs. I carefully
explored all the little marshy places in the island, but with-
out success.

? ScoLOFAX RUSTicuLA. " Ootacac.^'

A description of a bird with a long bill, which Donald
M'Queen gave me, I could only refer to the Woodcock. He
said that it was a residetit on St. Kilda, but so shy that the
natives rarely get a glimpse of it. The Woodcock probably
passes these islands on migration. He described it as skulk-
ing closely under the shelter of large stones or heaps of turf,
especially near marshy places.

Larus marinus. " Farspach."

The Great Black-backed Gull is common in St. Kilda, and
breeds in more or less abundance on Doon, and I think on
Soay. It is much disliked by the natives, for it robs the Ful-
mar^s nests incessantly and destroys large numbers of Guille-
mot's eggs. A bird of this species tore to pieces a Puffin
wliich I had shot, as it lay on the sea, in spite of several shots
I had at it with a rifle. Its note is a harsh cac cac cac.

Larus fuscus.

The Lesser Black-backed Gull breeds in considerable num-
bers on St. Kilda and the adjoining islands and "stacks.^"

Larus argentatus.

The Herring-Gull also breeds on St. Kilda, Doon, and
Borreay, and probably on Soay and the " stacks.^' It is not
very comnion, and I did not obtain any oE its eggs.

Ornitholoyy of St. Kilda. 87

Larus canus.

The Common Gull is included in the list of St. -Kilda birds
by Sir William Milner, who states that it breeds on Borreay.
I did not observe this species. Macgiliivray says that it is
the least common of the Gulls.

Larus tridactylus. '^ Ruideag." •

The Kittiwake is certainly the commonest Gull in St. Kilda,
and the steepest part of the cliffs is white with them. Great
numbers breed on Doon and Soay^ and it also nests in
smaller quantities amongst the Fulmars at the back of Con-
nacher. It breeds on the several ^' stacks/^ and I heard it
crying from the cliffs of Bon^eay. It is said to arrive in the
first half of April and to leave in August.

I never observed a Tern of any species at St. Kilda, nor
do I find any recorded from the islands. The island of Bor-
reay, which Gray speaks about as a breeding-place of the
Arctic Tern {Sierna arctica), is an island of the Outer He-
brides in the Sound of Harris, and must not be confused with
Borreay, the island laying four miles N.W. of St. Kilda.

Stercorarids crepidatus.

Sandy Campbell informed, me that an example of Richard-
son's Skua was observed on St. Kilda in the summer of

1883.

Stercorarius catarrhactes.

The Great Skua visits St. Kilda at irregular intervals.

Mergus serrator. " Sheiltach.''

The Red-breasted Merganser is a rare visitor to St. Kilda.
Sandy shot an example in 1883. During my stay Mr. John
Mackenzie shot one in East Bay. No others were seen, but
one of the natives brought for my inspection a " Saw-bill,"
stuffed, by himself in a very rude style, and which he treasures
as a great curiosity.

Somateria mollissima. " Gochach."
The Eider-Duck is not very common, but certainly breeds
on Doon, where I took a nest on the 10th of June. I have

88 Mr. C. Dixon on the

seen as many as lialf a dozen pairs swimming together in East
Bay. The natives never collect the down^ a sure sign that
the bird is scarce here.

SOMATERIA SPECTABILIS.

Ornithologists will read with pleasure that the King Eider
frequents St. Kilda, I first became aware of this interesting
fact when trying to stalk the Common Eiders in the bay.
For two hours I lay concealed behind a huge boulder^ watching
the little party of Ducks that were swimming just outside
the breakers. Two of the pairs were King Eiders. In spite
of all my efforts^ both on this and subsequent occasions^ I
failed to secure an example. They were not more than
seventy yards away from me several times^ so that I had
every opportunity of observing them ; and on more than one
occasion I carefully scanned them through a powerful glass.
They mingled freely with the Common Eiders and did not
differ in any perceptible degree in their habits. It was a
pretty sight to watch these rare and charming birds sporting
in the heaving waves^ the males and females swimming side
by side. As the mighty rollers broke upon the shore the
birds dived through the bright green wave just before it
turned over. They were busy feeding on the small animals
which Avere disturbed by the breaking waves. They floated
light as corks on the heaving sea, now high up exposed to
view, then deep down in the trough of the waves. As soon
as they caught a glimpse of me they quickly swam further
from shore. Every day they might be observed in one par-
ticular part of the bay ; and I have not the slightest doubt
that they were nesting on the precipitous island of Doon. Of
course the natives did not distinguish them from the Common
Eider; and they take but little interest in them, for they tell
me the male Eider is the only bird of St, Kilda that they are
unable to snare.

Anser ferus.

I noticed five birds, whicli I took to be Grey-lag Geese^
flying past St. Kilda on the second evenijig of my stay. They
were flying almost due Mcst, right out to sea, and were pro-

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 89

bably a small flock that had wandered from the Long Island,
where the bird is very common.

Cygnus ?

Swans occasionally visit St. Kilda, but no one appears to
have determined to what species they belong.

CoLYMBUs GLACiALis. " Bunna bhuachel/^
Sandy informed me that a pair of Great Northern Divers
were blown into St. Kilda by the terrible gale in the autumn
of 1882. One of the examples I believe is still preserved
somewhere in Skye.

Ukia troile. " Lamhaidh.^^

St. Kilda is the grand head-quarters of the AlcidcC ; the far-
famed Pinnacles and Flamborough clitls sink into insignifi-
cance when compared with the breeding-stations on these
lonely isles and stacks. The natives gather the eggs literally
by boatloads_, and those of the Common Guillemot are the
most abundant. A Guillemot I shot had been feeding on
herring-fry. Iris dark brown; bill almost black. I did
not observe a single example of the Ringed form.

Ubia bruennichi.

Sir William Milner includes Briinnich^s Guillemot as a
St. -Kilda birdj and states that Graham obtained an egg on
Soay on the loth of June. No subsequent naturalist has met
with this species in the islands, but the bird may probably
breed there. After all, who knows any thing about the
Guillemots of Soay ? — far more unlikely birds than Briinnich^s
Guillemot may breed there for ought any British ornithologist
knows to the contrary ! Unfortunately the heavy swell pre-
vented me from lauding on that wild rugged island.

Uria grylle. " Gearadh-breacha."

The Black Guillemot is not uncommon, but certainly the
least numerous of the Auks. One or two might be con-
stantly seen close in shore at the foot of the rugged cliffs.
Donald got me a few eggs of this species. It breeds on Doon
as well as on St. Kilda.

90 Mr. C. Dixon on the

Mergulus alle.

The Little Auk occurs sparingly at St. Kilda in winter.
Donald recognized at a glance a figure of this species I had
with me.

Alga torda. " Falcadh.''^

The Razorbill is almost as common as the Guillemot^ and
breeds on all the islands and stacks. They were seen sitting
in rows along the ledges of the cliffs. Its eggs are more
difficult to j)rocure than those of the Guillemot, and for ten
Guillemot^s eggs in the possession of the natives I only
saw one RazorbilTs. I took an egg of this bird from a deep
hole in the ground where the Petrels were breeding, and
Donald told me that he takes an egg from this particular
hole every year. The Razorbills which I shot had the irides
hazel ; legs and feet smoky black ; bill black, streaked with
white ; inside of the mouth brilliant yellow.

Alga impennis. " An crbhoil.^'

St. Kilda was perhaps the only part of the United King-
dom where the Great Auk ever bred. Martin was probably
the first naturalist to give us any information from personal
observation of this bird. He states that it is " the stateliest
as well as the largest of all the Fowls here " and that " he
flyeth not at all, lays his egg [!] upon the bare rock, which
if taken away, he lays no more for that year." The Great
Auk, so far as we have any record, does not seem to have bred
there regularly. The last specimen that was taken at St.
Kilda appears to have been in 1822,

I am convinced that much of the information which has
been gathered at St. Kilda respecting the Great Auk is very
unreliable. I think that the Great Northern Diver has been
its proxy more than once ; and that the bird which the St.-
Kildans stoned to death (as I was informed) forty years ago
on Stack-an-Armin, thinking that it was an evil spirit, was
nothing more than Colymbus glacialis. I must, however, state
that the old man who assisted in this ornithological sacrilege
recognized the plate of the Great Auk whicli I had brought
with me. None of the young men know any thing about the

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 91

species, not eveu by name. The Great Auk^s only link with
the present day is the grey-haired weather-beaten old St.-
Kildan with whom I conversed respecting its visit so long
ago.

Fratercula arctica. " Bongir.'^

This comical little bird is one of the commonest at St.
Kilda. It occurs there in thousands and tens of thousands.
Every little bit of suitable cliff contains its colony of Puffins,
and the birds may be seen flymg round and round above the
highest clifts, or dashing from them in rapid flight to the
water, whilst the sea iu many parts is almost black with
them. When walking under the clifls I Avas often startled
by a shower of loose pebbles and earth, dislodged by the busy
Puffins burrowing far above. The Puffin, notwithstanding
his small wings, flies well and gracefully, and often hovers
perfectly motionless in the air, with his bright orange-red
legs outstretched to guide him in his course. Puffins often fly
about in the air like Starlings for a quarter of an hour or more.
They dive well, but not so frequently as the Guillemot.
The Puffin arrives at St. Kilda on the 1st of May, almost as
regularly as clockwork, and leaves in autumn. Doon is the
paradise of Puffins ; the whole island is undermined with
them, and the air is darkened with birds as they fly up from
the grassy banks or perching-places on the cliffs, or from
their nest-holes. During the whole time I was on Doon the
Puffins were flying round us in tens of thousands, and quite
a rushing noise was made with their wings.

Phalacrocorax carbo.

The Cormorant occurs very sparingly at St. Kilda.

Phalacrocorax graculus. " Sgarbh.'^

The Shag is commoner at St. Kilda than the preceding
species, and breeds in the several caverns round the rock-
bound coasts.

Sula bassana. " Souler.'^

The Gaunet breeds in tens of thousands on the island of
Borreay and the adjacent " stacks.^^ Stack Lii is the great

92 ]Mr. C. Dixon on the

breeding-station, and from a distance looks as if it was
covered with a gigantic tablecloth. The masses of birds that
crowd upon its sloping summit make this rock a very con-
spicuous object, and it maybe distinctl}^ seen from the Long
Island, forty miles away, like a large ship under full sail
bending to windward. When the birds are disturbed the air
is darkened, although but a small percentage takes wing, and
the rocks are not visil)ly decreased in whiteness. Very few
Gannets are to be seen round St. Kilda. I observed on one
or two occasions several birds fishing in the bay, but they
never stayed long. The Ganuet is highly prized by the St.-
Kildans for its feathers, its oil, and its flesh. The great
bulk of these birds come here in May, a few pioneers a little
earlier, and they leave as soon as the young (which are called
"Gugha^") are strong upon the v.'ing in autumn. Many of
the St.-Kilda Gannets obtain their food in the Minch, fifty
miles away.

Procellaria GLAciALis. " Ful-a-mair.^^

The Fulmar is |^rtr excellence the bird of St. Kilda. It is
a resident in the islands, but Donald told me that they leave
the rocks en masse about the middle of October and return
about the middle of November. During this time not a
Fulmar is to be seen except a few stragglers out at sea in the
neighbourhood of the islands. The great haunt of this bird
is in the cliffs behind Connacher, and those between that
mountain and Mulloch-oshavall, but numbers of Fulmars
breed in all suitable situations throughout the group of
islands. I shall never forget the grandeur of the scene when
I first made the acquaintance of the Fulmar at home. Just
before I reached one of the shoulders of Connacher I saw a
few Fulmars sailing in graceful flight above the cliff's, then
darting downwards again into space. When I reached the
summit the scene vras grand. Thousands and tens of thou-
sands of Fulmars were flying silently about in all directions,
but never by any chance soaring over the land. They con-
fined their flight to passing backwards and forwards past the
face of the cliffs, or darting downwards to the waves eight

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 93

hundred feet below. No bird flies more gracefully than the
Fulmar. It floats in the air with scarcely any efibrt^ and
passes to and fro for minutes together without beating its
wings. It was very tame and fluttered in the air a few feet
from the edge of the cliff where I was standing, and every
now and then hovered like a Kestrel, or turned round as if
on a pivot. Some parts of the cliffs, where the soil is
loose and covered with turf, are almost white with sitting
Fulmars. The Fulmar begins to lay about the middle
of May and the young are able to fly early in August. The
bird rarely if ever burrows deep enough in the ground to
conceal itself whilst incubating, and in the majority of in-
stances only makes a hole large enough to conceal half its
body. In some cases it is content with laying its e^^ under
some projecting tuft or even on the bare and exposed ledge
of a cliffy in a similar place to that so often selected by the
Guillemot. The nests are very slight and in some instances
are dispensed with altogether. I noticed that a little dry
grass was the only material the Fulmar used in making its
nest.

The Fulmars we caught ejected a large quantity of amber-
coloured oil. Most of this issued from the mouth, but a small
portion came through the tubular nostrils, especially when
the bird was dying. Donald told me that the Fulmar dives,
and that it often takes the baits from the long lines. When
disturbed by the report of a gun, the Fulmars filled the air
like snowflakes, and the mighty hordes of Puffins looked like
a huge swarm of bees darkening the air as far as we could
see. The natives do not collect so many eggs of this bird as
I should have expected, but their grand Fulmar harA'^est is
when the young are almost ready for flight. The natives
now and then take small nuts from the crops of the Fulmar.
I obtained one of these nuts ; and Sir William Milner pro-
cured several. He supposed them to be Brazilian, and they
are doubtless brought north by the Gulf-stream and picked
up by the birds from the water.

There can be no doubt that several races of Fulmar inhabit
St. Kilda. The natives assert that there are two kinds^ a

94 Mr. C. Dixon on the

light and a dark one ; but the latter is rare, although they
sometimes snare it from its eggs. These light and dark races
of the Fulmar may be again divided into a large and small
form of each respectively. Several of the eggs I obtained
unquestionably belong to this small form of Fulmar, but
whether of the light or dark races I am unable to say, as I
did not take them myself. There are two dominant forms of
Fulmar, an Atlantic and a Pacific one. Curiously enough
the latter appears to go through the same variations as
its Atlantic ally, viz. a light and dark form, each Vv'ith a large
and small representative. The light and dark Pacific birds
are said to breed in separate colonies on Copper Island. All
the Pacific forms are said to have light-coloured bills, but in
the light form of the Atlantic Fulmar the nasal tubes are dark,
and the dark form of the latter bird has the entire bill- dark
except the nail. The Pacific dark form also appears to be con-
stantly darker than its Atlantic representative ; and in both
oceans the dark form is most western, and the light form
most eastern in its distribution. For the above information on
the variations of the Fulmar I am indebted to Mr. Seebohm,
to whom it was furnished by Professor liidgway.

In spite of what Capt. Feilden, Prof. Malmgren, and otlier
naturalists say to the contrary, there can be no doubt that
the dark birds are not in the immature stage of plumage.
Malmgren says that he saw intermediate examples between
the light and dark forms ; but this, I think, points to the fact
that all these forms of Fulmar interbreed, as well-behaved
subspecies ought to do.

PuFFiNus ANGLORUM. " Scrapire."

The Manx Shearwater is far commoner on St. Kilda than
is generally supposed, and probably breeds on all the islands.
It certainly does so on Doon, St. Kilda, and Soay. It is one
of the earliest birds to arrive at the islands in spring, coming
early in February, and it is amongst the last to leave in
autumn. This Shearwater is so common on Soay that
as many as four hundred have been caught in a single
night; and their cries arc described by the St.-Kildaiis as

Ornithology of Si. Kilda. 95

deafening. The Shearwater is nocturnal in its habits and at
night-time becomes very garrulous. Donald imitated its note
to a nicety^ and it may be expressed on paper as kitty -coo-roo,
kitty -coo-r 00. This note is uttered when the bird is flying
and when sitting on its nest. Guided by the note, the men
are able to find the nests with little difficulty, so that they
always prefer to go in search of this species at night. I
obtained eggs of this bird in the cliffs on the south-west part
of St. Kilda. Much to the disgust of Donald I allowed one
of the Shearwaters to escape in order to observe its flight and
actions in the daytime. The St.-Kildans cannot understand
a man who having once caught a bird allows it to escape
again ; and in low whispers one asked the other in Gaelic if
the " Sassenach '' were not a madman ! The birds I dissected
had been feeding on sorrel^ and the stomach contained a dark
oily substance.

Thalassidroma pelagica. "■ Assilag.^'

I did not get a glimpse of the Stormy Petrel, but it is
very common, especially on Soay, where I was unable to land.
Sir William Milner obtained its eggs on Borreay on the 15th
of June; and it also breeds on Doon, where its eggs were
taken last year. Its date of arrival and departure is said by
the natives to be similar to that of the Shearwater.

Thalassidroma leucorrhoa. '^Assilag."

The natives do not distinguish by name the two species
of small Petrels that breed on St, Kilda, although Donald
seemed well aware of the difference between them. The first
British examples of the Fork-tailed Petrel were obtained on
St. Kilda in the summer of 1818 by Bullock, a year after
it was first described by Vieillot ; and at that time the
species was so rare that only three other examples were
known. I cannot find that Bullock ever published any
account of his discovery, but his specimen is described in
his sale-catalogue as '' an undescribed Petrel, with a forked
tail, taken at St. Kilda in 1818.'" It is pretty common on
Doon, and Sir "William Milner also obtained its eggs on
Borreay and Soay. It does not, so far as I could learn, breed

96 On the Ornithology of St. Kilda.

on St. Kilda, and is said by the natives to be commonest on
Soay. They say it is one of the earliest birds to arrive in
spring, and one of the latest to depart in autumn. I obtained
a fine series of birds and fresli eggs of this species on Doon
on the 10th of June. The place where the Fork-tailed Petrel
breeds is on that portion of the island nearest to St. Kilda,
and at the summit. The nests were very close together and
we found half a dozen in a patch of grassy land perhaps ten
yards square. Only one egg is laid, at the end of a burrow
precisely similar to that made by the Puffin, and the nest is
merely a little half-dried grass. We never found more than
one bird in the hole, and both sexes appear to take turns in
incubating the egg. The bird when caught emitted a small
quantity of oil precisely similar to that vomited by the
Fulmar. I took eleven nests of this interesting little bird,
but in two holes there was no eg^, although we caught the
parent. One hole contained no nest Avhatever and the egg
lay on the bare ground. The holes vary considerably in
depth, and are made in the soft soil, where it is very easy to
uneartli them ; but whether they are made by the Petrels or
are disused Puffin's burrows, I am unable to say. Sometimes
the hole has two entrances, and one end must be stopped to
prevent the bird escaping. Those holes which were inhabited
by Petrels generally had a little dry grass at the entrance.
The Fork-tailed Petrel is almost exclusively nocturnal in its
habits, and keeps close in its hole during the day. The birds
which I dissected had been feeding on similar substances to
those found in the Fulmar and the Shearwater. Irides
dark hazel; legs, feet, claAvs, and bill black.

Of the sixty-seven species enumerated in the preceding list
twenty-seven may be regarded as breeding regularly on the
islands, four only breed occasionally, and two or three may
breed there but have hitherto escaped noticed (Curlew, Snipe,
Briinnich's Guillemot). The remainder are only accidental
visitors or pass regularly on spring and autumn migration.
I have not the least doubt that the list of occasional visitors
would be doubled if we had competent observers stationed at
St. Kilda during migration-time. I hope to be able to

Recently published Ornithological Works, 97

furnish some additions to the present list^ for Mr. Campbell,
the schoolmaster, has promised to keep a look-out for any
migrants that may chance to call at these lonely islands.
There is evidently a considerable migration over them ; but
the St.-Kildan, as might naturally be expected, takes no
interest in birds with the exception of those on which he so
largely, nay almost solely, depends for a livelihood.

IX. — Notices of recent Ornithological Publications.

1. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway on the Water -Birds of

North America.

[Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College.
Vol. XII. The Water-Birds of North America. By S. F. Baird, T. M,
Brewer, and R. Ridgway. Vol. I. 4to. Boston : 1884.]

Ornithologists will welcome the first instalment of this
long-delayed work, and will hope that the final and completing
volume may speedily follow"^. The 'Water-Birds of North
America ' forms alike the second part of the ' Land-Birds of
California/ published by the State Geological Survey of
California in 1870, and of the well-known ' History of North
American Birds ' of Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway,
published in 1875. With its numerous illustrations, and
excellent print and paper, every one will be pleased. Nor
will any one, in our opinion, be less satisfied with the con-
tents, although some of the changes from the ordinary nomen-
clature, proposed for adoption, look a little awkward at first.
Do many of our readers know what Vanellus capella is, or
Charadrius apricarius ?

The present volume contains an account of the Herodiones^
Limicolae, Alectorides, Phoenicopteri, and the first portion of
the Anseres, leaving the remaining " Swimmers " for the
final volume. It is wisely admitted that this arrangement is
''not natural,'^ but " adopted for the convenience of the
student.'" Does it, however, profit a student to learn a con-
fessedly unnatural system ?

. ■. " ■ [* It has since been issued. — Edi*,]
SER. V. — VOL. III. H

98 Recently published Ornitholoyical Works.

2. Barboza du Bocaye on Birds from Angola.

[Observa96es acerca de algumas aves d'Angola. Por J. V. Barboza
du Bocag-8. Joni. Sc. Lisboa, no. xxxiv. p. 65 (1883).]

Critical notes on some of the less known species of An-
golan birds, of which the Lisbon Museum has recently re-
ceived specimens. As regards the singular colouring of the
sexes in Pionias rueppelli, the author is disposed to concur
with the views recently put forward by Sclater (P. Z. S.
1882, p. 557).

3. Barboza du Bocaye on fVest-Afr'tcan Birds.

[Aves das possessoes poi-tugezas da Africa occidental. Por J. "V. Bar-
boza du Bocage. Vigesinia qiiinta lista. Jorn. Sc. Lisboa, xxxiv. p. 81
(188;3).]

.. , Prof. Barboza du Bocage's tv/euty-fifth article gives an
account of Sr. Anchieta^s last collection from Caconda, and
of one from the Rio Cuce, to which that celebrated explorer
has lately made a short excursion. Fifty-one species are
recorded, amongst Avhich is Neocichla gutturalis.

4. Barboza du Bocage on Cinuyris erikssoni.

[Sur I'identite de Cinnyris erikssoni, Trimeu, et Nedarinia hidovicensis,
Bocage. Par J. V. Barboza du Bocage. Jorn. Sc. Lisboa, xxxiv. p. 105

(1883).]

It is shown that Cinnyris erikssoni, Trimen, 1883, was
previously described in 1868, by Prof Barboza du Bocage, as
Nedarinia ludovicensis.

5. Belding on the Birds of Guaymas.

[List of Birds found at Guaymas, Sonora, in December 1882 and
April 1883. By L. Belding. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1883, p. 343.]

Enumerates 46 species, of which 35 are also found in
Lower California, on the opposite side of the Gulf — five
others being represented there by closely allied " species or
races,^^ while six are unrepresented in Lower California.

6, Belding on the Birds of Lower California.

[Second Catalogue of a collection made near the southern extremity of

Recently published Ornithological Worhs. 99

Lower California. By L. Belcliug. Edited by R. Ridgway. Pr. U.S.
Nat. Mus. 1883, p. 344.]

Mr. Belding arrived at La Paz in December 1882, and
remained about three months. In the hitherto unvisited Vic-
toria Mountains, where a height of 5000 feet was attained,
examples of 41 species were procured. Upon reaching the
pines, '' the long sought for Cape Robin {Merula confinis),
the beautiful new Snow-bird [Junco bairdi), and other in-
teresting species were met with.'-" Micrathene whitneyi was
less common than in the Cactus-region, but was heard several
times. Fifteen species were also added to the list of the
lowland birds from the vicinity of La Paz and southwards,
raising the total number now recognized by Mr. Belding in
Lower California to 177.

7. Buller on rare New -Zealand Birds.

[On some rare species of New-Zealand Birds. By Walter L. Buller.
Trans, and Proc. New Zealand Inst. vol. xvi. p. .308.]

Mr. Buller gives interesting notes on Sceloglaux albifacies,
Hylochelidon nigricans , and Anthoch<£ra carimculata, the
last-named bird being new to New Zealand. He resuscitates
his Creadion cinereus as distinct from C. carmiculatus, and
Platyccrcus alpinus as distinct from P. nova-zealandice.
Other species are mentioned.

8. Cory on the Birds of San Domingo.

[The Birds of Haiti ond San Domingo. By Charles B. Corj. Boston :
1884. Part II.]

In his second part Mr. Cory makes good progress with the
birds of San Domingo, finishing the Passeres and commen-
cing the Picarise. It is curions that two species of Tody
should occur in San Domingo ; but that seems to be the case,
and, moreover, both species occur in the same district. Todus
angustirostris, according to Mr. Cory, is quite distinct from
Todus subidatus (sive doniinicensis) ,\f\ih. which many authors
have united it. Figures are given in the present number of
Ph(JEnicophilns doniinicensis, Calyptophilus frvgivorus, Eu-
phonia nnisica, Loximitris dominicensis, Icterus dominicensis,
TemnicriLS roseigaster, and Picumnus lawrencli.

H 2

100 Recent 1 1/ published Ornitholoyical Works.

9. Coues's neiv Key to North-American Birds.

[Key to North-American Birds. Containing a concise account of every
species of living and fossil bird at present known from the Continent
north of the Mexican and United States Boundary, inclusive of Greenland.
Second edition, revised to date, and entirely rewritten : with which are
incorporated General Ornithology, an outline of the Structure and Clas-
sification of Birds ; and Field Ornithology, a Manual of collecting, pre-
paring, and preserving Birds. By Elliott Coues, M.A. Royal 8vo.
London and Boston : 1884.]

The first edition of Dr. Coues's well-kuown ^Key to North-
American Birds' was issued in 1872. The twelve years that
have since elapsed have^ as we all know, been a period of
great activity to the American ornithologists^ and have so
greatly increased our knowledge of the Nearctic avifauna,
that it was quite necessary that the ' Key ' should be revised.
The revised, improved, and augmented 'Key' forms the
second and third part of the present edition. To the main
body of the work thus constituted, Dr. Coues has prefixed a
reprint of his ' Field Ornithology,' which originally appeared
in 1874 as a separate work, and is, we believe, one of the best
manuals of instruction for the field-collector, as regards
the obtaining, preparing, and preserving specimens, ever put
together. He has likewise added, as Part IV., a systematic
Synopsis of the Fossil Birds of North America — in the re-
vision of which he has had the advantage of the assistance
of Prof. O. C. Marsh, the greatest living authority on this
subject.

It is, however, to Part II. of the present volume that we
must specially direct the reader's attention. In this Part there
is condensed into some 180 pages a more complete account of
the structure and classification of birds, brought up to the
present standard of our knowledge, than any other with
which we are acquainted. After defining and describing what
birds in general are, and stating the principles and practices
used in classification, special chapters are devoted to their ex-
ternal structure, " osteology, neurology, angeiology, pneuma-
tology, splanchnology, and oology." So much information
that cannot be got at elsewhere is brought together in this
comprehensive treatise, that it ought to be in the hands of

Recently published Ornithological Works. 101

every ornithologist, whether he is a special student of the
American avifauna or not. It is, in fact, our deliberate opinion
that Coues's new ' Key ' is, as one of the veteran ornithologists
of the continent has tersely put it, in a private letter, " one of
the best and most useful bird-books ever written;'' and we
commend it to our readers accordingly.

10. Cowan on the Birds of Madagascar.

[Notes on the Natural History of Madagascar. By Rev. W. Deans
Cowan. Pr. Roy. PIij^s. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. vii. p. 133.]

To his very interesting article on the fauna of Madagascar
Mr. Cowan adds a nominal list of the mammals and birds,
and tables showing their distribution in three " well-marked
geographical districts " of the south-central part of the island.
The list contains the names of 1 15 birds. From Mr. Cowan's
general remarks on the birds, we extract the following pas-
sages : —

" In travelling through the foi'cst of Madagascar, nothing
strikes one more than what appears to be the absence of
bird-life. Now and again one hears the cry of the Centropus
tolou, mostly on the outskirts of the forest. One passes the
brilliant Coua ccerulea, making its way quietly through the
forest ; but that is the most that is generally seen or heard
of the birds in the great forest. True, if we were to pene-
trate into the denser forest we might come upon the Atelornis
pittoides or A. crossleyi, the Euryceros prevosti, the velvety
Philepittajala, or such birds as love the recesses and lonely
shades of these silent woods. Suddenly, and often unex-
pectedly, the trees overhead become filled with crowds of
birds, chattering in many a different note — that is what may
be called a 'drive' of birds. Hundreds, sometimes thousands
of them have congregated for feeding-purposes, and are now
passing through the forest, clearing the insects from trees
and shrubs. Conspicuous amongst them for size and noise
is i\\QDicrurusforficatas, Tijlas edaardi, and Cumpephaga cana ;
of the smaller birds there is the Zosterops madagascariensis,
the two Bernierice, the Leptopterus viridis, and the chattci'ing-
Newionia, with many others. It is by following such drives

102 Recently published Ornithological Works.

that the natives are able to obtain so many birds with their
blow-pipes. The birds that frequent the more open parts of
the country are Pratincola sybilla, Cisticola madac/ascarietisis,
Eurystomus madagascariensis, and Hypsipetes ourovang. The
peculiar little Dromaocercus wanders quietly amongst the
grass, beside the streams in the glades of the forest, and is
never seen perching, except in some natural-history plates !
The Leptosumus discolor, a rather remai^kable bird, delights
in the outlying forest, where his peculiar cry of dre-dres is
frequently heard.

" The Cuculus rochii begins his spring song in October, or
early part of November, and farms out his young there, as in
all other countries. His note changes considerably just be-
fore he takes his departure, whether to the low countries or
across the sea, T cannot say. The egg is very unlike that of
any other Cuckoo, and varies to some extent in the marking.
The nests it most frequents are those of the Pratincola sybilla
and the Cisticola madagascariensis, although its egg is often
found in the nests of Cossypha shaipei and Cop sychus pica.
The nesting-season in Madagascar extends from November to
February or March, the common Foudia being amongst the
last of the nest-builders."

11. De Vei'teuiVs ' Trinidad' (Second edition.)

[Trinidad : its geography, natural resources, admiuisitration, present con-
dition, and prospects. By L. A. A. De Verteuil, M.D.P. Second edition.
Cassell & Co., London, Paris, and New York : 1884, 1 Vol. Bvo.
434 pp.]

So little is done by the numerous English residents in the
West Indies to aid the cause of Natural History that we are
glad to call attention to the second edition of De VerteuiFs
work on Trinidad recently issued. It contains two chapters
on the birds of the island, one by the author himself under
the general head of the " Animal Kingdom " (pp. 89-97), and
another specially devoted to the Birds by Mr. A. Leotaud,
well known as the writer of the ' Oiseaux de la Trinidad '
(pp. 365-381). Mr. Leotaud^s list of species is old-fashioned
in its nomenclature and occasionally, we fear, incorrect.

Recently published Ornithological Works. 103

His remarks are more valuable, though we believe that the
statement that the sharp noise made by the '' Casse-noisette "
{Pipra gutturalis) is produced by the ''aid of its bill" is not
correct.

12. De Vis on the Moa in Australia.

[The Moa (Dwornis) in Australia. By C. W. De Vis, M.A. Proc. R,
Soc. Queensland, vol. i. p. 23, plates iii., iv.]

A portion of a bird's femur, found among a collection of
bones from King^s Creek presented to the Queensland Museum
by Mr. J. Daniels, is referred by Mr. De Vis to a species of
Dinornis, which he proposes to call D. queenslandice (!). The
fragment consists of rather more than the upper third of a
left femur minus the upper part of the head and the trochan-
ter. It is in the " same peculiar state of mineralization as
the great majority of the Darling-Downs fossils.^' Figures
are given of this remarkable fossil, Avhich, should its reference
to the genus Dinornis turn out to be correct, is a most note-
worthy discovery.

13. Dresser^s Monograph of the Bee-eaters.

[A Monograph of the Meropidaj, or Family of the Bee-eaters. By H. E.
Dresser, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. Parts I., II. Small folio. London : 1884.]

We are pleased to see the good progress already made by
Mr. Dresser with his 'Bee-eaters.' It will be granted by
everj^ one that Mr. Keulemaus has executed his portion of
the task well. Mr. Dresser has worked out his subject
thoroughly and has succeeded in getting together a great
deal of valuable material in his text. We fear, however,
that exception will be taken to the description of his discovery
of skins of Merops cyanophrys in the Jardin des Plantes,

The following species are figured in the first two pares ; —

Part 1.
Nyctiornis amictus. Merops sumatrauus.

athertoni. bicolor.

Meropogon forsteni. vli'idis,

Merops breweri.

104. Recently published Ornithological Works.

Part II.

Meropa cyanophrys. Merops ornatug,

boehmi. philippinus.

albicoUis. persicus.

14. Dubois on a new Parrot from New Guinea.

[Description d'lm Ecbidn^ et d'uii Perroquet inedits de la Nouvelle-
Guinee. Par M. Alpb. Dubois. Bull. Soc. Mus. R. d'Hist. Nat. Belgique,
tome iii. 1884, p. 109.]

In a fine collection of mammals and birds from New
Guinea, presented to the Brussels Museum by M. C. W. R.
van Renesse van Duivenbode, is an example of a new species
of Parrot of the genus Chalcopsittacus which M. Dubois
describes and figures as Ch. duivenbodei.

15. Filhol on the Osteology of the Penguins.

[Observations relatives aux caracteres ost^ologiques de certaines especea
A^Eudyptes et de Spheniscus. Par M. H. Filhol. Bull. Soc. Philom.
eer. 7, vi. p. 226 (1882).]

^. Filhol has utilized the numerous %\e\eiox\8 oi Eudyptes
antipodum and E. chrysocome which he obtained at Campbell
Island, by a careful study of their bones and a comparison of
them with the corresponding bones of Spheniscus demersus.

16. Filhol on the Diaphragm of the Penguins.

[Sur la constitution du diapbragnie des Eudyptes. Par M. H. Filhol.
Bull. Soc. Philom. ser. 7, vi. p. 235.]

The specimens examined are E. chrysocome and E. anti-
podum. Their diaphragm consists of two portions, the usual
pulmonary and a thoracico-abdominal one ; the latter is
partly the continuation of the ?w. transversus abdominis, and
partly augmented by a peculiar muscular slip, called by
M. Filhol m. diaphragmaticus transversus . The air-sacs are
remarkably well developed, although these birds do not possess
the power of flight. He distinguishes two diaphragmatic, one
thoracic and abdominal, and two cervical air-sacs.

17. Filhol on the Arterial System of the Penguins.

[Observations relatives au tri>nc cecliar^ue et a I'artere m^spnt^riquo

Recently published Ornithological Works. 105

siip^rieure de YEudyptes antipodes. Par M. H. Filliol. Bull. Soc.
Philom. s6r. 7, vi. p.'238.]

[Observations relatives a la circulation art^rielle dans I'aile de quelques
especea de Mancliots. Par M. II. Filliol. Ibid. p. 242.]

[Observations relatives a la circulation arterielle dans le niembre in-
f^rieur de quelques especes de Mancliots (Aptenodytes pennanti, Eudyptes
antipodes et E. chrysocome). Par M. H. Filliol. Ibid. p. 243.]

Descriptions are given of the calibre and of" the successive
order in which the arteries supplying the intestines branch
off from the common csecial trunk.

The humeral artery in Eudyptes antipodum is the simple
continuation of the a. humeralis as in other birds. In
E. chi-ysocome it is broken up into numerous collateral
branches down to the elbow-joint, whilst in Ajjtenodytes
pennanti it is transformed into a complete plexus.

An exhaustive and exact description of the arteries of the
hind limb is added. The Sphenisci are remarkable for the
multiplicity of their arterial ramifications.

18. Gurney on the Arctic Blue-throated Warbler in Norfolk.

[On the Occurrence of a flock of the Arctic Blue-throated Warbler
(EritJiacus suecica) in Norfolk. By J. II. Gurney, Jun., F.Z.S. Tr.

Norfolk and Norwich Nat. Soc. iii. p. 597.]

Nine examples of this species were shot, and at least a
score seen, at Blakeney, between the 14th and 22nd Septem-
ber, 1883; and one more was killed on the 15th of the same
month, near Yarmouth. On the 22nd September one was
shot on the coast of Northumberland, and on the 21st one
was seen at Teesmouth, in Durham. Earlier in the same
year, viz. on the 2tid September, one was obtained on the
Isle of May, in the Firth of Forth. Between September
15-18, 1884, several were shot and more were observed on
Spurn Head, in south-east Yorkshire, as has been recorded
by Mr. Theodore Fisher (Zool. 1884, p. 430).

19. Gurney on the '' Hairy '' variety of the Moorhen.

[On the " Hairy " variety of the Moorhen {Oallinula chloropus). By
J. H. Gurney, Jun., F.Z.S. Tr. Norfolk and Norwich Nat. Soc. iii.
p. 581.]

106 Recently published Ornithological JVorks.

An illustration is given of a decorticated variety of a
Moorhen, killed at Beckenliam in Norfolk, in Nov. 1857, and
now in the Cambridge Museum. Some woodcuts show that
the hair-like appearance of the feathers is due to the absence
of the barbules from the anterior portion of the vane of each
feather, and with this substance has gone a great deal of the
colouring-matter. Five, if not seven, examples of this variety-
have been obtained in Norfolk, and others have occurred in
Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Suffolk, Sus-
sex, and one at Athlone in Ireland.

20. Haast on the Grey Phalarope in New Zealand.

[On the Oftcurrence of PhnlaropusfuUcanas, Pennant (the Eed Phala-
rope), in New Zealand. By Julius von Haast, C.M.G., Ph.D., F.R.S.
Tr. and Pr. New Zealand Inst. xvi. p. 279.]

An example of this straggler from the north occurred in
June 1883, on the beach near the Wairaate lagoon. New
Zealand. It was shot flying alone.

21. Homey er and Tancrt on the Birds of the Altai.

[Beitriige zur Kenntniss der Ornithologie Westsibiriens, namontlich der
Altai-Gogend. Von E. F. von Homoyer und C. A. Tuncr^. Mitth. d.
ornith. Ver. in Wien, 1883, p. 81.]

The authors follow generally the nomenclature and
arrangement of Dr. Finsch's article on the birds of Western
Siberia published in 1879 (Verb, zool.-bot. Ges. Wien,
p. 115), supplementing it by the results obtained by their
own collector on the Altai ; the exact localities, however,
are not given. The list contains 204- species, of Avhich
Starna robusta is described as new. It is apparently a larger
and brighter form of Perdix cinerea. Sturnus poltoratzkyi
of Finsch is condemned as a bad species.

22. Joxiy on the Birds of Japan.

[Ornithological Notes on Collections made in Japan from June to
December, 1882. By Pierre Louis Jouv. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1883,
p.273.]

Accompanied by Mr. A. J. M. Smith, ^Ir. .Tony made an

Recently published Ornithological Works. 107

ornithological trip in the latter half of 1882, first to Fuji-
yama, where a month was passed at Subashiri, 2500 feet
above the sea-level, and 326 specimens were obtained, and
afterwards to the Nikko mountains and Omachi, in the pro-
vince of Shinshiu. Good field-notes are given concerning
101 species. Most of them are well-known Japanese birds ;
but examples of Accentor erythropygius were obtained on
Fuji-yama, and the Ptarmigan [Lagnpus, sp. inc.) of the high
peaks of the Tate-yama range Avas heard of, tljough not pro-
cured. Mr. Jouy considers Pyrrhula rosacea of Seebohm
(Ibis, 1882, p. 371) to be only a highly developed stage of
P. orientalis.

23. Lawrence on a new Hemiprocne.

[Description of a new Species of Bird of the Family Cypselidae. By
George N. Lawrence. Amials New York Acad. Sci. ii. p. 355.]

The species described is Hemiprocne minor from Bogota.
It seems to be like H. zonaris, but smaller.

24. Lydekker on Slivalik Fossil Birds.

[Siwalik Birds. By R. Lydekker, B.A., F.G.S., F.Z.S. Mem. Geol.
Surv. India, sect. x. vol. iii. pt. 4.]

In the Siwaliks, Mr. Lydekker tells us, as in most other
ossiferous formations, the remains of birds are extremely
scarce as compared with those of mammals, and such remains
as do occur are mostly in a fragmentary condition. Little
has yet been written on the fossil birds of the Siwaliks, and
Mr. Lydekker^s present paper is intended to give an account
of all the remains which appear capable of identification.
Besides some forms, the exact genera of which cannot be
determined, Mr. Lydekker describes species of Pelecanus,
Phalacrocorox, LeptojMlus, Mergus, Striithio, and Dromceus.
Dromceus sivalensis is established on four phalangeal bones,
which so clearly resemble those of the living Emu as to
leave little doubt that a nearly allied, although possibly not
generically identical, bird existed in the Siwaliks.

108 Recently published Ornithological Works.

25. Milne-Edwards on the Fauna of the Antarctic Regions.

[Recberches sur la Faime des Regions Australes. Par M. Alph. Milne-
Edwards. Paris: 1879-82.]

We have to thank the author for a complete copy of this
important memoir^ which^ although finished two years ago,
has not yet been noticed in this Journal. We will therefore
give a short account of its contents. M. Milne-Edwards
commences by a disquisition on the great question of the
origin of species, into which we will not follow him, although
we quite appreciate his distinction between " especes primor-
diales " and "■ especes derivees." After some preliminary re-
marks on the geography, the flora, and the general character
of the fauna of the Antarctic lands, M. Milne-Edwards
proceeds to discuss specially the Antarctic birds. These
are treated under the heads of Penguins, Albatrosses, Skuas,
Gulls and Terns, Petrels, Sheathbills, Cormorants, Grebes,
and Ducks, after which the few land-birds known to inhabit
the Antarctic islands are spoken of. Among the Penguins
two new genera {Megadijptes for Pygosceles antipodum and
Microdyptes for Eudyptula serresiana, Oust.) are instituted,
and a new species of Eudyptes [E. albigidaris), from Mac-
quarie Island, is described. A new species of Gannet from
the Pacific coast of South America is described as Sula
nebouxi. Figures are given of the heads of various forms of
Eudyptes, as also entire figures of Eudyptes albigularis, Mi-
crodyptes serresiana, Sula dactylatra, and S. nebouai, and six
charts showing the distribution of the various groups of
birds in the Antarctic regions are added.

But while we fully appreciate the value of M. Milne-
Edwards's memoir and the amount of information collected in
it, it must not be supposed that we fully agree with all his
statements. We must conclude that there is no specimen of
the Emperor Penguin in the Paris Museum, or our author
could never have said that this species and the King Penguin
" ne different que fort peu Vun de V autre'' ; nor do we believe
that Spheniscns demersus of the Cape also occurs in the
Falkland Islands, or that our author is correct in his dictum

Recently published Ornithological Works. 109

(pt. i. p. 63) as to the external sexual distinctions of the
Sphenisci. We believe that the sexes of Spheniscus are as
nearly as may be alike in plumage.

Some criticisms by Saunders, on the account of the
Larida and their distribution, will be found in P. Z. S. 1882,
p. 5.27.

26. Murray's ' Vertebrate Zoology of Sind.'

[The Vertebrate Zoology of Siud. A systematic account with descrip-
tions of all the known species of Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles inhabiting
the Province ; observations on their habits, &c. ; tables of their Geo-
graphical distribution in Persia, Beloochistan, and Afghanistan, Punjab,
North-west Provinces, and the peninsula of India generally, with wood-
cuts, lithographs, and coloured illustrations. By James A. Murray.
Royal 8vo. London and Bombay : 1884.]

This will be a useful compilation for the local naturalist,
but the original information in it is not very extensive. The
number of birds now known from Sind is 399, but consider-
able additions are expected to be made to the list. Short
descriptions are given of all the species, and summaries of
their geographical distribution. On the whole Mr. Murray's
volume is, in our opinion, a very creditable piece of work,
when the place of its production is taken into consideration.
Serinus pectoralis, from Kurrachee, is described as a new
species.

27. Nutting on Birds from Nicaragua.

[On a Collection of Birds from Nicaragua. By Charles C. Nutting,
Edited by R. Ridgway. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1883, p. 372.]

Mr. Nutting went to Nicaragua in the early part of 1883
for the purpose of making a collection of birds for the Smith-
sonian Institution. Four districts were visited : — San Juan
del Sur on the Pacific ; Sucuya on the west shore of the Lake
of Nicaragua ; Ometepe, an island on the Lake ; and Los
Sabalos, on the river San Juan del Norte. The species have
been determined by Mr. Ridgway, who has also added critical
remarks.

110 Recently publis/u'd Ornithological Works.

Neai' San Juan del Sur, " a beautiful harbour surrounded
by low mountains/^ where the banks of a stream and dense
marshy forest aiford good colleeting-places, examples of 70
species were obtained, of which 47 are stated to be recorded
for the first time in Nicaragua. At Sucuya, a hacienda on
the Lake of Nicaragua^ four miles north of Rivas, examples
of 88 species were procured, 49 of which are marked as new
to the Nicaraguan avifauna. A nice note is given on the
'^ dance" of Chiroxiphia linearis. The fertile island of Ome-
tepe is the home of only 50 species, although numerically
birds are abundant. The apparently entire absence of
Turdidse, Tanagiidae, Dendrocolaptidse, Formicariidse, and
Rhamphastidai is noticeable. At Los Sabalos, about 30
miles down the river San Juan del Norte, examples of 80
species were obtained, of which six are described as new,
namely, Geothlypis bairdi, Oryzoborus salvini, O. nuttingi,
Contopus depressirostris, Cymbilanius lineatus fasciatus (subsp.
nov.), and Porzana leucogaster. Besides these Mr. Ridgway
describes GraUaria intermedia, from Costa Rica, in a footnote.

28. Przetvalski's Journey in Tibet.

[Reisen in Tibet unci am oberen Lauf des Gelben Flussesin den Jahren
1879 bis 1880, von N. von Prschewalsld. Aus dem Russischen frei in
das Deutscbe iibertragen und mit Anmerkungen versehen von Stelu-
Nordheim. Jena, 1884. 1 vol. 8vo. 282 pp.]

We were lately complaining that no English account of
the great traveller Przewalski's third journey into Northern
Tibet had been published. We have now, however, an ex-
cellent German translation of the Russian original before us,
which will render his exploits more familiar to western
readers. Przewalski is, as well known, an excellent field-
observer and collector, and very well acquainted with Asiatic
birds. His account of the Ornithology of Northern Tibet
has been already given to our readers (Ibis, 1884, p. 242).
But there are several passages in the present volume, such
as those on the bird -life of the Dsungarian Desert (p. 23),
of the Nan-sehan mountains (p. 73), and of Lake Kokonor
(p. 199), which are worthy of attention; and many new

Recently published Ornithological Works. Ill

species are mentioned^ such as Phasianus satscheunensis, Ph.
tarimensis, Ph. strauchi, Ph. vlangalli, Sitta eckloni, Pyrgi-
lauda kansuensis, and Rhopophilus deserti, which, so far as we
know, have not yet been described. Anser indicus was found
breeding in the oasis of Sat-schen, north of the Nan-schan
(p. 64).

29. Radde's ' Urfiis Caucasica.'

[Omis Caucasica. Vou Dr. G ustav Radde. Lief, i.-xvi. 4to. Kassel :

1884.]

The first three parts of this long-expected work are now
before us and carry on the general subject to the middle of
the Laridse. The introduction, giving an account of how the
author was induced to undertake the task, and of his views
on species are worth perusal. Dr; Radde is a decided " lum-
per ^^ as regards species. For him Garruli glandarius, kry-
nickii, melanocephalus , and hyrcanvs are all one. Sturnus
unicolor is not specifically distinct from St. vulgaris, much
less ^t. pujyurascens, St. nitens, and St. poltarutskyi, and the
same plan is pursued in similar cases. Dr. Eadde acknow-
ledges 367 species and 66 varieties of Caucasian birds. We
observe that he calls the Caspian species of Porphyrio '' P.
veterumJ" But it has been pointed out by Sclater (Ibis,
1879, p. 195) that this name originated in error, as will be
seen at once by those that will take the trouble to refer to
S. G. Gmelin^s ' Reise; ' and, as regards the validity of the
species, it has been shown by Mr. Seebohm (Ibis, 1881, p. 429)
that the Caspian bird is the same as the Indian P. polio-
cephalus.

The following species are figured in Lief, i.-xvi. : —

Tab. i. fig. 1. Buteo tacliardus, var. Tab. iv. figs. 2, 3. Garrulus glanda-

rufus. rius, var. hyrcanus.

fig. 2. Buteo tachardus, var. v. Garrulus glandarius, var.

fusco-ater. vi. fig. 1. Acredula tephronota.

ii. Buteo tacbardus, var. fig. 2. Acredula tepbronota,

iii. Circus seruginosus, var. uni- var. major.

color. vii. Carpodacus rubiciilus.

iv. fig. 1. Garrulus glandarius. viii. fig. 1. Montifringilla nivalis.

1 12 Recently published Ornithological Works.

Tab. viii. fig, 2. Montifringilla alpi- Tab. xi. Biulytes melauocephalus,

cola. albino.

ix. figs. 1-4. Passer domesti- xii. Motacilla alba et var.

cus, tj'p. et var. xiii. fig. 1. Sylvia mystacea.

fig. o. Passer salicicolus. fig. 2. Phylloscopus rufus,

figs.G, 7. Metoponiapusilla. var. obscurus.

X. fig. 1. Crithophaga mili- xiv. Accentor ocularis,

aria, var. minor. xv. Daulias hafizi.

fig. 2. Crithophaga mili- xvi. RuticiUa ochruros.
aria, typ.

30. Reichenow on Parrots.

[Vogelbilder aus fernenZonen. Atlas der bei uns eingefiirhten auslan-
dischen Vogel, mit erlauterndem Text. Allen Naturfreunden, insbesondere
den Liebhaberu auslandischer Stubenvogel und Besiichern zoologischer
Garten, gewidmet von Dr. Ant. Reichenow. Lief. xi. Folio. Cassel :

1883.]

The eleventh part terminates Dr. Reichenow's work, the
original plan of which has been modified so as to restrict it
to the Parrots. Of this group it forms, as now completed,
an illustrated monograph. The systematic list at tlie end
contains the names of 448 species, and there are, we believe,
a few others, nearly all recently described, which Dr. Reich-
enow has not included. The figui'cs (by Miitzel) are well
drawn and coloured, the plates being 33 hi number. The
work is decidedly of a useful nature for the ready identifica-
tion of the birds of this group ; but we regret to observe the
many deviations from the nomenclature usually adopted.

31. Ridgway on neiv Birds from the Commander Islands
and Petropaulovski.

[Descriptions of some Birds supposed to be undescribed from the Com-
mander Islands and Petropaulovski, collected by Dr. Leonhard Stejneger,
U.S. Signal Service. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1883, p. 90.]

The species described are Haliaetus hypoleucus from Bering
Island, Acrocephalus dybowskii from Petropaulovski, Anor-
thura pallescens from Bering Island, Hirundo saturata from
Petropaulovski, and Anthus stejnegeri (if distinct from A.ja-
poniciis) from the Commander Islands.

Recently published Ornitholoyical Works. 113

32. Ridgivay on new CoHta-Rican Birds.

[On some Costa-Rican Birds, with descriptions of several new Species.
By Robert Ridgway. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1883, p. 410.]

From a small collection lately received by the U.S. National
Museum from Sr. Zeledon^ Mr. Ridgway describes as new
Enipidonax viridescetis, sp. nov.^ Psitlasoma michleri zeledoniy
subsp. nov., and gives notes on various other interesting
species. Mr. Ridgway considers that Empidonaoc atriceps of
Salvin is more properly congeneric with Mitrephorus au-
rantiiventris .

33. Ridgway on West-Indian Birds.

[On a Collection of Birds made by Messrs. J. E. Benedict and W. Nye,
of the United States Fish-Commission Steamer ' Albatross,' By Robert
Ridgway. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1884, p. 172.]

The collection of birds made by the naturalists of the
' Albatross ' in the West Indies, and on the shores of the
Caribbean Sea, altliough not extensive, is of much interest,
Mr. Ridgway deals with it under five heads. Ten species
from St. Thomas and fifteen from Trinidad were already
known to us from these localities. The third category re-
lates to the A^enezuelan island of Curacoa, almost terra in-
cognita to the modern naturalist. Here of six species of
which examples were obtained, three are described as new
{Mimus gilvus rostratus, Dendrceca rvfo-pileata, and Icterus
curasoensis) , and a fourth [Zenaida vinaceo-rnfa) is provided
with a suggested name in case it may not be identical with
Z. ruficaiida, Bp. Mr. Ridgway also inclines to the view
that the northern form of Icterus xanthornus (from Gua-
temala, Mexico, and Panama) is distinct from the southern
(S. American) form, which would stand as /. linncei (Bp.) . But
does this species or any form of it occur north of Panama?
We know of no evidence of such being the case. From the
vicinity of Sabanilla, U.S. of Colombia, specimens of eight
species were procured by the "^ Albatross,' all well known.
Lastly, on the island of Old Providence, which lies in the
middle of the Caribbean Sea, 250 miles north of Aspinwall,

SER. V. — -vol.. III. I

1 14 Recently published Qndtholoyical Works.

four species, all new, "were discovered — Ccrtliiola tricolor, Vireo-
sylvia grandior, Vireo opproaimavs, and Elainea cineruscens.

34. Kidgway on a new Field-Sparrow.

[Description of a new Species of Field-Sparrow from New Mexico. By
Robert Eidgrs-ay. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1884, p. 259.]

Spizella icortheni, allied to S. pusilla and S. atriyidaris, is
based on a specimen obtained at Silver City, New Mexico,
and presented to the U.S. National Museum by Mr. C. K,
Worthen.

35. Robson on the breeding of the Eastern Golden Plover.

[Observations on the Breeding-liabits of the Eastern Golden Plover
{Charadritis fuJvus). By C. H. Eobsnn. Comniuuicated by W. L.
Buller, C.M.G., Sc.D., F.R.S. Trans, and Proc. New Zealand Inst. xvi.
p. 308.]

Tbe Eastern Golden Plover was found breeding by Mr.
Robson at tbe nortbern end of Portland Island, New Zealand,
in January 1883.

86, Schaloiu on a new Plainfain-eafer.

[Eine neue Musophat/a aus Central-Afrika. Von Herman Sehalow,
Zeitsch. f. d. gesamnite Ornith. Budapest, 1884, p. 103.]

From tbe western shore of Lake Tanganyika, Dr. R. Bobm
has sent, along with an interesting letter, a sketcb of tbe
bead and a sbort description of a species of a Musophaga allied
to M. rossae, but wbicb Herr Scbalow considers to be diflerent,
and separates as M. boehmi.

'67. Sharpe on the Birds of the Voyage of the 'Alert.'

[Report on the Zoological Collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean
during the Voyage of H.M.S. ' Alert,' 1881-82. 8vo. Loudon : 1884.]

Tbe Birds formed a very small part of tbe extensive col-
lections formed by Dr. Coppinger during tbe voyage of the
' Alert ; ' but Mr. Sbarpe gives an account of 77 species, of
wbicb examples were obtained in tbe islands of Torres Straits,
at Port Molle and Port Curtis in Queensland, and at Port
Darwin in N.W. Australia. Fiezorhynchus medius, from Port

Recently published Ondthologlcal Works. 115

Molle, is described as new^ and several species are resusci-
tated which were suppressed by Dr. Gadow in his receut
volumes of the British-Museum Catalogue.

38. Sharpe on various Timeliid{e.

[Xotes oil Timeliidae. Bj R. Bowdler Sharpe. Notes from the Leyden
Museum, vol. vi. Note xxiv. p. 167.]

Mr. Sharpe gives notes upon examples of various species
of Timeliidse in the Leyden Museum which he has exa-
mined subsequently to the issue of the seventh volume of
the British-Museum Catalogue ; and he indicates the neces-
sary alterations and additions to be made to that work iu
consequence of the information thus obtained.

39. Sharpe on a new Wren from Timor.

[On an apparently undescribed genus of Wrens from Timor. "By R.
Bowdler Sharpe. Notes from the Leyden Museum, vol. vi. Note xxv.
p. 179.]

The new Wren comes very close to Pnoepyga, and is pro-
posed to be called Orthnocichla subulata. It is the Orthoto-
mus subulatus of Miiller (MS.).

40. Sharpe on Birds from New Guinea.

[Contributions to the Ornithology of New Guinea. By R. Bowdler
Sharpe. — Part IX. On further Collections made by Mr. A. Goldie in the
Astrolabe Mountains. Journ. Linn. Soc, Zool. xvii. p. 405.]

Notes on three species^ one of which [Amblyornis subalaris)
is described as new.

41. Shai-pe on Birds from Equatorial Africa.

[Notes on a Collection of Birds made by Herr F. Bohndorff in the
Bahr el Ghazal Province and the Nyam-nyam Country in Equa-
torial Africa. By R. Bowdler Sharpe. Journ. Linn. Soc, Zool. xvii.
p. 419.]

Mr. BohndorfE^s collection was made principally when in
company with Dr. Junker_, the well-known explorer^ and at
Dem Suleiman^ the capital of the Bahr el Ghazal. The
species recorded are 112; whereof are described as new — -

116 liecenthj published Ornithological Works.

Crateropus bohndorffi, Sigmodus mentalis, Pionias crassus,
Ceuthmochares iyitermedii's, and Syrnium bohndorffi.

42. Shufeldt on the forms of the Patella in Birds.

[Concerning some of tlie forms assumed by the Patella in Birds. By
Dr. R. W. Shufeldt. Proc. U.S. Nat, Mus. 1884, p. 324.]

Dr. Shufeldt points out that the patella is a characteristic
bone in some cases^ and describes and figures its form in
certain water-birds.

43. Synith on the Hieracideas.

[On Hieracidea nova-zealandice and H. hrunnea. By W. W. Smith.
Communicated by Dr. Duller. Trans, and Proc. New Zealand Inst. xvi.
p. 318.]

Mr. Smith's careful observations seem to establish tlie
specific difference of the two species of Hieracidea of New
Zealand.

44. Sovza on Bucorax jiyrrhops.

[Notes sur le Bucorax pyrrhops, Elliot. Par Jos6 Augusto de Souza.
Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, no. xxxviii. 1884.]

M. de Souza gives some further characters to distinguish
Bucorax pyrrhopis from B. abyssinicus, as observed in a speci-
men of the former species lately received at Lisbon from
Bissao. Two figures of the head of B. pyrrhops are added.

45. Stejneger on the Natural History of the Commander
Islands.

[Contributions to the History of the Commander Islands. By Leonhard
Stejneger. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1883, p. 58.]

A very interesting letter, containing an account of IVIr.
Stejneger's first three months'' explorations in Bering Island,
where he landed in April 1882. The laud-fauna is essentially
Palsearctic. Of the 70 species of birds of which specimens
were obtained or observed, about one third are circumpolar,
one third Pacific, and the remainder East-Asiatic. The
American Plaliaetus leucocephalus occurs thcrC; and a second

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 117

species of the same genus^ but not H.pelagicus. Two species
of Rissa [R. hotzebui and R. brevirostris) occupy the coast in
countless numbers.

46. Stejneger on the Genus Cepphus.

[Remarks on the Species of the Genus Cepphus. By Leonhard Stejne-
ger. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1884, p. 210.]

Mr. Stejneger^s chief points are that a black-winged Guil-
lemot allied to Cepphas (intellige Uria) carbo occurs in the
North Atlantic, and that Cepphus mcindti is the ordinary
species of White-winged Guillemot in North America, al-
though C. grylle may also occur there. A synopsis of all the
species is added. European ornithologists are requested to
examine and report upon the supposed examples of the pro-
blematical C. motzfeldi in the British and Leyden Museums.

47. Travers on the Organic Productions of New Zealand.

[Some remarks upon the distribution of the Or^ifanic Productions of
New Zealand. By W. T. L. Travers. Trans, and Proc. New Zealand
Inst. xvi. p. 401.]

This essay contains some good remarks on the distribution
of the species of birds in the different islands of New
Zealand.

X. — Letters, Extracts, Announcements, ^c.

We have received the following letters addressed to the
Editors of 'The Ibis :^ —

Smithsonian Institution,

November 28, 1884.

Sirs, — I take great pleasure in corroborating Mr. Stej-
neger's remarks concerning the " Shedding of the Claws in
the Ptarmigan and allied Birds," as I had abundant oppor-
tunity of observing it as a fact while travelling recently in
Labrador and Ungava.

Yours &c.,

LuciEN M. Turner.

118 Letters, Annoimcements, S^c.

10 Chandos Street,

Cavendisla Square,

December 3, 1884.

Sirs, — Though we have not had an opportunity of com-
paring the types^ we have little doubt that the Phompara
described from Roraima, in the last volume of ' The Ibis '
(1884j J). 445), as P. plueoptlla is the same as Phompara
fumosa, Lawrence, from Trinidad (Ann. Lye. N. Y. x. p. 396,
1874). Both birds are described as being of a uniform
fuHgiuous black above, unreHeved by olive-green on the back,
as in the allied species P. bicolor &c.

We are, yours &c.,

O. Salvin and F, D, Godman.

lingular Development of Opisthocomus. — Mr. Coale, of
Chicago, sends us an account of an apparently very remark-
able discovery in the development of the Hoatzin [Opistho-
comus cristatus) made by Mr. Edward M. Brigham. The
exact facts are not very clearly stated in the paper (which was
read before the Chicago Academy of Sciences on October
14th, 1884), but the following passage seems to contain the
pith of the discovery : —

" While making embryological studies in the interior of
the great island of Marajo, on the small river Anabiju, I dis-
covered the quadruped-bird.

''After having examined many specimens of various ages,
I found that from what corresponds to about the embryonic
state of development of the common fowl at the tenth day
of incubation^ the fore feet showed their characters unmis-
takably throughout their egg-development, and to a period
of several days after hatching the fore feet, toes, and claws
held their characters as such, as unmistakably as those parts
of the posterior members.

" Later a progressive modification manifested itself by re-
ducing the digits, exfoliating the claws, and developing these
anterior members into those characteristic of a bird. There
is, among the higher vertebrate animals, so far as I know, no

Letters, Annowicements, (Sfc. 119

other example of post-natal metamorphosisj in such funda-
mental organs, to any thing like this extent.

"The law enunciated by Von Baer — that the phylogenetic
development is represented in the ontogenetic — has a wide
expression here. An important ancestral feature is persistent
beyond the e^^ or pre-natal development. The animal pro-
gressing in its embryonic course passes into its reptilian
ancestral type, and before its evolution has carried it through
this — its reptilian phase — it emerges from the egg. Thus,
from an egg laid by a two-footed two-winged bird, hatches a
quadruped animal.

" For several days after hatching it retains its quadruped
character, then, in the open air and sunlight, one pair of legs
evolves into wings. Front legs are purposeless in a bird."

The National Bird-Collection at Washington. — "The bird-
collection of the National Museum has increased from 93,091
at the end of 1883 to 100,126 up to October 7, 1884,-7035
specimens having thus been added since January 1. It
may be of interest to our readers to know that the
enumeration of the bird-record was begun with 3696 speci-
mens, forming Professor Baird's private collection, his
catalogue, written in liis own hand, forming Volume i. of
the ' Museum Register of Birds,'' which now comprises
eighteen volumes, containing a full record of the immense
collection built upon Professor Baird's donation. Professor
Baird^s cabinet, noAV merged with the general collection,
consisted chiefly of specimens collected, prepared, and labelled
by himself and his brother, Wm. M. Baird, and its value is
further enhanced by many of Audubon's types, presented to
Professor Baird by Mr. Audubon. All American ornitho-
logists will rejoice that Professor Baird has lived to see so
magnificent a collection grow from the comparatively small
nucleus which he formed, and with which must be connected
in his memory many pleasant associations ; and they all hope
that he may live to witness the steadj^ development of what
is now the best collection extant of North-American and

120 Letters, Announcements, &;c.

West-Indian birds into one without a rival in any feature.'^ —
T/ie Auk, i. p. 403.

Ornithological Works in Progress. — The next (tenth) volume
of the ' British ]Museum Catalogue of Birds/ to contain the
account of the Dicteidie^ lliruudinidae^ Mniotiltidje, and allied
families^ is now in course of preparation by Mr. K. Bowdler
Sharpe. The eleventh volume^ devoted to the three great
Neotropical families Coerebidre, Tanagridce^ and Icteridae, has
been undertaken by Sclater, and will be issued next year.

Mr. Symington Grieve announces a history of the ' Great
Auk or Garefowl/ its archaeology and remains, to be published
by Mr. T. C. Jack, of London and Edinburgh, and Mr. F. S.
Mitchell a volume of the ' Birds of Lancashire ' (Vau Voorst).
Dr. G. Ilartlaub is at work on a new collection of birds from
Emin Bey. Capt. Shelley has undertaken the determination
of the birds collected by Mr. H. H. Johnston on Kilimand-
jaro, and has already read his first paper on this subject
before the Zoological Society, He has also in preparation a
general list of all the known Ethiopian birds, with localities.

Our President, Lord Lilford, we are j)leased to be able to
add, is in sufiiciently good health to undertake a new Bird-
book, to be called ' Coloured Figures of the Birds of the
British Islands.' The first number of this work will be
ready in April next.

Proceedings of the Ridgivay Ornithological Club. — The
Ridgway Ornithological Club met at the Academy of Scioices,
Chicago, on Thursday, Dec. 4th. A donation of skins was
received from Mr. H.L.Fulton. Papers read: — ''The Genus
Helminthophaga," by Dr. Morris Gibbs ; " The White-rumped
Shrike " (impaling insects on barb-wire fences in Texas), by
George H. Ragsdale ; "The Economic Structure of Birds,"
by H. K. Coale.

THE IBIS.

FIFTH SERIES.

No. X. APRIL 1885.

XI. — On two neiv Birds from Borneo.
By the Rev. H. H. Slater, B.A.

(Plate IV.)

In a small collection o£ bird-skins from the neighbourhood
of Sarawak, Borneo, for which I am indebted to Mr. W.
A. Harvey, there are two interesting forms, belonging to
genera not yet recorded from Borneo. One is a Myiophoneus
(unfortunately an immature individual), on which some
remarks will follow ; the other is a Parus, which I propose
to call Parus cinerascens.

This bird belongs to the P. cinereus group, but is verv
distinct from any species yet described. It falls as below
under the various heads of the key given in the British
Museum Catalogue (vol. viii. p. 5) : —

" F. Neither yellow nor blue [meaning, presumably, bright blue] in
the plumage ; no crest.
vi. Crown black.

Z('. Mantle and back blue-grey.

e\ Sides of breast and flanks white."

It differs from P. cinereus, its nearest ally, in having no

SER. v. VOL. III. K

122 Rev. H. H. Slater on

visible nuchal patch, though a few of the feathers on the
nape, if lifted, will show a small whitish spot about their
centres. The black of the crown comes much further down
the back (as in P. borealis, when compared with P.palustris);
the black upon the chest occupies a much greater area than
in P. cinerevs, forming a large plastron, which is connected
across the shoulders with the black nape, and from which a
broad mesial line proceeds down the abdomen, to join the
black patch which includes the lower part of the abdomen
and the thighs. In P. chierasce7is the back is much bluer
than in P. c'mereus, in which the back inclines to a butf-grey ;
the exterior margins of the remiges and the lesser wing-
coverts are of the same blue- grey, the tips of the greater
coverts forming a white bar across the wings ; the sides of
the abdomen are of a buflisli white, darker than in P. cinei^eus,
and becoming bluer towards the flanks. The ujjper tail-coverts
are black (not grey, as in P. cinereus) ; of the under coverts,
a few next the vent are white, a few next them have a longi-
tudinal white stripe, Avhilst those next the tail are black ; the
central rectrices are of a deep sooty brown verging on black ;
the external one alone on each side marked with white^ which
occupies all its area, including the shaft, excepting a narrow
marginal border to the inner web_, which is black. In
P. cinereus the outer three or four on each side show more
or less white, the outermost being wbolly of that colour. I
append a diagnosis and comparative measurements : —

Pakus cinerascens, sp. n. (Plate IV.)

P. cinereo consobrinus ; capite, collo, pectore, linea abdo-
minali media, crisso, cruribus, tectricibus caudre supe-
rioribus nigerrimis ; capite, collo et pectore aliquid
nitentibus ; macula postoculari alba ; dorso cseruleo-
plumbeo ; alis nigrescentibus ; lateribus abdominis
cinnamomeo-albidis, crura versus magis ciuereis ; cauda
nigresccnti ; rectricibus duabus externis albis, nigro
interius strictim niarginatis ; rostro pedibusquc (de-
siccatis) nigris.

li)is.l885.Pl.IV.

J.G-.KeuIemans lith.

PARUS CINERASCENS

Hanliart imp .

two new Birds from Borneo. 123

P. cinerascens. P. cinereus,

poll. Angl. poll, Angl.

Long, tota 4-80 5-0

Culminis O-So 0-45

Alifi 2'65 2-5-2-6

Caudae 2 03 2-3

Tarsi 0-65 0-7-0-75

It is somewhat singular, considering the extended range of
P. cinereus, that this smaller bird, with a comparatively longer
wing, should not have been heard of before.

Wing-formula of Parus cinerascens : — First primary half
the length of second ; second much shorter than third and
equal to ninth ; third and fourth longest, subequal, the third
the merest shade the shortest ; the rest gradually decreasing.

The single specimen in my possession was obtained by
Mr. Harvey in the Bungal Hills near Sarawak,

The Myiophoneus above mentioned is an immature speci-
men, though with tolerably well-developed wings and tail,
and therefore is hardly worth full description. It would
have been expected to resemble more or less closely the
rare Sumatran species M. [Arrenga) melanurus, Salvad. ; but
the points of resemblance seem to lie in the black colour, in
the whitish centres to the flank-feathers, which are only
seen M'hen the feathers are ruffled (and in which it resem-
bles most, if not all, other known species), and in a faint
purplish gloss upon the feathers of the shoulders and lesser
wing-coverts, much like that in the Purple Sandpiper. There
is no trace of the reddish or chestnut colour of the axillaries,
abdomen, and tail of M. melanurus, which is described as
appearing distinctly in the young bird as well as the old. In
addition, the feathers of the throat, sides of the neck, and
breast are marked with whitish central stripes, in which it
appears also to differ from the Sumatran form. Lastly, as
will be seen below, comparing it with the largest described
Sumatran specimen, an adult female, it is a somewhat larger
bird. Briefly it may be described as sooty brown in colour,
with whitish stripes on the throat, breast, and sides of neck ;
the under wing-coverts white, edged with sooty black, and,

K 2

12i Lieut. -Col. C. Swiulioe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

as before mentioned, whitish centres to the feathers on the
flank ; bill and feet black.

Sumatran bird, $ ad. Bornean do., juv.

Length 9-50 990

Culmen 0-90 0-9o

Wing 4-75 5-30

Tail 3-o0 3-40

Tarsus 1'70 l-7o

For these reasons, I venture to predict that further speci-
mens will prove it to be distinct, and I propose to call it
Myiophoneiis borneensis. This bird was obtained by Mr.
Harvey in the Bungal Hills near Sarawak.

I here acknowledge having received Mr. R. Bowdler
Sharpe's valuable opinion upon both these birds, and also
his kindness in placing the Musevim specimens at my service
for purposes of comparison.

XIL — On the Birds of Central India. — Part IL
By Lieut. -Col. C. Swinhoe and Lieut. Henry Barnes.

[Concluded from page 69.]

93. CopsYCHUs sAULARis, Liuu.

^ . Length 8*25 inches, expanse 11*5, wing 3'75, tail 3"8,
tarsus 1, bill at gape 1, bill at front '63.

The Magpie Robin is common, and is a permanent resident,
breeding during May and June. The young can easily be
reared by keeping the cage containing them in a place acces-
sible to the parent birds, care being taken to remove them
as soon as they are able to feed themselves.

94. Thamnobia cambaiensis. Lath.

The Brown-backed Indian Robin is very common, and is
a permanent resident, breeding from March to July.

95. Pratincola caprata, Linn.

The White-winged Black Robin is common, and is a per-
manent resident.

96. Pratincola ixdica, Blyth.

The Indian Bush- Chat is common in the cold weather.

the Birds of Central India. 125

The first seen was on the 21st September, and later on they
became very common.

97. Saxicola opistholeuca, Strickl.

The Indian White-tailed Stonechat is not uncommon
during the cold season.

98. Saxicola isabellina, RLipp.

$ . Length 6*3 inches, expanse 10"8, wing 3"G, tail 2-5,
tarsus "96, bill at gape '75, bill at front "5,

The Tawny Wheatear is by no means uncommon, and is
frequently seen in similar places to the next.

99. Saxicola deserti, Riipp.

? . Length 6'5 inches, expanse 10*75, Aving 3*8, tail 2'6,
tarsus 1, bill at front '5.

The Black-throated Wheatear is common during the winter
months, frequenting open plains.

100. Cercomela fusca.

? , Length 6*52 inches, expanse 10*4, wing 3'4, tail 2' 75,
tarsus 1, bill at gape "8, bill at front •51.

The Brown Rock-Chat is very common, and is a permanent
resident. It commences to breed about the latter end of
March, choosing a variety of very different situations for its
nest — a loose tile on a roof, or space between the beams and
rafters, a hole in a bank or even in a well, a niche in a stone
wall, all provide sites for this very easily accommodated bird.

101. Ruticilla RUFivENTRis, Vicill.

$ . Length 6*25 inches, expanse 9"75, wing 3'5, tail 2'25,
tarsus 1, bill at gape "78, bill at front •41.

The Indian Redstart is very common during the cold
season ; it commences to assume the breeding-plumage before
leaving us.

102. Cyanecula suecica, Linn.

The Bluethroat is not common ; it frequents the rank
vegetation on river-banks and margins of lakes.

103. Acrocephalus stentoreus, Hempr.

The Large Reed-Warbler is a winter visitant only.

126 Lieut.-Col. C. Swinhoe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

lOi. SUTOKIA SUTORIA (Forst.),

The Tailor-bird is very common^ aud is a permanent resi-
dent. Its nest is so well known that description is needless.

105. BURNESIA SOCIALIS STEWARTI (Sykcs).

Stewart^s Wren-Warblcr is very common, and is a perma-
nent resident.

106. Prinia inornata, Sykes,

The Common Wren- Warbler is very generally distributed.
Its eg'gs are most beautiful.

107. Cisticola buchanani (Blyth).

The Rufous-frouted Wren-Warbler is very common, and
is a permanent resident, breeding at the commencement of
the monsoons.

108. Hypolais RAMA, Sykcs.

Sykes^s Warbler is not uncommon during the cold season.
We have not noticed it during the hot weather nor during
the monsoon ; and are of opinion that it is not a permanent
resident, and does not breed here.

109. Phylloscopus indicus, Jerd.

The Olivaceous Tree-Warbler is not uncommon during the
cold season. We met with it near Mhow, but have not
noticed it at Neemuch.

110. Sylvia jerdoni, Blyth.

? . Length 6*8 inches, expanse 9, wing 3"2, tail 2'75,
tarsus '88, bill at gape '9, bill at front '6.

The Large Black-capped Warbler is not uncommon during
the winter months.

111. Sylvia afpinis, Blyth.

The Allied Grey Warl)ler is common during the winter
months. We are of opinion that this biid is not specifically
distinct from the Common Whitethroat of England.

112. MoTAciLLA maderaspatensis, Giu.

Length 8*75 inches, expanse 11, wing 4-1, tail 4"1, tarsus 1,
bill from gape '88, bill at front "5 L

The Pied Wagtail is very comnion, and is a ]>t;rmanent

the Birds of Central India. 1 27

resident, commencing to breed quite early in February, and
has at least three broods during the year.

113. MoTACILLA ALBA, LinU.

The White Wagtail is fairly common.

114. MOTACILLA PERSONATA, Gould.

The Black-faced Wagtail is not uncommon.

115. MOTACILLA MELANOPE, Pall.

The Grey-and- Yellow Wagtail is very common during the
cold season.

116. MOTACILLA CINEREOCAPILLA, SaV.

The same remark applies to the Indian Field- Wagtail.

117. MOTACILLA CITREOLA, Pall.

The Yellow-headed Wagtail is not very abundant.

118. Anthus TRiviALis, Hodgs.

The Tree-Pipit is a winter visitant only, at which season
it is very common.

1 19. CORYDALLA RUFULA, Vicill.

The Indian Titlark is common and breeds here.

120. Agrodroma campestris, Linn.
The Stone-Pipit is not uncommon.

121. Agrodroma jerdoni, Finsch.

Jerdon^s Rock-Pipit occurs during the cold season.

122. ZosTEROPS PALPEBROSA, Tcmm.

The White-eyed Tit is very common, and is a permanent
resident, breeding about June and July. It appears to be
much more common in the cold weather than at other times.

123. Parus nipalensis, Hodgs.

The Indian Grey Tit is very common ; it is a permanent
resident.

124. MaCHLOLOPHUS XANTHOGENi'S, A^ig.

The Yellow-cheeked Tit is common in well-wooded

districts.

128 Lievit.-Col. C. Swiulioe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

125. CORONE MACRORHYNCHA, Wagl.

Tlie Indian Crow is very common ; it associates with its
congener C. spkndens, and breeds during March and April.

126. CoRONE SPLENDENS, ViciU.

The Ashy-necked Crow is very common, and breeds during
May and June.

127. Dendrocitta rufa^ Scop.

The Indian Tree-Pie is very common ; it is a permanent
resident,, and breeds during April.

128. Sturnus vulgaris, Linn.

The Starling is not uncommon during the cold weather.

129. ACRIDOTHERES TRISTIS, LiuU.

The Myna is very common, and is a permanent resident,
breeding in June.

130. ACRIDOTHERES GINGINIANUS, Lath.

The Bank-Myna, although not uncommon, is very locally
distributed ; it is a permanent resident, breeding during
May.

131. Sturnia pagodarum, Gm.

The Black-headed or Brahminy Myna is fairly common,
but is usually seen singly or in pairs. It is a permanent
resident and breeds in April and May.

132. Pastor roseus, Linn.

The Rose-coloured Starling is very common, in winter
only.

133. Ploceus PHiLippjNus, Linn.

The Weaver-bird is a very common, permanent resident,
breeding during the monsoon.

134. Ploceus manyar, Horsf.

The Striated Weaver-bird is not so common as the last.
It breeds during the monsoons, among the reeds at the
edges of tanks.

135. Ploceus bengalensis, Linn.

The Black-throated Weaver-bird is rare: only one speci-
men secured.

the Birds of Central India. 129

136. Amadina malabarica, LIdii.

The Plain Brown Munia is very common, and is a perma-
nent resident.

137. ESTRELDA AMANDAVA, Linn.

The Red Waxbill is very common in suitable localities.
It is a permanent resident.

138. EsTRELDA FORMOSA, Lath.

The Green Waxbill, although not observed by us, must
occur, as on several occasions caged birds have been bought
at Mhow from local bird-catchers of the Wagree caste.

139. Passer domesticus, Linn.
The House-Sparrow is very common.

140. Gymnorhis flavicollis, Frankl.

The Yellow-throated Sparrow is very common, and is a
permanent resident, breeding in holes in trees, walls, &c.

141. EUSPIZA MELANOCEPHALA, Scop.

The Black-headed Bunting is not uncommon during the
winter months.

142. EuspizA LUTEOLA, Sparrm.

The Red-headed Bunting is also common in the cold
weather.

143. Melophus melan icterus, Gm.

The Crested Black-and-Chestnut Bunting is common on
the hills, but does not appear to descend to the plains.

144. Carpodacus erythrinus, Pall.

The Common Rose-Finch is not rare during the winter
months.

145. MiRAFKA ERYXUROPTERA, Jcrd.

The Red-winged Bush-Lark is very common, and com-
mences to breed in March. The nest is domed.

146. MiRAFRA CANTILLANS, Jcrd.

The Singing Bush-Lark is not uncommon,

147. Ammomanes PHfENK ura, Erankl.

The Rufous-tailed Finch-Lark is very abundant, and breeds

130 Lieut. -Col, C. Swinhoe and Lieut. H. Barues on

during April and May. Jerdou^s measurements for the bill
appear incorrect. The average length of some score of spe-
cimens is 'D, whereas he gives 1 inch.

148. Pyrrhulauda grisea, Scop.

The Black-bellied Finch-Lark is very common, and appears
to breed at all seasons of the year.

149. Calandrella brachydactyla, Leisl.

The Short-toed or Social Lark occurs in numerous flocks
during the cold season.

150. Alauda raytal, Blyth.

The Indian Sand-Lark is very common.

151. Spizalauda deva, Sykes.

The Small Crested Lark is fairly common ; it is a perma-
nent resident, and breeds during the monsoon.

152. Alauda gulgula, Frankl.

The Indian Sky-Lark is common, and breeds during April
and May.

153. Crocopus chlorogaster, Blyth.
The Southern Green Pigeon is common.

154. COLUMBA INTERMEDIA, Strickl.

The Blue Rock -Pigeon is very common, breeding freely
in all the old wells and mosques throughout the district ; it
does not seem to be venerated so much as it is in Rajputana
proper.

155. TuRTUR MEENA, Sykcs.

The Rufous Turtle-Dove is very common at and near
Mhow.

156. TuRTUR SENEGALENSIS, Limi.

The Little Brown Dove is very common.

157. TuRTUR SURATENSIS, GlU.

The Spotted Dove is not uncommon, but is very locally
distributed. It breeds during September and October.

158. TuRTUR RisoRius, Liuu.
The Ring-Dove is verv common.

the Birds of Central India. 131

159. TuRTUR TRANQUEBARicus, Herm.

The Ruddy Turtle-Dove is not uncommon, but is locally
distributed.

160. PtEROCLES ARENARIUS, Pall.

The Large Sand -Grouse, or, as it is generally called by
sportsmen, the " Imperial Grouse,'^ is common at and beyond
Nusseerabad, but only occurs in the vicinity of Neemuch as
a rare straggler.

161. Pterocles fasciatus, Scop.

The Painted Sand-Grouse is common, but very local.

162. Pterocles exustus, Temm.

The Common Sand-Grouse, as its name implies, is exces-
sively common, and breeds apparently all the year round.

163. Pavo cristatus, Linn.

Peafowl are common, but only in a semi-domesticated
state, in and near villages.

164. Gallus sonnerati, Temm.

The Grey. Juugle-fowl is not uncommon in bamboo-
jungle on the principal hill-sides.

165. Galloperdix spadiceus, Gm.

The above remark applies also to the Red Spur-fowl.

166. Francolinus pictus, Jard. & Selb.

The Painted Partridge is common, and is a permanent
resident.

167. Ortygornis pondiceriana, Gm.

The Indian Grey Partridge is very common,

168. Perdicula asiatica. Lath.

The Jungle Bush-Quail is common in suitable localities.

169. Perdicula argoondah, Sykes.
The Rock Bush-Quail is very common.

170. COTURNIX COMMUNIS, BoUU.

The Large Grey Quail is very common during the cold
season.

132 Lieut. -Col. C. Swiiilioe and Lieut. IL Barnes on

\7\. COTURNIX COKOMANDELICA, Gill.

The Black-breasted or Rain-Quail is very abundant ; it
is a permanent resident^ and breeds after the rains.

172. TuRNix TAiGOOR, Sykcs.

The Black-breasted Bustard-Quail is not uncomraon.

173. TuRNix jouDERA^ Hodgs.

The Larger Button-Quail is far from common.

174. TuRNix nussuMiERi, Temm.
The Button-Quail is rare.

175. Sypheotis aurita, Lath.

The " Leek " is common during the rains, at which sea.son
it breeds ; but some of them remain in the neighbourhood
of Mhow throughout the year.

176. CuRSORIUS COROMANDELICUS, Gm.

The Indian Courier-Plover is common ; it is a permanent
resident, breeding during April.

177. Charadrius fulvus, Gm.

The Asiatic Golden Plover is very common during the
cold weather.

178. a-EoiALiTis CANTIANA, Lath.

The Kentish Ringed Plover is common during the cold
weather.

179. ^GIALITIS DUBIA, ScOp.

The Indian Ringed Plover is common.

180. tEgIALITIS MINUTA, Pall.

The Lesser Ringed Plover is common ; it is a permanent
resident, and breeds during the latter end of March and
April.

181. Chettusia viLLoivEi, Audouiu.

The White-tailed Lapwing is rare ; a single pair only
were procured at Kerbulla, about two miles from Neemuch.

182. Chettusia cinerea, Blyth.

The Grey-headed Lapwing is rare, and was only obtained
at Depalpore in January 1882.

the Birds of Central India. 133

183. LOBIVANELLUS INDICUS^ Boclcl.

The Red-wattled Lapwing is very common, breeding from
April to June.

184. LoBIPLUVIA MALABARICA, Bodd.

The Yellow- wattled Lapwing is very common, assembling
in vast flocks on the plains during the cold season ; but
about March they break up into pairs, and commence
breeding soon after.

185. HoPLOPTERUS VENTRALIS, CuV.

The Spur-winged LapAving is rare.

186. ESACUS RECURVIROSTRIS, CuV.

The Large Stone-Plover is not uncommon on the bed of
the Retam River, and must occur on the Nerbudda and
Chambal rivers.

187. GEdicnemus scolopax, S. G. Gm.
The Indian Stone-Plover is very common.

188. Gttus ANTIGONE, Liuu.

The Sarus is exceedingly common, and is a permanent
resident, breeding during the rains.

189. Gallinago stenura, Kuhl.

The Pintail Snipe is very abundant during the cold
weather.

190. Gallinago gallinaria, Gm.

The Fantail Snipe is still more common.

191. Gallinago gallinula, Linn.
The Jack Snipe is not uncommon.

192. Rhynch^a bengalensis, Linn.

The Painted Snipe is common, and 'breeds during May,
June, and July. Not observed during the cold weather.

193. LiMosA iEGOCEPHALA, Linn,

The small Godwit occurs at the Depalpore and other large
lakes in the cold weather. It is a most excellent bird for
the table.

184 Lieut.-Col. C. Swiiihoe and Lieut. II. Barnes on

194. NUMENIUS LTNEATUS^ Cuv. [?N. ARQUATUS.]

The Curlew is rare, once seen at Gnngrar near ('liitoi-.

195. Machetes pugnax, Linn.

The Ruff is not common, and only occurs during the cold
season.

196. Tringa minuta, Leisl.

The Little Stint is common in the winter.

197. RHYACOPniLUs glareola, Linn.

The Spotted Sandpiper only occurs as a winter visitant.

198. ToTANUs ocHROPUs, Liuu .

The Green Sandpiper is also common during the winter.

199. Tringoides hypoleucos, Linn.

The Common Sandpiper is not uncommon. A few appa-
rently remain to breed, as occasionally they are met with
throughout the hot season.

200. ToTANUs GLOTTIS, Liuu.

The Greenshank is common during the cold season.

201. ToTANUS STAGNATILIS, BecllSt.

The Marsh-Sandpiper occurs dui'ing the cold season.

202. ToTANus Fuscus, Linn.

The Spotted Redshank is a common cold- weather visitant.

203. ToTANus CALiDRis, Liuu.

The Redshank is another very common but local visitant.

201. HiMAXTOPUS CANUIDUS, BoUU.

The Stilt-Plovcr is common, but does not remain to breed.

205. Recurvirostra avocetta, Bonn.

The Avocet is very rare, a single specimen only having
been obtained at Gungrar.

206. Parra indica, Lath.

The Bronze- winged Jacana is common on the larger tanks ;
it is a permanent resident and breeds here.

207. HynROPHAsiANus chirurgus, Scop.

The Pheasant-tailrd Jacana is abundant, and is a j)ei'ma-
nent resident, i)rceding during the rains.

the Birds of Central India. 135

208. PORPHYRIO POLIOCEPHALITS, Lath.

The Purple Coot is a common permanent resident^ breeding
at the end of the monsoons.

209. FuLiCA ATRA, Linn.

The Bald Coot is very common.

210. Gallinula chloropus, Linn.

The Water-Hen is very common^ breeding during and just
after the rains.

211. PoRZANA AKOOL, SykcS.

The Brown Rail is not uncommon ; it is a permanent resi-
dent^ breeding in August.

212. PoRZANA BAILLONIj Vicill.

The Pigmy Rail is common.

213. Rallus indicus, Blyth.

The Indian Water-Rail is not very common, but occurs in
most of the larger tanks.

214. Leptoptilus argala, Lath.

The Adjutant is very common during the rains.

215. Leptoptilus javanicus, Horsf.
The Hair- crested Stork is rare,

216. Xenorhynchus asiaticus, Lath.
The Black -necked Stork is common.

217. CicoNiA NIGRA, Lath.

The Black Stork is rare ; it was seen once only, but was
not secured.

218. DissuRA EPiscoPus, Bodd.
Occurs sparingly throughout the district.

219. ArDEA CINEREA, Liiiu.

The Blue Heron is common.

220. Ardea purpurea, Linn.

The Purple Heron is also abundant.

221. PIerodias torra, Buch.

The Large Egret is not uncommon.

136 Lieut. -Col. C. Swiuhoe and Lieut. H. Barnes on

222. Herodias intermedia^ Hass.
The Smaller Egret is common.

223. Herodias garzetta, Linn.
The Little Egret is also common.

224. BUBULCUS COROMANDUS, Boflcl.

The Cattle-Egret is very common.

225. Ardeola grayii, Sykes.

Tlie Pond-Heron is common, and breeds during April and
May.

226. Butorides javanica, Horsf.

The Little Green Bittern is common, but often escapes
notice, owing to its crepuscular habits.

227. Nycticorax griseus, Linn.
The Night- Heron is common.

228. Tantalus lkucocephalus, Forst.

The Pelican Ibis is very common, and breeds in colonies
about the end of March. There is a colony at Hir, about
ten miles from Neemuch. It is often called the Painted
Adjutant.

229. Platalea leucorodia, Linn.
The Spoonbill is very common.

230. Anastomus oscitans, Bodd.
The Sliell-Ibis is not very common.

23L Ibis melanocephalus, Lath.
The White Ibis is not common,

232. Inocotis papillosus, Temm.
The Wart-headed Ibis is abundant.

233. Falcinellus igneus, S. G. Gm.
The Glossy Ibis is not very common.

234. Anser cinereus, Mey.

The Grey-Lag Goose is very abundant on the larger tanks.

235. Sarcidiornis melanonotus, Peun.

The Muktah or Black-backed Goose is common, and is a
permanent resident.

the Birds of Central India. 137

236. Nettapus coromandelianus, Gm.

Length 13'3 inches, wing 6"5, tail 2"74, bill at front "1^
tarsus "1.

The White-bodied Goose Teal is common at Jeernn, near
Neemuch, and on most of the larger tanks. It is a perma-
nent resident.

237. Dendrocygna javanica, Horsf.

The Whistling Teal is very common, and is a permanent
resident.

238. Tadorna casarca. Pall.

The Ruddy Sheldrake, or Brahminy Duck, is very common.

239. Spatula clypeata, Linn.

The Shoveller is excessively abundant.

240. Anas boschas, Linn.

The Mallard is, except perhaps the Wigeon, the least
numerous of all the ducks that frequent the district in the
cold weather.

241. Anas poecilorhyncha, Forst.

The Spotted-billed Duck is very common, and is a perma-
nent resident.

242. Anas caryophyllacea. Lath.

The Pink-headed Duck is very plentiful in Lake Depal-
pore during the winter months.

243. Chaulelasmus streperus, Linn.
The Gadwall is very abundant.

244. Dafila acuta, Linn.
The Pintail is very common.

245. Mareca PENELOPE, Liuu.
The Wigeon is uncommon.

246. QUERQUEDULA CRECCA, LiuU.

The Teal is excessively abundant.

247. QuERQUEDULA ciRciA, Liun.

The Garganey is another very common species.

SER. V. VOL. III. L

]88 Mr. J. IT. Guniey on

248. FULIGULA FERINA, Lillll.

The Pochard is not very common.

249. Nyroca ferruginea, Gmel.

The White-eyed Pochard is very common.

250. FuLiGULA CRisTATA, Leach.

Tiie Crested Pochard occurs in small numbers on all the
tanks.

251. PoDicEPS MINOR, Gmcl.

The Little Grebe is abundant on all the tanks, even on
those which dry up during the hot season. They breed at
the end of the rains.

252. Sterna seena, Sykes.

The Large River-Tern is not uncommon.

253. Sterna melanogaster, Temm.
The Black-bellied Tern is common.

254. Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, Steph.
The Lesser Coi^morant is not very common.

255. PlIALACROCORAX PYGMiEUS, Pall.

The Little Cormorant is by no means abundant, and
appears to be very locally distributed.

256. PlOTUS MELANOGASTER, PCUU.

The Indian Snake-bird is common, and is ver}^ generally
distributed over the whole district.

XIII. — Notes on some Eastern Owls.

By J. n. GURNEY.

In the interesting paper on the Birds of New Guinea con-
tributed by Mr. Sharpe to the Journal of the Linnean
Society (Zoology), vol. xvii. (referred to in the present
vol. of 'The Ibis,^ p. 115), the author remarks (p. 407), under
the head of Ninox tJieomacha, " until contrary evidence is
adduced, I shall consider N. theomacha is the male and
N. yoldiei the female of the same species " I am desirous of
submitting three items of " contrary evidence " which lead

some Eastern Owls. I39

me to hold that these two species are certainly distinct from
each other.

1st. In 'The Ibis/ 1884, p. 171, I gave the measurements
of two males and one female of N'mox theomacha, these speci-
mens having all been sexed by the collector, Mr. Bruijn,
whose accuracy I have no reason to doubt.

2nd. In 'The Ibis/ 1883, p. 170, I gave the corresponding
measurements of three specimens of Ninox goldiei, and my
reasons for believing that these three birds consisted of two
males and one female.

3rd. So far as I am aware, N. goldiei has only been met
with in South-eastern New Guinea, whereas N. theomacha
not only occurs in that locality but also in Northern New
Guinea and in the islands of Jobie, Misol, and Waigiou.

I wish to take this opportunity of also referring to the
geographical distribution of a nearly allied but more southern
species, Ninox maculata. Mr. Sharpe, in his ' Catalogue of
Striges/ gives the habitat of this Owl (p. 175) as " Van
Diemen's Land^^ only; Mr. Gould, however, in both his
works on the Birds of Australia, states that the species "also
inhabits South Australia and New South Wales, but
in far less immbers " than in Tasmania. I am now desir-
ous of recording its existence in another locality. A speci-
men from Norfolk Island has for many years past been
preserved in the Norwich Museum ; and I have lately seen
a second Norfolk-Island example, sent direct to my friend
Mr. Crowfoot, of Beccles, to whose kindness I have been
indebted for an opportunity of examining it. The label
attached to this specimen bore the name of " More-pork,-*^
which may perhaps indicate that the cry of this species
resembles that of Ninox nov<2-zealandi(E, to which this name
has, on account of its cry, been given in New Zealand. Mr.
Crowfoot^s correspondent in Norfolk Island informs him
that he has not met with the nest of this species in that
island.

The following particulars may be worthy of being here
recorded respecting that rare little Ceylonese Owl Scops
miniitus. My friend Mr. Samuel Bligh, of Catton, Ceylon, m

l2

l-IO Mr. E. Hargitt on the Woodpeckers

sending me one of these Owls as a donation to the Norwich
Museum, remarks that before the bird was skimied, the wings,
when carefully closed, extended ^q of an inch beyond the
tail, whereas in the otherwise excellent figure of this species
in Legge^s * Birds of Ceylon,^ the tail is represented as extend-
ing beyond the wings. I may add that the coloration of
that figure agrees admirably with the specimen (a female)
now sent; but another skin previously obtained by Mr.
Bligh in the same locality, and also preserved in the Norwich
Museum, is in the rufous phase, the rufous tints of its
plumage being very rich and bright.

XIV. — Notes on Woodpeckers. — No. X. On the Genus
Thriponax. By Edward Hargitt, F.Z.S.

In pursuance of my studies of the genera of Woodpeckers, I
have recently worked out the species of the genus Thripo-
nax, which embraces eight birds of large size, bearing some
resemblance to the Great Black Woodpecker of Europe,
Dryocopits martins. In these short essays Avhich I send from
time to tiine to ' The Ibis,' I have tried to remodel the arrange-
ment of the species of Woodpeckers rather than to attempt a
discussion of the characters of the various genera ; and it may
be that when I come to consider the latter portion of the
subject in its entirety, I may have to make some alterations
in the generic nomenclature employed. Considering there-
fore, for the present, that Dryocojms and Thriponax can be
generically separated from each other, on account of the
dense feathering of the tarsus in the former genus, it follows
that Dryocopus richardsi of Tristram, from the island of
Tzus Sima, is a Thriponax ; and this is certainly one of the
most interesting points determined in the present paper, as
the locality lies so far outside the hitherto supjjosed range of
the genus, which is almost characteristically Indian, as op-
posed to Dryocopus, which is esrentially a Pal<earctic genus.
I am now able to recognize eight species of Thriponax, an
increase of six upon the number enumerated by Malherbe in

of the Genus Thriponax. 141

his Monograph. Cabanis and Heine^ in the ' Museum
Heineanum/ admit four species — T. javensis [leucogaster of
Malherbe)^ T. hodgsoni, T.jerdoni, and T. hodgei. Sundevall,
in his ' Conspectus Avium Picinarum/ follows tlie conclu-
sions of the above-named authors. T.jerdoni of Cabanis and
Heine is T. feddeni (Blanford). Both descriptions were
published in 1863, bat Blanford's name has always been held
to have priority. Plcus crawfurdl of Gray also belongs to
the genus Thriponax, but has been omitted by all the above-
mentioned writers; its validity has been discussed by me
below.

My thanks are, as usual, due to Dr. Giinther and
Mr. Sharpe for the facilities for study afforded me at the
Natural History Museum, and also to Captain Wardlaw
Ramsay for the loan of his series of Philippine specimens,
some of which are not represented in any other collection.

Key to the Species.

a. With red on the head.

«\ With no white on the rump.

a'-. Chin, throat, and under surface of the body

black hodgei.

b~. Chin, throat, and under surface of the body
buffy white, the chin and throat striped,
and the chest transversely vaiied with black pectoralis.

c^. Chest and upper breast black; a red malar

patch javensis.

d^. " Breast having a luuulate patch of slate-colour,

with small dark waves ; no red malar patch " crawfurdi.
b^. With white rump.

e^. Lower half of abdomen and the vent black,
the wliite on the underparts confined to
the sides of the body and a narrow band
across the upper part of the abdomen .... hodgsoni.

f^. Lower breast, entire abdomen, and vent bufl'y
white ; primaries white at the base for a
third or more of their length feddeni.

g^. Underparts as in T. feddeni, primaries entirely

black hargitti.

143 ^Ir. JC. Hiu-gitt on the Ji'oodpeckers

b. Witli no red on the head of l'eiu:do v^male unknown "V
M^^st of the primaries' tipped with white, and tlie
white upon both the upper and under parts more
extended than in T. A'.v?<;>'-,>.'if". hut otiierwiso resem-
blinar it richardsi.

1. TlIRlPOXAX H01>GEI.

Miilleripicus /iod(/ti, Blytli, J. A. S. B. 18(i0. p. 105 ; Jeni.
B. lud. i. p. .085 (^IStVe^, ; Beavaii, Ibis, 1867, pp. o20, 334:
Ball, J. A. S. B. xxxix. pr. .0, p. 511 (1870) ; id. op. cit. xli.
pt. 3, p. .079 (187.0): id. Str. F. 1873, p. 63.

T/irijJonoi' hodpei. Cab. &: Heine, Mas. Heiii. iv. p. 106
(1863): T^'aid. ibis, 1873, p. 301 : Hume, Str. F. 1874,
p. 189, 1879, p. 87.

Pictts hod(fei, Sunder. Cousp. Av, Pieiu. p. 9 ^1^66) :
Giebel, Thes! Oru. p. 159 (1876).

Hemilophus hodffei. Gray, List Fioid. Brir. ^Tus. p. 86
{1868\

Canipethera hodgei. Gray, Haud-1. B. ii. p. 19 i. no. 8710
(1870).

Adult male. Foreiiead, orowu, aud elongated oeeipital crest
brigbt scarlet ; the malar stripe also scarlet, bur duller in
colour; the remainder of the plumage dull black; shafts
of quills and of tail-feathers black. Total length 15*0
inches, culmen 1"87, wing 7":2, tail 5"65, tai-sus 1'3 : toes
(without claws) — outer anterior 0"95, outer posterior 0"85_,
inner anterior 0'7.'2, inner posterior 045.

Adult female. Differs from the adult male in having the
forehead aud crown black, the occipital cresfc alone being
scarlet, and also in the absence of the red malai* patch, the
cheeks being black. Total length 150 inches, culmen 1"75,
wing 7'.0, tail 5"4, tarsus 12.

Mr. Hume gives the soft parts of this species as follows : —
'• Legs, feet, and claws blackish plumbeous ; bill black in
some specimens, but not in all, whitish and semitrausparent
at the tip ; irides yellowish white to pale yellow."

* When we become acquainted with the male of T. richard^-iy it mav
be necessary to remodel the present key tn the species.

of the Genus Thriponux. 143

This species appears to be confined to the Andaman Islands.
Colonel Tytler^ in his notes made at Port Blair (Beavan, Ibis^
1867, p. 320), obser\'es, "This noble Woodpecker is not
uncommon on the mainland; I have had several shot and
sent to me." Mr. V. Ball also procured it in the same
islands ; and Mr. Hume {' Stray Feathers/ 1874, p. 189) says
"this species appears to be tolerably common throughout
the Andaman group ; the total length, taken from the fresh
bird, is from 14"o to 1. 5*7.5 in.^" I have in my collection
specimens from Port Blair iWimherley), also one from Mt.
Harriet, S. Andamans {IV. Davison).

2. Thripoxax pectokalis.

Thriponux pectoralis, T^veedd. P. Z. S. 1878, pp 340, 379 ;
Ptamsay, Tweedd. Mem. p. 596, & App. pp. 655, 670 (1881).

Adult male (type of species) . Back, wings, and tail, also
their coverts, black, the extreme base of the inner webs of
the quills white ; shafts of quills and of tail-feathers black,
those of the latter brown at the base ; a concealed patch of
white on the rump, the feathers being tipped with black, and
having a marginal spot of white on each web, these feathers
being hidden by the elongated ones of the lower back ; nasal
plumes black, the extreme base buify white ; forehead, crown,
occipital and nuchal crest, and also the malar patch, scarlet,
the bases of the feathers of the forehead and crown being
dusky, and the bases of the crest-feathers creamy white ;
hind neck black, a few of the feathers haWng red tips; lores
and orbital region black ; sides of the face and neck, chin,
throat, and fore neck white, each feather having a black cen-
tral stripe, this being broader on the feathers of the neck ; a
few of the feathers of the throat and fore neck having the
extreme tip tinged with red ; chest, breast, and under surface
of the body clear pale buff, with a slight tinge of yellow, the
feathers of the chest having their bases and centres black
and partly concealed, those of the upper breast having a par-
tially hidden broad black central patch on their basal portion,
on the lower feathers the black being reduced to a small
longitudinal spot in the centre and quite concealed; thigh-

l-t4 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Woodpeckers

feathers centred with black; tibial plumes fulvous white,
with black bases and a concealed white spot; under tail-
coverts black ; under vviug-coverts and axillaries fulvous
white, the lower coverts being sparingly spotted with black ;
edge of wing black : " upper mandible horay black, horny
whitish at the tip ; lower mandible horny black on the basal
third, the remaining portion yellowish'^ (in skin). Total
length 16"5 inches, culmen 1'9, wing 7'9, tail G'65, tarsus
1'35 ; toes (without claws) — outer anterior 09, outer pos-
terior 0"9, inner anterior 0*75, inner posterior 0'5.

Young male. Resembles the adult male, but differs in having
the chill, throat, fore neck, and also the sides of the face
and neck (the orbital region excepted) dingy white, and the
black striations not so clearly defined ; the feathers of the
cheeks dull white, with diisky bases, a few assuming their
red tips ; the feathers of the hind neck tipped with dingy
white, as are also the lower scapulars and a few of the rump-
feathers, while some of the concealed outer feathers of the
latter region are becoming pure white, with a dusky black
spot at the tip ; under surface of the body less tinged with
yellow ; under wing-coverts whiter.

Adult female. Differs from the adult male in having the
forehead and crown black, and in the absence of the red
malar patch, the cheeks being, like the rest of the face, white
striped with black ; the feathers of the throat and fore neck
without a trace of red on any of their tips. Total length 16'5
inches, culmen 1"9, wing 7*85, tail 6"65, tarsus 1*35.

An adult male from the island of Panaon has the rump
partly white, some of the feathers having a dusky black
central stripe at the tip, others having the tip dusky black,
with a marginal stripe-like spot of white on each web, but
the greater part of the white patch on the rump is covered
by the black feathers of the lower back. An adult female
from the same locality, also in the collection of Capt. Wardlaw
Ramsay, has the rump considerably damaged, but it does not
show any indication of having been white. It is scarcely
probable that the white feathers of the rump are exposed iu
life, as in only one sj)ccimen out of the five collected, by Mr.

of the Genus Thripouax. 145

Everett are they observed without removing the upper black
feathers, and the skins are carefully made up. It would
be almost impossible for Mr. Everett, with his experience, to
overlook such a character, or that it should be lost if it had
existed. In the female bird from Panaon many of the feathers
of the under surface of the body have a large central stripe or
patch of black, and some have a small central stripe, more or
less concealed by the buff tips of the overlying feathers.

It is difficult to account for the peculiar phase of plumage
exhibited by this specimen, which appears to be fully adult,
and there is no reason for imagining the stage of plumage to
be intermediate between the young and (what 1 take to be)
the full-plumaged bird, which has the underparts uniform.
It is, most likely, nothing more than an abnormally marked
bird.

This species, so far as is at present known, is confined to
the islands of Leyte and Panaon, of the Philippine group.
The only specimens I have seen are those sent by Mr. Everett
which form part of Capt. Wardlaw Ramsaj'^s collection. The
types are from S. Leyte.

3. Thriponax javensis.

Picus javensis, Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 175
(1822), (^; Steph. Gen. Zool. xiv. p. 159 (1826), S ; Vig.
Mem. Raffl. p. 668 (1830); Less. Compl. Buff. ix. p. 314

(1837), c?.

Picus leucogaster, Valenc. Diet. Sc. Nat. xl. p. 178 (1826),

? ; Wagl. Syst. Av. Picus, sp. 7, ? (1827) ; id. Isis, 1829,

p. 509, S ; Less. Compl. Buff. ix. p. 315 (1837) ; Temm. PI.

Col. iv. pi. 501, S (1838); Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 9

(1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Oru. p. 162 (1876).

Picus horsfieldii, Wagl. Syst. Av. Picus, sp. 5, (J (1827).

Dryocopus javensis, Boie, Isis, 1828, p. 326.

Drijocopus leucogaster, Boie, Isis, 1828, p. 326.

Picus maximus malayensis. Bland, J. A. S. B, vi. p. 953
(1837).

Hemilophus leucogaster. Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 439 (1846), ? .

Hemilophus javensis. Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 439 (1846), J ;

146 Mr. E. Hargitt on the IVoodpeckers

Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 55 (1849); Bp. Coiisp. Gen.
Av. i. p. 131 (1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 7 (1854) ;
Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picina, p. 386. no. 894, pi. dcxlv.
figs. 4306, 4307, c? ? (1854) ; Motley & Dillw. Contr. Nat.
Hist. Labuan, p. 29 (1855); Sclat. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 211;
Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 85 (1868); Brligg. Abhandl.
nat. Ver. Bremen, 1878, p. 531.

Drt/opicous leucogaster, Malb. Mem. Acad. Metz, 1848-49,
p. 322.

Mulleripicus javensis, Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I.
Co. ii. p. 652. no. 946 (1856-58) ; Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 285
(1862).

Dryopicus leucogaster, Malb. Monogr. Picid. i. p. 47, pi. xiii.
figs. 4, 5, c? ? (1861).

Thriponax javensis, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. iv. p. 105
(1863); Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 52 (1874); Sbarpe, P. Z. S.
1875, p. 103; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 319; Tweedd. Ibis,
1877, p. 288 ; id. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 689, 821 ; Hume &
Davison, Str. P. vi. p. 135 (1878); Hume, op. cit. 1879,
pp. 52, 87; Sbarpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 243; Tweedd. P. Z. S.
1879, p. 69 ; Sbarpe, torn. cit. p. 326 ; Nicbolson, Ibis, 1881,
p. 141 ; Kelbam, tom. cit. p. 388; Sbarpe, P. Z. S. 1881,
p. 792; Miill. Orn. Ins. Salanga, p. 72 (1882); Nicbolson,
Ibis, 1882, p. 54; id. op. cit. 1883, p. 89; Gates, B. Brit.
Burm. ii. p. 27 (1883) ; Kiitter, J. f. O. 1883, p. 295.

Campether a javensis, Gray, Hand-1. B. ii. p. 193. no. 8707
(1870).

Adult male. Entire back, scapulars, wings, rump and up^^er
tail-coverts, tail, likewise tlie sbafts of quills and of tail-
featbers, black, tbe outermost primaries witb only a spot of
wbite at tbe extreme base of tbe inner webs, tbe secondaries
baving tbeir inner webs wbite at tbe base for about an incb
of tbeir lengtb ; nasal plumes black ; forebead, crown, occi-
pital crest, and broad cbeek-patcb crimson, tbe featbcrs of
tbe forebead and crown baving greyisb bases, tbose of tbe
occipital crest being Avbite at tbe extreme base ; face and
entire neck, cbin, tbroat, cbest, and breast black, under and
behind tbe ear-coverts, also tbcc bin and upper tbroat, varied

of the Genus Tlmiionax. 147

with narrow and short white striations ; abdomen, sides of
the body, flanks, and thighs buify white or pale buff, the
thigh-feathers having a broad subterminal black band ; vent
and under tail-coverts black ; outer under wing-coverts black,
the inner ones bufFy white ; axillaries bufi^y white. Total
length 17"0 inches, culmen 2'3, wing 8'7, tail 6"3, tarsus
1*3 ; toes (without claws) — outer anterior 1*05, outer pos-
terior 0*95, inner anterior 0*78, inner posterior 0'52.

Young male. Diflers from the fully adult male in having
the feathers of the forehead, crown, and chest more of a
scarlet, and the bases of those of the forehead and crown
dusky black ; the feathers of the malar patch dull crimson
at the tip and the base black ; a larger amount of white
behind the cheeks and ear- coverts and also upon the chin
and throat, the chin and upper throat being white, striped
with dusky black ; the white on the underparts having a
slight tinge of bnff"; the secondary quills having the basal
portion of the inner webs white for about an inch and a half
of their length.

Adult female. Differs from the adult male in having the
forehead and crown black, the occipital crest alone being
crimson. Total length 16'0 inches, culmen 2'1, wing 8' 75,
tail 6-2, tarsus 1-22.

Mr. Davison gives the soft parts of this species as fol-
lows : — " Legs and feet pale plumbeous to leaden blue ; iris
creamy white, creamy yellow, clear yellow ; orbital skin
very dark plumbeous; bill black, lower mandible plumbe-
ous blue to dusky plumbeous. ^^

Specimens from various localities differ in size, those from
the Philip]3ines having the wing about an inch shorter than
examples from Malacca, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. In
the birds from Luzon which have come under my notice there
is a greater amount of white on the feathers of the chin and
throat, as well as behind the cheeks ; and the feathers of the
fore neck and chest have not the slightest trace of whitish
margins, such as are found in specimens from the above-
mentioned islands, and are particularly pronounced in an
example from the island of Negros, collected by Mr. Everett,

148 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Woodpeckers

and now in the British Museum. It is not improbable that
in the islands of Luzon and Negros specimens will be met
with which will be identical with the typical bird. Luzon
examples have the bill blacker than those from other loca-
lities, and Mr. Everett gives the soft parts of an adult male
as follows : — " Bill black ; iris, feet, and claws lead-grey."
Specimens from Surigao and Zamboanga are stated to have
the iris yellow (these are unmistakably adult birds), and the
young from Basilan is said to have the iris white.

In Tenasserim this species may occasionally interbreed
with Th. feddeni, as I have in my collection a male specimen
from Malewoon, given to me by Mr. Gates, in which the
white feathers of the rump have a subterminal band of black.
This, coming as it does from such a locality, is suggestive of
hybridization. This bird was shot on the 29th of January,
and is apparently fully adult.

The range of Th. javensis is very extended, embracing the
southernmost portion of Tenasserim, the Malayan Penin-
sula, Sumatra, Banka, Java, Borneo, and also some of the
Philippine Islands. In Tenasserim this species has been re-
corded from Mergui by Blyth; Mr. Davison obtained it at
Lanyah, Bankasoon, and Malewoon. In writing on the
birds of the Malayan peninsula, Lieut. Kelliam observes : — ■
" I found this handsome Woodpecker plentiful round Saga-
met, some sixty or eighty miles up the Moar river. I never
came across it in the north of the peninsvda." Capt. Weber
procured it in the island of Salanga. Mr. Hume's collection
contains examples from Wellesley Province {Stoliczka), Ma-
lacca, Pulo Seban, Kurroo, and Johore. Messrs. Buxton
and Forbes obtained this species in South-east Sumatra; and
the Leiden Museum contains specimens from Banka, and
also from Java, in which island it has likewise been obtained
by Mr. Forbes. In Borneo it occurs near Sandakan ; I have
a specimen from Elopura [Fryer). It has been recorded
from Labuan by Governor Ussher, the Ron. Hugh Low,
Messrs Motley and Dillwyn, and also by ^Mr. Treacher.
Governor Ussher and Mr. Low also obtained it in Lum-
bidan ; Mr. Treacher sent specimens from the Lawas river.

of the Genus Thriiponsix. 149

The Marquis Doria^ Dr. Beccari, and Governor Ussher
procured it in Sarawak, and it was found at Banjermassing
by Mr. Motley. From the Philippine Islands I have
examined specimens in the collection of Capt. Wardlaw
Ramsay, obtained in Luzon, Surigao, Zamboanga, and Basilan
(Everett) ; and the British Museum contains an example from
the island of Negros, collected by Mr. Steere.

4. Thriponax crawfurdi.

Plats crawfurdii, Gray in Griffith's Cuv. An. Kingd.
Birds, ii. p. 513, fig. (1829).

Dryopicus leucoguster (pt.), Malh. Monogr. Picid. i. p. 47
(1861).

Thriponax javensis (pt.). Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. iv.
p. 10.5 (1863).

HemilophiLS javensis (pt.), Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus.
p. 85 (1868).

Campethera crawfurdi, Gray, Hand-1. B. ii. p. 194^ no. 8709
(1870).

Ficus leucogaster (pt.), Giebel, Thes. Orn. p. 162 (1876).

Thriponax crawfurdi, Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 87 and
409-410 (note).

The following is the description given by Gray in Griffith's
edition of ' Cuvier's Animal Kingdom,' Birds, ii. p. 513
(1829), along with a figure : —

" Crawfurd's Woodpecker is from an Indian drawing
brought to this country by Mr. Crawfurd, jun. The whole
upper part (except the crest) is deep dark brown, sprinkled
with grey on the sides of the neck ; across the breast is a
large lunule patch of slate colour, with small dark waves;
the belly is yellow, with the like crescent-shaped spots, and
the crest is deep red."

The present species is only known from Gray's description
and figure (above referred to), which were taken from nature
by an Indian artist for Mr. Crawfurd, jun. Many authors have
confounded Th. crawfurdi with Th. javensis, and also with
Th.feddeni; but as the bird described and figured by Gray is

150 Mr. E. Hargitt ow the Woodpeckers

evidently a male : the slate-coloured patch on the breast^ as well
as the absence of the red malar stripe^ clearly distinguishes it
from Th.javensis, while the black rump alone would show that
it was not Th.feddeni. Mr. Hume (Str. F. 1879, p. 409, note)
corrects his former identification of the species. The con-
fusion which formerly existed in his mind with regard to it
was mainly owing to his never having seen the coloured
figure given by Gray. There is an obvious slip of the pen in
Mr. Hume^s otherwise admirable note on the subject, when
he states " the wings are distinctly separated so as to show
the centre of the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts, and
these are all blackish brown, whereas in crawfardi the lower
back and rump are yellowish white.^^ He intended to speak
of Th. feddeni, which has a white rump, for he adds " this
alone destroys the possibility of the identity of Th. feddeni
and crawfurdi."

In all probability the bird figured for Mr. Crawfurd was
obtained near Ava, where this gentleman was resident ; and
it is a matter of surprise that other examples have not fallen
to the guns of some of our painstaking and enterprising
collectors in the Burmese countries.

5. Thuiponax iiocgsoni.

Hemilophus hodgsoni, Jerd. Madr. Journ. ser. 1, xi. p. 215
(1840) ; Gray, Gen. 13. ii. p. 432 (1846) ; Blyth, J. A. S. B.
XV. p. 283 (1846); id. Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 55. no. 245
(1849); Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 131 (1850); id. Consp.
Volucr. Zygod. p. 7 (1854); Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picinse,
p. 386. no. 895, pi. dcxlv. fig. 4308, ^ (1854) ; Gray, List
Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 85 (1868).

? Picus leucogaster, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1842, p. 464.

Picus hodgsonii^ Jerd. 111. Ind. Orn. pi. v. $ (1847) ;
Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 9 (1866); Giebel, Thes. Orn.
p. 159 (1876).

Dryopicos hodgsonii, Malh. Mem. Acad. Metz, 1848-49,
p. 322.

Dryopicus hodgsoni, Malh. Monogr. Picid. i. p. 49, pi. xiii,
figs. 1-2, S ? (1861).

o/ ///e Genws Thriponax. 151

MuUeripicus hodgsoni, Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 284 (1862).

Thriponax hodgsoni, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. iv. p. 105
(1863); Hume, Str. F. 1876, p. 390, 1879, p. 87; Butler,
op. cit. 1880, p. 386 ; id. Cat. Birds Bomb. Pres. p. 23 (1880) ;
Davison, Str. F. 1883, x. p. 355.

Campethera hodgsonii, Gray, Hand-1. B. ii. p. 193. no. 8708
(1870).

Adult male. Plumage black, Avith the following exceptions : —
the rump white ; breast and upper part of abdomen, as well
as the sides of the body, buffy white ; the feathers of the lower
part of the abdomen margined at the tip with buffy white ;
forehead, crown, occipital and nucbal crest, likewise the
malar stripe, crimson, the bases of the feathers of the occiput
and nape creamy white ; a few white streaks behind the ear-
coverts ; primaries with a concealed white spot at the base,
the secondaries having their basal portion white for an inch
to an inch and a half, at most, of their length; shafts of
quills and of tail feathers black ; under wing-coverts and
axillaries buffy white : " bill black ; legs dark plumbeous ;
irides crimson " [Jerdon). Total length 18*0 inches, culmen
2"6, wing 8"7, tail 7'2, tarsus 1-42; toes (without claws) —
outer anterior 1*0, outer posterior 08, inner anterior 0*8,
inner posterior 0'5.

Adult female. Differs from the adult male in the absence
of red on the forehead, crown, and cheeks, the occipital and
nuchal feathers alone being crimson. Total length 17*5
inches, culmen 2'35, wing 8*55, tail Q-7 , tarsus 1'35,

The habitat of this Woodpecker, so far as is at present
known, is the southern portion of India; but it is not certain
that it has not a more extended range, because Mr. Blyth,
under the heading of Picus leucogaster (J. A. S. B. 1842,
p. 464) , describes a bird, which he had received from Bengal,
as follows : — "Differs from hodgsoni in having only a narrow
and incomplete cross band of white on the rump.^^

Mr. Blyth suggests that this may be the Picus maximus
malayensis of Bland ; but the description given of the latter
bird agrees with Th. javensis, as there is no mention of a
white rump. What Mr. Blyth^s bird may be I cannot say —

152 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Woodpeckers

probably a more northern race of Th. hodgsoni. Dr. Jerdon,
writing on this species (Birds of India^ i. p. 285), says : — '^Tliis
splendid Woodpecker has only been fonud in the most dense
and lofty forests of the Malabar coast, both above and below
the Ghats. I have seen it myself, though rarely, at the foot
of the Peria Pass^ in the Wynaad, in Coorg, and at the top
of the Ghats near Garsoppa.^' Capt. Butler in his " Cata-
logue of the Birds of the Deccan and South Mahratta
Country'' (Str. F. 1880, p. 386), remarks :— ''Rare; Mr. Laird
obtained specimens in North Kanara and also in the forests
west of Belgaum. I have no other record of its occur-
rence throughout the region.'' Mr. Davison (Str. F. 1883,
p. 355) observes : — " This fine species is not uncommon in the
Wynaad, where the country is well wooded, but it is so shy
that it is difficult to procure specimens. It is usually found
in pairs. Asa rule, the bird keeps in the evergreen forests ;
once I shot a specimen in some bamboo-jungle at Goodalore.
It does not ascend the slopes of the hills to any height."
Mr. Bourdillon obtained it in Travancore, where it would
appear to be not rare ; and this gentleman says : — " In tiie
neighbourhood of large undisturbed tracts of forest this bird
is fairly common and not very shy, but it soon leaves districts
when the forest is being cleared to any extent. I have seen
this bird at from 600 to 3000 feet elevation." Although by no
means so common in collections as some of the other species
comprised in the present genUvS, Th. hodgsoni is so well
known as not to call for any special remarks.

6. Thriponax feddeni.

Mulleripicus feddeni, Blanf. J. A. S. B. 1863, p. 75 ; Blyth,
Ibis, 1870, p. 163.

Thriponax jerdoni, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. iv. p. 105
(1863).

Picus jerdoni (ex Cab. & Heine), Sundev. Cousp. Av. Picin.
p. 9(1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. p. 161 (1876).

Hem'ilophus feddeni, Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 86
(1868).

Thriponax feddeni, Wald. Ibis, 1871, p. 161; Bingham,

of the Genus Tliriponax. 153

Str. P. 1879, p. 194,; Hume, torn. cit. pp. 87 & 409;
Bingham, op. cit. 1880, p. 162; Oates, op. cit. x. p. 190
(1882) ; id. B. Brit. Burm. ii. p. 28 (1883).

Thriponax crawfurdi, Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 471 ; id. and
Oates, op. cit. 1875, pp. 14-66; Blytli & Wald. B. Burm.
p. 75 (1875) ; Hume & Davison, Str. F. vi. p. 134 (1878).

Adult male. Upper and middle back, scapulars, wing-
coverts, bastard-wing, primary-coverts, and quills black, the
inner webs of quills white at the base, the white on the inner
primaries extending for about half their length ; outermost
primaries tipped with white; shafts of quills black; lower
back and rump white, the feathers of the lower rump mar-
gined with black at the tip ; upper tail-coverts, tail, and
tail-shafts black ; nasal plumes black ; forehead, crown, and
occipital crest brilliant scarlet, bases of the feathers creamy
white ; a broad scarlet cheek-patch, the bases of the feathers
varied with dusky and buffy white; lores, face and entire
neck, chin, throat, chest, and upper breast black, below and
behind the ear-coverts, likewise the chin and throat, striped
with white ; lower breast, abdomen, vent, sides of the body,
flanks, and thighs biift'y white, the thigh-feathers having a
subtermiual black band ; under tail-coverts black, those
nearest the vent margined with white; under wing-coverts
and axillaries white ; edge of wing black. Total length
15'0 inches, culmen 2*05, wing 8*45, tail 5'7, tarsus 1*25 ;
toes (without claws) — outer anterior 0*95, outer posterior
0'85, inner anterior 0"72, inner posterior 0"5.

Male, fledgling. In general coloration and markings like
the adult male, but differing in having the black less intense
and the white purer ; the bases of the feathers of the fore-
head and crown brownish dusky ; only a few of the cheek-
feathers having dull red tips, the remainder being black ; a
patch of white below and behind the ear-coverts ; chin and
throat white, with dusky spot-like stripes ; the feathers of
the fore neck margined with white; thighs slightly varied
with dusky.

Adult female. Differs from the adult male in having the
forehead, greater part of the crown, and the cheeks black.

SER. V. VOL. III. M

154 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Woodpeckers

Total length 15-0 inches,, culmen 1*85, wing 8-2, tail 6*0,
tarsus 1*25.

Young female. In general coloration and markings resem-
bling the adult female, but having the black less intense and
the white purer ; no white stripes on the side of the neck,
and the white margins of the throat-feathers not so well
defined ; chin huffy lirown, varied with white and dusky stria-
tions ; outer primaries, only, margined at the tip of the
outer webs with whitish.

Mr. Oates gives the soft parts of this species as follows : —
" Iris yellow ; eyelids lavender-brown ; legs plumbeous ;
claws horny grey ; bill bluish black, darkest on the upper
mandible and palest on the lower near the base/^

This bird has not a very extended range. It occurs more
or less plentifully from a short distance to the north of
Thayetmyo, eastward to Tonghoo, and southward as far as
the head-waters of the Thoungyeen river, and I have a spe-
cimen from Pitchaburee, W. Siam (C«W Bock). In the
south-western portion of Pegu it has been obtained as far as
Bassein by Mr. Blanford. Mr. Oates states that it " occurs
plentifully in portions of Pegu. I found it very abundant
near Thayetmyo and in the country lying l^etween that town
and the ridge of the Pegu hills. On the eastern slopes,
between the ridge and Tonghoo, I failed to meet with it, the
forests there being apparently unfitted for it. Capt. Wardlaw
Ramsay, however, procured it in Tonghoo itself. I have not
seen it in anj^ part of Southern Pegu. It appears to be
common on the Arrakan hills. ^' According to Capt Feilden
" it is a tolerably common bird ten or fifteen miles west of
Thayetmyo, and about the same distance north. ^' Mr. Hume^s
collection contains specimens from Tenasserim from the fol-
lowing localities : — Kyouk-nyat, Pahpoon, Thatone, Wim-
pong, and Larthorgee. Mr. Davison, in his note on the
habitat of this species in Tenasserim (Str. F. 1876, vi. p. 134),
says : — " I oidy met with this species at Pahpoon and in the
hills to the north of that place, in the plains country between
the Salvveen and Sittang, and again near Myawadee. It is
rare, for 1 have not seen it more than a score of times from

of the Genus Tliriponax. 155

first to last. I have shot it in the tree-jimgle and in old
clearings^ but I have also seen it in comparatively thick
forest." Capt. Bingham (Str. F. 1879, p. 194) observes :—
" I procured this handsome Woodpecker at Thaubia on the
Zamee, and noticed it more than once at various places on
the Wimgeo river, and on the Thouugyeen at Laidawgyee,
Kyon-Khet, Oukra, and Maigla." The same author (Str. F.
1880, p. 1G2) further states : — '^ I have procured this species as
far south as the head-waters of the Thoungyeen, and though
not common in this valley, it is widely spread. In March
1878 I saw a number, and shot a young male on the
Zammee-choung ; again near Kaukarit on the Houndraw
river it may be said to be fairly common."

7. Thriponax hargitti.

Thriponax javensis (pt.), Sharpe, Trans. Linn. Soc. 2iid ser.
Zool. i. p. 314 (1876).

Thriponax hargitti, Sharpe, Ibis, 1881, p. 317, pi. viii.

Adult male. Upper and middle back, scapulars, wing-
coverts, and quills black, the secondaries having a white
patch at the base of the inner webs, and a few of the pri-
maries having a white spot at the tip of the outer web \
shafts black; lower back and rump white; upper tail-
coverts, tail, and tail-shafts black ; nasal plumes black ;
entire top of the head, occiput, and nape scarlet, the feathers
of the latter parts elongated and forming a conspicuous crest,
their extreme bases being whitish, the feathers of the forehead
and crown greyer at the base ; a broad scarlet malar patch ;
lores, sides of the face, chin, throat, entire neck, chest, and
breast black, the chin, throat, and posterior half of the face
having short white striations ; remainder of the underparts,
flanks, and thighs buffy white, some of the feathers of the
vent black with bulfy white margins ; under tail-coverts
black ; under primary-coverts black, the lower series varied
with white, the remainder of the under wing-coverts, likewise
the axillaries, uniform buffy white. Total length 15 "5 inches,
culmen 2' 15, wing 8'4, tail 6*4, tarsus r35; toes (without

M 2

156 Mr. E. Hargitt on. the Woodpeckers

claws) — outer anterior 1"05, outer posterior O'Do^ inner ante-
rior 0*82, inner posterior 0'53.

Adult female. Differs from tlie adult male in Laving the
forehead and the greater part of the crown black (the occi-
pital and nuchal crest alone being scarlet), and also in want-
ing the red malar patch, the cheeks being black ; a few of
the thigh-feathers having a black sagittate spot at or near the
tip. Total length 15"5 inches, culraen 1'9, wing 8'2, tail 6"1,
tarsus 1*3.

This species has recently been described and figured by
Mr. Sharpe in 'The Ibis/ 1884, p. 317, pi. viii., from spe-
cimens obtained in Southern Palawan by one of Mr. E.
Lempriere's collectors. The British Museum contains an
adult female of the present species, procured by Mr, Steere
during his visit to the same island in 1874. Th. hargitti
cannot, with certainty, be said to be confined to the island
of Palawan, because in the British Museum are two birds
(formerly in the Gould Collection) labelled "^Manila,^^ which
are unmistakably true Th. hargitti ; but I would observe that
two other specimens, also in the British Museum (from the
Gould Collection), and likewise labelled Manila, are true
Th. javensis. It is hardly to be expected that these two
species would be found together, and the probability is that
the birds which correspond with the Palawan species were
not obtained in Luzon, but in some other island of the
Philippine group.

8. Thriponax richardsi.

Dnjocopus richardsi, Tristram, P. Z. S. 1879, p. 38(5,
pi. xxxi.

Mulleripicus richardsi, Wall. Isl. Life, p. 370 (1880),

Adult female (type of species). Brownish black, having a
blue-black gloss (with the following exceptions) : the lower
back and rump white, a few of the feathers of the lower
rump having a small black spot near the tip; the two central
feathers of the upper series of upper tail-coverts white, with
a large heart-shaped spot of black on their apical portion,

of the Genus Thr\\)ona.\. 157

bntj when the feathers of the rump are not raised^ having the
appearance of being black feathers margined with white ;
most of the primaries broadly tipped with white, and their
bases to the extent of more than an inch, as well as the bases
of the secondaries for at least two inches, also white ; the chin
and upper throat dark smoky grey ; the sides of the upper
throat, also the tips of the posterior cheek-feathers and the
ear-coverts^ finely streaked with white ; the feathers of the
upper breast narrowly margined at the tip with bnffy white ;
lower breast, greater part of the abdomen, and the sides of
the body buffy white, the thigh-feathers having a large spot
of black on. their apical portion ; tibial plumes whitish at the
base ; lower abdominal feathers black, margined with bufty
white; under wing-coverts (except on the edge of the wing)
and axillaries white, with a yellowish tinge ; shafts of quills
and of tail-feathers brownish black : " iris, feet, and beak
black " (Richards). Total length 19'0 inches, culmen 2'5,
wing 9'8, tail 7*25, tarsus 1*3; toes (without claws) — outer
anterior TO, outer posterior 0*85, inner anterior 0*72, inner
posterior 0"55.

Canon Tristram has kindly lent me this unique and inter-
esting bird. Before seeing it I was inclined to think that
its affinity to Dryocopus martins would be closer than to the
members of the genus Thriponax ; but such is not the case,
and I observe that this has been appreciated by Canon
Tristram, who, in writing to me, places it in the present
genus. The only known specimen is a female, and was pro-
cured by Lieut. E-ichards, R.N., in the island of Tzus Sima,
situated between Japan and the Corea. It will be interesting
to know the characters possessed by the male bird. The
type specimen of the present species (but for the absence of
red on the head) very much resembles the female of Th.
hodgsoni, but it has the white both above and below more
extended than in the latter species. The primaries arc
mostly tipped with white, a character possessed by many
species of Thripnnax, but absent in Dryocopus.

158 Mr. A. C. Cliapman's Birds' -Nesting

XV. — A Birds' -Nesting Ramble in Lapland.
By Alfred Crawiiall Chapman.

The ornithology of the extreme north-west of Europe has
not been treated of for some years in ' The Ibis/ so perhaps
the following account of a trip to East Finmark during the
spring of 1884 may be of interest. The district visited was
the valley of the Tana, one of the great rivers which drain
the area lying between the North Cape and the gulf of
Bothnia. The Tana and the Muonio-Tornea rivers have
their source in the same district^ the former flowing north-
wards into the Tana "Fiord, a little to the east of the North
Cape; while the Muonio-Tornea, flowing in a southerly
direction past Muonioniska, the scene of the late Mr. Wol-
ley^s memorable achievements, empties itself into the Gulf
of Bothnia.

In crossing the North Sea, on May 21st, when two Imn-
dred miles from land, a Whinchatcame on board the steamer
and sought shelter near a warm steam-pipe ; the unfortunate
little bird must have been much fatigued, for shortly after-
wards it fell dead from its perch. On the 22nd, during a
short walk in the suburbs of Bergen, I was pleased to see
Pied Flycatchers, the males in fine black-and-white plumage.
Between the 23rd and 26tli May, Avhen going up the fiords,
the usual common seafowl were to be seen ; but twice I
observed brown Eiders with very pale-coloured heads, which
I took to be female King Eiders. On the 27th we arrived
at Bodo, in Nordland (lat. Q7° N.) ; and after obtaining per-
mission from the magistrate there to shoot specimens, we
made our way across what v/as formerly a marsh behind the
village, but which is now drained. I supj^ose it would be
here that the Messrs. Godman found the Great Snipe breeding
(Ibis, 1801, p. 87) ; now nothing but an occasional Golden
Plover and numerous Wheatears flitted over the dry tussocks
of moss. The first birds that attracted attention were a pair of
Northern Marsh-Tits [Pariis borealis) actively searching the
lower stems of the birches for food. They appeared to be
much lighter in colour on the underparts than our Marsh-

Ramble in Lapland. 159

Tits^ and the long fluffy plumage of a slate-blue tinge is
wonderfully adapted to resist the rigours of a northern winter.
Magpies Avere very common^ and I noticed them breeding in
low buslies in the streets of Bodo. Presently we got among
a colony of Fieldfares [Turdus pilaris), their nests, which we
found in great numbers, being mostly placed in small birch
trees from three to ten feet from the ground, I remember
looking down on a Fieldfare's back^ as she sat on her eggs, and
remarking how ill-'fitted the circular nest was to the outline of
the bird^s body, for I could see right into the bottom of the
nest on each side of her closed wings, although the eggs
were not visible. The trees being small and stunted, the
nests were necessarily placed close to the main stem ; they
were constructed of dry white grass externally, then about
an inch and a half of wet earth, and an inside lining, about
an inch thick, of dry white grass. The internal diameter
was invariably 4 inches, and I found afterwards that those
of the Redwing {Turdus iliacus) were as invariably Scinches.
The old birds occasionally hovered in the air with jerky
flight, after the manner of a Pipit, uttering a peculiar cry,
which could scarcely be called a song ; but I think this is
confined to the breeding-season ; they also kept up a con-
tinual cackling, similar to the familiar note we hear in
winter. While selecting some of the finest clutches of eggs,
we presently saw a nest of sticks in the top of a birch tree,
and on approaching, a male Merlin (Falco cesalon) dashed off
it. Soon the female Merlin appeared, mobbed by a screech-
ing crowd of Fieldfares, and I easily secured both these little
Falcons. The nest appeared to be newly built, of thick birch-
branches loosely put together, and lined with a little moss,
dead leaves, and a few feathers, but deeper in the centre
than the nests of the Sparrow- Hawk or Kestrel ; it contained
three very dark-coloured eggs. It struck me as peculiar
that these active and powerful little Falcons should be quietly
nesting in the very midst of a colony of Fieldfares ; for there
must have been at least a score of the nests of the latter
within a short stone's throw of the Merlin's tree. A single
Rough-legged Buzzard was seen to-day ; on the low grounds

160 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Nestivfj

fleed-Buntings and Willow-Wrens were very common^ and a
ChiflFchaff was seen and heard singing lustily, as well as a single
Hedge-Sparrow. Blackcocks were " erooing ^^ loudly in the
still evening, and occasionally we flushed a Willow-Grouse,
which seemed to be already in summer dress ; its bold bec-hec
on rising exactly resembles the cry of our British bird.
Bramblings were numerous in the birch-forests, their mono-
tonous drone, like the word cree-ee, being continually audible ;
it struck me as resembling the note of the Greenfinch, but
distinctly louder and shriller. I often saw them floating about
in the woods with quivering wings, somewhat reminding me
of the Wood-W^arbler ; but they were rather wild, and it was
some time before I procured one. Ring-Ouzels w^ere com-
mon in the steep heather-clad gorges, and I saw one pair of
Mealy Eedpoles sitting together on a dead twig projecting
from some snow, their grey breast-feathers fluffed out, and
looking vei'y disconsolate. Where the ground was wet. Red-
shanks and Snipes kept getting up, and I took an egg from
the oviduct of a Yellow Hammer which I got here. On the
28th we took a boat, as I had heard that a pair of W^hite-
tailed Eagles bred annually on a rocky island off Bodo.
We did not find them at home, however, so having landed we
amused ourselves by watching a pair of Ravens [Corvus corax)
which had a nest in the face of the crag, containing several
young birds nearly ready to fly. The youngsters frequently
hopped on to the side of the nest, and flapping their wings,
received their first lessons in the art of flying. Directly
they saw us they would drop back into the nest, whilst the
old birds kept flying round, occasionally uttering a deep
guttural " croak.'^

W^hile watching the Ravens, a Kestrel {Falco tinnunculus)
flew into the crag and began to make signs of disapproval at
our intrusion here. He seemed to have come to the crag for
the purpose of feeding, and on being fired at dropped a half-
eaten Redwing. Here I observed a pair of Redstarts, and a
pair of Common Scoters were busy diving in an enclosed bay
of the sea. Next day we found the nest of a Hooded Crow
[Corvus comix), containing three newly hatched young and

Kamhle in Lajilartd. 161

two eggs : amongst the wool whicli lined the nest was a fairly
large sheet of a Bodo newspaper. We also observed a pair
of Common Sandpipers on a small piece of water rather high
up on the hills.

The LofFoden Islands had a fine but wintery appearance
as we steamed past them on the 30th May, for from the
summit of their jagged peaks down to the water^s edge was
one white expanse of snow. At Harstadhavn, where we waited
several hours, I observed flocks of Common Gulls {Larus
canus) feeding on the patches of cultivated land. Fieldfares'
nests were also numerous, but here none of them had eggs yet,
though a Hooded Crow had a nest full of half-grown young.
Magpies were common. On the 31st I observed Arctic Terns
for the first time. The nights now were as light as day, but
there did not seem to be the least sign of summer. Tromso
was reached in the evening, and there, according to arrange-
ments made before leaving England, I met and engaged
a Norwegian servant, afterwards referred to as Trinus, to
accompany me on my journey to Lapland.

June lst-3rd. The hills north of Tromso were clothed in
snow to the water's level, and we were greeted by cold nortb
winds and occasional snowstorms. Nevertheless, at Voerholt,
in Laxe Fiord, in spite of the cliffs being covered with snow,
Common Gulls already had eggs in numbers. On the 4th
June we landed at Stangenoes, in the Tana Fiord, at 3 a.m.,
and a dull and dreary look-out it was — great steep cliffs and
rounded hills, with pure white snow down to the sea-level !
Where could we expect to find birds breeding in such a
country ? A pair of Merlins were hawking about the shore,
chasing and alarming the small birds (Wheatears, White
Wagtails, and Titlarks) ; Cormorants, or Shags, Eiders, and
Mergansers seemed plentiful, and seals were numerous. We
got a boat to take us from Stangenoes, at the head of the
Tana Fiord, to a little island called Gulholmen, at the mouth
of the Tana river ; but instead of being able to go straight
up the country, as I had intended, I found that the ice in
the river had not yet broken up, and about two miles above
Gulholmen a white line of fast ice extended right across the

162 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Nestinff

stream, beyond wliicli it was impossible to go. The river-
banks and the fells above them were many feet deep in
snow ; the birch-forests were without a sign of leaf, and the
fell-lakes were all solid ice. Sledging on the frozen river
was not considered safe, as summer was too near ; the use of
'^ skiddor " was impracticable on account of the soft state of
the snow ; and the only means of getting about was to struggle
on foot, sometimes sinking up to the arms in snow. The
natives do not move about at this season of the year, but
cither remain indoors or make short journeys in their canoe-
like boats on the open water at the mouth of the river.

In rowing up to Gulholmen we had seen several
flocks of Duck sitting in the open water and on the ice-floes
in the river. We accordingly got a boat and went after
them. They seemed to swim very high in the water, with
their tails well up, and kept uttering a melancholy sort of
note^ not unlike the mewing of a cat. On our approach
they rose, and a string of ten flying round us, I managed to
drop five, which proved to be Long-tailed Ducks [Harehla
glacicdis), already in summer plumage. Having landed to
explore the snow- clad hills, we made our way up a considerable
fell, and were idly throwing stones over a precipice, when a
Rough-legged Buzzard [Buteo lagopus) slipped away from
nearly beneath us. On looking over the crag we could
easily see the large nest below us, containing three eggs,
lying on dry white grass. The old birds kept sailing around,
uttering a loud weird cry, but they would not come near ;
so I hid myself and sent Trinus away to attract the bird's
attention. It was a long but pleasant wait. The evening
was very still, the air frosty, clear, and refreshing, and on
that dreary fell not a sound was to be heard, save the occa-
sional merry chirrup of the male Wheatear. I made a note at
the time how very much the initial notes of the Wheatear
resemble those of the Merlin, and several times the small
Chat's cle!ir voice was mistaken for that of his most deadly
enemy. Suddenly aroused by the rapid '"^ swish" of wings
close over my head, I raised my eyes, and could just see the
tips of the tail-feathers of the female Buzzard as she sat on

Ramble in Lapland, 163

the side of her nest ; several loud shouts had to be given before
she realized the position, and when she flew I secured her.
Her general plumage was a deep rich brown, the inside of
the mouth flesh- colour, the irides hazel. As it was impossible
to reach the eggs without a rope, we made our way back
through the snow ; and I well remember my first impressions
of the lovely song of the Blue-throated. Warbler {Cyanecula
suecica). Hearing the gush of melody from amongst some
scrub appearing above the snow-surface, and approaching
quietly, we presently detected the rich blue throat of this
handsome Warbler against the white snow. I certainly
think the song of this Warbler exceeds any thing I ever
heard ; at times it is soft and mellow as that of a Willow-
Wren, suddenly striking up to the angry hissing notes of
the Sedge-Warbler, and occasionally finishing with the most
astonishing metallic sound, a regular " twang, twang,^' not
unlike the tinkling of a bell — whether in mimicry or natural
song is diflicult to define. I noted that the Bluethroat, as
well as the Willow- Wren, were in full song at midnight
here. How strange it is that such an insignificant little
bird as the Willow-Wren should have such an extensive
breeding-range, nesting alike in tlie south of Spain and on the
North Cape ! When we returned to our boat to-night great
pieces of ice were slowly floating down the river from the
frozen reaches above.

June 5th. Returned to the Rough-legged Buzzard's nest,
taking with us some thirty yards of rope ; but I failed to
secure the male Buzzard, although he was sitting on the
eggs when we got to the place. By a little manipulation Ave
managed to reach the nest, which consisted of a mass of
dead sticks about two feet thick, with a layer of solid ice
about six inches thick immediately under the new grass
lining on which the three eggs were lying. The nest was
full of " pellets,^'' consisting of a blue fur and small bones,
either of some field-mouse or the lemming, and was, I think,
the accumulation of years. Returning home that night, I
secured the male Bluethroat, singing in the same place as I
had seen him yesterday. A Hooded Crow's nest contained

164- Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Net^thn/

four small young to-day. Long-tailed Ducks kept con-
tinually flying up and down the river^ and I saw two large
Geese go up the river at night.

June 6th. Dull and cold, like winter. Opposite Gul-
holmen, on tlie other side of the river, is a level expanse of
snow, from two to four feet deep, the stunted birch trees
rearing their bare heads above it all, so that when walking
through the snow it is necessary to push one's way through
the tops of the birch-forest. In a few places, however, the
snow had melted, leaving water-holes, at the bottom of which
grass could be seen growing ; and in these open places many
birds were seeking food, amongst which I recognized Tem-
minck's Stints {Tringa temminck'i) flyiug about, with wings
erect above their backs, uttering a continuous " trilling "
note, and then suddenly diving down into the scrub. They
were very tame, chasing each other about and manifesting
signs of the approaching breeding-season. Next a pair of
Lapland Buntings [Plectrophanes Japponicci) rose from a
water-hole, the male uttering a clear flute-like song as he
perched on the summit of a birch tree. Tlien a pair of Wood-
Sandpipers {Totanus glareola), with a splendid loud call-note,
flew up, one of them deliberately lighting on the summit of a
slender bough and steadying itself witli outstretched wings,
the other seeking shelter in the scrub. Both this bird and
Temminck's Stint have yellow-ochre-coloured legs and feet.
Bluethroats, Titlarks, Willow-Wrens, and Wheatears were
also numerous. A thousand feet above us, in a line of lofty
crags, two pairs of Peregrine Falcons {Falco peregrinus) and
one pair of Ospreys {Pandion haliaetus) were circling round,
their fine wild cries echoing through the crags ; but when,
after a laborious climb, we reached the summit of this preci-
pice, they only soared higher, and we could see no signs of a
nest. While sitting here a Raven, also evidently nesting in
the crag, flew past us, his throat distended with the food he
was carrying for his young. I disturbed a couple of moun-
tain-hares here; they were just beginning to get the grey
fur of summer. Large herds of reindeer were also seeking
their scanty living of lichens on the highest fell-tops ; these

Ramble in Lapland. 165

were the tame animals belonging to the Laps^ but already
turned out for the summer. Here they are allowed to roam
at large until the autumn^ and such is their instinctive dread
of the pestilent mosquito, that they seldom depart from the
highest and coldest parts of the fells. When skinning birds
to-night I found that both the Temminck^s Stints and the
Lapland Buntings had very small embryo eggs in their
ovaries.

June 7tli. On our return to the crag opposite Gulholmen
the Ospreys were there, but only one pair of Peregrines.
When sitting on the crag-top the female Osprey appeared,
carrying a long twisted stick in her talons, her long thighs
dangling below her. It was evident that she had a nest
and presently we found it, placed on the summit of a de-
tached pinnacle of rock projecting from the main crag. It
was utterly inaccessible, either from above or below ; but we
could see it contained no eggs, although it was lined out with
green moss. I afterwards shot the female Osprey, and found
that she had very small eggs in her ovary ; the legs and
feet as well as the cere were a pale pea-green colour. On tlie
8th June I observed the only Chafiinch {Fringilla ccahbs)
that I saw whilst in Finmark.

June 9th. Much snow fell to-day, with a bitterly cold
wind. On the sandflats at the junction of the Tana with its
fiord were about a hundred Geese, sitting on the bare sand
amongst some stranded ice-floes. Adjoining the sandflats
and between them and the snow-fjelds, was first a narrow
space of rather long grass, with frequent pools of snow-water
and then about half a mile of semi-inundated birch-scrub.
It was in the grassy parts that I first became acquainted
with the Red-throated Pipits [Anthus cervinus) . They seemed
retiring in their habits, running rapidly along the ground like
a mouse, keeping the body very low and horizontal. They
were difficult to see in this position, and if one approached
nearer to them, a pair would spring up into the air with a shrill
pipe, and allow themselves to be carried by the wind perhaps
a hundred yards to leeward, when they would, with jerky
flight, beat up again, to rc-alight on their favourite spot.

166 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Nesting

Though I procured several, I could not detect any sexual
difference in the cream-colouring on the throat.

While sheltering underneath a sand-bank from a pitiless
snowstorm, a Raven came past us, his throat distended with
food. Then a Rough-legged Buzzard with very light-coloured
plumage alighted on a rock near at hand and sat quietly
pluming himself. Presently an Osprey, with buoyant flight,
loomed through the snow-flakes, and checking his speed,
hovered for an instant ; then, with headlong swoop, he dashed
into the waters of the fiord, reappearing with a fish dangling
from his talons. After shaking himself, he flew past us,
and, on being fired at, dropped the fish; dissatisfied, he
swooped at it w hen falling, but did not succeed in overtaking
it. The fish proved to be a sole, 9^ inches long and 6 inches
Avide, with but one claw-mark in the body, and lived for
many hours afterwards. While trying to ascend the side of a
fjeld v/e distinctly made out several Geese feeding on some
shallow^ water, and approaching nearer, I could easily see they
were one or other of the two White-fronted species. Whilst
watching them a male Merganser swam quite near to nse, and
having caught a small fish, was chased and bullied by a
Herring-Grull till he was compelled to take flight. This
seemed to disturb the Geese, for they ceased feeding, and
with outstretched necks peered around suspiciously. When
I fired at them a pair of Redshanks rose close to me, and
walking home that night I secured one of a pair of Ring-
Plovers by the river-side.

June 10th. Heavy snowstorms greeted us to-day. I saw
the first Grey-headed Yellow Wagtail {Motacilla cinereo-
capilla) this morning, which had seemingly just arrived here.
In the birch-forests, though deep in snow, we found four
nests of the Mealy Redpole, all in course of construction ;
the old birds were absurdly tame. The nests were very
pretty, lined with the Avhite woolly material of the willow-
scrub. The monotonous, though lively carol of the Redwing,
which we never hear in England, w^as very noticeable this
morning ; and to-day I found tlic first nest, with five fresh
eggs, placed about three feet from the ground in an angle

Ramble in Lapland. 167

formed by the stem and the fallen superstructure of a birch
tree. The nest was composed entirely of very fine dry
white grass, with a layer of damp moss at the foundation.
There were no sticks about it, and it was very neat and
compact, I both saw and heard a single Tree-Pipit {Anthus
arhoreus) singing to-day, but I unfortunately missed it. In
the afternoon we again ascended the fjelds, where we observed
Temminck^s Stints gyrating in parties of three or four high
up in the air. At 6.-30 p.m. we crossed the river to Gulhol-
men. All then looked quiet and as usual, but at 7.30 the
whole of the ice in the upper reaches of the Tana river had
broken up and was coming down in tens of thousands of
tons at the rate of about four miles per hour. This is the
first indication that the natives have of the long-looked for
change from winter to summer, though for days past wherever
one went the roaring of waters could be heard, indicative of
the rapid melting of the snow in the high grounds. It is
this natural water-supply that is tiie primary cause of the
breaking up of the ice ; so severe is the winter in these lati-
tudes that the river becomes frozen to the very bottom, and
it requires the accumulated force of the melted snow-water,
getting under the ice, to lift the mass bodily up, and once
afloat, it is rapidly propelled seawards. The movement
to-night took place gradually and steadily, nor was there
so much of that rush and confusion which one might expect
to see, where such a mighty change was taking place. It
seemed, however, to create a feeling of excitement, not only
in us, but in the birds ; for the Geese on the opposite shores
of the rivei', the Long-tailed Ducks, Divers, and other birds
seemed to make more clamouring than usual, as if joyous
at the signs of approaching summer. A single Long-tailed
Skusx {Stercora?~ius parasiticus) went up the river to-night,
and we observed a solitary Swallow hawking round the house
at Gulholmen, evidently just arrived.

June 11th. Most of the ice had gone out while we slept,
and this morning we had fine warm summer weather ! On
the fells to-day we observed pairs of Snow-Buntings {Plec-
trophanes nivalis) flitting merrily about ; they were not yet

168 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -N cat iny

breeding, for in the ovaries of some whicli I examined the eggs
were but slightly developed. The feathers around their bills
were always stained purple with the juice of the '^krokeboer/^
a fell-berry on which they feed. I often noticed in the hollow
bare trunks of the decayed birch trees large accumulations of
red berries from which Redpoles and Bramblings frequently
flew up as one approached ; and it seems as if these berries
form a winter store for some creatures which reside there,
probably squirrels, though we never saw any. The Mealy
Kedpole is known to winter here, but the Brambling migrates
south. To-night the midnight sun was up in his fullest
majesty, but no heat seemed to reach the earth, the air being
clear and frosty.

June 12th. At 9.30 a.m. we left Gulholmen and, with a
Lap at one end of our boat and a Qvane at the other, we
" poled " incessantly up the now open river until we reached
Pulmak at 3.30 a.m. on the following morning. I was sur-
prised at the absence of bird-life, although there were exten-
sive mud-banks and shoals, apparently well adapted for the
Waders. We landed at several likely-looking spots on the
way, at one of which a pair of Wood-Sandpipers clearly had
a nest. Common Sandpipers, Ring-Plovers, Temminck's
Stints, and Long-tailed Ducks were all the birds we ob-
served. About six miles north of Pulmak, and about mid-
night, I flushed a strange-looking pair of birds from an
" ene'^ (juniper) bush. As they went away I mistook them
fur Green Woodpeckers. I shot one of them as it glided
away with undulating flight, and my surprise was great to
pick up a Piue-Grosbeak [Piaicola enucleutor) . Just then
Trinus cried out that he had found a nest, and on my com-
ing up, there was the pretty wickerwork nest with two eggs of
the Pine-Grosbeak. On looking about we soon saw the other
bird sitting callously quite close to us, and she completed the
series. The occurrence of this species north of the Arctic
circle had not previously, according to Professor Collett
(Orn, North. Norway, p. 22), been satisfactorily established.
The plumage of the Pine- Grosbeak appears to have always
been an unsettled problem, so 1 will merely state that both

Ramble in Lapland. 169

these birds^ male and feiuale_, were of the greyish-green type,
the male having rather more of the orange colour than the
female. It is clear that, although the scarlet dress is con-
sidered by some to be the adult plumage, this does not neces-
sarily imply that an immature bird cannot breed ; for if such
were the case here was a clear instance of two immature Pine-
Grosbeaks having a nest and eggs. The birds were roosting
within twenty yards of their nest, and when skinning the
female I took a third egg from her oviduct. I afterwards
found near Pulmak a male in full scarlet plumage paired and
nesting with an ash-grey female, and a third nest was occupied
by two greyish-green birds. The nest of the Pine-Grosbeak
decidedly resembles that of the Bullfinch, being constructed
externally of an extremely light network of thin birch-twigs
firmly interlaced into each other. This substructure is over-
laid by a lining of fine stiff grass, distinctly visible through the
network of sticks from below. On pulling the lining to pieces
an odd horsehair could be detected. The nest was placed in
a small birch tree, about six feet from the ground, and very
open. I was rather surprised to find the Pine-Grosbeak
breeding here, as I thought it was confined to the pine dis-
tricts. But I found several pairs of this bird breeding around
Pulmak, where is not a sign of any thing save stunted birch
and willow, and from their crops I took birch -catkins. We
had considerable difficulty in effecting a landing at Pulmak,
as, owing to a bend in the river, the ice had become congested
and piled up in great heaps, at least ten feet high, along the
shore.

June 13tli. Pulmak, which is situate a little north of the
70ch degree of latitude, consists of some half-dozen Lap
settlements and one fairly comfortable inn. It is situated in
a bend of the Tana, which is here perhaps 400 yards wide.
Around are low fells, seldom rising to any great height,
thickly carpeted with reindeer-moss and clad with birch-
forest up to a certain level ; in many cases the hills are so
low that the birch reaches and crowns their summits.
Close to the door of our dwelling a pair of Wigeon [Mareca
penelope) rose this morning and I secured the drake, still in

SER. V. VOL. 111. N

170 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds'' -Nesting

full winter plumage. Further on a pair of Rough-legged
Buzzards had a nest, and were ''wailing'' from the crag.
The nest, placed, as usual, on a ledge, and lined Avith dry
grass, contained one egg completely congealed, and much of
the colour washed out. I had to warm it in water before it
would blow, although otherwise it was quite fresh. I got
to-day the first Brambling's nest, a beautiful structure, with
one very small egg. A Fieldfare's nest had six eggs, and
two Titlarks' nests had six and four eggs, fresh. CuckoDs
seemed pretty numerous. I shot some Golden Plovers to
eat, and was struck with their splendid adult plumage,
such as can seldom be obtained at any season of the year in
Northumberland. I observe also that the male Bramblings
obtained, in breeding-dress, on thp Dovre Fjeld in Norway
are not nearly so typically adult as those which we obtained
in East Finmark.

To-day a Lap boy brought me a lovely nest with seven
eggs, badly incubated, of the Great Grey Shrike {Lanius
major ?) ; and here I may observe that, although I afterwards
obtained two more nests and eggs of this species, I was
never fortunate enough to get the bird. In all cases the
nests were found by the Laps and brought to me; and although
I invariably returned to the nesting-place immediately with
the Lap, I only once caught a glimpse of the bird, and then
I did not manage to secure her. This nest was placed in a
birch tree, about ten feet from the ground, and was made of
white grass, profusely lined with the white feathers of the
Willow-Grouse, with a few binding twigs of birch.

June 14th. A White Wagtail {MotaciUa alba) had its nest
under the turf of the roof of our dwelling, and contained six
fresh eggs ; the nest was lined with greyish- white reindeer-
hair. Two nests of the Redwing contained five and six eggs ;
one of them was on the ground in a bank, entirely concealed
by an overhanging juniper bush, and the eggs were much incu-
bated. Although the fell-lakes were still completely frozen,
Arctic Terns {Sterna macrura) were hovering over some of
them, and on two small islands which we reached by walking
across the ice we found two nests, each with two eggs. A

Ramble in Lapland. 171

singular instance of protective coloration occurred here : two
of these eggs were of the most extraordinary colour, resem-
bling very rich ]\Ierlin^s eggs, the other two were of the
ordinary green type. The ruddy ones were laid on a rich
red carpet of moss, the green ones on green reindeer-moss.
The yolk and albumen of these eggs was quite congealed
with the cold. On the edge of one of these frozen lakes a
Redshank's nest contained two eggs. Coming home we
found a Mealy Redpole^s nest with five eggs, profusely lined
with feathers of " ryper,^" a bird which, by the way, we had
not seen or heard since our arrival at Pulmak.

June 15th. Winter seemed to return, for it snowed con-
tinuously all day. In a walk along the bank of the Pul-
makelf, a tributary of the Tana, we observed a single male
Goosander busy fishing, also a pair of Red-necked Phalaropes
{Phalaropus hyperboreus) , very tame, and actively feeding
in a quiet backwash of the river. They swim very high
in the water, with a jerky motion, nodding their heads like
a Waterhen, and are surprisingly quick and agile in their
movements. One of them landed and sat, like a tiny
Duck, preening his feathers on the bank. They seemed in
mature plumage, the yellow stripes down the sides of the
back being very conspicuous. A pair of Wood-Sandpipers
were very tame, and allowed us to come very close to them
as they were feeding, wading breast-high, in a little pool of
melted snow-water.

June 16th. Coming down the Pulmakelf last night, I
observed a thick-bodied Duck flying, its wings rustling in
the air. I inquired of the Laps if any Ducks bred in
trees about here, and a boy assured me they did, and that
he knew of holes where he had seen their nests in pre-
vious years. I told him Avhere I had seen this Duck, and
this morning he returned, having found the nest and six
eggs of the Goldeneye (^Clangula glaucion). When we
arrived at the place, I wondered where the nest could possibly
be, so thin and small were all the trees ; however, in an old
stump about three feet high, with a hole in the side of it
large enough for a Duck's body to enter, and about eighteen

N 2

173 Mr. A. C. Chiipniau's Birds' -Nesting

inches down, was a mass of dusky white down, Avith the six
bkiish-green egg's. No bird was about, and the eggs were cold,
but quite fresh. The stump was at the top of a very steep bank,
perhaps 150 feet from the river, but certainly not more than
40 feet perpendicularly above the water. When wandering
in the bircli-forests, we observed a Great Spotted Woodpecker
{Picus major), and shortly after Trinus saw a Pine- Grosbeak.
1 secured both, and then we commenced to look for the
nests, which we were lucky in finding close together. It was
merely a question of looking for a thick enough tree to find
the Woodpecker's nest. The first thick-stemmed tree con-
tained the nest, and I caught the hen bird on it; she had
just hatched her four eggs, so I released her. The Gros-
beak's nest, similar to the one already desci'ibed, contained
four eggs. Presently the male Grosbeak came up, a hand-
some scarlet-plvimaged bird. I never heard these birds utter
the slightest note; they seemed to seek safety by sitting
perfectly motionless on an open branch, and allowed easy
approach. The hen was a greyish-green bird.

A very pretty Willow-Grouse, in adult summer plumage,
which I shot to-day in Hussian Finland, had an egg ready
for laying in her oviduct. A Siberian Titmouse (Parits
cinctus), flying out of an old Woodpecker's hole, made me
sure ol: a nest and eggs, and I secured her instantly, but was
disappointed to find nothing but dry chips and no eggs at
the bottom. The bird was a round flufty ball of hairy fea-
thers, with a rather long blue tail, and was the only example
I saw of this species. Titlarks were very abundant, and
the nests were everywhere to be found now. A large flock
of Common Scoters rose as we came down the Pulmakelf to-
night. To-day was dull, but not cold, and in the evening we
had sunshine, which afterwards proved to be the beginning
of that continual radiance which characterizes the three
months' summer season in these latitudes.

June 17th. A Qvane girl brought in the dark-coloured
down and eight eggs of what she termed " Kriksa," i. e.
Teal {Querquedula crecca), which she had taken that morning
at the edge of a large lake a little way from Pulmak. She

Ramble in Lap/and. 173

also brought me a peculiar open-topped nest, made of thin,
stiff, black roots, lined with dead leaves, and containing six
eggs of the Water-Ouzel : doubtless Cinclus melanogaster.
The nest was different from any of those of C. aquaticus I
have found in England,

Later in the day, after a long and fruitless search, as Trinus
and I were resting on the edge of a half-frozen lough far out
on the fell, a pair of Wood-Sandpipers came from somewhere
and began to feed along the edge of the lough ; and whilst
watching them a Long-tailed Skua came past us with very
rapid flight. I must have been indulging in a quiet " siesta/'
when Trinus touched my coat and pointed to the lough, on
which, almost within gunshot, two large heavy -looking Ducks
wei'e swimming, their necks craned up, suspiciously watching
us. They bad just alighted, and although we were fully ex-
posed to view, they did not seem to understand what we were,
so motionless did we lie. Presently the lighter-coloured of
the two began diving, the otlier swimming restlessly back-
wards and forwards along the edge of the ice. Immediately
I moved, the cat-ice cracked under my feet, and the drake
took a long flight ; but coming high over my head, I killed
him, and the duck, rising at the shot, shared a similar fate.
They proved to be an adult pair of Velvet Scoters {(Edemia
fusca). These birds were evidently seeking a nesting-place
when I found them ; but so arctic was the state of the fells
and their lakes at this date, that I do not think either the
Velvet Scoter or the Long-tailed Skua had eggs when I left
the country in the beginning of July.

A pair of Whimbrels [Nicmenius phaeopus) showed great
anxiety long before we reached their real breeding-place ; and
although they used every endeavour to allure us away, I was
most fortunate in walking right upon the nest and four eggs,
slightly incubated, in a hole scratched in the reindeer-moss.
Many pike were disporting themselves in some shallow lakes
far out on the fells to-day, often jumping right out of the
water. I shot one to see what it was, and it proved to be
about 2 lbs. weight. We wondered greatly how these fish
had ever got there, and what they did in the long winter !

174 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Nesting

Coming home that night I flushed a brace of Wigeon off the
small piece of water near our house^ where I had killed the
mature (^ake before : the unfortunate duck lost her husband
again, and I found he was half moulted to summer plumage.

June 18th, We found our first nest of the Blue-throated
Warbler {Cyanecula suecica) to-day, with seven fresh eggs.
It was placed on a dry bank of moss, much concealed, and
was constructed entirely of fine dry grass, with a thick foun-
dation of moss. The female, which was very tame, had a
white throat, with a little blue at the edges and a touch of
red and blue on the breast. All the male Bluethroats which
I saw had the red spot on the throat, A Brambling's nest
contained seven fresh eggs to-day ; and a Raven which I shot
w^as in full moult in all the wing-feathers, except the quills,
which had been renewed, and the feathers on the neck and
head, which were also new.

Coming along the edge of the Tana I found a nest and
four eggs of the Shore-Lark (Otocorys alpestris). The nest
was within ten yards of the river-side, placed in a hole
scratched in the sandy ground near the bank. It was close
in to Pulmak, and 1 must have passed the place dozens of
times before, but even now I did not see the bird. Two
Laps, Trinus, and I were standing wondering where the
owner of the nest could be, when we suddenly caught sight of
her, squatting on the ground at our very feet, her head turned
towards us and her little black horns distinctly visible. The
nest was made exclusively of dry white broad-bladed grasses.
The eggs were of a yellowish colour, not unlike those of our
Yellow Wagtail. It is strange that this bird should nest
in such very different localities, for I afterwards found them,
evidently breeding, on the bare fell-tops overgrown with
stunted lichens and mosses, and strewn with boulders and
patches of snow. A Lap brought me in to-night five eggs of
what he called the " Hauga,''-' i. e. Long-tailed Duck {Harelda
glacialis) . The nest was placed on the river-bank just opposite
Pulmak, and as there was no down, I concluded slie could
not have laid her full complement of eggs. Reed- Buntings
seemed common bv the side of some fell-lakes which we

Ramble in Lapland. 175

visited to day. Although we now had fine summer weather,
there was not a sign of greenness in a single tree or plant as
yet, and many deep ridges of snow looked as if ihey were
never going to melt. A single Swallow arrived at Pulmak
in the evening.

June 19th. House-Martins {Chelidon urhica) arrived and
sought the eaves of our dwelling for a breeding-place. After
breakfast I shot the female Wigeon as she rose from her
nest close to the house : the one egg was laid on the dead
leaves under a willow bush, with scarcely a sign of a nest.
This was the Duck whose two husbands I had already
secured, and now she fell herself ! She had a pretty
brindled head, grey and black, the wing and tail-coverts
mottled white all over, the flanks were brown.

June 20tli. A little Lap boy brought me this morning, in
a tin tray, the nest, cut out of the ground, containing three
eggs, of the Dotterel {Eudromias mori/ieZ/Ms), the first indica-
tion I had of this bird^s presence near Pulmak. To-day
Trinus and I packed up our tent and hired two Lap boys
to " pole " us up the Pulmakelf as far as Pulmak Vand, a
lake some seven miles long and two miles wide, about
eight miles from Pulmak and about forty miles north of
the great Lake Enare. We had intended pitching our
tent near a Russian Finn^s hut at the south end of the lake,
but we were rather amazed to find, on emerging from the
high banks of the Pulmak river, that the whole surface of the
lake was still frozen, and that the mountains on the Russian
side were deep in snow. We accordingly pitched our tent in
the birch-forest near the frozen lake, and when the two Laps
had roasted us some salmon-steaks with the aid of a birch
fire, they returned to Pulmak, and we were left alone in the
solitudes of the forest. Close to our home was the boundary
line between Norwegian Lapland and Russian Finland ; this
line is kept distinct through the birch-forests by means of
cutting down all the trees for a width of several yards, and
over the bare fells by large cairns of stones set on the tops
of conspicuous fell-summits.

When strolling along a pathway in the forest in the after-

17G Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Kesting

noon, we met the Russian Finn's daughter, who had just
Hiished a Willow-Grouse {Lagopus albus) from its nest and
eleven riehly coloured eggs, laid on the dead birch-leaves at
the foot of an old stump. 1 bought these from her ; but she
thought they were worth at least a krone for eating. Coming
back to our tent that night I disturbed a Blue-throated
Warbler from her nest under a juniper bush, containing five
fresh eggs. As we lay in the tent we made notes of the
nocturnal bird-songs. About 11 p.m. the woods resounded
with the hoarse cackle of the W^illow-Grouse. I learnt that
they were in the habit of flying down to the forest-streams to
drink at this hour, and certainly from 11 o'clock till mid-
night they were very restless and noisy. For about half an
hour at midnight, though the sun shone brilliantly in a
yellow sky, all was hushed, aud the first bird to break the
silence was the Redwing, followed immediately by the Bram-
bling, and then the smaller Warblers joined the chorus. It
is strange how short a time they seem to allow themselves
for rest. In the morning, the Russian Finn, having heard
from his daughter that some eccentric individuals were camp-
ing out in the woods by the lake, came and informed me
that he had seen the prints of seven bears in the snow two
days before, and wanted us to go after them ; but the dis-
tance was great, and the chance small, so we declined.

June 21st. On the fells to-day Golden Plovers and Whim-
brels were numerous. I took a ncst of the former with four
fresh eggs, and shot one of the latter as he perched on the
topmost branch of a birch tree. W^hen lunching we heard a
peculiar chit-chit note in some scrub near us, and on going
to see what it was, a Common Snipe [Gallinago ccelestis) rose,
the only example of this species 1 observed in Finmark, or
Finland, for we were now on Russian territory. A pair of
Long-tailed Skuas seemed to be wandering over the fells in
search of a place to breed, and I secured a splendid specimen
as he came, like an arrow, right at me. The inside of its
mouth was pale pink, the irides hazel, the tarsus was a pale
blue, and the feet dusky black. We got our third nest of
the Bluethroat to-day, with six eggs.

Rumble in Lapland. 1 77

June 22nd. Two important observations were made to-
day : first, there is a slight tinge of green in the birch-forests,
which, up to now, have been as bare and barren as winter;
and, secondly, the appearance of mosquitoes in force. From
this date life became hardly tolerable on account of this
plague. I found this morning by the lake-side a nest and
six eggs of the Reed-Bunting, and shortly afterwards I flushed
a Phalarope {Phalaropus hyperboreus) from her tiny nest in
the grass, close to the water's edge. The legs and feet of
this bird are greenish. A pair of Wood- Sandpipers evidently
had a nest here, but they completely deluded us. This bird
has a habit of going high up in the air and gyrating for hours
in wide circles, at times shooting up another fifty or sixty feet
with a delightful wild cry.

Coming down the Pulmakclf, on our return to Pulmak, we
found two nests of Temminck's Stints, one containing two
eggs, the other three. The latter was placed close to a Lap's
log-hut, and immediately behind a dunghill adjoining the
house, a few paces from the edge of the Tana. The old birds
were very solicitous, sailing around with their wings set over
their backs, like a butterfly, often alighting on a tree, rail,
or stone, or sometimes on the ridge of the Lap hut adjoining,
uttering the while a continual pretty trilling note. I fre-
quently observed this tiny Wader in the act of nest-making,
scratching a hole with its little feet, then quickly sitting
down and turning its little body round to form the required
depression. Then the bird jumps up, and looking at the
embryo nest, pushes a dead birch-leaf with her slender beak
into the tiny hole. I measured the diameter of one nest
containing four eggs, and it did not amount to 2j inches
over all. The eggs are placed small ends together, and,
owing to the depth of the nest, are caused to stand nearly
on end, thus taking up very little space ; indeed, if they lay
on their sides^ the small body of this Wader could not cover
them. Frequently, when at the nest, the Stints would run
round and round, almost coming within arm's reach ; but
their quickness of flight when surprised or frightened is
astonishing. They seemed to have a special liking for the

178 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Ntst'mg

dry sandy banks of the Pulraakelf close to its junction with
the Tana. Here the sloping sand was sparsely overgrown
with dwarf willows, and amongst the roots of the willows a
coarse grass was growing, strewn with dead birch-leaves, and
this the Stints seemed to prefer to any other place, although
I afterwards found them breeding several hundred yards
from water.

June 23rd. A pair of Ring-Plovers {jEgialitis hiaticula),
by their excessive anxiety and solicitude, betrayed their nest
and four eggs within a stone's throw of our dwelling. I had
heard them nearly all night long uttering their fine hollow
cry, as they flew up and down the river. I got my last
Pine-Grosbeak's nest to-day, with two eggs. A Great Grey
Shrike's nest, built close to the place where we had obtained
a nest and seven hard-set eggs on the 14th June, now con-
tained six fine fresh eggs, evidently a second laying. This
nest was constructed almost entirely of white "ryper "-fea-
thers, and was very warm and compact. It was placed in a
bii'ch tree standing alone in an open glade in the forest. The
white feathers of the Willow-Grouse exactly resembled in
colour the silvery bark of the birch tree on which it was l)uilt.
We also obtained to-day a Brambling's nest with seven eggs,
a Bluethroat's with seven eggs, and a Golden Plover's with
four eggs, and I shot a Grey-headed W^agtail in gorgeous
plumage. The heat was great to-day : the birch-forests are
turning green, and the mosquitoes are a living plague.

June 24th. On our way to some distant fells to look for
Dotterel, we found a Ring-Plover's nest with two eggs and
two Mealy Redpole's nests, the first with five eggs, the second
with newly hatched young. The latter have a very ex-
tended period of incubation, and probably have two broods
in the season. Their nests are very pretty, consisting in this
case of small twigs outside, then the soft downy wool of the
willow-catkin, and then the snow-wiiite lining of " ryper "-
feathers. When the pale-blue eggs, with their purple spots,
are laid in this, it is impossible to conceive a prettier sight.
After a long climb we eventually reached the summit of a
truly characteristic Lapland fjeld ; nothing but a great rolling

Ramble in Lapland. 179

waste of reindeer-moss, thickly strewn with grey boulders and
stones and occasional patches of snow. It seemed to be a
real paradise for the wild and solitary Dotterel. On looking
over a ridge, we saw a grey-looking bird get up and quickly
disappear behind a knoll. On going to the place, there lay
the "triple clutch" characteristic of the Dotterel, laid in a
slight hole scratched in the reindeer-moss, without any lining.
Leaving Trinus at the nest, I went after the bird, which kept
running in front of me, and eventually rose, uttering a deep
croak-croak, which I never heard afterwards. After a con-
siderable chase I procured her, and returned to the nest.
The eggs were hard-sat. During the course of to-day I saw
many Dotterel. Once, when lying resting, I heard a low
pipe, and on looking round saw the fine chestnut breast
and white eye-streak of a Dotterel, which was sitting on a
stone close to us. We did not move, and presently two
others came running up. Golden Plovers swarmed, and
the notes of the two could be well compared ; that of the
Dotterel is similar to, but not nearly so loud as, that of the
Golden Plover. Once I watched a Dotterel running about,
till at length it sat down, and I felt sure it was on the nest.
Approaching quietly, I got within six feet of her, when I
perceived that the bird had gone to roost; her eyes were
shut, and she was fast asleep : it was a very pretty sight.
On looking at my watch I found it was midnight.

Seated on the top of a high fell, some twelve miles from
Pulmak, the view was superb. Far as the eye could reach
this wild country presented a continuous series of rolling
hills, clad with birch to a certain level, the intervening
morasses being studded with numerous lakes and water-
courses, and in the hazy distance great snow-mountains
reared up into the yellow midnight sky. The sun shone
brilliantly, and, with the exception of the occasional low
pipe of the Plover and Dotterel, or the lively chirrup of the
Snow-Bunting, all was silent. Frequently, during the course
of the day, we observed small parties of six or eight Dotterel
running about together ; but they were wild and unapproach-
able, and I felt inclined to think that they could not be

180 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Nesting

breeding. Some of the Dotterels \^ liieh we examined were far
blacker on the crown of tlie head than others ; some had a
grey crown, but, with this exception, I could note no differ-
ence in the plumage of the sexes ; the legs and feet are
yellow ; the irides hazel. As we tramped home we remarked
that the birch-leaves were now nearly full out ; only three
days ago not a sign of a leaf was visible !

June 25th. Temminck''s Stints were just beginning to lay
now, and to-day we got two nests with four fresh eggs each.
1 succeeded also in getting a nest and four very fine eggs of
the Rough-legged Buzzard, considerably larger than any I
had got hefore, and quite fresh. A Lap boy brought me a
clutch of four fresh Whimbrel's eggs ; they had a fine olive-
green ground, with few other markings, entirely confined to
the larger end. Rather contrary to our anticipations, a heavy
thunderstorm, with vivid flashes of lightning and deluges of
rain, overtook us to-day. The rain had a most invigorating
effect on the birch-forests, and in the afternoon, when an
almost tropical sun began to shine, the previously imperfect
exfoliation of the buds was completely developed.

June 26th. We made an early start this morning and
reached some high fells, some ten miles from Pulmak, before
the sun's heat had time to strike us. Another thunderstorm
greeted us here, and when sheltering under a boulder a male
Ring-Oazel appeared before us, the only one we saw in Fin-
mark. 1 secured a pair of Dotterel here, and then we de-
scended into a vast expanse of bog and morass. It appeared
a charming place for birds ; but although we tramped about
for many hours in the most likely-looking spots, we never
even saw or heard any thing save an occasional Golden
Plover. Coming home, I secured a pair of Lapland Bunt-
ings and found several nests of Fieldfares and Mealy Red-
poles with young. From a small lake in the midst of a thick
forest, six Wood-Sandpipers together dashed off with the
wildest screams. I had been attracted thither by cries
which proved to arise from a family of young Siberian Jays
{Perisoreus infaustus) . They were hopping about from
branch to branch in a sprightly manner, reminding me of

Ramble in Lapland. 181

the habits of a Jackdaw or Magpie. Two which I secured
were fledglings^ not a week out of the nest, and were clothed
in a soft hairy dress, the rusty-red colour on the bastard
wing and tail being conspicuous in all their movements. I
never found a nest of this species, though it was evident
these birds had been hatched in the immediate neighbourhood.
We observed Mealy Redpoles, generally single birds, affecting
tiie highest fell-tops to-day, and busy feeding among the
boulders and reindeer-moss. In rowing up the Pulmakelf
on the 27th, we found several Temminck^s Stints^ nests with
broken eggs, caused by the rising of the river, and we also
got one with four fresh eggs. A male Goosander {Mergus
merganser) slipping slily away from an islet in a backwash
of the river, arrested our attention, as we had seen him there
several times before; and on landing on this island, over-
grown with birch-scrub, the female Goosander slipped away
from her nest, a circular hole in the sandy ground, 10 inches
in diameter and 6 inches deep, thickly lined with her dusky-
coloured down, containing ten cream-coloured eggs, quite
fresh. The birds never came near the nest while we were
there. When looking for the nest of a Greenshank which
we had disturbed, we found a Willow- Warbler's nest, lined
with the fine grey-mottled feathers from the back of a drake
Wigeon, with seven fresh eggs.

June 28th. Many Wheatears have eggs now; their nests
are made of the roots of the ling and moss, and lined with
reindeer-hair. I observed a Garden- Warbler [Sylvia hortensis)
singing quite near me to-day, and obtained a Wigeon^s nest,
with six fresh eggs. They were laid under a willow-bush on
the banks of the Tana. House-Martins are busy nesting in
the crags, and Grey-headed Wagtails are very common. We
obtained two nests of the latter with fresh eggs to-day. A
Lap brought me a very interesting nest of the Great Grey
Shrike, constructed, as usual^ of the white feathers of the
Willow-Grouse; but this was overlaid with glossy Raven's
feathers, and the lining, on which the single e^g was de-
posited, consisted of i-eindeer-hair.

June 29th. While we slept the grass round our little

182 Mr. A. C. Chapman's Birds' -Nesting

liouse had turned green, and I was assured it would be two
feet high in ten days' time, so rapid is the growth of plants
and trees in the short Arctic summer. We took leave of
Pulmak and our kind landlord to-day, and as we turned the
bend in the river, we could not help being struck with the
wondrous change that we had witnessed during our short
stay. Our journey down the river was rapid, and, reaching
Gulholmen about 10 p.m., we proceeded to Yagge, the station
at the head of the Tana Fiord, where the steamerwas to pick us
up. As we crossed the fiord a White-tailed Eagle slowly
flapped across in front of us, and we w'cre rather astonished
to see several hundred Mergansers in a flock at this time
of the year. The " gaggling '' of Geese on the flats at the
mouth of the Tana gave us hopes of finding their eggs on the
next day. We then visited the ground where I had seen the
Red-throated Pipits [Anthus cervinus) on June 9th; their shrill
pipe again arrested our attention, and after a long search we
succeeded in finding a nest, with six slightly incubated eggs.
It was placed under a birch bush, on a moss-hag, surrounded
by water, and consisted of very stiff" stalks of grass externally,
and finer white grass for a lining, but the whole was of a
distinctly rougher texture and construction than is the nest
of its congener, the Meadow-Pipit. I was very careful in
the identification of these eggs ; and after finding the nest, we
watched the female, though very sly and retiring, go on to it,
when I procured her. Their habits now were more retiring
than formerly, and they rarely showed themselves, seeming
to prefer creeping along among the roots of the birch-scrub,
whence, when unmolested, they uttered a pleasing little song,
at times not unlike that of a Canary. Their eggs have suf-
fused blotches on them, and more resemble those of the
Blackcap than those of the Meadow-Pipit. Presently we
flushed a Temminck's Stint from her nest and four eggs,
placed far away from water; and from about the last tree
in Europe came the loud cackle of a Siberian Jay, which
proved to be a fledgling of the year.

On the bare fell-tops we found Snow-Buntings and a pair
of Shore-Larks ; from the oviduct of one of the latter I took

Ramble in Lapland. 183

an egg ready for laying. These birds are said by Sommer-
felt, the Vadso naturalist, to breed twice ; and this would
seem to corroborate his statement. They must have a con-
siderable vertical breeding-range, for though breeding at
Pulmak at the lowest possible level, they seemed here to vie
with the Snow-Bunting in the altitude of their haunts. We
revisited the Osprey's breeding-place, and were surprised to
find a new nest, from which the bird flew at our approach,
but it was empty. I believe this nest had been built by the
male bird alone, for though we waited some time, we never
saw more than this single Osprey. We observed to-day a
large flock of Geese, some hundreds together, and at our
approach they rose wild and departed, just as they had done
on June 9th. Could these birds be going to breed ? We
were much puzzled by these flocks of Mergansers and G-eese
at this season of the year. The mosquitoes were beginning
to affect us seriously now : the hissing column followed us
alike on mountain-top and lowland bog; escape was impos-
sible. In a short walk on the fells in the evening of July 1st
I shot a female Ptarmigan {Lagopus mutns) ; her ovary con-
tained fifteen undeveloped eggs. A pair of Bramblings were
evidently nesting on this fell-side, though there was no plant-
growth exceeding two feet in height. Next day, on a bent-
grass island in the fiord, we found two nests of Temminck^s
Stints, each containing four eggs, and a Mealy Redpole's
nest had one fresh egg. On the 3rd the Vadso steamer was
due at 8 p.m. ; but as the boat did not arrive till exactly twelve
hours afterwards, in strict accordance with Norwegian prac-
tice, we passed the time in watching the seals and small
flocks of old male Goldeneyes in their mature plumage, the
white cheek-spot being very conspicuous. On the 4th at
8.30 A.M., the steamer '^ Orion ^ arrived; we rounded the
dreary-looking cliffs of the North Cape about midday (July
5th), and reached Hammerfest at night. On the evenino- of
July 6th we reached Tromso, and I spent the night watching
the l)irds on the west side of the island. Redshanks, Oyster-
catchers, and Ring-Plovers were simply swarming, and I
caught young in down of each. Great flocks of Eiders

184 A Birds' -Nesting Ramble in Lapland.

ducks and drakes with theii' young, with one brood of
Long-tailed Ducks^ Black Guillemots, Pted-throated Divers,
and various Gulls fairly covered the smooth surface of the
fiord, and their cries were deafening in the still night air.
In the woods Fieldfares, Redwings^ Bramblings, and Willow-
Grouse abounded, and I saw many fledged young of the three
former species.

In a naturalist's shop in Tromso were many beautiful
specimens of Bar-tailed Godwits in their rich red summer
plumage. My servant told me he shot them regularly during
the spring migration. How strange it is that they should
he so seldom found in the breeding-season ! Trinus also had
Grey Phalaropes, in their red summer dress, which he had
shot in Spitzbergen the year before. On July 9th I visited
some of the islands lying off Bodo ; but the season for eggs
was now nearly over, and, with the exception of one nest of
Richardson's Skua, with two eggs, many of the Arctic Tern, and
one nest of the Rock-Pipit with three eggs, we got nothing.
A pair of Turnstones evidently had their young here. One
thing which struck me as peculiar in the habits of the
northern-breeding birds was the large clutches of eggs laid
by such species as Bramblings, Bluethroats, Willow-Wrens,
Fieldfares, Redwings, Shrikes, Wheatcars, &c. Nearly all the
nests contained as many as six eggs, and it was not unusual
to find seven; one nest of a Redstart had eight eggs.

In concluding my rambling notes, I take this opportunity of
thanking Professor Collett for giving me a copy of his excel-
lent paper on the " Ornithology of Northern Norway." I
have carefully endeavoured to convey exactly what I saw,
and I may add that this paper is little more than a repro-
duction of what I jotted down at the actual time of obser-
vation. This, I hope, will give it freshness; and although
there may not be any thing novel, I trust there may still be
found something interesting, and perhaps useful, to future
naturalists visiting that portion of East Finmark known as
Tanadalen.

On Birds from the Island of Cozumel. 185

XVI. — On a Collection of Birds from the Island of Cozumel.
By OsBERT Salvin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.

(Plate V.)

The collection of birds described below was formed by Mr.
E. C. J. Devis^ wlio^ after residing for some time in Northern
Yucatan^ visited Cozumel before returning to England.

The centre of Cozumel is situated in about lat. 20° 30' N.,
long. 86° 50' W. The island lies off the east coast of Yucatan,
a little to the southward of Cape Catoche. It is an irregular
oval in shape, about twenty-five miles long and ten wide,
and is separated from the mainland by a channel about ten
miles wide. The geological formation appears to be similar
to that of the adjoining coast, and consists of a porous lime-
stone, through which all rain at once passes, so that there
are no surface-streams or rivers anywhere in the district.
The ground seems to be honeycombed, and water collects in
natural wells, locally called " senotes,^"" which have been de-
scribed by all travellers in Yucatan (see Mr. G. F. Gaumer^s
description of them, P.Z. S. 1883, p. 438).

Historically, Cozumel is of some interest, having been first
visited by Juan de Grijalva, one of the immediate prede-
cessors of Cortes, who himself directed his ships to this island
when he sailed from Cuba in the expedition which resulted
in the conquest of Mexico. At that time the island appears
to have been thickly populated, and extensive buildings gave
evidence of an advanced civilization.

After the visit of Cortes, Cozumel appears to have again
sunk into obscurity until Stephens went therein 1842 for the
purpose of exploring its ruins*. Dr. S. Cabot was with this
expedition, and to him we owe the beginning of our know-
ledge of the birds of the island, as he brought away with
him two skius of a Certhiola, many years afterwards de-
scribed as Certhiola caboti, the nearest relative of which is a
species inhabiting the Bahama Islands.

Mr. Devises collection contains examples of twenty-seven
species; and on comparing them with the now well-known

* ' Incidents of Travel in Yucatan/ ii. cliap. xx.
SER. V. VOL. III. O

186 Mr. O. Salvin on a Collection of

fauna of Yucatan we find, as might liave been expected, a
strong resemblance in tbe two districts as regards their birds.
Still there are features in the Cozumel fauna that call for
special remark ; for besides the Certhiola just described, we
find a species of the hitherto peculiarly Antillean genus
Spindalis, also a distinct Harporhynchus , which has no ally
nearer than in the Mexican State of Vera Cruz.

The characteristic birds which this island shares with the
mainland are Vireo magister, Pyranga roseigularis , Centurus
rubriventris, C. dubius, and Chrysotis xantholora. Many of
the remainder of tbe species are either widely distributed over
the adjoining continent, or migratory birds visiting the
island during their spring flight. A few, such as Melanoptila
glabrirostris, are restricted to this coast, and Columba leuco-
cephala and Engyptila jamaicensis have a wider range over
the West-Indian Islands.

Mr. Devis noticed several other species which were
familiar to him, but of which he did not secure specimens.
Some of these were a Mimus (most probably M. gilvus), Phmii-
copterus ruber in numbers, a Spoonbill {Platalea ajaja), an
Ihh [Eudocimus albus), the Boatbill {Cancroma cochlearia) , the
Osprey {Pandion haliaetus), and numerous species of Heron.

He further informs me that birds were generally very
common.

That an island like Cozumel should contain so many dis-
tinct species is an important fact, and this, taken with the
still more remarkable one that the only known species of the
island of Old Providence are all distinct from their mainland
or Antillean relatives, suggests that there is not an island in
these seas that is not worth the visit of a naturalist. We
doubt not that a harvest is to be reaped, rich in novelty, if
not in numbers of species, by any one who is able and willing
to undertake the task of investigating them.

1. GaLEOSCOPTES CAROLINENSIS.

Muscicapa carolinensis , Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 328.
Galeoscoptes carolinensis, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 26.

Birds from the Island of Cozumel. 187

" Found along with a species of Mimus amongst trees and
second-growth bushes/'

A well-known bird during the winter months in Yucatan
and Eastern Guatemala. It is also common in the island of
Cuba at the same season.

2. MeLANOPTILA GLABRIROSTRIS.

Melanoptila glabrirostris, Scl. P. Z. S. 1857, p. 275; Salv.
& Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 27, pi. 3. f. 2.

" Found on the edges of the forest, and noted as a sweet
songster. ^^

A species restricted in its range to the eastern coast of
Central America from Yucatan to Omoa.

3. Harporhynchus mblanostoma, sp. n.
Supra rufescens fere unicolor, alis fasciis duabus extus albis
intus nigris transvittatis ; subtus albus, nigro prseter
gulam et abdomen medium guttatus, crisso sordide ru-
fescente, fusco guttato ; rostro omnino nigro ; pedibus
obscure corylinis : long, tota 9*5, alae 3*3, caudse 4*2,
rostri a rictu 1'3, tarsi 1*1.

Hab. Insula "Cozumel^"' dicta (DeiJ^s).

Mus. nostr. exempl. ii.

Obs. H. longirostri proximus, sed statura minore et mandi-
bula omnino nigra differt.

" A common bird in the island, where it is found frequently
associating with Mimus (/ilvus. It runs along the ground or
flies low, living in low bushes.^'

This Harporhynchus is allied to H. longirostris (cf Salv. &
Godm. Biol. Centr.-Ara., Aves,i.p.31), and at first sight might
easily be mistaken for it. The mandible is black to the base,
and the dimensions, especially the wing, are much less.
Moreover there is a wide gap in the ranges of the two birds,
H. longirostris , so far as we know at present, not occurring
in any locality nearer than the State of Vera Cruz.

4. PaRULA AMERICANA.

Parus americanus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 341.
Parula americana, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves^
i. p. 119.

o2

188 Mr. O. Salvin on a Collection of

" Found in shady spots near the ' senotes/ "
A migratory species^ reaching Yucatan, Guatemala, Cuba,
&c. in winter.

5. SlUBlIS AURICAPILLUS.

MoticiUa aurocapilla, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 334.

Sitirus auricapillus, Sal v. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.^ Aves,
i. p. 144.

" Like Parula americana, found in shady places near the
water-holes.^'

Also a migratory species^ reaching the State of Panama,
Cuba, and several of the Antilles in winter.

6. Setophaga ruticilla.

Muscicapa ruticilla, Linn. Syst. IS at. i. p. 326.

Setopliaya ruticilla, Sulv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am,, Aves,
i. p. 178.

" Also found in shady places near the water-holes.''

A well-known migratory species, found in Cuba and most
of the Antilles and on the continent as far south as Guiana
and Ecuador in winter.

7. ViREO MAGISTER.

Vireosylvia magister, "Baird," Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. x.
p. 20.

Vireo magister, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 191.

" Found on the edges of the woods."

The only specimens of this species previously known to me
were the types in the United-States National Museum and in
the Museum of the Boston Society of Natural History.
Though these are not accessible now for comparison, I have
little hesitation in ascribing Mr. Devis's single specimen to
this distinct species.

That V. magister should occur in Cozumel is not impro-
bable, as the neighbourhood of Belize was previously its only
known habitat.

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Birds from the Island of Cozumel. 189

8. Certhiola caboti.

CerthioJa caboti, Baird, Am. Nat. vii. p. 612; Salv. & Godm.
Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 251, pi. 15. f. 4,

" Common^ frequenting flowering bushes on the edges of
the woods.^^

Discovered by Dr. Cabot in this island, where alone it has,
as yet, been met with. Its nearest ally is C. bahamensis, of
the Bahama Islands, and this relationship is in accordance
with that of the Spindalis next mentioned.

9. Spindalts exsul, sp. n. (Plate V.)

Supra saturate oleaginea, cervice postica et uropygio satu-
rate castaneis ; capita nigro, superciliis elongatis, meuto
et striga utrinque rictali albis ; vitta gulari utrinque
nigro limbata et abdomine antico aurautiacis ; pectore
saturate castaneo, abdomine medio et crisso albis, hypo-
chondriis virescentibus ; alis nigris, secundariis et tec-
tricibus majoribus albo limbatis, speculo alari quoque
albo ; Cauda nigra, rectricibus duabus utrinque externis
albo maculatis, duabus mediis albo intus limbatis ;
rostro et pedibus nigris : long, tota 6*0, alse 3'1, caudse
2*4, tarsi 0 7, rostri a rictu 0-7.
$ adhuc ignota.

Hab. Insula ^^ Cozumel ^^ dicta (Devis).
Mus. nostr. exempl. i.

Obs. S. zena ex insulis Bahamensibus proxima^ sed dorso
saturate oleagineo nee nigro, pectore quoque late castaneo^
manifeste distinguenda.

The discovery of a Spindalis in this island is of great
interest, all the previously known species being of purely
Antillean origin. The interest in it is further enhanced from
the fact that its nearest ally is the Bahaman 8. zena, and
not its nearest neighbour, S. pretrii, of Cuba. It thus
follows the relationship of Certhiola caboti to C. bahamensis,
except that the genus Certhiola appears to be not represented
in Cuba.

Mr. Devis tells me that this Spindalis is found amongst
trees and bushes in shady places near the senotes or water-
holes. He saw three specimens together, one of which is
the bird now described.

190 Mr. O. Salvin on a Collection of

10. Pyranga roseigularts.

Pyranga roseigularis, Cabot, Bost. Journ. N. H. v. p. 416;

Salv. & Godm. BioL Centr.-Am., Aves^ i. p. 293.
" Frequents the woods, but is not common.''^
Of this rare species, of which a single male specimen was

long the only one known, Mr. Devis sends a female. Mr.

Gaumer has recently procured examples of both sexes in

Northern Yucatan.

11. Phontpara pusilla.

Tiaris pusilla, Sw. Phil. Mag. new ser. i. p. 438.

Phonipar a pusilla, Boucard, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 444.

" Found on the ground amongst low bushes near the edges
of the woods.''

A well-known bird in Northern Yucatan and Mexico, but
more rare in Guatemala. The specimen is in bad condition.

12. Cyanosptza ciris.

Emberiza ciris, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 313.

Cyanospiza ciris, Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. N. Am. B. ii.
p. 87; Boucard, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 444.

''^ Frequents bushes near the edges of woods,"

A common species during the winter months in Central
America.

13. Cyanospiza cyanea.

Tanagra cyanea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 82.
Cyanospiza cyanea, Baird, Brew., & Bidgw. N. Am. B. ii.
p. 82 ; Boucard, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 444.

" Observed on the ground amongst short grass."
Like C. ciris, common in this region during winter.

14. COTURNICULUS PASSERINUS.

Fringilla passerina, Wils. Am. Orn. iii. p. 76, t. 26. f. 5.

Coturniculus passerinus, Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. N. Am. B.
i. p. 553.

" Observed on the ground amongst low bushes in partly
cleared places."

Like the two species of Cyanospiza, probably here during
the winter season.

Birds from the Island of CozumeL 191

15. DOLICHONYX ORYZIVORUS.

Emberiza orizivora, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 311,
Dolichonyx orizivora, Baird, Brew. & Ridgw. N. Am. B

ii. p. 149; Scl. Ibis, 1884, p. 2.

'' Only observed in the town of San Miguel.''^

This is a rare species in Central America ; the only

specimens that I obtained were shot on one of the cays of

Lighthouse Reef, due south of Cozumel.

16. Hadrostomus, sp. ?
'' Found in the woods.""

A female or young male specimen of a species which
I do not at present recognize. The bill is much larger than
that of H. aglaice of the adjoining coast. Nor does the bird
agree with any specimens of ff. niger that I have examined .

Without a specimen of the adult male the species to
which the single example belongs cannot be satisfactorily
determined.

17. Attila, sp. ?

" Frequents bushes near clearings ; rare."

A specimen without its head. It probably belongs to A.
citreopygius, Bp., but has the flanks and rump of a darker
tawny hue than any specimen in our collection. It still
seems to fall within the range of variation noticeable in this
form of Attila, at least such is my present opinion. But
the difl'erence between individuals is so great that it is pos-
sible that more than one species may be included imder the
name A. citreopygius.

18. Chlorostilbon caniveti.

Ornysmya caniveti, Less. Suppl. Ois.-Mouches, pis. 37, 38.
Chlorostilbon caniveti^ Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 351.
" Common.^'

A male, in poor condition. The tail has light-coloured
tips, as in the Central- American race of this species.

19. PlCUS SCALARIS.

Picus scalaris, Wagl. Isis, 1829, p. 511 ; Boucard, P. Z. S.
1883, p. 452.

192 Mr. O. Salvin on a Collection of

'' Rarer than the other Woodpeckers, but fouud with them
in the uncleared woods."

Apparently common in Yucatan, where all collectors have
met with it.

20. Centurus rubriventris.

Centurus rubriventris , Sw. An. in Menag. p. 354 ; Lawr.
Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. p. 206.

" Tolerably common, being found along with C dubius in
the uncleared forest.''

A male specimen, agreeing with others sent from Northern
Yucatan by Mr. Gaumer. I have no doubt as to the dis-
tinctness of C. rubriventris as a species^ its characters being
very definite, as pointed out by Swainson and Mr. Lawrence.

21. Centurus dubius.

Picas dubius, Cabot, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. p. 164.

Centurus dubius, Boucard, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 452.

Centurus aurifrons dubius, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
iv. p. 108.

" Common all over the island."

Specimens from Cozumel agree with others from Northern
Yucatan and British Honduras, the former being typical of
C. dubius. Mr. Ridgway, in his recently published mono-
graph, treats C dubius as an imperfectly segregated form of
C. aurifrons, or, as 1 have frequently called it, C. santa-
cruzi. The two forms may pass into one another by insen-
sible steps, but I have no evidence before me at present that
such is the case.

22. Chrysotis xantholora.

Chrysotis scantholora, Gray, Salv. Ibis, 1874, p. 327; Sclater,
P. Z. S. 1875, p. 157, pi. xxvi. ; Boucard, P. Z. S. 1883,
p. 455.

" Common everywhere in the uncleared woods. ^'
In Northern Yucatan this species is found along with its
near ally, C. alhifrons, and Mr. Gaumer obtained examples of
both. In Cozumel, too, both may be found, but at present
we can only record C. xantholora.

Bir'ds from the Island of Cozumel. 193

23. ASTURINA RUFICAUDA.

Asturina ruficauda, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1869^ p. 133 ;
iid. Ex. Orn. pi. 88; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 205;
Boucard, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 456.

" Common in the woods."

Mr. Devises specimen belongs to the form described by
Mr. Ridgway as Rupornis griseicauda.

24. Urubitinga anthracina.

Falco anthracinus, Nitzsch, Pteryl. p. 83.
Urubitinga anthracina, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 215 ;
Boucard, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 456.

" Observed near the sea-shore, but not very common."

25. COLUMBA LEUCOCEPHALA.

Cohimba leucocephala, Linn. S. N. i. p. 281 ; Gosse, B.
Jam. p. 299.

'" Found in the woods, and common in the high trees sur-
rounding the senotes or water-holes."

This species is also common throughout the coral islands
of the Belize coast, as well as most of the Antilles.

26. Engyptila jamaicensis.

Columba jamaicensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 283.

Peristera jamaicensis, Gosse^ B. Jam, p. 313.

Engyptila gaumeri, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Ac. Sc. iii. p. 157.

" Tolerably common, frequenting the senotes."

I am unable to distinguish a single specimen brought by
Mr. Devis from others from Jamaica, the true E. Jamaicensis.
Moreover a skin sent us by M. Boucard, who received it from
Mr. Gaumer from Northern Yucatan, seems to me to belong
to the same species, though Mr. Lawrence has recently de-
scribed it as Engyptila gaumeri.

Our two skins are clearly distinct from E. albifrons, having
a much greater extent of the cinnamon colour on the under
surface of the wings, and in this respect they quite resemble
E. Jamaicensis ; in the same way the metallic reflections of the
neck are very much alike. These points being similar, I
hesitate to admit the distinction of ^. gaumeri upon a slight

194 Canon Tristram on Birds from Korea.

discrepancy of size and a sliade of the general colour of the
plumage.

27. Tringoides macularius.

Tringa macularia, Linn. Syst. Nat, i. p. 249.

Tringoides macularius, Baird^ Brew., & Ridgw. Water-B.
ofN. Am. i. p. 301.

" Observed amongst the rocks on the sea-shore.''^

Mr. Devis's specimen is an adult bird in spotted plumage,
and was shot in April.

XVII. — On a small Collection of Birds from Korea.
By H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.R.S.

I HAVE received a small collection of birds made by Lieut. G.
Gunn, R.N., who has been for a few months employed in
H.M.S. ' Flying Fish,^ on the survey of the coast of Korea.
Lieut. Gunn informs me he has never been able to get inland
beyond the shore, and that the birds were all obtained at the
water's edge or on board ship. Though there is nothing
novel in the collection, which contains only eight specimens of
as many species, yet, as absolutely nothing is known of the
avifauna of Korea, I have thought it might not be without
interest to give a list of what Lieut. Gunn has procured. The
specimens are as follows : —

1. ASIO OTDS (L.). ? .

2. Scops stictonotus, Sharpe.

An unusually dark-coloured specimen.

3. Caprimulgus jotaka, Temm. & ScM. $ .
Also very dark -coloured.

4. Cecropis japonica (Temm. & ScliL). ^ .

5. Nemoricola indica (Gm.).

I am not aware that this bird (shot in July) has been re-
corded from this region. It no way differs in plumage from
Indian winter-shot specimens, and was obtained on a sand
spit.

On Birds from British Guiana. 195

6. H^MATOPUs oscuLANs^ Swinhoe. ^ .

7. TOTANUS GLOTTIS (L.).

8. Larus crassirostris^ Vieill.

In the blackisli-brown plumage of tlie first year.

XVIII. — A List of the Birds obtained by Mr. Henry Whitely
in British Guiana. By Osbert Salvin^ M.A.., F.R.S.,

&c.

The following list of Birds is based on a series of collections
made by Mr. Henry Whitely in British Guiana during a
period of five years (1879-84). Mr. Whitely's travels ex-
tended over a considerable extent of country. In his last
expedition he penetrated into the mountainous region of
Boraima, and ascended to an elevation of upwards of 7000 feet
on the slopes of that mountain.

The first portion of his stay Mr. Whitely passed at Bartica
Grove Mission, situated on the Essequibo River, but little
above the sea-level. He then made an expedition to the
Mazaruni River, passing some time at a place called
Camacusa, and visiting the Merume Mountains, which lie on
the south bank of that river. His next expeditions were into
the Roraima district, which he explored on two occasions.
During the last of these he ascended to the foot of the clifiB
which form so remarkable a feature of the mountain of
Roraima. This last expedition was fully described by Mr.
Whitely himself in a paper published in the ' Proceedings of
the Royal Geographical Society^ (vol. vi. p. 452) in August
last ; a map of the district accompanying this paper shows
Mr. Whitely^s route and the position of most of the localities
mentioned in the following list : —

Atapurau River. — A stream rising in Mount Eleutewer,
and flowing into the Carimang River, an affluent of the
Mazaruni River.

Bartica Grove. — A station on the Essequibo River, near its
mouth, and almost at the sea-level.

196 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

Camacusa. — A hamlet on the south hank of the Mazaruni
River, in lat. 6^^ N., long. 60° W.

Kukenam. — One of the mountains of the Roraima series,
of similar shape and elevation.

Merum^ Mountains. — A group of mountains of about
2000 feet elevation, lying to the N.E. of Roraima, in a bend
of the Mazaruni River, which rises on their southern slope.

Roraima. — A singular mountain, which reaches an eleva-
tion of upwards of 8000 feet, the upper 1500 feet or so
consisting of perpendicular cliff rising out of a forest-clad
talus of a similar height. The country surrounding this
mountain consists of undulating savanas with patches of
forest. Until quite recently the summit of Roraima was
supposed to be inaccessible, but in the early part of February
last Mr. Everard F. im Thurm reached the top ; the full
details of his journey have not yet reached this country.

Yw'uani River. — Rises in Kukenam and flows south-west-
wards, joining the Caroni and ultimately the Orinoco.

At the conclusion of this list of Birds I propose to give a
summary of its contents, and some remarks on the general
relationship of the avifauna of the district to that of the
surrounding regions.

The only authority on the birds of British Guiana is
Richard Schomburgk, who explored the country in 1840-44,
and an accouut of whose collections were published in his
' Reisen in Britisch-Guiana ' in 1848. The birds, which were
determined by Prof. Cabanis, numbered 418 species, many of
which were then described for the first time. I have, in the
following catalogue of Mr. Whitely's birds, in all cases
referred to this work ; and in order to render this list of
British Guianan birds more complete, I have added the
names of the species mentioned by Schomburgk, but not
contained in Mr. Whitely^s series. These are distinguished
by an asterisk prefixed to them.

1. TURDUS FUSCESCENS.

Turdus fuscescens, Steph. Shawns Zool. x. p. 182; Baird,
Brew., & Ridgw. N. Am. B. i. p. 9.

from British Guiana. 197

Camacusa^ 12tli Aprils 1882.

This Thrush has already been found at Santarem on the
Amazons and at S. Vicente, in Matogrosso, and also in the
State of Panama.

2. TURDUS USTULATUS.

Tnrdus ustulatus, Nutt. Man, i. p. 400.

Turdus swainsoni, var. ustulatus, Baird, Brew., & Ridgw.
N. Am. B. i. p. 16.

Boraima, 6th December, 1881 ( $ ).

Agrees with Central- American specimens of this race and
with one from the Mexican Boundary Survey (1859).

3. Turdus alici^.

Turdus alicice, Baird, B. N. Am. p. 217, pi. 81. f. 2 ; Baird,
Brew., & Bidgw. N. Am. B. i. p. 11.

Bartica Grove, 2nd Feb., 1880 (c?); Camacusa, 29th
March, 1882 (j).

Two specimens, agreeing with those sent us as T. alicioi
from the United States. This Thrush, though noticed in
Central America and Colombia, and as far south as Chami-
curos in Eastern Peru, has not previously been seen so far
east in South America.

4. Turdus ph^opygus.

Turdus ph(Bopygus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 666 ;
Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v. p. 208.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima.

Apparently a common resident species. Mr. Wh'itely's
specimens were obtained at all seasons of the year, and pre-
sent a considerable amount of variation in the tint of the
brown upper surface.

5. Turdus murinus, sp, n.

Supra saturate murinus fere unicolor ; subtus pectore et hy-
pochondriis dorso paulo pallidioribus, gula et abdomine
medio albis, ilia murino striolata ; crisso albo, subalaribus
vix cinnamomeo tiuctis; rostro omnino nigro; pedibus
obscure corylinis : long, tota 9*0, alse 4*5, caudse 3-9,
rostri a rictu 1*0, tarsi 1'3.
$ . Mari similis, sed pectore et hypochondriis paulo brunnes-
centioribus.

198 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

Obs. T. ignobili similis, sed pectore clare murino, gula
magis distincte striata, et abdomine medio albicantiore distiu-
guendus.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (3000-5000 feet), British
Guiana [H. Whitely).

Mr. Wliitely^s collections from the higher parts of British
Guiana contained many specimens of this Thrush, which were
for some time considered to be indistinguishable from
T. iynobilis of Colombia. They, however, present the differ-
ences pointed out above, and are so constant in their colo-
ration that I venture to separate them under a distinct name.
As they are inhabitants of distinct mountain-ranges it is im-
probable that T. murinus and T. ignohilis meet in any com-
mon locality.

6. TURDUS ALBIVENTRIS,

Turdus albiventris, Spix ; Cab. in Schoinb. Guiana, iii.
p. 666; Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v, p. 216.
Boraima (3000-4000 feet).

7. Turdus gymnophthalmus.

Turdus gymnoplithalmus , Cab. in Schorab. Guiana, iii.
p. 665 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v. p. 212.
Boraima (3500 feet).

8. Turdus fumigatus.

Turdus fumigatus, Liclit. ; Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 665; Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v. p. 216.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

9. Turdus roraim^.

Turdus roraima, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, p. 443.

Boraima (5000-6000 feet).

Mr. Whitely obtained a good series of this interesting
species, including a young bird able to fly, but still in its
spotted first plumage, which was killed on 12th September.

10. Turdus flavipes.

Turdus flavipes, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. N. xx. p. 217.
Turdus carbonarius, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 37; Seebohm,
Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v. p. 253.
Boraima (3500-6000 feet).

from British Guiana. 199

11. TURDUS LEUCOPS.

Turdus leucops, Tacz. P. Z. S. 1877, p. 331.

Merula leucops, Seebolim, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v. p. 241.

Merume Mountains, Boraima.

These specimens agree fairly well with others from
Ecuador ; but I notice that the bill of the males is rather
smaller, and that the under tail-coverts of the female have
much less white.

Young males assuming their adult dress were obtained on
the 11th and 24th June, 1881.

12. MiMUS GILVUS.

Turdus gilvuSj Vieill. Ois. Am. Sept. ii. p. 15, t. 68 bis.

Mimus gilvus, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 36; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 350.

Roraima (2700-3700 feet).

A young bird with spotted breast was obtained on 10th
April, 1883.

13. CiCHLOPSIS GULARIS.

Cichlopsis gularis, Salv. & Grodm. Ibis, 1882, p. 7Q ; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 378.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 feet).

• 14. "^DONACOBIUS ATRICAPILLUS.

Turdus ati'icapilla, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 295.
Donacobius atricapillus , Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana, iii.
p, 674; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 361.
Not represented in Mr. Whitely^s collection.

15. *Campylorhynchus bicolor.

Campylorhynchus griseus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 674?

Campylorhynchus bicolor, Pelz. Ibis, 1875, p. 330 ; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 187.

There is, according to Mr. Sharpe, a specimen of this bird
in the British Museum obtained from Schomburgk. This
renders it extremely probable that the bird called C. griseus,
Sw., by Cabanis should be referred to the same species.
There are no specimens of Campylorhynchus in Mr. Whitely^s
collection.

200 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

16. Cyphorhinus musicus.

Formicarius musicus, Bodd. Tabl. PL Enl. p. 44.

Cyphorhinus musicus, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 290.

Cyphorhinus cantans. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 673
(ex Gm.).

Upper Pomeroon and Wenamu Rivei's {Schomburgk).

Merurae Mountains, Camacusa, Atapurau River.

A young bird was obtained on the Atapurau River on 80th
January, 1882 ; the nuchal spots are very indistinct and the
abdomen rich brown without any admixture of grey.

17. MiCROCERCULUS BAMBLA.

Formicarius bambla, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 44.

Microcerculus bambla, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 296.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa.

A young bird from Merume Mountains (28th June) has
the transverse black marks very conspicuous and the wing-
band tinged with fulvous. A still younger bird (Merume
Mountains, 20th July) is nearly uniform dark brown, with
indistinct dark cross bands and no wing-band at all.

18. Microcerculus ustulatus.

Mici'ocerculus ustulatus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 204,
pi. 9. f. 2.

Roraima (3500-5000 ft.).

The young birds (August and October) of this species have
the under plumage clearly marked with black cross bands,
and there are also indications of similar bauds above.

19. Henicorhina leucosticta.

Cyphorhinus leucostictus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii,
p. 673.

Henicorhina leucosticta, Sliarpe, Cat. B, Brit. Mus. vi.
p. 287.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa.

All these birds have black lieads, a character distinguishing
them from the Central- American species, and they were rightly
separated by Mr. Sliarpe. Several of our specimens have
white feathers on the occiput, but these are not universally

from British Guiana. 201

found and are not confined to one sex. A young bird was
obtained on 22nd August at Bartica Grove.

20. ■^Thryophilus leucotis.

Thryophilus leucotis, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1845, p. 338.
Thryophilus leucotis, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 207.
Thryothorus alhipectus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 673.
Not represented in Mr. Whitely^s collections.

21. Thryothorus coraya.

Turdus coraya, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 825.

Thryothorus coraya. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. Q74^',
Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 234.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Boraima (3500-
6000 ft.).

Young birds of this Wren were obtained in the Merume
Mountains in June and at Roraima in August and Sep-
tember.

22. Thryothorus rufulus.

Troglodytes rufulus. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 672.

Roraima (5000-6000 ft.) {Schomburgk ; Whitely).

Mr. Whitely obtained a good series of this species, which
does not seem to have been met with since Schomburgk's
expedition. Mr. Sharpe (Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 258) has
applied this name to the Guiana form of the next species ;
but the specimens we now possess show that this view is
quite erroneous. The present species is quite distinct and
has no near allies, unless it be the island forms T. marti-
nicensis &c.

23. Troglodytes furvus.

Brown Warbler, Brown, New 111. Zool. p. 68, pi. 68. f. 2.

Motacilla furva, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 994.

Troglodytes furvus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 23, et auctt. plurr.

Thryothorus plat ensis. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 673
(ex Neuw.).

Troglodytes rufulus, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vi. p. 258
(nee Cab.).

Bartica Grove, Roraima (3500-4000 ft.).

SER. v. VOL. Til, P

302 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

Mr. Sharpe expresses his inability to identify the Motacilla
furva of Gmelin with any known species of Wreu. I have
again looked into the question, and can only say that it
seems to me that this name is specially applicable to this
Guiana bird. The description is certainly brief, but not in-
accurate, and Brown^s figure suits the bird remarkably
well. The locality, too^ " Surinam/-* ^yqw iox T. furvus,
makes the matter more sure.

24. CiSTOTHORUS ALTICOLA.

Cistothorus alticola, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 204.
Roraima (3500 feet) .

25. Anthus rufus.

Alauda rufa, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 798.
Anthus rufus, Scl. Ibis, 1878, p. 360; Salv. & Godm. Biol.
Ceutr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 108.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

26. SlURUS NOVEBORACENSIS.

Henicocichla noveboracensis, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 666.

Siurus noveboracensis, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 145.

Bartica Grove, Roraima.

27. Parula pitiayumi.

Sylvia pitiayumi, Vieill. N. Diet. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 276.
Parula pitiayumi, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 26.
Roraima (5000-6000 ft.).

28. Dendrceca striata.

Muscicapa striata, Forst. Phil. Trans. Ixii. pp. 383, 428.
Dendrceca striata, Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. N.-Am. B. i.
p. 248.

Roraima (3500 ft.) .

29. Dendrceca .estiva.

Motacilla cestiva, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 996.
Dendrceca cestiva, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves,
i. p. 124.

Bartica Grove.

from British Guiana. 203

30. Geothlypis .equinoctialis.

Motacilla (squinoctialis, Gm. Syst. Nat, i. p. 972.
Geothlypis aequinoctialis, Salv. Ibis, 1872, p. 147.
Geothlypis velata, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 666 (nee
Vieill.) .

Yuruani River.

31. Basileuterus auricapillus.

Setophaga auricapilla, Sw. An. in Menag. p. 293.
Basileuterus auricapillus, Berlepscli, Ibis, 1881, p. 240.
Basileuterus vermivorus, Vieill. ; Cab. in Schomb. Guiana^
iii. p. 667 ', Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 34.
Horaima {Schomburgk ; Whitely).

32. Basileuterus roraim^.

Basileuterus roraimce, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. x. p. 392
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500-6000 ft.) .

33. Basileuterus mesoleucus.

Basileuterus mesoleucus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 286, pi. 9.
f. 1.

Camacusa.

34. Setophaga ruticilla.

Muscicapa ruticilla, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 326.

Setophaga ruticilla. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. QQ7 -,
Salv. Ibis, 1878, p. 305 ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 178.

Roraima {Schomburgk ; Whitely).

35. Setophaga verticalis.

Setophaga verticalis, d'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. p. 50; Salv.
Ibis, 1878, p. 311.

Roraima (3500-5000 ft.) .

The presence of S. verticalis has been noticed in Venezuela,
but not previously in the mountains of Guiana.

36. Setophaga castaneocapilla.

Setophaga castaneocajnlla, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 667; Salv. Ibis, 1878, p. 313.

Roraima (5000-6000 ft.) {Schomburgk; Whitely).

p2

204 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

Many specimens in Mr. Whitely's last collection. These
all differ from S. brunneiceps in the characters pointed out
by me when I had the type (in poor condition) before me,
while compiling my synopsis of the genus Setophaga.

37. Granatellus pelzelni.

Granatellus pelzelni, Scl. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 606, pi. 37. f. 1 ;
Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 216.

Camacusa.

Natter er, the discoverer of this beautiful and rare bird,
obtained his specimens on the banks of the Madeira River.
Mr. Whitely has sent us two examples.

38. ViREO CALIDRIS.

Motacilla calidi'is, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 329.
Vireo calidris, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 186.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

39. ViREO AGILIS.

Lanius agilis, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 49.
Vireosylvia agilis, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 43.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Roraima (3500 ft.).

40. Hylophilus thoracicus.

Hylophilus thoracicus, Temm. PL Col. 173. f. 1 ; Scl. Ibis,
1881, p. 297.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

41. Hylophilus muscicapinus.

Hylophilus nmscicapinus, Scl. & Salv. Nomencl. Av. Neotr.
p. 156 ; Scl. Ibis, 1881, p. 299.
Bartica Grove.

42. Hylophilus sglateri.

Hylophilus sclateri, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 205.
Camacusa, Roraima (3500-6000 ft.) .

43. Hylophilus luteifrons.
Hylophilus luteifrons, Scl. Ibis, 1883, p. 308.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa.

from British Guiana. 205

44. ViREOLANIUS LEUCOTIS.

Malaconotus leucotis, Sw. An. in Menag. p. 341.
Vireolanius leucotis, Salv. Ibis^ 1878, p. 443, t. 11 ; Salv.
& Godm. Ibis, 1882, p. 77.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains.

45. Cyclorhis guianensis.

Tanagra guianensis, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 893.
Cyclorhis guianensis, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 45.
Roraima (3500 ft.) .

46. *Progne purpurea.

Hirundo purpurea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 344.
Progne purpurea, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 671 ;
Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 221.
Not noticed by Mr. Whitely.

47. Progne chalybea.

Hirundo chalybea, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 224.
Progne chalybea, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 244.

Bartica Grove.

48. ^Progne tapera.

Hirundo tapera, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 345.
Progne tapera, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 672; Baird,
Bev. Am. B. i. p. 286.

Not observed by Mr. Whitely.

49. Hirundo erythrogaster.

Hirundo erythrogaster, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 45 ; Salv. &
Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 232.
Bartica Grove, Roraima (3500 ft.).

50. Tachycineta albiventris.

Hirundo albiventris, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 32; Scl. Cat.
Am. B. p. 41 ; Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 302.

Hirundo leucoptera. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 672.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

51. Atticora fasciata.

Hirundo fascial a, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 1022.

206 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

Atticora fasciata, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 39; Baird, Rev. Am.
B. i. p. 306.

Merume Mountains, Atapurau River.

52. Atticora cyanoleuca.

Hirundo cyanoleuca, Vieill. N. Diet. d^Hist. Nat. xiv.
p. 509.

Atticora cyanoleuca, Salv. & Godm. Biol.Centr.-Am., Aves,
i. p. 229.

Camacusa, Roraima (3500 ft.).

53. ^Atticora melanoleuca.

Hirundo melanoleuca, Wied, Beitr. iii. p. 371 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 672.

Atticora melanoleuca, Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 18.
Not in Mr. Whitely^s collections.

54. Cotile fucata.

Hirundo fucata, Temm. PI. Col. 161. f. 1.
Atticora fucata, Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 308.
Roraima (3500 ft.) .

55. Cotile riparia.

Hirundo riparia, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 344.
Cotile riparia, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 240.

Bartica Grove.

56. Stelgidopteryx ruficollis.

Hirundo ruficollis, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist, N. xiv. p. 523.
Stelgidopteryx ruficollis, Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 315.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

57. Diglossa major.

Diglossa major, Cab. in Schorab. Guiana, iii. p. Q7&; Scl.
Ibis, 1875, p. 214.

Roraima [mm-mOO it.) {Schomburgk ; Whitely).

58. Chlorophanes spiza.

Certhia spiza, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 186.

Dacnis spiza. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 675.

from British Guiana. 207

Chlorophanes spiza, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves^
i. p. 247.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Roraima.

59. Dacnis cayana.

Motacilla cayana, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 336.-

Dacnis cayana, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 675 ; Salv.
& Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 244.

Dacnis cyanocephala. Cab. l.s. c. ( ? ) .

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3500 ft.) .

60. Dacnis angelica.

Dacnis angelica, De Filippi ; Bp. Atti Sc. Ital. 1845, p. 404 ;
Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 176.
Bartica Grove.

61. CCEBEBA CYANEA.

Certhia cyanea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 188.

ArbelorJiina cyanea, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 675.

Coereba cyanea, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 348.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3500 ft.).

62. CcEREBA C^RULEA.

Certhia ccerulea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 188.
Arbelorhina ccerulea. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 675.
Cmreba ccerulea, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 53.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3500 ft.).

63. Certhiola chloropyga.

Certhiola flaveola, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 675.
Certhiola chloropyga. Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 97.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Atapurau River, Roraima (3500-
4000 ft.) .

64. Procnias tersa.

Ampelis tersa, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 298.
Procnias tersa, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 54.

208 Mr. O. Salviii on Birds

Procnias ventralis, Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 671.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

65. ChLOROPHONIA RORAIMiE.

Chlorophonia rorawKB, Salv. & Godrn. Tbis^ 1884^ p. 444.
Roraima (3500-6000 ft.).

66. EUPHONIA NICRICOLLIS.

Tanagra nigricollis, Vieill. N. Diet. cFHist. N. xxxii. p. 412,
Euphonia nigricollis, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 56.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

67. Euphonia minuta.

Euphonia minuta, Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 671 ;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 57; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 258.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

68. Euphonia xanthogastra.

Euphonia a: ant hog as tr a, Sundev, Vet.-Ak. Handl. 1833,
pi. 10. f. 1 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 57.

Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Atapurau River.

69. Euphonia violacea.

Tatiagra violacea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 315.
Euphona violacea, Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana, iii. p. 670;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 58.

Bartica Grove, Roraima (3000-3700 ft.).

70. Euphonia cayana.

Tanagra cayana, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 314.

Euphonia cayana, Scl. Cat. Am. B. i. p. 59.

Euphona cayennensis. Cab. in Scbomb. Guiana, iii. p. 671 .

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

71. Euphonia plumbea.

Euphonia plumbea, DuBus, Bull. Ac. Belg. xxii, p. 153 ;
Pelz. Orn Bras. p. 205.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

Natterer^s specimens of this rare species were obtained at
Barra do Rio Negro and Marabitanas.

from British Guiana. 209

72. Tanagrella velia.

Motacilla velia, Linn. Syst, Nat. i. p. 336.
Hypothlypis velia, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana^, iii. p. 667.
Tanagrella velia, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 60.
Bartica Grove^ Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3500 ft.).

73. Calliste tatao.

Tanagra tatao, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 315.
Callospiza tatao, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 669.
Calliste tatao, Scl. Mon. Call. p. 1, pi. 1. f. 1.
Merume Mountains, Uoraima (3000-4000 £t.).

74. Calliste punctata.

Tanagra punctata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 316.

Calliste punctata, Scl. Mon. Call. p. 55.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Boraima (3500 ft.) . .

75. Calliste guttata.

Calliste guttata, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 26 ; Scl. Mon. Call,
p. 21, pi. 10 ; Salv . & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 267.

Callospiza punctata, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 669
(nee Linn, apud Sclater).

Roraima (3500-4000 ft.).

76. Calliste xanthogastra.

Calliste xanthogastra, Scl. Contr. Orn. 1851, pp. 23, 25;
Mon. Call. p. 23, pi. 11.

Roraima (6000ft.), Kukenam (5000 ft.).

77. Calliste cayana.

Tanagra cayana, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 315.
Callospiza cayana, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 670.
Calliste cayana, Scl. Mon. Call. p. 41, pi. 19.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500-4000 ft.) .^

78. Calliste gyrola.

Tanagra gyrola, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 315.
Callospiza gijrola. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 669.
Calliste gyrola, Scl. Mon. Call. p. 55, pi. 25.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3500-4000 ft.).

210 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

79. Calliste flaviventris.

Tanagra flaviventris, Yieill. N, Diet. cVHist. N. xxxii.
p. 411.

Calliste flaviventris, Scl. Mon. Call. p. 63^ pi. 29.
Callospiza mexicana, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 670.
Bartica Grove.

80. Calliste whitelyi.

Calliste whitelyi, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, p. 445, pi. 13.*
Horaima (5000-6500 ft.) .

81. Calliste nigricincta.

Aglaia nigrocincta, Bp. P. Z. S. 1837, p. 121.
Calliste nigricincta, Scl. Mon. Call. p. 85, pi. 37.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

82. Tanagra episcopus. j.,

Tanagra episcopus, Linn. ; Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 670.

Tanagra archiepiscopus , Cab. /. c.

Tanagra serioptera, Cab. I. c.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3000-3500 ft.).

83. Tanagra palmarum.

Tanagra palmarum, Wied, Reise n. Bras. ii. p. 76 ; Salv.
& Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 279.

Thraupis olivascens (Licht.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 670.

Bartica Grove, Roraima (3000-4000 ft.).

84. Rhamphoccelus jacapa.

Tanagra jacapa, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 313.

RhampJiocoelus jacapa, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 128.

Rhamphopis atrococcineus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 668.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3000-3500 ft.).

85. PyRANGA iESTIVA.

Tanagra (estiva, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 889.

from British Guiana. 211

Pyranga astiva, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 289.

Roraima (3500 ft.).

86. Pyranga h^malea.

Phcenicosoma azarce, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 668.
Pyranga hamalea, Salv. & Godm. Ibis^, 1883, p. 205.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

87. Pyranga ardens.

Phoenisoma ardens, Tsch. in Arch. f. Naturg. 1844, i.
p. 207.

Pyranga ardens, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 126.
Roraima (5000 ft.).

88. Orthogonys cyanicterus.

Pyranga cyanicterus, Vieill, N. Diet. d^Hist. N. xxviii.
p. 290.

Orthogonys cyanicterus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 122.
Cyanicterus venustus, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 240.
Merume Mountains.

89. Lanio atricapillus.

Tanagra atricapilla, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 898.
Pogonothraupis atricapillus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 669.

Lanio atricapillus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 118.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Atapurau River.

90. Tachyphonus melaleucus.

Oriolus melaleucus, Sparrm. Mus. Carls, pi. 31.

Tachyphonus melaleucus, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 309.

Tachyphonus nigerrimus (Gm.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana,
iii. p. 669.

Bartica Grove.

91. Tachyphonus luctitosus.

Tachtjphonus luctuosus, d'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. i. p. 29 ;
Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 310.
Bartica Grove.

212 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

92. Tachyphonus phceniceus.

Tachyphonus phceniceus, Sw. An. in Menag. p. 311 ; Scl. &
Salv. Ex. Orn. p. 65, pi. 33.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500-5000 ft.).

93. Tachyphonus cristatus.

Tanagra cristata, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 898.

Tachyphonus cristatus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 668 ;
Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 115.

Tachyphonus inter cedens, Berlepsch, Ibis, 1880, p. 113.

Bartica Grove, Atapurau River.

This is the true T. intercedens of Count Berlepsch, the
male having the crown a shade yellower than in Cayenne
examples of T. cristatus, but the difference is quite trivial.
Brazilian specimens, on the other hand, have the crown of a
much deeper and purer red. T. cristatus (verus) passes up
the Amazons valley to Eastern Ecuador.

94. Tachyphonus surinamus.

Turdus surinamus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 297.
Tachyphonus surinamus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 114.
Tachyphonus ochrupygos. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 668.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Atapurau
River.

95. Nemosia guira.

Motacilla guira, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 335.
Nemosia guira, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 109.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3000-4000 ft.).

96. BUARREMON PERSONATUS.

Arremon personatus , Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 678.
Buarrenion personatus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 89.
Roraima (4000-6000 ft.) .

97. Arremon silens.

Tanagra silens, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 46.

Arremon silens. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 677 ; Scl.
P. Z. S. 1856, p. 80.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Atapurau
River, Roraima (3500-4000 ft.) .

from British Guiana. 213

98. CiSSOPIS MEDIA.

Cissopis minor, Tsch., Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 677.
Bethylus media, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 491.
Cissopis media, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 79.
Bartica Grrove.

99. SaLTATOR MAGNUS.

Tanagra magna, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 890.
Saltator magnus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 676 ;
Scl. P.Z.S. 1856, p. 70.

Bartica Grove, Roraima (3500 ft.) .

100. *Saltator c^rulescens.

Saltator cmrulescens , Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 676.
British Guiana.

101. ^Saltator olivascens.

Saltator olivascens, Cab. in Schoinb. Guiana, iii. p. 676.
Roraima.

102. Orchesticus ater.

Tanagra atra, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 898.
Saltator ater. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. i577 ; Scl.
P.Z.S. 1856, p. 67.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500-5000 ft.).

103. PiTYLUS GROSSUS.

Loxia grossa, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 307.
Pitylus grossus, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves, i.
p. 331.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa.

104. Pitylus erythromelas.

Loxia erythromelas, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 859.
Pitylus erythromelas, Scl, P. Z. S. 1856, p. 65.
Camacusa.

105. Pitylus viridis.

Pitylus canadensis (Linn.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 677.

Pitylus viridis (Vieill.), Scl. P.Z. S. 1856, p. 65.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa.

106. Guiraca cyanea.

Loxia cyanea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 303.

214 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

Guiraca cyanea, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 101.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

107. Oryzoborus crassikostris,

Loxia crassirostris , Gm. Syst. Nat, i. p. 362.
Oryzoborus crassirostris, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 102.
Coccoborus ater, Cab. in Schomb. Guiaua, iii. p. 678.
Bartica Grove.

108. Oryzoborus torridus.

Loxia torrida, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 884,
Oryzoborus torridus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 102.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3500 ft.).

109. Spermophila minuta.

Loxia minuta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 307.
Spermophila minuta, Scl. Ibis, 1871^ p. 3.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

110. Spermophila castaneiventris.

Sporophila castaneiventris. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 679.

Spermophila castaneiventris, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 7.
Bartica Grove.

111. Spermophila lineata.

Loxia lineata, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 858.
Spermophila lineata, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 11.
Bartica Grove.

112. Spermophila lineola.

Loxia lineola, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 304.
Spermophila lineola, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 13.
Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima (3500 ft.).

113. ^Spermophila collaria.

Loxia collaria, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 305.
Spermophila collaria, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 9.
Sporophila americana, Gm., Cab. in Schomb. Guiana^ iii.
p. 678.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collection.

from British Guiana. 215

114. Spermophila gutturalis.

Fringilla gutturalis, Licht. Yerz. Doubl. p. 26.
Spe7'mophila gutturalis, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 15.
Roraima {3500 ft.).

115. Spermophila grisea.

Loxia grisea, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 857.
Spermophila grisea, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 18.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

116. Spermophila plumbea.

Fringilla plumb ea, Wied, Beitr. iii. p. 579.
Spermophila jjlumbea, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 18.
Roraima (3500 ft.) .

117. Volatinia jacarina,

Tanagra jacarina, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 314.

Volatinia jacarina, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 106 (partim).

Roraima.

Roraima birds have the under wing -coverts and the inner
edge of the quills near the base white, as in Brazilian birds,
the true V. jacarina (Linn.), The same form is found at
Para.

118. Volatinia splendens.

Fringilla splendens, Vieill. N. Diet. d''Hist. N. xii. p. 173.

Bartica Grove.

A male from this locality agrees with Vieillot's descrip-
tion of F. splendens from Cayenne, iuastnuch as the under
wing-coverts and the base of the quills are black and not
white as in V. jacarina.

119. Phonipara fumosa.

Phonipara fumosa, Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. x. p. 396; Salv.
& Godm., antea, p. 118.

Phonipara phiBoptila, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, p. 445.
Roraima (3500 ft.) .

120. Paroaria nigrigenis.

Nemosia nigrigenys, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1846, p. 273.
Paroaria nigrigenys, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 108.

216 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

Calyptrophorus gularis, Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 678 i?).

Camacusa.

In P. gularis the lores are scarlet, whereas in this closely
allied species they are black.

121. CORYPHOSPINGUS CRISTATUS.

Fringilla cristata, Gra. Syst. Nat. i. p. 926.

Coryphospingus cristatus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 109.

Bartica Grove.

A single female specimen of this widely- ranging species,
of which we have specimens from Peru, Bolivia, and South
Brazil.

122. Catamenia, sp. ?
Roraima (6000 ft.).

The three specimens of Catamenia in Mr. Whitely^s col-
lection are all in immature plumage, and therefore cannot
be satisfactorily determined. They most resemble examples
of C. homochroa of Ecuador.

123. ZONOTRICHIA PILEATA.

Emberiza pileata, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 23.
Zonotrichia pileata, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 113.
Zonotrichia matutina (Gm.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 679.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500-4500 ft.) .

124. COTURNICULUS MANIMBE.

Fringilla manimbe, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 253.

Coterniculus manimbe, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 116.

Roraima (3500 ft.) .

The grey edgings to the feathers of the head and back are
rather narrower in these birds than in the Brazilian race,
giving the upper surface of the plumage a rather more ru-
fescent tinge.

125. Emberizoides macrubus.

Fi'ingilla macroura, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 918.
Emberizoides macrourus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 118.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3000-4000 ft.).

from British Gniana. 217

126. Chrysomitris icterica.

Fri7igiUa icterica, Liclit. Verz. Doiibl. p. 26.
Chrysomitris icterica, Scl. Cat. Am, B. p. 125.
Roraima (3500 ft.) .

These specimens agree fairly witli Bahia examples of
C. icterica, the Brazilian form of C. barbata.

127. ■^Sycalis minor.

Sycalis minor, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 679.
Not represented in Mr. Whitely^s collection.

128. ^Sycalis flaveola.

Sycalis brasiliensis, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 679.
Not in Mr. Whitely^s collection.

129. Sycalis citrina.

Sycalis citrina, Pelz. Orn. Bras. pp. 232, 334.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (2700-3700 ft.).

The only specimen of Sycalis obtained by Mr. Whitely
appears to belong to this species, which is distinguished by
having a white spot on the outer tail-feathers. Natterer^s
specimens were obtained in the provinces of Sao Paolo and
Rio Janeiro.

130. OSTINOPS DECUMANUS.

Xanthornus decumanus, Pall. Spic. Zool. vi. p. 1, pi. 1.
Ostinops decumanus, Scl. Ibis, 1883, p. 151.
Cassicus cristatus (Gm.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 680.

Bartica Grove.

131. Ostinops viridis.

Oriolus viridis, Miill. Natursyst. Suppl. p. 87.
Ostinops viridis, Scl. Ibis, 1883, p. 152.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3000 ft.).

132. Cassicus persicus.

Oriolus per sicus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 161.
Cassicus persicus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 681 ;
Scl. Ibis, 1883, p. 157.
Bartica Grove.

SER. V. ^VOL. III. Q

218 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

133. Cassicus affinis.

Cassicus affinis, Sw. Orn. Draw. pi. 3; Scl. Ibis^ 1883^ p. 161.
Cassicus hamorrhous, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 681.
Bartica Grove^ Camacusa.

134. *Cassicus albirostris.

Cassicus albirostris, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 681;
Scl. Ibis, 1883, p. 159.

Not in Mr. "VVhitely^s collection. Mr. Sclater doubts the
occurrence of this species so far north.

135. Icterus chrysocephalus.

Oriolus chrysocephalus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 164.
Icterus chrysocejjhalus, Scl. Ibis, 1883, p. 359.
Bartica Grove, Eoraima (3500 ft.).

136. DOLICHONYX oryzivora.

Emberiza oryzivora, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 311.
Dolichonyx oryzivora, Scl. Ibis, 1884, p. 2.
Camacusa.

137. *MoLOTHRUS ATRONITENS.

Molothrus atronitens. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p, 6;
Scl. Ibis, 1884, p. 6.

Not in Mr. Whitely's collection.

138. Agel^us imthurni.

Agelceus imthurni, Scl. P. Z. S. 1881, p. 213; 1884, p. 13.
MacragelcBus imthurni, Berlepsch, in litt.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3700-5000 ft.) .

139. ^Xanthosomus icterocephalus.

Oriolus chrysocephalus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 15.
Chrysomus icterocephalus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana,iii.p. 681.
Xanthosomus icterocephalus, Scl. Ibis, 1884, p. 15.
Not in Mr. Whitely^s collection.

140. Leistes guianensis.

Oriolus yuianensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 162.
Leistes guianensis, Scl. Ibis, 1884, p. 21.
Leistes americanus (Gm.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 681.

Yuruani River, Roraima (8500 ft.).

fi'om British Guiana. 219

141. Sturnella ludoviciana.

Sturnella ludoviciana, Cab. in Schomb. Gmana_, iii. p. 683.
Sturnella ludoviciana meridionalis, Scl. Ibis, 1884^ p. 26,
Roraima (3500 ft.).

142. ■^Lampropsar tanagrinus.

Icterus tanagrinus, Spix, Av. Bras. i. p. Q7 , pi. 64. f. 1.
Lampropsar tanagrinus, Scl. Ibis, 1884, p. 149.
Lampropsar guianensis, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 682.

Not in Mr. Whitely^s collection.

143. '^QUISCALUS LUGUBRIS.

Quiscalus lugubris, Sw. An. in Menag. p. 299; Scl. Ibis,
1884, p. 162.

Chalcophanes jamaicensis et C, minor. Cab. in Schomb.
Guiana, iii. p. 683.

Not in Mr. Whitely^s collection.

144. Cassidtx oryzivora.

Oriolus oryzivorus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 386.
Cassidix oryzivora, Scl. Ibis, 1884, p. 165.
Scaphidura atra (Vieill.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 683.

Bartica Grove,

145. Cyanocorax cayanus.

Corvus cayanus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 157.
Cyanocorax cayanus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 683 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 122.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

146. "^Cyanocorax violaceus.

Cyanocorax violaceus, Du Bus, Bull. Ac. Brux. xiv. pt. 2,
p. 103; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 125.

Cyanocorax hyacinthinus, Cab. in Schomb, Guiana, iii.
p. 683.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely^s collection. There is a
skin in the British Museum obtained by Schomburgk.
[To be continued.]

q2

220 Eecenthj published Ornithological Works.

XIX. — Notices of recent Ornithological Publications.

[Contiuued from p. 117.]
48. 'The Auk.'

[' Tlie Auk,' a Quarterly Journal of Ornitliology. Continuation of the
' Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club.' Vol. I. No. 4, October
1884; Vol. II. No. 1, January 1885. Boston, Mass.]

In the number published last October_, IVLr. W. B.
Burrows's list of the birds of the Lower Uruguay is con-
cluded; and there are several other interesting papers on
pure ornithology. Amongst these is a description of a new
subspecies of Willow -Grouse from Newfoundland, called by
Dr. L. Stejneger Lagojms alba alleni, distinguished from
L. alba by having the shafts of the primaries and secondaries
black, and the wing-feathers_, even some of the coverts,
mottled with blackish. No less than three papers treat,
more or less, of the question of zoological nomenclature,
commencing with one contributed by Prof. Coues, dated
"May 27th, S.S. 'Oregon,' Mid-ocean,'' and ending with
the third series of the "Analecta Ornithologica " by Dr. Stej-
neger. This is followed by the Report of the Second Meeting
of the American Ornithologists' Union, at which the Editors
of ' The Ibis ' were courteously invited to assist ; and they
take this opportunity of expressing — although inadequately
— their sense of the kind attentions they everywhere expe-
rienced from their brother ornithologists in America.

The earlier papers in the 'Auk ' for January relate almost
entirely to American birds ; but Dr. Stejneger contributes a
fourth series of his " Analecta Ornithologica," and Dr. C.
Hart Merriam (who is now in Europe, and may be expected
to visit us in April) gives an interesting Preliminary Report
of the Committee on Bird-Migration. If hard work and
elaborate returns from all parts of an area far exceeding that
of Europe can teach us some truths about the migrations of
birds, we are now in a fair way to obtain them. Six thou-
sand circulars have been distributed, and one thousand
returns have been received during the first year ! We
understand that Congress will vote aid to the extent of
®5000 (£1000) for the first year; our British Migration
Committee receives £35 from the British Association !

Recently published Ornithological Works. 221

49. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway on the Water-Birds of
North America.

[Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College.
Vol. xiii. The Water-Birds of North America. By S. F. Baird, T. M.
Brewer, and R. Ridgway. Vol. II. 4to. Boston : 1884.]

The concluding volume of this important work contains
the remainder of the Ducks ; the Steganopodes, including
Phaeton ; the Skimmers^ Gulls, Terns, and Skuas, an order
of sequence which passes our comprehension; followed by
the Tubinares, and ending with the Pygopodes. Of the
general style of execution it is impossible to speak in
other than terms of praise ; and as regards the thoroughly
American species, the latest available information will, as a
rule, be found. In their references to Old- World authori-
ties the writers are not unfrequently at a disadvantage, from
not being aware of the relative trustworthiness, or the re-
verse, of their sources of information ; and there is a ten-
dency to accept as gospel statements that have been shown
to be incorrect. We cannot speak of Col. Grayson^s speci-
mens of the " Little Gull " from Mazatlan, not having seen
them, although we do not for a moment suppose that they
really belong to our Larus minutus ; but as regards the re-
ported occurrence of this species in the Arctic regions, it is
well known and has been conclusively proved that the bird so
named by Richardson was Bonaparte^s Gull {L. Philadelphia) ,
as were also the birds shot at Bermuda by Major W edderburn.
Nor can a work of this magnitude, and by more than one
author, be expected to be free from minor errors and mis-
prints ; but on the whole they are comparatively few, and
do not materially detract from the merit of the harmonious
whole.

50. Berlepsch on the Birds of Bucaramanga.

[Untersuchungen liber die Vogel der Umgegend von Bucaramanga in
Neu-Granada. Von Hans von Berlepsch. J. f. 0. 1884, p. 273.]

This carefully-prepared memoir is based principally upon
collections received by the Llibeck and Bremen Museums

223 Recently published Ornithological Works.

from the vicinity of Bucaramanga^ in Colombia^ on whicli
district almost the only previous authority was Mr. Wyatt^s
paper in this Journal (^ Ibis/ 1871, p. 113). Of 151 species
enumerated and commented upon (of which 136 also occur
in collections from Bogota) three are described as new —
Thnjophilus minlosi, Pcecilotriccus lenzi, and PhyoUmyias
cristatus. The two former are also figured. Pcecilotriccus
is a new genus of TyrannidsBj to be placed between Todi-
rostrum and Euscarthmus, and contains also Tod. ruficeps of
Bogota and Tod. rufigene of Ecuador.

51. Bidwell on Sabine's Gull.

[On the Occurrence of Saljine's Gull {Xema sahinii) in Adult Plumage
in the Isle of Mull. By Edward BidweU. Proc. E. Phys. Soc. Edinb.,
Session 1883-84, p. 131.]

Although many immature examples of Sabine's Gull have
been obtained in the British Islands^ and a certain number on
the Continent^ yet only five specimens in breeding-plumage
are recorded^ and the localities ascribed to some of them are
open to doubt. The above-mentioned bird and one shot in
Bridlington Bay on 10th August^ 1872, are the only instances
of adults in Britain ; and an adult was obtained on the coast
of Brittany on the 25th August_, 1872, just fifteen days later.
[Cf. Yarrell's Brit. Birds, 4th ed. vol. iii. p. 575.)

52. W. Blasius on a new Trumpeter.

[Ueber einen vermuthlich neuen Tromj^eter-Vogel von Bolivia (Pso-
phia cantatrix, Boeck, in Utt.). Von Prof. Dr. Wilh. Blasius. J. f. 0.
1884, p. 203.]

This supposed new species is described from information
received from Prof. Eugen von Boeck, Director of the
Central School in Cochabamba. The bird in question is
found on the Mamore and Beni rivers, and would seem to
come nearest to Ps. leucoptera, if it be not identical with
that species.

53. W. Blasius on GrabowsJcy's latest Bornean Collections.

[Ueber die neuesten Ergebnisse von Herrn F. J. Grabowsky's ornitho-
logischen Forschungen in siid-ost Borneo. Idem. To7n. cit. p. 210.]

Recently published Ornithological Works. 223

Prof. Blasius published his first paper on Grabowsky's
Boruean bird-collections in the ' Verhandlungen der zoolo-
gisch-botanischen Gesellschaft ■" of Vienna (1883, pp. 1-90).
Grabowsky has since then shifted his quarters, and sent home
altogether 85 more bird-skins, which have been already partly
reported on at a sitting of the ' Verein f iir Naturwissenschaft '
of Brunswick. Prof. Blasius now describes the new district
visited by Grabowsky at some length. It lies up the Negara,
a confluent of the Bareto, in Eastern Borneo, and is shown
in Carl Bock's map. A list of about fifty species, to which
the birds represented in Grabowsky's last collection are
referable, follows, and special remarks upon some twenty-five
of these. Near Mindai, Grabowsky found Mach(srhamphus
alcinus breeding, and shot one of the pair off" the nest, which
was placed on a lofty tree, but was unfortunately empty.

54. W. Blasius on the Breast-bone of Birds.
[Ueber Vogel-Brustbeine. Idem. Tom. cit. p. 228.]

This is an abstract of a paper read before the German
Ornithological Society at their Meeting in Oldenburg. Dr.
Blasius, who had long made the sterna of birds a special
object of study, found in the series of the bones accumulated by
Dr. Finsch during his recent travels in the Pacific many forms
of great interest, and makes special remarks on the sterna
of Scythrops, Nestor, Ptilorhis, Esacus, and Dendrochelidon.

55. W. Blasius's third Paper on the Great Auk.

[Neue Thatsaclien in BetrefF der Ueberreste von Alca impennis, Linn,
Idem. Tageblatt d. Naturf. Versamm. zu Magdeburg, 1884, p. 321.]

This third recent contribution (c/. ' Ibis,' 1884, pp. 205 &
454) to the history of the existing remains of Alca impennis
contains some additions to the former lists, with rectifications
of minor details, and tracings of the history of certain speci-
mens which have changed hands.

56. Bogdanow on Russian Ornithology.

[Conspectus Avium Imperii Rossici. Auctore Modesto Bogdanow.
Fasc. 1. 4to. St. P^tersbourg : 1884.]

224 Recently published Ornithological Works.

This First Part commences with the Columbeej three races
of C. livia being recognized ; and this Order is followed by
the HeteroclitsBj in which the Glareolidse are located, as well
as the Pteroclidse. In the Gallinae, Lagopus rupestris, suhsp.
insularis, described as new from Bering Island, is evidently
L.ridgwayi, Stejneger; Tetrao urogaUoides,va,r. /3. sachalensis,
is a supposed novelty ; and so is Coturnix ussuriensis. The
Grallse^ comprising the Bustards, Cranes, Plovers, Sand-
pipers, and Herons, conclude the volume. Amongst the last
named is a new species, Butorides schrencki.

57. British Association's Report on Migration in 1883.

[Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1883.
By Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown, Mr. J. Cordeaux, Mr. R. M. Barrington, and
Mr. A. G. More. Svo. Loudon : 1884.]

A feature in this, the Fifth Report, is a return from
Skykkesholm, Iceland, by M. Thorlacius. Mr. Gatke con-
tinues to give us the benefit of his observations on Heligo-
land, prolific of rarities ; and the Committee are again in-
debted to Prof. Liitken of Copenhagen for a list of the birds
killed by striking against the lantern of the lighthouse at
StevnSj the projecting part of Zealand. It is gratifying to
notice an increase in the number of the schedules filled up
by the keepers of the lighthouses and lightships on our
coasts ; and we note with satisfaction that the money-grant
of the Association has been slightly augmented.

58. Buckley and Harvie-Brown on the Birds of Sutherland-
shire.

[The Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherlandshire. By T. E. Buckley, B.A,
&c., and J. A. Harvie-Brown, F.R.S.E. &c. Being an Appendix to the
second edition of tlie late Mr. Charles St. John's * Tom* in Sutherland.'

1884.]

It would be impossible to indicate two naturalists more
eminently qualified to write the history of Sutherlandshire
and its productions than the above-named Members of the
B.O.U., who have studied the natural history of that exten-
sive county for the past seventeen years. The ornithological

Recently published Ornithological Works. 225

portion of their work is excellent ; and we particularly admire
the caution exercised with regard to the reported occurrence
of species which might not unreasonably be expected to visit
Sutherland_, although absolute proof is still wanting. The
relative distribution of species in East and West Sutherland
is very interesting,

59. Collett on the Great Auk in Norway.

[Ueber Alca impennis in Norwegen. Von Robert OoUett. Mittb,
ornith. Ver. in Wien, 1884.]

The author^s chief object seems to be the rehabilitation of
the testimony (to which, as before stated in 'The Ibis/ 1861,
p. 377, Wolley demurred) of Herr Brodtkorb, who pro-
fesses that in 1848 he shot an Alca impennis off the coast of
East Finmark. Whether the attempt be successful would
take too long here to discuss. A catalogue, with measure-
ments, of the bones of this species found on Funk Island in
1841 by Stuwitz, and now in the Christiania Museum, is a
useful addition to the lists of its remains hitherto published ;
but are we really to believe that so much individual variation
is shown by the specimens as from 46 mm. to 77 mm. in tlie
breadth of the skull, or is not the latter number a misprint ?

60. Cory on the Birds of San Domingo.

[The Birds of Haiti and San Domingo. By Cliarles B. Cory, F.L.S.
Part III. 4to. Boston: 1884.]

]Mr. Cory^s third part of the Birds of Haiti and San
Domingo carries on the subject to the Scolopacidse and
Parridse. The following species are figured in this part : —
Conurus chloropterus , Rupornis ridgwayi in three stages of
plumage, (Edicnemus dominicensis, and Parr a gymnostoma.

61. Dresser's Monograph of the Bee-eaters.

[A Monograph, of the Meropidas, or Family of the Bee-eaters. By H.
E. Dresser, F.L.S. Part III. Small folio. London: 1884.]

Part III. of IMr, Dresser's Monograph contains well-
executed coloured plates of the seven following species : —

226 Recently published Ornithological Works.

Merops superciliosus. Merops niibicoides.

apiaster. Dicrocercus hirundineus.

malimbicus. Melittophagus lafresnayei.

nubicus.

62. Fischer on the Birds of Masai-land.

[Uebersicht der von Dr. G. A, Fischer auf seiner im Auftrage der
Hamburger Geograpbiscben Gesellscbaft unternommenen Reise in das
Masailand gesammelten iind beobacbteten Vogelarten. Bearbeitet von
Dr. G. A. Fiscber.]

In this memoir Dr. Fischer gives an account of the birds
collected and observed during his recent journey into Masai-
land from Pangani_, in which he passed south-west of Kili-
manjarOj and reached Lake Naivasha. The tAvo principal
places at which collections were made were Great Aruscha
on Mount Maeru_, and the village of Nguruman^ in long,
36° E., lat. 2° S., on the eastern slope of a mountain-chain
which extends from north to south through Masai-land.
Between the coast and Lake Naivasha altogether 345 species
of birds were observed, and specimens of 269 species Avere
obtained, of which 36 were new. The new species have been
already described by Drs. Fischer and Reichenow in the
'Journal fiir Ornithologie ' for January 1884 (c/. 'Ibis/
1884, p. 339).

A new Nightingale {Lusciola afi'icana) sang morning and
evening to the traveller during his twelve days^ stay at
Little Aruscha, near the base of Kilimanjaro ; and a
Cuckoo with three tones to its cry {Cuculus heuglini) was met
with in many spots in Masai-land. Its egg was taken
April 28th in the nest of Erythropijgia leucoptera. A pair
of Cuculus canorus were also obtained at Little Aruscha on
March 29th. Parus fringillinus, Euplectes frederichseni,
Notauges fischeri, and Drepanorhgnchus reichenowi are
figured.

63. Glanville's Catalogue of the Albany Museum, Cape
Colony.

[Catalogue of the Natural History Collection of the Albany Museum,
Graham's Town. 8vo. Cape Town : 1883.]

Recently published Ornithological Works. 227

The Albany Museum at Graham^s Town is said to be the
only institution of the kind at present existing in the
eastern districts of the Cape Colony, with the exception of a
small collection in the Gill College, Somerset East. Its
energetic Curator, Mr. M. Glanville, had prepared the pre-
sent catalogue with the view of showing what specimens it
already possesses, and with the hope of inducing his fellow-
colonists to help him to make it more complete. The series
of South-African birds enumerated (pp. 15-52) seems to be
of considerable extent.

64. Godman and Salvin's ' Biologia Centrali- Americana.'

[Biologia Central!- Americana ; or, Contributions to the Knowledge of
the Fauna and Flora of Mexico and Central America. Edited by F.
DuOane Godman and Osbert Salvin. (Zoology.) Parts XXVIII. to
XXXIV. 4to. London: 1884. Published for the Editors by K. H.
Porter, 10 Ohandos Street, Cavendish Square, W.]

Our friends make good progress with this important work.
Seven numbers have been issued since our last notice (Ibis,
1884, p. 208). The Bird parts are in numbers xxviii. and
xxxiv., and carry on the Passeres of the Oscinine section
to the commencement of the Fringillidae. The following
species are figured : — Chlorospitigus punctidatus, C. pileatus,
C. hypophcBUs, Buarremon capitalis, B. tibialis, and Pilylus
celceno.

65. Gould's 'Birds of Neiv Guinea.'

[The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands, including
any new Species that maybe discovered in Australia. By [the late] John
Gould, F.II.S. &c. Parts XYII. & XVIII. FoHo. London : 1884.]

We have two parts of the ' Birds of New Guinea ' to
notice, containing illustrations of the following species : —

Part XVII.

Ninox odiosa. Myiagra ferrocyanea.

Carpophaga finschi. Myzomela erythrina.

Ptilopus lewisi. melanocephala.

Graucalus pusillus. Dicseum aeneum.

Khipidura cockerelli. Zosterops longirostris.

Pomarea ugiensis. Stigmatops albo-auricularis.
Piezorhynchus richardsii.

228 Recently published Ornithological Works.

Part XVIII.

Drepanornis cerviuicauda. Pomarea castaneiventris.

Charmosyna margaritse. Rhipiduva leucothorax.

Ptilopus ricbardsi. Piezorhyuclius brodiei.

Myzomela wakoloensis. browni.

Dicseum tristraini. Halcyon leucopygia.

Myiagra cerviuicauda. Zosterops fuscifrons.
Pomarea rufocastanea.

Many fine sj^ecies from the Solomon Islands are included
in this series^ and render it evident that the avifauna of this
group is most rich and varied^ and worthy of special investi-
gation. Mr. Sharpe does not give us the locality of Myiagra
fen^ocyanea, which shoiild have been stated to he from Gua-
dalcanar, Solomon Islands.

QQ. Gurney on the Birds of Norfolk.

[Catalogue of tbe Birds of Norfolk. By J. H. Gurney, .Tun. Reprinted
from Mason's ' History of Norfolk.' 8vo. London : 1884.J

This is an exceedingly useful list_, conveying in a condensed
form a large amount of information. It is especially service-
able as regards the distribution of the water-birds^ owing to
the delay in the appearance of those fuller details which we
may, perhaps, some day see in the long-expected vol. iii. of
Mr. Stevenson's ' Birds of Norfolk.^ The arrangement is the
only drawback ; for, unfortunately, the author has adopted
the sequence propounded by Sundevall, so that it is no easy
matter to know where to look for a bird. Who would expect
to find the Pigeons between the Kingfisher and the Barn-Owl,
and Pallas's Sand-Grouse following the Osprey ? On the
other hand, we do not find the Pratincole in juxtaposition
with the Nightjar, where Sundevall placed it ! We may be
partial, but, with all its imputed defects, we think that the
arrangement of the ^ B. O. U. List ' is better than this.

Q>7. Hawtayne' s Taxidermic Notes.

[Taxidermic and otber Notes. By a Collector. 12mo. 02 pp. George-
town, Demerara : 1884.]

Mr. Hawtayne's handy little book will, we trust, carry out

Recently published Ornithological Works. 229

its excellent object — that of assisting persons desirous of
contributing to the Georgetown Museum or the Exhibitions
to be held in Georgetown in 1885 and in London in 1886.
The notes, compiled from the well-known directions of the
Smithsonian Institution and other recognized authorities,
relate to the preparation of specimens of natural history and
other similar objects.

68. Henke on the Ostrich-question.

[Beitrag zur Losuug dei* Strauasenfrage. Von K. G. Heiike. Zeitsch.
f. d. gesammte Ornithol. 1884, p. 210.]

Herr Henke recognizes three different varieties of Ostrich-
eggs, which he thinks must be the produce of three distinct
species. Figures are given of eggs of Struthio molybdophanes
of Somaliland and Sti'uthio australis of South Africa.

69. Homeyer on a new Stonechat.

[Beschreibuug eines neuen Steinschuiatzers Saxicola cypriaca. Von
E. F. von Homeyer. Zeitschr. f. d. g. Orn. 1884, p. 397.]

The supposed new species of Stonechat from Cyprus
resembles S. morio, but has a blacker back, a lighter rufous
breast, and less white in the tail.

70. Huet on Additions to the Jar din des Plantes,

[Note sur las uaissauces, dons et acquisitions de la Menagerie du Mu-
seum d'Histoire Naturelle, pendant les mois de Septembre, Octobre, No-
vembre et Decenibre 1883. Par M. Huet. Bull. Soc. d'Acclimatation,
Feb. 1884.]

The number of additions to the collection of living birds
in the Jardin des Plantes in 1883 was 319. Of these the
most noticeable seem to have been examples of Rhea darwini
and Bernicla poliocephala.

71. Le Moine on Canadian Ornithology.

[Ornitbology in Canada and in the United States. By J. M. Le Moine,
From ' Quebec Morning Chronicle ' of 23rd August, 1884 ; separate issue.]

A short compilation prepared for use of the Members of the
British Association.

230 Recently published Ornithological Works.

72. Meyer on Birds' Nests and Eggs from the East Indies.

[Notizeu liber Vogel Nester und Eier aus dem ostindischen Arcliipel,
speciell liber die durcb Herru 0. Ribbe von deu Aru-Inseln jlingst
erbalteneu. Vou A. B. Meyer. Zeitscbr. f. d. g. Orn. 1884, p. 269.]

Eighty-two species of birds^ mostly from the Aroo group,
are noticed, and information of different kinds supplied about
them. Rhectes analogus, from Aroo, and Xanthotis rubiensis,
from Rubi, are described as new. Two young females of
Eclectus roratus, hatched in captivity at Karlsruhe (c/.
Gefiederte Welt, 1884, p. 413), are figured. Many nests and
eggs are described, and a selection of eggs figured, amongst
which is a (damaged) one of Paradisea apoda.

73. ' The Naturalist.'

[Tbe Naturalist : a Journal of Natural History for the North of
England. Edited by W. Denison Roebuck and W. Eagle Clarke. Nos.
109-115, August 1884 to February 1885. 8vo. London and Leeds.]

This is, we presume, a continuation of the 'Yorkshire
Naturalist ' under a more general title. Be this as it may,
the first of the parts before us contains some very interesting
papers and items of information from the Editors and such
contributors as Messrs. Bolam, Cordeaux, Whitaker, and
Lord Walsingham. Mr. Bolam records the capture of the
Red-breasted Flycatcher {Muscicapa parva) in his garden at
Berwick-on-Tweed, on the 5th October 1883, the fourth occur-
rence in the British Islands. In No. 112 the Rev. H. H.
Slater records the Barred Warbler {Sylvia nisoria) obtained
on the coast of Holderness on the 28th August, and exhibited
at a recent Meeting of the Zoological Society. A Teng-
malm's Owl was obtained on the 18th October, and identified
by Mr. W. E. Clarke. The authenticated breeding of the
Reed-Warbler in Cheshire, the furthest north-western locality
on record, is interesting. In addition to the numerous
.articles and notes on birds. No. 115 contains a useful biblio-
graphy for 1884 of papers relating to the natural history
of the north of England ; and so far this Magazine appears
to be worthy of high and hearty praise.

Recently published Ornithological Works. 231

74. Olphe-Galliard on the Ornithology of Western Europe.

[Contributions a la Jt'^une Ornithologique de FEurope Occidentale.
Par L^on Olphe-Galliard. Fasc. 1. 8vo. Bayonne : 1884.]

The present work is intended to treat of the birds of Spain
and Portugal, the Azores_, the Balearic Islands, France,
French Switzerland, the Rhine valley to the North Sea,
the coasts of Belgium, the British Islands, and the Channel
Islands. We do not know why the Canaries are excluded.
Following Scopoli, the class Aves is dedicated to Edwards —
the author commencing with the suborder Anseres, com-
prising, so far, the Auks, Divers, and Grebes. There is
evidence of great research, but we have some doubt whether
the more recent authorities have been always consulted.

75-78. Ridgway on American Birds.

[75. Note on Selasphorus torridus, Salvin. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1884,
p. 14.

76. Melanetta fusca (Linn.) in Alaska. Tom. cit. p. 68.

77. Description of a new Snow-Bunting from Alaska. Loc. cit,

78. Description of a new Species of Coot from the West Indies. Tom.
cit. p. 358.]

In No. 75 the Selasphorus from the Volcan de Irazii, Costa
Eica, recorded in vol. v. p. 497 as S. flammula, is referred
to S. torridus. In No. 76 it is stated that the European
Velvet Scoter has been obtained by Mr. C. L. M'^Kay in
Alaska, where Melanetta velvetina also occurs. No. 77 con-
tains a description of a very fine and distinct new species of
Snow-Bunting which has been discovered in Alaska by the
Smithsonian collectors. IMr. Ridgway calls it Plectrophenax
hyperboreus ; the adult male in spring is pure white, except
on the ends of the five outer primaries, which are chiefly
black. According to No. 78, the new Coot, Fulica caribbcea,
from Guadeloupe and St. Johns, W. L, is allied to F. ameri-
cana, but differs in its slenderer bill and the form and colour
of the frontal shield.

232 Recently published Ornithological Works,

79. Salvadori on the Birds of Shoa.

[Spedizione Italiana nell' Africa Equatoriale — Risultati Zoologici —
Uccelli dello Scioa e della regione fra Zeila e lo Scioa. Per Tommaso
Salvadori. Annali Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Gen ova, ser. 2, i. 1884, p. 19.]

The well-known Italian naturalist Antinori went to Shoa,
in Southern Abyssinia, in 1876, at the head of an exploring
expedition, and remained there, or in its vicinity, until his
death in 1877. During the six years of his stay in that
country (only known to science previously from the results
of the visit of our countryman. Sir W. S. Harris, and of a
collector employed by Riippell) , Antinori made extensive col-
lections in every branch o£ natural history. Of birds there
were received in Italy 1531 specimens from Shoa, besides
about 30 others from other localities. These are worked out
by Count Salvadori in his usual accurate and painstaking
manner, and are referred to 307 species (from Shoa), of which
five [Cajjrimulgus frcenatus , Psalidoprocne antinorii, Eaplectes
scioanus, Textor scioanus, and Podiceps infuscatus) are re-
garded as new. The exact localities and collector's field-
notes are given of every specimen. A nest of Colius leucotis
and two eggs are in the collection. The nest is cup-shaped,
only slightly hollowed, and placed in the centre of a dense
thorn-bush. The eggs are rather rounded, whitish, with
(apparently) fine punctulations of dark grey, which, however,
are perhaps attributable to bad conservation.

80. Saunders's Edition of ' Yarrell's British Birds.'

[A History of British Birds. By the late William Yarrell, V.P.L.S.,
F.Z.S, Fourth Edition. Revised to the end of the Second Volume by
Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S. ; continued by Howard Saunders, F.L.S.,
F.Z.S. Parts XXVL-XXYHI. December 1884 to March 1885.]

Part XXVI. contains the Herodiones; Part XXVII. the
Flamingo (which has occurred three or four times in England,
and always in autumn), the Geese, the Whooper, and
Bewiek^s Swan, the other Swans and nearly all the fresh-
water Ducks being comprised in Part XXVIII.

Recently published Ornithological IVorks. 233

81. Smithsonian Report for 1882.

[Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution,
showing the operations, expenditure, and condition of the Institution
for the Year 1882. 8vo. Washington: 1884.]

The most interesting portion of this Report to ornitho-
logists is Mr. Ridgway^s account of the bird-collection in the
National Museum^ which, by special Act of Congress, has
been placed under the charge of the Smithsonian Institution
(pp. 132-135). The total number of specimens in the col-
lection when the Report was prepared was 44,354. Forty-
four papers based upon materials provided by the collection
were published in 1882.

82. Stejnerjer on Trinomials in Ornithologij.

[On the Use of Trinomials in American Ornithology. By Leonard
Stejneger. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1884, p. 70.]

Mr. Stejneger gives us an excellent essay on trinomials,
which he regards "as a nuisance, but a very necessary
nuisance." He shows that, although now more generally
employed in America than elsewhere, trinomials are by no
means an American invention. Sundevall was the father of
modern trinomialism, and Schlegel, in 1844, introduced
twenty-seven subspecies into his list of European birds,
adding the subspecific name without any connecting word
or letter. J. H. Blasius, Bonaparte, Middendorff, and others
also employed trinomials freely.

It has been said that the great objection to the system is
the opportunity it gives to the ignorant of naming as sub-
species forms too slightly diflPerentiated to require any such
formal recognition. Mr. Stejneger is of opinion, in which
we agree with him, that a more injurious use of trinomials
is liable to be made in reducing good and distinct species to
mere races or varieties. But he shows clearly that the recog-
nition of the minor differences on which subspecies are based
is of vital importance to the study of birds. He is also of
opinion that these subspecies ought to have separate names,
and that the best way of effecting this is the trinomial
designation.

SER. V. VOL. III. R

234 Recently published Ornithological Works.

83. Taczanowski's ' Ornithology of Peru.'

[Ornithologie du Peroii. Par Ladislas Taczanowski. Tome ii. Eoyal
8vo. Rennes: 1884. 666 pp.]

The second volume of this laborious and most useful under-
taking continues the account of the Passeres and concludes
with the 911th species from the commencement of the work.
Short Latin diagnoses and French descriptions are given of
every species_, besides general observations by the author and
notes by the collector. The following species (besides sub-
species) are described as new : —

Thamnopliilus berlepschi. Myiopatis wag£e.

Dysitbamnus tambillanus. Elainea gracilis.

Synallaxis paucalensis. Chloropipo imicolor.

Auabazenops ruficollis. Pbcenicotbraupis peruviauiis.

Muscisaxicola grisea. Nemosia pectoralis.

jiminensis. Buarremon albiceps.

Leptopogon rufipectiis. Anteretes nigricristatus.

M. Taczanowski refers Sericossypha albocristata (p. 387)
to the Cotingidse. He seems to have omitted Fyranga rubra,
already recorded from Peru in P. Z. S. 1874/p. 514.

84. Vila on the Ornithology ofGerona.

[Fauna Ornitologica de la Provincia de Gerona, 6 sea breve descripciou
de las aves sedentarias en la misma y las de paso accidental 6 periodico,
sus costumbres y aliraentacion bajo el punto de vista de utilidad 6 perjuicio
para con el hombre y la agricnltura en general, por D. Estanislao Vayreda
J Vila. 8vo. Gerona : 188o.]

From the title it will be seen that the object of this work
is ambitious ; but the result is far from satisfactory. It is
only likely to be read by those who are already familiar with
Spanish ornithology, to whom it will do no harm, inasmuch
as they are capable of separating the wheat from the chaff,
and they may even find some few grains of comfort in it.
It positively bristles with what we will charitably call mis-
prints ; and the misstatements, if less numerous, are more
serious. The Catalan names of the common species may be
found useful by those who can properly identify the birds to
which they apply.

Letters, Announcements, 6fc. 235

XX. — Letters, Announcements, 8^c.

We have received the following letter addressed to the
Editorsof ^ The Ibis:' —

Heudaye, le 22 Jauvier, 1885.

Messieurs, — Je prends la liberte de vous envoyer quelques
notes ornithologiques en vous priant de vouloir bien les faire
inserer dans le prochain numero de I'Ibis.

Les narines exterieures des Cormorans sont fort difficiles h
decouvrir, et ne consistent qu'en des simples fentes situees a
Fextremite d'une rainure, qui s'etend lelong du bee. Cuvier
les avait refusees aux Fous {Sula), et Brandt ue Icur donnait
d^autre issue que de petits trous perces dans la peau a la
base du bee. Monsieur J. C. Ewart (Journ. Proc. Linn, Soc.
XV. p. 455, 1881) dit que ces narines sont presque obliterees;
cet auteur parait admettre qu'elles ne servent pas h. Tintro-
duction de Fair dans les poumons lorsque le bee est ferme.

L'experience suivante, que j'ai repetee plusieurs lois,
semblerait confirmer ce fait. Apres avoir ferme le bee d'un
de ces oiseaux avec soin et avoir bouche avec du mastic les
bords de la mandibule superieure et de Finferieure, j'ai plonge
dans Feau toute la tete de Foiseau; puis j'ai fait aFaide d'un
soufflet penetrer avec force Fair par I'extremite inferieure de
la trachee. Ce fluide finissait toujours par se frayer un passage
au travers du mastic, qu'il soulevait dans certains endroits,
mais jamais je ne Fai pu voir sortir par les narines. J'ai fait
la meme experience sur un oiseau de cette meme famille mais
vivant, et j'ai toujours obtenu le meme resultat. J'en ai
done conclu que les narines des Cormorans ne sont pas en
communication avec la trachee. Cependant tous les doutes
a cet egard pourraient etre leves par de nouvelles experiences
dirigees par les anatomistes.

Mr. Ewart ajoute que cette structure des narines explique
la fagon avec laquelle les Cormorans, apres un vol prolonge,
tiennent leur bee ouvert, comme pour recevoir I'air qui leur
est necessaire, et en faire provision. Je demanderais encore
si la disposition des cellules aeriennes souscutanees chez les
Fous, et dont les Cormorans offrent aussi des traces, n'a pas

236 Leitcrs, AiDwuncemtnts, 6;c.

pour but de former comme des reservoirs d'air destines k
diminuer la frequence des inspirations lorsque I'oiseau plonge
ou lorsqu'il vole.

On trouve assez communement sur la plage d'Hendaye
une Corneille qui differe autant du Corvus corone que beau-
coup d^autres oiseaux different de leur similaires dont ils ont
ete distingues specifiquement. Cette Corneille offre une
taille plus petite, ce qui se remarque au premier coup d'oeil.
Les poils des narines ne s'avancent jusqu\a la moitie du bee,
tandis quails sont plus courts chez le C. corone.

La faune ornithologique des Basses-Pyrenees pent encore
s'enricber du Lams affinis, Eeinbardt, dont trois exemplaires
ont ete recueillis a Hendaye. Le Larus leucophoius etait tres
commun Fannee derniere, mais il ne paraitpas I'etre presente
vers la fin de 1884 ni au commencement de 1885.

Recevez, Messieurs, I'assurance de maparfaite consideration.

Leon Olphe-Galliard.

Gift of the Salvin-Godma7i Collection to the British Mu-
seum.— As has been recorded in tlic ' Times ' o£ March 6th,
Messrs. Salvin and Godman have given to the nation their
unrivalled collection of American birds, containing upwards
of 20,000 specimens. These will be transferred from their
present situation in Chandos Street to the Museum of
Natural History at South Kensington in groups, as the
various families treated of in the ' Biologia Centrali-Ame-
ricana' are finished. There is, we believe, a stijoulation in
the terras of gift that any specimen required by the donors
may be removed on loan from the Museum during the life-
times of the donors or the survivor of them.

The Hume Collection of Indian Birds. — Another very im-
portant addition which the National Museum of Natural
History is likely to receive shortly is Mr. A. O. Hume's col-
lection of Lidian birds, consisting, it is said, of an enormous
series of some 60,000 specimens. As many of our readers
are already aware, negotiations have been for some time in

Letterfi, Announcements, ^c. 237

progress for the transfer of tliis collection to tlie British
Museum. That the terms of transfer have been now finally
arranged^ we may assume from the fact that in the Civil-
Service Estimates of the coming financial year an extra sum
of ^300 is among the votes (p. 374) for " packing and trans-
mitting from Simla to England a part of Mr. Hume^s col-
lection of Indian Birds presented by him to the Trustees.""

Ridgway Ornithological Club, Chicago. — At a meeting held
on the 8th of January last the papers read were : — " Notes on
the Humming-Birds of California/^ by Mr. B. T. Gault^ and
" Notes on some Australian Birds/^ by Prof. R. Ridgway. At
the meeting held on March 5tli, Mr. Jos. L. Hancock read
a paper on the Birds of Corpus Christi, Texas^ in which the
occurrences of 94 species observed there in the months of
March and April, 1884, were recorded.

News from the Caucasus. — Dr. Radde was intending to
leave Tiflis in February last on a scientific expedition into the
new Trans-Caspian provinces of Russia, and was expecting
also to have an opportunity of exploring the adjoining moun-
tains of Northern Chorassan. Dr. Radde informs us of the
occurrence of Halcyon sniyrnensis at Talysch, on the S.W.
shore of the Caspian, in June last. This species is new to
the Russian avifauna.

Black Redstart in Somersetshire. — On Jan. 14th, walking
along the shore from Weston-super-Mare, near the mouth of
the Axe, I saw five Black Redstarts {Ruticilla tithys). The
first four were immature birds, the last was an apparently
adult male in full plumage. They were picking about on
the heaps of dead seaweed and other refuse thrown up by
the tide, and flitted from heap to heap as I approached,
sometimes alighting on the neighbouring stone wall. On
the 25th of the same month I revisited the spot, but could
not find them again ; nearer Weston, however, I observed a
single specimen, close to the further end of the new Parade.

P. L. SCLATER.

238 Letters, Announcements, 5fc.

Obituary. Dr. Ruppell, Prof. Severtzoff, Mr. E. TV. White,
and Mr. E. C. Rye. — The veteran naturalist Dr. E, Ruppell,
whose name is well known to all students of the Ethiopian
fauna^ died at Frankfort on December 10th, 1884, aged 90
years. In our next number we hope to be able to give
some details of his career and work from the pen of one
who is preeminently acquainted with them.

Nikolai Alexsyewich Severtzoff was born in 1827 and
educated at the University of Moscow. At the age of
eighteen he became acquainted with the well-known exjjlorer
G. S. Karelin, and from that time, according to his own
account, the scientific investigation of Central Asia became
the object of his life. In 1857 the opportunity of realizing
his dream was afforded him by a mission from the Academy
of Sciences to proceed to the Syr-Darya ''to investigate tlie
continental climate, and explain the geographical distribution
of animals by physical conditions of terrestrial surface.^' On
this expedition, in which he was taken prisoner by the Turko-
mans, receiving many sabre-wounds, the hideous cicatrices
of which those who knew him will well remember^ he acquired
an intimate knowledge of the Ural Steppes and the Aralo-
Caspian basin. While occuj)ied in the working-out of the
rich materials thus obtained, and Avhen on the point of accept-
ing a professorship, the chance came, and was immediately
grasped, of visiting Tashkend in connection with Genei'al
TchernaieFs campaign of 1864. The result was seen in the
important work published in Moscow in 1873, the title of
which may be rendered as " The Vertical and Horizontal
Distribution of Animals in Turkestan," of which an abbrevi-
ated translation, edited by Mr. H. E. Dresser, appeared in
' The Ibis ' for 1875-76. Severtzoff also contributed some
notes on Central Asiatic birds to ' The Ibis ' and to ' Stray
Feathers 'for 1875, as well as to the 'Journal fiir Ornithologie.'
In 1880 he commenced a valuable treatise on the lines of bird-
migration in Central Asia, particularly in the Pamir disti'ict,
giving the results of his experiences on the Russian scientific
expeditions from 1877-79, and embodying the observations

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 2.39

of our Indian and other naturalists in Central Asia. A
translation of liis remarks on the birds of the Pamir region,
with notes by Mr. Seebohm, was published in ' The Ibis ' for
1883. On his estate at Petrovskoe, in the Government of
Voroneje, Severtzoff had been engaged for the last four
years in arranging and elaborating his materials, when the
catastrophe came which ended his life. On the evening of
the 8th of February, when driving in a carriage along with a
friend on a beaten track on the frozen river Ikorts, a tribu-
tary of the Don, the carriage was suddenly plunged into the
water owing to an unperceived rotten place in the ice, but all
managed to extricate themselves. His friend urged him to
make for the nearest house ; but Severtzoff delayed, exclaim-
ing "Whereas my portfolio?^' walked a few steps, and fell
down in a fit ; the driver was frozen to death a few minutes
later. With that sublime British ignorance of the climate
of South Russia which sent many of our soldiers to the
Crimea with an equipment suitable for the tropics, a
leading journal has stated that Severtzoff was " drowned
while hatJmig in the Don.'"'

With regret we record the premature death, at Philadelphia,
U.S.A., on the 29th November last, of Mr. Ernest William
White, F.Z.S., for some time resident in Buenos Ayrcs,
Mr. White was well known to many of us as an energetic
traveller in the Argentine Republic and as a collector of its
Birds ; he was also author of a work on that country,
entitled ' Cameos from the Silverland,' and of several j)apers
in the ' Proceedings ' of the Zoological Society of London.

The late Mr. E. C. Rye, who succumbed to an attack of
small-pox on the 7th of February, was not nominally an
ornithologist ; but his attainments as a practical naturalist
demand a few words of recognition even in a Journal, like the
present, devoted to a special subject. Although principally an
entomologist, it would have been impossible for any one to
have edited the ' Zoological Record ' during eleven years as
he did, with singular ability, without having a considerable

240 Letters, Announcements, iSfc.

grasp of other branches of science; hut how minute that
knowledge was_, can only be known to those who, like the
writer, were brought into frequent discussion with him in
connection with the above work. The Recorder of Aves
during five consecutive years cannot let this opportunity
pass of testifying to Mr. liye^s remarkable acquaintance with
ornithological literature. His heart was thoroughly in his
work, and whenever^ in the extensive course of reading neces-
sary for the preparation of the notices of new books for the
^Proceedings'' of the Royal Geographical Society, he came
upon a work containing any references to Zoology, there w as
sure to be a w^ord of indication of Avhich the Recorder might
avail himself if he chose. Few men have been more deserv-
edly regretted and will be more difficult to replace.

Mr. J. A. Allen. — We are pleased to be able to announce
that Mr. J. A. Allen, of Cambridge, Mass., has been ap-
pointed Curator of Mammals and Birds in the American
Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York, and
will enter upon his new duties on the 1st May. We cannot
doubt that under Mr. Allen's care the bird-collection of this
important museum will attain fresh development.

New Edition of Buller's ' Birds of New Zealand.' — Dr.
Buller is preparing for the press a new and enlarged edition
of his ' History of the Birds of New Zealand/ and will
proceed to England shortly, in order to give the work his
personal superintendence. The Plates will be drawn by
Mr. Keulemans. The price (to Subscribers) will be ten
guineas. Subscribers' names should be sent to the author,
"Wellington, New Zealand."

^■\}

THE IBIS.

FIFTH SERIES.
No. XI. JULY 1885.

XXI. — Winter Notes from Morocco.
By Capt. S. G. Reid.

In December 1884 and January 1885 Capt. Gould (late of
the Royal Engineers) and I^ prevented from visiting more
promising localities by the certainty or probability of cliolera-
quarantine, found ourselves once more in our familiar
hunting-grounds in Morocco. During our wanderings in
search of sport (which was, unfortunately, very indifferent
and much interfered with by bad weather) I made a few notes
on the birds met with ; and some of the species being rare, if
not previously unrecorded, in Morocco, I have ventured to
prepare the following list of them for publication in ' The
Ibis.^

I fear the number of species included in this list is not
very great ; we should doubtless have added a good many
more to it if we had not been so engrossed in the pursuit of
the Snipe and Ducks. Among the few good things obtained
or examined in Olcese's collection at Tangier, I am pleased to
be able to record specimens of Rutidlla moussieri, Cyanecula
wolfi (found wintering in considerable numbers), Sitta ccesia
(not previously recorded), Coccothraustes vulgaris, Fringilla
Calebs, Garrulus glandarius x cervicalis (the first Jay obtained
in Morocco), Asio otus, and Francolinus bicalcuratus.

SER. v. VOL. III. S

242 Capt. S. G. Reid— Winter

1. TURDUS VISCIVORUS.

In Mr. Tyrwhitt-Drake's '' List of the Birds of Tangier
and Eastern Morocco " (Ibis, 1867, p. 426) tliis species is
included in a bracket with T. musicus and T. merula as " very
common ; " but Col. Irby (Ornith. Gibr.) merely quotes from
Favier's MS. to the elFect that it occurs near Tangier " always
singly and very sparingly, in company with T. musicus en
passage ;" and though I have paid several visits to Morocco,
I never met with it there. I think therefore that the words
" on passage " or " during migration '' should have been
added in Mr. Drake's list; for though a pair remained to nest
near Tangier (tlie nest, with two eggs, having been taken) in
the spring of 1884, this was looked upon as a most unusual
occurrence by Favier's successor, Olcese, who showed me
the eggs as great rarities.

2. TURDUS MUSICUS.

Very common in the wild olive-trees everywhere.

3. TuRDUS ILIACUS.

Very rare, apparently. Favier only obtained two speci-
mens (Irby, op. cit. p. 74). Olcese showed me another, killed
near Tangier in the winter of 1884-85.

4. TuRDUS MEKULA.

Common everywhere.

5. Pratincola rubicola.
Abundant in all suitable localities.

6. RUTICILLA MOUSSTERI.

Olcese has a specimen obtained near Tangier in May

1884-^.

7. Cyanecula wolfi.

Recorded by Mr. Tyrwhitt-Drake as '' not rare," but only
obtained four times by Favier. I found these birds wintering
in considerable numbers on the rushy margin of the lake of
Masharalhaddar, my attention being first called to them
by their lively movements and by the peculiar way in which

* [Saunders has received examples from tlie same localit}^ — Eod.]

Notes from Morocco. 243

they elevated their tails when settled oa the ground, I
obtained one or two specimens for identification, and saw
many others, only finding them, however, among the rushes
and reeds near the water's edge.

8. Erithacus rubecula.

Common. I was rather surprised to meet with this bird
in the thickest parts of the "sotos" in the Laraish valley,
where the water was over a foot deep under the tangled
bushes.

9. Sylvia melanocephala.

Numerous in the wild olive-groves and in the cork- scrub
on the hills.

10. Melizophilus undatus.

Not uncommon in the thick scrub at the foot of the hills.

11. Phylloscopus rufus.

Common in the stunted cork-trees on the hills and in the
groves of wild olive-trees round the " santos " or tombs, so
frequently met with in Morocco.

12. Phylloscopus trochilus.

Obtained in the " sotos " in the Laraish valley.

13. Cettia sericea.

Commonly heard, not often seen, in the thick clumps of
bushes in the '' sotos," or wooded swamps.

14. Cisticola cursitans.
Very common.

15. Parus teneriff^.

Common, especially in the olive-groves at Aiacha.

16. Parus major.

A small gathering among some large tamarisk-trees in the
Laraish valley. Not observed elsewhere.

17. SiTTA c^.sia.

Olcese obtained five or six specimens from the ^' montaiias,"
or low hills, near Tangier. These are the first recorded
from Morocco, where neither Mr. Tyrwhitt-Drake nor Col.
Irby observed them.

s2

244 Capt. S. (>. Uek\—Winler

18. Troglodytes parvulus.
Abundant.

19. MOTACILLA ALBA.

Numerous everywhere.

20. MOTACILLA LUGUBRIS.

Frequently seen on newly-ploughed land, and one obtained
for identification.

21. MOTACILLA SULPHUREA.

22. BUDYTES FLAVUS.

Common, and specimens obtained.

23. Anthus pratensis.

Only too common. These birds proved a constant source
of irritation to me, and I vented my wrath in fervent wishes
that Cuckoos might lay their eggs in a// their nests in spring.
I hope I am not singular in my dislike of the miserable
squeaking little wretches. I shot one out of a small party of
four or five on the top of a very high tree near our camp in
the Tzelatza valley.

24. Anthus campestris.

I obtained two males from Olcese, which he had killed on
the " Marshan/'' an open plain near his house, in May 1884.

25. Pycnonotus barbatus.

Abundant, and very noisy and inquisitive, in the thick
bushes, both in gardens and ^'sotos.''

26. Lanius algeriensis.

Invariably met with wherever there were patches of thick
bush affording shelter. They are to be seen a long way oft'
as they sit perched on the topmost twigs.

27. Telephonus erythropterus.

Only one observed, in some dense cork-scrub, in the Tze-
latza valley ; very shy.

28. Cotile rupestris.

Seen in considerable numbers in the Laraish valley on two
consecutive warm sunny days, but not at any other time or
place.

Notes from Morocco. 245

29. Carduelis elegans.

Very abundant, in flocks^ on the plains. .

30. Serinus hortulanus.

Flocks of this bird met with in the Tzelatza valley.

31. COCCOTHRAUSTES VULGARIS.

Undoubtedly rare in Morocco. Olcese had one skin, now
in my possession, obtained recently near Tangier. It is
somewhat strange that so few should occur here, while the
bird is so common across the Straits in Spain.

32. Passer domesticus.
Common.

33. Fringilla celebs.

Not obtained by Mr. Tyrwhitt-Drake or Col. Irby. I
found them tolerably numerous in one place in the Tzelatza
valley and obtained specimens, being rather surprised to
hear their familiar pink-pink there. Olcese obtained a male
near Tangier lately, now in my collection.

34<. Fringilla spodiogena.

Common everywhere, their note, tzak-tzak-tzak, being very
striking.

35. LiNOTA cannabina.
Not uncommon.

36. Emberiza miliaria.
In flocks on all the plains.

37. Emberiza schoeniclus.

Numerous at the lake of Masharalhaddar, in the rushes
near the water, where I obtained several specimens.

38. Stubnus vulgaris.

39. StURNUS UNICOLOR.

Common.

40. Pyrbhocorax graculus.

Olcese recently obtained a number from Tetuan. Not ob-
served by myself.

246 Capt. S. G. UeiA— Winter

41. GaRRULUS GLANDARIUS X CERVICALIS^.

Three were obtained near Tangier in February 1883 by
Olcese, one of which I purchased from him. They were
shot in the '^ montaiias " to the east of the town, and are, I
believe, the first Jays recorded from Morocco.

42. CORVUS MONEDULA,

Several from near Tetuan, where Mr. Tyrwhitt-Drake met
with the species in flocks, are in Olcese's collection. They
were procured in February 1883.

43. CoRVUS TINGITANUS,

Very common. Usually seen in pairs, but a flock of
twenty-one passed over us one day. Note, gok, quok, or ok,
repeated two or three times, according to individual faucy.

44. Alauda arvensis.
Tolerably common.

45. Alauda cristata.
Very abundant.

46. Calandrella brachydactyla.
Common, in flocks.

47. LULLULA ARBOREA.

Olcese obtained two, male and female, on the " Marshan "
in June 1884. These must have been nesting in the countiy,
I imagine.

* [Capt. Reid has sent us one of these specimens with a request that
we should determine it for him. It seems to belong to a form intermediate
between G. cervicalis and G. ylandarius, having the striated head of the
latter and the white eye-region of the former. Mr. Dresser, who has also
examined the specimen, writes as follows concerning it : —

"I have compared the Jay with my series, and find it certainly very fairly
distinguishable from our European Garrulus gUmdarius. It has the crown
blacker, the back much greyer, the sides of the head much whiter, and in
some respects it reminds one of Gairtdus cervicalis, but is as different from
that species as it is from G. ylandarius, not having the crown nearly so
black, and the rufous on the nape in this bird is of a vinous tinge, whereas
in G. cervicalis it is of a rusty red. I do hot think that it is G. minor of
Verreaux, because Verreaux wrote me that his bird was merely a small
form of G. f/landarius, and I have several specimens of this latter species
no larger than the Tangier bird." — Epp.]

Notes frum Morocco. 247

48. Alcedo ispida.

Several times seen in the Laraish valley and near the lake
of Masharalhaddar.

49. COCCYSTES GLANDARIUS.

Though I did not myself come across this species, my
companion, Capt. Gould, informs me that on a previous
visit to the lake of Masharalhaddar, in Januaiy 1876,
he saw a flock of about twenty in some old fig-trees near the
lake, and shot one for identification. The occurrence of
the birds in such numbers together appears to be rather
extraordinary.

50. Strix flammea.

I only once saw this Owl, a single bird flying out of a
dense mass of creepers in a " soto " almost into my face. It
is stated by Favier to be " nearly as abundant as Athene
noctua, inhabiting ruins and holes in rocks " (Irby, op, cit.
p. 56). Their haunts not being likely spots for Snipe and
Ducks, I naturally did not see very many.

51. Asio OTUs.

One obtained by Olcese in the montanas near Tangier in
the summer of 1884. This is, I imagine, the first recorded
example from Morocco (Dresser, B. of Europe, vol. v. p. 254).

52. Asio capensis.
Common.

53. Syrnium aluco.

One disturbed in a snug hollow, overgrown with arbutus,
myrtle, giant heather, and stunted cork-trees, on the 19th
December, 1884. Olcese had a specimen, which I obtained
from him, procured on the montanas near Tangier. It is
of the grey variety alluded to by Col. Irby {op. cit. p. 57).

54. Athene noctua.

Very common and noisy at night. I once walked close
past one, uttering its monotonous mewing or crying notes
in the middle of the day on the exposed branch of a leafless
tree.

248 Capt. S. G. Reid— Winter

55. Circus iERUGiNosus.

ConsideriDg the amount of marshy ground visited, 1 saw
very few of these Harriers, and only one was obtained.

56. Circus cineraceus.
Several met with, chiefly males.

57. BUTEO DESERTORUM.

Abundant everywhere. One name the Moors had for it
was '' el dieb/' the thief !

58. NiSAETUS EASCIATUS.

Frequently seen. When Partridge-shooting one day in
the Tzelatza valley, one of these Eagles made several magni-
ficent stoops at our wounded birds, on one occasion settling
in a small tree within thirty yards of the shooting-party.

59. ACCIPITER NISUS.

Not uncommon. I shot two in the marshes with my left
barrel in hot pursuit of Snipe wounded by my right, and
•was not a little surprised to meet with them in such open
ground.

60. MiLVUS ICTINUS.

These graceful birds often paid a visit to our camp, and
circled round it for a considerable time. I did not try to
shoot one ; but when in Morocco in November 1873, 1 killed
a beautiful male hovering over our small stock of poultry at
Sharf-el-Akab.

61. MlLVUS MIGRANS.

According to Favier (Irby, op. cit. p. 48) this Kite does not
remain in the vicinity of Tangier during the winter, but I am
almost positive I saw several during my recent shooting-trip.
My companion, Capt. Gould, an excellent observer, agreed
with me on several occasions that the birds we were looking
at could be nothing else but Black Kites. We both know
the bird well in Spain, and can hardly have been mistaken.
I much regret not having obtained an example to make sure,
but I did not at the time realize the fact that there was any
thing unusual in their presence.

Notes from Morocco. 249

62. Elanus c^eruleus.

Though said by Favier to be scarce near Tangier (Olcese
had two specimens^ male and female, in his collection), it is
certainly common enough down the coast to the south-west.
Near Laraish and the lake of Masharalhaddar it was fre-
quently seen suspended like a Kestrel over the open marshes.
We saw Kestrels, by the way, on several occasions sadly
tormenting these pretty little Kites, which appear to be most
peaceful and inoffensive birds.

63. Falco feldeggi.

The Lanner was not uncommon, sailing along the hill-
sides and passing high over our heads in its impetuous course.
I shot a splendid old male at Aiacha on the 17th January,
1885.

64. Falco jEsalon.

Seen once or twice. I had to apply a dose of No. 8 shot
one afternoon to a bold little fellow who carried off a dead
Snipe under my very nose. He dropped the bird and dashed
off, apparently none the worse.

65. TiNNUNCULUS ALAUDARIUS.

Very common everywhere.

66. TiNNUNCULUS CENCHRIS.

Met with near Laraish, also at Aiacha, where a good many
flew past us as we were Partridge-shooting, one of which
I shot.

67. Pandion haliaetus.

One seen at the lake of Masharalhaddar on the 29th De-
cember, 1884, another in the Straits, near Tangier, on the
25th January, 1885.

68. Phalacrocorax carbo.

A good many at Masharalhaddar on the 29th December,
1884.

69. Sula bassana.

Common between Gibraltar and Tangier.

250 Capt. S. G. lieid—fJ niter

70. Ardea cinerea.
Tolerably numerous.

71. Ardea bubulcus.

Very common everywhere. I came across a group of
twenty or thirty stick-nests in a thicket in one of the " sotos "
in the Bon-Safi valley, which must have belonged to these
birds.

72. Ardea garzetta.

Only once satisfactorily identified — at Masharalhaddar,
where I crept through the rushes to Avithin a few yards of
one before it took flight, the black legs and bill being un-
mistakable.

73. BoTAURUS STELLA ris.

Very common, though more often heard than seen.

74. ClCONIA ALBA.

A familiar object in the marshy plains.

75. Plegadis falcinellus.

Undoubtedly breeds, or has bred, near Tetuan ; for Olcese
has received the eggs from that district.

76. Phcenicopterus roseus.

A large gathering, perhaps a thousand, at the lake of
Masharalhaddar at the end of December, ranged in lines of
fifty or more together in the shallow water, and very shy.

77. MaRECA PENELOPE.

In countless numbers at Masharalhaddar. Common also
in the Koos river above Laraish.

78. Dafila acuta.

Gould and I both identified a small flock of these Ducks
at Masharalhaddar, but could not get within shot oC them.

79. Anas boscas.

80. Querquedula crecca.

81. Spatula clypeata.

Common, especially in tlie Ijaraish valley.

Notes from Morocco. 251

82. COLUMBA PALUMBUS.

Not uncommon in the Tzelatza valley, but not seen in any
great numbers.

83. CoLUMBA LIVIA.

A large flock frequented a grove of leafless trees in the
Tzelatza valley. Many also seen at Aiacha.

We did not meet with C. oenas during our visit.

84. Francolinus bicalcaratus.

Though this bird has been received from Mogador, and
appears to be common there, it is an interesting fact that
Olcese received a consignment oi: six live ones from near Casa
Blanca this winter, and tried hard to keep them alive. They
all died, however, probably from the unusual severity of the
winter, and were converted into skins, one of which I brought
home with me.

85. Caccabis petrosa.

One can hardly find any thing new to say about such a
well-known species as this ; but it may interest sporting as
well as ornithological readers to hear that the coveys we met
with on this occasion consisted on an average of eight or
ten birds, some being as many as twelve or even thirteen in
number ; also that the birds we shot appeared to be unusually
large and heavy (one weighing If lb.), and proved to be ex-
cellent eating, notwithstanding all that has been said to the
contrary.

86. COTURNIX COMMUNIS.

Our shooting-grounds did not lie in places suited to the
Quail, and, though doubtless not uncommon, we only once
met with the species in the Tzelatza valley, where I shot a
solitary bird among some dry thistle-beds.

87. TURNIX SYLVATICA.

Not identified during our visit ; but I include this species
in my list as, on a former occasion, in November 1873,
I shot several at Sharf-el-Akab, about twelve miles from
Tangier.

252 Capt. S. U. Reid—fFi?iter

88. PORPHYRIO C^RULEUS.

We were very much astouished at uot sceiug tliis bird in
the marshes and " sotos/'' especially as we very often heard
its call-note. The Moors invariably concluded that we could
only be fools enough to flounder about in the mud and water
in pursuit of this handsome bird ; they do not see the object
of shooting such a miserable little creature as a Snipe. The
local name of the Purple Waterhen varied from " Kazeid "
to " Kongeid/' and we never heard the name " Kazir/' given
by Favier (Irby, op. cit. p. 146).

89. Gallinula chloropus.

Tolerably common. It is somewhat odd that we never
obtained any Rails or Crakes^ and only saw one bird belong-
ing to the family, probaljly Porzana maruetta, at Masharal-
haddar.

90. Grus communis.

A good niauy seen, usually on the wing in small flocks,
very noisy.

91. Grus virgo.

A pair of birds seen on several occasions by Capt. Gould
and myself when Duck-shooting in the marshes in the Laraish
valley were unhesitatingly recorded in my diary under the
above head. I do not think we could have been mistaken,
as the birds passed within 200 yards of us once or twice ; still,
seeing is not believing, and the bird being apparently of rare
occurrence in Morocco, I can only give the note for what it
may be worth.

92. Otis tarda.

Olcese has a small specimen, a female, obtained recently
near Tangier. Capt. Gould informs me that in January
1875 he saw and vainly pursued three Great Bustards near
Masharalhaddar.

93. ffiniCNEMUS SCOLOPAX.

Common on the plains in small flocks. Once seen in a
larger flock of about flfty birds.

94. Charadrius fluvialis.
Very common on the plains.

Notes from Morocco. 253

95. Squatarola helvetica.

One obtained from Olcese, a male, in perfect summer
plumage, had been shot near Tangier on the 20th June, 1883.

96. Vanellus vulgaris.
Very abundant everywhere.

97. HiMANTOPUS CANDIDUS.

Favier states (Irby, op. cit. p. 164) that this bird is not
found near Tangier. I shot three in November 1873 in the
marshes at Sharf-el-Akab, only twelve miles from Tangier.

98. scolopax rusticula.

99. Gallinago ccelestis.

100. limnocryptes gallinula.
Common in suitable places.

101. Tringoides hypoleucus.

Frequently seen, especially on the banks of the tidal river
Koos, near Laraish.

102. Helodromas ochropus.

We met with the Green Sandpiper repeatedly.

103. TOTANUS calidris.

Abundant in the Laraish valley, and universally dis-
tributed.

104. LiMOSA iEGOCEPHALA.

Only one recorded by us, in a small freshwater lagoon
uear El Hemis.

105. NUMENIUS ARQUATA.

Very common at Masharalhaddar, also in the Laraish
valley.

106. NUMBNIUS TENUIROSTRIS.

Abundant in the Laraish valley, where I obtained speci-
mens from flocks numbering from twenty to a hundred.
Numerous flocks also met with at Masharalhaddar. The
note is like that of A'^. arquata {" cur-wee, cur-wee "), but not
so loud or musical.

254 Winter Notes from Morocco.

We did not identity the Wliimbrel, A'', phaopus, during
our stay. Fa\ ier is doubtless correct in stating that it does
not remain in the vicinity of Tangier during the winter.

107. Sterna fluviatilis.

A few of these Terns were fishing in the shallow water
at Masharalhaddar on the 29tli December, 1884.

108. RiSSA TRIDACTYLA.

Common in the Straits in December and January.

109. Larus argentatus.

Common at Gibraltar, also noted at Masharalhaddar.

110. Larus fuscus.

111. Larus ridibundus.
Very abundant.

112. Larus minutus.

While vainly endeavouring to get within shot of the swarms
of Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, &c. at Masharalhaddar in a clumsy
Moorish boat, built of bundles of reeds and propelled from
behind by a nude Moor up to his shoulders in the lake^ I
found myself accompanied or, rather, preceded for some dis-
tance by a flock of about a dozen Little Gulls. I took very
little notice of them at first, thinking they were L. ridi-
bundus ; but my attention was soon excited by their small
size and airy flight, and I watched them carefully, not daring,
unfortunately, to shoot one, for fear of spoiling my chance
at the Ducks. They passed sometimes within a few yards of
the boat.

113. Procellaria leucorrhoa.

Olcese has a specimen of the Fork-tailed Petrel, recently
picked up dead on the beach near Tangier.

114. PUFFINUS ANGLORUM.

I noticed a great many Shearwaters, as usual, in the Straits
on the voyages to and from Tangier, but could not identify
any to my satisfaction. There seemed, however, to be no
doubt about this species, and a larger one was certainly

Bi7'ds of European Russia north of the Caucasus. 255

P. kuhlii, while (as noticed by Col. Irby) there appeared to
be another, though what it may be I am unable to suggest.

115. PODICEPS CRISTATUS.

Common at Masharalhaddar at the end of December.

116. PODICEPS NIGRICOLLIS.

A pair seen in company with P, cristatus at Masharal-
haddar.

117. TaCHYBAPTES FLUVIATILIS.

Common at Masharalhaddar and on the river which falls
into this lake, as well as in all other suitable localities,

118. Alca torda.

Abundant in Gibraltar Bay and in the Straits.

XXII. — 071 the Geographical Distribution of Birds in
European Russia north of tlie Caucasus. — Part II. Rapaces
Nocturnse^. By M. Menzbier.

Strix flammea.

Like the Common Buzzard and Red Kite, the Barn-Owl
is distributed only throughout the western and south-western
parts of Russia.

It is resident in Courland and is not uncommon in Poland,
but we do not know any thing of its breeding in the Upper
valley of the Dnieper. According to the testimony of many
of our ornithologists the Barn-Owl is a rare resident in the
Governments of Kharkov and Kiev, more commonly distributed
in the Government of Podolia, and numerous enough in Bessa-
rabia. East of the last-mentioned locality it only occasionally
occurs in the steppes of New Russia, probably as far east as
the Lower Dnieper. In Central Russia this species is a very
rare resident, except in the Government of Orel, whence it
strays into the southern part of the Government of Tula.

Syrnium lapponicum.

The Lapp Owl breeds regularly in the extreme north of

* Continued from ' Ibis,' 1884, p. 31-5.

256 M. Menzbier on the Birds of European

the large expanse of the forest country or the " Taiga," but
only accidentally further south.

It is resident in Lapland and Finland as far south as lat.
Q7°, but in the southern portions of that countiy it is said
to be found only during the winter. It has been frequently
obtained in the Government of St. Petersburg, and it is a
resident in the large forests near Lake Peypus (lat, 59°) . It is
found and perhaps breeds in the eastern parts of the Govern-
ment of Pskov, and, according to Mr. Dzieduszycky, breeds in
the district of Dzisniensk, in the Government of Vilna flat.
55^°). In the Government of Minsk and in other parts of
Lithuania it is said to breed by Mr, Tyzenhaus, who informs
us that it has several times been observed in the Governments
of Grodno and Lublin ; consequently we must study the
breeding-range of the bird in North-western and Western
Russia more carefully, this country being very interesting
from a zoo-geographical point of view. During the winters
of 1866 and 1881 the Lapp Owl was found near Moscow,
and in one instance it was obtained at the same season in
the Government of Orel,

East of Finland it is not rare near Archangel, and it is
found near Ustug and in the Government of Vologda, but
nothing is known of its breeding-range in the country be-
tween the Dvina river and the Ural. In the last-mentioned
locality the bird was obtained about 30 versts from Polevsky
Lavod, and, according to Mr, Pleske, during the winter of
1872 was obtained in Tevkelevsky Khutar, only 13 versts
from Orenburg. It is very possible that it breeds in the
Ural Mountains more to the south than we know of at
present.

Syrnium uralense.

The Ural Owl is common and resident in all the forests of
Northern Russia ; it is also a local breeding bird in Central
Russia, and in some instances has been found as far south as
lat, 54°-53°,

It is more or less common and resident in all parts of
Finland and Lapland, from the Gulf of Finland in the south

Russia north of the Caucasus. 257

to the limit of forest-growth in the north. More to the east
the Ural Owl is not uucommon near Archangel, Pinega, and
in the large forests of the Governments of Vologda, Wjatka,
and Perm ; but we do not know its northern breeding-limit
in the country near the Petchora. According to Mr. Bog-
danow, this bird breeds regularly throughout the country
of the Middle Volga, from the mouth of the Kama river
to the Samarskaja Luka; but more to the west, in Central
Russia, the Ural Owl does not go so far south, and has been
found in this direction only in the Governments of Kostroma
and Moscow. In Western Russia it is not rare in the Govern-
ments of Novgorod and Pskov, and breeds throughout the
forests of the Baltic Provinces ; but on the testimony of
Mr. Taezauowsky it is very rare in Poland. According to
Mr. Eichwald the Ural Owl is resident in the Government of
Minsk, and according to Mr. Tyzenhaus it breeds through-
out Lithuania.

During the winter this bird has been occasionally seen in
the woods of the Obschy-Syrt as well as in the Governments
of Jaroslav and Moscow,

UlULA ALUCO.

The Tawny Owl is distributed throughout the woods of
Central and Southern Russia as far north as lat. 60°-61°,
and as far east as the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains.

In Finland this bird is extremely rare, being found only
on the north-western coast of the Gulf of Finland. In some
parts of the Government of St. Petersburg it is not uncommon.
In the Government of Novgorod the Tawny Owl has hitherto
been observed only in the southern portion of the country.
More to the east, in the Governments of Jaroslav and Kos-
troma, as well as in most parts of the Governments of Wjatka
and Perm, this bird is one of the commonest Owls ; but on
the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains, which are about
its eastern breeding-limit, it is very rare. On the wooded
spurs of the Ural, in the forests near the Volga, in Central
and Southern Russia, in Lithuania, in Poland, and in the
Baltic Provinces this species is very common, but it is only
found occasionally in the steppes of New Russia.

SER. v. VOL. III. T

258 M. Menzbicr on the Birds of European

According to Mr. Shatilov, the Tawny Owl breeds in the
mountains of the Crimea.

AsiO OTUS.

The Long-eared Owl is distributed throughout almost the
whole of Russia with the exception of the more northern
part of the country.

In Finland it breeds as far north as lat. 63°, but is common
only near the Gulf of Finland^ on the Oeland Islands, and near
Lake Ladoga. In the Government of Archangel the Long-
eared Owl is very rare, though it has been several times obtained
there, especially near Archangel. More to the east, in the
country between the Dvina and the Kama, its northern
breeding-limit is more south, and in the Ural Mountains this
Owl has been found only as far north as lat. 58^-59°. It is
very common throughout the whole of Central Russia, not
uncommon in the woods of Southern Russia, and is found
also on the northern slopes of the Caucasus.

In the Crimea this bird is met with only during the winter.

AsiO ACCIPITRINUS.

The Short-eared Owl is distributed throughout Russia,
from the extreme north to the southern limit of the country,
where it breeds in the Crimea, as well as in the steppes of the
Government of Stauropol, and in the valleys of the Terek
and the Kuban.

In Central and Southern Russia a few may be seen in
winter.

Nyctale tengmalmi.

Tengmalm's Owl is a very typical member of the avifauna
of Northern Russia, and breeds throughout the forest-country
as far south as the southern limit of the pine-forests {Pinus
sylvestris).

It is common and resident almost throughout Finland, as
well as near Lakes Ladoga and Onega, and in Karelia ; but
in Northern Finland and in Lapland it is rare, though found
nearly as far north as the limit of forest-growth. In the
country about the Dvina it is common as far as Archangel ;
but more to the east, in the Governments of Vologda, Wjatka,

Russia north of the Caucasus. 259

and Perm^ its northern breeding-limit trends from N.N.W.
to S.S.E. and in the Ural Mountains, according to Mr.
Sabanaev, tins Owl is found only as far north as lat. 59°.
Its southern breeding-limit is still insufficiently known; but
according to Eversmann it still nests in the woods of the
northern part of the Governments of Orenburg and Saratov.
We know^ nothing as to the distribution of this bird in the
Governments of Penza and Tambov, but it is common in the
Government of Riazan ; not uncommon in the northern jmrt
of the Government of Tula ; and is found throughout all the
forest-country from the Gulf of Finland in the north to the
country about the Pripet river in the south, as well as in
Poland. Russow states that it rarely breeds in the Baltic
Provinces.

During the winter this Owl strays as far south as Guriev,
and is not uncommon in the woods of Southern Russia.

Messrs. Carte, Blakiston, and Shatilov include Tengmalm's
Owl in their respective lists of the birds of the Crimea. But
neither Carte nor Blakiston obtained skins for identification,
and all the specimens of the supposed Nyctale tengmaJmi
in Shatilov's collection are merely darkly coloured examples
of Athene noctua.

Athene noctua.

The Little Owl is very common in Southern and in some
parts of Central Russia, but in the northern parts of Central
Russia it is very rare.

We do not know its northern breeding-limit in the Baltic
Provinces, but it probably breeds in the south-western part
of Courland, as it is found in the Government of Grodno
and is common in Poland. Its distribution in the valley of
the Upper Dnieper is still unknow^n ; but in Central Russia it
breeds in the southern part of the Government of Tula, as
well as in the Government of Riazan, and is occasionally
found near Moscow. More to the east it inhabits the Govern-
ments of Penza, Simbirsk, and Orenburg ; but we do not know
the eastern and southern breeding-limit of this species be-
tween the Lower Volga and the Ural Mountains, and it is

T 2

2(30 M. Meiiz])icr on the Birds of European

very possible that near tlie Caspian Sea Athene noctua may
be replaced by Athene orientalis.

In Southern Russia, from the Volga to the northern slopes
of the Caucasus and Bessarabia, the Little Owl is very com-
mon and partially resident.

In the Crimea Athene noctua is very common, but the
specimens procured in that country differ froiu those of
Central Russia in being more greyish brown, like Athene
meridionalis.

Glaucidium passerinum.

The Pygmy Owl is distributed throughout the northern
forests of Russia. Generally it is resident, but the birds
of the extreme north winter in Central Russia.

In Finland it is found as far north as lat. 68^°, but it is
rare near the northern limit of its breeding-range; and though
it occasionally occurs near Archangel, it is not found in the
valley of the Petchora. In the Ural Mountains it occurs
only as far north as Ekaterinburg. Further south it breeds in
the forests of the northern part of the Government of Oren-
burg, in the Government of Kazan, and generally in the
country of the Middle Volga as far south as the Govern-
ment of Simbirsk. It is common in the Government of
Vologda and in Finland, but rarer in the Governments of
St. Petersburg, Tver, Jaroslav, Moscow, in the Baltic Pro-
vinces, in Poland, and in Lithuania. In the central portions
of Russia the Pygmy Owl is said to be resident in the Govern-
ment of Riazan ; but in the Governments of Tula and Orel it
is found only during the winter migration.

SURNIA ULULA.

Like Nyctale tengmalmi and Glaucidium passerinum, the
Hawk-Owl is an inhabitant of the northern forest-country
or " Taiga ^^; but it ranges further north than either of these
birds, as far as the limit of forest-growth.

In the Kola Peninsula this bird is found up to lat. 67°-68°,
and in the country between the White Sea and the Ural
Mountains as far north as lat. 66-67°. Throughout the
forests of Northern Russia, from the Gulf of Bothnia in the

Ratisia north of the Ciuicasas. J2Gl

west to the Ural Moimtaius in the east, the Hawk-Owl is a
commou resident j but its southern breeding-range being still
insufficiently known, I can ouly enumerate some of its
breeding-localities in Central Russia. According to Evers-
man the Hawk-Owl is not rare in the southern forests of the
Ural Mountains, in the woods of the northern part of the
Government of Orenburg, and throughout all the Government
of Kazan. It probably breeds in the northern part of the
Government of Riazan, and undoubtedly in the Government
of Moscow, in the northern part of the Government of Tula,
and in the Government of Smolensk. In the wooded country
between the Gulf of Finland and the Upper Dnieper this
Owl is not uncommon ; but Russow states that it only
occasionally breeds in the Baltic Provinces. Mr. Tyzenhaus
informs us that this bird is resident and not uncommon in
Lithuania, and Taczanowsky says that it occurs in Poland
during the winter.

In winter the Hawk-Owl strays as fai' south as lat. 49°-48°.

Nyctea scandiaca.

The Snowy Owl is a bird of the tundra and of the large
marshes dispersed through the northern forests. More to
the south it breeds only irregularly and very rarely.

It is common and partially resident on the islands of
Novaja Zemlja, on Waigatz, and throughout the Kola Penin-
sula, from the Varanger fiord in the north as far south as
lat. 67°. In the country near the White Sea it breeds near
the town of Onega, near Archangel, on the Kaninskaja tundra,
in the neighbourhood of Pinega and Mezen. In the valley
of the Lower Petchora this species was found as far south
as Ust-Zylma, and the Ural Expedition observed it between
lat. 68" and lat. 70°. Mr. Sabanaev informs us that this
bird breeds in the Ural Mountains as far south as lat. 56° ;
but this information is very doubtful, as well as his state-
ments respecting the breeding of the Snowy Owl in some
districts of the Governments of Jaroslav, Moscow, and Orel
{fide Mr. Evreinov). Neither Mr. Lorenz nor I obtained
this species in the last-mentioned localities during the

262 M. Menzljier on the Birds of European

breediug-season, though it is common enough there during
the winter. In exceptional cases the Snowy Owl breeds in
the Government of St. Petersburg and in Livonia.

During the winter the Snowy Owl is distributed through-
out the whole of Russia, as far south as the shores of the
Caspian Sea and Taganrog on the Sea of Azov.

Bubo maximus.

The Great Horned Owl is distributed throughout Russia
with the excej)tion of the tundra, but it is nowhere very
common in our country. Tlie specimens of this bird pro-
cured east of the Volga differ from those of Central and
Western Russia in being paler and whiter, like the Siberian
Great Horned Owl ; but the veritable Bubo maximus var.
sibh'ica occurs only east of the Ural Mountains. In Bash-
kiria the pale variety of- the Great Horned Owl meets with
the pale variety of the Central-Asiatic Bubo turcomanus.
The south-eastern limit of the distribution of B. maximus in
the country between the Upper Ural river and the mouth
of the Volga is still unknown.

Bubo turcomanus.

Some ornithologists confound Bubo turcomanus, Eversm.,
with Bubo sibiricus, Licht., and on this ground connect the
former with Bubo maximus. This confusion has arisen
from the fact that the pale variety of Bubo turcomanus,
which is probably only a climatic variety of the Central-
Asiatic bird, bears a superficial resemblance to the Siberian
form of Bubo maximus ; but the dimensions and the character
of the coloration of the two birds are very different. Both in
their pale varieties and in the typical forms, B. turcomanus
is not so large as B. maximus, and has not the large longi-
tudinal black streaks on the lower breast and abdomen.
Typical specimens of B. turcomavus being very similar to B.
ascalaphus, it seems to me that this bird is an intermediate
form between B. maximus and B. ascalaphus.

The geographical distribution of the Turcoman Great
Horned Owl is as follows — the south-western part of Siberia
as far north as lat. b^F (Upper Uralsk), where this bird

Russia norllt uf the Caucasus. 263

meets with the Siberian Great Horued Owl, Ust-Urt, Russian
and Eastern Turkestan, and the Pamir. Skins of jB. turcomanus
obtained near Irkutsk and Kultuk were received by us from
the late Mr. Shvedov. It is probably the same species of
Great Horned Owl which inhabits Tibet and the highlands
of Persia.

The north-western limit of the breeding-range of Bubo
turcomanus , between the Lower Volga and Upper Ural, is
still unknown. Probably the ranges of the two species
overlap in that country.

Scops giu.

The Scops Owl is commonly distributed in South-eastern
Russia ; it is rare in the southern and south-western portions
and is very local in the central governments.

It breeds commonly in the forests of the Southern Ural,
and in the outlying spurs between the Sakmara and Tandyk
rivers ; it is not uncommon in the forests near the Ural
river and the Lower Volga, but is very rare near Astrakhan,
where it is said to be a resident.

We do not know any thing of its distribution in the
Governments of Ekaterinoslav and Kherson, nor of its breed
ing-range in the Governments of Kursk, Chernigov, and
Smolensk ; but it is a very common resident in the
Crimea, and it breeds in Bessarabia, the Government of
Kiev, the Government of Orel, the southern portion of
the Government of Tula, and probably in the district
of Laraisk in the Government of Riazan. According to
Mr. Taczanowsky it is a rare resident in Poland and Li-
thuania.

During migration this bird is very common near Guriev
(at the mouth of the Ural river).

XXIII. — Notes on the Breeding-habits of certain Sea-Birds
frequenting Norfolk Island and the adjoining Islets. By
W. M. Crowfoot, M.D.

For the following notes I am indebted to ray friend Mr= P.

264 Dr. W. M. Crowfoot on the Breeding -habits

Metcalfe, Resident Medical Officer at Norfolk Island. The
skins of the Terns which accompanied the eggs were kindly
identified for me by Mr. Saunders, the Petrels by Mr. Salvin,
and the other birds by Mr, Sharpe.

Anous stolidus (Linn.). Noddy Tern.

This bird breeds on Philip and Nepean Islands and the
adjacent rocks. Philip Island is a small uninhabited rocky
island lying about four and a half miles S.S.E. of Norfolk
Island, Nepean Island, also lying to the S.S.E. of Norfolk
Island, and half a mile distant from it, is a flat barren rock
covered with sand. The Noddies begin to lay about a month
after the Sooty Terns, i. e. in October, though a few eggs
may be found earlier. The eggs are not laid in large colonies,
but here and there, in convenient spots, all over the island.
The Noddy always makes some kind of nest ; I have seen it
made of dry grass, bits of sea-weed, dry sticks or twigs, and
fish-bones. As a rule, there is nothing but a basement made.
The material is merely laid in a heap, as it were, in a shallow
hollow, and the egg, only one, is laid thereon. In one in-
stance I found a considerable attempt at building a nest on
the top of a dead tree-stump, about 3 feet from the ground ;
it consisted of a mass of grass, twigs, and sea- weed, but
there was no interweaving of the materials, and it resembled
the base of a common English Blackbird's nest after the
nest itself has been taken and the foundation left. The
bird was sitting when I saw it. Noddies' eggs vary very
little in appearance and size : the yolk is bright yellow.
The breeding-time lasts from the beginning of October till
January. The eggs may occasionally be obtained till the end
of that month, but the greatest number are laid in October
and November, The nests may be placed on sand, rock,
tree-stumps, or grass; but sandy spots are the ones most
frequently selected. I have never seen more than one egg
in a nest.

Angus melanogenys, G. K. Gr.

The smaller Noddy Tern is called by the Norfolk-Islanders
[lie '' Titissack," from the noise it makes. This bird breeds

of Sea-Birds frequenting Norfolk Island ^c. 265

ou Norfolk and Philip Islands^ but not on Nepean Island^ as
there are no trees there. It makes a beautiful slightly cupped
little nest of fresh sea-weed^ which it firmly cements to the
bough of a tree. The nests are placed all along the boughs,
sometimes six or more on the same bough a short distance
apart, and in the forks as well. One e^^ only is laid in each
nest. The birds are very tame, and may be taken oif their
nests, though they strike hard with their bills at intruders.
The larger Noddy and the Sooty Terns, on the other hand,
will not allow themselves to be taken off their eggs, nor can
they be caught, though they come so near as to be readily
knocked over with a stick or stone. The eggs of A. mela-
nogenys vary but little; they measure 1*75 inch by 1*25,
and much resemble Noddies* eggs in colour and markings.
The tree on which I have always seen the nests of this
bird placed is the white oak [Lagunaria patersoni). I have
seen them on small trees growing on the coast, a few feet
above the sea, and fully exposed to the wind ; but the site
usually chosen is a sheltered valley about half a mile from
the sea.

Anous cinereus, Gould.

These Grey Terns, called by the Norfolk-Islanders the
"Little Blue PetreV are fairly numerous during the breeding-
season. They lay their eggs on Philip and Nepean Islands
and the neighbouring rocks. The eggs are usually placed on
inaccessible ledges, but often on the sand, sometimes not
many feet above the sea, but usually at from 80 to 2000 feet.
They make no attempt at a nest, and lay only one egg, which
is the most easily broken of all the sea-birds^ eggs found on
these islands. The eggs much resemble those of the other
species of Noddy, but the ground-colour is rather darker, and
the spots are numerous, small, and more generally distributed
over the whole surface than in the eggs of the other species.
They measure on an average 1*6 inch in length by 1'12 in
breadth, and vary but little either in size or in markings.
These birds do not, as a rule, lay in colonies, but here and
there, like the larger Noddy, though sometimes one comes.

2Gii Dr. W. M. Crowl'oot on Ike Breediuy-hubits

across a number close together on the sand. The nestlings
are almost of the same colour as the parent birds. These
Terns are not tame, and cannot be taken off the nests like
A. melanogenys. I have taken the eggs as early as the 26th
of September, but I think they begin to lay sooner, and I
found an egg incubated on Philip Island on June 15th, so
that the breeding-period extends from September to January
for certain. The birds frequent these islauds all the year
round.

Sterna fuliginosa, Gm.

The Sooty Tern, or "Whale-bird ^^ of the islanders, is the
commonest sea-bird here. It commences to lay in September,
and breeds in colonies, generally on the sand. The eggs are
sometimes laid so close to each other that one can hardly
walk between them ; they are also laid on ledges of rock,
but generally near the water. On Philip Island there is a
bit of sandy beach which is always covered with these birds.
Occasionally one sees an attempt at a nest, such as a few
twigs or dry grass in a little heap under the egg ; but gene-
rally they are placed on the bare sand. One e^^ only is
laid. These eggs vary greatly, both in size and colour. On
an average they measure 2*1 inches by 1"4, but two speci-
mens, which were distinctly double-yolked, measured 2*5
inches by 1'55. A few specimens out of a series of nearly
one hundred are white, with a faint tinge of green, and with-
out any spots or markings of any kind ; but most of them
are richly marked with reddish-brown spots and blotches.
The yolk is of a deep red colour, and this character will
always serve to distinguish these eggs, when fresh, from those
of the Noddy Tern, of which the yolk is bright yellow,

GyGIS CANDIDA (Gm.).

The " Little White Sea-bird " of the Norfolk-Islanders is a
very interesting bird. It is said in some places to breed
in colonies, but it certainly does not do so here. It lays its
egg on trees, and here and there one finds two or three trees
occupied in the same valley. I have seen eleven trees used
in one locality ; but I never saw two eggs on one tree, though

of Sea-Birds frequenting Norfolk hland ^c. 267

I have seen them on adjoining trees. The egg is laid on the
bare branch, sometimes in a slight depression or against a
piece of roughened bark ; once I have seen it in a fork.
Generally it lays its egg on an outstanding branch, and
balances it in a truly wonderful manner. There is not a
trace of a nest, and often not even of a depression. One egg
only is laid. I have seen it placed on a branch about 20
feet from the ground, and also at a height of 60 feet or more ;
30 to 40 feet is, perhaps, the average height at which it lays.
It always chooses a sheltered situation, generally in a valley,
and at a variable distance from the sea, from 300 to 800
yards in the cases I have seen. Year after year this bird lays
on the same tree, on the same branch, aye, and on the same
spot on the branch. There is one tree where I have seen
the old bird sitting once last year and twice this year, for I
got both eggs. The first I took on the 27th of December,
1883. It was incubated. The second was all but quite fresh
on the 25th of January, 1884. In four other trees I have
also found eggs on the same spots as I found eggs or young
birds last year. These Terns are very tame, and in one case
we lifted up the bird to take the egg. It is interesting to
watch the careful way in which the old bird gets off her egg
when goiug to fly. The young birds are very comical-looking
little objects. I have found the eggs on three different kind
of trees, viz. the white oak [Lagunaria pater soni) , the iron-
wood {^Notelcea longifolia), and the blood-wood [Baloghia
lucida). How do the eggs and young birds keep on in windy
weather ? In November 1882 I was looking for a specimen
to send to you, and seeing one on a tree, I shot it. I was
sorry to see, when it fell, that a young one was under it.
However, this year I found another bird sitting on an egg
in the same spot. I took the eg^, and four weeks afterwards
I went back and again the bird was sitting on another e^^,
which I also took. I am told that this bird nests exten-
sively on banyan-trees in Pitcairn^s Island. The eggs vary
in length from 1*62 inch to 1*87, and from 1*17 inch to 1*40
in breadth. They are oval in shape, and generally large at
both ends. The ground-colour varies from creamy white to

268 Dr. W. M. Crovvl'oot on the Bvetdhuj-ltah'ils

buff. They have underlying markings of a grey colour^ and
are streaked and blotched with light and dark brown. They
somewhat resemble in colour some varieties of the eggs of
the Stone-Curlew.

Phaeton rubricauda (Bodd.) . The Tropic-bird.

This bird breeds on Norfolk Island, Nepean Island, and
Philip Island, but the last-mentioned island is its principal
resort, and here it may be counted by hundreds. It lays its
single egg on ledges of rock^ in cracks of the cliffs, under
overhanging boulders, and in such-like situations. The bird
defends its egg with its strong beak, and may be easily caught
on the nest. On Norfolk Island the eggs are difficult to get,
but on Philip Island they may be readily obtained. The
young Tropic-bird is a curious-looking object, being com-
pletely covered with thick snow-white down. The eggs vary
in length from 2*65 inches to 2*85, and in breadth from 1*75
inches to 2*16. They have a reddish-brown ground-colour,
and are covered all over with fine dark reddish and violet-
brown markings. Some have the colouring-matter appa-
rently partially washed off.

PUFFINUS SPHENURUS, Gould.

This Petrel, called by the Norfolk-Islanders ''Mutton-
bird" or "Ghost-bird," from its child-like cry at night, lays
its egg on Norfolk, Philip, and Nepean Islands. Its breeding-
period extends over a considerable time. I have seen young
birds nearly fledged on the 27tli of October, and have obtained
fresh eggs on the 15tli of January. This bird digs out a
hole in the soft soil on the faces of the cliffs, also in the sand
on flat ground. Some of the burrows are six feet and more
in length. The bird also lays extensively on Philip Island in
shallow recesses under overhanging boulders and in colonies,
I. e. many may be found close together. On Norfolk Island
its holes are always isolated and the burrows deep. One egg
only is laid. Both bird and egg have a very strong peculiar
smell, and I can usually tell a fresh hole from an old one by
the smell of the entrance. There is no nest. The eggs,
which arc pure white, vary from 2'5 inches to 2*75 in length.

of Sea-Birds freqimiimg Norfolk Island &;c. 2G9

and from 1-5 inch to I 75 in breadth. Some are equally
rounded at both ends ; others are much pointed at one
end.

PUFFINUS ASSIMILIS^ Gould.

Of this bird, the Norfolk-Island name of which is " Lao/^ I
know but little. The eggs are white and like those of the
Mutton-bird, but smaller. The egg is laid in a recess or
shallow hole under an overhanging rock, but always, I believe,
on sand. There is no nest, and one egg only is laid. I have
seen only three birds of this species, and found one egg
myself in a solitary recess on sand under an overhanging
rock. The bird was very shy. I believe this species to be
scarce here. It breeds on Philip and Nepean Islands and
on outstanding rocks. The single egg which I found
measures 2*1 inches in length by 1'3 in breadth; it is long
and narrow, and more or less pointed at both ends.

SULA PERSONATA, Gould.

This Gannet breeds on Nepean and Philip Islands, but not
on Norfolk Island. It makes no nest, except that it some-
times places a few dry grass-stalks or rushes under its eggs.
As a rule the eggs are laid on the ground, and are usually
two in number. This is the only sea-bird breeding on these
islands that lays more than one egg.

The Gannet commences laying certainly in the earlier part
of October, as I have seen a young bird upwards of a week
old on the 27tli of that month. I have also obtained a fresh
egg in the first week of January. The young Gaanet is,
when fledged, much darker in colour on the wings and back
than the parent. The old birds are very tame, and have to
be driven off their eggs, but they peck sharply at intruders
with their formidable beaks. The eggs vary from 2'5 inches
to 2'75 in length, and from 1*75 to 1-9 in breadth. They
have a greenish-white ground-colour and chalky-white coat-
ing, like those of the Common Gannet, Some specimens are
much stained with brown colouring-matter, probably derived
from the nest-materials or the soil on Avhich they are laid.

Other Norfolk-Island birds sent by Mr. Metcalfe, and

270 On the Cormorantu of Japan and China.

identified for me by Mr. Sharpe are : — Petra'ca multicolor
(Gra.) ; Eudynamys taitensis{S[^&Yrm.); Ninox macidata (Vig.);
Aplonisfuscus, Gould; jEgialitis hicincta, Jerd. ; Porphyrio
melanotus, Temm. ; Rhipidura pelzelni, Gm. ; Zosterops
teniiirostr is, GouXd; Gerygone modesta, Pelz. ; Symmorphus
leucopygius, Govi\d; and Pachycephala £eanthoprocta, Gould.
I hope in time to have sufficient materials for a paper on
the land-birds of Norfolk Island.

XXIV. — On the Cormorants of Japan and China.
By Henry Seebohm.

The numerous collections of Japanese birds recently sent
to this country have enabled me to amass a series large
enouo-h to clear up some of the difficulties which have hitherto
presented themselves in an attempt to unravel the tangle
into which the Cormorants of China and Japan have fallen.

Temminck and Schlegel, in the ' Fauna Japonica/ enu-
merate three : —

1. Carbo cormoranus.

2. ,, filamentosus vel capillatus.

3. „ bicristatus.

The second in this list bears the former name in the text,
and the latter on the plates ; but Schlegel, in his ' Museum
d'Histoire Naturelle des Pays-Bas/ gave up the species
(incorrectly, as I hope to show presently) , and treated botli
names as synonyms of the Common Cormorant.

Swinhoe accepted Schlegel's union of No. 1 and No. 2
under the name of Phalacrocorax carbo, and in 1871 called
No. 3 Graculus bicristatus, after having in 1867 described it
as new under the name of Phalacrocorax ceolus ; but in 1874
he identified this supposed new species as P. pelagicus.

The conclusions at which I have arrived are that there are
three Cormorants found in China and Japan.

Phalacrocorax carbo.

The Common Cormorant appears to breed in Japau and
North China and to winter in South China. It may at once

On some little-hioimi Species of Tanagers. 271

be recognized by its white gorget, and by the colour of the
scapulars and wing-coverts, which are bronzy brown margined
with black.

Phalacrocorax capillatus.

Of Temminck's Cormorant I have skins of five adults,
besides those of several immature birds. The dated adults
are — Amoy, Feb. ; Amoy, April ; Hakodadi, Feb. : so that we
may assume it to be a resident in both China and Japan.
It is an excellent species. Like the Common Cormorant it
has fourteen tail-feathers, but it is a slightly larger bird ; the
gorget is profusely streaked with greenish black, and the
scapulars and wing-coverts are bronzy green narrowly mar-
gined with black as in the Shag.

Phalacrocorax pelagicus.

The Violet-green Cormorant is really a Shag, having
only twelve tail-feathers. I have summer examjales from
Kamtschatka, Japan, and North China (Cheefoo), and winter
examples from South China (Amoy). None of the feathers
of the back, which are metallic green, or the scapulars, which
are metallic violet, have any black margin, and in all the
skins the frontal feathers extend to the base of the bill.

P. bicristatus (Pall.), which appears to be identical with
P. wile (Gmel.), has the forehead bare of feathers. There is
no evidence that it has ever occurred in China or Japan,
though it has been recorded from Kamtschatka.

XXV. — On some little-known Species of Tanagers.
By P. L. ScLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.

(Plate VI.)

Having been favoured by friends in other countries with the
loan of the typical specimens of some little-known species
of Tanagers, in aid of a fresh revision of the group upon
which I am now engaged, I wish to record a few observations
on these interesting specimens before I return them to their
respective owners.

272 Mr. P. L. Sclater on some

1. EUPHONIA PURPUREA.

Eu2ihonia purpurea, Lawrence, Ann. Lye. N. Y. vol. viii.
p. 466 (1867).

I cannot s(;parate tliis species, of which the type has been
kindly lent to me by its dcscriber, from E. violacea of
Cayenne. It agrees very well with skins of that species
from Cayenne in my collection.

It is possible that Mr. Lawrence may have compared it
with the Brazilian subspecies Eiiph. violacea lichtensteini.

2. Ph(ENICOTHRAUPIS peruvianus.

Phoenicothraupis peruvianus, Tacz. Orn. du Per. ii. p. 198.
M. Taczanowski has kindly sent me the typical specimen

of this species for comparison. It is an adult male, obtained
by M. Stolzmann at Monterico. It is rather more rosy below
than the type of P. rhodinolcema of Salvin and Godman (Biol.
Centr.-Am. Aves, i. p. 300), obtained at Sarayacu, Ecuador,
by Buckley ; but I do not think these two species can be fairly
separated, and the last-mentioned name has a slight priority
in point of date.

3. Lanio lawrencii, sp.nov. (Plate VI. fig. 2.)
Tachyphonus atricapillus, Lawr. Proc. Acad. Sc. Phil, 1868,

p. 360.

Above olive-green, with indications of black coming out
on the intcrscapulium ; wrings and tail brownish black, edged
with olive ; upper surface of head and nape black ; sides of
head greyish ; throat greyish white ; middle of abdomen
ferruginous orange ; sides passing into olive ; under wing-
coverts white; bill blackish, pale at the base below; feet'
clear brown. Whole length 4"8, wing 2-4, tail 2*2 inches.

Hah. Trinidad [Alexander).

Obs. Mr. Lawrence having kindly sent me his unique
example of this species for examination, I have come to the
conclusion that it is a young male of a new species of Lanio,
allied to L. versicolor, and remarkable for its small size. As
in L. versicolor, there is scarcely more than an indication of
a commissural tooth. There l)eing already a Lanio airica-

Ibis ^188 5. PL VI,

Ha-Mharl; urnp.

LTACHYPHONUS NATTERERT ,</.
2LANI0 LAWRENClIy/-,

^«._"

^ CENTRAL PARK, ^
H'lV/ YORK,

little-known Species of Tcmagers. 273

pillus, I propose to change the name of this species to Lanio
lawrencii.

4. Tachyphonus napensis.

Tachyphonus napensis, Lawrence, Ann. Lye. N. Y. viii.
p. 42.

I have carefully compared Mr. Lawrence's type of this
species (which is apparently an Indian skin from the Rio
Napo) with the series of T. surinamus in my collection and
that of Messrs. Salvin and Godman. As Mr. Salvin and I
have already pointed out (P. Z. S. 1867, p. 571), the Upper
Amazonian form of this bird is slightly different from the
typical form of Cayenne, but I can only regard it as a sub-
species, which may be called Tachyphotms surinmnus napensis.

5. Tachyphonus nattereri. (Plate VL fig. 1.)
Tanagra cristatella, Natt. MS.
Tachyphonus nattereri, Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 214.

Niger ; crista pilei medii exsurgente aurantiaca ; dorso postico
fulvescente ; alarum tectricibus superioribus minoribus
et subalaribus necnon remigibus ad basin albis. Long,
tota 5"4, alae 2"7, caudse 2"4. Fern. Rufescens; subtiis
et in remigum marginibus dilutior.
Hab. Villa Maria, Mato Grosso {Natt.) .
Obs. Sim. T. delattrii, sed alarum tectricibus albis et uro-
pygio fulvescente diversus.

This is an excellent species, approaching T. delattrii in
form, but easily distinguishable, as above mentioned. I am
greatly indebted to Herr v. Pelzeln for sending me the typical
specimens from Vienna for examination.

6. Nesospingus speculiferus.

Chlorospingus speculiferus , Lawr. Ibis, 1875, p. 383, pi. ix.
fig. 1 ; Gundl. J. f. O. 1878, p. 168, 1882, p. 161 (nest), et
An. Soc. Esp. H. N. 1878, p. 190.

Above nearly uniform dark earthy brown; head rather
darker, and with indications of longitudinal striations on the
cap; a small white speculum on the fourth and fifth and
sixth primaries ; under surface white, slightly varied with

SER. V. VOL. III. u

274

On some little-knonm Species of Tanagers.

grey; bill — upper mandible brown, lower white; feet brown.
Whole length G"5, wing 34, tail 2*5 inches.

Hab. Porto Rico.

This peculiar Antillean form can, I think, hardly be re-
ferred to Chlorospingus ; it has a much stouter and thicker

Structure of Nesaqmu/iis spcculiferns.

bill and large Fringilline feet. I am not sure that its correct
position is not with the Ground-Finches (Pipilo &c.), but for
the present I propose to leave it among the Tanagers under
a separate generic name. I am much indebted to the autho-
rities of the Smithsonian Institution for an opportunity of
examining the typical specimen of this rare bird.

7. Chlorosfingus flavo-virens.

Buarremon flavo-virens, Lawrence, Ann. Lye. N. Y. viii.
p. 467.

On the Birds of Paisandu, Uruguay. 275

This bird seems to me to be a species of Chlorospingus.
Mr. Lawrence has kindly lent me his unique specimen. The
skin is apparently of the ordinary " Quito " make.

C. flavo-virens is remarkable for its uniform olive plumage,
which is strongly fringed with yellow below. Its beak is
rather short and strong, so that it goes best among the typical
Clilorospingi, next to C. phcsocephalMS. In coloration there
is no species which much resembles it.

8. BUARREMON SORDIDUS.

Buarremon sordidus, Lawrence, Ann. Lye. N. Y. x, p. 138
(1874).

The typical specimen of this species, which Mr. Lawrence
has kindly lent to me, is, I am quite convinced, only B. pal-
lidinuchus in immature plumage.

9. Pyrgisoma albiceps.

Buarremoti albiceps, Tacz. Orn. d. Per. ii. p. 533.

This is, I think, after examining the typical specimen
kindly lent to me by the Warsaw Museum, not a Buarremoti,
but a species of Ground-Finch of the genus Pyrgisoma, as
shown by its large feet and short wings. I may add that
after again examining specimens of the Pipilo mystacalis of
Taczanowski (P. Z. S. 1874, p. 521), a bird which I subse-
quently described as Buarremon nationi (P. Z. S. 1881, p. 485),
I have come to the conclusion that M. Taczanowski was more
nearly right than I was as to the proper classification of this
bird, and that it is, in fact, a Ground-Finch, and not a
Tanager. But I should be inclined to place it rather in
Pyrgisoma, near to P. rubricatum and its allies, instead of
Pipilo.

XXVI. — Notes on the Birds of Paisandu, Republic of Uruguay.
By Ernest Gibson, F.Z.S. (Communicated by J. J.
Dalgleish*.)

The district of Paisandu is very much broken by irregular
hill and dale, the former of very little height, and of such a

* [These notes are the results of observations made by Mr. Gibson

u2

276 Mr. E. Gibson on the Birds

gradually sloping ascent as not to cliccl< a horse's gallop. In
most of the vallcj^s arc streams or rivulets^ as a rule of little
importance. The soil is exceptionally fine, except where in-
terrupted by the approach of the stony '' tosca " formation to
the surface. Along the river Uruguay exists a strip of wood,
more or less broad^ consisting of " sauce " [Salix humbold-
liana?), '^nioya" {Moj/a spinosa't), "seybo" [Erythrina
cris(a-(/fi//i), " ta\ii" [CeUis tala), '' coronillo ^' {Scutia buxi-
folia), and " quebrachillo " [Qmbrachia, sp. ?), together
with a great number of shrubs. These trees also extend for
a certain distance up the valleys of the larger streams, tribu-
taries of the Uruguay. On the higher land they are replaced
by the stunted "algoroba^' [Prosopis julijlor'a'i) ," e%\)m.\\\o''
[Acacia, sp.), and — a very fe^v — "nandubay^' [Prosopis
nandubey), gradually thinning out as they retire from the
vicinity of the great river. The grasses are a mixture of
what is called " hard ^^ and " soft," interspersed Avith a con-
siderable variety of other plants. The wealth and beauty of
the wild flowers iu spring is something extraordinary ; the
ground is one blaze of colour, to an extent probably unknown
in any other country ; the three varieties of verbenas, scarlet,
mauve, and white, greatly predominate. In the woods are
also to be found very pretty ferns, creepers, cacti, and air-
plants. At this season also the "^ espinillo " and ^' quebra-
chillo " trees are a mass of golden feathery bloom, and literally
perfume the air. It is rather curious, though, in view of the
foregoing, that I only counted about twenty-five species of
butterflies, and was equally disappointed by the paucity in
both numbers and species of other insects, barring mosquitos
and tarantulas. Round the house in which I resided were
several paddocks, containing a few espinillo-trees and several
coverts of hard grass, the latter two or three feet high. In
these and their accompanying hedges of napinda [Acacia hona-

diiring a short stay made 1)y him in the above district during the mouths
of October, November, and December 1883. They accompanied a small
collection of skins and eggs, the former of which, so far as necessary,
have been kindly identified by Mr. Sclater. The notes I give in Mr.
Gibson's own words. — .T. J. D.]

of Paisandti, Uruguay. 277

riensis) I found the majority of the following species of
birds.

1. TuRDUs RUFivENTRis, Vieill.

Only seen in one locality, the woods in the valley of the
Cangiie river, a tributary of the Uruguay, about ten miles
below Paisandu.

2. MiMUs CALANDRtA (d^Orb. et Lafr.).
Very abundant.

3. Anthus correndera (Vieill.).

4. Progne chalybea (Gm.).

Very abundant, appearing first on 15th September, and
breeding about the middle of November.

5. Progne tapera (Linn.).
Appeared on 29th September.

6. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Vieill.).

Found a nest in a wall of outbuildings 18th November,
containing young and an addled egg.

7. Spermophila hypoxantha (Cab.).

One shot in pasture near head station lltli November.

8. DoNACospizA albifrons (Vieill.).

Is probably abundant, but difficult to distinguish from
other grass-covert frequenting species. A female was shot
off the nest in grass-pasture near head station 28tli October.
It had no note. The nest was placed in the top of a thick
clump of grass, and was built of dry grass and fine hair-like
roots, and lined with the latter. Number of eggs three.

9. PoospizA NiGRORUFA (d'Orb. et Lafr.).
Appeared ( (;J ) on 1st October.

10. DiUCA MINOR, Bp.

Not uncommon. I generally observed it in pairs, fre-
quenting the small scattered trees in the open, and each pair
very local in its habits. The note is very sweet, aud so ex-
ceedingly like that of Paroaria cucullata, that I was never
able to distinguish them during the M'hole of my stay.

278 Mr. E. Gibson on the Birds

11. ZoNOTRICHIA PILEATA (Bodd.) .

13. Embernagra platensis (Gm.).

Abundant and breeding. Unfortunately, the only nest I
found, in a grass-covert, contained young, so the eggs of this
species are still unknown to me.

13. Sycalis pelzelni, Scl.

14. Sycalis luteola (Sparrm.).
Abundant. Breeding generally.

15. MOLOTHRUS bonariensis (Gm.).

16. MoLOTHRUS BADius (Vieill.).

17. Xanthosomus flavus (Gm.).

Abundant, frequenting the open camp and grass-coverts.
I discovered a breeding-colony in the former, where a herd
of cattle of over 2000 head used to be rounded up every
alternate morning, and where a patch of thistles about 150
yards long by 30 yards broad had sprung up. Here some
ten or twelve pairs had taken up their abode. They did not
seem to be much put about by their proximity to the busy
scene, unless when some thick-skinned and perverse bull
made a dash through the belt of five-feet high thistles. I,
of course, in view of such an attraction — the birds, not the
bull — was very zealous in detecting incipient stampedes on
that side, and continually sneaking round the thistle-bed.
The nests were situated sometimes in the centre of the place,
sometimes at the edge, fairly well concealed by the leaves,
and about two feet from the ground. They were built of dry
grass and lined with a fine quality of the same and a few
horsehairs. Four was the general number of eggs, five being
the maximum and three the minimum, and most of the nests
contained eggs by the end of November. The birds were
very tame and the females sat close. This species has bred,
too, in a district I know well in the neighbourhood of Cape
San Antonio, Province of Buenos Ayres, to which its range
extends in the months of December and January with con-
siderable annual regularity.

of Paisandd,Uruyuuy. 279

18. PSEUDOLEISTES VIRESCEN8 (Vieilh).

Breeding in end of November. A typical nest was placed
in the thickest and highest part of the clump of thistles above
mentioned, about two feet from the ground. It was built of
dry grass, then a thick layer of mud, still moist, and was
sparsely lined with some fine grass or rootlets. It contained
five eggs.

19. LeISTES SUPERCILIARIS, Bp.

This species was abundant during all the time of my stay,
frequenting the open camp and grass-coverts. Latterly I
had strong suspicions of its breeding, but did not succeed in
getting a nest. The note is harsh and unmusical.

20. T^NIOPTERA DOMINICANA (Vicill.).

A not uncommon bird, and very conspicuous from its
plumage, generally to be seen in pairs ; but I found no

nests.

21. Alectorurus guiru-yetapa (Vieill.).

I was much struck by the appearance and habits of this
species and the contrast between the male and female. The
bare part of the throat in the former is of a reddish colour,
not pleasing to the eye. It was not uncommon, frequenting
localities where a few trees were associated with high grass,
thistles, and isolated plants of a similar height, preferring to
alight on the latter. The flight is singularly weak and
feeble, not necessarily low, but like the fluttering passage of
a butterfly through the air. The tail is not expanded, but
floats along behind in a semi-detached way. One nest which
I succeeded in obtaining was placed on the ground among
some weeds; it was neatly built of grass, lined with the
same and a few feathers, and contained three eggs. The
date was 21st October.

22. Machetornis rixosa (Vieill.).
Not uncommon.

23. Hadrura pecturalis (Vieill.).
Not rare.

280 Mr. E. Gibsou on the Birds

24. PiTANGUs BELLicosus (Vieill.).

25. Pyrocephalus rubineus (Bodd.).

Appeared on lOtli September and became very abundant.

26. Tyrannus melancholicuSj Vieill,

Not uncommon and paired^ probably breeding about 28th
October, when a male was shot in the garden.

27. MiLVULUs TYRANNUS (Linn.).

Very abundant. Appeared first on 20th September, and
was breeding generally by the end of November, One nest
which I took contained four eggs : the first occasion on which
I ever saw the usual number of three exceeded. It was
placed in a stunted " espinillo ^' tree, about six feet from the
ground, and was built of dry stems of plants and lined with
fine roots, some wool, and some horsehair. The date was
30th November.

28. Geositta cunicularia (Vieill.).

29. Furnarius rufus (Gm.).
Abundant.

30. Leptasthenura ^githaloides (Kittl.).

31. Synallaxis phryganophila, Vieill.

One shot 7th. October in " iiapinda " hedge near head
station. This was the only specimen I saw, though I fre-
quently looked for it afterwards. These hedges were such
horrid things that one had to look for the birds to appear at
the surface some distance oif or else push the muzzle of the
gun in among the branches and blow the specimen to pieces ;
and the birds generally showed a marked preference for the
latter course. On this occasion I was strolling along with
the setting sun in my eyes, when a small bird showed on the
outside at a fair range. It might have been a Wren or any
thing common, for all I could judge; but, arguing from the
general perversity of "napinda^' hedges and their denizens,
I selected to satisfy myself, and fired. Hence this exulta-
tion and dissertation.

of Paisandu, Uruguay. 281

33. Synallaxis sordida, Less.

Another single specimen was procured of this bird on
28th October, regarding which I can offer no further infor-
mation.

33. Anumbius acuticaudatus, Less.

Very abundant. Every stunted little tree had one or more
nests, new or old.

34. Phacellodomus ruber (Vieill.).

A rather common species, but very difficult to get hold of,
as it either keeps in the centre of the hedges when ap-
proached or in grass-coverts, hides itself and refuses to be
put up. On the whole it makes little use of its wings.
Perched on one spot it gives utterance to a single harsh
monotonous note, which it keeps reiterating for hours at a
time, and which can be heard at a considerable distance. A
dull brown bird with a dull brown voice would fully de-
scribe it ! It also feeds on small beetles, another fact I find
chronicled, as if desperately hard up for points of interest in
its life-history. However, its nest is worthy of description.
It is usually placed at the extremity of a branch in some small
tree or hedgerow, occasionally over a stream at about six
feet from the ground, and without any attempt at conceal-
ment ', it is built of small twigs, after the manner of Anum-
bius acuticaudatus, that is, with a passage leading into a
chamber, but in this case horizontally. The nesting-chamber
is lined with woven hairs, fine roots, and feathers. The eggs
number four, and the breeding-season seems to be the end of
October and November, nests having been taken from 21st
October to 1st December.

35. Thamnophilus argentinus. Cab.

I only observed one of this species during my stay, and
this I shot in a hedge near head station on 28th October.

36. Chlorostilbon aureiventris (d^Orb. et Lafr.).

I was disappointed on finding this to be the only species
of "Humming-bird to be met with in this district. One or
two old nests which I saw were attached to the thatch-eaves
of a deserted house.

282 On the Birds of Paisandii, Uruguay.

37. PODAGER NACUNDA (VicilL).

A clutch of two eggs obtained 14th October, There was
no nest. The female, which I shot, sat close and only flew
a few yards. The food in the crop was principally beetles.

38. Chrysoptilus cristatus (Vieill.).

39. BOLBORHYNCHUS MONACIIUS (Bodd.) .

Only once seen, when a flock of three or four passed over-
head in the direction of the river.

40. GuiRA PiRiRiGUA (Vicill.).
Abundant.

41. PhOLEOPTYNX CUNICULARIA (MoL).
Abundant.

43. MiLVAGo ciiiMANGo ( ViciU.) .
Abundant.

43. POLYBORUS THARUS (Mol.) .

Abundant.

44. Ardea egrktta (Gm.).
One or two seen about the river.

45. CicoNiA maguari (Gm.).
One or two observed.

46. CoLUMBA maculosa, Temm.

47. Zenaida maculata (Vieill.).

48. CoLUMBULA picui (Tcuim.).
Only one solitary specimen seen.

49. Vanellus cayennensis (Gm.).
Common.

50. Gallinago paraguai.'K (Vieill.).

I shot one of a pair at a small swamp on 1st October. It
has a cry which at once attracts one^s notice.

51. NoTiiuRA maculosa (Temm.).

Very abundant. On 21st October I saw one nest with ten
eggs. Others seeu the same day contained seven, six, and
five eggs. Tbey were generally situated in comparatively

On Birds of the Genus Homorus. 283

open ground^ but occasionally in the centre of a thick tuft
of grass.

52. Rhea amekicana^ Lath.

Not uncommon in a semidomesticated sort of way. One
nest which I saw contained about fifty eggs in two tiers ;
they looked like round china bowls. It is decidedly awkward
to approach a nest unless one's horse is a hundred years old,
and consequently accustomed to everything ; otherwise, when
the Ostrich suddenly rises and dashes at the intruder, its
outspread and drooping wings sweeping the ground, and its
beak rattling like a pair of castanets, the horse is sure to
bolt or buck, sometimes both.

Besides the foregoing, I certainly saw upwards of thirty
species which I am unable to name. Of course, had I had
more time at my disposal, and been oftener in the woods or
about the river, the number of species would have been much
greater.

XXVII. — Notes on the Birds of the Genus Homorus observed
in the Argentine Republic. By W. II. Hudson, C.M.Z.S.

1. Homorus lophotes, Reichb.*

This species interested me greatly, but, owing to its rarity
in the district where I observed it and to its recluse habits,
my knowledge of it is very scanty. In the province of
Buenos Ayres its presence is confined to the narrow strip of

* [This species is usually called Homonis unirufus (d'OrL. et Lafr.),
and is the bird so designated in our ' Nomeuclator/ p. 65 : it is also termed
Anahates unirufns by Burmeister (' La Plata-Reise,' ii. p. 466). It is,
however, as Graf v. Berlepsch has pointed out to me, not the Anumbius
(sive Anabates) unirufus of d'Orbigny's ' Voyage ' (Aves, p. 259, pi. 55.
fig. 1), which is much more like Homorus cristatus (Spix) ; but it may
probably be ^^ Anabates cristatus, Spix," of d'Orbigny's ' Voyage ' (p. 258),
although Spix's bird is certainly quite different. Under these circum-
stances the first specific name applicable to this species appears to be
'^lophotes''' of Eeichenbach (Handb. p. 182, tab. dxxv. fig. 3628).
Whether it is really the Anabates hphotes of the Leyden Museum (quoted
in Bp. Consp. i. p. 210) does not much matter, as that is only a MS,
name. — P. L. S.]

284 Mr. W. H. Hudson on Birds of the Genus

subtropical wood fringing the low shores of the river Plata,
and this shows that the bird comes to us from the north.
Possibly its true home is somewhere in the South-Brazilian
subregion.

When surprised its white eye, blue dagger-like beak, and
raised crest give it a strikingly bold angry appearance, the
effect of which is heightened by the harsh rasping scream it
utters when disturbed. This resentful look is decej)tive,
however, for the bird is the shyest creature imaginable. Its
language has the shrill excited character common to this
most loquacious family; and at intervals throughout the
day two birds, male and female, meet together and make
the woods echo with their screaming concert. For many
weeks after I had become familiar with these loud-sovmdiug
notes, while collecting in the littoral forest where it is found,
the bird was still to me only a " wandering voice ;" but I
did not give up the pursuit till 1 had seen it several times
and had also secured two or three specimens. I found one
nest, though without eggs, a rough-looking domed struc-
ture, made with material enough to fill a barrow. I also
discovered that the bird feeds exclusively on the ground,
close to the boles of low-branching trees, where there is
usually an accumulation of fallen bark, dead leaves, and
other rubbish. Here the bird digs with its sharp beak for
the small insects it preys on. When approached it does not
fly away, but runs swiftly to the nearest tree, behind the
trunk of which it hides, then scuttles on to the next tree,
and so escapes without showing itself.

2. HoMORUs GUTTURALis (d'Orb. et Lafr.).

I found this bird quite common on the dry open plains in
the neighbourhood of the Patagoniaii Rio Negro. It avoids
close thickets. Like the northern Homorus, it is shy, and
being paler-plumaged and without the bright beak and eye-
tints, has not the bold striking appearance of that bird ; still
I do not think any ornithologist can meet with it and fail to
be strongly impressed with its personality, if such a word
can be applied to a bird. Dendrocolaptine birds are, as a

Homorus observed in the Argenti7ie Republic. 285

rulCj builders of big nests and very noisy ; H. gutturalis is, I
believe^ the loudest screamer and greatest builder of the
family. Male and female live together in the same locality
all the year ; the young, when able to fly, remain with tbeir
parents till the breeding-season, so that the birds are found
occasionally in pairs, but more frequently in famiUes of five or
six individuals. When feeding they scatter themselves about,
each bird attaching itself to a large bush, scraping and prodding
for insects about the roots ; and at intervals one of the old
birds, ascending a bush, summons the others with loud shrill
cries, on which they all hurry to the place of meeting, and
from the summits of the bushes burst forth in a piercing
chorus, which sounds at a distance like screams of hysterical
laughter. At one place, where I spent some months, there
were some bushes over a mile and a quarter from the house
I lived in, where these birds used to hold frequent meetings,
and in that still atmosphere I could distinctly hear their
extravagant cries at that distance. After each performance
they pursue each other, passing from bush to bush with a
wild jerky flight, and uttering harsh angry notes.

They select a low, strong, wide- spreading bush to build in ;
the nest, which is made of stout sticks, is perfectly spherical
and four to five feet deep, the chamber inside being very
large. The opening is at the side near the top, and is ap-
proached by a narrow arched gallery, neatly made of slender
sticks resting along a horizontal branch, and about fourteen
inches long. This peculiar entrance, no doubt, prevents the
intrusion of snakes and small mammals. So strongly made
is the nest that I have stood on the dome of one and stamped
on it with my foot without injuring it in the least, and to
demolish one I had to force my gun-barrel into it, then prize
it up by portions. I examined about a dozen of these
enormous structures, but they were all found before or after
the laying-season, so that I did not see the eggs.

I wish to notice here the ajjparent relationship to Homorus
of a species belonging to a different genus, I mean Synal-
laxis patagonica (D^Orb. Voy. p. 249; see also P. Z. S. 1872,
p. 544) . Its nearest allies appear to be S. sordida and S.

286 Dr. 11. W. Shiifcltlt ua the naked Skin-tract!^

modesta, and I do not donbt that its affinities are with these
and other members of the somewhat complicated group it is
classed with; but in its habits it is a little Homorus, and
unlike a Synallaxis. Being a little feeble bird, it does not
live at the roots of trees and large bushes, but is found under
diminutive scrubby plants in open arid situations. About
the roots of these wiry little bushes, 12 to 18 inches high,
the bird searches for small insects, and when disturbed has
a feeble jerky flight, which carries it to a distance of ten or
twenty yards. It is, however, very difficult to make it rise ;
for when approached it runs swiftly away, leaving one in
doubt as to whether he has seen a mouse or a bird darting
across the naked spaces between the shrubs. Probably it has
acquired these habits in the desolate situations it frequents :
anyhow, I am so convinced of the variable character of habits
in general, that I am very far from imagining that the re-
semblance of this species to Homorus points to community
of descent; on the contrary, I believe that it is entirely
accidental.

XXVIII. — On the Coloration in Life of the naked Skin-tracts
on the Head of Geococcyx californicus. By Dr. R. W.
Shufeldt, U.S. Army, Memb. of the Am. Ornith. Union,
&c.

(Plate VII.)

The latest authoritative work that has appeared upon North-
American Ornithology, the second edition of Professor Elliott
Coues^s ' Key to North-American Birds,' presents us, it
seems to me, with a very inadequate description of the ex-
tent of the naked skin-tracts about the eye and on the head
of Geococcyx, or even their coloration in life. This author
simply tells us that there is " a naked area around the eye,"
and that this ''bare space around the eye [is] bluish and
orange." So far as I am aware, no other ornithological work
gives us any better description than the ' Key.' Now the
true condition of the tracts in question is so far different

on the Head of Gcococcyx californicus, 287

from this that I feel justified in making an accurate drawing
of the head of a fine specimen of the Ground-Cuckoo, pre-
sumably a male, which was presented me in the flesh a few
days ago. This drawing I here present to my ornithological
friends who may not have been so fortunate as to have had
the opportunity of examining Geococcyw as I had, and ob-
serving the interesting state of affairs which I will now
describe.

The hindmost feathers which go towards the formation
of the crest of this Cuckoo are of a deep prussian blue
colour, quite black in some lights, being untipped by bright
ochre, as the anterior ones are. Just behind the crest proper
occur the ochre-and- white-tipped feathers that are the con-
tinuation of the feather-tracts that pass over the eye. Below
these, again, we find a median tract of feathers, a little more
than a centimetre long and only five millimetres wide, ex-
tending down towards the nuchal region. On either side of
this latter tract, overlying the 'parietal region of the skull,
we discover a naked-skin area, about three fourths the size
of a shilling, and of a deep, though very bright, orange-
colour. These orange-coloured spaces are really on the back
of the head, being simply separated from each other by the
aforesaid narrow median line of feathers. When the bird
becomes excited and elevates its crest and the feathers be-
hind the head, then upon lateral view this orange space will
show as I have depicted it in my drawing. Its rounded
posterior outline is the same as the outline of the smooth
posterior surface of the skull, as already stated, it being its
sole covering in this region. In life the eye of Geococcyx
is entirely surrounded by a naked area of skin, whieb both
above and anteriorly is coloured a deep prussian-blue tint.
Beneath the eye this gradually passes into a pale bluish
white, almost quite white in some lights. The naked space
behind the eye is the most extensive of all. Posteriorly this
merges into the orange of the parietal skin-tract described
above, while anteriorly it blends with the other colour just
mentioned. It is divided into three fairly distinct horizontal
bands of colour, the upper and lower being dark prussian

288 Hans von Berlepscli on new Species

blue, tlie middle one a bluish white of a similar shade to that
described as tinting the skin beneath the eye.

These colours, especially the brilliant orange, must be
quite striking in the living bird ; and it is easy for us
to imagine that they may '' change colour ^' with the mood
of their possessor, blushing much in the same manner as
the head of the Turkey cock is wont to do under certain
circumstances.

Fort Wingate, New Mexico,
April 13tli, 1885.

XXIX. — Descriptions of three neio Species of Birds from
South America. By Hans von Beklepsch.

1. Chlorospingus reyi, sp. nov.

Ch. superciliari (Lafr.) proximus, sed superciliis albis nullis

et pileo toto usque ad nucham cinereo, colore dorsi oli-

vaceo Isetiore et colore subtus intensius flavo primo visu

distinguendus. Long. al. &7^, rostr. culm. 11^, tars.

21^ mm.

Habitat. Merida, Venezuela (typ. in Mus. H. v. B.) .

To Dr. E. E-ey, of Leipzig, who has furnished me with a

large and interesting collection of bird-skins received by him

direct from a collector residing at Merida, Venezuela, this

new species is dedicated. Unfortunately, the single specimen

of Ch. reyi contained in that collection is not in good condition,

and the tail is wanting. Nevertheless, there can be not the

slightest doubt that it belongs to a Chlorospingus which is

new to science. Its nearest ally may be Ch. superciliaris

(Lafr.) ; but at first sight it differs from that species in

altogether wanting the white superciliary stripe and the

white feathers under the eye, always to be seen in true Ch.

superciliaris: In the latter species the cinereous colour is

confined to the front, while in Ch. reyi it covers the whole of

the pileus, coming down as far as the nape. The lores are

also grey. On the upper edge of the eye there commences

a broad olivaceous stripe which borders the cinereous cap

and further involves the upper edge of the auriculars, then

of Bb'fls from Sovth America. 289

joins with the olive-green of the back. All the rest of the
sides of the head and all the underparts of the body are yellow,
bnt of a deeper shade than in Ch. superciliaris . The sides of
the body and the under tail-coverts are more tinged with olive-
green than in Ch. superciliaris ; the upper parts of the body
are of a pnrer and clearer olive-gi'een than in the last-named
species.

2. 0CHTH(ECA CONSOBRINxV, sp. IIOV.

O. corpore supra obscure olivaceo, pileo ardesiaco induto;
corpore subtus suljihureOjgula pectoreque olivaceo lavatis
sen flammulatis; alis caudaque nigro-brunneis^rectricibus
olivaceo limbatis, remigum primariorum 3, 4, 5, 6 po-
gonio toto, sequentium dimidio apicali, olivaceo-fulvo
limbatis, ultimis extus latins sordido albo marginatis ;
tectricum mediarum et maximarum macuHs apicalibus
(duas vittas formantibus) late fulvis. Long. al. 63,
caud. 62, rostr. 9j, tars. 17^ mm.
Habitat. Bogota in Nov. Granada (typ. in Mus. H. v. B.).
In general coloration this new species reminds one of some
species of the genera Tyranniscus and Leptopogon, but in
form it agrees closely with several species of the genus Och-
thceca, or more properly with those of the subgenus Meco-
cerculus. The bill is very slender and compressed, even a
little more so than in 0. setophagoides. The nostrils are of
precisely the same form as in the last-named species. The
bristles on the bill are very short and feeble. In colour 0.
consobrina is quite unlike any other species. The back is
of a very dark olive-green, the top of the head presenting a
slight suffusion of a dark ashy or blackish colour. The chin,
lores, and feathers round the eye, as well as an incon-
spicuous or ill-defiued superciliary stripe, appear dull whitish.
The ear-coverts are yellowish olive-green, bordered with
blackish on their tips. The whole under surface of the body
is of an intense sulphur-yellow, suffused or flammulated with
olive-green on the throat and breast. Wing and tail-feathers
blackish brown, the latter margined with olive-green. The
primaries, from the third to the sixth, are margined with rusty
yellowish from the base to a short distance from the tip, while
in the secondaries these margins do not begin until the

SER. V. VOL. III. X

290 On Birds from Soift/i America.

middle of the featlier and extend to tlie tip itself. The ter-
tiaries show broader margins of soiled white. The medium-
sized and the longest of the upper wing-coverts are marked
on their tips with large fulvous-yellow spots, presenting two
well-marked bands on the wing-coverts. Bill and feet dark
brown^ the mandible paler at the base below.

The typical specimen was received with a lot of Bogota
skins forwarded by Mr. Edward Gerrard, jun., of London,
and shows the peculiar make of all skins prepared by the
Indians of that country.

3. Attila griseigularis, sp. nov.

A. cmereo simillimus, sed differt gula tota cum jugulo

albo et griseo variegatis, pectore pallidius rufo^ abdo-

mine toto citrino-fiilvo ; capite snpra clarius cinereo et

hoc colore magis in dorsum producto ; dorso, uropygio

caudaqne pallidius rufo-brunneis ; tectricibus caudse

superioribus pallide fulvis. Long. al. 17, caud. 74,

rostr. 37^, tars. 25^ mm.

Habitat. Sta. Catharina, Brazil (?) (typ. in Mus. H. v. B.).

My specimen^ which I got from Mr. F. F. G. Umlauff, of

Hamburg, is labelled as coming from Sta. Catharina. A skin

of Dendrocinc/a tnrdina (Licht.), of similar preparation, is

also said to be from Sta. Catharina ; therefore I have little

doubt that the habitat assigned is correct.

Of A. cinereus (Gmel.) 1 have several skins from Bahiaand
one from Soiithern Brazil (Rio or S. Paulo?), all of which
have only the upper part of the throat (or chin) whitish,
variegated with dark grey ; while in the new sjiecies the whole
throat and jugulum to the breast are of this coloration, in
which the white more predominates. There are other points
of difference, which are expressed in the diagnosis.

On Birds from British Guiana. 291

XXX. — A List of the Birds obtained by Mr. Henry Whitely
in British Guiana. By Osbert SalviNj MA.j F.R.S.^

[Continued from page :?19.]
(Plate VIII.)

147. OXYRHAMPHUS HYPOHLAUCUS.

Oxyrhamphus hypoglaucus, Salv. & Godra. Ibis, 1883,
p. 206.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.) .

148. OCHTHCECA SETOPHAGOIDES.

Tyranmda setophagoides , Bp. Act. Soienz. Ital. Med.
p. 405.

Ochthoeca setophagoides , Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hein, ii. p. 48.

Mecocerculus leucophrys, Scl. Cat. Ara. B. p. 199 (nee
d'Orb. & Lafr.).

Roraima (5000-6000 ft.) .

These specimens agree with others from the liighlands of
Venezuela and the Andes of Colombia.

149. Fluvicola PICA.

Muscicapa pica, Bodd. Tabl. PL Enl. p. 42.
Fluvicola hicolor, Sw. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 703.
A common species in British Guiana, but not represented
in Mr. Whitely^s collections.

150. Arundinicola leucocephala.

Pip)ra leucocephala, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 340.
Arundinicola leucocephala, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 703.

Bartica Grove.

151. COPURUS LEUCONOTUS.

Copurus leuconotus,Jja,fr. Rev. Zool. 1842, p. 335; Scl.
Cat. Am. B. p. 204.

Copurus poecilonotus, Cab. in Schomb. Gniana, iii. p. 702.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collections. The Guianan
Copurus is united to that of Colombia and Eciiador by
Mr. Sclater in his ' Catalogue of American ' Birds and else-
where.

x2

292 Mr. O. Salvia un Biii/a

152. Platyrhynchus mystaceus.

Platyrhynchus mystaceus, YieiW. N. Diet, d'Hist. N. xxvii.
p. 14; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 207.

Roraima (3500-6000 ft.).

These birds agree with Brazilian examples which I believe
to be P. tnystaceus, Vieill. A male specimen has the man-
dible dark-coloured and thus differs from females, which have
a pale yellow mandible. The difference is probably due to
the immatiirity of the former.

153. Platyrhynchus saturatus.

Platyrhynchus saturatus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1882, p. 78.
Camacusa, Merumd Mountains.

154. Platyrhynchus superciliaris.
Platyrhynchus superciliaris, Lawr. Ibis, 1803, p. 184.
Bartica Grove.

Besides Mr. Whitely^s examples we have two others from
Albina in Surinam, obtained in 1866 by Mr. Clarence
Bartlett. These are, in my opinion, undistinguishable from
Panama specimens of P. s?iperciliaris, Lawr. The most
nearly allied species is P. coronatus, Scl., of Eastern Ecuador,
a somewhat larger darker bird with less clearly defined yellow
colour beneath.

155. TODIROSTRUM CINEREUM.

Todus cinereus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 178.
Todirostrwn cinereum, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 207.
Triccus cinereus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana_, iii. p. 702.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

156. TODIROSTRUM MACUi.ATUM.

Todus muculatus, Desmarest, Tod. pi. 70.

Todirostrum maculatum, Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1881, p. 267.

Bartica (xrove.

This is the true T. maculatum, as distinguished from the bird
of the Amazons valley, the T. signatum of Sclater and Salvin
Ibis, 1881, p. 267.

157. Euscarthjmus russatus.

Euscarthmus russatus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1881, p. 445.
Roraima (5()0()-60()() ft.).

from British Guiana. 293

158. COLOPTERUS GALEATUS.

Motacilla galeata, Botld. Tabl. PI. Eul. p. 24.

Colojjterus galeatus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 210.

Colopterus cristatus, Cab. in Schornb. Guiana, iii. p. 702
(ex Gmel.).

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

A young specimen from Bartica Grove (7th June) has no
crest, the vertex being of nearly the same colour as the back.

159. Hapalocercus pectoralis.

Sylvia pector alts, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. N. xi. p. 210.
Serphophaga pectoralis, Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hein. ii. p. 53.
Hapalocercus pectoralis, Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 103.
Roraima (3500 ft.) .

160. Mionectes olbagineus.

Muscicapa oleaginea, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 55.

Mionectes oleagineus. Cab. iu Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 703.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima
(3500-6000 ft.).

These specimens agree with others from Bahia, the true
M. oleagineus (Licht.) .

161. Leptopogon amaurocephalus.

Leptopogon amaurocephahis , Cab. Arch. f. Naturg. p. 251.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).
Mr. Whitely's specimens agree fairly with South-Brazilian
skins.

162. Leptopogon nigrifrons.

Leptopogon nigrifrons, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1881, p. 446.
Roraima (5000 ft.).

163. Phyllomyias semifusca.

Phyllomyias semifusca, Scl. P. Z. S. 1861, p. 383.
Bartica Grove.

These examples agree with specimens from Northern
Colombia, whence the type of this species was obtained.

164. Ornithion inerme.

Omit/lion inerme, Hartl. J. f. Orn. 1853, p. 35; Scl. P. Z. S.
1873, p. 577.
Bartica Grove.

294 Mr. O. Salviii on Birds

165. OrNITHION PUSILLUM.

Myiopatis pusilla, Cab. & Heine^ Mus. Heiu. ii. p. 58.
Ornithion pusillwn, Scl. P. Z. S. 1873^ p. 577,
Bartica Grove.

166. Tykannulus elatus.

Sylvia elata, Lath. Iiul. Oi-ii. ii. p. 549.

Tyrannulus elatus, Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana, iii. p. 70.^.

Bartica Grove.

167. Tyranniscus griseickps.

Tyrimniscus yriseiceps, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1870^ p. 841.
Bartica Grove, Roraima (3500 ft.).

168. Tyranniscus gracilipes,

Tyranniscus gracilipes, Scl. & Salv. P, Z, S. 1867, p, 981 ;
1870, p. 843.

Roraima (3500-5000 ft.).

169. Tyranniscus acer.

Tyranniscus acer, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p, .206.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Roraima (3500 ft.).

170. Elainea pagana.

Muscicapa pagana, Licht. Verz. Doiibl, p, 54.
Elaenea pagana. Cab. in Scliomb, Guiana, iii, p. 701.
Elainea pagana, Scl. Cat. Am, B, p, 216; P. Z. S, 1870,
p. 834.

Bartica Grove, Roraima (3500 ft.).

171. Elainea albiceps.

Muscipeta albiceps, d'Orb. & Lafr. Syn, A v. p. 47.
Elainea albiceps, Scl. P, Z. S. 1870, p. 834,
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft,).

172. Elainea olivina.

Elainea olivina, Salv, & Godm, Ibis, 1884, p, 146.
Camacusa, Roraima (5000-6000 ft,),

173. Elainea ruficeps.

Elainea ruficeps, Pelz. Orn. Brus. pp. 108, 179,
Merume Mountains.

Several specimens of this distinct species, which was dis-
covered by Natterer at Boi'ba on the Rio Madeira,

I'roiu British Guiana. 295

174. Elainea elegans.

Elainea elegans, Pelz. Orn. Bras. pp. 107, 179 ; Scl. P. Z. S.
1870, p. 835.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mouutaius, Roraima

(3500 ft.).

175. Elainea brevirostris.

Elainea brevirostris, Tsch. Fauna Per. p. 159; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 701 ; Tacz. Orn. Per. ii. p. 272.

According to Dr. Cabauis specimens of this species
obtained by Scliomburgk near the coast agree with others
from Peru. We have not been able to recognize the bird in
Mr. Whitely^s collection.

176. Legatus albicollis.

Tyrannus albicollis, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. N. xxxv. p. 89.
Elaenea albicollis, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 701.
Legatus albicollis, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 218.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

177. Myiozetetes cayennensis.

Muscicapa cayanensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 327.
Elaenea cayanensis, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 701.
Myiozetetes cayennensis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 752.
Bartica Grove, Roraima (3500 ft.).

178. Myiozetetes sulphureus.

Muscicapa sulphurea, Spix, Av. Bras. ii. p. 16, pi. 20.
Myiozetetes sulphureus, Scl. P. Z.S. 1871, p. 734; 1880, p. 28.
Tyrannus luggeri, Ridgw. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. i. p. 166.
Bartica Grove.

179. Rhynchocy^clus sulphurescens.
Ptatyrhynchus sulphurescens, Spix, Av. Bras. ii. p. 10,

pi. 12. f. 1.

Rhynchocyclus sulphurescens, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 220.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraina
(3500 ft.).

180. Rhynchocyclus flaviventkis.

Plaiyrhynchus flaviventris, Spix, Av. Bras, ii, p. 12, pi. 15.
f. 1.

296 Mr. (). Salvin on Hird.s

Cyclorhynchas flavivenfris, Cab. iu Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 700.

Rhynchocyclus flaviventris, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 221.
Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collection.

181. Rhynchocyclus ruficauba.

Platyrhynchus ruficauda, Spix, Av. Bras. ii. p. 9, pi. ii.

Rhynchocyclus ruficauda, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 221.
FAaenea spadicea, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 702.
Bartica Grove_, Camacusa, Merume Mountains.

182. PiTANGUS LICTOK.

Lanius Victor, Liclit. Verz. Doubl. p. 49.
Saurophagus lictor, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 698.
Pitangus lictor, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 221.
Bartica Grove.

183. Pitangus parvus.

Pitangus parvus, Pelz. Orn. Bras. pp. Ill, 181.
Camacusa, Merume Mountains.

Several specimens. Natterer^s types of this little-known
bird were obtained at Marabitanas.

184. Pitangus sulphuratus.

Lanius sulphuratus, Linn. Syst. Nat, i. p. 137.
Saurophagus sulphuratus. Cab. in Schomb. Guiaua, iii.
p. 698.

Pitangus sulphuratus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 222.
Bartica Grove.

185. Myiodynastes audax.

Muscicapa audax, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 934.
Scaphorhynchus audax, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 699.

Myiodijnastes audax, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 223.
Bartica Grove.

186. Megarhynchus pitangua.

Lanius pit angua, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 136.
Megarhynchus pitangua, Scl. Cat. Am. B, p. 224.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

>

^

00
00

RH

..^^'

.x^

from British Guiana, 297

187. MUSCIVOKA llEGJA.

Todus regius, Gra. Syst. Nat. i. p. 445.
Muscivora regia, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 224,
Camacusa.

188. HlRUNDINEA FERRUGINEA.

Todus f err ugineus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 446.
Hirundinea ferruginea, Scl. Ibis, 1869, p. 196, pi. 5. f, 2.
Roraima (5000 ft.).

189. Myiobius barbatus.

Muscicapa harhata, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 933.

Myiobius barbatus, Cab. in Scbomb. Guiana, iii. p. 701 ;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 225.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima
(3500 ft.), Atapurau River.

190. Myiobius roraima.

Myiobius roraimce, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 207.
Roraima (3500 ft.) .

191. Myiobius erythrurus.

Myiobius erythrurus, Cab. Arch. f. Naturg. p. 249, t. 5.
f. 1; Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 701.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

192. Myiobius n^evius.

Muscicapa ncevia, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 34.
Myiobius navius, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 227.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

193. Pyrocephalus rubineus.

Muscicapa rubinus, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 42.
Pyrocephalus rubineus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 227.
Myiarchus coronatus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii,
p. 700.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collection.

194. Empidochanes olivus.

Muscicapa oliva, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 34.
Empidochanes olivus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 228.
Bartica Grove.

2'J« Mr. O. Salviu on Birds

195. EmPIDOCHANES PtEClLUKUS ?

Ei/fpidochanes pcecilurus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1862, p. 112.

Roraima (5000 ft.) .

We have skins attributed to this species from Peru and
Northern Colombia. Both have nearly the whole of the
inner web of the outer rectrices fulvous. Two of Mr.
AVhitely's specimens have also this character, but to a less
extent. Two others have these rectrices nearly uniform
fuscous. The latter are marked male, the former female ; so
the question arises whether the colour of the rectrices is a
sexual character ! Our other specimens do not help us in
this matter, the sex not being recorded, and on the whole we
prefer to leave the question of the specific position of these
Guiana birds in abeyance for the present.

196. CONTOPUS ARDESIACUS.

Tyrannula ardesiaca, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1844, p. 80.
Myiochanes ardesiacus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 232.
Eoraima (5000-6000 ft.).

197. Myiarchus tyrannulus.

Musclcapa iyrannulus, P. L. S. Mull. Syst. Nat. Suppl.
p. 169.

Myiarchm tyrannulus , Coues, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1872, p. 71.

Myiarchus ferooc (Gm.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 700.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

198. Myiarchus PHiEONOTus.

Myiarchus phceonotus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 207.
Roraima (3500 ft.) .

199. Myiarchus nigriceps.

Myiarchus nigriceps, Scl. P. Z. S. 1860, p. 68; Cat. Am.
B. p. 234.

Camacusa, Merurae Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

200. Empidoxomus varius.

Muscicapa vuria, Vicill. N. Diet, d^liist. N. xxi. p. 458.
Empidononius rarias; Scl. Cat. Am. R. p. 234.

from British Guiana. 299

Tyrannus rujinus (Spix), Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana^ iii.
p. 700.

Bartica Grove, Horaima (3500 ft.).

201. Tyrannus melancholicus.

Tyrannus melancholicus, Vieill. N. Diet. d^Hist. N. xxxv.
p. 84; Cab. iu Seliomb. Guiana, iii. p. 700; Scl, Cat. Am.
B. p. 235.

Bartiea Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Korainia
(3500 ft.).

202. MiLVULUS TYKANNUS.

Milvulus tyrannus (Linn.), Cab. in ScLomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 699.

Milvulus violentus (Vieill,), Scl. Cat. Am. B, p. 237.
Bartiea Grove, Roraima (3500 ft.).

203. PiPRITES chlorion.

Heinipipo chlorion, Cab. Arch. f. Naturg. 1847, p. 234 ;
in Scliomb. Guiana, iii. p. 697.

Piprites chlorion, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1882, p. 78.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

204. Chloropipo uniformis.

Chloropipo uniformis, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, p. 447.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500-6500 ft.).

205. Xenopipo atronitens.

Xenopipo atronitens, Cab. Arch. f. Naturg. 1847, p. 235 ;
iu Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 697.
Merume Mountains, Roraima.

206. PiPRA AUREOLA.

Pipra aui'eola, Linn. Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana, iii. p. 696;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 248.
Bartica Grove.
A female specimen apparently of this species.

207. Pipra cornuta.

Pipra cornuta, Spix, Av. Bras. ii. p. 5, pi. 7. f. 2 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 696; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 248.
Roraima (3500-3700 ft.) .
A common species in this region.

300 Mr. O. Salvin o/i Birds

208. PjPRA IRACUNDA.

Pipra iracunda, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, j). 447.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

209. Pipra auricapilla.

Pipra aurocapilla, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 29 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 696 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 249.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Atapuran
River, Roraima (3500 ft.).

210. Pipra leucocilla.

Pipra leucocilla, Linn., Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 697 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 249.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains.

211. Pipra virescens.

Pipra virescens, Pelz. Oru. Bras. pp. 128, 187; Salv. &
Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 208.

Tyranneuies brachyurus, Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1881, p. 269.

Camacusa.

Natterer's types of this species were obtained at Marabi-
tanas and other places on the Rio Negro.

212. Pipra suavissima.

Pipra Serena, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 697 (nee
Linn.).

Pipra suavissima, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1882, p, 79, pi. 1.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Atapurau River,
Roraima (3500-4000 ft.).

213. Pipra gutturalis.

Pipra gutturalis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 340 ; Scl. Cat. Am.
B. p. 250.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima.

214. Chiroxiphia pareola.

Chiroxiphia pareola (Linn.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 695 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 251.
Not observed by Mr. Whitely.

215. Chiroxiphia caudata.

Pipra caudata, Shaw, Nat. Misc. v. pi. 153.

from British Guiana. 30 L

Chiroxiphia longicauda (Vieill.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana,
p. 695.

Included in Scliomburgk^s list, but probably erroneously,
as the species seems to be unknown except in the forest-
region of South Brazil.

216. Neopipo cinnamomea.

Pipra ? cinnamomea, Lawr. Pr. Ac. Phil. 1868, p. 429.
Neopipo cinnamomea, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1873, p. 283.
Neopipo rubicunda, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 438,
pi. 30. f. 3.
Camacusa.

217. CniROMACHiERIS MANACUS.

Pipra manacus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 340.
Chiromacharis manacus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 696 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 252.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

218. Heteropelma amazonum ?

Heteropelma amazonum, Scl. P. Z. S. 1860, p. 466.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Roraima,

These specimens seem to belong to H. amazonum, but they
vary to some extent among themselves, and the genus
being in some confusion their determination is somewhat
uncertain.

219. Heteropelma igniceps.
Heteropelma igniceps, Scl. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 750.
Elaenea aurifrons, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 701

(nee Neuw.).

Camacusa, Roraima.

220. TiTYRA cayana.

Lanius cay anus, Linn. Syst. Nat, i. p. 137.

Tityra cayana. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 697; Scl.
Cat. Am. B. p. 238.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Meriime Mountains, Roraima
(3500 ft.) .

802 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

221. Hadrostomus minor.

Querula minor, Less. Traite d'Orn. i. p. 3G3.
Hadrostomus minor, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. ii. p. 85 ;
Scl. Cat. Ara. B. p. 240.
Bartica Grove^ Camacusa.

222. Pachyrhamphus griseigularis. (Plate VIII.)
PachyrhamphMS (/riseiyularis, Salv. & Godni. Ibis, 188.3,

p. 208; 1881, p. 448.

(^ . Supra olivaceus, capite svimmo nigro, geiiis olivaceis,
loris albis ; alis et caiula nigris, secundariis internis et
tectricibus illarum omnibus sordide olivaceo marginatis ;
subtus gula et pectore griseis albo striatis, ventre medio
et crisso albis ; rostro pkirabeo-uigro, tomiis albidis ;
pedibus plumbeis: long, tota 5*4, abe 8, caudse 2'2,
rostri a rictu 0*9, tarsi 0*8.
2 . Supra olivacea, capite summo paulo obscuriore ; alis
fusco-nigris, secundariis internis olivaceo marginatis,
tectricibus omnibus Ifete cinnamoraeis; subtus grisea
albo striata, ventre medio et crisso albis, liypocbondriis
viridi lavatis ; rostri maxilla corylma, raandibula albida;
pedibus pallidis : long, tota ^y(\, aire 3, caudse 2*3, rostri
a rictu 0'8, tarsi 0'8.
Hab. Roraima. Guiana Brit, ad alt. 3.500 pedum (//.

Whitely).
Obs. Affinis P. viridi, sed differt cervice postica olivacea,
pectore griseo nee flavo, et tectricibus alarum et secun-
dariis internis nigris nee olivaceis.

223. Pachyrhamphus niger.

Pachyrhamphus niger, Spix, Av. Bras. ii. p. 32, pi. 45. f. 1 ;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 241.

Bathmidurus niger, Cab. in Scbomb. Guiana, iii. p. 698.
Roraima (3500-4000 ft.).

224. Pachyrhamphus atricapillus,
Lanius atricapillus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 302.
Pachyrhamphus atricapillus, Cab. in Scbomb. Guiana, iii.

p. 698 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 242.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Camacusa.

225. LaTHRIA CINKREA.

Ampelis cinerea, Vieill. N. Diet. d^Hist. N. viii. p. 1G2.

Ibis. 1885. PI Vlfl

J.RK'evileniansliblT . HanViart imp.

PACHYRHAIPHUS GRISEl G[JLARIS,(?e^ 9 .

from British Guiana. 303

Lathria cinerea, Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 325.

Lipaugus cineraceus, Cab. in Schorab. Guiana, iii. p. 693 ;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 243.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima
(3500 ft.).

226. Lathria streptophora.

Lathria streptophora, Salv. & Godm, Ibis, 1881-, p. 448,
pi. 14.

Roraima (5000 feet).

227. AULIA HYPOPYRRHA.

Ampelis hypopyrrha, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. N. viii. p. 164.

Aulia hypopyrrha, Salv. (^at. Strickl. Coll. p. 325.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

This is probably the true A. hypopyrrha of Vieillot, which
was based upon the Guianan bird. Both sexes have a few
chestnut feathers tipped with black upon the abdomen ; these
are apparently absent from the Brazilian bird, which, if dis-
tinct, should bear the name Aulia sibilatrix ( Wied). Ac-
cording to Mr. Whitely^s dissections the yellow spot on each
flank, as distinguished from the chestnut one, is not a sexual
peculiarity.

228. Lipaugus simplex.

Muscicapa simpler, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 53.
Lipaugus simplex, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 694 ;
Scl. & Salv. Ex. Orn. p. 6.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains.

229. AtTILA BRASILIENSIS.

Attila brasiliensis, Less. Traite d'Orn. p. 360; Scl. Cat.
Am. B. p. 195.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

Several specimens agi'eeing so closely with Brazilian ex-
amples of A. brasiliensis that I am reluctant to attempt
their separation. They seem rather darker and greener iu
general coloration, characters of but slight importance in
this o;enus.

:VM Mr. O. Salvia on Birds

230. Attila spodiostethus.

Attila spodiostethus, Salv. & God-n. Ibis, 18S3, p. 209.
Bartica Grove.

231. Attila uropygialis.

Dasycephala uropygialis, Cab. in Schomb. Gaiaua, iii.
p. 686.

Bartica Grove.

A single specimeu agreeing witli the description of this
species. Its nearest ally appears to be A. spadacens, bnt it
is altogether lighter in the colour of its plumage.

232. Attila thamnophiloides.

Muscicapa thamnophiloides, Spix, Av. Bras. ii. p. 19, pi. 26.
f. 1.

Dasycephala thamnophiloides, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 686.

Attila thamnophiloides, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 195.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collection.

233. RupicoLA crocea.

Pipra rupicola, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 338.
Rupicola crocea, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 691; Scl.
Cat. Am. B. p. 253.

Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Atapurau River.

231. Ph(enicocercus carnifex.
Ampelis carnifex, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 298.
Phosnicocercus carnifex, Cab, in Sciiomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 695 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 253.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

235. Pipreola whitelyi.

Pipreola whitelyi, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 18S1, p. 119.
Roraima (6000 ft.) .

236. COTINGA CiERULEA.

Ampelis catrulea, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Kist. N. viii. ji. 161 ;
Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 693.

Cotinya cerulea, Scl. Cat, Am. B. p. 256.

Ampelis cotinya. Cab, in Schomb, Guiana, iii. p. 693.

Bartica Grove, Atapurau River.

from British Guiana. 305

237. COTINGA CAYANA.

Ampelis cayana, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 268; Cab. in
Scliomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 693.

Cotinga cayana, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 256.
Bartica Grove.

238. XiPHOLENA POMPADORA.

Ampelis pampador a, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 298.

Xipholena pompadora, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 693 ;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 329.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Atapurau
River.

239. loDOPLEURA LEUCOPYGIA, Sp. U.

lodopleura pipra, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 697.
/. piprcR ex Brasilia affinissima, sed uropygio albo distin-

guenda, capite summo quoque dorso fere concolori.
Hah. Guiana Brit.
Mus., nostr.

Mr. Whitely's collections do not contain examples of this
bird, but we have long had in our possession two skins re-
ceived from Mr. Whitely, sen., with the locality '' British
Guiana " attached to them. These skins are of the usual
make of that country, and differ from 7. pipra of Brazil
in the above-mentioned small but very definite character.

240. loDOPLEURA FUSCA.

Ampelis fusca, Vieill. N. Diet. d^PIist. N. viii. p. 162.
lodopleura fusca, Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 330.
Pipra laplacii, Gerv. Mag. Zool. 1836, el. ii. pi. 68.
Bartica Grove.

241. QUERULA CRUENTA.

Muscicapa cruenta, Bodd. Tabl. PL Enl. p. 23.
Querula cruenta, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 257.
Bartica Grove.

242. HjEMatoderus militaris.

Coracias militaris, Lath. Ind. Orn. Suppl. p. xxvii.
Threncedus militaris. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 690.
Hamatoderus tnilitaris, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 257.
Not represented in Mr. Whitely^s collection.

SER. v. VOL, III. Y

306 On Birds from British Guiana.

243. Chasmorhynchus niveus.
Ampelis nivea, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 49.
Chasmorhynchus niveus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 258.
Chasmorhynchus carunculatus (Gm.), Cab. in Schomb.

Guiana, iii. p. 692.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Atapurau River,
Roraima (3500 ft.).

244. Chasmorhynchus variegatus.
Ampelis varieyatus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 841.
Chasmorhynchus variegatus, Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll. p, 331.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

245. Gymnocephalus calvus.

Corvus calvus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 372.
Gymnocephalus calvus. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 690 ;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 258.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Roraima (3500 ft.).

246. Gymnoderus fcetidus.

Gracula fcetida, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 164.
Gymnoderus fvetidus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 691 ;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 258.

Not in Mr. Whitely's collection.

247. Pyroderus scutatus ?

Coracias scutatus, Shaw, Mus. Lev. p. 199.

Pyroderus scutatus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 259.

Threiioedus rubricollis (Vieill.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana,
iii. p. 690.

Schomburgk^s specimens were named by Prof. Cabanis
T. rubricollis, a synonym of P. scutatus, but the bird should
probably be referred to the allied P. orenocensis. There
being no skins in Mr. Whitely^s collection I am unable to
decide the question.

248. Cephalopterus ornatus.

Cephalopterus oryiatus, Geoffr. Ann. Mus. xiii. pi. 15;
Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 691 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B.
p. 259.

Not in Mr. Whitely's collection.

[To be cuiitiinied.J

On the Species of the Family Coliidse. 307

XXXI. — Review of the Species of the Family Coliidae.
By Captain G. E. Shelley, F.Z.S.

The Coliidse form a very distinct family, not closely allied to
any other, but may, I think, with advantage be retained next
to the Musophagidae until some more suitable position be
definitely fixed for them. Their anatomy is principally
known to me by the following papers : — Murie, Ibis, ] 873,
pp. 262-280; (iarrod, P. Z. S. 1876, pp. 416-419,- Forbes,
Ibis, 1881, p. 24. This family, which is confined to Africa,
consists of eight species, including four or five more or less
well-marked races. They are all referable to the one genus
Colius, Briss. Orn. iii. 1760, p. 201<, type C. capensis. The
minor divisions proposed by Bonaparte — Rhabdocolius for
C. sty^iatus and its allies, and UrocoUus for C. erythromelon —
present no definite characters.

The Colics are all fruit-eaters, live in small bands, frequent
thick bushes, and, when disturbed, fly straight to some neigli-
bouring covert. Owing to their peculiar structure, they
place themselves in the most extraordinary attitudes when
they rest or scramble amongst the boughs, and they roost at
night in tightly packed companies for warmth, generally, if
not always, with their feet above their heads. Their nests
are cup-shaped and placed in thickish bushes at a few feet
from the ground, and some if not all, of the species, frequently
add green leaves to the interior of their nests during incuba-
tion. The eggs are rough, rather obtuse ovals, and generally
white.

In life the dark portions of the bill are blue-grey, but
become black in the dried skins, and the legs, which are red
in life, fade to buff. The bare skin round the eye and the
pale portions of the bill in C. macrourus and C. erythromelon
are bright red in living specimens, while in all the other
species, I believe, the bare skin is slaty black and the pale
portion of the bill buff" or huffish horn-colour.

There are now examples of three species of this genus living
in the Zoological Society's Gardens. They are admirably adap-
ted for cage-birds, being active, bold, and apparently hardy,
and the quaintness of their attitudes is interesting to watch.

^ 9

308 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the

Key to the Species.

a. A sharply defined basal half of the upper man-
dible red, and the bare skin round the eyes of
the same colour (fading in dried skins into
buff) ; remainder of the bill black, with the
exception, occasionally, of the basal portion
of the lower mandible. Tail-feathers dis-
tinctly narrower. Upper parts more or less
shaded with green. No trace of bars on any
portion of the plumage.
a'. Nape pale blue, strongly contrasting with the

crest and mantle 1. C. macrourus.

b\ Nape uniform with the crest and mantle .... 2. C. erythromelon.

h. No portion of the lower mandible black. Upper

mandible black, generally with a pale portion,

but never with a sharply defined pale basal

half. Tail-feathers distinctly broader. With

no green shade on any portion of the plumage.

i'. With some bright chestnut on the rump.

6^. Middle and lower back black, with a broad

white band down the centre 3. C. capensis.

<?. Middle and lower back bright chestnut .... 4. C castanonotus.

c'. Entire back dull brown, nearly uniform with

the wings and tail. Throat with distinct

bars.

c^. Cheeks and ear-coverts brown like the crown.

c^. Forehead jet-black. A larger amount of

black on the throat. Upper mandible

with a pale patch 5. C. nigricollis,

cP. Forehead never jet-black. A less amount
of black on the throat. Upper mandi-
ble blackish with no pale patch .... 6. C. striatus.
d'^. Cheeks and ear-coverts white or nearly so.
With a pale patch on the upper man-
dible.

d^. Crown brown 7, C. leucotis.

e^. Crown white 8. C. leucocephalus.

1. CoLIUS MACROURUS.

Lanius macrourus , Linn. S. N. i. 1766^ p. 134.

Colius seneffalensis, Gni, S. N. i. 1788, p. 842; Hartl.
Orn. W.-Afr. 1857, p. 155; Fischer, Zeitsehr. ges. Orn.
(Madaraz), 1844, p. 363 (Pangani).

Colius macrourus, Gray & Mitchell, Gen. B. ii. 1849,

Sjyecies of the Family Coliidse. 309

p. 393, pi. 96 (good) ; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. 1869-71,
pp. 712, cliv; Finsch, Tr. Z. S. vii. 1869, p. 275; Blanf.
Geol. & Zool. Abyss. 1870, p. 318 ; Antin. & Salvad. Ann.
Mus. Civ. Geneva, 1873,' p. 416 (Bogos) ; Bocage, Orn.
Angola, 1877, p. 130 (Angola, Hartl. ?) ; Rochebrune, Faun.
Senegamb. 1884, p. 127.

Hab. N.E., E., and W. Africa. Between about 15° N. lat.
and 5° S. lat. Bogos, Abyssinia, Kordofan, White Nile,
Masai-land to Pangani, Gaboon, Sierra Leone, Casamanse,
Senegambia.

A small immature specimen in the British Museum,
labelled '' Lebka R., 2500 ft. {Blanford)/' has no blue on
the nape, and the entire bill is pale.

2. COLIUS ERYTHROMELON.

'^ Loxia cinerea, Sparrm. Mus. Carls. 1786-88, pi. 88 (not
recognizable) .

Colius indicus, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 1790, p. 370 (incorrect
locality) .

Colius coi'omandelicus, Licht. sen., Hamb. Nat. Verz. 1793,
p. 42 (incorrect locality).

Le Coliou Guiriva, Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. vi. 1808, p. 42,
pi. 258 (good).

Culius erythromelon, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. vii. 1817, p. 378;
Gurney, in Anderss. B. Dam. Ld. 1872, p. 203 ; Sharpe, ed.
Layard's B. S. Afr. 1884, pp. 551, 853; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1884,
p. 473, pi. 45. figs. 2, 3 (good).

Colius senegalensis, Less, (nee Gm.), Traite d'Orn. 1831,
p. 453.

Colius quiriva, Riipp. Mus. Senk. iii. 1845, p. 43 ; Kirk,
Ibis, 1864, p. 329 (Zambesi).

Colius erythromelas, Cab. Mus. Hein. iii. 186(5, p. 97;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. 1870, p. 469; Bocage, Orn.
Angola, 1877, p. 128 (Benguela).

Colius macrurus, Strickl. & Sclat. Contr. Orn. 1852,
p. 151.

Colius capensis, Layard (nee Gm.), B. S. Afr. 1867, p. 222.

Hah. S. Africa, Zambesi, Matabele, Transvaal, Cape
Colony, Damara, Benguela.

310 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the

3. COLIUS CAPENSIS.

Loxia colius, Linn. S. N. i. 1766^ p. 301.

Colius capensis, Gm. S. N. i. 1788^ p. 842; Giiruey, Ibis,
1868, p. 47 (Natal) ; id. in Anderss. B. Dam. Ld. 1872,
p. 202; Sbarpe, ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. 1884, pp. 552, 853.

Colius eri/thropus, Gm. S. N. i. 1788, p. 842 ; Ay res. Ibis,
1871, p. 259 (Transvaal).

Colius leuconotus, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 1790, p. 369.

Le CoHou a dos blanc, Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. vi. 1808, p. 39,
pi. 257 (good).

Colius erythropygius, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. vii. 1817, p. 377.

Hub. S. Africa, Transvaal, Natal, Cape Colony, Damara.

I have rejected tlie oldest title colius on account of its
having been previously employed by Brisson for the genus.

There are two specimens of this species now living in the
Zoological Society^s Gardens.

4. Colius castanonotus.

Colius castanotus, E. & J. Verr. Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1855,
p. 351 (Gaboon) ; Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. 1857, p. 155; Mon-
teiro, Ibis, 1862, p. 333 (Angola); Sclater, P. Z. S. 1876,
p. 413, pi. 35 (good) ; Bocage, Orn. Angola, 1877, p. 129
(Beuguela) ; Sharpe, ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. 1884, p. 554.

Hub. S. and W. Africa, Benguela, Angola, Gaboon.

In the otherwise good illustration of this bird in the
P. Z. S. the upper mandible should not be so uniformly
coloured, but should have a large pale blotch extending over
the basal half of the culmen.

5. Colius nigricollts.

Le Coliou raye a gorge noire, Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. vi. 1808,
p. 45, pi. 259 (good).

Colius nigricollis, YieiW. Nouv. Diet. vii. 1817, p. 378;
Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. 1857, p. 155 (Angola) ; Sharpe, P. Z. S.
1873, p. 717 (Congo) ; Bocage, Orn. Angola, 1877, p. 129;
Reichenow, J. f. O. 1877, p. 15 (Loango Coast) ; Scl. P. Z. S.
1884, p. 530, pi. 45. fig. 1 (good) ; Rochebrune, Faun.
Senegamb. 1884, p. 128 (Casamanse, Gambia).

Hab. Central and W. Africa. Ndoruma in Central Africa,

Species of the Family Coliidie. 311

about 5° N. lat. and 25° E. long. On the West Coast,
Angola, Congo, Loango Coast, Casanianse, and Gambia.

There is a fine specimen in the British Museum labelled
" Ndoruma {F. Bohndorjf) " There is also a living specimen
in the Zoological Society ^s Gardens.

6. COLIUS STRIATUS.

Tanagra macroura, Scop, (nee Linn.) Del. Flor. et Faun.
Insubr. ii. 1786, p. 95.

Colius striatus, Gm. S. N. i. 1788, p. 369; Sharpened.
Layard's B. S. Afr. 1884, pp. 558, 853.

Colius panayensis, Gm. S. N. i. 1788, p. 843.

Le Coliou ray^, Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. vi. 1808, p. 36, pi. 256
(fair. Cape Colony).

Colitis minor, Cab. J. f. O. 1876, p. 94 (Natal).

Hab. S. Africa, Sliire R., S^vaziland, Transvaal, Natal,
Cape Colony.

The present species includes three subspecies,

a. With a more or less distinctly marked chestnut forehead.

1. C. striatus intennedius, Shelley. Cape Colony.

b. Forehead perfectly uniform with the crown.

¥. Larger 2. C. striatus typicus, Gm. Eastern S. Africa.

c^ Smaller 3. C. striatus minor, Cab. Shire R. and Natal.

In the British Museum there is a small specimen from the
Shire R. possibly immature ; this I believe to belong to the
C. nmior, Cab., of which I have not been able to examine the
type. An immature specimen from the Knysna in the
British Museum has the entire upper mandible pale and the
lower mandible nearly black.

I have proposed the title C. intermedius for the Cape
Colony subspecies as it is intermediate between typical
C. striatus and C. nigricollis.

7. Colius leucotis.

Colius leucotis, Riipp. Mus. Senk. iii. 1845, p. 42, pi. 2.
fig. 1 (good) ; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. 1869-71, pp. 710,cliv;
Finsch, Trans. Z. S. vii. 1869, p. 276; Blanf. Geol. & Zool.
Abyss. 1870, p. 316; Finsch & Ilartl. Vog. Ostafr. 1870,
p. 472; Antin. & Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1873, p. 416

312 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the

(Bogos) ; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 714 (Mombas) ; Nichol-
son, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 358 (Dar-es-Salaam) ; Cab. J. £. O.
1878, p. 237 (Kikaraba) ; Fischer & Reichen. J. f. O. 1878,
p. 252 (Takaimgu) ; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884,
p. 100 (Shoa).

? Colius capensis, DesMurs (nee Gm.) in Lefebvre's Voy.
Abys. 1845, p. 123; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. 1869-71, pp. 714,
cliv (ex DesMurs).

Colius striatus, Sclat. P. Z. S. 1864, pp. 107, 112 (Usaramo);
Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. 1869-71, pp. 711, cliv. (part N.E.
Afr. ex Sclat.) ; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. 1870, p. 471
(part E. Afr. ex Sclat.).

Hub. N.E. and E. Africa. Between 15° N. lat. and 8°
S. lat. Bogos, Abyssinia, Shoa, White Nile, Masai-land,
Zanzibar Province to Dar-es-Salaara.

Colius leucotis, which is the north-eastern representative
of C. striatus, presents, like that species, two if not three sub-
specific phases, Avhich may enable the practised eyeto recognize
the districts from which they come,

a. Larger : wing 3-8 to 4. Tail-feathers generally slightly broader.

Neck and back generally more distinctly barred.

1. C. leucotis ti/picus. N.E. Africa, extending

southward to Kitui in Ukamba.

b. Smaller : wing 3'85 to 3*76. Tail-feathers generally slightly

narrower. Neck and back generally less distinctly barred.

2. C. leucotis affinis. E. Africa ; Upper

White Nile to Dar-es-Salaam.

The small race h shows the strongest variation in two
specimens from Dar-es-Salaam ; in these the back is entirely
without signs of bars, the upper parts are slightly more
rufous, and the white on tlie throat and sides of the head
clearer and more strongly contrasted with the surrounding
brown of the plumage.

These subspecies appear to run into each other.

8. Colius leucocephalus.

Colius leucocephalus, Reicheu. Orn. Centralbl. 1879, p. 114
(Kikomba); Reichen. & Schalow, J. f. O. 1879, p. 313;
Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 362.

Hub. E. Africa, Kikomba in Masai-land.

Species of the Family Coliidae.

313

00
Q '

o
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■v

7i

Q
o

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2.
2

so
s

05 ■

■M

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-j

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t

4^

IS

-^

zl
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-i
9

0

:^

-D
•J
<1

3-

-i

-i

*

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Eogos.

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*

*

Abyssinia.

* i

f

*

Upper White Nile.

*

Ndoruma.

\
>

w
P

*

If *

*

Masai-land.

: *

! 1 Kitui.

*

I

Mombas.

*

*

Pangani.

* :

Zanzibar.

*

Dar-es-Salaam.

^

ff

Shire R.

*

iiambesi.

*

Matabele.

*

Swaziland.

*

* *

TransTaal.

* *

* '.

Natal.

*

* *

Cape Colony

* *

Damara.

* *

Benguela.

* *

Angola.

* :

Congo.

* ;

Loango.

: * *

Gaboon.

: *

Sierra Leone.

'. *

Bissao.

* *

Casaraanse.

*

Seneganibia.

314 Recently imhl'ished Ornithological Works.

This species is^ I believe, only known by the single type
specimen, which I have not been able to examine. Its
measurements agree well with the small race of C. leucotis,
which T have proposed to distinguish as C. I. affi/iis. Should
its characters prove to be due only to a partial albinism, the
name C. leucocephalus, Reichen., will take the place by
priority of my C. I. affinis.

XXXII. — Notices of recent Ornithological Publications.
[Continued from p. 234.]

85. Cory's 'Birds of San Domingo' (completion).

[The Birds of tlaiti and San Doniing-o. By Charles B. Cory, F.L.S.
Part IV. (completing the work). Boston : Estes and Lauriat.]

We congratulate Mr. Cory on the successful accomplish-
ment of his meritorious work. It is a most useful volume,
and deserves great commendation. Mr. Cory has not only
much increased our knowledge of the peculiar avifauna of
San Domingo, but has likewise brought together a resume of
previous authorities on the subject, and made his work a
complete monograph. We can only regret that he has not
given us a little longer essay by way of introduction. Thirty-
two species are stated to be peculiar to the San-Domingan
avifauna. The following six genera are, we believe, so far as
is known, restricted to this island : — Microligea, Dulus, Phoe-
nicophilus, Calyptophilus, Loximitris, and Temnotrogon. But
there is a second Dulus {D. nuchulis) known to science, of
which the exact habitat has not yet been ascertained.

Mr. Cory has finished San Domingo. But there are many
other islands in the Antilles that require similar treatment
(ormthologically), and will well reward the researches of
Mr. Cory and his collectors.

86. Dresser's Monograph of the Bee-eaters.

[A Monograph of the Meropidff, or Family of the Bee-eaters. By H,
E. Dresser, F.L.S. Part IV. Small folio. London : 1H84.]

Recently published Ornithological Works. 315

In his fourth part Mr. Dresser figures the following species
of Melittophagus : —

Melittopliagus sonninii. MelUtopIiag-us gularis.

pusillus. muelleri.

quinticolor. bullockoides.

lescbeiiaulti.

87. Dubois on the Genus Otocorys.

[Remarques sui* les Alouettes du CTenre Otocorys. Par M. Alph. Dubois.
Bull. Mus. Roy. d'Hist. Nat. Belgique, iii. 1884, p. 223.]

M. Dubois reviews the Larks of the genus Otocorys, and
proposes to reduce the various forms to one species^ which
" may be divided into five or six races or varieties " ! Oto-
corys is certainly a difiicult group to handle, but we doubt
whether this Avay of cutting the Gordian knot will be generally
adopted. M. Dubois has, perhaps, never had the opportunity
of examining specimens of O. bilopha.

88. Dubois on the Hornbills.

[Revue critique des Oi?eaux de la Famille des Bucerotides. Par M.
Alph. Dubois. Bull. Mus. Roy. d'Hist. Nat. Belgique, iii. 1884, p. 18.]

]VI. Dubois uses IVIr. Elliot's IVionograph as a basis for a
review of the Bucerotidse. He proj)oses to reduce Mr.
Elliot's nineteen genera to four — Rhinoplax, Buceros, Alo-
phius, and Bucorvus — and many of the representative species
to varieties. He describes and figures as a new species
Buceros leucopyg'ius from the Niam-Niam country. Central
Africa, belonging to the section Bycanistes. He observes
that B. sabquadratus, Cab., of the same group, is identical
with B. subcylindricus, Sclater, in which we are disposed to
agree with him. He characterizes a form from Lake Tan-
ganyika, allied to B. nasutus, as Buceros nasutus, var. dubia.

89. Garman on Polynomials in Zoology.

On the use of Polynomials as Names in Zoo'
3C. Boston Soc. N. H. 1884.]

Mr. Garman urges various well-known objections to the

[On the use of Polynomials as Names in Zoology. By S. Garman
Proc. Boston Soc. N. H. 1884.]

316 liecentlij published Ornithological Works.

use of polynomials in zoology, and in reply to the assertion
that "there is no other and better method ' of designating
variations in form not sufficient for specific separation, ex-
plains a plan (which he has adopted in his ' List of North-
American Batrachians and Reptiles') of using symbols
attached to the binomial name, such as (A)_, (B), (C), (D).
Thus "(D) Ambly stoma tigrinmn" would mean the fourth
form of that Salamander. This symbol is prefixed, so as not
to stand in the way of the authority.

90. Gould's 'Birds of Neiv Guinea.'

[The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Ishinds, induding
any new Species that may be discovered in Australia. By [the late] John
Gould, F.R.S. &c. Part XIX. Folio. London : 188-5.]

The nineteenth part of this work, with the letterpress by
IMr. R. B. Sharpe, contains figures of the following species : —

Cacatua gymnopis. Ptilopus solomonensis.

ducorpsi. Halcyon tristrami.

Cyclopsitta occidentalis. Pachycephala fuscoflava.

Pristorhamphus versteri. Zosterop-s brunneicauda.

Urocharis longicauda. uropygialis.

Glycychijera fallax. Myiagra fulviventris.
Carpophaga rubricera.

It would have been better to have taken the second figure
in the plate of Ptilopus solomonensis from the female speci-
men— on which the sjDccies was first established — instead of
giving two figures of the male bird.

91. Gould's ' Supjjlement to the Trochilidse.'

[Supplement to the Trochilidae, or IIummiDg-Birds. By [the late]
John Gould, F.H.S. &c. Part IV. Folio. London : 1885.]

The fourth part of the 'Supplement to the Trochilid?e'
contains an account of twenty-nine species not included in
the monograph, or concerning which further information was
required. The species figured are : —

Campylopterus phainopeplus. Diphlogfena aurora.

Diphlogfena hesperus. Oroopyra calolaema.

Recently published Ornithological Works. 317

Oreopyra cinereicauda. Agyrtria taczanowskii.
Coeligena liemileuca. Uranoiuitra viridifrons.
Agyrtria bartletti. Timolia lerchi.
fluviatilis. Eugeues spectabilis.

The fifth part will; we believe, conclude the work.

92. Langille on North- American Birds.

[Our Birds in their Haunts : a popular Treatise on the Birds of Eastern
North America. By Rev. J. Ilibbert Langille, M.A, 8vo. Boston:

1884.]

The object of this work, as the author tells us, is to '' render
as popular and attractive as possible, as well as to bring
within a small compass, the sum total of the bird-life of
Eastern North America.''^ No systematic arrangement is
employed, but the narrative " follows in the main the order of
the seasons, and groups itself about certain interesting loca-
lities, such as the Niagara river and St. Clair flats." The
book is written " almost entirely from personal observation."
It is dedicated to Dr. Coues, whose scientific nomenclature
is followed throughout.

93. Lawrence on new Species of Tyrannidse, Cypselidae,
and Columbidse.

[Description of supposed new Species of Birds of the Families Tyran-
nidje, Cypselidae, and Columbidae. By George N. Lawrence. Ann.
N.Y. Acad. Sci. iii. p. 15G.]

Mr. Lawrence describes in the present paper three sup-
posed new species from specimens collected in Yucatan by
Mr. Geo. F. Gaumer during his recent (second) expedition in
1884. These are Contopus albicollis, Chatura yucatanica,
and Engyptila gaumeri. Mr. Salvin [supra, p. 193) has
already stated his opinion that the last-mentioned specimen
is not different from E. Jamaicensis.

94. Menzbier on the Blue Tits.

[M^moires sur les Paridse. — 1. Le Groupe des Mfeanges Bleues {Cy~
anestes, Kaup). Par Michel Menzbier. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1884,
pp. 239-302.]

318 Recently published Ornithological Works.

This appears to be a carefully prepared and exhaustive
treatise upon the present state of our knowledge o£ the Blue
Tits (^Cyanistes) and their distribution and varieties. M.
Menzbier divides the group into two sections^ ''brevicaudates^'
and "■ longicaudates," with five species in the first^ and two
species and one subspecies in the second section. The
synonymy, description, and distribution of each species are
fully given, and the intermediate forms between Paruspleskei
and P. cyanus and P. cyaaus and P.flavipectus are described.
The existence of these supposed " hybrids " leads the author
into an important disquisition on the effect of crossing upon
the extinction of species.

95. ' Mlttheilungen' of the Ornithological Union of Vienna.

[Mittheilungen des oi'uithologisclien Vereiues in Wien. 8 Jahrg,
nos. 1-12, 1884.]

Dr. G. V. Hayek's excellent periodical is, as usual, devoted
mainly to papers on the birds of " the fatherland " and ad-
joining districts and to other kindred subjects. But, as con-
tributions of more general interest, we may venture to allude
to Prof. Eugen von Boeck's '^ Ornis of the Valley of Cocha-
bamba'^; Collett^s " Alca impennis in Norway'^; and Drs,
Radde and Von Pelzeln's article upon a collection of birds
from the Caucasus (already alluded to). We are not aware
that Cochabamba lias been visited by a European naturalist
since the valley was trodden by d'Orbigny in 1830. Prof. v.
Boeck's list of birds, which has been carefully edited by
Dr. W. Blasius, contains the names of eighty-seven s^jccies.
Some of these are but approximately determined, and it is
to be hoped that Prof. v. Boeck and Dr. Blasius will continue
their communications upon this interesting subject. We
may remark that Rupicola saturata (sive sanguinolenta) is a
subspecies of R. peruviana peculiar to Western Ecuador, and
that the Bolivian form is probably not identical.

96. Newton on Ornithology.

[Ornithology. By Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S., &c. Reprinted from
the ' Encyclopajdia Britaunica ' by special permission. For Private Cir-
culation. 50 pp. 4to.]

Recently published Ornithological Works. 319

Prof. Newton's excellent essay on ornithology will be read
with pleasure and interest by every one who is attached to
the fascinating study of birds. In the first part of the
memoir is a most instructive account of the principal writers
on ornithology, beginning with Pliny, and carried down to a
recent, though, perhaps, not quite to the most recent, period.
After works on general ornithology, those on faunas and the
principal illustrated publications on birds are also shortly
reviewed. But the latter half of the article, which contains
an historical account of the progress made since the beginning
of the present century towards a correct classification of the
class Aves, will be that which will, perhaps, attract greatest
attention. Prof. Newton rightly considers Blasius Merrem
as the " virtual starting-point of the latest efl"orts in syste-
matic ornithology," and traces the different ameliorations
subsequently made down to the ^' systems " proposed by
Sclater in this Journal for 1880. Much to our regret, Prof.
Newton declines to propound his own arrangement of birds
further than by showing that their primary division into
Saururse, Ratitaj, and Carinatae can be regarded as thoroughly
substantiated. But taking Sclater's arrangement of the
Carinatse for his text, he proceeds to make numerous criti-
cisms thereupon, of the force of many of which the author
of that arrangement is fully convinced. It is a misfortune,
we venture to think, that these criticisms are so much more
of a destructive than a constructive character, though we are
glad to see that Prof. Newton has pronounced definitely on
one or two controverted points, such as the alliance of
Cariama to the Accipitres and the independence of the Striges
from the Accipitres.

97. Pagenstecher's 'Birds of South Georgia.'

[Die Vogel Siid-Georg-iens nach der Ausbeute der deutschen Polar-
station in 1882 uud 1883. Von Prof. Dr. Pagenstecher. [Jalirb. d.
wissenschaftl. Anst. zu Hamburg, II.) Hamburg : 1885.]

The German expedition to the remote South-Atlantic
island of South Georgia was quartered at Royal Bay in that
island from the 21st of August, 1882, to the 5th of Sep-

320 Recently published OrnitJioloyical Works.

tember 1883 ; and a collection of birds was made, of which
the principal series was assigned by the German Polar Cora-
mission to the Natural-History Museum of Handjurg. Dr.
Pagenstecher, the director of that institution, now gives us
an account of the collection, comparing the avifauna of South
Georgia with that of the somewhat similarly placed Island of
Kerguelen in the South Indian Ocean, and adding remarks
on the habits and breeding of the birds contributed by Dr.
H. Will. Altogether 23 species of birds were met with in
South Georgia, of which 18 were found to breed there, while
the corresponding numbers for Kerguelen are 42 and 37.
South Georgia differs from Kerguelen in having a resident
Passerine bird — a Pipit, which has lately been described by
Dr. Cabanis as Anthus antarcticus. The Sheathbill of South
Georgia {C/donis alba) is represented in Kerguelen by a
different species {Ch. mitior). Whether the Teal of South
Georgia is really the same as that of Kerguelen [Querquedula
eatoiii) seems to be rather doubtful. Besides these three
species, the avifauna of South Georgia consists entirely of
oceanic birds — Penguins, Petrels, Albatrosses, Gulls, Terns,
and Cormorants.

98. Protocol of the Inter iiational Ornithologists' Congress.

[Sitzungs-Protokolle des ersten inteniationalen Ornitliologen-Con-
gresses welcher unter dem Protectorate Sr. kaiserl. und konigl. Ilolieit
des durchlaucbtigsten Kronprinzen Erzlierzog Rudolf, vom 7. Lis 11.
April, 1884, in W ien abgelialten wurde. 4to. Wien : 1884.]

This is the official account of the proceedings of the first
meeting of the International Ornithologists^ Congress, which
was held at Vienna in April 1881, under the presidency of
Dr. Gustav Radde. It is noteworthy that no official repre-
sentative of Great Britain attended the meeting. There
seems to have been some mismanagement here, either on the
part of our authorities or of those of Vienna.

99. Report of the Harvard Museum of Zoology.

[Annual Report of the Curator of the Museum of Comparative Zoology
at Harvard College, to the President and Fellows of Harvard College,
for 1883-84. 8vo. Cambridge : 1884.]

Recently published Ornithological Works. 331

A good work for ornithology has been done in 1884 by
the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology by the issue,
in two volumes of its 'Memoirs/ of the long-expected
history of the Water-Birds of North America, already noticed
above (pp. 97, 221). Mr. Agassiz, in his general report, seems
rather concerned at the accumulation of the collections under
his charge, and thinks that the resources of the Institution
will hardly prove adequate to supply the additional room re-
quired for their storage and the new assistants for their care.
Mr. Allen's special report on the mammals and birds tells us
that the latter collection has been increased by the addition
of 68 mounted specimens (58 species) and 107 skins (61
species) — the latter mainly to fill deficiencies in the North-
American collection. There have also been added three
mounted and three unmounted skeletons. The birds in the
Systematic, South- American, and Australian Rooms have
been labelled, and considerable progress has been made in the
preparation of the systematic or index-catalogue of the
skins.

100. Ridgway on neiv Birds from Cozumel Island.

[Description of some new Species of Birds from Cozumel Island, Y u-
catan. By Robert llidgway. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. iii.]

The present paper contains descriptions of the following
new species and subspecies of birds from a collection made
in Cozumel in January last by Mr. J. E. Benedict, of the
U.S. Fish Commission : — Harporhynchus guttatus, Troglo-
dytes beani, Dendroica petechia rufivertex, Vireosylvia cinerea,
Vireo bairdi, Cyclorhis insularis, Spindalis benedicti, Euetheia
olivacea intermedia, Centurus leei, Attila cozumel<s, Lampornis
thalassinus, Chlorostilbonforjicatus, Empidonax gracilis, My-
iarchus platyrhynchus , Cardinalis saturatus.

Of these, Harporhynchus guttatus and Spindalis boiedicti
are, no doubt, the birds described by Mr. Salvin in our last
number {antea, pp. 187, 189) as Harporhynchus melanostoma
and Spindalis exsul. The Vireo called by him V, magister
is V. cinerea of the present paper ; Phonipara pusillu =
Euetheia olivacea intermedia ; Attila sp.? perhaps =A.cozu-

SEK. V. VOL. III. Z

322 Recently published Ornithological Wurhs.

mela ; Centurus dubius=C. leei; Chlorostilbon caniveti=C.
forficatus.

Mr. Ridgway's paper is merely a preliminary one, and we
look forward with interest to his promised fuller account.

101. Rochebrune's 'Birds of Senegambia.'

[Faune de la S6n4gambie par A.-T. de Rochebrune. (Oiseaux.)
Royal 8vo, Paris: 1884.]

An account of the birds of the French colony of Sene-
gambia has long been wanting, and we are always glad to
welcome a new worker into the wide field of ornithology,
although it is necessary to say that we are not quite satisfied
with the present volume. Dr. Rochebrune gives us an ac-
count of 686 species of birds which he attributes to the fauna
of Senegambia. Of these Scotopelia oustaleti, Psittacus
rubrovarius, j^githalus calotropiphilus, Nilaus edivardsi, and
Estrelda savatieri are said to be new discoveries ; but the
Psittacus is certainly only a variety of Ps. erithacus, and
we are a little suspicious about some of the other supposed
new species. But the important question is whether we may
safely rely on the author's assertions that all the 686 species
mentioned in the work are to be found within the limits of
Senegambia. For example. Dr. Rochebrune maintains that
he has " seen and hunted " three diflerent species of Bucorvus
(usually supposed by those who admit them to be geogra-
phical representatives of each other), all in Senegambia. Dr.
Rochebrune likewise includes in his list Gyps rueppelli,
Poeocephalus robustus, Schizorhis leucogastra, and many other
species hitherto believed to be confined to Eastern and
Southern Africa. Now we ask, in all seriousness, has our
author actually procured in Senegambia examples of all these
species, and have they been determined by competent autho-
rities, or are they only identified by recollection ? It would
have been much more satisfactory to have followed Count
Salvadori's excellent plan of giving a list of the specimens
of each species obtained, with their exact dates and localities.

As regards what Dr. Rochebrune calls the " ovologie '•'(!) of
his volume, we fear, again, there must be some errors. Does

Recently published Ornithological Works. 323

Cuculus solitarius really nest in the " trous des vieux arbres "?
If so, it is a most remarkable Cuckoo. Are the eggs of
Pogonorhynchus really spotted^ as stated p. 108, and figured
pi. xxix. fig. 3 ? Does the Tufted Umbrette in Senegambia
lay such eggs as are figured in plate xxiv. ? If so, former
excellent authorities on this subject have been egregiously
deceived. Dr. Rochebrune seems to be well pleased with his
coloured plates, and there is, indeed, much spirit in some of
the drawings ; but the colouring is, in some cases, awful.
Nor can we see any use or excuse for such barbarisms as
'' Strigi "tl " Columbi " ! " Steganopodi " \ &c. Dr. Roche-
brune's hallucinations as regards Nitzsch and the aftershaft
have been already treated of by Mr. Beddard (Ibis, 1885,
p. 19), so we need say nothing more on this part of the sub-
ject, except that our author appears to be too great a patriot
to allow that anything good can come out of Germany.

102. Saunders's Edition of ' YarreU's British Birds.'

[A History of British ]3irds. By the late William Yarrell, V.P.L.S.,
F.Z.S. Fourth Edition. Revised to the end of the Second Volume by
Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S. ; continued by Howard Saunders, F.L.S.,
F.Z.S. Parts XXIX. & XXX. 1885.]

Parts XXIX. and XXX. conclude the Ducks and Mer-
gansers and the entire work. A short preface to Vol. III.
contains some remarks on the species which have been added
to the British list during the progress of this edition, and
not figured or fully described in it.

103. Sharpe on the Fringilliformes.

[Catalogue of the Passeriformes, or Perching Birds, in the Collection of
the British Museum. Fringilliformes : Part I., containing the Familiea
Dicseidse, Hirundinidae, Ampelidse, Mniotiltidie, and Motacillidse. By
R. Bowdler Sharpe. London : 1885. 682 pp., 12 coloured plates.]

Mr. Sharpens unrivalled energy has already produced
another contribution to the British Museum Catalogue
of Birds, which has thus reached its tenth volume. Mr.
Sharpe now commences the great group of nine-primaried
Oscines — the ''Tanagroid Passeres'^ of Wallace, which he

z2

324 Recently published Ornithological Works.

prefers to call " Fringilliformes/' and gives us an account of
five '^families "—the Dicseidse, Hirundinidae, Arapelidse,
Muiotiltidffi, and Motacillidse. Besides these he embraces the
members of the genns Polioptila, which, as he rightly states,
is qnite ont of place here, and ought to have been inserted in
a previous volume. But is he not a little severe on Mr.
Seebohm for rejecting Polioptila, when, as he allows, its most
natural place is among his own Muscicapidse ? Altogether
448 species are treated of in the present volume, illustrated
in the National Collection by 4590 specimens. Of these
88 are " types." Of 32 species allowed as good, the British
Museum has not yet acquired examples. Among the Dicseidae,
which our author admits " cannot be defined in exact terms/'
Mr. Sharpe includes the anomalous Hawaian genera Hemi-
gnathus, Drepanis, and their allies, which will eventually, we
suspect, be allowed to constitute a distinct family. At any
rate, Dicaum should not have been put in the middle of them.
The '' family " is rendered further irregular by the fact that
7 out of the 13 genera present a " distinct bastard primary,"
— that is, are really not nine-primaried ! Similar difficulties
to those who stick to the division of the Oscines solely by
the number of their primaries will be found to occur in the
Vireonidae, Fringillidas, and Alaudidte.

In the present volume Mr. Sharpe has rejected all tri-
nomial designations, but admits occasional subspecies with
binomial names.

The following species and subspecies are provided with
new names : — Dicceum sulaense, Cotile shelleyi, Petrochelidon
iimoriensis, Dendroeca granadensis, Basileuterus auricularis,
B. meridanus, B. rorahnce, B. bolivianiis, B. veraguensis,
Setophaga guatemala, Polioptila sclateri, P. lactea, Motacilla
xantkophrys.

The following generic terms seem to be new : — Pinaroloxias
for Cactornis inornata, Gould ; Xanthocorys for Anthus nat-
tereri, Sclater ; and Oreocorys in place of Heterura, Hodgson,
previously used.

Twelve nicely drawn plates by Keulemans conclude the
volume.

Recently published Oj-nithulugicul Works. 325

104. Shufeldt on the Osteology of Ceryle alcyon.

[Osteology of Ceryle alcyon. By K. W. Shufeldt. Joiirn. Auat. &
Phys. xviii. p. 279.]

Dr. Shufeldt gives a careful account of the osteology of
this bird and some excellent illustrations. But we do not
quite understand him when he says that some Kingfishers
'^ possess zygodactylous feet, agreeing in this respect with the
Bucerotidae^^ (!). Is the word ''zygodactylous^^ here a mis-
print for '' syndactylous. Neither Kingfisher nor Hornhill
has what is usually called a ''zygodactylous" foot.

105. Shufeldt on the Osteology of Numenius longirostris,

[Osteology of Numenius longirostris, with Notes upon the Skeletons of
other American Limicolse. By R. W. Shufeldt. Jouru. Anat. & Phys.
xix. p. 51.]

Another elaborate memoir by Dr. Shufeldt, likewise illus-
trated by two well-drawn plates. The comparisons of the
various bones of Numenius with those of other Limicolse
give this treatise greater interest in a systematic point of
view than some of those which have preceded it.

106. Traquair on Biological Nomenclature.

[Remarks on Biological Nomenclature. Introductory Address deli-
vered before the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, 19th Nov., 1884.
Session 1884-85. By R. H. Traquair, M.D., F.R.S., F.G.S.]

Those who wish to understand the question of Biological
Nomenclature, concerning which so much discussion has
lately taken place, both in this country and in America, will
do well to read Dr. Traquair^s recent Presidential Address to
the Hoyal Physical Society of Edinburgh. The whole sub-
ject is here explained in simple language, and without strong
bias in favour of any of the contending parties. At the
same time Dr. Traquair gives us clearly to understand that
he does not much approve of trinomials, the time not yet
having arrived ''for any radical interference with the bino-
mial system." Neither do we quite like trinomials, yet it is
difficult to see how in certain cases their use can be avoided.

326 Recently published Ornithological Works.

107. Tschusi zu ^chmidhoffen on the Long-tailed Tits of
Europe.

[Bemerkungen iiber Acredula caudata, Linn., und Acredula rosea, Blyth.
Von V. Tscliusi zu Schmidkotfen. Mitth. orn, Ver. Wien, 1884, p. 103.]

This accurate student of the European ornis tells us that
in the district of Salzburg not only do both the (so-called)
species Acredula rosea and A. caudal a occur, but also every
possible form intermediate between the pure white-headed
and the black-striped birds.

108. Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen on the Summer Duck in
Styria.

[Anas sponsa, Linn., in Steiemiark. Von v. Tschusi zu Schmidhoften
Mitth. orn. Ver. Wien, 1884, p. SO.]

The author gives several instances of the occurrence of the
Summer-Duck of North America (jEx sponsa) in Styria
(on the Mur near Gratz, in December 1883, and on the
Kainach several years before) . But there can be little doubt
that these are either birds escaped from ornamental waters
or descendants of imported birds, the Summer-Duck being a
purely Nearctic species, replaced in Northern Asia by jEx
galericulata.

109. Vorderman on the Birds of Batavia.

[Bataviasclie Vogels. — Part VI., and Alphabetische Index. Door A.
(t. Vorderman. Fsatuurk. Tijds. v. Nederl. Indie, Deel xliv. Afl. 3.]

Mr. Vorderman now gives us a sixth part of his ' Bata-
vian Birds ' and an Index to conclude the series. Alto-
gether in the six parts 182 species have been described and
10 others mentioned in an appendix. But we should imagiue
that the number of birds to be found within a reasonable
distance of Batavia must be far greater than this.

110. Vorderman's ' List of Javan Birds.'

[List of the Birds from Java. Compiled by A. 6. Vorderman. Na-
tuurk. Tijds. v. Nederl. Indie, Deel xliv. Afl. 3.]

This is a nominal list of the birds of Java, compiled from

Letters, Announcements, &)C. 327

the works of Horsfield, Temminck, Bonaparte, Schlegel, and
other authorities, and arranged on the system of Prof.
SchlegeFs ' Dierentuin." 404 species are enumerated, of
which the author claims 14 as due to his explorations of the
neighbourhood of Batavia and Mount Salak. Of these 14,
one, Brachypteryx salacensis, is stated to be new, but no
description is given. We are glad to be told that Mr. Vor-
derman has in preparation a monograph on the birds of
Java, on the same plan as Salvadori's excellent work on the
birds of Borneo.

111. 'The Young OologistJ

[The Young Oologist. Vol. I. No. 10. 8vo. Gaines, N. Y. : 1885.]

We have been favoured with a specimen-copy of this newly
started journal, which contains a series of communications
upon the birds and eggs of North America, and seems likely
to foster the study of field-ornithology in the United States.

XXXIII. — Letters, Announcements, &^c.

We have received the following letters addressed to the
Editors of ^ The Ibis:'—

Irchester Vicarage, Wellingboro',
April 16, 1885.

Sirs, — I am concerned to find that the specific name
cinerascens cannot stand for my Parus, described in the last
number of ' The Ibis/ having been previously given to
another Titmouse (P. afer, Gmelin) by Vieillot (Nouv. Diet.
XX. p. 316, 1818) ; I therefore propose that it should be
known as Parus sarawacensis.

Yours &c.,

Henry H. Slater.

Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere,
May 23, 1885,

Sirs, — That the birds of the island of Cozumel should
have remained unnoticed for upwards of forty years, and have

338 Lettei's, Announcements, ^c.

then supplied two coUectious, to Mr. Ridgway and myself,
almost at the same moment, is unfortunate only as regards
the last coincidence, inasmuch as we have supplied several
birds each with a superfluous name.

My reason for writing this letter is to ascertain which
name is applicable in future to these species.

The facts are these : — My paper was published in your
pages on or about April 5 of the present year.

Mr. Ridgway^s will form part of the third volume of the
Biological Society of Washington, 1884-85. Extra copies of
this paper were printed on " February 26, 1885,'^ and posted
by Mr. Ridgway to his friends on March 2nd.

The date of its publication I am, as yet, unable to supply.

Personally I am quite ready to accept Mr. Ridgway^s
names ; but I think no harm can be done by asking what is
the status of names issued in an " extra " in advance of the
actual publication of the periodical of which they are to form
a part.

The date of printing is, of course, nothing, and it seems to
me that the distribution of printed copies by an author does
not technically differ from sending Avritten letters to the
same eff'ect to his various correspondents.

Publication is something more than this. I believe that
our practice in England is not to issue " extras '^ to authors
until after the actual publication of the paper, and this seems
to me to be the right course. In America a different system
seems to prevail, and authors can have copies of their papers
often many months before their formal publication. In by
far the majority of cases no harm is done. Occasionally, as
in the present instance, a preliminary distribution clashes
with an actual publication.

Yours &c.,

OSBERT SaLVIN.

Anniversary of the British Ornithologists' Union. — The
Annual Meeting of the B. O. U. was held at 6 Tenterden
Street, on AVednesday, the 20th May, at 6 p.m., Mr. Sclatek
in the Chair.

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 339

The Minutes of the last Meeting having been read and
confirmed, the B. O. U. Committee presented the following
Report : —

Your Committee have much pleasure in pointing out that
the B. O. U. continues in a prosperous condition. As
compared with last year the finances are in a very satis-
factory state, more than half the heavy debt incurred by
the publication of the ' Ibis List of British Birds ' having
been wiped off, while by careful economy the expenses of
publication of the Journal have been decreased.

At the last Anniversary Meeting the number of Members
amounted to 150, viz. : — 124 Ordinary (Mr. Foster having
been returned in error as dead), 1 Extraordinary, 9 Honorary,
and 16 Foreign Members. At the present Anniversaiy the
total number of Members on the roll has been increased to
174, viz. : — 146 Ordinary, 1 Extraordinary, 8 Honorary, and
19 Foreign Members. The Committee are pleased to be
able to say there has been only one death among the Mem-
bers, viz. that of Mr. Arthur Basil Brooke, whose loss will
be sincerely regretted by all the Union. The only other
vacancy is that caused by Major G. F. L. Marshall, who has
resigned. There are 9 Candidates for admission at this
Anniversary.

The Accounts for 'The Ibis' for 1884 were then dis-
cussed and passed, and the following new Members were
balloted for and elected : — James Backhouse, Jun., West
Bank, York ; Hugh G. Barclay, F.R.G.S., Thorpe, Nor-
wich; Capt. E. F. Becher, R.A., F.Z.S., Southwell, Notts;
William Fitzherbert Brockholes, Claughton-on-Brock, Gar-
stang, Lancashire; F. H. H. Guillemard, M.D., Eltliam,
Kent ; Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey, Thirkleby, Thirsk ; George
Lawson, C.B.,, 36 Craven Hill Gardens, Hyde Park, W. ; John
Marshall, F.L.S., Belmont, Taunton; Edward Neale, 6 Ten-
terden Street, W. The President and Secretary having been
re-elected, Mr. W. T. Blanford, F.R.S,, was elected on the
Committee in place of Captain Shelley, who retired by rotation.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman (as also to Captain
Shelley for the use of his room) was proposed by Mr. F.

330 Letters, Announcements, 6^c.

DuCane Godman^ seconded by Mr. Howard Saunders, and
carried unanimously.

The Meeting then adjourned^ and the Annual Dinner was
held at the Cafe Royale, and was attended by about twenty-
five Members and quests.

Neiv Ornithological Work. — We are glad to hear that Mr.
Edward Bartlett, Curator of the Maidstone Museum, has been
for some years collecting materials for a great work on the
Ploceidae and Fringillidse, upon which his MS. is becoming-
very voluminous. He has besides a fine collection of the
birds themselves, and will feel truly grateful for odd papers
or notes on any of the species. Mr. Bartlett says that the
work has been a labour of love to him, with little idea of
compensation, and he hopes it will be of value to science, as
well as to persons who are fond of this beautiful group of
birds in confinement.

Prjevalsky's New Expedition. — The ' Times ' of May 25th
publishes a letter from Col. Prjevalsky dated Lob Nor,
Feb, 10th, in which he states that the collections of natural
history during the present expedition " are not inconsiderable.
The poorest is that of the birds — 1000 specimens — of which
one only is new, Leucosticte roboivoskii.'''

" We have passed the autumn and winter in the western
regions of Zaidan and Northern Tibet, where we made
many geographical discoveries. We arrived at Lob Nor
yesterday, and shall pass the month of February here, ob-
serving the migration of birds. In March we shall start for
the town of Kiria, where our collections, loaded on ten
camels, will remain, while we pass the summer in the moun-
tains of Northern Tibet, with the intention of re-entering
Turkestan in the autumn. We have heard no news from
Europe for twelve months, and have not seen another human
being for three months."

The Ridgway Ornithological Club, Chicago, U.S.A. — March
5th, 1885. J. L. Hancock read a paper on the Birds of Corpus

Letters, Announcements, ^r. 331

Christi, Texas, recording ninety-four species observed in
March and April 1884. — April 2nd. A specimen of Swain-
son's Warbler {Helmintherus sivainsoni) , lent by Mr. Brewster,
was exhibited. A paper was read by Dr, Gibbs on the Wood-
peckers of Michigan. Mr. H. K. Coale gave a bird-skinning
exposition. — May 15th, Mr. Coale read a paper containing
notes on the Birds of Arizona.

Birds breeding in Ants' Nests. — Two interesting letters on
this subject have lately appeared in ^ Nature.' These, with
the kind permission of the Editor of ' Nature,' we reproduce.
The first is from Mr. W. Davison, who writes from Ootaca-
mund, Jan. 18th, and says, in reply to inquiries from Mr.
Grant Duff {' Nature,' vol. xxxi. p. 438) :—

" The Southern Chestnut Woodpecker {Micropternus gu-
laris) always, as far as I have observed, uses an ants' nest
to nest in, and Mr. Gammie, the Superintendent of the
Government Cinchona Estates at Mongphoo, .near Darjee-
ling, has noticed the same thing with regard to the allied
northern species, Micropternus jjhaioceps ; and the peculiarity
probably extends also to the allied species found in Burmah,
Siam, &c.

" Mr. Gammie thinks that when an ants' nest has been
taken possession of by the bird the ants desert the nest.
This is a point on which I cannot speak with certainty.
Mr. Gammie has taken nests of the northern species in
which, although the bird had laid, the ants remained, and
he has taken other nests where not a single ant remained;
but there is nothing to show that these nests were not de-
serted before the bird took possession. I myself have taken
nests of the southern form, in which, though the eggs were
partially incubated, the ants remained, showing that some
considerable time must have elapsed since the bird took pos-
session. This is a point that I hope to be able to elucidate
within the next few months, when the birds will be breeding.

'^ When Micropternus is breeding the feathers of the head,
tail, and primaries of the wings get covered with a viscid
matter, having a strong resinous smell, and this substance is

332 Letters, Announcements, &^c.

usually rather thickly studded with dead ants {vide ' Stray
Feathers/ vol. vi. p. 145).

" Two species of Kingfishers also to my knowledge nidi-
ficate in ants^ nests — viz. Halcyon occipitalis, confined to
the Nicobar Islands^ and H. chloris, which ranges from India
as far south as Sumatra.

''At Merguij in South Tenasserim, I found a nest of
H. chlo7ns in a hornets' nest, and although I saw the birds
repeatedly enter the hole they had made in the hornets'
nest the hornets did not seem to mind it, but they resented
in a very decided manner my attempt to interfere with the
nest."

In the number of ' Nature ' for May (vol. xxxii. p. 52)
is the following letter from Mr. Charles Bingham, Deputy
Conservator of Forests, British Burmah, on the same sub-
ject :—

" Oamp Meplay, Thoung-yeen Valley, Tenasserim,
April 20, 1882.

" This morning, in going from my camp to the Meplay
Forest Reserve, I had to pass through several densely over-
grown phonzohs. While making my way along with some
difficulty, I startled a brown Woodpecker {Micropternus
phceoceps) from a small pyingado tree (Xylia dolabriformis).
Looking up into the branches I saw a large ants' nest, in the
centre of which appeared a circular hole so exactly like the
borings made by Woodpeckers ordinarily in the trunks of
trees, that I sent up a Karen boy who was with me to ascer-
tain whether it was possible the Micropternus had been
boring into the ants' nest, as I had heard was the bird's
curious habit. The ants' nest was only about ten feet above
the ground, placed in the fork of the pyingado, two small
branches of which passed clean throiigh it. Climbing up,
putting in his fingers and then a twig, my Karen follower
announced that there were two eggs. Leaving the nest
alone for the time being, in the evening I returned by the
same route, and was able not only to cut off" and carry into
camp the whole nest as it was ; but I managed to secure
also the bird as she flew from the eggs. Arrived in camp, I

Letters, Announcements, S^c.

383

got the two eggs out^ and then very carefully made a cross-
section through the ants' nest, so as to divide the boring
made by the Woodpecker longitudinally.

a, entrance-tunnel made by Woodpecker ; b, retort-shaped nesting-cham-
ber of Woodpecker; c, excavations made by the ants; ddd .. . .d,
entrances to them ; ///• . . ./, tunnels made by the ants ; fff/, fork of
pyingado branch— one twig passing through the egg-chamber ex-
cavated by the Woodpecker.

"The accompanying is a rough diagrammatic sketch of
the appearance of the cross-section of the nest as hollowed
out by the Woodj)eckers. The ants' nest was a large sphe-
rical solid mass of leaves and clay, the leaves outside being
arranged one over the other something like the tiles on the
roof of a house, but riddled in many places with the entrance-
tunnels made by the ants — a small black and red species of
Myrmica, the trivial or specific name of which I do not
known. It is probably closely allied to the Myrmica men-
tioned by Sir J. Lubbock in his ' Ants, Bees, Wasps,' as
having been described by Sykes in the '^ Trans. Ent. Soc'
vol. i. Very few of the ants remained in the nest, and the

334 Letters, Announcements , ^c.

few tliat were about seemed agitated and stung virulently.
Probably the mass of them had been driven off or eaten by
the Woodpeckers. The tunnel the latter had made was
about two inches in diameter and four inches long, bored
horizontally in, and ending in an irregular-shaped egg-
chamber about ten and a half inches in cross diameter, but
narrowed by the branch of pyingado, which pierced the nest
through and through, and crossed the egg-chamber diagonally.
The bottom of this chamber alone was smooth, but there was
no lining, and the two translucent white eggs of the Wood-
pecker had rested on the bare boards, so to speak, of the
ants' house. In the excavations c c c made by the ants
themselves there were neither eggs, larvae, nor pupse ; pro-
bably these all had been removed when the Woodpeckers
invaded the nest.^'

Birds at Scotch Lighthouses. — At the meeting of the Royal
Physical Society of Edinburgh held on the 20th of May
last^ the Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to
several interesting birds that had been taken during the
month on the island of May by Mr. Agnew, lighthouse
keeper, and forwarded to Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown, in whose
collection they have since been placed. These were two
specimens of the Ortolan Bunting and others of the Pied
Flycatcher and Red-backed Shrike. The Secretary remarked
that these birds had appeared during their spring migration,
and that in the case o£ the Ortolan Bunting, the capture
proved that any Scotch specimens of the birds that have been
recorded could not be said to be escaped birds, seeing that
they had been in company with well-known migratory
species, and were in all likelihood on their way to Scandi-
navia, where they are known to breed.

Mr, R. B. Sharpens Departure for Simla. — In our last
Number {supra, p. 236) we spoke of the negotiations going
on for the transfer of Mr. Hume's celebrated collection
of Indian birds to the British Museum. Mr. Sharpe started
for Simla the end of April to superintend the packing

Letters, Announcements, i^c. 385

of the collection, which will shortly be on its way home.
Writing from the s.s. "^ Ancon/ in the Red Sea, on May 5th,
he complains much of the intense heat. '^ It is just as well,^'
he says, " that one of the Editors of ' The Ibis ' is not on
board. He would tear his hair at seeing about twenty spe-
cimens of Larus hemprichi in full breeding-plumage following
the ship, and not to be got at. But I hope to obtain some
at Aden. A small Tern of the group ;S. minuta was common
near Suez, and again off Perim, where a larger Tern with a
black head also appeared in pairs. The only other birds
seen were a few Gannets (brown with belly white) and a
Kite and a Stonechat g-oins: north. •'^

Obituary. — Ernest William White, whose untimely death
was briefly recorded in our last Number, was born at Ey thorne,
near Dover, on the 20th June, 1858, and when six years of age
accompanied his parents to South America, Very delicate
from birth, it was with great difficulty that he was reared.
Books were forbidden him, and thus, untrammelled, he roamed
abroad and communed with nature, early displaying a fond-
ness for everything that lived. But it was when Henry
Durnford came to Buenos Ayres that Whitens passion for
natural history burst forth. They were bosom companions,
and it was only by his father^s command that White was
debarred from accompanying Durnford in his last ill-fated
expedition.

At his own request White was now sent to London to make
the acquaintance of naturalists. He there became a Fellow
of the Zoological Society of London^ and entered into ar-
rangements with Mr. Edward Gerrard, jun., to perfect
himself in the preparation of specimens. During his resi-
dence in London, White, in his passion for learning, took no
heed of weather, and thus developed tuberculosis, the seeds
of which were in him from his birth. He was consequently
called home, and on the voyage burst a blood-vessel on the
lungs and lost a great quantity of blood. He scarcely
reached home alive, and was then instantly despatched to
Mendoza, where he was enabled to gratify his passion for

38G Letters, Announcements, ^c,

natural history in a new and little-explored region and, by
roughing it, to regain health and strength.

For five years in this district White roamed about, sleeping
amongst the snows, travelling on mule-back, battered and
tossed by wind and rain, dust and heat, until at last he re-
turned home robust, and sought for a wife ready to accompany
and aid him in future toil. He found her and married ; and
then the next thing was to consider, as he had now con-
tracted obligations, how to choose a profession that should
first pay the expenses of his future explorations, and secondly
occupy the minimum of time in preparation.

His first idea was medicine, which he had studied in Buenos
Ayres previously; but considering that all the dentists of
Buenos Aires are rich men, and that the teeth of Argentines are
about the worst in the world, he fixed upon dentistry, which
he could combine with natural history in his projected travels,
wherein he was determined to exhaust the Argentine Republic.

White first tried the London schools ; but the restrictions
were so onerous and the climate so bad, that he was forced
to migrate to Philadelphia. Here, after his two j^ears' course,
he was on the point of attaining his qualification, when a
wave of malignant typhoid fever swept over the city and
carried White away amidst its earliest victims, on the 29th
of November last, at the early age of 26 years.

Dr. Eduard RiJppELL. — The death of Dr. Eduard Riippell,
of Frankfort-on-the-Main, which we announced in our last
Number (see p. 238), cannot be allowed to pass in this
Journal without honourable notice of so eminent a traveller
and naturalist.

Dr. Riippell was born in Frankfort on the 20th November,
1794<, the son of an official in the postal service of the Grand
Duchy of Hesse. After leaving the Gymnasium he was
placed in business ; but his love for natural history led him
to visit Egypt as early as 1817, after which he became resi-
dent in Italy. The assistance rendered to him by the
Senckenbergian Society of Naturalists, which was founded
in that year in his native city, enabled Riippell to attend

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 337

regular classes at the Universities of Pavia and Genoa, and
thus to prepare himself carefully for scientific travel. The
result was the two great expeditions of 1822 and 1832. In
the first of these Riippell explored Egypt, Nubia, and Kor-
dofan. This expedition, as well as the second, of which the
object was the exploration of the then almost unknown fauna
of Abyssinia, resulted in the discovery of a large number of
new species in every branch of natural history, besides estab-
lishing many others up to that time very little known. The
number of new birds discovered by Riippell amounted to 130
at least, and his labours in the cause of ornithology in these
countries must always place his name amongst those of the
first rank in the history of the birds of Africa. Indeed
RUppeirs w^orks have formed the ground upon which all
subsequent labours on the ornithology of North-eastern Africa
have been based.

The three works which bring everlasting fame to the name
of Riippell are : — (1) The 'Atlas zu der Reise im nordlichen
Afrika,' published at Frankfort in 1826 ; (2) his 'Neue
Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abyssinien gehorig' (Frank-
fort, 1835) ; and (3) his ' Systematische Uebersicht der Yogel
Nordost-Afrika's ' (1845) .

The last-mentioned work, in 8vo, contains a summary of
the ornithological portions of the two former, and is further
remarkable for the excellent illustrations annexed to it, pre-
pared by the master hand of Joseph Wolf. Besides these
great works Riippell published several smaller ornithological
memoirs, chiefly in the ' Abhandlungen ' of the Museum
Senckenbergianura. He also contributed a paper containing
descriptions of two new species of Touraco to the ' Trans-
actions of the Zoological Society of London,' of which Society
Riippell was at the time of his death the senior Foreign
Member.

As is well known, Riippell gave the whole of his rich col-
lections to the Senckenbergian Institution of his native city,
where every opportunity is offered to those who wish to ex-
amine the typical specimens. It is also to one of RiippelFs
trained collectors, Martin Bretzka, that science is indebted

SER. V. VOL. in. 2 A

338 Letters, Announcements , ^c.

for our first acquaintance with the birds of Shoa^ in Southern
Abyssinia. Riippell died at Frankfort in the 91st year of
his age.

We are much indebted to Dr. H. Schalowfor the subjoined
notice of Dr. Richard Boehm^ the well-known African
traveller and ornithologist : —

Dr. Richard Boehm. — By a short note, received through
Dr. Gerhard Rohlfs, of Zanzibar, we are informed of the
death of the well-known young zoologist Dr. Richard Boehm.
The words of the telegram leave no doubt that the unfortu-
nate traveller has been murdered by the wild tribes westward
of lake Tanganyika, but the exact locality where this took
place is not yet known. It is much to be regretted that all
the rich ornithological collections and most of the notes
made during Boehm^s five years' stay in Eastern Africa have
been lost, except a few specimens collected in Kakoma and
on the Ugalla river. In this lamentable way has ended, at
the early age of 30 years, the career of one of the most
promising young zoologists of Germany. Richard Boehm
was born at Berlin, October 1st, 1857, the eldest son of Dr.
Boehm, a distinguished physician. After his zoological
studies at the Universities of Jena and Berlin, under the
direction of Haeckel, Peters, Cabanis, and others, Boehm
devoted himself especially to ornithology, and prepared
for his African travels. In April 1880 he left Germany.
During the following five years he visited the countries
between Zanzibar and Lake Tanganyika, mostly never ex-
plored by a zoologist. In 1882 all the collections, journals,
maps, and drawings of Boehm were destroyed by fire, A
year later the traveller received two shots through his thigh
from a native. After his recovery he set out to exj)lore the
country near lake Moero (between long. 28° E. and lat. 8° S.),
never visited by any European naturalist, and here, probably,
he met his death.

Among the scientific papers of the late Dr. Boehm, we
may call special attention to " Helgolander Leptomedusen "
(Jenaische Zeitschrift, Band xii.), " Ueber die Pycnogoniden ''

Letters, Announcements, ^-c. 339

(Bericht der Akad. d. Wissenscli. Berlin, 1879; often men-
tioned and well spoken of in Hoek^s Pycnogonidse of the
' Challenger' Expedition), besides various papers on African
ornithology jiublished in the ' Ornithologisches Centralblatt '
and in the ' Journal fiir Ornithologie/ A short account
of the birds collected by Boehm has been published by Dr.
Schalow (J. f. O. 1883, p. 337) ; a second paper will follow
in the next number of that periodical.

To Boehm are dedicated the genus Boehmia of Hoek and
many species of Eastern African birds.

News of Dr. Finsch. — Our excellent correspondent Dr. O.
Finsch of Bremen, who disappeared from Europe somewhat
mysteriously more than a year ago, and was generallv
supposed to have been sent off by Prince Bismark to take
possession of New Guinea for the Fatherland, writes to us
from Mioko, Duke-of-York Island, under date of the 27th of
February last. Dr. Finsch preserves a judicious reticence as
to the exact business he has been transacting, but admits that
he has " travelled a good deal in New Guinea, and visited
parts of that island where scarcely any white men have been
before.'^ But he also announces an important ornithological
discovery. At Cooktown, in the preceding month, he had
purchased a fine collection of birds just made on the southern
slopes of the Owen-Stanley range, in New Guinea, at an
elevation of from 7000 to 8000 feet. Amongst many rare
birds in this collection were some quite new and of great
beauty — a new Paradise-bird of prevailing blue colour and
a new form allied to Astrapia, both generically distinct, and
a most wonderful neAV Amblyornis, with a bright flame-
coloured crest. These novelties have been transmitted to
Dr. A. B. Meyer, of Dresden, for description.

New Expeditions. — Mr. H. O. Forbes, having issued his
' Naturalist's Wanderings in the Eastern Archipelago,' with
a full account of his last journey, has started again for the
East, this time having the Owen-Stanley range, in New
Guinea, for his principal object. He will call at Taentre

340 Letters, Announcements, ^c.

and pick up Lis trained staft' of Moluccan bird-hunters.
Mr. Forbes lias^ we believe, received excellent promises of
support from some of the Australian colonies, and l)ears
letters of introdiu;tion to Sir Peter Scratcbley, tlie newly
appointed (Governor of " Torresia/' as, we suggest, the portion
of Southern New (Juinea which Prince Bismark has kiiully
allowed us to retain ouglit to be called.

Two pupils of Prof. Moscley, who have recently distin-
guisjied themselves in the " Science Sciiools/' are likewise
shortly leaving l^ngland for oi)posit(! ((uarters of the globe.
Mr. G. C. ]3ourne departs for Diego (jareia, the south(;rn-
raost island of the Chagos group, in the Indian Ocean, never
before visited by a naturalist, and said to be tenanted by
peculiar land-birds and other endemic creatures. Mr. W.
Jj. Selatcr goes to British Guiana, to spend the winter under
the hospitable roof of Mr. E. F. im Tiuirn, when he will pay
some attention to the birds of the Pom croon llivcr, and
especially to the four-footed embryos of Opistliocomus [supra,
p. 118), if he can find them ! Both these youthful explorers
have promised to report progress to the Editors of 'The Ibis.'

Neiv Work on the Swallows. — Messrs. Henry Sotheran
& Co. have issued the prospectus of a ' Monograph of the
Hirundinida;,' or Family of Swallows, to be prepared by
Mr. J{. Bowdler Sharpe and Mr. Claude W. Wyatt. The
work will be issued in parts at lOs. 6d. each, and completed
in seventeen or eighteen parts, of which Mr. Sharpe will
j)repare the letterpress and Mr. Wyatt the plates. Tt will
be nearly uniform in general character with the well-known
' Monograidi of the Kingfishers' by the former.

THE IBIS.

FIFTH SERIES.

No. XII. OCTOBER 1885.

XXXIV. — Additional Notes on the Ornithology of Transvaal.
By Thomas Aykes. Communicated by John IIknky

GURNEY.

[Continued from ' The Ibis,' 1884, p. 2:3;?.]

[In the following notes the species not previously recorded
from the Transvaal by Mr. Ayres are numbered consecutively
with his previous lists. — J. H. G.]

Gyps rueppellIj Bon. Riippell's Vulture.

Male, Vaal river near Potchefstroom. Total length 27
inches, wing 22'5, tail 10*5, tarsus 4, bill from gape 2"25,
middle toe with claw 5*25.

My brother, whilst shooting some thirty miles down the
Vaal river, found these Vultures breeding rather plentifully,
and brought me from one of their nests an egg wliich
measures 3'75x2'75 inches. This egg, which was taken
15th June, 1884, still (March 1885) smells very strongly of
the musky odour peculiar to the Vultures ; the g^^ was
somewhat incubated, and as there was but one in the nest,
that is probably the number usually laid. It is a white egg,
very sparsely and rather faintly marked with reddish-brown
spots of eccentric shapes, which are rather more numerous at
the thick end of the egg than elsewhere ; the shell is rough

SER. V. VOL. HI. 2 B

312 Mr. T. Ayres on the Orn'itholoijij of Transvaal.

and clialky ; the nest was a ponderous strneture of rough
sticks placed on the top of a large and very thorny mimosa.

CiRCAETUS PECTORALis, Smith. Black-clicsted Harrier-
Eagle.

In the winter of 1883 but very few of these Eagles ap-
peared in the neighbourhood of Potchefstroom, but the fol-
lowing w'inter not less than a dozen made their appearance
and were seen soaring round on various occasions. Dan
Voorie^ a Dutch sportsman here, tells me that he saw* one
take a hare and, carrying it a considerable height, let it fall,
doubtless for the purpose of killing and eating it ; but toads,
frogs, lizards, and snakes appear to be the principal food of
this species.

TiNNUNCULUs CENCHRis (Naum.). Western Grey-winged
Kestrel.

Female, shot near Potchefstroom, 25th October, 1883.

In October 1883 this species was plentiful in the patches
of mimosa bush near Potchefstroom ; in a female which I
shot the stomach was crammed with large spiders.

TiNNUNCULUs RUPicoLOiDEs (Smith). Greater South-
African Kestrel.

In ' The Ibis,' 18G9, p. 288, I spoke of these Kestrels as
" tolerably common in the open country surrounding Pot-
chefstroom,^^ but they are now decidedly fewer in number in
this neighbourhood.

369. Scops capensis, Smith. Cape Scops Owl.

Male, shot 25th October, 1883. Iris light yellow.

Mr. Lucas sent me this scarce little Owl from the Rusten-
burg district, where it is just as difficult to get as elsew here ;
generally one only meets with these Owls by chance, and it
is very difficult to see them in the dusk of the evening as
they sit quietly in a tree, and there utter tlieir monotonous
kroo-kroo.

Merops apiaster, Linn. European Bee-eater.

Three males shot at Potchefstroom, 2Gth October, 1883 ;

Mr. T. Ayres oii the Ornithology of Transvaal. 343

one adult, with the iris crimson, the other two younger birds,
with the iris reddish brown.

Meuops persicus. Pall. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater.

These Bee-eaters breed in considerable numbers during
our summer months in the banks of the Vaal river, twenty
or thirty miles from Potchefstroom. I am not aware that
they breed elsewhere hereabouts, though there are other
localities apparently suitable.

Merops nubicoides, Des Murs. Carmine-throated Bee-
eater.

Shot near the junction of the Crocodile and Notuane
rivers, in January 1884<, by Mr. Lucas, who wrote to me in
February that this species is more numerous amongst the
Magaliesbergen than it used to be in former years, when it
was scarcely known in the Rustenburg district; now it is
by no means uncommon. This Bee-eater appears to assume
its nuptial dress later than most of the family, not acquiring
its best plumage till the latter end of December.

370. Halcyon semic.^rulea (Forsk.). African White-
headed Kingfisher.

The specimen sent is the first I have seen or heard of in
this part of the country ; it was shot in September whilst
quietly sitting on a tree overhanging a pool of water some
ten miles from Potchefstroom by our ex-Landrost Mr.
Andries Goetz, who kindly presented it to me in the flesh.

[The bird sent is marked as a female, and is apparently
adult.— J. H. G.]

Ceryle maxima. Pall. Great African Kingfisher.
This species becomes scarcer every year about Potchef-
stroom.

Chrysococcyx cupreus (Bodd.). Didric Cuckoo.

At the accustomed time last spring these Cuckoos appeared
in more than their usual numbers, and there is little doubt
that this species is fast increasing about here; they, how-
ever, disappeared this year (1885) much sooner than they
usually do, and for the last three months, from January to

2 B 2

314 Mr. T. Ayreis on the Ornitkoloyy of Transvaal.

the end of March^ scarcely one, either old or young, was to
be seen, and if by accident one was observed, it was silent
and slunk away, making as little sign as possible.

CoccvsTES sERRATUS (Sparrm.) . Crested Black Cuckoo.

Female, shot 25th October.

This species is exceedingly scarce about Potchefstroom.

Pycnonotus layardi, (rurn. Layard's Bulbul.
Male and female, Rustenburg, 26th and 27tli November,
1882.

Nest and eggs taken.

AcRocEPHALUs B^TiCATUs (Vicill.) . Lcsscr South-Afrlcan
Reed-Warbler.

Shot amongst reeds near Potchefstroom, 14th September,
1884.

This, I believe, is about the time when the earliest of these
migrants appear.

Stenostira scita (VieilL). Fairy Flycatcher.

Male, Potchefstroom, 8th August.

This species is a very early visitor to the Transvaal, ap-
pearing about this time, which is the end of our winter and
still very cold. These tiny birds are restless in the extreme,
and I suppose they manage to keep themselves warm by
constant motion.

Urolestes melanoleucus fJard. & Selby). South-African
Long-tailed Shrike.

This Shrike is not uncommon amongst the mimosa bush
in some parts of the Potchefstroom district, but is more
frequently found in the warmer bush-veldt districts.

Hyphanturgus OLivACEUS (Hahu) . Olive -and-yellow
Weaver-bird.

In the summer of 1884 these Weaver-birds were much
more plentiful than usual in our neighbourhood; but this
year they are unusually scarce, for which there is no apparent
reason.

Mr. T. Ayi'es on the Ornitholoyy of Trausvaal. 345

Hyphantornis velatus (Vieill.). Black-veiled Weaver-
bird.

In December 1882 I took a ne^t of this species from the
twigs of a bush overhanging a stream at Sterkstroom_, in the
Rustenburg district. The eggs of this species arc consider-
ably smaller than those of H. mariquensis, but do not other-
wise differ^ and are equally variable in coloration, assuming
various shades of verditer-speckled, pink-speckled, greenish
speckled white, &c. The nest above mentioned contained
two blue eggs.

Pyromelana oryx (Linn.) . Larger Southern Red Bishop-
bird.

Pyromelana TAHA (Smith). Taha Bishop-bird.

The males of both these species are this year losing their
breeding-plumage much earlier than usual ; there is now
(1st March, 1885) not a red specimen of the first to be seen,
and the males of the second are rapidly losing their gaudy
coats and assuming their brown winter dress. Both these
species, and also CAer« J9ro^/^e, are less numerous this year
than usual.

371. Vidua verreauxi, Cass. Verreaux^s Widow-bird.

This handsome Vidua is becoming much more plentiful
amongst the Magaliesbergen than it used to be years back.
Then it was scarcely known in the Rustenburg district, where
it is now by no means uncommon. This species assumes its
nuptial plumage later in the season than most of the family,
not being in full dress till the latter end of December, or
even January, and on into February.

Treron DELALANDii, Bou. Dclalaudc^s Pigeon.

I found a nest of this species amongst the Magaliesbergen
towards the end of November 1882 ; the nest was composed
of the usual layer of sticks and was not more than ten feet
from the ground ; it contained a well-fiedged young bird and
an addled white e^^.

CoLUMBA ARQUATRix, Tcmm. Ramcrou Pigeon.

In the summer of 1882 these Pigeons appeared in con-

346 Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal.

siderable numbers amongst the ravines of the Magalies
mountains^ feeding on the sweet and large berries of a tree
called by the Caftres " moople/' which during that summer
were very plentiful.

Pterocles gutturaliS;, Smith. Yellow-tliroated Sand-
Grouse.

This species is not at all uncommon near the village of
Rustenburg ; in certain bare spots^ where tliese birds find
tbe peculiar seeds they are partial to : from twenty to thirty
in a flock may often be seen.

372. TuRNix LEPURANA, Smith. Kurrichaue Hemipode.
This is a scarce species with us ; it inhabits the open

veldt_, is solitary in its habits^ and is seldom or never found
on the corn-lauds with the Common Quail.

Its length is given by Layard as 4^ inches^ but it measures
in the flesh as much as G inches.

Crex egregia (Peters) . Greater African Crake.

Female, Potchefstroom, 6th July, 1883. Iris and bare
eyelid crimson; bill bluish ash, with the ridge dusky and
the basal part rose-red ; tarsi and feet dusky ash-brown.

This is an exceedingly scarce Rail in these parts ; the
specimen sent was killed with a long whip by a small boy,
whilst running about on wheat-land, the blades of the wheat
being then only a few inches high.

PoRZANA BAiLLONi (Vicill.) . Baillou^s Crake.
Male, immature in change, Potcliefstroom, 18th July,
1883. Iris brownish red.

This Crake is obtained here occasionally.

373. PoRPHYRio ALLENi (Tliomps.). Allcu's Porphyrio.
Male, Rustenburg, 11th December, 1883, shot on the Hex

river. Iris reddish brown ; tarsi and feet crimson ; bill dark
red, frontal shield dusky.

This very scarce bird was sent to me by Mr. W. Lucas,
who had it in the flesh and noted the particulars above
transcribed.

Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornitholoi/ij of Transvaal. 347

FuLicA cRisTATA, Gmel. Red-knobbed Coot.

The knob of the male bird during life is of the most lovely
and brilliant crimson, and was particularly striking in one
shot in April.

CuRsoRius RUFUSj Gould. Burchell's Courser.

I think this species has increased in numbers ; it appears
plentifully in June and July, breeding in August and Seji-
tember.

• 374. HiMANTOPUs CANDiDUs, Bonu. Black-winged Stilt.

Female, shot 28th July, 1883. Iris crimson; bill black;
tarsi and feet bright rose-red ; wings greenish black, with a
metallic lustre; scapulars and tertials dusky brown; tail
pale brownish grey ; the rest of the plumage white, with a
slight grey tinge on the head below and behind the eye, and
some little mingling of a similar tinge (but very slight) on
the back of the head and neck.

This specimen was shot by my brother on a marsh about
nine miles from Potchefstroom ; it was a solitary bird, and
had been feeding on small freshwater snails, which formed
the contents of the stomach.

The Stilt is one of our rarest visitors, and I never
succeeded in shooting one, though occasionally, years ago,
I used to see a couple on a swamp a few miles from
Potchefstroom.

[In the present specimen the brown colouring of the
scapulars and tertials, coupled with the worn appearance
of that portion only of the plumage, affords, as it seems to
me, a strong indication of immaturity, leading to the infer-
ence that the nearly pure white head and neck are not, as
some ornithologists have supposed, exclusively characteristic
of very old individuals. — J. H. G.]

Gallinago nigripennis, Bon. Black-quilled Snipe.

While Snipe-shooting on 25th May, 1884, my pointer
stood like a rock at something, and for some little time I
could not make out what it was ; but looking carefully
amongst the grass I found a wee Snipe, not long hatched, a
pretty little fellow with a bill about | of an inch long, and

348 Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithologij of Transvaal.

rich dark brown downy jjlumage spotted with Avhite. He
stood fearlessly on my hand till I carefully put him back,
and on moving some distance from the sjjot, I had the satis-
faction of seeing the old bird quietly skim along and settle
down by the youngster.

Gallinago major (Gmel.). Solitary Snipe.

Male, 8th March, 1883.

Male, 26th November, 1883.

Male, 5th December, 1883.

Numbers of these Snipes arrived in November 1883, but
they were not so large and heavy as those obtained in Mai'ch
and April, the usual time for the appearance of this species ;
an occasional specimen may, however, be met with here at
any time of the year.

Machetes pugnax (Linn.). Ruff.

Female, Potchefstroom, 25th September, 1883.

This species occurs in gradually increasing numbers,
appearing pretty regularly in September and remaining
throughout our summer months; during the past summer
(1884-85) it has been very plentiful, considerable flocks
feeding on the cultivated lands, wheat, stubbles, &c.

Tringa minuta, Leisl. Little Stint.
Potchefstroom, December 1883.

A few of these tiny Sandpipers occur in this neighbourhood.
[The specimen sent retains a few feathers of the nesting-
plumage, but otherwise it is in winter garb. — J. H. G.]

ToTANUS glareola (Liuu.). Wood-Sandpiper.

Female, Potchefstroom, 28th August, 1883.

Female, Potchefstroom, 8th December, 1883.

I fancy that this species is yearly becoming more common.

[Of the two specimens sent, that killed in August is in
the breeding-dress, which the December bird has in great
measure, though not entirely, lost. — J. H. G.]

Tringoides hypoleucus (Linn.). Common Sandpiper.
Female, Potchefstroom, 15th August, 1883.
This is a scarce species here, but a solitary bird is occa-
sionally seen.

Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 349

375. Nycticorax leuconotus, Wagl. White - backed
Night- Heron.

The specimen sent, which is the first I have met with, was
one of a pair shot by Mr. Lucas on the river Hex, in the
Rustenburg district. Mr. Lucas informs me that this pair
of birds had a nest " composed of rushes on water/^ and con-
taining five eggs ; one of these, which Mr. Lucas sent to me,
is white, with a faint tinge of green, and measures 1]^ x 1 ^''g
inch.

376. Herodias alba (Linn.). Great White Heron.
Female, Potchefstroom, September 1883. Total length in

flesh 30 inches. L'is yellow; bill and skin round the eye
yellow; tarsi and feet entirely black.

[I have taken the following additional measurements from
this specimen, in which the decomposed feathers of the back
are very slightly developed : — Bill from forehead 4"1 inches,
do. from gape 5; wing 14'7, tarsus 5'7; middle toe s. u. 3 5.
—J. H. G.]

Female, Potchefstroom, 19th January, 1884. With long
back-plumes. Length in the flesh 38 inches, bill from gape 5i
[from forehead 4-1. — J. H. G.], wing 15, tarsus 6. Iris pale
yellow ; bill chrome-yellow with black edges ; bare skin at
the base of the bill and about the eye greenish ; shanks, legs,
and feet black ; decomposed tufts of feathers on the rump
and breast creamy white.

This lovely Heron is generally scarce and difficult to get
in our district.

[The above measurements may be compared with those of
a specimen of Herodias intermedia given by Mr. Sharpe in
' The Ibis,^ 1877, p. 349.— J. H. G.]

Plegadis falcinellus (Linn.). Glossy Ibis.

Male, neaidy adult, Potchefstroom, 4th March, 1884. Iris
umber-brown ; bill ashy bottle-green ; a narrow line of
dingy white immediately before the feathers of the head just
at the back of the eye ; tarsi and feet pinkish ash-colour.

Female, nearly adult, Potchefstroom, 10th August, 1883.

The Glossy Ibis is always a scarce bird here.

[I have taken the following measurements from the above

Tai-sus.

Middle tues.?(.

lU.

in.

3-8

2-7

3-2

2-35

—J. H. G.]

350 Mr. T. Ayres on the Unidhobyy of Transvaal.

pair of birds, which show the ditt'ereiice iu size between the
sexes in this species : —

Bill from forehead
along the course

of the culiiien. Wing,

in. in.

Male 0-4 11-3

Female 4-3 10-6

Platalea tenuirostris, Teraui. Slender-billed Spoonbill.

Female, shot on the Mooi river near Potchefstroom, 21)th
October, 1882.

This species, thongh seldom obtained, can hardly be called
a scarce visitor to these parts during our winter months.

Casarca cana (Gmel.). South-African Shell-Duck.
This is always a very scarce species with us ; it is more
like a Goose than a Duck in its habits and appearance.

PoDiCEPs CRisTATUs (Liuu.). Great Crested Grebe.

Male in full breeding-dress, shot 2nd September, 1883.

This Grebe is exceedingly scarce with us ; the specimen
sent was obtained by my brother on the river near Potchef-
stroom.

[I annex the measurements of this specimen, together
with those of four other South-African examples : two of
the latter have already been recorded in ' The Ibis,' 18()9,
p. 303, but I repeat them here for the sake of comparison ; the
other two have been kindly lent to me by Canon Tristram.

Bill from
Wing. Tarsus. forehead,

in. in. in.

A. S, Trausvaal (wV/e Ibis,

1809)

0-rjO

2-25

175

B. c?, Trausvaal (recorded

above)

G-95

2-20

1-80

C. Transvaal (Canon Tris-

tram's collection)

7-40

2-25

1!)0

D. "South Africa" (do.) . .

7-10

2-20

1-8--,

E. 2, Walvisch Bay (wo'e

Ibis, ISGO) '

7-00

2-25

1 "r.

Bill from

tarsus.

forehead.

111.

in.

275

200

2-25

r75

2-35

1-90

2-40

2 00

Mr. T. Ayres on the Ormtliology of Transvaal. 351

These measurements are, for tlie most part, somewhat less
than those of four European examples with which I have
compared them, and which I find to be as under : —

Wing.

in.

c?, Norfolk 7-25

$ , Do 7-45

Do 7-70

Leadenliall Market 7 "90

I think it also worthy of remark that the three South-
African specimens which I have marked as B, C, and D,
though in full breeding-dress, show no trace of the white
line immediately above the eye, wdiich is usual in British
specimens w^hen in full plumage, and which has only been
absent in one such example that I have examined, a Noi^folk
specimen killed in August, when the nuptial dress was no
longer at its fullest.

Unfortunately^ the tw^o South-African skins which I re-
ferred to in '^The Ibis^ for 1869 are not now in my possession,
and I am unable to say whether the white superciliary line
was absent in them also. — J. H. G.]

PoDiCEPS MINOR (Liuu.). Little Grebe.

Male, Potchefstroom, 12th August, 1883. In very nearly
full breeding-dress.

This species, though by no means numerous in the Trans-
vaal, breeds there in suitable localities, but shows itself more
in winter than in summer.

[I have examined two skins of this species from Natal
and two from Transvaal, all of which exhibit a slightly
greater amount of white on the secondaries than is usual in
British specimens,, but less than I have found on the secon-
daries of an Indian example which I have also examined. —
J. H. G.]

352 M. Meiizbier on the

XXXV. — On the Birds of the Upper Tarim, Kashgaria.
By M. Menzbier.

Since my return from Western Europe I have been favoured
•with an inspection of a small but interesting collection of
birds formed in the district of the Upper Tarim river, in
Kashgaria, presented by Messrs. Majev and Wilkins to the
University of Moscow. As I believe some of the species
represented therein to be of very great importance, I take
this opportunity of bringing a list of the birds before the
notice of ornithologists.

The district of the Upper Tarim was previously quite un-
known from an ornithological point of view. The Lower
Tarim was explored by Col. Prjevalsky. The desert south-
ward from Kashgar and Kashgar-Darja lias been visited by
the English expeditions, and the fauna of the vast mountain-
system of the Tian-shan was studied by the late Mr. Severtzov;
but no ornithologist had visited the country of thcTaushkan-
Darja before the above-mentioned expedition of Messrs. Majev
and "Wilkins. All the specimens mentioned in our list were
obtained by the last-named gentlemen along the route from
Kyzil-bulak (soutliw^ards from the Muzart gorge, lat. 41° 45'
and long. 80° 50'), to Ulugchat (lat. 39° 45' and long. 74° 20'j,
and on the river Uital, during the months of September,
October, and November. The average height of this north-
western border of the tablelands of Central Asia is from
3000 to 6000 feet above the sea-level. Along the southern
slopes of the Koushaal-tan there is no sharp limit between
the tableland and the mountain-country. Southwards from
tlie Taushkan-Darja, as far as the middle of the route be-
tween Kujuk-tokai and Kashgar, the plateau reaches more
than 6000 feet. But we find througliout the whole of the
Upper Tarim the uniform character of the tableland of
Central Asia, and, as our list shows, we have in it only a part
of the Central-Asian ornithological district.

I now proceed to notice the s})ecies represented in the
collection : —

Birds of the Upper Tariin. 353

1. PODOCES HENDERSONI.

A beautiful specimen of this remarkable bird was shot at
Kyzil-bulak (5335 feet), on the 12tli of November.

2. Cyanistes cyanus tian-schanicus.

This bird was found at Kyzil-kumbez in the beginning of
November.

3. Leptop(ecile SOPHIA MAJOR, subsp. nov.

L. sop hue similisj sed major, ala obtusiore, colore cseruleo
nee ultramarino praedominante.
Some specimens of this pretty bird were obtained by the
expedition on the Taushkan-Darja about Ush-turfan in the
beginning of October, and on the river Koushaal at the end
of that month. I think that it is the same desert race of
Leptopcecile that was found by Col. Prjevalsky on the Lower
Tarim and was recorded by him as Leptopcecile sophice.

4. Sturnus purpurascens.

This species was obtained in the neighbourhood of Kara-
zhodja at the end of September and near Kyzil-kumbez in
the beginning of November.

5. Carpodacus rhodoghlamys.

The conspicuous R,ose-mantled Grosbeak was found at
Ush-turfan on the 19tli of October, and along the Ui'tal on
the 20tli of the same month.

6. Carpodacus rubicilla.

A male of this species was shot at Kyzil-kumbez on the
2nd of November.

7. Erythrospiza obsoleta.

This pretty bird was found by the expedition near the
Taushkan-Darja at Ush-turfan.

8. Bucanetes mongolicus.

Some specimens of this bird were obtained by Mr. Majev
at Kyzil-bulak and at Egin, along the confines of the desert.

9. Pyrgita petronia.

Several specimens of this bird were obtained near Ush-
turfan at the end of September and at Jaman-su about the
middle of October.

354 M. Menzbicr on the

♦

10, Pyrgitopsis ammodendri.

This species was obtained near the Taushkan-Darja at
Ush-turfan as well as more to the west, at Djigda and at
Djai-tiibe.

11, Emberiza cioides.

This bird was obtained on the Beliauty at 11,350 feet, in
the beginning of November.

12, Alaudula leucoph.i«:a.

Several specimens of this species were obtained in the
neighbourhood of Kara-khodja and neai* Jaman-su at the
end of September and in the beginning of October.

13, Otocorys albigula.

The Eastern Shore-Lark was obtained by the expedition
near Kyzil-bulak on the 11th of September and near Kulan-
saryk on the 22nd of October.

14, Galerita magna.

This Crested Lark was found near Kara-khodja and along
the river Ui'tal at the end of September.

15, Anthus spinoletta.

Some specimens of the Water-Pipit were obtained about
Ush-turfan on the 27th of September and near Janji-shar on
the 22nd of November,

16, Atraphornis aralensis,

A male of this species was shot on the 23rd of October near
Kulan-saryk,

17, Rhopophilus deserti.

1876. Rhopophilus pekiiiensls, ^. var, major, Prjev. ^Mon-
golia, the Tangut Country' (in Russ.), p. 32.

1878, Rhojjophilus deserti, Prjev. 'Expedition to Lob-nor'
(in Russ.), p. 23; Ibis, 1878, p. 375.
R. pekinensi similis, sed major et pallidior.

Dimensions. J" : length 200-201 millim,, expanse 205-
225, tail 98-105, wing 69-72, bill 15-16-5, tarsus 24-25.
? : length 190-201 millim., expanse 200-210, tail 93-95,
wing 68, bill 14-15, tarsus 22-25.

Birds uf the Upper Tarlm. 355

Description. Legs and feet flesh-coloured ; bill brown ;
lower mandible fleshy^ except at the tip; iris dark brown.

Plumage. Above pale brown (the desert colour) ; under
surface of the body white. The top and back of the head,
back of the neck, back and scapulars pale slightly greyish
brown, each feather with a narrow dark-brown central
shaft-stripe; on the back of the neck the shaft-stripes are
only slightly pronounced. The rump pale brown, without
any central dark streaks on the feathers. A long delicate
grey superciliary stripe from the nostrils over the lores,
eyes, and ear-coverts. A faint dusky streak through the
lores to the eyes and ear-coverts. Cheeks and ear-coverts
brownish. A dark-brown moustachial stripe from the gape
under the cheeks and ear-coverts. Flanks of the neck
greyish, each feather with reddish-brown shaft-stripe. Coverts
and quills pale brown, with more darkly coloured primaries,
and with a tinge of grey on coverts. Chin, throat, breast,
and abdomen white, tinged on the flanks and tibial feathers
with rufous buff, each feather on the sides of the breast and
of the flanks with a narrow reddish-brown shaft-stripe.
Lower wing-coverts, axillaries, and under tail-coverts pale
rufous buS" or buffy white. Tail brown; two middle tail-
feathers brown, more darkly coloured along the shafts, and
with numerous narrow close-set obsolete bars only visible in
certain lights ; the other tail-feathers dark brown, with paler
tips and outer webs margined throughout their length with
pale brown; the two exterior feathers tipped and broadly
margined on the outer webs with whitish or white.

Through the kindness of Mr. Strauch, Director of the
Zoological IMuseum in the Academy of Sciences, and of Mr.
Biichner, Ornithological Curator of the same institute, I
have received for comparison three specimens of Rhopophilus
obtained by Col. Prjevalsky during his first journey through
Mongolia: two R. pekinensis, /3. var. niajor { = R. deserti),
from Zaidam, and a male of R. pekinensis from Northern
China. After a careful examination of all these specimens,
and after a comparison of R. deserti with R. pekinensis and
R. albo-superciliaris {' Lahore to Yarkand,' p. 218, pi. xviii.),

356 M. Mciizbier on the

I am convinced that R. deserti is a species intermediate
between the eastern R. pekinensis and the south-western
R. albo-superciliaris'^ .

Specimens of this bird were obtained by Mr. Majev in
the bushes along the Taushkan-Darja, at Ush-turfan, and
Jaman-su in the middle of October.

18. Accentor fulvescens.

Some specimens of this comparatively rare bird were ob-
tained on the 20th of October near the Upper Uital,

19. Accentor atrogulakis.

A male of this bird was obtained on the 20th of October
near the Upper Ui'tal.

20. RUTICILLA erythrogastra.

Numbers of Giildenstadt's Redstart were met with on
the Taushkan-Darja near Ush-turfan in the beginning of
October.

21. Saxicola salina.

This Chat was obtained on the 22nd of October near
Kulan-saryk.

22. TURDUS mystacinus.

This species was found near Kashgar-tokai on the 30th of
October and near Kyzil-kumbez on the 1st of December.

23. Merula maxima.

The Great Blackbird was obtained in the same localities as
T. mystacinus.

24. Lanius mollis.

A very old female of this most remarkable bird was
obtained by Mr. Wilkins near Ulugchat on the 12th of
October.

* [With all due respect for our worthy correspondent's opinion, we
must assert that, after careful comparison of his two examples of R.
deserti, Prjevalskj^, with the type specimen of R. superciliaris (Hume),
in the British Museum, we have no doubt, nor has Mr. Seebohm, who
has also examined them, as to their specific identity. If our view prove
correct, then Hume's name bas priority of several years.— Edd.]

Birds of the Upper Tarim. 357

25. Lanius homeyeri.

Two examples of this species were obtained by the expe-
dition : a female in intermediate jilumage near Ush-turfan
on the 16th of October, and a young one near Djigda on the
9th of November.

26. Lanius isabellinus.

The Desert-Shrike was observed by the expedition near
Aksu on the 20th of September and near ,Taraan-su in tlie
beginning of October.

27. Upupa epops.

A female of the Hoopoe was obtained near Jangishar on
the 22nd of November.

28. TlCHODllOMA muraria.

We have an example of the Wall-creeper from Ush-turfan,
obtained on the 26th September.

29. PiCUS LEPTORHYNCHUS.

A female of this species w^as shot on the 19th of September
near Aksu.

30. CUCULUS CANORUS.

A specimen of the Cuckoo was obtained on the 24<th of
September near Kara-khodja.

31. Streptopelta torquata.

Mr. Majev has sent us some skins of this pretty bird from
Aksu, as well as from the neighbourhood of Kashgar.

32. Pterocles arenarius.

Two specimens of this Black-bellied Sand-Grouse, a male
and a female, were obtained about Kulau-saryk on the 23i'd
of October.

33. TOTANUS CALIDRIS.

The Redshank was found on the Kashgar-Dai'ja on the
27th of November.

34. Anas strepera.

The Gadwall was obtained near Kashgar-tokai at the end
of October.

>5Er. v. — VOL. m. 2 c

358 Mr. C. Dixon on the

35. Anas penelope.

The Wigeon was obtained near Kashgar-tokai on the 30th
of October.

36. Q.UERQUEDULA CIRCIA.

At the end of October the Garganey was found near
Kashgar-tokai.

37. QUERQUEDULA CRECCA.

A single specimen of the Teal was received from the neigh-
bourhood of Kashgar-tokai.

38. FULIGULA NYROCA.

The White-eyed Duck was obtained near Aksu on the
20th September^ and at Kashgar-tokai on tlie 20th October.

39. Clangula glaucion.

The Golden-eye was found on the Upper Kashgar-Darja
in the beginning of December.

40. PODICEPS MINOR.

An example of tlie Little Grebe was obtained near Kashgar-
tokai.

XXXVI. — Further Notes on the Ornithology of St. Kilda.
By Charles Dixon.

The following additional information on the ornithology of
St. Kilda forms a supplement to my paper on the subject
(Ibis, 1885, p. G9). Unfortunately, I was not able to visit the
grand bird-bazaar myself this season, as 1 had intended; but
the subjoined notes have been furnished to me by my friend
Mr. John Mackenzie, Jun., who spent his usual fortnight
there between the 1st and 14th of June. This gentleman
has also supplied me with a fine series of the St. Kilda Wren
and also with the nest and eggs of this new British species.
The birds were very late in laying this season, especially the
Giiillemots, owing probably to the bad weather and the
exceptionally backward spring.

Ornithology of St. Kilda. 359

ACCIPITER NISUS.

The Sparrow-Hawk must now be added to the list of
St. Kilda birds. Mr. Mackenzie observed on the 7th of
June an example several times on Mullach-Scall^ the large
shoulder which bounds Village Bay on the south-west^ op-
posite to the island of Doon. It may breed there.

Troglodytes hirtensis.

I am sorry to hear that the St. Kilda Wrens '* are not
nearly so numerous as last year.^' Mr. Mackenzie found
two nests built in the " cleats " (stone hovels in which the
sheep take refuge during rough weather and where the St.-
Kildans dry their hay)^ each containing six much incubated
eggs, so that this number is probably the full clutch. One
of the nests and five of the eggs are now before me. The
eggs, when blown, are pure white in ground-colour, boldly
spotted and minutely freckled with brownish red, and with
a few indistinct paler underlying markings which in some
cases approach violet-grey. The spots are most numerous
on the large end of the egg, where they form an irregular
zone, but on one specimen they are more evenly distributed
over the entire surface. These eggs very closely resemble
typical eggs of the Great Titmouse {Parus major) ; but
others are pure white, without spots of any kind, these cha-
racters running through an entire clutch. In shape also they
resemble those of the Great Titmouse, but others seen by
Mr. Mackenzie were almost as much pointed at one end
as at the other. The eggs that I have received vary in
length from '72 to "69 inch, and in breadth from '58 to "55
inch. The nest accompanying them is a very beautiful struc-
ture, and was built in a crevice of one of the " cleats." It
closely resembles that of the Common Wren, bu.t appears
to be a trifle more open and not so globular. The outside is
almost exclusively made of moss, with here and there a
scrap of dried grass, the inside being lined abundantly with
feathers, especially those of the Starling, Crow, and Gull.
An interesting feature in the materials of this nest deserving
of notice is the abundance of hair in the lining. No horses

2c 2

360 ^Ir. C. Dixon on the

are kept on the islands, and long cowliairs (from tlie tail)
are used ; also a few long horsehairs^ which can only be
obtained from the hundreds of Puffin-snares which are set
in all parts of the islands. The nest measures about 19
inches in circumference, 2\ inches in depth, and the entrance-
hole about 2 inches in diameter. I should also add that the
female resembles the male in colour, but is a little smaller
in size.

Mr. Mackenzie has sent me the following note on this
bird : — " The habits of the St. Kilda Wren differ considerably
from those of the Common Wren. Its song is much louder
and harsher, and does not possess so many notes. Its
favourite places for singing are on the tops of the ' cleats ' and
on the highest stones of the dykes or walls. It is particu-
larly fond of nesting in the roof of a ' cleat ' or in the centre
of a cairn. I noticed three pairs of this bird on Doon.'^ It
is to be hoped that Macleod of Macleod, the present pro-
prietor of St. Kilda, will endeavour to protect this inter-
esting little bird and prevent its extinction by prohibiting
the wholesale collection of specimens, either by the natives
themselves or by the tourists that visit the islands in the
summer months, when the birds are engaged in rearing their
young*.

CoRVUS CORAX.

When I was at St. Kilda last year the Raven was rare ;
this year Mr. Mackenzie informs me that it is very abun-
dant, but the Hooded Crows are much scarcer. He counted
seven pairs of Ravens within a hundred and fifty yards of the
back of the school-house.

HiRUNDO RUSTICA.

Last year I did not observe the Swallow during my stay,
but this season, I am informed, it was very common. One
was shot for identification on the 6th of June. Mr. Mac-
kenzie was of opinion that they were breeding in the
rocks at the back of the '^ stone houses," as he saw them

* [AVe are not aAvnre that any specimens of this species have been
obtained bv ntlier collectors than Messrs. Dixon and Maclcenzie. — Edd.]

OndthuJogij of Si. Kilda. 361

entering- the holes and remaining there for some time. My
statement that it never breeds on St. Kilda will perhaps have
to be modified.

Ardea cinerea.

A Heron visited the island of St. Kilda last winter, but
soon died from want of food.

Crex pratensis.

The Corn-Crake was very common in the islands last
autumn on migration ; Mr. Campbell obtained an example.
The St. Kilda name for this bird is " Trieu."

Cygnus, sp. ?

Two Swans visited the island last winter, and one of them
died for want of food ; but unfortunately its skin was not
preserved, so that the speeies is still undetermined.

COLYMBUS GLACIALIS.

Mr. Mackenzie informs me that he shot an iamiature
example of this species. He says that there were several
swimming along with the Eiders in the bay ; but that, owing
to the heavy sea, he was unable to recover his prize until it
had been so mutilated by the Great Black-backed Crulls as
to be worthless for preserving.

Fratercula arctica.

Mr. Mackenzie writes : — " The natives told me a very
curious thing about the Puffin. They said that these birds
never breed except on the weather sides of the islands."

PUFFINUS ANGLORUM.

Mr. Mackenzie was informed that the Manx Shearwater
is in the habit of diving and taking the baits off the long
lines, in a similar manner to the Fulmar, as already men-
tioned in my former paper.

Thalassidroma leucorrhoa.

Mr. Mackenzie obtained two nests of the Fork-tailed Petrel
on the island of Doon ; but he was too early for the regular
breeding-season, which generally commences about the
second week in June.

362 Mr. S. Bligli on Baza ceyloueusis.

I have heard nothing more of the King Eiders ; but I can
name no part of the "British Islands which will more amply
repay a careful investigation of its bird-riches than St. Kilda.
The place must be seen to be thoroughly appreciated ; and I
have little doubt that other discoveries await the ornitho-
logist in this lonely group of Atlantic isles. Much remains
to be done amongst the Fulmars; and the Shearwaters that
breed there are, I think, very imperfectly known. Will not
some member of the B. O. U. take a peep at this wonderful
bird-paradise and tell us more about the ornithology of this
remote corner of the British Islands ? believe me, he will be
well repaid !

XXXVII. — Note on Baza ceylonensis, Legrje. By Samuel
Bligh, Catton, Koslander, Ceylon. Communicated by

J. H. GURNEY.

The first specimen of Baza ceylonensis which I have had in
the flesh was shot by a coolie on the top of a precipice above
here and over 5000 feet high, on the 27th of March, 1885.

It was a male, with the testes very large, and its stomach
contained the remains of a large lizard, the long tail of which
had been sm allowed whole. This specimen weighed just over
one pound ; its length was 17 inches, wing-measurement 11^,
spread of wings 38, tail 8j, longest crest-feather 2|, tarsus
1 \, naked part of tarsus in front |, from point of closed wings
to end of tail 2. The legs, in a fresh state, were not yellow,
as described by Col. Legge ('Birds of Ceylon,^ p. 94), but
dull dirty white, pervaded by a visible, though faint, stain of
plumbeous ; the cere and the base of the bill were perfectly
of one colour, and might be called black, though, perhaps,
with a tinge of brown, the base of the lower mandible and
the lower base of the upper being lead-coloured, as were also
the bare skin of the lores and that above the eyes ; the irides
were orange.

I found on skinning this specimen that the eye was un-
usually large for the size of the bird ; not that the visible part

Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Japan. 363

of tlie eye was so, but the ball and horny sheath, these being
also of an ovoid shape, so that it required no measurement to
see that the length of the eye considerably exceeded its
height.

XXXVIII. — Further Contributions to the Ornithology of Japan.
By Henry Seebohm.

Amongst a small number of birds which have been sent to
me for examination by the Government of Japan, through
Mr. H. Pryer, are several deserving of notice.

DiOMBDEA NIGRIPES.

This Albatross was first recorded from Japan a year ago
(Ibis, 188-1, p. 176), a female having been shot on the 17th
of May. I have now to record a second example obtained
on the coast of the province of Sagami, near Yokohama. It
is a male, the label being dated the 27th of February.

NUMENIUS MINOR.

The sole record of the occurrence of this little Curlew in
Japan has hitherto been that of the ' Fauna Japonica ' of
Temminck and Schlegel, and this is now confirmed by a
female example obtained at Giotoku, near Yokohama, on the
3rd of October, 1883. This species may be regarded as the
Asiatic representative of the Eskimo Curlew : breeding in
Eastern Siberia, passing along the coasts of China and Japan
on the spring and autumn migration, and wintering in
Australia.

TOTANUS CALIDRIS.

A young male Redshank, in first plumage, obtained on the
4th of September, 1883, at Giotoku, not very far from Yo-
kohama, adds a new bird to the Japanese list. It is remark-
able that a bird breeding almost throughout the Palsearctic
Region and wintering in Africa, India, Burma, and the
islands of the Malay archipelago, should not have been found
long ago on migration in Japan.

364 Messrs. W. E. Clarke afid J. liackliouse — Autumn

TOTANUS PUGNAX,

The distribution of the Kutf is somewhat similar to that
of the Redshank^ but hitherto, so far as I know, only one
example has been said to have occurred in Japan, viz. at
Hakodadi (Ibis, 1884-, p. 33). I have now to record two
more examples from the neighbourhood of Yokohama, a male
in winter plumage and a male in first plumage, obtained on
the 13th of October.

Alca troile arra.

A series of Pallas^s Guillemot from Japan and the Kurile
Islands appears to justify me in the conclusion that this is an
intermediate form between the Common Guillemot and
BriinnicVs Guillemot. An almost complete series of forms
intermediate in the length and thickness of the bill and the
conspicuousness of the pale base of the tipper mandible may
be said nearly to bridge over the distance from one to the
other, so that these Guillemots can scarcely be regarded as
more than subspecifically distinct.

XXXIX. — An Autumn Ramble in Eastern Iceland, with
some Notes from the Faroes. By Wm. Eagle Clarke,
F.L.S., and James Backhouse, Jun.

(Plate IX.)

The morning of the 2nd of September, 1884, found us oti
board the Danish Royal Mail Boat ' Thyra,' steaming down
the Forth en route for Iceland, via the Faroe Islands. At
about 11 A.M. on the 3rd we sighted the Orkneys, and these
passed, a north-westerly course "was shaped, carrying us
south of the Shetlands, of which group only Fair Island and
Foul a w^ere seen from afar. The Faroes should have been
in sight early on the morning of the 4th, but the islands
were shrouded in drizzling mist, a characteristic feature in
the climate of the group. Numerous Fulmars sailing round
the vessel heralded our approach, and in due course the l)old
•mtliuc of Sudcroe loomed through the veil of mist, Avliilc to

Rumble in Eastern Iceland t^-r. 365

the eastward the coiie-capped Dimons appeared^ illumiued
by a stray sun-ray. At 11 a.m. the anchor was dropped off
the settlement of Tveraa, and we took an opportunity of
going ashore in search of birds. The Rock-Pipit was very
abundantj being often in parties of from six to a dozen birds,
and soon a speciality was seen in the shape of the Faroese
Wren {Ti'oglodytes horealis), and an exciting pursuit of the
tiny bird, as it flitted among the rocks at the water's edge,
or crept like a mouse under and about them, resulted in its
falling to a lucky snap-shot. The Grey Crow was very
numerous and tame ; here, no doubt, he is at least useful as
a scavenger, devouring the garbage cast out by the fisher-
men. Several White Wagtails were seen and one obtained ;
the other species noted were the Raven, Meadow-Pipit,
Merlin, Whimbrel, Oyster-catcher, Ringed Plover, the Dun-
lin, and several common sea-fowl. Another Wren was seen,
and might have been secured, but since it haunted the simple
family graveyard adjoining a detached cottage, the peace-
fulness of the scene was not disturbed by an explosion of
gunpowder. On our return to the boat we observed at close
quarters a Garden-Warbler [Sylvia hortensis) seeking food
on some low herbage adjoining the houses ; and this is inter-
esting, as it is, we believe, the first record of its occurrence
in the Faroes.

Early on the 5th we arrived at Thorshaveu. Here we were
informed that shooting was not allowed, owing to an alarm-
ing decrease in the number of birds ; and it was only after an
annoying delay that a generous landowner granted per-
mission to shoot over his estate on the hills behind the
town. Birds were in fewer numbers here, and during a long
round we only saw Oyster-catchers on the hills and a sprink-
ling of Rock- and Meadow-Pipits and Grey Crows on the
lower ground. Another Garden-Warbler was watched as it
fed on the red currants in a small storm-swept garden. We
also paid a pleasant visit to Herr Miiller, the ornithologist
and man of many offices. In the afternoon we left Strtimoe,
and our next place of call was Klaksvig, where we went
ashore.

366 Messrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Backhouse — Autumn

After experiencing some very heavy weather, the glistening
snow-capped mountains of Eastern Iceland were sighted on
the 9thj and we entered Sey^isfjor^r early in the evening.
It is a narrow picturesque inlet of the sea, and perhaps the
most important one on the east coast. Its northern pro-
montory, rising almost perpendicularly from the ocean, is
the resort of myi'iads of sea-fowl in the summer, but now
only a few Puffins and a small flock of Eiders were seen.
After steaming for some miles in sheltered waters, we
dropped anchor at dusk within a few yards of the strand at
the head of the fjorSr. Next morning we took up our
quarters at the " Hotel Island/' probably one of the most
primitive inns in the world, where guests and host and
hostess all sup in company. A stroll on the margin of the
fjor'Sr was disappointing, ornithologically, for we only ob-
served a family party of White Wagtails and a solitary
Wheatear ; and several hours of careful investigation in the
valley at the head of the fjor^r only added Meadow-Pipits
and a pair of Ravens to our list. Another ramble on the
shores of the fjor'Sr in the afternoon resulted in our seeing
another pair of Ravens and a few Great Black-backed Gulls.
This extreme poverty of bird-life at the coast made us
anxious to proceed inland with all possible speed ; so the fol-
lowing day (the 11 th) found us busy making arrangements
for the journey, such as hiring ponies for riding and baggage
purposes. We left SeySisfjor'Sr about midday on the 12th,
riding in company with a party of some seventeen Icelanders
across the mountains (2500 feet) in a westerly direction.
The ascent was steep, rough, and in many places dangerous,
and we soon experienced the wonderful adroitness and sure-
footedness of the ponies. The " col " reached, we crossed
several swamps and large beds of snow, and skirted the
margins of some likely-looking tarns ; but here, there, and
everywhere around us was an appalling solitude, the silence
of which was only broken by the hoarse croak of a Raven.
The great valley of the Lagarfljot — Iceland's longest lake,
forty-five miles in length — into which we descended in the
evening light, presented a most weird aspect, the marshy

Ramble in Eastern Iceland S^c. 367

shores of the dark lake being intersected or dotted by nume-
rous silvery streams or pools^ while the entire absence of
woodland, and consequently apparent barrenness of its sur-
roundings, added much to an impressive scene. Here we had
our first peep at the great Snsefell (6000 feet), forty miles
away to the west beyond the lake. Long after dark, wet from
fording rivers, ravenously hungry, sore and stiff, we arrived
at the house of the hospitable clergyman at Vallaness, who,
in spite of the lateness of the hour, set before us his choicest
smoked, but raw, mutton and salmon, with flat-bread and
milk — fare not to be despised after ten hours in the saddle
in such an appetizing air.

During an early stroll on the 14th along the shores of the
lake, whose waters, mainly derived from the northern slopes
of that vast glacier, the Vatna Jokull, are of a thick milky-
white hue, not a bird was to be found. Our route lay along
the lake-side, and midday found us approaching the birch-
clad slopes of Hallormsta'Sr, a place of much promise, since
trees are only to be found in one other locality in the island,
the scrub-clad valley of the Fnjoska. These trees, which
are entirely birch, were, as a rule, only of stunted growth,
but here and there a monarch of Icelandic forest-growth
raised its head, crowned with graceful golden foliage, to the
proud height of twenty feet ! Such a favoured locality was
not to be passed by, so arrangements were made to remain
the night under the hospitable roof of the neighbouring farm-
house. The afternoon was devoted to an examination of the
birch-covered hill-side, intersected by several ravines coursed
by mountain-torrents, while here and there a rocky escarpment
or a craggy shoulder added to its ruggedness. The birches, as
a rule, were little more than brush- wood, and, along with an
abundant carpet of bilberry, crowberry, and Dryas octopetala,
formed an excellent cover. Meadow-Pipits were fairly abun-
dant, and a Merlin was several times observed beating over
the hill; a Wheatear was also noted, and several Eavens
flying high overhead. Ornithologically we had as yet done
nothing, but the next bird brought to bag went far toAvards
making up for past disappointments, for in it we obtained

8()8 Messrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Backhouse — Autumn

the chief object of our visit to Iceland at this season, namely,
the Rock-Ptarmigan [Lagopus rupestris) in autumn plumage,
in which stage it was previously unknown to ornithologists.

It may be well here to make a few observations on the
habits of this species in this locality, where we had many
opportunities for observing it during our stay in Iceland.
The Rock-Ptarmigan was found to be abundant on the hill-
slopes as far as the birch-growth extended, which, so far as
elevation is concerned, would be about 600 feet. At first,
family parties, consisting of old birds in dark mantles,
accompanied by six or eight young, in size their equals, but
in their upper plumage of a much lighter hue, were com-
monly met with. After being shot at a few times these
family gatherings were broken up, and single birds, or now
and then two or three together, were to be found scattered
all over the birch-cover. At first they were wonderfully
tame, allowing a close approach, but they soon became
initiated to the terrors of the gun. Before taking flight
they were occasionally observed to indulge in dropping a
curious series of curtsies, reminding one of the movements
of the domesticated Muscovy Duck. On rising they were
silent, and no note or call was heard, except the guttural croak
with which the old cocks announced approaching danger and
tlieir own proximity. They Avere mostly to be found abroad
feeding during the early morning and evening, and their
favourite haunts were little grassy dells fringed with bilberry
or Dry as octopetala and surrounded by birches. Some, perhaps
all, have the habit of resting, with puffed-out feathers, on the
lower branches of the bushes ; but as they were only observed
in such positions in the early morning, it may be a customary
roosting-place. The food of all shot at Ilallormsta^r con-
sisted entirely of the fruit of the bilberry, with which their
crops were greatly distended. Considering the richness of
this diet, it is hardly necessary to remark that their flesh was
delicious, and their bodies, when skinned and cooked, formed
a most acceptable change from the perpetual mutton of the
Icelandic bill of fare. In winter, as we were informed by our
estimable friend Pastor Sigurdar Gunuarsson, the chief food

Ramble in Eastern Iceland t^-c. 369

of the species consists of the leaves of Dryas octcpetala,
called, on this account, in the Icelanrlic vernacular/' Rjupa-
Isef/^ "Rjupa" being the native name for the Rock-Ptar-
migan.

This bird seems to be decidedly local in the island ; indeed
our brother M. B. O. U., the Rev. E. Ponsonby Knubley, who
spent three months in Western Iceland, did not meet with
it. The species is still numerous in several northern districts,
although its numbers were sadly diminished by the long and
severe winter of 1880-81, when in some places it was exter-
minated, and in most brought to the verge of extinction. At
HallormstaiSr thousands perished, and many starving birds
approached the house and, losing all fear, entered the build-
ing where the hay was stowed, to feed, in the presence of
the proprietor and his servants, on the seeds scattered on the
floor.

In winter the Rock- Ptarmigans arc captured by means of
rude string nooses set in the snow, and around which hay-
seeds are scattered. In this way enormous numbers were
formerly taken and sent to Denmark ; and we should be
afraid to say how many thousand brace the captain of the
mail-steamer informed us he had taken on a single voyage in
years gone by ; now he seldom sees any. In many places,
however, it is gratifying to know that at other seasons the
birds enjoy immunity from persecution; for the Icelander
lacks even a dash of the sportsman in his nature.

The morning of the 14*th found us again in the saddle
continuing our journey towards the head of the Lagarfljot
valley. At noon we had reached the head-waters of the lake,
and crossing the numerous channels of the affluent river, we
proceeded to Valthjofsta^r, situated at the point where the
valley bifurcates, and on the western branch of the river which
rises on the north-eastern slopes of the Vatna JokuU. At
the invitation of our congenial travelling companions, Pastor
Gunnarsson and his good wife, we decided to make this
place our headquarters, in order to explore the immediate
neighbourhood from this point. As we approached Valth-
j-ofstaSr a migratory party of Golden Plover passed overhead,

370 IVIessrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Backhouse — Autumn.

flying S.E. The morning of the 15tli was devoted to an in-
spection of the marshy land adjoining the river, and extending
for some four miles towards the lake. On tlie numerous
sedgy pools Mallard were abundant, but difficult to approach
owing to the entire absence of cover ; consequently we only
managed to bag a couple. Before these could be retrieved
or the gun recharged, a bold little Merlin endeavoured to
carry one of tliem off under our very noses. The Golden
Plover were now evidently leaving the islands, several parties
passing over in a soutli-westerly direction. The only other
birds seen were Meadow-Pipits, a few of which were scattered
over the pasture-lands of the valley. Next day we observed
a solitary Wheatear about the church, the last of the species
seen by us in Iceland. Having decided to visit the moun-
tain-lakes, which, we were informed, existed to the west, we
ascended the escarpment behind ValthjofstaSr, a southern
portion of the chain of mountains forming the western flank
of the Lagarfljot valley, named on the maps the Fljotsdals
liei"Si. After a tough climb of 2500 feet to the summit of
one of the many peaks, a sublime panorama lay before us.
Away a few miles to the south-west was the noble Snaefell,
the grandest and second highest mountain m Iceland (6000
feet), with the summit and sides for 3000 feet clothed in
perpetual snow. Behind, and trending away far to the south
and west, but to all appearances quite close, were the hun-
dred sunlit shoulders of Vatna Jokull, the largest glacier in
Europe, covering an area of 3000 square miles. North, west,
and east the scene was similar to that to the south, all
round, except in the immediate foreground, being a series of
snowy mountain- peaks, seen to perfection under a cloudless
sky. In the western foreground were numerous silvery tarns
embosomed in broken hummocky ground, here and there
scantily clothed with crowberry, Dryas octopetala, and little
tufts of Silene acaulis and the large yellow Saxifraga liir-
culus. The few Ducks on the nearest of these lakes had
noted our approach, and floated in the middle, well out of
reach. On the next and smaller lakelet a couple of Ducks
gave us practical illustration of their diving-powers. The

Ramb/e in Eastern Iceland ^c. 371

sheet of water was not more than eighty yards in diameter,
and considering we were on different sides of it, the birds
should have been well within reasonable range, even if they
had strictly kept to the middle, which they did not. How-
ever, a serious expenditure of No. 4 resulted in nil; for
the birds dived at the flash, our only consolation being to
observe the shot sweep over the spot which a fraction of a
second before was occupied by the bird or birds. They
seemed to have no desire to take flight ; and an examination
of the water proving it to be only some two feet deep, with
a firm bottom of granulated pumice (erupted from Askja in
1875), we resolved to try wading to closer quarters, with the
result that the first shot turned one of them over. It proved
to be a young Long-tailed Duck [Harelda glacialis), mth
nestling down still adhering in places. The remaining bird
was not so easily brought to bag ; although fired at more than
once at not more than fifteen yards, it disappeared like magic,
but must have received some of the shot. At last it was
obtained by firing the moment the surface of the water showed
signs of breaking on its reappearance after a dive,, and proved
to be a very old female of the same species. Why this bird,
in the full possession of her primary feathers, did not resort to
her wings as a possible means of escape must remain a puzzle.
A little later we had another illustration of the early develop-
ment of this faculty of diving. A solitary Long-tailed Duck
was surprised on a small pool and dived instantly, but too
late ; for it came to the surface mortally wounded, and when
picked up proved to be little more than a mere nestling, its
upper plumes being a mass of down, while its wing-quills
were sprouting from the pen, and only some two inches long.
This was an interesting specimen, inasmuch as it afforded
evidence of the late breeding of the species. Duck were to
be seen on most of the tarns, some of them taking flight
on our approach, while others kept well out of range. On
the largest lake we managed to secure, in a little bay, four
young but full-grown Long-tailed Ducks, none of which
offered to rise, but trusted to diving as a means of escape.
Here, too, were a pair of Whoopers {Cygnus musicus), which.

872 Messrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Baekhouse — Autumn

we were informed, had annually nested on a rocky islet
safe from intrusion. These birds, disturbed by the firing,
flew trumpeting within easy range ; but to have shot them
would have been wanton, for there were no means of ob-
taining them from the ice-cold water. There were no
cygnets on the lake. Had they already departed for the
south without parental guidance, or had they fallen victims
to the prowling Arctic foxes, with which the neighbourhood
abounded? A pair of Great Northern Divers floated and
dived in the middle waters, and of these we had to be content
with a binocular examination. The only other birds seen
during the day were Ravens, and in the valley near to head-
quarters a flock of Golden Plover feeding on a stony patch
by the river-side.

A beat over the birch-cover at HallormstaSr, ten miles
distant, resulted in a bag of ten Ptarmigan and a few Meadow-
Pipits. The Merlin and Raven were again observed, and
also a small flight of Redpolls [Linota linaria?), passing over
in a southerly direction, their note much resembling that of
L. rufescens, The early morning of the ] 9th added ten more
''Rjui)a " to our score, and we might have shot almost any
number ; but we had already obtained as many as we could
well spare time to skin, and we did not further molest them.
Six Ravens, a pair of Golden Plovers, another migratory flock
of Redpolls, and a solitary Redwing among the birches com-
pleted our list of birds for the day. We were afterwards
rather surprised not to have met with the Redwing in some
numbers, for friends of ours shooting about tliis date in
Northern Iceland found them commonly in the birch-cover
in the Fnjoska Dalr, and the species has, indeed, but little
choice of breeding-stations in the island.

The exceptionally fine weather which had hitherto been
so much in our favour changed during the early hours of the
20th, and heavy rain prevailed during the whole of that day,
followed, on the 21st, by a severe gale. At midday, however,
the rain, at least, ceased, and a large party of us visited the
celebrated waterfall Heugi-foss, or Hanging Fall, situated on
the west side of the Lagarfljot, almost oi)posite to Hallorms-

Ramble in Eastern Iceland ^c. 373

taSr. On the 22nd the weather took a turn for the worse,
and the advent of winter proclaimed itself; for snow fell un-
ceasingly during the day, reminding us, as well as our feathered
friends, that we must soon turn our faces southwards ; and the
accompanying fall in the temperature uncomfortably mani-
fested itself in our stoveless room. The 23rd being fine but
cold, we decided, in spite of the snow now entirely clothing
the mountains, to visit again the 'tarns of the Fljotsdals hei'Si.
The climb proved a laborious one, the snow lying, as a rule,
fifteen inches deep ; but in places drifts of several feet in depth
had to be crossed. The snow-hidden streams, however,
proved most annoying, a, step into one of them resulting in a
tumble. The first birds seen were a party of Snow-Buntings,
twittering cheerily and evidently seeking the lower lands.
On the ridge we crossed the spoor of a party of birds judged
to be Ptarmigan, which we followed up carefully for some
distance, keeping a most diligent look out ahead and finally
pulling up suddenly within ten yards of five "Rjupa," looking
remarkably pretty on the snow. The tracks of the Arctic fox,
too, were numerous, bearing out the report that it was a
common species in the district. All the smaller tarns proved
to be ice-locked, and the Ducks, almost entirely Long-tails,
had congregated on the surface of, or were flying around,
the larger or Swan-lake, where the margins only were fringed
with ice. The Great Northern Divers still floated uncon-
cernedly in the middle, but the Swans, not so indifferent
to the great change come over the scene since our last
visit, had bidden farewell to their summer haunts. On our
homeward march w^e fell in with, and secured, a solitary
" Ejupa,''^ an old male bird. Although to some extent the day
was a little disappointing, yet we were very pleased to have
obtained Ptarmigan at a much greater elevation than we had
hitherto observed them, viz. 2500 feet : and it is very doubtful
if we should have found them at all without the aid of the
tell-tale snow.

Our last two days at Valthjofsta^Sr, the 24th and 25th,
were spent in duck-shooting in the marshy meadows in its
immediate vicinity, \fhere Mallard, Wigeon, and Teal had

SER. V. VOL. III. 2d

374! Messrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Backhouse — Autumn

become much more numerous since the snowstorm on the
22nd. Some few of the Wigeon had moulted their primary-
quills and were quite unable to fly. On the 25th an adult
Iceland Falcon was observed ranging over the pools, and a
capital view was obtained of it, especially as it made off on
our appearance, when the black-and-white became very dis-
tinct against the background formed by the mountain-side
to which it sped. As a consequence of its visit, the Duck
skulked, and were most difficult to find. On the 2Gth we
left our comfortable quarters at Valthjofsta'Sr e7i route for
SeySisfjorSr, to join the steamer ' Craigforth,^ which was to
sail for Scotland on the 29th. We had hoped to ride
back via HallormstaSr for the birch-forest ; but the swollen
state of the rivers made fording impossible, and we had, in
consequence, to take the western side of the lake, passing the
night at the farmhouse at As (pronounced " Ous ") . Close to
As, a fine crag abuts on the lake, where, we were informed, a
pair of large Falcons had nested in the spring, driving away
a pair of Ravens from their favourite breeding-haunts. These
birds, we were assured, were not Iceland Falcons, which are
well known, being described as rather smaller ; and had the
Peregrine been a recognized Icelandic bird we should have
supposed it to be that species.

On the 27th we continued our journey along the margin
of the lake, passing through some promising bird-country,
both crag and marshland, no doubt in summer the haunt of
many interesting species, but now the Raven was the only
bird seen. In a crag by the side of a waterfall a this year's
nest of the Iceland Falcon was pointed out to us. Crossing
the lake by boat, with the ponies in tow at the stern, we
ascended the lofty pass of the Fjardar hei'Si, or Fjord-Heath,
lying between us and the sea, now snow and ice-covered, the
latter strong enough to bear the weight of man and horse,
and arrived at SeySisfjorSr in the evening.

Our last day in Iceland, the 28th of September, was a
most wintery one, snow falling at intervals all day accom-
panied by a north-westerly gale. At midday we went on
board the ' Craigforth,' and from its deck watched several

Ramble in Eastern Iceland ^c. 375

Iceland Gulls in mature and immature plumage which the
approach of winter had brought into the fjords. They often
came close to the ship, whereby we had ample opportunity
afforded us for observing them minutely. Just after day-
break on the 29th we steamed down the fjord, watching
numerous Eiders, Cormorants, and Gannets, and left behind
us a country peopled by a highly civilized and educated race,
a people from whom we had received the greatest consi-
deration and hospitality. To Pastor Sigurdar Gunnarsson
and his most excellent wife, under whose roof some of the
happiest days of our lives were spent, we shall ever be
indebted for the greatest kindness and for their unceasing
solicitude to make our trip a success. We reached Leith
on the 3rd of October, after a very stormy voyage, during
which the barometer fell to 27'8 inches.

We will now proceed to offer a few remarks upon the
results of the trip and a description of the autumn plumage
of Lagopus rupestris.

Our experience may throw some light on the date of de-
parture of the summer visitors to Iceland. The chief of
these belong to the order Limicolse, and at the date of our
arrival on the 10th of September all had departed save a few
Golden Plover, the last of which were observed on the 25th.
We noted, however, the Ringed Plover, Oyster-catcher,
Common Snipe, Whimbrel, and Dunlin on the Faroes,
between the 4th and 7th, and in all probability these species
at least had not left Iceland many days before our arrival.
The Red-necked Phalarope, an extremely common species in
the district visited by us, had also departed; andtheWhoopers,
as already stated, left between the 16th and 23rd of Septem-
ber. As against this great blank, amongst the Waders, we
noted the presence of all the few migrants to Iceland among
the Passeres, viz. the Redwing, Wheatear, White Wagtail,
Meadow-Pipit, and the rarer Redpoll. Most of these were
somewhat frequently observed, even to a late date, while the
Meadow-Pipit was still common at Valthjofsta^r on the day
of our departure, the 26th. These observations, bearing on
the date on which the summer migrants leave Iceland, were

2d 2

S76 Messrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Backhouse — Autumn

made during a season regarded by the inhabitants as a more
than usually fine one.

We were both surprised and disappointed not to have seen
the Northern Wren {Trogloihjtes borealis) in Iceland; for
although very locally distributed in the country^ yet since it
occurs in the brushwood of the Fnjoska, we had fully expected
to find it at Hallormsta-Sr. It does, however, occur in the
Lagarfljotj for our friend Dr. Kjerulf, no mean ornithologist,
told us that it was not uncommon about the farmhouses, where
it is chiefly seen in the early morning. From this gentleman
we also learnt that a Snowy Owl was shot in the forest at
Hallormsta'Sr during the late summer of 1882, and that
several others Avere observed there about the same time, no
doubt a family party from a nest somewhere in the neigh-
bourhood. Mr. Gunnarsson had seen the bird shot, when
still in tlie flesh, and described it as being almost entirely
white with only a few black spots. Another bird, the occur-
rence of which the Doctor considered worthy of notice, was
a Heron, also shot in the Lagarfljot valley, in the autumn
of ]88.2.

During our stay at ValthjofstaSr we had related to us by
Mrs. Gunnarsson's mother some reminiscences of the Great
Auk. This old lady, Mrs, Simondson by name, now in her
seventy-ninth year and in full possession of all her mental
faculties, informed us, through her daughter, that she well
remembered many " Geir-fugr^ being brought into Eeykjavik,
some of which she had seen alive, and well described the
upright posture assumed by them. She especially remem-
bered one occasion, when she "was grown up and was
at least twenty years of age,^^ the mail-boat making a large
capture, and she herself saw a '' sackful " on board. These
were obtained no doubt while the vessel was becalmed off the
islets of the S.W. coast, where the species was by no means
uncommon early in the present century.

The specific identity of the Ptarmigan of Iceland, Lagoims
mpestris (Gmelin), has been a matter of some uncertainty.
Professor Newton in his useful contribution to Mr. Baring
Gould's ' Iceland, Its Scenes and Sages ' (1863), says of this

Ramble in Eastern Iceland b^c. ^77

species (under the title of Lagopus islandorum, Faber) : — " it is
by no means certain to me whether the former [the Icelandic
species] is not identical with that of Greenland [Lagopus
rvpestris, Brehm), and this, again_, with Tetrao rupestris of
older authors/^ Mr. W. G. Lock, in his useful ' Guide to
Iceland^ (1882), is much less happy in his remarks, for he
says " there is little doubt that there are three varieties [of
Ptarmigan in Iceland], the Ptarmigan [Lagopus alpina,
Linn.), identical with the Norwegian Fjeld-ryper; the Willow-
Grouse [L. subalpina, Nilss.), identical with the Norwegian
Dal- or Scov-ryper, and a hybrid produced by the inter-
breeding of these birds/^ As we cannot for a moment
countenance such ideas, we refer our readers to page 7Q
et seq. of Mr. Lock's book, and to his article in the ' Field'
(July 5tli, 1879), for further information and " proofs.''
We handled some fifty specimens, in the flesh, of Ptarmigan
obtained in Eastern Iceland, at elevations varying from 100
to 2500 feet, and from the wooded valley of the Fnjoska in
the north near Akureyri. All of these, it is almost needless
to remark, belonged to the one species found in Iceland,
Lagopus rupestris.

Lastly, in a paper entitled a " Brief review of the Lago-
podes,'* contributed to the ' Zeitschrift fiir die gesammte
Ornithologie,' 188-1, p. 90, Dr. Leonhard Stejneger while
"provisionally'' considering this a separate species, Lagopus
islandorum (Faber), confesses that for want of material he is
at present unable to point out its characters and affinities with
certainty; but he remarks that it is said to be distinguished
by a heavier bill, larger size, and browner plumage than its
nearest allies.

Autumn plumage of Lagopus rupestris *.

Adult male. Upper parts with each feather vermiculated
with brownish grey and brownish black in about equal pro-
portions, giving them a generally brownish-grey tint. The

* Through the kindness of Professor Newton we have been enabled to
compare our series with specimens in his collection obtained in summer
in Iceland and in early autumn in Greenland.

378 Messrs. W. E. Clarke and J. Backhouse — Autumn

younger specimens show a tendency to have the brownish
grey replaced by an approach to the orange-brown of summer
plumage. The underparts, in tint, resemble generally the
summer plumage, the chief difference being the presence of
a few black feathers on the chin and a greater prepon-
derance of white on the abdomen. In one or two of our
specimens the white plumage of winter shows itself on the
throat.

The specimen figured (Plate IX.) was obtained on the
Fljotsdals hei^i, at an elevation of 2500 feet, on the 23rd of
September, 1884, and is in Backhouse^s collection.

Adult female. Upper parts. — As compared with a specimen
shot in Iceland on the 4th of July, 1858, our specimens (five
in number) differ in having the feathers of the" hind neck
barred with black and buff, whilst in the July specimen the
neck and head very much resemble the back, and are boldly
blotched and barred with pale cinnamon-brown and black.

Under surface. — The barring on the chin more or less
obscured by the white of winter plumage. The neck and
upper breast barred creamy white and black. Breast and
abdomen white. A few of the cinnamon and black feathers
of summer still show on the flanks, and one or two on the
abdomen, but are very loose and readily become detached if
handled. The mandibular portion of the black transocular
patch is more or less pronounced. The tail tipped with
white. The barred throat is the chief characteristic of the
adult female.

Birds of the year. The twelve males and females of our
series make it clear that the sexes are practically alike, both
resembling the mother bird in having the neck both before
and behind barred with buff and brownish black. They
appear to be further advanced towards winter plumage on
both surfaces than the adult birds, that is to say, there is a
greater admixture of j)ure white with the coloured feathers.
The back-feathers, especially the scapulars, are brownish
black with lateral bars of pale orange-buflF, not quite reaching
the centre of the feather. Forehead chiefly white, with a
few coloured feathers. Tail black, broadly tipped with white.

Ii)is.l885,Pl,]X.

V

J G Keulernans lith

HaJihart imp.

LAG OPUS RUPESTRIS $.

Ramble in Eastern Iceland ^c. 379

Underparts. — On the upper throat the bars are broad^ on the
lower throat narrow^ and both of the same tint as the feathers
of the back^ i. e. brownish black and buff. Breast and abdo-
men white, with a few barred black and buff feathers on the
flanks. Chin Avhite, with more or less trace of the coloured
feathers. The young males have the transocular patch more
pronounced than the females.

Professor Newton^ to whom a series of skins was sub-
mitted for inspection, and who instituted a comparison
between them and those of various Lagopodes in his posses-
sion, makes the following interesting remarks : — " Without
doubt they fully substantiate the opinion I have before
expressed, that Lat/opus I'upestris does not in autumn assume
the ash-grey plumage seen at the same season in L. mutus,
but I never before had convincing evidence to that effect.
One of the most remarkable things about your series is that
so many of the male specimens show traces of the orange-
coloured feathers (barred w^ith black) on the neck, breast,
and flanks, which I had thought to be indicative of the
female only. Though I see that some of these are marked
by you ' adult,'' I cannot help thinking that they must be
birds of the year. Your specimen obtained on September 18th
is almost feather for feather like one I have from Mr. Whym-
per from Greenland (and therefore L. reinhardti of authors)
bearing on its ticket ' Lichtenfels, 14th Sept. 1873.^ Diverse
as is the plumage of your specimens, I see in it only individual
variation such as Mr. Buckley (P. Z. S. 1882, p. 112) showed
to occur in Red Grouse killed on the same ground and
at the same time of the year. I should decline considering
L. rvpestris to be divisible into local races, as regards at
least Greenland and Iceland. I have no specimen, unfortu-
nately, from the American continent, and Spitsbergen ex-
amples certainly seem to be bigger than those from Greenland
or Iceland, but otherwise I fail to distinguish them. Now I
know that size means very little in the true Ptarmigan; ex-
amples from the Norwegian ' Alps ' are much smaller than
those from (e. g.) the island on which Hammerfest stands,
and therefore I attach not much importance to this fact.

380 Mr. W. E. Brooks's Stray

The great differences, as appears to me, are these — (1) that
L. mutus ^ , in spring, has the breast clothed more or less
in deep black feathers, not one of which is to be seen in
L. rupestris, and (2) that L. mutus (of both sexes) in autumn
puts on a lavender-grey upper dress, of which there is only
the least trace in any examples of L. rupestris (your nos. 5
and 6 [both adult males and one of which is figured] showing
the most of it that I have ever seen), while the majority
[being younger birds] have not any trace of such a colour.
The female specimens of your series are also very interesting,
but call for no particular remark, except that the coloured
portion of their plumage is darker than I had expected to see,
judging from others, killed in autumn, that I have/'

XL. — Stray Ornithological Notes. By W. Edwin Brooks,
Milton, Ontario, Canada.

Since I came to Canada I have principally paid attention to
the birds of European affinity, to the neglect of the so-called
" Warblers " of Canada, with their sharp-pointed, almost
Parine bills, although my youngest son takes a great intei'cst
in the latter.

One of our commonest birds in Ontario is the Shore-Lark
(Otocorys alpestris). During the comparatively mild open
winter of 1881-1882 some of these birds remained here the
whole winter. Even in January, during fine frosty mornings,
I heard them singing, usually seated on the top of the fence-
posts ; we have no hawthorn hedges here, only wooden rail
fences. The song of the Shore-Lark has been sometimes
spoken of as very melodious, but 1 do not think any bird has
a poorer one ; it is almost exactly like that of the European
Common Bunting, a sort of monotonous drawl. Unlike any
other species with which I am acquainted, this bird has a
second song, perhaps even less melodious than the drawl, a
feeble unmusical twitter, which it does not often utter, and I
only remember hearing it as the bird soared round, some-
thing in the manner of a Sky-Lark ; but it also sometimes

Ornithological Notes. 381

sings its first and principal song on tlie wing. However, the
Shore-LarVs is not tlie only very poor song that has been
termed pretty.

This species begins to breed very early. On the 2nd April,
1884, I took a nest in a pasture-field about 200 yards from
my house, with three eggs, which were somewhat incubated,
and must have been laid by the 27th of March, the building
of the nest having been commenced perhaps a week earlier.
There was a fall of snow after the female had begun to sit,
and her warmth had melted a small hole, about five inches in
diameter, above the nest. A month or so later, my son Allan
found a nest of young birds in one of my wheat-fields. This
year we found another nest with four eggs_, in a clover-field
close to the house, on the 27th of May, the eggs in it being
somewhat incubated ; but the spring this year was a late one,
the snow remaining on the ground till the beginning of April.
I have only seen one species of Shore-Lark here, viz. 0. al-
pestris. The amount of yellow about the throat is variable,
and it fades away as the summer advances, often leaving the
part formerly yellow quite white. After the autumn moult
the yellow is regained.

During the winter of 1882-3 I procured a good number
of Mealy Redpoles, Linota linaria (Linnaeus), which remained
about till the beginning of April, and I frequently heard the
males singing. The song is even poorer than that of the
Shore-Lark, being the same note very rapidly repeated; and
those who have heard the song of the American Chipping
Sparrow will understand the style of that of the Mealy Red-
pole. Its voice and song differ from those of the Lesser
Redpole, L. rufescens ; it is, too, a much larger bird, the
largest I got measuring 5*7 inches; but about 5 inches is
the length of an average male. Males in the red plumage
may be obtained as soon as they arrive, in the beginning of
November ; they are then browner and less mealy-looking.
As the spring advances, the fulvous feathers fade to almost
or quite white. The males, however, become much brighter
red as summer ajaproachcs, a male dated May, given to me by
Mr. Dresser, being intensely red. It should be remembered

382 Mr. W. E. Brooks^s Stray

that the red plumage is as much a winter plumage as any, inas-
mucli as it is assumed at the autumn moult by, I believe, young
birds of the year only. The great majority of the males were
in the grey-brown (or female) plumage, including the large
5*7 in. bird, before mentioned. As in the case of Cross-
bills, Pine-Grosbeaks, and other red-j)lumaged birds, the
line red colour appertains only to the young male, and,
once moulted, is never regained. The rump and under tail-
coverts are always boldly streaked.

I frequently heard Redpoles flying by, in the fall, uttering
a different note from this species, and some of them aj)peared
to me decidedly larger than it. This year some settled in
my orchard ; and Allan procured a very fine rosy male on the
3rd of February, out of a mixed flock in which the ]\Iealy
Redpole was much the more numerous. We heard the call-
note of the second sj)ecies, and agreed that it was diff'erent
from that of the Mealy Redpole ; and the above example I
identified as L. ezilipes (Coues). It measured 5 '3 inches in
the flesh, so that it can hardly be said to be a larger bird than
L. linaria. Speaking of this species, Mr. Seebohm says : —
'' Some writers make a fourth species, L. exiUpes (Coues),
which may be said to be intermediate between the Arctic and
the Greenland forms. In the valley of the Petchora we
found both L. linaria (Linn.) and L. exUipes (Coues), and
came to the conclusion that the latter is nothing but the
fully adult winter plumage of the former " (' Siberia in
Europe,^ p. 51).

Now why was such a conclusion arrived at ? Mr. A. O.
Hume and I came to the conclusion that the buff" plumage
of Aquila fulvescens (Gray and Hardwicke) was the young
plumage of Aquila clanga (Pallas) ; but Ave made a notable
blunder. I first jumped to the conclusion, I hardly know
why, and my friend coincided ! The two species were in
company, searching for frogs in a dried-up marsh. But a
rash conclusion should not be drawn because birds are in
company ; for how often have I seen Snow-Buntings mixed
with Redpoles. Even to oblige my friend, I can never con-
sent to the suppression of such a fine species of Linnet as

Ornithological Notes, 383

L. exilijjes, and the man who discriminated it deserves all
credit. The points o£ distinction are: — (1) difference in
voice ; (2) its spotless rump ; (3) its white unstreaked under
tail-coverts ; (4) the few and narrow streaks on the flanks ;
(5) the very pale blush-red breast and rump^ contrasted with
the vivid red of L. linaria ; (6) the very broad white edgings
to the tertials and tail-feathers ; (7) the very much whiter or
mealy tone of the upper plumage ; (8) the most decidedly
smaller and shorter bill.

Now I think half this number of distinctive points would
be ample to separate any small bird from another ; and
all the points I have noted are good ones. One Sunday a
number of L. exilipes came and settled in a tamarac or larch
tree, about five yards from my bedroom window. I examined
them for some time as they fed on the cones, and they closely
resembled the specimen I have, but I did not observe any
with the pale rosy tint on the breast. We searched hard for
them the next day, but not one was to be seen.

Last winter I went to Hamilton to examine a pair of the
Greenland Redpole, L. hornemanni, killed in January 1860,
near Gait, which is about 35 miles from here ; they are now in
the possession of Mr. T. Mcllwraith, who bas mounted them
beautifully. From the difference in size, they appear to be
male and female. The male looks about one third larger
than my L. exilipes, of similar white mealy plumage, but has
not the broad white edgings to the tail-feathers, the tail being
more like that of the ordinary Mealy Kedpole, as far as
amount of white edging is concerned. The bird is very grey-
and- white all over, with a few streaks about the breast of a
greyish brown, and very few narrow pale ones on the flanks ;
there is the faintest possible rosy blush on the breast, like
that observable on old examples of the Mealy Redpole which
have passed their red stage. The females of the latter have
also sometimes this faint pink blush, as well as those minute
specks of reddish brown on the cheeks. The lower back of
the large Greenland bird is very white, with one or two pale
grey-brown dashes on the upper tail-coverts. The bill is
the full size of that of the ordinary Mealy Redpole. The

384 Mr. W. E. Brooks's Stray

sides of the face are white, with a few small grey streaks, and
there is none of the fulvous tinge sometimes observable on
the cheeks of L. exilipes.

This Greenland bird may be briefly described as a white
bird streaked with slate-grey. I noticed one narrow grey-
brown streak on the central lower tail-coverts, and the supposed
female is more boldly streaked on the lower tail-coverts. With
reference to the example of L. hornemanni killed at Whit-
burn in England, Mr. Hancock writes : — '' I have examined
the Whitburn bird, and it has a streak or two on the under
tail-coverts ; and another specimen like it, which I had from
Seebohm, is also streaked on the under tail-coverts." All
the specimens I have seen of L. linaria and of L. rufescens
are boldly streaked on the lower tail-coverts. As far as I
have ascertained at present, the spotless under tail-coverts of
L. exilipes form a good distinction, apart from the general
white tone of the bird. By any one who has even a moderate
power of observation it should never be confounded wdth L.
linaria. Both ends of the bird strongly proclaim distinctness.

Mr. Mcllwraith^s female L. hornemanni strongly resembles
the male ; but the slate-grey predominates, while in tlie male
the white predominates. It appears also to be of the size of
an ordinary male L. linaria. I could not take any measure-
ments, as they were in a large closed glass case with numerous
other small birds.

To separate L. exilipes from L. hornemanni we have there-
fore: — (1) superior size of the latter; (2) the want of the
broad white edgings to tertials and tail-feathers ; (3) larger
bill ; (4) longer wing. I forgot to mention that my male
L. exilipes has a wing exactly 3 inches long.

When in good plumage I do not think there need be any
difficulty in separating these four species of Linota. We
hear a great deal about " intermediate forms,'"' said to bridge
over between species ; but it is a curious thing that I have
not come across anything of the kind, and I have worked
amongst small birds as much as most men. The fact is, men
strongly imbued with Darwinian principles are not in a fit
state of mind to distinguish one species from another, and

Ornithological Notes. 385

tlieir powerful bias impels them to confound things which
differ. Species are not species with them, but evolved forms,
and so it must be till they die ; but it is not necessary that
every one should follow their line of thought, which is most
decidedly inconvenient in natural history. A man labours
hard to discriminate a species, and the evolutionists would
abolish it in a moment if they could. Fortunately they
have never yet brought forward anything in the way of
proof ■^.

A subject to which I should like once more to refer, if not
out of place here, is the question. What is Milvus govinda of
Sykes ?

Lately, Mr. Gurney was kind enough to send me his ' List
of the Diurnal Birds of Prey in the Norwich Museum,^ in
which he says, in a footnote (p. 80) : — " Mr. Brooks here
repeats the reasons which he had previously given in ' Stray
Feathers,'' vol. iv. p. 272, for considering that ' Milvus
govinda ' of Sykes was intended by him as a designation of
the larger migratory Indian Kite for which I have used the
specific name of ' melanotis;' but the habits of ' M. govinda,'
as described by Sykes, are not those of this species, but of
the smaller Indian Kites, which are non-migratory.^^

This note of Mr. Gurney^s will not settle the question
against me. I have closely observed the habits of M. affinis,
(Bgyptius, and govinda, and they are perfectly identical, as
far as bold impudence is concerned. At Assensole both the
large and the lesser Indian Kites were very common, and no
one could distinguish them by tlieir habits, so, with all
deference to Mr. Gurney, Sykes's description of the habits
will most perfectly fit the large Kite. We have one of
Sykes^s types, a large Kite of the species which Mr. Gurney
calls M. melanotis ; and, again, we have his description ap-
plicable only to the large bird, for the dimensions are those
of the large bird. The accident of the small bird being in
the same case does not invalidate the description, or render
it inapplicable to the bird it clearly fits. Sykes did not know

* [It is almost needless to say that we are not responsible for our
correspondent's opinions. — Edd.]

386 Mr. W. E. Brooks's Stray

tliere were two species, and he has not described the lesser
one at all, which, if not identical with Milvus affinis, as Mr.
Gurney once supposed, requires a name; and this, I am afraid,
would have to be the very inappropriate one of Milvus
palustris, Anderson, applied to immature examples of the
lesser Indian Kite {vide Pr. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, July 1873,
pp. 142-147). I wish all ornithologists who are interested in
this subject would carefully weigh what I have advanced,
and would iu future forbear to apply the term govinda to a
Kite to which it is clearly inapplicable.

Mr. Hume has often insisted that there were three species
of Kite in India ; but I think this is a mistake, for both the
larger and the lesser Kites are very variable as to size. The
lesser one, M. affinis as I term it, is also very variable in its
plumage, which ranges from uniform sooty brown to warm
reddish brown, and much spotted. In Cashmere, the large
Kite, M. govinda (the M. melanotis of Messrs. Gurney and
Hume), abounds; and I had very good opportunities, when
there, of observing its habits. I took its eggs also in Cash-
mere : they closely resemble those of M. affinis, but are
slightly larger.

And now that I have touched upon Indian birds, I should
like to add a few corrections respecting some of them. In
the first vol. of the Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum,
Mr. Sharpe does not admit the distinctness of Aquila ful-
vescens, Gray and Hardwicke, from A. vindhiana (footnote,
p. 243) . A good many examples of this fine Eagle have been
obtained, and it is now known in its different stages of plumage,
which are quite distinct from those of other Eagles. The barred
or non-barred tail is of little consequence; but the style of
barring on the tails of A. vindhiana and A. fulvescens, when
barred (which they sometimes are very slightly), is quite differ-
ent, theone beingdiagonalandthe other square across. Besides
this we have a circular nostril in A. fulvescens, and an oblong
one in A. vindhiana and A. rapax. However, A. fulvescens
is well able to speak for itself as to identity, and I shall
let Mr. Sharpe alone till the British Museum has an example
of this rare Eagle. It had not one when I was there, and

Ornithological Notes. 387

perhaps Mr. Sharpe liad not then seen the bird. In his
Catalogue Mr. Gurney protests against suppressing this
Eagle, and refers to Mr. Sharpens footnote above mentioned.

Sylvia minuscula, Hume. — This bird is only found in dry
semi-desert places, and is not spread over India like ^S'. affinis.
In voice and habits, as well as in plumage, it strongly differs
from S. affinis. I frequently met with it in Scind. About
Sehwan it was very common.

Phylloscopus viridanus. — In vol. v. of the British Museum
Catalogue, Mr. Seebohra gives P. seebohmi as a synonvm.
I examined the specimen very carefully and found the remains
of the upper wing-bar. It was from Burmah, and none of
the supposed P. viridanus from that country were correctly
named. A very worn P. plumb eitai'sus, such as P. seebohmi
was, is not easily separated from P. viridanus similarly
worn.

Phylloscopus vii^idipennis , Blyth. — I made a verv careful
examination of the two specimens (one of them the type) in
the Calcutta Museum some years ago : they were small-sized
examples of P. trochiloides. The name of the white-tailed
Burmese bird should stand therefore as P.presbytis, Miiller.
Mr. Seebohm, in a footnote, contends that Miiller^s name
must give way to Blyth's earlier name of virid/pennis ; but
let Mr. Seebohm show, if he can, that Blyth described the
white tail-feathers. All I can say is, lam absolutely certain
Blyth's birds were P. trochiloides, a species which varies in
size as much as P. rufus does ; and Blyth was misled in dis-
criminating the small ones just as I was mistaken in calling
small P. rufus, P. tristrami. Blyth was much too good an orni-
thologist to overlook the white tail-feathers of P. presbytis.
Blyth's specimens were in a very dilapidated condition when
I last saw them, and by this time any conclusion drawn from
them would be valueless ; but P. trochiloides was obtained
by Jerdon at Darjeeling, where the white-tailed bird is not
found. Mr. Hume has often contended that the white-
tailed bird is P. viridipennis ; but such contention is useless
when the type is P. trochiloides, and the description does not
suit the white-tailed bird. If there be any doubt as to what

388 Mr. W. E. Brook's Stray Ornithological Notes.

bird Miiller meant by P. presbytis, 1 have defined the white-
tailed bird smaller than P. trochiloides, but similarly coloured,
by that name. At all events a synonym of P. trochiloides
cannot be applied to it.

Phylloscopus affinis. — Mr. Seebohm says (B. M. Cat. v.
p. 65) : — '' This species appears to be subject to little or no
seasonal change of plumage ; nor does the slight abrasion of
the feathers which takes place in summer make any appreci-
able change in the appearance of the bird." What can
Mr. Seebohm have seen ! Frequently the bird loses all its
green and all its yellow except the eye-stripe or a portion of
it, and it is indeed hard to tell wliat the little faded l)ird is.

Phylloscopus tytleri. — Only one example on record from
" the plains of India " (p. 67) . I think it must winter in
the lower hills.

Phylloscopus huraii. — Winters all over India, and not only
^'in the valley of the Ganges'' (p. G7).

Hypolais caligata (p. 86) . — " This subspecies " ! Its note
differs from that of H. rama, and when newly moulted this
bird is red-brown as contrasted with the mouse-grey of
H. rama. No two species could be more thoroughly distinct.

Acrocephalus bistrigicej)s (p. 94). — It is also found in
Burmah.

Lusciniola indica (p. 127). — " Jcrdon's GVa^^-Warbler " is
a strictly arboreal bird and winters in the plains of India
generally.

Lusciniola fuscata (p. 128). — 'VBIyth's Grass-W avhler" is,
if anything, more truly arboreal. Neither are L. schwarzi
nor L. fuliginiventris " Grass -Warblers."

Lusciniola flaviveiitris (p. 131). — This is an Horornis.

Lusciniola neglecta (p. 131). — "Hume's Gra**- Warbler."
No grass where I met with it. It affects babool (acacia) and
tamarisk jungle.

Lusciniola melanopogon (p. 133). — " Gra^s-Warbler "
again ! It is an aquatic bird, a Reed- Warbler.

Cettia fortipes (p. 136). — The Horornis- gvonip cannot be
put into the same genus as Cettia. I protest also against my
H.paUidus being suppressed. I know both it and i/./or-
tipes in life, and they are distinct.

On a Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 389

Cettia pallidipes (p. 139). — A so-called Cettia, which is
green above and white below ! !

Cettia squamiceps (p. 142). — Worse and worse! This is
not a Cettia anyhow.

I notice that Dr. Scully (Ibis, 1881, pp. 90, 583), in qviotiug
my name, Alauda guttata, for the common Sivy-Lark of Cash-
mere, says he can only distinguish it from A. gulgula by its
superior size. When freshly moulted the two birds are of
very different shades of brown, the Cashmere one being dull
purplish brown, while the bird of the plains is warm reddish
brown. The Sky-Larks are the most difl&cult group there is ;
but clearly such a bird as A. dulcivox is distinct from the
little A. gulgula.

XLL — On Mr. E. Lort Phillips's Collection of Birds from
Somali-land. By Captain G. E. Shelley, F.Z.S.

(Plates X.-XII.)

Mr. E. Lort Phillips, E.Z.S., accompanied by his friends
Messrs. James, Aylmer, and Thrupp, left Berbera, on the
Gulf of Aden, on the 22nd December, 1884, and returned
there again towards the middle of the following April. They
journeyed nearly due south along the parallel 45° E. long, to
about 5° N. lat. On leaving Berbera they crossed for the
first eight miles a low flat country and then ascended to the
high plateau-land 3000 feet above the sea. This plateau is
a parched desert for about six months in the year, and it was
during this period that most of the specimens were collected.
The Egyptian Vulture, although a constant visitor to their
camp so long as water was obtainable, was never seen during
their long desert march of fourteen days between the wells of
Bourou and Gerlogobie, while Crows (probably Corvus affinis)
never failed to appear in the neighbourhood as soon as the
tents were pitched. Nearly all the Crows' nests contained
eggs of the Great Spotted Cuckoo, and in one nest there
were twelve eggs, four only belonging to the rightful owner.
The tableland, which extends from north to south for
about 280 miles, is dotted over with thousands of gigantic

SER. V. vol. III. 2 E

390 Capt. (t. E. Sliollcy on a

ant-hills, wliicli often rise to a height of 30 feet or more ;
and these during their return journey, in the latter end of
March and heginniug of April, afforded building-resorts for
many species of birds, especially Little Owls and Parrots.

When the rains set in, the country soon presents a very
different aspect, the plateau becomes quickly covered with
fine grass, and the mimosas, which during the dry season
resemble gooseberry-bushes in winter, become a mass of
tender green leaves and yellow blossoms, which prove very
attractive to the gaily coloured Sun-birds.

Wherever rock appears upon the surface the rain-water
collects and forms shallow lakes, commonly called pans,
which are soon tenanted by water-fowl. At Harradegit,
one of these pans, there were some hundreds of Egyptian
Geese, evidently mated, as they were grazing in pairs; at
first they were very easy to approach, but soon became shy
and watched the country from the tops of the ant-hills or
the boughs of the higher trees. The highest trees always
grow near these pans, and are selected by Textor dmemelli
for their nests.

To the south of the plateau runs the Webbe Shebeyli, or
Haynes river, through a fertile plain on which the natives
grow an abundance of corn ; and here, amongst the numerous
water-birds, the Sacred Ibis was remarked as being extremely
abundant.

An excellent account of this journey was read by Mr.
F. L. James before the Royal Geographical Society on the
29th of June of the present year.

The collection of birds contains specimens of sixty-two
species, of which I consider to be new to science six species
and one subspecies ; these are : — Coracias lorti, Dryoscopus
ruficeps, Telephonus jamesi, Argya aylmeri, Saxicola phillipsi,
Parus thruppi, and the subspecies Cursorius gallicus soma-
lensis. Of the remainder over forty are new to Somali-land.
As the specimens are mostly in good condition, I have con-
sidered it advisable to give full descriptions of some of the
most interesting. Mr. Lort Phillips has kindly furnished
me with some field-notes.

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 391

At Mr. Lort Phillips's request I have naraed a species
after each of his companions; and I am sure all ornitholo-
gists will agree that they justly deserve this mark of our
appreciation of the great service they have rendered to our
science.

1. Melierax gabar.

Le Gabar, Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. i. 1799, pi. 33.

Falco gabar, Daud. Traite, 1800, p. 87.

Nisus gabar, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 73, xxviii;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 86; Hartl. Abh. nat. Ver.
Brera. vii. 1881, p. 116 (Lado) ; Fischer, J. f. O. 1855,
p. 121.

Melierax gabar, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 89. •

Micronisus gabar, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 72
(Shoa).

Hub. Africa generally south of about 25° N. lat., except
the West Coast from Sierra Leone to Angola.

'' Fairly plentiful.'-'

2. BUTEO AUGUR.

Buteo augur, Riipp. Neue Wirb. 1835-40, p. 38, pi. 16.
figs. 1, 2 (good); Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 92, xxxv;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 57; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit.
Mus. i. p. 175 ; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 122 (Mombas).

Buteo hydrophilus, Riipp. torn. cit. p. 39, pi. 17. figs. 1, 2
(good) .

Pterolestes augur, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 51
(Shoa).

Hab. E. Africa, between about 15° N. lat. and 4° S. lat.

" Only a single specimen was met with in the mountains
about 30 miles inland from Berbera.^'

3. POLIOHIERAX SEMITORQUATUS.

Falco semitorquatus, Smith, Rep. Exp. Centr. Afr. 1836,
p. 44; id. 111. Zool. S. Afr., Av. pi. l,^ (good) ; Heugl. Orn.
N.O.-Afr. p. 38, pi. 1,(5" ju.v. (back chestnut, as in $ ad.).

Hypotriorchis castanonoius, Heugl. Ibis, 1860, p. 407;
Sclat. Ibis, 1861, pi. 12 (good, ? ad.).

2e 2

392 Capt. G. E. Shelley on a

Hypotriorcli'is semitorqnatns, Selat. P. Z. S. ISGl, p. 107
(Bogue).

PoUohierax semitorquatiis, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i.
p. 370; Salvad. Ann. iMns. Civ. Gen. 1881, p. 03 (Shoa) ;
Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 12.2 (Tana river).

Hab. E. and S. Africa, from Abyssinia to the Transvaal,
and thence to Damara.

" Frequently seen perched on the tops of the low mimosa-
bushes on the plateau. In March a pair appeared to be pre-
paring to breed in a deserted nest of Te.vtor dinemeUi, in the
midst of a colony of those Weaver-birds. The crops of the
three specimens preserved contained lizards.^'

4. TlNNUXCULUS TINNUNCULUS.

Falco tinnunculus, Linn. S. N. 1760, p. 127 ; Heugl. Orn.
N.O.-Afr. pp. 40, xvi; Dresser, B. Eur. vi. pi. 381.

Cerchneis tinrmnculus, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 425.

Tinnunculus alaudarius, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1881,
p. 64 (Shoa).

Hah. Africa, south to about 5° N. hit. in E. Africa, and 10°
N. lat. in AV. Africa.

5. Bubo lacteus.

Strix lacteus, Temm. PI. Col. ii. pi, 4.

Bubo lacteus, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 112, xliii ;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 101 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit.
Mus. li. p. 33; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 122.

Hab. Africa, south of about 15° N. lat., with the exception
of the forest-region of the West Coast.

" Shot in February near Faf, in the Ogadayn district."

6. Carine glaux.

Noctua (jlaux, Savigu. Descr. Egypte, Ois. p. 287.
Noctua veterum, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 118, xlv.
Carine glaux, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. ]Mus. ii. p. 135.
Athene glaux, Uresser, B. Eur. v. pi. 318.
Hab. N. and N.E. Africa southward to Somali.
The single specimen is peculiarly small.
" Fairly common throughout the country, living in holes in
the ant-hills."

Collection of Birds from Soiaah-lund. 393

7. PcEOCEPHALUS RUFIVENTRIS.

Piomts rufiventris, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845, p. 83^ pi. 32
(Slioa).

Pionias rufiventris, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 741^ clvii,

Pceocephalus rufiventris, Speke_, Ibis^ 1860, p. 243 (Somali) ;
Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 372 (Masai) ; Salvad.
Ann. Mus. Civ. Geu. 1884, p. 78 (Slioa) ; Fischer, J. f. O.
1885, p. 122.

Hab. E. Africa, from Abyssinia to Masai-land.

" First seen ou reaching the tableland, and afterwards fairly
plentiful throughout the tour. They were generally seen in
twos or threes, and, like most Parrots^ were very noisy. They
breed in the ant-hills."

8. Dendropicus hempkichi.

Plcus hernpricliii, Hemp. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. 1828, fol. 2,
p. 2; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 804; Finsch & Ilartl. Vog.
Ostafr. p. 514; Shalow, J. f. O. 1883, p. 3i7 (Kakoma).

Dendrobates liemprichii, Riipp. Syst. Uebei-s. pi. 35.

Dendromus hemprichii, Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 245 (Somali).

Dendropicus hemprichi, Hargitt, Ibis, 1883, p. 433 ;
Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 370 (Masai) ; id. J. f. O.
1885, p. 125. ■

Hab. E. Africa, from Abyssinia to Zanzibar.

The specimen from South Mozambique referred to as
Dendrobates hemprichii, Bianc. Spec. Zool. Mosamb. fasc. 18,
p. 327, was preserved in spirits, and its determination, I con-
sider, must consequently be uncertain.

This and the next species of Woodpecker were fairly
plentiful where the Euphorbias grew, as they select these
cactuses to breed in.

9. CaMPOTHERA NU15ICA.

Picus nubicus, Gm. S. N. i. 1788, p. 439; Heugl. Orn.
N.O.-Afr. p. 881; Finsch & HartL Vog. Ostafr. p. 508;
Hartl. Abh. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. 109 (Lado).

Dendromus cethiopicus, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. pi. 36.

Dendrobates athiopicus, Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 244 (Somali).

394' Capt. G. E. Shelley on a

Campothera nubica, Hargitt Ibis, 1883, p. 451 ; Fisciicr,
J. f. O. 1885, p. 126 (Pangani).

Stictopicus nuhicus, Salvacl. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884,
p. 88 (Shoa).

Hab. E. Africa, from Sonthern Nubia to Pangani.

10. Trichol.ema stigmatothorax.

Tricholama stigmatothorax, Cab. J. f. O. 1878, pp. 205,
240 (Ndi) ; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 371 (Masai) ;
id. J. f. O. 1885, p. 125.

Hab. E. Africa, between 10° N. lat. and 5° S. lat.

T. stujmatothorax is very nearly allied to T. melanocephala,
from which it differs in the dark portions of the head and
throat being dark brown instead of black, in the feathers of
the forehead and front half of the crown being more or less
spotted with small yellow tips to the feathers. lu a speci-
men labelled " Rouga {Fischer) " the brown of the throat is
uniform ; in the present specimen, from Somali, the feathers
of the throat have mostly small white tips.

"■ Fairly abundant throughout the tableland. '

11. Trachyphonus erythrocephalus.
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus , Cab. J. f. 0. 1878, pp. 206,

218, 240, pi. 2. figs. 1, 2 (Kitui) .

Hah. E. Africa, Somali and Kitui.

I have not been able to examine the type of T. erythro-
cephalus. The Somali specimen differs from the illustrations
/. c. in having a distinct black crest, the eyebrows yellow,
and the cheeks washed with yellow towards the eyes. It is
also apparently rather smaller: total length 7'1 inches,
culmen 0*9, wing 3"1, tail 3*1, tarsus 0'95. Forehead and
crown glossy black, the feathers elongated, forming a slight
crest; margin of the forehead, eyebrows, and remainder of
the head and neck yellow, shading into bright red on the
nape, ear-coverts, and hinder portion of the cheeks ; a red
band passes down the sides of the neck, and is surmounted by
a white band, which extends over the back of the ear-coverts ;
the feathers of the nape and back of the neck are tipped with
black ; throat yellow, with a broad black band down the

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 395

ceutrCj chin fading into buff, base of the throat tinted with
red. ; a narrow pectoral baud, back, and wings black, with
large pearl-shaped huffish- white spots ; similar spots on the
quills form four partial white bands ; rump yellow ; upper
and under tail-coverts crimson; tail black, each feather
with five or six large yellowish- white spots, passing into bars
toAvards the outer feathers ; remainder of the body huffish
yellow, with the axillaries and under wing-coverts brownish
white.

" Shot on the plateau. On another occasion three rose out
of a dry well, where they were probably hunting for insects.
Iris brown, bill brownish red, feet black."

12. Halcyon semic/Erulea.

Alcedo seniic(srulea, Forsk. Descr. An. 1775, p. 2.

Dacelo semicarulea, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. J 90.

Halcyon semiceerulea, Sharpe, Monogr. Alced. p. 173, pi. 64;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 160; Hartl. Abh. uat. Ver.
Brem. vii. 1881, p. 110 (Lado) ; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ.
Gen. 1884, p. 113 (Shoa) ; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 126.

Hub. The whole of Africa between about 17° N. lat. and
25° S. lat.

" These birds are never found far from water, and are appa-
rently very plentiful at all seasons on the Webbe Shebeyli
south of the plateau, and were also met with in the low
country near Berbera. They only visit the tableland during
the rainy season.^''

13. IllRISOR ERYTHRORHYNCHUS.

Upupa erythrorhynchos, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 1790, p. 280.

Falcinellus senegalensis, Vieill. N. D. xxviii. p. 168.

Pi'omerops melanorhynchus (Licht.), Gray & Mitchell, Gen.
B. i. pi. 31 (good).

Irrisor senegalensis, Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 244 (Somali).

Irrisor erythrorhynchus, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 214;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 202 ; Salvad. Ann. Mus,
Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 106 (Shoa); Fischer, J. f. O. 1885,
p. 127.

Hah. The whole of Africa south of about 16° N. lat.

396 Capt. G. E. Slielley on a

The present specimens (an apparently adult and an imma-
ture bird) have the bill black 5 and Mr. Lort Phillips assures
me that although the bird is common in Somali^ he never
saw a red-billed specimen.

They belong to the dark-billed race^ well figured by Gray
and Mitchell, /. c. This race inhabits Somali, Shoa, Abys-
sinia, and Senegambia, and to it belong the nine specimens
recorded by Count Salvadori as collected by the Marquis
Antinori in Shoa, seven specimens in the British Museum
fi'om Abyssinia, and nine specimens I have examined from
Senegambia.

To the typical red-billed race belong thirty-seven speci-
mens I have examined from localities south of the equator ;
of these, twenty-three S. -African, and seven E. -African from
Dar-es-Salam to Mombas, have entirely red bills, and the re-
maining seven have black bills, but show evident signs of
immaturity.

My reason for not separating these races rests upon the
following data : — There are two typical red-billed specimens
in the British Museum, labelled respectively '' Darfur " and
" N.E. Africa.^^ One of Mr. Blanford^s specimens from the
Anseba valley has the bill half red and half black ; the black
in this specimen extends on the upper mandible in a sharply
defined broad band from the nostrils, and covers the end
third of both mandibles. Von Heuglin describes in his
. large work an entirely red-billed bird, which I presume was
a N.E.- African specimen.

In the British Museum there is a remarkably purple-
coloured specimen, labelled " (J, Objimbique.^'' It has a
reddish-black bill. These colours, however, are not sharply
contrasted as in all the mottled-billed birds I have seen from
north of the equator.

In the black-billed race the plumage is almost invariably
more purple, the presence of a bright green gloss on the
crown and mantle being rare, although occasionally present,
but never, it appears to me, to the same extent as in the
typical red-billed specimens.

Although generally the northern and southern forms may

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 397

be easily distinguished, their characters are not always very
sharply defined nor very constant ; and as the typical red-
billed form occurs in Darf ur, their ranges overlap in the White
Nile region J and we may presume they would interbreed.

14. Irrisor minor.

Promerops minor, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845, pp. 25, 28.

Epimachus minor, Riipp. tom. cit. pi. 8.

Irrisor minor, Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 244 (Somali) ; Heugl.
Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 218; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 206;
Oustalet in RevoiFs Faune et Flore, Comalis, Ois. 1882, p. 7.

Hab. N.E. Africa, Shoa and Somali.

In the present specimen the white bar on the wing crosses
the inner webs of the second to the seventh primaries, and
there is a white spot on the outer webs of the seventh and
eighth primaries.

I would here correct an error with regard to Rhino-
pomastes cabanlsi, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 306. The sentence
should read thus : — " This species is closely allied to R. minor,
but may be readily distinguished by the absence of any white
on the primaries."

15. Upupa epops senegalensis.

Upupa senegalensis, Swains. B. W. Afr. ii. 1837, p. 114;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 199, note ; Salvad. Ann. Mus.
Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 105 (Shoa).

Hab. N.E. and W. Africa : Abyssinia, Shoa, Somali, and
Senegambia. I am unable to define exactly what may be
the full range of this subspecies.

The two specimens brought home from Somali agree per-
fectly with a specimen from Senegambia in my own collection.
They are smaller than the true U. epops, but in other respects
similar, with a similar white band across the primaries.

'' Common everywhere."

16. Merops nubicus.

Merops nubicus, Gm. S. N. 1788, p. 464; Heugl. Orn.
N.O.-Afr. p. 199; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 183;
Hartl. Abh. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. Ill (Lado); Salvad.

398 Capt. G. E. Shelley an a

Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 92 (Shoa) ; Fischer, J. f. O.
1885, p. 127 (Lamu).

Hab. E. and W. Africa, south from about 16° N. lat. to
Zanzibar on the east coast and to Bissao on the west.

" Fairly plentiful on the Webbe Shebeyli, generally in
flocks."

17. Melittophagus pusillus cyanostictus.

Mf^rops pusillus, P. L. S. Miill. S. N. Suppl. 1776, p. 95.

Merops erythropterus, "Gm.," Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr.
p. 208; Hartl. Abb. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. Ill (Lado).

Merops variegatus, " Vieill.," Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr.
p. 193.

Merops cyanostictus, Cab. in v. d. Decken's Reise Ostafr.
iii. 1869, p. 34; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 110
(Shoa) ; Bohra. J. f. O. 1885, p. 47.

Melittophagus pusillus, Shelley, P. Z. S. 1881, p. 569.

Melittophagus cyanostictus. Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 127.

Hab. E. and S. Africa, from Abyssinia to Pangani.

South from Pangani and in Benguela the specimens are
nearly intermediate between this subspecies and the common
South-African form, and the common South-African form
is again intermediate between these latter specimens and
those of West Africa, which are entirely without the blue
frontal and superciliary band. In the colouring of the head
and throat the present subspecies much resembles M. lafres-
nayei, but is smaller.

" Apparently not common ; only seen along the water-
courses. Iris red, bill and feet black."

18. Melittophagus revoili.

Merops revoilii, Oustalet in RevoiFs Faune et Flor. Co-
malis, Ois. 1882, p. 5, pi. 1 (bad).

Hab. Confined to Somali-land.

Crown grass-green, with paler shaft-stripes, which are
tinted with cobalt-blue towards their ends ; sides cf the fore-
head and a broad eyebrow cobalt-blue ; ear-coverts and a
broad loral band through the eye black ; back of neck and
front of back rufous- baft", with the ends of the feathers

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 399

washed with bluish green ; lower half of the back and upper
tail-coverts cobalt-blue ; scapulars and wings green^ shading
into brown on the inner webs and tips of the quills, which
have their shafts also brown ; tail green, partially Avashed
with blue, and with an ill- defined rufous terminal edging to
all but the four centre feathers ; cheeks, chin, and upper
throat white, shading on the remainder of the throat and
breast into deep rufous-buff, slightly glossed with green ;
vent and under tail-coverts bright cobalt-blue; under wing-
coverts and inner margins to the quills rufous-buff; re-
mainder of the quills and under surface of the tail ashy brown ;
bill and legs black. Total length 6*2 and 6"7 inches, culmen
1"1, wing 2*9 and 3*1, tail 2'9, tarsus 0'4.
" Common on the plateau/^

19. CORACIAS N^VIA.

Coracias ncevia, Daud. Traite, ii. 1800, p. 258 (Senegal) ;
Sharpe, Ibis, 1871, p. 190, part.; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ.
Gen. 1884, p. 114 (Slioa).

Hab. E. and W. Africa : Abyssinia, Upper White Nile,
Somali, Senegambia, and Bissao.

Coracias pilosa, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 173.

The two specimens in this collection have the crown pink,
not shaded with olive, and thus differ somewhat from the
South-African bird, which should, I think, be recognized as
a subspecies under the title of C. ncevia levaillanti.

" First seen about twenty miles south of Berbera, and was
afterwards fairly plentiful, generally near water.""

20. Coracias lokti, sp. n.

Very similar in size and plumage to C. caudata ; but dif-
fers in the lower half of the throat and entire chest being
green, of the same colour as the abdomen, the pink of the
throat not extending beyond the line of the end of the ear-
coverts. Total length 13*2 inches, culmen 1*3, wing 6*3,
tail 7, tarsus 1.

Hab. Somali-land.

" Seen only on two or three occasions on the plateau. Iris
brown, bill black, legs grey.''"'

400 Capt. G. E. Shelley on a

21. Centropus superciliosus.

Centropus superciliosus, Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. 1828^
fol. 2 j Kupp. Neue Wirb. pi. 21. fig. 1 ; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-
Afr. p. 797; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 620; Shelley, P. Z. S.
1881, p. 595; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 96
(Shoa) ; Bolmi. J. f. O. 1885, p. 41 ; Fischer, torn. eit.
p. 123.

Hub. E. Africa, between abont 16° N. lat. and 8° S. lat.

'' Only found frequenting the thick bushes and grass near
the water-courses.^^

22. SCHIZORHIS LEUCOGASTER.

Schizcprhis leucogaster, lliipp. P. Z. S. 1842, p. 9; id.
Trans. Z. S. iii. pi. 17 (good).

Schlzor'his leucogaster, Spoke, Ibis, 1860, p. 245 (Somali) ;
Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 707 ; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr.
p. 477; Hartl. Abb. nat. Ver. Brem. viii. 1882, p. 210;
Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 364 (Masai) ; Salvad.
Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1881, p. 99 (Shoa) ; Fischer, J. f. O.
1885, p. 122 (Usaramo).

Hub. E. Africa, between about 12° N. lat. and 5° S. lat.

" Very common throughout the country. Feeds on the
berries of the nebbuk thorn, and the cry exactly resembles
the bleat of a goat. Bill and legs black.^'

23. Terpsiphone cristata.

Muscicapa cristata, Gm. S. N. i. 1788, p. 938.

Muscicapa duchaillui, Cass. Journ. Philad. iv. pi. 50.

Muscicapa speciosa, Cass. Journ. Philad. iv. pi. 50.

Terpsiphone melanogastra, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 441 ;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 309.

Terpsiphone cristata, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iv. p. 354;
Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 124 (Shoa) ; Shelley,
P. Z. S. 1881, p. 577.

Terpsiphone ferreti, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 353
(Masai).

Hab. E. and W. Afinca, between about 16° N. lat. and
6° S. lat.

" Frequents the shade of the high trees which grow along

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 40 1

the water-courses, Male — iris, bill, and feet slaty blue ;
female — iris red, bill and feet black."

24. BUCHANGA ASSIMILIS.

Corvus assimilis, Bechst. Lath. Allg. Uebers. Vog. ii,
p. 562.

EdoUus lugubris, Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. 1828, pi. 8.
fig. 3.

Dicrurus lugubris, Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 247 (Somali).

Dicrurus divaricatus, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 422; Finsch
& Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 323; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 131.

Buchanga assimilis, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 247.

Ilab. The whole of Africa south of about 16° N. lat.

" Common throughout the country. Iris red, bill and legs
black.^'

25. Lanius dorsalis.

Lanius [Fiscus) dorsalis, Cab. J. f. O. 1878, pp. 205, 225
(Ndi).

Lanius dorsalis, Oustalet in Revoil's Faun, et Flor. Co-
malis, Ois. p. 10.

Hab. E. Africa, Somali to Ndi.

Upper half of the head and hinder half of the neck black ;
back and scapulars grey, fading into white towards the ends
of the scapulars and on the tail-coverts ; tail, four centre
feathers entirely black, the remainder black with broad white
ends and an entirely white outer web to the outer pair of
feathers; underparts white; axillaries black; under wing-
coverts white, with a large dusky patch ; quills black, with
about the basal half of the primaries white ; a dark rufous
patch on the sides of the chest (a sexual character only) ; iris
brown; bill and legs black. Total length 8'2 inches, culmen
0"65, wing 3'75, tail 3*6, tarsus 1*1.

This species is nearly allied to L. antinorii, Salvad., from
which it differs in the scapulars being grey, not white ; the
secondaries entirely black, not tipped with white ; a less
amount of white on the two pair of outer tail-feathers ; the
axillaries being black, not white ; and it is also slightly
smaller. This comparison is taken from Mr. Gadow's descrip-

402 Capt. a. E. Shelley on a

tion of the type of L. antinorii (Cat. B. Brit. Mus. viii. p. 255) .
The present species has been overlooked in that vokime.

" Only met ■with on the tableland^ "where they appeared to be
fairly plentiful. Female — iris brown^ bill and legs black. ^'

26. Dryoscopus ruficeps^ sp. n. (Plate X. fig. 1.)
Forehead and sides of the crown black ; crown and nape

very bright rufous ; a broad white eyebrow extends over
the sides of the forehead to behind the ear-coverts ; lores,
cheeks^ ear-covertS; and sides of the neck black ; remainder
of the upper parts black, partially washed with grey towards
the neck and lower back ; a broad white longitudinal band
down the wing, formed by the greater portion of the median
series of wing-coverts and the broad white edges to about
three of the middle secondaries; the lower back is strongly
mottled with white ; outer web of the tail broadly edged with
white, and the three pairs of outer tail-feathers have broad
white tips; entire underparts white, very faintly tinted with
rufous on the flanks and thighs ; under wing-coverts white,
with the outer ones near the edge of the wing black, and a
large dusky patch ; under surface of the quills black, broadly
edged with white on their inner webs towards their base ;
iris brown; bill black; legs dark grey. Total length 7 inches,
culmen 0*7, wing 3, tail 3*4, tarsus I'lS.

Hab. Somali-land.

" Shot on the 2nd of January and seen on a few occasions
afterwards. Iris brown, bill black, feet grey."

27. Laniarius cruentus.

Lanius cruentus, Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. 1828, fol. c,
pi. 3.

Laniarius cruentus, Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 247 (Somali) ;
Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 354; Gadow, Cat. B. Brit.
Mus. viii. p. 152.

Dryoscopus cruentus, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 462.

Hab. E. Africa, from about 15° N. lat. to Somali-land.

" Rather scarce : only seen on the plateau. Male — iris
brown, bill black, legs grey.""

Itis.l885,ri X

j.G.feuicmansiib. i.DRYOSCOPUS RUFICEP5

2.TELEPH0NUS JAM EST.

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 403

28. Telephonus jamesi^ sp. ii. (Plate X. fig. 2.)

Upper parts brownish ash ; a broad black band down the
centre of the forehead, crown, and nape; a black band from
the lores through the eye to over the ear-coverts ; sides of
the forehead and crown fading almost into white, forming
an indistinct eyebrow ; wing-coverts and broad outer edges
to the quills chestnut, a few of the outer wing-coverts ashy
brown, externally margined with white ; edges of the wing
white, remainder of the quills dark brown j tail, two centre
feathers brownish ash obsoletely barred, remainder black,
with broad white ends, broadest towards the outer pair of
feathers, wdiich have also the greater portion of the end half
of the outer web white ; cheeks, throat, abdomen, and under
tail-coverts white, shading into pale brownish ash on the ear-
coverts, chest, and flanks ; under wing-coverts whitish ash ;
under surface of the quills ashy brown. Total length 7 inches,
culmen 0"65, wing 2'65, tail 3"5, tarsus 0"9.

Hub. Somali-land.

''Only met with on two occasions on the plateau. Iris
brown, with five beautiful white spots round the pupil ; bill
black ; feet grey."

29. PrIONOPS POLIOCEPIIALUS.

Lanius poliocephalus, Stanley in Salt^s Trav. Abyss. 1814,
App. p. 50.

Prionops cristatus, Riipp. Neue Wirb. pi. 12. fig. 2,

Prionops poliocephalus, Sclat. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 109 (Usui) ;
Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 454 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii.
p. 231; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 120 (Shoa).

Hab. E. Africa, from about 15° N. lat. to Usui in 3° S. lat.

" Met with on three occasions in flocks on the tableland.
Iris and eye-wattles yellow, bill black, legs red.""'

30. EUROCEPHALUS RUEPPELLI.

Eurocephalus anguitimens, Rlipp. (nee Smith), Syst. Uebers.
1845, p. 53, pi. 27.

Eurocephalus rueppelli, Bp. Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1853, p. 440;
Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 487 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus.
iii. p. 280 ; Ilartl. Abh. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. 97 ;

404 Capt. G. E. Shelley on a

Shelley, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 307 ; Shalow, J. f. O. 1883, p. 357 ;
Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 350 (Masai) ; id. J. f. O.
1885, p. 130 (Barawa).

Hub. E. Africa, from about 15° N. lat. to 7° S. lat.

" Common, but shy, singly or in pairs, frequenting the top-
most boughs of trees. Iris brown ; bill and legs black/'

31. Argya aylmeri, sp. n. (Plate XL fig. 1.)

Upper parts uniform ashy brown, shading into deep rufous-
brown on the crown and forehead ; nape and sides of the head
slightly more rufous than the back, and fading into buff in
front of the eyes ; chin and throat buff with ashy-brown
bases to the feathers, giving a somewhat scaled appearance to
these parts ; remainder of the underparts more rufous-buff,
washed on the flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts with
ashy brown, under wing-coverts and partial inner margins to
the quills rich rufous-buff, remainder of the quills ashy
brown; bill brownish yellow; legs brownish flesh-colour.
Total length 8*4 inches, culmen 0*7, wing 2'8, tail 4*8,
tarsus 1.

Hab. Somali-land.

" Probably plentiful, but difficult to see, as they frequent
the thick bushes and grass. They are very active, and con-
stantly utter a cry somewhat resembling that of a mouse.''

32. MONTICOLA RUFOCINEREA.

Saxicola rufocinerea, Riipp. Neue Wirb. Vog. 1835-40,
p. 7Q, pi. 27.

Thnmnolcea rufocinerea, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 369.

Monticola rufocinerea, Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v.
p. 327; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 188 1, p. 302 (Masai) ;
Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 1(50 (Shoa) ; Fischer,
J. f. O. 1885, p. 142 (Maiwascha in 0° 30' S. lat.).

Hab. E. Africa, Abyssinia southward to Somali and Masai-
land.

" Common about the mountains near Berbera. In their
actions they much remind one of the Robin."

33. Saxicola phillipsi, sp. n. (Plate XII.)

Crown, back of the neck, upper back, and scapulars ashy

l]ois,I885,PlXI

J G . Keul e in a.n s liih.

Hatthart iixip .

l:ARGYA AYLMEUT
2. PATIUS THRUPPI.

Ibis,I885,Pl,Xri,

J G-Keulemans- lith.

HaJihapt imp .

SAXICOLA PHILLIPSI

Collection of Birds from Sonudi-hmd. 405

grey ; forehead and a broad eyebrow white ; the wing-coverts
paler grey than the back and with dark shafts; the spurious
wing and the quills black, with broad white partial edges to
a few of the secondaries; rum p^ upper tail-coverts, and a
large portion of the tail white ; remainder of the tail black ;
two centre feathers black, with the base white, the white
diverging up the feathers for about one third of their length ;
the black on the remaining feathers forms a partial subter-'
minal band and passes down their outer webs next to the
shafts in a very acute angle for about two thirds of the
length of the feathers, and is broadest on the outer feather,
where it reaches to the margin for two thirds of its length ;
cheeks, ear-coverts, chin, throat, front of the chest, axillaries,
and under wiug-coverts black ; remainder of the body and
under tail-coverts white ; under surface of the quills dusky
with a silver gloss ; bill and legs black. Total length 5 inches,
culmen 0'5, wing 3'3, tail 2, tarsus TOS.

The most marked characters for this species may be shortly
summed up by comparing it with the figure of S. seebohmi,
Ibis, 1882, pi. 14. In the present species the black of the
throat descends much lower, on to the front of the chest ; the
wing-coverts, with the exception of the spurious wing, are
pale grey or ashy white ; the tail-feathers, with the exception
of the centre pair, are tipped with white, and two thirds of
the outer web of the tail is black ; the thighs are white.

Hah. Somali-land.

'^ Shot on the 29th of December on the summit of the
mountains near Berbera, and not observed elsewhere.''^

• 34. Saxicola deserti.

Saxicola deserti, Teram. PI. Col. 1825, pi. 359. fig. 2;
Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 352; Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus.
V. p. 383 ; Dresser, B. Eur. ii. p. 215, pi. 27.

Hab. N. and N.E. Africa as far south as Somali-land.

" Common throughout the plateau.^'

35. Saxicola isabellina.

Saxicola isabellina, Riipp. Atlas, 1826, p. 52, pi. 34. fig. b ;
Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 247 (Somali-land) ; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-

SER. V. VOL. III. 2f

406 Capt. G. E. Shelley on a

Afr. p. 344; Dresser, B. Eur. ii. p. 199, pi. 22; Seebohm,
Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v. p. 399 ; Fisclier, Zeitschr. ges. Orn.
1884, p. 305 (Masai) ; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884,
p. 164 (Shoa).

Hub. N.E. Africa, from the Mediterranean to Somali and
Masai-land.

'^'Very common.''

36. Erythropygia leucoptera.

Salicaria leucoptera, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845, p. 38,
pi. 15.

JEldon leucoptera, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 279 ; Cab.
J. f. O. 1878, p. 221 (Ndi) ; Schalow, J. f. O. 1883, p. 366
(Merumi); Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 136
(Shoa).

Erythrojiygia leucoptera, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vii.
p. 79; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1881, p. 308.

Hah. E. Africa, between about 15'^ N. lat. and 7° S. lat.

"Common amongst the low bushes."

37. CiNNYRIS HABESSINICUS.

Nectarinia habessinica, Hempr. & Elir. Symb. Phys. 1828,
pi. 4 ; Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 247 (Somali-land) ; Heugl. Orn.
N.O.-Afr. p. 229; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 221;
Oustalet, in Revoil's Faun, et Flore Comalis, Ois. 1882,
p. 8.

Cinnyris habessinicus , Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 205,
pi. 63; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 139 (Shoa).

Hub. E. Africa, between about 16° N. lat. and 7^ N. lat.,
from Kordofan to Somali-land.

" Very common amongst the mimosa trees throughout the
country. The only other Sunbird seen was C. albiventris,
which was also fairly abundant, but not so common as the
present species.''

38. Parus thruppi, sp. n. (Plate XL fig. 2.)
Forehead, lores, clieeks, ear-coverts, and back of the neck

white; crown, sides of the neck, throat, and centre of the
breast glossy black ; chin mottled with white ; back, scapu-
lars, and least series of wing -coverts ashy grey ; remainder

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 407

of tlie wing black, with broad white edges to the feathers,
these edges broadest on the median and greater wing-coverts
and the inner secondaries ; upper tail-coverts and tail black,
with white margins to some of the centre feathers and narrow
white tips to the remainder; breast, thighs, and under tail-
coverts sandy buflP, shading into ashy grey on the sides of
the body; under surface of the quills brown, with partial
pale inner margins ; under wing-coverts white ; bill black ;
legs slate-colour. Male and female similar in plumage.
Total length 4'65 and 4*3 inches, culmen 0'4_, wings 2*45,
tail 2 and r9, tarsi 0*7.

The nearest ally of this species is apparently P. afer, from
which it differs in its smaller size, white frontal band^ white
mottling on the chin, and in the colour of the breast, thighs,
and under tail-coverts.

Hab. Somali-land.

" Only met with on one occasion, near the centre of the
plateau, where they were in a small party of about six. Iris
brown, bill black, feet greyish black. ^'

39. MiRAFRA CORDOFANICA (?) .

Mirafra cordofanica, Strickl. P. Z. S. 1850, p. 218, pi. 23
(Kordofan).

Geocorajj/ius cordufanicus, Heugl, Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 687.

Above cinnamon with dark shaft-stripes ; sides of the fore-
head and eyebrows buff ; edges of the wing-coverts and of the
primaries slightly paler ; inner webs of the quills dark brown,
broadly edged towards their base with cinnamon ; upper
tail-coverts slightly browner than the back ; tail-feathers dark
brown, the centre pair broadly edged and washed with cinna-
mon, the next four pairs are narrowly edged but more broadly
tipped with rufous-buff, the outer pair have nearly their
whole outer webs and broad ends buff; cheeks buff, shading
into cinnamon on the ear-coverts; underparts buff, fading
into white towards the chin and passing into cinnamon on
the sides of the chest ; the feathers of the lores and crop
have a few dark triangular terminal shaft-spots ; under
wing-coverts and basal inner margins to the quills deep

2f2

408 Capt. G. E. Sbelley ow «

rufous -buff, remainder of the quills brown with narrow
rufous-buflp outer margins; bill horn-colour, passing into
flesh-colour on the greater portion of the lower mandible ;
legs flesh-colour. Total length 5 "6 inches, culmen 0*5, wing
3-2, tail 2-1, tarsus 0*9.

Hub. Kordofan, Somali-land, and Damara.

Although I refer the present species to M. cordofanica, it
difters from the type, mostly in its darker colouring and in the
absence of pale borders to the wing-coverts, which I regard
as possibly due to season. It agrees well with a specimen in
the British Museum labelled '' M. africanoides, (^ , 12/6166,
Objimbinque (Andersson), no. 78. 10. 26. 350.''

" Only met with on a few occasions, near the centre of the
plateau. It perches on the topmost boughs of the trees,
which it leaves with a quivering flight, like our Wood-Lark,
pouring forth a pecvdiarly sweet song.''

40. Gymnorhis pyrgita.

Xanthodina jyyrgita, Heugl. J. f. O. 1862, p. 30; id. Orn.
N.O.-Afr p. 627, pi. 21. fig. 2 (head) ; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges.
Orn. 1884, p. 321 (Masai).

Gymnorhis pyrgita, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. App. p. cxl.

Hah. E. Africa, from about 15° N. lat. to 4° S. lat.

" I only observed on one occasion a small flock of these
Finches near the centre of the plateau. Iris brown, bill
purple, feet black."

41. URiEGINTHUS lANTHINOGASTEE.

Urasgintkus ianthinog aster, Reichen. Orn. Centralbl. 1879,
p. 120 (Masai) ; Reichen. & Schalow, J. f. O. 1879, p. 326;
Fischer & Reichen. tom. cit. p. 353, pi. 2. figs. 1,2; Fischer,
Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 324; id. J. f. O. 1885, p. 135
(Barawa, Massa, and Little Arucha)..

Hab. E. Africa, Somali-land to Masai-land.

Head and neck cinnamon, sides of the forehead and cheeks
ultramarine-blue; mantle and wings brown, washed with cin-
namon towards the edges of the feathers ; rump and upper
tail-coverts uJtramarine-blue; tail brownish black; breast
and under tail-coverts ultramarine- blue, mottled on the front

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 409

and sides of the chest with cinnamon, and thus the blue of
the throat is detached into a collar; iris and bill red; legs
black. Total length 4'8 inches, culmen 0*5, wing 2*15,
tail 2-4, tarsus 0*6.

The specimen before me is not in very good condition, but
I have described it because the figure of this species (J. f, O.
1879, pi. 2. fig. 1) is very misleading. The collar in the Somali
specimen is broader than in the illustration and lower down,
being only separated from the blue of the breast by two or
three feathers, and all the blue parts are uniform in colour
and ultramarine. The original description is fair.

"Not uncommon in small flocks throughout the tableland.
Iris red, bill coral-red, feet black."

42. Pyromelana franciscana.

Loxia franciscana, Isert, Schrift. Gesell. Nat. Freunde
Berlin, ix. 1789, p. 332, pi. 9.

Fringilla ignicolor, Hempr. & Ehr, Symb. Phys. 1828,
pi. 2.

Euplectes petiti, Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 322 (Zambesi and
Shire valley).

Euplectes ignicolor, Sclat. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 109 (Unyoro).

Eiiplectes franciscanus, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 571 ;
Hartl. Abh. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. 103 (Lado) ;
Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 184 (Shoa).

Pyromelana franciscana, Finsch & Hartl. Vdg. Ostafr.
p. 412.

Hab. E. and W. Africa : E. Africa from the Second
Cataract of the Nile, 22° N. lat., to Unyoro 1° N. lat., and
also from the Shire valley ; in W. Africa from the Gold
Coast to Senegambia.

'' Only plentiful on the Webbe Shebeyli in the cornfields,
where it frequently assembles in large flocks of from fifty to
one hundred."

43. Textor dinemelli.

Tea-tor dinemelli, Horsf. in Rlipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845,
pp. 72, 7Q, pi. 30; Gray & Mitchell, Gen. B. ii, pi. 87;
Sclat. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 109 (Unyamuezi) ; Heugl. Orn.

410 Capt. G. E. Shelley on a

N.O.-A£r. p. 534; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 38G;
Shelley, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 307 ; Schalow, J. f. 0. 1883, p. 361 ;
Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 333 (Masai) ; Salvad.
Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 194 (Shoa) ; Fischer, J. f. O.
1885, p. 132.

Hab. E. Africa, between 12° N. lat. and 7° S. lat.

'^ These birds are fairly common throughout the country,
frequenting the mimosa trees. They are very noisy when on
the wing, and breed in colonies. Their eggs are green, thickly
speckled with dark brown, and 0*95 inch long. In one of
these colonies a pair of the small Hawk, Foliohierax semi-
torquatus, had usurped a nest, but were regarded apparently
as welcome visitors by these sociable Weavers."

44. TeXTOR INTERMEDIUS.

Textor intermedius, Cab. v. d. Decken's Reis. iii. 1869,
p. 33, pi. ii. ; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 385 ; Fischer,
Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 333 (Masai).

Hab. E. Africa, between about 10° N. lat. and 4° S. lat.

" Very plentiful in flocks near Faf in the interior of the
plateau, which in the rainy season becomes a lake. In
March they were busily building colonies of nests in the higher
trees. In habits they much remind one of Starlings, especi-
ally when feeding in flocks on the ground."

Iris brown, feet black ; ^ bill red, ? bill dark brown.

45. BUPHAGA ERYTHRORHYNCHA.

Tanagra erythrorhyncha, Stanley in Salt^s Trav. Abyss.
1814, App. p. 58.

Bupliaga habessinica, Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. pi. 9.

Btiphaga erythrorhyncha, Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 246 (So-
mali) ; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 716; Finsch & Hartl.
Vog. Ostafr. p. 384 ; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 334
(Masai); Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 196 (Shoa);
Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 132.

Hab. The whole of Africa south of about 16° N. lat.

" Common throughout the country. Iris and eye-wattles
vellow, bill coral-red, feet brown."

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 411

46. COSMOPSARUS REGIUS.

Cosmopsarus regius, Reichen. Orn. Centralbl. 1879, p. 120
(Masai) ; Fischer, J. f. O. 1879, p. 299; Reichen. & Schalow,
torn. cit. p. 324 ; Fischer & Reichen. torn. cit. p. 349, pi. 1 .
fig. 1 ; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 336 ; id. J. f . O.
1885, p. 132 (Massa and Pare).

Head and neck deep metallic green, shading into blue on
the ear-coverts and into bluish violet on the back, wings, and
crop ; median and greater series of wing-coverts with black
terminal spots, more or less marked on each feather ; tail
bronze, obsoletely barred and glossed with violet and blue
towards its base and on portion of the inner webs of all but
the centre feathers ; the outer tail-feathers occasionally
marked near their shafts and edges with buff; breast, thighs,
under tail-coverts, and inner under wing-coverts rich golden
yellow ; remainder of the under wing-coverts metallic greenish
blue ; under surface of the quills and tail black ; bill and legs
black. Total length 12"3 to 13*3 inches, culmen 0*7, wing
4-7 to 5-25, tail 7 to 9, tarsus 1*15 to 1-3.

Hab. E. Africa, between about 10° N. lat. and 4° S. lat.
'' Fairly abundant in small flocks throughout the plateau,
where they frequent the ground and low bushes. Iris white,
bill and legs black."

47. Pholidauges bicolor.

Speculipastor bicolor, Reichen. Orn. Centralbl. 1879, p. 120
(Kipini) ; Fischer, J. f. O 1879, pp. 281, 300; Reichen. &
Schalow, tom. cit. p. 234 ; Fischer & Reichen. tom. cit. p. 349,
pi. 1. figs. 2, 3 ; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 132 (Kipini and
Wapokomo-land) .

Upper parts and entire head and neck glossy black, with
about the basal third of the primaries white ; breast, under
tail-coverts, and under wing-coverts creamy white, with the
outermost under wing-coverts and the bastard primary black ;
bill and legs black. Total length 7*1 inches, culmen 0*6,
wing 4*6, tail 3'4, tarsus 1*1.

Hab. E. Africa, between about 10° N. lat. and 2° 30' S. lat.,
from Somali-land to the Tana river.

412 Capt. G. E. Shelley on a

" Only met with iu flocks on two or three occasions. They
were very shy^ and flew at a considerable height^ frequently
uttering their peculiar cry^ which consists of a single whistling
note. Native name 'Shimber Arnot ' (Sheep-bird). They
are said to be common in the Gudabirsi country to the
west.^^

48. NOTAUGES SUPERBUS.

Lnmj>rotornis superba, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845, pp. 65,
75, pi. 2(3 (Shoa).

Notauge.^ superhus, Speke, Ibis, I860, p. 245 (Somali);
Heugl. Oru. N.O.-Afr. p. 517 ; Shelley, P. Z. S. 1881, p. 583
(Ugogo and Dar-es-Salaam) ; Hartl. Abh. nat. Ver. Brem.
vii. p. 106 (Lado) ; Schalovv, J. f. O. 1883, p. 360; Fischer,
Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 335 (Masai) ; Salvad. Ann.
Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 199; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885,
p. 132.

Hab. E. Africa, from about 10" N. lat. to 7° S. lat.

" Very common throughout the country in flocks. They
were breeding in March. Their nests ar(3 constructed of grass,
and are nearly spherical, \^'ith a hole at the side, the whole
structure covered over with thorny boughs, after the fashion
of a Magpie^s nest : they are placed near the ends of the
boughs. Native name 'Shimber Lo ' (Cow-bird). Iris
white, bill and legs black. ^''

49. NoTAUGES HILDEBRANDTI.

Notauges hildebrandii, Cab. J. f. O. 1878, pp. 205, 217,
233, pi. 2. fig. 1 (Kikamba) ; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 132
(Massa).

Head, throat, crop, back, scapulars, least and median series
of wing-coverts, a broad outer margin to the wings, and the
tail glossy violet-blue; back of the neck deep glossy olive-
green ; greater wing-coverts, secondaries, and inner primaries
deep glossy green; median and greater wing-coverts witli
large subterminal broad black spots ; breast, thighs, under
tail-coverts, and inner under wing-coverts chestnut; re-
mainder of the under surface of the wings and tail black,
strongly glossed with violet on the smaller wing-coverts ; bill

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 413

and legs black. Total length 8"3 inches, culmen O'Q, wing
4i'Q, tail 3'6_, tarsus 1'15.

Hab. E. Africa, from Somali-land to Massa and Kikamba.

" Very rare, only seen on two or three occasions on the
plateau. They were remarkably shy, went in small flocks,
and much resembled N. superbus in their habits.^'

50. NOTAUGES ALBICAPILLUS.

Spree albicapillus , Blyth, J. A. S. Bengal, 1856, p. 301
(Somali-land).

Notauges albicapillus, Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 246, pi. vii. ;
Heugl. Oru. N.O.-Afr. p. 520; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr.
p. 379.

Hab. E. Africa, confined to Somali-land.

Forehead and entire crown huffish white ; loral band in
front of the eye black ; cheeks and ear-coverts dusky olive-
brown ; back of the neck, back, tail, inner secondaries, and the
primaries glossy olive shaded with green; wing-coverts buffiish
white, with a large portion, especially the median and inner
greater coverts, greenish bronze ; spurious wing- and primary-
coverts glossy green, like the back ; outer secondaries huffish
white for the greater portion of their outer webs, with the
remainder of these feathers dusky black glossed with green ;
the feathers of the lower back and upper tail-coverts are
mostly tipped with buff, and some of the outer tail- coverts
have shaft-stripes of that colour ; the tail-feathers are obso-
letely barred; chin, throat, and chest dusky olive, with a
slight greenish gloss, each feather with a broad buffish-white
shaft-stripe ; abdomen, thighs, under tail-coverts, and under
wing-coverts huffish white ; under surface of the quills dusky
black, with buif outer margins to some of the secondaries ;
bill and legs black. Total length 10*8 and 10*6 inches, cul-
men 095, wing 6, tail 4-9, tarsus r55 and 1*6. The sexes
are similar in plumage.

'^Fairly plentiful towards the southern portion of the
plateau. They breed in colonies in March, and are very
noisy. Tlieir nests are very similar to those of A^^. superbus J'

414 Capt. G. E. Shelley on a

51. Treron waalia.
Columba waalia, Gm.

Columba ahyssinica, Temm. & Kuip, Pig. i. pi. 9.

Treron waalia, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 817; Finsch &
Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 533 ; Hartl. Abli. nat. Ver. Brem. vii.
1881, p. 117(Lado); Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 2G5 ; Salvad.
Aim. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 206 (Shoa).

Hab. N.E. Africa, Somali-land, Socotra, and Senegambia.

" Only met with on the mountains where the fig-trees
grow.^^

52. NUMIDA VULTURINA.

Numida vulturina, Hardw. P. Z. S. 1834, p. 52; Finsch &
Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 575.

Acryllium vulturinum, Elliot, Monogr. Phasianidse, ii.
pi. 38; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 119 (Barawa, Massa, and
Pagani).

Hab. E. Africa, from Somali-land to Mozambique. It has
been recorded by Dr. Hartlaub from W. Africa on the
authority of Capt. Probyn, and has been introduced into
Madagascar.

'' Very plentiful in large flocks in company with A^. ptilo-
rhyncha, but only met with in the Ogadayn.^'

53. Francolinus grantt.

FrancoVinus yranti, Hartl. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 665, pi. 39.
fig. 1 ; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 891 ; Finsch & Hartl. Vog.
Ostafr. p. 589; Shelley, P. Z. S. 1881, p. 597; Fischer,
Zeitschr. ges. Orn. p. 382 (Masai) ; id. J. f. O. 1885, p. 119.

Francolinus rovunia. Gray, List Gall. Brit. Mus. v. 1867,
p. 52.

Francolinus shoanus, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 891 ; Salvad.
Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 110 (Shoa).

Francolinus ochrogaster, Hartl. Abh. nat. Ver. Brem. vii.
1881, p. 118; viii. 1882, pp. 218, 230 (Lado).

Hab. E. Africa, from about 10° N. lat. to 7° S. lat., from
Shoa to the Rovuma river.

" Common throughout the country."

54. Dendrocygna viduata.

Anas viduata, Linn. S. N. i. 1766, p. 205.

Collection of Birds fro7u Somali-land. 415

Dendrocygna viduata, Dubois, Orn. Gal. 1839, p. 7\, pi. 44 ;
Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 1298 ; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr.
p. 806 ; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 242 (Shoa) ;
Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 115.

Hub. The whole of Africa south of about 16° S. lat.

'' Only met Avith a single pair o£ these birds in M arch. Iris
brown; bill black, with the nostrils and tip lavender; feet
black in the male, lavender in the female. ^^

55. PCECILONITTA ERYTHEORHYNCHA.

Anas erythrorhyncha, Gm. S. N. 1788, p. 517; Finsch &
Hjirtl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 808; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn.
1884, p. 394 (Masai) ; Bolim, J. f. O. 1885, p. 62.

Poecilonitta erythrorhyncha, Smith, 111. Zool. S. Afr, pi. 104 ;
Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 244 (Shoa).

Querquedula erythrorhyncha, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 1325;
Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 115 (Galla-land).

Hab. E. and S. Africa, from Abyssinia throughout the
"whole of East and South Africa.

" Shot on three occasions. Iris brown, bill black and light
I'ed, feet black.'^

56. Ibis hagedash.

Tantalus hagedash, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 709.

Ibis chalcoptera, Vieill. Gal. Ois. pi. 246.

Ibis hagedash, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 1141 ; Finsch &
Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 735 ; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn.
p. 386; Bohm, J. f. O. 1885, p. 38; Fischer, torn. cit.
p. 107.

Hab. The whole of Africa south of about 16° N. lat.

" Fairly plentiful on the Webbe Shebeyli. Iris yellow, bill
black, with the basal half of the culmen red, feet black.^'

57. CURSORIUS GALLICUS SOMALENSIS, Subsp. U.

Char adrius g alliens, Gm. S. N. 1788, p. 692.

Cursorius gallicus, Heugl, Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 965 ; Dresser,
B. Eur. vii. p. 425, pi. 514.

Hab. Typical race : N. and N.E. Africa. Subspecific race :
Somali.

I have deemed it advisable to refer the present specimen

416 Capt. G. E. Shelley 07i a

to a subspecies on account of its small size. Total length
8*3 inches, culnien 0'95, wing 5*3, tail 2*5, tarsus 2*3. In
colouring it resembles the typical race, but is much smaller,
about equal in size to C. senegalensis and C. burchelli.

'' Fairly common in small flocks throughout the plateau.
Legs white.'^

58. Rhinoptilus cinctus.

Cursorius cinctus, Heugl. Syst. Uebcrs. 1856, no. 555 ; id.
Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 972; Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 115 (Massa
and Masai).

Hemerodromus cinctus, Heugl. Ibis, 1863, p. 31, pl.'i.
(good).

Hab. N.E. and E, Africa: Upper White Nile, Somali,
Massa, and Masai.

" Only one pair met with, on the hills near Berbera^ about
the middle of April^ at which season they were apparently
breeding.^'

59. Rhinoptilus gkacilis.

Corsorius gracilis, Fischer & Reichen. J. f. O. 1844, p. 781
(Masai); Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 390 ; id. J. f. O.
1885, p. 115.

(^ ad. Above pale cinnamon, fading into sandy buff on the
neck ; crown with a black irregular subterminal bar to each
feather; back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and inner secondaries
with a black subterminal bar to each feather, with the broad
margins beyond sandy buff ; quills, secondaries, and inner
primaries cinnamon, passing gradually into dark brown on
the outer primaries and the primary-coverts; upper tail-
coverts huffish white ; tail pale cinnamon, fading into white
towards the outer feathers, the middle feathers with blackish
centres and a partial subterminal bar, these dark portions
gradually fade away towards the outer feathers, where they
are finally only represented by a dusky blotch on the inner
web near the end of the outer feather. Underparts and sides
of the head buff, fading into white on the upper throat ; two
black collars above and below the crop ; the feathers of the
lower throat have mostly very narrow dusky shaft-stripes;

Collection of Birds from Somali-land. 417

under surface of the wing buflf, mottled with dusky black on
the coverts, and passing into rufous shaded with dark brown
towards the outer webs of the larger primaries ; bill black,
paler towards the base of the lower mandible ; legs white.
Total length 8 inches, culmen 0-6, wing 5 "6, tail 2'8,
tarsus 1'85.

$ ad. Similar in plumage. Total length 7 inches, culmen
0'55, wing 5*2, tail 2'5, tarsus 1-9.

Hab. E. Africa, Somali-land and Masai-land.

"Fairly plentiful throughout the plateau, where tliey were
breeding in March and April. They reminded me of the
Lapwing in the manner they showed their anxiety when we
got near to their eggs."

60. Chettusia coronata.

Charadrius coronatus, Gm, S. N. 1788, p. 691.

Pluvier du cap de b. esp., Buff. PL Enl. 800.

Chettusia coronata, Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 636;
Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 391 (Masai) ; Bohm,
J. f. O. 1885, p. 51 ; Fischer, tom. cit. p. 116.

StepJianibya coronata, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884,
p. 220 (Shoa).

Hab. The whole of E. and S. Africa between about 10°
N. lat. and 30° S. lat.

" Very plentiful throughout the country, and very noisy at
night if in any way disturbed. They were breeding on the
plains in March and April. Iris black; base of bill pink,
with the end black ; legs pink.^'

61. tEgIALITES TllICOLLARlS.

Charadrius tricollaris, Vieill. N. D. xxvii. p. 147, pi. 233.
fig. 4; Heugi. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 1027, pi. 34. fig. 5 (head) ;
Schalow, J. f. O. 1883, p. 340 ; Finsch & Hartl. Yog. Ostafr,
p. 655.

yEffialiies tricollaris, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884-,
p. 218 (Shoa).

Hab. E., S., and W. Africa : Bogos, Abyssinia, Somali-
land, the whole of South Africa, and Senegambia.

418 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

" Common^ frequenting the streams in tlie mountains near
the coast. Eyelids, base of bill, and legs pink.'^

62. PODICEPS FLUVIATILIS CAPENSIS.

Colymbus fluviatUis, Tunstall, Orn. Brit. 1771, p. 3.

Podiceps capensis, Licht. Nomencl. 1854, p. 104; Salvad.
Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 252 (Shoa).

Podiceps minor, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 1363 ; Finsch
& Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 811 ; Bohm, J. f. O. 1885, p. 38.

Hab. The whole of Afriea.

This subspecies may be distinguished from the typical
P. jiuviatilis by the secondaries being white, more or less
washed with brown towards the ends of the outer webs. It
is also rather smaller. The present specimen is apparently
exceptionally small. Total length 8 inches, culmen 0'7,
wing 3"65, tarsus 1*25.

" Some half dozen were met with in a pan near the middle
of the plateau.''^

XLII. — A List of the Birds obtained by Mr. Henry Whitely
in British Guiana. By Osbert Salvin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.

[Continued from p. 306.]

249^. FURNARIUS LEUCOPUS.

Furnarius leucopus, Sw. An. in Menag. p. 325 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 688 ; Pelz. Ibis, 1881, p. 406.

Originally described from Guianan specimens, but not
represented in Mr. Whitely's collection.

250. LOCHMIAS NBMATURA.

Myiotfiera nematura, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 43.

Lochmias nematura, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 149.

Kukenam (5000 ft.) .

Except that the bill is a little darker and the dark margins
of the feathers of the under surface a little wider, the single
specimen in Mr. Whitely^s collection does not differ from
Brazilian examples of L. nematura. L. obscurata, Cabauis,

from British Guiana. 419

whicli ranges from Veuezaela to Bolivia^ differs in wanting
the superciliary stripe. A synonym of the latter bird is
L. soruria, Scl. & Salv.

251. SCLERURUS CAUDACUTUS.

Thamnophilus caudacutus, Vieill. N. Diet. d^Hist. N. iii.
p. 310.

Bartica Grove^ Camacusa, Merume Mountains^ River
Atapurau.

This is doubtless the true T. caudacutus of Vieillot^ the
Brazilian bird, often so called, being Myiothera umbretta,
Lichtenstein, aud that from the Upper Amazons and Colombia
Sclerurus brunneus, Sclater. I believe them to be all separable
as species.

252. Synallaxis brunneicauda.

Synallaxis brunneicauda, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, pp. 62, 457,
1874, p. 8.

Roraima (3500-5000 ft.).

253. Synallaxis albescens.

Synallaxis albescens, Temm. PI. Col. 227. f. 2 ; Scl. P. Z. S.
1874, p. 9.

Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

According to Mr. Sclater there are Guianan specimens of
this species in the Berlin Museum. May not this be the
bird called by Cabauis S. ruficapilla {=S. frontalis), a species
unrepresented in Mr. Whitely's collection ?

254. Synallaxis guianensis.

Motacilla guianensis, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 988.
Synallaxis guianensis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 11.
Bartica Grove.

255. Synallaxis adusta.

Synallaxis adusta, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, p. 450.
Roraima (5000-6000 ft.).

256"^. Synallaxis cinnamomea.
Certhia cinnamomea, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 480.
Synallaxis cinnamomea, Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 13.
Synallaxis ruficauda. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 689.

420 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

A common widely-spread species^ but not represented in
Mr. WLitely's collection.

257. Synallaxis demissa.

SynaUaxis demissa, Salv. & Godra. Ibis^ 188 i-, p. 449.
Rorairaa (5000-6000 ft.) .

258. AUTOMOLUS sclateri.

Anabates sclateri, Pelz. Sitz. Ak. Wien, xxxiv. p. 1.32 ; Orn.
Bras. p. 41.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

These specimens are rather smaller than those from more
typical localities, and they have faint indications of striation
on the throat.

259. Philydor pyrrhodes.

Anabates pyrrhodcs, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 689.
Bartica Grove.

260. Philyuor turdinus.

Anabates turdinus, Pelz. Sitz. Ak. Wien, xxxiv. p. 109; Orn.
Bras. p. 11 .

Bartica Grove.

Mr. Whitely^s specimens agree fairly with a typical ex-
ample of Anabates turdinus in Mr. Sclater's collection, but
the head is hardly so rufescent, and in slight contrast with
the colour of the back. They certainly more closely resemble
this type than a typical example of A. ochrolanms, Tsch., wuth
which I have also compared them.

261. Philydor erythrocercus.

Anabates erythrocercus, Pelz. Sitz. Ak. Wien, xxxiv. p. 105 ;
Orn. Bras. p. 39.
Camacusa.

262. Philydor albogularis.

Philydor albogularis, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, p. 450.
Boraima (3500-6000 ft.).

263. Xenops genibarbis.

Xenops genibarbis, 111. Prod. p. 213 ; Scl. Cat. Am. B.
p. 159.

from British Guiana. 421

Xenops dentirosiris, Sw. An. in Menag. p. 353 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana^ iii. p. 689.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa^ Roraima (3500 ft.).

264. SiTTASOMUS OLIVACEUS.

Sittasomus olivaceus, Neuw. Beitr. iii. p. 1146 ; Scl. & Salv.
P. Z. S. 1868, p. 630.

Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

265. Glyphorhynchus cuneatus.

Dendrocolaptes cuneatus, Licht. Abhandl. Ak. Berl. 1818,
p. 204.

Glyphorhynchus cuneatus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 161.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Boraima (3500 ft.).

266. Dendrocincla fumigata.

Dejidrocolaptes fumigatus,Jj\c\ii. KhhdiU^. Ak. Berl. 1819,
p. 201.

Dendrocincla fumigata, Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 42.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Boraima (3500 ft.).

267. Dendrocincla merula.

Dendrocolaptes merula, Licht. Abhandl. Ak. Berl. 1819,
p. 208.

Dendrocincla merula, Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 42.
Bartica Grove.

268. Dendrocincla longicauda.

Dendrocincla longicauda, Pelz. Orn. Bras. pp. 42, 60.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains.

269. Dendrocolaptes certhia.

Picus certhia, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 38.

Dendrocolaptes certhia, Scl. & Salv. Nomencl. Av. Neotr.
p. 67.

Premnocopus undulatus. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 689.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima
(3500 ft.).

270. Dendrocolaptes plagosus.

Dendrocolaptes plagosus , Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 210.
Camacusa.

SER. V. vol. III. 2 G

422 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

271*. Dendroplex picus.
Oriolus picus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 384.
Dendroplex picus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 690;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 165.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collection.

272. Dendrornis guttatoides.

Nasica guttatoides, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 587.
Dendrocolaptes guttatus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 690 (nee Licht.) ?
Bartica Grove.

273. Dendrornis pardalotus.

Dendrocopus pardalotus, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. N. xxvi.
p. 117.

Dendrornis pardalotus, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 164.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima
(3500 £t.).

274. Dendrornis polysticta.

Dendrornis polysticta, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 210.
Bartica Grove.

275. PiCOLAPTES ALBOLINEATUS.

Dendrocolaptes albolineatus, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1846, p. 208.
Picolaptes albolineatus, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 278.
Roraima (3500-5000 ft.), Kukenam.

These specimens agree closely with others from Venezuela
and Colombia, showing that the species has a wide range.

276. Picolaptes puncticeps.

Picolaptes puncticeps, Scl. & Salv. Nomencl. A v. Neotr.
pp. 69, 160.

Merume Mountains.

Described from a Guianan skin, with which Mr. Whitely's
examples agree exactly.

277. XiPHORHYNCHUS TROCHILIROSTRIS.

Dendrocolaptes trochilirostris, Licht. Abhandl. Ak. Berl.
1818, p. 207, pi. 3.

Xiphorhy7icJius trochilirostris, Cab. in Schomb, Guiana, iii.
p. 690.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

from British Guiana. 433

278. Cymbilanius lineatus.

Thamnophilus lineatus, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. N. iii.
p. 318.

Cymbilanius lineatus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858_, p. 206.
Bartica Grove^ Camacusa.

279. Thamnophilus lunulatus.

Lanius lunulatus, Less. Traite d^Orn. p. 375, pi. 45. f. 2
(ex Cuvier).

Thamno^ihilus fuliginosus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, p. 80; Scl.
P. Z. S. 1858, p. 208.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

280*. Thamnophilus major.

Thamnophilus major, Vieill., Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 687; Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 209; Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 75.
Not represented in Mr. Wliitely's collection.

281. Thamnophilus n^evius.

Lanius ntevius, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 308.
Thamnophilus ncevius, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 687;
Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 173.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

282. Thamnophilus ruficollis.

Thamnophilus ruficollis, Spix, Av. Bras. ii. p. 27, pi. 37.
f. 1 ; Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 687.

Thamnophilus amazonicus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 214,
pi. 139.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

283. Thamnophilus murinus.

Thamnophilus murinus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 756; Pelz.
Orn. Bras. p. 77.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains.

284'^. Thamnophilus atricapillus.
Lanius atricapillus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 303.
Thamnophilus atricapillus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 215.
Thamnophilus cirrhatus (Gm.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana,
iii. p. 687.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely^s collection.

2g 2

424 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

285. Thamnophilus insignis.

Thamnophilus insignis, Salv, & Godm. Ibis, 1884^ p. 450.

Eoraima (5000 ft.).

286*. Thamnophilus doliatus.
Lanius doliatus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 136.
Thamnophilus doliatus, Cab. in Scbomb. Guiana, iii. p. 687 ;
Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 217.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collection.

287. Dysithamnus spodionotus.

Dysithamnus spodionotus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1883, p. 211.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

288. Dysithamnus ardesiacus.

Dysithamnus ardesiacus, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 18G7, p. 756.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains.

289. Thamnomanes glaucus.

Thamnomanes glaucus. Cab. Arch. f. Naturg. 1847, i.
p. 230, et in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 688; Scl. P. Z. S. 1858,
p. 223.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

290. Herpsilochmus sticturus, sp. n.

Cinereus, dorso medio extus nigro intus albo ; pileo nigro ;
superciliis et corpore medio subtus albis ; alis iiigris, re-
migibus et tectricibus albo marginatis ; cauda nigra, rec-
ti'icibus duabus mediis in pogonio interno albo bi-
maculatis, rectricibus reliquis albo terminatis ; rostro et
pedibus nigricanti-plumbeis : long, tota 3*8, alie 1'75,
caudae 1*4, tarsi 0'7, rostri a rictu 0'65.
$ mari similis, sed pilco medio rufesccnte ornato.

Hah. Bartica Grove et Camacusa, Guiana Brit. {H.
Whitehj).

Mus. nostr. et P. L. S.

Ohs. H. jnleato ex Brasilia affinis, sed dorso nigricantiore
et pictura caudse certe diversus.

There are several specimens of this species in Mr. Whitely's
collection. It may readily be distinguished from H. pileatus
by the central tail-feathers having two large spots on the
inner web instead of a continuous white margin.

from British Guiana. 435

291. Herpsilochmus, sp. inc.

Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus , Pelz. Oru. Bras. pp. 10,
151 (?).

Roraima (3500 ft.).

Count H. V. Berlepsch has kindly sent me a note on this
bird, in which he points out certain differences, chiefly in size,
between it and the types of H. dorsimaculatus with which he
has compared Guianan examples. I venture to leave him to
describe it, should he think proper, in one of the useful
papers on South-American birds with which he from time
to time favours this journal.

292. Myrmotherula pygm^a.
Muscicapa pygmisa, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 933.
Formicivora pygvtKEa, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 688.
Myrmotherula jjygmcea, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 23Jj.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

293. Myrmotherula surinamensis.

Sitta surinamensis, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 442.
Myrmotherula surinamensis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 234.
Formicivora quadrivittata, Licht., Cab. in Schomb. Guiana,
iii. p. 688.
Camacusa.

294. Myrmotherula guttata.

Myrmotherula guttata, Vieill. Gal. Ois. p. 251, pi. 155.
Rhopoterpe guttata. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 688.
Mijrmotherula guttata, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 235.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

295. Myrmotherula gutturalis.

Myrmotherula gutturalis, Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1881, p. 269.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, R. Atapurau.

296. Myrmotherula axillaris.

Myrmothera axillaris, Vieill. N. Diet. d^Hist. N, xvii.
p. 321.

Formicivora axillaris, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 688.
Myrmotherula axillaris, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 236.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains.

426 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

297. Myrmotherula. longipennis.
Myrmotherula longipennis, Pelz. Orn. Bras. pp. 82, 153.
Bartica GrovCj Camacusa.

A species closely allied to M. menetriesi, d'Orb., as we
understand that species. It differs in having the black of
the throat more restricted, and in the tail-feathers having
white ends. It is also a somewhat larger bird. For the
identification of the species we are indebted to Count H. v.
Berlepsch, who has compared some of Mr. Whiteljr's examples
with Herr v. Pelzeln's types.

298. Myrmotherula unicolor.

Myrmothera imicolor, Menetr. Mon. Myioth. p. 480, pi. 2.
f. 1.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Roraima (3500 ft.).

299. Myrmotherula cinereiventris.
Myrmotherula cinereiventris, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1867,

p. 736.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

300. FORMICIVORA GRISEA.

Turdus griseus, Bodd. Tabl. d. PI. Enl. p. 39.
Fo7'micivora grisea. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 687;
Scl. P.Z.S. 1858, p. 238.
Merume Mountains.

301. Terenura spodioptila.

Terenura spodioptila, Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1881, p. 270, pi. 9.
f. 1.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

302. HHAMPHOCiENUS ALBIVENTRIS.

Rhamphocmnus albiventris, Scl. Ibis, 1883, p. 95.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

303. Cercomacra cinerascens.

Formicivora cinerascens, Scl. P.Z.S. 1854, p. 112.
Cercomacra cinerascens, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 245.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

from British Guiana. 427

304. Cercomacra tyrannina.

Pyriglena tyrannina, Scl. P. Z. S. 1855, pp. 90, 147, pi. 98.
Cercomacra tyrannina, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 245.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Roraima (3500 ft.).

305. Heterocnemis n^evia.

Sitta 7i(svia, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 442.
Heterocnemis navia, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 247.
Holocnemis lineata (Gm.), Cab, in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 685.
Camacusa.

306. Heterocnemis leucostigma.

Percnostola leucostigma, Pelz. Orn. Bras. pp. 86, 160.

Heterocnemis simplex, Scl. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 573.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains.

Count H. V. Berlepsch tells mo that he has compared some
of Whitely^s specimens (undoubtedly H. simplex, Scl.) with
the types of P. leucostigma, Pelz., and finds they belong to
the same species. The latter name has priority.

307. Heterocnemis saturata, sp. n.

H. leucostigmati affinis, sed omnino obscurior, corpore subtus
quam dorsum vix dilutiore : rostro et pedibus nigri-
cantibus. ? subtus quoque pauilo obscurior.

Boraima (3500 ft.).

I think this bird must be separated from H. leucostigma
(vel simplex) . The under surface of the male is very much
darker, instead of being pale ash-colour, and the feet and bill
are also blacker.

We have only two specimens, one of each sex, from Mr.
Whitely^s Boraima collection, where perhaps it replaces the
more lowland paler form.

308. Myrmeciza cinnamomea.

Turdus cinnamomeus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 825.
Myrmonax cinnamomeus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 684.

Myrmeciza cinnamomea, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 249.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

428 Mr. O. Salviu on Birds

309. Myrmeciza atrothorax.

Formicarius atrothorax, Bodd, Tabl. d. PI. Enl. p. 44.
Myrmeciza atrothorax, Scl. Cat, Am. B. p. 187.
Cercomacra atrothorax, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 245.
Merume Mountains.

310. Hypocnemis cantator.

Formicarius cantator, Bodd. Tabl. d. PI. Enl. p. 441.
Hypocnemis cantator, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 250.
Hypocnemis tintinnabulata (Gm.), Cab, in Schomb. Guiana,
iii. p. 684.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

311. Hypocnemis pcecilonota.

Hypocnemis pcecilonota. Cab, in Schomb, Guiana, iii.
p. 684.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, R. Atapurau, Roraima (3500 ft.) .

This is the true H. pcecilonota. The bird from the Upper
Amazons frequently called by this name has been separated
as H. lepidonota (Scl. & Salv, P, Z, S. 1880, p, 160).

312. Hypocnemis leucophrys,

Pithys leucophrys, Tsch. Faun, Per, p, 176, pi. 11, f. 2.
Myrmonax leucophrys. Cab. in Schomb, Guiana, iii, p, 684.
Hypocnemis leucophrys, Scl. P. Z, S. 1858, p, 252.
Bartica Grove.

313. Hypocnemis melanopogon.

Hypocnemis melanopogon, Sci. P, Z, S. 1857, p. 130 ; 1858,
p. 253.
Camacusa.

314. Pithys albifkons.

Fipra albifrons, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 1000.

Pithys albifro7is. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 685 ;
Scl. P.Z. S. 1858, p. 273.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima
(3500 ft.).

315. Pithys rufigula.

Tardus rufigula, Bodd. Tabl. d. PI, Enl. p. 39.
Pithys rufigularis, Scl. P.Z. S. 1858, p. 273.

from British Guiana. 429

Pithys pectoralis {Latb.)^ Cab. in Scbomb. Guiana^, iii.
p. 685.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

316"^. Pyriglena funebris.

Lanius funebris , Licbt. Verz. Doubl. p. 47.

Pyriglena funebris, Cab. in Scbomb. Guiana, iii. p. 684.

I bave not been able to apply tbis name of Licbtenstein^s
to any of Mr. Wbitely^s Formicariidae. It was originally
proposed for a species from Cayenne said to be allied to
P. leucoptera.

317. Rhopoterpe torquata.

Formicarius torquatus, Bodd. Tabl. d. PI. Enl. p. 43.
Rhopoterpe torquata, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 275.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

318. Formicarius nigrifrons.

Formicarius nigrifrons, Gould, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 2,
XV. p. 344; Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 277.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

I bave only seen specimens of tbis form from Guiana, and
of tbe true F. cayennensis from Brazil. Can Buffon bave
made an error in ascribing bis bird to Cayenne ? Tbe
evidence before me implies tbat tbis was tbe case.

319. Formicarius hoffmanni.

Myrmornis hoffmanni, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1861, p. 95.

Formicarius hoffmanni, Finscb, P. Z. S. 1870, p. 568.

Myiothera analis, Cab. in Scbomb. Guiana, iii. p. 686
(necd'Orb.).

Myrmornis crissalis, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1861, p. 96.

Camacusa.

I agree witb Dr. Finscb tbat M. crissalis and M. hoffmanni
are bardly specifically distinct.

320. Cham^eza fulvescens.

ChamcEza fulvescens, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1882, p. 79.
Merume Mountains, Camacusa, Roraima (3500 ft.) ,

430 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

321. Grallaria varia.

Formicarius varius, Bodd. Tabl. d. PI. Enl. p. 44.
Grallaria varia, Scl. Ibis, 1877, p. 442.
Camaciisa.

322. Grallaria regulus.

Grallaria regulus, Scl. P.Z. S. 1860, p. QQ ; Ibis, 1877,
p. 441.

Roraima (5000 ft.).

A single specimen in Mr. Wliitely's collection agrees with
Andean examples of tbis species.

323. Grallaria brevicauda.

Formicarius brevicauda, Bodd. Tabl. d. PI. Enl. p. 44.
Grallaria brevicauda, Scl. Ibis, 1877, p. 447.
Colobathris tinniens (Gm.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 686.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

324. Grallaria simplex.

Grallaria simplex, Salv. & Godm.Ibis, 1884, p. 451.
Roraima (5000 ft.).

325. Grallaria macularia.

Pitta macularia, Temm. sub PI. Col. 217.
Colobathris macularia. Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana, iii. p. 685.
Grallaria macularia, Scl. Ibis, 1877, p. 449.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, R. Ata-
purau.

326. Grallaricula nana. .

Grallaria nana, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1842, p. 334.
Grallaricula nana, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 284.
Kukenam (5000 ft.).

327. Corythopis anthoides.

Muscicapa anthoides, Pucb. Arcli. Mus. vii. p. 334.
Corythopis anthoides, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 288.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, R. Ata-
purau, Roraima (3500 ft.).

from British Guiana. 431

328. Glaucis hirsuta.

Trochilus hirsutus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 490.
Glaucis hirsuta, Salv. & Elliot, Ibis, 1873, p. 276.
Trochilus br'asiliensis (Lath.)? et Trochilus dominicus (L.),
Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana, iii. p. 708.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

329. Phaethornis superciliosus,

Trochilus superciliosus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 189; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 708.

Phaethornis superciliosus, Gould, Mon. Troch. i. pi. 17 ;
Salv. & Elliot, Ibis, 1873, p. 4.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, R. Ata-
purau.

330. Phaethornis augusti.

Trochilus augusti, Bourc. Ann. d. Sc. Phys. &c. de Lyon,
i. p. 623.

Phaethornis augusti, Gould, Mon. Trocb. i. pi. 29 ; Salv.
& Elliot, Ibis, 1873, p. 10.

Roraima.

Agrees with Venezuelan and Colombian examples.

331. Phaethornis bourcieri.

Trochilus bourcieri. Less. Troch. p. 62, pi. 18.
Phaethornis bourcieri, Gould, Mon. Troch. i. pi. 25 ; Salv.
& Elliot, Ibis, 1873, p. 13.

Camacusa, Merume Mountains, R. Atapurau, Roraima.

332. Pygmornis longuemareus.

Trochilus longuemareus, Less. Troch. p. 15, pi. 2; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 709.

Phaethornis longuemareus, Gould, Mon. Troch. i. pi. 31.
Pygmornis longuemareus, Salv. & Elliot, Ibis, 1873, p. 271.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Roraima (3000-3500 ft.).

333'^. Pygmornis pygm^eus.

Trochilus pygmceus, Spix, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 708.

Phaethornis pygmeeus, Gould, Mon. Troch. i. pi. 41 ;
Elliot, Syn. H. -Birds, p. 20.

432 Mr. O. Salviu o?i Birds

A recognized Guiana bird, but not represented in Mr.
Whitely's collection.

334. Campylopterus largipennis.

Trochilus laryipennis, Bodd. Tabl. d. PI. Enl. p. 41.

Campylopterus latipennis (Lath.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana,
iii. p. 709 ; Gould, Mon. Troch. ii. pi. 48.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, R. Ata-
purau.

335. Campylopterus hyperythrus.

Camjnjlojiterus hyperythrus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana,- iii.
p. 709.

Roraima (6000 ft.).

Until Mr. Whitely's last collection arrived this species
was only known from the type in the Berlin Museum, ob-
tained by Schomburgk at Roraima. The sexes are similar,
the femalcj as usual in this genus, wanting the swollen shafts
to the outer primaries.

336. TOPAZA PELLA.

Trochilus pella, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 189; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 707.

Topaza pella, Gould, Mon. Troch. ii. pi. 66.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, R. Ata-
purau.

337. Lampornis violicauda.

Trochilus violicauda, Bodd. Tabl. d. Pi. Enl. p. 41.
Trochilus mango. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 706.
Lampornis mango, Gould, Mon. Troch. ii. pi. 74.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

338*. Lampornis gramtneus.

Lampornis gramineus (Linn.), Gould, Mon. Troch. ii.
pi. 77.

Trochilus pectoralis, Lath., Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 706.

A recognized Guianan bird, but not represented in Mr.
Whitely's collection.

from British Guiana. 433

339. AVOCETTULA RECUllVIROSTRIS.

Trochilus recurvirostris, Sw. Zool. 111. ii. pi. 105.
Avocettula recurvirostris, Gould^ Mon. Trocli. iii. pi. 201 ;
Elliot, Syn. H. -Birds, p. 162.
Bartica Grove.
A single female example.

340. Hemistephania johann^.

Trochilus johanncB, Bourc. P. Z. S. 1847^ p. 45.

Doryphera johan7i(B, Gould, Mon. Troch. ii. pi. 87.

Hemistephania johawKs, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1882, p. 80.

Merume Mountains, Roraima.

These specimens agree very closely with others from
Colombia. There is a trifling difference in the colour of
the crown of the males, but too slight for formal recognition.

341. Heliodoxa xanthogonys.

Heliodoxa xanthogonys, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1882, p. 80.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.) .

342. Thalurania furcata.

Trochilus furcatus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 486 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 708.

Thalurania furcata, Gould, Mon. Troch. ii. pi. 101.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima
(3500 ft.).

343. Florisuga mellivora.

Trochilus mellivorus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 193 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 706.

Florisuga mellivora, Gould, Mon. Troch. ii. pi. 113.
Merume Mountains, R. Atapurau.

344. LOPHORNIS ORNATUS.

Trochilus ornatus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 497 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 705.

Lophornis ornatus, Gould, Mon. Troch. iii. pi. 117.
Roraima (3500 ft.).

345. POLEMISTRIA PAVONINA.

Lophornis pavoninus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1882, p. 81.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3000-3500 ft.) .

434 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

Mr. Whitely^s last collection contained several specimens
of this beautiful bird, including old and young males and
females.

346. DiscuRA, sp. inc.

Trochilus platurus (Vieill.), Cab. in Scliomb. Guiana, iii,
p. 709 ?

R. Atapurau.

A female or young male of a species of this genus, but
not determinable without the adult male.

Dr. Cabanis includes T. platurus, Vieill., = i)i5CMra lonyi-
Cauda (Gm.), in his list, perhaps referring to the same
species.

347. Calliphlox amethystina.

Trochilus amethijstinus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 496.
Calliphlox amethystina, Gould, Mon. Troch. iii. pi. 159.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

348. Heliothrix auritus.

Trochilus auritus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 493; Cab. in Schomb.
Guiana, iii. p. 707.

Heliothrix auritus, Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pi. 213.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, R. Atapurau.

349*. Chrysolampis moschitus.

Trochilus moschitus, L., Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 705.

Chrysolampis moschitus, Gould, Mon. Troch. iii. pi. 204 ;
Elliot, Syn. H.-Birds, p. 176.

A common Guianan bird, but not represented in Mr.
Whitely's collection.

350. Petasophora germana.

Trochilus anais, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 707.
Petasophora germana, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, p. 451.
Roraima (5000-6000 ft.).

351. Petasophora delphin^.

Ornismya delphince, Less. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 44.
Petasophora delphincB, Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pi. 229.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3000-5500 ft.).

from British Guiana. 435

352. Chrysobronchus virescens.

Trochilus virescens, Dumont^ Diet. Sc. Nat. x. p. 49.
Chrysobronchus virescens, Gould_, Mon. Troch. iv. pi. 230.
Trochilus viridis (Vieill.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 707.

Roraima(3500ft.).

353. Chrysobronchus viridissimus.

Trochilus viridissimus, Vieill. Ois. Dor. i. p. 84, pi. 42.
Chrysobronchus viridicaudus, Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pi.
231.

Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains.

354. Heliomaster longirostris.

Trochilus longirostris, Vieill. Ois. Dor. i. p. 107, pi. 59.
Heliomaster longirostr-is , Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pi. 259.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

355. Agyrtria tobaci.

Trochilus tobaci, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 498.
Thaumatias tobaci, Elliot, Ibis, 1878, p. 49.
Thaumatias linnm, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 302.
Bartica Grove, Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.).

356^. Agyrtria leucogaster.

Trochilus leucogaster (Lath.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 705.

Agyrtria leucogaster, Elliot, Syn. H. -Birds, p. 202.

A recognized Guiana bird, but not represented in Mr.
Whitely^s collection.

357. Amazilia cupreicauda.

Amazilia cupreicauda, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1884, p. 452.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500 ft.) .
Many specimens, all agreeing with one another as regards
their specific characters.

358. EUCEPHALA C.ERULEA.

Trochilus caeruleus, Vieill. Ois. Dor. i. p. 82, pi. 40.
Eucephala ccerulea, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 330.
Bartica Grove.

43G Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

359. Hylocharis cyanea.

Trochilus cyanus, Vieill, Enc. Meth. 558.
Hylocharis cyaneus, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 344.
Merume Mountains, Camacusa, E,. Atapurau, Koraima
(3500 ft.).

360. Hylocharis sapphirina.

Trochilus sapphirinus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 496 ; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 706.

Hylocharis sapphirina, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 342.

Bartica Grove, Camacusa, Merume Mountains, Roraima
(3000 ft.).

361. Chlorostilbon prasixus.

Ornismya prasina, Less. Ois-Mouches, pi. 65.
Chlorostilbon 2)rasinus, Elliot, Ibis, 1875, p. 163.
Roraima (3500-4000 ft.).

Besides the species of Trochilidae mentioned above as
included in Prof. Cabanis's list of Schomburgk's birds, the
following are also mentioned, but their occurrence in Guiana
requires confirmation, viz. : —

Trochilus ruhineus=^Clytol(Ema rubinea, Brazil.

„ rivolii = Lamprokema rhanii, Mexico and Gua-
temala.
,, brevirustris^ Agyrtria brevirostris , Brazil.
„ auriculatus = Heliothrix auriculatus, Brazil.
„ j)etasophorus = Petasophora serrirostris, Brazil.
„ bicolor=Thalurania wagleri, Brazil.

362. Panyptila cayennensis.

Hirundo cayennensis, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 1024.

Panyptila cayennensis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 607.

Merume Mountains.

Mr. Whitely procured one specimen of this Swift, the
range of which extends over a large portion of South
America from Panama to South Brazil.

363. CHiETURA ZONARIS.

Hirundo zonaris, Shaw, in Mill. Cim. Phys. pi. 55.

from British Guiana. 437

Ch<2tura zonaris, Scl. P, Z. S. 1865, p. 609.

Acanthylis collaris (Neuw.), Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 709.

Roraima (3500 ft.).

Mr. Wbitely's specimens are much smaller than the usual
size of this species, the wings measuring only 7*4 inches
instead of 8"1 inches. They may be referable to the bird
from Colombia recently described by Mr. Lawrence as
Hemiprocne minor, or in part at least to H. albicincta, Cab.
(J. f. Orn. 1862, p. 164). But are these small birds speci-
fically distinct ?

364. ChjEtura cinerbiventris.

Chatura cinereiventris, Scl. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 101, pi. 14.
f. 1, 1865, p. 612.

Merume Mountains, R. Atapurau, Roraima (3500 ft.).

365. ChvEtura spinicauda.

Cypselus spinicaudus, Temm. Tabl. Meth. p. 78.
Chatura spinicauda, Scl, P Z. S. 1865, p. 612.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

366. Ch^etura rutila.

Hirundo rutila, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xiv. p. 528.

Cheeturu rutila, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1882, p. 82.

Merume Mountains.

Most probably the true H. rutila, Vieillot, as distinguished
.from Chmtura brunneitorques, Lafr., of the Northern Andes
and Central America.

367. Nyctibius grandis,

Caprimulgus grandis, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 1029.
Nyctibius grandis. Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 711;
Scl. P. Z.S. 1866, p. 128.
Camacusa.

368. Nyctibius longicaudatus.

Caprimulgus longicaudatus, Spix, Av. Bras. ii. p. 1, pi. 1.
Nyctibius grandis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 128.
BarticU Grove.

SER. V. — VOL. III. 2 H

438 Mr. O. Salvin on Birds

369. Nyctibius jamaicensis.

Caprimulgus jamaicensis, Gm. Syst, Nat. i. p. 1029.
Nyctibius jamaicensis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1886, p. 129.
Bartica Grove, Roraima (3700 ft.) .

370*. Nyctibius bracteatcs.

Nyctibius bracteatus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1846, p. 1 ; Scl. &
Salv. Ex. Orn. p. 39, pi. 20.

Nyctibius rufus, Cab. in Sclioml). Guiana, iii. p. 711.

Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collection. We now
have beautiful specimens of this rare species obtained by
Mr. C. Buckley at Sara}acu in Eastern Ecuador.

371^. PODAGER NACUNDA.

Caprimulgus nacunda, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. N. x. p. 240.
Podager nacunda, Cab. in Schorab. Guiana, iii. p. 711.
Not represented in Mr. Whitely's collection.

372. LUROCALIS SEMITORQUATUS.

Caprimulgus semitorcjuatus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 1031.
Lurocalis semitnrquatus , Scl. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 132.
Bartica Grove.

373. Antrostomus nigrescens.

Caprinmlgus nigrescens, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 710.
Antrostomus nigrescens, Scl. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 138.
Bartica Grove, Camacusa.

374. Antrostomus whitelyi, sp. n.

Supra nigricans, rufo maculatus et tectricibus alarum sparse*
albo notatis ; subtus mento et pcctore nigris fulvo vix
fasciatis, gula alba, abdomine toto nigricante et sordid e
albo interoiixto, valdeindistincte transfasciato; remigum
1^ et 2^ pogoniis ambobus fascia alba, rachideinterrupta,
notatis ; caudse rectricibus 2^ et 3*^ in pogonio interno
tantum albo terminatis : long, tota 8'5, ake 6*3, caudse
4-0.
$ mari similis, sed remigibus 1°, 2" et 3° in pogonio interno
fascia fulva notatis, caudai maculis albis vix ullis.
Hab. Roraima (3500 ft.), Guiana Brit. {H. Whitely).
Obs. A. nigrescenti proximus, sed major, et abdomine minus
distincte transfasciato, remigibus et cauda aliter albo pic-
turatis, certe distinguendus.

from British Guiana. 439

There are two specimens of this species in Mr. Whitely's
collection^ one of each sex. The spots on the tail in A. ni-
grescens are terminal and embrace both webs ; in this species
one web only is involved. The outer quill of the wings has a
white bar, the same quill in A. niffrescens being wholly black.

375. Stenopsis cayennensis.

Caprimulgus cayennensis, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 1031 ; Cab.
in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 710.

Stenopsis cayennensis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 140.
Merume Mountains, Roraima (3500-4000 ft.).

376. Stenopsis ruficervix.

Stenopsis ruficervix, Scl. P.Z. S. 1866, p. 140, pi. 14.

Caprimulgus decussatus, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 710
(nee Tsch.).

Roraima (5000 ft.).

It is most probably this species to which Prof. Cabanis
refers under the name C. decussatus, Tsch.

377. Hydropsalis schomburgki.

Hydropsalis schomburgki, Gray, Scl. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 142.
Hydropsalis furcifer, VieilL, Cab. in Schomb. Guiana, iii.
p. 711?
Camacusa.
A female belonging apparently to this species.

378. NyctidrOxMus albicollis.

Caprimulgus albicollis, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 1039; Cab. in
Schomb. Guiana, iii. p. 710.

Nyctidromus albicollis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 144.
. Bartica Grove.

379. Steatornis caripensis.

Steatornis caripensis, Humboldt, Rec. d'Obs. Zool.ii. p. 141 ;
id. Nouv. Ann. Mus. 1834, p. 321 ; Scl. P. Z. S. 1866,
p. 130.

Roraima.

A single specimen, of which Mr. Whitely says : — ''This bird
was brought to me alive yesterday (Oct. 2, 1883). It had
come down from some crevice in the vertical rocks of
Roraima."

2h 2

440 Recently published Ornithological Works.

XLIII. — Notices of recent Ornithological Publications.

[Contiuued from p. 327.]

112. 'The Auk.'

[' Tbe Auk,' a Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Continuation of the
'Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club.' Vol. II. No. 2, April;
No. 3, July, 1885. Boston, Mass.]

IVIr. J. A. Allen contributes an important paper on " Sexual
Selection and the Nesting of Birds '' to the April number
of our contemporary ; and amongst other interesting papers
on American birds is one by Mr. Beckham on 91 species
obtained at Pueblo, Colorado. IMr. Ridgway makes remarks
upon a fine series of that hitherto rare species, the Californian
Vulture ; he has also a paper on the Brown Condor, Sarco-
rhamphus (squutoriaUs, Sliarpc, and regards it as the young
of S. gryphus, which certainly retains its immature plumage
until at least seven years old. Dr. Shufeldt describes and
figures four stages of development in the bill of the Short-
tailed Albatross [Diomedca hrachyura), from specimens sent
in alcohol from Alaska. The " Analecta Ornithological^ of
Dr. Stcjneger reach their fifth series. A paper by Mr.
Brewster on a new species of Eock-Ptarmigan [Lagopus
welchi) from Newfoundland, and one by Dr. Merriam ou
change of colour in the wing-feathers of the Willow-Grouse
of Newfoundland, will be read with interest by the side
of the remarks on the Iceland Ptarmigan in our present
issue {supi'a, p. 377). Mr. John Murdoch^s critical notes
on some species of birds attributed to Point Barrow,
Alaska, by Mr. E. W. Nelson have called forth a re-
joinder in the July issue. The papers in the latter relate
principally to birds of the United States and Territories ;
but there is one which cannot be summarily disposed of,
bearing, as it does, the heading "The Eggs of the Knot
{Tringa canutus) found at last.'^ Lieut. A. W. Greely,
U.S.A., commander of the late unfortunate expedition to Lady
Franklin Sound, writes to our friend Dr. C. II. Merriam : —
''The specimens of bird and egg were obtained in the vicinity

Recently published Ornithological Works. 441

of Fort Conger^ latitude 81° 44' N. The egg was 1-1 inch
in the longer axis and 1 inch in the shorter. Colour light
pea-green, closely spotted with brown in small specks about
the size of a pin-head/'' It will be remembered that Major
H. W. Feilden, the naturalist to H.M.S. 'Alert/ obtained
the three nestlings now in the British Museum of Natural
History, but the eggs eluded his research. Even now it is
by no means clear that any identified specimens have been
brought back ; and if not, we are no better off than we were in
the days of Parry, more than sixty years ago, for that the eggs
were then obtained there can be no reasonable doubt. They
were even described, after a fashion : some were probably
brought home ; but the question still is. Where is a genuine
Knot's egg to be seen ? — and Echo makes her proverbial
answer.

113. Blomefield ' Reminiscences of Yarrell/

[Reminiscences of William Yarrell. By Leonard Blomelield (late
Jenyns). 8vo. Batli: 1885. (For private circulation.)]

Of the many who are acquainted with the works of the
Rev. Leonard Jenyns, and are accustomed to look upon his
' Manual of British Vertebrate Animals ' as a classic, compa-
ratively few are aware that under the name of Blomefield we
have still the pleasure of counting him among the four or
five surviving original members of the Zoological Society.
In the present pamphlet he has given us a slight but pleasant
sketch of Yarrell, with whom he was intimately acquainted
for nearly thirty years, and in whose company he made many
excursions. One of the best of his reminiscences is that of
the shepherd-boy whom the two friends found on the downs
above Eastbourne, and who imagined that the sole purpose
for which Parliament met was to determine the exact day
when Wheatear-catching should begin !

114. British Association's Report on Migration in 1884.

[Report on the Migration of Birds in tlie Spring and Autiniin of 1884.
By Mr. J. A. llarvie-Brown, Mr. Cordeaiix, Mr. R. M. Barrington. Mr.
A. G. More, and Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, 8vo. London : 1885.]

412 Recently published Ornithological Wurhs.

To this Report a useful sketch-map is prefixed, showing
the stations marked in red ; and in addition to the informa-
tions from the stations, some interesting " Ocean Notes " are
supplied by the officers of various steamers and by Capt. D.
Gray of the whaler 'Eclipse' of Peterhead. A little more
system might be shown in the arrangement of the Reports
under Families, Genera, and Species. For instance, at p. 20
we find Phylloscojnnfe followed by a paragraph headed "^ Tit-
mice'"'— why not Paridcst At p. 22, Motacillidce are suc-
ceeded by " Pipits " ; Corvidce are divorced from " Ravens,''
which are separated from Sturnince by the insertion of Cyp-
selidce ; " Larks " precede Emberisida, which, again, are
pages away from Fringillida and next to Caculida ! Such
errors as Motacilladce, Muscicap«dcC, Charadriadae, seem to
show a want of attention to detail; and we have not gone
over the Report hypercritically,

115. Buckley on the Birds of Rousay, Orkney Islands.

[A few Notes on the Mammals and Bii'ds of Eousay, one of the Orkney
Islands. By T. E. Buckley, B.A., F.Z.S. Tr. Nat. Hist. See. Glasgow,
i. (N. S.) 1885, pp. 44-76.]

As the author justly remarks, tlie Orkneys seem to be
the district of Scotland to which the least attention has been
paid, from a zoological point of view, of late years ; no Gray
or Saxby having arisen to do for them what these and other
naturalists have done for the Hebrides and the Shetlands.
Even in Scotland little appears to be known about this
group, for the Edinburgh ' Scotsman,' in its record of Grouse-
shooting, has of late more than once informed us that the
Orkneys in general, and Kirkwall in particular, are in the
Shetlands, where, as it happens, there are no Grouse at
all ! The more welcome are these notes on Rousay ; and,
as an instance of their value, it may be mentioned that in
them the record occurs, apparently for the first time, of the
authenticated occurrence in summer of the Black-throated
Diver {Colymbus arcticus), the partial distribution of which
has always been a puzzle. The species has not yet been
recorded from the Shetland Islands.

Recently published Ornithological Works. 443

116. Bunge on Birds of the Delta of the Lena.

[Naturliistorische Beobaclitangen uud Falirten im Leua Delta. Von
Dr. Alex. Bunge. Aus Briefen an den Akademiker L. v. Schrenck.
Melanges Biol., Bull. Acad. Imp. Sc. St. Petersbourg, xii. i. pp. .31-107.]

The greater part of this interesting paper is devoted to
mammoth-remains found at the mouth of the Lena; but
about eighteen pages refer to the birds observed^ in order of
date, on an expedition to Sagastyr Island. All three Palse-
arctic species of Swan (C. musicus, C. beivicki, and C. olor)
were found there in the breeding-season ; and authenticated
eggs of the Grey Plover and of the Little Stint were obtained,
but not those of the Sanderling and the Curlew- Sandpiper,
although these birds were shot. Sabine's Gull was procured,
and was probably breeding ; but the greatest prize of all was
a pair of Ross's Rosy-breasted Gull {Rhodostethla rosea),
shot on the 8th July out of a flock of other Gulls of three
or four species.

117. Cory's 'List of the Birds of the West Indies.^

[A List of the Birds of the West Indies, including the Bahama Islands
and the Greater and Lesser Antilles, excepting the Islands of Tobago
and Trinidad. By Charles B. Cory. 4to. Boston : 1885.]

IMr. Cory's list contains the names, in systematic order,
of the birds that are, up to the present time, known to occur
in the West Indies, the islands in which each species occurs
being added. Great progress, certainly, has been made of
late years in our knowledge of Antillean ornithology, but
very much more remains to be done. As shown by the
recent discoveries in Cozumel [supra, pp. 185, 321), even
the most unlikely islets may be found to possess peculiar
species.

118. Dubois on Belgian Birds.

[Revue des Oiseaux Observes en Belgique ; par M. Alph. Dubois. Bull.
Mus. R. d'Hist. Nat. Belgique, iv. 1885. (Separate copy.)]

This list is in reply to an invitation from the Belgian dele-
gates of the International Ornithological Committee inaugu-

444 Recently published Ornithological Works.

rated last year at Vienna. Altogether the species mentioned
amount to 336^ of which 70 are resident_, 57 summer and
39 winter visitors, 49 are of regular passage, 105 irregular
or stragglers, and 16 are regarded as " varietes clima-
teriques." The dates of arrival and departure, the Flemish
names of the species, and other particulars render this a very
useful and interesting compilation.

119. Dybowski and Taczanowski on the Birds of Kamts-
chatka.

[Liste dea Oiseaux du Kamtschatka et des iles Oomandores. Par le
Dr. B. DyLowski and L. Taczanowski. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1884,
pp. 145-161.]

The field-notes by Dr. Dybowski have already been noticed
(Ibis, 1884, p. 207), and we have now a complete list of
the species of which he collected specimens (IGl in number),
followed by remarks on and descrijotions of some of the
more interesting, together with some rectifications of former
statements.

120. H. 0. Forbes on the Eastern Archipelago.

[A Naturalist's Wanderings in the Eastern Archipelago, a Narrative of
Travel and Exploration from 1878 to 1883. By Henry O. Forbes,
F.E.G.S. London: 1885.]

IVIembers of the B. O. U. will, we are sure, all enjoy IMr.
Forbes's account of his wanderings in the Eastern Archi-
pelago, in the course of which he explored the Cocos-Keel-
ling Islands, Java, Sumatra, Timor-Laut, Burn, and Timor,
and devotes a section of his work to each of these localities.
Numerous allusions to birds observed will be found through-
out the volume, and the various appendices contain lists of
the avifaunas of the Cocos-Keeling Islands, Sumatra, Timor-
Laut, and Buru, which will be very useful for reference.
We may also call special attention to IVEr. Forbes^'s account
of the habits of Buceros galeatus (p. 154) as novel and inter-
esting, to his notice of the rare birds met with at the summit
of IViount Dempo in Sumatra (pp. 207-209), and to his
general remarks on the birds of Timor-Laut (p. 337). The

Recently published Ornithological Works. 445

Honey-eater [Myznmela annabell(R) named after Mrs. Forbes
worthily occupies the coloured titlepage, and an uncoloured
figure of Geocichla machiki (p, 337) is also given.

121. Harvie-Brown on Kumlien's Gull.

[Exhibition of and Remarks upon a specimen of Lams Immlieni,
Brewster, from Cumberland Inlet, North America, (fee. Pr. R. Phys. Soc.
Edin. 1885. (Separate copy.)]

This very interesting specimen, which has been kindly pre-
sented by Mr. Ilarvie Brown to Saunders, was shot in August
1884 by Mr. John Henderson, attached to the steam- whaler
' Maude,^ of Dundee, other examples being observed. The
species was first recorded from Cumberland Inlet by Mr.
Kumlien, of the Howgate Polar Expedition, as the North-
Pacific L. glaucescens, a statement which (accompanied by
others still more improbable had hardly had time to raise
Sunders's scepticism when the point was cleared up by his
friend Mr. Brewster, who pronounced the species from Cum-
berland Inlet to be quite distinct, as it undoubtedly is. The
bird is only of the size of the Iceland Gull, but it has pale-grey
markings on the primaries — a distinction worthy of notice,
because the species may not improbably occur on our northern
coasts in severe winters, having already been obtained as far
south as New York State. On the Pacific coast a Gull,
similar in wing-pattern, but of the size of the Glaucous Gull,
has been obtained, and named L. nelsoni, Heushaw. Mr.
Henderson is to be congratulated on the acquisition of this
rarity ; would that there were more observers like him on
our whalers !

122. Meyer on new Birds in the Dresden Museum.

[Ueber neue und ungeniigend bekannte Vogel im konigl. zoologischen
Museum zu Dresden. Von A. B. Meyer. Zeitschr, f. d. ges. Orn. 1884,
pp. 193-222, taf. vii.-ix.]

After referring to his previous paper [see 'Ibis,^ 1884,
p. 458], Dr. Meyer enumerates 37 species, and proceeds to
describe the following as new : — Sauropatis australasice (V.),

446 Recently imhlished Ornithological Works.

var. n. minor, Timor-Laut ; Leptotodus, gen. n., type L.
tenuis, sp. n. (figured), Amberbaki, New Guiuea; M'lcro-
lestes, gen. n., type M. arfakianm, sp. n.^ Arfak Moun-
tains, New Guinea ; Gerygone biniaculata, sp. n., Arfak
Mountains, New Guinea ; Grancalus timorlaomsis , sp. n.
(figured), Timor Laut ; Corvus latirostris, sp. n., Timor Laut ;
Pachycepliala a-ffinis, sp. n., Arfak Mountains ; Oxypogon
stuebelii, sp. u., Volcano of Tolima, Colombia ; Chlorostilbon
stuebelii, sp. n., Yungas, Bolivia; Cinnyris henkei, sp. n.
(figured), coll. Frank; Zosterops incerta, sp. n. (locality un-
known); Turdinus sepiarius (Horsf.), var. n. minor, Java;
Geocichla schistacea, sp. n. (figured), Timor Laut; Macro-
pygia timorlaoensis, sp. n., Timor Laut ; T7-opidorhynchus
aruensis, sp. n., Aru Islands ; Stigmatops salvadorii, Timor
Laut, and S. kebirensis, Kebir, spp. nn.

123. Mitchell's ' Birds of Lancashire.'

[The Birds of Lancashire. By F. S. Mitchell. 8vo. Loudon : 1885.]

This is an excellent book, and, in its way, almost perfect
— which is saying a good deal. The introductory remarks,
especially those on the value of observations on migration,
deserve careful consideration at the present time, when there
is a distinct tendency to the mere accumulation of a mass of
undigested facts — a joroceeding which must end in weariness.
A map, coloured plates by Keulemans of those Lancashire
rarities the Black-throated Wheatear [Saxicola stapazind)
and the Wall-creeper [Tichodroma murarici), and woodcuts of
decoys &c. embellish the work. Worthy of notice, as a fact
not generally known, is the remarkable decrease of late years
in the numbers of the Green Woodpecker and of the W^ry-
neck — the latter seldom breeding in Lancashire now, although
it appears to have been a regular visitor there up to about
the middle of the century.

124. More on Irish Birds.

[A List of Irish Birds, showing the Species contained in the Science
and Art Museum, Dublin. By A. G. More, F.L.S., M.R.LA., Curator of
the Natural-History Museum, Dublin, 1885, pp. 32.]

Recently published Ornithological Works. 447

In this useful list all the species obtained in Ireland are
enumerated^ those in the Museum being distinguished by
Egyptian type^ while those not possessed are in italics. It
must not be forgotten that some of the rarer stragglers to
Ireland, sucli as the Giiffon-Vulture, Spotted Eagle, Great
Sjjotted Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great Auk, and
others, are in the Museum of Trinity College, Dublin, and
that there is no reason for their transfer to the Museum in
Kildare Street. But surely the latter should not long remain
without one or more of the Irish specimens of Montagu's
Harrier, Red-backed Shrike, Marsh-Tit, White Wagtail,
Wood-Lark, Mealy Redpole, Stock-Dove, &c. which have been
obtained of late years, and which are neither heirlooms nor
have been lost sight of in the course of the change of
ownership incidental to so many local collections.

125. Nehrkorn on Birds from Waigiou.

[Zur Avifauna der Insel Waigou. Von A. Nehrkorn, J. f. 0. 1885,
p. 30.]

In the winter of 1883-84 the well-known collector Dr.
Platen paid a visit to Waigiou, and amassed a series of 636
bird-skins. The species, 103 in number, are given according
to Salvadori's nomenclature ; and of these, 22 are new to
Waigiou. The eggs of several species are described, amongst
others those oiRhectes leucorhynchus and Pitta mackloti. Of
Diphjllodes wilsoni, formerly considered so rare, 40 adult
males, 10 young males, and 4 females were in the collection !

126. ' Ornithologist and Oologist.'

[Ornitliologist and Oologist. Vol. s. No. 5.]

The recent number of this periodical, published by Mr.
Frank B. Webster at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, contains
many interesting notes on American birds.

127. Reid on the Birds of Bermuda.

[The Birds of Bermuda. By Capt. Savile G. Reid, R.E., F.Z.S. Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mas. No. 25, pp. 163-279.]

448 Recently published Ornithological Works,

Most ol" these excellent notes have already appeared in
the ' Zoologist ' for 1877 ; hut a complete synonymy is now
supplied to each of the 18G species recorded as occurring
in this group of islands; and Deyidrceca maculosa, Regulus
satrapa, and Hydrochelidon nigra are added to the list,
together with some additional matter. Our American
cousins have acted, wisely in annexing these notes on " the
still vexed Bermoothes/^ albeit the islands remain as yet
a British possession.

128-142. Ridgway on American Birds.

[128. Description of a new Race of tlie Red-shouldered Elawk from
Florida. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1884, p. 514. (Published Jan. 19, 1885.)

129. Ou two hitherto unnamed Sparroww from the Coast of California.
Tom. cit. p. 516. (Published Jan. 19, 1885.)

130. On CEstrelata jisheri and (E. dejilip'piana. Op. cit. 1885, p. 17.

131. Icterus cticullatus, Swainson, and its Geographical Variations.
Tom. cit. p. 18.

132. Description of a new Species of Conto2)us from Tropical America.
Tom. cit. p. 21.

133. Note on Anser leucopareius of Brandt. Tom. cit. p. 21.

134. Description of a new Warbler from Yucatan. Tom. cit. p. 23.

135. Description of two new Birds from Costa Rica. Tom. cit. p. 23.

136. Description of three supposed new Honey Creepers from the Lesser
Antilles, with a Synopsis of the Species of the Genus Certhiola. Tom.
cit. p. 25.

137. On Cathartcs huirovianus, Cassiu, and C. urubitinga, Pelzehi,
Tom. cit, p. 34.

138. On Onychotes gruberi. Tom, cit. p. 36.

139. Remarks on the type specimen of Buteo o.rgpterus, Cassin. To7)i.
cit. p. 75.

140. Description of a new Species of Boat-billed Heron from Central
America. Tom. cit. p. 93.

141. Description of a new Hawk from Cozumel. Tont. cit. p. 94.

142. On Peuccea mexicana (Lawr.), a Sparrow new to the United States.
Tom. cit.\. 98.]

We have here a batch of fifteen papers by our energetic
Foreign Member Mr. Ridgway. In No. 128 he describes
the Floridan form of Buteo lineatus as a new subspecies,
B, lineatus alleni ; it is smaller than typical B. lineatus, the
adult much paler in colour, the young decidedly darker. In

Recently published Ornithological Works. 449

No. 129 a new Sparrow, Passer cuius beldingi, sp. nov.^ from
Southern California, is described as similar to the darker form
of P. sandwichensis from the salt-marshes of San Francisco
(for which he proposes the name P. sandwichensis bryanti,
subsp. nov.), but is again much darker and has a larger bill.
It seems that Passerculus anthinus of Bonaparte, from Alaska,
is a pure synonym of his P. alaudinus. In No. 130 Mr. llidg-
way announces the discovery of a specimen of the Petrel
(Estrelata defilijjpiana in the American Museum of Natural
History, New York, and shows that it is " very distinct "
from (E. fisheri, with which he had previously supposed it
might be identical. In No. 131 he proposes to separate from
Icterus cucullatus two new snhsiiecies — (1) the paler/, c. nelsoni
from Western Mexico, Southern California, and Arizona,
(2) the ruddier /. c. igneus, from Yucatan, leaving the inter-
mediate form from Southern and Eastern Mexico as I. cu-
cullatus. According to No. 132 Contopus pileatus, sp. n., is
a small member of the genus with a " sooty grey cap,^^ based
on a single specimen, from an unknown locality, in the Ame-
rican Museum of Natural History, New York. In No. 133
the specific name " minima " is proposed for the small form of
Canada Goose from the Pacific coast called Bernicla cana-
densis leucopareia in the lately-issued 'Water-Birds of North
America/ i. p. 456, because Anser leucopareius, Brandt = ^.
hutchinsi, Sw. et Hichards. In No. 131j the form of Grana-
tellus salkei from Yucatan is separated subspecifically as
G. sallm boucardi. In No. 135 Mr. Hidgway describes a new
Blue Crow allied to Cyanocorax ornatus, from the Atlantic
slope of Costa Rica, under the name of C. cucullatiis, and a
new subspecies of Vireolanius, from Costa Kica to Panama, as
V. pulchellus verticalis. The latter differs from the northern
form in having the whole crown light green. In No. 136 he
describes Certhiola finschi, from an uncertain localit;^, as like
C. martinicana, but smaller and with yellow superciliaries ;
C. sundevalli, like C. do?ninicana, but with yellow supercili-
aries and the upper parts more slaty, from Guadeloupe and
Dominica ; and C. sancti-thoma, from St. Thomas. He adds
a new and useful " key " to the genus, in which 19 species
are recognized, the principal synonyms being added.

450 Recently published Ornithological Works.

In No. 137 Mr. Ridgway shows tliat Cathartes burro-
vianus of Cassin is the same as C urubitinga of Pelzchi (ex
Natterer), Gassings name having the priority. In No. 138
we learn that Mr. Hidgway has solved the long-existing puzzle
of Onychotes gruberi, by proving that tliis supposed Californian
species (see Ibis, 1881, p. 39G, pi. xii.) is no other than Buteo
solitarrus of the Sandwich Islands, He states in No. 139
that, although smaller than any example in the National
Museum, B. oxypterus is unquestionably referable to B.
swainsoni. But the specimen described in ' North- American
Birds' (iii. p. 266) as the melanistic adult of " B. swainsoni,
var. oxypterus," is not B. sivainsoni at all, h\xi B . fuUginosus ,
Scl., "which is said (and probably with truth) to be the
melanistic phase of B. brachyurus." In No. 140 the Boat-
billed Heron of Central America, from Mexico to Veragua,
is separated as a new species, Cancroma zeledoni, differing
from C cochlearia in having the neck and breast deep buff
instead of ashy white, the upper parts of a deeper grey, and
the crest far less developed. In No. 141 Rupornis gracilis, as
it is proposed to call the new species from Cozumel, is de-
scribed as similar to R. ruficauda griseicauda, but decidedly
smaller, and with the thighs and under wing-coverts nearly
or quite immaculate. Lastly, the specimens of Peuccea from
Texas referred to P. arizona by Messrs. Kidgway and Merrill
in their joint article on the ornithology of Southern Texas
(Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. i. p. 127) turn out to be the same as
Coturniculus mexicanus, Lawrence (Ann. Lye. N. Y. viii.
p. 474), from the mountains of Colima. The species must
therefore stand as Peuccea mexicana.

143. Salvadori and Giglioli on new Birds from Cochin

China.

[Due miove specie di Uccelli della Cocincina raccolte durante il viaggio
della R. Pirofregata Magenta e descritte da T. Salvadori ed E. Giglioli.
Atti R. Accad. Sci. Torino, xx. p. 427.]

An apparently very conspicuous new species of Cissa (C.
hypoleuca) and a new Mirafra {M. erythrocephala) are de-
scribed from specimens collected in Cochin China in 1846,
during the voyage of the ' Magenta ' round the world.

Recently published Ornithological Works. 451

144. Schaloiv on the Birds of Mark Brayidenburg.

[Zur Ornis der Mark Brandenburg. Ein dritter Beitrag. Von Herman
Schalow. Zeitscbr. f. d. ges. Orn. 1885, pp. 1-44.]

This is tlie third paper which Herr Schalow has published
upon the subject, the two former having appeared in the
'Journal fur Ornithologie ^ for the years 1876 and 1881
respectively. The number of species observed has increased
during the past nine years from 259 to 267. Any British
ornithologist who is desirous of investigating the avifauna of
the district between the Elbe and the Oder will find that,
in addition to other information, this contribution affords him
an excellent opportunity of acquiring at least so much of
the little-known Wendish language as relates to birds.

145. Schiavuzzi on Northern Birds in the Adriatic.

[Sulla comparsa di specie nordicbe nella regione Adrialica settentrionale.
Zeitscbr. f. d. ges. Orn. 1884, pp. 93-103.]

An important addition to our knowledge of the visits of
northern species to that little-known arm of tbe IMediter-
ranean, the Gulf of Adria. We gather from an announce-
ment in the above-named journal that Dr. Schiavuzzi
published in 1883 an account of all the birds of the Trieste
district, but we have not yet seen a copy of this memoir.

146. Stejneger on Lanius robustus.

[Eemarlis on Lanius rohushis (Baird), based upon an examination of
tbe Type Specimen. By Leonbard Stejneger. Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pbilad.
1885, p. 91.]

IVIr. Stejneger has re-examined the Shrike in the JMuseum
of the Philadelphian Academy, which Cassin identified with
Swainson^s Lanius elegans, and Baird subsequently named
Collurio ludovicianus , var. robustus. There is no proof what-
ever of this specimen having been, as was supposed, ob-
taiaed in California. As Prof. Baird has already stated, it
is " quite diff'erent from any recognized American species •/'
and Mr. Stejneger is of opinion that it agrees most nearly
with Lanius algeriensis, L. fallax, and L. uncinatus. Lanius
robustus may be therefore excluded from the American list.

452 Recently published Ornithological Works.

147. Stejneger on a new Sparrow.

[^Passer saturatus, a new Species of Tree-Sparrow from the Liu-kiu
Islands, Japan. By Leouhard Stejneger. Pi-oc. U.S. National Mus.
1885, p. 19.]

Mr. Stejneger describes as Passer saturatus an insular
form of P. montanus from the Liu-kiu (or Loochoo) Islands,
"North Pacific.

148. Taczanoivski on Abnormal Moults.

[Notice sur la Mue anormale de certains Oiseaux. Bull. Soc. Zool.
France, 1884, p. 303.]

This notice was elicited by a paper by Baron d'Hamon-
ville in a former number of the above journal, respecting
the simultaneous shedding of the flight-feathers in the male
o{ Anas boscas. M. Taczanowski states that not only was
this supposed novelty well known to most sportsmen, but also
that it has been observed in many other members of the
Anatidse, and also in the male of Tetrao tetrix.

149. Tail on Portuguese Birds.

[As Aves en rortugal. By W. Tait. Revista Soc. d. Instruc9ao do
Porto, vol. iii. pp. 459, 519, vol. iv. p. 80.]

This is the excellent beginning of a work which will pro-
bably never be finished in the language of the country in
which it was commenced. The Editors of the Eeview for
which the series of articles was undertaken by our corre-
spondent do not seem to have appreciated his work, and have
delayed their issue so long as to have exhausted his patience.
Mr. Tait has therefore decided to publish his notes on the
Birds of Portugal in English, and in the pages of this .Journal.
Our gain will be the loss of Portugal — a pity, it is true ; for
there is certainly no list of birds so good, as far as it goes,
in the language of her larger neighbour, Spain,

150. Zeledon on the Birds of Costa Rica.

[Catalogue of the Birds of Costa Ilica, indicating those Species of which
the United States National Museum possesses Specimens from that

Letters, Announcements, Sfc. 453

Country. By Jos(5 C, Zeledou, of San Jos6, Costa lliea. Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus. 1885, p. 104.]

Mr. Zeledon, the well-known naturalist of San Jose, Costa
Rica, during a short residence at Washington, has revised
his former Catalogue of the birds of Costa Eica, published at
San Jose in 1882, and added the new species, the list now con-
taining the names of 692 species, arranged according to the
system emjjloyed in the United States National Museum.

XLIV. — Letters, Announcements , S^c.

We have received the following letter addressed to the
Editors of 'The Ibis :^ —

TopclyiFe Grange, Farnljorougb, Kent,
July 24, 1885.

Dear Sirs, — On the 4th November last the Rev. H. H.
Slater exhibited at the Zoological Society's Meeting a speci-
men of the Barred Warbler {Sylvia nisoria), shot by himself
on the Yorkshire coast on the 28tli August, 1884, and at the
same time I exhibited one shot by Mr. Power at Blakeney,
in Norfolk, on the 4th September, these being the second
and third recorded occurrences of this Warbler in Great
Britain. When exhibiting the above bird^ I mentioned that
Mr. Shaw, of Shrewsbury, had written to me to say that a
young Orphean Warbler shot at Broadford, Skye, had been
sent to him for preservation, and on my asking him to
send it to me for examination, as I thought it might pos-
sibly be a Barred Warbler, had replied that he was unable
to do so, but that he felt sure it was really an Orphean
Warbler. Subsequently I met Mr. Shaw in London, and
from his description of the bird I felt more and more con-
vinced that he was wrong in his identification, and he kindly
urged the owner of the bird, Mr. George Dunville Lees, of
Woodhill, Oswestry, to let me examine it. Mr. Lees brought
the bird to me, and I am now able to state positively that it
is an immature Barred Warbler, closely resembling the bird
exhibited by the Rev. H. H. Slater. Mr. Lees writes to me

SER. v. VOL. ui. 2 I

454 Letters, Annuuncements, i^c.

as follows : — ''On the IGtli August, 1884_, I was out rabbit-
shooting near Broadford, in the Isle of Skye, when I saw a
bird unknown to me flyiug up a ravine, and I followed it up
aud shot it. This is the bird you pronounced to be Sylvia
nisoria. A friend of mine had previously drawn my atten-
tion (close to where I shot the young one) to the note of
a bird which I did not know/^ From this it would appear
that there was in all probability an adult Barred Warbler at
Broadford, besides the young lird which Mr. Lees obtained.
Thus it seems not improbable that this species may have nested
in the Isle of Skye in 1884, and that all the above-named
three specimens may have belonged to the same brood.

When I was working at the ' Birds of Europe,' Major
Feilden wrote to me to say that he had found the Sardinian
Warbler {Sylvia melanocephala) in Malta in the summer of
1874, and had little doubt that it remained to breed there.
This surmise is shown to be correct by the following extract
from a letter which I have lately received from Dr. David
Bruce, who is now quartered at Malta : — " So far as I am
aware_, there is no i*ecord of the nest of the Sardinian Warbler
having been found here [Malta]. This summer these birds
are moderately common^ and I have found two nests, one
emj)ty, the other with three eggs. To make sure of the fact,
I shot the female off the nest, and I send you by this post a
sketch of the nest and eggs. The nest was placed in the fork
of a carob-tree, about four feet from the ground, very loosely
constructed of dry grasses, stalks of umbelliferous plants, and
lined with yellow fibrous threads^ of which I enclose samples,
and I also enclose sketch of the male, as I believe there has
been some subdivision of the species. The only rare birds I
have shot this spring are — one Dartford Warbler [Melizophilus
provincialis) , only once previously recorded by Schembri ; one
Great White Heron {Ardea alba), which was included by
Mr. C. A. Wright in his ' List of the Birds of Malta,' also
on Scherabri''s authority ; aud two Cream-coloured Coursers
{Cursorius gallicus)." Yours &c.,

H, E. Dresser.

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 455

Additions to the Bird-collection of the British Museum in
1884. — We subjoin the portion of the Parliamentary Report
on the British Museum for 1884 that relates to the class
Aves. Of the 3623 specimens added to the collection during
the year^the mostimportant acquisitions were the following: —
A series of Cormorants in different plumages from Corn-
wall, and a similar series of Black Guillemots from Thurso ;
presented by Dr. A. Giinther, F.R.S. A pair of Norfolk
Plovers with their eggs, and a pair of White Wagtails with
nest and young ; presented by Lord Walsingham. A pair of
Woodcocks with nest and young ; presented by Lord Lovat.
Nests of the Song-Thrush, Blackbird, and Kingfisher, with
the young and parent birds ; presented by T. Harcourt
Powell, Esq. Two pairs of Dartford Warblers with nests,
eggs, and young ; presented by Colonel Irby. Two pairs of
Redshanks with nests, eggs, and young ; presented by the
Rev. H. A. Macpherson. A pair of the Meadow-Pipit and
Reed-Warbler, with nests and young; presented by R. Rowd-
ier Sharpe, Esq. The specimens of Picus villosus (an Ameri-
can Woodpecker) shot near Whitby in 1848; presented by
F. Bond, Esq. Forty-one Wagtails and Pipits from Norway ;
presented by the Christiania Museum. Sixty-nine specimens
(skins and eggs) from Corsica, including the types of Sitta
whiteheadi ; presented by John Whitehead, Esq. Twenty-
eight Wagtails and Pipits from Italy ; presented by Professor
Giglioli. Seven hundred and seventy-five specimens illus-
trating the plumages of Swallows, Wagtails, and American
Warblers; presented by R. Bowdler Sharpe, Esq. One
hundred and nineteen American Warblers {Mniotiltidce) and
twenty Swallows {Hirundinidce) ; presented by the United
States National Museum. Five birds, among them the type
of Xema sahinii ; presented by the executors of the late Sir
Edward Sabine, F.R.S. Twenty-eight specimens from Japan,
including the type of Bubo blakistoni • presented by Captain
Blakiston. Two hundred and fifty-four skins of birds from
Nagasaki ; presented by F. Ringer, Esq. Three hundred
and thirty-two specimens from Central India; presented by
Colonel Swinhoe. Ninety specimens from Mysore and the

456 Letters, Announcements, H^c.

Nilgliiri Hills ; presented by W. Ruxton Davison, Esq.
Twenty-seven birds from Bourou and Amboyna, including
four species new to the collection, as well as the types of
Myzomela wakoloensis ; collected by Mr. H. O. Forbes;
purchased. Four hundred and twenty-six specimens pre-
sented by the executors of the late W. A. Forbes, Esq., in
accordance with his request — this collection consisting of
skins obtained by Mr. Forbes on the Niger, and his private
collection of Finches and Cuckoos. One hundred and twenty-
eight specimens from the Niam-Niam Country, Central
Africa, collected by Hr. F. Bohndorff, containing six species
new to science and ten new to the collection ; purchased.
Sixty-four specimens from the Zambesi, including a specimen
of Psalidoprocne antino7'ii ; presented by Sir John Kirk,
K.C.M.G. Nineteen specimens from Ashantee, including
the type of Laniarius laydeni ; presented by Godfrey Lagden,
Esq. The type of Gecinus iveberi, and examples of two rare
Plantain-eaters [Schizorhis teopoldi and Corythaix fischei'i) ;
purchased. Eight specimens from Aden ; presented by Major
Yerbury, R.A. Three rare Warblers from Jamaica, one
[Helminthotherus sivainsoni) being new to the collection ;
presented by Edward Newton, Esq., C.M.G. Twelve speci-
mens from the Solomon Islands, of which six belong to
species not before represented in the Museum; purchased.

The Hume Collection of Indian Birds. — Mr. R. Bowdler
Sharpe, whose departure was announced in our last Number,
has returned to London, after having packed and despatched
from Simla the whole of the large collections presented to
the British nation by Mr. A. O. Hume, C.B. Ornithologists
are considerably indebted to Mr. Sharpe for disregarding
his personal convenience and undertaking a journey to India
in the hot season, for the purpose of packing the collection
and shipping it to England before the rains commenced.
Mr. Hume^s many engagements had prevented him from
personally superintending the packing of the cases, and the
time which had elapsed (nearly two years) since the collec-
tion was oflered to the British Museum had naturally ex-

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 457

posed it to great risk of destruction from moth and damp.
It was^ in fact, an intimation from Mr. Hume that several
thousands of birds had ah'eady been eaten by insects that
induced Mr. Sharpe to volunteer to go to India at once and
pack the collection before another rainy season commenced
and further damage ensued. He reached Simla on the 19th
of May, having started on the 24th of April from London,
and on his return . arrived at Plymouth on the 10th of
August, having completed his task in less than four months.
Altogether the collection consists of 63,000 birds, 500 nests,
18,500 eggs, besides 400 skins of Mammalia.

Mr. Sharpe wrote to us more than once during the pro-
gress of his work, and the following account of Mr. Hume^s
museum may interest our readers : — " I arrived at Rothney
Castle about 10 a.m. on the 19th of May, and was warmly
welcomed by Mr. Hume3 who lives in a most picturesque
situation high up on Jakko, the house being about 7800 feet
above the level of the sea. From my bedroom window
I had a fine view of the snowy range. Although somewhat
tired with my jolt in the tonga from Solun, I gladly ac-
companied Mr. Hume at once into the museum, for I was
only too glad to find some work to do after my month^s
enforced idleness during the voyage. I had heard so much
from my friends, who knew the collection intimately, such
as Mr. Davison, Capt. Bingham, and others, that I was not
so much surprised when at last I stood in the celebrated mu-
seum and gazed at the dozens upon dozens of tin cases which
filled the room. Before the landslip occurred, which carried
away one end of the museum, it must have been an admirably
arranged building, quite three times as large as our meeting-
room at the Zoological Society, and, of course, much more
lofty. Throughout this large room went three rows of table-
cases with glass tops, in which were arranged a series of the
birds of India sufficient for the identification of each species,
while underneath these table-cases were enormous cabinets
made of tin, with trays inside, containing series of the birds
represented in the table-cases above. All the specimens
were carefully done up in brown-paper cases, each labelled

458 Letters, Announcements , 6fc.

outside with full particulars of the specimen within. Fancy
the labour this represents with 60,000 specimens ! The tin
cabinets were all of materials of the best quality^ specially
ordered from England, and put together by the best Calcutta
workmen. At each end of the room were racks reaching up
to the ceiling, and containing immense tin cases full of birds.
As one of these racks had to be taken down during the repairs
of the north end of the museum, the entire space between
the table-cases was taken up by the tin cases formerly housed
in it, so that there was literally no space to walk between
the rows. On the western side of the museum was the
library, reached by a descent of three steps — a cheerful room,
furnished with large tables, and containing, besides the egg-
cabinets, a well-chosen set of working volumes. One ceases
to wonder at the amount of work its owner got through
when the excellent plan of his museum is considered. In a
few minutes an immense series of specimens could be spread
out on the tables, while all the books were at hand for imme-
diate reference. It did not take me many hours to find out
that Mr. Hume was a naturalist of no ordinary calibre, and
this great collection will remain a monument of the genius
and energy of its founder long after he who formed it has
passed away. After explaining to me the contents of the
museum itself, we went below into the basement, which con-
sisted of eight great rooms, six of them full, from floor to
ceiling, of cases of birds, while at the back of the house two
large verandahs were piled high with cases full of large birds,
such as Pelicans, Cranes, Vultures, &c. An inspection of a
great cabinet containing a further series of about 5000
eggs completed our survey : Mr. Hume gave me the keys of
the museum, and I was free to commence my task at once.
In anticipation of being able to pack the collection him-
self, Mr. Hume had engaged a staff of carpenters, and had
ready twenty-six wooden cases made for as many tin cabinets,
which, it was hoped, would convey the collection to England.
I thought, for the first few days, that this number would
have sufficed ; but as the great boxes were brought up from
below, and their contents packed in the museum, it became

Letters, Announcements, 6fc. 459

evident that more would be required, and ultimately the birds
and mammals occupied forty-seven huge cases, weighing, I
suppose, on an average, nearly half a ton apiece. The out-
side cases were of great strength, all dove-tailed and screwed.
Not a nail was used, even the iron bands being screwed on ;
and to the care with which Mr. Hume designed the con-
struction of the wooden cases, all of the best deodar wood,
I attribute the safe carriage of the collection to England.
At first it was difficult to find space to pack a single box, but
as the room began to be cleared the work proceeded rapidly.
Through Mr.' Hume's influence, the Public Works Depart-
ment lent me the services of Babu Kumud Chundra Mu-
kerjee, who turned out a most useful and intelligent help to
me (for I was at first somewhat put out by my absolute
ignorance of Hindustani), as my foreman (Narain Singh by
name) and the thirty Sikh carpenters under him could not
understand a word of English. In a very few days, how-
ever, I had caught up enough Hindustani to give direc-
tions to my staff"; and should I ever desire to emulate the
immortal author of ' English as she is spoke,' and rush into
print with a similar work for the benefit of '' studious
English youth " in India, I should at least be able to supply
a useful chapter " For to pack a box.'' Of course, after the
arrival of the Babu, which was delayed for some days, I had
no difficulty.

" The weather was intensely hot for the greater part of my
stay in Simla, and I worked mostly in my shirt-sleeves, for
I superintended the despatch of every box and packed all
the bird-skins and the bulk of the eggs with my own hands.
I therefore had no leisure to examine any of the specimens,
and I do not suppose that I looked at fifty birds during the
whole time I was at Simla. Of course, in cases where moths
had commenced an inroad, I had to examine a good many
skins to find out the extent of the damage; but in most
instances the attacks had only been made on single speci-
mens. Had the collection remained much longer, there
can be no doubt that serious damage would have been
done; for in some boxes the cocoons were suspended round

4G0 Letters, Announcements, ^c.

the interiors in hundreds, and there was a sufficient supply of
them to have swept away the whole collection in a few months.
Luckily the excellence of Mr. Hume^s cabinets had defied so
far the ravages of insects on the principal series. By dint
of Avork from six in the morning till sunset, the birds were
packed and despatched in about three weeks, and, thanks
to the assistance received from Mr. Higgins, the post-
master at Simla, and the post-master at Umballa, they were
rapidly sent ofl' to Bombay and shipped to England. I have
also to acknowledge the help which was rendered to me by
the station-masters at Umballa, Delhi, and again at Sabar-
mati, at all of which stations the cases had to be transferred
to fresh lines for conveyance. In fact, every one interested
themselves in the work ; and Mr. Duxbury, the able traftic-
manager of the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway,
was particularly obliging in procuring the rapid despatch of
the cases, so that all were delivered in good order to the
P. & O. Co. at Bombay, and were by them sent to England
with great care and rapidity. It so came to pass that, when
I reached the Natural History Museum myself, forty of the
cases had already been delivered. Thirty-eight I brought on
board the ' Ballarat ' with me, and the last two cases followed
in about ten days. Thus within four months from my
leaving the Museum I had the gratification of finding the
whole of this most valuable collection safely landed within
its walls.

"The packing of the 18,500 eggs proved a long and tedi-
ous aftair. They were first separately rolled up in wool and
arranged in small boxes. These were afterwards care-
fully packed and padded in large cases. So far as I can
see, they have all arrived in good condition. Of course,
when once delivered at the railway, the risk of damage to the
cases Avas greatly diminished ; but before reaching the train
at Umballa there was the task of getting them down the
mountains, and the Bullock-train office at Simla was at a
distance of a mile from Mr. Hume's house. My staff of
coolies proved insufficient for the task of lowering the heavy
weights down the trap-door of Mr. Hume's museum, and I

Letters, Announcements, i^c. 461

engaged some more of these worthies ; but as they only
managed to carry two cases down the mountain in a day^ and
further distinguished themselves by dropping a case some
eight or ten feet, I applied to Mr. Higgins at the Simla post-
office, who despatched some of the men employed by him to
my assistance. These were sturdy fellows from Nahun, who
come to Simla during the season and earn a living as carriers.
I was assured by the Babu, and can quite believe it, that they
often carry on their backs three maunds ( = 340 lbs.), and this
on a hill-road. Anyhow, they soon managed the portage of
the cases, sixteen of them working in a gang (eight for carry-
ing and eight for a relay), and they would sometimes convey
as many as six in a morning down the steep descent from
Mr. Hume's house to the Bullock-train office. Thence the
boxes were despatched along the narrow road on the side of
the mountains which connect Simla with Kalka, and so on to
Umballa along a flatter and more level road, this portion
of the journey occupying about two and a half days.

"These details may seem trivial, but I think that some
interest attaches to the despatch of the collection and its
departure from the home which it adorned so long ; and
I trust that my few notes will have given some idea of
the energy and prowess which Mr. Hume displayed in the
formation and management of such a museum. Before my
arrival he had been obliged to destroy a number of specimens
which had been eaten by Bermestes , and he believes that at
least 20,000 skins were lost in this way. As I said before,
however, the principal series, amongst which are the types,
appears to be nearly intact, and the losses are nearly con-
fined to the Ceylonese birds and to Mr. Chiirs Oude collection;
but a large number of skins of Turdidse and Sylviidae also
perished.

'^ Besides the collections made by Mr. Hume himself in the
North-west Provinces, Scinde, and other parts of India, there
are the immense series procured by Mr. Davison in Tenas-
serim and the Malay Peninsula, as well as in Southern India^
the Andamans, and the Nicobars ; a splendid series of skins
collected in Munipur by Mr. Hume himself; and large selec-

SER. V. VOL. III. 2 k

462 Letters, Announcements, &^c.

tions from the collections of Mr. Brooks, Major Butler, Mr.
Gates, Capt. Bingham, and others of the band of workers
who contributed by their labours to the publication of the
eleven volumes of 'Stray Feathers.'' Then there is the fine
collection of Darjeeling birds made by the late Mr. Man-
delli, besides hundreds of other interesting specimens from
all parts of the British Asian Empire. The richness of the
efifff-collection is well known from Mr. Hume's notes on
the 'Nests and Eggs ot Indian Birds,' while the number of
specimens speaks volumes for its extent and value.

" It is not too much to affirm that such a private collection
as Mr. Hume's is not likely to be formed again ; for it is
doubtful if such a combination of genius for organization
with energy for the completion of so great a scheme, and
the scientific knowledge requisite for its proper development,
will again be combined in a single individual,

" I have now explained how the Hume collection was packed
with all speed to get it out of India into England, where
moth and rust do corrupt, it is true, but not with such
rapidity as in the moist climate of Simla during the^rains.
Time did not allow of sorting specimens, or of packing
them in any order of classification, and therefore the whole
work of rearranging the collection will have to be done in
England. I shall do my best to get through this as speedily
as possible, in order that Mr. Hume's princely donation
may be rendered available for the purposes of science.
The arrangement will doubtless be facilitated by the care
with which the specimens are labelled ; but still it is best
to recognize the fact that its incorporation in the general
collection of birds at the Natural History Museum must be
a work of some years.

The Development of the Avla?i Sternum. — A remarkable
memoir on the development of the sternum in Birds, prepared
by Miss Beatrice Lindsay, of Girton College, and communi-
cated to the Zoological Society of London by Dr. H, Gadow
at their meeting on June 16th last, will appear in the forth-
coming number of the Society's ' Proceedings.' Miss Lindsay,

Letters, Announcements, S^c. 4G3

after close investigation of the embryonic condition of different
stages in five types of bird-structure (the Ostrich, Guillemot,
Gull, Domestic Fowl, and Gannet), has come to the con-
clusion that the keel of Carinate Birds is a special outgrowth
of the true sternum peculiar to Birds, and not homologous
with the episternum or interclavicle of Reptiles, as has been
held by Gotte and others. According to Miss Lindsay's ob-
servations, there are no traces whatever in the embryonic
stages of the Ostrich of the existence of any rudiments of the
clavicles or keel. If this be the case, it follows that the view
held by some Morphologists that the Ostrich may be a de-
graded descendant of some Carinate form can no longer be
supported. It is to be hoped that Miss Lindsay may be
induced to continue her investigations on the other existing
forms of Batite Birds, so as to settle, if possible, the vexed
question as to the unity of this group.

Mure Neivs of Dr. 0. F'msch. — In April last Dr. Finsch was
at Mioko, Duke of York Islands, whence he sends us descrip-
tions of two new birds from New Ireland, which will appear
in our next Number. Dr. Finsch speaks of the extraordinary
form of the trachea in Matiucodia comrii, which he had met
with in the D^Entrecastaux group of islands. Nothing, he
says, can exceed the beauty of this bird when fresh. Un-
fortunately Dr. Finsch had no collector with him, and having
much work in other ways, he has been unable to make a large
collection ; but, as we all know, he is well acquainted with
the Papuan avifauna, and he never fails to record his orni-
thological observations in his diary.

Habits of Raggi's Paradise-bird. — So little is known of
the habits of the Paradiseidae that the following account of
Paradisea raggiana, extracted from ' Work and Adven-
ture in New Guinea,' by Messrs. Chalmers and Wyatt, will
be of interest : — " One morning we had camped on a spur
of the Owen Stanley Range, and being up early, to enjoy the
cool atmosphere, I saw on one of the clumps of trees close by
six Birds of Paradise, four cocks and two hens. The hens

2k 2

464 Letters, Announcements, &;c.

were sitting quietly on a branch, and the four cocks, dressed
in their very best, tlieir ruffs of green and yellow standing
out, giving them a large handsome appearance about the
head and neck, their long flowing plumes so arranged that
every feather seemed carefully combed, out, and the long
wires stretched well out behind, were dancing in a circle
round them. It was an interesting sight ; first one, then
another would advance a little nearer to a hen, and she,
coquette-like, would retire a little, pretending not to care
for any advances. A shot was fired, contrary to my ex-
pressed wish ; there was a strange commotion, and two of
the cocks flew away, the others and the hens remained. Soon
tlie two returned, and again the dance began and continued
long. As I had strictly forbidden any more shooting, all
fear was gone ; and so, after a rest, the males came a little
nearer to the dark brown and certainly not pretty hens.
Quarrelling ensued, and in the end all six birds flew away.

" Passing through a forest at the back of the Astrolabe, I
saw several more engaged as above ; our approach startled
them, and away they flew.

" Anxious to taste the flesh, I had one cooked after being
skini7ed ; but, although boiled for several hours, it was as
tough as leather, and the soup not much to our taste. For-
tunately we had other things for dinner, so put the paradise-
dish aside. •'^

Recent Appointments in the United States. — We have much
pleasure in announcing that Mr. William Brewster, of Cam-
bridge, Mass., has been appointed to succeed Mr. J. A. Allen
in the care of the ornithological collections of the Museum
of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge ; also that, a branch of
" Economic Ornithology " having been established under the
Division of Entomology of the Department of Agriculture
in the U.S. Government, Dr. C. Hart Merriam has been
selected as Ornithological Agent to take charge of this work.
Dr. Merriam^s headquarters will be the "U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.^'

1 1\ 1) E X.

Acantbylis coUaris, 437.
Accentor atrogularis, 356.

erjthropygius, 107.

fulvescens, 356.

modularis, 35.

ocularis, 112.

Accipiter nisus, 25, 56,

248, 359.

variegatiis, 56.

Acredula caudata, 326.

• irbii, 35.

rosea, 326.

tephronota. 111.

, var. major,

111.
Acridotheres ginginianiis,

128.

tristis, 128.

Acrocephalus bseticatus,

344.

bistrigiceps, 388.

dybowskii, 112.

stentoreus, 125.

turdoides, 35.

Acryllium vulturiniini,

414.
Aedon leucoptera, 406.
iEgialitis bicincta, 270.

cautiana, 41, 132.

curoniea, 42.

- — — dubia, 132.

hiaticula, 178.

miniita, 132.

trieollaris, 417.

^Egithalus ealotropiphi-

lus, 322.
^gitbina tiphia, 68.

zeylonica, 68.

jEx galericulata, 326.

sponsa, 326.

AgeliBus imfcburni, 218.
Aglaia nigrocincta, 210.
Agrodroma catupe.stris,

127.

Agrodroma jerdoni, 127-
Agyrlria bartletti, 317.

— bre-virostris, 436.

fliiviatilis, 317.

leueogaster, 435.

taczanowskii, 317.

tobaci, 435.

Alauda arborea, 40.

arvensis, 40, 83, 246.

cristata, 246.

duleivox, 389.

gulgula, 130, 389.

guttata, 389.

raytal, 130.

riifa, 202.

Aland ula leucophfea, 354.
Alca impennis, 90, 223,

225, 318.

torda, 90, 255.

troile arra, 364.

Alcedo beugalensis, 61.

ispida, 27, 247.

seraicrerulea, 395.

Alectorurus guiru-yetapa,

279.
Alseonax latirostris, 67.
Aluco flam mens, 80.
Amadina malabariea,

129.
Amazilia ciipreicauda,

435.
Amblyornis subalaris,

115.
Amblystoma tigrimim,

316.
Aramomanes phoenicura,

129.
Ampelis ccerulea, 304.
— — carnifex, 304.

cay an a, 305.

ciuerea, 302.

cotinga, 304.

fusca, 305.

bypopyrrha, 303.

Ampelis iiivea, 306.

pampadora, 305.

tersa, 207.

variegatus, 306.

Anabates cristatus, 283.

erytlirocercus, 420.

lophotes, 283.

ochroia'iuLis, 420.

jjyrr bodes, 420.

sclateri, 420.

turdiiius, 420.

unirufus, 283.

Anabazenops ruficollis,

234.
Aiiieretes nigricristatus,

234.
Anas boscas, 45, 137, 250,

452.
caryoiihyllacea,

137.
erythrorbynclia,

415.

penelope, 358.

• pcejilorbyncha, 137.

sponsa, 326.

strepera, 357.

viduata, 414.

Aiiastomus oscitans, 136.
Anorthura pallescens,

112.
Anous cinereus, 265.
melanogenys, 264,

265, 266.

stolidus, 264.

Anser, sp. inc., 45.

cinereus, 136.

ferus, 88.

hutchinsi, 449.

• iudicus. 111.

■ leucopareius, 448,

449.
Anthochfera carunculata,

99.
Anthus antarcticus, 320.

466

INDEX.

Anthus arboreus, 1G7.

campestris, 36, 244.

cervinu'^, ItiS, 182.

correndera, 277.

" japoniciis, 112.

nattereri, .324.

obscurus, 36, 83.

pratensis, 36, 83,

244.

rufus, 202.

sjjinoletta, 354.

stejnegeri, 112.

trivialis, 36, 127.

Antrostomus nigrescens,

438, 439.

whitelji, 438.

Amimbius acuticaiidatus,

281.
Aploiius fuscus, 270.
Aptenodjtes pennanti,

10.3.
Aquila cbi-ysaetus, 24.

clauga, 56, 382.

fulvescens, 382, 386.

rapas, 386.

viudbiaiia, 57, 386.

Arbelorhina CiTrulea, 207.

cyanea, 207.

Ardea alba, 454.

bubulcus, 250.

cinerea, 43, 84, 135,

250, 361.

egretta, 282.

garzetta, 44, 250.

purpurea, 44, 135.

ralloides, 44.

Ardeola grayii, 136.
Argya aylmeri, 390, 404.

inalcolmi. 67.

Arremon personatus, 212.

sileus, 212.

Ariiudiuicola leucoce-

phala, 291.
Asio accipitrinus, 258.

brachj'otus, 26.

capensia, 247.

otus, 26, 194, 241,

247, 258.
Astiu* badius, 56.
Asturina ruficauda, 193.
Ateloiuis crossleyi, 101.

pittoides, 101.

Athene glaux, 392.

meridionalis, 260.

noctua, 247, 259,

260.

orientalis, 260.

Atraphornis aralensis,

354.
Atticora cyanoleuca, 206.

Atticora fasciata, 205, 206.

• fucata, 206.

luelanoleuca, 206.

Attila, sp., 191.

brasiliensis, 303.

cinereus, 290.

citreopygius 191.

— — cozumehv, .321.

griseigularis, 290.

• spadaceus, 304.

spodiostethus, 304.

thamnopbiloides,

304.

uropygialis, 304.

Aulia bypopyrrba, 303.

sibilatrix, 303.

Autornolus sclateri, 420.
Avocettula recurvirostris,

433.

Ba.sileuterus aurieapillus,

203.

auricularis, 324.

boliviaims, 324.

uieridanus, 324.

mesoleucus, 203.

• roraima?, 20.3, 324.

veragueusis, 324,

verinivorus, 203.

Batbiuidurus niger, 302.
Baza ceylonensis, 362.
Bernicla canadensis leu-

copareia, 449.

poliocepbala, 229.

Betbyhis media, 213,
Bolborbvncbus mona-

chus, 282.
Bonasa bouasia, .50.
Botaurus stellaris, 44, 250.
Bracbypternus aurantius,

62.

badius, 12, 14.

— fokiensis, 12, 14.

Bracliypteryx salacensis,

327.
Buarremon albiceps, 234,

275.

capitalis, 227.

■ flavo-virens, 274.

nationi, 275.

pallidinuchus

275.

personatus, 212.

sordidus, 275.

tibialis, 227.

Bubo ascalaphus, 262.

bengalensis, 58.

blakistoui, 455.

coromandus, 58.

lacteus, 392.

macules us, 22.

Bubo maximus, 262.
, Yar. sibirica,

262.
turcomanus, 262,

263.
Bubulcus coromandus,

136.
Bucanetes mongolieus,

353.
Buceros galeatus, 444.

leuoopygius, 315.

uasutus, 31.5.

, var. dubia, 315.

subcylindricus, 315.

subquadratus, 315.

Buchanga as^irailis, 401.
atra, 66.

Cffirulescens, 66.

longicaudata, 66.

Bucorax abyssinicus, 116.

pyrrhops, 116.

Budytes melanocepbalus,

112.
Bupliaga erytbrorbvncba,

410.

babessinica, 410.

Burnesia socialis stewarti,

126.
Butastur teesa, 57.
Buteo augur, 391.

• bracbyurus, 450.

deiertorum, 248.

I'erox, 57.

— — fuligiuosus, 450.

bydropliilus, 391.

lagopus, 162.

liueatus, 448.

• — alleni, 448.

oxypterus, 448, 450.

• solitarius, 450.

swainsoni, 450.

, var. oxypterus,

450.

tacbardus. 111.

— '■ -, var. fusco-

ater, 111.

-, var. rufus. 111.

vulgaris, 25.

Butorides javanica, 136.
scbrencki, 224.

Caeatua ducorpsi, 316.

gymnopis, 316.

Oaccabis peti-osa, 251.

— rufa, 41.
Cactornis inornata, 324.
Calandrella braebydac-

tyla, 40, 130, 246.
Calliplilox ametbvstina,
434.

INDEX.

467

Calliste eayana, 209.

■ flaviveiitris, 210.

guttata, 209.

gyrola, 209.

nigridncta., 210.

puucta-ta, 209.

tatao, 209.

whitelyi. 210.

xantliogaster, 209.

Callospiza eayana, 209.

gyrola, 209.

mexicaiia, 210.

punctata, 209.

tatao, 209.

Calyptopliilus frugivorus,

99.
Calvptrophorus gularis,

216.
Campepliaga cana, 101.
Canipelhera crawi'urdi,

149.

liodgei, 142.

— — - liodgsonii, 151.

javensis. 146.

Oampotliera nubica, 393,

394.
Campvlopterus hypery-

thriis, 432.

largipennis, 432.

phainopeplus, 316.

Campylorhyuchus bi-

color, 199.

griseus, 199.

Cancromacochlearia, 186,

450.

zeledoni, 460.

Caprimulgus albicoUis,

439.

asiaticuB, 60.

cayennensis, 439.

decussatus, 439.

europseus, 27.

frsenatus, 232.

grandis, 437.

jamaicensis, 438.

jotaka, 194.

longicaudatus, 437.

nacunda, 438.

nigresceus, 438.

semitorquatus, 438.

Carbo capiUatus, 270.

cormoranus, 270.

bicristatus, 270.

filamentosus, 270.

Cardinalis saturatus, 321.
Carduelis elegans, 38, 245.
Carine brama, 59.

glaux, 392.

Carpodaons ervtb rinus,
129.

Carpodacus rhodoehla-

mys, 353.

rubicilla, 353.

rubicillus. 111.

Carpophaga finscbi, 227.

rubicera, 31(5.

Casarca cana, 350.
Cassicus afHnis, 218.

albirostris, 218.

cristatus, 217.

hffiuiorrhoiis, 218.

persicais, 217.

Cassidix oryzivora, 219.
Catamenia, sp., -16.

honioclu'oa, 216.

Oathartps burro vianus.

448, 450.

urubitinga, 450.

Ceeropis japoniea, 194.
Centrococcyx ruQpeauis,

64.
Centropus suporciiiosus,

400.

tolou, 101.

Centurus aurifrons du-

bius, 192.
dubius, 186, 192,

322.

leei, 321, 322.

rubriyentris, 186,

192.
— — santacruzi, 192.
Oephalopterus ornatu3,

306.
Cepphus carbo, 117.

grylle, 117.

niandti, 117.

motzfeldi, 117.

Cerchneis tinnunculus,

56, 392.
Cercoraacra atrotliorax,

428.

cinerascens, 426.

tyrannina, 427.

Cercomela fusca, 125.
Certhia casrulea, 207.

cinnamomoa, 419.

cyanea, 207.

familian's. 31 .

spiza, 206,

Certliiola bahamensis,

189.

caboti, 185, 189.

cbloropyga, 207.

• dominicana, 449.

finschi, 449.

flaveola, 207.

martinicaua, 449.

sancti-thomai, 449.

sundevalli, 449.

Certliiola tricolor, 114.

Ceryle alcyon, 325.

maxima, 343.

rudis, 61.

Cettia p;illidipes, 389.

fortipes, 388

■ .sericea, 35, 243.

squamieep.s, 389.

Ceuthiijochares iiitermo-
dius, 116.

Cha^tura brunneitorques,
4.37.

cinereiventris, 437-

rutila, 437.

spinicauda, 437.

— — yucatanica 317.

zonaris, 20, 436,

437.

Ohalcophaupa jamai-
censis, 219.

minor, 219.

Chalcopsittacus duiveu-

bodei, 104.
Clianuiiza fulvescens, 429.
Cliaradrius apricarius, 97.

coronatus, 417.

fulvus, 114, 132.

gallicus, 415.

pluvialis, 41, 85,

252.

tricoUaris, 417.

Charmosyna margarita;,

228.
Chasiempis dimidiata, 19.

sandwichensis, 18,

19.

sclateri, 17, 18, 19.

Chasmorhyncbus carua-

culatus, 306.

niveuB, 306.

variegatus, 306.

Cliatarrhcea eaudata, 63.

68.
Chanlelagnuis streperus,

45, 137.
Chelidon urbica, 27, 175.
Chera progne, 345.
Chettusia ciuerea, 132.

coronata, 417.

villotsei, 132.

Chionis alba, 320.
— — minor, 320.
Chiromacbteris man^cus,

301.
Chiroxiphia eaudata, 300.

linearis, 1 10.

longicauda. 301.

pareola, 300.

Chlorophanes spiza, 206,

207.

468

INDEX.

Chlorophonia rorainije,

208.
Chlopopipo uuicolor, 234.

uuiforniis, 2i)9.

Cblorospingiis flavo-

virens, 2? J, 275.

hjpophteu.s, 227.

• pbseocephalus, 275.

pileatus, 227.

punctulatus, 227.

reyi, 288.

speculit'erus, 273.

superciliaris, 288,

289.

Chlorostilbon aureiven-

tris, 281.

caniTeti, 191, ,322.

forficatus, 321, 322.

pi'asinus, 436.

stuebelii, -146.

Cbrysobroncbus \ires-

cens, 435.

viridicauclus, 435.

viridissimus, 435.

Chrysococcyx cupreus,

343.
Chrysocolaptes festivus,

(i2.
Chrysolampis moscbitus,

434.
Cbrysoruitrisbarbnta,217.

citrinella, 39.

ieteiica, 217.

spinus, 39.

Chrysomus icterocepba-

lus. 218.
Cbrysoptilus cristatus,

282.
Chrysotis albifrons, 192.

xantbolora, 186,192.

Cichlopsis gularis, 199.
Ciconia alba, 44, 250.

maguari, 282.

■ nigi'a, 335.

Cincbis albicollis, 37.

aquaticu?, 173.

casbmiriensis, 37.

luelanogasfer, 173.

Ciimyris asiatica, 64.
erikssoni, 98.

— — babessinicus, 406.
— • — lienkei, 44().
Circaetus gallicus, 57.

pectoralis, 342.

Circus seruginosus, 26,

68, 248.
, var. unicolor,

111.

cineraceiis, 26, 248.

cyaneus, 26.

Circus macrurus, 57.

pygargiis, 57.

Cissa hypoleuca, 450.
Cissojois media, 213.

minor, 21.3..

Cisticola bucbanani, 126.

cursitans, 35, 243.

madagase;;riensis,

102.
Cistotborus alticola, 202,
Clangula glaucion, 46,

171, 358.
Clytolreiua rubinea, 436.
Cuipolegus, sp. inc., 18.
Coccoborus ater, 214.
Coccotbraustes vulgaris,

39, 241, 245.
Coccystes glandarius, 247.

jacobinus, 63.

serratus, 344.

Coeligena bemileuca, 317.
Cccreba cajrulea, 207.

cyanea, 207.

Coliiiscapen.sis, 307, 308,

309,310,311,313.
— ■ — castanonotiis, 308,

310, 313.

coromandelicus,

309.

erytbromelas, 309.

erytbromeloii, 3o7,

308, 309, 313.

erytbropus, 310.

ervtbropvgius, 310.

indicus, 309.

leiicocepbalus, 308,

312, 313, 314.
leuconotus, 310.

leiicotis, 232, 308,

311, 312, 314.

aflinis, 312,

313, 314.

typicus, 312,

313.

macrourus, 307, 308,

313.

niacnii-us, .309.

minor, 311.

nigricollis, 308, 310,

313.

panayensis, 311.

quiriva, 309.

senegalensis, 308,

309.
Btriatus, 307, 308,

311,312.

, intermedins,

311, 313.

minor, 311,

313.

CoHus striatus tvpicus,

311,313.
CoUurio ludoTicianus,

var. robustus, 451.
Colobatbris macularia,

4,30.

tinniens, 430.

Colopterus cristatiis,

293.

galeatus, 293.

Columba abj'ssinica, 414.

arquatrix, 345.

intei-media, 130.

jamaicensis, 193.

■' leucocepbala, 186.

193.
livia, 41, 84, 224,

251.

maculosa, 282.

oenas, 251.

palumbus, 41, 84,

251.

waalia, 414.

Columbula pieui, 282.
Colviubus fluviatilis,

418.
glacialis, 89, 90,

361.
Contopus albicollis, 317.

ardesiacus, 298.

depressirostris, 110.

pileatus, 449.

Coniu'us cbloropterus,

225.
Copsycbus pica, 102.

saularis, 124.

Oopurus leuconotus, 291.

poecilonotus, 291.

Coracias caudata, 399.
— - — garrula, 84.

indica, 61.

levaillanti, 399.

lorti, .390, 399.

railitaris, 305.

njBvia, 399.

pilosa, 399.

scutatus, 300.

Corone macrorhynclia,

128.

splendens, 128.

Corviis afRnis, 389.

• assimilis, 401.

calvus, 306.

cayanus, 219.

coVax, 38, 82, 160,

360.

cornix, 38, 82, 160.

corone, 38, 2,3().

frugilegus, 38, 82.

latirostris, 446.

INDEX.

469

Coi'vus monedula, 38,

246.

splendens, 64.

tingitaiius, 246.

Corjdalla ruf'ula, 127.
Coryphospingus crista-

tus, 216.
Corytliaix flscberi, 456.
Corythopis anthoides,

430.
Cosraopsarus regius, 411.
Cossypha sbarpei, 102.
Ootile I'ucata, 206.

riparia, 27, 206.

rupestris, 27, 244.

shelleyi, 324.

sinensis, 60.

Cotinga crerulea, 304.

cayana, 305.

Cotuniiculus uianimbe,

216.

niexicanus, 4.50.

passerinus, 190.

Coturuix communis, 41,

131, 251.

coromandelica, 132.

coturnix, 51.

ussuriensis, 224.

Crateropus bohndorffi,

116.
Creadion caruuculatus,

99.

cinereus, 99.

Crex egregia, 346.

pratensis, 84, 361.

Critbopbaga miliaria,

112.
, var. minor,

112.
Crocopus cblorogaster,

1.30.
Cuculus canorus, 41, 63,

84, 226, 357.

■ beuglini, 226.

rocbii, 102.

solitarius, 323.

Oulicicapa ceylunensis,

66.
Cursorius burcbelli, 416.

cinctus, 416.

coromandelicus,

132.

• gallicus, 415, 454.

• somalensis,

390, 415.

gracilis, 416.

rufus, 347.

senegalensis, 416.

Cyanecula siieoica, 125,

163, 174.

Cyanecula wolfi, 32. 241,

242.
Cyanicterus Aenustus,

*211.
Cyanistes cyanus tian-

schanicus, 3.53,
Cyanocorax cayanus, 219.

cucuUatus, 449.

byacintbinus, 219.

ornatus, 449.

violaceus, 219.

Cyanospiza ciris, 190.

cyauea, 190.

Cyanus, sp. ?, 361.
Cyclopsitta occidentalis,

"316.
Cyclorbis guianensis, 205.

insularis, 321.

Cyclorbynebus liaviven-

tris, 296.
Cygniis, sp. inc., 89.

bewicki, 443.

musicus, 371, 44.3.

olor, 443.

Cymbilanius lineatus,

423.

fasciatus, 110.

Cypborhinus cantans,

200.

leucostictus, 200.

■ • musicus, 200.

Cypselus afBnis, 60.

apus, 20, 27.

melba, 27.

spinicaudus, 437.

Dacelo semicaerulea, 395.
Dacnis angelica, 207-

cayana, 207.

cyanocepbala, 207.

spiza, 206.

Dafila acuta, 45, 137, 250.
Dasycepbala thamuophi-

loides, 304.

uropygialis, 304.

Daulias hafizi, 112.

luscinia, 32.

Dendrobates aithiopicus,

393.

bempricbii, 393.

Dendrocbelidon corona-

ta, 60.
Dendrocincla fumigata,

421.

longicauda, 421.

merula, 421.

turdina, 290.

Dendrocitta rufa, 128.
Dendrocolaptes alboline-

atus, 422.

Dendrocolaptes certbia,
421.

cuneatus, 421.

fumigatus, 42] .

giittatus, 422.

merula, 421.

plagosiis, 421.

^ — trocbilirostris, 422.
Dendrocopus major, 28.

pardalotus, 422.

Dendrocvgna javanica,

137. '

viduata, 414, 415.

Dendroeea a'stiva, 202.

granadensis, 324.

maculosa, 448.

petecbia rufivertex,

321.

rufo-pileata, 113.

striata, 202.

Dendromus ietbiopicus,

393.

bempi'icbii, 393.

Uendropicus hempricbi,

393.
Dendroplex pic us, 422.
Dendrornis guttatoldes,

422.

pardalotus, 422.

polysticta, 422.

Dicreum leneum, 227.

sulaense, 324.

tristrami, 228.

Dicrocercus birundineus,

226.
Dierurus divaricatus, 401.

forficatus, 101.

Ingubris, 401.

Diglossa major, 206.
Dinornis queenslandiae,

103.
Diomedea bracbyura,440.

■ nigripes, 363.

Dipbloga^na aurora, 316.

hespenis, 316.

Diphyllodes wilsoni, 447.
Dissura episcopus, 135.

longicauda, 434.

Diuca minor, 277.
Dolicbonyx oryzivorus,

191, 218.
Donacobius atricapillus,

199.
Donacospiza albifrons,

277.
Dorypbera jobanna;, 433.
Drepanorbyncbus reiche-

nowi, 226.
Drepanornis cervinicau-

da, 228.

470

INDEX.

Droma^us sivalensis, 107.
Drj'ocopus javen.sis, 145.

leucogaster, 145.

martins, 140, 157.

richardsi, 140, 156.

Dryopicus bodgsoni, 150.
leucogaster, 14(i,

149.
Drvoscopiis criientus,

402.

riificei^s, 390, 402.

Dulus nuclialis, 314.
Duraetia liypervthra, 67.
Dysithnmnus ardesiacus,

424.

spodionotus, 424.

taiubillaiius, 234.

Eclectus roratus, 230.
Edolius lugubris, 401.
Elaiuea albiceps, 294.
- — albieoUis, 295.

auritr(>ns, 301.

brevirostris, 295.

cayanensis, 295.

cinerascens, 1 14.

elegaiis, 295.

gracilis, 234.

oliviiia, 294.

pagan a, 294.

ruficeps, 294.

spadicea, 296.

Elanus cieruleus, 58, 249.
Eitiberiza cioides, 35'J.

ciris, 190.

cirlus, 40.

citrinella, 83.

miliaria, 40, 83, 245.

orizivora, 191, 218.

pileata, 216.

schoeniclus, 40, 245.

Emberizoides macrurus,

216.
Embernagra platensis,

278.
Empidocbanes olivus,

297.

poecilurus, 298.

Empidonax atriceps, 113.

gracilis, 321.

viridescens, 1 1.3.

Euipidonomus varius,

298.
Engyptila albifrons, 193.

■ -' gauraeri, 193, 317.

jamaicensis, 180,

193, 317.
Epimachiis minor. 397.
Erismalura leiicocephala,

46.

Eritliacus rubecul.i, .32,

243.

siiec'iea, 105.

Erytliropvgia leucoptera,

22(i, 406.
Erytliro.spiza obsoleta,

353.
Erytbrosterna parva. 67.
Esacus recurvirostris,

133.
Estrelda amandava, 129.

formosa, 129.

saAatieri, 322.

Eucepbala casrulea, 43.5.
Eudocimus albiis, 186.
Eudromias morinellus,

175.
Eudynamis honorata, 63.

taitcnsis, 270.

Eudyptes antipodr.m,

104, 105.
cbrysocome, 104,

105.
Eudvptula albigularis,

108.

serresiana, 108.

Euetbeia olivacea inter-
media, 321.
Eugenes spectabilis. 317.
Euphonia cayana, 208.

cayennen.sis, 208.

ininuta, 208.

musica, 99.

nigricollis, 208.

pluiubea, 208.

purpurea. 272.

viulacea, 208, 272.

— — ■ licbteusteiui,

272.

xantbogastra, 208.

Euplectes franciscanus,
409.

frederichseni, 226.

ignicolor, 409.

petiti, 409.

seioanus, 232,

Eurocepbalus anguiti-

meus, 403.

rueppelli, 403.

Euryceros prevosti, 101.
Eurystomus madagas-

cariensis, 102.
Euscartbraus russatus,

292,
Euspiza luteola, 129.
melanocepbala, 129.

Falcinellus igneus, 136.

senegallensis, 395.

Falco agalon, 159, 249.

Falco aulbraciiiu.s, 193.

ciiicquera, 55.

eleonora;, 25.

feldeggi, 249.

gabar, 391.

gyrfalco, 79.

jugg"'": 55.

peregrinator, 55.

peregrinus, 80, 161.

punicus, 25.

seniitorquatus, 391.

tinnuncubis, 80, 160.

392.
FlorisLiga inellivora, 433.
Fluvicola bicolor, 291.

pica, 291.

Formicarius bambla, 200.

brevicauda, 430.

cayennensis, 429.

botf'maiini, 429.

musicus, 200.

nigrilrons, 429.

torquatus, 429.

• vnrius, 430.

Formicivora axillaris,

425.

cinerascens, 426.

grisea, 426.

pygniaja, 425.

quadrivittata, 425.

Francolinus bicalcaratua,

211, 251.

granti, 414.

oebrogaster, 414.

pictus, 131.

• rovuma, 414.

sboanus, 414.

Fratercula arctica, 91,

.361.
Fringilla cajlebs, 40, 165,

241, 245.

cristatus, 216.

fliivirostris, 83.

■ gutturalis, 215.

ictcrica, 217.

ignieoliir, 409.

macroura, 216.

manimbe, 216.

passerina, 190.

plunibea, 215.

splendens, 21.5.

spodiogena, 245.

Fulica ainericana, 231.

atra, 44. 135.

caribba3a, 231.

cristata, 347.

Fiiligula cristata, 46, l.'^8.

ferina, 45, 1.38.

marila, 46.

nvroca, 358.

INDEX.

471

Furnarius leiicopus, 418.
rufus, 280.

Galeoscoptes carolinensis,

18<>.
Galei'ita magna, 354.
Gallinago caslestis, 42,

176, 253.

gallinaria, 133.

gallinula, 133.

major, 42, 348.

nigripennis, 347.

paraguaiffi, 282.

stenura, 133.

Gallinula cbloropus, 44,

105,135,252.
Galloperdix spadiceus,

131.
Gallus sonnerati, 131.
Garrulus glaudarius, 38,

111.
cervicalis, 24) ,

246.
, Tar. byrcanus,

111.

hjrcaniis, 111.

krynickii, 111.

melanocephalus,

111.

minor, 246.

Gecinus weberi, 456.
Geocicbla machiki, 445.

scbistacea, 446.

Geococcyx californicus,

286.
Geocorapbus cordofani-

cus, 407.
Geositta cunicularia,

280.
Geotblypis aequinoctialis,

203.

bairdi, 110.

velata, 203.

Gerygone bimaculata,

446.

modesta, 270.

Glaucidium passerinum,

260.
Glaucis birsuta, 431.
Glycycbffira fallax, 316.
Glypborbampbus cunea-

tus, 421.
Gracula foetida, 306.
Graoulus bicristatus,

270.
Grallaria breTicmda,

430.

intermedia, 1 10.

niacularia, 430.

nana, 430.

Grallaria regulus, 430.

.simplex, 430.

varia, 430.

Grallaricula nana, 430.
Granatellus sallsei, 449.

boueardi, 449.

pelzelni, 204.

Graucalus raacei, 65.

pusillus, 227.

timurlaoensis, 446.

Grus antigone, 133.

communi.s, 252.

Tirgo, 252.

Giiira piririgua, 282.
Guiraca cyanea, 213,

214.
Gygis Candida, 266.
Gyinnocepbalus calvus,

306.
Gymnoderus foetidus,

306.
Gyuinorbis pyrgita, 408.
Gymnornis flavicollis,

129.
Gypaetns barbatu.s, 24.
Gyps fulvescens, 53.

pallescens, 54.

rueppelli, 322, 341.

Habrura pecloralis, 279.
Hadrostomus, sp., 191.

aglaifE, 191.

minor, 302.

iiiger, 191.

H:ematoderus militaris,

305.
Hseraatopus osculans,

195.

ostralegiis, 42.

Halcyon chloris, 49, 332.

j ulia5, 49.

leucopygia, 228.

norfolkiensis, 49.

occipitalis, 49, 332.

sacra, 49.

sancta, 48.

semicierulea, 343,

395.
smyrnensis, 61,

237.

solomouis, 48, 49.

tristrami, 49, 316.

vagans, 49.

Haliaetus albicilla, 25,

79.

bypoleucos, 112.

leucocephalus,

116.

pelagicus, 117.

Haliastur iudus, 58.

Hapalocercus pectoral is,

293.
Harelda glaeialis, 162,

174,371.
Harporbyncbus guttatus,

321.

longirostris, 187.

melanostoma, 187.

Heliodoxa xanthogonys,

433.
Heliomaster longirostris,

435.
Heliotbrix auriculatus,

436.

aiiritus, 434.

Plelmintberus swainsoni,

331, 456.
Helodromas ocbropus,

43, 253.
Henierodromus cinctus,

416.
Hemicircus badius, 10.
Herailopbus feddeni,

152.

bodgei, 142.

hodgsoni, 150.

javensis, 145, 149.

leucogaster, 145.

Hemipipo cblorion, 299.
Hemiprocne albicincta,

437.

minor, 107, 437.

zonaris, 107.

Hemistepbania jobannse,

433.
Henicocicbla novebora-

censis, 202.
Henicorbina leucosticta,

200.
Herodias alba, 349.

garzetta, 136.

■ intermedia, 136,

349.

torra, 135.

Herpsilocbmus dorsi-

maculatus, 425.

pileatus, 424.

sticturus, 424.

Heterocnemis leuco-
stigma, 427.

najvia, 427.

saturata, 427.

simplex, 427.

Heteropelma amazo-
num, 301.

ignicep.s, 301.

Hieracidea brunnea, 116.

noviE-zealandiae,

116.
Hierococcyx varius, 63.

472

INDEX.

Hiraantopus candid us,

42, 13-1, 253, 347.
Hirundinea ferruginea,

297.
Hirimdo albiveiitris,

205.

cayeniiensis, 436.

chalybea, 205.

— — cyanoleuea, 2(Xi.

erythrogaster, 205.

erytbropygia, 59.

fascial a, 205.

filifera, 59.

fiicata, 20(i.

leucoptera, 205.

melanoleuca, 206.

purpurea, 205.

— — rij^aria, 206.

ruficoUis, 206.

rustica, 27, 59, 83,

360.
— . — rutila, 437.

gaturata, 112.

tapera, 205.

zonaris. 436.

nolocnemis lineafa, 427.
Hoiiiorus gutturalis, 284,

285.

lophotes, 283.

uiiirufus, 283.

Hoplopterus ventralis,

133.
Horornis fortipes, 388.

pallidas, 388.

Hydrochelidon leuco-
ptera, 47.

■ nigra, 448.

Hydrophasianus chirur-

gus, 134.
Hydropsalis i'urcifer,

439.

schomburgki, 439.

Hylocbaris cyanea, 436.

sappbirina, 436.

Hylocbelidon nigricans,

"99.
Hylophilas luteifrons,

204.

muscicapinus, 204.

sclateri, 204.

■ thoracicus, 204.

Hyphantornis mariquen-

sis, 345.

velatus, 345.

Hypbanturgus olivaceus,

344.
Hypocnemis cantator,

428.

lepidonota, 428.

leucopbrys, 428.

llvposnemis melanopo-

gon, 428.

jjoecilonota, 428.

tintinnabulata, 428.

Hypolais caligata, 388.

rama, 126, 388.

Hypotblypis velia, 209.
Hypotrion-his castauo-

notus, 391.

semitorquatus, 392,

Hypsipeles ouroTang,

102.

Ibis chalcoptera, 415.

bagedash, 415.

melauocepbaluB,

136.
Icterus chrysocepbalus,

218.

cucullatus, 448, 449.

igneiis, 449.

nelsoni, 449.

. ■ curasoensis, 113.

douiinicensis, 99.

linnasi, 113.

tanagrinus, 219.

xantlioruis, 113.

Inocotis papillosus, 136.
lodopleura f usca, 305.

leucopygia, 305.

pipra, 305.

Irrisor eryt.brorhyncbus,

395.

minor, 397.

seuegalensis, 395.

lynx torquilla, 28, 62.

Junco bairdi, 99.

Lagopus alba alleni, 220.

albus, 50, 51, 176.

alpina, 377.

insularis, 224.

islandorum, 377.

niutus, 183, 379,

380.

reinbardti, 379.

ridgvvayi, 50, 224..

rupestris, 224, 368,

375, 376, 377, 379, 380.

subalpina, 377.

welcbi, 440.

Lalage sykesi, 65.
Lampornis gramineus,

432.

mango, 432.

ornatus, 433.

pavouinus, 433.

tbalassinus, 321.

violicauda, 432.

Lauiprulajma rbami, 436.
Lampropsar guianensis,

219.

tanagrinus, 21 9.

Lainprotornis superba,

412.
Laniarius cruentus, 402.

lagdeni, 456.

Lanio atricapillus, 211.

lawreneii, 272, 273.

versicolor, 272.

Lanius agilis, 204.

algeriensis, 244, 251.

■ antinorii, 401, 402.

atricapillus, 302,

423.

cayanus, 301.

collurio, 37.

cristatus, 65.

cruentus, 402.

doliatus, 424.

• dorsalis, 401.

elegans, 451.

erytbronotus, 64.

failax, 451.

■ — •- funebris, 429.

bomeyeri, 357.

■ isabellinus, 357.

. lalitora, 64, 65.

lictor, 296.

lunulatus, 423.

macrourus, 308.

major, 170.

mollis, 356.

nffivius, 423.

pitangua, 296.

poliocepbalus, 403.

pomeranus, 37.

robustus, 451.

sulpluiratus, 296.

uncinatus, 451.

vittatus, 65.

(Fiscus) dorsalis,

401.

Larus aftinis, 23(i.

argentatus, 86, 254.

audouini, 47.

cacbinnans, 47.

canus, 47, 87, 161.

crassirostris, 195.

fuscus, 86, 254.

glaucescens, 445.

hempricbi, 335,

kumlieni, 445.

leucopbaius, 236.

marinus, 86.

niinutus, 221, 254.

nelsoni, 445.

pliiladelpbia, 221.

ridibundus, 47, 254.

INDEX.

473

Larus tridactylus, 87-
Latbria cinerea, 302,

303.

streptophora, 303.

Legatus albicoUis, 295.
Leistes auierieanus, 218.

guiaaensis, 218.

superciliaris, 279.

Leptasthenura ffigitha-

loides, 280.
Leptopcecile sophifE, 353.

major, 353.

Leptopogon amauroce-

phalus, 293.

nigrifrous, 293.

rufipectus, 2.34.

Leptopterus viridis, 101.
Leptoptilus argala, 135.

javanieus, 135.

Leptosomus discolor,

102.
Leptotodus tenuis, 446.
Ligurinus cliloris, 39.
Liiunooryptes gallinula,

42, 253.
Limosa segocephala, 43,

133, 253.
Linota cannabina, 40,

245.

exilipes, 382, 383,

384.

hornemanni, 383,

384.

linaria, 372, 381,

382, 383, 384.

rufescens, 372, 381,

384.

Lipaugus cineraoeus, 303.

■ simplex, 303.

Lobipluvia malabarica,

133.
Lobivanellus indicus,

133.
Lochmias nematura, 418.

obsourata, 418.

sororia, 419.

Lopboceros birostris, 62.
Loxia ciaerea, 309.

eolius, 310.

collaria, 214.

crassirostris, 214.

curvirostra, 40.

cyanea, 213.

erythromelas, 213.

franciseana, 409.

grisea, 21.5.

grossa, 213.

lineata, 214.

• lincola, 214.

minuta, 214.

Loxia torrida, 214.
Loximitris dominicensis,

99.
Lullula arborea, 246.
Lurocalis semilorquatus,

438.
Lusciniola flaviventris,

388.

I'uliginiveutris, 388.

f uscata, 388.

• indica, 388.

melanopogon, 35,

388.

neglecta, 388.

sebwarzi, 3S8.

Lusciola afrieana, 226.
Lyrurus tetris, 50.

Madia3rliamphus alciniis,

223.
Machetes puguax, 43,

134, 348.
Machetornis rixosa, 279.
Maclilolopbus xantho-

genys, 127.
Macragelajus imthurni,

218.
Macropygia timorlaoea-

sis, 446.
Malacocereus terricolor,

67.
Malaconotus leucotis,

205.
Manucodia comrii, 463.
Mareca penelope, 45, 137,

169, 250.
Mecocerculus leucopbrys,

291.
Megaltcma caniceps, 63.
Megarbynchiis pitangua,

296.
Meiglyptes badiosus, 6.

badius, 3, 11.

bracbym'us, 3, 10.

fokiensis, 12.

gularis, 8.

phaioeeps, 3.

riifinotus, 3.

squamigularis, 11.

Melanetta velvetina, 231.
Melanopl ila glabrirostris,

18(5, 187.
Melierax gabar, 391.
Melittophagus bullock-
oides, 315.

cyanostictus, 398.

gularis, 315.

lafresnayei, 226,

398.
leschenaulti, 315.

Melittophagus muelleri,

315.

pusillus, 315, 398.

cyanostictus,

398.

• quinticolor, 315.

revoili, 398.

souninii, 315.

Melizophilus provincialis,

454.

sardus, 34.

undatus, 34, 243.

Melophus melanicterus,

129.
Mergulus alle, 90.
Mergus merganser, 181.

seri'ator, 46, 87.

Meropogon ibrsteui, 103.
Merops albicollis, 104.

apiaster, 27, 226,

342.

bicolor, 103.

boehmi, 104.

bi-eweri, 103.

cyanopbrys, 103,

104.

cyanostictus, 398.

erytliropterus, 398.

malimbicus, 226.

nubicoides, 226,

343.

nubicus, 226, 397.

ornatus, 104.

■ persicus, 61, 104,

343.

pliilippinus, 104.

pusillus, 398.

revoilii, .398.

sumatranus, 10.3.

superciliosus, 226.

variegatus, 398.

viridis, (iO, 103

Merula confinis, 99.

leucop.s, 199.

maxima, 356.

merula, 80.

Metoponia pusilla, 112.
Micrathene wbitneyi,

99.
Microcerculus bambla,

200.

ustulatus, 200.

Microdyptes serresiana,

108.
Microlestes arfakianus,

var. minor, 446.
Microni.«us gabar, 391.
Micropternus badiosus,

2, 6, 7
badius, 10, 15.

474

INDEX.

Micropternus brachy-
iirus, 1, 2, 4, 5, C, 10,
12. 15.

buriuanicas, 3.

f'okiensis, 1, 2, 12,

iri, 16.

gularis, 2, 7, 9, 10,

331.
holrovdi, 1, 2, 15,

16.
phseoceps, 1, 2, 3,

4, 5, 7, 16.
phaioceps, 3, 8, 9,

331, 332.
Milvago chi mango, 282.
Milvulus tjraniius, 280,

299.

violentus, 299.

Milvus regyptiiis, 385.
affiiiis, 386, 386.

goviiida, 58, 385,

386.

ictinus, 26, 248.

uielauotis, 385, 3fi(>.

migrans, 248.

palustris, 386.

Mimus calandriii, 277.

gilvus, 186, 187,

199.

rostratus, 113.

Mionectes oleagiueus,

293.
Mirafra africanoides, 408.

cantillans, 129.

cordol'anica, 407.

erythrorejjhala, 4r.0.

erythroptera, 129.

Mitrephorus aurautii-

vent.ris, 113.
Molothrus atronitens,

218.

badius, 278.

bonariensis, 278.

Monticola cinclorhyn-

chus, 67.

cyan us, 37, 67.

rufocinerea, 404.

Moutifringilla alpicola,

112.

nivalis, 111.

Motacilla tvquinoctialis,

203.

sestiva, 202.

alba, 36, 112, 127,

170, 244.

auricapilla, 188.

calidris, 204.

■ — — cay ana, 207.

■ cinereocapilla, 36,

127, 166.

MolaeiUa citreola, 127.
llava, 36.

furva, 201, 202.

■ galeata, 293.

guianensis, 419.

gnira, 212.

liigubris, 244..

maderaspateusis,

126.

nielanope, 36, 127.

■ personata, 127.

sulphureaj 244.

velia, 209.

xantliophrys, 324.

yarrellii, 83.

Miilleripicus feddeni,

152.
hoilgei, 142.

liodgsoni, 150.

javeiisis, 146.

riehardsi, 156.

Muscieapa anthuides,

430.

ntricapilla, 37.

audax, 296.

barbata, 297.

carolinensis, 186.

cayanensis, 295.

cristat.a, 400.

cruenta, 305.

duchaillui, 400.

grisola, 37.

niaciilata, 18, 19.

nsevia, 297.

oleaginea, 293.

oliva, 297.

pagana, 294.

parva, 230.

pica, 291.

pygmtea, 425.

rubinus, 297.

niticilla, 188, 203.

sandwichensis, 18.

simplex, 303.

speciosi, 400.

striata, 202.

sulphurea, 295.

thaninophiloides,

304.
tyrannulns, 298.

vai-ia, 298.

Muscipeta albicejis,

294.
Muscisa.vicola grisea,

234.

juninensis, 234.

Museivora regia, 297.
Musophaga boehmi,

114.
rosste, 114.

Myiagra cervinicauda,
228.

terrocyanea, 227,

228.

— — fiilviventris, 316.
Myiarclius coronatus,
297.

- ferox, 298.
nigriceps, 298.

plia;onotus, 298.

■ platyrbynchus, 3''1.

tyrannulus, 298.

Myiobius barbatus, 297.

erythunis, 297.

naivius, 297.

roraima?, 297.

M\iocliaues ardesiaeus,

298.
Myiodynastes audax,

■296."
Myiopatis pusilla, 294.

waga-, 234.

Myiophoneu.s borneensis,

124.

(Arrenga) nielanu-

rus, 123.

Myiothera analis, 429.

nematura, 418.

uiubretta, 419.

Myiozetetes cayennensis,

295.

sulphiireus, 295.

Myrmeciza atrolborax,

428.

cinnamomea, 427.

Myrnioiiax cinnamonieiis',

427.

leucoplirys, 428.

Myrmornis cri^salis, 429.

■ bofimanni, 429.

Myrrnotbera axillaris,

425.

unicolor, 426.

Myrmotherula axillaris,

425.

cinei'eivcntris, 426.

guttata, 425,

guttural is, 425.

longipennis, 426.

nienetriesi, 426.

■ pygmrea, 425.

surinamensis, 425.

unicolor, 426.

Myzomela annabellae,

445.

eryllirina, 227.

— — melauocepbala,

227.

wakoloensis, 228,

456.

INDEX.

475

Nasica guttatoides, 422.
Neetarinia habessiniea,

98, 40fi.

ludovicensis, 98.

Nemoricola indica, 194.
Nemosia guira, 212.

nigrigenys, 215.

pectoralis, 234.

Neocichla gutturalis, 98.
Neophron gingiuianus,

64.
Neopipo cinnamomea,

3U1.

rubicunda, 301.

Nesospingus speculiferus,

273, 274.
Nettapua coromandelia-

nus, 137.
Nilaus edwardsi, 322.
Niiiox goldiei, 138, 139.
maculata, 139, 270.

noTK-zealandiaB,

139.

odiosa, 227.

theomacba, 138,

139.

Nisaetus f'asciatus, 248.
Nisus gabar, 391.
Noctua glaux, 392.

veteruui, 392.

Notauges albicapilliis,

413.
fischeri, 22*i.

- hildebrandti, 412.

sviperbus, 412, 413.

INothui-a maculosa, 282.
Numeniiis arquata, 43,

85, 253.

lineatus, 134.

■ longirostris, 824.

minor, 3ti3.

pbseopus, 85, 173,

254.

tenuirostris, 253.

Numida vultiirina, 414.
Kyctale fengmalmi, 258,

259, 2G0.
Nyctea seandiaca, 261.
Nyctibius bracteatus,

438.

grandis, 437.

jauiaicensis, 438.

longicaudatus, 437-

rufus, 438.

Nycticorax griseus, 44,

136.
- — - leuconotus, 349.
Nyctidromus albicolli.s,

439.
Nyctiornis amictus, 103.

Nyctiornis atbertoni, 103.
NyrOLM ferruginea, 138.

Ocbthoeca cousobriua,

289.
setophagoides, 289,

291.
Qi^dt'mia fusca, 46, 173.

nigi'a, 46.

ffidieuemus dorainicensis,

225.

scolopax, 41, 133,

252.

Qistrelata defilippiaua,

448, 449.

fisheri, 448, 449.

Onychotes gruberi, 448,

450.
Opisthocomus cristatus,

118.
Orchesticus ater, 213.
Oreopyra caiolaiua, 316.

cinereicauda, 317.

Oriolus cbrysocpphalus,

218.

galbula, 37.

guianensis, 218.

indicus, 69.

liundoo, 68.

melaleucus, 211.

oryzivorus, 219.

persicus, 217.

pifus, 422.

viridis, 217.

Ornithiou inei'me, 293.

piisillum, 294.

Oi'nysiiiya caniveti, 191.

delpbii;£e, 434.

Ortliiiocicljla subulata,

115.
Orthogonys cyanicterua,

211.
Orthotomus subulatus,

115.
Ortvgornis pondicei'iaua,

131.
Oryzoborus crassirostris,

214.

nuttingi, 110.

salvini, 110.

torridus, 214.

Ostinops decumanus,

217.

viridis, 217.

Otis tarda, 2.32.
Otocorys albigula, 354.
al'pesiris, 174, 380,

381.

• bilopba, 315.

Otogyps calvus, 53.

Oxypogon sUicbelii, 446.
Oxyrbamphns bypoglau-
cus, 291.

Pachycepbala afSnis, 446.
fuseoflava, 316.

xanllioprocta, 270.

Pacbyrhampbus atrica-

pillus, 302.

griseigularis, .302.

niger, 302.

viridis, 302.

Pala-ornis eupatria, 62.
purpureus, 62.

torquatus, 62.

Pandion baliaetus, 26,

11)4, 186, 249.
Panyptila cayenner.sis,

436.
Paradisea apoda, 230.
Paroaria t ucullata, 277.

gularis, 216.

nigiigenis, 215.

Parra gymuostoma, 225.

ii.dica, 134.

Parula americana, 187,

188.

pitiayumi, 202.

Parus afer, 327, 407.

americanus, 187.

ater, 35.

borealis, 122, 158.

— — cajruleus, 36.
cinctus, 172.

cinerascens, 121,

122, 12.3, 327.

cinereus, 121.

cyan us, 318.

fiavipectus, 318.

iViugillinus, 226.

major, 35, 243,

359.

nipaleusis, 127.

paluBtris, 122.

pleskei, 318.

sarawacensis, 327.

teneriflie, 243.

tbruppi, 390, 406.

Passer douiesticiis, 82,

112, 129,245.

italic, 39.

montauus, 82, 452.

salicicolus, 112.

saturatus, 452.

Passerculus alaudinus,

449.

anthinus, 449.

beldingi, 448.

■ — — sandwiebensis, 449.
bryanti, 449.

476

INDEX.

Pastor roseiis, 128.
Pavo cristatus, 131.
Pelargopsis gurial, CA.
Pelecanus, sj). iuc, 48.
Percnostola leiicostigma,

427.
Perdicula argoondah,1.31.

asiatica, 131.

Perdix ciiierea, IDI).
Pericrocotus erythropj-

gius, (J6.

peregrinus, 6.i.

Perisoreus iiifaustus, 180.
Peristera jainaiceasis,

193.
Pernis ptilouoi'liynchus,

58.
Petasophora delpliiiire,

434.

germana, 4.34.

serrirostris, 43l3.

Petrochelidon pvrrho-

nota, 277.

timorieiisis, 324.

Petroeca multicolor, 270.
Petronia stulta, 40,
Peueiea arizona;, 4.50.

niexicana, 448, 450.

Phacellodoiims ruber,

281.
Pliaethornis augusti, 431.

boiircieri, 4.31.

loiiguemareus, 431.

pygmseus, 431.

supereiliosus, 431.

Phaetou rubricauda, 2(i8.
Pliaiopicus badiosus, fi.

blytbii, 3.

■ bracbyurus, 10, 11.

jerdoni, 8.

ruflnotus, 3.

Phalacrocorax aeolus,

270.
bicristatus, 271.

capillatus, 271.

carbo,91,249, 270.

fuscicollis, 138.

graculus, 48, 91.

pelagicus, 270, 271.

pygmffius, 138.

urile, 271.

Phalaropus fulicarius,

106.
byperboreus, 171,

177.
Plmsiauus colcliicus, 41.

satscheunensis. 111.

strauchi ,111.

tarimensis, 111.

vlangalli, 111.

Pbilydor albogularis, 420.

erythroeercus, 420.

pyrrhodes, 420.

turdinus, 420.

Phoenicocercus carnifex,

304.

Pbcenicophilus doraini-
censis, 99.

Pboeuicopter us roseus, 44,
250.

ruber, 18(i.

Plioeuicosoma azara?, 211.

Plioenieothaupis Peruvi-
an us, 234, 272.

rhodiuolfema, 272.

Pbajnisoma ardeiis, 211.

Pholeoptynx cunicularia.
282.

Piiolidauges bicolor, 41 L.

Pbonipara bicolor, 118.

fumosa, 118. 215.

phaoptila, 118, 215.

pusilla, 190,321.

Phvllomyias cristatus,

222.

seiuifusca, 293.

Phylloscopus atRuis, 388.

butuii, 388.

iiidicus, 12(i.

plumbeitarsus, 387.

presbytia, 3S7, 388.

ruf'us, 35, 243, 387.

, var. obscurus,

112.

seebohmi, 387.

tristrami, .387.

trocliiloides, 387,

388.

trocbilus, 35, 243.

tytleri, 388.

viridaous, 387.

• vindipenuis, 387.

Pieolaptes albolineatus,

422.

puncticeps, 422.

Pieumuus lawreucii, 99.
Picus badiosus, 0.

■ badius, 10.

braohyurus, 10.

certbia, 421.

erawfurdi, 141, 149.

dubius, 192.

Ibkieusis, 12.

gularis, 8.

beniprichii, 393.

hodgei, 142.

bodgsonii, 150.

bolroydi, 15.

horsfieldii, 145.

iavensi.s 145.

Picus jerdoni, l.")2.

leptorbyncbus, 3.57.

leucogaster, 145.

149, 150, 151.

mahrattensis, (>2.

major, 172.

maximus malayen-

.-^is, 145, 151.

nubicus, 393.

• rufinotus, 3.

rufus, 3.

scalaris, 191.

squaiiiigularis, 11.

viliosus, 455.

Piezorbyucbus brodiei,
228.

• browui, 228.

medius, 114.

ricliardsii, 227.

Pinaroloxias inoniata,
324.

Pinicola enucleator, 168.

Pionias crassus, llti.

■ rueppelli, 98.

rufiventris, 393.

Pipilo mystacalis, 275.

Pipra albit'rons, 428.

aureola, 299.

aurocapilla, 300.

caudata, 300.

cionaraouiea, 301.

cornuta, 299.

gutturalis, 103,300.

iraounda, 300.

lajjlacii, 305.

leueocephala, 291.

leucocilla,300.

niauacus, 30l.

rupicola, 304.

serena, 300.

suavissima, 300.

• virescens, 300.

Pipreola wbitelyi, 304.
Pipritos cblorion, 299.
Pitangus bellicosus, 280.

Tiutor, 296.

parvus, 296.

sulpburatus, 296.

Pithys albit'rons, 428.
leucopbrys, 428.

pectoralis, 429.

rufigula, 428.

Pitta mackloti, 447.

macularia, 430.

Pitylus canadensis, 21.3.

celoiuo, 227.

erytbromelas, 213.

grossus, 213.

viridis, 213.

Platalea ajaja, 186.

INDEX.

477

Plata! ea leucorodia, 136.

tenuirostris, 350.

Platycercus alpiiius, 99.

novtB-zealandiaj, 99.

peunanti, 48.

, var. nobbsi,

49.

Platyrhynchus coronntiis,

292.

flaviventris, 295.

naystaceus, 292.

riifieauda, 296.

saturatus, 292.

sulphuresc-ens, 295.

supsrciliaris, 292.

Plectroplianes lapponica,

164.

nivalis, 167.

Plectrophenax hyper-

boreiis, 231.
Plegadis falcinelliis, 250.

349.
Ploceus bengalensis, 128.

manyar, 128.

philippinus, 128.

Plotus melanogaster,

138.
Podager nacunda, 282,

438.
Podiceps capensis, 418.

cristatus, 46, 255,

350.

fluviatilis, 418.

capensis, 418.

iufuscatus, 232.

minor, 138, 351,

358, 418.

nigi'icollis, 46, 255.

Podoces bendersoni, 353.
Pcecilouitta erytbro-

rhyncha, 415.
Poe-ilotriccu3 lenzi, 222.
Poeocepbalus robustus,

322.

rufiventris, 393.

Pogonotbraupis atrica-

pillus, 211.
Polemistria pavonina,

433.
Polioliierax semitorqua-

tus, 391, 392, 410.
Polioptila lactea, 324.

sclateri, 324.

Polyborus tbarus, 282.
Pomarea castaneiventris,

228.

rufocastanea, 228.

ugiensis, 227.

Poospiza nigrorufa, 277.
Porphyrio alleni, 346.
SER. V. — VOL. III.

Povpbyrio cajruleus, 252.

nielauotus, 270.

— — poliocepbalus. 111,

135.

veterum. 111.

Porzana akool, 135.

bailloni, 135, 346.

leucogaster, 110.

maruetta, 44, 252.

Pratincola caprata, 124.

indica, 124.

nibetra, 32.

riibicola, 32, 242.

sybilla, 102.

Premnocopus undulatus,

421.
Prinia inornata, 126.
Prionops cristatus, 403

poliocepbalus, 403.

Pristorbampbus versteri,

316.
Procellaria glacialis, 92.

leucorrhoa, 254.

Procnias tersa, 207.

ventralis, 208.

Progne cbalybea, 205,277.

purpurea, 205.

tapera, 205, 277.

Promei'ops melanorbyn-

cbus, 395.

minor, 397.

Psalidoprocne antinorii,

232, 456.
Pseudogyps bengalensis,

.54.
Pseudoleistes vireseens,

279.
PsiLtacus eritbacus, 322.

rubrovarius, 322.

Psittasoma niicbleri

zeledoni, 113.
Psopbia cantatrix, 222.

leucoptera, 222.

Pterocles arenarius, 131,

357.

exustus, 131.

fasciatus, 131.

gutturalis, 346.

Pterolestes augur, 391.
Ptilopus lewisi, 227.

ricbardsi, 228.

solomouensis, 316.

Ptyonoprogne concolor,

60.
PutSnus anglorura, 48,

94, 254, 361.

• assiuiilis, 269.

kubli, 47, 48, 255.

spbeuurus, 268.

PufRuus yelkouan, 48.

Pycnouotus barbatus, 244.

— bsemorrbous, 68.

layardi, 344.

Pyctorbis sinensis, 67.
Pygmornis longuemareus,

431.

pygmajus, 431.

Pygosceles antipodum,

108.
Pyranga .nestiva, 210, 211.

ardens, 211.

cyanicterus, 211.

biBtnalea, 211.

roseigalaris, 186,

190.

rubra, 234.

Pyrgilauda kausuensis,

111.
Pyrgisoma albiceps, 275.

rubricatum, 275.

Pyrgita petronia, 353.
Pyrgitopsis ammodendri,

354.
Pyriglena funebris, 429.

leucoptera, 429.

tyrannina, 427.

Pvrocepbalus rubineus,

'280, 297.
Pyroderus orenocensis,

306.

scutatus, 306.

Pyromelana franciscana,

409.

oryx, 345.

taba, 345.

Pyrrbocorax alpinus, 38.

graculus, 38, 245.

Pyrrbula orieutalis, 107.

rosacea, 107.

Pyrrbulauda grisea, 130.

Querquedula circia, 45,

1.S7, 358.
crecca, 45, 137, 172,

250, 358.

eatoni, 320.

erytbrorbyncha,415.

Querula cruenta, 305.

minor, 302.

Quiscalus lugubris, 219.

Rallus aquaticus, 44.

indicus, 135.

Recurvirostra avocetta,

134.
Eegulus cristatus, 34.

ignicapillus, 34.

satrapa, 448.

Rhampbocsenus albiren-

tris, 426.

2l

478

INDEX.

Rhampboca'lus jacapa,

:210.

Rhampliopis atrococci-

neiis, 210.
Khea americana, 283.

diirwini, 220.

Khectes analogus, 230.

leucorliynchus, 447.

Ehinopoinastes cabanisi,

397.

. minor, 397.

Eliinoptilns cinctus, 416.

gracilis, 41(1

Rliipicliira aureola, 66.

cockerelli, 227.

leucothorax, 228.

pelzelui, 270.

Ehodostethia rosea, 443.
Ehopnphilus albo-super-

ciliaris, 3.'")5, 3.56.
■ deserti, 111, 354,

355, 356.
— pekiuensis, 354, 355,

356.
, var. major,

354, 355.

superciliaris, 356.

Ehojjoterpe guttata, 425.

torquata, 429.

Ehyacophilus glareola,

134.
Rliyncbtea beugalensis,

1.3.3.
Ebynrhocjclus flaviven-

tVis, 295.

ruficauda, 296.

sulphiirescens, 295.

Rissa brevirostris, 117.

kotzebui, 117.

tridactvla, 254.

Eupicola crocea, 304.

peruviana, 318.

sanguinolenta, 318.

■ saturata, 318.

Ruporuis gracilis, 4.50.

griseicauda, 193.

ridgwayi, 225.

— '— rufieauda grisei-
cauda, 4.50.
Ruticilla erytbrogastra,

356.

■ moussieri, 241, 242.

ocbruros, 112.

pbcenicurus, 32.

■ rufnentris, 125.

tithys, 237.

titys, 32.

Salioaria leucojitera, 406.
Saltalor aler, 213.

Saltator caTulcsceiis, 213.

magnus, 213.

olivascens, 213.

Sarcidiornis melanono-

tus, i:!6.
Sarcorbauiphus a^qua-

torialis, 440.

grypbus, 440.

Sauropatis australasiu?,

445.
Sauropbagus lictor, 296.

sulpburatus, 29'V

S ixicola cvpriaca, 229.

deserti, 125, 405.

isabellina, 125, 405.

■ inorio, 229.

ceiiantlie, 32, 80.

opistbolcut^a, 125.

pliillipsi. .390, -104.

rufooiuerea, 404.

salina, 35(5.

• .seebobnii, 405.

stapazina, 446.

Scaphidura atra, 219.
Scai^liorbvncbus audax,

296.
Sceloglaux albifacies, 99.
Scbizorbis leopoldi, 4.56.
leucogastra, 322,

4<X».
Scleraru.s brunneus, 419.

caudacutus, 419.

Scolopas gallinago, 86.

rusticula, 42,86,253.

ycops capensis, 342.

• giu, 26, 263.

minutiis, 139.

pennanti, 59.

stictouotus, 194.

Scotoj>elia oustaleti, 322.
Selaspborus flammula,

231.
- — - torridus, 231.
Sericossypba albooristata,

234.
Seriiuis bortulanus, 39,

245.

peetoralis, 109.

Serpbophaga peetoralis.

293.
Setopbaga auricapillus,

203.

briinneiceps, 204.

castaneocapilla, 203.

-; guatemalaj. 324.

ruticilla, 188, 203.

verticalis, 203.

Signiodus nientalis. ll(>.
Sipbia tickcllia', (iC).
8itta cajsia, 241, 243.

Sitta eckloni, 1 11.

naivia, 427.

surinaiuensis. 425.

wbitebeadi. 28, 455.

Sittasonius olivaeeus, 421.
Siurus aiu-icapillus, 188.

noveboracensis. 202.

Somateria uiollissinia, 87.

spectabilis, 88.

SpaUila clvpeata, 45, 137,

250.
Speeulipastor bicolor,

411.
Sperinopliila castaneiveu-

tris, 214.

collaria. 214.

grisea, 215.

guttural is, 215.

liypoxantba, 277.

liueata, 214.

lineola, 214.

miniita. 214.

pluinbea, 215.

SplienisL'us deniersiis,

104. 108.
Spindalis benedicti, 321.

exsul, 189.

pretrii, 189.

zena. 189.

Spizalauda deva, 130.
Spizella atrigularis, 114.

pusilla, 1 14.

wortbeni, 1 14.

Sporopbila auierieaua,

214.

castaneiventris, 214.

Spreo albicapillus, 413.
Squatarola belvetica, 2.53.
Starna robusta, 106.
Steatoruis caripensis, 439.
Stelgidopteryx ruiicollia,

2(36.
Stenopsis cayennensis,

439.

rufi cervix, 439.

Stenostira scita, 344.
Stepbanibvx coronata,

417.
Stercorarius catarrbacles,

87.

crepidatus, 87-

parasiticus, 167.

Sterna arctica, 87.

cautiaca, 47.

fliiviatibs, 46, 254.

fuliginosa, 26(5.

macrura, 170.

uielanogaster, 1.38.

ininuta, .335.

seeua, 138.

INDEX.

479

Stietupicus luibiL'us, M94.
ytiginatops albu-auricii-

lans, 227.

kebirensis, 44(>.

salvadorii, 446.

Stoparola melanops, (>(*>.
Strepsilas iiiterpres, 85.
Streptopelia torquatus,

357.
Strix flammea, 2(i, 247,

265.

■ lacteiis, 392.

Strvitbio australis, 229.
nioljbdopljane.s,

229.
kSturnella ludoviciaua,

219.
■ uieridionalis,

219.
Sturuia pagoda nun, 128.
iSlurims niteiis, 111.
polturatzkyi, 10().

111.
piirpurasceiis, 111,

353.

unicolor. 111, 245.

vulgaris, 38, 82,

111, 128,245.
Sula bassaiia. 91. 249.

dactylatra, 108.

iiebousi, 1()8.

personata, 269.

Surnia ulula, 260.
Sutoria sutoria, 126.
Sycalis brasiliensis, 217.

ci trill a, 217.

flaveola, 217.

luteola, 278.

nuiior, 217.

pelzelui, 278.

Sylvia affinis, 126, 387.

atricapilla, 34.

einerea, 33.

couspicillata, 33.

curriica, 33.

data, 294.

hortensis, 181, 365.

jerdoiii, 126.

melanocepbala, 33,

243, 464.

minu.scula, 387.

mystacea, 112.

nisoria, 230, 453,

464.

pectoralis, 293.

pitiayuuii, 202.

subalpina, 33.

Syiuinurplms leucopy-

gius, 270.
Synallaxis adusla, 419.

Sviiallaxis albescent),
'419.

briiiineicauda, 419.

ciniiaiuoiiiea, 419.

deriiissa, 420.

frontalis, 419.

guianensis, 419.

modesta. 286.

patagoniia, 28.5.

pancalensis, 234.

pbrvgaiKjpbila, 280.

ruflcapilla, 419.

ruflcauda, 419.

sordida, 281, 285.

Sypheoti.s aurita, 132.
Syi'iiinm aliico, 247.

• bohndorffi, 116.

lapponicum, 255.

uralense, 256.

Taccoeua lesohenaulti,

64.
Tac-liybaptes fliiviatilis,

46 ; 255.
Tachycineta albiventris,

20.5.
Tachvphonus atricapil-

lus, 272.

cristatus, 212.

delattrii, 273.

intercedens, 212.

— — - liictuosus, 211.
nielaleucus, 211.

■ — — napensis, 273.

uattereri, 273.

nigen-iniiis, 211.

ochropygos, 212.

phoeniceus, 212.

Surinam us, 212, 273.

napensis, 273.

Tadorna casarca, 137.
Tienioptera doaiiniL-aiia,

279.
Tauagra i»stiva, 210.

archiepiscopus, 210.

atra, 213.

atricapilla, 211.

crista! ella, 273.

cristatus, 212.

cyana, 208, 209.

cyauea, 190.

episcopus, 210.

erythrorbyncba,

410.

flaviveutris, 210.

guiaiiensis, 205.

gyrola, 209.

— . — jacapa, 210.
jaearina, 215.

maeroura. 311.

Tanagra magna, 213.

nigricollis, 208.

])almavum, 210.

punctata, 209.

serioptera, 210.

silcns, 212.

tatao, 209.

violacea, 208.

Tanagrella velia, 209.
Tantalus bagedasb, 415.

leucocephalus, 136.

Teiephonus erytbropte-

rus, 244.

jamesi, 390, 403.

Temnurus roseigaster, 99.
Tephrodornis pondiceri-

anus, 6.5.
Terenura spodioptila,

426.
Terpsiplione cristata, 400.

ferreti, 400.

melanogastra, 400.

paradisi, 66.

Tetrao mutus, 84.

tetrix, 452.

urogalloides, yar.

sacbalensis, 224.
Te.xtor dinemelli, 390,

392, 409.

intermedins, 410.

scioanus, 232.

Tbalassidroma leucor-

rboa, 95, 361.

pelagica, 95.

Tbalurania fureata, 433.
Tbainnobia cainbaiensis,

124.
Tbainnolaa rufocinerea,

404.
Thamnomanes glaucus,

424.
Tbarnuopbilus amazoni-

cus, 423.

argentinus, 281.

atricapillus, 423.

berlepschi, 234.

candacutus, 419.

cii-rbatus, 423.

doliatus, 424.

fuliginosus, 423.

insiguis, 424.

lineatus, 423.

lunulatus, 423.

major, 423.

murinus, 4:'3.

utevius, 423.

ruflcoUis, 42.3.

Thaumatias linnici, 435.

tobaci, 435.

Tbranpis cilivaseens, 210,

480

INDEX.

Threnoedus militaris, 305.

rubricollis, 3()().

Tiiripouax crawfitrdi,

141, 149, LjO, 153.
feddeni, 141, 148,

149, 150, 152.
liargitti, 141, l."i5,

156.

hodgei, 141, 142.

hodgsoni, 141, 150,

151, 1.52, 157.
javensis, 141, 145,

14(i, 147, 149, 150, 151,

155.

jerdoni, 141, 152.

leueogaster, 141.

pectoralis, 141, 143.

richardsi, 142, 156.

Thryo philus leucotis,201 .

minlosi, 222.

Thryothorus albipectus,

201.

CO ray a, 201.

martinicensis, 201.

■ platensis, 201.

rupLilu.s, 201.

Tiaris pusilla, 190.
Tichodroma muraria,

357, 446.
Timolia lercbi, 317.
Tinnunculas alaudarius,

25, 249, 392.

cenchris, 249, 342.

rupicoloides, 342.

tinnunculiis, 392.

Tityra cayana, 301.
Todirosti'uni cinereuiu,

292.

maculatum, 292.

ruflceps, 222.

rufigene, 222.

■ signatuiu, 292.

Todus angustirostris, 99.

cinereiis, 292.

feri'ugineus, 297.

maculatiis, 292.

regius, 297

subulatus, 99.

Topaza pella, 432.
Totaniis calidris. 43, 134,

2.53, 357, 363.

canescens, 43.

fuscus. 1.34.

glareola, 43, 1(>4,

348.

glottis, 134, 195.

• hypoleucus, 85.

ocbropus, 134.

• pugnax, 364.

stagnatilis, 134.

Traehypljouiis crythro-

ceplialiis, 394.
Treroii delalandii, 345.

waalia, 414.

Ti'icciis eiiiereus, 292.
Tricholajina melanoce-

phala, 394.
stigmatothorax,

394.
Tringa alpina, 42, 86.

■ canutus, 440.

iimcularia, 194.

inimita, 42, 134,

348.

subarquata, 43.

teairaiucki, 42,

164.
Tringoides hypoleucus,

43, 134, 2.53, 348.

macularius, 194.

Trochilus ametbystinus,

434.

anais, 4.34.

• augusti, 431.

aurieulatus, 436.

aiiritus, 434.

bicolor, 436.

bourcieri, 4.31.

brasiliensis, 431.

brevirostris, 436.

cairuleus, 435.

- — — cyaneua, 436.

dominicus, 431.

furcatus, 433.

hir.sutus, 431.

johannte, 4.33.

largipennis, 432.

leueogaster, 435.

longirostris, 435.

longuemareus, 431.

mango, 432.

mellivorus, 4-33.

moschitus. 434.

ornatus, 433.

pectoralis, 432.

pella, 432.

petasophoriis, 436.

platurus, 434.

pygmteus, 431.

recurvirostris, 4.33.

rivolii, 436.

rubiiieus, 436.

sappbirinus, 436.

superciliosus, 431.

tobaci, 4.35.

violicauda, 4.32.

virescens, 435.

■ viridis, 435.

viridissiuius, 435.

Troglodytes beani, .321.

Troglodytes borealis, 7t>,

31)5. 37().

f'urvus, 201.

hirteusis, 80, 359.

parvulus, 32. 244.

borealis, 81.

fuuiigatus, 81.

nipalensis, 81.

pallescens, 81.

rufulus, 201.

Tropidorhynchus aruen-

sis, 446.
Turdiuus sepiarius, var.

minor, 446.
Turdus albiventris, 198.

aliciiE, 197.

atrieapillus, 199.

atrothorax. 428.

cantator, 428.

carboiiarius, 198.

■ — — cinnamomeus, 427.

coraya, 20 1 .

fla\ipes, 198.

f'umigatus, 198.

f'usceseens, 196.

gilvus, 199.

griseus, 426.

gymnophthalmus,

198.

ignobilis, 198.

iliacus, 80, 159.

leucops, 199.

merula, 37, 242.

murinus, 197.

musicus, 36, 80, 242.

mystacinus, .356.

pbseopygus, 197.

pilaris, 37, 159.

roraiinae, 198.

rufigularis, 428.

rufiveatris, 277.

surinamus, 212.

svvainsoni, var. u^-

tulatus, 197.

torquatus, 37.

ustulatus, 197.

viscivorus, 36, 242.

Tnrnix dussumieri, 1.32.

joudera, 132.

lepurana, 346.

sylvatica, 251.

— — taigoor, 132.
Turtur communis, 41.

meena, 130.

risorius, 130.

senegalensis, 130.

suratensis, 130.

tranquebaricus,

131.
Tylas eduardi, 101.

INDEX.

481

Tyranneutes brachyuriis,

300.
Tyranuiscus acer, 294.

■ gracilipes, 294.

griseiceps, 294.

Tyrannula ardesiaca,

298.

setopbagoides, 291.

Tyranuulus elatus, 294.
Tyranims albicollis, 295.

luggeri, 295.

melancliolicus, 280,

299.
"rufinus, 299.

Ulula aluco, 2.57.
Upupa epops, 28, 04,

357, 397.
senegalensis,

397.
erythrorbyncbiis,

395. '

senegalensis, 397.

Ura?gintbus iantbiuogas-

ter, 408.
Uranomitra viridifrons,

317.
Uria bruennicbi, 89.

grylle, 89.

troile, 89.

Urocbaris longicauda,

316.

Ui'ogallus urogallus, 50.
Urolestes nielauoleucus,

344.
Urubitinga antbracina,

193.

Vanellus capella, 97.
cayennensis, 282.

vulgaris, 42, 253.

Vidua verreauxi, 345.
Vireo agilis, 204.

approximans, 114.

b.irdi, 321.

calidris, 204.

niagister, 186, 188,

321.
Vireolanius leucotis, 205.
— — pulcbellus vertiea-

lis, 449.
Vireosylvia agilis, 204.

cinerea, 321.

■ grandior, 114.

niagister, 188.

Volatinia jacarina, 215.

splendens, 215.

Vultur raonacbus, 53.

Xanthocorys nattereri,

324.
Xantbodina pyrgita, 408.
Xantbolsemabseniacepba-

la, 63.

Xantbornus deeumanus,

217.
Xantbosomus flavus, 278.

icterocepbalus, 218.

Xantbotis rubiensis, 230.
Xenia sabinii, 222, 455.
Xenopipo atronitens, 299.
Xenops dentirostris, 421 .

genibarbis, 420.

Xenorliyncbus asiaticus,

135. "
Xipbolena pompadora,

305.
Xipborbyncbus trocbili-

rostris, 422.

Zenaida maculata, 282.

ruficauda, 113.

vinaceo-rufa, 113.

Zonotricbia matutina,

216.

pileata, 216, 278.

Zosterops brunneicauda,

316.

fuscifrons, 228.

incerta, 446.

■ lougirostns, 227.

madagascariensis,

101.

l^alpebrosa, 127.

tenuirostris, 270.

uropygialis, 316.

END OF VOL. III.

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CONTENTS OF NUMBER IX. {continued).

30. Eeichenow on Parrots i

31. Ridgway on new Birds from the Commander Islands andi 112

Petropaulovski j

32. Ridgway on new Costa-Rican Birds ( n q

33. Ridgway on West-Indian Birds ^ lid

34. Ridgway on a new I'ield-Sparrow i

35. Robson on the Breeding of the Eastern Golden Plover . ( , , .
3G. Schalow on a new Plantain-eater f"

37. Sharpe on the Birds of the "Voyage of the ' Alert ' . . . )

38. Sharpe on various Timeliidse )

39. Sharpe on a new Wren from Timor (. 1 1 k

40. Sharpe on Birds from New Guinea >- lio

41. Sharpe on Birds from Equatorial Africa j

42. Shui'eldt on the forms of the Patella in Birds . . . . )

43. ^vaxih. on XhQ Hieracidece LllR

44. ^o\xz?i on Biicora.x pyrrhops >-lio

45. Stejnegerou the Natural History of the Commander Islands )

46. Stejneger on the Genus Ci?;;i/?7w.s I 117

47. Travel's on the Organic Productions of New Zealand . . |

X. Letters, Extracts, Announcements, &c. : —

Letters from Mr. L. M. Turner and Messrs. Salvin and Godman ;
Singular Development of Opisthocomtis ; The National Bird-
CoUection at Washington ; Ornithological Works in Progress ;
Proceedings of the Ridgway Ornithological Club 117

Publications received since the issue of No. 8, Fifth Series,

AND not noticed IN THE PRESENT NuMBER.

1. 'The Auk.' Vol. I. Nos. 3, 4.

2. Berlepsch. Untersuchungen Uber die Vogel der Umgegend von Buca-
ramanga in Neu-Granada. (J. f. O. 1884.)

3. Blasius. Neue Thatsachen in BetrefF der Ueberreste von Alca impennis,
Linn. (Tageblatt d. Naturf. Versamm. zu Magdeburg, 1884.)

4. Blasius. Ornithologische Forschungen. (J. f. 0. 1884.)

5. Blasius. Ueber eiuen vermuthlich neuen Trompeter- Vogel von BoUvia.
(J. f. 0. 1884.)

6. Blasius. Ueber Vogel-Brustbeine. (J. f. 0. 1884.)

7. Bbhm's Reisen in centralem Ostafrika. (Zeitsch. f. omith. imd practische
Gefliigelz, 1884.)

8. BoLAM. Red-breasted Flycatcher in Northumberland. (The Naturalist,
Aug. 1884.)

9. Catalogue of the Natural History Collections of the Albany Museum,
Grahamstown. (8vo. Cape Town, 1883.)

10. CoLLETT. Ueber Alca impennis in Norwegen. (Mitth. ornith. Ver. in
Wien, 1884.)

11. GuBNEY. Catalogue of the Birds of Norfolk. (8vo. London, 1884.)

12. Hawtayne. Taxidermic and other Notes. (12mo. Demerara, 1884.)

13. Henke. Beitrag zur Losung der Straussenfrage. (Zeitsch. f, d. ge-
sammte Ornithol. i. 1884.)

14. Htjet. Note sur les naissances, dons et acquisitions de la Menagerie du
Museum d'Histoire Naturelle. (Bull. Soc. Nat. Acclim. France, 1884,)

15. Le Moine. Canadian Ornithology, (Quebec, 1884.)

16. Report on the Migration of Birds. 1883.

17. Salvadoei. Uccelh dello Scioa e della regione fra Zeila e la Scioa,
(Annali Mus. Civ. d. Stor. Nat. Genova, ser. 2, vol. i.)

18. Smithsonian Report. 1882.

19. Stejnegeb. On the use of Trinomials in American Ornithology.

CONTENTS OE NUMBER IX.— EIETH SElllES.

Page
I. Notes on "Woodpeckers. — No. IX, On the Genus MicrOjjternus.

By EuwARD Haegixt, F.Z.S 1

II. On the Muscicapine Genus Ghasiempis. By P. L. Sclatek,

M.A., Ph.D., r.ll.S. (Plate I.) 17

III. On the Aftershaft in the Feathers of certain Birds. By
F. E. Beddaed, M.A., F.L.S., Prosector to the Zoological

Society of Loudon 19

IV. Ornithological Notes from Coj-sica. By Joun WuixEHEAn.

(Plate II.) 24

V. On two Birds from Norfolk Island. Bv II. B. Tiustkam, D.D.,

F.R.S ' 48

VI. On the Shedding of the Claws in the Ptarmigan and allied

Birds. By LEoiraARD Sxejnegek 50

VII. On the Birds of Central India.— Part I. By Lieut.-Col. C.

Swinhoe and Lieut. IIexey Barnes 52

VIII. The Ornithology of St. Kilda. By Charles Dison. (Plate IIL) 60
IX. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : —

1. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway on the Water-Bu-ds of North

America 97

2. Barboza du Bocage on Birds from Angola "j

3. ]3arboza du Bocage oa West- African Birds j

4. Barboza du Bocag-e oa Cinnyris erikssoni J;- f>8

5. Bekling on the Birds of Giiaymas I

6. Beldi:]g ou the Birds of Lo\Ter California J

7. Bullcr on rare New-Zealand Birds ; „

8. Cory ou tlie Birds of Sau Domingo \

9. Coues's new Key to Ndrlli-American Bird,^ 100

10. Cowan on the Birds of Madagascar . K) 1

11. Da Verleuil's 'Trinidad.' (Second edition.) 102

12. De Via on the Moa in Australia j .,

18. Dresser's Monograph of the Bee- eaters \

14. Dubo;s on a new Parrot from New Guinea )

15. Filhol on the Osteology of the Penguin; (mi

16. Filhol on the Diaphragm of the Penguins (

17. Filhol ou the Arterial System of the Penguins . . . .)

IS. Guruey on tlie Arctic Blue-tliroaled \Varblor in NoivJk. ( ,„.

19. Guniey on the " Hairy " variety of the Moarliea . . . j

20. Haast ou the Grey Phalarope in New Zeah/ud . . . . i

21. Honieyer and Tancre on the Birds of the Altai . . . . • 100

22. Jouy on the Birds of Japan |

23. Lawrence on a uew Hemiprocne \ m\-

24. Lydekker on Siwalik Fossil Birds { ^^'

25. Milne-Edwards on the Fauna of the Antarctic Regions . .108

26. Murray's ' Vertebrate Zoology of Sind' I in'>

27. Nutting ou Birds from Nicaragua (

28. Przewalski's .Journey in Tibet 110

20. Radde's ' Oruis Cauca;-ica ' Ill

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CONTENTS OF NUMBER X. (continued).

Page

79. Salvador! on the Birds of Shoa j „

80. Saunders's Edition of Yarrell's British Birds' . . . . f "^"^^

81. Smithsonian Report for 1882 I

82. Stejneger on Trinomials in Ornithology j * "

83. Taczanowski's ' Ornithology of Peru ' I

84. Vila on the Ornithology of Gerona J 2d4:

XX. Letters, Announcements, &c. : —

Letter from M. Leon Olphe-Galliard ; Gift of the Salvin-God-
man Collection to the British Museum ; The Hume Collection
of Indian Birds; Ridgvvay Ornithological Club, Chicago;
News from the Ciiucasus ; Black Redstart in Somersetshire ;
Obituary— Dr. Riippell, Prof. Severtzoff", Mr. E. W. White,
and Mr.^E. C. Rye ; Mr. J. A. Allen ; New Edition of Buller'a
' Birds of New Zealand ' 235

Publications received since the issue of No. 9, Fifth Series^

AND NOT noticed IN THE PRESENT NuMBER.

20. Annunl Report of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard Col-
lege, Cambridge.

21. Dubois. Revue critique des oiseaiLx de 'la famille des Bucerotides.
(Bull. Mus. R. d'Hist. Nat. Belgique, tome iii.)

22. Dubois. Remarques sur les Alouettes du Genre Otocorys. (Bull. Mus.
R. d'Hist. Nat. Belgique, tome iii.)

23. Gaeman. On the Use of Polynomials as Names in Zoology. (Proc.
Boston Soc. N. H. 1884.)

24. Sitzungs-Protokolle des ersten Internationalen Ornithologen-Congresses,
Wien, 1884.

25. Lawrence. New Species of Birds of the FamiHes Tyrannidce, Cypselidce,
and Columhidce. (Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. iii.)

26. Menzbier. Memoires sur les Puridce. (Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1884.)

27. Mittheilungen des ornithologischen Vereines in Wien. (Section fiir
Geflus-elzucht &c. 1884, Nos. 26, 27, 28; 1885, Nos. 1-25. Section fiir
Vogeikunde &c. 1886, Nos. 1-12).

28. RiDGWAY. Description of some new Species of Birds from Cozumel
Island, Yucatan. (Pr. Biol. Soc. Washington, iii.)

29. ScHMiDHOEFEN. Auas spoHsa, Linn., in Steiermark. (Mitth. omith
Ver. Wien, 1884.)

30. ScHMiDHOFFEN. Bemei'kungen liber Acredula caudata, Linn., und -4.
rosea, Blyth. (Mitth. ornith. Ver. Wien, 1884.)

31. Shufeldt. Osteology of Ceryle alcyon. (Joum. Anat. & Phys. xviii.)

32. Shufeldt. On the Osteology of Numenius longirostris, &c, (Joum.
Anat. & Phys. xix.)

33. VoRDERMAN. Bataviasche Vogels. — Part VI., and AJphabetische Index.
Natuurk. Tijds. voor Nederl. Indie, Deal xliv. All. 3.)

34. VoRDERMAN. List of Birds from Java. (Natuurk. Tijds. voor Nederl.
Indie, Deel xliv.)

35. The Young Oologist. Vol. L no. 10.

36. Zeitschrift fiir die gesammte Ornithologie, 1884, Heft 4.

CONTENTS or NUMBEE X.— PIETH SEEIES.

Page
XI. On two new Birds from Borneo. By the Rev. H. H. Slatee,

B.A. (Plate IV.) 121

XII. On the Birds of Central India.— Part II. By Lieut.-Col. C.

SwiNHOE and Lieut. Henut Barnes 124

XIII. Notes on some Eastern Owls. By J. H. Gurnet .... 138
XIV. Notes on Woodpeckers. — No, X. On the Genus Thriponax.

By Edward Hakgixt, F.Z.S 140

XV. A Birds'-Nesting Eamble in Lapland. By Alfred Craw-
hall Chapmak 158

XVI. On a Collection of Birds from the Island of Cozumel. By

OsBERT Salvia, M.A., F.ll.S., &c. (Plate V.) . . . . 185
XVII. On a small Collection of Birds from Korea. By H. B.

Tristram, D.D., P.R.S 194

XVIII. A List of the Birds obtained by Mr, Henry "Whitely in'British

Guiana. By Osbert Salvia, M.A,, P.R.S., &c. (Part I.). 195
XIX. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : —

48. 'The Auk' 220

49. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway on the Water-Birds of North I

America i 221

50. Berlepsch on the Birds of Bucaramanga )

61. Bidwell on Sabine's Gull 1

52. W. Blasius on a new Trumpeter I 222

53. W, Blasius on Grabowsky's latest Bornean Collections . . j

54. W, Blasius on the Breast-bones of Birds i

55. W, Blasius's third Paper on the Great Auk I 223

56. Bogdanow on Russian Ornithology |

67. British Association's Report on Migration in 1883 . , . J e)i)A

58. Buckley and Harvie-Brown on the Birds of Sutherlandshire f ""^

59. Collett on the Great Auk in Norway

60. Cory on the Birds of San Domingo

61. Dresser's Monograph of the Bee- eaters

62. Fischer on the Birds of Masai-land

63. Glanville's Catalogue of the Albany Museum, Cape Colony

64. Godman and Salvin's 'Biologia Centrali- Americana' . ,

65. Gould's 'Birds of New Guinea'

66. Gurney on the Birds of Norfolk

67. Hawtayne's Taxidermic Notes

68. Ilenke on the Ostrich-question

69. Homeyer on a new Stonechat

70. Iluet on Additions to the Jardin des Plantes , . .

71. Le Moine on Canadian Ornithology

72. Meyer on Birds' Nests and Eggs from the East Indies . . / non

73. 'The Naturalist' f "^'^"

74. Olphe-Galliard on the Ornithology of Western Europe . [ no,
75-78. Ridgway on American Birds |

^Contents continued otipage 3 of Wrapper.^

225

226
227
228

229

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CONTENTS OF NUMBER XI. {continued),

97. Pagenstecher's ' Birds of South Georgia ' 319

98. Protocol of the International Ornithologists' Congress ) „n(\

99. Report of the Harvard Museum of Zoology . . . . j

100. Ridgway on new Birds from Cozumel Island .... 321

101. Rochebrune's ' Birds of Senegambia ' 322

102. Saunders's Edition of ' Yarrell's British Birds ' . . .1 qoo

103. Sharpe on the Fringilliformes j

104. Shufeldt on the Osteology of Cen/le alcyon . . . . j

105. Shufeldt on the Osteology of Numenius longirostris . K n^f.

106. Traquair on Biological Nomenclature j

107. Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen on the Long-tailed Tits of "I

Europe I

108. Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen on the Summer Duck in Styria ^ 326

109. Vorderman on the Birds of Batavia |

110. "Vorderman's 'List of Ja van Birds' J

111. 'The Young Oologist' 327

XXXIII. Letters, Announcements, &c. : —

Letters from the Rev. H. H. Slater and Mr. Osbert Salvin ;
Anniversary of the British Ornithologists' Union ; New
Ornithological Work ; Prjevalsky's New Expedition ; The
Ridgway Ornithological Club, Chicago, U.S.A. ; Birds
breeding in Ants' Nests ; Birds at Scotch Lighthouses ;
Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Departure for Simla; Obituary — Mr.
Ernest William White, Dr. Eduard Riippell, and Richard
Boehm; News of Dr. Finsch; New Expeditions; New
Work on the Swallows 327

Publications received since the issue of No. 10, Fifth Series,
and not noticed in the present number.

37. Beckham. Notes on some of the Birds of Pueblo, Colorado. (The
Auk, vol. ii.)

38. BLOALEFrELD. Reminiscences of Wilham Yarrell. (8vo. Bath, 1885.)

39. CoEY. A List of the Birds of the West Indies. (4to. 1885.)

40. Dubois. Revue des Oiseaux observes en Belgique. (Bull. Mus. R.
d'Hist. Nat. Belgique, iv. 1885.)

41. Mitchell. The Birds of Lancashire. (Svo. 1885.)

42. Mittheilungen des ornithologischen Vereines in Wien. (Section fiir
Gefliigelzucht &c. 1885, Jahr. 2, Nos. 11-14. Section fiir Vogelkunde &c.
1885, Jahr. 9, No. 4.)

43. Nathusius. Ueber die charakteristischen Unterscheidungszeichen ver-
schiedener Straussen-Eier. (J. f. 0. 1885.)

44. Nehkkorn. Zur Avifauna der Insel Waigeu. (J. f. O. 1886.)

45. Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. x. no. 5.

46. SalvadorI e Giglioli. Due nuove specie di Uccelli della Cocincina.
(Atti R. Accad. Sci. Torino, xx. 1885.)

47. Shufeldt. Variations in the Form of the Beak, that take place during
its Growth, in the Short-tailed Albatross. (The Auk, vol. ii.)

48. Stejneger. Remarks on Lanius rohiistus. (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philad. 1885.)

49. Tait. As Aves em Portugal. Parts 1-3. (Revista da Sociadade de
instruc^ao do Porto, 1883-84.)

CONTENTS OE NUMBEE XI.— EIETH SERIES.

Page
XXI. Winter Notes from Morocco. By Capt. S. G. Reid . . .241

XXII. On tlie Geographical Distribution of Birds in European
Russia north of the Caucasus. — Part II. RapacesNocturn^e.
By M. Menzbier 255

XXIII. Notes on the Breeding-habits of certain Sea-Birds fre-

quenting Norfolk Island and the adjoining Islets.
By W. M. Crowfoot, M.D .263

XXIV. On the Cormorants of Japan and China. By Henry

Seebohm 270

XXV. On some little-known Species of Tanagers. By P. L.

ScLATER, M.A., Ph.D., P.R.S. (Plate VI.) 271

XXVI. Notes on the Birds of Paisandu, Republic of Uruguay.
By Ernesi Gibson, F.Z.S. (Communicated by J. J.
Dalgxeish.) 275

XXVII. Notes on the Birds of the Genus Homorm observed in the

Argentine Republic. By W. H. Hudson, C.M.Z.S. . . 283

XXVIII. On the Coloration in Life of the naked Skin-tracts on the
Head of Geococcijx californianvs. By Dr. R. W. Shufelbt,
U.S. Army, Memb. of the Am. Ornith. Union, &c.
(Plate VII.) 286

XXIX. Descriptions of three new Species of Birds from South

America. By Hans von Bkrlepsch 288

XXX. A List of the Birds obtained by Mr. Henry Vvliitely in
British Guiana. By Osbert Salvin, M.A., E.R.S., &c.
(Continued.) (Plate VIII.) 291

XXXI. Review of the Species of the Family Coliidae. By Capt.

G. E. Shelley, E.Z.S 307

XXXII. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : —

85. Cory's * Birds of San Domingo ' i qiA

86. Dresser's Monograph of the Bee-eaters j '

87. Dubois on the (xeuus Otocorys j

88. Dubois on the Ilorubills i 315

89. Garman on Polynomials in Zoology )

90. Gould's 'Birds of New Guinea' I „_

91. Gould's 'Supplement to the ^roc7^^7^■(^«' ^ -.ib

92. Langille on North-American Birds j

93. Lawrence on new Species of Tyrannidce, Cypsclid<s, ( ^, _

and Columhidce > oil

94. Menzbier on the Blue Tits )

95. ' Mittheilungen ' of the Ornithological Union of Vienna [ „, ^

96. Newton on Ornithology J 31»

\_Contents continued onjmye 3 of Wrapper,']

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BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION.

PRESIDENT.
The Right Hon. Lord Lilford.
SECRETAEY.
H. E. Dresser^ Esq.
COMMITTEE.
The President. 'j

The Editors of ^The Ibis.* >Ea? officio.
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The British Ornithologists* Union was instituted in 1858 for
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devoted primarily to the publication of 'The Ibis/ a Quarterly
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A List of Britisli Birds compiled bv a Committee of the British Ornithologists'
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CONTENTS OF NUMBER XII. {continued).

144. Schalow on the Birds of Mark Brandenburg ....

145. Scbiavuzzi on Northern Birds in the Adriatic . . . ^ 451

146. Stejneger on Lanius rohustus )

147. Stejneger on a new Sparrow )

148. Taczanowski on Abnormal Moults ( .to

149. Tait on Portuguese Birds ?■ 40.i

150. Zeledon on the Birds of Costa Rica )

XLIV. Letters, Announcements, &c. :—

Letter from Mr. H. E. Dresser ; Additions to the Bird-collec-
tion of the British Museum in 1884 ; The Hume Collection
of Indian Birds ; The Development of the Avian Sternum ;
More News of Dr. 0. Finsch ; Habits of Raggi's Paradise-
bird; Recent Appointments in the United States .... 453

Index ., 465

Titlepage, Preface, List of Members, and Contents.

Publications received since the issue of No. II, Fifth Series,

AND not noticed IN THE PRESENT NuMBER.

50. Behxepsch and Jheking. Die Vogel der Umgegend von Taquara do
Mundo Novo, Prov. Rio Grande do Sul. (Zeitschr. f. d. gesammte Ornithol.

1885.)

51. Blasius. Naturhistorische Studien imd Reiseskizzen aua Schweden und
Norwegen im Friihjahre 1884. (Mitth. d. ornithol. Vereins in Wien, 1884.)

52. Blasitjs. Naturhistorische Studien und Reiseskizzen aus der Mark imd
Pommern. Parts i., ii. (Monatschr. deutsch. Ver. zum Schutze d. Vogelwelt,

1884, Nos. 7-10.)

53. BxJTTiKOFER. Zoological Researches in Siberia. (Notes Leyden Mus.

1885.)

54. Dixon, C. Evolution without Natural Selection. (London, 1885.)

55. Evans, W. Notes on the Birds of the Island of Eigg. (Proc. R. Phys.
Soc. Edinburgh, vol. viii.)

56. Evans, W. Note on the Breeding of the Marsh Titmouse in Stirlingshire
in 1884. {Ibid.)

57. GiGLiOLi, H. II primo Congresso Ornitologico Internazionale tenuto a
Vienna dal 7 al 14 Aprile, 1884. CoUe proposte per attuare il programma del
Oomitato internazionale ornitologico permanente in cio che riguarda 1' Italia.
Roma, 1885.

58. Mittheilungen des ornithologischen Vereines in Wien. (Section fiir
Vogelkunde, &c. 1885. Jahr. 9, Nos. 8-15.)

59. OusTALET, E. Rapport sur le Congres et I'Exposition Ornitholoffiques
de Vienne en 1884. (Paris, 1885.) ^

60. OusTALET, E. Description de deux especes nouvelles faisant partie de
la Collection Ornithologique du Museum d'Histoire NatureUe de Paris. (Extr.
du Journal ' Le Naturaliste,' 1885.)

61. Salvadori e Giglioli. Due nuove specie di Picchi. (Atti R. Accad.
Sci. Torino, vol. xx.)

62. Ornis. Internationale Zeitschrift fiir die gesammte Ornithologie. (Wien

1885. IHeft.) ^ ^ '

CONTENTS OV NUMBER XII.— EIETH SEEIES.

Page
XXXIV. Additional Notes on the Ornithology of Transvaal. By

Thomas Axkes. Communicated by John Henry Gurney 341

XXXV. On the Birds of the Upper Tariui, Kashgaria. By M.

Menzb]er 352

XXXVI. Further Notes on the Ornithology of St. Kilda. By

Charles Dixojsf 358

XXXVII. Note on Baza ceylonensis, Legge. By Samuel Bligh.

Communicated by J. H. Gurney 362

XXXVIII. Further Contributions to the Ornithology of Japan. By

Henry Seebohm 363

XXXIX. An Autumn Ramble in Eastern Iceland, with some Notes
from the Faroes. By Wm. Eagle Clarke, F.L.S., and
James Backhouse, Jun. (Plate IX.) 36-i

XL. Stray Ornithological Notes. By W. Edwin Brooks . . 380

XLI. On Mr. E. Lort Phillips's Collection of Birds from Somali-
land. By Capt. G. E. Shelley, F.Z.S. (Plates X.-XII.) 389

XLII. A List of the Birds obtained by Mr. Henry Whitely in
British Guiana. By Osrert Salvin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.
(Continued.) 418

XLIII. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications

441

112. ' The Auk ' 440

113. Blomefield's ' Reminiscences of Yarreir ....

114. British Association's Report on Migration in 1881 .

115. Buckley ou the Birds of Rousay, Orkney Islands . . . 442

116. Bunge on Birds of the Delta of the Lena ]

117. Cory's ' List of the Birds of the West Indies ' . . .1 443

118. Dubois ou Belgian Birds j

119. Dybowsld andTaczauowskiontheBirdsofKamtschatka 1 ,, .

120. H. O. Forbes ou the Eastern Archipelago ^444

121. Llarvie-Browu on Kumlien's Gull i , < _

122. Meyer on new Birds in the Dresden Museum . . . j

123. Mitchell's '■ Birds of Lancashire ' ' ....

124. More on Irish Birds \ ^^

125. Nehrkorn on Birds from Waigiou j

126. ' Ornithologist and Oologist ' i 447

127. Reid on the Birds of Bermuda |

128-142. Ridgway on American Birds 448

143. Salvadori and Giglioli on new Birds from Cochin China . 450

[Contents continued on page 3 of Wrapper J\

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Publisher.

Communications may be addressed to the Editors, 0 Tenterden Street, Han-
over Square, W. Advertisements &c. to the Publiaher, John Van Voorst,
1 Paternoster Row, London, E.C.

Members of the B. 0. U. are requested to keep the Secretary, II. E.
Dresser, Esq., 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W., informed of any
change of Residence, so that the Nimibers of ' The Ibis ' mfty be sent to them
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