eer. 04908 oat ore toy ok re veeee = pecar res poress » = Seatiess par procs racer: erat : : ; . : : i iWb es to cot se 34 Pep ee ser ser +eeeee oe oe +0 - . : tom , 4 « bi + : ; - teags! . eS! 3° pose ever sere t 4 tate! igeatk pes erescae se Hite giacpeg- : » , ‘ ot - cf Toto - pee rt is fare Booed *? bee +9 par? (RE goed sn Frere’ + * cee whe Fe ele te eo — Pat itrirtre tee HLT pom eee Poor vers eee aaeiate BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB EDITED BY JOHN J. YEALLAND ; zm i U j iA Y rf \ 4 : F . OF o katie ; TA Vi L) \ Z a : aed ey a & Y _\ ; ~ . — Volume 86 1966 PRICE FOUR SHILLINGS PREFACE ONCE again our gratitude is due to Mrs. B. P. Hall for her compilation of this Index. We also appreciate the efforts of all who have supported the Bulletin and those who have contributed to make the meetings the interesting and enjoyable occasions that they are. Attendance at the meetings held during 1966 numbered 185 members and guests. As in past years, Mr. K. E. Wiltsher, General Manager of the Caxton and Holmesdale Press, has given ready and efficient co-operation. J. J. YEALLAND. ill COMMITTEE 1965 R. S. R. Fittver, Chairman (elected 1965) Dr. J. F. Monk, Vice-Chairman (elected 1965) J. J. YEALLAND, Editor (elected 1962) M. W. Woopcock, Secretary (elected 1965) P. TATE, Treasurer (elected 1962) P. Hoa (elected 1962) Sir HUGH ELLIOTT (elected 1964) M. L. R. ROMER (elected 1964) C. J. O. HARRISON (elected 1965) Chairmen Fr. &. SCLATER Lord ROTHSCHILD W. L. SCLATER H. F. WITHERBY Dr. P. R. LOWE Major S. S. FLOWER D. A. BANNERMAN G. M. MATHEWS Dr. A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON D. SETH-SMITH Dr. J. M. HARRISON Sir PHiLip MANSON-BAHR Colonel R. MEINERTZHAGEN C. W. MACK WORTH-PRAED Captain C. R. S. PITMAN Maj.-Gen. C. B. WAINWRIGHT R. S. R. FITTER Vice-Chairmen Lord ROTHSCHILD W. L. SCLATER H. F. WITHERBY G. M. MATHEWS N. B. KINNEAR H. WHISTLER OFFICERS OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB PAST AND PRESENT 1892-1913 1913-1918 1918-1924 1924-1927 1927-1930 1930-1932 1932-1935 1935-1938 1938-1943 1943-1946 1946-1949 1949-1953 1953-1956 1956-1959 1959-1962 1962-1965 1965- 1930-1931 1931-1932 1932-1933 1933-1934 1934-1935 1935-1936 iv Vice-Chairmen—cont. D. SETH-SMITH Colonel R. SPARROW Dr. G. CARMICHAEL Low Hon. Guy CHARTERIS W. L. SCLATER Dr. D. A. BANNERMAN Captain C. H. B. GRANT B. W. TUCKER F. J. F. BARRINGTON Dr. E. HOPKINSON C. W. MACKWORTH-PRAED Dr. J. M. HARRISON Sir PHILIP MANSON-BAHR B. G. HARRISON Lt.-Colonel W. P. C. TENISON Miss E. M. GODMAN Colonel R. MEINERTZHAGEN Major A. G. L. SLADEN Colonel R. MEINERTZHAGEN E. M. NICHOLSON Captain C. R. S. PITMAN Mrs. B. P. HALL R. S. R. FITTER Dr. J. F. MONK Editors R. BOWDLER SHARPE W. R. OGILVIE-GRANT D. A. BANNERMAN D. SETH-SMITH Dr. P. R. LOWE N. B. KINNEAR Dr. G. CARMICHAEL LOw Captain C. H. B. GRANT Dr. G. CARMICHAEL LOW Lt.-Colonel W. P. C. TENISON Captain C. H. B. GRANT Dr. J. G. HARRISON J. J. YEALLAND 1936-1937 1937-1938 1938-1939 1938-1939 1939-1940 1939-1940 1940-1943 1940-1943 1943-1945 1943-1945 1945-1946 1945-1946 1946-1947 1946-1947 1947-1948 1947-1948 1948-1949 1948-1949 1949-1953 1953-1956 1956-1959 1959-1962 1962-1965 1965- 1892-1904 1904-1914 1914-1915 1915-1920 1920-1925 1925-1930 1930-1935 1935-1940 1940-1945 1945-1947 1947-1952 1952-1961 1962- ¥ Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers HOWARD SAUNDERS W. E. DE WINTON H. F. WITHERBY Dr. P. R. LOWE C. G. TALBOT-PONSONBY D. A. BANNERMAN Dr. PHILIP GOSSE J. L. BONHOTE C. W. MACKWORTH-PRAED Dr. G. CARMICHAEL LOW C. W. MACKWORTH-PRAED Honorary Secretaries Dr. A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON C. R. STONER N. B. KINNEAR Dr. G. CARMICHAEL Low Lt.-Colonel W. P. C. TENISON Captain C. H. B. GRANT W. E. CLEGG Miss G. M. RHODES N. J. P. WADLEY Miss E. FORSTER Dr. J. G. HARRISON C. J. O. HARRISON M. W. Woopcock Honorary Treasurers C. W. MACKWORTH-PRAED Major A. G. L. SLADEN Miss E. P. LEACH C. N. WALTER P. TATE 1892-1899 1899-1904 1904-1914 1914-1915 1915-1918 1918-1919 1919-1920 1920-1922 1922-1923 1923-1929 1929-1935 1935-1938 1938-1940 1940-1943 1943-1945 1945-1947 1947 1947-1949 1949-1950 1950-1960 1960-1962 1962-1964 1964-1965 1965- 1935-1936 1936-1942 1942-1949 1950-1962 1962- vi LIST OF MEMBERS AS AT 3lst OCTOBER, 1966 Amended as follows: New Members BALTER, RICHARD Esq., Plot 1 Chantrey Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. BENNETT, PETER Esq., 20 Jacktrees Crescent, Cleator Moor, Cumbs. Britton, P. L. Esq., Balovale Secondary School, Balovale, Zambia. BOSWALL, JEFFERY H. R. Esq., B.B.C., Bristol. BucKLEy, Dr. PAut A., Dept. of Biology, Old Dominion College, Norfolk, Virginia 23508. U.S.A. Gipson, Dr. J. A., Foremount House, Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire. JACKSON, D. H. Esq., P.O. Box 8014, Causeway, Rhodesia. MubGE, EDWARD W. Jnr. Esq., 5926 Averill Way, Dallas, Texas 75225. U.S.A. STEFFEE, Mrs. CLAY R., 112S, Clyde Avenue, Kissimmee, Florida 32741. U.S.A. ete Dominic L., C.S.I.R.O. Regional Laboratory, University of W. Australia, edlands. WETMoRE, Dr. ALEXANDER, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. 20560. U.S.A. Resigned The following Members resigned : BEATTIE, Mrs. J. Bryson, A. G. S. CLAY, Miss THERESA Horwoop, M. T. Moore, Capt. H. H. R. PHILLIPS, MAJor W. W. A. RipGway, RICHARD H. TOMPA, FRANK S. WARD, P. WALTER, C. N. WALTER, Mrs. V. Died The Committee record with sadness the death of Sir Philip Manson-Bahr who was a Vice-Chairman during 1946-1947 and Chairman of the Club from 1949 until 1953. LIST OF AUTHORS ABDULALI, HUMAYUN Page On the ‘‘creaminess’’ in the plumage of Ducula bicolor (Scopoli). . .. 162-163 ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1965 ot as ta .- 78-79 AsH, J. S. Another dwarf Pheasant 5 1] <1 I. ys, uM a 96 BARRETT, JOHN H. Symmetrical albinism in a Skylark .. 4) l; t. ht ay 124 BENSON, C. W. Some misidentified female sunbirds , .. 65-66 The Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata i in East Africa OS 6 ceed Some sunbirds: additions and corrections .. at te .. 173-174 BENSON, C. W. and ForBEs-WATSON, A. D. A further note on the rare = Lark Chersomanes albofasciata in East Africa .. : - bn, os 4: Tr .. 172-173 BENSON, C. W. and IRwin, M. ino S. The sunbirds Nectarinia bouiveri and batesi a3 “yf i .. 62-65 BENSON, C. W. and Pitman, C. R. S. Further breeding records from Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia) (No. 5) 21-33 On the breeding of Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla (Pallas) i in Africa and Mada ascar .. .. 141-143 Vii Page BOSWALL, JEFFERY Ley The roosting of the Pied Wagtail in Dublin 2 be en .. 131-140 CLANCEY, P. A. , Racial variation in the southern populations of Caprimulgus rufigena Smith . ix 6-7 On variation in the austral populations of Oena capensis (Linnaeus) .. 112-115 On the validity of Coracias caudata suahelica Neumann, 1907 _ .. .. 122-123 On the South African races of the Crested Francolin, with special reference to Francolinus sephaena zambesiae Mackworth-Praed 1920 __.... .. 163-166 On subspeciation in Bias musicus (Vieillot) . . wn - hoe .. 166-168 Davis, P. The early September ‘‘rush’’ of 1965 ay is i ah .. 61-62 ENGLAND, M. D. A talk with slides on a visit to Portugal .. fi iL +f. | ForBES-WATSON, A. D. See BENSON, C. W. Goopwin, D. See HALL, B. P. yaAre, DY. A new name for Geocichla princei graueri Sassi... = o .. 123-124 HALL, B. P. and Goopwin, D. A talk on some birds of central Australia +n de si i 21 Hancock, J. A. A talk on the birds of Kauai, Hawaiian Islands .. 3 +“ i> 41 HarrISON, C. J. O. Plumage pattern and colour relationships of the genera Carduelis and Fringilla . ye i .. 41-47 Some clutches of wader eggs from E. C. STUART BAKER .. a .. 96-97 HarRISON, C. J. O. and PARKER, S. A. The taxonomic affinities of the New Guinea genera Paramythia and Oreo- charis . 15-20 The eggs of the White-tailed Blue Chat, Cinclidium leucurum, ‘and the Large Niltava, Niltava grandis... 71-73 HARRISON, G. A Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata in Malawi Re oe Pa i: 7 160 HARRISON, J. G. See HARRISON, J. M. HARRISON, J. G. and Mrs. Talk on birds in Holland 5 aa iy uy ‘@ i sk 161 HARRISON, J. M. A case of symmetrical albinism in a Skylark ae -% be ¥ 11-15 Unilateral feather fragility in a wild Shelduck bp . o3 .. 36-39 HARRISON, J. M. and Harrison, J. G. Remarks on two European Wigeon x Northern Pintail hybrids - 8-11 HAVERSCHMIDT, F. Hybrids of Thraupis palmarum and Thraupis virens “ 5-6 Notes on Icterus chrysocephalus and Icterus cayanensis in Surinam OE OS be A specimen of Melanerpes cruentatus with a deformed bill ba? .. 102-101 The eggs of the Giant Cowbird di hie me *s a .. 144-147 HooGERWERF, A. On Moore’s Olive Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex subspp.) .. 56-60 On two specimens of Pericrocotus flammeus (Forst.), the Scarlet ‘Minivet, from Udjung Kulon.. bi a “ps wt ni f .. 174-176 Vili IRWIN, MICHAEL P. STUART The Eastern Honey-guide Indicator meliphilus (Oberholser) in Rhodesia. . A new race of Wailing Cistocola, Cisticola lais (Finsch and Hartlaub), from Gorongoza Mountain, Mocambique iS. bus See also BENSON, C. W. KEITH, STUART and VERNON, CARL Notes on African warblers of the genus Chloropeta Smith JOHNSON, A. W. Guanay or Bougainville’s Cormorant, Phalacrocorax bougainvillii (Lesson) LAWSON, WALTER J. A new race of the flycatcher Batis molitor from Angola MUNTEANU, DAN A specimen of Luscinia svecica volgae (Kleinschmidt) migrating through Rumania On the systematic position of the Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis a. ), in Rumania _ The Fieldfare Turdus pilaris é breeding i in northern Rumania OLNEY, PETER An illustrated talk on the feeding biology of seven eo of duck during winter on the Medway estuary : ee =» Fon. 41 SesalipTi ° . rt Lugewiy 9 ‘ee vi = ‘ \ -y aor “eat! et ae aimenowmnes suinwT xe PhS af ba SLT .20m Weaver ; preys SHR Ad isennll vere eebhurl afeeiel ha Fear | ai i som: noetg alioyserw dat ee Solari A infaaine “ae huflané es ray SP ode: nh AIRY aks giieng) inns * ah liglekl autovinnay ti. oghod PUGHOIY S)3i ae 2-2 ziqgetT acreniy ean GA aul isarite on¥ cees emollivall -— Cftinetivt — f 7 *, vt i= <—- ; it MARS RLY) 2) mei ane, teotind ool { Onan, rhe! sericea ie ag ah } RED Naa ‘J Ssibiniv 7 Cake ae ° iin ib Of eyirmune megluy x. la : a pals ‘ We jie 3 a ia Handy tadiiw ‘i rae oh bn Ages yh sisvertendy i 4 Bhat “ ‘ i ; ee oS ny Wi! tomy! : nid a is seis meh ay ott iWeb cs Be i ' W ¢ bi ttl Se yey AREY Od @iisrun acponsaeos . a A declin. ~ BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB oO Zt, ~7 JAN 1966 YS PURCHASED 5 No, Ley Sr Edited by JOHN J. YEALLAND Volume 86 January No. | 1966 A * Le 1a ee koe a i iy’ even oe Ne te A Try etree ter A, jh utd re oe Oe Ue, ‘ ,) Pa a yes F * a oe pes ik ole : ‘> ‘ a rie ; : - th. $ y ‘ ‘ ' — ‘ Lael, - Ca eae ( _ s Wn i. <, eae Da My i Pomel pm ia F : , n ‘ Gs , 7 ' p , } ie Ly “ § Gy r.i* és ev: - " Se g oe : . / i . . : | Ci hea nly + P ety 5 aUJO ‘eT2eIDOJOHTMAO Hf =< fpr ‘* i ~ i Metis sales hae iS yet TAM sath WAL S © us Aad WIRWT ty oly : A Pe Ie , ae) he yd betiba +n GUALIASY .L KHOL — ‘ | Ss +S ir Ke », ' y i | i f ' i re . es : + | .¥ Bio ie A ' : ae ¥" a be . “ee a Cieunel aS SNe sd? Sate, 1966 I Vol. 86 BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 86 $2 NAT. Hy) iWAd ' 19 Number | \ . PURCHASER So RS, Published: 5th January 1966 ee y Le a a ral The six hundred and thirtieth meeting of the Club was held at the Rubens Hotel, London, on the 21st December, 1965. Chairman: MR. R. S. R. FITTER Members present: 22; guests, 8 Mr. M. D. England spoke on a visit he and others paid to an area of eastern Portugal, illustrating his talk with many superb coloured slides showing the country and some of the birds, those of Otis tarda the Great Bustard at the nest and a family of Monticola solitarius, the Blue Rock Thrush being of particular excellence. Note on Chapin’s Swift by A. PRIGOGINE Received 22nd August, 1965 Since the description in 1957 of Apus myoptilus chapini Prig., its dis- tribution area in the eastern part of the République démocratique du Congo (fig. 1) has been delimited rather exactly by intensive collecting and some personal observations. This swift exists not only at low altitudes under 1,000 m, as in the neighbourhood of Kamituga and Kitutu (Kivu), but it also lives in the mountains north-west of Lake Tanganyika up to an altitude of 2,000 m. In the north, A. m. chapini has been found in the transition forest of Mount Nyombe, but I should not be surprised if further collecting showed its presence also in the region west of Lake Kivu. In the south, chapini reaches Mount Kabobo where it was caught even at the altitude of 2,450 In the Maniema I have identified Chapin’s swift in different localities, especially in July. As one specimen has been collected at Kama, the presence of this swift in the Maniema is established with certitude. The same swift exists also in Angola, at Mount Moco, where Rudyerd Bulton collected a specimen on 27th February, 1931. Traylor found that it belongs to the subspecies chapini, Without any doubt, this population Vol. 86 Bulletin B.O.C. ili i ( Me Fig. 1. Distribution of Apus myoptilus chapini in the eastern part of the République démocratique du Congo. is different from the one of the Kivu-Maniema area, Chapin’s swift being unknown from the intermediate country. . In Kamituga this bird normally appears about the middle of June, as in 1954, 1956, 1958 and 1964 and even on 30th May, as in 1957 and 1960. From July to September chapini may often be seen over the locality of Kamituga. But in October, it becomes rare and I noticed its presence only on the 7th (1956), on the 18th (1957) and on the 26th (1957). Then, in November and December, it is absent from Kamituga. In January it is still rare and only two specimens have been collected on the 8th in 1958. It also made a short appearance on the 21st (1962). Mi In February Chapin’s swift was noticed again rather often over Kami- tuga, but not in great number. In March it becomes rare and I never saw it myself over Kamituga, though two specimens have been shot on the 7th (1958) and one on the 25th (1953), but on 26th March, 1957 I ob- served it at Bilembo, quite near Kamituga. In April I only saw it once over Kamituga (on the 27th, 1963) and during the whole month of May it is not generally in this locality. | | In other places, in the Kivu area, Chapin’s swift has been found from February to May and from July to November, ai Ma, , Bulletin B.O.C. 3 Vol. 86 300 Volume in mm3 200 100 mete Yo sits ar . band : o ** a Pie MoodldjnMeloedat nal Anne 2-oNwL BD Fig. 2. Volume of the testes (upper value gives maximum, lower value indicates the mean and the number of specimens examined; females with enlarged oocytes collected during months shaded). If one considers the entire region explored, it appears that chapini is present the whole year round except perhaps in December. But even if I was not able to find it during this month, it is not certain that it leaves this region only for such a short time and I feel we can admit that it is present during the whole year. Anyway, it is established that it has local migra- tory movements, In October-November particularly, it seems to go south Vol. 86 4 Bulletin’ B.O.C. and, in fact, the only specimens collected during those months came from Tubangwa (October) and Mubandakila (November), in the southern part of the Itombwe highlands, and even from Mount Kabobo (November) where it was very numerous. During certain periods of the year A. m. chapini joins in large flocks. It is possible to see hundreds flying over Kamituga from July to September which are months without heavy rains. Sometimes these birds fly very low in open places and a great part of my specimens were caught in my garden with a very thin silk net stretched between two bamboo stems, at about 6-8 m. from the ground. On 29th July, 1962 near Kitutu I even met thousands between 12 and 1 p.m. It was very sunny and the birds close to the ground. By fixing a mist-net between two stems of Pennisetum several specimens were collected I have also been told that at the end of July and in the beginning of August, these swifts are so numerous and they fly so low in certain places near Kitutu that children are able to catch them simply by striking them with a stick. That is the way all my specimens from Bionga were caught. From June to September, during the months with little rainfall, chapini appears very often between 1 and 2 p.m. over Kamituga, very numerous and flying very low. I also noticed them several times from 8.30 to 11 a.m. At that time they are generally flying higher up and they are not numerous. Sometimes, but rather seldom, this bird appears over Kamituga in the afternoon, about 4 p.m. and later. From April to August, Chapin’s swift forms generally homogenous flocks without other swifts; it is possible that sometimes A. barbatus roehli Reichenow joins these groups and starting in September A. apus apus (Linné) forms mixed parties with A. m. chapini. On Mount Kabobo Chapin’s swift was shot among a flock formed principally of A. apus apus: on Mount Nyombe, at Butokolo, A. schoutedeni Prig. also joins groups of chapini. At first I thought that the gatherings of Chapin’s swift were in relation to its breeding activity, but it does not seem to be the case, because there are two distinct seasons for egg-laying. During the first breeding season, centred on February, it is rather infrequent to see large assemblies, but during the second period, from July to September, this swift is very numerous. Now I suppose that these gatherings are in connection with food supply, especially with the abundance of insects in certain regions and during certain periods of the year. It is the same for the hours at which the swifts appear: their flying altitude is also related to the pre- sence of certain insects. The reproduction of A. m. chapini takes place in February—March and from July to September. Two females with oocytes of 5-6 mm. diameter have been collected in February and September: another female shot in September even had an oocyte of 10 mm. Three females also collected in February and September had enlarged oocytes. The volume of the testes (fig. 2) shows two pronounced peaks. From April to July sexual activity ceases. For the period of October to January I have only four specimens: the gonads of two birds have not been examined and the two females collected in January had gonads at rest, but their tail is in heavy moult. It is difficult to say if reproduction ceases during these months, but for other Apodidae like Apus affinis, Apus caffer and Apus horus there is : : Bulletin B.O.C. 5 Vol. 86 definitely only one breeding season (see Moreau and Benson). It is neces- sary to examine the gonads of further specimens collected between Octo- ber and January to have a true picture of the breeding of A. m. chapini. Recently A. De Roo has studied the moult of A. m. chapini. His con- clusions will be published in detail elsewhere. For some specimens the moult starts in the beginning of February (A. De Roo, in /itt.). Yet for other birds it begins only in the latter part of April. The moult finishes, for the first specimens, perhaps in the beginning of June, but the first swift in fresh plumage was taken on 8th July. For the others the moult may continue until the middle of August, the last specimen which had not completed its moult having been caught on 2nd August. References : Benson, C. W., 1963. The Breeding Seasons of Birds in the Rhodesias and Nyasaland, Proceed. XIIIth Intern. Ornith. Congress, 634. Chapin, J. P., 1939. The Birds of the Belgian Congo, vol. 2, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., 75: 455. Lack, D., 1956. The species of Apus, Jbis, 98: 43-45. Moreau, R. E., 1950. The Breeding Seasons of African Birds—1. Land Birds, Jbis, 92: 223-267. ey Pagan Trois nouveaux Oiseaux de |’Est du Congo Belge, Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr., 55: 39-41. — 1960. La faune ornithologique du Massif du Mont Kabobo, Ann. Mus. Congo. 8°, sc. ZOOl., 85: 27, — 1960. Un nouveau Martinet du Congo, Rev. Zool. Afr., 62: 103-104. Schouteden, H., 1954. Faune du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi, III, Oiseaux non Passereaux, Ann. Mus. Congo, 8°, Sc. Zool., vol. 29: 366. Traylor, M. A., 1960. Notes on the birds of Angola, Museu Dundo Publ. Cultur., No. ore Tat. — 1963. Check-list of Angolan birds, Museu Dundo Publ. Cultur., No. 61: 88. Hybrids of Thraupis palmarum and Thraupis virens by F. HAVERSCHMIDT Received 17th August, 1965 On 20th October, 1963 I collected in the forest near Phedra (Surinam- river) Surinam, out of a treetop, a bird which was at first sight inter- mediate between Thraupis palmarum and Thraupis virens. In general coloration it is olive green as in 7. palmarum, but the wing- coverts are pale blue as in virens and on the crown and on its upper and under parts there are bluish feathers among the green ones. It is a male in non-breeding condition and is now preserved under my field number 6316 in the Leiden Museum. Dr. G. F. Mees, curator of birds of that institution, confirmed my identification of the bird as a hybrid and he informed me that there were more intermediate specimens in the Leiden Museum where, in June, 1965, I had the opportunity of examining the series of 7. palmarum and T. virens. The small series of 27 specimens of pa/marum from different parts of its range contained no less than 10 (including my specimen from Phedra) which are more or less intermediate, but the series of virens contained none. The intermediate birds which must be considered hybrids are: three unsexed specimens from Costa Rica without further data and bought from Schliiter (two of them marked 5652 and the other unmarked) show Vol. 86 6 Bulletin B.O.C. a distinct bluish gloss on the wing-coverts and on the back. Inthe unmarked specimen there is a clear demarcation line between the green crown and the bluish tinge on the back. Two unsexed specimens from Ecuador without further data and also bought from Schliiter (both of them marked 5652) have a distinct bluish on the crown and on the back. A male collected on 18th October, 1883 at 2,000 feet on Mount Roraima, British Guiana (no. 3713) by W. L. S. Laat has a bluish back, breast and abdomen. Here too is a striking difference between the green crown and the bluish of the back. A male in breeding condition collected on 8th October, 1911 at Parama- ribo, Surinam by W. C. van Heurn (no. 2326) has a distinct bluish on the back and, though to a lesser extent, on the wing-coverts; there is also a marked difference between the green crown and the bluish on the back. A male from Bahia with no further data which died in the Zoo at Rotterdam and received at Leiden in November 1923 (no. 5274) has the head pale bluish-grey as in virens and a bluish tinge on the wing-coverts. The most striking of all, however, is a male imported from an unknown locality which died in the Zoo at Rotterdam, which was received at Leiden in February 1924 (no. 5308). It has the bluish-grey head of T. virens and on the upper and under parts including the rump it is partly pale blue and partly olive green. It is indeed so striking as to be almost unbelievable that this specimen was not detected before as a hybrid. In Surinam both T. virens and T. palmarum are among the most nume- rous birds and they are very often feeding in mixed companies. André Suchetet does not mention in his Des hybrides sauvages. Vol. I 1896 any hybrids of these two species. A. P. Gray lists in her Bird Hybrids 1958: 244, though this work is rather incomplete where wild birds are concerned, two hybrids of T. episcopus (= T. virens) and T. ornata which were reared in confinement. Racial variation in the southern populations of Caprimulgus rufigena Smith by P. A. CLANCEY Received 7th September, 1965 Bowen (1930) was the first worker to propose the subdivision of the southern block of populations currently grouped in the nominotypical race of C. rufigena Smith, 1845: eastern Cape Province, South Africa, by proposing C. r. quanzae Bowen, 1930: Vila General Machado, Bie- Cuando Cubango, Angola. Bowen’s Angolan race has not been generally accepted by workers (see in particular Chapin (1939) and Traylor (1960)), but the name has in recent years again come into some prominence through its use by Grant and Mackworth-Praed (1954; 1962) for the populations of northern South-West Africa and Angola. During the course of a recent study of southern African nightjars, I had cause to examine fairly adequate material of C. rufigena from most of its established range in zoogeographical South Africa, the material used being drawn from the collections of the Durban and South African Museums, and the National Museum of Rhodesia, Bulawayo. Critical Bulletin B.O.C. 7 Vol. 86 study of the assembled material shows that the populations which breed in South-West Africa, the northern Cape in Gordonia, Kuruman and Bechuanaland districts, and western Bechuanaland Protectorate and the Kalahari, can be arranged in a satisfactory race, as outlined by Grant and Mackworth-Praed, on the basis of lighter and greyer upper parts, with much reduced black and sepia scapular patches and a more laterally con- stricted coronal streak. The hind-neck band inclines more to tawny than ochraceous, and the ear-coverts are also rustier, less brown. There also appears to be a fairly convincing size difference, though more measure- ments of adult birds from South-West Africa and Bechuanaland are needed before this can be satisfactorily settled, the wings of 2 measuring 153 -161, as against 160-173 mm. in a long series from the Cape, Transvaal and Rhodesia. Three adult $¢ from South-West Africa have tails 117, 117.5 and 119, while 10 gg from Cape and Transvaal localities have tails of 119, 120, 121, 122, 124, 127, 127.5, 129, 132, 138 mm. For the pale, greyish backed, deserticolous populations of C. rufigena, Grant and Mackworth-Praed use C. r. quanzae, named on a population of a high rainfall-area of Angola. I have seen no material from Angola, but a good series from Zambia shows no marked difference in colour or size to C. r. rufigena, as understood on the basis of topotypical Cape material, and I believe both Chapin and Traylor to be correct in their assumption that C. r. guanzae is a synonym of C. r. rufigena. Grant and Mackworth-Praed, however, overlooked the earlier and quite unequi- vocal name Caprimulgus damarensis Strickland, 1852: Damaraland (vide Strickland, in Jardine’s Contr. Ornith., 1852, p. 123), which is available for the pale, greyish dorsalled South-West African, northern Cape and western and south-western Bechuanaland Protectorate populations; also presumably (fide Grant and Mackworth-Praed) those of south-western and southern Angola. The paler coloration and reduction in size of the dark coronal and scapular striae in C. r. damarensis is evidently an adaptation in sympathy with the lighter substrate of the arid biomes inhabited by this taxon during the period of its nidification (c. October—March). C. r. rufigena is a form of the moist east of southern Africa and areas to the northward, with a darker substrate, its range in the south thrusting south-westwards into the Karoo of the Cape. Both C. r. rufigena and C. r. damarensis are highly migratory, spending the southern winter months further north in Africa, C. r. rufigena at least reaching Nigeria, the Cameroons and the Sudan, but the apparent trends towards shorter wing and tail-lengths in C. r. damarensis presuppose that the two taxa are allohiemal. For the loan of material I am indebted to Professor J. M. Winterbottom, Director of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Rondebosch, and Mr. M. P. Stuart Irwin, Keeper of Vertebrates, National Museum of Rhodesia, Bulawayo. References : Bowen, W. W., 1930. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. LXXXII, pp. 1, 2. _ Chapin, J. P., 1939. Birds Belgian Congo, part 2, p. 423 (footnote). Grant, C. Hn B., and Mackworth-Praed, C. W., 1954. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, vol. LX XIV, 3, p._34.. teh ha C. W., and Grant, C. H. B., 1962. Birds Southern Third Africa, vol. PR. 522. - ¥ S23 Traylor, M. A., 1960. Pub. Cult. Comp. Diam. Angola, Lisboa, No. 51, p. 154. Vol. 86 8 Bulletin B.O.C. Remarks on two European Wigeon x Northern Pintail hybrids by JAMES M. HARRISON AND JEFFREY G. HARRISON Received Ist June, 1965 Introduction: The loan of two hybrid specimens between the European Wigeon, Anas penelope Linnaeus and the Northern Pintail, Anas acuta Linnaeus, the one of known parentage and the other a wild-shot bird, has provided us with an opportunity to make a direct comparison the one with the other and so assess the characters shown by each. It has also enabled us to form an opinion as to the parentage of the wild-shot example. Unfortunately the direction of the cross of the bird of known parentage was not recorded, but both the specimens are so very similar that there can be no doubt, in our opinion, that the wild-shot bird is of identical parent- age. This latter specimen (Hancock Museum collections) from its remarkable face pattern could easily have been thought to be a hybrid involving the American Wigeon, Anas americana Gmelin, but comparison with the ex- ample of known parentage shows that this is not so. Description of specimens: 1. Anas penelope x Anas acuta 3 Bred 1909 by Sir Richard Graham Bt., Ring No. 1909 R.G. Shot 3 xii. 1913, Netherby, Cumberland. Carlisle Museum col- lection, No. 1—1914. UPPER PARTS: Back adjacent to neck and mantle: grey and white vermiculations, slightly coarser than in either of the parent species. Lower back and rump: plumbeous-grey with darker centres to feathers, less pure grey than either parent. Upper tail-coverts: proximal part whitish-grey, some with pale brownish crescents; distal coverts black with inner edges brownish-white as in Pin- tail; central pair elongated, in length intermediate between those of parent species. Rectrices: as in drake Pintail. UNDER PARTS: Breast-shield: pale vinaceous as in drake Wigeon, rest of breast silvery- white. Belly and vent: silvery-white, very finely vermiculated with grey. Whole of under parts show some retained eclipse plumage. Under tail-coverts: mostly black, some outer feathers with white edges as in Pintail; a few brown and white retained eclipse feathers. Rectrices: very pale sepia. Flanks: vermiculated grey and white, slightly coarser than in Pintail. At root of tail whitish, faintly vermiculated grey. WING: Upper surface: lesser and median wing-coverts uniform grey, greater some- what paler, with tips of ultimate series anteriorly pale grey and posteriorly Vandyke Brown (Ridgway, III. 5). Bulletin B.O.C. 9 Vol. 86 Speculum: bronze-green, intermediate between parent species, sub-terminal border black, terminal edge palest bay. Scapulars: upper scapulars as mantle, but with dark centres. Median as mantle, upper series only with black on outer vanes to produce vestigial black patch, where in drake Pintail, prominent black flashes. Longest scapulars sepia, on outer vanes pale grey. Feather shafts and narrow adjacent area pale grey. Primaries: sepia, darker at tips and on outer vanes. UNDER SURFACE: Coverts and foredge of wing: pale sepia finely vermiculated whitish; long coverts uniform pale grey. Axillaries: white, distal half finely peppered pale sepia. Primaries and secondaries: pale sepia. HEAD AND NECK: Forehead and crown: rusty-brown, merging over rest of head to nape dark coppery-brown, streaked with dark sepia. Nape: dark metallic coppery reflections. Back of neck: dark metallic green. Lores to sides of neck: Clay colour (Ridgway, V.8), divided by vertical ‘*bridle’’ running obliquely behind eyes, of dull greenish-black spots. Rest of cheeks surrounding eyes, blackish reflecting dull copper, most pronounced over ear-coverts and on sides adjacent to nape. Chin, throat and front of neck: black reflecting dull green. Wigeon x Pintail Wigeon x Pintail (Left) the wild-shot bird. (Right) the wild-shot bird Vol. 86 10 Bulletin B.O.C. 2. Anas penelope x Anas acuta 3 Ist February 1948. Mouth of river Esk, Solway Firth. This specimen being wild-shot is of unknown parentage and age: it is in full adult winter plumage. Its characters are so similar to the previous specimen that a detailed regional description is therefore unnecessary, and only the individual differences will be stressed. Generally the bird is somewhat brighter both above and below, and the characteristic Pintail scapular markings are more accentuated. There is a difference in the rump character for the feathers are finely vermiculated grey and buffy-white, and there are also some retained eclipse feathers. On the flanks at the root of the tail this area is more distinct and palest buff. Measurements in mm. Carlisle Museum Hancock Museum specimen specimen 9.1. 1914. Irwin Coll. Wing: — a == 69 Bill: Length from feather margin = 40 =A Width at nostrils =n bf == 18 Width at widest point =e =e Tarsus: = 33 = 46:5 Middle toe with claw: = 53 = 6! Tail: a= $16 ==.145 Discussion: These two hybrids are broadly intermediate between the two parent species, except in so far as the characters of the head and neck are con- cerned. This is manifest in the European Wigeon breast and flank characters and in the modified Pintail upper parts. The characters of the head and neck show varying degrees of bimacu- lation, as shown by hybrids of European Wigeon x Northern Shoveler, (Harrison, 1964). It is of considerable interest that superficially the colour of the cheeks, crown and sides of neck, and the distribution of the metallic reflections bear a remarkable resemblance to the American Wigeon thus providing yet another instance of reversionary characters resembling another species being exposed by interspecific hybridisation. However, were the latter species involved in the two present examples, one would have expected the strong vinaceous breast colour of A. ameri- cana, which is also the colour of the flanks in that species, to have appeared in the flanks of the hybrid individuals. Also the metallic reflections behind the eyes in the American Wigeon are predominantly green, whereas the two hybrids reflect either green or copper according to the angle of light incidence. C. J. O. Harrison (1963) in an extensive review of the post-ocular green stripe as a plumage character of the Anatinae, and its occurrence in a number of hybrid individuals, describes the presence of the character in the American Wigeon as a narrow ill-defined stripe mixed with black feathers, and also refers to the vestigial presence of the character in drakes of the European Wigeon. The widespread presence of this in so many of the Anatinae as shown Bulletin B.O.C. |)! Vol. 86 by Harrison (/oc. cit.), no doubt accounts for the green head reflections of the two hybrids herein described. Summary: Two hybrids between the European Wigeon and the Northern Pintail are described, one being of known parentage. While they are predomi- nantly intermediate, the head and neck pattern shows a basic bimaculated state, and a post-ocular coppery-green stripe, which is considered to be reversionary towards the American Wigeon. Acknowledgments: We are very grateful to T. Tynan, of the Hancock Museum and R. W. Wagstaffe, of the City of Liverpool Museums for the loan of the wild- shot hybrid from the former museum. For the loan of the Netherby hybrid, we are indebted to E. Blezard, of the Carlisle Museum, and also to his assistant, A. Allison, who relaxed the bird from its original mounted state into a study skin on our behalf. We are also most grateful to Dr. Pamela Harrison for the photographs illustrating this paper. Footnote: Since writing this paper we have been presented with a further drake and two intersexes of this hybrid by Mrs V. M. Burnett, who reared all three from the same clutch three years ago. The drake shows the same basic features 2s the two specimens just described and is of known parentage, Pintail J x Wigeon 9. References: ~ Harrison, James M., 1964 Further comments on hybridisation between the European Wigeon and Northern Shoveler. Bul/. B.O.C., 84: 30-39. Harrison, C. J. O. 1963 The post-ocular green stripe as a plumage character of the Anatinae Bull. B.O.C. 83: 15-20. Ridgway, Robert 1886 Nomenclature of Colors. Boston. A case of symmetrical albinism in a Skylark by JAMES M. HARRISON Received 2nd June, 1965 It is well known that albinism in birds can take one of several forms; that it may be minimal affecting only a few feathers; in fact it may amount from much to little, or be almost total except for a few normal feathers peculiar to the species affected. The unfeathered parts may also share in this pied state though the irides in such individuals are of normal colour, providing a ready distinction between albinism and the true and patho- logical albino. As a rule such cases of the pied state exhibit an irregular distribution of the white areas, which may often be well described as a haphazard mosaic. However, cases are met with periodically in which whiteness has a curious and almost perfect symmetrical distribution. Such a condition in a Skylark, A/auda arvensis arvensis Linnaeus is herein described, and as can be seen from the plate, the specimen exhibits a remarkable degree of symmetry. The bird, in which the sex was unascertainable was obtained at Cley, Norfolk, on Ist February, 1965. The symmetrical nature of this indi- vidual is indeed remarkable; it is in fact almost numerically symmetrical, there being a difference in numbers of but one in the long remiges, viz., seven white feathers in the right wing as against six in the left. Vol. 86 12 Bulletin B.O.C. Photo by Pamela Harrison Symetrical albinism in a Skylark The interesting problems of symmetrical albinism in birds has been somewhat neglected, as indeed have most abnormal plumages, until in comparatively recent times, and even now no explanations cf such sym- metrical cases have been offered. Naturally enough explanations of this condition must, in the present state of our knowledge, be speculative, though a number may be accounted for by a heterozygous state, i.e. they are genetic in origin and are therefore hereditary in nature, and occur irregularly in the species affected. As has recently been shown by different authors, there are various causes for the albinistic state, amongst which may be mentioned trauma (Nero, 1954). Jeffery G. Harrison (1953) describes symmetrical albinism in the wings of four different species as follows, Goosander, Mergus mer- ganser merganser Linnaeus, Golden Plover, Charadrius apricarius Lin- naeus, Rook, Corvus frugilegus frugilegus Linnaeus and Curlew, Numenius arquata arquata (Linnaeus); the last case would appear to have been leucistic as the wings were described as isabelline. In this paper it is postulated that there is some physiological defect in Bulletin B.O.C. 13 Vol. 86 which the precursors of pigment have failed or that the white of the albescent plumage is due to an absence of pigment within the feather, and that there may be some abnormality in the wings that is preventing the total or partial elaboration of the pigment, either directly from the blood stream or by means of oxidising agents, absorbed from the ex- terior to act on colourless pre-pigments. Recently, Rollin (1964) has written at length on non-hereditary and hereditary abnormal plumages, invoking dietary deficiency as responsible for much of the albinism seen in wild birds. He has also (/oc. cit.) given some differences by which to separate hereditary from non-hereditary albescence, claiming that in hereditary albescence the white feathers show the presence of some pigment. To establish this as a universal principle beyond dispute is going to require some very intensive study over an im- mense amount of material since albescence is specifically a very wide- spread condition. It must yet await proof that symmetrical plumage anomalies can be occasioned by non-genetic factors spontaneously, and in the writer’s view it is unlikely to be established. Of course the condition could possibly be induced by selective plucking, or by some other traumatising process. We have very clear proof of genetic origin in at least two species. The first of these is of course the case of the chicks of the melanistic mutant pheasant, Phasianus colchicus var. *‘tenebrosus’’ Hachisuka (1927). In this mutation the downy young exhibit symmetrical albinism of the extremities of the wings, a state which is continued in the first definitive primaries but not into adult life. These latter feathers show some pig- mentation, supporting Rollin’s hypothesis (/oc. cit.). They also com- monly exhibit albinism of the head and anterior part of the neck, and some show white eye stripes or white post-ocular stripes which do not always conform symmetrically. Also the abdomen is commonly albescent. The second species (and no doubt there are others) to show symmetrical albinism of the wing-tips is the Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius curonicus Gmelin, in which it is to be seen in the downy plumage only; i.e. as a normal character. This condition of albinism, etc., of the wing-tips could conveniently be referred to as ‘‘acro-albinism’’—leucism, etc., and can be seen in other- wise normally plumaged pheasants, i.e. non-melanistic Phasianus col- chicus L. It is evident that there are some definite fixed and constant loci for albinism in birds, a fact not without significance. (Harrison, J. M., and Harrison, J. G., 1961). While, of course, in the present state of our knowledge there can be no proof, it is in my opinion, a reasonable assumption that pattern, whether it be expressed in distributions of varying degrees and shades of pigment- ation, or by the symmetrical distributions of contrasting areas of pig- mentation and lack of pigmentation, is of genetic origin. This is, of course, the same thing as saying that symmetrical albinism is hereditary. Instances of patterns due to contrast in colour and lack of colour, in the normal morphology of different species readily occur to mind, and often represent important signal characters. If the above assumption in these cases is correct, then it is clear that the white feathers in some cases of hereditary albinism do not always show some pigmentation as a criterion of their hereditary nature. Vol. 86 14 Bulletin B.O.C. _ That albinism is of importance in evolution would seem very unlikely, at any rate to any extent, but that it may reflect reversion is, in the writer’s opinion, highly probable. The whole question as to whether self-color- ation, as white, black or one of the neutral tints preceded pattern in evolution, is a matter of interest. It is certain that by melanism occult patterning is often completely masked, just in exactly the same way that in some cases of depigmentation, i.e. leucism, a ghost pattern of the normal markings of the species can often be discerned. The frequency with which such instances occur over a very wide range of species both in vertebrate and invertebrate forms in Nature suggests that the whole phenomenon is to be regarded as basic and fundamental. The hypothesis advanced by Harrison (1953., Joc. cit.) of an inter- ference with the normal course of the bio-chemical colour development within the feathers, is, of course, basically one of an alteration of funda- mental physiology, and this could well depend upon nuclear genetics and support the hereditary nature of cases of symmetrical albinism. Undoubtedly part of the fundamental aspect in the deposition of areas of pigmentation, or equally of lack of pigmentation has been the establish- ment during the long course of evolution of tracts receptive or resistant to the phenomenon of pigment deposition. Bonhdte (1905) called these tracts ‘*poecilomeres’’. A recent instance of such a case where albinism has occurred in a tract reproducing a specific unit character, or signal character, peculiar to another species in the same genus as the species in which it has occurred, is recorded by Woodward (1961). In this instance the subject of the albinism is a male Blackbird, Turdus merula merula Linnaeus, in which the prominent white crescent on the front of the breast recalls the characteristic specific unit character of the Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus Linnaeus. . It is in just such cases that phylogenetic affinities are reflected, and once again stresses the essential difference between symmetrical albinism as a hereditary manifestation, as distinct from the haphazard albinism of traumatic or dietary. or other non-genetic origin, which borders on the pathological. The case recorded by Woodward (/oc. cit.) also exhibited bilateral post- ocular white stripes; pale eye stripes are a character shown by various other members of the genus Turdus. It is, of course, also possible that depigmentation induced by a con- trolled artificial diet, or a combination of an unnatural and a percentage of natural factors, as described by Rollin (1959) could possibly operate along tracts which are pigmented under normal living conditions and so give rise to a degree of symmetrical albinism, but it is however, one would think, most unlikely that every case of this condition would be due to such a dietary deficiency acting in just this manner. From the evolutionary aspect it would seem therefore that such factors, when occasioning symmetrical albinism and other plumage phenomena in birds, and also mammals, act as markers by exposing occult specific unit characters in some cases where they are least expected, or in others giving rise to bold symmetrical patterns as in the present instance. The case of Woodward’s Blackbird (1961), quoted:above, provides an instance of the exposure of susceptible specific unit character tracts by apparently extrinsic and non-genetic influences, and illustrates well the Bulletin B.O.C. 15 Vol. 86 fact, already noted, that melanism often masks potential patterns until these are disclosed by some disruptive biological process resulting in a striking discontinuous variation. (c.f. Harrison, J. M., 1953, Effects of Hybridisation). Indeed just such an instance in a common mammal was recorded by David L. Harrison (1962). The case described occurred in a dog Fox Vulpes vulpes crucigera Bechstein which was killed on 13th December, 1961, near Brasted in Kent. This individual exhibited symmetrical albi- nism of both hind extremities, a similar white pattern of the hind feet occurs frequently in the V. v. pusilla Blyth with a range in N. W. India, Baluchistan and Persia to Iraq. Summary: A case of symmetrical albinism in a Skylark is described, and is dis- cussed in the light of some recent research into albinism and allied prob- lems in birds. It is suggested that symmetrical albinism, etc. of the wing- tips be referred to as acro-albinism, etc. Acknowledgments: My thanks are due to Dr. Jeffery G. Harrison who was instrumental in getting the specimen for me, and also for helpful comments on this note. I am also much indebted to Dr. Pamela Harrison for the photographs of the specimen. References : Nero, R. W., 1954. Plumage aberrations of the Redwing (Agelaus phoeniceus). The Auk, 71: 137-155. Harrison, Jeffery G., 1953. Symmetrical albinism in birds’ wings. Bull. B.O.C. 73: 105- 106 Rollin, N., 1964. Abnormal Plumage. Bird Research. Harrison, J. M., and Harrison, J. G., 1961. Albinistic patterning in the Mallard, Mus- covy, Mandarin and Salvadori’s Ducks. Bull. B.O.C. 81: 168-172. Hachisuka, M., 1927. Phasianus colchicus MUT. ‘‘ tenebrosus’’. Bull. B.O.C. 47: 51. Bonhdte, J. L., 1905. On the Hybridising of Ducks. Proc. IV. Intern. Orn. Congr. London 235-264. Woodward, I. D., 1961. Pied Blackbird with symmetrical markings. Bull. B.O.C. 81 : 20. Rollin, N., 1959. White Plumage in Blackbirds. Bull. B.O.C. 79: 92-96. Harrison, D. L., 1962. An Unusual Mutant Fox. The Naturalist. July-September. 113-114. Harrison, James M., 1953. On the Significance of Variations of Pattern in Birds. Bull. B.O.C. 73: 37-40. The taxonomic affinites of the New Guinea genera Paramythia and Oreocharis by C. J. O. HARRISON and S. A. PARKER Received 8th October, 1965 SUMMARY — Paramythia and Oreocharis are currently regarded as aberrant genera of Dicaeidae. They have been compared only with the Sturnidae and Sylvi- idae. Paramythia resembles a bulbul, Pycnonotidae, and the two genera were therefore compared with those of the latter family and the Dicaeidae. Filoplumes, rictal bristles, tarsal scutes and nostril shape, were found to be shared characters which did not indicate relationship. The general appearance, plumage pattern and colour, bill shape, tongue, stomach, and Vol. 86 16 Bulletin B.O.C. type of nest, appeared to indicate a link with the Pycnonotidae. The only apparent link with the Dicaedae lay in the vestigial tenth primary of Para- mythia, Oreocharis, and most species of Dicaeum. Studies on other groups have shown that this may be an adaptive feature and not an indication of relationship. On the present evidence it is considered better to regard Paramythia and Oreocharis as genera of the family Pycnonotidae. INTRODUCTION When examining skins of the monotypic New Guinea species, Para- mythia montium, S. A. Parker noticed the strong resemblance of this species to the bulbuls, Pycnonotidae and subsequently initiated this study. The species had been assigned to the flowerpeckers, Dicaeidae, by Mayr (1933) who had compared its characters with those of other families with which a relationship had been suggested, namely the Sturnidae and Sylvi- idae, but not with other taxa outside New Guinea. One species of Pycnono- tidae, Hypsipetes affinis, occurs in the Moluccas, but otherwise the bulbuls come no nearer than Indonesia, Borneo, and the Philippines. There are four aberrant genera in New Guinea, Paramythia, Oreocharis, Rhamphocharis, and Melanocharis, which are usually placed with the Dicaeidae, and in the present paper the hypothesis of a possible relation- ship of the first two of these to the Pycnonotidae is examined. These two monotypic genera contain the related species Paramythia montium and Oreocharis arfaki. Any conclusions concerning these two may affect the ultimate placing of Pardalotus, and there are some doubts concerning Rhamphocharis and Melanocharis. For the purposes of comparison in this paper it has therefore been necessary to limit the Dicaeidae to the typical genera of Prionochilus and Dicaeum; and in this context the term ‘‘Dic- aeidae’’ will refer only to these two. |. GENERAL APPEARANCE. The Pycnonotidae are small to medium-sized birds, with rather long, soft fluffy plumage; and the sexes usually alike. The tail is long to medium; forked, square-tipped, or graduated. The Dicaeidae are very small birds with not unduly long or soft plumage, sexes alike or different and the tail short. Both Paramythia and Oreocharis have soft downy plumage, a fact re- marked on by Mayr (1933). Paramythia is medium-sized with a long graduated tail. Oreocharis is small, with a shorter tail, longer than the largest Dicaeidae species, and nearer the size of Pycnonotus squamatus, with a tail-length comparable with the latter. The sexes are similar in Paramythia, dissimilar in Oreocharis. 2. FILOPLUMES The grouping of these two genera with the Dicaeidae was influenced by the presence in all of them of filoplumes. Since filoplumes are also present in the Pycnonotidae this is not necessarily diagnostic. The presence of numerous long wiry black filoplumes on the flanks in both Paramythia and Oreocharis is a peculiarity that links the two but does not provide a clue to their relationship with other genera. 3. PLUMAGE PATTERN AND COLOUR (a) Paramythia. The sexes are alike. The birds are green on mantle, wings and rump; dull blue on the under side, around the neck and upper mantle, Bulletin B.O.C. 17 Vol. 86 and on the tail; while the under tail-coverts and edges of the flanks are chrome yellow. There is a glossy blue-black shield on the throat and upper breast, and the same colour extends to the lores and forehead. The nape, hind-crown, and a stripe over the eye are white, forming a crescent on the posterior part of the head which is partly concealed by a broad crest of elongated blue-black feathers with rounded ends, arising on the crown in the region between the orbits and overlaying the short white nape feathers. In the young bird the green tint extends onto the neck and nape, the white being much reduced; and there is a green tint on the breast, the blue-black being confined to an ill-defined area of the throat. There are two species of Pycnonotidae with similar general colouring. Pycnonotus cyaniventris is green on mantle, wings, rump and tail, and is grey on the under side, neck and head, with yellow under tail-coverts. P. atriceps is green on the mantle, yellowish-green on wings, rump and tail; grey on the neck and under side; yellow on the under tail-coverts and edges of the flanks; and the head and neck are glossy purplish-black. In head-colouring Paramythia resembles P. sinensis which has a similar cres- centic white area from the eye back across the nape, partially hidden by the longer dark feathers of the crown. Short feathering on the nape and a crest formed by elongated feathers arising in the region between the orbits is typical of the Pycnonotidae. P. melanicterus, a yellow and green bulbul with a glossy blue-black head, has a crest of elongated feathers with rounded tips which is precisely similar to that of Paramythia. (b) Oreocharis.—Plumage relationships are less obvious in this species. The female is green dorsally, with a blue tail. There are a few vestigial yellow tips to tertials and inner secondaries. The sides of the head, throat and upper breast are grey, and there are pale tips to the ear-covert feathers. There is a zone of yellow bordering the grey breast shield and extending along the flanks to the yellow under tail-coverts, the belly being white. The yellow and white feathers have dark crescentic patterns which might be evidence of a relict pattern preceding the uniform colouring of any of these taxa (Harrison 1963a, 1963b). The bulbul P. tephrolaemus kikuyu- ensis is green dorsally and greenish-yellow ventrally with the entire head grey and a grey breast shield. It has a generalised resemblance to the female of Oreocharis, which is increased by such points as the pale throat and small pale markings on the ear-covert feathers. The small species P. squamatus has patterned feathers on the breast and flanks; and on the hind-flanks, where the earlier forms of markings tend to persist, there are black crescentic markings on pale feathers, comparable to the pattern found on Oreocharis; but on the breast these become black centres to pale- edged feathers. The male of Oreocharis bears a strong superficial resemblance to Parus major (Paridae). As in the female the mantle, wings and rump are green and the tail blue. There are conspicuous yellow tips on the outer webs of the inner secondaries and tertials. The head is mainly glossy black, and this extends on a small shield on the upper breast, and dorsally ceases at the mid-crown. The ear-coverts form a bright yellow patch, and the under side is yellow, with an irregular stain of chestnut-red on mid-breast and belly. The only bulbul with a similar pattern is P. /eucogenys, which is mainly brown and white with yellow under tail-coverts, but with a black head and breast shield and with ear-coverts forming a white patch. The Vol. 86 18 Bulletin B.O.C. light tips to some of the remiges occur also in Jxonotus guttatus, which has marked pale tips to inner secondaries and tertials, and also on rump and wing-coverts, but is otherwise drab above and white below. (c) Comments. From the above descriptions it is clear that, in spite of their apparent differences, the details of colour and pattern in the plumage of both Paramythia and Oreocharis are parallelled by similar components in the plumages of species of Pycnonotidae. There appear to be no similar parallels in the plumages of species of Dicaeidae. 4. TARSAL SCUTES The Dicaeidae have smooth tarsi without obvious evidence of scutes. Many species of Pycnonotidae have smooth tarsi, but some, e.g. P. sinensis and P. tephrolaemus, have a row of very faintly defined scutes on the anterior surface of the tarsus. The smooth tarsal condition of Paramythia and Oreocharis could be equally related to either family. 5. RICTAL BRISTLES. Large rictal bristles are present in many species of Pycnonotidae but thay may vary considerably. Those of P. cyaniventris are few and fine, and those of P. squamatus are very reduced in size and number, and in neither species are they very apparent. Groups of fine rictal bristles are also present in the Dicaeidae. Paramythia shows a few short fine rictal bristles that are not easy to detect, and Oreocharis appears to have none. 6. BILL SHAPE The bill of Paramythia tapers evenly towards the tip, with a slightly curved culmen. It is broad at the nostrils but laterally compressed towards the tip. The tip of the upper mandible projects slightly and there is a small tomial notch posterior to it. The bills of species of Pycnonotidae such as P. sinensis, P. atriceps and Ixonotus guttatus closely resemble that of Para- mythia in shape and have a similar notch posterior to the slightly pro- jecting tip of the upper mandible. The bill of Oreocharis is shorter and stouter, without an overhanging tip and with a poorly defined notch. It is more similar to the bills of P. finlaysoni and P. melanicterus. The bills of the Dicaeidae vary from relatively short, blunt and laterally flattened to narrow and decurved structures. They are not notched at the tip, and there appear to be no obvious correlations with those of Paramythia and Oreocharis. 7. NOSTRIL In the Dicaeidae the nostril is partially covered by an operculum, leaving a transverse slit-like aperture at the lower edge, partially concealed by the operculum. In most of the Pycnonotidae the nostril is also partially covered by an operculum, leaving a transverse narrow aperture at the lower edge, which is usually slightly broader than that of the Dicaeidae and not concealed by the flange-like operculum edge, although in some cases no aperture is visible. Both Paramythia and Oreocharis have nostrils partially covered by an operculum to leave a narrow transverse opening at the lower edge, the appearance being closer to that of the Pycnonotidae © than to the Dicaeidae. 8. TENTH PRIMARY In the Pycnonotidae the tenth primary varies in length from one half to one third of the length of the longest primary. In the Dicaeidae the Bulletin B.O.C. 19 Vol. 86 tenth primary in species of Prionochilus varies from one third to one quarter the length of the longest primary, while in Dicaeum it is usually vestigial. In both Paramythia and Oreocharis it is vestigial. 9. TONGUE The tongues of the Dicaeidae are tubular with Soniplen brush tips. The tongues of Pycnonotus species examined, P. barbatus and P. luteolus, were found to be relatively broad and tapering, narrowing to a tiny double tip formed by a slit-like median notch. The dorsal surface was smooth and the ventral surface had a slight groove towards the end, leading to the notch. The tongue of Paramythia, described and figured by Mayr and Amadon (1947), is also relatively broad and tapering with a small notch at the tip very similar to that found in the Pycnonotidae. The tongue of Oreocharis is unknown. 10. STOMACH — The gizzard of the Dicaeidae consists of a blind diverticulum leading off the proventricular-intestinal junction, and can be closed by a sphincter (Desselberger 1931). The gizzard of Paramythia is a typical ridged structure with two muscular pads (Mayr and Amadon 1947). The gizzard of Pycno- notus barbatus was examined and showed a similar ridged gizzard with two muscular pads. 11. NEST The nests of the Pycnonotidae are open cup-shaped structures. Those of the Dicaeidae are pendent, bag-shaped nests of woven and felted mat- erial, the top being partly covered and leaving an entrance to one side of the top of the nest. Paramythia makes a cup-shaped nest in the twigs of a thick bush (Rand 1942). Parker examined a nest at the American Museum of Natural History which had been collected at Mount Hagen for Dr. E. T. Gilliard (AMNH. 17284) and was presumed to be that of Oreocharis. It was a deep cup nest made mainly of moss and lined with hair, and had been built in a fork. | DISCUSSION : The evidence for relating Paramythia and Oreocharis to either the Pycnonotidae or the Dicaeidae may be summarised as follows. The in- formation on filoplumes, tarsal scutes and rictal bristles shows them to be indeterminate as indications of relationship, while nostril shape is in- determinate but with a slight suggestion of relationship with the Pycno- notidae. The general appearance, plumage pattern and colour, bill shape, type of nest, and in Paramythia tongue and stomach, all suggest that the two species may be directly linked with the Pycnonotidae. The specialised flank filoplumes link the two species without revealing further relation- ships. The only character that can be clearly set against these is the vestigial tenth primary present in both species and also in’the genus Dicaeum, but not in the Pycnonotidae. In view of this it is necessary to consider the implications of the reduction of this feather. It has been shown (Kipp 1942, 1955; Dorst 1962; Meinertzhagen 1951; Stegman 1962) that a long tenth primary is accociated with a relatively short rounded wing, and a short or vestigial tenth primary with a longer and harrower wing, the former wing shape being characteristic of sedentary. birds and the latter of species needing sustained or long-distance flight. Stegman (1962) had Vol. 86 20 Bulletin B.O.C. also shown that the long narrow wing usually evolved from a shorter rounded wing with the accompanying reduction in size of the tenth primary. A study of the warblers of the genus Acrocephalus (Parker and Harrison 1963) revealed that a shorter tenth primary and longer wing was character- istic of migratory species. It was also found that a short tenth primary combined with a shorter, more rounded wing occurred in species of Acro- cephalus on Pacific islands and it was concluded that these populations had been derived from invasions by longer-winged ancestral forms which under sedentary conditions had re-evolved a more rounded wing, but that the short tenth primary remained unchanged. A similar trend was found in larks of the genus Alauda (Harrison, in press). It could therefore be argued that while the relatively sedentary Pycnonotidae species showed the typical rounded wing and longer tenth primary, the presence of a vestigial tenth primary in New Guinea forms might indicate that they had been derived from an earlier invading long-winged form no longer extant, and that the loss of the tenth primary resulted from this phase. This would not invalidate other evidence of relationship nor necessarily imply considerable divergence. In the case of Acrocephalus all three wing-types occur in one genus. The vestigial tenth primary in Dicaeum might indicate a similar earlier phase or alternatively might be associated with a need for specialised or prolonged flight in these species. In view of the evidence now available, and in spite of the incompleteness of the available information regarding Paramythia and Oreocharis, it is very difficult to uphold the suggested relationship between these species and the Dicaeidae, or to deny the apparent affinities with the Pycnono- tidae. Some of the resemblances to the latter family might be accidental, due to the presence of generalised rather than specialised conditions in both taxa. The relatively simple tongue structure might be such an example. Even when this is taken into account it would be more satisfactory, on present evidence, to remove the two genera Paramythia and Oreocharis from the Dicaeidae, and to regard them as a part of the Pycnonotidae. They appear to constitute a specialised isolate group, having certain characters suggesting that they are more closely related to one another than to the other genera of Pycnonotidae. References : Desselberger, H., 1931. Der Verdauungskanal der Dicaieden nach Gestalt und Funk- tion. J. Orn. 79: 353-370. Dorst, J., 1962. The migration of birds. Heinemann: London. Harrison, C. J. O., 1693a. The post-ocular green stripe as a plumage character of the Anatinae. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 83: 15-20. — 1963b. The incidence and origin of spotted patterns in the Estrildidae. Jbis 105: 145- 155. — In press. The validity of some genera of larks, Alaudidae. Jbis. Kipp, F. A., 1942. Ueber Fliigelbau und Wanderzug der Végel. Biol. Zb/. 62: 189-299. — 1955. Zur Geschichte der Vogelzuges auf der Grundflage der Fliigelanpassengun. Vogelwarte 19: 233-242. Mayr, oe 1933. Zur systematischen Stellung von Paramythia De Vis. Orn. Monatsb. 61: 112-113. Mayr, E., and Amadon, D., 1947. A review of the Dicaeidae. Amer. Mus. Novit. 1360. Meinertzhagen, R., 1951. Review of the Alaudidae. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 121: 81-132. Parker, S. A., and Harrison, C. J. O., 1963. The validity of the genus Lusciniola Gray. Px omen neBull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 83: 65-69. AVS as Witte Die verkiimmerte distale Handswinge des Vogelfliigels, J, Orn, ae 39 250 UTA TAOD 3.0.4 oft Yo etedmoem of boiointen jon sie ehoiludintaoD : plooS S oT. .basilsa Y miol 2M tofibo erlt of beeestbba od 99 9c ‘blode earl ‘4 LW. .aobnoJt ape v‘insnoH .nabnot jo of DOR £ tiv t .bgenqe-siduob .roqaq 211) lo sbie smo no hoqy 4 pqe ban oitaniep ‘Sis od! sbenoltns: ka zorvoqe & ors Sete 8 ad yino beer smbn orn silt yitnowpredue .bobuioni od bivode ne ae 20isnIi ni boiaiig $18 2oman 2insio2 zuieyg oft Io tottsi ol? Das novig 9 Jd hin ola asgnensionh i qs elt ni bonifiebay a: . ORY Oe) 2 Sid 2 gn I ilacis i Ge heh yt ip nts nbovic: Moma ion pTq oman ol) yelqab bas obi ey m eid oteoibni birore OIqGS 26 . ba TRO. Om Ae Won ation Yd bowollol xs? ed bluonle aris sri? to noldate pili teri? odd anolsqina par” “noiswelisteiCt" _¥ pouqit 20G4"* 710 eri ST BY lve rorkt Doe “‘beninnexo ipigisM /9qyT 10 eth Ne : Ree ia F " 5 eognaio off .yaisb IsoddiiWebomiulstigd tanm oor “Yo noijorszib sit TA—Sac Hewpo” nad? Yelio pets silt a ie smorioongd jo-tedsa rr sidgsozne: a 10) Vag Thin du or ee Loaders aul Wel maBiot yam 2Ojud! -* 7 ity? Sy ey HOU S py by Teeth) d16 Zhi litho) va. +: OL por vil Bc RP catio er) Sid RuitowNsin ce heen! od Thw ston r > rs ~ ay ie =k ‘ie wr AINE ant 4O 298aMunM M>DAS bi luonle ‘dogo 22 fac es ay mun wed it eaditeoilge ar ied MOM We pohine’ SYeune nomnanvO 8 velie'V .4F i A PeIB Stiv pst i9a0l on vial fotdw «neue oft” lo Pisdrniun. toad 1. x ‘ : Sy aw KF , is ¢ » | a : yvolbaW an of rrafi} birse os A LTS. OT WONT cai a2 th vilsutie 2iedmoin-non yd boesidowe od yam wisi sdT rstuenciT .coH off? of dideve 4. RO VOOO 19q 10 (oonsaVDdDe ni S45 .sobnol »sorlt tevite broid ae HOVUAGHOTAA DO oH oii ot beeorbhe od bin OT ; Hi bf voobooW .W tisiaM 4 ” ae #08 ae baot thi feytlp } “ogee 807 20YVTITS9M QY4A 2SaKMYIAa 1 JingA. dt@t .doxaM. ctQ! pyxsuidod 121 musk 32 ae 1 DGS bee vedmsvoV Ay71 asdoieO Hye G : oo Bere np pe is PEE eh a ee Ue ee. BOR 1c “hae ays ID 2TEINOAOH TIVO HSITLA ont ed horde | elaonis? oF DaoH gabdol vO! .2e07'| of etricd a pokss.) 6} - CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. These should be concise and typed on one side of the paper, double-spaced, with a good margin. The first time a species is mentioned, the scientific generic and specific names should be included. Subsequently the same name need only have the initial letter of the genus. Scientific names are printed in italics and should be underlined in the typescript. References should be given at the end of the paper. Authors introducing a new name or describing a new species or race should indicate this in their title and display the name prominently in the text followed by nom. nov., sp. nov., subsp. nov. as appropriate. In these descriptions, the first introduction of the name should be followed by paragraphs for ‘‘Description’’, ‘‘Distribution’’, ‘“Type’’, ‘‘Measure- ments of Type’’, ‘‘Material examined’’ and further sub-headings as required. Proofs must be returned without delay. No changes may be made at this stage, other than corrections. At the discretion of the Editor, the Club will pay for a reasonable number of monochrome blocks, which the contributor may retain for his own use. Contributors are entitled to a maximum of thirty free copies of the Bulletin, supplied only as specifically requested by authors. Those con- tributing to a meeting should hand in their MS. at that meeting; otherwise a note will be inserted mentioning the contribution. BACK NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN Applications for back numbers which cost 5s. each, should be made to N. J. P. Wadley, 58 Ovington Street, London, S.W.3. Members who have back numbers of the Bulletin, which they no longer require are requested to send them to Mr. Wadley. SUBSCRIPTION TO BULLETIN The Bulletin may be purchased by non-members annually for 40s. (payable in advance) or per copy 5s., payable to the Hon. Treasurer, P. Tate, 4 Broad Street Place, London, E.C.2 CORRESPONDENCE Other correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Martin W. Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 18th January, 15th February, 15th March, 19th April, 17th May, 20th September, 18th October, 15th November and 20th December. Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. 3 BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ Editdd by JOHN J. YEALLAND Volume 86 No. 2 CLUB February 1966 > ate ie" ae Gea. Pee WAR that Bi SP CR hie ; neni: | Rocky Pia meh wae beset aed Sawer lasng sie nan Sa a ay ive ri: To Ri at RL f aad ey Saha eae ie i gee Aja fig Sx Git ay ' AP Sn ae. Es = i vd riba» SS ORBEA AY a wMOLLE i 5 ‘ x oh SUK of ATA Sot is sata 3 Ler Sy sy Gn x 3 ; { i : 5 ] - Ln po . Airey OR sf re 1 Naa) i apa Bet Pee Sythe ‘s eet Bi eae RES tie ed Like hed F | J A Rast Tithe Oe ~~. P 4 < Wy a ial a eS AY je HEF Eaiicatis vine oe a Face nan aad j ae ok ae 't aay, Ls, at ir ae i fy ah hea a sa ander | 1966 21 Vol. 86 BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ C Volume 86 Number 2 Published: 8th February 1966 The six hundred and thirty-first meeting of the Club was held at the **Clarence’’, Dover Street, London on the 18th January, 1966. Chairman: Mr. R. S. R. Fitter Members present: 21; guests 8. The speakers were Mrs. B. P. Hall and Mr. Derek Goodwin, and Mrs. Hall has kindly supplied the following report on their illustrated talk :— Some birds of central Australia Mrs. Hall gave a short account of the 3rd Harold Hall Australian Expedition which spent six months in 1965 collecting birds for the British Museum, mainly in the central districts of South and Western Australia. In comparison with similar semi-desert areas in southern Africa the birds had been much scarcer; and surprisingly few were ground birds or adapted exclusively to arid conditions. It suggested that either semi-desert con- ditions were comparatively new to Australia, or that the continent as a whole had so few species for its area that there were plenty of vacant niches—the success of introduced mammals, even in the most arid parts, argued that there was sufficient food in these areas to support more vertebrates. Mr. Goodwin spoke on behavioural aspects of some Australian birds. Many species seem able to do without water; this includes some, like the quail thrushes and whitefaces, that feed largely on seed. The Plumed Pigeon shows remarkable convergent resemblance to partridges. The crepuscular drinking habits of the Common Bronzewing Pigeon and Bourke’s Parrakeet presumably evolved as a result of intense and long- continued predation by birds of prey at watering places. Some of the Meliphagidae show apparently pointless aggression towards other species. Further breeding records from Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia) (No. 5) by C. W. BENSON and CHARLES R. S. PITMAN Received 29th October, 1965 Benson having left Zambia permanently, this is the final instalment in this series (for No. 4, see Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1964: 54-60). The data are arranged in the same manner as previously. Many of the records were Vol. 86 22 Bulletin B.O.C. obtained by C. J. Vernon while on an expedition with Benson to the Zambian section of the Nyika Plateau during the first twelve days of 1964. Some of the results have already been published in Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1964: 124-132. We are also especially grateful to R. K. Brooke for in- formation on particular points; to M. P. Stuart Irwin for notes on various specimens, and to A. J. Tree for many sight records. Any eggs mentioned as collected are in the British Museum, and birds in the National Museum of Zambia, Livingstone, unless otherwise specified. References to clutch- size in Benson ef al. (1964) are for Rhodesia. As explained on page 32 therein, such data for Zambia and Malawi are not included. The following are co-ordinates for localities not on the map or in the gazetteer in Benson and White (1957):— Chifuwe, 12° 58’ S., 25° 01’ E.; Cholola, 17° 14’ S., 23° 49’ E.; Chunga, 15° 03’ S., 26° 00’ E.; Lukanga/Kafue confluence, 14° 22’ S., 27° 11’ E.; Moshi, 14° 26’ S., 26° 10’ E.; Mswebi, 14° 24’ S., 27° 02’ E.; Munyumbwe, 16° 39’ S., 27° 47’ E.; Neganega, 15° 45’ S.., 28° 02’ E.; North Kafue Basin, 12° 18’ to 14° 24’ S., 27° 00’ to 28° 50’ E.; Ntemwa, 14° 25’ S., 26°03’ E.; Sinjembele, 17° 16’ S., 23° 03’ E. Nycticorax leuconotus (Wagler) C. S. Holliday saw a nest containing two eggs near Livingstone, in a tree overhanging the Zambezi River, four feet above water level, in late Octo- ber, 1957. J. M. Feely saw three fledged young, in a generally brownish plumage, with both their parents, all perched together in a Salix tree overhanging the Luangwa River at 12° 54’ S., 20th June, 1964. The only previous Zambian breeding record is that by Benson & Pitman (Ool. Rec., 1956: 9). Anas capensis Gmelin Coll. by hand two ducklings, still completely in down, about two weeks old, Liuwa Plain, 25th July, 1964 (Benson). They were on the edge of a shallow, drying up saline pan, in the middle of this large plain de- scribed by Traylor (/bis, 1965: 137). Both parents were in attendance, and there were only these two young in the brood. One of them is in the National Museum, Bulawayo, and both Irwin and E. A. Zaloumis (the latter has kept many young Anatidae in captivity) agree with the estimate of its age. On the pan itself there was another brood of ten young of similar size to the first two. There was also a flock of thirteen birds, all apparently adult. Benson & White (1957) give but few records of the occurrence of this species in Zambia, and an earlier breeding record which they quote from Barotseland is dubious. Benson (Ostrich, suppl. 3, 1959: 9; Occ. Papers Nat. Mus. S. Rhod., 24B, 1960: 344) gives records of small numbers on Lochinvar Ranch in July and November, and has seen it on the following further occasions there:— pair, 13th November, 1962; two pairs (in the case of one, the birds chasing each other, as if courting), 7th May, 1963; pair, 16th August, 1963. He also saw three at a pan on the Matabele Plain, south-western Barotseland, 19th July, 1964 and one there nine days later. The species seems to be largely confined in Zambia to the relatively dry south-western part, and its discontinuous distribution has already been commented on by Benson & White Den Ist Fed. Sci. Congr., Salisbury, 1960: 211). ; Bulletin B.O.C. 23 Vol. 86 Porphyrio alleni Thompson P. J. Wright found a nest containing a single egg at Chunga, 11th February, 1963. Three days later there was a full clutch of C/4, the nest still holding C/4 on 2nd March. The eggs, which were not collected, - measured 36 x 25, 38 x 25, 35 x 25, 36 x 25 mm. The parents were clearly seen at the nest, and identified for certain by the patch of bare blue skin on the forehead. The nest was a deep cup, into which the immediately surrounding grass had been woven, on the edge of a pool in inundated grassland, 50 feet from the bank of the River Kafue. Tree saw two adults, one of which was caught and ringed, accompanied by a fully grown young bird at Mswebi, 30th January, 1965. The same day, at the Lukanga/ Kafue confluence, he saw two adults accompanied by three fully grown young. He has seen such young on seven other occasions in the North Kafue Basin, in February and March. For the only previous Zambian breeding records, see Benson & White (1957), that from near Mumbwa being amplified somewhat by Benson & Pitman (Bul/. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1959: 16). Benson & Irwin (Puku, 3: 46-50), considering southern Africa as a whole, show that Gallinula angulata Sundevall is essentially only a breeding visitor, present in the rains from about December to April, inhabiting temporarily inundated grasslands. P. alleni is more an inhabitant of permanent swamps, and might therefore be expected to be resident. However, the following data are in keeping with it being migratory :— (a) Irwin reports that all nineteen specimens in the National Museum, Bulawayo, from Zambia, Malawi, Rhodesia and Bechuanaland, were collected during December/April; (b) In the North Kafue Basin during 1963/65, Tree has seen one or more individuals on twenty-two separate occasions, all records falling between 19th December and 13th April, likewise in Zambia generally Benson on twenty occasions between 30th December and 26th April; (c) Benson (/bis, 1947: 565; 1951: 82), gives two records from Malawi for December of birds out of their normal habitat. But the following data suggest that it cannot be more than a partial migrant, or perhaps more likely merely with quite local move- ments:— (a) Dr James Bond reports that the date of one of the two specimens recorded by de Schauensee (1951) is 21st October (the other 9th April); (b) Benson saw one on Chisenga Island on 21st September, 1953, another there on 2nd October, 1960; (c) in Malawi, Paget-Wilkes (bis, 1928: 728) found eggs in September and November (these records were inadvertently omitted in Benson et al/., 1964), and Benson & Benson (Ann. Trans. Mus., 21(2), 1949: 163) and Benson (Jbis, 1942: 208) give records of birds for July and August; (d) in the southern Congo, Verheyen (1953) collected six specimens in August. Porphyrio porphyrio madagascariensis (Latham) The egg-laying data in Benson et al. (1964) for Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi show a considerable spread through the year, from January to October, and in addition Brooke tells us that there is a C/2 fresh and a C/4 set collected by J. A. Cottrell at Mongu on 10th April, 1935, in the Queen Victoria Museum, Salisbury. It is unlikely that this swamp-dweller has any movements at all. Neave (Jbis, 1910: 89) collected a specimen at Lake Young on Ist November; Brelsford (/bis, 1947: 68) noted it in Vol. 86 24 Bulletin B.O.C. Bangweulu in November/December; Benson (Occ. Papers Nat. Mus. S. Rhod., 21B, 1956: 6) gives records for various months; M. A. Traylor tells us that there is a specimen in the Chicago Natural History Museum collected by E. L. Button on 25th October; Tree saw one near Kitwe on 5th September and there are specimens from Barotseland in the National Museum, Bulawayo, collected in August and September. In the southern Congo, Ruwet (Rey. Zool. Bot. Afr., 69(1-2), 1964: 22) found it to be resident at Lake Lufira, and Verheyen (1953) collected five specimens in November/December. Clamator jacobinus serratus (Sparrman) Coll. one egg, with a C/1 of Pycnonotus barbatus layardi Gurney, both fresh, Livingstone, 6th December, 1964 (R. C. Hart). The parasitic egg is white and glossy, and measures 24.8 x 21.7 mm. A white, rather than a blue egg is to be expected in this locality, judging from figure 4 in Fried- mann (1964), though (p. 52) he records a blue egg from Bulaya, north- eastern Zambia. A young bird with wing 71, tail 33 mm. only, was col- lected 14 miles west of Livingstone, 5th March, 1964, but the foster-parent was not identified. White & Winterbottom (Check list bds. N. Rhod., 1949) give four records of the occurrence of this species as early as October, and Brelsford (Ibis, 1947: 71) gives one for 3rd October. At Kaputa, in the Mweru Marsh, Benson heard one calling at night on 13th October, and saw two as late as 18th May, both records being in 1956. Brooke (in MS for Puku, 4) records it from the Kafue National Park for as early as 15th October. Tree has twenty-two sight-records (of one to three individuals) between October, 1959 and March, 1965, his earliest seasonal dates being 20th and 23rd October, 1959 and 24th October, 1960, all from eastern Lusaka District; his latest 9th April, 1962, from Feira. He saw a lone black phase individual in the Mpika District on 20th February, 1960; another such between Samfya and Fort Rosebery, 31st March, 1964. For the only other Zambian record of this phase (specimen from Livingstone, 19th October), see Friedmann (1964: 86) and Benson (Occ. Papers Nat. Mus. S. Rhod., 24B, 1960: 345), the latter noting that it was fat, and might still have been on migration. Irwin reports that there are now sixteen specimens of this species in the National Museum, Bulawayo, the earliest being 19th October (the Livingstone specimen cited above) and 27th October (from Bulaya), the latest 27th March. There are also fifty-seven Rhodesian specimens, the earliest Ist November, the latest 24th April. The black phase specimen from Malawi mentioned by Friedmann (1964: 86) is from Port Herald, and is dated 19th March, 1956. Clamator levaillantii (Swainson) Coll. fledged young bird, Cholola, 19th March, 1964, under the parental care of a Turdoides jardinei tamalakanei de Schauensee (Benson). W. F. Bruce-Miller observed another such fledgling being fed by a pair of Turdoides leucopygia hartlaubii (Bocage) in his garden near Choma, 20th January, 1963. The cuckoo imitated the babblers’ calls very well, as well as giving a few of its own calls. Friedmann (1964: 87), in discussing the movements of this species, gives the earliest spring date for Northern Rhodesia as 8th November, the Bulletin B.O.C. 25 Vol. 86 latest autumn date as 4th May, this information apparently being derived from Brelsford (Ostrich, 13, 1942: 40). White (/bis, 1945: 322) gives scattered records from Mwinilunga between September and February and in May. Brelsford (/bis, 1947: 71) heard one in the Bangweulu area on 3rd October. De Schauensee (1951) records a specimen for 7th October. Benson saw one at Chunga on I1th September, 1959, another near Fort Rosebery, 22nd September, 1960. Tree has nine sight-records from the same period as for his records of C. jacobinus, his earliest being 24th October, 1963, from Lochinvar, his latest 10th April, from Abercorn, though Vernon saw one at Solwezi as late as 2nd May, 1964, and Pitman (Faunal Survey N. Rhod., 1934: 210) one at Kasama even on 9th May. Irwin reports that there are thirty-five specimens in the National Museum, Bulawayo, the earliest being 24th September (from Kabompo), 26th and 30th October (both Serenje District), the latest 6th May (two specimens, Chilanga and Munyumbwe). There are also twenty-four Rhodesian specimens, the earliest being 10th, 22nd, 25th and 29th October, the latest 15th, 25th and 27th May, and 6th June. Bubo lacteus (Temminck) On 26th July, 1964, on Lochinvar Ranch, J. M. E. Took examined a single egg in the flattened down top (so as to form a well marked cup) of an old nest of a Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta bannermani C. Grant), in an Acacia albida tree, on a horizontal branch, 14 feet from the main trunk, 20 feet above the ground. One of the parents was flushed from the nest, and its mate was nearby in a Euphorbia tree. The egg appeared to be very fresh. McLachlan & Liversidge (Bds. S. Afr., 1957) state that the egg is “rough and pitted”’, but Took noted that this egg was neither, being of the texture of that of Strix aluco Linnaeus, for example. Pitman has handled a few of this owl’s eggs, none of which has been “rough and pitted”’. H. W. James informs us that there are two clutches collected by Cottrell in the Queen Victoria Museum, Salisbury, as follows:— C/1 fresh, Neganega, 9th July, 1939; C/1 set, Mazabuka, 4th July, 1941. Measure- ments are 65.8 x 53.6 and 60.1 x 48.7 mm. Both were from old nests of Aquila rapax rapax (Temminck) in vlei Acacia trees. For the only two previous Zambian breeding records, see Benson (Black Lechwe, 2(5), 1960: 157). Caprimulgus natalensis mpasa Smithers Coll. C/2, Moshi, from Echinochloa grassland on edge of airstrip, 24th September, 1963 (Wright). The accompanying photographs show the parent and the eggs. The eggs, although originally found nine days previously, were still relatively fresh when collected. They measure 27.3 x 21.5, 29.1 x 21.6 mm., and are distinctive, smooth with slight gloss, whitish or ivory, one with a faint pinkish tinge; markings indistinct, irregular grey spots on shorter egg, and a few specks of light burnt umber very sparingly on underlying faint dull violet spots all over on the longer. Following Hall (Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), 6(7), 1960: 411), the sub- species may be mpasa. Lynes (Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr., 31(1), 1938: 111) collected a C/2 nearly fresh at Sandoa, in the southern Congo, 9th September, Bulletin B.O.C. The incubating Caprimulgus natalensis and the eggs. Photographs by P. J. Wright Indicator indicator (Sparrman) Coll. one egg with a C/3 of Ceyx picta natalensis (Smith), all four eggs fresh, Livingstone, 21st October, 1963 (D. Swanepoel). The eggs were in the usual nesting site for C. picta, i.e. at the end of a horizontal tunnel. This had been excavated into the side of a pit, in Baikiaea woodland. The eggs of C. picta are white, rounded, glossy and nest-stained, and measure 18.3 x 15.3, 18.0 x 15.0, 18.2 x 15.1 mm.; the other, which is attributed to I, indicator (the similarly sized J, variegatus Lesson is unknown in the Bulletin B.O.C. 27 Vol. 86 Southern Province or Barotseland), is similar but not so glossy, and measures 22.5 x 18.1 mm. Friedmann (Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 208, 1955; Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 108 (3404), 1958) gives no record of C. picta being parasitised by any species of honeyguide. Phyllastrephus flavostriatus alfredi (Shelley) Coll. C/2 fresh, Nyika Plateau ca. 6,400 feet, 5th January, 1964 (Ben- son). Eggs ovate, smooth, with slight gloss; pale brownish-flesh with rich pinkish suffusion, two-thirds up the eggs a very narrow girdle of blackish-brown scribblings and scrawls on underlying medium dark grey; size 23.9 x 16.1, 23.7 x 16.2 mm. The nest was a shallow cup, decorated with dead fallen leaves on the outside, and slung in the small outer branches of a sapling, about four feet above the ground. For previous breeding records from the Nyika Plateau as a whole, see Benson (1951: eeu. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1952: 81) Platysteira peltata mentalis Bocage At Moshi, 8th August, 1963, Wright watched a pair building a nest 20 feet up in a thicket on a termite mound. In the same locality and type of habitat, Ist November, 1964, he found another nest 20 feet up, containing a single young bird only just hatched, still quite naked, being fed by both parents. Cossypha caffra iolaema Reichenow Coll. C/2 about two-thirds incubated, Nyika Plateau ca. 6,500 feet, 5th January, 1964 (Vernon). Eggs typical and bluntly oblate; smooth with slight gloss; indistinct, very pale bluish-green ground, with general creamy appearance from the profuse, tiny, very pale buffy-brown markings all over, on underlying, barely perceptible pale lilac-grey; size 23.4 x 16.1, 22.4 x 16.3 mm. This and another nest nearby, also containing C/2, were bulky cups of the needles of an introduced Pinus, dry plant stems and leaves, lined inside with fine wiry materials, placed against the trunks of Pinus trees in a windbreak, some six feet above the ground. Five other empty nests were found by Vernon in the vicinity. He also found the following further nests on the same visit to the Nyika:— 4th January, one containing three young about four days old; 6th January, one with C/2, one egg of which had hatched the following day; 11th January, one with two young, to leave the nest within a couple of days. Also, G. S. Keith noted a nest with C/2 on the Nyika, 26th December, 1964. With the possible exception of the second C/2 for 5th January, all the records of occupied nests point to egg-laying in December. All of the twenty-two records for Rhodesia and Malawi in Benson et a/. (1964) are for September/ December, with a peak apparent in November. Chloropeta similis (Richmond) Coll. C/2 fresh with female parent, without any further egg to lay, Nyika Plateau ca. 6,700 feet, 9th January, 1964 (Vernon). Eggs ovate, rather rounded, somewhat elliptical, smooth and dull surfaced; light pinkish with a few discrete tawny spots and specks, mainly around or on large end, on underlying very scanty, almost imperceptible grey; size 18.1 x 14.2, 17.9x 13.9 mm. Two days previously there was only one egg, and on 2nd January the nest was still being built. It was a bulky cup of dry grass, lined with very fine materials, and near the top of a 7-foot high Vol. 86 28 Bulletin B.O.C. Philippia bush on the edge of rank secondary bush growth by a stream. Another nest found by Vernon on 11th January was built in between four upright stems of a herb, four feet up, among low plants and bushes on a mound beside a stream. It contained one young with feather-tracts just starting. Differences in the behaviour and ecology of this species and C. natalensis Smith, which occur alongside each other on the Nyika, are being discussed by Keith and Vernon in a separate paper. Apalis thoracica youngi Kinnear Coll. C/2, Nyika Plateau ca. 6,500 feet, 3rd January, 1964 (Vernon). This clutch is not available, but Vernon noted that one egg was heavily incubated, the other infertile. The nest was a dome made of mosses, lichen and fibrous materials, lined with very fine grass, in a Philippia bush among bracken growth on the edge of a stream. For breeding records of youngi from Malawi, see Benson & Benson (Ann. Trans. Mus., 21(2), (1949: 171) and Benson (1951: 99). According to O. P. M. Prozesky, there is a C/2 in the Transvaal Museum collected by R. E. Shannon in the Mkushi District (west of the Luangwa Valley) in January, 1944, while Brooke tells us that there is another C/2 collected by Shannon in this district, on 10th January, 1943, in the Queen Victoria Museum, Salisbury. On distributional grounds there is no reason to doubt these records, since Benson & White (1957) record the species from between Serenje and Danger Hill, and Keith and Vernon saw it on the Mkushi River at 13° 33’ S., 29° 41’ E., 3rd and 18th December, 1964. The subspecies in this area west of the Luangwa Valley is A. t. whitei Grant & Mackworth-Praed. Bradypterus cinnamomeus nyassae Shelley Coll. C/2 hard set, Nyika Plateau ca. 6,700 feet, 8th January, 1964 (Vernon). Eggs rather rounded, smooth and dull surfaced; pale pinkish- cream, thickly and finely peppered all over pale fuscous on underlying pale grey, with heavy concentrations of both markings at top of large end; size 20.7 x 16.3, 19.9 x 16.3 mm. Nest a bulky deep cup of dry grass and leaves, lined with fine grass stems, in the side of a rank tuft of grass in thick growth on the edge of a stream, flowing through boggy ground away from a patch of evergreen forest, some 150 yards away. Although neither parent was collected, it is reasonable to attribute these eggs to B. cinna- momeus, not the very similarly coloured B. mariae Madarasz, four speci- mens of which were collected on the same visit in the interior of evergreen forest, four of cinnamomeus outside. Such an ecological difference in these two species, where they occur together, is also noted by Benson (Check list bds. Nyasaland, 1953). Further west in Zambia, however, where mariae is unknown, cinnamomeus inhabits very largely the forest interior (for generalised localities, see Benson & Irwin, Arnoldia (Rhodesia), 1(29), 1965). Cisticola ayresii ayresii Hartlaub Coll. C/3 fresh, Nyika Plateau ca. 7,000 feet, 8th January, 1964 (Vernon). Eggs ovate, somewhat rounded to elliptical, smooth and slightly glossed, pale blue, discretely and sparingly specked and spotted blackish-brown on a very little underlying pale dull purplish-slate, markings mainly in the Bulletin B.O.C. 29 Vol. 86 form of a disconnected girdle around larger end; size 15.1 x 11.9, 14.8 x 11.9, 15.3 x 11.5 mm. Nest in open grassland, a small oval of grass, built into a sparse tuft of grass, the living grass bowered over to hide the nest. Vernon also noted a nest under construction, 7th January. Cisticola lais semifasciata Reichenow Coll. C/3 about one-third incubated, Nyika Plateau ca. 6,500 feet, 7th January, 1964 (Vernon). Eggs ovate to elliptical, smooth with slight gloss; pale blue, finely, faintly and sparingly specked all over very pale tawny, on almost imperceptible grey, with a tendency to form a girdle on cap at large end; size 16.3 x 12.2, 16.3 x 12.1 mm.; one broken. Vernon also collected a C/3 about three-quarters incubated on 4th January, and noted the two following further nests :— 7th January, two young about one week old; 9th January, three young a few days old. General comparisons between this species and C. njombe Lynes have already been made by Vernon (Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1964: 124-128). The eggs of njombe are described in detail by Pitman (ibid.: 130), and those of /ais do not seem certainly distinguishable. Cisticola brachyptera isabellina Reichenow. Coll. C/1 infertile, with one young almost fully feathered, Nyika Plateau ca. 5, 800 feet, Sth January, 1964 (Vernon). Egg ovate, smooth, slightly glossed; light turquoise, sparingly specked all over light fuscous on underlying, scarcely perceptible, very pale lilac-grey; size 15.8 x 11.8 mm. This egg is in fact a small replica of eggs of C. nigriloris Shelley described by Pitman (Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1964: 131). Nest a small ball of dry grass, lined throughout with plugged down, placed five inches up in a small plant in grassland dotted with Protea bushes. Vernon also recorded a nest containing C/2 on 12th December, 1964, at Mporokoso, where the subspecies is C. b. loanda Lynes. Hirundo atrocaerulea Sundevall. Vernon noted a nest containing C/3, another containing a single young bird, on the Nyika Plateau, 10th January, 1964. They were cups made of mud-pellets, lined with fine grass and feathers, rather shallow and frail, and placed against banks, under slight overhangs along a stream through an open bog. Four other unoccupied nests were seen on the same stream. Probably the season was already almost finished, see data for Rhodesia and Malawi in Benson et a/. (1964). Irwin has commented on four specimens from the Nyika, whose particulars and measurements in mm. are:— Outer rectrices Sex Date Wing outermost next pair pair 3 31st December 116 172 56 4 Ist January 113 144 52 3 7th January 111 50 45 2 11th January 107 65 46 The first two specimens are adult. The third is a juvenile. On the upper side it is indistinguishable from the two adults, but on the under side is considerably less metallic blue, with an admixture of sooty black. The Vol. 86 30 Bulletin B.O.C. fourth, which is still younger, differs from the adults in having the metallic sheen on the crown and mantle much duller, while below it is an earthy brown on the throat and chest, sooty black on the abdomen, with only the faintest trace of metallic blue sheen. Excepting the length of the outer rectrices, it probably does not take very long for the juvenile to assume a plumage similar to that of the adult. Lanius souzae souzae Bocage Coll. C/2 fresh with female parent, Chifuwe, 5th October, 1963 (Jali Makawa p.p. Benson). Eggs ovate, smooth, dull surfaced; off-white, very finely specked and peppered, mainly rather sparingly all over, pale buffy-brown on underlying pale lilac-grey, with broad girdle around larger end; size 20.1 x 16.2, 20.3 x 16.1 mm. Took noted a nest containing C/3 near Lusaka, 27th September, 1964. The eggs were pale green-grey, freckled, more heavily around the thick end, with grey. Took noted that they were not blotched, and not at all shrike-like. He also found a nest containing three young about five days old near Lusaka, 8th December, 1964, and Mrs. M. Aspinall saw two fledged young there, 27th October, 1963, well able to fly, but being fed continually by their parents, who were flying down to ground level to hawk insects. Judging also from twelve earlier records in Benson ef al. (1964), it seems that egg-laying occurs essentially in the hot pre-rains. However, there is one record which has been overlooked, from Malawi, of a female in breeding condition collected near a half-built nest at Nyambadwe, near Blantyre, as late as 18th December (Belcher, Oo/. Rec., 2(2), 1922: 41). Clutch-size seems seldom to be as large as four, the information from eight of these twelve records being as follows:— eggs 3, 3, 4; nest- lings 3, 3, 3; fledglings 2, 2. The four other records are derived from ovi- duct or ovary examination, or the number was not recorded. The C/4 is from Benson (Jbis, 1942: 321), and has been confirmed from his original notes. Vincent (/bis, 1949: 128) gives the clutch-size as two or three, more often three, at Elisabethville, in the Katanga. He gives measurements of thirteen eggs, so must have had at least five clutches. The most usual clutch-size for L. co/laris Linnaeus in Rhodesia is four (Benson et al., 1964), and it might be supposed that this species has a larger clutch-size than has souzae, unknown south of the Zambezi Valley. However, only three records for collaris of as large as four are available from Zambia and Malawi, as follows:— Lodjwa, 21st October (Benson, Ibis, 1942: 320); Broken Hill, 16th October, 1932 (Pitman); Kasama, 4th December, 1958 (Vernon). Vincent (/bis, 1949: 126) found that at Elisa- bethville the full clutch was in every case three. Tchagra minuta anchietae (Bocage) Benson found a nest on the Nyika Plateau ca. 6,300 feet (higher than which it is probably absent), 11th January, 1964, containing a single young bird still almost naked. The nest was an open cup, three feet above the ground, in rank grass growth by a stream. Excellent views were ob- tained of both parents. Vernon found a nest at Ngitwa, between Kasama and Mporokoso, 13th December, 1964, three feet up in a sapling, in rank grass on the edge of a dambo. It contained two young about one week old. Benson & White (1957) give a record of egg-laying at Ndola in December, and this is the only previous Zambian breeding record, though Vincent Bulletin B.O.C. 31 Vol. 86 (bis, 1949: 135) gives records indicating egg-laying at Elisabethville in January and February. Parus leucomelas insignis Cabanis Coll. C/2 fresh, Solwezi, 2nd October, 1963 (Jali Makawa p.p. Benson). Eggs ovate and rounded, smooth without gloss; white, boldly freckled all over chestnut on underlying shades of grey, with medium concentrations at top of large end; size 19.3 x 14.4, 19.1 x 14.3 mm. Brooke saw a fledged juvenile begging food from an adult at Ntemwa, 26th October, 1962. Vernon saw a party of five at Mporokoso, 12th December, 1964, of which at least one was a juvenile, begging and receiving food. He also noted a C/3 at Bulaya, 11th December, 1964, in the hollow dead trunk of a small tree, only one foot above the ground. R. I. G. Attwell found young in his garden at Chilanga on 10th December, 1961. They left their nesting hole on Sth January, the fledging period thus being no less than about twenty- six days. P. niger is also known at Chilanga, but Attwell satisfied himself from comparison with preserved specimens of both species that his birds were /eucomelas. A record from L. Trollope of C/4 which hatched on 7th or 8th October, 1961, and from T. R. H. Owen of nest-building on 12th/ 14th September, 1963, a parent tightly incubating ten days later, both records from near Ntemwa, in the Kafue National Park, are presumably also both referable to /eucomelas, since Brooke, in a list of the birds of the Park (MS for Puku, 4), does not record niger further up the Kafue River than about 14° 50’S. Lamprotornis australis australis (Smith) Benson found a nesting hole at Sinjembele, in old cultivation, 3rd April, 1964. It contained two young still almost naked, about four days old. They had the interior of the mouth dull yellow, the outside of the bill white, with a well marked gape-flange. Their stomachs were full of grass- hoppers, and each also contained some five fruit-seeds of diameter about 5mm. The entrance to the nesting hole was 15 feet up a dead Acacia giraffae tree, the hole going down about 23 feet. Mackworth-Praed & Grant (Bds. s. third Afr., 2, 1963) record breeding in the Transvaal in November and in South-West Africa in March. The only original references traced are from Roberts (Journ. S. Afr. Orn. Union, 9(1), 1913: 31) (fresh egg at Platriver, 18th November) and Hoesch & Niethammer (Journ. Ornith., suppl., 1940: 309) (two nests with eggs at Okahandja, March). Like L. mevesii (Wahlberg) (see Brooke, Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1965, 85, p. 139), it may be a rains breeder, even though at Sinjembele in this particular season there had been no rain in February and less than one inch in March. Nectarinia famosa cupreonitens Shelley Coll. C/2 fresh, summit ridge of Mafinga Mts. ca. 6,800 feet, 24th June, 1958 (I. R. Grimwood). These eggs were mislaid shortly after their collecting, and have only recently been traced. Neither parent was seen at the nest, which was in an exposed position on the edge of a clump of bracken-briar growth. It was also collected, and sent to J. G. Williams, who found that it agreed exactly with Kenya-taken nests of this species, C/2 also indicating famosa (males of which in full green dress were collected by Grimwood on the same day in the vicinity) rather than kilimensis, the only likely alternative in this locality, but for which C/1 is normal (see Vol. 86 32 Bulletin B.O.C. below). The eggs are ovate, slightly elongate, smooth with slight gloss; dark buffy-brown on whitish ground, marked profusely and rather streakily all over, on underlying shades of grey; also thickly all over; size 17.6 x 12.3, 16.6 x 12.0 mm. They are typical of famosa, and quite distinct from the egg of kilimensis, which is also larger (Benson, 1951: 110). There may be quite local variations in the breeding season of famosa, the season on the Mafinga Mts. perhaps being similar to that on the Vipya Plateau, Malawi, see also Benson (Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1952: 83). On the Nyika, Keith collected three males in full green dress on 26th/30th December, 1964. This problem needs further investigation. Any variation definitely established might be connected with the flowering of particular plants. Nectarinia kilimensis arturi P. L. Sclater Vernon found a nest on the Nyika Plateau ca. 6,500 feet on 4th January, 1964. It was made of soft plant seed-heads and a little grass, and was conspicuously placed five feet above the ground in rank growth on the edge of evergreen forest. It contained a single young bird, with feather- quills just starting to appear on the wings, spine and flanks, its eyes still closed. This record presumably indicates C/1, as is normal in the nominate race, and there is nothing to indicate more than C/1 in the four records from Malawi in Benson (1951: 110; Bul/. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1951: 7). Benson also saw a nest containing a single nestling about half-way to fledging at Dedza, Malawi, 8th July, 1951. Of six records from Rhodesia in Benson et al. (1964), five are of C/1, only one of C/2. The odd C/2 is to be expected so far south as Rhodesia. Ploceus baglafecht nyikae (Benson) Coll. C/1 infertile, Nyika Plateau ca. 6,200 feet, 7th January, 1964 (Vernon). Egg ovate and elongate, smooth but with little gloss; green, boldly spotted with brown; size 24.3 x 14.8 mm. The nest was a kidney- shaped structure of dry grass, lined with soft seed-heads, 12 feet above the ground, built into the outer branch of an Erythrina tree. It also contained a young bird about two days old. A fledged juvenile flew out of a nest in an adjacent tree when it was shaken. Benson saw another occupied lone nest on 12th January as low as 6,000 feet. It was in an isolated tree on the edge of a stream, 12 feet above the ground and inaccessible. Males collected on Ist and 10th January had testes measuring respectively 3 x 2, 6x 4; 5x 3, 6x 4mm. This is the first breeding information for this subspecies, which is only known from the Nyika. Amblyospiza albifrons maxima Roberts Coll. C/3 fresh, Katombora, 14th February, 1964, with both parents (Benson). Eggs typical of the species, dull surfaced without gloss; white, with creamy tinge; marked sparingly, and mainly at large end, sometimes smudgily, with burnt umber or Indian red specks and spots, on a very few tiny spots or specks of shades of grey—a few very dark; size 24.6 x 16.3, 22.0 x 16.9, 23.9 x 16.3 mm. The eggs of this subspecies do not appear to have been previously collected. Wing-measurements of the two parents, and of specimens from Barotseland to as far north as Mongu, including material in the National Museum, Bulawayo and the British Museum, are :— six males 99, 100, 101, 103, 106, 107 mm.; one female 95 mm. For measurements of material of maxima from the Caprivi Strip, see Benson Bulletin B.O.C. 33 Vol. 86 (Occ. Papers Nat. Mus. S. Rhod., 23B, 1959: 280). The Barotse specimens include two from as far west as Sinjembele, on the Mashi. A male from 10 miles west of Nangweshi, 30th November, 1963, had testes as large as 8x5, 11x6 mm., but the nearest suitable aquatic breeding habitat is probably on the Zambezi, at Nangweshi itself. Tree found a nest containing two young about one week old at the Lukanga/Kafue confluence, 17th February, 1965. For other breeding records from Kafue drainage where, following White (Revised check list Afr. flycatchers etc., 1963: 123), the subspecies is perhaps best regarded as A. a. albifrons (Vigors)), see Benson (/oc. cit. supra) and Benson & Pitman (Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1964: 59). References: Benson, C. W. (1951). Breeding and other notes from Nyasaland and the Lundazi district of Northern Rhodesia. Bu//. Mus. Comp. Zool., 106(2): 69-114. Benson, C. W., Brooke, R. K. and Vernon, C. J. (1964). Bird breeding data for the Rhodesias and Nyasaland. Occ. Papers Nat. Mus. S. Rhod., 27B: 30-105. Benson, a W. and White, C. M. N. (1957). Check list of the birds of Northern Rhodesia. Lusaka. Friedmann, H. (1964). Evolutionary trends in the avian genus Clamator. Smiths. Misc. Coll’ns. 146(4). Schauensee, R. M. de (1951). Northern Rhodesian birds. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., 103: 23-63. Verheyen, R. (1953). Exploration du Parc National de Upemba. Fasc. 19. Brussels. Notes on Icterus chrysocephalus and Icterus cayanensis in Surinam by F. HAVERSCHMIDT Received 17th August, 1965 In Surinam the distribution of two closely related species of oriole Icterus chrysocephalus and Icterus cayanensis overlaps. According to Hellmayr (1937) J. chrysocephalus is the more northern bird which inhabits Colombia, the Orinoco Valley in Venezuela, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru (Ucayali Valley), the Guianas and extreme northern Brazil (upper stretches of the Rio Branco and the Rio Negro). No sub- species have been described. Icterus cayanensis is a more southern bird and several subspecies are recognised. The nominate race overlaps with J. chrysocephalus in the Amazon Valley (it is, however, not clear whether both species inhabit the same localities), in French Guiana and in Surinam, in eastern Peru and apparently also, according to Chubb (1921) in British Guiana. Both Species are mainly black and both have yellow wing-coverts and yellow thighs: the sexes are alike. The difference between them is that chryso- cephalus also has a yellow crown (the forehead is black), a yellow rump and yellow under tail-coverts which are all black in cayanensis. There is some confusion in the description of both species in the hand-books. Sclater (1886) for instance omits to say that chrysocephalus has a yellow rump and under tail-coverts and that cayanensis has yellow thighs. Chubb (1921) lists only chrysocephalus for British Guiana, but his description is partly incorrect as he states that the female lacks the yellow on the crown, rump and thighs which clearly points to cayanensis. As he Vol. 86 34 Bulletin B.O.C. describes a female obtained in British Guiana we may consider this as proof that cayanensis inhabits that country. In Surinam J. chrysocephalus is undoubtedly the commoner of the two, at least in the northern part of the country, where I found it breeding on sandy savannas especially in the neighbourhood of Morice Palm trees (Mauritia flexuosa) in March and August (Haverschmidt 1955). I further found that in Surinam specimens which are closely intermediate between No. 7090 3 Phedra 2nd January, 1965. No. 7093. 9 Phedra 2nd January, 1965. No. 7068. 2 Phedra 27th Dec- ember, 1964. No. 7092. ° Phedra, 2nd January, 1965. No. 6439. ¢ Zanderij 26th Dec- Intermediate specimens between Jcterus chrysocephalus and Icterus cayanensis from ember, 1963 specimen of a pure /. chyrsocaphalus. Surinam. Left to right—No. 4875. ¢ Zanderij 3rd September, 1961. Bulletin B.O.C. 35 Vol. 86 the two species are apparently not common. In my series of 14 speci- mens there are five which are intermediate : No. 4875, Zanderij, September 3, 1961. Male with greatly enlarged testes. It is nearly a pure cayanensis as the head is wholly black as are the under tail-coverts. A few of the feathers on the rump are tipped with yel- low. The thighs are yellow. It was labelled by the late Dr. Junge as J. cayanensis. No. 7090, Phedra (Surinamriver), January 2, 1965. Male with greatly enlarged testes. It has a few yellow feathers mixed in the black crown feathers, a few yellow feathers on the black rump, and the under tail- coverts are black. No. 7093, Same locality and date. Female, ovary not enlarged. The yellow crown is streaked with black, the rump and under tail-coverts are yellow. No. 7068. Same locality, collected on December 27, 1964. Female, ovary not enlarged. The crown is yellow streaked with black but to a lesser extent than No. 7093. No. 7092. Same locality, collected on January 2, 1965. Female, ovary not enlarged. The frontal side of the yellow crown is streaked with black but not the hinderpart. Another specimen (no. 7091), a male in non-breeding condition from Phedra January 2, 1965 is remarkable in that the black feathers on the abdomen are narrowly tipped with yellow giving it a yellow tinge; other- wise it is a pure chrysocephalus. The status of these intermediate birds is difficult to explain. We could consider them as hybrids as Surinam is part of the region where both species overlap. On the other hand it 1s certain that chrysocephalus is the more numerous of the two. In fact I know of only two pure /. cayanensis collected in Surinam. The first one is mentioned by Sclater (1886): it is without locality and date, but was collected by C. Bartlett. This collector stayed for some time in Surinam as a guest on August Kappler’s plantation near Albina on the Marowijne River, so I may suggest that it was col- lected in that region. The second is in the Chicago Natural History Museum and was collected by Harry S. Beatty on 25th November, 1960 near the air strip near Kayser Mountain. It is a female in partial moult and it has a few yellow feathers on the thighs (Emmet Blake in /itt.) as has the specimen in the British Museum. Burmeister (1856) who gives a correct description of both species said that /. cayanensis usually has yellow thighs. It will be interesting to collect breeding pairs. References: Burmeister, H., 1856. Systematishe Uebersicht der Thiere Brasiliens. 3er Theil. (Aves). : 270-271. Chubb, C., 1921. The Birds of British Guiana. Vol. II : 579. Haverschmidt, F., 1955. List of the Birds of Surinam. Publ. Foundation f. scientific Research in Surinam and the Netherl. Antilles : 128. Hellmayr, C., 1937. Catalogue of Birds of the Americas. Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Chicago. Publ. no. 197. Zoological Series. Vol. 13. No. XI : 109, 115. Sclater, P. L., 1886, Catalogue of birds in the British Museum, Vol, XL : 369—370, Vol. 86 36 Bulletin B.O.C. Unilateral feather fragility in a wild Shelduck by JAMES M. HARRISON Received 16th July, 1965 On 12th May, 1965, a pair of Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus) was collected in North Kent. The duck, which was flying strongly was found to have the first eight primaries of its right wing (fig.) affected by what would appear to be a state of feather fragility. As can be seen the fracture line is irregular. This condition in this species was first recorded in 1958 (Harrison, J. M., and J. G.) in the remains of a specimen found roughly in the same area. It is believed to be a pathological state and possibly of genetic origin, though at present very little is actually known about it. It has been met with in various species in widely divergent genera, notably in the Jay, Garrulus glandarius (Linnaeus) in which species group it has occurred in the British race G.g. rufitergum (Hartert) (1931; 1960) as well as in the Asiatic Black-capped Jay, G.g. atricapillus Geoffroy St. Hilaire, in Israel (1960). It is perhaps not without significance that in this species the writer has also recorded an instance of the condition of “‘hairy albescence”’ in an ” Right wing of adult duck Shelduck, showing condition of feather fragility. Bulletin B.O.C. 37 Vol. 86 example of the nominate race from Switzerland (1923). This is a genetically determined condition in which albescence is linked with a defect of feather structure, in which the interlocking mechanism of barbs and barbules is lacking; a similar state has been recorded in the Waterhen, Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus). The bird fanciers have taken advantage of this plumage abnormality in other genera, and have by selectivé’ breeding, produced the so-called “‘frizzled”’ varieties of the domestic fowl and canary; in the domestic fowl this variety is referred to as “‘silky”’. As has already been mentioned, the causes of feather fragility are at present unknown, but the cases just mentioned in which alteration in feather structure in association with albescence strongly suggest that the state may in effect be genetic. Ash (1960), however, in a very exhaustive study has disproved my earlier suggestion in so far as the effects of ectoparasites are concerned. It may be suggested that the condition could be occasioned by dietary deficiencies. This one can well understand might be the case in birds in captivity, but the writer is very sceptical that this could be operative in wild birds. Ash (/oc. cit.) indeed gives direct evidence that an unbalanced diet can occasion deterioration of feather development, though this, of course, is not precisely the same condition. That this can occur is of course in no way surprising, and one can call to mind analogous conditions in other vertebrates due to such causes. Ash comments“ The present author had a Carrion Crow in his posses- sion taken at about three weeks old from a brood of apparently perfectly healthy wild birds. This bird had a few Menacanthus sp. on it when taken. It was then reared on a diet which was probably extremely unbalanced and contained a great excess of protein. This resulted in the feathers growing very weakly and twisted, and after a few weeks Menacanthus swarmed over the whole of the bird, feathers fell out at the slightest touch and the bird remained completely flightless.” The above account describes admirably a state of affairs brought about by a systemic and artificial cause. The generalised nature of this is, of course, in sharp contrast to the localised nature of the condition in the present instance, for this bird was observed by the writer to be flying about strongly and in no way different to any of the other Shelducks seen at the time; it was certainly not suspected of being the subject of this curious condition until handled. These cases could still conceivably be considered to relate to a systemic cause acting selectively upon the long flight feathers as previous cases have been symmetrical. Another very curious feature is the fact that the condition has been found in such divergent genera as Garrulus and Tadorna, and now to add further difficulties to a proper understanding of the condition is the fact that it is now recorded in a wild shot adult female of the Shelduck as a unilateral condition, for the corresponding feathers in the left wing were normal, Vol. 86 38 Bulletin B.O.C., What would appear to be the extreme of this condition was recorded in a Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Linnaeus (Harrison, James and Harrison, Jeffery, 1965). In this bird all the integumentary structures besides the feathers were affected, the scales of the legs and feet were affected, the webs of the paddles were missing, while even the thaeca of the bill was scaling off. Both eyes were affected, one of which had perfora- ted. At first it was thought that the bird had come into contact with some farm chemical but special tests disproved that this was the case, nor was any internal pathology disclosed. Conditions such as these are bound to excite interest, and a natural first question is, of course, the cause. Undoubtedly the most popular guess would be diet. However, as diet is assimilable and must therefore be regarded as a systemic agent, it is not easy to accept this as causing a unilateral condition. Not of course that this is unknown for one can think of some of the systemic infections in man which give rise not only at their onset to generalised effects but also, in some cases, to unilateral effects at a later stage, some of which remain as permanent damage. So that one cannot positively assert that all unilateral states are necessarily genetic in origin, and all one can say on this issue is that there are more unilateral conditions that are genetic in origin than symmetrically disposed States. Some general considerations are forced upon us at this stage, just as they have been in the past in considering parallel conditions in the human. In man a proneness, or susceptibility to certain diseases has been recog- nised from as long ago as the last century, possibly even earlier. In medical literature the terms “diathesis’’, “‘susceptibility” and “‘constitution”’ are constantly recurring, one speaks of a tubercular or gouty diathesis, indicat- ing of course an individual prone to such disease. All these terms and some others are used to indicate a proneness to deviate from the state of “‘well-being”’ to that of “‘ill-being’’. That is to say that a body is in a state of “well-being” when intrinsically its functional physiology is normal and balanced. If such is not the case then deviations from average normal standards occur. These can be occasioned by intrinsic inadequacies — genetic hereditary defects rendering the subject liable to develop the state of “‘ill-being’, or by extrinsic agents such as disease toxins, and other extraneous influences. Medical literature again uses such terms as “in-born errors of meta- bolism’’ (Garrod, 1923) and familiar conditions due to such states are of course gout and diabetes. These two conditions exemplify the combined actions of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors acting in concert. This state of affairs has been aptly described by Rolleston (1927) as ‘‘an unusual personal equation’’. “Idio- syncrasy” (Garrod, 1931) is also covered by the above definition. Ride (1938) has postulated ‘“‘a transmissible variation in structure or function Bulletin B.O.C. 39 Vol. 86 (or both, J. M. H.) of tissues rendering them peculiarly liable to react in a certain way to certain extrinsic stimuli’. If we reflect upon these cases of feather fragility in the above contexts, what is at the moment quite in- explicable, becomes perhaps a little less obscure. It is certain that there is no simple answer and that there are in all probability, as indicated above, intrinsic as well as extrinsic influences at work. _ That this concept is probable would seem to be supported by the fact that the condition is widespread both geographically and genetically; furthermore I personally cannot accept a theory that wild creatures are incapable of seeking out a dietary suited to their requirements. If it is accepted then that these cases suffer from some inborn and in- herent predisposition, then environmental stresses, i.e. the necessity for flight for survival on pinions that are unable to take the stress, can operate to produce the curious condition shown by these birds, thus providing an admirable instance of Ride’s dictum quoted above, of an inherited prone- ness to a state of “‘ill-being” which can be expressed functionally or mor- phologically, or in both ways. Further studies in all such cases are desirable, including, if an oppor- tunity presents, breeding experiments, with a view to seeing whether or not the condition is transmissible. The subjects examined in the flesh by the author have all been in excellent physical condition apart from the abnormality of the flight feathers and in some cases, of the tail feathers. The case of the Mallard recorded above provides an exception and shows that the condition, if genetic, can be morbific or even amount to a lethal state. Summary A case of unilateral feather fragility in a wild adult female Shelduck is described. A possible explanation based on the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in combination is advanced. Acknowledgements The writer is indebted to Mr. W. Mouland on whose ground the specimen was collected. He would also express his appreciations to Dr. Jeffery Harrison for useful criticisms and advice, and to Dr. Pamela Harrison for the photograph. References: Harrison, J. M. and J. G. 1958. Shelduck and feather disease. The Shooting Times 28, Viii. Harrison, J. M. 1931. Jay rendered flightless by de-pluming louse. Jbis, 13.2.354. — 1960. The flightless Jay—what is the explanation? Bul/. B.O.C. 80. 162-164. — 1923. Garrulus glandarius var. albescent. Bull. B.O.C., 44, 98. Ash, J. S. 1960. A Study of the Mallophaga of birds with particular reference to their ecology. Ibis, 102. I. 95. Harrison, James and Jeffery. 1965. A remarkable flightless Mallard. The Wildfowlers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland, Report and Year Book. 1964-65. 97, 98. Garrod, A. E. 1923. Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Oxford Univ. Press. Rolleston, H. H. 1927. Idiosyncrasies. Kegan Paul, Trench Trubner & Co., London. Ride, L. 1938. Genetics and the Clinician. Bristol, John Wright and Son, Ltd. Vol. 86 40 Bulletin B.O.C. A new species of swallow from Kenya by J. G. WILLIAMS Received 3rd November, 1965 On 4th April, 1965, a very large concentration of migrating swallows and martins was encountered along the eastern shores of Lake Naivasha, Rift Valley, Kenya. In addition to European breeding swallows the following African species were also present, Hirundo angolensis, Hirundo daurica emini, Hirundo abyssinica, Hirundo griseopyga, Riparia paludicola and Riparia cincta— of which two races were collected, Riparia cincta suahelica van Somerern and Riparia cincta erlangeri Reichenow. In addition several examples of an unidentified grey-rumped swallow were seen: after some difficulty a single specimen of this bird was collected. Hirundo andrewi_ sp. nov. named in honour of the collector, Mr. Andrew E. Williams. Type deposited in the British Museum (Natural History). Type: adult female; skull fully ossified; ovary small: fat; weight 10 grammes. Locality: Lake Naivasha, Rift Valley, Kenya. Altitude 6,000 feet; ‘4th April, 1965. Collector Andrew E. Williams. Description: Crown and nape dark sooty-brown; lores and broad stripe through eye and ear-coverts dark blackish-brown; mantle slightly glossy blue-black; rump and upper tail-coverts brownish-grey; wings blackish; under wing-coverts and axillaries smoky-grey; tail blackish-brown and deeply forked, outer feathers long and attenuated, 25 mm. longer than 2nd longest rectrices; under parts from throat to under tail-coverts uni- form smoky-grey with small black patch on each side of chest; bill rela- tively small and slender. Iris dark brown; bill and feet black. Stomach contents: Diptera. Measurements: length in flesh 138 mm; exposed culmen 6 mm; width at base lower mandible 5 mm; wing 100 mm; tail 85 mm; tarsus 15 mm. In the field this new swallow somewhat resembles Hirundo griseopyga Sundevall, but is of more robust build and is easily distinguished by its smoky-grey under parts. The fact that a specimen of the Ethiopian breeding race of Riparia cincta was collected alongside Hirundo andrewi suggests the possibility that the new species may breed in some ornithologically little-known part of Ethiopia. On a subsequent visit to Lake Naivasha, two days later, the migrant concentration had disappeared. USE OU LB ty AK ‘ aN ) s~ F | f a | \ xp v Ss & NX a, “aa Ug REE). Ais So Hse .o8 bsighiest fod sie eaciudhsao jenna Y BOL AM otha ati shitevatiaoa suis: > 3 2 aot 6tt {G1 faeenhbe sd biuole ~xinebroc:-2ucs sol ioe? cine HaneeE Heo Hikt BE sisoobooW .W uta ; mer HO coy tea, (MA CASI i? as eM mvt. dingé HOt = dors a2} Auinwied aye oe . {fed eG HOS bie rodeo He) TadodOg 8) sa rasee A aneeetadie deem anene eninge as abides eee ones ee a | pens aahearniatl § iow e> aly i 7 a)” mus. FaRaO IONS Merri na wid balakivt §=§ 4D CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. These should be concise and typed on one side of the paper, double-spaced, with a good margin. The first time a species is mentioned, the scientific generic and specific names should be included. Subsequently the same name need only have the initial letter of the genus. Scientific names are printed in italics and should be underlined in the typescript. References should be given at the end of the paper. Authors introducing a new name or describing a new species or race © should indicate this in their title and display the name prominently in the text followed by nom. nov., sp. nov., subsp. nov. as appropriate. In these descriptions, the first introduction of the name should be followed by paragraphs for ‘‘Description’’, ‘‘Distribution’’, ‘“Type’’, ‘‘Measure- ments of Type’’, ‘‘Material examined’’ and further sub-headings as — required. Proofs must be returned without delay. No changes may be made at — this stage, other than corrections. At the discretion of the Editor, the | Club will pay for a reasonable number of monochrome blocks, which the _ contributor may retain for his own use. Contributors are entitled to a maximum of thirty free copies of the Bulletin, supplied only as specifically requested by authors. Those con- tributing to a meeting should hand in their MS. at that meeting; otherwise a note will be inserted mentioning the contribution. BACK NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN Applications for back numbers which cost 5s. each, should be made to ~ N. J. P. Wadley, 58 Ovington Street, London, S.W.3. Members who have — back numbers of the Bulletin, which they no longer require are requested — to send them to Mr. Wadley. SUBSCRIPTION TO BULLETIN The Bulletin may be purchased by non-members annually for 40s. (payable | in advance) or per copy 5s., payable to the Hon. Treasurer, P. Tate, 4_ : Broad Street Place, London, HA32 CORRESPONDENCE Other correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. 4 Martin W. Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. : DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 1Sth February, 15th March, 19th April, 17th May, 20th September, 18th October, 15th November and 20th December. Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Edited by JOHN J. YEALLAND Volume 86 March No. 3 1966 wi pas ea he sh lcsit fay Si Lena Caren Daeg? sy sae ie | shoul be ist dheats Sac aeey ite Arete st '¢ FP Les Gerry, 8X pe ‘tt ihe BAe. cae Biveh iri Fe eerie aL 4 seats rete vt oY Papi TaN betes ee tore ee > . 80D. eve HAaO | He ye oman TieR Ly sultip DS oh ee on. ; mm RSL re 5) : ; ote Pa pia 4 re ot ihe Rai apr ey tai Aa asi “ a 3 a , 4 ¥ oe ry i”? \ ry? { vd haribed Wf GHAIIAGE COHN Mg SRM ts ec, amd “on t | hO Lal Bae een Tit Wake fiend Ly . ‘ ’ i} ‘46 eae oy mi : i ‘i U 7 + : an wf Cy Po y } 8 Ta A , A ‘ “aD « ; eve i. ’ Fah vag oh w wade : f a Maer ¥ crs he Ke ri Pay ayes wi Wey Mie 4 a ‘ hu weal a a ye, Se ary Ls carl ry . ih jj i j \ Ragin om i ar Rb ’ J We ie he ‘, ‘ ea: A eh 7 ee a . +h he i tse a inh a ait °¥ fi i ae toisM : ity . swe sat yi india ela > ond oars) oy Da foe Ee AOE teehteitce flee. RN ORME ENS ERE CNS = we Tuition, te Ea aha: Ppt 1% cenRont i re a < 1966 41 Vol. 86 BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 86 Number 3 Published: Ist March 1966 The six hundred and thirty-second meeting of the Club was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, London, on the 15th February, 1966. Chairman: Dr. J. F. Monk Members present 10; guests 3. Mr. J. A. Hancock spoke on the birds, both native and introduced, of Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, illustrating his talk with coloured slides. Some of the introduced plants could become a menace to the Drepani- idae by spreading and inhibiting regeneration of the endemic food plants and the Zosterops, now well established, could become so numerous as seriously to compete for the available food supply. Plumage pattern and colour relationships of the genera Carduelis and Fringilla by C. J. O. HARRISON Received 8th October, 1965 Studies of plumage pattern and colour reveal (Harrison 1963a, 1963b) that, although within any group of related species considerable specific differences of pattern and colour may be evolved, nevertheless this varia- tion appears to be confined within certain limits and the patterns reveal the underlying relationship. In the present study the pattern and colour relationships of Carduelis (including Spinus, Chloris, and Hypacanthis, after Vaurie 1959) and Fringilla are examined. This provides additional evidence of the taxonomic affinities of Fringilla. Tordoff (1954), in a comparative study of the bony palate in seed-eating birds, concluded on this evidence that Fringilla was a part of the bunting family Emberizidae, and of different origin from the cardueline finches. The Emberizidae became the Fringillidae, a name previously used for the Vol. 86 42 Bulletin B.O.C. Old World finches which were now placed as a subfamily, Carduelinae, in the weaverbird family Ploceidae. This has unfortunately been used without comment in some popular works, as in Austin’s work (1961). Mayr, Andrews, and Hinde (1956) showed that Tordoff’s conclusions were SSS SSS . From left to right, outer tail feathers of :— Carduelis carduelis neidiecki ao mu caniceps “4 5» caniceps Fringilla coelebs tintillon ES * coelebs coelebs Carduelis carduelis neidiecki Fringilla coelebs tintillon unsatisfactory on anatomical and ethological grounds. Bock’s more comprehensive study (1960) of the palatal processes considered significant by Tordoff showed that these are highly adaptive and are not useful as taxonomic characters; and Zisweiler’s study (1965) of the horny palate confirmed the cardueline relationships of Fringilla. Plumage pattern and colour offers an additional character for examining this relationship. Only the Palaearctic species of Carduelis have been considered. THE GENUS Carduelis (a) Siskin plumage pattern Female and immature forms of the Siskin C. spinus have a mainly heavily streaked plumage which links them with cardueline finches of other genera. Within Carduelis it appears to constitute the earliest plumage pattern, and has largely disappeared but persists as a relict pattern in the immature plumages of most species. The male C. spinus shows two main trends apparent in colour and pattern evolution in this group—the trend towards extensive yellow pigment, and the development of increased melanism, more particularly as areas of black plumage on the head. There is streaking on mantle and rump. The back is olive-green, with yellow on the rump; and the underside greenish-yellow, with white on the belly. The top of the head and the chin are black. The ear-coverts are olive green, and there is a yellow supercilium continuing as a narrow yellow zone bordering the ear-coverts and separating crown, coverts and chin. There is an almost complete wing-bar formed by yellow bases on both webs of the inner primaries and all secondaries, reinforced by yellow tips to the greater secondary coverts. The edges of the inner secondaries are : Bulletin B.O.C. 43 Vol. 86 creamy-white, and the outer tail feathers have yellow patches on the inner web towards the base. (b) Greenfinch-Goldfinch link The Chinese Greenfinch, C. sinica, appears to be a central species in that it shows varied basic patterns from which those shown by several other species could have diverged. The female of C. sinica sinica is dull brown on the mantle, with a greenish-yellow rump and grey upper tail-coverts; and below the breast is buff-brown with a faint chestnut tint to the flanks, with some individually variable yellow towards mid-breast and mid-belly, and the belly is white. The head is grey, with a touch of green on forehead, supercilium and throat in some individuals. The wing has a broad bar formed by yellow primary and secondary bases, with only a dark line of melanin along the rachis, and the innermost secondaries have broad white edges shading to grey-brown on innermost feathers, while in fresh plumage most flight feathers have greyish-white tips. The outer tail feathers have yellow bases, while the distal half is black. The eastern race of the Goldfinch C. carduelis caniceps resembles to some extent a female of C. sinica in which both yellow and brown colour have been reduced. It has a greyish-brown mantle and less grey-brown below, the belly, mid-lower breast, and throat being white, as are rump and upper tail-coverts. The wing has a similar broad yellow bar on the outer webs of the flight feathers and a concealed white patch on the inner webs; while the white edges of the inner secondaries are restricted to an area at the tip and form a distinct bar on the closed wing. The outer tail feathers have large white patches on the inner webs, and white tips on the central feathers. Most of these differences are only a matter of degree; the one conspicuous difference between this species and females of C. sinica being the presence on the grey head of an area of red feathering on forehead, lores and chin. In the western races of C. carduelis the mantle and upper breast are warm brown. Compared with the eastern birds the white on the secondaries and on the outer tail feathers is reduced, and there are small white tips on all flight feathers. The head colouring has evolved still further. In addition to red on forehead, lores and chin, there is black on the crown and also extending down posteriorly on either side of the nape in a narrow crescent, with a zone of white on the side of the head between red and black. (c) Greenfinch—Siskin complex The female of C. sinica sinica is described above. The male has a brown back, yellow rump, and grey upper tail-coverts; while breast and flanks are brown, tinted with chestnut-red, and heavily suffused with yellow. Mid-breast and belly are yellow. It is grey on crown, ear-coverts and nape, and yellowish-green on forehead, supercilium and throat. Wings and tail are like those of the female. In Japan there are two rather similar races, the smaller darker C. s. minor and larger paler C. s. kawarahiba. In the former race the female is much browner than that of the nominate race, rump and flanks as well as breast being mainly brown and the head having a brownish wash. The brown of breast and flanks has a distinct chestnut tint, and this is more marked in the similar but paler female of C. s. kawarahiba. The male of both Japanese races is darker than the nominate form. The crown and nape of the head are slate grey, forming a well-defined cap extending down onto the neck. Vol. 86 44 Bulletin B.O.C. The mantle is olive-brown, the rump greenish-yellow, and the tail-coverts grey. The forehead, supercilium, ear-coverts and throat are yellowish- green, and lores and forehead have a blackish tint. The underside is chestnut-brown heavily suffused with yellow, with some green on the mid-breast. The wings and tail are like those of the nominate race, save that in the latter the carpal joints show only a little yellow feathering, while in the Japanese races there is more extensive yellow on the primary coverts. The male of another race, C. s. kittlitzi, from Bonin Islands shows more extensive yellow pigment and is green over most of body and head, with a brown tint on mantle and flanks and grey on the crown. The amount of yellow on the wing-bar of the primaries is reduced by black pigment along the rachis to a yellow area on the outer web and a reduced pale yellow area towards the edge of the inner web. The edges of the inner secondaries are grey. Apart from the complete wing-bar the Bonin bird would appear to be more similar to C. chloris than to C. sinica. The female is dull brown, greyer-brown on the head, and similar to the females of Japanese races but duller. The Common Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris, is a paler, greener version of these birds. The male of the eastern form, C. c. turkestanicus, is ash- grey on crown and nape, and this also extends on to the posterior part of the ear-coverts, but in the nominate form the crown is green. The eastern birds are mainly green and yellow, but in the western forms the winter plumage has brown tips to the feathers of mantle and flanks, giving them a distinct brown tint. As in C. sinica kittlitzi the edges of the inner secon- daries are grey. The main difference from C. sinica lies in the fact that the yellow wing-bar is further reduced to yellow outer webs towards the bases of the primaries only, with a white area towards edge of the inner web like that of C. carduelis. The female of Oustalet’s Black-headed Greenfinch, C. ambigua, of N.W. China is very like the female of C. sinica kittlitzi but a little darker above and yellower below. It is olive brown on the mantle and green on the rump, with grey upper tail-coverts. Below and on the throat it is greenish-yellow. There is a yellow wing-bar and grey edges to the secon- dary coverts. The head, with the exception of the throat, is dark grey. The male is generally greener, with a black head. The outer tail-feathers have the extensive yellow bases typical of this species group. In the Black-headed or Himalayan Greenfinch, C. spinoides, the dorsal surface becomes darker and the ventral surface lighter. The female is very dark olive-brown on the mantle with an almost black crown and a yellow rump. Below and on the throat it is pale yellow. The male is blackish- brown on the mantle and crown, and deep yellow on the rump and under side. The edges of the inner secondaries are almost white. The wing-bar is yellow, arid as in C. spinus is reinforced by yellow edges to the greater secondary coverts. The lesser and median coverts of the male are yellow, forming a conspicuous “shoulder”? patch; but in the female only the median coverts are yellow, the lesser coverts being green. The outer tail feathers are yellow with dark tips and dark pigment along the rachis. The head pattern is very like that of C. spinus but with greater contrast. The crown, ear-coverts and a small patch on either side of the yellow throat are blackish-brown. The lores and supercilium are yellow, and a yellow border continuing around the dark ear-coverts isolates these from the Bulletin B.O.C. 45 Vol. 86 crown and throat patch. The posterior yellow border continues upwards to give a suggestion of a narrow yellow band at the hind edge of the nape, similar to the pale zone posterior to the dark cap of C. spinus. A closely related species, C. monguilloti, of Annam has even more black in the plumage than the last. It is almost black dorsally with some faint evidence of masked yellow pigment on the mantle and a poorly defined yellow rump. Below it is yellow with short blackish streaks on the breast. There is a yellow wing-bar and yellow on the lesser wing-coverts of the male. Outer tail feathers are yellow with black on the tip and along the rachis. The throat is yellow but the remainder of the head is black, with a well-defined narrow yellow collar which almost meets at mid-nape. These last three species show a divergent and more contrasting trend in plumage colouring but are clearly derived from the C. sinica type and show patterns suggestive of those found in C. spinus. (d) Generic characters From this review of plumage pattern in the genus Carduelis it is possible to determine that the characters most likely to occur in related species are— a wing-bar formed by light bases to the flight feathers; light patches on outer tail feathers; a green, yellow, or white contrasting rump and a tendency for distinct pale edges to the inner secondaries. Less constant characters are—light edges to greater secondary coverts; light coloured median and lesser secondary coverts forming a pale “‘shoulder”’ patch, and confined to the median coverts in the female; grey or black colour on crown and nape and yellow pigment in the plumage. THE GENUS Fringilla (a) Chaffinch The body colouring of the female Chaffinch, F. coelebs, is very similar to that of the female of C. chloris, being olive brown above, paler below with a green rump. The presence of yellowish margins to the outer web of flight feathers on wings and tail increases this resemblance. The male in the breeding season bears a strong resemblance in dorsal colouring to the males of the Japanese races of C. sinica. The latter is ash-grey on crown and nape with blackish feathering on the forehead, warm brown with a chestnut tint on the mantle feathers, which are greener towards the base, yellowish-green on the rump and grey on the upper tail-coverts. The male of F. coelebs is blue-grey on crown and nape with a bold black forehead, chestnut-brown on mantle feathers which are green towards the base, green on the rump, and grey and green on the upper tail-coverts. The major difference is in the colouring of the underside, which in F. coelebs is chestnut-red, deeper on the sides of the head and upper breast but other- wise appearing as a pink tint on throat, belly and flanks. Reference has already been made to the presence of this chestnut-red pigment on the under side of C. sinica, where it is especially apparent on the females of the Japanese races. Conversely, males of F. coelebs have marked yellow pig- ment. Non-melanic variant individuals are white, and as might be ex- pected, have yellow pigment on mantle, rump and the edges of flight feathers; but in addition areas of yellow pigment are also present on the sides of the head and on either side of the upper breast in those areas where the chestnut colouring of the normal bird has a warmer tint. In F. coelebs the light edges of the inner secondaries are reduced to Vol. 86 46 Bulletin B.O.C. narrow pale yellow margins. The wing-bar is white, and like that of C. spinus is absent from the first few primaries but otherwise complete. As in C. spinus and C. spinoides there are white tips to the greater secon- dary coverts forming a wing-bar. As in C. spinoides the median and lesser coverts of the male are light in colour, white in the present species, and form a conspicuous “‘shoulder’’ patch. The female of F. coelebs like the female of C. spinoides has the light patch restricted to the median coverts and the tips of a few adjacent lesser coverts. The outer tail feathers of F. coelebs have a diagonal! area of white extend- ing to the tips on the inner webs, with black pigment towards the base of the feather and along the rachis, broadening towards the tip. The shape of the white area shows individual variation and would appear to be homo- logous with the white areas on the tail feathers of C. carduelis and the corresponding yellow patches on the tail feathers of other species (fig.). F. coelebs has given rise to isolate populations in N.W. Africa and on the Atlantic islands, and these show the trend common in island forms for distinct specific signal markings to be lost in species isolated in areas where competitors are absent. In F. c. spodiogenia and F. c. africana the white “‘shoulder’’ patch is confined to the median coverts. In these races the blue-grey head colouring extends down over the ear-coverts with a similar distribution to that of the black on F. montifringilla. The black on the forehead extends to the lores in a manner similar to that of C. sinica minor. The mantle is green, like the rump. In the races of the Atlantic islands the green of the mantle is progressively lost and both back and fianks become blue-grey. On the Canary Islands an earlier invasion has given rise to a separate species, F. teydea. This is entirely blue-grey, with pale tips to the greater and median secondary coverts and tiny relict traces of white on the concealed bases of a few flight feathers. (b) Brambling The plumage colouring of the Brambling, F. montifringilla, would appear to bear the same relationship to that of F. coelebs as does that of C. spinoides and C. monguilloti to C. sinica. In both cases there is greater contrast and an extension of the amount of black plumage. In F. montifringilla the male is black on head and mantle, but as in the Carduelis species quoted, the throat is pale. The size of the wing-bar is reduced, and the light areas on coverts and inner secondaries are tinted with chestnut-red. There are narrow yellow edges on the flight feathers. The rump is white, and white extends over belly and lower breast, while the upper breast and throat are light chestnut-red with a hint of the presence of yellow pigment. Yellow pigment is visible on the feathers of the carpal joint and on feathers bordering the upper breast and normally concealed by the wing when the bird is at rest. There is no white on the tail of the male but the female shows a faint diagonal streak on the outer- most feather. The plumage of the female is similar to that of the male but brown fringes to the feathers give it a mottled appearance. The sides of the head are grey and the feather edges appear to conceal a dark cap extending down on to the nape on either side but with a whitish patch on mid-nape. (c) Discussion of relationship It is apparent that all the characters of plumage pattern and colour found typical of species of the genus Carduelis are also present as major plumage characters in the genus Fringilla. This suggests a close and direct q : Bulletin B.O.C. 47 Vol. 86 relationship between the two genera. In view of the relationship of Fringilla and the New World Emberizinae suggested by Tordoff (1954) it is necessary to consider briefly the plumage characters of the latter group. The plumage trends to be brown and heavily streaked, but this gives way to uniform colouring in some species. Species-specific markings are usually confined to the head and breast which are often boldly patterned. There are pale tips to the median and greater coverts in some species, but wing-bars formed by pale bases to flight feathers are absent. Rump colouring is not conspicuously different, and yellow pigment appears to be absent. There does not appear to be any reason to link Fringilla with this group on the basis of plumage characters. The retention by F. coelebs of conspicuous plumage colouring in the mainland and its loss in isolate forms suggests that these colours have a valency as specific signals in regions where similar species are present. If this species had been derived from the American emberizids and had invaded the Palaearctic, it might be expected that it would retain characters which distinguished it from the cardueline finches and it would be extremely improbable that it would evolve a plumage extremely convergent with that of the genus Carduelis. Such a resemblance is, in this case, almost certainly evidence of close relationship, and from this evidence of plumage colour and pattern it is considered that the genus Fringilla is a part of the Old World finches of the family Fringillidae and that its plumage characters reveal a close affinity with the genus Carduelis. Summary Most related groups of species show common characters of plumage pattern and colour indicating their affinity. An examination of such characters in the genus Carduelis (including Spinus, Chloris, and Hypa- canthis) and Fringilla, revealed that the typical characters of the first genus were also present in the second. Fringilla does not share the plumage pattern and colour characters of the New World Emberizinae, and it is considered that the present evidence helps to confirm the affinity of Fringilla with the Old World cardueline finches. References: Austin, O. L. Jnr., and Singer, A. 1961. Birds of the World. Hamlyn: London. Bock, W. J. 1960. The palatine process of the premaxilla in the Passeres. Bul/. Mus. Comp. Zool. 122: 362-488. Mayr, E., Andrews, R. J., and Hinde, R. A. 1956. Die systematische Stellung der gattung Fringilla. J. Orn. 97: 258-273. Yordoff, H. B. 1954. A systematic study of the Avian family Fringillidae based on the structure of the skull. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan 81: 1-42. Vaurie, C. 1959. The birds of the Palearctic Fauna: Passeriformes. Witherby: London. Zisweiler, V. 1965. Zur kenntnis des SamenOffnens und der Struktur des hérnernen Gaumens bei Kornerfressenden Oscines. J. Orn. 106: 148. A new race of Lybius torquatus from Tanzania by J. G. WILLIAMS Received 3rd November, 1965 Among a small collection of birds collected at South Ulanga, Eastern Region, Tanzania, by Mr. Elias Numpungu of Tanzania National Parks, are two specimens of a very distinct, undescribed race of Lybius torquatus. which I name Vol. 86 48 . Bulletin B.O.C. Lybius torquatus nampunju subsp. nov. in honour of the collector. Type: adult male, testes small. Locality South Ulanga, Eastern Region, Tanzania; altitude 2,000 feet; 28th November, 1964. Collector Mr. Elias Nampunju. Description: Differs from all other races except Lybius torquatus albigu- laris in lacking all red in the plumage. Differs from a/bigularis in having the throat and ear-coverts uniform creamy-white, not black or grey flecked with white. Measurements: exposed culmen 21; wing 82; tail 49; tarsus 22 mm. Soft parts: iris brown; bill black; feet slate-grey. Paratype: adult male, testes slightly enlarged, locality South Ulanga, Eastern Region, Tanzania; 27th November, 1964. Measurements: exposed culmen 20; wing 84; tail 50; tarsus 22 mm. The two specimens were collected in a fruiting fig tree in open wood- land. Type to be deposited in the British Museum (Natural History). Paratype deposited in collection of National Museum (formerly Coryndon Museum) Nairobi, Kenya. A new cormorant from Uganda by J. G. WILLIAMS Received 3rd November, 1965 On 26th January, 1964, whilst visiting the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda, with Mrs. Peter Curry, her son Mr. Patrick Curry and Mr. Bill Ryan, a number of cormorants in full breeding plumage closely resembling Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis were noticed among typical breeding plumaged White-necked Cormorants resting on a sand- bank at the Lake Edward mouth of the Kazinga Channel. Permission was granted by the Warden of the National Park for a pair of these birds to be collected. The two specimens secured were an adult male and female, both in full breeding condition, the female having an unshelled egg in the oviduct. When compared with specimens of P.c. sinensis it was evident that the Lake Edward specimens differed sufficiently to be described as a new race of Phalacrocorax carbo. I have pleasure in naming this new cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo patricki subsp. nov. in honour of Patrick Curry who first noticed the new birds amongst a flock of White-necked Cormorants. Type: Adult male: full breeding condition. Locality: Kazinga Channel, Lake Edward, Western Uganda; 3,000 feet; 26th January, 1964. Description: Differs from P.c. sinensis in having less extensive white plumes on the head and neck, and the cheeks and chin coffee-brown merging to brownish-white towards bill, not entirely whitish; fore-throat tinged brown. Measurements and soft parts: exposed culmen 69; wing 332; tail 160; tarsus 60 mm. Iris: deep sea green; skin around eye black with small turquoise-blue spots, most marked around eye; indistinct line of pale yellow below eye; Bulletin B.O.C. 49 Vol. 86 PLATE I Left to right: Phalacrocorax lucidus lugubris; type male P. carbo patricki: paratype female P.c. patricki. triangular patch of bright salmon pink between eye and gape; bill dark leaden horn-grey, paler at base of lower mandible; throat black with small yellowish spots, greyish towards base; feet black. Paratype: adult female; differs from male in having longer white head and neck plumes, but less extensive than in P.c. sinensis. Measurements: exposed culmen 58; wing 308; tail 144; tarsus 54 mm. Type to be deposited in British Museum (Natural History). Paratype deposited in National Museum (formerly Coryndon Museum), Nairobi, Kenya. At first it was thought possible that P.c. patricki represented an un- discovered breeding plumage of the White-necked Cormorant, but an examination of several hundred adult White-necked Cormorants at close quarters through powerful binoculars did not reveal any birds of inter- mediate plumage. Also during subsequent visits to the Queen Elizabeth Park examples of non-breeding patricki have been seen in which the under parts and neck were black, with or without a brownish tinge to the throat. Vol. 86 50 Bulletin B.O.C. In view of the discovery of this new race of P. carbo in Western Uganda, the taxonomic status of the East African population of White-necked Cormorants must be reviewed. This bird must now be known as Phala- crocorax lucidus lugubris R‘ippell, not P. carbo lugubris. PLATE Il Left to right: Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis: male and female P.c. patricki. Photographs by Bob Campbell A Chilean Pintail x Red-crested Pochard by BRYAN L. SAGE Received 14th September, 1965 This paper describes a male and female inter-generic hybrid in which the male parent was a Chilean Pintail Anas georgica spinicauda Vieillot, and the duck a Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (Pallas). Both specimens were preserved as study skins in December 1964 and are now in my collection. According to Gray (1958) the only previous instance of hybridisation between these species was a single example that was in the collection of Bulletin B.O.C. 51 Vol. 86 the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, in 1952. Hybrids of this parentage do not, of course, occur in the wild state as the geographical ranges of the two species do not overlap. MALE Plumage Upper parts: Back and mantle dull hair-brown, slightly darker than in the Red- crested Pochard, and with extensive dark brown centres to the feathers of the back. Rump and upper-tail coverts grey-brown. Rectrices uniform darker brown. Under parts: Uniformly pale brown, slightly darker in the region of the vent and with a cinnamon suffusion on the upper breast and down the sides of the breast. Some feathers of the breast and abdomen with slightly darker centres Male (left) and female (right) of Chilean Pintail x Red-crested Pochard, Note the white neck-ring in the male. Vol. 86 32 Bulletin B.O.C. resulting in scattered faint spotting. The flank feathers extensively and finely vermiculated with wavy transverse bars of dark brown. Under tail-coverts dark brownish with paler tips and suffused with cinnamon. Head and neck: Entirely dark brown with a metallic purple gloss posterior to the eyes. Crown flecked with blackish. Chin pale brownish-white, this shade ex- tending irregularly down the foreneck and also towards the base of the bill in the loral region. Wings: Wing-coverts mouse-grey. Speculum darkish brown with no metallic gloss, and bordered above and below with whitish. Primaries grey-brown, darker towards the tips. Soft parts: Legs and feet greenish-grey. Iris dark reddish-brown. Bill yellow with a broad black line along the culmen, black nail, and narrowly bordered with black at the cutting edge from the nostrils to within about }” of the nail. FEMALE Upper parts: Darker brown than the Red-crested Pochard, being about the same shade as the Chilean Pintail but lacking such marked pale edgings to the feathers. Rump, upper tail-coverts and rectrices as in male hybrid. Under parts: Similar to female Red-crested Pochard but with traces of spotting as in the Chilean Pintail. The upper breast, sides of the breast and flanks strongly suffused with cinnamon. Under tail-coverts pale grey-brown also strongly suffused with cinnamon. Head and neck: Forehead, lores, crown and sides of head forming a cap as in the female Red-crested Pochard, but a darker shade of brown, and without the spotting as in the Chilean Pintail. Remainder of face grey-brown, chin and foreneck pale buffish and unspotted. Wings: Wing-coverts mouse-grey. Speculum pale grey-brown bordered with whitish above and below. Primaries dark grey-brown, paler on the inner webs. Soft parts: Legs and feet greenish-grey. Iris dark reddish-brown. Bill yellow with broad black line along culmen; the yellow gives way to pale blue towards the tip. Nail and cutting edge each side black for about 3’. The measurements of the hybrids are not wholly intermediate, neither do they fall entirely within the range of either of the parental species. The wing measurement of both sexes falls within the range of the Chilean Pintail. The male hybrid has an intermediate culmen, whilst that of the female is within the range for the Red-crested Pochard. The maximum width of the bill in the hybrids is on the upper limit for that measurement in the Chilean Pintail, whilst in the depth of the bill at the posterior edge of the nostrils the male agrees with the Red-crested Pochard, but the female is well within the range for the Chilean Pintail. a : Bulletin B.O.C. 53 Vol. 86 Comparative measurements (in mm.) Hybrids Red-crested Chilean Pochard Pintail 3 . 3 ae 3 2 Wing 252 240 256-278 249-259 230-260 212-240 Culmen from feathers 47 45 48-52 44-50 41-43 40-41 Bill—max. width 21 21 24-28 24-25 18-21 (25.2) (24.3) (19.4) depth at nostrils 20D, 0» chdee 19-21 18-20 16-21 (20.2) (19.0) (18.8) Tail 78 76 58-74 140-148 Notes: (a) wing and culmen measurements of the parental species are from Delacour & Scott (1956-1959). (b) the measurements for maximum width of the bill and depth at nostrils in the parental species are from material in the British Museum (Natural History), 6 specimens in each case. (c) figures in parentheses are average measurements. Discussion The female hybrid does not call for any particular comment. As is evident from the plumage description it is, in all main characteristics, a clear intermediate between the parental species. The male, however, exhibits a number of characters that call for com- ment. Not only is this hybrid the result of a cross between species in two different genera, the parental species are also quite different as regards sexual dimorphism in the plumage. In the Red-crested Pochard the sexes are markedly dimorphic, whilst in the Chilean Pintail they are alike. The resulting hybrid, rather than resembling either of the parental species, is in fact superficially similar to the drake of the Northern Pintail Anas acuta acuta Linnaeus. It has the dark brown head of this species, and the blackish markings on the crown feathers. There is a noticeable metallic purple gloss on the face below and behind the eyes, and on the sides of the neck. A similar gloss is found on the head of the drake Northern Pintail. The only character of the head plumage of the hybrid that can be referred to the Red-crested Pochard is the development of the feathers of the back of the head to form a distinct crest. The whitish-brown area on the chin, throat, foreneck, and at the lower base of the bill (see plate) is, I consider, derived from the Chilean Pintail in which it occurs in both sexes. A Northern Pintail character that has gained expression in the body plumage is the fine, wavy transverse barring on the feathers of the flanks. Certainly the most interesting character exhibited by this hybrid is the narrow whitish ring round the lower half of the base of the neck as shown in the accom- panying photograph. The white neck-ring is found in its most advanced form in the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, and the Falcated Duck Anas falcata Georgi, in which it is a normal character of the drakes in full plumage. The drake of the New Zealand Brown Teal Anas aucklandica chlorotis Gray has this character in a less developed form. It is also known to occur as a variant in other species of ducks such as the Gadwall Anas Strepera Linnaeus (Harrison & Harrison 1959, 1963b), and the European Green-winged Teal Anas crecca crecca Linnaeus (Harrison & Harrison, 1962). It has also been noted in a hybrid Argentine Red Shoveler Anas latalea Vieillot x Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Linnaeus (Harrison & arrison 1963a). Furthermore, it occurs quite frequently as a transient haracter in the drake Northern Shoveler during moult, and less frequently Vol.:.86 54 Bulletin B.O.C. in the drake Northern Pintail in the same stage of plumage. There is now ample evidence that this character is indicative of a close relationship between the species mentioned. There is, so far as I am aware, no record of a white neck-ring occurring as a variant in any stage of plumage of either the Red-crested Pochard or the Chilean Pintail. From the morphology of the drake hybrid under discussion we must postulate that one of the parental species, clearly the Chilean Pintail, is related to the Northern Pintail and carries genes for certain characteristics of that species which, in the present case, have gained expression as a result of hybridisation. There can be no reasonable doubt that the group of yellow-billed pintails of the southern hemisphere, which includes the Chilean Pintail, must have evolved from the same stock as the primarily northern hemisphere group of blue-billed pintails. In addition, the occurrence of a whitish neck-ring in the hybrid not only indicates relationship with the Northern Pintail and other species of Anas mentioned above, but also supports the hypothesis that this is an ancient character that is latent in numerous species of Anas. Acknowledgements I am grateful to Mr. John Hall of Ixworth, Suffolk, for presenting me with these two hybrids which had been bred by him in captivity. | am indebted also to Dr. Geoffrey Matthews of the Wildfowl Trust for the loan of comparative material, and to Mr. J. D. Macdonald of the British Museum (Natural History) for access to material in the Bird Room. References: Delacour, J. and Scott, P. (1956 and 1959). The Waterfowl of the World, Vols. 2 and 3. Gray, Annie P. (1958). Bird Hybrids. Harrison, James M. and Jeffery G. (1959). Plumage Variants in Drake Gadwall. Bull. B.O.C. 79: 78-79. — (1962). A European Green-winged Teal with a white neck-ring. Ibid. 82: 88-90. — (1963a). Comments on a hybrid Red Shoveler x Northern Shoveler. Ibid. 83: 1-25. — (1963b). A Gadwall with a white neck ring and a review of plumage variants in wildfowl. Ibid. 83: 101-108. The Crowned Crane at Lake Rudolf by OscaR T. OWRE Received 13th August, 1965 It is unusual if one does not find in the narratives of African explorers and adventurers, observations of animal life. Titles of their works, how- ever, are often of such nature that even should they come to the attention of the biologist they would fail to attract his curiosity. The limbo of such titles concerning Kenya yields to ornithology a book by Arthur H. Neumann (1898), Elephant- Hunting in East Equatorial Africa. Sir Frederick Jackson, it is true, noted (1938:323) Neumann as having been observer of the now famous bee-eater-bustard relationship, but there is no mention of Neumann or of his publication in Jackson’s (1938) bibliography of Kenya ornithology. Among the many interesting observations made by Neumann, the third European to visit the shores of Lake Rudolf, is the notation (ibid: Bulletin B.O.C. 55 Vol. 86 290) that near the north end of the lake he encountered flocks of cranes feeding along the areas of cultivated shoreline. These cranes, Neumann wrote, were different in both calls and appearance from Crowned Cranes farther south.* On January 19, 1959, the author, a member of the R.E. Maytag- University of Miami Expedition to Lake Rudolf, collected an adult male Crowned Crane, Balearica pavonina (Linnaeus), one of a pair of birds, from the marshes at the north-east end of the lake, not many miles from the point at which Neumann must have made his observations. This specimen is a part of the collections of the Department of Zoology of the University of Miami. Thus, the observations of an elephant hunter, keenly interested in natural history, are, after approximately 60 years, acknowledged and substantiated and B. pavonina is for the first time credited to the avifauna of Kenya. This record, however, is of greater interest than simply that of a species added to an avifaunal list. There is at present an apparent hiatus between the northward range of the South African Crowned Crane, Balearica regulorum (Bennett) and the southward range of B. pavonina (see, e.g., Walkinshaw, 1964:356). Just how great is the hiatus in range between these two closely related species of marsh-dwelling cranes and what may have been some of the factors which have determined it? Mr. Dennis Paulson, also a member of the Maytag-Miami Expedition, observed B. regulorum near Maralal, about 80 miles south of Lake Rudolf, on January 4, 1959. Lake Rudolf being approximately 145 miles in length, a distance of about 225 miles, then, separates points at which these species are at present known to occur. The population of B. pavonina which is centred north of Kenya seems to a considerable extent concentrated about the Nile and its tributaries. Here, of course, are the marshes which it inhabits. Somewhat similar marshes rim the north end of Lake Rudolf. Between the lake and the Nile is an extensive area characterized by largely semi-arid conditions. Certain speculations may now be introduced. It seems accepted know- ledge that Rudolf, although at present occupying a landlocked basin, was, only a very few thousand years ago, more extensive than now, and, its waters at a much higher level, the lake drained into the Nile (see e.g., Worthington, 1932:99). Now, it remains to be determined how large the population of cranes at Rudolf is currently and if this population repre- sents a breeding one or one of only temporary visitation. I should note that the two birds I observed were engaged in what I interpreted as courtship display (although there was no obvious enlargement of the gonads of the specimen collected). It should also be noted that the com- bined observations of von Héhnel, Neumann, and myself of cranes at the lake cover a considerable period of late winter and spring. If the population is not of merely irregular occurrence, and I suggest that it is not, has its establishment here been a recent one or may it be viewed as a “‘relict”’ population, established at the time when Rudolf was a tributary of the Nile? * Neumann was not the first to observe cranes here, for Ludwig von Héhnel (1894, 2: 175) wrote that two or three cranes, one presumes of the same species, were seen at the north end of the lake in 1888. His narrative of the discovery of Lake Rudolf also contains numerous references to birds and has likewise been a part of the limbo referred to above, being uncited by Jackson and apparently by succeeding ornitholo- gists working in Kenya. Vol. 86 56 Bulletin B.O.C. A second speculation concerns the nature of the shoreline when the water level was higher and rainfall was greater than at present. One would expect the littoral area to be quite different from the barren area much of it now is. Habitat appropriate for the cranes may well have existed as far south as the present foot of the lake, presumably about the Saguata Swamp to the south, and possibly beyond this. Assuming that the two species of cranes had at one time a contiguous or overlapping range in this area, the present period of decreased rainfall and increasing aridity may have been a determining factor in the present hiatus in range. What of the future? It seems evident that if the rapid drop in Rudolf’s level continues, much of this shallow lake will dry up or, in the process, be reduced to seasonal swampy areas flooded by the Omo River. Neumann (loc. cit: 339), one might add, noted that with north winds the sudd-like aquatic growth surrounding the north end of the lake was pushed south- ward into the open water. Dropping lake levels attended by constant silting from the Omo favour the establishment of this growth along shallow shorelines. Even now, the delta of the Omo and the surrounding marshes are spreading rapidly southward into the lake. Thus, favourable habitat for B. pavonina may, despite increasing aridity, gradually extend south to a point considerably closer to the range of B. regulorum. During the preparation of a manuscript on the avifauna of the Lake Rudolf area, I have become increasingly impressed with the opportunity which the interpreted history of the Rift Valley lakes affords our specula- tions concerning the fluctuations in the ecology and thus in the history of the populations of such birds as B. pavonina. References: Hohnel, L. R. von. Discovery by Count Teleki of Lakes Rudolf and Stephanie, vol. 2, 1894. Jackson, F. J. The Birds of Kenya Colony and the Uganda Protectorate, vol. 1, 1938. Neumann, A. H. Elephant-hunting in East Equatorial Africa, 1898. Walkinshaw, L. H. The African Crowned Cranes. Wilson Bull., 76: 355-377. Worthington, E. B. Scientific results of the Cambridge Expedition to the East African Lae Cada General introduction and station list. Journ. Linn. Soc. Lond., 8: 99-119. On Moore’s Olive Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex sabspp.) by A. HOOGERWERF Received 24th February, 1964 The only series of freshly collected material which I studied originates from Java’s most western peninsula Udjung Kulon; in all other territories we visited in recent years (Princes Island, other islands in the Sunda Strait and the Karimundjawa, Bawean and Kangean Islands) the species was not found. In Udjung Kulon this bulbul may not be called rare though it seems to prefer the south coast, bordering the Indian Ocean which may be the case in the other parts of Java as pointed out earlier (Hoogerwerf®). The series from this area consists of 15 specimens among which are nine males. Though in plumage both sexes are said to be alike the five adult females before me have more olive in the brown of the upper parts than any of the nine males, which makes both sexes at once distinguish- Bulletin B.O.C. 57 Vol. 86 able. Among these females there are four with slightly developed gonads; the remaining one had the ovarium well differentiated with ova of 1-3 mm., but the plumage is exactly similar. The same holds good for the males among which are two having the gonads very small against six with testicles of 2—5 and one of 8-10 mm. The rather small individual differences in the colour of the male plumage seem to have nothing to do with the development of the reproductive organs. When comparing these fresh skins with old material from Java it is evident that, also in this plain-coloured bulbul, important post-mortem changes in certain parts of the plumage take place: old skins average in being much lighter owing to the lack of olive in the brown of the upper parts. Therefore material of both categories can be separated at once. The old specimens belonging to the nominate race(’) and those of perplexus(**) do not differ much from our fresh material of pri//witzi so far as it concerns the upper parts. But they can be distinguished without difficulty from birds of the latter race collected at about the same time, making acceptable Hartert’s® diagnosis of prillwitzi. The only difference with old material of pri//witzi when compared with simplex and perplexus consists of the less vivid colour of the upper surface caused by the lack of any trace of olive in the brown. Between old skins of simplex and those of perplexus there is little constant difference, but a bird belonging to simplex from Tapanuli (Sumatra) is much darker than any other fresh or old skin before me and all four specimens coming from the Riouw Archipelago classified as simplex (Riouw is within the range of simplex according to Peters’) average in being lighter than any Sumatran skin. On the under parts old Javan material averages in being duller and much yellower than fresh skins. It is with a view to this fact that _Hartert’s diagnosis seems to be not quite correct on this point, for it may be suggested that fresh pri//witzi skins actually do not average in having so much more yellow below than simplex and perplexus, but they may be somewhat paler. As a consequence of this, old material of both other subspecies differs less obviously from fresh prillwitzi than is the case between fresh and old material of this latter form. But because fresh simplex and perplexus may be darker below than old material it seems justified to suppose that pri//witzi has much lighter under parts than birds } belonging to both other subspecies. Among the four skins of simplex from the Riouw Archipelago there are two which are lighter than any other skin of the 45 specimens belonging to all three subspecies discussed here. | We found a rather similar situation in Pycnonotus plumosus coming from \those islands, which makes it justified to study more thoroughly both \these species living in the Riouw Archipelago, on the basis of larger series of fresh material than was previously possible. In fresh as well as in old skins of pril/witzi the under tail-coverts average darker than in old simplex or perplexus because they are distinctly more olivaceous in pril/witzi; on this point there is not much difference between old and fresh material of the races discussed in this paper, so that this arte difference is likely to be present in all three, as pointed out by artert. | From the measurements found by me it seems evident that prillwitzi ) Vol. 86 58 Bulletin B.O.C. averages only slightly longer in the bill than in the nominate race and also the width of the bill does not differ so much. Prillwitzi averages in being distinctly smaller than simplex, in the wing as well as in the tail, in my opinion important enough to justify separation, even if there were no other differences; perplexus seems to agree in this respect with prillwitzi. On account of the fact that perplexus and simplex are similar in plumage, thus differing from prillwitzi, it is evident that prillwitzi and perplexus cannot be identical, even if we do not take into account the colour of the irides which might have subspecific significance in the present species. To the difference in colour of the irides between simplex and perplexus, as pointed out by Chasen and Boden Kloss® viz white in simplex against red in perplexus, which may perhaps prove to be a rather doubtful charac- teristic, can be added a difference in wing and tail-length as is shown by the figures given below of the material measured by me. But it may not be excluded that my figures are somewhat exaggerated as is evident from the measurements compiled from literature, showing a wing length in the males of perplexus of 76-87.5 and 75-81.5 mm. in the females. This should mean that also so far as it concerns the measurements the difference between both these races is far from being spectacular. Though Hartert did not pay attention to the colour of the iris Chasen and Boden Kloss called this orange or orange yellow in prillwitzi, but in my experience there is some individual variation in this respect because we noted as eye-colour in freshly killed Javan birds: light red, orange red, redbrown and light ochreous brown, which apparently does not differ much from perplexus. According to de Schauensee® the iris of the birds collected by Dr. W. L. Abbott in the Malay Peninsula (P.s. simplex) are recorded as “white, yellowish white or gray-white” and in one bird “‘pale yellow’’. In prill- witzi of Java the iris can be white (though not established by me) or orange, according to the same author while in perplexus it should be, according to Chasen, “‘red”’, “redbrown”’ and “yellowish white’ in sub- adult birds. For some birds examined by de Schauensee himself he gives as the colour of the irides: Sumatra 3, white; Nias 22, white; Batu Islands, white; Bangka ¢ (sub-adult), orange and Java 399, orange. This indeed seems to be an affirmation of the view that simplex has a white or whitish iris with the exception of Bangka birds, considered by Deignan* to belong to a different race. Notwithstanding the indications mentioned above pointing to the validity of a difference in eye-colour as a subspecific character, I personally am of the opinion that it is very dangerous to regard colour differences in irides as racial characters, certainly in a bird of which so little is known, as in this case. I did not see any material from the Anamba and North Natuna Islands, known as halizonus, nor of oblitus known from Bangka, Billiton and parts of Borneo and Natuna Islands, so that I have no opinion about the validity of these races. The subspecies oblitus was described by Deignan in 19544 from the South Natunas and Peters’ checklist includes Bangka into the range of this subspecies, though de Schauensee® mentions perplexus as the race living on this island. The subspecies chloeodis is considered as a Bulletin B.O.C. 59 Vol. 86 synonym of simplex and axanthizus is synonymized with halizonus (see Chasen! and Peters’). When compared with birds of the nominate race from Sumatra the diagnosis of halizonus mentions the larger size, darker lower parts, and paler, more greenish upper surface. Iris white or grey. Representatives of oblitus should differ from halizonus by having the iris red instead of white and from perplexus by longer and heavier bill, and probably (!) also by other measurements. Measurements (in mm.) 4d Wing; simplex: 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 84, 85; perplexus: 74, 75, 75, 75, 80, 80, 82, 82, 83, 85; prillwitzi (Java): 77, 80, 82; prillwitzi (Udjung Kulon): 75, 77, 77, 78, 80, 80, 81, 81, 82. Tail; simplex: 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77; perplexus: 64, 66, 66, 67, 67, 67, 69, 72, 72, 75; prillwitzi (Java): 69, 71, 71; prillwitzi (Udjung Kulon): 65, 66, 66, 67, 68, 68, 69, 70. Culmen; simplex: 11.8, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5, 12.8, 13.8, 14.5; perplexus: 10.2, 12.2, 12.2, 12.5, 12.6, 12.6, :12:7;:12.9, 13:2, 13.3; prillwitzi (Java): t2.1, 13.2, 13.5; prillwitzi (Udjung Kulon):.11.5, 12.4,-12.5, 13.0, 13.2, mo,2, 13.3, 14.9, Max., min. and average measurements: prillwitzi prillwitzi simplex perplexus Java Udjung Kulon 79-85 74-85 77-82 75-82 Wing —— — a — 82.43 79.10 79.67 79 69-77 64-75 69-71 65-70 Tail: —— —. — —— 72.29 68.50 70.33 67.38 11.8-14.5 10.2-13.3 12.1-13.5 11.5-14.9 Culmen: ———— 12.91 12.44 12.93 13 9° Wing; simplex: none; perplexus: 76, 78, 78, 81, 82; prillwitzi (Java): 77, 78, 78, 78, 78; prillwitzi (Udjung Kulon): 73, 75, 77, 77, 80. : Tail; perplexus: 64, 66, 68, 69, 70; prillwitzi (Java): 66, 68, 68, 70; prillwitzi (Udjung Kulon): 63, 64, 64, 65, 68. Culmen; perplexus: 12.2, 12.5, 12.5, 13; prillwitzi (Java): 11.1, 12.2, 12.4, 12.9, 13; prillwitzi (Udjung Kulon): 11.2, 12.2, 13, 13.1, 13.6. | Max., min. and average measurements: perplexus prillwitzi prillwitzi Java Udjung Kulon 76-82 77-78 73-80 Wing: —— ——. —— 79 77.80 76.40 64-70 66-70 63-68 Tail: — ae —— 67.40 68 64.80 12.2-13 11.1-13 11.2-13.6 | Culmen: | 12.55 12.32 12.62 ( Vol. 86 60 Bulletin B.O.C Some measurements compiled from literature: de Schauensee®; simplex: 43 Wing: 78 (Peninsular Siam); 81 (Sumatra) 22 Wing: 74, 74; Tail: 63, 64 (Nias Island) Wing: 84; Tail: 84 (Batu Islands)* prillwitzi: dd Wing: 78, 78; Tail: 63, 66 (Java) 22 Wing: 76, 80.5; Tail: 62, 63 (Java) Voous?®; perplexus: dd Wing: 80, 80, 81.5, 82, 87.5 (Borneo) 92° Wing: 77, 79, 81.5 (Borneo) Chasen?; perplexus: 63 Wing: 76, 77, 82, 83, 85 (Billiton Island) 2° Wing: 75, 75, 79 (Billiton Island) Chasen & Boden Kloss?; perplexus: 53 Wing: 82, 84, 85; Tail: 73, 73, 78 (North Borneo) 2 Wing: 75, 78, 79; Tail: 70, 73, 75 (North Borneo) References: 1 Chasen F. N. A Handlist of Malaysian Birds; Bulletin of the Raffles Museum, Singa- pore; 11, 1935, p. 201. 2 Birds of Billiton Island; Treubia, 16, 1937, p. 226. 3 Chasen F. N. and Boden Kloss, C. Some new Birds from North Borneo; Journal fiir Ornithologie, 1929, Band 2, p. 116. * Deignan, H. G. Five new races of bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) from southern Asia; Journ. Wash. Academ. of Sciences, 44, 4, 1954, p. 123-125. 5 Hartert, E. On Birds from Pahang, Eastern Malay Peninsula; Novitates Zoologica, 9, 1902, p. 56. 6 Hoogerwerf, A. Contribution to the knowledge of the distribution of Birds on the Island of Java; Treubia, 19, 1948, p. 92. 7 Peters, J. Checklist of Birds of the World, Vol. TX, 1960, p. 249. 8 Schauensee, R. M. de. The Birds of the Island of Bangka, Indonesia; Proceedings Academy Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 110, 1958, p. 289-290. ® Voous, K. H. Birds collected by Carl Lumholtz in Eastern and Central Borneo; Contribution no. 71, Zodlogical Museum, University of Oslo, 1961, p. 160. * 84 mm. for the tail is apparently a mistake. Paes mg fal gi: (rn 2 le ay wo i ih tidy i EM. 20577 JON SUR efit HudiwRe. > rae ¥ BgHIOc of} feniiaey HAObUSH tsb ad? 0} ‘ees 3d yo A Blyorie oF “gral 1 Wovl nobnod 29 ef7 Se 1 wobaot te . ‘boon Bind \b penile HID reed 9ES 30 sbiz ono, no Deny) # fins alls aoe oly Don Note 2isege & 200 Jeu \ Minato “cry eter ¢ oft - a Winnie teeviue bobyloni ex) blood eben Prileri iM DGin: ity < mee tel SITES RI nay sii ley intent we dovigen blicie xonstsioh aqiweonvs od? of bowifiebau #s BOC 3 BE yee Toh we Cai FRU OAL a Pipe ba ofiih STV;

TIS 3 ) Filta oft red ie). CTs tj t ee et Sony scent. 10, pacer PEN orracka 6°10) Sb Hive AylD rhs 3 ity ad &) j . : ” sf y? ri] ‘Le ‘A ‘dey: ot nafudire or) ij) 4 io 2B F AH L TOL enonvgolon valle i : Puy gti ¥ i [ ; fy? 7) i > 5 + ’ 7 ‘ PTs VURUNGS stsemict- ome Dacatsu 8 ero noted! ae i AOE gt (13 welt bo . NOS 186 3 Nove at 4 Wei speoud ere io! ¢ bao : There | 2 Pager Haz: ARSC) ) noth seit > as Heeb adi. Aig sonshnoge-rnda wedi P5ez see ‘sink n Peree a eos Hilt bf aooobdoW .W sins DORI BOF -CUOATIAAM “Ive. RAY wd secede: GiOl val. 0) fies Wi stow diel sermon) M0o bak wd nie} ej: me rrenw LATITARO TlePTT AY orth Ge bedeiiciT | euhisokt sobs} +4) broth, sfativenial! af. atue > 2677 ans e CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. These should be concise and typed on one side of the paper, double-spaced, with a good margin. The first time a species is mentioned, the scientific generic and specific names should be included. Subsequently the same name need only have the initial letter of the genus. Scientific names are printed in italics and should be underlined in the typescript. References should be given at the end of the paper. Authors introducing a new name or describing a new species or race should indicate this in their title and display the name prominently in the text followed by nom. nov., sp. nov., subsp. nov. as appropriate. In these descriptions, the first introduction of the name should be followed by paragraphs for ‘‘Description’’, ‘‘Distribution’’, ‘“‘Type’’, ‘‘Measure- ments of Type’’, ‘‘Material examined’’ and further sub-headings as required. Proofs must be returned without delay. No changes may be made at this stage, other than corrections. At the discretion of the Editor, the Club will pay for a reasonable number of monochrome blocks, which the contributor may retain for his own use. Contributors are entitled to a maximum of thirty free copies of the Bulletin, supplied only as specifically requested by authors. Those con- tributing to a meeting should hand in their MS. at that meeting; otherwise _ a note will be inserted mentioning the contribution. LO a BACK NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN Applications for back numbers which cost 5s. each, should be made to N. J. P. Wadley, 95 Whitelands House, London, S.W.3. Members who have back numbers of the Bulletin, which they no longer require are requested to send them to Mr. Wadley. SUBSCRIPTION TO BULLETIN The Bulletin may be purchased by’ non-members annually for 40s. (payable fe in advance) or per copy 5s., payable to the Hon. Treasurer, P. Tate, 49 : Broad Street Place, London, E.C.2 CORRESPONDENCE Other correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. — Martin W. Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. f DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 15th March, 19th April, 17th May, 20th September, 18th October, 15th November and 20th December. Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. AK te. Wn BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Edited by JOHN J. YEALLAND | Volume 86 April No. 4 1966 ie sg ye oF th ay ie bikterd che ne, As "ahaa be | Sian ‘Section | my i ‘i syetior bs 5 we tea Re ek :- Lis) Abies of ahs Buante « ~ ‘PATRETAODS ptiqn: "7 Diba a i ie avenge eae Vou crial 4siimed Vt & Poa iréxh: | ‘ ae | é 1a ho! 4° / { i] 7 > ; ee } i <* ; ris th ‘ od > t« a a“ " ’ al xg Gece ig “GAA, Ad ¥ at iy Z bh ~ i: ets cy , i ae | b * " o ¢ Se 5 dudes . i ; , WITS Ae 35, 0 5 Contribution Zoological Record .. Re: end Boe 6 Expenses of Guest Speakers | 52 mrt 712 g 7 Club Guests uit te - i * 17 11 6 20 Projectionist ae as 10 10 O 71 Miscellaneous Expenditure and Postage = “3 33 it 557; 55616 6 Excess of Expenditure over Income brought 53 down iQ He ® 59.15 | — Expenses of property at Tring 4 Ds 36 805 8 0 36 Transfer to General Fund . " ee 3 SS GENERAL FUND ee £. S$. Aa As at 31st December, 1964 ; 1.361 pele Less Transfer to Income and Expenditure ‘Account 811 © 727 549" T3208 BULLETIN FUND: 6 Donations from Members re i 6 ie 136 SUBSCRIPTIONS 1966 paid in advance oe s 87 6 10 — LOAN FROM Miss C. M. ACLAND .. U2 r3 750 0 0 58 Creditors out de 3 4 - Bis 73 5 0 1,561 £1,466 6 9 TRUST FUND: (The Capital of this Fund may not be used. The Income from it is General Revenue.) 1,000 F.J. F. Barrington Legacy om a os 1,000 0 0 2,561 £2,466 6 9 ch R. S. R. Fitter, Chairman P. TATE, Hon. Treasurer We have examined the above Balance Sheet and Income and Expen be in accordance therewith. FINSBURY CIRCUS HOUSE, BLOMFIELD STREET, LONDON, E.C.2. 15th February, 1966 | ,OGISTS’ CLUB YEAR ENDED 3list DECEMBER, 1965 1964 337 2 61 INCOME SUBSCRIPTIONS : Members Associates . . Income Tax recovered under Deeds of Covenant 1964/65 a ve ae Aes pe INVESTMENT & DEPOSIT INCOME: General Fund rt. Trust Fund Balance, excess of Expenditure over Income, carried down af ts Se my Sales of Scientific Index Sales of Bulletin for previous years, ‘less expenses. . Transfer from General Fund ; é CEMBER, 1965 GENERAL FUND, INVESTMENTS: £1,000 44% Defence Bonds, at cost .. £100 3% Savings Bonds 1960/70, at cost Less Reserve (Market Value 1965: £1. 085) (Market Value 1964: £1,084) PROJECTOR, LANTERN & SCREEN—Nominal Value STOCK OF Bulletin—Nominal Value 4 No value has been included for the stock of the Scientific Index SUNDRY DEBTOR: CASH AT BANK AND ON DEPosIT: TRUST FUND INVESTMENT: £1,399 11s. Od. 34% War Stock (Market Value 1965: £748) (Market Value 1964: £763) with the books and records of the club and Certify them to W. B. KEEN & Co., 6. 2s 3 48 19 8 pee cr @ so 6 co es — Ww ~I~] 00 AAO — oo oo vs) wi oo oO NAN] AO o wl Oo £2,466 6 9 a Chartered Accountants. Vol. 86 80 Bulletin B.O.C. British Ornithologists’ Club REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FINANCE The year 1965 was dominated financially by the expenses incurred on the bequeathed property at Tring. When the Committee on behalf of the Club accepted the bequest, we were told that we should also receive approximately £1,000 which would have enabled us to put it in a reasonably satisfactory state and still left us in pocket. At a very late stage the Trustees informed us that we would not receive the £1,000: after careful consideration the Committee decided that in the long run the property would be an asset, and a source of income to the Club. We had therefore to go ahead with what we had, and thanks to the most kind generosity of Miss C. M. Acland, who made the club a loan of £750, we have been able to put the house in a good state of repair for the sum of £805 8s. Od. During the coming year the Committee propose to reimburse Miss Acland from the General Fund investments, and then with a steady income from the rent we hope to rebuild the fund. During 1965 the Expenses of the Club remained almost the same, although total income fell by approxi- mately £43 due in the main to slightly lower sales of old Bulletins, and the sale of only two copies of the Ten Year Scientific Index. The tax recovered from seven year covenants was also £4 lower due to deaths and broken covenants. Unfortunately, the cost of printing the Bulletin this year will rise due to increased printing charges, « — but largely due to the income from the house there will be no increase in subscriptions. , 1h Ae ae ed i ieated 7 , , ‘ ; » me: (dhotiath ure) ; oe VG, § nt) id 2 rodertsin GH ba ita? bali o) stints dein a RAOLOGS ent. ste liaoy Agot AM Asis edi o} boeanbhe ‘od gage blvode we IE: ; oo “ noebro.} died 2'3 uo St tobne.) Io D Docs i ay (Sos epic iC “dhe ‘} oi {J . . MG tie [ OGe ‘Line ONTaf: ‘J ahbaekte oad", PAROTMaIN a 2213 a7 te 5 r ot - 2 | beh) bast: : CItee i B: Sirig2 erly V0 Lf T9320 1. A + att itt 7 aie bis : piteii. itt botatre sin» iat Buifistse coda att th sol wat IB gavin s. PiBois 29noIOR IG 13 Hi -By bys es, oe : _ js cf 4 / oP ATLEA A \ ’ 4 . , Wwe H { ¥ ¢ 442 ate ti P ~ a ‘ ‘ Wo 2 IG e' sc i) Oe Wei © Eh aaowepawTe | etre? ehirar hove Seer sel) y eige) bee sii} vodt ni zit siecibal | Mahqoiace 25 Fe vaaniis Tt ON Cero Vet a i) Bas Giyon: smat ott lS noiioubouni je axl) eae! Be tat ogy T” "4. “Honud? ee ie .. Meitonoest? * ol. ede are ane woristu: hus * Bagesrry ne : ; 4 Sanayi ov “ ye, it i " ‘ , ) mod. aewen PORNBHS <6 welsh Jue baited deur Sheds Loe Oy, | me Fi4 Waraeh -a LA aC iL» oy Oi on . Janes Bei hoOld siits ui moiGsG. HS Teton “id; ft ZI ‘pe ffi Tos] ae Pe eae fiir eid “otters yarn sorudete- a2: oat Dane sachin #61 bsBWaAs sic dciwdnine’> Me learotl tei Pa aA stip ey Wiieort: age | yy 4) ites By Within stent) ay : a atissin {pt Mey Poe =P rt] 1 Oper Hy 45 this ure EY Hy epatruet s mere: 43°.” ; pee ied 19g Or aniroiast bemegeaired spor i , ts f a By CNTALY 40 Tr tO ARAM OM Beng te | aalt a : WR forests thags / 170) tiv iwurmnyn wrt “1s 903: baer tlpeee B ‘ 4 ee a { . ¢ . » . % de LW 2 fobne] keiahe Hh. clincistic'W thew 7 Dec) on Tse) dow wissllive. on) ‘to eiodmiwn toed, ove ‘*) MDE Wi ha ad iti eh OTT, ; Lhe se “) MVIALA OF MOTI eat IP anor visu tedowin«non vd bwadcauc rer wh of? > a t . J . s Piste B071 .noET sult. 6) SCRYMT ..20 YO> Seq 0 (sonavbs a ani | J me ”" i | a ae) b he * ye! ee TIM@MIITV Os AO bt nse noha) | ot besessbbe ef: blyode +s: hronzary os 1) mer) ages ius nohyod? .beed jit tf saoohooW .y nite 6" or a” £ ny) a ; : me Ooel ANT 2OWTISIM CMA esnieic mereeiet .2S5dqI) WI8h nedronies 410% val ayy) r qA jae} 3 Be 4 8 ‘ \ eee yocmgnoGh 56 o Dive a Fe a A a vee Ne TREE oy! Beate bad BUSS PEI OOIUINIVAG 1ieiTLV8 onto PA ed sneak RRA THON 40) jets wabesteol A we)»: i } yy . J el can a me in ee , t r Ta} ie CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. These should be concise and typed on one side of the paper, double-spaced, with a good margin. The first time a species is mentioned, the scientific generic and specific names should be included. Subsequently the same name need only have the initial letter of the genus. Scientific names are printed in italics and should be underlined in the typescript. References should be given at the end of the paper. Authors introducing a new name or describing a new species or race should indicate this in their title and display the name prominently in the text followed by nom. nov., sp. nov., subsp. nov. as appropriate. In these descriptions, the first introduction of the name should be followed by paragraphs for ‘‘Description’’, ‘‘Distribution’’, ‘“Type’’, ‘‘Measure- ments of Type’’, ‘‘Material examined’’ and further sub-headings as required. Proofs must be returned without delay. No changes may be made at this stage, other than corrections. At the discretion of the Editor, the Club will pay for a reasonable number of monochrome blocks, which the contributor may retain for his own use. Contributors are entitled to a maximum of thirty free copies of the Bulletin, supplied only as specifically requested by authors. Those con- tributing to a meeting should hand in their MS. at that meeting; otherwise a note will be inserted mentioning the contribution. BACK NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN Applications for back numbers which cost 5s. each, should be made to N. J. P. Wadley, 95 Whitelands House, London, S.W.3. Members who have back numbers of the Bulletin, which they no longer require are requested to send them to Mr.Wadley. SUBSCRIPTION TO BULLETIN The Bulletin may be purchased by non-members annually for 40s. (payable in advance) or per copy 5s., payable to the Hon. Treasurer, P. Tate, 4 Broad Street Place, London, E.C.2 CORRESPONDENCE Other correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Martin W. Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 19th April, 17th May, 20th September, 18th October, 15th November and 20th December. Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. Ce ee Tram Jd Cc AuwN BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Edited by JOHN J. YEALLAND Volume 86 ) May No. 5 1966 : ate eo DR Ree tie aa : mda epiak ‘% er betas de sreciet re yehy of HUD... "ATeQOIOH) ASK Loauen ns nN GH Ce Aye) OE ENE 08 ‘eh SCE S = Weesems sa estar pF phe eeeyih % Pere cht. om "\Attis a eee: ne a aenichet Triven], Lae be pO sera Referens shee the, sheniik Sadicle i cl eit tho dae fei h fadiigwed uy np. a0re aft ee a, gence stems. the taret- ah anata ot The sans id ae Min. tar 4 sory ‘critin a “Cee OR , i} has SRA 5) Wars iil fate ba Hiamesonie: lvoe ls..° Sas 4s farted, Pros Aritwt he ‘sles 2. iret Gat ear re oe ~~" a: Tr eee TY . i ad + A at aes ‘Ss ) ® wr 3 *, Bat ’ rahe iS 2 ie A ied) 1% : 4 rf a contin rae , samara ¢7 at 4 ep l Pein AE TA ke : vee, 40h ho, a | ti - 4 ‘i. re Ate hier As CADE We Riis eK) Mio Win tile> Ge Pena aan LAG wy ‘dey tou AY D i 4 ~t ve aha aS re if “Tee. Se he oft. co * OY a recy hnelalt 1a seid. Pine te CAs Vedas oe: ee ie : ee = ce. i hae AT Rrra ’ en) : al ae: Shey ig ot hes ay os si MR AN a , ‘a ANE 1; ; eee SP] gry Weegee & Aa he peat a Mf a ee : ) a a Y rit) MPG. > aa Se a Te a; Pky 4 bf % ore a Mm) Es s Me et eT a, ae Sssrte .o AB Rtas et on) Fig epriNe SY yeh: ‘Paras bs *. ag? teh ie % Sp oe De LS a mice Lbave an ‘ } “i TN : F ; at c PINNIERS Ata REIN GL Ce ee ether tae hs rith Whey, SR cee ree, a Oeste oft sie KAP ey area Ye ae Se are, oy At 4 - E r oe ee a rena Abed Oe eeu ae! Betray ah hog wg lal tan pes ate ee : Se Site atid dyer’ (Ham ami hc % j +4 pee iy aa oe Aisa uta “S om on a Av ‘ tap lara. seta heen ihe oy ; ‘9 it 2 we ttl, ae Ay ees : ; 1966 81 ro Vol. 86 : WN! ’ rlelo ¥ T 7. nA | » 4 . a BULLETIN, OF THE = \o«y Winer, ou BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 86 Number 5 Published: 2nd May 1966 The six hundred and thirty-fourth meeting of the Club was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, London, on the 19th April, 1966. Chairman: Mr. R. S. R. Fitter Members present: 13; Guests 4. Mr. Peter Olney gave an illustrated talk on the feeding biology of seven species of duck during&winter on the Medway estuary. Coracias abyssinica: an unrecorded host of Indicator indicator by SHANE A. PARKER Received 18th November, 1965 Among the eggs collected by R. Shuel in Nigeria, and now in the collec- tion of the British Museum (Natural History) there is a clutch of eggs which constitutes a new host record for the Black-throated Honeyguide, Indicator indicator. The data for this clutch, from Shuel’s MS notebook, are as follows: “‘Abyssinian or Senegal Roller, Coracias abyssinica. 4 eggs, slightly incubated, taken from a Dorowah tree on the golf course at Zaria on 13 April 1934. The eggs were in a natural hole in the tree about 20 feet above ground. The hole was too small to admit the hand of the native I sent up to collect the eggs and he had to hack his way in. It is remarkable that one of the eggs in this clutch is only about half the size of the others. This egg was also hatching, however.” These eggs (B.M. reg. no. 1945.3.185) measure 31.25 x 25.5, 30.5 x 24.5, 31.5x25 and 23.5x 18.5 mm., and are all glossy white. The fact that the small egg was at the same stage of incubation as the other three indicates that it was not an abnormally small, thus infertile, egg of the roller. It agrees exactly with the eggs of Indicator indicator, which also occurs in the area. According to Friedmann [The Honeyguides, U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 208 (1955): 1-292, and pers. comm., 1965] no member of the Coraciidae has hitherto been reported as hostjto afhoneyguide. Vol. 86 82 Bulletin B.O.C. Geographic variation in Winchell’s Kingfisher Halcyon winchelli, of the Philippines by KENNETH C. PARKES Received 20th December, 1965 Winchell’s Kingfisher, Halcyon winchelli, is an endemic Philippine species belonging to a group of colourful forest kingfishers of the East Indies. It is restricted to the islands of the southern and central portions of the Philippine archipelago. Current literature generally treats it as a monotypic species; Peters (1945) listed H. w. nigrorum Hachisuka as “doubtfully distinct,” and earlier (1939) had said that Hachisuka’s description used “characters that will hardly stand up in a series”’ (al- though Peters apparently had before him only a single specimen of the species). All authors have considered Halcyon alfredi Oustalet, described from Bongao Island in the Sulu archipelago, to be a synonym of winchelli; Sharpe (1892) commented that the alleged differences between alfredi and winchelli were probably sexual, not geographical. This is not a common species in collections. [ have assembled a series of 45 specimens, representing every island from which the species has been reported, with the single exception of Siquijor. This relatively small series suffices to show that Halcyon winchelli varies geographically in the Philip- pines, with no less than five subspecies being recognizable. Adult males of Winchell’s Kingfisher are pure white below; females are more or less heavily washed with buff (varying geographically). Young males, if sex marks on labels are accurate, may have varying amounts of buff on the underparts. The central part of the crown, the wings and the back are essentially black, more or less overlaid with blue. Adult males have a more extensive wash of a brighter blue than do females. Young birds of either sex are dull black, with or without a blue wash, on the back and centre of crown (this being a geographically variable character). The area between the blue hind margin of the crown and the buff nuchal collar is black in all juveniles examined, even of the bluest-backed popula- tions. The nuchal collar itself is usually of a paler buff in young birds; the wider collar attributed to females by McGregor (1909) and by Delacour and Mayr (1946) is an artifact of preparation; there is much individual variation in the width of this collar, but no correlation with sex is seen when similarly prepared specimens are compared. In at least some of the populations, males appear to average somewhat shorter in wing and tail than females. The wing was measured flat against the ruler; the bill measurement is that of the culmen from the anterior edge of the nostril. All measurements are in millimetres (to the nearest .5 mm.), and only adult birds were measured. The five subspecies recognized are as follows: Halcyon winchelli winchelli Sharpe. Halcyon Winchelli Sharpe, Trans. Linn. Soc. London (2), 1, 1877, p. 318 (Isabella [=Isabela], Basilan). Characters: females with rich buff underparts; longer-winged than other races; crown as well as dorsum of juvenile dull black without blue wash. Measurements: wing, ¢ 102, 104; 2 105, 106, 107, 108. Tail, g 72, Bulletin B.O.C. 83 Vol. 86 73; 2 74,5, 75.5, 76.5, 78. Bill, 3 42, 44, 48 (the latter specimen appears to have an abnormally long bill-tip); 2 43, 43, 43, 45. Specimens examined: Basilan, 13. Halcyon winchelli mindanensis, subsp. nov. Type: Chicago Natural History Museum no. 215257, adult male, col- lected at Matam, Katipunan, Zamboanga Province, Mindanao, Philip- pines, 29th May, 1952, by D. S. Rabor (collector’s no. 2896). Characters: sex for sex, brighter blue dorsally than winchelli, especially noticeable in males; subocular and ear-covert regions with more blue and less black; wing decidedly and tail somewhat shorter than winchelli; underparts of females like those of winchelli in colour; juvenile with both crown and dorsum washed with blue; wing-coverts of juvenile brighter and more extensively blue than in winchelli or the next two races. Measurements: wing, 3 97, 98; 2 98.5, 99, 101, 103. Tail, 3 70, 73; 2 72, 72, 74, 75. Bill, 3 42.5, 43, 44; 2 40.5, 43.5, 44. Specimens examined: Mindanao, 8. Remarks: The measurements of one adult male (U.S. Nat. Mus. no. 191458), allegedly from Mindanao, have not been included above, as the label data appear to be questionable. The specimen was apparently given to Mearns; in the latter’s handwriting, the label states ““Collected by Mr. M. L. Robb at Zamboanga.”’ A later hand has added a question mark, together with the qualification ‘““Probably from near Zamboanga.” Both in colour and in size (wing 101, tail 77) this specimen is typical of winchelli, and I suspect that it was actually collected in Basilan, which is near the Zamboanga region of Mindanao. Halcyon winchelli alfredi Oustalet Halcyon alfredi Oustalet, Le Naturaliste, 1890, p. 62 [not seen] (Bongao). Characters: nearer mindanensis than winchelli in blueness of upperparts, ear-coverts, etc.; juvenile with blue wash on black of crown but not of dorsum; adult females with much paler buff underparts than either of the preceding two races; wing averaging between those of winchelli and mindanensis, but tail averaging longer than either. Measurements: wing 3 100, 101, 101.5; 2 101, 103, 104. Tail, 3 74, 75, 79.5; 276, 78, 81. Bill, J 43, 43, 43.5; 9 42, 42.5, 43.5. Specimens examined: (all from Sulu archipelago) Tawi-Tawi, 3; Bongao, 2; Papahag, 1; Sulu, 1. Halcyon winchelli nigrorum Hachisuka Halcyon winchelli nigrorum Hachisuka, Birds of the Philippine Islands, pt. 3, 1934, p. 142 (Canloan Volcano, Negros). Characters: Females like winchelli and mindanensis below, but both sexes with more black, less blue on crown, dorsum, and sides of face; blue of sides of crown and nape deeper; males with conspicuous patch of black or black mixed with blue) at sides near bend of wing (wholly or mostly oncealed in other races); wing and tail length about as in mindanensis, ut bill shorter than in any other race; juvenile female with no blue on Vol. 86 84 Bulletin B.O.C. dorsum and little on crown; juvenile male with trace of blue on dorsum and much blue on crown. Measurements: wing, 3 96, 97, 98, 98, 99, 99, 102; 2 97.5, 100.5, 101. Tail, g 68,70, 71, 71, TheGoal Ay 72:.9,68293-5, 76; Bill 33, 37:5, ae, 39.5, 39.5, 41, 42 (the latter specimen, like the longest winchelli, appears to have an abnormally long bill-tip); 2 40, 41, 41. Specimens examined: Negros, 4 (including type); Bohol, 5; Samar, 1; Leyte, i> Cebus Remarks: The characters of this subspecies appear best developed in Negros, from which island came the shortest-billed specimens. Bohol material is close to that from Negros, and can be assigned to nigrorum with some confidence; that from Samar, Leyte and Cebu is less satisfac- tory. However, these specimens are not incompatible with nigrorum, and geographically variable birds from Samar and Leyte usually resemble Bohol birds most closely. Specimens from Siquijor, just off Negros, will undoubtedly be found to belong here as well. Delacour and Mayr (1946) are the only authors to list Leyte in the range of Halcyon winchelli; the basis for this is unknown, as a specimen (Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. no. 768287, juvenile female) collected at Barrio Patok, Dagami, Mt. Lobi, by G. Alcasid and M. Celestino on 19th July, 1961, appears to be the first actual record for Leyte. Rabor (1959) documented the disappearance of — forest birds on the island of Cebu, and believed that deforestation had — accounted for the extinction on that island of several species, including endemic forms. No mention was made (either in the list of forest birds seen or of those sought in vain) of Halcyon winchelli: its habitat is such that this species may well be among those extirpated on Cebu. Halcyon winchelli nesydrionetes, subsp. nov. Type: U.S. National Museum no. 314948, adult female, collected at ““Badajos” (=Badajoz), Tablas Island, Philippines, 18th September, 1892, by D. C. Worcester and F. S. Bourns (collectors’ no. 855). Characters: underparts of females unlike those of any other race; paler, in general, even than alfredi, with throat and abdomen whitish, but with the lower cheeks and breast bright orange-buff, the latter forming a rather distinctly contrasting breast band; colour of upperparts, ear- coverts, etc., much as in the geographically remote winchelli, and males not certainly separable from that race (although the measurements suggest that in series, winchelli would probably average rather longer-winged); bill decidedly longer than in nigrorum, the geographically nearest race. One apparently juvenile bird from Romblon, sexed as female, has the | orange-buff breast band even more clearly defined than in adult females. It has almost as much blue on the crown as an adult, but has the typical juvenile black band anterior to the buff nuchal collar. There is only a trace of blue wash on the black subocular and ear-covert regions, but the dorsum and wings are exceeded in blueness among juveniles only by the Mindanao specimen. Measurements: wing, 3 100, 104; 2 100, 103.5. Tail, g 72, 74; 2 70, 75. Bill, 3 44, 45; 2 44, 45. Specimens examined: Romblon, 3; Tablas, 1; Sibuyan, 1. Vol. 86 enjq (Z) pueq yseolq — onjq (1) onyjq yng yyM ys sajauolipdsau ang 0} yoe]q (Z) I[Iq }s9z10Ys onjq (1) anjq jseo] yng you WiNsOASIU yorq (Z) dA0ge U90M40q jie} Jsosuo] onjq (1) o}eIPSOUIzUI ynq sed Ipaafjo ba anjq (Z) = enyq (1) anyq 3ys11q nq you sisuauppulu 4eIq (Z) SSUIM JSOSUOT yoryq (1) onyjq yng you 1Jayouim oyrusAnf Aue ji ‘10j0v1eyo jo wnsJop (Z) uinsiIop OZIS dAT}OUTISIG pue uMold (T) yNpe jo ssouon|g & jo syaediopu-) so1sadsqns ‘YJayouim uodav_T JO soiodsqns jo siojoeleyd dsouseip jediourid jo Areumuing Bulletin B.O.C. Vol. 86 86 Bulletin B.O.C. Remarks: although only a very small series was available of this sub- species, I do not hesitate to give it a name, as it is so different from nig- rorum, the geographically nearest race. The three islands of Romblon, Tablas and Sibuyan are zoogeographically related (McGregor, 1920). They are separated from the range of nigrorum by the relatively large islands of Panay and Masbate, from neither of which Halcyon winchelli has been reported. The present subspecies is thus not only the northern- most population of the species, but appears to be somewhat isolated. The name chosen is from the Greek nesydrion, diminutive of nesos, “island”, and naetes, “inhabitant,” refiecting the fact that the sub- species is known only from three relatively small Philippine islands. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Taxonomic study of an uncommon bird such as Halcyon winchelli would be impossible without the generous co-operation of the curators of several museums. My institution, Carnegie Museum, has five specimens of this species (1 alfredi, 1 nigrorum, 3 nesydrionetes); the remainder were borrowed as follows: U.S. National Museum, 15; American Museum of Natural History, 12; Chicago Natural History Museum, 8; collection of S. Dillon Ripley, 3; Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale Uni- versity, 2. Travel to other museums was partly supported by a grant from the Chapman Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History. References: Delacour, J. and Mayr, E. 1946. Birds of the Philippines. McGregor, R. C. 1909. A manual of Philippine birds. — 1920. Some features of the Philippine ornis with notes on the vegetation in relation to the avifauna. Philippine Journ. Sci., 16: 361-437. Peters, J. E. 1939. Collections from the Philippine Islands: Birds. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 86: 74-128. — 1945. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 5. Rabor, D. S. 1959. The impact of deforestation on birds of Cebu, Philippines, with new records for that island. Auk, 76: 37-43. Sharpe, R. B. 1892. Coraciae (contin.) and Halcyones, in Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. 17. Further systematic notes on Mexican birds by ALLAN R. PHILLIPS Received 8th November, 1965 References : Alvarez del Toro, M., 1958. Lista de las Especies de Aves que Habitan en Chiapas. Endémicas, emigrantes, y de paso. Rev. Soc. Mex. Hist. Nat. 19: 73-113. Blake, E. R., 1950. Report on a Collection of Birds from Guerrero, Mexico. Fieldiana, Zool, 31: 375-393. Blake, E. R. and Hanson, H. C., 1942. Notes on a Collection of Birds from Michoacan, Mexico. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Series 22: 513-551. Brodkorb, P., 1941. The Pygmy Owl of the District of Soconusco, Chiapas. Occas. Pap. Mus. Zo. Univ. Mich. No. 459. 4 p. — 1944. The Type Localities of Some Mexican Birds of the Genera Aphelocoma, Cyanocitta, and Peucedramus. Auk 61: 400-404. Deignan, H. G., 1961. Type Specimens of Birds in the United States National Museum. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 221. Dixon, K. L. and Davis, W. B., 1958. Some Additions to the Avifauna of Guerrero, México. Condor 60: 407. Eisenmann, E., 1955. The Species of Middle American Birds. Trans. Linn. Soc. N. York, v7 Bulletin B.O.C. 87 Vol. 86 Friedmann, H., et a/., 1950. Distributional Check-List of the Birds of Mexico. Part I. Pac. Coast Avif. 29. George, W. G., 1962. The Classification of the Olive Warbler, Peucedramus taeniatus. Am. Mus. Novit. No. 2103. 41 p. Griscom, L., 1930. Studies from the Dwight Collection of Guatemala Birds. Il. Jdem No. 438. 18 p. — 1932a. The Distribution of Bird-life in Guatemala. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 64. — 1932b. New birds from Honduras and Mexico. Proc. New Eng . Zo. Club 13: 55-62. — 1934. The Ornithology of Guerrero, Mexico. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zo. 75: 367-422. — 1937. A Collection of Birds from Omilteme, Guerrero. Auk 54: 192-199, — 1957. Suggested re-classification of the warbler genera. p. 349-350. (In Griscom, L., and Sprunt, A., Jr., eds. The Warblers of America. N. Y.: Devin-Adair). Hellmayr, C. E., 1927. Catalogue of Birds of the Americas. Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zo. Ser. 13, part V. — 1934. Idem, part VII. Marshall, J. T., Jr., 1964. Voice in Communication and Relationships Among Brown Towhees. Condor 66: 345-356. Martin, P. S., Robins, C. R. and Heed, W. B., 1954. Birds and Biogeography of the Sierra de Tamaulipas, an Isolated Pine-Oak Habitat. Wilson Bull. 66: 38-57. Miller, A. H., ef al., ‘°1957’’. Distributional Check-List of the Birds of Mexico. Part Il. Pac. Coast Avif. 33. Moore, R. T., 1946. The Rufous-winged Sparrow, its Legends and Taxonomic Status. Condor 48: 117-123. Nelson, E. W., 1897. Preliminary Descriptions of New Birds from Mexico and Guate- mala in the Collection of the United States Department of Agriculture. Auk 14: 42-76. — 1902. The Nomenclature and Validity of Certain North American Gallinae. Auk 19: 386-391, pls. XIV-XV. Parkes, K. C., !954. A Revision of the Neotropical Finch Atlapetes brunnei-nucha. Condor 56: 129-138. Paynter, R. A., Jr., 1960. Family Troglodytidae. p. 379-440. (In Mayr, E. and Greenway, J. C., Jr., eds. Check-list of Birds of the World. v. 1X). Peters, J. L., 1945. Idem. v. V. Phillips, A. R., 1943. Critical notes on two Southwestern sparrows. Auk 60: 242-248. — 1946. (Criticism of Moore, 1946.) Condor 48 : 249-250. — 1950. The San Blas Jay in Arizona. Condor 52: 86. — 1960. La Acrecencia de Errores acerca de la Ornitologia de México. Anal. Inst. Biol. Méx. 30: 349-368. — 1962a. Notas sistematicas sobre aves mexicanas. I. Jdem 32: 333-381. — 1962b. Emigraciones y distribucidn de aves terrestres en México. Rey. Soc. Mex. Hist. Nat. 22: 295-311. — 1965. Notas sistematicas sobre aves mexicanas. III. /dem 25: 217-242. —, Marshall, J. and Monson, G., 1964. The Birds of Arizona. Tucson, Ariz.: Univ. Ariz. Press. Ridgway, R., 1901. The Birds of North and Middle America. Part Il. U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 50, part 1. — 1902. Idem. part II. — 1912. Color Standards and Color Nomenclature. Wash., D. C.: privately published. Rovirosa, J. N., 1889. Vida y trabajos del naturalista belga Augusto B. Ghiesbreght, explorador de México. La Naturaleza (2) 1: 211-217. Rowley, J. S. and Orr, R. T., 1964. The Status of Frantzius’ Nightingale Thrush. Auk 81: 308-314 Schaldach, W. J., Jr., 1963. The Avifauna of Colima and adjacent Jalisco, México. Proc. Westn. Found. Vert. Zo. 1, |. Sibley, C. G., 1950. Species formation in the Red-eyed Towhees of Mexico. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zo. 50: 109-194. Sutton, G. M. and Phillips, A. R., 1942. The Northern races of Piranga flava. Condor 4: 277-279. Tashian, R. E., 1953. The Birds of Southeastern Guatemala. Condor 55: 198-210. van Rossem, A. J., 1934. Critical Notes on Middle American Birds. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zo. 77: 387-490. — 1940. Du Bus’ Type of the Collared Towhee, Pipilo torquatus. Wilson Bull. 52: 173~ 174. Vol. 86 88 Bulletin B.0.€. — 1945a. Preliminary studies on the Black-throated Sparrows of Baja California, Mexico. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. 10: 237-244, map. — 1945b. A Distributional Survey of the Birds of Sonora, Mexico. Occas. Pap. Mus. Zo. La. State Univ. no. 21. Webster, J. D., 1962. Systematic and Ecologic Notes on the Olive Warbler. Wilson Bull. 74: 417-425. eee A., erik The Birds of Southern Vera Cruz, Mexico. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Zimmer, J. T., 1937. Studies of Peruvian Birds. No. XXVIII. Notes on the genera Myiodynastes, Conopias, Myiozetetes, and Pitangus. Am. Mus. Novit. no. 963. 28 p. These notes deal chiefly with new races found during my work on the distribution, ecology and migrations of birds on the Pacific slope of central and southern México, especially in south-western Oaxaca. Lewis D. Yaeger and I began studies in Nayarit in November 1952, which I extended in 1959 to the Guatemalan border. By early 1965 I had probably obtained 3,800 birds from this area (inland for the first mountain range or two from the coast), from our work and that of others. A number of these have been compared with critical fresh-plumaged specimens from other collections, as acknowledged below. On the avifauna of south-western Oaxaca Unlike the surrounding regions of Guerrero and the Isthmus of Tehuan- tepec, the mountains and coast south of the Valley of Oaxaca had been explored but casually. Early workers—Boucard, Rébouch, Nelson and Goldman, et a/.—did not collect many birds, though several novelties were described. I first camped here on 29 November 1961 on the Rio Molino, a small stream at 2,250 metres elevation below San Miguel Suchixtepec, a village near the summit north of Pochutla. A small col- lection made from here down to foot the of the mountains included some forms usually associated with rain-forests of the Caribbean slope and some rather striking novelties like Amazilia violiceps wagneri (Phillips, 1965). Next spring I guided J. Stuart Rowley to this area and showed him several nests of Catharus occidentalis in a spot where, as he proved, C. frantzii (synonymized by Hellmayr, A. H. Miller, and Ripley) breeds sym- patrically (cf. Rowley and Orr, 1964). Rowley later guided me into a more western section, where we found yet another striking novelty, Eupherusa cyanophrys Rowley and Orr, 1964. I returned here in November, 1963; and thanks to the aid of W. J. Schaldach, Jr., was able to work both this area and the Rio Molino the next autumn. Besides the marked endemism, south-western Oaxaca has the usual mixture of birds extending into it from adjacent areas. My specimens, over 1,100 (more than 1,000 being fall-taken), show a basic resemblance to the birds of Guerrero, to the west; but besides the endemics, I have such Caribbean forms (unknown from Guerrero) as Dromococcyx phasianellus (a rectrix only), Amazilia candida and Rhynchocyclus brevirostris. Likewise the local Euphonia (‘‘Tanagra’’) affinis is not the white-vented godmani of Guerrero and west. Caribbean forms, rare or absent in Guerrero, that winter in or below the lower mountains are Muscivora forficata, Empi- donax flaviventris, Contopus mesoleucus (‘‘Nuttallornis borealis’’), Dumetella carolinensis*. Vireo flavifrons, Helmitheros vermivorus, Helmin- thophila (‘‘Vermivora’’) peregrina, pinus, and chrysoptera*, Dendroica magnolia*, dominica*, and pensylvanica, Oporornis formosus, Icteria v. Bulletin B.O.C. 89 Vol. 86 virens and Icterus g. galbula*. Of special interest are Buteo brachyurus*, here one of the least scarce Buteos; Amaurospiza concolor; and the occur- rence of Pipilo albicollis near the top of the highest mountains, with and even above the two forms of P. erythrophthalmus! Among northern species at their southern limits, necessarily, may be mentioned Meleagris gallopavo* (which I am told persists locally), Campylorhynchus jocosus (well within the pine belt) and Geothlypis nelsoni. Here at their eastern limits, in winter, are several humming-birds (including Ste/lula calliope), Trogon elegans ambiguus, Vireo atricapillus, Wilsonia pusilla chryseola, Icterus cucullatus*, Molothrus ater*, and Spiza americana* (discontinuous; see Phillips, 1962b.). Notable absentees, which I have not found anywhere in the region, include Crypturellus cinnamomeus, several hawks, owls, woodhewers, and swallows, ‘*Aphelocoma’’ unicolor, Pheucticus chryso- peplus, Carduelis (‘‘Spinus’’) pinus and most grassland birds. Abbreviations and acknowledgments Under each species, the following abbreviations (mostly concordant with the Index Internationalis Herbariorum) show additional museums from which specimens were examined (besides the Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Aut6noma de México, used freely throughout): AMNH American Museum of Natural History, New York City CAS California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco CM Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Penna. CU Cornell University, Ithaca, New York F Chicago Natural History Museum GMS George Miksch Sutton collection, University of Oklahoma, Norman HCL Guatemalan collection of Hugh C. Land, Natchitoches, Louisiana KANU University of Kansas Museum of Natural History, Lawrence LA Dickey collection, University of California, Los Angeles LEY Nayarit collection of Lewis D. Yaeger, Tepic LSU Louisiana State University Museum of Zoology, Baton Rouge (including the W. J. Sheffler collection) MCZ Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. MICH University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor MIN Minnesota Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, Minnea- polis MSU The Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing RSC Richard S. Crossin collection, Tucson, Arizona RTM Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, Calif. US United States National Museum, Washington, D. C. WF Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, Los Angeles, California (including the Eizi Matuda collection) YU Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Conn. I am deeply indebted to the curators and owners of these collections for making my work possible, and especially to Dr. J. W. Hardy for countless courtesies at the incom- parable Moore Laboratory; to the Organization of American States Fellowship Pro- gram for support of the 1959-1960 field work; to the authorities of the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History for making possible my work there; to Dr. R. F. Johnston for aid at the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History; and to Dr. Robert W. Dickerman, J. Stuart Rowley, Wm. J. Schaldach, Jr., Dr. Dwain W. Warner, and Lewis D. Yaeger for all-important help in the field. Countless others helped in various ways; and further comparisons were made for me by J. L. Bull (AMNH), Dr. R. W. Dickerman (several museums), Dr. J. W. Hardy (RTM), C. J. O. Harrison and J. D. Macdonald (British Museum, Natural History), Mrs. Roxie C. Laybourne and Dr. L. L. Short, Jr. (US), Dr. K. C. Parkes (several museums), Dr. R. A. Paynter, Jr. (MCZ), and Dr. R. W. Storer (MICH). *Species marked with an asterisk are sight records, and no specimens were obtained, though Icterus g. galbula was common. Vol. 86 90 Bulletin B.O.C. Collecting permits were granted by the Depto. de Caza, Direccion General Forestal y de Caza, México, D. F. For aid with illustrations I thank Gonzalo Gavino T. and William Lopez-Forment C. ‘Species are discussed in the well-known Gadow—Ridgway—Wetmore sequence, generally. Length and extent (wing-span) are extreme measurements taken in the flesh; “‘wing’’ is the unflattened chord. Unless otherwise implied, the bill was measured from the. anterior end of nostril (or operculum in some cases) to tip; measurements of types are in their respective order; colours are of recently taken fall plumages; and types are in my collection (on deposit at the Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Auto- ‘noma de México, México, D. F.) These have only my original field catalogue numbers, ‘Which are accordingly listed. whe nee N Ss & x ul KE ~, \ S aS ‘ 4 ‘ s ° . be NS a y ~& & . we w ~ fe eee Dat aims j Micrastur ruficollis (imms) , guerilla—darker; less white in tail. oaxacae—paler; more white in tail (= cotype) Aree Bulletin B.O.C. 91 Vol. 86 Micrastur ruficollis (Vieillot), 1817 In northern Central America, this little falcon is reported only once {in winter on Mt. Cacaguatique, El Salvador) on the Pacific side, beyond the general statement that it inhabits all lowland forests in Chiapas (Alvarez, 1959). Two females taken at and above San Gabriel Mixtepec, municipio de Juquila, Oaxaca, thus mark a notable extension of range, and from my studies (MCZ) and other information received appear to represent a new race: Micrastur ruficollis oaxacae subsp. nov. Description: Similar to M. r. guerilla Cassin, 1848: near Xalapa, Vera- cruz, of the Caribbean slope, but paler above and with more white in the tail. Adult 2 less brownish, the crown, nape, sides of neck, and broad terminal margins of feathers of anterior third of interscapulars Deep Neutral Gray (Capitalized colours from Ridgway, 1912), contrasting to browner auriculars; throat (medially) whitish, and abdomen almost wholly white (barred only anteriorly); ventral bars paler fuscous, less dusky, and narrower than the intervening white spaces (ca. 1 mm. wide or less, vs. 1.2—1.5 in guerilla, in which they are about equal to, or wider than, the pale spaces on the chest); rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail also paler and greyer than 2 guerilla (not Sepia or Mummy Brown, though less neutral or bluish grey than crown and nape). Immature 9, contrariwise, browner than young guerilla: back pale Mummy Brown. Tail with six broad white bars, ca. 3.2-4.7 mm. wide on dorsal surface of central feathers (fig. 1); rectrices narrow. Cheeks pale anteriorly, the dark colour restricted to the posterior edge and paler, less dusky. Rump, upper tail-coverts, and remiges also paler and more defi- nitely brownish (i.e. more rufescent). Types: 2 imm., 2 ad., orig. nos. 7062, 8034; 1 km. W. of San Gabriel Mixtepec, and Km. 183, near top of hhigest ridge to north (below San Juan Lachao, Pueblo Viejo), south-western Oaxaca (ca. lat. 16° 5-13’ N. long. 97° 7’ W.), 22 Nov. 1963 and 1 Dec. 1964; collected by Juan Nava S. (7062 prepared by Santos Farfan B.). Measurements of types: Immature, wing 162.5, tail 169; adult, wing 167.5 and 169, tail 163.5 mm. Length in flesh, respectively, 363 (—?), 360; extent (wingspread) 541, 554 (—). Remarks: The fine barring of an adult from El Triunfo, Chiapas (fide Bull) suggests that oaxacae may extend south-eastward along the Pacific slope beyond Oaxaca. Dendrortyx macroura (Jardine and Selby), 1828 My armament was too light, even at about 3 metres distance, for these large quail, which are common in the higher mountains of south-western Oaxaca. My single specimen is quite distinct, yet shows no approach to D. leucophrys of the mountains to the east in Chiapas. It may be known as Dendrortyx macroura inesperatus subsp. nov. _ Description: nearest to D. m. striatus Nelson, 1897: mountains near Chilpancingo, Guerrero; but with the distinctly white superciliary and malar stripes, and the clear grey (near Pale Neutral Gray) sides of the Vol. 86 92 Bulletin B.O.C. feathers of the chest and upper back, in stronger contrast to the dark (Bay) colour of the median parts of the feathers of the chest, back, nape, and broad stripes on the sides and broad tips of the crest feathers; Bay area of centres of tertials reduced in size; rump and upper tail-coverts apparently sootier brown, less pale greyish. From D. m. oaxacae Nelson, 1897: Totontepec, eastern Oaxaca, as described and as represented by a Cerro San Felipe 2 (RTM), it differs in whiter head-stripes, darker Bay (particularly on crown), producing greater contrast; bill narrower at base (13° ys. 15 mam. ). Type: orig. no. 7807 3, Rio San Marcial below San Miguel Suchixtepec, municipio de Miahuatlan, Oaxaca (ca. lat. 16° 5’ N. long. 96° 26’ W.), 15 Nov. 1964; collected by Faustino Antonio R.; prepared by Juan Nava S. Measurements of type: Length 390; wing 158 (+; moulting); tail 140.5 (--? central pair missing). Flank feathers of the type Cyrtonyx m. rowleyi. Cyrtonyx montezumae (Vigors), 1830 Nelson (1902) figured a 3 from this area as sallaei, to illustrate its | distinctness from merriami. Recent acquisition of several of these rarely collected birds, from both Guerrero and Oaxaca, shows that their varia- tions ve not due to age nor individual in nature, thus permitting recogni- tion o Cyrtonyx montezumae rowleyi, subsp. nov. Description: even darker than C. m. sallei J. Verreaux, 1859: ‘‘Mexico’” [= Guerrero] in ¢: chestnut markings (except mid-ventrally) darker, the spots on sides and flanks widening, more bar-like (fig. 2); whitish spots on — sides of chest more suffused with brown; facial pattern less marked, the Bulletin B.O.C. 93 Vol. 86 white duller (obsolete at front of eye); the grey of lower auriculars paler; bill smaller. Type: original no. 7854 3 ad.; data same as Dendrortyx m. inesperatus (supra) but 17 Nov. and prepared by Santos Farfan B. Measurements of type: Length 234; wing 119; bill 8.0 mm. Remarks: the type and a juvenal ¢ from the same region agree with Nelson’s ¢ and apparently with a juvenal ¢ from Cerro San Felipe, to the north (fide Short). A 2 from the more arid north base of the type range, near Miahuatlan, has a small bill, but is pale; no 3¢ were taken here. The race is dedicated to my friend J. Stuart Rowley, master quail- and swift-hunter as well as truly scientific odlogist, to whom I am in- debted for much help. Glaucidium brasilianum (Gmelin), 1788 This abundant bird (AMNH, CM, CU, LDY, MIN, RTM, WF)*, like other owls, presents serious taxonomic problems: colours are fugitive, and owls taken after early January are often of limited value. Further, there are here (1) 4 colour phases, plus intermediates, and (2) apparent micro-geographic variations in Central America. The Pacific slope birds, south of northern Nayarit, present no notable peculiarities; but constancy of colour tones over extensive regions warrants recognition of Glaucidium brasilianum intermedium, subsp. nov. Description: darker above than G. b. cactorum van Rossem, 1937: between Guaymas and Empalme, Sonora; but paler than both G. b. ridgwayi Sharpe, 1875: Mérida, Yucatan, by designation of Brodkorb, 1941: 3-4, and G. b. saturatum Brodkorb, 1941: Finca Esperanza, {Es- cuintla,} Chiapas; averaging slightly larger than ridgwayi but slightly smaller than saturatum. Distribution: Pacific coast of México from type locality south and east to at least 21 km. E. of Juchitan, Oaxaca. Types: original nos. 2912 3 ad., 2954 ¢ imm., and 2955 2 imm., all from **Pie de la Cuesta’’ at the junction of two rivers 14.5 km. by road east of Las Varas, Nayarit (ca. lat. 21° 12’ N. long. 105° 3’ 10” W.), 10, 19, and 19 Nov. 1952. Collected by A. R. Phillips. Measurements of types: respectively, length 182, 179, 185; extent (355 +), 355, 363; wing 89.3+, 90.5, 92.3; tail 62.7, 63.5, 65.4 mm. Weights 62.25, 63.1—-grammes. Material examined: extensive series from all coastal states except Michoacan. Remarks: Birds from San Blas, Tepic, and Compostela, Nayarit, are nearest cactorum. Others from Nejapa, south-eastern Oaxaca, (RTM) are *Listing of a museum, especially CAS, CM, CU and MIN, does not necessarily imply that a// pertinent material in its collections was examined or compared. Where several museums are acknowledged, it was rarely possible to compare all of them at one time. Vol. 86 94 Bulletin B.O.C. also pale; and when fall specimens become available, cactorum may prove to range throughout interior Oaxaca and the Balsas Basin. Similarly, intermedium may range through central Chiapas into parts of northern Guatemala, whence two from Progreso (AMNH) are notably pale, particularly on the crown. The intermediate colour phase is commonest in intermedium, with pale red birds common in eastern Oaxaca only. I have one grey bird (tail dark, with fine white bars) from west of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. The fourth phase, apparently restricted to westernmost Jalisco, is also dark and grey, but the tail resembles the normal intermediate phase except for whitish instead of rufous cross-bars. (These may become white in the intermediate phase with wear, but rufous tones usually persist in protected parts near the shaft.) Age may be a factor: in the Las Varas series, two adults are decidedly paler and redder than five immatures; but this does not hold throughout the species, for some series reverse the difference, and some- times old and young seem alike. Chaetura vauxi (J. K. Townsend), 1839 (AMNH, CAS, GMS, LDY, MICH, MIN, RSC, RTM, US). Even recently the conspecificity of vauxi and gaumeri Lawrence, 1882: Yucatan, has been questioned (Eisenmann, 1955). But all races are much alike in field and museum. Furthermore tamaulipensis Sutton, 1941: near Gomez Farias, south-western Tamaulipas, a pale race much like vauxi, grades toward the dark gaumeri group down the Pacific Coast through Chaetura vauxi warneri subsp. nov. Description: nearest tamaulipensis but darker above, particularly the crown, accentuating its contrast to the pale rump. Whitish supraloral line of vauxi and (often) tamaulipensis obsolete or absent. Distribution: mountains of Pacific México between Bahia de Banderas, . Jalisco, and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. Types: in Richard S. Crossin’s and my collections (one will be deposited in U.S. National Museum); g¢ 3 km. W. of San Gabriel Mixtepec, Juquila, Oaxaca, 30 and (2) 31 March 1965; collected by R. S. Crossin (original nos. 1270-1272). Measurements of types: wing 108.7-112.5 [+; some wear]; tail 38-41 mm. Material examined: also two specimens from westernmost Jalisco (El Refugio Suchixtlan, near Cabo Corrientes), late May 1954, and a near- topotype. Remarks: this race is dedicated to Dr. Dwain W. Warner, expert and enthusiast on Mexican birds, who (with me) collected the first specimens. Though these are not as dark as the Oaxaca birds, recognition of two races in south-western México seems undesirable. (to be continued.) Bulletin B.O.C. 95 Vol. 86 On movements, and a roost of the African Pied Wagtail. Motacilla aguimp vidua Sundeyall by C. R. S. PITMAN Recived 20th December, 1965 With reference to K. E. L. Simmons’ notes on the White Wagtail, Motacilla a. alba Linn. in Bull. B.O.C. 85 (9) (pp. 161-68), the following extracts from Annual Reports of the Uganda Game Department are of interest. 1937, para. 137. “Black-and-White Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp vidua). This familiar and friendly little species indulges in considerable local movement, and a flock of thirty was observed at Katebo on the Victoria Nyanza (N.W.) on 2nd March. At Entebbe a pair, after an absence of several months, re-appeared in their breeding haunts on 21st February.”’ 1950, para. 359 (27). “‘African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp vidua). This confiding resident nests, according to Jackson (/.c.), from February to June and again from October to December. Like many other wagtails it roosts gregariously when not breeding. Throughout 1950 between 200 and 400 birds (the number varied) could be found roosting at night in the small yachts anchored off the Entebbe pier, completely safe from night prowling enemies and protected from cool night winds. Many of the birds slept under the floor-boards of the yachts. As the species is known to indulge in considerable local movement (Annual Report, 1937, para. 137), an effort was made to ring some, in the hope that an idea of the extent of this move- ment might be obtained. Torchlight catching operations resulted in 102 being ringed, as follows: 8th July, 16; 13th, 17; 17th, 14; 31st, 14; 7th August, 7; 7th September, 13; 4th October, 12; 6th December, 9. Jackson (/.c.) records that in Uganda this wagtail “‘is not infrequently subject to a deformed foot, a mere stump, or in the form of a club foot with the toes only missing”’. Over 10 per cent. of the birds ringed in 1950 had swollen, scaly legs, half as thick again as normal. Two birds ringed in the yachts in July were re-trapped there in December.” It is presumed that these hundreds of wagtails must have come from an area of considerable extent, for although widely distributed and generally associated with settlement, this species, except in the breeding season, usually occurs in pairs. It is very territorially conscious and does not tolerate intrusion. Another dwarf Pheasant by J. S. AsH Received 11th Novembar, 1965 It is of interest that a second dwarf cock Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) has occurred in the same area in which one was found last year (Ash, 1965). The present bird was shot on 2nd November, 1965, at Middleton, near Whitchurch, Hampshire, and like the previous record this specimen was submitted by Captain A. A. L. Wills. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged by shot and was partly decomposed when seen by Captain Wills, so that - only the head, a wing and one leg could be saved for examination. Vol. 86 96 Bulletin B.O.C. The head has been preserved in 5 per cent. saline formalin and is avail- able to anyone who may wish to study it further. Its standard measure- ments are compared with those from The Handbook of British Birds, with the 1964 Whitchurch cock and with a Northamptonshire cock described earlier (Ash, 1961). Measurements in mm. The Oundle Whitchurch Whitchurch Handbook cock 1964 1965 Wing 235-260 219 215 and 216 224 Tarsus 60-78 50 45 and 45 52 Bill (from feathers) 28-32 26 21.5 24 Weight in gms. 1394 510.3 426.5 ? The 1965 specimen, like the 1964 Whitchurch bird, was also rather late-hatched. Based on wing moult it was 13-14 weeks of age (lst primary =39 mm.), so that it hatched in the third week of July. References: Ash, J. S. (1961). Dwarfism in a Pheasant. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club: 81: 95-96. — (1965). A further case of dwarfism in a Pheasant. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club. 85: 65-66. Some clutches of wader eggs from E. C. Stuart Baker by C. J. O. HARRISON Received 17th September, 1965 Work on the egg collection which the late Col. R. F. Meiklejohn presented to the British Museum (Natural History) has revealed some unsatisfactory clutches of wader eggs among those which Meiklejohn purchased from E. C. Stuart Baker. There are two sets of four eggs of the Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus. These are atypically dark eggs and are accom- panied by Baker’s original clutch card. This bears two slips giving the locality as Perthshire and the dates as April 1913, and May 1913. Baker’s comments are “‘presumably the same bird laid both clutches. First clutch laid about second week in April, second clutch about first week in May in same field on same ridge’. One egg in the May clutch is marked in Baker’s handwriting ‘‘4/ Vanellus vulgaris / 1463 / 5. 1913 / Perthshire’, and the clutch number, species number and date are on the other three. The latter three also bear a pencilled “6” or “9” and are relatively similar although one is distinctly glossier and browner than the other two. The first egg has a matt surface and is pale olive-green, sparsely marked. The other set of four for which Baker’s data card quotes “‘Perthshire, April 1913” consists of three similar eggs with an ““L” or “7” pencilled on them, one inscribed in Baker’s hand “‘3/ 1463 / Dumfries / April 1910” with the “3” subsequently altered to “‘4’’, the other two inscribed “3 / 1463/ April 1910’. The fourth egg is unlike the other three, with a matt surface and elongated shape. It is inscribed in Baker’s hand “3 / April 1919 / Durnfries”’. There is also a clutch of six eggs of the Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago, but the original collector’s slip, if examined closely, shows that an original clutch number of “4’’ has been altered to “6”. The eggs are _ inscribed in Baker’s hand “‘c/6, 18.5.1903”. The eggs could have originated Bulletin B.O.C. 97 Vol. 86 from two sources but the pattern and colour intergrade and there is no obvious discontinuity. Meiklejohn also purchased from Baker a series of clutches of eggs of the Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula. Two sets of four from Wells, Norfolk, one dated Ist June 1920, the other 30th June 1924, are of interest. They appear to be made up from four pairs of eggs. Each pair has a striking and distinct pattern differing markedly from that of the other pairs. They are grouped to form two clutches of four eggs which, in view of what is known of the inheritance of pattern and colour and of colour variation in other clutches of the species, are biologically improbable units. In addition there are three clutches of the same species consisting of five eggs, one from Wells dated 28th May 1921, and two from Blakeney, one on 14th June 1917, and one on 4th May 1920. The last contains four eggs of similar colour and pattern, all being peculiar in possessing a constricted narrow end, the egg becoming noticeably narrower at one point before the tip rather than tapering evenly towards it. The fifth egg is paler in colour with an even taper. The clutch from Wells has three similar broad eggs with slightly constricted tips, another similar in markings to these but a little narrower and tapering more evenly, while the fifth is larger, buffer, and more heavily marked than the other four. The third clutch consists of five very similar eggs. From the evidence available one can only conclude that in some cases at least eggs were regrouped into clutches. In view of this there are grounds for questioning the abnormally large clutches of Snipe and Ringed Plover, and it would be of interest to know if the statements in the Handbook of British Birds (Witherby et al. 1940) mentioning c/6 for the Snipe and c/5 for the Ringed Plover as of exceptional occurrence were based on the existence of these clutches. References: Witherby, H. F. et al. 1940. Handbook of British birds. Vol. 4. Witherby: London. A specimen of Luscinia svecica volgae (Kleinschmidt) migrating through Rumania by DAN MUNTEANU Received 13th December, 1965 The Bluethroat subspecies known in Rumania is Luscinia svecica cyanecula (Meisner). It breeds in small numbers about the pools of the district Banat; it is known also in the rest of the country, but only as a rare bird of passage. In 2nd April, 1963 I collected at Pingarati (Bacau district), on the Bistrita valley, a male Bluethroat whose blue plastron has a chestnut- coloured spot in the middle of it, but the lower part of the feathers forming the spot is white. Considering this peculiarity, it is clear that the bird I collected belongs to L. s. volgae (Kleinschmidt) (syn. L. s. occidentalis (Zarudny), nomen praeoccupatum), a most variable race, intermediate between the nominate svecica and cyanecula, that breeds in the central part of Russia and northern Ukraine, passing the winter in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region. The above mentioned bird proves that some vol/gae specimens, in their migration, are passing through the eastern part of Rumania, Vol. 86 98 Bulletin B.O.C. On the systematic position of the Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis (L.) in Rumania by DAN MUNTEANU Received 13th December, 1965 In 1909, Tschusi described a subspecies of Goldfinch characteristic to Rumania, Carduelis carduelis rumaeniae, which, in the author’s opinion, is the darkest form of the species. Its validity has been admitted by Hartert (1901-1938) and other ornithologists. R. Dombrowski (1912), in his fundamental work concerning the Rumanian birds, mentions three sub- species of Goldfinch: C. c. rumaeniae Tschusi, a breeding bird; C. c. carduelis (Linnaeus), a frequent visitor in winter; C. c. major Taczanowski, a specimen shot at Cernavoda on 13th February (the year is not indicated). This point of view has been adopted both by D. Lintia in the Rumanian version of Dombrowski’s book (1946), and by all the Rumanian ornitholo- gists. On the other side, C. Vaurie (1956), studying four goldfinches from Rumania, found that these birds are not darker than the Scandinavian specimens and he concludes: “‘Hartert stated that rumaeniae required further study, and until then, I believe this name is best considered as a synonym of nominate carduelis” (see also Vaurie, 1959). MATERIAL EXAMINED From Rumania I examined 44 breeding birds and 49 winter birds. The comparative material from abroad consists of five specimens from Sweden, 10 from Germany, one from Switzerland, seven from Hungary, 16 from Poland, 15 from U.S.S.R., 16 from Yugoslavia and four from Bulgaria (74 in all). The goldfinches from Yugoslavia and Bulgaria belong to the subspecies C. c. balcanica Sachtleben, and three specimens from U.S.S.R. (the Crimea) are C. c. nikolskii Moltchanov, a subspecies synonymized by Vaurie with brevirostris Zarudny. DISCUSSION Beginning the research of the available material, I intended to check that the goldfinches from Rumania do not really differ from typical carduelis, to prove Vaurie’s point of view concerning rumaeniae. To my surprise, however, I noted the existence of an important difference between the Rumanian goldfinches and those from central and northern Europe, but in a contrary direction to that stated above. I remarked that the majority of the breeding goldfinches examined by me belong to the sub- species C. c. balcanica Sachtleben, known previously only in Crete, Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. Unfortunately, I could not collect goldfinches from all over the country, but I can outline the distribution of the races in the different provinces. The Balcanic subspecies is surely breeding in Dobruja, in Wallachia and in most of Moldavia; in northern Moldavia I found a hybrid population balcanica x carduelis, as well as typical specimens of carduelis. Oltenia is, of course, populated by balcanica, and Banat, judging by the two specimens examined by me, has a hybrid population. The situation in Transylvania requires further study, but I can state that at least in the south-eastern part Bulletin B.O.C. 99 Vol. 86 of this province, balcanica is breeding (the single specimen I have from Cluj is a balcanica); in the western and north-western part of Transylvania, there is probably a gradual changing towards carduelis, existing in Hun- gary and continuing in the rest of the Continent. I am sure that balcanica is distributed beyond the eastern borders of Rumania, in south Bessarabia. I make the remark that “‘niko/skii” speci- mens are very similar to the hybrid birds carduelis x balcanica. It must be pointed out that the colour difference between balcanica and carduelis does not lie only in the presence, on the dorsal part, of a paler hue in the case of the first subspecies than in the second, but mostly in the lack of the chestnut hue characterizing the nominate race, this peculiarity being very constant. Indeed, in the material examined, I found relatively dark-coloured specimens of balcanica, but the back is pure brown and not chestnut-brown. The wing sizes of the Balcanic specimens according to my measure- ment are the following:—Bulgaria: females 76, 76.5; males 80, 80 mm. Yugoslavia: females (5) 75-79 (76.2); males (10) 77-79 (78) mm. By comparison with the above, the Rumanian population of balcanica presents rather higher sizes, quasi-similar to those of the nominate form; in this way the Rumanian balcanica gets closer to the nominate race. Thus, the wing length is 76-78 (77.3) mm. in three females and 77-84 (81.5) mm. in 18 males. The majority of the goldfinches collected in winter belong to the nominate race, which, in this season, frequently appears across all the Rumanian territory. However, there can be found some balcanica speci- mens, a fact which proves that this race is only partially migratory from Rumania. Finally, some words about the type of rumaeniae, now in the Munich Museum. It was collected at Baneasa (this is the correct spelling of the locality indicated by Tschusi and then by other authors, too, with the name of “‘Baneaso’’), near Bucharest, on 15th November, 1908, by R. Dombrowski. It is not a breeding bird, being collected in a month in which the birds belonging to the nominate race have already come to Rumania as winter visitors. From the point of view of the colouring, it is clear that the | specimen belongs to the carduelis typicus, but it is intensely coloured, mostly on the breast. Among the specimens examined by me I have not found any belonging to the race C. c. major and the specimen cited by Dombrowski is not available to me. Bearing in mind that it is hardly probable for this race to reach south-eastern Europe in winter, I think we must delete it from the check-list of Rumanian birds. | CONCLUSIONS . The subspecies of Goldfinch breeding in the south-eastern half of Rumania is C. c. balcanica, replaced in north Moldavia by a hybrid population carduelis x balcanica, as well as carduelis typicus; in the western Vol. 86 | 100 Bulletin B.O.C. part of Transylvania it is probably replaced by the nominate race. In winter come numerous northern specimens of carduelis. ““Rumaeniae” has — been described on wintering specimens of carduelis, among whose syno- nyms we can rightly include it. The appearance of C. c. major in winter — requires further checking. The distribution (partially pre- sumptive) of the C. carduelis races in south-eastern Europe. (a — carduelis; b — balcanica) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I must address my sincere thanks to all those who kindly put com- parative material at my disposal: Renata Rucner (Zagreb), G. Diesselhorst (Munich), St. Doncev (Sofia), M. Jozéfik (Warsaw), A. Keve (Budapest), I. Patkai (Budapest) and L. A. Portenko (Leningrad). I thank too the Rumanian ornithologists I. Kohl (Reghin), M. Maties (Cluj), E. Nadra (Timisoara) and A. Papadopol (Bucharest). I am also indebted to C. Vaurie (New York), who has been so kind as to give me his opinion about some of my specimens. References: Dombrowski, R. (1912). Ornis Romaniae. Bukarest. — (1946). Pasarile Romdniei. Translated and completed by D. Lintia. Vol. I, Bucuresti. Hartert, E. (1901-1938). Die Vogel der paldarktischen Fauna. Berlin. Tschusi zu Schmid thoffen, V. (1909). Uber palaearktishe Formen. XIV. Carduelis carduelis rumaeniae subsp. nov. Ornith. Jahrb., XX, Heft 1-2, pp. 76-77. yaa a (1956). Systematic Notes on Palearctic Birds. No. 19. Amer. Mus. Noy., no. TT3. — (1959). The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna. Passeriformes. London, . ey penta: sey 3.0 Ai ae Owe h.o) beiwnast dow sie wsotedrtac’) ‘att boaleat niot aM /aotib® pil?’ 0) Loveatbhis st Vorty “eagg tM Hota.t 4184 2 inseoS cobnat ln ae ae hebeetanii Ac: D tO4 RG ots LO abit sito io boys as mMIshoy eres off fhipytyir ett eh poise? @ ernis seri} hs Be sectace Uitte Stee tats ylirtnoneetue Loboloabsd Moors BR Borkgh ol sete Nee Sink SORAYA weUNieg Sci) To veins! 96 so TIVES | ad bios ¢ounsiatsR J4fipesqy) ot ni banthshny a 0.99 | 55 Sit. yhibticesb i? Soba, Wohl. Apleiibovni ‘oyna! MemaroIg sateen Sc) yal: 20 Dis ohid 1iSh)- ti eid sonsibar biiode gh oe PS AP AON ESE. VOR te SOR CN wed bewallal troy ole ‘bivane ames suit 1. HODSEDITINI eu A erongitoegh equ oa Ronedra sr DIGI we fcr sige igsray eA bite: ** bortincraxy dae! ois" . MYT to eer a es: ae Dilip ty oughsil: on NRioy SHOREEW Loi: ni od pte gods 136 Bolt weib oth pA 2 Bric ae AP esiit0 mnie Rie 8 seing dx ype te i BO ANeh5r 6 701 ru fiw dulD sis TY gi 101 ainsi Yat votudiiEDS i eooerty nikege® OF beiiine sb eyotu: Fung ee 3 ey iar ch ¥'no Bait outs isle uy CM Gins! WO babe blwoule 2 ehildom 6 of voiindday Hpcoy, ait yin Oe § sires. TSG. Hisv set 2 "ah aw ' : 5 #¥ iene aR HO CISHNML DAG Bs bic Be , dos 42 Sebclislal cist toad 20} 2fOD SSG A wth Pe att We sobitos UH ‘ehre! Stitt VF oe volbaee 4 AY g 49; pao! On vant tatiw | alvellw say to modems J 21d oad Velbe vi ai oO) invest bite me Gp Bs RO DSi ( - ite i > aera sited OF WOE mes ¥? idhecons wisi cu HOR YS Daas Xd yse: wise sat ae i sent 10H art cil siete LIQ 10 fo (sonavbe ny ; rich Sek ODN. oBkd pais? bsoidd — aah HOR tbe ad yk sonsbrogesraD tad a Biter ae a +) Yooobhan W W x ite iy CR Ab 3 a “Sey 904 QMS <1 A Ba id . ¥ bitin 20 Fal adorn) ii ‘eodemetqe? M105. yeh alyt | De eM cts 9S |, S ELOO AON THRO Herrin oi). “4. basiritdy » ee te sod) hem eae wien loW & nein) 4 CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. These should be concise and typed on one side of the paper, double-spaced, with a good margin. The first time a species is mentioned, the scientific generic and specific names — should be included. Subsequently the same name need only have the initial letter of the genus. Scientific names are printed in italics and should be underlined in the typescript. References should be given at the end of the paper. Authors introducing a new name or describing a new species or race should indicate this in their title and display the name prominently in the text followed by nom. nov., sp. nov., subsp. nov. as appropriate. In these descriptions, the first introduction of the name should be followed by paragraphs for ‘‘Description’’, ‘‘Distribution’’, ‘“Type’’, ‘‘Measure- — ments of Type’’, ‘‘Material examined’’ and further sub-headings as — required. Proofs must be returned without delay. No changes may be made at this stage, other than corrections. At the discretion of the Editor, the Club will pay for a reasonable number of monochrome blocks, which the contributor may retain for his own use. é Contributors are entitled to a maximum of thirty free copies of the Bulletin, supplied only as specifically requested by authors. Those con- tributing to a meeting should hand in their MS. at that meeting; otherwise a note will be inserted mentioning the contribution. 3 BACK NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN Applications for back numbers which cost 5s. each, should be made to © N. J. P. Wadley, 95 Whitelands House, London, S.W.3. Members who : have back numbers of the Bulletin, which they no longer require are requested to send them to Mr. Wadley. SUBSCRIPTION TO BULLETIN The Bulletin may be purchased by non-members annually for 40s. (payable — i in advance) or per copy 5s., payable to the Hon. Treasurer, P. Tate, 4 4 Broad Street Place, London, E.C.2 CORRESPONDENCE Other correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. r Martin W. Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. 3 DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 17th May, 20th September, 18th October, 15th November and 20th December. Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. ne A ett oO Fi BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Edited by JOHN J. YEALLAND yi PURCHASED 4 | 8) Q < use Volume 86 September No. 6 1966 co 28 98 ema Steak ‘Newsy es pet vs A tide neds che peace ecaeaa sh Ow ‘ BUA. 7ebe1ao oa Ae a ot pinay ene a oda “ roses BYARY \e by tat te tivbi get thee ele A te} she 2 4h. AEP afk, FRAG F sep Pues Snes Soa es 4, | hearin! tie fist eee sale Sf yee ae : aie CO} ts LS Ligahrnvans Aer ARCADE fk > vais of Tepe, SNiatogeiaeenanntes® teeta eaeen ;" ‘ { a 7: u? 5 4 Hs ee shen spesiigee bal Stone ts 4 ys a Hg N : j e et e ra NRT iy, hips STREET LE Oe Tatts 4 . fe : aitapet fue eae iia pew sith: buoteeneeuate oat el ' rae. € t 7s ‘ ih a et ‘ . 4 hv tee eS yey _ 5 wi . a oy ‘ ; 4 oe oad A wu ; i tie 4 ei tabeeese,| ae «| 4 es tam AS ys, iF SORIA? oh viHOY FANS ae ~ sie ay: aright ie (ood BRE DV Seta Peake teem eee }. as ates 7 a orp OY A * $3 a Ys ey ts? saat pan ‘e ra oa . > é ie. ’ if Pues, at te ; hom : me | $a . <3 Ge rere zie ‘ i‘? BR ere ad - | phe gee os ~at f ? ae icy itt ae. 2255 ep gies yh a oe “ die Rt se pean bh ERS peter Sean ro 22 GRR ERAS ; ‘Se : wee baler tw ewe e= ib en se ) Cae tps Me Oc or ¢ ao? i ths pict Mart ¥ Vhs Pah ee ‘| ee eas § ib. hes es ‘Opus (“4 nc fy kersny: de Wee Be ea One Lees a aA 6 * >| , , me ee < é ': ri 1966 101 ~~ Vol. 86 - 7 SEP 1966 BULLETIN urn. OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB % Volume 86 Number 6 Published: Ist September 1966 The six hundred and thirty-fifth meeting of the Club was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, London, on the 17th May, 1966. Chairman: Dr. J. F. Monk Members present: 15; Guests 3. Dr. K. Simkiss spoke on the subject of bird flight. A partial albino of Crypturellus soui (Hermann) from Surinam by F. HAVERSCHMIDT Received 30th December, 1965 On 22nd April, 1965, I received a female Crypturellus soui (Hermann) in which the dark brown plumage of the upperparts and the rufous feathers of the underparts were mixed with a large number of white feathers giving _ the bird a pied appearance. The bird was captured a short time before near Lelydorp, Surinam and was kept in confinement before it died. It is now preserved under my field number 7286 in the Leiden Museum. I do not know whether partial albinism has previously been seen in tinamous. A specimen of Melanerpes cruentatus with a deformed bill by F. HAVERSCHMIDT Received 30th December, 1965 On 26th February, 1963, I collected at a forest edge near Phedra a omriver), Surinam, a male Melanerpes cruentatus with a deformed | bi Vol. 86 102 Bulletin B.O.C. The upper mandible is much longer than normally and has a length of 32 mm. and it extends 15 mm. over the lower mandible. The bird was in perfect plumage and condition and it was hammering with some others in the top of a dead tree. Apparently it was not handi- capped at all by its lengthened upper mandible which seems strange for a bird so dependent on the use of its bill. The specimen is now preserved under my field number 5890 in the Leiden Museum. Left. A male Melanerpes cruentatus with a deformed bill Right. A specimen with a normal bill Bulletin B.O.C. 103 Vol. 86 Further systematic notes on Mexican birds by ALLAN R. PHILLIPS (continued from page 94) Lamprolaima rhami (Lesson), 1838 I perceive little taxonomic value in the many males of this striking hum- ming-bird in collections. (MICH, RTM, US). The few authentically labelled females I have seen, however, permit recognition of Lamprolaima rhami occidentalis subsp. nov. Description: closely similar to nominate rhami; males possibly averaging slightly paler chestnut below wing. Females paler (more smoky grey, less tinged with steel-blue or -purple) on throat, chest, and crissum, and averaging very slightly larger (wing 66-68, tail usually 42.5—42.8 mm.). Distribution: known only from the Omiltemi region, Guerrero. Type: original no. 7500 9 ad. (ovum | 1/4 mm.); ca. 2.5 km. SSW. of Omiltemi, Guerrero, on top of mountain above Chautipa (ca. 17° 29’ N. 99° 39’ 38” W.), 21 Oct. 1964; collected by A. R. Phillips, prepared by Juan Nava S. Measurements of type: length 124, extent 176, wing 67.5, tail 42.5 mm. Weight 7.1 grammes. Remarks: I see no trenchant character separating L. r. saturatior Griscom, 1932: Cerro Cantoral, Dist. Archaga, Honduras, unless it be paler in the 2 than rhami of eastern México north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec! Lesson’s specimen probably came from the vicinity of Xalapa, Veracruz, to which I accordingly restrict the type locality of L. r. rhami. Colibri amethystinus (Swainson), 1827 (LSU, MICH, MIN, RTM, US). Extensive series examined refute the claim of Griscom (1937) and Blake (1950) that gorget colour of 33 is too variable individually to use. Actually 95-99°% of a given population are much alike, and the remainder hardly match another race. The distribu- tion of the pinkish and bluish purple varieties in concentric circles is too extraordinary and illogical for mere words (see map, fig. 3). Both varieties occur in the same mountain range in Oaxaca and possibly Michoacan, though in different parts; should overlap be found, the bluish-throated C. margaritae (Salvin and Godman), 1889: Omiltemi, Guerrero, may yet be restored to specific rank, Topotypes seem indistinguishable from birds om Rio Molino, Oaxaca; yet in the intervening area lives the pinkish- oated Colibri amethystinus circumventus subsp. nov. Description: closely similar to the geographically remote C. a. amethyst- inus (“‘Temascaltepec, Real del Monte’’), but paler greyish below, particularly on the chest. Differs conspicuously from all known adjacent populations in the pinkish (not bluish) purple throat of 33. Distribution: known only from the type locality. Types: original nos. 8113 and 8117, ad. g¢ (testes not enlarged); km. Vol. 86 104 Bulletin B.O.C. Distribution of pink-throated (open squares) and blue-throated (solid dots) males of Colibri amethystinus. Shaded areas indicate probable regions of fairly continuous suitable habitat, those in eastern Mexico and Guatemala being occupied exclusively by pink-throated males. 183 (cf. Micrastur, supra), 7 Dec. 1964; netted, and prepared by Juan Nava S. Measurements of types: (respectively) length 124, 122; extent 163— (wings moulting); wing 65—-; tail 40.5, 41.6 mm. Material examined: 22 3 6 9. Remarks: 1 perceive no structural difference between ‘‘Lampornis’’ auct. and Colibri, though these genera are widely separated in recent lists (Peters, 1945; Friedmann et al., 1950; Eisenmann, 1955; etc.). The darkish western pink-throated race usually called brevirostris (Ridgway), 1908: San Sebastian, Jalisco, ranges all the way east to south- western Veracruz, where I took a 3 at Puerto del Aire (north of Tehuacdan, Puebla), and to northern Oaxaca (LSU). I know of no recent records for either of Swainson’s putative type localities; if Bullock was mistaken in his recollection of these, he may have taken the types on the Michoacan —México border, whence I have seen ‘‘brevirostris’’. Itis known that he collected west to the present Morelia, Michoacan, where he secured Myioborus miniatus and Ergaticus ruber. Whatever their actual provenence, it seems clear that Swainson’s birds were mostly or entirely ‘‘brevirostris’’, which is thus a synonym of amethystinus, having nothing whatever to do with the bluish-throated margaritae despite Blake’s statement (1950) that separation of these two ‘‘is indefensible’’. The pale race of north-eastern México, on the mountains fronting the Gulf of Mexico, should now be called henricus (Lesson and De Lattre), 1839: Coatepec, near Xalapa. It differs from all others in the paler gorget and underparts and in the pale brownish tinge below. Bulletin B.O.C. 105 Vol. 86 Heliomaster longirostris masculinus subsp. nov. Description: 33 closely similar to H. /. pallidiceps Gould, 1861 (Xalapa, Veracruz), but crown slightly bluer and gorget averaging more reddish, less magenta or purplish; adult 2 much like 3, unlike the sexually dimor- phic 9° of other races. First-basic-plumaged 9 more like @ pallidiceps (of all ages), but sides and flanks more extensively and purely green; crown deeper green, with the blue of adult at least indicated (on sides of fore- crown); and the green more bluish generally, the rectrices darker and bluer even to their bases (CM, RTM). Distribution: Type locality and (1 unsexed juvenal) Putla, Oaxaca (CU), Types: original nos. 7297 and 7345 ad. 92; San Gabriel Mixtepec, south-western Oaxaca (cf. Micrastur, supra), 8 and 11 Dec. 1963; prepared by Santos Farfan B. and Juan Nava S., respectively (7345 brought in by boys). Measurements of types: respectively, length 137, 137; extent 154, 156; wing 61.3, 62.3; tail 33.2, 34 mm. Remarks: This is probably another first record of a chiefly Caribbean species on the Pacific slope west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec; I am sceptical of the old report from Guerrero. My series (44, 2 ad. 9, 1 imm. 2) was personally dissected; age of 92 was determined by the appearance of the ovary. They occurred sympatrically with the outnumbered H. con- stantii. Trogon collaris Vieillot, 1817 Here again the taxonomic value is in the unworn, dull 2, poorly repre- sented in collections (AMNH, CAS, F, KANU, MICH, WF). Dixon and Davis (1958) traced this Caribbean species west to Guerrero. Here unworn Q° have apparently not been taken; but I have a small series from the Pacific slope of Oaxaca and of Chiapas. These 99 are distinctly paler, duller (less rufescent) brown than a good fresh series from north-eastern Chiapas (Santa Rosa). T. puella Gould, 1845: ‘‘Escuintla, South America’’, is generally and probably correctly thought to have come from Pacific Guatemala. This is unfortunate, since no fresh 92 seem to exist from Escuintla, Guatemala, and the population there may well prove to be intermediate. It seems conceivable that Gould meant “‘south México’’, i.e. Pacific Chiapas. In any case, puella probably applies to the Pacific race, leaving the Caribbean race to be called Trogon collaris xalapensis Du Bus, 1845, Esquiss. Orn., 1, pl. 2: Xalapa, Veracruz. Description: Sides of chest, in autumn 99 from north-eastern Chiapas, near Dresden Brown, often slightly approaching Antique Brown or Raw Umber. In contrast, western Oaxaca 99 are nearer a pale Saccardo’s Umber (or even pale Sepia), sometimes approaching Buffy Brown. Distribution: Caribbean slope generally, south at least to San Lucas, Guatemala (19, AMNH), not far from the type locality of puella. Dendrocopos scalaris (Wagler), 1829 (LDY, MIN, RTM, WF). Miller et al. (**1957°’) refer mainland birds from southern Sonora south and east to central Oaxaca (Mitla) to 3 races: Vol. 86 106 Bulletin B.O.C. sinaloensis (Ridgway), 1887: near Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Sonora and Sinaloa; centrophilus (Oberholser), 1911: Ameca, Jalisco, Nayarit to western Michoacan; and azelus (Oberholser), 1911: La Salada, Michoacan, central Michoacan to central Oaxaca and south-western Puebla. Thus we should find wings of 94-101.5 mm. in Sinaloa gg, 100-104.5 in Nayarit, and 92-94 from central Michoacan to Oaxaca. The espoxed culmen should be, respectively, 19-23, 19.5—23, and 18.5 mm. Actually, however, neither Dr. J. W. Hardy nor I can perceive the slightest difference (other than fading with wear) between birds from Sinaloa, Nayarit, coastal Jalisco, Colima, and southern Michoacan. 33 from the lower parts of the latter two areas have the wing less than 98 and bill less than 19.5, which are about average figures in western parts of Nayarit and Jalisco; no taxonomic separation is feasible. Oberholser apparently had a juvenal-plumaged bird which he made the unique type of ‘‘azelus’’. Actual measurements of the two ‘‘Mitla’’ males called azelus by Miller et al. are: wing 102.2, 108; exposed culmen 21.6, 22.2. I do not doubt that they were actually taken in or near Hidalgo. (See Marshall, 1964 : 353, on another ‘‘Mitla’’ occurrence listed by Miller et al.) The characters of the populations of central southern México, then, remain to be established. From most of Oaxaca and south-western Puebla I have seen no unworn material. Six specimens from Guerrero are separ- able as Dendrocopos scalaris lambi subsp. nov. Description: very similar to sinaloensis (see above), but primary coverts with little white (on inner webs only) or wholly black; white also reduced, and somewhat brown-tinged, in distal greater wing-coverts and on distal parts of primaries. The ¢ has the white spots on the crown also reduced in size and extent (not noticeable far behind the level of the eyes). Distribution: central Guerrero, west to the Omiltemi area. Type: in my collection; 3; Chomicotitlan, at least 15 km. east of Acahui- zotla, Guerrero, 3 Nov. 1964; collected by Sdstenes Romero H. Measurements of type: wing 92.7; exposed culmen 18.0 mm. Remarks: 1 dedicate this race to the late Chester C. Lamb, whose un- selfish labours supplied most of the critical material used in comparisons. His specimens from Tiquicheo, south-eastern Michoacan (RTM), seem to be good sinaloensis, though rather broadly white dorsally (and faded, being January birds). Pachyramphus major (Cabanis), 1847 (AMNH, F, KANU, LDY, LSU, MCZ, MICH, MIN, RSC, RTM, US, WF).* In this becard, rare nearly everywhere, the variations in g¢ are again surpassed by wide individual and racial variations in 99 (tending to fade out with wear). Major variations are: (1) centre of crown broadly cinnamon, not black, from Sinaloa to western Oaxaca (sight record at close range, but unaccountably missed), uropygialis Nelson, 1899; (2) tinged with warm cinnamon generally, or at least on malar area, chest, sides, flanks, and crissum; belly buffy, less yellow or clear; dusky of central *The authorities of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology also kindly lent me their series from the critical areas; but unfortunately all 99 and young proved to be P. (‘‘ Pla- typsaris’’) aglaiae, Bulletin B.O.C. 107 Vol. 86 rectrices obsolete; Nuevo Leon (where larger, with bigger bill, possibly paler, and probably separable) and eastern San Luis Potosi south in eastern México to Isthmus of Tehuantepec, major; (3) similar but darker above, Caribbean slope of Central America, australis Miller and Griscom, 1925; (4) palest, particularly below; Yucatan Peninsula, itzensis Nelson, 1901; and (5). Pachyramphus major matudai subsp. nov. Description: 2 nearly as pale yellow ventrally as uropygialis, and with little or no cinnamon wash, but crown wholly black; nuchal collar pale or obsolete; upperparts variable but never (?) strongly rufescent. Averaging slightly smaller than adjacent races. Distribution: Pacific slope of Chiapas and Guatemala; in typical form from Finca Esperanza, Escuintla, Chiapas (MICH, WF) east to Volcan Tajumulco (F). Type: original no. 5328, imm. 2; Finca Guatimoc, 7 km. by road N. of Cacahoatan, south-eastern Chiapas, 20 Sept. 1959. Little fat. Measurements of type: length 163; extent 246; wing 76.2; tail 56.9 (but central rectrices not full-grown); bill 10 mm. Weight 22.6 grammes. Material examined: 49, as above; less typical 9° from Finca El Caca- huito (Taxisco, Santa Rosa, eastern Guatemala—F), 39 km. SE. of Remarks: 1 take great pleasure in naming this race for Eizi Matuda, true naturalist, to whose broad interests we owe so much of our knowledge of the biota of southern Chiapas. The type has the throat Naphthalene Yellow and the posterior underparts yellower and a bit deeper (other 9° are even paler); the back, medially, is somewhat like Tawny-Olive but much darker and greyer. Birds of more northern parts of Chiapas and Guatemala, and of adjacent areas, seem to be variable intermediates, though australis may range west to easternmost Chiapas. Material examined suggests that the north-easternmost populations may be partially (or entirely?) migratory. Myiozetetes similis (Spix), 1825 Caribbean birds, from north-eastern México and Yucatan south to at least Costa Rica, are all much alike; they are texensis (Giraud), 1841. The description of primulus van Rossem, 1930: Tesia, Sonora, was based so completely on faded specimens that he later (1945b) referred the only fresh one he saw to fexensis as a straggler. Actually the species is sedentary and al/ Sonora birds are primulus, which (comparing only fall specimens) is a well-marked pale extreme. As in Glaucidium, most of the Pacific coast is occupied by intermediates, which I propose to call Myiozetetes similis hesperis subsp. nov. Description: very similar to texensis of Veracruz, but back paler. Deeper, brighter yellow below than primulus, and greener and slightly darker above. Distribution: lower parts of Pacific slope of México from southern Sinaloa (north at least to Rosario) and southern Zacatecas south and east to south-western Puebla and at least south-eastern Oaxaca (probably into western Chiapas, whence no specimens seen), Vol. 86 108 Bulletin B.O.C. Types: original nos. 4282-4283, ad. 2 ad. g; both from 10 km. S. and 1 km. W. of Tepic, Nayarit, 11 Oct. 1956; very little fat. Measurements of types: respectively, length 199, 203; extent 310, 336 (—); wing 92.3, 95; tail 74.5, 80.5 mm. Weight 32.2, 33.4 grammes. Material examined: extensive series of my own, LSU, MIN, RTM, WF etc., chiefly from Nayarit, Morelos, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. Since Giraud’s birds, of course, did not come from ‘‘Texas’’, I restrict the type locality of Muscicapa texensis Giraud, 1841, to Xalapa, Veracruz, the chief centre of collecting activity in Mexico at that time. For an in- teresting account of Giraud’s famous *“sixteen new species’’ see Deignan, 1961-276. It should be noted that hesperis is the ‘‘primulus’’ of Zimmer, 1937. Empidonax fulvifrons (Giraud), 1841 My studies (LDY, LSU, MICH, MIN, RTM, US, WE) confirm the well-marked pale north-western race pygmaeus Coues, 1865: Fort Whipple [=Prescott], Arizona. Otherwise, colour variations from Nayarit and north-eastern México south to Honduras seem to me to be largely sea- sonal and partly individual; possibly sex, age, and post-mortem “‘foxing”’ are involved as well. While fusciceps Nelson, 1904: Comitan, Chiapas, is probably a good race, its characters are not as striking to me as to Hellmayr (1927: 221), nor do I find a marked size difference as claimed by Griscom (1932b). I am not convinced that either rubicundus Cabanis and Heine, 1859, or inexpectatus Griscom, 1932, are valid races, nor that size varies geographically (rather than individually). In colour, all birds south or east of Sinaloa are to me rather similar, except Empidonax fulvifrons brodkorbi subsp. nov. Description: deepest, richest form known. Back nearest Olive-Brown (deeper and rustier than the Light Brownish Olive or duller of other races), in fact darker than the crown. Sides near Tawny-Olive, the chest approach- ing Sayal Brown or Cinnamon slightly (not Clay Colour or that hue x Pinkish Cinnamon, or paler). In fact the chest is only a little paler and duller, less reddish, than that of M itrephanes phaeocercus tenuirostris Brewster of north-western México. Type: original no. 7669 2; Rio Molino (ca. lat. 16° 5’ N. long. 96° 29’ W.), southern Oaxaca, 9 Nov. 1964; collected by W. J. Schaldach, Jr.; prepared by Juan Nava S. Measurements of type: length 119; wing 57.5; tail 49 mm. Remarks: 1 saw these birds infrequently in southern Oaxaca and never obtained another specimen; nor have I seen other specimens from Oaxaca, Guerrero, or southern Michoacan. The race is respectfully dedicated to Dr. Pierce Brodkorb, distinguished student of birds, fossil and living, and of Tyrannidae in particular. Empidonax difficilis Baird, 1858 (CAS, LSU, MICH, MIN, RSC, RTM, US) .This brilliantly-named species combines the usual problem in Empidonax—early departure from the breeding grounds, before moulting—with a single annual moult. Thus fresh plumages never occur on the northern breeding grounds, Assuming EE Bulletin B.O.C. 109 Vol. 86 that southern races would move shorter distances, I selectively collected birds at the highest points in the winter range in Oaxaca. These further proved my thesis (Phillips, 1960: 362) that **E. flavescens’’ is conspecific, providing a connecting link Empidonax difficilis annectens subsp. nov. Description: nearest to E. d. bairdi or occidentalis auct. (vide infra), but paler, yellower green on forehead, crown, nape, and back (yet less yellow- ish than E. d. salvini Ridgway, 1886: Calderas, Volcan de Fuego, Guate- mala, including ‘‘E. flavescens dwighti van Rossem’’, 1928: Los Esesmiles, Chalatenango, El Salvador, or even than E. d. imperturbatus Wetmore, 1942: Volcan San Martin [Tuxtla], Sierra de Tuxtla, Veracruz); more uniform below, with yellower lower throat and paler, yellower, less pro- minent chest-band. Wing-bars average slightly paler. Distribution: mountains of south-western Oaxaca. Type: original no. 8078 ad. 2; km. 183 (cf. Micrastur), 4 Dec. 1964; netted, and prepared by Juan Nava S. Measurements of type: length 149, extent 209, wing 65, tail 58.5 mm. Material examined: type; 22, Rio Molino, 3 and 5 May 1962; and 14, Rio Guajolote (below Rio Molino), 19 Dec. 1964. Doubtfully of this race is 1g, San Gabriel Mixtepec, 9 Dec. 1963. Remarks: As just shown, all records of this race come from well within the pine belt. The species winters abundantly below, also; but specimens from the lower edge of the pines (Pluma Hidalgo, US) and below (US) are all migrants from the abundant, widespread dull populations of northern México or northward; they are identical in colour with birds wintering in Nayarit and southern Sonora, i.e. ‘‘culiacani Moore’’ [=E. d. difficilis|. Thus neither of Nelson’s names E£. bairdi occidentalis or E. b. perplexus applies to any nearby race, and the central Mexican race again becomes anonymous. To remedy this I propose Empidonax difficilis infelix nom. nov. Empidonax bairdi auct. nec. P. Sclater (cf. van Rossem 1934: 393-394). Empidonax difficilis occidentalis auct., nec E. bairdi occidentalis Nelson, 1897: Pluma [Hidalgo], Oaxaca. Description: This well-known race is relatively dark and brownish. It is nearest to EF. d. immemoratus Moore (as represented by a series from south-eastern San Luis Potosi, LSU), but is duller, less brown, on the chest, crown, back, edgings of rectrices (basically) and secondaries, and wing-bars; i.e. the crown and back are more yellowish than immemoratus, the chest more olive or greenish. Distribution: south-western and central México (west and north-west of Oaxaca). Type: original catalogue no. 5060 3; 5 km. by road south-west of Los Corralitos = 19 km. south of Ahuacapan, Sierra de Autlan, south-western Jalisco, 22 Feb. 1959; collected by W. J. Schaldach, Jr., and prepared by his assistants. Measurements of type: wing 69.4, tail 61.6 mm. Material examined: series long ago. Recently 6 from Omiltemi—Chil- pancingo region, Guerrero; 2 from mountains of south-western Oaxaca Vol. 86 110 Bulletin B.O.C. | (Rio Jalatengo, 2 18 Nov. 1964; above San Gabriel Mixtepec, 3 3 Dec. 1963); 2 atypical, Edo. México (May, July); 1 atypical, Morelos (Jan.). Remarks: 1 have seen no specimens at all similar to infelix from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec or farther south-east. The theory of Griscom and van Rossem (/oc. cit.) that it winters in Guatemala was due to their failure to realize that (1) the type of salvini is dirty and (2) Griscom’s *‘young male’’ from Panajachel, 15 Aug. 1930, would at that date be in juvenal plumage, which is always much duller than any later plumage and must not be compared with these. As shown above, infelix actually winters in Morelos and Oaxaca, and probably Guerrero also (I have g and 92 from Omiltemi, 20 and 21 Oct.). E. d. bateli Moore (of type, not the rest of the series, which like culiacani and ‘‘E. albigularis subtilis’’, part, are really migrants of E. d. difficilis) approaches infelix slightly, but I agree with Miller et al. (“‘1957’’) that there is no clear separation from immodulatus Moore, which in turn, however, is inseparable from E. d. hellmayri Brodkorb! Mitrephanes phaeocercus burleighi subsp. nov. Description: a dark race, about as dark on underparts, cheeks and crown as M. p. phaeocercus (P. Sclater), 1859: Cordova, Veracruz, and M. p. hidalgensis Sutton and Burleigh, 1940: near Jacala, Hidalgo; chest deep Ochraceous-Tawny; but hue of back duller, dull greyish olive like M. p. tenuirostris Brewster, 1888: “‘‘near Oposura’’ [= Sierra de Oposura], Sonora, though darker. Thus less greenish above than hidalgensis, and less brown or rufescent than phaeocercus or, fide Sutton and Burleigh, than M. p. quercinus Dickey and Van Rossem, 1927: Mt. Cacaguatique, Dept. San Miguel, El Salvador. Distribution: mountains of Guerrero and south-western Oaxaca. Types: original nos. 7794 and 7839, imm. 2 imm. 3; Rio Molino and its head near San Miguel Suchixtepec (cf. Empidonax fulvifrons), 14 and 16 Nov. 1964; collected by Hermilo Garcia F.; prepared by Santos Farfan B. Measurements of types: respectively, length 134, 141; extent 216, 225; wing 67.5, 68.5; tail 58, 61.7 mm. Material examined: Omiltemi, Guerrero, 6; type region, 8. (Specimens from northern Chiapas are close to, if not, burleighi.) Remarks: This race is named for Thomas D. Burleigh in token of re- cognition of his many valuable contributions to North American orni- thology. In addition to CAS, LDY, and MIN, I have seen two specimens from the British Museum (Natural History) which had most kindly been compared with the type. Cyanocitta stelleri restricta subsp. nov. Description: very similar to C. s. coronata (Swainson), 1827: Mexico = Real del Monte, Hidalgo, ex Brodkorb (1944), but less purplish; back duller, greyer blue, and bluer on crest and chest; belly paler blue. Types: original nos. 7687 and 7708 9° ads.; Rio Molino, as above, 10 and 11 Nov. 1964; collected by Juan Nava S. and Santos Farfan B., respectively, and prepared by Nava. Measurements of types: length 303, 296; extent 434, 423; wing 138.3, 132.3; tail 130, 123 mm. Material examined: 7, all from the type locality. Bulletin B.O.C. 111 Vol. 86 Remarks: (MIN, RTM). Hellmayr (1934) called ridgwayi Miller and Griscom, 1925: Volcdn de Fuego, Guatemala, ‘‘rather an ill-defined race’’; while Tashian (1953) questioned the validity of Jazula van Rossem, 1928: Los Esesmiles, Dept. Chalatenango, El Salvador. While I have not seen specimens from south of interior Chiapas, I too, fail to perceive alleged racial differences between these, birds from Guerrero (‘‘teotepec- ensis Moore’’, 1954, of Miller et a/., ‘‘1957’’), and true coronata of Vera- cruz and Hidalgo. Thus the new race is surrounded on all sides by coronata! Cyanocorax mirabilis hardyi subsp. nov. Description: closely similar to C. m. mirabilis (Nelson), 1903 : Omiltemi, Guerrero, but slightly deeper blue above, at least on tail, upper tail- coverts, rump, and edgings of remiges. Bill heavier (and relatively stubbier). Types: original nos. 7672 and 7822 33 ads.; Rio Molino, as above, 9 and 15 Nov. 1964. 7672 collected and prepared by Santos Farfan B.; 7822 collected by Hermilo Garcia F., prepared by W. J. Schaldach, Jr. Measurements of types: length 259, 263; extent 338, 342; wing 109, 107.5; tail 113.3, 116.5; depth of bill at nostril 9.3, 9.2 mm. Material examined: also 1 3 imm. (wing 104.3, tail 110.3, depth of bill 8.8) from the nearby Rio Guajolote. Remarks: It is a pleasure to be able to dedicate this elusive jay to Dr. John William Hardy, not only in recognition of his interesting and im- portant work on jays, but also of the great amount of help he has given me in my work. In comparison, depth of bill ranges from 7.8 to 8.7 mm. in C. m. mira- bilis. My reasons for declining to recognise colour ‘‘genera’’ of jays have been stated previously (Phillips, 1950, 1965). Cyanocorax yncas confusus subsp. nov. Description: rather similar to C. y. vividus (Ridgway), 1900: Pluma [Hidalgo], Oaxaca, but smaller, with iris yellow (except in juveniles?), and slightly darker above and on sides of head, particularly the latter. Distribution: Pacific slope of Chiapas and (fide Hellmayr) Guatemala. y, 15 Nov. 1964 and 6 Oct. 1965; collected by Abraham Ramirez V. In my collection. Measurements of types: wing 115.3, 117.8; tail 128, 132 mm. Material examined: 5, all topotypes or types. Remarks: Immature 99 vividus have wings 120—120.5 in western Oaxaca, 124-126 in Guerrero; tails 135, 137 (Oaxaca), 139.5, 145.7 (Guerrero). | Adult male confusus measure: wing 116.5, (121+; moulting); tail 139, 131. All birds west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec are large, brown-eyed (at all ages) and pale-headed. Field experience emphasizes their distinctness from the Caribbean and trans-Isthmus group, part of which had been included in vividus. Cyanocorax yncas persimilis subsp. nov. Description: almost identical to C. s. confusus, supra, but still somewhat darker, more purplish blue on the head (particularly the sides and the nasal tufts); averaging slightly darker, less yellowish, green dorsally. Vol. 86 112 Bulletin B.O.C. Distribution: Caribbean slope of Isthmus of Tehuantepec area, at least in southern Veracruz. Types: original nos. 6476 and 6477 imm. 4(?), ad. 2; 2 km. north of Ocotal Chico, near Cerro Santa Marta, south-eastern Veracruz, 11 Dec. 1962; taken from flock of about six by Florentino Francisco R., and pre- pared by him and Juan Nava S. (6477), and by Santos Farfan B. Irides yellow. Measurements of types: 1m., wing 114.5, tail 127 (1 rectrix longer); ad. 2, length 300 [+? Some rigor mortis?], extent 373 [+7], wing 123, tail 131.3 mm. Material examined: also 3 from north-east of Catemaco, Veracruz. (to be continued) On variation in the austral populations of Oena capensis (Linnaeus) by P. A. CLANCEY Received 22nd January, 1966 Oberholser (1905) was the first worker to believe that the Namaqua Dove Oena capensis (Linnaeus), 1766; Cape of Good Hope, Cape Province, populations of mainland Africa could be subdivided, when he proposed Oena capensis anonyma Oberholser, 1905: plains east of Mt. Kilimanjaro, northern Tanganyika, for the populations occurring to the north of the Zambesi River. Later workers, notably Sclater (1930) and Friedmann (1930), have not followed Oberholser in recognising two mainland African races, and the possibility of their being significant subspecific variation within the currently acceptable nominate race seems not to have exercised the minds of systematists for all of thirty-five years and more. Recently, I (Clancey (1964)) drew attention to the fact that there appear to be valid grounds for re-appraising Oberholser’s original findings. Critical study of a series of just under two hundred specimens of Oena capensis from the South African sub-continent, drawn from the collections of the South African Museum, East London Museum, Transvaal Museum, National Museum of Rhodesia, and the Durban Museum, recently carried out in the Durban Museum, shows that the division of the populations as proposed by Oberholser has no actuality. Birds occurring in East Africa do not differ as a group from all the South African populations, which latter show some quite marked variation within themselves, though its study seems to indicate the presence of more than one race of Oe. capensis in mainland Africa. Examination of series Oe. capensis from various parts of southern Africa reveals that the birds can be arranged in two groupings on the basis of colour differences present in both sexes. In the males of one group the back and scapulars are about Drab (Ridgway [1912], pl. xlvi), into which the grey of the crown grades insensibly over the nape, whereas in the birds of the second grouping of populations the grey of the crown is sharply demarcated from the nape, mantle, scapulars, etc., which surfaces are warmer and browner (about Buffy Brown [pl. xl]), the same colour diffused over the inner greater coverts, tertials, rump and upper tail-coverts, im- parting a more saturated appearance. In the case of females, there is no : Bulletin B.O.C. 113 Vol. 86 clear-cut dorsal difference, though the marked trend for one group of populations to be browner and more olivaceous tinged, less grey, than the other is readily demonstrable, but when viewed ventrally the material is more readily and consistently polarised into two apparent racial groupings. The birds of one group show much clear blue-grey over the chin, fore- throat and breast, while in the second group much or all of the blue-grey colour is lacking, and the fore-throat and breast are strongly washed with buffy or rusty brown. The differences revealed by both sexes and utilised in grouping the assembled material into two apparent races are consonant with normal trends of subspecific variation in species in southern Africa which inhabit a wide spectrum of habitats, ranging from desert edge and semidesert to markedly moister mesic biomes in the south-eastern and eastern parts of the sub-region, and show a marked increase in melanin in association with the increased precipitation in the biotope. Males with Drab as opposed to Buffy Brown upperparts and females with blue-grey throats are in the main from the dry interior and west of South Africa, characteristically from the Bechuanaland Protectorate, South-West Africa, and the Karoo regions of the Cape, while males with Buffy Brown upper parts and females with much buff or rusty overlay to the forethroat and breast seem typical of the populations breeding in the moister southern and eastern Cape, Natal, Zululand, Transvaal, northwards in the east. Many winter- taken birds tend to blur the apparent range limits of the two groups, this due largely to post-breeding dispersal and true migratory movements in some of the populations, such movements taking the desertic birds as far east in late winter as Mocambique, and the browner (mesic) birds north as far as Zambia. That Oe. capensis is migratory or a transient in many areas is already well documented. In coastal Natal, an area which I know well, the species does not breed, but occurs annually in small numbers in October-December, such birds presumably being transients making for breeding grounds still further south, in the Cape. Study of the variation is still further complicated in South Africa in that not all the populations apparently breed at the same time of the year. In south-eastern Africa (eastern Cape, Natal interior and Transvaal) the species breeds mainly late October and November, whereas in South-West Africa large numbers breed in the early part of the winter (April, May). Smithers et al. (1957) show that in Rhodesia the species has been recorded breeding virtually throughout the year, with a peak in September and October. Benson and White, writing on Zambian birds (1957), give the breeding season for that territory as mainly August—October, while Malawi breeding records are mainly April—-July. McLachlan and Liver- sidge (1957) list the species as breeding in South Africa throughout the year, with peaks in May and September—November, without indicating the sources of their data, which are of composite origin, but it seems that the populations of the desertic interior and west of southern Africa are in the main winter breeders, those of the moist east and south-east nesting later in the year, during the spring rains (September-November). Allowing for anomalies in locality data deriving from local post-breeding movements and true migration on the part of some populations, it is desirable to admit two racial groupings of the populations of the Namaqua Vol. 86 114 Bulletin B.O.C. Dove in zoogeographical South Africa, very much along the lines adum- brated in Oberholser’s pioneer study of sixty years ago. In arranging the populations of the Namaqua Dove indigenous to zoogeographical South Africa into races, the question of nomenclature naturally arises. Columba capensis Linnaeus has its type-locality as the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Province. Most recent material from near Cape Town is typical of the buffy brown mesic populations, though in this region the lighter and greyer backed desertic birds impinge closely on the topotypical populations of Oe. c. capensis, ranging south along the arid west coast of the Cape to about the lower Berg River. For the greyer and lighter desertic birds I tentatively employ the name Oe. c. anonyma, as they appear inseparable on any valid population characters from the East African material currently available, though ranging a little larger in size. Oe. c. anonyma may be a polytopic form associated with desertic or semi- desertic (xeric) conditions, and the southern and northern populations may not be in contact, but study of a more comprehensive breeding material from north of about 8° S. lat. in Africa will be necessary to resolve this question. The nomenclature, characters and ranges of the two races of Oe. capensis occurring in Africa are as follows: (a) Oena capensis capensis (Linnaeus). Columba capensis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., 12th edition, i, 1766, p. 286: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Province. Male with forehead, distal surfaces of face, chin and fore-throat black; top of head Gull Gray (pl. liti) with variable hinder brown overlay; back and scapulars Buffy Brown (pl. xl), this colour diffused over the tertials, rump and upper tail-coverts. Female greyish Buffy Brown on upper parts, and chin, fore-throat and breast light grey, the fore-throat and breast feathers broadly apically fringed buff or light rusty brown. Wings of 1033 106-115 (112.0), tails 132-152 (144.0), wings of 10 22 103-110 (106.8) tails 121-145 (133.3) mm. Material examined: 68. Range: South-western and southern Cape, Orange Free State, (except west), Natal interior, Zululand, Transvaal, ? Swaziland, Mocambique, and eastern Rhodesia (? breeding). Taken north as far as central and northern Zambia as non-breeder in May and November. (b) Oena capensis anonyma Oberholser. Oena capensis anonyma Oberholser, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxviii, 1905, p. 843: plains east of Mt. Kilimanjaro, northern Tanganyika. As last, but males with back and scapulars about Drab, appearing distinctly lighter, greyer, and less saturated, which surfaces are not so sharply demarcated from the grey of the head-top. Female inclined to be greyer, less olivaceous over the upper parts, and with the chin, fore-throat and breast lighter and more bluish-grey, the feathers narrowly fringed greyish or vinaceous brown. Wings of 10 3¢ 106—117.5 (110.3), tails 128.5—158.5 (141.1): wings of 10 99 101.5-111.5 (105.3), tails 127-140 (135.4) mm. Material examined: 124. Range in South, Africa: Little Namaqualand and the arid western Cape coast, eastwards through the Karoo regions to western Orange Free State, and in South-West Africa, Bechuanaland Protectorate, northern Cape, Bulletin B.O.C, 115 Vol. 86 western Transvaal, western Rhodesia, western and southern Zambia, and Angola. Extralimitally over rest of species’ mainland range, and to Arabia and Socotra. References: Benson, C. W., & White, C. M. N. 1957. Check List of the Birds of Northern Rhodesia, p. 40. Clancey, P. A. 1964. Birds of Natal and Zululand, p. 205. Friedmann, H. 1930. U.S. National Museum Bulletin, No. 153: pp. 234-37. McLachlan, G. R. & Liversidge, R. 1957. Roberts’ Birds of South Africa, pp. 169, 172. Oberholser, H. C. 1905. Proc. U.S. National Museum, vol. xxviii, p. 843. Ridgway, R. 1912. Color Standards and Color Nomenclature, Washington. Sclater, W. L. 1930. Systema Avium Aethiopicarum, part 2, p. 17i. Smithers, R. H. N. et al. 1957. Check List of the Birds of Southern Rhodesia, p. 67. Notes on African warblers of the genus Chloropeta Smith by STUART KEITH and CARL VERNON Received 26th April, 1966 Scattered notes on members of the genus Chloropeta Smith, made by the authors in various parts of Africa, are here brought together in one article for convenience. The notes from Zambia were made on trips made possible through the kindness of Mr. C. W. Benson, recently of the Livingstone Museum, Livingstone, Zambia. To him we here record our thanks. Chloropeta gracilirostris bensoni Amadon Although this species has been known from Lake Mweru since 1938, this population was not described as a separate race until 16 years later when Amadon (1954) named it on the basis of a series taken by Benson in September 1953 at the mouth of the Luapula River at the southern end of Lake Mweru. We have referred briefly elsewhere (Keith and Vernon) to our experiences with this bird by the Luapula River on 8th December, 1964. We were unable to collect any birds due to the depth of the water and the dense nature of their papyrus habitat, but numerous tape recordings were made of the song, of which the four most representative are reproduced here. (See illustration on p.119) The song consists of a series of short phrases (maximum duration of any one phrase, 0.7—0.8 seconds), uttered at irregular intervals, in a manner somewhat reminiscent of the New World vireos (Vireonidae). The birds had a tendency to take one phrase and repeat it a number of times before going on to the next phrase, which they would likewise repeat. The song has a plaintive quality, and is rather weak compared to the boisterous outbursts of Calamocichla rufescens nilotica Neumann, which was singing in the same papyrus beds. For comparison, a single phrase of the latter’s song is reproduced here (example E); the song is loud and guttural, and phrases lasting several seconds are common. It may be of interest to record here that Keith also recorded Cala- mocichla rufescens foxi (Sclater) at Lake Bunyoni in Uganda in 1962, and he can find no difference at all in the songs of the two races. This would seem to support the conclusions of Chapin (1953) and Pitman (1956) that Vol. 86 116 Bulletin B.O.C. foxi is merely a race of C. rufescens. This is in opposition to the view of M.-Praed and Grant (1955), who accord foxi specific status. The phrases of Chloropeta gracilirostris depicted in the sonagrams may be rendered as follows: A. To-tslo-wee B. Tee-tschlee-wo C. Tslo-tschlee-wo D. Tschlee-ow With these renderings we have tried to convey something of the sibilant quality which characterises all the phrases. Phrase D is a compressed version of phrase C. Benson (1956, p. 19) describes a phrase heard at the Luapula mouth, which he attributes to this species, as “a musical ‘pee, p-r-r-r-’ (‘ee’ as in ‘sweet’)’’. This description seems closest to phrase B. Chapin (1953, p. 451) describes the song of the nominate race, heard at Lake Bunyoni, Uganda, as follows: “‘a short series of loud-half-whistled notes, decidedly variable but high-pitched and usually of ‘chwee-chwee- chwee...’ nature’’. This description does not really fit any of my phrases, but seems closest to C and D. This species is a seasonal and erratic singer, which, together with its skulking habits, render it difficult to see, and it is probably frequently overlooked. Benson did not hear it at the Luapula mouth in September, but did hear it on another visit in February. Chapin heard the song at Lakes Edward, Bunyoni and Mutanda in April and May, 1927, but Keith neither heard the song nor saw any birds at these same lakes in June, 1962. John Williams, in a letter to Keith, states that he has never seen the species, though he has looked for it often at these two lakes in Uganda. The generic status of this species has been open to some doubt. The type was placed in Chloropeta by Ogilvie-Grant, and has been so retained by most authors. Grant and M.-Praed (1940), however, noted that in a number of characters the bird agreed more closely with Calamocaetor (sic) (= Calamocichla) than with Chloropeta, so they proposed a separate genus, Calamonastides for it. They called attention to the large feet and the swamp habitat, features which it shares with Calamocichla; on the other hand, the olive-brown and yellow coloration and somewhat broader bill indicate relationship to Chloropeta. Keith measured series in the A.M.N.H. collection of Chloropeta gracilirostris, both races, C. natalensis, C. similis, and Calamocichla rufescens nilotica (see Table). It can be seen that both C. similis and C. natalensis have much broader bills than C. gracilirostris, a point not noted by Grant and M.-Praed. On the other hand, bill proportions of Cal. r. nilotica and. Chi. gracilirostris are almost identical: in the above specimens, the culmen of C. r. nilotica averages 2.76 times bill breadth at base; in C. g. gracilirostris the multiple is 2.61. It can further be seen from the Table that the feet of C. gracilirostris, as jadged by measurements of the hind and middle toes, are proportionately much larger than those of natalensis and similis. Vol. 86 SOL S°6S 117 ¢L'09 S19 vs Buty Bulletin B.O.C. oS. 9c SI ScIsl Sc9'IZ 81 MDIP YJIM 201 alpplN S77 ¢°8 SLEPT SLL SZI'bl SLE'8 SL8°6I SZ71'9 LI ¢ MDID YIIM asDg 1D 1114 20] pul Jo yspoasg DINopu suarsafna DJYNIOMDIDD pure SEZ $c9'9T $c9'9] 91 SST uaujn>y Sp4ig Ino} JO OSRIDAR Splig Anoj JO OSPIOAR Spiig inoj JO O8RIOAR Sp1Ig InojJ JO 93¥I19AR pag | ‘dds njadosojy Jo syuowomseou joo} pure liq Jo uostredwoy aTav | DINOJIU SUuaISafna DIYIIOUDIDD SUPIUAS vjadosojyy SisuajDjoU vjadosojyy SIAJSOAIJIIDAS ‘8 pDjadosojyy 1uosuaq SIAJSOANIIDAS. DJadosojyD Vol. 86 118 Bulletin B.O.C. Bearing in mind the above, we were very interested to see whether the song of C. gracilirostris could give any clue to its relationships. To make a proper judgment one would need a much larger series of sonagrams than we have here presented, including the songs of Chloropeta natalensis and similis, and other members of the genus Calamocichla. Our opinion is therefore subjective, but we are familiar with the songs of natalensis and similis, and also with Calamocichla spp. and many of the closely related acrocephaline warblers (White, 1952, merges Calamocichlain Acrocephalus). There is little doubt in our minds that on the basis of song, gracilirostris belongs in Chloropeta rather than in Calamocichla. Except for Acrocephalus palustris, all the species of Acrocephalus and Calamocichla we know have harsh, grating, unmusical songs. It is difficult to characterise the song of ““a Chloropeta’’, since similis and natalensis have songs differing widely in form, but both their songs have a ringing, musical quality about them which is shared by gracilirostris. The last is the least musical and simplest of the three, and is closest to natalensis. Sclater and Moreau (1933) describe the song of C. natalensis massaica Fischer and Reichenow from the Usambara Mountains, as “‘brief, loud and clear. It is a trill preceded by three notes, ‘twee, twee, twee’.”” We find the song has considerable variation, but the general form is of some introductory notes followed by a trill. The song of Chloropeta similis is quite different and of a far superior quality, the notes being sweet, liquid, and melodious. The song is slow, deliberate, and very variable. High notes alternate with low ones, and there is often a trill in the middle; these two features make the song reminiscent of that of the American song sparrow, Melospiza melodia. A song heard by Keith on Mt. Kenya might be rendered “‘chee, chee, chu, chu, tsee-jujujuju-wee’’. Natalensis and similis have quite different styles of singing. Natalensis selects a perch and sings from it, whereas similis sings while on the move, pausing as it works its way among the bushes. Chapin (1953, p. 453) notes of similis that ““The birds flit about in the shrubbery more like warblers than like flycatchers”, and together with its size and yellow and green coloration similis reminds one very much of a Phylloscopus. C. gracili- rostris has a similar style of singing; it does not have a regular singing perch, but sings as it moves about low down in the papyrus. This charac- teristic it also shares with Calamocichla spp. In conclusion, in spite of the subjective nature of the evidence, we would say that the song of gracilirostris tends to support the view of Chapin (1953), Amadon (1954), and Hall and Moreau (1962) that it should be retained in the genus Chloropeta. Comparison of habitat and nests of Chloropeta natalensis and C. similis The following notes on habitat and nests of C. similis and C. natalensis were made by Vernon at the edge of the Nyika Plateau in Zambia, near the Malawi border, in January, 1964. Habitat C. similis: Rank clearings in forest, edges of forest patches, patches of bracken-briar, and rank growth along streams. Altitudinal range, 6,600- 7,800 ft., and probably higher still. Bulletin B.O.C. 119 Vol. 86 IN KILOCYCLES FREQUENCY 0.2 TIME IN SECONDS Four phrases of the song of Chloropeta gracilirostris bensoni FREQUENCY IN KILOCYCLES TIME IN SECONDS Single phrase from the song of Calamocichla rufescens nilotica Vol. 86 120 Bulletin B.O.C. C. natalensis: Inhabits rank grasslands below the plateau, penetrating up the streams running off the plateau to an altitude of 6,700 ft. It thus just overlaps with C. similis, and its habitat at the point of overlap is the same, i.e. patches of bracken-briar and the rank growth along streams. At one point the two species were found nesting 5O yards apart, in the same habitat. Nests A total of 6 nests were found, 2 occupied nests of C. similis and 1 occu- pied and 3 unoccupied nests of C. natalensis. The nests of the two species were dissimilar; those of C. similis were much bulkier, external measure- ments being 4 in. across and 4 in. deep, as opposed to 3 in. across and 3 in. deep for natalensis. Internal nest measurements were fairly similar, except that nests of similis were slightly deeper. A nest of similis critically examined was made of broad grass blades, seed heads of grasses (Panicum spp.), mixed with finer grass, feathers, coarse and fine fern ramenta, and moss (Brachythecium impucatum). It was bound on the outside with cobwebs. Included also was an unidentified non-botanical fibre resembling fine, green nylon wool. As the nest was not far from the Nyika resthouse, this probably came from human clothing. There was an inner lining of feathers and the fine branches of Thalictrum rhynchocarpum. A nest of natalensis similarly examined was built of broader grass blades bound with cobwebs, and was also lined with branches of Thalictrum rhynchocarpum, but no feathers, fern ramenta, or moss were used. Details of the two occupied nests of C. similis referred to above including a description of the eggs, can be found in Benson and Pitman (1966). They did not mention the nest of C. natalensis found at the same time, so we record it here. Date, January 10, 1964; c/2, nest placed two feet up in bracken, on a small bushy mound beside a boggy stream. Nyika Plateau, Malawi, alt. 6,300 ft. References: Amadon, Dean. 1954. A new race of Chloropeta gracilirostris Ogilvie-Grant. Ostrich 25: 140. Benson, C. W. 1956. A contribution to the ornithology of Northern Rhodesia. Occasional Papers of the National Museums of Southern Rhodesia, No. 21 B. Benson, C. W., & Pitman, C. R. S. 1966. Further breeding records from Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia) (No. 5). B.B.O.C., 86: 21. Chapin, J. P. 1953. The birds of the Belgian Congo, Part 3. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 75A. Grant, C. H. B., and Mackworth-Praed, C. W., 1940. A new genus of African swamp warbler. B.B.O.C., 60: 91. Hall, B. P., and Moreau, R. E., 1962. A study of the rare birds of Africa. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zoology, Vol. 8, No. 7. Keith, G. S., & Vernon, C. J. 1966. Bird notes from a trip to northern and eastern Zambia. Zambia Mus. Papers, No. 1. Mackworth-Praed, C. W., & Grant, C. H. B. 1955. Birds of Eastern and Northeastern Africa, Vol. 2. Pitman, C. R. S. 1956. Some notes on Fox’s swamp warbler, Calamocichla rufescens i (Sclater). B.B.O.C., 76: 153. . L., & Moreau, R. E. 1933. Taxonomic and field notes on some birds of astern Tanganyika Territory, Part 3. /bis, Thirteenth Series, Vol. III. . N. 1952. The status of the genus Calamocichla. Ibis, 94: 685. {ASE Diss ze AN aioe eee Ad Me re fen Mies hie Pin ny .”“s - , i , ie | P, - io . : ry he ‘ ' erst? z ee at te 7) ee ih rived aris eas orn to PCat andl m bots Vor Jow <8 2noiwtudrcim lr BS att onl f asfot aM Wha ott of Doves has 6 bivor': 90 ELE nobel oe Fins woboo tS te Fh Moe Bie eal gs he ot To shi rie, ao beevi Ba, nh srocsn ator ~ Dee biehht Md-deinbekn bin tert yeRr gino bao whan atin aha Ayr upsatiue .bebistonisd: fy ba wie 27ile)' i, Prafrehg a Pate vildttiw2 din ie ie otis . ‘as ee AOL ad bfvroude Sars Fy agin tee orl SARIOD ME Nv cers cae iu ait i nf 3M 5 ay ae BO War Go Driion! Mia) eats i oa Merten ay valyei> boa stb vith) ce iil) shot bluods i i “m , ys CLE 8 |. ae ROA, ev OE OTF AOR TU Hint IX3] | ‘ Padone ainsi ‘Sit Poh oud ini Jed od} 2notidn “ eect Y-osnerete noise? to ER's { - 2 S.f ‘ oe 4 4 eI 4 ‘e .* , ee , ¢ Hie ets 18) bits Harisszy Saori hii” * OV4 40° 21033 a 2 } ae wt f ‘a ‘ ‘s ‘egnes? ‘DY. valet aomtaw bootie Sd seat etuort Set Hey. fwoik ono? thy muy te BeOS ae! sotto .secta erry ; pee iT) ential. ca is: FC ety f Bc BARC 1ot ¥eq 4in Anl> ng Pe, ae) Ae sate i? Pinte yam sordriinag: Meir n Fire nos fullisas 4, undino) 53 ai Higortits ? cB YOO A, ice ; Hialii G Ee NR: my AEDs Dinos gitifgom 9 6) sR ee bs: ors aati hedrseri ed They eign ’ 8 7h nT 25 tH Baw ot mj te 59°96) 3 Tossatiag A Oe, W 2 nobis: took Vivaah ioe OF AOTTSIA edliz ry Be ') ¥ aft Oh Visti wa craditer-fon o38) Asi Stuy ivan: wi it Be aniesey! HOW on) etroldaytia 2 visry m0 WW (sorvbs he : q SRST S| Oo) oc ; roeith. 3 wie } Le if UDYRAIHOtaT ADO ee enor enh. as bediabie sd BMeods sonshaodesnes 7 fifi) ane ries TOS nobyont Deo Hit +! dtocobooW iW atiinte Ba si a ae anet NOW 2oOvNTHaM dyn enaicmia al breg oder WOM ICT seduiD ritad srocdiccaeye | 1206 ne ee ae ee a pee ‘ - a re cen ge ce een @ i hifi IDET RIGO, 1 WAT I) RO We: r SL af) vd botiellie® PAO 4 no u femeen TU esr wlnhe nwt @ Hoven) oo aes 7 CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. These should be concise and typed on one side of the paper, double-spaced, with a good margin. The first time a species is mentioned, the scientific generic and specific names should be included. Subsequently the same name need only have the initial letter of the genus. Scientific names are printed in italics and should be underlined in the typescript. References should be given at the end of the paper. Authors introducing a new name or describing a new species or race - should indicate this in their title and display the name prominently in the © text followed by nom. nov., sp. nov., subsp. nov. as appropriate. In these descriptions, the first introduction of the name should be followed by paragraphs for ‘‘Description’’, ‘‘Distribution’’, ‘“Type’’, ‘‘Measure- ments of Type’’, ‘‘Material examined’’ and further sub-headings as | required. Proofs must be returned without delay. No changes may be made 7 this stage, other than corrections. At the discretion of the Editor, the Club will pay for a reasonable number of monochrome blocks, which the contributor may retain for his own use. Contributors are entitled to a maximum of thirty free copies of the Bulletin, supplied only as specifically requested by authors. Those con- tributing to a meeting should hand in their MS. at that meeting; otherwise a note will be inserted mentioning the contribution. BACK NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN Applications for back numbers which cost 5s. each, should be made to N. J. P. Wadley, 95 Whitelands House, London, S. W.3. Members who have back numbers of the Bulletin, which they no longer require are requested to send them to Mr. Wadley. SUBSCRIPTION TO BULLETIN ; The Bulletin may be purchased by non-members annually for 40s. Gaye in advance) or per copy 5s., payable to the Hon. Treasurer, P. Tate, 4 Broad Street Place, London, C2 CORRESPONDENCE Other correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. ; Martin W. Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 20th September, 18th October, 15th November and 20th December. Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Edited by JOHN J. YEALLAND Ya 4 <\SH Li oy SD e*% bd NAT tric y ; Pan? + ) “1 1966 i Volume 86 October No. 7 1966 ie En sae yaaa ‘Rice suited aT As 1 Babes, fh a i 2 a ade ag epicialy pee Oe. ret TeseOU NO rarer 4or af . ) ny At ie ; if ¢ yi tee: isd ti - RASHES mek u "Be tic eH a, mes ay tr rind Mele r ne Ay te’ ft as Last Berge “Praao soa. yy at i “ py oa GOR: Moe hg ap G5 oh. gst AGE SRINS 48 ; | vd bsiib TVIAITARY WHOL “ ™~ J - r . . 7 > ‘ wre a r ; > *- , ¥ 7 Sf “Te. : f, ye ‘ 7 ee > ” , ‘ ~*~ i ia r ft - ¥ ‘ie af h The ; Ft Pas i t why , Ps Wy * * 4 . x A OR > geet 7% 2 £9%, Fd 4 7 a 4 te ety ae Pe : ? es | - rr, we a ; aes ASN Ra Tey. - 4 a 4 v w ae 4 ’ my a he ‘ J yxte os ets oh ty Aa fas re ay , i . _ i ; Ne 2 2 , & “> 2 \ > : : a gy A ‘ y ; i [ HY cs ey i oh ly sip cy tage ° (T 1944 i 1966 |. ee } Vol. 86 BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 86 Number 7 Published: 3rd October 1966 The six hundred and thirty-sixth meeting of the Club was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, London, on the 20th September, 1966. Chairman: Dr. J. F. Monk Members present: 11; Guests 7. Dr. A. R. Phillips spoke on some birds of Mexico and he has kindly supplied this summary of his talk :— The habitats on the eastern side of Mexico and Central America are largely of a wet tropical nature, continuous throughout, and those on the west are mainly arid lowlands from northern Costa Rica to California. Mountain pine—oak habitats are fairly continuous from northern Nicaragua to western Canada, and high mountains without pines domi- nate Costa Rica and western Panama. The birds, still imperfectly known, are most easily grouped by Merriam’s Life Zones: these intertwine intricately and there are no sharp demarca- tions between Holarctic or Nearctic and Neotropical faunas. Endemism is highest in mountains and arid regions, low in humid regions whose fauna is essentially Neotropical. Most birds nest at times of optimum humidity, but hole-nesters seem to breed early enough for their young to emerge before the rains; hum- mingbirds and Dig/ossa chiefly after the rains when flowers abound. Photoperiodism plays little, if any, role. Migrations vary greatly; ringing is of little help because of the very low recovery rate, but much can be learned from study of the subspecies. Birds of the eastern and central parts of North America tend to migrate along the Caribbean side of Mexico and winter farther south than north- western or Texan birds, few of which go beyond Guatemala or northern Nicaragua. Many eastern birds reach western Mexico, but few western ones move far eastward. Of special interest are tropical genera (/ctinia, Elanoides, Cypseloides, Myiodynastes, Legatus, Progne; also Contopus sordidulus and Vireo olivaceus and altiloquus) that perform long migrations to winter in South America. Most hummingbirds and some waders have Circular migrations, the former following the flowering seasons. In Vol. 86 122 Bulletin B.O.C. several cases—in swallows and some other families—the same species winters much farther north in the Pacific than in the Caribbean lowlands, or may even have two different winter ranges, but much remains to be learned. On the validity of Coracias caudata suahelica Neumann, 1907 by P. A. CLANCEY Received 4th April, 1966 Since its description in 1907 Coracias caudata suahelica Neumann, the type-locality Usagara, Tanganyika, has not been admitted by systematists, and the name seems to have been discussed only twice in the literature, firstly by Grant, Jbis, 1915, pp. 261, 262, and secondly by Friedmann, U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull., No. 153, 1930, p. 376. Currently only two races of the Lilac-breasted Roller C. caudata are recognised, these being C. c. caudata Linnaeus, 1766: Angola, and C. c. Jorti Shelley, 1885: plateau south of Berbera, northern Somalia, the latter well differentiated on the basis of having the white streaked lilac area of the ventral surface restricted to the fore-throat and adjacent lateral areas. Nominotypical C. caudata, as at present understood, occupies the greater part of the species’ range, extend- ing from Natal and the Orange River in South Africa, north to Angola, the southern Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and south-western Somalia. A recent study of material from much of the range of the present C. c. caudata suggests the existence of an unequivocal basis for Neumann’s proposal to sub-divide the typical race of this roller as outlined in Journ. f. Ornith., vol. lv, 1907, p. 593, these investigations now necessitating the critical re-appraisal of C. c. suahelica. Neumann, /oc. cit., differentiated C. c. suahelica from C. c. caudata on the grounds of a darker nuance to the blue of the rump, upper tail- and lesser wing-coverts, a character which seems to have eluded later students. The type-locality of C. c. suahelica is Usagara (or Sagara according to the Times Atlas, vol. iv, 1956, pl. 92), which general area lies immediately to the south of a line Dodoma—Kilosa in eastern Tanzania. A series of specimens in the collection of the Durban Museum, taken for us in 1964 by Mr. T. E. Irwin, at Kilwa Kivinje and Kilwa Masoko, immediately to the south-east of Sagara and on the coast, differs quite markedly from a like sample from Angola, the type-locality, as follows: frons and supercilia clearer and less buffy white; blue-green of head-top, nape and hind neck darker (Deep Dull Yellow-Green [2], vide Ridgway, Color Standards and Color Nomenclature, 1912, pl. xxxii, as against Chromium Green [same pl.], the basal surface of each feather less buffy), the tips of the feathers tending to bleach or metamorphose to a clearer, less greenish, blue. Mantle, scapulars and tertials much darker and more saturated olive-brown (Saccardo’s Umber [pl. xxix], as opposed to Buffy Brown [pl. xl]), the green fringing duller, less yellow. In the wings, the dark ultramarine is less restricted to the lesser wing-coverts in series, tending to be more bled into the caerulean of the median and greater coverts, while on the lower back and rump the blue is darker (as originally claimed by Neumann) (about Bulletin B.O.C. 123 Vol. 86 Azurite Blue [pl. ix] as against Smalt Blue [same pl.] in C. c. caudata), this also more bled through the upper tail-coverts and less distinctly zoned. There is also a fairly well-marked and convincing size difference, East African coastal birds having the flattened wing (of 10 39) 159-166 (170) (163.7), in contrast to 166-177 (171.5) mm. in 10 g9 from Angola and northern South-West Africa. The darker, more olive, less buffy, brown mantle, scapulars and tertials and smaller size seem to be the most reliable criteria of all those listed above in support of the discreteness of C. c. suahelica, the range of which appears to be from the coast of Kenya, south through eastern Tanzania to northern Mocambique, southern Malawi (mainly from Chiromo, on the lower Shiré River, where intergrading with C. c. caudata), and perhaps as far south on the coast as the Save River in southern Mocambique. Some eastern Zambian specimens (mainly from about Fort Jameson) show a marked shift towards C. c. suahelica in having a darker brown dorsal facies, though others from the same locality are typical of C. c. caudata. From Inhambane southwards the populations are certainly similar in dorsal coloration to C. c. caudata, though many birds are small in size as in C. c. suahelica, with the wings 166 mm. and below. The small proportions of many southern Mocambique examples of C. c. caudata seem to have no taxonomic significance, however, as many examples with wings in excess of 170 mm. are available from this same region, the dates of which are suggestive that they were not wintering birds of the interior plateau populations in the first instance. It seems the wing-length variable in these littoral populations has a wider spectrum than in those from more western aspects of the range. As the majority of southern Mocambique littoral birds is small sized, it seems that selection is favouring the small sized phenotype in this region, as it likewise does in the populations embraced in C. c. suahelica, which is the race of the humid low-lying coastlands of East Africa. The range of C. c. caudata may be redefined as South-West Africa, the northern Cape Province, Bechuanaland, Rhodesia, the Transvaal, northern Orange Free State, Mocambique south of C. c. suahelica, Swaziland, Zululand, and Natal (occasional), northwards to Angola, the southern Congo, Zambia, western Malawi, western Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya _ back from the coast and south of the range of C. c. Jorti, and south- — western Somalia. For the loan of recently collected specimens from Angola—topotypes of C. c. caudata—I am deeply grateful to Dr. A. A. da Rosa Pinto, Ornithologist of the Instituto de Investigacao Cientifica de Angola, at Sa da Bandeira, Huila, Angola. I must also thank Mr. T. E. Irwin for his efforts in bringing the Kilwa, Tanzania, series of C. c. suahelica together. A new name for Geocichla princei graueri Sassi by B. P. HALL Received 24th March, 1966 Prigogine (1965) has shown that Geocichla princei graueri Sassi should be regarded as a valid subspecies of Geokichla camaronensis. Many authors submerge Geokichla in Turdus. When this is done graueri Vol. 86 124 Bulletin B.O.C. Sassi 1914 is pre-occupied by Turdus graueri Neumann 1908 (now Turdus pelios graueri). Sassi’s bird therefore requires a new name and I propose :— Turdus camaronensis prigoginei nom. nov. for Geocichla princei graueri Sassi 1914, Anz. Akad. Wien, 28: 309— Moera, west of Semliki, Belgian Congo. Reference: Prigogine, A. 1965 Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 71: 230-235. Symmetrical albinism in a Skylark by JOHN H. BARRETT Received 20th January, 1966 Harrison’s contribution (1966) under this heading prompted me to refer to my notes and I find that on 28th December, 1946, at Spurn Point, E. Yorkshire, one of a party of about 15 Skylarks, Alauda arvensis, had all the primaries in both wings and the two outer tail feathers on both sides white, giving a precisely symmetrical pattern. Furthermore I recall that, against all the protestations of the late Ralph Chislett, an army officer of some standing so insisted that this bird was a White-winged Lark that Chislett had to be persuaded at a later meeting that he really ought to resume recognition of the gallant gentleman. Reference: Harrison, James M. 1966. A case of symmetrical albinism in a Skylark. Bull. B.O.C. 86: 11-15. A new race of the flycatcher Batis molitor from Angola by WALTER J. LAWSON Received 19th April, 1966 A revision of the species of the genus Batis Boie is at present in an ad- vanced stage of preparation, and not wishing to include the formal descriptions of new subspecies in this work, I here describe a new sub- species of Batis molitor (Hahn & Kiister); Baviaan’s River, eastern Cape Province. Batis molitor pintoi subsp. nov. Type: g adult, from Fazenda do Cuito, (Moco), Angola, altitude 1620 m., in Brachystegia veld, collected by Dr. A. A. da Rosa Pinto on the 19th June, 1964. In the collection of the Instituto de Investigacao Cientifica de Angola, S4 da Bandeira, Angola, Reg. No. 8209. Diagnosis: Male: Head-top and mantle dark grey, only slightly darker than in the nominate race but considerably darker than in B. m. pallidi- tergum Clancey: Sand River, east of Newington, eastern Transvaal and B. m. puella Reichenow: Bussisi, southern shore of Lake Nyanza. The head-top is also suffused with metallic blue-black, somewhat greener in hue than in B. m. molitor, and chest band also greener, not blue-black as in B. m. molitor, B. m. palliditergum and B. m. puella. Also averages somewhat larger in size of wing and tail than these three subspecies. Bulletin B.O.C. 125 Vol. 86 Female: Head-top and mantle darker grey than in nominate race, B. m. palliditergum and B. m. puella. No gloss on the mantle or head-top. But mantle more heavily suffused with black than in other three races and also averaging somewhat larger in size of wing. In general appearance both males and females are considerably blacker on the upperparts than any of the subspecies adjacent to them but re- sembles B. m. mystica Neumann: Kikumbuliu, Ukamba, in this feature, but is separated from that taxon by the populations of B. m. puella. Both males and females average larger in size than the adjacent populations of other taxa. Measurements: 35 33 wing 61.0-69.0 (65.4), tail 41.0-47.0 (45.4); 24 99 wing 58.0—67.5 (64.2), tail 41.5-46.5 (44.0) compared with B. m. pallidi- tergum which is 57 $¢ wing 57.0-65.0 (61.9), tail 41.0-50.0 (44.9); 51 99 wing 55.0—64.5 (61.3), tail 40.0-48.5 (44.4) and B. m. puella which is 20 33 wing 60.0—-66.0 (62.8), tail 40.0-46.5 (43.0); 25 9° wing 58.0-64.0 (61.0), tail 40.0-45.0 (42.5) mm. Material: 59 (Angola 50, from Gambos, Fazenda do Cuito, Humpata, Caluando R., Nova Lisboa, Ruinas, Mulundo, Ambande, Nongombe, Cacupa, Huila, Caconda, Bihe, N. Bailundu, Mt. Moco, Amboiva, Tchamutete, Luimbale, Luhanda and N’Gungo; Zambia 9, Mayau, S. Lueti R., Mwinilunga, Luiwa Plain, and Chifuwe.) Measurements of type: wing 69.0, tail 44.5, culmen 15.5 mm. Range: Angola except in the extreme south and east, and in extreme north-western Zambia. B. m. palliditergum ranges from the eastern Transvaal, Rhodesia, northern Bechuanaland, northern South West Africa and southern Angola (Cassinga, Jundavala, Mupanda, Palanca) where it intergrades with B. m. pintoi. B. m. puella extends from the low- lands of Kenya and Tanzania to Zambia and extreme eastern Angola (Lago Cameia, Luacano) where it intergrades with B. m. pintoi. Remarks: This new subspecies of Batis molitor from Angola is named for Dr. Antonio A. da Rosa Pinto, Onithologist of the Instituto de Investigacao Cientifica de Angola, SA da Bandeira, Angola. Further systematic notes on Mexican birds by ALLAN R. PHILLIPS (continued from page 112) Certhia familiaris molinensis subsp. nov. Description: Rump darkest of all American races, usually dull Chestnut, but paler individuals (all immatures?) Argus Brown, somewhat toward Burnt Sienna. Upperparts otherwise resemble the rich rufescent coastal races from Guatemala to Jalisco (pernigra Griscom, 1935: Volcdn de Fuego, Guatemala; guerrerensis van Rossem, 1939), but show somewhat more contrast, i.e. more white on the back and blacker crowns. Thus richer above than alticola G. S. Miller, 1895: Las Vigas, Veracruz, or | jaliscensis Miller and Griscom, 1925: Volcan de Nieve, southern Jalisco. Flanks averaging richest, most tawny, of the races. Types: original nos. 5993, 7627, 7732, and 7796 33, 7674 imm. 3, and 7647 ad. 2; Rio Molino, as above, 29 Nov. 1961 and 7, 12, 14, 9, and 8 | Nov. 1964. Collectors: A. Phillips, J. Nava (2), S. Farfan (2), J. Nava. Vol. 86 126 Bulletin B.O.C. Measurements of types: 33, length 133-141 [+; part of tail missing]; extent 195-++; wing 62.2-65; tail 58.6, 61; bill 11.5-12.5; imm. 3, wing 62 (tail worn), bill 11.5; ad. 9, length 138, extent 197, wing 61.9, tail 59.7 (one rectrix 61), bill 11.7 mm. Material examined: 11 specimens, all from Rio Molino. Remarks: (CAS, CM, HCL, KANU, LA, MICH, MIN, RTM, US, WF). The considerable local colour- and size-variations from Guatemala to north-western Jalisco and Veracruz are so random and non-clinal that recognition of races is difficult, aside from molinensis. Birds from the Pacific coastal ranges are usually rich, but I have one from east of © Acahuizotla, Guerrero, that is quite blackish and neutral above. Birds from the interior (Nevado de Colima eastward) are generally duller, but two from Michoacan (west of Cd. Hidalgo, KANU) seem rich. The smallest birds are from opposite extremes of this area: San Sebastian, Jalisco (my collection; very richly coloured) and Sierra de las Minas, Guatemala (HCL). Thus the characters of pernigra, guerrerensis, and jaliscensis are rather elusive. Cinclus mexicanus dickermani subsp. nov. Description: Sootiest, least brown or pale, of the races on crown, fore- head, lores, and especially chin and upper throat; near Clove Brown. Body dark as in C. m. mexicanus Swainson, 1827: Temascaltepec, México, but seems clearest (bluest, least brown-tinged) grey of races except anthonyi Griscom, 1930: east of Nenton, Guatemala; ‘‘foxing’’ may be involved, however. Types: original nos. 5995-5998 imm. gad. gad. 2imm. 2; Rio Molino, as above, 29 and (5998) 30 Nov. 1961; netted and prepared by Ciro Gon- zalez B. Measurements of types: respectively, length 206, 209, 193, 185 [+]; extent 316, 306, 287, 281; wing 93, 92.2, 85.5, 85; tail 49.7, 52,7, 47, 42.8 [+; one rectrix longer]. Material examined: 7, all from Rio Molino; also 1 juv. from Rio Jalatengo, to south. Remarks: (AMNH, CAS, CM, KANU, MICH, MIN, MSU, RTM, US, WF). This race is named in honour of Dr. Robert W. Dickerman, outstanding expert on Mexican birds, especially of aquatic habitats. As stated by Blake and Hanson (1942), post-mortem changes are serious; but I have seen several recent mexicanus, including 3 taken in the autumn of 1963 (south-western Chihuahua, WF). I perceive none of the colour characters claimed by Griscom for anthonyi, but all specimens from Chiapas to Honduras show a greater contrast of dark crown to paler back, as remarked by Hellmayr (1934). Henicorhina leucophrys minuscula subsp. nov. Description: A pale race like H. 1. festiva Nelson, 1903: Omiltemi, Guerrero, but smaller. Distribution: Mountains of trans-Volcanic belt of central México, from western border of Estado de México west to the Pacific (type locality). Types: original nos. 5082-83 and 5511 39 (mates) and ¢ imm.; Sierra Bulletin B.O.C, 127 Vol. 86 de Autlan 5 km. by road (and just, 5511) south-west of Los Corralitos, south of Ahuacapan, south-western Jalisco, 24 Feb. and (5511) 31 Dec. 1959. (5082-83 prepared by W. J. Schaldach, Jr.’s assistants.) Measurements of types: length 118, 114, —; extent 175, 166, —; wing 51.9, 48.2, 51.7; tail 29, 27, 26.5 mm. Material examined: (LSU, RTM, WEF) series from type locality and from Puerto Lengua de Vaca, on México—Michoacan border; also | from Puerto Morillos, eastern Michoacan, and 2 from north-west slope of Cerro Nevado de Colima, Jalisco (see Schaldach, 1963). Remarks: My south-western Oaxaca festiva measure: 8 3, wing 53.8-57, tail 29.2 (29 April 1962, worn?) and 30.5-33; 69, 50.5-54.8 and 28-29.2 mm. Guerrero specimens that seem correctly sexed are fairly similar except for the longer tails of 92 (29.5-31.5). Additional Jalisco specimens re- semble the: types except for a juvenile with tail over 30. México—Michoa- can border g¢ have wing 51, 54.1, tail 27.5, 30; 99 are 47.8-51, 24.5-28 mm. Catherpes mexicanus cantator subsp. nov. Description: Smaller than C. m. mexicanus Swainson, 1829: Real del Monte, Hidalgo, but as dark or darker; bill more slender. 4 3, wing 60.4— 63.5; tail 48.3 (+ ? central rectrices missing), 51.6—53.5 mm. Types: original nos. 4359-4360 ad. 9 ad. 3 (mates); south end (top) of Cerro de Buena Vista, 5 km. W. of Compostela, Nayarit, 11 Nov. 1956; collected by A. R. Phillips. Measurement of types: respectively, length 153, 158; extent 191 (—?), 204; wing 60.7, 63.5; tail 54, 52.5; bill 15, 17 mm. Weight 13.8, 15.1 grammes. Material examined: 4 3 1 9, all from type locality and Tepic. Remarks: 3 mexicanus usually measure: wing 65-69, tail 55-59. (AMNH, LDY, RTM, WF). Dark birds occur north to southern Zacatecas, at least, but the darkest seen (especially on back and tail) are from the coastal regions from Tepic south and east to Guerrero. Birds from Sinaloa north- ward are small and pale, especially on crown and tail, and are probably best called conspersus Ridgway, 1873: Fort Churchill, Nevada. Recent authors (van Rossem, 1945b; Paynter, 1960) err in synonymizing meli- Phonus Oberholser, 1930: Alamos, Sonora, with the nominate race. Turdus grayi linnaei subsp. nov. Description: Palest and greyest race known. Upperparts near Olive- Brown, or varying thence toward Saccardo’s Umber. Chest much paler than Light Brownish Olive, occasionally near pale Buffy Brown. Belly Pale Ochraceous Buff x Cream Buff. Flanks pale Isabella Color. Thus nearest T. g. tamaulipensis (Nelson), 1897: Cd. Victoria, Tamaulipas, but duller, greyer throughout. Distribution: Arid central valley of Chiapas (and open pinelands to north), at least in its upper part at and near the Guatemala border. Types: 1 **2?’? [=@ imm.] 1 § ad. 1 3 [ad.] 1 2 [imm.]; Las Delicias, municipio de La Trinitaria, Chiapas (ca. lat. 15° 57’ N., long. 91° 49’ 20” W.), 7, 16 (2), and 18 Oct. 1964; collected by Abraham Ramirez V. Measurements of types: wing 120.7, 131.8, 126, 124.1; tail 100, 113, 107, 102.1 mm. Vol. 86 128 Bulletin B.O.C. Material examined: 6 more topotypes; 1 from bend of Guatemala border farther north (Vértice de Santiago); and 1 (WF 9448) from Rio San Gregorio 40 km. south and 20 km. west or south-west of Comitan. Remarks: In naming this distinctive race, I am mindful of the extra- ordinary ignorance of some of our highest-placed biologists today of our enormous debt to the great Carl von Linné, and of how few birds com- memorate this debt. (CM, LSU, MIN, RTM, WF, YU) The “T. g. grayi” reported by A. H. Miller from nearby Ciudad Las Casas (Miller et al., “1957”; RTM) is actually T. infuscatus! Griscom (1930) erred in restricting the type locality of grayi to Alta Vera Paz (see Euphonia hirundinacea). Grayi is an earlier name for 7. g. umbrinus Griscom, 1930: near Mazatenango, Pacific slope, Guatemala; for grayi auctorum the synonym megas Miller and Griscom, 1925: Matagalpa, Nicaragua, is available. Myadestes obscurus deignani subsp. nov. Description: A large, dark greyish form much like M. o. occidentalis Stejneger, 1882: “Tonila’” [=Cerro Nevado de Colima?], Jalisco, but slightly darker on crown, nape, chest and flanks; upper tail-coverts and rump more slaty (latter less brownish than in M. o. obscurus Lafresnaye, 1839: México [=probably Xalapa, Veracruz]). The blackish sub-basal part of the secondaries is also larger, hence usually obvious in the folded wing; and the supraloral line is usually less whitish. Larger than M. o. oberholseri Dickey and van Rossem, 1925: Volcan de San Rafael, El Salvador, as described (not examined). Distribution: Mountains of south-western Oaxaca and_ possibly northern Chiapas (though the latter populations are still darker above.) Types: Original nos. 7988, 8105, and 8142 ad. 3 [ad.] ¢ imm. 3; km. 181-183.8 (cf. Micrastur), 30 November and 5 and 9 December, 1964; Santos Farfan B. (8105 collected by A. R. Phillips). Measurement of types: Respectively, length 215 [+?], 224.5, 218; extent —, 319+, 308; wing 98, 100, 98.5; tail 92, 96, 95 mm. Material examined: Ten from Oaxaca. (3 from Chiapas = Pueblo Nuevo Solistahuacan and (2) bend of Guatemala border.) Remarks: (LDY, MIN, RTM, US). This lovely songster is named for H. G. Deignan, in recognition of the great value of his work; as far as North America is concerned, especially his important study (1961) of the type specimens preserved in the United States National Museum. Peucedramus taeniatus georgei subsp. nov. Description: adult 3 similar to P. t. taeniatus (Du Bus), 1847: ““Mexique” = “‘Tabasco”’ (i.e. Jitotol, Chiapas, or a bit north); cf. Rovirosa, 1889, in dull grey upperparts with deep sooty upper tail-coverts; but crown scarcely if at all paler than P. ¢t. arizonae Miller and Griscom, 1925: Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, being Mars Yellow (not Yellow Ocher approaching either Deep Chrome or Light Cadmium); chest intermediate, near the palest arizonae, Raw Sienna (taeniatus is usually nearer Yellow Ocher). Flanks also near the dullest, greyest arizonae, not as cold greyish as taeniatus but less washed with brownish olive than P. t. jaliscensis Miller and Griscom, 1925: “‘Zapotlan’ [Cerro, Nevado de Colima], Bulletin B.O.C. 129 Vol. 86 Jalisco, or the (identical?) giraudi Zimmer, 1948: Las Vigas, Veracruz. Types: Original nos. 7725 and 7786 33g ads.; Rio Molino, as above, 12th and 14th November, 1964; collected by A. R. Phillips, prepared by J. Nava S. Measurements of types: Length 135, 137; extent 225, 225; wing 74.5, 73.5; tail 54, 53.2 mm. Material examined: 2 3 ad. 2 d imm. 1 2 imm., all from the mountains south of Miahuatlan, Oaxaca. Remarks: (RTM). This race may appropriately be dedicated to Dr. William George, whose brilliant study (1962) dissociated Peucedramus from the Parulidae, in which it had always been placed; in fact Griscom (1957) had united it with Dendroica. It was re-assigned to the Sylviidae by Phillips, Marshall, and Monson (1964). I agree with Webster (1962) that the slightly paler back of Oaxaca birds, compared to taeniatus, is a poor taxonomic character, and that georgei is near taeniatus generally; but its definite combination of characters warrants recognition. Birds of northern Oaxaca and Guerrero, not seen by me, are probably also georgei, fide Webster. Ptilogonys cinereus schistaceus subsp. nov. Description: 3 like P. c. cinereus Swainson, 1824: “Mexico” [= Distrito Federal?]; 2° duller and greyer on chest and sides (usually not distinctly brownish like 2 cinereus), and thus in less contrast to throat and cheeks. Rump also slightly greyer brown. Types: Original nos. 7734 and 7908, ad. 2 imm. 2; Rio Molino, as above, 12th and 22nd November, 1964; J. Nava S. (7908 prepared by Santos Farfan B.). Measurement of types: Length 214, 209; extent 291.5, 286; wing 91, 90; tail 89.3, 91.5 mm. Material examined: 7 3 5 9, all from the mountains south of Mia- huatlan. Remarks: (CAS, LDY, MICH, MIN, RTM, US). P. c. pallescens Griscom, 1934: Chilpancingo, Guerrero, seems to be a synonym of cinereus; none of its various alleged characters is “‘readily appreciable”’ to me. Material seen of P. c. otofuscus Moore, 1935: Arroyo Hondo, south- western Chihuahua, is all worn and taxonomically worthless. Vireo huttoni pacificus subsp. nov. Description: The brightest, most olive-tinged, least grey (or brown- cheeked) of all the races of the Mexican mainland and Central America; sides of head, rump, and edgings of remiges yellowest. Underparts pale, though darker than V. h. stephensi Brewster, 1882; Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, and V. h. carolinae Brandt, 1938; Chisos Mountains, Texas. Distribution: Mountains fronting the Pacific Coast of México from Nayarit to south-western Oaxaca. Types: Original nos. 3749, 4065; 3, ad. g; Cerro San Juan, 94 km. by - road west, and south of (above), Tepic, Nayarit, 3rd February and 12th | October, 1955. A. R. Phillips. _ Measurements of types: Length 137, 133; extent 217, 213; wing 68.2, 68.5; tail 52.5, 50.8 mm. Vol. 86 130 Bulletin B.O.C. Material examined: Also 2, Rio Molino, Oaxaca; 1, Omiltemi, Guerrero; 2, Sierra de Autlan, Jalisco. Remarks: (RTM, US, WF). In the limited fresh material seen from Chiapas and Guatemala there seem to be two races, neither of which closely resembles pacificus. | cannot confirm anything written about this species by Griscom (1930); nor can I imagine why a comparison of “breeding adults” with “young” (in a sedentary species!) should be thought to have any value. Basileuterus culicivorus ridgwayi subsp. nov. Description: Nearest B. c. flavescens Ridgway, 1902: San Sebastian, Jalisco, in brightness of pale head-stripes (except the posterior part of the superciliary, above the auriculars); but occiput, nape, and back less yellow, though still paler than the dull B. c. culicivorus W. Deppe, 1830: México = Xalapa, Veracruz, and with the occiput and nape more yellow- green, less washed with sooty, and thus more contrasted to the back than in culicivorus. Distribution: Pacific foothills from type locality east to at least Piji- jiapan, Chiapas. Types: Original Nos. 7364 and 7366 (mates), and 7367 and 7351; 2 [ad.?], gimm., g [ad.], (amm.?); above = just NNW. and (7351) north of San Gabriel Mixtepec, Oaxaca (see Micrastur), 13 and (7351) 12 Dec. 1963; collected by A. R. Phillips and prepared by Juan Nava S. Measurements of types: Length 137, 143, 140, 141 (+7); extent 185, 194, 188, 198 [+]; wing 57.2, 60.7, 60, 61; tail 53.5, 58, 56.8, 56.7 mm. Material examined: Also three others from south-western Oaxaca and Remarks: (CM, MIN, RTM, WP). While there is no scarcity of birds named for Robert Ridgway, it is appropriate to commemorate again our tremendous debt to him in so many fields, prominent among which is the taxonomy of this genus. There is a considerable gap in the known range of this species between Colima (see Schaldach, 1963) and the type locality of ridgwayi. The Chiapas specimens listed above are not typical, being duller on the head and apparently paler on the post-ocular stripe (upper part of the auricu- lars). A 22 August ¢ from Salto de Agua, Escuintla (farther east in Pacific Chiapas) seems to be B. c. culicivorus, if not soiled. Icterus gularis flavescens subsp. nov. Description: The palest and yellowest race I have seen. Near J. g. gularis Wagler, 1829: México=Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, in size, but differs further in more extensive white on edgings of secondaries and their greater coverts. Ad. §0, tail 106 [+ ?]-112, bill 17.7-20.5; 99, tail 100 (+)- 104 (+); bill 18.1-18.9 mm. March 2 near dull Light Cadmium, rest of series approaching Cadmium Yellow; none near the Orange of gularis. Distribution: Coast of Guerrero, México. Types: 3 ad., 9 ad.; just south of Tierra Colorada, Guerrero, 7th and 28th March, 1963; Sdstenes Romero H. Measurements of types: Wing 124.2, 116.2; tail 109.7 [+], 104 (4); bill 20.5, 18.8 mm. Bulletin B.O.C. 131 Vol. 86 Material examined: Also 2 3 ad. 19 ad. 1 one-year-old 9, Tres Palos and vicinity (east of Acapulco), Sept. 1965 (all still moulting primaries). Remarks: This, the palest, is the westernmost race of the species. (to be continued) The roosting of the Pied Wagtail in Dublin by JEFFERY BOSWALL Received 19th January, 1966 The roost of Motacilla alba yarrelli in the centre of Dublin’s fair city is certainly the best-known dormitory in Britain and Ireland of the Pied Wagtail, and is also one of the largest. Observations were made at the site in O’Connell Street, Dublin, in 1964 as follows: 4th February, 16.45-18.15 hours G.M.T.; 13th March, 19.00-19.30; 14th March, 17.45—18.47 from the top of the Nelson Pillar with C. K. Mylne; 15th March, 17.44-18.55 with Miss Anne Deane; 24th March, 17.40—-19.30; and 25th March, 05.25—06.20. DIRECTION OF ORIGIN OF BIRDS From the top of the Nelson Pillar, whose parapet was* 160 feet above street level, an attempt was made to determine the direction from which the birds approached the roost during the first part of the assembly period on 14th March. A note was made of the size of flocks and the direction from which all apparently newly-arrived birds came. The word “ap- parently” is used because it is difficult to be certain that the observer always spots the birds as they actually arrive in the area; he may pick them out only after they have started to circle, which some do. All birds thought to be in this latter category are excluded from the analysis below. It is thought that the figures given reflect a true situation but it is difficult to be certain. TABLE 1 Directions from which some Pied Wagtails appeared to approach O’Connell Street, Dublin, 18.00-18.35 G.M.T., 14th March, 1964 N.E. E. S.E. S. S.W. W. N.W. N. 7 10 13 14 5 10 30 9 15 + ? 9 9 6 1 5 13 20 1 13 3 3 l l 9 5 3 a — 16 fi 55 19 32 45 36 As might be expected for a roost near an eastward-facing coast, few flew in from the east, and most appeared to approach from the south and from points west. *The past tense is used because the pillar was destroyed as a political act at 01°32 hrs. on 9th March, 1966. It is to be hoped that the roosting wagtails were not unduly disturbed. Vol. 86 132 Bulletin B.O.C. THE ASSEMBLY The birds approach the general area of the roost usually flying at roughly 200 feet above street level. Some birds or flocks may fly around, normally for not more than 60 or 90 seconds, before dropping down either into the trees down the centre of the street or roof tops and television aerials. Others will fly in and drop directly to any of the perches described. These observations were made from the top of the Nelson Pillar on 14th March. On an earlier evening at a time when the birds were still coming in (17.28-17.40 on 4th February), I inspected each of the eleven Plane trees in O’Connell Street, starting with the southernmost, and found the follow- ing numbers of birds: 47, 82, 72, 1, 9, 4, 4, 1, 3, 1, and 2. Eventually the birds gathered to roost only in the three southernmost trees. This shows clearly that not all the birds fiy directly to their perches. On 15th March, when both observers stood on the pavement opposite the one tree in which all the birds were to collect for the night, and re- mained there throughout the assembly time, it was evident that most but not all the birds which alighted in the tree stayed put; a few took off again, presumably returning later. The departures from the tree—as well as the arrivals—per five minutes are shown in Table 2, the total being 69. Most of these merely flew up to join other birds assembling on a nearby rooftop, but one party of ten took off to the south, early, at 18.02, and disappeared behind some buildings several hundred yards away. As one might expect, most of these birds which left the tree did so during the earlier part of the assembly period while it was still reasonably light and before the major influx of birds (see Table 2). TABLE 2 Numbers of Pied Wagtails entering (and departing from) roosting tree, O’Connell Street, Dublin 15th March 1964 24th March 1964 G.M.T. 5 mins. Ent. Dep. Bal. Acc. Ent. Ded. Bal. Acc. ending total total 17.45 2 2 2 17.50 Z 2 4 17-55 10 10 14 13 1 12 12 18.00 6 10 4 10 9 9 21 18.05 20 1 19 29 9 9 30 18.10 43 36 7 36 37 37 67 18.15 74 11 63 99 50 2 48 115 18.20 76 2 74 173 106 10 96 211 18.25 184 5 179 352 71 11 60 271 18.30 247 2 245 597 48 12 36 307 18.35 160 1 159 756 58 7 51 358 18.40 44 44 800 39 5 34 392 18.45 6 1 | 805 57 2 55 447 18.50 57 aT 504 18.55 54 54 558 19.00 7 7 565 Totals 874 69 805 805 615 50 565 565 Attempts were made on 15th and 24th March to note down, from street level, the time at which all the birds, as singles or parties, entered the tree. Bulletin B.O.C. 133 Vol. 86 Table 2 shows the numbers of birds entering and leaving the tree each five minutes, with the balance and accumulated total at the end of each five minutes. On both evenings there was complete cloud cover but at a good altitude, leaving a fairly bright sky. On 15th March the first bird alighted at 17.45 (sunset being at 18.06) and the last bird 62 minutes later at 18.47. As the table shows, the rate of arrival rose fairly steadily during the first 45 minutes, came to a peak during the next 5 minutes and then dropped sharply. The arrivals pattern on 24th March was much more irregular and on that date the birds took 68 minutes to arrive, from 17.55 to 18.03, the sun setting at 18.10. That the assembly time of this species can vary with light intensity has been shown by Rappe’s studies of an urban roost of some 700 birds on the outskirts of Leopoldsburg in Belgium (Rappe, 1960). A sky covered with grey-black clouds put forward the arrival of the wagtails by about a dozen minutes. For a number of species, for example the Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) (Armstrong, 1955), it is known that the birds retire later in relation to sunset (or civic twilight) on shorter days in winter, presumably because they need the additional time to get enough food. To my knowledge, no systematic work has been done on Motacilla alba to demonstrate this, but Moffat (1931) writing of the Dublin assembly does say “It generally began about 20 (or in the shorter days, 23) minutes after sunset, from which time arrivals continued to take place in quick succession for the next twenty minutes.” TABLE 3 To show numbers of parties by size of Pied Wagtails entering roosting tree, Dublin, 15th March, 1964 Total Total Average No. of birds in party: 1 2-10 11-20 21-30 no.of no.of party parties _ birds size G.M.T. 10 mins. ending 17.54 4 4 4 1.0 18.04 9 1 10 16 1.6 18.14 12 15 27 63 2 18.24 26 25 2 53 150 2.8 18.34 49 38 8 3 98 431 4.4 18.44 33 28 3 64 204 3.2 18.54 6 6 6 1.0 Totals 139 107 13 3 262 874 3.3 Individual birds 139 452 207 76 874 On 15th and 24th March respectively my first birds arrived 21 and 15 minutes before sunset. However, first arrivals could easily be misleading, depending as they do on the behaviour of one or a few birds. A comparison of peak arrival times is likely to be more revealing and it is here that systematic observations over a period of weeks are demanded. It will be noticed in Table 3 that the average size of party varies with the numbers of birds arriving per unit time; or, in other words, when birds are arriving at a greater rate, they arrive in bigger parties. If, as general } | ‘ : Vol. 86 134 Bulletin B.O.C. observation seems to indicate, the Pied Wagtial is a solitary, or near solitary feeder by day (certainly the White Wagtail (M. a. alba) is in winter quarters—see Simmons, 1965) and if, as seems likely, light intensity is the proximate factor causing assembly, then the simplest explanation of varying party size on arrival at the roost site is that the birds meet en route. Though not referring specifically to the Dublin roost, Kennedy et al. (1954) state ‘°On the flight line to roosts and some distance from their destination birds halt in large numbers’’. Pre-roost assembly points have been observed for a Hampshire roost by Keith Edwards (pers. comm.), but the small size of the parties arriving in the roost site area at Dublin is hardly consistent with large pre-roost assemblies. THE NUMBERS I made counts of the settled birds after dark on the evening of 4th February, when there were 918, and on 13th March, when there were 894. On 15th March an attempt to count the birds as they entered the tree gave a total of 805. On 24th/25th March the birds were counted three times: entering, settled in the evening, and dispersing in the morning; the totals were 565, 610 and 572 respectively. (David Cabot [in Jitt.] on the night of 2nd April, 1964, made two counts and arrived at a figure of “*550-600”’.) On all nights except the first all the birds occupied the Plane tree nearest to the Nelson Pillar. On the earliest date, 4th February, 452 birds settled for the night in the nearest tree, 462 in the next and 4 in the third. The method of counting the perched birds was to stand in one position between each tree in turn and to imagine all the branches of the tree to be in a single plane. Birds were then counted in each “‘area”’ between the more prominent branches; the maximum number of birds counted in any one “‘area’’ was 87. Two “areas” I counted thrice each, to gain an indication of accuracy, and the figures were: 57, 55 and 59; and 42, 40, 42. To each of the totals of birds as counted it seems reasonable to add 5 per cent to account for the birds hidden behind branches. Thus the corrected figures for the settled birds become c. 964 on 4th February, c. 938 on 13th March and c. 641 on 24th March. Totals for the birds counted as they entered the roost were arrived at by noting each bird or party as it alighted in the tree, totting up and sub- tracting the number of birds noted leaving the tree (presumably tempo- rarily) during the period of the assembly. Birds dispersing in the morning were counted as they took off from the tree. It is likely that some birds entering or leaving the tree on the side furthest from the observer were missed and this could explain why in the two cases where counts of settled birds can reasonably be compared with those of active birds, the “‘settled bird’’ totals are higher. We can gain some hint of the overall accuracy of the figures by making this comparison: c. 641 settled on 24th March is encouragingly close to the 565 entering an hour before, and the 572 dispersing in the morning. I would estimate that the totals for assembled birds are accurate to plus or minus 10 per cent and those for the active birds rather less so. The point does emerge that the assembly behaviour of the species, if Dublin is not atypical, does allow—by comparison with: species that arrive in large Bulletin B.O.C. 135 Vol. 86 flocks—for a reasonably accurate count to be made of birds as they assemble, which would normally be the only time when they would be visible: in Dublin, the ornithologist, with street lights to help him, is in the rare position of being able to count the birds once they’ve settled down! As Hutson (1956) says in a discussion of the study of bird roosting. “‘Few attempts have yet been made to continue observations after the birds have settled down for the night.” The figure of nearly a thousand birds in February, 1964, may be com- pared with earlier estimates at the same roost. There were over 100 birds in November, 1929 (Williams 1930 and Moffat 1931), but the roost was deserted early in December. The maximnum in 1930/31 was “‘at the very least . . . over 500 birds’ on 24th December (Moffat 1931); and in 1931/32 “there were certainly well over a thousand birds, probably not far from fifteen hundred’’; this was from mid-October to about the end of De- cember (Moffat 1932). At the end of 1933 there were “fully 2,000 birds’ (Moffat 1934b), and a year later the same number was estimated (Moffat 1935). In 1948 Scroop estimated about a thousand birds in each of the three trees, and in November, 1950, John Barrington considered that 3,600 were present (Kennedy et al. 1954). On 3rd September 1952 Stanley Cramp (in /itt.) saw a roost in two trees on Burgh Quay at the corner of O’Connell Street several hundred yards from the site of the main roost. “Not counted, but certainly not more than a few hundred.”’ A roost of 3,600 Pied Wagtails is the second biggest on record, to the best of my knowledge (and I have searched the literature fairly thoroughly). The only other roosts of this species which exceed a thousand birds are as follows: 1. At least 2,000 in a reed bed on the Medway near Snodland (grid ref. 718607) in September 1963, and an estimated 5,000 there during the first half of September 1964. In 1965 the numbers built up from 200 in August to 2,000 in September, then moved to another site about one-third of a mile to the north and increased to 3,000 by the end of September. There were still 1,000 birds there on 1st December (Eric Philp in /itt.). 2. The maximum estimated at a roost inside Power Station ‘A’ at Ferrybridge, near Castleford, Yorkshire, a site occupied for several years, was 2,500-plus (C. Winn, in Jitt.). 3. Greaves (1941), who studied the behaviour of the nominate race of this species in winter quarters in Egypt, states “‘... there was no doubt that on favourable occasions a single observer might see as many as 2,000.”” 4. Keywood (1937), describing a reed bed dormitory at the Black Pond, Esher, Surrey, says that there “‘. . . must have been several thousand.” 5. A roost of 1,000-plus was seen at a Preston factory on 24th November 1962. Many of the birds came into a room, and settled to roost on steel- work and lagged steam pipes (N. Harwood in Spencer 1962). 6. Meinertzahgen (1940), referring to a roost he watched in Cornwall in April 1922 says, ““Their numbers must have reached four figures.”’ It is possible that my early 1964 figures were low because the Pied Wag- tail population was severely reduced by the hard winter of early 1963. J. Asbee, who has followed since 1958 the fortunes of a reed bed roost near Vol. 86 136 Bulletin B.O.C. Rye in Sussex which normally holds up to 200 birds, found that in the autumn of 1963 it held only 50-60 birds (Sussex Bird Report 1964 and in litt.). A glasshouse roost in Somerset, normally occupied by anything up to 100+ birds from July to September, was hardly tenanted at all in 1963 (Sarah Padden, pers. comm.). If the Dublin roost can hold up to 3,600 birds, it is interesting to specu- late firstly on their origin—i.e. where they were hatched—and secondly on how far they range each day. Bannerman (1963) quotes Lack’s suggestion that some British Pied Wagtails might migrate to Ireland. Kennedy et al. (1954) state that there is ‘‘ample testimony from light station on the south and east coasts that a considerable immigration takes place in autumn’’. But Peter Davis (in /itt., August 1965) tells me: ‘“There is no evidence from ringing recoveries that any British birds move into or through Ireland .. . I can’t think of evidence from any source that British Pied Wagtails move west across the Irish Sea; but this doesn’t mean that it never happens. I think it very likely that the Dublin roost is composed entirely of Irish birds; the species would appear to be pretty common there and no very great area would need to be drawn upon to provide 3,600 birds.”’ THE DISPERSAL On the morning of 25th March I counted the birds as they left the tree. The first individual flew to a nearby building at 05.34 and the last birds, a party of three, rose from the branches at 06.17, a period of 43 minutes. Once having left the tree, no birds were seen to return to it. The numbers departing in five-minute periods, and also the size of the parties, are shown in Table 4. TABLE 4 To show numbers of parties by size and the total numbers of Pied Wagtails dispersing from roosting tree, Dublin, 25th March 1964 Average Party Total Total party size: 1 2-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 parties birds size G.M.T. 5 mins. ending 05.30 1 1 1 1.0 05.35 2 2 2 1.0 05.40 4 2 6 9 1.5 05.45 9 2 11 16 1.5 05.50 8 12 2 2 1 25 183 7.3 05.55 9 3 4 4 1 21 225 10.7 06.00 Z 5 2 1 10 2 Te 06.05 — 3 2 5 47 9.4 06.10 2 2 4 14 3.5 06.15 —- 1 1 3 3.0 Totals 37 30 10 7 2 86 572 6.7 Individuals 37 122 152 186 75 572 When I arrived at 05.25 the birds were as “‘settled’’ as when I had left them the previous evening. It was still fairly dark, though the sky was quite cloudless. The occasional bird moved from branch to branch and one party of five or six moved together a few feet. From 05.41 onwards, and LL LE A AE Bulletin B.O.C. 137 Vol. 86 until the tree was empty, the birds started to move branch by branch upwards within the tree, preparatory to taking off from one of the outer- most branches of the crown. The first twelve or so birds flew to the adjacent buildings. The first to rise high from the tree and set out purposively were five birds between 05.45 and 05.49. After this, the great majority flew directly away into the wind, though some birds continued to pause on the buildings and one small party that did so later took off to join a sizeable flock as it rose from the tree, and the whole group flew strongly away. Comparing the assembly with the dispersal, we find that (a) the fly-out is accomplished in much less time, which is apparently true of other species (Hutson 1956), and that (b) the average party size of departing birds is twice as large. VOCAL BEHAVIOUR When approaching the roost, flying round, or actually entering, the birds utter the familiar “‘chisick’’ flight-call; these calls were heard particu- larly from the top of the Nelson Pillar but also from ground level in O’Connell Street. The birds call as they gather in the tree, creating a distinctive evening chorus. My notes on this on the evening of 15th March, with times and approximate numbers of birds are as follows: Approx. no. G.M.T. Degree of vocalisation of birds in tree 18.06 “Occasional calling” 14 18.13 “*Calling a little” 14 18.25 ‘Fairly frequent calling” 173 18.27 ‘**Frequent calls”’ 207 18.30 ‘“*Calling more obvious” 352 18.34 “Considerable continuous twitter” 534 18.36 **ditto”’ 638 18.45 **Still twittering’’ 800 18.47 “*Twittering rather less” 803 18.50 “Still fairly continuous” 805 18.51 **Occasional calls”’ 805 18.52 “*Quite quiet” 805 The calls uttered were of a softer, sweeter character than the usual flight call, but each was almost certainly a double note, as is the flight call. Individual calls were difficult to distinguish in the bird chorus and amid heavy Dublin traffic. However, on 16th March in Belfast, at another urban roost of this species, I was able to hear the birds at 15 feet range from a window at their level and was able to confirm the use of the softer double note; in addition, I heard occasional sung phrases, each of about eight or nine notes. The precise function of this chorus is not clear. Armstrong (1963) says that the Dublin birds are “‘apparently attracting each other by their calls as well as their movements’. Certainly the timing of the chorus is consistent with Armstrong’s view in that the sound begins to subside once all the birds are in, but equally the cessation could be correlated with a particular light intensity. Wynne-Edwards in his highly stimulating book (1962), after quoting Moffat’s (1931) description of the chorus, describes it as “‘a mass- demonstration, taking the form of a vocal chorus . . . presumed to have an epidieictic function’. That is to say, the chorus provides an indication of the numbers of individuals present in a locality; if the numbers indicated Vol. 86 138 Bulletin B.O.C. are too high in relation to predicted food supplies, then an exodus of the excess population follows. Certainly the sudden and puzzling changes in the numbers of wagtails at some roosts could be explained by Wynne- Edwards’ theory, for example the 1957 observations of Rappe (1960), the January drop in Dublin numbers in 1932 (Moffat 1932) and the curious fluctuations in Richmond Park, London, in the late autumn of 1937 (Colyer 1938). Colyer is one of the very few other writers who make reference to vocal behaviour at the roost. ““From the moment of arrival of the first Wagtail at the pond there were continuous calls of “‘chizick”’ and other chirpings from the trees or grass-banks, perhaps most of all when the whole flock was assembled in the roost.’’ Keywood (1937) says “The wagtails kept up their musical call continuously”; Coward (1928) says ‘““When gathering at the roost a few male birds often join in a short evensong, simple but melodious, a twittering chorus not unlike that of a swallow.” Sterland’s charming account, written nearly a century ago, is well worth quoting in full: “They arrive in pairs about an hour before dusk and perch on the bushes, continuously shifting their places and uttering rather clamorously a shrill ‘t-wee’. Often I have stood concealed and watched their proceedings and as I listened to their busy twitter I could fancy that they were each of them detailing their personal adventures during the day. As darkness drew on the gossip gradually ceased and one by one they dropped down amongst the furze bushes”’ (Sterland 1869). At a roost in a Somerset greenhouse that I visited on 24th July 1965 there was no chorus and very little calling, though I did hear a cock bird in very good song. The group vocalisation may only occur seasonally, in particular weather, or be influenced by some other variable. Rappe’s detailed account (1960) makes no mention of voice at all in roosting White Wagtails in Belgium, but the account by Greaves (1941) of a winter roost of this race in Egyptian fields of sugar-cane is worth quoting: “The birds circle round and up and down, constantly changing direction and calling. It was not clear whether those already down called, but it seemed obvious that the leaders of the flocks were trying to find out the places where others were already roosting and when the leaders went down the others followed at once or after making another short flight.” A number of other communal roosters indulge in an evening chorus, for example the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (Summers-Smith 1963). When a flying predator appears, the chorus changes character (see under “‘Predators”’ below). When J arrived at the Dublin roost site in near-darkness at 05.25 on the morning of 25th March to witness the morning departure, there were occasional calls from settled birds. As odd singles flew to nearby buildings and called, a bird in the tree would call, apparently in response. By 05.50, when small parties had begun to disperse, the calling in the tree intensified a little and in one 60-second period I counted 18 soft “‘tisups”’. Something Jike this rate of calling was kept up until the number left in the tree was considerably reduced. At no point did the volume and frequency of calling become continuous, or in any significant way approach the distinctive vocal display of the evening congregation. As each party took off from the Bulletin B.O.C. 139 Vol. 86 tree, however, its members called, creating a little clamour and usefully attracting the observer’s attention. PREDATORS A. G. Mason told me that the Dublin roost had been known to attract a Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), and John Smullen, an inspector with the Irish transport organisation, C.I.E., told me that in eighteen years he had frequently seen a hawk of this species, particularly in the winter months. The hawk would appear during the period of assembly, sometimes causing the wagtails to take to the nearest buildings, where a capture would some- times be made. James Fisher told Smith (1950, p. 57) that in January 1947 a Sparrowhawk was preying on birds in the Dublin flock. I myself saw a male Sparrowhawk three times on the evening of 25th March, at 17.37, 17.53 and 18.02 G.M.T. The appearance of the enemy caused an intensifica- tion and harshening of the twittering chorus and once when the bird flew close to the tree it drove five Pied Wagtails out, but I did not see it capture a bird. Mr. Smullen saw a “grey owl” in a roosting tree some ten or twelve years before, the only owl he had ever observed in the vicinity of the roost. As it perched in the tree the wagtails flew out. A photograph of the bird was taken by the Irish Press Ltd. and published in a Dublin newspaper. I have not seen this photograph, but apparently it was a Barn Owl (Tyro alba). Mr. Walter Mooney, who for sixteen years has been the attendant in the underground establishment near the southernmost tree, tells me he has seen at least four owls over the years, ““brown”’ in colour—possibly Long- eared Owls (Asio otis), since the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) is not found in the island. URBAN ROOSTING The selection of an urban habitat for sleeping by birds which spend the day outside that habitat is one interesting example of avian response to increasing urbanisation. It is perhaps best exemplified by the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), whose town dormitories I have seen in London, Birming- ham and Belfast, in Philadelphia, U.S.A., and which are also known from continental Europe, e.g. Amsterdam (Ko Zweeres, pers. comm.) and Rome (Gottard Reichelt, pers. comm.). Another species known similarly to behave is the Jackdaw (Corvus monedula). Steinfatt (quoted by Goethe 1934) saw a roost in Sofia which was brightly illuminated by the lights of the boulevards, and Nils Linnman (pers. comm., November 1965) told me that in Stockholm and other Swedish towns Jackdaw roosts in the trees of well-lit squares are regarded as unexceptional by Swedish ornithologists. K. E. L. Simmons (pers. comm.) saw a town roost in a single tree of Cattle Egrets (Ardeola ibis) in Cairo in 1950. An urban roost of Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) has recently been reported from London (Ruttledge 1965). In a review of a book Nicholson (1964) makes a tantalisingly brief reference to an observation he made in Colombia: the Common Night- hawk (Chordeiles minor) ’’... roosts in numbers in the town square at Villavicencio”’. Other wagtail species which at least occasionally roost in towns are the Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) in the Hague (Koch 1934), and in Beirut (Cawkell 1947); and the Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) in several towns in South Africa (Winterbottom 1964 and Skead 1954), Vol. 86 140 Bulletin B.O.C. I am at present working on the urban roosts of Motacilla alba (Boswall, in preparation) and will therefore confine myself here to a list of the main towns known from the literature to have been occupied at least once by a congregation of either M. a. yarrelli or M. a. alba. They are as follows. In Britain: Bristol, Cambridge, Carlisle, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Leicester, and London (several suburbs). In Germany: Frankfurt, Hanover and Osnabruck. In Italy: Milan, Perugia and Rome. In Egypt: Cairo. In Tunisia: Sbeitla. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Chris Mylne and Anne Morris (née Deane) helped with the observations. The Secretary of the Bank of Ireland gave permission for me temporarily to keep Nelson company at the top of his pillar. Charlie Winn, Eric Philp, Stanley Cramp and David Cabot allowed me to include observations of theirs in the paper. Peter Davis patiently answered queries about the migration of the race. An earlier draft of the paper was usefully commented on by Stanley Cramp and K. E. L. Simmons. I am grateful to all these people. References: Armstrong, E. A. 1955. The Wren. Collins, London. —. 1963. A Study of Bird Song. O.U.P., Oxford. Bannerman, D. 1953. The Birds of the British Isles Vol. 2. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh. Boswall, Jeffery (In preparation). Urban roosting by Motacilla alba. pore oe Pied Wagtail Roost in Richmond Park. London Bird Report for 1937: 28-29. Coward, T. A. 1928. The Birds of the British Isles and their Eggs. 1: 105. Warne, London. Goethe, an 1934. Massenschlafplatze der Weisen Bachstelze (Mot. a. alba). Vogelzug, 5: 183- Greaves, R. H. 1941. Behaviour of White Wagtails wintering in the Cairo district. Ibis, pp. 459-462. Hutson, H. P. W. 1956. Roosting, in Hutson, H. P. W. editor (1956): The Ornithologists” idé, the B.O.U., London. Kent iG. et al. 1954. The Birds of Ireland. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh. f Keywgod, K K: -P. 1937. Notes on a Pied Wagtail Roost. London Bird Report for 1936: Koch, J. Cok 934. p. 119. Org. d. Club v. Nederl. Vogelk: Meineri7pe ab8 R. 1940. Autumn in central Morocco (Part 2). Jbis, 14 (4): 188-234. Moffat, C2 'B. 1931. A Pied Wagtail Roost in Dublin. Brit. Birds, 24: 364-66. 5 gs pl ia Pied Wagtail Roost in Dublin. Brit. Birds, 26: 93-4. —. 1934a.:A remarkable wagtail roost. Irish Nat. Journ., 3: 206-08. —. 1934b. The Dublin wagtail roost. Jrish Nat. Journ., 5: 10-11. —. 1935. The Dublin wagtail roost. Irish Nat. Journ., 5: 162-63. N(icholson), E. M. 1964. Review of The Birds of Colombia. Ibis, 106: 395. Rappe, A. 1960. Le dortoir citadin de la Bergeronnette Grise, Motacilla alba L. Le Gerfaut, 50: 209-22 Ruttledge, W. 1965. Goldfinch roost in Inner London. Brit. Brids, 58: 442-43. Skead, C. J. 1954. A study of the Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis. Ibis, 96: 91-104. Simmons, K. E. L. 1965. Pattern of dispersion of the White Wagtail and other birds outside the breeding season. Bull. B.O.C., 85: 161-68. Smith, Stuart. 1950. The Yellow Wagtail. Collins, London. Spencer, K. G. Editor. 1963. Lancashire Bird Report 1962. Sterland, W. J. 1869. The Birds of Sherwood Forest. Reeve & Co., London. Summers-Smith, J. D. 1963. The House Sparrow. Collins, London. Williams, W. J. 1930. Strange roosting of Pied Wagtails in Dublin. Irish Nat. Journ., 3: 20. Winterbottom, J. M. 1964. Notes on the Wagtails Motacilla of Southern Africa. Ostrich, 35 (3): 129-41, Wynne-Edwards, V. C. 1962. Animal Dispersion in relation to Social Behaviour. 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MOMS Aoea ue b 0) einvnos RO mane aon VG beeid (othe be hi i $4) 4 ‘Sole, | eT is Ae ee nrve’l a, ip)’ 2 ce Madvoddiaac a Bat si 39 bebaerbbk A Disistle apchaogresns wiltO i s ne eUE cobvart bus Hike be rate OW W nthe ~ S08 ROMITIAM “AKA bsavitig , Todinsgad ABOL bis todmayvor! 1124 OND, 8s ad ‘ r See eee Kain oe lone aE BEOUCIR TMA HerTiae oes vd be eco a47 a nobhe.t 0) past Fapemalor D air Ler! 7 CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. These should be concise and typed on one side of the paper, double-spaced, with a good margin. The first time a species is mentioned, the scientific generic and specific names should be included. Subsequently the same name need only have the initial letter of the genus. Scientific names are printed in italics and should be underlined in the typescript. References should be given at the end of the paper. Authors introducing a new name or describing a new species or race should indicate this in their title and display the name prominently in the text followed by nom. nov., sp. nov., subsp. nov. as appropriate. In these descriptions, the first introduction of the name should be followed by paragraphs for ‘‘Description’’, ‘‘Distribution’’, ‘“Type’’, ‘“‘Measure- ments of Type’’, ‘‘Material examined’’ and further sub-headings as required. Proofs must be returned without delay. No changes may be made at this stage, other than corrections. At the discretion of the Editor, the Club will pay for a reasonable number of monochrome blocks, which the contributor may retain for his own use. Contributors are entitled to a maximum of thirty free copies of the Bulletin, supplied only as specifically requested by authors. Those con- tributing to a meeting should hand in their MS. at that meeting; otherwise a note will be inserted mentioning the contribution. BACK NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN Applications for back numbers which cost 5s. each, should be made to N. J. P. Wadley, 95 Whitelands House, London, S.W.3. Members who — have back numbers of the Bulletin, which they no longer require are requested to send them to Mr. Wadley. SUBSCRIPTION TO BULLETIN The Bulletin may be purchased by non-members annually for 40s. (payable 4 in advance) or per copy 5s., payable to the Hon. Treasurer, P. Tate, 4 Broad Street Place, London, E.C.2 CORRESPONDENCE Other correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Martin W. Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 18th October, 15th November and 20th December Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB . Edited by | JOHN J. YEALLAND Volume 86 November No. 8 1966 cae eae) Wi ss Mpcie | Re, Rss Aca. (evoriat bis, tee Mek) “Sar GAD SOON a ind wate | re A Eee w q¢ ft »% aa f hy , cy ¥} s, f ) Nieder 7 ‘ae Ff hi af F es nyte gee Se rid 0 YS fate E y r fi PCR MS HF et ie ae . catg bs af Pl ee. a TE r ; i, , RF i edt. & ve ree th ee eee, ‘ , oJ 4 aspalcsdh % Vee San ; . A nice bed” MP Pie” eerie hry et tar Ee ee. i, d es t . . " Te oes bs eel een . Ve'b Sibel a : \.; - GMA STASY ob HO, | ' ‘ a> ee 5 > att Pa “wed _ ; aie ~ no a eh vi ho eign die OC ; bf nite ena de tyy bi PNR Ly Nei aias etc., at pages 21-24, I dealt with the forms of Mirafra africanoides Smith: In 1965 in L’Oiseau, 35, No. Spécial: 163-174 Professor Winterbottom has reviewed the southern subspecies of the species, and in 1966 Mr. P. A. Clancey in Arnoldia, 2, no. 20, 1-8 has provided yet another review of the southern subspecies. These two most recent reviews are divergent in a number of respects although both are evidently based upon much the same material in South African and Rhodesian museums. Of the two Clancey’s conclusions are much nearer to my own. It is obviously most unsatisfactory to have several diverse views about the treatment of geo- graphical variation in this species and the present note seeks to show that Clancey’s and my own views can be reconciled. The points involved are as follows :— i. The application of the name africanoides Smith. In Bull. B.O.C. 1960, 80: 10-11 I gave reasons for accepting Litakun, near Kuruman as the restricted type locality. Clancey (op. cit. 102-103) considered that Mac- donald’s later restriction to Colesberg should be accepted as more in keeping with the facts. It had been generally considered that birds from Colesburg were darker and more heavily streaked than those from Kuruman but Winterbottom now reports that some birds from Kuruman are of the dark type, and others of the lighter type. This may be due to the unstable population or may be due to nomadism. At any rate it shows that even if Kuruman were accepted the name africanoides might be based on light or dark birds. In view of this and the fact that most recent writers have used africanoides for the darker birds, I propose that africa- noides should be restricted to the dark birds. Since Kuruman is an un- Satisfactory restriction of type locality in view of the instability of the population there, I would now avoid uncertainty by accepting Colesburg as the type locality. Thus africanoides replaces austin-robertsi White in my Check List. I do not consider the slight size difference mentioned by Vol. 86 144 Bulletin B.O.C. Winterbottom sufficient to justify the retention of the latter name if africanoides is used for the dark birds. ii. The application of the name /arei Roberts. In my Check List I used this for birds from Windhoek to the Kaokoveld. Macdonald, 1957, Contribution to the Ornithology of Western South Africa, and Clancey have used it for the birds to which I applied africanoides, i.e. the population from south of Windhoek to Gordonia and Kuruman. Actually the dif- ference between birds from south and central South West Africa and those from the north-west is very slight, and Winterbottom and Clancey do not agree in their assigning of material from the Okahandja, Outjo and adjacent areas just north of Windhoek. The type locality of harei is in fact situated in an area of transition between two rather similar forms. Harei as a population is presumably an intergrade about its type locality, and if most writers prefer to use it for the southern birds and omaruru for those from further north, I have no difficulty in following them. ii. The status of rubidior White. Clancey, who did not see the original and only specimens doubts that this is a distinct form and suggests that it is probably founded on wandering birds of a darker form from further south. Winterbottom did examine the original series and confirmed its characters. I suspect that Clancey will prove correct but only further collecting at the type locality can settle the question. The result of the above shifts in the application of three names reconciles the views of Clancey and myself on the treatment of infraspecific variation in the species. The eggs of the Giant Cowbird by F. HAVERSCHMIDT Received 24th April, 1966 Friedmann (1963) devotes a chapter to the Giant Cowbird Scaphidura oryzivora (Gmelin) and makes the somewhat startling statement that although this bird is intermediate in size between two of its frequent victims, Psarocolius decumanus (Pallas) and Cacicus cela (Linnaeus), it lays an egg considerably smaller than either of them. He further states that Scaphidura eggs average 28.6 x 19.2, those of P. decumanus 33.8 x 24.1 and those of C. cela 32.5 x 24.5 mm. The source of these data is not mentioned. However, neither the data in the literature nor my own records assembled in Surinam corroborate this statement. Scaphidura is intermediate in size between its two hosts. Three female Scaphidura collected by me in Surinam weighed 120-140 grms. (mean 129 grms.), 8 female P. decumanus 148-167 grms. (mean 157 grms.) and 10 female C. cela 62-72 grms. (mean 65 grms.). In all three species the male is considerably larger than the female. In the literature the following records are available. The Penard brothers (1910) devote a long section in their book to these three birds and the parasitism of Scaphidura. They state that the eggs of Scaphidura found in the nests of P. decumanus are of quite a different type than those laid in the nests of C. cela which, if true, would be a most interesting fact. Bulletin B.O.C. 145 Vol. 86 According to them the eggs of the parasite in the nests of P. decumanus are white with a few black spots and the eggs laid in the nests of C. cela bluish with some black spots and hair-lines. Hellebrekers (1942, 1945) revised the large egg collection assembled for the Penard brothers in Surinam which is now preserved in the Leiden Museum. He describes the eggs of Scaphidura in nests of P. decumanus as white sparingly marked with small and rather large blotches of a blackish colour, rarely dark brown. Often some hair-lines of the same colour and few purplish undermarkings chiefly at the large end. Seventeen eggs average 35.7 x 24.3 mm. Minimum 32.5 x 24.3 and 33.7 x 22.4 mm. Maximum 40.1 x 24.2 and 37.6 x 25.6 mm. The Scaphidura eggs in nests of C. cela are, according to him, light bluish or bluish-green, sparingly marked with small or rather large blotches of blackish colour, rarely brown, often some hair-lines of the same colour few purplish under- markings chiefly at the large end. Thirty-four Scaphidura eggs in nests of C. cela average 34. x 25.5 mm. Minimum 31.5 x 24.3 and 34.4 x 23.8 mm. Maximum 35.5 x 27.3 and 35.1 x 29 mm. The eggs of P. decumanus in this collection are described as white with some purplish tinge, with reddish and black spots and hair-lines. In some cases these only a darker shade of the reddish ground colour; in other cases more clearly and boldly marked chiefly at the large end. Forty-two P. decumanus eggs average 36 x 24.5 mm. Minimum 31.5 x 24.6 and 37.4 x 22.4 mm. Maximum 41.1 x 25.8 and 39.5 x 26.6 mm. The eggs of C. cela are described as glossy white with a few black spots. Fifty C. cela eggs average 28.4 x 19.08 mm. Minimum 24.2 x 18.2 and 27.5 x 17.3 mm. Maximum 32.2 x 18.5 and 31.6 x 20.6 mm. Belcher and Smooker (1937) make some confusing statements about eggs of Scaphidura and P. decumanus collected in Trinidad. As to the eggs of Scaphidura they ‘‘incline to the view’’ that they run through the same varieties of ground colour and markings as Psarocolius except that Scaphidura lays a white variety which does not appear with Psarocolius. Ten eggs ‘‘attributed’’ to Scaphidura by them average 33.5 x 23.7 mm. They further distinguish two types of eggs of P. decumanus; those with bluish ground which are spotted and blotched with black and dark brown and those with ‘‘other ground colour’’ which are marked with zigzag hieroglyphs. In my opinion the bluish eggs are of Scaphidura and the type with zig- zag hieroglyphs those of the host. The fact that Belcher and Smooker found bluish eggs with black spots in nests of P. decumanus (which I consider to be eggs of Scaphidura) is of particular interest through which the theory of the Penard brothers that bluish Scaphidura eggs are confined to the host C. cela collapses. Skutch (1954) describes an egg identified by Crandall as spotless white, measuring 36.1 x 26 mm. and an egg supposedly laid by Scaphidura from a nest of Gymnostinops montezuma as very pale blue with a few scattered scratches of brown, measuring 36.5 x 25.4 mm. Schafer (1957) describes an egg attributed to Scaphidura as spotless white measuring 34.2 x 22 mm. weight 9 grms. Vol. 86 146 Bulletin B.O.C. So far the data from the literature. My own records assembled in Suri- nam are limited but corroborate the data in the literature. On March 2, 1950 I examined a colony of Cacicus cela of about 30 nests which were not parasitized by Scaphidura. The nests contained eggs in all stages of incubation and nestlings of different sizes. The clutch consisted of 1 or 2 eggs (only 10 clutches of 2 eggs) and in no nest were more than 2 nestlings found. The eggs were glossy white with a few black- ish spots. Twenty-two averaged 27.9 x 18.9 mm. The largest measured 30.4 x 19.5 and 28.1 x 20.2 mm. The smallest 25.5 x 18.7 and 27.2 x 17.7 mm. The weight of 6 unblown and fresh eggs averaged 5.43 grms. (extremes 5.9 and 4.72 grms). On February 20, 1958 I found in a nest of C. cela a single egg of Scaphi- dura. It had a bluish ground colour with a few black spots and hair-lines, measuring 33.3 x 24.5 mm. weight 8 grms. I had observed females of Scaphidura in this colony from December 27, 1957 onwards. This par- ticular egg was therefore totally different from the eggs of the host not only in colour but also in measurements and it could be distinguished immediately. As to Psarocolius decumanus the situation is more difficult because the eggs of the host and the parasite overlap in size. However, I found in the nests of P. decumanus two very different types of eggs. One with a white ground colour very thickly covered with purplish spots and many zigzag lines of the same colour and the other one white with a few small black spots resembling as Hellebrekers (/oc. cit.) justly remarks, large eggs of the Oriole (Oriolus oriolus.) Two eggs of the white type with a few black spots, slightly incubated and found together in the same nest on January 3, 1964 measured 33.9 x 23.5 and 33.6 x 24.2 mm., both weighing 9 grms. Three fresh eggs of the same white type with a few black spots, found as singles in three different nests on the same date were slightly larger: 35.9 x 23; 36.4 x 24 (11 grms.) and 35 x 24.8 mm. (10.5 grms). These five are wholly different from three eggs found as singles in three different nests on December 30, 1963. These last eggs have a hardly visible white ground colour being thickly covered with purplish spots and zigzag lines. They measure 35 x 23.7; (10.5 grms); 36.9 x 24 (11 grms) and 35.6 x 23.7 mm. : I attribute the white eggs with black spots to Scaphidura and the eggs with purplish zigzag lines to P. decumanus and I feel strengthened in this opinion because the eggs of P. viridis (a near relative of P. decumanus) in the Penard collection are all of the same type (whitish thickly covered with purplish zigzag lines). Even if we dismiss the eggs attributed to Scaphidura in the nests of P. decumanus altogether because of their overlapping size (though very different in colour and markings) then the fact remains that the eggs of the parasite in the nests of C. cela can be distinguished at once by their larger size. Therefore the statement by Friedmann about the small size of the para- site’s egg is incorrect, as his measurements of Scaphidura eggs are too small and those of Cacicus cela eggs too large. Apart from the eggs many Bulletin B.O.C. 147 Vol. 86 more if not most other phases of the brood parasitism of Scaphidura re- main to be solved. It seems proven that sometimes more than one egg of the parasite is found in a host’s nest. The statement by the Penard brothers that the eggs of P. decumanus are broken or removed by the parasite is not correct. Schafer (1957) found a nest of P. decumanus with one egg of the host and one of the parasite and Goeldi (1894)—who seems to be the first to prove that Scaphidura is a brood parasite—found a nestling of the host and a nestling of the parasite together in the nest of P. decumanus. Schafer (/oc. cit.) made on August 1, 1954 an even more interesting observation when he saw ‘‘without any doubt’’ (“‘sans erreur possible’’) a nestling Scaphidura just out of a P. decumanus nest being fed by a female Scaphidura! It would be most desirable to keep a colony of P. decumanus and C. cela under constant observation during a whole breeding season. The trouble is that the nests of P. decumanus are mostly inaccessible and that they can- not be inspected without destroying them as they are hanging at the end of side branches of trees and often at a great height. To inspect the contents of the nests regularly, the building of a movable tower to the same height as the nests would be necessary. C. cela though often building thick clumps of nests in low bushes and trees often has the troublesome habit of nesting near and around wasp nests, sometimes of large size, which keeps even the most persistent observer at a safe distance. SUMMARY The statement by Friedmann (1963) that the Giant Cowbird (Scaphi- dura oryzivora) though intermediate in size between two of its frequent victims Psarocolius decumanus and Cacicus cela lays an egg which is con- siderably smaller than either of them is incorrect, as his measurements of Scaphidura eggs are too small and those of Cacicus cela eggs too large. The eggs of the parasite overlap in size with those of P. decumanus apart from differing in markings, but are considerably larger than those of C. cela. References: Belcher, C. and G. D. Smooker, 1937. Birds of the Colony of Trinidad and Tobago. Ibis 14(1): 524-526. Friedmann, Herbert, 1963. Host relations of the Parasitic Cowbirds U.S.Nat. Mus. Bulletin 213 : 218-222. Goeldi, A. E., 1894. Aves do Brasil: 664. Hellebrekers, W. Ph. J., 1942: Revision of the Penard Oological collection from Suri- nam. Zoologische Mededeelingen 24: 264-266. — 1945. Further notes on the Penard Oological collection from Surinam. Zoologische Mededeelingen 25: 99. on Frederik Paul and Penard, Arthur Philip 1910. De Vogels van Guyana. Vol. : 587 Schafer, Ernst, 1957. Les Conotos. Etude comparative de Psarocolius angustifrons et Psarocolius decumanus. Bonner Zoologische Beitrdége 8. Sonderheft: 1-151. Skutch, Alexander F. 1954. Life Histories of Central American Birds. 1. Pacific Coast Avifauna, No. 31: 316-320. Vol. 86 148 Bulletin B.O.C. Further systematic notes on Mexican birds by ALLAN R. PHILLIPS (continued from page 131) Euphonia gouldi loetscheri subsp. nov. Description: Largest race known; ¢ averages slightly paler, duller cinnamon on belly than E. g. gouldi P. Sclater, 1857: ““Guatemala’’. Distribution: Southern Veracruz north and north-west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Types: 339, all in first basic plumage; Dos Amates, north-east of Catemaco, Veracruz, 14th November, 1962; Sth January and 14th August, 1965; Abraham Ramirez V. Measurements of types: Wing 61, 62, 61; tail 35, 35, 32.5 mm. Material examined: 1 3 6imm. ¢ 3 imm. °. Remarks: (AMNH, CM, F, GMS, KANU, RTM, WF). This race may appropriately be named for Dr. Frederick William Loetscher, Jr., whose unpublished list has been the foundation of so much recent work on Veracruz birds. The difference in bill size pointed out by Wetmore (1943) is less susceptible of accurate measurement than are the wing and tail. As the Table shows, the small praetermissa (Peters) is not limited, as TABLE Measurements of Euphonia gouldi (excluding juveniles and dubiously labelled specimens) 3d 2¢ Populations (no.) wing (no.) tail (no.) wing (no.) tail Dos Amates, Veracruz (7) 60.3-62.2 | (7) 34-35 (3) 58.6-61 (3) 32-32.5 Eastern Veracruz and Isthmus of Tehuantepec (8) 55.8-58.8 | (8) 30.5—33.1 (7) 54.5-56.7 | (7) 28-31.2 tard Solosuchiapa, northern Chiapas | (5) 56.5-59.5 | (5) 30.8-32.8 | (3) 55.9, 56.5, | (3) 29.3, 29.8, Laguna Ocotal and 58.3 32.7 easternmost Chiapas, and Guatemala (unworn) (12) 54.6-59 (12) 28.3-31.7 | (5) 54.5-56.6 | (5) 28-30.3 British Honduras (worn) (1) 30.2 (2) 54.4, 57.7. | (2) 27, 28.7 Nicaragua! (6) 52.5-57.3 | (6) 26—30.7 (2) 52.3534 (2) 25\[++} 25.7 Costa Rica (20) 51.7-5S6.4 | (17) 24-28.5 (6) 52-53.4 (6) 23.8-26 Panama? (2) 51.4, 53.5 | (3)26-26.4(-+)} (1) 52.3 (3) 24.3-26 1 Due to pressure of time, not all of the Nicaragua gj (AMNH) were measured; but care was taken to measure all the largest 3d. 2 Most of the 3 3 42 seen from Panama are badly worn; their wing measurements are here excluded. Possibly careless measuring of such birds accounts for current concepts of the limited range of praetermissa. The smallest Costa Rican birds listed here are not from adjacent, south-eastern Costa Rica, but from San Carlos, Rio San Rafael (9, tail 23.8, RTM) and Guanacaste (¢, wing 51.7, GMS). Bulletin B.O.C. 149 Vol. 86 commonly stated, to Panama and southern Costa Rica, but extends over all of Costa Rica and, in less typical form, to the Nicaragua—Honduras border (Rio Coco=Wanks River). As to colour, the material seen from extremes of the range (British Honduras and the Pacific slope of Costa Rica) is insufficient to determine the constancy of the observable varia- tions. Euphonia hirundinacea Bonaparte, 1838. I use this long-familiar name, since the name Janagra Linné, 1764, overlooked for many years, and all of its unfortunate and confusing consequences are in process of repudiation by most zoologists (including the International Commission). A recent substitute name is Tanagra lauta Bangs and Penard, 1919. The type (of both, of course) is a young male taken by Col. Velasquez on the Pacific slope of Guatemala. Griscom (1930 : 5-6; 1932a : 408) argued that Velasquez must have purchased birds from other parts of Guatemala because his collection included Hylophilus decurtatus, a species “restricted to the Caribbean rain forest’’. In actual fact, however, this vireo occurs widely on the Pacific slope of Guatemala (fide Hugh C. Land, in Jitt.), as well as elsewhere on the Pacific slope: foot of Volc4an Tacana, Chiapas, personally collected; near Mapastepec, Chiapas (my collection); El Salvador. Griscom’s state- ment is thus disproved. Though it has long been known that E. h. gnatho (Cabanis), 1860: Costa Rica, differs from more northern Caribbean females in more exten- sively yellowish underparts, nobody seems to have noticed that similar tendencies extend all along the Pacific slope to Chiapas. Virtually all Pacific females have the throat and chest largely or wholly yellow, not _ broadly and continuously pale grey medially as in Caribbean females; likewise the latter’s grey collar (behind the auriculars) is obsolete in most or all Pacific females. True, 3 2 1 ¢ juv. from 8-24 km. south of Cuilapa, Santa Rosa, south-eastern Guatemala (HCL) do seem intermediate; but no Pacific female examined agrees with the well-known Caribbean female described by Ridgway (1902), who probably never saw one from the Pacific slope. Caribbean birds also vary among themselves, in colour tones (not pattern); three races may be distinguished (CM, GMS, HCL, LSU, MICH, RTM, US, WF, YU): Euphonia hirundinacea caribbaea subsp. nov. Description: The widespread race commonly described as the nominate race (but see above). Back in unworn 2 not much yellower than Roman Green or Yellowish Olive. 3 ad. deeper, more tawny yellow on forehead and underparts than 39 from farther north-west. Distribution: Caribbean slope (excluding Yucatan Peninsula) from southern Veracruz (Catemaco region, and apparently Fortin de las Flores, near Orizaba) to at least Honduras. Types: Original nos. 6613 and 6618; 2, imm. 9; 38 km. north of Matias Romero, Oaxaca (=—Monte Bello, north of Palomares), 22nd January, 1963; prepared by Laura Guzman G. (6618 collected by Robert W. | Dickerman). Fat. Skull of 6613 ossified, 6618 with “‘windows’’. Measurements of types: Length , 120; extent 210, 211; wing 161.2, 57.8; tail 36, 33.3 mm. Weight 17, 16.7 grammes, Vol. 86 150 Bulletin B.O.C. Material examined: Large series, chiefly from Catemaco area, Veracruz. Remarks: 3g ads. from Veracruz usually have the wing 61 mm. or more, while Honduras 3 rarely reach that figure; but some overlap occurs. Euphonia hirundinacea russelli subsp. nov. Description: Very similar to Honduras specimens of caribbaea, supra; but differs from this and hirundinacea in richer, more ochraceous (less pale or greenish) yellow sides and flanks of 9, strongly approaching Lemon Yellow or Strontian Yellow (2 caribbaea are not much more ochre-yellow than Pyrite Yellow, being at most half-way towards Lemon Chrome). 9° also have a definitely yellowish chin, a bright yellow crissum, and usually (in adults) a definite large white patch (small or absent in 90 per cent of 2 caribbaea) on the inner web of the outer rectrix. Dorsally they are darker, more bluish-green, with a bluer occiput producing a contrast (between the eyes) with the forehead, supraloral, and supraocular areas; back darker than Yellowish Olive, often approaching Krénberg’s Green. g ad. averages deeper, more reddish-purple in the reflections on the back than caribbaea. Distribution: Eastern part (at least) of the Yucatan Peninsula. Type: Original no. 8516 9; 2 km. NE. of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, México, 30th January, 1965. Prepared by Laura Guzman G. Ovary well developed but immature in appearance; skull ossified; moderately fat. Measurement of type: Length 117, extent 205, wing 58, tail 33 mm. Weight 12.7 grammes. Material examined: Small series of both 99 and j¢ in definitive plumage (no green-backed first basic plumaged gd) from nearly the whole of Quintana Roo and parts of British Honduras. Remarks: This race may appropriately be dedicated to Dr. Stephen M. Russell, who has given us such a helpful account of the birds of British Honduras. Euphonia hirundinacea suttoni subsp. nov. Description: Very similar to E. h. caribbaea, supra: but in unworn 92 and green-backed ¢ (first basic plumage, part) yellowest, palest green on back and rump, as well as paler, duller yellow below; back of 2 near dark Yellowish Citrine or yellowish Serpentine Green. Reflections from black back of ad. 3 paler bluish. Distribution: Northern end of the range of the species in southern Tamaulipas, eastern San Luis Potosi, north-eastern Puebla (east of Huauchinango), and northern Veracruz south to Tuxpan and Tlapacoyan (intergrading, apparently, in the Huatusco area). Types: In collection of George Miksch Sutton 99; Rio Sabinas near Gomez Farias, south-western Tamaulipas, Ist March (1938, 1949); collected by G. M. Sutton (GMS 8093) and W. B. Heed (PSM 46). Measurements of types: Wing 58.5, 61; tail 34, 35 mm. Material examined: Small but adequate series of all three plumages. Remarks: 1 take pleasure in dedicating this handsome bird to Dr. George Miksch Sutton, whose boundless enthusiasm and energy sparked the recent renewal of interest in the avifauna of north-eastern México. Occasional winter birds from north-east of Catemaco, Veracruz, are Bulletin B.O.C. 151 Vol. 86 near suttoni. I do not know whether this indicates some migration or simply intergradation. Piranga bidentata alvarezi subsp. nov. Description: (AMNH, KANU, LA, LDY, MIN, RTM, WF) ¢ ad. closest to P. 6. sanguinolenta Lafresnaye, 1839: México = probably Veracruz, but still deeper red on head, breast and belly; anterior wing-bar also richer, extensively pink (or orangeish). 2 imm. very dull, less green or yellow than more northern 9° seen (which however may be adults). Distribution: The type region, and possibly central and northern Chiapas. Types: Original nos., 8062, 8073, and 8192 ad. gd; km. 183 (cf. Micrastur), 4 (2) and 12th December, 1964; Juan Nava S. (8073 prepared by Santos Farfan B.; 8192 collected by W. J. Schaldach, Jr.). Measurements of types: Length 216, 215+, 206; extent 312, 306, 305; wing 98, 96.1, 100.6; tail 81, 80.5, 83.4 mm. Material examined: 5 ad. 3 (but 1=migrant?) 2 imm. ¢ 2 imm. ° from type locality and near San Gabriel Mixtepec; also series from northern Chiapas and 2 J, south-easternmost Oaxaca, most of which were not directly compared to the types. Remarks: I name this lovely tanager for Miguel Alvarez del Toro, in recognition of the value of his work on the animals of Chiapas and their conservation, and in appreciation of his help during my own visits there. I have seen no material of this species from central or northern Oaxaca. Piranga flava intensa subsp. nov. Description: (LDY, RTM) Near P. f. hepatica Swainson, 1827: Real del Monte, Hidalgo, and P. f. dextra Bangs, 1907: Jalapa, Veracruz, and synonyms oreophasma Oberholser and zimmeri van Rossem (see Sutton and Phillips, 1942); but deeper, richer below, especially the 2; throat of ad. 2 near Light Cadmium. Back deep and dull (grey) in ad. ¢ and imm. °, but edgings of primaries and tail, and upper tail-coverts, deep and rich. Distribution: Mountains of south-western Oaxaca (no material recently seen from central or northern Oaxaca); possibly also parts of Chiapas, but the series is small and variable. Types: Original nos. 7723, 7765, and 7776, ad. 3 (2), imm. 9; vicinity of San Miguel Suchixtepec (above Rio Molino), municipio de Miahuatlan, Oaxaca, 12 and (2) 13th November, 1964; 7765 collected and prepared by Juan Nava S.; rest prepared by Santos Farfan B. (7776 collected by W. J. Schaldach, Jr.). Measurements of types: Length 211 {+7}, 208, 208; extent 329 {+}, 313 (—?), 308; wing 100.5, 99, 93.5; tail 80.3, 80, 76.7 mm. Material examined: 4 3 ad. 2 2 ad. 1 3 imm. | Q imm., from type locality north nearly to Miahuatlan and west to above (south of) Jucha- tengo. Piranga rubra ochracea subsp. nov. Description: A large, big-billed race like P. r. cooperi Ridgway, 1869: Los Pinos, New Mexico, but first basic (winter) plumage darker and duller, with very little yellow. Breast, rump, and especially flanks suffused with greyish Ochraceous-Buff. Back and rump also dull (grey-tinged) and dark, though paler than all but the palest P. r. rubra (Linné), 1758: South Vol. 86 152 Bulletin B.O.C. Carolina (for example LSU 4286) and duller, less green (or brown). Wing-coverts and top and sides of head more greyish-brown (less olive- green). Edgings of rectrices average duller (greyer). Ad. 92 show similar trends, but are less constant unless some October 99 from the type valley are actually migrant cooperi. Ad. 33 in fresh fall plumage are slightly purer (more purplish, less orangeish) red than cooperi; ventrally they are Begonia Rose x Spectrum Red (not Rose Dorée x Scarlet-Red); they are also a bit darker above, at least on crown and rump; but these differences are slight, and ad. §¢ of these two races are probably indistinguishable after November. Distribution: Known to breed only in the central part of the Big Sandy Valley, Mohave County, Arizona (type locality south to at least Wikieup). Winters in western México (Sinaloa to Colima). Types: Original nos. 2175 and 2178-79 999 (all imm.); Trout Creek just above its mouth, near Cane Springs, lat. 34° 57’ N. long. 113° 37’ W., western Arizona, 20th August, 1950. Little fat. Measurements of types: Length 205.5, 210, 215.5; wing 94.3, 97.9, 97.1; tail 75, 80.5, 83.2; bill 15.5, 14.6, 14.7 mm. Weight 34.3, 33.5, 32.6 grammes. Material examined: Also (from type valley) 5 ad. 3, 5 ad. 2, 3 imm. Remarks: (AMNH, CAS, CU, LA, LDY, LSU, RTM, US, WF, University of Arizona, and private collections- of Gale Monson, L. L. Hargrave, and L. M. Huey, and the R. Roy Johnson—James M. Simpson —James R. Werner Collection). Foxing is slight in this tanager, but individual and seasonal variations are impressive. Also, adult 99 and, to a lesser degree, immature (first basic) gd are brighter, more yellowish than immature 99; but there is either much mis-sexing or some overlap. Some rubra (cf. US 146586, Venezuela) strongly approach cooperi. 9° possibly referable to ochracea as migrants or wanderers are from the nearby Colorado River, 2nd September, 1902 (Yuma, Arizona; Ariz. State Museum 1281) and 14th August, 1952 (southern tip of Nevada); definite migrant 99 are from Tucson (16th April, 1938 and 31st July 1953—latter in the city where none nest). Adult ¢¢ from the mouth of the Big Sandy River (Alamo crossing) and Burro Creek, south-eastern Mohave County, seem to be cooperi or inter- mediate; no 9° or immatures are available from these points. Chlorospingus ophthalmicus persimilis subsp. nov. Description: (MIN, RTM) closely similar to C. o. albifrons Salvin and Godman, 1889: Omiltemi, Guerrero, but slightly darker brown on fore- head, crown, nape, and sides of neck; back and rump deeper green, less yellowish; throat and especially malar area deeper, tawnier (less buffy); and chest slightly deeper, duller ochre. Types: Original nos. 7817 and 7820-21 imm. 3 (2), imm. 9; Rio Guajo- lote, 2,000 metres altitude, south-west of San Miguel Suchixtepec, muni- cipio de Miahuatlan, southern Oaxaca, 15th November, 1964; collected by Juan Nava S. and (2) Benjamin Martinez Cruz; prepared by Santos Farfan B. Measurements of types: Length 160, 161, 157; extent 223, 230, 216; wing 69, 70.3, 66; tail 63, ——, 60.5 mm. Bulletin B.O.C. 153 Vol. 86 Remarks: This is the tawniest-throated race of the species. Besides the types, I have a good series from km. 183; these are generally intermediate, but the head and neck are a trifle warmer, tawnier brown than either persimilis or albifrons. The only race previously reported from Oaxaca is the very different ophthalmicus (Du Bus). Atlapetes brunnei-nucha parkesi subsp. nov. Description: (CAS, CU, RTM) similar to A. b. brunnei-nucha (Lafres- naye), 1839: México {[=Xalapa, Veracruz (Parkes, 1954)|], but darker throughout; flanks less bright green; bend of wing deeper, more chrome yellow. (Tail of adults usually tinged with deep bay or auburn.) Types: Moore Laboratory of Zoology nos. 33154 and 58, 33136, 33 (testes large); La Gloria, 900 metres alt., 16 km. south-west of Presidio, southern Veracruz, 2nd, 3rd and 15th July, 1942. Collected by C. C. Lamb (original nos. 6132, 6151, and 6269). Measurements of types: Wing 78.7, 81.8, 77.8 mm.; tail 77.2, 80.5, 79.5 mm. Material examined: 6 ad. 1 imm. 3 juy. from type locality; 1 ad. from [above] Presidio. Remarks: This race is dedicated to Dr. Kenneth C. Parkes, whose care- ful studies exploded the myth that this finch ranges from México to South America without geographic variation. The dark colour of the crown in birds from southern Veracruz had already been commented on; but Parkes considered one of the two specimens available to him to be a variant, and assigned the other to the nominate race. But the larger series now at hand (RTM) is consistently dark throughout, and adds another brown-tailed population to that of eastern Panama (Parkes, 1954: 136). Birds labelled as from extreme northern Chiapas (Tumbala, RTM) are still darker below than parkesi, but are pale-crowned. The range of brunnei-nucha extends south at least to San Marcos de Leon, about 32 km. south of Xalapa (RTM). Pipilo erythrophthalmus sympatricus subsp. nov. Description: Closely similar to P. e. torquatus Du Bus, 1847: México [=a few km. north of Las Vigas, Veracruz; see Phillips, 1962a], =P. e. ocai (Lawrence), 1865: “Jalapa’’, Veracruz [=Las Vigas; see Sibley, 1950: 144]; but deeper grey on sides of chest, slightly more reddish-brown on nape and back, and especially darker on flanks and darker, more sooty- brown, on lower back and rump. White on mid-line of forehead more restricted. Types: Original nos. 7818-19 2 {imm.?] 2° ad.; Rio Guajolote, 2,000 m. (see Chlorospingus), southern Oaxaca, 15th November, 1964; collected by Juan Nava S. and Benjamin Martinez Cruz; prepared by Santos Farfan B. Measurements of types: Length 233, 240; extent 278(+-), 287; wing 81.5, 84; tail 95.5 [+?], 101.5 mm. Material examined: Also 7 from Rio Molino, nearby. Remarks: (CU, RTM) 36 fall specimens from Guerrero, plus informa- tion kindly furnished by C. J. O. Harrison of the British Museum (Natural History), show that Pipilo torquatus brunnescens van Rossem and P. f. Vol. 86 154 Bulletin B.O.C. guerrerensis van Rossem, 1938, are synonyms based on wear and fading. In fact, the tendencies visible are in the opposite direction, thus according with Sibley’s (1950:146-147) diagnoses; but overlap is wide. Van Rossem (1940) had previously conceded the doubtful separability of “ocai’’ and *“‘brunnescens’’. Besides the above variations, the sexes differ: 29° are darker on the flanks, and usually more rufous on the crissum, than 3d. The name refers to the widespread overlap of the race with another which, in my opinion, is inseparable from P. e. maculatus Swainson. They react as full species here (where no towhees at all are mapped in any of Sibley’s various papers). I find wide individual variation and, despite the geographic gaps between, cannot separate either P. e. oaxacae Sibley, 1950, or P. maculatus chiapensis van Rossem, 1938, from maculatus. (1 have no specimens to assess P. m. repetens Griscom, 1930.) Melozone kieneri obscurior subsp. nov. Description: Like M. k. rubricatum (Cabanis), 1851: Real Arriba, western part of Edo. de México, in the restriction of the rusty crown, which does not descend behind the auriculars, and the slender bill; but crown deeper in hue or colour tone, near Argus Brown (in depth or darkness near Amber Brown, like darker specimens elsewhere); flanks and sides darker, the “shoulder”? Dark Olive-Grey; femoral tufts deeper and richer than in other races (but equalled by specimens from Guerrero and south-western Puebla); bill longer, 16 mm. from base. Type: Original no. 6747 3; near crossroads in juniper—lava associa- tion, 1740 metres alt., ca. lat. 16° 28’ N. long. 97° 2’ W., south-west of Sola de Vega, south-western Oaxaca, 22nd May, 1963. Singing; breeding condition; very little fat. Measurements of type: (Rather worn): length 182, extent 254(-+-) mm., wing 80 mm., tail 72 mm. Weight 36.4 grammes. Remarks: (LDY, MIN, RTM) Strenuous and repeated efforts secured only the one specimen, which is also notably black on the subocular area, slaty-backed, and grey (less olive-tinged) on the auriculars and rump; but foxing and wear may be involved here. The specimen closes somewhat the gap between the known ranges of the kieneri and biarcuatum groups; it does not approach the latter in characters, however. Spizella passerina repetens subsp. nov. Description: Surprisingly like the geographically remote S. p. arizonae Coues, 1872: Fort Whipple (Prescott), Arizona; but darker, more brownish (less greyish) on sides of head (auriculars, superciliary stripe) than arizonae or than S. p. atremaea Moore, 1937: Los Frailes, (south- western) Chihuahua. Averages slightly darker than arizonae throughout the upperparts, and darker and browner on the chest, sides, and flanks. But distinctly paler, duller above, with less rusty colour and less contrast on the back, than atremaea or any other dark race. Feathers of back with only two colours distally: black near shaft and plain dull brown (or buffy brown) laterally. Distribution: Mountains and arid interior highlands (Valley of Oaxaca) of most of Oaxaca (except the north, extreme north-west, and extreme south-east?); also in Guerrero, in less typical form. Bulletin B.O.C. 155 Vol. 86 Types: Original nos. 7757-8 °2 imms.; Rio Molino, southern Oaxaca, 13th November, 1964; prepared by Juan Nava S. and Santos Farfan B. Measurements of types: Length (both) 143 {+-?]; extent 216 {+7}, 211 [+2]; wing 68.2, 66; tail 61, 57 [+ ? mostly missing) mm. Material examined: Four from Guerrero; series from Oaxaca, north- west as far as Tamazulapan. Remarks: (CAS, CM, LDY, LSU, MIN, RTM, WF). By this separation the winter limits of true arizonae become somewhat uncertain. Common in the Distrito Federal (R. W. Dickerman), it must surely reach Morelos; but the only report there (Miller et al., ““1957°’) seems to be based on RTM 44614, a pale sparrow marked “arizonae AHM”’ by Miller. This specimen I find to be actually S. pallida. | have not seen the old Guichicovi, Oaxaca, “‘arizonae’’, but the Tamazulapan bird is repetens. The latter race is surrounded on all sides (except of course the south) by darker, more rufous races, principally Spizella passerina comparanda subsp. nov. Description: Decidedly darker than the surrounding races, yet paler in all plumages (including the juvenal) than S. p. mexicana Nelson, 1899: San Cristébal |=Ciudad Las Casas], Chiapas. Most like S. p. passerina (Bechstein), 1798: [eastern] Canada, but slightly larger with a heavier bill, more swollen at the base, and with browner (less prominent) wing- bars. Among nearby races closest to atremaea, but averages darker above (rump and edgings of tertials; crown to a lesser extent); back with more extensive chestnut, less buff; lesser wing-coverts and flanks slightly darker; and bill somewhat deeper. Distribution: Mountains of trans-Volcanic belt from Nayarit east to Veracruz, north-eastern Puebla, and eastern San Luis Potosi (east of Ciudad del Maiz). Types: Original No. 4608 and L. D. Yaeger 513 99 imms.; 5 km. south-east of La Galinda, = 39 km. south-east of Tepic, Nayarit, 24th October, 1957. Measurements of types: Length 135, 140; extent 208, 210; wing 63, 67; tail 53, 58 mm. wo thd Material examined: Series, mainly from Nayarit and Michoacan. Remarks: This is mexicana auct., but unfortunately Nelson chose a type from south-east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Chiapas birds show well the darkness mentioned in Nelson’s description; indeed in Ridgway’s (1901) key they key out to pinetorum. Whether these two and cicada Dickey and van Rossem, 1928: San José del Sacare, Chalatenango, El Salvador, are really distinct I do not know. Occasional variants of comparanda strongly approach other races. The amount of black on the forehead, one of Ridgway’s characters, does not seem to me to be very valuable taxonomically. Aimophila ruficeps extima subsp. nov. Description: Most similar to A. r. boucardi (P. Sclater), 1867: “*La Puebla’, but still paler, duller, greyer brown above than types of that race. Crown Chestnut Brown somewhat approaching Russet (not Chestnut Brown x Mars Brown as in boucardi). Also a bit smaller. Much greyer above than the geographically closer A. r. australis (Nelson), 1897: “‘City of Oaxaca”’ {| =Cerro San Felipe (?)}, Oaxaca. Vol. 86 156 Bulletin B.O.C. Distribution: Mountains of southern Oaxaca from the type locality west to at least the Miahuatlan area. Type: Original no. 5708 2 imm.; 2 km. north-west of Portillo Nejapa (ca. lat. 16° 34’ N. long. 95°; 57’ W.), = 106 km. by road west-north-west of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, 19th December, 1960. Little fat. Measurements of type: Length 155; wing (completing moult of pri- maries) 57.7; tail 60.2 mm. Weight 19.5 (+) grammes. Material examined: 12° 1 9 imm., we ie area; 1 2, near Totolapa; 3 g 2 2°, 13 km. south of Miahuatlan. Remarks: (AMNH, CU, KANU, LA, LSU, MIN, RSC, RTM, US, WF; also a few specimens from the University of California Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and the private collections of L. L. Hargrave, Gale Monson, and J. A. Munro). This, not true australis, is the form described by Ridgway (1901) as being like scottii, Measurements of my series are: 3 J, length 157-165 [+], extent — - 211 [+], wing 62.5 [+?] — 64.5, tail 64-68.2 [+; worn] mm.; 3 9, length 155-156, extent 199 (—); wing 57.7-60.5 [+-? still moulting]: tail 60.2, 63 [+-(?)] mm. As in many Aimophilae, most museum specimens of ruficeps are badly worn, and apparently often soiled. Even with fresh plumages, hazards are foxing and strange, almost haphazard geographic variations. The present case beautifully illustrates this complex, illogical dispersal of rusty- and grey-backed populations. Nelson (1897) named australis from a bird taken in the northern part of the Valley of Oaxaca {in the mountains] with only a “‘small amount” of grey in the back. Four specimens taken by me north of the Valley on 23rd November, 1958 agree with this description, being practically solid chestnut-rufous above, including the rump. Thus they bear little resemblance either to extima, on the south side of the same valley, or to fresh specimens from north-western Oaxaca (Tamazulapan and Huajuapan de Leon)! Yet they are extremely similar to birds from far-off Nayarit! Such a weird pattern obviously needs much fresh, authen- tic material from throughout the range for a proper appraisal. Aimophila ruficeps pallidissima subsp. nov. Description: A large race with extremely grey upperparts. Back strongly contrasted to crown, the feathers almost wholly pale, cold, clear grey (near Olive-Grey) with even the shaft-streaks devoid of rusty tones (Natal Brown approaching Fuscous). This greyness is approached by some A. r. tenuirostris Burleigh and Lowery, 1939: Guadalupe Mountains . Texas; but these (from the Davis Mountains, Texas) have the crown paler, near Russet (not approaching Bay). Also pale and dull ventrally, with very little tinge of pale Cinnamon-Buff on the median underparts (chest to crissum). Types: Moore Zoological Laboratory nos. 38727, 26, and 34 gd@ (all well along in adult prebasic moult); Cuesta Blanca, 19 km. west of Saltillo, Coahuila, 23 and (2) 26th September, 1943; collected by C. C. Lamb (field nos. 9183, 9235-6). Measurements of types: Wing 65.3 [+], 66, 62.3 {[+; still in moult]; tail 74 [+-? half missing], 73.5, 71.5 mm. Material examined: Eleven from type locality and 80 km. south of Monclova, Coahuila (RTM); 1 ¢ imm., near Aramberri, southern Nuevo Leon (KANU) seems similar but perhaps smaller. Bulletin B.O.C. 157 Vol. 86 Remarks: Apparently this race is restricted to the arid interior; birds from southern Tamaulipas and ‘‘Nuevo Le6én’’, according to Griscom (1934), are “dark above ... much darker than scoftii’?; and some, at least, are smaller as well (Martin et al., 1954). To the west, simulans van Rossem is decidedly smaller and deeper chestnut above than this or any race of the interior United States or adjacent México, despite my ill- advised doubts (in Phillips et a/., 1964). Aimophila rufescens (Swainson), 1827 In the most recent review, by A. H. Miller (in Miller et al., “*1957’’), the Mexican races are reduced to three, south and east of north-western Durango; pallida, {sinaloa|, subvespera, and cinerea are all synonymized with rufescens, whose range thus includes the whole Pacific slope from southern Sinaloa, ““Guanajuato”’, and southern Puebla to south-western Chiapas. When only useful specimens, which retain some colour values, are compared, however, quite a different picture emerges. Four races are recognizable here, and two more in the area Miller assigned to pyrgi- toides. Also, some Pacific birds (in Oaxaca) are just as dark as Caribbean specimens; and another nomenclatural complication results from the merger of Amphispiza Coues with Aimophila (Phillips et al., 1964). Although Ridgway himself (1901: 231) expressed his dissatisfaction with his generic arrangement of these sparrows, this was followed blindly by all authors until 1964. Prior to 1901, Amphispiza had usually been separated on colour; Ridgway transferred several of its species to Aimo- phila, commenting that ‘Considerable doubt attaches to the position of *‘Zonotrichia’ quinquestriata’, which “‘so strongly resembles A|mphispiza| bilineata that it seems almost unreasonable to place it in a different genus, but the wing-formula certainly agrees much better with that of Aimophila, the outermost (ninth) primary being shorter than the first, instead of equal to or longer than the third. Should it be finally decided to place this species in Amphispiza, the generic characters ... would of course have to be modified...” Actually, the more rounded-winged species are, as expected, those performing short or no migrations; the pointed-winged species have at least some (northern) populations that migrate for considerable distances. Ridgway himself united Peucaea, ‘“‘ninth primary never shorter than third ...”’, with Aimophila. The only other important difference supposed to separate these genera is the relative length of wing and tail. This pro- portion varies geographically in Amphispiza bilineata (van Rossem, 1945a) and Aimophila botterii (Phillips, 1943), and individually in A. sumichrasti. Thus I perceive no constant structural differences between Aimophila, *“Peucaea’, and “‘Amphispiza’’, and propose Aimophila rufescens brodkorbi nomen nov. Aimophila rufescens cinerea Brodkorb, 1940 (Auk 57: 549; “‘Cerro de la Gineta’’, [south-western] Chiapas); nec Amphispiza belli cinerea Townsend, 1890 (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 13: 136). Description: A large pale race. Crown Chestnut or Burnt Siena, and thus very similar to (though a bit brighter, more reddish than) A. r. pallida Nelson and Palmer, 1894: Etzatlan, Jalisco; but larger, with longer Vol. 86 158 Bulletin B.O.C. bill and tail. Culmen of 3, from base, ca. 19-20 mm. (vs. 18.3-19); wing over 78 (Q 73), whereas pallida rarely exceeds 79 (2 74). Crissum slightly paler. Distribution: Mountains near the Pacific Ocean in extreme south- western Chiapas (and south-eastern Oaxaca’). Remarks: (CAS, LDY, LSU, MIN, RTM, US, WF; also Texas A. & M. University, and a pair from University of California Museum of Verte- brate Zoology). The crown of rufescens, with which both these races were synonymized by A. H. Miller, is distinctly darker (Bay) in relatively recent, unworn specimens. Miller was apparently correct, however, in synonymiz- ing A.r. subvespera Griscom, 1934: “Chilpancingo”’, Guerrero. Aimophila rufescens newmani subsp. nov. Description: Crown dark Liver Brown, as in A. r. pyrgitoides (Lafres- naye), 1839: México = Xalapa, Veracruz, but more strongly contrasted to the pale reddish (Verona Brown x Russet) upper back. Chest chiefly Pinkish Buff, and sides and flanks also richer, buffier (and paler) than pyrgitoides. Distribution: North-eastern part of the species’ range. Types: Moore Zoological Laboratory nos. 38560 and 38584 gg; 25 km. by road east of Ciudad del Maiz, San Luis Potosi, Ist and 3rd October, 1943; collected by C. C. Lamb (field nos. 9295, 9323). Measurements of types: Wing 74.7, 73.7; tail 79 [+-; worn], — mm. Material examined: Four from type locality, and three from Scapa, near Huauchinango, north-eastern Puebla. Remarks: This race is dedicated to Robert J. Newman, co-worker with George H. Lowery, Jr., on the ornis of San Luis Potosi and expert extra- ordinary on bird migration. Aimophila rufescens disjuncta subsp. nov. Description: A dark race, much like a slightly reddened pyrgitoides though with somewhat darker, duller flanks; differs from all dark races seen in brighter anterior underparts (which are not soiled): chest tinged with deep Pinkish Buff, somewhat approaching Cinnamon-Buff; malar stripe also somewhat deeper and warmer. Distribution: First range of oak and pine—oak clad mountains facing the Pacific Ocean in south-western Oaxaca and Guerrero. Types: Original nos. 7104, 7158, and 7213 ad. 92 [ad.| 9 ad. g; San Gabriel Mixtepec, Oaxaca, 25th and 29th November and 2nd December, 1963; collected by Juan Nava S., and 7158 prepared by him (rest by Santos Farfan B.). Measurements of types: Length —, 192 [+?], 198 [+]; wing ?? (all worn, moulting); tail —, 73.2, 75 [+(?); still growing] mm. Material examined: Eleven specimens. Remarks: Birds from farther north (Sola de Vega and ridge south- west), east (near Portillo Nejapa), and west (Chilpancingo area, Guerrero) are all paler and duller. Thus the dark disjuncta is virtually surrounded by paler populations. A. r. pyrgitoides has the chest essentially greyish, or more or less tinged with Pinkish Buff (but not a darker hue). Bulletin B.O.C. 159 Vol. 86 Aimophila carpalis distinguenda subsp. nov. Description: (RTM) in colour closely similar to A. c. carpalis (Coues), 1873: {near| Tucson, Arizona, though the back is slightly browner, less greyish, in alternate plumage. Size decidedly smaller, about as in A. c. cohaerens Moore, 1946: Elota, southern Sinaloa; differs from the latter in paler rump, chest, and (to some degree) flanks, and lacks the rufous cast to back and rump that is usual in cohaerens. Distribution: Northern Sinaloa and southern Sonora, northward probably (no specimens seen) to about 27° 40’ N. latitude. Type: Moore Zoological Laboratory no. 11626 |adult?| 3; Los Leones, northern Sinaloa, 30th March 1934; collected by J. T. Wright. Measurements of type: Wing 61.8; tail 65.7 mm. Remarks: This is A. c. bangsi Moore, 1932 (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 45:232; Guirocoba, {southeastern} Sonora), nec Amphispiza_ bilineata bangsi Grinnell, 1927 (Auk 44:71). As long as the races were based on size alone, it was unimportant that Moore’s Mexican birds are nearly all in worn, faded plumage. His type, likewise, is in the midst of the prealternate moult ( fide van Rossem, 1945b). Now that colour is known to te important, however, it seems best to give a new, corrected description and designate as type Moore’s on/y specimen still in unworn basic plumage, retaining colour values, rather than simply to rename bangsi. Unfortunately, Moore’s (1946) several mistakes give a misleading picture of this interesting bird. To those I once (1946) mentioned should be added his statements that, of cohaerens, “‘large series is so uniform ... dark streaks of back wider 1nd more prominent ... In postnuptial plumage... chestnut of pileum darker; wing-tip much shorter. Compared with. . . carpalis, cohaerens shows the same differences, but to much greater degree; in addition. . . wing-tip fifty per cent smaller and wing much more rounded.” I, however, find cohaerens more variable and less distinctive. Variation in width of the dark streaks seems to me more individual than geographic. A darker pileum, if present “in postnuptial plumage” [i.e. worn basic or winter plumage?|, would presumably reflect less fading in a greener, less harsh environment. Even in Arizona, an occasional fall immature (origi- nal nos. 402, 1185) is just as dark chestnut on the crown as my pair of cohaerens (immatures taken 18th January 1955). The latter’s ‘much more rounded wing” escapes me entirely; in both races primaries 5 and 6 are longest, with 8, 7, and 4 nearly as long; while the 9th (outer) primary tends to be longer than the first in $3, shorter in 99. The “much shorter”’ wing-tip is due simply to proper preparation of the series of cohaerens by C. C. Lamb; the “‘bangsi’? were skinned by another collector, who presumably “‘stripped”’ the secondaries crudely from the ulna. In my own series, personally prepared, the two races are identical in this feature. “Paler mandibles and tarsi’’, said by Moore (p. 123) to distinguish his southern races, seem to me rather the marks of mature birds. In fact, my pair of cohaerens have drab tarsi, darker than any carpalis at hand except for those that are still younger, judging by dates, plumages, and wholly unossified skulls. (The cohaerens were ossified laterally and anteriorly.) In bill colour I see nothing of note, in full-grown birds. Vol. 86 160 Bulletin B.O.C. A Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata in Malawi by G. HARRISON Received 30th June, 1966 On 21st April, 1966 an immature Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata Linn. was picked up by T. P. Howe exhausted (it died shortly afterwards) at Lujeri, in the Mlanje District, southern Malawi, ca. 16° 00’ S., 35° 45’ E. It was preserved as a mounted specimen, now in the Museum of Malawi, Blantyre. It is sooty brown in colour, with white tips to the upperside feathers as shown in the accompanying photograph. Measurements are, wing 300, tarsus 25, culmen (exposed) 39 mm. The foregoing particulars and photo- graph (together with others taken from different angles) have been con- sidered by C. W. Benson and Dr. D. L. Serventy, who agree with my identification. This is, of course, a maritime species, and its occurrence so Photograph by Robert Eden Immature Sterna fuscata from Malawi ae is most unusual. The nearest point on the sea-coast from Lujeri ™ icinity of Quelimane, Mozambique, some 150 miles away in a oF “south easterly direction. The only other traced records inland from the astern seaboard of Africa are also very recent. They are from the Trans- vaal, ands were apparently the result of a cyclone: see editorial in Bok- 2 ‘makierie, 18), 1966: 22, and Wilson, ibid., 18(2), 1966: 42. The weather ; . ; pores tii Deonee. Gb ye pil | € Scasit we ait obige sia bra rs . 03.5 * itis 371} vii > 4 ! Js a ’ ‘ : pet ssf are } F18 Bana ‘ALG eo é Bmevig ad Blade yosiars toa <3 ay s MY iz — A ious det - ‘ Rs i ee \ occmaal wire 1m 23 aie “SH Al ong, of bE G the 2 VEIL? eh fi) Noe POY OM 103, ror 4 ° ’ : ee re j . 7 = ifi! a Ls ; J. i re * *y é i} , pe pce 5 BOL rest sist ort = “ P de ed Tar lelase dnc) 3 - a ee ay ott : ’ | 49! ‘e" 5 5 % ’ = r 7 oii m7 te a eed ‘ a é p50 s cae » 4 a ¢ 7 4 eee 8 2G Ps | F eh &: ae, : —e oT. d : 14 + 4 4 i Rp { p> a * io i : < A 7 : 5 _ * re % S52 t « - mt : ¢ aie f 4 ja 4 13% 11 ‘ ea eit 2 > 7 ¢ s 4725 he Ke A a 2 . ee, iar & < > 4 uy t uit 5 VES: hy a ji ‘_* see 1 | Hi ? w Ps A a wf ‘ ' 4 @ ‘ sti > : ta” “iN » T 7. e a : ' i talaah ey CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. These should be concise and typed on one side of the paper, double-spaced, with a good margin. The first time a species is mentioned, the scientific generic and specific names should be included. Subsequently the same name need only have the initial letter of the genus. Scientific names are printed in italics and should be underlined in the typescript. References should be given at the end of the paper. Authors introducing a new name or describing a new species or race should indicate this in their title and display the name prominently in the text followed by nom. nov., sp. nov., subsp. nov. as appropriate. In these descriptions, the first introduction of the name should be followed by paragraphs for ‘“Description’’, ‘‘Distribution’’, ‘“Type’’, ‘‘Measure- ments of Type’’, ‘‘Material examined’’ and further sub-headings as required. Proofs must be returned without delay. No changes may be made at this stage, other than corrections. At the discretion of the Editor, the Club will pay for a reasonable number of monochrome blocks, which the contributor may retain for his own use. Contributors are entitled to a maximum of thirty free copies of the Bulletin, supplied only as specifically requested by authors. Those con- tributing to a meeting should hand in their MS. at that meeting; otherwise a note will be inserted mentioning the contribution. BACK NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN Applications for back numbers which cost 5s. each, should be made to ~ N. J. P. Wadley, 95 Whitelands House, London, S.W.3. Members who have back numbers of the Bulletin, which they no longer require are requested to send them to Mr. Wadley. SUBSCRIPTION TO BULLETIN er te"? The Bulletin may be purchased by non-members annually for 40s. (payable — in advance) or per copy 5s., payable to the Hon. Treasurer, P. Tate, 4 Broad Street Place, London, E.C.2 CORRESPONDENCE Other correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Martin W. Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 15th November and 20th December. oc) Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by : The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. pen BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Edited by JOHN J. YEALLAND i PAP MIP Ox\?* d ‘ ao. Ls a, of’ fe NAT. H | & 7 f 9DEC1966 O- a* Or, "as “Gy L\ ~“— <_ Volume 86 December No. 9 1966 vide ‘bp: igcate ie Bai ec uel ia ‘ age 13 C2y¢. en) rit, Sepia fi mashes i eG ie ray : Vee mh i, iw Tot erctionel>s tinitey cited ithe a Adtapay ate wine Meeiy goliewed Hon Jule Be BA SRS? oe ae liptt fa: ekeraiiones tie Bast action OF ioe frat: sae teh 5 a oie an ge ae ] ch. Pritt i ‘i Tei re, AMG | ae bye peas: ) y Tee % | hd rete | Rig P 789 whi 1 ere vane) EMTs } | aK 4 $24} F . a) hal ae Oy ee | te + Paar ip hat td ‘ ’ be ws i & i v; 5 4 Ts px ’ = PS Ne yh Rh vil DSS ¥ ha! > a5 Wes . tJ fone ey “ ’ Syke ‘ aget ave, ey! es all ab Se, jh pee ale ba sa 7 Tene en FF) " Wa ul 84. Pape a Oe ai ae > VY ths Mk $ * Le Pera tab eh % A Pe ma) i a) t VS ‘ ls ¢ » a © i a , e % Sy of Wi Ue Wr Es) nage yf ins Fas ITN te ya AL? Min ANG) ay ee ig tN se Mid emit a at by » Be is ie ith “a is aot te EE Mma TI is Mk Bh heer Me fat’ hada: Wad ob fl 2 d +i : is « 1966 161 Vol. 86 BULLETIN (Ar. Pee BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 86 Number 9 Published: 6th December 1966 The six hundred and thirty-eighth meeting of the Club was held at the Rembrandt Hotel, London on the 22nd November, 1966. Chairman: Mr. R. S. R. Fitter Members present: 24; guests 13. Birds in Holland Jeffery and Pamela Harrison showed colour shots of a short visit to Holland taken in May 1966 on the occasion of the Second European Meeting on Wildfowl Conservation. Pictures were shown of various breeding reserves, notably at Naadermeer, on Texel and in Zeeland. The use of artificial reed platforms by nesting Black Terns was shown and discussed. Views were seen of the new barrage joining North and South Beveland Islands, as part of the great Delta Scheme. The likely effects of this on wildfowl and waders were mentioned, particularly the displace- ment of 20,000 Barnacle Geese and 10,000 Greylags—the latter having specialised feeding habits on sea club rush beds, which will all be destroyed. The race of Acrocephalus rufescens in Zambia by MELVIN A. TRAYLOR Received 26th August, 1966 In 1957, Benson and White (Checklist Birds No. Rhodesia, p. 88) recorded the race of the Northern Rhodesian (= Zambian) populations of the Greater Swamp-warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens, as niloticus. White Vol. 86 162 Bulletin B.O.C. also used this name in his Checklist of Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae) (1960, Occ. Pap. Nat. Mus. So. Rhod., 24B, p. 413), but suggested that niloticus might prove to be the same as ansorgei of northern Angola. In 1962 (Publ. Cult. Co. Diam. Ang., Lisboa, 58, p. 86) I was able to compare the type of ansorgei with two birds from Kabompo, western Zambia. These latter proved to be ansorgei, but with no material from eastern Zambia it was not possible to decide whether two races were present in that country, or whether ni/oticus was a synonym of ansorgei. In order to resolve this problem, I have borrowed specimens from East Africa, the eastern Congo, Zambia and Angola (including the type of ansorgei) so that direct comparisons of all populations could be made. For their kindness in lending these specimens I would like to thank Dean Amadon of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and M. P. Stuart Irwin of the National Museum of Rhodesia, Bulawayo. I would also like to thank Con Benson for stimulating my interest and arranging the loans. When specimens from Uganda, western Kenya, Zambia, Ngamiland and Angola are compared, they are found to belong to a single taxon for which ansorgei is the earliest name. Compared to nominate rufescens, ansorgei is larger and darker; wings of rufescens males measure 72-78, while those of ansorgei measure 77-82. The type of ansorgei is somewhat browner than recent specimens from Zambia, but it is over 60 years old, and this difference is most probably due to foxing. The range of ansorgei is the southern Sudan, Uganda, adjoining Congo, and extreme western Kenya; Zambia and Ngamiland; and north-west Angola in Malange and southern Cuanza Norte. A closely related and poorly marked race, foxi, is found in the highlands of south-west Uganda and Kivu. It is distinguished from ansorgei only on greater size, wing 80-85, and may not actually be recognizable. Specimens from the west slopes of Ruwenzori and from the Ituri and upper Uelle are somewhat paler than normal ansorgei, and in this character, but not in size, show the influence of the West African rufescens. The latter ranges from southern Nigeria west to the central northern Congo and south to the Congo mouth and northern Cuanza Norte in Angola. An even paler small form, chadensis, is recorded from Lake Chad, and to round out the range of the species, Morel and Roux (1962, Oiseau, p. 49) record an isolated population from Richard Toll on the lower Senegal River. Their specimens of the latter were not adequate for subspecific determination. On the “‘creaminess” in the plumage of Ducula bicolor (Scopoli) by HUMAYUN ABDULALI Received 10th September, 1966 The Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor (Scopoli) ranges from the Andaman Islands in the Indo-Malayan region to New Guinea and Australia. It was noticed long ago that many portions of its plumage were Bulletin B.O.C. 163 Vol. 86 creamy-white rather than white, and Stuart Baker (1928, Fauna of British India, Birds, 5: 211) noted that the creamy tinge varied greatly between individuals and faded rapidly in skins. It was generally accepted that this colour, often of a patchy nature and usually most prominent on the fore- head and on the shoulders, was due to stains from nutmeg (Myristica sp.) and other fruits on which the birds fed. Robinson & Chasen (1936, The Birds of the Malay Peninsula, 3: 55) agreed with this view but drew attention to the fact that this ‘‘staining’’ was most noticeable in moulting birds. In the course of the examination of a few specimens which I recently obtained in the Nicobar Islands, I noticed that the feathers around the rump had yellow bases which could only be seen by parting the feathers. With reference to the observation of Robinson & Chasen cited above, I should note that in this area newly developing feathers, while enclosed in quill, were yellowish with the intensity of the colour increasing towards the base. As the tip emerged from the sheath, it was white but showed bright yellow in the portions still enclosed. As the feather developed, the distal portion continued to lose colour, until only the shielded bases remained yellow. If pulled out, the portions ordinarily embedded in the skin showed a brighter colour, which may be termed ‘‘butter-yellow’’, as has been done by Robinson & Chasen (/oc. cit.) The creamy colour in the plumage of the pigeon is most constant on the forehead and in roughly symmetrical patches on the shoulders. As far as I could judge from a cursory examination of the larger series in the British Museum, this colour only occurred on such parts as could be reached by the forehead. I found on breaking the sheath that the colour at the base of the feather could be transferred on to paper by rubbing, and I would therefore suggest that this colour is first acquired on the forehead from the growing feathers on the rump and then transferred to the shoulders and other parts of the plumage in the process of preening. On the South African races of the Crested Francolin, with special reference to Francolinus sephaena zambesiae Mackworth-Praed, 1920 by P. A. CLANCEY Received 23rd September, 1966 When originally described, Francolinus sephaena zambesiae Mackworth- Praed, 1920: Mesanangue, 70 miles above Tete, Zambesi R., Mocambique, was stated to be smaller than the nominate race and to be rather paler, and its range was given as the Zambesi R. valley. Small size when com- pared with the nominate race of F. sephaena (Smith), 1836: Marico and Limpopo Rivers, western Transvaal, is a characteristic of all the south- east African littoral populations of the Crested Francolin as far south as Zululand, where the populations are actually darker and richer coloured and not paler than the xeric F. s. sephaena. Roberts (1940 and earlier, Vol. 86 164 Bulletin B.O.C. mainly 1935) considered lowland eastern Transvaal birds to represent F. s. zambesiae, and using material emanating from this region erected two dubious taxa from northern Bechuanaland (Botswana), F. s. chobi- ensis (Roberts), 1932: Kabulabula, Chobe R., and F. s. mababiensis . (Roberts), 1932: Mababe Flats), while recently Mackworth-Praed and Grant (1962), Hall (1963) and White (1953, 1965) have merged popula- tions of F. s. sephaena and the taxon F. s. thompsoni (Roberts), 1924: Grootfontein, northern South-West Africa, with F. s. zambesiae, giving it a range from north-western South-West Africa and southern Angola, east to about the Zambesi/Shiré confluence in Mocgambique. Traylor (1965) has timeously drawn attention to the unsatisfactory state into which the subspecific grouping of the southern African populations of F. sephaena has drifted as a result of such uncritical lumping. A careful study of the variation in F. sephaena in southern Africa recently carried out in the Durban Museum shows that five races require to be admitted, these being F. s. rovuma Gray, 1867: Rovuma R., southern Tanzania, F. s. zuluensis (Roberts), 1924: Umfolozi Game Reserve, Zululand, F. s. zambesiae, F. s. sephaena, and F. s. thompsoni (with F. s. chobiensis and F. s. mababiensis as synonyms based on intergrades between thompsoni 2 zambesiae and sephaena). Variation in this francolin affects general size, eastern coastal lowland birds being smaller than the plateau and dry western country ones. Other significant variation is in the nature of the colour of the tail, the extent to which the underside is suffused with buff and the degree to which it is vermiculated. Shifts in these variables are not all similarly stepped or follow the same distributional pattern, and none of the variation is truly clinal. The variation rather follows lines imposed by isohyetal, isothermal and altitudinal contours. As much of the present disagreement on the southern subspecies of F. sephaena seems to stem from the fact that few workers are aware of the true characters of F. s. zambesiae and its correct range. I have prepared the following description based on comparison with F. s. sephaena in order to set matters aright and to justify the races adopted in Clancey (1965), the ranges in which are here somewhat modified. F..s. zambesiae is similar to the nominate race, but is rather lighter and more scaled on the crown and nape; lower hind neck and mantle brighter and redder (about Amber Brown [vide Ridgway 1912]), this bright red colour extended caudadwise over the lower mantle, scapulars, wing- coverts and tertials, which are distinctly less greyish or earthen brown than in F. s. sephaena; rump and upper tail-coverts washed with deep ochraceous-buff, less greyish-olive. Below, with the throat and breast spotting less dark Clove Brown and somewhat sparser, and the whole ground from the lower fore-throat to the under tail-coverts bright buff, the last named quite rusty in most; vermiculations to the breast and lateral body surfaces less dense, and long feathers to the sides of the body and flanks boldly streaked, often on both vanes, with deep tawny (no tawny lateral body streaks in other South African races). In wings, outer web to each primary cinnamon, not greyish-brown, and tail wholly redder, the inner pairs of rectrices about Argus Brown. Smaller in size on average: wings of gg 151—166.5, 9° 150—161, as against 157—172 and 154—164 mm. Bulletin B.O.C. 165 Vol. 86 The range of F. s. zambesiae is from the northern districts of southern Mocambique to the west of the range of F. s. rovuma in the districts of Tete and Manica e Sofala, and adjacent northern Rhodesia, west to the Sebungwe sector and Wankie, penetrating into northern Botswana at Kasangula. Also in southern Zambia (west to about Livingstone) and southern Malawi (Lengwe; Chiromo). It may reach further west into south-eastern Angola, judging by Traylor’s (1960) comments on birds from Capelongo. Intergrades with F. s. sephaena and F. s. thompsoni on the western periphery of its range. As to the other South African races of this francolin: F. s. rovuma is probably specifically discrete from F. sephaena, though clearly a semi- species in the same superspecies, but it requires further study in the field at its point of contact with F. s. zuluensis in coastal Mocambique, and need not be discussed here. /. s. zu/uensis is consistently smaller than F. s. sephaena, rather more saturated above and deep olivaceous-buff coloured below. It occupies the eastern coastal lowlands of Africa from Zululand and eastern Swaziland to about the Save R., in Mocambique. F. s. sephaena is larger than F. s. zuluensis, a little paler above, and more creamy, not deep olivaceous-buff, below, but the vermiculations are about the same. It ranges from north-eastern, northern and western Transvaal and the Rhodesian plateau in the south and west, to eastern and northern Bots- wana, apparently as far west as southern Ngamiland. F. s. thompsoni is like F. s. sephaena but is more sparsely vermiculated below on a paler ground, the vermiculations largely absent from the medio-ventral plane (see Traylor 1960), and is restricted to northern Damaraland and Ovambo- land to north-eastern South-West Africa, (?) the western Caprivi, and south-western Angola. F. s. zambesiae differs from all the foregoing in having the ground colour to the hind neck, mantle, scapulars, wing-coverts and tertials wholly redder, this tendency to redness also evident in the remiges and rectrices, while the trend is further evident by the presence of tawny streaks to the lateral body surfaces and flanks (which criterion is not present in other subspecies). The range, as given above, lies to the north- east of the ranges of the other races (apart from F. s. rovuma). It intergrades with F. s. sephaena and F. s. thompsoni in parts of northern Botswana and the eastern Caprivi. For the loan of additional material to augment that already in the Durban Museum, I am grateful to Mr. Michael P. Stuart Irwin, Keeper of Ornithology, National Museum of Rhodesia, Bulawayo. References : Clancey, P. A. 1965. ‘‘A Catalogue of Birds of the South African Sub-Region’’, I, Durban Mus. Novit., vol. vii, 9, p. 263. Hall, B. P. 1963. ‘‘ The Francolins, a Study in Speciation’’, Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist), Zool., vol. x, 2, pp. 107—204. Mackworth-Praed, C. W. 1920. ‘‘New Races of African Francolins’’, Bull. B.O.C., vol. xl, pp. 139-142. Mackworth-Praed, C. W. and Grant, C. H. B. 1962. Birds of the Southern Third of Africa, vol. i, pp. 203, 204. Ridgway, R. 1912. Color Standards and Color Nomenclature. Roberts, A. 1935. ‘‘Scientific Results of the Vernay-Lang Kalahari Expedition Marcn to September, 1930,’’ Ann. Transy. Mus., vol. xvi, 1, p. 61. —1940. Birds of South Africa, p. 71. Vol. 86 166 Bulletin B.O.C. Traylor, M. A. 1960. ‘‘Notes on the birds of Angola, non-passeres’’, Pub. Cult. Comp. Diam. de Angola, No. 51, p. 140. —. 1965. ‘‘A Collection of Birds from Barotseland and Bechuanaland’’, Jbis, vol. cvii, 2, p. 148. White, C. M. N. 1953. ‘‘Systematic Notes on African Birds’’, Bull. B.O.C., vol. 1xxiii, 8, p. 94. —. 1965. Revised Check List of African Non-Passerine Birds, pp. 71, 72. On subspeciation in Bias musicus (Vieillot) by P. A. CLANCEY Received 2nd September, 1966 Subspecific variation in the African broadbilled flycatcher Bias musicus (Vieillot) has been discussed wholly or in part by numerous workers, the more important reports being those of van Someren (1922), Sclater (1930), Chapin (1953), Rand, Friedmann and Traylor (1959) and White (1963), four races being generally admitted, these being as follows: B. m. musicus (Vieillot), 1818: Malimbe, Portuguese Congo, B. m. feminina Jackson, 1906: Toro, Uganda, B. m. changamwensis van Someren, 1919: near Mombasa, coastal Kenya, and B. m. pallidiventris van Someren, 1922: Canhoca, Cuanza Norte, Angola. Variation in this flycatcher affects general size and the colour of the female and the male in pre-basic dress. Generally speaking, western birds are largest, and in females and young males have the mantle and scapulars boldly streaked with sepia, and the underside is pale buff, the breast and lateral surfaces washed with rusty, and the flanks are somewhat streaked or spotted with sepia. In eastern African birds the dorsal streaking is restricted to the upper mantle and the lower hind neck, and does not extend on to the remainder of the mantle and scapulars, which surfaces incline to be paler, and below, the ground is a lighter buff and the lower throat and breast are less or not overlaid with tawny. At the present time four racial names are utilized to describe this variation, two of them applicable to taxa which are inter- mediate in their putative characters between the marked western and eastern extremes. A recent examination of a reasonable panel of material in the Durban Museum has revealed that some of the variation described by workers is simply the result of wear and the metamorphic changes wrought in a relatively short space of time by the strong African sun, and is not genetically related. It now seems that the marked changes effected by these agencies have not been fully appreciated hitherto in arranging the populations of B. musicus into acceptable geographical races. In freshly moulted females and young males of all populations of B. musicus the ground colour to the mantle, scapulars, ramp and upper tail- coverts is about the Amber Brown of Ridgway (1912, pl. iii), but in most populations there is a marked change in the space of only a few months, when the same surfaces may appear Tawny or Ochraceous-Tawny (pl. xv). At the same time, the ground to the whole of the ventral surface whitens, and the issue is further complicated in that not all populations wear at the same rate or so drastically. However, in assessing the subspecific variation, conclusions must, of necessity, be restricted to birds in fresh dress. To turn to the two names given to the ‘‘intermediate’’ populations, namely B. m. feminina and B. m. pallidiventris, I find that specimens from Bulletin B.O.C. 167 Vol. 86 northern Angola (topotypical of the latter) and from Uganda (topotypical of the former, and including some skins of Jackson’s own collecting) are not satisfactorily separable from the nominate race. In both territories, females and young males are heavily streaked over the whole mantle and scapulars as in nominotypical B. musicus, and the lightening over the lower throat and breast in Uganda birds seems to be no more than an incipient trend towards B. m. changamwensis in which the ground to these surfaces is definitely paler than in B. m. musicus. The underparts in the examples of B. m. pallidiventris examined, collected in October and December, are not whiter than examples of the nominate race in what I take to be a precisely comparable condition. It is interesting to note that the Type of B. m. pallidiventris is a late November bird and presumably in somewhat worn and faded condition. As both B. m. feminina and B. m. pallidiventris are not satisfactorily separable from B. m. musicus on the basis of the ventral coloration they should be merged with that race. Chapin (1953) only admitted B. m. feminina in deference to the views of others, and Schouteden (1955) referred all the Congo populations to the nominate race. These findings also substantiate the subspecific arrangement adopted by White (1963). This last named worker, however, considered the species to be inordinately variable, apparently not appreciating the seasonal variation induced by wear and sunlight, and I find the popula- tions all relatively stable. One other group of populations requires to be mentioned, and that is the one found in Mocambique and adjacent territories in the far south- east of the species’ range. These populations have usually been associated with B. m. pallidiventris (=B. m. musicus), presumably on the basis of the white, not buff, underparts, but they are not applicable, as they have the largely unstreaked mantle and scapulars and small dimensions of B. m. changamwensis. Comparison between freshly moulted birds indicates that the very white ventral surface of the south-eastern populations is a valid character, and not one induced by wear or actinic action, and that separa- tion from B. m. changamwensis on this and some additional characters is _ possible. For this population I have recently introduced the name B. m. clarens Clancey, 1966: Massinga, southern Mocambique. The races of Bias musicus may therefore stand as follows: (a) Bias musicus musicus (Vieillot), 1818: Malimbe, Portuguese Congo, with B. m. feminina Jackson, 1906: Toro, Uganda, and B. m. pallidventris van Someren, 1922: Canhoca, Cuanza Norte, Angola, as synonyms. Female and young male in new moulted dress with mantle, scapulars, rump and upper tail-coverts deep Amber Brown, the feathers of the whole mantle and scapulars variably medially streaked with Sepia (pl. xxix), this dark streaking often present on the inner tertials and sometimes the wing-coverts and innermost rectrices. Underside about Light Buff (pl. xv), the lower throat, breast and lateral surfaces washed and somewhat streaked with Ochraceous-Tawny, the flanks variably overlaid or striated with Sepia. Wings of 10 3g9° 86-91 (88.3). Range: Upper and Lower Guinea, from Sierra Leone and Liberia eastwards to the southern Sudan and western Uganda, and south to : northern Angola, the Katanga, southern Congo, and, perhaps, western _ Tanzania. Vol. 86 168 Bulletin B.O.C. (b) Bias musicus changamwensis van Someren, 1919: Changamwe, near Mombasa, coastal Kenya. Female and young male in freshly moulted condition barely paler on the upperparts, but sepia streaking restricted to the lower hind neck and upper mantle, the lower mantle and scapulars plain Amber Brown. On underside, with the lower throat and breast less invaded with Ochraceous- Tawny, the ventral surface appearing paler. Size smaller. Wings of 10 gg9° 82-88 (84.9) mm. (coastal birds smaller than interior plateau specimens in this taxon: wings 82-85, as against 86.5-88 mm.). Range: Eastern Uganda, Kenya (Highlands and coast), and Tanzania (not extreme west). (c) Bias musicus clarens Clancey, 1966: Massinga, Sul do Save, southern Mocambique. Like B. m. changamwensis on the upperparts in females and young males in pre-basic dress, but underside white, not pale buff, only the sides of the breast and lateral surfaces with some tawny overlay; malar streak almost white, and head-top matt black, and not sooty brown. Size the same. Wings of 10 gg99 81.5-85.5 (83.9) mm. Range: Mocambique, southern Malawi, and south-eastern Rhodesia. Northern range limits not known. For the loan of material I am grateful to the Directors of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, U.S.A. (through Major Melvin A. Traylor), the Institute Investigacao Cientifica de Angola, Sa da Bandeira (Dr. A. A. da Rosa Pinto), the National Museum of Rhodesia, Bulawayo (through M. P. Stuart Irwin), the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, and the Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg. References : Chapin, J. P. 1953. Birds of the Belgian Congo, part ili, pp. 656, 657. Clancey, P. A. 1966. ‘‘A Catalogue of Birds of the South African Sub-Region’’, part iv, ‘‘ Durban Mus. Novit., vol. vii, 12, p. 510. Rand, A. L., Friedmann, H., & Traylor, M. A. 1959. ‘‘ Birds from Gabon and Moyen Congo’’, Fieldiana, Zoology, vol. xvi, 2, pp. 350, 351. Ridgway, R. 1912. Color Standards and Color Nomenclature, Washington. Schouteden, H. 1955. De Vogels van Belgisch Congo en van Ruanda—Urundi, part vii, 2, pp. 403-406. Sclater, W. L. 1930. Systema Avium Aethiopicarum, part li, p. 418. van Someren, V. G. L. 1922. Novitates Zoologicae, vol. xxix, 1, pp. 98, 99. White, C. M. N. 1963. A revised Check List of African Flycatchers, Tits, etc., p. 23. A new race of Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais (Finsch and Hartlaub), from Gorongoza Mountain, Mocambique by MICHAEL P. STUART IRWIN Received 20th September, 1966 The population of the Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais (Finsch and Hartlaub) occurring on Gorongoza Mountain, from whence it was first reported by Rosa Pinto (Ostrich Supplement 3, 1959: 114-115), is ap- parently confined to the region above the forest line from about 5,500 feet A.S.L. to the summit at just over 6,100 feet. Below the forest line up to 4,000 feet its place is taken by the Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans muenzneri Reichenow, though Rosa Pinto does mention it as low as 3,000 Bulletin B.O.C. 169 Vol. 86 feet. It is consequently restricted to a very limited area of the high central plateau occupying a range of probably considerably under 20 square miles, consisting of boggy montane grassland and meadow with abundant Cyperaceae, broken by rocky pinnacles and forest patches comprising Podocarpus and Widdringtonia, with scattered Protea and tall Philippia scrub. The geographical and biological isolation of this high zone is absolute, the nearest comparable suitable habitat from whence it is known being in the Inyanga highlands of eastern Rhodesia, the eastern 5,000 feet contour of which lies more than 70 miles to the west; the intervening country of the Manica platform averaging around 1,000 feet (Wellington, Southern Africa, a geographical study, 1, 1955; 40, fig. IV) and largely dominated by Brachystegia woodland. The species, however, may well also occur in the highlands west of Vila Gouveia, within Mocambique, faunally part of Rhodesia, where the intervening gap is no less great. All previous material collected on the mountain that has been available, comprising some nine specimens obtained in the months of July, Sep- tember and early October, are in non-breeding dress. However, in Dec- ember, 1965, during an expedition undertaken by the National Museums of Rhodesia, six specimens were collected in freshly moulted breeding dress. When these are compared with similar material of C. /. mashona Lynes of eastern Rhodesia, and C. /. semifasciata Reichenow from the highlands in Malawi, eastern Zambia and southern Tanzania, it is im- mediately apparent that they represent an undescribed subspecies for which I propose the name of: Cisticola lais oreobates subsp. nov. Type: 3 adult, from the montane zone at 6,000 feet on Gorongoza Mountain, near the peak of Monte Gogogo at 18’ 26° S., 34’ 02° E., 9th December, 1965. Collected by D. G. Broadley and party. Collectors No. GZA/134. National Museum registration No. 58,646. In the collection of the National Museum of Rhodesia, Bulawayo. Description: In breeding dress differs from C. /. mashona in having the crown darker, less richly chestnut, streaking of mantle blacker with the feather margins more blackish-grey, less tawny. Below cold greyish-white without any infusion of buff as in the corresponding dress of mashona. In the tone of the back it bears a closer resemblance to C. /. semifasciata, though even blacker, and without the mottled crown. Below altogether different in the pale underparts compared to the tawny buff of semi- fasciata in breeding dress. In non-breeding dress the crown appears slightly brighter, but less chestnut than in mashona, the remainder of the upperparts being indistinguishable and below similar. Likewise from _ semifasciata the crown is a darker and richer brown, mantle with feather margins darker, more greyish-brown and much less tawny-buff below. Measurements in breeding dress 3 gd wing 58; tail 53-54; culmen 13-14; — 3 92 wing 50-51; tail 48-49; culmen 12—12.5 mm. The four sexed indi- _ viduals in non-breeding dress fall within the above general limits. Material examined: 3 33, 3 9° in breeding dress, 2 ¢¢, 2 99 and 5 un- sexed specimens in non-breeding dress collected in July (5), September - (2) and October (2). Range: The central plateau of the Gorongoza massif above 5,500 feet, Mocambique. Vol. 86 170 Bulletin B.O.C. Measurement of the type: Wing (flattened) 58; tail 54; culmen (from base) 14 mm. Remarks: The type and paratypes in breeding dress have the mantle and underparts freshly moulted, but with the rectrices heavily worn and in various stages of replacement. The birds themselves were coming on to breed, the females with the ovaries enlarging and the testes in one male measuring as much as 5 x 4 mm. on the 7th of December, the balance of the series being obtained on the 9th. Acknowledgements: I am grateful to the Director of the Instituto de Investigagao Cientifica de Mocambique for the loan of the material housed in the Museu Dr. Alvaro de Castro, Lourengo Marques and similarly to Mr. B. G. Donnelly of the Museum, Snake Park and Oceanarium, Port Elizabeth. My thanks are also due to Mr. C. M. N. White who has examined with me the series of breeding birds and agrees that they should be recognised by name. A new subspecies of the Yellow-bellied Whistler Pachycephala philippinensis by KENNETH C. PARKES Received 27th September, 1966 Geographic variation in the endemic Philippine whistler Pachycephala philippinensis has recently been reviewed by Rand and Rabor (Fieldiana: Zoology, 35, 1960, pp. 433-434). They admitted six subspecies. Most specimens I have examined accord well with their findings, but one sub- species, P. p. apoensis (Mearns) calls for comment. Rand and Rabor gave the range of this form as follows: ‘‘Samar, Leyte, Dinagat, Bohol, and Mindanao west to Mount Malindang on northeastern Zamboanga.’’ They stated that P. p. basilanica (Mearns) intergrades with apoensis in western Zamboanga. Specimens I have examined from Mount Malin- dang confirm this intergradation, being paler below and browner on the crown than topotypical apoensis, an obvious approach to basilaniac. Within the range now ascribed to apoensis, there is much variation in colour. The darkest birds seen are those from Mount Katanglad, Min- danao, and the palest those from Bohol. Specimens from Samar and Leyte are especially variable, some reaching almost the extremes in coloration displayed by the dark Katanglad and pale Bohol birds. Only the sample from the latter island appears to be consistent in its characters, and worthy of separation as an additional named subspecies, which may be called Pachycephala philippinensis boholensis, subsp. nov. Type: Field Museum of Natural History no. 223599, adult male, col- lected at Cantaub, Sierra Bullones, Bohol Island, Philippines, 4th May, 1955, by D. S. Rabor (collector’s no. 10101). Characters: nearest apoensis (as typified by specimens from Mount Apo, Davao, Mindanao and vicinity), but yellow of underparts paler, more mixed with white; green of back slightly paler; six outer primaries (not Bulletin B.O.C. 171 Vol. 86 counting the very small outermost, which lacks light edgings) fully edged with grey, not green; primary coverts, alula, and tertials greyer, less green. In apoensis as many as five of the outer primaries may show some grey edging at the distal end, but only the single outermost is grey to the base, the others being green at least halfway to the tip. The colour of the under- parts of certain individuals of apoensis, notably among those from Samar and Leyte, may sometimes be as pale as Bohol birds, but the grey primary edgings appear to be confined to boholensis. As is evident from the measure- ments of Mount Malindang, Bohol, and Samar specimens published by Rand and Rabor (op. cit., pp. 301, 354, 405), there is no size difference between apoensis and boholensis. Specimens examined (subspecies other than apoensis and boholensis omitted): MINDANAO, Mt. Apo and vicinity, 12; Mt. Malindang, 11; Mt. Katanglad and vicinity, 11; Cotabato, 2. SAMAR, 14. LEYTE, 13. BOHOL, 13. Acknowledgments Specimens were borrowed from or seen at the Field Museum of Natural History (formerly Chicago Natural History Museum), American Museum of Natural History, and Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. Travel to these museums was partly supported by a grant from the Chapman Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History for a project on the birds of Leyte Island. The Fieldfare Turdus pilaris L. breeding in northern Rumania by DAN MUNTEANU Received 13th July, 1966 In Rumania the Fieldfare is a common and regular winter visitor. It is interesting that the time it spends in our country is now longer than that mentioned by Dombrowski (1912) for 1896-1909. He stated that the Fieldfare sojourns in Rumania from November until March, occasionally until April, but we observe that nowadays it comes regularly at the begin- ning of October and leaves as late as April. The prolongation of the time it stays in Rumania is surely due to the southward extension of its breeding range, already noted in the last century. It is a slower spread than that of other species such as the Collared Dove or the Syrian Woodpecker. North of Rumania the expansion of the _ Fieldfare’s range on the eastern slope of the Ukrainian Carpathians was _ pointed out (Strautman, 1954, 1963) where it had, until 1950, advanced _ southwards to Cheremosh river, at about 20 miles from our frontier. More recent observations in this area were not made. _ With this in mind I decided to look for the Fieldfare in the north of ~ Rumania, along the valleys of the eastern slope of the Eastern Carpathians. Three days of investigation along the intermontane valley of the Suceava _ river were fruitless, but on the fourth day, June 11, 1966, I found it in an unexpected place, in the Manastirea Humorului village, on a small affluent _ of the Moldova river, 25 miles south of the Ukrainian border. In an orchard, on the valley of the Humor brook, I found two pairs of Fieldfare and their nests. One nest, built in an apple tree, about 12 feet Vol. 86 172 Bulletin B.O.C. above the ground, had five featherless chicks, five or six days old. The other nest, in a box elder about 300 feet from the first, 20 feet from the ground, was being built. This is the first record of the breeding of the Fieldfare in Rumania. Of course it nests sporadically in other places on the north-eastern extremity of the Rumanian Carpathians, but investigation of the extent of the breeding range of this species, is for the future. References : Dombrowski, R. 1912. Ornis Romaniae. Bukarest. Strautman, F. I. 1954. Ptitsy Sovetskih Karpat (The Birds of the Soviet Carpathians). Kiev. — 1963. Ptitsy zapadnyh oblastei U.S.S.R. (The Birds of the western regions of Ukraine). Vol. 2. Lvov. A further note on the Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata in East Africa by C. W. BENSON and A. D. ForRBEs-WATSON Received 15th June, 1966 Benson (1966) described Chersomanes albofasciata beesleyi on a single specimen from 30 miles north of Arusha, northern Tanzania, collected by J. S. S. Beesley. Forbes-Watson collected six further specimens on 10th-— 11th April, 1966 in the same locality, which may be known as Kingerete, at 3° 00’ S., 36° 40’ E., altitude 4,600 feet above sea-level. Their measure- ments in mm. and some other particulars are as follows :— Sex Wing Tail Culmen Tarsus Hind Weight from base claw in gms. 3 81 39 21.5 29 19 26.0 3 79 36 21 28 15 28.5 ei 81 37 20 28 18 28.0 a 72 33 18 26 14 a ey 2 71 33 18 27 14 phe Bis juv.3 78 38 19.5 28 12 25:9 This further material has been compared with the type of bees/eyi (an adult male) and with other material of the species previously examined by Benson (1966) in the British Museum. His diagnosis of bees/eyi is borne out in all respects so far as it goes. But in addition the two females are as somewhat richer russet on the lower chest to abdomen than the four apparently adult males, and seem nearer in this respect to C. a. subpal- lida (Roberts) rather than to C. a. obscurata (Hartert) or C. a. boweni (de Schauensee). Also, while dusky streaking on the chest is relatively well developed in both sexes, these markings seem slightly more so but less bold in males. Thus there may be minor sexual colour differences in beesleyi, apparently lacking in any of the southern forms, so widely separated from it. All five of the additional adults are rather more brown- ish, less greyish in tone on the upperside than the type, but are in fresher dress. They are an even closer match in this respect to Pseudalaemon fremantlii delamerei Sharpe and Calandrella rufescens athensis (Sharpe). The small size of beesleyi is also confirmed by the additional material. Bulletin B.O.C. 173 Vol. 86 The measurements may be compared with those for the southern forms in McLachlan and Liversidge (1957: 255) and Mackworth-Praed and Grant (1962: 633-637). The juvenile lacks any rufous on the nape, and has the feathers of the upperside as a whole less markedly tipped with white than in adults. On the underside the markings on the chest are larger and smudgier than in adults, while the lower chest to abdomen is paler, though there are some darker, adult feathers appearing. The birds were found in an entirely treeless area covering some three square miles, entirely surrounded by plains with scattered small thorn trees. There was much stony terrain, which however they seemed to avoid, confining themselves to short (less than one foot high) grass. About 20 individuals were seen in all, mostly singletons or pairs, the most seen to- gether being four. When disturbed, they would fly away to settle some distance ahead, thereafter to be flushed close to where they had landed. In flight they made wader-like calls, those recorded by McLachlan and Liversidge (1957: 255) being apparently very similar. One of the females collected had evidently recently bred, but no other specimen showed any marked gonad activity. The stomach contents were examined by R. H. Carcasson, who found the main food to be curculio- nids (weevils), present in all six specimens, while three also had tene- brionids ( Diodontes areolatus Gerst.), and one had a buprestid. In addition there was a 75 mm. long centipede, three lepidopterous larvae including one psychid without its case, and one grass seed. Only one contained any grit, merely a single small angular pebble. Benson is responsible for the comments on the specimens in this note; Forbes-Watson has provided the remainder of the information. A male and a female of the material he has collected are to be deposited in the National Museum, Nairobi, Kenya; the remainder in the British Museum. References : Benson, C. W. 1966. The Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata in East Africa. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 86: 76-77. Mackworth-Praed, C. W. and Grant, C. H. B. 1962. Birds of the Southern Third of Africa, 1. London. McLachlan, G. R. and Liversidge, R. 1957. Roberts’ birds of South Africa. Cape Town. Some sunbirds: additions and corrections by C. W. BENSON Received 6th May, 1966 With reference to the notes in Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 1966: 62-66, the correct name for the southern and eastern form of Nectarinia seimundi (Ogilvie-Grant) is not N. s. minor (Bates) but N. s. traylori Wolters (Journ. Ornith., 1965: 357). Three further males of N. bouvieri (Shelley) have been traced in the British Museum, their localities and measurements in mm. as follows: Wing Tail Culmen from base Mubuku Valley, Uganda 57 38 21 Sandoa, southern Congo 56 37 23 Sandoa, southern Congo 57 38 24 Vol. 86 174 Bulletin B.O.C. It would appear that there is a tendency to greater bill-length in the south of the range of the species. - Yet another female of N. 5. bifasciata (Shaw), originally identified as N. bouvieri, and collected by Petit in Cabinda at Chinchoxo (B. M. registered number 95. 5. 1. 2530), has been traced. It has wing 51, tail 32, culmen from base 19.5 mm. Number 2529 is a male, the type of bouvieri. On two specimens of Pericrocotus filammeus (Forst.), the Scarlet Minivet, from Udjung Kulon by A. HOOGERWERF Received 25th April, 1966 During a collecting trip to Java’s most western peninsula, Udjung Kulon, two specimens of Pericrocotus flammeus were secured which do not fit into a series of siebersi nor do they agree with the Sumatran sub- species xanthogaster, modiglianii and minythomelas. Therefore they seem important enough to be signalized in order to encourage future collectors in this area to pay special attention to the species. Below is a comparison with the material of the species in the Bogor Museum. The individual variation in plumage of both sexes of siebersi is not worth mentioning. In the males there is some difference in tone of the orange-red on the underparts, the wings and the lower back including the tail-coverts but those parts are always less pure red than in the three other subspecies mentioned above. There is also some variation in the tint of the black parts but the average siebersi seems less extensively bluish-black than males of the three other races. The females show some variation in extent of the yellow spot on the forehead and the yellow on the wings and they also vary somewhat in the tone of this colour on the under surface, lower back and tail-coverts. But this yellow, as is the case with the red in the males, is of a different tone than in females of the other subspecies known from Sumatra and surrounding islands. Junge? and Deignan! made it clear that modiglianii and minythomelas differ in size: birds belonging to the latter race average somewhat smaller, but perhaps the colour difference in the females of both these forms may be seen as the most important character to separate them as pointed out also by Deignan?. According to Junge? there should be no colour differences in the plumage of both these subspecies when compared with xanthogaster, except for the somewhat yellowish tint of the red in both mentioned races when seen in series. I could not confirm this, but my material shows a darker fire-red tone in the males of xanthogaster than in both other subspecies, though certain individuals cannot be separated at all. But I did not compare these subspecies on the basis of Deignan’s conception regarding colour and markings on rectrices and primaries because I could not see Deignan’s paper when comparing my material in Bogor. Both our fresh skins from Udjung Kulon seem somewhat intermediate between representatives of the Javan subspecies siebersi and xanthogaster from Sumatra because the male is decidedly brighter red on the lower back, Bulletin B.O.C. "TS Vol. 86 upper tail-coverts and wings than all siebersi examined by me, but not so dark as in the average xanthogaster. It is also deeper black in the dark portions than almost all siebersi studied by me; also in this respect more resembling Sumatra’s population. On the under surface too the Udjung Kulon male is more intensely red than most Javan birds, but not so clear red as in xanthogaster. When compared with some specimens belonging to excul from the Lesser Sunda Islands (Lombok) the difference is still more striking because this subspecies averages lighter in the red of the male than siebersi. The female obtained from Udjung Kulon resembles xanthogaster females in the same respect as does the male, the yellow on all parts of the plumage resembles that of xanthogaster because it is less pure, more washed with olive than in all females of siebersi seen by me. Besides these differences in colour there is also one in size between xanthogaster and siebersi, at least in the males. And also on this point our Udjung Kulon male seems to be closer to the Sumatran race than to that inhabiting Java for it has a wing length of 87 mm. whichis much larger than the average wing size of all 15 males of siebersi measured by Junge (in litt.). and me of which only one reaches a wing-length of 86, three of 84 and one of 83 mm. The subspecies modiglianii and minythomelas are considerably larger and differ also in plumage from both siebersi and xanthogaster. On account of the diagnosis given for the female of the Bornean race insulanus of which the male should not differ from that of xanthogaster, the female from Udjung Kulon cannot be identical with this race, even if it should agree in size which seems not to be so. Though there seems some reason to separate these birds, I do not think it reasonable to do so because only one male and one female are available of which, moreover, the female still shows some traces of the juvenile plumage. Until more material becomes available, showing the same characters as both birds described above, there is not enough evidence to exclude the possibility of interbreeding. Measurements (in mm.): 33 Wing; siebersi (Java): 79, 82, 82, 83, 86; siebersi? (Udjung Kulon): 87; excul (Lombok): 85, 85; xanthogaster (Sumatra): 82, 84, 86, 87, 87; modiglianii (Enggano Island): 93, 95; minythomelas (Simalur Island): 95. Tail; siebersi (Java): 78, 79, 81, 83, 85; siebersi ? (Udjung Kulon): 85; excul (Lombok): 83, 86; xanthogaster (Sumatra): 73, 77, 77, 79, 85; modiglianii (Enggano Island): 82, 85; minythomelas (Simalur Island): 89. Culmen; siebersi (Java): 11, 11.3, 11.9, 12.5, 12.5; siebersi? (Udjung Kulon): 10.6?; excul (Lombok): 10.5, 11.5; xanthogaster (Sumatra): 12, 12, 12.1, 12.5, 12.5; modiglianii (Enggano Island): 13, 14.5; minythomelas (Simular Island): 12.3. Max., min. and average measurements: siebersi __ siebersi? excul xanthogaster modiglianii minythomelas Java Udj.Kulon Lombok Sumatra Enggano Isl. Simalur 79-86 85-85 82-87 93-95 Wing: —_—_ 87 ——$$<—<—<— on 95 82.40 85 85.20 94 78-85 83, 86 73-85 82, 85 Tail: ——__——_ 85 —$<—<—<—<—<— —__—_—__—— 89 81.20 84.50 78.20 83.50 11-12.6 10.5, 11.5 12-12.5 13, 14.5 Culmen: —_—__ 10.6? —$—$—$<<—S$ ss ———————— oe 12.3 11.86 11 12.22 13.75 Vol. 86 176 | Bulletin B.O.C. 29 Wing; siebersi (Java): 80, 82, 83, 85, 86; siebersi? (Udjung Kulon): 83; excul: none; xanthogaster (Sumatra); 82, 82, 84, 85, 85; modiglianii (Enggano): 89, 94: miny- thomelas (Simalur): none; Tail; siebersi (Java): 77, 81, 83, 85, 85; siebersi? eee Kulon): 86; xanthogaster (Sumatra): 15.¢)7F8> 793 80, 80; modiglianii (Enggano): 835, Culmen; siebersi (Java): 10.2, 10.9, 11. 0.6.11, So ee yapee Kulon): 11.5; xanthogaster (Sumatra): 11.1, ree 11.2, 11.8: modiglianii (Simalur): 13, 13; Max., min. and average measurements: siebersi siebersi ? xanthogaster modiglianii Java Udjung Kulon Sumatra Enggano 80-86 82-85 89, 94 Wing: — 83 ——_— — 83.20 83.60 91.50 77-85 75-80 85, 87 Tail: ee 86 ——_— a 82.20 78.40 86 10.2-11.9 11.1-11.8 13, 13 Culmen: oe 11.50 + eee 11.12 11.30 13 siebersi (measured for me by Dr. Junge at Leiden): Wing: Tail: Culmen: 80-84 74-82 11-14 10 3 ———_——. a nn 81.50 77 12 79-83 77-81 11-14 39 —— wae Be 81 79 12 Some measurements compiled from literature: Junge*®: minythomelas: Wing, 9 3 88-94; Tail: 81.5-90; Culmen: 12-14 Wing, 2 2 87.5—-90; Tail: 86, 87.5; Culmen: 12, 13 Robinson & Boden Kloss?: xanthogaster: 82-87 Wing, 9d 84 80-87 Wing, 10 9 4.10 Deignan!: minythomelas: Wing, 9 3 90-9 modigliannii: Wing, 14 3 92-96 3 2 88- 5 5 2 92-93 insulanus: Wing, 3 5 81-8 siebersi: Wing, 6 80-84 3 2 80 2277 excul: Wing, 3 3 82-8 xanthogaster: Wing, 2 3 77-86 3 2 81-8 12 88 References: 1, Deignan, H. G. The races of the Scarlet Minivet [Pericrocotus flammeus (Forster)]; Auk, 63, 1946, p. 511/33. %, pins o/1 C. A. On a collection of birds from Enggano; Treubia, 16, 1937-1938, p. : 3, —, Fauna Simalurensis—Aves; Temminckia I, 1936, p. 53-4. « Robinson, H. C. and Boden Kloss, C. On a large collection of birds chiefly from West Sumatra made by Mr. E. Jacobson; Journal of the Federated Malay States Museums, 11, 1924, p. 280-1. ic edt baal isa ‘omyele LiM 406) i; 911) ©) boresibt ' yo 49 sean] Pet snolaas J t a9 neon 5] ooh bo 2 iw hse eqe-slduvob , penis ott ‘0 obre one rec Jt) pa oivomRy 9 saiomsie a benoitaam ; © Ph ae 5 shi b. Dyan siten srk ot ¢haeupesta2 bobuloni od bl mi bSni7 ity SIR ¢: earn onignesine uns odt to ri9 00 Dh ile 2D tv oF agi TOL eke . off it h The A ' ; ‘.. ” : pe : ‘ Pb gmidiroeab-10 omen vesn & geiousbererey) aver! « ft a 421 as . . » oie > << M.! _ Cig % crnsest Mit VE fi 2b DEB ! oltt 2 hl it 12} eurt) O44 Bea i CB WOW gece, 790 AY, P A tla 0 Ke jy: Oo. RNOre Sees ort ¥ ioitiuarbornr Jem Ao r re »¢ ’ ee s¢ . ‘ WL EE itty + “manta sna! 10} ‘ ; Tes yut Des "*poalaeie te HPL yIs 2 - wee - ik ; } ’ 4 = => ? } v2. OF) .¥fe9N a1 Magee Ea OLRM of Jem 210 Roi, wht LA egbiteontiarhatt vedio sng te oe a, r rimee) aoe , - NCA Te | veehinat SIG wg EHD rs 1G! ype ' ‘ satin bet awe oi 7 abate Hor Yer tojudse b Sa vit 0 oe WTER: mah AO} bolsinte TR 22o}ud Io td batts awtsede 26 ving } Wty At ths ve MA yee af fits cae bi; "3G ISS ES ae oe) t « i ts Y . POLO we 0 i perros ror Ly Mert ad Efi : Tit {ery 0 vaAaawi it Ao MJ s i 1) CAA] AF pet, cea sci thems totrivt: eisdrcute doped apt dsertes G eau) 2t0okh ehosionlW 0 velba W ie it Sih ais\th oli to eodnasa 4 eh Nae volhnW. At. of srk basse | ‘ ' 7 ¢ 7 he SIMA OT MOMPiA Dea Lt 2 ‘ali bees a Brendon ig. od yarn oe ‘hoft ort xt pan te i? ant - : Hf i ta) ae YB Hohnc onl tos rs j a} pee : ; maOTw: 1" arty) o ined) ¥T ty ot vaatae “ed Blyorie oonebrroden oo ¥ i Ca 9 ” 4 ~ ’ ’ * “4 ay aay agua etal ry wobvetT DOA TET oooheoW on Ne AP ed a0 ‘pOMITaIM awa exanvad aA < ‘ b ya @ Au - id P .oon 3054 ’ rigid . Na <4 ’ | A teeta ewe pig oo ete tend epee tte" - - a oe. bee: ty sa aU He Houosr es: 10 H wrTL 2 we Lowtalleh? 16 4 wry Avis ric] bap. wh tear | peck an 1 BH nora’) off] Pn : pee é + ie . Py : * Oh I eid ae . a - Bon oi Yo ztodaiom as beidiviesn tom ora enol , 4 Pts 4 ae Te} wy i tT yT ten : 4 vr a f if? j f ef ; ; trv ' : a> ihe * : i Pu. @ ie ore? CONTRIBUTORS Contributions are not restricted to members of the B.O.C. and should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. John Yealland, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W.1. 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Woodcock, 34 Hill Road, Theydon Bois, Essex. DINNERS AND MEETINGS FOR 1966 20th December. Published by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB and printed by The Caxton & Holmesdale Press, 104 London Road, Sevenoaks Kent. af » _ esate Ss <3 = tn -* ’ - . a. v a es * ; ' “ 5 { s! Lp aN cnn “Fy 2 sai ; a ARR + ae wri 1 ‘aig ‘) te ve i , is : é ‘ + 1 i kes Le Rea ee a me) wae ‘ali ae d beh pe 7 Fe. : . ~~ 7. ‘ a 4 al > | © jay I eh ‘ma\, j “uit h >) * ‘ ’ ~<~"¥ 1 A J 1 or te Ot +: : j ae eas. baba . 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