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———*
BULLETIN
OF THE
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB.
EDITED BY
Dr. G. CARMICHAEL LOW.
VOLUME LXIll.
SESSION 1941-1942.
LONDON:
H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326 HIGH HOLBORN, W.C. 2.
1942.
PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, LED.
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET, E.C. 4.
PREFACE,
a
THE past Session, 1941-1942, has continued an abnormal
one. At the Annual General Meeting, held on October 18,
1941, a discussion took place as regards further meetings
of the Club and the dates and times of such meetings,
if the war conditions at present prevailing admitted. It
was finally decided to hold the meetings on Saturday after-
noons if possible, as was done in the Session 1940-1941,
and to aim at having a similar number of meetings, namely,
five in all. This arrangement again worked well, and the
Club met in October (Annual General and ordinary Meeting),
December, February, April and June (the latter in con-
junction with the British Ornithologists’ Union, in place of
their usual Annual General Meeting in March).
The number of attendances for the Session was better than
in 1940-1941, viz., a total of 142 in place of 110, this being
made up as follows :—96 members of the Club, 9 members of
the B.O.U., 1 guest of the Club and 36 other guests, a total
of 142.
There was no Chairman’s Annual Address this year.
Mr. James Fisher gave a very interesting paper on ‘‘ The
-Birds of Rockall as shown by photographs and observations
taken by the Royal Air Force,” and by kind permission of the
Coastal Command four of these photographs were allowed to
‘be produced in the ‘ Bulletin’. Dr. Jul. Borucki talked to
the Club on “ The Preservation of Nature in Pre-war Poland”’,
and one must look forward to the time when Poland will come
into its own again and carry on the excellent work described
in the paper. Mr. David Lack discussed the longevity of
Wild Robins,
a2
IV
At the combined Meeting of the Union and the Club
Mr. Lack showed and demonstrated the film of the Galapagos
Islands taken when his expedition was there some time ago.
It was enthusiastically received by the audience, many of
whom had not seen it before.
New forms were described by Mr. J. D. Macdonald,
Mr. R. E. Moreau, Capt. C..H. B. Grant and Major C. W.
Mackworth-Praed, Mr. V. G. L. van Someren, Mr. Hugh
Whistler and Mr. P. A. Clancey.
Mr. N. B. Kinnear communicated a note on the introduction
of the Indian House Crow into Port Sudan and one on a
common Bittern from Nigeria, and Mr. P. A. Clancey one on a
very pale example of Certhia familiaris, which, in his opinion,
was referable to the Central European form Certhia familiaris
macrodactyla, a race which has not previously been recorded
in Britain.
Captain C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. Mackworth-Praed
have continued their valuable notes on Eastern African Birds.
Further war restrictions forbade Public Luncheons, so
one of the Club meetings was held in the Board Room of the
British Museum (Natural History), by kind permission of the
Director, and the final meeting in June, with the B. O. U.,
took place on a Saturday afternoon at the Rembrandt Hotel,
where the Club still continues to meet.
The Club entertained as a distinguished guest Dr. Jul.
Borucki, an ornithological colleague from Poland, who gave
the interesting address mentioned above.
G. CARMICHAEL LOW,
_ London, July 1942. Kditor,
|
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB.
(FOUNDED OCTOBER 5, 1892.)
>
TITLE AND OBJECTS.
The objects of the Club, which shall be called. the
‘“ British Ornithologists’ Club,” are the promotion of social
intercourse between Members of the British Ornithologists’
Union and to facilitate the publication of scientific infor-
mation connected with ornithology.
RULES.
(As amended, October 12, 1938.)
MANAGEMENT.
I. The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee,
to consist of a Chairman, who shall be elected for three years,
at the end of which period he shall not be eligible for re-election
for the next term ; two Vice-Chairmen, who shall serve for one
year, and who shall not be eligible for the next year ; an Editor
of the ‘ Bulletin,’ who shall be elected for five years, at the end
of which period he shall not be eligible for re-election for
' the next term ; a Secretary and a Treasurer, who shall each
be elected for a term of one year, but who shall be eligible
for re-election. There shall be in addition four other Members,
the senior of whom shall retire each year, and another Member
be ‘elected in his place; every third year the two senior
Members shall retire and two other Members be elected in
their place. Officers and Members of the Committee shall
be elected by the Members of the Club at a General Meeting,
. and the names of such Officers and Members of Committee
nominated by the Committee for the ensuing year shall be
circulated with the notice convening the General Meeting
at least two weeks before the Meeting. Should any Member
wish to propose another candidate, the nomination of such,
signed by at least two Members, must reach the Secretary
at least one clear week before the Annual General Meeting.
VI
11. Any Member desiring to make a complaint of the
manner in which the affairs of the Club are conducted
must communicate in writing with the Chairman, who will,
if he deem fit, call a Committee Meeting to deal with the
matter.
III. If the conduct of any Member shall be deemed by
the Committee to be prejudicial to the interests of the Club,
he may be requested by the Committee to withdraw from
the Club. In the case of refusal, his name may be removed
from the list of Members at a General Meeting, provided
that, in the notice calling the Meeting, intimation of the
proposed resolution to remove his name shall have been
given, and that a majority of the Members voting at such
Meeting record their votes for his removal. .
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
IV. Any Member of the British Ornithologists’ Union
may become a Member of the Club on payment to the
Treasurer of an entrance-fee of one pound and a subscription
of one guinea for the current Session. On Membership
of the Union ceasing, Membership of the Club also ceases.
Any Member who has not paid his subscription before
the last Meeting of the Session shall cease, ipso facto, to be
a Member of the Club, but may be reinstated on payment
of arrears.
Any Member who has resigned less than five years ago
may be reinstated without payment of another Entrance Fee.
Any Member who resigns his Membership on going abroad
may be readmitted without payment of a further Entrance
Fee at the Committee’s discretion.
TEMPORARY ASSOCIATES.
V. Members of the British Ornithologists’ Union who are
ordinarily resident outside the British Isles, and ornithologists
from the British Empire overseas or from foreign countries,
may be admitted at the discretion of the Committee as Tem-
porary Associates of the Club for the duration of any visit to the
British Islés not exceeding one Session. An entrance fee of
five shillings shall be payable in respect of every such admission
if. the period exceeds three months. The privileges of
Temporary Associates shall be limited to attendance at the
ordinary meetings of the Club and the introduction of guests.
| MEETINGS. ;
VI. The Club will meet, as a rule, on the second Wednesday
in every month, from October to June inclusive, at such
hour and place as may be arranged by the Committee, but
should such Wednesday happen to be Ash Wednesday, the
Meeting will take place on the Wednesday following. At
these Meetings papers upon ornithological subjects will
be read, specimens exhibited and described, and discussion
invited.
VII. A General Meeting of the Club shall be held on the
day of the October Meeting of each Session, and the
Treasurer shall present thereat the Balance-sheet and Report ;
and the election of Officers and Committee, in so far as their
election is required, shall be held at such Meeting.
VIII. A Special General Meeting may be called at the
instance of the Committee for any purpose which they
deem to be of sufficient importance, or at the instance of
not fewer than fifteen Members. Notice of not less than
two weeks shall be given of every General and Special General
Meeting.
INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS. |
IX. Members may introduce visitors at any ordinary
Meeting of the Club, but the same guest shall not be eligible
to attend on more than three occasions during the Session.
No former Member who has been removed for non-payment
of subscription, or for any other cause, shall be allowed to
-attend as a guest.
‘ BULLETIN ’ OF THE CLUB.
X. An Abstract of the Proceedings of the Club shall be
printed as soon as possible after each Meeting, under the
title of the ‘ Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club,’
and shall be distributed gratis to every Member who has
paid his subscription. |
Vill
Contributors are entitled to six free copies of the ‘ Bulletin,’
but if they desire to exercise this privilege they must give
notice to the Editor when their manuscript is handed in.
Members purchasing extra copies of the ‘ Bulletin’ are
entitled to a rebate of 25 per cent. on the published price,
but not more than two copies can be sold to any Member
unless ordered before printing.
Descriptions of new species may be published in the
‘ Bulletin,’ although such were ‘not communicated at the
Meeting of the Club. This shall be done at the discretion
of the Editor and so long as the publication of the ‘ Bulletin ’
is not unduly delayed thereby.
_ Any person speaking at a Meeting of the Club shall be
allowed subsequently—subject to the discretion of the Editor—
to amplify his remarks in the ‘ Bulletin,’ but no fresh matter
shall be incorporated with such remarks.
XI. No communication, the whole or any important part
of which has already been published elsewhere, shall be
eligible for publication in the “ Bulletin,’ except at the discretion
of the Editor; and no communication made to the Club
may be subsequently published elsewhere without the written
sanction of the Editor.
ALTERATION AND REPEAL OF RULES.
_ XII. Any suggested alteration or repeal of a standing rule
shall be submitted to Members to be voted upon at a General
Meeting convened for that purpose.
COMMITTEE, 1941-1942.
Dr. A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON, Chairman (elected 1938).
Capt. C. H. B. Grant, Vice-Chairman (elected 1940).
Mr. B. W. Tuckkr, Vice-Chairman (elected 1940).
Dr. G. CARMICHAEL Low, Editor (elected 1940).
Mr. N. B. Kinnear, How. Secretary (elected 1940).
Major A. G. LAMBART SLADEN, Hon. Treasurer edn 1936).
Mr. H. J. R. PEASE (elected 1939).
Miss PHYLLIS BARCLAY-SMITH (elected 1940).
Mr. B. G. Harrison (elected 1940).
Miss KE. P. Leacn (elected 1941).
Officers of the British Ornithologists’ Club,
Past and Present.
Chairmen.
P. L. Scuater, F.R.S.
Lord RotuscHiLp, F.R.S.
W. L. ScLATER.
H. F. WITHERBY.
Dr. P. R. Lowe.
Major 8S. 8S. FLOWER.
D. A. BANNERMAN.
G. M. MATHEWS.
Dr. A. LANDSBOROUGH
THOMSON.
Vice-Chairmen.
Lord RotTHscHILD, F.R.S.
W. L. ScLATER.
H. F. WITHERBY.
G. M. MatHews.
N. B. KINNEAR.
H. WHISTLER.
D. SETH-SMITH.
Col. R. SPARROW.
Dr. G. CARMICHAEL Low.
Hon. Guy CHARTERIS.
W. L. ScLatTEr.
Dr. D. A. BANNERMAN.
Capt. C. H. B. Grant.
Mr. W. B. Tucker.
Editors.
R. BowDLER SHARPE.
W. R. OGILVIE-GRANT.
D. A. BANNERMAN.
D. Sretu-SMItTH.
Dr: Po BR: Lown:
N. B. Kinnear.
Dr. G. CARMICHAEL Low.
Captain C. H. B. GRANT.
Dr. G. CARMICHAEL Low.
1892-1913.
1913-1918.
1918-1924.
1924-1927.
1927-1930.
1930-1932.
1932-1935.
1935-1938.
1938-—
1930-1931.
1931-1932.
1932-1933.
1933-1934.
1934-1935.
1935-1936.
1936-1937.
1937-1938.
1938-1939.
1938-1939.
1939-1940.
1939-1940.
1940-
1940-
1892-1904.
1904-1914.
1914-1915.
1915-1920.
1920-1925.
1925-1930.
1930-1935.
1935-1940.
1940-
x
Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers.
HowaRD SAUNDERS. 1892-1899.
W. E. DE WINTON. 1899-1904.
H. F. WITHERBY. 1904-1914.
Dr. P. R. Lowe. 1914-1915.
C. G. TaLBot-PONSONBY. 1915-1918.
D. A. BANNERMAN. 1918-1919.
Dr. PHitre GOSSE. 1919-1920.
J. L. BONHOTE. 1920-1922.
C. W. MackworTH-PRAED. 1922-1923.
Dr. G. CARMICHAEL Low. 1923-1929..
C. W. MackworTH-PRAED. 1929-1935.
Honorary Secretaries.
Dr. A. LANDSBOROUGH
THOMSON. 1935-1938.
C. R. STONOR. 1938-1940.
N. B. KINNEAR. 1940-
Honorary Treasurers.
C. W. MackworTH-PRAED. 1935-1936.
Major A. G. L. SLADEN. 1936—
LIST OF MEMBERS.
JUNE 1942.
AcLAND, Miss C. M.; Walwood, Banstead, Surrey.
ALEXANDER, H.G.; 144 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, Birming-
ham.
AYLMER, Commdr. EH. A., R.N.; Wyke Oliver, Preston,
Dorset.
Baker, E. C. Stuart, C.1.E., O.B.E., F.L.S., H.F.A.O.U. ;
6 Harold Road, Upper Norwood, 8.E. 19.
5 Bannerman, Davin A., M.B.E., Sc.D., F.R.S.E. (Chairman,
1932-1935) ; British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell
Road, S.W. 7.
Barcuay-SmitH, Miss PHytiis (Committee); 51 Warwick
Avenue, W. 9.
BARRINGTON, FREDERICK J. F., M.S., F.R.C.S. ; 48 Wimpole
; Street, W. 1.
BEnson, Captain C. W.; c/o Secretariat, Zomba, Nyasaland.
Best, Miss M. G. S.; 10 4 Cresswell Place, S.W. 10.
10 Boorman, 8.; Heath Farm, Send, Woking, Surrey.
Boyp, A. W., M.C. ; Frandley House, near Northwich, Cheshire,
Brown, GEORGE ; Combe Manor, Hungerford, Berks. |
_ Buxton, AntHoNyY ; Knighton, Buckhurst Hill, Essex.
CAMPBELL, Dr. JamMES W.; Layer Marney Hall, Kelvedon,
Essex.
15 Cave. Colonel F. O.; Stoner Hill, Petersfield, Hants.
CHAPIN, Dr. JAMES P.; Musée du Congo Belge, Tervueren,
Belgium ; and American Museum of Natural History,
Central Park, New York City, U.S.A.
CHapMaN, F. M.; American Museum of Natural History, ©
Central Park, New York City, U.S.A.
CHARTERIS, Hon. G. L.; 24 Oxford Square, W. 2.
CHASEN, FREDERICK N.; Raffles Museum, Singapore.
20 CHISLETT, RaLPH ; Larkspur, 42 Broom Crescent, Rotherham,
Yorks.
25
30
Ge)
40
xi
Cuancey, P. A.; 9 Craig Road, Cathcart, Glasgow, S. 4.
CLARKE, Brig.-General GoLAND vAN Hott, C.M.G., D.S.O.;
Maudlyn House, Steyning, Sussex.
CLARKE, JOHN P. STEPHENSON ; Broadhurst Manor, Horsted
Keynes, Sussex.
CLARKE, Col. STEPHENSON ROBERT, C. RS Borde Hill, Cuck-
field, Sussex. :
CLEAVE, Henry P. O.; Mansfield House, Kendrick Road,
Reading.
Conover, H. B.; 6 Scott Street, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
CUNNINGHAM, we os1as; Drinagh, Kensington Road, Knock,
Belfast.
DeLacour, JEAN; New York Zoological Park, Bronx, N.Y.
City, U.S.A.
Drewuurst, Lieut.-Col. F. W., R.M. ; Wisden Cot, Corn-
wood, 8. Devon. ~
Dosiz, WILLIAM Henry, M.R.C.S.; 32 St. Martin’s Fields,
Chester.
Duncan, ARTHUR Bryce; Gilchristlands, Closeburn, Dum-
friesshire.
Evuis, H. W. ; Friary Hill, Weybridge, Surrey.
Eis, RauPu, F.L.S.; 2420 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California,
U.S.A.
Ezra, A., O.B.E.; Foxwarren Park, Cobham, Surrey.
FisHER, JAMES; Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park,
N.W. 8.
FIsHER, KENNETH ; School House, Oundle, Northamptonshire.
FLOWER, Major S. 8S. (Chairman, 1930-1932) ; 27 Park Road,
Tring, Herts.
FouLKES-RoBeErts, Captain P. R., M.C.; Westwood, Goring-
on-Thames, Oxon; and c/o The Administrator of the
Colony, Lagos, Nigeria.
GILBERT, Captain H. A. ; Bishopstone, near Hereford.
GurGe, W. E.; c/o Zool. Mus., Tring, Herts.
GLENISTER, A. G.; The Barn House, East Blatchington,
Seaford, Stee
GopmaNn, Miss Eva ; South Lodge, Horsham, Sussex.
GRANT, Captain C. H. B. (Vice-Chairman); The Cottage,
15a Emperor’s Gate, 8.W. 7.
xi
GYLDENSTOLPE, Count Nits; Royal (Natural History)
Museum, Stockholm, Sweden.
45 HacuisuKa, The Marquess ; Mita Shiba, Tokio, Japan.
Hate, Rev. James R., M.A.; Yalding Vicarage, Maidstone,
Kent.
Harrison, BERNARD GUY (Committee) ; 45 St. Martin’s Lane,
W.C. 2.
Harrison, JAMES M., D.S.C.,M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.; Bowerwood
House, St. Botolph’s Road, Sevenoaks, Kent.
Heatu, R. E.; 2 Pembroke Court, Edwardes Square, W. 8.
50 Hert, GrorrREy SEeccoMBE, M.B., F.R.C.S.; 86 Brook
Street, Grosvenor Square, W. 1.
Hopextn, Mrs. T. Epwarp ; Old Ridley, Stocksfield, North-
umberland.
Hottom, P. A. D.; Rolverden, Hook Heath, Woking,
Surrey.
Hopkinson, Emiuius, C.M.G., D.S.0., M.B.; Wynstay,
Balcombe, Sussex.
Hutson, Lieut-Col. H. P. W., R.E.; Chatham House, Rome
Gardens, Abassia, Cairo, Egypt.
55 Inauis, C. McFaruane; Natural History Museum, Darjiling,
India.
InerAM, Capt. CoLLINGwoop; The Grange, Benenden,
Cranbrook, Kent.
JABOUILLE, PIERRE; c/o Monsieur J. Delacour, New York
Zoological Society, New York, U.S.A.
_ Janms, Miss Cet1a K., Blake’s Wood, Barnt Green, Worcester.
JEFFREY, T. C.; Thorpe Grange, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
60 Jorpan, Dr. Karu ; Zoological Museum, Tring, Herts.
Joy, Norman H., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.; 65 Rock Avenue,
Gillingham, Kent,
Kinnear, Norman B. (Hon. Secretary); British Museum
(Natural History), Cromwell Road, S.W. 7.
Kurop4, The Marquis Nagamicuti ; Fukuyoshicho, Akasaka,
Tokio, Japan.
Leacn, Miss E. P. (Committee) ; 94, Kensington Court, W. 8.
’ 65 Lewis, JoHN Sprepan; Leckford Abbess, Stockbridge,
Hants.
70
75
80
85
xIV
Lona@FiELD, Miss Cynta1a ; 20 Pont Street, S.W. 1.
Low, GkEorRGE CarRMmIcHAEL, M.A., M.D., C.M., F.R.C.P.
(Editor of the ‘ Bulletin’); 7 Kent House, Kensington
Court, Kensington, W. 8.
Lowe, P. R., O.B.E., M.B., B.C. (Chairman, 1927-1930) ;
Parkland, Burley, Ringwood, Hants.
LyneEs, Rear-Admiral Husrrt, R.N., C.B., C.M.G.; 57
Victoria Road, Kensington, W. 6.
Mackenzig£, Juan M. D., B.A., C.M.Z.S. ; Sidlaw Fur Farm,
Tullach Ard, Be eggie, Perthshire. |
McKirrrick, T. H.; Bank. for International Settlements,
sle, Switzerland.
Mack vortTH-t .#6% Major C. W.; Castletop, Burley, near
Ringwood, Hants. wy
MacmILuaNn, Captain W. EK. F.; 42 Onslow Square, S W. 7.
McNeitz, J. H.; Nonsuch, Bromham, Chippenham, Wilts.
MacpHerson, D. W. K.; P.O., Lilongwe, Nyasaland.
MANSFIELD, The Right Hon. the Earl of; Scone Palace,
Perth.
Manson-Baur, Sir Puri, C.M.G., D.S.O., M.D., F.R.C.P. ;
149 Harley Street, W. 1.
Matuews, G. M., C.B.E., F.R.S.E., H.F.A.O.U. (Chairman,
1935-1938) ; Meadway, St. Cross, Winchester, Hants.
MavrRoGorDATO, J. G. ; Mariners, Westerham, Kent.
May, W. Norman, M.D.; The White House, Sonning,
Berks.
Mayaup, Nott; Le Lys, par le Puy-Notre-Dame, Maine-et-
Loire, France.
MEIKLEJOHN, Col. R. F., D.S.O.; Lodge Farm, Melton,
Woodbridge, Suffolk. .
MEINERTZHAGEN, Colonel R., D.S.O.; 17 Kensington Park
Gardens, W. 11.
Momryama, Toku Taro; 1146 Sasazka, Yoyohata-mati,
Tokio, Japan.
Monn, P. W.; c/o British Consulate, Lisbon, Portugal.
Mvrton, Mrs. C. D.; Cranbrook Lodge, Cranbrook, Kent.
MussELWHITE, D. W.; 59 Mayford Road, Wandsworth
Common, S.W. 12.
KV
| NavumsBure, Mrs. W. W.; 121 East 64th Street, New York
go
95
I00
105
IIo
City, U.S.A.
Newman, T. H.; Verulam, 46 Forty Avenue, Wembley Park,
_ Middlesex. |
Nicuoutson, E. M.; 13 Upper Cheyne Row, 8.W. 3.
Nortu, Captain M. E. W.; c/o Secretariat, Nairobi, Kenya.
OsMASTON, BERTRAM BERESFORD; 116 Banbury Road,
Oxford. :
PakENnHAM, R. H. W.; Kingsley, Hurtis Hill,Crowborough,
Sussex ; and c/o Secretariat, Zanzbafy, Hastern Africa.
Pauutson, C. W. G.; Woodside “ottage, Wheeler’s Lane,
Smallfield, Surrey... peer oy ee
PALL, Mrs. Oscar ; Oare, Marlborough, ‘Vilts. ~
Prasze, H. J. R. (Conmittee); The Savile Club, 68 Brook
Street, W. 1
Puitiies, A.S.; Frewin’s Close, South Stoke, Reading, Berks.
Pirman, Capt. C. R. S., D.S.O., M.C.; c/o Grindlay & Co.,
54 Parliament Street, S.W. 1.
PopHamM, Hucu LEYBORNE, M.A. ; Hunstrete House, Pensford,
Somerset.
PRIESTLEY, Mrs. J. B.; Broxwood Court Hostel, Leominster,
Herefordshire.
Rwopves, Miss G. M.; Hildersham Hall, Cambridge.
Rickett, C. B.; 27 Kendrick Road, Reading, Berks.
RivitRe, B. B., F.R.C.S.; The Old Hall, Woodbastwick,
Norfolk. :
_Rooxsr, K. B.; 18 Wharncliffe Road, Boscombe, Bourne-
mouth, Hants.
SanDEMAN, R. G.C. C. ; Dan-y-parc, Crickhowell, Brecon.
ScHAUENSEE, R. M. pz; Devon, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
ScuoutepEN, Dr. H.; Musée du Congo Belge, Tervueren,
Belgium. |
ScuaTeR, WittiaAM LutTuey, M.A. (Chairman, 1918-1924) :
10 Sloane Court, S.W. 3.
SETH-SmItH, Davin ; ‘‘ Brabourne,’’ Poyle Road, Guildford.
SHERRIFF, ALBERT; 8 Ranulf Road, Hampstead, N.W. 2.
Srmonps, Major Maurice H,; Fines Baylewick, Binfield,
Berks, .
ts
I20
125
130
XVI
SLADEN, Major A. G. LamBart, M.C. (Hon. Treasurer) ;
Horsenden Manor, Princes Risborough, Bucks; and
39 St. James’s Street, S.W. 1.
Sparrow, Col. R., C.M.G.,D.S.0.; The Lodge, Colne Engaine,
Earls Colne, Essex.
Steuart, Mrs. Ronaup ; The Old Rectory, North Fambridge,
Chelmsford, Essex.
STEVENS, HERBERT; Clovelly, Beaconsfield Road, Tring,
Herts.
Stevens, No&t ; Walcot Hall, Lydbury North, Salop.
Stonor, Lieut. C. R.; British Museum (Natural History),
Cromwell Road, 8.W. 7.
TaKA-TsuKASA, Prince NoBusvuKE; 1732 Sanchome, Kami-
meguro, Meguro-Ku, Tokio, Japan.
THomson, A. LaNpDsBoROUGH, C.B., O.B.E., D.Sc., F.R.S.E.
(Chairman) ; 16 Tregunter Road, 8.W. 10.
Ticzuurst, N. F., O.B.E., M.B., F.R.C.S.; 24 Pevensey
Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex.
Tucker, B. W., M.A. (Vice-Chairman); 9 Marston Ferry
Road, Oxford.
TURTLE, LANCELOT J.; 17-21 Castle Place, Belfast.
UrqunartT, Capt. AvastTairR, D.S.0.; Latimer Cottage,
Latimer, Chesham, Bucks.
VAN SoMEREN, Dr. V.G. L.; P.O. Box 1682, Nairobi, Kenya
Colony.
VINCENT, J.; “‘ Firle,’’ Mooi River, Natal, South Africa.
WaDgE, Major G. A., M.C. ; St. Quintin, Sandy Lane, Newcastle-
under-Lyme, Staffs.
Wait, W. E., C.M.G., C.F.A.0.U.; Applegarth, Aldbury,
near Tring, Herts.
Waite, HerBertT WILLIAM, C.I.E.; c/o Messrs. Grindlay &
Co., Ltd., Bombay, India.
WakE, R.; Leafwood, Frant, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Watt, Mrs. H. Winirrep Boyp, F.Z.S.; at Holmbury, 12
Campbell Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Hants.
WuistLerR, Hucu, J.P., F.Z.8S., F.L.S.; Caldbec House,
Battle, Sussex,
j
XVII
Wuitr, CHartes M. N.; Park-View, Garstang Road,
' Broughton, near Preston, Lancs.
WisHart, E. E. ; Marsh Farm, Binsted, Arundel, Sussex.
WITHERBY, Harry F., M.B.E. (Chairman, 1924-1927) ;
Gracious Pond Farm, Chobham, near Woking, Surrey.
135 Workman, WILLIAM HuGHES; Lismore, Windsor Avenue,
Belfast.
Worms, CHARLES DE; Milton Park, Egham, Surrey.
137 YAMASHINA, The Marquis; 49 Minami Hiradei, Shikuya-ku,
Tokio, Japan.
Total number of Members .... 137
NOTICE. |
[Members are specially requested to keep the Hon. Secretary
informed of any changes in their addresses, and those
_Yesiding abroad should give early notification of coming home
on leave.|
VOL. LXI. b
LIST OF AUTHORS
AND OTHER PERSONS REFERRED TO.
Accounts, STATEMENT OF ..... em
ANNA GENERAL MEETING . fgew ced vue vows cetcctetrcevne
Boruck1, Dr. Juu.
The Preservation of Nature in Poland ..........<..sc0es :
CLANCEY, P.A.
The Iceland Redwing in Essex ......... gine 2 tn Cee ae
An interesting specimen of Certhia familiaris collected in
Sade Wie. x6 cscs: Spee keene a5) aint 4 ole a) Preis 6.3 Wee eee
On the Races of the Rock-Pipit in Western Europe .....
A new race of Wren (T'roglodytes troglodytes meinertzhagent)
PTA TTCO\: Va: «5,0, 0 eS» 6G Wissel sin. 6 se «6 6.6 60 a GoSebemraey ea ee
COMMITTEE FOR 1941-1942 ....... be. & ewig Sar CRORES, Eich bee
FISHER, J.
The Birds of Rockall, as shown by photographs and
observations taken by the Royal Air Force. Text-figs. 1-4.
GuLece, W. E.
Mine Wagtail off Rockall... 2.2 = c ciie ste ene te ee
Grant, Capt. C. H. B., and Major C. W. MackwortH-PRAED.
Notes on Eastern African Birds.
1. On the type-locality of Balearica pavonina pavonina ..
- 2, On the type-locality of Charadrius marginatus .......
3. On the type-locality of Poicephalus robustus ........
4, On the distribution of Hremomela canescens in BE. Africa
5. On the races and plumages of Heliolais erythroptera
and the status of Heliolais castanopsis ............
19-27
18
53-54
57-58
68-69
38-39
13
13
13-14
14
15-17
Max
A new Genus of Red-capped Warbler (Scepomycter) from
Merrmxsrasnnnaiicel, DOUTUGORN, ge. casa :0) ais,<:4)aye amp Brads ow Ru! WIS 30
A new Race of Bracken Warbler (Sathrocercus cinnamomea
ufipez) from Tanganyika Territory, and a new race of
Moustache Warbler (Melocichla mentalis granviki) from
2s SEISIED) US 12S alin eeu io ai Caen, nt a 30-31
Notes on Eastern African Birds :—
1. On the status of Ortygops macmillant ........ 0... 32
2. The distribution of Apalis murina murina and A. m
TIO Ma APTN cg inimie a, Wai aves a Mesias oo 6: ale. 8a a8 0) 6 os 32-33
3. On the races of Melocichla mentalis ................. 33-35
A new race of Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocerulea lynesi)
frome Tanganyika, Territory 690666 cates cea en culan em eee 43-45
Notes on Eastern African Birds :—
1. On the type-locality of Pogonias minor ............. 46
2. On the distribution of Hremomela scotops ............ 46-47
3. On the exact type-locality of Cisticola chiniana ukamba 47
4. On the relationship of Hirundo rustica rustica, Hirundo
lucida and Herundo angolensis oo. 5 heb ye Wee es 47
5. On the races of Hirundo senegalensis ...........4... 48-49
6. Onthe relationship of Ptyonoprogne fuligula, P. rufigula,
ANC LOO SOLE Oe din, eheie dic lole Blokus Bssuhela wwe kod dete b ale 49-50
7. On the status of Ptyonoprogne rufigula fusciveniris.... 50-51
A new race of the Smaller Striped Swallow (Hirundo
abyssinica bannermant) from the Sudan .................. 54-55
Notes on Eastern African Birds.
1. On the conspecific status of Budytes flava, B. luteus,
PRR ROTTEN oer edte chat a a tlvch wcea'a ei S mst @ ee Wines oo 58-59
2) On Apalts alticola'.... 6... : Ro cach cy thy SEC ERR ea 59
3. On the races of Calamonastes simplex, and the status
OF OC LStin plier WeEGueenys ws 2 Pek ale cc eay ss ble e's scandy ss _ 69-60
4. On Riparia riparia fuscocollarts 2.0.0.0... ce ee eee 60
5. On the specific status of Dicrurus adsimilis and
DOS OUCSEMA has ou MSD Se sf tale 6 od eeeeaa > os 61
6. On the exact type-locality of Dicrurus adsimilis...... 61
7. On the Eastern African races of Dicrurus ludwigii.... 61-62
8. On the type-locality of Prionops poliocephala........ 62
Notes on Eastern African Birds :—
On the occurrence of Riparia cincta cincta in Eastern
PMC Agate trek Meme gy ans eae al a din Wied ahcin Kelas bh. wee ese « 67-68
KINNEAR, N. B.
The introduction of the Indian Hense: Crow into Port
Ria ern rae eae NE Re RD ORT es wale ge « 55—56
xx
Lack, D.
Heng thy.oflite ta RODIN ..)..4 son. cee mere tke ae BASS
A filmofthe Galapagos Islands is)). J is 6k A eae. B
Leacu, Miss E. P.
White Wagtasliort Rockall) 70 in eaace tees. ote arene te tk eae
MACDONALD, J. D.
Three new races of Long-Tails from Africa. (Prinia
superciliosa desertz, P.s. bechuanz, and P. s. ovampensis)..
MackwortH-PRAED, Major C. W. (See under GRANT, Capt.
CET.)
Maenrine, ANNUAL GENDRAL ...2+ jlsoi0k chasia stole ee eadin le See
Moreau, R. E.
A new race of Yellow-streaked Bulbul (Phyllastrephus
flavostriatus kungwensis), and a new race of Yellow-
moustached Bulbul (Stelgidocichla latirostris australis) from
Tancamyuica Territory: : 352 2Mac ecw tare ose so oe eer ee
New races of Slaty Flycatcher (Dioptrorms fischeri ufipe),
Bracken-Warbler (Bradypterus alfredi kungwensis), and a
Grey-headed Negro-Finch (Nigrita canicapilla candida), from
Pencamytka WeenniOry: shed ssi 4 Jeers hk Ae bes siete? Tee
A new race of Brown-chested Alethe (Alethe poliocephala
wipe) trem Tanganyika Territory 42).). ¢ ec 2 «2 sje wee pee
VAN SOMEREN, V. G. L.
Two new races Smithornis capensis shimba and S. c.
chagkearom: Kenya, Colony (os. oi... 6s 0s sida ee ae eae
WHISTLER, H.
Races of Black-headed Babbler in Ceylon, with a new race
eRe peetcnla AiuricePS SICCOLUS . <a. 353 ww oe oe oo 0 ete Si
A new race Pomatorhinus horsfieldii holdsworthi with
racesoccurring ii-Ceylon . .. 5 «<b. wiegeiens « «tet aole etree
Page
4]
66
I
27-29
29-30
vor . @
eO'BRULLETIN
OF THE
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB.
No. CCCCXXXIX.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
Chairman: Dr. A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON.
This was held at the Rembrandt Hotel at 2.30 p.m. on
Saturday, October 18, 1941, preceded by a luncheon at
1.30 p.m. ; 25 Members present.
1. The minutes of the last General Meeting, held at the
Rembrandt Hotel at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 1940,
were read, confirmed and signed.
2. Mr. N. B. Kinnear, the Honorary Secretary, read his
report for the past Session 1940-1941 :—
He said that the number of members showed a further
decrease (153 to 144). The following members had died :—
-H. B. Booth, G. H. Caton-Haigh, P. W. Reynolds and
Dr. C. B. Ticehurst.
Six members, W. B. Alexander, Mrs. KE. C. Barnes, H. D.
Cunynghame, Miss J. Ferrier, Mrs. D. Micholls and H.
Whitley, had resigned, and again no new members had joined
the Club.
It had not been possible to hold the usual meetings of the
Club on Wednesday evenings owing to the black-out and
general conditions prevailing. Instead of this, five meetings had
been held on Saturday afternoons, viz., in October, December,
February, April and June, and this new arrangement had
proved satisfactory, the attendances being as _ follows :—
[November 20, 1941.] a VOL. LXII,
Vol. Ixii.] 2 (1941.
72 members, 11 members of the B. O. U., 2 guests of the Club
and 25 other guests, a total of 110. 7
A luncheon was substituted for the usual dinner, and this
gave the members a chance of seeing and speaking to each
other before the meeting. The life of the Club, though in a
diminished form, was thus maintained.
The Report was approved.
3. Major A. G. LAMBART SLADEN, the Honorary Treasurer,
sent his Annual Report for the Session 1940-1941. He said :—
In submitting the Financial Statement of the British
Ornithologists’ Club for the twelve months ended August 31,
1941, I think members may congratulate themselves on the
sound financial position, having regard to the very difficult
times through which we are now passing.
It will be seen from it that although subscriptions from
members are slightly reduced owing to resignations, deaths,
etc., the balance of cash in hand and in invested funds amounts
to £847 17s. 3d. as against £776 6s. 3d. for the last year. The
improved balance is due largely to the reduction in cost of
printing and distribution of publications and the ‘ Bulletin ’,
which have been considerably curtailed owing to present
conditions.
The difficulty of collecting subscriptions from foreign
members is naturally considerable, though our American
friends have been in continual communication with us through-
out the war.
It should also be noted that the National Savings Certificates
and 33 per cent. War Loan held on bebalf of the Club, are
shown in the Balance Sheet at cost, though their present-day
value is substantially greater.
The Balance Sheet will, as usual, be printed in and issued
with the coming number of the ‘ Bulletin’.
The Report was approved.
4. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
In view of the present restriction of the Club’s activities
and the small number of members able to take part in them,
the Committee consider that office-bearers who continue to be
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Vol. Lxii.] 4 (1941.
available should be retained. The following Resolution was
accordingly moved :—‘ That the provisions of Rule 1 as
regards non-eligibility for immediate re-election to office be
suspended during the war.”
Subject to the above, the Committee recommend that the
_ Chairman (Dr. A. Landsborough Thomson) and Vice-Chairmen
(Captain C. H. B. Grant and Mr. B. W. Tucker) be re-elected
for a further year.
The Committee also recommend that the Hon. Secretary
(Mr. N. B. Kinnear) and the Hon. Treasurer (Major A. G.
Lambart Sladen) be re-elected for next year, and that Miss
KE. P. Leach be elected to the Committee in place of Mr. P. A. D.
Hollom.
The Meeting unanimously adopted these suggestions.
The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the Hon.
Treasurer, the Hon. Secretary and Editor for the trouble they
had taken in keeping the affairs of the Club going in the
difficult times we were passing through. This was carried
with acclamation.
5. ARRANGEMENTS FOR SESSION.
The Meeting was strongly in favour of holding meetings,
where possible, throughout the winter and spring. It was
resolved to hold them bi-monthly, as in the last Session, the
dates to be decided by the Officers of the Club.
Due notice of such decisions would be forwarded to the
members of the Club from time to time.
This concluded the business.
Committee 1941-42.
Dr. A. LANDSBoROUGH THOMSON, Chairman (elected 1938).
Capt. C. H. B. Grant, Vice-Chairman (elected 1940).
Mr. B. W. Tucxksr, Vice-Chairman (elected 1940).
Dr. G. CaRMICHAEL Low, Editor (elected 1940).
Mr. N. B. Kinnear, Hon. Secretary (elected 1940).
Major A. G. LamBart SLADEN, Hon. Treasurer (elected 1936).
Mr. H. J. R. PHASE (elected 1939).
Miss PHYLLIS BarcLay-Smitu (elected 1940).
Mr. B. G. Harrison (elected 1940).
Miss E. P. Leacu (elected 1941).
1941.] 5 [Vol. Lxii.
ORDINARY MEETING.
The four-hundred-and-thirty-fourth Meeting of the Club
was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, Thurloe Place, S.W. 7,
at 3 P.M., on Saturday, October 18, 1941, immediately after
the Annual General Meeting.
Chairman: Dr. A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON.
Members present :—Miss P. Barctay-SmitH; Miss M. G.
Brest; A. Ezra; J. Fisoer; Miss E. M. Gopman; Capt.
C. H. B. Grant (Vice-Chairman); Dr. J. M. Harrison ;
Dr. E. Hopkinson ; N. H. Joy; N. B. Kinnear (Hon. Sec.) ;
Miss E. P. Leacu; Miss C. LoNerretp; Dr. G. CARMICHAEL
Low (Editor); Dr. P. R. Lowr; Sir P. Manson-Banpr ;
H. J. R. Pease; Mrs. J. B. Pritestury ; Miss G. M. Ruopss ;
W. L. Scuater ; D. Setu-SmitH ; Col. R. Sparrow; B. W.
TucKER (Vice-Chairman); Mrs. H. M. Boyp Watt; H. F.
WITHERBY. |
Guests :—Miss C. L. Crompton ; C. TIT. Datcety; Miss L. P.
GRant; G. E. Lopaz; Miss C. PopHam; B. B. Roperts ;
Mrs. SparRnow; M. Stewart; Miss M. van OOSTVEEN ;
H. G. Vevers ; J. S. Watson; Mrs. H. F. WitrHEersy.
Members, 25; Guests, 12. Total, 37.
Mr. James Fisuer, M.A., M.B.O.U. (by permission of the
Coastal Command), made a communication on the birds of
Rockall, and other inaccessible sea-bird stations, as shown by
aerial photographs taken by the Royal Air Force.
The Birds of Rockall as shown by photographs and
observations taken by the Royal Air Force.
The history of Rockall*, that remote and romantic stack
in the North Atlantic, over 150 miles west of St. Kilda, has
been obscure and conflicting. At all events this was so as
regards its birds. Several species have, at one time or another,
been reported on the rock itself by observers of complete
reliability such as Harvie-Brown and Barrington (2) and by
others less accurate or truthful. It was with the
intention of finding out the present status of the birds of
* Previously, Rockall was held to lie at 57° 40’ N., 13° 30’ W., but
I understand new observations have lately ‘* shifted ’’ it some miles,
Vol. 1xii.] 6 (1941.
Rockall that in April, 1941, Ll approached the Commander-in-
Chief, Coastal Command, Royal Air Force, and enquired
whether. aircraft of his Command were likely to be in the
neighbourhood of the rock, and whether (if so) they would be
able to make observations and take photographs. The happy
results of this request for information, which was granted in
a most prompt and friendly manner, are set out in this com-
munication.
Tt is necessary, first of all, to set out what has already been
recorded about Rockall’s birds. :
1810. On July 8 of this year Hall (10), who landed from
H.M.S. Endymion, described the top of the rock as
white with the droppings of sea-birds, and specifically
mentions Gannets as among the *“ throng ”’ of birds
present. He did not state whether birds were on
the rock at the time of his visit, or flying round it.
(For the true date of this visit, sometimes erroneously
recorded as 1811, Purdy (12) is the authority.)
1819. On May 24 Fisher (7) saw numbers of birds in the
neighbourhood, but did not approach close enough to
see what birds (if any) were on the rock, though he
noted the whiteness of the droppings on the top.
c. 1831. Capt. Vidal’s chart, made in about this year (3),
mentions that “the summit is made white by birds”.
c. 1855. On November 1, 1894, an account was taken down
from a sailor who was on a private yacht from which
a party landed “about 39 years ago” (1). This
party was stated to have shot a quantity of Cor-
morants, Kittiwakes and Sea-Gulls on Rockall.
1869. T. Blanche of Shetland told of a visit in this year (3)
on which “no bird is seen near it .... unless the
Mollymak ... . they are of a greyish-white colour.”’
1887. A year of much activity, real and imaginary. In
early July (2) D. Davidson of the Dolphin, or Delphine,
landed, and his crew, according to Andresen, an eye-
witness, brought off a boat-load of eggs (1), but
according to P. Jakobsen (13) saw no eggs, only
1941.)
1888.
18g].
7 [Vol. Ixii.
young. It seems clear that this record of “ no eggs,
only young ”’ applies more truthfully to the situation
at the time of the landing of J. M. Peterson from
the Gauntlet, three weeks later, but in the same
month, particularly since a Guillemot’s egg, stated
to be via the Delphine, was collected.
Some way off the rock Andresen saw “dark grey
Mollies”’.
Capt. E. Freshwater of the Undine (2) told J.
Cordeaux that he also landed in this year. He
recorded that birds were very numerous, and that the
most numerous on Rockall were “‘ Rockall Lyres ”’
(lyre is the Faeroe word for Shearwater (13)),
‘* Willocks ’’ (Guillemots), Puffins, Gannets, Kitti-
wakes, other Gulls, and probably Fulmars.
Further, also in this year, Capt. J. Hansen was
alleged by H. C. Miller (1) to have landed and seen
and taken Briinnich’s Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar
and Great Shearwater (the latter was stated to have
eggs deep in holes in the rock). It is clear, however
(2), that he never landed.
On May 7 or 8 D. Davidson of the Dolphin, this time
with his brother Ole, climbed Rockall (2). P.
Jakobsen was also among the six men who made the
landing (13). 400 eggs* were stated to have been
collected, all of Guillemots ; large numbers of Great
Shearwaters and Fulmars were seen flying at sea,
close by.
In about this year Capt. Leo of the Great Surprise
is alleged (3) to have landed. He stated that he took
about 10 dozen eggs, and that another smack
(? Dolphin) had done the same. An egg supposed to
have been taken in this lot was passed to Buckley ;
it was a Guillemot’s egg.
In this year an anonymous writer in ‘Chambers’
Journal’ + claims tohave landed on Rockall and seen
Kittiwakes, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls,
* This does not fit very well with what is known of the Guillemot’s
breeding season.
t For March, 1892.
Vol. lxii.] 8 (1941.
c. 1894.
1896.
1921.
Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots (an occasional Little
Auk amongst them), Petrels, Terns, a Skua and a
Fulmar. On being tackled by the editors of the
‘Annals of Scottish Natural History ’ (4) the gentle-
man concerned was forced to admit that “‘ I never
was at Rockall ”’.
A Grimsby fisherman told John Cordeaux (1) that
in about this year Rockall was “‘ covered by birds’
dung’’. Grey seals frequented the rocks [all other
eye-witnesses either do not mention seals, or specifically
comment on their absence]. “‘ Gulls, Cormorants,
Gannets and many other sorts of birds nest there, also
Kittiwakes ”’.
In this year the only expedition to Rockall that has
included scientific ornithologists among its personnel
set sail. The ship, with Harvie-Brown and Bra-
rington (2) and Green (g) on board, was in sight of
Rockall on June 6, 7 and 15. It was not possible to
land. The birds seen on the rock were :—
200-250 Guillemots on the only ledge on which
they could breed (see 1941).
c. 30 Puffins sitting in weathered holes (not suitable
for breeding in).
50 Kittiwakes, all immature; one carried ? nest-
material.
10 Gannets, 8 of them in immature plumage.
1 or 2 Razorbills, possibly (not clear whether on
rock, or among Auks seen at sea close to the
rock).
Fulmars and Great Shearwaters were seen at sea
close to Rockall, but were not seen on it.
In this year Dr. Charcot’s Pourquoi-Pas? (5, 8) paid
a visit to Rockall. On June 29 an ex-circus clown
named Moussard was on the rock for half an hour.
On July 1 a second landing was made by Pierre
Le Conte and a member of the crew, Bonnichon.
Charcot writes that Le Conte, helped by “‘ indications ”’
furnished by their naturalist, M. Hamel, brought off a
1941.]
1941.
9 [Vol. Lxii.
series of details and observations on the ‘‘ emplace-
ments ’’ occupied by the different species of birds.
The statement was that birds lived by “ milliers ”’
on the rock, and belonged to five different species,
Viz. <—
la mouette tridactyle (Kittiwake).
le puffin majeur ou & face blanche (Great Shear- _
water).
le macareux moine (Puffin).
le fou de Bassan (Gannet).
le guillemot 4 capuchin (Guillemot).
Gladstone (8), who had correspondence with Charcot,
was told by him that there were ‘* quelques sula
bassana sur le sommet ”’, and that Guillemots, Puffins
and Kittiwakes were also present. In this correspon-
dence Charcot did not mention the Great Shearwater
as on the rock ; and for its appearance in M. Le Conte’s
“ détails’ we must, I think, blame the previous
‘indications’ of M. Hamel. Of course the Great
Shearwater did not occupy any “emplacement ”’ on
Rockall, and never has done so, to the best of any
reliable person’s knowledge.
During the summer of 1941] aircraft of the Coastal
Command, Royal Air Force, flew over Rockall
several times. On five of these occasions photographs
were taken of the rock from different angles, and in
some cases observations were made. The great,
broad ledge, on the S.W. side, visible in these photo-
graphs must be “ the only ledge on which Guillemots
could breed” of Harvie-Brown and Barrington (2)
in 1896. On these photographs only Gannets,
Kittiwakes and Guillemots can be surely detected
sitting on, or flying on to, near or off the rock, though
a bird, flying near Rockall, in one of the photographs
taken on July 3, may be a Fulmar. The details of
the counts of identifiable birds on these photographs
are as follows :—
(1) June 19. 1 Gannet on top rock; 48-53 Guillemots on
S.W. ledge.
Vol. Ixii.] i0 [l94l.
(2) June 23*. c. 7 Kittiwakes on top, 58 at sea; over 10
| Guillemots on 8.W. ledge (fig. 2).
(3) June 23. c. 15 Gannets and c. 81 Kittiwakes at sea.
(4) July 3. 1% Gannet on top, 5-7 at sea; 9-11 Kittiwakes
at sea; 26 Guillemots 8.W. ledge.
(5) July 3. 1? Gannet at sea; over 17 Guillemots S.W.
ledge.
(6) July 3. 12% Gannet on top; 13 Guillemots 8.W. ledge
(fig. 3).
(7) July 18+. 5-11 Guillemots S.W. ledge.
(8) July 18.. 10-13 Guillemots S.W. ledge.
(9) Aug. 7. c. 150 Kittiwakes on top and sides and at sea ¢
(fig. 4).
Summary.
Gannet. Probably 1 on top, c. 15 off t, June 19; probably
I on top, c. 6 off, July 3; none July 18 or August 7. Certainly
not breeding.
Kittiwake. None June 19; c. 7 on top, c. 81 off, June 23 ;
c. 10 off July 3; ?15 off July 18; c. 140 on top and sides
and at sea August 7. Certainly not breeding.
Guillemot. All sitting on 8.W. ledge, a suitable breeding
place: c.50 June 19; over 10 June 23; up to 26 July 3;
25-30 July 18; none August 7. Possibly breeding.
* On this date an observer in the aircraft records ‘‘ impossible to
give the different species as birds were so numerous that it was dangerous
to go too close. Numerous birds were sitting on the water around
the rock when we first approached. The top of the rock was well
covered by birds, far too many to count or distinguish one from
another .... the only one that was recognized at all was the Gannet,
of which I saw several in flight ”’.
ft On this day an observer noted fifteen birds flying round Rockall,
of undetermined species (but not Gannets), and 25-30 birds sitting
on the §.W. ledge—‘‘ Guillemots or Razorbills, but most probably
former ”’.
ft ‘‘ At sea”’ or ‘‘ off’? means flying near the rock, about to land,
or taking off.
BUELL: B:O.G. 1941.
Fig. 1.—General view of Rockall, looking N.N.E. (.1e., view of S.S.W,.
side) ; taken July 3, 1941. R.A.F. Official photo. Crown Copyright
Reserved.
Fig. 3.—Rockall, looking N.W. (7. ¢., view of S. & E. sides): ? Gannet.
and Guillemots on rock; taken July 3, 1941. R.A.F.. Official
photo. Crown Copyright Reserved.
BULL. B.O.Go 941,
Fig. 4.—Rockall, looking E.N.E. (i. e., view of W.S.W. side): c. 140
Kittiwakes; taken August 7, 1941. R.A.F. Official photo.
Crown Copyright Reserved.
Fig. 2.—Rockall, looking N.N.W. (i. e., view of 8S. & E. sides) : Kitti-
wakes in air, Guillemots on ledge ; taken June 23, 1941. R.A.F.
Official photo. Crown Copyright Reserved.
[Vol. Ixii.
11
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Vol. Lxii.] i2 [1941.
It is clear then, that Gannets.and Kittiwakes use Rockall
only as a resting place. Guillemots have probably bred on
the large S.W. ledge, and may still do so. Razorbills have
never been proved to have alighted on the rock; though
Puffins have done so in the past, they were not observed in
1941. No other species of bird has ever been reliably reported
to have landed on Rockall.
Acknowledgements.
For obvious reasons, [ am not permitted to give details of
the aircraft, or their pilots and crews, which have flown over
Rockall. I can, therefore, only make a general acknowledge-
ment to the Coastal Command ; and I am very grateful to it,
indeed, for having taken an interest in this problem, for
having contributed so handsomely to its solution, and for
having granted permission to reproduce four of the photographs.
References.
(1) Brown, J. A. Harvir- (1895). Rockall. Proc. Roy. Phys. Sve.
Edin, xiii. pp. 63-72.
(2) Brown, J. A. Harvis-, & BARRINGTON, R. M. (1897). On the
Ornithology of Rockall. Trans. Roy. Irish Acad. xxxi. pp. 66-75,
(3) Brown, J.A. HAaRvisE-, and Buck ey, T. E. (1888). ‘A Vertebrate
Fauna of the Outer Hebrides.” Edinburgh.
(4) Brown, J. A. Harvisr-, Trait, J. W. H., & CLARKE, W. E. (1892).
Rockall and its Avifauna. Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist. i. p. 197.
(5) Cuarcot, J. B. (1929). ‘La Mer du Groenland. Croisiéres du
‘* Pourquoi,Pas?’’’ Paris and Bruges.
(6) Curisty, Minter (1895). ‘ About Rockall.’ Reprinted, with
additions, from The Yachtsman, May 2.
(7) FisHer, A. (1821). ‘ A Journal of a Voyage of Discovery to the
Arctic. Regions in Her Majesty’s Ships ‘ Heckla”’’ and
‘* Griper ”’ in the Years 1819 and 1820.’ London, 4th ed.
(8) GuapsTonE, H. 8. (1937). Dr. Charcot and the Birds of Rockall.
Brit. Birds, xxx. pp. 251-53.
(9) GREEN, W. S. (1897). Narrative of the Cruise [to Rockall].
Trans. Roy. Irish. Acad. xxxi. pp. 39-47.
(10) Hatt, B. (1842). ‘ Fragments of Voyages and Travels.’ Edin-
burgh, 3rd ed.
1941,] 13 (Vol. Ixit.
(11) Jonns, T. R. (1897). On Rockall and its Previous History.
Trans. Roy. Irish Acad, xxxi. pp. 89-97.
(12) Purpy, J. (1845). ‘ Memoirs, descriptive and explanatory, to
accompany the Charts of the Northern Atlantic Ocean.’ 9thed.,
ed. A. G. Findlay. |
(13) Vevers, H.G. Personal communication.
(14) Vipau, Capt. (1831). Admiralty Chart no. 2700.
Notes on Eastern African Birds.
Capt. C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. MackworTH-PRAED
sent the following five notes :—
(1) On the Type-locality of Balearica pavonina pavonina
(Linnzeus).
Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. 1758, p. 141, gives only Africa, but also
gives references to Aldrovandi, Orn. vol. iii. 1599, 1xx. chap. 6;
Willoughby, Orn. 1676, p. 201, pl. 48; and two others.
Aldrovandi gives no locality, but Willoughby states that
this bird comes from Cape Verde.
We can, therefore, fix the type-locality of Balearica pavonina
pavonina (Linn.) as Cape Verde, Senegal.
(2) On the Type-locality of Charadrius marginatus Vieillot,
N. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. xxvii. 1818, p. 138.
Vieillot gives no locality, nor does he give any reference to
other authors. The next author to mention this bird is
_ Wagler, Syst. Av. sp. 28, 1827, who gives locality as Cape of
Good Hope.
We can therefore accept this as the type-locality of Cha-
radrius marginatus Vieillot, and propose to restrict it to the
Cape Peninsula.
(3) On the Type-locality of Poicephalus robustus (Gmelin).
In the Syst. Av. Atthiop. i. 1924, p. 198, Sclater states
that the type-locality is unknown, and we cannot find that
any author has fixed one for this Parrot.
Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. pt. 1, 1788, p. 344, gives no locality,
but gives one reference to Lath. Syn. vol. I, 1. no. 100, 1781,
p. 296: no locality.
Vol. lxii.] 14 [1941.
The next references in priority of date are :—
Latham, Ind. Orn. i. 1790, p. 112, no. 94: no locality.
Lichtenstein, Cat. rer. rariss.. Hamb. 17 93, Pp. 6, who, under
his Psittacus cafer, gives Cafferland. ;
We can therefore fix the type-locality of Poicephalus robustus
(Gmelin) as Eastern Cape Province. he
(4) On the Distribution of Hremomela canescens. Antinori in
Eastern Africa.
EREMOMELA CANESCENS CANESCENS Antinori.
Eremomela canescens Antinori, Cat. Coll. Uce. March 1864,
p- 38: Djur River, Bahr-el-Ghazal, south-western Sudan ; of
which Hremomela elegans elgonensis van Someren, Bull. B. O.C.
xl. 1920, p. 92: Kibingei, south Elgon, western Kenya Colony,
is a synonym, as we can see no character by which this race
can be distinguished.
Above, head pale ashy grey; rest of upper parts bright
greenish-yellow ; a black streak from base of bill through eye
to ear-coverts ; below, chin and upper chest white ; chest and
under tail-coverts and under wing-coverts. canary-yellow.
Distribution.—Southern Sudan, Uganda and western Kenya
Colony.
KREMOMELA CANESCENS ELEGANS Heugl.
Eremomela elegans Heuglin, J. f.O. July 1864, p. 259:
Abyssinia—Sennar boundary.
Paler above than Z. c. canescens and has a slight white
stripe over eye.
Distribution.—Cameroon to eastern Sudan at Sennar.
EREMOMELA CANESCENS ABYSSINICA Bann.
Hremomela elegans abyssinica Bannerman, Bull. B.0O.C. XXIX.
1911, p. 38: Omo River, south-western Abyssinia.
Darker above than £. c. canescens and EH. c. elegans, more
olivaceous, less yellow ; no stripe over eye.
Disiribution.—Abyssinia and the Sobat Valley of the Sudan
and south-west as far as Duk Ayod, south-eastern Upper
Nile Province,
1941.] 15 [Vol. lxii.
(5) On the- Races and Plumages of Heliolais erythroptera
(Jard.) and the Status of Heliolais castanopsis Vincent.
Sclater, Syst. Av. Aithiop. ii. 1930, p. 566, recognizes six
races, but casts doubt on Heliolais erythroptera kavirondensis
van Someren. Vincent, Bull. B. O.C. liii. 1933, p. 139, has
shown that Heliolais erythroptera kirbyi Haagner must become
a synonym of Heliolais erythroptera rhodoptera (Shelley).
- Although we have not been able to examine specimens
from the Kavirondo area, and van Someren gives no measure-
ments, we are of opinion that Heliolais erythroptera kaviron-
densis will prove to be a synonym of Heliolais erythroptera
rhodoptera ; the type is an August specimen in “ greyish ”’
breeding dress, and was compared with the type of Heliolais
erythroptera major (Blundell & Lovat), which is a March bird
in non-breeding dress.
Vincent, Bull. B. O. C. liii. 1933, p. 140, described Heliolars
castanopsis as a new species, comparing it to Heliolais erythro-
ptera rhodoptera. The character given is the “‘entire absence
of any greyish coloration”. This character is that of the
non-breeding dress of Heliolais erythroptera rhodoptera, and of
which Heliolais castanopsis must become a synonym. Vincent
gives “‘ sexual organs to winter condition’. —
We are able to recognize four races as follows, all of which
have a breeding and non-breeding dress :—
HELIOLAIS ERYTHROPTERA ERYTHROPTERA (Jard.).
Drymoica erythroptera Jardine, Contr. Orn. 1849, p. 15,
plate : Gold Coast.
Breeding dress, May—September: Above grey, or vinous-
grey, bill black. Non-breeding dress, January—May : Above
vinous-tawny, bill horn. Wing 52 to 56 mm. Fifteen speci-
mens examined. | 7
Two specimens, undated (Brit. Mus. Reg. nos. 1876.5.23.156
and 1895.5.1.1152), are showing both the breeding and non-
breeding dress, and one dated April, from Cameroons (Brit.
Mus. Reg. no. 1926.8.8.396), has already assumed the black
bill, but has not started to assume the breeding dress.
That this race has a breeding and non-breeding dress is well
known (see Bannerman, Bds. Trop. W. Afr. v. 1939, p. 209).
Vol. Ixii.] 16 (1941.
The young bird is paler than the adult in non-breeding dress
and is more vinous-brownish.
_ Distribution.—Gold Coast to Nigeria.
HELIOLAIS ERYTHROPTERA JODOPTERA (Heuglin).
Drymeca jodoptera Heuglin, J. f. O. 1864, p. 258; Bongo,
Bahr-el-Ghazal, south-western Sudan.
Rather larger, and bill distinctly longer than in H. e.
erythroptera, but bill not so long as in H. e. major.
Breeding dress, June-July: Paler than H. e. erythroptera,
more vinous, bill horn. Non-breeding dress, October—April :
Darker than H. e. erythroptera, more vinous-chestnut, bill horn.
Wing 56 to 60 mm. Nine specimens examined. Two speci-
mens from Wau (Brit. Mus. Reg. nos. 1915.12.24.1067 and
1922.12.5.2) are very worn but not yet showing signs of
moulting into the breeding dress. The young bird is a paler
and more fluffy example of the adult in non-breeding dress.
Bannerman, Bds. Trop. W. Afr. v. 1939, p. 211, gives size
only as a character, but, as shown above, there are distinct
colour differences in both breeding and non-breeding dress
between this race and H. e. erythroptera, and moreover, it does
not appear to assume a black bill in breeding dress.
Distribution.—Cameroon to south-western Sudan.
HELIOLAIS ERYTHROPTERA RHODOPTERA (Shelley).
Cisticola rhodoptera (Shelley), Ibis, 1880, p. 333: Usambara
Hills, north-eastern Tanganyika Territory; of which Heliolais
erythroptera kavirondensis van Someren, Nov. Zool. xxix.
1922, p. 218: Fort Ternan, Kavirondo, western Kenya
Colony, and Heliolais castanopsis Vincent, Bull. B. O. C. liii.
1933, p. 140: Lurio River, northern Portuguese East Africa,
are synonyms.
Breeding dress, September—April: Head darker grey than
in H. e. erythroptera, back more olivaceous-grey and tail more
olivaceous-brown ; bill horn or black. Non-breeding dress,
June-August : Above less vinous than either H. e. erythroptera
and H. e. jodoptera, bill horn. Length of bill in this race as
in H. e. erythroptera. Only two out of twenty specimens in
breeding dress (Brit. Reg. no. 1933.3.1.1383 and Benson Coll.
1941.] 17 [Vol. Ixii.
no. 354) have blackish or black bills. Wing 47 to 57 mm.
Thirty-two specimens examined, including the types of
H. e. rhodoptera and H. castanopsis. In this race the bill in
breeding dress is variable but appears to be usually horn. The
young bird is a paler and more fluffy example of the adult in
non-breeding dress; the bills are variable, from horn to
blackish. A young bird from Nyasaland (Benson Coll.,
no. 193, June) is mouiting into adult non-breeding dress.
Distribution.—Western Kenya Colony to Tanganyika Terri-
tory, Nyasaland, and Portuguese East Africa.
H®LIOLAIS ERYTHROPTERA MAJOR (Blundell & Lovat).
Orthotomus major Blundell & Lovat, Bull. B. O. C. x. 1899,
p. 20: Getemma, eastern Abyssinia.
Larger and longer billed than the other races. Breeding dress,
June: Above vinous-brown, bill horn. Non-breeding dress,
March-April: Above paler vinous-brown, bill horn. Wing 59
to 63 mm. Six specimens examined, including the type.
_ In this race the bill does not appear to change in breeding
and non-breeding dress. An April bird (Brit. Mus. Reg. no.
1927.11.5.324) is worn and is showing signs of moulting into
breeding dress. It was in song and “ breeding shortly.”’
Distribution.—Abyssinia.
Nort.—The breeding and non-breeding months are recorded
_ from the specimens examined, and do not necessarily represent
the full period of the breeding and non-breeding season.
White Wagtail off Rockall.
Miss EK. P. Leacu said that :—
A White Wagtail (Motacilia a. alba) ringed in Iceland on
June 16, 1928, was reported by Mr. P. Skovgaard, organizer of
the Ringing Scheme at Viborg, in Denmark, as having been
recovered off Rockall on September 5 of the same year. This
record appeared in ‘ Danske Fugle ’, 1930, but unfortunately
no details are available as to the capture, though it was
probably on board a fishing boat.
b
Vol. Ixii.] 18 {1941.
The Iceland Redwing in Essex.
Mr. P. A. CLancEy sent the following note :—
An example of the Iceland Redwing (Yurdus musicus
coburnt Sharpe) was obtained near Halstead, Essex, on
November 20, 1940. The bird, an adult female with a wing
measurement of 119-5 mm., was in exceptionally fine plumage.
This would appear to be the first record for Essex.
Mr. Clancey hopes to exhibit the specimen at some future
meeting of the Club.
NOTICE.
The next Meeting of the Club will be held at the Rembrandt
Hotel, Thurloe Place, §8.W.7, on Saturday, December 13,
1941, at 2 o'clock. This will be preceded by a luncheon at
1 o’elock.
AGENDA.
1. Dr. Jul. Borucki will give a lecture, illustrated by lantern-
slides, on “‘ Preservation of Nature in pre-war Poland ”’.
2. Captain C. H. B. Grant will exhibit, on behalf of Mr. J. D.
Macdonald, three new races of Longtails from Africa.
3. Captain C. H. B. Grant will exhibit, on behalf of Mr. R. E.
Moreau, two new races of Bulbuls from Tanganyika
Territory. i
4. Captain C. H. B. Grant and Major Mackworth-Praed will
exhibit a new genus of Warbler, a new race of Swamp-
Warbler and a new race of Moustached Warbler.
3 DEC 1941
PURCHASED
trol Mevrr .
_ yan 1042 BULLETIN
: acHAse” OF THE
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB.
No. CCCOCXL,
The four-hundred-and-thirty-fifth Meeting of the Club
was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, Thurloe Place, S.W. 7 ;
on Saturday, December 13, 1941, at 2 p.m.
Chairman : Captain C. H. B. Granv.
Members present :—Miss P. Barcuay-Smitu; Miss M. G.
Best; A. Ezra; J. FisHer; Dr. E. Hopkinson; N. B.
KINNEAR (Hon. Sec.) ; Miss E. P. Leacr ; Dr. G. CARMICHAEL
Low (Editor); J. H. McNEILE; Col. R. MEINERTZHAGEN ;
T. H. Newman: Miss G. M. Ruopes; D. Serx-Smira :
Dr. A. Lansporovcr THomson ; Mrs. H. M. Boyp Wart ;
H. F. Witrnerey.
Guest of the Club.—Dr. Jun. Boruckt.
Members, 17; Guest of the Club,.4.>° Total 18:
No meeting of the Club took place in November.
The Preservation of Nature in Pre-War Poland.
Dr. Jun. Borvucxt, lately Reader in Biology in one of the
Polish Universities, gave the following lecture, illustrated by
lantern-slides.
The importance of the preservation of nature was fully
recognized by enthusiasts, as soon as reborn Poland in 1918
began to emerge as an independent state. The deep natural
attachment of the Pole to his country’s soil contributed towards
helping on the work, and it was not long before the efforts
of a handful of people were felt throughout the country.
When, after the last war, Poland began to control her own
_land, she had to deal not only with the effects of the last five
[December 31, 1941.] a VOL. LXII.
Vol. Ixii.] 20 (oe
years of war, but also with the neglect of this long peroid
of over 120 years of occupation, during which the powers
in control had troubled little over the particular question
of the preservation of nature. Fortunately, there had been
a certain tradition of protection, dating from the days of the
Old Kingdom of Poland, in connection with certain species
of fauna and flora. As early as 1423 King Wladislaw Jagiello
had passed laws protecting the Elk, the Wild Horse, and the
great yew-forests. King Sigismund, in 1579, had prohibited
the hunting of the Aurochs, though in spite of this decree
the species had died out in 1625. The Beaver, and later on
the Bison, were also protected, hunting-rights becoming an
exclusively royal prerogative.
The ideas, therefore, were in existence, rooted in the past,
and the initiative of private individuals, men of science and
social understanding, revived and encouraged them. They
asked themselves what remained of all the splendid heritage
of Nature which was once to be found in all parts of the
country.
While in the rest of Europe modern ideas about the preserva-
tion of nature had developed through the nineteenth century,
Poland had of necessity remained outside this development.
However, immediately after the State’s revival in 1919 a
Committee for the Preservation of Nature was set up on the
initiative of the first Minister of Education, and in 1925 the
State Council for Nature Preservation was organized. A law
passed by both parliamentary houses in 1934 enabled practical
effect to be given to the decisions of this Council. The whole
organization originated in the initiative of private individuals,
and fortunately remained independent of the Civil Service.
The State Council was closely connected with the University
of Cracow, and with smaller bodies in each of the larger
University towns, while hundreds of small groups were to be
found throughout the country. It worked in collaboration,
too, with some thirty big organizations representing scientific,
economic, and tourist interests, and there were hundreds of
local committees, so that even the remotest corners were in
contact with the central organization. Before long a series
of publications was begun, and this was extended every year,
1941.] 21 [Vol. Lxii.
There are, for example, the eighteen large volumes of Ochrona
Przyrody (‘The Protection of Wild Nature ’), the six annual
volumes of the ‘ Quarterly Bulletin of Information,’ a series
of monographs and handbooks, and forty-seven separate
papers and pamphlets, all beautifully produced with plentiful
maps and illustrations. Representatives of the State Council
and of local bodies were continually travelling, investigating
tirelessly and struggling for the conservation and preservation
of what was left of Nature’s heritage, threatened by the
greed of the speculator. One of their greatest tasks was to
build up an inventory of beauty-spots, to schedule interesting
forest districts, rock formations, river-banks and the like,
and to list rare plants and animals. Maps were put in hand
identifying the situation of places preserved.
Poland took an active part in international collaboration,
and was represented in sixteen great international institutions
concerned with the preservation of Nature. Recently one
of the most distinguished in the long line of enthusiasts for
our idea was Prof. Michal Siedlecki, the talented Cracow
zoologist, who, at the age of 70, died with other prominent
Polish scientists in the German concentration camp at
Sachenhausen.
There were international meetings, and many guests from
abroad came to see the methods applied in Poland. The
closest relations were maintained with Czechoslovakia.
The results of all this difficult and self-sacrificing activity
were outstanding, and gave Poland one of the foremost places
in this field. In 1937 national parks covering an area of
24.000 acres were already established. Shortly before
the war the organization of a seventh park in the Tatra
mountains was almost finished, while two others in the Polesian
marshes and the Eastern Carpathians were laid out. A great
number of small reservations were also created. These
reservations are small areas protected on account of out-
standing beauty or the occurrence of interesting plants
and animals. At the end of 1936 there were 180 such reserva-
tions created, and 68 others laid out, comprising forests,
rocks, steppe formations, bogs, and lakes.
a 2
Vol. Lxii.] 22 [1941
Excursions made by officers of the Council and by en-
thusiasts co-operating with them covered the whole country
in search of objects, such as beautiful avenues of trees, parks,
single trees of great age, single rocks, springs, and waterfalls.
Of such monuments there were registered as many as over 4000,
and of these some hundreds were under protection of the law.
As I mentioned before, the definite law regulations came
rather late in 1934.
One of the first items on the Council’s programme was the
formation of National Parks. In 1938 six of these parks
had been laid out in Poland, in the Bialowieza Forest, the
Mountains of the Holy Cross, the Lake District of Ludwikow
in Poznania, the Pieniny Range, the Babia Gora, and in the
eastern corner of the Carpathian Mountains. A seventh
park, in the well-known tourist district of the Tatras, was in
planning.
Poland extends in the south as far as the rocky and forested
sides of the Carpathians, and descends from their heights
in lowering foothills to the great plain, and through the lake
region to the sea.
The plain actually gives a prevalent note to the landscape,
and we must consider that almost 65-70 per cent. of the popula
tion lives on agriculture. Therefore it is understandable
that almost every inch of the soil in the western and central
part is exploited, and especially intensively in the western part.
Here we see Nature kept under restraint by man; the
beauty of the landscape consists of some forests and many
lakes. In such parts of the country even smaller things are
worth preserving—e. g., a river bank with old trees. In the
neighbourhood of Poznan, a university city of 250,000 inhabi-
tants, a National Park of some lakes surrounded by forests
was created mainly for purposes of recreation. But still
there are interesting spots of nature in these areas, and they
were most intensively investigated and mapped out in the
West of Poland: as an example, Pomerania—craftily called
by the Germans “ The Corridor.”” This is a poor province,
but is rich in natural beauty, with great pine forests and lakes
and bogs, the habitat of interesting plants.
1941.] 23 [Vol. lxii
In the East, in more primitive conditions, the hand of
man is not so much to be seen. In some parts big forests
have been preserved, and amongst them shimmer great lakes,
attracting an increasing number of tourists who long to
breathe in the freshness of nature.
The National Park in the Bialowieza Forest was registered
in 1932 by order of the Minister of Agriculture. It was
situated in the middle of one of the largest forests in Europe,
covering an area of 350,000 square acres. Here there had
been a famous royal hunting ground in the days of the Old
Kingdom of Poland, well known all over Europe. Bialowieza
was famous on account of its Bison, which were here preserved
for centuries until the Great War. At the time of the 1914
European war they numbered some 700, but six years of
incessant warfare, and the German occupation, completed
the destruction of the herd. In 1939, however, some pure-
bred Bialowieza Bison were reintroduced from various game
parks in Europe where they had been preserved, and their
number increased to twenty. Another example of interest
was the ancient Horse, the Hquus gmelini sylvatica, which
had inhabited this forest until the middle of the eighteenth
century in its natural state. From this species originates
the Konik, the little peasant horse still bred in certain districts.
Following the suggestion of scientists, pure specimens of this
horse were reintroduced into the Bialowieza Forest, where
they now live in a state of complete freedom. Other inter-
esting animals are to be found in the gloomy depths of the
forest: the Lynx, the Wild Cat, Deer, and Stag in great
numbers. A research centre has been created here, and a
number of scientific papers have been published in connection
with the primeval forest community and its dynamics.
A second National Park was established in the centre of
Poland, among the Mountains of the Holy Cross, a range of
low altitude. The Park covers some 3000 square acres,
and is chiefly distinguished as an example of a primeval fir
forest. It is well known and loved, and described by many
poets and prose writers on account of its special beauty.
It has particular value, as it affords an opportunity for the
Vol. Ixii.] 24 (1941.
study of the natural association of fir and beech close to the
northern limit of the latter in Hurope.
Further to the south we come to the foothills of the Tatra
Mountains where, in the small but impressive cafion of the
Dunajec river the luxuriant forest attracts many visitors.
This territory covers almost 2000 acres kept under preserva-
tion, and is administered by a committee set up jointly by
the Czech and Polish Governments, since the district is a
frontier one.
Another borderland park has been created in the south-west
corner of Poland, in the Babia Gora, comprising magnificent
beech and fir forests. This range is famous for the views
obtainable from its peaks. This park, too, is a well-known
national playground and health resort, particualrly for the
huge industrial population of Silesia. Thousands of visitors
came to it every Sunday to enjoy the magnificent beauty
of its open spaces.
If you look from the highest point here southwards you
see far away the great granite wall of the Tatra mountains,
shimmering through the clouds, and reaching its highest
point in the Garluch Peak at 8521 feet. The National Park
in the Tatras, although it was not yet officially opened, may
perhaps be regarded as the most important of all parks.
Here the existence of a mountain climate at altitudes up
to 8500 feet above sea-level, and a great variety of
geological structures contribute to the creation of a widely
differing condition for the development of the Flora and
Fauna in various parts of the range.
A stream of tourists searching for the stillness and grandeur
of mountains was flowing steadily. Tourist hotels, well
harmonized in structure with the environment, gave centres
of rest before lonely wandering in the mountains. Beautiful
valleys guide us along rock walls covered with forest into the
heart of the mountains. At the edge of the forest there
begins the shrub region of the mountain pine, and still higher
there are wide pastures where you hear the tinkle of sheep-
bells. Higher up the silence of rocks and peaks, with many
lakes of crystalline and icy water. From the passes mag-
nificent views of quiet valleys and shimmering lakes are seen.
1941.] 25 [Vol. xii.
Passing into the eastern Carpathians we are confronted
with Nature in a very different mood.
In the most remote eastern corner, on the Polish Rumanian
frontier, the Czarnohora range is covered with forests, in some
districts untouched by human hand.
Wild and beautiful rivers like the Czeremosz and Prut
are thundering down through valleys, and carrying rafts of
valuable timber, masterly guided by the mountaineers.
Here is a real sanctuary of wild life; Wolves, Lynx, and
Wild Cats still live here; the Bear is estimated at nearly
100 specimens, which live on Deer and Stag.
The tributary of the Prypec river forms the famous Polesie
marshes, one of the most exotic corners of Europe. An almost
level plain is here the watershed of the tributaries of the
Baltic and the Black Sea, forming a gate of many animal
movements and invasions. The fall of water is minimal,
and the deeper layers of soil impenetrable, therefore the
marshes and the curious picture, that flowing waters almost
stagnate. Rivers divide in hundreds of branches, meander,
and join again, often flowing in the opposite direction as
before. Vast territories of many hundred thousands of
acres consist of marshy meadows, and some villages and small
farms are, in summer time, accessible only by boat or steamer.
This forms a paradise for waterbirds and waterlilies against
a background of a phantastic development of shore vegetation.
In the east much interest was turned towards the protection
of rare game. Several years passed before the tireless work
of the forest administration was able to disarm all the poachers,
who had hundreds of guns left here by the demoralized
German and Russian armies. In twenty years of peace the
game record rose from its decline during and shortly after
the war time.
The Elk, famous in the old royal hunting parties, is to be
found now only in few parts. The map of its appearance
comprises two groups: one in the northern district of Wilno
and Grodno, and the other in the south along both banks
of the Prypecriver. After long endeavours the Elk population
has again reached the number of 700, whereas before the
first Huropean war there were 4000 !
Vol. Ixii.] 26 (i941.
Besides the Elk, Wolves are numerous, and even the Bear
appears sometimes. The Beaver, whose disappearance in
the western and middle part of Poland occurred in the nine-
teenth century, still finds a refuge here. Thongh strongly
protected, it has not reached a very high number yet; an
estimation by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1930 giving its
number at 235.
Many wild animals decrease in numbers when they come
into contact with the activity of man, but a few others in-
crease. Human settlements especially become the centre of
attraction, e. g., for some birds.
Such a species is the Stork, a bird interesting to the biologist,
and beloved by the country people. It becomes more
numerous as we go eastwards, but careful investigation in
recent years showed an increase also in the western part.
Ornithologists were mapping out the distribution of Stork
populations, and here we see such a map, where dots represent
the density of the Stork population in the county of Lwow.
Much attention was given in Poland to the protection
of birds. In the last ten years schools have become more
and more a great factor, encouraging the youth to love Nature.
Let us follow some achievements in this field. In all schools
the youths make little bird-boxes and hang them on the trees
in the city parks. Certain weeks were dedicated for the
propagation of different claims as to the preservation of forests
or the respect for animals. Teaching of biology was general,
and on the whole of rather good standard. Here is a picture
where pupils of an elementary school are observing animals
in vivariums. The beauty of Nature was taught; you see
drawings of elementary school girls, representing the usage
of wild flowers as a decorative. One of the guiding principles
in the State school programme was: “The awakening of
love for Nature and of respect for its creation.”’ In apprecia-
tion of these claims, Riggenbach, a well known Swiss educa-
tionist, wrote: ‘‘ When one considers the attitude of the
school towards the protection of wild Nature Poland is at the
head of all civilized countries.”
Amongst the older members of the population propa-
gandistic activity was carried on by means of lectures and
1941.] 27 [Vol. Lxii.
exhibitions. Efforts were also made to interest the country
people living around some of the reservations, and here is
a picture showing the opening of a rock reservation with a
crowd of country people watching.
This is an outline of the work which has been done in
Poland for the preservation of Nature. In my opinion the
preservation of Nature means much more than a narrow
and purely scientific work. It represents an endeavour to
create a balance between the increasing activity of Man,
sometimes destructive, and the laws of Nature. It is an
_ acknowledgement of that biological equilibrium, the im-
portance of which is to be seen on all sides, from simple
biological facts up to the most complicated phenomena
of the social life of Man. The preservation of Nature means,
too, a social programme, the return to the soil, a programme
for the adequate conservation of resources which centuries
have built up, and last, but not least, certain ethical values
—a cautious relinking between the heritage of tradition
with the demands of progress, the appreciation of the past
which existed before the terrible advance of modernisation,
with its mass movements, and its tendencies towards the
eradication of the weaker and the less well protected. And
this brings us to our own day, illustrating my meaning beyond
the need of further explanation.
This was the state of affairs until September 1939, and the
title of my lecture is actually an epitaph. But the principles
remain. These were sound, and as long as principles exist
there will always be men to follow them and to keep them alive.
I think after this war we shall again go to work to preserve
what is left of our country’s most precious heritage, the beauty
and the splendour with which Nature endowed her.
Three new Races of Long-Tails from Africa.
Mr. J. D. Macponatp sent the following three new races
for exhibition :—
Prinia superciliosa desertz, subsp. nov.
Description.—In breeding dress above more ash-grey, less
brown than Prinia swperciliosa superciliosa Swainson, in non-
ad
Vol. Ixii.] 28 (1941.
breeding dress above brighter and more tawny than Prinia
s. superciliosa : upper tail-coverts especially brighter tawny.
Distribution.—French Sudan to east-central Anglo-Egyptian
Sudan between 9° N. lat. and 16° N. lat.
Type.—In the British Museum. Male adult in breeding
dress. Kulme, Darfur, Western Sudan, June 9, 1921, col-
lected by Rear-Admiral H. Lynes. Collector’s no. 1620.
British Museum Reg. no. 1922.12.8.1221.
Measurements of type-—Wing 54, culmen from base 15,
tail 55, tarsus 23 mm.
Remarks.—The distribution of this new race is to the north
of that of Prinia superciliosa superciliosa, but does not appear
to extend west of about Mopti on the Niger, whereas P. s.
superciliosa extends to Dakar.
Prinia superciliosa bechuane, subsp. nov.
Description.—In non-breeding dress upper back and head
greyer than Prinia superciliosa affinis Smith; also in non-
breeding dress.
Distribution.—North-western Bechuanaland.
Type.—tIn the British Museum. Male adult in non-breeding
dress. Mababe Flats, North-western Bechuanaland, August 8,
1909, collected by R. B. Woosnam. Collector’s no. 79.
British Museum Reg. no. 1911.12.16.102.
Measurements of type-—Wing 49, culmen from base 16,
tail 66, tarsus 20 mm.
Remarks.—The series of ten examined are all in non-breeding
dress. No specimens in breeding dress are available.
* Prinia superciliosa ovampensis, subsp. nov.
Description.—In non-breeding dress similar to Prinia
superciliosa affinis Smith; also in non-breeding dress, but
rather paler brown above, and head paler brown and less
streaked.
Distribution.—Damaraland, South-west Africa.
Type.—tIn the British Museum. Male adult in non-breeding
dress. Ovaquenyama, Damaraland. May 23, 1867, collected
by C. J. Anderson. Collector’s no. 1454. British Museum
Reg. no. 1876.5.23.231.
1941.] 29 [Vol. Lxii.
Measurements of type-—Wing 50, culmen from base 15,
tail 68, tarsus 22 mm.
Remarks.—The series of six examined are all in non-breeding
dress. No specimens in breeding dress are available.
A new Race of Yellow-streaked Bulbul and a new Race
of Yellow-moustached Bulbul from Tanganyika
Territory.
Mr. R. EK. Moreau sent for exhibition the following new
races :—
Phyllastrephus fiavostriatus kungwensis, subsp. nov.
Descriuption.—Similar to Phyliastrephus flavostriatus tenuwi-
rostris (Fischer & Reichenow), but differs in being whiter,
less grey on chest, and under wing-coverts and inner edging
to flight-feathers brighter and clearer lemon-yellow, without
any buffy wash ; bill at tip straighter, less curved downwards.
Distribution.—Mountain forests of Kungwe Mt. at 6800 feet,
on the east side of Lake Tanganyika.
Type.—In the British Museum. Male adult, forest above
Ujamba, Kungwe Mt. at 6800 feet, western Tanganyika
Territory, November 17, 1940, collected by Salimu Asmani
for R. E. Moreau. Collector’s no. 5382.
Measurements of type.—Wing 105, culmen from base 25,
tail 105, tarsus 26 mm.
Remarks.—Three other males have wings 97-104 mm., and.
one female has wing 88 mm.
No specimen of this species has so far been obtained between
South Paré Mts., Kilosa, and Kungwe, and it was not obtained
by Lynes in the Ivinga area.
Stelgidocichla latirostris australis, subsp. nov.
Description.—Similar to Stelgidocichla latirostris eugenius
Reichenow, but distinctly paler olive-green above, more green
in tone.
Distribution.—The highland forest on the edge of the Ufipa
Plateau, Tanganyika Territory, overlooking the Lake Rukwa
depression from the south.
Type—In the British Museum. Male, not breeding.
Mbisi Forest (about 8000 feet) near Sumbawanga, Ufipa
Vol. lxii.] 30 [1941.
Disrtict, Tanganyika Territory, June 2, 1941, collected by
Salimu Asmani for R. E. Moreau. Collectors’ no. 5465.
Measurements of type-—Wing 95, culmen from base 17,
tarsus 23, tail 92 mm.
Remarks.—Iwo other males agree with the type. S. l.
eugenius has been obtained on Kungwe Mt., south of Kigoma.
I am indebted to Dr. V. G. L. Van Someren for very kindly
making comparisons for me.
A new Genus of Red-capped Warbler from Tanganyika
Territory.
Capt. C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. MackwortH-PRAED-
exhibited the type-species of the following proposed new
genus :—
Secepomycter, gen. nov.
Description.—General characters very similar to the genus
Artisornis Friedmann, but differs in the shape of the nostrils.
The nostril is practically round, with a small cowl or hood
over the upper side formed by an extra horny substance
within the nostril depression.
Type of Genus.—Artisornis winifredze Moreau, Bull. B. O. C-
Ivili. 1938, p. 139.
Remarks.—At the time Mr. Moreau described this species
its position in the genus Artisornis was doubtful, and although
the length of tarsus and tail as compared with the wing was
remarked on, the character of the nostrils was not mentioned.
There is no doubt that this species is very closely related to
Artisornis ; but the very distinct difference in the nostrils,
together with the length of tarsus and tail compared with
the wing, compels us to create a new genus for it.
A new Race of Bracken Warbler from Tanganyika
Territory and a new Race of Moustache Warbler from
Abyssinia.
Capt. C. H. B. GRant and Major C. W. MackwortH-PRAED-
exhibited and described the following two new races :—
Sathrocercus cinnamomea ufipe, subsp. nov.
Description.—Similar to Sathrocercus cinnamomea nyasse ~
(Shelley), but differs from that race in having the upper side
1941.] : 31 [Vol. Lxii.
including the wings and tail duller, but darker, less dark
brown, more dark bronzy-brown, and feathers of head and
mantle having indistinctly darker edges; throat not white,
but suffused with olivaceous-brown.
Distribution.—Ufipa Plateau, south-western Tanganyika
Territory.
Type.—In the British Museum. Female adult. Mbisi,
Sumbawanga, Ufipa Plateau, south-western Tanganyika
Territory, 8000 feet, June 2, 1941, collected for R. E.
Moreau. Collector’s no. 5533.
Measurements of type-—Wing 65, culmen from base 16,
tarsus 24, tail 70 mm.
Remarks.—Mr. Moreau states that he has other specimens
which agree with the two specimens sent. The other, also
an adult female, was collected at the same locality and on
the same date ; the wing measures 66, and tail 69 mm.
Melocichla mentalis granviki, subsp. nov.
Description.—Similar to Melocichla mentalis amauroura
(Pelzeln), but much darker above, more uniform blackish
brown.
Distribution.—Western Abyssinia from Wallega to the Omo
River Valley.
Type.—In the British Mumseu. Male adult. Wardji,
Jimma, south-western Abyssinia. May 8, 1905, collected
by P. C. Zaphiro (W. N. Macmillan collection). Collector’s
no. 101. Brit. Mus. Reg. no. 1912.10.15.954.
Measurements of type.—Wing 82, culmen from base 22, tail
97, tarsus 32 mm.
Remarks.—Named in honour of Dr. Hugo Granvik, who on
p. 110 of Rev. Zool. et Bot. Afr. xxv. 1934, mentioned the
characters of this race and designated a type. He did not,
however, propose a name, and we cannot find that he sub-
sequently published one.
Notes on Eastern African Birds.
Capt. C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. MackworTH-PRAED
sent the following three notes :—
Vol. Lxii.] ee (1941.
(1) On the Status of Ortygops macmillani Bannerman, Bull.
B.O.C. xxix. 1911, p. 38: Charade, south-western
Abyssinia :—
In ‘ The Ibis,’ 1877, p. 352, Gurney described Coturnicops
ayresi from two females, the type dated November 24 having
been retained in his own collection. Enquiries made by us
have failed to trace this type, and it is not to be found either
at the Norwich Museum, nor at the home of the Gurneys.
Enquiries have also shown that no South African Museum
possesses any specimens.
In 1911 Dr. Bannerman described his new species from
Abyssinia, comparing it with C. ayresi. The type is in the
British Museum, and a close comparison of this male specimen
with the Plate VII. in ‘ The Ibis’ of 1877, and the two female
specimens in the British Museum collection, shows that they
agree in colour-pattern, size, length of wing, tarsus, and toes,
in fact in every particu.ar except in the richer and more
uniform coloration of the head, neck, and chest of O. mac-
millam. The bill has been crushed and therefore looks
differently shaped, but a close study shows that it would
normally have agreed with the bill of C. ayrest. This difference
in coloration can be taken as sexual, and we feel convinced
that Coturniceps ayresi and Ortygops macmillani are the same
bird. As for the widely separated localities, we would point
to some of the Sarothrura crakes which show equally as wide
a distribution, and there would, therefore, be nothing sur-
prising in C. ayrest having a distribution from Abyssinia to
the eastern Cape Province.
(2) The Distribution of Apalis murina murina Reichenow
and Apalis murina youngt Kinnear :— }
Mr. R. E. Moreau has sent to the British Museum two adult
male specimens from Sumbawanga, Ufipa Plateau, south-
western Tanganyika Territory, collected on June 3-4, 1941,
and writes that he has other specimens from Sumbawanga
which agree with these two.
In ‘ The Ibis,’ 1938, pp. 528-533, we reviewed this group,
giving the distribution of A. m. murina to Ukinga Mts.,
y
1941.] | 33 [Vol. lxii.
Rungwe Mts., Poroto Mts., and north-eastern Northern
Rhodesia at the Mafinga Mts., 20 miles south of Fort Hull,
and A. m. young as the Vipya and Nyika Plateaux. These ©
two specimens now received agree with the series of Apalis
m. youngi, and extends the distribution of that race
into Tanganyika Territory. The north-eastern Northern
Rhodesian record is a single bird. collected by Benson on the
Mafinga Mts., and is unquestionably a specimen of A. m.
murina. The distribution of A. m. youngi is now the Ufipa,
Nyika, and Vipya Plateaux, with A. m. murina forming a
salient from the Ukinga, Rungwe, and Poroto Mts., to the
Mafinga Mts.
It would appear that the distribution of A. m. youngi in
north-eastern Northern Rhodesia is west of that of A. m.
murina, probably via the north end of the Muchinga Mts.,
and the mountains at the south end of Lake Nyasa.
(3) On the Races of Melocichla mentalis (Fraser) :—
Sclater, Syst. Av. Althiop. ii. 1930, p. 567, recognizes five
races. Van Someren, Nov. Zool. xxix. 1922, p. 206, states
that Melocichla mentalis orientalis Sharpe is darker and richer
in colour than the Uganda bird, brings this race into Kenya
Colony; and places Melocichla atricauda Reichenow as
a synonym of WMelocichla mentalis amauroura (Pelzeln).
Granvik, Rev. Zool. et Bot. Afr. xxv. 1934, p. 110, pointed
out the difference in the Abyssinian bird, designated a type,
but did not propose a name. Bannerman, Bds. Trop. W. Afr.
v. 1939, p. 212, has placed Melocichla mentalis adamaue
Reichenow as a synonym of WMelocichla mentalis mentalis
(Fraser). There is some individual variation, and there is
considerable fading between fresh and worn specimens,
but an examination of the series in the British Museum
collection shows that six races can be recognized on good
general characters, and that both the Ruwenzori and Abys-
sinian birds are distinct races :—
MELOCICHLA MENTALIS MENTALIS (Fraser).
Drymoica mentalis Fraser, P. Z:S. 1843, p. 16: Accra,
Gold Coast, of which Melocichla mentalis adamauex Reichenow,
Vol. Ixii.] 34. (194i.
O.M. 1910, p. 175: Adamawa, northern Cameroon, is a
synonym.
Above ashy brown; below warm brown, throat and centre
of belly white or whitish. Wing 71 to 80mm. Twenty-four
specimens examined.
Distribution.—Portuguese Guinea to French Equatorial
Africa and the Belgian Congo.
MELOCICHLA MENTALIS GRANDIS (Boc.).
Drymoica (Cisticola) grandis Bocage, Jorn. Lisboa, vii.
1880, p. 56: Caconda, Angola.
Above warm brown. Wing 75-83 mm. Nine specimens
examined. We have not examined specimens from Angola,
but Lynes states in Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. xxxi. 1938, p. 95,
that his south-eastern Congo specimens are not separable
from the Angolan bird.
Distribution.—Angola to Nyasaland.
MELOCICHLA MENTALIS AMAUROURA (Pelz.).
Argya amauroura Pelzeln, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wein,
xxxil. March 1883, p. 503: Fadibek, northern Uganda.
Above similar to M. m. mentalis, but forehead and rump not
quite so bright ; below paler, with more white on throat and
breast to belly. Wing 70 to 81 mm. Fifty-seven specimens
examined. We are quite unable to see any character by
which Uganda and Kenya Colony specimens can be separated
and therefore are unable to agree with van Someren that
Kenya Colony specimens are darker than Uganda birds.
In any case M. m. orientalis is paler than either Uganda
or Kenya Colony birds.
Distribution.—Southern Sudan and north-eastern Belgian
Congo to Uganda (except Ruwenzori area), Ruanda , Urundi,
Kenya Colony, and western Tanganyika Territory as far
south as Kigoma.
MELOCICHLA MENTALIS ORIENTALIS (Sharpe).
Cisticola orventalis Sharpe, Cat. Bds. B. M. vii. July 1883,
p. 245: Pangani River, Usambara, eastern Tanganyika
Territory.
1941.] 35 [Vol. xii.
Above paler, more russet-brown. Wing 73 to 77 mm.
Five specimens examined including the type.
Distribution.—Tanganyika Territory from the Pangani River
to Pugu Hills, Kilosa and Njombe.
MELOCICHLA MENTALIS ATRICAUDA Reichw.
Melocichla atricauda Reichenow, O. M. 1893, p. 61 : Nkondjo,
Ndussuma, Semliki Valley, eastern Belgian Congo.
Above darker. more blackish brown. Wing 74 to 81 mm.
Twelve specimens examined.
Distribution.—Semliki Valley, eastern Belgian Congo and
Ruwenzori area, western Uganda.
MELOCICHLA MENTALIS GRANVIKI Grant & Praed.
Melocichla mentalis granviki C. Grant & Mackworth-Praed,
Bull. B. O. C. Ixii. 1941, p. 31: Wardji, Jimma, south-
western Abyssinia.
Much darker above than any other race, more uniform
blackish brown. Wing 76 to 82 mm. Nine specimens
examined including the type.
Distribution.—Western Abyssinia from Wallega to the Omo
River Valley.
Two new Races of Smithornis capensis
(Kurylaimide) from Kenya Colony.
Mr. V. G. L. van SOMEREN sent the following descriptions
of two new Eastern African races :—
(1) Smithornis capensis shimba, subsp. nov.
Description.—Nearest geographically to S. c. suahelicus
Grote, S. c. chyulu (described hereafter), and S. c. medianus
Hartert and van Someren. Differs from S.c. suahelicus and the
other two races mentioned by its colder, greyer, olive-brown
mantle, rump, upper tail-coverts, edges to rectrices, secondaries
and lesser coverts ; its less ochreous wash to the sides of the
neck, chest, and flanks ; its light grey, almost white-streaked
ear-coverts ; its whiter under tail-coverts. Comparison of
males shows that the crown is of a deeper black; the ear-
coverts strongly white-streaked ; the mantle has larger and
very pronounced black areas, whilst the white sub-areas are
much more extended and often exposed as detailed later.
From medianus it is at once distinguished by its colder greyish-
Vol. Lxii.] 36 [1941.
olive, less brownish-olive mantle; by its larger, more con-
spicuous black mantle spots and greater extent of the white
sub-areas; by its whiter ear-coverts; less ochreous wash
on sides of neck, chest, and flanks ; by its more sparse, narrower
dark streaks on the underside. It is considerably smaller
throughout.
Female —Crown greyer; lores paler; ear-coverts whiter;
the other areas differing as indicated in the male.
Distribution.—Known only from the Shimba Hills.
Type.—Breeding male, Shimba Hills, Makadara Forest,
19. 11.1941. Paratypes: five males, three females, all
breeding birds.
Measurements of type-—Wings 66, variation in series 64—
67 mm. :
Remarks.—This Broadbill was common in the Makadara
Forest and other forest patches on the Shimba hills at 1100 feet.
They were associated with the mid-growth for the most part,
and were frequently noted performing their short circular
aerial flight accompanied by their characteristic rattling noise.
This noise appears to be both mechanical and vocal. The
display took place most frequently just at dawn and for an
hour or so after, and again in the evening as the sun was
setting. Occasionally the note was heard before noon, but
seldom between then and evening.
A conspicuous feature of the display was the complete
exposure of the white dorsal sub-area, the feathers being
parted, exposing a wide white patch outlined in black. This
white area was exposed in flight apart from display, and on
many occasions remained exposed while the bird sat motionless.
All the birds showed signs of breeding; the males had
swollen gonads and the females enlarged ovaries; one had
a fully formed egg in the oviduct. This last bird was shot at
the nest which held one pure white egg. The nest (several
were found) is an untidy structure constructed of long strips
of bark, strips of dead Cycad leaves, intermixed with horse-
hair-like fungi flung over a horizontal branch or twig of a
sapling hardly more than four feet from the ground. Within
this hanging mass the nest is made of bark, leaves, forest
debris, and lined with finer fibre. The entrance is toward
the top and to the side, within the loop of overslung material.
To adl
er
1941.] 37 [Vol. Lxii.
It resembles somewhat, a large, very untidy Sunbird’s nest.
The egg is smooth, shiny, and measures 19 x15 mm.
It is of interest to recall the fact that birds from the Amani
Range collected by Moreau were originally assigned to the race
S.c. medianus, but were subsequentlyidentified as S.c. suahelicus
Grote. There is, indeed, a similarity between suahelicus and
medianus, but they are distinct; however, the differences
between them are not so great as between either of them and
the race now described. The type and paratypes are in my
collection.
(2) Smithornis capensis chyulu, subsp. nov.
Description.—Nearest to S.c. suahelicus in point of size and.
general coloration, but differing from that race in having the
basal half of the ear-coverts dirty white, and forming a patch ;
in having the dorsal black marks more conspicuous, thus
larger, whilst the white sub-area is more extended.
Distribution.—The Chyulu Range.
Type.—Male Chyulu Range, 5000 feet, 23.:iv. 1938, in the
Coryndon Museum.
Remarks.—Four birds were noted in a patch of Catha edulis.
The breeding season was over and gonads were soft.
Races of Black-headed Babbler in Ceylon.
Mr. HueH WHISTLER forwarded the following note on the
races of the Black-headed Babbler in Ceylon :—
Legge (‘ Birds of Ceylon,’ p. 507), treating of the bird which
he called the Ceylon Wren-Babbler (Alcippe nigrifrons), and
listed as peculiar to Ceylon, pointed out that there was a
marked difference in the tint of the upper surface according
to the locality which it inhabits. Birds from the south of the
island and from the Western Province (that is the low country
wet zone) are rusty-brown in colour above, whilst birds from
the hill zone and the low country dry zone are decidedly
olivaceous on the corresponding parts. The two types of
coloration are figured by Legge in a coloured plate. The
occurrence of two races in the dry and wet zones respectively
in Ceylon is a feature of many species in the island, and an
exact parallel as regards colours is found, as Legge remarked,
in the Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus horsfieldi). The differ-
ence pointed out by Legge has been confirmed by 29 specimens
Vol. Ixii.] 38 , [1941.
collected in different parts of the island in the Ornithological
Survey carried out before the war by the British Museum
and Colombo Museum in collaboration, and I am of opinion
that it should be recognized by the division of Ceylon birds
into two races, which will stand as 1aces of the Black-headed
Babbler (Rhopocichla atriceps) from the Western Ghats of
India.
There is nothing to show which form Blyth had before
him when he described his Alcippe nigrifrons, J. A. 8S. B.
vol. xviii. 1849, p. 815.—Ceylon. His specimen came from
Layard, who collected in both the dry and wet zones.
I propose, therefore, to restrict this type-locality to Uragaha,
near the boundary of the Western and Southern Provinces,
and use the name for the richly coloured bird of the low
country wet zone. For the dry country and hill form I pro-
pose the name :—
Rhopocichla atriceps siccatus, subsp. nov.
Description.—Similar to R. a. nigrifrons, but the fulvous-
brown of the upper parts, wings, and tail is olivaceous-fulvous
instead of a more saturated rusty fulvous, and the brown
of the lower flanks, vent, and under tail-coverts is olivaceous-
brown as compared with earth-brown.
Distribution.—Ceylon : Hill zone and low country dry zones.
Common and generally distributed.
Type.—Female. Deposited in the British Museum, no. 1064,
Ceylon Avifaunal Survey, Kalaweva, North Central Province,
Ceylon.
Measurements of type.—Bill 15, wing 59, tail 45 mm.
White Wagtail off Rockall.
Mr. W. E. Guuae sent the following note :—
At a meeting of the Club, held on October 18, 1941, Miss E. P.
Leach stated that a White Wagtail (Motacilla a. alba), ringed
in Iceland on June 16, 1928, was reported by Mr. P. Skovgaard
as having been found off Rockall on September 5 of the same
year, but that no details of the capture are available.
The story of this interesting recovery is as follows. I
received from my brother, who lives in Aberdeen, a letter
dated September 5, 1928, enclosing a ring, which had been
1941.] 39 [Vol. lxii.
given to him by a man on an Aberdeen Line boat. The ring
had been taken from a small bird, which had flown exhausted
on to the boat when it was fishing at Rockall, 240 miles west
by north of the Butt of Lewis. From the description of the
bird given by the man my brother assumed that the bird was
a wagtail. The particulars of this recovery were sent by
me to Mr. P. Skovgaard. It is certain that the ring must
have been recovered earlier than September 5, 1928, as that
is the date of my brother’s letter, but no further information
is available (cf. ‘ The Scottish Naturalist,’ 1931, p. 84).
NOTICE.
The next meeting of the Club will be held at the Rembrandt
Hotel, Thurloe Place, S.W. 7, on Saturday, February 21, 1942,
at 2 o’clock. This will be preceded by a luncheon at 1 o’clock.
AGENDA.
Capt. C. H. B. Grant will exhibit on behalf of Mr. R. E.
MoREAU a new race of Slaty Flycatcher, and a new race of
Negro-Finch.
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yRonrrrD orem:
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB.
No. CCCCXLI.
The four-hundred-and-thirty-sixth Meeting of the Club
was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, Thurloe Place, 8.W. 7,
on Saturday, February 21, 1942, at 2 P.M.
Chairman : Mr. B. W. Tucker.
Members present :—Miss P. Barcuay-SmitH; F. J. F.
Barrineton ; A. Ezra; Miss E. M. Gopman ; Capt. C. H. B.
GRANT (Vice-Chairman) ; Dr. E. HopKinson ; N. B. KINNEAR
(Hon. Sec.); Miss E. P. Leacn; Dr. G. CarmicHarL Low
(Editor); T. H. Newman; W. L. Scuater; Dr. A. Lanps-
BOROUGH THOMSON ; Mrs. H. W. Boyp Watt; H. WHISTLER.
Guests of the Club.—Miss L. P. Grant; D. Lack.
Members, 15; Guests 2; Total, 17.
No Meeting of the Club took place in January.
Length of Life in Robins.
Mr. Davip Lack gave an interesting talk upon the longevity
of wild Robins ; this was followed by a discussion, in which
several members took part.
New Races of Slaty Flycatcher, Bracken-Warbler, and
Grey-headed Negro-Finch from Tanganyika Territory.
Mr. R. E. Moreav sent the following three new races for
exhibition :—
Dioptrornis fischeri ufipze, subsp. nov.
Description.—Similar to Dioptrornis fischeri fischeri Reich-
enow in having a complete white ring round the eye, but
[March 11, 1942.] a VOL. LXIt.
Vol. Ixii.] 42 (1942.
slate colour above is paler, very close to Dioptrornis fischeri
nytkensis Shelley, but has the chin, throat and belly much
whiter than either D. f. fischeri or D. f. nyikensis._
Distribution.—Ufipa Plateau, south-western Tanganyika
Territory.
Type.—In the British Museum. Male adult. Mbisi Forest
Sumbawanga, Ufipa Plateau 8000 feet, south-western
Tanganyika Territory, June 16, 1941; collected for R. E.
Moreau. Collector’s no. 5464.
Measurements of type-—Wing 93, culmen from base 19,
tail 79, tarsus 27 mm.
Remarks.—An adult female collected at the same place on
June 5, 1941 (collector’s no. 5460), has a wing of 90 mm.
In the Benson collection is a male from Vipya Plateau ~
(collector’s no. 1140) which still retains young markings.
This specimen agrees in the whiteness of the chin to belly
with this new race, but this is the only specimen from Nyasa-
land showing this character. ‘
Bradypterus alfredi kungwensis, subsp. nov.
Description.—Similar to Bradypterus alfredi albicrissalis
Neumann, but upper side dark olivaceous brown, not the
warm russet colour of B. a. albicrissalis ; flanks darker and
under tail-coverts with less white edging.
Distribution.—Bamboo areas of Kungwe Mt., 7600 feet,
western Tanganyika Territory.
Type.—In the British Museum. Male adult. Bamboos
above Ujamba, Kungwe Mt., at 7600 feet, western Tanganyika
Territory. August 18, 1941; collected for R. E. Moreau.
Collector’s no. 5655.
Measurements of type-—Wing 58, culmen from base 17,
tail 53, tarsus 24 mm.
Remarks.—A_ perfect female and two other rather badly
shot specimens agree with this male. I have been unable to
examine specimens of B. a. alfred Hartlaub, of which,
apparently, only the type is known; but judging by the descrip-
tion of B. a. albicrissalis, the type of which is in the British
Museum, the upper parts do not differ,
1942. | 43 [Vol. Ixii.
This new race is from a locality some 430 miles due south
of the locality of B. a. albicrissalis, and B. a. alfredi is found
some 100 to 200 miles due north of B. a. albicrissalis.
Nigrita canicapilla candida, subsp. nov.
Description.—Differs from all other races of the species
in that the entire hind crown, nape and upper edge of the
mantle are nearly white, as pale as the rump, and well defined
from the grey of the back.
Distribution.—Forest at Ujamba, 6700 feet, Kungwe Mt.,
Kigoma District, Tanganyika Territory.
Type.—In the British Museum. Male adult. Ujamba
Kungwe Mt., August 16, 1941; collected by Salemin Asumani
for R. E. Moreau. Collector’s no. 5657.
Measurements of type.—Wing 70, culmen 12, tail 50, tarsus
20 mm.
A new Race of Blue Swallow from
Tanganyika Territory.
Captain C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. Mackwortn-
Praxp exhibited and described the following new race :—
On Hirundo atrocerulea Sundevall: with the description
of a new race.
Lynes, in J.f.O. 1934, p. 99, invites attention to the
possibility of there being two races of this Swallow, one
breeding in South Africa and migrating northwards in the
non-breeding season, and the other a resident race in Tangan-
yika Territory and Nyasaland.
In the light of these remarks we have carefully examined
the thirty-two specimens in the British Museum collection,
including the type of Hirundo christyi*, Bull. B.O.C. xvi.
* This type is in the British Museum (Brit. Mus. Reg. no. 1906.1.21.17),
and the collector’s label bears ‘‘ No. 54, male, 11. ix. 1905, Kungu Hill,
Mabira Forest, Chagwe,’’ whereas in the Bull. B. O. C. xvi. 1906, p. 86,
the date is given as 7. viii. 1905. This is a serious discrepancy for the
designation of atype. At the back of the collector’s label, in Dr. Bowdler
Sharpe’s handwriting, is “ Hirundo christyx Sharpe Type”’, which
proves that this specimen is the one described by Sharpe, and that
therefore the day and month given in the original description are in-
accurate. ‘This specimen is an adult in fresh dress, and is the steely-
blue H. atrocerulea atrocerulea.
Vol. Lxii.] | 44 (1942.
1906, p. 86: Mabira Forest, and this series does support
Lynes’ findings. ;
Most authors, except Roberts, Bds. 8. Afr. 1940, state
that this Swallow is in South Africa from October—March,
and breeding records are within these months. |
Priest, Bds. 8S. Rhodesia, iii. 1935, p. 296, states that it is
a migrant in Southern Rhodesia, having obtained it in October,
and a specimen in the British Museum collection (Brit. Mus.
Reg. no. 1910.7.1.322) from S. Rhodesia is dated August.
Sclater, Bds. 8S. Afr. iii. 1901, p. 294, gives Ayres as authority
for the occurrence of this bird in South Africa in August,
November, December, March, and April. Ayres’ months of
August and April are not, so far as we know, supported by
specimens. Belcher, Bds. Nyasaland, 1930, p. 250, records
it as breeding in “October; Lynes records it as breeding in
southern Tanganyika Territory in November and December ;
Bangs & Loveridge (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zod]. Ixxv. 3, 1933,
p. 201) record it as breeding at Dabaga, Kigogo, and Bulongwa
in January and February, and van Someren, Ibis, 1916, p. 375,
records it as breeding in Uganda in May.
Van Someren’s, Lynes’, and Roberts’ descriptions of the
nest and eggs do not agree, the former stating that the nest
is like that of Hirundo puella (=H. abyssinica unitatis Scl. &
M.-Praed), 2. e., funnel-shaped, and attached to the underside
of a rock, etc., and the eggs as white ; Lynes states that the
nest and eggs are similar to that of Hirundo rustica rustica
Linn., 7. e., cup-shaped, and Roberts, Bds. S. Afr. 1940, p. 207,
gives the nest as similar to that of Hirundo smithii smithir
Leach, 7.¢., an open cup nest, and the eggs as delicately
marked with yellowish brown, brown, and slate-blue.
Sclater, Jackson’s Bds. Kenya Colony and Uganda, iii. 1938,
p. 1144, casts considerable doubt on van Someren’s record,
and quotes both Colonel Sparrow and Millar as stating that
the nest is cup-shaped.
This evidence is, we consider, conclusive, and van Someren’s
record must be deleted.
There is sufficient evidence to show that Hirundo atro-
cerulea breeds in south-eastern Africa and migrates north-
1942. ] 45 [Vol. Lxii.
wards as far as Uganda in the non-breeding season, and this
is further supported by the four Uganda specimens we have
been able to examine, a fully-grown young bird in April
and three adults in moult in June and July. The August
adult male from $8. Rhodesia is worn and faded, but not yet
moulting, and a November adult male (Benson, no. 867) from
the Nyika Plateau is in fresh dress with “testes life-size,”’
and is possibly a late migrant moving south. It is certainly
a steel-blue colour, with no violet wash: A specimen from
Natal (Brit. Mus. Reg. no. 1874.5.1.278) is more violet than
steel-blue, but is worn and is not quite the bright violet
of the Tanganyika Territory race, and it should be noted that
worn and faded birds are inclined to go bronzy, especially
on the mantle.
We therefore have two races of this Swallow, one breeding
in Southern Africa and moving northwards to Uganda after
the breeding season, and the other a resident in southern
Tanganyika Territory and Nyasaland. This latter requires
a name, and we propose for it
Hirundo atrocerulea lynesi, subsp. nov.
Description.—Similar to Hirundo atrocerulea atrocerulea
Sundevall, but with a violet wash.
Distribution.—South Tanganyika Territory (Dabaga, Kigogo,
Bulongwa, and Njombe) to Nyasaland (Vipya Plateau and
Mlanji Plateau).
Type.—In the British Museum. Male adult. Njombe,
southern Tanganyika Territory, November 24, 1931; collected
by Rear-Admiral H. Lynes. Collector’s no. 2084.
Measurements of type-—Wing 112, culmen from base 10,
tail 126, tarsus 13 mm.
Remarks.—Seven adult males, six adult females, and one
fully-fledged young bird examined. Named in honour of
Rear-Admiral Hubert Lynes. As the two races occur in
Nyasaland, and Benson obtained both, 7. e., his November 7
bird (Nyika Plateau) being H. a. atrocerulea, and the Feb-
ruary 27 bird (Vipya Plateau) being this new race, his earliest
and latest dates need further investigation.
a3
Vol. xii.] 46 (1942.
Notes on Eastern African Birds.
Captain C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. Mackwortu-
PRAED sent the following seven notes :—
(1) On the Type-locality of Pogonias minor Cuvier, Reg. An. 1.
1817, p. 428.
Cuvier gives no locality, but this name is founded on
Levaillant, Ois. Paradis, ii. 1806, pl. A, p. 85, who gives
coasts of South Africa, and states that this bird was ‘“‘ brought
recently from the coasts of South Africa by a traveller whose
collection passed into my cabinet.”’ >
Pogonias minor Cuvier is now used for Lybius levaillantir
levaillanti (Bucco levaillantit) Vieillot, N. Dict. d’Hist. Nat.
iii. 1816, p. 243: Africa, which is preoccupied by Bucco
levatllantt Gmelin, Gem. Nat. 1806, p. 177, pl. xvi. fig. 35:
East Indies.
The distribution of Lybius minor minor is Landana, the
valley of the Lower Congo and Northern Angola.
Levaillant gives no clue as to whom this traveller was, or
in what direction he travelled on the coasts of South Africa,
and we must therefore presume that he obtained this
bird at one of the Angolan ports of call, probably Luanda.
Although Angola is hardly within the “‘ coasts of South Africa,”
we are compelled to fix the type-locality of Lybius minor minor
(Cuvier) as Northern Angola, this being its most southern
known range.
(2) On the Distribution of Hremomela scotops Sundevall in
Eastern Africa.
In the Bull. B. O. C. Ixi. 1941, p. 65, we gave a short com-
parative description of each race, and now find that through
some extraordinary oversight inaccurate descriptions appeared
in print. \
Under Hremomela scotops scotops Sund. the description.
should read :—‘*‘ Chin white, rest of underparts yellow” -
not ‘‘ Chin to chest yellow, breast and belly white,”
1942. ] 47 [Vol. Lxii,
Under Hremomela scotops citriniceps (Reichw.) the descrip-
tion should read :—‘‘ Chin to chest yellow, breast to belly
pnite, green of head brighter and extending to nape”: NOT
‘ Grey of mantle extending on to occiput.”
Mr. Moreau has recently sent to the British Museum a
specimen of ZH. s. citriniceps from the Ufipa Plateau (collector’s
no. 5569), which extends the distribution from the Iringa
District westwards to Lake Tanganyika, and in the Pakenham
collection is one from Kigoma, western Tanganyika Territory
(collector’s no. T.T. 44).
(3) On the exact Type-locality of Cisticola chiniana ukamba.
Lynes, Ibis, Suppl. 1930, p. 267.
Lynes gave this name as a nom. nov. for Cisticola senii-
_fasciata van Someren, Nov. Zool. xxix. 1922, p. 210, nor
Cisticola semifasciata Reichenow, Vog. Afr. iii. 1905, p. 544:
Mlanje Plateau, southern Nyasaland ; and gives type-locality
as Ukamba Province, Kenya Colony.
As the Ukamba Province is a rather large area, we are of
opinion that a more exact locality should be designated, and
we find that the first place mentioned by van Someren within
this province is Simba (p. 211). We therefore propose to
fix the exact type-locality of Cisticola chiniana ukamba Lynes
as Simba, southern Ukamba Province, south-eastern Kenya
Colony.
(4) On the Relationship of Hirundo rustica rustica Linneus,
Hirundo lucida Verreaux,. and Hirundo angolensis
Bocage.
Meinertzhagen, Nicoll’s Bds. of Egypt, i. 1930, p. 306,
suggests that these Swallows are conspecific. We agree that
H. lucida should be placed as a race of H. rustica, as they are
so similar as to be difficult to separate in the field, and the nest-
ing habits of H. lucida are also similar, placing its nest ona beam.
H. angolensis, on the other hand, builds a nest similar to
that of the European House-Martin, and, therefore, is not a
close relation of H. lucida, and we do not consider it is a race
of this species.
Vol. Ixii.] 48 (1942.
(5) On the Races of Hirundo senegalensis Linnzeus.
Selater, Syst. Av. Atthiop. ii. 1930, p. 579, recognizes four
races, and the same author in Jackson’s Bds. Kenya Colony and
Uganda, 1938, p. 1147, recognizes Hirundo senegalensis
aschami Granvik, and on p. 1149 throws considerable doubt
on the validity of Hirundo senegalensis hybrida van Someren.
Van Someren, Nov. Zool. xxix. 1922, p. 91, gives his H. s.
hybrida a distribution over Kenya Colony and Tanganyika
Territory, and brings H. s. senegalensis to Abyssinia, Uganda
and western Kenya Colony. Bannerman, Bull. B. O. C. xliii.
1923, p. 86, recognizes four races, but gives no definite distribu-
tion, and remarks that Uganda, Kenya Colony and South
Abyssinia specimens are more difficult to name.
We have examined the good series in the British Museum
collection, and find that the type of H. s. saturatior is a not
fuliy adult female, still retaining the light edges to the inner
secondaries, and though it has a particularly dark throat,
another adult female from Kpong has a much lighter throat,
and agrees with some specimens from Cameroon, French
Equatorial Africa, Uganda, Southern Sudan and Abyssinia.
Most females are darker on the throat than most males, but
this is not a constant character. The darker coloration in
H. s. saturatior of the breast to under tail-coverts as compared
with H. s. senegalensis agrees perfectly with the series as far
east as Abyssinia, and in Uganda and Kenya Colony except
the southern areas. We are therefore of opinion that H. s.
aschani must be placed as a synonym of H. s. saturatior.
We agree with Sclater that H. s. hybrida cannot be recognized,
as it is based on intermediates between H. s. monteiri and
H. s. saturatior. Moreover, it is only found where the above
two races meet. We find intermediates occurring between
H. s. senegalensis and H. s. saturatior at Nahud, Jebei Meibis
and El] Obeid in the Kordofan area of the Sudan. We are
able to recognize three races as follows :—
HIRUNDO SENEGALENSIS SENEGALENSIS Linnaeus.
Hirundo senegalensis Linnzus, Syst. Nat. 12th ed. i. 1766,
p. 345: Senegal.
1942.] 49 [Vol. Ixii.
No white in tail. Breast to under tail-coverts deep tawny.
Wing 142 to 158 mm. Twenty-six specimens examined,
Distribution.—Senegal to the Kordofan area of the Sudan,
where some specimens show the darker coloration of breast
to under tail-coverts of H. s. saturiator.
HIRUNDO SENEGALENSIS SATURATIOR Bann.
Hirundo senegalensis saturatior Bannerman, Bull. B. O. C.
xlii. 1923, p. 85: Accra, Gold Coast; of which Hirundo
senegalensis aschani Granvik, Rev. Zool. et Bot. Afr. xxv.
1934, p. 113: Mt. Elgon, is a synonym.
Differs from H. s. senegalensis in being much darker below,
more chestnut, from breast to under tail-coverts. Wing 137
to 154 mm. Fifty-eight specimens examined, including the
type of H. s. saturatior.
Distribution.—Gold Coast to Cameroon, French Equatorial
Africa as far north as Miltu a few miles north of Fort Archam-
bault lower Shari River, southern and eastern Sudan,
Abyssinia, Uganda and Kenya Colony except southern
areas.
HIRUNDO SENEGALENSIS MONTEIRI Hartl.
Hirundo montewi Hartlaub, Ibis, 1862, p. 340, pl. xi.:
Angola; of which Hirundo senegalensis hybrida van Someren,
Bull. B.O. C. xh. 1921, p. 104: Tsavo, Kenya Colony, is a
synonym.
White in tail, decreasing in southern Kenya Colony, especially
at Ithanga. Wing 137 to 152 mm. Forty-eight specimens
examined, including the type of Hirundo monteirv.
Distribution.—Angola as far north as Landana, southern
Belgian Congo to southern Maniema District, Tanganyika
Territory, and southern Kenya Colony from Narossura,
Ithanga and Takaungu to Damaraland, Northern Rhodesia
and Portuguese East Africa as far south as Inhambane.
(6) On the Relationship of Ptyonoprogne fuligula (Lickten-
stein), Ptyonoprogne rufigula (Fischer & Reichenow), and
Ptyonoprogne obsoleta (Cabanis).
Sclater, Syst. Av. Aithiop. ii. 1930, pp. 584-586, has kept
Vol. Ixii.] 50 ees
these three as separate species. Hartert, Nov. Zool. 1921,
p. 112, suggests that P. fuligula and P. obsoleta can be placed
together,.and Sclater & Mackworth-Praed, Ibis, 1918, p. 716,
place P. fuliguia and P. rufigula together. Meinertzhagen,
Nicoll’s Bds. Egypt, i. 1930, p. 310, suggests that all three
may be placed under Ptyonoprogne rupestris (Scopoli).
Our examination of this question shows that Ptyonoprogne
rupestris and Ptyonoprogne obsoleta cannot be joined together
as Tristram, Fauna & Flora Palest, 1884, p. 62, states that
they were both breeding in the same cave at the Jebel Quara-
tania, not races interbreeding, as inferred by Meinertzhagen
(p. 311). |
_ Ptyonoprogne otsoleta occurs from south-eastern Egypt to
British Somaliland, and therefore probably occurs in Eritrea,
- where Ptyonoprogne rufigula is also found, and until the exact
breeding distribution of these two are known they should be
treated as different species.
We agree with Sclater and Mackworth-Praed that Ptyono-
progne fuligula and Ptyonoprogne rufigula can be treated as
conspecific, as there appears to be no overlap in distribution,
and although P. fuligula is a larger bird than P. rufigula, they
have the same general characteristics.
(7) On the Status of Ptyonoprogne rufigula fusciventris Vincent,
‘Bull. B. O. C. hii. 1938, p. 143: Namuli Mts., northern
Portuguese East Africa.
We have carefully compared the type and the other adult
male specimen with the series of twenty-five males in the
British Museum collection from Northern Nigeria, French
Equatorial Africa, Northern Belgian Congo, Southern Sudan,
Abyssinia, Uganda, Kenya Colony, Tanganyika Territory and
Nyasaland. We find a certain amount of individual variation
in coloration, and the characters given by Vincent are to be
found in specimens much farther north. Wing measurements
of males also show considerable variation, and those of P. 1.
fuscwentris, 111-112 mm. (two males), are not different to
those from farther north; 7. ¢e., Uganda, 112 mm. (one male),
French Equatorial Africa,- 109-115 mm. (two males), and
1942.) 51 [Vol. Ixii.
Southern Sudan, 111-117 mm. (four males); Two Kenya
Colony males are 115-121 mm., Abyssinia 117 mm. (one male),
and Northern Nigeria 112-116 mm. (four males); and at
first sight it would appear that Kenya Colony males might
be larger than those from northern Portuguese East Africa,
Nyasaland and southern Tanganyika Territory, but Nyasa-
land males (two) measure I11-117 mm., and _ southern
Tanganyika Territory males (four) measure 113-117 mm.,
and thus show a complete overlap of wing measurements in
all areas. We are therefore of opinion that Ptyonoprogne
rufigula fusciventris Vincent, should become a synonym of
Ptyonoprogne fuligula rufigula (Fischer & Reichenow).
On the Races of Pomatorhinus horsfieldii
Sykes in Ceylon.
Mr. HucH WHIsTLER sent the following note on the races
of Horsfield’s Scimitar-Babbler in Ceylon :—
Blyth (J. A.S. B. vol. xvi. 1847, p. 451) separated the
Scimitar-Babbler of Ceylon from the Indian bird, Pomatorhinus
horsfieldii Sykes (Western Ghats) under the name of Pomatorhinus
melanurus, but it was reserved for Holdsworth (P. Z. 8S. 1872,
p. 448) to point out that two birds of very different colouring
—-one ferruginous and the other olive—were included under
the latter name. This fact was again commented on by Wardlaw-
Ramsay (Ibis, 1878, p. 132), by Legge (‘ Birds of Ceylon,’
p- 502), and Harington (J.B.N.H.S. vol. xxii. p. 334).
Legge considered the two types sufficiently different to be
worth figuring in his great book, and he also pointed out that
the bright ferruginous bird belonged to the Low Country
Wet Zone of South-west Ceylon, whilst the olive bird inhabited
the Low Country Dry Zone and the Hill Zone. These facts
have recently been confirmed by the fine collection of birds
made in the Survey carried out under the auspices of the
British and the Colombo Museums. The case is, of course,
parallel to those of Rhopocichla atriceps and Pellorneum fusco-
capillum, which have similarly distributed races.
Vol. Lxii:] 52 (1942.
In naming Pomatorhinus melanurus Blyth gave no other
locality than Ceylon, but his specimens came from Dr. Temple-
ton, who received them from Layard. This fact, combined
with the original description, which evidently refers to the
ferruginous bird, leads me to restrict the type-locality to
Urugaha (south of Kalutara), and therefore, the name to the
ferruginous bird.. For the olivaceous bird I propose the
name
Pomatorhinus horsfieldii holdsworthi, subsp. nov.
Description.—Similar to P. h. melanurus, but the upper parts,
flanks and wings (that is, those parts which are ferruginous
in melanurus) olivaceous brown, faintly tinged with rusty
on the sides of the hind neck and on the rump.
Type.—Survey no. 317, male, December 1, 1936. Ohiya,
5800 feet, Central Hill Zone, Ceylon. Bill 27-5, wing 90-5,
tail 87, tarsus 32 mm.
NOTICE.
The next meeting of the Club will be held at the Rembrandt
Hotel, Thurloe Place, S.W. 7, on Friday (not Saturday, as usual),
April 24, 1942, at 2 o'clock, after a luncheon at 1 o'clock.
It is proposed to hold the combined meeting of the Club with
the British Ornithologists’ Union, which took place in April
last year, on Saturday, June 6, 1942. Further details of this
will be announced later. |
91 MAR 1949
Kan
PURCHASED
Baiet. [Crooe
40 i
owt = OB ULLETIN
9° apper® LLETI
awe OF THE .
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB.
, No. CCCCALII.
The four-hundred-and-thirty-seventh Meeting of the Club
was held in the Board Room of the British Museum (Natural
History) on Friday, April 24, 1942, at 2 P.M.
Chairman : Captain C. H. B. GRANT.
Members present :—Miss C. M. Actanp; Miss M. G. S.
Best; J. FisHer; Dr. E. Hopkinson; Dr. N. H. Joy;
N. B. Krnnear (Hon. Sec.); Miss E. P. Leacnw; Dr. Car-
MICHAEL Low (Editor); T. H. Newman; W. L. Scuater ;
D. Seru-Smiti.
Members, 12 ; Guests, 0; Total, 12.
Owing to Government restrictions it was not possible to
hold the usual luncheon preceding the Meeting.
No Meeting of the Club took place in March.
An interesting Specimen of Certhia familiaris
collected in Hast Suffolk.
Mr. P. A. CLANcEy sent the following note :—
7)
On March 18, 1941, a very pale example of Certhia familiaris
was shot at Martlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk. This bird
has been compared with an extremely long series from Sweden,
Norway, Russia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France,
England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and, in my opinion,
is referable to the central European form, Certhia familiaris
macrodactyla. This race of Certhia familiaris has not previously
been recorded in Britain.
[May 14, 1942.] a VOL, LX,
Vol. Ixii.] 54. [1942.
The bird was obtained during a rush of migrants in mixed
deciduous woodland, and was noticeably pale in the field.
Birds obtained about the same time are of the dark British
race, Certhia familiaris brittanica.
Dr. Carmichael Low exhibited the specimen for Mr. Clancey,
and also that of the Iceland Redwing, T'urdus musicus coburni
' Sharpe, described in the “ Bulletin’ last October (lxu. 1941,
p.. bs).
A new Race of Brown-chested Alethe from Tanganyika
Territory.
Mr. R. E. Moreau sent the following new race for exhibi-
tion :— .
Alethe poliocephala ufipe, subsp. nov.
Description.—Resembling A. p. kungwensis Moreau (Bull.
B. O. C. lxi. 1941, p. 46) in its dusky olive head and its large
size ; ‘but with the red-brown of the upper parts paler, agreeing
with Alethe poliocephala carruthersi O.-Grant in this respect.
Distribution.—Mbisi Forest, east of Sumbawanga, and on
the scarp, ca. 8000 ft., overlooking Lake Rukwa from the
south.
Type.—In the British Museum. Female adult. Mbisi
Forest, June 16, 1941, ca. 8000 ft. Collected by Salimu
Asmani for R. E. Moreau. Collector’s no. 5487.
Measurements of type-——Wing 97, culmen from base 20,
tail 65, tarsus 30 mm.
Remarks.—An immature male (wing 100, tail,62 mm.) shows
the same characters: when compared with A. p. kungwensis
in the same stage of immaturity. This further extension of the
range of the species south and east brings it to within about
150 miles of the locality of Alethe fiilleborni fiilleborni Reichenow.
A new Race of the Smaller Striped Swallow from
the Sudan.
Captain C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. Mackworts-
PRAED exhibited and described the following new race :-—
Hirundo abyssinica bannermani, subsp. nov.
Description.—Above similar to Hirundo abyssinica abyssinica
Guérin, but below striping much finer and narrower than
1942. ] 55 [Vol. lxii.
in the typical race or in Hirundo abyssinica puella Temminck &
Schlegel, thus giving the underside a paler appearance.
Disiribution.—Darfur area, western Sudan.
Type.—In the British Museum. Male adult. Aribo Valley,
Darfur, western Sudan, May 21, 1921; collected by Rear-
Admiral Lynes. Collector’s no. 1514. Brit. Mus. Reg.
no. 1922.12.8.721.
Measurements of type-—Wing 99, culmen from base 9,
tail 78, tarsus 13, mm.
Remarks.—In ‘The Ibis’, 1925, p. 128, Rear-Admiral Lynes
refers his specimens to Hirwndo puella puella ; but Dr. D. A.
Bannerman, when compiling his vol. v. (1939) of the Bds.
of Trop. W. Africa, left a note in with these specimens
drawing our attention to the possibility of their representing
a new race. Named in honour of Dr. D. A. Bannerman.
Six specimens examined.
The Introduction of the Indian House-Crow
into Port Sudan.
Mr. N. B. KinnEar communicated the following note :—
In November last, Major R. E. Cheesman sent an.example
of a Crow from Port Sudan which he thought resembled the
Indian House-Crow, with certain differences. The specimen,
however, turns out to be the typical race of the Indian
House-Crow, Corvus splendens splendens, but rather a dark
specimen, though by no means as dark as the Ceylon race,
CO. s. protegatus.
The interest in this bird hes in the fact that a short time
before sending the specimen home, Major Cheesman heard
from Mr. E. O. Springfield, O.B.E., M.C., the Commissioner
at Port Sudan, that there was a flourishing colony of these
Crows breeding in a big iron bridge near the harbour, and
accordingly asked Mr. Springfield for specimens. Although
Major Cheesman has often visited Port Sudan, he has never
noticed the birds. How long this colony has been established
it is not possible to say, but it is important that its existence
be put on record.
We have examples of the typical form of the Indian House-
Crow from Muscat, but whether the birds still continue to
; ie
Vol. Ixii.] 56 (1942.
breed there or not I do not know. It was introduced into
Aden many years ago, but did not long survive; it was also
introduced into Zanzibar in the early nineties, and is well
established.
When Hume visited the Laccadives in 1875 he found the
House-Crow was well established on certain of the islands.
He remarks that “the pale collar is ill-marked, and one or
two specimens recall insolens of Burmah.’”’ We have three
of Hume’s skins, two adults and a juvenile, which are typical
C’.s. splendens. The juvenile in no way differs from a Bombay
skin, but in that plumage it is always darker than the adult.
From the Maldives we also have three skins which were
collected by Captain Southern, R.N., in 1933, and these birds
have, I think, been introduced from Ceylon, where the indi-
genous race lacks the pale collar and is darker below, and
goes by the name of C. s. protegatus.
Specimens of the different races were shown.
Common Bittern from Nigeria.
Mr. N. B. KInNEAR communicated the following note :—
A short time ago Mr. L. H. Brown, of the Agricultural
Department, [lorin, Nigeria, sent a skin of a Bittern to the
Museum, with the suggestion that it was the typical species.
After the skin had been made up, Captain C. H. B. Grant and I
compared it, and without doubt it has proved to be the typical
form, Botaurus stellaris stellaris, which has not been recorded
before from West Africa. Chapin mentions a specimen
shot by a native hunter at Naipu, some 160 miles N.E. of
Stanleyville, in the Congo, and this appears to be the most
southerly record. Further east the Bittern has not been
seen south of Kordofan or Abyssinia.
A number of specimens were exhibited to show the difference
in the two forms, the Common Bittern and the Cape Bittern
(B. s. capensis). It will at once be noticed that the latter
is much darker on the back, and the black centres to the
feathers are broader. The supposed difference is the barring
of the primaries, which neither Captain Grant nor myself
found to be a constant character.
1942.] 57 [Vol. Lxii.
On the Races of the Rock-Pipit in Western Europe.
Mr. P. A. Cuancey sent the following communication, with
Specimens for exhibition :—
An eminent British ornithologist once stated that he con-
sidered Anthus spinoletta meinerizhagent E. G. Bird one of the
best of the Hebridean races. It was, therefore, with some
surprise that early in 1942 I found that I could not separate
Anthus spinoletta meinertzhageni satisfactorily from Anthus
spinoletia kleenschmidtt Hartert, described from the Faroe
Islands.
Very extensive material in the British Museum, and in the
private collections of Colonel R. Meinertzhagen and Dr. James
M. Harrison has led me to recognize the western European
races of the Rock-Pipit enumerated below.
ANTHUS SPINOLETTA KLEINSCHMIDTI Hartert.
Anthus spinoletta kleinschmidti Hartert, Die Vég. Pal:
Fauna, Band 1, 1903-10, p. 284: Faroe Islands; of which
Anthus spinoletta meinertzhagenr KE. G. Bird, Bull. B. O.C.
Ivi. 1936, p. 55: South Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, is
@ synonym.
Range.—Faroe Islands; Scotland: specimens examined from
Shetlands, Orkneys, Ross, Argyll, Wigtown, Berwick, Ayr,
Dumbarton, Midlothian, North and South Uist.
ANTHUS SPINOLETTA PETROSUS (Montagu).
Alauda petrosa Montagu, Trans. Linn. Soc. iv. 1798, p. 41:
Wales.
Range.—England, Wales, and Ireland (birds from western
Ireland examined), Channel Islands, N.W. France (birds from
Ushant, Finistére, France, are rather paler than most examples
of Anthus s. petrosus). No comparable material from Norway
available for examination, and I do not intend to place the
Norwegian bird at the present moment.
ANTHUS SPINOLETTA LITTORALIS Brehm.
Anthus littoralis Brehm, Handb. Naturg. Vég. Deutschl.
1831, p. 331: Danish islands.
Range.—Coasts of Denmark, Sweden, N. Finland, and
N. Russia.
a3
Vol. Lxii.] 58 (1942.
Anthus spinoletta hesperianus, subsp. nov.
Description.—Differs from Anthus spinoletta kleinschmidti
Hartert by being very much darker in colour on the upper
surface. Striz of breast and flanks extremely dark. Wings.
and tail darker, and general tone very rich.
Distribution.—Apparently confined to Arran, west Scotland.
Birds from the Ayrshire mainland (Largs, 1935) and Argyllshire
are referable to Anthus spinoletia kleinschmidti.
Type.—Female adult. Blackwaterfoot, Arran, west Scot-
land, August 14,1940. In mycollection. Thirteen specimens
examined.
Remarks.—It is not generally known that the climate of
western Arran is extremely mild and damp. Palms, eucalyp-
tus trees and other exotic plants thrive there.
Notes on Eastern African Birds.
Captain C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. MackwortuH-
PRAED sent the following eight notes :—
(1) On the Conspecific Status of Budytes flava (Linnzus),
Budytes luteus (Gmelin) and Budytes feldegg (Michahelles).
Practically all authors place these three Wagtails in one
group, together with all the recognized races. Grote, however,
in O. M. 1937, p. 163, clearly shows that there is a considerable
overlap of breeding distribution between B. flava and B. luteus
from the Volga to the Irtish, and between the grey-headed
and black-headed birds in the Black, Caspian and Aral Seas.
area.
In the former he gives the choice between B. flava and
B. luteus being different species or mutants of the same species.
We accept Grote’s suggestion of there being two species, one
grey-headed with its races, and one green-headed with one
race, and that B. flava and B. feldegg must also be treated as
different species.
As regards the species occurring in Eastern Africa, we have
adopted the following arrangement :—
Budytes flava flava (Linneus).
iS 5, thunbergi (Billberg).
re ,, cunereocapilla (Savi).
1942. 7 59 [Vol. xii.
Budytes flava beema Sykes.
a ,, dombrowski Tschusi.
luteus luteus (Gmelin).
», flavissima (Blyth).
feldegg feldegg (Michahelles).
| kaleniczenkii (Kaleniczenko).
3?
99 99
(2) On Apalis alticola (Shelley).
In the Bull. B.O.C. lxi. 1941, p. 64, the distribution of
Apalis alticola brunneiceps (Reichenow) should have included
the Oldeani and Mbulu areas of north-eastern Tanganyika
Territory.
(3) On the Races of Calamonastes simplex (Cabanis) and the
Status of Calamonastes simplex neglectus Benson.
Mr. R. E. Moreau having recently sent to the British Museum
two specimens from the Mbisi Forest, near Sumbawanga,
Ufipa Plateau, south-western Tanganyika Territory, has
raised the question of the distribution of the races of this
species, and our examination of the series in the National
Collection shows that two other species should be placed under
this heading, making four races, as follows :—
CALAMONASTES SIMPLEX SIMPLEX (Cab.).
Thamnobia sumplex Cabanis, J. f. O. 1878, pp. 205 and 221 :
Ndi, Taita district, south-eastern Kenya Colony.
Distribution.—Central Abyssinia and British Somaliland
to Uganda, Kenya Colony, southern Italian Somaliland,
southern Tanganyika Territory from south-east corner of
Lake Natron to Pangani.
CALAMONASTES SIMPLEX UNDOSA (Reichw.).
Drymoica undosa Reichenow, J. f. O. 1882, p. 211 : Kakoma,
Tabora district, west-central Tanganyika Territory.
Distribution.—South-western Kenya Colony and Tan-
ganyika Territory from southern end of Lake Victoria to
Tabora, Iringa and the Ufipa Plateau.
CALAMONASTES SIMPLEX CINEREUS Reichw.
Calamonastes cinereus Reichenow, J.f.O. 1887, p. 215
Leopoldsville, Belgian Congo.
Vol. 1xii.] ee [1942.
Distribution.—The lower Congo Basin and Loango to
Lunda district, north-eastern Angola, and Chikapa, Kasai
district, south-western Belgian Congo.
CALAMONASTES SIMPLEX KATANG Neave.
Calamonastes katange Neave, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) iv
1909, p. 130: Lufupa River, western tributary of Lualaba,
Belgian Congo-north-western Northern Rhodesia boundary.
Distribution.—The Katanga area of the Belgian Congo and
Northern Rhodesia.
We have re-examined the type of Calamonastes simplex
neglectus Benson, and agree with Benson, Ibis, 1940, p. 620,
that this specimen is really Calamonastes fasciolatus stierlingt
Reichenow, as a careful comparison shows that it only differs
from that race in being more dusky on the lower neck and
chest.
If we remember rightly, Benson was originally of the opinion
that it was a C. fasciolatus, and not a C. amet and there
appears little doubt that he was right.
(4) On Riparia riparia fuscocollaris Tschusi, Orn. Jahrb.
xxiii. 1912, p. 216 : Castelnuovo, Dalmatia.
‘This race is given as darker, especially the chest-band.
Two specimens are enumerated, and are said to be passage
migrants (April), and the possible breeding area is given as
Herzegovina.
Van Someren, Nov. Zool. xxix. 1922, p. 89, has brought
this name into eastern Africa on finding some migrants darker
than others, and infers that the breeding area is Turkestan,
but the Turkestan bird was named Chwvicola bilkewitschi by
Sarudny, O. M. 1910, p. 147, which name is now placed as
a synonym of &. r. diluta Sharpe & Wyatt, Mon. Hirund. i.
1893, p. 63: Badam River, near Tchemkent.
An examination of specimens from England shows that they
are not constant in tone, both dark and light adults being
found; and we agree with Meinertzhagen, Nicoll’s Bds.
Kgypt, i. 1930, p. 312, that R. r. fuscocollaris is merely an
individual variation of R. r. riparia Linneus. R. 1. fusco-
collaris Tschusi cannot therefore be admitted to the Eastern
1942.] 61 [Vol. Lxii.
African list, and has been correctly placed as a synonym of
R.r. riparia by Meinertzhagen.
(5) On the Specific Status of Dicrurus adsimilis (Bechstein)
and Dicrurus modestus Hartlaub.
In the Bull. B.O.C. li. 1933, p. 177, Bates unites these
two under Dicrurus adsimilis, and this is followed by Banner-
man, Bds. Trop. W. Afr. v. 1939, p. 331.
Sclater, Syst. Av. Atthiop. 1. 1930, p. 594, and Jackson’s
Bds. Kenya Colony & Uganda, iii. 1938, pp. 1170-1171, has
treated them as separate species. This latter arrangement
is the correct. one, as both are found in Uganda and western
Kenya Colony. It would appear that Bates did not study
the distribution of Dicrurus modestus east of the Cameroons.
(6) On the exact Type-locality of Dicrurus adsimilis (Bechstein),
Latham, Allgem. Ueb. Vog. ii. 1794, p. 362.
In the above work Bechstein gives only South Africa, and
also in Kurze, Ueb. 1812, p. 117. Lichtenstein, Cat. Rer. Nat.
Hamb. 1793, p. 10, no. 99, under his Corvus afer, gives South
Africa. This general type-locality is also given by Sclater,
Syst. Av. Atthiop. 1. 1930, p. 594. Levaillant, Ois d’Afr.
pl. 167, 1805, under his “‘ Le Drongeau ’’, states that he first
saw this bird at Duywens-hock River. We can therefore
fix the exact type-locality of Dicrurus adsimilis (Bechstein) as
Duywens-hock River, southern Cape Province.
(7) On the Eastern African Races of Dicrurus ludwigii
(Smith).
Our examination of the series in the British Museum shows
that three races can be recognized, as follows :—
DicRURUS LUDWIGI LUDWIG (Smith).
Edolius ludwigu A. Smith, 8. Afr. Quart. Journ. ser. 2, 1834,
p. 144: Durban, Natal, South Africa.
Tail square, smaller, more glossy blue-black than Dicrurus
adsimilis adsimilis (Bechst.), and inner webs to. flight-feathers
blackish, not ashy. Female is duller, and below slaty, with
only a faint gloss. Wing 97 to 107 mm. Thirty specimens
examined.
Vol: Lxii] 62 (1942.
Distribution.—South-eastern Belgian Congo, north-eastern
Northern Rhodesia, and southern Nyasaland to eastern
Southern Rhodesia, Portuguese East Africa, eastern Transvaal,
Zululand and Natal. -
DICRURUS LUDWIGII MUNZNERI Reichw.
Dicrurus miinzneri Reichenow, O. M. 1915, p. 91: Sanyi,
Mahenge district, south-eastern Tanganyika Territory.
Brighter and more glossy than D. |. ludwigi. Female more
glossy below, especially on chest, than D. 1. ludwigu. Wing
99 to 110 mm. Four specimens examined.
Distribution.—Southern Italian Somaliland to eastern Kenya
Colony and eastern Tanganyika Territory from the Juba River
to Mahenge.
Note.—Sclater, Syst. Av. Aithiop. ii. 1930, p. 594, has
placed this race as a probable synonym of Dicrurus adsimilis.
DICRURUS LUDWIGII ELGONENSIS van Som.
Dicrurus elgonensis van Someren, Bull. B.O.C. xl. 1920,
p- 95: Lerundo (Nyarondo), near Yala River, western Kenya
Colony.
Generally duller, less glossy velvety black than D. 1. ludwigu
or D. 1. miinzneri. Wing 104 to 109 mm. Three specimens
examined.
Disiribution.—Sudan and north-eastern Belgian Congo to
Uganda and western Kenya Colony.
Note.—One of these three specimens examined has been
recorded in ‘Sudan Notes and Records’ as Dicrurus sharpei
Oustalet.
(8) On the Type-locality of Prionops poltocephala (Stanley).
In ‘ The Ibis,’ 1936, p. 170, Cheesman and Sclater suggest
_ the possibility of Salt having obtained his specimen in Abys-
sinia, but we would point out that Salt did not cross to the
western side of the Tacazze River, and his farthest south in
Abyssinia was Zingilla (11° 25’ N. lat.), near the headwaters
of the Tacazze. .
Major Cheesman’s specimen is from N.W. Abyssinia (Gandwa,
on the Lake Tana—Gallabat road), and until specimens are
found east of the Tacazze River it would be better to leave.
1942.| 63 [Vol. lxu.
the type-locality as fixed by Neumann, 7.e., Mozambique,
northern Portuguese East Africa.
Deposition of Cuckoo’s Egg in Reed-Warbler’s Nest.
. Dr. N. H. Joy gave an interesting talk on the manner in
which the Cuckoo deposits her egg in the Reed-Warbler’s
nest. By close-up studies he watched a bird laying its egg
in such a nest, and was able to see the exact position of its
feet and body while doing so. He described the action in
detail and showed illustrations of it taken from his hide
6 feet away from the nest. It is certainly remarkable that
a bird of the size of a Cuckoo should be able to deposit an egg
in such a flimsy nest without damaging it or the eggs contained
inside it. Dr. Joy’s observations, however, clear up the matter,
and show how it is actually done.
NOTICE.
_ The next Meeting of the Club, a combined one with the
British Ornithologists’ Union, will be held at the Rembrandt
Hotel, Thurloe Place, S.W.7, on Saturday, June 6, 1942,
immediately after the Annual General Meeting of the Union,
which will take place at 2.30 p.m. Owing to Government
restrictions, no public luncheons are now allowed. Members
attending may have tea, however, after the Meeting.
A film by Mr. Lack of the Galapagos Islands will be shown,
and slides if available.
Members intending to be present should notify the Secretary
of the Union (not the Secretary of the Club) as soon as possible
after receiving the usual post-card which is being sent out by
the Union.
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UL 1942
13.00 See ULLETIN
Pee tisH., ORNITHOLOGISTS*. CLUB.
No. CCCCXLIII.
_ The four-hundred-and-thirty-eighth Meeting of the Club
was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, Thurloe Place, S.W. 7, on
Saturday, June 6, 1942, following the Annual General Meeting
of the British Ornithologists’ Union, held in the same place,
at 2.30 P.M.
Dr. Percy R. Lows, the President, took the chair at the
Union Meeting, and Dr. A. LANDSBoROUGH THOMSON at the
Club Meeting which followed.
Members of the Union present :-—Lt.-Col. F. M. Baiury ;
Mrs. E. C. Barnes; A. G. Bennerr; H. G. Carxi;
J. CHEAR; E. Conen; Mrs. Ratt Kerr; Miss F. Pitt;
L. SERGENT.
Members of the Club present :—Dr. D. A. BANNERMAN ;
Miss P. Barcuay-SmitH ; Miss M. G. Best; Major A. W.
Boyp; H. P. O. Cieave; J. Fisoer; Miss E. M. Gopman ;
Capt. C. H. B. Grant (Vice-Chairman) ; Dr. E. Hopxrinson ;
C. Ineram; Dr. N. H. Joy; N. B. Kinnear (Hon. Sec.) ;
D. Lack; Miss E. P. Lracw; Miss C. Lonearietp; Dr.
CARMICHAEL Low (Hditor); Dr. P. R. Lowe; Sir P. H.
Manson-Baur; Col. R. MEINERTZHAGEN ; T. H. NEWMAN ;
Mrs. J. B. PrigestuEy; D. Smru-SmirH; Dr. A. Lanps-
BorouGH THOMSON (Chairman); B. W. Tucker (Vice-
Chairman); Mrs. W. Boyp Watt; H. Wuisrier; H. F.
WITHERBY.
Guests :—Mrs. H. CaLKIn ; Capt. A. CARDWELL; R. CaRp-_
WELL; Mrs. J. Coear; Miss C, Crompton; R.S. R. Firrer ;
[July 8, 1942.] VOL, LXII,
Vol. Lxii.] 66 (1942.
E. Fuack; Lt. Z. Gopyn; Miss A. A. Grant; Miss L. P.
Grant; A. Grayson; N. Grayson; Mrs. S. Luoyp; Miss
M. Penrose; Miss C. PopHam; Miss M. S. PRIESTLEY ;
Miss B. N. Sotty; E. C. Taytor; Mrs. A. LANDSBOROUGH
THomson ; Mr. and Mrs. WuitTaker; Mrs. H. F. WITHERBY.
Members of the Union, 9; Members of the Club, 27;
Guests, 22; Total, 58.
No Meeting of the Club took place in May.
A Film of the Galapagos Islands.
Mr. Davip Lack showed the film taken in the Galapagos
Island when he, with Mr. L. S. V. Venables and Mr. W. H.
Thompson, was there in 1939. Mr. Lack gave a brief account
of the expedition at a Meeting of the Club on Wednesday,
January 10, 1940 (Bull. B.O.C. lx. 1940, pp. 46-50), and as
space will not permit of reprinting this now, members of the
Club should refresh their memories by consulting this paper
again. Through a misunderstanding the film was not
available for that Meeting.
Though there was a description of each of the views on the
screen Mr. Lack was able to supplement this by an interest-
ing talk as the film proceeded. Not. only were the birds
shown, but also the giant tortoises, lizards, seals and other
inhabitants of these unique islands. The different forms of
the Geospizinz were shown in detail and how they had diverged
from each other. As the author said in his paper in the
‘ Bulletin ’, “The Geospizine present many puzzles for the
taxonomist’’. Perhaps the most interesting to all present
was the picture of Cactospiza pallida, one of these Finches,
holding a cactus spine lengthwise in its beak and inserting it
into a crevice in a tree to drive out an insect. As Mr. Lack
says, this seems one of the few recorded instances of the use
of tools in the animal kingdom, outside man.
The enthusiastic applause which greeted the termination of
the film showed how much the audience had enjoyed it. It
was certainly a great treat to be able to see living pictures of
such a wonderful part of the globe as the Galapagos Islands.
1942. j 67 [Vol. xii.
Notes on Eastern African Birds.
Captain C. H. B. Grant and Major C. W. Mackwortu-
PRAED sent the following note :—
On the Occurrence of Riparia cincta cincta (Boddaert) in
Kastern Africa during the Non-breeding Season.
We know that this race breeds in South Africa as far north
as Southern Rhodesia between August and March (see Sclater,
Fauna 8. Afr., Aves, ii. 1901, p. 285, and Priest, Bds. 8.
Rhodesia, iit. 1935, p. 311). Bannerman, Bds. Trop. W. Afr.
v. 1939, p. 278, states that he has examined specimens from
South Africa between October and April and from West
Africa between July and October.
As regards the breeding colony of a Swallow recorded by
Bannerman as having been seen by Dr. Hopkinson on the
Gambia River, we should not at present take this into eon-
sideration, as this colony may prove to be a local resident race
of a species other than R#. c. cincta, and even if it does prove
to be this species, it will not affect the possibility that the
South African breeding bird spends the non-breeding season
in West Africa.
The small series available of this species from eastern Africa
shows the following facts :—
Riparia cincta suahelica van Someren breeds from March
to June, young birds are on the wing in June and July, and
adults are found moulting in June and December (Brit. Mus.
Reg. nos. 1906.12.23.1594, from south-eastern Ruwenzori,
completing the moult, and 1923.8.7.4060, from south-western
Ankole, starting the moult). |
This race is easily distinguished by its comparatively much
darker coloration above.
It is with the specimens of Riparia cincta erlangert Reichenow
that confusion with R. c. cincta may exist; but it is known
that R. c. erlangert breeds from April’to July and adults are
in worn dress in July to September (Brit. Mus. Reg. no. 1915.
12.24.1403 and 1404, from Mongalla), and are in moult in
October (Brit. Mus. Reg. no. 1887.9.28.165, from Wadelai),
Vol. Ixii.] 68 (1942.
birds in fresh or fresher plumage being found from February
to May.
It is. therefore shown that R. c. cincta would be in worn
plumage at the end of the breeding season, 7. e. April, and
are moulting in their non-breeding quarters in July (Brit. Mus.
Reg. no. 1911.12.23.1278, from Shari River) ; whereas R. c.
erlangert is worn in July to September and is moulting in
October. All the specimens we have been able to examine
from Abyssinia and the Sudan agree with the above data and
are, therefore, R. c. erlangeri, and we have not been able to
find one specimen that falls in with the data of R. c. cincta.
It would therefore appear that R. c. cincta does not visit
eastern Africa in the non-breeding season, but that it spends
this season in West and Central Africa from Principé Island
to the Shari River, French Equatorial. Africa.
A new Race of Wren (Troglodytes) from the
Western Palearctic Region.
Mr. P. A. CLancky sent the following note :—
A critical examination of a very extensive material from
the western Palearctic Region has shown that the Wren
from Ushant is new to science, and for it I propose the name :—
Troglodytes troglodytes meinertzhageni, subsp. nov. -
Description—When compared with T'voglodytes troglodytes
kabylorum Hartert, the underside is noticeably richer and the
flanks are slightly more heavily barred. On the underside
T. t. meinertzhagent approaches 7’. ¢t. troglodytes, but the
barring of the flanks is generally more pronounced. Upper
surface near to 7’. t. kabylorwm, but decidedly pale sandy red
and not so olive in tone. Compared with 7’. t. troglodytes the
pale red sand-colour as opposed to warm brown is diagnostic.
(Five specimens examined.)
Range.—Confined to Ushant, Finistere, France.
-Type.—Male adult. Sept. 26, 1933. Ushant, Finistére,
France. In the Meinertzhagen collection.
Material examined.—T.. t. troglodytes, very large series from
Sweden, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Switzer-
1942.] 69 [Vol. Ixii.
land and south-eastern England. 7’. t. indigenus, large series.
T.t. hebridensis, series. 1’. t. zetlandicus, series. T'. t. hirtensis,
two examined. 7’. ¢. bergensis, one examined. T'. t. kaby-
lorum, series. 7’. t. cypriotes, one examined. 1. t. weigoldi
von Jordans, from Portugal, not examined, but this race is
described as being darker and more heavily marked than the
typical bird, whereas 7’. t. meinertzhageni is paler and quite
sand-coloured above, and only slightly more heavily barred
on the flanks. 7’. t. borealis, T. t. islandicus, T. t. koenigi and
other races described from the western Palearctic Region not
examined. ~
Corrigendum to Volume LXII.
P. 33, line 16. ‘‘ South end of Lake Nyasa ” should read ‘‘ South end
of Lake Tanganyika ’’.
NOTICE.
The next Meeting of the Club will be held in October, after
the Annual General Meeting. Members will be notified of
the date, place and time when the notices and agenda for this
are sent out.
“~
: INDEX,
[ Names of new species and subspecies are indicated by clarendon type
under the generic entry only ; vernacular, or common,
names are shown in ordinary type. |
? aalge, Uria aalge, 11.
abyssinica bannermani, Hirundo,
54.
——., Eremomela canescens, 14.
——., Hirundo abyssinica, 54.
—— puella, Hirundo, 55.
unitatis, Hirundo, 44.
adamaux, Melocichla mentalis, 33.
adsimilis, Dicrurus, 61.
afer, Corvus, 61. .
affinis, Prinia superciliosa, 28.
Alauda petrosa, 57.
alba, Motacilla alba, 17, 38.
albicrissalis, Bradypterus alfred,
42, 43.
Alca torda ? britannica, 11.
Alcippe nigrifrons, 37, 38.
Alethe, Brown-chested, 54.
Alethe filleborni fiilleborni, 54.
poliocephala carruthersi, 54.
kungwensis, 54.
ufipz, subsp. nov., 54.
alfredi albicrissalis, Bradypterus,
42, 43.
——, Bradypterus alfredi, 42, 43.
kungwensis, Bradypterus, 42.
alticola brunneiceps, Apalis, 59.
amauroura, Argya, 34.
——, Melocichla mentalis, 31, 32,
34.
angolensis, Hirundo, 47.
Anthus spinoletta hesperianus,
subsp. nov., 58.
—— spinoletia kleinschmidi, 57,
58.
a
littoralis, 57.
—— —— meinerizhageni, 57.
petrosus, 57.
Apalis alticola brunneiceps, 59,
VOL. LXTII.
Apalis murina murina, 32, 33.
youngi, 32, 33.
arctica ? grabae, Fratercula, 11.
Argya amauroura, 34.
Artisornis winifrede, 30.
aschani, Hirundo senegalensis, 48,
49,
atricauda, Melocichla mentalis, 33,
35.
atriceps nigrifrons, Rhopocichla,
38
atriceps, Rhopocichla, 38, 51.
siccatus, Rhopocichla, 38. .
atrocerulea, Hirundo atrocxrulea,
43, 44, 45.
—— lynesi, Hirundo, 45.
Auk, Little, 8.
australis, Stelgidocichla latiros-
tris, 29.
ayresi, Coturnicops, 32.
Babbler, Black-headed, 37, 38.
, Ceylon Wren.-, 37.
——., Horsfield’s Scimitar-, 51.
——., Scimitar-, 37.
Balearica pavonina pavonina, 13.
bannermani, Hirundo abyssinica,
54.
bassana, Sula, 11.
bechuane, Prinia superciliosa, 28.
beema, Budytes flava, 59.
bergensis, Troglodytes troglodytes,
69.
bilkewitschi, Clivicola, 60.
Bittern, Common, 56.
borealis, Troglodytes troglodytes,
69.
Botaurus stellaris capensis, 56.
A
Vol. Ixii,J
Botaurus stellaris stellaris, 56.
Bradypterus alfred: albicrissalis,
alfred, 42, 43.
kungwensis,
a
subsp.
nov., 42.
? britannica, Alca torda, 11.
brittanica, Certhra familiaris, 54.
brunneiceps, Apalis alticola, 59.
Bucco levaillanti, 46.
Budytes flava beema, 59.
cinereocapilla, 58.
—— —— dombrowskii, 59.
——- —— flava, 58.
thunbergi, 58.
feldegg feldegg, 58, 59.
kaleniczenkii, 59.
—— luteus flavissima, 59.
luteus, 58, 59.
Bulbul, 18.
——, Yellow-moustached, 29.
——, Yellow-streaked, 29.
——
eee
—_———
Cactospiza pallida, 66.
cafer, Psittacus, 14.
Calamonastes fasciolatus stier-
lingi, 60.
simplex cinereus, 59.
katange, 60.
—— —— neglectus, 59, 60.
—— —— simplex, 59.
—— —— undosa,59.
candida, Nigrita canicapilla, 43.
canescens abyssinica, Hremomela,
14.
elegans, Eremomela, 14.
,Hremomela canescens, 14.
canicapilla candida, Nigrita, 43.
capensis, Botaurus stellaris, 56.
—— chyulu, Smithornis, 35, 37.
—— medianus, Smithornis, 35,
BY
shimba, Smithornis, 35.
suahelicus, Smithornis, 35,
ode .
carbo, Phalacrocorax carbo, 11.
carruthersi, Alethe poliocephala,
54.
castanopsis, Helrolais, 15, 16, 17.
Certhia familiaris brittanica, 54.
macrodactyla, 53.
Charadrius marginatus, 13.
chiniana ukamba, Cisticola, 47.
christyt, Hirundo, 43.
chyulu, Smithornis capensis, 35,
ols |
cincta erlangeri, Riparia, 67, 68.
, Riparia cincta, 67, 68.
[1942.
cincta suahelica, Ryparia, 67.
cinereocapilla, Budytes flava, 58.
cinereus, Calamonastes simplex,
59.
cinnamomea nyassz, Sathrocercus,
ufipe, Sathrocercus, 30.
Cisticola chiniana ukamba, 47.
( ), Drymoica grandis, 34.
orientalis, 34.
—— rhodoptera, 16.
semifasciata, 47.
citriniceps, Eremomela scotops, 47.
Olivicola bilkewitschi, 60.
coburni, Turdus musicus, 18, 54.
Cormorant, 6, 8, 11.
Corvus afer, 61.
—— splendens protegatus, 55, 56.
—— splendens, 55, 56.
Coturnicops ayresi, 32.
Crow, Indian House-, 55.
Cuckoo, 63.
cypriotes, Troglodytes troglodytes,
69.
desertz, Prinia superciliosa, 27.
Dicrurus adsimilis, 61.
ludwigit elgonensis, 62.
—_— —— ludwigu, 61, 62.
minenert, 62.
— modestus, 61.
diluta, Riparia riparia, 60.
Dioptrornis fischeri fischer, 41, 42.
nyikensis, 42.
ufipz, subsp. nov., 41.
dombrowskii, Budytes flava, 59.
Drymeca jodoptera, 16.
Drymoica (Cisticola) grandis, 34.
erythroptera, 15.
—— mentalis, 33.
—— undosa, 59.
Edolius ludwigit, 61.
elegans elgonensis, Hremomela, 14.
,Eremomela canescens, 14.
elgonensis, Dicrurus ludwigtt, 62.
, Eremomela elegans, 14. |
Eremomela canescens abyssinica,
14.
oot
canescens, 14.
elegans, 14.
elegans elgonensis, 14.
scotop s citriniceps, 47.
scotops, 46.
erlangeri, Riparia cincta, 67, 68.
————_——
1942.) 73
erythroptera, Drymoica, 15.
——, Heliolais erythroptera, 15,
16.
jodoptera, Helolais, 16.
—— kavirondensis, Heliolais,15,
16
‘kirbyi, Heliolais, 15.
—— major, Heliolais, 15, 16, 17.
rhodoptera, Heliolais, 15, 16,
Lis . .
eugenius, Stelgidocichla latirosiris,
29.
familiaris brittanica, Certhia, 54.
—— macrodactyla, Certhia, 53.
fasciolatus stierling,Calamonastes,
60.
feldegg, Budytes feldegg, 58, 59.
kaleniczenkuu, Budytes, 59.
Finch, Grey-headed Negro-, 41.
, Negro-, 39.
jischert, Dioptrornis fischeri, 41,
42.
—— nyikensis, Dioptrornis, 42.
—— ufipx, Dioptrornis, 41.
flava beema, Budytes, 59.
—— , Budytes flava, 58.
—— cinereocapilla, Budytes, 58.
—— dombrowsku, Budytes, 59.
thunbergi, Budytes, 58.
flavissuema, Budytes luteus, 59.
flavostriatus kungwensis, Phylia-
strephus, 29.
tenuirostris, Phyllastrephus,
29.
Flycatcher, Slaty, 39, 41.
Fratercula arctica ? grabex, 11.
fuligula, Ptyonoprogne, 49, 50, 51.
filleborni, Alethe fiilleborni, 54.
Mulmar, 7; 8, Lb.
Fulmarus glacialis glacialis, 11.
fuscwentris,Ptyonoprogne rufigula,
5
fuscocapillum, Pellorneum. 51.
fuscocollaris, Riparia riparia, 60.
Gannet, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
glacialis, Fulmarus glacialis, 11.
? grabae, Fratercula arctica, 11.
grandis, Drymoica (Cisticola), 34.
, Melocichla mentalis, 34.
granviki, Melocichla mentalis, 31,
ao.
gravis, Puffinus, 11.
Guillemot, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
Gull, 6, 7, 11.
(Vol. Lxii.
hebridensis, Troglodytes troglodytes,
69.
Heliolais castanopsis, 15, 16, 17.
—— erythroptera erythroptera, 15,
16.
——. —— jodoptera, 16.
—— —— kavirondensis, 15, 16.
kirbyt, 15.
major, 15, 16, 17.
rhodoptera, 15, 16, 17.
hesperianus, Anthus spinoletia, 58.
hartensis, Troglodytes troglodytes,
69.
Hirundo abyssinica abyssinica, 54.
—— bannermani, subsp.
nov., 54,
—— puella, 55.
unitatis, 44.
angolensis, 47.
—— atrocerulea atrocerulea, , 43,
44, 45.
—— —— lynesi, subsp. nov., 45.
—— christyi, 43.
—— lucida, 47.
—— puella p uella, 44, 55.
—— rustica rustica, 44, 47.
senegalensis aschani, 48, 49.
hybrida, 48, 49.
monteiri, 48, 49.
—— —— saturatior, 48, 49.
senegalensis, 48, 49.
—— smithii smithn, 44.
holdsworthi, Pomatorhinus hors-
fieldui, 52.
horsfieldir holdsworthi, Pomato-
rhinus, 52.
, Pomatorhinus, 37, 51.
hybrida, Hirundo senegalensis, 48,
49,
———
a
—_-__,
indigenus, Troglodytes troglodytes,
69.
islandicus, Troglodytes troglodytes,
69.
jodoptera, Drymeeca, 16. )
——, Heliolais erythroptera, 16.
kabylorum, Troglodytes troglodytes,
68, 69.
kaleniczenkii, Budytes feldegg, 59.
katangz, Calamonastes simplex,
60.
kavirondensis, Heliolais erythro-
ptera, 15, 16.
kirbyi, Heliolais erythroptera, 15.
Vol. }xii.]}
Kittiwake, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
kleonschmidti, Anthus spinoletta,
57, 58.
koenigi, Troglodytes troglodytes, 69.
kungwensis, Alethe poliocephala,
54.
, Bradypterus alfredi, 42.
——., Phyllastrephus flavostriatus,
29.
Larus, 11.
latirostris australis, Stelgidocichla,
eugenius, Stelgidocichla, 29.
levaillantir, Bucco, 46.
, Lybius levaillanin, 46.-
littoralis, Anthus spinoletta, 57.
lomvia, Uria lomvia, 11.
Long-Tail, 18, 27.
lucida, Hirundo, 47.
ludwigui, Dicrurus ludwigi, 61,
62
——., Edolius, 61.
elgonensis, Dicrurus, 62.
munzneri, Dicrurus, 62.
luteus, Budytes luteus, 58, 59.
flavissima, Budytes, 59.
Lybius levaillantu levaillanti, 46.
minor minor, 46.
lynesi, Hirundo atrocexrulea, 45.
macmillani, Ortygops, 32.
macrodactyla, Certhia familiaris,
53.
major, Heliolais erythroptera, 15,
16,07:
, Orthotomus, 17.
marginatus, Charadrius, 13.
medianus, Smithornis capensis,
35, 37.
meinertzhageni, Anthus spinoletta,
57
eae Troglodytes troglodytes, 68, -
69
melanurus, Pomatorhinus, 51, 52.
Melocichla mentalis adamauez, 33.
mentalis amauroura, 31, 32,
34.
—. atricauda, 33, 35.
grandis, 34.
—_—— —— granviki, subsp. nov.,
31, 35.
—— —— mentalis, 33, 34.
orientalis, 33, 34.
mentalis adamaue, Melocichla, 33.
—— amauroura, Melocichla, 31,
32, 34:
—— atricauda, Melocichla, 33, 35.
oe
[1942.
mentalis, Drymoica, 33.
grandis, Melocichla, 34.
granviki, Melocichla, 31, 35.
——, Melocichla mentalis, 33, 34.
orientalis, Melocichla, 33, 34.
minor, Lybius minor, 46.
, Pogonias, 46.
modestus, Dicrurus, 61.
monteiri, Hirundo senegalensis,
48, 49.
Motacilla alba alba, 17, 38.
munznert, Dicrurus ludwigii, 62.
murina, Apalis murina, 32, 33.
youngi, Apalis, 32, 33.
musicus coburni, Turdus, 18, 54.
neglectus, Calamonastes simplex,
59, 60.
nigrifrons, Alcippe, 37, 38.
, Rhopocichla atriceps, 38.
Nigrita canicapilla candida, subsp.
nov., 43.
nyassx, Sathrocercus cinnamomea,
30.
nyikensis, Dioptrornis fischeri, 42.
obsoleta, Ptyonoprogne, 49, 50.
orientalis, Cisticola, 34.
, Melocichla mentalis, 33, 34.
Orthotomus major, 17.
Ortygops macmillani, 32.
ovampensis, Prinia superciliosa,
28.
pallida, Cactospiza, 66.
pavonina, Balearica pavonina, 13.
Pellorneum fuscocapillum, 51.
Petrel, 8.
petrosa, Alauda, 57.
petrosus, Anthus spinoletta, 57.
Phalacrocorax carbo carbo, 11.
Phyllastrephus flavostriatus kung-
wensis, subsp. nov., 29.
tenuirostris, 29.
Pipit, Rock-, 57.
Pogonias minor, 46.
Poicephalus robustus, 13, 14.
poliocephala carruthersi, Alethe,
54,
—— kungwensis, Alethe, 54.
——, Prionops, 62.
ufipx, Alethe, 54.
Pomatorhinus horsfieldii, 37, 51.
holdsworthi, subsp.
nov., 52.
—— melanurus, 51, 52.
1942.]
Prinia superciliosa affinis, 28.
bechuane, subsp. nov.,
28.
—_—— —— desertz, subsp. nov.,
27.
——— —— ovampensis, subsp.
nov., 28.
superciliosa, 27, 28.
Prionops poliocephala, 62.
protegatus, Corvus splendens, 55,
Psittacus cafer, 14.
Ptyonoprogne fuligula, 49, 50, 51.
obsoleta, 49, 50.
rufigula, 49, 50, 51.
fusciventris, 50.
rupestris, 50.
puella, Hirundo abyssinica, 55.
, Hirundo puella, 44, 55.
Poanm, -75°3,-9, LL, 12.
Puffinus gravis, 11.
Razorbill, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12.
Redwing, Iceland, 18, 54.
rhodoptera, Cisticola, 16.
, Heliolais erythroptera, 15,
16, 17.
Rhopocichla atriceps, 38, 51.
nigrifrons, 38.
—_—— ——— siecatus, subsp. nov.,
38.
Riparia cincta cincta, 67, 68.
erlangeri, 67, 68.
suahelica 67.
—— riparia diluta, 60.
fuscocollaris, 60.
riparia, 60, 61.
riparia diluta, Riparia, 60.
fuscocollaris, Ruparia, 60.
Rissa tridactyla tridactyla, 11.
Robin, 41.
robustus, Poicephalus, 13, 14.
_ rufigula fusciventris, Ptyonoprogne,
50.
, Ptyonoprogne, 49, 50, 51.
rupestris, Ptyonoprogne, 50.
rustica, Hirundo rustica, 44, 47.
“ae
Sarothrura, 32.
Sathrocercus cinnamomea nyassx,
30.
ufipz, subsp. nov., 30.
saturatior, Hirundo senegalensis,
48, 49.
Scepomyeter, gen. nov., 30.
scotops citriniceps, Hremomela,47.
scotops, Hremomela scotops, 46.
VOL, LXII.
[Vol. Ixii.
semifasciata, Crsticola, 47.
senegalensis aschani, Hirundo, 48,
49.
——., Hirundo senegalensis, 48, 49.
—— hybrida, Hirundo, 48, 49.
—— monteiri, Hirundo, 48, 49.
saturatior, Hirundo, 48, 49.
Shearwater, 7, 8, 9, 11.
shimba, Smithornis capensis, 35.
siccatus, Rhopocichla atriceps, 38.
simplex, Calamonastes simplex, 59.
cinereus, Calamonastes, 59.
—— katangex, Calamonastes, 60.
neglectus, Calamonastes, 59,
60.
——, Thamnobia, 59.
undosa, Calamonastes, 59.
Skua, 8.
smith, Hirundo smithii, 44.
Smithornis capensis chyulu, sub-
sp. nov., 35, 37.
medianus, 35, 37.
—— —— shimba, subsp. nov.,
ae
suahelicus, 35, 37.
spinoletia hesperianus, Anthus, 58.
kleinschmidti, Anthus, 57,
58.
——- littoralis, Anthus, 57.
meinertzhageni, Anthus, 57.
—— petrosus, Anthus, 57.
splendens, Corvus splendens, 55,
56.
—— protegatus, Corvus, 55, 56.
Stelgidocichla latirostris australis,
subsp. nov., 29.
eugenius, 29.
stellaris, Botaurus stellaris, 56.
; capensis, Botaurus, 56.
stierlingt, Calamonastes fascio-
latus, 60.
Stork, 26.
suahelica, Riparia cincta, 67.
suahelicus, Smithornis capensis,
30, Oh
Sula bassana, 11.
superciliosa affinis, Prinia, 28.
bechuane, Prinia, 28.
—— desertz, Prinia, 27.
ovamepnsis, Prinia, 28.
——, Prinia superciliosa, 27, 28.
Swallow, Blue, 43.
, Smaller Striped, 54.
tenutrostris, Phyllastrephus flavo-
striatus, 29.
Tern, 8. :
Thamnobia simplex, 59.
B
Vol. lxii.]
thunbergi, Budytes flava, 58.
torda ? britannica, Alca, 11.
Troglodytes troglodytes bergensis,
69.
—_—
borealis, 69.
cypriotes, 69.
hebridensis, 69.
hirtensis, 69.
—— —— intigenus, 69.
islandicus, 69.
—— —— kabylorum, 68, 69.
—— —— koenigi, 69.
meinertzhageni, subsp.
nov., 68, 69.
- troglodytes, 68.
weigoldi, 69.
zetlandicus, 69.
troglodytes bergensis, Troglodytes,
69
_—
eS
——_———
———
a
———_—-
——
borealis, Troglodytes, 69.
—— cypriotes, Troglodytes, 69.
hebridensis, Troglodytes, 69.
hirtensis, Troglodytes, 69.
—— indigenus, Troglodytes, 69.
aslandicus, Troglodytes, 69.
kabylorum, Troglodytes, 68,
69,
koenigi, Troglodytes, 69.
meinertzhageni, Troglodytes,
68, 69.
weigoldi, Troglodytes, 69.
zetlandicus, Troglodytes, 69.
Turdus musicus coburni, 18, 54.
(1942.
ufipx2, Alethe poliocephala, 54.
, Dioptrornis fischeri, 41.
——., Sathrocercus cinnamomea,
ukamba, Cisticola chiniana, 47.
undosa, Calamonastes simplex, 59.
—— Drymoica, 59.
unitatis, Hirundo abyssinica, 44.
Uria aalge ? aalge, 11.
lomvia lomvia, 11.
Wagtail, White, 17, 38.
Warbler, Bracken-, 30, 41.
, Moustached, 18, 30.
——, Red-capped, 30. -
——, Reed.-, 63.
, Swamp-, 18.
weigoldi, Troglodytes, troglodytes,
69.
winifredx, Artisornis, 30.
Wren, 68.
——. -Babbler, Ceylon, 37.
young, Apalis murina, 32, 33.
zetlandicus, Troglodytes troglodytes,
69.
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