eae) Nee Penh ae Bs. QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY, EDITED BY PHIEIP LUTLEY SQLATER, M.A., Ph.D. F.E:s., SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, AND HOWARD SAUNDERS, F.LS., F.Z.S. - VOR Vi 138s: FIFTH SERIES. Ibis avis robusta et multos vivit in annos. LONDON: GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW, (Successors to J. VAN VOORST.) 1888. ALERE ? FLAMMAM PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. PREFACE. Tue Editors have now the pleasure of presenting to their brother-members of the British Ornithologists’ Union the concluding volume of the Fifth Series of ‘Tue Isis, being the thirtieth volume of the whole work. As was arranged at the Meeting of the Members of the Union held in May last, the partnership between the two present Editors is now dissolved with mutual regret; and. Sixth Series will be commenced in January next under the sole Editorship of Sclater, who asks for a continuance of the aid which has, hitherto, on all occasions been so liberally accorded. It is satisfactory to see, by the list which accom- panies this Number, that out of the twenty original Founders of the ‘Ornithologists’ Union’ in 1858, no fewer than thirteen are still living, some of these being still amongst the most active of its Members and most frequent contributors to this Journal. | Re ie S. EES Ss London, October Ist, 1888. )e) 15 BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. Date of Election. 1881. 1888. [An asterisk indicates an Original Member. } Wittram Ranpat, Earl of Antrim; St. James's Palace, London, 8.W. . Freperick Cuartes Apiry ; Bodicote, Banbury. . Orrver Vernon Artin; Bloxham, near Banbury, Oxon. 5. James Backnousp, Jun.; West Bank, York. . VALENTINE Batt, F.R.S.; Science and Art Museum, Dublin. . Hansury Barcnay, Colonel, F.Z.S.; Cross Oak, Great Berk- hampstead, Herts. . Hue G. Barcray ; Colney Hall, Norwich. . Henry E. Barnus, Lieut.; Commissariat Department, India. . Ricwarp Manutrre Barrineron, LL.B.; Fassaroe, Bray, co. Wicklow. . E. F. Becuer, Capt. R.A., F.Z.S.; care of Rev. W. Becher, Willow, Newark-on-Trent. . Frank E. Bepparp, Prosector to the Zoological Society ; 13 Castlebar Road, Ealing, London, W. . Joun Bippuren, Colonel, Bengal Statf Corps, Deoli, India. . Epwarp Browerz; | Trig Lane, Upper Thames Street, Lon- don, E.C. . C. T. Bryenam, Capt.; Deputy Conservator of Forests, Rangoon. . W. T. Buanrorp, F.R.S. &c. ; 72 Bedford Gardens, Kensing- ton, London, W. . Wrtr1aM Borrer, M.A., F.Z.S.; Cowfold, Horsham. . Wom F. Brocxsores; Claughton-on-Brock, Garstang, Lancashire. . Sir Vicror Brooxs, Bart.; Colebrooke, Fermanagh, Ireland. 20 25 30 35 4o vi Date of Election. 1868. Tuomas Epwarp Bucxtry, B.A., F.Z.S8.; Millerton, Inverness, iN. B. 1872. Sir Watrer Lawry Butter, K.C.M.G., Sc.D., F.R.S., Xe. ; 52 Stanhope Gardens, Queen’s Gate, 5. W. 1884, E. A. Burtser, Lieut.-Col.; Herringfleet Hall, Lowestoft. 1884. Grorrrey Fowrrt Buxton; Sunny Hill, Thorpe, Norwich. 1888. Joun Duncan Cameron, late Capt. R.A. ; Lowwood, Bethers- den, near Ashford, Kent. 1879. Tuomas Davin Grpson CarmicHanrt ; Castlecraig, Dolphinton, N.B. 1888. James Carrer; Burton House, Masham, Yorkshire. 1888. Watrer Cuampertain; Harborne Hall, near Birmingham. 1884. Apri Caapman; 16 Roker Terrace, Sunderland. 1882. Roserr Wriri1am Caase; Southfield, Edgbaston Road, Bir- mingham. 1880. Wriiiram Factz Crarks, F.L.S.; 18 Claremont Road, Head- ingley, Leeds. 1876. Epwarp Henry Srvart, Lord Cuirron, F.Z.S.; Dumpton Park, Ramsgate. 1880. E. H. Coopmr, Lieut.-Col.; 42 Portman Square, London. 1874. Joon CorpEaux; Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire. 1888. Wittram Witrrip Corpravux, Lieut. 2nd Dragoon Guards ; Sialkote, Bengal, India. 1882. Coartes B. Cory; 8 Arlington Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A. 1882. Puitre Crowtry, F.Z.S.; Waddon House, Croydon. 1877. J. J. Dateiersu ; 8 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh. 1874. Coaruses Danrorp, F.Z.8.; Conservative Club, St. James’, London, 8.W. 1883. Jamus Davinson ; 32 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh. 1884. Winrtam Ruxron Davison; care of Edward Jones, 77 Queen Street, Cheapside, E.C. 1883. Scrore b. Dora; Public Works Department, Bombay. 1880. Arruur Dowsrrr; Castle Hill House, Reading. 1865. Henry Ertes Dresser, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W., and Topclyffe Grange, Farn- borough, Kent. *Henry Mavrice Drummonp-Hay, C.M.Z.S., Lieut.-Col., Royal Perth Rifles; Seggieden, Perth. 1878. W. Arrnur Durnrorp; Elsecar, Barnsley. 45 50 55 60 65 7° vil Date of Election. 1876. Grorer Le C. Earrron, Commander R.N.; The Lodge, Stoke Road, Gosport. 1870. Danret Giravp Extiotr, F.R.S.E., &e.; Fuller Buildings, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A. 1884, AteErnon Exriorr, Assist. Comm., Amraoti Camp, Berar. 1866. Henry Joun Etweus, F.Z.8.; Preston, Cirencester. 1879. ArtHuR Humsie Evans, B.A.; 9 Harvey Road, Cambridge. 1888. Wintram Evans, F.R.S.E.; 184 Morningside Park, Edin- burgh. 1873. H. W. Fritpen, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S., C.M.Z.S.; West House, Wells, Norfolk. 1886. Haroxp Srvarr Frerevson, Lient. Nair Brigade ; Trevandrum, Travancore. 1884. Henry Oce Forses, F.Z.S.; Rubislaw Den, Aberdeen. 1880. Wittram Foster; The Hill, Witley, Surrey. 1887. W. W. Fowter, M.A.; Lincoln College, Oxford. 1865. Rev. Henry Exxrorr Fox, M.A.; 12 South Bailey, Durham. 1881. Percy Evans Frexe; 9 Sydenham Road, Dundrum, co. Dublin. 1881. Hans Gapow, Ph.D.; The New Museums, Cambridge. 1886. The Eart or Garnsporoven ; Exton Park, Oakham. 1885. Sir Ranrew Payne Gattwey, Bart. ; Thirkleby Park, Thirsk. 1879. Ernest Grsson ; 1 Eglinton Crescent, Edinburgh. *Freperick DuCane Gopman, F.R.S., &c.; 10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London, W. * Percy SANDEN Gopman, B.A., C.M.Z.S. ; Muntham, Horsham. 1874. H. H. Gopwin-Ausren, Lieut.-Col., F.R.S., &c.; Shalford House, Guildford. 1884. J. G. Goopcnttp ; 28 Jermyn Ntreet, London, 8. W. 1886. Witr1am Grauam; Manor House, Crayford, Kent. 1878. Henry Grey, BengalStaffCorps; care of Messrs. Grindlay & Co. 1885. F. H. H. Guittemarp, M.D.; Eltham, Kent. 1876. Atsert C. L. G. Ginruer, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., &.; Keeper of the Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History), London, 8. W. *Joun Henry Gurney, F.Z:S.; Northrepps Hall, Norwich. 1870. Joun Henry Gurney, Jun., F.Z.S.; Keswick Hall, Norwich. 1887. Joan Preypett Witton Haines; The Lodge, Gloucester. 1886. Epvwarp Hamitron, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.8.; 49 Portugal Street, Mayfair, London, W. 75 80 85 go 95 100 viil Date of Election. 1877. 1883. Epwarp W. Harcovurr, M.P.; Nuneham Park, Abingdon. Lewis Vernon Harcourt; Malwood, Lyndhurst, Hants. 1876. H. C. Harrorp, 99th Regiment; Stapleton Lodge, Chelsea 1877. 1868. 1873. 1868. Road, Southsea. E. Hararrr, F.Z.S.; Broadwater Lodge, Broadwater, Worthing. James Epmunp Hartine, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; Linnean Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W. Joun A. Harvir-Brown, F.Z.8.; Dunipace House, Larbert, N.B. Rey. Hersert S. Hawkins, M.A.; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk. 1887. Cuarues T. Hesperr; 12 Hereford Gardens, London, W. 1884. 6. J. Hotpsworre; Oxenholme, Westmoreland. 1877. 1888. 1881. 1879. 1869. 1870. 1870. 1888. 1886. E. W. H. Hortpswortn, F.Z.8.; 84 Clifton Hill, St. John’s Wood, London, N.W. Hersert Kyicur Horsrretp ; Oakfield Terrace, Headingley, Leeds. Rosert James Howarp; Blackburn, Lancashire. *Witrrip Hupieston Hupxesron, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; Oat- lands Park, Weybridge. Baron A. von Hiern; Cambridge. ALLAN Octavian Hume, C.B.; Simla, India. Hepworrn Hytron-Jotiirre, Lord Hyrron; Merstham, Red Hill, Surrey. Leonard Howarp L. Irsy, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S.; Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall, London, S.W. Freperickx J. Jackson; 13 Westbourne Square, W. Harry Berxetey James, F.Z.S.; 16 Ashburn Place, Crom- well Road, London, 8.W. . Henry Roserr Kernan, Capt. 74th Highlanders; Dagehai, N.W. Provinces, India. . Puri M. Kermone; Seabridge Cottage, Ramsey, Isle of Man. . Rey. Epw. Ponsonsy Knustery, M.A.; Stavely Rectory, Leeds. . Herperr Laneron; 115 Queen’s Road, Brighton. . Hon. Grratp Lascrtius; Queen’s House, Lyndhurst. . Grorce Lawson, C.B.; 36 Craven Hill Gardens, Hyde Park, London, W. 1876. Vincent Luger, Col. R.A.; Commandant’s Office, Hobart Town, Tasmania. Hamown Ly Stranee, F.Z.8.; Hunstanton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. 105 IIo It5 120 1x Date of Election. 1875. 1886 Pacer Water Le Srranez, Col. R.A.; Glancothy, Nant- garedig, R.S.O., Caermarthenshire. Haroxp Lirrtepatr, B.A. &e.; Vice-Principal, The College, Baroda. *THomas Lyrrieton, Lord Litrorp, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.; Lilford Hall, Oundle, and 6 Tenterden Street, London, W. . Joun Hayns Luoyp, Major, F.Z.8.; 30 Pulteney Gardens, Bath. 7. J. Lumspen; Arden House, Alexandria, N.B. . Rey. Hueu Atexanprer Macpuerson; 3 Kensington Gardens Square, W. . JoHN Wryerietp Matcorm ; 7 Stanhope Street, Maytair, London, W. . Henry Sracy Marks, R.A., F.Z.S.; 17 Hamilton Terrace, St. John’s Wood, London, N.W. . C. H. T. Marsnatz, Major, F.Z.8.; Secretary to H.H. The Nizam, Hyderabad, Deccan. . Jonn Marsuatt, F.L.S.; Belmont, Taunton. . Rey. Murray A. Maruew, M.A., F.L.S.; Stone Hall, Wolf’s Castle, R.S.O., Pembrokeshire. . Epmunp Gustavus Brioomrretp Mrapr-Waupo; Rope Hill, Lymington, Hants. . Joun Guitte Mitrats, F.Z.8.; 2 Palace Gate, Kensington, W. . Freperick SHaw Mircnert; Hornshaws, Clitheroe, Lanca- shire. . ALEXANDER GoopMANn Morg, F.L.S., &c.; 92 Leinster Road, Rathmines, Dublin. . Groree Morean, Lieut.-Col.; Biddlesden Park, Brackley. . Georek Murrueap; Paxton, Berwick-on-Tweed. . Epwarp Neate; 6 Tenterden Street, London, W. . Tuomas Hupson Nutson; North Bondgate, Bishop Auckland, Durham. . Huew Nevitt; Newton Villa, Godalming. . Francis D’Arcy Witt1am Crouen Newcome; Feltwell Hall, Brandon, Suffolk. *AtrreD Newton, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S.; Professor of Zoology in the University of Cambridge. *Sir Epwarp Newton, M.A., K.C.M.G., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. ; Lowestoft. 1886. Howarp Hitt Joun Nicnotts, M.R.C.S.; The Moat, East- bourne, 125 130 135 140 145 Date of Election. 1876. Francis Nrcnorson, F.Z.8.; Oakfield, Ashley Rd., Altrincham. 1887. Grorcr Cameron Norman; Collingham House, Cromwell Road, London, 8.W. 1882, Evernr Witt1aAm Oates; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. *Sir Joun W. P. Camppett Orne, Bart., F.Z.S., late Captain, 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment; Kilmory House, Lochgilphead, Argyllshire, N.B. 1883. Henry Parker, C.E.; Irrigation Office, Ceylon. 1880. TxHomas Parkin, M.A., F.Z.8.; Halton, near Hastings. 1884. R. L. Parrerson, F.L.S.; Croft House, Holywood, co. Down. 1886. E. Campriper Parties ; The Elms, Brecon. 1886. E. Lorr Putts ; 22 Bolton Street, Piccadilly, W. 1888. Grorce THorNE Putrtirs; Wokingham, Berkshire. 1883. Tuomas Mayer Prxr, M.A.; Westport, Wareham, Dorset. 1888. Mervyn Owen Wayne Powys; 33 Gt. Cumberland Place, W. 1880. Cuartes Marrarw Prior; Adstock Manor, Winslow, Bucks. 1888. Evsrace Rapetyrre; Hyde, Wareham, Dorset. 1872. R. G. Warptaw Ramsay, Major; F.Z.8.; Coldham Hall, Wisbech. 1879. Herzert Everyn Rawson, F.Z.8.; St. Stephen’s Club, S.W. 1888. Rosperr H. Reap; 8 Great George Street, Westminster, 8.W. 1877. Savite G. Rei, late Capt. R.E.; Ashridgewood, Wokingham. 1873. Sir Oxriver Breavcnamp Coventry Sr. Joun, Colonel R.E. ; care of Messrs. H. 8. King & Co., 45 Pall Mall, London, S.W. 1883. Witiram Herserr Sr. Quintin; Scampston Hall, Rillington, Yorkshire. *Ospert Satvin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.; 10 Chandos Street, Lon- don, W., and Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere. 1870. Howarp Saunpers, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &c.; 7 Radnor Place, Hyde Park, London, W. *Puivip Luriey Scuarer, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &e.; Zoological Society of London, 3 Hanover Square, London, W. 1881. J.-Scutty, F.L.S., F.Z.8S.; care of Messrs. H. S. King & Co., 45 Pall Mall, London, 8.W. 1873. Henry Srrsonm, F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W., and 22 Courtfield Gardens, London, 5.W. | 150 155 160 165 170 Date of Election. 1871. 1886. 1870. 1865. 1881. 1882. 1878. 1864. 1874. 1881. 1875. 1881. 1887. 1887. 1882. 1884. xi Ricwarp Bowpier Suarpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History), London, 8.W. Witrram Carsrarrs SHaw; Bank of Madras, Ootacamund, Nilgiris. G. Ernest Sueey, F.Z.S., late Captain, Grenadier Guards; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. Rev. Coartes WitttamM SHEPHERD, M.A., F.Z.S.; Trotters- cliffe Rectory, Maidstone, Kent. F. B. Stason; Broom Hill, Spratton, Northampton. Rev. Henry H. Starter, M.A., F.Z.8.; Irchester Vicarage, Wellingboro’, Northampton. GrorcE Montaw Sraveuter, Brigade-Surgeon ; Farningham, Kent. ; Rev. Atrrep CHartes Suitu, M.A.; Yatesbury Rectory, Calne, Wiltshire. Crcrt Suir, F.Z.8.; Lydeard House, Taunton, Somersetshire. THomas SoutHwE.t, F.Z.S8.; 10 The Crescent, Chapel Field, Norwich. A. C. Srarx; The Cottage, Whiteparish, near Salisbury. Rozert Wricut Sruppy, Lieut.-Col. 2nd Manchester Regi- ment, India; care of E. W. H. Holdsworth, 84 Clifton Hill, St. John’s Wood, London, N.W. Freperick Witiram Styan; 23 Upper Bedford Place, Lon- don, W.C., and Shanghai, China. Joun SwinsurneE; Shona Ranch, St. John’s, Apache Country, Arizona, U.S.A. Cuartes Swinnoz, Col. Bombay Staff Corps, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; care of I. H. Wrentmore, 29 Bedford Row. W. C. Tarr; Oporto. *Epwarp Cavenpisu Taytor, M.A., F.Z.8.; 74 Jermyn Street, 1864. 1873. 1886. London, 8.W. Grorcr Cavenpiso Taytor, F.Z.8.; 42 Elvaston Place, Queen’s Gate, London, S.W. Wituiam Bernuarp Trerrmerer, F.Z.8.; Finchley, Mid- dlesex. Horace A. Terry, Lieut. 43rd Light Infantry; Burvale, Walton-on-Thames. *Rev. Henry Baxter Tristram, M.A., LL.D., F.RS., &e., Canon of Durham; The College, Durham, xii Date of Election. 1864, Henry Morris Urcuer, F.Z.8.; Sheringham Hall, Norfolk, and Feltwell Hall, Brandon. 1881. Wittovessy Verner, Capt. Rifle Brigade; Junior United Service Club, 8. W. 1884. A. S. Vesry; 3 Campden Villas, Barnes, 8.W. 1886. H. D. Wape-Datron, Major Middlesex Regiment ; Buttevant, Treland. 175 1881. THomas, Lord WatsineHam, F.Z.8.; Eaton House, Eaton Square, London, 8.W., and Merton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk. 1874. Coartes Byerave Wuarron, F.Z.8.; Hounsdown, Totton, Hants. 1878. Henry THornton Wuarton, M.A., F.Z.8.; 39 St. George’s Road, Abbey Road, London, N.W. 1884. Joseph Wuarraker, F.Z.8.; Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield, Notts. 1887. Jerrery Wutrenrap ; Southwood, Bickley, Kent. 180 1887. Scorr Barcnarp Witson; Heatherbank, Weybridge Heath, Surrey. 1888. CHarxes Josepa Witson ; 16 Gordon Square, W.C. 1871. E. Percevat Wrieut, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.8., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin. 1875. Cuartus A. Wrieut, F.Z.8.; Kayhough House, Kew Gardens, Kew. 1876. CraupE W. Wyatr; Adderbury, Banbury. 185 1878. Joun Youne, F.Z.8.; 64 Hereford Road, Bayswater, London, W. 1877. J. H. Yur, Major, Devon Regiment; 41 Eaton Rise, Ealing. Extra-Ordinary Member. 1860, Atrrep Russet Wattacz, F.Z.8.; Nutwood Cottage, Frith Hill, Godalming. Honorary Members. 1886. Tuomas Ayres; Potchefstroom, Transvaal. 1860. Doctor Epvarp Barpamus, Moritzwinger, No. 7, Halle. 1860. Doctor Juan Canants, Erster Custos am koniglichen Museum der Friedrich-Wilhelm’s Universitit zu Berlin. 1870. Doctor Orro Fiyscu, Bremen, 5 1880. Hernricu Garxe, C.M.Z.8., Secretary to the Government of Heligoland. xiil Date of Election. 1860. Doctor Gustav Harrtavus, Bremen. 1860. Epvear Leopotp Layarp, C.M.G., F.Z.S., H.B.M. Consul, ew Caledonia. 1869. Aveusr von Prtzetn, Custos am k.-k. zoologischen Cabinete in Wien. Foreign Members. 1872. Prof. J. V. Barpoza pu Bocaén, Royal Museum, Lisbon. 1875. Hans, Graf von Brruersca, Minden, Hannover. 1880. Lovis Burrav, M.D., Ecole de médecine, Nantes. 1873. Prof. Roperr Cotter, Zoological Museum, Christiania. 5 1872. Doctor Exrrorr Covers, Smithsonian Institution, Washing- ton, D.C. 1875. Marchese Giacomo Dorta, Genoa. 1872. Doctor Vicror Fatto, Geneva. 1872. Doctor Henry Hitrtyer Giertort, Real Instituto di Studi Superiori, Florence. 1872. Grorar N. Lawrence, New York. ro 1872. Baron Dz Srtys Lonecuamprs, Liege. 1866. Doctor Junius von Maparisz, National Museum, Buda- Pesth. 1872. Doctor A. J. Matmeren, Helsingfors. 1883. Prof. Oranien Cartes Marsn, Yale College, Newhaven, U.S.A, 1881. Doctor AporpH Brrnarp Meyer, Director of the Royal Museum, Dresden. 15 1872. Doctor A. von Mippenporrr, Dorpat. 1872. Prof. AtpHonsr Minne-Epwarps, Jardin des Plantes, Paris. 1881. General N. Presevatsky, Academy of Science and Art, St. Petersburg. 1872. Prof. Gustav Rappeg, Tiflis. 1880. Ropert Rrpeway, C.M.Z.S., Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington, D.C. 20 1872. Count Tommaso Satvaport, Zoological Museum, Turin. CONTENTS or VOL. VI.—FIFTH SERIES. (1888. ) NumBer XXI., January. Page I. Notes on Woodpeckers.—No. XIV. On the Genus Geeinus. Dye eDwaARD taRerrr, EOZS.36 aNocc wo GS oee Ae ed II. Notes on the Birds of New Zealand. By T. W. Kirk, of the Geological Survey Department. . . . . . . 4.4 . 42 III. On the Hornbills of the Seo Region. By Captain Gai. SHELLEY, F.Z.8. ss aft Yo hcdl Gly ‘oxen cone IV. On the Birds of Bhamo, Upper Burmah. By Evernn eos si Accs, (relate yin. Spa bee Ne et a as 70 V. Notes on the Birds of Teneriffe. By Capt. Savitz G. Ret, R.E. (Concluded from vol. vy. page 435.) . . . . . 73 VI. On the Genus Cyclorhis, Swains. By Hans von Brr- BIGEHC HM Res mery, tb Casctstl ad Sg teaetae 2) ap uliées trek oS OS VII. Remarks on the Acanthize of Tasmania. By Colonel Mirmiinimare NAG tN 9. 38 sole vee Necera es! SUS” oe wees VIII. Ornithological Notes of a Tour in Cyprus in 1887. By Dr. F. H. H. Guirtemarp, M.A., F.Z.S. With a Preface by ijord Lrnvorp, (Plate II.) ..... = . ae ee eee Meee: | TX. On the presence of Claws in the Wings of the Ratitz. eon embark, HRS. b.i)!s )ce eine winep cat tael “a itn ie: X. Descriptions of two new Species of Birds from Bogota, Colombia, “By Hans von BernerscH »' 2.7 27s. 128 xvl CONTENTS. Page XI. Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications :— 1. Anderson on the Birds of the Mergui Archipelago 131 2. Berlepsch on the Birds of Paraguay 131 3. Blasius on the Birds of Celebes. ‘ 132 4. Bryant on the Ornithology of Guadalupe ian 132 5. Buller’s ‘ Birds of New Zealand’ a3 6. Carazzi on the Birds of Spezia . 134 7. Hartert on the Birds of Prussia 134. 8. ‘Indian Annals and Magazine of Natibal Seienee? 154 9. Lucas on the Osteology of Vothura : 134 10. Meyer on the Capercaillie and Black Grouse . 135 11. Milne-Edwards and Oustalet on the Birds of Gama Comoro Island : ‘ 135 12. Nazarow on the Zoology of the arenes Sone 136 13. Nicholson on the Birds of the Manchester District 136 14. ‘Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society’s Trans- actions’ «te . 136 15. Pelzeln and Minder on the Pigs Hp lleirg 16. Ridgway’s Manual of North-American Birds 137 17. Ridgway on a new Cotinga . 139 18. Ridgway on a new Spindalis : 139 19. Ridgway on the female of Carpodectes antonie 140 20. Ridgway on a new Porzana . 140 21, Ridgway on Ardea wuerdemanni 140 22. Ridgway on an Arizonan Trogon 140 23. Ridgway on a new Dendrocolaptine Bird 140 24, Ridgway on a new Phacellodomus . 141 25. Ridgway on two new Owls . 141 26. Scully on the Mammals and Birds of Nortteun ‘At ghanistan . . 5 141 27. Shufeldt on the Skulls of Turkeyen 141 28. Sousa on Birds from Ilha do Principe 14z 29, Sousa on Birds from Mozambique . 142 30. Stejneger on Japanese Birds . 142 31. Steyneger on Hawaiian Birds 143 32. Stejneger on Palearctic Bullfinches : 144 33. Stejneger on the Birds of the Commander Tislatidel 144 34, Stejneger on a new Fruit Pigeon . ‘ 144 35. Townsend’s Field-notes on Californian Zoology 145 CONTENTS. XII. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.:— Letters from Mr. J. H. Gurney, Mr. W. Davison, the Rev. Canon H. B. Tristram, and the Rey. H. A. Macpherson; The Turati Collection; The Breeding-habits of Flamingoes ; The _ B.M. Catalogue of Birds ; Sale of a Great Auk’s Egg. . . . NumBer XXII, April. XIII. Notes on Woodpeckers.—No. XIV. On the Genus Ge- einus. By Epvwarp Harerrt, F.Z.S. . XIV. On a Collection of Birds from the Island of Palawan. By R. Bownrrr Suarre, F.LS., F.Z.8., &e. (Plates ILI., IV.) XV. The Polar Origin of Life considered in its bearing on the Distribution and Migration of Birds.—Part Il. By H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.R.S. ; XVI. Note on Long-faced Birds. By W.K. Parxnr, F.R.S. XVII. Notes on the Birds of Cashmere and the Dras District. By Lieut. W. Witrrip Corpravx (Queen’s Bays) . XVIII. On the occasional Assumption of the Male Plumage by Female Birds. By J. H. Guryey, Jun. . XIX. Further Notes on Calyptomena whiteheadi. By R. Bown ter Suarpe, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &. (Plate V.). XX. Further Notes on the Birds of the Loo-choo Islands. By Henry Srrsonm XXI. On the Arctic Form of the Nutcracker, Nweifraga caryocatactes. By Henry Sresoum FS ae XXII. A List of the Birds of the Islands of the Coast of Yucatan and of the Bay of Honduras. By Osperr Satyin, OAS BH RoS., 0C.. XXII. Notes on a small Collection of Birds from Newala, East Africa. By H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.RB.S. XXIY. Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications :— 36. Adamson’s ‘ Illustrations of Birds ’. SER. V.—VOL. VI. b . 153 193 . 204 217 . 218 . 226 . 231 . 232 . 236 . 241 xviil CONTENTS. Page 4 he Auk’. , . 267 38. Biichner on the Birds of the St. ‘Boerne District . 269 39. Emerson on the Birds of Southern California 270 40. Ernst on the Birds of the Caracas Museum . 270 41. Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Centrali-Americana’ . 270 42. Gould’s ‘ Bird’s of New Guinea’ Zee 43. Gurney on the House-Sparrow . . 212 44, Harvie-Brown and Buckley on the Binds of Sather: land and Caithness . te 45. Linnean Society of New South wale (Paorecdnes of ’ 274 46. Menzbier on the Osteology of the Penguins . . 275 47. Merriam on the Misdeeds of the British House- Spano 276 48. Montlezun on Bernicle Geese Airs 49, ‘Ornis’ Berar 50. Palmén on Sibenan Birds = te 51. Salvadori on Birds from Upper Bien , . 278 52. Salvadori on Birds from Tenasserim . - 278 53. Sclater and Hudson’s ‘ Argentine Ornithtloay2 . 279 54. Sharpe on the Fringillide : pe ea (-3) 55. Shufeldt on Birds’ Muscles useful in 1 icon 281 56. Stejneger on a Muscle of the Bird’s Wing 281 57. Stejneger on a new Thrush . 281 58. Winge on Fossil Birds from Brazil 282 XXY. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. :— Letters from A. Everett, Esq.; Sir W. L. Buller; Lieut.- Col: Xi. M. Drummond Hay. Note on Zapornia spilonota ; Ornithological Travellers ; Bartlett’s new Monograph of Weaver- birds and Finches ; Sale of another Great Auk’s pia Obituary —Mr. E. Lear; Mr. J. C. Hele nace a cones NompBer XXIII., July. XXVI. List of Birds collected in Eastern Africa by Mr. Frederick J. Jackson, F.Z.S. By Capt. G. E. Suerrey, F.Z.8. With Notes and an Introduction by the Collector. (Plates Vi.;. VIL.) Rab . 282 - 2a CONTENTS, XXVIII. On the Birds of the Snares Islands, New Zealand, By Dr. O. Finscu, Ph.D., H.M.B.0.U., &. . an XXVIII. On Merula torquata and its Geographical Races. By Henry Srrsoum ak Wesjubteuny’ he XXIX. On Phasianus torquatus and its Allies. By Henry SEEBOHM . bares Bate ienee) Ae iisre ete & XXX. On Hirundo rustica and Motacilla melanope in Ceylon. By Samvet Burien. (Communicated by Jonn Henry Gurvey.) XXXI. Description d'une nouvelle Espéce du Genre Hmbe- riza. Par L. Taczanowsxi. (Plate VIII.) XXXIT. On the Dates of Publication of Bonaparte’s ‘ Icono- grafia della Fauna Italica.’ By T. Satvavort, C.M.Z.S. . XXXIII. Notes on the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes for- steri). By P. L. Scuarmr, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. ; XXXIV. On the Classification of the Striges. By Franx E. Bepparp, M.A., F.Z.8., Prosector to the Zoological Society of London : : oe Gs UR Nr aaa XXXY. On the Birds observed by Dr. Bunge on his recent Visit to Great Liakoff Island. By Henry Sresoum . XXXVI. Critical Notes on the Procellariide. By Osperr Satyin, M.A., F.R.S., &e. ; , ir. XXXVII. Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications :— X1X Page . 307 . 309 . 312 316 . 330 . 344 . dol 59. Bartlett on Weavers and Finches . . 360 60. Berlepsch on Colombian Trochilidee 36k 61. Bocage on additions to the Avifauna of St. Thomas . 361 62. Bocage on Birds from Equatorial Africa . . B62 §3. Bull on the Birds of Herefordshire . 862 64. Buller’s ‘ Birds of New Zealand’ . 362 65. Carazzi on additions to the Birds of Spezia . . 363 66, 67. Chamberlain on Canadian Birds . . 363 68. Dubois on the Birds of Belgium . 364 69. Emin Pasha’s Letters and Journals = a6p 79, Harvie-Brown on the Isle of May. . 365 71. Le Messurier on Indian Game, Shore and Water Birds 366 XX CONTENTS. Page 72. Mansel-Pleydell on the Birds of Dorsetshire . . . 366 73. Nehrkorn on his Collection of Eggs . . . . . 367 74. Pelzeln and Lorenz on Types in the Vienna Muenm . 367 75. Ridgway on the Species of Phrygilus. . . . . . 367 76. Salvadori on anew Hemiwus . . wk ae OOS 77. Salvadori on the Caspian Plover in Teal 5 ee ee a BOS, 78. Seebohm on the Distribution of the Limicole . . . 369 79. Shufeldt on some Birds’ Sterna and Skulls . . . . 370 80. Smith on the Birds of Wiltshire . ..... . 370 81. Sousa on two new Birds from Angola. . . . . . 3871 824 Sousa on the Birds of Angola] Wo. = 26 eee XXXVIII. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. :— Letters from Prof. W. Blasius; Dr. J. v. Madarasz; Prof. R. Collett; Mr. H. E. Dresser; Mr. C. 8. Miliard; Mr. R. Lloyd Patterson; Mr. W. A. Sanford; and Mr. F., E. Blaauw. Notes on the Breeding of the Hoatzin; the new Irruption of Syrrhaptes paradowus. News of Bird-collectors in Foreign Parts. Obituary—Mr, H. Pryer and M. M. N. Bogdanow. INewsrotluiminerasha, . coo (coc. pe ce ey ee A en ee Number XXIV., October. XX XIX. Further Descriptions of new Species of Birds dis- covered by Mr. John Whitehead on the Mountain of Kina Balu, Northern Borneo. By R. Bowprer Suarpe, F.LS., F.Z.S., &c. (CHEN aD. 5.6 0) er re me ame Rar ai ia” XL. Note on the Geographical Distribution of the Crested Cuckoos (Coccystes). By G.C. Norman, F.Z.8. . . . . . 396 XLI. Notes on some Oriental Birds. By Jonn Wurreneap. 409 _ XLII. On the Habits and Range of Bulwer’s Pheasant. By BV El. TREACHER “2. sh. Bs Lee mene rene ee ines XLIIL An Attempt to Diagnose the Suborders of the Great Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds by the aid of Osteological Characters alone. By Henry Srrpopm...... =. . 415 CONTENTS. XX1 XLIV. Note on the Genus Rectes. By R. BowpLer Suarpr, EPP EPA OwOCCso, | a) «1 ‘shall UM ei oM CEA 5.20400 XLV. On two apparently undescribed Species of Sturnus. By bh. Gownurr Suarrr, F.L.S., FZS8. &ey-0 3 fe. 438 XLVI. On a Breeding-colony of Larus eburneus on Spits- bergen. By Professor Rosert Cotterr, Zoological Museum, Giiristiania., “(Plate XU). Bios jua ay et mds oe ok ae 20 XLVII. Winter Notes in Spain. By Aspen Coapman . . 444 XLVIUI. On the Birds of Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic. By Franx Wiruineton. With Notes by eee SGEATER | ile nahh ly (at ct ep cd Moe Speech oneapeee Dy el XLIX. On the Identity of Lbts propinqua with Lbis melano- cephala. By Henry Serponm. . . Ve ae ee ea L. Notes on some Species of Zosterops. By Atrrep and ED WAED NEWTONS gah 2 504 seo) ae om om iat 's)o alten ey LI. On two new Species of Starlings. By R. BowpLer SHMRPR MESS GCs e ethene fon) 50 eos gle cae eee LIL. Diagnoses of some new Species of Birds obtained on the Mountain of Kina Balu by Mr. John Whitehead. By R. Bowprrr DHAEP He Melaws Wem me toe a yc S wloa ewok 2 AUS LILI. Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications :— Goa). theAuk =". “2°. Kn Ppeh tah oh aa eee, 84. ‘The Audubon Maeanne? ae: . 480 85. Barboza du Bocage on a new Bird ee St. Thome . 482 86. Belgian Ornithological Report for 1886. . . . . 482 37. Buttikofer on Birds from Liberia . . . . « 482 88. Dall on the Scientific Work of Professor BRids 2 23483 89. Furbringer on the Anatomy of Birds. . . . . . 483 90. Giglio on Birds from Assab and Shoa . . . . . 484 91 -irby's Key List\of British Birds’ . 4 2°. . 4 « 485 92. Kolier on the Birds of Holland. . .. . . 485 93. Menzbier on the Posthumous Works of See . 486 94, Meyer and Helm on Ornithological Stations in SaxOUW rf: cp Ven BOR ne ca Vcc ta. ernst et OG XXil CONTENTS. Page So sUris* ss. TP 7% eee ee aS, 96. Pelzeln and Lorenz on Types in the Vienna Museum. 487 97. Salvadori on the Birds of Shoarevs yee ap s,s» 407 98. Saunders’s ‘Manual of British Birds’. . . . . . 488 99. Sclater on the Oligomyodian Passeres . . . . . 488 100. Sousa on the Birds of St. Thomé . . . . . . «490 101. Taczanowski on Caucasian Birds . .... . . 490 102. LIV. Lette Tegetmeier on Pallas’s Sand Grouse . . . . . . 490 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.:— rs from Mr. E. L. Layard; Sir J. W. P.Campbell-Orde, Mr. F. E. Beddard; Dr. G. Hartlaub; and Mr. Hugh R. Rab- betts ; Sclater. Extract from a Letter from Dr. Burmeister to Mr. Assumption of Male Plumage by Female Birds. An- niversary Meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Union, 1888. Obituar y—Mr. Henry Stevenson . . . . . .. « « « 40 rex Gee hes peel secs ike os tes ak Que Denes ee Pe we Titlepage, Preface, List of Members, and Contents. General Index to the Fifth Series. To Eee Ss, FIFTH SERIES. No. XXI. JANUARY 1888. I.—Notes on Woodpeckers.—No. XIV. On the Genus Gecinus. By Epvwarp Hareirt, F.Z.S. Since Malherbe’s monograph appeared new species have been added to the present genus, and through the earnest labours of many ornithologists a more thorough knowledge of the species comprised in it has been arrived at, while certain Gecini supposed to be distinct have been allotted to their true position. It is with the view of placing before the readers of ‘ The Ibis’ the present state of our acquaintance with the genus that I have undertaken its revision, adding a few notes which may possibly prove interesting. I have included in the genus Gecinus three species which are generally placed in the genus Chrysophlégma of Gould, viz. G. chlorolophus, G. chlorigaster, and G. puniceus, as I am of opinion that their true affinity is with the Gecini, and not with the other yellow- naped species composing the genus Chrysophlegma. Count Salvadori places G. puniceus in his genus Callolophus, but I think its characters are those of a Gecinus. Reichenbach, in bis ‘ Handbuch,’ includes nine species in the present genus. Of these G. karelini is generally admitted to be nothing more than G. viridis; while G. xanthopygius is, SER. V.—VOL. VI. B 2 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. in my opinion, only G. striolatus of Blyth, and this is the view taken by Malherbe. The latter author, in his monograph, enumerates twenty-four species under the genus Chloropicus, sixteen of which belong to the Old World and eight to the continent of America. Of the Old-World species I would eliminate from the present genus C. mentalis and C. miniatus, and place them in the genus Chrysophlegma, and refer C. karelint to our common Green Woodpecker, G. viridis ; the New-World species I would include in the genus Chlo- ronerpes. Sundevall, in his ‘ Conspectus,’ under Tribus 19, Picr virripes, includes ten species; of these I have united G. tancola and G. guerini. Gray, in his ‘ Hand-list,’ enu- merates seventeen Gecini, and among these he includes the yellow-naped species placed by modern authors in the genera Chrysophlegma and Callolophus. I unite his G. tancola and G. guerini, and consider that G. karelint must sink into a synonym of G. viridis. In the present genus I include sixteen species. Of these, three have been described since the time of Malherbe, viz. G. sharpii of Saunders, G. erythropygius of Elliot, and G. gorii, recently described by myself and subspecifically distinct from G. squamatus. Dr. Menzbier (Bull. Nat. Mosc. 1886, pt. 1, p. 440) has described a Gecinus from the Murgab river, which he names G. fiavirostris; but from the description I cannot see in what respect it differs from G. sguamatus, as he has omitted to give the characters (if any) which distinguish it from the latter species. Under the heading of G. sqguamatus I have entered more fully into this question, and have endea- voured to show that Dr. Menzbier’s G. flavirostris is not the same as my G. gorii, whatever else it may prove to be. I have done my best to make the synonymy in this paper as complete as possible, and to describe the various plumages of each species, as far as the series of specimens at my com- mand would permit. For want of a perfect series of the young, I have been compelled to omit them in the key. In the geographical distribution appended to each species I have been enabled, in some instances, to show an extended range and where this has been done I have specified the Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 3 birds which seem to me to warrant the extension. In addi- tion to the British Museum specimens (including the Hume collection) I have had my own large series to aid me in the conclusions I have come to, which have been arrived at after several years’ work. I am indebted to Captain Bing- ham and to Mr. Eugene Oates for many of the specimens which have served to make this paper fairly complete as regards the various stages of plumage described, and I have also to thank these gentlemen for many valuable notes. Key to the Species. a. Rump green or yellow. a’, No yellow nuchal crest; never any red on the wings. a, Under surface of the body perfectly uni- form; face grey or slightly tinged with green. a’. Nape black; occiput black, or grey striped with black. a‘, Tail black, the central pair of feathers with greyish spots upon both webs; eee stripe and bill black. pe C@rowaredancsee atin © scala stele occipitalis, § ad. o Crown black, like the cee and GTRPGR acre seta ate te earth omit cerate care occipitalis, 9 ad. 64, Tail entirely crossed by greyish bars ; malar stripe black; lower mandible yellow at the base. CaO rowiereGarriacin eee re a tae guerinti, 3 ad. d>, Crown and occiput grey, striped with black, sometimes almost en- tirely black yracc sere stteemleha es guerint, 2 ad. 6°, Nape grey. Cau ONO WNETEUM Ess ania tart eterna Ra ahe NG canus, S$ ad. d‘, Crown and occiput grey .......... canus, 2 ad. &?. Under surface of the body more or less distinctly varied on the abdomen, flanks, and thighs with somewhat V-shaped or crescent-shaped dusky markings. c’, Face grey, crossed by a whitish stripe from the base of the upper mandible to the upper extremity of the black malar stripe. Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. e+, Crown, occiput, and nape red ...... ft. Crown and occiput grey striped with black;mape red 92.0... jose enn d’, Face grey, without white stripe from the base of the upper mandible ; crown, occiput, and nape red, g'. Malar stripe red. s.4. «are ao Mueene hs. Malar stripe black..27-2.00.-.ee e®, Anterior half of face black; crown, occi- put, and nape red. eh Malar stripe ted . <0. snr «eae ye Mlalarstripe black. .\s.cmmisirariersr c®, Throat, chest, and sometimes upper breast uniform, remainder of the underparts varied with V-shaped, crescentic, or squa- mate markings of black, brown, or brown- ish olive. Jf?. Underparts below the breast with some- what V-shaped or crescent-shaped markings of black; malar stripe red. k*, Crown and occiput red, this colour spreading on to the black nape.... I’. Crown grey varied with black, occiput red, maperblack > one acs eaienienee g®. Throat and chest olivaceous ashy; under- parts below the chest covered with squamate markings of black; tail en- tirely barred; malar patch striped black and white. m*, Wing-coverts and scapulars, as well as the back, uniform; the squamate markings on the underparts broad ; tail black, narrowly barred with creamy white, the black interspaces showing clearly on the underside ; the white bars on the wings much narrower than the black. e’. Crown, occiput, and nape red .... f°. Crown, occiput, and nape black .. n* (pale form). Wing-coverts and scapu- lars barred with darker green; the squamate markings on the under- parts extremely narrow ; tail creamy white, narrowly barred with brown- ish black, these bars showing faintly vaillanti, go ad. vaillanti, 9 ad. sharpu, 3 ad. sharpu, 9 ad. viridis, 3 ad. viridis, 9 ad. awokera, ¢ ad. awokera, 2 ad. squamatus, 3 ad. squamatus, 2 ad. Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. on the under side, which is washed with golden yellow; the light bars on the quills as broad, or even broader, than the black. g°. Crown, occiput, and nape red .... gorw, d ad. h®, Crown, occiput, and nape black .. gor, 9 ad. A’, Throat and chest ochreous yellow, sometimes tinged with green; under- parts below the chest covered with elongated squamate markings of black- ish brown, and having a somewhat striped appearance ; tail black, the cen- tral feathers with oblique bar-like spots on the base of the inner web; malar patch black, striped with white. o*, Crown, occiput, and nape red...... vittatus, S ad. p*. Crown, occiput, and nape black .... vittatus, 2 ad. d?, The throat (generally), the chest, and re- mainder of the underparts always covered with elongated squamate markings of blackish or brownish olive. #3, Tail nearly uniform, the feathers having at most a few bar-like spots of buff or brownish white at the base of both webs, these being almost concealed by the coverts, the outer large feather minutely spotted on the external web ; malar patch black, striped with white ; throat sometimes uniform, q‘. Crown, occiput, and nape red ...... viridanus, ¢ ad. r*, Crown, occiput, and nape black .... viridanus, 9 ad. 7°. Tail more barred, the bars on the base of the central pair of feathers only partly hidden by the coverts, the outer large feather distinctly barred upon both webs along their whole length, and showing clearly on the underside ; malar patch greyish white, very nar- rowly striped with dusky olive or black; throat never uniform, s4, Crown, occiput, and nape red ...... striolatus, 3 ad. t+, Crown, occiput, and nape black .... strtolatus, 9 ad. b'. With yellow nuchal crest, and with more or less red on the wings. e*. Wing-coverts and outer webs of quills 6 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. (except the apical portion of the pri- maries) crimson. fe, Malar stripe ‘erimsom, 425) ele aeterie puniceus, g ad. B Wathout malar ‘stripe. < ss. seman puniceus, 2 ad. f°. Wing-coverts and quills green externally, the outer webs with a broad stripe of dull red running parallel with the shaft. m'’, Crown, occiput, and malar stripe Crimson, ... fs Ste Gate cee ee eee chlorigaster, § ad. n®, Occiput (only) crimson; no red malar SERIPO. cfr eale heen ed hots eee Ie chlorigaster, 2 ad. g°. Wing-coverts entirely green. o®. Base of the forehead, and a stripe bor- dering the forehead and occiput, and slightly indicated on the edge of the crown, crimson, this colour sometimes spreading on to the lower central fea- thers of the occiput; malar stripe red. chlorolophus, g ad. p®. Occiput (only) bordered with crimson ; nored melaristripen a... & ho.enetce chlorolophus, 2 ad. 6. Rump red; chin, throat, sides of the neck, and the upper chest yellow; underparts with dusky squamate markings; head black, with or without a yellow or yellowish-white stripe behind the eye. De TOWUNGLCM isa «choke isewin 384 tates ane lafaloteneeels erythropygius, ¢ ad. a. \Vithout Tedicrowm 2 . <7. .awleec Nermuies erythropygius, 2 ad. 1. GECINUS OCCIPITALIS. Picus oceipitalis, Vig. P. Z. 8. 1830, p. 8; Gould, Cent. B. Himal. M. pl. xlvu. (1832) ; McClell. P. Z.S. 1839, p. 165 ; Blyth.J. A. 8.5: x. p. 922 (1841)%5 id op: cit. xt p. 1002 (1843); id. op. cit. xiv. p. 191 (1845) ; Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 61 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. ii. p. 171 (1876). Picus barbatus, Gray, Hardw. Ill. Ind. Zool. i. pl. xxxi. fig. 2, ¢ (1830-82). Malacolophus occipitalis, Swains. Classif. B. i. p. 308 (1837). Brachylophus occipitalis, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus. nos. 149, 150 (g ¢); id. in Gray’s Mise. p. 85 (1844). Gecinus occipitalis, Gray, Cat. Mamm. &c. Nepal pres. Hodgs. p. 116 (1846); id. Gen. B. i. p. 488 (1846) ; Mr. BE. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. t Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 58, no. 263 (1849) ; Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 127 (1850); id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p- 10 (1854) ; Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picinz, p. 349, no. 798, pl. dexxi. figs. 4189, 4140 (1854) ; Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. ii. p. 661, no. 963 (1856- 58); Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 287 (1862); Tytler, Ibis, 1868, p- 202; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1868); Bulger, Ibis, 1869, p. 156; Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. 1870, p- 267; Gray, Hand-l. B. ii. p. 191, no. 8674 (1870) ; Cock & Marshall, Str. F. 1873, p. 350; Hume, op. cit. 1874, p. 472 ; id. & Oates, op. cit. 1875, p. 70; Blyth & Wald. B. Burm. p. 76 (1875); Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. 1876, p. 70; Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 26; id. & Davison, op. cit. 1878, pp- 137 & 501; Oates, op. cit. 1879, p. 165; Scully, tom. cit. p- 248; Bingh. op. cit. 1880, p. 164; Oates, op. cit. x. p. 191 (1882); Salv. Cat. Strick]. Coll. p. 390, no. 1908 (1882) ; Oates, B. Brit. Burm. ii. p. 51 (1883) ; Marshall, Ibis, 1884, p. 410. Chloropicos occipitalis, Malh. N. Classif. Mém. Acad. Metz, 1848-49, p. 351. Chloropicus occipitalis, Malh. Monogr. Picid. u. p. 129, pl. Ixxvii. figs. 4, 5 (1862). Gecinus striolatus (pt.), Anderson, Yunnan Exped.i. p. 585 (1878). Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform yel- lowish olive; wing-coverts uniform glossy golden olive; bastard-wing and primary-coverts dusky black, edged ex- ternally with dull green and spotted with greyish; quills dusky black, the outer webs of the primaries margined at the base with dull green, and notched along the whole length with white, those of the secondaries partially or entirely glossy golden olive; inner webs spotted or deeply notched (except at the tip) with white ; some of the inner secondaries entirely golden olive; shafts of the primaries dark brown, those of the secondaries black; rump yellowish olive, the feathers broadly margined and tipped with hght chrome- yellow ; upper tail-coverts yellowish olive; tail black, the two central feathers margined at the base with golden olive, 8 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. and having the basal portion faintly barred with brownish dusky ; dwarf feather tipped with yellowish green; shafts black, browner at the base; nasal plumes black ; base of the forehead, outer edge and posterior portion of the crown, and occiput intense black, with grey margins to the feathers, the latter parts having a striped appearance ; upper part of the forehead and the greater portion of the crown crimson ; nape intense black ; lores and sides of the face ashy grey; a black spot in front of the eye; hind neck and sides of the neck yellowish olive, the upper part of the latter greyer; a black malar stripe on a grey ground ; chin and throat buffy white, yellower on the fore neck ; from the chest to the under tail- coverts, inclusive, like the back, but a little duller in colour, except on the chest, which is yellower; under wing-coverts and axillaries white, tipped with pale yellow and broadly barred with black: “bill dull horny black ; orbital skin plumbeous; irides dark crimson ; feet plumbeous ; claws slaty ” (J. Scully). Total length 12°5 inches, culmen 1°65, wing 5°55, tail 4°15, tarsus 1:2; toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°8, outer posterior 0°75, inner anterior 0°67, inner posterior 0:4. In the Hume Collection there is a specimen of an adult male from Sikkim, of a beautiful golden green above and below, the feathers of the back as well as the scapulars — being edged with bright yellow; the wing-coverts rich olive- golden, inclining to golden brown; the quills and tail-fea- thers brown ; the chin and throat pale yellowish buff; and the fore neck, hkewise the sides of the neck, very yellow. Young male (July). Differs from the adult male in having the partly exposed bases of the feathers of the back more dusky; the wing-coverts and secondary quills less golden, the latter with the faintest trace of dusky-green bars; the central pair of tail-feathers rather more distinctly barred ; the forehead with a central spot of orange-red ; sides of the face mouse-grey ; the chin and throat transversely varied with dusky and having a spotted appearance; under surface of the body duller green, the sides of the body, flanks, and thighs having dusky olive spots and narrow transverse mark- Mr. H. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 9 ings of dull yellowish white ; the dusky abdomen with dull yellowish transverse markings. Adult female. Differs from the adult nrale in the absence of the crimson on the forehead and crown, these, as well as the occiput, being black, the feathers having grey margins and being rather lighter on the forehead, the whole having a striped appearance; the bars upon the central tail-feathers more distinct, and most of the others showing an indistinct trace of barring; the dark markings upon the under wing- coverts and axillaries browner: “ bill horny black ; orbital skin plumbeous grey; irides crimson ; feet plumbeous; claws slaty” (J. Scully). Total length 12°6 inches, culmen 1:45, wing 5°6, tail 3°8, tarsus 1°2. Young female (August). Differs from the young male in wanting the orange-red spot upon the forehead, this being, like the crown and occiput, grey striped with black. In ~ this specimen the chest and breast are greener, and the fea- thers of the sides of the body, flanks, and thighs are losing their yellowish-white transverse markings, and the trace of dusky-green barring on the secondary quills has disappeared. Nestling, apparently female (June 17th). More dingy in colour than the adult, and having the sides of the face less slaty and more of a mouse-grey ; a faint and narrow blackish moustachial stripe ; forehead, crown, and occiput dull black ; tail-feathers all barred, but not so distinctly as are the cen- tral pair in the adult ; flanks and thighs broadly barred with blackish. This specimen is in the British Museum, and forms part of Dr. Anderson’s Yunnan Collection. Dr. Scully (Str. F. 1879, p. 248) is perfectly right in calling in question Dr. Jerdon’s description of G. occipitalis. The mistake is no doubt to be attributed to an oversight on the part of the latter author, who must have been well acquainted with the species. Jerdon’s description of the male (B. Ind. 1. p. 288) is as follows :—“ Forehead and occiput dull scarlet ; top of the head, a broad occipital stripe extending to the nape, and another on each side under the eyes, black.” Dr. Scully describes this sex correctly when he writes :—“ Fore- head and top of the head red; occiput and nape black; a 10 Mv. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. black mandibular stripe on each side of the throat, extending _ to below the ear-coverts.”” The present species is nearly allied to G. guerini, but may be distinguished from it by its grey loral region, having only a small spot of black in front of the eye; by its powerful and entirely black bill; and, above all, by its tail, which is almost uniform black, with, at most, a few almost obsolete marginal spots, excepting the central pair of feathers, which are more distinctly spotted, whereas in G. guerini the central pair of tail-feathers are barred across, and the remaining ones are generally barred, although in some specimens these bars are wanting, but the outer large feather has always light spots or bars upon both webs, which are never found in G. occipitals. Burmese examples of the present species exceed in mea- surement those from Sikkim and Cachar. G. occipitalis has a wide range, being found throughout the whole extent of the Himalayas and in Cashmere, also in Yunnan, Cachar, Assam, British Burmah, and Siam. In the collection of the British Museum are examples from Cashmere obtained by Dr. Bellew. Almost every collection from the Himalayan range contains this species. Col. Tytler records it from between Simla and Mussoorie, and the Hume Collection con- tains examples from the middle ranges of hills north of the latter place. Dr. Scully writes, ‘‘it is not uncommon in the forests surrounding the valley of Nepal, where it also breeds,” and he says it is fairly common about Hetoura in December. Capt. Strachey obtained it in Kumaon, and it has been pro- cured in Sikkim by Capt. Bulger and others. In the British Museum there is a specimen of Gecinus from Momien, Yun- nan, collected by Dr. Anderson at 5500 feet elevation ; this bird is a nestling, and was obtained upon June 17th, and although it has been named G. striolatus by Dr. Anderson, I am, after a careful examination of specimens, inclined to refer it to the present species. Dr. Anderson procured in Yunnan a second specimen (now in the Calcutta Museum); and as he tells us that it is the common Woodpecker of the elevated region to the east of the Kakhyen Hills, and the bird in its adult plumage must have been well known to him, the pro- My. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 11 bability is that one of his specimens is true G. striolatus, and the young bird in the British Museum may have been wrongly identified. McClelland obtained the present species in Assam, and in N.E. Cachar Mr. Inglis says it is common. In Native Burmah it is probably to be found, but I have not seen any specimens from thence. The Hume Collection includes specimens from the Tipperah Hills. In Pegu, Mr. Eugene Oates writes that it is one of the commonest Wood- peckers, aud found all over the province. Messrs. Hume and Davison, in their “ Birds of Tenasserim ” (Str. F. 1878, vi. p. 137), inform us that G. occipitalis is confined to the northern and central portions of that province; and Mr. Davison, in his note, states, “This species is nowhere com- mon, I have not observed it anywhere south of Tavoy. It is most frequently seen in the immediate vicinity of Pahpoon, but does not ascend the hills, to the north of that place, for any distance. It is a bird of the thin forests, bamboo jungles, and clearings.” In the appendix to the same paper a speci- men is recorded from Tavoy. Capt Bingham found this species throughout the Thoungyeen valley; he states that it breeds alike in the north and in the south-west in April. The British Museum collection contains a male specimen of a Gecinus obtained at Pitchaburree, Siam, August 1868, by M. Pierre, which I have no doubt is G. occipitalis. 2. GECINUS GUERINI. Chloropicos guerini, Malh. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1849, p. 539. Gecinus guerini, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 127 (1850); id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854) ; Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 349, no. 796, pl. dexxu. figs. 4144, 4145 (1854) ; Horsf. & Moore. Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. ii. p. 659, no. 958 (1856-58) ; Swinh. Ibis, 1863, p. 96; id. P.Z.S. 1863, pp. 268 & 8383; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1868); id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8676 (1870) ; Swinh. P. Z. 8S. 1871, p. 392; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 52 (1877); H. H. Slater, Ibis, 1882, p.435; Seebohm, op. cit. 1884, p. 266. 12 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. Gecinus tancolo, Gould, P. Z. 8. 1862, p. 283; id. B. Asia, vi. pl. 35 (1864) ; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 53 (1877). Gecinus tancola, Swinh. Ibis, 1863, p. 389; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1868); id. Hand-l. B. i. p. 191, no. 8675 (1870); Swinh. P. Z. 8. 1871, p. 392. Chloropicus guerini, Malh. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 127, pl. Ixxx. figs. 4, 5 (1862). Picus guerini, Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 61 (1866) ; David, Nouv. Arch. du Mus. 1871, Bull. vii. p. 4; Giebel, Thes. Orn. iii. p. 157 (1876). Picus tancola, Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 61 (1866) ; David, Nouv. Arch. du Mus. 1871, Bull. vii. p. 4; Giebel, Thes. Orn. ii. p. 182 (1876). Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform green ; wing-coverts uniform, and more of a golden green; bastard- wing and primary-coverts dusky, spotted with grey, and having a barred appearance; quills brownish dusky, the outer webs of the primaries more or less edged at the base with green and obliquely barred with white; those of the secondaries being partially or entirely green, duller than the wing-coverts, faintly spotted with greyish, and having an indistinct barred appearance; the inner webs of all deeply notched and spotted with white; some of the inner quills almost entirely green; shafts brownish black; rump yel- lowish olive, the feathers broadly margined and tipped with chrome-yellow; upper tail-coverts more of a golden green, tipped with chrome-yellow ; central tail-feathers dusky, mar- gined at the base with yellowish olive and barred with ashy brown; the remainder browner, and more faintly barred with a lighter shade of brown; dwarf feather tipped with yellowish olive; shafts black, browner at the base; nasal plumes and base of the forehead ashy grey ; rest of the fore- head and fore part of the crown crimson, bases of the fea- thers grey; posterior portion of the crown greenish grey, streaked with black; nape black; loral region, above the eye, and entire side of the face ashy grey, rather lighter on the cheeks; a small black spot in front of the eye ; mous- tachial stripe black ; chin and throat buffy white; from the Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 13 chest to the vent, inclusive, yellowish ashy, greener on the chest and thighs; tibial plumes brownish ashy ; under tail- coverts similar to the under surface of the body, but having dusky V-shaped markings ; under wing-coverts white, slightly washed with yellow, and having irregular dusky brown mark- ings; axillaries white, with a pale yellow tinge, and having faint dusky bars: “irides pale rose-colour; bill plumbeous, the tip brown and the base of the lower mandible greenish ; feet dirty green; claws grey” (David & Oustalet). Total length 10°5 inches, culmen 1°65, wing 5:6, tail 3°85, tarsus 1:15; toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°78, outer pos- terior 0°72, inner anterior 0°58, inner posterior 0°35. Male nestling. Resembles in general coloration the adult male, but is less brilliant ; the two central rectrices not yet showing the barring of the full-grown bird ; the crimson patch on the fore part of the crown smaller ; chin and throat more of an ashy grey, and not tinged with buff; underparts dusky, with a tinge of yellowish olive, rather brighter on the chest. Adult female. Resembles the adult male, but is slightly duller in colour, and may be distinguished by the absence of red on the forehead and crown, these parts being grey, the crown narrowly striped with blackish; the striations on the occiput and the nape less black ; the stripe in front of the eye browner and extending to the nostrils; moustache less intense black ; the markings on the under tail-coverts fainter ; the rump less yellow, and the barring of the tail not so dis- tinct; the soft parts as in the male. Total length 10:2 inches, culmen 1°5, wing 5°3, tail 3°7, tarsus 1. Female nestling. Differs from the male nestling in the absence of the crimson on the fore part of the crown; some of the abdominal feathers tipped with pale yellowish, the half-concealed portion with an intermarginal V-shaped black marking, and giving to the abdomen a mottled ap- pearance. After an examination of the Swinhoe collection and other specimens in Mr. Seebohm’s cabinets, and also of the British Museum collection, I find every intermediate form between 14 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. the present species and Gould’s G. tancolo from Formosa, and I cannot detect any specific character by which the latter can be separated from G. guerini. Specimens identical with Formosan examples are found on the mainland, and although they are darker and have more black on the head and on the lores than the more northerly specimens, still, in a series, every possible gradation is found; and this being the case, I cannot see where the line is to be drawn. Swinhoe (Ibis, 1863, p. 889) mentions having obtained a male and two young birds in the mountainous country near Foochow, and states that they differed from the Formosan examples in having the two lateral tail-feathers banded with brownish white, and the pale bars on the two central feathers carried up to the shafts, instead of separated from them by a line of brown. All specimens of G. guerini have the lateral tail-feathers banded as in the Foochow birds, but in Formosan examples the barring is more obsolete. A specimen from Formosa in the Swinhoe collection, which I take to be the bird specially compared by Swinhoe with the Foochowan examples, has certainly the spots on the central pair of tail- feathers separated from the shaft by a dark line; but these feathers are new, being scarcely full-grown, and I believe this line to occur in the new and perfect feather. In an example, also from Formosa, haviag the plumage much worn, the spotting on the central tail-feathers appears nearer the shaft. G. guerini does not appear to be found north of Nankin (where it is replaced by G. canus), but extends over Central and Southern China into the island of Formosa. I have only seen one example from Nankin, and that is in the British Museum. Swinhoe writes that this species is found at Shanghai, &c., circa 30° latitude, and along the Yangtsze to Szechuan. Capt. Blakiston procured it on the same river, and specimens were also obtained between Hankow and Quaichow by Mrs. Greig and Dr. Reid. The Rev. H. H. Slater states that it is found in Woochung, Central Hoopih, and likewise records it from Szechuan. Mr. Seebohm’s collection contains specimens from Shanghai, le ee My. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 15 Chusan, Foochow, and Formosa, and I have in my own cabinet an example from the island of Pootoo (Pryer). David and Oustalet consider G. tancolo distinct from G. guerini, and Pére David gives us the following notes as to their range :—G. guerini. “ Peculiar to the central part of China. I have found it very plentiful in Southern Shen-see and along the Blue River (Yangtsze).” G. tancolo. “ Ihave found it from Fokien as far as Szechuan, and it is probable that it inhabits the whole south of China.” 3. GECINUS CANUS. The Grey-headed Green Woodpecker, Edwards, Nat. Hist. Birds, u. pl. Ixv. 9 (1747); Lath. Gen. Syn. 1. p. 583 (1782). Le Pie vert de Norwége, Briss. Orn. iv. p. 18 (1760). The Grey-headed Woodpecker, Penn. Arct. Zool. 11. p. 277 (1785). Picus canus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 434 (1788), ex Edwards ; Licht. Cat. Rer. Hamb. p. 18 (1793) ; Temm. Man. d’Orn. 1. p. 393 (1820) ; Brehm, Naturg. Eur. Vog. 1. p. 1385 (1823) ; Roux, Orn. Prov. i. p. 95, pl. lix. (1825); Valence. Dict. Sc. Nat. xl. p. 169 (1826) ; Naum. Voég. Deutschl. v. p. 286, pl. 1383 (1826) ; Risso, Eur. Mérid. 11. p. 60 (1826) ; Wagl. Syst. Av. Picus, sp. 33 (1827); Werner, Atlas, pl. 202 (1827) ; Gmriffith’s ed. Cuv. Anim. Kingd. Birds, 1. p. 439 (1829) ; Less. Traité, 1. p. 218 (1831) ; Ménétr. Cat. Rais. Cauc. p. 46, no. 132 (1832) ; Temm. Man. d’Orn. 2nd edit. pt. 3, Suppl. 1. p. 281 (1835) ; Gould, B. Eur. iu. pl. 227, ¢ @ ad. (1837) ; Schinz, Wirb. Schweiz, p. 92 (1837); Keys. & Blas. Wirb. Eur. p. 147 (1840); Schleg. Rev. Crit. Ois. d’Kur. p. xlix (1844); V. d. Miihle, Orn. Griechenl. p. 30 (1844) ; Schlegel, Vog. Nederl. p. 80, pl. 49, g 9 (1854— 58) ; Linderm. Vog. Griechenl. p. 41 (1860) ; Bree, B. Eur. ii. p. 186, pl. d figd. (1862) ; Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p- 61 (1866) ; Sabanaeff, Bull. Mosc. xli. pt. 2, pp. 185-197 (1869); Elw. & Buck. Ibis, 1870, p. 188; David, Nouv. Arch. du Mus. 1871, Bull. vii. p. 4; Mommsen, Griech. Jahresz. pt. i. p. 186 (1875) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. 11. p. 147 (1876) ; 16 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. Harv.-Brown, Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasg. 1877, p. 288 (ex Sabanaeff) ; Seeb. Ibis, 1882, p. 209. Picus norvegicus, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 286 (1790) ; Vieill. N. Dict. xxvi. p. 99 (1818). Picus viridi-canus, Meyer & Wolf, Taschenb. Vogelk. 1. p. 120 (1810). Picus chlorio, Pall. Zoogr. Rosso-Asiat. i. p. 408 (1811). Picus caniceps, Nils. Orn. Suec. 1. p. 105 (1817). Pic cendré, Temm. Man. d’Orn. 1. p. 393 (1820). Gecinus canus, Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 542; Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 200 (1831) ; Bp. Cat. Met. Ucc. Eur. p. 51 (1842) ; Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 488 (1846) ; De Filippi, Cat. Mus. Mediol. p. 21, no. 616 (1847) ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 58, no. 264 (1849) ; Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. 1. p. 126 (1850) ; id. Consp. Voluer. Zygod. p. 10 (1854) ; Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 348, no. 794, pl. dexx. figs. 4135, 4136 (1854); Powys, Ibis, 1860, p. 235; Swinh. op. cit, 1861, p. 338; Blakist. op. cit. 1862, p. 325; Swinh. P.Z.S. 1862, p. 319; id. op. cit. 1863, pp. 267, 833; Lilford, Ibis, 1866, p. 176; Whitely, op. cit. 1867, p. 195 ; Degl. & Gerbe, Orn. Eur. i. p. 157 (1867); Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 74 (1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8677 (1870) ; Salvad. Faun. d’Ital. Uce. p. 35 (1871); Saund. Ibis, 1871, p. 65; Swinh. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 392; Dubois, Consp. Av. Eur. p. 19 (1871); Bogd. B. Volga, p. 60, no. 42 (1871) ; Dress. B. Eur. v. p. 95, pl. cclxxxviil. (1872) ; Alst. & Harv.- Brown, Ibis, 1873, p.59; Irby, Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 72 (1875) ; Swinh. Ibis, 1875, p. 124; Danf. & Brown, tom. cit. p. 298 ; Swinh. tom. cit. p. 451; Blanf. Zool. E. Pers. u. p. 186 (1876); Tacz. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1876, p. 239; Prje- valsky, B. Mongolia, in Rowley’s Orn. Misc. i1. p. 279 (1877) ; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 51 (1877) ; Saund. Bull. Soe. Zool. France, 1877, p. 325; Tacz. op. cit. 1878, p. 1389; Blakist. & Pryer, Ibis, 1878, p. 229; Bogd. B. Cauc. p. 120 (1879) ; Goebel, Vog. Uman. Kr. p. 154, no. 140 (1879) ; Russow, Orn. Esth-, Liv- u. Kurl. p. 118 (1880); Brandt, J. f. O. 1880, p. 229; Seeb. Ibis, 1880, p.181 ; Gigl. op. cit. 1881, p. 191; Wharton, tom. cit. p. 257; Collett, Norg. eee a eee Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. VG Fuglef. p. 314 (1881); Blakist. & Pryer, Trans. As. Soc. Jap. 1882, p. 186; Seeb. Ibis, 1882, p. 373; Salv. Cat. Strick]. Coll. p. 390, no. 1907 (1882); Seeb. Ibis, 1883, p. 23; Radde, Orn. Cauc. p. 307 (1884) ; Gigl. Avif. Ital. p. 206 (1886) ; Salvad. Uce. Ital. p. 67 (1887). Le Pie vert a téte grise, Risso, Eur. Mérid. ii. p. 60 (1826); Valence. Dict. Sc. Nat. xl. p. 169 (1826). Colaptes canus, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274. Colaptes viridicanus, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274. Colaptes caniceps, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274. Gecinus viridicanus, Brehm, Vig. Deutschl. p. 199 (1831). Gecinus caniceps, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 201 (1831). Malacolophus canus, Swains. Classif. B. ii. p. 308 (1837). Chloropicus canus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. i. pp. 124, 294, pl. Ixxxi. figs. 1, 2 (1862). Picus canus jessoensis, Stejneger, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1886, p. 106. Picus canus perpallidus, Stejneger, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1886, p. 107 (footnote). Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform bright green; wing-coverts uniform and of a browner shade of green; bastard-wing and primary-coverts dusky, spotted with greyish and having a barred appearance ; quills dusky black, the outer webs of the primaries margined at their base with green, and diagonally barred with whitish; those of the secondaries partially or entirely green, very faintly barred with a darker shade and havimg indistinct greyish spots; the inner webs of all deeply notched with pure white; shafts black ; ramp and upper tail-coverts green, the feathers tipped with chrome-yellow, this colour being very conspicuous on the rump; tail brownish dusky, the feathers more or less margined at the base with green; the central pair rather lighter, and having faint greyish spots along both webs near the shafts; dwarf feather greenish at the tip; shafts dusky brown, with black tips; nasal plumes black, grey at the base; lores intense black; at the base of the upper mandible a narrow band of grey; forehead and fore part of the crown bright crimson, narrowing towards the centre of the latter, SER, V.—VOL. VI. c 18 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. bases of the feathers dark grey; outer edge of the forehead and of the fore part of the crown grey; a whitish spot above the eye; posterior half of the crown greenish grey, streaked with dusky green; hind neck green; side of the face grey, becoming greener on the ear-coverts and side of the neck; a narrow intense black moustache; chin and throat uniform buffy white, more tinged with green on the fore neck; underparts greenish grey, with a few very faint crescent-shaped markings of a darker shade on the abdomen ; thighs having V-shaped markings of olive, with a white centre; under tail-coverts greenish grey, with broad V- shaped whitish markings between two dusky ones ; under wing-coverts white, faintly tinged with yellow and barred with blackish ; axillaries yellowish white, with pale dusky bars: “ bill horny brown, more coloured above than below ; ims pale red ; feet black” (Degland & Gerbe). Total length 12 inches, culmen 1°65, wing 5:8, tail 3°95, tarsus 1:1 ; toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°77, outer posterior 0-77, inner anterior 0°6, inner posterior 0°37. Younger male. With the upper parts greyer than in the fully adult ; wing-coverts and secondaries of a dingy green ; the tail paler and of a browner tint ; the red of the forehead and crown less brilliant, and the bases of the feathers greyer ; the posterior part of the crown and the nape ofa bluish grey ; sides of the face and neck buffy grey, not washed with green ; chin more of a pale buff; entire underparts uniform buffy grey ; the thighs tinged with green; under tail-coverts buffy grey, tipped with yellow. Total length 10°5 inches, culmen 1°6, wing 5°5, tail 3°6, tarsus 1:1. Adult female. Different from the adult male in the absence of red on the forehead and fore crown, these parts being greenish grey streaked with blackish; the rest of the crown and the nape greyer than in the male; fore part of the cheeks lighter grey; chin and throat whiter; chest and upper breast paler green; the abdominal markings a little darker, those on the thighs being fainter and just visible; under wing-coverts whiter. Total length 11:1 inches, culmen 1-4, wing 5°55, tail 3°9, tarsus 0°95. Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 19 It is a matter of surprise that Linneus did not know G. canus, although found in his own country, and that he did not recognize either Edwards’s figure of the present bird or Brisson’s description as belonging to a species distinct from G. viridis. It is just probable that he regarded the two species as one. The present bird is so well known to all subsequent authors as to call for very few remarks. Dr. Stejneger has recently issued a review of the Japanese Wood- peckers (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1886, pp. 99-124), in which he describes a new subspecies under the name of Picus canus jessoensis, the diagnosis of which he gives as follows :— “Similar to Picus canus viridi-canus (Meyer & Wolf), but the whole head strongly tinged with green and the under surface lighter and clearer ; black streaks (in the male) on pileum and occiput longer.” The habitat is said to be “apparently confined to the island of Yesso, Japan.” In the notes which follow, Dr. Stejneger writes, “ European specimens exhibit two different styles, which agree in having the head grey;” and further on, in writing about the Japanese bird, he says “the chief character of this form, however, is the strong suffusion of green on the head,” and he adds :—“ In European examples there is a just perceptible shade of greenish on the top of the head and middle of hind neck, but the sides are decidedly grey.”” Now I have before me two specimens (both females) from Hakodati, dated October 10th and 12th, collected by Mr. Henson; and alongside of these I have placed two specimens from the Vosges (Mougel), one being a female obtained in December, the other a male, but without date. With the exception of the sexual distinctions, these four birds could not be separated. One of the females from Hakodati has an almost imper- ceptible greener shade on the face than the Vosges female, but really so slight as scarcely to be observed; but the Vosges bird has the crown, occiput, and nape quite as green as this Japanese specimen, if not more so. ‘The other Hakodati example is not at all greener on the face than the Vosges birds, and has the crown, occiput, and nape greyer than the Vosges female, and the occiput and nape greyer than G2 20 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. the Vosges male. I single out these European specimens as being identical with those from Yesso ; but our European birds also vary in colour, and this occurs in examples from the same locality: for instance, another Vosges female in my collec- tion differs from the first-mentioned female from the same locality in having the crown and occiput very much greyer and the crown more broadly striped with black. As our European specimens from the same locality vary in colour, one would naturally expect those from Japan would likewise exhibit more than one phase of coloration, and this is very clearly shown to be the case by an example of a female in my collection obtained at Saporo, in May (7. W. Blakiston). This bird has the whole of the head and neck perfectly grey, without a trace of green; the whole of the back is also very grey, and the under surface of the body is of a greyish white, with only a perceptible tinge of greenish. It seems to me that if every slight variation of colour necessitates the creation of subspecies, then there would be no limit to such in both Gecinus viridis and G. canus. Specimens of G. canus from Eastern Siberia are, as a rule, greyer on the head and neck than Western birds, and resemble more my Saporo example; but I have a female of this species, obtained at Elbeuf, Seine-Inférieure, in June (Nowry), which has the head and neck almost as grey as in specimens from Eastern Siberia, but the colour is of aless blue-grey. I have not the slightest doubt that in a series of the present species, from any locality, examples will be found possessing the grey or the greenish head, depending upon conditions I am not altogether able to account for. In the same paper (p. 107, footnote) Dr. Stejneger de- scribes another Woodpecker similar to his P. jessoensis, but which, he says, differs from the latter in the following points :—‘‘ It is pale grey-headed, with grey forehead, and altogether without any brown admixture, resembling most closely the Norwegian true P. canus, but very much paler and with a decided white superciliary spot; the yellow on the rump is very restricted, being chiefly confined to the upper tail-coverts and of a clear lemon-colour.” This bird, which Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 21 Dr. Stejneger designates Picus canus perpallidus, is a male, and was collected at Sidinij, Ussuri, November 25th, 1884, by Mr. I. Kalinowski, and the dimensions are given as follows :—“ Wing 144 millim., tail-feathers 96, expos. culmen 35.” ‘This bird appears to agree with specimens from Eastern Siberia, of which I have examples, but not sufficiently to prove what I have already stated and fully expect a series from the same locality would show, namely, specimens differ- ing from those typical of Dr. Stejneger’s P. canus perpallidus, and not to be distinguished from the true Gecinus canus of Europe ; and in support of this view I will quote M. Tacza- nowski’s remarks upon G. canus in his “ Revue Critique de la Faune Ornithologique de la Sibérie Ovientale” (Bull. Soe. Zool. France, 1876, p. 239) :—“Trouvé partout en Sibérie méridionale, sur Amour et dans le pays de Ussuri. Sou- vent on y trouve cles individus fort cendrés, mais il y a aussi des exemplaires tout a fait comme ceux de l’Europe.” I cannot, I am sorry to say, recognize either of Dr. Stejneger’s new subspecies, both of which I am obliged to place under G. canus. I may add that Vosges examples of this species have the white superciliary spot fully as well marked as in birds from Eastern Siberia. The present species has the most extended range of all the Gecini, being found throughout the greater part of Europe, in Southern and Eastern Siberia, Manchuria, Mon- golia, the northern part of China, and in the island of Yezo. It has been recorded by Dr. Collett from Odalen in Norway, and Herr Meves and also Wheelwright have obtained it in Sweden. The latter naturalist did not, however, procure the species in Lapland during his tour. It is unknown in the British Isles. In France it does not appear to be abundant ; I have received it from the north, and also from the Vosges mountains. In Spain it also appears to be far from common ; Lord Lilford observed it at Casa de Campo, near Madrid, but he considers it by no means common. Mr. Howard Saunders includes G. canus in his ‘ List of the Birds of Southern Spain ” (Ibis, 1871, p. 65), and writes :—“ I did not identify this species in the flesh; but I have seen specimens, and believe 22 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. it to be common, taking the place of G. viridis (G. sharpii) in the higher woods.” According to the same author, it is said to occur in the forests of the Sierra Nevada and of the Province of Murcia. Lieut.-Col. Irby states that in the Museum at Seville there is a specimen, said to have been obtained in the neighbourhood. This species is said to be tolerably common in Switzerland. In Italy, according to Prof. Giglioli, this species is very rare and exclusively alpine, but it is less uncommon in the Eastern Alps. Mr. Danford procured it in Transylvania. The Hon. T. L. Powys (Lord Lilford) observed it near Cettinye, in Montenegro. Messrs. Elwes and Buckley found it near Babadagh, in Bulgaria, and it has been obtained near Constantinople by Robson. Both Lindermeyer and Von der Miihle include the species in their ‘Birds of Greece.” In Russia, according to Herr Henke (Seebohm, Ibis, 1882, p. 378), it is a somewhat rare resident near Archangel: Messrs. Alston and Harvie-Brown found specimens in the Museum of that town. Brandt says it is not very frequent in the Province of Petropolitana. It is also found in Esthonia, Livonia, and Kurland (Russow, Orn. Esth-, Liv- u. Kurl. p. 118, 1880) ; but it is not so common as G. viridis, and prefers small copses to Jarge forests. Goebel states that in Uman it is “not rare, though scarcely to be called a common bird.” Sabanaeff, in his “ Avifauna of the Ural” (Bull. Mose. xlii. pt. 2, pp. 185-197, 1869), writes :—‘ Has not been found on the eastern declivity north of Ekaterinburg. On the western slope it is rather common, but does not breed in the birch-woods of the eastern slope.” Bogdanow, in his ‘ Birds of the Volga’ (p. 60. no. 42, 1871), observes :—“ It is strange that, up to the present time, I hardly ever met with this species in the Provinces of Kasan and Simbersk, although there is no doubt that it occurs here, having several times been brought to the Kasan Museum from the vicinity of that town. According to Riekheil’s observations it is resident in the woods of the Volga valley and about Sarepta, and has been procured by Henke near Astrachan.”’ The last statement does not agree with that of Mr. Seebohm (Ibis, 1882, p. 209) ; the Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 23 latter author says that Henke did not meet with it near Astrachan. I have in my collection a specimen from Sarepta. Ménétries, in his ‘ List of the Birds of the Caucasus,’ ob- serves :—“ Found in the gardens of Kizil-Agaz and near Lenkoran.” The present species is also included in Radde’s ‘ Birds of the Caucasus,’ but Bogdanow did not meet with it. In Asia Minor G. canus does not exist. Severtzoff did not meet with this species in Turkestan; and although Mr. Blan- ford does not include it in his ‘ Birds of Eastern Persia,’ he says “its occurrence at Ghilan and Mazandaran is highly probable.” It does not appear to be found in Western Siberia, according to Dr. Finsch. Dr. 'Taczanowski (Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1876, p. 239) observes :—“ This species is found everywhere in Southern Siberia, on the Amoor, and in the country of the Ussuri.” I have in my collection several examples from Eastern Siberia (Dérries), and M. Jankowski states that it is tolerably common in the Island of Askold. It also occurs in South Manchuria, specimens (obtained by Dr. H. M. James) having been recently added to the collec- tion in the British Museum. This species is also found in Mongolia; and although inadvertently omitted in the list of the birds of that country contained in Prjevalsky’s “ Birds of Mongolia” &c. (Rowley’s Orn. Misc.), there can be no doubt that it does exist there, since, in that work, vol. 11. pp. 278, 279 (1877), under the heading of Cyanopolius cyanus (which species Prjevalsky says he met with im the Guchin-gurb mountains of S.E. Mongolia, but did not find either in the Ala-shan or in the Hoang-ho valley, although it is very abundant in Kan-su), the following observation occurs :—‘ It is very remarkable that, whenever we met with these birds, I found some specimens of Gecinus canus in their company, which followed the Magpies everywhere.” In China the present species is confined to the north. According to Swinhoe it is common about Chefoo and Pekin, and it does not range so far south as Shanghai and the Yangtze Plain, where it is replaced by G. guerint. David and Oustalet state that it is found all the year in Northern China, where it is very common. In Japan it is confined, so far as is at 24 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. present known, to the island of Yezo. Capt. Blakiston obtained it at Hakodadi, and Mr. Whitely tells us that it is common in the vicinity of that town. Roux, in his ‘ Orni- thologie de Provence,’ p. 96, gives the north of America as a habitat of the present species ; but no Gecini have ever been found in the New World. 4, GECINUS VAILLANTI. Picus (Chloropicus) viridis (non Linn.), Malh. Cat. Rais. Ois. d’Algér., Mém. Soc. d’Hist. Nat. Metz, 1846, p. 17. Picus (Chloropicus) canus (non Gm.), Malh. Cat. Rais. Ois. d’Algér., Mém. Soc, d’Hist. Nat. Metz, 1846, p. 17. Chloropicus vaillantii, Malh. Mém. Acad. Metz, 1846-47, p- 130; id. N. Classif. op. cit. 1848-49, p. 351; id. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 122, pl. Ixxxi. figs. 1-3 (1862). Picus algirus, Levaill. Jr. Expl. Se. d’Algér., Ois. pl. v. (1848-49) ; Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 60 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. i. p. 140 (1876). Gecinus alyirus, Gray, Gen. B. ii. App. p. 21 (1849) ; Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 348, no. 793, pl. dexx. fig. 4134 (1854). Gecinus vaillantii, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 126 (1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854) ; Loche, Cat. Mamm. ev is. d’Ale.: sp; 191,! p. 92) (1858) 5 Triste. bis, 1832 p. 159; Salv. tom. cit. p. 315; Tristr. op. cit. 1860, p. 373; Drake, op. cit. 1867, p. 425; Loche, Expl. Se. d’Algér. 1. p. 83 (1867) ; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8673 (1870); Tacz. J... O: 1870, p. 40; Gurney, Jun., Zool. 1871, p. 2579; Dresser, B. Eur. v. p. 93, pl. cclxxxvil. (1873) ; Irby, Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 72 (1875). Picus viridis (non Linn.), Carstensen, Naumanuia, 11. pt. 1, p. 77 (1852). Adult male. Entire back and scapulars yellowish olive ; the feathers of the rump, also the upper tail-coverts, similar, and margined with chrome: yellow, a few of the former tinged with orange; wing-coverts slightly darker than the back ; exposed portion of bastard-wing dusky, spotted with dull ee ee ee se Py ia oe oa ephi Tunst. Oru: Brit. p.2 (1771); Gm. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 433 (1788); Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. p. 234 (1790) ; Licht. Cat. Rer. Hamb. p. 17 (1793); Meyer & Wolf, Hist. Nat. Ois. de l’Allem: p. 155 pl. x. 2 adj, pl. x1. juv. (1805) ; Pall. Zoogr. Rosso-Asiat. 1. p. 408 (1811); Leach, Syst. Cat. Brit. Mus. p. 12 (1816) ; Nils. Orn. Suec. i. p. 103 (1817); Cuv. Rég. Anim. i. p. 422 (1817); Vieill. N. Dict. Xxvi. p. 95 (1818) ; Temm. Man. d’Orn. 1. p. 391 (1820) ; Brehm, Naturg. Eur. Vog. i. p. 184 (1823) ; Roux, Orn. Prov. 1. p. 92, pls. 57, 58 (1825) ; Valence. Dict. Se. Nat.xl. p- 169 (1826) ; Risso, Eur. Mérid. ii. p. 60 (1826); Naum. Vog. Deutschl. v. p. 270, pl. exxxii. (1826) ; Wagl. Syst. Av. Picus, sp. 32 (1827) ; Savi, Orn. Tose. i. p. 140 (1827) ; Werner, Atl. pl. 201 (1827); Flem. Hist. Brit. Anim. p. 91 (1828) ; Cuv. Régn. Anim, 1. p. 449 (1829) ; Griffith’s ed. Cuv. Anim. Kingd. Bds. ui. p. 439 (1829) ; Less. Traité, i p- 218 (1831); Ménétr. Cat, Rais. Cauc. p. 46, no. 133 (1832) ; Selby, Brit. B. i. pt. 2, p.372, pl. xxxvii. ¢ (1833) ; Jenyns, Man. Brit. Vertebr. p. 148 (1835) ; Temm. Man. @Orn. 2nd ed. pt. 3. Suppl. p. 280 (1835); Gould, B. Eur. il. pl. 226, g ad. &juv. (1837) ; Schinz, Wirb. Schweiz, p. 91 (1837); Jard. & Selb. Ill. Orn. i. p. 372 (1839) ; Macgill. Hist. Brit. B. ii. p. 91 (1840) ; Keys. & Blas. Wirb. Eur. p. 147 (1840) ; Yarr. Hist. Brit. B. 11. p. 1382 (1843) ; Schleg. Rev. Crit. Ois. d’Eur. p. xlix (1844); Drumm. Ann. Nat. Hist. 1846, p.13; Baikie and Hedd. Hist. Nat. Orcad. pt. 1], p-49 (1848) ; Schleg. Vog. Nederl. p.79, Se 3 2 (1854-58) ; Hewits. Eggs Brit. B. 1. p. 239, pl. 1xi. fig. 2 (1856); Linderm. Vog. Griechenl. p. 41 (1860) ; Sunde: Consp. Av. Picin. p- 60 (1866) ; Stev. B. Norf. 1. p. 285 (1866); Wise, New For. p. 272, and App. ii. p. 308 (1867) ; Cecil Smith, Bds. Somerset, p. 247 (1869) ; Sabanaeff, Bull. Mose. xlii. pt. ii. pp. 185-197 (1869); Elw. & Buckl. Ibis, 1870, p. 188; R. Gray, B. W. Scotl. p. 189 (1871) ; Harting, Handb. Bain B. p. 82 (1872) ; Cord. Ibis, 1875, p. 184: Mommsen, Griech. Jahresz. pt. 111. p. 186 (1875) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. iii. p. 185 (1876) ; Schleg. Vog. Nederl. p. 38, pl. v. figs. 3-5 (1878) ; Elwes, Ibis, 1880, p. 396; Seeb. op. cit. 1882, p. 209. 32 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. Picus semirostris, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 175 (1766) ; Mull. Linn. Naturg. pt. 1. p. 225 (1773) ; Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 435 (1788) ; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 288 (1790). The Yellow Blue-footed Persian Woodpecker, Lath. Syn. ii. p. 584 (1782) Half-billed Woodpecker, Lath. Gen. Syn. B. ii. p. 586 (1782). Picus persicus, Gm. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 4385, no. 34 (1788) ; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 236 (1790). Colaptes pinetorum, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274. Colaptes frondium, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274. Colaptes virescens, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274. Colaptes viridis, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274. Gecinus viridis, Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 542; Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 198 (1831) ; Ross, P. Z.S. 1842, p.1; Bp. Cat. Met. Ucc. Eur. p. 51 (1842); Gray, Gen. “B. i. p. 438 (1846) ; De Filippi, Cat. Mus. Mediol. p. 21, no. 793 (1847) ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 57, no. 259 (1849) ; Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. 1. p. 126 (1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854); Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 347, no. 793, pl. dexx. figs. 4181-33 (1854) ; Powys, Ibis, 1860, p. 285; Salvad. Ucc. Sard. p. 32 (1864); Gigl. Ibis, 1865, p58; More, tom. cit. p.135; Degl. & Gerbe, Orn. Hurt p. 156 (1867) ; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 72 (1868) ; Doderl. Avif. Sic. p.-50 (1869) ; Gray, Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8671 (1870); Salvad. Faun. d’Ital. Ucc. 1. p. 34 (1871) ; Dress. B. Eur. v. p. 77, pl. eclxxxv. (1871) ; Dubois, Consp. Ay. Hur. p. 19 (1871); Bogd. B. Volga, p. 60, no. 41 (1871) ; Garrod, Ibis, 1872, p. 8359; Gould, B. Gr. Brit. 11. pl. Ixxiv. ¢ 2, pl. Ixxv. juv. (1873); Brooke, Ibis, 1873, p- 235; Danf. & Harv.-Br. op. cit. 1875, p. 298; Blanf. Zool. HK. Pers. 1. p. 135 (1876); Danf. Ibis, 1877, p. 264; id. op. cit. 1878, p.6; Bogd. B. Cauc. (Russ.), p. 119, no. 184 (1879); Goebel, Vog. Uman. Kr. p. 154 (1879) ; Russow, Orn. Esth-, Liv- u. Kurl. p. 117 (1880); Brandt, J. f. O. 1880, ‘p. 229; Wharton, Ibis, 1881, p. 257; Gigl. t. e. p- 191; Buchn. & Pleske, Orn. St. Pétersb. Gouvern. p. 76 (1881) ; Collett, Norges Fuglef. p. 314 (1881); Newt. ed. Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 33 Yarr. Brit. B. ii. p. 457 (1881); Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll. p- 389, no. 1906 (1882); Seeb. Ibis, 1883, p. 22; Irby, t. c. p. 179; Radde, Orn. Cauc. p. 304 (1884); Clarke, Ibis, 1884, p. 144; Saund. t. c. p. 379; Seeb. Hist. Brit. B. i. p. 364, pl. xvii. (1884) ; Gigl. Avif. Ital. p. 205 (1886) ; Salvad. Ucc. Ital. p. 67 (1887); Backhouse, Ibis, 1887, pore: Gecinus pinetorum, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 197 (1831). Gecinus frondium, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 197 (1831). Gecinus virescens, Brehm, V6g. Deutschl. p. 199 (1831). Malacolophus viridis, Swains. Classif. B. 1. p. 808 (1837). Brachylophus viridis, Jard. Nat. Libr. x. p. 355 (1839). Picus karelini, Brandt, Bull. Sc. Acad. Imp. St. Pétersb. ix. p. 12 (1842). Gecinus karelini, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 438 (1846); Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 126 (1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854); Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 349, no. 795 (1854); Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 74 (1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. i. p. 191, no. 8678 (1870). Chloropicos viridis, Malh. N. Classif., Mém. Acad. Metz, 1848-49, p. 351. Chloropicus viridis, Malh. Monogr. Picid. i. p. 118, pl. Ixxix. figs. 1-4 (1862). Chloropicus karelint, Malh. Monogr. Picid. i. p. 126 (1862). Gecinus saundersi, Tacz. J. f. O. 1878, p. 349. Adult male. Above uniform vivid green; wing-coverts uniform green, slightly darker than the back ; bastard-wing and primary-coverts black, edged externally with green and spotted with greyish, having a barred appearance ; primaries black, edged externally with green, and having numerous patches of white on the outer webs, the inner having their basal half spotted with white; outer webs of secondaries green, with traces of whitish spots ; inner webs black, deeply notched or barred with white, the tips washed with green; shafts black ; rump bright chrome-yellow ; tail-coverts green, edged with bright chrome-yellow; tail black, edged with green at the base and barred with light brownish grey ; dwarf SER. V.—VOL. VI. D 84 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. feather dusky black, edged and broadly tipped with green ; shafts black; forehead, crown, and nape crimson, bases of the feathers leaden grey; lores and space around the eye, including front half of the ear-coverts, black; malar patch crimson, bordered with black; posterior half of ear-coverts and side of face pale greyish green, shading into brighter green down the side of the neck; hind neck of the same eolour as the back; chin and throat dirty greenish white ; chest and breast pale greyish green inclining to yellow; remainder of the underparts of a brighter yellow, with in- distinct dusky tips to the feathers; thighs with cross mark- ings of olive; under tail-coverts dirty yellowish white, with broad V-shaped markings of greenish dusky; under wing- coverts pale yellow, banded with dusky olive; axillaries yellow, the basal portion being white: “ bill greyish black, the lower mandible with a yellowish longitudinal band near the base ; irides white; feet dull bluish grey, the claws light greyish brown, with a tinge of blue” (Macgillivray). Total length 12:4 inches, culmen 1°9, wing 6°5, tail 4, tarsus 1:2; toes (without claws)—-outer anterior 0°85, outer posterior 0°8, inner anterior 0°68, inner posterior 0°4. Nestling, male. Feathers of the back and the scapulars yellowish olive on the tips and margins, and crossed by a yellowish bar with a white shaft-spot, the bases dusky ; rump chrome-yellow, with dusky or dusky olive and white bars showing through; upper tail-coverts tipped and margined with chrome-yellow, the remaining part of the feathers dusky or dusky olive, crossed by brownish-white bars ; wing-coverts dusky, more or less washed with yellowish-olive and barred with dull white ; bastard-wing and primary-coverts dusky black, edged externally with dull yellowish olive, and having marginal spots of dull white; primaries dusky black, the outer webs spotted along their whole length with white, the innermost margined with yellowish olive, and the inner webs of these spotted with white on the basal margin; the secon- daries having the outer webs yellowish olive, the outermost with a trace of dull white spotting, inner webs dusky black, yellowish olive on the tip, with transverse marginal spots of . { amt; ~~ era Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 35 white, the innermost feathers almost entirely washed with yellowish olive, with dull white or yellowish bars; shafts dusky black; tail dusky black, the lateral feathers having greyish barring, more or less oblique; shafts dull black ; nasal plumes grey; lores dusky black, spotted with greenish white, except immediately in front of the eye; forehead, crown, occiput, and nape scarlet, the tips of the feathers being of this colour, succeeded by a dusky spot, and having leaden-grey bases; hind neck dusky black striped with white, the lower part washed with greenish; face greenish or yel- lowish white striped with dusky black ; the supercilium dusky black spotted with greenish white ; malar stripe dusky black, the anterior half spotted with greenish white, the feathers of the posterior half tipped with scarlet; chin, throat, sides of the neck, and fore neck yellowish white striped with dusky black ; the whole of the under surface of the body yellowish white, covered with varied transverse markings of blackish olive, the thighs barred with the same; under tail-coverts yellowish white barred with dusky black; under wing- coverts creamy white, with varied olive, black, and dusky markings. Adult female. Resembles the adult male, but has the malar patch black ; the abdomen with dusky V-shaped markings ; the thigh-markings less pronounced; the tail not so black, and the shafts brown at the base; the rump of a richer and deeper yellow. Total length 12-4 inches, culmen 1:7, wing 6°25, tail 3°9, tarsus 1°15. Nestling, female. Resembles the male nestling, but wants the red on the malar stripe, this being dusky black spotted with dull greenish white. The nestlings of this species differ from those of G. sharpit in having the face yellowish white striped with black; the supercilium spotted with olivaceous white; in not having any grey on the sides of the fore neck and chest ; the mark- ings on the under surface of the body being more transverse, and the upper tail-coverts barred with dusky olive and dull white. This is, perhaps, the best known of all the Gecini, and the D2 36 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. only remarks I think it necessary to make upon it are brought forward with the view of pointing out the various so-called species, to which other titles have been assigned, but which, in my opinion, must be referred to G. w- ridis. I think there can be no doubt that the bird de- scribed by Aldrovandi (Orn. p. 850) as Picus luteus cyanopus persicus was nothing more than the present species ; the de- scription was taken from a painting seen in Venice, and not from the bird itself; the latter is said to have come from Persia, and appears, from the description, to be only a phase of plumage found occasionally in specimens of Gecini, of different species, inhabiting warm countries. Picus semi- rostris of Linnzus was founded upon a mutilated specimen of the present species, and which Sundevall states is still m the Stockholm Museum. Le Pic Verd du Mewxique of Brisson (Orn. iv. p. 16) was founded on a bird described and figured by Seba (Cab. Cur. Nat. i. pt. 2, p. 100, pl. Ixiv. fig. 8, 1734) as Ardea mexicana, but which is really our G. viridis, furnished with the legs of another bird, not a Woodpecker. Seba’s description of the bird and his figure do not agree, as he makes no mention of the lores and space round the eye being red, as represented in his plate. Brisson, in his description of Le Pic Verd du Meaique, evidently taken from Seba, shows that he recognized the bird as a Wood- pecker and not a Heron; and he has consequently, upon his own responsibility, bestowed upon it the legs of a Zygodactyle bird. Picus karelint of Brandt was described from a specimen obtained in the environs of Astrabad, N. Persia. At my request Mr. Seebohm examined the type, which exists in the Museum of St. Petersburg, and he informs me that he considers it to be nothing more than G. viridis ; and this is the opinion held by Bogdanow. Gecinus saundersi of 'Taczanowski, from the Caucasus, must, in my opinion, be referred to G. viridis ; and this is the view taken by Bogdanow and Seebohm. I have in my collection specimens from Lenkoran which are identical with our own Green Wood- pecker A curious variety of the present species, with flame- coloured rump and yellow bands on the wings, is in the pos- Ce , ; a - a 4 4 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 37 session of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. (vide ‘Zoologist,’ 1853, p. 3800). Mr. Robert Birkbeck (op. cit. 1854, p. 4250) mentions having seen three or four similar examples in the Pisa Museum. Next to G. canus the present bird has the most extended range of all the Gecini, inhabiting the greater part of Europe, and being likewise found in Asia Minor and Persia. Wheel- wright did not meet with this species in Lapland. In Norway; Dr. Collett records it from Tys Fjord, but it is rarely found further north than latitude 60°. It was also frequently observed by Mr. Hewitson during his visit to Norway ; and in writing on the subject (Mag. of Zool. & Bot. 1. p. 813, 1838) he supplies us with the following interesting note :—‘‘ We saw several near one of the churches, in the steeple of which (being of wood) they had bored several holes in which to deposit their eggs.”” In Sweden its general vange does not appear to be further north than latitude 60°, although Herr Meves observed it as far north as Jemtland. In our own islands, Baikie and Heddle never found this species in Orkney, but mention having heard of one or two specimens being obtained. According to the best authori- ties it appears to have occurred but rarely in Scotland. It ts also rare in the North of England, its true home being the more southern couuties. In the New Forest (proper) it is tolerably plentiful, but is extremely rare in the Isle of Wight. In Ireland, according to Thomson (Nat. Hist. Irel. 1. p. 343, 1849), the present species could not, upon any good authority, be said to have been procured up to that date; but in his Appendix, ii. p. 441, published in 1851, he records a spe- cimen captured at Kilshrewley, near Granard, co. Long- ford, and gives such good authority for the statement as to place the occurrence of the Green Woodpecker in the Sister Isle beyond all doubt. Throughout France it is a common species, and it ranges into Spain as far as the Guadarrama Mountains, where it is replaced by G. sharpiv. I have never seen any specimens of Gecinus viridis from Portugal, and as Mr. W. C. ‘Tait (‘ Ibis, 1887, p. 304) in- forms us that Gecinus sharpii is very abundant all over that 38 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. country, it is improbable that G. viridis will be found along with it; Portuguese Gecini formerly bearing the latter title are no doubt referable to G. sharpii, and not to the present species. Both Count Salvadori and Prof. Gigholi state that G. viridis is very common throughout Italy. It does not appear to exist in Corsica, and it is rare in Sardinia, according te Count Salvadori, Cat. Uce. Sard. p. 32 (1864), wherein he writes :—“ I have not been able to meet with a single living specimen of this species, which Cara says is more common at the North Cape, but even there it must be rare, as Cetti could never find any. In the Museum are seen three spe- cimens.” Mr. Brooke, who visited the south of the island upon several occasions, never saw or heard the bird. Doder- lein says it is rare in Sicily, particularly in the environs of Messina, Girgenti, and Palermo, and that it breeds in the large woods of the interior. This species is said by Mr. Elwes to be somewhat rare im Denmark. Mr. Cordeaux in- eludes it in his List of the Birds of Heligoland in Mr. Giitke’s collection, where is the only specimen known to have occurred on the island. In Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria G. viridis is found more or less commonly. In Transylvania Messrs. Danford and Harvie- Brown found it common everywhere among the lower oak and beech woods. According to Messrs. Elwes and Buckley it is common in all the woods of Turkey. Drummond says that in Macedonia it is very common in winter. Linder- meyer includes it in his ‘ Birds of Greece” According to Dr. Kriper (MS.) :— It is not very common in forests of deci- duous trees in Greece, commoner in Olympus, and has not been found in the Cyclades.” The Hon. T. L. Powys (Lord Lilford) observed this species in the Ionian Islands. Drum- mond did not meet with it in Crete. In Russia G. viridis is said by Russow (Orn. Esth-, Liv- u. Kurl. p. 117, 1880) to be “very common on the islands of Oesel and Moon, and in all forests of deciduous trees in the Baltic provinces.” In the province of Gdowski, according to Buchner and Pleske (Orn. St. Pétersb. Gouvern. p. 76), “the Green Woodpecker is Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 39 exceedingly rare, and has only been observed twice.” Brandt (J. f. O. 1880, p. 229) writes :—“Sadelin observed it rarely in the province of Petropolitana.” It is not included by Brandt in his ‘ Birds of the North Ural. Sabanaeff, in his ‘ Avifauna of the Ural,’ says this species was never found by him, but that it most likely occurs in the south-west parts of the Perm Government. Bogdanow (B. Volga, p. 60, 1871) writes :—“JI cannot say that the Green Woodpecker is very common here, but it certainly occurs in small numbers in all the leafy forests here in the south as well as in the north. I met with it in the black forests of the rivers Hopre and Medveditiza, in the province of Saratoff, and it ranges as far south as the lower course of the Volga, and is resident about Sarepta according to Riekbeil. Most likely it occurs also about Astrachan, although neither Henke nor myself ob- served it there. In the fir and greenwood forests it is not so common as in the larch woods. The periodical changes in the life of this bird are not sufficiently known to me to be able to describe the same. In the autumn and winter it leads, like other Woodpeckers, a very irregular life, and appears in such forests and localities where it never appears in the breeding-season.” Goebel says it is rare in Uman, and that he only saw it about a dozen times in eleven years. Ménétries states that it is found in the forests at the foot of the Caucasus, and he records it from Sahan and Lenkoran. Bogdanow states :—“ Very common in the woods, plains, and mountains of the Caucasus.” In Asia Minor this species also occurs, and Mr. Danford informs us that, although not common, it is well distributed in the oak and fir woods of the Taurus range. Ross (P.Z.8. 1842, p. 1) remarks :—“ This species is to be found in great numbers at Trebizond, and I have shot them as high as Gumushkhangh, which is between Erzeroum and Trebizond.” In the collection of the British Museum there is a specimen of a male from the latter loca- lity, collected by Mr. Ross, which presents a curious phase of plumage, the back and scapulars being washed with reddish brown, and the under surface of the body nearly buff, without any tinge of green. I cannot help thinking 40 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. that it was from a bird in a somewhat similar phase of plumage (but with the peculiar coloration distributed over other parts) that the painting was taken upon which Aldro- vandi founded his species Picus luteus cyanopus persicus. G. viridis does not occur in Palestine. In Persia it is found, and Mr. Blanford (Zool. E. Pers. 1. p. 135) records a spe- cimen from near Shiraz, obtaimed in June, and in a note appended by Sir O. St. John, the latter gentleman writes :— “In 1864 I shot a young Green Woodpecker in the oak forest, the only one I have ever seen in Southern Persia. In 1869 my collector procured an adult specimen in the same place. It is probably a rare straggler from the forests of the Zagros hills.”’” Severtzoff did not meet with it in Turkestan. I cannot accept the statement made by Sonnini (Voy. Egypte, ii. p. 363) that the present species occurs, as a bird of passage, in Egypt; we have no reliable record of any Woodpecker ever having been seen in that country. 7. GECINUS AWOKERA. Picus awokera, Temm. Pl. Col. iv. no, 25, pl. 585 (1826) ; id. & Schleg. Faun. Japon. p. 72, pl. xxxvi. (1847-49) ; Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 60 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. ui. p. 143 (1876). Gecinus awokera, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 488 (1846); Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 127 (1850) ; id. Consp. Voluer. Zygod. p. 10 (1854); Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 349, no. 797, pl. dexx. figs. 4137-88 (1854); Swinh. P. Z. §. 1863, p. 883; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 72 (1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8672 (1870); Blakist. & Pryer, Trans. As. Soc. Jap. x. p. 186 (1882); Jouy, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vi. p. 808 (1888). Chloropicos awokera, Malh. N. Classif., Mém. Acad. Metz, 1848-49, p. 351. Chloropicus awokera, Malh. Monogr. Picid. u. p. 128, pl. Ixxx. figs. 1, 2 (1862). Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform pale green; wing-coverts uniform golden olive, brighter along the forearm; primary-coverts dusky, edged externally with Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 4] golden green; quills dusky brown, the outer webs of the outermost primaries margined at the base with golden green, and having numerous white markings along the margin, those of the remainder uniform golden green; the muer webs spotted or deeply notched with white, those of the outer primaries having their apical half uniform; a few of the inner secondaries entirely golden green; shafts blackish brown; rump-feathers green, broadly edged with chrome- yellow; upper tail-coverts olive-yellow, brighter on the margin; tail light dusky brown, edged at the base with green, and having indistinct darker dusky bars; dwarf feather dingy green, the tip yellowish; shafts black, brown at the base ; nasal plumes and base of the forehead black, the feathers of the latter tipped with ashy grey ; lores black ; upper part of forehead, crown, and occiput bright crimson, bases of the feathers leaden grey varied with blackish ; nape black ; outer edge of the forehead and crown ashy grey, the feathers tipped with dusky; sides of the face and neck light grey; aJong and broad red malar stripe on a black ground : chin and throat buffy white, shading into yellowish grey on the chest and breast; entire underparts, including sides, flanks, and thighs, yellowish white, the abdomen having small V-shaped black markings, the other parts having larger and broader markings (somewhat heart-shaped) on the sides and flanks ; under tail-coverts yellowish white, with V-shaped black markings or olive bars; under wing-coverts white with a yellow tinge, and having blackish spots and irregular mark- ings; axillaries white, faintly tinged with yellow, and sparingly spotted with blackish: “iris Venetian-red; bill dark greenish, base Jemon-yellow; tarsi and toes dull olive- ereen” (Jouy). Total length 11°3 inches, culmen 1°6, wing 5°6, tail 3°95, tarsus 1°15; toes (without claws)—outer an- terior 0°75, outer posterior 0°68, inner anterior 0°6, inner posterior 0°35. Adult female. Differs from the male in having the fore- head and crown smoky grey (slightly tinged with greenish upon the hind part of the crown), the feathers tipped aud streaked with dusky, the occiput and nape being red (more 42 Mr. T. W. Kirk on the of a scarlet than crimson) ; the chest and breast yellower ;— under wing-coverts whiter; axillaries also whiter, with black cross-markings: “the soft parts the same as in the male” (Jouy). Total length 11 inches, culmen 1°45, wing 5°55, tail 3°9, tarsus 1-05. Young, probably female. Upper parts and scapulars dusky, with a slight greenish tinge; wing-coverts, basal margin of the outer webs of the primaries and outer webs of the secon- daries dingy olive; the light markings upon the outer webs of the primaries only indicated, and of a dingy yellowish colour ; rump and upper tail-coverts not of so bright a yellow as in the adult; forehead and crown ashy brown; occiput dingy scarlet ; nape and hind neck dusky ; a small dull scarlet cheek-patch ; side of the face brownish ashy; from the chin to the chest, inclusive, dingy pale buff, this colour spreading on to the middle of the breast; underparts white, broadly barred with brownish black upon the thighs and under tail- coverts, the white being less pure and the barring browner ; tail very indistinctly barred. This Woodpecker has been supposed, until recently, to be confined to the main island of Japan; but Messrs. Blakiston and Pryer, in their “ List of the Birds of Japan” (Trans. As. Soc. Jap. x. pt. 1, p. 186, 1882) suggested the proba- bility of the species ranging into the southern islands also, and their expectations have been realized, as in an amended list by Capt. Blakiston (1884) he records the present species as having been obtained at Nagasaki, in the island of Kiushiu, by Mr. Ringer. [To be continued. ] II.—WNotes on the Birds of New Zealand. By T. W. Kirk, Geological Survey Department. 1. Perraca TorrTol. Settlers’ name “ Pied Tit”’; native name ‘‘ Miromiro.” I was recently shown a most beautiful example of this species, exhibiting almost pure albino plumage ; it is in the private museum of Mr. 8. H. Drew, of Wanganui. The Birds of New Zealand. 43 only indication of the normal colouring is a small patch of faint grey on one of the primaries, the whole of the remaining plumage being a most clear white. As the unfortunate victim was killed with a full charge of powder and an ounce of No. 4 shot, the internal anatomy was so much knocked about that Mr. Drew was unable to ascertain the sex. He has, however, by careful skinning and mounting, succeeded in transforming the battered skin into a really good museum-specimen, a result of which, as an amateur taxidermist, he may well be proud. This is, I be- lieve, the first notice of albinism in the Pied Tit. The specimen was procured at Paraekaretu, in the Rangi- tikei district, by Mr. Tripe. 2. ANTHUS NOVH-ZEALANDIE. Settlers’ name “ Ground Lark”; native name “ Pihoihoi.” Varieties inclining to albinism are known to occur occa- sionally in this species ; but while travelling through the bush on the east coast of the Wellington province, I came on a Maori plantation, and was shown by one of the natives a Ground Lark exhibiting a tendency both to albinism and melanism. The following is a description, jotted down in my pocket- book :—Top of head, and down as far as a line through the eye, dull black ; the whole of the body and wings, with the exception of the two outer primaries, were a delicate creamy white ; the outer primaries retained the normal greyish- brown colour. The outside tail-feathers, which in an ordi- nary specimen would be white, were in this case jet-black. This bird, which was one of the most curious freaks of nature I eversaw, had been tamed, would come when called and allow itself to be picked up and examined, as though conscious of deserving attention on account of its extraordinary and fantastic dress. I endeavoured to effect a purchase, but without success, the Maoris appearing to set great store by their pet. 3. PHALACROCORAX PUNCTATUS. Settlers’ name “ Spotted Shag.” Writing of this species, Dr. (nowSir W.) Buller says, © This 44, Mr. T. W. Kirk on the beautiful representative of the Crested Shag is abundant on the coast of the South Island, but is seldom met with on the northern side of Cook Strait. I observed a party of three at the mouth of the Waikanae River in January 1864; two young birds were killed in Wellington in the winter of 1865; and another was shot in the Gulf of Hauraki, near Auckland; and these are the only instances I know of its occurrence in the North Island * * * I have never had an opportunity of examining the eggs, but I understand that three is the usual number” (‘ Manual of N. Z. Birds,’ p. 95). It will therefore be interesting to note that I was lately informed, by Mr. J.C. M‘Lean, that a colony of fifteen or sixteen of these birds has for more than five years been established ona reef inside Cape Kidnappers. The latter gentleman states that he has collected the eggs, but never found more than two in a nest. In December 1885 there were five nests, placed at equal distances apart, along the ledge which runs on one side of the rock about three feet from the top. They were composed of seaweed, and were but httle larger than the nests of the Mackerel Gull (Larus scopulinus, Korst.). One nest had ¢wo eggs in, and each of three others contained two young birds covered with black down; the fifth was empty. Onthe other side of the rock, out of reach, was another nest; this also contained but two eggs. Onvisiting the locality again last December the nests were found to be more numerous ; but apparently the season was much later, as there were neither eggs nor young birds visible, but the old ones were grouped about, and allowed him to approach quite close before they took wing; their breeding-place being very difficult of access, it is evident they are not often disturbed. 'The egg is smaller than that of the Black Shag (P. nove-hollandie, Gould), and very dirty. The original colour is pale blue. Mr. McLean has kindly promised to furnish me with the measurements of the eggs in his possession. The Cape is also the breeding-ground of a large number of Gannets (Dysporus serrator). Birds of New Zealand. 45 4. STERNA ANTARCTICA, Forst. Common Tern ; native name “ Tara.”’ The local name of this bird, in the neighbourhood of Cape Kidnappers, is “‘ The Plough Bird,” or “ Plough Boy,” given on account of its habit of following the farmer’s plough so persistently for the purpose of obtaining the grubs &e. thus exposed, The Kea has acquired the taste for mutton, attacking and killing the sheep; the Tara has learned to look to the farmer for assistance in providing food; it yet remains to be seen how far civilized tastes will be adopted by New-Zealand birds, many of which show a decided inclination’ to adapt themselves to circumstances, although, unfortunately, many others are fast disappearing. 5. NeEsToR MERIDIONALIS, Gmel. Brown Parrot; native name “ Kaka.”’ The author of the ‘ History of the Birds of New Zealand ’ has described several varieties of this bird; one gorgeously coloured specimen he formerly considered a distinct species, and differentiated it with the title of N. superbus. Further examination, however, convinced him that it was only a variety of the Kaka, and he accordingly sank the specific name. In 1884 I recorded the capture of an almost identical specimen at Waikanae, and now another, hardly to be dis- tinguished, is to be seen on view in the shop of Mr. Leardet, taxidermist. Iam informed that this latest addition to the long list of New-Zealand birds presenting abnormal colouring was shot in the Kaikoura mountains. 6. LoBIVANELLUS PERSONATUS. Several instances are mentioned in the ‘ Transactions of the New Zealand Institute’ of the discovery of Australian birds on the shores of these islands, viz. :— Australian Tree Swallow (Hirundo nigricans, Vieill.) *. Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia, Gould), by Dr. Buller+. * Trans, N.Z. Inst. vol. xi. p. 360, + Ibid. ix. p. 337. 46 On the Birds of New Zealand. Australian Roller or Dollar-bird (Eurystomus pacificus, Lath.), by Mr. F. E. Clarke*. Red-capped Dotterel (Charadrius ruficapillus, Temm.), by myself f. The species now to be noticed is more beautiful than any of our previous visitants. The Masked Plover is one of the Spur-wings, and stands about 12 inches high. The body is slight, very elegantly proportioned, and the general appear- ance is extremely graceful. It is thus described in Gould’s ‘Handbook to the Birds of Australia’ (vol. ii. p. 221), and the New-Zealand specimen agrees in every particular with the description :—‘ Crown of head and occiput jet-black ; sides of face, back of neck, rump, and all the under surface pure white ; back and scapularies light brownish grey ; wing- coverts grey; primaries deep black ; secondaries white at the base on their inner webs, cinnamon-grey on their outer webs, and largely tipped with black; tail white at the base, largely tipped with black, the extreme ends of the feathers being cinnamon-grey, particularly the two centre ones ; irides primrose-yellow ; wattles lemon-yellow ; bill lemon-yellow at base, black at the tip; legs and feet carmine-red; the scales in front blackish green.” The bird was observed in a field at Kai Iwi by Mr. G. Penke, who at once went to the house for a gun; taking a long shot, he fired, and the bird dropped, but when secured appeared quite unhurt, and lived for some time in confine- ment, refusing food almost entirely, and died, apparently from starvation rather than from any other cause. It was mounted, and is now in Mr. S. H. Drew’s museum at Wanganui. Both sexes possess the spur on the wing, which is a very noticeable feature, but much more developed in the male than in the female, and proves avery effective weapon in warfare. The yellow-coloured mask is supposed to be for the protection of the feathers of the face, the bird being very fond of thrusting its beak into mud and sand in search of small crustacea or the larve of Coleoptera, which form the staple of its food. * Trans. N.Z. Inst. vol. xiii. p. 454. + Ibid. vol. xii. p. 246. | eee On the Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 47 II1.—On the Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. By Captain G. E. Suexrey, F.Z.S. Key to the Genera. a. Tarsus long, much longer than half the length of the bill, measured from the gape. Inadults the sides of the head and upper throat bare, with AERIOS OMENS CUTOAL <4 5. a's nie ovine oie mel atts 6. Tarsus short, not half the length of the bill, mea- sured from the gape. b'. Tail square or rounded ; less than half the length of the bird. b?. Cheeks and a large wattle on the centre of PMO MUHTORtUDATO's 2.6 cers! wjegh win, wales msi elsiait, oosiets c?. Cheeks and throat foaerede c°, Bill stouter and not so much compressed at the sides. Generally with a large CASGIIOM Pat Ne dialereys 5 eR Ec UP we Reonaytos d*, Billcomparatively more slender and much Compressed at) LHe SIGeS ios a eer aig een « ce’. Tail long and strongly graduated ; more than halfthe length of the bird. 722.0 6.0 ..cce. 1. Bucorvus. 1831. Bucorvus, Less. Traité d’Orn. 1831, p. 259 . ‘ 1847. Tmetoceros, Ca wien, ere 1847, Proto sp. -s ie Vek 1849. Bucoraz, Senidey (fv. K. Vet. Ak. Forh. 1849, p. 161 . Key to the Species. a. Bill with a large pale-coloured patch near the base of the upper mandible. Casque widely opened in dregmirimecluliierm ales! oi. apollo. « nye ekajacetsroevs 6. Bill entirely black, with no pale-coloured patch near the base of the upper mandible. Casque apparently always closed in front ............ 1, Bucorvus. 2. Ceratogymna. 3. Buceros. 4. Lophoceros. 5. Berenicornis. Type. B. abyssinicus. B. abyssinicus. B. abyssinicus. 1. B. abyssinicus, 2. B. caffer. Owing to the great similarity of these species and the want of sufficient specimens, I have been unable satisfactorily to unravel their synonymy. JB. abyssinicus inhabits North- 48 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the east Africa and Senegambia, and probably extends down the west coast, possibly to Angola. B. caffer is the only species met with in South Africa, and extends northwards on the east coast, certainly to the Pangani River, and is probably the only one met with south of the equator in East Africa. Upon this supposition, which is not yet proved, I have based my synonymy and distribution. 1. Bucorvus aBYSsINICUS. Buceros abyssinicus, Bodd. Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783, p. 47 ; Hartl.J. 4, O: 1855, p. dG)". Buceros africanus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 1790, p. 143. Buceros brac, Dumont, Dict. Se. Nat. vi. 1817, p. 201. Tragopan abyssinicus, Gray, List Gen. B. 1841, p. 65; Riipp. Syst. Uebers. p. 79. Bucoraz abyssinicus, Wartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 165°; id. J.f. O. 1861, p. 261°; Monteiro, Ibis, 1862, p. 338°; Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 385°; Bocage, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 698. Tmetoceros abyssinicus, Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hein. 11. 1860, p.175; F.& H. Voég. Ostafr. p. 480° (part.) ; Finsch, Trans. FeseVil, p. 279". Buceros carunculatus abyssinicus, Schl. Mus. P.-B. 1. Bu- ceros, 1862, p. 19. Buceros carunculatus guineensis, Schi. 1. c. p. 20; Bocage, POZaS. 1873, p-.698. Bucorvus abyssinicus, ? Sclat. P.Z.S. 1864, p. 111°; Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 330°; Antin. & Salvad. Ann. Mus. Ciy. Gen. 1873, p. 420%; Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, p. leu Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 1; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 101”; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. i. 1884, p. 221; Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 113”. Tmetoceros habyssinicus, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 731, elvi Bucorvus pyrrhops, Elliot, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. xx. 1877, p. 171; id. Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 2. Bucorax guineensis, Bocage, P. Z. 8. 1873, p. 698. Bucorvus guineensis, Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. exp. 13: eases RAG! an 2 Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 49 Bucorvus abyssinicus, var. guineensis, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. i. 1884, p. 221. ? Bucorvus caffer, Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 114. Hab. “Not found by us in Sambar, but met with in the mountains of Bogos and Abyssinia, Takah, throughout the whole of Abyssinia southward to Shoa, in Fazogl, Senar, Kordofan, and the White Nile district, westward as far as the Kosanga River” (Heuglin™*); Gazelle River (Antinori) ; Senafé and Facado in May, Bejook, on the Anseba, July, as low near the coast as Ain in August (Jesse"). In Abyssinia it is chiefly found at about 4000 feet and up to 7000 or 8000 feet, but is occasionally met with at a lower elevation, as I once saw a bird at Koomali (Blanford*); Anseba and Keren (Antinori & Beccari”). Shoa, at many localities (Antinori”’) ; ? Unioro and Madiland (Speke*). It crosses to West Africa and is common in Senegambia (Rochebrune”’); Gambia; Bissao, Galam (Beaudouin®*) ; Fantee (Ussher’) ; Accra (Pel*’) ; Abouri, in the Aguapim mountains (Shelley & Buckley) ; Camaroons (Reichenow"'); Pungo Andongo, in Angola (Mon- teiro').—N.B. It is quite possible that the Angolan bird may be B. caffer. 2. BucORVUS CAFFER. Buceros carunculatus cafer, Schl. Mus. P.-B. Buceros, 1862, p. 20. Bucorax abyssinicus, Gurney (nec Bodd.), Ibis, 1861, p. 182"; Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 325°, Bucorvus abyssinicus, Gurney, Ibis, 1868, p. 162°; Ayres, Ibis, 1869, p. 296'; Gurney, ed. Anderss. B. Damara Land, p. 205°; Shelley, P..Z. S. 1881, p. 591”. Tmetoceros abyssinicus, F. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 480 (part.); Finsch, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 3617; id. iO) 1885, p. 126°; Reichen. J: f. O. 1887p, 60". Bucorax cafer, Bocage, P. Z. 8S. 1878, p. 698"; id. Orn. Angola, p. 111"; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s B.S. Afr. pp. 122,808”. Bucorvus cafer, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 3; Shelley, Ibis, 1882, p. 245”. SER. V.—VOL. VI. E 50 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the Buceros abyssinicus, var. caffer, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884, p. 222. Hab. Confined to East and South Africa, Usequa, Ungu, Ruwana, Mori, Maurui, Bamangwato (Fischer™®*); Usambara Hills near Pangani (Kirk", Shelley Mus.) ; Zambesi (Kirk*); Mashoona’’, Transvaal (Ayres**) ; Natal (Ayres'); Zululand (Gordge, Shelley Mus.) ; common on the eastern frontier of Cape Colony (Layard) ; East London (Richard™) ; Ondonga and Okavango River (Andersson’) ; Quillengues and Humbe, in Mossamedes (Anchieta”’). 2. CERATOGYMNA. 1854. Ceratogymna, Bp. Consp. Vol. Anisod. — Type. NS5ae pee Soe OR ae Nelatas 1859. Sphagolobus, Op. Niue Hein: ie 1859; Peele a. 6 ie et oe Catia Key to the Species. a. Tail white, with the two central feathers black...... 3. C. elata. b. Tail black, with one third of the ends of all but the Contre feathers: Wht, . With no casque to the bill .... 19. Z. nasutus. f>. With a_ well-developed low casque to the bill............ 20. LZ. epirhinus. Capt. G. E. Shelley on the ff, Bill bull... ..¢.Jccbteee eee 21. L. pallidirostris. d?, Throat white. Bill red or yellow. g’. Above brown, wing-coverts spotted with white. g‘. Bill red. g>. Head darker ; forehead grey, like the crown. Cheek and ear- coverts more or less shaded with grey. The dark bar on the outer tail-feather nearly always very Gistinet). cocina site ecko 22. L. erythrorhynchus. h’. Head paler; a broad white fore- head. Cheeks, ear-coverts, and entire under surface of the neck and body uniform white. Outer tail-feathers uniform white in one specimen, and with only a slight brown patch in the other, indicating where the bar occurs in L. erythrorhynchus ........ 23. L. damarensis. h‘, Bill yellow. ?°, Dark markings, when present on the fore neck and breast, con- fined to shaft-stripes. Bare skin round the eye grey; bare skin on the throat generally grey .. 24. LZ. flavirostris. 7°. Dark markings on the fore neck and breast always present and contined to the edges of the feathers, Bare skin of the head and throat yellow, with no shade of grey. 7°. The white on the two pairs of outer tail-feathers partially crossed by an imperfect dark band, very much narrower than the white ends to these feathers. The outer feather always with a largish dark basal portion.............. 25. L. leucomelas, k°, The white on the three pairs of outer tail-feathers crossed by an even broad dark band, not narrower than the white ends to these feathers, The Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 59 outer feather with a brown basal spot surrounded by WHO i oP ie oak ee 26. L. elegans. hs, General colouring of upper parts black and white. The wing-coverts uni- form black, with the exception of a few of the centre greater coverts, which are white, like some of the centre quills, and together form a white band down the wing ...... 27. L. deckeni. 6. Breast dusky black, slightly paler than the head and upper part ....,............. 28. DL. hartlausi. 13. Loryocerros FAScIATUS. Le Calao longibande, Levaill. Ois. Afr. v. p. 115, pl. 233 (1806). Buceros fasciatus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vin. 1811, p. 34; Cranch in Tuckey’s Exped. River Zaire, App. 4, p. 407°; Jara: Amn. Nat. Hist. xvi. p.'.8o:°; Hartl: Orny W.-At: pp- 163, 274° (part., nee Casamanse) ; Reichen. J. f.O. 1877, p- 18°; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. 11. 1884, p. 214 (part.). Maekas fasciatus, Bp. Consp. Av. 1. p. 98; Cass. Pr. Ac. Philad. 1859, p. 140°; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 123°; Elliot Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 50, upper figure ; Sharpe, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xvii. 1884, p. 4357 Buceros semifasciatus, Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 163° (part., Gaboon). Hab. Angola to Gaboon, and North-eastwards to Equa- torial Africa. Angola (Mus. Lugd.°); Congo (Tuckey’) ; Loango Coast (Falkenstein*); Gaboon (Verreaux*); Camma, Ogowe, Moonda rivers, and Cape Lopez* (Duchaillu’) ; ? Old Calabar* (teste Jardine); Semmio and Ndoruma in Nyam-nyam (Bohn- dorff") ; Kubbi and Tingasi (Emin Bey, Brit. Mus.). Dr. Rochebrune claims to have met with this species in Senegambia. 14. LopHocERos SEMIFASCIATUS. Buceros melanoleucus, Vieill. (nee Licht.) N. D. iv. 1816, p. 595. 60 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the Buceros semifasciatus, Hartl. J. f. O. 1855, pp. 356, 361’ ; id. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 163° (part.) ; Biittikofer, Notes Leyden Mus. iv. 1885, p. 208°. Buceros fasciatus, Hart). Orn. W.-Afr. p. 163° (part., Casamanse) ; Gurney, [bis, 1859, p. 153’. Tockus semifasciatus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 192°; Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, p. 138; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 50, lower figure; Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 558%; Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb. p. 120°; Hartert, J. f. O. 1886, p. 595°. Hab. W. Africa. From the Niger to Senegambia. Shongo (Forbes’) ; Iddah (Hartert’) on the Niger; Ibadan (Hinderer’); Gold Coast and Rio Boutry (Pel'); Accra (Haynes) ; Fantee (Ussher*) ; Liberia (Biittikofer*) ; Gambia (Moloney) ; Casamanse, Gambia, Senegambia (Ruchebrune’*). 15. LopHocrRos HEMPRICHI. Lophoceros hemprichii, Ehr.in Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. 1828, fol. a a, note. Buceros limbatus, Riipp. N. W. p. 5, pl. 2. fig. 1"; Fiusch, Trans. Zool. Soc. vii. 1870, p. 279’. Tokus limbatus, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. p. 79. ? Buceros coronatus, Des Murs (nec Shaw) in Lefebvr. Voy. Abyss. 1854, p. 127. Buceros hemprichi, Finsch, Trans. Zool. Soc. vii. 1870, p- 317; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 724, clv’. Tockus hemprichii, Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 826°; Antin. & Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1873, p. 417°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 52; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 103°. Alopius hemprichii, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884, p. 215. Hab. N.E. Africa. ‘“A mountain species—Dega region of Abyssinia, from 5000 to 11,000 feet. If I remember rightly, I have received it from the Upper White Nile and from Kordofan ” (Heuglin’) . Senafé (Jesse*); in Bogos from Sciotel, Keren, Deghi, Ossa (Antinori § Beccart’) ; Anseba valley (Blanford*) ; Letmarafia, Mahaluonz, and Amba karra in Shoa (Antinori*). Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 61 16. LorHocrRos MELANOLEUCUS. Buceros melanoleucus, Licht. Cat. Rer. Nat. Rar. 1793, p. 8’; F. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 485°; Heugl. Orn. N.O.- Afr. pp. 720, clv’; Fisch. & Reichen. J. f. O. 1879, p. 343°, 1880, p. 141°; Béhm, J. f. O. 1883, p. 168°; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii. 1884, p. 214; Shelley, P. Z. S. 1885, p. 224"; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iv. 1886, p. 147°. Le Calao couronné, Levaill. Ois. Afr. v. 1806, p. 117, pls. 234, 235. Buceros coronatus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vin. 1811, p. 35; ?Swains. B. W. Afr. 11. p. 257. Tockus melanoleucus, Bp. Consp. Av. 1850, p. 91°; Hartl. dete ©; 1861,"p. 261”; Gurney, Lbis, 1862)p.. 1572.5 Selat. PSAS. 1864; p. 111” ; Kirk, This; 1864, p. 327; Sharpe, PZ. 5. 1870,.p, 149"; id. Cat.. Afr. B. p. 9°; Gurney ied: Anderss. B. Damara Land, p. 208*°; Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, pale ?;: Nicholson, PZ. 8S. 1878, p: 3587 3 Bocage,-Orn: Angola, p. 116°; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s B.8. Afr. p. 127”; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 49; Shelley, P. Z. 8. 1881, p. 519"; Rochebrune, Faun, Sénégamb. p. 119”. Toccus coronatus, Bodd. Gurney, Ibis, 1861, p. 1383. Lophoceros melanoleucus, Cab. in V. d. Decken’s Reis. 11. ES8693\p. 37 3 id: J. ft O. 1878, p. 235%; Schalow, J. £0. 1883, p. 348”; Fisch. J. f.O. 1885, p. 126. Hab. The whole of Africa south of about 5° N. lat. E. Africa: Usaramo (Speke*) ; Usanga and Mbaromu (V. d. Decken*’) ; Kilimanjaro (H. H. Johnston"); Ndi (Hilde- brandt*”'); Pangani River, Usambara (Kirk*’); Mombas (Wakefield, Brit. Mus.); Mugonga” and Kium (Béhm*) ; Tan- ganika (Storms*); Mambrui (Fischer*); Wito, Pangani, Usegua, Bagamoyo’, and Lindi (Pischer”); Zanzibar (Bojer*’, Kirk’); Dar-es-Salaam (H. C. Buxton”); Mosambique (Peters.’). S. Africa: Shiré in Zambesi district (Kirk”); Natal (Ayres"*); Caffraria (Licht.'); Elands Post (Atmore”’); Genei- vafontein and Knysna (Layard”); Damara (Chapman”’) ; Ovampo (Andersson*’); Cunene River and Caconda in Mos- samedes and Humbe and Biballa in Benguela (Anchieta”). 62 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the W. Africa: Pungo Ondongo and Ambaka (Anchieta” *) ; Galungo-alto (Welwitsch”’, Brit. Mus.) ; Rio Dande (Sala”, Brit. Mus.) ; Camaroons (Reichenow"). Interior of Sene- gambia (Rochebrune*’). 17. LopHocrRos MONTEIRI. Tockus monteiri, Hartl. P. Z. 8. 1865, p. 87, pl. 5°; Gurney, ed. Anderss. B. Damara Land, p. 208°; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s B. S. Afr. p. 129°; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 121; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 53. Alophius monteiri, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884, p: 29. Hab. S. Afr. Damara and Benguela. Damara (Andersson*) ; Benguela (Monteiro’) ; Katumbella (Sala*). 18. LopHocEROS CAMURUS. Tockus camurus, Cass. Pr. Ac. Philad. 1856, p. 319°; 1859, p. 140’; Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, p. 13°; Bouvier, Cat. Ois. Marche &e. p. 20; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 541°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 59; Sharpe, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xvil. 1884, p. 436°. Buceros pulchrirostris, Schl. Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1862, p. 74, pl. 4°. Tockus pulchrirostris, Sharpe, Ibis, 1870, p. 4857; id. PrAoS.-1871, p.-604°. Buceros camurus, Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 18°; Butti- kofer, Notes Leyden Mus. iv. 1885, p. 210”. Alophius camurus, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884, p. 220. Hab. W. and Central Africa: from the Loango Coast to Liberia and to the Nyam-nyam country in North-east Equatorial Africa. North bank of the Congo (Spencer Shield, Brit. Mus.) ; Loango Coast (Falkenstein*) ; Elobe, in Gaboon (Ansell, Brit. Mus.) ; Gaboon (Walker, Brit. Mus.) ; Camma River and Cape Lopez (Duchaillu*) ; Camaroons (Crossley* & Reichenow’) ; Volta River and Fantee (Ussher’); Liberia (Biittikofer"’) ; Sassa in Nyam-nyam (Bohndorff’, Brit. Mus.). Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 63 19. LopHoceRos NaAsuTus. Buceros nasutus, Linn. S. N.1. 1766, p. 154 (Senegambia)’ ; Hart]. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 164°; F. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 486°; Hinseh, Trans.-Z. S: vii. p. 277° 59 Meugls Oms N.O-Air. pp» 720, clv’; Fisch. & Reichen. J. f. O. 1878, p) 254°; Hart]. Abhandl. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. 1117; Bohm, J. f. O. 1883, p. 169°; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. i. 1884, p. 212 (part.). Le Calao nasique, Levaill. Ois. Afr. v. 1806, pl. 236. Lophoceros forskalii, Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. Av. 1828, fol. z, note, ¢. Lophoceros hemileucus, Hempr. & Ehr. t. ec. fol. aa, note, ?. Buceros hastatus, Cuv. Régne An. 1. 1829, p. 446, note. Buceros pecilorhynchus, Lafresn, Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 257 ; Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 164. Tockus nasutus, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845, p. 79; Hartl. J. f. O. 1861, p. 261°; Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 329”; Shelley & Buckley, Ibis, 1872, p. 286"; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1873, p. 418"*; Bouvier, Cat. Marche &c. 1875, p27; Hartert, J. f. O. 1886; p. 596". Buceros nasutus, vars. senegalensis et orientalis, Sundey. (Efv. k. Vet.-Ak. Forh. 1850, pp. 108, 130. Lophoceros nasutus, Cab. J. f. O. 1878, p. 236"°; Schalow, J. f. O. 1883, p. 348°"; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii. 1884, p. 212 (part., nec 8. Afr.) ; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 103"; Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 119"; Bischer; J. £. ©. 1885; p. 126. Tockus pecilorhynchus, Hartl. J. f. O. 1861, p. 261”. Hab. Southern Taka and Nubia, northward to 17° or 18° N., lat.; Sennaar, Kordofan, and the whole of Abyssinia with the exception of the high mountainous regions ; the districts of Sobat, White Nile, Gazelle River eastward to the Kosanga. The coast regions of Samhar, in Danakil, Somali and S. Arabia (Heuglin’). Ain and Mohaber (Jesse*); Keren and Anseba Valley (Antinori & Beccari”’) ; Koomayli and Lebka Valley (Blanford”’) ; Shoa (Antinori) ; Lado (Emin Pacha’) ; Usaramo (Speke*); Rabai, near Mombas in Wanikaland (Fischer") ; Duruma (Hildebrandt*’) ; Kakoma (Bohm*"*), 64 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the On the West Coast: Camma River (Duchaillu’) in Ga- boon; Niger“ (Baikie, Brit. Mus.) ; Quaminfio, near Accra (Shelley") ; Gold Coast; Bissao and Casamanse (Verreauz:’) ; Gambia (Moloney) ; Senegambia (Rochebrune™**). 20. LopHocEROS EPIRHINUS. Buceros nasutus, var. caffer, Sundev. ify. k. Vet.-Ak. Forh. 1850, p. 108°. Buceros epirhinus, Sundevy. l. s. ¢. Toccus pecilorhynchus, Kirk (nec Lafr.), Ibis, 1864, Poe. Buceros nasutus, Ayres (nec Linn.), Ibis, 1871, p. 260, 1879, p. 285°. Tockus nasutus, Gurney, ed. Anderss. B. Damara Land, p. 206‘; T. E. Buckley, Ibis, 1874, p. 365°; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 118°; Sharpe, App. Oates’s Matabele Land, p. 8047; id. ed. Layard’s B.S. Afr. pp. 183, 808°. Lophoceros nasutus, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 47 (part.). Hab. 8. Africa. Shiré Valley in the Zambesi district (Avrk*); Kanye, Matabele (Haton®, Brit. Mus.); Matloutsi River (Oates’, Brit. Mus.); Bamangwato (7. E. Buckley’); Oliphant’s Nek (Barratt*); Rustenberg, Magaliesberg, Potchefstroom, Limpopo (Ayres*); Damara Land and Lake Ngami (4dn- dersson*) ; Huilla in Mossamedes (Anchieta’). 21. LopHocEROS PALLIDIROSTRIS. Buceros pallidirostris, ¥. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 871°. Tockus pallidirostris, Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 117”. Buceros nasutus, var. dubia, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii. 1884, p. 213, pl. x. fig. 2°. Hab. Caconda'’*, in Benguela (Anchieta) ; Lake Tanga- nika® (Storms). In the original description of this species it was unfor- tunately compared with L. melanoleucus, with which it has very slight affinity. The type described was a Caconda specimen, and a similar specimen from the same locality has been presented to me by Prof. Barboza du Bocage. On Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 65 comparing my specimen with the description and figure of the head of Buceros nasutus, var. dubia, Dubois, I find the two names undoubtedly apply to the same species. 22. LorpHOCEROS ERYTHRORHYNCHUS, Le Calao Toc, Levaill. Ois. Afr. v. 1806, p. 122, pl. 238. Buceros nasutus, Vieill. (nec Linn.) Enc. Méth. i, 1823, p. 305, pl. 10. fig. 3. Buceros erythrorhynchus,Temm. Pl. Col. ii. 1824, Buceros, sp. 19, text; Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 165°; Ayres, Ibis, 1869, p. 296°; F. & H. Voég. Ostafr. p. 491°; Finsch, Tr. Z. S. Vil, p. 276 ; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 727, cly*;, Hartl, Abhandl. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. 112°; Bohm, J. f. O. 1883, p. 169”. Alophius erythrorhynchus, var. leucopareus, Hempr. & Ebr. Symb. Phys. 1828, fol. a a, note 1. Tockus erythrorhynchus, Less. Traité Orn. 1831, p. 252; Riipp. Syst. Uebers. p.79; Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 327°; Sharpe, Ibis, 1867, p. 192°; Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 328”; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. 1871, p. 9°; Gurney, ed. Anderss. B. Damara Land, p.211"; Antin. & Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1873, p. 417"; Buckley, Ibis, 1874, p. 365"; Bouvier, Cat. Marche &c. 1875, p. 27"; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 120"; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 56; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s B. S. Afr, p. 131; id. Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xvii. 1884, p. 435"; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, pp. 108, 262"; Roche- brune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 121”; Ayres, Ibis, 1886, p. 289”; Hartert, J. f. O. 1886, p. 5967”. Buceros rufirostris, Sundev. (ify. k. Vet.-Ak. Forh. 1850, p. 50. Rhynchaceros erythrorhynchus, Cab. Mus. Hein. ii. 1860, p. 166; id. J. f. O. 1878, p. 235%; Schalow, J. f. O. 1883, p. 848"; Fisch. Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 362; id. J. f. O. 1885, p. 126”. Alophius erythrorhynchus, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii, 1884, p. 218. Hab. The whole of Africa south of about 17° N, lat. Southern Taka and Nubia south of about 17° or 18° N, lat. : SER. V.—VOL. VI. F 66 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the Sennaar, Kordofan, and the whole of Abyssinia, with the exception of the high mountain regions. Sobat, White Nile, Gazelle River westward to the Kosanga. The coast-lands of Samhar, in Danakil, Somali Land, and South Arabia (Heug- lin’) ; Rayrayguddy (Jesse*); Keren (Antinori & Beccari™) ; Mayen, at 3500 feet; Senafé, Samhar, Lebka Valley, and Anseba River (Blanford"’) ; Shoa ( Antinori”) ; Efat, in Shoa (Harris, Brit. Mus.) ; Lado (Emin Pacha‘); Dembo,in Nyam- nyam (Bohndorff*’); Usaramo, Nguruman, Mossiro ( Fischer”); Taita (Hildebrandt”); Kakoma (Bohkm"™”). 8. Africa: Zam- besi (Kirk*) ; Tette (Kirk, Brit. Mus.) ; Matabele and Bamang- wato (7. E. Buckley“); Mashoona. (Ayres); Transvaal (Ayres**) ; Knysna (Victorin’’). Lake Ngami, Okavango River, and Ondonga in Ovampo-land (Andersson'*) ; Cunene River, Huilla, and Capangombe in Mossamedes (Anchieta'’). In W. Africa : Cabinda, N. of the Congo (Anchieta™) ; Abhor (Thomson’) and Gora on the Niger (Hartert*”) ; Gold Coast, Fantee (Ussher®); Rio Boutry (Pel); Senegambia”’ (Roche- brune*’) ; Casamanse (Verreauz). 23. LoPHOCEROS DAMARENSIS, Sp. 0. ? Buceros erythrorhynchus, Sundev. (nec Temm.). Tockus erythrorhynchus, Gurney, ed. Anderss. Damara Ld. p. 211 (part., Damara). The only specimens of this species which I believe to be known are two males in the British Museum, labelled re- spectively Objimbinque and Schmelen’s Hope ( Andersson). Mr. Andersson, in writing about L. erythrorhynchus, per- feetly recognized this form, which he well described. He observes :— I have also met with it in Damara Land proper, at Objimbinque and Schmelen’s Hope; but specimens from these two last-named localities differ considerably from those found in more northern parts.” As to its being a sexual or seasonal plumage, this is disproved by the very large series of L. erythrorhynchus I have examined from nearly all parts of Africa. The white forehead is, perhaps, its strongest specific mark ; and as Prof. Sundevall appears to have taken this as typical L. erythrorhynchus, and re-named the really Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 67 typical greyer-cheeked race as his B. rujirostris, I have pro- posed a new name for the Damara bird. 24. LopHocrROs FLAVIROSTRIS. Buceros flavirostris, Riipp. N. W. 1835, p. 6, pl. 2; Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 244°; Finsch, Tr. Z. S. vii. p. 2787; F. & H. Vég. Ostafr. p. 490; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 725, clv’. Tockus fiavirostris, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845, p. 79*; Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 327°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. part., N.E. Afr., nec pl. 51; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, pp. 104, 262°. Rhynchaceros flavirostris, Cab. J. f. O. 1878, p. 2357. Hab. Confined to E. Africa, between about 15° N. lat. and 5S. lat. From the hot valleys of Schoho-land this bird extends to the Bay of Adulis and to Samhar; also collected near Moiet Schahadi below Mekulu, but not on the coast-region itself (Heuglin*) ; Kordotan, Nubia, Abyssinia (Riippell*) ; Undel Well and Rayrayguddy (Jesse*); Abyssinia, from 2500 to 3000 feet in January and February, and from 7000 to 8000 feet in May and June; about Senafé (Blanford’); Shoa (Antinori®); Efat in Shoa (Harris, Brit. Mus.) ; Somali (Speke’); Ndiin Taita (Hildebrandt’, Brit. Mus.). 25. LopHocreROs LEUCOMELAS. Buceros leucomelas, Licht. Verz. Siiugeth. u. Vég. 1842, tenes Buceros flavirostris, Ayres (nec Riipp.), Ibis, 1871, p. 2607; T3795 pocdo: Tockus flavirostris, Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 9* (part.,S. Afr.); Gurney, ed. Anderss. B. Damara Ld. p. 210°; Buckley, Ibis, 1874, p. 365°; Shelley, Ibis, 1875, p. 82"; Sharpe in Oates’s Matabele Land, p. 304°; id. ed. Layard’s B.S. Afr, pp. 130, 808°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. part., nec pl. 51; Shelley, Ibis, 1882, p. 245°. Hab. Confined to 8. Africa. Kanye in Matabele (Hwton’); Mashoona-land (Ayres). Common from the north of Transvaal through Bamangwato (T. E. Buckley*); Motloutsi and Crocodile River (Oates*) ; FQ 68 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the Transvaal (Ayres**); Umgeni River in Natal (Shelley’) ; Kuruman (Ezton’); Gt. Namaqua* and Damara ( Andersson’). Caffraria (Lichtenstein’). Dr. Reichenow, at my request, has most kindly examined the type of Buceros leucomelas, Licht., and informs me, with other notes, that the bill is yellow, and that the dark por- tions of the feathers of the lower throat and front of the breast are confined to their sides, and are not shaft-stripes. This, together with the locality, “Caffraria” or Natal, decides conclusively that this species is the true Buceros leu- comelas, Licht. 26. LopHOcCEROS ELEGANS. Toccus elegans, Hartl. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 86, pl. 4°. Tockus flavirostris, Sharpe, Cat: Afr. B. p. 9’ (part.); Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 119°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 51 (part., Benguela). Hab. Confined to 8.W. Africa. Moconja, Capangombe, Huilla (Anchieta*) in Mossa- medes; Benguela (Monteiro', Brit. Mus.). Galungo and Loanda (Sala’*, Brit. Mus.). I would remark that the occurrence of this species in Angola is not absolutely certain, as [ believe when Sala’s specimens were received that gentleman had been collecting in Mossamedes. It would appear to me more natural that this should be a very local and purely S. African form, being allied to L. leucomelas about as closely as L. damarensis is to L. erythrorhynchus. Both of these I consider to be only just separable as species. 27. LopHocEROS DECKENI. Buceros (Rhynchaceros) deckent, Cab: V. d. Decken’s Reisen, i. 1869, p. 36, pl: 6. Buceros deckeni, ¥. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 489; Bohm, Jet O1883, p. 1707: Rhynchaceros deckeni, Cab. J. f. O. 1870, pl. 1; 1878, p. 235°; Fisch. Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 862°; id. J. f. O. 1885, p. 126*; Reichen. J. f, ‘O. 1887, p. 60°. Tockus deckeni, Eliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 57. Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 69 Tockus bocagei, Oust. Bull. Soc. Phil. Paris, 1881, p. 161°; Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 121, pl. 13”. Alophius deckeni, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884, py el? Hab. Near the confines of Galla an Somali (M. Abdon Gindi*) ; Brava (Fischer*) ; south to Ugogo (Béhm’), and west to the inland forests of Senegambia (Dr. Cohn"). Also towards Masai-land, Usandawa’, Inkaramo, Nguruman and Walkaland (Fischer*), Duruma, Taita, and Ukamba (Hil- debrandt*) ; Lamu (Jackson, Brit. Mus.). 28. LopHoceROos HARTLAUBI. Tockus hartlaubi, Gould, P. Z. 8. 1860, p. sho; Sharpe, Ibis, 1870, p. 485°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 58. Buceros nagtglassi, Schl, Neder. Tijd. Dierk. 1. 1862, p. 56, pl. 2. Buceros hartlaubi, Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 18°; Bittikofer, Notes Leyden Mus. iv. 1885, p. 209°. Tockus nagtglassi, Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 541. Alophius hartlaubi, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii. 1884, p. 217. Hab. W. Africa: Loango Coast (Falkenstein’); Gold Coast (Ussher*) ; Liberia (Biittikofer’*). 5, Berenicornis. 1850. Berenicornis, Bp. ane Gen. Av. Type. SSO pie Olle eter er ls. Jd a) oh Ge CONIOLes: a, Sides of the head black or faintly marked with white. Greater wing-coverts and quills boldly tipped with white. Casque longer, reaching over more than ? length of ronlitiest See ey Sie 29. B. albocristatus. 4. Sides of the head white or faintly marked with black. Greater wing-coverts and quills uniform black. Casque shorter, not reaching over 3 ROTIGEEM OL CULMTOT 4 (cia s w'she aye siratoiel als eel hedsiaiere 30. B. leucolophus. 29, BrRENICORNIS ALBOCRISTATUS, Buceros albocristatus, Cass. Journ, Ac. Philad. 1850, p. 185, pl. 15*; Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. pp. 163°, 274 (part.) ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, p. 12°; Sharpe & Bouvier, Bull. S. 70 Mr. E. W. Oates on the Z. France, 1876, p. 310; Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 18°; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 540; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. 11. 1884, p. 207; Biittikofer, Notes Leyden Mus. iv. 1885, pe 207 ©. Berenicornis macrourus, Bp. Consp. Av. 1850, p. 91 (ex Temm. MS.). Berenicornis albocristatus, Cass. Proc. Ac. Philad. 1859, p. 189"; Sharpe, P. Z.S. 1871, p. 604°; Bouvier, Cat. Ois. Marche &c. 1875, p. 27°. Anorrhinus albocristatus, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 40. Hab. W. Africa to the north of the Congo: Louembe and Chikambo (Lucan & Petit*) ; Loango Coast (Falken- stein®). In the Gaboon, Camma, Inuni, and Memda rivers (Duchaillu’), and Ogowé (Marche’). Camaroons (Crossley® & Reichenow*). Liberia (Biittikofer®); St. Paul’s River (McDowell’ *). 30. BERENICORNIS LEUCOLOPHUS. Buecros albocristatus, Hartl. (nec Cass.) Orn. W.-Afr. p. 163* (part.); Shelley & Buckley, Ibis, 1872, p. 286’. Berenicornis albocristatus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 385°. Berenicornis leucolophus, Sharpe, Zool. Rec. 18738, p. 52°. Anorrhinus leucolophus, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. p. 41. Buceros albocristatus, var. leucolophus, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. 11. 1884, p. 208. Hab. W. Africa: confined to the Gold Coast. Rio Boutry (Pel'); Abouri (Shelley & Buckley*); Fantee (Ussher ® *). IV.—On the Birds of Bhamo, Upper Burmah. By Evernt W. Oatss, F.Z.8. (Plate I.) In 1881 the taxidermist of the Phayre Museum of Rangoon was despatched to Bhamo to form a collection of birds. I had an opportunity of examining all the skins immediately on their arrivalin Rangoon ; but as the results were not very noteworthy, I have hitherto deferred making any systematic list of them. Birds of Bhamo, Upper Burmah. vail By the courtesy of my friend Mr. Leonardo Fea, of the Genoa Museum, who has been collecting birds at Bhamo for some time, I have been favoured with a copy of Count Salvadori’s paper on the birds of Upper Burmah recently published in the ‘ Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Natu- rale di Genova,’ vol. iv. 2nd series, pp. 568-617. The Count presents us with a list of 111 species, chiefly, if not entirely, procured in Bhamo. On looking over my notes of the taxidermist’s collection, already referred to, I find there are a considerable number of birds obtained at - Bhamo which Mr. Fea had not the good fortune to meet with. On the other hand he procured many species which the museum collector failed to obtain. Count Salvadori has dealt exhaustively with the birds that came under his notice, end I therefore propose to enumerate only those species which are not mentioned in his paper. They amount to 34, and to this number may safely be added Anser cinereus, of which, however, I have not received a specimen. It is reported to be very common in the cold season in the upper parts of the Irrawaddy, and some of my friends have assured me that they have shot it. It is to be regretted that so little is known about the birds of Upper Burmah, considering that the whole country has been traversed by our troops for the past two years, and that a large number of civil officers, in addition, are permanently located in all parts of the country. 1. GARRULAX BELANGERI, Less.; Oates, B. Brit. Burm. vol. 1. p. 33. Two specimens, the only ones brought to Rangoon, are identical with Pegu birds. Mr. Fea procured G. leucolophus only. 2. DryoNnasTEs RUFICOLLIS (Jard. & Selb.) ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds, vol. vu. p. 454. 3. Mrcavurvs patustris, Horsf. ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 106. 4. Parus atricers, Horsf. ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 125. 5. Sirra rrontaris, Horsf.; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 134. 72 On the Birds of Bhamo, Upper Burmah. 6. Bucuanea toneicaupata (A. Hay); Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 220. 7. PRaTINcoLa MauRA (Pall.); Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 279. 8. OreIcoLa FERREA (Hodgs.) ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 283. 9. Uromirrus Fritirerus (Steph.) ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 307. 10. Crnnyris astatica (Lath.) ; Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 321. 11. Mretoruus MeELANIcTERUs (Gm.); Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 857. lla. AcRIDOTHERES ALBocincTUS*. (Plate I.) Acridotheres albocinctus, Godw.-Aust. & Wald. Ibis, 1875, p- 251; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, ser. 2, iv. p. This appears to be an excessively common species. Count Salvadori has pointed out in his paper that certain parts of the plumage of this bird,were incorrectly described by its discoverers. 12. Pica pica (Linn.) ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds, iii. p. 62. Two fine specimens were brought down, and the collector told me it was not uncommon. 13. Urocissa occipitauis (Bl.) ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 400. 14. Iynx rorquitua, Linn. ; Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 23. 15. Picus macu, Vieill.; Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 33. 16. CHrysoPHLEGMA FLAVINUCHA (Gould); Oates, op. cit. li. p. 43, 17. DicHocrRros Bicornis (Linn.) ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 87. 18. Crrcus arveinosus (Linn.) ; Oates, op. cit. ii. p. 176. 19. Hatrazrus Leucorypuus (Pall.) ; Oates, op. cit. ii. p- 200. 20. Pernis pritoruyNncuvs (Temm.); Oates, op. cit. ii. p. 207. * [We are pleased to be able to give a figure of this interesting species from the type-specimen kindly lent to us by Col. Godwin-Austen for this purpose. This agrees very fairly with a skin forwarded by Mr, Oates, which he has desired us to present to the British Museum.—Epp. | On the Birds of Teneriffe. 73 21. MickoHIERAx c#RULEScENS (Linn.); Oates, op. cit. vag OF 22. Pwatacrocorax PyGMm&us (Pall.); Oates, op. cit. il. p. 234. 23. ArpEA insignis, Hodgs.; Oates, op. cit. 11. p. 245. 24, ARDEA CINEREA, Linn. ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 243. 25. XENORHYNCHUs asiatTicus (Lath.) ; Oates, op. cit. 11. p. 264. 26. Dissura Episcopus (Bodd.) ; Oates, op, cit. 11. p. 265. 27. Taporna casarca (Linn.) ; Oates, op. cit. 11. p. 277. 28. Darita acuta (Linn.) ; Oates, op, cit. 1. p. 279. 29, CHETTUSIA CINEREA (Bl,); Oates, op. cit. i. p. 372, 30. GALLINAGO sTeNURA (Kuhl) ; Oates, op. cit. 11. p. 383. 31, Larus icutHyaktus (Pall.); Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 414. 32. SreRNA SEENA, Sykes ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 428. 33. STERNA MELANOGASTER, Temm.; Oates, op. cit.il. p.424. 34, RHyYNCHOPS ALBICOLLIS, Swains.; Oates, op. cit. ii. p. 436. V.—Notes on the Birds of Teneriffe. By Capt. Savire G. Rerp, R.E. [Concluded from vol. v. page 435. } No account of the birds of Teneriffe would be complete without mention of the Grey Wagtail (Motacilla melanope), a common and familiar resident, universally beloved and unmo- lested. I found several nests in the stone walls of the unfrequented lanes on the outskirts of Orotava and in the steep fern-covered sides of the rocky ravines, or “ bar- rancos,” in the vicinity. These birds may be seen at all hours of the day chasing flies on the roofs of the houses in the town, and are, no doubt, of great service to the com- 74. Captain 8. G. Reid on the munity at large in keeping down the many insect pests frequenting the lower levels of the island. Dr. Crotch informed me that he had certainly met with the Yellow Bunting (Eméeriza citrinella) ; but I did not observe it myself, nor did I see, or hear of, the Short-toed Lark, or the Siskin, though both are said to inhabit Teneriffe. I was equally unfortunate as regards the Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida), which Mr. Godman met with; and the Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla), included by Webb and Berthelot in the Teneriffian list. The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is a common bird, and soon at- tracts the attention of even the most unornithological visitor. I found it fairly numerous in the island at the begin- ning of February, and there seems no doubt that some few pass the winter there, many others appearing in spring. These handsome birds are fond of sitting on the walls or trees in the vicinity of the ‘‘ carretera,’ or main road, and are easily approached, either on foot or horseback. I have seen five or six on the same heap of stones in a vineyard close to the thoroughfare. They were just beginning to breed when I left the island, early in April; the only nest I came across was in the middle of a big stone wall, overgrown by the branches of an ancient fig-tree, quite unassailable. The local name in Teneriffe, ‘'Tabobo,’’ exactly expresses the curious note of the Hoopoe, a very familiar sound to me as I sat sketching in the barrancos near the hotel at Orotava. Viera gives as its common name “ Abobito.”” He says it is not difficult to rear the young, by feeding them on raw meat, and the old birds also get reconciled to captivity and catch flies &e. There is, I believe, only one species of Woodpecker found in the island, the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major), and this, as might be expected, is confined to the pine- belt high up on the mountain-side. I obtained a pair in the pime-woods above La Guancha, on the 15th Feb. Its local name in this place is “ Peto”’; in other districts the bird is called “ Carpintero,” or “ the carpenter.” Birds of Teneriffe. 75 No species of Bee-eater regularly visits Teneriffe, I believe ; but Viera, in his Dictionary, mentions the arrival of con- siderable flocks in Gran Canaria in 1788 and 1800. His description is that of the common Merops apiaster. The migratory species of Shrike which arrives in Teneriffe about the end of March is undoubtedly Lanius algeriensis. I was unable to procure specimens during my stay, but young Baeza (son of my poor friend the captain), acting under my orders, went on an expedition, after my depar- ture, to the Punta de Teno, the north-western extremity of the island, and procured several skins there. These I have compared with examples of the other Grey Shrikes in my collection, and have come to the conclusion that they are L. algeriensis. This identification endorses the opinion of Sharpe and Dresser (‘ Birds of Europe,’ vol. ui. p. 389), who predicted that this form would prove to be the one occur- ring in the Canary Islands. It appears to be numerous in the vicinity of the Punta de Teno, where it breeds, but, so far as I could ascertain, it is comparatively rare on the eastern side of the island. There are but two game birds to be found in any numbers in Teneriffe, the Barbary Partridge (Caccabis petrosa) and the Quail. Woodcocks are resident in the ravines high up on the mountain, but are too rare to afford sport to the native “ cazadores,’’ and Snipe are never met with in any numbers in the winter, owing to the want of suitable places for them. The Partridge is tolerably numerous in the upper and rougher portions of the island; but, from what I could hear, no big bags are made, owing to the difficult nature of the ground and the well-known running powers of the bird. I saw a good many during my ornithological rambles, and shot two or three, for identification, in magnificent plumage. They are most plentiful on the southern slopes, near Vilaflor, whence I have some eggs, presented to me by my friend Don Ramon Gomez, taken about the Ist April. Baeza repeatedly assured me that he had been Partridge-shooting on the north side of Gran Canaria, the island nearest to Teneriffe on the 76 Captain 8. G. Reid on the east side, and that the species found there was the, Red-legged Partridge (C. rufa). I made many inquiries about this, and, onthe whole, am inclined to believe his statement, which I hope to see verified at no very distant date. It is quite possible that C. rufa has been introduced into Gran Canaria; but it will be somewhat curious if it is the only species occurring there, and C. petrosa the only one in Teneriffe. Viera says of the “ Perdiz,” that it is common to both Canaria and Teneriffe, and has been introduced without suc- cess into Palma. In his description of the bird he says it has the neck and gorge bordered with dark spots (manchitas os- euras). Whether this applies to C. rufa or to C. petrosa seems uncertain, but I should say the former, for C. petrosa has white spots on a chocolate or rich red ground. Quails are resident in numbers in Teneriffe, and very good sport is to be had, especially near Tacoronte and Laguna, in the months of August and September. A moderate shot is dissatisfied with less than 20 couple, I am informed, and many thousands must be killed every year. Still they do not appear to diminish in numbers, and during the months of February and March I was constantly putting them up in the maize- and wheat-fields, whilst their curious triple note was to be heard on all sides. I, of course, saw nothing of the Bustard of the eastern islands—the Houbara (Otis undulata). It is not found except in Fuerteventura, where it is apparently common, and in Lanzarote, where it is scarce or accidental. I saw a pair of eggs in the museum at Tacoronte, which were small edi- tions of those of O. tarda. There seems to be no doubt about the species, but I should much like te have obtained a specimen, Under the name “ polla de agua,” Viera, in his Dictionary (1799), describes the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), and states that it has occurred occasionally in Gran Canaria; but I do not think it has been obtained in Teneriffe. He also mentions the Common Coot (Fulica atra) as occurring and breeding in Gran Canaria. It is certainly found in Teneriffe, Birds of Teneriffe. i for I saw a live bird in Tacoronte in February, which had been captured in the vicinity, and was looking healthy and comfortable in a big cage. The hospitable owner informed me that a few came every year to the island. I cannot include the ‘ Ganga,” or Sand Grouse of Fuer- teventura (Pterocles arenarius),in my list; but I may mention that Viera, who calls it Lagopus pyrenaica, Linn., gives, in his Dictionary, a description of a Pterocles as follows :— “A bird of the family of the Gallinules, and of the size of a Partridge, whose beak is nearly straight, with the nostrils at the base of the upper mandible united to the feathers of the forehead. Its wings are long. From the tail start two feathers half as long again as the others, getting gradually thinner till they terminate in a point. The head, neck, and shoulders show several points and spots, which are black, greenish and red, while the lower portion of the body is black. The feet are ashy, covered with a feathery down, claws black. On the throat are three black lines, like a necklace. It breeds in the island of Fuerteventura.” This description would seem to apply to Pterocles alchata, except that the abdomen is given as black, as in P. arenarius. Perhaps both species have occurred, and the description has thus got somewhat mixed. (See Dresser’s ‘ Birds of Europe,’ vol. vu. pp. 63 & 70.) Viera carefully describes the Courser (Cursorius gallicus) of the eastern islands under the expressive name of “ Engafia- muchachos ” (Anglicé “ Cheat-the-boys”’), from its habit of squatting and permitting a near approach, and then running off like a greyhound, to the great disappointment of its would- be captor. I need not say that this sand-loving bird is not found in the rocky island of Teneriffe. The Stone Curlew (Gidicnemus scolopax) occurs sparingly in the few suitable spots in Teneriffe, and breeds near Oro- tava. I have eggs taken there in a comparatively level piece of corn-field near the Botanical Gardens. I saw one or two there, and also heard the note of the bird near Buena Vista. Viera describes the Golden Plover as occurring in flocks in the rainy season, but I failed to obtain any information 78 Captain S. G. Reid on the about it in Teneriffe. The Lapwing undoubtedly visits the island, and Don R. Gomez has two examples in his museum, obtained near Orotava. He also had a specimen of the Ringed Plover (Mgialitis hiaticula), which he kindly gave to me, and informed me that the bird is not uncommonly met with along the shore. Viera appears to allude to it under the name of “ chorlito de collar.” I did not come across the Turnstone, Woodcock, or Snipe during my stay. I saw a single Common Sandpiper (Tringoides hypoleucus) on the shore near Orotava on the 5th February, and this was the only representative of the Scolopacide I met with. Many other species occur, however; for Don R. Gomez has local specimens of the Curlew and the Redshank in his collection, and Juan Baeza has recently sent me a Curlew, a Ruff (Ma- chetes pugnax), and a Curlew Sandpiper (Tringa subarquata), obtained by himself near Orotava. I was rather surprised at the absence of all species of Cormorant from the very suitable coasts of Teneriffe near Orotava, and equally surprised to find the Common Heron (Ardea cinerea) in pairs on the rocks there. I imagine it must breed in the cliffs, as it does in other parts of the world, but I was unable to ascertain this fora fact. Viera’s Dictionary contains a description of this bird as follows :— Garza (Ardea). A well-known bird, which is seen on the sea-shore and by the pools in our islands, a visitor from the neigh- bouring coasts of Africa; they always appear in pairs.” He then gives an account of two other Herons, which he calls “Garza cangrejera” (Cancrophagus) and “ Garzeta ” (Ardea alba minor). A specimen of the former, taken at the lake (now drained) at Laguna, in Teneriffe, appears, from his description, to have been a Squacco (A. ralloides), while the latter, which he describes from an example obtained in Gran Canaria, and speaks of as not uncommon, is probably A, bubulcus, the Buff-backed Heron. I did not meet with either, but Gomez has a local specimen of A. ralloides in his museum. The Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) has occurred in Tene- Birds of Teneriffe. 79 riffe, one having been obtained by Gomez near Orotava. Unfortunately the bill is the only portion he has preserved, but he described the bird to me, and there is no doubt that it may be safely added to the Teneriffian list. The Anatidz are out of place in an island like Teneriffe, now that the ancient lake at Laguna is a thing of the past. It must have been a grand place for all sorts of wild-fowl in the old days, but now, alas! there is nothing left but a small square tank, full of frogs and weeds, to mark the site of the former extensive sheet of water. I paid a visit to this miser- able relic of the good old times, and left the spot a sadder, if not a wiser, ornithologist. Viera talks of Ducks, which he calls ‘ Patos berberiscos.’’ and which appear to have been the Common Wild Duck (Anas boschas). I have often wondered what species were included amongst the Wild-fowl the Governor’s Peregrines were bullying on the lake at the time he was amusing himself in watching the “chasse” from the citadel of Laguna (see ‘The Ibis,’ 1887, p. 430). A real good marshy lake in the Canary Islands would be something to dream of. The country people spoke to me of Ducks as appearing occasionally in winter, generally flying overhead, but they could give me no information as to the species. A Duck isa Duck, and nothing more, in this rocky island. The Common Tern (Sterna fluviatilis) is of frequent occur- rence in the summer months in Teneriffe. I have received both skins and eggs from Gomez, though I never saw it myself, nor did I come across any other Terns during my stay. Doubtless several species are found in the eastern islands and detached rocks adjoining them, where there are many suitable breeding-places for all sorts of sea-birds. Gulls were numerous at Santa Cruz when we landed there, on the 4th February, but apparently of only two species, the Lesser Black-backed (Larus fuscus) and a Herring Gull, which I then recorded as L. argentaius, but which, from subsequent observations, made at the same place on my return, [ believe to have been L. cachinnans, the Yellow-legged Her- 80 Captain S. G. Reid on the ring Gull. There was alarge gathering of these Gulls off the Mole on the 8th April, when we were waiting for the steamer to arrive and take us home, and I watched them carefully through my telescope for some time. ‘Their legs were un- doubtedly yellow, and I cannot but think they were L. cachin- nans. Probably both species oceur. The Kittiwake was frequently to be seen off the shore at Orotava, and Gomez has a specimen in his collection. Mr. Godman thinks this Gull may breed on the rocky coasts of Teneriffe ; and I should say this was more than probable, though I found the information to be obtained from the natives as to the various species of Gulls, Terns, and Shear- waters was, to say the least of it, misleading. Of the Shearwaters and Petrels I obtamed examples of four different species, Puffinus kuhli, P. anglorum, P. obscurus , and Oceanites marinus, Lath.; but I did not meet with Bul- wer’s Petrel (Bulweria columbina), which does not, I fancy, range so far to the westward as Teneriffe, though, owing to its nocturnal habits, it might easily escape observation. Early in Marcha friend, much addicted to deep-sea fishing off the port of Orotava, mformed me that there were con- stantly hundreds of sea-birds of some sort round his boat all day long, evidently engaged, like himself, in fishing. My curiosity was roused, and on the 19th of that month, when the sea looked tolerably smooth, I embarked with a small party of friends, and young Baeza, in a substantial fishing- boat in search of specimens. The treacherous ocean belied its peaceful appearance, however, and we all felt remarkably uncomfortable in a very shert time ; but we stuck to our ship manfully, and long enough for me to get what I wanted. It really was worth all the discomfort, so far as I myself was concerned, to see such a sight :—hundreds of Puffinus kuhli and P. anglorum on the wing and in mixed flocks on the sur- face of the water, so busily engaged in their onslaught on the shoals of fish that they hardly took any notice of us, We shot three or four of each species, and then turned our boat’s head for the shore, where we landed and unanimously bp / decided to remain until our evil destiny compelled us to © Birds of Teneriffe. 81 return once more to England! My experience of the Pro- cellariidz is small, and I never imagined they were to be found in such numbers and to be so easily obtained. I do not think there were more than the two species I have mentioned. We inspected them as carefully as the violent tossings of the boat would allow, through my binoculars, and both Major Loyd (a good observer) and myself came to this conclusion. Juan Baeza has recently sent me the egg of a large Shear- water, but with no information as to where it was obtained. I presume it comes from Teneriffe itself, and is the egg of p> P. kuhli. It measures 2°83 by 1:97 inches, being somewhat larger than eggs of this bird in my collection from the island of Filfla, near Malta. Gomez has a specimen of the Dusky Shearwater (Puffinus obscurus) in his museum, and he kindly gave me one in the flesh, picked up on the shore at Orotava on the 15th March. It undoubtedly breeds in the western detached islets. I cannot understand why this bird is omitted by Mr. Dresser from the European list. It has been obtained within British limits, and surely the numbers occurring and breeding in the Atlantic islands—Madeira, the Desertas, Porto Santo, the Canaries, &c.—would entitle it to be regarded as something more than a straggler from the American coasts. A boy brought me a live example of an interesting little Petrel, Oceanites marinus, Lath., on the 20th March. It had been knocked over with a fishing-rod the previous even- ing. I was quite puzzled by its appearance, and could not determine its species; but my friend Capt. G. E. Shelley, who most kindly looked over my birds for me, identified it on my return home. He informed me that it has been ob- tained once or twice in the Canarian archipelago, and is an African species, though (somewhat unaccountably) not re- corded from the west coast of that continent, where, however, it doubtless occurs. While on the subject of these Shearwaters, I cannot help mentioning a very interesting fact with respect to the para- sites infesting the specimens I obtained. A keen micro- scopist, Mr. R. KE. Crickitt, was staying at our hotel in SHR veo VOlle Vil. G aft 82 On the Birds of Teneriffe. Orotava, and, at his request, I carefully collected examples of the parasites from my four species, which he subsequently mounted on slides for his microscope. An examination of these formidable-looking (under the magnifying - power) creatures gave the following startling results :—The parasites from P. kuhli and P. anglorwm are alike, or at any rate very similar, while those from P. ebscurus and O. marinus also resemble each other. The latter have no eyes, and belong to a set peculiar to night-flying birds ; the former have eyes and are usually met with in birds seen abroad by daylight ! Is this accidental, or is it part of a regular system of nature ? - I did not meet with the Razorbill (Alca torda) myself, but Don Ramon Gomez has specimens in his collection from the neighbourhood of Orotava. This is the only member of the Alcidee I recorded as Teneriffian. Viera mentions several sea-birds in his Dictionary; but his descriptions are some- what puzzling, and I cannot make out clearly what they refer to. Though very common, I never succeeded in obtaining a specimen of the Raven. On several cccasions young Baeza, when out with me, had an easy chance of securing one; but one time he did not fire, and another he missed, and so I came away without one. I was sorry for this, as the bird seemed to me smaller than the ordinary Huropean Corvus coraz, and may prove to be of a different species, perhaps C. tingitanus, the Tangier Raven of Col. Irby. A pair of eggs marked “Cuervo,” in the Tacoronte Museum, looked no larger than those of C. corone or C. cornix. Another bird I was anxious to obtain, the migratory Turtle Dove, which visits the island every summer, I did not remain late enough to procure. There seems to be a doubt as to which species it is, but I hope to receive specimens shortly and to clear this up. I have now, I think, gone through my list of species re- corded in Teneriffe—68 during my residence there, and 3 more subsequently, making 71 in all: not a very large total, certainly, but not bad, considering the limited area I worked. Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. 83 In conclusion I will give the local names for the most common species, which may prove useful to the ornitho- logical visitor to Teneriffe. I think these names may be pretty safely relied upon, though it is almost impossible to make out exactly to which bird some of these names belong. Egyptian Vulture, “Guirré”; Kestrel, “Cernicalo” ; Buzzard, “ Aguililla” ; Kite, ‘‘ Milano”; Sparrow Hawk, “Gavilan”; Long-eared Owl, “ Coruja” ; Barn Owl, “ Le- chuza”’; Great Spotted Woodpecker, “ Peto,” “ Carpintero ” ; Hoopoe, “Tabobo” ; Swifts, “ Andoriia” ; Swallow, “ Go- londrina”’?; Blackbird, “ Mirlo”?; Ultramarme Titmouse, “Frailero”; Chiffchaff, ‘“‘Hornero”; Blackcap, “Capirote”’ ; Spectacled Warbler, “ Ratonero’’?; Grey Wagtail, “ Pispa,” “ Alpispa”; Canarian Pipit, “Caminero”; Common Bunt- ing, “ Pajaro pollo,” “'Triguero” ; Rock Sparrow, ‘‘ Chil- lon,” “ Gorrion ” ; Teydean Chaffinch, ‘ Pajaro azul,” “ Pa- jaro de Teide,” “ Pajaro de la Cumbre ” ; Azorean Chaffinch, “‘Pempillon,” “Tintillon”; Linnet,“‘ Millero,” “‘Triguero”’(?); Goldfinch, “ Jilguero,” ‘ Pintacilgo,”’ “ Pintado”; Canary, “Canario”; Raven, “Cuervo”; Rock Dove, “ Paloma sal- vaje”’; Barbary Partridge, “ Perdiz’”’; Quail, “ Codorniz”’; Stone Curlew, “ Alcaravan”’; Sandpiper, Dunlin, &c., ‘‘ Pa- tito ; Heron, “ Garza’’; Terns, “Jarajao’’; Gulls, “ Ga- viota ’; Shearwaters, “ Pardela.”’ This list includes nearly all the species likely to be met with in Teneriffe. I have local names for others, but they are either doubtful or simply Spanish translations of the English names. -— VI.—On the Genus Cyclorhis, Swains. By Hans von BERLEpscu. In a recent number of ‘ The Ibis’ Mr. Sclater has published an important account of the genus Cyclorhis, which has in- terested me very much, as I have always given special atten- tion to this somewhat difficult genus of Vireonide. Seeing that there are several points in which I do not quite agree with my friend Mr. Sclater, I wish to direct once more G2 84 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. the attention of the readers of ‘The Ibis’ to this already much discussed matter, poimting out where my views are different from those held by the latest authority on that subject. Mr. Sclater lays much stress on the form or thickness of the bills in the species of Cyclorhis. It is evident that in several species the bill is much moreslender or less high than in others. For instance, I agree that in many northern species, viz. C. fla- vipectus, virenticeps, contrerasi, and guianensis, the billis more slender than in the southern ones. The group containing €. nigrirostris and atrirostris is still more remarkable for their small and feeble bills, and in this case the form of the bill may be well taken as a criterion to recognize the species. On the other hand, I cannot agree that the southern species, viz. C. albiventris, ochrocephala, and altirostris of Sclater’s list differ among themselves so constantly in the form of bill as Mr. Sclater asserts. As a rule, it is true that C. alti- rostris, Salv., has the bill somewhat higher and thicker than C. albiventris and C. ochrocephala; but in my collection there are several specimens of C. albiventris from Bahia, and askin from Buenos Ayres of C. ochrocephala, which possess bills quite as high as in typical C. altirostris, although not so broad on the culmen as in the latter. What I would point out is that in the form of this organ much individual dif- ference is observable, and that it does not seem advisable to make much use of this difference for a key to facilitate the distinction of the species of Cyclorhis. I shall now proceed to point out my views regarding the different species of Cyclorhis in the order in which they are given in Mr. Sclater’s article. +1. CyctoruIs FLAVIVENTRIS, Lafr. Regarding C. flaviventris yucatanensis, Ridgw., and C. in- sularis, Ridgw., I am in the same position as Mr. Sclater. Not having seen these birds, I am unable to form an opinion about them. The former seems very slightly different from typical C. flaviventris, and C. insularis ought perhaps rather to be compared with C. flavipectus subflavescens. In — Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. 85 fact, I can hardly conceive any difference between Ridgway’s description of C. insularis and the latter species. In the Rev. Am. Birds, i. p. 387, Prof. Baird alludes to certain skins of C. flaviventris from Guatemala, which lack the black of the lower jaw. I have a similar specimen from Vera Paz, which has the basal half of the under mandible reddish brown like that of the upper, and shows no traces of a plumbeous spot. ‘The bill, further, is much shorter and more feeble than in a specimen from Mexico, the super- ciliary stripe much paler, the pileum much suffused with brownish, and the olive of the back much darker ; wings and tail shorter. I am by no means satisfied that this is simply the young of C. flaviventris. But from Prof. Baird’s and Mr. O. Salvin’s remarks it appears that both forms are to be found together in Guatemala. Prof. Cabanis has also men- tioned a specimen of C. flavipectus with uniform reddish under mandible. +2. CycLoRHIs FLAVIPECTUS, Scl. As Mr. Sclater remarks, specimens from Costa Rica and Veragua are perhaps separable as a subspecies, C. flavipectus subflavescens (Cab.). But the points of distinction urged by Prof. Cabanis do not hold good. The yellow of the under- parts in the northern form is not more extended, but even sometimes more restricted, paler and more greenish than in typical specimens from the south. Nevertheless the northern bird may be distinguished by the paler greyish olive of the upper parts, the paler rufous superciliary stripe, and darker ashy sides of head and chin, and perhaps by the slightly larger dimensions. Specimens of C. flavipectus from Bogota generally show a much purer and deeper golden yellow on the underparts than those from Venezuela and Trinidad. +8. CycLORHIS VIRENTICEPs, Scl. +4, CYCLORHIS CONTRERASI, Tacz. I have nothing to add to Mr. Sclater’s accouut of these species. 86 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. +5, CycLoruis GUIANENSIS (Gm.). Tn this species much individual variation is observable, and there are specimens of C. flavipectus from Porto Cabello, Venezuela, and Trinidad, which somewhat approach to C. guianensis, although they show less greyish suffusion on the belly, and have a lighter tip to the under mandible. The brownish suffusion on the ashy pileum is an individual cha- racter, and is found in immature specimens of C. flavipectus as well as in C. guianensis. I should remark, however, that but one specimen from Trinidad in Mus. H. v. B. shows the pileum as clear bluish ash as in C. guianensis, other Trinidad skins possessing rather a brownish cap, as do the majority of specimens from Bogota and Venezuela. Prof. Baird says that C. guianensis has the legs dusky. In two skins from British Guiana I found them dusky; but in the majority from the same locality, and in two birds from N.E. Peru, they are rather pale flesh-colour, just as in true C. flavipectus. +6. CycLorais ALBIVENTRIS, Scl. Mr. Sclater expresses his opinion that C. albiventris can- not be =C. cearensis, Baird, because the latter is stated to possess a decided buff tinge on the belly. Now several of my specimens from Bahia, belonging certainly to C. albi- ventris, show a buff tinge on the sides of the belly, which is wanting in others. C. cearensis, Baird, is based on two specimens from Ceara; but Prof. Baird says, “a specimen from Bahia is quite similar.” Therefore I think there cannot be the slightest doubt that C. albiventris is a synonym of C. cearensis. Mr. Sclater certainly would agree with me that it is quite improbable, or nearly impossible, that two so similar species, only differ- ing in the presence or absence of a buffy tinge to the white belly, should occur in one and the same locality. In fact, the buffy tinge of the belly is rather an individual character, being likewise found in young or freshly moulted specimens of C. gutanensis ; and even specimens of C. ochro- cephala differ among themselves in that respect, the belly Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. 87 being in some of them more strongly suffused with ochra- ceous than in others *. I have examined a specimen in the Vienna Museum col- lected near Goiaz( 3, coll. 12th August, 1823) by Joh. Natterer (not distinguished by von Pelzeln from his C. wiedi), and have found it to be quite identical with my Bahia skins of C. cearensis. From C. guianensis, C. cearensis differs in its dusky legs, stouter, higher bill, and the more restricted plumbeous mark of the under mandible; in C. guianensis nearly the whole of the under mandible being plumbeous, while in C. cearensis the plumbeous colour extends halfway or two- thirds from the base. Further, C. cearensis has always a brownish cap, never of so clear a plumbeous grey as in C. guianensis. The yellow of the breast and sides is usually much paler and more restricted, the belly purer white to a ereat extent, and without any greyish cast. The synonymy of this species will stand as follows :— Thamnophilus guianensis, Pr. Wied (nec Gm.), Beitr. iii. (1831), p. 1016 (Campo geral). Cyclorhis cearensis, Baird, Rev. Am. Birds, i. (1866), p- 891 (Ceara and Bahia). Cyclorhis albiventris, Scl. & Salv. Nomencl. Av. Neotr. 1873, p. 156 (typ. de Bahia). Cyclorhis wiedi (partim), Pelzelu, Orn. Brasil. p. 74 (specim. ex Bahia & Goiaz). Hab. Para (Mus. Brit, fide Gadow) ; Pernambuco (fide Gadow) ; Ceara (Baird); Bahia (Baird, Scl. & Salv., Ber- lepsch) ; Goiaz (Natterer). +7. CyCLORHIS OCHROCEPHALA, T'sch. Tschudi evidently confounded several species under the above name when he stated that his C. ochrocephala inhabits “ Brasil. merid., Buenos Ayres, Bolivia, and Peru”’}; but his * Although Prof. Baird did mention the buff tinge as a distinguishing character of C. cearensis, he would probably lay greater stress on the fact that in C. cearensis the greyish tinge of C. guianensis is altogether absent. + The bird from Bolivia would be C. viridis (Vieill.), and that from Peru C. gutanensis (Gmel.). 88 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. diagnosis certainly applies to the species which Mr. Sclater and I myself take for it. Comparing specimens from 8S. Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Buenos Ayres, I do not find any constant differences between them. Syn. Cyclorhis guianensis, Swains. (nec Gmel.) ; C. viridis, Cab., Gadow, Scl. & Salv., Durnf., White (nec Vieill. !). Hab. Prov. Rio: Rio de Janeiro (Natterer, Scl. & Salv., Mus. H. v. B.); 8. Paulo (Natterer & Duschanek in Mus. H. v. B.) ; Rio Grande do Sul (Jhering in Mus. H. v. B.) ; Argentina, Buenos Ayres (Burm., Durnf., Mus. H. v. B.) ; Corrientes (White, two spec. exam. by H. v. B.). +8. Cyctoruis wiep1, Pelzeln (not admitted by Mr. Sclater). Mr. Sclater says “ C. wiedi of Pelzeln (Orn. Bras. p. 74), of Parana, is also barely separable.” In my mind C. wiedi, Pelzeln, is as perfectly valid a species as many others admitted by Mr. Sclater. It combines the long rufous superciliary stripe of C. cearensis with the uniform rufous under man- dible (without any trace of plumbeous spot) of C. ochro- cephala. I have examined one skin of this species, kindly submitted to my inspection by Mr. Sclater, which belongs to his col- lection. It is a typical C. wiedi, Pelzeln, “ ? ,” collected near Engenho do Gama, Matogrosso, July 27, 1826, by the late Joh. Natterer. ‘This bird generally agrees in colora- tion with C. cearensis of Bahia, having the broad rufous superciliary stripe extended, as in that species, to the sides of the nape ; but there is not the shghtest trace of a plumbeous spot at the base of the lower mandible. ‘The bill seems to be more slender, the legs paler, the breast and the sides of the body of a brighter and deeper yellow; the back of a brighter more yellowish olive-green ; the belly more suffused with buff or rusty than in C. cearensis. Unfortunately, I have not yet examined the specimens from Cuyaba, Matogrosso, and Rio Parana (coll. Natterer) which are in the Vienna Museum, but I have little doubt that Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. 89 they also belong to this species, with long rufous supercilia and uniform rufous under-mandible. Mr. von Pelzeln unfortunately confounded C. cearensis with his C. wiedi, saying in the diagnosis, “ rostro brunneo, mandibulz basi in individuis nonnullis plumbea.”’ His specimens from Bahia (Sello) and Goiaz (Natt.) are un- doubtedly referable to C. cearensis. Prof. Baird, in Rev. Am. Birds, p. 392, under the name of C. viridis, describes a female from Parana (S. I. no. 20, 976), which evidently belongs to C. wiedi. He describes his bird as follows :—“ Bill rather dusky, under mandible somewhat darker, but without a distinct spot as in C. guianensis. Forehead ochrey brown, this colour extending narrowly above and beyond the eye to the nape.” The synonymy of this species will stand as follows :— Cyclorhis wiedi, Pelzelu, Orn. Bras. (1868), pp. 74, 137, 138, partim! (excl. specim. ex Bahia & Goiaz), typ. ex Matogrosso & Parana. Cyclorhis wiedi, Gadow *, Cat. Birds B. M. viii. (1883), sub C. ochrocephala. Cyclorhis viridis, Baird (nec Vieill.), Rev. Am. Birds, i. (1866), p. 892 (Parana), excl. syn. et specim. ex Bolivia. Hab. Matogrosso (Natterer) ; Parana (Natterer & Page, in U.S. Nat. Mus.). 9 (Sclater’s no. 8). CycLoruis ALTiRostRIs, Saly. I do not understand why Mr. Sclater does not accept the term “viridis” for this species. Azara’s description of his ‘‘Habia verde,” on which Vieillot based his Saltator viridis, is as clear as it could be. Inthe French translation of Azara it is said, “ Un trait rougedtre qui prend aux narines, passe au dessus des yeux,” and further, “‘ Le bec est rouge de corail, terne en dessus, bleu en dessous.” This, I should think, is enough to prove that neither C, ochrocephala nor C. wiedi, the only species which touch the frontiers of Paraguay, can come into the question. Moreover, ¥* Gadow refers Thamnophilus ‘guianensis, Pr. Wied, as a synonym to C. wiedi, but Pr. Wied’s description evidently belongs to C. cearensis. 90 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. I have received the very bird from Asuncion in Para- guay, which proved to be quite identical with C. altirostris, Salvin, from Tucuman *. At one time Mr. Sclater+ correctly referred his Boli- vian skin to C. viridis, Vieill., but more recently he has transferred that name to the species of S.E. Brazil and Argentina, which is entitled to the name of C. ochroce- phala, Tschudi. That the term C. altirostris imposed on C. viridis by Mr. O. Salvin is an appropriate name cannot, in my mind, justify us in abandoning the old name C. viridis, Vieill., about the correct application of which there can be not the slightest doubt. C. viridis (Vieill.), then, is a near ally of C. cearensis, Bd., but is larger in all its dimensions, and has a larger, stouter, usually higher bill. The olive of the upper parts is duller and more of a greyish tint; the yellow of the breast is duller or more greenish yellow; the abdomen more suffused with rusty. Its synonymy is :—Azara, “ Habia verde,” no. 89, undé Saltator viridis, Vieill., Enc. Méth. ii. (1820), p. 793 (typ. ex Paraguay). Laniagra guianensis, VOrb. & Lafr. Synops. Av. 1. (1837), p- 9; @Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 160 (Corrientes, Arg.: Chiquitos, Yungas, Ayupaya, & Rio Grande, Bolivia). Cyclorhis viridis, Scl. P. Z.S. 1858, p. 448 (Paraguay & Bolivia) ; id. Cat. Coll. Am. B. p. 46, no. 280 (Bolivia) ; Baird (part.), Rev. Am. B. 1. p. 892 (Boliv. ex Sclater). Cyclorhis altirostris, Salv. Ibis, 1880, p. 352 (typ. ex Salta). Hab. Paraguay (Azara & Rohde); N. Argentina, Salta (Durnford, Mus. Salv. & Godm.); Tucuman (Schulz, Mus. H. v. B.); Bolivia (Mus. Sclater & @ Orbigny). PP) 10 (Scl. no. 9). Cyctoruis nicrirostris, Lafr. 11 (Scl. no. 10). Cyctoruts arrrrostris, Scl. It is difficult to form an opinion about this new species, as the specimen described is evidently in immature plumage ; * Cf. Berl. Journ. f. Orn. 1887, p. 5. T Sel. Cat. Coll. Am. Birds, p. 46, no, 280. Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. oI but I may remark that a young bird of C. virenticeps, Scl., in my collection, has the upper and under mandible uniform blackish, thus differing from adults of that species, which have the upper mandible pale-coloured. May not the colora- tion of the bill in the new species be due to immaturity also ? Otherwise the affinities of the new species are certainly with C. nigrirostris, as Sclater remarks, not with C. virenticeps. In consequence of what I have said in the preceding pages, the species of Cyclorhis should, according to my views, stand as follows :— +1. Cyctoruis FLAvIvEeNTRIS, Lafr, S. Mexico, Guate- mala. + ?1]1 a. CycLoRHIS FLAVIVENTRIS YUCATANENSIS, Ridgw. Yucatan. + 2. CycLoruts FLavirpectus, Scl. Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad. + 2a. CycLORHIS FLAVIPECTUS SUBFLAVESCENS (Cab.). Costa Rica, Veragua. +26. CycLoruis insuLARis, Ridgw. Cozumel Isl. + 3. CycLoruls GUIANENSIS (Gmel.). Cayenne, Brit. Guiana, Amazonia sup. (et infer. ?). +4, CycLORHIS CEARKENSIS, Baird. Brasil. or. (Para? to Bahia), Goiaz. ~+5. Cychorwis viripis (Vieill.). Paraguay, Tucuman, Salta, Bolivia. + 6. Cyctoruis wiEp1, Pelzeln. Matogrosso, Parana. +7. CycLoruis ocHRocEePHata, Tschud. Rio Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Argentina or. & oce. + 8. CycLorHIS VIRENTICEPS, Scl. Ecuador occ., Peru sept. oce. , 9. CycLoRHIs CONTRERASI, Tacz. Peru sept. in montibus. +10. CycLoruis nicrirostRis, Lafr. Bogota, Antioquia. +?11. Cycroruts arrirostris, Scl. Ecuador. According to my views the following key for determining the species of Cyclorhis would be the most natural one :— 92 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. A. Bill stout, upper mandible pale. N.B.—The young of C. virenticeps is an exception. a. Base of lower mandible more or less plumbeous *. a’, Belly yellow like breast. a’. Lower parts intense yellow ...... 1. flaviventris. 6". Lower parts pale yellow.......... la. flaviv. yucatanensis ? b'. Belly white, greyish white, or ochra- ceous. c''. Pileum pure cinereous in adults, suffused with brownish in imma- ture plumage. Legs flesh- coloured or dusky. d'’, Belly nearly pure or rusty white. Legs always flesh-coloured. e"”". Upper parts bright yellowish olive; supercilia deep chest- nut; sides of head and chin Bslby WHItC!, ccs .a ses cate 2. flavipectus. f''". Upper parts greyish olive; supercilia bright rufous; sides of head and chin ¢ 2a. flavip. subflavescens. darker cinereous { 95, tnsularis P e'''. Belly suffused with ashy; legs sometimes dusky .......... 3. guianensis. d". Pileum always suffused with brown- ish ; legs dusky plumbeous. g'". Smaller,bill moderately stout. 4. cearensis. h''", Larger, bill very stout...... 5. viridis. e". Pileum mostly green; legs pale flesh-coloured. OPOuOn cece ec 2", Pileum uniform green ...... 8. verenticeps. k'"'", Pileum green mixed with CHESthUth. |. hens ceakiet cae 9. contrerast. b. Base of lower mandible never plumbeous ; bill uniform reddish, c'. Rufous superciliary stripe ending above EWG CVO let sila aban canals eceiale atone eee 7. ochrocephala, d’. Rufous superciliary stripe protracted to the sides of the occiput or nape.. 6. wedi. B. Bill small, upper mandible always black. c. Bill black, basal third of lower mandible Hesh=coloured ieee tila: ce see einem 10. nigrirostris. ni rotbeeertay ceteris tenepeettegs Ll. atrirostris ? * Some specimens of C. flaviventrts and C. flavip. subflavescens, perhaps immature birds, lack the plumbeous on the base of the under mandible, On the Acanthizee of Tasmania. 93 VII.—Remarks on the Acanthizze of Tasmania. By Colonel W. V. Luaes, R.A., F.Z.8. Tue largest species of the so-called “ Acanthizas” of Tas- mania is the Acanthiza magna of Gould, figured as a Seri- cornis in his Supplement, and described later in his ‘ Hand- book,’ vol. i. p. 373, as an Acanthiza. A comparison of this species with its Tasmanian allies, the members of the genus Acanthiza, and with Sericornis humilis, has led me to the con- clusion that the structure of its bill and wing warrant its separation from these latter genera, and I therefore propose a new genus for its reception, which I call Acanthornis. The bill in Acanthornis is distinctly curved throughout, and is also laterally compressed, while the bills in Acan- thiza and Sericornis are straight and wide at the base, and less compressed than in the former. The wing in Acanthornis is also rounded, and the primaries curved, form- ing a typically hollow Timeline wing; the second and third quills are proportionately shorter than the same in Acanthiza, and the fourth is likewise shorter and not sub-equal with the fifth, as in the latter genus. In structure the wing of the bird in question resembles that of Sericornis, which is hollow and thoroughly Timeline. The following diagnoses of the three genera show their different characteristics :— Acanthiza.—Bill short and straight, with the commissure straight from the nostrils to the tip. Wing rather pointed, with the quills straight, the first half the length of the fourth, and the second subequal with the eighth. Tail with a subterminal black band. Tarsus distinctly plated. Acanthornis.—Bill longer, curved throughout, the com- missure curved from base to tip, compressed laterally between the position of the nostrils and the tip. Wing rounded and concave, with the first quill half the length of the fifth, which is the longest; the second shorter than any of the inner primaries ; the third considerably shorter than the fourth, which is less ¢ 94 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological than the fifth and longest. Tail with a subterminal dark band. Tarsus covered with a single plate. Sericornis.—Bill longer than in Acanthiza, straight, the commissure straight from gape to tip. Wing rounded and concave, the wing-formula the same as in Acan- thornis. Tail shorter than in the two preceding genera, without any dark bar. Tarsus covered with a single plate, or with almost obsolete broad scales. Acanthornis magna is not uncommon on the slopes of Mount Wellington, Tasmania, and about the edges of forests on other southern mountains in the island, but from its retiring nature escapes observation, and its distribution is conse- quently not well worked out as yet. In a future note I hope to be able to say something of its habits and to describe its nest and eggs. VIII.— Ornithological Notes of a Tour in Cyprus in 1887. By Dr. F. H. H. Guitiemarp, M.A., F.Z.8. With a Preface by Lord Lizrorp. (Plate IT.) PREFACE, AutHouGH well aware that the author of the “ Cruise of the ‘Marchesa’ ” stands in no need of any introduction to those interested in ornithology, I may perhaps be allowed to men- tion that the collecting tour in Cyprus described in the following article was undertaken by Dr. Guillemard on my behalf. I visited the southern and eastern coasts of the island in the spring of 1875 in the yacht ‘ Zara,’ but owing to many delays on our voyage from Marseilles, the uncertainty con- cerning anchorage, and other causes, I had not much time to spare before the great heats of summer, and my rambles were confined to short distances from the sea. Soon after the British occupation of the island in 1878, I sent out Mr. W. Pearse, who had been with Mr. Danford in Asia Minor, to collect for me in Cyprus; but, on the whole, this Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 95 expedition was very meagre in zoological results, and unhap- pily ended in the death of the collector. I had, probably in common with many other British ornithologists, been hoping for some information on the fauna of Cyprus from some of our countrymen more or less permanently established there, ever since the year just mentioned, but in vain; and asI am convinced that the island, if properly worked, could show at least as long a list of birds as any district of equal area washed by the Mediterranean, I requested Dr. Guillemard to see what he could do there. I am very glad to say that he is about to start very shortly on a second collecting expe- dition to Cyprus, and I hope, with the permission of the Editors, to present the readers of ‘The Ibis’ before very long with a detailed list of the birds met with by him, My. Pearse, and myself.—L. Bournemouth, Nov. 1887. Tuost who are acquainted only with the more western islands of the Mediterranean—Corsica, with its snow-capped peak of Monte Rotondo peeping from above the pine-groves ; Sicily, with Taormina, the champion view of Europe ; Corfu, the richness of whose verdure is hardly to be surpassed even by Madeira—will be more than disappointed with the first view of Cyprus. They may consider themselves fortunate if their first port should chance to be Limassol. The long row of white houses, dotted here and there with date-palms; the tent-besprinkled slopes of Polymedia running back to the spurs of the Troddos range; the sunlight dancing on the crisp blue waters of the bay (and when is there not sun in Cyprus ?)—all these form a pleasant picture enough; but the traveller is somehow conscious that the island has done her best; that she has, in short (may I be pardoned the metaphor !), got all her goods in the shop-window ; and this impression is perhaps not entirely removed on a closer acquaintance. There are, no doubt, charming views in Cyprus; but they are those where the barren treelessness, so characteristic of the country, becomes softened or obli- terated by the charm of distance. » 96 Dr. Ff. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological Larnaka, however, is another affair altogether. Coasting round the island from Limassol one gets gradually prepared to expect little in the way of scenery. The land lessens in height, and is sparsely dotted with caroub-trees, which leave the glaring white gypseous soil far too much in evidence to be pleasant to the eye. Before reaching the port even the caroubs disappear. A long, low, and perfectly barren pro- montory, Cape Kiti, is rounded, and then the steamer drops anchor, leaving the naturalist to wonder whether he had not better continue his journey in her and leave Cyprus alone. He would make a great mistake if he were to do so; for the island, though not the most beautiful, is probably the most interesting in the Mediterranean Sea. Archzologically speaking, it certainly is so; but with archeology we have here nothing to do. I landed at Larnaka on the 22nd of February. It was not long before I was experiencing the hospitality which the English in Cyprus apparently make it a point of honour to dispense to strangers. In many years of wandering I do not think I ever met with a more kindly welcome than that afforded me throughout the island, and I can only wish that ‘The Ibis’ had a larger circulation in Cyprus, in order that I might testify my appreciation of the kindness of my many hosts. In the bazaar there were no birds of any special interest, though dozens of Goldfinches, many Caccabis chukar, and a few Calandra Larks hung up im cages for sale. The Red- legs get very tame and are often let out for an airing in front of their master’s shop, where they take as little notice of the crowded traffic of the bazaar as a Seven Dials’ fowl does of his surroundings. My host, too, had an aviary, or the rudi- ments of one. A Magpie, his character apparently none the better for his nationality, hopped warily about the garden, and had as companions a Francolin and two Striv flammea. The latter had been caught in Larnaka; but the species cannot be very common, as I never saw and only once doubtfully heard it during my stay in Cyprus. The Little Owl, Athene noctua, is abundant in the town, as it is, indeed, Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 97 in almost every part of the island I visited. It inhabits the roofs of the houses, and its slight domestic disagreements or faint cat-like mewings are common sounds of the night in a Cypriote house. At a later visit to Larnaka I obtained a good series of eggs of this species. A walk in the environs of the town on the morning after my arrival was almost devoid of interest from an ornitholo- gist’s point of view. I visited the Government Gardens. The word garden can only be applied to the result of the floricultural endeavours of the islanders by a person whose sense of humour is subordinated to that of politeness; but it is unkindly Nature, and no unskilfulness on the part of the gardener, that causes the failure. These grounds were per- haps nearer to success than any others I saw, or would have been had they been under cultivation; but they had been deserted for two or three years or more. The ruined cottage at the entrance spoke only too plainly of the monetary disabilities under which Cyprus is labouring. The Turkish debt hangs like a millstone round her neck, and, until it is removed, all progress, whether in the Government Gardens or in the affairs of the island, will be alike an impossibility. Larnaka is a poor collecting-ground, except for marsh- and lake-haunting birds, and being anxious to choose a good spot at which to establish myself for the spring migrants, I started for Nikosia without delay. The road, constructed by the English, traverses the dreary plain of the Mesorea (or Messaria, as it is invariably misspelt), the only interest of which is geological. At no very far distant epoch Cyprus existed as two separate islands, that to the north, long and narrow, a single mountain-range two or three thousand feet in height; that to the south less long, but of greater area— the present Troddos range. The intervening plain bears abundant evidences of its upheaval. It is dotted here and there with low flat-topped hills, and in many places extensive beds of fossil shells exist. In some of these that I afterwards examined there were large quantities of Ostrea, Pecten, and Cyprina. The Mesorea is visited by Otis tetrax, which is occasionally SER. V.— VOL. VI. H 98 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological to be seen. n the Nikosia market ; and also, but more rarely, by Otis tarda, of which Mr. King, the District Commis- sioner, told me he had once had a recently-killed specimen brought to him. A species of Pterocles is now common, and I learnt on good authority that it breeds in the island. Among the birds I noticed on the road to the capital were the Magpie, Hooded Crow, Bunting, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Saxicola morio, and Tinnunculus cenchris, all of which are extremely common and generally distributed in almost every part of Cyprus I visited; the Bunting alone, perhaps, con- fining itself to low altitudes. The Chaffinch, of which I saw a single specimen, appears to retreat to the hills for the summer. A Stonechat or two were to be seen perched on the summit of the parched and stunted bushes, and I remarked a flock of Lapwings, a bird I never met with afterwards. Of the extraordinary abundance of the Crested Lark I need say nothing. At one place a migration of a small species of Julus was going on, the road being covered with them for fifty yards or more. Everyone who has travelled in the East must have remarked that the Corvidee have a distinct predilection for a town life. Ravens and Carrion Crows find Nikosia a good hunting- ground and are tame enough, and around the beautiful church of Santa Sophia, now a mosque, the Jackdaws chatter in hundreds. There are few other birds in the neighbourhood. Vultur fulvus floats lazily in the cloudless sky, or sits at the edge of the low, truncated kopjes near the Larnaka gate ; and within the town Tinnunculus cenchris is nearly as common as the ubiquitous Sparrow; but these practically complete the list. On the 24th February I saw the Swallow for the first time, and three days later they were abundant. The temperature at this date was distinctly cold, for although at mid-day the mercury might stand at 65° Fahr. in the shade or even higher, it sank at night to 39° in the verandah. From the clearness and thinness of the air such weather is more felt than might be imagined, and though the Greek and Turkish houses are for the most part without fires, the English sit round their stoves with the same enjoyment as they gather on the hearth-rug at home in winter. Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 99 Finding a servant, procuring ammunition from Limassol, and trying to acquire some information about the island, took up some little time, and I did not leave the capital till March 4th. I had determined on visiting the lighthouse at the extremity of the Akrotiri peninsula for a few days, in order to watch the arrival of the migrants. All travelling is done in Cyprus by mule, and my first introduction to the native saddle, which I had resolved on using, was no more pleasant than such introductions usually are. Over the stratouri, as it is called—a pack-saddle of good pattern, so far as the com- fort of the animal is concerned—is thrown a pair of strong saddle-bags of the ordinary Syrian type. A pair of stirrups, tied together with cord, is then laid across, and on the top a four-fold paplouma or quilt. Although there is a girth, it is never tightened, and the creature’s load, whether animate or inanimate, depends almost entirely upon balance for its safety. Equitation in Cyprus appears to the tyro to offer no certainties but a broken neck; but after a time he learns to prefer the native saddle to an English “ Peat,” at all events for work upon the island. We had hardly left Nikosia an hour, before some heavy rain-clouds, which had been threatening for some time, broke over us, accompanied by a bitter wind from the north-west. The barren, lifeless plain looked dreary beyond description, and on reaching the Idalia river, a dry, stony watercourse, as are most of the ‘‘rivers”’ of Cyprus, I decided to halt for the night. I obtained lodgings at a Turkish house in the little village of Pera-khorio. Next morning the villagers brought me a small stone head of Assyrian type, in excellent preservation, and a tame Rook. ‘These birds do not appear to be common, as, indeed, might be expected; and I believe the greater part, if not all of them, leave the island in the spring. Next morning the weather was fine, and the wind had veered to north-east. In spite of the sun, it was so cold in the forenoon that I wore a thick pea-jacket with pleasure. Our way lay southward towards Mount Stavrovouni, and leaving the plain we came into a country of low, irregular H 2 100 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological hills, the valleys between which were chiefly vineyards and corn-land. The vines, however, were leafless, and no sign of spring in the shape of an anemone or ranunculus was to be seen. We passed large flocks of goats, which were invariably accompanied by still larger flocks of the White Wagtail, each animal having two or three of these birds in close attendance. A decided change was visible on arriving at the southern slopes of the island. Anemones appeared, a few stray but- terflies were occasionally to be seen (Pontia cardamines, Pieris crategi, and Gonepterya rhamni), and low bushes afforded cover for various birds. I saw a tolerable number of Black- birds, some specimens of Anthus, the Wren, Robin, Redstart (Ruticilla titys), and the first and only Blue Tit that I met with in theisland. Atone place [I noticed a solitary Hirundo rufula, a species which I did not again come across until long after- wards. Although it is, perhaps, to be found in each of the Districts of the island, it is very local. It occurs at Fama- gusta, at the ruins of Bellapais, at Kyrenia, in the pass above Lanarka tou Lapethou, and near the village of Poli; but at all these places it seemed to frequent the immediate neigh- bourhood of its home, and never to go far a-field. Arriving at Tochni, an old Greek woman welcomed me at her house in the customary Cypriote fashion, swinging a small censer around me and enveloping me in little clouds of perfumed smoke. On such occasions the guest bows, thanks his host, and making the sign of the cross is thereafter pro- tected from evil spirits during his residence in the house. Next day they brought me a lad who was said to be suffering from the sting of a ‘ sfadayyn”’ inflicted five months before. Whether the injury was due to this cause or not I cannot say, but the right eye was completely hidden by an indurated. and ill-looking swelling of the upper eyelid and neighbouring parts, and its structure in all probability destroyed. The odarayyn, a sand-wasp of the genus Mutilla (M. hungarica), is extremely dreaded by the Cypriotes, who believe its sting to be occasionally capable of causing death. On the 7th of March I found myself established at the Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 101 lighthouse at Cape Gato. The headland is said to be so called from the number of cats that at one time ran wild in the neighbourhood. There are none now, at least I never saw any ; but on two or three occasions I came across places where the ground had been rooted up by pigs. The wild boar, however, does not exist in Cyprus, and these, like the cats, are merely tame animals escaped from civilization. The light is 109 feet above the sea, and is a dioptric of the fourth order, flashing every two minutes, and visible at a distance of twenty miles. The Akrotiri peninsula, at the extremity of which it is placed, is practically uninhabited, and is a wide stretch of barren moorland, which in the neighbourhood of Cape Gato is covered with stunted bushes. Here and there a travesty of a tree is to be seen, with an inclination of branches sufficient to show that the prevailing winds are from the west. I stayed ten days at the lighthouse, and was on the whole disappointed with the result. The spring migration was no doubt in full swing, but no birds ever came to the light, and the lghthouse-keeper, a Cypriote Greek, told me that, ex- cepting upon two occasions, he had never known a bird killed. The Spectacled Warblers (Sylvia conspicillata) , flying with their short jerky flight from one low bush to another, were tolerably plentiful for the first two or three days; but after- wards they became decidedly less so, having most probably taken their departure for other parts of the island. Although some may remain the winter, a great number of them are no doubt migrants. In Cyprus they appear chiefly to haunt the semi-moorland country such as I have just described, and are fairly common on the great stretch of flat uncultivated land lying between Larnaca and Famagusta. I have never seen them in the bush-country im the hills, as one sees them in Madeira. I was delighted to meet with the beautiful little Sylvia melanothorax on the first morning after my arrival. I found them in pairs, not plentiful at first, but becoming more so before my departure on the 17th March. Although I shot them afterwards in many different places in the island, from the sea-level up to 2000 feet or more in altitude, I 102 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological never succeeded in obtaining their eggs, though I believe that I might have done so on the Akrotiri peninsula had I remained there till the breeding-season. Lord Lilford, how- ever, tells me that he was never able to discover the nest, although the birds were evidently breeding in considerable numbers in the neighbourhood of Salamis. Sylvia melanothorax appears to frequent much the same ground as the Spectacled Warbler. With regard to its habits, I can add little to the description of Cancn Tristram. In the male the eye-ring is red; the iris ruddy brown or, sometimes, yellowish; and the feet and tarsus vary from dark brownish yellow to ruddy brewn. The female has a much less bright eye-ring, the iris is less ruddy, and the feet are paler. The bill in both is dark brown, the proximal end of the lower mandible being of a pale fleshy-yellow. Length in the flesh :— ¢, 13°4-13°8 centimetres; 9? , 13°4-13°5. Haunting the same ground as the above two species, but so uncommon that I only secured two specimens, was Sylvia melanocephale. I never saw it again in any other part of the island, although I believe Lord Lilford found 3t tolerably abundant near the Karpas. The perpendicular eliffs forming the southern boundary of the peninsula were the home of many Gyps fulvus, Rock- Pigeons, and Kestrels (Tinnunculus cenchris), and ona slab of rock immediately below the lighthouse, inaccessible except by boat, a seal might often be seen “hauled up.” Here, too, I shot the beautiful Falco eleonore, and watched through my telescope the movements of a pair of Cormorants. When walking along the eastern coast I twice disturbed Alcedo ispida from its perch on a small rock at the head of a miniature bay. That Halcyon smyrnensis exists in Cyprus I have no doubt whatever, for the bird was well described to me by two different persons; and Lord Lilford tells me that he also had credible evidence as to its occurrence. Rather more curious is the fact that Ceryle rudis is also found on the island. Its appearance and habits were described to me in such a manner by Mr. Cade, the present Commissioner of the Kyrenia district, who had been for some time a resident Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 103 on the west coast of Africa, as to leave ne room for doubt about the matter. On the moorlands a few Robins and Blackbirds were to be seen, and the snapping note of the Stonechat, a bird so shy as seldom to admit of a near approach, was a familiar sound. But the one common bird was the Song Thrush, at that time preparing for its departure. I do not know that I have ever seen a species occurring in greater abundance than this. Almost every step put up one, and small isolated bushes would quite commonly afford shelter to five or six. Spring at this time might be said to be fairly established. Butter- flies of the genus Polyommatus and Papilio machaon were common, and the ground was covered with yellow ranunculus and anemone. The minimum night-temperature at this time ranged from 44°-49° Fahr., the diurnal maximum in the shade from 63°-72°. The wind was chiefly easterly, often veering with the sun to west, and not unfrequently blowing very hard. Qne of the chief characteristics of Cyprus, indeed, is the prevalence of strong winds. On several days during my stay on the island it was almost impossible to go out of doors, the dust occasioned by these gales being well nigh intolerable. Wandering one day among the scrub, about two miles from the lighthouse, I suddenly came across some ruins of great interest, which I afterwards found to be unknown to the English on the island. Passing over the less important remains, the chief feature was a chamber of large size (72 by 36 feet) hewn im the solid rock. The top of its roof was level with the surrounding soil, and the entrance was reached by a passage, also rock-hewn, with a stiff slope. About twenty yards to the west was a similar chamber, but in this one the roof has fallenin. Whether these remains are of the nature of tombs or temples it is difficult to say; but ‘there is little doubt that they owe their existence to Phe- nician hands. The Akrotiri peninsula was in those days well populated. A little further to the west are the ruins of Katalymata, and still nearer Cape Zephgari lie the broken columns and shapeless stone-heaps of Kurias. The remains 104 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological of yet another city can be made out on the coast about equi- distant from these two, and the cliff-face is in many places dotted with reck-cut tombs and old quarry-workings. These sites of ancient cities are often the best hunting- grounds for the ornithologist, and here I shot the only Blue Rock Thrush that I obtained in Cyprus. When I first saw it, it was sitting on the top of a small tree. I mistook it for a Starling, and, although familiar with the bird, it was not until it flew down on a low stone that I recognized it. Here, too, on March 10th, I saw the first Hoopoe, a bird which seemed to me to be far less common on the island than in Greece. I was assured by two or three people, how- ever, that it was not nearly so abundant as usual. Although during my stay at the lighthouse I was on the alert at various times in the night for the passage of migrants, I never either saw or heard any, except on one occasion, when for about half an hour a flight passed over us at no great height. I could not, however, succeed in distinguishing with certainty the note of any one species, althongh it is probable that some of them were Wheatears ; for next morn- ing (March 14th) these birds, of which up till then not a single specimen had appeared, were quite common, and I could have shot thirty or forty of them had I wished to do so. The Akrotiri promontory is nearly separated from the mainland by a salt lake about three or four miles long, which in bygone days must have communicated with the sea. To the south it has no well-defined limit, and loses itself imper- ceptibly in a vast expanse of dead level white sand, the glare from which is blinding. On this side I found few birds save a stray Redshank and the two Ringed Plovers ( Agialitis hia- ticula and At. minor). My only rarity was 4. geoffroyi. A curious incident occurred one day as I was walking along this barren shore, the surface of which was so smooth and flat that a marble would have been noticeable at a distance of fifty yards. A Snipe got up almost at my feet. That it should be found at all in such a place was curious enough, but that it should have escaped observation was almost in- credible. Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 105 On the 17th March I changed my quarters to Episcopi, a little Turkish village near the site of the ancient Curium. Unlike most Cypriote villages it was decidedly pretty. An abundance of clear little streams brattled through the streets, and each house had its garden of lemons, mulberries, figs, and apricots. The latter trees were in full blossom, and the ground was everywhere strewn with the fallen petals. Ten or twelve miles away to the south-east I could plainly discern the lighthouse IT had just left, while to the west the yellow, hewn bluff of Curium stood out in bold relief against the blue waters of the bay. The fields surrounding the village were tilled and irrigated with great care, and birds were numerous. The gardens would, no doubt, have been a better collecting-ground ; but as the owners were chiefly Mohammedans, I could not obtain permission to shoot in them. A goodly number of caroub trees (Ceratonia siliqua) were scattered about. They are planted singly, in the middle or by the side of the fields, never in groves, and their fruit (the “locust bean” of com- merce) is one of the most important exports of Cyprus. In each of these trees one or more Thrushes were invariably to be found, and the clear loud “ wheet” of Phylloscopus rufus, and the ringing note of the Great Tit, were constantly to be heard among their branches. The Linnets (the Eastern form, Fringilla bella) and Goldfinches fed in great numbers on the freshly tilled land, and were still packed in flocks at the end of March. The latter may be said to be the commonest bird in Cyprus ; nowhere else have I seen it in such enormous numbers. I had obtained Phylloscopus rufus on the 8th of March, but it was not until the 18th that I saw the first Blackcap. A day or two later they became numerous. ‘This species, I believe, has been called the “Cyprus bird,” from its abun- dance on the island. The name is not undeserved, for, with the exception, perhaps, of Hypolais elaica, it is the commonest of all the Warblers. About this time the Swallows were com- mencing to build. Their tameness was extraordinary. While brushing my hair one morning before an old looking-glass 106 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological hanging from the wall, a pair of them came and perched on it, pouring out a torrent of song, regardless of my presence. Another pair always roosted in my room at Episkopi, their perch being within a couple of yards of where I usually sat. Their regularity in beginning the day was wonderful. From a quarter to ten minutes to six (never later and never earlier) they left their roosting-place for their first short flight up and down the room, and I was left but little peace until they were let ont. One of my first excursions from Episcopi was to Curium, a site that has probably been more explored by archeologists (sot-disant or otherwise) than any other in the island. Its yellow cliffs were the haunt of innumerable Jackdaws and Kestrels (Tinnunculus cenchris), and the great prickly lizard, Agama stellio, watched, motionless, here and there on the sum- mits of the fallen stones below. On the hill where the city once stood, now a mass of rubble overgrown with scrub, I found Caccabis chukar abundant. The Kestrels were, no doubt, breeding, and I shot one in the act of bringing a Thrush to the nest. Judging from dissection, however, their food ap- pears to consist chiefly of Coleoptera and Locusts. In skinning them I found that the greater part of the body- surface immediately beneath the skin was dotted with nu- merous ova, about one half the size of those of the bluebottle fly. A strong lens showed two minute black dots at one end. I did not meet with these ova in any other bird I skinned in Cyprus, but I found them on all the Kestrels I examined. On the road towards Colossi, where stands a massive square tower, built, probably, at the beginning of the 14th century by the Lusignans, the country was too open to offer many attractions. Its only beauty lay in the wealth of little blue iris (Iris sisyrinchium) which lines the road on either hand, and the cyclamens springing from the interstices of the rocks. The Kuris river (an open nullah of dry sand and boulders) is crossed soon after leaving the village. Feeding on some bushes on its banks, I shot the Serin Finch, which, on the whole, is not common on the island. In habits, note, and general appearance this bird, which I here shot for the first Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 107 time, reminded me strongly of the African Fringilla angolensis. Harriers were not uncommon, but very shy, and it was some days before I succeeded in obtaining one, a beautiful old male Circus swainsoni. The only rarity that I saw during my stay at Episkopi was a Regulus of some species, which I was unlucky enough to fail in obtaining. The scattered stones with which the fields and roadsides of Cyprus are so abundantly provided afforded a good hunt- ing-ground for the Coleopterist ; but the spoil to be obtained by turning them over was by no means limited to beetles. Under nearly every one might be found the pretty spotted lizard Chalcides ocellatus, a small species of Julus, and not unfrequently a scorpion (Buthus europeus), at this season generally immature. B. peloponnensis is apparently a far less common species. While searching a bed of brillant yellow Calendula for insects, I one day noticed a fly struggling in a most energetic manner upon one of the flowers without any apparent reason. My curiosity being roused, I examined it more closely, and then, to my astonishment, discovered that the creature was in the jaws of a spider, which, in colouring, exactly matches the vivid yellow of the corolla that served at once as its home and lure. I had had the flower in my hand some time, I dare say three or four seconds, before I saw it. Afterwards, on careful examination of the flowers around, I found that these spiders were abundant, but in every case they kept carefully to the corolla, where alone they remained invisible. This species (Thomisus onustus) is also, as the Rev. O. P. Cambridge informs me, found sparingly in the heath districts of the south of England, and varies in tint according to the colour of the blooms it inhabits. The female alone appears to adopt this method of procuring its food, the male being very rarely found. Athene noctua exists in such numbers at Episkopi that the village may be regarded as its metropolis. Its clear ringing note, ‘poo, pooep,’ can be heard in almost every garden— seldom or never by day (although the bird often flies at that time), and not very commonly at night. Theirs is the 108 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological ~ “Song of the setting sun,’ beginning when the muezzin shouts his mournful cry from the minaret, and the connexion of the two sounds and the brilliant sunsets that accompanied them are among the most vivid of my recollections of the little Turkish village. The Cypriotes have a quaint story about the bird, under the idea, which I could never personally confirm, that the two notes, as in the case of the African Telephonus bacbakiri, are uttered by different birds. They say that one of these Owls once borrowed four loaves of a friend and only returned three, declaring that to have been the number lent. Their descendants have ever since kept up the quarrel, and that is why, when the one says “ tps,” the other instantly retorts with “7’o’pa.”’ I regret that I am unable to say whether the note is only uttered by the female. The season was hardly yet sufficiently advanced for snakes, but on returning to my house one evening I found that a peasant had brought me a very fine specimen of Zamenis viridiflavus, 4 feet 5 inches in length, brownish green, with a bright yellow belly. This species is very common on the island, and I afterwards obtained a good series of the dif- ferent varieties. It was not until a day or two before my departure from Episkopi that I found that there was a good marsh at the north-west corner of the salt lakes I have already mentioned. It was within tolerably easy reach, and I visited it twice. I understood from the officers of the 49th Regt., then quartered at Limassol, that it abounded in the winter with Ducks of many kinds. I found a few Mallard and Teal, and Snipes were very abundant. From a flock of eight or ten I shot a Ruffin immature or non-breeding plumage ; but I got nothing of special interest, with the exception of Sylvia rueppelli, which I found haunting the tamarisk-bushes in, or on the edges of, the swamp. I left Episkopi March 29th. The village, as I afterwards learnt, was supposed to be unhealthy, and although I had not been actually laid up, I had never felt well during the whole of my stay there. The neighbourhood of the salt lakes Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 109 has a bad name, and at the village of Akrotiri, which is situated close to them, the infant mortality is said to be such that there is always one (but only one) baby in the place. Passing through Limassol, and picking up a few necessary provisions, I struck northwards into the mountains, having fixed on Jerona, a little hamlet at an altitude of 1700 feet, as my station for a few days. I camped en route at the village of Agrounda. It was my first experience under canvas in Cyprus, and by no means a very pleasing one, for, in spite of having barricaded the tent to the best of my ability with my luggage, it was burglariously entered, and every- thing eatable stolen by pariah dogs during the night. To the last day of my residence on the island I could never make up my mind as to whether camp or village life was the lesser evil. In the one case I warred with dogs and ants, in the other with fleas and a less lively but equally obnoxious insect. I was like the gentleman who sought advice as to the matrimonial state. It did not matter whether I took up my quarters with the village Muktar, or went under canvas. In either case I was sure to regret my action. The southern range of mountains affords some exceedingly fine views, and the abruptness of the valleys reminded me strongly of some parts of Madeira, though it must be ad- mitted that the lack of trees detracts considerably from the beauty of the scenery. The hills were ablaze with flowers— rock-roses, cyclamens, and furze; but I do not think I ever saw a country poorer in bird-life. Not a single Raptorial bird was to be seen, and the only species I noticed during a whole day’s ride were Saxicola morio, Emberiza cesia, and Sylvia melanothorax. 1 found Jerona a dirty village, with still dirtier inhabitants, but magnificently situated on a spur overlooking a deep and picturesque valley. There were no more birds here, however, than I had seen on my way up from Agrounda, and, after a day’s rest, I decided to push on. My next stopping-place was Leokara, a large village some hours to the eastward; but I met with no better fortune here than at Jerona, and I left as soon as I was able, reaching Larnaka on the 7th of April. I should have started a day 110 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological earlier but for the fact that heavy rain was falling in the low country. The season of 1887 was one of extraordinary drought—a drought so severe that in the eastern parts of the island there was practically no harvest, and in consequence the people were reduced almost to a state of famine. During the whole period of my residence in Cyprus I only saw rain upon three occasions. J am bound to say, however, that on one of them at least three inches must have fallen. To the south of Larnaka, at no great distance from the town, is a large salt lake, which affords an inexhaustible supply of salt of excellent quality, a monopoly of the British Government. Along its level, glaring shore it is rare to see a bird, but towards the south-western extremity a little stream expands to form a marsh, in which J found many species of water-fowl. Ardea cinerea, A. bubulcus, and A. comata were here, and, in spite of the lateness of the season, I found plenty of full Snipes and a single Jack. The natives told me that some of the former remain throughout the summer ; but as they are largely given to needless romancing, I do not guarantee the accuracy of the statement. The tiny Cisticola schenicola was abundant, rising twenty or thirty feet into the air when disturbed, and plunging up and down in a series of short dives, uttering at each its single note of alarm. On the outskirts of the marsh I shot the Waterhen (Gallinula chloropus) and the Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis) ; but the best bird in my bag was Porzana parva, retrieved from deep water by a good mongrel belonging to a peasant, who twice threw the bird back into the pool in order to demonstrate the extraordinary sagacity of his dog, heedless of my cries of mingled rage and anxiety from the opposite bank. The Greek Easter was at this time in full swing, but its festivities were, perhaps, a little less festive than usual, owing to the prevailing agricultural depression. Food had become so expensive that the natives had to part with their mules, donkeys, and cattle for what they would fetch: a sum, in many cases, inconceivably small. My host’s servant one day bought an excellent little cow for three shillings and four Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 1 pence, and a week or two later, when at Kyrenia, I found that donkeys were being shipped across to the Karamanian coast in large numbers by an enterprising Hebrew. No one, however, cared to do any work during the holiday season ; and, partly because I was unable to get transport, partly because I had found an excellent lake for water-fowl to the north of Larnaka, I remained in the town until April 19th. I heard the first Cuckoo April 13th, and saw one four days later. At this season the Sparrows in the town collect in large flocks of four or five hundred individuals, just before sunset, and fly round and round for half an hour or more before going to roost. In no part of the world have I seen such enormous numbers of Swifts as in Larnaka, but they were all Cypselus apus. As on my first visit, I found birds scarce, and the only species worthy of mention was Pycnonotus wxanthopygius. Although I did not shoot it, I have little doubt about the bird, for it perched in a tree above me, within a couple of yards of my head. At the lake to the north of Larnaka (a nice sheet of water, about an hour’s ride from the town) I found Plegadis falcinellus in small flocks of a dozen or fifteen individuals. They permitted a tolerably near ap- proach; but the Stilts, of which there were numbers, were exceedingly shy. Each time I visited the place I found three Swans swimming in conscious security in the middle of the lake. I tried a long shot at them on one occasion, and, whether in consequence of this or not I cannot say, a peasant several days later brought in a wounded bird to my host. It turned out to be Cygnus olor. Leaving Larnaka I rode to Famagusta, or rather to its Christian suburb, Varosia. ‘The road lies for a few miles along the shore, and then, turning off at the head of Larnaka Bay, crosses the barren stretch of land which ends in the Cape Greco promontory some 20 miles tothe S.E. Nothing more dreary and depressing can well be conceived. The plain is nearly a dead level, featureless save for one or two ruined and solitary churches, which are visible at an immense distance, and add still further to the effect of loneliness and desolation. I had found an enormous flock of Larus melano- 112 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological cephalus at the head of the bay, feeding about half a mile inland on beetles and Helix pisana, a snail which exists in such numbers that the herbage and stunted shrubs were nearly white with them in some places. But after leaving the sea hardly a bird was to be seen. With the exception of the Crested Lark, I think that a solitary Harrier and a few pairs of Sylvia conspicillata were the ouly species I noticed. Varosia shows what may be done in Cyprus with plenty of water and careful cultivation. A strip of gardens extends along the coast between the village and the sea for a distance of about three or four miles. They are the great pomegranate- and orange-orchards of the island. Here I spent three or four days in the vain hope of finding some of the rarer Warblers. The Blackcap and Hypolais elaica were common enough, but there appeared to be no other, except a few Phydloscopus sibi- latrix. H. elaica I found here for the first time (April 21st), so that it must be a tolerably late arrival. It is the com- monest of its family, being found at every altitude and in every part of the island; but the olive-trees seem to be its favourite hunting-ground. The song is a meaningless un- finished warble, consisting generaliy of four or five notes repeated over and over again. The walls of the magnificent fortress of Famagusta and the ruins of the numerous churches destroyed by the Turkish bombardment cf 1571 are tenanted by innumerable Jack- daws and Tinnunculus cenchris, and not a few Athene noctua. On the battlements I shot Hirundo rufula, and found its nest in a rock-hewn cavern, attached to the smooth flat roof. In general this is the situation adopted, but sometimes the back of the nest is built against a beam, or against a wall where it joins the ceiling. The entrance is a short tunnel, with a slightly covered lip. The eggs are pure white, and, in this case, were six in number. I heard the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) on April 24th, and saw it and the Roller on the following day. Both are abun- dant in Cyprus. On the 26th I visited a small lake about a couple of miles westward of the town. The graceful little Tern, Sterna minuta, hovered at the mouth of a small stream Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 113 that fed it, and was almost the only species that permitted me to approach within reasonable range. I saw also Sterna caspia, Larus melanocephalus; the three Herons, Ardea bubulcus, garzetta, and comata; the small Plovers 4. can- tianus, hiaticula, and minor; and a species of Whimbrel. Anthus cervinus I found feeding in small flocks of twenty or thirty individuals on the wet ground near the lake, and, in spite of the lateness of the season, I put up a number of Snipes. The only uncommon bird in my bag, however, was the Little Grebe (Podiceps minor). The Turtle Dove (Turtur auritus) arrived about this date, and on my ride back I disturbed numbers of them from the caroub trees. I had intended, after leaving Famagusta, to proceed to the Karpas, a long promontory jutting out for 40 or 50 miles at the north-east part of the island; but the little time left to me before the summer, and the fact that a famine was then prevailing in that district, made me resolve on making for the north-east at once. Nota mule was to be had in the whole of Famagusta, but, fortunately, a rough road existed as far as Lefkonico, and I was able to get a native cart to carry my baggage thither, trusting to find mules or donkeys to carry it on to Akanthu, where I proposed to take up my quarters for a week or so. On my way [ passed a nice marsh (little, if at all, known to the English), where I put up several Snipes and Ducks, although only walking a few yards into it. At Lefkonico I was detained for two days by incessant rain. A torrent, about eighteen inches in depth, rushed through the streets, and all going out was an impossibility until the afternoon of the second day. I found a nest of Melanocorypha calandra, with the eggs already hard-set, and saw afew Cypselus melba and a great number of Bee-eaters. The barley was being cut and carried, and I was astounded at the enormous number of Turtle Doves feeding in the fields. In one flock there must have been at least six or seven hun- dred birds, and were more probably a thousand. ‘The ravages of this species, I should iffagine, must be distinctly felt by the farmers. I ought to add, however, that I never saw them so numerous at any other place on the island. SER. V.—VOL. VI. [ 114 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological The track from Lefkonico to Akanthu crosses the northern range by a low pass, so low, indeed, that it is hardly worthy of the name. The mountains, too, are on a corresponding scale, for they are nowhere much above 3000 feet in height ; but the abruptness of their northern face makes the scenery very much finer than would be expected, and this coast is undoubtedly the most beautiful part of the island. I had hoped to find something new in the fauna or flora, and was not disappointed, for directly after beginning the descent on the further side I shot a specimen of the beautiful Em- beriza melanocephala, and soon found it to be common enough here, though south of the pass not one was to be found. I afterwards noticed a few on the Troédos range; but the true home of this species is on the northern coast. The same may be said of the two Shrikes, Lanius nubicus and L. collurio. The former I observed in two or three places on the slopes of the southern mountains, but, to the best of my recollection, I never saw the Red-backed Shrike anywhere but at the north of the island and on Mt. Troddos. It is worthy of note that in almost every individual of these two species I found three or four filiform helminths beneath the skin at the back of the neck. Akanthu was in many ways an interesting place, though its interest perhaps lay more in the people and their customs then in anything else. They were more energetic than the ordinary Cypriote, although possibly quite as little to be depended on, and I was able to get a few men to help me in collecting, which I had hitherto found almost impossible. From the crags above the village I got three young Gyps fulvus, one of which (brought to me on May 5th) had only been hatched four or five days. Scops giu was also brought alive to me, having been taken while sitting on its eggs from a hole in the roof a house. The village was placed on a series of arid spurs about six hundred feet above the sea, and if one chose to look for them, there was no lack of scorpions aud Scolopendre, although they seldom obtruded themselves on one’s notice. Life was, nevertheless, a burden from other causes. Sand-flies and mosquitos harassed one at night, and Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 115 countless thousands of flies by day. As for the fleas, Cyprus is no exception to the rule that in the East, like the poor, we have them always with us. Of what the world at large calls obnoxious creatures, perhaps one of the best that I secured was a magnificent specimen of Vipera xanthina. It was of considerable length, and as thick as the middle of a man’s forearm. The rapid tapering of the tail and the dirty colouring of the reptile give it a repulsive appearance, which is not belied by its char- acter. The Commissioner for the Famagusta district in- formed me of the death of a man from snake-bite just at this time, the event occurring at the village at which he happened to be staying, and I have no doubt that it was to this species that it was due. Such occurrences must be very rare. Tra- vellers have given the island a bad name for snakes, and have repeated over and over again the statement that the natives wear high boots to protect them from the “ deadly asps” with which it abounds. It is true that snakes are extraordinarily abundant in Cyprus, and equally true that every peasant wears high boots, but almost all these reptiles are harmless, and the boots are worn as a protection against the thorns with which the stunted bushes are so liberally provided. Koufi is the name by which almost every snake except Za- menis viridiflavus is known, and even the little Typhlops vermicularis is inserted in the Cypriote black list. I heard the first Nightingale on the 4th May. On the 9th I left Akanthu and proceeded westward in the direction of Kyrenia, skirting the shore closely. In many places traces of rock-cut tombs and quarries and heaps of rubble testified to the fact that in Greek or pre-Greek days this ‘coast must have been thickly populated. Anthus arboreus fed in pairs in the stubble, or rather what should have been the stubble, for here the corn is generally pulled up by the roots, and the latter cut off against a fixed sickle. Hmberiza melanocephala was very common, but it was singular to note how much the males were in excess of the females. At one place I heard the Francolin, a bird which is apparently be- coming rarer from year to year in Cyprus, or at anv rate 12 116 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological more limited in its distribution, although it is still abundant at the southern and western parts of the island. I camped below the ruins of Bellapais, a magnificent semimonastic building of the Lusignan period, with a great part of the beautiful cloisters still standing, and spent most of the following day in photographing it. Hirundo rufula was in great abundance here, and in a large hall, which was doubtless the refectory, there were many nests. Most of them were inaccessible, but from one I took some eggs, no doubt of a second clutch. The Commissioner of the Kyrenia district, with whom I was staying later, informed me that a pair had raised three broods of young ones in one season in a nest built in his bedroom. The medieval fortress of Kyrenia, and the remains of the walls and other fortifications by which the ancient town was surrounded, would take many days thoroughly to explore, aud I regretted that I had not more time to devote to them. My rambles in the neighbourhood were very unproductive. There are numerous foxes, as there are, indeed, in most parts of the island. Hares, too, are fairly abundant. A native sportsman at Akanthu, who seemed a tolerably good ob- server, declared that there were two species of the latter animal, one of which was entirely confined to the mountains. He described it as being of a darker colour and smaller size; but though I offered to pay him well if he brought a speci- men, I never got one. Those that I shot on the island did not seem to differ from our species. Their average weight was a little over 7 lbs. I arrived at Lapethus, a village a few miles to the west of Kyrenia, on the 15th May. With its streams of running water and abundance of greenery it has a fair claim to be considered one of the prettiest places in the island. Here I wasted three days in a vain search for caves, none of those I found being of sufficient size to render digging worth while. I hardly added a specimen to my collection. Few birds were to be seen, and I find in my diary a note against a Sylvia melanothoraz I shot here, “anything but common on this northern side.” This part and the promontory of re re Tour in Cyprus in 1887. BLL Kormakiti just beyond are two of the best places for Wood- cocks in the island, The heat by day had by this time become very great, an unpleasant reminder that my time on the island was drawing to a close, and that I had still a considerable amount of ground to be worked before my departure. I was desirous of seeing something of the southern slopes of the range before I quitted the district, and accordingly started on the 19th May for a hamlet known as Larnaka tou Lapethou. This place is supposed, though I do not know exactly why, to have been the burial-place of the city of Lapethus in ancient days. It seems to the last degree improbable that they should have taken the trouble to carry their dead over rough mountain-paths to a place so far distant ; for Larnaka, though not far off as the crow flies, is, owing to the impassable nature of the mountains, quite three hours by road from the ruins of Lapethus. From whatever reason, however, there are remains of many tombs, and, in particular, a bilingual inscrip- tion in Phoenician and Greek, described by Cesnola, which I was anxious to photograph. I stayed a day only at this place—long enough for me to take my views and copies and to remark upon the paucity of bird-life. It is singular that there should be so few birds of prey in these mountainous districts. My servant told me that he had put up a covey of Red-legs, the young birds “ grandes comme une Caille,”’ close to our camp, and there were other evidences of the earliness of the season in the parched appearance ot the surrounding country. I descended into the plains and reached the village of Morphou, a place of some little size, on the evening of May 20th. The ride across the endless stretch of level ground was uninteresting to a degree. ‘The harvest, which was fairly good in this district, was in most places carried. The ubiquitous Sparrow, a stray Grey Crow or two, and innumer- able Swifts were the only birds I noticed, with the exception of a pair of Black Vultures (Vultur monachus), an old bird and a full-grown young one. The latter I was fortunate enough to shoot with a charge of No. 6. shot, after a long stalk and 118 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological a trudge of two or three miles. He measured 9 feet 5 inches from tip to tip,and was so heavy and unmanageable that, finding I could not drag him back to my mule, I reluctantly left him, after cutting off the head and feet. , There was nothing to keep me at Morphou except a marsh, or what was described to me as one, in its neighbourhood. The drought had had its effect upon it, however, and I found it like a pond, little else but dry land and water nearly reaching my waist. Numbers of Pratincoles were hawking over it, and now and again dropping on the shingle of the neighbouring beach to rest. I was glad to do the same, for a slight touch of African fever from which I was suffering rendered me incapable of much exertion under such a pow- erful sun. From what I saw I judged that the marsh, from an ornithologist’s point of view, was comparatively deserted. I had planned my route to the southern and western parts of the island wid Lefka and the much be-praised Maratassa valley, and started on May 23rd. The former place is charmingly bowered in mulberry and other fruit-trees and abounds in Nightingales. I saw here for the first time a beautiful little lizard, which in appearance reminded me of a Charr, the belly being bright pik and the sides orna- mented with well-marked blue spots, probably a brilliantly coloured variety of Lacerta muralis. The Maratassa valley is disappointing, but the beautiful stream of clear water that rushes down between its abrupt sides atones for much in such an arid land as Cyprus. It can hardly be called a gorge, yet it is not a valley. Great quantities of grapes are grown here, often in apparently inaccessible places, and it is said that lives are sometimes lost in gathering them and in tilling the land. In the second night after leaving Morphou I camped at Kalopanagiotissa, a village bisected by the stream, and reminding me strongly of others I had seen in Japan in similar localities, even down to the black colour of the huts, and the necessary vehemence of the conversations carried on across the water. Just below the village the stream passes between almost inaccessible cliffs, a fact brought unpleasantly Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 119 to my notice from my having pursued a Oinclus into a place in which advance and retreat were equally impossible. My safe arrival at the top of the cliff after a desperate climb was a piece of good fortune for which I cannot be sufficiently thankful. I reached Kikko Monastery on the 25th May. It is situated at an altitude of 4000 feet, and is the home of a hundred monks and probationers, and many thousands of Swifts, Swallows, and Martins. The deep valleys around are clothed with arbutus and other evergreens, but tne hills are arid-looking enough, their barren shaly rock only half hidden by vegetation. I had hoped to find some marked change in the bird-life at this elevation, but I was doomed to disap- pointment. The ever-present Sazicola morio and equally ubiquitous Emberiza cesia were common enough, and in the thicker coppices the Nightingale and Garden Warbler poured out a torrent of song, but there was little else, and I cursed my stupidity in having dismissed my mules and condemned myself to a five days’ imprisonment in such a place. At a short distance from the monastery there was a clump of pines where it was possible to obtain some little shade from a sun that had by this time becone unpleasantly power- ful. It was while watching, gun in hand, beneath these, that I first obtained a Coal Titmouse, which at once struck me by the extreme darkness of the plumage of the under surface. Mr. Dresser has described it at a recent meeting of the Zoological Society as a new species, and named it Parus cypriotes (Plate II.). It differs, he says, from Parus ater in having the upper parts brownish, as in Parus britannicus, but rather darker, in having the white nuchal patch almost obsolete, and in having the black on the throat extended much further down than in Parus ater, thus covering amuch larger area. The underparts are tinged with buff, the flanks and under tail-coverts being much darker in tint. This little Parus was far from plentiful, for I only shot four during my stay at the monastery, although I waited beneath the pines for them for the greater part of each morning. I never saw it at a lower elevation than this (4000 ft.), or any- 120 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological where except on or among the pines. On Troddos it was not uncommon, in small parties of five or six, which followed each other from tree to tree, and occasionally descended to the ground to feed. Its note is a feeble edition of that of Parus ater. I expected to find Cypselus melba here, but did not see one. The Martins (Chelidon urbica) built under the false arches on the eastern wall of the monastery, their nests clustered together in masses of ten or twelve. I noticed here a pecu- harity about the Swallows’ nests, which were placed in great numbers in the cloisters and corridors. The front was orna- mented by three or four loose streamers of grass which hung down for six or eight inches or more. The difference in the colouring of the under surface of these birds is extraordinary. It is quite common in Cyprus to see it ranging from nearly white to a deep reddish buff, from Hirundo rustica to H. savignit in other words. Although one may often see these extremes in a paired couple, the differences in colouring do not appear to be sexual. In Cyprus, at any rate, it 1s impos- sible to allow that H. savignii is a good species. One more remark on these birds and I have done. It is, that though the Swallow is wonderfully common throughout the island, the Martin, on the other hand, is a very local bird. I shaped my course westward on leaving Kikko, passing through country much like that in the neighbourhood of the monastery—deep valleys in all directions, only separated from one another by sharp ridges, along the brows of which the narrow trail for the most part led. The distant scenery was splendid, but our immediate surroundings were too bare for beauty. An hour or two after our start, however, we came to a part where the hills were sparsely clothed with pines, and here I saw several Jays*. I was fortunate in shooting a couple, for the slopes which we were passing must have been nearly 45°, ground where one cannot follow one’s game with much facility. I also saw the Golden Oriole, for the first and only time during my visit to the island. My desti- * From the feathers of these birds being ina much abraded condition, it is not possible to name them with any degree of certainty. Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 121 nation was Limni, the site of old Phcenician copper-mines, where a company have just commenced to sink a shaft. It is close to the sea, at the head of Chrysokkou Bay, and is a twodays’ journey from Kikko. The monastery of Chrysorogia- tissa, whence there is a view of magnificent extent, formed my halfway house, and I was again detained here, though only for a day, one of my muleteers being down with fever. I reached Limni June Ist. My road led for the greater part of the day over the white marl rocks that enter so largely into the geological composition of the island, and the heat and glare were intolerable. The summer in Cyprus 1s as trying, probably, as that in any other part of the world, but chiefly from the fact that there is no shade or verdure of any kind on which to rest the eye. Our ride was not rendered any more pleasant by the incessant attacks of an @strus, or some fly of that nature, upon the mules. This insect does not deposit the egg upon the coat of the animal, but seeks to enter the nostril for that purpose. Somuch are they feared by the mules that the very sight of them makes them restless, and they at once contract the nostril to the smallest possible size, and strive by plungings and shakings of the head to keep the insect off, amanceuvre which, if constantly kept up, will in time exhaust the patience of the most long-suffering rider. Almost the only birds that I saw worthy of mention were the Wood Pigeon and Linnet: the former, which appeared to be tolerably abundant in this district, I had only twice seen previously ; the Linnets, a generally distributed species, were remarkable for the brightness of their colouring. In Mr. Williamson (one of my hosts during my stay at Limni) I found a sportsman and Moufflon-hunter whose knowledge of the people, animals, and birds was probably more extensive than that of any other European in the island. It was at this time the close season for the Moufflon; and I was unable to go out after them as I had intended, but I was able to obtain some information about these animals which may, I think, be accepted as reliable. They are now almost entirely confined to the western side of the Troddos range, and although they are said to have been seen in the 122 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological neighbourhood of the military camp at the summit, such an occurrence must be regarded as very unusual. The rutting- season is late in October or at the beginning of November, and at this time the rams fight fiercely. The clashing of their horns is audible at a considerable distance, and a favourite native method of getting a shot is to knock two stones together in imitation of this sound, at the top of some hill in their favourite haunts. This device is said to be so successful, that if any ram is near he is nearly certain to be attracted by it. They have generally one young one at a birth, but sometimes two, and the kid is said to be so active that even on the day of its birth it can only with difficulty be run down by a dog. Mr. Williamson estimated the total number of Moufflon at present existing on the island to be between 100 and 150, and considered the former number would be probably nearer the mark than the latter. The natives think there are more, having a superstition that once a year the saint Agio Mama herds the animals, and that if he finds more than 700 he spirits away the surplus, if less, supplies the deficiency. Nothing would induce a Cypriote to go hunting on this day. In the cliffs formed in past ages by the Phoenicians in their search for copper I found the Roller and Bee-eater breeding, and spent a day in digging out their nests. The latter birds seem to prefer to make their burrows near the top of the cliff, and the length of it (sometimes as much as ten or twelve feet) is surprising. ‘The Roller bred here in a nest so exposed that I could see the eggs from the brow of a cliff opposite. It was within a day or two of hatching a second brood. While at Limni I heard of a cliff, six or eight miles distant, in which Peregrines, or birds of that nature, were supposed to build; but the heat was so great (the minimum night temperature being 81° Fahr.) that I was glad to be able to get a sporting native to visitit forme. He returned two days later with a young Bonelli’s Eagle (Misaetus fasciatus) ; but though I sent him back again with a promise of good pay if he obtained the parents or any Falcons for me, he did not succeed Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 123 in doing so. My only excursion was to an ancient site near Poli tou Chrysochou, where recent excavations have brought to light a quantity of Greek pottery of a late period. In the dry heat-stricken fields there was little life, and I only shot a Wood Pigeon and saw two Stone Curlews. In Cyprus the summer is not the season for the ornithologist, although it may be said to be fairly good for the sportsman. Mr. Williamson told me that in the Acamas district (the extreme western promontory of the island) he had shot a very large quantity of Francolin, Partridge, and Hares in ten days at the beginning of July. Near Poli, the Francolin could be heard calling in all directions ; but it is difficult to flush these birds without dogs, and as I merely needed specimens for preservation, I only once went after them. The only animal of interest that I obtained at Limni was Cynonycteris collaris, a large frugivorous Bat, which inhabits a cave in the neigh- bourhood in some numbers. I had now made up my mind to proceed to the summit of Troddos without delay, and accordingly made for Limassol along the south coast, stopping at Papho, Pissouri, and Episkopi on my way. I hardly recognized the latter place, so changed was it from its former beauty of apricot blossom and bright green foliage. Now it was brown, dry, and dusty to a degree, and hardly a bird was to be seen. On reaching Limassol I despatched my heavy baggage in advance, and two days later rode up to Troddos enveloped in clouds of dust and with a blazing sun overhead. I had no occasion to complain of the heat that evening, however. We dined wrapped in our ulsters and with paraffin stoves at our feet, and the thermometer, which had registered 83° Fahr. as the minimum night temperature at Limassol, now sank to 39°. The military camp at Troddos is placed within a very short distance of the summit, at an elevation of about 6600 feet, and the mountain is here, as elsewhere, scantily clothed with pines. They have a dried-up and stunted appearance, as of trees that have strayed beyond their proper latitude. During the three days I remained here I found less of interest than 124 Prof. W. K. Parker on the presence of Claws I had expected. TI had heard of Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Crossbills, but I saw nothing of them, and the only birds characteristic of the region were Certhia familiaris and the Parus before mentined, both of which are tolerably abundant. The other birds I noticed on the summit were some species of Eagle (possibly Aquila heliaca), Gyps fulvus, Athene noctua, the Hoopoe, Jay, Dipper, Partridge, Nightingale, Hypolais elaica and Sylvia hortensis, Saxicola morio and Emberiza cesia, the two Shrikes, Lanius nubicus and L. collurio, and the Linnet, Chaffinch, and Raven. The last-named bird is very numerous and may be seen every afternoon flocking to the slaughter-house. It is worthy of note that the Grey Crow does not seem to come above Platraes. With Troéddos my work in Cyprus practically ceased. I returned to Nikosia, June 20th, after an absence of three months and a half, and found the Jubilee rejoicings at their height. I got together my collections and went down to Larnaka, only to find a similar series of fétes just commencing. On the last day of June the mail-steamer came in, and getting my luggage on board I bade adieu to the island and to some of the many kind friends who had done their best to assist me in my wanderings on it. IX.—On the presence of Claws in the Wings of the Ratite. By W. K. Parker, F.R.S. Ir has long been known that the Ostrich (Struthio) and the Nandu (Rhea) have a horny wnguis—a nail or claw on their first and second wing-digits, those which correspond to our thumb and index-finger. But in a paper sent by me to the Royal Society on the 13th of January, 1887 (only, as yet, published in abstract), I gave an account of the discovery of a small claw on the imperfect third digit of the wing in both the Rhea and the Ostrich—in the latter in a half-grown specimen, and in the in the Wings of the Ratitze. 125 former in the adult. These specimens are to be found in their proper cases in the Hunterian Museum. It has also been known, for some time past, that the abortively developed third digit in these birds has two pha- langes beyond the metacarpal ; and after my paper was read Ries 1: Manus of Struthio. R, radius; U, ulna; r, radial carpal bone ; x, ulnar carpal; J, 17, IL, first, second, and third metacarpals; 1, 2, 2a, 3, phalanges of digits ; el, cl’, claws. N.B.—The small claw on the third digit is not shown in this specimen. Mr. Wray brought before the Zoological Society of London a very important notice of the condition of this distal pha- lanx of the third digit (see Proc. Zool. Soc. 1887, pp. 283, 284). It was shown in that paper that a considerable tract of cartilage is developed beyond the normally ornithic proximal phalanx, and that this acquires an osseous centre of its own. In these two types of the Ratite we have there- fore the primary Reptilian (Ornithoscelidan) form of the bird’s wing, even the abortively developed third digit having a small claw at its end. That digit should have four 126 Prof. W. K. Parker on the presence of Claws phalanges to make it normal as a Reptilian “finger ;” the proximal piece therefore answers to three, in an undivided state, for the distal phalanx must be that which carries the claw. In the adult Indian Cassowary (Casuarius galeatus) there is only one carpal bone free; the “manus” is a solid single Fig. 2, Manus of Casuarius. R, radius; U, ulna; M, elements of manus consolidated ; cl, claw. piece, with only one finger (the second or “ index”) de- veloped, and this has only ¢wo phalanges—it ought to have three; and the distal phalanx is an inch long and carries a large claw. In the ripe embryo of a specimen of the Mooruk (C. bennetti) I find four cartilaginous carpal nuclei and three metacarpal rays: the first is very small and feeble; the second very strong and with the normal number of phalanges (i. e., three beside the metacarpal), and the distal or ungual joint is very long and carries a long claw; the third metacarpal is about one sixth the size of the second, and has no phalanges on it. In the Emu (Dromeus) the second digit has two pha- langes and a long curved claw. In a young bird six weeks old I find one finger, the index or second, well developed relatively to the small wing, with the normal number of phalanges, and with a curved claw on the distal joint. The “manus ” is composed apparently of only two metacarpals. in the Wings of the Ratite. 127 In the adult Apterya oweni the metacarpal piece (“‘ manus”’) is certainly compound, the segment belonging to the pollex Manus of Dromeus. R, radius; U, ulna; 7, radial carpal; ZZ, second metacarpal; ILI, third metacarpal, rudimentary ; 2, 2a, phalanges of second digit ; el, claw. being evidently added to that of the index; this ray or digit has only two phalanges, and the distal joint carries a small curved claw. Manus of Apteryz. R, radius; U, ulna; 7, radial carpal ; m, fused metacarpals ; cl, claw at end of second digit. In Apteryx australis there appears to be only one finger, the index, with its terminal claw, and with only two phalanges ; the “manus” is broad, proximally, and is evidently compound. My son, Prof. T. J. Parker, who is now working out the development of the Kzwi, tells me that in the early embryo the outward and visible form of the three normal ornithic fingers can be seen, but that there are not three tracts of 128 Hans von Berlepsch on two new cartilage developed within. I hope soon to receive this memoir for publication. Thus we see that these waifs of an ancient and very Reptilian Avifauna have not only an arrested, but also an archaic condition of the wing. When most developed, as in Rhea and Struthio, in which the carpus comes very near that of the perfect modern bird, I have seen no signs as yet of those secondary digital rays that help to form the framework for the implantation of the “primaries” in the “manus” of a typical Carinate Bird. These additional parts, which will be described in the paper referred to above, will help us to understand the huge progress made by the bird since the time when the old Struthious types possessed the earth. X.—Descriptions of two new Species of Birds from Bogota, Colombia. By Hans von BEervepscu. 1. BuaRREMON SIMPLEX, Sp. nov. Diagn. B. ele@oproro, Scl. et Salv., ex Antioquia, similli- mus, sed speculo alari albo omnino caret. Al. 71-78, caud. 773-803, rostr. 134, tars. 26 mm. Hab. Bogota, Colombia, duo specimina in Mus. H. v. Berlepsch. About a year ago I got two skins of this new species from Mr. A. Boucard, of Paris, together with many other Bogota skins, all of them being of the usual Indian make, by which they are easily known as having been collected in the vicinity of Bogota. In the olivaceous colour of its back B. simplex comes very close to B. eleoprorus, Scl. & Salv., P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 504, ex Antioquia, but in the new species the large white alar speculum characteristic of that species is altogether absent. There are perhaps slight traces of white at the extreme base of the primaries, but it does not extend to the end of the coverts to form a speculum. Species of Birds from Boyotd. 129 Otherwise I cannot detect much difference between B, simplex and B. eleoprorus ; but in one of my specimens of the former, which seems to be more adult than the other one, the back is of a much darker olivaceous, and the underparts are of a more intense yellow than in my specimens of B. eleoprorus. + 2. MyrMeciza BoucaRrDI, sp. nov. Syn. Myrmeciza longipes, Scl. (nec auct.), P.Z.S. 1855, p. 147 (Bogota). Diagn. M. 3g dorso, cauda alisque extus lete rufo-brunneis, pileo et nucha necnon colli lateribus ardesiacis, pectore cum epigastru lateribus pallidius cinereis. Macula in dorso celata inconspicua nivea. Capitis lateribus et gula cum collo inferiore nigerrimis. Abdomine medio albo, hypochondrius rufo-brunneis. Humeris albis nigro variegatis. Tectricibus alarum superioribus majo- ribus macula anteapicali rotunda nigra, minimis partim nigris, inferioribus albo-griseis. Tectricibus subcaudali- bus lete rufo-cinnamomeis. Rostro nigro, pedibus brunneis. ? differt gula juguloque cum capitis lateribus intense rufis, pectoris et ventris lateribus pallide fulvis, pileo nucha- que sordidius cinerascentibus. Obs. M. longipedi, auct., affinis, sed ¢ capite supra ardesiaco (nec rufo-brunneo), pectore late cinereo (nec albo), rostro validiore fere nigro et pedibus brunneis (nec flavis), ? gula juguloque intensius rufis, capite supra brunnescenti-cinereo (nec rufo-brunneo) constanter differunt. 3 long. tot. 1382-145, al. 71-78, caud. 64-67, rostr. 214, tars. 30 mm.; long. tot. 125, al. 68, caud. 58, rostr. 201, tars. 30 mm. Hab. Bogota, Colombia (2 ¢ ,12, in Mus. H. v. Ber- lepsch), et g in Mus. A. Boucardi. Of this new species I have examined three males and one female, proving that the characters expressed in the above diagnosis are well founded. I have dedicated this bird to Mr. Adolphe Boucard, of Paris, who kindly forwarded my specimens, together with a large and interesting collection received by him direct from Santa Fé de Bogoté. All these skins were of the usual Bogota make. SER. V.—VOL. VI. K 130 On two new Species of Birds from Bogota. It seems that Mr. Sclater was already acquainted with this species, but did not distinguish it from M. longipes, auct., from which, to my mind, it differs in several striking points expressed in the above diagnosis. M. longipes, auct., of which I have two males from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, and Trinidad, has the top of the head always rufous brown, but of a darker shade than the back. The anterior portion of the front only in M. longipes is cinereous, and there is a well-defined broad postocular stripe of a clear whitish cinereous. In M. boucardi, on the contrary, all the upper parts of the head are of a uniform dark ashy grey. The breast and the belly in M. longipes are pure white, there being only a small greyish border to the black of the throat laterally. In M. boucardi all the upper breast beneath the black jugulum and the sides of the upper belly are pure grey, the white being restricted to a mesial line on the belly. The flanks in M. longipes are of a clear ochra- ceous, dark rufous brown or nearly olivaceous brown in M. boucardi. The tibize, in the former ochraceous, appear more or less greyish in M. boucardi. M. boucardi has a stronger longer bill, and both bill and feet are much darker than in M. longipes. The female M. doucardi in the same way differs from that of M. longipes in the darker colour of the bill and feet, and in possessing a longer and stronger bill ; it further differs in having the upper parts of the head of a dark brownish cinereous (instead of rufous brown), and in presenting a much darker rufous on the throat and jugulum below. The yellowish rufous of the sides of the body is also more extended. I may take this opportunity to call attention to the original description of the so-called M. longipes. I must confess that I cannot at all recognize the species usually so called in the description given by Vieillot, in the Nouv. Dict. xii. (1817) p. 118, of his Myrmothera longipes. Never- theless our bird is well described afterwards under the same name by Swainson in Zool. Journ. i. (1825) p. 152. As it appears that other synonyms are wanting, I propose to apply to it the new name, Myrmeciza swarnsont, Berl. 4 Muenden, November 1887. Reeently published Ornithological Works. 131 XI.—Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications. 1. Anderson on the Birds of the Mergui Archipelago. [List of Birds, chiefly from the Mergui Archipelago, collected for the Trustees of the Indian Museum. By John Anderson, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S, Journ. Linn. Soc. (Zool.) vol. xxi. p. 136.] Dr. Anderson gives us a list of the birds of which speci- mens were obtained during his expedition to the Mergui Archipelago. The islands in which the collections were mostly made are King Island, Elphinstone Island, and Sullivan Island. As might have been expected, the species are nearly wholly the same as those of the adjoining main- land, Butreron cappelli being the only one additional to the Fauna of Tenasserim. Major Wardlaw Ramsay has revised the identifications. 2. Berlepsch on the Birds of Paraguay. [Systematisches Verzeichniss der yon Herrn Ricardo Rohde in Para- guay gesammelten Vogel. Von Hans von Berlepsch. J. f. O. 1887, pp. 1, 113.] This excellent memoir is based upon a collection of about 229 specimens of birds made by Mr. Rohde in Paraguay, which are referred to 116 species. Of these, Thamnophilus rohdei is described and figured as new, while many important critical notes are given upon the identification and nomen- clature of the other species. As shown in Graf v. Berlepsch’s introductory remarks, the study of the birds of Paraguay is of special importance to ornithologists as necessary for the accurate identification of the birds of that country described by Azara at the beginning of the present century; for, although these birds were provided with Spanish names only by Azara, upon these Spanish names Latin terms were subsequently based by Temminck, Vieillot, Lichtenstein, Merrem, and others, which have in many cases been subsequently misapplied to the representative species of the surrounding countries. A careful examination of the Paraguay birds las therefore become of primary necessity for the correction of these errors. K 2 132 Recently published Ornithological Works. As regards the 116 species represented in Mr. Rohde’s col- lection, we need hardly say that this task has been performed by Graf v. Berlepsch in the most satisfactory way. Our author also gives us in an Appendix a complete systematic list of all the Birds hitherto ascertained to occur in Paraguay, which will be found most useful for the identification of the remainder of Azara’s species. 3. Blasius on the Birds of Celebes. [ Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Vogelfauna von Celebes. III. Von Prof. Dr. Wilh. Blasius. Zeitschr. f. d. ges. Ornithol. Jahr. iii. p. 193. | In his third contribution to the Bird-fauna of Celebes (cf. Ibis, 1887, p. 104), Dr. Blasius gives an account of 15 species, of which specimens were contained in several collections for- warded by Herr Riedel to the Zoological Museum of the Imperial Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburg. There were 78 species represented in the collections, but the rest of them have been mentioned in Dr. Blasius’s previous paper on Riedel’s birds. A complete list of these 78 species is added. Two of them, Numenius cyanopus and Nettapus pulchellus, are new to the Celebesian Avifauna. 4. Bryant on the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island. [Additions to the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island. By Walter E. Bryant. Bull. Californ. Ac. Sci. ii. p. 269.] Mr. Bryant .has twice visited Guadalupe in pursuit of ornithological studies, and remained on the second occasion 112 days in this remote island, which lies in the Pacific Ocean off the Californian shores, some 220 miles S.W. of San Diego. Guadalupe is about 15 miles long, and 5 in width at its broadest part. It is of volcanic origin, and at its highest point attains a height of 4523 feet. Much of its surface is covered with sage-brush, but there are some scattered groves of pines, oaks, and other trees. The Avifauna of Guadalupe Island was entirely unknown until Dr. E. Palmer visited it in 1875 and made the collection described by Mr, Ridgway, which contained examples of 8 Recently published Ornithological Works. 133 land-birds and 1 water-bird, all the former being peculiar to the island and new to science *. : Mr. Bryant’s researches have added 27 more species to the list, so that the Avifauna of Guadalupe now includes 36 species. But these additional species are, it appears, all such as are already known from the adjacent continent, and most of them only occasional visitants. The endemic birds of Guadalupe Island remain therefore 8 in number J, all of them representatives of nearly allied continental forms, from which they have evidently descended, and attained differential characters by isolation. Mr. Bryant’s notes are full and interesting, and include descriptions of the nesting and eggs of all the endemic species except the Pipilo, Thryothorus, and Polyborus. The last-named bird, it may be remarked, seems likely to become extinct, owing to the unrelenting persecution of it by the “ Tsland Agent.” 5. Buller’s ‘ Birds of New Zealand, [A History of the Birds of New Zealand. By Sir Walter Lawry Buller. Part I. July 1887. Folio. London. ] Sir Walter Buller’s first part of his new History of the Birds of New Zealand is now before us. There can be no question as to the completeness with which the author treats his familiar subject, nor as to the excellence of the illustrations prepared by the pencil of Mr. Keulemans. But we are not sure that we altogether like the colour-printing, although there is no doubt that greater uniformity is thereby attained. The following species are figured in Part I.:—Glaucopis wilsoni, G. cinerea, Heteralocha acutirostris, Creadion carun- culatus, C. cinereus, Turnagra hectori and T. crassirostris. * See Mr. Ridgway’s article “Ornithology of Guadaloupe Island, based on notes and collections made by Dr. Edward Palmer.” Bull. U.S. Geol. & Geogr. Surv. Terr. ii. no. 2. + These are 1. Polyborus lutosus. 5. Pipilo consobrinus. 2, Colaptes rufipileus. 6. Salpinctes guadalupensis. 3. Carpodacus amplus. 7. Thryothorus brevicaudus, 4, Junco insularis, 8. Regulus obscurus. 134 Recently published Ornithological Works. 6. Carazzi on the Birds of Spezia. [Materiali per una Avifauna del Golfo di Spezia e della Val di Magra ; del Dott. Davide Carazzi. 8vo. Spezia: 1887.] The species observed along the Gulf of Spezia and in the Val di Magra are 312 in number; some of them of con- siderable rarity ; and it is interesting to find Huspiza mela- nocephala recorded from the western side of Italy. This little treatise forms a useful addition to the larger works on Italian ornithology recently published by Count Salvadori and by Professor Giglioli. 7. Hartert on the Birds of Prussia. [ Vorliufiger Versuch einer Ornis Preussens. Von Ernst Hartert. Mittheil. Orn. Vereines Wien, 1887: Separatabdruck. ] The want of a good list containing full and recent infor- mation respecting the birds of North-eastern Germany was much felt, and is now supplied. ‘The species noticed are 274 in number, and many interesting details are given as regards rarities, and also about the southward extension of the breeding-range of such northern birds as Turdus pilaris and Carpodacus erythrinus. 8. ‘Indian Annals and Magazine of Natural Science.’ [The Indian Annals and Magazine of Natural Science (an illustrated Monthly), conducted by James A. Murray. Vol. I. Nos. 1-3. 8vo. Bombay and London: 1887. ] As regards ornithology, the greater part of the contri- butions to these three numbers consists of two long chapters by the Editor in a narrative form on the “ Zoology of Beloo- chistan and Southern Afghanistan,’ followed by a list of twenty-eight species of birds, to be continued. There are also several short communications of merely local interest. 9. Lucas on the Osteology of Nothura. [Notes on the Osteology of the Spotted Tinamou (Nothura maculosa). By Frederick A. Lucas. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 157.] In Nothura the “chain of supraorbital ossicles” so re- Recently published Ornithological Works. 135 markable in the normal Tinamine skull is entirely lacking, and the interorbital portion of the cranium is much con- tracted. Also the first three dorsals are fused into one mass, and other peculiarities exist. It is unfortunate that Mr. Lucas has no skeletons of other forms of Tinamous to aid him in his comparisons. 10. Meyer on the Capercaillie and Black Grouse. [Unser Auer-, Rackel- und Birkwild und seine Abarten; von Dr. A. B. Meyer. Text, folio; Atlas, Elephant folio (17 plates). Wien: 1887. ] Dr. Meyer has devoted a folio volume of 96 pages and an accompanying larger Atlas with 17 coloured plates to the consideration of Tetrao urogallus and T. tetriv and their various crosses: inter se, and with allied forms of Grouse. The number and variety of these forms is certainly worthy of careful study, and is here exhaustively treated of. The figures are drawn by Miitzel, and well printed in colours. 11. Milne-Edwards and Oustalet on the Birds of Grand Comoro Island. [Observations sur quelques espéces d’oiseaux récemment découvertes dans Vile de la Grande Comoro. Par MM. Alph. Milne-Edwards et E. Oustalet. Ann. Se. Nat. Zool. sér. vii. t. ii. pp. 218-238 (1887). ] In 1885 M. Humblot brought from the island of Grand Comoro an important collection of birds, of which a short account was published by the authors of the present paper in the ‘ Comptes Rendus’ (Compt. Rend. Ac. Sc. 1885, 1. Cl. p. 218). A more complete account is now given of this collection, and of a second, still larger one, brought by this collector from the same island. Fourteen specimens are treated of in the present com- munication, all of which were described as new by the authors in their first paper on this subject in the ‘ Comptes Rendus.’ Two of these are now identified with other species, but twelve are regarded as well founded. The total number of species of which examples were ob- tained by M. Humblot in Grand Comoro was 33. 136 Recently published Ornithological Works. 12. Nazarow on the Zoology of the Kirghiz Steppes. [Recherches zoologiques des Steppes des Kirguiz. Par P.S. Nazarow, avec préface du Dr. M.Menzbier. Bull. Soc. Imp. d. Nat. Moscou, 1887, pt. 2, p. 338.] This interesting pamphlet treats of the zoology of the country lying to the east of the Ural Mountains, where, owing to the prolongation of that range southward, under the name of the Mougodschars, it is hardly an exaggeration to say that the reindeer looks down upon the tiger; while the winter climate is that of Novaya Zemlya, and the mean of summer heat exceeds that of Morocco. ‘The remarks on the principal birds (identified by Dr. Menzbier, who writes a short preface) are of considerable value; but some of the names employed are rather puzzling. Many are unaware that Cleptes is a Magpie, and neither Milvus glaucopus nor M. glaucopis will be found in the Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. vol. 1., or in Gray’s Hand-list. 13. Nicholson on the Birds of the Manchester District. [Notes on the Ornithology of the [Manchester] District. By Francis Nicholson. Published for the Meeting of the British Association at Manchester. Sm. 8vo. 1887. ] This unpretending little pamphlet is a model of its kind, conveying precisely the amount and the class of information that visitors to the British Association would require. The number of species of birds to be met with in and around that smoky manufacturing city is really surprising, and we know that the record is true. 14. ‘ Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society’s Trans- actions.’ [Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society’s Transactions, vol. iv. pt. iii. Norwich: 1887. ] There are several original ornithological papers in this Part. Colonel H. W. Feilden gives an account of Com- modore A. H. Markham’s voyage to Hudson’s Bay in the summer of 1886, with a list of the birds and other objects of Recently published Ornithological Works. 137 zoology obtained. The Rev. H. A. Macpherson writes on Hybrid Finches; and Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., gives an account of the periodical movement of Gulls as observed on the Norfolk Coast. The most important contribution is un- doubtedly the conclusion of the “ List of Norfolk Birds ” by Messrs. J. H. Gurney, jun., and T. Southwell, making the total of species recorded 288, with information up to the latest date possible. 15. Pelzeln and Madardsz on the Pipride. { Monographie der Pipridae oder Manakin-Végel von August von Pel- zeln und Dr. Julius von Madarész unter Mitwirkung von Dr. Ludwig von Lorenz. Lief. 1. 4to. Budapest: 1887.] The first part of Herr v. Pelzeln and Dr. J. v. Madarasz’s Monograph of the Pipridz has now been issued, and con- tains figures of the following species :— Piprites pileatus. Piprites griseiceps. Piprites chloris. Masius chrysopterus. Piprites chlorion. Masius coronulatus. Piprites tschudii. The authors seem to be rather doubtful about Piprites tschudii of Cabanis, which appears to have been described from a specimen in spirit, and we are not sure that their identification of the sexes of P. chlorion is quite correct. 16. Ridgway’s Manual of North-American Birds. [A Manual of North American Birds. By Robert Ridgway. Ilus- trated by 464 outline drawings of the generic characters. Philadelphia (Lippincott): 1887. 1 vol. large 8vo, 632 pp. | The object of the present volume, as we are told in the preface, “is to furnish a convenient manual of North American Ornithology, reduced to the smallest compass by the omission of everything that is not absolutely necessary for determining the character of any given specimen, and including, besides the correct nomenclature of each species, a statement of its natural habitat and other concomitant data.” In classification, nomenclature, and numeration Mr. Ridg- - 138 Recently published Ornithological Works. way follows the ‘Check-list of North American Birds ’ issued in 1886, already well known to all ornithologists, the additions to the North-American Avifauna made since the issue of that work being interpolated in their proper places. Certain extralimital species have been also introduced, but these are distinguished by a peculiar type. The collections of North-American Birds and Eggs belong- ing to the National Museum, which are stated to embrace about 86,000 skins and 38,400 eggs, have naturally furnished the greater part of the material for this important work, which was originally projected by the late Prof. Baird, and has now been elaborated and completed by one of his favourite pupils, whom he had specially designated for the task. It is certain that these splendid collections could not have been utilized to a better purpose than for the preparation of such a summary of our knowledge of North-American ornitho- logy as is now before us. With such antecedents, the work will, no doubt, be generally adopted in America as the authorized manual of Nearctic Ornithology ; though we can hardly believe that the extensive changes which (following the Check-list) it proposes to effect in nomenclature will find ready acceptance in other parts of the world. The total number of species credited to the Nearctic Avi- fauna in the present work is 768, besides numerous sub- species. ‘The generic characters are illustrated in 124 plates of a diagrammatic character, which would have been of still greater value had it been possible to introduce them into the text. Four new generic terms are proposed in this work, namely, Neofalco for Falco albigularis, Daud., and F. deiroleucus, Temm.; Nuttallornis for Tyrannus borealis, Sw.; Burrica for Fringilla mexicana, Mill. ; and Chamethlypis for Geothlypis poliocephala, Baird. Thirty-nine species and sub-species are described for the first time, namely, Ortalis vetula pallidi- ventris (Yucatan) ; Oidemia (Melanetta) stejnegeri (Kamts- chatka to Japan); Coccyzus americanus occidentalis; Coc- cyzus maynardi; Dryobates villosus maynardi (Bahamas) ; D. scalaris sinaloensis (Western Mexico) ; D. arizone frater- Recently published Ornithological Works. 139 culus (South-western Mexico); ache lawrencei (Tres Marias) ; Platypsaris insularis (Tres Marias) ; Mytodynastes audax insolens (South-eastern Mexico); Myiarchus brachy- urus (Nicaragua) ; Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca; A. eyanotis (Mexico) ; Corvus corax principalis ; C. americanus hesperus ; Agelaius pheniceus sonoriensis ; A. pheniceus bry- anti; Pinicola enucleator kadiaka; Carpodacus mexicanus ruberrimus ; Plectrophenax nivalis townsendi; Cardinalis cardinalis yucatanicus (Yucatan) ; Passerina parellina indi- gotica (South-western Mexico); P. sumichrasti (Tehuan- tepec); P. versicolor pulchra; Piranga flammea (Tres Marias) ; Piranga leucoptera latifasciata (Costa Rica and Veragua) ; Ptilogonys cinereus molybdophanes (Guatemala); Lanius ludovicianus gambeli; Vireo crassirostris flavescens (Bahamas) ; Compsothlypis graysoni (Socorro) ; Geothlypis (Chame- thlypis) palpebralis (South-eastern Mexico) ; Thryothorus ma- culipectus umbrinus (Guatemala) ; 7. maculipectus canobrun- neus (Yucatan) ; Polioptila cerulea cesiogaster (Bahamas) ; Columbigallina passerina socorroensis (Socorro) ; Megascops hastatus (Western Mexico) ; Phalenoptilus nuttall califor- nicus; Parus stoneyi and Regulus satrapa aztecus (Mexico). 17. Ridgway on a new Cotinga. [ Description of a new Species of Cotinga from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. By Robert Ridgway, P. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 1.] “ Cotinga ridgwayi, Zeledon, MS.,”’ is similar in colour to C. amabilis, but the seapulars and interscapulars are more ex- tensively black centrally, a black line borders the base of the upper mandible, there is a black space in front of the eye, and the purple patch on the breast is smaller, besides other differences. The typical specimens are from Western Costa Rica, but the “ Bogota” skins in the National Museum of the U.S.A. agree in all essential particulars. 18. Ridgway on a new Spindalis. [Description of a new form of Spindalis from the Bahamas. By Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 3.] The form (Spindalis zena townsend?) is from Abaco Island, 140 Recently published Ornithological Works. and has the back either entirely olive or much mixed with this colour instead of black as in S. zena. 19. Ridgway on the female of Carpodectes antonie. [Description of the adult female of Carpodectes antonie, Zeledon, with critical remarks, notes on habits, &c., by José C. Zeledon. By Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 20.] The female, now first described, is different from the male. Mr. Zeledon, to whose researches this discovery is due, is of opinion that the same dissimilarity will be found to exist between the sexes of C. nitidus. 20. Ridgway on a new Porzana. [ Description of a new Species of Porzana from Costa Rica. By Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 111.] Porzana alfari is similar to P. albigularis, but has the black bars on the flanks much broader. A synopsis of the allied species of the group is added. 21. Ridgway on Ardea wuerdemanni. [Notes on Ardea wuerdemanni, Baird. By Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 112.] Mr. Ridgway’s notes are based on eight specimens of this rare Heron, obtained by Mr. Stuart in December 1886, on the Florida Keys. It seems to be “‘ a permanent form, and if not a colour-phase of A. occidentalis, to be, probably, a distinct species.” 22. Ridgway on an Arizonan Trogon. [ Trogon ambiguus breeding in Arizona. By Robert Ridgway. Pyr.U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 147.] A specimen of Trogon ambiguus im first plumage, received by the National Museum from the Huachuca mountains, Arizona, seems to prove that this Trogon breeds in that locality. ‘The specimen is described. 23. Ridgway on a new Dendrocolaptine Bird. [ Description of a new Genus of Dendrocolaptine Bird from the Lower Amazon. By Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 151.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 141 Picolaptes rikeri, Ridgw. (Pr. U.S. N. M. ix. 523), is ele- vated to generic rank under the title Berlepschia, Graf v. Ber- lepsch having pointed out its “radical differences”? from Picolaptes, and its near alliance to Pseudocolaptes. 24. Ridgway on a new Phacellodomus. [Description of a new Species of Phacellodomus from Venezuela. By Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 152.] Phacellodomus inornatus is a Venezuelan form of Ph. fron- talis, distinguished by the want of any tinge of rufous on the forehead. 25. Ridgway on two new Owls. [ Description of two new Species of Kaup’s genus Megascops. By Robert nidgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 267. ] The species characterized are M. vermiculatus, from Costa Rica (near to Scops nudipes), and M. hastatus, from Mazatlan (near to S. brasilianus). 26. Scully on the Mammals and Birds of Northern Afghan- astan. {On the Mammals and Birds collected by Captain C. E. Yate, on the Afghan Boundary Commission, in Northern Afghanistan. By J. Scully. J.A.S. B. vol. lvi. pt. 2, p. 68.] The collection made by Capt. Yate consists of examples of 110 species : one of the most interesting is Sylvia mystacea, Ménétr., which was described and figured by Mr. Blanford, in his ‘ Zoology of Eastern Persia,’ under the name of Sylvia rubescens, and its occurrence on the Murghab and at Mai- manah considerably extends its previously known range northward and eastward. 27. Shufeldt on the Skulls of Turkeys. [A Critical Comparison of a series of Skulls of the Wild and Domesti- cated Turkeys. By R. W. Shufeldt. Journ. Comp. Med. & Surg. July 1887. | 142 Recently published Ornithological Works. Dr. Shufeldt has compared a series of skulls of the Wild Turkey obtained in New Mexico, and referable to Meleagris gallopavo mexicana, with a series of skulls of the domestic bird procured at Chicago, and points out their differences. The memoir is illustrated by excellent woodcuts, prepared from drawings made by the well-known “cunning hand”’ of this naturalist. 28. Sousa on Birds from Itha do Principe. {Aves da Ilha do Principe colligidas pelo Sr. Francisco Newton. Por José Augusto de Sousa. Jorn. Sci. Math. Phys. e Nat. Lisboa, xii. p- 42.] Our previous authorities on the Birds of [ha do Principe, in the Bight of Benin, are Dohrn (P. Z.S. 1866, p. 324) and Keulemans (Ned. Tijdsch. v. d. Dierk. 1865, p. 374). Sr. F. Newton has lately sent collections from this island to the Lisbon Museum, amongst which are examples of five species not mentioned by the above-named authors. Of these an account is now given. 29. Sousa on Birds from Mozambique. [Lista das Aves de Mogambique (Districto de Cabo Delgado) colligidas pelo Sr. Augusto Cardoso. Por José Augusto de Sousa. Jorn. Sci. Math. Phys. e Nat. Lisboa, xii. p. 45. | . M. de Sousa gives us a list of 12 species, of which spe- cimens occur in a second collection of birds made by Sr. A. Cardoso in the district of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. Of these, Campethera cailliaudi, Sygmodus tricolor, and Fringil- laria cabanisi were new to the Lisbon Museum. 30. Stejneger on Japanese Birds. [Review of Japanese Birds. By Leonhard Stejneger. IV. Synopsis of the Genus Turdus. V. Ibises, Storks, and Herons. P. U.S. N. M. 1887, pp. 4, 271.] In Part IV. of his series on the Birds of Japan, Dr. Stejneger describes a new Thrush, allied to 7. chrysolaus, as Turdus jouyi, and gives a synopsis of the Japanese species Recently published Ornithological Works. 143 of the genus. In Part V. he reviews the Ibises, Storks, and Herons of Japan. bis propingua is held to be probably dis- tinct from J, melanocephala. The Platalea (maor and minor) are discussed. A new Reef-Heron is described as Demiegretta ringert (allied to D. jugularis). A new subgenus (Phoyz) is proposed for Ardea purpurea. 31. Stejneger on Hawaiian Birds. | Birds of Kauai Island, Hawaiian Archipelago, collected by Mr. Val- demar Knudsen, with descriptions of new species. By Leonhard Stejneger. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 75. ] We have here an account of the collection of birds formed by Mr. V. Knudsen on the island of Kauai, in the Hawaiian Archipelago, and sent to the U.S. National Museum. Kauai is the most northern of the Sandwich-Island group, and is separated from Oahu by a channel 70 miles wide. It is very mountainous and well wooded, so that a rich avifauna was to be expected. Mr. Knudsen’s collections contain examples of 20 species, of which 5 are described as new, namely :— Himantopus knudsent, Chasiempis dolei, Pheornis myiadestina, Himatione parva, and Oreomyza bairdi. Oreomyza is a new genus of Diceide. Dr. Stejneger also bases two more new species of Chasiempis, C. ridgwayt and C. ibidis, on Sclater’s figures of C. sandwichensis, published in this Journal in 1885 (pl. i. figs. 1 and 2). It is quite possible, as Sclater has allowed in his article, that the two forms may belong to different species and not to sexes of the same species. But if such be the case, according to our views, both of them were provided with names in the last century by Gmelin*, and we see no justification for giving them new ones. In our opinion C. ridgwayi, Steju.=C. sandwichensis (Gm.), and C. ibidis, Stejn. (if distinct) = C. maculata (Gm.). Itis a pity that Dr. Stejneger, with so much good material before him, should think it necessary to manufacture “new species” out of other people’s figures without seemg the specimens. At the same time we fully acknowledge the great value of the pre- * See Sclater’s remarks ‘ Ibis,’ 1885, p. 18. 144: Recently published Ornithological Works. sent contribution towards our knowledge of the Hawaiian avifauna. 32. Stejneger on Palearctic Bullfinches. [ Notes on the Northern Palearctic Bullfinches. By Leonhard Stejneger, Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 103.] Dr. Stejneger considers that it is now “ fairly proven” that Pyrrhula cassini, Baird, is the female of the species sub- sequently named by Cabanis P. cineracea. He adds a synopsis of the other species of Pyrrhula inhabiting the northern Palearctic Region, which he names as follows :— (1) P. pyrrhula (i. e. P. major, auct.); (2) P. pyrrhula europea; (3) P.pyrrhula kamtschatica; (4) P. griseiwentris ; and (5) P. kurilensis. Dr. Stejneger’s remarks on the vexed question of P. rosacea will be read with interest. 33. Steyneger on the Birds of the Commander Islands. [Contributions to the Natural History of the Commander Islands. No. 7. Revised and Annotated Catalogue of the Birds inhabiting the Commander Islands. By Leonhard Stejneger. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p 217. This is a second edition of Dr. Stejneger’s previous paper on the same subject (U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. No. 29), which the considerable material lately accumulated has induced him to prepare. The present list contains the names of 143 species, and much additional information ou many of them. Larus schistisagus is fully discussed, and all doubts as to its specific validity are considered to be removed. Philacte canagica is an interesting addition to the Avifauna of Bering Island. Under the head of Falco rusticolus will be found remarks on Hierofalco grebnitzkii of Severtzow. d4. Steyneger on a new Fruit Pigeon. | Description of a new species of Fruit Pigeon (Lanthenas jouyi) from the Liu Kiu Islands, Japan. By Leonhard Stejneger. ‘American Na- turalist,’ 1887, p. 583. | lanthenas jouyi is the representative of I. ianthina of Japan, in the Liu Kiu group. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 145 35. Townsend’s Field-notes on Californian Zoology. {Field-notes on the Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles of Northern Cali- fornia. By Charles H. Townsend, Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 159.] This paper contains a series of field-notes on the birds of Northern California by a well-known explorer. About 260 species are known from California north of the 40th parallel, of which more than 200 were met with by Mr. Townsend during his travels in 1883-5, in connexion with the U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries in California. XII.—Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. We have received the following letters addressed to the Editors of ‘ The Ibis : ’>— Northrepps Hall, Norwich, Noy. 16, 1887. Sirs,—The Norwich Museum has lately obtained through the good offices of Professor Menzbier a specimen of Scops brucei (Hume), collected in Turkestan by the late Dr. Severt- zoft at Utch-Kurgan, a town near the river Syr- Daria. Professor Menzbier informs me that the specimen sent by him is of the same species as that for which Dr. Cabanis proposed the specific name of “ obsoletus”” in the Journ. fiir Orn. for 1875, p. 126, founded on two specimens in the Berlin Museum, one from Bokhara, and the other from Syria. Mr. Hume’s specific name of “ drucei”’? having been pub- lished in November 1872, has priority. Mr. Charles Cross, who resides on the island of Negros, in the Philippine group, has lately presented me with some birds collected by him on that island, amongst which is an adult skin of Polioaétus ichthyaétus (Horsf.), a species which I believe has not been hitherto recorded from the Philippine Islands. This specimen, which has been placed in the Norwich Museum, was killed near a river on the 6th January, and its crop contained fish. I am &c., s J. H. Gurney. SER. V.—VOL. VI. iv 146 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. Ootacamund, Oct. 29, 1887. Sirs,—I had hoped to have been able to send you papers on the birds I collected on the Anamullai Hills and in Tra- vancore, but a press of work has prevented my doing so; and as I have now to go to Singapore with as little delay as possible to take up my appointment as Curator and Librarian of the Raffles Museum, I may not have the time to finish the papers. I would wish, however, to put on record a few facts about the birds which I collected. I have to add two species to Mr. Bourdillon’s list of Tra- vancore birds, viz., Alseonax muthei, Layard, of which I obtained four males, and Zosterops ceylonensis, Holdsworth, of which I obtained six specimens. I also got four specimens of Callene albiventris, Fairbank, and numerous specimens of Trochalopteron meridionale, Blanford, and Alcippe bourdilloni, Hume. All these birds were obtained late in December and early in January, on the Chimpani Hills dividing Travancore Territory from the Tinevelly District. Mr. T. Fulton Bourdillon has lately sent me a specimen of Batrachostomus moniliger, Layard, and one of Lyncornis bourdilloni, Hume. Of this latter he says, writing from « Camp Konegur”’ :— “This bird seems to be local, but not uncommon where it does occur, for I have seen one or two every night for the last two or three weeks since I have been here. They come out, however, very late; just as the last tinge of colour is fading out of the sky, one may see one or two of these birds sailing over the fields, seldom flapping their wings, but quartering the ground hke a Harrier. They do not remain in one place, but travel about a great deal, but seem to return to the same neighbourhood night after night, unless one is shot, when they all disappear for four or five days. “Asarule they fly slow, at about the same pace as a Harrier, except when moving from one place to another, when they go at a great pace, striking the air with vigorous wings.” The only novelty as to locality that I have to record from the Anamullai Hills is Pycnonotus xantholemus, Jerdon. I Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 147 obtained one specimen, the only one I saw during my stay of nearly two weeks on these hills; I was attracted to it by its peculiar note, and I was within five or six yards of it in dense bramble scrub before I saw it. I fortunately had my air-cane in my hand, and secured it. (I may remark en passant that a No. | air-cane made to carry shot is the finest collecting-gun in existence; with one tenth of an ounce of No. 12 shot it will bring down a Thrush at 20 yards, and at even 5 or 6 yards distance a small bird like a Wren Warbler may be killed that will make a perfect specimen.) I sent my collector on two occasions to the Anamullais specially to try and collect more specimens of this bird; but he failed to get any, so the bird must be rare so far south and west. Dr. Jerdon’s specimens were collected in the Eastern Ghats near Nellore, a little to the north of 14° of N. latitude ; my specimen was obtained about as far north of 10° of N. latitude, and considerably to the west—in fact nearer to the Western than the Hastern Ghats. My speci- men was obtained at 4020 feet elevation. Mr. Sharpe has catalogued one specimen of this Pycnonotus (Cat. of B. Brit. Mus. vol. vi. p. 146) from “ Madras.” This locality is as valuable as the locality “India,” annexed to many specimens, Mr. Sharpe’s description is evidently taken from a very faded specimen, and hardly gives a fair idea of what the bird is really like. In conclusion, I may say that I have complete lists of all the birds I have collected and certainly identified from the Anamullai Hills, Travancore, and the Nilgiri Hills, and if you think these would be of interest I shall be glad to send them to you; but they are only lists, with occasionally a few short remarks. Yours truly, W. Davison. P.S.—I have forgotten to mention that I found Phyllo- scopus magnirostris, Blyth, very common on the Travancore Hills, quite the most common of the Phylloscopi, not except- 148 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. ing P. viridanus, which I have usually, in Southern India, found the most common species, except on the plateau of the Nilgiri Hills, where from the end of December to the end of March P. affinis, Tick., literally swarms about the fallow land and adjoining scrub. I obtained nineteen specimens of P. magnirostris, Blyth, on the Travancore Hills, and could easily have collected fifty specimens during the short time I was there. Srrs,—I am interested and perplexed at the same time by Mr. Ridgway’s letter on the breeding-plumage of Podiceps occidentulis, Lawr. Mr. Ridgway states truly that the breeding-plumage of P. occidentalis is described in the ‘Water-Birds of North America’ (ii. p. 422). But that description does not comprise the words printed in italics in his letter to you— from numerous specimens obtuined on the breeding-grounds, together with their eggs and young.” I had looked through the account in the ‘ Water-Birds’ carefully. I had noticed that while the date of capture of the adult winter specimen described is given, there is no such note on the specimen described as being in breeding-plumage. Prof. Baird, in his ‘ Birds,’ p. 894, states that at that time its breeding-plumage was unknown, and anticipates that in its nuptial attire it will make a grand display. This anticipa- tion, it seems, has been disappointed. I believe, though I may be in error, that Mr. Donald Gunn visited Shoal Lake before Prof. Baird wrote. None of the dated specimens given in the ‘Survey’ were captured during the breeding- season. My specimen was obtained in Vancouver’s Island by Mr. R. Brown, who worked then with Mr. Hepburn, and Mr. Brown simply gives the name without any note in his catalogue of Vancouver Island Birds (Ibis, 1862, p. 427). Under the circumstances, and especially considering that the publication in the ‘ Water-Birds’ in 1884 seems to have been the first published description of the breeding-plumage of P. occidentalis, albeit,as Mr. Ridgway states, “long known to American ornithologists,” I think it is to be regretted that the authors of the ‘ Water-Birds’. did not more dis- Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 149 tinctly express the fact and give more details. The question now remains, What is my Vancouver Island bird, if not, as supposed by Mr. Brown, P. occidentalis? I shall be very glad, if it be wished, to send the specimen for inspection by our brothers across the Atlantic. Yours truly, H. B. Tristram. 29th Nov., 1887. 3 Kensington Gardens Square, London, W. Sirs,—I have pleasure in stating that an example of the Isabelline Wheatear (Sazicola isabellina) was shot at Aigle Gill, near Allonby, Cumberland, on the 11th of November, 1887. The bird was first observed on that day by Messrs. Thomas and Richard Mann, tenants of Aigle Gill farm. The weather was fine but dull, with a sight wind from the north. The bird made its appearance in a field which Messrs. Mann were sowing with corn, and was quite alone. It perched upon clods of earth after the habit of S. wnanthe, but appeared to be less lively in its movements than that species. It was unsuspicious of danger and was easily approached. Having had a visit from Mr. Senhouse and myself only six days earlier, when I begged my friends to continue to search for doubtful Wheatears, and struck by the light colour of this late bird, Messrs. Mann decided to shoot it forme. It was therefore shot by Mr. Thomas Mann, and posted to me the same day. I received the bird the following day in fine condition, and took it to Mr. Howard Saunders, who kindly pointed out to me its identity with specimens of S. tsabellina in his posses- sion. ‘The bird was also examined in the flesh by Mr. Sharpe, but especially by Mr. Seebohm, who compared it in my presence with his extensive series of Saxicoline. Mr. Hart- ing saw the specimen before skinning, so did Mr. G. E. Lodge, who made a coloured sketch of it. The bird was also exhibited on my behalf by Mr. Howard Saunders, at a meeting of the Zoological Society of London on Dee. 6th. 150 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. It proved upon dissection to be a female, and the retention of some delicate bars upon the lower breast seems to indicate that it is a bird of the year. The irides were dark hazel, legs and bill black. Total length 6°5 in., wing 32 in. The stomach was empty. The Isabelline Wheatear is most readily distinguished from Saxicola enanthe by its white under wing-coverts and by the greater extent of the black upon the rectrices. The Isabelline Wheatear is new to Western Europe. Its range eastward and southward is extensive, including Somali- land and Nubia, Palestine, Asia Minor, Greece, the Cau- casus, Afghanistan, and the N.W. Provinces of India; in Russia, Mr. Seebohm received eggs of this Chat from Sarepta ; he has also two skins from Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. It visits the region of Lake Baikal on migration, brecds commonly in Daiiria, and was obtained by Pere David in the neighbour- . hood of Pekin. It has been recorded from Madagascar. Yours &e., H. A. MacPHeErson. The Turati Collection.—The collection of birds formed by the late Count Ercole Turati is now in the Museo Civico of Milan, where it occupies the uppermost story, and is not very conveniently lodged. It contains 20,618 specimens, nearly the whole of which are mounted. Amongst them are the whole of the Malherbe collection of Picidz and the Verreaux collection of Trochilide, also examples of such rarities as Nestor productus, Serresius galeatus, Bourcieria traviesi, and Alca impennis. Although the specimens are in excellent order, much more space is required for their proper exhibition, and we accordingly learn with pleasure that the Milanese authorities contemplate the erection of a new building for the Museo Civico in another part of the Public Garden. The Breeding-habits of Flamingoes—Mr. H. A. Blake, late Governor of the Bahamas, has contributed to the December number of the ‘ Nineteenth Century’ a very in- Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 151 teresting account of his visit to a breeding-place of the North-American Flamingo (Phenicopterus ruber) on the Island of Abaco, Bahamas. Mr. Blake is not aware that the vexed question of the mode in which the Flamingo sits upon its eggs has already been settled by Mr. A. Chapman (see Ibis, 1884, p. 88); but his observations are of none the less interest as confirming those made on our European species. Mr. Blake visited the Flamingo-colony on Abaco on the 7th of June, and after describing his preliminary adventures, continues as follows :—‘ At length, having crawled under the roots of the dwarf mangroves that cover the slob like a net- work of croquet-hoops, we found ourselves at the edge of the marl, and within one hundred and fifty yards of the birds, who were still undisturbed. Here, with my glasses, I could see every feather, note the colour of the eyes, and watch every movement. There were, we calculated, between seven hundred and a thousand birds, and a continuous low goose-like cackling was kept up. Never did I see a more beautiful mass of colour. “The male birds had now all got together, standing about five feet high, and with necks extended and heads erect, were evidently watching events, preserving in the meantime a masterly inactivity. Now and again one would stretch out his great black and scarlet wings, but the general effect was the most exquisite shade of pink, as the feathers of the breast and back are much lighter than those of the wings. “The hens sat on the nests, and some were sitting down in the muddy lagoon. I watched them carefully for nearly an hour, and looked at every nest to see if the legs were extended along the side. In no case did I see aleg. I saw the birds go on to the nests and sit down. I saw them get up, and step down from the nests. In every instance the legs were folded under the bird in the usual manner. In my opinion my observation settles the point as to the mode of sitting; for even if, as I had been assured, the birds sit both ways, it is improbable that among the hundreds then sitting not one would have extended the legs. Remembering the great length of the Flamingo’s legs, it is evident that on 152 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. a new nest, not more than eight inches high, the hen could not thus sit, nor would even the highest nest allow of the legs being extended while the bird sat upon it.” The B.M. Catalogue of Birds ——The 12th volume of the ‘Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum’ is now nearly ready for issue. It will contain the account of the Frin- gillidee, and is by Mr. Sharpe, who will also prepare the next (13th) volume, which will be devoted to the Ploceide, Sturnide, Alaudidz, and other smaller groups, and conclude the Oscines. Sclater has undertaken the 14th volume, which will contain the Tyrannide, Cotingidee, and all the other Oligomyodian families, and has nearly finished his MS. on this subject. Sclater will also catalogue the 'Tracheophone, which will fill the 15th volume. We are glad to hear that Mr. Salvin has already commenced work on the 'Trochilide, of which our National Collection possesses the unrivalled series comprised in the Gould and Salvin-Godman collections. The Trochilide will make up the 16th volume. Sale of a Great Auk’s Egg.—At Mr. J.C. Stevens’s Auction Rooms, in King Street, Covent Garden, on the 13th of De- cember last, a large number of ornithologists assembled to witness the sale of an egg of the Great Auk. Before offering the lot, Mr. Stevens remarked that, in 1880, two eggs of this bird, both of which had been broken, were sold by him, and that they fetched 100 and 102 guineas respectively. Of the recorded eggs, he said, 25 were in eighteen public museums, and 41 in nineteen private collections—43 out of the 66 being in Great Britain. The first bid of 50 guineas was made by a well-known ornithologist, and this was followed by 60 guineas from Mr. L. Field, to whom the egg was eventually knocked down at 160 guineas. The egg is one of ten which were discovered by Professor Newton in a glass case in the upper gallery of the inmost room of the Museum of the College of Surgeons, in 1861; four of which were sold at Stevens’s on July 11th, 1865, when this specimen (Lot 142) fetched thirty guineas. Pt Be lns, FIFTH SERIES. No. XXII. APRIL 1888. XIII.—Notes on Woodpeckers.—No. XIV. On the Genus Gecinus. By Epwarp Hareirt, F.Z.S. {Concluded from p. 42. | 8. GECINUS SQUAMATUS. Picus squamatus, Vig. P. Z. 8. 1830, p. 8; Gould, Cent. B. Himal. M. pl. xlvin. (1832) ; Jard. & Selby, Il. Orn. in. pl. eviii. ¢ (circa 1835); Blyth, J. A. 8S. B. xu. p. 998 (1843) ; Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. 11. p. 659 (1856-58) ; Leith Adams, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 173; Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 59 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. ii. p. 180 (1876). Picus dimidiatus (non Temm.), Gray, Hardw. Ill. Ind. Zool. i. pl. xxix. fig. 1 (1830-32). Malacolophus squamatus, Swains. Classif. B. i. p. 308 (1837). Chrysoptilus squamatus, Vig. P. Z. 8. 1841, p. 6. Brachylophus squamatus v. nepalensis, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus. no. 148 (¢ ? ). Brachylophus squamatus, Hodgs. in Gray’s Zool. Mise. p. 85 (1844). Gecinus squamalus, Gray, Gen. B. il. p. 438 (1846) ; Blyth, SER. V.— VOL. VI. M 154 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 57, no. 260 (1849); Bp. Consp. Gen. Ay. i. p. 127 (1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854) ; Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 350, no. 801, pl. dexxvii. figs. 4174-75 (1854) ; Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. ii. p. 659, no. 959 (1856-58) ; Leith Adams, P. Z.S. 1858, p. 475; Jerd. B. Ind. 1. p. 286 (1862) ; Beavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 188; Tytler, op. cit. 1868, p. 202; Pelz. tom. cit. p- 820; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 76 (1868); Beavan, Ibis, 1869, p. 414; Gray, Hand-l. B. 1. p. 192, no. 8684 (1870) ; Jerd. Ibis, 1872, p. 9; Cock & Marsh. Str. F. 1873, p. 850; Bidd. op. cit. 1880, p. 314; id. Ibis, 1881, p. 49; Scully, tom. cit. p. 430; id. Str. F. x. p. 102 (1881); Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 891, no. 1912 (1882) ; Marshall, Ibis, 1884, p. 410. Chloropicus squamatus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. 1. p. 131 pl. Ixxviii. figs. 1-3 (1862). Gecinus flavirostris, Menzbier (ex Zarudnoi, MS.), Bull. Nat. Mosc. 1886, pt. 1, p. 440. Gecinus zarudnoi, Menzbier, [bis, 1887, p. 301. Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform vivid green; wing-coverts uniform green of a darker shade, brighter along the forearm ; bastard-wing black, with whitish spots ; primary-coverts similar, but having greyish spots ; quills dusky, outer webs of the primaries margined at the base with green and barred with white ; those of the secondaries par- tially or entirely green, and having indistinct greyish spots ; inner webs spotted or partially barred with white; shafts brownish black ; ramp and upper tail-coverts bright green, the feathers margined and tipped with chrome-yellow ; tail black, edged at the base with olive-yellow, and barred with buffy white, the central ones obliquely so, dwarf feather paler and greener; shafts black at the tip, dusky brown at the base ; nasal plumes black; base of the forehead and outer edge of the crown black, slightly varied with grey ; forehead, crown, and occiput crimson, bases of the feathers leaden grey varied with black, bases of the nuchal ones black ; a spot in front of the eye, and a short streak behind it, black ; a broad yellowish-white superciliary stripe, and another from Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 155 above the base of the upper mandible, passing under the eye and the ear-coverts ; sides of the face smoky green, varied with dull greenish white; malar stripe streaked intense black and white; sides of the neck and hind neck green ; chin and throat smoky green; fore neck and chest dull yel- lowish green ; underparts, including under tail-coverts, yel- lowish white, the feathers with an intermarginal line and occasional shaft-streak of black or olive-black, and having a scaly appearance ; under wing-coverts yellowish white, barred with and having V-shaped markings of black; axillaries white, tipped with yellow and barred with black: “ irides, a circle of dark pinkish red round the black pupil, surrounded by a second ring of light pink; upper mandible horn-coloured at the base, the tip and the whole of the lower mandible being of a brightish yellow” (R. C. Beavan). Total length 13°5 inches, culmen 1°85, wing 6°25, tail 4°65, tarsus 1:1; toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°8, outer posterior 0°72, inner anterior 0°63, inner posterior 0°45. Young male. Upper parts dusky brown, edged with green ; wing-coverts similar, the greater series barred with greyish or dingy white ; base of the forehead black varied with grey ; the feathers of the remainder of the forehead, crown, and occiput tipped with scarlet (more orange on the occiput) on a black ground; the bases ieaden grey ; feathers of the rump and upper tail-coverts margined and tipped with pale chrome- yellow, and having faint dusky V-shaped markings ; chin, throat, and fore neck dingy buffy white; sides of the neck ashy brown, the tips of the feathers greenish, and having a subterminal blackish spot; from the chest to the vent in- elusive dull white, with a shght tinge of yellow, the chest being more ashy yellow, and the whole of the feathers having an intermarginal V-shaped blackish marking with a white centre; under tail-coverts greyish white, with similar mark- ings and white centre; under wing-coverts white, spotted and varied with blackish. A young male in the Hume collection, from Simla, July 20th (A. O. Hume), rather older than the one above described, ' has the whole of the upper parts uniform green, or nearly so, M 2 156 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. the feathers having lost their dusky-black centres ; there is more red on the top of the head, and above the white super- ciliary stripe there is a blackish-brown one bordering the red crown; the spotting on the side of the neck is less marked, and this, as well as the chin, throat, and chest are of a richer buff-colour, the underparts being also more of a buffy yel- lowish ; the soft parts are given as follows: “legs and feet greenish horny; irides brown; bill dusky yellow on upper mandible, yellow on lower mandible.” Adult female. Differs from the male in the absence of red on the crown and occiput, these parts being black, the feathers of the former margined with smoky grey, and having a streaked appearance, the bases being leaden grey ; chin and throat lighter: “irides, a circle of dark pinkish red round the black pupil, surrounded by a second ring of light pink ”’ (R. C. Beavan) : “bill dusky above at base, the rest yel- lowish ; legs greenish plumbeous ” (Jerdon). ‘Total length 13°5 inches, culmen 1 9, wing 6°35, tail 4°5, tarsus 1°3. Hodgson, in his series of unpublished coloured drawings of Nepalese birds, contained in the library of the Zoological De- partment of the British Museum, figures upon the second plate bearing the number 148 (there are two with the same number), under the title of Brachylophus squamatus v. nepa- lensis, two birds, which are certainly not the adult of G. squa- matus, and resemble the young of that species except in one or two points. I may briefly describe the specimens figured. The female has the rump JOridliant yellow; the throat and chest with varied and squamate markings of black; the upper mandible bluish, the under mandible yellow. The male is similarly marked on the throat, and has the bill blackish brewn. These birds closely resemble an unmis- takable young bird in my collection, except that in the latter the rump is not brilliant yellow, and they are also similar to a specimen from Murree in the British Museum, and which I take to be also a young bird, but in this the bill is yellow; this, however, may not have been so in life. Herr A. vy. Pel- zeln (bis, 1868, p. 8320) records a male and a female bird collected by Stoliezka at Pangi, North-west Himalayas, which Mr. i. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 157 he takes to be the young of G. squamatus. Judging from Herr Pelzeln’s description, the specimens agree with what I also take to be the young of this species. One would think that Hodgson must have been well acquainted with the full- plumaged G. squamatus, and if so, it is a matter of surprise that he did not designate his figures as those of the young, and it is to be regretted that the specimens figured are not in the British Museum collection. I have not seen a single Nepalese example of the present species, and as it was not obtained by Dr. Scully, it is probably rare in that country. Under the titleof Gecinus flavirostris, Dr. Menzbier (Bull. Nat. Mose. 1886, pt. i. p. 449) has described a Woodpecker from the Murgab river, of which the following is the diagnosis :— « §. Gecino viridi similis, sed rostro flavo ; stria superciliari lata alba, supra nigro marginata; vitta mystacali nigra, albo- varia; abdomine virescenti, fusco striato. Habitat ad fl. Murgab.” Judging from the above diagnosis of the bird, and from its having been compared, in the first instance, with G. viridis, and not with G. squamatus, its nearer ally, I fail to see in what respect it differs from the latter species. Dr. Menzbier makes no mention of the pale green colour of lis bird, nor of the darker green barring on the wing-coverts possessed by G. gorii, and he distinctly states, in the German description of the species, that the feathers of the underparts have black central stripes, which do not occur in G. gorii. I therefore see no reason for concluding that our birds are identical. Since the publication of Dr. Menzbier’s paper in 1886, this author has stated in ‘ The Ibis’ for 1887, p. 301, that he has received the typical specimens of his 4’. flaviros- tris, and that he has seen my description of G. gorii, and has pronounced both birds to belong to the same species. In the latter paper in ‘The Ibis,’ Dr. Menzbier tells us that, while writing, he has before him a specimen of G. squamatus for comparison, and it is to be regretted that he has not pointed out the differences between it and his new species, which he says are nearly allied. Dr. Menzbier considers that my name of G. gorii must rank as a synonym of the species originally described by him as G. flavirostris, but 158 Mr. FE. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. which title, he states, cannot stand, as the name has been previously given by Verreaux to a Woodpecker from Koko- nor, and he therefore renames his species G. zarudnoit. In the ‘ Nouvelles Archives du Muséum,’ 1871 (Bull. vu. p. 4), there is certainly a Woodpecker named, but with a query, as follows :— Picus? roux & bec jaune (flavirostris), n. sp.?”’ This is apparently the only description of the bird, which was only seen at Koko-nor, and was presumably written by Abbé David, and not by Verreaux, who could not have seen the bird in question. The above-named bird, however, is not a Gecinus, and is no doubt the well-known Picus hyperythrus. If (as Dr. Menzbier thinks) our birds are the same, and his original title, G. flavirostris, 1s preoccupied (two points which I, however, do not admit), I do not see how he can ignore my name of G. gorii and rename his species. I shall retain the latter title for the bird obtained by Dr. Aitchison at Paddé Sultan, on the Helmand, until it is clearly shown that Dr. Menzbier’s species is the same, in which case I will adopt his name of G. flavirostris. It may be that both our birds are distinct from G. squamatus as well as from each other; but until Dr. Menzbier points out the differences between G. flavirostris and G. squamatus, it 1s quite impos- sible to give the correct synonymy. For the present I give G. flavirostris and G. zarudnoi as synonyms of G. squamatus, and I make G. gordi distinct. The present species ranges from Gilgit in the north, into Cashmere and Afghanistan, and through the Himalayas to Kumaonand Nepal. Dr. Scully and Major Biddulph found it at Gilgit, and the former author (Ibis, 1881, p. 4380) writes :—‘‘ A permanent resident in the district, found in the lower valleys from November to May, and during the rest of the year at an elevation of 9000 feet.’ Capt. G. F. L. Marshall (Ibis, 1881, p. 49) describes some examples ob- tained by Major Biddulph :—‘‘'Three specimens shot in De- cember and January are identical with the Indian type, but three others obtained in March, at an elevation of 5000 feet, near Gilgit itself, are remarkable for having the neck, back, and outer margins of secondaries grey instead of green, while Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 159 the wing-coverts are mixed with green. All three are females, and in two out of the three some traces of green are visible among the grey on the lower back, so that it may be only a phase of plumage of G. sguamatus.’ Dr. Scully (¢. ¢. p. 430) observes that the specimens referred to by Capt. Marshall are birds about a year old, with the feathers worn and faded, and which, at the next moult, would assume their usual green colour. I have seen one of these birds, which is in the Hume collection, and I am of the same opinion as Dr. Scully. In the British Museum are specimens from Cashmere (Langworthy), and Jerdon also recorded it from that country. Dr. Leith Adams (P. Z. S. 1859, p. 173), in his notes on this species, states that it is found in the “woods and forests of Cashmere and the lesser ranges ;_ pretty common; solitary in its habits.” In the British Museum there is an example from Afghanistan (Griffiths). Tytler, in his “‘ Notes on the Birds collected by Capt. Beavan ” (Ibis, 1868, p. 202), observes, ‘ Between Simla and Mussoorie, common at heights of from 5000 to 9000 feet.” Jerdon found this Woodpecker in the valley of the Sutle]. Hodgson obtained the young birds in Nepal, and, according to Jerdon, it is common in Kumaon. 9. GECINUS GORI. Gecinus squamatus (non Vigors), Swinhoe, Ibis, 1882, p. 102. Gecinus gorii, Hargitt, Ibis, 1887, p. 74. Adult male. Back pale green, with a few dusky V-shaped markings; rump and upper tail-coverts of the same colour as the back, but the feathers tipped with chrome-yellow ; scapulars and wing-coverts pale green, barred with dusky green, the former having a few dusky V-shaped markings like the back; bastard-wing black, spotted with creamy white on both webs; primary-coverts dusky black and simi- larly spotted, but with a greyer shade of colour ; quills dusky black, the outer webs of the primaries broadly barred with creamy white, and more or less washed with green on the inner feathers, the inner webs spotted with white on the 160 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. margin, these spots on the inner feathers extendmg along their whole length; the outer webs of the secondaries barred with drab-grey, tinged with green, the inner webs being transversely spotted with white on the margin along the whole length of the feather ; shafts dusky brown; tail yel- Jowish cream-colour, narrowly barred with blackish brown, the basal margin of the central feathers washed with yel- lowish olive, the lateral feathers yellow at the tip; dwarf feather barred dusky olive and whitish, slightly washed with green; shafts slaty black, those of the outer feathers browner. (The head is very much damaged, but it has every appearance of having been similar to G. squamatus; the top of the head is red and the malar stripe is black and white.) Throat and chest uniform dull yellowish, with a green tinge; the re- mainder of the under surface of the body and under tail- coverts yellowish white, the feathers of the underparts having a thread-like intermarginal line or squamate marking of blackish olive, these markings being paler on the abdomen ; under wing-coverts yellowish white, transversely varied with black ; underside of the tail washed with yellow, this colour being very brilliant on the tips of the feathers. Total length 13 inches, culmen 1°8, wing 6°5, tail 4°7, tarsus 1°2 ; toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°82, outer posterior 0°82, inner anterior 07, inner posterior 0°42. Adult female. Differs from the adult male m the absence of red on the head.