yUbl IChJ

FORTHE PEOPLE

FOR EDVCATION

FOR SCIENCE

LIBRARY

OF

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY

THE IBIS,

QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.

EDITED BY

OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., F.R.S.,

STRICKLAND CURATOR IX THE UI^IVBRSITY OP CAMBRIDGE, &c.

VOL. V. 1875.
THIRD SERIES.

Ibidis auspicio norus incipit Ibidis ordo !

LONDON:

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW

1875.

PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STltEET.

PREFACE.

In bringing the 17tli volume of 'The Ibis' to a
conclusion, it remains for me to thank the many
contributors to its pages for the support they have
given me. That the former have not diminished in
number, nor their contributions fallen off in excel-
lence or variety, may well be subjects of congratu-
lation to the Members of our Union. That our
prospects for the coming year seem no less bright is
equally a source of satisfaction.

OSBERT SALVIN,

Editor.

Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge.
October 1875,

BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION.
1875.

[An asterisk indicates an Original Member.]

Date of

Election.

1874. Edward R. Alston, F.Z.S. ; Dorset Street, London, W.
1870. Andrew Anderson, F.Z.S. ; Futtehgurh, North- West Pro-
vinces, India.

1872. Hanbury Barclay, F.Z.S. ; Middleton Hall, Tamworth.

1875. John Biddulph, Capt. 19th Hussars ; Government House,

Calcutta.

1873. W. T. Blaneord, F.E.S. &c. ; Geological Survey of India,

Calcutta.

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

1871. Arthur Basil Brooke; Cardney, Dunkeld, N.B.
1866. Henry Buckley, F.Z.S. ; Edgbaston, Birmingham.

1868. Thomas Edward Buckley, B.A., F.Z.S. ; Ardullie Lodge,
Foulis, N. B.

1872. Walter Lawry Buller, Sc.D., C.M.G., F.L.S., &c. ; Wan-

ganui, New Zealand.

1874. John Cordeaux; Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire.

1866. Arthur William Crichxon, B.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Broadward

Hall, Salop.
1874. Charles Danford, F.Z.S. ; Knowles, Newton, Devon.

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

Square, London, W.
*Henry Maurice Drummond-Hay, C.M.Z.S., Lieutenant-Colo-
nel, Royal Perth Rifles ; Seggieden, Perth.
1870. Daniel Giraud Elliot, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. ; 5 Rue de Tilsitt,
Paris.

1866. Henry John Elwes, F.Z.S. ; Miserden House, Cirencester.

Date of
Election.

*TnoMAs Campbell Eyxon, F.Z.S. ; Eyton Hall, Wellingtonj
Salop.
1873. H. W. Fkilden, Captain and Paymaster, Royal Artillery.

1867. George Gooch Fowlee, E.A. ; Guutou Hall, Lowestoft,

Suffolk.
1865, llev. Henry ELLiorr Fox, B.A. ; 30 Warwick Square, Loudon,
S.W.

1873. Alfred Henry Gareod,M.A.,F.Z.S.; 11 Harley Street, London.
*Frederick DttCane Godman, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; 6 Tentcrdcn

Street, Hanover Square, W.
*Percy Sanden Gobman, B.A., C.M.Z.S. ; Nutliiirst Lodge,
Horsham, Sussex.

1874. Major H. Godwin- Austen, F.Z.S. ; Chilworth Manor, Guild-

ford, Surrey.

1871. lloBERT Gray ; 13 Inverleith Row, Edinbujgli.

*JoHN Henry Gttrnet, F.Z.S. ; Northrepps, Norwich.

1870. John Henry Gtjeney, Jun., F.Z.S. ; Northrepps, Norwich.

1873. James FETnEEsroNHAUGH Hamilton, F.Z.S. ; 27 Elgin Cres-
cent, Netting Hill, W.

1868. James Edmund Haeting, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; 24 Lincoln's Inn

Fields, London.
1873. John A. Haevie Brown ; Dunipace House, Falkirk, N.B.

1868. Rev. Herbeet S. Hawkins, M.A. ; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk.

1875. J. C. Hele ; Knowles, Newton- Abbot.

1873. Charles B. Hodgson, F.Z.S. ; 13 Waterloo Street, Bir-

mingham.
*Wilfeid Hudleston HtTDLESTON, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 23 Cheyne
Walk, Chelsea.

1874, Baron A. von Hugel ; Moorlands, Bournemouth.

1869. Allan Octavian Hume, C.B. ; Secretary to the Government

of India, Calcutta.

1873. Most Hon. Chaeles, Marquess of Huntly; 41 Upper Gros-

venor Street, London.

1870. Hon. Hedwoeth Hylton-Jollieee ; Charlton, Radstock,

Bath.
1870. Col. Leonaed Howaed L, Ieby, F,Z,S, ; Hythe, Southampton,

1874. Alexandee W. M. Clarke Kennedy, F,Z,S, ; Carruchan,

Dumfries, N,B.
*Aetuue Edwaed Knox, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Trottou House,
Petersficld, Sussex.

Date of

Election.

*Kight Hon. Thomas Lyttleton, Lord Lilfobd, F.L.S., F.Z.8.,
&c. ; Lilford Hall, Oiiiidle, Northants.

1874. Major John Hayes Lloyd, F.Z.S. ; 74 Adelaide Road, Haver-

stock Hill, London, N.W.

1875, John "Wingfifld Malcolm, M.P. ; 7 Stanhope Street, May-

fair, London, W.
1870. C. H. T. Marshall, F.Z.S. ; Captain, Bengal Staff Corps.

1870. G. F. L. Marshall, F.Z.S. ; Capt. Royal (Bengal) Engineers.

1864, Alexander Goodman More, F.L.S. &c. ; 3 Botanic View,

Glasnevin, Dublin.

1874. Rhodes W. Morgan ; Madras Forest Department, Ootaca-

mund, India.

1872. Francis D'Arcy William Clotjgh Newcome ; Feltwell Hall,

Brandon, Suffolk.
*Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S., V.P.Z.S. ; Professor of Zoology

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

Secretary, Mauritius,

1875, George Pole, Capt. Royal Engineers ; Junior United Service

Club,

1871. Reginald Carew Pole, Lieut, Royal Navy; Yovilton,Tlchester.
*JoHN William Powlett-Orde, F.Z.S., late Captain, 42nd

(Royal Highland) Regiment ; Auchnaba House, Loch Gilp
Head, N. B.

1872. R. G. Wardlaw Ramsay, 67th Regiment ; White Hill, Lass-

wade, N. B.

1865. George Dawson Rowley, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Chichester House,

Brighton.

1873. Oliver Beatichamp Coventry St. John, Major R.A., F.Z.S.
*OsBERT Salvin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.; 6 Tenterden Street, Han-
over Square, London, W.

1870. Howard Saunders, F.Z.S. ; 7 Radnor Place, Hyde Park.
*Philip Ltjtlet Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &c. ; 44 Elvas-

ton Place, Queen's Gate, London, W.

1873, Henry Seebohm ; Oak Lea, Collegiate Crescent, Broomhall

Park, Sheffield.

1871. Richard Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S. , F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant,

Zoological Department, British Museum.
1870. G. Ernest Shelley, F.Z.S., late Captain, Grenadier Guards ;
6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W.

Date of
Election.

1865. Rev. Charles William Shepherd, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Trotters-

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

Wiltshire.

1874. Cecil Smith ; Lydiard House, Taunton, Somersetshire.

1875. A. C. Stark. Hillstead, Torquay, Devon.

1864. Henry Stevenson, F.L.S, ; Unthank's Road, Worwick.
1868. Hamon Styleman Le Strange, F.Z.S. ; Hunstanton Hall,

Norfolk.
1875. Paget Walter Le Strange, Lieut.-Col. Royal Artillery,

Sheerness.
*Ed\vard Cavendish Taylor, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 74 Jermyn Street,

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

Queen's Gate, London.

1873. William Bernhard Tegetmeier, F.Z.S. ; Finchley, Middlesex.
*Rev. Henry Baker Tristram, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., &c.,

Canon of Durham. The College, Durham.
1864. Henry Morris Upcher, F.Z.S. ; Sherringham Hall, Norfolk,
1872. Herbert Taylor Ussher, C.M.G., Lieut.-Govemor of the

Island of Tobago, West Indies.
1864. Right Hon. Arthur Viscount Walden, F.R.S., F.L.S.,

Pres. Z.S. ; Walden Cottage, Chislehurst, Kent.

1874. Charles Bygrave Wharton, F.Z.S. Ringsley, Cheadle, Stoke-

upon-Trent.
1871. E. Percival Wright, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Professor of Botany
in the University of Dublin.

1875. Charles A. Wright.

Extra- Ordhuiry Member.
1860. Alfred Russel Wallace, F.Z.S. ; The Dell, Grays, Essex.

Honorary Members.

1860. Professor Spencer F. Baird, Assistant Secretary to the Smith-
sonian Institution, Washington.

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

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

1870. Doctor Otto Finsch, Zoological Museum, Bremen.

1860. Doctor Gusiav Hartlaub, Bremen.

?-'■«■■■

Date of

Election.

18G0. Edgae Leopold Layard, C.M.G., F.Z.S., H.M. Consul in the

Fiji Islands.
1869. August von Pelzeln, Gustos am k.-k. zoologischen Cabinete

in Wien.
1860. Professor J. Reinhardt, Kongelige K'aturhistoriske Museum

i Kjohenhavn.
1862. Robert Swinhoe, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., late of H. M. Consular

Service, China. 33 Carlyle Square, London, S.W.

Foreign Members.

1872. Prof. J. V. Barboza du Socage, Eoyal Museum, Lisbon.
1875. Hans Graf von Berlepsch, Witzenhausen, Hessen-Nassau.

1872. Prof, J. F. Brandt, Imperial Museum, St. Petersburg.

1873. Robert Collett, Christiania.

1872. Doctor Elliott Coues, U.S. Army, Smithsonian Institution,

WasJiington, D. C.
1875. Marchese Giacomo Doria, Genoa.
1872. Doctor Victor Fatio, Geneva.
1872. Doctor Henry Hillyer Giglioli, Royal Superior Institute,

Florence.
1872. Doctor Theodor von Heuglin, Stuttgart.
1872. George N". Lawrence, New YorTc.
1872. Baron De Selys Longchamps, Liege.
1872. Doctor A. J. Malmgren, Helsingfors.
1872. Doctor A. von Middendorff, Dorpat.
1872. Alphonse Milne-Edwards, Jardin des Plantes, Paris.
1872. Prof. GusTAV Radde, Tips.

1872. Count ToMMASO Salvadori, Royal Museum, Turin.
1872. Prof. Herman Schlegel, University Museum, Leyden.

CONTENTS OF VOL. V.— THIRD SERIES.

(1875.)

Number XVII., January.

Page

I. Cruise of the 'Zara,' 11. Y. S., in the Mediterranean. Ey
LOBD LlLFOliD . 1

II. Contributions to a History of the Accipitres. The
Genus Qlaucidium. By li. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S.,
&c., of the Zoological Department, British Museum. (Plates

L, II.) 35

III. Three Months on the Coast of South Africa. By Cap-
tain G. E. Shelley, F.R.G.S 59

IV. Notes on a Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British
Museum, by E. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurney . 87

V. Notes on Severtzoflf's ' Fauna of Turkestan ' (Turkes-
tanskie Jevotnie). By H. E. Dresser 96

VI. On Two apparently new Species of Penguin from New
Zealand. By Dr. 0. Finsch, Hou.M.B.O.U 112

VII. Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo (Province of Shan-
tung, North China). Ey E. Swinhoe, H.M. Consul. (Plate
III.) [Concluded.] 114

VIII. Letters, Announcements, &c. : —

Letters from Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jun., Mr. Andrew Anderson,
Mr. Swinhoe (two), Herr A. B. Meyer, and Lord Walden . . 140

Number XVIII., April.

IX. Notes on the TrocliilidcH. The Genera Cldorost'dhoii
and Pawjchlora. By D. G. Elliot, F.L.S. &c 149

XU C0NTKNT8.

X. Notes on the Birds of Heligoland in Mr. Gatke's Collec-
tion. By John Cohdkaux 172

XI. The Birds of Transylvania. By Charles G. Danford,
F.Z.S., and John A. Harvie Brown 188

XII. On the Nidification of certain Indian Birds. Part IV.

By Andrew Anderson, F.Z.S 199

XIII. Synopsis of the Species of the Subfamily DiylossincB.

By P. L. ScLATER, M.A., F.R.S. (Plates IV., V.) .... 204

XIV. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Aecipitres in the British
Museum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874), By J. H. Gurnet . 221

XV. Notes on Severtzoff 's ' Fauna of Turkestan ' (Turkes-
tanskie Jevotnie). By H. E. Dresser 236

XVI. Descriptions of some supposed new Species of Birds.
By Major Godwin-Austen, F.Z.S. , and Arthur, Viscount
Walden, F.R.S 250

XVII. Contributions to a History of the Aecipitres. Notes
on Birds of Prey in the Museum at the Jardin des Plantes
and in the Collection of Mons. A. Bouvier. By R. Bowdler
Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S,, &c., of the Zoological Department,
British Museum 253

XVIII. Notices of recently published Ornithological Works . 261

XIX. Letters, Announcements, &c. ; —

Letters from Mons, Leon Olphe-Galliard, Mr, J. H. Gurney,
Viscount Walden, Dr, Elliott Coues, and Professor Newton , . 267

Number XIX., July.

XX. On the Birds of the South-eastern Subdivision of
Southern Ceylon. By W. Vincent Legge, Lieut, R.A., F.Z.S. . 273

XXI, The Birds of Transylvania, — Part II. By Charles

G. Danford and John A. Harvie Brown 291

XXII. On the Nidification of certain South-Indian Birds.

By Rhodes W. Morgan 313

XXIII, Contributions to a History of the Aecipitres. The
Genus Strix of Linnaeus and its type. By R. Bowdler Sharpe,

CONTENTS. Xrn

Page
F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c., of the Zoological Department, British
Museum 324

XXIV. Description of an apparently new Species of Teal
from Kerguelen's Island. By R. Bowdler Shaepe, F.L.S. &c. 328

XXV. On some Birds from Spanish Guiana collected by
Herr Miintzberg. By Aijgttst von Pelzeln 329

XXVT. Notes on Severtzoff's ' Fauna of Turkestan ' (Turkes-
tanskie Jevotnie). By H. E. Deesser 332

XXVII. Note on Palceornis exsid. By Alfred Newton,
M.A., F.E.S. (Plate VII.) 342

XXVIII. On Turdus javanicus of Horsfield, and its allied
form Turdvs scMegeli. By P. L. Sclatee, M.A., F.R.S. (Plate
VIII.) 344

XXIX. Ornithological Notes from the District of Karen-nee,
Burmah. By Robert Wardlaw Ramsat 348

XXX. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British
Museum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurnet.
(Plate VI.) 353

XXXI. Additional Notes on the Birds of the Islands of Mas-
afuera and Juan Fernandez. By Osbert Salvin, M.A., F.R.S. 370

XXXII. Notes on Rhipidura rufifrons, with a Description

of its Eggs and Nest. By Edavard P. Ramsay, C.M.Z.S. &c. . 377

XXXIII. A few stray Notes on African Birds. By Capt.

G. E. Shelley, F.R.G.S 379

XXXIV. Descriptions of five new Species of American Birds.

By George N. Lawrence. (Plate IX.) 383

XXXV. Letters, Annoimcements, &c. : —

Letters from Mr. H, E. Dresser, Mr. W. T. Blanford, Mr.
Sclater, and extracts from a letter from Baron A. von Hiigel ;
News of M. d'Albertis in New Guinea ; New Ornithological
Works 387

Number XX., October.
XXXVI. On the Birds of the South-eastern Subdivision of

Pacje
Southern Ceylon. By W. Vincent Legge, Lieut. K.A., F.Z.S.
[Conclusion] 395

XXXVII. The Birds of Transylvania. By Charles G. Dan-
ford and John A. Harvie Brown. [Conclusion] 412

XXXVIII. Description of a new Flycatcher belonging to the
Genus Myiagra, and Notes on some other Fijian Birds, By E.
L. Latard, Administrator of the Government of the Colony of
Fiji 434

XXXIX. List of Samoan Birds, with Notes on their Habits

&c. By the Bev. S. J. Whitmee 436

XL. On the Contents of a second Box of Birds from Hako-
dadi, in Northern Japan. By K. Swinhoe 447

XLL Notes on Birds from Burma. By Arthur Viscount
Walden, F.R.S 458

XLIL Remarks on the Species of the Tanagrine Genus CMo-
rochrysa. By P. L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.E.S. (Plate X.) 464

XLIII. Note on Chalcopelia hreTimeri. By Dr. 0. FiNscn . 467

XLIV. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British
Museum,' by E. Bowdler Sharpc. By J. H. Gtjrney . . . 468

XLV. On the Immature Plumage of Elwdostetliia rosea. By
Howard Saunders, F.L.S., F.Z.S 484

XLVI. Notes on some New Central-Asiatic Birds. By Dr.
N. Severtzoff 487

XLVII. Notices of recently published Ornithological "Works. 494

XLVIII. Letters, Announcements, &c. : —

Letters from Messrs. E. P. Ramsay, H. E. Dresser (two),
A. B. Brooke, J. H. Gurney, J. H. Gurney, jun., J. A. Harvie
Brown, Robert Swinhoe ; news of the Arctic Expedition ; Mr.
Dresser's reprint of Eversmann's ' Addenda ;' discovery of un-
published letters of Gilbert White 512

XLIX. Obituary:—

Notice of the death of Sir William Jardine, of Carl J. Sunde-
vall, and of Dr. John Edward Gray 522

Index 527

PLATES IN VOL. V.
FOURTH SERIES.

Page

I. Glaucidiiim gnoma . 38

yy r Pig. 1. Glaueidium pumilum I 41

I Fig. 2. Glaueidium griseiceps J

III. Porzana exquisita 135

IV. Diglossa pectoralis 212

V. Diglossa albilateralis 216

VI. Accipiter ovampensis 367

VII. Palseornis exsul 342

VIII. Turdus javanieus 346

j-cj- J Fig. 1. Chlorospingus? speculiferus 1 ooo

1 Fig. 2. Serpophaga leucura J

X. Chlorochrysa nitidissima 466

ERRATA ET CORRIGENDA.

Page Line

27, 19) for cinereus read hihli.

50, 10, for lan&heri read lansbergi.

68, 8, for FULiGULA read fulvigula.

73, 26, for letsitsirupa read litsisirupa.

85, \7,for EupODOTvs read Eupodotis.

112, 18, for viTTATA read vittatus.

121, 5, for Euphnna read Eophona.

128, 35, for maculosus read maculafus.

275, 14, for baiaviensis read hatassiensis.

335, 1 1, for Myiophonkus read Myiophonus.

361, 26, for breviceps read brevij^cs.

389 29 1

390,' 12,' i /or Sidney rra(Z Sydney.

393, 24, J

393, 10, for brachipus read brachypus.

403, 13, for Leptoptilu javanicu read Leptoptilus javanicus.

THE IBIS.

THIRD SERIES.

No. XVII. JANUARY 1875.

I. — Cruise of the ' Zara,' R. Y. S., in the Mediterranean. ^
By Lord Lilford.

It is so long since I have written any thing for this Journal,
that I fear that many Members of the B.O.U., more espe-
cially those lately elected, may consider that the President is
a myth, who never appears at the Annual Meetings, and
merely exists as a sort of conventional fiction. I resume the
pen, then, partly to assure such Ibises that I have a real ex-
istence, and, though latterly prevented by illness from attend-
ing the Annual Meetings of our Society, that my interest in
the said Society is in no way diminished, and my ardour for
ornithology very much augmented. I hope I may be forgiven
for saying this much entirely about myself; but I really feel
that, before recording the few following facts, some kind of
introduction is becoming, although not strictly necessary, on
my part. Since I last wrote in this Journal, I have visited
Spain, the country of my predilection, three times ; but al-
though, on two of these occasions, I had fair ornithological
success in Andalucia, that district has been so much more
thoroughly explored by my friend Colonel Irby, to whose

SER. III. VOL. V. B

2 Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

accurate powers of observation and ardour in the cause
European ornithologists must ever be greatly indebted, and
so much has been written by another of our fraternity, Mr,
Howard Saunders, that I hardly considered myself justified
in asking for space in ' The Ibis ' to record things of Spain.
I may, however, mention that during one of the above-men-
tioned visits to Spain I had the satisfaction of discovering an
undescribed species of bird, viz. CalandreUa bcetica, Dresser,
' Birds of Europe,' and of thoroughly investigating the
breeding-habits of the Spanish Imperial Eagle {Aquila ad-
alberti), recently specifically separated from the Eastern
species {Aquila mogilnik). I may add that there is still
plenty of ground in old Spain for enterprising naturalists ; and
let us hope that when a Spanish monarch is once more on
the throne of that glorious but unhappy country, and things
become more settled therein, some of our increasing flock of
Ibises may migrate thither, and reap a rich harvest. This
may be a thing of " manana ;'' but, as the natives say, " Ojala
Dios ! " It is my purpose in this paper to relate my prin-
cipal ornithological observations during a yacht-cruise in the
Mediterranean, extending from the end of December 1873,
till the end of June 1874, and to show how much may be done
comparatively near home even by a naturalist so incapaci-
tated by lameness as myself.

I despatched my yacht, the ' Zara,' R. Y. S., from England
for Toulon about the end of October 1873 ; and we started
from England, via France, about the middle of the following
month to join her at the latter place. After being detained
by gales of wind at the North Foreland, taking in stores at
Plymouth, and being again driven back and detained at
Falmouth for more than a week by a furious south-wester,
she reached Gibraltar November 16th, after an eight days'
run from Falmouth, and was detained at Gibraltar for three
days by that curse of 'Hhe Rock,'' a furious " levanter." After
encountering very bad weather and calms, and being obliged
to take shelter in Port Mahon for nearly a fortnight, she
eventually reached Toulon, where the authorities kindly put
her in quarantine for three days because the Captain had not

Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean. 3

obtained a visa of the French Consul at Port Mahon, for the
good reason that after diligent researches he had been unable
to find, or hear of, any such functionary at that port. The
yacht had lost some copper ; and I was obliged to put her into
dry dock for repairs, having to go through innumerable
useless ceremonies, and visit innumerable bureaux before I
could get any thing done. It appears incredible, but I had
no less than sixteen official documents to sign and deliver at
some twelve different bureaux before the dockyard autho-
rities would oblige me by accepting the money due for hire
of dry dock and work upon the vessel.

I need hardly say that on our way through France, and at
Toulon, I had seen hardly any thing worthy of remark, ornitho-
logically speaking — an Eagle Owl hanging up in a poulterer's
shop at Marseilles (which I was informed was not " ime piece
de gibier, mais pour les amateurs ") , some young Blue Rock-
Thrushes alive, and various species of Ducks, some Woodcocks,
Snipes, and Godwits in the market. A locality more entirely
destitute of birds than the environs of Toulon I never saw.
With the exception of a considerable number of Gulls {Larus
leticophceus , L. melanocephalus , L. ridibundus, and L. canus),
I literally hardly saw any bird but a few Sparrows, all here P.
domesticus, a solitary Kingfisher, and a pair of Wall-creepers
{Tichodroma muraria), in the gorge of Ollioule, some miles
from the town. Notwithstanding this absence of feathered
fowl, I, wishing to be entirely '' en regle,'^ spent three days
in procuring a " permis de chasse,^^ being sent from Consul
to Mayor, from Mayor to Prefet, and from Prefet — I was
going to say, about my business ; but my business was a
" permis,^' and Monsieur le Prefet, or Sous-Prefet, sent me
away, and said the official forms could not be officially ready
before to-morrow. We talk of Spanish procrastination ; but
with good temper and courtesy, and an occasional cigar, a
Spanish official will be ready (he is too much of an Arab to
be anxious) to oblige a stranger. In Spain there is no
system ; and in unhappy France system is the curse of the
country, and tlie result is, an amount of petty official swagger,
and a swarm of bureaux, especially provoking to an English-

B 2

4 Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

man, who is generally in a hurry, and cannot understand why
he cannot have any article that he is ready to pay for there
and then. Having, as I say, after three days of perfectly
unnecessary driving from pillar to post, obtained the pre-
cious document, and thinking I might perhaps get a Gull or
two in the harbour, I took a boat, and stood away for the
extreme west corner of the fine bay to a spot where my boat-
man informed me we should find many ducks, and perhaps
o-et a shot. The Gulls, though swarming in the small inner
harbour, where shooting is not allowed, took such good care
of themselves out in the bay, that I could not get a shot ; the
ducks were of course a myth ; and the only birds I saw were
the Kingfisher mentioned above, and a few Crossbills in a
pine-wood, which also perfectly understood the meaning of a
gun. I think my old boatman, an old man-of-war's man,
who had been a prisoner in England during Napoleon's war
with us, wished to revenge his wrongs ; for not content with
taking me, as a representative of " la perfide Albion," in
pursuit of imaginary ducks, he further persuaded me to fish
in a blazing sun and thirty fathoms of water, for a whole
day, the sole result being the capture of a few very small
" bogues " (a perfectly worthless fish) and a sharp attack of
rheumatic gout, brought on by the sudden piercing chill at sun-
set after the great heat of the day. Experience is invaluable ;
but I certainly, on this occasion, paid a high price in learning
that sport, in the south of France at all events, is a delusion
and a snare, and that the inhabitants are, as a rule, wholly
untrustworthy. I was laid up for three weeks, fortunately in a
good hotel, and well attended by our Doctor, Mr. Sidney
Morris, who accompanied us through the cruise, and to whose
activity and eagerness for la chasse I am indebted for many
of my specimens. Being just able to move, I went on board
the yacht on 2Gth of December, and sailed the following day
for Cannes. The coast is exceedingly beautiful ; and the
weather was fine. We lay one night in the roads of Hyeres.
On these islands there really is some shooting, as they are
preserved ; and I hear (from an Englishman) that there are a
fair number of Partridges and rabbits, and occasionally con-

Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean. 5

siderable flights of Woodcocks and wildfowl. There is a great
breeding-place of Gulls on la Gabinera^ a rocky islet south of
the middle island : but I was not in a condition for explora-
tion ; so we sailed again for Cannes on the 29thj and^ with
light head-winds and calms^ arrived there at 9 p.m. the same
day, seeing no birds on our way but a few Gulls and two or
three Shearwaters. At Cannes we remained three zooloffi-
cally profitless weeks, and I had a return of my malady, which
prevented my ever getting ashore ; but we found many friends
amongst the large and steadily increasing English colony
there, whose attention and kindness made the time pass
quickly. My yacht- steward, who had passed many years
collecting and preserving objects of natural history in Aus-
tralia, and is a good hand at the business, brought me off
various birds from the market, amongst others, Turdus tor-
quatus, Coccothraustes vulgaris, Caccabis rufa, Caccabis pe-
trosa (from Sardinia), Anas clypeata, A. crecca, A. acuta,
Mareca penelope, Fuligula ferina, Mergus merganser, and
Scolopax rusticola. A friend whom we found there, a High-
lander, and devoted to the gun, told me that amongst the
pine-clad hills which surround Cannes, he had in about two
months' constant rambles met with two Woodcocks, four
Partridges, an Owl, and many foxes ; so I cannot recommend
Cannes as a shooting-locality. The climate is certainly fine;
but in all this part of the Mediterranean coast the sudden
piercing cold at sunset is especially to be guarded against,
and must, I think, be prejudicial to the class of invalids who
principally resort thither. The Russians and our Trans-
atlantic cousins have monopolized Nice, the climate of which
place, pace the faculty, is in my opinion simply abominable ;
and our country people have gone to the eastward, and are
establishing themselves along the lovely Riviera from Men-
tone to Savona, where the climate in winter really is fine,
and the countiy interesting and comparatively little known.
I speak from experience, having passed some nine months in
this part of Europe, and sailed, walked, ridden, driven, and
steamed along and almost all over it. I found that, while to
the westward of the Maritime Alps the peasantry are boorish^

6 Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

uncivil, and rapacious, to the eastward of that chain they are
simple-minded, lively, honest, and obliging; but no doubt
increasing civilization and the influx of foreigners will soon
change all this, and a travelling Englishman will be consi-
dered, as in other places, a sort of mint which issues good
coin without getting any thing in return but fine air and
such amusement as his own resources may provide for him.
We left Cannes January 19th, with beautiful weather ; but
we had no wind, and for four days just crept along the coast,
which is so exceedingly beautiful that we could hardly regret
the delay, as we were not pressed for time, and the deck of
a good yacht in fine weather furnishes perhaps as pleasant a
lounge for a convalescent as can well be imagined. At length,
on the morning of Jan. 22, we got a fair breeze, and arrived
at Genoa about 9 a.m. I had not visited this beautiful city
for many years, and was now prevented from going ashore
much by my lameness. I had the pleasure, however, of
making the acquaintance of the Marchese Giacomo Doria, a
hardworking and accurate naturalist, and an excellent good
fellow, who was kind enough to do me the honours of his new
Museo Civico on the Acquasola, to present me with various
scarce reptiles in spirits, and to furnish me with a great deal
of valuable information on all my favourite branches of zoo-
logy. The chief treasures of the European ornithological
collection in the above-mentioned Museum are the following
— a fine specimen of Falco eleanora, killed near Genoa,
many rare Buntings (e. g. Emberiza pityornis, E. aureola,
E. pusilla, E. lesbia, E. casia) , Turclus fuscatus, Merops per-
sicus, Erythrosterna parva, Actiturus bartramius, Francolinus
vulgaris, and, last (though not least) , that great prize of the
Mediterranean Larus audouini. With the exception of the
Francolin, all these birds were obtained in Liguria, most
of them in the immediate neighbourhood of Genoa ; and more
beautifully mounted specimens could hardly be. The Larus
audouini was killed near Savona, and is in winter plumage ;
there is, I believe, another specimen in the University Mu-
seum of Genoa, also obtained in the neighbourhood. The
Francolin was obtained by Doria from Sicily, some four or

Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean. 7

five years ago, already stuffed ; and though he (Doria) showed
it to me in a rather triumphant manner, as a proof that my
theory of the extinction of the species was incorrect, I can
hardly admit it as such proof, as he knew nothing of the date
of its capture. I may here mention, on this favourite sub-
ject, that in leaving England I had proposed to visit the
island of Cyprus, expressly to see the Francolins in their
native haunts ; but I was prevented from so doing by a va-
riety of causes ; and about the birds in Europe, properly so
called, I have hardly any thing to add to what has already
appeared in this Journal from the pen of my friend Mr.
Howard Saunders. Salvadori, in his most interesting work
on the ornithological fauna of Italy, which was presented to
me by the Marchese Doria, says, it seems to him that Mr.
Saunders and I were premature in proclaiming the extinction
of the species in Sicily ; and I am perfectly willing and very
glad to admit that this is the case, as will be seen from Mr.
Saunders^ s papers above mentioned ; but from all that I could
learn subsequently in Sicily, not a single specimen has fallen
into the hands of any naturalist since 1869 ; and, for many
years before that, the occasional rare occuiTcnce of a solitary
individual in the old haunts of the species only went to prove
that, although strictly speaking not completely extinct, the
species was rapidly becoming so ; and in spite of the diligent
personal researches of more than one competent naturalist,
one could never depend on shooting, or seeing, a Francolin, or
even hearing its sonorous cry in its favourite localities, for at
all events twenty years past. In the harbour of Genoa were
great numbers of Larus leucophaeus , L. ridibundus, L. me-
lanocephalus , and some few of Larus canus. I did not see
Larus fuscus in adult plumage ; but amongst the many brown-
feathered gulls at Genoa I have little doubt that it existed.
It is not an uncommon bird in the western portion of the
Mediterranean ; but immature specimens are more frequently
met with than the adults. In the gardens of the Museo
Civico at Genoa, Doria showed me an Eagle alive, which I
have no doubt was Aquila rapax ; but the locality whence
it came was unfortunately not known. The Museo will soon

8 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean.

he, under the able care of the Marchese, one of the best-
arranged musemns of zoology in the world ; and I am sure
that all English naturalists will wish god-speed to an insti-
tution so thoroughly well managed, so competently governed,
and so delightfully situated as this. I was rather surprised
to find our English Grey Partridge {Perdix cinerea) pretty
abundant in the market, as, although tolerably common in
some parts of the plains and lower hills of northern Italy, I
had always thought that it avoided Liguria, in which province
I never met with it in my former shooting-rambles. I may
perhaps be allowed to say a few words here on the distribu-
tion of the four Eui'opean species of Partridge, which is cer-
tainly curious, and, I think, not much understood. The
Common Redlcg [Caccabis rufa) is the Partridge of Spain
from Irun to Tarifa, and from Lisbon to Barcelona. The
Barbary Partridge {Caccabis petros a) is found in that country
on the Rock of Gibraltar only, no doubt introduced by man
from the opposite coast ; this species seems never to quit the
Rock, where it is well protected. Within a few miles Caccabis
rufa is tolerably abundant, but (I speak under correction)
is never seen on the Rock itself. Throughout the Barbary
States of the Mediterranean C. petrosa is the common and, I
think, the only true Partridge.

To return to Spain, the Grey Partridge is pretty common
in some of the north-western provinces, notably in those of
Leon and Astui'ias. I met with it sparingly in the Pyrenees
of Aragon, and have been informed of its occm'rence as far
south as Murcia. There is a tradition of the former existence
of C. petrosa in that province, in the neighbourhood of Carta-
gena ; but it has now disappeared there, more Francolino-
rum in Sicily.

As I have before stated in this Journal, I have never been
able to meet with C. saxatilis alive or dead in Spain ; and,
as far as I know, there is no tradition of its existence in that
country, though it is not uncommon in some parts of Southern
France. In the latter country Caccabis rubra and Perdix
cinerea are the prevailing species, whilst Caccabis saxatilis
(the Bartavelle) is tolerably common in many places suitable

Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean. 9

to its habits, especially the Jura, the Hautes Pyrenees, aud the
Alpes Mari times. I do not think it can be called common;
in fact no game bird is common in France, except where
strictly and artificially preserved ; but I found a fair number
of these Bartavelles for sale in the Paris poulterers^ shops in
November, which I was informed came principally from the
South. In Switzerland the Bartavelle is found sparingly in
the mountains ; and I think that the frontiers of that Republic
and the State of Baden are about the limit of its northern
range. I believe (but here I speak under correction) that the
present species is met with throughout the mountains of
Southern Germany, the Tyrol, and Styria. I have specimens
from the latter province. I am not aware that it is found in
the Carpathians, though it is probable that it exists in the
eastern portion of that chain. Perdix cinerea is the Partridge
of Germany, generally speaking ; I do not know that Caccabis
rufa is indigenous in any part of that country, though it has
spread into Belgium and some portions of the Netherlands.
Returning to Italy, we find C. saxatilis more or less common
throughout the Alps and Apennines, becoming more common
as we go southwards. C. rufa is found also in many parts of
Italy, notably in Tuscany, but decidedly becomes scarce in
the southern provinces. I never met with a specimen in the
markets of Naples. Perdix cinerea is found in the plains
throughout Italy. In the islands of the W. MediteiTanean
C. rufa is found in the Balearics, where it is the only species
of the family, as I believe is the case in Corsica and Elba.
In Sardinia C. petrosa is the only species found, whilst in
Sicily, in spite of the assertion of Monsieur Malherbe, no
Partridge but C. saxatilis is indigenous ; and I am not aware
of the introduction of any other species into that island. In
the Ionian Islands, Styria, Dalmatia and throughout European
Turkey, C saxatilis {%\\e graca) , and Perdix cinerea are, I
believe, the only species ; and I think I am correct in
stating that the latter is the Partridge of the Danubian
principalities. In European Russia, as far as I can find out,
no species of Caccabis is found, whilst, on the other hand,
Perdix cinerea is in some places very abundant.

10 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean.

Pallas, in his ' Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica/ tome ii. p. 79,
appears to have considered the three species of Caccabis as
only local races, of which three, I suspect, Caccabis graca
was his typical form, as in his short diagnosis he does not
mention either the black spots below the collar of C. rufa, or
the chestnut colour and white spots of C. petrosa. But I
must return to the yacht, and can only hope that this long
digression about my favourite game birds may be pardoned,
and perhaps be of service to some brother ornithologists or
sportsmen desiring of making acquaintance with the foreign
members of this interesting and, generally speaking, estimable
family.

We left Genoa January 30, and with light airs of wind got
into the splendid Bay of Spezia early in the afternoon of the
next day. We remained there, enjoying the matchless beauty
of the scenery, with fine weather, till February 3, when we
sailed for Leghorn. Great numbers of Gulls, principally L.
ridibundus and L. melanocejihalus , frequent the Bay of Spezia,
with some L. leucophaus, a few L. canus ; and I also distinctly
made out one Rissa tridactyla, which, as far as my obser-
vation goes, is by no means a common bird on the Mediter-
ranean coasts. We got into Leghorn about daylight, Feb-
ruary 4, and immediately drove off to Pisa, some ten or
twelve miles. On the way I noticed the following species of
birds — Falco tinnunculus, Corvus frugilegus, Passer italic,
Fringilla chloris, F. carduelis, F. ccelebs, Motacilla alba,
Anthus ?, Galerita cristata, Columba cenas, and an Ardea, at
a great distance, which looked very white in the bright sun-
light, but may have been A. cinerea.

At Pisa I had, unfortunately, no time to visit the Museum,
but, amidst the many attractions of that beautiful city, did
not forget to pay my humble tribute of respect at the tomb
of Paoli Savi, in the Campo Santo. We left Leghorn the next
morning at daylight for Naples, with a very light northerly
wind, which carried us about six miles on our course, and left
us becalmed till about 1 p.m., when a delightful breeze crept
up to us from N.N.W., and we span along at from seven to
eleven knots till about 10a.m., February 6, when it fell calm

Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean. 11

again till 1 p.m^ when we got the same breeze till midnight;
it then left us rolling in a calm, with a very heavy swell oflf the
westernmost point of the island of Ischia. With occasional
light puffs of wind we crept into the port of Naples about
4 P.M., February 7. Except the Gulls above mentioned, the
only birds seen during this ru.n were two flocks of some small
species of Tringa coming from the westward, some fifteen
miles from the Italian coast, many Shearwaters {Puffinus
kuhli and P. yelkouan), and one Razor-bill {Alca torda).
Just south of Ischia we saw a very large Seal, and a large Ce-
tacean, probably a Thrasher, which for a long time kept lash-
ing the water with its tail, making the spray fly to a great
height with a report like the discharge of a small field-gim.

We remained at Naples till March 4, being detained by
the loss of our rudder in a sudden furious squaU of wind,
which caused the yacht to drag her anchor and go stern on
to the Mole, fortunately sustaining no greater damage than
the loss above mentioned ; but the weather generally speaking
was so bad, wet and cold, that, as the shipwright worked in
the open aii*, the new rudder took a long time making. The
officials of the dockyard sent me in a longish bill, but showed
me every attention and civility; and as we were most
cordially and hospitably received in the house of a relative,
our time passed quickly away in spite of constant bad weather
and the contretemps just mentioned.

In the market of Naples I saw the following species of birds —
Common Jay, Chaffinch, Serin Finch, Goldfinch, Italian Spar-
row, Stonechat, Sky lark, Woodpigeon, GreekPartridge, Barbary
Partridge, Grey Partridge, Spotted Crake, Lapwing, Golden
Plover, Little Bustard, Black-tailed Godwit, Rufi", Wood-
cock, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Wild Duck, Pintail, Gad-
wall, Shoveller, Teal, Wigeon, Red-headed Pochard, and one
Smew. In our drives about the country we noticed very few
birds ; I think, besides those mentioned above, we only saw a
few common Kestrels, a Sparrow-Hawk or two, some Robins,
and now and then a Blue Rock-Thrush. In the garden of
the house in which we were living I observed White Wag-
tail, Grey Wagtail, Blackbird, Song-Thrush, Chiffchafl",

12 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean.

Blackcap, Black-headed Warbler, and common Wren. The
usual Mediterranean Gulls frequented the harbour in large
numbers; and I obtained specimens of Larus canus, L.
leucophaus, L. melanoce'phalus , and L. ridibundus ; the first
mentioned was decidedly the least common, and the third the
most abundant species of Gull during our stay at Naples.
The weather, as I have mentioned, was so cold and wet that
we were prevented from seeing much of the neighbourhood ;
but we went of course to Pozzuoli, Baise, Astroni, Capo di
Monte, and from Torre del Annunziata, whither I sent the
yacht, to Pompeii.

The lake of Avernus has lost its ancient deadly character ;
and we saw many Coots and Dabchicks taking their pleasure
thereon, whilst Blackbirds and Robins were whistling gaily
in the surrounding copses without the slightest perceptible
symptom of approaching asphyxia. I noticed a great many
bats flying in the broad sunshine, and succeeded in knocking
one down with the carriage-whip, which proved to be a
specimen of Vespertilio schreibersi. I distinguished many
other species, notably V. murinus, but could not persuade
the natives to preserve me specimens of any of this interesting
order of animals. I made acquaintance with Prof. G. Palma,
of the University, who courteously did me the honours of the
Zoological collections belonging to that institution, and also
showed me a small private collection at his own house.

The University Museum contains a fair local collection of
birds ; but the setting-up and mounting is lamentable, and the
ornithological department altogether unworthy of such a city
as Naples. Prof. Palma^s collection contains several speci-
mens of Larus in various plumages, which completely puzzled
me, exhibiting, as they did, many characteristics of both
Larus melanocephalus and L. ridibundus. I came very reluc-
tantly to the conclusion that they must be hybrids ; but I
hope I am wrong, and that our friend Mr. Saunders, who
has devoted so much attention to this family, may some day
see them and enlighten us. I obtained my principal inform-
ation about sport in the southern provinces fi'om Cavaliere
Mario Mattino, who is Grand Veneur to the King. He in-

Lord Lilfonrs Cruise in the Mediterranean. 13

formed me that bears still exist in some parts of the Abruzzi,
wolves are common in the mountains, foxes swarm. I could
obtain no positive information about the lynx. Wild cats and
both species of marten are tolerably (or I should, as a game-
preserver, perhaps say intolerably) common, otters and badgers
less so, wild boars very abundant. The porcupine is gradually
becoming scarce ; hares and rabbits exist in the preserved
districts. Of the genus Cervus, Cavaliere Mattino seemed
to consider that C. capreolus and C. elaphus are indigenous,
though the latter is very rare except in the royal preserves,
whilst C. dama is, he thinks, decidedly an imported species.
Of winged game, strictly speaking. Pheasants having been in-
troduced, Caccabis sawatilis, Perdix cinerea, and Coturnix com-
munis are the only representatives ; but the numbers of win-
ter fowl. Woodcocks, Snipes, and especially Ducks, of many
species, are occasionally almost incredible, particularly during
this last season, which was exceptionally severe throughout
Southern Europe. The King, a few days before our arrival,
had killed 180 Ducks to his own gun at Licola; but His
]\Iajesty is a sportsman in the true sense of the word, and
fears danger, difficulty, and fatigue as little with the fowling-
piece or rifle as with the sword or the more troublesome wea-
pons of State policy. He is devoted to shooting of all kinds,
but prefers the wilder forms of sport ; and whilst the moun-
tains and valleys of Northern Italy ring with his praises as a
good fellow and first-class hunter of Ibex and Chamois, even
in the languid south, where his fearless and manly qualities
are less appreciated, he is universally allowed to be " famoso
cacciatore."

We at last left the beautiful Bay of Naples for Messina on
the morning of March 7th, and, with light airs of wind,
got some miles south of Stromboli by midday of the 9th,
when a furious wind met us, blowing directly out of the
Straits ; and as the current was also running some eight or
ten knots in the same direction, we ran under the lee of the
Sicilian land, and brought up in a little sandy bay some five
or six miles west of the Faro for the night, and worked into
the harbour of Messina by 9 a.m. on the following morning.

14 Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

where we remained till the 16th of March, almost entirely
confined to our vessel by continual storms of rain, thunder,
wind, and snow. I observed some Sandwich Terns {Sterna
cantiaca) and the first House-Martins of the season on the
1 2th about the Faro.

We sailed again, March 16th, for Taormina, and anchored
in the bay at 1 p.m., seeing on our way several little Gulls
[Larus minutus) , some large flocks of Cranes passing north-
wards high over head, and a few Purple Herons going in the
same direction, and on the rocks about Taormina a few Rock-
Doves, Kestrels, a Kingfisher, some Blue Thrushes, and two
Black Redstarts. We went on to Catania the next day, seeing
nothing remarkable but a flight of ten Vultures crossing to
the Italian coast at an immense height up in the clouds. The
scenery of the Straits of Messina and the Sicilian coast is
magnificent. Etna, which I had only seen before at a dis-
tance of some seventy miles, was covered with snow from the
summit quite halfway down to the sea ; and the contrast of
the dazzling white with the black lava-fields and the nch
green of the lower slopes and maritime strip produced a most
superb efiect, and put the undeniably beautiful Bay of Naples
and Vesuvius quite into the shade. At Catania, a very plea-
sant, cheerful, well-built town, with a good market, we re-
mained till March the 30th, making many excursions to the
Pantani, some very extensive marshes at the mouth of the
river Simeto, and another stream which runs into the sea
some miles further to the south. These marshes are a com-
plete Paradise for the ornithologist, and in the winter afford
unrivalled Duck- and Snipe-shooting. They may be easily
reached by road from Catania; in fact, within two miles
of that town there are fine Snipy-looking meadows and
swamps on both sides of the road ; but our usual plan was
to get away in the yacht's cutter pretty early in the morning
and sail or row off" to the mouth of the small river above men-
tioned, where there is a bar with very little water, pull a short
distance up the stream to a sort of pothouse kept by the
lessee of the fisheries, and there take punts to explore the
reed-jungles of the lagoons. Before arriving at the mouth of

Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean. 15

the river, we generally had an interview with large flocks of
Ducks of various species, principally common Wild Duck
and Mallard, Gargany, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Teal, Red-
crested Pochard, Common Pochard, and Wigcon. But as
the wind was generally light and did not favour us, we did
not succeed in bring many of these to bag. We obtained,
however, some fine specimens of Black-headed Gull (L, mela-
nocephalus) with complete black head, and one or two Sand-
wich Terns, which last was the only species of Sterna we ob-
served here. On our first visit to the marshes we found a
great many Snipes ; but they were very wild, I was very
lame, and the doctor, though he plunged gallantly into the
mud and water, was not accustomed to sniping, and our bag
was not so full at the end of the day as it might have been.
The doctor's Snipe-shooting' rapidly improved ; but unfortu-
nately the birds became scarcer every day, till, at the end of
time in these " cari luoghi " we had to search diligently to find
a Snipe at aU. The same may be said of most of the wading
birds, of which at first we found great numbers, such as com-
mon Curlew, Whimbrel, possibly Slender-billed Curlew,
Pewit, Golden Plover, Avocet (never abundant), Oyster-
catcher, Black-winged Stilt, Greenshank, Marsh-Sandpiper,
Dusky Redshank, Common Redshank, Green Sandpiper,
Wood-Sandpiper, Rufi" and Reeve, Pygmy Curlew, and Dunlin,
all of which we made out positively, and several of which we
obtained. Of the Ardeidse, we only met with Ardea cinerea
and the common Bittern {Botaurus stellaris), which last is
common and breeds in the country. The migratory Herons,
with the exception of the Purple {Ardea purpurea), which
was constantly passing but did not appear to rest in the
marshes, had not yet arrived in force; and, besides those
above mentioned, we only saw two Little Egrets {Egretta
garzetta) . The lagoons swarmed with Coots {Fulica atra) ;
and we constantly heard, but on one occasion only obtained
a fleeting glimpse of, the Purple Waterhen {Porphyria vete-
rum) . This bird is by no means rare in these marshes, but
seldom appears in the open water, and haunts the highest and
strongest reed-brakes, where it is always difficult, and often

IG Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

impossible, to shove a boat along. I found one nest of this
bird exaetly resembling, and not conspicuously larger than,
that of our common Waterhen [Gallinula chloropus), which
is extremely abundant here. This nest was placed on the
water in a thick mass of growing flags, and contained one
egg; this was on March 31st. The Spotted, Baillon's, and
Little Crakes are all common, the former very abundant ; and
we also found several Water- Rails {Rallus aquaticus) . Besides
the Ducks above mentioned, I observed the White-eyed Po-
chard {Fuligula nyroca) in great numbers, and shot several
specimens ; and Gadwalls and Shovellers were also pretty
common. I have no doubt that Anas boschas, A. clypeata,
A. strepera, Branta rufina, and Fuligula nyroca breed in
these marshes, possibly also Anas querquedula, and a species
which I had forgotten, but may mention as tolerably com-
mon, viz. the White-headed Duck {Erismatura mersa). I
was surprised at the paucity of Raptores ; with the exception
of one common Kite and a few Kestrels, we saw nothing but
Harriers. And another surprising fact was that we did not
see a single Podiceps of any species, though the whole of the
district is apparently admirably suited to their habits and
swarming with fish — grey mullet, tench, and eels. To return
to terra firma, the most conspicuous bird was the common
Magpie, which is very abundant, and breeds all over the
country, high and low. We now and then saw and heard a
Raven. Some Hooded Crows {Corvus comix) frequented
the sandhills which extend from Catania between the marshes
and the sea for many miles ; and the Jackdaw is very abun-
dant. The common Jay {Garrulus glandarius) is found in
the wooded portions of Etna (I observed it near Nicolosi) .
We saw a few common Kingfishers [Alcedo ispida) on the
banks of the rivers ; the Swallow tribe were increasing
in numbers every day ; we saw all the common European
species of this family, the great arrival of the common
Swallow and Alpine Swift occurring on the same day, viz.
March 24th. I feel no doubt in my own mind that on that
day I also saw more than one of the eastern Chimney- Swallow
{Hirundo rufula); but as we were in a carriage and our guns

Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean. \7

in their covers, we did not obtain a specimen ; and I do not
like to record the occurrence of a species so similar to the
common Swallow as a positive fact, though the bird is by no
means uncommon on passage in several parts of Sicily.
Cotyle rupestris I saw in the craters of the Monte Rossi, above
Nicolosi ; C. riparia was the least common of the family. I
noticed many Blackbirds and Song-Thrushes on the skirts of
the marshes ; and Black Redstarts are common and resident
in all suitable localities. The reed-brakes and swamps teem
with Warblers, amongst which Cetti's Warbler is conspicuous
by his thrilling note ; I recognized also the song of Savi's
Warbler [Calamodyta luscinioides) , oxnr common Reed- and
Sedge- Warblers (C. arundinacea and C . phragmitis) . Cisti-
cola schoenicola is very abundant ; and in the dense jungle of
the Pantani there were at least three other species, probably
Calamodyta aquatica, C. melanopogon, and another which I
had never heard and, I think, never seen before ; but I must
here make a sad ornithological confession, and state that
whilst exploring these marshes I was always on the special
look-out for Porphyrio veterum, and my gun was loaded with
large shot, so that I fired at nothing smaller than the Duck
tribe. The above-mentioned Warblers, with the exception of
C. schcBnicola, frequent the dense beds of reeds and flags in
some five or six feet of water and mud, whilst Sylvia atricapilla
was common amongst the brambles of the dryer portions of
the marsh. ^S^. melanocephala I noticed in the Zoological
Gardens of Catania, where it was evidently nesting in the
shrubberies ; and this, I think, brings me to an end of the
family. I may state that all the above-mentioned Sylviidae
and many other species are recorded from Sicily by various
authors ; and a more suitable home for them than the Pantani
could hardly be imagined. In the market of Catania I met
with no birds that I did not see alive out in the country.
Calandra Larks, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, and Serins are
the favourite song-birds, and Passer salicicola the only
Sparrow we met with.

We drove out to the famous lake of Lentini, about fifteen
miles from Catania, on 23rd March. This is a fine sheet of

SER. III. VOL. V. c

18 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean.

water^ I should say, perhaps, twelve or fifteen miles in length,
by some five in breadth in the widest part, is surrounded
by good Snipe-marshes and thick reed-brakes. Its whole
surface, as far as the eye could reach, was thickly dotted
with birds, principally Coots {Fulica atra) ; but there were
also many Ducks of the various species above mentioned ; and
here I met with the common Starling [Sturnus vulgaris) for
the first and only time in Sicily. We found a sprinkling of
Snipes, but they were exceedingly wild. I saw a large Soli-
tary Snipe here, and the doctor afterwards killed one of this
species at the Pantani ; but it was not yet as common as it
becomes in these regions on passage later in the spring.

We sailed from Catania on March 30th, ran down to the
mouth of the river, and went ashore to shoot in the Pantani.
On this occasion some of my crew killed about thirty snakes,
principally Tropidonotus natrix, and a few of the fine dark
variety of Zamenis atrovirens, known as Z. carbonaria. We
laid ofi" the mouth of the river in a dead calm all night, and,
landing early to shoot, sent the yacht round to Agosta.
After a long and rather profitless day on the Pantani, we
hired mules and rode over an undulating fertile country to
Lentini, about seven miles ; and after an immense amount of
bargaining and expostulations with our muleteers and a crowd
of filthy and rapacious ruffians in a dirty locanda, and a meal
of cold tench, we at length procured a carriage, and drove
through a beautiful country with a brilliant moon eighteen
miles to Agosta, where we arrived about midnight, and got
on board the yacht just as our cutter (which we had left at
the Pantani, to find its way round to Agosta) hove in sight.
Agosta is a ruinous, wretched town ; but the bay is very fine,
and might be made into one of the best harbours in the
Mediterranean by erecting a breakwater on the Hybla shoal.

We sailed at about 11 the next morning for Syracuse,
and with a light breeze ahead beat into that port at about
4 P.M. An interpreter came off to us as soon as we had
obtained pratique, and was not a little astonished at my
telling him to send out the youth of Syracuse to collect bats,
snakes, and lizards for me. He, however, complied with my

Lord Lilford's Ci'uise in the Mediterranean. 19

directions^ with considerable result, as will be seen further on.
We spent the next day in visiting some of the many lions of
Syracuse, viz. : — the Fountain of Arethusa, now frequented by
vulgar Domestic Ducks and some common Water-hens ; the
Museo, where a large collection of very interesting antiquities
are piled together in such confusion that it is impossible to
examine them. Here we saw the beautiful Venus of Syra-
cuse, which rivals, in my opinion, the best representations of
the irresistible goddess that I have seen, and is yet but little
known or spoken of in Western Europe. From the Museo
we went to see a poor collection of stuffed birds at the Gabi-
netto, the most remarkable thing there being a specimen of
the Nutcracker [Nucifraga caryocatactes) , which the Curator
assured me was killed in the neighbourhood. We afterwards
drove out to see the quarries from which the stone was taken
for the building of the four cities which composed the ancient
Syracuse, and were much interested. The whole neighbour-
hood of Syracuse is pierced with galleries, tunnels, and tombs,
and quarries of enormous extent. A great deal has been done
in the way of exploration ; but a very great deal more remains
to be done, as the ground occupied by the ancient cities
extends over an area of some fifteen or twenty miles. We
made many excursions to various points in the vicinity, all
full of interest to the most unlearned, and to an antiquarian,
I should say, almost unrivalled. The natives of this corner
of Sicily, though heavily taxed and wretched enough, are not
such shameless and rapacious beggars and liars as about
Messina and Catania; nor have they taken to highway rob-
bery and murder, as is the case in the western and central
parts of the island.

We of course took a boat up the Anapo, and by dint of
towing, punting, pushing, and a good deal of objurgation on
the part of our boatmen, succeeded in arriving at the famous
fountain of Cyane, the source of the Anapo, where Proserpine
is said to have made her final exit from the air above. The
far-famed river is a small stream, densely choked with aquatic
vegetation ; the most interesting vegetable production is the
papyrus, which grows in great luxuriance and is extremely

20 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean.

graceful. I believe I am correct in saying that this is the
only spot in Europe in which this famous plant is now found.
There are fine Snipe-marshes on both sides of the river; but
these birds had all but left the country, and we only saw some
three or four. The usual marsh-birds were apparently com-
mon; but we saw nothing here which we had not previously
met with in the Pantani. We found several nests of common
Magpie in the papyrus, which in some places grows to a height
of twelve feet or more. I had always heard great accounts of
the Snipe and wild-fowl shooting in these marshes, and can
well imagine it must be excellent at the right times of year ;
but there is nothing like the extent of the Pantani, and four
good walkers who did not mind wet and dirt could, I should
say, easily work the practicable portions of the marsh in a
winter^s day.

Our Syracusan zoological parties began to drop in after two
or three days, and brought off many bats and lizards and
snakes ; of the former I should say that we had, one morning,
at least five hundred brought on board alive, in a tall basket.
I put on a glove, pulled them out by handfuls, and found
that the prevalent species was Vespertilio schreibersi ; the
three or four European Rhinolophi were also common, but
(according to the collectors) frequent a cave or caves apart
from V. schreibersi ; only one V. murinus appeared, and a
stray V. kuhli or two ; and I think one V. megapodius com-
pletes the list of species. I selected a fair series of each
species, and threw the remainder up into the air from the
yacht^s deck. Some flew on board the vessels in harbour,
particularly into the paddle-boxes of the war-steamer 'Tripoli,'
whose Captain told me he was afraid that when he went to
sea his paddles would destroy the nests of these bats !

During our stay at Syracuse the spring migrants were
arriving in great numbers, the most conspicuous being Little
Kestrels [Falco cenchris), Hoopoes {Upupa epops), Alpine
Swifts [Cypselus melba), common Swifts {Cypselus apus), and
immense flocks of Yellow Wagtails [Budytes flavus, Linn.) ;
with these last were a few of the Black-headed Wagtail (6.
melanocephalus) , which I am more than ever inclined to con-
sider a good species.

Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean. 21

A good spot for bird-collecting is the marshy ground about
the saltworks on the western side of the bay, to the south
of the Anapo ; here we obtained many specimens of the
Little Ringed Plover {^gialitis minor), Wood-Sandpiper
{Totanus glareola), Red-throated Pipit {Anthus cervinus),
and other birds. We were induced by the report of the arrival
of Quails to make one or two expeditions in search of them ;
but we only found a few scattered birds, which had win-
tered in the country, and are known as '^ Paesane." Here
I may observe that I have often been surprised to see the
occurrence of Quails in England and other parts of Europe
during the winter months recorded in the Natural- History
columns of the ' Field ' and other publications as a remarkable
fact, whilst from my own experience I have noticed that
wherever there is a considerable arrival of Quails on their
spring migration, some, and in certain cases a good number,
will remain through the winter. This is certainly the case on
my own property near Preston, in Lancashire, in parts of the
Cambridgeshire and Norfolk fen-country, in Spain, Italy,
Tunis, and Epirus, as also iu many parts of Ireland.

To return to Sicily, there is a good Snipe-marsh some seven
or eight miles off beyond the Scala Grecca, between the road
to Catania and the sea ; but, as I have before said, these birds
were becoming very scarce, and we shot but few of them. I
could not discover that any of the natives were acquainted
with the Hemipode [Turnix sylvatica), though specimens are
in the Gabinetto of Syracuse, with a local name, and in some
of the southern portions of Sicily it is more common than in
any other part of Europe. I was much amused one evening
by watching the arrival of countless thousands of Spanish
Sparrows {Passer salicicola) to roost in a thick grove of young
orange-trees, not far from the Roman amphitheatre ; they
came dropping in, in flights of from a dozen to perhaps two
or three hundred, from all points of the compass, and made a
most deafening uproar, which was at once quelled for perhaps
half a minute by the crack of our driver^s whip, and by the
sudden dash of a Sparrow-Hawk into the midst of them; I
could not see with what result. This species and the Rock-

22 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean.

Sparrow [Pyrgita petronia) were the only Sparrows we met
•with in Sicily.

We remained weather-bound at Syracuse till April 16th,
when we sailed for Malta, where we arrived about 3 p.m. on
the 17th, seeing a good many migrating birds on our way,
viz. one Roller, many House-Swallows, Yellow AVagtails,
Turtle Doves (one of which rested on board for some hours),
common Cranes, common Herons, and a few Little Egrets.
At Malta, where we remained till May 7th, I had the great
pleasure of making the acquaintance of a frequent contri-
butor to ' The Ibis,' Mr. C. A. Wright, with whom I had
several most interestiDg zoological conversations, and in
whose company I visited the very curious ruins in Gozo.

Malta, though it affords apparently few attractions to an
ornithologist, is by no means in reality a barren field for him,
as Mr. Wright has abundantly proved. Almost every un-
happy tired straggler from the vast flocks of migratory birds
that seeks a temporary resting-place under British protection,
is immediately shot or bullied to death, and comes eventually
into the market. The only birds I saw at liberty in one or
two excursions in Malta, and on the occasion of our visit to
Gozo, were one Osprey, a Marsh-Harrier, a few Collared Fly-
catchers, Black-headed Warblers, Short-toed Larks, common
Buntings, House-Swallows, Swifts, Herring-Gulls (one adult).
Lesser Black-backed Gull, and many Shearwaters. I may,
however, mention that my excursions were very few, as I was
kept to my vessel by a fresh attack of gout, during which I
received every courtesy aud attention possible from all my
acquaintances and official friends in Malta. I was fortunate
enough to be able to visit Mr. Wright's collection, one of the
most interesting local museums I ever saw : almost every rare
specimen has a history ; and the owner has such a pleasant
way of imparting his varied stores of information on his
favourite subjects, that a visit to his collection is a real zoolo-
gical recreation. He, Mr. Wright, has given us such full
details of the ornithology of Malta in this Journal, that I will
only say that I saw his specimens of Falco eleanora, Actiturus
bartramius, the new European Chat Saxicola leucopyga, and

Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean. 23

many other species. From the market I obtained common
Hobby, Orange-legged Falcon, Little Kestrel, Scops Owl,
Common Cuckoo (some of this species in the red plumage),
Bee-eater, Common Nightjar, Rock-Thrush, Russet Wheat-
ear, and a few other common birds. The Quails were drop-
ping in, but I did not hear of any very remarkable arrival
during our stay, though I believe the vernal migration of this
species was this year very exceptionally abundant throughout
the south of Europe. A considerable number of Solitary
Snipes [Gallinago major) were shot in Malta during our stay ;
and I heard from a Neapolitan friend that he had killed many
more than usual of this species in May in the marshes near
Psestum.

We left Malta Harbour about mid-day. May 7th, for
Palermo, and carried a fine ten- knot breeze from the east-
ward till after dark, when we were off the Sicilian coast,
between Alicata and Girgenti. The wind then suddenly
flew round to W.N.W., and freshened into a gale, against
which we beat for some hours, without making much way ;
so, about 3 A.M. on the morning of May 8th, we made up our
minds to try the other way round, and ran along in smooth
water under the Sicilian land, till sunset left us becalmed off
Taormina. We made but little way through the night, but
got a light air soon after daybreak, which took us up abreast
of Messina, whither we sent a boat for provisions, and lay
off and on, waiting for the flying squadron under Admiral
Randolph, who left Malta a few hours after us, and had kindly
promised to give us a tow in case of need. The ships came up
under easy steam about 3 p.m. ; and the ' Topaze ' towed us out
through the Straits, and cast us off at 6 p.m. We found a
heavy swell and hardly any wind outside, and passed a very
uncomfortable night. At daylight we were off Volcano, one
of the Lipari Islands, with the squadron hull down ahead of
us. We at last got a fair breeze, about noon; and the
squadron having stopped steaming and made sail, we over-
hauled them about 4 p.m., ran between their lines, and got
into Palermo about 9 p.m. ; very dark and torrents of rain.
We remained at Palermo till May 15th. The weather during

24 Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

our stay being generally squally, wet, and cold, we could not
do much; but I visited the University Museum, and made
the acquaintance of Professor Doderlein, who gave me a
great deal of interesting ornithological information. The
local collections are very interesting; and here I had the
pleasure of seeing three fine adult specimens of Larus
audouini, all killed near Palermo, and four genuine Sicilian
specimens of my retiring friend the Francolin, killed at
various times, but all before 1870.

Professor Doderlein had lately returned from a visit to the
Island of Pantellaria, where he found Sylvia sarda in great
abundance. I believe, from information obtained from the Pro-
fessor, that Sicily is certainly the headquarters of the Hemi-
pode {Turnix sylvatica) in Europe, as he told me, and states in
his recently published work on the ornithology of Sicily,
that he had often shot from ten to fifteen specimens in one
day in the neighbourhood of Alicata, Girgenti, and Sciacca.
I certainly never heard of a similar abundance in any part of
Spain.

We left Palermo May 15th, and had a rough and baffling
passage to Cagliari, where we arrived on the morning of
May 18th. A great many birds visited us on the 17th. At
one time on that day we had a Woodchat {Lanius rufus),
a Swift [Cypselus apus), a Wheatear [Saxicola oenanthe) ,
a Wood- Warbler {Phyllopneuste sibilatrix) , several Garden-
Warblers {Sylvia hortensis), a Redstart {Ruticilla phceni-
cura), a few Turtle Doves, one Martin {Hirundo urbica) and
some dozen Swallows {Hirundo rustica), all on board together.
The Doves were decidedly the most weary of the party.
I examined the Swallows very closely in hopes of finding
Hirundo rufula, but without success, which I do not regret,
as my feelings would have been very mixed between the wish
to preserve a rare bird and the cruel want of hospitality to
a tired and defenceless traveller, who claimed British pro-
tection on the high seas.

Cagliari, a place dear to my memory from the excellent
snort I have enjoyed in its immediate neighbourhood, looked

Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean. 25

much as it did in 1862, on the occasion of my last visit to
Sardinia, in spite of the talk one hears in Italy about the
progress and increasing civilization of the island, the accom-
plished fact of a railroad, &c. Our good friends the Sards
seemed to us very much in the same state as twelve years
ago ; and I was glad to find their extreme civility and hospi-
tality unchanged. It was refreshing to be able to walk
about the town and drive into the country unmolested, after
our experience of the ruffianly swarms of rapacious beggars
of Naples, and more especially of Messina and Catania, and
without any fear of the brigands who infest the western
parts of Sicily. I have found the Sards of all classes most
courteous to strangers, and experienced hospitality from
them not surpassed even in the wilder portions of beloved
Spain. Of course our first visit was to the Great Stagno or
Lagoon, just to the westward of the town. The water was
very low, and we could not get far in the yacht's cutter ; so
with some difficulty we landed on the large island nearest to
the town, shot a few birds, and saw a good many others —
Marsh-Harriers in great abundance, Kestrels, Rose-breasted
Shrike, Hoopoe, many of the commoner Hirundines, abun-
dance of Warblers {Sylvia melanocephala, S. cinerea, S. cisti-
cola, Philomela luscinia, S. subqlpina), Calandra and Short-
toed Larks, Stonechat, Common Bunting, Turtle Dove, Thick-
knee, some small Waders which we could not distinguish.
Common Quails, Coots [Larus leucophceus) , Sandwich Terns,
and a few young Cormorants {Phalacrocorax carbo) . I met
at the passage into the Stagno from the sea an old friend,
one Antonio Fanni, who had been ray guide in my shooting-
expeditions on many former occasions ; and we arranged with
him to take us into the heart of the lagoons the next day.
We were delayed by visitors in the morning ; and it blew so
hard that we could do but little. We went right away to
the far north-west corner of the lagoon, and for some
distance up a very birdy river. We got quite close to a
Black Vulture, who was busily engaged on a dead horse. I
gave him both barrels at some fifteen yards ; but he seemed
rather to take my salute as a compliment, and I only got a

26 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean.

cloud of feathers iu my face for my pains ; and unsavoury
feathers they were. We saw a solitary Flamingo, Purple
Heron, Squacco Heron, a good many common "Wild Ducks
{Anas boschas), and some Red-crested Pochards [Branta
rufina), besides the species enumerated above, also many
Hooded Crows {Corvus comix), of which bird we found
several nests in the low tamarisks by the river-side ; one
of these nests contained two callow young, which we carried
off, and one of which is, at the time of writing this, in the
Regent's Park Zoological Gardens. On the 22nd May
Antonio took me to some flat islets in a diflerent part of
the stagno, on which we found common Terns {Sterna
fluviatilis) breeding in great numbers, and collected many
of their eggs. The Sandwich Tern {Sterna cantiaca) and
Little Tern {Sterna minuta) were quite as abundant as the
first-named species; but we only found one nest of S.
minuta, and none of Sterna cantiaca. A great number of
Ducks {Anas boschas) breed in these islets ; and we found
many of their nests with eggs, and in two instances young
birds which had just left the shell. We found also one
nest of JEffialitis cantiana, several recently hatched Coots,
and common Waterhens ij}allinula chloropus) , saw Osprey,
a large Falcon, and a great number of Red-crested Pochards,
which were in large flocks, and apparently had not com-
menced nesting. I secured beautiful specimens of the three
species of Sterna above mentioned, a pair of Kentish Plovers,
and two very fine adult Herring-Gulls {Larus leucopheeus) ,
but did not succeed in bagging the only individual of Hydro-
chelidon fissipes which we met with ; nor could I get a shot
at the Red-crested Pochards, which appeared wary to an
extent uncommon even in their wide-awake family. The
nests of Kentish Plover and Little Tern were out on the
green scum weed which covers the semiliquid mud round
these islets, whilst those of the common Tern were on terra
jirma on bare spots amongst the scrubby vegetation with
which they are thickly overgrown. We saw one Flamingo
only, probably the same individual before observed.

We sailed for Port Mahon on the 23rd of May, but met a

Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean. 27

very strong head wind and heavy sea^ so ran back and an-
chored again in the north-west corner of the Bay of Cagliari,
where we rolled heavily all night, and sailed at daybreak on
the 24th, with light puffs of wind from all quarters, and a
beautiful bright sunny morning. On rounding Cape Sparti-
vento we met a fresh contrary breeze, so ran in and anchored
in smooth water close to the Isola Rossa, in the Bay of Teu-
lada, where we found a Neapolitan brigantine weather-bound,
full of passengers for Bona and Algiers. About the island,
which is perhaps barely a mile in circumference, and over-
grown with thick scrub, except on the north-eastern side,
where it is precipitous, we noticed a great number of Shags
(Carbo desmaresti), a Falcon, some Kestrels, myriads of
Alpine and common Swifts, and a good many Rock-Doves ;
but it was Sunday, and we waited anxiously for morning.
During the night I heard strange moaning sounds from the
rocky end of the island, which I was inclined to think pro-
ceeded from seals; but I afterwards found that they were
caused by the conversation of Shearwaters [Puffinus cinereus),
of which birds we had seen many as we came round from
Cagliari, but none in the immediate vicinity of the island.
The next morning we were astir at daybreak, got our anchor ;
and whilst the yacht stood off and on, the doctor and I went
off in the cutter to explore the island. We landed the doctor
and one of the crew ; and I cruised round under the rocks in
the boat. The sea was positively alive with Shags, old and
young ; but I did not observe a single specimen of the Cor-
morant, which is common and breeds near Cagliari. Every
now and then a small party of Rock-Doves would dash past
us, or out of some crevice in the rocks, and give me a real
sporting shot. The Shags, many of which were unable to
fly, gave us some long chases ; but though I might have shot
a great number, and did bag as many specimens as I required,
we could not succeed in hunting down a young one alive.
We saw a few still in their nests ; but although two of om*
crew managed to get within a few feet of them, they could
not get quite at them, and the youngsters refused to move.
In the crevices of the rocks on the north side of the island a

28 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean.

vast quantity of Alpine Swifts were breeding, in company
with many of the common species. I discovered a nest of
the Rock-Martin attached to a flat face of rock, some thirty
feet above the water. I secured the male bird, but, as I
could not get the nest without destroying it and its con-
tents, I left the hen bird sitting upon it in peace. A few
pairs of Herring-Gulls sailed high above us in circles, barking
and screaming ; a pair of Blue Rock-Thrushes had their nest
in a quiet creek on the eastern side ; and we saw a few common
Kestrels, one of which I brought down, as he gave me a snap
shot, fondly hoping that he was Falco eleanorce, as he looked
so dark in the early sunlight. The doctor shot a very young
specimen of Falco barbarus, and a few Rock-Doves, and found
one rotten egg of Shag, and another of Herring-Gull in the
same condition. The man who accompanied him about the
island told me that he saw a very few small dark-coloured
birds about the scrubby bushes, probably Pyrophthalma mela-
nocephala, possibly Sylvia sarda, but they did not bag one.

We went off to the yacht about 8 a.m., and stood away for
Port Mahon ; but as on rounding Cape Teulada we met light
head breezes, we bore away for the Island of Vacca, which
lies a few miles to the south-east of Cape Sperone, and upon
which my friend Mr. Basil Brooke had met with Falco elea-
nor<B in large numbers in May 1873. This island is perhaps
something less than a mile in circumference, more or less
precipitous all round — though accessible in a few spots on the
eastern side in calm weather, rising to a high point at its
southern extremity — and composed, according to La Marmora
(Voyage en Sardaigne, troisieme partie, Descr. geologique,
tome i. p. 537), of a volcanic conglomerate, very much fretted
and weather-worn, particularly at the southern end, where
the cliff overhangs a shallow cave of considerable height,
with an irregular perpendicular fissure. Having but little
wind, we did not get within a mile of the island till about
4 P.M., when we brought the yacht up, head to windward,
and went off in the cutter to explore the eastern side. Long
before we went off I had distinctly made out Falco eleanor(B
in large numbers, many Gulls, Rock-Doves, Swifts, and

Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean. 29

Shags, the latter birds forming a sort of fringe to the little
rock called Vitello (the calf), some hundred yards to the
north-east of Vacca, and connected with it by a reef of rocks
just awash, with two or three channels through them prac-
ticable for a boat. We landed the doctor and one of our
boat's crew in a cleft of the eastern side, which extends at a
very acute angle from the sea to the summit. We soon
bagged four specimens of Falco eleanora, which, though they
flew high, were not particularly wary. I very much regret
that, owing to our feeble climbing-power, we lost three or
four more of this beautiful and singular species. Several of
the Greater Shearwater were caught on their single e^^,
under the masses of debris in the aforesaid cleft ; and I had
some fun with the Rock-Doves, of which we saw great
numbers. The common Smfts also were breeding in force
amongst the low rocks at the north-eastern end ; and Herring-
Gulls and Shags innumerable enlivened the scene, which, in
spite of the black and Aveird appearance of the island, was, as
will be readily imagined, one of intense interest to an orni-
thologist. Dusk came on; and we went off to the yacht
delighted with our success, and hoping for more, A large
seal {Phoca monacha) showed his smooth shining head once
or twice, at a safe distance ; it is not impossible he may have
recognized the white ensign from a previous acquaintance
with Lord Nelson and his squadron, as the Bay of Palmas
(or San Antioco), hard by, was one of our admiral's favourite
anchorages.

The wind being still ahead for Port Mahon, we ran into
a sandy bay on the western side of the gulf, and anchored for
the night in about ten fathoms.

We paid another morning visit to Vacca the next day,
leaving the yacht about 6 a.m., and taking with us some
volunteers of the crew to explore the island. We only shot
one of the Falcons ; but the men brought off several dozens
of the eggs of the Herring-Gull [Larus leucophceus) , and seven
Cinereous Shearwaters with twelve eggs. We had seen vast
numbers of this species on the water on our way to Vacca in
the morning, with a good many of the smaller species, biit

30 Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

could not succeed in bagging any of them. I shot a fine
Raven (one of a pair seen) ; and the men brought off two
young Herring-Gulls, and reported many lizards and snakes
amongst the coarse grass which covers the summit of the
island. An ice-plant, which I believe to be Mesembryanthe-
muni crystallinum, grows in profusion amongst the rocks of
Vacca, and, though highly ornamental, by no means assists
the bird's-nester. The yacht ran down with a light northerly
breeze, and picked us up about 9 a.m. ; and away we went to
the Island of Toro, some seven miles in a southerly direction.
This rock is the spot upon which La Marmora found, and
(I believe) first made known Falco eleanorcB by that name,
though I have no doubt it was well known to falconers long
before his time — though from its habits I consider it very
doubtful that it is the species specially protected by a decree
of the Pisan Duchess Eleanora, and named after her by the
Sardinian general. Toro is of an entirely different geological
character from Vacca, La Marmora calls it " une roche
eminemment trachytique ; il est totalement nu, k peine trouve-
t-on de la chicoree sauvage dans ses nombreuses fissures. La
roche est homogene partout, et elle ne repose pas sur le tufa ;
elle se decompose a I'air, et elle forme de petites gi'ottes,
dont le sol se couvre d^un sable fin feldspathique.^' The
author just quoted gives the rock an extreme altitude of
200 metres, and a nautical mile in circumference. The
landing is much more difficult than on Vacca, and the ascent
from the sea much more steep, though, owing to numerous
ledges and the absence of ice-plant, perhaps not so risky.
Here we found the Falco eleaonra in very large numbers,
and easier to shoot than on the island first explored.

It is of course impossible to form any thing approaching to
an accurate computation of the numbers of any species on the
wing; but we agreed that whilst on Vacca there were about
sixty or eighty pairs of these Falcons, on Toro there must
have been at least three hundred pairs.

A good many Herring-Gulls were nesting about the
summit ; and my men, some of whom landed, brought ofi' two
young birds in the down. As we lay close off" the rocks in

Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean. 31

the boats, watching for shots at the Falcons, I suddenly
heard behind me the cry of a Gull quite new to me, turned
sharp round at the sound ; the bird was rather high up, but
I knocked him down; he fell on the rocks close to us, but I
could not see him as he lay. One of the men jumped out and
picked him up ; and judge of my joy, ye Ibises, when I found
that he was a beautiful adult Larus audouini (male), in full
breeding-plumage !

We had noticed that a small colony of Gulls seemed to have
established itself upon the slope of the rock on the eastern
side, apart from the main establishment about the summit
and western portion ; but as their general appearance was
very like that of the Herring-Gull (at a distance), I had not
paid any particular attention to them. Now, however, when
they took wing at my shot, I noticed that their wings seemed
much longer, and now and then the brilliant red bills and
dark-coloured legs were conspicuous. I landed one of my
men, with particular instructions to search the spot where we
had seen these Gulls ; and he very soon came down to the
boat with six eggs, varying a good deal in markings, and like
those of Larus leucophaeus, but just the size I wished. I had
particularly told the finder to bring any of the Herring-
Gull's eggs ; but he assured me that he found none, though
he searched for a considerable time.

The six eggs above mentioned were in five nests, one of
which contained two and the others one respectively. There
were several empty nests, but no young birds visible.

In the meantime the parent birds had gone right off to sea
in a body of perhaps twenty or thirty, and were coming back
to see what we were about, but so cautiously and at such a
height that though I fired several shots I could not manage
to bring down another specimen. The rest of the men, who
had landed and clambered up to the top, reported great num-
bers of nests, eggs, and young of Herring- Gull ; but I had
told them not to rob them, as we had such a series from Vacca.
It was very evident, and a curious fact, that the Audouin^s
Gulls had their establishment entirely apart from their con-
geners ; and certainly they are naturally much more wary.

32 Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

We saw no species of Gull but the two above mentioned,
no Rock-Doves, no Swifts, and very few Shags. We were so
eager about the Gulls that we neglected the Falcons ; and I
only bagged one, a very fine old bird in the sooty plumage.
A pair of quite unmistakable Falco harharus had their nest
in a cleft of rock near the summit of the island, and flew
round, screaming loudly. The contrast between the flight,
cry, and habits of the Barbary and Eleanora Falcons was very
interesting. The former is a true Peregrine, a very typical
representative of the genus Falco, darting high round the
rocks like an arrow with an angry chide, and occasionally
making a fierce stoop at one of the other species, as if annoyed
by their abundance and apparently purposeless wavering
flight. We remained about this part of Sardinia till the
morning of May 30th, and paid other visits to Vacca and
Toro, obtaining two more specimens of Audouin^s Gull, with
five more eggs, all hard sat and very difficult to blow.

We secured altogether fifteen specimens of Falco eleanoree
(the greater number of which were males) in all their
various stages of plumage. I consider these Falcons emi-
nently crepuscular. They have all the wing-power of their
near relation the Common Hobby, though in spite of the
wonderful ease and rapidity of their evolutions there is, to
the eye of a falconer, something soft and unfalconlike in
their habits and general appearance, their very full, dark,
liquid eye (so different from the piercing optics of F. pere-
grinus), their weak legs and claws, and their extravagantly
long wings and tails. With one exception, the crops of all
of them contained notliing but insects ; and it is worthy of
note that whilst the crops of the dark-plumaged birds were
crammed with very small black beetles, which swarm upon
Vacca, the lighter-plumaged birds appeared to feed more
upon dipterous insects, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and, in
several instances, small crustaceans. I am no entomologist,
and may be mistaken in my definition of these little animals ;
but, speaking ignorantly, I should say the Falcons feed, or at
all events were feeding when we shot them, almost exclusively
upon beetles, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and shrimps. In one

Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean. 33

specimen only did we find a leg of some small bird^ apparently
a Wheatear. When I first saw these Hawks flying in and ont
of the rocks on Vacca^ and continually uttering their feeble
cry, I imagined we were going to reap a rich harvest of their
eggs ; but I can state positively that at the time of our visit
they had not begun to lay ; and from information given me
by some Neapolitan and Genoese coral-fishers of Carlo Forte,
who are in the habit of landing on Toro and Vacca to dry
their nets and harry the Gulls^ nests, I am of opinion that
August and September are their breeding-months. I believe
that Lindermayer and Dr. Kriiper found this to be the case
in the Cyclades ; and I am strengthened in my opinion by
having some years ago received two young of the species in
question alive from Mogador, about the middle of October,
which still retained a considerable quantity of the nestling-
down. The coral-fishers aforesaid, whom we found weather-
bound in the Gulf of San Antioco, assured me that September
was the month when they found the young birds, and that
they were excellent eating.

I may here mention that I bought a living specimen of
this Falcon in July last, of Castang in Leadenhall Market,
which I deposited in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park,
where I trust it did not suffer from the late terrible explosion
on the canal hard by. This bird came from Mogador ; and
besides that locality and Dragonera, oft" the coast of Majorca
(mentioned by Mr. Saunders), the Cyclades, Toro, and Vacca,
I am informed of another breeding-locality of this Falcon
in the Mediterranean, somewhat remote from us, but by no
means difficult of access.

The coral-fishers, on my landing among their boats drawn
up on the sand close to our anchorage, and inquiring for
birds and beasts, brought me two young Gulls alive in the
down, which at once struck me as too small even for newly-
hatched Herring-Gulls, of which species we had several alive
on board the yacht. I asked the owner where he had found
them, and he immediately replied " On Toro." " Where-
abouts ? " and he proceeded to describe the exact spot, not
knowing that we had been there, and said that these were the

SER. III. VOL. V. D

34 Lord Lilford's Cruise in the Mediterranean.

Gulls '' con bccco color di corallo/^ as I firmly believe from
their cry, their way of holding themselves, and the bright
pink of their bills. For the first three weeks of their life
on board I had of course every opportunity of comparing
them with the young Larus leucophaeus, and on arriving in
England had the pleasure of presenting them to the Zoo-
logical Society, in whose gardens I also deposited two of our
Herring-Gulls from Vacca.

The general appearance of Larus audouini on the wing is
certainly more like that of L. leucophceus than that of any
other Gull with which I am acquainted; but the wings seem
conspicuously longer, and of course at a short distance the
brilliant red bill is a clear distinction. The cry is not so
harsh, and more prolonged than that of the latter species.

I subjoin the measurements of a skin of one of my specimens,
a male, as taken by Mr. Salvin : — S ■ Total length about 20
inches ; length of tarsus 2*45 ; bill, from gape, 3 ; wing, from
carpus to tip, 15"75 ; tail 6 inches.

These islands are very interesting in many ways. My men
told me that on Vacca they saw several snakes of various
colours (one large black one in pursuit of the only Quail they
saw there) and a great variety of lizards; but I could not
inspire them with my love for the Reptilia, and the only
animals of that order that they brought off to me were some
dozens of Gongylus ocellatus. On Toro they said they met
with no snakes, but vast numbers of small brilliant gi'eeu
lizards (probably Lacerta viridis) , which defied their attempts
to capture them. My yacht-master, who landed on Toro Avitli
a gun and scrambled up to the top, described a curious-looking
bird, which he pursued for some time, and which at last beat
him by flying into a cave. From his description, I imagine
it must have been a Nightjar, of which species we found
the wings at the water's edge on Vacca, the owner probably
having been devoured by the Ravens, which had a nest close
by. These black robbers also spoiled a good specimen of
Falco eleanorce, which fell on a ledge to which we could not
get till the day after the bird was shot. We took three young
Ravens from the nest, and shot both the parent birds. I saw

Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidium. 35

Aquila bonellii one day sailing high over Vacca^ and in a short
ramble up a little valley near our anchorage in the Gulf of
San Antioco observed Circaetus g alliens, Caccabis petrosa,
Corvus cor ax, and a few other common birds. On Toro my
men found a few large fragments of spherical shell, rusty and
weather-eaten.

After this delay we at length reached Port Mahon on the
last day of May ; and after a short stay there (during which I
had the good fortune to captui-e some specimens of a new lizard
on the Isla del Ayre) , we made the the best of our way home
via Iviza, Valencia, Barcelona, and Marseilles, at which port
we arrived June 21st. At Valencia we spent a long summer
day in the fragrant " dehesa," but saw no birds worthy of men-
tion. I succeeded in bringing home alive my Gulls, as
before mentioned, one of the young Ravens taken on Vacca,
one young Hooded Crow from near Cagliari, a Greek Par-
tridge [Caccabis saxatilis) which I bought at Syracuse, and
two Blue Rock-Thrushes.

It seems to me, on reading over this paper, that I ought to
apologize for the frequent use of the first person singular and
plural ; and any one who can and will give me a practical
suggestion as to how to avoid it shall have my lasting grati-
tude, quantum valeat.

II, — Contributions to a History of the Accipitres. The Genus
Glaucidium. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S.,
&c., of the Zoological Department, British Museum.

(Plates I., II.)

In the ' Proceedings ' of the Boston Society of Natural His-
tory for 1873, Mr. Robert Ridgway gave a review of the
genus Glaucidium, which has done more than any previous
attempt to clear up this difficult genus. Having myself had
occasion recently to study these birds, I found great assistance
from Mr. Ridgway^s paper ; but differing in many points from
that gentleman, I have been led to place my views before

D 2

3G Mr. R. B. Sharpc on the Genus Glaiicidium,

the ornithological public Avithout delay. In the study of
Glaucidium I have not only had the Museum collection at
handj but Mr. Salvin most kindly lent the entire series con-
tained in the Salvin-Godman collection^ probably the finest
existing in any public or private museum in the world. Mr.
J. H. Gurney, too, was so good as to look out a series from
the Norwicli IVIuscum to examine ; and to the authorities of
the latter museum I retiu'n my best thanks, as well as to Mr.
Dresser and other friends who have lent me specimens or
otherwise assisted me in the preparation of this paper.

To facilitate comparison I propose in the folloAving notes
to consider the genus exactly in the same order as jNIr. Ridg-
way has done — because in this way we may understand each
other's position better, the difficulty consisting in the unequal
character of our respective series, the one examined by me
being probably better than his as regards neotropical examples,
but far inferior to his in those from Northern America. Mr.
Ridgway's synopsis includes eight species with two " varie-
ties," viz. : — 1. G. 2jasser'mum cum («) xaw passerinum et {b)
var. californicum ; 2. G. pumilum ; 3. G. lansbergi ; 4. G.
jardiyiii; 5. G.ferruginemn; 6. G. infuscatum cum (a) var. in-
fuscatum et {b) var. gnoma ; 7. G. nanuni ; and 8. G. siju.
The principal character which divides these species is con-
sidered to be the markings of the crown, whether dots or
longitudinal streaks. This is a tolerably good character ; but
it. is open to an objection which I do not think Mr. Ridgway
has fully appreciated — relating to the sequence of the plumages
assumed by maturing birds, and also to the rufous colour
exhibited by individuals of certain species. Only in one
species, G. jnmiilum, does Mr. Riilgway give characters of the
young bird ; but, from the I'cmarks there made, I am incliiied
to believe that he will coincide with me in my conviction,
that, whether the adult birds have dotted or striped heads, the
young of most species have a nearly uniform crown, Avith
only a few hair-like lines on the forehead. From an exami-
nation of nestling or quite young birds, I believe that the
uniform croAvn in the young is characteristic of the following
species: — 1. Glaucidium pusscrinum ; 2. G. gnoma; 3. G.

Mr. R. B. Sliarpe oh the Genus GUmcidiiim. 37

pumilum; 4. G. griseiceps ; 5. G. nanum ; and in some of the
ferruginous birds, of which more hereafter.

None of the above-named species, so far as I know, has
any rufous phase ; and it therefore becomes necessary to con-
sider very carefully whether there is such a thing as a " normal
plumage " and a " rufescent plumage " in a7iy species of G/au-
cidium. If there is, it is curious that some species should
have it and some not. Nor are we justified in attaching too
much importance to the analogy afforded by Scojjs ; fur with
this genus Glauciclmm has little affinity, Avhile its close ally,
Athene, does not offer any very distinctive phases. But after
a long study I have come to the conclusion, that in certain
species a rufous phase does exist, while in others it does not.
Von Pelzeln and Sclater and Salvin seem to have recognized
this fact in their recently published works. The five species
before mentioned do not, so far as I can learn, ever have a
rufous phase : the females are rather browner, and sometimes
become rufous-brown ; but ferruginous specimens never occur.
Four species of Mr. Ridgway's remain, viz. : — 6. Glaucidium
jardinii; 7. G. lansberyi ; 8. G.ferrugineum; 9. G. itifus-
catum, oL var. in.fmcatum, /3 var. gnoma. He treats these
all as distinct, allowing two phases only to the bird he calls
G.ferrugineum. Messrs. Sclater and Salvin joined them all
together as one bird ; but Mr. Salvin having now a larger
series of the New-Granadan form, recognizes G. jardinii as
distinct. I cannot allow Mr. Ridgway^s G. ferrugineum to
rank as a species ; for his series appears to me to consist of
the rufous phases of the birds he calls G. infuscatum and G.
glioma, and, once allowing that Glaucidium has a rufous phase
in any of its representatives, there is no difficulty in believing
that G. lansbergi is the rufous phase of G. jardinii. I recog-
nize the following species instead of those admitted by Mr.
Ridgway : — 1. G. passerinum ; 2. G. gnoma {calif ornicum,
Ridgw.) ; 3. G.griseice2}S,s]p.n. ; 4. G. pumilum; 5. G. nanum;
6. G. jardiyiii ; 7. G. ferox {infuscatwn et ferrugineum, pt.,
Ridgw.), with two subspecies, 8. G. phakenoides and 9. G. ridg-
wayi, nob. {ferrugineum ci gnoma, pt., Ridgw.), and 10. G. sigu.
The reasons for the change in nomenclature are given in fuller
detail below.

38 Mr. R. B. Sliarpe on the Genus Glaucidium.

To consider, therefore, the species in the above order, we
commence with the European bird, of which I have a good
series before me. The species calls for little remark, as Mr.
Ridgway^s characters define it thoroughly : those here given
by me are merely for comparison with the others mentioned
in this paper. It is, however, very distinct, and is only here
introduced on account of the affinity recognized by Mr. Ridg-
way between it and his G. calif ornicum.

Glaucidium passerinum.

Characters of the species. — Female decidedly larger than the
male, and generally more umber-brown, but ultimately be-
coming grey on the back, like the latter. Back thickly mot-
tled with bufiy white bars. Upper tail-coverts only slightly
rufescent, or darker than the back, but mottled in the same
way. Tail regularly banded, the white bars narrow, the in-
terspaces umber-brown, more or less inclining to blackish ;
white bands on tail, six in the female, seven in the male, the
bars sometimes not strictly conterminous. Head always'spot-
ted in the adult bird. Sides of upper breast strongly banded
with white.

Young with uniform head. The full-grown young much
browner than the adult, the spots on the crown scanty.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tai-sus.

a, S ad. Falun, S. Sweden 6-2 3-85 2-6 0-6

b, ? ad. Stockholm 6-8 4-15 2-8 065

c,[d'l;M2'-* Gardsjo, Sweden (TFAee^W;) 6-2 4-1 27 0-65

d, ad. S. Ural (Strader) 6-2 3-8 2-Q 0-6

Glaucidium gnoma.

Characters of the species. — Back greyish, profusely mottled
with spots and bars of ochraceous white. Upper tail-coverts
not rufescent, uniform with back, and mottled in exactly the
same manner. Tail not transversely banded, but crossed with
seven rows of white spots, inclining to half-bands on the inner
web. Head distinctly sj)otted all over with white or ochra-

* Though marked a male by the late Mr. Wheelwright, the measure-
ments indicate that it is a female, the sex being further showTi bv its
brown plumage.

Ibis,ia75.Pi.L

J.G.tCeulematiB, lillv.

GLAUCIDIUM GNOMA.

M^Ntfa-rLhcirt, imp.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidium. 39

ceous white, as well as a few bars of the latter colour. Sides
of upper breast clear brown, thickly mottled with spots and bars
of ochraceous buff. A rufous collar round the hind neck.

This species I believe I understand, from the series ex-
amined, which is nearly as good as Mr. Ridgway's. I do not
consider it so close to G. passerinum as the latter gentleman
does, and find its nearest ally in G. griseiceps of Central Ame-
rica, and G. pumilum of Brazil. To the latter species it is
closely allied, and, like it, has a rufous collaret round the
hind neck, below the usual whitish nape-band ; but it is dis-
tinguished, when adult, by the spotted character of the upper
surface, whereas G. pumilum seems to have the back uniform
at all ages. The tails of the two species are also different,
the spots in G. pumilum never exceeding four or five, and
being much smaller and more rounded. When adult, also,
the northern bird has much whiter legs than its Brazilian
congener.

Total
length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, J imm. Vancouver Island (Lord) . . 6-5 3'o 2-75 0-7

b, ad. „ „ {Heiihurn) 70 3-6 275 0-8

c, imm. N. California (Bnjdyes) 7-0 3-5 27 07

d, ? ad. Mexico (Xe Stranrje) 60 3-5 27 0-65

e, imm. „ „ 6-0 33 2-4 07

fjuv. W. Mexico {Mus. Brit.) 5-8 36 255 07

g. imm. Guatemala (Skinner) 6"5 2*6 07

h. Choctum (O. Salvin) 6-5 3-35 2-55 075

i. „ „ 60 3-3o 2-5 07

k. „ „ 6-5 3-6 2-65 075

Mr. Ridgway says : — "This species is not at all \\\egnoma
[i. e. his gnoma), nor, indeed, any other American species
with which it has been confounded by nearly all ornithologists
— even by Cabanis," &c. &c. In reply to this I must state
my conviction that Cabanis and the other ornithologists were
right in identifying this bird as Glaucidium gnoma ; and I
almost suspect that our author did not consult the original
description of Wagler in the ' Isis.' Had he done so, I do
not think he could have hesitated to recognize in his G.
calif or nicum the true G. gnoma. I transcribe from Wagler's

40 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidium,

description tlie following characters, which, to my mind,
identify tlie bird intended : — " Pileus, dorsum, tergum, tec-
trices alarum superiores ac plumse scapulares cinereo-fusces-
centia, albo punctato-(juttata : macvdaj luce yidtiformes in
capite pone obscuraj marginatse ; rectrices cinereo-nigri-
cantes, subtus pallidiores, fasciolis 7 candidis ; colhtre nuchce
obsoletum rvfescens." The italics are mine ; but I maintain
that the nature of the spots, which are stated to be rounded
and margined with dusky, the seven spots on the tail, and the
rufous collar sufficiently point to the bird which INIr. Ridg-
way calls G. californicum. There is no mention of a striped
head to bring the bii'd within the second section of ]VIr. Ridg-
way's synopsis; but its position is distinctly indicated b}'^ the
nature of the crown-spots, which are said to be " gutti-
formes."

Glaucidium pumilum.

Characters of the species. — I have not seen any specimens
in which the sex has been determined ; but there seems to be
very little difference in the sexes. Back uniform, with no
wdiitish mottlings. Upper tail-coverts uniform with the back.
Tail not banded, but having fovir or five rows of rounded
white spots, including the terminal one. Head minutely
dotted with white. Sides of uptper breast clear rufous, with a
few whitish dots. Rufous collar round hind neck.

Young. Similar to the adult, but more cAoco/a/e-brown,
the dots on the head nearly obsolete, the crown being there-
fore more uniform.

Total
length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a,jm. Brazil {Mus. Brit.) 5-8 3-5 215 075

6, ud. S. America {Mus. Brit.) 6-0 3-5 2-2 07

c,ad. „ „ 0-3 3-3 2-2 07

d, ad. Bahia ( Wticherer) 5-5 3-5 2-2 07

e,ad. „ „ 5-8 3-5 22 07

fjuv. „ „ 5-5 3-55 2-25 075

I believe this species to be confined to Brazil, and not to
range, as Mr. Ridgway supposes, into Central America, where
its place is taken by the next bird. Consequently the two

Ibis 1875.P1.II

\^_ ■/,

.r.CJ-.Kenkjnans.Iith.. ' M&K.Hconhait, imp.

I.GLAUCIDIUM PUMILUM.
2.GI,AUCrDirjM GRTSEIGEPS.

Mr. R. B. Sliarpe on the Genus Glaucidium. 41

specimens from Guatemala in Mr. Ridgway's paper (p. 9S)
are G. griseiceps and not G. pumilum.

Glaucidium griskiceps, sp. n.

Characters of the species. — Back uniform^ with no whitish
motthngs. Upper tail-coverts uniform with back, but having
shglit indications of fulvous mottlings. Tail not banded, but
having from five to six rows of small white spots, inclining to
bands on the inner web. Head minutely dotted with buflFy
white. Sides of upper breast rufous -brown, with very distinct
white spots. Slight rufous collar round hind neck.

Young. Head uniform grey, with a fcAV fulvous streaks on

the forehead : tail blackish, with five rows of small ochraceous

spots.

Total
length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a,JHv. Veragua {Arch') 5-6 3-4 2-25 0-7

h, ad. Guatemala 5-6 3-55 2-4 07

c, ad. Chisec, Guatemala (O. Salviii) . . 5'5 3'4 2'3o 07

d, ad. Choctnm (O. Salvi7i) 55 3-4 2-3 07

c,ad. „ „ 5-5 3-45 2-25 0-7

fad. „ „ 5-3 3-45 2-2 07

(/,S ad. „ „ 3-5 3-45 2-3 0 7

This new species is allied to G. pumilum, and has been
identified with that species by Mr. Ridgway and others, but
it difiers in several characters : the tail-bands are five or six,
the head at all ages greyish, contrasting forcibly with the back,
and the rufous collar is often obsolete or absent; the tail,
instead of having large round spots, has white markings of
small size and rather inclining to bars ; the whole tone of the
plumage is more umber and not so rufous as the Brazilian
bird ; and this is especially true of the under surface, where
the sides of the breast are conspicuously spotted with white.

This bird represents G. pumilum and G. gnoma in Central
America, and is intermediate between the two species ; but
there can be no doubt that it is specifically distinct from both.

Glaucidium nanum.

Characters of the species. — Female of decidedly larger bulk
than the male, and rather browner. Back everywhere mot-

43 Mr. 11. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidium.

tied with fulvous spots. Upper tail-coverts more rufous than
the back, Ijut mottled with fulvous like the latter. J'ail regu-
larly and completely banded with rufous and dark brown, with
a slight tip of white. Riifous bands on tail* ten in the male,
eleven in some females, but ten also in this sex sometimes ;
all the bands regular and completely traversing the tail-fea-
thers, the rufous ones narrower than the brown interspaces.
Head striped or spotted with rufous-buff, as the case may be.
Sides of upper breast strongly mottled with Avhitish spots or
bars.

Young. Head nearly uniform ashy brown, scantily streaked
with ochraceous buff. Tail as in adult. Under surface more
clouded Avith ashy brown than in the old bird. The sides of
the breast streaked and spotted with rufous buflF.

I do not see any difficulty in understanding the sequence
of plumage in this species, which appears to be an orthodox
Glaucidium, like G. passerinum. The tail is marked alike at
all ages, just as in G. passerinum ; but the head is uniform
greyish brown in the young (one of Mr. Salvin^s specimens
has not yet got its full-grown tail), with a few streaks on the
crown, which are much more strongly developed in the rufous-
brown plumage, which I take to be the next stage towards
maturity ; and, lastly, these streaks dilate into spots, which are
characteristic of the adult stage. As a rule, the rufous tail-
bands are narrower than the dark brown ones; but in the
typical example, and in another from South America, in the
British Museum, they are about equal in breadth. Mr. Kidg-
way will see that the fact I have mentioned about this species
having both a dotted and a striped head, militates against his
primary division.

Total
length.

1. ? ad. Rio Negi-o {Hudson) 8-6

2. S ad. „ „ 7-5

3. c? uiJ- Santiago, Cliili (P. S^- L.) .... 73

4. § ad. „ „ „ .... 8-5

* In enumerating these, the base of the feather, which is alwaj's light,
is nut counted, but the terminal or subtermiual band is included.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

4-4

3-2

0-95

3-95

30

0-85

3-95

30

0-85

4-45

3-4

0-9

Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidium. 43

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

6. S. America 8-0 3-8o 29 00

G.juv. S. America 7o .3-9 29 0-85

7. Straits of Magellan {King) 7-0 3-85 29 0-9

a $ ad. Prov. Colchagua 7o 40 3-1 005

We have now remaiuing five of Mr. Ridgway's species, as
follows: — 6. Glaucidium lansbergi; 7. G.jardinii; 8. G.fer-
rugineum ; 9. G. infuscatum, cum (a) var. infuscatum, et [b)
var. gnoma ; 10. G. siju. Of the bird which he calls G. lans-
bergi, I have seen a good many examples. They all come
from Columbia and Venezuela ; and I think Mr. E-idgway did
right to quote '^Brazil'' as a habitat with some hesitation,

I have already noted that I consider G. langsbergi and
G. jardinii to be the brown and rufous phases of one and
the same species, and consequently unite them under the
name of G. jardinii. Mr. Ridgway considers that they are
specifically distinct, and identifies the brown-plumaged bird
as the original G. jardinii. Here, again, he cannot have
consulted the ' Comptes Rendus,^ or has mistranslated Bona-
parte j for the description points to the rufous bird and not to
the brown one : —

" Rufo-chocolatina maculis rufis ; subtus rufescens in pec-
tore obscurior, fascia gulari et subalari fusca ; remigibus rectri-
cibusque nigro rufoque fasciatis, maculis fascialibus magnis.^^

The italics are here again my own; but the description
clearly indicates which bird was intended.

Glaucidium jardinii.

Characters of the species. — Back blackish brown, plentifully
varied with spots and bars of ochraceous. Upper tail-coverts
uniform with the back and spotted in the same manner. Tail
deep black, with six rows of white spots (counting the ter-
minal one), not continuous nor approaching near the shaft.
Head rather more ashy bro^vn, with large dots of white. Sides
of upper breast very dark brown mottled with large fulvous
spots and bars.

Young birds are much more chocolate-brown than the
adults, and much less mottled on the back, the head being

44 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidiura.

nearly uuiform, with a few very narrow shaft-lines of fulvous.
The second plumage (or perhaps the adult female) is also
rufous- chocolate, mottled all over with fulvous bars, Avhich
are also distributed over the crown, where many of them are
bleached whitish. The old bird has a spotted head, the dots
becommg rounder and smaller with age.

Total
length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. Antioquia,NewGranada(»S'a7/Ho«) O'O 3!) 29 0"7

b, ad. New Granada (Mm. Norv.) .... G-5 3-9o 2-8 0-7

c, ad. Rigota {Mus. S. ^- G.) G-7 4-25 2-8 0-85

d,juv. „ „ C)-0 3-8 2-7 0-8

e,Juv. „ {Mus. Brit.) 5-7 4-1 2-G 0-75

f,ad. „ „ 6-0 4-15 275 07

g,ad. „ „ 6-0 40 26 0-7

7i, ad. „ (Mtis. Norv.) Cr5 4-1 27 08

i,ad. „ „ C-o 4-3 27 O-So

k, ad. Columbia „ 64 3-9 2-8 075

I, ad. „ (Mus. Brit.) 6-2 395 2-8 075

m,juv. „ „ 0-5 4-0 2-8 08

Rufom phase. — Back ferruginous, with numerous fulveseent
transverse bars more or less concealed. Upjjer tail-coverts
exactly similar to the back, and barred in the same manner.
Tail ferruginous, with black cross bands, seven in number, but
of irregular width and not strictly conterminous. Head rather
darker ferruginous than the back, mottled all over with rufous
spots or bars. Sides of upper breast bright ferruginous, with
narrow blackish bars and spots, causing a distinctly mottled
appearance. Under surface of body bright ferruginous, streaked
with rufous or rufous-brown, only slightly varied with white
on the lower breast.

Young. — Head uniform brown, rather darker than the rest
of the upper surface, which, however, is brownish ; the tail
cinnamon, with blackish bars, all of which are more or less
broken up and connected by a mesial juncture along the
shaft.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. Bogota (Mus. S. ^- G.) 6-0 3-9 26 0-8

b, imm. „ „ 6-3 3-85 27 075

Mr. R. B. Sharpc o)i the Genus Glaucidium. 45

Total
length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

c, (id. „ (Mm. Korv.) 6-0 40 20 0-75

d, ad. „ (Mns. Brit.) GO 3-9 2-55

e, imm. New Granada (Mus. Norv.) . . 60 4-3 2-(; 08

/, imm. Columbia ( .V/«s. Norv.) 6-4 4-0 27 0-8

g,imm. Venezuela ( &om?j (7) 10 4*1 30 0-8

The characters of this species are well given by JMr. llidg-
way ; but he does not notice one which appears to obtain in
all the brown-plumaged birds, viz. the continuance of the black
nape-patches in an extended line, so as to form a distinct black
collaret. In both the brown and rufous phases the young
bird differs in being more uniform above ; but there is no
species so distinctly mottled on the upper surface when adult.
In Mr. Salvin's collection is a bird which, from its browner
plumage, is probably the adu.lt female, answering to this
plumage in G. gnoma and G. nanuin. The rufous phases
of G. jardinii and G. ferox are very distinct, and ought not to
be confounded ; for whereas in the latter the back is nearly
uniform, in the former it is very distinctly mottled with bars
of clearer rufous : the under surface also is ochraceous, with-
out any white beyond the chin and gular patch, and is streaked
with rufous instead of white.

Laying aside the question of the Cuban G. siju, I find my-
self now confronted by a long array of specimens which, ac-
cording to Mr. Ridgway^s synopsis, must belong to tAVO species,
viz. : — either Glaucidium ferrvyiaeum, with a "normal"'^ or a
" rufescent '' plumage ; or Glaucidium infuscatum, which in-
cludes two '' varieties '' (the true G. infuscatum, and a smaller
representative form, G. gnoma) . I can scarcely suj)pose that I
shall induce Mr. Ridgway to change the mode of nomenclature
which has now taken such hold on American ornithologists ;
but I much prefer to speak of " races " or '' subspecies " in-
stead of "varieties," a variety of a bird being surely one
which exhibits white feathers or some such lusus natures.

In the consideration of these two species I propose to ex-
amine the series at my disposal according to locality, endea-
vouring to identify the species by the light of Mr, Ridgway^s
paper. I regret that I have no specimens from the southern

46 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidiura.

portion of North America, several having fallen under Mr.
Ridgway's notice from those parts.

Mexico. I have nine specimens of Glaucidium from this
country, all with striped heads ; and Mr. Ridgway's synopsis
will not quite account for all the differences which I see
before me. For instance, G.ferrugineum is said to have the tail
"dark brown, crossed by 7-9 continuous bauds of bright
rufous, about the same width as the brown ones ; " but of
all the nine birds there are only three which have a tail
answering to this description, and yet they must all be G.
ferrugineum ; for not one has the tail of G. infuscatum, " dark
brown, crossed by 6-7 non-continuous bands of white, nar-
rower than the dark ones.^^ To tabulate the characters of
my Mexican examples : —

Num-

Colour

Tail.

ber of

of Remarks.

bands.

bands.

a. Orizaba {Mus. Norv.)

rufous.

10

light Bands narrower than rufous

brown.

interspace and indistinct.

b. Cordova (Salle)

8

Ditto, ditto.

c. W. Mexico (Miis. Brit.). . . .

9

brown.

Bands only a little narrower
than interspaces, but more
distinct.

d, 5 . Mexico {Le Strange) ....

)}

8

})

Bands distinct and regular,
but not so broad as inter-

e. Orizaba {Mus. S.8fG.) ....

>;

9

light
brown.

spaces.
The basal bands narrow, but

the rest about as broad as

interspaces.
Bands about equal in width

f. Mexico (ie Strange)

brown.

8

bleached

rufous.

to interspaces.

g. W. Mexico {Mus. Brit.) ....

dark

9

bright

The rufous bands rather

brown.

rufous.

narrower than the inter-
spaces, and not contin-
uous.

h, (S . Mexico {Le Strange) ....

V

8

rufous.

The bands not continuous,
much narrower than inter-
spaces, which are washed
with brown : terminal
bands whitish externally.

i, (S . Cordova (Salle)

blackish.

8

pale ru-
fous or
whitish.

Bands not continuous and
much narrower than in-
terspaces: many of the
bands whitish, with slight
rufous tinge.

Mr. R. B. Sliarpe on the Genus Glaucidium. 47

I think that any one will see a connexion between the
rufous-tailed specimens inter se, and again with the black-
tailed ones ; and I believe that they must all be referred to
one species ; indeed, I do not see how any one can get away
from the fact that Mr. Ridgway is right in supposing that
two distinct phases are present in the bird he calls G. ferru-
gineiim. The rufous on the tails would prevent any of our
present series from belonging to G. gnoma ; and yet a great
step towards the latter is made by the blackish-tailed speci-
men_, where the rufous bands shade into white on their outer
web. The black-tailed birds are likewise males and more
• grey than the rufous-tailed examples, which are generally of
a more rufous shade altogether.

I give the measurements of a few specimens from each
locality : —

Total
length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. W. Mexico (Mus. Brit.) 7-0 39 2-G 0-85

b, S ad. Cordova (Salle) 6-5 37 27 075

c, $ a(7. „ , 6-5 3-8 2-85 0-8

d, ad. Orizaba (Mus. S. ^ G.) 6-5 3-G5 27 075

e, ad. Mexico (Le Strange) 6-3 37 27 0-85

/, $ «^. „ „ 6-5 375 27 0-85

(j,S (icl „ „ • • 6-5 3-65 27 0-85

Guatemala. A large series has been lent me by Mr. Salvin,
which repeat to a great extent the characters of the Mexican
series, as can be seen by the following tabulation [see p. 48] .

The rufous-tailed specimens are also more rufous in general
coloration ; those with the white tinge to the rufous bars are
' more umber-brown, while those with the white spots ( = G.
gnoma, of Ridgway) are much greyer.

Besides the specimens above mentioned, Mr. Salvin has
four birds which exhibit a somewhat remarkable jDlumage,
being almost uniform rufous, with the exception of a few
nearly obsolete bars and spots of brighter rufous on the head ;
and these markings exist only in two out of the four examples.
The primary quills and tail-feathers, however, are very dif-
ferent from those of G. ferrugineum, having no complete bars,
but are blackish brown, with a more or less distinct rufous

48

Mr. R. B. Sharpc on the Genus Glaucidium.

Num-

Colour

Tail.

ber of
bniuls.

of
biinde.

Ri'iiiurkB.

(^ ad. ({uatomala {Mat^. lirit.)

rufous.

9

brown.

15ands about equal to inter-
spaces, narrower near the
bases.

h, ad. Dueuas (0. Safoiii) ....

If

9

light
brown.

Bauds equal to interspaces.

c, ad. „ „

deep
rufous.

8

brown.

Bands about equal to, or a
little broader than, inter-
spaces.

d, ad. VA Paraiso (0. Salviii) . .

rufous.

9

liglit
bi'own,

Bauds iiuli.stinct and nar-
rower than interspaces.
Almost obsolete and much

c, ad. „ » • •

If

10

}f

narrower tlum interspaces,
l^ands about equal to mter-

/, ad. S. Geroninio (0. Salvin)

rufous.

10

)f

spaces.

ffy ad. „ „

M

9

jj

Ditto ditto.

h, J ad. Volcan de Agua (0.

ft

9

brown.

Bands about equal to inter-

Salvifi )

sjiaces near tip, narrower
and imperfect near base
of featliers.

i, ad. Guatemala ( Van Patten)

V»

9

)f

Bands about equal to inter-
spaces.

Ji, ad. Duenas ( 0. Salvi>i) ....

ft

9

dark
brown.

Bauds eqiuil to interspacea.

I, 2 c-d- Laguna (0. Salvia) . .

brownish

8

pure
white.

Doubtless 6^. </noina of
Ridgway.

in. Guatemahi [I'an Patten) . .

dark

8

white

Interspaces washed with

browu.

waslied

with
rufous.

rufous and broader than
crossbands.

shade, and with a few ochraccoiis spots, larger and more in-
clining to bars on two of the feathers. In the absence of any
indication by Mr. Ridgway of the young bird of his G.fer-
nif/ineum, I mnst suppose these birds to be the immature of
that species ; and thus we should have the very yotuig birds
with uniform iipper sm-face, the head gradually becoming
mottled and spotted and then getting striped in the adult.
I am confirmed in this sequence by tlie presence of several
s])ots, more or less dilated, among the stripes on the crowns
of tiic adults.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. Laguua (O. Salvin ) 6') 8-9 27 0-85

b, ad. El Paraiso , Go 4-1 27 08

c,ad. „ „ 70 3-9 27o 0-8

Mr. R. B. Sharpo (m the Genus Glaucidium. 19

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

d, ad. Duenaa „ OS 3-55 2G 08

e, 2yMi7. Coban „ 6-0 3-7 2-5 08

f,juv. „ „ 6-0 3-6 20 0-75

ff,Juv. \olca.ndeFuegn(0. Salvin) 0-5 3-55 2-7o 075

ad. Guatemala ( Van Patten) 0-5 3-85 28 0^5

Costa Rica. Quite recently Mr. Whitely, of Woolwich,
brought me .six specimens which came out of a collection made
in Costa Rica, four of them being ferruginous birds with ru-
fous tails, clearly belonging to G. ferruyineura, while one
should be referred to Ridgway's G. ynoma. The latter spe-
cimen has very evident remains of rufous on the white bars,
and is apjiroached by another specimen of more general choco-
late-brown shade, the tail deep rufous brown, inclining more
or less to blackish, and barred with white, all the bars more
or less shaded with rufous. The head has less distinct stripes,
and seems to indicate that the bird is a younger male.

In addition to Mr. Whitely^s series, the Museum possesses
another Costa- Rican specimen, which has a rufous-brown tail
crossed with eight bands of pale rufous bleached nearly white
on the centre tail-feathers. In the collection of Messrs. Salvin
and Godman is a bird obtained by Carmiol in 1869, which
closely approaches the cinnamon-coloured specimens from
Brazil, and has, like them, a nearly uniform tail. Two of Mr.
Whitely^s examples^ however, so closely approach this bird,
that I think it is only an extremely rufous specimen of the
northern bird, as it still carries remains of bars on the tail.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. Costa Rica {Mus. Brit.) 6-5 3-8 2-85 07

b,ad. „ „ G-5 375 2-8 07

c,ad. „ „ 6-5 3-a5 2-8 075

d,ad. „ „ 6-5 27 075

e,ad. „ „ 6-5 3-85 27 08

/, ad. (rufous). Costa Rica ( Carmiol) . . 7-5 3'9 2G 075

Veragua. Messrs. Salvin and Grcdman possess two speci-
mens from Santa Fe and Calobre, collected by Arce. They
are both rather dull rufous, with ferruginous tail crossed with

SER. in. VOL. V. E

50 Mr. R. B. Sharpc on the Genus Glaucidium.

seven bands of brown, and agree fairly with the Guatemalan
examples in the collection of the above gentlemen. The Mu-
seum has one bird, collected by Arce, from this country and
belonging to the small grey form called G. gnoma by Ridg-
way ; the tail is blackish with six rows of white spots.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsna.

a, ad. Veragua (Arce) 6-0 3-6 2-7 0-8

b, ad. Calobre „ G-5 3-6 2-6 0-75

c, ad. Santa Fe „ 5-5 375 2-55 0-8

Venezuela. From this country Bonaparte named his G.
lansberi, a MS. name attached to a specimen in the Leiden
Museum, and adopted by Mr. Ridgway for the rufous phase
of G. jardinii. The specimen which was the type of Bona-
parte's name, is no doubt No. 1 of Schlegel's ' Catalogue '
(p. 31) : " male, Caracas, presente par Mr. van Lansbergen/'
so that if the species were to stand, it would probably have
to be called Glaucidium lanshergeni^ .

Schlegel, moreover, unhesitatingly unites it to G.ferrugineum
of Brazil ; and as the Venezuelan birds which I have examined
are undoubtedly the same as the red Brazilian birds, I fancy
that Dr. Wilson must have made a mistake in identifying the
Philadelphia specimen described by Mr. Ridgway. A male
bird from Caracas, in the Salvin-Godman collection, is deep
ferruginous, the tail rather duller and without bars, though
faint indications of the latter can be seen on holding the tail
away from the light. But at the same time a Venezuelan
specimen of G.jai'dinii in the rufous phase (=G. lansbergi
of Ridgway) is in the Museum, so that both species perhaps
occur. The Norwich Museum also contains a ferruginous
specimen from Caracas.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tai-sus.
a, S (id. Caracas {Miis. S.SfG.) 7-0 3-6 2-05 8-8

Trinidad. I have seen five specimens from this island — four
in the Museum collection, and one in that of Messrs. Salvin

* More recently, however, Schlegel (Miis. P. B. Columbce, p. 139) has
named a Dove ( Peristera hmshogi) after the !?ame gentleman, wliom he
now calls M. le Gouverneur van Lansbero-en.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidium. 51

and Godman. Both brown and ferruginous birds occur, the
latter not being very diflFerent from Central-American ex-
amples. A young specimen is in the Museum, which is dif-
ferent from the Guatemalan specimens mentioned above. It
has a perfectly uniform earthy-brown head, deep rufous-chest-
nut back, and uniform deep rufous tail. The Trinidad birds
are certainly rather more chestnut than the majority of Cen-
tral-American specimens ; but I cannot find any good specific
characters, so content myself with calling it a distinct race,
not exactly agreeing with either Brazilian or Central- American
specimens, and for which the name G. phalanoides may be
retained, as, notwithstanding the statement in Daudin's de-
scription (perhaps accidental) that the bill is blackish, the
characters given are otherwise so complete as to leave no
doubt of the species intended.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. Trinidad (Mus. Brit.) 6-5 3-9 2-65 075

b,ad. „ „ 6-5 4-1 2-55 075

c,ad. „ „ 6-5 4-0 2-65 075

d,Juv. „ „ 6-0 376 2-55 075

New Granada. Four specimens from Santa Marta are before
me ; one, from the Norwich Museum, is cinnamon, with
striped head, and indications of eight narrow and nearly ob-
solete bars on the tail. The three others are in the British
Museum, and were purchased from one and the same collec-
tion. One is nearly uniform cinnamon above, with only a few
light stripes on the head : the others are ochraceous brown,
the back spotted with fulvous, the head of one striped, and
that of the other partly striped and partly spotted, the spots
dilating into strijjes. The tail in both is nearly the same,
dark brown, with eight bands of white, not continuous across
the shaft, but all with more or less of a rufous tinge.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. Santa Marta (Mits. Brit.) 7-0 365 2G 07

b, ad. „ „ 7-5 4-0 2-85 0-8

Ecuador. The two specimens collected by Fraser, and re-
corded by Mr. Sclater (P. Z. S. 1860, p. 289), are in the series

E 2

52 Mr. R. B. Sharpc on the Genus Glaucidium.

lent mc by ]\Ir. Salviu : one is a cinnamon bird witli striped
head, and has a few longitudinal markings remaining on the
tail ; the other is a female of the ochraceous-brown form, the
spots being very distinct on the whole of the upper surface,
thus agreeing with the specimen mentioned by Mr. Ridgway
(p. 103).

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, 2 ad. Babahoyo {Fraser) 7-0 3-95 2-8 08

b.Sad. „ „ 7-0 3-7 2-7 08

Amazonia. Messrs. Salvin and Godman own a specimen
from the ''Amazon/^ obtained from the Maison Verreaux. It
is difficult to know what country would be intended by a
French agent by such a locality ; but the bird is one of the
immature ferruginous Owls with uniform tail and clouded
brown head, very similar to the young Trinidad specimen
before noticed.

Brazil. From this rather comprehensive locality I have a
large series representing three forms, viz. the true grey-plu-
maged G. infuscatum of Ridgway and authors, the real G.
ferrugineum of Prince Max., with uniform cinnamon tail, of
which Mr. Ridgway seems only to have seen one specimen
(p. 101), and, lastly, the ochraceous brown form with white-
spotted tail, like the Santa-Marta specimens above mentioned.
From Bahia the Museum has both forms, rufous and grey,
collected by the late Dr. Wucherer. Only two specimens of
the ferruginous form have any traces of bars on the tail.

Broxon phase.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. Brazil {Mus. S. Sf G.) 8-5 3<J5 3-2 0-8

b,ad. „ „ 7-5 4-0 3-3 0-85

c,ad. „ „ 8-0 4-3 3-2 0-8

d, ad. Bahia ( Wticherer) 7-0 3-7 29 0-8

e,ad. „ „ 7-0 3-9 2-9 0-85

/, ad. Cajutuba (Naiterer) 6-5 3-8 2-6 075

Rufmis phase.

a, «£/. Novo Friborgo (ro?/f/,s) 8-0 4-1 31 09

6, ^ ad. Brazil (Clmissen) 90 4-6 3-5 09

c,S ad. „ 8 0 4-2 2-9 0-85

djiiv. „ (Mus. S. ^- G.) 7-5 415 3-1 08

c; ad. Bahia ( Wucherer) 05 37 27 0-8

Mr. 11. 13. Sliarpc on the Genus Glaucidium. 53

Peru. Messrs. Salviu and Godman have a female from
Arequipa^ obtained by Mr. H. Whitely, and representing the
true G. infuscatum, and also a ferruginous specimen from
Lima, having a uniform tail, like the Brazilian examples.

Total

length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, 2 ad. Arequipa ( Whitely) 7-5 40 3-2 0-85

h, ad. Lima {Nation) 7-0 3-9 2-9 0-8

Bolivia. Two specimens from this country, collected by Mr.
Brydges, are preserved in the British Museum, one being
greyish brown, of the ordinary G. infuscatum type, and the
other ochraceous brown, spotted on the back like the Ecuador
bird noticed above : the latter has a striped head ; but the
greyish bird has the crown partly spotted and partly streaked.

Total
length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

a, ad. BolWm {Brydges) 6-5 3-75 2-G 0-75

The conclusion forced upon me after an examination of the
foregoing series is, that Mr. Ridgway is right in believing in
a northern and a southern form of Glaucidium infuscatum, but
his G. ferrugineum must be regarded as the rufous phase of
these grey-plumaged birds. The ranges of these two birds
are not so easily made out ; but I fancy, from the series before
me, that the small form extends from the Southern States of
North America throughout Mexico and the whole of Central
America to Panama ; and thence, from Venezuela and New
Granada southwards throughout Amazonia to Brazil, Peru,
and Bolivia, it is replaced by the larger form.

The differences between these two species it is not easy to
define. The large bird from Brazil difllers chiefly in size and
in having more distinct spots on the crown, back, and sides
of the breast, so that I cannot uuderstand Mr. Ridgway
stating that the latter parts are "not speckled.^' The
northern form is smaller, and, as Mr. Ridgway states, is
" greyish umber,'' instead of being " dark sepia-brown ; " the
spots on the back are obsolete or concealed ; and tlie spots on
the tail are only six in number, instead of seven as in the
larger form.

51 Mr. R. B. Sliarpc on the Genus Glaucidium.

Between the browner phases of the two species there is also
a decided difference*. The South- American species, again,
exhibits a strongly spotted back and scapulars, and is much
more ochraceous brown than the Central -American one : the
head is generally more spotted ; and the tail is more simple
in marking, being dark brown or rufous brown, with seven
or eight clearly defined rows of white rounded spots or bars.
The Central-American bird, on the other hand, is generally
deeper-coloured, or, as Mr. Ridgway calls it, of a " reddish
umber," with scarcely any indication of dorsal spots, the tail-
band regular, and the crossbands either rufous, or, where in-
clining to white, the latter always bears a trace of rufous, as
if the white spots were gradually developed out of a previous
rufous bar.

The ferruginous plumages of these two birds are more dis-
tinct than the brown ones, the Brazilian birds being generally
of a clear cinnamon tint, with uniform tail of the same colour,
whereas the Central-American bird is of a deeper and more
ferruginous colour, always more or less distinctly barred with
brown. I do not deny that specimens occur in both countries
approaching the characters of both species ; but, as a rule, the
birds may be distinguished without much difficulty.

The result of my studies of these birds may be shortly
summed up as follows : —

1. That the birds called by Mr. Ridgway G. ferruginewUy
G. infuscatum, and G. guoma constitute one species, wide-
spread and very variable, ranging from the southern provinces
of North America southwards over the entire continent as
far as Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru. The correct name
of this bird seems to be Glaucidium fei'ox (V.).

2. That the Brazilian bird is the larger, has more white
spots on the tail, and has a cinnamon phase with viniform
tail.

3. That from Panama northwards this larger form is repre-

* Scarcely any of the specimcus in South-American collections have the
sexes marked ; but I fancy tht3 browncr-pliunaged birds ai"c either females
or young males ; the darlicr the tail and the whiter the spots on it, the
p-oyer the birtj.

Mr. li. 13. Sharpe on the Genus Glauciclium. 55

sented by a smaller representative, very similar in colour in
tlie brown phase, but having one row of spots less on the tail,
and having a ferruginous phase of plumage with regularly
banded tail.

4. That, although at the extreme limits of their range these
two birds are tolerably well characterized, in the lower part
of Central America, and even in Brazil, occur specimens which
it would be difficult to refer with certainty to either one or
the other form.

5. That, viewing the differences which are exhibited by
most specimens from the northern and southern ranges of
the birds, it is convenient to keep them separate ; and as Mr.
Ridgway has incorrectly called the Central-American bird
G. gnoma, the latter will require a new title, which I propose
shall be Glaucidium ridgwayi.

6. That the Trinidad birds hold a somewhat intermediate
position, having only six bars on the tail in the grey phase,
and thus resembling the Central- American bird, but being
altogether of a darker and more sepia-brown, with a dotted
crown. The latter character, as I have shown, does not go
for much ; and the ferruginous specimens have more or less
striped heads. One of the latter is younger, and has a rufous
tail irregularly marked with blackish, the bars, as far as they
can be counted, being eight in number. I do not attach
great importance to this supposed subspecies from Trinidad,
as, after all, the Central- American bird may range along Ve-
nezuela to Trinidad ; but at present there is no connexion be-
tween the two birds by means of specimens of G. ridgwayi
from any part of Venezuela. The average measurements of
the three races are as follows : —

Total length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

i. G.fei'ox 6-5-90 36 -46 26 -3-5 0-7-OiJ

2. G. ridgicayi 5-5-7-0 3-65-4-1 2-5 -2-85 0-7-0-85

3. G. phulmnoidcs .... 6-0-8-0 375-4-1 2-55-2-65 0-75

These dimensions are sufficient to show that measurements
are little worth in the consideration of Glaucidium, although,
were the sexes of the specimens known, there can be no doubt
that some of the great differences in size in each of the species
might be accounted fur by a difference of sex.

56 Mr. R. B. Sliarpe on the Genus Glaucidium.

The following is therefore my proposed arrangement of
the American species of Glaucidium with reference to Mr.
Ridgway's paper on the genus : —

1. Glaucidium gnoma. Californian Owlet.
Glaucidium passerinum, var. californicum, Ridgway, Pr.

Bost. Soc. xvi. p. 94 (1873).

Hab. Western Region of North America from Vancouver
Island^ southwards through Central America to Guatemala.

List of Specimens examined.

E Mus. Brit. — a, ^ juv. Vancouver Island {J. K. Lord) .
b. Mexico, c. Central America.

E Mus. Salvin and Godman. — a, b, ad. Choctum, Vera Paz,
Guatemala, Jan. 1860 (0. Salvin). c, ad. Choctum, Jan.
1862 (O. Salvin).

E Mus. Now. — a, pull. Orizaba, Mexico [Botteri) . b. Gua-
temala, c. Guatemala {Skinner), d. Northern California
[Brydges) .

E Mus. H. S. Le Strange. — a, ? ad., b,juv. City of Mexico
{H. S, Le Strange).

E Mus. H. E. Dresser. — a, ad. Vancouver's Island, Nov.
16th, 1867 (/. Hepburn).

2. Glaucidium griseiceps, sp. n. Isthmian Owlet.
Glaucidium 2}umilum (pt.), Ridgway, I. c. p. 97.
Hab. Central America from Guatemala to Veragua.

List of Specimens examined.
E Mus. Brit, — a, ad. Guatemala. b,juv. Veragua (^rce).
E Mus. Salvin and Godman. — a, b, c, d. Choctum, Vera
Paz, Guatemala (0. Salvin). e. Chisec (O. Salvin).

3. Glaucidium pumilum. Brazilian Owlet.
Glaucidium pumilum, Ridgw. /. c. p. 97.
Hab. Brazil.

List of Specimens examined.
E Mus. Brit. — «, A. South America, r, rf. Brazil, e. Bra-
zil {Claussen). f,(j. Bahia (fFwc/^erer).

Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Glaucidium. 57

E Mus. Salvin and Godman. — a. Brazil, b. Bahia [Wu-
cherer).

E Mus. Norv. — a, ad. Brazil.

4. Glaucidium nanum. Patagonian Owlet.
Glaucidium nanum, Ridgway, I. c. p. 104.

Hab. South America : Chili and Patagonia as far north as
the Rio Negro.

List of Specimens examiiied.
E Mus. Brit. — a, b. S. America, c. Straits of Magellan.

d. Port Famine {King), e, $ ad. Province of Colchagua,
Jnly 1870 {Reed), f, ^ ad. Rio Negro, Patagonia, May 1871
{Hudson) .

E Mus. Norv. — a, $ ad. Chili {Verreaux). b,juv. Chili.

E Mus. Salvin and Godman. — a, b, ^ '^ ad. Province of
Santiago, Chili {Philippi and Landbeck). c, ^ pull. Santiago,
Chili (P. ^ L.). d, $ ad. Rio Negro, Patagonia {Hudson).

5. Glaucidium jardinii. Jardine's Owlet.
Glaucidium jar dinii et G. lansbergi, Ridgw. I.e. pp. 98,99.
Hab. South America : New Granada and Veuezuela.

List of Specimens examined.
E Mus. Brit. — a, b, ad. Columbia. c,juv. Columbia, d,

e, ad. Bogota. f,juv. Bogota. g,juv. Sierra Nevada, Ve-
nezuela.

E Mus. Salvbi and Godman. — a, b, ad., c, d,juv. Bogota.
e, ad. Antioquia, New Granada {Salmon) .

E Mus. Norv. — a,juv. New Granada. b,ad. New Granada.
c, ad. Columbia, d, juv. Columbia, e, f, g. Bogota {E.
Mark) .

6. Glaucidium ferox. Azara^s Owlet.
Glaucidium infuscatum, Ridgw. /. c. p. 102.
Glaucidium ferrugineum (pt.), id. I. c. p. 100.

Hab. South America : the whole of Brazil, Bolivia, and
Peru, extending along the western coast through Ecuador to
New Granada and Venezuela.

List of Specimens examined.
E Mus. Brit. — a, ? ad. Brazil {Such). h, ^ ad. c,Juv.

58 Mr. R. B. Sharpc on the Genus Glaucidium.

Brazil (C/aM5sew). f/, «c?. Brazil. e,f,ad. l^Q\n^{Wucherer).
g, h, ad. Bolivia {Bnjdges) . i, k, I, ad. Santa Marta.

EMus. Now. — a (brown phase), ad. Brazil, b (rufous phase),
Brazil, c. Santa Marta ( Verreaux) . d. Caracas ( Verreaux) .

E Mus. Salvin and Godman. — Brown phase : a, b, ad. Bra-
zil, c. Cajutaba, Brazil [Natterer). d, juv. Bahia {Wu-
cherer) . e. Venezuela, f, ? ad. Babahoyo, Ecuador {Fraser) .
ff, ? ad. Arequipa, Peru(ifFAi/e/?/). Rufous phase: a. S. Ame-
rica. b,c. Brazil, d. Novo Friborgo, S.E. Brazil {Youds).
e. Amazon {Baird) . /, ^ ad. Venezuela. g, S ad. Baba-
hoyo (Fraser). h, ? ad. Lima, Peru [Nation).

7. Glaucidium phalvENOides. Daudin's Owlet.
Hub. Trinidad [Mus. Brit. ; S. ^- G.) .

List of Specimens examined.
E Mus. Brit. — a, b, c, d, ad. juv. Trinidad.
E Mus. Salvin and Godman. — a. Trinidad.

8. Glaucidium ridgwayi. Ridgway^s Owlet.
Glaucidium infuscatum, var. gnoma, Ridgw. /. c. p. 103.
Glaucidium ferrugineum (pt.), Ridgw. I.e. p. 101.

Hab. From the Rio Grande (perhaps the southern border
of the United States, Ridgway) through Central America to

Panama.

List of Specimens examined.

E Mus. Brit. — a, b. Mexico, c. Guatemala, d-k. Costa
Rica. /. Veragua [Arce).

E Mus. Salvin and Godman. — a. Orizaba, b, c. Cordova,
Mexico [Salle) . d,e. Gnatem&la [Van Patten), f. Laguna,
Guatemala, Dec. 26, 1857 (O. ,Sa/t'm). g,h. San Geronirao,
Nov. 1859 (0. S.) . i. j. El Paraiso [0. S.) . k, I, m, n. ad. et
juv. Duenas, 1861 & 1862 [O. S.). o, ^ ad. Volcan de Agua,
above San Diego, Nov. 1873 [0. S.). p. Volcan de Fuego,
Sept. 7th, 1859 (O. S.). q, r. Cohan, Vera Paz, Dec. 1861
and Feb. 1862 [0. S.). s. Costa Rica [Carmiol). t, ^ ad.
Santa Fe, Veragua [Arce) . n,^ . Calobre, Veragua [Arce) .

E Mus. Norv. — a, ad. Orizaba, Mexico, b. Guatemala
[Skinner) .

Three Months on the Coast of South Africa. 51)

9. Glaucidium siju. Cuban Owlet.
Gtaucidium siju, Ridgw. /. c. p. 105.
Hab. Cuba.
E Mus. Brit. — ad. Cuba.

III. — Three Months on the Coast of South Africa.
By Captain G. E. Shelley, F.R.G.S.

I LEFT England for the Cape of Good Hope the 15th De-
cember, 1873, on board the ' Asiatic,' one of the Union
Company's steamships. The only land we sighted during the
twenty-seven days' passage was Grand Canary, Teneriffe, and
St. Helena. At the latter place we arrived on the morning of
the 4th of January ; and most welcome was the chance of feel-
ing oneself again on terra firma. Not wishing to lose the
opportunity of adding a new species to my collection, I took my
gun on shore ; and during the time I was visiting Napoleon's
tomb and the house in which he lived at '' Longwood " I shot
by the way three specimens of JEgialitis sanctce-helence, Hart-
ing, the only indigenous bird, and several of the small Ground-
Dove {Geopelia tranquilla) , introduced from AustraHa, and of
Estrelda astrild, a native of the African continent, both of
which species are thoroughly acclimatized to the island and
are very abundant.

The steep road which leads out of the town towards Long-
wood threads the sides of rather a picturesque valley, with
a small waterfall at the end trickling down over dark vol-
canic rocks. On turning out of this valley, and close to the
first wayside canteen, the country opens out ; and the scenery
becomes very wild as the road passes into the fir- woods. Here
I quitted it for a small barren plateau to the left, where I
found some seven or eight specimens of ^gialitis sanctce-
helena, the " Wire-bird," the only ones I saw on the island, —
a strange place for an u^gialitis, as there is no water near,
and the rocky ground is parched and barren. All the speci-
mens I procured were moulting.

On the 12th of January we reached Table Bay. The first
sight of the Cape is really fine ; the flat-topped "Table Moun-

60 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

tain/' overhanging the town^ contrasts strongly with the jagged
outline of the range extending to the south, the peaks of which
are known as the twelve Apostles. To the west of the town the
lower hills are called the " Lion/' from their fancied resem-
blance to that beast in a crouching position ; the head, point-
ing to the south, is formed of a barren mass of rock, while on its
other extremity is the signal-station. On the eastern slope of
Table Mountain is situated the town of Wynberg ; and the
vineyards of Constantia and many other pretty little villages
lie embedded in the pine-forests which clothe the base of this
remarkable mountain, wliile beyond the villages to the north-
east the country opens out into a wide plain, only covered
with stunted bush backed up in the distance by mountain-
ranges. Having glanced at the nature of the country, I pro-
ceeded with my gun to make my first personal observations
upon the avifauna of South Africa. What first struck me
was the absence of bird- and insect-life ; nor did a six weeks'
knowledge of Cape Colony, from Cape Town to Worcester,
alter my impressions, though sea- fowl are very abundant.
At Cape Town the commonest land-birds are Laniarius gut-
turalis, Lanius collaris, Drymosca maculosa, Zoslerops ca-
pensis, Cossypha caffra, and Turtur albiventris (frequenting
the fir-woods and bushes), Saxicola familiaris on the more
barren open ground, Promerops caffer, Nectarinia famosa, N.
chalybea, and N. afra around the flowering aloes ; and on the
more marshy land, especially towards Salt River, Motacilla
capensis and Calidris arenaria were very common. By the
20th every thing was arranged for a trip to the Kuysna in a
waggon drawn by eight horses, when one of my friends, Mr.
Elliot, was taken suddenly ill ; but thinking that a few days'
rest would restore him to health, I started alone for Wel-
lington, where three days later I heard of his death ; thus my
pleasure-tour received at its outset the severest of blows, the
loss of a friend, and I gave up all thoughts of the Knysna.

During my tour in the colony, between Stellcnbosch and
the Paarl, I " outspanned " near a small pond, where flocks of
jEgialitis tricuUuris and Trinya minuta were very abundant ;
and amongst the neighbouring stunted bush there was a good

on the Coast of South Africa. Gl

variety of birds, such as Saxicola sinuala, S. pileata, and
Thamnobia coryjihcea, this latter species being very common ;
when frightened it only flies for a short distance, often
avoiding further pursuit by running. Its habits reminded
me of Aedon galactodes as I have observed them in Egypt ;
especially when on the ground, it has the habit of suddenly
stopping and flitting up its tail as it watches an intruder^ and
in all its movements is very active and restless. I also saw
a few specimens of Megalophonus apiatus, which would rise
much like a Pipit, and fly for only a short distance close over
the brushwood, rarely running when on the ground. Of
game there was very little beyond a few small hares ; and I
met with one fine covey of Francolinus afer, of which I killed
three.

The country from Capetown to Stellenbosch is flat, covered
with stunted bush about two feet high, while towards the Paarl
it becomes more hilly. During my stay in these parts I was
much struck by the regular hours kept by the Swifts ; each
morning about 8 o^clock they first appeared, often in con-
siderable numbers, retiring as suddenly again at 10. What
they do with themselves during the remainder of the day I
am unable to say, though probably they retire to the crevices
in their mountain homes during the heat of the day to digest
at leisure the breakfast they have so hurriedly partaken of.
They appear again, but generally in less numbers, in the
afternoon.

On the 24th I was rewarded for a hot walk up the Paarl
mountain by making a fair bag of small birds and being able
to observe several species which I had not previously seen.
Cossypha caffra and Thamnobia coryphcea frequently flitted
across the path in front, or ran beneath the low bushes, erect-
ing and fanning out their tails at intervals, while Laniarius
gutturalis skulked cunningly away to the thickest neighbour-
ing shelter. Fringillaria capensis, another very common bird
throughout the colony, might generally be seen in pairs
perched upon the crest of some large mass of rock. Saxicola
familiaris was extremely abundant and tame, running from
beneath a bush, where it had taken refuge, to the summit of

02 Captaiu G. E. Shelley's Three Months

a prominent stone, whence it soon flitted on to another emi-
nenee, preferring rock to bush for its perch. Amongst the
herbage on the top of the mountain I disturbed Sphenoeacus
africanm, which quickly took shelter in another thick tuft of
grass, when it gradually crept down the stalks and disap-
peared, giving me some trouble in again pursuading it to show
itself. Having deposited some specimens to get cool in the
shade of a large rock, I had wandered a few hundred yards
off", when I was recalled by the hoarse croak of Corvultur al-
bicollis, which was so intently examining these specimens that
it allowed me to get within range, though", as a rule, I have
found it a very wary bird. On descending the mountain I
enjoyed the luxury of a bath in a shallow stream in company
with a pair of my old friends Ceryle rudis, who were con-
stantly hovering over the water or plunging into it after small
fish.

The following day I got to Wellington, where I met with
a good number of (Ena capejisis, Colius striatus, Pycnonotus
capensis, Passei' arcuatus, P. diffusus, and Vidua principalis.
Amongst the reeds by the river I obtained a specimen of
Laniarius gutturalis, without any signs of a black collar, in
which plumage it appears so difierent that at the time I did
not recognize the species.

The trip over "Baines's Kloof is through some of the
finest wild mountain scenery in South Africa. The road, on
descending towards Darling bridge, runs along the steep sides
of a deep ravine, through which the soft green banks of a
rippling brook strongly contrast with the harsh outline of the
flat-topped mountains which confine the view. Of the hand-
some speckled Rock-Pigeon {Stictcenas phteonotus) we saw
numbers, both feeding on the road, or dashing out from the
overhanging rocks.

At Darling bridge we left the mountain-gorge for a wide
elevated plain, a common feature in this part of the country ;
here we met with several specimens of Francolinus capetisis
(the " Pheasant " of the colonists) . On first coming upon a
small covey of five upon the ground amongst the low bush, their
resemblance to Guineafowl was very striking, as, with necks

on the Coast of South Africa. G3

erect, they first endeavoured to escape by running ; on the
wing they looked heavy, rarely sustaining their flight for more
than a few hundred yards.

On this same plain, near a river, I found small birds fairly
plentiful ; and on entering the mountain-range near Ceres I
met with a pair of Scopus umbretta in the stunted bush and
shot one, obtaining its mate on my return visit a few days
later. About here bush-buck are tolerably plentiful ; and in
the mountain-gorge near Ceres I saw several Amydrus morio
(the " Redwing " of the colonists) ; but they were too shy to
allow me to approach within shot. At Ceres I saw a few
Ducks, the only ones I met with during my rambles; and
these would not let me get within range. Amongst the
species which I had not previously shot, I may mention
Amydrus bicolor : its habits are very similar to those of our
English Starling ; and they were extremely plentiful, both in
the town itself and the surrounding country. On going to
bathe in the river I killed a Little Bittern [Ardetta podiceps)
in immature plumage. On the plains around Ceres I met
with the " Knorhan " [Eupodotis afra) ; and on my return
journey to Capetown I added considerably to my collection
of skins, but not to the number of species.

During the remainder of my stay at the Cape I devoted my
attention chiefly to some flowering aloes on the sides of the
Lion-hill. Promerops caffer, like the other Sun-birds, are
much attracted by these stately flowers ; and it was with no
little interest that I watched these remarkable birds clinging
to the blossoms. I left Capetown on the 14tli of February
for Natal, and was glad to get away, as it is but a poor place
for the naturalist, be he in pursuit of birds, beasts, or insects,
though for the botanist I believe the case is very different.

The coasting steamers stop at Mossel Bay for George and
the Knysna. The country around this place is very barren,
with a perfect absence of trees, but with some rather pictu-
resque raAdnes. Amongst the small bushes Promerops caffer
and Nectarinia famosa are very abundant, the former usually
in family parties, the latter in pairs. A few miles out of the
town there is a very thriving Ostrich-farm. We next stopped

64 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

at Port Elizabeth^ whichj though by no means a promising
place to look at, is fairly well stocked with birds and insects,
especially along the small water-courses. Here the Cape
fauna is exhibited in Buteo jackal, Laniarius gutturalis, and
Amydrus morio, species which I never saw near Durban. On
the 23rd of February I arrived at Port Natal, and, after wast-
ing two days in getting my guns and ammunition through
the custom-house, began work : of course days wasted, though
reckoned as of little importance by others, are most grudg-
ingly granted by the naturalist, who feels that each day lost
is the loss of some species which he may never again have
the chance of seeing in its native wilds. The first sight of
Natal after a stay at the Cape is very cheering ; the dense
bush which lines the shore extends in an almost unbroken
belt, some twenty miles in width, as far as Delagoa Bay east-
ward, while towards the Cape of Good Hope the land becomes
more open as one approaches the mouth of St. John's River
and East London.

Port Natal, where we disembarked, was, when I landed,
literally swarming with insect life, the air being full of fine
beetles and gaily coloured butterflies. Durban is situated at
about three miles from the Port, on Natal Point, on the shore
of the large bay, which, owing to its narrow outlet and the
shallow marshy nature of some parts of the sides, has much
the appearance of a salt lake, and is frequented by numerous
Waders. On the other side Durban is surrounded by an
open, rushy flat, bounded by a low thickly wooded range of
hills, called the Berea, whence I collected a variety of birds
and a great number of butterflies ; unfortunately the former
were rarely in good plumage at the season of my visit, though
some of them were breeding at the time.

Whilst in the neighbourhood of Durban, from the 25th of
February to the 13th of April, I made the following notes
upon the birds I there observed. I shall add to the list those
species which I met with during my stay in Cape Colony, as
I have yet some few additional notes to make to the prece-
ding rambling portion of my journal, and which may be entered
shortly in the following list : —

on the Coast of South Africa. 65

1. PoLYBOROiDEs Tvpicus, Smith. Banded Gymuogcne.

Mr. AyreSj of Pinetown, kindly gave me an immature spe-
cimen of tliis Hawk, and told me that it was not uncommon
in that locality.

2. Circus ranivorus (Daud.). South -African Marsh-
Harrier.

Very common in the marshes close to Durban. Its habits
are similar to those of the common Marsh-Harrier of Europe,
to which species it is very closely allied ; but in no plumage
does it acquire the grey on the wings and tail. The surest
means of recognizing this species is by the bars on the outer
primary, C. ceruginosus not having bars on that feather. The
specimens I preserved had been feeding on frogs.

3. Circus macrurus (Gmel.)'^. Swainson^s Harrier.

I shot an immature specimen of this species in the Cape
colony near Ceres.

4. BuTEO JAKAL (Daud.) . Jackal Buzzard.

I occasionally met with this species in Cape colony and at
Port Elizabeth ; but near Durban it is replaced by Lophoaetua
occipitalis, a bird of very similar appearance and of the same
indolent habits.

5. AcciPiTER TACHiRO (Daud.). South-African Goshawk.
A specimen of this fine Hawk was kindly given to me by

Mr. Ayres, of Pinetown, who shot it in that locality.

6. AcciPiTER MiNULLUs (Daud.) . Little Sparrow-Hawk.
A plentiful species, frequenting the edges of the coffee- and

sugar-plantations, especially those to the east of the Umgeni
river. Two females which I procured measured in the flesh
10*4 and 10"2 inches. The irides, cere, and legs are yellow.

7. LoPHOAETUs OCCIPITALIS (Daud.). Crested Eagle.
Very abundant near Durban. It frequents the large trees

at the edges of clearings, or in the more open country, rarely
resorting to the thick woods. It is rather partial to habita-
tions, where its presence is any thing but welcome, as it fre-

* C .twarnwrn, Smith et auctt. rec.
SER. III. VOL. V. F

()(; Cai.tnin (i. K. Sliclloy's Thrvc Months-

(juently carries oil' poultry, though its favourite food appears
to be rats. In habits it is sluj^jgisb, sitting stationary for a
long time on the same bough, only moving its head at inter-
vals from side to side, or erecting and depressing its fine crest.
When flying, the white on the under surface of the wing is
very apparent. Cere and feet yellow ; the irides in an adult
specimen 1 shot were brownish yellow; in a less mature bird
I killed at Pinetown, the occipital crest was faintly tij)ped Avith
buff, and the irides were brown.

8. Elanus ceruleus (Dcsfout.). Black-shouldered Kite.
I occasionally saw single specimens in the more open coun-
try about Durban, but did not observe it in Cape colony.

9. Baza verreauxi (Lafr.). Verrcaux Kite- Falcon.
This is the most abundant species of Hawk near Durban,

where it frequents the thick woods. I was, however, not
fortunate enough to obtain a specimen, although I fired at
three and knocked one down into the bush.

10. TiNNUNCULUS RUPicoLus (Daud.). South-African
Kestrel.

I shot one specimen at Pinetown while it was hovering
over the grassy jdain, and occasionally saw Kestrels in Cape
colony, probably of this species. Its habits appeared iden-
tical with those of our common English Kestrel.

11. Aluco PUNCTATA (Licht.) ■'^. Brown-backed Barn-Owl.
I met with one specimen to the east of the Umgeni, which

rose out of the high grass while I was searching for Quail.

* [We take this opportunit}' of expressino; our dissent from tlie view
propounded by Professor Newton respecting the impropriety of applying
tlie term Sfn'x to the liarn-Owl (fStri.r Jlammea) : see Yarrell, JJrit. 13.
4th ed. p. 11)4.

lirissou recognized two genera of Owls, under the names Asio and Strij-.
The former of these, being additional to the genera given in the 12th edi-
tion of the ' Systema Naturoj,' must be accepted, Asio of us being tlie
Brissonian type of the genus. Prof. Newton truly says that S/n'jr aliico
is JJrisson's type of the Linnrean genus Sfn'x as restricted. But does
the rule Avhich admits the additional Brissonian genera give Brisson
any right to define other Linnroan genera? We think not. If not,
•Sfri.r. as furtlier re.-'tricted 1)v Saviirnv in IHOO, may still stand for the

on the Coast of South Africa. 67

I also heard of a young one being brought into Pinetown for
sale^ from which I conclude that it is not verj^ uncommon
about Durban.

12. Caprimulgus EUROPiEUS, Linn. Common Goatsucker.
I frequently met with it at Durban and Pinetown.

13. Cypselus apus (Linn.). Common Swift.
Common in Cape colony, and I occasionally saw it at Dur-
ban and Pinetown.

14. Cypselus melba (Linn.). Alpine Swift.
Although I found this species very plentiful in Cape colony,

I did not observe it at Dui'ban.

15. Cypselus CAFFER,Licht. South- African White-rumped
Swift.

Plentiful in Cape colony ; occasionally seen in considerable
numbers about Pinetown. At first sight it appears very
similar to the West- African C. affinis, from which it differs in
having a deeply forked tail.

16. HiRUNDO rustica, Linn. Chimney-Swallow.

By far the most abundant Swallow in Capetown, and, in-
deed, exceedingly common wherever I went.

17. HiRUNDO cucullata, Bodd. Rouselline Swallow.
Very plentiful thi'oughout Cape colony and Natal, and

often seen feeding in company with the Swifts. In March
and April I frequently saw it engaged in constructing its
nest, which it places against walls of houses in similar posi-
tions to those chosen for that purpose by our common House-
Martin. A specimen I shot measured in the flesh 7*8 inches.
Beak hlack ; irides and legs brown.

18. PsALiDOPROCNE holomel^na (Sund.). Black Swallow.
Very plentiful about Pinetown, and occasionally met with

group of Owls with which by far the majority of authors, for considerably
more than half a centmy, have associated this name. By the rules of
nomenclature a portion of Brisson's genera were admitted by a special
clause ; why extend this author's powers beyond the wording of that
clause ? — Ed.]

f2

68 Captain G. E. Slicllcy's Three Months

at Durban. It is a woodland bird, usually seen in small
flocksj often perehing on boughs on the shady side of large
trees. They appear to avoid the glare of the mid-day sun,
feeding mostly in the evening, often long after sunset.
Length of a specimen in the flesh 6"4 inches. Beak black ;
irides dark brown ; legs purple-brown, shading off into flesh-
colour on the back of the tarsus and on the soles of the feet.

19. CoTYLE FULiGULA (Liclit.). Browu Martin.
Occasionally seen whilst at Capetown, generally in the

streets, where it builds under eaves of houses, even in the
most crowded thoroughfares.

20. CoTYLE PALUDicoLA (Vicill.). South- African Sand-
Martin.

At Ceres, in Cape colony, I found this species very abun-
dant, reminding me strongly of C. riparia, from which its
dull-coloured breast most readily distinguishes it.

21. CoRACiAs GARRULA, Linn. European Roller.

An immature specimen of this bird was brought to Mr.
Ayres whilst I was at Pinetown ; he told me that it was by
no means common in that locality.

22. Hapaloderma XARiNA (Vieill.). South-African Trogon.
Not uncommon in the thick woods about Durban and

Pinetown.

23. Halcyon albivextris (Scop.). Brown-hooded King-
fisher.

Very common about Dm'ban and Pinetown ; all those that
I examined had been feeding upon grasshoppers.

24. CoRYTHORNiscY'ANOSTiGMA(Ilupp.). Malachitc-crcstcd
Kingfisher.

This charming little Kingfisher is found invariably fre-
quenting the small streams and ditches close to Durban, w here,
however, it is not very abundant. The only specimen I shot
measured in the flesh 5" 7 inches. Beak and legs brilliant
coral-red, slightly shaded with black towards the nostrils aiid
at the base of the lower mauilible ; irides dark brown.

on the Coast of Souih Africa. GU

25. IspiDiNA NATALENsis (Smith). Natal Kingfisher.
Rather more plentiful than the last species, and occasionally

met with in the woods away from water.

26. Ceryle rudis (Linn.). Black-and-white Kingfisher.
I saw a pair at the Paarl, in Cape colony, and a single spe-
cimen near Durban.

27. Ceryle maxima, Pall. Great African Kingfisher.

I met with a pair of these gigantic Kingfishers amongst
the low bushes between Durban and the Conguella, and pro-
cured them both. They kept entirely to the small streams,
and when disturbed flew only for a short distance, returning
again to the same haunt as soon as they fancied they were
out of danger. The female measured 17 '5 inches. Beak
black, paler at the base of the lower mandible ; legs horn- or
olive-slate colour, pale above the tarsal joint, and darkest on
the toes and back of the tarsus ; irides dark brown. There is
little if any difference in the size of the two sexes.

28. Merops apiaster, Linn. European Bee-eater.

I met with a small flock near Durban in the beginning of
April.

29. Upupa minor, Shaw. South-African Hoopoe.

I did not meet with this bird alive, but saw a skin, and was
told that it only came to Durban at certain seasons.

30. Irrisor ERYTHRORHYNCHUs(Lath.). Red-billcd Irrisor.
Also migratory about Durban, where some years it appears

to be tolerably common.

31. Nectarinia famosa, Linn. Malachite Sun-bird.
Common in Cape colony, and very abundant at Mosscl

Bay ; I also met with them at Port Elizabeth. They were
still in the moult up to the middle of April.

32. Nectarinia afra, Linn. Greater Double-collared
Sun- bird.

Plentiful in Cape colony.

70 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

33. Nectarinia CHALYBEA, Linn. Lesser Double-collared
Sun-bird.

I met with this Sun-bird abundantly in Cape colony, at
Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Piuetown.

34. Nectarinia gutturalts, Linn. Scarlet-breasted Sun-
bird.

I saw a few specimens which had been shot about Durban
and Pinetown ; but I believe they do not come to the coast
during the hot season, at which time I was there.

35. Nectarinia collaris, Vieill. Southern Collared Sun-
bird.

Very plentiful about Durban and Pinetown. I was given
two nestlings in the beginning of April ; their breasts were
yellow, without any collar, and their upper parts metallic
green, as in the adult.

36. Nectarinia olivacea. Smith. Olive Sun-bird.

I shot this specie both at Durban and Pinetown, where it
does not appear to be uncommon.

37. Nectarinia VERREAUxi (Smith). Verreaux's Sun-bird.
Not uncommon about Durban. It measures 5 '2 inches.

Beak and legs black ; gape orange ; irides dark brown.

38. Promerops caffer, Linn. Long-tailed Sun-bird.

A very local species ; it is plentiful in Cape colony, and
extremely common at Mossel Bay, where I usually saw it in
family parties. It is a very curious and pretty sight to see
a group of these birds busily hunting for insects around some
flowering aloes, their long tails floating in the breeze.

39. Zosterops capensis, Sundev. Cape-White-eye.
Common in Cape colony and at Durban; in the former

place I mostly met with it in the pine forests at the foot of
Table Mountain. Irides brown.

40. Drymceca maculosa (Bodd.) . Cape- Warbler.

Very abundant in Cape colony; but I am not aware of
having seen it at Durban, where its place is occupied by D.
subrujicapiUa. Length in the flesh 5 inches ; legs and beak

on the Coast of South Africa. 71

flesh-colour, the latter shading into horn-colour on the upper
and tip of the under mandible ; irides hazel.

41. Drym(eca subruficapilla, Smith. Tawny-headed
Warbler.

Very common about Durban and Pinetown, usiially in
family parties, where I have frequently watched them thread-
ing their way along the edge of the bushes, constantly utter-
ing a short note.

42. Drym(eca smithi, Bp. Smithes Warbler.
Not uncommon near Durban.

43. Catriscus apicalis (Licht.) . Natal Fantail.

I saw several specimens of this bird in the sedge at Dur-
ban and Pinetown, where, owing to their creeping-habit and
the thick vegetation they frequent, I was only able to shoot
two. It is a very striking little bird as it flits out from
amongst the thick rushes with a jerky flight, its heavy dark
tail rather inclining downwards.

44. Sylvietta micrura, Riipp. Short-tailed Creeper.

I believe I am not mistaken in entering this species in my
present list ; for although I did not bring back a specimen, I
shot several. I found them common about Durban, fre-
quenting the lower parts of the thickest bushes, peering out
occasionally from between the leaves, and constantly moving
and uttering a jarring note.

45. Apalis THORAciCA (Shaw). Bar- throated Warbler.

I met with several specimens creeping about in the stunted
bushes in Cape colony while on my way to Ceres.

46. Sphenceacus africanus (G-mel.). Pointed -tailed
Warbler.

I met with this species both at the Paarl, in Cape colony,
and at Pinetown, near Durban. It frequents the high grass,
and is difiicult to drive out of the thick covert it resorts to.
When on the wing it flies low with a straight and even flight.
The specimen I procured at the Paarl measured 7'5 inches ;
legs and beak grey, the latter inclining to black towards the
culmen; irides hazel.

72 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

47. AcROCEPHALus PALUSTRis (Bechst.). Marsh- Warbler.
I shot the only specimen I saw in the thick hush some

500 yards from the marshy ground near Durban. I com-
pared it Avith a European specimen in Mr. Dresser's collec-
tion, with which it entirely agrees. Length in the flesh 55
inches ; beak flesh-colour, shading into brown on the culmen ;
legs flesh-colour, with a slight livid shade ; irides hazel. This
is no doubt the species mentioned by Mr. Gurney (Ibis, 1865,
p. 266j as " C. arundinacea (Gmel.) ? "

48. Thamnobia coryph^a (Vieill.) . Coyphee Warbler.
Very abundant amongst the low bush in Cape colony. In

habits it is very lively, now flitting for a short distance along
the path, then running fleetly through the stunted bush, stop-
ping at intervals and erecting and expanding its tail, the
white on the outer feathers contrasting well with the dark
sombre hues of its general plumage. Length in the flesh
7 inches ; beak and legs black ; irides dark brown.

49. Saxicola familiaris, Steph. Familiar Wheatear.
Very common in Cape colony. I preserved specimens from

Capetown and the Paarl, while those which I procured at
Stellenbosch and intermediate villages belong to the next
species, which is so very similar in habits, and so closely allied
that I did not recognize them apart until I returned to Eng-
land. Had Mr. G. R. Gray seen these birds alive in South
Africa, I think he would never have placed them in the genus
Aedon, as their habits are very similar to those of the better-
known European Chats. They frequent both the plains and
the rocky mountains, rarely perching on bushes.

50. Saxicola sinuata, Sundev. Sickle-winged Chat.
Common in Cape colony.

51. Saxicola piLBATA (Gmel.). Imitative Wheatear.

I only met with this species at Stellenbosch, in Cape colony,
where, however, it was plentiful.

52. Pratincola torquata (Linn.). South- African Stone-
chat.

Common throughout South Africa from the Cape to
Durban.

on the Coast of South Afr'tca. 73

53. Parus NIGER, Vieill. Southern Black-and-white Tit-
mouse.

I met with a few specimens both at Durban and Pinetown.
A female measured in the flesh 6*4 inches. Beak black ;
irides brown ; legs slate- colour.

54. MoTAciLLA VIDUA, Suudcv. African Pied Wagtail.

I occasionally saw single specimens or pairs of this bird at
the edges of the rivers and brooks near Durban.

55. MoTACiLLA CAPENsis, Liun. Capc- Wagtail.

An extremely common species in Cape colony, frequently
seen in considerable numbers together. At Durban I did not
meet with them in any thing like the same abundance. A
specimen I shot measured 7'3 inches.

56. Anthus pyrrhonotus (Vieill.). African Pipit.
Whilst at Pinetown, in March, I saw several large flocks

of this Pipit on the wet ground : these birds do not keep close
together; so that a flock extends over a considerable space.

57. Macronyx capensis (Linn.). Orange-throated Lark.
I shot several in Cape colony, and also met with it at

Durban.

58. Macronyx croceus (Vieill.). Yellow-breasted Lark.
Common about Pinetown, in Natal ; and I also met with

them at Durban. They are generally in pairs, and when dis-
turbed from the high grass often fly to the topmost branches
of some neighbouring tree.

59. TuRDus LETsiTsiRUPA, Smith. South-African Thrush.
I saw a specimen of this Thrush which had been killed at

Durban.

60. Cossypha natalensis (Smith). Natal Chat-Thrush.

I met with this bird at Durban amongst some scattered
bushes in the more open country, and saw two other speci-
mens of Cossypha near that town, but could not determine
their species.

61. Cossypha caffra (Vieill.).

Very abundant in Cape colony, especially in the pine-

74 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

woods about Capetown. In habits they are extremely lively,
running swiftly when on the ground, at intervals spreading
and erecting their fine rufous tails, and when in the higher
trees constantly shifting their position. Length in the flesh
6" 7 inches. Beak and legs black ; ii-idcs brown.

62. Pycnonotus capensis (Linn.). Cape-Bulbul.
Common in Cape colony. While at Durban I confounded

this with the next species; and as all the Bulbuls I met
with were in bad plumage, I paid little attention to them.
The present species has a dark red wattled eyelid ; so that Mr.
Sharpens notes on this subject (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 131) will
require revision, which I propose to give in a forthcoming
paper on the subject. The names here adopted are those of
Mr. Sharpe.

63. Pycnonotus nigricans (Vieill.).

Very common about Durban and Pinetown. The eyelids
are black, thick, but not wattled.

64. Phyllastrephus capensis, Swains. Cape-Jaboteur.
This is the commonest bush-bird about Durban. If one

waits in a likely spot for a short time, they rarely fail to make
their presence known by their constant jarring notes, as they
approach quite close, keeping, however, well hidden amongst
the leafy plants near the ground. I always met with them
in pairs or small family parties. They occasionally differ
considerably in size ; two females measured respectively 8'5
and 7'9 inches. Beak horn-colour, inclining to white on the
lower mandible ; irides hazel ; legs pale pinkish grey.

65. Criniger flaviventris (Smith). Yellow-bellied Cri-
niger.

Another very common bird in the thick bush about Durban,
where its loud notes may be constantly heard — and is not un-
frequently seen, as it does not hide itself so carefully as most
of the other bush-birds. Length in the flesh 9*2 inches;
beak horn-colour, slightly paler towards the base of the lower
mandible ; irides brown ; legs lead-grey.

on the Coast of South Africa. 75

66. Andropadus importunus (Vieill.).

Very common in the bush about Durban. Beak black ;
irides pale yellow ; legs horn-colour.

67. DicRURus MusicuSj Vieill. Musical Drongo.
Plentiful about Durban and Pinetown; in the evenings,

just before sunset, I have seen parties of them at the edge of
a wood or in the scattered bushes, flying out at intervals and
hawking for insects in a very graceful manner.

68. DicRURus LUDWiGi, Smith. Small Drongo.

Not uncommon about Durban, always in the thickest parts
of the bush, where their loud harsh cry may be frequently
heard. They are very active, and restless in their movements,
and rarely fail to show their curiosity by approaching quite
close to an intruder ; but they seldom remain long in view.
Beak and legs black ; irides deep orange.

69. Oriolus larvatus, Licht. South- African Black-headed
Oriole.

Common at Durban and Pinetown, preferring the more
open country, and always in pairs. They have a loud call-note,
which may be heard at a considerable distance. Beak brownish
flesh-pink ; irides red ; legs slate-colour.

70. Batis molitor (Hahn & Kiist.) .

Plentiful about Durban and Pinetown, usually frequenting
the thick bush, but not uncommonly taking up their posi-
tion in the small scattered trees, like true Flycatchers. A
female measured in the flesh 4*7 inches. Beak black; irides
deep yellow ; legs slate-colour. In the male the irides were
pale yellow, sHghtly shaded with green on the outer edge.

71. BuTALis ADUSTA, Bp. Ciuercous Flycatcher.

I only met with this species at Pinetown, in Natal, where
it was not uncommon, usually in pairs, frequenting the small
scattered trees.

72. TcHiTREA viRiDis, Miill. Tchitrca Flycatcher.
Plentiful in the dense woods about Durban and Pinetown.

They are lively in their habits, constantly flitting from bough
to bough, and generally in pairs. Both male and female

76 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

have the beak and legs grey, the former tipped with black ;
the wattled eyelids are of a bright greyish blue ; irides dark
brown.

73. MELiENORNis ATER^ Sundev. Black Flycatcher.
Very abundant about Durban and Pinetown, where they

frequent the scattered trees in clearings in the bush^ generally
resorting to the upper branches, often in family parties.
Length in the flesh 8 inches. Beak and legs black ; irides
brown.

74. Campephaga niger, Vieill. Black Caterpillar-eater.
I only met with a few specimens near Durban.

75. Campephaga cesia, Licht. Grey Caterpillar-eater.
Not very uncommon in the thick bush near Durban. A

boy who was with me shot at one of these birds with a cata-
pult, when it dropped a Mantis it was feeding on, but was
so intent upon its prey, that it came quite close to pick it up
again, and was dispatched by another shot.

76. Lanius collaris (Linn.). Fiscal Shrike.
Extremely common in Cape colony, and not rare in Natal,

where I frequently met with it about Durban and Pinetown.
I also saw it plentifully at Port Elizabeth.

77. Lanius collurio, Linn. Red-backed Shrike.
I shot it on several occasions at Durban.

78. Laniarius icterus, Cuv. Yellow-breasted Shrike.

I procured one specimen from a collection which had
been made at Durban, where, however, it is probably far from
common.

79. Dryoscopus cubla (Lath.). Puff-backed Shrike.

A very abundant species about Durban and Pinetown in
the thick woods, where their jarring notes may be frequently
heard. Length in the flesh 6'5 inches. Adult specimens
have the irides bright golden yellow ; beak black; legs grey.
Immature birds have the irides brown ; beak horn-colour,
paler towards the base of the lower mandible ; legs grey.

on the Coast of South Africa. 77

80. Dhyoscopus boulboul (Shaw).

Very common in the thick bush about Durban, often in
family parties, constantly on the move, and tolerably noisy.
A male measured in the flesh 8*8 inches, a female 8*6. Beak
dull black; irides dark brown; legs grey. The immature
birds have the entire breast of a pale rufous-brown ; beak
horn-colour, fading into white at the base of the lower
mandible.

81. Laniarius GUTTURALis (Miill.) . Backbakiri Shrike.
Very common in Cape colony, especially about Capetown ;

I also found them plentiful at Port Elizabeth ; but did not
meet with them in Natal. They are generally seen in pairs,
or in small family parties, frequenting the low bushes, and
often running upon the ground. The black collar is some-
times entirely absent in immature birds.

82. Laniarius olivaceus (Shaw).

I shot two specimens in the thick bush near Durban, but
never heard their note ; and as they were very cautious in
their movements, it was exceedingly hard to find them.
Those that I met with were slowly climbing up amongst the
tangled boughs.

83. Laniarius quadricolor, Cass. Red-throated Black-
collared Shrike.

I saw several specimens which had been collected at Dur-
ban and Pinetown.

84. Laniarius siMiLis (Smith). Yellow-browed Shrike.
Apparently of rare occurrence about Durban.

85. CoRvuLTUR ALBicoLLis (Lath.) . White-collared Raven.
I saw it occasionally in Cape colony, but more frequently

at Pinetown, near Durban.

86. BuPHAGA ERYTHRORHYNCHA, Staul. Lcssei Becfcatcr.
Common about Durban and Pinetown, where they may be

seen climbing all over the cattle in search of parasites. On
approaching a flock thus engaged, they quickly resort to the
backs of the animals, where they may be seen in rows, just
before taking flight. On leaving they rise for some fifty or

78 Captain (i. E. Shelley's Three Months

sixty feet, and then fly straight away. A young caged bird
of this species at Pinetown was very tame, always flying to-
wards any one who came near, and chattering most loudly if
not taken notice of.

87. Lamprocolius melanogaster, Linn. Black-bellied
Glossy Starling.

This is the most abundant of the Glossy Starlings on the
Berea hills about Durban, being more of a woodland bird
than the next species, and always met with in flocks. Beak
and legs black j irides golden yellow.

88. Lamprocolius ph(enicopterus, Sw. Red-shouldered
Glossy Starling.

Plentiful in the more open country about Durban and
Pinetown, where they were always in flocks, perching together
on the tops of the small trees, whence they keep a sharp look-
out, rendering it difficult to obtain a shot at them.

89. Pholidauges verreauxi, Finsch & Hartl. Verreaux^s
Glossy Starling.

To be met with about Durban and Pinetown, but apparently
not very common.

90. Amydrus bicolor (Gmel.). Brown-and-white Glossy
Starling.

I frequently saw flocks of this species in Cape colony and
at Mossel Bay. In habits they much resemble our common
Starling, but their wider wings give them a less compact ap-
pearance when flying. All the specimens I procured in
January were in the moult. In mature specimens the beak
is yellow, with the upper mandible and end of the lower one
black; irides pale yellow; legs black. In immature birds
the pale portion of the beak is buff".

91. Amydrus morio (Daud.).

This species frequents rocky districts, occasionally in large
flocks. I saw it at Capetown, Ceres, and Port Elizabeth.

92. HYPHANTORNiSBicoLOR,Vieill. Black-backed Weaver.
Inhabits the thickest parts of tlie bush, and, being of an

in()uiring mind, freqiiently approaches an intruder Avithin a

on the Coast of South Africa. 79

few yards, still keeping concealed amongst the thick foliage,
though its note is often heard as it creeps through the net-
work of boughs. The beak is of a very pale horn-grey, shaded
with black on the culmen towards the tip ; legs lilac-pink ;
irides dark brown.

93. Hyphantornis spilonota (Vigors). Cape-Weaver.

I met with a flock of this Weaver in the open country to
the east of the Umgeni, and shot two in very bad plumage ;
one had the irides bright yellow, the other had them brown —
being probably male and female.

94. EuPLECTES TAHA, Smith. Taha Bishop bird.

I saw this species both in Cape colony and near Pinetown
in marshy localities.

95. Vidua principalis (Linn.). Dominican Widow bird.
I met with it in Cape colony, and also about Durban and

Pinetown.

96. Urobrachya axillaris (Smith). Scarlet-shouldered
Reed-Finch.

Not uncommon about Durban and Pinetowai, where it fre-
quents the reedy districts. On the wing it has a curious slow
flapping flight, very similar to that of the Hoopoe.

97. NioBE ARDENS, Rcich. Red-collared Reed- Finch.
Tolerably abundant at Pinetown, where it frequents marshy

spots.

98. Pyrenestes albifrons (Vig.). White-fronted Gros-
beak.

I have shot this species at Durban and to the east of the
Umgeni; bat it does not appear to be common.

99. Estrelda astrild (Linn.). Waxbill.

Very common about Durban and Pinetown and in Cape
colony. It is also the most abundant bird in St. Helena,
where it has been introduced. I took a nest of this species
at Pinetown on the 17th of March ; it was placed on the
ground in a thick tuft of grass, and contained five pure white
eggs. The nest was larger but of the same shape as that of

80 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

the common Wren, with a well-hidden aperture, was very
thick, and composed entirely, inside and out, of a fine wiry
green grass.

100. EsTRELDA iNCANA, Sundcv. South-African Grey
Bengale.

These Finches are far from common at Durban, where, on
the 8th of March, I took one of their nests, containing two
pure white eggs. It was placed in a creeper overhanging the
footpath, and was easily reached from the ground. In con-
struction it was very similar to that of Estrelda astrild,
hut smaller and less compact, though made of the same
materials.

101. Lagonosticta rubricata (Licht.). Ruby -breasted
Bengale.

Tolerably abundant about Pinetown.

102. Passer arcuatus (Gmel.). Cape-Sparrow.

I shot several specimens of this Sparrow and also of the
next species at Wellington, in Cape colony.

103. Passer diffusus. Smith. Southern Grey-headed
Sparrow.

104. Crithagra sulphurata (Linn.).
Common in the pine- woods near Capetown.

105. Crithagra butyracea (Linn.). Cape-Canary.

I met with this Finch in the open country near the Paarl,
in Cape colony.

106. Crithagra chrysopyga. Swains. Yellow-rumped
Canary.

Very common at Pinetown.

107. Fringillaria capensis (Linn.). Cape-Bunting.

Abundant in Cape colony, where it appears chiefly to fre-
quent the rocky districts. Where I saw it most numerous
was at the Paarl, usually in pairs. Beak horn- colour, greyish
towards the base of the lower mandible ; irides dark brown ;
legs nearly black. Length of specimen in the flesh 6*1
inches.

on the Coast of South Africa. 81

108. Fringillaria flaviventris (Vieill.). Southern Yel-
low-bellied Bunting.

I shot but one specimen of this Bunting, at Pinetown, in
the open country, near where the grass had been recently
burnt.

109. Megalophonus apiatus (Vieill.) . Clapper-Lark.
Not an uncommon Lark in Cape colony, where I found it

amongst the low bushes in the plains. It flies but a short
distance when disturbed, and never appears to run on the
ground. The specimen I preserved had the beak dark horn-
colour, with the basal two thirds of the lower mandible, and
the edges of the upper one towards the gape, huffish flesh-
colour ; legs white, with a faint pink shade.

110. Megalophonus crassirostris (Vieill.). Thick-billed
Lark.

Very plentiful in Cape colony.

111. Megalophonus africanoides. Smith.

I shot a specimen at Durban, where I occasionally met
with it in the high grass at the edge of the bush. When dis-
turbed it would only fly for a short distance.

112. CoLius striatus. Lath. Cape-Coly.

A very common bird about Durban and Pinetown. They
are mostly found in the thick scattered bushes in small flocks
of from six to a dozen. When disturbed they fly in a straight
line to the next nearest covert, one after another. On the
15th of March, while at Pinetown, I found a nest containing
one pure white egg ; it was placed in a bush two feet from the
ground, and was open and shallow, the bottom part of old
dried grass, with the sides and lining of dead leaves.

113. Corythaix musophaga (Dubois). White-crested
Touraco.

A pair of these birds flew across my path while in the
thick wood about twelve miles east of the Umgeni, when
I procured one. Beak orange-brown ; irides brown ; legs
black.

SER. III. VOL. V. G

82 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

114. CoRVTiiAix poRPHYRioLOPHUs, Vig. PurjDlc-crested
Touraco.

This handsome species is fairly plentiful about Durban,
especially in the less frequented woods to the east of the Um-
geni and at Pinetown, where its loud rough notes, somewhat
resembling the word "Tourakoo^^ repeated successively
several times, may be frequently heard in the morning and
evening. It resorts mostly to the larger trees, where I have
frequently watched three or four playing together, hopping
from bough to bough, depressing and expanding their tails,
and at intervals displaying the rich crimson on their wings.
There are few more striking birds than the present one and
some of the allied species as they fly gracefully across the
path in front, or are watched during their quaint but pleasing
gambols. Beak and legs black ; irides dark brown ; eyelids
scarlet.

115. Toccus FLAViRosTRis, Riipp. Yellow-billed Hornbill.
I met with some very large flocks of this Hornbill to the

east of the Umgeni, but did not see it elsewhere.

116. POGONORHYNCHUS TORQUATUS, Dum.

Very common about Pinetown ; but I never met with them
nearer the coast. They were generally in pairs, frequenting
the scattered trees at the edges of woods. Beak black ; irides
red-brown ; legs slaty brown.

117. Ceuthmochares australis, Sharpe. South- African
Coucal.

I shot two specimens at Durban, where they frequent the
upper branches of the higher bush, rendering it very difiicult
to see them through the thick foliage. Length in the flesh
14 inches; beak chrome-yellow, with a clear triangular black
mark extending about halfway down the culmen ; irides
crimson.

118. Centropus superciliosus, Riipp. White-eyebrowed
Bush-Cuckoo.

This is the common Centropus about Durban. I shot a

on the Coast of South Africa. 83

few specimens ; but they were in such bad plumage, both in
March and April, that I did not preserve them.

1 19. CucuLus SMARAGDiNEUs, Swains. Emerald Cuckoo.
Fairly plentiful about Durban and Pinetown, where they

frequent the thick forest.

120. CucuLus cupREUS (Bodd.). Golden Cuckoo.

The rarest of the three metallic Cuckoos about Durban,
where I only saw it in collections.

121. CucuLus KLAAsi, Stcph. Klaas's Cuckoo.

Not uncommon in the neighbourhood of Durban and Pine-
town, at both of which places I shot specimens. It frequently
selects an open branch of a large tree for its perch.

122. Treron delalandii, Bp. Delalande's Fruit-Pigeon.

I saw a specimen of this Pigeon at Pinetown. They gene-
rally keep well hidden amongst the foliage of the large trees,
where, owing to their green colour, they are extremely diffi-
cult to observe ; and relying on this natural protection they sit
close, often allowing stones to be thrown into a tree before
they will take wing.

123. Stict(enas PH.f:oNOTUs, G. R. Gr. South-African
Speckled Pigeon.

I found this very common in the rocky districts of Cape
colony, and occasionally feeding in large flocks on the arable
land. I am told that it comes to Durban at certain seasons
in great numbers ; but I did not meet with it there in March
or April. Beak horn-colour, fading into white over the nos-
trils ; irides pale yellow ; eyelids crimson-red ; legs red.

124. (Ena capensis, Linn. Black-throated Dove.

Very plentiful throughout Cape colony, where I always
found them on the more open ground.

125. Turtur albiventris, Gray. Ash-bellied Turtle Dove.
In Cape colony this Dove is very abundant, frequenting

both the woodland and the rocky districts, but is especially

g2

84 Captain G. E. Shelley's Three Months

abundant near springs, where its loud call-note may he con-
stantly heard.

12(5. Peristeka LARVATA (Temm.). Rufous- breasted Wood-
Dove.

Very common in the tliick bush about Durban, where its
brown colouring renders it hard to detect as it sits motion-
less on the low creepers in the darker parts of the forest.
When disturbed it flies rapidly, but for only a short distance ;
and I did not observe it at other times on the wing, as it
never appears in the open. On the 11th of April I found
two of their nests, placed about four feet from the ground, in
the low creepers close to the same path, and nearly opposite
to each other. The nests were similar to those of Turtur
auritus ; each contained two eggs nearly ready to hatch.
Beak black ; irides dark lilac ; space round the eye and eyelids
red, with the central portion above and below the eye grey ;
legs red.

127. Peristera tympanistria (Temm.). White-breasted
Wood-Dove.

Very plentiful about Durban. Entire length in the flesh
7'8 inches. Beak deep lilac, tipped with horn-colour; irides
very dark brown ; eyelids deep lilac ; bare space round the
eye dark slate-colour ; legs lilac-red.

128. Peristera chalcospila (Wagl.). Emerald-spotted
Wood-Dove.

Common about Durban and Pinetow^n. I cannot agree
with those authors who unite this species with P. afra, the
latter bird having the spots on the wing steel-blue ; for in the
many specimens of P. afra Mr. T. E. Buckley and myself
shot in Fantee, not one had any shade of green on these spots,
while those which I have killed in S. Africa have the spots
uniform metallic green. Length in the flesh 7*9 to 7*4 inches.
Beak deep purple horn-colour ; irides very dark brown ; bare
space round the eyes slate-colour ; legs deep lilac.

129. Francolinusafer (Miill.). South-African Francolin.
I found this species fairly plentiful, either singly or in

on the Coast of South Africa. 85

small coveySj between Wellington and Ceres^ in Cape colony.
When disturbed, their flight, though strong, is slow, and
rarely sustained for any great distance.

130. Francolinussubtobquatus, Smith. Coqui Francolin.
The only species of Francolin I found near Durban ; and as

there are game-laws prohibiting Partridge-shooting earlier
than the middle of April, I did not go out of my way to pro-
cure this species. Beak yellow, with the tip, culmen, and
nostrils black ; irides hazel; legs yellow.

131. Francolinus capensis (Gm.). Cape- Francolin.

I met with this bird only in Cape colony, where it ia
moderately plentiful.

132. TuRNix HOTTEXTOTA (Tcmm.). Hottentot Button-
Quail.

I found this species fairly plentiful in the long grass about
Pinetown. Length in the flesh 6 inches. Beak flesh-colour,
shaded on the culmen with pale brown ; irides white ; legs
flesh-colom\

133. EuPODOTus APRA (Gmcl.) . Cape Knorhan Bustard.
I met with this species at Ceres, in Cape colony.

134. ^GiALiTis HiATicuLA (Liun.). Riug-Plovcr.

Not uncommon at Durban. The skin I brought home
agrees perfectly with English-killed specimens.

135. iEoiALiTis TRicoLLARis (Vicill.). Treble-collared
Sound-Plover.

I met with this Plover very plentifully at a small pond be-
tween Stellenbosch and the Paarl, in Cape colony, and oc-
casionally close to Durban. It prefers fresh water to salt, and
in habits is very similar to jE. minor.

136. ^GiALiTis MARGiNATA (Vieill.) . African Sand-Plover.
I constantly saw large flocks of this Plover on the marshy

ground surrounding the Durban bay. A specimen I mea-
sured was 6'-i inches in length. Beak black ; legs greyish
flesh-colour ; irides dark brown.

137. tEgialitis sANCT^-HELENiE, Hartiug. Wire-bird.
Only found in St. Helena, where I met with it on the bar-

86 Three Months on the Coast of South Africa.

ren rocky ground by the side of the road, about one and a
half miles out of the town.

138. Ardea cinerea, Linn. Common Heron.
Plentiful both in Cape colony and Natal.

139. Herodias garzetta (Linn.). Little Egret.

At the mouth of Salt River_, near Capetown, I shot the only
specimen I saw.

140. Ardetta podiceps, Bp. South-African Little Bittern.
I shot an immature specimen of Little Bittern at Ceres, in

Cape colony.

141. Scopus umbretta, Gmel. Hammer-head.

I found it near Ceres and in the neighbourhood of Durban.
It appears to be common thi'oughout South Africa.

142. ToTANus canescens (Gmel.). Greenshanks.
Not uncommon about Durban.

143. ToTANUs GLAREOLA (Liuu.) . Wood-Saudpipcr.
Also common at Durban.

144. AcTiTis HYPOLEUCA (Linn.). Common Sandpiper.
I shot several specimens near Durban.

145. Tringa minuta, Leisl. Little Stint.
Frequently met with in flocks in Cape colony.

146. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). Sanderling.

Very plentiful at the mouth of Salt River, close to Cape-
town.

147. Parra africana, Gm. Greater African Jacama.

I met with a pair of Jacamas in a small pool near Durban,
and, although I knocked them both down, I could not secure
either.

] 48. Larus vetula, Bruch. South-African Black-backed
Gull.

Common along the coast from Capetown to East London ;
and I occasionally saw it at Natal Point. This is the
only species of Gull I recognized during my tour in South
Africa.

Notes on Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 87

149. Sterna cantiaca^ Gmel. Sandwich Tern.
Common about Capetown. It was the largest Tern I saw

there.

150. SuLA CAPENSis, Licht. South-African Gannet.

I frequently saw this bird between the Cape and Port
Elizabeth.

IV. — Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British
Museum/ by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874) . By J. H. Gurney.

The following notes on Mr. R. B. Sharpens very excellent
and valuable ' Catalogue of the Accipitres or Diurnal Birds of
Prey in the collection of the British Museum/ have been put
together with two objects : — the first, to supply a few items
of additional information respecting some of the species to
which Mr, Sharpens work refers ; the other to record some
points in regard to which my conclusions differ from those
at which Mr. Sharpe has arrived.

The catalogue itself bears ample testimony not only to the
scientific accuracy and laborious research of its author, but
also to the great richness of that portion of the national col-
lection to illustrate which the volume now under considera-
tion has been devoted, though it is to be regretted that up-
wards of thirty species, included in the catalogue as forming
part of the collection in the British Museum, appear to be
only found there in the form of unmounted skins, and are
therefore not represented in the ornithological gallery, where
the student naturally expects to meet with every species which
the museum possesses.

Mr. Sharpe separates the Griffon Vulture of Spain and
Northern Afi'ica as a subspecies under the name " Gyps
hispaniolensis ; " but I much doubt if such distinction can be
maintained"^. Mr. Sharpe considers that in Spain and Al-
geria "the Griffons are smaller and more rufous.^'

I doubt this supposed difference in size being constant, if

* If this subspecies be maintained as distinct, I tliink it should bear
the specific name of occidetitalis, which Bonaparte, in his ' Conspectus,'

88 Mr. J, H. Gurney's Notes on

indeed it exists at all ; and to ascertain this with precision it
would be needful that individuals of the like sex should be
compared^ as in Gyps fulvus the male bird is, so far as I have
observed, usually larger than the female.

The rufous colouring to which Mr. Sharpe alludes, I be-
lieve to be limited in Algeria to immature birds, and I think
it probable that such is the case in Spain also. The specimen
described by Mr. Sharpe as an adult of G. hispaniolensis is,
in my opinion, proved to be immature by the ruff being com-
posed, not of white down, but of " lanceolate feathers, whitish,
with fawn-coloured margins.^' The colour of the crop-patch,
to which Mr. Sharpe attaches much importance, seems to
me to vary with age, becoming less rufous in adult specimens
of G. fulvus than it is in those that are immature.

The following is a description of an adult male of G. fulvus
from Souk H arras, in Algeria, which is preserved in the Nor-
wich Museum, and which appears to me to be a very typical
example of the ordinary form of Gyps fulvus in its adult stage.

Entire plumage pale stone-colour, except the feathers of
the tail, which are darker, as are the quill-feathers of the
wing, but the latter are shaded with grey — and also except-
ing the greater wing-coverts, in which the central part of
each feather is of a darker tint than the general plumage ;
crop-patch dark stone-colour, mingled with narrow pale
streaks ; ruff composed of white down, and fullest at the back
of the neck, head covered with sparse white hairs, especially
on the hinder part.

So far as I have observed, the pale stone-coloured plumage,
the ruff composed of white down only, and the hairy cha-
racter of the filaments on the head are the invariable charac-
teristics of the adult stage of G. fulvus.

The following are the measurements of the Algerian male
specimen above described — entire length 45^ inches, wing
from carpal joint 30, tarsus 4, middle toe without nail 3|.

applies, at p. 10, to the Griffon of " the Pyrenees and Sardinia ; " and
which A. E. Brehm also applies, with a fuU description, to the Spanish
Grilfon, in the Allg. deutsch. Zeit. 1857, pp. 434, 435 ; for whicli latter
reference I am indebted to the kindness of Mr, Dresser.

Mr. R. B. Sharjje's Catalogue of Accipitres. 89

Another Algerian specimen, from Laghouat, in the collec-
tion of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., is in very similar plumage,
with the exception of some slight remains of immatiu'e dress,
chiefly on the underparts, and is of exactly the same dimen-
sions, except that the middle toe, which is unusually short in
the Souk-Harras specimen (possibly from some defect in pre-
paration), measures 4| inches, without the claw, in the ex-
ample from Laghouat : of the latter specimen the sex is not
marked ; but its dimensions indicate a male bird.

That the Spanish Grifibn Vultures are not always particu-
larly rafescent, may be inferred from an immature Pyrenean
specimen in the Norwich Museum (sex unknown), which
wants the usual fulvous tint of the young birds of G. fulvus.
The general colour of this specimen is a drab-brown, with
pale shaft-stripes on the interscapularies and upper tail-
coverts, and with the crop-patch a chocolate-brown of me-
dium intensity.

An immature male from Tangiers, in the same collection,
resembles the above, but is slightly paler and with the crop-
patch pale fawn-colour. The measurements of this specimen
(which I give, as the sex is known) are as under — entire
length 45^ inches, wing from carpal joint 28, tarsus 3|,
middle toe s. u. 4^.

The Norwich Museum possesses two more immature speci-
mens of this Vulture — one from Athens, and the other from
North-east Africa (Nubia or Abyssinia) : these two speci-
mens are very similar and decidedly rufescent ; the crop-patch
in both is fawn-coloured, but rather darker in the African
bird than in that from Greece.

A specimen of the Indian Grifibn, for which Mr. Hume has
proposed the specific name name oifulvescens, and which was
presented to the Norwich Museum by Captain Marshall, who
obtained it at Bhurtpoor, scarcely differs in coloration from the
specimen from North-east Africa above alluded to, except in
having the crop-patch a little paler. This individual is a
female; and its measurements are as under — entire length
42 inches, wing from carpal joint 29, tarsus 3f, middle
toe s. u. 4^.

90 Mr. J. H. Gurney^s Notes on

The claim of Gyps fulvescevis to specific distinction is one
which it may perhaps be wise to keep in abeyance till a larger
number of specimens have been compared with western
examples of the like age and sex than has been the case at
present ; but Mr. Hume, at p. 149 of vol. i. of ' Stray Fea-
thers/ certainly adduces some strong evidence of its distinct-
ness, viz. that " the young, when only just able to fly, is paler
and less rufous a great deal than the adult, and that the
oldest birds appear to be the most rufous,"^ and also that out
of "thousands ^^ of these A^ultures observed by him in the
neighbourhood of Ajmere, " never once did he see one of the
pale bu'ds,^^ from which he infers that the adults are always
rufescent.

In Mr. Sharpens article, under the head of Gyps meppelli,
no description is given of this species in immature plumage ;
and it may therefore be not improper to mention that the
young plumage of this Vulture, as well as its subsequent
phases of coloration, are well described in Baron de Miiller^s
' Description des Nouveaux Oiseaux d'Afrique,^ published at
Stuttgart in 1853. To the particulars there given I would
only add that there is a considerable individual variation be-
tween adult (or nearly adult) specimens of this Vulture, as
to the conspicuousness, or the reverse, of the pale margins of
the feathers on the greater part of the plumage ; this difference
may not improbably be due to the greater or less period which
has elapsed since the last moult.

Mr, Sharpe gives the colour of the bill in a nearly adult
specimen of C. rueppelli as "deep orange, inclining to greenish
horn-colour on the edge of the upper, and on the whole of
the lower mandible. ^^ I do not recollect to have seen an ex-
ample of this species with the bill so coloured ; the adults
that I have seen have agreed in this respect with Dr. Vier-
thaler's statement, quoted by Baron de Miiller in the article
above referred to, that the colour of the beak is " de corne
claire.^'

In younger birds the bill is much darker, and sometimes
black, as recorded by Mr. Ayrcs in 'The Ibis' for 1860,
p. 206.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue 0/ Accipitres. 91

In treating of the genus Neophron, Mr. Sharpe separates
the dark Neophron of tropical Africa from that found in more
southern latitudes, on the ground of its being " smaller, with
a longer and more attenuated bill/' The appearance of the
bill is certainly slightly more attenuated in the tropical
specimens which I have examined than in those from South
Africa ; but I have not found the absolute length of the bill
to be greater in these than in southern examples ; and as to
general size, the one race somewhat runs into the other, as
may be seen from the following measurements, taken from
specimens in the Norwich Museum : —

Height of
Upper upper man-
mandible dible from
Wing from from edge to
carpal joint. Tarsua. forehead. culmen.
in. in. in. in.

1. Adult, Cape colony (said

to be?) 22 3f 2| i

2. J,immatm-e, Natal. .. . 20 3^ 2| ■ a

3. Adult, North-east Africa

(said to be $ ) 22^ 3| 2f ^\

4. Immature, N.E.Africa.. 19^ 2f 2f |

5. Adult, Western Africa. . 19 2| 2| i

Should the tropical race be admitted as specifically distinct,
it will be unfortunate if the laws of priority compel the adop-
tion of the specific name of " monachus " which Mr. Sharpe
has assigned to it on the authority of Temminck, inasmuch
as the same specific name is appropriated to the so-called
Cinereous Vulture of more northern latitudes.

Mr. Sharpe, in his article on the Condor, has the following
footnote : — '' The Condor from Chili and the Straits of Ma-
gellan is always a much finer bird, with more distinct and
larger wattles. When we know more of these birds it may
prove to be a distinct species, in which case it must be called
Sarcorhamphus magellanicus. "

That the southern Condor is specifically distinct, seems to
me to be certain ; but whether it should bear the specific name
of magellanicus I doubt, inasmuch as Linnaeus gives Chili and
Peru as the habitat of his Vultur gryphus in the ' Systema
Naturse,' published in 1766. There appears to be no doubt

92 Mr. J. II. Guniey's Notes on

that the large southern race extends to Chili ; but whether it
extends to Peru also is, I believe, at present uncertain. If,
however, such should be the fact, I apprehend that the south-
ern bird must in that case stand as Sarcorhamphus gryphus,
and that some other name must be assigned to its smaller-
combed and more northern congener.

Mr. Bartlett has been good enough to inform me that
in July 1870, when the Zoological Society of London pur-
chased a fine adult male of the southern Condor, which was
brought from Chili by Mr. Weisshaupt, the same collector also
brought thence " three or four young birds in their immature
plumage, which, notwithstanding, exhibited in a very re-
markable manner the comb and wattles,''^ Mr. Bartlett adds
that these young birds were larger than the adults of the
small-combed race which were already in the Society^s pos-
session.

On the other hand, Dr. Sclater writes to me respecting a
male of the small-combed species which lived for forty-five
years in Wombwell's Menagerie, and was subsequently pur-
chased by the Zoological Society, in the following terms : —
" It certainly has not the extra development of comb and
wattle which our Chilian bird had, and which are shown in
Temminck^s ^Planches Coloriees^ (pi. 494).^^

It is therefore certain that the difference in the comb and
wattles of the males of the two races is not due to differences
of age, as might at first sight have been supposed.

The splendid adult male of the southern Condor above re-
ferred to, which was brought from Chili, and was formerly in
the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, passed, at
its death, into the hands of Mr. E. Gerrai'd, jun., who in-
forms me that its skeleton is now in the collection of the
Royal College of Surgeons at Dubhn, where it may afford the
means of ascertaining whether any osteological differences of
structure exist between this species and its more northern
small-combed congener.

The entire plumage of the young birds of both these races
of Condor is of a nearly uniform vinous brown; and Mr.
Bartlett has known immature specimens of the small-combed

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Cataloyue 0/ Accipitrcs. 93

race to moult from this plumage into the adult state whilst
living in the Gardens of the Zoological Society ; but Professor
James Orton, in an interesting paper published in the ' Annals
and Magazine of Natural History ' for 1871, viii. p. 185, gives
reasons for believing that there exists in the neighbourhood
of Quito a Condor which permanently wears a plumage like
that of the young of the two species of Condor already known ;
and, indeed, Professor Orton does not admit the fact of the
ordinary northern Condor being brown when young, and sup-
poses, though evidently incorrectly, that all the brown Con-
dors belong to this alleged third species, which Mr. Sharpe
introduces into his Catalogue under the name of " Sarco-
rhamphus cequatorialis." I confess to having great doubts as
to whether this third species will prove a reality, and I agree
with Professor Orton in the remark which he makes in the
concluding paragi'aph of his notice of this subject, that '' fur-
ther proof is wanted " of the existence of a brown Condor
that is not the young of either of the two species akeady
known,

Mr. Sharpe, in his Addenda, adopts Mr. Ridgway's generic
name of Rhinogryphus for the "Turkey-Buzzard" Vulture
and its nearest allies — and describes a new yellow-headed
species, under the specific name of " pernigra," as distinct
from the orange-headed " urubitinga;" but whether they are
really distinct, I at present somewhat doubt, especially as Mr.
Sharpe states that both these supposed species occur in Peru,
and also in Guiana. Mr. Sharpe partly relies, as a distinc-
tion, on the bird to which he assigns the name of " pernigra "
having the upper surface of the shafts of the primaries brown,
whilst in urubitinga they are white ; but this may be a variable
character in the yellow-headed Vultures, as it certainly is in
the red-headed Auras.

The Norwich Museum possesses specimens of the red-
headed Aura Vulture, in which the quills are brown, from
California, Mexico, Ecuador, Chili, and Cuba, and specimens
in Avhich they are white or yellowish white from California,
Northern Mexico, and Chili, whilst in a specimen from Ja-
maica, killed whilst moulting, the shafts of the old feathers
are white, and those of the new are brown.

94 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on

I am disposed to agree with Mr. Sharpe in the view which
he takes of Rhinogi'yphus burrovianus being only founded on
undersized specimens of R. aura ; such a specimen^ obtained
in Florida, is preserved in the Norwich Museum, and has the
outer side of the shafts of the primaries white.

The colour of the head in the Vultures of this genus (as
observed in life) being so important a character, it may be
worth while to quote a translation of the description of this
colouring given by the late Prince Maximilian of Wied, as
observed by him in the Aura Vultures with "yellowish
white " shafts to the primaries which he met with in Brazil,
and which I take to be the race to which Mr. Sharpe re-
stricts the specific name of urubitinga, viz. : —

Adult. Iris beautifully red, between carmine and vermilion ;
bill and cere reddish white ; crown and lower side of head
pale violet or sky-blue ; eyelids, side of head, neck, and tlu'oat
beautiful grey-orange colour.

Immature. Iris blackish grey ; head in very young birds
reddish grey, whitish on the crown and over the eye ; neck
bluish, subsequently to which the head becomes reddish
violet, with a whitish blue patch on the occipital region.

Mr. Sharpe does not follow Mr. Ridgway^s example in se-
parating the great Vulture of California from the genus
Rhinogryphus, in which he includes this species, and, as it
seems to me, with good reason ; but in his article respecting
it he omits to mention that in the immature bird the bare
skin of the head and neck is of a blackish lead-colour, which
is very apparent where not covered by the sparse brown
down with which the head is partially clothed (especially to-
wards the occiput) in young specimens. My friend, Mr.
Alexander S. Taylor (of California) , however, has stated his
belief that this dark coloration of the head and neck is always
found in the adult female bird as well as in immature speci-
mens. A similar opinion is expressed in the following remark
by Dr. J. G. Cooper, at p. 500 of the first volume on orni-
thology, published in the ' Reports of the State Geological
Survey of California ' : — " The female retains a darker hue of
head and neck through life [than the male], and also, as ob-

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 95

served by Taylor, a row of black spots on the white portion
of the w^ing-feathers."

Passing on from the Vulturidse to the Polyborinse, I may
mention that the Norwich Museum possesses an adult speci-
men of Polyborus cheriway from Brazil, a habitat not quoted
for this more northern race by Mr. Sharpe ; but unfortunately
we have no record of the district in Brazil where this speci-
men was obtained.

Referring to the succeeding genus Ibycter, I am able to
supplement Mr. Sharpens description of the adult plumage of
Ibycter ater by some particulars respecting an immature spe-
cimen in the Norwich Museum from the river Amazon. In
this example the white caudal band extends over the upper
two thirds of the tail, and is crossed by five successive trans-
verse black bars, increasing in breadth from the top down-
wards, the uppermost bar being about a quarter of an inch in
depth, and the lowest nearly half an inch, causing the general
appearance of the tail to bear a marked resemblance to the
tail of the adult bird of Ibycter chimachima.

The remainder of the plumage of this specimen is of a
paler and more purplish black than in the adult bird, except
some portions of the plumage of the back and breast, which
seem to have been recently moulted, and to have thus assumed
the ordinary adult coloration.

A specimen resembling the above in the markings of the
tail is figured in Temminck^s ' Planches Coloriees ' (pi. 342) .

It seems probable that Ibycter fasciatus of Spix is merely
the immature bird of /. ater in the plumage above described.

In a very nearly adult specimen from Quito, in the Nor-
wich Museum, the pure white caudal band is varied by two
small isolated black spots, which I have no doubt are the re-
mains of the black transverse bars which cross this portion
of the tail in the young bird. A similar stage of plumage,
but with more numerous black spots, is figured in the
' Planches Coloriees ' (pi. 37).

It appears to me that the late Mr. Gr. R. Gray in his 'Genera
of Birds,' and in his ' Hand-list,' followed a natural arrange-
ment in restricting the genus Ibycter to the arboreal species

90 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

of this group, and in placing the non-arboreal speeies in the
separate genus of Milvayo ; but Mr. Sharpe has united both
under the head oi Ibycter, influenced, no doubt, by the absence
of any very trenchant generic characters by which the distinc-
tion of the two groups might be defined.

Mr. Sharpe comprises the genus Cariama amongst the
Polyborinse, but has not stated his reasons for this arrange-
ment, which, I think, is to be regretted. It is, of course,
very possible that the position assigned by Mr. Sharpe
to this abnormal genus is the correct one, though I confess
that I have grave doubts as to that being the case ; but in
the absence of any explanation of Mr. Sharpe's views on the
question, I do not consider it desirable here to discuss it.

[To be continued.]

V. — Notes on Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan' {Turkes-
tanskie Jevotnie). By H. E. Dresser.

In the Transactions of the Imperial Society of Naturalists of
Moscow, vol. viii., a most important article on the fauna of
Turkestan has been published by Mr. N. A. Severtzoflf, and
has also been issued as a separate work under the title of
" Vertikalnoe e Gorozontalnoe Raspredalenie Turkestanskie
Jevotnie'^ (Moscow, 1873), of which a copy has been sent to
me by Mr. Severtzoflf. Unfortunately the entire work is
written in Russian, a language, to say the least of it, almost
unknown to ornithologists of other countries. Having,
thanks to the assistance rendered by Mr. Carl Craemers, made
a translation of all that relates to ornithology, I give the fol-
lowing extracts, which I trust may be of use to working or-
nithologists, more especially as several new species are de-
scribed by Mr. Severtzoff.

The range of the various species inhabiting or visiting Tur-
kestan is carefully given in tabular form, divided into two
sections, the first comprising the horizontal range, and being
divided into four districts, viz. : —

I, The north-eastern district, comprising Semiratchje, Issik-
kul, the upper Narin, Acksay, Kopal, and Vernoe.

Severtzoff's ' Fauna of Turkestan.' 97-

II. The south-eastern district, comprising Chu, Talhis,
Djumgal, Susamir, the lower Narin, Son-kul, and Chatir-kvil.

III. The north-western district, comprising Karatau, the
western Thian-shan mountains, the upper portions of the
rivers Aris, Keless, Chirchick, and their tributaries, the lower
Syr-Darja, from the sources of the Aris to Lake Aral and the
delta of the Syr-Darja.

IV. The south-western district, comprising the Chodjent
district, the entire Zarevshan valley from the summit of the
Zarevshan mountains, the Syr-Darja river and the steppes
between the latter river and the Kisil-eum.

The second section comprises the vertical range, showing
the altitude at which the various species are met with. This
is divided into five districts, viz. : —

1. From 600 to 1000 feet above the sea-level, comprising
the salt plains.

2. The cultivated districts, grassy steppes, and gardens to
3000 or 4000 feet altitude.

3. The larch-Avoods, apple- and ash-groves of the Karatau
and the lower Thian-shan mountains to an altitude of 4500
feet^ or even in some places to 7000 or 8000 feet, or, say, an
average altitude of about 6000 feet.

4. The fir and birch districts of the Thian-shan to an alti-
tude of from 8500 to 10,500 feet, or to the juniper district.

5. The district covered with alpine grasses, below the line
of eternal snow, at from 10,500 to 14,000 feet altitude.

Being unable to reproduce these tables, I have defined the
range by referring to the districts above given under each
species, which will, I trusty answer the purpose.

In cases where I can with a fair degree of certainty iden-
tify the species described, I have added short notes of my own,
but have in every case deemed it best to copy Mr. Severtzoff^s
description where he has described a species as new.

I. Gyps himalayanus, Hume.

Ch/ps nivicola (Severtzoft'), pp. 62 & 111.

Horizontal range. Resident in district I.

Vertical range. A winter visitant in district 3, a resident

SER. III. VOL. V. H

98 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

in district 4^ where it breeds, and probably also nests in dis-
tricts 3, 4, and 5.

This species, described as new by Severtzoff, is by him
stated to be larger than Gyj)S fulvus, but resembling G. in-
ilicus, which, however, is smaller than G. fulvus. His de-
scription of the adult bird, from the upper Narin, at the head-
waters of the Curmecta river, at an altitude of 9500 feet, is
as follows : — " Head and neck covered with short white down,
the lower throat with hairy light brown feathers on each side,
marked with a line of white down ; feathers on the fore part of
the back and the upper surface of the Avings fresh greyish
yellow, marked with barely perceptible lighter lines (but this
colour gradually fades to dirty white) ; feathers on the breast
yellowish, marked with light-brown lines and spots ; abdomen,
under tail-coverts, lower back, and rump dull yellowish white ;
upper tail-coverts dark brown, marked with very distinct
white lines; tail, quills, and larger wing-coverts blackish
brown tipped with yellowish ; under wing-coverts white, ex-
cept that the first in order have a dark base. Total length
3-9-4-3 inches, extent 8-9-9-7/' The young birds he de-
scribes as resembling the adults, but being much darker, and
says that he saw, on the wing, some which were pure white,
with only the wings and tail black, which he supposes to have
been very old birds.

This species has been shown by Mr. R. B. Sharpe (Cat.
Brit. Mus. Accipitres, p. 8) to be identical with the Vul-
ture described by Mr. A. O. Hume {' Rough Notes,^ i. p. 14),
whose name will take precedence, and that of G. nivicola
sink into a synonym.

2. Gyps fulvus, Gm. ; SevertzoflF, p. 62.

Horizontal range. Found during the breeding-season in
districts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. In districts 1, 2, 3, 4. It is stated to breed
in district 3, and perhaps also in district 4.

3. VULTUR MONACHUS, L.

Vultur cinereus, Severtzoff, p. 62.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.,

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 99

being also met with during the winter season in the tvro
latter.

Vertical range. Observed both in the summer and in the
winter season in districts 1 and 2, in summer only in district
5, and breeds in districts 3 and 4.

4. Otogyps calvus, Gray; Severtzoflf, p. 63.
Horizontal range. An occasional summer visitant to dis-
trict III.

Vertical range. Also an occasional straggler during sum-
mer in district 2.

5. Neophron percnopterus, L. ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Is found during summer in districts 1 and

2, and is said to breed in district 3.

6. Gypaetus barbatus, L. ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Occurs during the summer in districts 1

and 2, and breeds in district 3.

7. Haliaetus albicilla, L. ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Occurs during winter in districts I., II.,

and III.

Vertical range. Occurs during winter in districts 1, 2, and
3 (in the last during passage), and is an occasional straggler
during migration to district 5.

8. Haliaetus leucoryphus, Pall. ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. During summer it is tolerably common

in districts I., II., and III., and rare during the winter also
in district III.

Vertical range. During the winter it is rare in district 1,
and commoner there during summer, being also found at the
latter season in district 2.

9. Aquila fulva, var. nobilis. Pall. ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., and III.
Vertical range. Resident in districts 1, 3, and 4, and occurs

both during summer and winter in district 2,

H 2

100 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

/3. A. intermedia (ad. A. chrysaetos), SevertzofF, p. 63.

This form of the Golden Eagle, which I can scarcely re-
f^ard as being even a true subspecies, has the same vertical range
as the A, fulva above referred to ; but its horizontal range is
given as follows : " resident in districts III. and IV.^' Mr.
SevertzofF speaks of it (p. 112) as Aqui/a fulva, var. inter-
media, and writes as follows : — " The small feathers of the
plumage are similar in colour to those in Aqiiila chrysaetos ;
but it has the white at the base of the tail, and the quills as
in Aquila fulva. This species was met with in the salt plains^
where it also breeds. In the Thian-shan mountains I only
met with typical A. fulva {A. nobilis, Pall.). I may here
observe that in the Southern Ural both forms of Aquila fulva
occui' {Aquila nobilis. Pall., and A. intermedia) , and Aquila
chrysaetos ; but in the neighbourhood of St. Petersburg, where
I frequently saw A. nobilis and A, chrysaetos, I scarcely ever
met with A. intermedia."

10. Aquila heliaca, Savigny.

Aquila imperialis, Severtzoflf, pp. 63 & 112.

Horizotital range. Is found during the summer and breeds
in districts I. and II., — and besides breeding in district III.,
is found there in the winter also.

Vertical range. In district 1 it is resident ; in district 2 it
has been observed both in the summer and the winter ; and
in district 3 it occurs during passage, and may possibly some-
times remain to breed there. Severtzoflf gives (p. 112) the
following additional notes respecting this Eagle, viz. : —
'' During summer it is found in all parts of Turkestan, but
breeds only in the salt plains near Jorteck. During the
breeding-season it is only found near its breeding-haunts, but
frequently wanders and changes its residence during the win-
ter. Like other Eagles, it breeds only every alternate year.
So soon as the young are full-gro^vn they commence to change;
but the plumage changes very slowly. During the winter the
moult is arrested, and recommences in the spring of the fol-
lowing year ; and they never breed whilst this moult is pro-
gressing. I purpose going more fully into this question in

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.^ 101

my proposed work on the ornithology of European and Asiatic
Russia/'

11. Aquila nipalensis^ Hodgs. ; Dresser, B. of Eur. pt. 33.
Aquila bifasciata, Gr. (ad. A. orientalis, Cab.); Severtzoff,

p. 63.

Horizontal range. Breeds in district \., is to some extent
a partial migrant and to some a breeding species in districts
II. and III., and occurs only during migration in district IV.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1 and 3, and is found
on passage only in district 2.

12. Aquila clanga, Pall.; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., and III.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1 and 3, and is a strag-
gler in district 2.

13. Aquila pennata, Gm.; Severtzoff, p. 63.

14. Aquila minuta, Br. ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
/8. Aquila albipectus, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Severtzoff divides A. pennata, as above, into three species —
a view in which I cannot agree ; for, as stated by me in pt. 32,
' Birds of Europe,' I have, after careful investigation, come to
the conclusion that there is but the one species in Europe and
Asia, and the light and dark specimens are but individual
varieties of the same species. Severtzoff gives the range of
all three so-called species above referred to as follows : —

" Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., and III.

" Vertical range. Breeds in districts 2 and 3, and is an oc-
casional straggler in district 4."

He further writes (p. 112) as foUows : —

" There are in Turkestan three distinct forms of this little
Eagle, two of which at least constitute good species : viz.,

" A. In Aquila pennata the differences in the various stages
of plumage are very noticeable, as the young bird is brown,
whereas the adult bird has the underparts white.

" B. In these forms the differences in the old and young
birds are very trifling.

'' a. In A. albipectus the underparts are white in all stages
of plumage.

102 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

" b. In A. minuta the underparts are brown in all plumages.
*'I have found the above differences to hold good in a
number of specimens of all ages/'

15. Pandion haliaetus (L.).

Pandion fluviatilis (sp. nov. ?) ; Severtzoflf, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Occurs in the summer in districts I.,
II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Occurs in summer in districts 1, 2, and 3.

No observations are given respecting this bird, but merely
its range is defined.

16. CiRCAETUS GALLICUS (Gm.).

Circaetos brachydactylus (sp. nov. ?) ; Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Found dui'ing summer in districts II.
and III.

Vertical range. As above.

Besides this species Severtzoflf includes as a diflferent race,
but without giving any particulars as to how it differs,

p. Circaetus orientalis, Brehm ; Severtzoflf, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Possibly a straggler during the summer
season in district III.

Vertical range. In district 1 a straggler during the
summer.

This latter will most likely be merely a variety of C. gal-
licus, as I have been unable to detect any diflference between
European and Asiatic specimens, and C. orientalis, Brehm,
is merely a synonym of C. gallicus.

17. Pernis apivorus (L.) ; Severtzoflf, pp. 63 & 112.
Horizontal range. Occurs rarely and accidentally in district

III. during passage.

Vertical range. An accidental visitant to district 2 during
passage.

He further writes (p. 112) as foUows : — "The only speci-
men I saw in Turkestan I killed on the 17th September. It
is remarkably large, and measures 27 inches in length, and
60 inches in extent, whereas the ordinary size of P. apivorus
is, length 23 to 24 inches, extent 48 to 53 inches.''

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 103

18. BUTEO FEROX (Gm.).

Severtzoff recognizes three forms of this species, as follows :

«. Buteo leucurus, SevertzoflF, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts 1., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, 3, and 4, and is
common in district 2.

/8. Buteo rufinus, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1 and 2, in the latter of
which it is common.

7. Buteo nigricans, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Is found during the breeding-season in
districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. Breeds in district 2.

Respecting the above three forms he writes (p. 112) as fol-
lows : — " B. rufinus differs from B. leucurus in having dark
bands on the tail, the latter having the tail uniform light
brown, or greyish brown. The markings on the tail vary
considerably, being sometimes confined to the terminal por-
tion, whereas in other specimens the entire tail is very dis-
tinctly barred. B. nigricans is blackish brown or blackish in
colour, the plumage having a metallic lustre : its tail is grey
barred with black ; but in some specimens the tail is reddish
grey, the nape, breast, and shoulders being similarly coloured,
and in fact these specimens are intermediate between B. ni-
gricans and B. rufinus. It appears that the gradation between
these forms is about the same as that between B. leucurus
and B. vulgaris ; and it would therefore seem as if these had
originally belonged to one species, B. vulgaris inhabiting the
northern forests, and B. leucurus inhabiting the southern
steppes."

19. Buteo vulgaris, Leach ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Rare during winter in district I.
Vertical range. Rare during winter in districts 2 and 3.

20. Archibuteo lagopus (Gm.).
Buteo lagopus, Severtzoff, p. 63.

104 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

Horizontal range. Found during winter in districts I., II.,
and III.

Vertical range. Same as the horizontal range.

21. MiLvus MIGRANS (Bodd.).
Milvus ater, Severtzoff^ p. G3.

Horizontal range. Is found breeding in districts I., II.,
III., and IV.

Vertical range. Found breeding in districts 1, 2, and 3.

As a subspecies Severtzoff includes in the tabular list only
(p. 63)

/S. melanotis, Temm. {M. govinda, Sykes),
the horizontal range of which he gives as similar to that of
M. migrans ; but the vertical range differs, it being only found
during the breeding-season in districts 2 and 3.

22. AsTUR PALUMBARius (L.) ; Scvcrtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., and III, but

everywhere rare.

Vertical range. Resident but rare in district 3.

23. ACCIPITER NISUS (L.).

Astur nisus, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Found during passage in districts I., II.,
III., aud IV., and may possibly breed in district I.

Vertical range. Found during passage in districts 1, 2, 3,
4, and 5, rare in district 5, and may possibly breed in dis-
tricts 3 and 4.

24. ACCIPITER CENCHROIDES (ScVCrtZoff).

Astur cenchrdides [badius ? Gra., Heugl. ; var. major), Se-
vertzoff, pp. 63 & 113.

Horizontal range. Found during passage, and is also to
some extent to be met with breeding in districts II. and III,

Vertical range. Breeds in district 1, and is found on pas-
sage in district 2.

Severtzoff gives (p. 113) the following description and par-
ticulars respecting this species : — " Astur cenchroides, nob., is
thus called because of the profusion of cross bars, broad as in
F. cenchris. In coloration it closely resembles Astur brevipes,

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.'

105

nob. ; and the plate and description of A. dussumieri, Temm.
(PL Col. 308, 336), taken from mounted examples in the
Paris Museum, may refer to either of or both these species;
but when alive these two species differ appreciably, as do also
the skins when carefully examined. The differences are as
follows : —

ASTUR CENCHROIDES.

Sexes dissimilar in size, the male
being much the smallest.

Wings short, as in A. nisus, when
closed reaching to half the length
of the tail, being half the entire
length of the bird. In general form
the bird is slight and slender, like
A. nisus ; the legs are slight and the
feet long.

Iris. In the young bird the iris
is white; but in the nearly adult
bird it is yellow, and in the very
old bird bright red.

Tail. At all stages the central
rectrices are crossed by seven to
eight bars ; and the outer ones have
nine to ten bars ; but these latter
disappear in very old specimens.

In all stages of plumage this spe-
cies has a long dark line along the
throat.

ASTUR BRKVIPES.

Sexes similar in size.

Wings long, when closed extend-
ing beyond the centre of the tail, the
tail being short. The bird is thick-
set in form, and the legs and feet
are stout and massive, like A. pa-
lumbarius.

Iris. In the young bird the iris
is brown, whilst the old bird has it
bright yellow.

Tail. The number of cross bars
on the tail differ according to age,
the young having five bars on the
central and seven on the outer rec-
trices, whereas the adult birds have
as many as from seven to nine.

The black line on the throat dis-
appears as the bird gains its adult
dress.

" The adult of A. cenchroides has the upper parts generally
and the cheeks light grey, as in Strigiceps ( Circus) cyaneus ;
quills greyish brown ; tail light grey, shaded with white and
barred with dark brown, these bars being somewhat indistinct
on the central rectrices ; underparts white, with a dark greyish
brown line on the throat ; breast, abdomen, and thighs marked
with light brown lines, shaded off with yellow ; flanks washed
with dull yellowish ; under tail- coverts pure white ; bill
blackish, towards the base bluish ; cere and feet yellow ; iris
red

'' The adult female is darker than the male, and the iris
is light yellow ; at least a female that I had caught and trained

106 Mr. II. E. Dresser's Notes on

had yellow eyes ; but it is possible that the iris turns from the
white of the young plumage to yellow, and then to red.

" In the young bird the dove-blue colour of the adult is
replaced by brown, the feathers being margined with yel-
lowish; the underparts are marked with large elongated
marks. In this plumage it differs from A. brevipes not only in
having a white iris, but also in having the breast and abdomen
similarly marked, whereas in A. brevipes the breast is marked
with square blotches ; but, besides this, the short wings and
long tail of A. cenchroides, as well as the many bands on the
tail, render it easily recognizable. The measurements of A.
cenchroides are : — Male, total length 13' 5- 1 3" 7 inches, extent
23-23-5, wing 7-7-4, tail 6-1, culmen 0-8, tarsus 2-15-2-2,
middle toe 1-3-1-4. Female, total length 15-5-16-3, extent
26-6-28, wing 8-1-8-5, tail 6-8-7-1, culmen 8-25-9, tarsus
2-15-2-2, middle toe 1-3-1-4.

" In Turkestan we found this species during migration at
Aulje-ata and Chimkent (and the Kirghis say that it also
occurs in the forests), near the Syr-Darja, Chu, and Talass.^^

25. Falco sacer, Gm.; SevertzoflF, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Occurs in districts I., II., III., and IV.
during migration, and has been observed during the winter
in districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. Is met with during migration in districts
1, 2, and 3, and during the winter in district 2.

2Q. Falco babylonicus, Gurney.

Falco tscherniaievi, sp. nov., Severtzoff, pp. 63 & 114.

Horizontal range. Is found during migration and breeds
also in districts I., II., and III.

Vertical range. Breeds in district I., is found during mi-
gration in districts 2 and 4, and may possibly breed in the
latter, and is met with in summer, and perhaps breeds in
district 3.

Mr. Severtzoff refers this bird to the species figured by
Gould in part xx. ' Birds of Asia,' and with a query to F.
babylonicus, Gurney, with which I believe it to be identical.
The specimen on which he founded his species was obtained

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 107

by General Tseherniaieflf in June 1864, at the taking of Aulje-
ata ; and he says that he has altogether seen six specimens,
two of which were taken from a nest in an island in the Volga,
and one was obtained in Persia. Mr. Severtzoff describes it
(p. 114) as follows : — "This species is an intermediate form
between F. peregrinus, F. peregrinoides , and F. lunar ius, Schl.
With the latter it agrees in having a light brown head, a
character distinguishing that species from the two former ;
and with these it has some similarity from its long middle
toe and short tarsus, the middle toe of F. lanarius being short.
In size it is intermediate between F. peregrinus and F. pe-
regrinoides.

The adult female from Aulje-ata measures, length 18" 7
inches, extent 402, wing 136, tail 6*5, culmen 1*2, tarsus
1*8, middle toe without claw 2'1.

A young male from Chimkent measures 18*2 inches in
length and 39 in extent, and a young male from Sarepta,
length 18*2, wing 13*3, tail 6*4, culmen 1*1, tarsus 1*8, mid-
dle toe 2 inches.

27. Falco PEREGRINUS, Tuustall ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Is found during migration, and probr.bly

breeds, in districts I. and II.

Vertical range. Is found during migration, and probably
breeds, in districts 3 and 4.

28. Falco ^esalon, Tunstall; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Is met with during migration in districts

I. and II., and during winter in districts II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Is met with during migration in districts
1, 3, 4, and 5, and during the winter in districts 1 and 2.

Severtzoff includes a subspecies of the Merlin as

Falco cesalon, /3. alaudarius, Brehm.

Horizontal range. Is met with during migration in dis-
trict II., and during migration and in the winter in dis-
trict III.

Vertical range. Is found during migration and in winter
in district 2.

108 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

He further says (p. 114) that the first specimen he saw
was obtained by TerentjefF late in September 1864^ and he
(Severtzoff) was struck at once by its small size. In colour,
he writes, " it is more brown, the upper parts being almost
pure brown ; the nape is marked with blackish lines, the back
and shoulders barred with greyish ; tail light brown, with
eight greyish cross bands, the underparts yellowish white,

marked with very narrow reddish grey spots.'' " The

male killed at Chimkent in the winter of 1866 is greyer, the
spots on the breast are broader, and in general colour it
resembles the young of F. aesalon, but is much smaller,
measuring, total length 12" 3'", extent 24" 7"', whereas F.
cesalon measures 13 inches in length and 24" 6"' in extent.
From these descriptions it may be judged whether F. alau-
darius is a good species or not ; but it would be necessary to
have a larger series in all stages of plumage to determine this.
Most probably a small male of so-called F. (Esalon was shot on
the Irtysh on the 16th of April, 1864. It measured, total
length 12" 1'", extent 25", wing 8" 5"', tail 5", tarsus 13"',
middle toe 14'", culmen 7"'. It differs in having the nape
lighter-coloured, the feathers being tipped with white ; the
feathers on the head, back, and Avings are tipped with yel-
lowish, and the tail is strongly barred with blackish."

29. Falco subbuteo, L. ; Severtzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3.

30. TiNNUNCULUS ALAUDARIUS (Gm.) .

Cerchneis tinnunculus, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Is met with during passage, and to some
extent during the breeding-season, in districts I. and II., and
occurs also during the breeding-season and in the winter in
districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. In district 1 it occurs during passage,
breeds in districts 2, 3, and 4, being met with in winter in
district 2, and occurs rarely during the summer in district 5.

31. Tinnunculus cenchris (Cuv.).
Cerchneis cenchris, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 109

Horizontal ra^ige. Breeds in district III. in the mountains
of Karatau, and in district IV.

Vertical range. Occurs during the summer, and may pos-
sibly breed, in district 1, and breeds rarely in districts 2
and 3.

32. Erythropus vespertinus (L.) ; SevertzofF, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Occurs during passage in district III.
Vertical range. Is met with during passage in districts 1

and 2, and is a rare straggler during the summer to the lat-
ter district.

33. Circus jEruginosus (L.).
Circiis rufus, Severtzoif, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Is found during the breeding-season in
districts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3, and occurs
during summer in district 5.

34. Circus cyaneus.

Strigiceps cyaneus, SevertzoiF, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Is found during the breeding-season in
districts I. and II., and is resident in districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. Is resident and breeds in districts 1 and 2,
occurs in district 3 during the breeding-season, and in the
summer in districts 4 and 5.

35. Circus swainsoni, Smith.
Strigiceps pallidus, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Occurs during the breeding-season in
districts I., II., and III.

Vertical range. The same as the horizontal range.

Respecting these two Harriers, Mr. Severtzoff remarks
(p. 115) that the best distinctive character to distinguish them
is the marking of the rump. In C. cyaneus, he says, the rump
is white, unspotted ; but the feathers are marked with narrow
lines, whereas in C. swainsoni the rump, which is white and
lineated, is marked with broad and very distinct cross bars,
which are grey in the male and brown in the female and
young. These differences, he says, are constant, and by

110 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

them the two species can be discriminated in every stage of
plumage.

36. Circus cinerarius (Montag.).
Strigiceps cineraceus, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Is found during the breeding-season in
districts II. ^ III., and IV.

Vertical range. Is found during the breeding-season in dis-
tricts 1, 2, and 3.

37. SURNIA FUNEREA (L.).

Surnia nisoria, SevertzofF, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Is resident in district I.
Vertical range. Probably occurs during the winter in dis-
trict 3, and is resident in distnct 4.

38. Nyctea scaxdiaca (L.) .
Surnia nivea, SevertzoflF, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Occurs during winter in district I.
Vertical range. Occurs during winter in district 2.

39. ? Carine glaux (Sav.).

Athene noctua orientalis, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Resident in districts II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Resident in districts 1 and 2, is found in
summer, and may possibly be resident, in district 5. Its oc-
currence in district 3 is doubtful.

Respecting this species Mr. Severtzoff writes (p. 115) as
follows : — '' Athene orientalis differs from Athene noctua of
Europe in being greyish brown, like Athene noctua meridi-
onalis, from which latter it differs in having its legs covered
thickly with feathers; like Nyctala tengmalmi, A. noctua has
the orifice of the ear very large, whereas it is small in A. ori-
entalis. Athene orientalis is called Ay-chay by the Kirghis,
from its cry, and also Hay-kis (literally " inch-quill '') I
think that, taking into consideration the pale colour and fea-
thered legs, A. orientalis should not be considered a mere
variety, but a good species. '^ This bird, described by Severt-
zoff, may, I think, possibly be A. nudipes, Hodgs., respect-
ing which Mr. Blanford writes (Zool. of Persia, Aves, pp. 117,

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' Ill

118) as follows: —"A. nudipes, Hodgs., of which specimens
exist in the British Museum, appears distinct from A. glaux.
In the former the toes are feathered above to the base of the
claws. I do not think Hodgson's species has ever been de-
scribed/^

40. Syrnium aluco (L.) ; SevertzofF, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Is rare and may be sedentary in district

III., and is met with sporadically on the Chatir-kul river.
Vertical range. May possibly be sedentary in district 3.

41. Strix flammea (L.) ; SevertzofF, p. 63.

Range the same as that of the preceding species, except that
it occurs sporadically in the mountains near the Aris river.

42. Scops Giu (Scop.).
Ephialtes scops, SevertzofF, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Is found during the breeding-season in
districts I., II., and III. j during migration, and possibly
breeds, in district IV.

Vertical range. Occurs during migration in district 2, and
during the breeding-season in district 3.

43. Bubo ignavus, Forst.

Bubo maximus (var. B. turcomanus, Eversm.) , Severtzoff,
p. 63.

Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Resident in districts 1, 2, and 3.

The species here referred to is evidently the pale eastern
form of the Eagle Owl described by Eversmann as Bubo sibi-
ricus, and which Mr. Blanford considers to be a distinct
species (r/. Zool. of Persia, Aves, p. 115), but which I only
regard as a variety of B. ignavus.

44. Asio AcciPiTRiNus (Pall.).
^golius brachyotus, Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Common during migration in all four
districts, but very rare in the summer or winter. It has been
observed during the winter in district IV.

Vertical range. Common during passage in districts 1, 2,
and 3.

112 Dr. O. Finsch on two New-Zealand Penyuins.

45. Asio oTus.

^golius otus, Severtzoft'^ p. 63.

Horizontal range. Found throughout the country and du-
ring passage^ but is very rare at other seasons.

Vertical range. Occurs dui'ing migration in districts ] , 2,
and 3, and has been observed during the winter in districts
1 and 2.

[To be continued.]

VI. — On two apparently new Species of Penguin from Neiv
Zealand. By Dr. O. Finsch, Hon. M. B.O.U.
In a communication from Captain F. W. Hutton, dated
''Dunedin, 30 September, 1874," I received for inspection
the subjoined descriptions of two kinds of Penguins, lately
procured on the shores of New Zealand. Being pretty well
acquainted with the species of the family Ptilopteri, on which
I have a monograph nearly ready for publication, I do not
hesitate to assert, after a careful comparison, that they both
belong to undescribed species.

EUDYPTES VITTATA, Fiusch.

? Aptenodytes papua, Vieill. (nee Forst. nee Gmel.) Gal. Ois.
ii. p. 246 (nee diagn.) tab. 299.

" Culminicorn compressed, narrowing posteriorly ; lateri-
corn flattened. Top of the head brown, inclining to bluish on
the front, and passing into pale brown towards the back of the
head. Sides of the head and throat brown ; a broad super-
ciliary white streak from the angle between the culminicorn
and latericorn to the back of the head, the feathers not pro-
longed. The whole of the upper parts of the neck and back
brown, inclining to bluish in places. Under surface pure
white. Outer surface of wings brown, not margined poste-
riorly ; inner surface white, with brown patches on the prox-
imal and distal posterior corners. Bill (dry) reddish brown.
Feet (dry), toes red, webs blackish.

" Locality. Dunedin (a single specimen) .

"Wing 7*1 inches; bill to gape 2*32, culmen 2*1, breadth
•75, height in middle "95; mid toe 2*15, claw '75 ; hind toe
•35, claw -25.

Dr. O. Finsch on two New-Zealand Penguins. 113

" Distinguished from E. pachyrhynchus by its compressed
bill and short wing and hind toe, as well as its general colours.
About the same size as E. pachyrhynchus." (Hutton.)

Captain Hutton suggests that this may be Latham^s '' Red-
footed Penguin^' (Gen. Syn. iii. p. 572), but without reason,
as a careful examination of the synonymy shows that La-
tham's description is based on ^'the Penguin" of Edwards
(t. 49 et t. 94, head on right hand), as is also " Aptenodytes
catarractes" of Forster (Comm. Soc. Reg. Gotting. iii. 1781,
p. 145) and Gmelin (Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 558), and^'PAae-
ton demersus " of Linne (S. N. p. 219), and Brisson's '' Catar-
ractes " (Ornith. iv. p. 102) . All these descriptions are simply
derived from Edwards's figure, which represents a bird the
existence of which, in my opinion, will ever remain doubtful,
being very likely based on a made-up bird. I do not under-
stand how G. R. Gray (Handl. of B. iii. p. 98) and Schlegel
(Mus. P.-B. Urinat. p. 8) could identify Edwards's inaccurate
figure with E. chrysocoma, Forst., and Gmelin {Pinguinaria
cristata, Shaw), even supposing it to be the young bird, with-
out tuft — as Edwards's figure, besides other inaccuracies,
shows a bird with Mergus-V^ke legs, the tarsus being longer
than the middle toe.

E. vittatus, if indeed a true Eudyptes, is easily distinguished
from all other members of the Penguin group by its broad
white superciliary streak, which runs from the base of bill to
the back of head, but which does not consist of elongated
feathers.

A close examination of all the existing representatives of
Penguins leads me to the belief that very probably to this
new species belongs the figure of a Penguin which Vieillot
erroneously published under the name of " Aptenodytes pa-
pua" (Gal. des Ois. ii. 1834, p. 246, pi. 299), but which is
not the well-known species of Sonnerat, Forster, and Graeliu,
which Mr. Sclater, from the unfitness of the name, proposed
to call Pygoscelis wagleri (P. Z. S. 1861, p. 47)^. To judge
from Vieillot's figure and the French description (not the Latin
diagnosis, which relates to the true papua), the bird very
* [Should not this be called P. t<pmata, Peale?— Ed.]

SER. III. VOL. V. I

114 Mr. R. Swiuhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

much resembles our E. vittatus, especially in having the white
superciliary streak, which runs to the occiput ; but from the
delineation of the beak it would appear to be a true Spheniscus,
showing the base of the maxilla grooved_, and the tip of the
mandible truncated. Vieillot unfortunately does not mention
the origin of the specimen ; but as it was drawn from nature by
Oudart, the specimen will still probably be found in the gal-
leries of the Paris Museum.

EUDYPTES ATRATA, HuttOU.

" Culminicorn broad and rounded, not tapering posteriorly.
Latericorn much swollen, witli an oblique groove near its
l)ase. Above, from the top of the head to the tail, blue-black.
Sides of the head, throat, and whole under surface jet-black.
A thin interrupted yellow line from the bill, over the eye, and
produced posteriorly into a long yellow crest. Bill (dry) pale
l)rownish red. Feet (dry) black, inclining to reddish black
on the toes.

"Wing 7'7 inches; tail 4*65; bill to gape 2*75, culmen
2'55, breadth '87, height in middle r22 ; middle toe 2'0,
claw '7 ; hind toe *1, claw '1.

" Locality. The Snares (a single specimen only) .

" Distinguished by its massive, deep bill, its very small hind
toe, and long tail.

" About the same size as E. pachyrhynchus." {Hutton.)

This species cannot be confounded with any other, regard
being paid to the jet-black coloration of its under surface.

VII. — Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo [Province of
Shantung, North China). By R. Swinhoe, H.M. Consul.

[Oontiuued from vol. iv. p. 447, and concluded.]

42. Lord Walden^s Shrike. Lanius magnirostris, Less.

I before noted how we found this Malacca species a nume-
rous visitor in summer to the places in Central China on the
Yangtsze (P. Z. S. 1870, p. 131). I did not know at the time
that it is also a visitor to the north, as I never detected it

Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 1 15

passing through Amoy*. On the 31st May Mr. Campbell
sent me an adult female from Lighthouse Island ; and on the
27th August I got an immature bird, which, judging from its
appearance, I should say was bred somewhere in ovir neigh-
bourhood.

The adult female measured 6*75 inches. Wing3'4; first
quill '92, 1*2 shorter than the second, which is '49 shorter
than the third and fourth, the longest; wing-tip \7 short of
tail-tip, '77 longer than tertiaries. Tail 2*8, of twelve gradu-
ated feathers, of which the two outer are most so, the outer-
most being -5, shortest. Bill deep indigo-grey, '6 from fore-
head, -85 from gape, '35 deep at base. Tarsi "9 in front, mid-
dle toe and claw '65. Feet and toes lavender-grey, dingy
on soles.

Young of the year. — Bill bluish flesh-colour on the basal por-
tion, deep brown on the apical portion. Legs and toes violet-
leaden, with yellowish grey soles and brownish nails. I have
an immature bird of this species, procured by Mr, Wallace in
Malacca. This would rather prove that some individuals of
this Shrike stay in Malacca to breed, while many wander
north for the same purpose.

43. Bull-headed Shrike. Lanius bucephalus, Temm. &
Schleg. Faun. Jap.

Constable Webster got a young male of this Shrike on
Lighthouse Island on the 5th October. It is reddish brown
on the upper parts, particularly so on the crown and nape ;
the throat, axillaries, and vent are clear cream-colour, the
rest of the underparts more or less rufous, with curvi-
linear striations. Its bill was plumbeous fleshy brown, the
edge of upper, basal half of lower, and inside of mouth being
flesh-colour. Length 8 inches. Wing 3*4, its tip is -5 longer
than that of tertiaries, and 2-8 short of tail-tip. Tail 3*6,
graduated, the outermost being 1 inch the shortest.

I have a similar immature specimen (marked female) from
Amoy, shot there one winter many years ago. An adult

* I now find that my L. iiicertus from Amoy (P. Z. S. 1871, p. .376) is
a partially moulted specimen of this specie.s.

1 2

116 Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefou.

female, procured at Tientsin by Mr. Fleming, is rather smaller
than the other two, with shorter wing, a much less heavy black
bill, and dark brown legs ; its underparts are dingy whitish
without rufescence, but with plenty of dark striations and
mottlings, which mark also the throat and vent ; its axillaries
are dusky; its back is broAvner, while rufous and blackish
cross bars of juvenility still mark many of its scapulars and
upper tail-coverts. I take this to be the ordinary plumage
of the female. The adult male I have never had the pleasure
of seeing.

44. Philippine Shrike. Lanius lucionensis, L.

On the 31st May, in company with the specimen of Lord
Walden's Shrike, Mr. Campbell sent me a pair of adults of
this species. These were certainly in breeding-condition ; and
their plumage ought correspondingly to have been nuptial;
but they were in reality dingier than specimens shot in Amoy
in April. The fine cinnamon-buff of the underparts has paled
away ; and the back is rather greyer. Still the female shows
a few immature markings on her flanks and upper tail-coverts.
The male that I procured in Talienwan on the 26th June,
1860, is even dingier. I have an immature bird procured at
Peking in the September of the same year. This is very
rufous on the upper parts and tail, and bears some resem-
blance to the young of L. magnirostris, but may be distin-
guished at first sight by the existence of a dark eye-streak,
which is quite wanting in the other at the same stage, and
by the continuous striation across the breast, which is only
lateral in the other. I transcribe my note on a fresh Chefoo
adult.

'' ^ . Length7-75. Wing3-48,first quill 11 long, second 1-23
longer, third and fourth '48 longer again, and slightly longer
than the fifth. Wing-tip 2*4 short of tail-tip, '65 longer than
tertiaries. Tail 3*75, outer rectrix '95 shortest, next inwards
•35 shorter than the others, which are subequal. Tarse in
front '85 ; middle toe and claw -88. Bill in front '55, from
gape 'Qo."

45. Grey Mixivet. Pericrocotus cinereus, Lafresn.
A female of this was procured in May.

Mr. R. Swiiihoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 117

46. Siberian Flycatcher. Butalis sibirica [Gmeh).
This was amongst the summer arrivals; and on the 31st

May Mr. Campbell sent me from Lighthouse Island three
females and one male. Both sexes abounded in fat ; the males
had small black testes, and the females only diminutive eggs,
both thus showing that they had further yet to travel. Still
some few must have bred not far from us ; for on the 15 th
Sept. I got a full-plumaged young bird in the spotted dress.
This was also obtained at Lighthouse Island; so it might have
come across the gulf. I took down the following note on a
fresh female : —

'' ? . Length 5 inches. Wing 3 2, first quill -45, second "2
shorter than the third, which is the longest in the wing, and
slightly longer than the fourth ; wing-tip '88 longer than the
tertiaries, '75 short of tail-tip. Tail 2 inches, centrals '2
shorter than the rest, which are equal.'^

The immature bird is darker in plumage than the adults, and
is at once distinguishable by the small arrow-head shaped
yellowish spots that speckle its upper parts, larger on the
rump and upper tail-coverts. Its breast and belly are mot-
tled with blackish spots on a white ground.

47. Small Greyish-white Flycatcher. Butalis lati-
rostris, Raffles.

A male of this species was received with the adults of the
foregoing on the 21st May. We already know that it is a
summer visitant to Amoorland.

48. Eastern Robin Flycatcher, Erythrosierna albicilla
(Pall.).

I received from Mr. Campbell on the 15th May a female
of this species with a white throat. It was unfortunately too
shattered to preserve. On the China coast in winter we
usually get white-throated examples, either females or imma-
ture birds ; but I procured one at Pekin on the 15th Septem-
ber, 1868, the throat of which is partly red. This I believe
to be a young male.

49. Blue Magpie. Cyanopolius cyanus (Pall.).

The bird of this description is larger at Chefoo, with a dis-

118 Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

tinctly larger bill than Shanghai examples. It affects large
trees, is more open in its habits, and is frequently to be seen
in parties in company with the pied species. 1 was in hopes
it might turn out to be the C. melanocephalus , Vieill., which
is expressly stated to come from China ; but on turning to tlie
Hist. Nat. des Ois. d'Afrique, plate 58, I find the figure of a
bird with the throat and cheeks black ; and in the description
of the species I read, '' Le dessus de la tete, les joues et la
gorge d^un noir mat.'' In these respects our bird does not
difffer from the more southern species ; and I scarcely think
superior size, or variation in manners, justifies specific separa-
tion. The bird at Chefoo is called the Lan Ya-tcheo, or Blue
Magpie, and lays eggs nearly as big as her pied relative. Its
nest is small, shaped like that of a Crow, without canopy, and
often built on large trees at no great distance from that of the
Pied Magpie. When deserted they also are sometimes taken
possession of by the Red-leg Falcon. Dr. Williamson induced
the boys of the village Tung-Hing (where he resided, super-
intending a missionary station) to collect birds' eggs for me.
These brought me ten eggs of this species on the 18th of
May. One egg was small, with a greenish ground-colour,
much as that represented in Dr. Breeds ' Birds of Europe '
(i. p. 142) for the egg of C cooki, Bp., of Spain and Portugal.
The others were a good deal larger, more elliptical, and more
like those of the Pied Magpies, of a lighter colour, and covered
with larger and darker spots. They are nearer that of the
Alpine Chough (see p. 154, of the work referred to) . M. Tac-
zanowski, of Warsaw, has sent me a Blue Magpie from the
river Onon, in Russian Mantchuria. This is of the size and
proportions of the bird that abounds near Shanghai, and ex-
tends along the alluvial banks of the Yangtsze for over 1000
miles, but is paler and greyer, and has a more boreal ap-
pearance. A specimen from Hakodadi, N. Japan, in Mr.
Howard Saunders's collection, is like the Shanghai bird. On
the strength of this information this larger bird of Chefoo is
almost worthy of recognition as a distinct race.

50. Pied Magpie. Pica media, Blyth.

The Ya-tcheo (M.D. 11811, 80791), or Crow-bird, as this

Mr. 11. Swiiihoe's Ornitholoyical Notes made at L'hefoo. 119

species is named by the Northern Chinese^ is numerous at
Chefoo, beinoj found in parties in every ckimp of high trees ;
and their large canopied nests of twigs may be seen in the
higher branches of most trees.

This and the last were the only species of the Crow family
that I met with at Chefoo ; but in the Manuscript Illustra-
tions of the birds of the neighbourhood^ above referred to,
the following additional species are figured, with their names
in the vernacular attached ; —

(1) Garrulus sinensis, Gould. Sung y^a (M. D. 9578,
11818), or Pine-Crow.

(2) Corvus torquatus, Lesson. Yu iao y^a (M. D. 12560,
6923, ] 1818), or Gemmed Old Crow.

(3) Fregilus gramlus (L.). Shan Iao y'a (M. D. 9087,
6923, 11818), or Hill Old Crow.

51. Greyish Starling. Sturnus cineraceus, T. & S., Faun.
Jap.

Flights of these birds were about the fields when we first
arrived at Chefoo ; but the natives never brought it to me
among their captures. On one occasion they brought three
eggs, w^hich I made out to belong to this species. They re-
sembled the eggs of Acridotheres cristatellus, of the south,
but were more ovate in form.

52. Daurian Starlet. Sturnia daurica (Pall.).

A specimen of this is figured in the Manuscript Illustra-
tions, adhering to a tree, with the name T^'ee-shoo-p^e (M. D.
10073, 9337, 3297), or Stick-to-the-bark. This name in
Peking is given to the Goatsucker. This I noted before (in
P. Z. S. 1870, p. 439), but, not knowing the Chinese cha-
racters, rendered the sounds as I understood their meaning.
The artist of the present work has evidently figured a wrong
bird.

These little Starlings did not visit our houses and pry about
for breeding-sites as the Sturnia sinensis does in South
China. Carles shot a pair on the 28th of May in the " Bois de
Boulogne,^^ on which I took the following note : —

" c? ■ Length 7 inches. Wing 4*3, 13 longer than ter-

120 Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

tiariesj -6 shorter than tail ; fii"st quill slightly shorter than
the second, which is the longest in the wing. Tail 225, of
twelve nearly equal feathers ; upper tail-coverts "9 short of
tail-tip, under tail-coverts "1 short. Bill in front "63, from
gape "83 ; its colour, with that of the inside of mouth, greyish
black. Iris black. Tarse I'l ; middle toe and claw 1; all
greenish leaden colour. Large grey testes, much swollen.
Stomach containing remains of small flies and beetles.

"?. Length 6-85. Wing 4-2. Tail 2-18. Bill in front
•62, from gape •82. Tarse '95 ; middle toe and claw 1. Mem-
brane round eye black, as in the male. Bill rather bluer than
in male; legs the same. One large yelk nearly ready for
laying, and two smaller ones to follow.''^

This pair would certainly appear to have been breeding in
the neighbourhood. I have never procured this species on
the southern coast.

53. Siskin. Chrysomitris spinus (L.).

Occurred in small flocks in the " Bois de Boulogne " in
May.

54. Golden-wing. Chlorospiza sinica (L.).

A resident species in favourable localities. I have seen it
flying over head and twittering its Linnet-like notes, while
the golden hue of its quills was conspicuous against the clear
sky. I procured no specimens. Its native name, as in the
south, is Kin-che (M. D. 6369, 858), or Golden-wing.

55. Brambling. Fringilla montifringilla, L.

The Hoo-p^ee neao (M. D. 4078, 8297, 7946), or Tiger-
skin bird, so called, still fluttered about the '' Bois de Bou-
logne " in small parties in the beginning of May, and were
eagerly sought after by the trappers, who attracted them by
caged decoys. It seemed a great favourite among the towns-
folk.

56. Tree-Sparrow. Passer montanus (L.).

Called Ma-chco (M. D. 7463, 10794), or Horse-bird, in the
south, and Kia-cheo (M. D. 5398, 10794), or House-bird, at
Chefoo.

Mr. R. Swinhoe^s Ornitholoyical Notes made at Chefoo. 121

57. Eastern Hawfinch. Coccothraustes japonicus, Bp.
Name in the MS. Illustrations of this species T'ee Tsuy

(M. D. 10087, 11209), or Iron-bill. I did not meet with
the bird at Chefoo.

58. Black-tailed Grosbeak. Euphona melanura {Gmel.).
Name in the MS. Illustrations of this species Tsao-hwa

(M. D. 10564, 4199), the 7>fl!0-flower (a water-flag or lily).
It did not occur to me.

59. Masked Grosbeak. Eophona personal a (T. & S. F.
Japon.).

Name in the MS. Illustrations La-tsuy (M. D. 6854,
11209), or Wax-bill. This is applied to the preceding in the
south, where this larger bird does not occur.

60. Rose Finch. Carpodacus roseus (Pall.).

In the MS. Illustrations as the Choo-sha-leao (M. D. 1256,
9065, 7060), or Cinnabar Finch. Pere David procured this
at Peking.

61. Ruddy Bunting. Euspiza rutila (Pall.).

On the 17th May the birdcatchers brought me a female
of this species. I had not seen this sex before, and was quite
at a loss as to what it was. A reference to PaUas^s ' Zoographia
Rosso- Asiatica' set me right. I took the following note on the
bird : —

" ? . Length 5 inches. Wing 2-8 ; first, second, and third
quills nearly equal and longest, fourth a Kttle shorter ; wing-
tip '45 longer than tertiaries, 1*4 short of tail-tip. Tail 2.
Tarse "63, middle toe and claw '76. Legs and claws yellowish
flesh-brown, yellowish on soles. Bill brown on upper man-
dible, purplish flesh-colour on lower. The eggs in this spe-
cimens were not enlarged.^'

About the end of May I got another female and a male
from Lighthouse Island. The species was evidently bound
further north.

62. Painted Bunting. Emberiza fucata, Pall.

I procured two males and three females of this pretty
species at the end of May, four of which were shot on Light-
house Island on the 3lst of that month.

122 Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefuo.

63. Winter Ortolan. Emberiza spodocephala , Pall.
Two males and oue female of this also occurred towards the

end of May.

In the MS. Illustrations E. tristrumi is figured under the
name Sau-tao-mei (M. D. 8788, 9945, 7&18), or Three-
streaked-eyebrow, and E. chrysophrys as the Ilwang-mei
(M. D. 4398, 7648), or Yellow-eyebrow. I procured neither
at Chefoo.

64. Intermediate Sky-Lark. Alauda cantarella, Bp.
These were constantly seen in cages ; and on one occasion

1 saw some young birds of this species offered for sale. The
Chefoo people put powdered log-wood into their Larks^ cages,
which gives the birds a peculiar but pretty tinge. I did not
observe the true Skylark. This is the common species at
Ningpo and Shanghai; but I have one specimen of the true
A. arvensis also fi'om Shanghai.

65. Eastern Short-toed Lark. Alaudula pispolctta

(Pall.).

This Lark was common about Chefoo, breeding on the dry
soil of the millet-fields. A female brought to me on the 21st
May measured 5*8 inches. "Wing 3*3; first, second, and third
quills equal and longest, \'% short of tail-tip, "55 longer than
tertiaries. Tail2"3. Bill '38, from gape • 55. Tarse in front
•74, middle toe and claw "68, hind toe and claw •56.

Iris deep brown. Bill brownish white, darker on culmen.
Legs and toes flesh-brown ; claws brown. Female, on dissec-
tion ; eggs nearly ready to lay. Belly quite bare.

The birdcatchers called this species the Wo-lan ; but how
the characters are written I have no means of divining.

A fledged nestling was brought to me at the end of May.
It has quite the appearance of a young Sky-Lark. The upper
parts, wings, tail, and ear-coverts are deep brown, each feather
broadly margined with bufi", especially of the wing-coverts ;
the throat and breast are lighter buff'-colour, spotted with
brown ; the axillaries, belly, and vent pure white. The bill
is yellow at the gape, and the legs sandy flesh-colour.

Their eggs were brought to me in plenty. They do not
differ materially from those o{ A. brachydactyla (L.).

Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 123

66. Crested Lark. Galerida cristata (L.).
Occurred at the foot of the hills round the Chefoo valley.

PalcBornis cyanocephalus, Linn.

A female of this Parakeet was brought to me on the 4th of
October. It was caught in the clutches of a Magpie, who
was evidently resenting the intrusion of a foreigner ; for it had
apparently escaped from one of the country ships then in
harbour. It had been hurt in its conflict with the " Bird of
Joy/' and lived only a few hours. As I have noted before,
this species has occurred at Canton, in the south of China.
I took the following note on its appearance : —

" Bill : upper mandible dull orange-yellow, lower blackish,
except on the centre of its base, which is ochreous. Cere
greyish brown, with a white border-line in front. Iris nar-
row and pearl-white. Hood lavender- grey, brighter on the
crown. Nape, neck, and underparts, including the axillaries,
yellowish green. Back, wing-coverts, and rump a darker
green. An oval spot of deep maroon on the lesser wing-
coverts. Quills a fine deep green, with black stems and black
edges to inner webs ; first quill wholly black, with yellowish
green outer web. Tail green, with black stems, the two cen-
tral feathers being blue, with yellow tips. Under tail yel-
lowish, under wing blackish. Legs grey. Wing measuring
5*15 inches.

Parrots of many species are brought to China from the
Malaccan Straits. They are indiscriminately called by the
Chinese Ying-ko {M. D. 12360, 6434) and Leao-ko (M. D.
7060, 64a4), " Hawk's Elder Brother " and " Grackle's Elder
Brother."

67. Pied Woodpecker. Picus mandarinus, Gould.

The Chuh-muh neas (M. D. 1603, 7800, 7946), or Wood-
tapping bird, is common enough about the fine trees near
Chefoo. It is much lighter on the underparts, and has the
white spots and markings of the upper parts larger and
clearer than in the birds at Ningpo.

On the 20th June some country boys brought me a clutch
of four nestlings. They were all males, of difiFerent ages.

124 Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

varying in extent of red on the crown ; the oldest had most
red. The red spot on the breast was conspicuous in three of
their number. They all had dark irides^ not white, as in the
adult. They hopped about, climbing the legs of chairs most
nimbly, pecked furiously at one another, and cried out lustily
" chick-chick."

68. Brown-bellied Pied Woodpecker. Hypopicus poli-
opsis, Swinh.

This species, which I have only noted before near Pekin,
was not uncommon about Chefoo. On the 27th August a
male of the year was brought to me, and on the 8th September
an adult male. Both of these were procured by Mr. Campbell
at Lighthouse Island. The gizzard of the adult contained
the remains of the caterpillars of moths. The immature bird
had the mottled ruby crown of the adult male ; but its under
parts were much lighter, banded and mottled with black on
the under neck and breast. Its bill was lead-coloured, leaf-
green at base of lower mandible. Irides deep brown. Legs
and nails greenish leaden. The adult male is deeper-coloured
on the breast and belly than the Pekin bird, and has a
red spot on the centre of the breast, which is wanting in the
latter.

69. Grey Woodpecker. Gecinus canus (L.).

The Tsao-ta muh-tsze (M.D. 10561, 9687, 7800), or
" Scraper and Beater of Wood," of the Chinese, addicted to
copses of willows and low trees, is the commonest Woodpecker
at Chefoo. I have a female procured on the 12th October,
and one male and two female yearlings in the mottled plumage,
shot from the same tree by Constable Webster on the 11th
July. This species is not found so far south as Shanghai and
the Yangtsze plain, where it is replaced by G. guerini, Malh.,
which again, at Foochow and in Formosa, yields to G. tancolo,
Gould.

70. Eastern Wryneck. Yunx japonica, Bp.

I neither saw nor got this bird ; but a very good illustration
of it is given in the Chinese manuscript of Chefoo orni-

Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 125

thology, under the name Shay-ling (M.D. 9136, 7268), or
Snake^s neck.

71. Cuckoo. Cuculus canorus, L.

On several occasions during the month of May I heard the
Cuckoo on the hills around Chefoo. I procured a female in
the hepatic plumage, and on the 6th June an adult male.
The last had one testis swollen large, the other quite small,
though also roundish.

72. Bar-tailed Rock-Pigeon. Columba rupestris, Bp.
These were breeding in numbers in the holes and caverns

of the limestone cliffs of Chefoo Head. Constable Webster
pulled out in a boat on the 29th June, and returned with three
specimens — a male, a female, and a full-grown yearling. The
male had enormous testes, the female yelk-developed ova. The
young bird had the cere tumid and dark, instead of flesh-
grey, as in the adult, and light pinkish feet, instead of blood-
pink.

73. Eastern Turtledove. Turtur gelastes, Temm. &
Schleg.

Common in all woody places about the port.

74. Summer Dove. Turtur humilis, Temm.

Mr, Crasemann had a female of this species in his aviary,
procured from a native birdcatcher.

75. Chinese Pheasant. Phasianus torquatus (Gmel.).

I was not in season for the Pheasant, and never came
across it in my rambles ; but I was told that during winter
it is brought in numbers to the market.

I may mention that in the MS. illustrations there is the
figure of an unknown Pheasant, crested like a "Cheer."
Crest and underparts chocolate cream-colour; throat and
back black ; quills, rump, and neck dingy ; central tail-
feathers spotted with white. Unfortunately no native name
is affixed to the drawing, and I could learn nothing of the
species from the Chinese at Chefoo.

A pair is also figured of the Gold Pheasant, Thaumalia
picta (L.), and marked Kinke, or Golden Fowl.

12G Mr. R. Swinboe's Ornitholoyicul Notes made at Vhejoo.

7Q. Red-legged Partridge, Caccabis chukar, Gray.
Not uncommon on the surrounding hills, where they reside
and breed.

77. Red-throated Quail. Coturnix japonic a, Bp.

On the 4th May, while on an excursion into the country,
we met birdcatchers with small white cloth bags on their way
to town. They were carrying Quails, which they had just
been catching. These little creatures were arriving in the
country in large numbers ; and many were daily caught and
brought to market for sale, both for food and for fighting.
The males were distinguished as " the Redthroats,'^ the
females as " the Whitethroats."

I was surprised to find the northern Quail such a good
species, and so distinguishable in its spring moult from the
ordinary bird. Besides their more brilliant plumage, the
males have the space before the eyes, the cheeks, and the
throat a fine pinkish rust-colour, browner in old birds, with
a more or less strong indication of a central black mark on
the throat ; the females have on the sides of the neck two
curved lines of closely set black spots, as in the young male of
the common species.

Coturnix vulgaris y«/?omcM5, T. & S., Faun. Japon. Adult
male. Length 6" 75. Wing 3*85 ; first and second quills a
little shorter than the third and longest ; wing-tip '9 longer
than tertiaries, "5 short of tail-tip. Tail I'/S, of twelve soft
graduated feathers, curved downwards. Tarse '9, feathered a
little in advance of joint; middle toe "9, its claw "2. Iris rich
sienna brown. Bill yellowish brown on tip and culmen, hazel
on rest of upper mandible, blackish grey on lower. Legs and
claws light clayey flesh-colour, more or less yellowish. Before
the eye, cheeks, and throat rusty brown ; centre of throat
blackish, with a curved line of the same colour on either side
of the patch at its base.

A younger male has the rust-colour less brown, and just
an indication only of blackish on the throat. liegs yellower
than in the last.

Dissection of the younger bird. — Trachea narrow and imi-

Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 127

form. Testes enormous, "6 by '4. The dai'ker-throated
male is evidently an old bird ; for its testes are much lai-ger
even than the above.

Fma/e.— Length 6-5. Wing 3-82. Tail 1-50. Tarse -9 ;
middle toe "9, its claw •2. Bill rather paler than in male.
Iris hazel.

There is little difference in the measurements of the two
sexes, but a good deal in the bulk of body when stripped of
skin. When alive they utter low, short, plaintive whistles.
In the south the European Quail is the ordinary species
brought to market, and some reside all the year, the males
assuming in summer the black throat-patch. I have had
Quails^ eggs brought to me at Amoy. In winter there you
occasionally see some with red-speckled throats, which in all
probability are migrants from the north. I missed the
distinction between the two races, so cannot speak with cer-
tainty of their respective ranges ; but I believe that in winter
they overlap one another, in what latitude of this vast conti-
nent I am not informed.

78. Yellow-billed Button-Quail. Hcmipodius macu-
latus, Vieill. Gal. des Ois. iv. p. 5, pi. 217.

On the 15th May the birdcatchers brought the first couple
of a Button-Quail, which, from their golden bills and red
napes, I took to be a species with which I was unacquainted.
They called them Hwang-Ian ; and I found a figure of a pair
of the same in the MS. illustrations, under the same name
(M.D. 4398, 7173). The couple brought were confined in a
small cloth bag, and made small mutteriugs like young
puppies. They were of equal size, though one was more richly
coloured than the other. They were both females on dissec-
tion, with their ovaries not much developed.

Length 6*75. Wing 3*8, rounded ; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quills
nearly equal and longest, 4th a little shorter ; '35 short of
tail-tip, "4 longer than tertiarics. Tail of 8 soft graduated
feathers, 1'35 long. Iris cream-white. Bill, legs, toes, and
claws fine golden yellow. Inside of mouth flesh-colour. Bill
from forehead "55, from gape '82, depth at base '25. Tarse in

128 Mr. R. Svvinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

front '98; middle toe and claw -84. Back of neck and a
short way down sides of neck deep rich ferruginous. Sides
of throat, under neck, and centre of breast ferruginous buflf.
Centre of throat pale buff. Sides of breast yellowish grey,
with a round black spot in the centre of each feather. The
trachea had a globular swelling before reaching the bronchi,
which latter are extremely short. The plumage of the female
is otherwise like that of the bird I procured before in winter
at Amoy and Shanghai, and named H. viciarius (P. Z. S. 1871,
p. 402) . The bills of the females at Chefoo were much swollen
as well as brightly coloured ; so that I felt almost convinced
that the northern bird was of a distinct species. But soon the
birdcatchers brought males, which were of a good deal smaller
size, and showed little normal change. Length o7o. Wing
3*3, '2 longer than tertiaries, '55 short of tail-tip. Tarse in
front '85 ; middle toe and claw •83. Bill in front "45, from
gape •7. Bill brown on upper mandible, lighter on apical
third of lower, golden on basal edge of upper, and whole of
basal two thirds of lower, including rictus. Iris cream- white.
Legs honey-yellow, as in female. The male differs from the
female by its smaller size, less bright bill, and in the absence
or smaller amount of rust-colour on the back of the neck.
Their testes were enormous, evidently on the point of breed-
ing. The trachea was narrower than in the female, and
without the circular swelling — another sexual reversion of a
male character.

Many of these must have bred in the neighbourhood ; but I
did not succeed in getting either eggs or young.

On the 6th October I got my last specimen, a female, which
Mr. Campbell shot on Lighthouse Island. This had lost all
its spring adornments, and was evidently on its southward
travel. It was in the plumage of the southern bird.

J. Verreaux identified the Button-Quail sent from Pekiii by
Pere David (which must have been our bird in its summer
plumage) with the H. maculosus, Temminck.

At the Library of the Zoological Society, with the kind assis-
tance of Mr. F. H. Waterhouse, I referred to the description of
that species^ from doubtful locality, in Temminck's 'Pig. et

Mr. R. Swinlioe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 129

Gall.' iii. p. 631, together with the account and portrait of the
same, under the terra H. maculatus, in Yieillot, Gal. des Ois. iv.
p. 5, pi. 217 (1834) . The portrait has yellow bill and legs and a
red nuchal collar, and certainly seems to represent our species
in nuptial dress ; but the description gives a smaller bird, and
speaks of the sexes as alike. It says that the specimens Avere
brought from New Holland ; but we searched Gould's ' Birds
of Australia ' in vain for such a species. However, we learn
from Temminck that three specimens of his bird are in the
galleries of the museum at Paris, with which I presume the
authorities have compared it ; so I suppose w^e must give M.
Verreaux the credit of the identification, and adopt ^^ieillot's
name. Mr. Gould asserted to me that he knew no such bird
from Australia.

79. Great Bustard. Otis tarda, L.

On the 2nd May we found a live female Bustard in the
market. My companion purchased it for Mr. Crasemann's
aviary ; but it did not live many days. I met no other.

80. H.arting's Sand-plover. ^gialitis placida, Gray.

A pair of these and a chick are figured in the MS. illustra-
tions. The chick is in down, but is coloured about the face
and breast, as the adult in spring, which I think must be a
mistake. I did not see the bird at Chefoo. It is simply
named in the drawing the Sha-kin or Sand-bird.

81. Chinese Oystercatcher. Hamatopus oscidans,
Swinh.

On the 8tli May Mr. Campbell, of the Lighthouse, sent me
a female Oystercatcher, with the information that it was one
of a pair that came to feed on the mud flats of his island when
the tide was low. They came from and returned to North
Island, a rock some miles to seaward. He promised to look
out for its mate.

The bird received was alive, but had its wing badly broken
at the shoulder.

Length 19'5. Wing 10"6, reaching -1 short of fail-tip, 1-5
longer than tertiaries ; first quill the longest. Tail 4'65, of

SER. III. VOL. v. K

130 Mr. R. Swinlioe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

12 rectriceSj lateral '3 shorty the rest nearly equal ; under tail-
coverts '9 short of tail-tip, upper tail-coverts 1'8 short. Bill
from forehead, and rictus, 4 inches. Bare tibia 'S. Tarse 2*2,
middle toe and claw 1*68. Legs and feet rose-pink, with flesh-
coloured soles and brownish grey claws. Ins blood-red ; eye-
lids and bill bright red orange, or red-lead, with homy yellow
tips to latter. Below under eyelid a patch of white feathers,
surmounted by a rim of black. White of the body faintly
tinged with rose-colour. Its length of bill, and the black
spots on the tips of its upper tail-coverts, show as good
marks to distinguish this species from its European ally, H.
ostralegus, L.

On dissection the body was found to contain a large cluster
of partly developed eggs, some nearly ready for exclusion.
Trachea simple. Proventriculus about 1*4 inch. Stomach
long and narrow, 1'6 long by '7 broad. Epithelium rugose
and sticky, containing yellow juice. Intestines 4 feet 3^
inches long ; caeca 2^ from anus, 3^ long. No false csecum,
as in the Scolopaces.

On the 15th of May Mr. Campbell sent me the male. It
was at Talienwan of the promontory on the opposite side of
the Gulf of Pechelee that I found this species before, during
the breeding-season (see ' Ibis,^ 18G1, p. 261).

Mr. Campbell, as I have before noted, observed that his
pair of Oystercatchers came from North Rock, to which
they returned when they had finished feeding on the mud
flats of Kung Kungtan. Constable Webster visited the Rock
on the 22nd of June. He found this small uninhabited island
had a narrow grassy plateau on the top of its rocks facing the
land. Near the edge of this he noticed several pairs, and in
some cases triplets, of eggs lying each set in a depressed spot
without nest of any kind. No bird was near them. He
counted six or seven such sets. The first egg he took up
burst in his hand, and he found it putrid ; he picked up
another from another depression ; and on finding it fresh
when he purposely broke it, he brought its fellow for me, to-
gether with four more of what seemed to him to be freshest.
He then looked about for the proprietors ; and seeing no birds

Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 131

on the top of the rock, he went down and shot a Shag out of
a flock which he thought might possibly be the OT,\Tiers of the
eggs. The Shag was a Phalacrocorax pelagicus, Pall., and is
remarked on under its proper head. It, of course, had nothing
to do with the egg-trove. Of the five eggs brought to me
one only was fresh, the others all more or less bad. Three
are of the same ground-colour as the lower egg figured in
Hewitson's ' Eggs of British Birds,^ under Htematopus ostra-
legus (ii. p. 305) ; the other two are rather darker than the
upper figure ; and they are all spotted with dark brown and
grey : but the dark spots are more scattered and lighter in shade.
No streaks occur. In shape the eggs are more elongate than
the figures, measuring in length about 2'5 inches by 1*4 in
greatest breadth. It is pretty clear that one pair of Oyster-
catchers were the parents of the whole dozen or so of eggs
that Mr. Campbell found. What could have induced the
female to lay eggs and then desert them? Could she have
been constrained by the instinct that is said to impel the
Ostrich thus to provide maggots by the attracting putridity
of the abandoned eggs for the first food of her own favoured
hatchlings, which, when first l)orn, are too weak to travel far
in search of them ?

I learn from Hewitson (/. c. ii. p. 306) that the European
Oystercatcher does make some kind of nest for its eggs, but
from Gould {' Birds of Australia,' ii. p. 216) that the Austra-
lian H. longirostris does not. The affinity of our intermediate
species in this respect, as in that of form and colour, is con-
sequently more for its Australian ally.

82. Woodcock. Scolopax rusticola, L.

On the 30th April we bought a live bird of this species in
the Chefoo market.

83. Spring-Snipe. Gallinago tnegala, Swinh.

I got a single specimen of this also at the same time and
place as the last.

84. Pintail Snipe. Gallinago horsfiekli [iivaiy) .

On the 4th May I bought from some Inrdcatchers in the

k2

132 Mr. 11. Swiulioe^s Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

" Bois de Boulogne " a Snipe of this species that they had
just caught.

85. Diminutive Curlew. Numenius minutus, Gould.
While strolling along the path on the top of the cliflFs near

our house, I observed a small CurlcM' on an earthy moiiiid in
the grass, under the wall of the old Consulate enclosure. As
we drew near it flew off, uttering a loud " teo, teo/^ some-
what like the notes of a Greenshank, but with a little of the
Curlew wail in it. It flew round about, and perched near
again, until again disturbed. It must have found something
palatable in that spot.

86. Whimbrel. Numenius phcpopus (L.)

On the 22nd May Mr. W. R. Carles went out for a ramble
on the hillsides and brought back three Whimbrels. He found
a small flock of them in a field of dry grass.

87. Common Heron. Ardea cinerea, L.

Constable Webster shot two birds of the year of this Heron
on the 29th September.

88. White Heron. Egretta modesta (Gray).

The constable got at the same time and place three adults
of this species ; they were already in winter form, with yellow
bills.

89. Bittern. Botaurus stellaris, L.

A male of this was sent me by Mr. Campbell from Light-
house Island on the 6th October. Its bill was light brown,
deep on culmen ; cere tinged with greenish yellow ; skin
round eye the same. Iris straw-yellow. Legs and toes yel-
lowish green, browner on nails, with their tips light ; pecti-
nation on middle claw very narrow. A small brown Gadfly
about its head.

90. Von Schrenck's Little Bittern. Ardetta eurhythma,
Swinh.

In 'The Ibis^ for 1873, p. 73, was published my detection
of this species at Ningpo. It was breeding there and at
Shanghai. On the 20th May, and for many days after, the
birdcatchers brought live specimens of both sexes. I took'

Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 133

the following notes on fresh birds^ the sexes of which I deter-
mined by dissection : —

Male, with enormous testes. Total length 14 inches. Wing
5-88, first quill -25 shorter than the second, which is the
longest, and -1 longer than the third ; wing extending to tail-
tip. Taill-15. Tibia, bare for -75. Tarse 1*98 long; middle
toe 2, its claw '37. Legs and toes grass-green, yellow near
the tarso-tibial joint and on the under surface of the tarse.
Soles clay-coloured, claws light yellowish brown. Bill from
forehead 1-95, from gape 2-47 ; depth at base -57. Bill
blackish brown on culmen, yellowish brown on the rest,
darker on sides of upper mandible near tomia, light on sides
of lower and on gonys. Cere and bare skins round eye purplish
flesh-colour, tinged with green. Iris straw-yellow.

Female. — Eggs largely developed, nearly ready for emis-
sion. Length 12 inches; wing 5-45; bill in front 1-95, from
gape 2*42; depth at base '5; tibia, bare for '5 ; tarse 1*75 ;
middle toe and claw 2*17. Bill blackish brown on culmen
and along terminal edge of lower mandible, light yellowish
grey on rest ; yellow on cere and base of lower mandible ;
skin round eye greenish yellow ; iris yellow ; legs and toes
green, yellower on tibial joint; soles light clay-colour; claws
light brown. Plumage spotted like that of the immature bird.

On the 21st a bird in the male dress proved on dissection
to be a female ; and on the 22nd one in female dress turned
out to be a male. There was no difference in the swollen
state of their sexual organs from those of normal birds.
From the number of adult females I examined, there can be
no doubt that the immature dress is the full feminine cos-
tume ; and that an occasional female, probably well advanced
in years, should affect the male plumage is a very ordinary
circumstance amongst birds. But what means the adult male
in immature dress ? I presume that males require two years
to acquire their full plumage, and breed in their first year.

The Little Bitterns that were brought alive had generally
their wings twisted and their legs tied, so that they could not
stand ; but they were then very fierce, uttering loud croaking
cries, and striking savagely with their bills. They pecked at

134 Mr. 11. Swiuhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

each other with much force^ drawing blood at almost every
stroke. The last specimen was brought on the 5th June.
After that date I saw no more ; and I think they must have
passed on to breed in more genial places across the Gulf of
Pechelee, as there were no suitable localities about Chefoo.
The spotted female of this species is twice figured in the
MS. Illustrations. The first time it is called Yay-pao (M. D.
11982, 8245), or ''Wild Security;'' the second time Shan
tsao Kc (M. D. 9087, 10541, 5315), or '' Hill-grass Fowl.''
I know no other Bittern of which the sexes have different
plumages.

91. Cock of the Reeds. GaUicrex cristata (Lath.).
Two males of this were brought me, one on the 20th May^

and the last on the 14th June. Both were, as to their organs,
in breeding-form ; and yet both were in more or less imma-
ture plumage. In fact it certainly is the exception in this
species to find the male at breeding-time in full nuptial dress.
It is figured in the MS. Illustrations as the Hung-kwan
(M. D. 4168, 6658), or " Red-cap." The Coot, Fulica atra,
is the figure on the next page, and is called Tsang-kwan
(M. D. 10497, 6658), or "Greenish-cap," with this note in
Chinese characters : — " Can float on the water, has palms."

92. Water-Hen. Gallinula chloropus (L.).

On the 31st May a native brought a fine spring male of
the common Water-Hen. It had a red eye, rich red on the
crest, and at the base of the bill, and a red garter to its
yellowish green leg.

93. Red-breasted Crake. Porzana erythrothorax, Temm.
& Schleg.

A male of this Rail was brought by the birdcatchers in
May, together with several Rallidce, in whose company it had
been captured. The specimen still retains a white chin.

94. Baillon's Crake. Porzana pygmaa (Naum.).

On the 19th the birdcatchers brought me the first of this
little Rail ; and on the 22nd Mr. Carles shot another. Both
were males, with well-developed testes ; both had their throats

00

r^'iz-^.

^

czr

o

Mr. R. Swiuhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 135

still white, and the underparts not completely moulted. It
is figured in the MS. Illusti'ations as the Tsing-tsuy (M. D.
10978, 11209), or " Green-bill.'^

95. Button-Crake. Porzana [Coturnicops) exquisita, sp.
nov. (Plate III.)

In company with the last this pretty little novelty was
brought. It is a complete miniature of the American C.
noveboracensis, as wiU be seen from a glance at the accom-
panying plate.

Bill short, deep brown, greenish yellow on lower mandible
at base and on rictus ; legs and feet light flesh-brown, dark
on joints and claws ; iris brown. Length 5 inches ; wing 3,
•4 longer than tertiaries, '25 short of tail-tip, first quill '45
shorter than the second and longest ; bill in front "48, from
gape "55 ; tibia bare only just above the joint ; tarsi -78,
middle toe and claw 1*08 ; tail about 1*2, composed of appa-
rently only six soft feathers, entirely covered by the upper
and lower tail-coverts, and hard to distinguish. The two pri-
maries of the wing light hair-brown, the first pure white on
the outer web ; the seven secondaries white on their apical
two thirds, light brown on the basal third ; the first mottled
with brown on the white. Female on dissection.

I saw no more of these till the 12th October, when Mr.
Michie was out for a stroU on the bank of a river beyond
the " Bois de Boulogne.^^ He walked through some coarse
tangled gi'ass, in which several of these were ensconced.
They were hard to flush, and when on the wing flew awk-
wardly and badly. He succeeded in securing three, two of
which were not too much injured to have preserved. They are
male and female, and apparently birds of the year. The
female is like the one above described, but has the upper
parts more washed with yellowish olive, her underparts more
mottled, and less white on the quiUs of her wings. The
male is much like her, but is much smaller, has even less
white on his wings, and has his underparts much less
mottled.

136 Mr. K. Swinhoc's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

96. Red-necked fasciated Rail. Rallina rnandarina,
Swinh.

My knowledge of this handsome bird was based on one
shot by Mr. Bligh on the Canton river in company with one
of Porzana erythrothorax, T. & S. (see P. Z. S. 1871, p. 415).
I never met with the species myself at Amoy or elsewhere. At
the end of May and beginning of June it was quite a com-
mon species at Chefoo. The birdcatchers brought many ; and
Mr. Campbell found it constantly occurring at Lighthouse
Island.

Adult male. — Bill bluish grey, blackish on culmen and
about tip, pea-green about base; inside of mouth flesh-colour;
iris crimson, eyelid red ; legs and toes salmon-colour, brown-
ish on under surface of tarse, on the toes and on their soles.
Tibia bare for '8 inch; tarsi 1*6 ; middle toe and claw 1'75 ;
bill in front 1, to gape 1'12, depth at base "48. Total length
9*25 ; w'ing 5, "5 longer than tertiaries, '8 from tip of tail;
first quill 1 in. shorter than the second and third, which are
equal and the longest ; tail 2, rounded, of ten softish feathers,
outer rectrix "4 the shortest ; under tail-coverts • 1 short of
tail-tip, upper tail-coverts '8 short of same.

A second male is smaller, has shorter toes, and many more
white bands and markings on its lesser wing-coverts. Testes
large and swollen. Females and junior males are smaller in
their proportions, have white throats and white wavy marks
on the upper wing-coverts. In old males the throat is as red
as the breast, and the wing-coverts have few white marks.
The living birds in the cage uttered suppressed notes sound-
ing like " block, block .'^ On the 4th October I procured a
bird of the year, which possibly was bred in our neighbour-
hood.

Immature. — Bill light purplish flesh-colour, deep brown on
culmen, and greenish on base of both mandibles ; inside of
mouth pale flesh-colour ; iris kidney-brown ; legs purplish
brown, upper parts olive-brown; upper wing-coverts tipped
with black and white bars ; throat white ; sides of neck,
breast, and sides of belly cream-buft", the rest whitish, ob-
scurely barred on breast, but deeply and distinctly on belly,

Mr. R. Swinhoe^s Oniitholoyical Notes made at Chefoo. 137

flanks, and axillaries, with blackish ; tail coloured like the
back.

97. Spectacled Teal. Eunetta formosa (Georgi).

A Jive male of this handsome Teal was procured for me by
a friend from some Chinese near Chefoo ; and I presented it
to Mr. Crasemanu for his aviary. No ducks or other wild
fowl were offered in the market while we were at Chefoo ; but
I was told that iu winter they are brought in great number
and variety. In the MS. Illustrations Casarca rutila (L.)
is figured as the Hwang-ya (M. D. 4398, 11831), or "Yel-
low Duck,^^ and Aix galericulata (L.) as the Lung-tow-ya
(M. D. 7402, 10306, 11831), or "Dragon-headed Duck,"
though its more classical Chinese name is Yuen-yang (M. D.
12520, 11895). The Common Teal is also figured, but bears
DO Chinese name ; and there is the figure of a Duck called
Kiang-ya (M. D. 5500, 11831), or "River-Duck,'' which
puzzles me. I dotted down the foUoAving note of its appear-
ance : — " A Duck with brown head, blue neck, white breast
and back, green speculum, falcated tertiaries, dark tail, and
brown-spotted belly.''

98. Cormorant. Phalacrocorax carbo (L.).
Cormorants were common enough about the rocks of the

Chefoo coast. On the 29th June Constable Webster found a
family of young birds on the bluff" rocks of Chefoo Head.
He shot one; it was a large bird covered with black down,
except on the wings and tail, which were still in blue quiU
just expanding at their tips ; its throat-skin was yellowish,
and its iris apparently yellowish brown ; its legs and toes
were black. The Constable visited the same cliffs on the
6th July, and procured another of the same family. It fell
from the top of the cliffs into the sea below, about 80 feet.
Its wings were grown, and all its down had given place to
feathers — this in nine days. The eyes were bluish grey. He
also got the female parent, which had bluish green irides, and
the greater part of the head white. She proved a female on
dissection, and was apparently the mother of the nest. The
native name for Cormorant is Loo-sze (M. D. 7338, 11285).

138 Mr. R. Swiiihoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo.

99. Resplendent Shag. Phalacrocorax pelagicus (Pall.).
This was the Shag at Chefoo^ as it seems to be also at Ha-

kodadi, North Japan (see 'Ibis/ 1874, p. 164) . Constable Web-
ster shot one out of a small party on the 22nd June off North
Rock. It turned out to be a male with a double crest, as in P.
bicristatus, but not fully developed, and had only a few white
feathers on the thighs. One or two longish white feathers
also occur on the neck. Inside of mouth yellowish red. Bare
skin round eye, at base of bill, and on intercrura of lower man-
dible wrinkled and dark tile- or Indian red. Sides of lower
mandible near base marked with same. Bill blackish brown.
Legs and toes black. Length 29 inches. Wing 11, "1 longer
than the tertiaries, 6*5 short of tail-tip. Tail Q-7, of twelve
stiff' graduated feathers, laterals 2*5 short of centrals. Tip of
bill to gape 3'1. Tarse 2. Fourth toe and claw 4. The
testes were about "75 long by "4 broad, and the stomach
empty.

100. Large Common Gull. Larus niveus, Pall.

Many of these were about on our first arrival at Chefoo, but
they passed away.

101. Black-tailed Gull. Larus crassirosfris, Vieill.
These remained in flocks the summer through, resorting to

the beach, where they washed and sunned themselves.

Constable Webster attended one of these gatherings on the
morning of the 3rd July, and brought back eleven specimens,
all in full plumage, except one, which still retained immature
feathers. One adult had one hind toe wanting its nail,
another had lost half a leg. There were two sizes, the larger
proving males, the lesser females. The sexes of course did
not differ in plumage.

Adult male ( ($ on dissection) . — Length 20 inches. Wing
15, first quill slightly longer than second, and longest. Tail
6, of twelve even feathers, outermost white, except on bit of
stem and bit of edge of inner web. Iris yellowish cream-
coloui', black on outer circle. Eyelids vermiHon. Two thirds
of bill bright greenish yellow, with red-orange rictus and in-
side of mouth ; apical third black, with vermilion tips and

Mr. R. Swinhoe's Ornithological Notes made at Chefoo. 139

patches to sides. Legs and toes fine greenish yellow, greyish
at joints, and greyish horn on nails. Bill from forehead
2*1, from gape 2'92, depth at base '72. Bare portion of tibia
•9. Tarse 22. Middle toe and claw 2*05. Wing-tip ex-
tending 2"5 beyond tail-tip, and 45 beyond tertiaries.

Adult female { ? on dissection) . — Length 17"50 inches. Wing
13*75, 2 beyond tail-tip,. 4 beyond tertiaries. Bill 2, from
gape 2'6. Tibia same as in male. Tarse 2. Middle toe and
claw 1-75. Tail 5.25.

Individuals of either sex vary in length of toes, and in their
greenness and yellowness of legs and feet. One male and one
female of six specimens are advanced towards breeding. The
other four are very backward.

The custom's cruiser ' Feihoo ' put into Chefoo after visit-
ing the Shantung promontory, whither she had gone to ar-
range for the erection of a lighthouse. Mr. Kirkwood, her
second officer, presented me with three eggs of a Gull, taken
by himself and party from nests on the adjoining island,
called ^^Alcestie."

Mr. E. V. Brennan, chief ofiicer of the ' Feihoo,' who was
one of the landing-party, gave me the following particulars
about the eggs : — " Alcestie island,'' he said, '' was covered
with Gulls, and their nests were numerous, many containing
young covered with greyish down, without any white on them.
There were also many with eggs ; but all the eggs nearly that
they took had been more or less sat upon. Each nest con-
tained either two eggs or two young birds. He did not see
any with more. The nests were small, being about 9 or 10
inches in entire diameter, with little outer rim, consisting of
flattish saucers, composed of straw and dried grass picked off
the land, with no seaweed or feathers. He recognized my
specimens of L. crassirostris as being of the same species.
His visit to the island was on the 10th of June. The eggs
were taken each from a separate nest. The Gulls were very
daring in the protection of their property, rising above him
and pouncing down at his head. The three eggs all bear a
strong resemblance to the lower figure of the plate opposite
p. 495 of Hewitson, being that of L. canus. Ours, however,
are more strictly ovate, and average 2*5 by 1*75.

140 Letters, Announcements , &(c.

102. Large Herring-Gull. Larus occidentalism Aud.

A live bird of this species was brought to me on the 14th
June. It was in full adult plumage. Its wing had been hurt,
and was bleeding. The natives called it Hai-mao, the name
also applied to Gulls in the south.

103. Ivory Gull. Larus eburneus, Gm.

As wc were leaving Chefoo on the 20tli October to embark
on board the southward-bound steamer, a white Gull hovered
over our boat. I took it to be of this species. The morning
was cloudy, with gusts of wnd.

104. Flesh-billed Black Albatros. Diomedea derogata,
Swinh. P.Z.S. 1873, p. 785.

On the occurrance of a Black Albatross at Chefoo in June,
and my reasons for considering it a good species I must refer
my readers to the P. Z. S. of 1873. Capt. Blakiston procured
the same species in July at Hakodadi (see ' Ibis,^ 1874, p. 165).

VIII. — Letters, Announcements, S^c.

The following letters, addressed " To the Editor of ' The
Ibis,^ '' have been received : —

Sir, — In again going over my Algerian note-books I find
some slight errors require to be rectified and additions made
to my paper (containing an account of nearly all the birds
I positively identified) which was contributed to * The Ibis,'
and appeared in the volume for 1871.

Page 78. " Cinclus aquaticus, Bechst.,'' should be Cin-
clus albicollis (Vieill.) .

Page 79, species 36, Dromoljea leucopygia should be united
with No. 37, D. leucocephala, the opinion I expressed as to
their being very near akin having been more than confirmed
by subsequent researches.

43. Saxicola homochroa should stand as Saxicola ery-
thRjEA (Ehr.). S. halophila (Tristram).

I only shot one specimen, a female, on the 31st of April,
at Berryan, in the Mzab.

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 141

59. Sylvia hortensis.

" Only one shot " Add " in the oasis at Gardaia, April 26th,
1870/' *

63. Sylvia conspicillata.

" Tibrem " Add " and Laghouat."

72. Anthus arboreus.

'' Common in summer " is a slip of the pen for " Common
in spring.'^

71. Anthus campestris.

I procured specimens at Guelt el Stel, and Ain Oosera,
which is Sahara in every sense of the word ; but I cannot say
I shot any further south. Guelt el Stel must be nearly 150
miles from the sea-coast.

80. Calandrella brachydactyla.

" Once seen at Laghouat " should be " One shot at Lag-
houat, May 4th, 1870.

86. Galerida abyssinica.

A female at Tibrem, on the 3rd of May, was the only one
I shot.

87. Page 290, two lines from the bottom, for '' Galerida
abyssinica " is found in the hills, read " Galerida cristata."

95. Passer salicicola.

For ^' ten near Blida " read '' two near Blida.^'

104. Pica mauritanica.

This Magpie was seen at Tibrem and Medea. The Alge-
rian Jay I only saw in cages. I find my meaning has been
slightly misunderstood here.

123. CEdicnemus crepitans.

" In the Algiers market about the end of February " should
be '' about the 5th of February."

135. Crex pratensis.

"I found one about the end of February" should be " on
the 3rd of Februarv."

142 Letters, Announcements, S^c.

138. Anas clypeata.

" In the market at Algiers " should be " lu the markets at
Algiers and Oran."

The five following species may, I think, be added to my

list :—

BUDYTES CINEREOCAPILLA (Savi) .

I shot a bright-coloured cock at Laghouat, with white
throat, dark ear-coverts, and no white line from eye to beak.
It was consorting with B.flava (L.), of which, no doubt, it
is a mere variety.

Ardea purpurea, L. Purple Heron.

I saw one in a shop at Algiers in May, recently set up.

Larus LEucoPHiEus. Ycllow-leggcd Herring-Gull.

Several in the harbour at Algiers. As I was leaving they
came so near to the steamer as to leave no doubt in my mind
of their being Herring-Gulls of some sort.

PuFFiNus ciNEREus. Cincrcous Shearwater.

Soon after leaving the roadstead these appeared, and con-
tinued (if I remember rightly) to the Balearic Isles, where
we also saw some Stormy Petrels.

CuRSORius GALLicus. Crcam-colourcd Courser.
I saw this bird, as I firmly believe, in the Tibrem country,
running and flying before the heads of our mules.

J. H. GuRNEY, Jun.

Northrepps Hall, Norwich,
October 1874.

Futtehgurh, N. W. P.,
Sept. 29th, 1874.

Sir, — At page 140 of 'Nests and Eggs,' Mr. Hume,
though quoting a portion of my account of the breeding of
Eudynamys honor ata"^, makes some statements in connexion
with the parasitical habits of this Cuckoo which are at
variance with my observations. Having paid " much atten-
tion" [italics are mine] to "their habits during the breed-
ing-season," he states that he has " never seen Crows feeding
* Cf. Ibis for 1873, p. 74.

LetterSy Announcements, ^c. 143

fully -fledged Co'els out of the nest," whereas he has " repeatedly
watched adult female Co'els feeding young ones of their own
species." Mr. Hume must surely mean the very reverse of
what he has written.

On the 1st of the present month I had occasion to drive
into Mynpoony, where I put up with my friend Mr. Parcelli,
with whom Messrs. Sprenger and Brown were staying at the
time. After breakfast I observed a pair of Crows feeding two
young Coels (during the journey I saw the same thing fre-
quently), in different trees^ within ten paces of the house;
and the gentlemen I have mentioned^ whose attention I drew
to the matter (in connexion with Mr. Hume's version) , noticed
the same thing. I asked for a loaf of bread, and then for a
gun, as the opportunity was too good to be lost. A few
minutes later I held a post-mortem — to prove, I hope, for the
satisfaction of Mr. Hume, that the stomach of the Coel {which
is always fed by its oivn parents !) contained, in fact, a part of
the gizzard of the very Fowl we must have eaten grilled for
breakfast, garbage of various sorts, including small feathers,
and, lastly, pieces of the very bread we had been throwing to
the Crows ! !

I will not take upon myself to aflBirm that the young Coel
is never fed by its own parents ; but I should like to have
some better evidence regarding this feature in the economy
of this Cuckoo, as a constancy, than has been adduced by
Mr. Hume.

Yours &c.,

Andrew Anderson.

33 Oarlyle Square, S.W.
Nov. 21, 1874.

Sir, — With reference to the birds of Hakodadi, a suspicion
crossed my mind that possibly I had made a mistake in iden-
tifying the Wren from Hakodadi with the Troglodytes fumi-
gatus, Temm., of Nagasaki, and that while the latter might
be the Wren of Southern Japan, the northern bird might be
distinct, and identical with T. alascensis, Baird. To clear
the doubt I sent a skin to Dr. G. Schlegel, and begged him

144 Letters, Announcements, ^t.

to get me in exchange from Lis father, of the Leiden Museum,
a specimen of genuine T. fumiyatus. His reply I have un-
fortunately mislaid ; but it was to the purport that the mu-
seum had no duplicate to spare, but that my bird, which he
and his father had carefully compared with the type speci-
mens, was identically the same. We must therefore conclude
that T. alascensis, Baird, is a synonym of T. fumigatus,
Temm.

M. Taczanowski, of Warsaw, writes about the Chinese
Bvintings, as folloAvs : — "Dans votre liste des oiseaux de Chine
je trouve une confusion dans deux especes d'Emberiza. E.
cioides, Natterer {=-E. cia. Pall.), est identique k votre E. cas-
taneiceps, c'est le meme oiseau de Schrenck et de Radde ;
taudis que votre E. giglioli estce que je trouve aussi en Siberie,
et qui ressemble le plus h, VE. cia, L., et differe de VE. ci-
oides, T. et S. = ciopsis, Bp. II est possible que cette der-
niere se trouve aussi en Chine, mais on nc I'a pas encore
trouvee en Siberie. L'oiseau que je tiens pour votre E. gi-
glioli a les stries sur la tete rousscs au lieu des noires de cia,
et le cendre de la poitrine beaucoup plus riche et bleuatre,
et beaucoup plus avance sur le ventre. Outre Dybowski per-
sonne ne Fa pas encore observe en Siberie.^'

I would ask permission to make a few remarks in reply to
Mr. W. E. Brooks's letter in the last ' Ibis' (p. 461). I was
reporting what I considered a discovery, viz. that Phyllo-
pneuste schwartzi, Radde, was identical with Abrornis armandi,
Milne-Edw. I did not suppose that any one interested would
accept my determination without study of the original descrip-
tions. I will not shrink from saying that though I had no
need to refer to Mr. Tristram's identification, in my mind I
rejected it. I saw the specimen referred to by Mr. Tristram.
It was marked as coming from Lake Baikal, and was cer-
tainly a P. viridanus, Blyth; but what I maintain is, that it
was not a P. schwarzi, Radde. I may add that I am also
in a position to show that Calamodyta niaacki, Schrenck,
is not a race of Phylloscopus fuscatus, Blyth, but a Reed-
bird identical with my C. bistrigiceps (P. Z. S. 1863, p. 293)
(see Ibis, April, 1874, p. 151). The original blame for these

Letters, Announcements, (Sfc. 145

wrong identifications is attributable to tbe persons through
whose hands the specimens came. At the same time we can
rectify such mistakes by a reference to the text of the de-
scribers ; and perhaps Mr. Tristram is to blame for not having
done this before announcing his identification to the public.

I am yours, &c.,

Robert Swinhoe.

' P.S. I must not pass by Mr. Brooks's note on the Hako-
dadi Creeper without attention. I have not a specimen
from Cashmere to compare with ; but our bird certainly does
not tally with the description of Certhia hodgsoni (J. A. S. B.
1872, p. 74).

1. Our bird has a shorter bill than English specimens,
though lighter in colour.

2. Agrees with C. hodgsoni. Brooks, under this head.

3. The North-China bird is much less rufescent than an
English or a Dutch (Ley den) specimen.

4. The broAvn of the quills and tail is of a much lighter
hue, and the underparts are swoi^-white.

I have a specimen from Pekin, one from Hakodadi (North
Japan), and one from Amoorland. They are all of the same
light boreal race, and, in my opinion, not separable from C.
familiaris, any more than the Kamtchatka Greater and Least
Woodpeckers are from Picus major and Picus minor of Europe.
Pere David proposed to separate the Pekin bird as Certhia
fasciata (Cat. des Ois. h, Pekin) ; but I never saw sufficient
reason for such a proceeding. I would draw Mr. Brooks's
attention to the remarks on the variation of this far-ranging
species by Mr. H. E. Dresser in his excellent ' Birds of Europe/
now in process of publication.

R. S.

33 Carlyle Square, S.W.
Dec. 19, 1874.

Sir, — I have a few more lines for insertion in the forth-
coming ' Ibis,' for which I would crave your indulgence.
In my paper "On Birds from Hakodadi," published in

SER. III. VOL. V. L

146 Letters, Announcements, ^c.

your April number of this year, I state (p. 155) that the
" Scaly-headed Grass-Wren " is not a Tribura, though I leave
it under that genus_, not knowing how to place it.

I was on the point of proposing a genus for it in the P. Z. S.,
and giving an illustration to show the peculiarity of its form ;
but on carefully looking over Jerdon^s ' Birds of India/ ii.
p. 161, I find it may well be included in Hodgson^s genus
Hoi'ornis. I therefore suggest that my Chinese species may
now stand as Horornis squameiceps.

M. Taczanowski has written to me from Warsaw, under
date 9th Nov., that he has received from Ussuri an important
collection of birds, which contains many species that have not
been before received from that neighbourhood. Among the
varieties he enumerates " un petit oiseau que je n'ai pas pu
determiner, c'est un Sylvide semblable aux Troglodytes."
From this description I recognized at once our little Wren ;
and this it proved to be when the specimen reached me. It
is a male, shot on the 25th Sept. I have it from Canton,
Formosa, Hakodadi, and now from Mantcliuria, which, I think,
proves pretty well that it is a regular migrant species, coming
north in summer to breed.

M. Taczanowski reports that the same collection contains : —

"(1) Emberiza quinquelineata, David [an MS. name^my
E. tristrami, P. Z. S. 1870, p. 441] .

" (3) Turdus pelios, Bp., male magnifique, different en plu-
sieurs details de la femelle precedente, mcntionnee par Cabanis
dans le Journal d'Ornithologie.

" (3) Limonidromus indicus (Gm.) .

" (4) Oroecetes gularis, Swinh.

'^ (5) Eophona personata (Temm.), mais la femelle ressemble
completement au male, et non pas corame le dit Temminck
dans sa description.

"(6) Cyanoptila cyanomelmia (Temm.)."

I am yours, &c.,

Robert Swinhoe.

Letters, Announcements, &^c. 147

Dresden, Dec. 15th, 1874.
R. Natural-History Museum.

Sir, — In the last number of your Journal (1874, pp. 416
-420), Dr. Sclater gives a short account of the contents of my
ornithological papers in the ' Sitzungsberichte ' of the Im-
perial Academy of Sciences of Vienna for 1874. Dr. Sclater
concludes with the " fifth memoir (read June 18, 1874).^' As
I published six memoirs in the ' Sitzungsberichte ' (as Dr.
Sclater himself remarks on page 416), I beg leave briefly to
point out to the readers of ' The Ibis ' the contents of this
sixth memoir (read July 16, 1874).

Rhipidura rufidorsa, from New Guinea and Jobi (allied to
R. dry as, Gould), and Rhipidura kordensis, from Mysore, are
described as two new species, as well as Myzomela cruentata,
from the Arfak mountains, and Myzomela rubrobrunnea, from
Mysore ; some specimens of a Myzomela, from New Guinea,
are provisionally registered as M. erythrocephala, Gould.
Ptilotis pyrrhosis is a new species from Jobi ; and Ptilotis me-
garkijncha. Gray, is proved to be a young Ptilotis rostrata,
Wallace ; then follow some remarks on Xxtnthotis chrysotis
(Less.) and allied forms. Tropidorhynchusgilolensis, Temm.,
Antkochara senex. Gray, and Melitograis striata, Sundevall,
are shown to be identical ; a Tropidorhynchus from New
Guinea is provisionally determined as Tropidorhynchus inor-
natus, Gr. & Mitch., likewise another bird provisionally as
Gliriphila modesta. Gray. Cosmetira eques (Lesson) varies
considerably in size and coloration. Mimeta striata (A. & G.)
has a black bill when young, a red one only when full-grown.
The sexual differences occurring in the different species of
Dendrochelidon, especially in Dendrochelidon mystacea (Less.),
are then discussed. The paper concludes with detailed re-
marks on the following Parrots (pp. 21-39) : — Pionias pu-
cherani (Bp.) et stirpes; Trichoglossus cyanogrammus, Wagler;
Domicella Jori (L.) et stirpes [D. Im-i (L.), D. lori jobiensis ,
n. var., D. cyanauchen (Miiller)], D. cyanogenys (Bp.), D,
fuscata (Blyth), and Z>. scintillata (Temm.). In a note the
correct spelling of the names " Mafoor " and '' Mysore " is
spoken of.

148 Letters, Announcements, ^c.

The continuation of my ornithological " Mittheilungen "
upon my acquisitions from New-Guinea has been delayed by
my change of residence to Dresden ; but I hope soon to be
able to continue it. Not two thirds of my specimens have
been thoroughly looked through. I shall then give additional
remarks on some species already dealt with, such as Redes
nigrescens, ^lurcedus arfakianus, and others.

I am yours, &c.,

Adolf Bernhard Meyer.

Sir,— lu the P.Z. S. April 21, 1874 (p. 212, pi. xxxv.), a
species of Woodpecker, obtained by Lieutenant R. Wardlaw
Ramsay near Tonghoo, in British Burmah, was described as
new, under the title of Gecinus erythropygius.

Somewhat later (P. A. S. B. May 1874, p. 106) the same
species appears to have been described by Mr. Hume under
the title of Gecinus nigrigenis, and again (Str. F. ii. p. 444) .

The species, however, seems identical with Gecinus erythro-
pygius, D. G. Elliot (N. Archiv. 1865, p. 76, pi. iii.), founded
on an example ( ? ) obtained in Cochin China by M. Germain.

Yours,

Waldex.

Dec. 1874.

Having far exceeded our prescribed limits, we regret to be
obliged to defer all notices of recent ornithological works and
papers, as well as other announcements, till our next number.

THE IBIS.

THIRD SERIES.

No. XVIII. APRIL 1875.

IX. — Notes on the Trochilidse. The Genera Chlorostilbon and
Panychlora. By D. G. Elliot, F.L.S. &c.

Of all the known genera of Birds I doubt if there is
one whose species ornithologists have found more difficult
and perplexing than those treated of in this paper. The
reason appears to be, that the variation in colour of the plu-
mage, together with that of size in the body and its members,
has greatly assisted such Trochilidists as were desirous of de-
scribing new species, and who, with perhaps only one specimen
upon which to found an opinion, were easily contented to em-
ploy these variations as sufficiently characterizing new forms,
even though they were frequently infinitesimal in degree. In
the articles upon the various species given in this paper, I en-
deavour to show how little dependence can be placed upon the
different tints and shades of colour as indicating specific value ;
and the tables of measurements of a large number of examples
from various localities exhibit clearly that size alone is not to
be relied upon. I can find recognizable characters for only
eleven species ; and I do not see any cause for believing that
there are more. Of some described species, however, I have

6ER. III. VOL. V. ' M

150 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the TrodiiiiclEe.

not seen the types — sucli as C. euchloris (lleieli.), the descrip-
tion of which docs not enable me to form a satisfactory opinion
as to its validity, while the figure in his ' Troch/ p, 180, sp. 412,
is too j)oor to be of any service. I can distinguish three
groups or sections among the species of the genus Chloro-
stilbon as usually restricted, as follows : — those which have
the bill all black ; those with the bill with basal half of man-
dible licsh-colour, the rest black ; and those Avith the bill
all flesh-colour, excepting the point, which is black. I cannot
perceive any character sufficient to separate such species as C.
auriceps and C caniveti, generically, from C. angustipennis ,
and have therefore not employed the term Chlorolampis pro-
posed by Cabanis for the former birds. The genus Pany-
chlora has but one section, the species being distinguished
from Chlorostilbon by having green tails, with the outer rec-
trices more or less pointed. The males of the species of these
two genera may be distinguished as follows : —

Chloi-ostilhon.

A. Bill black.

a. Tail moderately long, forked 1. C. angustipi-^mis.

b. Tail short, scalloped 2. C. atala.

c. Tail short, slightly rounded, almost square. . o. C prashms.

B. Bill black, with the basal half of the lower man-

dible flesh-colour 4. C. hieberlmi.

C. Bill flesh-colour, point onl}' brownish black.

a. Rectrices entirely bluish black.

a'. Lower part of breast and abdomen green,

tail moderately forked 5. C pudierani.

v. Lower part of breast and abdomen

golden red, tail moderately forked . . 0. C. spleiididu.'.

b. Rectrices tipped with grey.

a'. Tail long, deeply forked, rectrices very

narrow 7. C. anriceps.

b'. Tail moderate, forked, rectrices rather

broad 8. C. caniveti.

Panychlora,

A. Tail shining gi'ass-green ; bill long 1. P. poortmani.

B. Tail very dark green, bill moderately long .... 2. P. alicics.

C. Tail bright green, outer rectrices extremely nar-

row and pointed 3. P. stenura.

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the TrochilidEe. 151

It may be as Avell here to point out what appears to be the
geographical distribution of the above acknowledged species.
Mexico seems to be the most northern point in which any
species of the two genera containing the green Humming-
birds is found. Here we meet with C. auriceps, the exact
locality of which is not known, and C. caniveti. The last is
common in the neighbourhood of Oaxaca and Jalapa, and ex-
tends its range southwards through Guatemala to Costa Rica,
In Veragua the last-named species is replaced by C. angus-
tipennis, which is common in Panama, Columbia, and Ecuador,
and, under different names, is the species commonly received
from those countries. The island of Trinidad supplies the
small bird named atala by Lesson, distinguished from pra-
sinus, Lesson, in having a tail slightly scalloped, but not
forked, in contradistinction to the almost square tail oi pra-
sinus. This last-named species appears to be distributed
throughout Venezuela and the western portion of the Amazo-
nian region into Peru, from which country Hauxwell has sent
a number of specimens from the vicinity of Pebas, it having
also been obtained in other localities by different collectors.
One specimen of C. hceberlini is before me as coming from
Panama, collected by McLeannan. This is the furthest point
north and west that it appears to go : and I am somewhat in-
clined to look upon it as a straggler there ; for the habitat of
the species appears to be Venezuela and Columbia, in the
neighbourhood of Cartagena; it is also frequently sent in
collections from Bogota. Bolivia possesses C. splendidus,
which extends in a southerly direction into Chili east of
the Andes, where it has been obtained at Mendoza, thence
across the continent to Buenos Ayres, where it is not uncom-
mon. Northward of this, throughout South-eastern Brazil,
as our present knowledge enables us to determine, is the range
of the allied species C. pucherani. It will thus be seen that,
with the exception of those portions of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia,
and Chili which lie west of the Andes, and also Patagonia,
from none of which localities am I aware that any examples
have been received, the green Humming-birds are generally
distributed from Mexico, throughout Central America, over

M Z

152 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trocl.ilidie.

almost the entire portion of South America. The habitats of
the A'arious species appear tolerably well defined, and do not,
as a rule, encroach upon each other.

Before commencing the review of the species separately, I
will here say a word about the colour of the plumage. In all
birds whose feathers are metallic, there is more or less varia-
tion to be observed in the colours they reflect ; and while,
happily, in the majority of cases the hues are generally the
same, so as to enable naturalists to determine and recognize
a species, yet it not infrequently happens that specimens of
the same species exhibit different shades of the same colour,
or else, as in the case of the green Humming-birds, exhibit
a tendency to clothe themselves in feathers of a more or less
red or coppery tint in the places that should properly show
only a purely brilliant green. Amongst no class of feathered
creatures, perhaps, is this change more observable than among
the Trochilidse, and in no group of that great family more
than in the members of the genus Chlorostilbon. Sometimes
the plumage reflects, in place of green, golden hues of different
degrees of intensity ; and it is not uncommon to find some in-
dividuals of a species possessing brilliant metallic crowns,
while those of others are either dull green, or else show
only a very slight brilliancy. It is this changeableness of
colour in their plumage, together with their variableness in size,
both of the body and its members, that has given rise to so
much confusion in this group, and to the descriptions of spe-
cimens that have really no specific value, and which, when
seriously investigated, with ample materials, we are obliged to
eject from a position they improperly occupy, and consign
them to that ever-growing bete noire of all naturalists, the
synonymical dust-bin. Alas that there is no legalized
dustman to cart it away and all its contents ! Having ex-
amined, with one or two exceptions, all the knoAvn species
of this genus, I have given at the head of this paper an
analytical table, by which, in spite of the difficulties just
mentioned, all the species, here acknowledged as such, can be
recognized without any great difficulty ; but if variations in
size or tint of plumage are to be considered sufficient in them-

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilid*. 153

selves alone to give a specific value, tlien at once an opportu-
nity is aftbrded for some new Brehm to flood our publications
with descriptions of new species, and greatly add to whatever
confusion may already exist ; for the members of no genus of
birds afford more ample materials (in the variations above
mentioned) for establishing separate forms with microscopical
differences than do the variable individuals composing this
genus.

Chlorostilbon angustipennis.

Trochilus angustipennis, Fraser, P. Z. S. 1840, p. 18.

Chlorostilbon angustipennis, Gould, Mon. Troch. vol. v.
pi. 353; id. Intr. Troch. p. 175, sp. 397.

Trochilus chrysogaster, Bourc. Rev. Zool. 1843, p. 101.

Chlorolampis chrysogaster, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. Th. iii.
p. 47, sp. 104 (1860).

Trochilus phceopygus, Tsch. Faun. Peruana, p. 247, sp. 11.

Prasitis phceopyga, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. p. 49, sp. 108
(1860).

Chlorostilbon assimilis, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Lye. Nat. Hist,
p. 293 (1860).

Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus , Gould, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 308.

Chlorostilbon smaragdina, Cab. & Heine, ]\Ius. Hein. p. 48,
sp. 106 (1860).

Chlorostilbon pumilus, Gould, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1872,
ix. p. 195.

Hab. Veragua (Arce) ; Panama {McLeannan, Hughes) ; Ve-
nezuela; Columbia [Salmon] ; Ecuador [Fraser, Buckley).

Perhaps no species among this difficult group has given
more trouble to ornithologists than the one now under review ;
and the causes appear to be the inability of investigators to
get together a sufficiently large series to enable them to see
how greatly individuals vary from each other, and how little
worthy of reliance there is in a difference of size, in either
bill, wings, or tail, to justify specimens occupying a dis-
tinct specific rank. The species was first described, from a
specimen from Bogota, by Fraser, in the ' Proceedings ' of the
Zoological Society, as above cited. A few years later Bour-

154 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilida.

cier redescribed it as T. chrysogaster, from Cartagena in
Columbia. Mr. Gould had these two types in his hands when
writing his monograph of the family, and there states that,
" of one thing I am certain, namely that the amjustipennis
of Eraser, and the chrysogaster of Bourcier, are one and the
same bird ; for I have the types of both now before me, and
they do not differ in the slightest degree." And in this deci-
sion he was undoubtedly correct. In 1860 Mr. Gould de-
scribes another specimen of this species, from Ecuador, as C.
melanorhynchus ; but in his ' Introduction,^ issued in the fol-
lowing year, he states that he believes this to be the same as
chrysogaster, Bourcier. Just before this, however, he reverses
his decision as regards angustipennis , Eraser, and chrysogaster,
Bourc, being identical, and states he then believes them to
be distinct, although unfortunately he does not give the reason
which induced him to undertake this change of base. In
1860 Mr. Lawrence described a specimen from Panama as C.
assimilis (compared with melanorhynchus, Gould, and stated to
be smaller) ; and in 1872 Mr. Gould described one from Citado,
in Ecuador, as C. pumilus.

These appear to be the prominent names given to this
species ; and all of them have been more or less employed by
ornithologists to designate some one specimen or another of
the green Humming-birds with a black bill and tail, as they
were able to interpret the various descriptions given by dif-
ferent authors. One point that appears to have had the most
influence upon describers is the size of their examples, either
in the length of the bill (generally deemed very important),
or length of wing, or tail, and sometimes the amount oifork
exhibited by the feathers of the latter. Probably the difter-
ences have often been the result of age, as regards the bill, or
the plumage not having arrived at a complete state, as re-
gards the wing and tail, more especially the latter. With
but a limited number of specimens to judge from, and (as
would be the natural result) the unconsciousness of the vari-
ation shown among individuals in measurements equally with
the colouring of their plumage, a naturalist would be most
apt to consider that his examples belonged to more than one

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilidie. 155

species. Or if specimens exhibiting the extremes of the
species as regards size are shown, it then also appears diffi-
cult to one who has never investigated the subject with suffi-
cient material, to believe that they only represent one and
the same species. To show how very greatly individuals of
this species do vary among themselves, I have selected thirty-
one of the specimens now before me, and given the measure-
ments of the bill, wing, tail, and amount of bifurcation ob-
servable in the latter. These birds represent nearly every
locality in which the species is known to have been obtained.
I might here mention that the specimen described by Mr.
Gould as C. melanorhynchus is chiefly deemed distinct from
its large size. The table will show what reliance is to be
placed on this as a specific character. The smallest specimen
is from Panama, and measures respectively "60, 1"84, 1"20, and
•30 in the order given for all the examples. Next in size to
this comes one from the Volcano of Chiriqui, in Veragua,
and measures "64, 1"80, 1"40, '35, thus showing a somewhat
larger size, excepting the wing, which is "04 of an inch shorter.
Nos. 3 and 4, both from Panama, have bills of equal length
and -01 of an inch longer than No. 2. No. 4^s wing is of equal
length with No. 2, but that of No. 3 is -10 inch shorter than
that of No. 2, and -14 inch shorter than that of No. 1. The
tail of No. 3 is imperfect ; but that of No. 4 is '04 inch shorter
than that of No. 1, and '24 inch shorter than that of No. 2 !
No. 5 comes from Veragua, same collector as that of No. 1,
and exhibits a bill -06 inch longer than that specimen, and a
shorter wing and longer tail. No. 6 comes from Popayan,
with a bill only -01 inch longer than the last, but with both
a shorter wing and tail, although not so short a wing as No. 3.
Nos. 7, 8, and 9, coming respectively from Columbia, Vene-
zuela, and Panama, have bills of equal length. Wings of
Nos. 7 and 8 are equal; but that of No. 9 is -10 inch longer.
No. 10, also from Panama, while having a bill -01 inch longer
than the last specimen, has the wing "03, and the tail -16, and
the bifurcation '20 greater. Nos. 11 to 19 inclusive, from
Panama, Veragua, and Ecuador respectively, have bills of
equal length, viz, -70; the length of wing, however, varies

156 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilidse.

from 1-70 to 1*86, and that of the tail from 1 '16 to 1-45.
Nos. 20, 21, and 22 have also hills of equal length, -71, only
'01 inch longer tlian the nine preceding ones ; the wings,
however, vary to the extent of '09 inch, and the tails "16 inch.
The gradual increase in length of bill continues in Nos. 23
and 24, being '72 and -74 inch, from Ecuador and Veragua,
while the wing of the latter specimen is '06 inch shorter
than the Ecuador specimen, which reaches 1*90 (with but
one exception, the longest of all those of the examples mea-
sured). Nos. 25, 26, and 27 show equal bills of shghtly
increased length, being '75 inch, '01 longer than No. 24.
The wings and tails also vary, '10 and '23 inch respectively,
no two of the former being of equal length. Nos. 28 and 29
are females from Ecuador, with bills of "76 and "79 inch, and
wings r85 and 1*91 inch, the last being the longest of all the
specimens in the list; but the tails are quite short, viz. 1"21 and
1*24 inch; but this was to be expected from their sex. No. 30,
also a female, from the Rio Napo, has the bill '80 inch in
length, '01 inch longer than No. 29 ; but the wing is '01 inch
shorter than in that specimen, while the tail, again, is '03 inch
longer. The last specimen is a young male from Bogota,
with a bill of equal length with the last, but the wing and tail
'24 inch and '12 inch shorter respectively.

Length of

bill along Fork of

gape. Wing. Tail. tail.

1. Panama -60 1-84 1-20 -30

2. Chiriqui, Veragua -64 1-80 1-40 -35

3. Panama '65 1'70 imperfect.

4. „ -65 1-80 M6 -30

5. Veragua '66 1-80 1-35 -40

0. Popayan -67 1-75 1-31 -37

7. MedeUin, Columbia -68 1-75 1-41 -35

8. PaUatanga -68 1-75 1-18 -24

9. Panama -68 1'85 1-27 -30

10. „ -69 1-88 1-43 -50

11. „ -70 186 1-40 -40

12. „ -70 1-83 1-45 -35

13. „ -70 1-79 1-31 -41

14. „ -70 1-86 1-37 -43

16. „ -70 1-86 1-19 -28

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilidte.

157

16. Veragua

Leu

bill

g

gth of
along
ape.
70

Wing.
1-70

Tail.
1^30

Fork of
tail.

•35

17. „

70
70

1-85
1-82

1-36
1-19

•36

18. Ecuador

•20

19. ,, (tj'pe oijmmibts)

20. Veragua

70
71
71
71

1-74
1-80
1-80
r89

M6
1-28
1^32
M6

•25

•28

21. „

•30

22. Medellin, Columbia

23. Ecuador

72

1-00

1-26

•25

24. Veragua

74

r84

130

•40

25. Venezuela

•75

1^73

1^46

•36

26. Ecuador

75

1^83

1-23

•22

27. „

75

1^80

1^23

•40

28. „ 2

76

1-85

1^24

29. „ 2

79

191

1-21

30. Rio Napo, $

80

r90

124

31. Bogota, juv. (5

80

1-06

112

It is thus seen that with a tolerably large series of speci-
mens a gradual increase of length of bill is obtainable^ from
the shortest up to the very longest ; and I have no doubt that
additional specimens would give an uninterrupted scale, and
complete the gradations in the list here published. In no in-
stance, however, do the wings and tail together of any two spe-
cimens exactly agree in their measurements, although occasi-
onally one or other is found to measure the same as that of
some other specimen. It would seem therefore to be pretty
satisfactorily established that size in these birds, by itself, is
of no specific value whatever, and that the various specimens
described as distinct, chiefly upon their difierence of mea-
surements, must become synonyms of the C. angustipennis
of Fraser.

If it could be shown, however, that all the specimens from
any one locality presented a diflierence in size, either gi-eater
or less, as the case might be, but nevertheless constant, it
might then perhaps be necessary to consider whether they
should be deemed geographical races ; but what are the results
shown by the table ? The bird with the smallest bill comes
from Panama, viz. •60 inch ; but a specimen, also from Pa-
nama— in fact, several have bills -70 (•lO of an inch longer).

158 Mr. D. G. Elliot ofi the Troehilidse.

The next smallest comes from Veragua^ '64; but Veragua
also furnishes one with a bill of "74. Ecuador gives speci-
mens of '70, as Panama docs, and also one of '79;, nearly "10 of
an inch longer. Columbia produces examples with bills of "08,
being among those of very small dimensions, and one of '80,
the longest of the whole series. It will, then, be clearly seen
that neither the short nor the long bill is characteristic of
specimens coming from any particular locality, but that the
two extremes are not unfrequently to be met with in the same
place ; and thus there are no grounds whatever left to cause
us to believe that the length of the bill, or wing, or tail, has
any specific value.

Besides the names which I have already mentioned as the
prominent ones given to this species, there are probably one
or two more which will have also to become synonyms of an-
gustipennis, Eraser. One of them is the Chlorostilbon smarag-
dina of Cabanis & Heine. I have not seen the specimen on
which this name was founded, and therefore cannot state with
certainty what it may be ; but, from my general knowledge of
this species, I consider that the description was taken from a
specimen of angustipennis ; for I have one greatly answering it,
an example coming from the same country (Venezuela), and
which is undoubtedly Eraser's species. The authors state their
bird is like C. chrysogaster, but a little smaller, tail scarcely
forked, above and below shining green without any golden
hue*. My table shows how little reliance can be placed on the
size and amount of bifurcation of the tail; while the large series
of specimens before me exhibit all variations of colour, from all
green with dull crowns to brilliant crowns and bodies reflect-
ing all shades of gold in the midst of the green. I feel there-
fore that I probably shall not widely err if I place Messrs.
Cabanis and Heine's name among the synonyms of angusti-
pennis. In his ' Eauna Peruana,' Tsehudi describes what I
believe to be a young male of this species as Trochilus phceopy-
gus, the colour beneath, greyish white, not being found in any

* "Simillima C. cJirysogastres, sed paulo minor, cauda vix furcata,
supra subtusque nitore virescente minus aurato. Long. tot. 3', al. 7'",
caud. 1'", rostr. culm. 7'"."

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the TrocliilidjB. 159

adult male of any of the species belonging to this group, Avhile
it does comprise a large portion of the plumage of young males.
I have therefore placed the name among the synonyms.
The following is a list of the specimens I have examined : —
Volcano of Chiriqui, 1 (^rce), Veragua, 5 [Arce), Mus. S.
& G. Yeragua, 2 {Arce), Mus. D. G. E. Isthmus of Pa-
nama, 1 {Hughes), Mus. P. L. S. ; 4 {McLeannan) , 2 {Huc/hes),
Mus. S. & G. i 5 {Arce), Mus. D. G. E. Columbia, Popayan,
1 {Bourc), Mus. D. G. E.; Medellin, 3 {Salmon), Mus. S. & G.
Venezuela, 1 {Spence), Mus. P. L. S. Ecuador, Pallatanga, 1
{Fraser), Mus. P. L. S. ; 1 {McLeannan), 2 {ex Higgins),
Mus. S.&G. ; 5 {Buckley), Rio Napo, 1 {ex Whitehj), Mus.
D. G. E.; Citado, 1 {Buckley), type of C. pumilus, Mus. J.
Gould.

Chlorostilbon atala.

Ornismya atala. Lesson, Hist. Nat. Troch. p. 118, pi. 42.

Chlorostilbon atala, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 356 ; id. Intr.
Troch. p. 177, sp. 403.

Chlorostilbon caribceus, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Lye. Nat. Hist,
vol. X. p. 2?

Hab. Trinidad {Boucard) ; Curayoa {Lawrence) .

This species appears to be a native of Trinidad, and may
possibly be found upon the mainland ; but of this I am not
quite sure, as I have not seen any thoroughly authenticated
specimens from the continent. It is very closely allied to
C. prasinus, Less., but may be distinguished by possessing a
scalloped tail, which that species has not. Individuals, how-
ever, vary slightly in the amount of the bifui'cation, which
in no case is of any considerable extent. Mr. Gould places
Lesson's name with two marks of interrogation, but uses it
nevertheless. Why there should be any doubt about it, is not
so easy to explain, because Lesson^s description is very clear,
and his plate answers well to it, with the exception of the
under tail-coverts having been left white, an evident omission
of the colourist, the only white mentioned in the description
being that of the anal region, a character common to all
the species of this group. If with a larger series of specimens

IGO Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilid®.

it should be found that the bifurcation gradually disappears
in various localities, then atala of Lesson would run into
prasinus, Less., as there is no other character by which they
can be separated, the slight difference in the shades of bluish
green or greenish blue being of no specific value whatever.

I have placed, with a ?, Mr. Lawrence^s C. caribceus, from
Cura9oa, described in the tenth volume of the ' Annals of the
Lyceum of Natural History of New York/ as a synonym of
this species. I have not seen the type, and therefore cannot
speak with certainty in regard to its specific value ; but as his
description agrees with specimens of C atala before me, and
as he apparently founds his species upon a variation of colour
only, w^hich by itself has no specific value in this group of birds,
I think it probable that his name is a synonym of C. atala.
Unfortunately no mention is made of the shape of tlie tail,
whether square or forked, which is of specific importance*.

The only specimens I have seen are : —

Trinidad, 3 {Boucard), Mus. D. G. E.

ChLOROSTILBON HiEBERLlNl.

Chlorostilbon hceberlini, Licht. Mus. Berl. ; Cab. & Heine,
Mus. Hein. Th. iii. p. 48, footnote (1860).

Chlorestes hceberlini, Reich. Aufz. Colibr. p. 7 (1853) ; id.
Troch. Enum. p. 4, t. 703. f. 4578-80.

Chlorostilbon hceberlini, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 175, sp. 398.

Chlorostilbon nitens, Lawr. Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y. 1861,
p. 305 ; Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 179, sp. 410.

Hab. Panama (McLeawwa/i); Columbia (^ya^^; Venezuela.

This species, coming from Panama, Columbia, and Vene-
zuela, and to which it appears that Prof. Reichenbach first allot-
ted the name of hceberlini, is distinguishable from all the other
members of this genus by having the basal half of the man-
dible red in life, the remaining portion, as well as the maxilla,
being black. Specimens vary, like those of other species of
Chlorostilbon, in the shades of green possessed in their plu-
mage ; and some have brilliant crowns. It is to these indi-
viduals that Mr. Lawrence has given the name of nitens, as

* Since the above was written I have seen Mr. Lawrence's type of C. cari-
haus in his collection, and am convinced it should be referred to C. atala.

Atr. 1). (>. Elliot on the Trochilidfe. 161

above cited. His specimen came from Venezuela ; but as I
have a specimen from the same country with a green crown,
like the majority of those from Columbia, I do not deem this
of sufficient importance to constitute a species, especially as
in all other respects the examples are alike. I have there-
fore placed Mr. Lawrence's name as a synonym of heeberlini.
This species has been compared with C. chrysogaster, Bourc,
both by Cabanis and Lawrence, under the different names em-
ployed by them, as being a little smaller; but neither of them
in his comparison speaks of the mandible having the basal
half red, which is really the only character that is at all trust-
worthy, by which the species may be recognized. Speci-
mens from Columbia and Venezuela are not to be distin-
guished from each other, with which also those brought by
Mr. Wyatt from near Cartagena (the locality of the type of
heeberlini) fully agree.

The specimens examined by me are : —

Columbia, 1 [Leadbeater) , Herradura, 1 [Wyatt), Mus. P.
L. S. ; Bucaramanga, 2 {Wyatt), Ocana, 1 {Wyatt), Lion-Hill
Station, Panama, 1 {McLeannan),M.ws.'&.k,(j.; Santa Marta,
1, Venezuela, 1 {ex Gould), Bogota, 3 {ex Whitely), Columbia,
2 {ex Boucard), Mus. D. G. E.

Chlorostilbon pucherani.

Trochilus pucherani, Bourc. & Muls. Rev. Zool. 1848,
p. 271, juv. S .

Trochilus nitidissimus, Licht. Mus. Berol. ; Cab. & Heine,
Mus. Hein. Th. iii. p. 47, sp. 103 (1860).

Trochilus lamprus. Natter. Mus. Monac. (testibus Cab. &
Heine et von Pelz.).

Chlorostilbon prasinus , Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 355 ; id.
Intr. Troch. p. 176, sp. 401.

Chlorostilbon igneus, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 176, sp. 402
(red var.) .

Hylocharis flavifrons (Gm.), von Pelz. Ornith. Brasil. p. 33
(1871).

Trochilus similis, Bourc. MS.

Hylocharis similis, Bp. Consp, i. p. 74.

Hub. South-eastern Brazil {Rogers, Natterer, Youds).

162 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilida.

This species was first described by Bourcier and Mulsant
in the ' lle\aie Zoologique ■" for 1848 ; but for some unac-
countable reason Mr. Gould substituted for it the name of
prasinus, given by Lesson to an entirely different bird. The
colouring of the bill alone should have been amply sufficient
to prevent the two from ever being confounded, o.?, prasinus has
a black bill, while the present one has a red bill in life, that
fades after death to a pale yellow, leaving only the tip black,
when the bird is adult. The Chlorostilbon igneus of Gould is a
ruddy variety of the present species, which beautiful style is not
unfrequently met with among the green Humming-birds. The
bird called Hylocharis flavifrons (Gm.) by Von Pelzeln is this
species, as I determined from specimens sent to me by H. von
Pelzeln from the Vienna Museum. I published this in * The
Ibis ' for 1874, p. 89, but there referred the bird to C. prasinus,
intending by that name to indicate the present species. It
must now read, " equal to C. pucherani, Bourc.^^ I find that
this species varies very greatly in the length of the biU among
individuals, the two extremes before me being, measured along
the gape, "66 and 'SS inch; but between these are all the in-
termediate lengths, so that I have no choice but to regard the
difterence as being of no specific value. The colours vary
also about the head and breast ; but all have a green abdomen
and flanks, in contradistinction to its near ally, C. splendidus,
Vieill., from the more southern part of the continent, which
appears there to replace the present sj)ecies. I have before me
the type of C. similis, Bourcier, procured by me from j\I. Bour-
cier himself. It cannot in any way be separated from C. puche-
rani, with which, so far as I can see, it is identical in every re-
spect. The type is that of a fully adult highly plumaged male.
The specimens I have examined are : —
Brazil, 1 [Salle) , 1 {Bourcier) , 1 {Bourcier) [type of C. si-
milis~\,\ {ex Gould) ; Santa Fe, Minas Geraes, 1 {Rogers), 1 {ex
Gould) , 2 {ex Boucard) , 1 {ex Whitely) , Rio Janeiro, 1 {Bourcier) ,
like C. igneus, Gould, Ypanema, 1 {Natterer) , called Hylocha-
ris flavifrons by Von Pelz., Mus. D.G. E. 1 {Verreaux),
Mus. P. L. S.; Santa Fe, Minas Geraes, 1 {Rogers), Rio Ja-
neiro, 1 {Youds), Mus. S. & G.

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilidse. 163

Chlorostilbon prasinus.

The All Green Humming bird, Edwards^ Gleanings (17G4),
p. 316, pi. A 360, fig. 1.

L'Orvert, Buffon, PI. Enlum. torn. vii. pi. 13 (text only).

OrnisniT/a prasina {I'Orvert), Less. Hist. Nat. Ois. Mouch.
p. 188, pi. 65.

Prasitis prasina, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. Th. iii. (1861)
p. 49, sp. 107.

Trochilus daphne, Bourc. ?

Chlorostilbon peruanus, Gould, Intr. Troch. (1861), p. 177,
sp. 405.

Chloristilbon napensis, Gould, Intr. Troch. (1861), p. 177,
sp. 406.

Chlorostilbon brevicaudatus, Gould, Intr. Troch. (1861),
p. 178, sp. 407.

Argytria media, Pelz. Orn. Brasil. p. 29.

Argytria meliphila, Pelz. Orn. Brasil. p. 29.

Argytria phoebe. Lesson & Delattre, Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 17,
juv. ?

Hab. Venezuela; Cajenneifide Boucard, Veireaux); Ama-
zonian region, Peru {Hauxwell) .

Although I have stated that perhaps no species has given
more trouble to ornithologists than the C. angustipennis , I
may perhaps make an exception in favour of the species now
under consideration; and I think that the above list of
synonyms will bear out the truth of my assertion, and suffi-
ciently show how diverse have been the opinions of naturalists
when considering the proper appellation to be given to their
specimens. The history of the species appears to be as fol-
lows ; and it is the more important that it should be traced
from its source, because an entirely different species from the
one described as ]jrasinus by Lesson has of late years been
allowed to usurp that name, and thus the majority of orni-
thologists have been misled. Edwards, in his ' Gleanings,^
figured and described a little green Humming-bird with a
black bill and rounded tail, two very important characters in
the history of this bird. Buffon, as quoted above, describes
this bird as I'Orvert, and refers to Edwards's plate and.

1G4 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilidse.

description, and also speaks of the tail not being forked and
not extending beyond the wings, in fact, quite short. Next
comes Lesson, in hns 'HistoireNaturelle desOiseaux-Mouches,'
and gives to the " Orvert " of Buffon the name of Ornismya
prasina, and also describes the black bill, rounded tail, and
wings as long as the tail. Lesson's figure of the species is
easily recognizable. It is thus established beyond a doubt
that the pi'asina of Lesson is a black-billed bird with a
slightly rounded tail, and the wings as long as that member.
This description answers perfectly for the bird we are accus-
tomed to receive from Cayenne, the Amazonian region, and
Eastern Peru ; and the figure published by Lesson enables us
to feel assured that our determination of his prasina is cor-
rect. Bourcier, in his MS., designated a bird from Peru with
a wash of blue on. the throat Trochilus daphne ; and in his
' Introduction to the Trochilidse, Mr. Gould adopted this name,
and further subdivided the species into three more, under
the names oi peruanus, napensis, and brevicaudatus, founding
them upon a more or less amount of blue on the throat, and
a very slight variation in the shape of the tail. Neither of
these characters appears to be of sufficient importance to war-
rant a specific distinction, as they are not constant ; that is to
say, among individvials the quantity of blue on the throat and
the extent of difference of shape in the tail are found to vary,
the differences, after all, being very slight, although it might be
that some would be inclined to regard the extremes as dift'erent
species. The C. brevicaudatus answers perfectly for the de-
scription of prasinus, Lesson, and has very little blue obser-
vable upon the throat ; this is followed by the style called.
napensis, with more blue, and this succeeded by peruanus, to
be followed by daphne, which has the throat and some of the
breast washed with blue. In 1839 Lesson described a young
bird as Ornismya phoebe ; and this, from the difficulty of ascer-
taining by the description what species it really was, has been
avoided by ornithologists, and Mr. Gould placed it in his
' Introduction' as among the undetermined species. Attached
to the type of C. peruanus, kindly lent to me by Mr. Gould,
and which he obtained from M. Bourcier, is a label upon

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilidse. 165

■which, in Bourcier's handwriting, is the following : — " T.
phcebe. Je n'ai pas public cette espece k bee noir vcnant du
Perou, parcequc Lesson a deja donne ce nom." Having no
doubt that Bourcier had compared this specimen with Les-
son's type to have enabled him to arrive at this conclusion,
I have no hesitation in placing Lesson's name of phcebe
among the synonyms oi prasinus, Less. In any case, if Bour-
cier's identification is correct, Mr. Gould's name oi peruanus
would have to sink into a synonym. C. prasinus, then,
is a species easily recognized by its short nearly square tail
and long wings, reaching to the end of the rectrices. The
Argytria media, Pelz., and C meliphila, Pelz., I have ascer-
tained, from the examination of the types, to be this species
{vide Ihis., 1874, p. 263).

The specimens I have examined are as follows : —
Cayenne: 1 (ea? FerreoMa;), Mus. P. L. S.; 1, Mus. S.&G. ;
1 {ex Gould), 1 {ex jBoMcar^), Mus. D. G. E. Ecuador: 1
{ex Whitely), Mus. D. G. E. Peru: 1 {Hauxwell), 1 {Lerch),
Mus. D. G. E. j 2 {Hauxwell), Mus. S. & G. ; 1, type of
daphne, Bourc, 1, type oi peruanus, Gould, Mus. J. Gould.

Chloristilbon splendidus.

Trochilus splendidus, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. torn. vii.
p. 361 (1817); id. Enc. Meth. p. 563 (1823).

Trochilus phaethon, Bourc. Rev. Zool. 1848, p. 274.

Chlorestes phaethon, Reich. Enum. Trochil. p. 4, pi. 755,
figs. 4734, 4735.

Chlorostilbon bicolor, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. Th. iii.
p. 46, sp. 102 (1860) .

Chlorostilbon phaethon, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 354; id.
Intr. Troch. p. 175, sp. 399.

Drochilus flavifrons, Gould, Voy. Beagle, Birds, p. 110.

Ornismya aureiventris, D'Orb. & Lafresn. Syn. Av. p. 28.

Chlorostilbon aureiventris, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 176,
sp. 400.

Hab. Buenos Ayres {Verreaux) to Mendoza {Weisshaupt) ,
across the southern part of the continent; Bolivia {D'Or-
bigny) .

SER. III. VOL. V. N

166 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trocliilidse.

Much confusion has always existed in regard to the proper
appellation that should be given to the green Humming-bird
coming from the more southern part of South America, with
its underparts reflecting a brilliant golden hue, in contradis-
tinction to the green of the other portion of the body. Some
authors consider that the name of bicolor, bestowed by Gmelin
upon the Saphir-cmei'aude of Bufibn (PL Enlum. vol. vii.
p. 21), is the right one; and as this would take precedence
over others, it is as well to look first upon what grounds
the supposition is based. Buffon says of his bird that " un
bleu de saphir eclatant couvre la tete et la gorge," which cer-
tainly applies to no species of Chlorostilbon. Gmelin's brief de-
scription is ^' Tr. smaragdino-aureus, capita gulaque cyaneis,"
agreeing, as far as it goes, with Buffon^s. Lesson, in his
' Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux-Mouches,^ in his description,
although he refers his bird to that of Buffon, does not say
that it has a blue head, but that frequently blue reflections
are observable, and that the "mandibule superieure est entiere-
ment noire et Pinferieure se trouve etre jaunatre, excepts la
pointe, qui est brune.^^ Now that will not answer at all for the
bird under consideration, which has the entire bill red or flesh-
colour, the point alone being brownish black. As Lesson
makes no mention of a white throat, his bird cannot be the
Hylocharis sappharina, as some suppose. I think, from the
descriptions given by these authors just named, as well as
that of Vieillot, published under the name of T. bicolor, in
the Nouv. Diet. vol. vii. p. 373, and in the Ency. Meth. p. 571,
that the species known as Thalurania wagleri was intended,
which has a blue head and throat, and which also answers
to much of the rest of those authors^ descriptions, particularly
of the bill ; but there is no Chlorostilbon known, that I am
acquainted with, which possesses the colours of head and body
and bill necessary to enable it to receive the name of bicolor,
as indicated by the authors whose works have just been men-
tioned. In 1817 Vieillot described the Masbello of Azara,
from Paraguay, as Trochilus splendidus; and his descrip-
tion and the locality of the specimens leave no doubt that
the bird afterwards named phaethon by Bourcier is intended.

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilidse. 167

Vieillot says " le bee incarnat, et a pointe noire/^ and that all
the plumage, with the exception of the throat, the front of
the neck, the tail, and a white spot on the belly, is a shining
golden green. I know of no other species of Humming-bird
from the locality given by Vieillot which could possibly an-
swer to his description ; and I see no reason whatever that
should cause ornithologists to hesitate in accepting his name
as having prior claim to the bird afterwards named phaethon
by Bourcier.

Chlorostilbon splendidus is closely allied to C. pucherani;
but, besides being much larger, it has always the belly
and lower parts a brilliant golden hue, with the exception
of the narrow white line observable in the anal region of all
adult males belonging to the species of this genus. This
colouring is constant ; and united with its larger size, the two
together appear to indicate a specific distinction between the
birds. Like other species of Chlorostilbon, the bills vary
greatly among individuals, and those of two now lying before
me, one from Bolivia, the other from Mendoza, measure from
the gape "94 and "80 inch respectively, while a second specimen
from Mendoza, from same locality as the last, and collected by
the same person, viz. Weisshaupt, has a bill "85 inch in length.
This would seem to show how untrustworthy the size of the
bill is on which to establish a species in this grovip. A small
race of this form has been called aureiventris by D^Orbigny and
Lafresnaye. Three specimens are now before me. In colour
of plumage they are precisely like the larger specimen, but
have a shorter wing, it measuring 1*80 as compared with 2*09
inches in my largest specimen ; but others vary between these,
as, for instance, one from Chuquisaca [ex Gould) has a wing
2*03 inches, another from Mendoza, 1"93 inch ; and it would
be easy, with a large number of specimens, to fill up all the
intermediate dimensions, as I have shown can be done (in my
table) in the case of C angustipennis.

Specimens examined : —

Brazil? 1 {Leadbeater) , Bolivia 1 [Leadbeater) , Mus. P.L.S.;
Mendoza 1 [Weisshaupt), Mus. S. & G. ; Chuquisaca, Peru,
1 [ex Gould), Mendoza 2 [Weisshaupt), Chili 1 [ex Verreaux),

N 2

168 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilidffi.

Buenos Ayres 3 {ex Verreaux), Bolivia? 1 {ex Boucard),
Bolivia 1 {ex Cook), Mus. D. G. E. ; these last two are the style
called aureiventris.

ChLOROSTILBON AURICEPS.

Trochilus auriceps, Gould, in Jard. Contr. Orn, 1852, p. 137.

Chlorostilbon auriceps, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 350.

Chlorolampis auriceps, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 174, sp. 393.

Hab. North-west Mexico.

This pretty species is remarkable for its narrow and greatly
lengthened outer rectrices, which extend beyond those next
to them '55 inch, and by which alone it can be separated from
C. caniveti. In size and general colour of plumage the
two species are as nearly alike as can be ; and specimens of
caniveti possess as brilliantly coloured crowns as any that can
be found in auriceps, thus reducing the distinctive character
of its name to nil. The exact locality in which the species
dwells is not yet known to us ; for it is still quite rare in col-
lections.

Specimens examined : —

Mexico 2 {ex Gould), Mus. S. & G. ; Mexico 1 {ex Gould),
Mexico 1 {Bourcier), Mus. D. G. E.

Chloristilbon caniveti.

Ornismya caniveti, Less. Supp. Ois.-Mouches, pp. 174, 177,
pis. 37, 38.

Chlorostilbon caniveti, Gould, Mon. Troch. v. pi. 351.

Chlorolampis caniveti, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 174, sp. 394;
Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. Th. iii. p. 47, footnote (1860).

Chlorostilbon osberti, Gould, P. Z. S. I860, p. 309; id.
Mon. Troch. v. pi. 352.

Chlorolampis osberti, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 174, sp. 395.

Chlorolampis salvini. Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. Th. iii.
(1860) p. 48, sp. 105; Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 174, sp. 396.

Hab. Mexico {Salle), Guatemala {Salvin), Honduras, Costa
Rica {Arce, van Patten, i^c.) .

This species, long since described by Lesson, as above cited,
has a wide range ; and the southern forms have been described
as distinct by Messrs. Gould and Cabanis as osberti and

Mr D. G. Elliot on the Trocliilids. 169

salvini respectively. Mr. Gould established his species upon
specimens from Guatemala, brought by Mr. Salvin ; and the
only character given is its somewhat smaller size : but this
will not hold good ; for, with Mr. Gould^s type before me, as
well as other specimens brought by Mr. Salvin, I find that
examples from Mexico brought by M. Salle are equally
small, and in no way to be distinguished from typical osberti.
Costa- Rican specimens, separated by Cabanis as salvini, also
are undistinguishable from osberti or caniveti; and with an am-
ple series before me to judge, I cannot perceive any characters
whatever to cause me to believe that there is more than one
species. The brilliant crown is common to all, while, at the
same time, individuals appear from all the difierent localities
with green crowns exhibiting but little brilliancy, which may
be accounted for by difference of season in which the birds
were killed. The green of the body varies in intensity and
tint, as is the case in all the species of this group, and for
specific importance goes for nothing. C. caniveti is very
closely allied indeed to C. auriceps, Gould, the only per-
ceptible difference is that the rectrices of auriceps are longer
and narrower ; and although the rectrices of caniveti vary in
length and width, I have not found any that are precisely
like those of C. auriceps.

I give a table of measurements taken from seventeen spe-
cimens, from Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, showing
how closely they all approximate to each other in size.

My specimens are : —

Mexico: 1 {Salle), 1 [Be Oca), Mus. S. & G.; 1 [Salle),
Mus. P.L.S. ; 11 [Salle), Mus. D.G.E. Guatemala : Duenas
3 [Salvin), Mus. D. G. E. ; Duenas 11 [Salvin), Vera Paz 3
[Salvin), Mus. S. & G. Costa Rica : 3 [Arce), Mus. S. & G. j
1 [Endres), 1 [ex Gould), 3 [Van Patten), Mus. D. G. E.

Bill along Amount

gape. Wing. Tail. of fork.

1. Mexico [SalU) -60 1-80 1-45 -75

2. Oaxaca, Mexico (Boucard) . . -65 1-80 1-45 -77

3. Mexico {Salle) -65 1-80 1-45 79

4. „ „ -69 1-85 1-23 '65

5. „ „ -70 1-85 1-40 -70

170 Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trochilid*.

Bill along

Amount

gape.

Wing.

Tail.

of fork.

6.

Jalapa, Mexico (De Oca)

•70

1-79

140

•67

7.

Duefias, Guatemala (Sakin),

type of C. osberti

•67

1-84

1-25

•52

8.

Coban, Vera Paz (Salvi7i) . .

•67

1-85

1-38

•55

9.

SanGeronimo, Vera Paz ((Sa^y. )

•69

1-90

1-30

•56

10.

Lanquin, Vera Paz {Salvin) .

•67

1-85

1^40

•70

11.

Duefias, Guatemala (Salvin) .

•69

1-75

1^30

•65

12.

)} V )}

•65

1-82

1-.30

•45

13.

11 11 11

•70

1^76

1^25

•49

14.

Vol. de Fuego (Salvin) ....

•67

175

1-20

•45

15.

Costa Rica ( Van Patten) . .

•69

1^82

imperfect.

16.

Tucuriqui, Costa Rica (Arce)

•70

1^80

117

•45

17.

Costa Rica

•72

1-81

1-18

•38

The Genus Panychlora.

Panychlora poortmani.

Ornismya poortmani, Bourc. Rev. Zool. 1843, p. 2.

Chlorostilbon poortmanni, Gould, Mon. Trocli. v. pi. 358.

Panychlora poortmanni, Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hein. Th. iii.
(1860) p. 50, sp. Ill ; Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 180, sp. 414.

Ornismya esmeralda, Less, in Mus. Hein. & Berol.

Hab. Columbia [Salmon, Chesterton, ^c).

This species, belonging to the green-tail division of the
black-billed group of this genus, has for its near ally (and
the only species with which it may be confounded) P. alicite,
Bourc. It may, however, readily be distinguished from
that bird by the long bill, the grass-green of the abdomen,
and the lighter green of the tail ; and these characters appear
to be constant. It is also a somewhat larger bird, and I have
never been able to find any intermediate sizes between the
two species ; the difference of colour in the tail is very
marked; and the species appear well established. It was
first described by Bourcier in the ' Revue Zoologique ' as Or-
nismya poortmani ; and, according to Cabanis, Lesson gave
the name of " esmeralda " to specimens in the Museums of
Berlin and of Herr Heine. It is not uncommon in the inte-
rior of Columbia^ and frequently comes in collections from
Bogota.

Mr. D. G. Elliot on the Trodiilidffi. 171

My specimens are : —

Antioquia, Columbia, 3 (Salmon) , Columbia 5 (eo? Whitely) ,
Mus. D.G.E.; Bogota 1 [Chesterton), 2 [ex Truhner), Mus. S.
& G. ; Bogota 1 {Ward), 1 (Stevens), 1 (Eyton), Mus. P. L. S.

PaNYCHLORA ALICI.E.

Trochilus alicia, Bourc. & Muls. Bev. Zool. 1848, p. 274.

Chlorostilbon alicice, Gould. Mon. Troch. v. pi. 357.

Panychlora aliciae, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 179, sp. 411.

"Panychlora aurata, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. Tli. iii. (1860)
p. 50, sp. 110?

Hab. Caracas, Venezuela (Bourcier, Boucard).

This species, first described by Bourcier and Mulsant in the
' Bevue Zoologique,^ as above cited, is one of the very smallest
of Humming-birds. It is easily recognized by its entirely
golden-green breast and very dark green tail, almost black in
some specimens at the base. It can only be confounded with
the P. poortmani ; but its short bill and differently coloured
tail will easily distinguish it. I have placed the P. aurata of
Cab. & Heine among the synonyms of this species, judging
from their description, which answers capitally for this bird.
The locality, Peru, however, is one from which I have never
seen a specimen of this species brought. It is possible the
learned authors may have been misled as to the habitat
of their specimen. Smaragdites euchloris, Beich., appears
from the figure to be P. alicice, from the dark tail ; but the
figure is so unsatisfactory that access to the type will be
necessary to enable one to say what the bird really is.

My specimens are : —

Caracas : 1, type of species (Bourcier), 1 (ex Gould), 5 (Bou-
card), Mus. D. G. E.

Panychlora stenura.

Panychlora stenura. Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. Th. iii. p. 50
(footnote) (1860); Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 180, sp. 413.

Panychlora alicia, Wyatt, Ibis, 1871, p. 379.

Chlorostilbon acuticaudus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 308.

Hab. Merida, Venezuela (Goering) ; Ocana, Columbia
(Wyatt).

172 Mr. J, Cordeaux on the Heligoland

This species is remarkable in this section of the green
Humming-birds by its extremely slender pointed outer rec-
trices. It is much larger than its relatives P. alicice and P.
poortmanif though in colour it is similar to the latter. It is
very rare in collections — the type in the Museum Heineanum,
and two or three others, being all that have been sent to
Europe.

The specimens examined are : —

Merida 1 [Goering), Ocana, Columbia, 1 {Wyatt), Mus.
S. &G.

X. — Notes on the Birds of Heligoland in Mr. Gdtke's
Collection. By John Cordeaux.

Having recently paid a short visit to the island of Heligo-
land, during which I had an opportunity of inspecting the
collection of birds formed by Mr. H. Gatke, and knowing the
great interest that has always been taken by ornithologists in
every thing relating to the avifauna of this wonderful little
spot of land, I submit the following notes to the readers of
' The Ibis,' trusting that they may not be without interest.
1 can only regret that limited time, as well as a limited
knowledge of European ornithology, prevented me doing full
justice to this remarkable and unique collection.

In 'Naumannia' for 1858 (p. 303), the late Professor
Blasius gave an account of Mr. Gatke's most noteworthy cap-
tures on the island up to that year, a translation of which
appeared in 'The Ibis' for 1862 (p. 58). This, and a list
contributed by Mr. Gatke himself to the ' Edinburgh New
Philosophical Journal' (New Series, ix. p. 333), comprise
nearly all the ornithological information that has appeared in
this country with respect to the island. It is, however, with
great satisfaction that I am enabled to state that Mr. Gatke
is at present engaged in the preparation of a work on the
birds of Heligoland, which he expects to publish shortly.
This work will be not only of remarkable interest to ornitho-
gists generally, but also do more, in its collected facts and

Bh'ds in Mr. Gdtke's Collection. 173

statements, to throw new light on the difficult and, as yet,
little understood subject of migration than any work of its
kind that has yet appeared.

Mr. Gatke has for more than twenty years kept regular
journals of the arrival of those innumerable flocks and parties
of birds which, during the period of the vernal and autumnal
migrations, visit his island. These include nearly all our
common English migrants. He has also scrupulously and
carefiilly, in the most painstaking manner, chronicled the
appearance of every rare wanderer that has come under his
notice during the same period, taking descriptions and mea-
surements and other notes of the fresh specimens, and in
most cases, when of sufficient value and interest, added it
to his collection. Many of these rarer and occasional visi-
tants ai'e wanderers from Northern Asia and America, others
from North Africa and Southern Europe. In fact it may be
almost said that birds of all countries are brought together
on this lonely rock in the North Sea.

As an illustration of the value of these observations, and
the extraordinary number of rare visitants which turn up, I
will give an extract, which Mr. Gatke allowed me to take,
from his journal for 1869 : —

'• 1869.
October 1st. Wind E., fine .... Emberiza pusilla. One shot.

Anthus cervinus. Two, both old birds.
Muscicapa parva. One.
Turdus whitii. One.
Regulus modestus. One.

2nd. Turdus sioainsoni. One, 5 mature.

3rd to 4th. N.N.E., rain Muscicapa parva. Two, cf and $.

16th. Turdus zvhitii. One, $ .

16th to 31st. S.W.toN.W. (very Anthus richardi. Every day in small
bad weather). parties (from three to eight),"

Heligoland lies directly in the track of the migratoiy flights
from Southern Europe and Africa to those great bird-nur-
series amidst the bleak inhospitable fells and arctic plains of
Northern Europe and the frozen tundras of Asia. Birds in
their migratory passage from one land to another follow, as
a rule, the coast-line, and find this red-sandstone rock a con-

174 Mr. J. Corcleaux on the Heligoland

venieiit resting-place, a half-way house, between the Texel
and the Naze. The lofty cliffs are visible many miles at sea ;
and at night the fan-like rays of the lighthouse, situated on
the highest part of the island, two hundred feet or more
above the sea-level, blaze forth like the rays of a sun, visible
across miles of the stormy North Sea, attracting thousands of
birds moving far above in their dreary night-journey. On some
nights the air seemed alive with the fluttering of thousands of
wings and the innumerable cries of birds. At early morning,
after a stormy autumn night, flocks of winged travellers from
distant lands are collected on the barren rock ; for two thirds
of the island is a mere bleak headland, exposed to every wind,
and without the shelter of a tree or bush. Their number is
often almost incredible.

On the evening of the 6th of November, 1868, at the He-
ligoland lighthouse, up to 9.30 p.m., when the moon rose and
the birds discontinued coming to the light, 3 400 Larks were
captured round the lantern, fluttering and beating against the
glass. Of these Mr. Gatke took 440 with his own hands.
The same evening, with nets, lights, and so forth, on the
flats surrounding the building, 11,600 others were taken,
making altogether a grand total of 15,000 Larks. Besides
these, many Snipes, Plovers, and other Waders were heard
calling.

The line of flight of all birds in Heligoland is due E. and
W., as correct as if they were steering by compass. This,
Mr. Gatke says, is invariably the case, whether observed by
day, by eyesight, or at night, by the sound of their wiogs, in
spring or autumn.

The young birds always come first in the migration of each
species, the old birds migrating later and bringing up the
rear. This holds good both in the spring and autumn.

A curious fact connected with the ornithology of Heligo-
land is, that frequently birds, once regular visitants, disap-
pear almost completely, to turn up again ten or fifteen years
afterwards in greater abundance than ever. Others, again,
once rare, and only occasional visitants, are now abundant.

Before proceeding with my list I must add that my thanks

Birds in Mr. Gdtke's Collection. 175

are clue to Professor Newton for the assistance he has ren-
dered me in preparing these notes.

Aquila chrysaetus (Linnaeus).
Immature, Nov. 9th, 1867.

Haliaetus ALBiciLLA (LinnsBus) .

Nov. 4th, 1870. Shot by Mr. Gatke's son, and in the collec-
tion. Another, a fine mature bird, was picked up dead on the
beach of Sandy Island on the last day of January 1875.

Falco gyrfalco, Linnaeus.
Oct. 12th, 1863.

Falco vespertinus, Linnaeus.

Recent occurrences are June 4th, 1859 ; May 20th, 1868.
A fine old male.

Falco cenchris, Naura.

A single example occurred some years since in May,

MiLvus iCTiNus (Savigny).
Not uncommon as a migrant.

MiLvus MIGRANS (Boddacrt) .

Turns up every year on the island, either in the spring or
autumn.

BuTEO VULGARIS, Lcach.

Occasional; turning up also sometimes in winter, when
hard frosts set in.

BuTEO LAGOPUS (J. F. Gmclin) .

A few in the spring and autumn, but is the least numerous
of any of the Buzzards.

Pernis apivorus (Linnseus).

Mr. Gatke says this is by far the most common of the
Buzzards, not, however, appearing in the spring before it
really has become warm, returning southward again in Au-
gust and September. Besides single specimens, and two and
three at a time, there are during both •periods of migration
not very unfrequently such flights that they may almost be
termed thousands — not all massed together, but passing over

176 Mr. J. Cordeaux on the Heligoland

from midday to evening in batches of from five to fifteen or
twenty to fifty, one following the other so closely that the
first batch is not out of sight before the third or even the
fourth begins to show already. The vernal migration takes
place about the latter part of May, or a little earlier, on warm
days with a calm clear sky and easterly wind.

Circus cineraceus (Montagu).

Circus swainsoni. Smith.

In the collection, three immature birds.

Nyctala tengmalmi (J. F. Gmelin) .
Recent occurrences are Oct. 15th, 1859, two caught ; Nov.
1866, one.

Asio ACciPiTRiNus (Pallas) .
Common in the autumn migration.

Scops giu (Scopoli).
May 16th, 1863.

Lanius excubitor, Linneeus.

Several in Mr. Gatke's collection. I saw other examples
also in the shops of the bird-stuffers. Appears to be a com-
mon migrant, arriving early in spring and late in the autumn.

Lanius minor, J. F. Gmelin.

Not so common as L. excubitor, occurring in the propor-
tion of one to two of the former, is a much shier bird, and
very diflScult to get near.

Lanius collurio^ Linnaeus.
In the collection.

Lanius auriculatus, P. L. S. Miiller.
The same.

Lanius phoenicurus, Pallas.

One example in the collection. Oct. 26th, 1854*.

MusciCAPA coLLARis, Bechstcin.

June 3rd, 1860, a male, the only example hitherto obtained.

* With regard to tliis species Mr. Gatke has recently informed me by
letter, " it has turned out my little red-tailed Butcherbird is not L. ph(e-
nicurus, Pallas, but some other smaller species.

Birds in Mr. Gdtkt's Collection. 177

MusciCAPA PARVA, Bcchstein.

On several occasions^ and in some numbers, invariably in
October.

CiNCLUs AQUATicus, Bechstcin.

The examples in the collection belong to the black-bellied
Scandinavian form.

TuRDus VARius, Pallas.

Has occurred several times. Mr. Gatke has five in one
case, magnificent examples, all of which came fresh into
his hands. Others have been seen and not obtained. Some
recent occurrences are : — October 4th, 1864 ; April 23rd,
1869, a male; Oct. 1st, 1869, seen but not obtained; Oct.
16th, 1869, a female ; Sept. 18th, 1870, not obtained.

TuRDus swAiNsoNi, Cab.

Oct. 2nd, 1869, a mature male.

TuRDUS RUFICOLLIS, Pall.

Immature, shot towards the end of November 1843.

TuRDUs iLiACus, Linnseus.

There is a very dark variety in the collection, resembling,
if not referable to, Turdus sibiricus of Pallas.

Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.).
Oct. 28th, 1840.

MoNTicoLA saxatilis (LinnsBus).

May 17th, 1860. Mr. Gatke has subsequently informed
me of a second capture, a fine immature bird, on the 12th of
November, 1874.

MoNTicoLA CYANUS (Liunseus) .
One example in the collection.

Accentor collaris (Scopoli).

Recent occurrences are: — Oct. 17th, 1862; May 2nd,
1870; and April 29th, 1873; and on two previous occasions.

Ruticilla suecica (Linnaeus).

A common migrant. There is a fine series in this collec-

178 Mr. J. Cordeaux on the Heligoland

tion. I also observed many examples in the bird-stuffers'
shops. It occurs every May, if warm and moist, in gi'eat num-
bers, twenty to thirty, and even forty a day ; but with cold and
dry weather, and northerly winds, it is very scarce. It again ar-
rives, when fine, at the end of August, and in greater numbers
than in the spring ; it is then found in the potato-plots on
the exposed and open part of the island. In the spring it
is to be met with in the gardens, in gooseberry-bushes, &c.

RuTiciLLA PHCENicuRus (LinnsBus) .

A common migrant. About ten days before my visit,
namely on the night of the 3rd of September, 1874, many
Redstarts and Stonechats were taken round the lighthouse.
Like almost every bird captured on the island, they were
plucked and eaten. From the number of wings and tail-fea-
thers of these species scattered about, their number must have
been very considerable. One in the collection, with large
white patch on the secondary wing-feathers is perhaps Sylvia
mesoleuca, Ehr. See Ibis, 1874, p. 343.

RUTICILLA TITYS (Scopoli) .

A not uncommon migrant. I saw either a female or young
bird of the year on the cliff on the morning of the 14th.

Saxicola rubicola (Linnseus).

A common migrant in the autumn, arriving early in Sep-
tember.

Saxicola rubetra (Linnaeus).

The same remark applies ; but this is always the most plen-
tiful of the two.

Saxicola (ENANTHE (Linnseus).

Very numerous both in the spring and autumn. I found
it plentiful on the Heligoland cliffs, as well as on Sandy
Island. In the afternoon of the 19th of September, when
beating out of the North Channel, several Wheatears, coming
from the N.E., passed the cutter, flying just high enough to
clear the waves, and making for the island.

Bh'dn in Mr. Gatke's Collection. 179

Saxicola albicollis (Vieill.).

October 2Gtli, 1851, and May 12th, 1860; both fine old
males.

Saxicola stapazina (Linnaeus).

Though shot but twice, observed at least every other year.

Saxicola leucomela (Pallas) .
May 9th, 1867, a fine old male.

Saxicola leucura (Vieillot).

May 17th, 1873, a male. From fifteen to twenty years ago
a specimen was obtained in autumn.

Aedon galactodes (Temminck).
In the collection.

Hypolais icterina (Vieillot).
In the collection^.

AcROCEPHALus AQUATicus (J. F. Gmcliu) .
Occasionally. Three examples of this well-marked species
in the collection.

AcROCEPHALUS CERTHIOLA (Pallas) .

One in the collection, a most beautiful example.

LUSCIOLA CALIGATA (Licht.) .

Two in the collection.

Sylvia melanocephala (Gmelin).
April 20, 1873.

Phylloscopus borealis (Blasius).

First occurrence Oct. 6th, 1854. Mr. Gatke is pretty cer-
tain he saw another on the 1st of June, 1859.

Phylloscopus nattereri (Bonelli).

The first occurrence was on Oct. 8th, 1861 ; a second just

* Mr. Gatke has in his collection a bird allied to Hypolais icterina, and
which he considered to be identical with Sylvia japonica. He describes
it in a letter " as by far the yellowest of all our yet known European
Salicarice, yellower than hypolais or sibilatrix, but still of that particular
kind of delicate yellow." It appeared to me to be closely allied to Hy-
polais icterina. It has the blue legs of Hypolais ; and there is a rather
broad and vei'y distinct lightish band on the wing.

180 Mr. J. Cordeaux on the Heligoland

after my visit, Oct. 9th, 1874. This was killed by a boy with
a pea-shooter.

Phylloscopus superciliosus (J. F. Gmelin).

This most interesting little wanderer turns up regularly
every autumn, invariably arriving with N.E. winds. Indi-
viduals have occurred from 1859 to 1874 on various days be-
tween Sept. 19th and Oct. 16th inclusive. Several are some-
times seen which are not obtained.

Regulus cristatus, K. L. Koch. ^

Occurs in the autumn in October in large flocks.

Dendrceca virens (Gmelin).

Oct. 19th, 1858, a very good example. Appears to be in
transition-plumage, from summer to winter.

Troglodytes pakvulus, K. L. Koch.

This little favourite of our gardens and shrubberies is
found in considerable numbers in the autumn in the small
enclosures attached to the houses in the town, as well as
on every part of the bleak exposed headland, and even on the
cliffs themselves. Mr. Gatke had no doubt whatever of its
migratory habits. I have long held the same opinion ; for
whence come the number we invariably find in October in our
treeless and exposed Lincolnshire and Holdemess marsh dis-
tricts, as well as amongst the marram-covered sand hills along
the coast ?

Parus major, Linnaeus.

AcREDULA CAUDATA (Liunseus) .

In the collection. This is the Scandinavian bird with the
pure white head.

Ampelis garrulus, Linnaeus.
Accidentally, late in the autumn.

MoTACiLLA LUGUBRis, Tcmmiuck.

MoTACiLLA ALBA, Liunseus.

MoTACiLLA VIDUA, Suudcvall.
May 18th, 1866.

Birds in Mr. Gdtke's Collection. 181

MOTACILLA CITREOLA, PallaS.

Four occurrences; recent ones are : — Nov. 15th^ 1861, and
Sept. 25th, 1870, both immature.

MOTACILLA MELANOCEPHALA, Savi.

Occasionally. One was given me, purchased from the
bird-stuffer at Heligoland.

Anthus cervinus, Pallas.

Two examples in the collection, both old birds, in beautiful
plumage, obtained Oct. 1st, 1869. The wind easterly.

Anthus rupestris, Nilsson.

A E-ock-Pipit, shot on the island during my visit, which I
examined, was the Scandinavian bird.

Anthus spipoletta (Linnseus).

Has occurred on Heligoland ; there is, however, no example
in the collection.

Anthus ludovicianus (Gm.).
Two examples in the collection.

Anthus campestris, Bechstein.
In the collection.

Anthus richardi, Vieillot.

Was formerly of rare occurrence ; it now turns up every
year in some numbers ; old birds in the spring, in May ; old
and young in the autumn, in September and October; some-
times in small flocks of ten, twenty, or thirty a day. In this
latter season they invariably arrive under the same circum-
stances as PhyUoscopus superciliosus, with a north-east wind.
Mr. Gatke said that now probably something like five hundred
were seen each year. An example in his collection measures
8^ inches in length.

Alauda tatarica, Pallas.

April 27th, 1874, a female, and the first example seen.

Alauda calandra, Linnaeus.
In the collection.

SER. in. VOL. V. o

182 Mr. J. Cordeaux on the Heligoland

Calandrella brachydactyla (Leisler).
Has occurred several timeSj both in tlie spring (May and
early June) and in the autumn (September to November).

Otocorys alpestris (Linnseus) .

Twenty-five years since this species was so rare that Mr.
Gatke had to give four shillings for a specimen ; now it is so
common that nobody thinks it worth shooting. It arrives in
the autumn with a northerly w ind^ from the middle of Oc-
tober to the middle of November, day after day, and often
in flocks of hundreds'^.

Emberiza lapponica (Linnaeus).

So common in the autumn that it is not considered worth
shooting.

Emberiza nivalis, Linnseus.

In large flocks in the later autumn. Mr. Gatke has in his
collection mature birds, both of the larger and smaller races,
in breeding-plumage. There is certainly in these examples
a remarkable difi'erence in size.

Emberiza pusilla, Pallas.

Nearly every year one or two, either mature or immature
birds, are obtained in September and October.

Emberiza cesia, Cretzschmaer.

Recent occurrences are: — May 22nd, 1859; May 16th,
1862, fine old male; May 29th, 1866, female; May 9th,
1867; May 6th, 1873, a fine old male.

Emberiza rustica, Pallas.

One old male and two young birds in the collection. Re-
cent occuiTcnces are : — Oct. 9th, 1863, immature ; September
19th, 1870, the same ; April 3rd, 1873, a fine old male.

Emreriza aureola, Pallas.

Three immature birds in the collection. The two mo8t
recent captures were : — November 5th, 1864, immatiu-e ; July
8th, 1870, a female.

* Extraordinarily large flights visited the island iu the autumn of 1874.

Birds in Mr. Gdtke's Collection. 183

Emberiza cirlus, Linuseus.

The first and, I believe, the only occurrence was a fine old
male, taken April 29th, 1862.

Emberiza melanocephala, Scopoli.

Two beautiful mature birds in the collection. The occur-
rences are, in three consecutive years : — June 18th, 1860, a
female; June 15th, 1861, a female; May 28th, 1862, a fine
old male.

Emberiza hortulana, Linnaeus.

Very numerous in May and in the early part of September.

Fringilla serinus, Linnaeus.

July 14th, 1860, an old male, the only example.

Fringilla montifringilla, Linnaeus.
A common migrant.
Pyrrhula vulgaris, Temminck.

The specimens obtained are more richly and deeply coloured
than our English bird.

Carpodacus roseus (Pallas).

About four autumnal occurrences, immature birds. One
October 27th, 1865, another Oct. 15th, 1870, a very fine
example.

LoxiA leucoptera, Gmelin.

Is rather a rare visitant to the island. Its appearance, like
that of the Common Crossbill, is generally in August, with
stormy weather from the west or north-west. From the end
of August till the 20th of September in 1868 it was uncom-
monly numerous, sometimes twenty or thirty together,
weather fine, wind easterly and north-easterly. Mr. Gatke
has a fine adult male with but two very narrow white bands
across the wing, consisting merely of narrow white tips to the
greater and lesser outer wing-coverts. This bird is somewhat
stouter than the broad-banded ones.

LoxiA cuRViROSTRA, Liunseus.

Arrives under similar conditions to the last, in fliocks of from
twenty to fifty, often with one or more white-banded indi-
viduals accompanying them.

o2

184 Mr. J. Cordeaux on the Heligoland

Pastor roseus (Linnaeus).
July 7i\i, 1870.

Picus viRiDis, Linnaeus.
Has occurred once.

Picus MAJOR, Linnaeus.

A few every year in the autumn and spring.

Upupa epops, Linnaeus.

Every year from ten to twenty specimens, fi'om end of April
to middle of May. On warm days during that period.

Alcedo ispida, Linnaeus.
Very seldom ; no fixed time.

HiRUNDO rufula, Tcmminck.

May 31st, 1855. One occuiTence, a most perfect example.

Cypselus melba (Linn.).

Two have been seen in Heligoland, one of which is in Mr.
Gatke's collection.

CoLUMBA PALUMBUS, Liuuaeus.

Is common during both periods of migration, flights more
numerous in the autumn than in the spring, from five to ten
or twenty in a flock. Time of migration from the end of
March to the end of May, and from the latter part of Sep-
tember to the end of October.

Turtur auritus. Gray.

Syrrhaptes paradoxus (Pallas).

Nov. 15th, 1863, two flocks, numbering seven and nine;
Oct. 30th, 1863, one bird.

Charadrius virginicus, Borckhausen.
Captured Dec. 20th, 1847.

Charadrius longipes, Temminck.

Three occurrences, all in the summer : — June 25th, 1857,
a male; June 18th, 1860, a female; July 11th, 1867, a very
fine male in perfect summer plumage.

Eudromias morinellus (Linnaeus).

Ten to fifteen years ago was comparatively common in May,

Birds in Mr. Gdtke's Collection. 185

requiring fine^ calm, warm weather and southerly winds ; it
is now scarce. Mr. Gatke says he has not been able to pro-
cure a fine example for his collection for four or five years.

EuDROMiAS ASiATicus (Pallas) .

Has occurred twice in Heligoland — on the 16th of No-
vember, 1850, a young bird, and on May 19th, 1859, an old
male in summer plumage.

JEgialitis cdronica (Gmelin).

Curiously enough, has only occurred twice ; is considered
in Heligoland a very rare bird. The two occurrences were : —
June 30th, 1859, immature ; May 26th, 1866, a female.

ToTANUs GLOTTIS (Pallas) .

ToTANus ocHROPUs (Liunseus).

ToTANUs GLAREOLA (Liunseus) .

ToTANUS STAGNATILIS, Bcchsteiu.

One occurrence, a fine old male, on the 7th of May, 1862.
The upper surface most beautifully mottled with the curious
zigzag markings peculiar to this species.

Machetes pugnax (Linnaeus).

Occurs both as a spring and autumn migrant. Mr. Gatke
has a fine series of male birds in full nuptial attire.

Tringa MiNUTA, Lcislcr.

Tringa temmincki, Leisler.

Phalaropus fulicarius (Linnseus).

An autumn migi'ant, both old and young birds occurring
in considerable numbers.

Phalaropus hyperboreus (Linnseus).
Only two or three times in twenty years.

ScoLOPAx RusTicoLA, Liunseus.

Is not nearly of so common occurrence as formerly ; only
fifteen this autumn (1874) up to November 4th.

Gallinago major (Gmelin).

BoTAURUs MiNUTUs (Liuuseus) .
One example in the collection.

186 Mr. J. Cordeaux on the Heligoland

Rallus aquaticus, Linnaeus.

A few in March and April, and again in September, Octo-
ber, and November, and occasionally later. Probably not
more than a score, Mr. Gatkc says, could be captured in any
one year on the island.

Crex pratensis, Bechstein.

In April and May, also middle of August and September ;
weather warm ; pretty common, although never in gi'eat
numbers.

Crex porzana (Linnaeus) .

In May when warm ; occasionally in September. Not half
a score in a year, but three fourths of these in May.

Crex bailloni (Vieillot) .
Only once, a fine male.

Crex pusilla (Gmelin).

Only once, a female, April 22nd, 1854. Mr. Gatkc says,
a few times the little Gallinules have been seen ; but without
capturing it, the species cannot be determined.

Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus).

Occasionally occurs as a migrant in April and May when
the weather is warm, also from the end of August to the 15 th
of September, — so few, however, that Mr. Gatke says you
cannot count on three in each successive year.

FuLiCA atra, Liimaeus.

Obtained about once a year, sometimes in spring, some-
times autumn, and even in the depth of winter.

SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA (Liunseus) .

Frequently seen oif the island. On the 19th of September,
when some miles to the north of Heligoland, twelve male
Eiders, all in line, passed the cutter, flying towards the head-
land.

SoMATERiA stelleri (Pallas) .

Has occurred three or four times ; all birds of the year.

Alca torda, Linnaeus, and Uria troile (Linnaeus).
Both nest in some numbers on the cliffs. Shooting is per-

Birds in Mr. Gaike's Collection. 187

mitted from boats on and after the 25th of July, St. James's
day — the feast known at Heligoland as " Jacob's day."

SuLA BASSANA (Linnseus) .

Very common in the vicinity of the island during my visit,
and, indeed, in every part of the North Sea ; all mature birds.
During a sixteen-days' cruise I did not see a single example
of the immature bird.

Sterna caspia, Pallas.

None in the collection, although this fine Tern is occasionally
seen off the island. Still nests, although in limited number,
on Sylt. Mr. Gatke has two eggs in his cabinet from that
locality, obtained fresh by himself during a visit he paid there
early in June 1874. (See Ibis, 1874, p. 401.)

Sterna dougalli, Montagu.

Two occurrences only have been noted by Mr. Gatke.

Sterna anglica, Montagu.

In the collection. An occasional visitant.

Larus sabinii, Sabine.

One in the collection, an immature bird.

Larus rossi, Richardson.

Shot February 5th, 1858, a mature bird in winter plumage.
A very fine and perfect example, most artistically set up by
Mr. Gatke.

Larus minutus, Pallas.
In breeding-plumage.

Larus leucopterus, Faber.
Not uncommon.

Larus glaucus, Gmelin.

The same. I saw a fine immature bird close to the cutter
as we were running for the island on the 13th September.

Lestris longicaudus, Vieillot.
In the collection.

PuFFiNus major, Fabcr.

Verv uncommon. This, or a large Shearwater, has been

188 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

seen off the island, but, as far as I could ascertain, never ob-
tained. All the Procellariidse, excepting Fulmarus glacialis
(Linn.), appear to be of very uncommon occurrence.

Procellaria leucorrhoa, V.

One example in the collection, being the sole individual
of its kind ever obtained there.

In bringing these notes to a conclusion, I cannot but ex-
press my regret at their incomplete form. During a short
stay of five days in the island my time was much occupied in
other matters, as was also JNIr. Gatke^s in his ofl&cial duties.
It was with some difficulty I managed to give up two short
afternoons to the inspection of his ornithological collection
only : to give then any thing like a detailed description would
have required a much longer and closer examination than I
was able to give. I have purposely abstained from any men-
tion or notice of any but such species as I thought were of
general interest and of the most importance. I trust, how-
ever, enough has been said to induce some of our English
ornithologists, having a thorough knowledge of the ornis of
the continent of Europe, to visit Heligoland, and complete
■what I have only glanced at.

XL — The Birds of Transylvania. By Charles G. Danford,
F.Z.S., and John A. Harvie Brown.

Part I.

As an introduction to this paper on the avifauna of Transyl-
vania or Siebenbiirgen, it may be w ell to give a slight de-
scription of the singular features which the varied surface of
the land presents.

Transylvania, as will be seen on looking at a map of the
country, is nearly circular in shape, and is almost surrounded
by a chain of mountains, the highest peaks of which, the
Pareng and Negoi, in the Hunyad and Fogaras districts of
the south, are respectively 8060 feet and 8046 feet in height,
while others of the same chain, such as the Vunetura-Butianu,
Bucsecs, Retjezat, &c., attain heights of very nearly 8000

the Birds of Transylvania. 189

feet. The surface of the country, in point of fact, may be
said to resemble a saucer or shallow cup, the land gradually
curving upwards from the central undulating plain towards
the rim of encircling mountains. Of the central districts of
Transylvania, some portions are well wooded and watered;
but there are also great tracts of country singularly destitute
of timber, the innumerable minor hills and valleys being for
the most part waterless.

Especially remarkable is the district of the Mezoseg (liter-
ally "field-lands'"), extending from Apahida, near Klausen-
burg, in the west, nearly to Maros-Vasarhely, in the east,
and bounded by the courses of three of the principal rivers of
Transylvania — the Maros and Aranyos (golden) rivers on the
south and south-west, and the Szamos on the north and west.
A monotonous country it is, having a weary outline of low
hills and valleys, the former rising to a height of 200 or 300
feet, the exact counterparts of one another, and enclosing the
valleys, which are alike monotonous in their aspect. The
surface-soil is rich and loamy, and almost black in colour ;
loose and friable in dry weather, but easily converted by a
few hours^ rain into a deep sticky mud, which is exceedingly
trying to the traveller, whether he be pursuing his journey
on foot or driving in the strong rough carts of the country.
It is often the case that not even one small stone can be de-
tected along miles and miles of a Mezoseg road. The hills
near the villages are cultivated to the summits ; and in spring,
before the kukoricza (Indian corn) shoots up, or the scat-
tered vineyards show their green leaves, the aspect of the
country is monotonous in the extreme.

Underlying the loamy surface-soil, and extending through-
out the whole length and breadth of the Mez5seg, at an un-
varying depth of about 15 feet, is a band of hard white or
yellowish white clay, having a smooth slippery upper surface.
Upon this clay, which is almost as hard as rock, the lighter
soil slides down the hill-sides in a most remarkable manner,
forming the slopes into regular terraces, or pushing the soil
lower down into wave-like ridges. In many instances these
gigantic landslips actually fill up some of the smaller valleys,

190 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown

on

causing a great deal of labour and inconvenience to the in-
habitants.

We collected birds in the Mczoseg district from the 1st to
the 20th of May ; and during that time 107 species came under
our observation*. Owing to the exceptionably severe Aveather
in spring of the present year (1874), the breeding of the aquatic
birds was considerably retarded. As a proof of this, we found
very few nests of water-fowl during our stay there, even a
month after the time assigned by the natives as their usual
breeding-season. The reedy lakes near Zah arc the favourite
resorts of innumerable water-fowl, whether of the resident
species or of those passing on their migrations. There we
found a colony of Night- Herons, whilst the Purple Heron,
Common Heron, and Little Bittern were also common. From
amongst the great reed-beds the Thrush-like Warbler sent
forth his harsh grating note ; and the rarer and more unob-
trusive River- Warbler was found in small numbers. The
Bearded Tit, on warm sunny days, might be seen frequenting
the edges of the reed-beds ; and three specimens of the Pen-
duline Tit were on one occasion observed by our assistant and
fellow-traveller, Herr Klir. Marsh and Swainson^s Plarriers
had their nests among the reeds ; Coots and Moorhens swam
in numbers on the surface of the water ; and Black and White-
winged Terns, and a few specimens of the Little Gull hovered
over the water, or settled to rest on the floating roots and
matted stems of the water-plants. A small flock of the White-
headed Duck, together with other species of that family,
floated lightly and lazily on the water under the warm sun ;
and Grebes of at least three species dived along the margins

* Herr Hermann Otto, former ciu'ator of the Klauseuburg Museum,
enumerates 173 species as occuri'ing to his knowledge in the Mezos^g :
vide list of works at the end of this introductory portion of oiu- paper.
Graf Lazar, writing of the waterbirds of Transylvania, says that there
used to be many more swimmers and waders in Transylvania, and that
their numbers are yearly decreasing — giving as reasons the diminished
rainfall in consequence of devastation of forests, and the interference with
tlieir breeding-grounds on the Theiss by certain sj'stems for the regulation
of the water which have been adopted on that river.

the Birds of Transylvania. 191

of the reed-beds. And above all the many wild-bird cries
which we heard, the loud croaking of innumerable frogs,
like the musical throbbing notes of a large ^olian harp,
was ever present.

Turning to the land, we found the vineyards on the slopes,
and the little isolated clumps and belts of wood (few and far
between^ like the oases of the desert) full of life ; and birds
are more easily found in these small woods than in the great
oak-, beach-, or pine-tracts nearer to the mountains. Golden
Orioles, Nightingales, and Turtledoves vied with one another
in waking the echoes ; and the warblings of the Blackcap and,
more rarely, of its relation the Barred Warbler were occa-
sionally heard. In the vineyards and fruit-gardens Gold-
finches and Shrikes were the most conspicuous species ; and
in the meadows in the valleys the " whit, whit-whit " of the
Quail was constantly heard ; and the Crested Lark and the
common Bunting tripped along the dusty roads or perched on
the low bushes around. Thus it will be seen that the Mezoseg
is rich in bird-life as in flowers ; but the heat is great at mid-
summer, and the water is almost poisonous. The ornitho-
logist collecting there will do well to escape, as we did, to-
wards the mountains before the great heat sets in.

Our next station was at Gorgeny Szent Imri, in Szekler
Land, amidst old forests of primeval oak of great extent, once
the haunt of the wild aurochs, but now tenanted by long-
horned tame white cattle, and by herds of wiry little horses,
the property of the villagers. Description cannot do justice
to these glorious old oak trees. It is not their height that
is remarkable, but their great girth and their giant branches,
knotted and twisted into every curious and fantastic shape.
These grand old trees stand on a slightly marshy park -like pla-
teau, a few feet above the level of the valley of Gorgeny, and
are in some places from thirty to forty yards apart, giving to
the forest the appearance of an old English park on a great
scale. In many instances age and decay have been assisted in
hollowing out the great gaunt stems by the axes of the wood-
men when seeking fuel for their camp-fires. Thus great
caverns are formed, large enough to give shelter to half a

192 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. ILirvie Brown on

dozen men in a storm. From the marshy nature of the
ground, this forest of Gorgeny is called the Mocs iir (or swamp-)
forest. We stayed at Gorgeny Szent Imri from the 22nd of
May to the 30tli of May, finding a somewhat different fauna.
Woodpeckers, Thrushes, and Blackbirds (which we had failed
to observe in the Mezoseg), Stock-Doves, Jackdaws, and
Starlings were numerous ; Hoopoes bred in the hollow trees
in deserted Woodpeckers^ holes ; and Orioles, Lesser Grey
Shrikes, and Red-backed Shrikes were as abundant as in the
Mezoseg, Water birds were, of course, almost absent.

We proceeded to Fauczal, higher up the Gorgeny valley,
on the 30th May, passing along the banks of a rushing moun-
tain-river, down which huge rafts of pine wood are floated
from the mountains. On both sides the hills rise steeply as
the valley contracts, beech wood clothing their sides and sum-
mits, with a few tall pines relieving the lighter foliage with
their more sombre tints. At Fanczal and Ober-Fanczal
(eight miles up a lateral valley from Fanczal) we remained till
the 5th of June, not adding much to our collections, but
forming some idea of the limited avifauna of the pine-region "^
and of the mossy summits of the mountains above the pines
at an elevation of about 4000-4500 feet. In these localities
we found the Crested and Marsh Titmice and the Ring-
Ouzel not uncommon, the latter species frequenting the upper
limit of the pine-woods ; and we heard the Great Black Wood-
pecker and the Capercaillie. The Spotted Eagle w^as com-
mon in the beech- and pine-clad valleys, and the Golden
Eagle was occasionally recognized. Over the summit of the
Fanczal Berg two Kestrels were seen hovering ; and there also
we procured a good many specimens of the Water-Pipit.
The Dipper frequented the streams ; and the Grey Wagtail
became more abundant as we ascended the valleys. Shrikes,
Orioles, Jackdaws, Stock-Doves, and Turtledoves, and by
far the greater part of the previously observed fauna entirely
disappeared, although Fanczal is not more than fifteen miles

* The trees forming tlie great biilk of the mountain-forests are Abies
pectinafa and A. e.vcelsa. A fourth of the country is under wood. The
largest pine exhibited at the Vienna exhibition was cut near Fanczal.

the Birds of Transylvania. 193

higher up the valley than Gorgeny. The Chaffinch and the
Wren we found far up among the pines^ the former frequent-
ing the uppermost limit of the pine-growth at nearly 4000
feet elevation. The Goshawk and the Sparrow-hawk were
also noticed.

Virtually our collecting ceased with our last day's stay at
Fanczal^ which, though merely a forest station for the ac-
commodation of the ForstmeisterSj is a comfortable chalet-
built house, beautifully situated at the junction of the Gor-
geny and Fanczal valleys. From Fanczal we returned to
Gorgeny Szent Imri, and proceeded to Maros-Vasarhely
(which latter place we had made our headquarters during our
excursions in the Mezoseg and Szekler Land), and shortly
afterwards went on to Klausenburg. From Klausenburg we
made several short and not very productive trips. Harvie
Brown visited the salt-mines of Maros-Ujvar; and we paid a
visit to Szent Mihaly, by the kind invitation of Count Albert
V. Banffy. Here we procured a fine specimen of the Short-
toed Eagle, the only one seen by us in the country.

We ought to have mentioned before that, previously to our
visit to the Mezoseg, we spent a week at Hatzeg in the south-
west of the country, and in the Klopotiva valley^, under the
chamois-haunted Ketjezat, we obtained specimens of the
Meadow-Bunting and Rock -Thrush. At Rea we had the
pleasure of inspecting the rich collection of birds, fish, and
minerals belonging to Herr Adiim v. Buda, in whose house
we were hospitably entertained during the greater part
of our stay in that neighbourhood. To Herr Buda we
are also indebted for a full catalogue of the birds of his
district and some notes thereon. Most of those have been
procured by his brother, Herr Carl v. Buda, and himself
near Hatzeg.

One word as to the mineral wealth of Transylvania. Per-
haps no land in Europe, of its size, is so rich in metals, yield-

* This river, at diiFerent parts of its course, takes different names.
Above the village of Klopotiva and in the mountains it is called Le-
pusnik; at the entrance to the gorge, Klopotiva j and lower down, Sebes
(or swift-flowing).

194 Messrs. C. G. Dauford and J. A. Ilarvic Brown on

ing gold, silver, tellurium, copper, lead, quicksilver, and iron ;
the annual yield of the former is considerable. Iron is espe-
cially abundant near Petroseny, in the south-west.

Having thus given a rough outline of our routes, and at-
tempted to describe the more remarkable features of the
country through which we passed, a word or two as regards
its sporting-capabilities may not be out of place.

The fisherman need not look for any great amusement ; for
though most of the mountain-rivers contain trout and grayling,
they are generally rather small. Perhaps the best stream in
the country is the Sebes (before mentioned), which flows from
behind the Retjezat, and joins the Strell nearHatzeg: the trout
are not bad, running sometimes to one or two pounds in weight;
and the grayling-fishing is really good ; almost any number
may be taken in autumn when weather and water are in good
order. The Sil also, near Petroseny, is a fine-looking river,
and used to be celebrated for its so-called " salmon-trout "
{Salmo hucho) ; but these had quite disappeared when we saw
it, having been blown up with dynamite, a method of fishing
very commonly practised in the country, but now forbidden
by law. Indeed fly-fishing is gaining ground, and English
tackle is in great demand.

More use will be found for the gun than the rod; and
if the sportsman will work for it, he will find that he can
make fair and varied, though rarely large bags. Transyl-
vania is probably the best country in Europe for bears;
and notably the best districts are those of Gorgeny Szent
Imri and Hatzeg. The first is, contrary to all precedent,
preserved ; and the result is, that, being seldom distui'bed,
the bears have increased greatly, and do serious damage to
the live stock of the neighbourhood. The Ober-Forst-
meister assured us that, on one occasion, seventeen were seen
in a single drive, nine of them coming to one gun, and the
whole of them escaping^. In all other districts the sport is
free. A large force of beaters is necessary in most places ;

* In 1851 eighty-six bears were killed in Transylvania ; in 1853 sixty-
five ; and in 1854 eiglity-six. ('Handbiich der Landeskunde Siebeu-
biirgens.')

the Birds of Transylvania. 195

and these generally turn out (men, women, and children) by-
order of the magistrate. Other small woods and ravines can
be tried more quietly : a few Wallachs, who are up to their
work, and three or four guns will do well enough. These
Wallachs are by far the best sportsmen of the country, having
the ways of the woods and game thoroughly by heart, and
for the sake of the sport, and a little tobacco and schnaps,
they will do any thing. We have never seen better perform-
ances than their quickness and endurance in driving chamois,
of which there are in some districts a good number. The
Retjezat and some of the adjoining hills are also preserved
by a club of sportsmen ; but outside their territory there is
plenty of ground and a good show of chamois. The country
is rocky, with here and there a good deal of creeping pine,
but not difficult to get over. The views to be got looking
down into Wallachia_, over an endless series of summits and
ridges, are alone worth the trouble of going up. The sports-
man should take a small tent with him ; or he will often be
very cold, and always well bitten, the poor unsquared-log
huts of the summer shepherds being full of wind-holes and
fleas.

Wild boar do exist in the country, but are by no means
numerous ; towards the south-west is about the best district
to look for them. Wolves there are everywhere, but they are
hardly ever to be seen except in winter"^. Lynx are getting
rare, but are occasionally got in the south and north-east ;
and rarer still is the marmot, a specimen of which a gentle-
man told us he had shot in the Fogaras district five years ago ;
they have also been got on the Retjezat, and on the Rodnaer
and Szekler frontier mountains. Red deer are scarce ; the
best district is the Rothenthurm pass and other parts border-
ing on Wallachia. Roe deer are common enough; and it
seems to us that they are very large. One may go a long
way without seeing a hare ; its merits for the pot, for which
it is in most places killed at all sizes and times, will account

* One young one, brought home by Danford, having been presented to
him by Professor Encz, of Klausenburg, is now in the Zoological Gardens,
Regfent's Park.

196 Messrs. C. G. Dauford and J. A. liarvie Brown on

for this. Other animals^ such as wild cat, fox, badger, otter,
yellow- and white-breasted martens, and the smaller carni-
vora are pretty numerous. The ibex and aurochs have long
been extinct. Of the former we have not been able to learn
much. Of the latter, Bieltz, in his ' Fauna der Wirbelthiere
Siebenbiirgens ' (p. 35), says, on the authority of Benko, that
some were seen in March 1775 in a wood at Fiile, in the dis-
trict of Udvarhely — that, according to Fridvaldszky (' Mi-
neralogia Magni Principatus Transsilvaniae,^ Claudiopoli A.S.
MDCCLXVIIL, p. 6), they especially frequented the woods
of Gyergyo, in the neighbourhood of a marsh ; and that Pe-
tenyi says that the last killed in Transylvania was in the year
1814.

Feathered game is certainly not abundant. There are a
good many Capercaillie in the quiet pine- woods pretty high
up ; but they are only to be got at during the pairing-season.
Hazel-Grouse, too, are common in the lower woods, but are
not easily found, unless the call-system be adopted. Black
game are scarcely worth mentioning, as far as sport is con-
cerned ; they are so scarce, and in such out-of-the-way places.
In the grain-districts one would expect to find a good many
Partridges ; but this is not the case ; the coveys are few and
far between — want of preservation, and the number of Hooded
Crows and birds of j)rey, making life rather hard for them.
Quails are numerous ; but the best sport to be got is the
autumn Woodcock-shooting, particularly at Gorgeny and in
the Haromseg, while for Snipe the salt marshes near Maros-
Ujvar would be well worth trying. From what we saw of
the Mezoseg, we should think that the winter Duck-shooting
must be capital ; better ground one could not wish for than
its numerous small lakes connected with reedy marshes ; and
in the neighbourhood of Thorda there are always a few Bus-
tards. On the whole we should say that luck and perseve-
rance have a good deal to do with sport in Transylvania.

It now remains for us, before commencing the second part
of our paper, to express om* obligations to the many kind
friends for the frank and hospitable way in which we were
everywhere received and our plans assisted. Especially are

tlie Birds of Trunsijlvania. 197

our tliauks clue to Professors Finaly and Encz, of the Klausen-
burg University; to Baron Houzar Jjinos, of that town ; and
Count BaufFy Bela^ of Szent Mihaly; and to HH. Buda
Adam, and Carl, of Rea, near Hatzeg, and Herr Ugron, of
Zah ; and to Herr Adalbert Fikker, k. k. Ober-Forstmeister
at Gorgeny Szent Irari; also to our friend and fellow-tra-
veller, Herr Klir Janos, the curator of the Klausenburg Mu-
seum, wlio accompanied us on all our trips, and to whose
valuable assistance, hearty cooperation, and good fellowship
we owe much of the success and pleasure of our trip. Wo
also received valuable information from Herr A. v. Pelzeln,
of the k. k. Zoological Museum at Vienna.

We must not forget also our kind friends at home for much
ready assistance given to us. Professor Newton has helped
us to the names of several of the works we have consulted,
and given us other useful aid. Messrs. E. R. Alston and
H. E. Dresser looked over our collections and assisted us in
difficulties of nomenclature &c. ; and Mr. J. E. Harting gave
us useful information on several points of importance.

In the preparation of the following list of Transylvanian
birds, we have, as far as possible, compared our own notes
with the following : —

1. Buda, Herr Adam. M.S. Catalogue of and Notes on his Collection
at R6a, near Hatzeg.

2. Baldamxjs, Dr. " Beitrage zur Naturgeschichte einiger dem S.O.
Europa's angehorenden Vogel," Naumannia, 1851, pt. 1, p. 28, pt. 2, p. 70,
pt. 4, p. 39, and 1852, pt. 2, p. 81.

3. BiEiiTZ, Herr A. E. ' Fauna der Wirbelthiere Siebenbiirgens.' 8vo :
Ilermannstadt, 1856.

4. . " Beitrag zur Unterscheidung der rabenartigen Vogel." Ver-

bandlungen und Mittbeilungen dea Siebenbiirgiscber Vereins fiir Natur-
wissenscbaft, IV. Jahrgang, p. 55. Hermannstadt.

5. CsATO, Herr Janos. " A Retjezat helyviszonyi ^s terin^szetrajzi
tekintetben," Az Erdelyi Muzeum-Egylet Evkonyvei, IV. Kotet, II. Fiiset,
p. 72*.

* " The Retjezat in its Local and Natural-History relations." In the
annual publications of the Transylvanian Museum Society, vol. iv. pt. ii.
p. 72.

SER. III. VOL. v. P

198 The Birds of Transylvania.

6. CsXto, IleiT Janos. " A Strigy menteneks mellekvolgyeinek ternies-
zetrajzi leirasa "*, Az Erd%i Muz. Egy. ilv. VI. Kotet, II. Fiizet, p. 104.

7. . " Sylvia lusciuioides," Verhandl. & Mitthoil. des Siebenb.

Vereins fiir Naturw. XIV. Jahrgang, p. 145. Ilermannstadt.

8. FiNGEU, Ilerr Julius. ' Fauna Austriaca Omithologica — Verzeicli-
niss der Vogel des ostei-reichischen Kaiserstadtes.' Wien, 1857.

9. Hausmann, Hen- Wilhelm. " Turdus saxatilis," Verb. & Mitth. des
Siebenb. Vereins fiir Naturw. XVI. Jahrgang, p. 107-118.

10. . " Vogelvarietaten aus Siebenbiirgen/' Verb. & Mittb. des

Siebenb. Vereins fiir Naturw. XX. Jabrgang, p. 3.

11. Klausenburg Museum, MS. List of the Birds in.

12. Lazar, Count Kalman. " A madarakrol kiiloncis tekintettel az
Erdelyben bonos fajokra"t, Az Erdelyi Muz. Egylet £v. I. Kotet, II.
Fiizet, GO. 1860.

13. . "Aquila pennata es Aquila minuta," ib. I. Kotet, III.

Fiizet, 153.

14. . " Erdi^lyi madai'ainak Jegyzeke — Enumeratio avium Trans-

sylvanicarum."

15. . " Kurtze Beitrage zur Ornithologie Siebenbiirgens," Verb.

& Mittb. des Siebenb. Vereins fiir Naturw. X. Jabrgang.

16. Ott6, Herr Hermann. "Falco subbuteo, Liune.," Erd. Muz. E.
tv. III. Kotet, II. Fiizet, p. 84.

17. . " Allattani Kozl^sek "J,

Erd. Muz. E. ty. III. K. II. 87. 1866.
„ IV. „ I. 48. 1867.

„ V. „ I. 30. 1869.

„ V. „ II. 92. 1870.

18. . " A Mezos^g I. — A Hodos vagy Szarvasto ^s Kornyeke"§,

Erd. Muz. E. Ev. V. K. I. 8.

19. . <'A Mezoseg II. — A Mezo-Zah-Tobati, tovabba, Mebesi,

Baldi es Mezo-Salyi t6zorozat"||, Erd. Muz. E. tv. VI. K. I. 42.

20. . " Erismatura leucocepbala, L. — A Magyar ornisban," Az

* " A Natural-History description of tbe Valley of the Strell and its
adjacent Valleys."

t " On birds, with especial reference to tbe species breeding in Tran-
sylvania."

X "Zoological Communications." In Ann. Pub. Trans. Mus. Soc.

§ " Tbe Mezoseg I. — The lake of Hodos (Beaver), or Szarvas (Stag),
and its immediate neighbourhood."

II " The Mez6st5g II. — Tlie lake-chain of Mezo-Zah-Tohat, and, further,
of Melies {i. e. abounding in bees), Bald, and Mezo-Saly.

On the Nidification of certain Indian Birds. 199

Eggenbergei'-fele Akad. Koiiyvkereskedes, Hoffiuann ds Moluar. 1873.
We have not been able to consult this paper.

21. Pelzrln, Herr A. von. "Beitrag zur ornith. Fauna der osterr.-
uugar. Monarchic," Verb, der k. k. zool.-botanischen Gesellschaft in
Wien, 1871.

22. Stetter, Herr. (Various species noticed.) Verb. & Mitth. des
Siebeub. Vereins fiir Naturw. XV. Jahrgang, p. 235.

23. TscHUSi-ScHMiBHOFEN, Victor Hitter von. " Nucifraga Caryo-
catactes." A monograph.

Besides the above, there is a paper on the birds of the
Theiss and Lower Danube, by Zelebor, which may be con-
sulted, though it has not much bearing on Transylvania,
along with Herr A. v. Pelzeln's remarks upon the same in
' Journal fiir Ornithologie,' 1864 {cf. Ibis, 1865, pp. 225, 226) .

The Hungarian names (printed in italics) which we give
are extracted from Bieltz and from various other sources.
We have endeavoured to translate these, except where they
are equivalent to the English, or are proper names, having
no particular interpretation. As in other countries, the names
undergo many variations in different parts of Hungary.

All the species observed by us during our present trip, or
])y Danford on his previous visit in the autumn of 1872, are
indicated by an asterisk in the following list.
[To be continued.]

XII. — On the Nidification of certain Indian Birds. — Part IV."^
By Andrew Anderson, F.Z.S.

Aquila hastata.

I should premise by stating that my excursion into the
Saharunpore district, entailing a journey of over 700 miles,
to and fro, with the thermometer standing at 117° in the
shade (168° in the sun), was undertaken for the express pur-
pose of securing nestling-birds, and not for the sake of be-
coming possessed of eggs, of which latter I might have be-
come the happy owner of no less than seven specimens. As

* For Fart III. see Ibis, 18/4, p. 220.

p 2

200 Mr. A. Anderson on the

the acquisition of the young birds has, at last, enabled me to
supply the missing link in the history of this interesting
Eagle*, my first disappointment has been fully compensated
for by the filling of a blank in my egg-cabinet.

I need not infiict upon my readers the details of my journey,
nor recount the hardships and discomforts which befell me
while engaged in the " cause of science." Suffice it to say
that after uninterruj)ted travelling of all sorts for forty hours
(carriage, mail-cart, and rail), I arrived at Saharunpore at
midnight of the 29th June, 1873. My collectors, including
a lad to climb, a skinner, &c., under the command of Ungun
(who had the year before enriched Mr. Brooks^s collection
with eggs of A. navia and A. hastata from the same locality),
had preceded me by a fortnight, with a supply of ready-ad-
dressed and stamped envelopes; so that my '' daily reports "
were received with the regularity so becoming to an Indian
official.

I take the present opportunity of tendering my thanks to
Mr. Kennedy, Joint Magistrate of Saharunpore, for his kind-
ness in allowing my pioneers to make use of his premises as
a base of operations, and for keeping me informed, from time
to time, of what progress they made ; for our Aryan brethren
require to be well sat upon, even under the most advantageous
circumstances.

From the train (it was 2 a.m. before I despatched a light
breakfast and put together some necessaries for the road) 1,
accompanied by my attendants, who met me at the railway
station, stepped into a carriage which had been engaged for
the purpose, and made straight for the Jumna Canal ; for our
road lay along the canal-banks (up and down) for another
foi*ty miles. A three hours' drive brought us to the first
nestf, in which, according to my reports, the youngster could

* A description of the plumage of the young birds, which have now
moulted, will appear in the ' Proceedings ' of the Zoological Society.

t The seven nests which had been discovered contained each only one
Q^^. Two of these had been robbed ; and in two the squabs had died from
the extreme heat. It was the hottest season on record ; and the " rains,"
which generally burst on the 18th of June, were already a fortnight
overdue.

Nidification of certain Indian Birds. 201

uot have been more than ten days old. We alighted half a
mile before the tree was reached, as Ungiin declared that
the parent birds had become extremely wary, owing to his
frequent inspections, and that, if we wanted to catch either
of them at home, the utmost caution was necessary. A few
minutes^ walk under cover of the avenue of trees which grow
so luxuriantly along the water^s edge, enabled us to descry
one of the parent birds at an immense height in the air,
making gyrations on almost motionless wings over the tree
on which the nest was built.

Now, as A. ncEvia and A. hast at a had both been known to
breed in this very locality in former years, identification was a
matter of the utmost importance^; so after having a look at the
young bird, which was carefully deposited in the nest again
pro tem., and leaving one of our party to act as guardian, and
to cook for the others, we drove on to nest No. 2, which was
on the opposite bank of the canal.

Here, again, Ave were equally unfortunate, as both the
parent birds were circling overhead, now and again making
wide gyrations, and quartering the jungle Harrier-fashion,
apparently in search of food. Arrived under the tree, we
found our young friend standing bolt upright in the nest,
peering down upon us unwelcome visitors in the most comical
manner. It was now nearly midday ; and the heat was so
terrific that I could hardly touch the barrels of my gun, and
the furnace blast which was fast rising would soon preclude
the possibility of my doing any thing further till the after-
noon.

After remaining concealed (as best I could) for a consi-
derable length of time, during which period the Eaglet called
lustily for food, and was frequently responded to by the
parent birds, one of my scouts gave the alarm, which put me
on the alert. Almost simultaneously with the warning I saw
one of the parent birds swoop into the nest from the opposite

* I should mention that my men had not met with a single Spotted
Eagle on this occasion. Not only had the largest trees in this neighbour-
hood been cut down, but the country was sufficiently parched to drive the
marsh-loving A. ncpvia into more genial regions.

202 Mr. A. Anderson on the

side of the tree, with what appeared to me a small snake in
its talons. To transfer the quarry from the drooping feet
into its heak, drop it into the gaping mouth of its offspring,
and to take a header, with closed wings, out of the nest (for-
tunately on my side), was the work of a moment ; and a very
beautiful sight it was. A lucky snap-shot, and I was actually
guilty of the double crime of murder as well as robbery. The
old bird proved to be a female on dissection ; she was devoid
of any spots or markings, and accords exactly with the de-
scription of the fully adult bird given at page G22, P. Z. S.
for 1872.

The little downy creature, not more than fifteen days old,
according to my data, was safely let down in a wicker basket,
and looked so delicate that I was apprehensive of being able
to rear it. Imagine my surprise on finding a five-inch tail
of a lizard (which I had taken for a snake) dangling out of
one side of its mouth ! The head and body of this dainty
morsel were no further than the throat, so that by gently
pulling it out, I was able to identify it as Calotis versicolor.
While waiting for a shot, I observed that the little inmate
of the nest was particularly clean in its habits, and used to
eject its faces right over the side of the nest.

We now retraced our footsteps to the first nest, every now
and again watching the gradual disappearance of the lizard's
tail. In a quarter of an hour the little creature again com-
menced yelping for food, and began to peck at my fingers ;
but the country was so dreadfully dried up that no reptilian,
not even a frog, was procurable. I therefore shot a Dove,
which, to my delight, was devoured as quickly as it could be
cut up.

By 4 P.M. I was in possession of the squab belonging to the
first nest above alluded to ; and these two gave me incessant
work for the remainder of the day. Before evening they had
demolished three Doves and two Minas, and they were quite
game to eat by candle-light as well.

The following morning I was far from fit for any fur-
ther exposure to the sun, as the frequent yelping of the Eaglets,
which I was obliged to keep in an open basket at my bed-

Nidification of certain Indian Birds. .Jyj\j

side, coupled with the heat, did not suffer me to have much
rest. The taking of the third nest therefore devolved on
Ungun ; and it was with no little pleasure that I welcomed
him back by nightfall with the third youngster, along with
one of the parent birds. This one, too, proved to be a female,
and was fully adult, without the slightest indication of spots,
either on the wings or head, or any striation on the under-
parts. The plumage was a good deal faded and worn, espe-
cially the tail-feathers and primaries ; the tibial plumes were
incrusted with dry mud, caused, no doubt, by its hunting for
reptile food in moist ground.

I cannot say much for the architectural skill of this Eagle.
The nests I examined, as regards size and appearance, were
very similar to those that are built by the common Kite ; they
differed in one material point, viz. that they were placed near
the top of the tree, so as to command a good view of the
country. All seven were built on good-sized (but not the
largest) Sisso trees [Dalhergia sisso) , and in every instance on
the banks of the canal, adjacent to which, in ordinary sea-
sons, there are pools of water and small marshes such as
Aquila naevia and A. hastata delight in. My first nest was
actually built on a tree overlooking the roadway, ov puttree,
on the edge of which the inhabitants of a small village were
in the habit of bathing.

A curious feature in the nidification of this Eagle yet re-
mains to be recorded, viz. that it lays a single egg. This is
not only the result of my own investigation, but Mr. Brooks's
collectors, who procured several eggs the previous season,
bear me out in the conclusion I have arrived at. Captain
Marshall, too, who was stationed for some time at Saharun-
pore, informs me that one egg is the normal number.

My retm-n trip had now to be arranged ; and, as bad luck
would have it, I was doomed to travel by rail during the day.
Leaving Saharunpore by the midday train of the 1st July,
with the flesh of six chickens packed in ice, I reached She-
koabad on the forenoon of the following day. For the re-
mainder of the journey (another eighty miles) I was fortu-
nately my own master, and could stop my travelling carriage

204 Mr. V. L. Sclatcr's F-'ijnopsis of Uie

for the purpose of shooting small birds as often as was neces-
sary. But it is strange that I have never once succeeded in
prevailing on these Eagles (and two of them are now sixteen
months old*) to partake of reptile food in any form whatever.
This doubtless may be accounted for by my " blooding " them
with such dainty morsels when first fed by the hand, in the
same way as man-eating tigers and crocodiles are said to ac-
quire a decided penchant for the flesh of the human form divine
when once partaken of.

XIII, — Synopsis of the Species of the Subfamily Diglossinse.
By P. L. ScLATER, M.A., F.R.S.

(Plates lY., V.)

The genus Diglossa was instituted by Wagler in 1832 for
the reception of a little bird of which specimens had been
obtained in Mexico by Dr. Petz and deposited in the Museum
of Wiirtzburg. Wagler referred the bird, somewhat doubt-
fully, to his Order " Corvi," and gave an accurate diagnosis
of both sexes. He called it very appropriately Diglossa, from
its divided tongue, and baritula, from the peculiar hook of the
upper mandible, which reminded him of the genus Barita.

In 1838 Prince Charles Bonaparte described the same bird
in the ' Nuovi Annali delle Scienze Naturali/ published at
Bologna, and, not being aware of Wagler's prior designation,
proposed to call it Agrilorhinus sittaceus. The term Agri-
lorhinus (which has been variously written by subsequent
authors) Avas probably intended to have been Ancylorhinus
{dyKuXot; and p/?). Prince Bonaparte's types were specimens
collected by Signor F. Sirletto in Mexico, and were believed
to have been destined for the Museum of Florence. I do not
know whether they were ever placed in that institution.

* One of the three I made into a specimen immediately it was fully
pluraaged, in order to demonstrate what the nestling bird is like ; the
second has just completed its moult, and I gi-ieve to think that a similar
fate awaits it ; the third I should like to see placed in the Zoological
Gardens.

Species of the Subfamily Diglossince. 205

In tlie same year the second part of the synopsis of the
birds collected by D'Orbigny in South America, prepared by
himself and Lafresnaye, was published in the ' Magazin de
Zoologie/ D'Orbigny had obtained two species of this same
genus of birds in the Andes of Bolivia ; and the generic term
Serrirostrum (from the slight serrations on the edges of the
mandibles) was now proposed for them. In 1839 Lafresnaye,
while again describing Diglossa baritula under a different
name, proposed to change the generic term Serrirostrum into
Uncirostrum. Three years later Dr. Hartlaub"^ showed that
these various names were identical, and established the pri-
ority of Diglossa, which has since been generally accepted.

In 1837, or thereabouts, as is stated to me in a kind com-
munication received from Dr. Cabanis, Lichtenstein was in-
tending to designate this genus " Campylops." But this term
was suppressed, and never actually published until 1851,
when it was referred to as a synonym of Diglossa in the
' Museum Heineanum.^

In 1846 Lafresnaye gave a list of the eleven species of
Diglossa known to him in the 'Revue Zoologique" (p. 317
et seqq.).

In 1864 the late Mr. Cassin gave an account of the species
of this genus represented in the Museum of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia t, and very needlessly pro-
posed subgeneric titles for the diff'erent divisions into which
he separated the group.

About the beginning of 1840, when birds^ skins first began
to be received from Bogota, Mr. Fraser, in this country, and
the Baron de Lafresnaye, in France, described several new
species of Diglossa from this district at nearly the same date.
Since then a few others have been discovered in various parts
of the range of the Andes (one of which, D. plumbea, occurs
north of Panama), and a single species has been found in
the mountain-range of British Guiana. Altogether we are
now acquainted with fifteen well-marked species of this genus.

Of the closely allied form Diglossopis, which was first de-

* Rev. Zool. 1842, p. oG.

t Pr. Acad. Sc. Phil. 1864, p. 273.

206 Mr. P. L. Sclatcr's Synopsis of the

scribed by tlie writer in 1850^ only a single species is known.
I believe this bird is frequently passed over as the female or
young of D. personata; but a careful examination soon shows
the difference.

These two genera together constitute a very well-marked
section of the purely Neotropical family Ccerebidae, charac-
terized by their hooked upper mandible. Lafresnaye pointed
out this as their natural place in the series many years ago*;
and it is surprising that some authors f should have thought
of annexing them to the Dendrocolaptidae^ with which they
have really no sort of connexion.

The two genera of Diglossiuse may be separated as fol-
lows : —

Rostro crassiore, gonyde ascendente 1. Diglossa.

llostro tenuiore, elongatiore, gonyde recto 2. Dit/lossojns.

I now proceed to give an account of the species of these
two genera known to me^ based mainly on the study of the
series in my own collection and that of Messrs. Salvin and
Godman. I have likewise cursorily examined the specimens
in the British Museum.

Genus I. Diglossa.

Diglossa, Wagler, Isis, 1832_, p. 280 : type D. baritula.

"Campylops, Licht. MS.," Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 96: type
D. baritula.

Uncirostrum, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1839^ p. 100 : type D. car-
honaria.

Agrilorhinus, Bp. Nuovi Ann. Sc. Nat. i. p. 408 (1838) :
type D. haritula.

Serrirostrum, Lafr, et d'Orb. Syn. Av. ii. p. 25 (1838) :
type D. carbonaria.

Tephrodiglossa, Cassin, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1864, p. 273 : type
T>. carbonaria.

Pyrrhodiglossa, ej. ibid. : type D. mystacalis.

('yanodlglossa, ej. ibid. : type D. jjersonata.

Melanodiglossa, cj. ibid. : type D. lafresnayi.

* Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 100, et 1840, p. 319.

t E. (/.{}. \l. Gray in his ' List of Genera of Birds ' (ed. 2), p. 23 et alibi.

Species of the Subfamily Diglossinse. 207

The fifteen species of this genus may be divided as fol-
lows : —

Sect. I. DlGLOSS^ RUFO-PICT^.

a. abdomine rufo, crisso concolori.

gula plumbea 1 . haritula.

gula concolori rufa 2. sittoides.

gula oinnino nigra 3. yloriosa.

giila med. nigra, utrinque rufa 4. brtmneiventris.

h. abdomine nigro, crisso rufo.

torque pectorali rufo : niystacibus albis 5. j^sctoralis.

torque nuUo, niystacibus rufis 0. mystacalis.

c. abdomine cinereo, crisso rufo.

pectore nigro 7. carhunaria,

pectore et ventre concoloribus 8. majoi\

Sect. II. DlGLOSS^ HOMOCHRO^.

d. supra subtusque nigroe.

campterio cterulescente 9. lafresnaiji.

campterio cano 10. IvumeraUs.

campterio nigro II. aterrima.

campterio albo 12. alhilatendis.

e. supra subtusque plumbea 13. plumbea.

f. supra subtusque cperulese

facie nigra 14. personata.

facie concolori 15. indigotica,

1, DiGLOSSA BARITULA.

Diglossa haritula, Wagl. Isis, 1832, p. 281 ; Hahn, Orn.
Atl. xii. tab. 1 et 2; Hartl. Rev. Zool. 1842, p. 56; Gray,
Gen. B. pi. 42; Bp. Consp. p. 401 ; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1856,
p. 286, et 1864, p. 173, et Cat. A. B. p. 48; Cab. Mus. Hein.
p. 97; Sclater et Salvin, Ibis, 1859, p. 14; Reich. Handb.
p. 233, t. dliv. f. 3762, 3763 ; Cass. Pr. Ac. Phil. 1864, p. 273 ;
Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 15.

Campylops hamulus, Licht. MS.

Uncirostrum brelayi, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 100.

Uncirostrum sittaceum, Lafr. ib. p. 292.

Anchilorhinus sittaceus, Bp. Nuov. Ann. Sc. Nat. Bologna,
i. p. 408 (1838).

Supra plumbea, capite alis et cauda obscurioribus : subtus
ferrugiuea : gula plumbeii : subalaribus ferrugineis, re-

208 Mr. P. L. Sclatcr's Sijoopsh of the

migum raarginibus internis albicantibus : rostro ob-
scnro^ mandibubl infcriore carnea, pedibus corylinis :
long, tota 4 5, alee 2 4, caudal 1'9. Fern, flavicauti-
olivacca, alis caudaquc fuscis olivaceo limbatis : subtus
fuscescenti-ocliracea, ventre medio dilutiore.
Hab. S. Mexico and Guatemala.
Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G.

As already shown above, this most northern representative
of the Diglossce was first described by Wagler, next by Bona-
parte, and then by Lafresnaye, under different generic and
specific names. Dr. Hartlaub was the first to recognize the
identity of these synonyms. Figures of both sexes are given
by Halm in his Ornithological Atlas and by Reichenbach in
his Coloured Plates of Birds.

The range of D. baritula extends over Southern Mexico
and Guatemala, but not further south. It is met with in
most Mexican collections from the interior, but does not ap-
pear to be found in the lower forests of the sea-coast. Salle
obtained it near Cordova, De Oca near Jaiapa. Sumichrast,
in his memoir on the distribution of the birds of Vera Cruz ^,
refers this species to the " Alpine Region,^'' and says : —

" I consider the alpine region as the real centre of propa-
gation of this bird. I have there found it at the height even
of 3000 metres. It is not very rare in the more elevated parts
of the canton of Orizaba. Its general habits and its manner
of feeding are analogous to those of the Trochilidae. It is
known by the common names of Mielero, or Honey-eater,
and Pico-chueco, or Distorted-beak.^'

In Guatemala, Mr. Salvin tells me, this bird is found on
all the mountains ranging above 6000 feet. He obtained it
himself in Vera Paz and on the slopes of the Volcan de Fuego.
It frequents bushes and the edges of the forests. It is very
restless in its movements amongst the branches in search of
food, and goes either singly or in small families.

2. DiGLOSSA SITTOIDES.

Serrirostrum sittoides, Lafr. et D'Orb. Syn. Av. ii. p. 25 ;
D'Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 374, t. 58. fig. 2.

* Mem. Roslon Soc. N. H. i. p. 542 (1860).

Species of the Subfamily Diglossinee. 209

Difflossa sitioides, Bridges^ P. Z. S. 1847, p. 29 j Reich.
Handb. p. 233, t. dliv. f. 3766] Cassin, Pr. Acad. Phil. 1864,
p. 273 ; Scl. et. Salv. Nomencl. p. 15 ; Tacz. P. Z. S. 1874,
p. 511.

Diglossa similis, Lafr. Rev. Zooh 1846, p. 318; Sclater,
P. Z. S. 1855, p. 138, et 1868, p. 170, et Cat. A. B. p. 48 ;
Bp. Consp. p. 401 ; Reich. Handb. p. 233, t. dliv. f. 3764; Cass.
Pr. Ac. Phil. 1864, p. 273; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 15.

Diglossa hyperythra, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 97. (1850) (ex
Venezuela) .

Uncirostrum d'orbignii, Boiss. Rev. Zool. 1840, p. 5.
Diglossa d'orbignyi, Reich. Handb. p. 233.
Supr^ plumbea, fronte et lateribus capitis paulo obscurioribus,
alis et Cauda intus nigricantibus, plumbeo anguste mar-
ginatis : subtiis omnino saturate ochracea unicolor : ros-
tro corneo, mandibula inferiore albicante : pedibus flavi-
dis : long, tota 4*4, alae 2"25, caudse 1*8. Fem. olivacea,
alis caudaque fuscis olivaceo limbatis, illarum fascia ob-
solete ochracea : subtus fuscescenti- ochracea.
Hab. Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Mus. P.L. S. et S.-a.

D. sittoides was one of the two species of this genus ob-
tained by D'Orbigny in Bolivia, and first described by him
and Lafresnaye in 1838. D^Orbigny collected specimens at
various points on the Eastern Cordillera of that country, at
Chupe, in the province of Yungas, and near the cities of Chu-
quisaca and Valle Grande. Bridges met with it also in Bo-
livia, at altitudes of from 8000 to 10,000 feet in the province
of Cochabamba.

In 1848 Lafresnaye founded a second species of Diglossa
upon Bogota skins, to which he gave the very appropriate
name of D. similis, from its striking resemblance to the Bo-
livian D. sittoides. Lafresnaye states various minute points
of difference between the two forms ; but upon comparison of
the series now before me (consisting of nine individuals from
different localities), I find that none of these points holds good.
Besides that, we have since discovered that this species occurs
not only in Columbia and Bolivia, but also in the interme-
diate countries of Ecuador and Peru, and likewise extends

210 Mr. P. L. Sclater's Synopsis of the

into Venezuela. Several skins from the vicinity of Quito
are in Salvin and Godman's collection. Jelski obtained spe-
cimens in the Junin district of Central Peru ; and Goering has
sent us skins from the neighbourhood of Caracas, in Vene-
zuela. Upon comparing these with a Bolivian example in my
collection, which was obtained by Mr. David Forbes, F.ll.S.,
at Chichalula, in the province of Yungas, in June 1861, 1 can
find no differences worthy of record. In Bogota skins there
is certainly a rather darker hue on the front and sides of the
head, and the dimensions are perhaps slightly inferior; but
regarding the series as a whole, I see no grounds whatever
for specific separation.

Mr. Cassin {l.s.c), though he does not actually unite
D. sittoides and D. similis, seems to have been of the same
opinion.

3. DiGLOSSA GLORIOSA.

Diglossa gloriosa, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 784, pi. 46,
fig. 1, et Nomencl. p. 15.

Nigra, uropygio in cinereum trahente, abdomine medio cas-
taneo : tectricibus alarum minoribus et superciliis indi-
stinctis ceerulescenti-canis : rostro uigro, pedibus corneis :
long, tota 5 "2, alee 2*5, caudse 2"2.

Hab. Andes of Merida, Venezuela.

Mus, P. L. S. et S.-G.

On his first expedition to Merida Mr. Goering obtained a
single male specimen of this distinct Diglossa on the Paramo
of La Culata.

During his second expedition to Merida, in 1873, Mr.
Goering procured further examples of this species, like the
former, of the male sex. The female is still unknown ; and
no other collector seems to have obtained the bird at all.

The nearest ally of D. gloriosa is the next species, from
which, however, it is at once distinguishable by its wholly
black throat, chest, and flanks, only the middle of the belly
and crissum being of a dark chestnut brown.

Mr. Goering notes the iris of this species as '' dai"k
brown.^'

Species of the Subfamily Diglossinae. 211

4. DiGLOSSA BllUNNElVENTRIS.

Diglossa brmmeiveniris, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 18 i6, p. 318 ;
Des Murs, Icon. Orn. pi. 43 ; Cassin, Pr. Acad. Phil. 1864,
p. 274 ; Reich. Handb. p. 232, t. dliv. f. 3765 ; Scl. et Salv.
P. Z. S. 1867, p. 984, et Nomencl. p. 15 ; Tacz. P. Z. S. 1874,
p. 511.

Siij)rh, nigra, scapularibus et uropygio cineraceis : subtus sa-
turate rufa, gula media nigra, utrinque rufo limbata :
lateribus et subalaribus cinereis : tibiis nigris : rostro et
pedibus nigris : long, tota 5*5, alee 2'8, caudse 2*5. Fern.
fusco-cinerea, dorso substriato, tectricum alarum mar-
ginibus pallidis : subtus pallide ochraceo-fusca, gutture
cinereo ; pectore nigricante striate.

Hab. Andes of Peru.

Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G.

This Difflossa was first described by Lafresnaye in 1846,
under a name given to it by Des Murs, who shortly afterwards
figured it in his ' Iconographie Ornithologique.^ Des Murs
corrects Lafresnaye in assigning " Peru '' as its locality, and
states that he received his specimens from Gay, who brought
them from Chili. But here, no doubt, Des Murs was mis-
taken. Chili, so far as we know up to the present time, is
beyond the range of Diglossa, and it is much more likely-
that Gay's examples were procured in Peru.

Mr. Whitely obtained specimens of D. brunneiventris (from
which my description has been taken) first at Chihuata, be-
tween Islay and Arequipa, at an elevation of 9000 feet, and
afterwards at Tinta and Paucartambo, in the Andes of Cuzco.
Jelski collected many examples in the more northern part of
the republic, in the district of Tarma. The series of six skins
from these localities now before me shows considerable vari-
ation in size, the wing measuring 2"8 inches in some, and 2*5
only in others. The tint of the chestnut-red of the lower
surface also varies in intensity.

The specimen described as the female of this species is one
of Mr. Whitely^s skins, procured at Paucartambo in February
1873. It is right to mention that one of M. Jelski's skins,
marked as of this sex, is in nearly the same plumage as the

212 Mr. P. L. Sclater's Synopsis of the

male, but duller in colours. I suspect, however, that the
latter is really a young male.

5. DiGLOSSA PECTORALIS. (Platc IV.)

Diglossa pectoralis, Cab. Journ. f. O. 1873, p. 318; Tacz.
P. Z. S. 1874, p. 511.

Nigi'a, uropygio et scapularibus cineracescentibus : raystacibus
et plaga quadrata pectoris lacteo-albis, hujus limbo su-
periore et crisso saturate rufis ; rostro et pedibus nigris :
long, tota 4' 75, alae 2'9, caudse 2"4.

Hab. Andes of Peru.

Mus. Varsoviano.

This is a recent discovery of the Polish naturalist Jelski in
the interesting part of Peru which he has lately explored —
the vicinity of Tarma and Junin. M. Jelski obtained several
specimens at Maraynioc in this district, but does not appear
to have distinguished the species from D. brunneiventris . The
figure is taken from one of these examples (belonging to the
Museum of Warsaw), which M. Taczanowski has kindly sent
me for examination.

6. Diglossa mystacalis.

Diglossa mystacalis, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1846, p. 318 ; Bridges,
P.Z. S. 1847, p. 29; Cassin, Pr. Acad. Phil. 1864, p. 274;
Reich. Handb. p. 232, t. dlii. f. 3756; Bp. Consp. p. 401.

Diglossa mystacea, Gray & Mitch. Gen. of Birds, t. 42
(head) .

Nigra unicolor, campterio cano, subalaribus albis ; mystacibus
latis et crisso saturate rufis : long, tota 6*0, alse 2"8,
caudae 2'2.

Hab. Andes of Bolivia.

Mus. Brit.

For the discovery of this fine Diglossa we are indebted to
the researches of Mr, Bridges, who obtained examples about
the year 1844, during his travels in the province of La Paz.
It was from one of these specimens, as it seems, that Lafresnaj'c
described the species. Mr. Bridges subsequently published
the following notes on the species : —

" Lives entirely in the thickets, hopping from bough to

Ibis, 1875. Pl.lV.

J . Smit. hth

M&N.Hanhaii.!

DIGLOSSA PECTORALIS

K^'^^L HISTO^

^'''rrirr^ri

Species of the Subfamily Diglossinae, 213

bough, as if in pursuit of insects. I have often seen this
species insert its bill into a scarlet and purple flower allied to
the Arbutus ; but whether for the purpose of capturing insects
or of extracting honey I was not able to ascertain. Its
habitat is the Yungas of La Paz.

" I believe that the specimen described by M. le Baron de
Lafresnaye was from my collection.^'

I am not aware that any other traveller but Mr. Bridges
has procured examples of this scarce species. My characters
are taken from two specimens of his in the British Mu-
seum. Mr. Ey ton's collection contains a skin from the same
source. M. de Lafresnaye's type is now in the Museum of
the Natural- History Society at Boston, U. S. A., where Mr.
Salvin has examined it.

7. DiGLOSSA CARBONARIA.

Serrirostrum carbonarium, Lafr. et D'Orb. Syn, Av. ii. p. 25 ;
D'Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 373, t. Iviii. fig. 1.

Diglossa carbonaria, Bridges, P. Z. S. 1847, p. 29; Scl. et

Salv. Nomencl. p. 15 j Cassin, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1864, p. 273 ;

Reich. Handb. p. 232, t. dhi. f. 3755, et t. dHii. f. 3760, 3761.

Nigra : tectricibus alarum minoribus, uropygio, subalaribus et

ventre toto canescenti-plumbeis, crisso rubro : rostro

nigro, pedibus carneis : long, tola 5*2, alae 2*7, caudae 2*0.

Hab. Andes of Bolivia.

Mus. P. L. S.

This species of Diglossa was discovered by D'Orbigny. He
collected specimens at several localities on the eastern slope
of the Bolivian Cordillera, at Cajapi in the province of
Yungas, at Inquisivi in the province of Sicasica, and at Palca
in the province of Ayupaya. Bridges, during his travels in
Bolivia, likewise obtained examples of it at several places in
Cochabamba, at altitudes of from eight to ten thousand feet.

Bridges gives us the following notes on this species and D.
sittoides : —

" Birds of this genus are found in the temperate region,
where the thickets commence, at an altitude of from 8000 to
10,000 feet. I found these species among bushes of Salvia
and Eupatorium, on the slopes which fall into the valley of

SER. III. — VOL. V. Q

214 Mr. P. L. Sclater's Synopsis of the

Cochabamba, and most abundantly at a place called Ticque-
paya. They have precisely the habits of Flycatchers. D.
carbonaria I have watched often sitting motionless on the
highest twig of a bush until he discovered a passing insect,
on which he descended, and then returned to his post. I may
mention that the vicinity of Cochabamba was the only dis-
trict in which these two species occurred to me."

I have never seen the female of this species ; but Reichen-
bach describes it from an example in the Dresden Museum
as " above olive-grey brown, and below greyish white fringed
with yellowish." The question, however, is whether the bird
thus described is not the female of D. sittoides, which occurs
in the same country.

8. DiGLOSSA MAJOR.

Diglossa major, Cab. in Schomb. Guian. iii. p. 676, et Mus.
Hein. i. p. 98; Reich. Handb. d. Sp. Orn. p. 230, t. dli.d,
f. 4065 ; Scl. et Salv. Nomeucl. p. 15.

Supra nigra, lineis in plumarum scapis et remigum rectri-
cumque marginibus obscure cseruleis : capitis lateribus
uigris ; subtiis dorso concolor sed dilutior : alarum mar-
ginibus intemis canis ; crisso rubro : rostro plumbeo, pe-
dibus corneis : long, tota 6*7, alee 3'4, caudse 3"2, rostri
a rictu "95.
Hub. Roraima Mountains, British Guiana, alt. 6000 feet.
[Schomb.).
Mus. Berol. et P. L. S.

This, the largest and strongest of all the known species of
Diglossa, has, so far as I am aware, never been obtained ex-
cept by Schomburgk. The single specimen in my own col-
lection was received from the Berlin Museum in exchange.

9. Diglossa lafresnayi.

Uncirostrum lafresnayi, Boiss. Rev. Zool. 1840, p. 4.

Diglossa lafresnayii, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 138, et Cat.
A. B. p. 49 ; Cab. Mus. Hein. p. 97 ; Bp. Consp. p. 401 ;
Reich. Handb. p. 231, t. dliii. f. 3757; Cass. Pr. Ac. Phil. 1864,
p. 274; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 15.

Agrilorhinus bonapartii. Eraser, P. Z. S. 1840, p. 22.

Diglossa intermedia. Cab. Mus. Hein. p. 97 ; Reich. Handb.
n. 231 (?).

Species of the Subfamily Diglossinse, 215

Atra unicolor : tectricibus alarum minoribus cserulescenti-
canis, subalaribus partim cinereis : long, tota 5-8, alae 3"0,
caudae 2*5, rostri a rictu 0*75.

Hab. Columbia and Ecuador.

Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G.

10. Dl.GLOSSA HUMERALIS.

Agi'ilorhinus humeralis, Fraser, P. Z. S. 1840^ p. 22.

Diglossa humeralis, Cab. Mus, Hein. p. 27 (note) ; Reich.
Handb. p. 231, t. dlii. f. 3754 ; Cassin, Pr. Ac. Phil. p. 275 ;
Wyatt, Ibis, 1871, p. 324 ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 15 ; Scl.
Cat. A. B. p. 49.

Nigra, uropygio cineraceo : tectricibus alarum minoribus canis :
subalaribus nigris : long, tota 5 '7, alae 2' 7, caudse 2-4.

Hab. Columbia and Ecuador.

Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G.

After much deliberation I had almost come to the conclusion
that the only reasonable plan was to unite the species com-
monly called D. lafresnayi and D. humeralis under one name.
They occur in the same countries, and are usually stated to
differ only in size — a very uncertain character in this genus.
Moreover, as will be seen by the subjoined table of measure-
ments, there is really not much difference in this respect
when a series is examined. But there are certainly to be
recognized the slight differences pointed out in the diagnosis,
viz. that in D. lafresnayi the bend of the wing is of a much
brighter bluish tinge, the rump is quite black, like the back,
and the under wing-coverts are more or less ashy. I propose,
therefore, for the present to leave the two so-called species
apart, though it is quite possible D. humeralis may be the
female.

Mr. Wyatt obtained D. humeralis at a height of 9000 feet
in the Andes of Ocana. It is also common in " Bogota " and
" Quito " collections.

The subjoined Table gives the dimensions of ten skins of
these two birds in my own collection and that of Messrs.
Salvin and Godraan.

q2

216 Mr. P. L. Sclater's Synopsis of the

Diylosm lafrcsnayi.

Mu9. Patria. Long. tola. L. alae. L. caudee.

P. L. S. Columbia 5-8 3-0 2-45

P. L. S. Columbia 6-5 2'8 2-5

S.-G. Columbia 6-5 3-0 2-5

S.-a. Ecuador 5-4 2-8 2-4

S.-G. Ecuador 45 2-6 2-0

Diglossa hvmerah's.

P. L. S. Ecuador 5-7 27 2-4

S.-G. Ocaiia ( Wyatt) . . 5-0 2-8 2-5

S.-G. Columbia 4-5 2-4 2-0

P. L. S. Columbia 4-8 2-5 2-1

P.L.S. Columbia 4-6 27 2-1

11. DiGLOSSA ATERRIMA.

Diylossa aterrima, Lafr. Kev. Zool. 1846, p. 319; Bp. Consp.
p. 401 ; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 138, et 1858, p. 551, et
Cat. A. B. p. 49; Reich. Handb. p, 232, t. dliii. f. 3759; Cassin,
Pr. Ac. Phil. 1864, p. 275 ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 15.
Atra unicolor; rostro et pedibus nigris : long, tola 5-5, alae
2*7, caudse 2*5. Fem. minor et subfuscescentior.

Hub. Andes of Ecuador.

Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G.

Mr. Fraser obtained specimens of this species at Titiacuu
and Matos, both high up on the plateau of Riobamba and from
10,000 to 12,000 feet above the sea-level. He says it is found
" on the bushes and trees on the hill-side, is very restless,
and has a very pretty song.'^ The original types described
by Lafresnaye were procured at Parlo, within the confines of
Columbia (probably by Delattre) ; but I do not think the
species ever occurs in Bogota collections, nor have I seen it
from any part of Peru.

12. DiGLOSSA ALBILATERALIS. (Plate V. figS. 1 c? , 2 ? .)

Diglossa albilateralis, Lath. Rev. Zool. 1843, p. 98, et 1846,
p. 317 ; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 138, et 1859, p. 138, et Cat.
A. B. p. 48; Bp. Consp. p. 401 ; Cassin, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1864,
p. 275 ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 780, et Nomencl. p. 15 ;
Wyatt, Ibis, 1871, p. 324.

Agrilorhinus olivaceus, Fraser, P. Z. S. 1840, p. 22 ( ? ?).

Ibis. IS 75. PI. V.

'iml.tith. Han^ imp.

DIGLOSSA ALEILATERALIS, 15,2?.

Species of the Subfamily Digiossinae. 217

Cineraceo-nigra unicolor : subalaribus et lateribus candidis :
rostro et pedibus nigris; long, tota 4'5, alse 2'3, caudse
2"0. Fern, olivaceo-brunnea, subtus rufescenti-ochracea,
lateribus caudidis.

Hab. Andes of Venezuela, Columbia, and Ecuador,

Mus. P.L.S. et S.-G.

This Diglossa was first described in 1843 by Lafresnaye,
from Bogota skins. It extends along the Andes on the one
side into Ecuador, where examples were collected by Eraser
at several localities not far from Quito, and in the other di-
rection into Venezuela, whence Mr. Goering has transmitted
specimens from the lower wood-region of Merida. Mr. Sal-
mon obtained it in the state of Antioquia, and Mr. Wyatt
on his excursion to the Andes of Ocaiia ; so that it seems to
be pretty widely distributed.

I have a young male (collected by Eraser in April 1859,
above Puellaro, in Ecuador) which clearly connects the some-
what dissimilar male and female plumages of this species.

The figui'es (Pi. V.) are taken from specimens of this
species collected by Mr. Salmon — the male now in Salvin
and Godman^s collection, the female in my own.

13. Diglossa plumbea.

Diglossa plumbea, Cab. Journ. f. Orn. 1860, p. 411 ; Salvin,
P. Z. S. 1870, p. 185 ; Cassin, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1854, p. 275 ; Scl.
et Salv. Nomencl. p. 15.

Plumbea, capite alls et cauda obscurioribus : subtus dilutior, in
ventre medio albescens : rostro obscuro, mandibula infe-
riore ad basin cornea, pedibus fuscis : long, tota 4'3, alse
2*2, eaudse 1'6. Fern, olivacea, alis caudaque fuscis
ochraceo marginatis : subtiis valde dilutior, abdomine
ochraceo lavato.
Hab. Costa Rica and Veragua.
Mus. P. L. S. ct S.-G.

This Diglossa was originally described by Dr. Cabanis
from a single male specimen transmitted by Dr. v. Frantzius
from Costa Rica. I have a skin obtained in the same country
by Dr. van Patten. More recently Arce has collected a good
series of both sexes of this species on the southern slopes of
the Volcano of Chiriqui, showing that its range extends into
Veragua.

218 Mr. P. L. Sclater's Synopsis of the

14. DiGLOSSA PERSONATA.

AgrUorhinus personatus, Fraser, P. Z. S. 1840, p. 22.

Uncirostrum cyaneum, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1840, p. 102.

Diylossa cyanea, Bp. Consp. p. 401.

Diglossa melanopis, Tsch. in Wiegm. Arch. x. 1, p. 294.

Difflossa personata, Hartl. Syst. Verz. p. 19; Sclater, P.
Z. S. 1855, p. 138, 1858, p. 551, et 1859, p. 138, et Cat. A.
B. p. 49; Jard. Contr. 1849, p. 44; Reich. Handb. p. 231,
t. dlii. f. 3752 ; Tsch. F. P. Orn. p. 237 ; Cassiu, Pr. Ac. Phil.
1864, p. 274; Cab. Mus. Hein. p. 98; Tacz. P. Z. S. 1874,
p. 511; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 15.

Obscure cserulea, alis caudaque nigris cseruleo limbatis : fronte
et capitis lateribus nigris : rostro et pedibus nigris : long,
tota 5*8, alse 3'0, caudse 2*5 . Fern, paulo minor, long,
tota 5*0, alse 2*7, caudse 2*1.

Hab. Andes of Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G.

This Diglossa was described by Mr. Fraser in this coun-
try, and by M. de Lafresnaye in France, almost simulta-
neously; but precedence is usually assigned to the former
author's name. It is by no means uncommon in " Bogota"
collections ; and Mr. Salmon has sent many specimens from
the state of Antioquia in the same Republic. Mr. Salmon's
were obtained at Retiro, near Medellin, at an altitude of
about 7000 feet above the sea-level.

Proceeding to the Repubhc of Ecuador, we find this bird
recorded by Jameson* as met with in the ''forests on the
eastern side of Pichincha, in the cold region." Mr. Fraser
also obtained it at Matos, Pinipi, and other high spots in the
same district " amongst the trees on the mountains." He
marks the irides as " red." He likewise subsequently col-
lected specimens at PaUatanga at a lower elevation. The
species also occurs in the Andes of Northern Peru, as recorded
by Tschudi and Jelski, who both met with it in the same
district.

15. Diglossa indigotica.

Diglossa indigotica, Sclater, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 2,
• Contr. Orn. 1840, p. 44.

Species of the Subfamily Diglossiuse. 219

xvii. p. 467 ; P. Z. S. I860, p. 85 ; et Cat. A. B. p. 49 ; Cas-

sin, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1864, p. 274; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 15.

Saturate purpureo-caerulea unicolor ; loris iiigris : alls cauda-

que nigris caerulco lirabatis : rostro et pedibus nigris :

long, tota 4)3, alse 2*2, caudse 1*4.

Hab. Andes of Ecuador.

Mm. P.L. S.

This Diglossa was first described by me in 1856, from a
specimen received from Verreaux, of Paris. It is a very well-
marked species, to be recognized at once by its uniform pur-
plish colour, without the blackface oiD.personata. In 1859
Fraser obtained examples of it at Nanegal, a village on the
western slope of Pichincha, at an altitude of 4000 feet.
One of them, together with the type of the original descrip-
tion, is in my collection. Mr. Fraser marks the iris of this
species as " dark red."

Genus II. Diglossopis.
Diglossopis, Sclater, Ann. N. H. ser. 2, xvii. p. 467 (1856) :
type D. caerulescens.

Diglossopis c^rulescens.

Diglossopis ccerulescens, Sclater, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 2,
xvii. p. 467; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 627, et Nomencl.
p. 15; Wyatt, Ibis, 1871, p. 324.

Diglossa personata $ , Reich. Handb. p. 231, t. dlii. f. 3753.

Cserulescenti-cinerea fere unicolor, subtvis in ventre dilutior :

alls caudaque intus nigricantibus : loris et rostri am-

bitu obscuris : rostro nigi-o, pedibus fuscis : long, tota

6-0, alse 2-9, caudye 2-3.

Hab. Andes of Venezuela and Columbia.

Mus. P.L.S. et S.-G.

This curious bird is, I believe, often regarded as the female
oi D. personata*, and has been figm'ed and described as such
by Dr. Reichenbach. Dr. Hartlaub first drew my attention
to it in 1854 at Bremen. Subsequently I found skins at

* Mr. Salvin tells me that two of the specimens in the Lafresnaye col-
lection, now at Boston, marked " D. personata 2 >" ai'e of this species,
i. e. X>. ccernhaccns.

220 Si/7ioj}sis of the Species of the Subfamily Diglossinse.

Si

ZJ

^

^

d

u

bf)

^^

o

«=;

flj

P

bO

rt

<

CO

'A

!d

IX
02

.2

w

;=!

l-l

^

^

1

D. sittoides.

D. mystacalis.
U. carbonaria.

Peni.

D. sittoides.

D. brunneiventris.
D. pectoralis.

J), personata.

Ecuador.

D. sittoides.

D. lafresnayi.
D. aterrima.

D. personata.
D. indigotica.

Venezuela.

D. sittoides.
1). gloriosa.

D. albilateralis.
D. ccerulescens.

3

1). sittoides.

D. lafresnayi.
D. albilateralis.

D. personata.
D. caerulescens.

Costarica

et
Vcragua.

1

Mexico

et

Guatemala.

S
P

Notes on Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue 0/ Accipitrcs. 221

Paris, in Mr. LevraucVs extensive collection sent to the Jardin
des Plantes from Caracas, where M. Salle and Mr. Goering
also obtained specimens. Mr. Wyatt met with it on his
journey into the Andes of Ocafia, and tells us that he found it
in the forests, at an altitude of about 7000 feet, at Portrerras,
and at two or three other localities between Ocana and Bu-
caramanga. He describes the iris as '' light red.'' The species
is also not very infrequent in " Bogota " collections ; but I
have never seen it from Ecuador or Peru.

XIV. — Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British
Museum/ by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874) . By J. H. Gurney.

[Continued from page 96.]

Passing on to the genus Polyboroides, which Mr. Sharpe
places at the head of the Accipitrinse, I may remark that, in
his description of the adult female of P. typicus, Mr. Sharpe
does not mention that the transverse bands on the lower parts,
and especially on the tibial feathers, are much narrower and
closer together in some adult females (probably very old birds)
than in the ordinary adult plumage of both sexes ; such a
female was figured and described as specifically distinct under
the name of Gymnogenys malzacii by the late MM. J. and E.
Verreaux in the Rev. et Mag. de Zoologie for 1855, from
a specimen in the Norwich Museum, which was obtained in
Nubia ; and the same museum also contains a similar female
from Natal.

In treating of the Harriers, Mr. Sharpe comprises all the
known species of this group under the genus Circus, which
is probably a judicious course, as, although that genus seems
to be naturally divisible into distinct sections (probably four
in number) , it would be difficult to define these satisfactorily
without a fuller acquaintance than we at present possess with
such variations of coloration as are incident to the sexes and
successive ages of each species.

It may be a convenient course, in arranging my observa-
tions upon the genus Circus, to commence with the British

222 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on

Harriers^ as some of my remarks will be more or less appli-
cable to all the three species wliich occur in this country ; I
will therefore, in the first instance, refer to C. cyaneus — in re-
gard to which I think that Japan should be added to the lo-
calities given by Mr. Sharpe, as there are two females from
that country preserved in the museum at Leyden, which,
when I examined them in 18G9, appeared to me to be re-
ferable to this species ; it is, however, right to add that
Professor Schlegel, in the 'Museum des Pays-Bas,^ Circi
(p. 2), quotes these specimens as examples of Circus hud-

somcus

^

In the three British Harriers, the coloui' of the iris in the
adult birds is always a clear yellow in the males, and usually
a yellowish brown in the females ; but it would seem that in
the latter, as they become aged, the coloiu' of the iris ap-
proaches nearer to that of the male bird, and that this is es-
pecially the case in Montagu's Harrier t, in which species the
females appear also occasionally to assume, more or less com-
pletely, the grey plumage which always distinguishes the
adult males. Mr, Sharpe has an important footnote attached
to his article on this species {vide p. 66), from which it would
seem that he has examined " grey-plumaged " specimens of
this Harrier which, as indicated by their measurements, must,
in all probability, have been female birds; and Mr. E. H.
Rodd has recorded in the ' Zoologist ' for 1852, at p. 3475, a
Montagu's Harrier, obtained in April of that year on the

* In the same passage Professor Sclilegel mentions two supposed spe-
cimens of C. hudmnicus from the Philippines which are preserved in the
Leyden Museum. These are in reality immature examples of C. melano-
leucus. I have already alluded to this circumstance in ' The Ibis ' for 1870
(p. 445), and should not have again referred to it had not the original
error been recently reproduced in Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway's
valuable ' History of North-American Birds ' (vol. iii. p. 218).

t Mr. Sharpe is of opinion that this species is entitled to bear the spe-
cific name pygargris, for reasons which he gives in a footnote at p. 64 of
his Catalogue. In his synonymy of this species Mr. Shai^pe omits to
mention that the specific name oi cmeraceus was used by Montagu in 1802
( vide Orn. Diet. i. sheet F), as quoted by Professor Newton in his edition
of ' Yarrell's British Birds ' (i. p. 138).

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 223

Scilly Islands, which proved on dissection to be a female,
having "the ovarium filled with eggs, but not much de-
veloped,^' in which " a decided tone of blue pervaded a great
many of the scapulary feathers,^' and the irides were " bright
yellow,'* as in an adult male.

The subject of the sexual distinction of colour in the irides
of some of the Harriers is an interesting one ; and it may be
hoped that ornithologists in India, and in other countries
where various species of the genus Circus are more abundant
than in England, will avail themselves of as many opportu-
nities as possible of recording observations bearing upon it*.

In regard to Circus ceruginosus, Mr. Sharpe's description
of the plumage of the adult male is very full and excellent,
though I suspect that it has been taken from a slightly faded
specimen ; but with reference to the coloration of the imma-
ture birds and of the adult females, some additional remarks
may not be out of place.

The " creamy buflF " or luteous colouring of the upper por-
tion of the head is much clearer in what may be called the
normal immature plumage of this species than in the adults
of either sex, owing to the darker shaft-marks of the luteous
feathers being very narrow and often almost imperceptible in
young birds, whereas in those which are adult these marks
are always broader and more conspicuous. In most young
birds the luteous colouring forms a cap over the whole upper
surface of the head, but in some it is either entirely absent or
only represented by a few fulvescent feathers at the back of
the head, its place being occupied by plumage of a dark cho-
colate-brown ; and an instance is recorded in Hunt's ' British

* In reference to this subject I may quote two notes on South- African
Harriers. In ' The Ibis' for 1871 (p. 148), Mr. Ayres records the iris of
a female Circus swainsoni as dark hazel ; in this case the sex was ascer-
tained by dissection, and the bird, which I examined, appeared to be in
adult plumage. In * The Ibis ' for 1874 (p. 359), Mr. Buckley records two
females of Circus ranivortts, in one of which the iris was hazel, the beak
being black, whilst in the other, which was no doubt the older bird, the
iris was light yellow and the beak horn-colour. It would seem probable
that in those Haniers in which, as in C. ranivorus, the sexes are alike,
both have yellow irides when fully adult.

224 Mr, J. H. Gurney's Notes on

Birds ' (vol. i. p. 50) of two individuals^ which were reared
from the same nest^ of which one had the upper portion of
the head " bright luteous/' whilst in the other it was a " dark
chocolate-colour.'^

The rufous mottlings on the tails of immature specimens,
to which Mr. Sharpe alludes, docs not extend (so far as I have
observed) to the two central rectrices, but is more or less pre-
sent in all the others, and in some young males assumes the
character of irregular transverse bars. In other immature
males, but more advanced towards the adult stage, and in
which these rufous markings have disappeared and the whole
tail has become grey, it is crossed by a band of darker grey,
about half an inch in breadth, and about that space from the
extremity of the tail, which extends across all the rectrices.

The ordinary plumage of the adult female only differs from
the normal immature dress of both sexes in the broader shaft-
markings on the head, to which I have already alluded ; these,
however, in many female specimens, are less conspicuous than
in the adult males. The British Museum possesses an ex-
ample which, by its measurements, appears to be a female,
but which, in the tinge of grey on its wings and tail, as well
as in the general character of its plumage, somewhat resem-
bles the adult male, though much less brightly rufous and
fulvescent in its general coloration.

This is the only instance that I recollect to have personally
met with of a female of the Marsh- Harrier assimilating in
plumage to the adult male^.

The island of Ceylon may be added to the localities

* In an interesting paper by Professor Blasius on the European Har-
riers, published in the ' Naumannia ' for 1857 (p. 307), the following ob-
servations occur respecting the old females of Circus ceruginosus : — " The
large upper coverts at the edge of the wing and the quill-feathers exter-
nally are tinted ash-grey .... the tail-feathers reddish grey .... In the
intensity of the ash-grey colouring of the upper wing, of the markings of
the tail, and of the whole colouring, various distinctions present them-
selves, and also approach to those males whose colours are not very fully
developed .... The plumage of the old females shows no sharp contrasts ;
still less have I seen a female of the decided colouring of the old male ; yet
it has been asserted that the old females become cock-feathered."

Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue of Accipitres. 225

quoted by Mr, Sharpe for this species. I have seen three
examples from there, one of which is preserved in the Nor-
wich Museum.

In treating of the two Australian Harriers, Mr. Sharpe
correctly applies the specific name of C. assimilis to the spe-
cies figured in Mr. Gould^s ' Birds of Australia ' under the
name of Circus jar dinii, and that of C. gouldi to the Harrier
figured by Mr. Gould under the name of Circus assimilis ; but
he omits to mention that both these species occur in Tas-
mania. A specimen of each from that island is contained
in the Norwich Museum. The former species (under the
name of Circus jar dinii) is mentioned in ' The Ibis' for 1865
(p. 338), on the authority of Captain Jouan, as also inhabit-
ing New Caledonia ; but I am not aware of this circumstance
having come under the notice of any other observer. The
ordinary Harrier of New Caledonia is Circus wolfi, which Mr.
Sharpe includes amongst the synonyms of C. gouldi, but adds
in a footnote that it " may turn ouf to be distinct." I have
myself no doubt as to C. wolfi being a good and distinct spe-
cies, as to which I would refer to my remarks in ' The Ibis '
for 1873, pp. 421, 422.

Under the head of Circus spilonotus I may observe that
Mr. Sharpe appears, by the measurements given, to have de-
scribed as an adult female a young male in female plumage.

In two females preserved in the Norwich Museum"^, the
wing measures 17*5 inches, and the tarsus 3*5, being consi-
derably in excess of the dimensions ascribed to the female of
this species by Mr. Sharpe. The same collection contains a
specimen of this Harrier from the island of Formosa, a loca-
lity not quoted by Mr. Sharpe for this species.

The next species to which I propose to refer is Circus me-
lanoleucus ; and as Mr. Sharpe does not describe this Harrier
in its immature stages, I am desirous of offering a few re-
marks on that subject, in doing which I would acknowledge
my obligations to two valuable contributions by Mr. Hume
to our information respecting it, one of which is contained in

* The Norwich IMuseum also contains five males of C. spilonotus ; ia
four of these the tarsus measures 3"25 inches, and in the fifth 3-125.

226 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on

the article on Circus melanoleucus in his ' Scrap-book' (pt. 1,
p. 307), and the other in his list of the birds of Upper Pegu,
'Stray Feathers' (vol. iii. p. 33), as also to Mr. Swinhoe's
remarks on the same subject in his '' Notes on Chinese Orni-
thology " in ' The Ibis' for 1874 (p. 266). The plumage of
the immature specimen of this Harrier which Mr. Swinhoe
there describes, I take to be that which it wears on first leav-
ing the nest ; but it is to be regi*etted that the accompanying
figure, though accurate in other respects, has been coloured
with a slight tinge of olive-green, which, so far as I have ob-
served, never exists in nature in this or in any other Harrier.
The plate shows, however, the rufous edgings to the feathers
of the head, neck, and lesser wing-coverts, which distinguish
the first stage of plumage through which this species passes ;
as the bird becomes older these are replaced by paler margins,
which are for the most part quite white "^ ; but one specimen
which I have examined appears as though, if it had lived, it
would not have passed 'through this ordinary intermediate
stage, as in this instance the adult black plumage is unmis-
takably appearing at the carpal joint before the disappear-
ance of the rufous margins from the feathers of the head,
neck, and lesser wing- coverts. This remarkable example is
a yomig male from Malacca, for the loan of which I am in-
debted to the kindness of Lord Walden.

The progress towards maturity is also marked in all cases
by the spreading of a conspicuous grey tint over the greater
and middle wing-coverts, and over the outer webs of the se-
condaries and of the upper portion of the primaries — all these
grey feathers, however, being crossed at intervals of from an
inch to an inch and a half by bars of dark greyish brown
about half an inch in width.

After this change in the colouring of the wings has been
accomplished, the plumage of the back, which has hitherto
been a uniform brown (with the exception, in some indivi-

* In one example in the Norwich Museum these whitish edgings re-
main on the feathers at the back of the head, though the central portion
of these feathers is black, and the remainder of the bird's plumage is fully
adult.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 227

duals, of a few rufous or fulvescent spots on the scapulars),
becomes gradually mottled by the feathers assuming a grey
tint on their upper portion, a darker colour, verging on black,
towards their extremity, and, in the case of the lower sca-
pulars, a narrow white tip. In this stage the bird bears a
curious resemblance to the adult male of Circus spilonotus,
from which, however, it is always to be distinguished by its
smaller dimensions. In all the immature stages of Circus
melanoleucus the tail is greyish brown, crossed with four or
five transverse bars of dark brown ; but in very young speci-
mens the greyish brown tint is confined to the two central
rectrices, the intervals between the transverse bars being in
the other tail-feathers white tinged with rufous ; as the bird
becomes older the tail loses this rufous tint, all the feathers
which compose it become grey ; and this tinge of grey becomes
clearer and more decided as the bird advances towards matu-
rity. The transverse bars, however, appear to be long in dis-
appearing, and I have observed slight traces of them in the
case of a specimen which showed no other remains of imma-
ture plumage except a very slight tinge or " wash of slaty
grey " (to use Mr. Sharpens expression) diffused over the black
portions of the plumage. Mr. Sharpe gives this latter pecu-
liarity as distinctive of the adult female ; but the specimen
above alluded to, in which I observed it, appears by its di-
mensions to be a male. The upper tail-coverts, which in the
adult males of this species are white broadly barred with an-
gular grey markings, are in immature specimens white with
(in most cases) a slight brown shaft- mark. The under tail-
coverts in the young bird are also white, with broader broAvn
shaft-marks.

There seems to be no instance on record of a specimen of
Circus melanoleucus in the fully adult black and grey plu-
mage having been ascertained by dissection to be a female ;
and the investigations recently made by ornithologists in
India on this point tend to prove that if the females of this
Harrier ever do acquire a plumage resembling that of the
adult male, they only attain it very rarely, and probably when
they become aged. Mr. Hume writes to me under date of

228 Mr. J. n. (jurney's Notes on

8th January, 1875, " all tlie black-and-white birds dissected
by Tytler, Blewctt, Gates, Feilden, and myself (aggregating,
I suppose, fifty specimens) have been males ^^*.

The specimen in the British Museum from which Mr.
Sharpe took the description of the adult female given in his
catalogue is, so far as I know, unique ; and the fact of its
being a female is inferred from its large proportions. It is
the same individual from Assam which was formerly in the
possession of Mr. Gould, and which was described by the late
Dr. Jerdon in "^The Ibis' (1871, p. 342) as ''a very large
supposed male of C. melanoleucus from Assam ;" and it has a
peculiarity which Mr. Sharpe does not notice, but which Dr.
Jerdon thus describes : " the pale grey colour extends more
over the carpal joint than in ordinary specimens, so that the
whole shoulder appears white." Mr. Hume, however, states
C^ Stray Feathers,' vol. ii. p. 34) that he has met with adult
males which also presented the appearance of the '' whole
shoulder being white," and that he considers this to be merely
" an individual peculiarity," It may be well to add that this
specimen agrees in the character and size of the foot with
ordinary specimens of C. melanoleucus, the middle toe, with-
out the claw, being barely an inch and a half in length. I
may also mention, for the sake of comparison, that in the
males of C. spilonotus the middle toe is from If to If inch in
length, and the foot and tarsus much more robust than in C.
melanoleucus.

Before leaving the subject of Circus melanoleucus, I may
add that Ceylon and Malacca should be added to the loca-
lities included by Mr. Sharpe in the habitat of that species.

I am now desirous of offering some observations on the Har-
rier from the Island of Reunion, to which the late M. Jules
Verreaux gave the name of Circus maillardi, and a presumed
male and female of which, obtained in that island, were figured
in ' The Ibis' for 1863 (pi. 4), the former being drawn from
the type specimen in the Paris Museum f, the latter from a

* Mr. Hume, however, has met with a female in the state of plumage
assimilating to C. spikmotus. {Vide ' Stray Feathers/ vol. ii. p. 34.)
t Besides the type specimen, the Museum at Paris contains four others

M)\ R. B. S/iarpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 229

specimen in the Norwich Museum^ where there are three ex-
amples from the Island of Reunion, but all in brown plumage.
The Leyden Museum possesses four specimens from the same
island, one of which is in the black-and-white plumage ; and
from this specimen and a brown one, also at Leyden, Mr.
Sharpens descriptions of this species are taken. The Norwich
Museum also possesses two black-and-white Harriers from
Joanna Island, in the Comoro group, which were referred to
in ' The Ibis ' for 1864 (p. .298) and for 1869 (p. 450) as adult
males of Circus inaillardi. There are, however, some slight
difterences between these two specimens and those in similar
plumage from Reunion which it may be desirable to note.
First, as regards measurements, Mr. Sharpe gives the length
of the wing in the Leyden specimen as 14" 1 inches, and the
tarsus as 3"35. In one of the Joanna specimens at Norwich
the tarsus measures 3'62, in the other 3"56 ; and in both the
wing measures 17' 12 along the curve, or 16"8 as measured by
Mr. Sharpe, without allowing for the bend of the wing.
Secondly, with regard to colouring, Mr. Sharpe describes the
upper tail-coverts in the Leyden specimen as '' wliite,^^ and
the tail as " silvery ash-colour with remains of a black sub-
terminal band, and a few spots of the same on the outer
feathers.^^ M. Verreaux, in his description of the type spe-
cimen at Paris (as given in 'The Ibis^ for 1863, p. 163),
speaks of the colour of the lail in the following terms : —
" gris clair argentc en dessus, avec quelques restes de bandes
transversales sur la rectrice la plus externe." M. Verreaux
does not notice the colour of the tail-coverts ; but the omission
is supplied by Dr. Oustalet as follows : — " Couvertures infe-
rieures de la queue blanches, couvertures superieures blanches
avec quelques stries brunatres vers le bout des barbes.^^ Of

from Reunion, three of which (including a nestling) are in brown plu-
mage, and the fourth apparently in a state of change from that dress to
the black-and-white stage with the grey tail which characterizes the ty-
pical example.

I am indebted for my information as to these specimens to the kind-
ness of Dr. E. Oustalet, of the Paris Museum, who has been so good as to
send a description of each to Mr. Shai"pe for my use.

SEK. III. VOL. v. R

230 Mr. J. II. Gurncy's Notes on

the Joanna specimens at Norwich, one has the upper tail-
coverts white, but crossed with a bar of slate-coloured spots,
and the tail silvery grey, but with traces of five transverse
bars of a darker grey — all of which, however, are somewhat
imperfect, except the lowest. In the other Joanna specimen
the upper tail-coverts are also white, but with two transverse
bai*s of slate-colour, the upper one being broken into a row of
separate spots, but the lower one continuous ; the tail resem-
bles in coloration that of the other examples from the same
island, except that the transverse bars are somewhat less in-
distinct, and are six in number. With these exceptions the
genei-al coloration of these two Joanna specimens resembles
that of the type of Circus maillardi from Reunion, as figured
in ' The Ibis ' for 1863. Whether these diflferences between
the Reunion and Comoro specimens are specific, or are due
merely to age or sex, must be determined by subsequent ob-
servations ; but in the mean time an additional fact of much
interest has occurred since the publication of Mr. Sharpe's
catalogue, the British Museum having recently obtained from
Madagascar a Harrier which closely resembles in general cha-
racter and coloration the Joanna Harriers in the Norwich
Museum. This specimen has two transverse bars of brownish
slate-colour on the upper tail-coverts, which are otherwise
white, the lower bar being continuous, and the upper one
nearly so ; the tail is grey, with seven darker bars, the lowest
one being the broadest ; the feathers on the head and neck
are still edged with brown, which probably denotes the re-
mains of immature plumage ; the iris is stated to have been
yellow; the wing (straight measure) is 16"9 inches, and the
tarsus 3*55 in length.

It therefore seems probable that the Madagascar race to
which this Harrier belongs is identical with that found in
Joanna Island ; and a further question arises as to whether
the type of Ch'cus macroscelis from Madagascar, w hich is pre-
served in the Norwich Museum, is not an immature indivi-
dual of the same race in its second or intermediate stage of
plumage ? This seems to be possible, as its dimensions are
not very dissimilar, and especially as^ on reexamination, it

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue 0/ Accipitres. 231

appears that the true measurement of the tarsus (which^ iu
the original description, was given as 4 inches) does not in
reality exceed 3'85. On the other hand, it must be remem-
bered that Mr. Edward Newton, by whom this specimen was
shot, pronounced it upon dissection to be a male — a conclusion
which is perhaps strengthened by the fact, which he also re-
cords, that its irides were yellow [vide Ibis, 1863, p. 358).

It may be desirable here to observe that Harriers with trans-
verse bars on the tail have been obtained in Joanna Island,
in Madagascar, and in Reunion, and it seems probable that
these bars are indicative of the second or intermediate stage
of plumage. The two Joanna specimens in the Norwich Mu-
seum both show these bars, as already mentioned, though
they seem as if when the birds were killed they were in pro-
cess of gi'adually disappearing. A nestling from Madagascar
in the Museum at Paris has no bars on the tail ; but the
type of C. macroscelis has the upper surface of the tail
banded with six transverse bars very distinctly marked.
The Harrier from Reunion in the Leyden Museum, from
which Mr. Sharpe took his description of the '' young " plu-
mage, also the three brown Harriers from the same island
in the Norwich Museum, and three similar specimens (one
a nestling) in the Museum at Paris, are all destitute of these
bands ; but another Reunion specimen at Paris exhibits them
in a marked manner ; and as this is evidently an individual
in change, and on that account very interesting, I transcribe
Dr. Oustalet's description of it. " Plumage brun en dessus,
melange de brun sur la poitrine, blanc avec des flammes
brunes sur le ventre, queue d^un gi'is brun, roussatre en des-
sus, avec six bandes transversales, plus distinctes sur la face
superieure que sur la face inferieure des rectrices. Cou-
vertures infra-caudales blanches k tige brune, couvertures
supra-caudales egalement blanches h, tige brune ''*.

It is to be hoped that additional specimens and observations
will shortly clear up the question of the identity or the reverse

* It may be worth mentioning, for the sake of comparison, that in the
type specimen of C, macroscelis the feathers of the upper tail-coverts are
brown, with whitish tips.

r2

232 Mr. J. II. Gurncy's Notes on

of the Harriers inhabiting Joanna Island, Madagascar, and
Keunion ; and in the meanwhile I think it may be well to
record a circumstance which may have some bearing upon it,
viz. that, according to information furnished to me by Mr.
Felix Bediugfield, who presented to the Norwich Museum
two specimens of Circles inaillardi from Reunion, the Harriers
contained in the Reunion ^Museum were not obtained in that
island, but in Madagascar.

In the arrangement adopted by INIr. Sharpe the genus
Circus is followed by Micrastur, under which head ]Mr.
Sharpe gives (and, I think, correctly) M. leucauchen of Messrs.
Sclater and Salvia (P. Z. S. 1869, p. 367) as the adult male
ofM. ruficollis; but the Falco leucauchen of Temminck appears
to me, by the figure in the PI. Col. pi. 306 (misprinted pi. 36
in Mr. Sharpe's catalogue), to be an immature female of this
species.

I may add that I have never seen a specimen of M. rvfi-
coUis with the back of the head of a bright imbroken rufous,
as represented in Temminck's PL Col. (pi. 92) under the title
of Falco xanthothorax, and I suspect that the colourist may
have been inaccurate in this particular.

The collection of Messrs. Salvin and Godman contains a
remarkable specimen of this Hawk from Brazil, apparently
an adult female, in which the throat, instead of being '' whitish
washed with rufous,'^ as described by Mr. Sharpe, or pure
unbroken nifous, as figured by Temminck, is barred trans-
versely with alternate bands of black and white, narrower than
those on the abdomen, but otherwise similar. Across the
crop, in this specimen, these bars also exist, but are there so
much tinged and blended with the usual rufous colouring of
those parts as to present the appearance of a rufous pectoral
band. It may be desirable to mention that Mr. Ridgway,
the author of the valuable Catalogue of the Falconidse pre-
served in the Museum at Boston, U. S. (at p. 40 of that
work), treats Falco leucauchen of Temminck as specifically
distinct from M. ruficollis, though, on the other hand, he does
not separate from the latter species M. gilvicoUis of Vieillot
and M. zonothorax of Cabanis, both of which Mr. Sharpe
considers to be distinct species.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 233

This difference of opinion between ornithologists who have
closely examined considerable numbers of these birds in the
skin, must probably be ultimately solved by those naturalists
who may hereafter have the opportunity of observing them in.
a state of nature, and especially when engaged in the process
of nidification or during the period when the sexes are to be
found in pairs. With reference to Mr. Sharpe's account of
M. gilvicoUis, it may be well to remark that there appears to
be a misprint in the measurements of the adult male, the
tarsus being given as 1*2, instead of 2'2.

In connexion with the succeeding genus, Geranospizias,
Mr. Ridgway, in the work already cited, has (at p. 42) a very
curious observation, tending to show the near relationship of
this genus to that of Polyboroides, which it would seem in
great. measure to represent on the American continent. Mr.
Ridgway remarks that he has found in " an alcoholic speci-
men of G. carulescens" the tibio-tarsal joint "flexible both
backwards and forwards '''.... and this singular flexibility
of that joint .... "just as well developed in Geranospiza"
as in Polyboroides. It may here be well to remark that the
more southern species of this genus, to which Mr. Sharpe
assigns the specific name of " ceerulescens ," bears in Mr. Ridg-
way's work that of "gracilis," while the "G. niger" of Mr.
Sharpe is divided by Mr. Ridgway into two races (called by
him '^ varieties "), one of which he states to occur in tropical
America, south of Panama; and to this he applies the name
of " ccerulescens ," its prevailing colour being " bluish plum-
beous •" whilst to the other, which is found north of Panama,
and is of a " plumbeous-black " colour, he restricts the spe-
cific name of " niger." In regard to the coloration of these
two races Mr. Ridgway adds the following remark : — " Spe-
cimens from Panama are exactly intermediate between cceru-
lescens from Brazil and niger from Mexico.^'

Mr. Sharpe speaks of the " young stage " of G. niger as
being especially distinguished from the adult by a conspicuous
white bar on the lower surface of tbe primaries ; but another
noteworthy distinction is the white colour of the forehead
and chin in the immature birds, which is exchanged for slaty
black in the adults.

234 Mr. J. II. Gurncy^s Notes on

I may also observe that Mr. Sliarpe gives the colour of the
iris in the adult male of his G. caerulescens as " red ;" but
Mr. W. B. Lee, in 'The Ibis" (1873, p. 135), mentions a
specimen which he shot in the territory of the Argentine
Republic, but of which he does not record the sex, as having
the irides " bright yellow ;" and the adult female is also de-
scribed by Prince ]\Iaximilian of Wied as having a " very pale
yellow " iris, which is confirmed by D'Orbigny, who speaks of
this species as having "pale yellow eyes "'^.

The genus Geranospizias is followed in Mr. Sharpens cata-
talogue by that very curious West- African Hawk, Astur ma-
crurus, of Hartlaub, which Mr. Sharpe, I think very properly,
erects into a distinct genus under the name of Urotriorchis,
between which and the allied African genus Melierax Mr.
Sharpe has intercalated an American form, Falco unicinctus,
of Temminck, for which he accepts (see Addenda, at p. 456)
Mr. Ridgway^s generic name of Antenor. I venture to dis-
sent from the position which Mr. Sharpe assigns to this genus,
and am disposed to prefer the view suggested by Mr. Ridgway
in his Catalogue of the Falconidse in the Boston Museum
(p. 23, note), that it is "intermediate between Buteo and
Urubitinga -/' and, indeed, upon Mr. Sharpens own definition,
it would appear to belong to his " subfamily Buteoninse,"
as (according to tbe measurements of a male skeleton from
Mexico in the Norwich Museum) the tibia is 4| inches in
length, and the tarsus only 3 inches, the length of the hind
claw in the male being \\ inch, which is less than the diflfer'
ence between the tarsus and the tibia.

In Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway's recent work
the 'Birds of North America'' (vol. iii. p. 249), those gentle-
men distinguish the North- American form of Antenor from
the Southern under the designation of " variety harrisi," with
the following observation : — " It seems that South-American
birds of this species never attain the simple tricoloured plu-

* [The iris of a specimen of Geranospiza ni(/ra, sliot by me at Duenas,
in 1859, was "burnt sienna, the outer portion being lighter-coloured j
legs blood-orange; cere black." (See Ibis, 18G0, p. 44, sub Geranospvia
coTvlescetis.) — O. S.]

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 285

mage assumed by the adult of the North- American form."
So far as I have had the opportunity of examining specimens
from South America, this observation is correct"^.

Passing on to the genus Melierax, I have a few observa-
tions to make relative to the colour of the irides in some
species of that genus.

In M. canorus Mr. Sharpe describes the colour of the iris
as " dark reddish brown " in the adult, and " dark brown "
in the immature bird. The former is in accordance with all
the observations that I have met with ; but as regards the
the colour of the eye in younger specimens, I may remark
that Mr. Ayres, in 'The Ibis ' for 1869 (p. 289), records the
iris of a young male which he obtained as being " yellow."

In treating of the nearly allied species M. polyzonus, Mr.
Sharpe gives the iris of the adult male as "pale umber-brown;"
but Riippell, in the 'Neue Wirbelthiere ^ (p. 37), states that
the iris in adult birds is a " beautiful carmine-red ;" and Bar-
boza du Bocage, in his tenth list of the birds of Portuguese
West Africa, also states that it is " red."

In the case of M. gabar, the iris of the immature bird is
stated by Mr. Sharpe to be yellow, which agrees with all the
notices which I have seen respecting it ; but as regards the
colour of the iris in the adult of this species, there appears to
be a considerable variation between the records of different
observers, and probably therefore in the birds themselves.
Mr. Sharpe quotes Andersson, who gives it as '' brilliant
purple"t, and Von Heuglin, according to whom it is "scarlet;"
Le Vaillant speaks of it as "bright yellow;" Mr. Atmore, as
quoted by Layard, describes it as " bright crimson ;" Mr.
Ayres, in 'The Ibis^ for 1869 (p. 289), mentions an adult
female in which it was " dark reddish yellow," Mr. Buckley,
in 'The Ibis^ for 1874 (p. 359), an adult male in which it

* In the P. Z. S. for 1858, p. 150, Dr. Sclater has recorded a curious
variation in the form of the upper mandible in this species, as exhibited
in two specimens from Cliile, which are preserved in the Norwich
Museum.

t I think it probable that by the term " purple " Andersson intended to
denote a dark red.

236 jNIr. II. E. Dresser's Notes on

was " dark hazel ;" and Prof. Barboza du Bocage, in the list
already quoted^ mentions a male in Avhich the iris was " red."
I may here remark (as I do not observe that the fact is al-
luded to by jNIr. Sharpe) that " Falco yahar, Shaw/^ was spe-
cified by the late jNIr. G. R. Gray as the type of his genus
Micronisus, in the first edition of his ' List of Genera of Birds/
published in 1840; but it seems to me that Mr, Sharpe is
unquestionably right in following Dr. Hartlaub in his assign-
ment of this species to the genus Melierax.

[To be continued.]

XV. — Notes on Severtzoff's ' Fauna of Turkestan' {Turkes-
tanskie Jevotnie). By H. E. Dresser.

[Continued from page 112.]

46. CoRvus coRAX^ L. ; SevertzofFj p. 63.

Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II. ^ III., and IV.
Vertical range. Resident in districts 2 and 3, and met with
during summer in districts 4 and 5.

47. CoRvus suBCORAXj Scvertzolf, pp. 63, 115.
Horizontal range. Resident, though rare, in districts II.

and III.

Vertical range. Resident, but rare, in districts 1 and 2.

This species Severtzojff refers, with a note of interrogation,
to Corvus umbrinus, Riipp. ; but as he says nothing about the
characteristic brown coloration of the head and neck, I
scarcely think it can be that species, but consider it far more
likely to be Corvus culminatus. He describes it (p. 115) as
resembling Corvus corax, and having the same rounded tail,
but smaller in size, being, however, larger than Corvus corone,
Avhich it also resembles, but has a note like that of the Raven,
though not so harsh ; and the lanceolate feathers on the throat
commence from the base of the bill, as in the Raven. In
size it measures 23*2 inches in length, and 42 in extent, cul-
men 2*5-27, tail 95. Some specimens of Corvus corone, he
adds, resemble C. suhcora.r in having a large bill and rounded

Severtzojf'' s 'Fauna of Turkestan.^ 237

tail ; but in the former species the bill is always more slender
and not so high as that of C. subcorax.

48. CoRvus coRONE, L. ; Severtzoff, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I.^ 11.^ and III., and
is resident in district IV. In general not numerous.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3, and is met
with in summer in districts 4 and 5.

49. CoRvus coRNiXj L.; SevertzoflF, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Is found in Avinter in districts I._, II.,
and III.

Vertical range. Is found in winter in districts 1, 2, and 3,
and during passage in districts 4 and 5.

Severtzoff includes under this species /S. hybrida, doubtless
a cross between C corona and C. comix, and speaks of it as
having nearly the same range as Corvus comix.

50. CoRvus MONEDULA, Liuu. ; SevcrtzoflP, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Resident and common in districts 1 and 2,

breeds in district 3, and is met with during summer in dis-
tricts 4 and 5.

51. CoRvus FRUGiLEGUSj Liuu, ; Scvertzoff, p. 63.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., and III., and

is resident in district IV., but is nowhere very common.

Vertical range. Is met with breeding, and is rare during
the winter in districts 1 and 2.

52. Pyrrhocorax graculus (L.).
Fregilus graculus, SevertzofiF, p. 63.

Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Is occasionally met with in winter in dis-
trict 2, is resident in districts 3 and 4, and is found during
summer and possibly breeds in district 5.

53. Pyrrhocorax alpinus, Vieill. ; Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Resident in district IV.

Vertical range. Resident in district 4, and is found during
summer in district 5, where it is also in all probability re-
sident.

238 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

54. Pica rustica^ Scop.

Pica caudata, var. a. bactriana, Gld.^ j3. leucoptera, Gld. ;
SevertzofF, p. 64.

Severtzoff divides the Magpie into the two subspecies as
above ; but in my recently published article on Pica rustica,
in the ' Birds of Europe/ I have shown that these various sub-
species cannot stand. He states that the range of the two
so-called subspecies is the same, viz. : —

Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Resident in districts 1 and 2 ; breeds, and
may be resident, in district 3 ; and occurs during summer in
districts 4 and 5.

55. NuciFRAGA CARYOCATACTEs (Linu.) j Scvertzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Resident in district I.

Vertical range. Resident in district 4, and possibly occurs
during winter in district 3.

56. PoDocEs PANDERi, Fisch. ; Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Resident in district III.
Vertical range. Resident in district 1.

57. Pastor roseus (Linn.).
Sturnus roseus, Severtzoff, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.,
occasionally in considerable numbers.

Vertical range. Is found in summer in districts 1 and 2,
and breeds in the latter as well as in district 3.

58. Sturnus vulgaris, L. ; Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., and III., and

is met with in winter, though rare, in districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3, is found
during the winter in districts 1 and 2, and is met with in the
summer or during passage in districts 4 and 5.

Severtzoff further includes as a distinct species what is
doubtless the Indian form of our European Starling [Sturnus
nitens, Hume, nee Brehm), under the name of

59. Sturnus UNicoLOR {pu7'purascens? Gould), the range
of which he gives as nearly the same as that of the typical
form, viz. : —

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 239

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.,
and is possibly resident in district IV.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3, is found
during winter in district 1, and in the summer or during pas-
sage in districts 4 and 5.

60. Passer domesticus (L.) ; Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. liesident in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. A rare straggler to district 1 during sum-
mer, but is resident in district 2.

61. Passer salicarius, Severtzoflf, p. 64.
? Passer salicicola, Vieill.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts II., III., and IV.,
but is rare during winter.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1 and 2, but is rare in
the former.

62. Passer montanus (L.) ; Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Resident in districts 1 and 2, breeds, and

possibly is resident, in district 3, and occurs during summer
in districts 4 and 5.

63. Passer ammodendri, sp, nov. ; Severtzoff, pp. 64, 115.
Horizontal range. Resident in district III.

Vertical range. Resident in district 1.

Respecting this species, which Severtzoff describes as new,
he writes (p. 115) as follows: — "In this species the culmen
is shorter and stouter than in the other Sparrows ; the nostrils
are placed at the base of the bill, and are covered with hair-
like feathers ; the legs are short, the tarsus covered with seven
scutellse ; the tail is nearly even, only the two central and the
two lateral feathers being about 1'" shorter than the rest ; the
second primary is the longest ; legs blackish brown ; iris
brown.

" Male. Crown and nape black, the feathers edged with
greyish brown ; throat and superciliary stripe pure black ; but
besides these there is a line of brown over each eye ; cheeks,
sides of the neck, and flanks greyish brown; upper parts

240 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Nates on

greyish brown, with black markings ; underparts white : pri-
maries blackish brown, with white edges to the feathers;
secondaries and wing-coverts brownish grey, with narrow
M-hite margins and broad black spots ; tail-feathers blackish,
with light greyish margins.

"Female. Lighter-coloured than the male; the throat-
mark is grey, and the feathers have broad white edges ; head
and neck brownish grey, without any black ; lines over the
eye very light brown, almost white.

''This specimen was obtained at the fortress of Peroffsk in
winter; and specimens were also collected at Djulek both in
the winter and summer. It was also observed during the
-winter near the Syr-Darja, where it is resident.'^

This species has lately been described by Mr. Hume in
'Stray Feathers' (1874, p. 516) under the name of Passer
stoliczkce.

64. Passer petronia, L. ; SevertzofiF, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts II., III., and IV., and

is possibly resident in district IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in district 3.

65. Passer puLVERULENTUs,sp.nov., SevertzofiF, pp. 64,116.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.,

and is possibly resident in district IV.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 3 and 4.

SevertzofiF describes this species as folloAvs : — " The bill is
conical and stout ; the nostrils small, elliptic, and devoid of
a covering of feathers; wings long, extending down over
three fourths of the length of the tail ; the first two primaries
equal in length, being the longest ; tarsus slight and slender,
covered with five scuteUse, two of which are short and thin.
Both sexes are similarly coloured, being almost uniform dusty
greyish brown ; hence its name. The crown, fore part of
the back, and shoulders are dirty brown, marked with blackish
lines, the lower back darker ; rump black, the feathers having
distinct white edges ; nape, superciliary lines, cheeks, throat,
sides of the neck, and breast greyish brown, the nape and su-
percilium being lightest, the other parts marked with scarcely

Severtzoff' s 'Fauna of Twkestan.' 241

visible lines ; centre of the abdomen white ; nndcr tail-coverts
dark grey, with white edges ; wings browu^ the quills having
lighter edges; secondaries with the basal portion blackisli
brown, the centres lighter, and the terminal portion dark
brown, thus forming two broad bars across the wing; tail
blackish brown, the feathers having light grey edges ; culmen
dirty yellowish at the base, blackish towards the tip. Total
length 6'5 inches, extent 10, wing 365, tail 2*45, culmen 0*45,
tarsus 0*7, middle toe "55.

" It inhabits the Carabuzinsk Mountains to the south of
the Aulje-ata, where it was found in June, and also in Au-
gust in the Djamandavansk Mountains, between Narin and
Arpa. It frequents the rocks, and is rare, being, moreover,
most difficult to distinguish as it skulks about amongst the
rocks. It most nearly resembles Passer petronia."

66. COCCOTHRAUSTES CARNEIPES, HodgSOU.

Coccothraustes speculiyerus, Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Is met with in winter in district 3, and
breeds and is resident in district 4.

Q7. Chlorospiza chloris (L ) ; Severtzoff, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Breeds and occurs in winter in district
III.

Vertical range. Is found in winter in district 2, and breeds
in district 3.

68. Fringilla montifringilla, L.; Severtzoff, pp. 64,116.

Horizontal range. Is found during passage in districts I.,
II., and III., and during winter in districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. Is found during passage in districts 2, 3,
4, and 5, and during winter in district 2.

Severtzoff writes (p. 116) as follows : — " In Turkestan there
are two forms or varieties of the Brambling, viz. : — a, which
has a light spot on the hind neck, this spot being white in the
male and grey in the female ; b, in which the hind neck is
dark-coloured. Otherwise both forms precisely resemble the
European bird."

242 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

69. Fringilla c(elebs, L. ; SevertzoflF, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Is found in winter in district III.
Vertical range. Is founds but is rare^ during winter in dis-
tricts 1 and 2.

70. MoNTiFRiNGiLLA FRiNGiLLOiDEs (Boie) (m?;a/^s, auctt.) .
Fringilla nivalis, Severtzoflf, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Is found during the breeding-season and
in winter in districts II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Is met with during winter in districts 2
and 3^ in district 4 during passage, and breeds in district 5.

71. Leucosticte BRANDTi, Bp. ; Severtzofif, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., and IV.
Vertical range. Is possibly to be met with in districts 3 and

4 during winter, breeds, and is possibly resident in district 5.

72. LiNARIA CANNABINA (L.).

Acanthis cannabina, SevertzoflF, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Breeds and is also met with during the
winter in districts I., II., and III., occurring in district IV.
in winter only.

Vertical range. Is met with in winter in district 2, and
breeds in districts 3 and 4.

Besides this species SevertzoflF includes Acanthis cannabina
/3. bella, Bp., which has the same range as the typical form,
except that it breeds in district IV.

73. LiNARIA FLAVIROSTRIS (L.).

Acanthis flavirostris, SevertzoflF, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Occurs during winter in districts II. and
III.

Vertical range. Occurs during winter in districts 1 and 2.

74. LiNARIA BOREALIS, Vicill.

Acanthis linaria, SevertzoflF, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Rare during winter in districts I., II.,
and III.

Vertical range. Occurs during winter in districts 1 , 2, and 3.

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 243

75. Carduelis orientalis (Eversm.) ; Severtzoff, pp. 61,
116.

Horizontal range. Breeds and is fouiid dm*ing winter in
districts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Occurs during winter in district 2, and
breeds in districts 3 and 4.

Respecting this species Severtzoff writes (p. 116) as fol-
lows : — " This bird is not merely a climatic variety of the
European Goldfinch, from which it differs in lacking the black
markings on the head, the yellowish brown on the back
and on the breast being replaced by grey. Both species in-
habit the same localities in the Thian-shan moiuitains ; and
the distinctive characters were constant in all of the hundreds
of specimens I exammed. The differences between Passer
salicarius. and Passer domesticus are also constant, although
these two Sparrows frequently inhabit the same localities, and
are found in the same flock ; and they hold good not only in
the autumn dress, but also in the full breeding-plumage."

76. Carduelis elegans, Steph.
Carduelis europaus, Severtzoff, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Is found during winter, and possibly
during the breeding-season, in districts I., IL, and III.

Vertical range. Occurs during winter in districts 2 and 3,
and possibly breeds in districts 3 and 4.

77. Serinus pusillus (Pall.).

Oragithus pusillus, Pall. [0. ignifrons, Eversm.); Severt-
zoff, pp. 64, 116.

Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Resident in district 3 ; breeds in district 4.

Severtzoff vrrites (p. 116) as follows : — "Eversmann^s Pyr-
rhula {Serinus) ignifrons (afterwards united w^ith P. pusillus,
Pallas, in the Nat. Hist, of the Orenb. District, iii. p. 309)
was described from a Semirechik specimen ; and the Turkestan
bird certainly differs from Pallas^s description of the Cau-
casian form Having carefully examined many speci-
mens, I find that, though the young differ from the adult,
yet they do not agree with Pallas's description."

244 Mr. II. E. Dresser's Notes on

I will not transcribe the detailed description given by Se-
vertzoflP, as it is sufficient to point out that the differences
noticed by him are, that instead of greyish margins and tips
to the feathers on the back^ shoulders, wings, tail, and under-
parts, the Turkestan bird has these tips and margins reddish
yellow both in the immature and adult plumage ; but in the
former dress the yellow colour is duller and tinged with
brown^ especially on the back. In the winter the extreme
terminal portion of these margins is white, which is worn off
in the spring and is never at any season sufficiently developed
to cover and hide the yellow. He describes both the adult
male and female as having a red frontal patch, and the young
as lacking this and having the head dark brown, and not
black, and the throat lighter. He suggests that Pallas's birds
may have been preserved in spirits. To this I may add that I
possess specimens from Asia Minor and the Caucasus, as well
as from Yarkand, and find that they agree closely inter se, all
having the margins of the feathers yellowish, and not white.

78. Pyrrhula europ^a, Vieill.
Pyrrhula vulgaris, Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Rare diu'ing winter in district I.
Vertical range. Found during winter in district 3.

79. Pyrrhula nepalensis (an sp. ?), Severtzoff, pp. 64, 117.
Range the same as that of P. vulgaris.

Respecting this bird Severtzoff writes (p. 117) as follows : —
" My young male obtained in the winter of 1865, near the
mountains of Vernoe, was in error referred to Pyrrhula nepa-
lensis, Gould (B. of Asia). An adult female, closely resem-
bling European specimens, was killed at the same place. The
young male is a trifle smaller than this female, has the abdo-
men ashy grey, and no shade of red on the back ; and hence
it was referred to P. nepalensis. It has, however, the head,
wings, and tail black, with a metallic lustre, and there is a
white bar across the wing, whereas P. nepalensis has the head
and back similar in colour.^'

I have not had an opportunity of examining a specimen
of this Bullfinch from Turkestan; but it appears to me

Sever tzoff's ' Fauna of Turkestan.' 245

highly probable that it is identical with Pyrrhula cineracea,
a new species lately described by Cabanis from examples sent
from Dauria by Dr. Dybowski.

80. Uragus sibikicus (Pall.) ; SevertzoflF, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Occurs irregularly, being found during

the winter, and is said also to breed, in district I.

Vertical range. Is found during winter in district 3, and
breeds in district 4.

81. Carpodacus rubicillus (Giild.) ; SevertzoflF, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Resident in district I.

Vertical range. Possibly it occurs during winter in district
3, but is resident in district 4.

82. Carpodacus rhodochlamys (Brandt) ; Severtzoflf', p. 64.
Horizontal range. Breeds, and also occurs during winter,

in districts I. and II., is rare during winter in district III.,
and is resident in district IV.

Vertical range. Is found during winter in districts 2 and

3, being, however, rare in the former, and breeds in district

4, where it is probably resident.

83. Carpodacus erythrurus, Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3.

84. Erythrospiza incarnata, sp. nov. Severtzoff, pp. 64,
117.

Horizontal range. Resident in districts I. and II., and is
found during winter, as also during passage (the latter, how-
ever, but rarely) , in districts III. and IV.

The vertical range of this species is not given.

Severtzoff says that this species, which he names incarnata
on account of the rose-colour which pervades the plumage
becoming quite bright in summer, is more nearly allied to
Erythrospiza githaginea than any other of the group. He
describes it (p. 117) as follows : — "Bill stout, but not large;
legs short, covered with six scutellse, two of which are short
and broad, middle toe with claw equal in length to the
tarsus ; the wings reach down to three fourths of the length

SEB, III. VOL. V. s

246 Mr. II. E. Dresser's Notes on

of the tail ; first and second primaries equal in length, being
the longest ; in general form the bird is short and stout.

" (J ad. in autumn dress. Crown, back, and shoulders grey-
ish sandy brown, with lighter edges and dark central lines ;
hind neck and cheeks similar, but without dark lines ; su-
perciliary region, throat, breast, and flanks carmine, with grey
edges to the feathei's ; abdomen and under tail-coverts white,
with a carmine tinge ; quills blackish brown, with light edges,
which latter are grey on the lesser wing-coverts, and on the
larger coverts are very broad, white, tinged with carmine to-
wards the tips ; on the median coverts the margins are white,
but the carmine is less developed ; hence on the wing are two
white patches divided by carmine ; the primaries have whitish
margins, which in a few are washed with carmine.

"The tail-feathers are blackish brown, with grey edges.
The upper mandible is yellowish brown, the lower mandible
light yellow ; legs are light brown ; iris dark brown.

"In spring all the rose-coloured feathers have become bright
blood-red, and the whitish has changed to a snowy white
colour, except the stomach and the under tail-feathers, which
are protected from the sun. The rose-colour is brightest on
the wings, paler on the throat, breast, superciliary region,
flanks, and rump, where only the edges of the feathers are of
that colour. The dark lines on the crown- and back-feathers
change in spring into a darker colour ; and the edges of the
grey feathers are lost by that time.

" The female is in spring and autumn of the same colour
as the male, and diff'ers from it only by not having the rose
colour on the flanks, the breast, and the median-coverts j also
the white spots on the wings are smaller.

" The young male in the first autumnal plumage is like an
old female; but it has no white edges on the large wing-
coverts, which are of a brownish-red colour ; on the median
coverts are only very narrow white edges, which do not form
a white spot when the wing is closed.

" The young female bird in first autumnal plumage has
scarcely any red colour at all, it being replaced by light grey,
which is faintly shaded with red on the breast.

Severizoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 247

"Measurements. ^, length 6" 3-6'", extent 10"5"'-H";
? , length 6" 2-A'" , extent 10" 4-5'", wing 3" 5'", tail 2" 1'",
culmen 3i"', middle toe 5^'", tarsus 64'"-

" This hird is a resident in Turkestan, and is found after the
breeding-season in flocks of from 50 to 100 individuals. It was
killed at the end of September on the Issik-kul, in August
and October on the Upper Narin, at an elevation of from 9000
to 10,000 feet ; in October and in the winter, however, it is not
found higher than 2000 feet ; in the steppes, everywhere, in
summer as well as in autumn and winter, we found this bird
only near stony or clayey places. In autumn and spring it
moves about very much, feeding on small seeds, and avoids
the woods, and even the bushes. It runs very fast, although
it has such short legs ; and it flies swiftly and well."

85. Erythrospiza sanguinea (Gould).
Erythrospiza phcenicoptera, Severtzofl', p. 64.
Horizontal range. Resident in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Rare in winter in district 2, resident in

district 3.

86. Erythrospiza obsoleta (Cab.) ; Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts III. and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1 and 2.

87. Emberiza cioides, Brandt (an sp. ?) ; Severtzoff', p. 64.
Horizontal range. Common during passage in districts I.

and II., rare during winter in district III.

Vertical range. Rare during winter in district 2, common
during passage in district 3, occurs during passage in districts
4 and 5, and possibly breeds in the former.

Of this species, which he marks with a query as possibly
new, Severtzoff" gives no description, and I am therefore un-
able to state what it is.

88. Emberiza cia, L. ; Severtzoff", p. 64.

Horizontal range'. Common during passage, and also breeds,
in districts I. and II. ; breeds and occurs during winter in
districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. Occurs in winter and during passage in

s 2

248 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

district 2, is common in district 3 during passage, and breeds
there as well as in district 4_, and occurs during passage only
in district 5.

89. Emberiza hortulana, L. ; Severlzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., and III.
Vertical range. Rare during passage in district 1, and breeds

in districts 2 and 3.

90. Emberiza c^sia, Cretzschm. ; SevertzofF, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 2 and 3, being rare in

the former, and occurs during passage in districts 4 and 5.

Writing on this species, Severtzoff says (p. 117) that there
are two forms of this Bunting in Turkestan — one (which he
calls E. casia) which has a whitish throat, and another (which
he calls E. rufibarba) with a light brown throat ; and he adds
that he has seen several intermediate forms between these,
and that there are therefore not two species. Both forms
occur in the same locality ; and therefore the differences are
not climatic.

91. Emberiza citrinella, L. ; SevertzofF, p. 64.
Rare during winter near the Syr-Darja river.

92. Emberiza stewarti, B1.
Emberiza caniceps, Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts III. and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 3 and 4.

93. Emberiza leucocephala, Gm.
Emberiza pithy ornis (an sp. ?), Severtzoff, p, 64.
Horizontal range. Common during passage in districts I.

and II., and occurs during winter in districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. Occurs during winter in district 2, and
during passage in districts 3, 4, and 5, being common in dis-
trict 3 ; in district 4 it may possibly breed.

94. Emberiza schceniclus, L. ; Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Occurs in winter and during passage in

districts I., II., and III., and during winter in district IV.

Vertical range. Is found during winter in districts 1 and
2, and during passage in districts 2 and 3.

Sevtrtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 249

Embbriza pallasi, Cab.

Emberiza schceniclus /S. minor, Severtzoff, pp. 64^ 118.

Mr. Severtzoff remarks (p. 118) that he fully agrees with
Herr von Homeyer in considering Emberiza polaris, Midd.,
a good species. He met with numbers of Reed-Buntings in
Turkestan during passage, many of which belonged to the
small form {E. pallasi) ; but he also obtained intermediate
specimeus. E. polaris, however, he never met with. Both
forms of Emberiza schceniclus {E. schceniclus and E. pallasi)
were found consorting together in spring, from the end of
January to the early part of March, near Chickment, and
in the autumn, from the early part of October on the Issik-
kul, and from the beginning of September near Aulje-ata.
The measurements of E. pallasi he gives as " total length
6*2 to 6'4 inches, extent 9 0 to 9 6,'' and adds that it may be
distinguished by the wing-coverts being light reddish brown,
whereas in E. polaris they are greyish.

95. Emberiza pyrrhuloides. Pall. ; SevertzoflF, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Sedentary in districts I., II., and III.;

but it is questionable if it is sedentary on the Issik-kul.

Vertical range. Sedentary in district 1, and breeds in dis-
trict 3.

96. Emberiza miliaria, L.
Emberiza miliaris, Severtzoff, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts 11. and III., and oc-
curs in district IV. during winter.

Vertical range. Sedentary in district 2, and breeds in dis-
trict 3.

97. Emberiza pusilla. Pall. ; Severtzoff, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Rare during passage in district I.
Vertical range. Rare during passage in district 2.

98. Emberiza luteola. Lath.
Euspiza brunniceps, Severtzoff, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3, and is com-
mon in district 2.

250 Lord Waldcii and Major Godwin-Austen on some

99. Emberiza aureola. Pall.
Euspiza aureola, Severtzoft*, p. 61.

It was observed during summer on the Syr-Darja river.

100. Plectrophanes nivalis (L.); SevertzoflF, p. 64.
Horizontal range. Rare during winter in district III.
Vertical range. Rare during winter in district 2.

[To be continued.]

XVI. — Descriptions of some supposed new Species of Birds.
By Major Godwin-Austen, F.Z.S., and Arthur, Viscount
Walden, F.R.S.

suthora munipurensis, u. sp.

Desc. Crown of head cinnamon-brown, becoming more oli-
vaceous or fulvous green on back ; shoulder of wing greenish
umber. Primaries black, the first four edged white, the rest
crossed with a bright fulvous bar on the outer webs; the
secondaries edged broadly with fulvous, and a few of the last
tipped white on inner web. Tail ruddy fulvous at base, pa-
ling towards the end, which is dusky and indistinctly barred,
a broad supercilium black, lores and naiTow circle round the
eye pure white. Ear-coverts and side of neck grey ; chin
and throat black, merging into pearly grey and white on the
breast ; under tail-coverts pui'e white.

Length 4*5 inches, wing 1-8, tail 2*4, tarsus -77, bill at
front -28.

Obtained by Mr. William Robert, near Karakhul, Munipur
hills.

Sphenocichla, n. g.*
Bill longer than the head, conical, straight, and acute. Cul-
men, from region of the nostrils to the forehead, much com-
pressed; from nostril to apex swollen and flattened. Nostrils
protected by a scale-like cover and shaded by dense nareal
tufts. Commissure almost straight. Lower mandible flat-

* This may be the same genus as that named Hetcrorhynchits by Man-
delli ; but if so, tliat title cannot stand, haviii<r been previously employed
by Lafresnave.

fiupposed new Species of Birds. 251

sided; gonys broad, more flat than rounded, but slightly
curved. Tarsus strong, moderately long ; hallux and elaw
well developed; outer toes equal and but slightly shorter
than the middle. Wing short, rounded ; first primary half
as long as second ; second, third, and fourth about equal ; fifth
longest. Outer pair of rectrices short ; next pair shorter
than remainder.

Sphenocichla roberti.

General coloration throughout dark umber-brown, richer
on the wings and tail, which are closely barred with black ;
feathers of the nape and back edged with darker brown, and
with an inconspicuous pale spot near tip; these spots are
more defined on the side of the neck. The feathers of the
throat, neck, and breast are lanceolate, with a white edging
showing as V-shaped markings ; towards the abdomen these
become less conspicuous, and only a few white spots dot the
flanks. Bill grey, pale beneath and at tip.

Length about 6-5 inches ; wing 2*8 ; tail 3'0, tarsus -93,
bill at front "87, depth at base '4.

Shot on Hemes Peak, North Cachar hills, and also in the
Munipur hills.

This anomalous form has the structure of a Turdinus and
the bill of a Stachyris.

ACRIDOTHERES ALBOCINCTUS.

Top of head glossy black, feathers rather elongated, and a
white collar on back of neck ; back dull grey- black, with a
slight green tinge, and with a tendency to purple on the
shoulders and wing-coverts. Tail black with green reflections.
Primaries black, white at base, forming a wing- band ; second-
aries warm sepia-brown. Beneath dull but dark green-
ish grey. Upper tail- coverts black, tipped white, and ar-
ranged in bars. All the tail-feathers tipped with white, except
the two centre ones. Bill and legs yellow.

Length about 9 inches, wing 5, tail 3" 5, tarsus l*-!, bill at
front -91.

Appears numerous in Munipur valley, where the type was
obtained.

252 Descriptions of some supposed new Species of Birds.

Pnoepyga roberti, n. sp.

Above olive-brown, each feather pale-centred and fringed
or tipped with dark brown. Lores albescent. Between the
eyes and the rictus black. A well-defined streak extending
from above the eye down each side of the head, fulvous. Ear-
coverts cinereous at base, brown towards the tips. Chin and
throat pure white, each throat-feather being terminated by a
small black triangular drop ; as the tips of the feathers over-
lap, these drops form continuous black lines, the two principal
ones descending from the angles of the under mandible.
Cheeks ferruginous, each feather with a black terminal drop.
Pectoral and abdominal feathers pale brown, with broad pure
white or fulvous-white centres. Under tail-coverts bright
ferruginous yellow. Plumage on the rump loose, soft, and
dense, completely concealing the short tail, and being of an
almost uniform ferruginous brown colour. Wings, when
closed, dark chocolate-brown, most intense on the secondaries.
Most of the wing -coverts distinctly tipped with almost pure
white, so also the inner tertiary quills. Rectrices chocolate-
brown. Mandibles dark brown. Legs pale horn-brown.

Bill from nostril 37 inch, wing 2'15, tarsus '75, tail 1-15.

Described from specimens obtained at Chakha, in the Mu-
nipur hills, and also at Asalu.

In general appearance this bird closely resembles Turdinus
brevicaudatus . The upper plumage of the two is almost
identical. By its much smaller dimensions and diminutive
tail, however, it can be readily distinguished. It is the Pnoe-
pyga caudata, Blyth, apud Godwin- Austen (J. A. S. B. 1870,
p. 101. no. 331).

Pnoepyga chocolatina, n. sp.

Above olive-brown, each feather fringed with a somcAvhat
fainter tint, thus imparting a subdued scaly aspect to the
back. Wings and tail chocolate-brown. Upper and under
tail-coverts ferruginous brown, brightest on the under coverts.
Lower surface generally ferruginous brown, many of the
abdominal feathers being largely centred with white or ful-
vous white. Pectoral feathers with minute terminal white

Birds of Prey at the Jardin des Plantes, ^c. 253

dropsj or some with narrow white or fulvous white ceutres.
A few almost pure white feathers on the middle of the breast.
Chin white ; gular feathers white^ with pale fulvous or ferru-
ginous edges. Bill dark brown. Legs pale flesh-colour.

Bill from nostrils '25 inch^ wing 1*87^ tarsus -75, tail 1*75.

Described from a specimen obtained at Kedimai^ in the
Munipur hills.

This species and P. longicaudatus constitute a section of
the genus Pnoepyga^ in which the tail is fully developed.

XVII. — Contributions to a History of the Accipitres. Notes on
Birds of Prey in the Museum at the Jardin des Plantes and
in the Collection of Mons. A. Bouvier. By R. Bowdler
Sharpe, F.L.S.j F.Z.S.^ &C.;, of the Zoological Department,
British Museum.

I HAVE lately returned from a trip to Paris, which I made
for the purpose of studying typical and obscure specimens of
Strigidce, a propos of the second volume of my ' Catalogue of
Birds/ shortly to appear. Everywhere I was received with
the utmost hospitality ; and my thanks are due to Professor
Milne-Edwards, M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards, and Dr. Ous-
talet, for the courtesy with which they gave me every facility
for prosecuting my studies. At the house of my friend M.
Bouvier I found a most wonderful collection of birds ; and it
will not be long before the " Maison Bouvier '' becomes as
well known to the scientific world as the '' Maison Verreaux "
used to be. By his kindness I have been allowed to bring
to England many specimens of Accipitres, which I hope to
write upon a little later; at present I must content myself
with describing a remarkable new Scotopelia which I found
in his collection. In addition I have the following notes to
offer referring to some points which I consider likely to prove
of interest to ornithologists : —

1. Circus macroscelis, Newton; Sharpe, Cat. B, i. p. 73.
I have already described an adult bird of this apecies, re-
ceived since the publication of my ' Catalogue ' [cf. Sharpe,

254 Mr. R. B. Sliarpc on Birds uf Prey in the

P. Z. S. 1875) ; and in my account of the Madagascar Har-
rier I have stated my opinion that there is nothing to
separate C. macroscelis of Madagascar from C. maillardi of
Reunion, excepting the slightly larger size of the former and
the appearance of bars on the upper tail-coverts and tail. The
few doubts which existed in my mind as to the specific iden-
tity of these two Harriers are now further diminished by the
sight of a young Harrier brought from Madagascar by M.
Grandidier, identical in plumage with immature Reunion
birds, likewise in the Paris Museum. I believe, therefo7'e,
that C. macroscelis must become a synonym of C. maillardi,
the type specimen being probably an immature male in its
second plumage. Two of the young birds from Reunion were
commencing to get a somewhat striped appearance on the
breast. A notice of these birds will be found in Mr. Gurney's
paper in the present number, as I handed over to him a
letter from Dr. Oustalet on the subject,

2. MACHiERHAMPHUS ANDERSSoNi (Gum.) ; Sharpc, /. c.
p. 343.

The examples of this bird which I have hitherto examined
in England have been three in number, viz. a Damara speci-
men in the British Museum, a Madagascar bird in the same
collection, and a third from Madagascar in the possession of
Professor Newton. I have considered all these to be adults,
but I now believe them to be young birds ; for M. Grandidier
has presented to the Paris Museum the fully adult bird, which
is entirely fuliginous, and closely resembles the Malaccan M.
alcinus. The Paris example is also from Madagascar, making
the third I have now seen from that island.

3. MiCROHIERAX SINENSIS.

Hierax sinensis, David, MSS.
M. similis M. melanoleuco, sed torque collari albo distiii-
guendus.

I examined two specimens of this pretty little Falconet,
which seems to me to be a good species, closely allied to M.
melanoleucus (Blyth), but differing in having a white nape-
band, and in having more black on the sides of the body.

Museum at the Jardin des Plantcs, i^c. 255

Total length 7'2 iuclieSj culmen '55, wing 4"25, tail 2*8, tar-
sus '9. Both of Pere David's specimens had the white nape-
band, which I find is absent in Lord Walden's specimen
of M. melunoleucus , which he has been kind enough to lend
me ; nor is it mentioned in Mr. Hume's description of the
species (Stray F. ii. p. 525).

4. Falco barbarus, L. ; Sharpe, /. c. p. 386.

I examined an adult specimen of this Falcon, shot by M.
A, Bouvier dui'ing his expedition to the Cape-Verd Islands.
He killed it in a lonely gorge in the mountains. A flock of
St.-Jago Sparrows [Passer jagoensis) came suddenly in sight,
the Falcon following in quick pursuit.

5. Cerchneis tinnunculus (L.) ; Sharpe, /. c. p. 425.
The species named by Swainson Falco rufescens, from Se-

negambia, has been supposed by myself and other ornitho-
logists to belong probably to the dark resident form of the
Abyssinian highlands -, but I have now examined a series of
Kestrels, received direct from Senegal by M. Bouvier, and
I can aflfirm that they are nothing but the ordinary Kestrel
of Europe, which doubtless goes to Senegal in winter.

6. Cerchneis naumanni (Fleisch) ; Sharpe, /. c. p. 435.
Sent by the same collector from Senegal to M. Bouvier

were several specimens of the Lesser Kestrel, which is thus
introduced for the first time as a West-African bird. His
correspondent informed M. Bouvier that they were not re-
gular migrants, and only came when there were plenty of
locusts, which they followed in flocks along with Nauclerus
riocouri. The latter was also a bird of irregular and rare ap-
pearance ; but on the present occasion he obtained five of each
species out of the flock.

7. Bubo sinensis, Heude, Ann. Sc. Nat. (5) xx. art. 2.

I examined the type of this species : it has still remains of
nestling-plumage and is covered with down, but it is sufii-
ciently advanced to allow of its being identified at once with
Bubo coromandus; it is therefore not new to science, but is
of interest as being the first instance of this bird's occurrence
in China.

256 Mr. R, B. Sharpe on Birds of Prey in the

8. Syrnium DAViDi, sp. n,

Ptynx fulvescens, David, N. Arch. Mus. vii. Bull. p. 4.
S. simile *S^. nivicolo sed multo majus et saturatius : supra-
caudalibus ct cavida basali immaculatis distinguendum.
Long. tot. 20, alje 14*6, caud. 10*4, tars. 2-1.

Soon after commencing my studies on Owls, Pere David
pointed out to me that he was convinced that he had shot two
species of Syrnium at Moupin, one of which was the true S.
nivicolum, and the other had been determined by M. Jules
Verreaux as Ptynx fulvescens*, and still bore this identification
in his own handwriting. On comparing the Moupin example
with a specimen of the latter, shot by Pere David in Pekin,
it was easily seen that the two species were distinct ; for S.
rufescens belongs to the groups of S. uralense and S. nebu-
losum, and has, like them, a light-coloured disk, finely irro-
rated with circular bars of darker brown. The Moupin Owl,
on the contrary, has a dusky brown and mottled countenance,
so that it comes much nearer to S. nivicolum. The uniform
upper tail-coverts distinguish it as regards plumage ; and its
size is very much larger ; there are also many other slight
differences.

The specimen is a male ; and I therefore give the dimen-
sions of a pair of the true <S^. nivicolum, shot by Pere David
in Moupin : — ? , total length 15*5 inches, wing 12*8, tail
8"3, tarsus 2*0; (J, total length 15, wing 11*6, tail 7'5.

It will thus be seen that the male of S. davidi is larger
than the female of S. nivicolum. I am indebted to the cour-
tesy of Professor Alphonse Milne-Edwards for permission to
describe this new species, which forms part of the ornitholo-
gical collection in the Paris Museum.

9. NiNox FuscA (Vieill. N. Diet. vii. p. 22) .
This little Owl, the type of which was known to be in the
Paris Museum, has always puzzled ornithologists, and baffled

* This species is described in the text of the ' Fauna Japonica ' as S.
rufescens, and as S. fuscescem on the plate. It ought therefore to be
called Sip-nium rufescens. It is the more necessary to determine the cor-
rect title of the species, because there is a Syrnirmi fulvescens of Sclater
and Salvin, from Central America.

Museinn at the Jar din des Plantes, ^c. 257

even the acumen of Dr. Pucheran [cf. Rev. et Mag. de Zool.
1849, p. 20). I was delighted therefore to be able to deter-
mine it at once as the same as Ninox guteruhi (Miiller) — the
locality " Antilles " being evidently a mistake, as the species
really comes from Timor. The title of Miiller^s falls as a
synonym; and the species will stand as N.fusca (V.). This
specimen is the type of Strixfusca, Vieill., and Strix maugoii,
Temm. (PI. Col. 46).

10. NiNOx VABiEGATA (Quoy & Gaim. Voy. de FAstr. Zool.
1. p. 166, pi. i. fig. 2).

The types of this species show that it is closely allied to
N. squamipila of Ceram, but differs in having the ear-coverts
rufous brown, like the head, while the under surface is white,
broadly barred with orange-rufous, the bars being about equal
to the intervening interspaces ; the under wing-coverts exactly
resemble the breast.

11. NiNOx HUMERALis (Hombr. & Jacq. Voy. Pole Sud,
Zool. p. 53, pi. iv. fig. 1).

This is a very fine species, of the same group as N. strenua
of Australia, but smaller and distinguished by its black ear-
coverts and orange under surface, which is regularly barred
with reddish brown.

12. NiNox T^NiATA (Hombr. & Jacq. Voy. Pole Sud, Zool.
p. 50, pi. iii. fig. 1).

The type is said to have come from the Solomon Islands, and
is distinguished from all other members of the genus by its uni-
form cream-coloured under surface. I doubt, however, if the
specimen is really adult ; and if not, it will be necessary to see
the full-plumaged bird before determining its exact position.
The regularly barred upper surface, however, is sufiicient to
distinguish it from all others of the same size ; and I take it
to be quite a distinct species.

Having now studied attentively the genera Carine, Ninox,
and Glaucidium, the characters for distinguishing which will
appear in my forthcoming volume of the ' Catalogue of Birds,'
I think it not unadvisable to give a detailed list of the species

258 Mr. li. B. Sliarpe on Birds of Prey in the

which I would refer to these three genera. Those marked
with a dagger (f) I have never seen.

1. Carine, Kaup.

1. Carine noctua (L.). Europa.

2. glaux (Sav.). Africa bor., Palest., Persia.

3. plumipes (Swinhoe) ■^. Asia centr., Thibet, Mon-
golia, N. China.

4. brama (Frankl.). Ind. peninsula.

fS. pulchra (Hume). Burmah, Pegu.

t6. spilogastra (Heugl.). Samchara.

2. NiNox, Hodgs.

1. Ninox lugubris, Tick. Himalaya.
2. hirsuta (Temm.) . Ceylon.

3. japonica (T. & S.). Japan, China, Malacca,

Malasia.

4. obscura, Hume. Inss. Andaman, Nicobars.

5. affinis, Tytl. Inss. Andaman.

6. ochracea (Schl.). Celebes.

7. boobook (Lath.). Austr. merid.

8. ocellata (H. & J.). Austr. bor. et occid.

9. fusca (V.). Timor.

flO. theomacha (Bp.). Nova Guinea.

fll. dimorpha (Salvad.). Nova Guinea.

12. maculata (V. & H.). Tasmania.

13. nova zealandioi (Gm.). Nova Zealandia.

tl4. forsteri (Hartl.). Ins. Tonga.

15. connivens (Lath.). Austr.

16. rvfistrigata (Gray) . Ins. Gilolo.

17. strenua (Gould). Austr. bor.

18. humeralis (H. & J.). Nova Guinea.

19. franseni (Schl.). Ins. Waigiou.

20. aruensis (Schl.). Ins. Aru.

t21. hoedti (Schl.). Inss. Mysol, N. Guinea.

* This may turn out to be Carine hactriana (Hutton), as Hodgson's
Thibetan specimen is the same as the North-China bird ; but Hutton does
not mention the feathering' of the toes.

Museum at the Jardbi des Plantes, ^c. 259

23. Ninox punctulata (Q. & G.). Celebes.

23. squamipila (Bp.). Ins. Ceram.

24. variegata (Q. & G.). Ins. Novae Hibern.

25. hantii (Wall.). Ins. Bouru.

26. hypogrumma (Gray). Ins. Batcliian.

27. taniata (H. & J.). Inss. Solomon.

28. superciliaris (V.). Madagascar,

3. Glaucidium, Boie.

1. Glaucidium passerinum (L.). Europa.

2. gnoma, Wagl. Am. centr.^ Am. bor. et merid.

3. griseiceps, Sharpe. Guat.^ Am. centr.

4. pumilum (Temm.). Brazil.

5. nanum (King). Chili.

6. cobanense, Sharpe. Guatemala.

7. fei^ox (V.). Am. merid.

8. phalcenoides (Daud.). Ins. Trinit.

9. ridgwayi, Sharpe. Am. centr., Am. bor. et merid.

10. jardinii, Bp. Nova Granada.

11. siju, WOrh. Cuba.

12. tephronotum, Sharpe. Am. merid. (?)

13. brodiei (Burt.). Himal., China.

14. pardalotum (Swinh.). Formosa.

15. sylvaticum (Miill.) Sumatra.

16. capense (Smith). Afr. merid.

tl7. leucopse (Hartl.)"^. Ins. St. Thomas.

18. occipitale (Temm.). Africa.

19. castanopterum (Horsf.) . Java.

20. castanonotum (Blyth) . Ceylon.

21. radiatum (Tick.). Penins. India.

22. malabaricum (Blyth) . Malabar.

23. cuculoides (Vig.). Himal., Siam.

24. whitelyi (Blyth) . China, Japan.

With regard to the genus Glaucidium, I may mention that
I examined a large series of specimens, both in the Paris Mu-

* I am not sure if this species is correctly placed in this genus, never
having seen it, and I follow Mi*. G. R. Gray.

260 Birds of Prey at the Jardin des Plantes, ^c.

seam aud iu the collection of M. Bouvier. In both these were
specimens of a little Owl from Vera Paz — the one in the Mu-
seum having being obtained by M. Bocourt during the French
Expedition to Mexico, while the other was received direct
from the above locality by M. Bouvier. These two speci-
mens agree with the form previously mentioned by me {antea,
p. 47) as being in the Salvin-and-Godman collection ; and
having now seen six examples, all from Vera Paz, I can no
longer believe them to be the young of G. ridgwayi, and so
propose to call the bird Glaucidium cobanense. There is
also in the British Museum a very pretty little Glaucidium
which seems to be undescribed, and for which I propose the
title

Glaucidium tephronotum, sp. n.
G. suprk plumbeum, collo postico maculis albis vix celatis
ornato: pileo dorsoque concoloribus plumbeis: supercilio
albo indistincto : genis anticis albicantibus, regione pa-
rotica fuscescenti-plumbea : gutture et corpore subtus
medialiter albicante, pectore et abdomine longitudinaliter
brunneo striatis : corporis lateribus et cruribus oranino
vinascenti-rufis : subalaribus fiavicanti-albidis, exteriori-
bus viuascentibus et minute brunneo uotatis : tectricibus
alarum superioribus absque dorso concoloribus, tectrici-
bus majoribus primariisque paullo brunnescentibus, re-
migibus intus basaliter flavicanti-albidis brunneo fasci-
atis : Cauda nigricante, rectricibus omnibus maculis
magnis ovalibus albis distincte notatis : rostro et pedibus
flavis. Long. tot. 7*5, alse 4'05, caudse 3, tarsi 0"75.
I am unfortunately ignorant of the exact habitat of this
pretty little species ; but it is said to be from " South Ame-
rica.^' It was presented to the British Museum by Mr. W.
Wilson Saunders, F.K.S.

The last novelty that I have to introduce is not the least
interesting, being a third example of the genus Scotopelia,
which I propose to call

Scotopelia bouvieri, sp. n.

S. minor, vix S. ussheri magnitudine sequalis : pedibus graci-

libus : suprk fuscescenti-brunnea, ubique minutissime

transversim fulvo vermiculata ; pileo paullo pallidiore :

subtus fulvescens, late nigro striata : rostro corneo, ad

Recently pudlis/ied Ornitholoyical Works. 261

basin flavicante : uiiguibus oorneis. Loug. tot. 17 poll.,
culm, rs, alse 130, caud. S'O, tars, 2-2.

Hab. Lope, Ogowe river, Gaboon.

This species is even smaller than Scotopelia ussheri, Sharpe,
and is at once distinguislied by its vermiculated upper surface,
both from that species and S. jjeli. It has more the aspect
of a true Ketupa ; but I can discover no trace of auricular tufts.
This fine and unexpected novelty was discovered during the
recent expedition of the Marquis de Compiegne and M. Marche
into the interior of Gaboon, which has resulted in the explo-
ration of hitherto unknown tracts ; and as the funds for this
expedition were found by my friend M. Bouvier, I have dedi-
cated this species to him, in appreciation of his zeal in the
cause of science.

XVIII. — Notices of recently published Ornithological Works.

The introduction of a new illustrated ornithological perio-
dical"^, and that in the form of a quarto, is an incident of so
uncommon occurrence, that we hasten to draw the attention
of our readers to Mr. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany,'
the first number of which bears the date of January of the
present year. As this work is undertaken by a member of
the B.O.U., and is dedicated to the members of our fraternity,
it behoves us to take special interest in its success. In the
first place we may congratulate Mr. Rowley, not without feel-
ings of envy, at his freedom from the usual trammels of edi-
torial ties. He binds himself to no particular branch of his
subject, nor yet to dates of issue, nor does he state the num-
ber of Parts he expects to produce. All then we have to
do with is Part I. ; and this treats solely of New-Zealand
birds. Mr. Rowley seems to us to make out an excellent
case why Apteryx haasti, Potts, should be considered a species
distinct from A. oweni ; and four plates, drawn by Mr. Keule-
mans, show the differences between them. Of the rarer bird
Mr. Rowley has examples of both sexes, as well as the young,

* Ornithological Miscellany. By George Dawson Rowley, M.A., F.Z.S.
4to, Plates. Part I. .Tan. 18/5 : London and Brighton.

SER. III. VOL. V. T

262 Recently pnhHshed Onntholoyical Works.

and is tlms in an excellent position to pronounce decidedly
upon tlie subject. Besides figures of these species, one is
given of the young of A. australis of Shaw. Mr. Rowley^s
sixtli plate gives figures of the feathers of several species of
Struthious birds. These well show the different styles of the
markings of the two groups of Ai)teryges ; and with these are
contrasted the feathers of Dromceus and Cusuarius with their
elongated axillary shafts. The wide distinction between Ap-
teryx and the Australian Struthiones , indicated by the struc-
ture of their feathers, is one that is becoming constantly more
appreciated by ornithologists, and Avhich the examination of
fresh points in their structure seems to force into stronger pro-
minence. The final plate of this Part is devoted to a variety
of Nestor meridi07iatis, in which the normal colouring has
given place to white, the red markings retaining pretty much
their usual character. In his letterpress Mr. Rowley has
brought together a good deal of information respecting the
different birds on which he writes, and has added many sug-
gestive notes. The plates have all been drawn by Mr. Keu-
lemans, and are excellent examples of his skill.

The merits of Gilbert White's 'Natural History of Sel-
borne ' ^ are, we doubt not, so well known to our readers, that
any remarks of ours on them would be out of place ; what we
have to do with now concerns the present edition and the
manner and circumstances of its production. The acquisi-
tion of a number of Bewick^s woodcuts by the owners of the
copyright of Bennett^s edition of White's ' Selborne,' in-
spired the idea of illustrating this well-known work with
woodcuts of an equally well-known wood-engraver and natu-
ralist; and Mr. Harting was aj^plied to to edit the volume.
Mr. Harting's part has been judiciously performed ; for in
curtailing the lengthy notes of his predecessor he has brought

* The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, in the county of
Southampton. By the Rev. Gilbert White, M.A. Standard edition, by
E. T. Bennett. Thoroughlj' revised, with additional Notes, by James
Edmund Harting, F.L.S. Szq. Illustrated with engravings by Thomas
Bewick, Harvey, and other*. 8vo. London: 187o (Bickers & Son).

Recently published Oi'iiitlioloyical IVorks. 2G3

them to bear more directly upon the text, and such notes as
he has added of his own are concisely written, as notes should
be, and strictly to the point. In his own preface Mr. Hart-
ing has contrasted the neighbourhood of Selborne as it now
exists with the features it presented in White's time, not only
as regards the state of cultivation of the land, but also Avith
respect to the changes which have taken place in the compa-
rative rarity or the reverse of different animals mentioned in
White's pages. The chief features of White's life are alluded
to, and also brief biographies of his well-known correspon-
dents. Pennant and Barrington, and his early commentators,
Markwick and Aikin. All White's own notes are entered ;
and the text has been carefully collated with the original
quarto edition. A useful index is added to the volume. The
woodcuts ascribed to Bewick are characteristic of the work of
that famous artist, but they cannot be said to be the best of
his productions -, still the book, being carefully got up and
printed in clear type on good paper, makes a very nice volume.

The fifth volume of the ' Annali del Museo Civico di Storia
Naturale di Genoa' contains an important work by oui"
Foreign Member, Count Salvadori, entitled " Catalogo siste-
matico degli Uccelli di Borneo con note ed osservazioni di G.
Doria ed O. Beccari." In it we find a complete account of
the birds of Borneo, so far as they were known up to the time
of the issue of the work. In his introduction. Count Salva-
dori treats of the scattered knowledge possessed of the orni-
thology of this important island, and of the number of species
recorded from the explorations of various travellers. He then
gives a chart of the distribution of Bornean birds, with refer-
ence to those of the adjoining islands, as well as a sketch of
its physical geography, and finishes his preface with an account
of the method he has employed in carrying out his work.

In his account of each species very full synonymy is given,
as well as ample references. A complete sketch of tlie dis-
tribution of each species, particularizes with great care all
the localities where Bornean birds have occurred in countries
adjoining the one on which he writes; and, lastly, notes on

264 Recently published Ornithological Works.

the synonymy of every bird mentioned are given, and on the
habits of such species as fell under the observation of the
Marchese di Doria or Signer Beccari.

The total number of Bornean birds recorded is 392 ; but, be-
sides these, a number of others are inserted in their places which
may reasonably be supposed to exist in the island, but which
have not as yet been actually observed. Considering the com-
paratively small extent of this large island which has been
explored, and also its undoubted connexion with the rich
Indo-]Malayan region, and the variety of its physical con-
ditions, a considerable addition to the birds of Borneo may
some day be reasonably looked for. Count Salvadori^s work
brings the large increase of at least 100 species to what
was previously recorded, and will doubtless tend to further
very materially the study of Bornean birds. Even since it
was published we have a remarkable addition in the singular
Pheasant recently described by Mr. Sharpe as Lobiophasis
bulweri, a figure of it being included in Mr. Gould's recently
published part of his ' Birds of Asia.' Mr. Sharpe has also
recorded a few additions in a paper on a Bornean collection of
birds read before a recent meeting of the Zoological Society.

Count Salvadori describes several new species in his work,
besides making some alterations in nomenclature. Thus we
have Jyngipicus fusco-albidus proposed (p. 42) for Picus varie-
yatus, Wagler ; Capi'imulgus borneensis, Wall., MS., is de-
scribed for the first time (p. 117) ; Dicceum nigrimentum is a
new species (p. 165), as are also Orthotomus borneoensis (p. 247)
and Prinia siiperciliaris (p. 249). The following generic
names are also introduced: — Callolophus tor Picus puniceus,
Horsf., P. mentalis, Temm., and P. malaccensis, Lath. ; Arach-
nophila for Nectarinia simplex, Miill. ; Tricholestes for Bra-
chypodius criniger, Blyth; Cyanoderma for Timelia erythro-
ptera, Blyth, and Myiothera melanothorax , Temm.; and Ortho-
rhamphus for (Edicnemus magnirostris, Geoflfr.

Six (including frontispiece) plates of rather unequal exe-
cution illustrate the following eight species : — Pityriasis gyni-
nocephala, Chotorea mystacophonus, Pei'icrocotus ardens, Pitta
hertce, Setariapectoralis , Jyngipicus auranteiventris, Tricholestes

Recently published Ornitholoyical Works. 265

minutus, and Kenopia striata. Lastly, a copious index of no
less than forty-eight pages concludes this work, which must
be considered of first-rate importance in its bearing on our
knowledge of the ornithology of the islands of the Indian
archipelago.

The nnmerous notes relating to the nests and eggs of Indian
birds communicated to him by his correspondents are con-
tinued by Mr. Hume in a second part of his ' Nests and Eggs
of Indian Birds ' *, which has lately reached us. A third, not
yet to hand, was expected to be ready in December last.
Besides original matter, many extracts are given bearing upon
the subjects treated of; so that the path of the Indian orni-
thologist is greatly smoothed when desirous of breaking fresh
ground.

We have not detected any descriptions of new species in
this volume; but one new generic name {Pycnorhamphus) is in-
troduced, with Hesperophona icterioides, Vigors, as the type,
but of which no characters are given {cf. Gray, H.-l. ii. p. 88).

We have also received two small works by M. Neree Que-
part, to which we would draw attention. One f contains a full
account of the Goldfinch {Carduelis elegans), both as regards
its history, habits, mode of capture, and other points of inter-
est. The other J is a catalogue of the resident and migratory
birds found in the environs of Paris. In this catalogue only
fifty-three species are included (a very small number it seems
to us), though the exclusion of stragglers doubtless makes
the total considerably less than if they were also enumerated.

Since we announced the first two livraisons of M. Mulsant^s
work on the Trochilidse§ in October last (Ibis, 1874, p. 453),

* Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds. By Allan Hume. Rough Draft,
Part II. Large 8vo, pp. 237-480. Calcutta : 1874.

t Monographie du Chardonneret. Par N^ree Quepart. Svo. Paris :
1873.

J Omithologie Parisienne ou Catalogue des Oiseaux sedentaires et de
passage qui vivent a I'etat sauvage dans I'enceinte de la ville de Paris.
Par Neree Quepart. 12mo. Paris : 1874.

§ Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux-Mouclies ou Colibris coustituant la
famille des Trochilidds. Par E. Mulsant et feu Edouard Verreaux. Ou-

266 Recently published Ornithological Works,

two more livraisotis have been issued. These complete the
first volume of the work, and include the account of the genus
Aithurus according to jNI. INIuIsaut's arrangement.

Having already referred to the object and execution of the
work itself, we will confine ourselves to noticing a few points
that occur to us in reading M. Mulsant's pages.

Shaw's name, Lampornis jwrphyrurus , for the well-known
Jamaican Humming-bird, which Mr. Elliot identified with
the true L. mango of Linnseus, is adopted by M. Mulsant.
Though we entirely sympathize with the author in this and
all such cases where changes of names are sought to be made,
we cannot but feel the strength of Mr. Elliot's position. The
brief Linnsean diagnosis must not only be interpreted by re-
ference to Albin (an imtrustworthy authority, never to be for-
given for drawing a Sanderling with a long hind toe !), but
also note must be taken of the weighty authority of Sloane
and Brisson ; and these point to the Jamaican bird as the true
mango of Linnaeus. M. Mulsant rests his case upon the render-
ing of the words viridis nitens of the Linnsean diagnosis, which
certainly do apply more accurately to the continental species.

In giving the distribution of Lampornis [Chalybura) isaurce,
M. Mulsant mistakes Santa Fe in Veragua for the well-known
Santa Fe de Bogota. The bird has never been seen out of
the district of Veragua, or (as it should be more properly called)
the State of Panama. M. Mulsant is also inaccurate in
stating that Arce obtained specimens of Lampornis {Chaly-
bura) urochrysea in Veragua ; we have not yet been fortunate
enough to meet with specimens in collections from that dis-
trict. Of L. calosoma the locality remains as yet undetermined,
though M. Mulsant states it to be New Granada. For this
species he suggests the subgeneric name Crinis. We notice
that Doryfera ludovicice is said to be found in Veragua; this
is a mistake, the species being D. veraguensis. Eight plates
accompany these parts, including drawings of Doryfera eu-
phrosince, Thalurania lerchi, Oreonympha nobilis, and Diphlo-
gcsaa hesperus, none of which has been figured before.

vrage publie par la Society Liuneenne de Lyon. 4to: livraisons 3, 4.
Paris: 1B74.

Letters, Announcements, ^t. 267

XIX. — Letters, Announcements, ^-c.

The following letters, addressed " To the Editor of ' The
Ibis/ " have been received : —

Bulle, le 1" Fevrier 1875.

Monsieur, — Je vous envoie la description de deux oiseaux
que vous m^obligeriez beaucoup d'inserer dans le prochain
numero de FIbis.

II s'agit d'abord de la rehabilitation d'une espece de Brehm
sur laquelle M. J. Vian vient d^attirer mon attention. Les
observations de cet eminent ornithologiste que je vous rap-
porte ici dissiperont certainement tons les doutes a cet egard.

C^est le Mormon grabce decrit pour la premiere fois par
Brehm, Handbuch, p. 999.

Peut-etre pourrait-on lui reunir le Mormon fratercula du
meme auteur, dont il diftere peu.

Voici la description du M. graba de Brehm, completee par
celle de M. J. Vian.

Bee offrant an devant de la membrane nasale 3 bourrelets
et 4 sillons, assez eleve au devant du front, ou il est etroit ;
assez eleve au dessus de Fos frontal, mais ne depassant pas le
dernier bourrelet.

C^est le plus petit de tons les oiseaux de ce genre ; il se rap-
prochc du M. fratercula par la forme de son bee. Mais il
s'en distingue par la taille, qui est beaucoup plus petite.

Le M. grabm est le plus meridional de tons les Macareux ;
car il habite les Feroe et d^autres iles voisines. On le voit
aussi tres -sou vent en hiver sur les cotes allemandes nord-
ouest de la mer du nord et sur celles de Hollande. C'est
le plus commun des Macareux dans TEurope centrale.

M. J. Vian ajoute, " Je crois que le M. grabce est une
espece particulierc, ct Tespece de Erance. Voici ses dimen-
sions principales d'apres uu sujet choisi comme etant des
plus adultes sur plusieurs milliers (il y en avait de quoi charger
un navire) trouves morts le lendemain d\ine tempete sur les
rivages dc la mer dans les Basses-Pyrenees, le 20 Sept. 1873.

" Seulement, il est etonnant que le type fran9ais soit pre-
cisement celui des iles Eeroe.

2G8 Letters, Announcements, S^c.

M. f/raJice M. nrcfica

de Franco, du Gi'oeuland.

millim. niilliui.

Long 270 350

Aile 150-500 100-500

Tarses 24 30

Doigt med. avec I'ougie 40 47

Bee a partir du front 40 52

Bee a partir des commissures 35 43

Sa hauteur nioyenne 28 35

" Le M. grahcR de France n'a pas de hourrelet a la base
de la mandibule superieure, notamment eiitre cette mandi-
bule et le front. Le bee est de 0'",004 en surelevation du
front, et il existe uu creux entre eux. II n'a pas de rosace
aux commissures, pas de membrane cornee aux yeux. Son
bee est beaueoup moins eleve, et ses dimensions sont infe-
rieurs de ^. La mandibule inferieure est, pour ainsi dire,
tronquee en dessus a sa base. La marque grise se prolonge
en pointe jusqu'a la nuque, ou les pointes se rejoignent, de
maniere k former une calotte sur le vertex.

" Les naturalistes-preparateurs de Paris ne le re9oivent pas
autrcment en chair, et ne depouillent jamais le veritable M.
arctica.

" J^ai eu en chair le 22 Dec. et fin Janvier le M. grabee avec
un bee moitie plus etroit, sans sillons, et de taille encore plus
petite de \, raais en plumage complet; il etait moins grand
qu^un poussin de M. arctica encore en duvet du Labrador;
le bee etait plus developpe dans les poussins."

L'autre espece que je crois nouvelle appartient an genre
^githalus. Mais comme je puis bien me tromper, j'en donne
seulement la description, lai|»sant a d^mtres le soin de lui
donner un nom s'il y a lieu^.

^ . Diftere de yi^g. pendulimis en ce que le dessus de la
tete et du cou est d'un beau roux chatain jusqu^au manteau.
A partir de la, le bas du dos et le croupion sont d^un blan-
chatre lave de cette derniere couleur, mais plus claire. Rec-
trices grisatres, a bordures blanches, tres-larges, ce qui fait

* [This species is most probably one recently described by SevertzofF as
^ylthahis vastaneus (' Turkestanskie Jevotuie,' p. 136 j. — Ed.]

Letters, Announcements, i^c. 269

paraitre la queue presque blanclie. Remiges a bordnres ex-
ternes blanches et tres-larges. Sur la poitrine existent des
meclies d'un chatain fonce. Long. tot. 0°^156 environ.

? . Plus petite que le male^ dont clle ne difFere que par itfi
teintes, et surtout le marron du derriere du cou, beaucoup
moins vives. Dessus de la tete blancliatre. Bee couleur de
corne.

Hab. Russie meridionale.

Ces deux notices sont extraites d'un ouvrage assez consi-
derable auquel j^ai travaille depuis plusieurs annees. J'avais
entrepris de rediger une Revue des Oiseaux de la France,
augmentee des descriptions d^un grand nombre de leurs con-
species exotiques. J'aurais desire publie cet ouvrage, auquel
j'ai donne tons les soins dont j'ai ete capable. Mais des ob-
stacles serieux pouvant faire echouer mon projet, je serai
toujours heureux que son titre au moins ne soit pas perdu.
C^est pourquoi je vous prie, Monsieur, de vouloir bien I'an-
noncer dans VIbis. Le titre que j^ai adopte jusqu^k present
est le suivant, que je pourrais changer au besoin : — ' Revue
general des Oiseaux de la France, ou Manuel d'Ornithologie,''
comprenant les especes qui se reproduisent en France ou qui
s'y montrent le plus regulierement de passage, ainsi que la
description des especes exotiques les plus voisines des indi-
genes, ou susceptibles d'etre confondues avec elles.
Recevez, Monsieur, Fassurance

de ma consideration tres-distinguee,

Leon Olphe-Galliard.

lltli March, 1875.
Sir, — With reference to ray remarks on the races of the
Condor in the last number of 'The Ibis' (pp. 91, 92), I wisli
to mention that there is now living in the gardens of the Zoo-
logical Society an adult male Condor which does not entirely
agree with either the large-combed or the small-combed race,
Mr. Bartlett writes respecting it that it " is much smaller
than the birds brought to England by Mr. Weisshaupt ; the
comb and wattles are less developed ; it appears to me to be
very intermediate betAveen the small and large birds." The

SER. III. VOL. V. u

270 Letters, Announcements, i^-c.

character of the comb and wattles in this specimen, though
by no means so fully developed as they were in the large
Chilian male purchased by the Society in June 1870, seem
nevertheless to approach more nearly to those of the large-
combed than of the small-combed race; but the general di-
mensions of the bird agree (so far I could judge by the eye)
with the latter.

Dr. Sclater has been so good as to inform me that Lieut.
Clive Strachey, who presented this specimen to the Zoolo-
gical Society, wrote from Tome, on the coast of Chile, to say
that the bird came '' from the Cordilleras/^

I am &c.,

J. H. GURNEY.

Sib, — Among a number of very interesting species of birds
recently collected in Munipur, and intrusted to my charge by
Major Godwin-Austen, is a specimen of Palceornis melano-
rhynchus, Wagler, in luteous plumage. With the exception
of the breast, which is tinted with the rosy plum-colour found
in the normal plumage, the whole bird is bright canary-
yellow. The rosy breast-feathers, however, are normally co-
loured only at their termination ; far underneath they too are
bright yellow, an indication of that colour being only obser-
vable in the breast-plumage of the normal dress.

Yours,

Walden.

Chisleliurst, March 1875.

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C,
March 13th, 1875.

Sir, — The history of Gymnocitta cyanocephala, given by me
not long since in this Journal*, contained no account of the
nest and eggs, these being at that time undiscovered. The
account may now be completed, the required information
having been satisfactorily contributed by Mr. C.E. Aikeu, of
Colorado Territory, U. S., a portion of whose article upon the
subject, in the 'American Sportsman^ (newspaper) of this

* Ibis, 1872, p. 152.

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 271

date, is transcribed, as the original publication is not likely
to come under the notice of many readers of ' The Ibis/ and
as it is desirable that the same Journal should complete the
history of the species.

''Although Maximilian's Jay is quite a common bird in
many parts of the west, .... its eggs have never been de-
scribed, though a nest containing young was found several
years ago by Mr. Robert Ridgway [on a low range of hills
east of Carson City, Nevada, late in March or early in April
of 1868, at which time the young were already flying, as I am
informed by Mr. Ridgway, who corroborates the accuracy of
Mr. Aiken's observations on the nidification. — E. C.]. On
the 12th of May, 1874, I sallied forth with the determination
to find, if possible, the nest of this bird. From the fact that
these Jays always show a preference for the piiion-clad hills,
it is natural to suppose that they would breed among them ;
and as they are at all times gregarious, I inferred that they
would breed in communities; and so it proved. I chose for
my field of search a high rocky tract of mesa country, well
clothed with pinon and cedar, that lies just at the point where
the three counties of El Paso, Pueblo, and Fremont meet,
and searched a whole day without success. Continuing my
search next day in the same vicinity, I chanced to spy in the
fork of a pinon tree a nest, which, as I viewed it from the
ground, I concluded to be the very one I was looking for;
and as I prepared to ascend the tree all doubts in the matter
were set at rest by my seeing the parent bird fly stealthily
away. Hastily climbing to the nest and looking eagerly into
it, I found, not the wished-for eggs, but a half-fledged nest-
ling. This was rather disappointing ; but a careful scrutiny
of all the trees within a circuit of fifty rods, resulted in the
finding of four nests, one of which repaid all my previous
trouble ; for it contained five eggs unknown to science. Those
of you who have had similar experiences can imagine my de-
light as I first gazed upon these treasures.

" The eggs are of a plump oval form, and five in number.
The colour is a very pale greenish blue, plentifully sprinkled
everywhere with specks of brown and pale lilac, which con-

272 Letters, Announcements, S^c.

gregate and become blended at the larger end. Of the origi-
nal five, three (which I still retain) measure respectively as
follows— Ml X -88, 1-12 X 'S7, MS x "88 inch. The nest—
a somewhat bulky structure — is composed outwardly of dried
twigs, and inwardly of soft bark fibres, and a peculiar grey
pulpy substance, Avhicli resembles the film to be foimd on the
surface of very old weather-worn boards."

Very truly youi's, Elliott Coues.
P.S. The same newspaper contains accounts of the notable
occurrence, in Massachusetts, oiXema sabinii and Mimuspoly-
glottus — both of which are interesting items, although not
wholly unexpected. All three of the articles are stated to
have been read before the " Nuttall Ornithological Club " of
Cambridge, Mass., — a promising yomig association, from
which we shall doubtless hear more in due time ; and 1 am
sure you will join me in wishing it abundant success.

Sir, — Some tendency towards that interest in Arctic disco-
very which was once taken by all Englishmen having been of
late called forth, I may perhaps be allowed to record in ' The
Ibis,' without any chance of off'ending its readers, the addition
of two species to the casual avifauna of Spitsbergen. Last
summer Mr. Arthur Campbell visited that country ; and the
sailors of his vessel saw a Raven there, while a Swallow was
observed by three of his party in Coal Harbour. Neither
this gentleman nor any of his companions, I understand, pro-
fess themselves to be expert ornithologists ; but with regard to
two such well-known birds I cannot conceive that any mis-
take has been made, and 1 therefore consider the accidental
occuiTcnce of Corvus corax and Hirundo 7'usiica — the latter,
be it remembered, having been already observed in Nova
Zembla (Ibis, 1870, p. 306) — in Spitsbergen to be placed be-
yond doubt. I must add that I am indebted to Mr. Ernest
Farquhar for the opportunity of reading the letter from Mr.
Campbell containing this information.

I am. Sir, Your obedient sei'vant,

Alfred Newton.

Magdalene College, Cambridge,
20th March, 1875.

THE IBIS.

THIRD SERIES.

No. XIX. JULY 1875.

XX. — On the Birds of the South-eastern Subdivision of
Southern Ceylon. By W. Vincent Legge^ Lieut. R.A.

In the January number of ' The Ibis ' for last year, I gave
an outline of the distribution of the birds in the south-western
corner, or southern hill-region of Ceylon, which consists of a
maze of hills ranging from the sea-level up to an altitude of
4500 feet, and possessing the dampest climate in the island.
In these notes I gave evidence of the occurrence of birds not
previously recorded from that region, such as Syrnium in-
dranee, Toccus gingalensis, Chrysocolaptes stricklandi, Palceor-
nis calthrop^jPhcenicophaes pyrrhocepJialus* ,Eumyias sordida,
Merops quinticolor, Prionochilus vincens, Phyllornis malaba-
ricus, Dissemurus malabaricus, Drymocataphus fuscicapillus,
and many others. The limit of this subdivision was defined
to consist, towards the east, of the eastern slope of the hill-
region, which nins from the southernmost point of the island
due north, dividing this southern division into two halves : —
the one, that before under consideration ; the other, that now to

* Layard does not specify the precise limits of this bird's range. Eni-
merson Tennant gives its habitat, ''confiiled to the southern highlands^
SER. III. VOL. V. X

274 Lieut. W. V. Leggc on the Birds of the

be noticed — namely, tlie immense flat area which comprises
the Hambantotta and Kaltsegama districts, and stretches north
of tliem to the foot of the central mountains. I spoke of this
region as a remarkably "Indo-Ceylonese" one, which is some-
what noteworthy, seeing that it is adjacent to the typically
Ceylonese district of which I was wi^iting. In truth, however,
the two localities might well diff'er in toto in the character of
their avifauna; for there are, perchance, fcAV spots in the
world where the transition from one region to another en-
tirely different is as sudden as the jump from the damp forest-
clad hills of the south-west to the arid, dry, scrub-covered
plains of the south-east of this island. The wooded plains
and the open wastes surrounding the salt lakes or " leways '"^
of this subdivision, therefore, present us with all the inses-
sorial forms characteristic of most parts of the north of the
island, such as Merops viridis, Hydrocissa coronata, Picus
mahratiensisf, Xantholcema indica, Upupa niyripennis, Bu-
changa ccsrulescens, Kittacincla macrura, Thamnobia fulicata,
Temenuchus pagodarum, Munia malacca, Mirafra affinis,
Pyrrhulauda grisea, and Alauda galgula ; and its leways and
wild secluded tanks furnish a long list of the grallatorial
forms, likewise characteristic of the north-east and north
coasts.

North of the maritime region the soil improves slightly,
the jungle becomes larger, and the rivers are lined with a
belt of forest of magnificent trees. These streams are the
Wellaway, Kirinde, and Kattregama Gaugas (rivers).

In March 1872, during the N.E. monsoon, I explored the
sea-board, making the salt depot of Kirinde, twenty-four
miles north of Hambantotta, my headquarters. My leave
being of short duration, I was unable to work the interior,
or country lying between the Hambantotta and the central
province, and I was compelled to defer my visit to that part
imtil the year before last, when I made a trip through it

* Pronounced Imcys; these are the shallow lagoons from which the
Government of Ceylon collects such a large amount of salt.

t I might also include P. strichhindi, common in the forests of the
northern interior.

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 275

during the prevalence of the south-east monsoon, choosing
that season with the view of looking for the whereabouts of
some of our insessorial forms which disappear from the west
coast at that time, and which I hoped to meet with in the
sheltered jungles of the Wellaway Korle.

Touching our commonest birds, which one is sure to meet
with throughout the low country, and which of course are
present in these limits, I will not take up room for special
notice of them ; they may, however, be summed up with our
common cool-season "migrants,^' Hirundo rustica, Lanius
cristatus, Alseonax latirostris, Acrocephalus dumetorum, Phyl-
loscopus nitidus, about which there is nothing to note, except
that the two latter are scarce, and with our insessorial resi-
dents, Cypselus bataviensis, Dendrochelidon coronata, Collo-
calia fuciphaga, Halcyon smyrnensis, Alcedo bengalensis, Pe-
largopsis gurial, Megalxama zeylonica, Eudynamys lionorata,
Centropus nifipennis*, Leptocoma zeylonica, Arachnecthra lo-
tenia, Dicaum minimum, Campephaga sykesi, Myiagra azurea,
Alcippe nigrifrons, Malacocercus striatus, Phyllornis jerdoni,
Ixos luteolus, Pycnonotus hcemori'hous , lora zeylonica, Oriolus
ceylonensis, Copsychus saularis, Orthotomus longicauda, Cis-
ticola schcenicola, Corydalla rufula, Acridotheres tristis, Zos-
terops palpebrosus, Munia striata, M. undulata, and Passer
indicus, — touching which I may remark that Dendrochelidon
coronata and Eudynamys honorata are resident here during
both monsoons, that Arachnecthra lotenia is partially repre-
sented by the much more numerous A. asiatica, a species
fond of dry scrubs, that Copsychus saulai'is, the common
Robin of the west coast, is almost entirely replaced by Tham-
nobia fulicata, a very abundant bird in the north of the island
and on the whole of the east coast, that Munia undulata, our
common Finch of the west coast, is replaced to a great extent
by M. malabarica, a typical species of the north-east. Again,
as far as the remaining Orders are concerned, Turtur sura-

* I am almost sure I once distinguished the green bill of C. chloro-
rhynchns in a Centropus that flew across the Badulla road, in the Wella-
way Korle ; but I am not confident enough of my identification to be able
to include it in the following catalogue.

x2

276 Lieut. W. V. Lcgge on the Birds of the

tensis (our common Dove) and the universally distributed
Waders of the low country, Actitis hypoleuca, Totanus (jla-
reola, Gallinula phoenicura, Buphus coromandus, and Ardeola
grayi, muster^ in the localities which suit their habits, in the
same force as elsewhere.

Ornithologically considered, as well as regards vegetation
and features of the soil, tliis district divides itself into two
portions : — the maritime belt, or sea-board, as I shall term it,
which consists of the Niagam and Giramapattus"^, stretching
from north of Kattregama, the neighbourhood of the celebrated
Hindoo temple of that name, to the confines of the south-west-
ern hill-region, near the town of Tangalle ; and the interior,
Avhicli consists of the Wellaway and adjoining korles, reaching
northwards to the foot of the central-province mountains,
bounded on the west by the eastern slopes of the southern
hills, and shut in towards the east by ranges of hills stretch-
ing towards Batticaloa. These latter wilds, which have never
been explored by a naturalist, the whole being one inter-
minable jungle, will no doubt yield us some day some inter-
esting novelties. In the following list I will enumerate all
those species occurring in these limits which deserve special
notice, and as regards Raptores, will mention one or two
whose absence is conspicuous.

1. MiCRONISUS BADIUS (Gm.).

This Sparrowkawk is much less common in this part of the
island than I suspected. During my July trip I only saw
one example in the Wellaway Korle. In many semiculti-
vated districts of the island it is numerous, and, there, is very
frequently observed about compounds and cocoa-nut planta-
tions near human dwellings.

2. AcciPiTER viRGATUs (Temm.).

Thinking that this species might prove one of the treasures
of such an out-of-the-way district during the cool season, I
looked everywhere for it, but was unsuccessful. All examples
that I have as yet met with are from the western side of the

* Pattu and Korle are the vernacular names for the territorial divisions
of the island, which coi-respoud to the English county.

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceijlon. 277

island ; and for its occurrence in the Galle district see ' Ibis/
1874, p. 10.

3. LiMNAETUs cRisTATELLus (Temm.) .

This Eagle is common in the interior. I observed it in
the WellaAvay Korle, in the forest-belts lining the river.
These localities are the favourite resort of all the large Rap-
tors here.

4. Spilornis bacha (Daud.).

This Serpent-Eagle frequented the rivers of the interior,
dwelling in the magnificent forest-trees along their banks.
It was invariably to be seen seated on a great overhanging
limb, and when flushed would glide along over the sandy bed
to another perch a short distance off. In the space of a
mile, one day, I saw three examples. A presumably immature
male example of S. hacha"^, although the testes were as much
developed as in an adult which I procured on the Kirinde
Ganga, had a total length of 21*75 inches, wing 15, tail 9,
tarsus 3"5, mid toe 1*8, its claw (straight) '85. Iris yel-
low, with brown inner circle ; cere greenish yellow ; legs and
feet pale yellow; tlie throat and cheeks jet-black, with a
white chin, and longitudinal gular white streaks ; across the
fore neck, below the black throat, the feathers are tipped with
buff; the whole of the head-, occipital-, and crest-feathers are
broadly tipped with buff-white, adjacent to which they are
black, fading into fulvous next the white basal halves ; the
interscapulars, scapulars, and wing-coverts conspicuously mar-
gined fulvous grey, which is the most important immature
feature in the bird ; the centre caudal bar is 1 inch wide, and
its adjacent anterior and posterior smoky bars waved trans-
versely with white ; the junction of the latter with the subter-
minal black bar is indistinct, the black and the brown melt-
ing into one another ; the ventral white spots are circular,
but they possess the dark circling observable in the adult.
I presume this is the plumage of Blyth's S. spilogaster ; or is
this latter to be recognized as a valid species ?

* In my paper in ' The Ibis ' of last January, where, at page 9, I speak
of Spilornis cheelo, it must be understood that the present species is re-

278 Lieut. W. Y. Legge on the Birds of the

5. CUNCUMA LEUCOGASTER (Grm.).

This Eagle is local in this district, as, in fact, it is in all
other parts of the coast ; it is rarely found about the leways,
but frequents the coast-line almost entirely. I observed it
frequently in the Kattregam division of the Magam Pattu, to
the north of Kirinde, which is the next salt-station beyond
Hambantotta. Throughout Ceylon its favourite resorts are
the large brackish lakes near the shore, and the harbours
and arms of the sea with which the coast, particularly in the
north-east and north, is intersected.

6. POLIOAETUS ICHTHYAETUS (Horsf.) .

This fish-Eagle does not frequent the leways ; it is found
about the mouths of the large rivers, but it is not nearly so
abundant as it is in the east and north-east of the island.
In confinement I have fovmd this bird to be exceedingly noisy
and querulous ; but it thrives well in an aviary notwithstand-
ing. The markings of the tail in the immature dress change
very much with time during the first year, the mottled brown
portion of the centre paling into grey ; this colour being the
predominant hue, shows out the subterminal bar (which
likewise becomes pale) more plainly than in the early part of
the stage. The tawny hue of the breast fades out almost en-
tirely before the end of the first year. In this stage the iris
is yellow-brown ; in the adult, clear yellow beautifully mot-
tled with brown,

7. Circus swainsoni, Smith.

8. Circus cineraceus (Mont.).

9. Circus .eruginosus (Linn.).

I met with occasional examples of the two first-named Har-
riers, in March, about the open scrubby lauds along the coast,
C. cineraceus being more frequent here than in most parts of
the island. Circus ceruginosus is much less abundant here than

ferred to, checla being the specific name used by Layard, whom I chiefly
followed in my identification of the birds of the south-western district.
My using the specific title of the northern and larger form was a great
blunder.

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 279

in the south-west, where the open paddy-lands are more suited
to its habits than the hot " wastes '' of this district.

10. Haliastur INDUS (Bodd.).

Not abundant in the maritime district, but occurs far in-
land in the Wellaway Korle about tanks.

11. MiLvus GOViNDA, Sykcs.
Milvus affinis, Gould.

I observed no example of the Pariah Kite in either season ;
and it is very rare in the south-west (Ibis, 1874, p. 10).

12. Elanus ceruleus (Desf.).

I met with several examples of this Kite in the vicinity of
inland tanks ; it occui-s here more frequently, perhaps, than
in any other part of the island.

13. KeTUPA CEYLONENSIS (Gm.).

Numerous in the forests on the banks of the rivers, parti-
cularly in the Wellaway Korle. I saw nothing of our AVood-
Owl, Syrnium indranee, which occurs frequently in the other
subdivision of the south, the hiU country (Ibis, 1874, p. 11).

14. Ephialtes backamuna.

This little Owl is less frequent here than in the south-
west. It aflfects cultivated districts far more than wild jungle-
country.

15. NiNox HiRsuTA (Tcmm.) .

In my notice of the birds of the south-west or the southern
hill- region, I omitted this species. For a long time I was
accustomed to hear early in the evening and late in the morn-
ing, when in the interior of that district, particularly along
the Gindurah, the note of an Owl, which I was unable to
trace to its proper source. Since writing my paper I suc-
ceeded in shooting the bird while hooting, and thus found
that this species, supposed to be rare in Ceylon {vide P. Z. S.
1872, p. 418), was very numerous in the south-west. Last
year I found it very common in the Wellaway Korle, its note
being my constant evening and morning entertainment, as
late as 7 a.m. I have heard it monotonous whooo-wuk, ivhooo-
wuk, whooo-wuk, in more than one direction, around some

280 Lieut. W. V. Legge on the Birds of the

lonely tanks ; but notwithstanding its frequent occurrence, I
only procured two examples, as it is exceedingly shy. The
stomach of one of them was crammed with the common small
green beetle of the country. It fell to my gun about 2 p.m. ;
and at that time its food was undigested, proving it to feed
very late in the morning. The dimensions of both my spe-
cimens are less than those given by Mr. Hume for a Nicobar
example (Str. Feath. vol. ii. p. 152). They are: —

Length. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

I. S 10-6 8 4-3 1-1

%jriv. S 10-3 7-7 4-25 0-95

The iris in the young bird is dusky yellow, in contradis-
tinction to the golden yellow of the adult, the feathers of the
throat margined with a shining oclire-yellow, and the brown
of the under surface much darker than in the adult, with
much less white, particularly noticeable in its absence from
the abdominal region.

16. HiRUNDO HYPERYTHRA, Layard.

The Ceylon Swallow is common in the vicinity of tanks in
the Wellaway Korle j but I did not notice it in the Hambau-
totta district, although it is abundant along the sea-board of
the south west.

17. Cypselus affinis. Gray.

T found this Swift breeding in the houses at the salt-depot
at Kirinde, in March 1872. It is common throughout the
coast-region, and the " colony " at Kirinde must have num-
bered sixty or seventy pairs. The nests were placed between
the tiles and the rafters of the verandas, and were constructed
of cottony substances interwoven with grass-stalks.

18. ACANTHYLIS GIGANTEA (Tcmm.).

This magnificent Swift, which I have never seen recorded
from the low country, occurred once on the borders of this
district during my trip in July 1873. During a heavy squall
from the south-west a large flock appeared on the coast, hawk-
ing near the ground on the hill at Taugolle, They came, as
far as I could judge, from the south, and disappeared a short
time after the shower was over, flying due north, towards the

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 281

hillsj where I had once observed them durmg my explora-
tions (Ibisj 1874j p. 13). They had evidently been hawking
at an immense elevation, probably equal to that of the south-
ern-province hills, and had been driven down by the heavy
rains.

19. Caprimulgus spilocercus, Gray.

20. Caprimulgus asiaticus, Latham.

Both numerous in various parts, the latter mostly in the
open sandy wastes and scrubs along the sea-board ; but the
former is equally abundant, both here and in the Wellaway
Korle. Its remarkable note at once tells the tale of its pre-
is sence in a locality.

21. Harpactes fasciatus (Forster).

Occurs in the forest on the banks of the Kirinde Ganga, but
is less frequent than I anticipated.

22. Merops viridis, Linn.

Abundant both in the maritime region and in the interior.
This species breeds in the sand-hills of Hambantotta. Its
range in Ceylon is from the maritime regions of the north,
north-Avest, and east, down the whole of the east side of the
island, and round the south-east as far as Tangalle. I have
never seen it on the southern half of the west coast ; but Mr.
Holdsworth has observed it at Colombo, although I never saw
it during a three years' residence in that part. The blue
throat {vide Mr. Holdsworth's catalogue, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 422)
appears to me to be a marked characteristic of maturity ; this
part in the young bird is yellowish green, surrounded by the
pale green of the adjacent parts of the fore neck, the throat-
band being at that period ill defined and narrower than later
on. I traced this bird all along the Hambantotta and Ba-
dulla road to the foot of the hills.

23. Merops philippinus, Linn.

Not so numerous as the above. I observed it a good deal
near tanks in the Wellaway Korle. It is found all over the
island in the season, affecting the highest pattus of the cen-
tral province.

383 Lieut. W. V. Leggc on the Birds of the

24. Ceryle rudis (Linn.).

Affects the leways along the coast. I did not observe many
along the shaded rivers of the interior ; it is a bird which
always affects exposed situations.

2.5. Hydrocissa coronata (Bodd.).

Our large Hornbill I met with about the tanks, where
there is forest, in the Kaltsegama district, and along the rivers
of the interior.

26. Toccus GiNGALENSis'^ (Sliaw) .

The Hornbill is abundant along the Hambantotta and Ba-
dulla road, commencing at a point some fifteen miles north of
the former place. I met with it always in the forest on the
river-banks throughout the Wellaway Korle. What appear
to be birds of the year, although in two instances the ova were
well developed, are smaller than adults, and have the bill al-
most wholly brown. The amount of white in this organ varies
with age, from a streak on the side to the almost white bill,
with dark patch just anterior to the eye, and dark wash at the
base beneath, of old birds. The white markings of the pri-
maries and rectrices are irregular during immaturity; in one
example before me, the fifth quill of one wing is almost en-
tirely white, save a black patch adjacent to the normal white
tip, while on the corresponding feather of the other wing there
is a white line down the centre of the black inner web. Five
adult examples measure in the wing 8'25 inches, and in the
bill, from gape straight to tip, 3" 5.

27. PaljEornis torquatus (Bodd.).

28. Pal^eornis EUPATRius (Linn.).

29. PaL^ORNIS ROSA.

P. torquatus is abundant in the scrubs of the coast-district ;
and P. eupatrius and P. rosa I met with on the BaduUa road
and on the banks of the Kirinde Ganga. I think it is now

* The Hornbill of the south-western forests may perhaps be distinct j but
a large series must be got together before the question can be decided.
It is an extremely shy bird, only one example falling to my gun in two
years' collecting. It has the bill half an inch longer, more curved and
pointed, and more notched than this form.

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 283

an established fact that our large Parrakeet is a much smaller
bird than the Indian form. Wings of females measure as low
as 7'4i, and those of young males between 7*4 and 7'6. I
have not yet procured an adult male with a wing exceeding
8 ;. but I may have come upon small examples. The depth of
the upper mandible of such a one is 0'8.

30. PiCUS MAHRATTENSIS, Lath.

Tolerably frequent in the Euphorbia scrubs of the coast and
in the low jungle of the south in the Wellaway Korle.

31. Chrysocolaptes ^stivus (Bodd.).

I procured an example (?) in the Kattregama district, on
the Kirinde Ganga, in March 1872. The note of this Wood-
pecker is remarkable for its faintness. The wing of my ex-
ample measured 2*8 inches, bill to gape 2, tarsus 1-05, total
length 1 1 ; iris brown -, bill blackish, legs and feet dull greenish
slate.

32. Chrysocolaptes stricklandi*, Layard.

This species, which has, until lately, been looked upon as
entirely a hill-bird, is common in the Wellaway Korle, par-
ticularly in the forests along the Kirinde Ganga. I met with
it within fifteen miles of the sea near Tissa Maha Rama, in
March 1872, and found it constantly in the interior in March
1873. Immature birds, even up to the second year, have
much brown about the bill ; and I have never got an example
yet that had not the culmen, just anterior to the forehead,
washed with dusky.

33. Micropternis gularis, Jerdon.

Tolerably frequent near the Kattregama hills and in the
Wellaway Korle.

34. Chrysophlegma chlorophanes (Vieill.).

This Woodpecker, I imagine, is rare in this district. I met
with but one example, in thick jungle near Tanamalvilla, on
the northern boundary of the Magam Pattu. Its shy and

* This species is equally common in the forests of the northern in-
terior, and likewise along the north-east coast, vide ' Stray Feathers '
(vol. iii. no. 1, and vol. i. p. 34G).

28 1 Lieut. W. V. Leg-gc on the Birds of the

retiring habits, however, tend always, more or less, to its
being passed over.

35. Brachypternus ceylonus, Forster.

Very abundant in the Wellaway Korle. I found it all along
the Badulla road and in the heavy jungle near the Kirinde
Ganga, where I frequently noticed Dissemurus malabaricus
chasing it out of trees which it was affecting, the Dongo ap-
pearing to entertain no kindly feelings towards it.

36. XanthoLjEma indica. Lath.

A characteristic species of the north, and very numerous
in the Wellaway Korle and north of the Magam Pattu. I
traced it as far west as Tangalle, where it suddenly conies to
a halt. This Barbet has never been recorded from the south
until now.

37. Xanthol^ema rubricapilla (Gm.).

This characteristic species of the south-west and western
districts is, in this region, by no means frequent ; I met with
it only in the jungles near the rivers in the Wellaway Korle.

38. CucuLus sonnerati. Lath.

39. PoLYPHASiA passerina, Vahl.

40. COCCYSTES JACOBINUS.

These Cuckoos all occur in the low jungles of the sea-board.
C. sonnerati is rare ; but the elegant P. passerina is very abun-
dant in the scrubs. C jacobinus, I observed in July ; and it
is therefore evident that a partial migration from the southern
half of the west coast takes place to this region during the
south-west monsoon, as I have never seen it between Colombo
and Dondra Head during the prevalence of that wind.

41. Zanclostomus viridirostris, Jerdon.

Abundant in the maritime region and in the low jungle-
districts of the interior. This skulking bird occurs almost
everywhere in the low country where thick scrubby jungle
abounds, but, on account of its shy habits, often escapes ob-
servation.

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 285

42. Phcenicophaes pyrrhocephalus, Forster.

I did not observe this species myself; but it was described
to me as having been seen and shot in the forest near Tissa-
Maha-Rama : as it was procured by me in the forests of the
northern province {vide 'Stray Feathers/ vol. i. p. 346), I
may safely say that it is distributed throughout most of the
low-country forests in the island.

43. Taccocua leschenaultIj Lesson.

The previous history of this species as a Ceylonese bird is
contained in Mr. Holdsworth's '' Catalogue" (P. Z. S. 1872,
p. 433) . Its first occurrence, on the evidence of an example
procured by a Mr. Laurie in the great upland valley of the
central province, which I had the pleasure of examining, is
there recorded. My discovery of it in this region shows it to
have rather a singular distribution in the island ; it appears
also to be resident in the flat jungle-clad plains of this part
of Ceylon. In March 1872 I observed it three or four times
in the Euphorbia scrubs between the salt-depot of Kirinde
and the Tissa-Maha-Rama temple ; but I failed to procure a
single specimen, as it was always in the long grass close to the
edge of the jungle, into which it darted with such speed that
I missed it. In July 1873, however, I was more fortunate,
procuring two fine specimens on and near the BaduUa road,
about twenty miles north of Hambantotta. After darting
into the edge of the jungle, it sometimes rests a moment in
the tree in which it alights, before threading its way through
the branches, like its kindred genera, and thus affords a chance
of a shot. In this way I got both my birds. Mr. Laurie's
specimen {loc. cit.) was a male ; both mine are females, differ-
ing somewhat in size and under-colouring, the under surface
of the largest example being more rufous than that of the
other. The following are the dimensions of these birds : —

!($)• 2($). 3(c^).

in. in. in.

Length 16 uropygials 16 (from

shot away. skin).

Wing 61 5-9 6-1

Tarsus 1-65 1-6 1-85

286 Lieut. W. V. Lcgge on the Birds of the

1(2). 2(2). 3(d).

ill. in. in.

Anterior toe 1 1

Claw, straight 0-3.5 0-35

Tail 8-4 8-35

BiU, gape to tip, sti-aight 1*4 1*45

Bill, height at anterior edge of nostril. \"2 1'4

To account for the difference in size, one of my examples
may have been a yomig bird, although the ova appeared to
be equally perfect in each. Neither was in moult, as the
remiges were full-grown in both. In the smallest bird (which,
however, had the largest bill) the iris was red, with a yellow
outer margin and purplish inner circle; in the other very
little trace of the yellow circle was perceptible. The tarsi
and feet were plumbeous blue, and the bills dull cheny-red,
with yellowish tips and an angular marginal black patch at
the centre of the curve, continued to the gape as a fiuc line.
The above measurements, it will appear, exceed those of Indian
examples given by Jerdon, who omits to notice the strong
metallic green sheen of the rectrices, and likewise of the sca-
pulars and tertials. The stomachs of my birds were crammed
with grasshoppers and a species of Mantis. They appear to
come out in the mornings and evenings into the open, at which
time only I have seen them.

44. Arachnecthra AsiATicA (Lath.).

Abundant in the scrubs of the maritime district and low
jungles of the Wellaway Korle. Its congener, A. lotenia, is not
plentiful here, as it is in the western province and south-west-
ern hill-region. I find A. asiatica is always most abundant in
dry scrubby districts.

45. Dendrophila frontalis (Horsf.).

Abundant in the forest banks of the Wellaway-Korle river
during the south-west monsoon. This species is a straggler
to the western-province low country from the hills during the
north-east monsoon. Specimens have been procured there at
Net Lavinia, near Colombo.

46. Upupa nigripennis, Gould.

Found in the maritime districts throughout the year, but

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 287

most numerous during the north-east monsoon. A fine male,
procured 10th July, 1873, measured in total length 11-75,
wing 5*5, tail 4, bill from forehead straight to tip 2*25 . My
experience accords with Mr. Holdsworth's in proving the
markings of this Hoopoe to vary considerably. In one male
example I have, there is no white spot on the 1st primary.

47. Tephrodornis pondiceriana (Gm.).

Plentiful in the maritime districts and in the Wellaway
Korle, more especially in the south-west monsoon. Its oc-
currence here at this latter season proves that a partial mi-
gration takes place from the south-w^est coast towards the
east at that time, and vice versa during the north-east mon-
soon, at which time it is most plentiful in the Galle district.

48. Hemipus picatus, Sykes.

This little Shrike is common in the low country as in the
hiUs. I met with it in this district often in the jungles of
the Wellaway Korle. In the western province, too, I have
procured it near Colombo during the south-west monsoon.

49. Graucalus layardi, Blyth.

This is a local species in Ceylon. It is found in but few
localities in the western province, and, as regards the Kandy
country, seems to be confined chiefly to the valley of Doom-
bera. In this district, however, it is very numerous. I met
with it frequently in the jungles of the Wellaway Korle,
where I found it afifecting dead trees in clearings and open
places. I see Lord Walden doubts the distinctness of this
bird from G. macm, Lesson (Ibis, 1873, p. 31 2); and Mr. Hume
thinks that age has much to do with the markings of the
under surface (Str. Feath. vol. i. p. 435). Jerdon^s diagnosis
(Ibis, 1872, p. 117), with regard to the markings of the under
wing and tips of rectrices, does not seem to hold good ; both
these characteristics, I think, vary with age. In two males
before me (they may not be fully adult) the under wing-coverts
are almost pure white ; under the metacarpal joint and ulna,
and on a few of the longer feathers, there are some light bars;
the three lateral rectrices, in one example, have white tips
from \ inch to y^ consecutively ; the two next have the

288 Lieut. W. V. Leggc on the Birds of the

extreme tip white ; and in the other bird the uropygials even
terminate in eonspicuous white tips^ the abdomen and under
tail-coverts are pure white, but the lower breast-feathers arc
strongly barred; whereas in a female* the barrings of the
latter part are almost obsolete, and the belly, abdomen, and
under tail-coverts are pure white. The sex of these speci-
mens was carefully determined. Dimensions as follows : —

Length. Wing. Tarsus. Bill to gape.

S 10-25 5-9 ] 1-4

c? 10-1 6-0 M 1-45

5 not taken .5-85 1 1-36

in flesh.

Males differ from females in the depth of upper-surface
hues and lower barrings ; and the latter are, to my mind,
lighter throughout, particularly as regards the bars of the
breast.

50. Pericrocotus flammeus (Forst.).

51. Pericrocotus peregrinus (Linn.).

Both frequent in the jungles of the interior, twenty miles
north of Hambantotta.

52. BucHANGA c^rulescens (Linn.).

The occurrence of this Dongo in the Wellaway Korle sur-
prised me as much as did that of the little " Coppersmith "
{Xanthol(Bma indica) . I observed it in July along the Ham-
bantotta and Badulla road.

53. BuCHANGA LEUCOPYGIALIS, Blyth.

This, the Ceylon ally of the above, is very numerous in the
interior.

54. DissEMURUs malabaricus (Scop.).

Numerous in the forest along the Kirinde Ganga. The
notes of this showy bird are charming and most varied ; and
its constant presence is a pleasing feature of the beautiful
forest-shaded rivers of the south coast. There I have often,
while reclining on some gravelly bank in the partly dry river-
bed beside the scanty stream which is then the representative
* Probably a veiy old bird.

South-eastei'n Subdivision of Southern Ceylon, 289

of a rushing torrent iu the wet season^ been delighted in
listening to its lively notes and watching its quick movements
in the magnificent mahogany trees over my head.

I have a considerable series of examples with tails in all
stages, and at no period do I find any resemblance to those
of D. lo])ho7'hinus. They appear to breed in this part about
May ; for on the 3rd July I shot a female in nestling-plumage,
with the iris light brown, and the tarsi with the lower part
bluish, changing above to the black of the adult. The frontal
crest was scarcely recurved at all, but projecting forward, as
in lophorhinus ; the feathers of the head and back of the neck
were round-tipped, and the under tail-coverts not barred white
as the under wing-coverts, but with only one spot at the tip
of one of the longest feathers. The lateral rectrices were 3*35
inches longer than the urojiygials ; in the finest lophorhinus
the difference does not exceed 2'6 ; the web was well turned
up and over at the tip, as in the adult, with a small indenta-
tion adjacent to the tip of the penultimate, looking as if the
margin had been burnt, and leaving a width of "23 in the
web. The total length of this example was 13 inches, with
a wing of 5 "75. In the second year the crest is recurved,
though not so lengthened as in old birds, the under tail-
coverts are barred white, and of course the under wing-coverts
spotted with the same; and in a female, now before me, the
lateral rectrice is 4-75 longer than the uropygials, with quite
a perceptible edging to the shaft at the denuded part, leaving
a width of '07 at its narrowest : the iris is brownish red, and
the wing 5 •75. In the most adult bird, and, at the same time,
the largest male that I can pick out of a series of eight now
before me, the lateral rectrice is 6*4 longer than the uropygials,
and the shaft is almost completely denuded ; the iris in this
is deep red, the under tail-coverts unspotted ; but the under
wing-coverts have two solitary spots as a remnant of the im-
mature dress. The above diagnosis will, I think, prove that
the short tail is a characteristic of immaturity, and not an in-
dividual variation.

55. TcHiTREA PARADiSEA (Linn.).

I found this species abundant in the Wellaway Korle in

SER. III. VOL. V. y

290 On the Birds of South-eastern Ceylon.

the month of July ; it was most commonly to be seen round
tanks and in the forest near the rivers. I visited this region
for the purpose of searching for several birds which disappear
at this season from the west and south-west ; and this was one
among the number. Nearly all the birds I saw were in the
red stage. I traced it no nearer to the sea-board than fif-
teen miles at this monsoon^ but found it near the coast in the
other.

56. Leucocerca aureola^ Less.

This Flycatcher, which is tolerably rare on the western side
of the island, and not often to be seen in the northern inte-
rior of the island, was plentiful in July in the Wcllaway Korle.
It extends as far west as Matara, near Dondra Head, at this
season. The only birds I have seen in the south-west have
occurred there during the north-east monsoon.

57. Pitta brachycerca, Linn.

As abundant in the scrubs of the maritime district — Ham-
bantotta to Kattregama — as it is in the north of Ceylon. It
is also very numerous in the south-west {Ibis_, 1874, p. 18).

58. Pyctorhis sinensis (Gm.).

This incorrigible little skulker, so rare in most parts of
Ceylon, has, I think, its headquarters in the dry jungles of
the sea-board and inland for some 20 miles. It abides
throughout the day in silence in the dense scrubs, and
comes out in the morning and evening into clearings in the
jungle, or on to the bushy flats round the leways, and gives
a long loud whistle from the top of a bush ; but it is off" like
a shot when it sees you. It is a most difficult bird to kill,
fighting and scratching when taken up wounded, and, if
winged, makes off into the densest dead wood and grass with
as much speed as a rat.

59. DUMETIA ALBOGULARIS, Blyth.

Numerous in suitable spots in the interior, and breeds in
June and July. I found one nest, a large ball of dry soft
grass, fixed in a low bush close to the ground, containing
three young.

[To bo cuntiiiued.]

The Birds of Transylvania. 291

XXI. — The Birds of Transylvania. By Charles G. Danford,
and John A. Harvie Brown.

Part II.

*1. Gypaetus BARBATUS (L.) . Zer^fg /§«;¥ (Chamois-Eaglc) ;
Szakdlos Keselyil (Bearded Vulture) .

Not rare in the higher mountains, but seldom descending
into the low country : nests in rocky situations. Danford
saw it in autumn at Petroseny, near the Vulcan Pass, and
among the high hills in the neighbourhood of the Retjezat ;
and HH. Csato and Buda Adam observed many, especially
about the Jorgovan Kove, where they counted as many as
fifteen at a time. The specimen in the Klausenburg Museum
was shot at Rodenau, in the Nassoder district.

^2, VuLTUR MONACHUS, L. D'og Keselyil (Carrion- Vulture) .

Common throughout the country, both on plain and moun-
tain : breeds among rocks. We came upon a flock of twelve
feeding on a buried horse, which had been laid bare by the
Wallach dogs, on the road-side near to Maros-Ludas ; and
we also saw some at Hatzeg.

"^3. Gyps FULvus (Gmel.). /S^'o^e iCe^e/?/^ (Light-coloured
Viilture) .

Not so common as the preceding, but weU distributed,
keeping more to the mountains, where it breeds. It is gene-
rally seen during warm weather. Herr Otto met with it at
Zah and at Gyeke.

4. Neophron percnopterus (L.) . Csont Keselyil (Bone-
Vulture) .

Very rare, but has been occasionally seen in the lowlands
in autumn; and the young have, according to Herr Buda
Adam, been brought from the mountains near Hatzeg. Herr
Buda Elek saw one on the carcass of a sheep at Russ ; and in
1860 Herr Buda Adam observed one on the banks of the
Strell. Both these observations were made in summer.

5. Falco sacer, Gm.

Very rare. Bieltz mentions F. lanarius, L., as occurring;

Y 2

292 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

but from his description we think it is undoubtedly Falco
sacer [vera) that is meant. Herr v. Pelzeln has informed
Danford tliat he considers it much more likely that F. sacer
occurs in Transylvania than F. lanarius. Both species have
occurred^ however, on the Theiss {Zelebor) .

*6. Falco peregrinus, Gmel. Sohjom.

Not common. We only saw one, and that in the neigh-
bourhood of Gorgeny. Hatzeg and Miihlbach are other lo-
calities. It is more abundant in winter.

Obs. Graf Lazar thinks that Fako peregrinoides occurs in
Transylvania.

*7. Falco subbuteo, L.

Common. We got one and saw sundry other specimens at
Ziih, in the Mezoseg. It is said to breed in the country, but
does not remain over the winter.

^8. Falco ^salon, Tunstall. Torpe Sdlyom (Dwarf Falcon) .

A bird of passage, chiefly to be found in winter, and not
breeding in the country. Danford has seen them in autumn ;
and probably on one occasion we saw it during our visit to
the Mezoseg. Herr Buda Elek says that he has never ob-
served them later than the middle of March, and that the
young birds are the commonest.

*9. Falco vespertinus, L. Veres Idbu Sdlyom (Red-footed
Falcon) .

Common. We saw them in the south at Hatzeg, where
they had been very numerous, but were then leaving, the
migration generally lasting there from the middle of April
to the beginning of May. We found them again further
north at Zah, in the Mezoseg, where they seemed to be
breeding. A few solitary birds may be met with during
the autumn. Herr Otto says they nest in the poplar trees
near houses. Writing at Benczencz, in 1860, Graf Lazar says
they " used to come every second year in flocks of 2000 or
3000, but now^ since the last three years, come annually."

10. Falco cenchris, Cuv. Feher kormu Vercse (White-
clawed Tower-Hawk) .

Herr Buda Adam says that this bird is not uncommon at

the Birds of Transylvania. 293

Miihlbach, where lie has seeu them, and where he tried to
take the nest m the hollow oak trees in which they breed every
year. Bieltz gives the Stadtwald, near Hermannstadt, and
the rocks in the Rothenthurm Pass (where he says it probably
breeds) as localities. Herr Csato says that it is rare in the
Strell valley, appearing in spring and leaving in autumn. It
is the first migratory bird to leave the country.

■^11. Falco tinnunculus, L. Vercse (Tower-Hawk).

Very common everywhere : does not generally remain over
the winter, but arrives in March and April, and leaves in the
late autumn. It has, however, been known to stay, as Herr
Otto frequently saw about ten pairs at Klausenburg in the
cold December of 1868, a winter in which field-mice were
unusually abundant.

12. Elanus c\eruleus (Desf.).

We insert this on the authority of Graf Lazar {'' Kurtze
Beitrage zur Ornithologie Siebenbiirgens^^), who states that
one was killed at Benczencz, where he lived.

■^13. Pandionhaliaetus (L.). Halcisz Sas {Fisher l^ngle) .

Generally distributed, but not common. We saw a couple
by a lake near Zali about the middle of May. Herr Otto,
though he had seen them both at Zah and at Gyeke-Czeg,
had not, in 1872, discovered where they breed. They may
also be met with in summer on the Strell.

14. Pernis apivorus (L.).

Rare. It has been found breeding in a wood near Lesch-
kirch and at Nagy-Enyed. There is a specimen in the Klaus-
enburg Museum which was killed at Gyorgyfalva.

^15. CiRCAETusGALLicus(Gm.). Kifft/o Sus {Snokc-l^agle) .

We shot a fine male specimen in a wood at Szent Mihaly,
near Klausenburg. The eyes of this specimen were bright
lemon-yellow, and the same colour as the cere. Authorities
are agreed as to its breeding in the country, and state that
it is not uncommon. Known localities are the Biik (beech)
wood near Klausenburg and woods near Piski ; and Herr Buda
has shot several at Ilatzeg, and seen them often.

294 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

*16. Haliaetus albicilla (L.).

Rare. We saw one bird at the lake at Tohat, in the Mezo-
seg. Herr Klir says he has also seen it at Gorbo, near Klaus-
enburg. The high mountain-lake of Zenoga, in the Southern
Carpathians^ and the willow-thickets on the Strell in winter,
are given by Herr Buda Adam as localities. They are found
on the mountain -streams when the trout ascend to spawn.

*17, Aquila chrysaetus (L.). Havasi Sas (Mountain-
Eagle) ; Szirti sas (Rock-Eagle) .

Common^ especially in autumn, when they frequent the low
country. They nest in rocks and trees, and have been known
to breed so low down as the Hatzeger Wald. We saw them
on various occasions at Hatzeg, in the Mezoseg, near Gorgeny,
and in the mountains around Fanczal.

18. Aquila heliaca (Savigny). Kirdly Sas (King-Eagle) .

Not rare. Hermannstadt and Korosbanya are given as lo-
calities by Bieltz, Herr Csato says that it is not uncommon
on the Retjezat, and Herr Buda that he believes it breeds
there. Herr Buda had one in captivity for some years ; it
never assumed the old plumage; and another bird of this
species, as Herr v. Pelzeln informed Danford, lived seven years
in the menagerie at Schonbrunn without losing the striated
plumage of the young bird.

19. Aquila clanga (Pall.).

Very rare. It is said to breed in the neighbourhood of
Hermannstadt ; and Herr v. Pelzeln thinks it " most proba-
ble that it breeds in Transylvania.'^

^20. Aquila NiEviA, Gm. Kialtd Sas (Screaming Eagle).

Common and generally distributed in all woody mountain-
ous districts. We saw it at Szent Mihaly, Gorgeny, and more
frequently at Fanczal, near which place they were evidently
breeding. We were, however, most unfortunate in not being
able to obtain any specimens.

21. Aquila pennata (Gm.). Torpe Sas (Dwarf Eagle).
Rare. In July 1859, Graf Lazar records one as having
been shot at Benczcncz while it was liunting the Turtledoves

the Birds of Transylvania. 295

about the buildings. It was only winged, and lived for twelve
days. Graf Liizar also found them breeding in the woods
near Broos. Herr Buda Elek shot one during summer in a
wood at Brettye, on tlie StrcU. It has also been met with by
Herr Stetter at Rodna in the north.

■^22. BuTEo LAGOPUs (Gmcl.) . Havasi UlU (Mountain-
Hawk) _, and Gatyds UlU.

Herr Otto records that great numbers appeared in the end
of November 1866, and until February of the following year
were very diligently employed in mouse-catching. It is not
rare, but only appears in winter. Herr Csato found them
among high trees on the Strell. A specimen shot at Klausen-
burg is in the Museum there. Danford saw one at Kronstadt
this autumn.

*23. BuTEo VULGARIS, Lcach. Egeresz (Mouse-catcher).

Though generally distributed and common throughout the
country, it is doubtful whether we saw a single specimen dur-
ing our present visit. They are, however, plentiful at Hatzeg
and on the Strell during autumn.

^24. MiLVUs icTiNUs (Savigny). Kdnya.

We only saw two birds — one which we shot near Klausen-
burg, and another which we observed near Szent Mihaly.
They are common at Klausenburg and other localities in
autumn.

■^25. MiLvus MIGRANS (Bodd.). Barna Kdnyai^voyfu Kite) .

Very common in the Mezoseg. We saw many near To hat,
where we found them nesting. Woods being scarce in that
district, the tree-building birds are brought into close contact,
and on one occasion we found a Black Kite, a Raven, and a
Hooded Crow breeding close to each other. In other parts
of the country the present species appears to be less common,

■^26. AsTUR PALUMBARius (L.), Golamhdsz (Pigeon-
catcher) ; Tyukbdsz (Fowl-catcher) .

Generally distributed and common, breeding on high trees,
and remaining throughout the year. We saw it at Hatzeg
and in the Szekler country.

296 Messi*s. C. G. Dauford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

*27. AcciPiTER Msus (L.). Maddrdsz (Bird-catcher).

Common, but said to be less so than formerly. It remains
throughout the year. We saw it at Zah and in the Szekler
country.

^28. Circus iERUGiNosus (L.).

Rather common in the autumn at Hatzeg, Klausenburg.
The only specimen wc can be sure of, was obtained by us on one
of the little marshes near the latter place ; but we may have
seen others in the Mezoseg. This species was unusually abun-
dant in the winter of 1868-69, probably in consequence of
there being a good supply of field-mice.

^^29. Circus cyaneus (L.). Sziirke Ulu (Grey Harrier).

Very common at Hatzeg, Banffy Hunyad, &c. In autumn
Danford has seen as many as twelve on the wing at one time
in the cornfields. Solitary old males are sometimes found
during the mnter, though this species, in common with all the
Harriers of the country, is migratorJ^

30. Circus swainsoni. Smith.

Rare. According to Bieltz, it has been obtained near Her-
manustadt; and Herr Buda Adam says it has occurred at
Hatzeg.

"^31. Circus cineraceus (Mont.). Reti Ulil (Meadow-
Harrier).

Very common in the Mezoseg, where we found them nest-
ing among reeds, the nest being sometimes considerably above
the ground. We also met Avith them at Szent jNIiluily j and
they are common near Klausenburg, but not so abundant iu
the lower parts of the countiy.

*32. Aluco FLAMMEUs (L.). Gy ont/y Buffoly (Pea,rl-Ow\) .

Seems to have been formerly very common throughout the
country, but is now becoming much scarcer. We obtained one
near Bogat, on the Maros. That, and all the stuffed speci-
mens which we saw, varied from oui' British type consider-
ably, and were much darker in jjlumage. Herr Otto says it
has established itself among the rushes at the lake of Katona.
It is common about Hermannstadt.

the Birds of Transylvania. 297

■^^33. Ulula uralensis (Pall.). Hajnali Bayoly (Dawn-
Owl).

Not rare, appearing, however, to be much more abundant
in some years than in others, — Herr Buda says, every third
year. Bieltz writes that it is not rare near Hermannstadt
and in the woods lying to the south of that town, the egg
being smaller than that of the Eagle Owl, as round, but with a
much more tender shell. We have not found this statement
of its breeding in the country confirmed by any other autho-
rity. Dauford saw this bird on two occasions near Demsus,
in the Hatzeg valley, in October, and it is often to be met
with among the alder bushes on the Strell and Klopotiva.

■^34. Strix aluco, L.

Generally distributed and common, especially during winter.

35. SURXIA FUNEREA (L) .

Very rare, but has occurred in the valley of the Strell, where
Herr Buda Elek shot five one day. They were also found by
Herr Petenyi in the high pine-woods ; and the species is in-
cluded in a list of Transylvanian birds in Graf Lazar's col-
lection.

36. Carine NocTUA (Scopoli) . Haldl Bagoly {Dea.th.-Ow[) .
Not uncommon, and generally distributed. We heard the

cry of this bird at Zah, and saw the head and wings in a
keeper's house at Szent Mihaly. A superstition holds
amongst the peasants that when this bird cries some one is
dying ; hence its native name.

37. Glaucidium passerinum (L.).

Not uncommon, but rarer than the preceding. Hermann-
stadt, Schassburg, Maros Nemethyi, are given by Bieltz as
localities. Herr Buda Adam says that he has killed them
among the pines on the Retjezat, where they are pretty nu-
merous. He also says their cry resembles that of the Hazel-
Hen. They were found at Borbatviz and at Zajkany, on the
Retjezat, by HH. Csato and Buda Adam.

38. Nyctea scandiaca (L.).

We were informed that a specimen of this bud was caught

298 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Ilurvie Brown un

alive at Gyalu, near Klauscnbcrg, and kept for some years in
captivity. We can find no other record of its occurrence.

^39. Buno iGNAVus, Forst. Nayyfdles Bagoly (Great-eared
Owl) ; Huhoyo.

Generally distributed and common, especially in autumn ;
but during the spring we only met with them once.

■^40. Asio OTUs (L.). Erdei Bagohj (Wood-Owl).
Generally distributed and not uncommon.

■^41. AsioACCiPiTRiNUs(Pall.). Nadi bagoly (Reed-Owl).

This species is very numerous in the fields and reedy ground
near Hatzeg, It seems to be the commonest of the Owls,
and remains in the country throughout the winter.

42. Scops Giu (Scopoli). Kis fiiles Bagoly (Little-eared
Owl).

Very rare. Bieltz mentions that there were two obtained in
a vineyard at Nagy Enyed, one of which was taken alive. Two
were killed by Herr Buda Adam at Hatzeg in summer ; and
a specimen, shot at Gyoi'gyfalva, is in the Museum at Klaus-
enburg.

^43. Jynx torquilla, L. Nyak tekeres (Neck-twister).
Common in gardens, orchards, and low-lying woods. We
found them numerous at Gorgeny. They are migratory.

■^44. Gecinus viRiDis (L.). Zold Harkdly.
Common everywhere among the lower oak- and beech-
woods.

■^"45. Gecinus canus, Gm. Szurke Harkdly.

Not so common as the preceding, and more local. We
did not procure any during our present trip ; but in autumn
Danford found that they were not rare among the deciduous
woods near Hatzeg, and shot several on the walls of the pic-
tm'csque old Roman temple at Demsus. The skull of this
Woodpecker seems to be smaller and narrower than in any
of the others ; and the skin may be easily drawn over.

"^40. Drvocopus martius (L) . Fekete Harkdly.
Common in the higher woods, and descending to the beaches

the Birds of Transylvania. 299

in autumn. We heard them near Upper Fanczal ; and many
were seen at Hatzeg and Banffy Hunyad in August.

*47. Picus LEUCONOTUS, Bechst. Feher hdtu Harkdly.

Not uncommon. We shot one in the oak-woods at Gor-
geny ; but our finding it there in summer is considered sin-
gular. Like all the rest of this family, one sees many more
of them in autumn, when tliey can always be found on the
Klopotiva, near Hatzeg; and in winter, according to Herr
Csato, they often visit the orchards and willow trees on the
Strell.

*48. Picus MAJOR, L. Tarka Harkdly.

Very common everywhere. We even met with it at Zah,
in the Mezoseg, a district scarcely suited to its mode of life.
It is extraordinary with what tenacity Woodpeckers of this
and other species cling, when wounded, to the bark of trees, or
hang suspended from the topmost twigs. They often troubled
us, too, by getting entangled in the dense bunches of mis-
tletoe which grow at the very tops of the great oak trees in
the Mocsar wood at Gorgeny.

■^49. Picus MEDius, L. Kdsep tarka Harkdly.
Common in the woods at Gorgeny and Hatzeg, and gene-
rally throughout the country.

*50. Picus minor, L. Kis tarka Harkdly.

Generally distributed, but not everywhere common. We
saw it in the woods near Gorgeny; and it is common at
Farkadin, near Hatzeg.

^51. PicoiDEs TRiDACTYLus (L.) . HdroM ujU Harkdly.

Not uncommon among the high pine-woods. Dauford saw
them near the Retjezat in autumn. The specimens in the
Museum at Klausenburg were shot at Jaroviz^ in the Hesdati
mountains. Herr Csato says, in his paper on the natural
history of the Retjezat, that this species never leaves the pine-
woods.

*52. CucuLus CANORUS, L. Kukuk.

Common in woods^ plains^ and mountains, and to be found

300 Messrs. C. G. Dauford and J. A. Ilarvie Brown on

even at the extreme limit of the wooded region, among the
creeping pines.

*53. CoRACiAS GARRULA, L. Z'cJld Csoktt (Green Jackdaw) ;
Kalanyya Varju.

Not uncommon during its migrations. The only specimen
we saw was in the Mezoseg, near Toliiit. Flocks of this
species visit the Strell valley in spring ; and Herr Otto (Zoolo-
gical Communications) informs us that unusual numbers ap-
peared at Klausenburg in June 1864.

54. Merops API aster, L. Piripio ; Gyui'gydlag.

Local, but, where occurring, found in considerable num-
bers. Herr Klir saw many during former visits at Bogat, on
the Maros, where they were breeding in the river-banks.
They seem, however, to be of a wandering disposition; for
although we looked for them at this breeding-place on two
occasions, we did not see a single bird, but were always told
that they had been there a day or two before. The old nest-
ing-holes which we examined in the low earth-banks of the
river, were in some instances completely lined with elytra of
beetles.

Herr Csato says that in 1850 a great flock appeared at
Nagy-oklos, in the Strell valley; and by Bieltz and others
Kleinschelken, Birthalen, Nagy-Enyed, Szasvaros, &c. are
given as localities.

^55. Alcedo ispida, L. Jeg maddr (Ice-bird).

Generally distributed, and common at Hatzeg in autumn.
In summer it frequents the streams among the lower hills.
According to Herr Otto it seldom appears in the Mezoseg.

■^56. Upupa epops, L. Bi'idos Banka (Stinking Hoopoe).

Generally distributed and common, especially among old
woods where there is a good deal of turf and grass. We
found many of them in the Mocsar (swamp) wood at Gor-
geny, where they were breeding in deserted Woodpeckers^
holes.

*57. Caprimulgus EUROP^us, L. ; Lappantyii; Kecskfejo.
Common. We saw many among the woods at Gorgeny.

the Bii'ds of Transylvania. 301

*58. Cypselus APus (L.). TorowyF(ec5A;e (Tower- Swallow).

Common. According to Bieltz they used to breed in old
walls and towers, but do so no longer, but frequent the oak-
woods, where they nest in the holes of trees. We found
them in the Mocsar wood, and on the castle-hill at Gorgeny.

59. Cypselus melba (L.). Havasi Fecske (Mountain-
Swallow).

Rare, but occurring among the higher mountains, where
they nest among the rocks, Herr Buda Adam has seen it
near Hatzeg; and it has been seen in the Kolos wood near
Klausenburg.

^60. Chelidon urbica(L.). FeAerFec^^e (White Swallow).

Common everywhere. Herr Otto, however, writing in
1867, says that the Hirundinidse are diminishing in numbers
yearly so fast in Klausenburg that it is to be feared they
will altogether disappear, and that " at present scarcely
twenty to thirty pairs breed in the town."

*61. HiEUNDo KUSTicA, L. Fw^^i FecsAc (Smoky Swallow).
Common everywhere.

■^62. HiRUNDo RiPARiA, L. M«r/2 Fec5^e (Bank-Swallow) .
Common everywhere in the neighbourhood of water.

■^63. MusciCAPA coLLARis, Bcchst. Legy Kapo.

Said to be common, especially in lowland woods. We saw
them, however, but rarely, in the beech-woods on the Hatzeg
mountains, and in the Mocsar oak-forest at Gorgeny,

64. MUSCICAPA ATRICAPILLA, L.

Rarer than the preceding, but occurs among lowland woods.

*65. MusciCAPA PARVA, Bcchst.

Herr Klir, when with us, observed one near Zah ; and it
is not uncommon during autumn in some parts of the country,
especially on the south-west frontier. Danford saw them at
that season on the banks of the Klopotiva, near Rea, among
thick bushes ; and some specimens in Herr Buda Adam^s col-
lection are from the same locality.

302 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

*G6. MUSCICAPA GRISOLA, L.

Common in gardens and the outskirts of woods.

^Q7. Lanius excubitor, L. Bdba Szarka (Witch Magpie).

Common throughout the low country^ but not abundant.
It frequents the edges of woods, and perches high. It may
also be seen sitting on the tall reeds of the lakes near Zah.
This is the only species of the family which is not altogether
migratory.

*68. Lanius minor, Gm. Szarka Kerget'6 (Magpie-hunter) .

Very common in the lowlands ; but, although we procured
a good series of males, we did not obtain a single female.
They principally frequent the outskirts of woods, gardens,
and bushy ground.

*69. Lanius coLLURio, L. Tdvis szuro gebics {^hom-^iick'
ing Shrike).

Still commoner in the lowlands than the preceding. This
and all the other species of Shrikes rarely occur in the moun-
tain districts. We saw one specimen as high up the Gorgeny
valley as Fanczal. Fifteen miles lower down, at Gorgeny
Szent Imri, they were abundant.

70. Ampelis GARRULUs, L. Selyem Favk i^Wk-t^iW)', Csontos
szcirny (Bony-wing).

Not uncommon in winter, especially if the weather be
severe. Danford has had specimens sent to him from BanflFy
Hunyad ; and Hatzeg, Ganczaga, &c. are given as localities.

^71. Regulus cristatus, Koch.

Common among the pines, and in winter among the lower
woods and gardens.

72. Regulus ignicapillus (C. L. Brehm).

Occurs in similar localities, but is rarer than the preceding.
A specimen in the Museum at Klausenburg was shot in the
gardens attached to the building.

*73. Panurusbiarmicus(L). Bajuszos Czinke(M.ows,i^chedi
Tit).

Common among the lakes of the Mezoseg, especially at Zah,

the Birds of Transylvania, 303

where, on still sunny days, we saw many of them at the edges
of the reed-beds.

■^74. ^GiTHALus PENDULiNus (L.) . Fuffffo CzinJce.

Rare. Herr Klir, when with us, saw three at a lake near
Zah, in the Mezoseg. Bieltz says that he received a nest and
eggs which were taken on the Maros river, near Karlshurg,
and that it has also been found on the lakes at To vis. Herr
Otto remarks that this species only came once (1872) to the
Mezoseg, and then disappeared quickly.

*75. AcREDULA CAUDATA (L.). Oszi upo (Little Grey
Father) .

Common everywhere among the leafy woods. All the
long-tailed Tits that we obtained were of this species, having
white heads and pale yellow eyelids ; the latter are conspicuous
even in the newly flown young f.

*7Q. Parus CiERULEUs, L. Kek Czinke.
Common everywhere.

*77. Parus major, L. Szen Czinke (Coal Tit).
Common everywhere.

*78. Parus ater, L. Feny'6 Czinke (Pine Tit).

Common among the mountain pine-woods. We found
them on the Fanczal hills, and once saw a pair in a little wood
near Tohat.

■^79. Parus palustris, L. Moczdri Czinke.
Common everywhere, but most numerous in the pine-
woods.

*80. Parus lugubris, Natt. Gydsz Czinke.

Not uncommon. In the early part of the year it frequents
mountain localities, living among rocks and brushwood, but
descends in the autumn to the low country, where it gene-
rally haunts the plum-orchards. Danford saw it in October
at Hatzeg.

t We believe that this character, so completely distinguishing the pre-
sent bird at all ages from the British form {A. rosea, Blyth), in which the
eyelids are red, was first noticed by Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown in
Norway {cf. Dresser, ' Birds of Europe,' pt. 14).

304 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

^81. Parus cristatus, L. Biibds Czinke.

Common among the pines. We found it on the mountains
at Fanczal. Herr Csato says, in his paper on the birds of
the Retjezat, that this species never leaves the pine-woods.

*83. SiTTA c^sTA, Meyer. Kapds (The Hacker).
Common in all deciduous woods.

*83. TicHODROMA MURARiA (L.). K'6 Mdszo ; Kovi Har-
l-dly (Rock- Woodpecker).

Local, but not rare. Danford saw one specimen in Sep-
tember in the rocky chamois district near Hatzeg. Vajda-
Hunyad, Ponorics, Nagy-Enyed, Alvincz, Cronstadt, and
Talmatch, near Hermannstadt, are mentioned as localities.

*84. Certhia familiaris, L. Fakusz.

Said to be common, but did not seem so to us, as we saw
only one during our recent visit, and, while for three months
in the autumn at Hatzeg, Danford observed none. In Herr
Buda Adam^s collection is a variety which he considers to be
C. brachydactyla.

^85. Troglodytes parvulus (Koch). (Dkor szem (Ox-
eye).

Common everywhere, but apparently more abundant in the
mountain-valleys.

*86. CiNCLUS aquaticus, Bechst. Vizi Rigo (Water-
Thrush) .

Common on all mountain-streams. Specimens obtained by
us were evidently of the variety C alhicollis, Vieillot.

*87. TuRDus MERULA, L. FeJcete Rigo.

Common everywhere. It remains throughout the winter.

*88. TuRDUs TORQUATUS, L. Oi'ves Rigo.

Common. It breeds among the mountain- woods, but mi-
grates in autumn. We saw a number on the Fanczal moun-
tains, at the upper limit of the j)ine-woods, which in that dis-
trict is at an elevation of about 4000 feet.

^89. TuRDus viscivoRus, L. Lep Rigo.

Common everywhere, and to some extent migratory. Herr

the Birds of Transylvania. 305

Buda Adam says that it nests among the pines, and he has never
found them breeding in the low country. We saw them in
the oak-woods at Sztana, near Klausenburg, on the 10th June,

*90. TuRDUs PILARIS, L. Fcnyo Rigo (Pine-Thrush).

Most of the authorities whom we have been able to consult
agree in saying that this bird remains the whole year, or, at
all events, that some of them breed in the country. Herr v.
Pelzeln informs us that it is very likely to be found breeding
in Transylvania, as it has done so regularly for the last three
years in Moravia. The breeding- range of this species appears
to be extending in a southerly direction. Herr Buda Adam
is quite certain that it nests, and says that be has seen them
in companies during the summer months among the pine-
woods. He is quite sure it was no other bird.

^91. TuRDUs iLiACUS (L.). Veres Rigo (Red Thrush).
Bather rare, and only to be found in autumn and winter.
Danford saw both this and the preceding species at Hatzeg.

^92. TuRDUs Musicus, L. Enekl'6 Rigo ; SzUrke Rigo {Grey
Thrush).

Common everywhere, especially among vineyards in autumn.
It does not winter in the country.

*93. MoNTicoLA CYANUS (L.). Kek Rigo (Blue Thrush).

Very rare. Bieltz says it was obtained by Herr Stetter at
Offenbanya ; and it has also been met with among the ravines
near Cronstadt.

*94. MoNTicoLA SAXATiLis (L.). KoviRigo.

Not uncommon in. most rocky mountain districts, and in
summer to be found on the highest peaks. We came across
them in the plain near Klopotiva, at the base of the Hatzeg
mountains. This was in April, and they had evidently
just arrived. Herr W. Hausmann, writing of this species,
says : — " They often nest in the hollows of limestone rocks,
the nest being composed of dried grasses, feathers, and wool,
somewhat carelessly made, and containing four to six eggs.
They come generally in the end of April or beginning of May.
There seem to be more cocks than hens,"

SER. III. VOL. v. z

306 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

*95. RuTiciLLA PHCENicuRUSj L. F'usti juvk {^moVv tidX) .

Tolerably common everywhere.

*96. RuTiciLLATiTYs(Scop.). Black Redstart. Feketebegy.

Not uncommon in most rocky neighbourhoods. We saw
them in the Klopotiva gorge, near Hatzeg. Hcrr Csato says
they breed at Ponorics, in the Strell valley ; and they ascend
the Retjezat to the region of the creeping pine. HH. Csato
and Buda Adiim observed them at an altitude of 5500-7000
feet.

*97. Cyanecula wolfi, C. L. Brehm. Kek begy.

Rare, but occurs occasionally near water. We only met with
them once, on the banks of the lake at Ziih. They also occur
in the valley of the Strell. The specimens in the Museiim at
Klausenburg are from Zah.

Obs. Bieltz alludes to the blue unspotted variety, a speci-
men of which was shot by Herr Stetter at Batiz, on the Strell ;
and Mr. Dresser informs us {in epist.) that the true C.suecica
of Linnaeus is almost certain to occur during migi'ation.

*98. Erithacus RUBECULA (L.). Robin. Veres begy.

Said to be common ; but we only saw a single bird, at Gor-
geny. It is migratory, arriving with the spring flight of
Woodcocks, and departing with them in autumn. Some few,
however, remain until the first fall of snow.

■5^99. Daulias LUSCiNiA (L.). Fiilemile; Csalogdny.
Common throughout the country in the leafy woods, coming
in April and leaving in September.

100. Daulias Philomela (Bechst.). Dalabdj.

Said to be as common as the preceding, and to frequent
more the neighbourhood of water. We probably saw it at
Gorgeny.

*101. Saxicola (enanthe (L.). Szikla maddr (Rock-bird).

Common everywhere.

*102. PrATINCOLA RUBICOLA (L.) .

Common everywhere.

*103. Pratincola rubetra (L.).
Common everywhere.

the Birds of Transylvania. 307

*104. Accentor collaris (Scop.). Havasi Csalogdny
(Mountain- Nightingale) .

Not uncommon among the hills, among loose stones and
grassy slopes. Danford met with them in September, at an
elevation of about 6000 feet, in the mountains near Hatzeg.
They often descend to the low country, and, according to
Bieltz, were to be found every year in companies of twenty to
thirty on the castle-hill at Deva, from the end of December
up to the middle of January.

*105. Accentor MODULARis (L.)- Bdjdalu zener.

Common, according to some authorities, Avhile others say it
is only to be met with in the mountain- woods, and that but
rarely. Herr Csato says it is to be found in the valley of the
Strell at tbe end of autumn and the beginning of May. It
ascends to an elevation of 5500 to 7000 feet, wbere it has
been found by HH. Csato and Buda Adam on the Betjezat.
We saw none during our visit ; but Danford has since met
with it among gardens near Hatzeg, during October of the
present year.

^106. Sylvia nisoria (Bechst) . Kukuk Fiilemile (Cuckoo
Nightingale.)

Well distributed and not rare. We met with it at Zah and
Grorgeny, both in the old woods and among small bushes, but
only procui'ed specimens of immature birds. It also occurs
in the Strell valley, nesting at Buss.

107. Sylvia salicaria (L.). Fattyu Fiilemile (Bastard
Nightingale) .

Not uncommon in gardens and bushy ground, and observed
on the Betjezat by HH. Csato and Buda Adam.

*108. Sylvia ATRicAPiLLA (L.). Fekete fejii zener .

Common in woods near hills. We found them at Gorgeny,
and procured a specimen in the wood near Zah. It was also
observed on the Betjezat by HH. Csato and Buda Adam.

^109. Sylvia curruca (L.).
Very abundant.

z 2

308 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

110. Sylvia rufa (Bodd.).

The Common Wliitethroat is common^ but not so abun-
dant as the last.

111. Phylloscopus siBiLATRix (Bechst.).

Common among the woods of the plains and low country,
and also observed on the Retjczat by IIH. Csato and Buda
Adam.

^112. Phylloscopus trochilus (L.).

Not uncommon among woods and gardens and the willow
trees in meadows. Seen on the Retjezat by HH. Csato and
Buda Adam.

113. Phylloscopus bonellii (Vieill.).

There is a specimen in the Klausenburg Museum^ which
was shot in the museum-garden in May 1873. It was also
killed by Herr Stetter at Batiz, on the Strell, in March 1845.

■^114. Phylloscopus collybita (Vieill.). Chiff-Chaff.
Arany farh (Gold-tail).
Common everywhere.

115. Hypolais icterina (Vieill.).

Not common. It occurs among orchards and leafy hill-
woods at Hcrmannstadt and Schassburg. Herr Csato has
met with it on the banks of the Strell ; and some specimens
at Klausenburg were shot in the museum-garden.

■^11(1 AcROCEPHALUS SCHCENOBjENUS (L.).

Very common everywhere.

117. AcROCEPHALUS AQUATICUS (Gm.) .

Very rare. A specimen shot by Herr Buda Adam at Rea,
near Hatzeg, is in his collection^ labelled -S^. cariceti.

118. AcROCEPHALUS N^viA (Bodd.). Priicsok zener.

Not rare by bushy river- banks, and, according to Bieltz,
still oftener to be found among damp leafy woods. Herr
Csato says they breed in the bushy meadows between Bac-
zahir and Strell Szent Gyorgy.

119. AcROCEPHALUS LUSCINIOIDES (Savi).

Herr Buda Adam savs of this bird, that in 1863 there were

the Birds of Transylvania. 309

many of them nesting among the reeds and willows near
Hatzeg, but since that time he has seen none. Herr Csato
mentions that, in May and June of the same year, Herr Buda
and himself shot some specimens in the Kriseny marsh, and
further says : — " It is not shy, and sits on the top leaves
of reeds, uttering its grating note [schwirrenden Ton] from
early morn till night/^ He has happened to hear A. lusci-
nioides, A. locustella {rayi, Penn.), and A. fluviatilis all to-
gether, and makes the following distinctions : —

A. luscinioides. Buzzing note weaker, one-toned, and
shorter than fluviatilis. Sits on the upper leaves and dry
tops, and is only found in marshes.

A. fluviatilis. Buzzing note double-toned, loudest, and
longest. Sits on branches of alders, near the trunk, and on
bushes and ferns.

A. locustella. Buzzing note weakest. Sits on the top
twigs of willows.

■^120. ACROCEPHALUS FLUVIATILIS { Wolf ) .

Not uncommon among the reedy lakes of the Mezoseg and
other localities, but, from their mouse-like habit of running
and creeping at the bottom of the reed-stems, are rather ditii-
cult to obtain. We found them at Tohat and Zah.

121. AcROCEPHALUS PALUSTRIS (Bcchst.).

Common in marshy and willowy ground. Herr Csato says
it nests in the hemp- and rye-fields in the Strell valley.

*122. AcROCEPHALUs sTREPERus (VieiU.).
Common in marshes and by river-banks.

■^123. AcROCEPHALUs ARUNDiNACEus (L.) . NcUU Vcreb
(Reed-Sparrow).

Very common in the Mezoseg, their harsh grating cry re-
sounding from among the reed-beds in every direction.

"^124. MoTAciLLA ALBA, L. White Wagtail.
Common everywhere.

^125. MoTACiLLA suLPHUREA, Bechst. Grey Wagtail.
Havasi Billegeny (Mountain- Wagtail) .

Rare in the low country, but getting commoner as one ap-

310 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

preaches the mountains. Only one specimen seems to have
been observed in the Mezciseg, at Gyeke, by Herr Otto.

126. MOTACILLA CITREOLA (Pall.),

Bieltz says that this bird was got by Herr Stetter at Sza-
mos-falva, near Klausenburg, and is probably to be found in
most of the salt-districts.

*\27. MoTACiLLA iLAVA, L. Leunyku maddr (Girl-bird).

Very common in the low countries, especially in the
Mezoseg.

Obs. Herr Otto says two varieties are found in the Mezo-
seg, and from his description the other would appear to be
Budytes cinei'eocapilla.

^'128. Anthus spipoletta (L.). Vizi Pipiske.

Common. It remains during the greater part of its stay
in the country, among the high grassy mountain-slopes. We
found it on the Fanczal Berg at an elevation of 4000 feet ;
and Danford saw them on the Hatzeg mountains as high up
as 7000 feet, while later in the autumn they were not un-
common on the banks of the Klopotiva, near Hatzeg. They
also occur in the Mezoseg, near Gyeke.

*129. Anthus trivialis (L.). Fdi Pipiske.
Common throughout the country, but does not remain over
the winter.

■^130. Anthus pratensis (L.). Reti Pipiske.

It does not seem to be so common as the Tree-Pipit, and
is also migratory, coming during spring in flocks, and leaving
in October. It breeds in the marshes at Kriseny, in the
Strell valley.

131, Anthus cervinus (Pall.).

Rare. There are two specimens in full breeding-plumage
in the Klausenburg Museum, which were shot in April 1867
at Gyeke, in the Mezoseg, by Herr Klir; and Herr Otto
makes mention of its occurring on migration (A Mezoseg I.
&c. 1869), and remaining a considerable time (A Mezoseg
II. &c.).

the Birds of Transylvania. 311

132. Anthus cAMPESTRis (L.). Me^ei P^j^^*A;e (Field-Pipit).
Not uncommon on fallow lands and dry elevations on the

plains. Herr Csato says they are to be found on the banks
of the Strell in autumn.

133. Anthus ricardi, Vieill.

Very rare. A specimen at Klausenburg was shot in the
museum-garden in September 1871.

Obs. Stetter mentions A. littoralis as occurring; but it is
undoubtedly A. spipoletta that is meant.

*134. Alauda ARVENsis, L. Mezei Pacsirta {Y'leXdi-JjQxk).

The birds of this species which we saw (and they were not
many) appeared to frequent the higher parts of the Mezoseg,
leaving the lower ground almost entirely to the crested species,
with which they are said to be equally common ; not, how-
ever, in winter, as they arrive in March and leave in October.

^135. Alauda arborea, L. Erdei Pacsirta.

Not very common, and also migratory. It arrives in
March. We saw them at Gorgeny on the borders of the
Mocsar wood. They were found also on the Retjezat by
HH. Csato and Buda Adam.

*136. Alauda cristata (L.). Bubos Pacsirta.
Very common everywhere.

137. Melanocorypha calandra (L.).

Bieltz says of this bird that it is more uncommon than one
would expect, as it is not rare in the adjoining countries of
Wallachia and Galicia. According to Herr Buda it is of
very rare occurrence. It has been procured at Koncza by
Herr Csato (auct. Graf Lazar) .

138. Melanocorypha sibirica (Gm.).

Very rare. The first specimen known to have occurred in
the country was shot by Herr Buda Carl in a clay-hole at
Koncza on December 24th, 1855.

139. Otocorys alpestris (L.) .

Of very rare occurrence, and only seen in hard winters.
In 1856 they appeared in considerable numbers, and a good

3VZ The Birds of Transylvania.

many were obtained at Ganczaga, on the Strell, by Herr
Buda Elek.

^140. Emberiza miliaria, L. Surde.
Very common everywhere.

"^141. Emberiza citrinella, L. Sdrnidntyu.
Common everywhere.

142. Emberiza cirlus, L.

This species has been obtained at Koncza by Herr Csato
(auct. Graf Lazar) .

^143. Emberiza cia (L.).

Local. Breeds in the mountains_, and. comes down to
the low country in autumn. We found a few in April among
the rocks and bushes in the Klopotiva gorge, near Hatzeg.
Herr Csato says they breed in tlie bushy ground about the
ruins of the castle at Orlya.

■^^144. Emberiza sch(eniclus, L. Nddi Vereb.
Common in all marshy districts.

145. Emberiza pyrrhuloides (Pall.).

We saw two specimens in Herr Buda Adam^s collection,
which he had got in spring time at Koncza, near Miihlbach.
He says they are very rare.

146. Plectrophanes nivalis (L.).

Herr Buda says that he has seen them occasionally at
Hatzeg; and according to Bieltz they have been found at
Topanfalva.

*147. Passer montanus (L.) . Mezei Vereb (Field- Sparrow) ,
Common everywhere.

^148. Passer domesticus (L.). Hdzi Vereb (House-
Sparrow) .

Common everywhere.

Obs. Bieltz says that he thinks it probable that P. petronia
(L.) also occurs, as it has been found in the Gallician Car-
pathians.

[To be continued,]

On the Nidification of certain South-Indian Birds. 313

XXII. — On the Nidification of certain South-Indian Birds.
By Rhodes W. Morgan.

1. HiRUNDO DOMicoLAj Jcrdon.

Breeds in the Neilgherries in the roofs of houses and ve-
randas, also on large rocks and cliffs. In shape the nest
resembles a pocket or the half of a teacup. It is formed of
small clay pellets agglutinated together with the saliva of the
bird, and is very firmly cemented to the face of the rock.
The lining consists of feathers. The eggs are generally two
in number, minutely speckled with claret-coloui'ed spots on a
whitish ground, the spots being gathered together in a zone
at the larger end. Average length '77 inch, breadth -5.

2. COLLOCALIA FRANCICA (Gm.).

Breeds from March to May. I know of the existence
of three breeding-places on the Neilgherries. One is well
known to the residents under the name of the " Tiger^s Den.^^
It is situated on the road from Ootacamund to Coonoor, and
is about three miles distance from the former place. The
other two were discovered by myself near the Pykarah water-
falls ; one, in a cliff between two huge boulders of rock, is of
considerable size, and branches ofl* into two passages. After
penetrating for about twenty feet, you come to two passages
at right angles to one another ; the main passage descends ab-
ruptly for about twelve feet. I managed to get down this by
the aid of ropes, and found myself knee-deep in excrement ;
and almost at the same moment a perfect shower of filth de-
scended on my head from above. The nests Avere situated at
the extreme end of the passage, on the face of the rock. They
were constructed entirely of inspissated saliva mixed with
moss, lichen, and a few feathers. In shape they were pre-
cisely similar to the nests sold in the Chinese markets. Each
nest contained two eggs, which were of a pure white, and
much elongated. The measurement of an egg in my collec-
tion is as follows — length '85 inch, diameter across "54.

3. Caprimulgus indicus, Latham.

This Nightjar breeds in all the forests and thick brush-
wood jungles of Southern India. Its monotonous note may

314 Mr. R. W. Morgan on the Nidification

be heard the livelong night in the breeding-season, which is
in March. The eggs are generally two in number, and are
placed in a slight depression in the gi'ound under some low
bush. The egg is rather a pretty one, being thickly blotched
with faint lilac and reddish brown on a salmon-coloured
ground. Length -98 inch, breadth -58.

4. Caprimulgus kelaarti, Blyth.

Like the preceding species, this breeds in March. The
eggs are lighter in colour, being of a pinkish InifF, blotched
with pale violet-brown. On one occasion I found the eggs
laid on a heap of ashes. The dimensions of one in my col-
lection are I'll inch in length by -82 in diameter across.

5. Merops viRiDis, Linnseus.

Breeds in river-banks in large numbers. There are large
colonies of Bee-eaters that breed annually on the banks of
the Kistna and Canary rivers. These colonies consist of M.
viridis, M. quinticolor , and M. philijjpensis. The two former
breed largely also on the Coonoor and Segoor Ghauts of the
Neilgherries. The small green Bee-eater generally lays five
eggs, which are very nearly round, and, like the eggs of the
rest of the family, of a pure and glossy white. The average
size is '74 inch in length by '65 in breadth. Breeds in April.

6. CoRACiAS iNDicA, Liunseus.

The Indian Roller breeds in March in holes of trees.
The tamarind and banyan are generally chosen for this pur-
pose. The eggs are usually two in number, and of a pure
and glossy white. There is no nest. In size the eggs average
1"39 inch in length by 1*13 in breadth.

7. Megal^ma caniceps (Franklin).

This Barbet breeds in the Neilgherries in March. It ex-
cavates a chamber in a decayed branch of a tree, and deposits
three beautiful white eggs on the chips at the bottom. Al-
most immediately after the young have flown it lays a second
batch of eggs, generally in the same hole — but if that has
been destroyed, in a fresh one, which it excavates in the same
or a neighbouring branch. In size the egg is 1*12 inch in
length by '9 in breadth.

of certain South- Indian Birds. 315

8. Megal^ma viridis (Gmelin) .

Lays three glossy white and rather elongated oval eggs in
a tunnel excavated by itself in a decayed branch. In size the
egg is 1 inch in length by '58 in breadth.

9. CoccYSTES JACOBiNus (Bodd.).

Deposits a single egg of a very brilliant greenish blue, the
greenish tinge predominating, in the nest of Malacocercus
griseus. Both extremities of the egg are alike in shape.
Lays from March to May. Before dropping its own egg it
always ejects one of the eggs of the rightful owner. Dimen-
sions of an egg 1"81 inch in length by "Si in breadth.

10. Centropus RUFiPENNis, lUigcr.

Breeds in dense thorny bushes, building a domed nest with
an aperture in the side. The nest is composed of green leaves
and twigs carelessly woven together. The eggs are from two
to three in number, and of a dull white. They are covered
with a chalky epidermis, which, when removed, leaves the
shell of a pure white, and not of a beautiful blue as in the
case of Crotophaga ani. The dimensions of an egg in my
collection are 1'5 inch in length by 1*21 in breadth.

11. Nectarophila ZEYLONicA (Linuseus).

This little Sun-bird breeds all over the plains of Southern
India. The bird often selects a cobweb in which to build its
nest ; and this is so ingeniously built that it is impossible to
detect the existence of the nest unless the cobweb is examined.
The eggs are two in number, and of a pale greenish white,
minutely speckled with dusky grey. Dimensions : "62 inch
in length by '46 in breadth.

12. Arachnechthra asiatica (Latham).

The purple Honey-sucker builds a nest very similar to the
preceding. It breeds both on the plains and in the hills,
ascending the Neilgheries to an elevation of 6000 feet. The
nest is composed of small twigs, pieces of grass and leaves,
and is lined with the down of thistles and silk-cotton. It is
generally adorned with the excrement of caterpillars, small
bits of rag, paper, &c. A pair that built in front of my office

31G Mr. 11. W. Morgan uii the Nidijication

at Kiirnool, in an acacia-tree, had the most extraordinary
nest I have ever seen. It was ornamented with bits of blot-
ting-paper, twine, and old service-stamps that had been left
lying about. The whole structure was most compactly bound
together with cobwebs, and had a long string of caterpillar-
excrement wound round it. This excrement had most pro-
bably fallen on a cobweb and had stuck to it, and the cobweb
had afterwards been transported in strips to the nest. It
breeds from February to June, the majority of the nests
being constructed in March and April. The eggs are thickly
spotted with dusky brown on a greenish grey ground, the
usual number being three. Dimensions of an egg in my col-
lection '65 inch in length by "46 in breadth.

13. Dictum concolor, Jerdon.

This little bird breeds in March, building a beautiful little
pendulous nest at the extreme end of a small twig, some
twenty or thirty feet from the ground. The tree usually
chosen in the cantonment at Ootacamund, on the Neilgher-
ries, is the Acacia melanoxylon. The nest is built of the silky
down of some tree, and bound together with very fine fibres.
The entrance is at the side. The eggs are beautifully white
and fragile-looking, usually two in number. Measurements
of one in my collection are as follows — '7 inch in length by
'45 in breadth. Owing to the great height at which these
birds build, large numbers of their nests are torn off and
blown down if the weather becomes at all windy.

14. Dendrophila FRONTALIS (Horsficld) .

Breeds in holes of trees, preferring the deserted ones ex-
cavated by Megalcema caniceps. The nest is built of moss,
and lined with the fluff of hares and soft feathers. The eggs
are always four in number, spotted with pinkish red on a
white ground, the spots being more numerous towards the
larger end. They breed in March. Dimensions : "71 inch
long by '57 broad.

15. Upupa nigripennis, Grould.

Breeds in holes of trees in April. The eggs are of a dull
light olive, rather elongated in shape, and from three to six
n number. There is never any nest; and the hole in which

of certain South-Indian Birds. 317

the eggs arc depositeil has often a most intolerable steneh
about it. Dimensions of an egg 1 inch in length by '7 in
breadth.

16. BUCHANGA ATRA (Hcmi.)^.

Breeds from March to the end of May, constructing a slight
cup-shaped nest in a tree. The nest is composed of fine twigs
bound together with cobwebs, and is rather a flimsy concern,
the eggs often being visible from below. It is generally
placed in the fork of a branch, at from ten to thirty feet from
the ground. The eggs are three in number, occasionally only
two, and vary very greatly in colour, some being almost of a
pure white, whilst others again are spotted and blotched, es-
pecially at the larger end, with claret and light purple on a
rich salmon-coloured ground. The birds are very noisy in
the breeding-season, keeping all intruders off, not hesitating
to attack Kites and Crows. They seem to have an especial
antipathy to the latter. The dimensions of an egg are 1"07
inch in length by '99 in breadth.

17. Leucocerca pectoralis (Jerdon).

The nest of this lively little bird is very difficult to find.
The first I ever discovered had been within a couple of feet
of my head for more than an hour ; and it was only when my
dog-boy attracted my attention by pulling it down, and say-
ing, '^ What a very odd-looking nest this is," that I saw it.
It contained three eggs of a light hair-brown colour, with a
ring of darker spots of the same colour at the larger end. It
was shaped like a funnel, and was constructed entirely of
fibrous grasses bound together with cobwebs, and was lined
with very fine grass stems. The eggs averaged "6 in length
by "5 in breadth. The nest is usually placed very low down,
some two or three feet from the ground ; and when discovered
the bird flies out and flutters feebly along the ground in front
of you, trying to allure you away.

18. Empidothera cinereocapilla (Vieillot).

This Flycatcher breeds in March and April, building a
nest of fine moss, which is attached like a pocket to the mossy
trunk of some large shola-tree. The nest is almost invariably

* [Museicapa atra, Hermaun, Obs. Zool. p. 208 (1804)].

318 Mr. R. W. Morgan on the Nidification

built under a branch or some other projection to shelter it
from the rain^ and is very securely attached with cobwebs to
prevent it from being blown down. The eggs are almost al-
ways three in number, of a very faint greenish-grey colour,
with a wide zone of the same (but darker) coloiu' at the larger
end. Dimensions of one, '62 inch in length by "51 in breadth.
I have never found its nest on the plains.

19. OCHROMELA NIGRORUFA ( Jcrdou) .

This very beautiful little Flycatcher breeds in ravines
where the shade and cover is very dense. The nest is built
entirely of bamboo-leaves, and is lined with fine fibres. It is
placed very low down, from six inches to two feet from the
ground ; a clump of fern is a very favourite situation. The
eggs are two in number, and are very minutely and thickly
speckled with faint reddish-brown on a pale olive ground, the
whole of the upper part having a regular cap of reddish brown.
Dimensions of one, -74 inch in length by '54 in breadth.

20. EUMYIAS ALBICAUDATA ( Jcrdou) .

Breeds in holes of trees from February to May. The nest
is constructed of moss, and is lined with fine fibres. The eggs
are from two to three in number, being almost entirely covered
with numerous pale rusty-red spots running into one another,
sometimes forming a zone at the larger end, at others so com-
pletely covering the egg as to give it the appearance of being
entirely of a reddish pink, the colour being always darker to-
wards the larger end. Dimensions of an egg '85 inch by '54.

21. Erythrosterna maculata (Tickell).

Builds a small, shallow, round nest, open at the top, in
small trees, at from twelve to twenty feet from the ground.
The eggs are three in number, spotted, and blotched with
brownish black, the spots forming a zone at the larger end.
The nest is a very pretty one, being covered all over with
small pieces of lichen, which give it a greyish appearance.
Although the walls are very thin, they are very strong, being
compactly bound with cobweos. The bird, when seated on
its nest, is scarcely visible. The bird itself is by no means a
common one ; and I have foimd but one nest, on the Seeg-

of certain South-Indian Birds. 319

hoor Ghaut of tlie Neilgherries. Mr, Davison found another,
prior to the one I discovered, on an apple-tree in Ootacamund.
I am indebted to him for the only egg I possess, and the
dimensions of which are as follows — length '65 inch, by '51 in
breadth.

22. Myiophonus horsfieldi. Vigors.

I found the nest of this Thrush on the Seeghoor Ghaut of
the Neilgherries. Mr. Davison was with me at the time ; and
the nest being built on an open ledge of rock, we both sighted
it at the same moment ; and I, having managed to make better
use of my legs than my friend, w as fortunate enough to secure
it, and one egg, which was of a pale flesh-colour, with a few
faint spots and blotches of claret towards the larger end. The
nest was made of leaves and moss mixed with clay, and lined
with fine roots. The dimensions of the egg are 1*3 inch in
length and "85 in breadth. It was in May that I found this
egg ; but the nest had evidently been deserted for some time ;
for the egg had a hole in its side, through which the contents
had escaped or been sucked by a snake or some animal.

23. Geocichla cyanotus (Jard. & Selb.).

Breeds in the forests of the western coast in August and
September, building in small trees. The nest is composed of
grass, leaves, twigs, &c., with the usual clay foundation which
is found in almost all Thrush's nests, and is lined with fine
roots and hairs. The eggs are from three to four in number,
of a pale greyish blue colour, thickly speckled with minute
reddish brown spots. The average dimensions are "95 inch in
length by '77 in breadth.

24. Merula siMiLLiMA (Jcrdou) .

Breeds on the Neilgherries from March to May, building
a large nest of moss, twigs, wool, &c., with a clay cup in it,
which is neatly lined with bent-grass and roots. The eggs
are three in number, irregularly blotched with reddish brown,
the blotches being more numerous towards the larger end, on
a pale greenish blue ground. This Blackbird sings most
beautifully in the breeding-season; and they may then be
heard at all hours, but especially towards evening, answering

320 Mr. R. W. Morgan on the Nidification

one another. Dimensions of an egg 1'26 inch in length by '91
in breadth.

25. Oreocincla nilgiriensis, Blyth.

This handsome Thrush breeds from March to June on the
Neilglierries, ahnost invariably on some low tree, some six or
eight feet from the ground. The nest is very much like that
of the preceding species^ and usually contains three eggs, of a
pale greenish blue colour, minutely speckled with rusty brown.
They average in size 1*21 inch in length by "82 inch in
breadth. This Thrush may usually be seen seated on the
topmost branch of some large shola-tree late in the evening.
It utters every now and then a single clear warbling note, but
appears to have no song.

26. POMATORHINUS HORSFIELDI, SykcS.

Breeds in April, constructing a neat domed nest of leaves
on the ground at the foot of a bush. The nest is lined with
fine grasses, and almost always contains three eggs, which,
when fresh, are of a beautiful pink coloiu-, owing to the yelk
shining through the shell, which is exceedingly fragile. The
egg, when blown, is of a very beautiful glossy white. If sud-
denly approached whilst on its nest, this bird, runs out like a
rat, and flies when at a distance from the nest. An egg in my
collection measures 1*04 by "7 inch.

27. Trochalopteron cachinxaxs (Sykes).

Builds a very neat nest of moss, dried leaves, and the outer
husk of the fruit of the Brazil-cherry (a Solanum) , lined with
feathers, bits of fur, and other soft substances. The nest is
cup-shaped, and generally contains three eggs, most peculiarly
marked with blotches, streaks, and wavy lines of a dark claret-
colour on a light-blue gi'ound. The markings are almost
always at the larger end. The Laughing Thrush is a very
noisy bird, the female uttering a loud and harsh ka, ka, ka,
to which the male responds j9ee-« ka, ka, pee-e, a-ka, kaka ;
the two birds seem to utter the cry alike. When the nest is
first discovered the owners come hopping near, uttering a low
croaking cry that sounds like kore, kore, kore. An egg in my
possession measures -98 inch in length by "73 in lireadth.

of certain South-Indian Birds. 321

28. Hypsipetes neilgherriexsis, Jerdon.

Breeds in lofty trees in the Neilghcrries, building a shallow
cup-shaped nest, from 20 to 60 feet from the ground. The
nest is constructed of the dried stems of the wild " Forget-
me-not/' and lined with a moss much resembling black horse-
hair. The eggs, which are two in number, are pretty thickly
spotted with pale lilac and claret on a light pink ground-
colour. I found these birds migrating in vast flights, num-
bering several thousands, in the Bolumputty valley in July.
They were flying westwards towards Malabar. The dimen-
sions of an egg are 1 inch by "73.

29. Otocompsa jocosa (Linnaeus).

Builds a nest similar to the preceding, but with thicker
sides. The nest is generally built in some low dense bush,
and contains from two to three eggs, very minutely and
thickly spotted with pinkish claret on a pale pink ground,
the spots being very close together. An egg measured '97 inch
in length by '68 in breadth. Breeds from March to May.

30. Pratincola atrata, Blyth.

Breeds in holes of banks from February to May, laying
three or four pale greenish-blue eggs, minutely speckled with
reddish brown, the dots forming a very distinct zone at the
larger end. The nest is constructed of moss, pieces of old
rag, frayed bits of grass, &c., and is lined with feathers and
the dried droppings of the wild cat [Felis chaus) , which, being
principally composed of rat's fur, are very soft ; the nest in
consequence is often rather odorous. An eg^ measured "78
inch by '^.

31. Prinia socialis, Sykes.

Builds in March, constructing a very neat pendent nest,
which is artfully concealed, and supported by sewing one or two
leaves round it. This is very neatly done with the fine silk
which surrounds the eggs of a small brown spider. The nest
is generally built of fine grass, and contains three eggs of a
bright brick-colour with a high polish. The entrance to the
nest is at the top, and a little on one side. An e^g measured
'7 inch in length by -48 in breadth.

SER. III. VOL. V. 2 A

322 Mr. R, W, Morgan on the Nidification

32. Drymoipus inornatus (Sykes).

Builds a neat pendent nest in long grass on the Neilghcr-
ries. The nest is composed entirely of short pieces of grass
felted together^ and is very compact. The eggs are three in
number, aud are of a blue colour, with large blotches and
hair-like streaks of a dark reddish brown at the upper end.
An egg measured '69 inch by '5.

33. ZosTEROPS PALPEBROsus (Tcmminck) .

Builds a pretty little cup-shaped nest of golden-coloured
moss and thistle-down, lined with silk-cotton. The nest is
generalh^ built low down. The eggs are two in number,
rarely three, and are of an exceedingly pale bhie; "71 inch
in length by '51 in breadth.

34. Parus cinereus, Vieillot.

Breeds in March and April in holes of trees, laying from
two to four eggs, which are white with a few pink spots at
the larger end. The nest is composed entirely of soft fur.
This little Tit may frequently be seen in the vicinity of stables,
in the breeding-season, where it comes for the sake of the
horse-hair which is thrown out after the horses are groomed
in the morning. I have found many nests entirely composed
of this substance, with a few stray bits of wild cat^s dung.
An egg I measured was "7 inch in length by '51 in breadth.

35. ACRIDOTHERES MAHRATTENSIS (Sykcs) .

Breeds on the Neilgherries in holes of trees. The hole is
filled up with sticks to within about a foot of the entrance,
and a smooth lining of paper, rags, feathers, &c. laid down,
on which are deposited from two to six light-blue eggs. The
young are fed on small frogs, grasshoppers, and fruit. An
egg measured 1*2 inch by "88. Breeds in May.

36. ESTRELDA AMANDAVA (LinUSeUs) .

Breeds on the Neilgherries in August and September, build-
ing a large domed nest of grass, with the entrance in the side.
Several females seem to lay in the same nest ; for I have found
as many as fourteen eggs in a nest, and have seen five birds
fly out. The eggs are pure white, and average "62 inch in
length by "45 in breadth.

of certain South-Indian Birds. 323

37. Palumbus elphixstoxi (Sykes).

Breeds in March and April in the dense woods of the Neil-
gherries^ depositing its single glossy white eg^ on a loosely
constructed platform of sticks some eight or ten feet from
the ground. Dimensions of an egg I "55 inch by 1"21.

38. Sypheotides auritus (Latham).

Breeds in April and May in low scruh-jungle. The eggs
are laid under a bush, in a slight hollow ; they are generally
two in number, thickly blotched at the larger end with hair-
brown, and more sparsely all over with slate-coloured and
dark brown dots. One in my cabinet measures I "99 inch
in length by 1*3 in breadth.

39. Sarciophorus bilobus (Gmelin).

Breeds at the same time and in the same manner as the
preceding. The eggs are from two to three in number;
blotched and irregularly streaked with dark slate and umber-
brown on a light buff ground. They average 1*5 inch in
length by 1*01 in breadth.

40. CEdicnemus crepitans (Temminck).

I shot a female of this bird in Kurnool in May, and, on dis-
secting it, discovered a fuUy developed egg, which I find
is different from the eggs of CE. crepitans as found in
Europe. I examined a fine series in Mr. Dresser^s collection,
and find that the egg in my possession is entirely different in
coloration, being of a dirty white with a very few small
yellowish-brown blotches. This egg appeared to be perfectly
ready for exclusion. It measured 1*8 inch in length by
1*33 in breadth.

41. Gallinula phoenicurus (Forster).

Breeds in low bushes in October, laying four or five light-
brown eggs, speckled Avith numerous small, round, black dots
evenly distributed over the whole sui'face. An egg obtained
in Mysore measures 2 inches in length by 1*39 in breadth.

2 a2

321 Mr. R. B. Sharpc on the Genus Strix.

XXIII. — Contributions to a History of the Accipitres. The
Genus Strix of Linnceus, and its Type. By R. Bowdlek
Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S.j &c., of the Zoological Department,
British Museum.

As Professor Newton and Mr. Salvin {anfea, p. 66) hold
different views as to which species of Owl should be desig-
nated as the type of the Linnaean genus Strix, I must preface
the following notes by expressing my sense of the difficulty
of attempting a settlement of the question, especially as the
former ornithologist has done such excellent work in his re-
vision of the nomenclature of European birds in his new
edition of ' Yarrell.'

Having, however, been lately forced to determine this ques-
tion for myself, with regard to a redistribution of the genera
of Owls for the second volume of my ' Catalogue of Birds,'
I believe that a publication of the method by which I have
assigned the types of the genera Stria: and Asio may lead to
a profitable discussion.

In 1766 Linnaeus published his 12th edition of the ' Sys-
•tema Naturae,' the standard work whence most ornithologists
commence their inquiries. In this book he characterized his
genus Stria: ; of which he knew only twelve species, and these
he divided into two sections : —

«. auriculatse, pennis auricularum instar exstantium.
1. huho, 2. scandiaca, 3, asio, 4. otus, 5. scops.
/8. inauriculatse.

6. nyctea, 7. aluco, ^. flammea, 9. stridula, 10. ulula, 11.
funerea, 12. passer ina.

It simplifies matters to remember that Nos. 2 and 6 refer
to the same species, while No. 9 is identical with No. 7, and
No. 11 with No. 10.

By Rule 2 of the British-Association code we are permitted
to retain certain Brissonian genera, " which are additional to
those in the 12th edition of Linnaeus." We may therefore
adopt Brisson's genus Asio (Orn. i. p. 28), in which he pro-
poses to place the Horned Owls. It is prettv evident that
this arrangement of Brisson's influenced Linnaeus in his clas-

Mr. R. B. Sharpc on the Genus Strix. 325

sification of the genus Strix; for his Striges auriculatoi an-
swer to the genus Ash. Thus the suborder Striges, as deter-
mined by Linnaeus and Brisson, is as follows : —

Genus Asio^ Briss.

1. Asio bubo (L.) ; 2. Asio scandiaca (L.) ; 3. Asia asio

(L.) ; 4. Asio otus (L.) {Asio, Briss.) ; 5. Asio scops (L.).

Genus Strix, Linn, (partim).

In this would come all the Owls mentioned above, viz.
Nos. 6. to 12.

Beyond the pubhcation of numerous other species by Sco-
poli, Latham, Gmelin, and others, no additions to the generic
nomenclature of the Owls appear to have been made till 1799,
when Cuvier, in his ' Le9ons d^ Anatomic comparee ^ (table ii.),
divid(;d them into Hibous {Otus) and Chouettes {Strix).
No types are indicated ; and it is evident that this is a revival
of the old Brissonian arrangement, so that Otus of Cuvier
is merely a synonym of Asio of Brisson.

In 1806 Dumeril published his ' Zoologie Analytique •/ and
here the arrangement is affected by the removal of the Hawk
Owls (Nos. 10, 11, Linn.) to the genus Surnia. His genus
Bubo, of which he is so often quoted as the proposer, is a
nominal one only, and is said by him to contain the Horned
Owls of Linnaeus. Thus Bubo of J)\xviie,x'A^= Asio of Brisson.
Before considering the revolution worked by Savigny, it may
be well to set down the exact state of the classification of
Owls after DumeriFs modification : —

1. Asio, Briss. {Otus, Cuv. j Bubo, Dura.)

1. A, bubo (L.) ; 2. A. scandiaca (L.) ; 3. A. asio (L.) ;
4. A. otus (L.) ; 5. A. scops (L.).

2. Strix, Linn. {Sti'ix, Briss., Cuv.)

6. S, nyctea, L. ; 7. S. aluco (L. : stridula, L.) ; 8. S.jlam-
mea, L. ; 9. *S^. passerina.

3. SuRNiA, Dumeril.
10. /8. idula (L.) ; 11. S.funerea (L.).

32G Mr. 11. B. Sharpc on the Genus Strix.

In ]809 Savigny (Descr. de FEgypte, 8vo, p. 291) published
an entire revision of the Striges, and defined all his genera in
an orthodox fashion. His was by far the most scientific of the
ornithological works published up to his time ; and the incom-
pleteness of his contemplated work is ever to be regretted.
He defined clearly the genera Syrnium (type Strix aluco, L.)
and Scops (type Strix scops, L.). His genus Bubo was a
composite one, containing the Strix otus of Linnaeus and a
large Egyptian Horned Owl (his Bubo ascalaphus) , the repre-
sentative of the European Asio bubo (Linnseus) . But; more
important than all, Savigny characterized the genus Strix,
and designated Strix flammea as the type. This he was per-
fectly justified in doing, as no type had previously been
assigned.

For the sake of clearness, and at the risk even of being
tedious, I present to my readers the condition of the Striges
after Savigny had handled them in 1809.

1. Asio, Briss.
{Otus, Cuvier; Bubo, Dumeril, Savigny.)

1. A. bubo (L.) ; 2. A. scandiaca (L.) ; 3. A. otus (L.).

2. SuRNiA, Dumeril.
4. S. ulula (L.) ; 5. S.funerea (L.).

3. Syrnium, Savigny.

6. (Sf. aluco (L. : stridula, L.).

4. Scops, Savigny.

7. S. giu (Scop.) { = Strix scops, Linn.); 8. S. asio (L.)"^'.

5. Strix, Linn, et auct. prseced. partim.
{Strix, Savigny, as restricted.)

9. S. flammea, L. ; 10. S. nyctea, L. ; 11. S. passer ina.
In 1817 a further modification of the Asiones took place

* Scops asio has always been recognized as a true Scops, and may be
liere disposed of along with S. giu. It was not mentioned by Savigny,
being non-Egyptian.

Mr. li. B. Sliarpe un the Gtnus Strix. 327

when Cuvier published the first edition of the 'Regne Animal;'
for there he distinctly separates the genera Bubo and Otus,
reserving to the former the Great Horned Owl [Strix bubo)
as its type. His genns Otus contains both the Bubones of
Savigny's work.

In 1822 Fleming {' Philosophy of Zoology/ ii. p. 236) sepa-
rates the Barn-OAvl off as Aluco ; but this species having been
defined by Savigny as the type of Strix, the genus Aluco is
but a synonym of the latter.

The year 1826 brings the last modifications of the Linneean
Owls, when Stephens proposed the genus Nyctea for the
Snowy Owl {Strix nyctea, Linn.), to which, as recently de-
monstrated by Professor Newton, is also referable Linnseus's
name oi scandiaca. The genus Asio is therefore left with
the Long-eared Owl, Asio otus (L.), which consequently be-
comes its t}']pe, while the sole unappropriated survivor of the
genus Strix, viz. ;S^. passer i?ia, is in this same year seized by
Boie and made the type of his genus Glaucidiurn. A final
revision of the Linnsean genus Strix, in the year 1826, gives
the following distribution of his species : —

1. Asio, Briss. 1760.
1. Asio otus (L.).

2. Strix, Linn. 1766.
1. Strix flammea, L.

3. SuRNiA, Dum. 1806.

1. Surnia ulula (L.) ; 2. Surnia funerea (L.).

4. Scops, Savign. 1809.

1. Scops giu (Scop.) [ = Strix scops , L.) ; 2. Scops asio (L.).

5. Syrnium, Savign. 1809.
1. Syrnium aluco (L.) {Strix aluco, L., et Strix stridula, L.) .

6. Bubo, Cuvier, 1817.
1. Bubo ignavus, Forst. {Strix bubo, L.).

328 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on a Teal from Kerguelen's Island.

7. Nyctea, Steph. 1826.
1. Nyctea scandiaca (L.) {Strix nyctea ct S. scandiaca, L.).

8. Glaucidium^ Boie, 1826.
1. Glaucidium passerinum (L.).

XXIV. — Description of an apparently new Species of Teal from
Kerguelen's Island. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S.,

&c., of the Zoological Department, British Museum.

The Rev. A. E. Eaton has brought back with him some spe-
cimens of a small Duck, obtained in Kerguelen's Island during
the stay of the recent Transit Expedition. I find that some
specimens were procured in the same locality by the Antarctic
Expedition ; but tliey have never been determined {cf. Gray,
List of Grallse, Gallinaj, and Anseres, p. 138), and do not
appear to have received a title in the ' Hand-list.' I there-
fore propose to describe this bird as

QUERQUEDULA EATONI, Sp. n.

^ . supra brunneus, plumis plurimis gi'iseo marginatis, rn-
fesceuti-fulvo maculatis aut fasciatis : scapularibus nigri-
cantioribus : pileo paullo rufescentiore plumis nigro
medialiter striatis ; facie laterali et gutture albicantibus,
minute nigro striolatis, mento fulvescenti-albo : corpore
reliquo subtiis albicante, brunneo marmorato, plumis
plerisque pectoralibus versus basin griseo-brunneis aut
medialiter brunneo striatis : hypochondriis brunneis,
albido terminatis et rufescenti-fulvo transfasciatis : sub-
caudalibus rufescenti-fulvis, nigro adumbratis, longi-
oribus nigricautibus fulvo terminatis : tectricibus alanim
superioribus cinerascenti-branneis, majoribus pallide badio
terminatis, fasciam alarera formantibus : remigibus cine-
rascenti-bruunois, sceundariis extiis purpureo bronzinis
albido terminatis, speculum alare bronzinum vix sub
eerta luce olivascente nitens exhibentibus : secundario
proximo nigricante vel aspectu externo viridi nitente,
medialiter cinerascente strigato, albo apicato : sceun-
dariis interioribus nigricantibus extvis pallide brunnes-
centibus albo limbatis : rectricibus mediis nigricantibus,
reliquis brunneis albo marginatis, nonnuUis rufescenti-

A. V. Pelzeln on Birds from Spanish Guiana. 329

fulvo notatis : tectricibus subalaribus brunneis, infcri-
oribus intimis et axillaribus albis brunueo maculatis,
tectricibus raajoribus cinerasccntibus alee inferiori conco-
loribus : rostro plumbeo, culmine nigro : pedibus cineras-
centibus, membranis iuterdigitalibus nigris. Long. tot.
15"5, aire 8*5^ caudle 4*8, tarsi 1"2.
? . mari similis sed speculo alari absente^ sccundariis albo
terminatis : Cauda brunnea_, rufescenti- fulvo fasciatim
marmorata.
Hab. in insula Kerguelensi.

This plain-coloured Teal is allied to Q. gibberifrons and Q.
creccoides. From the former it is at once to be distinguished
by the fawn-coloured bar on the wing and tbe bronzy specu-
lum, the wing-bar being broadly white, and the speculum
black in Q. gibberifrons.

Q. creccoides resembles Q. eatoni in having the fawn-coloured
wing-bar; but then the speculum is black, and the greater
part of the bill is yellow.

Q. eatoni also has the axillaries whitish barred with brown,
whereas they are quite white in the allied species ; and, more-
over, it has remains of rufous-buff bars on most of the fea-
thers of the upper surface, the back being uniform in the
other species. Altogether the species seems very well pro-
nounced. Besides the three examples brought by Mr. Eaton,
I have found in the Museum three Kerguelen-Island skins, col-
lected during the voyage of the ' Erebus ' and ' Terror/

XXV. — On some Birds from Spanish Guiana collected by
Herr Miinzberg. By August von Pelzeln.

H. E. HoDEK, an eminent taxidermist in Vienna, has sub-
mitted to me for inspection a small series of birds collected
by H. Miinzberg, as it is said, in Guiana. H. Miinzberg
travelled in former years in New Granada, and the birds now
before me belong mostly to New-Granadan species. There
can be little doubt that, by the habitat Spanish Guiana,
probably the territory between the Upper Rio Negro and
Orinoco, or adjacent parts of New Granada, is meant.
The species are the following : —

3.'50 X. V. Pelzelii on Birds from Spanish Guiana

TiNNUNCULUS SPAIIVERIUS (L.).
ASTURINA MAGNIROSTRIS (Gm.).

Nauclerus furcatus (L.). El Tijerete.

Athene ferruginea (Pr. Neuw.). Cabrilla.

Athene minutissima (Pr. Neuw.).
Two very dark-coloured specimens.

Hemiprocne zonaris (Shaw), var. albicincta.

Hemiprocne albicincta, Cahanis, Journ. f. Orn. 1862, p. 165
(Giiiana, Mexico).

Ch(Btura zonaris, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 609.

The specimen received from H. Hodek is distinguished by
the character mentioned by Prof. Cabanis, i. e. inferior size
and greater breadth of the upper part of the collar. The black
of the body, especially on the upperside, is glossed with
green, as in the oldest individuals of the common H. zonaris
from South Brazil. Long. al. 7" 5'", caudse 2" 7'",

A Jamaican specimen, received from Mr. Sclater in ex-
change, agrees well with that from H. Hodek ; its plumage is
only a little less glossy.

It seems to me probable that H. albicincta is separable from
zonaris, at least as a northern race.

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis (Vieill.).

Bucco RADiATus, Sclatcr.

Heleodytes bicolor, sp. nov. Carraquero.

1 Heleodytes griseus , Baird (nee Swains.), Rev. Am. Birds,

p. 96 (Bogota).

H. corpore supra et alis extus obscure brunneis ; fronte et api-
cibus plumarum uropygii parum rufescentibus ; stria su-
pcrciliari a naribus ad nucham usque ducta ; gastraeo toto
et alarum tectricibus inferioribus albis ; rectricibus caudse
obscure brunneis, duabus mediis unicoloribus, reliquis
fascia anteapicali alba, a rectrice exteriore versus medias
latitudine descrescente, in quarta utrinque (mediis prox-
ima) margiuem j)ogonii externi hand attingente : rostro
nigro, subtus pallido, pedibus corneis. Long. tot. 7^",
alae 3" 11'", cauda 4", rostri a fronte 11 V"; a I'ictu 15^",

collected by Herr jMiinzber^-. 331

tax's. 15'", fascia alba in rectrice extima 1", iu quarta 7"',
in quinta 3-0^'" lata.

Hab. Guiana hispanica.

Obs. H. griseo (Swains.) siniilis sod major, corpore supra ct
alis extus obscure brunneis concoloribus ; doscriptio spc-
ciminis a Bogota apud Baird, 1. s. c, sub nomine H. grisei,
quoad colorcs cum ave nostra convenire videtur, sed avcm
minorem indicat^.
I sent the single male specimen to Messrs. Sclater and

Salvin for examination ; and tliey pronounce the species to be

nndescribed.

Anthus cokrendera, Vicill.
Grallaria ruficapilla, Lafr.
Cephalopterus orxatus, Geoffr. jun.
Hedymeles ludovicianus (L.).
euspiza americaxa (gm.) .
PsiTTACus CHALCOPTERUS, Frascr.

PsiTTACUS MELANOCEPHALUS, L.

Chlor(enas albilinea (Gray).
Lepid(enas speciosa (Grael.).
Odontophorus STROPHIUM, Gould.

EUPSYCHORTYX PARVICRISTATUS, Gould ?

NoTHocERCus JULIUS, Bonap., ad. et pull.

The adult bird agrees tolerably well with Dr. Hartlaub's
description (Journ. f. Orn. 1854, p. 410) ; but the upperside
of head and nape is rather lighter than the back, and the
breast and partly also the sides of body are greyish oliva-
ceous, minutely vermiculated ; the tarsus measures 2" 2—3'" ;
the feet seem to have been dark, and not pale.

The chicken (in down, except the m iugs) resembles the adult
in coloration ; but head and nape are blackish, with whitish
ends to the feathers, the creamy white speckles on the wings
begin to appear, the breast is red.

* It was not possible for me to compare the description of Campyh-
rhj/nclnoi brcvipennts, Lawr., from Venezuela.

332 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

Machktes pugnax (L.), pale vai'iety.

An abnormally coloured specimen, Avith tlic plumage in
much worn and abraded condition. Uppcrside, wing-coverts,
and tail light buff and white, the latter with blackish fasciae ;
breast pale buff; throat, abdomen, and primaries white.

Prof. Baird (B. N. Amer. 1858, p. 737) states, the Ruff has
been frequently killed on Long Island ; but I am not aware
that its occiuTence in the neotropical region has been before
noticed.

Gallinago nobilis, Sclater.

Rallus semiplumbeus, Sclater. Chorlo.

XXVI. — Notes on Severtzoff's ' Fauna of Turkestan ' {Turkes-
tanskie Jevotnie). By H. E. Dresser.

[Continued from page 250.]

101. TuRDUs merula, L.; Severtzoff, p. 64.

Horizontal range. Breeds, and is also met with during win-
ter, in districts I., II., and III., but is only found during
winter in district IV.

Vertical range. Occurs during passage and in winter in
district 2, and both during the breeding-season, as also in
winter, in district 3, and breeds in district 4.

102. TuRDus ATRiGULARis, Tcmm. ; Severtzoff, pp. 64, 118.
Horizontal range. Breeds, and is found during winter, in

districts I. and II., and during winter only in districts III.
and IV.

Vertical range. Occurs during winter in districts 1, 2, and
3, being common in district 2 ; breeds in districts 3 and 4.

103. TuRDus MYSTACiNUs, Scvertzoff, pp. 64, 118, 119.
Vertical and Horizontal range. Similar to P. atrigidaris.
Respecting these two Thrushes, the latter of which he de-
scribes as new, Severtzoff writes (pp. 118, 119) as follows : —

" These two species (the latter of which is Naumann^s T.
bechsteini ;) have been long known, but the latter has alwavs

Scvert:;off's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 338

been described as the young of the former, which, from what
I can see, is wrong ; for I have examined over 200 specimens
of both species in every stage of plumage, and find that the
differences do not depend on age. I may give the diagnoses
of these two species as follows : —

" A. Turdus atrigularis ^ ad. Entire upper parts olive -
brown, marked on the crown and back with dark spots ; wings
and tail dark brown ; throat, cheeks, and breast black, the
feathers having narrow greyish margins in the autumn ; flanks
olive-grey, underparts otherwise white; under tail-coverts
brown ; under wing-coverts marked with greyish yellow ; adult
but not old birds have blackish grey stripes on the sides of
the throat, breast, and flanks, but these disappear after the
second moult, first on the throat and breast, and then else-
where ; legs greyish brown, claws blackish ; maxilla brown,
lower mandible yellow, tipped with dark brown. The old fe-
male differs in not having the throat black, but blackish brown,
with broad yellowish margins, which do not disappear in the
spring ; otherwise she resembles the male. The young of both
sexes have the throat as in the female ; but the margins to the
feathers are broader, giving a pied appearance; the under
Aving-coverts are similarly coloured, but are marked with
olive-grey lines ; the under mandible is greyish brown, slightly
marked with yellow at the base.

'' B. Tardus mystacinus difl'ers in the coloration of the
throat, and both sexes at all ages have this part pied with
greyish-brown, blackish, or brownish spots, which sometimes
are almost absent in old females, except in the centre of the
breast ; on the sides of the throat there are two or three lines
of feathers marked with broad blackish spots ; across the
breast is a greyish band spotted with black, these spots being
larger in the males, w^hich have the throat and breast altogether
more boldly marked ; but these diff'erences in the sexes are not
constant. The throat does not change in colour as the bird
gets older ; but the spots on the breast gradually disappear,
and the lower mandible also becomes yellow as in T. atri-
gularis. Some of the young females have a dark throat, like
old males, and some have signs of a light spot on the throat.

334 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

so that immature birds of T. mystacinus and T. atrigularis
cannot with certainty he distinguished. I may also mention
that of hotli species wc obtained many more females than
males during winter in the gardens of Chimkent and Tash-
kend near the Syr-Darja, and it will therefore be necessary,
before it can be positively stated tliat T. mystacinus is a good
species, to obtain a series of summer-killed specimens of the
adult bird as well as nestlings, and careful observations should
be made during the summer season."

104. TuRDus RuncoLLis, Pall.; SevertzoflF, pp. 65, 119.
Horizontal range. Occurs during passage in districts I. and

II., and during winter in district III., but is everywhere very
rare.

Vertical range. Is met with during passage and in winter
in districts 1 and 2.

In a few short notes on this species (p. 119) Severtzoff re-
marks that the bird described and figured by Radde (Reis. im
Slid, von Ost.-Sib. taf. viii.) is T. nauinanni, and not T. rufi-
collis, and adds that whereas T. ruficollis always has the flanks
grey, T. naumanni has them marked brownish or rufous, and
in old males the flanks are rufous, like the throat, which, con-
necting with the entire flanks, forms one continuous rufous-
coloui'ed area over the throat, breast, and sides, whereas in
T. ruficollis the throat, and a circular patch covering the breast
above, are rufous. To this I may add that in T. naumanni
the inner webs of the quills are pale rufous to nearly two
thirds of their length from the base, whereas even in very
old examples of T. ruficollis the inner webs are only very
faintly tinged witli pale rufous buff" towards the base of the
feathers.

105. TuRDus FALLENS, Pall.; Sevcrtzoff", p. 65.
Observed only near the tower of Vernqje.

106. TuRDUs viscivoRus, L. ; Severtzofl", p. 65.
Horizontal range. Breeds and occurs during passage in

district I. ; breeds and winters in districts II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Is found in winter in districts 1 and 2, and
breeds in districts 3 and 4.

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 335

107. TuRDus PILARIS, L. j ScvertzofF, p. G5.
Horizontal range. Occurs during passage and in winter in

districts 1., II., and III.

Vertical range. Is found during passage and in winter in
districts 1 and 2.

108. TuRDUs iLiAcus, L. j Severtzoff, p. 65.
Horizontal range. Occurs but very rarely during passage,

and in winter in district III.

Vertical range. Occurs very rarely during passage, and in
winter in districts 1 and 2.

109. Myiophoneus temmincki, Vig. ; Severtzoff, p. 65.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts III. and IV.
Vertical range. Possibly occurs during passage in district

2, but breeds in district 3.

110. Petrocossyphus cyanus, L.
Petrocichla cyane, Severtzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Occurs during passage in district 2, and
breeds in district 3.

111. MONTICOLA SAXATILIS (L.) .

Petrocichla saxatilis, Severtzoff, p. 65.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Occurs during jmssage in district 2, breeds
in district 3, and is found during summer in district 4.

112. Saxicola oenanthe (L.) ; Severtzoff, p. 65.
Horizontal range. Breeds and is found during passage in

districts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Occurs on passage in districts 1, 2, and 3,
and breeds in districts 4 and 5.

113. Saxicola isabellina, Riipp.

Saxicola squalida, Eversm., and S. saltator, Men^tr. ; Se-
vertzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.,
and is found during passage in districts I., II., and III.

Vertical range. Occurs during passage in districts 1, 2, and

3, and breeds in districts 3, 4, and 5.

336 Mr. H. E. Dresser's .VoM? on

Severtzoff gives very detailed notes respecting the various
species of Chats, which, however, I do not think it necessary
to translate in extenso, as Mr. Blanford and myself went most
carefully into the question in our monograph of the genus
Saxicola (P.Z. S. 1874, pp. 213-241), and satisfied ourselves
as to the identity of the various species referred to or described
by Severtzoff.

114. Saxicola morio, Ehrenb.
Saxicola leucomela, Severtzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.,
and occurs during passage in districts I., II., and III,

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3, and is met
with during passage in districts 2, 4, and 5.

114/3. Saxicola leucomela (Pall.).
Saxicola lugens, Severtzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3, and occurs
during passage in district 2.

115. Saxicola monacha, Riipp. ; Severtzoff, p. 65.
Horizontal range. Breeds in district IV.
Vertical range. Breeds in districts 2 and 3.

116. Saxicola melanoleuca (Giild.).

Saxicola tolas, n. sp. ; Severtzoff, pp. 65, 119, pi. viii.
figs. 1, 3, 4.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., and IV., and
occurs during passage in districts III. and IV.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 2 and 3.

117. Saxicola vittata, Ehrenb.

Saxicola melanogenys, n. sp. ; Severtzoff, pp. 65, 120.

Saxicola melanotus, id. pi. viii. figs. 5, 6.

Horizontal range. Breeds in district III., and occurs during
passage in districts III. and IV., and possibly breeds also in
the latter district.

Vertical range. Occurs during passage and breeds in dis-
trict 1, and possibly breeds, but certainly occurs during pas-
sage, in district 2.

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 337

118. ?Saxicola leucopycxA, Br.

Saxicola syenitica, Heugl. ; Sever tzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Is a rare straggler during summer in
district III., but breeds in district IV,

Vertical range. Occurs rarely daring tlie summer in district
1, and breeds in districts 2 and 3.

It is impossible to state with any degree of certainty what
species of Chat it is to which SevertzojBP here refers, as he
gives no description of it, and merely refers to it under the
name of S. syenitica, Heugl., which is a doubtful species, pro-
bably identical with S. leucopyga, under which I have accord-
ingly placed it, with a query.

119. Saxicola deserti, Riipp.

Saxicola salina, Eversm. ; SevertzoflF. p. 65.
Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and IV.
Vertical range. Breeds iu district 1, and occurs during pas-
sage in districts 2, 3, 4, and 5, but is rare in the last district.

119 y8. Saxicola xanthomel^na, Severtzoff, p. 65,
is probably referable to S. melanoleuca; but the description of
it given by Severtzoff is too indefinite to enable one to say what
it is. He merely states (p. 120) that it differs from S. deserti
in having less black on the tail, which is the case with all
other allied Chats. He gives the range as follows : —

Horizontal range. Breeds in district III.

Vertical range. Breeds in district 1.

120. Pratincola rubetra (L.); Severtzoff, p. 65.
Horizontal range. Breeds and is met with during passage

in districts I., II., and III.

Vertical range. Occurs during passage in district 1, and
breeds in districts 2, 3, and 4.

121. Pratincola rubicola (L.); Severtzoff, p. 65.
Horizontal range. Breeds and occurs during passage in dis-
tricts I., II., III., and IV.

Vertical range. Is found during migration in districts I
and 2, and breeds in districts 3 and 4.

Severtzoff refers to Pratincola indica yS, as a subspecies
SER. III. — vol. v. 2 b

338 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

or permanent variety under the name of Pratincola rubicola
/3. indica, and gives its range as follows : —

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., 11.^ III., and IV.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 2 and 3.

122. Pratincola hemprichii (Elir.) ; Severtzoff, pp. 65,
120.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., and III., but
is rare.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 2 and 3.

Severtzoff remai'ks (p. 120) that this species differs from
P. rubicola in having the central tail-feathers black, with
white bases, and the remaining rectrices white terminated
with black.

Severtzoff divides the Nightingales of Turkestan into two
forms, each of which he again subdivides into two subforms
or subspecies. Not having had an opportunity of examining
skins of these birds, I cannot determine whether they are
good species or not, and therefore translate his remarks in
extenso, leaving my readers to draw their own conclusions,
I may, however, remark that when in Berlin, in September
1873, in company with Mr. Blanford, we saw several skins of
Nightingales from Turkestan, among which was one un-
doubted skin of Daulias philomela (Bechst.) ; and there were
also examples of Daulias hafizi (Severtz.), which is a good
species, having the plumage less rufous above and paler below,
and the tail is longer, and which was also obtained by Mr.
Blanford in Persia. There was also a larger form than D.
hafizi, which has been described by Dr. Cabanis (J. f. O.
1873, p. 79) under the name of Luscinia golzii, but which
differs from D. hafizi only in size. In the following trans-
lation I use the names as given by Severtzoff, without, hoAV-
ever, indorsing their correctness. Referring to the differ-
ences between these species, he writes (p. 120) as follows : —

" It appears to me that we have two species of Lusciola
luscinia, which subdivide again into four subspecies, and be-
sides these Lusciola aedon (Pall.), which subdivides into two
subspecies ; but I think it more advisible to treat of these all

Severtzoff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 339

under the generic title of Luscinia, dividing them merely into
four subspecies, though into two "divisions or groups, viz. : —

'' A. Breast uniform in colour.

"1. Luscinia occidentalis {Motacilla luscinia,Va]l.) . Crown,
nape, back, and cheeks brownish grey ; upper tail-coverts
nearly light brown ; wings similarly coloured to the back ;
tail rust-colour ; under tail-coverts and flanks greyish brown ;
throat and sides of the neck grey, underparts white; bill
greyish brown, with the sides of the mandibles and the base
of the lower mandible yellow ; legs dirty reddish ; iris light
brown. First primary rather shorter than the primary-
coverts, the second equals the fourth, the thu'd being the
longest. Total length rather less than 7 inches. Specimens
from the Lower Volga and Ural, and Southern Russia gene-
rally, as also in some parts of Turkestan, have the wings
and tail darker, the abdomen greyish, the throat white ; and
the arrangement of the quills is as follows — 3^4>2>5.

" 2. Luscinia hafizi, nob. Crown, nape, back, and cheeks
light brownish grey, tinged with olive ; quills blackish brown,
with ashy-grey edges ; larger wing-coverts grey, except at
the base, where they are blackish ; above the eye light grey ;
rump and tail rusty brown ; underparts dirty white ; breast
tinged with yellowish ; bill violet-black ; legs brown, with a
reddish tinge ; first primary equal in length to the primary-
coverts, 3>4>5, the fifth equals the second; but in some
instances the second is about ^"' shorter than the fifth, but
is always longer than the sixth ; the lateral rectrices are V'
shorter than the central ones. This Nightingale is much
larger than the western bird; for it measures as follows —
total length 7" 5'" to 7" &", extent 10" 7'", wing 3" 6i'", tail
3" 1|'", the tail being covered to over half its length by the
tail-coverts, culmen 5'", tarsus 11'". Some specimens closely
resemble examples of L. luscinia from the Volga and the Ural,
the wing formula being 3>4>2>5, and the margins of the
feathers are not grey, but light olive-brown ; the breast is
sometimes yellowish and sometimes greyish. Therefore it
appears to me that the bird described by Eversmann as L.

2 B 2

3J0 Mr. H. E. Dresser's Notes on

luscinia, and referred to by me as a western form of L. occi-
dentalis, should by right be placed with L. hafizi.

'' L. philomela, Pall., differs from the above species only in
being greyer; the upper parts are greyish brown, the tail
light greyish brown, the under wing-coverts greyish white,
and the breast light grey. Pallas met with it in the Southern
Ural, and its western branches near Ufa, and in Turkestan
on the Chatkal and Chirchik, at an altitude of from 6000 to
8000 feet. At a lower altitude in the Chirchik mountains
specimens arc found which are intermediate with L. hafizi;
so that L. philomela, Pall., is a northern, and not a southern
mountain-form of L. hafizi. Pallas mentions a Avestern form
of his L. philomela, which is probably L. hybrida, Brehm
(Vogelf. p. 145), which has the upper parts as in L. aedon
(Pall.), and the underparts as in L. luscinia.

"B. Underparts varied and not uniform in colour.

"3. Luscinia aedon (Pall.) {L. philomela, Bechst.). Entire
upper surface of the body, from the forehead to the rump, and
the upper surface of the wings uniform olive-brown, the quills
only having lighter edges, and shaded with yellowish; tail
olive-brown, with a reddish tinge ; cheeks, breast, and flanks
grey, or olive-grey, with dark lines on and light edges to
the feathers, which gives the underparts a pied or varied ap-
pearance ; throat white, with olive-grey spots ; abdomen and
under tail-coverts pure white ; first primary short, the second
shorter than the primary-coverts, the third the longest ; the
upper tail-coverts cover three fifths, and the lower three
fourths of the tail. Total length 7" 5"'-7" 8'", extent 10" 6"'-
11" 1'", wing 3" 6"'-3" 7'", tail 2" 8'", tarsus 11'", middle toe
7'", culmen 4|"'.

"4. Luscinia infuscata, nob., differs from L. cedon in being
darker ; the margins of the wing-feathers are browner ; the
tail is dark rust-colour, without any shade of olive ; and the
underparts are more clearly marked ; the tail is covered by
the upper tail-coverts to half of its length, and by the under
tail-coverts to three fourths ; the first primary is short, the
second less than the primary coverts, 3>2>4. In size it is

Severtzqff's 'Fauna of Turkestan.' 341

smaller; and the tail is longer in proportion. Total length
7" l"'-7" 2'", extent 10" 3"'-10" 5'", wing 3" 5"', tail 2" 7'",
tarsus \0^"', middle toe 6|"', culmen 4^'".

" L. infuscata is an eastern bird ; but, besides in Turkestan,
it occurs on the Ural river, especially on the lower portion,
during passage ; but examples of it, as well as of L. aedon,
from the Ural, are lighter than others from Turkestan. The
most common species in Turkestan is L. hafizi and var. L.
philomela ; and L. aedon and L. infuscata (the latter being the
commoner) have only been met with in Karatau, and during
passage near Chimkent, Tashkend, and Samarcand/'

The range of the above species is given as follows ; —

133. LusciOLA LusciNiA /3. hafizi, Severtzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Breeds in districts I., II., III., and TV.,
commonly in the three former.

Vertical range. Breeds in districts 1, 2, and 3, commonly
in district 2.

LusciOLA LUSCINIA y. pMlomela, Severtzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Breeds and occurs during passage in dis-
tricts IL, and III.

Vertical range. Occurs on passage in district 2, and breeds
in district 3.

124. LusciOLA AEDON, Sevcrtzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Is found on passage in districts III. and
IV., and breeds in district III.

Vertical range. Occurs on passage in district 2, and breeds
in district 3.

124a. LusciOLA aedon ^. infuscata, Severtzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Breeds and occurs on passage in dis-
trict III.

Vertical range. Occurs on passage in district 2, and breeds
in district 3.

125. Cyanecula suecica (L.).
Lusciola suecica, Severtzoff, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Occurs during passage in districts L, II.,
III., and IV., and breeds in all but the last.

342 Mr. A. Newtou on Palaeoriiis exsul.

Vertical range. Occurs during passage in districts 1 and 2,
breeds in district 3, and occurs rarely during summer in dis-
trict 4.

125 «. Cyanecula wolfi, Br.
Lusciola suecica /3. orientalis, Severtzoff, p. 65.
Horizontal range. Occurs during passage in district IV.
Vertical range. Is met with during passage in district 2.

126. Erithacus rubecula (L.).
Lusciola rubecula, SevertzofF, p. 65.

Horizontal range. Rare in winter in district III. ; observed
near the town of Chimkent.

Vertical range. Rare in winter in district 2.

[To be continued.]

XXVII. — Note on Palseornis exsul.
By Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S.

(Plate VII.)

Since the naturalists who were attached to the expedition for
observing the late Transit of Venus at Rodriguez have re-
turned home without procuring a specimen of the Palceornis
which I some years ago described in this Journal (Ibis, 1872,
p. 33) as coming from that island, and it may possibly be
long before a second example of this rare bird is obtained,
further delay in availing myself of the editor's offer to figure
that which reached my hands in 1871 seems inexpedient. It
is still greatly to be regretted, however, that we do not know
the cock of this very peculiar species, because it has turned out
that the anticipation I formerly expressed as to the proba-
bility of his possessing greater beauty than the hen, here
represented (Plate VII.), was correct.

A manuscript ' Relation de Tile Rodrigue,' found last year
at Paris, under circumstances which I have elsewhere ex-
plained, in laying some extracts from it before the Zoological
Society of London (P. Z. S. 1875, pp. 39-43), contains a brief
notice of a Parrakeet which there is apparently no danger of

Ibi-s.I875Pl,VlI

'ti^

J G3feuleiQians liiJa

PAL/EORNIS EXSUL

¥AN,H<ui}iaTt imp

^CENTRAL PA?X,
NEW YORK

Mr. A. Newton on Palaeornis exsul. 343

error in our identifying with Palceornis exsul. This docu-
ment, as M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards has satisfactorily shown
(Comptes Rendus de FAcademie des Sciences, 1875, pp. 1212-
1210'^), must have been written prior to 1730. The anony-
mous author, after stating that there were three kinds of Par-
rots found in the island, and giving some particulars of the
habits of the largest, which was doubtless the bird originally
described by M. Milne-Edwards under the name of Psittacus
{Eclectus ?) rodericanus, but has since been referred by him
to a genus which he calls Necropsittacus , says : —

'' La seconde espece est un peu plus petite et beaucoup plus
belle, parcequ^ils ont leur plumage vert comme les precedents,
nn peu plus bleu et le dessus des ailes un peu rouge, aussi
bien que leur bee."

The last words serve to show that the adult male of Palce-
ornis exsul, should one ever be procured, will be found to have
a red bill and a red alar patch, as is the case with so many
other species of Palceornis. The unfortunate bird seems to
be nearly extinct. Mr. Henry Slater informs me that during
his stay in Rodriguez he saw a single example only. This
was on the 30th of September, towards the south-western end
of the island, where there is a good deal of wood, and he could
have shot the bird if he had had a gun with him ; but neither
of his companions was favoured with a sight of this expiring
species, and no further information about it could be obtained
from the Creoles.

Magdalene College, Cambridge,
June 11, 1875.

* Translated, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) xv. pp. 436-439. In the ori-
ginal there is a singular misprint, which is corrected in the translation,
of " posterieur " (I. c. p. 1213, line 25) for " anterieur." On the other hand
the translator makes a slight mistake (/. c. p. 438, line 9) in putting " It "
for " He " [i. e. Pingre].

344 Mr. P. L. Sclater on Turdus javanicus of Horsfidd,

XXVIII. — On Turdus javanicus of Horsfield, and its allied
form Turdus schlegeli. By P. L. Sclater, M.A., F.R.S.

(Plate VIII.)

In my article on the geogi'apliical distribution of the genus
Turdus, published in this Journal in 1861, I took occasion to
state the synonyms of Turdus javanicus of Horsfield as being
Turdus fumidus, Miiller, and Turdus hypopyrrhus, Hartlaub,
and at the same time to describe a new and nearly aUicd
species from Timor as Turdus schlegeli, after the eminent di-
rector of the Ley den Museum, where I had met with the typi-
cal specimen. In his excellent work on the Birds of Borneo,
lately published, Count Salvadori takes a different view of
this matter. Misled apparently by Gray^s ' Hand-list,^ he
treats of Turdus javanicus and Turdus hypopijrrhus as distinct
species, and unites Turdus schlegeli to the latter. I am a
little surprised, I must own, to find that Count Salvadori
should prefer to follow the late Mr. G. R. Gray's compilation
on this point rather than my article, founded, as it was, on
the examination of actual specimens of a group of birds to
which I had paid special attention. As, however, he has
done so, I have felt bound to go into the matter again, and
beg leave to offer the results of my renewed investigations to
the readers of 'The Ibis.*

Turdus javanicus is very incorrectly described, like many
others of the species characterized in Dr. Horsfield's memoir
on the Birds of Java. Fortunately, however, two of the ty-
pical specimens are still extant — one in the India Museum,
and one in the British Museum, received from the India Mu-
seum in 1860. I have examined these, and compared them
with the type of Turdus hypopyrrhus. The mounted speci-
men in the India Museum has been nearly altogether eaten
up by moth ; but part of the ferruginous colour on the belly is
still recognizable, and I think there can be no doubt to what
species it belongs. The skin in the British Museum (which
was received from the India Museum in 1860) is that of a
young bird, and is of a nearly uniform brown ; but there are
traces of the rufous abdomeu quite apparent, and I have no

and its allied form Turdus schlegeli. 345

doubt of its belonging to the same species. The third ex-
ample of Dr. HorsfiekFs Turdus javanicus, which was in
the former East-India Company's Museum, cannot now be
found.

Turdus fumidus was described by Miiller in a note to the
ethnographical volume of the ' Verhandelingen ' (1839-44-)
from specimens obtained by him on the crater of Mount
Gedee, in Java, at an altitude of 8000 feet above the sea-level.
The types of this species are now in the Leyden collection,
where I have examined them on two occasions.

Turdus hypopyrrhus was described by Hartlaub in 1844, in
his catalogue of the Bremen collection. Having had the loan
of the type of this species, through Dr. Finsch's kindness, I
have been able to convince myself that it is exactly the same
as Turdus fumidus.

In a footnote to his memoir onDelattre's collections (Compt.
Rend, xxxviii. p. 6) , Prince Bonaparte speaks of a " Turdus
nigricrissus , Schiff,-'-' as a MS. name in the Senckenbergian
Museum, Frankfort, and makes it the same as T. hypopyrrhus,
which he endeavours to distinguish from T. fumidus. I have,
however, shown that the two latter terms are synonymous ; so
that, whatever the specimen so called in the Senckenbergian
Museum may be, Bonaparte's name, T. nigricrissus, falls to
the ground.

Another useless synonym is " Turdus concolor, Temm.,-"
first published by Blyth in an article on Indian Thrushes in
the J. A. S. B. in 1847, and copied by Mr. Gray and Dr. Sal-
vadori. The only suggestion I can make as regards this term
is, that it is a misprint, or lapsus calami, of Mr. Blyth for
fumidus ; for I believe that Temminck never gave (nor would
have given) such a misleading name to the present bird.

As regards Turdus schlegeli, which Mr. Gray and Dr. Sal-
vadori unite to Turdus hypopyrrhus, I have again examined
the typical specimen of that species in the Leyden Museum,
and am quite convinced that, so far as a judgment can be
formed from a single individual, it is a good and a distinct
species. In this view I think I may say I have the concur-
rence of Prof. Schlegel — a naturalist by no means inclined to

346 Mr. P. L. Sclater on Tardus javauiciis of Hors field,

divide species unnecessarily — in whose presence I made a
comparison of it with specimens of Turdus fumidus.

Under these circumstances I propose to arrange the syn-
onyms of these two Thrushes as follows : —

Turdus javanicus. (Plate VIII.)

Turdus jav aniens, Horsfield^ Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 148
(1821) ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 142; Horsf. & Moore, Cat.
Mus. E. I. C. p. 196; Sclater, Ibis, 1861, p. 280; Salvad.
Ucc. di Borneo, p. 237.

Turdus [Merula] fumidus, S. Miiller, Verh. Nat. Gescli.
Nederl. overz. Bezitt. Land- en Volk. p. 201 (1839-44) : Bp.
Consp. p. 274.

Turdus hypopyrrhus, Hai'tl. Verz. Brem. Samml. p. 43
(1844) ; Salvad. Ucc. di Born. p. 238.

" Turdus nigricrissus , Schiff,^' Bp. Compt. Rend, xxxviii.
p. 6 ; Notes Orn. Delattre, p. 29.

" Turdus concolor, Temm.,^' Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 143;
G. R. Gray, Handlist, p. 255.

Supra fuscus unicolor, subtus usque ad imum pectus concolor :
abdomine castaneo : ventre medio albo : crisso fusco, albo
striato : rostro et pedibus flavis : long, tota 90, alse 4"5,
caudse 3*8,

Hab. Java, apud montes ad alt. 8000-9500 ped.

I believe the mountains of Java to be the only certainly
ascertained locality for this Thrush. S. Miiller, as already
mentioned, met with it on the crater of Mount Gedee, in
Western Java, at an altitude of 8000 feet. Mr. Wallace ob-
tained an example in nearly the same district at an altitude
of 9500 feet, which is now in the British Museum^.

* Mr. Wallace's specimen was obtained on the extinct volcanic cone of
Pangerango, 10,000 feet liigli, and is alluded to in his ' Malay Archipe-
lago ' as follows : —

" On the very summit, feeding on the gi'ound among the strawberries
that have been planted there, I obtained a dull-coloured Thrush, with the
form and habits of a Starling {Turdus fumuhis).'^ — Malay Archipelago,
3rd ed. p. 121.

Mr. Wallace kindly sends me the subjoined additional note : —

" ' Iris olive ; bill, feet, and eyelids yellow ;' — is all the note 1 have to

Ibis.l875.PLVIIL

JG-Jfeulemans, litli.

M & NHauhart imp

TURDUS JAYANrCUS.

.'*' CENTRAL PARK,
NOV YORK ,^A^

and its a Hied form Turdus sclilegeli. 347

In Bonaparte's ' Conspectus/ Sumatra and Borneo are
mentioned as the localities of this species. But there is no
authority given for this statement, which, although subse-
quently adopted by several writers, probably originated in
mere error.

The figure of this bird (PI. VIII.) is taken from the typi-
cal specimen of Turdus hijpopyrrhus in the Bremen Museum.

Turdus schlegeli.

Turdus fumidus (pt.), Miiller, Verb. Nat. Gesch. Nederl.
overz. Bezitt. Land- en Volk. p. 201.

Turdus schlegeli, Sclater, Ibis, 1861, p. 280; Wallace,
P. Z. S. 1863, p. 485.

Supra fuscus unicolor, subtus in pectore dilutior : abdomine
castaneo, crisso hoc colore tincto : rostro et pedibus flavis :
long, tota 9'0, alae 4*5, caudse 3'8.

Hab. Timor [S. Miiller) .

Obs. Sp. a prajcedente pectore fusco dilutiore, ventre medio
non albo et crisso non striato distinguenda.

The only specimen I have yet seen of this species is the
type in the Leyden Museum, obtained by Salomon Miiller,
near Penpaan, in Timor, as mentioned in the work above
quoted. Miiller considered it merely a variety of his Tur-
dus fumidus, but has pointed out its distinguishing characters.

There is nothing at all remarkable in Timor thus possessing
a peculiar species of Turdus. In his excellent memoir on the
ornithology of this and the adjacent islands^, Mr. Wallace
has shown that no less than 42 species, out of the 118 known
to occur there, are restricted to the island. I trust, there-
fore, that Turdus schlegeli will be allowed by naturalists in
future to stand as a good species — at any rate until a series
of examples collected in Timor shall furnish some evidence
to the contrary.

this "bird, of which I only got one specimen, on the open summit of the
mountain, where I saw several. If I remember rightly, it settled on the
gi'ound and on rocks, not on the trees and bushes."
* P. Z. S. 1863, p. 480.

348 Mr. R. W. Ramsay^s Onutholoyical Notes

XXIX. — Onutholoyical Notes from the District of Karen-nee,
Biirmah. By Robert Wardlaw Ramsay'^.

Bounded oh the west by the Tonghoo mountains (a long
range of granite hills on the east side of the Sittang) , on the
east by the Sal ween river (the boundary of the Siamese ter-
ritory) ^ and on the north-east and north-west by Burmah proper
and the Zimme Shan States, lies the country known as Karen-
nee, or, being interpreted, the Country of the Red Karens.

This country, rugged and mountainous throughout, is inha-
bited by numerous independent tribes of Karens, who are
continually warring among themselves or with their common
enemies the Burmese from .Burmah proper and the Shan
States. The people, as a rule, are strong, powerful-looking, and
well built ; their dress varies considerably, according to the
tribe; but the ordinary clothing of the majority of the tribes
consists of a coarse cottoji blouse or loose tunic reaching to
the knee ; some few, however, wear short trousers or panta-
loons made of the same material. This country has but
seldom been visited by white people, and, I believe, never by a
naturalist ; so that it was with no ordinary feelings of plea-
sure that I received an invitation from Major Lloyd, the
Deputy Commissioner of the Tonghoo district, to accompany
him to Kyai-pho-gyee, the capital of the Karen-nee country,
whither he was proceeding on a political mission from the
Indian Government.

In the year 1854 Mr. O'Reilly, then Assistant Com-
missioner at Tonghoo, went on duty to Karen-nee; and
later, in 1861, Major Lloyd travelled through the country.
During that expedition he formed a considerable collection of
specimens of natural history, chiefly of birds ; unfortunately
the majority of the best specimens most mysteriously disap-
peared, but eventually, I believe, found their way into the
East-India Company^s Museum in Calcutta. Since this visit
of Major Lloyd^s nobody, one or two of the American Bap-
tist Missionaries excepted, has, as far as 1 know, penetrated
into this country.

* [The foot-notes to this paper have been added by Lord Waldeu, who
has examined Mr. Ramsay's collection. — Ed.]

from the District of Karen-nee, Bvrmah. 349

It was hardly to be expected that the trip would produce
a very great number of novelties, owing to the hurried way
in which the party travelled through the country ; but still
several new species Avill be found among my birds, of which
I collected during the five weeks between four and five hun-
dred skins, referable to about one hundred and fifty species'^.
This collection has since been added to by the exertions of
a brother officer, who spent some weeks during April and
May in the hills, at altitudes varying from three to seven
thousand feet, and who very kindly gave me the birds that
he had collected.

Of three or four of the species that I obtained in Karen-
nee, I recognized the descriptions in ' Stray Feathers ' (vol. ii.
p. 441-447), viz. Macroptjgia assimilis, Hume, Garrulus leu-
cotis, Hume (since obtained within a mile of Tonghoo), Gamp-
sorhynchus torquatus, Hume, &c. These species were ob-
tained by jVIr. Davison in the Tenasserim provinces at much
the same time and altitudes at which I was working nearly a
hundred miles further north.

We started into the hills on the 5th March, in an easterly
direction, making a gradual ascent. On the second day the
sight of Analcipus trailli warned me that we were somewhere
near 2000 feet above the sea. From day to day we marched
at one time over hills of granite, at another over sharp ridges
of limestone, the nature of the fauna varying as we ascended
to a greater elevation. At 3500 to 4000 feet the jungles as-
sumed a great change, stunted evergreen trees and the Bur-
mese pine (P. latteri ? Brandis) taking the place of the larger
trees of the forests below. A great change also had taken
place among the birds. No Bulbuls, no Drongos, and very
few Woodpeckers ; but Shrike Tits [Leiothrix] in abundance,
and the more homely Titmice [Parus), Grey Creepers {Cer-
thia), and Green Warblers [Phylloscopus] appeared. The
noisy Cyanops franklini, Bl.f, had long since replaced the

* Notes on this collection, and on all the others made at Rangoon and
Tonghoo by this iudefatiguable collector, will shortly appear in the J. A. S.
of Bengal. — W.

t Megal(pma ramsayi, Waldeu (Ann. & Mag. N.H. (4) xv. p. 400). — W,

350 Mr. R. W. Ramsay's Ornithological Notes

almost equally noisy but more melodious Meyalcema hodgsoni
of the plains.

The extraordinary want of birds of prey throughout the
whole of the Karen -nee countrj^ w^as very marked ; I can
safely say that from the time that we left the banks of the
Sittang, where an Osprey was fishing, until we arrived at our
destination, the only birds of prey that we met with were
a Kesti^el, a Ninox, and a dark-coloured Falcon, which I
met with but failed to obtain on several occasions in the
stunted teak-forests, and which may have been Erythropus
amurensis.

Day by day interesting birds kept falling to my gun, and
also to that of Major Lloyd's, who was a most indefatiguable
collector. At the higher elevations I naturally met with
many species for the first time, and consequently the collect-
ing was more interesting.

At Kyai-pho-gyee itself, which is situated in the midst of
au open, undulating, grassy country dotted over with patches
of low scrub-jungle, at an elevation of 3300 feet, I had more
time to look about me; for the party was to halt for a week.
The first thing that struck the ear on emerging from the
jungles into the open country was the note of Cuculus ca-
norus, whose " cuckoo " resounded on all sides. The painted
Franeolin [Francolinus sinensis) was another bird which was
very abundant, and always denoted its whereabouts by its ex-
traordinary call, which, when rendered on paper, somewhat re-
sembles the syllables kuk-kuk-kuich, kd-kd. These birds, to-
gether with Quail of three diff'erent species, and a hare {Lepus
peguanus, Bl.) afforded very fair sport to our party.

The weather during our stay in Karen-nee Avas exceedingly
pleasant and cool, the thermometer ranging from 50° at night
to 96° Fahrenheit in the sun during the day.

The patches of jungle on the hill-sides and on the borders
of the ravines proved to be the most rich in birds ; and many
species were there found that I hardly expected to meet, such
as Sibia, Actinodura, Niltava*, and Garrulus leucotis. The
latter was far from common ; but the beautiful Urocissa mng-

* Sihia pianoides, Actimira rammtji, Walden, and Niltava swidara. — W.

from the District of Karen-nee, Burmah. 351

nirostris was very common^ Ayii^g from copse to copse and
tree to tree with its peculiar quivering motion of the tail.
On the waste land were found Pipits and flocks of Buntings,
chiefly Melophus melanicterus, and Ember iza pusilla. Even
here there was a great dearth of birds of prey. One species
of Vulture {Gyps indicus, I think) was continually sailing
round the camp accompanied by swarms of Milvus govinda ;
over the plains and hill-sides occasional Harriers {Circus
(Bruginosus and C. melanoleucus) were quartering the ground,
whilst far above the Kestrel would be seen suspended in the
air. With the exception of a single Harrier I one day saw,
and thought was Circus cineraceus, these were all the birds of
prey that we met with. The common Mynah {Acridotheres) *
of the cou.ntry appeared to me to be very dififerent from any
that I had seen before ; but whether it is a distinct species
or not remains to be proved. One Oriole {Oriolus indicus)
was shot in a small clump of pine trees in a very exposed
situation. This was the first Oriole that I had met with
since descending the eastern side of the Tonghoo hills.

From Kyai-pho-gyee we moved on to a small village on the
frontier of the Shan States, situated in a bare stony plain,
bordered on either side by low ranges of jagged limestone
rocks ; these rocks were perforated through and through with
caves — the abode of countless numbers of Bats. About these
rocks I found Hirundo daurica, Linn.f, not uncommon, but
only succeeded in securing one specimen.

In the vicinity of the village was a broad tract of country
artificially inundated by a stream which passed through it ;
this place was tenanted by vast flocks of Waders of all sorts,
probably on their way northwards for the summer. Himan-
topus intermedius, Bl. ? was particularly abundant, but very
shy and wary, quite the reverse of what I had found them on
a former occasion on the plains of Pegu.

On the 30th March we fairly started on our homeward

journey over the same ranges of hills that we had just crossed

some fifty miles further south. On the 2nd April we reached

6000 feet, the greatest height arrived at during the trip ; here

* A. siamensis, Swinhoe. — W. f Cecropis striolata. — W.

352 Ornithological Notes from Burmah,

1 met with Paradoxornis of two species'^, Cntia nipalensis, Lei-
optila annectansf, Braclujpteryx cruralis, Oreocincla mollis-
sima, and a Laughing Thrush, which I imagine is Mr. Hume's
Gampsorhynchus torquatusX- Among the pine trees I was
rather surprised to find Emberiza pusilla. A little lower
down I met, for the first time, with the lovely little Broad-
bill {Serilophus lunatus) going about in the tops of the trees
in small parties. The iris of this ])ird appears to be brown,
but when examined in the sunlight is the most brilliant iri-
descent green ; the bill is turquoise-blue when freshly killed,
but this colour disappears very soon after death.

In a bamboo-jungle, at 2000 feet, that had run to seed, I
came one day upon flocks of Rose Finches, Carpodacus ery-
thrinus, feeding upon the seeds ; this was the first time that
I had seen this bird,' although we had passed through miles
and miles of bamboos.

These bamboo-seeds are a very fair substitute for rice, as
we know from experience — not unlike pearl-barley when
cooked; and fortunate it is for the Karens that they are so ;
for the whole of their rice-crops this year have been devoured
by huge armies of rats. The stories told by the natives of the
countless myriads of rats could be easily believed by us, as we
came through the country and saw the ravages that had been
committed by them . I have sent home specimens of this rat § ;
but I think it has already been described by Mr. Blyth.

Two days' march from the rat-infested country we found
ourselves descending the western slope of the Tonghoo hills,
where I obtained a specimen of Macropygia assimilis, Hume.
The beautiful Irenas had all of a sudden become common,
whereas on the eastern slope of the hills I do not think they
are found at all. It seems strange that there should be so
distinct a line beyond which apparently the Irena cannot ex-

* P. rujiceps and P. gularis. — W.

t L. saturata, mihi, diatinguished from L. annecfans by the deep chest-
nut colouring of the lower back, ui'opygium, and upper tail-coverts. — W.

X No species of Gampsorhynchus is contained among the birds which
have arrived in England. — W.

§ Mm robustulus, Blyth ?— VV.

II A good species, quite distinct from M. rn/iceps of Java. — W.

Notes on Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 353

tend ; and that this is the case I am certain, for it was so
remarkable on crossing these hills^ both in going and coming.
On the 10th April we arrived once more in Tonghoo, after
a pleasant trip of five weeks^ in which time between two and
three hundred miles had been traversed by our party.

XXX. — Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British

Museum' by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874) . By J. H. Gurney.

[Continued from page 236.]

(Plate VI.)

Under the genus Astur Mr. Sharpe includes upwards of thirty
species, which, as it appears to me, are naturally divisible into
several subgeneric groups, to which I now propose to refer,
at the same time making observations on some of the species
of which these groups are composed.

The first of these, to which the generic name of Astur n^iay
be applied in its restricted sense, consists of three species — A.
palumbarius, A. atricapillus, and A. hensti.

With reference to Astur palumbarius, Mr. Sharpe remarks
that it apparently reaches beyond 60° N. lat. only in Scandi-
navia; but in ^The Ibis'' for 1873 (p. 58), it is recorded as
occurring also in the vicinity of Archangel. In addition to
the localities for this species given by Mr. Sharpe, I may
mention that the Norwich Museum possesses an adult pair
from Tangiers^, and that it also probably occurs in Japan,
as I have seen a Japanese painting which accurately repre-
sented an adult of this species.

It may be desirable to remark, as the circumstance is not
referred to by Mr. Sharpe, that a considerable variation of
tint occurs in the immature specimens of Astur palumbarius,
some of them exhibiting a conspicuous ochraceous hue, espe-
cially on the underparts, which is more or less entirely ab-
sent in others, though there is no diflference in the form and
character of their markings.

* [Cf Irby, Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 36.— Ed.]

SER. III. VOL. v. 2 C

354 Mr. J. 11. Gurncy's Notes on

In the autumu of 1809 I saw in the museum at Lille tvro
individuals of this species from the Ural Mountains, whieh
were probably very old birds, and in which the transverse
markings on the underparts were unusually narrow, approach-
ing in this particular to the character of the con'csponding
markings in A. atricapillus ; the same museum contained other
and, presumably, younger adults from the same locality, in
which the markings on the breast were of the normal character
usual in adult specimens of A. j)alumbarius.

Although these markings are always narrower in Astur
atricapillus, when adult, than in the corresponding stage of
A. jicilumbarius, yet differences in this respect, as well as in
some others, have been observed between the Goshawks which
are commonly obtained in the eastern parts of North America
and those which are found in the more western districts ; Mr.
Ridgway* designates the Western North- American form as
" var. striatulus, Ridgway," but remarks, " In regard to the
form indicated .... as var. striatulus, Ridgway, I am as yet
undecided whether to recognize it as a geographical race, or
to merely consider the two adult plumages as representing
different ages of the same form.^'

Mr. Ridgway adds the following descriptions : —

" Var. atricapillus.

"Adult. Markings of the lower surface coarse and ragged;
feathers of the pectoral region with broad, median, longitu-
dinal streaks of the same slaty tint as the transverse bars, and
with only the shafts black ; tail-bands distinct.

" Young. Pale ochraceous markings prevailing in extent
over the darker (clear greyish umber) spotting ; stripes be-
neath narrow, clear brownish, those on the flanks linear.

"Var. striatulus.

" Adult. Markings of the lower parts fine and delicate, and
so dense as to present the appearance of a nearly uniform
bluish ashy surface ; feathers of the pectoral region without
the median stripes of slaty, but with broad shaft-marks of

* Vide Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway's 'History of North- American
Birds,' vol. iii. p. 238 ; also Sharpo's ' Catalogue,' Addenda, p. 45G.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 355

deep blacky contrasting very conspicuously with the finely
mottled general surface; tail-bands obsolete.

" Young. Darker (brownish black) markings prevailing in
extent over the lighter (nearly clear white) ones ; stripes be-
neath broad, brownish black, those on the flanks cordate and
transverse/'

Mr. Ridgway appears never to have seen his "^var. atri-
capillus " from the western regions of North America ; but he
describes an adult female from Colorado which, though other-
wise agreeing with his " var. striatulus," shows " a single fea-
ther on the lower parts which is coarsely barred, as in the
eastern style, while all the rest are finely waved and marbled,
as in the western ;" and he has also occasionally met with
adult specimens obtained in the eastern states which agreed
in their markings with the western phase, which he has desig-
nated as " striatulus ;" but he suggests that these may have
been only migratory stragglers from more westerly localities.

The second subgeneric group to which I propose to refer
is that to which Kaup assigned the name of Lophospizia (or,
more correctly, Lophospizias) containing L. griseiceps, L. tri-
virgatus, and L. indicus, the two latter of which Mr. Sharpe
treats as only doubtfully distinct from each other ; and as the
difference between them appears to be one of size only, I think
it may be useful to note some measui'ements, chiefly taken
from specimens in the British and Norwich Museums, and
commencing with those of the larger race {L. indicus): —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in. in. in.

Presumed males in British Museum :

From Nepal 9-4 2-5 1-4

Ditto 9.5 2-6 1-6

Presumed females in Norwich Museum :

From Nepal 107 2-8 1-7

From Chota, Nagpore, Bengal . . 10-2 2-5 1'4

Female from Darjeeling, recorded in

Jerdon's ' Birds of India,' vol. i. p. 47 11-5
Female from Saughboom, Bengal, re-
corded in Col. Tickell's MS. in the
libraiy of the Zoological Society . . 10 2-75

2 c 2

356 Mr. J. n. Gurney's Notes on

The following measurements are those of specimens which
appear to be referable to the smaller race [L. trivirgatus) : —

Middle

Wing. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in. in. in.
Presumed males in Norwich Museum :

From Ceylon 7-G 2-1 M

From Borneo 7-5 2-3 1-2

Female obtained* in Formosa, and re-
corded by Mr. Swinhoe in ' The Ibis/

1866, p. 3!)o 9 2-75 1-62

Presumed females in Norwich Museum :

From Philippine Islands 8-1 2-1 1-2

From Cambodia 8-8 2-2 1-2

From Malacca 9-2 2-5 1-4

From Sumatra 8-4 2-4 1-4

From Borneo 8 2-5 1-2

A specimen in the British Museum, from

East Java, marked $ by Mr. Wallace 9 2-3 1'3
Anunsexed specimen, from Upper Pegn,

recordedin'StrayFeathers,'iii. p. 24 8-6 27

From the above particulars it appears clear that both the
larger and the smaller race vary much in their proportions,
and it seems to me not very easy to draw the line between
them.

The next species to which I am desirous to allude is Astur
pectoralis, Bon., in treating of which Mr. Sharpe has omitted
to refer to the figure given of it in ' The Ibis ' for 1861, pi. 10.

The Norwich Museum contains a presumed male, which
is not included in the list of the specimens of this Hawk re-
corded in 'The Ibis' for 1874 at p. 321.

As the Leyden specimen, of which the measurements are
given by Mr. Sharpe, and that at Antwerp, of which the di-
mensions were recorded by Dr. Sclater in ' The Ibis ' for 1861,
appear by their size to be both female birds, I add the follow-
ing particulars of the supposed male which is preserved in
Norwich: — wing from carpal joint 9*1 inches; tarsus 2'1 ;

* The Norwich INIuseum possesses a specimen from Formosa which I
believe to be the identical one above recorded ; but I make the length of
its wing 9-5 inches; the other measurements agree.

Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue of Accipitres. 357

middle toe, s. u. 1'3; culmen from anterior margin of
cere 5.

It will be seen by these measurements of the culmen and
middle toe, that, according to the rule given by Mr. Sharpe
at p. 47 of his ' Catalogue/ this species comes rather under
his genus Accipiter than under that of Astur ; its natural
position appears to me to be intermediate between the Astu-
rine subgenus Lophospizias and the Accipitrine subgenus
Cooperastur, to which it was referred (and, on the whole, I
think rightly) by Bonaparte in the Rev. et Mag. de Zool. for
1854, p. 538.

Another and still scarcer South- American form, Falco polio-
gaster of Temminck (PI. Col. 264) is included by Mr. Sharpe
in his ^ci\Vi% Astur ; but from my recollection of the type spe-
cimen at Leyden (the only example that I remember to have
seen"^), I have little doubt that it ought to be assigned to a
distinct subgenus — though, as some years have elapsed since
I examined the Leyden specimen, I have not the requisite
data to enable me to characterize in detail its subgeneric pecu-
liarities,

Mr. Sharpe also includes in his genus Astur a long list of
species which may be conveniently described as short-toed
Sparrow- Hawks. Most of these have been referred by various
ornithologists to Mr. Gray's genus Micro nisus ; but as the
type of that species is (as has been already mentioned f) a
Melierax, it will be better to use in its place Dr. Kaup's term
of Scelospiza (more properly spelled Scelospizias) , the type
of which {S. franciscce) belongs to the group to which I
am now referring.

The subgenus for which I thus propose to use the name of
Scelospizias consists of two natural divisions — the one com-
prising those most slenderly formed species of which S. badius
is the most familiar example, the other those somewhat thickly

* [We believe that the specimen at Leyden, obtained by Natterer, is
the only one in existence in any museum. The bird from Panama, called
Micrastur poliogastur ? by Mr. Lawrence, belongs not to that species, but
to M, niirandoiii. — Ed].

t Vide (intea, p. 23G.

358 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on

built and, for the most part, larger species which are con-
nectedj more or less closely, with S. tachiro.

To the first of these divisions belongs Kaup's typical
sj)ecies S. francisca, respecting which I have a few remarks
to offer. Mr. Sharpe gives Madagascar and Joanna Island
as localities for this species ; but it seems to me that the Jo-
anna bird is specifically distinct ; and as the name oifrancisca
was given by Sir A. Smith to the Madagascar race, I would
propose for that found in Joanna Island the specific name of
pusillus, as it is the smallest of its genus except /S. brutus,
which is of about the same size.

Scelospizias jmsillus, which was figured in ' The Ibis ' for
1864 (pi. vii.), from a specimen in the Norwich Museum,
under the title of Accipiter francesi, differs from the true
S. franciscce of Madagascar in its smaller size, and in two
characteristics of its adult plumage, the first being the darker
hue of its slate- coloured upper surface, and the second the
earlier attainment and greater purity of the white plumage
on the breast and parts adjacent.

In /S. franciscce these parts are crossed with transverse
vinous-brown bars, which gradually become narrower and
fainter as the bird advances in age, until they ultimately, but
(so far can be judged from a series of specimens) by slow
and successive changes, become so faint as to be scarcely
perceptible, though I have never seen a specimen, authen-
ticated as having been obtained in Madagascar, in which
they were entirely absent. In S. pusillus, on the contrary,
the undersurface assumes a garb of pure and unbroken
white on the occasion of the first moult in which the bird
loses its immature dress, as is evidenced by a specimen in the
British Museum, which, though it has nearly attained its
adult plumage, still I'etains a few brown feathers, indicative of
immaturity, on its throat, flanks, and thighs, but with these
exceptions is perfectly white on its under surface.

The comparative dimensions of the two species will be
shown by the following rjjeasurements, all taken from speci-
mens in the museum at Norwich, except the first, which is
from that in the British Museum to which 1 have already
referred.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 359

Wing from

carpal joint. Tarsus,

in. in.

S. pusilliis, from Joanna Island :

Presumed J 5'7o 1*62

Presumed S 5*5 1"8

Presumed 5 G-2 2

S. franciscte, from Madagascar, ascer-
tained by Mr. E. Newton to be J . . 6-2 2
Ascertained by Mr. E. Newton to

be d" 6 1-9

Presumed § 7 2'1

The following description of the coloration of S. pusillus
in its adult stage has been drawn up by Mr. Reeve, the able
curator of the Norwich Museum, to whose obliging assistance
I am much indebted in these notes, from the presumed male
and female preserved in that collection : —

" ($ . Head, neck, and the whole upper surface, including
the tail, slate-colour — the crown of the head, wing-coverts,
scapulars, and back being darker than the other parts ; the
sides of the neck somewhat paler, and dying away to a small
patch of dirty white on the sides of the upper breast. Throat
and whole under surface, including the under tail- and wing-
coverts, white ; the outer surface of the tail is slightly barred,
its lower surface (which is white near the tail-coverts, and a
more or less dirty grey elsewhere) is without bars on the two
central rectrices, but the three adjoining feathers on each side
show six very distinct greyish brown bars, whilst the outer-
most pair are scarcely barred at all.

" ? . Only differs from the cJ in having the patch on each
side of the upper breast more deeply coloured with dusky
brown, and consequently more conspicuous ; also in the tail
being less slate-coloured, and more or less barred both on the
upper and under surface of all the rectrices. The under sur-
face of the primaries is also very strongly barred ; and the
slate-coloured portions of the plumage are, perhaps, a little
more brownish throughout than in the male."

A third, nearly allied species, Scelospizias brutus, to which
I have already alluded, has, I believe, been at present only
found in the Island of Mayotte, another of the Comoro group ;
and from it we may pass to the consideration of the allied

360 Mr. J. H. Gumey's Notes on

continental forms, Scelospizias polyzonoides, S. sphenurus, S.
badius, S. poliopsis, and S. brevipes, all of which are treated
by Mr. Sharpe as being severally subspecies of one and the
same actual species, to which he applies, in a comprehensive
sense, the name of Astur badius. I am, however, of opinion
that at least two of the above list, S. polyzonoides and S. bre-
vipes, differ sufficiently from their immediate congeners to be
well entitled to rank as fully distinct species.

It may be useful, for the sake of comparison, to give a few
measurements of these nearly allied forms, taken from some
of the specimens in the Norwich Museum, commencing with
those of S. polyzonoides : —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in. in. in.

From the Zambesi. Presumed c? . . G-7 1-7 1
From Elephant's Vley, Damara-
land. Mai-ked by Mr. Andersson

as cJ 6-8 1-7 1

From Trans Vaal. Marked by Mr.

Ayres $ 7-5 1-8 1-1

The following are measurements of S. sphenurus : —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.
in. in. in.

From the Gambia. Presumed c? . . 7 1-8 1

From Bissao. Presumed cS 7*4 1'7 1"1

From Casamanze. Presumed $ . . 7'10 1-8 1

Mr. Sharpe speaks of very old birds of this race gradually
losing the transverse bars on the upper portion of the breast ;
but I have never seen one in which some slight trace of these
bars did not still remain.

I will now add the measurements of five specimens of the

true S. badius : —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus, toe, s. u.

in. in. in.

From Travancore. Presumed c? I 7-2 l •« 1 -1

From Oudh. Presumed c? i

From Cashmere. Presumed c5' 7*8 1'9 1*2

From Northern India. Marked by Mr.

Hume as $ 81 2-2 12

From Malabar. Presumed $ 8 21 1-3

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue 0/ Accipitres. 361

Mr. Blanford was so good as to show me a female Hawk,
killed by him in Baluchistan, which bore so great a resem-
blance to S. badius as perhaps not to be separable from that
species, but in which the tarsus measured 2"3 inches, and
the middle toe s. u. 1"4; I have unfortunately no memo-
randum of the length of the wing in this specimen.

Mr. Sharpe, in speaking of the succeeding race, S.poliopsis,
states that it is a " much paler blue above " than S. badius ;
but in the specimens which I have examined this is certainly
not the case.

Two adult males from Siam, of which the measurements
are annexed, are fully as dark on the upper parts as ordinary
males of S. badius ; and the adult male from Ceylon, of which
I have also given the dimensions below, is decidedly darker
in the hue of the slate-colour in the upper parts than either
the two Siam males or the ordinary Indian form ; I have,
however, considered all these as examples of S. poliopsis, on
account of the dark vinous hue of the bars on the under sur-
face, this character being possessed by all the three examples.

The following are the measurements of S. poliopsis above
referred to : —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in. in. in.

From Ceylon. Presumed J 7-5 1'8 I'l

Two from Siam. Both presumed (S . . 7'7 2 1-1

From Siam. Presumed $ • 9 2'1 1'2

I propose to conclude this series of measurements by those
of four specimens of S. breviceps, all obtained in Syria.

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in. in. in.

Presumed S 8-5 1-8 1

Presumed J 8-7 1-9 1-1

Presumed S 8-8 1-9 1

Presumed $ 9-5 2 1-1

Proceeding to the second division of the subgenus Scelo-
spizias, I may remark, with reference to S. tachiro, that I be-
lieve the measurements given by Mr. Sharpe as those of the

362 Mr. J. H. Giirney's Notes on

two sexes of this species are both those of male birds. Two
females from Natal, acquired by the British Museum subse-
quently to the publication of Mr. Sharpe's volume, measure
9*7 and 9*9 inches respectively in the wing, and 2"75 in the
tarsus, which, so far as I have observed, is about the usual
length of these parts in female specimens of this Hawk.

The late Dr. Dickerson* obtained at the Zambesi an un-
usually large adult female of S. tachiro, which was decidedly
paler in its coloration throughout than is the case in ordinary
specimens. I have recently examined this skin, which is pre-
served in the Norwich Museum, and I do not consider that
the pale colour is due (as might be supposed) to the plumage
being in a faded or worn condition.

The allied Abyssinian race, S. unduliventer (Riipp.), though
not separated by Mr. Sharpe from S. tachiro, is readily dis-
tinguishable when adult by the richer rufescence of the flanks
and transverse pectoral bars : this race extends westwards to
Senegal ; and an adult female from Casamanze in the Norwich
Museum is the type oiAstur tibialis, Verr., which must there-
fore sink into a synonym of S. unduliventer ; this specimen
measures 9*5 inches in the wing and 2"8 in the tarsus ; but a
female in the British Museum, from Shoa, is slightly smaller,
measuring 8*55 in the wing and 2" 7 in the tarsus.

The Hawk from the Cameroons in Captain Shelley's col-
lection, from which Mr. Sharpe took his description of Astur
tibialis, is probably the immature plumage of some other
species, which is apparently at present unnamed.

Since the publication of Mr. Sharpe's volume, the British
Museum has obtained from the river Danger a Hawk
which may prove to be a still younger example of the same
species as that in Captain Shelley's collection ; if so, the
latter would seem by its dimensions, which are given by Mr.
Sharpe, to be a male, and that from the river Danger to be
a female, as it measures 8*8 inches in the wing and 2*6 in the
tarsus ; this specimen is less rufous on the underparts than
Captain Shelley's bird, though showing traces of that tint on the
breast and flanks ; its thighs, instead of being rufous, as in the
* Vide Ibis, 18()8, p. 144.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 363

Cameroon Hawk, are white, broadly barred with black ; and it
also exhibits traces of transverse bars on the outer rectrices.

Scelospizias unduliventer may reasonably be considered
a subspecies of >S^. tachiro ; and if the still more brightly
coloured race from the Gold Coast {Astur macroscelides , Hart.)
be admissible as distinct from S. unduliventer , it must also
be considered a subspecies, and it has been so treated in
Mr. Sharpe's catalogue.

Mr. Sharpe gives the locality of S. macroscelides as " Gold
Coast to Gaboon ;" but the Gaboon race is in reality much
more distinct from the true S. macroscelides of the Gold Coast
than the latter is from S. unduliventer of Senegambia and
Abyssinia, being not only darker and more richly coloured,
both in the slate-coloured and in the rufous portions of the
plumage, but also much smaller, as will be seen from the fol-
lowing measurements of an adult male and female, obtained
by Mr. H. T. Ansell at the river Danger, Gaboon, and now
preserved in the British Museum : —

S • From the river Danger.
5 . From the river Danger .

Wing from
carpal joint.

Tarsu

in.

in.

6-4

2

7-6

2-3

This Gaboon race is entitled to the specific name of casta-
nilius (Bon.) ; and the type specimen, an adult male, is also
in the collection at the British Museum, whither it was trans-
mitted by the late Messrs. Verreaux, who, by some unfor-
tunate accident, labelled it as having been obtained in New
Granada, in consequence of which it was so described by the
late Prince C. L. Bonaparte in the Bev. de Zoologie for 1853,
p. 578, and subsequently figured as an American species by
Messrs. Sclater and Salvin at pi. 18 of ' Exotic Ornithology/

This specimen is described in Mr. Sharpens Catalogue under
the title of Micrastur castanilius, the mistaken locality and
a somewhat too cursory examination of the scutellations of
the tarsus having led to its inadvertent admission by Mr.
Sharpe into the genus Micrastur.

The specimens figured in Mr. Sharpe's Catalogue under the

364 Mr. J. n. Gurney's Notes on

name of Astur mucroscelides, are an immature and adult male
of the Oaboon race ; and the plate should therefore bear the
inscription of castanilius.

The remaining species of this group is another and^ as it
seems to me, nearly allied form, also from the Gaboon — Sce-
lospizias tousseneli. The type specimen of this species (which
is, I believe, at present unique) is preserved in the British
Museum, and appears to be in adult plumage ; though showing
some traces of transverse markings upon the breast, it is
much less distinctly barred on that part than either S. ta-
chiro, unduliv enter, or castanilius, in which respect it ap-
proaches an oriental species, Astur trinotatus of Mr. Sharpens
Catalogue, for which I would propose to retain Kaup^s sub-
generic name of Erythrospiza, or, as it might be more pro-
perly written, Erythrospizias .

This beautiful native of the Celebes resembles the A. tachiro
group in the white spots which are conspicuous on its central
rectrices ; but in its adult stage its breast is quite free from
transverse bars, and the ferruginous character of its imma-
ture dress is entirely different from the corresponding plu-
mage of every species of Scelospizias.

The Oceanic and Australian species included by Mr. Sharpe
in his genus Astur were divided by the late Dr. Kaup into
four subgenera — Erythrospiza (which, as it seems to me,
should be limited to E. trinotata, although some other species
were included in it by Kaup), Urospiza, Leucospiza, and
Tachyspiza.

The term Urospiza is applied, under the amended spelling
of Urospizias, as a generic appellation for the large rufous
Hawk of Australia, Falco radiatus of Latham"^, which Mr.
Sharpe very properly treats as forming in itself a distinct
genus ; but the name of Uropizias is not admissible for this
purpose, Kaup's type of that genus, given in Mus. Senckenb.
(vol. iii. p. 259), being Falco radiatus of Temminck, which is
the immature plumage of Astur approximans of Mr. Sharpens
Catalogue.

I would therefore retain the term of Urospizias as a sub-
* I shall have occasion hereafter to refer more at length to this species.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipiti'es. 3G5

generic name for Astur approximans and the following species,
which I think may correctly be associated with it, viz,
cruentus of Gould, torquatus of Temminck, wallacii of Sharpe,
rufitorques of Peale, henicogrammus of Gray, griseigularis of
Gray, muelleri of Wallace, sylvestris of Wallace, hiogaster of
Miiller and ^c]Ae^e\., poliocephalus of Gray, haplochrous* of
Sclater, and albigularis of Gray.

I have nothing to add to Mr. Sharpens remarks on these
species, except that I would observe that Urospizias henico-
grammus, which is treated as a subspecies of U. griseigularis,
appears to me to be well entitled to full specific rank, on
account of its very peculiar rufescent immature plumage,
which, as Mr, Sharpe justly remarks, recalls the corre-
sponding dress of Erythrospizias trinotatus.

In the next subgenus, Leucospizias, I would include the
following species, viz. novae hollandice, leucosomus, and
cinereus.

The remaining subgenus, Tachyspizias, consists of Astur
soloensis and A. cuculoides of Mr. Sharper's Catalogue. These
are described and figured as distinct species, which they
perhaps are, though they certainly appear to merge into each
other in a remarkable manner.

Mr. Sharpe gives as the habitat of the first, " China, from
Pekin southwards throughout the Malayan peninsula and the
archipelago generally to New Guinea ; " and of the second,
" North China southwards to the Moluccas ;" but both forms
occur in Java, and the Norwich Museum possesses an adult
of each collected in that island by the late Dr, Bernstein, who
considered them as both belonging to the same species.

Mr. Sharpe describes the iris in the adult of the darker
form as yellow ; and an adult female in the Norwich Museum,
obtained by Mr. Swinhoe at Amoy, was marked by him as
having the iris " orange.^^

The iris in the paler form is stated to be dark brown ; and
an adult specimen in the Norwich Museum, brought from

* This species was figured in ' The Ibis ' for 18G0, not in the P. Z. S. for
that year, as inadvertently stated in Mr. Sharpe's list of references.

366 Mr. J. H. Gnrney's Notes on

Pekin by Mr. Whitely, is ticketed by him as having a " dark
reddish brown " iris.

I may add that Mr. Swinhoc, who has observed both in
China in a state of nature^ considers them to be decidedly
distinct, and informs me that the egg of the darker race is
always both proportionally more elongated and also actually
longer than that of the paler bird, and that the dark colouring
with which the egg of the former is stained resembles in its
disposition and appearance that on the egg of Scelospizias
badius, whilst the egg of the latter is marked with dark
blotches resembling those upon the egg of Accipiter nisus — a
difference which is very apparent in the specimens of these
eggs which are preserved in Mr. Swinhoe^s cabinet, where he
was so good as to allow me the opportunity of examining
them.

The genus Astur in Mr. Sharpens Catalogue is followed by
the curious Madagascar Hawk, Nisoides moreli, which Mr.
Sharpe admits (and I think correctly) to be sufficiently dis-
tinct to constitute a separate genus, as proposed by its first
describer, M. Pollen; next to which the genus Accipiter is
arranged, in which twenty-three species are included : but
before proceeding to the consideration of these, I have to
describe a species belonging to that genus which has for
some years formed part of the collection in the Norwich Mu-
seum, but which (through an oversight on my own part) has
not hitherto been recognized as new to science, though there
seems to be no doubt that it really is so.

Having recently had occasion to examine the series of spe-
cimens of Scelospizias polyzonoides in the Norwich Museum,
I observed amongst them two Hawks which, though re-
sembling that species in coloration and markings, were evi-
dently somewhat larger ; and on examining them more closely,
I found that they also differed from it in the proportion of
the foot, which presented all the characters of the more ty-
pical species of the genus Accipiter.

Of these two Hawks, one is evidently fully adult, and the
other immature, but commencing its change into adult dress ;
both were obtained by the late Mr. C. J. Andersson — the first

Ibis. 1875. PI VI.

J G-Keulemaiis lith.

l{&NlarJiart:

ACCIPITER 0V7VMPENS1S,

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 367

on the river Okavango, in Ovarapo Land, on 12th May, 1859,
and the second at Elephant^s Vley, a short distance further
to the south, on the 9th August following*. They were both
ticketed by Mr. Andersson as females ; but, from the difference
in size between them, there is, I think, no doubt that only
the immature bird is really a female, and that the adult is a
male. Mr. Andersson did not attach any specific name to
either specimen ; and in the assortment of his collections on
their arrival in this country, these birds passed as skins of
Scelospizias polyzonoides.

The following description of these two specimens and the
accompanying plate of the adult (Plate VI.) will probably
suffice for the future identification of this species, which, as
it was first obtained in Ovampo Land, I propose to designate
as Accipiter ovampensis.

The adult, which I presume to be a male, bears a remark-
able resemblance in the general appearance of its plumage to
the adult of Scelospizias polyzonoides, from which its mark-
ings and coloration only differ in the absence of any rufous
tmge from the transverse pectoral and abdominal bands, in
the character of the markings on the under surface of the
wings, and also in that of the markings on the tail.

The general colour of the upper surface in this specimen
is a rather dark ashy grey, paler on the sides of the neck, and
with a little white showing towards the base of the feathers
on the nape ; the upper tail-coverts, which are of the same
colour as the back, have also a pure white spot about the
middle of each feather, but rather nearer to the base than to
the tip.

The upper surfaces of the primaries are greyish brown,
barred transversely with darker brown ; above the notch the
intervals between these dark transverse bars are white on the
inner web, as they are throughout the whole length of the
feathers on its under surface. On the secondaries and ter-
tiaries there are traces of similar markings, but much less
distinct.

* These particulars were given on Mr. Andersson's tickets attached to
the specimens ; but I can find no remarks respecting them in his MS. notes.

368 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on

The inner lining of the wing is white, with narrow trans-
verse brown bars at small intervals, much resembling the bars
on the breast in their character and arrangement.

The upper surface of the tail is crossed with four bars of
dark brown, the lowest being terminal, with the exception of
a narrow white tip to the rectrices ; these dark bars, which
are all of nearly equal width, are alternated with other bars
of similar width but of a paler brown ; and in the centre of
each of these paler bars is a pure white spot, including a por-
tion of the shaft of the feather, which is there white also ;
these spots, which are largest on the upper portion of the
tail, and diminish in size as they approach its extremity,
occur on all the rectrices.

The underside of the tail shows five dark transverse bars,
the intervals between which, including the portions of the
feather-shafts which they comprise, are white, as are also the
under tail-coverts.

The whole remainder of the undersurface of this specimen
is white, with narrow transverse grey bars at small intervals,
the bars themselves, and also the intervals between them,
being much narrower on the throat than elsewhere.

The immature female is dark brown on all the upper parts
which in the adult male are grey ; but the feathers of the fore-
head and of the sides of the head and neck are broadly mar-
gined with white; the hindermost tertiaries and a few adja-
cent feathers of the back are also slightly tinged with rufous,
especially at the tip.

The tail has five dark transverse bars on the upper, and
six on the under surface, the lowest bar being terminal ; in
the intermediate paler species the shafts only of the rectrices
are white.

The breast shows the appearance of a few adult feathers,
resembling those on the breast of the adult male; the re-
maining plumage of the underparts, which is still immature,
is also transversely barred, but the bars are wider apart than
in the adult, and slightly sagittate in their arrangement ; the
feathers on the crop also show a narrow brown shaft-mark ;
and both on the breast, abdomen, and thighs the white in-

Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue of Accipitres. 3G9

tervals between the transverse marks are slightly tinged with
pale brown wherever the immature plumage remains.

The throat is a pure unbroken white^ as are also the under
tail-coverts, with the exception of a few indistinct traces of
dark transverse bars towards their lower extremity.

The comparative length of the primaries in this species is
fourth, fifth, third, sixth, second, and first ; and the third,
fourth, and fifth primaries are rather conspicuously emargi-
nate on the outer as well as on the inner web.

The following are the measurements of the two specimens
above described.

Male. Female,

in. in.

Totallength 13-4 15-5

Wing, from cai-pal joint 9-2 10"4*

Tail 6-5 7-6

Tarsus 1-7 2-1

Culmen, e.xclusive of cere "55 "6

Middle toe, s. u 14 1-7

Outer toe, s. u '8 "9

Inner toe, s. u '6 '8

Hind toe, s. u '6 '7

P.S. Since the above notes were written, a third specimen of this Hawk
has come to light, which also formed part of one of Mr. Anderssou's South-
African collections, but unfortunately without any record of the locality
where it was obtained. It was marked by Mr. Andersaon as a male ; but
I feel doubtful as to its really being so, its measurements, which are sub-
joined, being intermediate between those of the two examples previously
described. Jq

Total length 14

Wing from carpal joint 10-2

Tail 7-4

Tarsus l-7o

Culmen, exclusive of cere -So

Middle toe, s. u 1'6

Outer toe, s. u "9

Inner toe, s. u -S

Hind toe, s. u -7

This specimen, which is about to be placed in the Norwich Museum,
agrees in its general plumage with the immature female described above,

* Allowing '3 for an abrasion of the tips of tlie wings. .
SER. III. VOL. v. 2 I)

370 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of

but is apparently somewhat younger and consequently less wora and fadtid ;
it also shows no signs of beginning to assume the adult plumagf, and
differs from the immature specimen previously described in having six
dark transverse bars on the upper surface of the tail and seven on the
under surface, also in having a narrow shaft-mark of dark brown on each
feather of the throat.

[To be continued.]

XXXI. — Additional Notes on the Birds of the Islands of Mas-
afuera and Juan Fernandez. By Osbert Salvin, M.A.,
F.R.S., &c.

Mr. Hanbury Barclay has lately placed in my hands for
determination an interesting series of bird-skins, brought
from Chili by his brother, Mr. Charles Barclay, and collected
by the well-known naturalist, Herr Leybold, of Valparaiso.
Amongst them are a series of skins from the island of Mas-
afuera, made by an agent of Herr Leybold's. My present
notes refer to this portion of the collection ; but I hope at a
future occasion to make a further communication on the birds
of the rest of the series, which contains some of considerable
interest.

Our knowledge of the ornis of the islands to which I now
refer is summarized in a short paper by Mr. Sclater, pub-
lished in this Journal (Ibis, 1871, pp. 178-183), since which
time the only further reference that has been made to it is by
Mr. E. C. Reed', who also communicated some notes on the
subject to 'The Ibis' last year (1874, pp. 81-84).

The contents of Herr Leybold's collection are as follows : —

OXYURUS MASAFUERiE.

Many examples, all agreeing closely with one another, and
with the bird figured in ' The Ibis ' (1871, t. vii. f. 2).

CiNCLODES FUSCUS.
EUSTEPHANUS LEYBOLDI.

Several males and two females. The latter confirm the
characters pointed out by Mr. Gould in his description of
this species, and show that its distinctness from the nearly

Mas-afuera and Juan Fernandez. 371

allied E. fernandensis is quite definable. The male is hardly
distinguishable from J5J. fernandensis; but, besides being a
little larger, the bright colour of the crown extends
further back towards the nape. The female differs in the
colouring of the rectrices. All of these except the median
pair in E. fernandensis are white on their inner webs, whereas
in E. leyboldi the white on this portion of the feather is re-
stricted to the tip and a narrow margin of the inner edge.

In Mr. Sclater^s paper a Buzzard is included as an inhabi-
tant of Mas-afuera under the name of B. erythronotus . His
authority for so doing rested upon a skin of an immature bird
in our collection. Mr. Barclay^s series contains adults of
this bird, which show that it differs specifically from the con-
tinental B. erythronotus ; and for it I now propose the name

BUTEO EXSUL.

Buteo erythronotus, Scl. Ibis, 1871, p. 182 (nee D'Orb.).
^ supra obscure schistaceus ; genis paulo pallidioribus ; hu-
meris et interscapularibus albo stricte marginatis ; alis
nigris plumbeo obsolete transfasciatis, secundariorum
apicibus albis ; subtiis pure albus, abdomine fasciis an-
gustis fere obsoletis notato ; subalaribus albis plumbeo-
nigro sparse fasciolatis, axillaribus plumbeo-nigris,
exterioribus albo transfasciatis : alis intiis albis griseo
vermiculatis, in secundariis quasi fasciatis ; supra-
caudalibus lateralibus albis; cauda alba, fasciis decem
angustis et una lata subapicali nigris notata ; rostro et
unguibus corneis, cera et pedibus flavis : long, tota cir.
20 poll., alse 15, caudae 8, tarsi 3'5.
? mari similis sed major. Long, tot 24 poll., alae 17,
caudse 9, tarsi 3'8.
Hab. in insula Chiliana " Mas-afuera " dicta.
Obs. Species distincta ; Buteoni erythronoto similis, sed co-
loribus suprk obscurioribus, plumis interscapularibus albo
marginatis, genis obscuris nee striatis, dignoscenda; femina
interscapulio ei maris simili nee rufo distinguenda.

This Buzzard has its nearest ally in B. erythronotus, but,
as already stated, may in its adult state be at once distin-
guished from that species by the darker slaty grey colour of
its upper plumage, and also by the female having the back
uniformly coloured, just as in the male, the female of B. ery-

2 D 2

372 ^Ir. O. Salvin on the Birds of

thronotus being, as its name implies, dark rich red all over
the interscapulary region.

The immature bird is not to be distinguished from the
young of the continental representative.

INIr. Reed (Ibis, 1874, p. 84) says that he believes this Buz-
zard to have been attracted to Mas-afuera by the numbei's
of domestic cats which abound in a wild state in the island.
This can hardly be ; for, in the first place, the Biazzard, though
a powerful bird, is no match for a cat ; and then, again, the
question arises, on what did the Buzzards live before cats
were introduced into the island by the Spaniards? It can-
not be that they have assumed their present specific differ-
ences from B. erythronotus during the short time the cats
have been there, probably little more than two centuries. I
have little doubt that the food of these birds consists to a great
extent, if not entirely, of refuse thrown up by the sea. just as
is the case with the Buzzard of the Galapagos Islands, or Crus-
tacea, upon which Buteo borealis feeds in the island of Socorro.

Besides B. exsul two other Hawks occur in Hen* Ley hold's
collection, viz. : —

BuTEO SWAINSONI.

The range of this bird has recently been shown by Mr. Ridg-
way (N. Am. B. iii. p. 263) and Mr. Sharpe to extend to the
region of the La Plata, and even to Patagonia. The single
skin (an adult) agrees closely with an example from the latter
locality in the British Museum.

Circus macropterus, Vieill.

Circus macropterus, V.; Scl. & Salv. Nomencl. p. 118.

This bird has a very extensive range in South America.
The single specimen sent agrees very well with continental
examples.

There are also two specimens of

HjEMATOPUS ater,
agreeing with Falkland-Island skins. I also find two Petrels,
one being the common

Daption capensis.

The other is a species of (Estrelata, perhaps allied to (E.

Mas-afuera and Juan Fernandez. 373

seHcea (Less.) . Having searched in vain for a name appli-
cable to this bird, I am obliged to bestow a new one upon it, a
course I should take with more reluctance did it not possess
characters well defined for this intricate group of birds.

CESTRELATA EXTERNA, Sp. U.

Supra plumbeo-nigra, plurais omnibus intiis albis, collo postico
fere albo, plumarum apicibus pallidissime griseis, scapu-
larium et dorsi plumarum marginibus griseis ; supracau-
dalibus lateraliter griseis ; fronte, corpore subtiis et pa-
gina alarum inferiore pure albis; remigibus plumbeo-
nigris, intiis nisi in apicibus albis ; rectricibus lateralibus
obscure griseis, in pogonii interni dimidio basali albis,
omnium apicibus obscurioribus ; rostro nigro, tarsis et
pedibus flavis, horum dimidio terminali nigro : long, tota
16, alse Wo, caudee 5, tarsi 1"4, rostri a rictu 1*8, dig.
med. 1-9.
In order to be sure that the present bird was not referable
to that described by Lesson (Man. ii. p. 402) as Pujffinus
sericeus, I sent the single adult specimen to Dr. Oustalet,
asking him to compare it with the type of Lessou^s descrip-
tion, preserved in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes.
This he most obligingly undertook, and wrote me the follow-
ing letter. This not only shows that (E. externa must be
considered quite distinct from P. sericeus, but conclusively
points out the proper position of the latter bird to be in the
genus (Estrelata, and not in Puffinus, as placed by Lesson,
nor in Adamastor, to which genus it was assigned by Bona-
parte, to whose determination Dr. Coues assented. The tarsi
compressed in Puffinus, more " quadrilateral " or Lariform in
(Estrelata, show characters that have not received the atten-
tion due to them. By them these two genera [Adainastor
resembling Puffinus) can be recognized without fail.
Dr. Oustalet^s letter is as follows : —

Museum d'Histohe Naturelle,

Paris, 2 Juin, 1875.

Cher Monsieur, — J'ai compare attentivement Foiseau que
vous m'avez envoye avec le type du Puffinus sericeus, Less.,
et je me suis convaincu que les deux oiseaux sont complete-

374 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of

inent difFerents specifiquement, mais qii'ils peuvent etre ranges
dans un meme groupe avec I' (Estrelata diabolica L'herm.

Le Puffinus sericeus n'a jjas les t arses comprimes, il les a
quadrilateres^ comme votre oiseau.

Le Puffinus sericeus ne me parait done pas un Puffinus,
mais plutot une (Estrelata ; il a les tarses longs de 4 centi-
metres, et le doigt median (rongle non eompris) de 5 cent. ;
la membrane s^etend jusqu'aii milieu des ongles, et comme
Bonaparte le dit (Consp. ii. 188), elle est bordee de noiratre ;
il n' y a pas, comme le dit Lesson, une tache noire sur chaque
articulation, mais des taches irregulieres, qui couvrent presque
entierement le doigt externe de chaque patte, s^etendent sur
la derniere phalange du doigt median, sur quelques points du
doigt interne et sur le bord de la membrane digitale ; le bee
est assez long et relativement robuste, plus robuste que dans
votre oiseau, mais absolument de la meme forme.

La tete du P. sericeus est entierement blanche, a ^exception
de quelques tiges de plumes brunatres et d\ine tache noiratre
qui s^etend k travers la region oculaire ; la base du cou n'est
pas blanchatre comme dans votre exemplaire, elle est d^un
gris roussatre ; cette teinte s^etend sur le dos, ou elle devient
plus foncee ; les ailes sont brunes, k reflets grisatres, et les
remiges d^un brun noiratre. Le dessous des ailes, qui est
blanc dans votre oiseau, est d^un brun clair argente, moins fonce
que le dessus des ailes ; dans le voisinage de Taisselle il y a ce-
pendant quelques plumes presque entierement blanches ; la
queue, qui est d'un gris de fer dans votre oiseau, est dans le P.
sericeus d'xm gris jaunatre beaucoup plus clair que la teinte
du dos ; enfin toutes les parties inferieures sont blanches.

Comme vous le voyez, la description de Lesson et celle de
Bonaparte sont, somme toute, assez exactes, et concordent
bien avec le signalement donne par Tschudi d'un oiseau de
cette espece tue pres 54° lat. sud environ (Journ. fiir
Ornith. 1856, p. 182) ; mais le signalement donne par ces
difFerents auteurs ne s'applique pas au specimen que vous
m'avez envoye, et qui a le bee moins fort, les pattes moins
robustes, les tarses plus courts, les doigts moins longs, la tete
plus foncee, le dos plus gris et moins brunatre, la queue plus

Mas-afuera and Juan Fernandez. 375

grise, et enfin les ailes un peu moius longues relativement k
la queue.

Je rapprocherais plus volontiers votre specimen de quelques
individus du Musee de Paris qui ont ete rapportes de la Gua-
deloupe par L'herminier, et dont Tun est peut-etre le type du
Procellaria diabolica de L^herminier. Ces oiseaux ont pour la
plupart la tete grisatre, le dos d'un gris brunatre, et les ailes
depassant legerement la queue; mais ils se distinguent de
votre specimen : — 1°, par leurs teintes un peu plus foncees,
plus brunatres et moins grises ; T, par leur bee, dont le cro-
chet est plus rapproche du tube des narines ; 3", par les plumes
du bas du dos, voisines des couvertures superieures de la queue,
moins longues et ne cachant pas autant la teinte blanche des
tectrices ; enfin, 4°, par la bande noire distincte que Fon re-
marque le long du bord, k la face interne de l^aile.

En resume done il n'y a, parmis les oiseaux que j^ai pu voir,
aucun specimen identique k votre specimen, quoique ce dernier
me semble du meme genre que les (Estrelata sericea {Puff,
sericeus Less.) et les (Estrelata diabolica L^herm. {= (Estre-
lata hcBsitata Kuhl?). En outre je crois qu^il faut retirer
du genre Adamastor et eloigner des Pujffinus le P. sericeus de
Lesson.

Tels sont, cher Monsieur, les renseignements que je puis
vous donner ; j^espere quails pourront vous suffire, et je me
mets tout k votre disposition pour ceux dont vous pourriez
avoir besoin a Favenir, vous demandant k mon tour la per-
mission de recourir quelquefois k vos lumieres. Veuillez
agreer, cher Monsieur, Tassurance de mon eutier devouement
et mes meilleures salutations.

E. OUSTALET.

Compared with (E. defilippiana, Gigl. & Salvad. (Ibis, 1869,
p. 63), (E. externa appears to have some resemblance ; but, be-
sides the great disparity of size, the description of the former
indicates dilBFerences in coloration which show that the two
species cannot be identical. With Procellaria maculata,
Tsch. (J. f. Orn. 1856, p. 185) {(Estrelata maculata, Coues,
Pr. Ac. Phil. 1866, p. 191); the new species would also ap-

376 The Birds of Mas-afuera and Juan Fernandez.

pear to be allied ; but (E. maculata, with other differential
charactei'Sj is said to have the whole head white, which must
distinguish it from (E. externa. (E. maculata is said by
its describer to be found on Juan Fernandez, and to breed
on Mas-afiiera; but it has not since been recognized*. CE.
defilippiana is from the same seas, having been taken during
the voyage of the 'Magenta' in lat. 18° 4' S., long. 79° 35'
W., and between Callao and Valparaiso.

Of (E. externa three specimens were sent, one adult and
two young, partly in grey down and partly feathered. The
latter are in a specially interesting state, as they show that
the young assume the precise plumage of the adult with their
first feathers.

Before leaving the Petrels of these islands, I may mention
that I have lately acquired specimens, obtained by Mr. Reed
on Juan Fernandez, of a species which I make out to belong
to that described as Puffinus creatopus by Dr. Coues from a
single specimen, obtained by Dr. Cooper off the coast of Cali-
fornia (Proc. Ac. Phil. 1864, p. 131).

Dr. Coues's description is so good that I feel very confident
in the determination of the species, notwithstanding the vast
distance intervening between Juan Fernandez and the island
where the type was obtained. Mr. Reed speaks of having
found Thalassoeca glacialoides in numbers on Juan Fernandez.
As his skins belong to Puffinus creatopus, possibly it was this
bird that he referred to. I have, too, a specimen of Daption
capensis from the same island.

The following is a revised list of the birds of these two
islands : —

1. Turdus falklandicus , Juan Fernandez and Mas-afuera,

2. An(Bretes fernandezianus, Juan Fernandez.

3. Oxyurus masafuera, Mas-afuera.

4. Cinch des f us cus, Mas-afuera.

5. Eustephanus galeritus, Juan Fernandez.

* It appears to me doubtful, on reading Tschudi's description of this
bird, if it is really, as Dr. Coues supposes, referable to the genus (Estre-
lata. Its yellow bill and legs recall Thalassoeca glacialoides ; all CEstrelatct
have, so far as I know, the bill black.

Mr. E. P. Ramsay on Rhipidura rufifrous. 377

6. Eustephanus fernandensis, Juan Fernandez.

7. leyboldi, Mas-afuera. ^

8. Asio brachyotus, Juan Fernandez,

9. Circus macropterus , Mas-afuera.

10. Buteo exsul, Mas-afuera.

11. swainsoni, Mas-afuera.

12. Tinnunculus sparverius, Juan Fernandez.

13. Hamatopus ater, Mas-afuera.

14. Daption capensis, Juan Fernandez and Mas-afuera.

15. (Estrelata externa, Mas-afuera.

16. Pu^nus creatopus, Juan Fernandez.

17. Spheniscus humboldti, Juan Fernandez.

Tavo other species of Petrels are said to frequent these
islands, viz. Thalassmca glacialoides and (Estrelata (?) macu-
lata ; but of neither have I yet seen examples. Of this family
several other members doubtless also occur, such as (Estrelata
sericea, (E. defilippiana, and also other species common on
the coasts of Chili and Peru.

XXXII. — Notes on Rhipidura rufifrons, with a Description of
its Eggs and Nest. By Edward P. Ramsay, C.M.Z.S. &c.

This showy and interesting species is a regular visitor to the
neighbourhood of Sydney. Although I cannot ascertain that
it is strictly a migratory bird. Like many of our species it
roams over the country at stated intervals ; thus, near Sydney
and Parramatta &c. it makes its appearance in pairs about
the end of March, sometimes earlier, sometimes later than
the 20th of the month. They frequently remain until the
end of September : a few may stay through the summer to
breed ; but the majority of them either leave us altogether, or
disperse themselves so thinly over the country that they are
seldom seen ; and although I have frequently looked for them,
I have never yet found them breeding near Sydney. In the
dense brushes and scrubs on the Clarence and Richmond
rivers in New South Wales, and on the Mary, Burnett, and
other rivers in Queensland, I have occasionally met with them

378 Mr. E. P. Ramsay on Rhipidura rufifrons.

breeding, but was never fortunate enough to secure their eggs.
In their habits they closely resemble R. albiscapa, and in
spreading their tail show the bright rufous rump and upper
tail-coverts very conspicuously. They are pleasing and
fearless little birds, hopping about you as if they were too
common even for a naturalist to molest. I have frequently
watched them for hours, and find that they seldom travel far
when once having taken up their abode in any favourite part
of the scrub, and may be found weeks afterwards, if undis-
turbed, near the same spot. I noticed this fact with respect
to the habits of many of the Australian Flycatchers of this
genus, and also with Ophryzone kaupi, the habits of which I
had, during the summer of 1873-74, numerous opportunities
of studying in Northern Queensland.

My esteemed friend and old schoolfellow, Ralph Hargrave,
Esq., has been fortunate enough lately to add to his fine col-
lection many beautiful and rare eggs of Australian birds,
among them those of the "Cat-bird'^ {Ailurcedus smithi),
the Satin Bower-bird [Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus) , and
those of the present species {Rhipidura 7'ufifrons), which he
has kindly lent me for description.

The nest, Mr. Hargrave remarks, resembles that of R. mo-
tacilloides ; it is smaller, and a more debcate structure, inter-
mediate in size between the nest of that species and that of R.
albiscapa ; it was placed on a small forked twig in a shady part
of a dense scrub at Stanwell, near Bulli, in the lUawarra dis-
trict ; it was composed of fine shreds of bark and grasses, in-
termixed with a quantity of cobweb. The bottom of the nest
was produced a little below the twig uj)on which it was placed,
rounded below, but not elongated into a tail, which is always
a noticeable feature in the nest of R. albiscapa.

The eggs are of a pale cream-colour, zoned at the larger
end with spots and dots of light umber, and a few bluish grey
dots, which appear beneath the surface of the shell ; in fact
they resemble miniature eggs of R. motacilloides , although
quite distinct from the eggs of that species.

Length *7 inch, breadth '55 inch.

Capt. G. E, Shelley on African Birds. 379

XXXIII. — Afetv stray Notes on African Birds.
By Captain G. E. Shelley, F.R.G.S.

In the British Museum there is a specimen of Caprimulgus
which I received from Accra, West Africa, and which appears
to be new. It belongs to the same group as C. natalensis,
Smith, and C. fulviventris, Hartl., from which it may be dis-
tinguished by its general ashy brown plumage, and especially
by the colouring of the pectoral band, and differs, in my
opinion, more from C. fulviventris than that bird does from
C natalensis. In such a complicated group as the Goat-
suckers, it is hard to say if these local varieties are of real
specific value ; I shall therefore name this bird, after the lo-
cality from whence the type was procured,

Caprimulgus accrjE, n. sp.

Most nearly allied to C. fulviventris, Hartl., from which it
differs in the general ashy, not rufous-brown plumage of the
head, back, scapulars, upper surface of the wings,, tail, and
pectoral band. The tail has much less white, that colour
being confined to the outer web and '7 inch of the tip of the
outer feather and to "2 of the next one. Above ashy brown
with large black triangular centres to the feathers, down the
middle of the crown and of the scapulars (as in C. natalensis
and C. fulviventris) ; sides of the crown pale ashy brown, not
shaded with rufous. Upper surface of wing similarly marked
to those of the two above-mentioned species ; but the coverts
and secondaries are ashy, like the back. The undersurface of
the wing is identical in the three species. Collar barely per-
ceptible on the back of the neck ; a few of the feathers on
the sides of the neck are identically the same in the three
species (black, broadly edged with buff) . The pectoral band
dark brown, the feathers finely pencilled and barred or
freckled with ashy white, with partially defined white bars or
spots at the ends of the feathers. In the other two species
the pectoral band is dark brown, nearly black, with broad dis-
tinct buff bars and edges, best defined in C. fulviventris, and
more interrupted and with black borders forming the buff
into rather bold spots in C. natalensis. In all tliree species

380 Capt. G. E. Shelley on African Birds,

the abdomen and under tail-coverts are of a similar rufous
buff.

The comparative dimensions of the three species are shown
by the following table : a. Type of C. accrcB ; b. Type of C.
fulviventris, Angola {Monteiro) ; c. Gaboon [Ansell) ; d. ^ ;
e. ? , C natalen-sis, Natal [Ayres) .

Length. Wing. Tarsus. Tail. Culmen.

in. in. in. in. in.

a 8-3 5-8 -7 4-35 -45

h 8-3 6 -7 4-2

c 7-3 5-G -7 3-8

d. 8-4 6-3 -85 4-4

e 8-1 01 -85 3-9

Neodrepanis coruscans, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 7Ci, ? .

Mr. Sharpe based the characters for his genus Neodropanis
upon the female bird. From the more recent discovery of
the male (a good specimen of which is in my collection) we
may add to these generic characters. In the male there are
large wattles round the eyes, covering the greater portion of
the sides of the head. The sexes are otherwise very similar
in plumage.

The bare wattled skin on the sides of the head appears to
be grey ; but this is probably of a blue colour in life.

Drymceca natalensis, Smith.

The specimens sent me from Pinetown^ Natal, by Mr. T.
L. Ayres, of the true D. natalensis, Smith, differ very con-
siderably in their measurements, but are perfectly similar
in plumage. They differ considerably in the shade of
colouring of the upper parts from a specimen of D. curvi-
rostris, Transvaal (Ayres), but very nearly approach in
colour to some of my specimens of D. fortirostris from the
Gold Coast, which birds, however, agree entirely with D.
curvirostris , in colour, markings, and measurements. I
have long considered D. fortirostris and D. curvirostris syno-
nymous ; and I believe Z>. natalensis to be the same species in
pale plumage.

For comparison I give the following measurements of twelv?
specimens: — a, h,c, ? . Pinetown (7". h. Ayres); d. Maritz-

Capt. G. E. Shelley on African Birds. 381

berg (Buckley); e. Transvaal [Ayres) ; f,g,h,i.j,k,l. Gold
Coast [Shelley ^- Buckley) .

Culmeu. Wing. Tarsus. Tail.

in. in. in. in.

a -55 2-9 1-20 3

b -55 2-9 1-20 3

c -50 2f) 105 2-7

d. -55 27 115 3-1

e -55 2-9 1-15 2-0

/ -50 2-7 1-10 2-4

g -50 2-6 105 21

h -50 2-7 110 2-4

i. -45 2-2 -95 2

/. -50 2-7 110 2-3

k -65 2-5 1-10 2-3

/, -45 2-2 -95 2-3

The form of the wings and the proportional lengths of the
primaries are identically the same in all.

The undersurface of the body is similar in all, excepting in
d, which has those parts strongly washed with sulphur-yellow.

The colouring of the upper parts is the same in a, b, c, d,
f, and /, but darker and more ashy in the others. In i it is
just intermediate between the darker and the paler forms.

The seven Gold-Coast specimens undoubtedly belong to one
species, which Sir W. Jardine, having compared with his D.for-
tirostris, kindly wrote and told me were identical with that bird.

The Transvaal D. curvirostris is identical in plumage with
specimen y from the Gold Coast, but diflPers very slightly in
measurements.

The Pinetown D. natalensis is identical in plumage with /,
which is intermediate in its dimensions between b and c.

I have thus come to the conclusion that all these specimens
belong to one species, which has therefore the following syn-
onymy : —

Drym(eca natalensis. Smith, 111. Zool. S. Afr. pi. 80 (1849).
Dryrnoica curvirostris, Sundev. Oefv. k. Vet. Ak. Forh.
Stockh. vii. p. 104 (1850).

Drymuica fortirostris, Jard. Contr. Orn. 1852, p. 60.

Lanius BAuius, Hartl. Journ. f. Orn. ii. 1854, p. 100 (descr,
oi'ig')- o adult. Gold Coast. Type in Brem. Mus.

383 Capt. G. E. Sliellcy on African Birds.

Lanius rufus, part., Hart. Oru. W. Afr. p. 103, note (1857).

Lanius auriculatus, Shelley & Buckley, Ibis, 1872, p. 292
(necMiill.).

Hab. Guinea.

This is undoubtedly a good species, easily distinguished
from L. auriculatus, Miill., by the absence of white on
the primaries. Dr. Hartlaub's original description is very
clear. The measurements of two specimens, collected by my-
self between Accra and Aguapim, give the following result : —

Culnien. Wing. Tarsus.

in. in. in.

n, adult -65 4-2 -Uo

i,juv -60 .3-9 1

This is evidently a rare species in collections, and has not
to my knowledge been met with elsewhere than on the Guinea
coast. Of the numerous specimens of Woodchat Shrikes 1
have seen from Northern Africa and from Senegal, all are
undoubtedly L. auriculatus, Miill.

tEgialitis indica (Less.).

jEgialitis tricollaris, Shelley & Buckley, Ibis, 1872, p. 293.
Cape-Coast Castle.

Hab. Fantee.

I am able now for the first time to record the true locality
of this species. Lesson's very inappropriate name, indica,
given to it from his mistaken notion that it came from India,
is, no doubt, the reason that, up to the present time, the type
has been considered unique. The specimen collected at El-
mina by Weiss, in Mus. Hamb., as mentioned by Dr. Hart-
laub (Orn. W.Afr. p. 217), I think, may very possibly prove
to be another example of this species.

The Cape-Coast specimen now before me, is rather larger
than ^. tricollaris, VieilL, has the tarsus very considerably
longer, has no white forehead, and has on the outer tail-fea-
thers an additional dark bar. The eyelids and legs were,
when fresh, of a clear pink, and I believe the base of the bill
was also of that colour ; but unfortunately no notes were made
to that effect at the time. The irides were dark brown.

The Cape-Coast specimen here referred to was shot by Mr.

^J.l^

so^^

lbis.lB75Pl,D(,

JGKeulemans ]ith.

M<?c,N.Hanhart imp

/-.^ 1. CHLOROSPINGUS^SPECULIFERUS.
Fiy. 2 . SE RP OPI-IA GA LE UC URA.

Mr. G. N. Lawrence on new American Birds. 383

T. E. Buckley in some rushy ground on the 8th Feb., 1872,
and was, I believe, the only specimen we saw. Later, when
we met with the true tricollaris, Vieill., in South Africa, both
Mr. Buckley and myself came to the conclusion that our
Fantee bird was distinct.

Mr. J. E. Harting most generously lent me his valuable
notes which he had made from the type specimen of Lesson^s
indica, which at once enabled me to assign that name to the
Fantee bird. I trust that Mr. Harting will give some further
details respecting this species in another of his exhaustive
papers on rare or little-known Limicolae.

XXXIV. — Descriptions of five new Species of American Birds.
By George N. Lawrence.

(Plate IX.*)

Chlorospingus? speculiferus. Plate IX. fig. 1.

Entire upper plumage and sides of the head olive-brown ;
the feathers of the crown have their centres dark brown with
their margins greyish ; the two central tail-feathers are coloured
like the back, the others are light reddish brown and are
closely crossed with nearly obsolete darker bars ; quill-feathers
dark brown, first edged with grey on the outer primaries, the
outer webs of the fourth, fifth, and sixth primaries are marked
near their bases with white, partly concealed by the wing-
coverts, the portion beyond the coverts appearing as a small
triangular spot ; the under plumage is greyish white, and has
a somewhat mottled appearance, owing to the darker bases of
the feathers showing a little ; the sides are dusky, with a tinge
of rufous ; under tail-coverts light rufous, with dusky centres ;
upper mandible dark brown, the under pale brownish white ;
tarsi and toes brownish black.

Length 6| inches, wing 3|, tail 2|, bill f, tarsus |.

Hab. Porto Rico. Discovered by Dr. J. Gundlach.

Type in National Museum, Washington, U. S.

Remarks. This is a peculiar-looking bird, and I am not sure
[* This Plate will be issued with the October Number. — Ed.]

384 Mr. Ct. N. Lawrence on new American Birds.

that tlie true position has been assigned to it"'^ : it is larger
than all other species of Chlorospingus ; but the bill agrees
closely in form with those of some members of the genus,
especially that of C. flavigularis.

Chlorospingus nigrifrons.

Front, lores, and sides of the head black ; the feathers of
the crown and occiput are yellowish green, with blackish
centres ; a white stripe extends from the bill, over the eye, and
along the crown as far as upon a line with the hind neck ;
there is also a white mai-k upon the lower eyelid ; upper plu-
mage with the smaller and middle wing-coverts yellowish
green, the larger wing-coverts have their inner webs black,
their outer gi-eenish yellow ; quills and tail-feathers blackish
brown, with their outer margins the colour of the back ;
spurious wing brownish black ; entire under plumage bright
yellow ; under wing-coverts of a paler yellow ; inner margins
of quills white ; upper mandible black, the under brownish
horn-colour; tarsi and toes dark brown.

Length 5 inches, wing 2|, tail 2f, bill -^, tarsi |.

Hub. Ecuador.

Closely allied to C. superciliaris, from which it differs in
having the forehead and crown blackish instead of grey.

Serpophaga leucura. Plate IX. fig. 2.

Crown dusky cinereous; hind neck and back brownish
olive, with a greenish wash on the the lower back and rump ;
outer three tail-feathers white, the outermost entirely of that
colour, the next with the outer margin of the outer web pale
brown for its terminal half, the third has the entire outer web
pale brown ; the other tail-feathers are light slaty brown, some
of them tipped with white ; wings blackish brown, the outer
primaries margined with white, the inner, with the secondaries
and tertiaries, have bright rufous margins, and their ends
bordered with white ; the smaller wing-coverts are coloured
like the back, the middle and greater coverts are black, broadly
ending with pale rufous- white, forming two bars across the
wings; spurious wing black ; the under wing-coverts are very
• [A new genus should, we think, be made to receive this bird. — El).]

Mr. Ct. N. Lawrence on new American Birds. 385

pale yellow ; inner margins of quills wliite ; under plumage
greyish white on the neck and breast, becoming of a very pale
yellow on the abdomen and under tail-coverts ; bill and tarsi
brownish black.

Length 3| inches, wing 2, tail 1|, bill -j%, tarsi f .

Hab. Ecuador.

Allied to Serpophaga pmcilocerca, Scl. & Salv., from which
it differs in having the margins of the secondaries and inner
primaries rufous instead of yellowish olive, in the rump being
uniformly coloured with the back, instead of being white, and
in having the outer rectrices wholly white, these being oliva-
ceous in the allied species on the outer web.

Orchilus atricapillus.

Todirostrum ecaudatum, Lawr. (nee Lafr.) Ann. Lye, N. Y.
ix. p. 110.

Male. The entire crown is black ; the lores are also black,
except a white mark extending from the bill to the eye on each
side, separating them from the black crown ; eyelids white ;
under the eye blackish ash ; the colour on the sides of the
head behind the eye, extending to the hind neck and on the
upper part of the back, is of a clear bluish-cinereous ; breast
also cinereous, but lighter in colour ; throat greyish white ;
abdomen pale yellow ; flanks and thighs blackish ash ; under
wing-coverts pale yellow ; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts
yellowish green; wings black, the primaries narrowly edged
with olive-green, the secondaries and wing-coverts conspicu-
ously margined with yellow of a greenish tinge ; tail black,
the feathers with margins the colour of the back ; bill black ;
tarsi and toes very pale flesh-colour.

First primary shorter than the fifth, third and fourth equal
and longest.

Length 2 J inches, wing lyV, tail f, bill ^^, tarsus \.

Hab. Costa Rica, Angostura (/. Carmiol), and Volcan de
Irazu (/. Zeledon, under Prof. W. M. Gabb) .

Remarks. As will be seen in my Catalogue of birds found
n Costa Rica {I. c.) , I referred this species to Todirostrum
ecaudatum. When Mr. Salvin was here last year, in going

SER. III. VOL. v. 2 E

386 Mr. G. N. Lawrence on new American Birds.

over my colleetion he noticed the black crown of this bird, and
thought it differed from a specimen of Orchilus ecaudatus in his
possession. Since his return home I wrote, calling his attention
to it, and requesting him to inform me if he thought the two
differed ; he replied as follows : — " I have looked at my spe-
cimen of O. ecaudatus (said to be from Bolivia), and find it
has a grey head, as I imagined ; this being the case, the Costa-
Rica bird is undescribed."

In referring it to 0. ecaudatus, I was misled by its general
resemblance to that species, and especially by its abnormally
short tail, in which character they agree. On a hasty com-
parison with D'Orbigny^s figure they look much alike ; but on
comparing with the figure more carefully, aided by his de-
scription, the two birds are shown to be clearly distinct.
Besides some minor differences, the most marked are the
black crown of the present species, the white line through the
lores, the ash-colour on the sides of the head, on the hind
neck, and on the breast, and in its clear yellow abdomen. In
0. ecaudatus the crown is cinereous, there is no white in the
lores, the hind neck is uniform in colour with the back, and
"the underparts are whitish, tinged with yellowish green on
the belly and flanks."

The specimen from Angostvira, collected by Mr. J. Carmiol,
is not in very good condition ; but another, in a collection
from Prof. Gabb, of the Talamanca Expedition, has aided me
in making out some of the characters.

Both specimens belong to the National Museum, Wash-
ington, U. S.

Empidonax nanus.

Above dull greenish olive, darker on the crown, and brighter
on the rump ; tail dark brown, the outer web of the lateral
feather pale fulvous ; smaller wing-coverts the colour of the
back ; the middle and larger coverts are brownish black, end-
ing Avith white, forming two bars aci'oss the wings ; the quill
feathers are dark brown, the third and fourth primaries are
narrowly edged with greyish white, the inner quills just per-
ceptibly edged with light rufous ; uiuler lining of wings very

Letters, Announcements, S^c. 387

pale yellow ; throat greyish white ; breast, abdomen, and
under tail-coverts pale whitish fulvous ; thighs light brown ;
upper mandible brown, the under whitish horn-colour, dusky
on the sides ; tarsi and toes brownish black.

The first primary is abnormally short, measuring but If^
inch, third quill longest ; tail emarginate.

Length 4| inches, wing 2^\, tail 2, bill |, tarsus \^.

Hub. St. Domingo : obtained by Prof. W. M. Gabb.

Type in National Museum, Washington, U. S.

Remarks. This appears to be the smallest of the genus yet
described. The colouring of the upper plumage is most like
that of E. hammondi ; but it differs in having the breast devoid
of ashy colouring, and the abdomen, and especially the under
tail-coverts, having a decided fulvous tinge ; it wants the
white margins on the smaller quills, so conspicuous in most
of its allies.

XXXV. — Letters, Announcements, 8^c.

The following letters, addressed " To the Editor of ' Thr
Ibis,^ " have been received : —

Sir, — Since publishing the notes on Severtzoff's 'Turkes-
tanskie Jevotnie,' in the January number of ' The Ibis,^ I have
had an opportunity of examining specimens of the bird re-
ferred to by Severtzoff under the name of Carduelis orientalis,
Eversm. Mr. Gould possesses examples from Turkestan, sent
to him by the Russian collectors, labelled C. orientalis ; and
on comparing these with examples of Carduelis caniceps, Vig.,
also in Mr. Gould's collection, I can detect no specific dif-
ference : therefore the name orientalis, Eversm., will sink
into a synonym of Carduelis caniceps.

Yours &c.,

H. E. Dresser.

6 Tenterden Street, W.
June 4th, 1875.

Sir, — I have lately made a small collection of birds in Sind,
the greater portion being from the hill-ranges on the western

388 Letters, Announcements, &;c.

frontier of British territory and the desert or semidcsert
plains at their base. I have been able to add but very few
forms to Mr. Hume's list of the Sind avifauna^ published in
'Stray Feathei-s' (vol. i. pp. 91-289) ; but one specimen, A\'hich
was shot by a native collector, and brought to me in the flesh,
is, I think, a male of Hypocolius ampelinus, Hartlaub, figured
and described by Heuglin in 'The Ibis' for 1868 (p. 181, PI. Y.) .
So far as I am aware, this species has hitherto only been
found in Abyssinia, where it can scarcely be common, as
neither j\Ir. Jesse nor I obtained it ; and it is a very interest-
ing addition to the birds of Western India.

My specimen is, above, of a purer grey than those described
by Heuglin ; the crown of the head is of the same colour as
the back towards the nape, and has an isabelline tinge only
towards the forehead, even there being very much darker than
the chin and throat are. But these differences are very pos-
sibly due to the state of the plumage, and I greatly doubt if
they are of specific value. The first long primary is grey
towards the tip, not white ; and the second has a large grey
spot on the terminal portion of the inner web. This is not
mentioned by Heuglin, who describes all the primaries as
having white tips.

I had not the good fortune to see the bird alive ; but the
man who shot it told me that he found it alone on a stony
and barren hill-side. The stomach was very muscular; and
the contents qonsisted entirely of Zizyphus fruits. These
facts, and the complete absence of vibrissse at the base of the
bill, suffice, I think, to show that Heuglin's view of the affini-
ties of this bird are untenable. He considers that it belongs
to the Campephagina. Mr. Gray, in his ' Hand-list, even
placed it in the Laniida, close to Lanius itself. Bonaparte,
the original describer of the genus, assigned it to the Ampe-
lidce ; and this position appears more probable than that
adopted by Heuglin and Gray, though I cannot help feeling
some doubts as to its correctness.

Yours &c.,

W. T. Blanford.
Calcutta, May 14th, 1875.

Letters y Announcenients, i>;c. 389

SiRj — The generic name of the Kagu is variously written
{Rhinochetvs, Rhynoch(Btus, Khynochetos, kc), the general
supposition being that the latter part of the Avord is derived
from %atT^, coma. On referring to the Rev. Zool. 1860,
p. 439, where the genus was instituted by J. Verreaux and
O. des Mui-s, we find the original writing was Rhynochetos.
The derivation is not stated, but from the context there can
be little doubt that the term was intended to have been
compounded from pk, piv6<;, nasus, and o^ero?, canalis, in al-
lusion to the channelled nostrils. It should therefore be
ortliographically written Rhinochetus, as in the Revised Cat.
of Vert, Zool. Soc. London, p. 305, and generally in P. Z. S.

Yours &c.,

P. L. SCLATER.
11 Hanover Square, London.
June 1875.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe lias sent us the following extracts from
a letter addressed to him by Baron A. von Iliigel, who left
England last year on a cruise to Australia and the islands
of the Pacific : —

Christcliurch, New Zealand,
Feb. lltli, 1875.

On landing at Melbourne, which I did after a very pleasant
eighty-seven days' voyage, I at once began to prepare for my
expedition to N.W. Australia, and intended leaving for King
George^s Sound by the first mail. But I was stopped by a
report that got abroad of H.M.S. 'Pearl' going on a cruise
to New Guinea. I had a letter to the commander (Good-
enough), and I at once wrote to him at Sidney to ask for a
berth on board his ship. But he was, unfortunately, away,
treating with the " Fijis," and the result was that I had to
wait some six w eeks for an answer. In the mean time I em-
ployed my time as best I could in Victoria. I obtained some
sixty skins during a fortnight's trip to the Dividing Range,

and got some good specimens of iJf em«'a and five nests

At last, however, the answer came, an exceedingly kind
letter, but stating, to my no small disappointment, that

390 Letters, Announcements, i^c.

Capt. Goodenough had as yet received no orders, and that
he thought it very unlikely that the ' Pearl ' would be sent
to New Guinea. Of course it was no use waiting on a
chance ; and I was just beginning to think about N.W. Aus-
tralia again, when I received a letter from the Rev. Mr.
Brown, in which he informed me that he was ordered to take
charge of a mission-tri]) to the Pacific and New Guinea,
where they were anxious to establish missionaries on New
Ireland,New Britain, and the N.E. mainland. He thought that
this might suit me as well as the ' Pearl ' expedition, which
he had heard I was anxious to join, and that, if this was the
case, I should apply to the Sidney Mission Board and make
my proposal. Afterwards I met Mr. Brown in Melbourne,
and had a long talk with him over the matter. He said that
he thought that there would not be the slightest difficulty in
the matter, but that 1 should have to wait till their ship
' John Weslc}^ ' had arrived in Sydney from Fiji, as some-
body or other was on board who had to be asked in the matter
under consideration. Another delay before work; but I
thought that I would not give up New Guinea and the Isles
without a try, and so I decided to wait a second time. There
would be about two months^ time ; so I made up my mind
to have a look through New Zealand, and two days after
found me on board the ' Albion,' and four more in the South
Island. This will explain why my letter is dated from New
Zealand. As I am anxious to see as much of the country as
I possibly can, I have not been able to devote all my time to
collecting ; and taking this into consideration, I have had very
fair success. One thing I can boast of already is having been
in the midst of the Kakapoes : but I did not accomplish this
without some trouble; for the Stringops, unfortunately, is
driven yearly further and further up country by the settlers,
and now it is only met with in the most lonely movmtain-
districts. But I hardly think that any trouble and labour
would be too great to see the bird as I saw it, at home, and,
what is even better, procure a fine series of specimens. My
trip was undertaken from Invercargill, and consisted of forty
miles by rail, twenty-four in a coach, and some fifty more

Letters, Announcements, ^c. 391

on horseback, with finally a ten-mile row up and across Lake
Te-Anare. This brought me into the midst of the Parrots.
The whole ground in the bush, which is covered with thick
moss, is honey-combed with their burrows — which emit the
strong scent, a sort of greasy essence of Parrot-bouquet.
The entrance to each — as in fact is the whole ground — is
strewn with their excrement, so as almost to make one be-
lieve that a flock of sheep had been grazing there. I had
an old Scotch shepherd and his dog with me ; and they both
proved very useful. The latter caught the birds very cleverly
by the back, and invariably brought them already killed to
us with their feathers in perfect order; but some we lost
through his killing them in the bush instead of on the open tract
of bracken where we were posted, and then feeding on them
quietly before Ave could make out his whereabouts. The note
of the Stringops is very peculiar, quite unlike that of a bird. I
think it is when feeding that they indulge in a series of the most
perfect porcine squalls and grunts. It is really as like a young
pig as any thing can be. Then their other note, which I think
answers more to a call or warning, is a very loud aspirated
scream, with a sort of guttural sound mixed in with it, almost
impossible to describe. Then, when pursued and caught by
the dog, it emits a low harsh sort of croak ; but some were
perfectly silent to the last. However, I have not time now
to give you a history of these most extraordinary birds, all I
will now say is, that my notes hardly agree with Buller's.

The food I found to consist of the bracken {Pteris aquilina) ,
both frond-tips and roots, but chiefly the former. I examined
six ; and all were crammed with it ; but what surprised me
much was to find parts of two moderate-sized lizards in the
gizzard of one old male. I think this is quite a new fact in
the Stringops life-history.

But now to other business. In Invercargill I was very for-
tunate in procui'ing good things. I got two specimens of a
Gallinago there, which I thought interesting enough to send
to you. I packed them up and left them in Capt. Hutton's
charge at Dunediu, to be forw'arded by first mail. As you will
see, the one is from the Snares (S. of Stewart Isle) ; and after

393 Letters, Announcements, !^'C.

comparing it with specimens from the Chatham Isles in the
Otago Museum, I have not the slightest doubt that the two are
identical. But the Snipe from the Auckland Isles seems to me

different in size and colouring It struck me at the time

that after all there might be differences between Gallinago
auckhiaiVica and G. ims'iUa, which I believe are at present
considered synonymous.

But the best bird I have got (and that, I think you will
admit, is a good thing) is a Meryus from the Auckland Isles.

I procured a pair of ^Mergansers with a few other skins in
Invercargill, from a man who had just returned from a sur-
veying trip to the islands. He had not even turned the skin
after taking it off the body ; but as soon as I saw the back
through the opening, and felt the beak through the skin of
the neck, I knew Mdiat I had.

By next mail (that is, as soon as I have unpacked ray boxes
in Melbourne) I will send you the exact measurements and
descriptions of my birds. I am sorry not to be able to do so
now ; but I have had not a moment's time. However, I have
compared the Meryus with the original description of Meryus
ttustraVis in the ' Voyage of the Astrolabe / from it I judge
that either the description is a very poor one, or my two birds
must belong to a new species. But what agrees well, and
made me first think they were an immature pair of birds, is
the lower surface of the body, which, instead of being white,
as in M. serrator, is of a dull slaty grey, variegated with
white bands (the feathers being edged with white) .

The whole plumage is very dark, approaching black on the
back, the crest well formed, and the size, I fancy, considerably
smaller than the British Red-breasted jNIerganser {M. serrator) .
From the great difference in size and brightness of colouring
in bill and feet, I deem them to be male and female ; but in
plumage there is little difference. The birds were killed the
latter end of November last ; and I procured them on the 27th
of the following month. But my luck with Auckland things
did not end here ; for I have received a Rail killed on that
island by the unfortunate Capt. Musgrave of the ' Grafton.'
As soon as I grot the bird I was struck with its resemblance

Letters, Announcements, S^-r. 393

to one of the Rallidfe I was acquainted with . hut for some time
could not make out which. At last it struck me that it must
he the Australian Rallus brachypus ; and on comparing the
Auckland with the Australian bird, I found them to agree
very closely, though the colouring seemed different; but as
the Canterbury-Museum specimen appears to be very old and
faded, it is impossible to judge. It is curious, my falling in
with so many things from the Auckland Isles, and especially
a " Rail,^'' now that I am just working at them. I shall be
able to determine if my Rail is Rallus brachipus or new as soon
as I get to Melbourne, there being a good series there. At
all events it is the first Rail known to have been procured in
the group

Of New-Zealand things I have got a very fair collection —
some 300 specimens already. Ocydromiis I have of course
gone in for, and have a lot of notes about it. I don't believe
in more than three good species — 0. australis (with endless
varieties), O. fuscus, and O. earli. The last two are difficult to
procure, although I shall doubtless get a series of the latter in
the North Island ; but of O. australis one could get a shipload
in a very short time. I have got a splendid series, showing
every age from embryo to adult, and varieties to perfection.

Now with regard to my plans, my route will be as follows : —

North Island, New Zealand; Sidney [en route to Mel-
bourne) ; Melbourne, to pack up things. Leave Sidney in
April. The 'John Wesley' touches at Fiji, Rotumah, Samoa
(hurrah for Didunculus !), Friendly, and other groups. Then
goes to New Ireland and New Britain, and from there to the
New-Guinea mainland. She will probably return by New
Hebrides &c. The trip is to take not less than six months ; so
that I shall have good time for work. Of course I shall engage
an assistant to go with me. After New Guinea (or should
the expedition come to grief in any way) I am straight oft' to
N. Australia, beginning at Nicol Bay ; but I wont forget your
two Hawks at King George's Sound en route. After Aus-
tralia I think I shall try work in N.E. Borneo, and then go to
Japan and work the interior some time ; and then I shall see
what is to be done. I do not care to look too far into the

SEK. III. VOL. v. 2 p

394 Letters, Announcements, ^c.

future ; with to-morrow one lias quite enough to do, without
troubhng one's head with the thought of weeks, and months,
and years.

On tlie 15th I am off, Kivi-hunting at Hokitika ; and I hope
I may get a good many Apteryx oweni, if not A. australis.

A. vox HiJGEL.

The Marquis Doria, writing to Mr. Sclater from Genoa
(June loth), says that his last letters from L. M. d'Albertis
are from Yule Island, near Mously Bay, on the S.E. coast of
New Guinea, where he proposes to establish his headquarters.
His health was excellent. There can be little doubt there-
fore that this energetic naturalist will soon make known to
us the hitherto unexplored fauna of this part of Ncav Guinea.

Since our last Number was issued several important works
on ornithology have been published. Of these avc hope to
give an account in our next Number. Mr. Gould has com-
pleted a new part of ' The Birds of Asia.^ Colonel Irby's
' Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar ' is finished ; and the
first part of the second edition of Layard's ' Birds of South
Africa/ announced some time ago, has also reached us.
From abroad we have received Dr. Coues's important work
on the birds of the north-west, being an account of the
ornithology of the region drained by the Missouri river and
its tributaries. The last named contains a vast amount of
fresh information relating to North-American birds ; but we
must defer till October next a more lengthened account
of it.

THE IBIS.

THIRD SERIES.

No. XX. OCTOBER 1875.

XXXVI. — On the Birds of the South-eastern Subdivision of
Southern Ceylon. By W. Vincent Legge^ Lieut. R.A.

[Continued from page 290, and concludedo)

60. Drymocataphus fuscicapilltjs, Blyth.

This Babbler is not found in the dry maritime region. I
did not meet with it until I reached the Wellaway Korle ; but
I may have often passed it over : as it affects only particular
localities^ it may well escape observation, though it may be
frequent in a district. I found it in some of the jungles near
the Kii'inde Ganga and its affluents. Its favourite resorts in
the south-west are the damp bamboo jungle and low scrubby
woods with which much of that part of the country is covered.
Its curious note or whistle, referred to (Ibis, 1874, p. 19), is
most frequently uttered in the early morning after rain, its
usual voice in the day-time being a pretty little warble, very
unlike the whistle, which is often heard in dense jungle, par-
ticularly when the bird is disturbed.

61. Pomatorhinus melanurus, Blyth.

I only heard the call of this bird once or twice, in the forest

SER. III. VOL. V, 2 G

396 Lieut. W. V. Lcgge on the Birds of the

along the rivers of the interior. It is common enough in the
other subdivision of the south.

62. Criniger ictericus, Strickland.

63. RUBIGULA MELANICTERA (Gm.) .

Both of these Bulbuls occur in the forests along the Kirinde
Gauga, in the Wellaway Korle.

64. CiTTOCINCLA MACRURA (Gm.).

Very abundant in the maritime scrubs from Hambantotta
up the coastj and numerous likewise in parts of the Wellaway
Korle.

65. Thamnobia fulicata (Linn.).

A typical species of the '' north country," and one of the
commonest birds along the sea-board; likewise in suitable
places in the interior. It replaces to a great extent Copsychus
saularis in this district.

66. AcROCEPHALUS STENTORius, Hcmpr. & Ehr.
Acrocephalus brunnescens, Jerdon, Birds of India, vol. ii.

p. 154 {vide " Additions to Ceylon Avifauna," Str. Feathers, .
vol. i. p. 488).

The occurrence of this migratoiy Warbler at Hambantotta
in the month of July is remarkable, and can only lead to the
inference that it remained behind as a straggler, as other mi-
grants occasionally do. ]\Iy example was a male, with the
testes much developed, as if it Avere breeding. I was unable,
however, to find the female, although the reed-bed was of
small extent ; and I am of opinion that my bird was the sole
tenant of the tank where I shot it. It is worthy of remark
that my Jaffna example, published loc. cit., and shot in Jan-
uary, was in company with another of its species, which I
failed to procure, and appeared, from the developed state of
the testes, to be breeding. Mr. Hume, in his " Rough Draft
of Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds," gives evidence of its
breeding in Cashmere in June.

67. Drymoipus iNORNATUs (Sykcs) .

In suitable localities this Warbler occurs, but it is rarer than
in the western districts. It is common in grassy fields about

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 397

Colombo^ where I took many of their eggs. There is uo
mistaking this species for D. validus or D.jerdoni ; for it is not
more than three quarters of the size of these. There is like-
wise no mistaking its nest for that of D.jerdoni. My iden-
tifications, therefore, quoted by Mr. Holdsworth (P. Z. S.
1872, p. 456), must undoubtedly be taken to refer to this
bird ; and I do not see how that gentleman could have over-
looked it in the Colombo district. Two low-country ex-
amples in my collection, both males, have the wings exactly
two inches long ; but an up-country specimen, shot in the
Knuckles coflFee-estate district, at 2500 feet elevation, and
which was so large that I sent it home for identification, has
the wing 2*1.

68. Drymoipus validus, Blyth.

Inhabits the scrubs of the coast-region and suitable loca-
lities in the interior. I have no doubt D.jerdoni is especially
common; but I did not procure specimens. My D. validus
from this part coiTCsponds exactly with specimens from Co-
lombo, identified as such by Lord Walden. Mr. Holdsworth
is in error concerning my not getting it at Colombo [vide
P. Z. S. 1872, p. 457) ; most of my birds from that district
were this species^. The bills of four males now before me
range between '52 and '57 inch at front.

69. Prinia socialis, Sykes.

I observed this species here and there in jungle-clearings
in the Wellaway Korle ; it is nowhere a numerous bird in
this island.

70. Prinia hodgsoni, Blyth, " Additions to Ceylon Avi-
fauna," Str. Feathers, vol. iii. p. 203.

This little Prinia, a new bird to our list, and one of our
most local species, is very numerous in jungle-clearings in the
interior and along the Badulla road in the Wellaway Korle.

* Unless measurements are taken, as well as an accurate description,
when examiniug the collections of others, it is more than probable that
an erroneous judgment will be pronounced a year or so afterwards in
writing of such. Mr. Holdsworth took no measurements or description
when looking over my Drymoecinse.

2g 2

398 Lieut. W. V. Legge on the Birds of the

It associates in small parties^ consisting of the old birds and
their immature broods^ and affects tangled underwood^ and
not long grass and rushes, like P. socialis. It is probably
confined entirely to this district, which -will account for its
having escaped the notice of previous collectors in Ceylon.
I'his Prinia, Sturnia albofrontata, Prionochilus vincens, and
perhaps Geocichla layai'di are therefore our most local forms.

71. BUDYTES VIRIDIS (Scop.).

This Wagtail, numerous in the season in other parts of
Ceylon, exists in very small numbers here, the climate being
too dry and the open lands too parched for its habits. I
think, at least, its absence from many parts of this district
may be thus accounted for, as insect -life is alvrays more rife
in herbage exposed to damp than in parched-up wastes.

7'i. CORYDALLA RICHAKDI (Vicill.) ?

I include this species doubtfully, as the large Pipit which
I saw in certain places in the coast district, and did not pro-
cure, may have been C. striolata.

73. CoRVus cuLMiNATus, Sykcs.

This was the common Crow of the Hambantotta ; and I did
not observe C. splendens anywhere in the district. This latter
is absent from the south-western region (vide Ibis, 1874, p. 23);
but it is the common Crow of Balticaloa, the next town to the
north-east of Hambantotta, and situated about the centre of
the east coast ; how far it extends south of that town I do
not know.

74. Temenuchus pagodarum (Gm.).

This Mynah, an Indo-Ceylonese form, is very numerous in
the open districts bordering on the salt lakes or leways. I
saw greater numbers there than I have met with anywhere in
the north-east of the island.

In the first year the head of this species is brown and
wants the occipital crest, the throat and sides of neck are
pale fulvous white, and the back and wing-coverts pale
brownish grey. Soft parts as in adult.

75. Munia MALACCA, Liuu.

Inhabits the coast districts and some localities in the Wei-

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 399

laway Korle. I found a flock of these Finches breeding with
Ploceus baya in a reed-bed to the west of Hambantotta^ in
the month of July.

7Q. MuxiA MALABAKiCA (Linn.).

Another bird characteristic of many parts of the north,
and which I have never seen on the west coast proper;
abundant in the hot scrubby country of the maritime region.
I observed it during the N.E. monsoon; but, as a matter
of consequence, it would be equally if not more numerous
during the S.W. wdnd, the sheltered time of the year in this
district.

77. MiRAFRA AFFINIS, Jcrd.

Abundant in this part, which is just the country for it.
Mr. Holdsworth has it "common at Aripo'' (P. Z. S. 1872,
p. 465).

78. Alauda galgula, Frankl.

Very numerous in the maritime region. I found it breed-
ing in July near the leways. Mr. Holdsworth says it was
" abundant at Aripo'^ (P. Z. S. 1872, p. 465).

79. Pyrrhulauda grisea (Scop.).

Abundant in both monsoons all along the sea-coast. Lay-
ard thought it to be a cool- weather visitant. It is another
bird showing the analogies of this region with parts of the
north. Mr. Holdsworth (P. Z. S. 1872, p. 465) says it is
" confined to the north."

80. Os.motreron bicincta, Jerdon.

81. OSMOTRERON POMPADOURA (Gui.).

82. Carpophaga ^enea (Linn.).

All these three species are abundant diu'ing both monsoons,
0. bicincta along the sea-board in jungles up to twenty miles
north of Hambantotta, where it gradually gives place to O.
pompadoura, which abounds in the Wellaway Korle, and into
the Bootala hills. C. cBnea is extraordinarily numerous all
along the Badulla and Hambantotta road, and in the forests
along the Wellaway and Kiriude rivers.

400 Lieut. W. V. Leggc on the Birds of the

83. COLUMBA INTERMEDIA, Strickl.

There is a colony of these birds at the Hatagalla rocks,
fifteen miles west of Hambantotta. I doubt not that it
will be found at other suitable spots between Balticaloa and
Kirinde.

84. Calcophaps indica (Linn.).

Plentiful on the forest banks of the rivers in the Wellaway
Korle.

85. Pavo CRT status, Linn.

Abounds in the maritime region. The Peacock is almost
unknown in the south-west.

86. Gallus stanleyi. Gray.

Abundant both in the interior and in the maritime region.

87. Galloperdix bicalcarata, Forst.

I only once heard this species in the Wellaway Korle in
July.

88. TuRNix TAiGORi, Svkes.

In some localities this species occurs, but it is not numerous.

89. Glareola lactea, Temm. "Additions to Ceylon Avi-
fauna,^^ Hume, Str. Feathers, vol. i. p. 440.

This species of Pratincole does not seem ever to have been
met with heretofore in Ceylon. I discovered it close to Ham-
bantotta, frequenting the great sand hills there, and hawking
like a Nightjar round the adjacent water-holes at twilight. I
also found it on the shores of the leway. At this time (July)
nearly all the birds I procured were in the mature dress. The
natives informed me that it bred at Hambantotta. Mr. Hume
wrote {loc. cit.) on an immature specimen I sent him in Sep-
tember 1873.

90. Charadrius fulvus, Gm.

Found in suitable localities during the season.

91. ^GiALiTis GEOFFROYi, Wagler, "Additions to Ceylon
Avifauna," Str. Feathers, vol. i. p. 489.

Taking Mr. Holdsworth^s catalogue as a base to work upon,
this is another addition to the Ceylonese avifauna (published

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 401

loc. cit.), which I found also at Hambantotta during the south-
west monsoon in June and July. They were numerous on the
great sand hills near that town, and consorted with small
flocks of G. lactea. It is rare on the north-east coast, as in a
tour up towards Jaffna, from Trincomalie, I met with but
one example, my first, and that published loc. cit. Those met
with at Hambantotta, out of season, and which were in winter
dress, were probably all young birds, which, like the following
species, remain to some extent behind for the first year on the
south-east and east coasts.

92. ^GIALITIS MONGOLICA (Pallas) .

Abundant in the season for Waders (N.E. monsoon), and
also plentiful in the S.W. monsoon, at which period most of
the birds present were immature, or in winter dress, though
some few were observed in partial nuptial plumage, the rufous
pectoral band being incomplete.

93. tEgialitis cantiana (Lath.).

I have given elsewhere a full account of this Sand-Plover
breeding within our limits. In 1872 I observed as early as
March several examples with the black frontal band, while
in June and July, in the height of the breeding-season, nearly
every bird had lost it, the sinciput being greyish, with an oc-
casional black-tipped feather.

94. Sarciophorus bilobus (Gm.).

Plentiful at both seasons of the year. I found it breeding
near the leways. Up the country, in the Wellaway Korle,
Lobivanellus goensis takes its place.

95. Esacus recurvirostris, Cuv.

96. CEdicnemus crepitans, Temm.

Of these two species Esacus is the most numerous along
the coast. It is most frequently heard at night, resting
quietly during the day on the upper parts of sea-beaches.

97. Strepsilas interpres (Linn.).

I observed immature examples on some of the leways in
March 1872. This is one of our rarest Waders.

402 Lieut. W. V. Legge on the Birds of t/ie

98. Rhyncilea bexgalensis, Linn.

Frequeut in suitable localities. I shot a male in July, at
which season they may be found occasionally anywhere in the
low country. It may not be out of place to mention here
that I identified the European Snipe from the Trincomalie
district last year, an account of which was published in the
J. A. S. B.

99. NUMENIUS ARQUATA (LiuU.).

100. NuMENius PHiEOPUs (Linn.).

Both these Curlews occur in suitable localities along the
coast, the latter not so frequently as in the north-east.

101. Tringa subarquata (Giild.).

102. Tringa minuta, Leisler.

103. Tringa submixuta, Midd.

T. minuta is the most abundant of these three Stints, fre-
quenting the muddy shores of the leways. Of all, I saw many
examples round these lakes during the S.W. monsoon; but
none were so plentiful at that season as T. subarquata. I shot
a pair one day which were bowing and walking round each
other, executing various little manoeuvres typical of this family
in the breeding-season ; but they surely, in spite of the ex-
ample set them by ^gialitis cantiana, cannot nest within
our limits. Females, as far as my examples go to prove, are
rather smaller than males. The dimensions of the above-
mentioned pair were: — ^ , length 8"6 inches, wing 5'25, bill
at front, straight, 1'65; ? , length 7*9, wing 5, bill at front,
straight, 1'4; other examples of this sex in my collection are
larger than the above. At Hambantotta, during the season
in question, they w^ere generally seen in small parties, in
which manner I have observed them to associate in the cool
season in the north of Ceylon.

104. Totanus glottis (Linn.).

105. Totanus stagnatilis (Bechst.).

106. Totanus calidris (Linn.).

All abundant during the N.E. monsoon round the leways ;

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 403

and both Greenshanks were common also during the S.W.
monsoon. I observed no Redshanks at that season.

107. HiMANTOPUs AUTUMNALis (Hasselq.).

Common all the year round at the leways, both east and
Avest of Hambantotta.

108. PORPHYRIO POLIOCEPHALUS (Lath.).

This species, which is somewhat local in its distribution,
affects some of the tanks of the Kattregama and inland
districts.

109. Gallicrex cristata (Lath.).

Found in suitable localities; but the character of the country
is too dry for the habits of this bird.

110. Leptoptilu javanicu, Horsf.

111. CicoNiA EPiscoPus, Bodd.

Both these species I observed in July on some of the more
inland and secluded tanks.

1 12. Ardea cinereAj Linn.

Found about tanks in the Magam Pattu and Wellaway
Korle. It was breeding at a tank near Tissa Maha Rama in
March 1872. It is absent from the south-west; and I don^t
think it affects the Colombo district, except as an occasional
straggler.

113. Ardea purpurea, Linn,

114. Herodias alba (Linn.).

115. Herodias egrettoides, Temm.

116. Herodias garzetta (Bodd.).

117. Nycticorax griseus (Linn.).

These Herons all frequent the inland tanks of this district,
and are especially numerous at those near Tissa Maha Rama,
in the neighboiu'hood of Kattregama. H. alba spreads west-
wards towards Tangalle in equal abundance, and is, in fact,
common throughout the island where there are large tracts
of swampy land. H. egrettoides is confined, as far as my
experience goes, to this district in the south ; for I find it

404 Lieut. W. V. Lcgge on the Birds of the

recorded in my notes on this locality for 187.2. The above
species were all breeding near Tissa Maha llama when I
was there in March 1872 ; with the exception of N. griseus,
they consorted together, having their nests on the same
trees; H. alba, however, was breeding, as well, with Tan-
talus leucocephalus and Platalea leucorodia.

118. BUTORIDES JAVANICA, Horsf.

119. Ardetta FLAVicoLLis (Lath.).

120. Ardetta SINENSIS (Gmelin).

121. Ardetta cinnamomea (Gmelin).

I met with all these Herons in various localities suited to
their habits. I saw but one example of ^. flavicollis, in March
1872, and one or two of A. sinensis at the small tank near
Tissa Maha Rama, mentioned below. Butorides javanica
was inadvertently omitted from my paper in ' The Ibis ' for
1874, p. 30. It is tolerably common on the banks of the
Gindurah, skulking under the bushes at the edge of the water,
and is consequently Yery difficult to procure, unless shot from
a boat.

122. Anastomus oscitans (Bodd.).

123. Tantalus leucocephalus, Forst.

124. Platalea leucorodia, Linn.

125. Threskiornis melanocephalus (Linn.).

126. Falcinellus igneus (Gm.).

These five species I found breeding near Tissa Maha Rama
at a small tank, called Udinila, in March 1872. Emmerson
Tennent well describes a visit to one of the great breeding -
colonies, which are to be found in the wildest parts of our
beautiful forest. No scene could be more interesting to a
naturalist, or any lover of nature, than that which I was wit-
ness to at this tank in March 1872.

It was just day-dawn as I made my way through long
grass, up to my waist, across a dried marsh, and came in sight
of a tank, studded with huge and formidably thorned trees.
Troops of tall white Herons, gaunt '' Shell-eaters/' awkward

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 405

Pelicans and Ibises lined the branches close to their nests,
or stood like vanes on the tops of the forest-trees^ while others,
as if they had just awoke, flapped lazily about ; huge Pelicans,
on great " platforms of sticks/' kept watch by their young
and preened off" the night-dew from their broad backs ; little
companies of Spoonbills and Ibises, mindful of hungry fami-
lies, filed off" to distant marshes, and disappeared over the tops
of the forest-waves, while Cormorants and Darters dashed
round and round the tank, as if they were training for a race.
From behind a tree hard by I gazed on this splendid sight
for a few moments, and hastily jotted down in my note-book
the diff'erent species on their respective trees. The sun was
getting up, and the birds were rapidly going off" for food ; so
it was time to begin work and (cruel monster that I was !
mais que voulez-vous?) carry death into the midst of the
happy company. It was not long before I was up to my
knees in black mud, while lazy crocodiles, waiting beneath
the trees for hapless nestlings, floundered before me into the
water. Bang, bang went the old 12-bore; and down came
first of all a magnificent Grey Heron. Then what a scene tbere
was ! The lonely jungle resounded with bird-cries j Pelicans
launched themselves from their nests and, mounting in the
air, soared round in circles, accompanied by Herons, Peli-
cans and Ibises, while the " Shell-eaters '^ {Anastomus), the
pluckiest and most numerous of all, swooped on me from
dizzy heights with fearful swiftness and a booming whirr of
their large wings ; added to all which was the bang of my
gun, mingled with frantic shouts to my coolies to " come on "
and get up the thorny trees at once ! approaching which they
climbed with considerable hesitation, to my mind at the time,
showing a remarkable lack of ornithological interest ! But
enough ! such scenes as this are familiar to most readers of
' The Ibis,' and, when once witnessed, are not easily forgotten.
I brought away young of several species on this occasion,
but did not succeed in rearing any but a Tantalus leucoce-
phalus, which lived for some time, growing up a most amusing
bird. It ate fish voraciously, squatting down on its tarsi and
snapping its huge mandibles with a loud " crake " when hun-

406 Lieut. "W. V. Leg-ge on the Birds of the

gry. It had a great antipathy to dogs and chihlren, and
would utter its harsh cries when approached by them. "When
taken from the nest, the bill was greenish black, with a light
tip ; it underwent a very rapid change with the growth of the
bird, becoming yellowish at the tip, the terminal half being
dusky greenish, leaving the base blackish green. When it
died, somewhat less than six months old, the yellow of the tip
was encroaching on the green rapidly ; the iris was hazel, and
the feet and tarsi fleshy reddish at this time. The red of the
tertials was present from the earliest growth of the feather, and
increased with age. Tlie head was not bald, as in the adult,
but feathered in a point down to the centre of the forehead ;
it was, together with the upper part of the hind neck, neutral
brown, the feathers tipped light, gradually paling into grey on
the lower neck, interscapular region, scapulars, and back;
scapulars and wing-coverts dark on their inner webs and
towards the base of the feathers ; lesser wing-coverts and
under wing-coverts dark iron-grey, margined lightish (these
had been entirely grey a short time previous, the centres first
of all becoming dark, the colour spreading over the feathers
to the edges); tertials silver-grey, with black shafts and dark
bases, the outer webs overcast with rose-colour ; quills and
rectrices black, with a strong greenish lustre ; beneath the
breast greyish, paling into Avhite on the lower parts ; under
and upper tail-coverts white ; under wing-coverts at tlie
humerus and ulna-joint tipped with reddish Avhite. In his
description of the adult ('Birds of India'), Jerdon omits the
broad, black, satin- white margined pectoral band, which is
continuous with the same colouring of the under wing- coverts
when the wings are extended; this is the most conspicuous
part in the bird as it flies overhead. Jerdon also supposes it
to be mute — a great mistake, as it is, when angered, a most
noisy bird. With regard to its voracity, I may mention that
one day my tame bii'd (which was at the time confined in an
aviary with a Sea-Eagle, Cwicuma leucogaster) seized an enor-
mous rat which I had in my hand as I was getting through
the small doorway of the building, and " bolted " it instantly,
before I could get through the door to take it from it.

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 407

127. Ph(e\icopterus roseus, Pallas.

Inhabits the leways in great flocks, particularly in the cool
season. Moormen are said occasionally to sell young birds at
Balticoloa; and I therefore infer that it must breed between
that place and Hambantotta.

128. Sarkidiornfs melanonotus, Forst.

129. Anserella coromandelana (Gm.) .

130. Dendrocygna javanica, Horsf.

131. Anas pcecilorhyncha, Penn.

This district is not so rich in Anatinse as I had expected.
Dendrocygna was the only form I myself observed; but I
learnt of the occurrence of the remaining three species from
tolerably trustworthy authority.

132. PoDicEPs PHiLippENSis, Bonn.

I noticed this species on one or two occasions on tanks,
but I have never seen it so abundant anywhere as on Co-
lombo lake.

133. Sylochelidon caspia (Lath.).

This Tern I observed during my visit in 1872 (March), but
I did not notice it in this region during the breeding- season.
It is nowhere numerous, as are other Terns. It is frequent
about the salt lakes on the north-east coast from October till
March, and many exist in that district throughout the year;
but I have never once seen a sign of it on the lower half of
the west coast at any season.

134. Gelochelidon anglica (Montagu) .

135. Hydrochelidon hybrida, Pallas.

136. Sterna melanogaster, Temm.

137. Sterna pelecanoides. King.

138. Sterna aiedia, Horsf.

139. Sternula sinensis (Gm.).

140. Onychoprion an^sthetus (Scop.).

Full particulars touching S. sinensis* will be found in the
* I would observe tliat Mr. Holdsworth is iu error coiicerriing- -S". mi'

408 Lieut, W. V. Legge on the Birds of the

P. Z. S. for the present year. The other species enumerated
here, except S. melanog aster, are all abundant during the
S.W. monsoon ; I met with them everywhere along the coast
in June and July last year ; and, I have no doubt, breeding-
stations of all except O. ancesthetus will be found on future
exploration of remote spots in the district. S. media was in
Avinter dress up to the first week in July ; and specimens killed
were adults too ; but as they were all in abraded dress, and as
some Steruinse put on the nuptial garment during a very
short period, it is quite possible that they may breed here in
August '^. Of Sterna melanog aster I only saw isolated ex-
amples at either season of the year ; S. pelecanoides w as in
breeding-dress, and, I have no doubt, was nesting somewhere
in the vicinity of Hambantotta. Since writing on this species
in 'The Ibis' (1874, p. 33), I have procured examples near
Galle in full breeding-dress, and found the species abundant
out at sea in the height of the S.W. monsoon. It appears
that when breeding (Mr. Nevill informs me that he has taken
its eggs near Amblangodde, tAventy miles north of Galle) it
does not affect its w^onted spots along the coast j and I there-
fore had overlooked it during that season up to the time of
writing {loc.cit.)-\. G. anglica is, with S. media, the most
abundant of the Sterninae in this district, and it is found in
great numbers about the salt lakes extending up the w hole
line of the north-east coast. H. hybrida is the most univer-
sally distributed of all our Sterninae, but leaves the west coast
during the S.W. monsoon, as far as my experience goes, en-
tirely ; and I am therefore of opinion that it breeds on the

nuta not being found in Ceylon (P. Z. S. 1872, p. 481), as I sent home a
specimen dated Colombo, 29tli September, 18G9, of the small, black-shafted,
dark-qtiilledldttle Tern, which Lord Waldeu identilied as that species. I
have recently procured it in the Trincomalie district.

* I was at Hambantotta for two days last August, but I was unable to
do any shooting ; I, however, saw several examples along the coast, and
numbers off the Bass Rocks, which, as well as I could see, appeared to
have the vertex quite black.

t There is much to be said touching the local distribution and breeding
of our Terns ; and I hope some day to be able to work out the subject
more completely than I have done up to the present time.

South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 409

south-east coast. During my recent visit to Hambantotta,
en route for this station, I observed O. ancesthetus in good
numbers off the Basses. Specimens I have recently procured
were in immature dress ; and I have no doubt all our birds
are young.

141. Pelecanus philippensiSj Gmelin.

142. Graculus javanicus, Horsf.

143. Plotus melanogaster, Forst.

These species I found breeding, in March 1872, at Udu-
willa tank, near Tissa Maha Rama. The Pelecan is, perhaps,
as abundant in this district as anywhere in Ceylon. I have
seen a score and a half on some of the leways in one mob.

144. Graculus sinensis, Shaw.

This species is nowhere abundant in Ceylon, as far as I
have observed up to the present time. I saw several examples
of it in March 1872 at Tissa Maha Rama.

Trincomalie, 4th Jan., 1875.

P.S. I have just received, while finishing this paper, my
April copy of ' The Ibis ' (1874) ; it has been running round
the world after me, and, coming up from Australia, has at
last caught me up here !

Though somewhat late in the day, I feel that it is incum-
bent on me to notice and reply to Mr. Holdsworth^s obser-
vations on my '^ Birds of the south-western Hill-region,^^
chiefly with the view of correcting a singular error "which he
has made touching one of my identifications, but also to point
out several erroneous conclusions which he has arrived at
concerning the distribution of species.

In the first place, as regards dates and details, my paper
did not purpose to be an exhaustive catalogue of species,
but merely a running outline, calling attention to their oc-
currence in a certain region ; the former would have taken up
too much space in ' The Ibis.^

Touching the validity of my view of the south-east as an
" Indo-Ceylonese region, I think that has been confirmed in
this paper.

410 Lieut. W. V. Legge on the Birds of the

As to the species, Mr. Holdsworth notices : —

CrtRYSOCOLAPTES STRICKLANDI.

Has hitlicrto been erroneously considered a hill-bird ; it is
no more so than Brachypternus ceylonus, Avliich I have found
all through the northern and western coffee-districts up to
5500 feet. For evidence of C stricklandi in the low country,
vide 'Stray Feathers' (vol. i. p. 346, and vol. iii. p. 200).
It is resident all round the north-east, east, and south-east
coasts in wild country during the N.E. monsoon, when, if it
were a visitor to the low country, it ought to be absent from
these parts. The specimen Mr. Holdsworth alludes to (p. 123)
was shot on the south-east coast in March.

uEmyias sordida.

zosterops ceylonensis.

Shot and observed in July and August in the Kookool
Korle and in the Oodogarame forests^ in May, or, in both
cases, during the S.W. monsoon, when, if they were not
resident, they would have been absent from that region. But,
in truth, I may here again remark that the mountains of
Southern Ceylon (Ibis, 1874, p. 7) are a distinct zone, sepa-
rated from the high central province by a valley of low
country, running through from the Ratnapoora district to the
plains of the south-east, and that there is probably no inter-
change of species between them and the high region of the
island ; for the vast forests and deep valleys running out of
our district towards the north-east, form an ample abri against
the violence of the S.W. monsoon.

Drymocataphus fuscicapillus.

Perhaps I should have used the words '' most commonly dis-
tributed " instead of " commonest "; I did not mean to imply
that it was the most numerous of birds in the southern pro-
vince, and imagined that my description of its habits and of
the places I found it in, would have militated against the
idea of its being abundant. D. fuscicapillus, though common
in a district, will only be found in peculiar localities, such as

* Z. eet/lonensis only.

South-eastern Subdivision of Souther7i Ceylon. 411

dense damp scrub (it invariably affects bamboo jungle in tbe
Galle district) ; its note is lieard most in early morning after
rain, as I have already observed. I don^t know how Mr.
Holdsworth could have overlooked it in the southern province ;
for even though his laboiu's were confined to one locality
(Akkuresse), which is one of the worst spots in the southern
province for its typical forms, I should have thought it could
have been found there. I procured it not far from Ak-
kuresse. Some specimens in my collection from the south
are dated 12th Jan. 1872, 25th April 1873, 19th June 1871,
19th August 1872, 17th Nov. 1871 — giving a sequence of
months. It is as plentiful close to Trincomalie as in the
south, but, notwithstanding, is difficult to procure, except in
the early morning.

PALiEORNIS CALTHROPiE.

Is resident in the southern-province mountains, but is found
nowhere near Akkuresse, where Mr. Holdsworth collected.
I will venture to say it would not turn up there in a ten years'
residence. Between this locality and the mountains proper
of the southern province, or even the great subsidiary hill-
forests on the banks of the Gindurah, is a tolerably high,
worthless (ornithologically speaking) range of hills, containing
nothing of interest to the collector. It is a tolerably different
region in character from the Morawa Korle, to which Mr.
Holdsworth believes it to be analogous. An ascent of 1600
feet, and then a di*op of 200, through a space of seventeen
miles over these hills, brings the traveller to the district of
Morowaka, which is still wanting in mountain-species ; twelve
miles further, through beautiful hills, brings one to the verge
of the Morowa Korle ; and the chances are that, after resting
your wearied limbs at the Denyia Rest-house, the first bird-
sounds you will hear on the following dawn will be the "crake'"
of P. calthropce and the metallic cry of Eulabes ptilogenys.
P. calthrop<E is not so numerous in the Morowa Korle as in
the Lion- King forests of the Kookool Korle, which lies to
the north-east of the coffee-estates. I saw greater numbers
in this Korle at elevations of about 2000 feet, during the most

SER. III. VOL. V. 2 H

412 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvic Brown on

violent S.W.-monsoon weather in August, than I observed
anywhere else in the course of a tour through the whole of
the central coffee-estates.

Tringa temmincki.

" Proved to be T. salina when examined in this country."

How Mr. Holdsworth committed this singular error is
almost unaccountable to me. At page 29 I spoke of T. tem-
mincki ; but reference was made to the northern province, and
not to this district. Even, however, if Mr. Holdsworth had
not correctly read the text, he must surely have seen my
additions to the avifauna of Ceylon, contained in part G, vol. i.
' Stray Feathers,^ in which, at page 491, T. temmincM is cha-
racterized, with a series of notes on T. salina and T. minuta,
showing that at that time I was well acquainted with all these
species. At a previous date in 1872, when not sure of the
identification of T. minuta and T. salina respectively, I had
sent home a specimen of the latter, procured on the 26th of
January of that year ; but why this fact should have pre-
cluded the possibility of my obtaining T. temmincJci at a
later date, I fail to understand.

For the benefit simply of those who take an interest in the
ornithology of Ceylon at home, I may mention that, besides
the species mentioned by Mr. Holdsworth, I have lately added
to his list (published in ' Stray Feathers ') Erythropus ves-
pertinus, Gecinus striolatusf, Acrocephalns stentorius, yEgi-
alitis geoffroyi, Tringa temmincki, Glareola lactea, Onycho-
prion fuUginosa-\ , Sterna minuta X-

XXXVII. — The Birds of Transylvania. By Charles G.
Danford, and John A. Harvie Brown.

[Continued from p. 312, and concluded.]

^149. Fringillac(elebs, L. Szemeti Pinty (Dnng-Ymch) .

Common everywhere, from the low country to the limit of
the pine-region. Its note seems to be clearer and shriller
than that of the same species in Great Britain.

t Not procured by myself. t Vide supra.

the Birds of Transylvania. 413

150. FriNGILLA MONTIFRINGILLA, L.

Common iu winter in large flocks. According to some
authorities, a certain number of these birds remain the whole
year, and breed in the higher mountains. Herr Buda Adam
says he has seen the young in summer among the mountains
at Hatzeg ; and we were told that Herr Hermann, the former
curator of the Klausenburg Museum, took many of their eggs
at Vlegyasza, near Vajda Hunyad. Herr Csato says they
are only to be met with in winter. Herr Otto remarks that
it " comes and goes very quickly.^' In the absence of sub-
stantial proof to the contrary, we are inclined to consider
Herr Csato's account as the more probable.

■^151. Fr,ingilla chloris, L. Zoldike.
We did not see many ; but they are common throughout
the country in autumn.

^ 152. Fringilla cannabina, L. Kenderike (Hemp-
Finch).

Common everywhere. We saw many iu the Gorgeny
district.

153. Fringilla rufescens, Vieill. Kovi csiz (Stone-
Finch) .

Common in harvest in large flocks, and not unfrequently
nesting in bushes among the lower mountains.

*154. Fringilla carduelis, L. Tengelicz.
Generally distributed and common,

*155. Fringilla spinus, L. Csiz.

Common among the pines during the breeding-season, and
in the plains in winter.

156. Fringilla serinus (L.).

Very rare, but sometimes occurs in autumn and winter.
Bieltz mentions that it Avas got by Herr Stetter at Topan-
falva. In 1872 Herr Otto wrote that it had once been seen
in the Mezoseg ; and Danford, writing from Transylvania
under date of October 29th, 1874, says : — " Herr Buda Carl
has just come in from a chase after two F. serinus, neither of
which he got."

2 H 2

4-11 Messrs. C. G. Dauforcl and J. A. Harvie Brown oti

157. PvRRnuLA RURiciLLA (Pall.). Silvolto ; Pirok; Ha-
vasi Pinty (Moimtaiu-Fincli).

Rather common, frequenting the mountain-woods during
the breeding-season, and later in the year appearing in the
low country in considerable numbers.

Obs. Bieltz says this is the only member of the family
which has hitherto been observed in Transylvania; but there
is little doubt that Carpodacus erythrinus (Pall.) and P. enu-
cleator (L.) do occur, as they have both been found by Herr
Petenyi on the adjoining Hungarian frontier, and Graf Lazar
says he is sure the former has occurred near Tolgycs.

158. LoxiA cuRViRosTRA (L.). Kevesztorru Mculdr.
Common among the pines and firs in many parts of the

country.

^159. CoccoTHRAUSTES VULGARIS (Pall.). MagtUru Mciddr ;
Meygyvdgo (Weichsel-biter) .

We met with the Hawfinch pretty frequently in the Gorgeny
district among woods and gardens. It does not remain over
the winter.

^160. Sturnus vulgaris, L. Sei'egely (A crowd) .
Generally common. Migratory.

161. Pastor ROSE us (Linn.). Rozsds Rigo (Ko&j Thrw^) .

This bird is of very uncertain appearance in the country.
In 1835 it was very abundant at Hermannstadt. They gene-
rally come about June, and are found in company with the
Starlings. Herr Otto states that they were very abundant
in the Mezoseg in 1868 (A Mezoseg II. &e.), and he ob-
served them there on the 30th May and 4th June.

*162. Oriolus galbula, L. Sdrga Rigo (Yellow Thrush) .

Generally common on the outskirts of large woods and in
gardens. We found them at Ziih and Gorgeny, and in the
oak-woods at Sztjina, near Klausenburg. They come in the
beginning of May ; and the old males generally leave in
August.

^163. Pyrrhocorax alpinus (Vieill.).

Rare, and only to be met with among the high mountains,

the Birds of Transylvania. 415

where they breed. In September 1872 Danford saw a pair
in the glen of Stina de Rnc, near the Retjezat^ at an eleva-
tion of about 5000 feet. He was much struck with their
tameness, as they came day after day about the hut, showing
very little fear. HH. Csato and Buda Adam observed them
also at Nuksora, near the same locality.

Obs. Pyrrhocorax graculus (L.). Bieltz says of this spe-
cies : — " It is true that the occurrence of this bird in Tran-
sylvania has not yet been proved ; but as, according to Za-
vadzki, it appears amongst the highest of the Bukovina Car-
pathians, it cannot be wanting on our Rodnaer mountains ;
for instance, on the Kuh-horn, &c.'' He also alludes to it
in his ' Beitrag zur Unterscheidung der rabenartigen Vogel.'

^164. CoRvus MONEDULA, L. Csoka.

We regret that we did not bring home any of these Jack-
daws, and are therefore unable to state Avhether or not the
Corvus coUaris of Drummond occurred among them or not.
Many we observed had extremely light-coloured necks, even
as late as the beginning of June, though the whitish shoulders
spoken of by Mr. Simpson {cf. Ibis, 1860, p. 385) were not
apparent.

^165. CoRvus coRAX, L. Hollo.
Common throughout the country.

■^166. CoRvus coRNix, L. Varju.

Common at all times ; but in no country visited by us have
we found this bird so very abundant as it is during autumn
in Transylvania.

167. Corvus corone, L.

We have not oljserved this species or variety in the country.
Bieltz says it occurs, mentioning it as a variety of C. comix.
It has also been found at Benczencz. Herr Buda Adam has
never met with it near Hatzeg.

■^168. Corvus frugilegus, L. Fekete Varju (Black Crow).

We saw this bird during our present visit only in the
Szekler country ; but it is common at Hatzeg and many other
places. Bieltz says : — " In some parts of the country it

416 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. llarvic Urown on

bears the name of Teleki varju, from a belief entertained that
at one time it did not exist in the country, but was intro-
duced by a certain Count Teleki ;" and we have since ascer-
tained that it actually w^as introduced by him.

169. Pica rustica (Scop.). Szarka.
Common everywhere.

*170. Garrulus GLANDARius (L.) . Mdtyds (Matthias),
Very common. There are great numbers among the woods
at Hatzeg in autumn.

*171. NuciFRACxA CARYOCATACTES (L.) . Hcivas'i Mdtyds
(Mountain- J ay) .

Common among the higher mountain-woods during the
earlier part of the year, but descending in autumn. Danford
saw many of them in October, busy feeding among the hazel-
bushes in the Klopotiva gorge. It sometimes comes low
down, and seems to be occasionally migratory, as in 1851 a
large flock visited the Tokay vineyards in Hungary {Stetter) .

^173. CoLUMBA PALUMBUs, L. Orves Galamb.
Common at some seasons of the year ; but during our sum-
mer visit we did not see any.

■^173. CoLUMBA (ENAs, L. Vud Golamb (Wild Pigeon).

Common everywhere among the beech- and oak-woods of
the lowlands. It arrives in February, and leaves in autumn.

Ohs. Of Columba livia Bieltz says : — " This species, which
is found wild in Southern Europe, especially in those countries
bordering on the sea, and which there nests in rocks, breed-
ing yearly twice or three times, is the stock of our tame
Pigeons. They often become wild again with us, and are met
with breeding on towers, in old walls, and fissures of rocks.'^

*174. Columba turtur, L. Gerlicze.

Common in gardens and the bushy woods of the low country,
but has also been seen on the Retjezat by HH. Csato and
Buda Adam.

175. Lagopus MUTus, Leach, //o F«;rf (Snow-Grouse).
Very rare, some authorities denying its existence in the

the Birds of Transylvania. 417

country. Bieltz says it has been found on the highest peaks
of the Hatzeg and Arpach mountains; and C. Boner^ in his
work on Transylvania (p. 144), says^ "Ptarmigan may be shot
on the mountains near Hatzeg/^ Herr Stetter got one on
the Retjezat ; and HH. Csato and Buda Adam were informed
by a peasant that he had seen some "white Partridges"
there.

176. Tetrao urogalluSj L. Vad Kakas (Wild Cock) ;
Siket Fajd (Deaf Grouse) .

Tolerably common among the high undisturbed forests in
most parts of the country.

177. Tetrao tetrix, L. Nyir fajd (Birch- Grouse).

Not common, but pretty well distributed in the north and
north-east. They frequent the open places at the edges of the
high mountain-woods_, and, from their habit of running into
the impenetrable thickets of creeping pine, arc exceedingly dif-
ficult to find. According to Herr Csato [' Birds of the Ret-
jezat,' &c.), T. tetrix pairs a fortnight later than T. urogallus.

Obs. The hybrid T. medius sometimes occurs. There is
a male in the Hermannstadt collection, and a female in that
of Herr Buda Adam.

■^178. BoNASA BETULiNA (Scop.). Csdszdr Maddr (Em-
peror-bird) .

Common among the lower mountain-woods, especially
where there is an undergrowth of small trees and bushes.

*179. Perdix cinerea, Lath. Fogoly Maddr.

Generally distributed on the low ground, but not numerous.
Herr Buda Adam shot one at Urik Burlea, behind the Ret-
jezat, at an elevation of about 6000 feet. There was a covey ;
and they had, no doubt, been bred there. The bird differs in
no way from that frequenting the plains.

Obs. Bieltz says : — " The Stein-Feldhuhn belonging to this
part of the world — P. saxatilis (Meyer) — does, according to
some accounts, occur in Transylvania ; and I have also been
assured from trustworthy sources that we have a second Par-
tridge in Transvlvania."

418 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Ilarvie Browu on

*180. Ortygion coturnix (L.). Fiirj.
Common everywhere in the lowlands, from April to Sep-
tember.

181. Phasianus colchicus, L. Fdczcin.

Formerly tolerably common in the preserves of some of the
nobility ; but during the revolution of 1 848 most of them
were destroyed. We are not certain that it now exists at all.

^182. Crex pratensis, Bechst. Haris.
Common everywhere. Migratory.

183. Crex porzana (L.).
Common every where, and migratory.

184. Crex minuta. Pall.

Not uncommon. We probably saw it at Zah and Tohat,
The specimens in the museum at Klausenburg were got at
Szamosfalva. Not rare at Gyeke {Otto).

185. Crex pygm^a, Naum.

Rare, but has been found in the Strell valley and in various
parts of the country.

186. Rallus aquaticus, L.

We did not see it during our visits ; but it is said to be
generally common. Herr Csato says it is migratory in the
Strell valley.

*187. Gallinula chloropus (L.) . Vizi tyuk.
Common everywhere and migatory.

*188. FuLicA ATRA, L. Hoda ; Szdrcsa.
Common everywhere, especially in the Mezoseg. It is mi-
gratory, arriving in April and leaving in October.

189. Otis tarda, L. Tuzok.

Not uncommon in various parts of the country, but chiefly
found near Thorda, Alvincz, and Miihlbach. They also occur
in the Strell valley ; and we were told that a small flock was
often seen at Zah. They nest in meadows and corn-fields.

190. Otis tetrax, L. Kis Tiizok.

Much rarer than the preceding, but occasionally met with
diu'ing its migrations.

the Birds of Transylvania. 419

191. Glareola pratincola (L.).

Rare. It has been killed in May on the Strell, and has
also occurred in the neighbourhood of Klausenburg and Her-
mannstadt. Hcrr Buda Adam says they come every year,
and this year there was a flock of about fort3\

192. CEdicnemus crepitans, Temm. Reznek TUzok (Dwarf
Bustard) .

Very rare. It has occurred at Alvincz, also on the Maros
and in the Hatzeg valley. Herr Otto records one obtained
at Szent Miklos, on September 23rd, 1867. It was struck
down by a Sparrow-Hawk.

*193. VaxXellus VULGARIS, Bechst. Libucz ; Bibicz.
Common, but not numerous, and not remaining over the
winter. We saw a few in the Mezoseg.

194. Squatarola helvetica (L.).

Very rare. It has been got in the Mezoseg ; and Herr
Buda Adam shot one on the 24th May, 1864, at Zeykfalva.

195. Charadrius pluvialis, L. Eso Szalonka (Rain-
Snipe).

Not uncommon in spring and autumn.

196. Charadrius morinellus, L.

Not uncommon, and has been found breeding by Bieltz,
who brought a nest of two young and an addled egg from the
Frumoasze mountain, near the Cibensquelle, at an elevation
of about 7000 feet. They are also reported to nest near the
lake of Zenoga, on the Retjezat. Danford examined the spe-
cimens above mentioned in the Museum at Hermannstadt.

197. Charadrius hiaticula, L.

Rare, but occasionally seen during its migrations.

^198. Charadrius cuRONicus, Gm. Kis Joveny-futo (Little
Sand-runner); TiJrpe Lilik (Dwarf Plover) .

Common along the stony parts of rivers. We observed it
at Bogatj on the Maros, and at Hatzeg.

199. Charadrius cantianus. Lath.

Rare. It is said to have been found breeding in the

420 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. llarvic Brown un

country. Herr Csato says it rarely flics over from tlic plains
of the Maros into the valley of the Strell.

200. Strepsilas interpres, L.

Very rare. It lias been shot at Brettye, on the Strell.

201. HjEmatopus ostralegus (L.).

Rare, but is sometimes met with during its spring migra-
tions. Herr Buda Elek shot one, and saw others at Russ, in
the Strell valley. We were also told by Count Banffy 15ela
that he had seen a small flock at Szent Mihaly during May
of the present year.

202. Recurvirostra avocetta, L.

Rare. Herr Buda says it has occurred ; and Bieltz men-
tions two, one of which was shot at Reussbach, near Her-
mannstadt, in 1835, and the other he saw in the market in
1846.

203. HiMANTOPUs autumnalis (Hasselq.) .

Rare. It has been got near Hermanstadt, and occasionally
occurs in the Strell valley, more frequently during the spring
migration. Herr Otto records a pair from the Mezoseg, of
which the female was sufiering severely from a large tapeworm.

204. Phalaropus fulicarius (L.).

Herr Otto records a specimen killed by Graf Kemeny Janos,
which was previously recorded by Graf Lazar Kalman, and
further states : — " There was also a specimen which had been
shot in the Mezoseg, in the Museum at Nagy-Enyed :" this
specimen, in common with much of the contents of the mu-
seum, was destroyed during the revolution of 1818.

205. ToTANUs canescens (Gm.).

Not rare during autumn on the rivers Szamos, Klopotiva,
Strell, &c. It is said to breed in the country.

206. ToTANUS STAGNATILIS, Bcclist.

Not uncommon in spring and autumn among the stones
and sandy places on the Strell, Klopotiva, and other streams.
Herr Otto affirms that it only occurs during migration ; but
our friend Mr. Dresser informs us that Frivaldskv showed

the Birds of Transylvania. 421

him specimens of T. stagnatilis obtained in Transylvania in
the breeding-season, and fully believes it to breed there not
uncommonly. He further states that he has eggs, taken at
Apay, in Hungary, by Frivaldsky ; and Herr Buda Adam
has seen the young near the Flatten See, where it is known
to breed in the Venetianischer lake.

207. ToTANUs ruscus (L.).

According to Herr Csato and Herr Buda this bird occurs
not uncommonly on the Strell and Klopotiva during its mi-
grations. A male specimen in the museum at Klausenburg
was shot in June on the Szamos.

■^208. ToTANUS CALIDRIS (L.) ,

Not uncommon during its migrations. We saw them in
flocks on the lakes of the Mezoseg.

■^209. ToTANUS GLAREOLA (L.) .

Not rare during its migrations. We met with a few spe-
icmens at Toliat and Zah in May.

^210. ToTANUS OCHROPUS (L.).

During our visit to Hatzeg, at the end of April, we saw a
specimen of this bird at Rea ; and Danford found it very com-
mon in the same locality in autumn. Herr Buda Adam and
Bieltz agree in saying that it breeds in the country, nest-
ing among sand and stones ; but Herr Buda afterwards told
Danford that, though he sees the birds the whole summer, he
has not actually found the nest, but feels quite sure that they
must breed. Considering the abnormal habit of this species
during the nesting-season in Pomerania and other northern
localities where its eggs have been found, we consider this
account scarcely sufficiently authenticated. Mr. W. H.
Simpson, however, speaking of this species as an inhabitant
of Western Greece (Ibis, 1860, p. 390), says : — '' Some indi-
viduals of Totanus ochropus remain so late that their breeding-
quarters may be nearer than is generally supposed. We can
believe almost any thing of a bird that so far departs from the
habits of its congeners as occasionally to lay its eggs in old
nests of the tree-building birds. '^

422 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvic Brown on

^211. TOTANUS HYPOLEUCUS (L.).

Common throughout tlic country.

212. LiMOSA ^GOCEPHALA (L.) .

Not common; some years, however, appearing in consi-
derable numbers. We saw one which had been killed on the
Maros, at Szasz Regen. Herr Csato says several specimens
were got on the Strell in May and June. The specimens in
the Klausenburg Museum were killed in July at Szamos Falva.

213. LiMOSA LAPPONICA (L.) .

As uncommon as the preceding. Both occur more fre-
quently during the spring than in the autumn migration.

*214'. Machetes pugnax (L.) . Bajnok Bibicz (Champion
Plover) .

Common in marshy ground during its migration, Danford
saw them in the autumn on the Szamos near Klausenburg.
They are never found in full breeding-plumage {Buda).

215. Tringa canutus, L.

Not rare on river-sides during its migration.

*216. Tringa subarquata (Giild.) .

Not rare during its spring migration, but less frequent in
autumn. A specimen in full breeding-plumage was shot
during our stay at Gorgeny, on May 29th. They have also
been obtained at Gyeke in May, and occur in small flocks in
May and June on the Strell. The above-mentioned speci-
men is in the Klausenburg Museum.

217. Tringa minuta, Leisl.

Rare. It occurs more frequently during the autumn mi-
gration than in the spring. It has been procured by Herr
Csato at Koncza and at Alvincz [Graf Ldzdr).

218. Tringa alpina, L.

Not common, but to be met with during most years, espe-
cially in autumn. Herr Buda Adam has shot several at Rea
both in spring and autumn.

219. Tringa temmincki, Leisl.

Herr Csato says that it occurs rarely in spring, but more

ttie Birds of Transylvania. 423

frequently, either singly or in little flocks, at the beginning
of autumn. He has procured it at Koncza.

■^220. ScoLOPAx GALLiNULA, L, Kis Sdr-szalonku (Little
Mud- Snipe).

Common during it migi'ations.

^221. ScoLOPAx GALLiNAGO, L. Sdr Szalonka.

Common during its migrations. Bieltz says that they breed
in the country.

Obs. The following is a description of two specimens of the
variety S. bre/imi, Kaup, in the collection of Herr Buda
Adam, three, all of which agree, having been obtained by
him at Kriseny : —

S. brehmi is of exactly the size of and similar in colour to S.
gaUinago ; but the tail of the former has a deep double inden-
tation, and contains sixteen feathers, some being three times
barred and others oftener, and the two central having short
projecting terminal spines ; whereas that of the latter, when
extended, is of a regular rounded fan-shape, and contains
fourteen feathers, each usually with five or more bars. On
a reexamination of these specimens, Danford thinks the points
of the two central tail-feathers being bare is due to abrasion,
but that the indentations cannot be accounted for in the same
manner.

Herr Buda Adam says that it has a different flight and a
different cry, and that when flushed it always rises silently.

For full description of S. brehmi, see ' Lehrbuch der Natur-
geschichte,^ Brehm (p. 623) ; and additional remarks will be
found in Salvadori's ' Fauna d' Italia,' " Uccelli'' (p. 228).

222. ScoLOPAX MAJOR, Gm.

Solitary birds are not rarely met with during migration
at Hfitzeg, the Strell valley, Gyeke, and other localities.

■^223. ScoLOPAx RusTicoLA, L. Szalonka.

Generally common. They come in March and April, and,
remaining but a short time in the low country, proceed to
their breeding-places in the mountains. In September they
descend, the flight lasting till the beginning of November, a
few remaining still later when the weather is very open.

424 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

224. NuMENius ARQUATA (L.) . Mezei Szalonka (Field-
Snipe) .

Rather rare, and only found during migration. It occurs
at Hatzeg and in the Strell valley. The specimens in the
Klausenburg Museum are from Maros Vasarhely.

225. NuMENius TENUiRosTRis, Vicill.

Very rare. Bieltz says that a specimen was shot by Herr
Stettcr on the marshy banks of the Maros, near Maros
Nemethi.

226. NUMENIUS PHiEOPUS (L.).

Still rarer than the Curlew, but sometimes to be met with
in the same localities during migration.

227. Calidris arenaria, L.

Solitary specimens of this bird have been got in various
parts of the country.

228. Grus communis, Bechst. Daru.

Sometimes met with during its migrations. Herr Csato
says he has seen them both in large and small flocks passing
over the Strell valley.

■^229. Ardeacinerea, L. Gem ; Szilrke Gem {Grey Heron) .

Common everywhere, esjDecially in the Mezoseg, where they
nest among the tall reeds. The tops of the reeds are broken
down so as to form a platform from four to nine feet above
the water ; and the nests, which are made almost entirely of
broken pieces of reed, are thus strongly supported.

■^230. Ardea purpurea, L. Veres Gem (Red Heron).

Equally abundant with the preceding in the Mezoseg. We
found them breeding in the same situations — and if not ac-
tually in company with the common Heron, yet generally
very close to them. They are said to be scarcer in other parts
of the country,

231. Ardea alba, L. Nagy Feher Kocsag.

Only found during migration, there being no record of its
having bred in the country. We heard from Herr Buda that
there were many in the Hatzeg district this year after we

> the Birds of Transylvania. 425

left. The specimen in the Klausenbui'g Museum was shot
at Apahida in November 1867, as recorded by Herr Otto.

232. Ardea garzetta, L. Kis Kocsag (Little Heron).

Rare. It is reported to have nested near Felvincz. We
saw a specimen which had been killed this year at Maros,
Vasarhely, and received one shot at Hatzeg. Herr Csato
says they visit the Strell valley in little flocks in May and
June.

^233. ArDETTA MINUTA (L.).

Common among the lakes of the Mezoseg and similar loca-
lities. We got several specimens at Zah.

234. BoTAURUs sTELLARis (L.). Nddi Bika (Reed-bull),
Not very common. It occurs in the Mezoseg, where we

heard but did not see it. The Strell valley, Hatzeg, &c.
are other localities.

235. BuPHuscoMATus (Pall.). S^a/'^a Gm (Yellow Heron) .
A migratory species, much commoner in some years than

in others. Little flocks are sometimes met with on the Strell
in May and June, and more rarely in autumn.

*236. Nycticoraxgriseus (L.). Ejjeli Koesag ; VakVarju
(Blind Crow) .

Not uncommon, and migratory. At Zah we found a large
colony, which was chiefly composed of adult birds with a
small sprinkling of immature examples. They had not begun
to breed when we left in the middle of May. In the Klausen-
burg Museum is a specimen with four crest-feathers.

^237. CicoNiA ALBA, Bcclist. Golya.

Common everywhere in the plains and well-watered dis-
tricts, especially in the Haromseg. Nearly every village in
some districts has its Stork's nest ; and the birds are not al-
lowed to be distiu'bed, the popular belief being that they will,
if interfered with, set fire to the house.

^238. CicoNiA nigra (L.). Fekete Golya.
Not nearly so common as the preceding. We saw a pair
on a bit of marshy ground near Szasz Regen, in the Szekler

426 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvic Brown on

country. Hcrr Buda Elck found it breeding in tlie beech-
woods at Ponorics. It also nests at Denisus, near Hatseg.

239. Ibis falcinellus (Gmcl.). Ibis.

Solitary birds are not uncommonly met with during the
spring migration. We saw one which had been killed last
year at Gorgeny ; and another was sent to us from Hatzeg.
It also occurs on the Strell and Alt rivers.

■^240. Platalea LEUcoRODiA, L. Kandlos Gem.

Kare^ but occurs during its spring migration. We saw one
at T6hat_, flying high and then settling on a field in company
with some Herons. Herr Csato has frequently observed it
in May and June on the Strell.

241. Cygnus olor (Gmel.). Hattyii.

Small flocks are occasionally met with on lakes and rivers,
especially on the Alt and Maros. It has also been obtained
on the Strell at Russ by Herr Buda Elek.

242. Cygnus musicus, Bechst.

Still rarer than the preceding. Herr Csato and Herr Buda
Adam each hilled one in October 1861 in the Strell valley.

243. Anser FERUs (Gmel.). Fiac? Zwf/ (Wild Goose).
Common in large flocks during its migrations.

244. Anser segetum (Gmel.). Fe^esi i/wc? (Growing-grain
Goose) .

Not rare during migration, in small flocks. One shot at
Apahida is in the Museum at Klausenburg.

245. Anser albifrons (Gmel.).

Very rare, but has, according to Herr Buda Adam, oc-
curred in the country.

246. Anser brenta (Pall.).

Very rare, but has occurred in various parts of the country.
Obs. Bieltz thinks it probable that A. leucopsis, Bechst.,
also occurs.

247. Tadorna rutila (Pall.).

One specimen is recorded by Bieltz as having been killed
on the Maros bv Herr Stetter.

the Birds of Transylvania. 4:27

248. Tadorna cornuta (Gniel.).

Very rare, and only to be met with during hard winters.
Herr Buda Elek shot one in 1840 on the Strell ; and it is men-
tioned as having occui'red in the Mezoseg by Herr Otto,
on the authority of Baron Kemeny Bela, from whom, how-
ever, Herr S tetter received only a description.

249. Spatula clypeata (L.). Kandlos Reese (Spoon-
Duck).

Not uncommon during migration at Gyeke and other parts
of the Mezoseg, and in the Strell valley.

^250. Anas circia, L. Pergo Recze.
Generally distributed and common on lakes and rivers.
We saw it at Hatzeg and in the Mezoseg.

*251. Anas crecca, L. Apro Recze (Little Duck).
Common everywhere.

*252. Anas strepera, L.

Not rare, especially at Gyeke, where they are said to breed.
We got a female at Zah.

■^253. Anas boschas, L. Kdcsoyo-Recze.
Common everywhere.

■^254. Anas acuta, L. Nyil-farku Recze (Arrow-tailed
Duck).

We saw it in the Mezoseg at Zah ; but it is not considered
common.

■^255. Anas penelope, L. Sipos Recze (Whistling Duck) .
Not uncommon in winter and during its migrations. We
saw it at Zah.

■^256. ERisMATURALEUCocEPHALA(Scop.). KSk-orruRecze
(Blue-billed Duck) ; and at Nagy-Czeg, in the Mezoseg, the
native sportsmen call it Vadpezsma Recze (Wild Musk-Duck) .

This curious bii'd, which we found in the Mezoseg, is not
very common. We met with a flock of nine or ten birds at
a small reedy lake near Zah; but, owing to the difiicultv
of paddling the wretched squai-e-ended canoes or punts
(csdnak), the only substitutes for boats in the country, we

SER. III. VOL. V. 2 I

428 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Ilarvic Brown on

found great difficulty in getting near tlicm, and for some days
only succeeded in shooting one male^ and tliat at very long
range. A couple of days before our departure, however, we
were more fortunate ; the birds were tamer, and let us get a
number of long shots, by which we killed three more males
and a female. They never attempted to leave the lake, but
after a short rapid flight pitched again, generally about the
same place. They swam very fast, keeping their stiff Wood-
pecker-like tails erect at right angles with the body, and when
wounded, though they dived constantly, showed no disposi-
tion to escape, like other Ducks, by hiding among the reeds,
but on the contrary avoided them. The bill of the male, when
newly killed, is of a beautiful pure ultramarine, this colour
extending even to the interior of the mouth. It soon fades,
being merely connected with a thin, easily moved membrane ;
and in twenty -four hours the bill loses its brilliant appearance,
turning to a brownish grey. We were too early for their
nesting, but were assured that they bred in this district, pro-
bably at the lake where we found them. In the Klausenburg
Museum are some young birds sent from Gyeke, and also
some adults got there by the curator of the Museum, Herr
Klir. Writing of this species as observed by him in the
Mezoseg (A Mezoseg II. A Mezo-Zah, &c.), Herr Otto
says, — "They came in April, went away for a short time,
and returned in May ; nested among the thick reeds in the
lake at Zah : in the first half of June had fine young (chicks),
three of which were taken. '^ He compares the look of the
bird, when swimming, to the double-peaked Hungarian saddle.
Graf Lazar also procured two unfledged birds in the Tartaria
marsh, and a young bird at Benczencz.

Herr Hermann Otto describes the young as follows : —
" Beak bluish black, with a swelling at the base. Feet of
a similar colour. Plumage brown-black. From the base of
the bill, under the eye, and continued over the ear, a white
stripe. Chin, with a broad outward curve back under the
cheek, white, so that the brown cheek appears bordered un-
derneath by this curve, and above by the eye-stripe. Belly
dirty white, which colour loses itself in the sides. Under

the Birds of Transylvania. 429

the shoulder a light spot on both sides^ which hardly shines
through and in many specimens is wanting. Tail-feathers
slit up and spread out like a fan."

257. FULIGULA RUFINA (Pall.).

Rare, but, according to Bieltz, has been shot on several oc-
casions in the Mezoseg, and in the neighbourhood of Klausen-
burg. Herr Otto saw one pair in the Mezoseg on the 19th
April, and two pairs at Zah on the 30th March.

*258, FuLiGULA FERiNA (L.) , Veves Nijak (Red-neck).
Rather common on the lakes of the Mezoseg, where Bieltz
says they sometimes breed. We saw a few at Zah.

^259. FuLiGULA NYROCA (Guld.) . FeMr-szemu Recze.

Common. We saw them in flocks at Zah in the beginning
of May ; and it is not impossible that a few may remain to
breed.

260. ruLiGULAMARiLA(L.). Hegyi Recze{M.o\midJm-Yy\ick) .
Not rare during migration and in winter.

261. FuLiGULA CRiSTATA (Leach) .

Sometimes occurs, during migration, in considerable
numbers.

262. Glaucion clangula (L.). J eg Recze (Ice-Duck).
Not rare during winter on the larger lakes and rivers.

263. (Edemia FUscA (L.) .
Occasionally appears in winter.

264. Mergus albellus, L. Ejszaki-sark Buvdr (North-
Pole Diver).

Much the commonest of the family, and to be met with
during winter in large flocks, and abundant in the middle of
March.

265. Mergus merganser, L. Muszka Recze (Russian
Duck).

Not rare on rivers during the winter months. Herr Csato
says it frequents the Strell in small flocks,

2 i2

430 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Ilarvic Brown on

2G6. Mergus serrator, L.

Much rarer than the preceding.

Obs. ''Anas cana." This bird, which in the ' Erdelyi Muz.
Egylct Evkonyvei' (vol. i. pt. 2, p. G3) is stated by Count
Laziir to be new to Europe, is described in ' Verhandl. und
Mittheil. des siebenb.Vereins fiir Naturwissenschaft' (10. Jahr-
gang-, p. 244) by the same author as follows : — "As large as
A. querquedula, but having a broader head. The head, neck,
and upper parts arc of a beautiful grey, like Columba palum-
bus ; breast, belly, and undei'parts of wings snow-white. Na-
tive comitry India, especially Coromandcl " In the

spring of 1854 the author saw six of these birds at Benczencz,
near Broos, one of which he got with great trouble, as they
were extremely shy. Since then he has heard of, but not
seen them.

This is of course not the well-known Anas cana, Grael.,
from South Africa ; but the description does not enable us to
determine what the single example which seems to have been
obtained could be. There is certainly no known species from
"' Coromandcl " (or, indeed, anywhere in India) which agrees
with the Count's. The so-called " Coromandcl " Teal of
many authors, Nettopus coromandelianus (Gmel.), is very un-
like the bird described. We can only suggest that the bird
may have been A. marmorata.

267. Pelecanus crispus, Bruch. Sziirke Godeny (Grey
Pelican) .

Very rare. A male specimen was killed at Batiz, on the
Strell, in 1850, by Herr Stetter.

268. Pelecanus onocrotalus, L. Rdzscis Godeny (Rosy
Pelican) .

Rare, but has occurred at Hatzeg and at Reps, on the Alt
near Hermannstadt, the Maros near Deva, the Kiilkiil near
Schassburg, &c. The specimen in the Klausenburg Museum
was killed near the town. Boner (in his work, ' Transyl-
vania: its Products and its People'), alluding to the periods
of migration, says : — " At such times the Swan, the Cormo-
rant, and the Pelican have also been seen on the rivers ; and

the Birds of Transylvania. 431

Lieutenant * ^ ^ came home once bringing with him
seven of the latter that he had shot/^ Stetter mentions that
eleven were killed in one day at Hermannstadt ; and Herr
Otto^ tliat fifteen appeared on the Szaraos in June 1864, and
remained till the end of the month (Zoological Communi-
cations &c. a.).

269. Graculus carbo (L.). Szerecsen G'ddeny (Negro Pe-
lican); Hal Farkds (Fish- Wolf j.

Rare, but is sometimes found on the larger rivers in winter.
Herr Buda Adam killed one near Russ, on the Strell, in
August ; and a young bird was shot near Hatzeg. The spe-
cimen in the Klausenburg Museum is from Felvincz. On
24th June, 1867, Herr Otto shot an adult female at Felvincz ;
and again, on 24th July of the same year, seven were seen
near Klausenburg, and two of them were shot/^

270. Graculus pygm^us (Pall.).

Not very rare. It generally appears in large flocks, and
has been met with on the Alt and Strell. On the latter two
young birds were killed in December at Brettye.

271. Graculus cristatus (Faber).

Herr Buda Adam says that it has occurred, but is very
rare.

272. SuLA bassana (L.).

Bieltz mentions that this bird Avas once observed during
winter by Herr Stetter.

273. Sterna fluviatilis (Naum.). Haldsz (The Fisher).
Not uncommon on the larger lakes and rivers. It is said

to breed in the country.

274. Sterna anglica (Mont.).

Herr Buda Adam is our authority for the occurrence of
this bird.

275. Sterna minuta, L. Kis Haldsz.

Rare. According to Bieltz it arrives in May, breeds in the
country, and leaves in August. In the Strell valley it is very
uncommon. A specimen was shot at Zcykfalva in June.

432 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

276. Sterna hybrida^ Pall.

Herr Csato says that several specimens were killed out of
some small flocks wliich appeared in the Strell valley in June
1863. Herr Buda Adam has also shot it near Hatzeg.

"^277. Sterna leucoptera^ Meisner & Schintz.
Not very common. We found them at Zah in company
with the next species.

*278. Sterna pissipes^ L. Firi Csdka (Water- Jackdaw) .

Common on the larger lakes and rivers. We saw many at
Tohat and Zah. Herr Otto records having seen a flock of
about 2000 on the 29th April in the Mezoseg.

279. Larus ridibunduSj L. Neveto Sirdlyf (Laughing
Gull).

Not rare in spring. One was killed near Klausenburg
during our stay there.

280. Larus minutus. Pall. Kis Sirdly,

Not rare in the lakes of the Mezoseg, where we saw it on
various occasions, and shot an immature bird at Tohat in the
early part of May. Herr Csato has observed them in the
Strell valley during spring, but says they do not occur in
autumn. The birds seen in the country are, no doubt, ofl"-
shoots from the immense migratory flocks of this species
which, as described by Mr. W. H. Simpson (Ibis, 1861,
p. 362), frequent the freshwater lakes of the Dobrudscha
preparatory to their flight northwards to their breeding-
quarters on the great Russian lakes Ladoga and Onega.

281. Larus tridactylus, L.

Rare. It has been observed in late autumn and winter,

282. Larus canus, L.

Rare, but is sometimes met vsdtli in stormy weather, and
has been killed on the Alt, near Hermannstadt.

283. Larus argentatus, Gmel.

Very rare. A specimen shot at Dees is in the Klausen-
burg Museum.

t Hungarians call all Terns and Gulls "Siraly," from their mournful
wailing cry.

the Birds of Transylvania. 433

284. Larus fuscus, L.

Rare, but has been obtained in various localities. There
is a specimen in the Klausenburg Museum which was killed
at Bethlen on June 19th, 1865; and both this and the two
preceding species have been shot in the Strell valley.

285. Larus marinus, L.

Very rare. Herr Buda Adam says that he has seen it at
Hatzeg.

286. Stercorarius catarrhactes (L.).

Very rare. Bieltz mentions that a specimen which was
killed at Hermannstadt in 1850 is in the collection of the
Natural- History Society of that place.

287. Stercorarius parasiticus (L.).

This species is included in a List of Transjdvanian birds in
the collection of Graf Lazar.

288. Stercorarius pomatorhinus, Temm.

Solitary specimens occasionally occur in autumn. Bieltz
says that there was one in the former College Museum of
Nagy Enyed.

289. Thalassidroma pelagica (L.) .

A few specimens have occurred during rough weather. One
was killed by Herr Stetter in 1840 on the Maros.

290. COLYMBUS GLACIALIS, L.

A few visit the country every winter.

291. CoLYMBUS ARCTICUS, L.

Commoner than the preceding in winter ; and solitary birds
have been seen during summer. Herr Csato says that both
the young and adult of this, and the young of the following
species, have been killed in autumn in the Strell valley.

292. CoLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, L.

A few occur in winter and autumn, but they are almost
always young bii'ds.

*293. PoDicEPS CRisTATUs (L.). Bubos Vocsok.
Very common on the lakes of the Mezoseg. It comes in
March, and leaves in October.

434 Mr. E. L. Layard on a new Flycatcher.

294. PODICEPS RUBRICOLLIS (Gm.) .

Rarer than the preceding, and remaining the same time in
the country. We probably saw them at Zah.

*295. PODICEPS AURITUS (L.).

We found this bird common in the Mezoseg j but it is re-
ported rare in other parts of the country.

296. PODICEPS NIGRICOLLIS (Gm.) .

Said to be rarer than the others, but not of unfrequent oc-
currence in various localities.

297. PouiCEPs MINOR (Lath.). Kis Buvar (Little Diver).
Not common, but of general distribution. All the fore-
going species of this family occur in the valley of the Strell.

XXXVIII. — Description of a new Flycatcher belonging to the
Genus Myiagra, and Notes on some other Fijian Birds.
By E. L. Layard, Administrator of the Government of
the Colony of Fiji.

Myiagra azureocapilla, sp. n.

(^ . General colour above dark sombre blue ; tail and
wing-primaries black, the latter externally edged with the
blue of the back ; top of the head and cheeks from below the
eye rich azure blue ; a black band extends from over the
nostrils and passes round the nape of the neck, including the
eye in its breadth ; chin, throat, and chest dark rich choco-
late-brown, reddest on the chin ; remainder of the underparts
bluish white. Length 6" 3'", wing 3" 3"', tail 3", tarsus 10"',
bill 9''. Beak orange; legs slate-colour; iris dark horn.

? . General colour above chocolate-brown ; top of head
bluish ; cheeks chocolate and white : tail and wing-primaries
brownish black ; the latter edged externally with the chocolate
of the back ; the former more or less tipped with white, most
visible on the under side : chin, throat, and chest as in the
male, but not so dark, being almost red. This colour extends
down the flanks and tinges the remainder of the underparts,
which are white. In the bill the upper mandible is dark
horn, the under orange.

Mr. E. E. Layard on a new Fhj catcher. 435

I propose to call this pretty Flycatcher Myiagra azureoca-
pilla, from the lengthened azure-coloured feathers on the top
of the head. It was first obtained by Mr. Liardet^ in the
north of the island Taviuni in this group^ and near the same
locality by my son^ Mr. Leopold Layard. The latter informs
me that they frequent the forest^ perching on the lower trees.
He never found them in the low country, but at an elevation
of 600 or 800 feet. This is all covered with forest. They
feed on insects, in search of which they were very restless
and active. They were sometimes in pairs, at others so-
litary.

Lamprolia victoria, F. & H.

Mr. L. Layard, who obtained several specimens of this sin-
gular bird, informs me that it creeps about in the lower growth
of the thick saplings, and among the pendent thin lianas
and vines in the very thick forest in the same locality as the
Myiagra azureocapilla. Occasionally they descend to the
ground and peck among the fallen leaves. When disturbed
they flit among the lianas, at no great height, say 20 feet
from the gi'ound. He only saw one upon a tall tree. When
chasing each other he heard them utter a sharp shrill twitter ;
at other times they were silent. Their food he found to
consist entirely of small beetles. Bill and legs black, iris
dark horn.

Chryscena victor, Gould.

In the same locality he procured the '' Orange Dove,^^ and
found, as I predicted, that the female and young male were
green. The latter may be distinguished at any time from
the female by the orange tinge on the head and plumage
generally, and the deeper orange of the vent and under tail-
coverts. Some of the settlers informed him that they had
found young birds, fallen from the nest, entirely green. He
also shot the full-plumaged orange male in amorous chase
after the green female. They were in such a state of fat
that he used the cuttings to grease his gun-barrel to keep it
from rust.

He mentions seeing numbers of a small species of Parrot,

436 Rev. S. J. Whitmec on Samoan Birds.

of which he uever could obtain a specimen^ flying high over
the trees. Once, and once only, he saw them settle on a
cocoauut-tree. He says they appeared to be entirely green,
and considerably less in size than Lorius soUiarius, a small
flock of which he once observed in company, but not mixing,
with a flight of the others. This bird is probably unknown.
Taviuni is so unlike any other island of the group that I
should not be surprised at many new things turning up there.
I already know four or five species peculiar to it. The high
mountain-forests of Viti Levu will also doubtless furnish some
new and interesting species when ransacked.

XXXIX. — List of Samoan Birds, with Notes on their Habits
^c. By the Rev. S. J. Whitmee.

Part I. Land Birds.

1. Strix delicatula, Gould. Samoan name Lulu.
Common to all the islands.

2. CoRiPHiLus fringillaceus (Gmel.). Sega = Senga.
Very abundant on all the islands during a part of the year.

The natives believe this bird migrates ; but all I have been
able to learn on the subject is, that they are seen passing in
flocks from the western to the eastern islands. A few may be
found all the year round ; but during several months of the
cooler season the cocoanut-trees swarm with them. They
appear to feed chiefly on the nectar of the cocoanut-flowers ;
but when the Erythrina indica, Lamarck (a tree very com-
mon near the coast), flowers, about July and August, they
may be seen about it in great numbers. Native boys are
very expert at snaring the Sega on the cocoanut-trees. I
have never heard of the bird breeding in Samoa ; and the na-
tives positively affirm that it does not. I have often obtained
examples of this Parrakeet in immature plumage ; but they
are always nearly full-grown, and as strong on the wing as
old birds. The Samoans are very clever at rearing and keep-
ing birds ; and they purchase the Fijian Shining Parrakeet
{PyjThuIopsis splendens, Peale) at high prices, and keep them

Rev. S. J. Whitmee on Samoan Birds. 437

many years ; but they never succeed in keeping the Cori- ■
philus alive more tlian a few weeks.

3. EuDYNAMis TAiTiENSis (Sparrm.), Aleva.

This Cuckoo is, apparently, less abundant in Samoa than
it is in many of the Polynesian islands. It is difficult to ob-
tain here. I have never seen a living example, and have not
succeeded in obtaining its eggs, or in learning any thing about
them from natives. The bird is chiefly known to the Sa-
moans as an example of arrant cowardice, owing to the fact
that, when seen, it is almost always chased by a number of
Jaos {Ptilotis carunculata) , from which it tries to escape in
the most precipitate manner. I scarcely ever hear the name
of the Aleva mentioned by a native without some such remark
as this : " The big bu'd that is chased by the little Jao ! "

4. Halcyon pealii, Finsch & Hartl. Tiotala.

Found on Tutuila only. I know nothing of its habits, ex-
cept that it is a very noisy bird, somewhat resembling in that
respect the Laughing Elingfisher {Dacelo gigantea, Lath.) of
Austraha.

5. Halcyon recurvirostris, Lafr. Tiotala.

Found on Upolu and Savaii. Very common. A noisy
bird, with a loud saw-sharpening kind of note, but less noisy
than its Tutuila congener. It forms its nest by pecking a
hole in the nest of the Termes arborum. It ajjpears to lay
only two eggs.

6. CoLLOCALiA SPODIOPYGIA, Pcalc. P(^ape' a = Pehapeha.
This Cave-Swallow is found all over the islands, but is not

often seen except in certain localities. On the 25th November
last I visited a cave where it was plentiful. I found a num-
ber of nests, all built entirely of moss. Every recent nest
had one young bii'd in it. In no instance could I find an
unhatched egg. The young were mostly unfledged. From
the number in the same stage of growth, and the absence of
eggs, I fancy these Swallows must breed very uniformly as
to time. As I found one young bird in every nest, I conclude
that they lay only one egg.

438 Rev. S. J. Whitmec on Samoan Birds.

7. MyzoMELA NiGRivENTiiiSj Pcalc. Tolui-ulu.
Common near the coast on all the islands. I have not seen

it far inland. It frequents the trees about the villages. On
several occasions one has come inside my house ; but when it
enters a house, I believe it is to take refuge from the pugi-
listic Ftilotls carunculata, which may frequently be seen
chasing it. The male is one of our most showy birds. I
have never yet succeeded in obtaining its nest and eggs.

8. Ptilotis carunculata (Gmel.). Jao.

One of our most common birds. Most abundant near the
coast and about dwellings. It is a very lively bird, and a
desperate fighter. It chases birds of any size. I have men-
tioned the Eudynamis and the Myzomela as being chased by
it. I once had a Cacatua galerita which was greatly tor-
mented by this bird. I have also obtained living examples
of the Sturnoides atrifusca (a very powerful and bold bird)
and the Ptilonopus fasciatus, which had been driven by the
Ptilotis until they sought refuge in a house, or were so
much distressed as to be easily caught in the bush. It takes
great delight in tantalizing cats, as I have often observed to
my amusement. Although a honey-sucker, it by no means
feeds exclusively on nectar. I see it every day searching the
orange-trees and the shrubs in my grounds for caterpillars,
spiders, &c., and have seen it eat very large caterpillars. The
nest of this bird is pretty weU represented in Hartlaub and
Finsch's work (pi. i. fig. 1) ; but the egg (pi. i. fig. 2) is incor-
rectly coloured : the ground should have a deeper red tinge,
and the spots should be much more sparsely distributed.

9. Leptornis sAMOENsis, Hombr. Md'oma'o=Mahoniaho.
Found throughout the islands, but rarely seen near the

coast. I know nothing of its nesting. There is a good deal
of superstition in the native mind connected with this bird.
It has a peculiar wailing kind of cry, which may, under the
influence of superstition and fear, be interpreted into language.
When travelling in the bush with natives, they have frequently
said it was going to rain, because the Ma'oma'o was crying.
For my part, I always think the appearance of rain-clouds

Rev. S. J. Wliitmee on Samoan Birds. 439

calls their attention to the note of the bird ; for it appears to
me to make as much noise in fine weather as in wet. More
than once have I known the note of the bird to be interpreted
into a prediction of some calamity^ or into an oracular de-
liverance.

10. Petrceca pusilla. Peale. Tolai and Tolai-fatu.
This little bird is very common in all parts of the islands,

I have more frequently seen it and Bhipidura nebulosa in
the mountains than any other bird ; and it is abundant on the
coast. It has a note more nearly approaching to a song than
most of our birds.

11. Merula vanicorensis^ Quoy. Tutumalili.
Common in the bush. There is no living object in Samoa

which gives me so much of ho7ne feeling as this bird. It flies
low before one for short distances_, with the peculiar Black-
bird notCj exactly as its congener does along the English
hedgerows. The only thing lacking is the English Black-
bird's song. Its nest is very similar to that of the English
Blackbird, except that it is rather smaller, to suit the smaller
size of the bird ; and, unless my memory fails me since my
birds'-nesting days, the eggs of the two might almost be
interchanged without the error being detected, except that
the Samoan e^^ is perhaps the smaller of the two. The figure
of the Merula' s egg in Finsch and Hartlaub's work is very
incorrect.

12. Rhipidura nebulosa, Peale. Se'u = Sehu.

This hird is very frequently met with in the bush. It
always amuses me by its self-important fussy manner as, with
tail widely expanded, like a fan, and wings partially expanded
and drooping, it hops from branch to branch of the bushes.
It is constantly on the move, flies short distances, and seems
to delight in keeping company with travellers. It utters a
short twittering note at short intervals. This and the pretty
little Petrceca pusilla often afi'ord me much amusement when
riding alone in the bush. The nest is a very thin structure
built of grass. An egg is figured in Hartlaub and Finsch's
' Birds of Central Polynesia ' (pi. i. fig. 6).

440 Rev. S. J. Whitmee on Samoan Birds.

13. Myiagra albiventris, Peale. I have not found a Sa-
moan name for this.

Only occasionally seen in the bush. As far as my own ob-
servation goes, I think it is rare. I have exhibited the bird
to a number of natives, and none know any name for it.
Some even say they have never observed it before. I have
noticed it stationed on a branch in the peculiar watchful atti-
tude of the Flycatchers, and darting after any passing insect.
I have never procured its nest or eggs.

14. Pachycephala icteroides, Peale. Vasavasa.
Common. This bird approaches nearest to a song-bird of

any in Samoa. In fact it has a very pretty note, which is
sustained for a length of time. I was once asked by a gentle-
man if I had lost a Canary, because he had observed a yellow
song-bird on the trees of his garden. While we were talking
of it the bird returned, and I recognized the Vasavasa. I
have heard other people remark how like its note is to that of
a rather poor-singing Canary. I have long wished to try and
keep it as a cage-bird, but have never succeeded in procuring
young from the nest, or an uninjured adult bird.

15. Lalage terat (Bodd.). Miti, Miti-sina, and Miti-tai.
This is very common about the villages — I think, the most

common bird we have. It may be constantly seen hopping
about the ground and picking up grubs &c.

16. Aplonis brevirostris, Peale. Miti-uli and Miti-vao.

This bird, as one of its Samoan names indicates, is con-
fined to the bush, Miti-vao meaning Bush-Miti. The native
names of animals often have some meaning in reference to
their appearance or habits. I know nothing of the habits of
this bird, except that it appears to lay only two eggs.

17. Sturnoides atrifusca, Peale. Fuia.

A very common and exceedingly bold bird. It levies heavy
contributions on all our fruit-trees. We can scarcely keep
any fruit on the trees to ripen (except oranges) without having
it injured by the Fuia. It comes close to the house, and even
commits its depredations before our eyes. The yellow Guava

Rev. S. J. Whitmee on Samoan Birds. 441

{Psidium guaiava) has spread in some parts of the islands and
become a pest ; and to the Sturnoides atrifusca I attribute the
chief blame. It is exceedingly fond of this fruity and distri-
butes the seeds in its excrement in all parts of the bush. The
Fuia's note is not unlike that of the common Starling [Stur-
nus vulgaris), but is louder, and heard chiefly early in the
morning. Eggs pale blue.

18. Erythrura cyanovirens, Peale. Segasegdmau'u.
This bird is not uncommon, but is often difiicult to find.

It evidently migrates from place to place, according to the
time of flowering of certain trees. It is seldom to be seen
near the coast, except when the Erythrina indica is in flower ;
but at that time (July and August) it may be seen in flocks
feasting, Avith the Coriphilus fringillaceus , upon the nectar
produced in its showy red flowers. In May of last year I
noticed a great number about a clump of ironwood trees
[Casuarina equisetifolia) then in flower.

19. LoBiospizA NOTABiLis, Hart, et Finsch. Sega-vao (?)
=^Senga-vao.

I think this bird is uncommon. I have seldom seen it.
The natives have brought me dead examples. They usually
confound it with the preceding species {Erythrura cyanovi-
rens) ; but some distinguish it, and apply to it the name given
above — Sega-vao. Once I saw it in the Savaii mountains,
and I have also procured it on Upolu"^.

20. Ptilonopus PEROusii, Peale. Manu-md [nxiile) , Manu-
lua (female).

This beautiful bird is not often seen ; but it is not uncom-
mon. It frequents certain trees, and may be always found
if one knows its habit. Its principal habitat is the indigenous
banyan {Ficus prolixa) , which grows very high ; and one has
to watch carefully in order to see the birds, although the tree
may be full of them. This Ptilonopus is considered by the

* [In a letter addressed to the Zoological Society, Dr. Ilartlaub states
that he and Dr. Finsch had come to the conclusion that this supposed
species is probably the young of Amhlyura cyanovirens {Erythrura cyano-
virens). See P. Z. S. 1875, p. 269.— Ed.]

442 liev. S, J. Whitmee on Samoan Birds.

natives to be a delicate bird and difficult to keep alive for
any length of time in confinement. The male and female are
very diflferent in plumage ; and I feel fully convinced that it
is the female of this species which is known as P. apicalis,
Bp. The natives have also regarded it as a distinct species,
and call it Mdnu-lua.

21. Ptilonopus fasciatus, Peale. Manu-tagi.

This is very common all over the islands. P. perousii, I
consider to be decidedly gregarious, but this species not so.
In fact it seems unable to keep the peace in company with
other birds, whether of its own or other species. It is easily
tamed and is hardy. The natives keep a great many tame
ones. These they formerly used very extensively as decoys ;
but since the general use of firearms they are rarely so used.
For decoying wild birds a trained bird was placed in a large
cage, with a rather long narrow neck, open at the top. The
body of the cage was made to bulge considerably at the lower
part. When taken into the bush the cry of the caged bird
soon attracted a wild one. This settled on the rim of the
cage^s open neck, whence it soon descended into the cage and
commenced fighting. The birdcatcher, concealed near, then
easily secured it, as it could not fly up the narrow neck which
it had no difficulty in darting down. This cage bids fair to
give us an example of the " survival " of an object after its
primary use has been superseded, which is so common, and
is so instructive to the ethnologist. I notice that Samoans
continue to make their cages in this way at the present time
without any intention of putting them to the old use, or
without even thinking why that particular form was first
adopted.

22. CoLUMBA viTiENSis, Quoy. Fiaui.

This Pigeon is found on Upolu and Savaii; I have also
seen it on the small islands in the straits (Manono and Apo-
lima) . It is only occasionally seen. The natives do not seek
it as an article of food, the flesh being very inferior to the
Carpophaga pacifica. I feel quite convinced that C. casta-
neicejis of Peale is not a good species, but that it ought to

Rev. S. J. Whitmee (m Samoan Birds. 443

be regarded as a synonym of C. vitiensis. This opinion,
however, is based on negative evidence alone. I have seen a
good many birds which were all referable to C. vitiensis ; one
of Mr. Godeflfroy's collectors, who has obtained many birds
on Upolu, tells me he has never found C. castaneiceps ; and
the natives only know the one species. I believe no one since
Peale has found birds referable to his species ; but on this
point my information may be deficient. The only descrip-
tion of the bird accessible to me is that given by Finsch and
Hartlaub ; and from this I am inclined to think Peale^s species
was founded on an individual peculiarity, or on immature
examples. I intend to give further attention to the subject,
and to compare a number of examples.

23. Carpophaga pacifica (Gmel.). Lupe.

This fine Pigeon is exceedingly abundant in all the islands.
During the season a good shot will bag two or three dozen
in a few hours. They are highly prized both by natives and
foreign residents as an article of food ; and when in greatest
perfection they are so fat that they often burst in falling
from the high trees on which the natives shoot them. They
furnish a not altogether despicable substitute for game. When
travelling in the islands I have known as many as sixty served
by a village to my boat's crew for their dinner. The Lupe
migrates from place to place, according to the fruiting of
certain trees. The natives know where to find it by the fmit
which is in season. At the present time (April) it feeds on
the fruit of the Maota {Dysoxylon, sp.) and Mosooi {Cananga
odorata, J. Hook.), and it is found only where these trees
are plentiful. When it is in best condition it feeds on the
fruit of the Tavai {Rhus taitense, var. tartense, Guil.). This
tree is plentiful within a short distance of the coast all over
the islands, and it fruits very abundantly ; hence the Lupe
is easily obtained at the time of its fruiting. There are many
other trees upon the fruit of which it feeds, among them the
nutmegs [Myristica, sp.) and the Faradaya powelli, Seem.
The fruit of the latter is known as the Mamd-lupe, which
means " the Pigeon's mouthful."

SER. III. VOL. V. 2 k

441 Rev. S. J. Whitmcc on Samoan Birds.

Many Samoans believe the Carpophaf/a migrates beyond
the Samoan group during the rainy season, while others main-
tain that it remains here the year through, but is at that
time scattered in the mountains. There is something to be
said in favour of both views. It is seen to migrate in flocks
between the Samoan islands. This is well observed on the
small islands of Manono and Apolima, which lie between
Savaii and Upolu. On their way across the straits they stay
a few days on these small islands. They are also seen to pass
from the eastern end of Upolu to Tutuila. These observed
migrations, as far I can learn, are all from Avest to east. As
these Pigeons are known to pass from island to island when
the distance is (in two instances) about forty and sixty miles
respectively, of course they may go further. But, on the
other hand, it is certain that some are always to be found,
in almost any part of the bush, during the period when they
are supposed to be away at other islands. Hence many
natives maintain that the comparative scarcity in any one
part is owing to their wide distribution about the islands, and
to the fact that they are not, at this season, gregarious. I
know, as a matter of personal observation, that Pigeons are
frequently to be met with during the rainy season, and that
they are then solitary. It is also certain that some, at least,
breed in Samoa. Eggs are found at the time when the birds
are in best condition (July to September) ; and from about
August and September young Pigeons are shot. Eggs and
young in the nest are very seldom taken; but this is owing
to the habits of the natives, who say, " What is the use of
birds^ eggs ? " and never look for them. The Samoans are
also the worst tree-climbers I have ever met with. With the
single' exception of the cocoa-nut palm, they seldom can be
induced to climb a tree. All I have met with who have seen
the egg and young of the Lupe, maintain that it never has
more than one egg at a time.

The migration of this Pigeon at definite times in search of
food (whether it goes to and fro between this and distant
groups or not) appears to me to throw light on the general
subject of bird-migration, which has lately engaged the at-
tention of some naturalists in Europe.

Rev. S. J. Whitmee on Samoan Birds. 445

Before the introduction and general use of firearms in the
islands. Pigeon-catching used to be a matter of great impor-
tance in Samoa. The population of whole villages would go
into the bush with decoy-birds, and spend weeks together in
the occupation. During this time they lived in bush-huts,
and subsisted almost entirely upon the Pigeons caught. This
mode has been completely superseded by the use of the gun ;
but tame Pigeons, such as were then used as decoys, are still
kept by many of the people, and they are still taught to fly
in a circle at the length of the string by which they are
tethered. These tame Pigeons are great pets, and almost
always take their food from the mouths of their owners. The
Samoans imitate very cleverly the coo of this Pigeon, and
generally find out where they are, when out shooting, by coo-
ing so naturally that the birds answer them.

24. Phleckenas stairi, Gray. Tu-tautifa, male; Tu-aimeu,
female.

The male and female of this bird have always been regarded
by the natives of these islands as distinct species ; hence they,
like the male and female of the Ptilonopus perousii, have been
known by distinct names. From an examination of living
birds I was of opinion that they were male and female of one
species. I have only examined two dead examples ; but a
collector in my neighbourhood has examined several of both
kinds, and his observation confirms my opinion: the dark
purple-breasted birds all prove males, and the paler uniform-
coloui'ed birds all prove females. Additional proof is just
now afibrded by a pair in confinement : these have paired,
and the hen is now sitting on two eggs ; the cock is very
attentive to his mate, keeping at a safe distance from her nest
two examples of Ptilonopus fasciatus, which occupy the same
cage. I forwarded a li^dng example of the female to Sydney
last year, to be sent to the Zoological Society^s gardens. At
that time I thought it was the female of this species, but was
not certain. I have recently sent a skin to the Rev. Canon
Tristram. If the differences between the male and female
have not been made known, perhaps one of these may serve

2 K 2

446 Rev. S. J. Whitmcc on Samoan Birds.

for description. The bird is widely distributed in the group,
but is not very frequently met with.

25. DiDUNCULUs sTRiGiRosTRis, Jard. Manu-mea.

1 have recently contributed some notes on this bird to the
'Proceedings^ of the Zoolocical Society {vide P. Z. S. 1874,
p. 183).

26. Hallus PECTORALis, Less. Ve'a=Veha.

Very common, especially near the coast and about the plan-
tations of the natives.

27. Ortygometra quadristrigata, Horsf. Vat.

I have never seen a living example of this bird, and have
had great difficulty in procuring a single dead one. This is
not because the bird is scarce, but because it hides so closely
in sedges and reeds in swamps and by streams that the natives
have a difficulty in getting a shot at it. I have often heard
its cry, and I believe it is found about water in all parts of
the islands.

28. PoRPHYRio iNDicus, Horsf. (? P. vitiensis, Peale) .
Manu-alii.

Common all over the islands. I am strongly inclined to
think that our Samoan Porphyria ought to bear the specific
name of vitiensis instead of indicus. This bird seems easily
to accommodate itself to vaiying conditions. It is hardy in
captivity, and will feed upon any thing which comes in its
way — vegetables, cooked or raw, cockroaches, rats, and
lizards ; and I have known one recently to attack and eat a
wounded Strepsilas interpres. This is in the possession of a
collector in my neighbourhood, who, having shot and wounded
the Strepsilas, placed it in the cage with the Porphyria, which
attacked it immediately. The PorpJiyrio is not only found
about swamps and lakes, but is common in the bush far away
from water. It frequents the taro plantations, and in some
parts feeds largely on that vegetable.

29. Pareudiastes pacificus, Hart, et Finsch. Puna'e=-
Punahe.

I have not learned any thing more of the habits of this

Mr. R. Swinhoe on Birds from Hakodadi. 417

bird since the date of my notes on it already communicated
to the Zoological Society {vide P. Z. S. 1874, pp. 184, GOG).

The following, which are included among Samoan birds by
Hartlaub and Finscli, are omitted in the foregoing list because
I have no certain personal knowledge of them. Some, I think,
I may yet obtain ; others, I think, are incorrectly attributed
to Samoa ; and others are doubtful species : —

1. Myzomela jugularis, Peale; 2. Tartare longiros-
TRis (Gmel.) ; 3. Myiagra castaneiventris, Verr. ; 4. Pa-

CIIYCEPHALA FLAVIFRONS, Pcalc j 5. P. ALBIFRONS, Pcalc ; 6.

Amadina optata, P. & H. ; 7. Ptilonopus apicalis, Bp. ; 8,
CoLUMBA CASTANEicEPS, Pcalc ; 9. Megapodius stairii. Gray ;
10. Ortygometra tabuensis, Gmel.

Of these, Ptilonopus apicalis, Columba castaneiceps, and
Megapodius stairii may be safely regarded as synonyms of
P. perousii, C. vitiensis, and M. pritchardi, Gray, respec-
tively. The type oiM. stairii was, I believe, sent from Samoa,
but was brought here from the island of Nina-fou, where M.
pritchardi exists. If I am correct in this, then the former
name has the right of precedence. I also believe that Peale^s
Pachycephala flavifrons is not distinct from his P. icteroides.
The Samoan name which he gives for the former, " Vassi-
vassi," does not exist in the dialect ; but it is evidently an in-
correct form of " Vasa-vasa,^' the name of P. icteroides. I
doubt whether Tartare longirostris is correctly attributed to
this group. The other five species I hope still to find. I
believe I lately saw Myiagra castaneiventris in the bush.
When I obtain further information, I hope to continue my
list, and to include shore- and sea-birds.

Upolu, April 2nd, 1875.

XL. — On the Contents of a second Box of Birds from Hako-
dadi, in Northern Japan. By R. Swinhoe.

I SHOULD like to record in the forthcoming number of ' The
Ibis ' that I have just received a second box of birds from Mr.
Thomas Blakiston of Hakodadi, N. Japan, together with a

448 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Birds from Hakodadi.

letter of notes on the ornithology of that locality. Any
species now received for the first time I record with num-
bers following consecutively those of my paper in ' The Ibis '
for April 1874. The last number therein given was 68.

69. Falco subbuteo^ L.

Blakiston notes the length of fresh birds : — Sept. ? ($ , length
llf inches, wing 10| ; and Sept. ^ , length Vl\, wing 10^. He
says, '^ an August male differs in having unspotted chestnut
thighs, and more slate-colour on back; and seems to agree with
F. rufipes of Yarrell." This will probably be F. amurensis,
Radde. Blakiston also has the skins of what he takes to be
Accipiter nisus. One has five bars on the tail-feathers, except
outer ones, which have six ; and one has four bars, and seven
bars on the outer ones. He has seen a specimen of Bubo
maximus killed. He has sent a male Hen-Harrier and two
small Owls. The Harrier has some dark lines on the sides of
its body ; but Mr. R. B. Sharpe considers it of the European
type, and not of the American j so I add it as

70. Circus cyaneus, L.

71. Scops stictonotus, Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 54, t. iii. f. 1.
A September female. Blakiston has two other females,

shot in the same month, and says that they all agree with his
Canton specimens. The bird sent agrees with mine from
China. Mr. Sharpe considers my larger Owl, mentioned in
' The Ibis' 1874, p. 434, to be the true S.japonicus, T. & S.

72. Scops SEMiTORQUES (T. & S.).

The male bird received seems very small. Blakiston gives
the length when fresh -killed as 8|, wing 6|. He writes that
he has also a male of Otus brachyotus, procured at Hakodadi,
■which agrees with his Canton specimen. He has also got
one skin of Caprimulgus jotaka.

73. CuiETURA CAUDACUTA (Lath.).

Two males, one of September, the other of August, and a
female of August. Blakiston gives their measurements at 7g
to 8, and that of their wings from 7| to 8j.

Chelidon blakistoni. No. 3 of former list.

Two males and one female sent this time, all procured in

Mr. R. S^^inllOC on Birds from Hakodadi. 449

April. Blakistou's measurements — length 5 to 5j, wing 4
to 4^. Two of these are dingy on the underparts, especially
on the breast

74. Ceryle guttata, Vigors [lugubris, T. & S.).

A male of January, Blakiston gives length 15^, wing 7^.
This is w4iiter in plumage than ordinary. I have a female
from Ningpo, and I cannot distinguish between specimens of
C. lugubris and C. guttata.

75. LOCUSTELLA LANCEOLATA, Tcmm.

A female of this bird, shot in August at Hakodadi, has
come to hand.

7Q. RUTICILLA AUROREA (Pall.).

A female of this has also come.

77. Anthus japonicus, Temm. & Sclileg. ; Bp, Consp. Av.
p. 248.

Blakiston has sent a pair of Pipits, with the note that they
measure in length from 6| to 6f , and their wing from 3j to
3^ — which are decidedly of this species^ and prove its validity
and distinctness from either A. aquaticus or A. cervinus.
From the Museum of St, Petersburg I received in exchange
an Amoor specimen marked A.japonicus, which turned out to
be no other than true A. aquaticus. This misled me ; and
when latterly at Ningpo I came across similar birds, I was
under the impression 1 had found the Japanese species in
China. On bringing them to England I learnt that they
were nothing but ordinary A. aquaticus. I wrote to Leyden,
and asked what A. japonicus really was, and begged for a
specimen. I was told in reply that it was simply the winter
plumage of A. cervinus. And to think that after all it should
turn out a good species ! It bears a strong resemblance to
certain specimens of A. aquaticus, but it may be at once
recognized by the clear round black spots on its breast. Even
Mr. Dresser acknowledges its distinctness as a species.

78. CiNCLUs pallasi, Temm.

A pair of this Dipper have come. The specimens are not

450 Mr. R. Swiulioc on Birds from Hukodadi.

distinguishable from Chinese examples. Blakiston gives the
length 7i to 8|, wing 3^ to 4i.

79. Lanius superciliosus, L.

Mr. Blakiston sends a male of this under the head of L.
hucephalus, noting that it seems larger. He gives the size of
that S2)ecics : — $ , length 7%, wing 3| ; ? , length 7\, wing 3i.
He writes of this last, " identified in 1862." From a reference
to ' The Ibis ' for that year, I imagine that both his sexes
must be in immature or female plumage, as he only had
a female when he wrote his paper " on the Ornithology of
Northern Japan '* (p. 317). This idea of mine seems to be
confirmed by the fact of his sending an adult male of

80. Lanius Bucephalus, T. & S.

Sent as a specimen of L. superciliosus. The size of this is
given as, length 7|, wing 3^. This is the first male individual
of this species that I have seen.

81. Garrulus brandti, Eversm.

A pair of these have come to hand with this note of mea-
surement— length 12j to 13|, wing 6f to 7^.

82. Leucosticte brunneinucha (Brandt).
A pair.

83. LoxiA albiventris, Swinh. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 437.

A pair of Crossbills with white bellies, just like the North-
Chinese bird. Blakiston gives as measurements from the flesh,
6| to 6j X 5 J to 5f, and adds, " I have one more specimen,
6| X 5|, ^ , October. The bill is stouter than in the example
I send you, but there are no other remarkable difierences.^^

84. EuspizA variabilis, T. & S.

One specimen has come, with the note : — " Two just alike,
October cJ, 5| x 3.^^ This is the first I have seen of this
species, extraordinary for its whole-coloured outer rectrix.
Blakiston reports having a May specimen of Emberiza perso-
nata with a black face. This peculiarity is, I believe, the origin
of the name — just as E. melanops, Blyth, is a synonym for
the allied E. spodocephala, Pall., of Eastern Asia and China.

Mr. R. Swinhoc on Birds from Hakodadi. 451

85. EUSPIZIA AUREOLA (Pall.).

" One specimen only. Compared with Chinese example "
[Blakiston) . He sends a distinct form of Reed-Bunting with
Bullfinch-like bill for a second of his Schcenicola yessoensis
(Ibis, 1874, p. 161) . The specimen is a male in winter plumage,
and looks much like a diminutive specimen of S.jjyrrhuloides
of Europe. I have never met this form in China ; and it is
desirable to get the spring and adult plumage before descri-
bing it. It bears to S. pallasi the same relation that ;S^. pyr-
rhuloides does to the home Reed-Bunting; but S. pallasi
has not yet occurred in N. Japan.

Blakiston asks if Whitely was right in his identification of
E. sulphurata, as it has not occun'cd to him. Mr. Whitely,
of Woolwich, says he is sure his son was. I can only say it
is a common Avinter visitant to Amoy, in China.

Plectrophanes nivalis (L.) .

" Still only one specimen " {Blakiston) . None sent.

86. Dryocopus martius (L.).

A male and female sent. "Female specimen sent has
scarlet on nape only " [Blakiston).

87. Gecinus canus (L.).

Two males sent, with small bills, but not otherwise different.
" Is there any chance of there being another species here "
{Blakiston) ? The G. awokera (T. & S.) will in all probability
occur there also, as in places in Europe both G, viridis and
G. canus are found together.

88. PiCUS MAJOR (L.).

A female sent. " Identified in 1862" [Blakiston).

89. Picus LEUcoNOTus, L. [uralensis).

A male sent. " Identified in 1862" [Blakiston).

90. Picus KisuKi, T. & S.

" Identified in 1868 " [Blakiston) . A male sent.

91. CucuLus cANORiNUs, Cab.

A male sent of this Eastern Cuckoo, the same as we get
as a summer visitant in China.

452 Mr. R. Swinhoc on Birds from Hakodadi.

92. ViNAGO SIEBOLDI, T. &S.

" Saw this bird several times this last autumn when on the
S.E. coast of Yezo — and had one skin; but unfortunately
the Crows carried it off when drying outside the house in the
sun'^ {Blakiston) .

93. Phasianus veksicolor, T. & S.

A male and female sent. " S, 31i to 32^ x 9 to 9| ; ? ,
23 1 to 24 J X 8 to 8 J. Have a male which has fragment of
white collar on neck " {Blakiston) .

94. COTURNIX JAPONICA^ T. & S.

Two males, identical with Chefoo specimens (Ibis, 1875,
p. 126).

95. Squatarola helvetica (L.).

I can see no difference between Japanese, Chinese, and
home specimens.

96. Charadrius virginicus.

With a C. fulvus ? of May, with the belly partly moulted
black, a male marked July, with dark bars on sides of belly
only, and a female of September, with uumoulted underparts,
of apparently C virginicus have come to hand. Blakiston
writes, '' I think I have two species. ^^ The latter skins have
certainly smaller golden spots on the upper parts, shorter
wings, and longer toes ; but the two so-called species require
close comparison for discrimination, and I should think that
individuals in life must often be puzzled to know whether
the " stranger '' bird be a " brother or a cousin.^^

Blakiston adds, while sending three more specimens of
jEgialitis placida, G. R. Gray, " I have four other speci-
mens, 81 to 8|x5i to 6."

97. ^gialitis cantiana.

One in winter plumage, like our winter visitant in China.

98. -^GIALITIS DUBIA (Scop.).

"Only one specimen, $, 6|x4|. Seems to agree with
Chinese examples of ^. philippensis " {Blakiston) .

Blakiston mentions another species that he has, with a
" chestnut forehead, back of neck, and breast ; dark feet ; no
collar. One specimen, full plumage, one female, 7f x ^\."

Mr. R. Swiiihoe on Birds from Hakodadi. 453

What this species is puzzles me ! It appears allied to jE. bu
cincta (Gould) and jE. ruficapilla (Gm.), both from Aus-
tralia, but seemingly distinct.

HcBmatopus osculans, Swinh. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 405.

Blakiston remarks, '^Only one male, 17 x 10|. Bill from
forehead 3j. White commences on third quill, only three
tail-coverts tipped with black."

Totanus glareola, L.

"Identified by you by specimen in 1873" {Blakiston). A
skin of this species received. He adds that he has only two
specimens of

99. Totanus ochropus, L.

They were identified by me in 1862. He now sends spring
and autumn examples of T. incanus.

100. Totanus glottis, L.

A female of October from S. Yezo. Measurements given,
" 13i X 7."

101. Totanus fuscus, L.

A male of October from S, Yezo, " 12 x 6^.""
He also sends spring and autumn examples of Tringoides
hypoleucus, which I can match from my China series.

102. LiMOSA UROPYGIALIS, Gould.

One of this species has arrived with the note, " Patched
rimip, males 14| to 15| x 7| to 8f, bill 3 to 3f ; one female
16| X 81, bill 4."

103. LiMOSA BREviPES, G. R. Gray.

Also one of this, with the note, '' White-rumped, only two
specimens, males, 14i to 14f x 7| to 8|."

A spring and an autumn specimen of Gallinago australis,
showing that the latter is more rufous on the dark parts.
This appears to be due to some seasonal change in the species.

He has also a spring specimen and an autumn one of this
common Snipe, and writes, " all darker in autumn." Their
spring bird is our Gallinago scolopacina in ordinary dress,
with white underparts ; but the autumn bird is considerably

454 Mr. R. Swiuhoc on Birds from Hakodadi.

baiTed and marked with shades of brown on the sides of the
underparts. This form of plumage I thought I knew in G.
scolopacina. I had frequently met with it in China in au-
tumn, but more or less occasionally in other months. I
turned up a specimen of both forms, shot near Pckin, in
September. I thought it might be G. major, Steph. (Schlcg.
Mus. d. Pays-Bas, ii. p. 7) ; but that is " Tres-reconnaissable
aux trois paires extenies des rectrices blanches, avec environ
3 barres foncees a la partie basale des barbes externes.^* I
carefully examined the tails of my two Pekin specimens, and
found them resembling one another, of 14 rectrices each, of
the ordinary form ; and the under wing showed less white than
usual, but not so little as the Japanese. The latter is cer-
tainly distinct from ours, and not the same bird in the dark-
sided plumage, which I find some of my G. stenura and G,
megala have affected. I fortunately possess a G. wilsoni from
Canada ; and this tallies completely with Blakiston^s speci-
men, except that it is a little larger in all its measurements.
The rectrices of both are similar and narrower than ordinary ;
but otherwise the form of the Common Snipe, even to the
spatulate expansion towards the tip of bill, is retained through-
out. I would note them under a consecutive number,

104. Gallinago wilsoni, Temm.

A female procured at Hakodadi in September. Distin-
guishable from G. scolopacina, which it resembles in form, by
its axillaries being barred uniformly with black and white.

'' Macrorhamjjhus {^), one specimen, Oct., ?, Il|x5yf,
bill 2|. Legs and feet olive ; bill darker olive, and dark
horn-colour near the tip ; outer toe webbed to first joint ; up-
per mandible resting in lower till near the tip, and one tenth
longer. Long scapulars like Sandpiper's. Centre of back
white. White shafts to outer quill-feathers. Killed in com-
pany with Golden Plover.^' The above description shows
Blakiston's bird to be rather the American bii'd than our
allied M. semipalmatus, Jerdon. No specimen has come
forward.

105. Calidris arenaria (L.).
One skin of this cosmopolitan bird.

Mr. R. Swiulioc on Birds from Hakodadi. 455

106. LOBIPES IIYPERBOREUS (L.).

One of this Phalarope, with the note " I only have two,"

107. Tringa ACUMINATA (Horsf.).
One skin.

108. Tringa cinclus, L.

Three of these ; one with a partly black belly, and other-
wise in part summer plumage.

Note, ^' Tringa ? Something like 1512 " (under that

number T. acuminata was sent), " longer bill, smaller feet ;
only one specimen." This may be T. maculata, Vieill.

109. Tringa albescens, Temm.

A spring and an autumn specimen ; the former with rufous
under neck and part summer dress.

110. Tringa damacensis (Horsf.).
Two autumn specimens of this species.

Eurynorhynclms injgmcEus.

Blakiston reports one specimen of this killed in Septem-
ber, and gives an unmistakable figure of its bill.

111. Ibis nipon, T.&S.

A fuU-gi'own immature grey specimen of this species has
come, with the note, "Adult male, April, 30xl7|; adult
female, April, 31 x 15|."

112. BOTAURUS STELLARIS (L.) .

A female of this Bittern, shot in May, with the note, '' 28y
X 12| (length perhaps doubtful) ; female shot in June, 22 x
11." He adds, " I have $ and ? of the Little Bittern you
spoke of with spotted female." My Ardetta eurhythma (Ibis,
1873, p. 73).

He sends adult and immature of Porzana erythrothorax ,
T. & S. (51 of my former list, Ibis, 1874, p. 163), and speaks
of two more — one that he takes to be Baillon's Crake, and the
other with " brown-and-white-spotted throat and breast."
which likely enough will turn out to be my new P. exquisita
(Ibis, 1875, p. 135).

456 Mr. R. Swinhoc on Birds from Hakodadi.

113. PoDicEPs PiiiLippENSis (Bonn.).

One of this shot in South YezO; with note on labcl^ '^ 9|

Podiceps cornutus, Gmcl.

One of these in winter plumage, and a P. nigricollis in
summer plumage, marked " ^ , April.^^ This last I received
before, and recorded in my first list, No. 53.

Colymbus septentrionalis, L.

" Only one specimen, with red throat, C arcticus (?) with
black throat ; and only one specimen of Meryus albellus."

114. Mergus serrator (L.).
A female sent.

115. Mergus castor (L.).
A male and a female.

116. Cygnus musicus, Bechst.

A skin of this is sent, with note, " adult male, 55 x 22\."

117. Anser segetum, L.

Two skins received, with the note, " These two specimens
killed out of the same flock ; others measure up to 35 x
20j, and bill up to 2| along edges." This settles the question
of the variability of this Goose, and confirms what I ascer-
tained of my own experience in my late residence at Ningpo,
China.

118. Anser brachyrhynchus.

A specimen sent marked " ? , October," with the note,
" One specimen, 27| x 16j, bill 2 ; did not see this when fresh,
but bill and feet appear to have been flesh- coloiu* ; otherwise
is a perfectly small edition of the last." I have never pro-
cured this species in China.

119. Anser albifrons, Gmel.

A male of April, with note, " Two specimens only, both ^ ,
in April, 27| to 28| x 16i to 16^"

" Anser erythropus (?).

" A female, October, 21 1 x 14|, bill 1^ ; otherwise a small
edition of the last." No specimens sent.

Mr. R. Swinhoc on Birds from Hahodadi. 467

120. Spatula clypeata (L.).
A young male sent.

121. MaRECA PENELOPE (L.).

A female sent.

122. Aix galericulata (L.).
A female sent.

123. ffioEMIA fusca (L.).

An adult and an immature bird sent^ with the note^ " I send
two specimens from Hakodadi, measuring 20^ to 21 x 10^
to 11. I also send my Yangze specimen, shot at Chinkiang
in February, (5^, 20x IQi.'' This last turns out to be (E.
velvetina, Cass., the American form of the present species,
and not (E. americana, allied to (E. nigra, as I stated before
(P. Z. S. 1871, p. 419).

" I am pretty certain we have (Edemia nigra. I saw num-
bers of Scoters along the S.E. coast last autumn, in which I
could detect no white at all. They keep up an incessant low
whistling noise." I suspect, however, that it will turn out
to be the American allied form of (E. nigra, as I have this
last from Kamtschatka.

124. FULIX MARILA (L.).

Two specimens sent.

125. FuLix MARiLoiDEs (Vigors) .

One specimen of this sent, agreeing with specimens pro-
cured by me at Ningpo, which I sent some home alive to
the Zoological Society^s Gardens (see P. Z, S. 1873, pp. 411,
412), with the note, "Have only two specimens, the other
being a ^ not in full plumage, 16f x 7\."

" Have still only one red-breasted Diving Duck. It may
be F. baeri, Radde ; but the bill is more even in width all along
than Fulix."

" Larus tridactylus (?) .

" Only one specimen, ? , 16| x 12i, October, black-footed ''
{Blakiston) .
I have not procured this bird on the coast of China.

458 Lord Walclcn on Birds from Burma.

12G. Uria carbo (Pall.).

An immature bird of this sent. I have an adult from
Karatschatka, presented to me by Dr. V. Schrcnk, of St.
Petersburg. Blakiston writes, ''One other specimen, darker."

BracJnjrhamphus kittlitzi, Brandt.

. The specimen now sent is a female, and like the one which
I received before, and noted in my former list under " No. 68.
Guillemot. Uria, sp." (p. 1G6) . From the " Birds,'' by S. F.
Baird, in the 'American Railway Survey Report' (p. 917), I
make out the Hakodadi birds to belong to this species. They
certainly are not B. marmoratus, Avhich I have seen in Mr.
Dresser's collection, and from the Woolwich Museum, pro-
cured at San Francisco, and shown me by Mr. Whitely. Blak-
iston writes with his last specimen, " I think, like the speci-
men I sent you before ; (J , 12 x 5| ; and ? , lOJ to 11^ x 5^
to 5| ; all in April and May."

XLI. — Notes on Birds from Burma. By Arthur, Viscount
Walden, F.R.S.

In a supplementary number of the ' Journal ' of the Asiatic
Society of Bengal will be found a list of the birds of Burma,
compiled by the late Mr. Blyth. Since it was written three
gentlemen have very materially increased our knowledge of
the species of birds which inhabit that part of Asia. Upper
Pegu has been most zealously and successfully investigated
by Mr. Oates ; and the results of that gentleman's discoveries,
and also those of Captain Feilden, have been made known by
Mr. Hume (Str. Feath. iii. pp. 1-194) in a paper containing
numerous most useful and interesting field-notes by those
gentlemen. Large collections have been made at many points
in the northern half of Tenasserim by Mr. Davison, a bare list
of the birds obtained having been published by Mr. Hume
[op. cit. ii. pp. 467-484). In the province of Tonghoo, and
in the country of the Karens, Lieutenant Wardlaw Ramsay,
after working the vicinity of Rangoon, has, for some time
past, been vigorously collecting. Several new species have

Lord Waldeii on Birds from Burma. 459

been discovered by him ; and many sjiccies not known to pos-
sess so extended a range have, through his exertions, been
added to the Burman avifauna. The researches of all the
gentlemen I have named enabled me to considerably extend
the list of Burman species as left by Mr. Blyth, and to raise
the number of actually known species to about 660. Since
the last sheet of this revised list was in the hands of the
printers, another large collection, made in the Tonghoo and
Karen hills by Lieutenant W. Ramsay, has reached me, con-
taining some more species new to Burma. Upon these I
desire to offer a few remarks.

In the Karen hills Lieutenant W. Ramsay had already dis-
covered a number of Himalayan forms, such as Batracho-
stomus hodgsoni, two species of the genus Niltava, Neornis
assimilis, a new species of Actinura, Sibia picaoides, Cutia
nipalensis, a species of Lioptila, several species of Liothrix
and affined genera, also of Stachyrhis, Orthotomus coronatics,
two species of Paradoxornis, and Saraglossa sp'iloptera. He
has also discovered the following species : —

Macropygia leptogrammica (Temm.) = M. tusalia (Hodg-
son) . One example was obtained on the Karen hills at 4000
feet elevation ; another on the Tonghoo mountains at 3500
feet. These and Himalayan individuals (^J) are certainly
not separable from the Javan ( ^ ) form. With Javau female
birds I have not been able to institute a comparison. Pro-
fessor Schlegel seems, on the other hand, not to have had
Himalayan females to compare with Javan (Mus. des P.-Bas,
Columba, p. 108).

DucuLA GRisEicAPiLLA, uobis, Auu. & M, N. PL (4) vol. xvi.
p. 228 (Sept. 1, lb75), is a species distinct from, though
nearly allied to, Z>. insigais and D. badia, discovered on the
Karen hills at an elevation of from 4000 to 4200 feet. The
distinctive character of the Tenasserim bird was mentioned
by Mr. Blyth (J. A. S. B. xxviii. p. 416) ; but he does not
appear to have ever named the species.

Arborophila brunneipjsctus (Blyth). Several examples
of this Wood-Partridge have been recently obtained by Lieu-

SER. III. VOL. V. 2 L

460 Lord AValdcn on Jiirds frcni Evriiia.

tenant W. Ramsay in the Karen lulls at 4000 feet elevation.
It has also been foinid by that gentleman and by Mr. Qatcs
in the Tonghoo hills. An interesting note relating to it by
the latter naturalist will be fouiid in 'Stray Feathers' (iii.
p. 174). In some examples the feathers on the upper part
of the breast are crossed by two conspieuous narrow black
bands, or by one broad one. In others the breast-plumage
appears of a uniform taw ny rufous ; but when the feathers
are pushed aside, many of them will be found to be broadly
marked with dark brown.

Gampsorhynchus liUfULUs. Adult males of this species,
obtained by Lieutenant W. Ramsay on the Tonghoo hills, in
no respect differ from Darjeeling birds and others from the
Garo hills &c. But some female examples he obtained in
the Karen hills exhibit a mixture of brown and white feathers
on the nape, suggesting apparently a state of transition from
the young to the adult plumage. One of these has also a
narrow rufous collar, which separates the white throat from
the tawny breast-plumage. In another this collar is merely
indicated at the sides of the neck, the white gular plumage
being continuous with that of the breast, which is white. On
examples in this state of plumage G. torquatus, Hume (Str.
Feath. ii. p. 446), appears to have been founded.

PsARisoMUS DALHousi^. On two examples of this Broad-
bill, obtained by Mr. Oates near Thayet Myo, Mr. Hume has
based a new title, P. assimilis (Str. Feath. iii. p. 53). The
characters relied on are trifling differences of extent and of
shade in the colour of some of the head- and neck-markings.
Lieutenant VV. Ramsay procured many examples of the bird
in Tonghoo and the Karen hills. The greatest care has been
taken by him in the preparation of the skins, which are ex-
cellent specimens of skilful taxidermy. Several of these ex-
amples are absolutely identical with others from Nipaul, Dar-
jeeling, North Cachar, Assam, &c. The broad yellow band
edged with silvery white is most conspicuous in a Karen in-
dividual. A Nipaul bird has the patch behind the eye of the
same hue as another from the Karen hills. And in a bird

Lord WaldeD on Birds from Burma. 461

from Asalu the white pearly band separates the whole of the
golden-yellow throat from the green breast.

The markings and shades of colour vary considerably in
this handsome Broad-bill. In some the broad yellow band
on the sides of the neck is interrupted on the nape by a patch
of blue ; in others this patch of blue has a yellow patch
above it. When the patch behind the eye is not pure yellow,
but greenish or bluish yellow, the yellow plumes of the chin,
and of the lores, and those which form the narrow frontal
band, are generally more or less tinged with green. In the
young bird the whole throat and the space before the eye is
light green. The crown is dark green, uniform with the
back, while those markings which eventually become golden,
are sketched-in in pale yellow. No blue, excepting on the
quills, and a tinge on the middle rectrices, is developed ; nor
is there a trace of silvery white. On the whole we may safely
relegate P. assimilis to the limbo of unnecessary synonyms.

Calgrnis affinis. Another title, Calornis irwini, Hume
(Str. Feath. i. p. 481), falls within the same category of use-
less synonyms. Mr. Hume asks (/. c.),Was C. affinis described
from Malacca? It was described (J. A. S. B. xv. p. 37) as a
species distinct from the Malaccan C. cantor =C. insidiator,
and was stated to inhabit Tipperah, Arakan, Tenassarim (?),
and the Nicobars. Islv. Bly th, who did not admit the distinct-
ness of the Nicobar Calornis, recently, with the Andaman en-
titled C. tytleri, Hume [1. c), added that locality to those of
Tipperah and Arakan. Tenasserim he noted with doubt,
because Mr. Barbe had informed him that the Tenasserim
species was the same as the Malaccan [torn. cit. p. 375, note).
Notwithstanding, the Tip})erah bird has again received a title
from Mr. Hume.

Alcedo beavani.

Alcedo rufigastra, Walden, Ann. N. H. (4) xii. p. 487.

Alcedo heavani, Walden, op. cit. (4) xiv. p. 158.

A single example of this Kingfisher was obtained by Lieu-
tenant W. Ramsay at Tonghoo. Probably it is the species
catalogued by Mr. Bly th in his list under the title of A. asia-

2l2

462 Lord Walden o?i Birds from Burma.

tica ; for tliere is no trustworthy evidence in favour of Javan
A.memnffiinff,IloTsf., = A. asiatica, Swains.^ occurring north
of the Malaccan peninsula. Since Captain Beavan first ob-
tained A. beavani in Maunl)hoom^ it has been found in the
Andamaus_, in Tenasserim, in the Bhootan Doars, the Raj-
mahal liills^ in Tipperah, in Cuttack, and in Siam.

Ou a former occasion (Ann. N. H. (4) x. p. 61) I ventured
to assert that certain Javan birds reappeared in Burma, some
penetrating so far as Nipaul, although they were not known to
inhabit Malacca or Sumatra. The want of an authentic
record of all the Malaccan and Sumatran birds prevents me
from advancing this assertion as a demonstrated fact. Nor
am I able to state at what part or parts of the Malaccan pen-
insula these Javan forms severally reappear. But in order
that the assertion may be tested by others more familiar with
Indian and Indo-Malayan birds, the subjoined lists have been
prepared of the principal Javan genera and Javan species
which, while occurring in Burma, and in some instances in
regions to the west or east of that country, are not known to
me as inhabitants of either Malacca or Sumatra.

Even should these lists stand the test of a rigid scrutiny,
they are not offered as part of the basis of any zoo-geogra-
phical theory, but are merely intended as a small contribu-
tion to our knowledge of distribution. The j)resence or ab-
sence of certain Sumatran or Malaccan birds in Burma pre-
sent equally perplexing phenomena ; while, again, some
Javan species are common to Java, Malacca, and Burma.

List of Javan genera not known to occur in Malacca and
Sumatra, but found in Burma : —

Brachypteryx. Dendrophila.

Analcipus. Sturuopasior.

Cochoa. Crypsirhiaa.

Myiophonus. Pavo.
Bhringa.

To these may perhaps be added

Zootheru. Ftcrythrius. AUotrius.

Lord Waldeu on Birds from Banna. 463

List of Javaii species not kuown to occur in Malacca or
in Sumatra, but found in Burma : —

Butastur liventer. Harpactes orescius.

Dendrotypes anulis. Crypsirhina varians.

Henicurus leschenaulti {fide Hume).

Dendrophila frontalis.

Timelia bengalensis (representative form).

Megalurus palustris. Bhringa remifer.

Hyloterpe grisola.

Biichanga intermedia (representative form) .

Buchanga atra (representative form) .

Macropygia leptogrammica. Pavo muticus.

Besides the many Himalayan forms already noted, which
Lieutenant W. Ramsay bad enabled me to add to the list of
Burman birds, are several wbicb have hitherto been ranked as
peculiarly belonging to China or else Siam. Such, for in-
stance, are Gecinus erythropygius, Mthopyga dabrii, Pycno-
notus atricapillus , Acridotheres siamefisis, and Parus com-
mixtus.

The word Burma cannot, however, in any sense be used to
express a well-defined zoological province or subprovince. In
Mr. Blyth's list it is employed for all those regions which
formerly constituted the Burman empire, three of which,
within the last fifty years, have been ceded to Great Britain
(namely, Arakan, Tenasserim, and Pegu). It is bordered by
countries possessing ornithological features more or less pe-
culiar ; and where the Burman territory comes in contact with
any one of these countries, it is, as might be supposed, more
or less peopled by their characteristic forms. But the pre-
sence of peculiar Javan forms, unknown in Malacca or Su-
matra, if it be a fact, is a marked characteristic, which can-
not be accounted for by contact of present boundaries.

464 Mr. P. L. Sclater un the Species of Chlorochrysa.

XLII. — Remarks on the Species of the Tanagrine Genus Chlo-
rochrysa. By P. L. ScLATEK, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.

(Plate X.)

The beautiful Tanagers of the genus Chlorochrysa are associ-
ated with some of my earliest ornithological experiences. In
the latter part of the year 1850, Mr. Edward Wilson, who
was at that time purchasing birds in large numbers for pre-
sentation by his brother, Mr. Thomas B. Wilson, to the
Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
placed in my hands examples of two species of this form.
One of these I quickly recognized as the Callospiza calUparia
of Tsehudi ; the other I was preparing to describe as new,
when I found that I had been just anticipated by Prince
Bonaparte, who had characterized it shortly in the ' Comptes
Rendus ' as Calliste phcenicotis, and had at the same time
named the other species Calliste bourcieri. When Prince
Bonaparte discovered that he had committed an error in
passing over Tschudi's description of the former of these two
species, he endeavoured, with characteristic ingenuity, to pre-
serve the use of his own specific term by proposing to convert
Tschudi^s previously given name, " calliparaa," into a genus.
This, however, as 1 pointed out in 1851^, could not be per-
mitted, as he had already invented and published the generic
name Chlorochrysa for the same two birds. This generic
name I adopted in an article published in the ' Contributions
to Ornithology^ for 1851, and gave full particulars of what
was then known of the two species of the genus, accompanied
by accurate figures of both species from Mrs. Hugh Strick-
land^s accomplished pencil.

Little more has been added to our knowledge of these two
interesting birds since that period. A few skins of them have
been received, chiefly from collectors in Ecuador. The only
addition made to the ranks of the genus has been the single
species discovered in the U. S. of Columbia by Mr. Salmon,
which I described last year as C. nitidissima.

* Coutr. Orn. 1851, p. 93.

Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Species of Chlorochrysa. 465

The three species may be diagnosed as follows : —

a. gula nigra: ventre viridi, medialiter cserulescente . ... 1. calliparia.

b. gula viridi : ventre concolori 2. phanicutis,

c. gula flava : ventre cjerulescente, medialiter nigro .... 3. nitidissima.

1. Chlorochrysa calliparia.

Callospiza calUparaea, Tsch. in Wiegm. Arch. 184;4, p. 202^
et Faun. Per. p. 202.

CaUiste caUiparaa, Bp. Consp. p. 235.

Calliste bourcieri, Bp. Compt. Rend, xxxii. p. 76.

Calliparcea bourcieri, Bp. Rev. Zool. 1851, p. 129, et Note
s. 1. Tang. p. 3.

Chlorochrysa calliparaa, Sclater, Contr. Orn. 1851, p. 99,
pi. 73. fig. 1 ; P. Z. S. 1855, p. 158, 1856, p. 266, 1858, p. 74 ;
Syn. Av. Tanagr. p. 92 ; et Cat. A. B. p. 61 ; Scl. et Salv.
Nomencl. Av. Am. p. 18 ; Tacz. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 515.

Aglaia chapoul, Parz. MS.
Nitide viridis : regione oculari, dorso inferiore et ventre medio
cserulescente tiuctis : gula nigra, plaga castanea utrinque
marginata : macula verticali et uropygio laete croceis :
rostro et pedibus nigris ; long, tota 4*6, aloe 2*8, caudae
2*0. Jr. subtus fuscescenti-viridis, gula nigra carens.

Hab. Columbia int. ; /Equatoria et Peruvia.

I have never seen Peruvian skins of this species ; but so far
as can be told from Tschudi^s description, they do not diflFer
from those of Ecuador and Columbia. Tschudi gives the
wood-region of North and Middle Peru as its habitat ; but I
suppose he met with it in the district of Junin, east of Lima,
where most of his birds were obtained, and where Jelski also
collected specimens at Amable Maria and Pumamarca.

In Ecuador G. calliparia seems to occur in the wooded
valleys on both sides of the great range. Bourcier obtained
specimens in the valley of Banos, near Tungaragua, one of
which is now in my collection ; and a single skin of an imma-
ture bird was in Verreaux's large series from the Rio Napo,
which I catalogued in 1858.

As regards Columbia, this Tanager is found, though not
very frequently, in " Bogota^^ collections. The first examples
of it which I ever saw were brought to Paris in 1850 by a ]\I.

466 jSIr. P. L. Sclater on the Species 0/ Chlovochrysa.

Chapoul, and labelled '' Aglaia chapoul" by the late well-
kuowu bird-dealer, Parzudaki. One of these is still in my
possession. I have also a sin-,^le immature specimen of the
regular " Bogota " make, purchased of a London dealer in
1853.

An accurate figure of the species is given in the ' Contri-
butions to Ornithology ' for 1851, above referred to.

2. Chlorochrysa phcenicotis.

Calliste phmiicotis, Bp. Compt. Rend, xxxii. p. 76 (1851).
Calliparaa j)hcenicotis, Bp. Rev. Zool. 1851, p. 129, et Note
s. 1. Tang. p. 3,

Chlorochrysa phcenicotis, Sclater, Coutr. Orn. 1851, p. 100,
pi. 72. fig. 2 ; P. Z. S. 1856, p. 2G6, 1860, p. 87; Syn. Av.
Tanagr. p. 93; et Cat. A. B. p. 61 ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl.
Av. Am. p. 18.

Nitide viridis : tectricibus alarum minoribus et maculis
utrinque una sub oculo altera auriculari nitenti-brun-
neo-olivaceis : hac macula auriculari plaga corallino-
rubra versus nucham marginata : alis caudaque intus
cum rostro et pedibus nigris : long, tota 5'0, aise 3'0,
caudaj 1*7.
Hub. ^quatoria transandeana.

So far as I know, this Tanager is restricted to Transandean
Ecuador, vs^here it was first obtained by M. Bourcier during
his consulship at Quito. M. Bourcier's skins were collected
near Nanegal, a village situated ten leagues from Quito, on
the slopes of Pichincha, at an elevation of about 4000 feet
above the sea-level. Mr. Eraser visited the same spot in
February 1859, and obtained a single skin of this species,
which, as also one of M. Bourcier^s specimens, is now in my
collection. I have never seen the species from any other
locality. Mr. Eraser notes the iridcs as " hazel."

3. Chlorochrysa nitidissima. (Plate X.)
Chlorochrysa nitidissima, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 728.

Supr^ nitide viridis, tergo cserulescente ; pileo antico, capitis
lateribus et interscapulio flavis : macula auriculari utrin-
que nigra : alis caudaque nigris viridi limbatis : uropygii
phimis paucis aurantiaco tcrminatis : subtus caerulescenti-

Ibis 1875 PI X.

J Gr.Keuleinaiis bth.

M&N.Hanhart imp.

CHLOROCHRYSA NITIDISSIMA.

^

Dr. O. Fiuscli on Clialcopelia brelimeri. 467

viridis, ventre medio nigro, gutture toto aurco-flavo, hoc
colore in collo in aurantiacum transeunte : rostro ct pc-
dibus nigris : long, tota 5, alee 2'7 , caudse 1*75.
Hab. Status Antioquise^ reipubl. Columbianse.
M. Salmon's single specimen, now in my collection, is the
only example yet received of this beautiful species. The figure
represents it of the natural size.

XLIII. — Note on Chalcopelia brehmeri. By. Dr. O. Finsch.

I HAVE received from Count Hercules Turati, of Milan, a
Dove from the Ogone, a confluent of the Gaboon, labelled
" Chalcopelia puella, Schleg./^ but which, after an examina-
tion with the true C. puella from Fantee, proves to belong not
to that species, but to C. brehmeri, described by Dr. Hart-
laub from a single specimen in the Bremen Museum, sent by
Mr. Henry Brehmer from Gaboon. It is worthy of remark
that the original description of C brehmeri (Ibis, 1865, p. 236)
relates to the young, not full-coloured bird, and that the dis-
tinguishing characters, " nearly allied to C. puella, but differ-
ing in the reddish colour of the forehead and the rectrices ;
it is also smaller than C. puella," are also referable only to
the young bird, and of no sj)ecific value.

The adult C. brehmeri, indeed, corresponds in every respect
with the adult C puella ; only the blue of the head and hind
neck is a little darker and more vivid, but it may be distin-
guished by the metallic spots on the last secondaries, the so-
called tertials. These are in C puella dark metallic green,
whereas they are in C. brehmeri splendid metallic coppery red,
with golden greenish reflections. These spots are also indi-
cated in the young bird, and are of the same coppery shine
as in the old bird ; but this significant character, the only one
which may be considered of specific value, as far as our know-
ledge reaches at present, is not mentioned in the description
in ' The Ibis.'

The smaller size of the type specimen is also due to the
bird not being full-grown ; the old bird is as large as, perhaps
a little larger, than C puella.

Rostr.

Tare.

lin.

lin.

7

11

1\

12

7^

11

468 Mr. J. II. Gurney's Notes on

Alse. Caud.

in. lin. in. lin.

C. i;T/onm jim., type 4 7 3 6

„ ad. J 5 0 3 10

C. puella ad 4 9 3 10

XLIV. — Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British
Museum,' bij II. Bowdler Sharpe (1874) . By J. H. Gurxey.

[Continued from page 370.]

In continuing my observations on the genus Accipiter, I
think it desirable to call attention to the fact that several of
the Hawks included by jNIr. Sharpe in that genus bear a re-
markable resemblance in their coloration and markings, both
in their immature and adult plumage, to various other species
which are included by Mr. Sharpe in the genus Astur, and
that these resemblances are strongest between species inha-
biting the same regions. Thus

Accipiter ovarnpensis resembles Astur poly zonoides.
„ minuUus „ „ tachiro.

„ viryatus „ „ trivirgatus.

„ ei-ythrauchen „ „ griseigularis.

„ cirrhocephalus „ „ approximans* .

It was probably the existence of such similarities that
induced the late Dr. Kaup to make the following remark
(P. Z. S. 1867, p. 170) : — " The length of the middle toe, or of
the toes generally, has only a specific value in the Nisi, and
not a generic one," — an observation which appears to me to
have considerable force, though I will not now occupy further
space by here discussing it.

As in the case of the Hawks referred by Mr. Sharpe to the
genus Astur, so, in like manner, among those comprised by
him under the generic name of Accipiter, some distinct na-
tural groups appear to me to exist ; and I now purpose to

* According to Prof. Schlegel (Museum des Pays-Bas, A. Accipitres,
p. 62), a similar resemblance exists between the adults oi Accipiter mada-
ffascariensis (A. lantzii, Verr. ) and Astur hcn^ti.

Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue of Accipitres. 469

enumerate the species of which these groups are, according
to my view, severally composed, considering first those that
are to a certain extent aberrant from A. nisus, which may be
taken as the type of Mr. Sharpe's genus Accipiter, and com-
mencing with the powerful American Hawks, for which the
late Prince Bonaparte proposed the subgeneric name of Cooper-
astur.

An excellent summary of this group has been given by
Messrs. Sclater and Salvin at p. 170 of ' Exotic Ornithology,'
from which I extract the following list of the species that are
comprised in it : —

" Section A. Species uniformly coloured beneath.
1. A. pileatus. 2. A. bicolor.

Section B. Species more or less mottled beneath.

3. A. cooperi. 5. A. guttatus.

4. A. gundlachi. 6. A. chilensis.

Section C. Species broadly barred below and with breast rufous.
7. A. pectoralis."

In the summary above referred to, the authors of the ' Ex-
otic Ornithology' treat A. mexicanus, Swains., as a synonym
of ^. cooperi; and in this view, which appears to me to be
entirely correct, Mr. Sharpe concurs; a similar conclusion
has also been arrived at by Mr. Ridgway, who has published
some remarks on this subject at p. 84 of the last volume of
the 'Proceedings' of the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia, where he has also given some interesting par-
ticulars of the climatic variations of colouring which he has
observed in specimens of A. cooperi obtained in various parts
of the North- American continent.

In the same paper Mr. Ridgway confirms the view taken
by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin in treating A. gundlachi as
specifically distinct, a point as to which Mr. Sharpe has ex-
pressed some doubt in a footnote to p. 137 of his Catalogue.

Like Mr. Sharpe, 1 have never had an opportunity of per-
sonally examining this Cuban Hawk ; and I am not aware that
any specimen of it exists in this country.

470 Mr. J. li. Gunicy's Notes on

With reference to A. mexicanus, I find that the view held
by the naturalists above referred to, as to its identity with
A. cooperi, is also taken by Dr. Coues in his recent work on
the birds of North-western America ; the same author, at
p. 335 of that work, makes the following remarks in treating
of the differences between A. fuscus and A. cooperi : — " There
is also a difference in the feet, those of fuscus being much
slenderer, comparatively as well as absolutely, and relatively
longer.^' This tendency to an Asturine form of foot in A.
cooperi is more or less characteristic of tlie whole subgenus
Coop)erastur.

Another American form, that very rare species^ A. col-
laris, is yet more remarkable in the robust character of its
tarsi and feet, and is perhaps not properly referable to any
other of the subgeneric forms into which the genus Accipiter,
as used by Mr. Sharpe, may be considered to be divisible,
being, in fact, very much sui generis.

With regard to this species I have also to observe that the
description of it given by Mr. Sharpe, though headed " im-
mature," is apparently taken from the adult typical speci-
men in the British Museum, which was figured and described
at p. 148 of 'The Ibis' for 1860, pi. vi.

A younger specimen, in the Norwich Museum, was also
briefly pescribed in the same notice, and a representation of
the upper portion of it introduced into the accompanying
plate. Referring my readers to this description, which will
be found at p. 149 of the volume above mentioned, I may
add that, although the chief part of the plumage of this spe-
cimen is immature, it is acquiring the adult dress by a moult
on the back and wings, thus showing the striking difference
between the brownish black hue which characterizes its upper
surface when adult, and the rich rufous tint which is con-
spicuous on that part of its plumage when immature, and
especially so on the wings and tail, though both the rectrices,
and also the quill-feathers of the wing, are transversely barred
with black; in the wing-feathers, however, the dark bars
appear only on the inner web, except in the case of the- ter-
* Conf. Ibis, 1874, p. .'521.

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue 0/ Accipitros. 471

tiarics, where they extend slightly across and beyond the
shaft ; the interspaces between the bars on the wing-feathers
are throughout of a paler rufous than the outer webs ; the
primary and secondary quills are also tipped with blackish
brown. A much more abundant tropical American species,
Accipiter tinus, exhibits in its first plumage a rufous phase
much resembling the immature dress of ^. coUaris; such an
example is described by Mr. Sharpe as " young/' the second,
or succeeding stage being defined by him as " immature,'' and
the final state as " adult."

A young male from the Upper Amazons, which is pre-
served in the Norwich Museum, agrees generally with Mr.
Sharpe's description of the " young " bird, but differs from
it in the following particulars : the upper scapulars and in-
terscapulary feathers are crossed by alternate transverse bars
of a very dark rufous and of a rufous of a brighter hue ; and
on the lower scapulars these tints are further varied by three
or four bands of fulvous white crossing the entire breadth of
each feather near its base, but nearer to its point only the
inner web.

Notwithstanding the great resemblance in the character of
coloration which exists between A. coUaris and A. tinus in
their first dress, and, to a certain extent, in their adult plu-
mage also, I am disposed to assign A. tinus to a group distinct
from A. collaris ; and in this group I would also include three
small African Hawks, A. hartlaubi, A. minullus, and A. erij-
thropus, if indeed the latter, which I have not had an op-
portunity of examining, be really a distinct species from A.
minullus.

The late Dr. Kaup associated A. tinus and A. minullus in
a distinct subgenus, first under the title Hieraspiza, with A.
virgatus, and subsequently under that of Teraspiza, with A.
virgatus and A. rhodog aster ; but I am disposed to consider
that the two latter species belong rather to the group of
which A. nisus is the type, though they are in some respects
aberrant members of it, and though A. rhodogaster is re-
markable for a rufescent immature plumage, which, in its
upper parts, much resembles that of A. tinus at a correspond-
ing age.

472 Mr. J. II. Gurney's Notes on

A. hartlauh'i, A. minullus, and A. erythropus all bear in
their adult stage conspicuous Avliite spots on the inner web of
the middle rectrices ; and a similar white spot appears on the
upper part of the tail of a male specimen of A. tinus, from
Demerara, in the Norwich Museum, This specimen is in the
second stage of plumage ; and both it and a female in the
same collection are passing by a moult from that plumage to
the adult dress.

As I am not aware that the colour of the iris in A. tinus
has been recorded, I may mention that an adult male from the
Ucayali, in the Norwich Museum, has been thus ticketed by
its collector : — " Iris brown, skin round the eye yellow.^^

The second plumage of A. tinus much resembles the im-
mature dress of ^. hartlaubi ; and as the latter is not described
by Mr, Sharpe in that stage, I may add the following parti-
culars of a young male from Casamanze, which is preserved
in the Norwich Museum : — The general colour of the upper
surface is dark brown, inclining to blackish on the crown of
the head, the feathers at the back of the head and neck
showing conspicuous white bases ; immediately above the
shoulders a decided tinge of rufous, which also appears on
the edging of the feathers forming the outer wing-coverts,
and especially of those near the carpal joint; all the quill-
feathers of the wing crossed with alternate bands of darker
and paler Ijrown on the inner webs, but not extending to the
innermost margin of these webs, which is of a pale buff
colour ; the outer webs of the primaries somewhat paler than
the adjacent portion of the inner webs ; the upper tail-coverts
white, with three cross bars of dark brown on each feather ;
the outer webs of the rectrices with dark transverse bars al-
ternating with paler bars, which latter are on the inner webs
more or less entirely white ; the dark bars are eight in num-
ber on the outer rectrices, and six on the remainder ; on the
under surface of the tail the entire interspaces between the
dark transverse bars are white, slightly tinged with buff; the
throat is creamy white interspersed with small spots and
shaft-marks of dark brown ; the entire remainder of the un-
der surface of the body, including the thighs, is white, with

Mr. R. B. S/iarpe's (kitalogne of Accipitres. 473

transverse bars of pale rufesceiit brown, which become broader
and more rufous on the flanks and on the outer side of the
thighs, but on the under tail-coverts are narrow, sparse, and
irregular.

Mr. Sharpe does not describe the female of this species,
and I am unable to supply the deficiency ; but Dr. Hartlaub,
at p. 16 of his work on the birds of West Africa, remarks
respecting it, " The female does not essentially difier in colour-
[from the male] , but is a third larger."

With regard to A. minuUus, it may be worth observing
that in two of the specimens preserved in the Norwich Mu-
seum, an adult male and female approaching the period of
moulting, the white spots on the central rectrices have evi-
dently become much more abraded by the action of the wea-
ther than the dark portions of the same feather ; and I may
add that I have frequently observed the same phenomenon
in the case of the pale spots on the tail of Faico saker.

Another specimen of A. minuHus, in the same collection,
an immature female, is commencing, by a moult, the assump-
tion of the adult dress upon the breast, which I note as indi-
cative of the mode in which the change is effected in this
species.

Following my purpose of referring in the first instance to
the more aberrant species of the genus Accipiter, I may now
mention a remarkable African form, A. melanoleucus , which,
though it has the elongated middle toe of a Sparrow- Hawk,
nearly approaches in size to the typical Goshawks, being not
much smaller than Astur palumbarius.

The coloration of this species, especially when adult, is
very peculiar, and seems to point it out as naturally separated
from all other Hawks.

It is found in three very distinct phases of plumage, which
are severally designated by Mr. Sharpe as " young," " ma-
ture," and ** adult," and each of which is common to both
sexes.

The measurements supplied by Mr. Sharpe under the head
of " mature," give the ordinary dimensions of the male bird ;
and those under the head of " adult," those of the female.

474 ]Mr. J. II. Gurney^s Notes on

The first plumage, described by Mr. Shari)e as " youug," is
always (so far as I have observed) more rufescent than is re-
presented in the figure of the young bird given in Sir A.
Smith's 'Illustrations of South African Zoology' (Aves,pl. 18) ;
but two young males in the Norwich Museum, one of which
contains a considerable remnant of nestling-down, are of a
much richer rufous than two youug females in the same
collection.

The second plumage assumed by this species is that which
Mr. Sharpe designates as '' mature." The Norwich Museum
contains six specimens in this dress, three of which retain
partial traces of the rufescent stage which immediately pre-
ceded it.

The third phase of plumage, which is almost entirely black,
is spoken of by Mr. Sharpe as " adult /' but if this expression
is intended to imply that every adult specimen ultimately
acquires it, I would suggest that such an inference is hardly
compatible with the rarity of these melanistic individuals ;
and, as an instance of their comparative scarcity, I would men-
tion that out of seven adult specimens preserved in the Norwich
Museum, only one is in this peculiar dress ; this example, a
male, has all the underparts of a glossy black (with a slight
greenish reflexion in some lights), except the under tail-
coverts, which are transversely marked with broad alternate
bars of black and white, and excepting also the cliin and
uppermost portion of the throat, which are white mingled
with black, the feathers there being white with narrow black
bases, shafts, and tips. In other respects this specimen agrees
with jNIr. Sharpens description, save that it shows no traces of
" buffy white " at the base of the quills.

I may add, as a parallel case, that Mr. Layard, in his work
on the birds of South Africa, records a male of this species
which was "^ throughout of a rich brown-black," as having
" the chin and vent white, with streaks and blotches of the
prevailing colour."

There remains but one other section of the Sparrow-Hawks
included by Mr. Sharpe in the genus Accipiter which appears
to me to be distinctly separal)lc from the central group, of

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue 0/ Accipitres. 475

which A. nisus is the type, namely that which is composed of
those species which assimilate in the character of their mark-
ings and coloration to the Asturine subgenus Urospizias.
These are three in number, viz. A. cirrhocephalus, A. rubri-
coUis, and A. erythrauchen, respecting which I have only to
remark : — with reference to A. cirrhocephalvs, that Tasmania
should be added to the localities given for it by Mr. Sharpe ;
and with regard to A. erythrauchen (the immature stage of
which is not described by Mr. Sharpe), that a young speci-
men from Gilolo, in the Norwich Museum, closely resembles
in its plumage an immature specimen of its nearly allied con-
gener, A. rubricollis, from Ceram, in the same collection.

I may add that Mr. Sharpe does not include Ceram amongst
the localities of A. rubricollis, but it is given by Mr. Wallace
in 'The Ibis ^ for 1868, p. 7.

Proceeding to the consideration of the most typical section
of Sparrow-Hawks, the group of which A. nisus may be
considered the central species, I think it will be convenient
to refer, in the first place, to the four species of this group
which inhabit the American continent, viz. A.fuscus, A. chi-
onogaster, A. erythrocneniis, and A. ventralis.

With regard to A. fuscus, I may note that the Norwich
Museum possesses an adult female from New Jersey, in which
the rufous tints of the underparts are as bright and very nearly
as dark as those of a male bird in normal adult plumage ;
also that an adult male from the southern slope of the
volcano of Chiriqui has all the underparts of a much darker
rufous, and the white interspaces much narrower and less
conspicuous, both on the sides of the breast and on the
thighs, than is the case in any other specimen which I have
examined.

The slate-colour of the upper parts is also very unusually
dark in this individual, especially on the upper surface of the
head, which is almost black.

This curious specimen forms part of the fine collection of
Messrs. Salvin and Godman, to whose kindness I am in-
debted for the opportunity of examining both it and also
many other rare and interesting American Accipitres.

SER. III. VOL. V. 2 m

4176 Ml'. J. H. Criirney's Notes on

The next species to which I propose to allude is A. chiono-
gaster, with refereace to which I may observe that the mea-
surements given by Mr. Sharpe of that species appear to be
those of the male bird, and I therefore add the following
taken from a Guatemalan female in the collection of Messrs.
Salvin and Godman : — wing from carpal joint 8G inches,
tarsus 2*2, middle toe s. u. 1"6.

Mr. Sharpe only describes the adult plumage of this species,
which is the same in both sexes ; and I may therefore men-
tion that a young male from Merida, in Venezuela, in the
above collection, differs from Guatemalan* adults in the fol-
lowing particulars, viz. : — A.11 the feathers on the upper sur-
face, except the primaries and rectrices, are narrowly tipped
with rufous brown, and those on the sides of the neck are
edged throughout with the same ; the dark cross bars on the
tail are six in number on the upper, and nine on the lower
surface ; the shaft-marks on the breast and abdomen are
broader than in the adult, and there are two irregular cross
bars on each feather on the sides of, the breast; the thighs
are of a uniform rich rufous, much darker than the fulvous
tint of the tibial feathers in a somewhat more advanced, but
still immature, male and female from Guatemala, in which
the thighs are nearly as pale as in the Guatemalan adults of
both sexes.

I have examined two young males of this species in which
the iris has been noted by the collector as being yellow ; and
I think it well to note the fact, as the colour of the eye in
this species has not, so far as I know, been recorded.

Passing on to the next nearly allied, but more southern
species, A. erythrocnemis, I may remark that the type speci-
men in the British Museum, which is the only one of which
Mr. SharjDC gives the measurements, appears by its dimen-
sions to be a male ; and I therefore annex, as a guide to the
comparative size of the sexes, which do not otherwise differ,
the following measurements of two presumed males and three
presumed females : —

* 1 liave uot liad any oppoiliinity of exaniiuiii<j- an adult specimen from
Venezuela.

Mr. R. B. SkarjH''s Catalogue of Accipitres. 477

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. ii.

in. in. in.

Male, taken from Sclater and Salvin's

' Exotic Ornithology ' G-6 1-9

Male, in Noi-wich Museum, from

Bahia 64 1-7 M

Female, in Norwich Museum, loca-
lity unknown 8 2 1 '4

Female, in Messrs. Salvin and God-
man's collection, from East Brazil 7'6 1-8 1-4
Female, in the same collection, from

Bahia 76 lO 1-3

It would appear from the above that the average size of A.
erythrocnemis is somewhat less than than that of its western
congener, A. ventralis, of which species I have recently mea-
sured eight presumed males and the same number of pre-
sumed females, with the following results : —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

inches. inches. inches.

Males 6-7 to 6-9 1-9 to 2 l-lo to 1-3

Females 7-9 to 8-7 2-1 to 2-2 1-25 to 1-5

The excess in average size of A. ventralis over A. erythro-
cnemis, though not very great, is yet of importance as a guide
in distinguishing the two species, and the more so, as speci-
mens of A. ventralis occur which are almost precisely similar
in the coloration and markings of their under surface to the
adults of A. erythrocnemis, the breast and abdomen being
barred with alternate transverse bands of white and greyish
brown, though the upper surface is always rather darker than
in the adults of A. erythroctiemis.

I think it is certain, from a comparison of a series of spe-
cimens, that this plumage of A. ventralis intervenes between
the earliest dress, which ]Mr. Sharpe designates as " young,"
and that which he correctly describes as '' adult." Thi'ee such
females from New Granada are preserved in the Norwich
Museum ; and a male, passing out of this intermediate stage
into the adult plumage, and also from New Granada, is in
the collection of Messrs. Salvin and Godnoan : in this speci-

2 M 2

478 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on

men the eliange appears to be taking place by an alteration
in the colour of the feathers^ and not by a moult.

I may add that I have seen a very nearly adult male of this
species in which the iris was recorded by the collector as being
yellow, as in the younger specimen described by Mr. Sharpe.

Mr. Sharpe includes A. nigroplumbeus of Lawrence, from
Ecuador, among the synonyms of ^. ventralis ; but if it be
identical with that species, as it possibly may be, the type
specimen is one which differs in the plumbeous aspect of its
under surface from any example of A. ventralis which I have
examined. This specimen is described by Mr. Lawrence as
having the " chin and upper part of the throat of a dull ashy
plumbeous ; abdomen dark brownish cinnamon ; thighs and
under tail-coverts plumbeous, like the breast, but with an
intermixture of dull cinnamon ^^ [vide Ann. Lye. N. Y. 1869,
p. 270) .

An adult male of A. ventralis from Ecuador, in Messrs.
Salvin and Godman^s collection, has the rufous colouring of
the underparts remarkably dark and rich, but without any
admixture of the plumbeous tinge which distinguishes Mr.
Lawrence^s specimen above referred to.

Of the Sparrow-Hawks peculiar to the African continent,
I consider that only two belong to the most typical group,
viz. A. ovampensis, which I have already described {antea,
p. 367), and A. rufiventris, with reference to which I may
mention a curious resemblance that it bears in one respect to
A. ovampensis, viz. in having three yellowish white spots on
the shafts of the rectrices between the dark transverse bars
on the upper surface of the tail. In A. rufiventris these
white spots are limited to the shafts of the feathers, and do
not, as in ^. ovampensis, extend to the adjacent webs.

As Mr. Sharpe does not describe the immature plumage
of A. rufiventris, I may point out that the young male is cor-
rectly figured in Temminck^s ' Planches Col/ pi. 496 (though
the lettering at the foot of the plate inaccurately describes
the specimen as ''male adulte^^), and also in Smithes 'Illus-
trations of the Zoology of South Africa ' (Aves, pi. 93, fig. B) ;
but I must add that one of the young males in the Norwich
Museum shows traces of transverse bars on the upper breast.

Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue of Accipitres. 479

which may be the remnants of a still earlier stagc^ resembling
the plumage of the immature female.

A young female is represented in figure C of Sir A. Smith's
plate ; and an immature hen bird in the Norwich Museum
agrees well with this representation in markings, but not al-
together in colour, being browner on the upper surface, and
exhibiting a decidedly rufous coloration on the dark mark-
ings of all the lower parts, except the undersurface of the
rectrices,

Accipiter nisus is the only typical Sparrow- Hawk found in
Europe, whence its range extends eastward to Japan, west-
ward to Madeira, and southward to Northern Africa.

The variations of plumage which mark the different ages
of both sexes of this species have been very fully described by
Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser in their article on this Hawk in
the ' Birds of Europe,^ since which, a male, supposed to be of
this species, but in abnormal and, so far as I know, unique
plumage, which " was shot on Tyneside in 1854," has been
described and figured by Mr. Hancock at page 16 of his valu-
able' Catalogue of the Birds of Northumberland and Durham.*
In this individual the coloration and absence of markings on
the underparts, from the chin to the vent, ajjpear closely to
resemble the adult plumage of A. rufiventris ; but in the fur-
ther peculiarity of having " no distinct bands on the tail "
the Tyneside specimen differs both from A. rufiventris and
from ordinary examples of A. nisus.

Mr. Sharpe is not yet satisfied of the specific distinctness
o^ Accipiter melaschistos of Hume from the ordinary A. nisus;
and I have but very little additional information to offer
tending to elucidate this question j but I have had, through
the kindness of Lord Walden, the opportunity of measuring
a female of A. melaschistos from Simla, with the following
results — wing from carpal joint 10*5 inches, tarsus 2' 75,
middle toe s. u. 1"75. These dimensions are slightly in excess
of those of the largest female which I have examined of A.
nisus, a specimen from Foochow, in the Norwich Museum,
of which the corresponding measurements are — wing 10" 2
inches, tarsus 2"5, middle toe s. u. \7.

The Turkcjstan Sparrow-Hawk, lately described by Severt-

480 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on

zoflP under the title of A. cenchroides {vide antea, p. 104)^ is
probably referable to the same group as A. nisus; but it is
possible that it may prove identical with Mr. Blanford's Ba-
luchistan Hawk^ to which I have alluded at a previous page
{vide antea, p. 361)*.

I have already expressed my opinion that Accipiter vir-
gatus belongs to the most typical section of the Sparrow-
Hawks ; and I will now proceed to the consideration of that
species, with reference to which I may, in the first place, ob-
serve that the streak of white over the eye, mentioned in Mr.
Sharpens description of the immature bird, is by no means a
constant character, being absent in many specimens. Judg-
ing from a remark at page 152 of his catalogue, Mr. Sharpe
does not appear to have met with the male of this species in
its second or intermediate dress ; but I have seen several males
in that stage. They are then chiefly characterized by the sides
of the breast being of a greyish brown very slightly tinged
with rufous, instead of a bright rufous, as in the males that
are fully adidt.

In the adult plumage of this species the rufous colouring
of the lower part of the breast, the abdomen, and the thighs
is always (so far as I have observed) transversely barred with
white; and although the rufous of the thighs is in some
specimens paler than that of the adjacent parts (as described
by Mr. Sharpe), it is in others fully as rich and bright as
the rufous of the abdomen ; I have, however, never seen a
female in which the rufous tints were so bright as in the
adult males.

This species varies considerably in size, as will be seen by
the following measurements, chiefly taken from specimens in
the Norwich Museum : —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in. in. in.
Presumed males :

From India (exact locality im-

known) ' 6-2 1-9 1-2

Ditto, ditto 6-15 1-8 1-25

* [Mr. Dresser tells us that Dr. Severtzoff now considers this bird to be
only a large form of A. badiits, — Ed.]

Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalof/nc r>/' Accipitrcs. 181

Wiug from Midtlle

carpal joiut. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in. in. in.

From Nepal 67 21 1-2

From Himalayas 6-2 2-05 1-05

Ditto 6-6 2-05 1-2

Ditto 7-S 2 1-2

From Ceylon 6-35 1-8 Mo

From Malacca 6'7 19 1-25

Ascertained males :

FromBatavia 6-9 19 115

Ditto 5-8 17 1-15

Presumed females :

From India (exact locality un-
known) 77 2-1 1-45

Ditto, (ditto) 77 22 l-o

From Sciude 8-2 2-1 l-o

From Himalayas 78 22 1-45

From Singapore (two specimens) 7'3 2'1 1-4

From Borneo imperfect. 21 lo

Ascertained female :

From Batavia 7*2 2 1*5

These measurements apparently lead to the inference that
northern specimens are, on the average, larger than those
from more southern localities ; and this excess in size is still
more apparent in the race inhabiting Japan and Formosa,
which has been separated under the title of A. gularis, but
which Mr. Sharpe consolidates with A. virgatus.

The following are measurements of specimens of ^. gularis
in the Norwich Museum : —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in. in. in.
Presumed males :

From Japan 7'8 2-05 l-."{

From Formosa 7 21 1-2

Ditto 6-9 21 1-2

Ditto 67 206 1-2

Presumed females :

From Japan 8-8 2-2 1-4

From Formosa 8-5 2-5 17

Professor Schlegel, in his supplementary catalogue of the

482 Mr. J. II. Gurney^s Notes on

birds of prey in the Leyden Museum, published in 1873,
unites A. gularis with A. virgatus ; but in his earlier catalogue
of 1862 he separates them, and writes thus with reference to
A. gularis : — '^ Voisin du Nisus virgatus, mais d\ine taille plus
forte, k doigts un pen plus courts, h la quatrieme remige de-
passant notablcment la cinquieme."

With reference to this last remark Mr. Hume writes thus
in ' Stray Feathers,' vol. ii. p. 141 : —

" Accipiter virgatus, Temm. A single specimen, a female,
which I refer to this species, was obtained [at the Andaman
Islands]. 1{ gularis of Schlegel be admitted as distinct, this
bird might stand under the latter name, inasmuch as its fourth
quill is considerably longer than the fifth, whereas in all my
twelve sj)ecimens from various parts of the Himalayas, from
Murree to Darjeeling, the fourth and fifth quills are almost
precisely of the same length.^' This rule, though generally
holding good, is not universally applicable : the Norwich
Museum possesses an adult male of A. virgatus, from Java,
in which the length of the fourth primary exceeds that of the
fifth by '55 inch ; but in two other Javan specimens in the
same collection no such peculiarity exists.

On the other hand, in six specimens of A. gularis from
Japan and Formosa which I have examined, the fourth
primary exceeds the fifth in length, but the excess is very
variable, being in one specimen '05 inch, in a second '1,
in a third '15, in a fourth '25, in a fifth '75, and in a
sixth -8.

The question whether this larger race should be treated as
distinct, is one which individual ornithologists must decide
according to their own estimates of what is sufficient to con-
stitute specific distinction ; but on another point connected
wdth the synonymy of A. virgatus, I ventm-e to think that
Mr. Sharpe is certainly mistaken, viz. in not admitting the
specific distinctness of Accipiter stevensoni, which, in my
opinion, undoubtedly is, as Mr. Sharpe, in a footnote, admits
that it may be, a good and valid species.

Both the tarsus and the middle toe are, on an average of
specimens, decidedly shorter in A. stevensoni than in A. vir-

Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 483

gatus ; and the two species also differ in their markings and
coloration.

I have lately remeasured ten specimens of A. stevensoni in
the Norwich Museum ; and although the dimensions of some
of them have been already given in 'The Ibis' for 1863^ I
think it convenient^ for the purpose of comparison^ here to
insert the following particulars : —

Wing from Middle

carpal joint. Tarsus. toe, s. u.

in, in. in.
Presumed males :

FromPekin 6-55 1-7 1

From Macao 6-8 1-8 1-05

Ascertained male :

FromChefoo 6-65 1-8 1-1

Presumed females :

From China (exact locality un-
known) 7-7 1-9 1-2

From Singapore 7-25 2 1-15

Ascertained females :

From Shanghai 77 2-05 1-2

From Java 7-4 2 1-15

The last-named specimen was obtained by the late Dr.
Bernstein, who appears, by the ticket which is attached to it,
to have recognized it as distinct from A. virgatus, of which
he also obtained specimens whilst resident in Java.

I have not had an opportunity of examining this species in
the dress which it wears on first leaving the nest ; but the
specimen from Singapore above referred to retains some por-
tions of this plumage, showing that it is characterized by the
feathers of the breast exhibiting a long brown mark down
the centre of each feather, whilst the sides of the feather are
a pure white. As the bird advances in age these longitudinal
marks are exchanged throughout the breast, sides, abdomen,
and thighs for alternate transverse bars of pure white and
dark brown, the white bars being intersected on the upper
portion of the breast by dark shaft-marks; these are also
apparent on the throat, which, with that exception, is white.

So far as I have observed, the female undergoes no further
change ; but in the male all these markings, except the nar-

484' Mr. H. Sauudcrs on the hniuatui'c

row shaft-marks on the throat and some of the white trans-
verse bars on the abdomen, gradually disappear and leave the
entire remainder of the undersiirface of a fawn-colour, which,
however, is hardly so dark as is represented in pi. ii. of ' The
Ibis ' for 1863.

The three remaining species of the gi'oup are A. rhodo-
gaster, A. sulaensis, and A. madagascariensis. The mea-
surements of the first of these, as given by Mr. Sharpe, ap-
pear to have been taken from a male bird ; and 1 may there-
fore mention that the detailed dimensions of two females are
given by Lord Walden at page 110 of the 8th volume of the
Zoological Society^s ' Transactions.'

In the case of the nearly allied Accipiter sulaensis, Mr.
Sharpe gives the measurements of the type specimen, a fe-
male in the Ley den Museum, which I believe is the only
specimen of this Hawk at present existing in any European
collection.

The specific name of madagascariensis , which has been long
used to denote Scelopizias francisccB, has been proved, by Mr.
Sharpens discovery of the type specimen in the British Mu-
seum, to be really applicable to the much scarcer Madagascar
Hawk which has hitherto been usually known by the name
of Accipiter lantzii, and which is fully described in Mr.
Sharpens volume under its prior appellation of madagas-
cariensis.

[To be continued.]

XLV. — Oil the Immature Plumage of Rhodostethia rosea.
By Howard Saunders, F.L.S., F.Z.S.

When visiting the collection of Laridaj formed by the late
Herr Briich in the Museum of Mayence, I was already aware
that amongst its principal attractions were specimens of the
rare Cuneate-tailed Gull, Rhodostethia rosea, Macgill. Of
this interesting species all the examples hitherto examined
have been adults, and, with one exception, in summer plu-
mage, as marked by the black collai- ; my surprise and delight

Plumage of Rhodostethia rosea. 485

may therefore be imagined when, on proceeding to the case
containing the Laridae, I saw before me two specimens of
this rare bird in immature plumage. Not being aware of any
account of this interesting stage, and presuming that it will
be equally new to most ornithologists, I do not hesitate to
give a description of it.

Bill black, feathered to base of nostril, thence to tip '6 in. ;
from gape to tip 1"2 in.

Head white ; a few dark hairlike feathers round the eye of
one specimen, and beneath the eye of the other; black col-
lar slightly developed on the one, distinct in the other, espe-
cially on nape.

Breast pure white, with a pink tinge on the lower part and
on the abdomen.

Mantle to rump grey, lighter on shoulders.

Wing : length (underneath measurement) 9'4— 9"5 inches.
Primaries, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd smoke-brown on outer web and
shaft, this colour running round the tip and some way up
the inner web, the remainder of which is white ; on the 4th
and 5th the white portion increases, but the shaft continues
dark, although successively becoming lighter, till on the 10th
it is pure white ; in the 6th the dark marking on the webs
becomes a brown bar, which gradually decreases until it is
nearly lost in the 9th, and totally so in the 10th primary,
which is entirely white. These dark tips give a very pretty
barred appearance to the wings. Secondaries pearl-grey,
passing into white, thus forming a white band. Carpals and
upper wing-coverts smoke-brown, faintly tipped with white ;
lower wing-coverts grey, like the mantle, but tertials smoke-
brown.

Tail consisting of twelve feathers, pure white in one spe-
cimen ; in the other the 3rd and 4th feathers on each side
are barred with smoke-brown ; the 4th projects beyond them
a trifle, the 5th decidedly, whilst the central feathers extend
•75 in. beyond the 5th, making total projection about one
inch. Total length of tail 4-5 inch ; wings in stufied speci-
men reach a trifle beyond tip.

Tarsus l'15-r2 in., middle toe 1*2 in., outer toe I'l in.

486 On the Immature Plumage of Rliodostetliia rosea.

inner toe '95 in. ; hind toe and nail well developed ; nails
black.' Colour of legs and feet (evidently much faded) yel-
lowish clay.

I am inclined to think that these are birds of a trifle more
than a year old, just beginning to lose the black collar which
they assumed for the first time in the spring of the year in
which they were obtained ; but considering the utter want of
trustworthy data respecting the time occupied in acquiring
the successive stages of plumage, this is mere conjecture and
given for what it is worth.

The history of these specimens is not very satisfactory.
They were purchased some years ago from the Maison Ver-
reaux, and were stated to have come from Kamtchatka. When
the late M. Jules Verreaux was staying with me in 1870, 1 had
a good deal of conversation with him about Laridae and the
Briich collection, and I remember his expatiating upon the
beauty, and especially the lovely rose-tint, of two specimens
which he had sent to the Mayence Museum ; he also per-
sisted that they really did come from Kamtchatka, and that
he had had them from a Pole who had been there. It
was impossible to contradict him ; but for various reasons,
upon which I need not enlarge, I was sceptical as to the
locality, and continue to be so. It is true that another
arctic species {Xema sabinii) has been found breeding in both
continents; but then its range can be traced from Green-
land right across the American continent, and it is quite na-
tural that it should pass into Siberia ; whereas the Americans,
with all their energy and research, have hitherto failed to
acquire a single specimen of Rhodostethia rosea, either in
their own Alaska possessions, or in those portions of Kamt-
chatka visited by the United-States-Telegraph Surveying Ex-
pedition, which was accompanied by most able naturalists.
In fact, what little we do know about this Gull tends to show
that its habitat is extremely restricted ; but upon this point it
is needless to say more, as our Arctic expedition will, we
trust, give us some further account of it.

It may be as well to give a re\dsed list of the specimens of
this rare Gull existing in collections.

On some new Central-Asiatic Birds. 487

One in the Derby Museum, Liverpool, which may be the
type, obtained at Alagnak, 694° ISI. lat., Melville Peninsula,
23rd June 1823.

One in the Edinburgh University Museum, marked cJ,
Iglorlik, Melville Peninsula, 27th June, 1823.

One in the University Museum, Cambridge, from Green
Island, Disco Bay.

Three in the Copenhagen Museum, from Disco Bay.

One from Fseroe Islands (Suderoe), in Herr Benzon's col-
lection.

One from Heligoland, Herr Gaetke^s collection.

Two in Mayence Museum, Kamtchatka ?

One in Sir William Milner's collection, said to have been
killed in Yorkshire. This one has no black coUar.

Total eleven.

Besides these there is said to be another in Copenhagen,
obtained by HolboU.

XL VI. — Notes on some new Central- Asiatic Birds.
By Dr. N. Severtzov.

PiCUS LEPTORHYNCHUS, SCV.

This species, though closely allied to P. major, which it
represents in the evergreen-tree groves of the lower Tian-
shan, in the Turkestan gardens, and the saxaul {Haloxylon
ammodendron) forests of the desert, yet shows a constant
difference, which I have verified by an examination of about
forty specimens of each species. The comparative diagnoses
of the two are as follows : —

Picus leptorhynchus : Bill slender ; hinder wing-coverts, on
the humero-cubital articulation, white to the smallest upper
ones inclusively; secondary quills with but three (only two
uncovered by the larger tectrices) very broad white mark-
ings on each web, and a continued white outside edge, at least
on the tertiary quills, sometimes also on most secondaries;
primaries also with broad white markings, and, though the

488 Dr. N. Sevcrtzov o)} ftome

ground-colour along the shafts of all quills is black, yet this
black occupies on the feather less space than the white. Tail-
feathers black, only the two outermost with larger fulvous
markings on the terminal half, the third with a very small ful-
vous tip only ; these light markings are somewhat individually
variable in shape, but always lighter fulvous, and occupying
less space on the feather than those of P. major. The under-
parts almost pure white, slightly tinged with straw-yellow ;
the abdominal red reaches to the upper half of the sternum ;
the 3rd quill shorter than 6th, the 1st quill abortive, about
as long as its coverts, longest 4th = 5tli> 6th > 3rd > 7th > 2nd
>8th, &c. The white cheeks are separated by a black trans-
verse bar from the white sides of the neck ; the scapulars are
white, as in P. major, to which, except in the above particu-
lars, this bird has a strong resemblance in general colouring
and sexual difference, the adult male having also a red bar
across the nape, the female none, and the young male a red
patch on the crown. The size is generally smaller.

Males : — length 10-10'7 inches, expanse 15*8-16"4, wing
5-1, tail 4*2, bill l'2-l-3 long from forehead, and 0-25 high
at the forehead. The female is somewhat smaller, and has a
shorter bill, only l"! long and 0'25 thick at front; general
length 9|-10, expanse 15-15f, wing 4*7, tail 3*7. Old spe-
cimens of both sexes, but the females more rarely, have some-
times some slight indications of a narrow light vermilion band
across the breast, between the ends of the black neck-bands.

/3. Var. leucoptera : Resembles the typical P. leptorhynchus,
but has more white on the wing, especially on the secondary
quills, which are sometimes almost completely white, with a
sinuated black band, or even a series of black central spots
along the shafts, as shown in the following cuts (p. 489).

I have observed many intermediate quill-colourings between
figs. 2 and 3, but never between figs. 2 and 1 ; and therefore
the var. leucoptera of P. leptorhynchus is only a variety, not a
species, though it widely difi'ers in wing-colour (but nothing
else) from the typical P. leptorhynchus.

P. major, it may be remembered, has a stout bill,/oMr small
white markings on the edge on each web of the secondaries.

new Central- Asiatic Birds.

489

of which three arc uncovered, similar small white markings
(decreasing in number), but no white outer edge, on the ter-

Secondary quill, tifth from behind, counting tlie three tertiaries : —
1. Pi cm major ; 2. P. leptorhynchus typicus ; 3. P. leptorhynelms, var.
hucoptera.

tiaries, three outer tail-feathers largely marked with fulvous,
a more or less brownish white or dingy light brown under-
side, and the red of the belly reaching only a little upwards
to the lower edge of the sternum.

It is also larger. Length 11-11^ inches, rarely about 12;
wing5-7-5-8 ; tail3-7-3-9 ; bill I'l to 1-15 long from forehead,
and 0'32-0'35 high at the forehead; female with a bill 1*1
long and 0*32 high. Remiges 4 > 5 > 3 ; these almost equal, all
longer than 6; rem. 2 = 8; the first spurious considerably
longer than its coverts. P. major is found also in Turkestan,
but only in the extreme north-east^ in the mountain-forests
north of Kuldja.

Other species allied to P. major, such as P. nmnidicus, P.
syriacus, P. majordides, P. Jdmalayanus, P. manday'inus, etc..

490 Dr. N. Severtzov on some

are still more different from P. leptorhynchus than is the
common European P. major.

The typical P. leptorhynchus, as well as its white-winged
variety, are resident the whole year in Turkestan, being only
somewhat migratory in winter, as are other Woodpeckers. The
typical form inhabits the lower forests of tree-groves of the
Tian-shan (being rarer in Karatau) — groves of wild apricot,
walnut, ash {Fraxinus), elm (Ulmus), and poplar — getting in
the interior as far up as the poplar grows, to about 8000 feet on
the Albasli, a river falling into the Naryn or Upper Syr. It is
also not scarce in the gardens of the cultivated zone at the
foot of the hills, from Turkestan north-west, and Samarkand
south-west, to Kuldja east. I found it particularly numerous
and quite common around Tashkend, where the innumerable
small fruit-gardens and plantations join each other so as to
form a sort of forest, extending for several miles. It is
not a shy bird, and is very similar to P. major in its manners,
flying from tree to tree, and then exploring each for food,
which consists chiefly of small bark-frequenting coleoptera
and their larvae, also, but, to less extent, of small tree-climb-
ing ants, as shown by the contents of the stomachs of the
birds collected. It is more shy and retiring in the breeding-
season. I obtained only one newly fledged young, a male,
to more than forty adult birds, and found no nest, either of
the typical or of the white-winged variety. It conceals itself
for breeding in May ; the young are fledged in July ; and in
September old and young have already the adult plumage.

The white- winged variety was found by me in the denser
saxaul forests of the Lower Syr, between lany-kurgan and
Peroffsk, and on the lany-Darya, a river flowing (only
during the summer floods) from the Syr towards the Lower
Oxus, and on the banks of this last stream, in the north-
eastern parts of its delta. This variety is the single saxaul
Woodpecker, yet somewhat scarce and somewhat more shy
than the typical bird, though generally not very diflicult to
approach within easy shot. The white-winged Woodpecker
of the Tarim river-system, south of the Tian-shan range (pre-
cise locality unknown to me), found by Capt. Biddulph, and

yiew Central- Asiatic Birds, 491

shown to me by ]\Ir. Gould, is completely identical with the
white-winged saxaul variety of P. leptorhynchus .

Caprimulgus arenicolor, Sev. (falso C. isabellinus, Sev.,
nee Temm.) .

Closely allied to C. agyptius [C. isabellinus, Temm.), but
much larger, \\-2 inches longer, wing almost 1^ longer; bill,
however, smaller; wing less pointed, rem. 2>3>1; colour
somewhat more greyish sandy, but all markings nearly the
same ; sexual difference trifling, the adult male has one outer-
most tail-feather on each side broadly tipped with white, the
female with isabelline ; the young male individually varying
in the colour of these tips, which he has sometimes white,
like the old male, sometimes isabelline, like the female, and
sometimes of both colours (that is, white shaded with isa-
belline).

Length 10^-11 inches, expanse 24-26*6, wing 8*4, tail 5*3,
bill 0'42. C. (egyptius has a total length of 9 inches, wing 7,
bill of 0'6, and is more rufous isabelline, rem. 2>1>3.

Further particulars on the geographical range and habits
of this bird will be given by me in ' The Ibis,' in Mr. Dres-
ser's extracts from my ^ Turkestan skii Jevotnyi' (Turkestan
vertebrate animals). Here I remark that it is common only
on the lower Oxus, rarer on the Syr and in the south part of
the east Caspian shore ; everywhere a summer bird.

Phasianus semitorquatus, Sev., new species ? or variety ?

A near relative to P. mongolicus, the male differing in
some important particulars ; the female less so, and may
easily be confounded with the female of that species.

Male. General colour a In-ight, moderately intense rufous
chestnut, with metallic gloss, as in P. mongolicus, and quite
similar small, black, metallic green-glossed feather-tips, which
are also, in the same way, differently shaped on different parts
of the body — very narrow, on some feathers disappearing,
edges with a central small black blotch at the end of the shaft
on back and breast, broader black ends on the sides.

But on closer examination all the feathers of the head and
neck are not quite so metallic green as those of P. mongolicus ;

SER. III. VOL. V. - 2 N

493 Dr. N. Scvortzov on some

thoy are opaque bl(i<'k,\\\i\\ glossy green tii)s, Avliich are broadest
on tlie liead ; the njiper throat quite opaque lilack, Avithont any
glossy tips, while that of P. mongolicns is always dark pvu'ple
all over, with a slight eoppery gloss.

Instead of the broad eompletely white collar (interrupted
on the throat) of P. mongoUcus, there are only a few white
tips on the green of the lowest side neck-feathers, showing
traces of a white collar; hence the name.

The metallic gloss of all the chestnut feathers is uniformly
green on the whole body of this new Pheasant, while it is
partly green and partly purple in P. mongoUcus.

The cubital and carpal wing- coverts have dingy blackish
centres, varied with fulvous Avhite, and broad, light silvery,
bluish-grey edges and tips, which arc almost alone visible
when the feathers are in order ; this is just the wing-colour
of more eastern Chinese Pheasants, such as P. torquatus, P.
decollatus, P. elegans, and very different from the uniform
silvery white, without any markings, of P. mongoUcus.

These are the only differences; in other respects the two spe-
cies, P. mongoUcus and P. semitorguatus, a.re similarly coloured.

Quills of this last : — the 1st almost spurious, half length
of the second, which =7th; 3rd, 4th, 5th about equal and
longest.

A single male, in adult plumage, but not quite moulted,
and with a tail not full-grown, was shot at Kiytin, north-east
of Kuldja, a steppe locality with a rivulet and marshes, near
the northern foot of the Tian-shan, on the way from Kuldja
to Urumtsi. It was shot the 18th (30th) August, 1874, by
the Cossack Tchadov, a preparateur once taught by me, and
then employed in a surveying party by General Kolpakowsky,
Governor of Semiretchie. The measurements in the flesh,
noted by Tchadov, are, 31;^ inches length, 32 expanse, from
skin, tail 15^, wing 9"8.

I am uncertain whether a female, with remains of nest-plu-
mage, shot by the same man about a week earlier, near Lake
Ebe-nor, belongs to this species or P. mongoUcus, being shot
at the very limit of the range of both. On superficial com-
parison it showed no difference whatever from the latter. Not

new Central- Asiatic Birds. 493

having my whole collection at hand for a closer comparison,
I do not describe this female without identifying it with
greater certainty. The following is a short comparative dia-
gnosis of all the Pheasants met with from the northern slopes
of the Tian-shan to the Caspian : —

1. Fhasianus seniitorquatus. Capite et coUo atris, opacis,

apicibus plumarum nitide viridibus ; collari albo imperfec-
tissimo, ex aliquot singulis plumis colli, versus scajjulas,
albo apicatis ; corpore toto Isete rufescenti-castaneo ni-
tore ubique viridi ; apicibus plumarum pectoris latis, an-
gustissinie nigro marginatis ; teetricibus alse carpalibus et
cubitalibus tricoloribus, argenteo-cano-caerulescentibus et
nigricante diluteque fulvescente centratis : uropygio me-
tallice viridi ; rostro crasso, robusto.
Mongolia meridionalis, prope mont. Tianshan, versus ori-
entem a laeu Ebe-nor.

2. Phasianus mongolicus. Capite et collo metallice viridibus,

gula obscure purpurea, nitore aliquot cupreo ; collari
lato, toto albo, gula interrupto ; corpore toto loete cas-
taneo-rufo, metallice nitente, nitore partim viridi, partim
purpureo,lateribusrubescenti-aurco; plumis pectoris latis,
solo apice anguste nigro marginatis; iugluvie unicolori,
apicibus nigris luillis ; teetricibus carpalibus et cubitalibus
unicoloribus, argenteo-albicantibus ; uropygio purpuras-
centi-viridi, unicolori vel tenue canescente fasciolato :
rostro valido.
Ad fl. laxartem, in vallibas magis occidentalibus montium
Tian-shan, et prope lacus lassyk-kul ; in fruticetis et
aruudinetis fluviatilibus ad fl. Hi, lacus Balchasch et Ala-
kul; rarius ad lac. Nor-Zaissau.

3. Phasianus chrysomelas*. Capite et collo metallice viridibus,

gula chalybeo-eyanea ; collari albo imperfeeto, ex plumis
viridis, transversim albo fasciatis et maculatis; corpore
toto intense rufescenti-aurantiaco, nitore metallice aureo
fulgeute; plumis pectoris latis, latissime apice colore
nigro, viridi nitente, marginatis ; haec nigredo ingluvie
colorem aurautiacam fere obtegit ; uropygio rufo, metal-
lice cupreo-purpurascente, transversim nigro faseiato ;

* I sent, in October 1874, a notice, with diagnosis, of this bird to the
Society of Naturalists in Moscow, under the name P. chrysomelanos (more
correctly P. chrysomclas), and am told tlie notice was printed in the
' Bulletin ' of that Society about December 1874.

2 N 3

494 Ri'ccnfjy puhlisficd Ornitholof/'tra] JVorks.

tectricilms car])alil)us ot oubitjilihiis unicoloribus, argen-
too-aibis : rostro parvo, ^i-aoili.
Ad tl. Oxinn iiifcrioreni collectus.

4. PJiusianvspersicus. Capitc et oollo metanioo viridibns, tor-
(liic milloj lit in P. colchico ; scd albediiio alarum, ut in P.
luonyolico ; pbiinis pectoris lanccolatis, toto bm])o, noii
solo a])irc, tciniissinie nigro marginatis ; cait. fere ut in
P. colchico, a quo alis ct pectore prtesci'tini dift'crt.
In sylvis Pcrsiaj borcalis, versus marc Caspium^ vicinitate
urbis Astrabad specimen unicum niilii notuin occisum,
nunc in mea collectionc.

P.S. I liavc seen, in tbc collection of Mr. Gould, a speci-
men termed by liirn P. monyoUcus, wbicb has the same large
white collar, the same i)urplisli throat Avith rusty feather-
bases, widely difl'c.'rent fi-om P. semitorquatus, l)ut resembling
in the greenish general gloss and the wing-colour this last,
and not the typical P. monyolicus of the Syr, collected by
me in great numbers. This specimen of Mr. Gould's was
received from St. Petersburg, without indication of locality,
and looks, to my eyes, to be perhaps a hybrid between the two
races P. mongolicus and P. semitorquatus, which meet each
other near Lake Ebe-nor.

Thus P. semitorquatus requires further study, as I do not
consider it definitely established from an examination of a
single specimen. The same remark perhaps applies to P.
persicus.

But P. chrysomelas is a species resting on constant cha-
racters, as Seen by an examination of many specimens of both
sexes and all ages.

XLVII. — Notices of recently 'published Ornithological Works.

Though Dr. Coucs's 'Birds of the North-west '^ would
seem by its title to treat only of the birds of a limited though
extensive area of North America, it includes ornithological

* Birds of tlie North-west : a haudbook of the OrnithologT of the region
drained by the Missonri River and its Tribntaries. l>y Elliott Cones, Cap-
tain and Assistant Snrgeou U.S. Array. 8vo, pp. 701. Washington: 1874.

liectnthj pubriii/ic'd Onutlioloijical [Vorks. 495

matter of importauce far exceeding the requirements of a
simple exposition of a local fauna. One of the chief features
of the work is the elaborate list of references attached to the
name of each species mentioned. These are followed by a
general outline of the range of the species, and a list of the
specimens, if any, obtained l)y the surveying expeditions. Dr.
Coues's own notes on many of the species observed by him-
self are added; or when a species had not personally been en-
countered by himself, extracts from other sources on the same
points are given. In the latter part of the book the North-
American members of the Laridte, Colymbidac, and Podici-
pitidae are treated in full in the form of monographs.

Thus it will be seen that this is a work of no ordinary im-
portance ; and that it is the product of a man who is no less
skilful with his pen, his gun, and his scalpel will not detract
from its value. In spite of all that has been written on the
birds of North America, hardly a page of Dr. Coues's book
but contains fresh matter of interest. Plaving said thus
much in general praise of really excellent work, we trust we
may be permitted to make a few remarks upon the treat-
ment of the subject in several matters of detail and some of
principle.

We regret to see that recent American writers almost in-
variably give as the authority for the locality where a species
has been procured, not the collector's name, but tua^ of the
author who happened to publish the fact. How mucn science
would lose in interest if the late Mr. G. R. Gray's name
were given instead of Mr. Wallace's as the authority of the
numberless species obtained by the latter gentleman in the
islands of the Eastern archipelago ! or to take perhaps a still
more patent case ; and here we are sure we are speaking Herr
von Pelzeln's feelings on the subject when we raise our voice
against a practice which would disassociate Natterer's name
from his brilliant discoveries in Brazil. First authorities are
entitled to every acknowledgment; and we are somewhat
surprised to see them neglected in the point referred to by
authors who are exceedingly particular that each slioidd get
his full rights in connexion with the foruuition of new names
or the recombination of old ones.

496 Recently published Ornithological Works.

Dr. Coues has most laboriously brought together every
reference he could to the species he writes about. The list of
these references in many cases makes half, and in some a
whole page of closely printed text. Looking at these formi-
dable lists one cannot help asking where this is to end. Are
references to be repeated again and again, even when fully
given in works of easy access ? The time ajjpears to us to
have come when some more rigid selection should be exer-
cised, and those references only given Avhich tend to throw
light upon a subject under discussion. Of what use is it, for
instance, to give a reference to Gray's ^ Hand-list,' when, on
turning to its pages, no information beyond the name is
imparted ?

It will be seen that this work has been some time passing
through the press ; for Dr. Coues's introductory letter is dated
13tli May 1873, whilst the last sheet of the letterpress is
signed Dec. 1874*. This doubtless accounts for some recent
corrections referring to the nomenclature of American birds
not having been adopted ; for instance, Mr. Ridgway's error
respecting the affinity of Scojjs trichopsis, Wagler, corrected
in ' The Ibis ' for last year (1874, p. 314), is repeated (p. 303),
and Mr. Ridgway's determination confirmed, it is said, by an
examination of the typical specimens. Not typical of S. tri-
chopsis, surely ! the types of which species, if they are in ex-
istence at all, are in the Museum at Wiirtzburg.

In his monograph of the North- American Laridss Dr. Coues
travels over old ground, enlarging and correcting his previous
essay on the same subject published in 1863. There are one or
two points in nomenclature of some species from which we
withhold our assent ; but otlierwise we can speak in terms of
unqualified praise both of this monograph and those on Colym-
bidse and Podicipitidse, which follow. As regnYdsXema f areata
(why usually vfTitten fur catum we know not), the non-appear-
ance of which has so long puzzled American ornithologists, the
following note may throw some light on this obscure point.
So far as we know, only two specimens exist in museums : —

* Mr. Ridgway tells us (Bull. Geol. & Geogr. Suit. ISio, p. 57) tliut it
vvas not issued till February 1875.

Recently published Ornithological Works. 497

one, now in Paris, obtained by Neboux (who accompanied the
French frigate ' Venus '), it is said, at Monterey, on the Cali-
fornian coast ; tlie other, now in the British Museum, by
Capt. Kcllett and Lieut. Wood, it is said, off Dab-ymplc
Rock, Chatham Island, one of the Galapagos archipelago.
Now it is somewhat rcmarkaljle that, of all the naturalists
who have collected on the western shores of North America,
only those who have also visited the Galapagos Islands (for
Neboux was there) have obtained this Gull. The suggestion
seems inevitable that the continental locality, Monterey, is
erroneous, and that the bird is probably exclusively found in
the Galapagos Islands. This is further borne out by the fact
of several of Neboux^'s other localities for the birds collected
by him having proved to be wrong— such as Calliste 7'uficervix,
which is said to have been obtained from Guatemala, instead
of Columbia or Ecuador. Mr. Saunders's suggestion, as
quoted by Dr. Coues, that the bird is of arctic origin, must
be taken for what it is worth, seeing that the bird has not
yet been obtained in the far north. Still, even were its arctic
characters established, it may yet be an inhabitant of the
Galapagos Islands, where an Otaria belonging to a northern
species exists and formerly abounded.

Dr. Coues, following several American ornithologists, takes
the tenth instead of the twelfth edition of the ' Systema Na-
turae ' of Linnaeus as the proper commencement of the pre-
sent system of nomenclature, and on this basis makes several
changes in old-established names. He holds that no good
reason was ever given for adhering to the twelfth edition as
the starting-point. To consider the latter as the perfected
work of the promulgator of the binominal system, and as
such to be a fitting point from which subsequent work should
be added, seems a sufficient reason in itself; but it is strength-
ened in no small degree, since it discountenances some at
least of those changes of old names which are so disheartening
to those who aim at the study of higher branches of the
science than its mere alphabet, synonymy. What possible
advantage can accrue from calling the Black Tern Hydroche-
lidon luriformis (Linn.), Coues, instead of simply Hydroche-

498 Recently published Ornitfioloyical Works.

lidon fissipes (Linn.) ? It is true, Dr. Coues says lie hopes he
will not be accused of arbitrary innovation ; but this disclaimer
■we take to be the " rhetoric of an uneasy conscience."

The system recently come into vogue amongst American
writers on ornithology, of introducing names for " varieties "
in addition to generic and specific names, is further carried
out by Dr. Coues in this volume. But it would seem that
the term ^Wariety'' is receiving a wider application, judging
from the treatment of the northern and southern Stilts {Hi-
mantojms) of America (p. 462)*; so that a new term will
shortly be required to express still finer gradations of obser-
vable differences. One thing seems certain respecting this
system, viz. that it tends to " polynominalism ^ — a doctrine
openly preached by Dr. Coues, but not as yet practised, but
yet a doctrine, so far as trinominalism is concerned, to which
he has actually converted Mr. Ridgway, who, in a recent
paper, puts the system in practice.

The Birds of Prey have during the last two years come in
for an unusual amount of attention. In 1874 both Baird,
Brewer, and Ridgway^s volumes on North- American birds, in
which these birds were, so far as North America is concerned,
fully treated, and Mr. Sharpens ' Catalogue of Birds,' vol. i.,
containing Accipitres, saw the light. But the energy ex-
pended in these volumes does not seem by any means to be
exhausted ; for Mr. Ridgway has recently sent us ' Outlines '
of what professes to be a natural arrangement of the Fal-
conidse, extracted from the * Bulletin of the United-States
Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories,' June
10, 1875.

The arrangement adopted by Mr. Ridgway is nearly that
of Professor Huxley (P. Z. S. 1867, p. 415) ; and the charac-

* H. hrasiliensis is put (with a query, it is true) as a '' variety " of //.
nigricollis ;. but not a word do we read of intermediate examples. Con-
cerning the former, Dr. Coues says that Messrs. Sclater and Salvin omit
to state in their paper (P. Z. S. 1873, p. 454) that the black of the neck
in H. hrasiliensis is separated from that of the back by a white interval.
He cannot have read the diagnosis of this species as given in that paper,
where attention is expressly drawn to this character.

Recently published Ornitholoijical Works. 499

tci's there shown to exist in the way in which the ends of the
coracoid, clavicle, and scapula meet, are further investigated ;
and two subfamilies are formed, Falconinae and Buteoninae,
chiefly vipon the fact of the scapular process of the coracoid
meeting the scapula or stopping sliort of it when the clavicle
is thrust in between these bones. This arrangement places
in close contact the Polyhori, Falcones, Micrastures, and Her-
petotheres, birds widely distinct in many other respects — so
much so, that we feel strongly disposed to doubt the value
Mr. Ridgway places upon these characters in a primary
sense.

Be this as it may, we are still of opinion that Mr, Ridg-
way's treatment of his subject is the right one; for he seems
disposed to bring all available characters to bear iipon it.
We wish we could share his confidence in submitting his
arrangement as really a natural one in outline ; but when
the value of characters has to be considered, be they genetic
or analogical, we cannot contemplate any such finality.
Mr. Ridgway has a paragraph on the importance of distin-
guishing between these two classes of characters, which can-
not be impressed too forcibly ; but there is a mental tendency,
of which Mr. Ridgway appears to have his full share with
the rest of us, to regard the selected characters in a classi-
fication as genetic, and the rejected as analogical. We are
not sure that Ave appreciate the full meaning of the paragraph
referred to, when read by the light of the examples. One
thing seems certain, that the word '' mimicry,^' as applied to
Pandiones and Haliaeti, is used in a sense quite different from
that in which it is employed by Mr, H. W. Bates in his now
celebrated article (Trans. Linn. Soc. xxxiii. p. 495). There
is, we believe, one notable case of true mimicry in Brazilian
Hawks of the genera Accipiter and Harpagus, Avhere the
Sparrow- Hawk A. pileatus wears the exact garb of the insect-
eating Harpagus diodon. Mr. Wallace has already alluded
to this instance of mimicry amongst birds, to which we be-
lieve we first called his attention {of. Wallace, ' On Natural
Selection,' p. 107).

Mr. Ridgway is a little hard upon the systems of his

500 Recently published Ondtholoyical PVorks.

predecessors over the same ground. We are uot disposed to
enter the lists in their defence, as they are fully cajjable of
defending themselves ; but it must be borne in mind tliat the
materials at the disposal of European ornithologists, at least of
many of them, though not perhaps including specimens of single
si^ecies by tens and hundreds, still cover more ground and are
far more complete than any thing yet amassed in America.
Conclusions based on such material are deserving of great
consideration ; and, alx)ve all things in questions involving
what must for a long time to come be matters of opinion,
any thing like dogmatic criticism had best be avoided.

Besides the previously mentioned paper, Mr. Ridgway has
sent us two others upon Accipitres, both published in the
Proceedings ' of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila-
delphia (pp. 78-119, 1875?). The first relates to Accipiler
(or, as here called, Nisus) cooperl and A. yundlachi. The
latter bird, of which we have never seen specimens, Mr. Ridg-
way considers to be a species distinct from the former. ]\Ir.
Lawrence^s original description is reproduced and its correct-
ness indorsed in the present paper.

The second of these papers is ^' on the Buteouine subgenus
Ci'axirex, Gould." In it the American species of Biiteo arc
divided into two subgenera — one being distinguished by
having four primaries '^emarginated" on their inner webs,
whilst the other has only three. To the former Buteo vul-
garis belongs ; to the latter all the South- American Buzzards,
except B. abbreviatus, B. mmutus, and B. brachyurus, but in
it two northern species also, B. swainsoni and B. pennsyl-
vanicus, are included.

Great stress is laid upon the importance of this character ;
but when we consider the similar case of the Harriers {Circus),
of certain Humming-birds, of the rectrices of certain Snipes,
and other instances which will readily suggest themselves, we
cannot but think that this character is, in some of the birds
grouped under the name Craxirex, only one of analogy. We
cannot think that Buteo vulgaris is more nearly related to
B. brachyurus than it is to B. swainsoni ; yet this is what Mr.
Ridgway would have us believe. The dillerent plumages in

Recently published Ornithological Works. 501

which 5. 5W«ew5om presents itself are fully described; and
very various they arc. This bird a few years ago was very im-
perfectly understood ; now, however, the contrary may be said,
due chiefly to the labours of American ornithologists, and espe-
cially to the large series of specimens so industriously brought
together by the authorities of the Smithsonian Institution.

Another paper of Mr. Kidgway's treats of a favourite sub-
ject of his, the genus Leucosticte, and, we may add, exhaust-
tively; for, judging from the extent of the materials at his
command, numbering some hundreds of specimens, little must
remain to be said of the relationship existing between the
American members of the genus. Of the Old- World species
of Leucosticte little is said beyond referring them to a new
subgenus, Hijpolia (a name introduced, after a growing prac-
tice among ornithologists, in a foot-note, without formal cha-
racters) . Four American species of this genus are now recog-
nized, viz. L. atrata, L. tepJirocotis, L. ausiralis, and L. brun-
neinucha ; of these the second is subdi\dded into three varieties
or races — L. tephrocotis, L. littoralis, and L. griseiniccha.
Specimens of Leucosticte a few years ago were considered
amongst the rarities of a collection ; but this can scarcely be
said to be the case now. Mr. Ridgway tells us of a collector
who pursued a flock of these birds, killing fifteen and twenty
at a shot, till he had killed 350; a friend followed him
about with a board, upon which the bodies of the slain were
laid. We can only hope that these all came under Mr. Ridg-
way's eye, and helped him to form his conclusions.

Colonel Irby^s book* is one that will bear favoui'able com-
parison, to say nothing more, with any work of the kind that
has of late appeared, and is a very welcome addition to orni-
thological literature. Its author must be already well known
to our readers from his " List of Birds observed in Oudh and
Kumaon,^^ pubHshcd long ago in these pages (Ibis, 1861,
p. 217) ; and ' The Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar '

* The Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar. By Lieut.-Colouel L.
Howard L. Irby, F.Z.S. &c. London (Porter, (5 Tenterden Street) : 1876,
8vo, pp. 236.

502 Recently published Ornithological Works.

will not fail to add to his reputation as an excellent observer.
His notes arc j ust of the right kind^ and are not overladen by
any extraneous matter. For the northern sides of the Straits
he depends almost entirely on his own resources^ gathered
during his more or less prolonged stay at " the Rock " be-
tween 1868 and 1874; but with respect to the southern side,
his information, he tells us, is chiefly drawn from a MS. of
the late Franyois Favier, the collector, who resided more than
thirty years at Tangier, which MS. Col. Irby obtained at an
exorbitant price. In both cases he has also availed him-
self of the various papers by Lord Lilford, Mr. Saunders, and
the late Mr. Tyrwhitt-Drake, which have appeared in ' The
Ibis.^ We consequently have in this volume about as good
an account of the ornithology of the Straits as could at present
be composed, though our gallant friend assures us, and no
doubt with truth, that '' there is ample room, for any one
with energy, to work out a great deal more information " on
their birds.

As most of our readers will doubtless possess themselves of
Col. Irby^s book, we need not do more than refer to a few
points in it that seem especially to deserve notice in these
pages. He condemns as "apocryphal" (p. 61) the story
which, originating with Favier, was first published in ' The
Ibis^ (1862, p. 27), as to the interbreeding of Asia cupensis
and A. acc/pitrinus, remarking that, so far as his observation
goes, the latter is only a winter resident in Andalueia, where
it is not very abundant, and accordingly its breeding, even
when tempted by a tawnier partner, so far south as INIoroceo
is not very likely. Oologists have long vaguely talked of the
tame Cursorius gallicus which used to lay eggs, to the no small
profit of its owner, at Tangier. We are glad to have its his-
tory here given (p. 157) in detail: it seems to have laid
three dozen of eggs in six years, after which it fell a victim
to the war between Spain and Morocco"^. On the whole

* We may ubserve that these eg'gs, of wliicli we have seen several, do
not bear out the statement made bv Mr. Ilcwitsou (Ibis, 18.5J), p. 7i*) that
they are "smaller and more I'ainth coloured" than those laid by the
wild bird.

Recently pvbUshed Ornithological Works. 5(J3

Col. Trby includes 335 species as certainly found on one or
the other side of the Straits, besides naming 25 more as pos-
sil)ly occurring there ; but he adds that '^doubtless many other
species are to be found as stragglers ; and so local are birds in
Southern Spain, that perhaps some may be resident, and over-
looked in consequence of the exact locality they frequent
having been unvisited." "VYe are sorry to see that he has fol-
lowed Mr. Sharpe in the nomenclature of the diurnal birds of
prey. We take this opportunity of saying that the Accipiter
korschnn of S. G. Gmelin is certainly not the Falco mujrans
of Boddaert, and therefore to call the Black Kite Milvuslor-
schun is wrong. We must also protest against Circus cine-
raceus being named C. pxjgargns. Any but the most cursory
inspection of Albin's plate, on which alone, according to Mr.
Sharpe (but according to no one else), Linnaeus founded his
Falco pyyaryus, Avill show that it is a composite design, having
been drawn from a specimen of C. cyaneus and coloured from
one of C. cineraceus. The specific name pyyaryus was long
ago most properly consigned to limbo ; and Mr. Sharpe did
most inconsiderately in attempting its revival. In conclusion,
we must remark with pleasure that Col. Irby's book is accom-
panied by two useful maps ; and herein, as in many other
respects, we commend his example to the authors of faunistic
works.

Mr. Harting's volume on our Summer Migrants^ forms
a useful addition to our home literature, and will, we doubt
not, be appreciated by those who, residing in the countiy and
following out-()f-dt)or pursuits, have frequent opportunities
of seeing the birds ]Mr. Harting writes about in their summer
quarters. Forty-nine species come under Mr. Harting's defi-
nition of " summer migrants,'^ amongst which several strag-
glers, such as the Rufous and Orphean Warblers, are included.
The accounts of most of the species are headed by a woodcut by
Bewick — the publishers (Messrs. Bickers and Son) possessing

* Our Summer MigiMiit* : an Account of tho Migi-atory Birds which
pass the Summer in tlie British Islands. By .7. E. Harting, F.L.S. &c.
8 vo, pp. 330. London: 1875 (Bickers & Son).

504 Recently pub/is/ied Oriiithological Works.

many of the l)locks said to be by that well-known engraver.
These will doubtless help the uninitiated reader to some extent
to make out the species ; but where no cuts are given, such per-
sons will have some difFculty in recognizing the birds they see.
Mr. Ilarting's notes give the chief outlines of the distribution
of each species ; and throughout the work references are freely
given to aid those who Avould look further into this subject.
On the whole ]Mr. Harting's remarks concerning the affinities
of the different species appear to us to be sound ; but there
are a few to which we would take exception. The association
of the Swifts and Swallows in one family^ Hirundinida,
though one of old standing, has been, we think, successfully
called in question of late years. To say that the peculiarities
of the Swifts as compared with the SwalloAVS are rightly ex-
pressed by placing the former in the genus Cypselus, and the
latter in Hii'undo, falls far short of giving the proper value to
the real differences between these birds, similar as they are
in oiitward appearance. A family, Cypsclidae, to contain the
Swifts, is at least conceded by all good systematists ; and we
think that they are best placed in an order, Macrochires,
separate from the Passeres, to which the Hirundinidce un-
doubtedly belong.

Then, again, Mr. Harting, after detailing many of the pecu-
liar external features of the Wryneck, gives his opinion that it
is best placed as a connecting link between the Woodpeckers
and the Cuckoos. He lays far too great stress upon the form
of the tail, forgetting that the Picumni of the Old and New
Worlds have soft tails destitute of the pointed shafts of the
true Woodpeckers. We believe that the genus Yunx must
be associated with the Pici, and noAvhere else.

Several pages are devoted to the habits of the Cuckoo ; and
theories advanced res]3ecting the reproduction of this bird are
gone into. Mr. Harting has some difficulty in accepting
Professor Newton^s explanation of the mode in Avhich an here-
ditary tendency is acquired by the Cuckoo to seek the nests
of certain birds wherein to deposit its egg. His difficulty
lies in his expecting too much from the words '' successfully
deposited." All that seems to be required by a Cuckoo to

Recently published Ornithohf/iral Works. 505

maintain an hereditary liahit of seeking the nests of particular
species wherein to deposit its egg^ is a knowledge where to look
for a nest. The bird that has an egg to deposit, and can easiest
find a nest where to put it, gives an advantage to its offspring
not shared by a bird less skilled in finding nests. Hence the
success lies in finding a suitable nest, and nothing beyond it,
and no subsequent anxiety on the part of the parent need be
exercised.

We are not told in what system the species are arranged
in sequence; but to our eye the Swifts, Nightjar, Cuckoo,
Wryneck, Hoopoe, come a little out of place between the
Swallow and the Golden Oriole.

But we have no wish to pick holes in this book of Mr.
Harting's, which deserves every success.

The first number of the new edition of Layard^s ' Birds of
South Africa "*, which has been announced some time, reached
us too late to do more than mention its appearance in our
last nimiber. It contains the Birds of Prey nearly to the end
of the Owls. In form this edition is very different from the
first, being larger in size and printed in larger type and on
better paper. There are also considerable alterations in the
body of the work. The short descriptions in the first edition,
giving an outline of the ordinal, family, and generic charac-
ters, are here entirely suppressed, and the sole descriptive
part of the new edition applies to the discrimination of species.
The synonymy too, brief and imperfect as it was, is also en-
tirely cut out in the present work, as are also the native names.
It may well be questioned whether Mr. Sharpe, in making
these important changes, has exercised a wdse discretion.
One of the functions of such a work as this, and perhaps the
most important one, is to assist colonists and travellers in
determining the birds that come under their notice ; and the
omission of all the more salient landmarks to help them on
their way must necessarily render the task of correctly de-

* The Birds of South Africa. By E. L. Layard, F.L.S. &c. New
edition, thoroughly revised and augmented by R. Bowdler ISharpe, F.L.S.
&c. Part I. 8vo. London : May 1875 (Quaritch).

506 Recently jjuhlished Oniithological Works.

tcrmining the species more diffieult. It is true that the
generic descriptions in the first edition were most of them
taken from Gray and Mitchell's ' Genera of Birds/ and doubt-
less require considerable revision to bring them up to the
standard of the present time ; but "vve maintain that any cha-
racters not actually incorrect, in such a work as the ' Birds
of South Africa/ would be preferable to none, and we regret
their omission. As regards the synonymy, we think that
references to all works actually referring to the district treated
of should have been given, and at least to the great works of
Le Vaillant and Sir A. Smith. Instead, all references are
struck out, with the exception of a single one to some illus-
tration. To those working at home, and having books at hand,
this is of comparatively small consequence ; but the wants of
the colonist have, we fear, been overlooked, and this we can-
not but regret.

"When we come to the additions made to the account of
the distribution of the diflFerent species, we see the amount of
progress that has been made in our knowledge of South-
African birds j and here the new edition contrasts, as might
be expected, very favourably with the first.

The nomenclature employed is that used in the ' Catalogue
of Birds in the British Museum;' and many of the descrip-
tions are copied verbatim from that work — those of the " Fal-
cones'' from the volume already published, those of the
'' Striges " from the second, now, we believe, in the press.
As this great work will, at its present rate, take perhaps
twenty years to complete, some other plan for references
must be adopted as the ' Birds of South Africa ' passes be-
yond the Owls.

The work is to be completed in six parts, to " be finished
in the course of the summer.'' The summer is now already
far spent, and Part I. is all that we have seen.

The scope and object of Dr. Bree's ' Birds of Europe not
observed in the British Isles " ^, the appearance of the first

* A History of the Birds of Europe not observed in the British Isles.
By Charles Ilobert Bree, M.D. &c. Second edition, enlarged. "N'ol. I.
Large 8vo. London : 1875 (George Bell & Son).

Recently published Ornitholoyical Works. 507

volume of a second edition of which we now record, having
been very fully discussed in the first volume of this Journal
(Ibis, 1859, pp. 81-99), it is needless for us to enter upon
them again. That a second and enlarged edition is called
for, is proof of itself of the success of Dr. Bree's endeavours
to promote the study of European birds, upon which he may
be fairly congratulated.

While thus we sympathize with the aim of this work, we
heartily wish it was in our power to accord our approval of
the manner in which the execution of it has been carried out.

More is naturally expected of a second and enlarged edition
of a book like the present — greater accuracy, and, on the whole,
a firmer grasp of the subject ; but in the present case we de-
tect no such signs of a progressive knowledge at all com-
mensurate with the requirements of the subject, which has
during the last few years advanced with rapid strides. There
is a self-satisfaction about the tone of Dr. Bree's book which
has doubtless stood sadly in his way, and prevented his ac-
quii'ing that knowledge of contemporary ornithologists and
their writings which is absolutely necessary for the due per-
formance of his task.

Take, for instance, his remarks in the preface upon the
*' confusion that has arisen in late years from the persistent
habit of changing long-established names in obedience to some
real or assumed priority existing one hundred or one hun-
dred and fifty years ago.^' It seems almost incredible that a
writer on ornithology at the present day should use the words
" one hundred and fifty years ago " in connexion with the
laws laid down in the ' Rules of Zoological Nomenclature ;'
but is not the conclusion forced upon us, that an author
who uses such words must be very ill informed respecting
this intricate and important subject ?

As regai-ds Dr. Breeds knowledge of contemporary writers
we find him almost equally wanting. At page 58, Dr. Bree
says that he wrote to Prof. Blasius for information respecting
Accipiter sphenurus, and was surprised to receive no answer
to his letter. He appears to be ignorant of that distinguished
naturalist's death in May 1870 (Ibis, 1870, p. 448). Again

SEK. III. VOL. V. 2 O

508 Recently published Orniihologicul Works.

(p. 39), tlie editor of this Journal is mistaken for Mr. ¥. H.
Salvin, one of the authors of the ' Falconry of the British
Isles,^ and vice versa !

Weliave no space to enter upon the numerous shortcom-
ings in Dr. Breeds book ; but such statements as the following
afford some evidence as to how far our available knowledge
has been draw'n upon to bring this second edition up to the
mark : —

We are told that " very little, if any thing, is known of the
liabits and nidification of the Lanner " (p. 35). We beg to
refer Dr. Bree to Mr. J. PI. Cochrane's article in 'The Ibis '
for 1864, Mr. Tristram's remarks (ibid. 1865, p. 256), also
to Mr. E. C. Taylor's note (ibid. 1867, p. 52), and IMr. C.
Farman's remarks (ibid. 1868, p. 411).

All notices of the breeding of Falco sacer are passed over
in silence; yet surely there is no lack of information lying
ready to Dr. Bree's hand. Concerning F. eleonortB we have
the same complaint to make ; for, so far as Dr. Bree is con-
cerned. Dr. Kruper might never have written his exhaustive
article on this species (J. fiir Orn. 1864, pp. 1-23).

Two additional species are introduced into the European
fauna in this volume, the " Striated Eagle " and Aquila cul-
leni, Bree. The status of neither of these birds can be said
to be very satisfactory. The former we have little doubt is
the young of Aquila heliaca, Dr. Cullen's Tartar notwith-
standing. Aquila culleni is based upon a living bird now in
the Zoological Gardens at Antwerp. It must be here re-
marked that Dr. Bree has never seen this specimen, nor has
any ornithologist examined it critically, except his corre-
spondent, Professor Van den Nest, who thought it was
Aquila naevioides till Dr. Bree persuaded him it was not.-
Now, as Dr. Bree could not take the Secretary of the
Zoological Society's excellent advice, and study the Eagles
in the Regent's Park, which were, after several years' con-
finement, changing their young striated plumage for their
adult dress, it was hardly to be expected that he should
visit the Antwerp Gardens to see the supposed new Aquila
culleni If he had done so, he might have given us his

Recently published Ornithological Works. 509

personal observations on the valne of a " degagee air " and
*' silence in confinement " as specific characters : he would,
too, have been able to test the correctness of the drawing op-
posite page 92, in which Aquila culleni is represented with
the nostril pointing /or i^arc?* and downwards, instead of the
reverse, as is the case with all Eagles we have seen in which
the nostril was not round. Indeed we believe that the form
of nostril shown in the sketch has hitherto only been seen in
some of the American Polybori of all known Accipitres. Dr.
Bree's apparent unconsciousness of the peculiarity of this cha-
racter, and the introduction of such characters as '^ silent in
confinement," was hardly to be expected after the solemn
sentence in the preface in which he laments the absence of a
sound knowledge of comparative anatomy displayed by so
many of our ornithologists !

We think Dr. Bree has been unfortunate in his printer ;
for it has seldom been our lot to encounter so many misprints,
which disfigure nearly every page of the volume before us.

These and other defects, which we cannot here allude to,
render the second edition of the ' Birds of Europe ' a work
that must be trusted with care. The extremely low price
of the work place it within the easy reach of many ; but ac-
curacy is even more essential than cheapness, and we again
regret that the requisite care on the part of the compiler has
not been expended so as to combine the two.

In Part I. Number 2, of Mr. Rowley's ' Ornithological
Miscellany'^, the author continues his essays on the birds of
New Zealand, and lays before his readers a plate of the rare
White-faced Owl [Sceloglaux albifacies), drawn by Mr. Keu-
lemans from living specimens in the author's possession.
The second plate represents the White Gallinule, or Por-
phyrio, formerly in Bullock's celebrated collection, whence
it passed into that of Lord Derby, and afterwards to the
Liverpool Museum, where it now remains, Mr. Rowley,
being unable to associate it with any other known species of

* Ornithological Miscellany. By Georgo Dawson Rowley, M. A. Parti,
No. 2, and Part II. No. 2. Platen, 4vo. London : 1875.

2 o 2

510 Recently jjubliahed Ornithological Works.

Porphrjrio, has bestowed upon it the name of Porphyrio
stanleyi. That this specimen is distinct from the true Gal-
linula alba of White and Latham we fully believe ; and if it
be not an albino variety of P. melanonotus, Mr. Rowley had no
choice but to act as he has done. It is strange that^ though
former voyagers not unfrequently speak of these white Gal-
linules as existing in Lord Howe's and Norfolk Islands, no
specimens have reached us in recent times. AVe know of
no other specimens in existence but the one now figured by
Mr. Rowley and the specimen in the Vienna Museum, to
which we had occasion to refer in a former volume of this
Journal (Ibis, 1873, p. 295, pi. x.). Mr. Rowley has done
good service in figuring this bird, which, be it what it may,
is of higli interest^ both historically and in a more strictly
scientific point of view.

In Part II. No. 2 (No. 1 we do not see), Mr. Rowley
writes on British birds, and brings forward many notes,
which a long residence in a very favourable district for ob-
servation of the straggling and migratory birds to our shores
has enabled him to collect together. The subjects treated of
are so numerous, and the matter so varied, that we hope to
be excused going into any details on this part of Mr. Rowley^s
labours, we can only recommend our readers to consult for
themselves Mr. Rowley^s pages, wherein will be found not a
few of the soluble and insoluble problems appertaining to a
study of bird-life discussed.

Mons. Mulsant^s work on the Trochilidse*, of which we
have had to speak on several occasions (see Ibis, 1874, p. 453,
and antea, p. 265), continues to make satisfactory progress.
We have received two more Livraisons, which make half the
second volume. Four plates accompany each part, but do not
correspond to the text, being issued in advance of it. One of
these represents Lophornis adorabilis, which M. Mulsant ap-
pears to contemplate placing in a new genus {Dialia), as the

* Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux-M ouches ou Colibris constituant la
famille des Trochilides. Par E. Mulsant et feu Edouard Verreaux. 4to.
T. ii. Livr. 1 & 2. Lyons : 1875.

Recently published Ornithological Works. 511

plate iu question is lettered Dialia adorabilis. We believe
that the ]\1S. of this work is far advanced towards completion.
In its preparation M. Mulsant has spared no pains to bring
it up to our knowledge of the present day. Only recently he
spent several weeks in London, with the object of examining
critically the collections in this metropolis.

Mr. Hume has brought his ' Nests and Eggs of Indian
Birds ' to a conclusion by the issue of the third and final
part, of which we spoke in April last {antea, p. 265). The
whole book contains 662 pages of closely printed matter.
Though ' Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds ' is stated to be but
a " rough draft," it will be of great use to ornithologists in
India; and we have little doubt that the notes which Mr.
Hume invites will greatly add to the completeness of the re-
issue of the work that is contemplated within a year. The
amount of information contained in its pages is very great ;
but the general omission of references makes it difficult to
distinguish between reprinted and fresh matter. An index to
the contemplated reissue would add considerably to the utility
of this book as a work of reference.

The incomplete state in which the ' Zoology of the Voyage
of the Erebus and Terror ' has remained for so many years,
has long been a matter of regret ; so that a further, and, we
fear, final, contribution towards the completion of the account
of the zoology of this voyage cannot but be welcomed witli
pleasure. It has long been known that a considerable number
of plates had been drawn in addition to those actually published.
Their purchase of the late Dr. J. E. Gray by Mr. Janson
led the latter gentleman to obtain the cooperation of several
naturalists connected with the British Museum to furnish
suitable text to the plates referred to ; and these contributions
have been issued in the form of supplements to the parts
published now more than thirty years ago. The ornithological
portion is from the pen of Mr. R. B. Sharpe, who, in follow-
ing out the late Mr. G. R. Gray's idea of making his contri-
bution an account of the birds of New Zealand, has gi\'en a

513 Letters, Announcements, ^c.

complete list of the birds of that colony, and incorporated
into it references to the most recent authorities on its birds.
A few notes are added to complete the history of some of the
species.

Besides the birds of New Zealand, ten species from localities
in the Southern Ocean other than New Zealand are men-
tioned separately, plates of all of them being given. Two of
these were published long ago. The remaining eight are all
from Mr. Wolf's pencil. The colouring of these, we regret
to sec, is not what it shoulgl be, this work having evidently
been placed in the hands of an inexperienced person.

To Mr. Jauson, the publisher, zoologists are indebted for
bringing this work into its present state. Its actual comple-
tion is now no longer possible ; for numerous drawings by Dr.
Hooker, and the mass of materials collected by Sir James
Ross himself, remain unnoticed. The former still exist in
Dr. Hooker's possession ; but the latter, we understand, have
long since perished from neglect. A less ambitious aim at
its outset in the scope of the ' Zoology of the Erebus and
Terror ,■* might have brought all these materials to light,
to the exclusion, perhaps, of such portions of the work as
the ' Birds of New Zealand / still we should have had a record
of objects far less accessible at the present time than much
that is included ; moreover the contents of the work would
have strictly answered to its title, which, as they stand, they
do not.

XLVIII. — Letters, Announcements, ^c.

The following letters, addressed " To the Editor of ' The
Ibis,' " have been received : —

Sir, — On examining the collection of nocturnal Accipitres,
in the Australian Museum, with a view to their classification,
I noticed, under the name of Strix delicatula, a fine speci-
men of Sti'ix Candida, of Tickell, which had been shot near
Sydney; but when, or by whom, is not mentioned. The fa-
cial rufl' and disk of this specimen are of a snowy white, ex-

Letters, Announcements, l^c. 513

cept a small spot of blackish chocolate-colour in front of the
eye ; the ruff is without any of those markings mentioned by
]Mr. Diggles as occurring in his Strix walleri, which is pro-
bably identical with the present species {S. Candida). Our
specimen, moreover, has only a wash of buff in the form of a
band across the chest, but well defined, the remainder of the
under surface white-spotted, as in Mr. Gould^s figure.

I believe this is the second or third authentic instance of
this species being found in Australia, and is interesting as
showing its great range of habitat.

Yours truly,

Edward P. Ramsay.
Curator.
Aust. Mus., May 10, 1875.

Sir, — As there has been some doubt respecting the true
Sylvia rama, Sykes, some of the Indian naturalists believing
it to be the small-billed bird [Hypolais caligata), whereas
others consider that he described the large-billed form, it may
be of interest to inform your readers that I have carefully
examined the types, a male and a female from the Dukhun,
and that I have convinced myself that both undoubtedly
belong to the large-billed form. These two birds, wliicli are
now in the Indian Museum at South Kensington, measure
as follows : —

Culmen. Wing. Tail. Tarsus,

in. in. in. in.

J 0-6 2-42 215 0-82

$ 0-G 2-38 2-1 0-85

I carefully compared them with examples from Etawah and
South-eastern Russia, and find that the bill is as wide at the
base as in any of the large-billed birds from India. It is
therefore satisfactory to find that the large-billed bird will
stand as Hypolais rama (Sykes), and the smaller one as Hy-
polais caligata (Eversm.).

I may also take the present opportunity of recording an
undoubted occurrence of the Eastern Golden Plover, Chara-
di'ius fulviis, in Great Britain. In December last Mr. Bid-

514 Letters, Announcements, ^c.

wellj a gentleman who visits Leadenhall market regularly, to
pick up specimens of rare birds and eggs at the game-dealers'
shops, told me that he had seen an odd variety of the Golden
Plover. I immediately went to the market, and found
amongst a lot of Golden Plovers from Norfolk the specimen
in question. It was badly damaged, and having been kept
in the shop during mild weather for ten days, it had already
become tainted, so that it was only with the greatest difficulty
that it could be preserved ; but I have succeeded in getting it
made into a passable skin. It closely resembles examples of
Charadrius fulvus from Asia, and has most of the feathers on
the upper parts margined with yellow. It measures, cuhnen
1"1 inch, wing 6*0, tail 2*3, tarsus 1'6, middle toe and claw
1"05. I preserved the sternum, and gave it to Professor
Newton, of Cambridge, soon after I procured the bird ; but
having been so closely occupied during the last few months,
I have, up to the present time, omitted to place the occur-
rence of this rare European Plover on record.

I am, dear Sir,

Yours truly,

H. E. Dresser.
The Firs, South Norwood,
June 1875.

Sir, — Finding only, as far as I can discover, one weU-
authenticated instance of the Tufted Duck (F. cristata) breed-
ing in Great Britain (Yarrell, 3rd ed. vol. iii. p. 354), it will,
I am sure, interest many to know that last week I saw two
fine broods, eight young birds in each, on Butterston Loch,
one of the three lochs so well known in this neighbourhood.
They were just newly hatched ; and their diving was so in-
cessant that it was some time before I could count them.
For the last two seasons I have suspected them of breeding
here, having seen the old birds late on in the summer. There
are several other pairs of these Ducks on the loch now, and
I have no doulit most of them are breeding. The lochs are,
and most likely always will be, strictly preserved ; so I have

Letters, Announcements, ii^c. 515

no hesitation in making known the breeding-place of one of
our rarer summer visitors.

I remain^ &c. &c.,

A. B. Brooke.
10th July, 1875.
Cardney, Dunkeld, N.B.

Dear Sir, — My late colleague, Mr. Sharpe, in his ' Cata-
logue of Accipitres/ amongst other alterations of well-known
names, changes that of the Lesser Kestrel to Cerchneis nau-
manni (Fleisch.), on the authority of a footnote in Naumann^s
Naturg. Vog. Deutschl. i. p. 318, without having had an op-
portunity of consulting the original description by Fleischer,
as is evident from his reference. When in Germany a short
time ago, I came across the periodical referred to by Nau-
mann ; and having succeeded in securing the volume contain-
ing the article on the Lesser Kestrel, I therefore trust I
may be permitted to make a few remarks on the subject.
The periodical in question is a small 12mo popular almanack,
intended for foresters and sportsmen, the title being as fol-
lows— ' Sylvan, ein Jahrbuch fiir Forstmanner, Jager und
Jagdfreunde/ and the editors are C. P. Laurop and V. F.
Fischer, both officers in the forest department of the Grand
Duchy of Baden . It contains short biographies of well-known
sportsmen, articles on sporting subjects, mixed anecdotes,
short poems, and a few popular notes on animals likely to in-
terest a forester. The article by Fleischer is one on Montagu's
Harrier and the Lesser Kestrel, and is in the issue for 1817
and 1818 (pp. 173-176), which were published together late in
1818, or eai'ly in 1819; for I find that ' Sylvan' appeared some-
what irregularly, and in many instances two years' issue were
published at the same time. The article in question is in the
form of a letter, and though, as above stated, it was not pub-
lished until 1818 or 1819, bears date "Leipzig, autumn
1817," Fleischer states that in a letter from Temmiuck
he had heard of a new Hawk, which he proposed should
be called Falco naumanni, in honour of Naumann, and which,
he adds (p. 175), was ''first discriminated by Natterer, of

516 Letters, Announcements, S^c.

Vienna^ who called it F. xanthonyx, or the Yellow-clawed
Falcon," but that, as the Red-legged Hobby has also yellow
claws, he considers this name inappropriate. Fleischer then
gives a few particulars as to the distinctive characters of
the bird in question ; but, as he possessed no specimen, he
gives no formal description, and, unless one were aware that
it is the same species that is described by Naumanu, it would
be scarcely possible to identify it by the particulars given by
Fleischer. He adds (p. 176) that Naumann, who possessed
specimens, would very shortly publish full descriptions and
carefully executed figures of the species ; and in a foot-
note he states that the new edition of Naumann was then
(1817) in the press, and that the first volume would be
issued in 1818, on the Jubilee (he trusted '^der erste Baud
wird hoffentlich schon Jubilate 1818 die Presse verlasscn ^^) .
This would tend to show that the first volume of Naumann^s
work and the 1817-1818 volume of 'Sylvan^ were issued in
the same year, or else the former preceded the latter ; and it
is quite evident from the footnote in Naumann's ' Naturg.
Vog. Deutschl/ (p. 318), that when his work was issued the
1818 volume of ' Sylvan^ had not appeared ; for he leaves the
page blank, his note being as follows : — " Cenchris. Eme-
rillon roux. Der kleinste rothe Falke. Frisch, Vogel, t. 89.
= Sylvan, v. Laurop und Fischer, Jahrg. 1818, S., unter
dem Nahmen Falco naumanni von G. Fleischer." I further
observe that this same Herr Fleischer, of Leipzig, was the
publisher of Naumann's work ; and it may therefore be taken
for granted that he would have been able to fill in the page,
had his article in ' Sylvan ' already appeared in print : and,
besides, his statement that the first volume of Naumann's
work would appear in 1818 was most probably correct; for
he, as the publisher, would be the most likely person to
know this.

On looking through one of the later volumes of ' Sylvan,'
I find it incidentally stated that in and previous to 1821, the
first part, containing numbers 1-7, and the second part as
far as the 4th number, of Naumann's work, had already been
issued, which shows that, although the title-page of the com-

Letters, Announcements, l^c. 517

plete volume i. bears date 1822^ yet a large portion was issued
in parts previous to that date ; and I also observe that the in-
troduction to this volume bears date September 1818, when,
doubtless, the first portion of the work was issued.

Under these circumstances I am sure that most ornitholo-
gists, Mr. Sharpe amongst the rest, will agree with me that,
as it is tolerably evident that Fleischer's and Naumann's
articles were published about the same time, and it is impos-
sible to say which was issued first, it is not advisable to adopt
a name which has never been in use on such trivial grounds,
and that Naumann's name, cenchris, should be retained, and
that of naumanni discarded, for the Lesser Kestrel.

I remain.

Yours, &c.,

H. E. Dkesser.

G Tenterdeu Street, W.

14th August, 1875.

Northrepps, 4tli September, 1875.

Sir, — Mr. Edward Fountaine, of Easton, in Norfolk, whose
success in breeding the European Eagle-Owl in confinement
was recorded in ' The Ibis ' for 1859 (p. 273), and has been
continued with very little intermission since that period, has
more recently turned his attention to breeding the Snowy
Owl under similar conditions.

A female Snowy Owl in Mr. Fountaine^s aviary laid one
egg in 1870, four in 1871, four in 1872, one in 1873, three
in 1874, and five in 1875, forming a slight hollow in the
ground in the corner of the aviary, which served her for a
nest.

In 1872 she laid her first egg on the 1st June ; but in each
of the other five years she commenced laying on the 30th
May.

On each occasion she was paired with the same male, ex-
cept in 1873, when Mr. Fountaine tried the experiment of
putting another male with her instead of her former mate ;
but he reinstated the latter in his previous position in the
spring of 1874.

518 Letters, Announcements, S^c.

All the eggs thus produced proved infertile prior to 1874,
in which year the three eggs were each found to contain a
young bird, but were not hatched in consequence of the old
female deserting them on the 2nd July, probably owing to
the great heat then- prevailing, and to the circumstance of
her not being furnished with water, with which she was con-
stantly supplied, and which she frequently used both for
bathing and drinking, during her incubation of 1875.

Her first egg of the present year, which was laid on the
30th May, was successfully hatched on the 1st July; the
second egg was hatched on the 3rd, the third on the 6th, the
fourth on the 8th, and the fifth on the 9th ; but in this last
instance the young bird, unfortunately, died before its emer-
gence from the egg was fully completed.

The young Owls, when first hatched, were covered with
pure white down, and continued in that state for about the
first fortnight ; but the one hatched on the 8th July unfortu-
nately died on the 14th.

On the 15th July Mr. Fountaine noticed that the down on
the eldest of the young Owls w^as beginning to assume a dark
lead-coloured tint ; and by the 19th the three surviving Owlets
had all changed from white to dark lead-colour, though in
many of their plumelets the extreme tips still remain slightly
white.

Mr. Fountaine left home on the 23rd July; and on his
return, on the 3rd of August, he observed that the young
Owls were beginning to show their quills and tail-feathers ;
but on the 4th the youngest of the three, in which these fea-
thers had just become apparent, also died.

The remaining birds, the two eldest of the brood, have
thriven well, and give promise of attaining a healthy maturity ;
I visited them on the 12th of August, at which date they
were in a state of plumage much resembling the nestling spe-
cimen figured in Dresser's ' Birds of Europe.''

I am, &c.,

J. H. GURNEY.

Letters, Announcements, &^c. 519

Northrepps Hall, 17th Sept. 1875.
SiK, — Having recently had considerable experience of Hi-
rundo savigni (Steph.) in Egypt, I am able to correct a mis-
take in 'The Ibis ' for 1866, p. 423, and can now say posi-
tively that the Swallow shot at Teesmouth, in Durham, was
pot this bird, but only our common English species.

J. H. GuRNEY, Jun.

Dunipace House, Falkirk,
September 22nd.

Dear Sir, — In Mr. J. E, Harting's paper " On the Eggs of
some little-known Limicolae^' (P. Z. S. 1874, p. 454), he de-
scribes and figures an egg of Anarhynchus frontalis (Quoy &
Gaim.), which was taken, with two others, by Mr, J. R. Cook
on the Otaio river-bed, Canterbury Settlement, New Zealand.
I write now to add a note to those given by the collector, which,
I think, cannot fail to be of interest to the readers of ' The
Ibis.' Mr. J. R. Cook has lately been staying with me here,
having returned from New Zealand for a time ; and he told
me that the three eggs of Anarhynchus already referred to
were placed in the nest, or hollow in the sand, points down-
Avards, and were almost entirely concealed by being covered
with sand and lichen until only the large ends of the eggs
were left exposed. The eggs were placed not with the small
ends pointing towards one another, but absolutely in a perpen-
dicular position ; and of this he took particular note. In his
notes sent to me along with the eggs, he had underlined the
words " point downward." It would be interesting to know
if this is a usual habit, or only an accidental occurrence.

Believe me, &c. &c.,

John A. Harvie Brown.

33 Carlyle Square, S.W.

22nd September, 1875.

Dear Sir, — I have just heard from Mr. Dresser, stating
that my " Turdus chrysopleurus, figured in last year's ' Ibis,'
is Turdus pelios of Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av." He says that
Mr. Severtzoff pointed it out to him, and said that Dr. Ta-

520 Letters, Announcements, S^c.

czanowski has a series of specimens from Dam'ia, where it is
not very rare. Mr. Dresser referred to Bonaparte's descrip-
tion, and adds, " it agrees tolerably closely, and is, according
to Severtzoff, a description of a young bird, of which Ta-
czanowski has several."

However distressing it may be to have one's novelties
knocked on the head, I shall be glad to learn what is the true
T. pelios, Bonap. I will write at once to Dr. Taczanowski
for a young specimen, and try and settle the matter at once,
1 half believe that the smallest form of T. obscurus, procured
by myself at Chefoo, might turn out to be Bonaparte's doubt-
ful species. I have a bird from Mr. Sharpe marked " Came-
roons," Africa, and T, pelios ; but this does not at all tally
with the description in the ' Conspectus Avium ' *.

Yours very truly,

Robert Swinhoe.

Letters dated Disco, 14th July, have been received from
each of the naturalists, Captain Feilden and Mr. Hart, at-
tached to the Arctic Expedition ; and so far all was going on
well, though both ships encountered bad weather on the voyage
to Greenland. Of course it was not to be expected that any
ornithological wonders should be met with, or discoveries
made, on the way to a place so often visited. Captain Feil-
den, writing to Professor Newton, says that the subject of the
dark, or '''blue," variety of Fulmarus glacialis requires a
deal of investigation, but at Disco no specimen of the blue
form was noticed. He had seen on the wing, near Laxebugt,
an example of Uria grylle without any white feathers, and
apparently of a uniform black. Such an example was long
ago mentioned by Holboll as having been seen by him ; and
we trust that sooner or later one may be obtained ; for it
would be curious to know wherein it may differ from U. carbo.
Mr. Hart says that only one specimen of Calidris arenaria

* \_Cf. Cab. J. f. Orn. 1870, p. 238, where the difference between the
Central-Asiatic and African birds is pointed out, and the latter called T.
icterorhynchns, Pr. Wiirt. ; also Ibis, 1871, p. 424. — Ed.]|

Letters, Announcements, &^c. "521

had been observed — a fact which does not look as if this species
commonly bred in the settled parts of Greenland. We trust
that our friends may find it so employed further to the north-
ward, whither the ships were seen proceeding by the ' Val-
orous/ which brought home these tidings.

Mr. Dresser has in preparation a reprint of Eversmann's
'Addenda ad Zoograpliiam Rosso-Asiaticam.^ The great
rarity of the three fasciculi of this tract is doubtless known
to most of our readers, the whole stock of copies having been
burnt soon after their publication. It is now two years since
Mr. Dresser first began to make inquiries for the difi'erent
portions of the work ; and only recently has he succeeded in
finding and procuring from different quarters the loan of all
three parts, when he at once placed them in the hands of the
printers. Only within the last few weeks we found a com-
plete set in a volume of tracts belonging to the library of the
late Hugh E. Strickland, and recently presented by Mrs.
Strickland to the University of Cambridge. This is the only
complete copy we know of in any library. Intending sub-
scribers to Mr. Dresser^s reprint are requested to send their
names to him at 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square.

At a meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' So-
ciety, ou the 28th of September, Mr. Southwell announced
the interesting discovery of ten letters, which he exhibited,
written by Gilbert White, of Selborne, to Robert Marsham,
of Stratten-Strawless, in Norfolk, of whose gi'cat-grandson
they, having never before been out of the possession of the
family, are now the property. The first of these letters, a
copy of which we have been permitted to see, bears date 13th
August, 1790, and the last 15th June, 1793, only a few days
before the writer's death. To ornithologists the most curious
fact which they reveal is the occurrence in Norfolk of an ex-
ample of Tickodroma muraria — the unmistakable description
of which is written by Marsham on the back of one of the
letters, and seems to have been at once recognized by White.
According to the evidence collected by Messrs. Sharpe and

523 Obituary.

Dresser (B. Eur. pt. viii.), this species has appeared as far to
the northward as Rocroy and Osnabriick ; but that a bird of
its habits should ever cross " the silver streak " could hardly
have been expected, though, as is well known, Accentor col-
laris has several times favoured England with a visit, and
perhaps other distinguished members of the Alpine Club may
have come and gone unseen. It must be a satisfaction, we
think, to Prof. Newton, that he has done with the Certhiidse
in his revised edition of Yarrell's work, and therefore will
not have to take into consideration the claims of the Wall-
creeper to be accounted a " British " bird ; but in our humble
opinion eighty years and more of non-user ought to bar any
rights an exotic species may fancy itself to possess ; and if
they are to be enforced in this case, the sooner Tichodroma
puts in an appearance, the better its chances of recognition^.
Another interesting fact which these letters mention is that
White was employed on a monograph of Caprimulgus euro-
pcBus, as a sequel to those charming dissertations on British
species of Hirundo and Cypselus which were printed in the
' Philosophical Transactions.^ Whether this monograph was
ever completed we may expect to hear from Prof. Bell, when
he brings out, as we are assured he shortly will, his long-
looked-for edition of the ' Natural History of Selborne."

XLIX. — Obituary.

Sir William Jardine, whose death took place on the 21st
Nov. of last year, belonged to a generation of ornithologists
of whem but few now remain. When we consider that much
of his work was done before the Zoological Society was or-
ganized, and before the ' Annals and Magazine of Natural

* It is worthy of remark that Willughby states of this species, '' They
say it is found in England ; but we have not as yet had the hap to meet
with it." Who the " (Aey " are is doubtful, Merrett being apparently the
only author who includes it as British (Pinax, 1667, p. 177), and this
without remark.

'■' ' -1 ' Obituary. 523

History ' took its present form, some idea can be formed of
the extent of his personal knowledge^ of the development of
our science during half a century. Sir William Jardine
during his life, contriljuted largely to ornithological litera-
ture, both as author and editor. One of his earliest works,
* Illustrations of Ornithology,' undertaken with the late P. J.
Selby, was commenced in 1825, and completed in four vol-
umes in ] 843. ' The Naturalist's Library,' a useful publica-
tion, to which Swainson contributed several volumes, others
being from Sir W. Jardine's own pen, was commenced in
1833, and continued during the following ten years. With
Selby and Johnston, he edited the ' Magazine of Zoology and
Botany,' which, after the publication of the second volume,
was merged into the ' Annals of Natural History.' He also
edited two editions of White's *■ History of Selborne,' and one
of Wilson's ' American Ornithology,' supplying notes to both
works. Several papers were also written by him in the ' Con-
tributions to Ornithology,' of which he was the editor. In
1855 Sir W. Jardine assisted his daughter, Mrs. Strickland,
in compiling -the memoir of the late H. E. Strickland, and
also in editing the first volume of ' Ornithological Synonyms,'
from Strickland's MS. This was his latest work ; for though
he retained his interest in his collections and library to the
last, he did not take the same active share in furthering the
study of ornithology as formerly. During the later years of
his life, however, he prepared a catalogue of his collection of
birds ; and this was on the point of completion and in the
printer's hands at the time of his death. Though ornitho-
logy was Sir William Jardine's favourite study, he interested
himself in other branches of natural science, several of which
he took an active part in advancing. He was one of the
original founders of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, th(
first of its kind established in this country ; he also took a
principal share in the discussions which led to the foundation
of the Ray Society. He was a FeUow of the Royal Societies,
both of London and Edinburgh, and also of many other So-
cieties, both in England and Scotland.

SER. III. VOL. v.

2 p

524 Obituary.

Carl J. Sundevall, a Foreign Member of our Union^
■whose death took place in the present year, long occupied a
distinguished place amongst ornithologists of the present time.
For nearly forty-five years his name has been constantly
before the world in connexion with this subject, as well as
others, in which he was almost equally eminent. Systematic
ornithology owes much to Sundevall's industry ; and his two
chief works on this subject, published, the one in 1835, the
other in 1873, have largely influenced the systems of other
workers. Indeed the ' Methodi naturalis Avium disponen-
darum Tentamen,' will long serve as a mine of wealth to future
systematists, from which characters of greater or less impor-
tance in bird-classification can be derived. Sundevall, like
many others of his day, based his systems of classification
upon external characters alone; and for this reason his con-
clusions, in many cases, have been very properly called in
question when the characters of the higher groups of birds
have been discussed. The belief, we are glad to say, is con-
stantly gaining ground, that no arrangement can be consi-
dered satisfactory until the whole organism of birds has been
investigated, and the distinctive characters found brought
forward to show the relationship between dififerent groups.
This, however, is no reason why work like Sundevall's should
be laid aside as of no use. Its true value is to be found by
using in a different sense the characters shown in his pages
to exist.

Other work of Sundevall's is also of high merit. His
List of the Birds of Calcutta shows how well he employed
a short visit to that district of India, and how ably he worked
up his materials at home. Besides his journey to India, he
undertook another to northern regions, when he accompanied
the French " Expedition du Nord," which sailed more than
thirty-five years ago under the direction of Gaimard. To
the Zoology of this expedition Sundevall largely contributed.

Though thus occupied in studying the birds of various parts
of the globe, the ornithology of his native land, Sweden, was
by no means neglected ; and ' Svenska Foglarua,' a work in-
complete at the time of his death, bears the characteristics of

Obituary. 525

Suudevall's clear and ^comprehensive style. Wc believe that
the MS. of this book has long been finished, and that the
fault of its slow issue from the press rests with the i)ublisher.

We cannot here give any thing like a resvnie of all the
papers published by Sundevall during his long career ; but we
cannot omit to mention his ' Conspectus Avium Picinarum/
which we look upon as quite one of the best works in the
whole of ornithological literature. It is a masterpiece of con-
ciseness and clearness, in consulting which, we do not hesi-
tate to say that more light is to be derived than from Mal-
herbe^s ponderous illustrated volumes, which it supplements
and explains.

Sundevall was Director of the Museum of Stockholm, the
building of which was reconstructed under his superinten-
dence. The arrangement of the contents of this museum was
elaborated with great care under his eye.

John Edward Gray, so well known for his many works
on various subjects of natural history, and for his long con-
nexion with the British Museum as keeper of the zoological
department, Avas the author, during the early part of his
career, of several works on ornithological subjects. The chief
of these, ' Indian Zoology,^ was intended to make public the
large collection of drawings formed by the late Major-General
Hardwicke; but after about 180 of these drawings had been
published, the work was discontinued. Other papers of his
are to be found in the ' Zoological Miscellany,'' of which lie
was the editor. Since then nothing relating to ornithology
seems to have been written by Dr. Gray, he having turned
his attention to other subjects, and left the study of birds to
his brother, George Robert Gray, who predeceased him in
1872. Dr. Gray died on the 7th of March 1875, having just
completed his 75th year.

INDEX,

Abrornie armandi, 14i.
Acantbis bella, 242.

cannabina, 242.

flavirostris, 242.

linaria, 242.

Acantliylis gigantea, 280.
Accentor collaris, 177,

307, 471.
— — modularis, 307.
Accipiterbadius, 104, 480.

bicolor, 469.

cenchroides, 104,

480.

chilensis, 469.

chionogaster, 475,

476, 477.

cirrhocephalus, 468,

475.

cooperi, 469, 470,

500.
erytbrauchen, 468,

475.

erytbrocnemis, 475,

476, 477.

erytbropus, 471,

472.

francesi, 358.

fuscus, 470, 475.

gularis, 481, 482.

gundlacbi, 469, 500.

guttatus, 469.

bartlaubi, 471, 472.

korscbun, 503.

lantzii, 468, 484.

madagascariensis,

468, 484.

major, 104

melanoleiicus, 473.

melanoscbistos, 479.

mexicanus, 470.

niinuUus, 65, 468,

471, 472, 473.
■ nigroplumbeu.s!,

478.
nisus, 104, 296, 366,

448, 471, 475, 477.

SER. III. VOL. V.

Accipiter ovampensis,

367, 468, 478.

pectoralis, 469.

pileatus, 469, 499.

rhodogaster, 471,

484.

rubricollis, 475.

rufiventris, 478.

sphenurus, 507.

stevensoni,482,483.

sulaensis, 484.

tacbiro, 65.

tiuus, 471, 472,

ventralis, 475, 477,

478.
virgatus, 276, 468,

471, 481, 483.
Acredula caudata, 180,

303.

rosea, 304.

Acridotberes albocinctus,

251.

cristatellus, 119.

niahrattensis, 322.

siaraeiisis, 463.

sinensis, 351.

tristis, 275.

Acrocepbalus aquaticus,

179, 309.
arundinaceus, 72,

309.

brunnescens, 396.

certbiola, 179.

dumetorum, 275.

iluviatilis, 309.

■ locustella, 309.

luseinioides, 309.

na;vius, 309.

palustris, 72.

scbcenobanus, 309.

stentorius, .396, 412.

streperus, 309.

Actitis bypoleuca, 86, 276.
Actiturus bartramius, 6,

22.
Aedcm galactodes, 61,179.

^Egialitis bicincta, 453.
cantiana, 26, 401,

402, 452.

curonica, 185.

dubia, 4.52.

geoffroyi, 400, 412.

hiaticula, 85.

indica, 382.

marginata, 85.

minor, 21.

mongolica, 401.

phibppensis, 452.

placida, 129, 452.

ruficapilla, 453.

sanct£e-belense, 59,

85.
tricollaris, 60, 85,

382.
^gitbalus castaneus, 268.
pendulinus, 268,

303.
^golius bracbyotus, 111.

otus, 112.

jEsacus curvirostris, 401.
.litbopyga dabrii, 463.
Aglaia cbapoul, 465.
Agrilorbinus bonapartii,

214.

bumeralis, 215.

olivaceus, 216.

■ personatus, 218.

sittaceus, 204, 207.

Agyrtria media, 1 63, 165.

melipbila, 163, 165.

pboebe, 163.

Ais galericulata, 137,457.
Ailuroedus arfakianus, 148.

smitbi, 378.

Alauda arborea, 311.

arvensis, 311.

bracbydactyla, 122.

calandra, 181.

cantarella, 122.

cristata, 311.

galgula, 274, 399.

pispoletta, 122.

2q

528

INDEX.

Alauda tartarica, 181.
Alcatorda, 11, 186.
Alcedo asiatica, 461.

beavani, 461.

bengalensis, 275.

ispida, 16, 184, 300.

meningting, 462.

rufigastra, 461.

Alcippe nigril'rons, 27.5.
Alseonax latirostris, 275.
Aluco flammeus, 296.

punctata, 66.

Amadina optata, 447.
Amblyura cjauovirens,

441.
Ampelus garrulus, 180,

302.
Amydrus bicolor, 6.3, 78.

morio, 63, 64, 78.

Anteretes fernandezianus,

37(1.
Aimlcippus trailli, 349.
Anarliynchus frontalis,

619.
Anas acuta, 5, 427.

bosckas, 16, 26, 427.

cana, 430.

eircia, 427.

clypeata, 5, 16, 142.

crecca, 5, 427.

marmorata, 430.

penelope, 427.

poecilorhyncha, 407.

querquedula, 430.

Btrepera, 16, 427.

Anastomus oscitans, 404.
Andropadus importunus,

Anser albif rons, 426, 4.56.

brachyrhynchus,

456.

brenta, 426.

erythropus, 456.

ferus, 426.

segetum, 426, 456.

Anserella coromandeli-

ana, 407.
Antenor harrisi, 234.
Anthochrera senex, 147.
Anthus, sp.? 10.

aquaticus, 449.

arboreus, 141.

campeBtris,141, 181,

311.
ceiTinus, 21, 173,

181, 310, 449.

correndera, 331.

— - — japonicus, 449.
■ — — litt oralis, 311.

ludovicianu.s, 181.

pratensis, 310.

Anthus pyrrhonotus, 73.

richardi, 173, 181,

311.

rupestris, 181.

spipoletta, 181, 310,

311.

trivialis, 310.

Apalis thoracica, 71.
Aplonis brevirostris, 440.
Aptenodytes catarractes,
113.

papua, 112, 11.3.

Apteryx australis, 261,
394.

baasti, 261.

oweni, 261, 394.

Aquila adalberti, 2.

albipectus, 101.

bifasciata, 101.

bonellii, 35.

chrysaetus, 100, 175,

294.

clanga, 101, 294.

cuUeni, 508.

fulva, 99,

hastata, 199, 200,

201, 203.

heliaca, 100, 294,

508.

imperialis, 100.

intermedia, 100.

. minuta, 101, 102.

mogilnik, 2.

njjevia,200,201,203,

294.

nfevioides, 508.

nipalensis, 101.

nobilis, 99.

orientalis, 101.

pennata, 101, 294.

rapax, 7.

Arachnechthra asiatica,
275, 286, 31.5.

lotenia, 275.

Arachnophila simplex,

264.
Arborophila brunneipec-

tus, 459.
Archibuteo lagopus, 103.
Ardea alba, 424.

cinerea, 10, 15, 86,

132, 403, 424.

garzetta, 425.

purpurea, 15, 142,

403, 424.
Ardeola grayi, 276.
Ardettacinnaraomea, 404.

eurhythma, 132,4.55.

flavicoUis, 404.

minuta, 425.

podiceps, 63, 86.

Ardetta sinensis, 404.
Asio accipitrinus, 111,

176, 298, .502.

asio, 325.

• brachyotus, 377.

bubo, ,325, 326.

capensis, .502.

otus, 66, 112, 298,

325, 326, 327.

scandiaca, 325, 326.

scops, 325.

Astur approximans, 365,

468.
atricapillus, 353,

354.
brevipes, 104, 105,

106.

castanilius, 364.

cencJiroides, 104,

105, 106.

cuculoides, 36.5.

dussumieri, 105.

griseigularis, 468.

hensti, 353, 468.

macrosceUdes, 363,

364.

raacrurus, 234.

nisus, 104.

palumbarius, 104,

295, 353, 473.

pectoralis, 356.

polyzonoides, 468.

soloensis, 365.

striatulus, 354.

tachiro, 468.

tibialis, 362.

— — trinotatus, 364.

trivirgatus, 468.

Asturina magnirostris,

330.
Athene ferruginea, 330.

meridioualis, 110.

minutissima, 330.

nudipes, 110.

orientalis, 110.

Batis molitor, 75.
Batrachostomus hodg-

soni, 4.59.
Baza verreauxi. 66.
Bhringa reraifer, 463.
Bonasa betulina, 417.
Botaurus minutus, 185.
stellaris, 15, 132,

425, 455.
Brachvpodius criniger,

264.'
Brachypternus ceylonus,

284, 410.
Brachyptervx cruralis,

352'

INDEX.

■)29

Bracliyrhampliuskittlitzi,

4.38.

marmoratus, 458.

Bi-iiuta riifina, 1(5, 26.
Ijubo ascalaphus, 326.

coromandus, 250.

ignaviis, 111, 298,

327.

raaximus. 111.

sinensis, 255.

turcomauus. 111.

13iicco radiatus, 330.
Euchanga atra, 317, 463.
cEerulesceus, 274,

288.

intermedia, 463.

leucjpygialis, 288.

Budytes cinereocapilla,

142, 310.

flavus, 20, 142.

melanocephalus, 20.

viridis, 398.

Buphaga ery throrhyncha,

77.
Bupbagus comatus, 425.
Buphus coromandus, 276.
Butalis adusta, 75.

latirostris, 117.

sibirica, 117.

Butastur liviventer, 463.
Buteo abbreviatus, 50O.

borealis, 372.

brachyurus, 500.

erytbronotus, 371-

exsul, 371, 377.

ferox, 103.

jackal, 64, 65.

lagopus, 175, 295.

leucurus, 103.

minutus, 500.

nigricans, 103.

penn8ylvauicus,500.

rufiuus, 103.

swainsoni, 372, 377,

500.
vulgaris, 103, 175,

295, 500.
Biitorides javanica, 404.

Caccabis cbukar, 126.

gra^ca, 9, 10.

petrosa, 5, 8, 9, 10,

35.

rufa, 5, 8, 9, 10.

saxatilis, 8, 9, 13, 35.

Cacatua galerita, 43S.
Calamodyta aquatioa, 17.

arundinacea, 17.

bistrigiceps, 144.

luscinoides, 17.

luaacki. 144.

Calamodyta melanopo-

gon, 17.

phragmitis, 17.

Calandrella b;etica, 2.
brachydactyla, 141,

182.
Calidris arenaria, 60, 86,

424, 455, 520.
Calliparaja pboenicotis,

466.
Calliste bom-cieri, 464,

465.

phcenicotis, 464, 466.

ruficervix, 497.

Callolopbus puniceus,

264.
Callospizacalliparaea,464.
Calornis affinis, 461.

■ • cantor, 461.

insidiator, 461.

irwini, 461.

tytleri, 461.

Campephaga cassia, 76.

niger, 76.

sykesi, 275.

Campylops bumulus, 207.
Campyloi'hynchus brevi-

pennis, 331.
Caprimulgus accrae, 379.

segyptius, 491.

- — ■ — arenicolor, 491.

asiaticus, 281.

• borneensis, 264.

■ europ£Eus, 67, 300.

• f ulviventris, 379.

indicus, 313.

isabellinus, 491 .

jotaka, 448.

kelaarti, 314.

natalensis, 379.

spilocercus, 281.

Carbo desmaresti, 27.
Carduelis canicejos, 387.

elegans, 243, 265.

europivus, 243.

—— orien talis, 243, .387.
Carine bactriana, 258.

brama, 258.

glaux, 110, 111, 258.

noctua, 297.

plumipes, 258.

pulchra, 258.

spilogaster, 258.

Carpodacus erythrurus,

245, 352, 414.

rhodochlamys, 245,

roseus, 121, 183.

rubicillus, 245.

Carpopliaga a?nea, 399.

castaneiceps, 442.

pacifica, 442, 4-13.

Casarca rutila, 1.37.
Catrisciis apicalis, 71.
Cecropis striolata, 351.
Centropus chlororhyn-

chus, 275.

rufipennis, 275, .315.

supereiliosus, 82.

Cepbalopteriis ornatus,

331.
Cerchneis cenchris, 108.

naumanni, 255, 515.

tiununculus, 108,

255.
Certhia hodgsoni, 145.

familiaris, 145, 304.

fasciata, 145.

Ceryle guttata, 449.

lugiibris, 449.

maxima, 69.

rudis, 62, 69, 282.

Ceuthmochares australis,

82.
Cha3tura caudacuta, 448.

zonaris, 330.

Chalcopelia brehmeri,

467.

puella, 467.

Chalcopbaps indica, 400.
Chalybura isauraj, 266.

urocbrysea, 266.

Cbai-adrius cantianus,

419.

curonicus, 419.

fulvus,400,452,513.

hiaticula, 419.

longipes, 184.

moriuellus, 419.

virginicus, 184, 452.

Cbelidou blakistoni, 448.

urbica, 301.

Chlorestes phaeton, 165.
Chlorochrysa calliparia,

465.
nitidissiraa, 464,

466.

phcenicotis, 466.

Chloroenas albilinea, 331.
Ciilorolampis auriceps,

168.

caniyeti, 168.

chrysogaster, 153,

154, 158, 161.

osberti, 168.

salvini, 16S, 169.

Chlorospingus flavigu-

laris, 384.

nigrifrons, 384.

speciiliferus, 383.

superciliaris, 384.

Chlorospiza cbloris, 241.
sihica, 120.

2 Q 2

530

INDEX.

Clilorostilbon acuticau-
dus, 171.

angustipennis, 150,

151, 153,157,158,163,
167,

assimilis, 154.

atala, 150,151, 159,

160.

aureiventris, 165,

167.

■ auriceps, 150, 151,

168, 169.

bicolor, 165.

breyicaudatus, 163,

164.

caniveti, 150, 151,

168, 169.

caribffius, 159, 160.

euchloris, 150.

baeberlini, 150, 151,

160, 161.

igneus, 161, 162.

raelanorbynchus,

153, 155.

napensis, 163, 164.

nitens, 160.

osberti, 168, 169.

peruanus, 163, 164,

165.

phaethon, 165.

poortmanni, 170.

• prasinus, 150, 151,

159, 161, 162, 163,
165.

pucheraai, 150, 151,

161, 162.

pumilus, 153, 154.

smaragdioa, 153,

158.

splendidus, 1.50,

151, 162, 165, 167.
Chotorea mystacopho-

rrns, 264.
Chrysocolaptes festirus,
283.

stricklandi, 273,

283, 410.
Chrysoena victor, 435.
Chrysomitris spinas,

120.
Chrysophlegma chloro-

phanes, 283.
Ciconia alba, 425.

episcopus, 403.

nigra, 425.

Cinclodes fuscus, 370,

376.
Cinclus albicollis, 140.

aquaticus, 140, 177,

304.
pallasi, 449.

Circaetus brachydactylus,
102.

gallicus. 35, 102,293.

orientalis, 102.

Circus a'ruginosus, 109,
223,278,296,351.

assimilis, 22.5.

cineraceus, 176, 278,

296, 351, .503.

cinerarius, 110.

cyanu.s, 105, 109,

222, 296, 448.

gouldi, 225.

hudsonicus, 222.

jardinii, 225.

macropterus, 372,

377.

macroseelis, 230,

231, 25.3, 254.

macrurus, 65.

raaillardi, 228, 229,

230, 232, 256, 351.

melanoleucus, 222,

225, 226, 227, 228.

pygargus, 222, 503.

ranivorus, 65, 223.

rufus, 109.

spilonotus, 225, 227,

228.

swainsoni, 65, 109,

176, 223, 278, 296.

wolfi, 225,

Cisticola schoenicola, 17,

25, 275.
Coccothraustes cameipes,
241.

japonicua, 121.

speculigerus, 241.

vulgaris, 5, 414,

Cocystes jaccobinus, 284,

315.
Colius striatus, 62,81.
CoUocalia francia, 313.

fiicifaga, 275.

spodiopygia, 437.

Columba castaneiceps,
447.

intermedia, 400.

cenas, 10, 416.

palumbus, 184, 416,

430.

irupestris, 125.

turtur, 416.

vitiensis, 442.

Colymbus arcticus, 433,
4o6.

glacialis, 4.33.

septentrionaUs, 433,

456.
Copsychus saularis, 275,
396.

Coracias garruln, 68, 300.

indica, .314.

Coripbilus fringillaceus,

43(5, 441.
Corvultur albicollis, 62,

77.
Corvus collaris, 415.

corax, 35, 236, 272,

415.

cornix, 16, 26, 237,

415.

corone, 236, 237,

415.

culminatus, 236,

398.

frugilegus, 10, 415.

bybrida, 237.

monedula, 237, 415.

splendens, 398.

subcorax, 236.

torquatus, 119.

umbrinus, 236.

Corydalla richardi, 398.

rufula, 275.

Corythaix musophaga,
81.

porphyriolophus,

82.
Corythomis cyancstigma,

68.
Cosmetira eques, 147.
Cossypha catfra, 60, 61,
73.

natalensis, 73.

Coturnicops exquisita,
135.

noveboracensis, 135.

Coturnix communis, 13.

japonica, 452.

japonicus, 126.

Cotyle fulvigula, 68.

paludicola, 68.

riparia, 16, 68*

rupestris, 17.

Crex baiUoni, 186.

minuta, 418.

porzana, 186, 418.

pratensis, 141, 186,

418.

pusilla, 186.

pygmaea, 418.

Criniger flaviventris, 74.

ictericus, 396.

Crinis calosoma, 266.
Crithagra butyracea, 80.

chrysopyga, 80.

sulphurata, 80.

Crypsirhina varians, 463.
Cuculus canorinus, 451.

canorus, 125, 299,

350.

INDEX.

531

Cuculus cupreus, 83.

klassi, 83.

smaragdineus, 83.

sonnerati, 284.

Cuncuma leucogastra,

278, 406.
Cursorius gallicus, 142,

502.
Ciitia nipalensis, 352,

459.
Cvanecula 8uecica, 341.
-^— wolfi, 306, 342.
Cyanoderma erythro-

ptera, 264.

melanothorax. 264.

Cyanopolius cooki, 118.

cyanus, 117.

melanocephalus,

118.
Cyanoptila cyanolaema,

146.
Cygnus musicus, 426,

456.

olor, 426.

Cypselus affinis, 67, 280.
apus, 20, 24, 67,

301.

batassiensia, 275.

cafFer, 67.

melba, 20, 67, 184,

301.

Dacelo gigantea, 437.
Daption capeneis, 372,

377.
Daulias hafizi, 338.

luscinia, 306.

Philomela, 30G, 338.

Dendrochelidon coro-

nata, 275.
— ■ — mystacea, 147.
Dendrocygna javanica,

407.
Dendroeca virens, 180.
Dendrophila frontalis,

286,316,463.
Dendrotypes analis, 463.
Dialia adorabilis, oil.
Dicaeum concolor, 316.

miuimum, 275.

nigrimentiim, 264.

Dicrurus ludwigi, 75.

musicus, 75.

Didunculus strigirostris,

446.
Diglossa albilateralis, 207,

216, 220.
aterrima, 207, 216,

220.
baritula, 204, 205,

206, 207, 208, 220.

Diglosa brunneiventris,
207,211,212,220.

carbonari a, 206,

207, 213, 214, 229.

cyanea, 218.

d'orbignii, 209.

gloriosa, 207, 210,

220.

humeralis, 207, 215,

216.

hyperythra, 209.

indigotica, 207, 218,

220.

intermedia, 214.

lafresnayi, 206, 207,

214, 216, 220.

major, 207, 214,

220.

melanopis, 218.

mvstacalis, 206, 207,

212, 220.

mystacea, 210.

pectoralis, 207, 212,

220.
personata, 206, 207,

218, 219, 220.

plumbea, 205, 207,

217, 220.

similis, 209, 210.

sittoides, 207, 208,

209, 210, 213, 214,

220.
Diglossopis caerulescens,

219, 220.
Diomedea derogata, 140.
Diphlogsena hesperus,

266.
Dissemurus lopborhinus,

289.
malabaricus, 273,

288.
Domicella cyanauchen,

147.

cyanogenys, 147.

fuscata, 147.

jobiensis, 147.

lori, 147.

scintUlata, 147.

Doryfera euphrosinse,

266.

ludovicife, 266.

Teraguensis, 266.

Dromolaea leucocephala,

140.

leucopygia, 140.

Drymocataphus fusciea-

piUus, 273, 395, 410.
Drymceca curvirostris,

380, 381.
fortiroBtris, 380.

381.

Drymoeca maculosa, 60,

70.

natalensis, 380, 381.

smithi, 71.

subruficapilla, 70,

71.
Drymoipus inornatus,

322, 396.

jerdoni, 397.

valid us, 397.

Dryoscopus boulboul, 77.

cubla, 76.

martius, 299, 451.

Ducula badia, 459.

griseicapilla, 459.

■ insignis, 459.

Dumetia albogularis, 290.

E elect us rodericanus,

343.
Egretta garzetta, 15.

modesta, 132.

Elanus caeruleus, 66, 279,

293.
Emberiza aureola, 6, 182,

250.

cassia, 6, 182, 248.

caniceps, 248.

castaneiceps, 144.

chrysophrys, 122.

cia, 144, 247, 312.

cioides, 14^1, 247.

• ciopsis, 144.

cirlus, 183, 312.

citrinella, 248, 312.

fucata, 121.

giglioli, 144.

hortulana, 183, 248.

lapponica, 182.

lesbia, 6.

leucocephala, 248.

luteola, 249.

melanocephala, 183.

melanops, 450.

miliaria, 249, 312.

minor, 249.

nivalis, 182.

pallasi, 249.

personata, 4.50.

pityornis, 6, 248.

polaris, 249.

pusilla, 6, 182, 249,

351.
pyrrhuloides, 249,

312.
quinqueHneata,

146.

rufibarba, 248.

rustica, 182.

schoeniclus, 248,

249, 312.

532

INDEX.

Emberiza spodocephala,

122, 450.

stewarti, 248.

tristrami, 122.

Empidonax hamniondi,

387.

nanus, 38G.

Empidothera cinereo-

capilla, 317.
Eophona melanura, 121.
personata, 121,

146.
Ephialtes backamuna,

279.

scops, 111.

Erismatura leucocephala,

427.

mersa, 16.

Erithacus rubecula, 306,

342.
Erythropus amurensis,

350.
vespertinus, 109,

412.
Ervthrospiza githaginea,

245.

incarnata, 245.

obsoleta, 247.

phoenicoptei'a, 247.

sanguinea, 247.

trinotata, 364, 365.

Erythrosterna albicilla,

117.

maculata, 318.

parva, 6.

Ervthrura cyanovirens,

■ki.

Estrelda amandava, 322.

astrild, 59, 79, 80.

incana, 80.

Eudromias asiaticns, 185.

morinellus, 184.

Eudynamys honorata,

142, 275.

taitensis, 437.

Eudyptes atrata, 114.

chryt;ocome, 1 13.

pachyrhynchus,

113, 114.

vittata, 112, 114.

Eidabes ptilogenys, 410.
Eumvias albicaudata,

318.

sordida, 273, 411.

Eunetta formosa, 137.
Euplectes taha, 79.
Eupodotis afra, 63, 85.
Eupsycbortyx parvicris-

tatus, 331.
Eiirynorhynchus pyg-

mffius, 465.

Euspiza araericana, .3.31.

aureola, 250,451.

brunneiceps, 249.

rutila, 121.

sulphurata, 451.

variabilis, 450.

Eustephanus fernauden-

sis, 371, 377.

galeritus, .377.

leyboldi, 370, 371,

377.

Falcinellus igiieus, 404.
Falco SEsalon, 107, 108,

292.

alaudarius, 107.

amurensis, 448.

babylonicus, 106.

barbarus, 28, 32,

255.
cenchris, 20, 104,

175, 292, 517.
eleonorse, 6, 22. 28,

29, 30, 32, 34, 508.

gabar, 236.

■ gyrfalco, 175.

lanarius, 107, 291,

292.

leucauchen, 232.

naumanni, 515.

peregrinoides, 107,

292.
peregrinus, 32, 107,

292.

poliogaster, 357.

pygargus, 503.

radiatus, 364.

rufescens, 255.

ruficeps, 448.

sacer, 106, 291, 292,

473, 508.
subbuteo, 108, 292,

448.
tinnunculus, 10,

293.

tschemiaieTi, 106.

unicinctus, 234.

Tespertinus, 175,

292.

xantbothorax, 232,

xantbonyx, 516.

Francolinus afer, 61, 84.

• capensis, 62, 85.

sinensis, 350.

subtorquatus, 85.

vulgaris, 6.

Fregilus graculus, 119,

237.
Fringilla cannabina, 413.

carduelis, 10, 413.

chloris, 10, 413.

Fringilla ccElebs, 10, 242,

412.
montifringilla, 120,

183, 241, 413.

rufescens, 413.

serinus, 183, 413.

spinus, 413.

Fringillaria capensis, 61,

80.

flaviventris, 81 .

Fuliea atra, 15, 18, 134,

186, 418.
Fuligula cristata, 429,

514.

ferina, 5. 429.

marila, 429.

nyroca, 16, 429.

rufina, 429.

Fulix baeri, 4.57.

marila, 4.57.

'■ mariloides, 457.
Fulmarus glacialis, 188,

520.

Galeoscoptescarolinen.si9,

177.
Galerida abyssinica, 141.
Galerita cristata, 10, 123,

141.
GaUicrex cristata, 134.
Gallinago aucklandica,

392.

• australis, 453.

borsfieldi, 131.

major, 23, 185, 454.

megala, 131, 454.

. nobilis, 332.

pusiUa, 392.

scolopacina, 453.

stenura, 454.

wilsoni, 454.

Gallinula chloropus, 16,

26, 134, 186, 418.

phcenicura, 276, 323.

Gralloperdix bicalcarata,

400.
Gallus stanleyi, 400.
Gampsorbyncbus rufu-

lus, 460.
torquatus, 349, 352,

460.
Garrulus brandti, 450.

glandarius, 16, 416.

leucotis, 349, 350.

sinensis, 119.

Geeinus awokera, 451.
canus, 124, 299,

451.
erythropygius, 148,

463.
guerini, 124.

INDEX.

533

Gecinus nigrigenis, 124.

striolatus, 412.

tancolo, 124.

viridis, 290, 451.

Gelochelidon anglica,

407, 408.
Geocichla cvanotus, 319.

lajardi, 398.

Geopelia tranquilla, 59.
Geranospizias CKrules-
cens, 233, 234.

gracilis, 233.

niger, 233, 234.

Glareola lactea, 400, 401,
412.

pratincola, 419.

Glaucidium brodiei, 259.

calif ornicuin, 30,

38, 39.

• capense, 259.

■ castanonotum, 259.

castanopterum,259.

cobanense, 259, 260.

cuculoides, 259.

ferox, 37, 45, 55, 57,

259.

ferrugineum, .36, 37,

42, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50,
52, 54.

gnoma, 36, 37, 36,

39, 41, 42, 45, 47, 49,
50, 54, 55, 56, 259.

griseiceps, 37, 39,

41, 56, 259.

infuscatum, 36, 37,

46, 52, 54.

jardinii, 36, 37, 42,

45, 50, 52, 256.

lansbergeni, 50.

lansbergi, 36.37, 42,

57.

leucopse, 259.

malabaricum, 259.

nanum, 36, 37, 41,

45, 57, 259.

occipitale, 259.

pardalotum, 259.

passerinum, 36, 37,

38, 42, 259, 297, .328.

phalsenoides, 37, 51,

55, 58, 259.

pumilum, 36, 37,

39,40,41,56,2,19.

radiatum, 259.

ridgwayi, 37, 55, 58,

259, 260.

siju, 36,37, 59,259.

sylvaticum, 259.

tephronotum, 259,

269.
whitelyi, 259.

Glaucion clangula, 428.
Gliriphila modesta, 147.
Graculus carbo, 431.

cristatus, 431.

javanicus, 409.

pygma?u8, 431.

sinensis, 409.

Grallaria i-uficapilla, 331.
Graucalus layardi, 287.

macaei, 287.

Gnis communis, 424.
Gymnocitta eyanoce-

pbala, 270.
Gymnogenys malzacii,

221.
Gypaetus barbatus, 99,

291.

fulvus, 87, 89, 98,

291.

Gyps fulvescens, 89, 90.

bispauiolensis, 87,

88, 97.

iiidicus, 351.

nivicola, 97.

rueppeUi, 90.

Hrematopus ater, 372,

377.

longirostris, 131.

osculans, 129, 453.

ostralegus, 130, 131,

420.
Halcyon albirentris, 68.

pealii, 437.

recurvirostris, 437.

smyrnensis, 275.

Haliaetus albicUla, 99,

175, 294.

leucoryphus, 99.

Haliastur indus, 279.
Hapaloderma narina, 68.
Harpactes fasciatus, 281.

oreseius, 463.

Harpagus diodon, 499.
Hedvmeles ludovicianus,

331.
Heleodytes bicolor, 330.

griseus, 330.

Hemipodius maculatus,

127, 128.

vicai-ius, 128.

Hemiprocne albicincta,

330.

zonaris, 330.

Hemipus picatus, 287.
Henicurus lescbenaulti,

463.
Herodias alba, 403, 404.

egretta, 403.

egrettoides, 403.

garzetta, 86.

Hesperophona icteroides,

265.
Hierax sinensis, 254.
Himantopus autumnalis,
. 403, 420.

brasiliensis, 498.

intermedins, 351.

— - — nigricollis, 498.
Hirundo cucullata, 67.

daurica, 351.

domicola, 313.

hyperythra, 280.

riparia, 301.

rufula, 16, 20, 184.

rustica, 20, 67, 272,

275, 301.

savignyi, 519.

Horornis squameiceps,

146.
Hvdrochelidon hybrida,

407, 408.

fissipes, 26, 497.

lariformis, 497.

Hydrocissa coronata, 274,

282.
Hylocliaris ilavifrons,

161, 162.

sappbirina, 166.

siniilis, 161.

Hyloterpe grisola, 463.
Hypbantornis bicolor, 78.

spilonota, 79.

Hypocolius ampelinus,

388.
Hypolais caligata, 513.

icterina, 179, 309.

rama, 513.

Hypopicus poliopsis, 124.
Hypsipetes neilgherri-

ensis, 321.

Ibis falcineUus, 426.

nipon, 455.

Ibycter ater, 95.

cbimachima, 95.

fasciatus, 95.

lora zeylonica, 275.
Irrisor erythrorhyncbus,

69.
Ispidina natalensis, 69.
Ixos luteolus, 275.

Jyngipicus auranteiven-
tris, 264.

fusco-albidus, 264.

Jynx torquiUa, 298.

Kenopia striata, 265.
Ketupa ceylonensis, 279.
Kittacincla macrura, 274,
396.

534

INDEX.

Lagonosticta rubricata,

80.
Lagopus rautus, 41G.
Lalage terat, 440.
Lampomis calosoma, 266

isaurae, 26(5.

mango, 2()G.

porphyrurus, 266.

urochrjsea, 2()6.

Lamprocolius erythro-
gaster, 78.

phcenicopterus, 78.

Lamprolia rictoriae, 43.5.
Laniarius gutturalie, 60,
61, 62, 64, 77.

. icterus, 76.

olivaceus, 77.

quadricolor, 77.

similis, 77.

Lanius auriculatus, 176,
382

. badius, 381.

bucephalus, 115,450.

coUaris, 60, 76.

collurio, 76, 176,

.302.

cristatus, 275.

excubitor, 176, 302.

incertus, 115.

luciouensis, 116.

magnirosti'is, 114,

116.

minor, 176, 302.

pba?nicurus, 176.

rufus, 24, 302.

■ Buperciliosue, 450.

Larus argentatus, 432.

audouini, (>, 31, 34.

■ canus, 3, 7, 10, 12,

139, 439.

crassirostris, 138,

139.

ebumeua, 140.

fuscus, 433.

glaucus, 187.

leucophseus, 3, 7,

10, 12, 25, 29, 31, 34,
142, 187.

— marinus, 433.

melanocephalus, 3,

7, 10, 12, 15.

minutus, 14, 189,

432.

niveus, 138.

occidentalis, 140.

ridibunduB, 3, 7, 10,

12, 432.

rossi, 187.

sabinii, 187.

tridactylus, 432.

vetula, 86.

Leioptila annectans, 352.

saturata, 352.

Lepidcenas speciosa, 331.
Leptocoma zeylonica,

275.
Leptoptilus javanicus,

403.
Leptomis samoensis, 438.
Lestris longicaudus, 187.
Leucocerca aureola, 290.

peotoralis, 317.

Leucospizias cinereus,365.

leucosomus, 365.

novaj hoUandiae,

365.
Leucosticte atrata, 501.

australis, 501.

braiidti, 242.

brunueinucba, 450,

501.

griseinueba, 501.

littoralis, 501.

tepbrocotis, 501.

Limnaetus cristatellus,

277.
Linionidromus indicus,

I4r;.

Limosa ipgocepbala, 422.

brevipes, 453.

lapponica, 422.

uropygialia, 4.53.

Linaria boi-ealis, 242.

cannabina, 242.

flavirostris, 242.

Lobiophasis biilweri, 264.
Lobiospiza notabilis, 441.
Lobipes hyperboreus,

455.
Locustella lanceolata,

449.
Lophoaetus occipitalis,

65.
Lophomis adorabilis,

510.
Lophospizias griseiceps,
355.

indicus, 355.

« trivirgatus, 355,

356.
Lorius solitarius, 436.
Loxia albiventris, 4.50.

curvirostra, 183,

414.

leucoptera, 183.

Luscinia aedon, 340, 341.

golzii, 338.

hafizi, 339, 340,

341.

hybrida, 340.

infuscata, 340,341.

luscinia, 339.

Luscinia occidentalie,

339, 340.

philomela, 340.

Liisciola aedon, 338,

341.

caligata, 179.

hafizi, 341.

infuscata, 341.

luscinia;, 338, 341.

orientalis, 342.

rubecula, 342.

suecica, 341, 342.

Machserhamphus alcinus,
254.

anderssoni, 254.

Machetes pugnax, 185,

3.32, 422.
Macrouyx capenais, 73.

croceua, 73.

Macropvgia assimilis,
349, 352.

leptogrammica,459,

463.

ruficeps, 352.

tusalia, 4.59.

Macrorbamphus semi-
pal matus, 454.
Malacocercus striatus,

275.
Mareca penelope, 5, 457.
Megakema caniceps,
314.

hodgsoni, 350.

rarasayi, 349.

viridis, 315.

zeylonica, 275.

Megalophonus apiatus,
61,81.

crassirostris, 81.

Megalurus palustris, 463.
Megapodius pritchardi,
447.

stairii, 447.

Melsenornis ater, 76.
Melanocorypha calan-
dra, 311.

sibirica, 311.

Melierax canorus, 235.

gabar, 235.

polyzonus, 23.5.

MeLitograis striata, 147.
Melophus melanicterus,

351.
Mergus albellus, 429,
456.

australis, 392.

castor, 456.

merganser, 5, 429.

serrator, 392, 430,

456.

535

Merops apiaster, 69, 300.

persiciis, 6.

pliilippinus, 281.

qiiinticolor, 273.

viridis, 274, 281,

314.
Merula similliina, 319.

vanicorensis, 439,

Micrastur castaniUus,
363.

gilvicoUis, 232, 233.

leucauchen, 232.

rairandolii, 357.

poliogaster, 357.

ruficollis, 232.

zonothorax, 232.

Microhierax melanoleu-
cus, 254.

sinensis, 254.

Micronisus badius, 276.
Microptemis gularis, 283.
Milviis affinis, 279.

ater, 104.

govinda, 104, 279,

351.

■ ictinus, 175, 295.

korschun, 503.

melanotis, 104.

migrans, 104, 175,

295.
Mimeta striata, 147.
Minms polvglottus, 272.
Mirafra affinis, 274, 399.
Monticola cvanus, 177,
335.

sasatilis, 177, 305,

335.
Montifringilla fringillo-

ides, 242.
• — - nivalis, 242.
Mormon fratercula, 267.

grabiE, 267, 268.

Motacilla alba, 10, 180,
309.

capensis, 60, 73.

citreola, 181, 310.

flava, 310.

lugubi'is, 180.

luscinia, 339.

melanocepbala, 181.

sulpburea, 309.

vidua, 73, 180.

Munia malabarica, 275,
399.

malacca, 274, 398.

striata, 275.

undulata, 275.

Muscicapa atricapilla,
301.

collaris, 176,301.

griseola, 302.

Mu.scicapa parva, 173,

177, 301.
Myiagra albiventris, 440.

azurea, 275.

azureocapilla, 434.

castaneiventris,

447.
Myiophonus horsfieldi,

319.

temmincki, 335.

Mviotbera melanothorax,

264.
Myzoraela cruentata, 147.
erythrocephala,

jugularis, 447.

nigriventris, 438.

rubrobrunnea, 147.

Nauclerus furcatiis, 3-30.
Nectarinia afra, 60, 69.

chalybea, 60, 70.

— collaris, 70.

■ famosa, 60, 63, 69.

— — gutturalis, 70.

olivacea, 70.

— — simplex, 264.

verreauxi, 70.

Nectarophila zeylonica,

31.5.
Neodrepanis coruscans,

380.
Neophron monachus, 91.
percnopterus, 99,

291.
Neornis assimilis, 459.
Ne.stor ineridionalis,

261.
Nettopus coromandelia-

nus, 430.
Ninox affinis, 258.

aruensis, 258.

boobook, 258.

connivens, 258.

dimorpha, 258.

forsteri, 258.

franseni, 258.

fusea, 256, 257,

258.

guteruhi, 257.

bantu, 259.

hirsuta, 258, 279.

hoedti, 258.

humeralis, 257, 258.

hypogramma, 259.

japonica, 258.

lugubris, 258.

maculata, 258.

novae zealandiae,

258.
obscura, 258.

Ninox ocellata, 258.

ochracea, 258.

punctulata, 259.

rufistrigata, 258.

squamipila, 257,

259.

strenua, 257, 258.

Ruperciliaris, 259.

tffiniata, 257, 259.

theomacha, 258.

variegata, 257, 259.

Niobe ardens, 79.
Nisoides moreli, 366.
Nisus cooperi, 500.
Noctua meridionalis, 110. "

orientalis, 110.

Nothocercus julius, 331 .
Nucifraga caryocatactes,

19, 238, 416.
Nuraenius arquata, 402,

424.

minutus, 132.

phaeopus, 132, 402,

424.

tenuirostris, 424.

Nyctala tengmalmi, 176.
Nyctea scandiaca, 110,

297, 328, 517.
Nycticorax griseus, 403,

404, 425.

Ochromela nigrorufa,

318.
Ocydromus australis,

393.

earli, 393.

fuscus, 393.

Odontopborus strophi-

um, 331.
CEdemia americana, 457.

fusca, 429, 457.

nigra, 457.

velvetina, 457.

CEdicneraus crepitans,

141, 323, 419.

magnirostris, 264.

CEna capensis, 62, 83.
CEstrelata defilippiana,

375, 376, 377.

diabolica, 374,375.

externa, 373, 375,

.376, 377.

maculata, 375, 376.

sericea, 373, 375,

377.
Onychoprion anasthetus,

407, 408.

fuliginosa, 412.

Ophryzone kaupi, 378.
Orsegitbus ignifrons, 243.
I pusillus, 243.

536

INDEX.

Orchilus atricapillus,

385.

ecaudatus, 386.

Oreocincla mollissima,

352.

nilgiriensis, 320.

Oreouympha nobilis,

266.'
Oriolus ceylonensis, 275.

galbula, 414.

indicus, 351.

larvatus, 75.

Ornismya aureiventris,

165.

caniveti, 168.

esmeralda, 170.

— ~- pbcfibe, 164.

poortmanni, 170.

prasina, 163, 164.

Oroecetes gularis, 14fi.
Ortborhampbus magai-

rostris, 2(H.
Ortbotomus borneoensis,

264.

coronatiis, 459.

longicauda, 275.

Ortygion coturuix, 418.
Ortygometra quadristri-

gata, 446.
— — tabuensis, 447.
Osmotreron bicincta,

399.

pompadoura, 399.

Otis tarda, 129, 418.

tetrax, 418.

Otocompsa jocosa, 321.
Otocorys alpestris, 182,

311.
Otogyp'3 c.ilvus, 99.
Otus brachyotus, 448.
Oxyurus masafuerse, 370,

376.

Pacbycephala albifrons,

447.

flavifrons, 447.

icteroides, 440, 447.

Palaeornis caltbropse,

273, 411.

cyanocephalus, 123.

eupatriu.s, 282.

exsul, 342, 343.

melanorbynchus,

270.

rosffi, 282.

torquatus, 282.

Palumbus elphinstoni,

323.
Pandion haliaetus, 102,

293.
fluviatilis, 102.

Panurus biarmicus, 302.
Paiiycblora alicia?, 150,

171, 172.

aurata, 171.

poortmanni, 150,

170, 172.

stenura, 150, 171.

Paradoxornis gularis,

352.

ruficeps, 352.

Pareudiastes pacificus,

44().
Parisomus assimilis, 460.

dalbousisE, 460.

Parra africana, 86.
Parus ater, 303.

caeruleus, 303.

cinereus, 322.

commixtus, 463.

cristatus, .304.

' lugubris, 304.

major, 180, 303.

niger, 73.

palustris, 304.

Passer ammodendri,

239.

arcuatus, 62, 80.

diffusus, 62, 80.

■ domesticus, 3, 239,

243, 312.

■ indicus, 275.

italiae, 10.

jagoensis, 255.

montanus, 120, 239,

312.

petronia, 240, 241.

pulverulentus, 240.

salicarivis, 239, 243.

salicicola, 17, 21,

141, 239.

stoliczkse, 240.

Pastor roseus, 184, 238,

414.
Pavo cristatus, 400.

muticus, 463.

Pelargopsis gurial, 275.
Pelecauus crispus, 430.

onocrotalus, 430.

pbilippeusis, 409.

Perdix ciuerea, 8, 9, 13,

417.

saxatilis, 417.

Pericrocotus ardens, 264.

cinereus, 116.

ilammeus, 288.

— — peregrinus, 288.
Peristera afra, 84.

cbalcospila, 84.

lansbergi, 50.

larvata, 84.

tympanistria, 84.

Peruis apivoFus, 102,

175, 293.
Petrocossypbus cyanus,

335.
Petrceca pusilla, 439.
Pbaeton demersus, 113.
Pbalacrocorax bicristatus,

138.

carbo, 25, 137.

• — — pelagicus, 131, 138.
Pbalaropus fulicarius,

185, 420.

hyperboreus, 185r

Phasianus cbrysomela.s,

493, 494.

colcliicus, 418, 494.

decollatus, 492.

elegans, 492.

mongolicus, 492,

493.

persieus, 494.

seniitorquatus, 491,

493.

torquatus, 125, 492.

vei'sicolor, 452.

Pbilomela luscinia, 25.
Phlegoenas stairii, 445.
Pboenicopbaes pyrrhoce-

pbalus, 273, 285.
Phoenicopterus roseus,

407.
Pholidauges verreauxi, 78.
Phyllastrephus capensis,

74.
Pliyllopneuste sebwartzi,

144.

sibilatrix, 24.

viridanus, 144.

Phyllornis jerdoni, 275.

malabaricus, 27-3.

Pliylloscopus bouellii,

308.

borealis, 179.

eollybita, 309.

fuscatus, 144.

nattereri, 179.

nitidu.s, 275,

sibilatrix, 308.

superciliosus, 180.

trocbilus, 308.

Pica bactriana, 238.

caudata, 238.

leucoptera, 238.

mauritanica, 141.

media, 118.

rustica, 238, 416.

Picoides tridactylus, 299.
Picus bimalayanus, 489.

kisuki, 451.

leptorbynchus, 487,

488, 490.

INDEX.

537

Picus leuconotus, 299.

— leucoptera, 488.

leiicurus, 451.

major, 145, 184,

299, 451, 488.

majoroicles, 489.

malaccensis, 264.

mandai'inus, 123,

489.
mahrattensis, 274,

283.

medius, 299.

— — mentalis, 2(34.

. minor, 145, 299.

numidicus, 489.

puniceus, 264.

Strickland!, 274.

syriacus, 489.

variegatiis, 264.

viridis, 184.

Pinguinaria cristata, 113.
Pionias pucherani, 147.
Pitta bertae, 264.

brachycerca, 290.

Pityriasis gymnocephala,

264.
Platalea leucorodia, 404,

426.
Plectrophanes nivalis,

2.50, 312, 451.
Ploceus baya, 399.
Plotus melanogaster. 409.
Pnoepyga caudata, 252.

■ chocolatina, 252.

longicaudata, 253.

roberti, 252.

Podiceps auritus, 434.

cornutus, 456.

cristatus, 433.

minor, 434.

nigricollis,434,456.

philippensis, 407,

456.

rubricoUis, 434.

Podoces panderi, 238.
Pogonorhynchus torqua-

tus, 82.
Polioaetus ichthyaetus,

278.
Polyboroides typicus, 65,

221.
Polyborus cheriway, 95.
Polyphagia passerina,

284.
Pomatorhinus horsfieldi,

320.

melanurus, 395.

Porphyrio indicus, 446.

melanonotus, 510.

poliocephalus, 403.

stanleyi, 510.

Porphyrio veterum, 15,

17.

vitiensis, 446.

Porzana erythrothorax,

134, 136, 455.

exquisita, 135, 455.

■ pygmaja, 134.

Prasitis phajopyga, 153.

prasiua, 163.

Pratincola atra, 321.

hempricbi, 338.

indica, 337.

rubetra, 306, 337.

rubicola, 306, 337,

338.

torquata, 72.

Prinia hodgsoni, 397.
■ socialia, 321, 397,

398.

superciliaris, 264.

Prionochilus vincens,

273, 398.
Procellaria diabolica,375.

leucorrhoa, 188.

maculata, 375.

Promerops caffer, 60, 63,

70.
Psalidoprocne holomelaj-

na, 67.
Psittacus chalcopterus,

331.

melanocephalus,.331.

rodericanus, 343.

Ptilonopus apicalis, 442,

447.
fasciatus, 438, 442,

445.
pei-ousii, 441, 442,

445.
Ptilonorhynchus holose-

riceus, 378.
Ptilotis carunculata, 4-37,

438.

megarhyncha, 147.

pyrrhosus, 147.

rostrata, 147.

Ptynx fulvescens, 256.
PutRuus cinereus, 27, 142.

creatopus, 376, 377.

kiihli, 11.

major, 187.

sericeus, 373, 374,

375.

yekouan, 11.

Pycnonotus atricapillus,

463.

capensis, 62, 74.

hremorrhous, 275.

nigricans, 74.

Pycnorhamphus icteroi-

des, 205.

Pyctorhis sinensis, 290.
Pygoscelis tajniata, 113.

wngleri, 113.

Pyrenestes albifrons, 79.
Pyrgita petronia, 22.
Pyrophthalma melanoce-

phala, 28.
Pyrrhocorax alpinus, 237,

414.

graculus, 237, 41.5.

Pyrrhula cineracea, 245.

enucleator, 414.

europjea, 244.

ignilrons, 243.

nijialensis, 244.

pusilla, 243.

■ rubricilla, 414.

vulgaris, 183, 244.

Pyrrhulauda grisea, 274,

399.
Pyrrhulopsis splendens,

436.

Querquedula creccoides,
329.

■ eatoni, 328, 329.

gibberifrons, 329.

RalHna raandarina, 136.
Eallus aquaticus, 16, 186,

418.

brachypus, 393.

pectoralis, 446.

semiplumbeus, 332.

Kectes nigrescens, 148.
Recurvi rostra avocetta,

420.
Eegulus cristatus, 180,

302.

■ ignicapUlus, 302.

modestus, 173.

Rhinogi'jrphus aura, 94.

burro vian us, 94.

pernigra, 93.

urubitinga, 93, 94.

Rhipidura albiscapa,

378.

dryas, 147.

kordensis, 147.

motacilloides, 378.

nebulosa, 439.

rufidorsa, 147.

rufifrons, 377, 378.

Rhodostethia rosea, 484,

485.
Rhyuchaia bengalensis,

402.
Rissa tridactyla, 10.
Rubigula melanictera,

396.
Ruticilla aurorea, 449.

538

INDEX.

Ruticilla phcenicurus,
24, 178, 306.

suecica, 177.

titys, 178, 306.

Salicaria hypolais, 179.

sibilatrix, 179.

Saraglossa spiloptila, 459.
Sarciophorus bilobu8,323,

401.
Sarcorhamphus isquato-

rialis, 93.

gryphuB, 92.

magellanicus, 91.

Sarkidiornis melanono-

tus, 407.
Saxicola albicoUis, 179.

deserti, 337.

erytbraea, 140.

familiaris, 60, 61, 72.

halopbila, 140.

homochroa, 140.

isabellina, 335.

leucomela, 179, 336.

■ leucopygia, 22, 337.

leucura, 179.

lugens, 336.

melanogenys, 336.

inelanotus, 336.

melanoleuca, 336,

337.

monacha, 336.

morio, 336.

oenanthe, 24, 178,

306, 335.

pileata, 61, 72.

rubetra, 178.

rubicola, 178.

salina, 337.

saltator, 335.

sinuata, 61, 72.

squalida, 335.

■ stapazina, 179.

syenitica, 337.

talas, 336.

• vittata, 336.

xanthomelsena, 337.

Sceloglaux albifacies, 509.
Scelospizias badius, 357,

360, 361, 366.

brevipes, 860, 361.

brutus, 358, 359.

franciscsB, 357, 358,

484.

poliopsis, 360, 361.

polizonoides, 360,

366, 367.

pusillus, 358, 359.

sphenuriis, 360.

tachiro, 358, 361,

362, 364.

Scelospizias tousseneli,

364.
unduliventer, 362,

363, 364.
Schcenicola pallasi, 451.

pyrrbuloides, 451.

yessoensis, 451 .

Scolopax brehmi. 423.

gallinago, 423.

gallinula, 423.

major, 423.

■ rusticola, 5, 131,

185, 423.
Scops asio, 326, ,327.
giu, 111, 176,298,

326, 327.

japonicuB, 448.

semitorquatuB, 448.

spilonotuB, 448.

trichopsis, 495.

Scopus umbretta, 63, 86.
Seotopelia bowieri, 261.

peli, 261.

xissheri, 261.

Serilophus lunatus, 352.
Serinus ignifrons, 243.

pusillus, 243.

Serpophaga leucura, 384.

pcecilocerca, 385.

Serrirostrum carbonari-

um, 213.

sittoides, 208.

Setaria pectoralis, 264.
Sibia pieaoides, 459.
Sitta cffisia, 304.
Smaragditis euchloris,

171.
Somateria mollissima,

186.

stelleri, 186.

Spatula clypeata, 427,

457.
Spheniscus humboldti,

377.
Sphenocichla roberti,

251.
Sphenoeacus africanus,

62, 71.
Spilornis bacha, 277.

cheela, 277.

spilogaster, 277.

Squatarola helvetica, 419,

452.
Stelgidopteryx ruficollis,

330.
Stercorarius catarrhactes.

433.

parasiticus, 433.

pomatorhinus, 433.

Sterna anglica, 187, 431.
cantiaca, 14, 26, 87.

Sterna caspia, 187.

dougalli, 187.

fissipes, 432.

fluviatilis, 26, 431.

hybrida, 432.

leucoptera, 432.

media, 408.

melanogaster, 407,

408.
minuta, 26, 412,

431.
pelecanoides, 407,

408.
Sternula sinensis, 407.
Stictoenas phajonotus, 62,

83.
Strepsilas interpres, 401,

420, 446.
Strigieeps cineraceus,

110.

cyaneus, 105, 109.

pallidus, 109.

Strix aluco, 66, 297, 324,

325, 326, 327.

asio, 324.

bubo, 324, 327.

Candida, 512.

delicatula, 436, 512.

flammea, 66, 111,

,324, 325, 326, 327.

funerea, 324.

fusca, 257.

maugsei, 257.

nyctea, 324, 325,

326, 327, 328.

otus, 324, 326.

passerina, 324, 325,

326, 327.
scandiaca, 324, 328.

- scops, 324, 326,327.
stridula, 324, 325,

326, 327.

ulula, 324.

walleri, 513.

Sturnia albofrenata, 398.

daurica, lly.

funerea, 110.

sinensis, 119.

Sturnoides atrifusca, 438,

440.
Sturnus cinerascens, 119,

nitens, 238.

purpurascens, 238,

404.

unicolor, 238.

vulgaris, 19, 238.

Sula bassana, 187, 431.

capensis, 87.

Suniia funerea, 297,

325, 326, 327.

nisoria, 110.

INDEX.

539

Suniia iiivea, 110.

ulula, 325, 326, 327.

Suthora munipurensis,

250.
Sylochelidon caspia, 407.
Sylvia atricapilla, 17,

307.

cinerea, 25.

conspicillata, 141.

curruca, 307.

liortensis, 24, 141.

japonica, 179.

melanocephala, 17,

2.5, 179.

mesoleuca, 178.

nisoria, 307.

rama, 513.

rufa, 308.

salicaria, 307.

sarda, 24, 28.

subalpina, 25.

Sylvietta micrura, 71.
Sypheotides auritus, 323.
Syrniuin aluco, 111, 326,

327.

davidi, 256.

fulvescens, 256.

fuscescen.s, 256.

indranee, 273.

nebulosum, 256.

nivicolum, 256.

rufescens, 256.

uralense, 256.

Syrrhaptes paradoxus,

184.

Taccocua leschenaulti,

285.
Tachyspizias cuculoides,

365.

soloensis, 365.

Tadorna cornuta, 427.

rutila, 426.

Tantalus leucocephalus,

404, 405.
Tatare longirostris, 447.
Tchitrea paradisea, 289.

viridis, 75.

Temenuchus pagodarum,

274, 398.
Tephrodornis pondice-

riana, 287.
Tetrao medius, 417.

tetrix, 417.

urogallus, 417.

Thalassidroma pelagica,

433.
Thalassoeca glacialoides,

376, 377.
Thalurania lerchi, 266.
wagleri, 166.

Thamnobia corypliiea,

61, 72.
fulicata, 274, 275.

396.
Thaumalia picta, 125.
Threskiornis melano-

ceplialus, 404.
Tichodroma muraria, 3,

304.
Timelia bengalensis, 463.

erythroptera, 264.

Tinnunculus alaudarius,

108.

cencliris, 108.

rupicolus, 66.

sparverius, 330,

377.
Toccus flavirostris, 82,
giagalensis, 273,

282.
Todirostrum ecaudatum,

385.
Totanus calidris, 492,

421.

canescenfl, 86, 420.

fuscus, 421, 453.

glareola, 21, 86,

185, 276, 421, 453.
glottis, 185, 402,

453.

hypoleucus, 422.

ochropus, 185, 421,

453.
stagnatilis, 185, 402,

420.
Treron delalandii, 83.
Trichoglossus cyano-

grammus, 147.
Tricholestes criniger,

264.

minutus, 264.

Tringa acuminata, 455.

albescens, 455.

alpina, 422.

cauutus, 422.

ciuclus, 455.

damacensis, 455.

niaculata, 455.

minuta, 60, 86, 185,

402, 412, 422.

salina, 412.

subarquata, 402,

422.

subminuta, 402.

temmincki, 185,

412, 422.
Trochalopteron cachin-

nans, 320.
Trochilus angustipennis,

153, 154.
auriceps, 168.

Trocliilus bicolor, 166.
chrysogaster, 153,

154.

daphne, 163, 164.

flavifrons, 165.

lainprus, 161.

nitidissimus, 161.

phaeopygus, 153,

158.

phaeton, 165, 166.

phcBbe, 16.5.

similis, 161, 162.

splendidus, 165,

166.
Troglodytes alascensis,

143, 144.
fumigatus, 143,

144.

parvulus, 180, 304. ;

Tropidorhynchus gilo-

lensis, 147.

inoruatus, 147.

Turdinus breyicaudatus,

252.
Turdus atrigularis, 332,

333, 334.

chrysopleurus, 519.

coucolor, 345, 346.

falklandicus, 376.

fumidus, 344, 345,

346, 347.

fuscatus, 6.

hypopyrrhus, 344,

345, 346.
icterorhynchus,

520.
iliacus, 177, 305,

335.
javanicus, 344, 345,

346.

• litsitsirupa, 73.

merula, 304, 332.

musicus, 305.

mystacinus, 332,

333, 334.
— — naumanni, 334.
nigricrissus, 345,

346,

obscurus, 520.

pallens, 334.

pelios, 146, 519.

pilaris, 305, 334.

ruficollis, 177, 334.

schlegeli, 344, 345,

347.

swainsoni, 173, 177.

torquatus, 5, 304.

varius, 177.

viscivorus, 304,

334.
whitii, 173.

540

INDEX.

Tiirnix hottentota, 85.

Bjlvatica, 21, 24.

taigoi'i, 400.

Tiirtur albiventris, 60,
83.

auritus, 84, 184.

gelastes, 125.

hiunilis, 125.

• suratensis, 275.

Ulula urulensis, 297.
Uncirostrum brelayi,207.

■ cyaueiim, 218.

d'orbignii, 209.

lafresnayi, 214.

■ eittaceim, 207.

Upiipa epops, 20, 184,

300.

minor, 69.

nigripennis, 274,

286, 316.
Uragus sibiricus, 245.

Uria carbo, 458, 520.

grylle, 520.

Urobrachya axillaris, 79.
Urocissa magnirostris,

350.
Urospizias albigularis,

365,

cruentatus, 365.

griseigularis, 365.

baploclirous, 365.

henicogrammiis,

365.
- — — hiogaster, 365.

muelleri, 365.

poliocephalus, 365.

rufitorques, 365.

sylvestris, 365.

torquatus, 363.

wallacii, 365.

VaneUus vulgaris, 419.
Vidua principalis, 62, 79

Viuago siebokli, 452.
Vultur ciuereus, 98.
Vultur gryphus, 91.
monacbus, 98, 291.

Xantbolosma indica, 274,
284, 288.

rubricapilla, 284.

Xantbotis chrysotis, 147.
Xema furcata, 495.
sabinii, 272.

Yunx japonica, 124.

Zanclostomus viridiros-

tris, 284.
Zosterops capensis, 60,

70.

ceylonensis, 410.

palpebrosus, 275,

322.

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XXXVI. On the Birds of the South-eastern Subdivision of Southern
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XXXVII. The Birds of Transylvania. By Charles G. D^neord

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XXXVIII. Description of a new Flycatcher belonging to the Genus
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(Plate X.) 464

XLIII. Notes on Chalcopelia hrehmeri. By Dr. 0. Finsch . . 467

XLIV. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British

Museum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpe. By J. H. Gurnet . 468

XLV. On the Immature Plumage of Rhodostethia rosea. By

Howard Saunders, F.L.S., F.Z.S 484

XLVI. Notes on some new Central-Asiatic Birds. By Dr. N.

Severtzofp 487

XLVII. Notices of recently published Ornithological "Works . . 494

XL VIII. Letters, Announcements, (fee. : —

Letters from Messrs. E, P. Ramsay, H. E. Dresser (two), A, B.
Brooke, J. H. Gumey, J, H. Gurney, jun., J. A. Harvie Brown, and
Robert Swinhoe ; News of the Arctic Expedition ; Mr. Dresser's
reprint of Eversmann's ' Addenda f unpublished letters of Gilbert
White 512

XLIX. Obituary:—

Notice of the death of Sir William Jardine, of Carl J. Sundevall,
and of Dr. John Edward Gray 622

Index 527

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