sees tires ee = Se : x - : =; = ie ae Seasons : % ~ x Sa eco Sree ae Sy ees ‘S = = Sa iuasealnsteratioumetecset F opsspubarten duane Tag 13) at nt sheet teh Periyar NOs tedereenester tates 7 Pibrary of the Museum OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. Pounded by private subscription, in 1861. No. 397 4 Not: t-dLan..1h) #0 fa Apr. 2s. 1687, = “is Hi THE IBIS, A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. EDITED BY OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., F.R.S., AND PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, VOL. IV. 1880. FOURTH SERIES. This avis robusta et multos vivit In annos. LONDON: JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW. “1880. PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. PREFACE. In concluding the twenty-second volume of ‘THE Iprs,’ litthe remains to be said by way of Preface. The assistance from our fellow workers which has been so freely given to us from the commencement of the present series has not been withheld during the past year. To them, both for favours past and to come, our cordial thanks are due. Ox Ss: vlan s: Office of the British Ornithologists’ Union, 6 Tenterden Street, London, W. Io 15 BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. Date of Election. 1874. 1879. 1872. 1875. 1880. 1873. 1878. 1870. IWS Ake 1866. 1868. 1880. | An asterisk indicates an Original Member. | Epwarp R. Atsron, F.Z.S.; 14 Maddox Street, London, W. VarentinEe Bari; Geological Survey Office, Calcutta. Hawnsury Barcuay, F.Z.S.; The Anchor Tube Company, Gas Street, Birmingham. Joun Brpputpx, Capt. 19th Hussars ; Gilgit, Cashmere. Epwarp Browrtt ; 7 Ormond Terrace, Richmond, Surrey. W. T. Branrorp, F.R.S. &c.; Geological Survey Office, Calcutta. Writu1Am Borrer, M.A., F.Z.S.; Cowfold, Horsham. Sir Victor Brooxr, Bart.; Colebrooke, Fermanagh, Ireland. Artuur Bastt Brooxn; Cardney, Dunkeld, N.B. Heyry Bucktey, F.Z.8.; 27 Wheeley Road, Edgbaston, Bir- mingham. Tuomas Epwarp Buckiey, B.A., F.Z.8.; Attadale House, Strath Carron, Ross-shire, N.B. . G. E. Bunesr, late Lieut.-Col. 10th Foot, F.L.S. &c.; care of Messrs. Wheatley & Co., 156 Leadenhall Street, London, E.C. . Water Lawry Buuier, C.M.G., Sc.D., F.B.S., F.L.S., &e. ; care of Mr. Hoey, 7 Westminster Chambers, London, 8.W. . THomas Davin Gipson CarmicHAzt ; Castlecraig, Dolphinton, N.B. . Witrram Eacte Crarke; 5 East View, Hyde Park, Leeds. . Epwarp Henry Sruart, Lord Crirron; Cobham Hall, Gravesend. . E. H. Coorrr, Lieut.-Col.; 42 Portman Square, London, W. . JouHN CorpuAaux ; Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire. 20 25 30 39 40 45 Date of Election. 1866. ArrHur Wii11AM Cricuton, B.A., F.LS., F.Z.8.; Broadward Hall, Salop. 1877. J. J. Datetersn ; 8 Athole Crescent, Edinburgh. 1874. Cuarues Danrorp, F.Z.8. 1880. Arraur Dowserr; Hatherley, London Road, Reading. 1865. Henry Erres Dresszr, F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. *Henry Mavrice Drummonp-Hay, C.M.Z.8., Lieut.-Col., Royal Perth Rifles; Seggieden, Perth. 1878. W. Arruur Durnrorp; Birdwell, Barnsley. 1876. Lieut. Eerrton, R.N.; Badlesmere Rectory, Faversham. 1870. Dantex Grravp Exxior, F.R.S.E., &e.; New Brighton, Staten Island, New York. 1866. Henry Joun Etwes, F.Z.8.; Preston, Cirencester. 1879. Arraur Humere Evans, B.A.; Scremerston Vicarage, Ber- wick-on-T'weed. 1877. Rev. T. J. Ewrne, D.D.; 3 Crescent Villas, Plymouth. *THomas CampsetL Eyton, F.Z.S.; Eyton Hall, Wellington, Salop. 1873. H. W. Fritpen, Captain and Paymaster, Royal Artillery. 1877. W. A. Forszs; 32 Upper Baker Street, London, W. 1880. Wittiam Forster; The Hill, Whitley, Surrey. 1865. Rev. Henry Extiorr Fox, M.A.; 30 Warwick Square, London, S.W. 1879. Ernust Gipson ; 9 Mayfield Street, Edinburgh. *FrepERIcK DuCane Gopman, F.L.S., F.Z.8. ; 10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London, W. *Prroy SANDEN GopmAN, B.A., C.M.Z.S.; Muntham, Horsham. 1874. H. H. Gopwin-Avsren, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S.; Shalford House, Guildford, Surrey. 1871. Ropert Gray, F.R.S.E., F.S.A.8.; 13 Inverleith Row, Edin- burgh. 1878. Huyry Gruy, Bengal Staff Corps; care of Messrs. Grindlay & Co. 1876. Arserr C. L. G. Ginrner, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., &.; Keeper of the Zoological Department, British Museum, London. *Joun Henry Gurney, F.Z.8.; Northrepps Hall, Norwich. 1870. Joun Henry Gurney, Jun., F.Z.8.; Northrepps Hall, Norwich. 1877. Epwarp Harcovar, M.P.; Nuneham Park, Oxford. 50 55 60 65 70 vu Date of Election. 1876. H. C. Harrorp, 99th Regiment; 2 Eldon Villa, Granada Road, Southsea. 1877. EH. Harerrr; 1 Bedford Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick. 1868. Jamus Epmunn Harrine, F.LS., F.Z.S.; 22 Regent’s Park Road, Gloucester Gate, N.W. 1873. Joun A. Harvin Brown; Dunipace House, Larbert, N.B. 1868. Rev. Herserr 8S. Hawxrns, M.A.; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk. 1875. J. C. Herz; Knowles, Newton-Abbot. 1877. E. W. H. Hotpswortn; 84 Clifton Hill, St. John’s Wood, London. *Witrrip Hupieston Hupresron, M.A., F.Z.S.; 23 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. 1879. Baron A. von Hvern; 116 High Street, Camden Town, London, N.W. 1869. Attan Octavian Hump, C.B.; Agra. 1870. Lord Hytron; Merstham, Red Hill, Surrey. 1870. Col. Lronarp Howarp L. Irsy, F.Z.S. 1880. Henry Roserr Kernan, Lieut. 74th Highlanders ; Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow. 1874, Anexanper W. M. Crark Kenyepy, Capt., F.LS., F.R.G.S., F.ZS. *ArruuR Epwarp Knox, M.A., F.LS., F.Z.S.; Trotton House, Petersfield, Sussex. 1880. Cuartes Epwarp Lawson; 19 Portsea Place, Connaught Square, London, W. 1876. Vincent Lueex, Captain R.A.; Aberystwith, Wales. *Right Hon. Tuomas Lyrrieron, Lord Lrtrorp, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &e.; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northants. 1874. Joun Havzs Luoyp, Major, F.Z.S.; Colebrooke Lodge, Bognor, Sussex. 1877. J. LumspEn, Jun.; Arden House, Alexandria. 1875. Joun Wrnerrerp Matcorm; 7 Stanhope Street, Mayfair, London, W. 1877. Hon. Granam Manners-Surron ; 50 Thurloe Square, London, S.W. 1878. Henry Sracey Marxs, R.A.; 15 Hamilton Terrace, London, N.W. 1870. C. H. T. Marswart, F.Z.8.; Captain, Bengal Staff Corps. 1870. G. F. L. Marswatr, F.Z.8.; Capt. Royal (Bengal) Engineers. 1878. Rev. Murray A. Marnew, M.A., F.L.S.; Stone Hall, Haverfordwest. US 80 85 go vill Date of Election. 1879. Freperick Suaw Mircnert; Clitheroe, Laneashire. 1864. AtpxanpER Goopman Mors, F.L.S. &c.; 3 Beechview Ter- race, Glasneyin, Dublin. 1876. Huew Nevitt; Newton Villa, Godalming. 1872. Francis D’Arcy Witr1am Crousu Newcome; Feltwell Hall, Brandon, Suffolk. *AtrreD Newton, M.A., F.R.S., V.P.Z.S.; Professor of Zoology in the University of Cambridge. *Epwarp Newton, M.A., C.M.G., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S., Colonial Secretary, Jamaica. 1876. Francis Nicnotson, F.Z.S.; Stamford Road, Bowdon, Cheshire. *Sir Joun Orns, Bart., F.Z.S., late Captain, 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment; Kilmory House, Loch Gilp Head, N.B. 1880. THomas Parkin; Halton, near Hastings. 1880. Cuartes Marruew Prior; The Avenue, Bedford, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. 1872. R. G. Warptaw Ramsay, Capt. 67th Regiment ; Whitehill, Rosewell, N.B. 1879. Hersert Evetyn Rawson; The Vicarage, Bromley Common, Kent. 1877. Savite G. Rei, Capt. R.E.; 14 Medway Villas, New Bromp- ton, Kent. 1873. Ottver BreavcHamp Coventry St. Jonny, Colonel R.E. *Ospert Satviy, M.A., F.R.S., &c.; Brooklands Avenue, Cam- bridge. 1870. Howarp Savunpers, F.L.8., F.Z.S8.; 7 Radnor Place, Hyde Park, London, W. *Puitre Lutiey Scrater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &e.; 44 Elvas- ton Place, Queen’s Gate, London, W. 1873. Henry Srrpoum, F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. 1871. Ricuarp Bownprer SuHarpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum. 1870. G. Ernest Suewrey, F.Z.8., late Captain, Grenadier Guards ; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. 1865. Rev. Coartes WitirAm Suepuerd, M.A., F.Z.8.; Trotters- cliffe Rectory, Maidstone, Kent. » 1878. Grorce Montaw Stavenrer, Surgeon-Major; Farningham, Kent. 5) 100 105 Ilo 1x Date of Election. 1864. Rev. Atrrep CHarztes Suita, M.A.; Yatesbury Rectory, Wiltshire. 1874. Crectn Suita; Lydeard House, Taunton, Somersetshire. 1875. A. C. Stark; Engadine, Torquay. 1864. Henry Srevenson, F.L.S.; 10 Unthank’s Road, Norwich. 1868. Hamow Lr Srranex, F.Z.8.; Hunstanton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. 1875. Pacer Watrer Le Srranex, Lieut.-Col. Royal Artillery ; Guernsey. *Epwarp Cavenpisu Taynor, M.A., F.Z.S.; 74 Jermyn Street, London, W. 1864. Groren Cavenpish Taytor, F.Z.S.; 42 Elvaston Place, Queen’s Gate, London, W. 1873. Wittram Brrnoarp Trerrmerer, F.Z.S.; Finchley, Mid- dlesex. *Rev. Henry Baker Tristram, M.A., LL:D., F.RS., &e., Canon of Durham; The College, Durham. 1864. Henry Morris Urcuer, F.Z.8.; Sheringham Hall, Norfolk. 1872. Herpert Taytor Ussuer, C.M.G. 1874. Cartes Byerave Wuarrton, F.Z.S.; Hounsdown, Totton, Hants. 1878. Henry THornron Wuarton, M.A., F.Z.S.; 39 St. George’s Road, Abbey Road, London, N.W. 1871. KE. Percevat Wrieut, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin. 1875. Cuartes A. Wrieut; Kayhough House, Kew-Gardens Road, Kew. 1876, Craupr W. Wyarr; Adderbury, Banbury. 1878. Joun Youne, F.Z.8.; 64 Hereford Road, Westbourne Grove, London, W. 1877. J. H. Yure, Lieut. 1ith Regiment; Poona, Bombay. Extra-Ordinary Member. 1860, Atrrep Russet Wattace, F.Z.S. ; Pen-y-bryn, St. Peter’s Road, Croydon. Honorary Members. 1860. Professor Spencer FuLterton Barrp, Secretary to the Smith- sonian Institution, Washington. 10 15 Date of Election. 1860. 1860. 1870. 1880. 1860. 1860. 1869. 1860. Doctor Epvarp Batpamus, Moritzwinger, No. 7, Halle. Doctor Jean Casants, Erster Custos am koniglichen Museum der Friedrich-Wilhelm’s Universitit zu Berlin. Doctor Orro Finscu. Heiwrich Girxer, C.M.Z.S., Secretary to the Government of Heligoland. Doctor Gustav Harriaus, Bremen. Enear Leorotp, Layarp, C.M.G., F.Z.8., H.M. Consul, Mew Caledonia. Aveusr von Prtzetn, Custos am k.-k. zoologischen Cabinete in Wien. Professor J. Remnnarptr, Kongelige Naturhistoriske Museum 1 Kjobenhavn. Foreign Members. . Prof. J. V. Barsoza pu Bocacu, Royal Museum, Lisbon. . Hans, Graf von Brrterscu, Witzenhausen, Hessen- Nassau. . Louis Burzav, M.D., School of Medicine, Nantes. . Ropert Corrertr, Christiania. . Doctor Extiorr Couns, U.S. Army, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. . Marchese Giacomo Doria, Genoa. . Doctor Vicror Fatio, Geneva. . Doctor Henry Hitiyrr Grersoxt, Royal Institute of Superior Studies, Florence. . George N. Lawrence, New York. . Baron Dr Setys Lonecuamrs, Liege. . Doctor A. J. Matmeren, Helsingfors. . Doctor A. von MippEenporrr, Dorpat. . Prof. Anpuonse Mitnz-Epwarps, Jardin des Plantes, Paris. . Prof. Gustav Rappz, T?flis. . Rozert Rieway, C.M.Z.S., Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington. . Prof. Tommaso Satvaport, Royal Museum, Turin. 2. Prof. Herman Scutecet, University Museum, Leyden. CONTENTS or VOL. [V.—FOURTH SERIES. (1880.) Number XIII., January. IL. Ornithological Notes from the Neighbourhood of Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. By Ernest Gisson, F.Z.8. . II. Field-Notes on the Birds of St. Vincent, West Indies. By C. E. Lisrmr, B.A., Caius Coll. Camb. III. Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan.—No. II. On the Birds of the Hariab District. By R.G. Warpiaw-Ramsay, F.Z.8., Memb. B.O.U., Lieut. 67th Regiment IV. Notes upon some West-Indian Birds. By P. L. Scrarzr, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. (Plate I.) : VY. Ornithological Letters from the Pacific. No. I. - Orro Frnscu, Ph.D. , ; ‘ VI. A further Contribution to the Ornithology of Asia Minor. By C.G. Danrorp. (Plate IT.) : VII. Additional Notes on the Ornithology of Transvaal. By Tuomas Ayres. Communicated by Jonn Henry Gurney . VIII. Preliminary Descriptions of new Birds from South America, and Remarks on some described Species. By Hans, Graf von Berterscn . IX. On the Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia. By Osspert Satvin and F. DuCane Gopman. (Plate III.) X. Remarks on two recently published Papers on the Ornithology of the Solomon Islands. By T. Satvapori, C.M.Z.8. Page 5 A 114 126 Xi CONTENTS. XI. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :— Babe 1. Anderson’s ‘ Zoology of Yunnan’ 5 - 132 2. Brewer on North-American Himpidonaces Bg ue 3. Dubois on Additions to the Avifauna of Belgium . . 133 4. Dubois on two new Birds : . 133 5. Elliot’s ‘ Monograph of the Veerillee ys, le) 6. Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Centrali-Americana’ . 133 7. Gould on anew Bower-bird .... , . 134 8. Gould’s ‘ Birds of New Guinea’ . 134 9. Gould’s ‘ Birds of Asia’ . 135 10. Hartlaub on a new Quail . 135 11. Lawrence on West-Indian Birds . 135 12. Legge’s ‘ Birds of Ceylon’ : . 136 13. Milne-Edwards and Grandidier’s ‘ Mudaeascar’ aS 14. ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ Vol. 168 (Natural His- tory of the Transit Expeditions) 5) LSI 15. Radakoff on the Birds of the Lower Danube and Pruth 138 16. Ramsay on the Zoology of the Solomon Islands . 138 17. Ramsay on the Zoology of New Guinea . . 139 18. Reinhardt on the ornamental Wing-feathers of the King Eider and Mandarin Duck 5 lly) 19. Salvadori on the Birds of the Kei Islands . 140 20. Schlegel on Nisus rufitorques and LV. ae Be . 140 21. Schlegel on Stria ineapectata 2 ea leLO) 22. Schlegel on a new Cuckoo . . 140 23. Schlegel on Strix tenebricosa arfaki . 140 24, Schlegel on a new Treron . 141 25. Schlegel on Artamia bermerr 5 lol 26. Schlegel on a new Heron . 141 27. Schlegel on Hypherpes corallirostris . 141 28. Schlegel on Talegallus pyrrhopygius . 4d 29. Schlegel on Gallinula frankw . ° . 142 30. Sclater’s ‘ Jacamars and Puff-Birds’ . 142 31. Shelley’s ‘Monograph of the Sun-Birds’ . 142 32. Taczanowski on the Red-tailed Shrikes of Central Wea 143 XII. Letters, Announcements, &¢. :— Letters from EK. Cavendish Taylor, J. H. Gurney, and T. Sal- vadori; News of Major St. John; New Kast-African Birds ; New Indian Finch; Obituary of Professor Garrod, F.R.S.; Rediscovery of Loddigesia mirabilis Mere 6 5 lee CONTENTS. Number XIV., April. XIII. Ornithological Notes from the Neighbourhood of Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. By Ernust Grpson, F.Z.8. XIV. On the Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia. By Osserr Satvrin and F. DuCanr Gopman. (Plates IV. & V.) . XY. Contributions to the Ornithology of Siberia. By Henry SEEBOHM . iM de XVI. Notes on a ‘ Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Museum’ by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurney XVII. Note on Sumatran Specimens of usin) ale alsa ol avila ececilothraupis) melanogenys Sa 7) 3) 2 120 Iv. 1 Fig. 1. Campylopterus phainopeplus .... . . 171 Bion Oxypoxony cyamolcemmusi tr level val ely iim an Ladi Weaeiviamphomiicronydorsalemumcniieynieoys) eae lies lil Vleebypoteenidia sul cirosteisi ess). aha) OL Neem arbatula,olivacea vik ciive Melos an st ie es) ei ood: yNA Amydrus walleri) . . BUN 9 RA te uinal yeeceD 10) / TX. { Fig. 1. Coryphospingus asille 3 AOC } 354 ice meoospizamelanoleucaly ee nals Susur) le XGuen MIO CSUSTCINETCUS La ell ou Gere oath i4) - must be my excuse * The accompanying sketch map of Asia Minor shows the routes: (coloured red) described in the present and in my former paper (Ibis, _ SER. IV.—VOL. IV. G 82 Mr. C. G. Danford on the for the following rough description of another excursion in Asia Minor. The time passed on the mainland was from January | to April 23, 1879. The number of species of birds identified was, considering the extent and varied character of the country traversed, not large; but as we moved northwards and westwards before the time of migration, many birds were missed which a longer stay in the south-eastern districts would doubtless have added to the list. Among the species met with are no novelties, and only two which it is believed have not hitherto been recorded from the western Palearctic region. We reached Rhodes December 10th, and spent the short remainder of the year (1878) in making a tour through the greater part of the island, the route taken being by the west coast to Soronee, thence across country to Lindos, of knightly and ceramic fame, and so by the eastern shore back to the capital. The population of Rhodes is now scanty; and, with the exception of narrow strips by the sea-shore, there is but little cultivation. The interior is hilly, much broken up by earthquakes, and, though bare in some parts, is generally covered with evergreens, heaths, and aromatic herbs. Red- legged Partridges were everywhere numerous ; Woodcocks had just began to arrive; and fallow deer were found among the myrtle and arbutus thickets of Dimilia and the pine- woods of Laerma. Birds in general, however, were very scarce, not more than twenty species having been seen—a fact probably attributable to the dryness of the island. Still, in the pine-woods Nuthatches and Woodpeckers might have been expected to occur; yet only one of the latter was ob- served. Limmergeyers, Vultures, and other birds of prey were common ; and on one occasion one of the smaller Hagles on being fired at, dropped a dead Marsh-Harrier. 1877, p. 261), also some districts previously visited and incidentally re- ferred to. The configuration of the country is taken from an excellent map by the late Dr. Petermann. The principal towns are indicated by a circle with a black centre, smaller towns by a plain circle, and villages and halting-places by a black dot. Ornithology of Asia Minor. 83 Sailing from Rhodes December 28, we arrived at Mersina on the morning of the 30th, and left the same day for Adana. With a culpably weak-minded reliance upon official state- ments, we travelled in arabas (covered carts), and not close to each other—the result being that though we ourselves and a large sum of money intrusted to our care reached our desti- nation safely, though late, one of our men arrived wounded, and many of our effects never came at all, having been requi- sitioned on the way by a gang of Arabs, who, with much good sense, improved so excellent an occasion. Such a loss occur- ring at the outset of the journey was discouraging, and neces- sitated a week’s stay at Adana to repair damages. Now the tailors of that town are not so very bad; but the bootmakers, though they showed considerable aptitude in copying the solitary boot recovered, had no good leather. Nor are there any scientific-instrument shops where to replace a lost aneroid; so that the heights given in this paper are merely guesses, guided by certain leading elevations laid down in the maps. About the town are orchards and vineyards, the resort of Quails, Woodcocks, and Francolins ; but the latter are most numerous in the large grass and reed-covered tracts by the banks of the Sarus. This river bounds the town on its eastern side, and is crossed by a many-arched bridge, dating from Roman times. Over this bridge lies the way to Missis, distant some six hours’ journey, through a bare, flat, uninter- esting country ; and at that place is a somewhat similar struc- ture, which spans the Jihan (Pyramus), a deeper, slower- flowing stream than that of Adana. This river, so quiet near its outflow, we were again to see in its headlong course through the wild gorges of the Taurus, and finally to track to its birthplace in the high plateau beyond. In the meantime our road lay along its left bank, among thorn- and mpyrtle-thickets, where Bulbuls sang and Spanish Sparrows congregated, while the more reedy patches were haunted by Kingfishers (Alcedo ispida, Ceryle rudis, Halcyon smyrnensis), various Herons, and a few Ducks. G2 84. Mr. C. G. Danford on the The low hills of Nur Dagh, a little to the south, are re- ported to hold plenty of Fallow deer, and the jungle growths by the riverside afforded abundant evidence of the existence of many pigs. After passing Yilan Kalessi (Castle of the Snake) the road cuts off a bend, again striking the river at Yersofat, which here turns off to the north, its course being marked by large beds of reed and tamarisk. As far as the Djerid villages ex- tends a flat open country, peopled by Kurds, Circassians, and Turkomans, whose habitations are, for the most part, miserable reed-built huts. Antelopes (Gazella dorcas) and ¥rancolins abounded; and where there was a pool it was sure to swarm with Ducks (Anas boscas, A. clypeata, A. crecca) and Waders (Recurvirostra avoceita, Himantopus melanopterus, Totanus ochropus, &c.). A short day’s march from Djerid is Osmanieh, where we spent about a fortnight, and were much surprised at the paucity of birds in so good-looking a locality. At the back of the village are the wooded heights of the Giaour dagh, whence descend some quick clear streams, which, after travers- ing a narrow tract of bushes and stones, are either taken up by irrigation or lose themselves in the large reed-beds. The little Drymeca gracilis was here common, as was also the Chiff-chaff (Phylloscopus collybita)—a ubiquitous winter re- presentative of the Warblers. Of Buntings there were Hm- beriza cia, E. scheniclus and E. miliaria, the first named being the most common throughout the country. On the streams we picked up Cinclus aquaticus, not so dark-breasted as in the Taurus, Acredula tephronota, and a few other well- known species. Francolins swarmed, especially near culti- vated ground, where they might be seen in the morning flying off into the reeds like Pheasants into a well-stocked English cover. Among those shot was an isabelline variety of the female; and another great excitement was a hunt after a strange-looking bird, which turned out to be an albino Magpie, dirty white in the general plumage, with a smoky-coloured head and much-abraded tail. The best spoil of Osmanich, however, was not ornithological, being a fine specimen of the leopard (Felis pardus), to obtain which was one of our principal objects in visiting these mountains. Ornithology of Asia Minor. 85 We left Osmanieh January 23rd, and passing by the village of Dervish and the banks of the Hamus, ascended the ever- green-covered hills of the Giaour-dagh. Among the few fir trees our old friend Sitta krueperi was common enough; and the high-level valley near Bunaluk was well stocked with Francolins, though its elevation must be about 2000 feet. Bunaluk, or Baghdche, is a desolate sort of place, half Turk half Armenian, and is situated close up under the hills in a corner of the valley. Fallow deer were said to be numerous not far off ; and as the horns shown us were unlike any hitherto seen, we were anxious to get a specimen. A bad fall had fairly laid me up; so some native sportsmen were dispatched, who outstayed the time allotted them; but we subsequently learned that they returned with camels laden with twelve deer and some antelopes. From this point there are two route to Marash; but the shorter being closed by snow, we followed the longer through the defile considered by some to be the Pyle Amanides. Snowdrops, colchicums, and crocuses were blooming on the eastern side of the hills, down which a sharp descent led to a village on the edge of a lonely marshy country. This was a part of the so-called plain of Bazardjik, on which, four hours further to the north, are the wretched hovels of Sarilar and the lake of the Giaour-geul. By far the greater portion of this lake is so covered with tall reeds that it is impossible to get near the open water without using the native boats. These are regular “dug- outs,’ being hollowed from barked but undressed logs from 20 to 30 feet long. They are worked by a paddle at each end, and are by no means bad craft when there is no wind to create a wash. A lot of reeds thrown in made dry seats, on which N. and I patiently sat while a good quarter of a mile of thickish ice was broken through before we emerged onto the more open water, which had been kept from freezing by the wind. How- ever, the sight that met us was well worth the trouble ; for on every side rose myriads of Ducks, Anas boscas, A. acuta, A. elypeata, A, strepera, and A. crecca being the most numerous. 86 Mr. C. G. Danford on the Coots and Pygmy Cormorants were in legions and many Eagles sailed about, scaring the Ducks, but too lazy and well fed to make a dash at them. There must be some peculiar feeding to attract such quantities of wildfowl to this lake, the excellent flavour of all species of Ducks killed on it being an additional proof of this. By this time our men had found another craft ; so, proceed- ing together, we crossed an open piece of water, and pushing through some long winding reed alleys, arrived at the island, a place which even the Sarilar people had described as too filthy to visit. It is a miserable patch of ground, almost level with the water, and, being covered with a deep débris of Coots’ wings and fishbones, has the most “ancient and fish-like smell” conceivable. The mhabitants of the eight or nine reed huts are of a very peculiar type; ideed the description given by Prjevalsky of the lake-dwelling population of Lob- nor so exactly suits the natives of the Giaour-geul, that one cannot help thinking that these few isolated bemgs must be a relic of some similar tribe. Pressingly as they entreated us to stay, we found five minutes of the stench enough, and, quitting their domain, set te work looking for small birds; but the day being cold and windy, only a few Bearded and Penduline Tits and some Warblers (Sylvia melanopogon &c.) were visible. Leaving the lake, the road passes by the village of Ali oglu, over some bush-covered hills, along the banks of the Ak-soo, through that stream, and across marshy ground to the town of Marash, on the barren red-earthed slopes of the Achyr-dagh, which forms part of the Taurus. The Giaour-dagh runs up to this range almost at right angles, being here separated from it by the valley of Ak-soo, and further on by the river Jihan. In most maps of Asia Minor the geography of its south-eastern corner appears to be inaccurate. For instance, the mountains of the Giaour-dagh are shown as disconnected from those of the Lebanon, whereas they really seem to form a continuous range, the Anti-Lebanon being also prolonged by the hills running to the north of Aintab. Between these lines of elevation is a Ornithology of Asia Minor. 87 tract marked as the Plain of Bazardjik, but which actually comprises a district much broken up by inferior hills enclosing small marshy plains. The probable reason of these errors is, that this country, which is still rather unsettled, was, at the time when the surveys were made, much more disturbed, being then in the hands of independent Dereh Beys—a state of things which made mapping difficult. Finding little at Marash, except some wonderful Snipe- shooting, we took a south-easterly direction to the other side of the lake, where we put up with some Kizil-bashes, who, in spite of their bad reputation, seemed decent fellows enough. A large lynx-like cat (Helis chaus) frequents this locality ; and we met with one while crossing over flat rushy ground to the limestone hills, which must be surmounted before reaching Aintab. “This is a large uninteresting town, lying at an elevation of 2700 feet, well built, and surrounded by enormous cemeteries. One of our men having caught fever in the rice-marshes at Marash, we were compelled to halt here for a day or two, noting a few birds, amongst which were Rock-Pigeons at the castle, and Egyptian Turtledoves about the trees and buildings of the town. From Aintab was an easy stage to Arul, where the blue and purple hills of Mesopotamia came into view; andthe next day, after passing by the large olive-groves of Nizib, we descended by gentle slopes to the valley of the Euphrates. Very picturesque are the old castle and town of Biledjik, set on the chalky rocks and high ground of the opposite side of the river. Very quaint too are the clumsy high-stemmed low-sterned ferry- boats, which keep up the municipal exchequer by the tolls derived from the daily transport of many passengers and vast numbers of camels, this being the main line of traffic between Mosul and Aleppo. Taking up our quarters in the house of a Turkish gentle- man, whose most considerate hospitality made our stay very pleasant, we made several short excursions up and down the river. Early as it was (February 14), some of the larger Birds of prey (Haliaetus albicilla, Aquila bonellii) had long begun breeding. The nests of the former contained two, and even 88 Mr. C. G. Danford on the three eggs, and were built on the cliff-edges, with some small bush as a foundation, whilst those of the latter were always placed on the rock itself, all eggs of both species being well advanced in incubation. Buteo ferox, common here and throughout the country, did not seem to have begun laying ; nor had any of the smaller Hawks. On the rocks were numbers of Pigeons (Columba livia) and a few Wall-creepers (Tichodroma muraria). Among the orchards were Tits (Parus major, P. ceruleus), a solitary Woodcock, and Woodpeckers (Picus syriacus), the females of this bird being much more numerous thanthe males. These orchards, containing almost the only trees of the district, would, later on, be capital collecting-places during the tide of immigration, which doubt- less sets strongly along the valley of this river. Already there were signs of its flow in the presence of a few Hoopoes and a flock or two of Geese ; but the most interesting of the new comers was an Ibis (Geronticus calvus). We had already been told at Aintab that a strange bird was to be found at Biledjik and nowhere else; so that one of our first inquiries was about it. “The Kel Ainak has not yet arrived,” said the governor; “but we expect it the day after tomorrow.” Tyue to the time (February 16) came a pair of these birds ; but it was not until the 18th that the first large imstalment appeared, and we were able to make out that they belonged to the genus Idis. They were at first very restless, flymg round the town in strings of from five to fifteen individuals ; but as evening came on they circled lower, and presently came the governor and his satellites bearing one which he had himself shot. Now, as the Kel Ainak is a semi-sacred bird, his taking the odium of its slaughter upon himself was a special act of courtesy, deserving of special recognition. At dawn next day we brought down another specimen from its roosting-place on a long ledge of the castle-rock, where they breed, and there only ; for they never go more than a mile or two further up the river, and that merely to search for food. Doubtless many colonies exist lower down; and it is probably this species which is alluded to im a narrative of the Eu- phrates Expedition * as “the black Ibis which builds its * Helfer (Travels of Dr. and Madame), vol. i. p. 236. Ornithology of Asia Minor. 89 nests by thousands in the ramparts” of Racca, nearly in the latitude of Aleppo. Another bird whose acquaintance we here made was that charming little Partridge Ammoperdix bonhami, whose delicately tinted plumage is such an exact reflection of the grey and pearly tones of the surrounding landscape. The Tchil Keklik, as it is called, is rather local, and frequents the stony places near cultivated ground up to a considerable elevation. Its note is very distinct, its flight quick, strong, and short, and its habits much the same as those of the Chukar, in whose company it 1s sometimes found. The coveys, however, seem to be smaller, seven being the largest seen ; but perhaps they may be more easily thimned by Hawks than those of their stronger relations. The great desideratum at Biledjik is a boat, without which one cannot get at the waterfowl, who take good care to keep to the islands; but given that article and the proper time of year, it ought to prove a good station for the ornithologist. We left Biledjik February 19th, our host’s (Sheik Mus- tapha) parting gift being the skin of a cheetah (Felis jubata) killed near here, and looked upon as a great rarity. The road at first follows the river under the cliffs, but soon strikes across cultivated ground, bordered by almond-hedges in full bloom, and passing over hills and valleys, drops down again to the water-side near the large village of Khalfetin. The upper levels of this region are chiefly desolate wastes of stones and grass ; but parts of the river-bank and the bottoms of the valleys are clothed with fruit-trees, especially with walnut and fig, which grow to a great size. Pistachio-trees are also common, though the “ Pistazien-Wald ”’ of Kiepert’s map has no actual existence, being, in fact, an oak-wood, the mistake doubtless having originated in the great resemblance which the stumpy oaks have when leafless to the pistachio, a few of which are also to be seen wherever there is a little cultivation. | We spent a few days with the governor of Khalfetin and Room Kaleh, a Kurd of high family, with a long emblazoned pedigree. In spite of his heing more than eighty years old, he insisted upon going out shooting over the roughest of 90 Mr. C. G. Danford on the ground ; and under his guidance we bagged a certain number of both species of Partridge. He also told us of a man who had shot a bird like a cock, with a long tail; but the place was two days off, and quite out of our way. Can it be that Pheasants are to be found in this quarter ? Our route lay along the opposite bank of the Euphrates river to the strange old castle of Room Kaleh, where the scenery is very imposing, the river being shut in with huge walls of iron-stained rock. Among the few birds seen were Mergus merganser and Carbo cormoranus. Again ascending, we leit the river, and travelled by bad stony paths through upland valleys, whose only tenants seemed to be antelopes. This is the region of the “ Pistazien-Wald” above alluded to, the oaks composing it giving place, as Marash is neared, to scrub and evergreens on the lower levels, and to pine-woods on the mountains. February 28th saw us again on the move, first up the steep face of the Achyr-dagh to its ridge, where a good deal of snow still remained, and then down its north side, among pines and red earthy ravines. The views were very fine on all sides, especially of the wild mountains inhabited by the revolutionary Armenians of Zei- toun, from whom, according to the alarmists, the least to be looked for was robbery. Certainly many of the Turkish dwellings near the river had been sacked and burnt, and the inhabitants of those remaining kept nightly watch at the bridges and fords; but so far as we were concerned the pro- phets of evil were at fault, nor do I believe that the armed European travelling through the most out-of-the-way districts of Asia Minor stands much chance of being molested. On the second day we passed some very grand scenery ; for the valley narrowed to a gorge, high wooded crags rose on either side, while the ends of the vista were blocked by great snowy mountains towering against the pure blue sky. At last the path became nothing more than a partly scooped-out and partly built-up ledge overhanging the river, and at length reached a point where the opposing rocks almost met. The turning of this obstacle necessitated a high zigzag, the track soon after bringing us to the httle village of Hadji oglu. Ornithology of Asia Minor. 91 Any one wishing to shoot Tetraogallus cuspius could not do much better than make this his station, surrounded as it is by the rocky heights of Atlu, Sarp-churu, and Beirut, all easy to get at, and said to be haunted by plenty of Ur Kekhik. Next morning the sky gave unmistakable warning of bad weather; so, giving up our intention of trying for the big Partridges, we bastened on, and, after a long march by nar- row tracks along steep earthy hill-sides and stony stream- beds, reached some Kurdish huts just in time; for down came a violent snow-storm, which prevented our getting to Albistan for a couple of days. This small town is close to the Palanga-owa, where T’chi- hatcheff’s book had led us to expect wild sheep—-an illusion which inquiry quickly dispelled ; and we were fain to content ourselves with collecting the few birds then frequenting that cold upland region, and with trout-fishing at the springs of the Pyramus. The largest of these springs rises in great volume at the base of a limestone rock half an hour from the town, and, being shortly joimed by many others, forms, within a few hundred yards, a clear stream 20 to 30 yards wide, and of considerable depth. Init are numbers of trout, those which we caught averaging more than half a pound, two that were netted beimg 5 lb. and 3 lb. respectively, while lower down the river they are said to reach a weight of 15lb. The larger fish have very few red spots, are dark grey on the upper parts, dirty greenish yellow on the lower, and are broadly but obscurely barred ; such fish as were not perse- cuted by yellow leeches being as red-fleshed as ordinary sea-trout. Leaving Albistan March 8th, we went a day’s journey eastward to Jarpuz, at the foot of the Bim-boghas mountain. Here we had two remarkable finds—the first beg our bino- culars, which had been stolen in January at the far-away village of Osmanieh, and the loss of which had prevented the identification of many birds; the second was a stag’s horn of very singular form and great size, concerning the antiquity of which, and the species to which it belon authorities ave in doubt. pa 5» 92 Mr. C. G. Danford on the From Jarpuz our route lay north to Maragos, and thence across the double chain of mountains which form the Anti- taurus. The division is made by a valley, through which runs a small sluggish stream said to be the upper waters of the eastern branch of the Sarus. The deep snow on the exposed bels (ridges) and among the juniper-forests made the passage of the mountains rather difficult; and it is only in very exceptional seasons that they can be traversed so early in the year. The junipers (Juniperus excelsa) are very large, and form almost the sole tree-growth of the higher elevations ; among them Tits (Parus ceruleus, P. ater), Nuthatches (Sitta krueperi), and flocks of Snow-Finches (7) were the only signs of bird-lfe; but on descending to the fir-woods Cross- bills, Ring-Ouzels, and a few other species were observed. After the long rides of the last few days a halt at Azizich was welcome enough; and it was a change to meet with Circas- sians, who here form the bulk of the population, their colony numbering sixty-six villages. This little town is a wonderful improvement on things Turkish, most of the houses being well built, with glazed windows, and the shops containing good bread, tea, and other luxuries. Close by are several small streams, from one of which a couple of large pike were taken with the casting-net; but they appeared to be void of trout. Ducks there were of many species; and unapproach- able Cranes (Grus cinerea) stalked about the fields. Eagles, too, werenumerous, Aquila chrysaetos being very common; but of the many nests visited, not one had yet been laid in; nor could we obtain any eggs of Haliaetus leucoryphus, though the birds were by no means rare ; indeed, the only eggs taken belonged to a pair of H. albicilia, which had built in a soli- tary fir tree in preference to all eligible positions on the sur- rounding rocks. From Azizich to Kaisariyech is three days’ march over an undulating plateau broken up by hills, on whose tops are many conical earth mounds, probably ancient burying-places. At this stage of the journey occurred furious snow-storms, followed by hard frost, which brought down hordes of Ducks to the running streams, among them being numbers of Angot Ornithology of Asia Minor. 93 (Tadorna rutila), a bird which is of very general distribution, and lives near the villages in a half-tame condition. About the rifts of volcanic rock were a good many Horned Larks (O¢o- corys penicillata) and Chats (Sawvicola erythrea, 8. isabellina) , with a few flocks of Starlings (Sturnus purpurascens ?). From the summit of the pass over the Antitaurus we had already seen the solitary cone of Argeus, snow-clad from peak. to base; and now, as we wound along through its fields of tufa and débris, the winds on its top whirled up the dry snow in a cloud that appeared to issue from the crater, and made one almost think that the long dormant fires had been stirred again. Passing the conical Ali-dagh, and the large suburb of Talass, we reached Kaisariyeh, the point of intersection of the present and previous journeys. It was before mentioned as being a large place, with the best bazaars in Asia Minor; but no allusion was made to the remarkable number of old Seljoukian tombs in and about it, the conical points of which are generally surmounted by a stork’s nest. It was too early for the gardens; but the stony levels were well stocked with Chats (Sawicolaerythrea, S.isabellina, S. enanthe) ,whicharrive in this order. Buteo desertorum, Sitta cesia, Sturnus pur- purascens in huge flocks, Machetes pugnax, and Larus canus were among other birds met with; and from an Imperial Hagle’s nest three eggs were taken, one of them evidently be- longing to some other species, probably Haliaetus leucoryphus. Among animals we found gerbills (Gerbilla erythrura) , house- inhabiting hamsters (Cricetus pheus), and the first instal- ment of that lively little creature, Spermophilus xanthoprym- nus, which swarms over the whole of the barren interior. We were also assured by very good authorities that in the swamps near Injesu there is an animal like an otter, with a broad hairless tail, a description which, of course, points to the beaver. We left Kaisariyeh March 29th; and after crossing by long stone causeways the marshy ground formed by the damming of the Melas in ancient times, we reached the hills bordering the Kizil Irmak and the bridge crossing that river. Here 94, Mr. C. G. Danford on the we found the Rosy-winged Bulfinch (EHrythrospiza sanguinea) frequenting stony ground in pairs and flocks; and on the prairie country towards Kir-shehir were plenty of Sand- Grouse (Pterocles arenarius) and Plovers (Charadrius geof- froy?), the latter being on the point of laying. Kir-shehir is a small carpet-making town; but the collapse of the paper currency had closed the shops of this and many other places. From it the road passes through long orchards, where, for the first time, we saw Tree-Sparrows (Passer montanus), a species common at Angora. At Keuprikeui, where we halted for a day, Sazicola erythrea was building among the loose granite rocks ; and the body of an Imperial Eagle’s nest, from which we took two richly-marked eggs, contained the habita- tions of a pair of Kestrels and a number of both Common and Spanish Sparrows. Here the Kizil Irmak is again crossed by a yery curious bridge; and the next feature of note on the way to Angora are the lakes of Hmir-geul and Mohan-geul, about four hours distant from that town. On these sheets of water, which are partly fringed with reeds, most of the ordinary waterfowl were observed, except Ruddy Sheldrakes, who preferred to sit, like so many Eagles, on the jagged rocks at some distance from the water. Angora, where we made a short stay, is an important place, built on two hills divided by a deep valley, through which runs an insignificant stream. Though one of the richest cities of Anatolia, it shows few signs of prosperity, and its bazaars are miserable ; but it is a significant fact, that hardly any conscripts were drawn from this district, the heavy smart money being generally forthcoming. Our best acquisition here was the common Grey Partridge (Perdix cinerea), a bird for which we had long been looking. It also goes by the name of Tchil kekhk, and frequents the cultivated hill-sides to the south, and though by no means so abundant as Caccabis chukar, is still not scarce. We had also the rare opportunity of closely observing a large flock of Cranes (Grus leucogeranus). While on an excursion down the river, a large flock of birds was seen wheeling about in a very unsettled way: we at first took them for Storks; but Ornithology of Asia Minor. 95 they presently came close enough to show their very dis- tinctive markings, and further down the stream a flock was met with feeding on a field of sprouting corn. There must have been about a hundred, moving slowly and regularly in a compact body. One of our party made a careful stalk to within a hundred and fifty yards; but the ball from the smooth-bore struck the ground just in advance of them, and so a fine chance was lost; nor did we encounter them again. After leaving Angora it is prairie-land again, and there are Larks in legion (Alauda calandra, A. bimaculata, A. cristata, A. arvensis, Calandrella minor) ; but the smaller of the Calandre is the most numerous. This is evidently the great breeding-ground of A. bimaculata ; but though numbers were seen carrying building-materials, dissection showed that their eggs would not be laid for some time. At the first halting-place, Baluk kujundje, there is a little rocky gorge, where Egyptian Vultures were repairing their nests, and an Hagle-Owl was left in peace to hatch her eggs. A solitary Purple Heron and about a dozen Night-Herons frequented the few willows that grew beside the stream, where we also found Sawicola melanoleuca and Sylvia luscinia. Next day the hot south wind, which usually gets up about midday and falls towards sunset, blew very strong as we travelled over a grassy country broken up by hills more or less isolated, but of less rounded character than those lately passed, and here and there limestone rocks veined with quartz; and on the wayside and the northern slopes a good deal of white efflorescence indicated the vicinity of the salt desert. This saline exudation was particularly strong on certain plains, which appear to have been once the beds of a chain of lakes, but are now mere grassy levels traversed by narrow reedy streams. Great and Little Bustards, Sand-Grouse, and a solitary Egret (Ardea garzetta) were here met with; and every herd of goats and sheep had a following of Wagtails (Motacilla melanocephala). Like so many big buttercups they looked, as the green of their upper plumage exactly matched the surrounding herbage, leaving only their yellow breasts visible. 96 Mr. C. G. Danford on the Both this species and M. viridis are of general distribution during the early spring, and are usually found in company. From the rocks near the next village we took a nest of Buteo ferox and a pair of fine coloured eggs of Aquila chry- sactos. This Eagle is far less common than the Imperial, whose nests burden most of the few and far-between trees of this dreary region and beguile the tedium of the way, there being few ornithological minds which rise superior to the charm of harrying even a common Hagle’s nest. From Chanakdje the road descends to the valley of the Sakaria (Sangarius), a yellow-coloured, sluggish, narrow, but deep stream, which is crossed by a bridge called Ka- windje, where is also a guard-house. Clearly distinct from the ordinary Spermophili were certain mammals of this genus which frequented the dry ground near the river. Though of the same size and habits as S. xanthoprymnus, they were easily distinguishable by their pale-yellow breasts and grey upper parts; and it is to be regretted that we failed to obtain specimens, as they did not occur again. As the road now skirted some moderate-sized hills, villages became more freqtent, pear-trees were in full bloom, and poplars and willows were green, other signs of spring being the presence of Ruticilla phenicurus, Muscicapa collaris, Sylvia rufa, and a single Cossypha guituralis. Then came Hammam Kara Hissar, where Greek remains are more than usually abundant, though in this district of Galatia hardly any burying-grounds are undecorated with the shafts of marble columns, and few villages wanting in their reversed capitals, used as mounting-blocks. Other traces of ancient populations may be seen in the natives themselves, many of whom, by their features and red hair, show their Celtic origin. Sivre Hissar (pointed castle), the next town one arrives at, is a striking place, situated, as it is, on the south side of a narrow hill whose ridge is formed of jagged and pinnacled granite rocks. In front is a fine view over a great plain, beyond which are the mountains of the Emir-dagh, near Afioun Kara Hissar, and further still those of the Kurshum- Ornithology of Asia Minor. 97 dagh, in the direction of Konia. The castle itself has been constructed on the two highest peaks and the intervening gap. Only one of these peaks proved accessible, and, as far as birds were concerned, did not repay the climb, nothing being seen but Chats, Rock-Thrushes, Rock-Martins, and an unapproachable Golden Eagle’s nest. Nor is there much worth recording either in the aspect of the country or its fauna until one reaches Eski Shahir, a place remarkable as being the chief seat of the meerschaum trade. This substance is taken from pits some five hours distant, the formation extending towards Kutaiya and along the banks of the Sakaria. On leaving Eski Shehir the character of the landscape changes, the undulating plateau being quitted for a valley, wide and bare at first, but gradually contracting and becoming clothed with pine and oak scrub. Our atten- tion was drawn to a Buteo ferox, which was doing valiant aerial combat witha large Eagle; and at our midday halt we took from the rocks two eggs of this bird, the nest being lined with mats of camel’s hair. In a cave close by an Eagle-Owl was sitting hard, other nooks being tenanted by Lesser Kes- trels and Egyptian Vultures, while at Bosujuk, a little further on,a couple of Choughs (Pyrrhocoraz graculus) had established themselves in a rock above the village. About this point the descent from the elevated tableland began, and the scenery became very pretty. Thrushes, Nightingales, and Blackcaps in full song, flowers in profusion, fruit-trees in rich bloom, and, on either side of the quick-flowing stream, the fresh bright greens of the deciduous trees, mingled with the darker shades of varied evergreens, were all doubly grateful after the long wastes of the interior. It was with regret that we left this beautiful valley and struck across some much less interesting country to the red-roofed village of Bazardjik and the forests of the Kara-dagh. 'These woods are very extensive, and are chiefly composed of old oaks, varied with elms, a few silver spruces, and a thick undergrowth. From the guard-house on the ridge there is a splendid view, as, from grassy open- ings bright with primroses, violets, and bell-hyacinths, one looks across the far-reaching woods upon the massive snow- SER. IV.—VOL. IV. H 98 On the Ornithology of Asia Minor. capped range of Olympus. Here we found Marsh-Tits (Parus palustris) for the first time, also Shrikes (Lanius collurio) and Redstarts (Ruticilla mesoleuca). But there were more way- farers than birds, especially Circassian and Tatar refugees ; and presently there passed a Turk of rank, lolling in a spring-car- riage, with a bunch of primroses in one hand and a gay parasol in the other, his harem and household gods following in arabas of the lowest order. Other contrasts to his excellency were batches of disbanded unarmed soldiers, fine cheerful- looking fellows, who, after the fatigues of the campaign, were now trudging to their distant homes, ragged and penniless. At Kurshunlu the forest ceases, and the road is through an open valley to the small town of Aineh-gul. Here a lake has been laid down by Kiepert and other map-makers ; but there is certainly no lake there now, nor do any of the inha- bitants ever remember its existence. Probably the word ‘* oil,” which by a slight difference in accentuation means either lake or rose, has been the sole warrant for piecing a sheet of water in this locality. ‘Disappointed at not finding the collecting-ground anti- cipated, we pushed on, through Swiss-like scenery, by the side of Olympus to Aksoo and Kestel, and thence over a wooded plain to Broussa, reaching that most beautifully situated of Anatolian cities on the 25th of April. The woods of this district contain bears and red deer of large size; and the English consul, Mr. Gilbertson, informed us that Pheasants, though generally becoming scarce, were still eommon near Lake Apollonia, where a couple of guns had, last year, killed over sixty head in two or three days’ shooting. From Broussa to Mudania, on the coast, was about four hours’ drive ; and thence an overcrowded little steamer carried us to Constantinople in about five hours more, leaving us to pursue our homeward journey by way of Varna and the Danube. One of the first pieces of news which we heard in Con- stantinople was that our old assistant, William Pearse, had died in Cyprus, where he had gone to collect for the President Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 99 of our Union. My brother members will, I am sure, pardon me for paying a passing tribute to the memory of one who, though in humble circumstances, was as kindly a man and as enthusiastic an ornithologist as I have ever met with. It only now remains to acknowledge with thanks the uni- versal kindness received from our Turkish friends, and from Mr. Henderson of Aleppo, Mr. Tattarachi of Mersina, Mr. Raad of Adana, Mr. Binns of Angora, and the members of the American Missions at Adana, Marash, Aintab, and Kai- sariyeh, and finally to apologize to the readers of this paper for the quantity of rambling description, as compared with the small amount of ornithological matter, therein contained. [To be continued. | VII.—Additional Notes on the Ornithology of Transvaal. By Tuomas Ayres. Communicated by Jonn Henry GURNEY. (Continued from Ibis, 1879, p. 405.) SyYLVIETTA RUFESCENS(Vieill.). Short-tailed Bush-Warbler. Male and female, Rustenburg, July 18 and August 9. Trides hazel, bill dusky brown, with the basal portion of the lower mandible pale ; tarsi and feet reddish brown. This species is plentiful amongst the scattered scrub and trees, where it is to be found solitary or in pairs, creeping restlessly about the foliage. Puyioscorus TrocuHitus (Linn.). British Willow-Warbler. One specimen shot at Potchefstroom, 22nd March. This species appears yearly at Potchefstroom, more or less plentifully. Synvra saticaria (Linn.). Garden-Warbler. Male, shot 20th February, in full moult. Female shot 22nd March, very fat ; moult apparently com- pleted. This Warbler also appears yearly at Potchefstroom, where it is to be found sparsely in the hedgerows. HQ 100 Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. ACROCEPHALUS ARUNDINACEUS (Linn.). European Greater Reed- Warbler. Male killed 20th March, moulting primaries. Male, killed 22nd March; moult complete. This species has been exceptionally plentiful about Pot- chefstroom during our summer of 1877-78. On one occasion early in 1878 I saw three or four together amongst some high weeds in the town; they also frequent hedge-rows and reed- beds. AEDON LEUcopPHRYS (Vieill.). White-browed Chat-War- bler. I found a few of these Warblers on the south side of the Magaliesbergen, about Oliphant’s nek; but they are by no means plentiful in the Rustenburg district. Arbon Fascrotata (Smith). Barred-breasted Chat-War- bler. Cisticola fasciolata at p. 273 of Sharpe’s ‘ Layard.’ I only saw two of these Warblers on the Magaliesbergen ; they were amongst some low thorn bush on the south side, and were chasing one another about with so much activity that I had much difficulty in getting a shot, and only ob- tained one of them, a female; this was on 28th May. Cistrcona cursttans (Frankl.). European Fantail. This is a scarce species about Rustenburg, as is also C. tin- niens. I have found C. cursitans about Potchefstroom in- habiting mimosa-scrub, and also the open grass-field. 336. Cisticona RuFILATA (Hartl.). Rufous Grey-backed Fantail. Female, Rustenburg, 17th July. Inides light hazel; bill pale bluish on the lower mandible, but with the tip and the upper mandible hght dusky brown ; tarsi and feet pale. This is also a scarce species, frequenting dense jungle in gullies, singly or in pairs. [The specimen sent has been kindly examined and identified by Mr. Sharpe; but it seems to me to be doubtful whether C. rufilata is in reality specifically distinct from C. chiniana. —J HG] Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 101 CisticoLa cHINIANA (Smith). Larger Grey-backed Fan- tail. This is also an uncommon bird about Rustenburg; the specimen sent was one of two which I met with amongst scattered scrub. 337. CISTICOLA ABERRANS (Smith). Aberrant Fantail. Sex uncertain, Rustenburg, 29th July. Inides hazel; bill dusky brown, paler on the under mandible; tarsi and feet pale. I obtained this specimen amongst some tall grass in a ravine of the mountains ; I saw one other, but did not succeed in getting it. [In ‘ The Ibis’ for 1868, p. 155, I mentioned that a note by Mr. Ayres on the habits of a Drymeca which was referred to the present species in ‘The Ibis’ for 1863, p. 324, really appled to D. affinis; Mr. Sharpe has overlooked this cor- rection, and has quoted Mr. Ayres’s note as referring to Cis- ticola aberrans at p. 272 of his edition of Mr. Layard’s work. I cannot agree with Mr. Sharpe’s view, expressed in the same article, that C. smitht is merely the female of C. ader- rans; C. smitht seems to me to be a distinct species, smaller, with the tail proportionally shorter, and usually more free from striation on the back, which (so far as I have observed) is always present, though not very distinct, in C. aberrans. I have noted the following measurements of the two spe- cles :— Wing. Bill, Tarsus, C. aberrans. Presumed ¢, Rustenburg.......... DR 2:7 ‘08 Grr Marecoudistricthaeyvaais aici 2°3 2°6 08 C. smitht. Ge Ovanpo- andere Meise stee aol 271 1:9 07 GUEbvustenburaw chi. wl ctaeee nr 21 16 07 oe Dos Aheloy male corrals 2:2 ez “U6 3; DOF eee rele cotsiey asus aisioioargitiels 2-1 ey 07 Gr SD On ante bleiiev crores erainstau ae 21 16 0:7 Gay Louchelstroominrrn titra rie 21 18 0-7 9, I DOYS ie eee ert ai ue Ni oil 18 0-7 OF pEinetownyr Nataliya. pad-act shel a 2:0 ed 0-38 102. Myr.T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. The above-mentioned specimens are all in my possession, except the last, which is preserved in the British Museum.— Ag Jel, Gra] 838. Dryma@ca arrinis, Smith. Tawny-flanked Grass- Warbler. Male, Rustenburg, June 6. Irides light hazel; bill dusky brown, the under mandible pale at the base; tarsi and feet reddish-pale. Female, Rustenburg, August 2nd. Ivides hazel ; bill nearly black, the basal part of the under mandible ashy white; tarsi and feet pale. This is a common species in the Rustenburg mountains, and is generally found in small companies. [In ‘The Ibis’ for 1874, p. 101, I explained that a note by Mr. Ayres, which was applied to this species in ‘The Ibis’ for 1871, p. 150, was in reality intended to apply to D. fla- vicans. Mr. Sharpe, at p. 258 of his edition of Layard, has overlooked this correction.—J. H. G.] Drymeca Fuavicans (Vieill.). Black-chested Grass- War- bler. Sex uncertain (black gorget only partially developed). Shot near Potchefstroom, 24th May. Ivides bright hazel; bill black, tarsi and feet light brown. This is not a common species above the Magaliesbergen. [Mr. Sharpe is not quite correct in saying at p. 254 of his edition of ‘ Layard,’ that in this species ‘‘the tail-feathers never have a subterminal spot.” Inthe majority of specimens these spots are absent; but I have four (all from Transvaal) in which they are not so: these specimens are a black-breasted male, killed 17th January, in which the spot is present (more or less distinctly) on all the rectrices, a similar male killed 20th February, a black-breasted female killed the same day, in which these spots are present, but less strongly marked, and a female without the black breast, in which the spot appears on all the rectrices, except the longest and shortest. The following are Transvaal specimens in my possession in which the subterminal spot is absent from the rectrices :—a Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal, 103 black-breasted male and female, of which the date of the capture has not been noted ; an unsexed specimen with hardly any trace of the black breast, killed 20th April; a male with partial black breast, shot 14th May; and another unsexed bird with very slight traces of black on the breast, which was obtained cn 28th July. Both the absence and presence of the black gorget and also of the dark subterminal spot on the rectrices in this species would seem to be due to causes of which we are at present ignorant.—J. H. G.] SPHENGACUS arRicANUs (Gmel.). Pointed-tailed Grass- Warbler. This species occurs in the Magaliesbergen, but 1s not very common. 339. AnrHoscorus caPensts (Gmel.). Cape Dwarf Tit. Female, Potchefstroom, 8th April. Irides umber-brown, with an outer ring of pale blue; bill horn-black, but with the commissure nearly white; tarsi and feet blue-ash. Female, Rustenburg, 29th May. This is a common species iu the Rustenburg District; but I have never met with its nest. [I omitted to number this species when first recorded in Mr. Ayres’s Transvaal lists in ‘The Ibis’ for 1878, p. 286; I have therefore now supplied the omission.—J. H. G.] PaBISOMA SUBCERULEUM (Vieill.). Rufous-vented Grignet. This species is not uncommon about Rustenburg. Parus areR, Gmel. South-African Grey Tit. This Tit is common amongst the wooded hill-sides of the Magaliesbergen; it is a restless bird in its habits. 340. Parus nicer, Vieill. South-African Black Tit. Male and female. Irides umber-brown ; bill black ; tarsi and feet pale ash-colour. As far as I can remember, I have never met with this bird in the Potchefstroom district ; but it is common about Rus- tenburg, and has similar restless habits to the species last mentioned. 104 Mr. 'T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. ANTHUS CAFFER, Sund. Caffer Pipit. Male, shot 2nd April. Irides dusky brown ; bill the same, but with the basal part of the lower mandible pale ; tarsi and feet pale. This species is very common in open glades; I have ob- tained it in both the Rustenburg and Potchefstroom Districts. 341. ANTHUS LINEIVENTRIS, Sund. Streaky-breasted Pipit. Female, Rustenburg, 29th July. Irides light umber; bill pale, but with the ridge and tip dusky brown; tarsi and feet pale. ‘Total length 74 inches. The stomach of the specimen sent contained grasshoppers and other insects ; it is a very uncommon species, frequent- ing rocky hill-sides, especially where a stream issues from the rock. 342. ANTHUS BRACHYURUS, Sund. Short-tailed Pipit. Female, Rustenburg, 7th August. Irides light umber ; bill, tarsi, and feet as noted in ‘ The Ibis’ for 1863, p. 327. This Pipit is found sparsely amongst the open glades of the hill-sides. I have not observed more than two or three together. ALAuDA contRostTRis, Sund. Pink-billed Lark. Female adult, a solitary bird shot on the open flats near Potchefstroom, 16th August. Male immature (apparently quite a young bird), obtained dlst January. Male immature (somewhat older than the preceding speci- men) obtamed 10th May. MrcatorHonus N&vius, Strickl. White-browed Lark. Male, Rustenburg, 4th June. Inides hazel; bill bluish- pale, dusky on the ridge ; tarsi and feet dusky pale. Female, Rustenburg, 25th June. Bill pale, otherwise like the male. MecarorHonus PLanicoua (Licht.). Plain-loving Lark. Male, adult, Rustenburg, 19th August. Male immature, near Potchefstroom, May. I only saw two of these Larks in the Rustenburg district. Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 105 FRINGILLARIA FLAVIVENTRIS (Vieill.). Golden-breasted Bunting. Female, shot 27th December. Irides dusky ; bill, upper mandible and tip of lower dusky black, remainder of lower mandible dull brick-red. This is a very common Bunting throughout the wooded parts of the Magaliesbergen. 343. FRINGILLARIA TAHAPIsI, Smith. Seven - streaked Bunting. Male in full adult dress, Potchefstroom, 4th February. Ivides dusky; bill, upper mandible dusky brown, under man- dible gamboge-yellow ; tarsi and feet light yellowish brown (more yellow after death). Female in nearly full adult dress, Potchefstroom, 7th April. Under mandible pale yellowish; tarsi and feet light brown, otherwise as in adult male. Male in immature (or perhaps winter) plumage, Rusten- burg, 23rd May. Under mandible pale, otherwise as in adult male. This Bunting affects rocky hill-sides with little bush ; it is found in small companies, and is generally very tame, feed- ing on the ground like the preceding species; about Rusten- burg it is not common. HYPHANTORNIS AURIFRONS (Temm.) Golden-crowned Weaver bird. Female, Rustenburg, 2nd August. Irides hight umber ; bill, basal parts very pale yellow, ridge and tip delicate pale brown ; tarsi and feet ashy pale. This bird and the two species next mentioned were shot whilst feeding amongst the flowers of the parasitic plant that the Sugar-birds are so fond of. HYPHANTORNIS MARIQUENSIS (Smith). Mariqua Weaver bird. Male in winter dress, Rustenburg, 17th July. Inides reddish tawny-yellow ; bill pale brown, lighter on the under mandible ; tarsi and feet light dusky brown. 106 Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. HYPHANTORNIS VITELLINUS (Licht.). Lichtenstein’s Weaver bird. Male in winter dress. JIvides dingy tawny yellow; bill bluish pale ; tarsi and feet light ash. [I have recently compared this specimen with one from the Zambesi* in the British Museum, which was identified by the late Mr. G. R. Gray as H. vitellinus; and they appeared to be the same. The present specimen is also identical with that which I referred (in ‘The Ibis’ for 1871, p. 254) to the Damara Weaver bird (H. velatus, of Vieillot)+; but on re-examining a Damara specimen in my collection, I am disposed to think that the latter, though very like the two Transvaal examples, is not absolutely identical with them, as it has the wing a trifle longer, the under mandible stouter, and the nostrils almost hidden by the frontal plumage, instead of being un- covered as in the two Transvaal specimens. The latter also much resemble the smaller specimens of H. mariquensis ; but they have the wing shorter, the bill more elongated in pro- portion to its depth, and the foot smaller, especially as regards the length of the middle toe.—J. H. G.] Vipvua principatis (Linn.). Dominican Widow bird. Common about Rustenburg in small flights in winter plu- mage. [Mr. Ayres sends a specimen shot 25th February in Pot- chefstroom, which appears by comparison with others at the British Museum to be an example of this species in its first plumaget, with the striations on the upper parts, showing but slightly, in two shades of brown. Mr. Ayres states that in this stage it is very scarce: and he did not refer the spe- cimen seut to this species; he says that it had the “‘irides dusky, bill dusky, with the gonys pale, the tarsi and feet dusky horn ; it was a solitary bird, feeding on small grass- * The Zambesi country is quoted as a locality of H. vitellinus by Finsch and Hartlaub, Vogel Ost-Afrika’s, p. 596. + Conf. Andersson’s ‘ Birds of Damaraland,’ p. 169. { A specimen in similar plumage was erroneously described under the name of Estrelda carmelita, vide ‘The Ibis,’ 1868, p. 46, and 1878, p. 259. Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 107 seeds, much as an ordinary sparrow would do.” Another, but more advanced, immature specimen, shot near Potchef- stroom, 13th March, has the striations on the upper surface much more developed, though the markings, especially on the head are less clear and bright than in the adult bird in winter dress. Mr. Ayres sends three adults in winter plu- mage, shot at Rustenburg on 26th July and 9th August, and a male in full breeding-dress shot at Potchefstroom, 30th January.—J. H. G.] 344. CHERA PROGNE (Bodd.). Great Widow bird. This species is found about Potchefstroom, as well as in the open valleys of the Magaliesbergen. OrryeosPiza potyzona (Temm.). Little Barred-breasted Finch. This species is common about Rustenburg, and seems pretty well distributed throughout Transvaal. 345. Estrecpa DUFRESNII (Vieill.). Dufresne’s Finch. Estrelda melanogenys, Sund. I met with one or two small flights of these pretty little fellows ; they were amongst low bushes and grass, hunting on the ground for small seeds, and were most of them in very poor plumage. [ Mr. Ayres sends a male shot at Rustenburg on 12th June, in which the black throat and ear-coverts are well-developed, showing that this plumage is maintained in winter.—J. H.G.] EstreLpa cyanocastra (Daud.). Blue-cheeked Finch. This is a very common species in the Rustenburg district ; it is found in flights inhabiting bushy country. [In ‘ The Ibis’ for 1869, p. 294, I erroneously called this bird the “ Purple-eared Finch,” a name which is only appli- cable to the male of the more northern but closely allied spe- cies E. phenicotis; in the southern bird the cheeks and ear- coverts are blue in both sexes.—J. H. G.] EstrRELDA*GRANATINA (Linn.). Granadine Finch. Male, Rustenburg, 22nd June. Irides and eyelids scarlet ; bill deep rose-red ; tarsi and feet very dark ash-colour. 108 Mr. 'T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. This species seems to keep very much to the low mimosa bush ; it always occurs in pairs. 346. PerRoNIA PETRONELLA (Licht.). South- African Rock-Sparrow. Female, Rustenburg, 12th July. Inrides umber ; bill and upper mandible dusky brown, under mandible pale ; tarsi and feet dusky ash-colour. I only shot this one specimen, which was feeding on the ground in company with Fringillaria flaviventris. 347. PouiosPizA GULARIS (Smith). Streaky - headed Sparrow. This is as common a Sparrow about Rustenburg as Passer arcuatus (which I did not meet with in the Magaliesbergen) is at Potchefstroom. In habits the present species appears to be somewhat similar to P. arcuatus, congregating in winter in the same manner. [In ‘The Ibis’ for 1864, p. 853, Mr. Ayres has given an account of Poliospiza gularis, as found by him breeding in Natalin December. Mr. Ayres’s Rustenburg specimens were obtained in May, July, and August.—J. H. G.] CRITHAGRA CHRYSOPYGA, Swains. Golden-rumped Gros- beak. This species is pretty common about Rustenburg, where I found it congregated and feeding amongst stubbles on the farms, and sometimes also on the flowers of the parasite that the Sugar-birds are so fond of. [ Mr. Ayres’s specimens were shot in July.—J. H. G.] 348, CoLius ERYTHROMELON, Vieill. Quiriwa Coly. Male, Rustenburg, 24th June. Irides pale grey ; bill, tip black, basal part and also bare skin round the eye crimson ; tarsi and feet rose-red (female similar). This is the only species of Coly that I found amongst the Magaliesbergen ; it is there very common in families, and feeds on various berries; its flight is very much like that of some Parrots, rapid and straight, with very quick beats of the wings. Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 109 STREPTOPELIA CAPICOLA (Sund.). Cape Turtle Dove. This Dove and Turtur senegalensis are very common about Rustenburg ; enough for a pie may be got at any time in an hour or two. CoLuMBA arquatrix, Temm. Rameron Pigeon. I found this Pigeon scattered rather sparsely amongst the Magaliesbergen during the winter months; and, according to my brother, it is not much more plentiful in summer : they are generally solitary birds; but I once saw about twenty together. CoLtuMBa PH#oNOTA, Gray. Roussard Pigeon. These Pigeons were pretty common about the same dis- trict as the preceding species ; and I saw them in pairs and shot some young birds amongst the ravines and precipitous clefts of the rocks, where, without doubt, they breed, and where I frequently heard their deep notes. 349. PHALACROTRERON DELALANDII, Bon. Delalande’s Pigeon. I found these handsome Pigeons somewhat scarce in the Magaliesbergen in winter; but my brother tells me that they are exceedingly plentiful there during our summer months, when wild fruits abound; they are fond of densely foliaged trees, keeping very quiet if any one approaches; and often one may walk quietly right under the trees where they are, when they dash out suddenly, generally one at a time. They are sometimes solitary, but often in small flocks; their food consists entirely of small berries; and for the pot they are not by any means to be despised. FRANCOLINUS SWAINSONI, Smith. Swainson’s Francolin. Female, Rustenburg, 26th June. Biull black, but with the lower mandible and basal corners of the upper mandible scarlet ; bare skin about the eye and throat scarlet ; tarsi and feet black. This species is exceedingly numerous in some parts of Ma- galiesbergen along the banks of the Crocodile or Limpopo River, and of the Eland’s River, amongst the mountains. 110 = Mr.T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 350. FRANCOLINUS NATALENSIS, Smith. Natal Francolin. Female, Rustenburg, 25th June. Inrides dusky hazel; bill reddish brown, but the base, gape, and cere pale dingy yellow. This Francolin is not very plentiful just round Rusten- burg; but amongst the mountains it is as common as the preceding one, frequenting the same localities, and always found in wooded situations close to water. 351. FRANCOLINUS SEMITORQUATUS, Smith. Coqui Fran- colin. Male and female, Rustenburg, 19th June and 7th August. Irides bright hazel ; bill dusky brown, except the basal part of the lower mandible, and also the basal corners of the upper mandible, which are chrome-yellow ; tarsi and feet bright chrome-yellow. This is the commonest of the Francolins amongst the mountains of the Rustenburg district, and is generally to be found in coveys in the more open valleys, where the ground is dotted with scrub and trees; these birds are seldom far from water. They remind me of the English Partridge in their movements and flight when disturbed; with a good dog a fair bag may easily be made. [The male sent by Mr. Ayres has a few small black fea- thers scattered upon the cheeks, which may probably be the remains of immature plumage.—J. H. G.] Evrpopotis RuFIcRisTa, Smith. Rufous-crested Bustard. Male, 28th June. Ivides dusky tawny brown ; bill lightish ashy, tinged with yellowish on the basal parts and dusky on the ridge; tarsi and feet nearly white. Female, 26th June. Inrides light tawny hazel; bill resem- bling that of the male; tarsi and feet yellowish white. My brother and I came across a few of these birds on the Eland’s River, in the Rustenburg district. They appear to be scarce and local, frequenting low thorns and other pretty thick cover. [As Mr. Layard’s description of the female of this Bustard in his ‘ Birds of South Africa’ is unfortunately very meagre, Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 111 I may mention that the hen bird sent by Mr. Ayres differs from Sir A. Smith’s plate of the male* in the following par- ticulars (in addition to the absence of the crest referred to by Mr. Layard), viz. :—The crown of the head is mottled with two shades of brown, similar to those which appear on the mantle; the slaty cheek-stripe and black throat-stripe are wanting; the throat and chin are white; the neck, above and below, and the upper breast are mottled with two shades of brown; a white pectoral band divides the mottled brown of the upper breast from the black of the lower breast and abdomen; and the white on the lesser wing-coverts 1s some- what more extended. This last remark applies equally to the male sent by Mr. Ayres, which also differs from Sir A. Smith’s plate in having the throat of a creamy white on either side of the black stripe, in the presence of pale drab feathers scattered amongst the slaty-blue feathers of the cheek-stripe, of many such feathers amongst the slate-coloured plumage of the sides of the neck, and also in the presence of several white feathers on both sides of the upper breast, forming an imperfect pectoral band in place of the complete white band which characterizes the breast of the female. With these exceptions, Mr. Ayres’s male agrees with Sir A. Smith’s figure ; and the points in which it differs from it are, no doubt, due either to the remains of immature plumage, or to the com- menced assumption of winter dress.—J. H. G.] (Hprcnemus capensis, Licht. Spotted Thicknee. This species is sparsely distributed all over the Transvaal ; at least in every part where I have been. Cursorius rufus, Gould. Burchell’s Courser. This Courser is not nearly so common in the Rustenburg district asin that of Potchefstroom ; but afew are occasionally to be met with. ARDEOLA comAta (Pall.) Squacco Heron. Male in full breeding-dress, Potchefstroom, 25th October. Irides very pale chrome-yellow ; bare skin round the eye, gape, and bill about the nostrils bright grass-green ; tip of * Vide ‘Zoology of South Africa,’ Aves, pl. 4. 112 Graf von Berlepsch on new bill for about an inch black ; mtermediate portion of bill and base (except round the nostrils) bright ashy blue ; upper sur- face of tarsi and toes ashy, with a tinge of light chrome about the joints and feet. Stomach crammed with crabs. SarcrpIORNIS AFRICANA. African Knob-billed Goose. Male, immature, Rustenburg, 25th June. The specimen sent is the only one of the kind that I saw amongst the Magaliesbergen ; it came down to a shallow pool one morning as my brother and I were at breakfast ; and he made a successful stalk and floored it. [The specimen sent is evidently a young bird in change; it has acquired the lustrous adult plumage on the wings, but not elsewhere; the feathers of the immature dress on the upper surface are a rather deep brown, edged with pale brown ; the feathers of the sides of the upper breast and of the thighs are pale drab, transversely barred with dark brown ; the remainder of the under surface is white, strongly tinged with drab, but unspotted, except very slightly on the under tail- coverts.—J. H. G.] VIII.—Preliminary Descriptions of new Birds from South America, and Remarks on some described Species. By Hans, Graf von BerepscH. Fam. TanaGRrip&z. 1. TANAGRA SCLATERI, sp. nov. (=7". glaucocolpa, Scl., nec Tanagra glaucocolpa, Cab.). Hab. Orinoco district or Trinidad. This bird is somewhat intermediate between 7. cana and T. episcopus, having neither the plain blue shoulders of the former nor the whitish ones of the latter. The shoulders are of a beautiful whitish red or violet-blue, the outer webs of the wing-feathers of a more intense blue. The uropygium is likewise tinged with violet-blue. This species is more beautiful than either 7. cana or T. espicopus; and I have seen many specimens, all of the same preparation, coming most probably from the eastern part of Venezuela (Orinoco district) or Trinidad. Birds from South America. 113 True 7. cana and true T. episcopus seem to be found in the same locality, as I have seen specimens of both, evidently of the same preparation as the first-named form. 2. 'TACHYPHONUS INTERCEDENS, Sp. NOV. T. cristato affinis, pileo aurantiaco-flavo (nec rubro), colore corporis nigrescentiore, plaga gulz flava angustiore et vix distincté et uropygio flavo pallidiore distinguendus ; alis longioribus. Quasi intermedius inter 7. cristatum et T. surinamum esse videtur. Long. alz 84 millim., caudee 75. Hab. Orinoco district or Trinidad. Fam. TRocHILips@. 3. HyLocHaris CYANEA, subsp. VIRIDIVENTRIS. This is a northern form of H. cyanea of Brazil, from which it differs im its somewhat more splendid and vivid colo- ration. In particular I find the belly to be never mixed with grey, as in Brazilian specimens, but of a dark and splendid green colour. This form I have seen from Venezuela (Merida), Trinidad, and the Orimoco district. Fam. Picipm. 4 CENTURUS TERRICOLOR, Sp. NOV. Affinis C. tricolori (ex Bogota), sed major, et rostro longiore, latiore; capitis lateribus, gula et abdomine toto obscure brunneo-olivaceis; ventre medio obscuré rubro (nec flavo- rubro) ; tectricibus caudz superioribus inferioribusque nigro regulariter fasciatis, primo visu distinguendus. Long. alee 108, caudze 60, rostri 24, tarsi 19. Hab. Orinoco district or Trinidad. 5. CELEUS IMMACULATUS, Sp. NOV. This form, of which I have only a female in my collection, is most nearly allied to C. elegans, from which it seems only to differ in having the inner webs of the wing-feathers plain yellow, without the black bands or spots to be seen in that species. If I do not err, my specimen has the preparation of Panama skins (Agua dulce), from which locality, as yet, neither C. elegans nor C. castaneus, of Central America, has SER, IV—VOL. IV. I 114 Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the been recorded. Therefore it is quite likely that a somewhat intermediate form should be found in that locality, as my specimen seems to show. 6. CHLORONERPES RUBIGINOSUs (Swains.). Of this bird I have received a great number of specimens from Orinoco or Trinidad (of a peculiar preparation), and a true Trinidad skin also. They are all very small in size; and all have a brownish or reddish suffusion on the breast (which is never the case in true C. canipileus), and have the uropy- gium of the same colour as the upper back, and unbanded, only the upper tail-coverts being banded. This form, I think, must be the true rudbiginosus of Swain- son, described as coming from the “ Spanish Main.” ‘Two specimens in my collection (male and female) from Merida are clearly not of this species, and are very little different from C. canipileus from Antioquia, &c., the dimensions being only slightly inferior; but they have the bill remarkably shorter, and the uropygium clear yellow and distinctly banded, just as in C. canipileus. I do not know whether the specimens from Caracas, spoken of by Sundevall, belong to the latter species or to the true C. rubiginosus. 7. MELANERPES PULCHER, Sclater. A male of this species in my collection from Antioquia has the neck distinctly broad and beautifully golden-yellow, which is not recorded in Mr. Sclater’s original description, based on a specimen from Bogota. 1X.—On the Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia. By Osserr Satvin and F. DuCanz Gopmay. (Plate III.) Since our last paper on this subject was published (Ibis, 1879, p. 196 et seqq.), Mr. Simons has sent us three more col- lections of birdskins from the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta and its vicinity. As will be seen im the following notes, a considerable proportion of the birds now sent were obtained Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 115 at a place called Minea, a coffee-hacienda situated on the slopes of the mountains, at an elevation of 2000 feet above the sea, a few leagues from the town of Santa Marta. But besides working in this locality, Mr. Simons also made a journey to the higher parts of the Nevada itself, and suc- ceeded in reaching an elevation of 17,000 feet. Here the more interesting part of his collection was formed. Several of the highland species prove to be undescribed, having allies representing them in the uplands of the northern ranges of the Colombian Andes, from which, however, they are quite distinct. With these distinct forms are found others, also inhabitants of the highland districts, which are not distin- guishable from birds of the mountains of Pamplona and other parts of the Andes of Colombia. Of the geographical results of his exploration of the upper parts of the Sierra Nevada, Mr. Simons has recently communi- cated an interesting paper to the Royal Geographical Society, which is published, with a good map, in the November num- ber (1879) of the ‘ Proceedings ’ of that Society (p. 689). In this paper Mr. Simons describes the various places visited by him, giving their elevations and the outlines of the surround- ing country. As Mr. Simons is still at work, and as we may hope for con- siderable additions to our knowledge of the birds of this in- teresting district through his exertions, we defer any further general remarks on the relationship of its bird-fauna until the close of his expedition. The additional species in the present collection are :— TurpvUs swarnson1, Cab. Minea (2000 ft.), 9, 22nd January, 1879. “Iris dark brown.” Agrees with Colombian examples, and with the eastern rather than the western race of this species (cf. Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr. Am. Aves, i. p. 10). TurRpvus GRAYI, Bp. - Turdus luridus, Bp. Notes Orn. Coll. Delattre, p. 28; Salv. P. Z.S. 1867, p. 132. 12 116 ~=Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the Santa Marta, ¢, 19th February, 1879. “Iris reddish brown.” A specimen of this bird agrees accurately with the paler and more olive-coloured birds frequently found along with the typical T. grayi in Central America, especially in Costa Rica. These we now consider to be specifically inseparable from that bird, and therefore unite T. luridus with it. Minus eitvus, Vieill. Santa Marta, 9, 2nd April, 1879. ‘Iris bronze-green. A favourite songster here, its notes being more harmonious than those of the Trupial.” Precisely like Colombian and Central-American specimens, but differing slightly from the Venezuelan bird in the lght markings of the wing-coverts (¢f. Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr. Am. Aves, 1. p. 36). 3 Powiorrina NieRicEPS, Baird. Polioptila nigriceps, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr. Am. Aves, 1. p. 52. Valencia, 24th May, 1879. ¢ “iris bright chrome-yel- low,” 2 “yellowish.” These birds agree fairly with Bogota examples, which we have recently (/. s. c.) decided to be inseparable from the species from Western Mexico described under this name. The outer rectrices have perhaps rather more black at the base ; so that the bird thus approaches the Brazilian P. leucogastra rather than the Guiana P. buffoni, which has the outer rec- trices almost entirely white. CAMPYLORHYNCHUS GRISEUS (Sw.). Santa Marta, ¢?, 13th December, 1878. “Iris brown. Very common here, being a noisy bird and very lively, balan- cing itself on twigs by its tail. Have not seen it elsewhere.” Agrees with Venezuelan examples obtained by Goering (Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 783). THRYOPHILUS RUFALBUS (Lafr). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 16th January,1879. ‘Tris yellowish brown.” Agrees with Panama specimens. Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 1 *TROGLODYTES TESSELLATUS, d’Orb. & Lafr. Troglodytes tessellatus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 198. Santa Marta, ¢, 25th February, 1879. “Iris darkish brown. Local name ‘ Cucarachero.’ ” SIURUS NOVEBORACENSIS (Gm.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 17th March, 1879. “Iris brown.” Mwnioriita varta (Linn.). Minea (2000 ft.), 3, 17th & 18th January, 1879. “Iris brown. Found amongst high trees.” Paruva Pittayumt (Vieill.). Minea (2000 ft.), 2, 6th February, 1879. “Tris brown; legs yellowish brown.” HELMINTHOPHAGA CHRYSOPTERA (Linn.). Minea (2000 ft.), 2, 8th February, 1879. “Iris brown; legs pale brownish coral-red.”’ HELMINTHOPHAGA PEREGRINA (Wils.). Minea (2000 ft.), 9, 14th January, ¢ 17th & ? 26th March 1879. ‘Iris brown.” Denpra@ca #stiva (Gm.). _Minea (2000 ft.) , 24th January, 1879. “Tris dark brown.” BasILEUTERUS CABANISI, Berlepsch. Basileuterus cabanisi, Berl. Orn. Centralbl. 1879, p. 63. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 30th March, 1879. “Iris brown.” A single specimen, recognized by Count v. Berlepsch as belonging to the species recently described by him. *BASILEUTERUS MESOCHRYSUS, Scl. Basileuterus mesochrysus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 198. Chirua (4000 ft.), 21st August, 1878. “ Iris rich brown. Found in forest.” BasILEUTERUS CONSPICILLATUS, Sp. Nl. Supra olivaceus, alis et caudd fere concoloribus ; capite toto cinereo, macula in vertice medio aurantiaco-brunnea, stria utrinque nigra late marginat&; fasciis infra et supra oculos albidis, hac ad rostrum ducta; subtts guld 118 = Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the grisescenti-albida, abdomine toto flavo; rostro obscure corneo, pedibus flavis. Long. tota 5, alee 2°35, caudee 2°3, rostri a rictu °7, tarsi ‘8. Obs. B. coronato affinis, sed ciliis albis dignoscendus, stria postoculari nigra quoque absente. San José, 2, 8th June, 1879. “Tris brown. Found in dense forest.” Mr. Simons sends us two specimens of this species, both marked ‘‘ female,’ but from which the males would hardly differ in plumage. The bird is a rather close ally of Basileu- terus coronatus, but differs in having conspicuous white marks above and below the eye (not seen in that species). The upper of these marks is produced forwards towards the nostrils, giving the bird the appearance of wearing spectacles ; hence our name for it. B. coronatus has a black stripe running backwards from the eye, of which we can see no trace in the present bird. *SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA (Linn.). Setophaga ruticilla, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 199. Minea (2000 ft.), @ 16th, g 15th, and g 18th January. “Tris brown.” “Tn the densest forest at the tops of the highest trees ; so can only be shot with very large charges. Very hard to see.” SETOPHAGA VERTICALIS, d’Orb. & Lafr. Setophaga verticalis, Salv. Ibis, 1878, p. 311. San Sebastian, ? , 29th July, 1879. “ Iris brown.” VIREOSYLVIA OLIVACEA (Linn.). Santa Marta, ?, 3rd April, 1879. ‘Iris brick-red.” Agrees with northern specimens. VIREOSYLVIA FLAVIFRONS (Vieill.). Minea (2000 ft.), ? , 18th February, 1879. “ Iris brown.” Agrees with northern specimens, the lower back being rather more tinged with olive than usual.” HyLornHiLus HyPoxaNntHus, Pelz. Valencia, May 1879. Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 119 CycnLoruis FLAVIPECTUS, Scl. Valencia, 28th May, 1879. “Iris brown.” DiceLossa ALBILATERALIS, Lafr. Diglossa albilateralis, Scl. Ibis, 1875, p. 216. Near San Sebastian (8000 ft.), ¢, 22nd June, 1878. “Iris brown ; tongue long and forked.” Agrees accurately with Antioquia specimens. Dictossa ATERRIMA (Lafr.). Diglossa aterrima, Sci. Ibis, 1875, p. 216. Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (11,000 ft.), 30th June, 1878. ‘Iris brown.” Ditto (10,000 ft.), g,17th July, 1879. ‘Iris dark brown.” The male agrees with specimens from the Andes of Co- lombia and Ecuador. DietLossa, sp. me. San Sebastian, ¢, 27th July, 1879. “Iris brown.” A young male not at present determinable. *CG@REBA CYANEA (Linn.). Cereba cyanea Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 199. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 23th and 24rd January, 1879. ‘‘Iris brown; legs brilliant red.” C@ReBA CH#RULEA (Linn.). Minea (2000 ft.), 14th, 23th, and 24rd January, 1879. “Tris brown; legs of male brilliant lemon-yellow ; legs of female the same dingy green as body.” Many specimens. CERTHIOLA LUTEOLA, Licht. ; Santa Marta, 22nd December, 1878. ‘Iris brown. Found amongst bushes and dry twigs of dead trees ; very lively in its movements.” *HUPHONIA LANIIROSTRIS, d’Orb. & Lafr. Euphonia lanirostris, Salv.& Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 199. Santa Marta, § ? , 22nd December, 1878. ‘Iris brown.” Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 6th February, 1879. “Tris brown.” “Local name ‘ Coronita.? Rather rare here, commoner at 120 ~=Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the Atanques. Feeds on the fruit of the Mango. A very rest- less bird.” *CALLISTE CYANOPTERA (Sw.). Calliste cyanoptera, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 200. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢ 2 16th, 9 30th January, 1879. “ Iris brown. Common amongst the tree-tops.” CALLISTE DESMARESTI, Gray. Guallabal (8000 ft.), 9, 23rd September, 1878; Minea (2000 ft.), g, 23rd January, 1879. “Iris brown. Found in high trees. Very common at Guallabal, near San Antonio.” PG@cILOTHRAUPIS MELANOGENYS, sp.n. (Plate III.) Supra fusca ceruleo tincta, uropygio paulo letiore, capite summo et tectricibus alarum minoribus leté ceruleis ; alis et cauda nigricantibus viridi-ceruleo limbatis; capitis lateribus nigerrimis ; macula suboculari et corpore toto subtus flavissimis : long. tota 8, ale 3°5, caudze 3:2, rostri a rictu °8, tarsi 1:1. Fem. mari similis. Obs. P. lacrymose attinis, sed capite summo ceeruleo, genis nigris, et corpore subtus flavissimo facile distinguenda. Mus. nostr. Near San Sebastian (8000 ft.), ¢ 9, 22nd June, 1878. ‘Tris chocolate-brown. Called by the Indians “ Guenaomi.” This is a very distinct species, allied to the Peruvian Peci- lothraupis lacrymosa, of which a specimen, of Jelski’s collect- ing, is in Mr. Sclater’s collection. These two birds are at once distinguishable from P. palpebrosa by the absence of the yellow patch at the side of the neck in that species, as well as by the bluish tinge of the dark upper surface. TANAGRA CANA, Sw. Santa Marta, 2 22nd and ¢ 27th December, 1878. “ Iris brown. Local name ‘ Azulejo.”. Common round fruit-trees ; . a great favourite here on account of its beauty.” TANAGRA PALMARUM (Max.). Minea (2000 ft.), 9th February, 1879. RHAMPHOCELUS DimipiATUs, Lafr. San Antonio (3450 ft.), 28th August, 1878. Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 121 *PYRANGA ZSTIVA (Gin.). Pyranga estiva, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 200. Santa Marta, ? , 27th December, 1878; Minea (2000 ft.), ?, 16th January, 1879. “Iris brown.” Evcometis cristata (Du Bus). Arihueca, ¢, 7th March, 1879. “Iris brown. Among the forests of cacao.” Agrees with Venezuelan and Panama examples. Nemosta prieata (Bodd.). Valencia, ¢ 9, 20th May, 1879. “Iris bright chrome- yellow ; feet pale orange-yellow.” A male and female of this widely ranging species, which, however, has not hitherto been noticed so far north. BuARREMON MELANOCEPHALUS, Sp. 0. Supra fuseus, olivaceo tinctus, pileo toto nigro; alis et cauda nigricantibus, auricularibus sericeo-griseo-fuscis ; subtus flavicans, plumis pectoris medialiter fusco striolatis, mento et regione malari nigris ; rostro nigricante, pedibus cory- linis: long. tota 6°3, alee 2°75, caudz 2-9, rostri a rictu Semtansie (ole Obs. Avis certé juvenis, sed ab omnibus hujus generis (nisi a B. tibial) pileo nigro dignoscendus; a B. tibiali corpore subtus flavicante diversus. San Sebastian, ¢, 27th July, 1879. “Iris brown.” Though a young bird, the single specimen sent by Mr. Simons differs so materially from all known members of the genus Buarremon that we feel justified in describing it. Its nearest relative seems to be B. tibialis. ARREMON SCHLEGELI, Bp. Minea (2000 ft.), 9, 15th and 16th January, 1879. “ Iris brown. Flies near the ground amongst brambles.” Agrees with Venezuelan examples. SALTATOR OLIVASCENS, Cab. Santa Marta, ? 21st December, 1878, ¢ 2nd April, 1879. “Tris brown. Found amongst bushes and trees.” SALTATOR MAGNUS (Gm.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 30th January, 1879. “ Iris yellowish brown.” 122 Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the SALTATOR ALBICOLLIS, Vieill. Minea (2000 ft.), 9, 29th January, 1879. << Iris yellowish brown.” Ditto, 2, 8th February, 1879. “Iris whitish grey.” H&pDYMELES LupovicraNus (Linn.). Minea (2000 ft.), 9, 29th January, 1879. “Iris whitish grey.” SPERMOPHILA PLUMBEA, Max. Spermophila plumbea, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 18. Santa Marta, ¢, 5th April, 1879. “Iris brown.” & young bird agreeing with Bogota examples referable to this species. SPERMOPHILA LucTUOSA, Lafr. San José, 9, 9th June, 1879; San Sebastian, ¢ 3, 29th July 1879. “ Iris brown. Common in fields, grass, and low brambles.” *ZONOTRICHIA PILEATA (Bodd.). Zonotrichia pileata, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 200. San Sebastian (6700 ft.), ¢, 27th June, 1878. “Iris colour of reddish brown round neck.” Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (11,000 ft.), ¢, 30th June, 1878. “Iris dark brown.” San Sebastian, ¢, 25th and 29th July, 1879. “Iris brown. Found feeding on the fruit of cactus, the bill and head-feathers being often stained red in consequence.” Puryeitus unicotor (d’Orb. & Lafr.). Sierra Nevada (from 9200 to 12,800 ft.), 17th to 23rd July, 1878. “ Iris dark brown. Hops about swampy places in search of worms.” These specimens agree best with the bird found in the vicinity of Mendoza and in the Pampas of the Argentine Re- public. The male is paler clearer grey than the Bogota bird ; and there are hardly any traces of dorsal stripes. ‘The species is one of very wide range, showing slight variation in dif- ferent places. Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 123 EMBERNAGRA CONIROSTRIS, Bp. Santa Marta, 9, 19th February, 1879. “Iris brown.” SYCALIS FLAVEOLA (Linn.). Santa Marta, ¢, 2nd April, 1879. “Iris brown.” “Called ‘Canario’ here; common near houses and in gardens ; a very tame bird.” Icrerus BALTIMORE (Linn.). Minea (2000 ft.), g, 12th February, 1879. “ Iris dark brown.” IcTERUS AURICAPILLUS, Cassin. Santa Marta, ?, 3rd April, 1879. “ Iris brown.” Icrerus xantuorNus (Linn.). Santa Marta, ? , 15th December, 1878. “ Iris dark brown. Local name ‘Toche.’ This bird is, after the ‘Trupial,’ the greatest favourite here, and the best songster, piping every tune taught it. It prefers the hot valleys, among cacti and acacia, to the cool forests. I found five green caterpillars in the gullet of this specimen.” Motorurvs piscotor (Cassin). Arihueca, ¢, 7th March, 1879. “Iris brown.” *CassIDIx oRyziIvoras (Linn.). Cassidix oryzivora, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 201. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 22nd January, 1879. “Ibis straw- yellow. Local name ‘Tlofié.’ Frequents the maize-fields in the early morning.” OcHTHGCA POLIOGASTRA, Sp. 0. Supra brunnea fere unicolor, capitis lateribus dorso concolo- ribus ; alis, cauddque nigricantibus, illarum tectricibus leeté cinnamomeo terminatis fasciam alarem formantibus ; primariis interné et secundariis extus fusco limbatis ; superciliis albis; subtts cinerea, abdomine medio vix albicante, pectore leté rufo; rectricibus utrinque extimis albo marginatis; rostro et pedibus nigris : long. tota 5:3, alee 2°8, caude 2°5, rostri a rictu °7, tarsi ‘8. 124 Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the Obs. O. lessoni affinis ; sed corpore supra, cum pileo et capitis lateribus, brunnescentiore, subtts cinerascentiore differt. Sierra Nevada (9200 to 10,000 ft.), ¢ 2, 17th to 28rd July, 1879. “Iris dark brown.” Four specimens of this species are in the collection from the Sierra Nevada, all agreeing accurately with one another, and differing from the more southern O. /essoni im the points indicated above. ° CoLorrEeRus PILARIS, Cab. Minea (2000 ft.), g, 14th January, 1879. ‘‘Iris white, dying off to brown.” ¢, 26th March, 1879. “Iris yellowish white, very prominent.” TYRANNISCUS CHRYsopPs, Scl. Minea (2000 ft.), 9, 13th March, 1879. “ Iris brown.” Agrees with Ecuadorean examples of this species. ELAIngA PaGAna (Licht.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 28th March, 1879. ‘Iris brown.” Local name “ Copeton.” LEGATUS ALBICOLLIS (Vieill.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 17th March, 1879. “Iris brown.” SUBLEGATUS INCANESCENS (Max.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 28th March, 1879. “Iris brown.” Agrees with Brazilian skins which we believe to belong to this species as determined by Mr. Lawrence (Ibis, 1876, p- 497). In the form of the bill and nostrils, as well as in the development of the rictal bristles, it agrees with Sudblegatus glaber, the type of the genus Sudblegatus ; and we therefore place it in that genus. RHYNCHOCYCLUS FLAVIVENTRIS (Spix). Santa Marta, ¢, 16th December, 1878. “ Iris almost black.” Ariheuca, ?, 8th March, 1879. “Iris brown. Among small bushes; a loud shrill note betrays its presence. The local name is ‘ Bovinche.’ ” Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 1 ch) OL Mercaruyncuus Piraneva (Linn.). Santa Marta, 9, 27th December, 1878. ‘Iris dark brown.” : Mytostus vrerLiotoipes (Lafr.). San Sebastian, ?, 25th July, 1879. ‘Iris brown.” *PYROCEPHALUS RUBINEUS (Bodd.). Pyrocephalus rubineus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 202. Valencia, ¢ ¢, 20th and 26th May, 1879. “Iris brown. Loeal name ‘ Sangre de toro.’ ”’ ConrTorus VIRENs (Linn.). Santa Marta, ? , 5th April, 1879. “Tris brown. In dense bush.” Agrees fairly with northern specimens. ConTOPUS BOREALIS (Sw.). Minea (2000 ft.), 9, 13th March, 1879. ‘Iris brown.” MyIaRcHUS ERYTHROCERCUS, Scl. & Salv. Santa Marta, ° , 30th December, 1878. “ Iris brown.” “The local name of this bird is ‘ Copeton,’ from its habit, when perched, of raising its head-feathers in the shape of a Chests Myrarcuus tyrannuvus (Mill.). Santa Marta, ¢, 14th December, 1878. “Iris brown. The local name is ‘ Pecho amarillo.’ ” Mytarcuus niericers, Scl. Minea (2000 ft.), d, 30th January, 1879. “Iris brown. Local name ‘ Copeton,’ from its habit of sitting with head- feathers raised, like a crest.” Agrees with Mr. Wyatt’s specimens from the valley of the Magdalena (Ibis, 1871, p. 338). TYRANNUS PIPIRI, Vieill. Santa Marta, ?, 4th April, 1879. ‘Iris brown.’ TYRANNUs GRIsEUs, Vieill. Santa Marta, g, 3rd April, 1879. “ Iris yellowish brown.” Red tuft not visible. _ Agrees with West-Indian specimens. [To be continued. | 126 Prof. T. Salvadori on the X.—Remarks on two recently published Papers on the Orni- thology of the Solomon Islands. By T. Sauvapvort, C.M.ZS. Durine the year 1879 two papers on the birds of the Solomon Islands have been published ; and as I have paid some atten- tion to the ornithology of those islands, which come within the area of the Papuan subregion, I have thought that some remarks on them would not be utterly useless. One of these papers is by Mr. Ramsay, and was pub- lished in the ‘ Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales,’ vol. iv. pp. 65-84, under the title “‘ Notes on the Zoology of the Solomon Islands, Part i., Aves.” The other paper, by Mr. Tristram, has the title “Ona Collection of Birds from the Solomon Islands” (Ibis, 1879, pp. 437-444, pls. xi., xii.). Mr. Ramsay’s paper, read in January last, was first made known in Europe from a preliminary account published in ‘Nature,’ vol. xx. June 5, 1879, p. 125. But, very strange to say, the two editions do not agree together in several points; and we can only explain this by supposing that Mr. Ramsay, having rather too hastily sent his account to be pub- lished in ‘ Nature,’ found afterwards the necessity of making some alterations and corrections in the original paper, read before the New-South- Wales Society in the month of January, but published much later. This would have been of no great consequence if Mr. Ramsay had found it convenient to add some explanatory notes. Thus, for example, in the account in ‘ Nature,’ we find mentioned and shortly described a Pseudorectes cinnamomeum (sic), of which there is no men- tion in the original paper. I supposed that Mr. Ramsay had suppressed this name, having found that it was established on the female of Pachycephala orioloides, Peale; but why did he not state that such was the case? Again, in ‘ Nature’ there is described a Calornis solomonensis, not mentioned in the ori- ginal paper, where we have Calornis cantoroides, not men- tioned in ‘ Nature,’ but which I take to be the same. Another practice in Mr. Ramsay’s paper, to which I think there is great objection, and which certainly Mr. Ramsay Ornithology of the Solomon Islands. 127 ought to have avoided, is that he has used different names in the two editions for the same supposed new species. Thus in the original paper we have Monarcha brodiet, which in ‘Nature’ stands as Monacha barbata | A third objectionable practice, which Mr. Ramsay could have easily avoided, is the use of very strange names as if they were Latin, viz. Myiagra ferrocyanea (sic), Rhipidura rufofronta! And, besides, to call a Rhipidura by the name of rufofronta, or rufofrontata, as in the original paper, can only lead to confusion, as there is the old Rhipidura rufifrons (Lath.), well known to all Australian ornithologists. Forty-five species are mentioned in Mr. Ramsay’s paper. For convenience’ sake I shall follow Mr. Ramsay’s order, which is no order at all, as he has not, to use his own words, ‘adopted any scientific classification, but has just enumerated the species as they came most conveniently to hand” (J. c. p- 94). Astur sotornsis, Lath.; Ramsay, J. c. p. 66. From the description it appears to me that Mr. Ramsay had before him a specimen of my Urospizias etorques, and not of true Tachyspizias soloensis. Nrvox punctTuLata, Quoy et Gaim.; Ramsay, ibid. This is a Celebes bird; and what Ramsay’s specimens can be I know not. Hatcyon cutoris, var., Ramsay, /.c. p. 67. I should say that the supposed variety is a specimen of Halcyon julia, which Mr. Tristram mentions among the birds of the Solomon Islands. Hatcyon teucopyera, Verr.; Ramsay, ibid. Mr. Ramsay describes for the first time the female of this species, till now only known from the single specimen in the British Museum. EvpYNAMIS TAITENSIS, Sparrm.; Ramsay, /. c. p. 70. I should be rather surprised to find this species among the 128 Prof. T. Salvadori on the birds of the Solomon Islands; and I should say that the spe- cimens alluded to require comparison. “CHarcites pLacosus, Lath.,” Ramsay, ibid. If the birds mentioned by Mr. Ramsay are like C. minu- tillus, Gould, they cannot be C. plagosus, which has the upper part of the head a beautiful coppery red colour. PACHYCEPHALA ORIOLOIDES, Peale; Ramsay, ibid. I should call this Pachycephala astrolabi, Bp. Consp. 1. p. 32. Mr. Ramsay adds the description of the female, which I take to be=Pseudorectes cinnamomeum (sic), Ramsay, Nature, xx. p. 125, not mentioned in the original paper. GRAUCALUS HyPpoLEucus, Gould; Ramsay, /. c., p. 71. This is quite new to the Solomon Islands; and I should say that it requires comparison. GRAUCALUS DUSSUMIERI, Less.; Ramsay, ibid. This is a species of the Philippines ; and I do not think that it can have found its way to the Solomon Islands. Most likely the bird intended is G. sublineatus, Sclater, P. Z. 8S. 1879, p. 448, pl. xxxvi. GRAUCALUS PUSILLUS, Ramsay, ibid. This seems to be a good species, allied to G. axillaris, Salvad. ; but it is very difficult to give an opinion on Graucali and Campophagidee in general without actual examination. CARPOPHAGA PISTRINARIA, Bp.; Ramsay, /.c. p. 72. Mr. Ramsay remarks that this species comes near C. van- wycki. Once I thought that they were the same (Monogr. del sottog. Globicera, p. 25) ; but such is not the case, as Mr. Sclater assures me. Macropryeia, sp., Ramsay, /.c. p. 73. Mr. Ramsay writes to me that he has lately described this species as M. castanea. PrinoPus viripIis, var., Ramsay, ibid. Surely this is not the true P. viridis from the Amboina group, but most likely a new species. Ornithology of the Solomon Islands. 129 “ CALORNIS CANTOROIDES, Less.,’’ Ramsay, J. c. p. 76. This is no species of Lesson, but of Gray. The Solomon Islands are a new locality for this bird. I have already men- tioned above that to it most likely belongs Calornis salomo- nensis, Ramsay, Nature, xx. p. 125, a name altogether left out of Mr. Ramsay’s full paper. Dica#um erytHrotnorax, H. et J.,apud Ramsay, l.c. p. 77. D. erythrothorax is from Bouru. I suppose that the Solomon-Islands bird mentioned by Mr. Ramsay is D. eneum, H.et J. Mr. Gray, in the ‘ Hand-List,’ i. p. 145, no. 1427, has wrongly united D. pectorale, of New Guinea, with D. erythrothorax. Myiacra FERROcYANEA, Ramsay, /.¢. p. 78. This bird, so strangely named, is quite unknown to me, and appears to be a good species. Mytacra patiipa, Ramsay, ibid. I feel much inclined to accept Mr. Ramsay’s suggestion that this may be the female of the preceding. MonarRcHA RUFOCASTANEA, Ramsay, /. c. p. 79. Mr. Ramsay writes to me that this is Pomarea castanei- ventris (Verr.). Mr. Tristram also has P. castaneiveniris from the Solomon Islands. I observe, however, that Mr. Ramsay’s dimensions are much smaller than those given by Mr. Sharpe for the type of this species, ‘Cat. Birds, iv. p. 435. MonakcuHa BRoDIEI, Ramsay, /. c. p. 80. This seems a good species. It is the same bird as that called M. barbata, Ramsay, in ‘ Nature,’ xx. p. 125! SAULOPROCTA COCKERELLI, Ramsay, /. c. p. 81. I question whether this is more than an accidental variety of S. tricolor. RuiPipuRA RUroFRONTATA (!), Ramsay, l.c. p. 82. Rhipidura rufofronta (!), Ramsay, Nature, xx. p. 125. See my remarks on R. russata below. CrnnyRis (?) puBia, Ramsay, /. ¢. p. 83. Mr. Ramsay 1s quite doubtful about the right position of SER. IV.—VOL. IV. K 130 Prof. T. Salvadori on the this bird, whether it belongs to the Nectarinidse or to the Meliphagide ; it is utterly unknown to me. Mr. Tristram’s paper treats of thirty-three species, twelve of which have been described as new. Two of these, Ceyx gentiana and Charmosyna margarita, are splendid gems, quite unknown before. On others, described as new or already known, I have the following remarks :— Coxttocatia Lincul, H. et M.; Tristr. Ibis, 1879, p. 438. The true C. linchi from the Sunda Islands is replaced in the Papuan subregion by C. esculenta; so I think that Mr. Tristram’s bird requires comparison. Hirvunpo tanitica, Gm.; Tristr. J. c. 439. T doubt whether the bird from the Solomon Islands is really the true H. tahitica, which I believe to be confined to the Poly- nesian subregion. It is more probably the allied form H. java- nica, Sparrm. ; the differences between the two are very small. MyzoMELA PAMMELANA, Sclat.; Tristr. ibid. It seems to me that the jet-black Myzomela mentioned by Mr. Tristram agrees better with M. nigrita than with M. pammelena, if they are really distinct. I have seen the type of the latter, and I am rather doubtful about its beimg dif- ferent from WM. nigrita. PrezoRHYNCHUs vipuA, Tristr. ibid. Mostly likely this is = Monarcha brodiet, Ramsay, = M. bar- bata, Ramsay (vide antea), althoughin Mr. Ramsay’s descrip- tion the white uropygium is not mentioned. Myiacra cERVINIcAuDA, Tristr. ibid. This species requires comparison with M. pallida, Ramsay (vide antea), which, as already noted, may be the female of M. ferrocyanea. Rureipura Rvussata, Tristr. J. c. p. 440. This seems the same as R. rufofrontata (vide anted); but even in this case Mr. Tristram’s name will have to be used in preference to that of R. rufofrontata, Ramsay, to avoid con- fusion with R. rufifrons (Liath.). Ornithology of the Solomon Islands. 131 SYMMORPHUS AFFInis, Tristr. /.c. p. 440. Unknown to me. EponiosoMa sALomonis, Tristr. ibid. This requires comparison with HE. remotum, Sharpe, Mitth. Zool. Mus. Dresd. i. 3, p. 369, from New Ireland (Brown), New Hanover (Huesker), and the Duke-of-York Islands (Brown). GRAUCALUS, sp.inc. ¢, Tristr. J. c. p. 441. I think that Mr. Tristram is right in supposing that the female alluded to belongs to G. sudlineatus, Sclat. GRAUCALUS MoNnoTONUS, Tristr. ibid. I should like to see this bird, which, judging from the de- scription, seems very like G. papuensis, although I do not suppose it can be the same. PacHYCEPHALA CHRYSTOPHORI, Tristr. ibid. Mr. Tristram, in describing this bird, does not mention any allied species; but from its yellow chin I should say that it comes very near to P. astrolabi, Bp., also from the Solomon Islands, with which therefore it may require comparison. PriLopus CERASEIPECTUS, Tristr. l. c. p. 442. I suspect this to be the same as P. salomonis, Gray, de- scribed from a female specimen, now in the British Museum. CarporHaGa (GLOBICERA) RICHARDSI, Tristr. /. c. p. 443. Certainly the same as my Carpophaga (Globicera) rufigula, Salvad. (Atti R. Ac. Sc. Tor. xiii. p. 536, 1878, et Monogr. sottogen. Globicera, p. 14, 1878), the type of which is in the British Museum, Mr. Tristram seems to have overlooked my Monograph. Macropyveia arosst, Tristr. ibid. This very likely = M. castanea, Ramsay, mentioned in a letter of this gentleman to me (vide supra). Turin, Zoological Museum, December 12th, 1879. K2 132 Recently published Ornithological Works. XI.—Notices of recent Ornithological Publications. 1. Anderson’s ‘ Zoology of Yunnan.’ [Anatomical and Zoological Researches: comprising an account of the zoological results of the two expeditions to Western Yunnan in 1868 and 1875; and a Monograph of the two Cetacean Genera Platanista and Orcella. By John Anderson, M.D. Edin. 2 vols. 4to: London, 187 8. | In these volumes we have an account of the zoological col- lections made during the two expeditions sent by the Indian (Government into Western Yunnan in 1867 and 1875, with the view of opening up trade between British Burmah and the interior of China. Dr. Anderson accompanied both of them as Naturalist, and with the assistance of several fellow- workers has prepared the present work. The portion relating to the Birds, in which Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe has “ carefully worked out the literature,” contains a “list of the species col- lected on the two expeditions.” They are 233 in number. The only new species described appears to be Arachnechthra edeni (p. 661), the other novelties discovered having been previously characterized in the Zoological Society’s ‘ Proceed- ings.’ Of the letterpress we must say that a most imordi- nate proportion is taken up by synonyms, whole pages being devoted to the most ordinary references to such common species as Charadrius fulvus and Scolopax gallinago. The species figured are :— Circus melanoleucus, ¢. Hypsipetes yunnanensis. “9 > © & young. Culcipeta tephrocephala. Pteruthius eralatus. Suya superciliaris. Chleuasicus ruficeps. Pycnonotus xanthorrhous. Chatarrheea gularis. Phasianus sladeni. Alcippe phayrei. Euplocamus andersoni. Arachnechthra edeni. Bambusicola fytchii. Suthora brunnea. 2. Brewer on the North-American Kmpidonaces. [Notes on the Nests and Eggs of the eight North-American Species of Empidonaces. By T. M. Brewer. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus, 1879. ] Dr. Brewer bases these valuable notes mainly upon speci- mens in the Smithsonian and his own collections. ‘Three Recently published Ornithological Works. 135 species of the genus Empidonax lay white eggs (EH. minimus, E. obscurus, and E. hammondi); the others have strongly marked eges, except H. flaviventris, in which case it seems that eggs of both forms occur. 3. Dubois on Additions to the Avifauna of Belgium. [Remarques sur la Faune de Belgique, par M. Alph. Dubois. Bull. Acad. R. Belgique, 2me sér., xlvi. no. 6 (1879). ] Records the occurrence of Turdus sibiricus, Petrocincla cyanus, and Emberiza pusilla in Belgium. 4. Dubois on two new Birds. [Descriptions d’Oiseaux Nouveaux, par M. Alph. Dubois. Bull. Acad. R. Belgique, 2™e sér., xlvii. no. 6 (1879). ] The species described are Hypoxanthus equatorialis, which is the Ecuadorian form of H. rivolii (distinguishable by its black rump and smaller bill), and Huplocamus sumatranus said to be from Sumatra. But the Sumatran Luplocami which we have examined are certainly referable to H. vieilloti. 5. Elliot’s Monograph of the Hornbills. [A Monograph of the Bucerotid, or family of the Hornbills. By D. G. Elliot, F.R.S.E. &e. Part VI. Small folio: 1878. Published by the author. | Mr. Elliot has issued the sixth number of his ‘ Monograph of the Hornbills’ since we last mentioned this work. We trust he will bring this useful but somewhat lingering piece of work to a speedy conclusion. Part vi. contains illustrations of the following species :— Bucorvus pyrrhops. Anthracoceros fraterculus. Ceratogymna elata, Rhytidoceros subruficollis. Hydrocissa exarata. Tockus erythrorhynchus. 6. Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Centrali-Americana.’ [Biologia Centrali-Americana ; or Contributions to the Knowledge of the Fauna and Flora of Mexico and Central America. Edited by F. Ducane Godman and Osbert Salvin. (Zoology.) Parts I & HU. 4to: London, 1879. Published for the Editors by R. H. Porter, 10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W.] 134 Recently published Ornithological Works. The first zoological part of this work was issued in Sep- tember last, and the second in November. Of the “ Aves” we have herein pp. 1-56, containing the Passeres as far as the Paridz, according to the arrangement in the ‘ Nomen- clator.’ Every species is described in a Latin diagnosis. Catharus alticola, from the Volean de Fuego, Guatemala, is described as new. ‘The following species are figured :— Catharus gracilirostris. Turdus flavirostris. 5 eriseiceps. Melanoptila glabrirostris. on mexicanus. Turdus nigrescens. 5 dryas. 7. Gould on a new Bower-bird. [Observations on the Chlamydodere or Bower-birds, with Description of a new Species. By John Gould, F.R.S. Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 5, vol. iv. p. 73.] Chlamydodera orientalis, sp. nov., from Queensland, is the eastern form of C. nuchalis, from which it differs in the “barring of the upper plumage almost approaching to that of C. maculata and C. guttata.” 8. Gould’s ‘ Birds of New Guinea, [The Birds of New Guinea and adj acent Papuan Islands, including any new species that may be discovered in Australia. By John Gould, FE.R.S. &e. Part X. Folio: London, 1879. Published by the author, 26 Charlotte Street, Bedford Square, W.C. |] Mr. Gould’s tenth part contains, as usual, many most in- teresting illustrations, amongst which we may call special attention to that of the rare Tooth-billed Bower-bird (Sceno- peus dentirostris), one of the most remarkable of the recent additions to the Australian avifauna. The species figured in part x. are :— Aprosmictus callopterus. Myzomela rosenbergi. Cyclopsitta cervicalis. Arses telescophthalmus. Paradisea papuana. » _ batantee. Scenopceus dentirostris. » aruensis. Chlamydodera occipitalis. Heteromyias cinereifrons, Pitta forsteni. Peecilodryas placens. Recently published Ornithological Works. 135 9. Gould’s ‘ Birds of Asia’ [The Birds of Asia. By J. Gould, F.R.S. &c. Dedicated to the Honourable East-India Company. Part XXXI. Folio: London, 1879. Published by the author, 26 Charlotte Street, Bedford Square, W.C. ] Of Mr. Gould’s ‘ Birds of Asia’ (commenced in 1850) we have now the thirty-first part before us, containing figures of the following species :— Oriolus broderipi. Calliope camtschatkensis. Pitta ellioti. +, pectoyralis. » granatina. » tschebaiewi. y»» coccinea, Urocynchramus pylzowi. Tetrao mlokosiewiczi. Carpodacus roseus. Heematortyx sanguiniceps. Prionochilus vincens. Bambusicola hyperythra. Hematortyx and Urocynchramus are both novelties of great interest, of which we are glad to see good figures. We observe that Mr. Gould has omitted to quote Sclater’s description and figure of Prionochilus vincens, given in this Journal for 1874 (p. 1, pl. 1.). 10. Hartlaub on a new Quail. [Ueber eine neue Wachtel von der Duke-of-York Gruppe. Von Dr. G. Hartlaub. Sitzungsb. d. Verein fiir naturwissensch. Unterhaltung: Hamburg, 1879. } Excalfactoria lepida (—E. sinensis, Scl. P.Z.S. 1879, p- 447) is based on four specimens obtained by Hr. Th. Kleinsmidt on Mioko, one of the Duke-of-York group, in May 1879. It is stated to differ from E. stnensis in its larger stature, different coloration beneath, and in other particulars. 11. Lawrence on West-Indian Birds. [A General Catalogue of the Birds noted from the Islands of the Lesser Antilles visited by Mr. Fred. A. Ober; with a Table showing their Dis- tribution, and those found in the United States. By George N. Lawrence. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. i. p. 486. ] This is amost convenient Index to Mr. Lawrence’s excellent reports on the birds collected by Mr. Ober in the islands of Barbuda, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Vincent, and Grenada. 136 Recently published Ornithological Works. 12. Legge’s ‘ Birds of Ceylon.’ [A History of the Birds of Ceylon. By Captain Vincent Legge, R.A. Part II. 4to: London, 1879. Published by the author. ] Capt. Vincent Legge’s ‘ Birds of Ceylon’? makes good pro- gress. In the bulky part issued in September last we have an account of the whole of the Passeres and Columbe, together with illustrations of the following species :— Spizaetus ceylonensis. Hypothymis ceylonensis. Brachypternis puncticollis. Stoparola sordida. 0 ceylonus. Oreocincla imbricata. Centropus chlororhynchus. Turdus spilopterus. Cissa ornata. Kelaartia penicillata. Buchanga leucopygialis. Malacocercus rufescens. Dissemurus paradiseus. Pomatorhinus melanurus. op lophorhinus. Garrulax cinereifrons. Alseonax muttui. 13. Milne-Edwards and Grandidier’s ‘ Madagascar, [Histoire Physique, Naturelle et Politique de Madagascar. Publiée par Alfred Grandidier. Vol. XII.—Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. Par MM. Alph. Milne-Edwards et Alf. Grandidier. Tome I., Text, i. Ite partie. Vol. XIII.—Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. Tome IL., Atlas, 1. 2e partie. Vol. XIV.—Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. Tome III. Atlas, ii, lve partie. 4to: Paris, 1878-79. Imprimerie Nationale. | We have now before us the first portion of the letterpress relating to the Birds of this great undertaking, of which we chronicled the commencement in 1878 (Ibis, 1878, p. 189). It contaims M. Grandidier’s account of the Parrots, Birds of Prey (diurnal and nocturnal), and Cuculide of Madagascar, with very copious details on their anatomy by M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards. We have also two parts of the accompanying Atlas of plates, im which the coloured plates are drawn by Mr. Keulemans and well coloured. They represent the following species :— Atlas, pt. 1. vol. 1. Astur henstii, juv. Ispidina madagascariensis. Heliodilus soumagnei. Merops superciliosus. Cypselus parvus. Corythornis cristatus. Cheetura grandidieri. Upupa marginata. Recently published Ornithological Works. 137 Collocalia francica. Brachypteracias leptosomus. Caprimulgus madagascariensis. op squamigera. 5 enarratus. 7 crossleyi. Leptosomus discolor 3. by pittoides. ” ” Q & juv. Atlas, pt. 2. vol. 1. Nectarinia souimanga. Ellisia madagascariensis typica. A notata. x " , var. filicum. Neodrepanis coruscans. .; x , var. lantzil. Philepitta castanea ?. Thamnornis chloropetoides. :. schlegelii 2. Cisticola madagascariensis. a castanea ¢. Dromeeocercus brunneus. . schlegelii g. Calamodyta newtonii. Eroessa tenella. Pratincola torquata. Zosterops madagascariensis. Motacilla flaviventris. Hartlaubius madagascariensis. | Copsychus albospecularis typicus. Falculia palliata. % op , var. pica. Hypherpes corallirostris. Cossypha imerina. Mystacornis crossleyi. ‘5 sharpel. Bernieria madagascariensis. Hypsipetes madagascariensis. 37 Zosterops. Tylas eduardi. Oxylabes madagascariensis. », madagascariensis. », xanthophrys. It is quite evident that when this work is complete we shall have a better account of the avifauna of Madagascar than of that of many much longer-known parts of the world’s surface. But the Madagascarian ornis is of so strange a character that it well merits all the attention that can be paid to it. 14. ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ Vol. 168 (Natural History of the Transit Expeditions). [An Account of the Petrological, Botanical, and Zoological Collections made in Kerguelen’s Land and Rodriguez during the Transit-of-Venus Expeditions carried out by order of Her Majesty’s Government in the years 1874-75. (Phil. Trans. 168, extra volume.) London, 1879, Of Mr. Sharpe’s ornithological contributions to the present volume, which were issued in advance of the complete work, we have already spoken (see Ibis, 1877, p. 479, and 1879, p. 216). But besides these, we find in the complete work, now issued as the 168th volume of the ‘ Transactions of the 138 Recently published Ornithological Works. Royal Society,’ two essays relating to our branch of zoology— a memoir by Dr. Gunther and Mr. E. Newton on the extinct birds of Rodriguez, and one by Mr. E. Newton and Mr. J. W. Clark on the osteology of the Solitaire. As regards the first of these, the most interesting new point is, perhaps, the dis- covery by Mr. Slater’s Jabours of an extinct Starling in Rodriguez (Necropsar redericanus), allied to the Fregilupus of Réunion. The memoir on the Solitaire is also worthy of careful study. After a thorough examination of the very extensive materials submitted to them, the authors have come to the conclusion that “there does not seem to be a single bone in the skeleton of Pezophaps solitaria which is not hable to greater or less individual variation of some kind or other,” not only as regards absolute size, but also as regards the relative proportions of the different parts. 15. Radakoff on the Birds of the Lower Danube and Pruth. [Ornithologische Bemerkungen iiber Bessarabien, Moldau, Walachei, Bulgarien und Ost-Rumelien. Von W.N. Radakoff. Bull. Soe. Imp. d. Nat. d. Moscou, 1879, no. 1, p. 150. ] A series of short notes on 203 birds observed during the author’s company with the Russian armies in the campaign of 1876. “Aquila clanga” is stated to be ‘“itiberall sesshaft.” 16. Ramsay on the Zoology of the Solomon Islands. [Notes on the Zoology of the Solomon Islands. By E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S. &c. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W. iv. p. 65. ] In this paper (an abstract of which was published in ‘Nature’ of June last) Mr. Ramsay gives an account of a collection, containing 50 examples of Mammals and 350 of Birds, made by Mr. J. Cockerell at three “ stations ” on the Solomon Islands, in company with Capt. Brodie of the schooner ‘ Ariel.’ The localities mentioned are Guadalcanar Island, Cape Pitt, and Savo. Cape Pitt, we find, is on the Island of Georgia; but it would have been better if Mr. Ramsay had been a little more definite about his localities. The new species described are :— Recently published Ornithological Works. 139 ~ Graucalus pusillus. Monarcha brodiei. Myiagra ferrocyanea. Sauloprocta cockerelli. 5, pallida. Rhipidura rubrofrontata. Monarcha rufocastanea. Cinnyris (?) dubia. All these are from Gualdacanar, except the last, which is from Savo. Besides these, the collection contains examples of Lorius cardinalis, Carpophaga rufigula, and of the Megapode of Savo, called Megapodius brenchleyi by G. R. Gray, from the egg. ‘Taking this paper in connexion with that of Mr. Tristram in our last number, it seems certain that the Solomon Islands possess a very rich avifauna, and that each island is well worthy of special investigation. In reference to this paper, see also Count Salvadori’s article supra, p. 126. 17. Ramsay on the Zoology of New Guinea. [Contributions to the Zoology of New Guinea. Parts IV. & V.—Re- marks on recent Collections made by Mr. Andrew Goldie in the South- east portion of New Guinea and the Louisiades. By Ed. P. Ramsay, F.L.S. &c. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W. iv. p. 89. |] Contains an account of a third collection, made at Port Moresby and in its vicinity, by Mr. Goldie. The species not previously recorded are numbered continuously from Mr. Ramsay’s last paper on the same subject (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. u. p. 14), whereby it appears that the total number of species as yet obtained from this locality is 220. Mr. Ramsay adds some general remarks on the avifauna, and a table showing the distribution of the species. 18. Reinhardt on the ornamental Wing-feathers of the King Eider and Mandarin Duck. [ Vingeprydelserne hos Konge-Kderfuglen og Mandarin-Anden. Af J. Reinhardt. Vid. Meddel. fra d. naturh. Foren. i. Kbhyn. 1879-80, ] Prof. Reinhardt corrects J. C. H. Fischer’s recently pub- lished account of the two peculiar feathers of the scapulars of the King Eider (Somateria spectabilis), and points out that they have been previously described by Nilsson, Sun- devall, and others. These feathers occur in other Somaterie, but not in Heniconetta stelleri. ‘The apparently corresponding feathers in the Mandarin Duck are differently constituted. 140 Recently published Ornithological Works. 19. Salvadori on the Birds of the Kei Islands. [Catalogo degli Uccelli delle Isole Kei. Per Tommaso Salvadori. Aun. Mus. Genov. xiv. p. 628. | In this memoir our indefatigable fellow-worker gives us a complete catalogue of the birds hitherto ascertained to occur in the Kei Islands (Ké Islands of Wallace), south of New Guinea, and prefaces it with some interesting conclusions as to the alliances of their avifauna, which, as shown by the existence of Nasiterna and Polophilus, is rather Papuan than Moluccan, as supposed by Wallace. The total number of birds now known from the Kei Islands is 82, of which 12 are peculiar to the group. 20. Schlegel on Nisus rufitorques and N. poliocephalus. [On Misus rufitorques and N. poliocephalus. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyden Mus. no. i. p. 1 (1878). ] A series of remarks on these two species and their distri- bution, and on what Prof. Schlegel regards as their local varieties. 21. Schlegel on Strix inexpectata. [On Strix inexpectata. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus. no. xvii. p. 50 (1878).] Describes this species from Northern Celebes. It is a large typical Strizv, allied to S. rosenbergi. 22. Schlegel on a new Cuckoo. {On a new Species of Cuckoo from Madagascar. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus. no. xxiv. p. 99 (1879). } The new species is C. audeberti, allied to C. sparverioides of India, based on a single female specimen obtained by M. Audebert in June 1878, near Mananare, on the south- western shore of the bay of Antongil. 23. Schlegel on Strix tenebricosa arfaki. [On Strix tenebricosa arfaki. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus. no. xxv. p. 101 (1879). ] Under this name Prof. Schlegel describes the “ representant Recently published Ornithological Works. 141 of Striz tenebricosa” in New Guinea. The type is from Hattam. 24. Schlegel on a new Treron. [On a new Species of Treron from the island of Sumba (Sandelwood). By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus. no. xxvi. p. 103 (1879). ] The species is called after its discoverer, Mr. Teysmann, T. teysmanni. It is most nearly allied to 7. psittacea and T. floris. 25. Schlegel on Artamia bernieri. [On Artamia bernierr. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus. no. xxviii. p. 111 (1879).] Describes the adult male of this species (of a uniform glossy black), from examples procured by Mr. Audebert in N.E. Madagascar. 26. Schlegel on a new Heron. [On an undescribed Species of Ardea. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus, no. xxix. p. 113 (1879). } Ardea lansbergii is a new “ Semi-egret” from Macassar, Southern Celebes, and is allied to A. gularis and A. jugularis. 27. Schlegel on Hypherpes corallirostris. [On Hypherpes corallirostris, Newton. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus. no. xxx. p. 115.] Points out the differences in the sexes of this form, and describes the male. 28. Schlegel on Talegallus pyrrhopygius. [On Talegallus pyrrhopygius. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus. no. xxxix. p. 159 (1879). ] Established on a skin recently obtained at one of the mission-stations on the eastern coast of the N.W. peninsula of New Guinea. The species is distinguished from T. cuvieri by its chestnut upper tail-coverts, and other differences. 142 Recently published Ornithological Works, 29. Schlegel on Gallinula frank. [On Gallinula frankii. By H. Schlegel. Notes Leyd. Mus. no. xl. p. 163 (1879).] Gallinula frankii is a name given to the southern form of Amaurornis olivacea of the Philippines. But this form has already been named Porzana moluccana by Wallace, and should stand as Amaurornis moluccana (cf. Salvadori, Atti Acad. Se. Tor. xiv., and Sclater, P.Z.S. 1879, p. 451). 30. Sclater’s ‘ Jacamars and Puff-Birds.’ [A Monograph of the Jacamars and Puff-Birds, or Families Galbulide and Bucconide. By P. L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &. Part I. Ato: London, 1879. Published for the author by R. H. Porter, 6 Ten- terden Street, W. | The first part of this Monograph was issued in October last. It contains illustrations of the following species, and the accompanying letterpress :— Urogalba paradisea. Galbula melanogenia. . amazonum. », tombacea. Galbula viridis. » albirostris. 4 rufo-viridis. » Cyaneicollis. oF ruficauda. 31. Shelley’s Monoyraph of the Sun-birds. [A Monograph of the Cinnyride, or Family of Sun-Birds. By Captain G. E. Shelley, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., &c. Parts I1.—X. 4to: London. Pub- lished by the Author, at the Office of the British Ornithologists’ Union, 6 Tenderden Street, Hanover Square, W. | We owe apologies to Capt. Shelley for not having recently chronicled the progress of his excellent Monograph of the Sun-birds, the parts of which have been issued during the past two years with praiseworthy regularity. We have now before us ten parts of Capt. Shelley’s work. As twelve parts were the limit originally assigned, although we are now told that one or two additional parts will be re- quired for recent additions to the group, we trust that it may shortly be brought to a conclusion, when it will ferm a worthy companion to the well-known monographs of Sharpe and the Marshalls. Letters, Announcements, &c. 143 32. Taczanowski on the Red-tailed Shrikes of Central Asia. [Quelques mots sur les Pie-griéches 4 queue rousse de l’Asie Centrale. Par M. L. Taczanowski. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1878, p. 36. | After criticising M. Vian’s paper on this subject (Bull. Soc. Zool. 1877, p. 208), M.'Taczanowski propounds his own views on the vexed question of the Lanius phenicurus of Pallas, and describes at full length the four forms found in Northern Asia, which are, according to his opinion, (1) Otomela cris- tata (Linn.), of E. Siberia, (2) O. phenicuroides (Severtz.) , of Turkestan, (8) O. speculigera, Tacz., of Southern Daouria, and (4) O. isabellina (Ehr.), of Turkestan. XII.—Letters, Announcements, &c. We have received the following letters addressed to the Editors of ‘The Ibis ’°— 74 Jermyn St., London, S.W. November 20, 1879. Srrs,—I visited the Zoological Garden at Antwerp towards the beginning of last September, and carefully examined the Eagle on which, without having seen it, Dr. Bree founded his supposed new species, Aquila culleni. I found the bird alone in a large cage, and labelled “Aquila culleni, Bree.” It was very tame, in beautiful plumage, and very clean and healthy-looking. It does not now much resemble the figure in Dr. Bree’s ‘ Birds of Europe,’ second edition, vol. i. p. 89, as it is much darker and more fulvous in colour than there represented, and the tarsus is, of course, feathered down to the toes, as in all true Eagles, and not bare, as it is errone- ously figured in that plate. In colour the bird much resem- bles an immature Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) the plumage of the underparts being of a bright fulvous colour. This Eagle has quite got over that “silence in con- finement ” on which Dr. Bree so much relies asa specific cha- racter ; for it kept up an incessant croaking during the whole time I was looking at it; mdeed I think I never met with so noisy an Eagle. JI am most decidedly of opinion that it 144, Letters, Announcements, &c. is a very fine example of Aquila rapax, Temm., otherwise called Aguila nevioides ; and in size I do not think it exceeds several others of that species that I have seen. Yours &c., E. CavenpisH Taytor. November 11, 1879. Sirs,—In ‘ The Ibis’ for 1875, at p. 518, I recorded the fact that Mr. Edward Fountaine, of Eastern Norfolk, possessed two young Snowy Owls (Nyctea scandiaca) bred in his aviary in July of that year. These young birds are still alive, and are a male and female ; the latter is paired with another male, and laid eggs during the present summer ; but they did not prove fertile. It is interesting to compare the difference of plumage in a male and female of this species, which are thus known to be of precisely the same age within three days. I visited Mr. Fountaine’s collection on 11th October 1879, and particularly observed these two Owls, which are both in excellent health and plumage. The dark spots both on the upper and under surface are much less numerous in the male than in the female, and are also smaller. The spots in the female are slaty black; but in the male they are paler and much tinged with brown, espe- cially on the underparts. In the female, the spots on the tail form three perfect transverse rows besides a small imperfect portion of a fourth row ; while in the male there is but one such row, formed by a single spot on each rectrice. I am, &c., J. H. Gurney. Srrs,—In the second part of Capt. Legge’s beautiful work on the Birds of Ceylon, p. 579, note, Lesson’s Prionochilus pipra (Cent. of Zool. pl. 26) is mentioned as an unknown bird. The author goes so far as to suggest that it may be a made-up bird. Ishould have thought that by this time it would be known Letters, Announcements, &c. 145 that it is a very common South-American bird of the genus Todopleura. Yours &e. T. SALvaAport. News of Major St. John.— Major St. John, whose appoint- ment to the new Consulate of Astrabad we alluded to in our last number, is still with the Candahar division of the En- glish army in Afghanistan, but hopes to be able to proceed (vid Herat) to Astrabad before long. He writes to us as follows :— “ Afghanistan, as you may suppose, is not just now the country that the peaceful collector would choose for his ram- bles; but I have done pretty well in the bird-line. Mr. A. O. Hume lent me a skinner; and I have sent him my birds for identification. The fauna is very like that of Persia, the common lizards being identical, viz. Agama agilis, Mesalina pardalis, Eremias persica, and Stellio nuptus. All the mam- mals are Persian except the new Marten of Blanford, and Putorius sarmaticus. Among the birds there are few Indian species not found in Persia, e. g. Hirundo filifera, Corvus law- rencit, Milvus govinda, Myiophonus temminckii, Parus cesius, and Turtur senegalensis. Passer montanus is almost commoner than P. domesticus (sive indicus), which is the case, I believe, in the Malay countries, a very different climate. In Persia it is rare. I have got a fineseries of Wagtails, six species, I think. Pastor roseus is a bird of passage in spring and autumn, and must, I think, breed in the highlands of Afghanistan. Altogether this part of the country is a poor place to collect in, much more so than Persia. There is no shooting or fishing. New East-African Birds.—In number 20 of the ‘ Ornitho- logisches Centralblatt ? (Oct. 15, 1879) Dr. Reichenow pub- lished the characters of three new birds contained in Dr. G. A. Fischer’s collection from Eastern Africa, Spilocorydon (genus SER. IV.—VOL. III. 1 146 Letters, Announcements, &c. novum Alaudidarum) hypermetrus, Alauda pecilosterna, and Turdirostris leptorhyncha. In number 23 (p. 180) we find mentioned a new Touraco, Corythaix schiittii, from South- west Africa, described by Dr. Cabanis. In number 24 of the same Journal, L. Stejneger, of Bergen, describes a new bird from Madagascar (Tylas strophiatus), for the validity of which Dr. Hartlaub appends a certificate. New Indian Finch.—In the ‘ Gefiederte Welt,’ no. 44 (30 Oct. 1870), Dr. Russ describes a new Finch belonging to the group of Spermestes striata, under the name Spermestes hal&. The type is a single living bird, purchased at Ham- burg, from the East Indies. Obituary.—Prof. Garrop, F.R.S. The premature death of Professor Alfred Henry Garrod, F.R.S., Prosector to the Zoological Society of London and Member of this Union, is not only a cause of unfeigned grief to his many friends, but a great loss to science, and one of special importance to our branch of zoology. The subject which Prof. Garrod had specially selected for his study was the Anatomy of Birds—a branch of ornithology which, as we all know, is far in arrear, and is one in which much less work has been done, even of late years, than in other easier branches of our science. Of 68 papers contributed by Prof. Garrod to the Zoological Society’s ‘ Proceedings’ during the past eight years, no less than 88 related to the anatomy and osteology of birds. It is also well known that Prof. Garrod had in preparation what he described in his own words as an “ exhaustive treatise”? on the anatomy of birds; and there can be no question that, had his life been spared, he would have accom- plished the task he had set himself in a most satisfactory manner. It must be many years before any succeeding naturalist, even though he shall enjoy the advantages Prof. Garrod had, of brilliant genius and of access to the richest known collection of living birds, can hope to attain to the stage of knowledge of this difficult subject that our lamented friend possessed at the time of his death. Letters, Announcements, &c. 147 Prof. Garrod died at his father’s house, in Harley Street, on the 17th of October last. We reprint (with the sanction of the writer), from the pages of ‘ Nature,’ the following short sketch of his life and scientific career :— “The son of an eminent physician (Dr. Alfred Baring Garrod, F.R.S.), he was born in London on May 18, 1846, received a medical education at King’s College, London, and in 1868 entered St. John’s College, Cambridge. He graduated (B.A.) in 1871, taking the highest place in the natural-science tripos. In due course he took his M.A. degree, and was elected a Fellow of his college in 1873. His earliest scientific predilections were chiefly for mathe- matics and physics; and the knowledge of these subjects which he acquired when a student was of great value to him in his biological researches. The mechanics of phy- siology was the subject to which he first turned his atten- tion as a scientific investigator; and while still an under- graduate he communicated a paper on the cause of the diastole of the ventricles of the heart to the ‘Journal of Anatomy’ (vol. i. 1869). About the same time he sent to the Royal Society the results of an interesting series of experiments made upon himself with the view of ascertaining the causes of the minor fluctuations in the temperature of the human body while at rest, from which he concluded that these fluctuations. mainly result from alterations in the amount of blood exposed at the surface to the influence of absorbing and conducting media. These were published in the ‘ Proceedings of the Royal Society,’ vol. xvii. (1869). A series of papers in the ‘ Proceedings of the Royal Society’ and in the ‘ Journal of Anatomy’ followed, giving the result of observations vpon the circulation of the blood, conducted with great ingenuity by means of the sphygmograph, aided by various modifications and improvements upon the original instrument due to his inventive and mechanical skill. It is, indeed, probable that physiology is the subject to which he would most willingly have devoted his attention, had not his energies been turned to the pursuit of morphology by his receiving the appointment, in January 1872, of Prosector 148 Letters, Announcements, &c. to the Zoological Society. This appoimtment is one which, perhaps more than any now existing, comes near to an ideal endowment of research. An unlimited amount of new material is placed in the hands of its occupant; there are no duties beyond those of making and recording original observations ; and ample facilities are given for the publi- cation and illustration of all the observations made. ‘To the efficient performance of the duties of this office Mr. Garrod applied himself with great energy and zeal, as testified by his numerous contributions upon the comparative anatomy of the vertebrate animals, which have enriched the publications of the Society from the date of his appointment to the present time. He devoted great attention to the anatomy of birds, hitherto too much neglected; and his observations upon their myology and visceral anatomy were beginning to throw some light upon the very difficult and obscure subject of the mutual affinities of the members of this class. The curious and most unexpected variations in structure often revealed in the dissection of species thought to be closely allied, soon convinced him of the necessity of far more extended and minute observations than had pre- viously been made; and those who closely watched his work, and knew that, besides the observations he had had time to complete and publish, he had already accumulated a vast mass of facts, partly in notes and drawings, and partly in the stores of his memory, feel most keenly how much has been lost by his early death. “« His eagerness in acquiring knowledge was only equalled by his activity in imparting it to others; and he had a remarkably easy and lucid method of explaining, even to an uninstructed audience, difficult problems of physiology or anatomy. With the black board, or some ingeniously con- trived diagram or mechanical illustration, he was never at a loss to make his hearers comprehend his meaning. These great and varied powers probably tempted him to overtask his strength. Not content with his work at the Zoological Society, he sought for and obtained the Professorship of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy at King’s College in Letters, Announcements, &c. 149 1874, and the Fullerian Professorship of Physiology at the Royal Institution in 1875. He was also appointed one of the Examiners in the Natural-Science Tripos in 1876, and was for several years a constant contributor to ‘ Nature.’ In 1876, when he had just completed his thirtieth year, he as elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. “Tn the simple and single-hearted devotion to the sciences he cultivated he was without a particle of jealousy or mistrust of others, but was always anxious to assist those who were working in the same direction; and his room at the Zoological Gardens was gradually becoming the profitable resort of many of the younger workers at comparative anatomy, who were encouraged in their labours by his advice and example. “Up to little more than a year ago he was apparently in the enjoyment of vigorous health; but symptoms of the insidious disease (phthisis) which terminated his existence, then for the first time showed themselves. Through the gradual decline of his powers, and amid considerable suffering, borne with the greatest patience and calmness, he continued to the last to spend all his remaining strength in making the know- ledge which he had acquired available for the instruction of those that should come after.” The following is, we believe, a complete list of Mr. Garrod’s ornithological papers :— 1872. On the Mechanism of the Gizzard in Birds. P. Z. S. 1872, p- 925. Notes on the Anatomy of the Huia Bird (Heteralocha gouldt). P. Z. 8. 1872, p. 6438. Note on the Tongue of the Psittacine genus Nestor. P.Z.S. 1872, p. 787. Note on an Ostrich lately living in the Society’s Collec- tion. By A. H. Garrod and Frank Darwin, B.A. P. Z. S. 1872, p. 356. Note on some of the Cranial Peculiarities of the Wood- peckers. Ibis, 1872, p. 357. 150 Letters, Announcements, &c. 1873. On the Value in Classification of a Peculiarity in the An- terior Margin of the Nasal Bones of certain Birds. P.Z.S. 1873, p. 33. On the Carotid Arteries of Birds. P.Z.S. 1873, p. 457. On some Points in the Anatomy of Steatornis. P.Z.S. 1873, p. 526. On certain Muscles of the Thigh of Birds, and on their Value in Classification. Part I. P. Z. 8. 18738, p. 626. 1874. On certain Muscles of Birds and their Value in Classifica- tion.—Part II. P.Z. 8. 1874, p. 111. On some Points in the Anatomy of the Columbe. P.Z.S. 1874, p. 249. On the “ Showing-off” of the Australian Bustard (Hu- podotis australis). P.Z.S. 1874, p. 471. On Points in the Anatomy of the Parrots which bear on the Classification of the Suborder. P.Z.S. 1874, p. 586. Further Note on the Mechanism of the ‘“ Show-off” in the Bustards. P. Z. 8. 1874, p. 673. 1875. On a Point in the Mechanism of the Bird’s Wing. P.Z.S. 1875, p. 82. On the Form of the Lower Larynx in certain Species of Ducks. P. Z. 8. 1875, p. lol. On the Form of the Trachea in certain Species of Storks and Spoonbills. P. Z. 8. 1875, p. 297. On the Disposition of the Deep Plantar 'Tendons in dif- ferent Birds. P. Z. 8. 1875, p. 339. Note on two Pigeons, lanthenas leucolema and Erythrenas pulcherrima. P.Z. 8. 1875, p. 367. 1876. On a Peculiarity in the Carotid Arterics and other Points Letters, Announcements, &c. Wey in the Anatomy of the Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus abys- sinicus). P.Z. 8S. 1876, p. 60. On the Anatomy of Chauna derbiana, and on the Syste- matic Position of the Screamers (Palamedeide). P. Z. 8. 1876, p. 189. On the Anatomy of Aramus scolopaceus. P. Z. 8S. 1876, p. 275. Notes on the Anatomy of Plotus anhinga. P. Z. S. 1876, p. 335. Notes on the Anatomy of the Colies (Colius). P.Z.S. 1876, p. 416. On some Anatomical Characters which bear upon the Major Divisions of the Passerine Birds.—Part I. P.Z.S. 1876, p. 506. Notes on the Anatomy of certain Parrots. P. Z. 8. 1876, pag: 1877. Notes on the Anatomy and Systematic Position of the of the Genera Thinocorus and Attagis. P.Z.S. 1877, p. 413. Note on the Anatomy of Passerine Birds.—Part II. P.Z.S. 1877, p. 447. Notes on the Anatomy of Passerine Birds.—Part III. eye S7 7, p. 2a: Note on an Anatomical Peculiarity in certain Storks. WP Zig Sho ASI ls 108, (lll le Note on the Absence or Presence of a Gall-bladder in the Family of the Parrots. P. Z. S. 1877, p. 793. 1878. On the Systematic Position of the Momotide. P. Z. S. 1878, p. 100. Note on the Gizzard and other Organs of Carpophaga la- trans. P.Z.S. 1878, p. 102. Note on the Anatomy of Passerine Birds.—Part IV. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 148. On the Trachea of Tantalus loculator and of Vanellus ca- yennensis. P.Z.S. 1878, p. 625. On the Anatomy of the Maleo (Megacephalon maleo). P.Z.S. 1878, p. 629. 152 Letters, Announcements, &c. Notes on Points in the Anatomy of Levaillant’s Darter (Plotus levaillanti). P.Z.S8. 1868, p. 679. Note on the Anatomy of Indicator major. P.Z.S8. 1878, p. 980. 1879. Note on Points in the Anatomy of the Hoatzin (Opistho- comus cristatus). P.Z.S. 1879, p. 109. On the Conformation of the Thoracic Extremity of the Trachea in the Class Aves.—Part I. The Galline. P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 354. Rediscovery of Loddigesia mirabilis.—We have great plea- aure In announcing that Hr. Stoltzmann, the collector of the Warsaw Museum in Peru, has obtained specimens of the remarkable Humming-bird Loddigesia mirabilis, of which the original specimen has hitherto remained unique. The Loddigesia was discovered by the botanical collector Matthews at Chachapoyas, in Peru, in 1836, and described by M. Bourcier before the Zoological Society in 1847. None of the many subsequent collectors who have visited Peru have obtained specimens. Hr. Stoltzmann, having had his atten- tion directed to the rarity of this bird by Graf v. Berlepsch, determined to proceed to Chachapoyas in order to obtain this desideratum, and arrived there in September last. Writing on the 28th of that month, he tells us that on the very first excursion which he made in the environs of Chachapoyas, five days after his arrival, he saw a young male of the much-de- sired Loddigesia, without, however being able to procure it. Two days later he proceeded to the same spot, and, after wait- ing in anxious expectation about two hours, succeeded in killing a young male with the plumage about half developed. In his next excursion he procured a second young male, and on the 19th of September an adult male, with the two singular spatuliform rectrices fully developed. Hr. Stoltzmann met with this Humming-bird within a distance of three kilo- metres from the city of Chachapoyas. He has ascertained that the original example, belonging to the late Mr. Loddiges, was shot at Quipachacha, about three leagues from Chacha- poyas. THE IBIS FOURTH SERIES. No. XIV. APRIL 1880. XIII.—Ornithological Notes from the Neighbourhood of Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. By Ernest Grason, F.Z.S. [Continued from p. 38. | 39. Ciconra mMacuaRt, Gm. The “Ciguefia” of the natives. Very common, and not confined entirely to the swamps. It is to be found on the plains, at offal, or stalking about in search of snakes, frogs, lizards, rats and mice, locusts, and birds’ eggs—any thing and every thing, in short. Except in the pairing-season, it is solitary in its habits. To the way it soars, particularly in summer-time, I have already alluded ; I have seen probably a score at a time, all rising in spiral circles. The young croak and clatter the two mandibles together ; but the adult is quite mute. They (the young) are quite black at birth, and only acquire the adult plumage after the lapse of six or eight months. One, which I took on the 5th October, was about the size of a domestic fowl, in down, and, with the exception of a white tail, entirely black. It soon became very tame, and used to wander all over the premises, SER. IV.—VOL. IV. M 154 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of looking for food, or watching any work that was going on. Rats were swallowed whole ; and the way it would gulp down a pound or two of raw meat would have horrified an English housekeeper. Snakes it seized by the nape of the neck, and passed them transversely through its bill by a succession of rapid and powerful nips, repeating the operation two or three times before being satisfied that life was totally extinct. It used often to do the same thing with dry sticks (in order not to forget the way, I suppose), while on one occasion, it swal- lowed apiece of hard cowhide, a foot long, and consequently could not bend its neck for twenty-four hours after—till the hide softened, in fact. The story also went that “ Byles, the lawyer ”’ (as he was called), mistook the tail of one of the pet lambs for a snake, and actually had it down his throat, but was “ brought up” by the body of the lamb! Byles in- spired a wholesome respect in all the dogs and cats, but was very peaceable as a rule. One of our men had played some trick on him, however; and the result was that Byles incon- tinently “ went for him” on every possible occasion, his long legs covering the ground like those of an Ostrich, while he produced a demoniacal row with his bill. It was amusing to see his victim dodging him all over the place, or sometimes, in desperation, turning on him with astick ; but Byles evaded every blow by jumping eight feet into the air, coming down on the other side of his enemy, and there repeating his war dance ; while he always threatened (though these threats were never fulfilled) to make personal and pointed remarks with his formidable bill. Shortly after his capture feathers began to appear ; and the following is a description of the bird at the age of about two months :—‘‘Tail-feathers white, remainder of plumage glossy green-black ; bill black ; legs and feet grey.” After this spots and patches of white appeared on the centre of upper mandible, head, back, and wings; these gradually extended, till, by the end of May, the adult plumage was all acquired. Then my interest in Byles ceased, and latterly he strayed away to his native swamps. Breeding-Notes.—C. maguari is another of our early-breed- ing birds, nesting generally about the middle of August, Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 155 though eggs may be taken as late as November or December. It is then semigregarious in its habits, and, notwithstanding that an isolated nest is of common enough occurrence, several may be found close to each other in some favourite locality. Once I found ten nests in one swamp, some of which were within ten yards of each other. The deepest fens are those chosen; and the nest is placed among the thickest and highest rushes, rarely at the edge of clear water. It is a strong construction, capable of supporting a man’s weight, and is built of thick stems or sticks of a water-plant, stems of “hunco,” and of different kinds of water-grasses, rising from two to three feet above the surface of the water, with a diameter at the top of about two feet. There is sometimes a hollow for the eggs ; but the top is as often quite flat. The birds occasionally sit close ; and I have more than once found that it tried my horse’s nerves rather severely to come sud- denly on a nest off which rose one of these great ungainly creatures. It is rarely difficult to find the nest; for the bird usually stands up on it on hearing any one in the vicinity, and consequently its head and neck may be seen above the rushes a hundred yards off. Four is the largest number of eggs laid; but three is the general clutch; and the latter number are frequently hatched out. They are of a chalky, dirty-white colour, and average 335 x 23%, with a considerable variation. 40. PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS (L.). Of very irregular occurrence. In December of 1875 ! saw a flock of about a hundred ; and during the remainder of that month a few were to be seen about the plains. On the 5th of January of the ensuing year four flocks, of about ten each, were observed flying in a northerly direction; after which, at the end of March, I saw a pair in one of the swamps. Again in December of 1877 it was generally and abundantly distributed, disappearing about the beginning of January. My last note refers to a solitary bird seen in the middle of April of the same year. The foregoing records all the appear- ances of this bird during the last seven years. Such a flock M2 156 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of as that first mentioned is rather a striking sight, perhaps more so from the rarity of the bird here. 41. PH@NICOPTERUS IGNIPALLIATUS, Geoffr. & d’Orb. Flamingo. Abundant in all our saltwater or brackish lagoons, and even occasionally to be found in freshwater swamps. The natives tell me it breeds here; but none of them have yet earned the reward I offered to be shown a nesting colony. One of these sites is said to be in the “ Cajiada del Malo” (Swamp of the Evil One), about five miles from here. I have seen immaturely plumaged birds, but do not remember at what season of the year. 42, Puatauea asaza, Linn. Spoonbill. Also abundant, but is only a summer visitor. It arrives about the beginning of September, and leaves again in April ; consequently it should breed here; but, as with the last species, I have still to look forward to finding its eggs as the reward of future researches. It is generally dispersed in the dis- trict, frequenting swamps as well as saltwater lagoons, and on its first arrival appearing in flocks of from five to a hundred. In feeding it wades slowly along, while the bill is half im- mersed and waved rapidly from one side to the other. 43. ARDEA EGRETTA, Gm. Abundant, particularly in the summer months—that is to say, if the swamps are dried up. In the winter its appear- ance is more irregular : in some years it is very scarce ; and in others none are to be seenatall. Neither it nor the succeed- ing species (A. candidissima) affect the brackish or salt- water lagoons and creeks very much, but are generally distributed among the swamps. Though neither species is gregarious, both may be occasionally seen in company, and they nest together in colonies. Breeding-Notes.—In November of 1873 I found a large breeding-colony of A. egretta, A. candidissima, and Nyctt- coraz obscurus,in the heart of a lonely swamp. The ‘‘huncos,” or rushes, were very high and thick, but had been broken down by the birds in a patch some fifty yards in diameter. Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 157 There were from three hundred to four hundred nests, as well as I could judge: of these three fourthswere of A. egretta ; and the remainder, with the exception of two or three dozen of N. obscurus, belonged te A. candidissima. Those of the first-mentioned species were slight platforms of hunco-stems, placed on the top of the broken huncos, at a height of from two to three feet above the water, and barely a yard apart. The nests of A. candidissima were built up from the water to the height of a foot or a foot and a half, with a hollow on the top for the eggs ; they were very compactly put together, of small dry twigs of a water-plant. A good many were dis- tributed among those of A. egretta; but the majority were close together, at one side of the colony, where the huncos were taller and less broken. The nests of Nycticorax obscurus much resembled the latter im construction and material; but very few were interspersed among those of the two other species, being retired to the side opposite A. candidissima, on the borders of some channels of clear water; there they were placed among the high huncos, and a few yards apart from each other. I also saw three or four close to the colony of Rostrhamus sociabilis (mentioned at the beginning of this paper), about a hundred yards away. The larger Egrets remained standing on their nests till I was within twenty yards of them, and lighted again whenIhad passed. In this position they looked much larger than when flying. The smaller Egrets first flew up onto the huncos above the nest, and then immediately took to flight, not returning, while N. obscurus rose and sailed away, uttering a deep squawk, squawk, long before one came near the nest. At one side of the colony a nest of Ciconia maguari, with two full-grown young, seemed like the reigning house of the place. It certainly was one of the finest ornithological sights I ever saw :—all around a wilderness of dark green rushes, rising above my head as I sat on horseback ; the clouds of graceful snowy-white birds perched everywhere, or reflected in the water as they flew to and fro overhead ; and the hundreds 158 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of of blue eggs exposed to the bright sunlight. If my horse had come down with me as I galloped home that night I should have presented the appearance of a gigantic cutlet enveloped in egg-sauce ; for I was carrying about my person two or three hundred eggs of Cygnus nigricollis, Ciconia maguari, Chauna chavaria, Ardea egretta and A. candidissima, Nycticorax ob- scurus, Polyborus tharus, Rostrhamus sociabilis, and Milvago chimango, to say nothing of Ducks’, Waterhens’, Coots’ and other smaller birds’ eggs, ad infinitum. A. egretta and A. candidissima lay four eggs each, though the former rarely hatches out more than three. N. obscurus lays and hatches out three. The eggs of all three species are of the same ee of light blue. The first average 27/5 x 14} ; the second 12%x 13%, and N. obscurus 2x Lo: “These of the fest mentioned two species vary greatly in size; but the averages of all three are taken from very large series of specimens. 44, ARDEA CANDIDISSIMA, Gm. I have no record of this species being seen during the winter months of May, June, and July; but in all other respects the notes on A. egretta are also applicable to A. candidissima. Given plenty of water in the swamps, and it is generally and abundantly distributed all through the spring, summer, and autumn. For breeding-notes, see preceding species. 45. Nycricorax osscurvs, Bp. Resident and abundant, sO long as there is water. One generally finds it perched on some rushes at the side of clear water, whence it rises witha deep squawk on being disturbed, and flies slowly and heavily away. For breeding-notes, see A. egretta. 46. Arpra coco1, Linn. Also resident, and generally distributed, though not so abundant as the last species. It may be found about the saltwater lagoons, the marshes, and occasionally on the plains. As a rule, it is solitary in its habits, even a pair being rarely seen together, and is also very shy and difficult to get within gunshot-range of. The flight much resembles that of the Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 159 English Heron ; and the ery, seldom uttered, is harsh and Heron-like. Breeding-Notes.—lt nests in October or November, and that singly, not in colonies. The nest is similar to that of Ciconia maguari, but slighter, and is also placed in aswamp. Four is the largest number of eggs I have taken; they are pale blue in colour, rather more pointed in the shape than those of the preceding three species, and average 278 x 132. 47, ARDETTA INVvoLUCRIS (Vieill.). Not very common, though more so in some years than in others. It is quite solitary in its habits, frequenting the high and thick huncos in the deepest swamps ; there it perches on rushes, and only rises a few yards from one, to drop again after flying a very short distance. The slim body and pecu- liarly shaded plumage so perfectly harmonize with the rushes, that I never yet saw the bird before it wason the wing. The other day one flew up from its perch within three yards of my horse’s head, but I only perceived it when it rose. ‘The flight is hurried and weak. The cry, a feeble strident note, I have only heard from a wounded bird. Breeding-Notes.—The nest, two of which only have come into my possession, is placed in a deep swamp, and is built up from the water, of short little pieces of dry hunco-stems ; but of its construction I am doubtful, as the descriptions given me of the two above-mentioned nests vary considerably. One was taken with four eggs, very much incubated, on the 30th November, and the other with five, on Ist October. The colour of the eggs is rather striking—a pale green, exactly like that of a young pea-pod. In size they average 1}} x 1. 48. Harpiprion c#ruLescens (Vieill.). “ Bandooria.” Is not uncommon, but very irregular in its appearances. It is generally seen in pairs, either about the swamps or at any pool in the plains. The flight is strong, and not unlike that of the Curlew; and it has what might be called a similar ery, distinguishable at a considerable distance. It is said to be very good eating, but requires to be buried in fresh earth for twenty-four hours to rid it of the too strong smell and taste. 160 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of Breeding-Notes.—The only nest I ever saw was taken in the heart of a deep swamp, on the 9th of November, and, though the bird was not seen, I have little doubt belonged to this species. It was built of rushes and water-plants, im a similar manner to those of Chauna chavaria, but not so large. The three eggs (very much soiled) were of a buff or stone ground-colour, with a few small red spots, most abundant at the blunt end. Acutely pointed, and average 245 x 13}. 49. Aramus scotopaceus, Gm. ‘“‘ Viuda loca.” The Spanish name, the literal translation of which is “ mad widow,”’ is given to this bird by the natives from its sombre plumage, solitary habits, and peculiar cry. It is generally distributed through the swamps, frequenting the deeper ones by preference, and, though usually found singly, may be met with in fours and fives, or even as many as twenty. Mr. Durnford correctly describes its ‘‘ heavy laborious flight, per- formed by slow beats of the wings, which it sometimes raises so high as nearly to meet over its back,” but might also have added that the legs hang down at an angle of 45°, giving the bird a particularly ungainly appearance, and that its flight is never prolonged. The cry, more indulged in at night than through the day, is a loud, long, melancholy wail, and, heard towards the small hours, produces an uncomfortable eerie feeling on the hearer. It might be some lost spirit of the swamps, or Nickar the soulless himself, shrieking and crying. Breeding-Notes.—It breeds in the heart of the swamps, building its nest, of dry hunco stems, up from the water, just high enough to keep the eggs dry, and with a hollow on the top about a foot in diameter. The eggs are of a stone- coloured or buff ground, with large blotches and spots of either a faded red colour or light rufous brown, varying con- siderably in different specimens. The average measurement is 216 x 139 (Mr. Durnford gives 228 x 13%). The nesting- season lasts from the beginning of August till well on into November. 50. Precapis cuarauna (L.). ‘“ Cuervo,” or Crow. Is resident, though not so abundant in the months of May, Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 161 June, and July. In August, particularly if the season has been rainy, large flocks come in from the S.W., and scatter themselves all through the swamps and over the low ground. These flocks vary in size from a few individuals up to a hun- dred; and the birds, excepting those few remaining through the winter with us, feed always together. In January and February it may be found on the plains, locusts seeming to constitute its principal food then. It is also one of the fre- quenters of the killing-establishment, coming in flocks for the offal. The flight is strong and rapid. The cry or note, a species of squawk, repeated two or three times. Of its breeding-habits I know nothing, and cannot even learn if it nests here or not. 51. VANELLUS CAYENNENSIS (Gm.). Called by the natives ‘ Tero-tero,” from its cry. Very common. Generally to be met with in pairs, but in the autumn may sometimes be found in small flocks. It fre- quents both the plains and low or marshy grounds, feeding on worms, insects, &c. The ery is totally unlike that of the Lapwing, being a sharp ¢ero-tero, tero-tero, with nothing of the Lapwing’s plaintive note about it. At night the passing of any person or animal produces its utterance; and conse- quently the natives use it as a watchman, frequently alluding to the cry as the signal of somebody passing by, or a herd of horses or cattle stampeding. On the frontier it usually heralds a midnight Indian raid; and I remember once hearing the narrative of an attack on one of the smaller forts, in which nearly seventy Christians were killed: the narrator (one of the three or four survivors) mentioning, quite natu- rally, that the sentinel heard the tero-teroing, and it did not need the following roll of countless horse-hoofs to cause him to raise the alarm. A friend told me of a white V. cayennensis he saw near Bahia Blanca ; and two or three years ago I saw a specimen semialbino in its plumage. The wing-spurs, which are of a beautiful pale coral-colour, I never saw used; and they seem to be more ornamental than useful. (Iris ruby-coloured, pupil black.) 162 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of Breeding-Notes.—The breeding-season lasts from the mid- dle of June till January or February ; so that Mr. Durnford’s supposition, that it has probably two, and sometimes three, broods in the season, is more than likely to be correct. Oc- casionally the bird will stand over the nest until one rides close up to it; but more generally both birds steal quietly away and remain at a distance, unless the intruder should pass very near the nest or stop to pick up the eggs ; then they will alight within a yard of him, and with half-raised wings and angry cries express their rights of ownership. Should a flock of sheep be driven over the nest, both birds stand on guard at it, and compel the sheep to divide and pass on each side of it. Again, it is not unusual to see a sheep looking curiously at a nest of eggs, while the Tero-tero, standing within a foot of its nose, threatens and expostulates with it in the most earnest manner. I was amused lately with a similar case, when a horse stood for five minutes in front of the nest, but eventually raised its head after a long inspec- tion of the indignant bird, and turned away; it locked so like an exemplification of the fable of the “ Bull and the Frog.” For V. cayennensis is rather a bumptious individual, and only cries “peccavi”? when swift-winged Larus cirrhocephalus undertakes its punishment. The nest is generally a hollow scraped in the ground, and sometimes lined with a little dry grass. The four eggs are very like those of the Lapwing in shape and colour, and average in size 132 x 143. 52. HimantTorus BRASILIENSIS, Brehm. “ Tero Real,” or “Royal Tero.” Also common, though not so abundant as Vanellus cayen- nensis. tis to be found on marshy ground, on the borders of swamps, or about any lagoon or pool. In my estimation itis a very handsome bird as regards plumage, and, notwithstanding its disproportionately long legs, rather graceful than ungainly in its gait. On the wing it is otherwise ; for then it looks too large in the body, while it flies with short quick beats of the wings. The cry, especially when a flock is passing overhead, Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 163 has reminded me of a lot of fox-terriers in full chase, yelping and snapping. Breeding-Notes.—The one or two nests I have taken were on the respective dates of 21st August and 18th October (the latter much incubated). In the former case the bird sat very close. Generally the birds both remain at a distance, agitating their wings, crouching down on the ground, and constantly uttering their cry. The nest is placed on marshy ground, or at the edge of water, and consists merely of a bed of roots and decayed grass, just high enough to keep the eggs dry. These are four in number, and very like those of V. cayennensis—so like as to be almost undistinguishable. The eround-colour is rather richer and darker, and the black blotches larger in my specimens ; but it would be necessary to have a large series in order to be sure that this difference is really always existent. They average 133 x 110. 53. AUGIALITIS FALKLANDICA. Common, except in times of drought. It affects the borders of marshes and lagoons, and with the cinnamon-coloured patch on the back of its head, and the black-barred breast, is a very noticeable and handsome little bird. - Breeding-Notes.—The latter half of August and beginning of September constitute the breeding-season. Four nests which I have taken were situated close to swamps, and were only a hollow scraped in the ground, and more or less lined with dry grass. On one occasion the sitting bird remained at a little distance watching me; but the other times it only left the nest when I was a yard from it, and hobbled away with both wings drooping as if broken, in the most natural manner possible. The full clutch is three (two of the four nests having that number). They are pointed in shape, of an olive ground-colour, with black spots (similar to the Lap- wing’s, in short), and average 113 x 144. 54. Larus pominicanus, Licht. 55. LAaRUS MACULIPENNIS, Licht. 56. Larus cCIRRHOCEPHALUS, Vieill. My notes on the above three species, all of which are com- 164 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of mon here, are in the hands of Mr. Howard Saunders, who will doubtless make use of any thing newinthem. L. macu- lipennis, I have reason to believe, breeds in the district, in company with a few pairs of L. dominicanus; but as yet I have been unable to discover a nesting-colony. (L. maculi- pennis, iris very dark brown; L. cirrhocephalus, iris yellow.) 57. Popicrrs mayor, Bodd. Not uncommon in the spring, and is found either singly or in pairs. (Iris yellow.) Breeding-Notes.—P. major breeds about the end of August, placing its nest in the thickest rushes of the swamp. The nest, built of wet water-weeds, is raised just above the level of the water ; and I have twice seen the sitting bird hastily draw some weeds over the eggs before leaving them, on my approach. The clutch consists of three ; and these are of the usual Grebe colour, generally much soiled and stained. They average 2,8 x 1qq, the length sometimes presenting a varia- tion of 4;, even in eggs of the same nest. 58. PopicePs ROLLANDI, Quoy & Gaim. More abundant than the last, and very generally distri- buted. It is to be met with, singly or in pairs, on every marsh, lagoon, or pond, and even in a cattle-well when the water is nearly flush with the surface of the ground. Both it and the preceding species are rather troublesome to shoot, diving to the flash of the gun. (Iris claret-colour, with black specks.) Breeding-Notes.—-P. rollandi nests during the latter half of September and beginning of October. The nest is a slight construction of water-weeds, floating on the surface of the- water, and only kept stationary by the surrounding rushes. Like P. major, it covers the eggs before leaving them. Five is the largest clutch of eggs I have taken ; they are originally of a bluish-white colour, but after some time become covered with a brown incrustation of a chalky nature. The average measurement is 13° x 14% ; but there is a variation of 14 in length and 7% in breadth between my largest and smallest specimens. Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 165 59. Cuauna cHavartia, Linn. Called “ Chaha” by the natives, after its cry. C. chavaria is, as may well be imagined, a most striking bird, both in size and appearance ; and when such is the case with one individual, the impression produced by seeing a hundred pairs together is not likely to be less. There is a large island among a network of swamps a mile from here, on which, at certain seasons of the year, I have frequently seen that number, not collected into a flock, but in pairs. I may note that it pairs for life. Of course, after the foregoing, it is unnecessary to add that it is resident and very common. The swamps and brackish lagoons constitute its haunts and feeding-grounds. On one or two occasions I have seen a bird alight in the deeper water and swim with only a very small portion of its body immersed; but it prefers to wade where the marsh is shallower. But what most excited my astonishment was to see a Chaha perched on the top of a tree twenty feet from the ground. A week after this occurrence I saw three birds in a similar position, in a small wood on the edge of one of our larger lagoons. During a long resi- dence here, and thorough acquaintance with this species (seeing it every day, in fact), I have never witnessed more than these two cases of such a feat on the part of C. chavaria, and should have been utterly sceptical of the testimony of alee: else to the fact. In the summer-time it is much addicted to soaring, and scores may be seen at a time, rising in great spiral circles till they become mere specks in the sky, and actually disappear at last. Even at this elevation the cry is distinctly audible, and has often drawn my attention to the bird as having really vanished into the blue ether. The cry, which may be often heard at night, is frequently indulged in, and consists of the syllables cha-ha, uttered by the male, while the female invariably responds to it, or rather follows it up with cha-ha-li, placing the accent on the last syllable. Preparatory to producing it, if on the ground, the bird draws back its head and neck slightly ; and at that mo- ment, if one is sufficiently near, the inhalation of air into the 166 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of chest may be faintly heard. The note is of great strength and volume, and is still distinguishable a couple of miles away, if the day should be calm. The food, as far as I have been able to ascertain, is gathered from the floating duckweed and other vegetable matter of the swamps. : One has to be on one’s guard against the formidable wing- spurs on laying hold of a wounded Chaha. On one such occa- sion, a stroke aimed at my face as I stooped to pick the bird up, was very nearly successful; the spur caught in my coat- collar, and I was almost pulled out of the saddle by the bird’s weight. I have seen a young bird, as yet unable to fly, beat off and follow up a dog, striking quickly and heavily, the half-folded wings being used alternately. The flight is slow, with long powerful sweeps of the great wings. I had almost forgotten to mention that if the hand is passed down the breast of the Chaka, pressing the plumage slightly down, a crackling sound is produced ; probably from the air confined among the feathers. Breeding- Notes.—Well might Mr. Durnford express sur- prise at the breeding-habits of this species. At the end of June (midwinter) he took nests with eggs; while I have fre- quently taken them in May, June, July, and August, and also in autumn, in the month of March. But September and October constitute the real breeding-season, when the bulk of the birds lay. The nest is a shallow light construction, build of dry rushes with a hollow on the top for the eggs. ‘The foundation is in the water, above the surface of which it rises only a foot or two, with a diameter of from two.to three feet. Narrow swamps are generally chosen for its situation; or if in the centre of a large one, it is placed at the side of some clear water. The female sits pretty close, and on being disturbed rises silently, without the customary cry. Four is the largest number of young I have seen in one brood; but the clutch of eges reaches as many as six. These are of a white colour, occasionally tinged with ight buff, oval-shaped and smooth- shelled. They average 316 x 212, with a variation of from Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 167 3qp X 2qig to 322X213. There is no difference between the autumn or winter broods and the spring ones, either in the number of eggs in the clutch or in their size and colour. The young, when hatched, are covered with an abundance of beautifully soft down, of a yellow-brown colour. Even at this age the larger wing-spurs may be felt through the down. In avery few days they leave the nest and follow the parent birds, generally remaining in tbe swamps or close to them; though I have a note, dated Ist February, which refers to four in down seen with the old birds at a considerable distance from water. ven when what seems to be the adult plumage is acquired, they still remain under the parent birds’ care, and are as yet unable to use their wings. The nest- ling’s note is a feeble chirp ; and the cry, like the power of flight, is long in being attained. 60. Ruta americana. ‘ Avestruz.’’ _Is nearly extirpated in this district. There are still some on the neighbouring estancia, up towards Cape San Antonio ; and we also have a few in the fastnesses of the more inac- cessible rincones. My father lately gave strict orders anent the preservation of the Rhea—the “ Perdiz grande,” Rhyn- chotus rufescens, Temm. (at least I believe it is this species), a few of which are also to be found in the rincones, and its congener, the “ Perdiz comun,” Nothura maculosa, Temm., the latter being fast thinned out. But in this country the enforcement of any such decree is rather difficult. I was once told by three Basques whom I found shooting Ducks on our land, that they “had the best of the argument, for they had each a gun, and I was unarmed ;” and though the remark was made half in jest, and I retorted in the same spirit that, “as I was on horseback, and they on foot, I was in a position to ride round them and argue with a series of six very weighty and convincing facts, and that at a long range,’ yet I had just to be content with warning them against being found on the land again. The Rhea, if run in a straight line, will draw away from almost any horse. I took up the chase on one occasion as an 168 On the Ornithology of Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. Ostrich passed me, number one having run it for a league and pumped his horse. So I put on a spurt, and pressed it for another league; but that exasperating bird legged along in a leisurely manner, looking like a boy with his hands in the pockets of his grey knickerbockers, and rather increasing the distance between us than otherwise. Then number three saw us coming, and got to horse in order to join the fun; unfor- tunately it took a minute or two to bit his half-broken horse, and he lost the chance of turning the bird back to me. Number three was pulling up on it though, when one of those nice mud creeks intervened ; the Rhea passed it in two strides, but his pursuer prudently concluded he had no particular interest in ascertaining if the mud was twenty feet deep, or only ten. The only sure method of procedure is to head the bird off, and turn it back upon one of the other pursuers, who turns it again, and so on, till ultimately it gets so confused and stupid, that a chance occurs of “ bolear- ing” it. The weapon used in this chase, the ‘ bolas del aves- truz,” consists of two lead or brass balls, attached to the ex- tremities of a thong of hide six feet long. These are whirled and thrown, and, if the aim has been true, twist inextricably round the bird’s legs. Young Rheas are easily tamed, but are rather objectionable about a house, as they will swallow any thing that is “ neither too hot nor too heavy.” On the frontier line the Rhea gives notice of the Indians being on their way in from the desert, as the Christians see flocks of birds running in all along the horizon, and know well how to interpret the sign. A body of two thousand Indians is enough to disturb the Rheas; besides they hunt them as they come sweeping in. 61. Nornura macutosa, Temm. “ Perdiz comun,” or Common Partridge. Mr. Hudson, I find, has forestalled all my notes on this species in his paper on Patagonian birds (P. Z.S. 16th April, 1872); so I will do little more than allude to its nesting- habits. On the Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 169 It is still common here, though greatly reduced of late years. Breeding-Notes.—The breeding-season lasts from the be- ginning of November to the end of February. The nest is placed in a tuft of grass, on the plains, and consists only of a little dry grass and a feather or two. Generally the female sits close, and, on being put up, rises without the usual alarm- note, while it does not fly far. Nine is the largest clutch of eggs I have taken; but the more general number is five or seven. They are oval in shape, very glossy, of a beautiful purple or dark claret-colour, and average 178 x 118. XIV.—On the Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia. By Ospurr Satvin and F. DuCane Gopman. (Plates IV. & V.) {Continued from p. 125. } PiprRa AURICAPILLA, Licht. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 15th and 18th January, 1879. “ Iris chalky white.” 9, 21st January, 1879. “Iris brown.” “ Wound in the depth of the forest. A very noisy bird, fre- quenting the tops of the highest trees.” CHIROMACHARIS MANACUS (Linn.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 16th and 22nd January, 1879. “Iris dark brown ; legs orange-red.” “Only found in the densest brushwood, and seen with diffi- culty. Makes a peculiar loud noise, like cracking nuts.” Trryra PERSONATA, Jard. & Selb. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 13th February, 1879. “‘ Iris yellowish red ; skin round the eyes bright Indian-red.” TITYRA ALBITORQUES, Dubus. Valencia, § 2, 27th May, 1879. “Iris brown.” PAcHYRHAMPHUS NIGER, Spix. Santa Marta, ¢, 4th April, 1879. “ Iris brown.” In the dense bush. SER, IV.—VOL. IV. N 170 + Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the FurNaARIvs AGNATUS, Scl. & Salv. Valle Dupar, g, 15th May, 1879. “Iris fine chestnut- brown. Local name ‘ Albafil’ (mason), from its well- constructed nest.” Agrees with the type of this species obtained by Mr. Joad also at Valle Dupar. LEPTASTHENURA ANDICOLA, Scl. Sierra Nevada (10,000 ft.), ¢ 2, 18th, 19th, and 22nd July, 1879. “Iris dark brown.” Agrees with Ecuador specimens of this species, which has never before, so far as we know, been detected in the Andes of Colombia. SyNALLAXIS CANDA&I, d’Orb. & Lafr. Synallaxis candei, Scl. P. Z.S. 1874, p. 15, pl. i. f. 2. Valencia, ¢, 28th May, 1879. “Iris brown.” Agrees with Mr. Sclater’s specimen from Santa Marta. SYNALLAXIS ANTISIENSIS, Scl. Synallaxis antisiensis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 18. This specimen was included in Mr. Simon’s Santa-Marta collection ; but the label belonging to it has been lost. It agrees with Mr. Sclater’s type of S. antiszensis, described from a specimen obtained by Fraser at Cuenca, in Ecuador, except that the forehead is more strongly streaked with black. SYNALLAXIS wyaTTt, Scl. & Salv. Synallaxis wyatti, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. 8. 1870, p. 841; Sel. P.Z.S. 1874, p. 25. Sierra Nevada, ¢ (12,800 ft.) 21st July, ? (10,000 ft.) 23rd July, 1879. “ Iris dark brown.” These specimens certainly belong to the species discovered by Mr. Wyatt in the Paramo of Pamplona, above Vetas, of which he obtained a single male example, now in Mr. Scla- ter’s collection. The male sent by Mr. Simons is apparently more adult than the type, and has the distinct yellowish-brown throat-spot characteristic of this section of the genus. Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 171 XENOPS GENIBARBIS, II. Minea (2000 ft.), 2°, 16th January, 1879. “ Iris brown.” “ Among bushes and dense forest.” Denpropiex picrrostRis (Lafr.). Santa Marta, ?, 2nd April, 1879. “Iris brown.” DENDRORNIS SUSURRANS, Jard. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 17th January, 1879. <“‘ Iris brown.” Agrees with Panama specimens attributed to this species. PICOLAPTES LACRYMIGER (Des Murs). San Sebastian, @, 25th July, 1879. “Iris brown.” THAMNOPHILUS N&VIvS (Gm.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢ 9,17th January, 1879. “ Iris brown.” “ In dense brushwood.” ' THAMNOPHILUS LEUCAUCHEN, Scl. Santa Marta, g ?, 2nd April, 1879. “Iris brown.” Valencia, ¢, 23rd May, 1879. “Iris brown.” “ Common in thicket and bush, but rarely seen.” ForMICIVORA INTERMEDIA, Cab. Santa Marta, g, 17th February, 1879. “Iris dark brown.” Ditto, 9, 4th April, 1879. “ Ins brown ; legs slate-grey.”’ Local name “ Gallinetica.”’ PHAETHORNIS ANTHOPHILUS (Bourc.). Valle Dupar, ?, 29th April, 1879. “Iris almost black.” Valencia, g, 23rd May, 1879. ‘Iris dark brown.” “Tn the forest on flowers ; rare and very shy. The spe- eimen from Valle Dupar came into the house.” *CAMPYLOPTERUS PHAINOPEPLUS. (Plate IV. fig. 1.) Campilopterus phainopeplus, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 202. San Sebastian, ¢, 14th and 15th July, 1879. << Tris dark brown.” *CHALYBURA BUFFONI (Less.). : Minea (2000 ft.), ¢ 14th to 23rd January, 9 13th Feb- ruary, 1879. “Iris dark brown.” N 2 172 ~=Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the THALURANIA CoLUMBIcA (Bourc. & Muls.). Minea (2000 ft.), 2 21st and 25th January, ¢ 13th March, 1879. ‘Iris dark brown.” San Jose (6000 ft.), 9, 8th June, 1879. “ Only found in dense woods.” MELLISUGA MELLIVORA. Minea (2000 ft.), g, 12th February,1879. ‘‘Tris yellowish brown.” RHAMPHOMICRON DORSALE, sp.u. (Plate V. figs. 1, 2.) Supranigrum viridescente vix tinctum, uropygio angusté ceneo- purpurascente, alis fuscis, cauda valdé furcata purpureo- nigra; capitis et cervicis lateribus nigerrimis; subtits guldé nitidissima viridescenti-aurea, abdomine pallidé fusco, viridi-aureo, preecipue in hypochondrus, lavato ; crisso sordidé albido, plumis singulis medialiter macula viridescente notatis ; rostro brevi, paulo incurvo, nigro ; pedibus nigris: long. tota 4:2, ale 2°3, caude 0°5, rectr. ext. 2:0, rectr. med. 1°15, rostri a rictu 0°5. @ supra viridis, tectricibus supracaudalibus zeneo-purpuras- centibus, caudé purpureo-nigra, rectricibus externis albo terminatis ; subtis albida, gula et hypochondriis viridi- aureo maculatis, gulé medid plumis paucis viridescenti- aureis notatd: long. caude rectr. ext. 1-6, rectr. med. 1:1. Obs. Species egregia, R. microrhyncho forsan affinis, sed dorsi colore primo visu distinguenda. Sierra Nevada, ? (9200 ft.) 17th July, g (2000 ft.) 23rd July, 1879. “Iris dark brown.” Of this beautiful species Mr. Simons sends two specimens, marked male and female. Both are in perfect plumage. The female, first obtained, was found flitting about a small stream in a wood. The male was shot on the grassy slope of a hill _ far from bushes and trees. OxYPOGON CYANOLEMUS, sp.n. (Plate IV. fig. 2.) Supra obscuré viridis, cervicis lateribus et nucha albis, capite toto nigro viridi lavato ; cristé elongaté nigra, stria me- did alb4, nares versus bifurcaté; subtus albescens, gula media plumis elongatis ceeruleis ornaté, corporis lateribus obscure viridi maculatis ; caudé zeneo-viridi, rectricibus tribus utrinque extimis, preter apices et pogonium ex- ternum (extimé excepta),lactescenti-albis. % mari similis, Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 173 capite dorso concolori, cristaé elongata et gula cerulea absentibus ; rostro et pedibus nigris: long. tota 4:5, ale 2°7, caude rectr. ext. 3:2, rectr. med. 2°9, rostri a rictu 0°6. Obs. O. guerini similis, sed gule mediz plumis elongatis ceruleis nec viridibus, et pogoniis internis rectricum lateralium omnino (preter apices) lactescenti-albis primo visu distin- guendus. Sierra Nevada (10,000 to 14,000 ft.), ¢ 9, 18th and 19th July 1879. ‘‘ Iris dark brown.” Mr. Simons sends us several specimens of this interesting novelty, which he obtained at an elevation of from 10,000 to 14,000 feet above the sea, in the Sierra. Nevada. The species is perfectly distinct from O. guerini of the high moun- tain-ranges of Colombia, and also from O. lindeni from the high lands of Merida. Besides other differences, the colour- ing of the middle of the throat at once distinguishes these beautiful birds, that of O. lindent being white, of O. guerini green, and of our new species blue. In having a large amount of white in the tail, O. cyanolemus approaches more nearly O. guerini. PrTasopHora cyANotis (Bourc.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 22nd and 25th January, 1879. “Iris brown.” San Sebastian, g, 25th July, 1879. ‘‘ Iris dark brown.” PrtasopHora ANAIS (Less.). San Sebastian (6700 ft.), ¢ (many specimens), 27th June, 1878, 15th July, 1879. “Iris brown.” Sierra Nevada (9200 ft.), ¢ 18th July (10,000 ft.), 2? 19th July, 1879. PETASOPHORA DELPHINZE (Less.). Minea (2000 ft.), 24th January and 14th February, 1879. “Tris brown.” SAUCEROTTIA WARSZEWIEZI, Cab. & Hein. Santa Marta, ? , 27th December, 1878. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢ 14th February, 2 29th March, 1879. 174 Messrs. O. Salvin ard F. DuCane Godman on the Valencia, ¢ ?, 20th to 25th May, 1879. “Iris dark brown.” CHLOROSTILBON, Sp. ? Valencia, ? , 28th May, 1879. “Iris dark brown.” A female not at present to be determined with certainty. * PANYCHLORA. Panychlora, sp.? Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 205. San Sebastian, ?, 14th July, 1879. “ Iris dark brown.” A female of the species sent in the first collection from Manaure. NycrIpROMUS ALBICOLLIS (Gm.). Arihueca, ¢, 7th March, 1879. “Iris a pale yellowish brown.” “ Local name ‘ Bujio,’ called also ‘Guardacamino,’ because at dusk it flits about the path, always alighting a few paces ahead of the traveller. Makes no noise when flying.” CreNTURUS TRICOLOR (Wagl.). Santa Marta, 2, 12th December, 1878. ‘Iris yellowish prown.” “ Local name ‘ Carpintero.’ ” Momotws suBRUFESCENS, Scl. Santa Marta, ¢, 19th February, 1879. “Iris a rich brownish red.” “This is the true Barranquero ; builds its nest in the banks of streams.” CERYLE TORQUATA (Linn.). River Manzanares, Santa Marta, ¢,5th April, 1879. “ Iris dark brown.” CERYLE AMERICANA (Gm.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 26th March, 1879. “ Iris a dark rich brown.”’ TRoGON caLicatus, Gould. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 16th March, 1879. “Iris pale yel- lowish brown,” surrounded by a brilliant circle of orange- yellow flesh. Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Maria. 175 Ditto, g, 29th March, 1879. “Iris brown,” a fleshy ring round ditto black ; beak a bluish green, like soapstone. Agrees with Central-American examples, with the head black, rather than with the blue-headed southern bird, T. meridionalis. GALBULA RUFICAUDA, Cuv. Santa Marta, ¢, 14th and 16th December, 1878. “ Iris brown.” “ Local name ‘ Barranquero.’ Common all over the pro- vince ; builds its nest in the banks of streams.” Bucco ruricotuis, Wagl. Santa Marta, ¢, 15th December, 1878. ‘‘ Iris white to brown.” “ Common among cacti and acacias.” CROTOPHAGA SULCIROSTRIS, Sw. Santa Marta, ?, 2nd April, 1879. “ Iris brown.” “ Known here as ‘ Lucia,’ also ‘ Gallinazito,’ from its sca- venger-like habits. Very common all along the sea-shore, congregating in troops and making a great noise. On alight- ing they always wag their tail three times.” Praya cayana (Linn.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 30th January, 1879. “Iris a lovely carmine lake.” “* Local name ‘ Pajaro ardilla,’ from its colour and move- ments resembling those of a squirrel. Smells worse than a Vulture.” RHAMPHASTOS CARINATUS, Sw. Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 23rd January, 1879. “ Iris blackish, dying out to a fine yellow.” “Local name ‘ Guasalé’ (Toucan).”’ PTEROGLOSsUS TORQUATUS (Gm.). Santa Marta, 9, 15th December, 1878. ‘Tris bright yellow.” Minea (2000 ft.), ¢, 17th January, 1879. “Tris bright yellow.” 176 += Messrs. O. Salvin and F. DuCane Godman on the “ Tocal name ‘ Guasalé’ (Toucan). The naked skin round the eyes is of a fine rich Venetian red. Common about Minea, but very shy; also very common near La Paz. Found in high trees near rivers.” ARA CHLOROPTERA, Gray. Valle Dupar, ¢ ¢, 15th May, 1879. ‘Iris brownish-yel- low and white in concentric circles.” “‘ Local name ‘ Guacamayo.’ ”’ ARA MILiTariIs (Linn.). Arihueca, 9, 9th March, 1879. “ Iris alternate circles of pale grey and yellow.” “ Local name ‘ Gonzales.’ ”” BroroecErys Ttovi (Gm.). Santa Marta, 9, 2lst December, 1878. “Iris almost black.” “ Tocal name ‘ Perico.? Common among the forests of Cactivn CHRYSOTIS AMAZONICA. Arihueca, ¢, 8th March, 1879. “Iris orange-red to yellow.” Agrees with Venezuelan examples. PsirracULa CYANOPTERA (Bodd.). Valle Dupar (700 ft.), ¢, 13th June, 1878. “Iris brown.” Valencia, ¢ ?, 21st May, 1879. “Iris brown.” “ Spanish name ‘ Periquito.” Shotinagarden. Found in large flocks all over the plain.” ASTURINA MAGNTROSTRIS (Gm.). Santa Marta, 9, 15th December, 1878. “Iris bright yellow.” : Minea (2000 ft.), 9, 18th January, 1879. “Iris bright yellow.” *“ Local name ‘Gabilan.2 Common in the forest, but hard to shoot, as it is very wary and not easily seen among the fohage. In the throat of the Santa-Marta specimen I found a large green lizard ; they are also very fond of snakes. & Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. 177 In the stomach of the specimen from Minea I found fourteen scorpions.” Burro pennsyivanicus (Wils.). Minea (2000 ft.), ¢ 17th, 9 22nd January, 1879. “Inis brownish yellow.” “Local name ‘ Gabilan.’? I found the stomachs full of large grasshoppers, spiders, &c.”’ Urvupitinea antHracina (Nitzsch). Santa Marta, ?, 3lst March, 1879. “Iris brown; beak orange-yellow, with black tip ; feet bright yellow.” MicrastTur semrtorquatus (Vieill.). Valencia, ¢, 26th May, 1879. “Iris a soft brown; flesh round the eyes a greenish yellow; beak bluish black; feet yellow.” — *TINNUNCULUS SPARVERIUS (Linn.). Tinnunculus sparverius, Salv. & Godm. Ibis, 1879, p. 206. Valencia, ¢, 23rd May, 1879. “Iris brown; legs yellow.” Ditto, 9, 25th May, 1879. ‘“‘Iris brown; feet dark yellow.” PoLYBORUS CHERIWAY (Jacq.). Valencia, ?, 22nd May, 1879. “Iris brownish yellow ; bare skin about head a brilliant orange-yellow ; feet yellow.” Ditto, 27th May, 1879. “Iris brown; flesh round the eye flesh-colour ; beak bluish, tipped with yellow.” “ Local name ‘ Caricare.’ Frequents the extensive savan- nas at the foot of the Sierra; flies very little and low, run- ning about in the grass in search of lizards &c.; usually associated with cattle; said to seize sick lambs and young goats.” Mitvaco coimacHiMa (Vieill.). Valencia, ¢, 2lst May, 1879. “Iris dark orange-yellow ; flesh on head beautifully coloured, a bright reddish orange behind eyes, gradually toning down to a lemon-yellow at beak ; under-beak a bright orange.” Ditto, 9, 2lst May, 1879. “Iris brown; flesh on head a ale bluish soapstone-colour, same as beak.” e 178 On theBirds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. Ditto, g, 25th May, 1879. “ Iris yellowish ; feet a bluish soapstone-colour.” Local name “ Garrapatero,” or “ Piopio,” from its feeding on the ticks (garapata) of cattle, and from its peculiar ery of pi-i-o, pi-i-o. Frequents palm trees, where it builds its nest. A young male which could scarcely fly I knocked down with a stone. CaTHARTES AURA (Linn.). Santa Marta, ¢. ARDEA AGAMI, Linn. Santa Marta, ? , 28th February, 1879. “ Iris rich orange- yellow.” “ Local name ‘ Garza morena.’ ”’ TIGRISOMA SALMONI, Scl. & Salv. Minea (2000 ft.), g, 22nd January, 1879. “ Iris straw- yellow, shading off to deep orange.” Rarely met on the river here, said to be found on the Mag- dalena in abundance; is eaten.” Agrees with the types of this species obtained by the late Mr. Salmon in the Cauca valley. CHAMPELIA RUFIPENNIS, Bp. Santa Marta, 9°, 3rd April, 1879. “Iris small, pale orange-carmine.”’ “ Tocal name ‘ Tierrelita.’ ”’ SARDAFELLA squamosa (Temm.). Valencia, ¢, 25th May, 1879. ‘Iris carmine-red ; feet flesh-colour.”’ LEPTroPriLa VERREAUXI, Bp. Minea (2000 ft.), 7th February, 1879. “Iris pale orange, very small, a mere line.” « Local name ‘ Paloma.’ ” Ruyacoruiius sotirarivs (Wilson). Santa Marta, 9, 16th December, 1878. “Iris black.” “ Tocal name ‘ Chorlito del Rio.2 Common near the sea- shore and sandbanks of the rivers.” Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Siberia. 179 XV.—Contributions to the Ornithology of Siberia. By Henry SEEBouM. [Continued from ‘The Ibis,’ 1879, p. 165, and concluded. | Sryce my return from Siberia I have received five small col- lections of birds from Mr. Kibort, a Polish exile whose ac- quaintance I made at Kras-no-yarsk’. Amongst these are skins of some species which I did not meet with in the valley of the Yen-e-say’. Most of my collecting was done north of the Arctic circle. Mr. Kibort’s skins were all obtained in the immediate neighbourhood of Kras-no-yarsk’, and illustrate the ornithology of the valley of the Yen-e-say’ ten degrees further south of the district where most of my observations were made. I am also indebted to Mr. Meves, of Stockholm, for a report upon the skins obtained by Dr. Théel in the valley of the Yen- e-say’ in 1876. The latter gentleman conducted a scientific expedition which went overland to Siberia, intending to meet Professor Nordenskidld at the mouth of the great river. Dr. Théel was able to reach lat. 70°; but his ornithological booty, owing to the fact that it was principally obtained south of the Arctic circle, contains many species which I did not meet with. He has kindly allowed me to make use of the report of Mr. Meves to supplement my contributions to the ornithology of the valley of the Yen-e-say’. Panpion HALIAETUS (Linn.). Dr. Théel observed the Osprey fishing in the Yen-e-say’ in lat. 594° and 61°. Fatco #saLon, Gmel. When I was in the valley of the Yen-e-say’ I more than once felt almost sure that I recognized the Merlin; but as I did not succeed in obtaining a specimen, it was not included in my first ist. I have now the skin of a male in my col- lection, obtained by Mr. Kibort near Kras-no-yarsk’. Dr. Théel observed it frequently about lat. 70°, and obtained a young bird in lat. 703°. TINNUNCULUS VESPERTINUS (Linn.). Mr. Kibort has sent me three skins of the Orange-legged 180 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Siberia. Hobby from Kras-no-yarsk’. They are of the European form, and not of that obtained by Radde on the Amoor. ASTUR PALUMBARIUS (Linn.). Mr. Kibort has sent me a female Goshawk from Kras- no-yarsk’. Crrcus cineRACcEus (Mont.). Mr. Kibort has sent me an adult male of Montagu’s Har- rier from Kras-no-yarsk’. SURNIA ULULA (Linn.). Mr. Kibort has sent me a skin of a Hawk-Owl from Kras- no-yarsk’. Dr. Théel informs me that he met with this species at Luscinova, in lat. 684°. Nycrata TENGMALMI (Gmel.). Mr. Kibort has sent me a skin of this Owl from Kras- | no-yarsk’. SYRNIUM URALENSE (Pall.). Mr. Kibort has sent me a fine male of the Ural Owl from Kras-no-yarsk’. We might naturally have supposed that it would be intermediate in colour between the Huropean bird and the Japanese subspecies fuscescens, Temm. On the contrary, it differs quite as much from the European bird, but in the opposite direction—the white parts being very white, and the dark parts being very dark and grey, not brown.