0 cr • ^ ^ K lO^J FORTHE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY THE IBIS, QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. EDITED BY OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., F.R.S., STRICKLAND CURATOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, &f. AND PHTLIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. VOL. L 1877. FOUETH SERIES. Ibis avis robiista et multos ^ivit in annos. LONDON: JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATEPiNOSTER ROW ]877. PRINTED BY TAYLOE AND FRANCIS, RED r.ION COURT, FLEET STREET. TO THE READER OF THIS VOLUME Kindly handle this book with the utmost care on account of its fragile condition. The binding has been done as well as pos- sible under existing conditions and will give reasonable wear with proper opening and handling. ^ gg^ies of Your thoughtfulness icill he appreciated ader their ited to its ^e received uurmg tne year, and to congratulate the Members of the British Ornithologists' Union on the excellent quality and great interest of many of these com- munications. It is, indeed, evident that great activity is now prevalent in our favourite science, as in almost every other branch of Natural History. Never before were so many important publications on Ornithology in progress, never were there so many workers en- gaged in collecting specimens and observing facts in nearly every part of the world's surface. The Editors look forward with confidence for a continuation of the support that has been accorded them. O. S. P. L. S. October 1877. PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RSD r.ION COURT, FLEET STREET. PREFACE. In concluding the first volume of a new series of ' The Ibis ' the Editors beg leave to tender their best thanks to those who have contributed to its pages for the good supply of papers they have received during the year, and to congratulate the Members of the British Ornithologists' Union on the excellent quality and great interest of many of these com- munications. It is, indeed, evident that great activity is now prevalent in our favourite science, as in almost every other branch of Natural History. Never before were so many important publications on Ornithology in progress, never were there so many workers en- gaged in collecting specimens and observing facts in nearly every part of the world's surface. The Editors look forward with confidence for a continuation of the support that has been accorded them. O. S. P. L. S. October 1877. BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. 1877. [An asterisk indicates an Original Member.] Date of Election. 1874. Edward E. Alston, F.Z.S. ; 22 a Dorset Street, London, W. 1870. Andrew Anderson, F.Z.S. 1872. Hanbfry Barclay, F.Z.S. ; Middleton Hall, Tamworth. 1875. John BiDDtJLPH, Capt. 19th Hussars ; Government House, Calcutta. 1873. W. T. Blaneoed, F.K.S. &c.; Geological Survey of India, Calcutta. 1870. Sir Victor Brooke, Bart. ; Colebrooke, Fermanagh, Ireland. 1871. Arthur Basil Brooke ; Cardney, Dunkeld, N.B. 1866. Henry Buckley, F.Z.S'. ; Edgbaston, Birmingham. 1868. Thomas Edward Buckley, B.A., F.Z.S. ; Balnacoil, Brora, N. B. 1877. Lieut.-Col. G. E. Bulger. 1872. Walter Lawry Buller, C.M.G., Sc.D., F.L.S., &c.; Wel- lington, New Zealand. 1876. Lord Clieton ; Cobham Hall, Gravesend. 1876. H.R.H. Prince Arthur, Duke op Connaught, E.G. 1874. John Cordeaux ; Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire. 1866. Arthur William Crichton, B.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Broadward Hall, Salop. 1877. J. J. Dalgleish ; 8 Athole Crescent, Edinburgh. 1874. Charles Danford, F.Z.S. ; 2 Norfolk Street, Park Lane. 1865. Henry Eeles Dresser, F.Z.S. ; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. *Henry Maurice Drummond-Hay, C.M.Z.S., Lieutenant-Colo- nel, Royal Perth Rifles ; Seggieden, Perth. Date of Election. 1876. Henry Dtjenfoed ; Buenos Ayres. 1876. Lieut. Egeeton, R.N. ; 68 West Cromwell Road, Ken- sington. 1870. Daniel Giratjd Elliot, F.R.S.E., &c. ; 5 Rue de Tilsitt, Paris. 1866. Hexet John Elwes, F.Z.S. ; Preston, Cirencester. 1877. Rev. T, J. Eaving, D.D. ; Postwick Rectory, Norfolk. *Thoma8 Campbell Eyton, F.Z.S. ; Eyton Hall, Wellington. Salop. 1873. H. W. Feilden, Captain and Paymaster, Royal Artillery ; 2 Grosvenor Terrace, Aldershot. 1877. W. A. Foebes; Wickham Hall, West Wickham, Kent. 1867. GeoegeGoochFowlee,B.A.; Gunton HaU, Lowestoft, Suffolk. 1865. Rev, Henet Elliott Fox, M. A. ; 30 Warwick Square, London, S.W. 1873. Alfeed Henry Gaeeod, M.A., F.R.S., &c. ; 10 Harley Street, London. *Fredeeick DuCane Godman, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; 10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W. *Peecy Sanden Godman, B.A., C.M.Z.S. ; The Grange, Sher- manbury, Henfield, Sussex. 1874. Lieut. -Col. H. Godwin-Austen, F.Z.S. ; Shalford House, Guildford, Suri'ey. 1871. Robert Geay, F.R.S.E., F.S.A.S. ; 13 Inverleith Row, Edin- burgh. 1876. Albeet C. L. G. GtJNTHEE, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., &c. ; Keeper of the Zoological Department, British Museum, London. *JoHN Heney Gurney, F.Z.S. ; Northrepps, Norwich. 1870. John Henry Gurney, Jun., F.Z.S. ; Northrepps, Norwich. 1877. E. V. Haecouet ; Nuneham Park, Oxford. 1876. H. C. Haeford ; 99th Regiment. 1877. E. Hargitt ; 10 Alexander Square, Brompton. 1868. James Edmund Harting, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; 24 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. 1873. John A. Harvie Brown; Dunipace House, Larbert, N.B. 1868. Rev. Herbert S. Hawkins, M.A. ; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk. 1875. J. C. Hele ; Knowles, NeNvt-on- Abbot. 1873. Charles B. Hodgson, F.Z.S. ; 13 Waterloo Street, Bir- mingham. 1877. E. W. H. Holdsworth; 84Cliftonhill Street, St. John's Wood. Date of Election. *'WiiFEiD HuDLESTON HuDLESTON, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 23 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. 1874. Baron A. von Hugel ; Moorlands, Bournemouth. 1869. Allan Octavian Hume, C.B. ; Secretary to the Government of India, Calcutta. 1873. Most Hon. Chaeles, Marquess of Huntly; 41 Upper Gros- venor Street, London. 1870. Lord Htlton ; Merstham, Red Hill, Surrey. 1870. Col. Leonard Howard L. Irby, F.Z.S. ; Hythe, Southampton. 1874. Capt. Alexander W. M. Clarke Kennedy, F.L.S., F.E.G.S., F.Z.S. ; Carruchan, Dumfries, K.B. *Arthfr Edward Knox, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Trotton House, Petersfield, Sussex. 1876. Captain Vincent Legge, R.A. ; *Right Hon. Thomas Lyttleton, Lord Lilfoed, F.L.S. , F.Z.S., &c. ; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northants. 1874. Major John Hayes Lloyd, F.Z.S. ; 74 Adelaide Road, Haver- stock Hill, London, N.W. 1877. J. Ltjmsden, Jun. ; 20 Queen's Street, Glasgow. 1875. John Wingeield Malcolm, M.P. ; 7 Stanhope Street, May- fair, London, W. 1870. C. H. T. Marshall, F.Z.S. ; Captain, Bengal Staff Corps. 1870. G. F. L. Marshall, F.Z.S. ; Capt. Royal (Bengal) Engineers. 1864. Alexander Goodman More, F.L.S. &c. ; 3 Botanic View, Glasnevin, Dublin. 1874. Rhodes W. Morgan ; Madras Forest Department, Ootaca- mund, India. 1876. Hugh Nevill ; Newton Villa, Godalming. 1872. Francis D'Arcy William Clough New-come ; Feltwell Hall, Brandon, Suffolk. *Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S., V.P.Z.S. ; Professor of Zoology in the University of Cambridge. *Edward Newton, M.A., C.M.G., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S., Colonial Secretary, Mauritius. 1876. Francis Nicholson ; Stamford Road, Bowdon, Cheshire. *JoHN William Powletx-Orde, F.Z.S., late Captain, 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment ; Auchnaba House, Loch Gilp Head, N. B. 1872. R. G. Wardlaw Ramsay, 67th Regiment ; White Hill, Lass- wade, N. B. Date of Election. 1877. Lieut. S. G. Reid, li.E. ; South Camp, Aldershot. 1865. Gkorge Dawson Rowley, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Chichester House, ,,vi.'M.:i. East Cliff, Brighton. ■ < : '■ 1873. Oliver Beatjchamp Coventry St. John, Major R.A., F.Z.S. viii *OsBERT Salvin, M.A., F.R.S,, &c. ; Erooklauds Avenue, Cam- bridge. -'J'-^ i'j 1870. Howard Saunders, E.L.S.,'F.^.S. ;■ 7 Kadnor Place, Hyde Park. *Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &e. ; 44 Elvas- ton Place, Queen's Gate, London, W. 1873. Henry Sfjebohm, F.Z.S. ; Oak Lea, Collegiate Crescent, Broom- hall Park, SheiReld. 1871. Richard Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum. 1870. G. EiiisfEST Shelley, F.Z.S., late Captain, Grenadier Guards ; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. 1865. Rev. Charles William Shepherd, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Trotters- ,. cliffe, Kent. 1864. Ltev. Alfred Charles Smith, M^A. ; Yatesbury Rectoiy, Wiltshire. !lV^-'"' .\ ^"^'! r 1874. Cecil Smith ; Lydiard House, Taunton, Somersetshire. 1875. A. C. Stark ; Alexandra Villa, Weston-super-Mare. 1864. Henry Stevenson, F.L.S. ; Unthank's Road, JNorwich. 3 868. Hamon Styleman Le Strange, F.Z.S.; Hunstanton Hall, „ , Norfolk. 1875. IPaget Walter Le Strange, Lieut. -Col. Royal Artillery, , ,■■ Sheerness. 1877. Hon. G. Manners Sutton ; 50 Thurloe Square, S.W. 1862^p-RoBERT SwiNHOE, F.R.S. , late of H.M. Consular Service, China. 33 Carlyle Square, London, S.W. *Edward Cavendish Taylor, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 74 Jermyn Street, London. 1864. George Cavendish Taylor, F.Z.S. ; 42 Elvaston Place, ■ Queen's Gate, London. 1873. William Bernhard Tegetmeier, F.Z.S. ; Finchley, Mid- dlesex. *Rev. Henry Baker Tristram, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., tfec, Canon of Durham. The College, Durham. 1864. Most Hon. Arthur, Marquess of Tweeddale, F.R.S., Pres. Z.S., Tester, Haddington, N.B. 1864. Henry Morris Upchee, F.Z.S. ; Sherringham Hall, Norfolk. Date of Election. 1872, Hekbekt Taylok Ussheb, C.M.G., Lieut.-Governor of La- buan, Borneo. 1874. Charles Bygrave Whartok, F.Z.S. ; Hounsdown, Totton, Hants. 1871. E. Perceval Wright, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin. 1875. Charles A. Wright; Kayhough House, Kew-Gardens Koad, Kew. 1876. Claude W. Wyatt ; Adderbury, Banbury. 1877. Lieut. J. H. Yule ; 11th Regiment, Poena, Bombay. Extra- Ordinary Member. 1860. Alfred Russel Wallace, F.Z.S. ; Rosehill, Dorking. Honorary Members. 1860. Professor Spencer F. Baird, Assistant Secretary to the Smith- sonian Institution, Washington. 1860. Doctor Eduard Baldamus, Moritzwinger, No. 7, Halle. 1860. Doctor Jean Cabanis, Erster Custos am koniglichen Museum der Friedrich-Wilhehn's Uuiversitat zu Berlin. 1870. Doctor Otto Finsch, Zoological Museum, Bremen. 1860. Doctor Gustav Hartlaub, Bremen. 1860, Edgar Leopold Layard, C.M.G., F.Z.S., H.M. Consul, New Caledonia. 1869, August von Pelzeln, Custos am k.-k, zoologischen Cabinete in Wien. 1860. Professor J. Reinhardt, Kongelige Naturhistoriske Museum i Kjobenhavn. Foreign Members. 1872, Prof. J. V. Barboza du Bocage, Royal Museum, Lisbon. 1875, Hans Graf von Berlepsch, Witzenhausen, Hessen-Nassau. 1872. Prof. J, F. Brandt, Imperial Museum, 8t. Petersburg. 1873. Robert Collett, Christiania. 1872. Doctor Elliott Coues, U.S. Army, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. 1875. Marchese Giacomo Doria, Genoa. 1872. Doctor Victor Fatio, Geneva. Date of Election. 1872. Doctor Henky Hillyer Giglioli, Royal Superior Institute, Florence. 1872. George N. Lawrence, New York. 1872. Baron De Selys Longchamps, Li^ge. 1872. Doctor A. J. Malmgren, Helsinf/fors. 1872. Doctor A. von Mibdendorff, Dorpat. 1872. Alphonse Milne-Edwards, Jardin des Plantes, Paris. 1872. Prof. GirsTAT Eadde, Tifis. 1872. Prof. ToMMASO Salvadori, Royal Museum, Turin. 1872. Prof. Herman Schlegel, University Museum, Leyden. CONTENTS OF VOL. L— FOURTH SERIES. (1877.) Number I., January. I. Contributions to the Ornithology of Borneo. By 11. BOWDLER ShABPE 1 II. Description of a new Moorhen from the Hawaiian Islands. By T. H. Streets, M.D., U.S. Navy 25 III. Notes on some Birds observed in the Chuput Valley, Patagonia, and in the neighbouring District. By H. Dtjbneord 27 IV. Note on the South-American Song-Sparrows. By P. L. ScxATER. (Plate I.) 46 V. Ornithological Letters from the Bremen Expedition to Western Siberia. By Dr. Otto Finsch, Ph.D., Hon. Memb. B.O.r., Chief of the Expedition 48 VI. On the Phylloscopi or Willow- Warblers. By Henry Seebohm, r.Z.S 06 VII. A Note on the Genus OrtJiotomus. By B. Bowdler Sharpe. (Plate II.) 108 VIII. Notices of recent Publications : — 1. Pere David's ' Third Journey iu China ' 117 2. The Marquis de Compiegne's ' ^Equatorial Africa ' . 118 3. Riesenthal's ' German Birds of Prey ' 119. 4. Allen's ' Birds of Lake Titicaca ' 119 5. ' Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales' 120 6. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany ' 122 7. Blanford's ' Zoology of Eastern Persia ' 122 8. Finsch's ' Ornithology of the Pacific Islands ' . . . 123 9, Shelley's ' Monograph of the Suu-birds ' 124 10. Boucard's ' Catalogus Avium ' 125 11. Briiggemann's ' Birds of Celebes ' 126 12. Gurney's ' Eambles of a N"aturalist ' 127 IX. Letters, Announcements, &c. : — . , , Letters from Mr. R. Swinhoe and Mr. Seebohm ; Count E. Turati's Collection ; new series of the ' Zoologist ; ' new work on the fauna of Belgium ; Tonquin and the way to get there ; death of Von Heuglin ; iiTuption of Snowy Owls from the north 128 Number IL, April. X. Review of the Specimens of Trochilidce in the Paris Mu- seum, brought by D'Orbigny from South America. By D. G. Elliot, E.R.S.E. &c 133 XI. Notes on two Birds from the Fiji Islands. By T. Sal- vADORi, C.M.Z.S 142 XII. On the Contents of a fourth Box of Birds from Hako- . dadi, in Northern Japan. By R. Swinhoe, F.R.S 14A XIII. Ornithological Notes taken during a Voyage from ' n ■ Ceylon to England. By A. Whyte 14& XIV. On the SalicaricB of Dr. SevertzoflF. By Henky Seebohm 151 XV. Suijplementary Notes on the Ornithology of Heligoland. By Henry Seebohm 156 XVI. Notes on the Birds of the Province of Buenos Ayres. By Henry Duhneord. (Plate III.) 166 XVII. On a new Form of Reed-bird from Eastern Asia. By R. Swinhoe, F.R.S. (Plate IV.) 203 XVIII. A few Observations on some Species of Anthus and Budytes. By W. Edwin Brooks ■*' . *^.' 206 XIX. Notes on a 'Catalogue of the Aecipitres in the British Museum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurney . 209 XX. Notices of Recent Publications : — 13, Mosenthal and Harting's ' Ostrich-farming ' . . , 236 Page 14. ' Bulletin ' of the Zoological Society of France . . . 237 15. D'Hamonville's Catalogue of the Birds of Europe 16. Brown's Travels in British Guiana 238 239 17. Ornithological Results of the ' Gazelle ' Expedition . 239 240 241 241 242 242 243 18. ' Bulletin ' of the jN'uttall Ornithological Club . 19. Palmen's ' Migration-routes of Birds ' ... 20. Dr. Street's Account of the Fanning Islands 21. Dr. Ogden on a supposed new Paradise-bird . 22. Prejevalsky's ' Mongolia and Northern Thibet ' 23. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany ' . . . 24. Mulsant's ' Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux-Mouches ' . 244 25. Barboza du Bocage's Papers on African Ornithology . 245 26. Bureau on the Booted Eagle 245 27. Vennor's ' Canadian Birds of Prey ' . . ,, „,^ ;,,,,«. 246 28. Salvadori's Recent Ornithological Papers .... 247 29. Salvadori's Prodromus of Papuan Ornithology . . . 249 XXI. Letters, Announcements, &c. : — Letters from Mr. Blanford, Mr. Danford, Mr. Harvie Brown, Lord Clifton, Mr. J. H. Gurney, and the Marquis of Tweed- dale ; announcements of new works on Madagascar Birds and on Indian Game Birds, and of Explorations in Tenasserim ; note " on the correct name of the genus Pitta ; note on the pame of Falco dickinsoni 249 YT^-aH x^ JSosdi9^ 'O .YIX |;5j . iCHOaaar'' NuiTBER III., July. ; -f-r XXII. A Contribution to the Ornithology of Asia Minor. By C. G. Danford 261 XXIII. Recent Observations on the Piarrots of the Genus Eclectus. By W. A. Forbes, F.Z.S 274 XXIV. Notes on a Collection of Birds made by Mr. E. C. Buxton in the district of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. By Aethur, Marquess of Tweeddale, M.B.O.U. (Plates V. & VI.) . . .283 XXV. Report on the Additions to the Collection of Birds in the British Museum in 1875 323 XXVI. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Museum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurnet • 325 XIV CONTENTS. Paga XXVII. General Remarks on the Avifauna of Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands. Ey Dr. G. Hahtlaub .... 334 XXVIII. Description of u new Species of CalUste and of a new Humming-bird of the Genus Heliangelus. By A. von Pelzeln, Hon. Memb. B.O.IJ 337 XXIX. Additional Notes on the Ornithology of the Re- public of Transvaal. By Thomas Ayres. Communicated by John Henry Gukney. (Plate VII.) 339 XXX. Notes on the Avifauna of New Caledonia. By Edgab L. Layard, C.M.G., F.Z.S., &c., H.B.M. Consul, and E. Leopold C. Layard, Vice-Consul at Noumea 355 XXXI. Notes on some Birds collected during the Explora- tion of the Fly River. By M. L. D'Albertis, C.M.Z.S. . . .363 XXXII. Notices of recent Publications : — 30. Baldwin's ' Large and Small Game of Bengal ' . . . 372 31. ' Vagrancy Acts ' 373 32. Orton's 'Andes and the Amazon' 373 33. ' Log-letters from the Challenger ' 374 34. ' The Cruise of the ChaUenger ' 374 35. ' Stray Feathers ' 374 36. Sharpe's edition of Layard's ' Birds of South Africa ' . 375 37. Heuglin's ' Journey in North-eastern Africa ' . . . 375 38. Elliot's Monograijh of the Hornbills 376 39. Gould's ' Birds of New Guinea ' 377 40. Gould's ' Birds of Asia ' 377 41. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany 378 42. Beccari's Account of the Playing-places oi Amhhjornis inornata 379 43. Salvadori's Recent Ornithological Papers .... 379 44. Barboza du Bocage's Thirteenth List of African Birds 380 45. Homeyer upon German Mammals and Birds . . . 380 46. Allen's ' Progress of Ornithology in the United States ' 381 47. Pelzeln on Birds from Ecuador 383 48. Pelzeln on Additions to the Imperial Museum at Vienna 383 49. Pelzeln's Report on the Progress of Ornithology in 1875 384 Page 50. Baird's ' Ornithology of Utah ' 384 51. Major Godwin-Austen's List of Birds from the Hills of the N.E. Frontier of India 385 XXXIII. Letters, Announcements, etc. : — Letters from the Marquis of Tweeddale (two), Edward R. Alston, T. M. Brewer, J. H. Gurney, jun., W. Edwin Brooks, J. H Gurney, H. Schalow, and T. Salvador! ; Roraima and its Mysteries ; Translation of Miiller's memoir on the Voice-organs of the Passeres 385 Number IV., October. XXXIV. List of Birds ohserved in Smith Sound and the Polar Basin during the Arctic Expedition of 1875-76. By H. W. Feilden 401 XXXV. On the Nesting of the Spoonbill in Holland. By P. L. ScLATER and W. A. Forbes 412 XXXVL Remarks on Buceros bicornis, Linn. By D. G. Elliot, F.R.S.E. &c 416 XXXVII. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Museum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurney 418 XXXVIII. Description of two new Ant-birds of the Genus Grallaria, with a List of all the known Species of the Genus. By P. L. ScLATER, M.A., F.R.S. (Plates VIIL, IX.) . . .437 XXXIX. Note on Pellorneum tickelU, Blyth. Ry Arthur, Marquis of Tweeddale, M.B.O.U. (Plates X., XL) . . . .451 XL. Notes on some Burmese Birds. By Lieutenant Ward- law Ramsay, 67th Regiment, M.B.O.U. (Plates XIL, XIII.) 452 XLI. On a new Bird from Formosa. By R. Swinhoe, F.R.S. (Plate XIV.) , • 473 XLII. A few Words on the Parrots of the Genus Eclectus, Wagler. By T. Saltadori, C.M.Z.S 474 XLII I. Notices of Recent Publications : — 52. Salvadori on the Papuan Parrots 476 53. Salvadori on Papuan and Molucean Nectarinians . . 477 XVI CONTENTS. Page 54. Salvador! on D'Albertis's Collections of 1872 . . . 477 55. Sharpe's ' Catalogue of the Birds in the British Mu- seum,' vol. iii 477 56. Sharpe's Birds of Kerguelen Island 479 57. Lawrence on a new Phangus 481 58. Rowley's * Ornithological Miscellany ' 481 59. E. P. llamsay's Papers in the ' Proceedings of the Lin- nean Society of New South Wales ' 482 60. Wharton's ' List of British Birds ' 483 61. Marshall's ' Bird's-nesting in Lidia ' 484 62. M'Cauley's ' Birds of the Red River of Texas ' . . .484 83. Lieut. Wheeler's Reports upon Surveys west of the •100th Meridian 485 64. Finsch's Collections from Siberia 486 65. Oustalet on new species of Ibis 486 XLIV. Letters, Announcements, &c. : — Letters from the Marquis of Tweeddale (two), Mr. D. G. Elliot, Dr. A. B. Meyer, Mr. J. H. Gurney, Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., and Col. L. Howard Irby : notes on Bonaparte's Lopho- rhina respublica and Dr. Briiggemann's new species of Poly- plectron 487 Index 495 ;'L- ■ ';.;jr i '.) !^,7 ^/;'--i,M^; nu/jfi iitio(p>i 8 19199x17/ .iuaiJ ,o'^ J f Fig. J. Zonotrichia canicapilla '^'OOiiq^lloO f dosm'^ .^-^ ^^ - • 1 Fig. 2. strigiceps . . :m ^?« P^ ielBdaLrO /. | ' J J [Fig. 1. Orthotomus frontalis nomuonaA .eaoiisl .V' • 112 ' 1 Fig. 2. cinereiceps :\io.Bfi*n';£M.erf'i.GWsIT •.. J -ioQ tei • 205 V. JEgithina viridissimaifisare-^^giiia;- ./iCl &xib. nwSi»c^2?." • 304 Fi"-. 1. Prinia rafflesi -,,-.^311 Fig. 2. Brachypteryx laixtoni .^308 VII. Coturnicops ayresi 352 VIII. Grallaria ruficeps 444 IX. Urallaria flavotincta 445 X. Pellorneum subochraceum 452 ^y J Fig. 1. Drymocataphus tickelli \ ^c-n I Fig. 2. Trichostoma abbotti J XII. Actinura ramsayi 464 XIII. Pomatorhinns ochraceiceps 465 XIV. LiocicMa steerii 473 ERRATA ET CORRIGENDA. Vapce Liiir iL'tl. U). for Zeua read Lena. 37G, .'{4. ^;- T read ,T. THE IBIS. FOURTH SERIES. No. I. JANUARY 1877. I. — Contributions to the Ornithology of Borneo. — Part II.* By H. BowDLER Sharpe. Mr. Everett has returned to England for a few months, and has brought with him a large collection of birds from North- western Borneo. The determination of the species having now been brought to a close^ I have much pleasure in giving a list of them in continuation of my former paper on this subject. At the same time it will be seen that the principal interest attaching to this paper consists in the careful notes which Mr. Everett has been so kind as to give me, on the species procured by him. Considering the difficulties which beset the naturalist in a country like Borneo, it is impos- sible to feel too grateful to this gentleman for the very ener- getic way in which he has devoted himself to the study of the natural history of the island. This last collection has been formed with the same care as the previous ones, notwith- standing the drawbacks of serious illness and fever, from which Mr. Everett is only now slowly recovering. Before commencing the list of the present collection, which has been chiefly formed in an entirely new district, viz. at * For Part I. see ' Ibis/ 1876, p. 29. SER. IV. VOL. I. B 2 Mr. R. B. Sharpens Contributions to the Bintulu^ it is well to make a few necessary corrections in re- gard to the localities mentioned in the previous paper. Mr. Everett had very tindly forwarded me a little map of N.E. Borneo, with some of his collecting-stations entered in ink. It seems, however, that the other printed details of the map were faulty, and not intended for publication (the map is a small missionary chart) ; and the following notes give a more correct idea of the localities where Mr. Everett has been col- lecting for the past seven years : — Eirst of all the name '^Kucking^^ should read everywhere in the former paper as KucHiNG, this being the name for the chief town in the Sarawak Raj. Then again, with regard to the paragraph (p. 30) commencing " Sibu Island &c.," Mr. Everett re- marks : — " Sibu Island and the Matu river are situated, the first at the apex of the Rejang delta, and the second on the shore-line of the same delta, the former being distant some 80 miles from the Bruit entrance." With regard to the other localities it may be mentioned that Tagora, Puak Hill, SiRAMBu, BusAN, Jambusan, Belidah, Gunong trahn. Ma- tang, and Bidi are all within 20 miles to the west and south- west of KucHiNG. SiMUNJAN is somc 20 miles from the mouth of the Sadong. Marup lies at the base of the Balang and TiANG Laju mountains, and is distant some 80 miles by the river's course from the mouth of the Batang Lupar; and, lastly, Santubong, Kalakah, Rejang, and Bintulu are on the coast, the latter locality being situated on the Bruni frontier, about halfway between Kuching and Labuan. As regards the determination of the species, I must again record the great assistance which I have received from Count Salvadori's work*. Circus spilonotus, Kaup ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 30. a. S ad. Bintulu. Iris pure brilliant yellow ; feet and legs chrome-yellow, claws black ; bill black, pale lead at tlie base ; cere greenish yellow. b, c. d juv. Bintulu, Nov. 11, 1875. Iris warm choeo- * " Catalogo sistematico degli uccelli di Borneo di Tommaso Salvadoi-i con note ed osservazioni di G. Doria ed O. Beccari intorno alle specie da essi racoolte nel Ragiato di Sarawak," Ann. Mus. Civ. Genoa, v. p. 1 (1874j. Ornithology of Borneo. 3 late-brown ; bill greyish black, base of lower mandible lead- colour ; cere dirty greenish ; legs and feet pale greenish yel- low, claws black. d. $ juv. Bintulu. Legs and feet pale whitish yellow ; cere pale whitish green. [This Harrier is probably only a migratory visitant, as all my six specimens have been shot during the N.E. monsoon. The present individuals were shot as they were flying over marshy ground at the mouth of the Bintulu river. — A. E.] Haliaetus leucogaster (Grm.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 307. Cuncuma leucogaster, Salvad. /, c. p. 5. a. 5 juv. Jilalong branch of Bintulu river. Iris warm chocolate- brown ; legs and feet dirty greenish white ; bill blackish horn, whitish at base. [A very rare bird in Borneo, according to my experience. I have only seen it twice — once about 40 miles up the main Bintulu river, and again far inland on the Jilalong. — A. E.] This Eagle is included in Count Salvadori's w^ork provisi- onally with a query. He seems to have argued from its oc- currence in all the neighbouring islands that it must therefore be found in Borneo. This supposition is now confirmed by Mr. Everett, to whom belongs the credit of adding the species to the Bornean list. Haliastur intermedius, Gurn. ; Sharpe, Cat. i. p. 314. Haliastur Indus, Salvad. t. c. p. 12. a. 2 ad. Bintulu, Oct. 4, 1875. Iris brown ; bill bluish, horn -yellow at the tip ; cere pale chrome-yellow ; feet pale yellow, with a green tinge. b. 6 ad. Kabulau, on the Jilalong branch of the Bintulu river. Iris warm chocolate; feet pure deep chrome, claws black ; bill greenish. [A young female shot at Bintulu in Sept. 1875 had Crus- tacea in the gizzard. — A. E.] Spilornis pallidus, Wald. ; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 290, pi. ix. a. 2 • Bintulu. Iris golden ; orbital skin deep yellow ; cere greenish ; bill bluish lead-colour ; the culmen clouded black ; legs and feet dirty chrome-yellow. b2 4 Mr. K. B. Sharpens Contributions to the b. $ , Bintulu. Legs and orbital region chrome-yellow, claws black ; other parts as in preceding. Crustacea in the gizzard. Both the above-mentioned birds are young. Spizaetus alboniger, Blyth ; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 271 ; Salvad. /. c. p. 14. a. 2 juv. Bintulu, Oct. 23, 1875. Iris golden yellow ; bill and cere black ; feet pale dirty greenish yellow, the soles dull ochreous orange. SyrniuiVI leptogrammicum (Temm.); Sharpe. Cat. ii. p. 264. Ciccaba leptogrammica, Salvad. /. c. p. 20. a. (J . Bintulu. Iris dai'k warm brown ; bill bluish grey. b,c,d,e. $. Bintulu. Iris warm chocolate- brown; bill white, tinged with blue at the base ; feet bluish lead-colour. [Tolerably abundant in the old forests in the vicinity of Bintulu.— A. E.] This series shows that the species varies considerably, espe- cially in the chest-patch, which is deep chestnut- rufous in some, pale tawny in others, while some examples have the breast much whiter than others. NiNox scutulata, RafB. ; Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 156. a. S- Jambusan, March 1875. Iris golden; feet dull ochre-yellow; cere greenish. [Distributed throughout Sarawak. The Malay name of " Pongok '' represents the clear loud cry of this bird. In a ^ shot at Simunjan, October 1870, the legs were chrome- yellow ; iris brilliant orange-yellow ; bill greenish white ; cere of bill green ; testes long, dark yellow ; kidneys dark mottled purple ; stomach distended with beetles, chiefly Buprestida ; intestines very long, and with intestinal worms present, about \\ inch in length. Another individual, shot aT Sibu, had a small gecko lizard in its stomach. — A. E.] Caprimulgus salvadorii, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 99^ pi. xxii. fig. 1. a, b, c,d. 6 . Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; bill and legs dark purplish brown. Ornithology of Borneo. 5 e. ? . Bintulu. Soft parts same as in the male. The series which Mr. Everett now brings shows that C. salvadorii is most closely allied to C. macrurus ; but the prin- cipal diflferences seem to be in the blackish colour of the lores and region of the eye, and the very distinct white cheek-stripe. In C. macrurus the lores are reddish, as also is the side of the face, and the white cheek-stripe is nearly obsolete. [Santubong, Kalakah, Eejang, Bruit, Bintulu. This Goat- sucker is by no means uncommon in Sarawak ; but it is very locally distributed, being confined to the coast-line and its immediate vicinity, and, so far as my observation has gone, to the sandy portion of the coast. The note is single, and sounds like the distant stroke of a mallet on wood. The eggs are creamy white, with faint purple-grey marblings, and they are laid among the short turf which holds the sand together beyond high- water mark. The stomachs are gene- rally full of beetles, chiefly a small green chafer, but also longicorns and elaters. It is noteworthy that in places haunted by this species one never hears the note of any other kind of Goatsucker, although the '^ Pongok '' Owl {N. scu- tulata) sometimes approaches within a mile of the shore. — A. E.] Merops bicolor (Bodd.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 33. [An abundant species, but confined to the sandy tracts on the shore-line, though a pair will be met with now and again as far as 20 miles inland, where a sandy bank happens to offer facilities for nidiiication. A female shot in April had a shelled egg in the oviduct, I am inclined to think these birds are migratory, but am not yet satisfied on this point. A pair shot May 20, 1870, showed no difference in plumage ; but two females shot in August 1873 had the chestnut of the crown dashed with rich dark green. The only external dif- ferences between the sexes are that the green hues of the male are brighter and yellower than in the female, in which a bluer cast predominates, and in which, the green of the belly is paler ; and the shafts of the two median rectrices are usually developed further beyond the vanes in the male than 6 Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Contributions to the in the female. The flight of these birds is strong, and com- bines the swift skimming of the Swallow with the airy hover- ing of the Falcon. Now they will flutter up just as a Sky- lark doeSj and then swoop earthwards like a Hawk after its quarry, and then again will rise and float almost without motion, merely balancing themselves in the breeze by a slight quivering of the pinions. When at rest they commonly perch on the topmost twigs of the lower Casuarina trees. The giz- zard always contains insects — beetles, dragon-flies, and or- thoptera, as well as wasps and bees. — A. E.] Nyctiornis amicta (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 91. a. S . Bintulu. Iris pure orange-red ; bill black ; feet green. b. 6 . Bintulu. Iris vermilion. c. c? juv. Tagora, May 1875. Iris greyish brown; legs bluish lead-grey. [Tolerably common throughout the territory. A nest containing two eggs was brought me at Belidah in January. The eggs were rather small in comparison with the size of the bird, nearly equal at both ends, and spotted with faint red in a ring round the larger end, the ground being white. The nest was neatly lined with dry grass inside, and exte- riorly was roughly put together with bamboo-leaves and rush. — A. E.] Alcedo bengalensis, Gm. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 92. a,b. $ . Bintulu. BiU dark brown, reddish at base ; feet orange-red ; iris brown. c. $ . Bintulu. Bill blackish brown, reddish at base ; feet dull vermilion. [Common at Bintulu on the shore and in the Nipah creeks. — A. E.] Ceyx iiUFiDORSA, Strickl. Ceyx innominata, Salvad. t. c. p. 97. a. Bintulu. b. 6. Jambusan. Iris chocolate. Both these specimens are true C. rufidorsa. Ornithology of Borneo. 7 EuRYSTOMUs ORiENTALis (L.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 105. a, c? . Bintulu. Iris brown ; bill and legs orange-red, claws black. Hydrocissa convexa (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 80. a. 6 . Bintulu. Iris crimson ; naked skin bluish white ; legs blackish lead-colour. b. S . Bintulu. Bill yellowish white ; naked skin at base of bill and about the eyes white tinged with greenish blue ; feet and legs very dark grey. Fruit-pulp in gizzard. [This is the commonest Hornbill in the Sarawak territory, being found chiefly in the vicinity of the coast. — A. E'.] Cacomantis merulinus (Scop.); Sharpe_, Ibis, 1876, p. 34. [Common all over Sarawak in gardens and cleared spaces, whither these birds resort at dawn and dusk, flitting silently about and resting now and again on palings, low bushes, &c., or sometimes in the grass. They also fly by day, but not usually. Their cry is exactly like the Malay words ^'tiup api " (literally " blow the fire ") ; and hence their name among the natives. The '^Tiup api^^ is one of the Sea-Dyak birds of omen. In a male shot at Sibu in April 1874 the testes were yellowish, semiglobular, and equal ; in another indi- vidual, from the foot of the Matang mountains, there was only one small testis present ; and in this specimen the iris was light red instead of carnation. The interior of the gape is cinnabar-red ; tongue scarlet, with the posterior barbs finely slit. These birds appear to feed chiefly on lepidop- terous larvae. — A. E.] Carpococcyx radiatus (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 77. a. $ . Bintulu. Iris pale grey-brown; bill and orbital space with the feet and legs sea-green, darkest on the bill. Gizzard full of beetles. Caught in a trap set on the ground. HiEROcoccYX FUGAX (Horsf.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 65. a. 6 . Bintulu. Iris and lores brilliant yellow ; feet wax- yellow; bill black, yellow at the base and at the tip. [Bidi, Simunjan, Marup, Bintulu. Not a common bird in Sarawak. Feeds on orthoptera. Interior of gape green. —A. E.] 8 Mr. R. B. Sharpens Contributions to the SuRNicuLUs LUGUBRis (Horsf.) ; Salvad, t. c. p. 63. a. Jambusan. Iris brown. Rhopodytes erythrognathus (Hartl.) ; Sharpe^ P. Z. S. 1873, p. 601. Rhaynpho coccyx erythrognathus, Salvad. /. c. p. 74. a. S . Tubau, Bintulu. Iris bright cobalt-blue ; orbital space deep crimson ; legs dark leaden grey ; bill whitish green, the base of the lower mandible dull dark crimson. b. ?. Tagora, May 1875. Iris bright orange; orbital space pure deep crimson; legs and feet dark leaden grey, with a cast of olive-green; bill pale green, but round the nostril and all but the extreme third of the lower mandible dull crimson. [When this bird is sitting quietly in a tree its note is a low " kuk-kuk ;" but when it is on the wing these syllables are repeated several times rapidly in a loud tone. The flight is swift and gliding; and if the bird is in open spaces, it always flies very low. These Cuckoos are very j)artial to the fields of 'Halang" grass, where they obtain abundance of orthopterous and other insects, with which their gizzards are invariably crammed. — A. E.] It will be seen that the colour of the iris in the male does not agree with that given by the Marquis Doria (/. c.) . Centrococcyx eurycercus (Hay) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 78. a. Bintulu, October 24, 1875. Iris crimson ; bill, legs, and feet black, claws black. Indicator archipelagicus, Temm. ; Salvad, t. c. p. 61. a. $ . Bintulu, Iris indian-red ; legs leaden green ; bill dark horn-brown. [The only time that I have seen this bird, which appears to be very rare; it was shot during the N.E, monsoon. — A. E.] Megal/ema chrysopsis, Gofifin. CJiotorhea chrysopsis, Salvad, t. c. p. 32. a. ^. Tagora, May 1875. Iris warm brown ; bill black; legs and feet dark lead-colour, tinged greenish. [The rarest of the Barbets in Sarawak. I have procured Ornithology of Borneo. 9 it on the Matang mountains, but have not seen it anywhere else than here and at Tagora. — A. E.] Megal^ema duvauceli (Less.). XantholcBma duvauceli, Salvad. t. c. p. 38. a. ? . Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; legs pale green. [Found everywhere in Sarawak. A difference between the sexes is observable when they are pairing, the male showing the patch of black on the throat larger and darker than the female ; and in the latter the black of the forehead is less pure and glossy than in the cock bird, which also slightly exceeds his mate in size. In the male one testis is of normal shape and large, the other is smaller and globular. — A. E.] Calorhamphus PULiGiNosus (Tcmm.) ; Salvad. t.c. p. 39. a. (S immature. Tagora, May 3, 1875. Legs pinkish red; iris neutral tint. A mixture of seeds and insects in the gizzard. [Generally distributed, occurring as high as 1000 feet ele- vation on Sirambu. — A. E.] Xylolepes validus (Temm.) ; Salvad, t. c. p. 43. a. Bintulu. Iris orange; bill greenish brown, the lower mandible yellow; feet light greenish brown. Lepocestes porphyromelas (Boie) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 48. a. Sibu, Feb. 18, 1875. This is probably rather rare, as neither the Marquis Doria nor Mr. Wallace obtained specimens. Callolophus mentalis (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 49. a,b. cJ ? . Bintulu. Iris crimson ; bill black, the lower mandible lead-colour ; feet dull grass-green. TiGA jAVANENsis (Ljuug) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 54. a. S. Santubong Bay, May 1875. Iris dark brown ; legs olive-green ; bill black. [This species appears to be rare or local, as I have never pact with it before. — A. E.] PALiEORNis LONGiCAUDA (Bodd.) ; Salvad. /. c. p. 22. a. d". Bintulu, pairing. Outer ring of iris white, inner 10 Mr. R. B. Sharpens Contributions to the ring dark greenish ; bill deep scarlet, the tip yellow, lower mandible sooty browu ; feet greenish lead-colour. Crop full of fruit. b. 2 ' Bintulu. Iris yellowish white, inner ring dull green ; bill dark brown ; feet greenish. Brachyurus granatinus (Temm.). Pitta granatina, Salvad, t. c. p. 242. a. S . Bintulu, Iris brown ; bill black ; legs and feet leaden blue, [Shot in swampy old jungle close to the sea-shore. — A. E.] Brachyurus moluccensis (MiilL). Pitta cyanoptera, Salvad, t.c. p, 235. a. 2 . Bintulu, Nov. 28, 1875. Iris dark brown ; bill wood-brown ; legs and feet purplish grey. b. (S . Bintulu, Nov. 5, 1875. Legs pale greyish horn- brown ; bill blackish brown. c. 6 . Bintulu. Legs and feet pinkish white. Brachyurus muelleri (Bp.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 240. a. 5. Jilalong branch of Bintulu river. Iris brown; bill blackish brown, dusky orange about the gape ; legs purplish grey. TiMELiA MACULATA, Tcmm. ; Salvad, t. c. p. 211. a. $. Bintulu. Iris yellow; bill black; legs and feet leaden grey. b. 5 . Bintulu. Iris naples-yellow ; legs bluish lead- colour. c. 6 . Bintulu. Iris yellow (clay) ; feet and legs bluish leaden grey. d. 6 . Bintulu. Iris naples-yellow ; legs leaden blue. [Common in the vicinity of Bintulu in old jungle, but not observed elsewhere by me in the district of Sarawak. —A. E.] TiMELiA NiGRicoLLis, Tcmm. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 212. a,b. ^. Bintulu. Iris crimson; legs blackish lead-colour; bill black, the lower mandible leaden grey. Ornithology of Borneo. 11 Macronus ptilosus (J. & S.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 216. a,h. S • Bintulu. Iris crimson ; bill black ; preorbital naked skin blue ; legs brown. c. % . Bintulu. Iris crimson ; bill black ; legs blackish brown. [Found in the second-growth jungle, and in the thickets of lalang grass^ generally in pairs. — A. E.] Cyanoderma bicolor (Blyth) ; Sharpe^ Ibis^ 1876; p. 40. a. 6 . Bintulu. Iris crimson ; skin of neck and about the eyes blue ; bill dark bluish black ; legs pale greyish brown. [Found in similar situations to M. ptilosus. — A. E.] MixoRNis BORNEENSis, Bp. ) Salvad. t. c. p. 205. a. d . Bintulu. Iris yellowish white ; bill black, the lower mandible leaden grey ; legs leaden grey. Drymocataphus capistratoides (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 218. a. d. Bintulu, Dec. 1, 1875. Iris orange-brown; bill black, the under mandible pale lead-colour ; legs leaden brown. b. 6. Bintulu. Iris burnt sienna; legs dark brown. c. 6 . Sibu, Feb. 28, 1875. Iris crimson; legs leaden. TuRDiNus leucogrammicus (Tcmm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 217. a, S . Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; legs very dark lead- colour. Brachypteryx umbratilis (Temm.); Salvad. t.c. p. 220. a. 2 • Labang, Bintulu. Iris dull indian-red ; legs and feet blue lead-colour. Malacopteron majus, Blyth; Salvad. t. c. p. 225. a,b. c? $ . Sibu, Feb. 28, 1875. Iris dark pink ; bill leaden ; legs lead-blue. c. (?. Bintulu. Iris indian-red ; legs bluish lead- colour. [Gunong Trahn, Sibu, Bintulu. Always in old jungle; beetles found in stomach ; in the male, testes pale yellow, glo- bular, equal in size. The M. magnum also inhabits the old forest, and is common near Tagora and at Bintulu. — A. E.] 12 Mr. R. B. Sharpens Cuntributmis to the Malacopteron magnum, Eyton ; Salvad. f. c. p. 226. a. (S . Bintulu. Iris crimson ; bill dark brownish ; legs pale whitisli leaden grey. b, c. d $ . Tagora. Iris indian-red ; bill black, the lower mandible whitish lead-colour ; legs and feet pale pinkish leaden grey. Brachypteryx malaccensis, Hartl. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 222. a, b. d $ . Bintulu. Iris crimson ; legs pinkish white. [These birds haunt the undergrowth of the old jungle, and never inhabit the high trees. — A. E.] Trichixos pyrrhopygus, Less. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 224. a. (S ad. Bintulu. Legs and feet pale. b. ? juv, Bintulu. Iris dark brown; gape yellow; legs pinky white; bill dark brown. Malacocincla rufiventris, Salvad. t. c. p. 229. a. 2 ' Tagora, May 1875. Iris yellow-brown ; bill smoky black, the under mandible leaden grey ; legs pale horn-brown. Setaria affinis (Blyth) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 231. a. S . Jambusan. b. S • Bintulu, pairing. Iris dark raw-sienna ; legs bluish lead-colour ; bill the same, culmen darker. Setaria pectoralis, Salvad. t. c. p. 233, tav. iv. fig. 1 . a,b. c? ? • Bintulu. Iris light brown ; bill black ; legs pale purplish. Setaria albigularis, Blyth ; Salvad. t. c. p. 233. a. ^ . Bintulu, pairing. Iris crimson ; bill black ; legs dark leaden grey. CopsYCHus PROBLEMATicus, Sharpc, Ibis, 1876, p. 36. a. $. Sibu. The hen bird now sent fully confirms the distinctness of C. problematicus as a species, the blackish under wing-coverts and general darker coloration being very conspicuous. [May be seen in all gardens and clearings in Sarawak, where it is always welcome, as it is one of the few Bornean birds that can boast some approach to a song. Observed on Matang and Sirambu at a height of over 1200 feet. The Ornithology of Borneo. 13 pairing-season is about March or April ; and the nest is said to be placed in holes in trees ; one brought to me at Santu- bong was scantily made up of roots and a little moss, and contained three eggs of a greenish tint, plentifully blotched with rich brown. — A. E.] CiTTOciNCLA SUA VIS, Sclater; Salvad. t. c. p. 252. a. ^ . Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; legs pale greyish brown. b. $ . Sibu, Feb. 28, 1875. Iris chocolate. [Generally, but not abundantly, distributed in Sarawak, where it inhabits the old jungle. I have observed it on Si- rambu at a height of 1000 feet. — A. E.] MONTICOLA PANDOO. a. 2 . Bintulu, Nov. 14, 1875. Iris dark brown; legs dark brown ; bill black. [This bird was shot during a gale of wind at the mouth of the Bintulu river. — A. E.] The first occurrence of the species in Borneo ; but it was decidedly a bird to be expected. Hypsipetes malaccensis, Blyth ; Salvad. t. c. p. 202. a. 5 . Bintulu, Nov. 14, 1875. Iris warm yellow-brown. b. $ . Bintulu. Iris ochreous brown. c. 5 . Bintulu. Iris orange-brown ; legs dark wood- brown ; bill very dark brown, paler on the lower mandible. Fruit in the stomach. Trichophoropsis typus, Bp. ; Salvad. /. c. p. 203. a. (^ . Bintulu. Iris warm brown; bill bluish, tipped black; feet purplish lead-colour. b. ? . Bintulu. Iris orange-brown ; feet brownish lead- colour. [Observed at Sabu, Sibu, and Bintulu, at which latter place it is not uncommon in the old jungle. In a female shot Nov. 21, 1874, the ovarium and oviduct were found to be normal ; ccsca coli two, saccular, of moderate length, running backward, and adherent; gizzard full of orthopterous insects; tongue plain, very slightly slit at the apex. In the male the testes 14 Mr. R. B. Sharpens Contributions to the are globular, yellow, and nearly equal ; kidneys equally de- veloped. The gizzard in a male shot July 23, 1874, contained remains of neuroptera ; and that of another male shot in Bin- tulu in November was crammed with the pulp and hard woody core of some wild fruit. — A. E.] Brachypodius immaculatus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 39. [Gunong Trahn, Tagora, Sibu, Biutulu, &c. This bird is sufficiently common in many parts of tlie territory, affecting open spaces with their thickets of second growth rather than the old forest. I found them abundant in March 1875 at Jambusan, flying about all through the heat of the day, and usually in pairs. They are very restless, never settling long in one place, and continually utter a sharp clicking note as they fly. A female killed at Trahn in June had the stomach full of a fruit resembling red currants. The tongue is plain, with apical slit. Observed at a height of 3000 feet on the Matang mountains. — A. E.] Criniger PH.EOCEPHALUS (Hartl.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 40. a. ?. Tagora, May 1875. Iris burnt sienna ; legs bright horn-brown. Tricholestes minutus (Hartl.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 205, tav. v. fig. 1. a. c^. Tagora, May 1875. Iris pale sepia-brown; bill pale leaden ; legs and feet light yellowish brown. Criniger gutturalis (Bp.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 206. a. ^ . Labang, about 40 miles up the Bintulu river. Legs purplish ; iris indian-red ; bill dirty lead-colour. b. ? . Bintulu. Iris orange-brown ; legs and feet yellow- brown ; bill blackish, pale at base. Fruit in stomach. These birds, along with TricJiophoropsis typus and Hypsi- petes malaccensis, are all found together in tolerable abun- dance in the swampy jungle skirting the coast. Iora scapularis, Horsf. ; Salvad. /. c. p. 190. a. Kuching. b. c? . Jambusan. Iris white ; legs and bill pale leaden. Ornithology of Borneo. 15 c. ^ . Santubong bay. Iris white ; legs dark leaden grey. [Extremely common at Santubong, Rejang, Bruit, in the shore-jungle and Casuarina-h&li, and also at Belidah and Sibu in second-growth jungle; and I have observed it on the Si- rambu mountains at a height of 1000 feet. The iris is white or yellowish white ; culmen and tip of maxilla slaty black, rest of beak bluish ; legs and feet leaden blue ; ccsca coli small, ellipsoid, adherent ; tongue triangular, pointed, and finely slit along its anterior margins ; testes minute (July), pyriform, yellow. A female shot on a MeJastoma-hvi^h. at Sibu in August had the gizzard full of minute coleoptera; in a male shot at Belidah in July the stomach contained seeds and various small insects. — A. E.] Phyllornis cyanopogon, Temm. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 194. a,b. S ? . Bintulu. [Tolerably common. — A. E.] Phyllornis sonnerati (J. & S.); Salvad. t. c. p. 193. a,b. c? ? . Bintulu. Iris brown ; bill black ; feet dark lead- colour. Phyllornis viridinucha, sp. n. P. affinis P. icterocephal(2, sed capite postico nuchaque viri- descentibus nee sordide aurantiacis distinguenda. Long, tot. Q-1, culm 0'7, alse 3-25, caud. 2-7, tarsi 0-65. a. $. Bintulu. Iris dark brown; bill jet-black; legs greenish lead-colour. b. ? . Tngora, May 1875. Mr. Everett has brought a pair of this Phyllornis, which differs from the allied P. icterocephala from Malacca and Sumatra in having the back of the neck greenish, this latter colour extending onto the crown, and leaving only the fore part of the head yellow. In P. icterocephala, of which I have a good series now before me, the whole crown is bright yellow, shading off into dull orange on the nape. The fe- males of the two species are very different, that of the Bornean bird being quite green above. Count Salvadori duly notices the differences between the above-mentioned birds, but does not consider them specific. As, however, they are very con- 16 Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Contributions to the stant in a large series, I think it better to give the Bornean bird a name. Phylloscopus borealis. Bias. Phylloneuste javanica, Salvad. t. c. p. 24J?. a. Tuban branch of Bintulu river. Iris brown ; bill brown, the lower mandible yellow ; legs and feet pale sienna. b. ? . Bintulu. Iris brown ; legs pale transparent brown. I am indebted for a determination of this species to Mr. H. Seebohm. Prinia superciliaris, Salvad. t. c. p. 249. a. $ . Bintulu. Iris brown ; legs warm brown. [Lives in the thick lalang grass. — A. E.] Orthotomus ATRiGULARis, Tcmm. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 249. a,b. c? ? . Bintulu. Iris dark ochreous; legs pale brown; bill darker brown. Having compared the pair collected by Mr. Everett with Malaccan examples of 0. flavo-viridis, Moore, I have no doubt as to their identity; and at the same time, as these birds are referable to the Bornean 0. atrigularis, Temm., the latter title consequently becomes the oldest name for 0. flavo- viridis. Mr. Everett has not met with this species before. As might be expected, the sexes are not " sirailar,^^ as stated by Temminck, but are in reality quite different, the female wanting the black throat, and having the tail rather more distinctly marked with a subterminal spot of dark brown. AcROCEPHALUS oRiENTALis (T. & S.) ; Salvad. t. c. 13. 251. a. $. Bintulu. Iris pale wood-brown; legs lead-grey; bill horn -brown ; interior of gape orange. Diptera in gizzard. Procured during the N.E. monsoon. PrIONOCHILUS EVERETTI, Sp. n. P. similis P. obsoleto, sed supra saturate bruuneus, nee oli- vaceo lavatus : gutture bruunescente, nee albo, et rec- tricibus externis concoloribus distinguendus. Long. tot. 3*7, culm. 0*4, alse 2*25, caudse 1'3, tarsi 055. This apparently new species is closely alHed to P. obsoletus Ornithology of Borneo. 17 of Timor^ but differs in being darker above, in having the throat and breast brownish instead of white, and especially in the absence of white tips to the outer tail-feathers. Peionochilus xanthopygius, Salvad. t. c. p. 162. a. d" . Bintulu. Iris warm sienna-brown ; legs dark grey. b. c? . Tagora, May 1875. Iris warm brown ; bill black. [From the distance of the above-named localities it may be inferred that the species is found over the whole of the Sarawak district ; but it is certainly one of the less common of these little birds. — A. E.] Prionochilus thoracicus (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 163. a. d . Bintulu. Iris yellowish brown ; bill black ; legs dark lead-colour. Apparently rare, as Mr. Everett has never previously met with the species. Prionochilus maculatus (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 164. a. 2' Bintulu. Iris purple-red ; bill black; legs blackish lead-colour ; lower mandible lead-colour. b. d . Bintulu. Iris ^' dragon^s-blood -"^ red. [Food in stomach, pulp of the wild fig {Arar). Common throughout the Sarawak district. — A. E.] ' Dictum trigonostigma (Scop.); Salvad. t.c. p. 166. a. 6 . Bintulu. Iris dark brown. b. 6 . Santubong Bay. Dictum chrysorrh(eum (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 168. a. cJ . Bintulu. Pairing. Iris crimson. b. $ . Jambusan. Iris orange ; legs leaden. j;Ethopyga eupogon. Cab.; Salvad. t. c. p. 173. [This bird is pretty common throughout Sarawak, both on the sea-coast and inland, particularly aflecting the " second- growth^^ jungle. — A'. E.] Chalcostetha insignis (Jard.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 177. a. S . Bintulu. Iris warm brown. This species is apparently rare in Borneo, as Mr. Everett has never fallen in with it before in the course of seven years' SER. IV. VOL. I. c 18 Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Contributions to the residence in the island. Doria and Beecari also procured but a single specimen. Nectarophila hasselti (Temm.) ; Salvad. t.c. p. 177. a. (J . Bintulu. Eyes brown ; bill and legs shining black. This bird, which is very common in Mr. Low's Labuan collections, is by no means plentiful in Sarawak. Mr. Everett has procured it once at Marup, and once again at Bintulu. Arachnothera chrysogenys, Temm,; Salvad. /. c. p. 181. a. ? . Bintulu. Iris dark chocolate ; bill of the darkest brown ; legs light purplish brown. Hard-seeded fruit in gizzard . Arachnothera longirostris (Lath.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 186. a. Bintulu. Iris brown. b. Bintulu, Iris dark brown ; bill black, under mandible leaden grey ; legs dark blue lead-colour. Hard-seeded fruit in gizzard. Anthreptes malaccensis (Scop.) ; Ibis, 1876, p. 4S. The stomach of this bird is generally found to contain fruit; sometimes hard seeds, and sometimes small larvae are met with. It frequents gardens and second-growth jungle, and is distributed everywhere in Sarawak. Anthreptes simplex (Miill.). Arachnophila simplex, Salvad. t. c. p. 172. a. ? . Bintulu. Cyornis banyumas (Horsf.) ; Salvad. /. c. p. 130. a. $ . Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; bill black ; legs pale brownish lead. b. ? . Bintulu. Legs purplish leaden grey. Hypothymis azurea (Bodd.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 133. a. cJ . Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; bill blackish blue. [Rather a rare bird in Sarawak, not often obtained. — A. E.] Rhipidura rhombifer. Cab. Leucocerca perlata, Salvad. t. c. p. 136. On examining the three specimens sent by Mr. Everett, we have come to the conclusion that they are distinct from Ornithology of Borneo. 19 Sumatran R. perlata (Miill.), tlie latter having the back ashy brown, not slaty blackish, and having the inner secondaries tipped with white, a feature not shown by the Boruean bird. Philentoma pyrrhoptebum (Temm.); Salvad. t. c. p. 138. a,b. ^ . Bintulu. Iris crimson ; bill black. Philentoma velatum (Temm.) ; Salvad. /. c. p. 138. a,h. J. Bintulu. Iris crimson; bill black; legs dark greenish black. Terpsiphone affinis (Hay) ; Salvad. /. c. p. 137. - a. ^ . Kabulo, Jilalong river. b. (^ . Pandan, Bintulu river. c. (J • Bintulu. Iris dark brown. d. ^ . Matang mountain. Iris chocolate ; bill and legs blue. e. ^. Tagora, May 1875'. Iris chocolate ; bill dull cobalt ; eye- wattle bright cobalt. [Generally distributed in Sarawak, both in lowlands and on the hills. Observed on Matang mountains at an elevation of 1000 feet. These birds appear to pair in December. A Malay name is '^ Penchuri kapas,^^ or " cotton-thief," in al- lusion to the long white plumes of the male. The testes are dark grey. — A. E.] Lanius lucionensis, L. ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 43. a. (^ . Bintulu, Nov. 4, 1875. Iris chocolate-brown; bill black, the lower mandible pale lead- colour, tipped with black ; legs dark leaden grey, claws black. Green Mantis in the gizzard. b. ? . Bintulu. Iris dark chocolate; bill dark purj)lish brown ; legs bluish lead-colour. [According to my experience this bird only appears during the N.E. monsoon. The specimen mentioned in the former paper (Z. c.) was killed in November ; and these now recorded were shot within a few days of the same date as the first one. -A. E.] Pericrocotus cinereus. a. 1^ . Coast of Bintulu. Iris brown ; legs and bill black. c 2 20 Mr. R. B. Sliarpe's Contributions to the [Shot in the early part of the N.E. monsoon in the Casu- arinas lining the shore of the Bintulu coast. — A. E.] This is the first recorded occurrence of the species in Borneo. Hemipus obscurus (Horsf.). Mijiolestes obscurus, Salvad. t. c. p. 156. a. ^. Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; bill and feet jet-black. b. ^ . Bintulu. Iris chocolate. Pityriasis gymnocephala (Temm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 159. [One of the rarest birds in Sarawak. I saw one specimen at the mouth of the Skarang river ; and my hunters were so fortunate as to come across a large flock on the hills near Marup^ out of which they secured a dozen specimens (Aj)ril 1871). After each discharge of the guns the flock returned to the same spot until a wounded bird cried out^ when they all flew oft\ An examination of the contents of the gizzards in several individuals, showed that their food consisted of ar- boreal Orthoptera, cockroaches, beetles, and some large green larvae. In one of the males the testes, which are yellow, were as large as ordinary peas, the left being the larger ; in the others the organs were of the usual dimensions. None of the females exhibited enlarged embryos in the ovaria. The C(Bca coll were present and were non-adherent. In two of the male specimens the auricular patch was red instead of black, although they were apparently mature birds. — A. E.] DissEMURus BRACHY^PHORus, Tcmm. ; Salvad. /. c. p. 154. a. $ . Matang, June 1875. Iris brownish red. [Universally distributed and very common. — A. E.] Platysmurus aterrimus (Temm.); Salvad. t.c. p. 279. a,b. c? ? . Bintulu, Oct. 1875. Iris crimson ; bill and feet black. fProcm'ed also at Belida and Marup. — A. E.] Oriolus xanthonotus, Horsf. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 277. a. $. Bintulu. Pairing. Iris crimson; bill burnt-sicnna brown ; legs leaden . [Gunong trahn, Marup, Bintulu, &c. A female shot at Ornithology of Borneo. 21 Sabu had the iris yellow-brown^ the bill umber, and legs lead- blue. These birds feed on insects ; and from the stomach of one I took a Scolopendra. The tongue is plain, with slight apical slit. Kidneys double. — A. E.] . Calornis chalybea (Horsf.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 45. a,b. ? . Sibu Island. Iris in one crimson, in the other pale brick-red. [One of the commonest birds of Sarawak. They are usually seen in flocks haunting the taller trees, in the holes of which they nest. A nest was brought to me at Liugga, placed inside the dry husk of a cocoanut which had been eaten through by a squirrel ; the eggs were green-blue, spotted with brownish purple, chiefly at the larger end, where the spots formed a ring. The food of these birds consists in a great measure of small fruits and seeds. In an immature male, shot May 4, 1874, I found only the left testis developed, the right one being scarcely discernible ; it was dark green, elongate, and about one third of an inch in length. — A. E.] Artamus leucorhynchus (L.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 140. [Santubong Bay, Marup, Bruit, Bintulu. A scarce bird and very shy ; frequents high trees, perching on the topmost twigs, and is generally seen in pairs. The flight resembles i\\?ii oi Microhier ax fringUlarius. When at rest these birds utter their only note, a kind of harsh croak. Observed also at Sibu, and at the mouths of the Katibas and Ibau, tribu- taries of the Rejang, the Ibau being some 130 miles from the sea by the course of the river. — A. E.] EuRYL^MUS ochromelas, Raffl. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 108. [A female, shot Sept. 4, 1874, had the stomach full of weevils. The coeca coli are two, rather large, infundibuliform. This bird is common over the whole territory, on the coast as well as inland. — A. E.] CoRYDON suMATRANUs (Raffl.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, p. 48. a. cJ. Jilalong branch of Bintulu river. Bill white, clouded dull crimson ; iris pale brownish purple ; legs and feet dark brown. 22 Mr. R. B. Sharpens Contributions to the [Specimens procured at Busan^ Sibu, and Bintulu. The gizzard always contains insects^ usually beetles and Or- thoptera. — A. E.] Calyptomena viridis, Raffl. ; Salvad. /. c. p. 106. «. (J . Bintulu. b. ^ . Jilalong brancli of Bintulu river. Iris dark brown ; feet pale green. [Busan^ Simaujan, Marup, Sibu, Bintulu, &c., also on the Matang mountains at 1000 feet. Birds shot in January were pairing, and had the stomachs full of the pulp and seeds of the common wild fig {Avar). Not an uncommon bird, but difficult to procure, as it aflects tall trees, and its colour helps to conceal it at a short distance. The interior of the gape is yellow. — A. E.] EuRYL^Mus jAVANicus (Horsf.) ; Sliarpc, Ibis, p. 48. [Observed at Jambusan, Marup, Sibu, and Bintulu. The iris is yellow, and the legs pinkish white; but in a female ob- tained in October at Sibu the iris was bluish green, and the legs lead-grey. The gizzard of this specimen contained beetles only. — A. E.] Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchus (Gm.) ; Salvad. /. c. p. 109. a. ? . Bintulu, Iris brilliant grained green ; bill pale cobalt, lower mandible deep chrome ; legs dark purplish blue. [Abundant throughout Sarawak in the vicinity of the rivers, and especially in the upper Batang Lupar. Feeds on insects, seeds, &c. This is the " Rain-bird " of the Malays. A female shot in April was found to be laying. The nest — a rough pendent structure loosely put together with grass — is generally built over water; the eggs are white, speckled with faint red. A nest with with two young birds was brought in at Marup in April 1871. The birds differed, but, I think, were both females. They were entirely fledged, except on the throat, and agreed in having the head, back, wings, and tail sooty black, and the long white feathers over the shoulder Ornithology of Borneo. 23 tipped with yellow ; but in the smaller individual each of the upper wing-coverts showed a yellow spot at its extremity. In both the rump was dull crimson ; under coverts of tail pale brick-red ; belly and breast greyish black, the feathers more or less tipped with reddish orange ; bill dirty horn- yellow, clouded at the apex with brown ; legs dull violet-blue ; iris pale slaty brown. The gizzards were full of caterpillars, beetles, &c. ; and in one was a small Helix. — A. E.] Treron capellii (Temm.) -, Salvad. t. c. p. 285. a. ? . Kabulo, Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; feet pure chrome, claws black ; bill greenish, Ptilonopus jambu (Gm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 289. a,b. cJ ? . Bintulu. Iris sienna-orange ; bill deep chrome- yellow; legs crimson. [Obtained by me only at Busan and Bintulu. — A. E.] EuPLOCAMus PYRONOTus (Gray) ; Salvad. L c. p. 307. a. (J. Bintulu, Oct. 28, 1875. Iris bright sienna-brown ; legs and toes pale bluish lead-colour ; bill pale dirty green- ish white; cere blackish; papillose space round eye fiery crimson. Argusianus grayi (Elliot) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 305. a. ^ . Kidurong Bay, Bintulu. Iris dark greyish brown ; bill white, tinged greenish; legs and feet coral-red, claws brownish ; all the bare skin of the head dull ultramarine, but brighter on the throat. b. $ . Kidurong Point, Bintulu. Bill whitish ; legs coral- red. Melanoperdix nigra (Vig.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 309. a. cJ . Bintulu. Iris pale grey-brown ; bill black ; legs and feet lead-colour ; testes dark green. b. $ . Bintulu. Iris dark brown ; bill black ; feet and legs leaden grey. Glareola orientalis. Leach; Salvad. t. c. p. 319. a. Bintulu beach, Sept. 27, 1875. Found in flocks on the whole coast-line, and as far inland as Sibu 'Island ar.d Marup. Migratory. 24 Contributions to the Ornithology of Borneo. Gallinago stenura (Kulil) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 335. a. Sibu^ February 1875. Ardea purpurea^ L. ; Salvad. t. c. p. 345. a. Bintulu, Oct. 23, 1875. Iris bright yellow ; tibia and back of tarsus light greenish yellow, frout of tarsus and upper surface of foot shining black, under surface of foot ochreous ; bill dark horn-brown, the under mandible chrome-yellow ; base of bill and naked skin, including the eyelids, greenish yellow. [An uncommon bird in Sarawak, seen during the N.E. monsoon. The above specimen is a very young bird. — A. E.] Ardetta sinensis (Gm.) ; Salvad. t. c. p. 354. a. $ . Bintulu. Iris golden-yellow; bill bright yellow, tinged with green; the culmen black; legs yellowish green. Porzana pygmtea (Naum.) ; Swinh. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 414. a. J . Silai, Bintulu. Iris pale brick-red ; bill dull sap- green ; legs dark greenish brown. This Crake, which is doubtless a migrant from the Chinese coast, has never been procured in Borneo before. Mareca PENELOPE (L.) ; Swinh. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 418. a. ? . Bintulu. Iris grey-brown ; bill and feet dark greenish lead-colour. [This was shot in November 1875 as it was swimming about in a small creek in front of the fort at Bintulu. — A. E.] The present species is here recorded for the first time from Borneo, and is not included in Count Salvadori's work. Dafila acuta (L.) ; Swinh. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 418. a. ?. Bintulu, Nov. 18, 1875. Iris dark brown; bill blackish lead-colour ; legs greenish lead-colour. [Shot in the same creek as the Widgeon. A few Ducks visit Borneo during the N.E. monsoon, sometimes occurring as far in as Sibu. — A. E.] As in the case of the Widgeon, this species is new to Borneo ; it is doubtless only a winter migrant. Dr. T. H. Streets on a new Moorhen. 25 Salvad. /. c. p. 379. Iris very dark brown ; bill black ; Angus stolidus (L.) a,b. (^ ? . Bintulu. legs soot-brown. [These birds are scarce on tlie Sarawak coast. The above pair made their appearance, along with two or three more, in a gale of wind during the N.E. monsoon. — A. E.] II. — Description of aneio Moorhen from the Hawaiian Islands. By Thomas H. Streets, M.D., U.S. Navy. Gallinula sandvicensis, sp. nov. Gallinula chloropus, Peale, Orn. U.S. Expl. Exp. p. 220. G. Gallinula cMoropodi sat similis, sed major, alis brevioribus, clypeo frontali multo majore, coloribus saturatioril)us, abdomine concolori, campterio vix albo, tarsis antice ru- bescentibus. Frontal shield of Gallinula sandvicen&is. Frontal plate very large, terminating square on the top of the head, much inflated, its posterior margin on a line with the posterior margin of the orbit ; laterally it encroaches on the orbit, leaving but a narrow feathered space between them ; the bill shorter than the head, thick, compressed ; wings 26 Dr. T. H. Streets on a new Moorhen. rather short iu proportion to the size of the species when compared with other species of the same group ; first primary shorter than second, the second and third of equal length, the rest graduated ; tail short ; tarsus ratlier long and stout, rounded in front, and compressed posteriorly ; toes and claws long and robust. The entire under surface of the body of one colour, which is a dark slaty ; no marks of white on the abdomen ; the head and neck all around much darker than the rest of the body, nearly black, with a slight brownish tinge ; a few ot the long feathers on the flanks with long spots of white on the superior web of the feathers ; the edge of the wing at the bend, and the outer margin of the outer web of the first primary marked with a very constricted line of white ; the under surface of the wings of the same colour as the under- parts of the body ; the longer under tail-coverts pure white, the rest black ; the entire upper parts, including the upper surface of the wings and tail, olive-brown, the colour deepest on the rump, and fading out on the neck and on the exterior portions of the wings ; the tips of the tail-feathers, and the shafts of the feathers, brownish black ; frontal plate and bill bright crimson, the latter tipped with yellow ; tlie tibia naked for about an inch, and surrounded by a bright crimson ring ; a decided crimson blush on the front of the tarsus, the colour deeper on the sides ; feet pea-green. Total length about 13'50 inches; wing 6'50; tail 3; bill along the commissure 1*20, from the feathers on the side of the head 1, along the culmen, including the frontal plate, 1'65 ; breadth of the frontal plate 0"50; length from the margin of the feathers on the side of the bill 0*70; tarsus 2 ; middle toe and claw 3. To sum up, the proportions of the bird and the quadrate form of the frontal plate show that its strongest affinities are with G. galeata rather than with any other member of the group ; but the greater extent of the frontal plate, the shorter wing, the absence of white on the abdomen and on the under surface of the wing, as well as its reduction to a mere trace on the margin of the same, the more robust and dift'erent 071 some Birds obsei'ved in Patagonia. 27 form of the tarsus, being broader and more rounded in front, as well as the great difference in the colour of the tarsus, separate it immediately from G. galeata, and render its iden- tification easy. The characters just enumerated, in addition to its larger size and the quadrate fi'ontal plate, separate it, a fortiori, from G. chloropus. Habitat. Island of Oahu, Hawaiian Group. The only direct reference to this bird which I have been able to find is made by Peale, in his ' Ornithology of the U.S. Exploring Expedition,^ p. 220. He undoubtedly obtained a specimen from the island of Oahu ; but the skin was lost. In the description, which he gives from his field-notes, he states it to be G. chloropus, Aud., i. e. G. galeata. The allusiou which he makes, however, to the crimson-coloured tarsi iden- tifies it with this species at once. Gray, in his ' Hand-list of Birds,^ gives the Sandwich Islands as a habitat of G. chloropus, Aud., as do also Hart- laub and Finsch, in the table of distribution of Central-Poly- nesian birds, which they give in the introduction to their work ^Die Ornithologie der Viti-, Samoa imd Tonga Inseln.' It is very probable that both of these authorities based their statements upon Peale^s original reference. III. — Notes on some Birds observed in the Chnput Valley, Patagonia, and in the neighbouring District. By Henry DURNFORD^. Hearing on the 25th October last that a steamer was to leave Buenos Ayres that afternoon for the Welsh colony at Chuput, I decided to accompany her, and having hastily packed the few things necessary, at 4 o'clock found myself on board the ' Santa Rosa,' lying in the outer roads. Our party consisted of three, my two friends being as anxious as myself to see a * [The skins sent home by Mr. Durnford have been examined and determined by Mr. Salvin. The nomenchitm-e used is generally that of the 'Nomenclator Av. Neotrop.' For general information concerning the Welsh colony of Chuput, see -''Reports received by the. Admiralty from Capt. H. Fairfax, R.N., of H.M.S. ' Volage,' upon the Condition of the Welsh Colony of Chuput in Patagonia " (Pari. Papers, No. 18, of 1876).— Ed.] 28 Mr. H. Durnford on some Birds observed country so little known as Patagonia. The voyage, as re- gards ornithological occurrences; was to me full of interest ; I only regret having been unable to procure any of the nu- merous species of Petrels which constantly accompanied us, Avith the exception of one, Dapt'ion capensis, so that, having a very slight acquaintance with this genus, I could only super- ficially observe such of them as we met with. The mouth of the river Chuput, which we reached, after a stormy passage, early on the morning of the 31st October, is in lat. 43° 20' S. For a distance of eight miles the course of the river lies in a westerly direction, after that taking a gradual bend to the S.S.W. Mr. Griffith and three or four of the colo- nists have penetrated to a distance of 250 miles by following the course of the river ; and by their compasses, two of which they carried, they reckoned their furthest point was to the S.S.W. of the village. I mention these particulars because in some maps the course of the river is marked in a very different direction ; the maps, as regards the river Chuput, of course, being merely the invention of the brain. Forty-five miles above the village, and forty-eight from the sea, the river flows between precipitous rocks, in some places as much as 300 feet high, making travelling along its banks impossible ; and such rocks were met with with more or less frequency up to the furthest point the colonists reached. The only bird Mr. Griffith saw during his trip which does not occur at the colony was a Kingfisher, one specimen of which was shot. The absence of this bird from the lower reaches of the river may perhaps be accounted for by the character of the water, which, for some distance above the colony, is always thick and muddy, whereas where he jour- neyed he found a clear stream. The valley of the Chuput varies in breadth from two to nine miles, the greater portion of which is capable of cultivation to a distance of barely forty-five miles from the village. The geological nature of the surrounding country is such as to preclude the occurreuce of very many species of birds, being very uniform in character. Extensive plateaux of dry stony land abound, for the most part vei'y sparsely clothed with 'in the Chuput Valley, Patagonia. 29 vegetation, with the exception of low stunted bushes, prin- cipally thorns, which find root everywhere and afford a plentiful supply of firewood, with here and there a cliff of tosca containing innumerable osseous remains of sharks, seals, small mammals, and fish, and which, if thoroughly examined, would certainly yield great results. At a higlier elevation there are many extensive tracts of land clothed with coarse grass, the bushes only a foot or two in height and few in number ; and these are the homes of large herds of Guanacos and Rheas. During my visit we made two hunting-excursions :■ — one to a tract of elevated tableland about fifteen miles to the south of the village, named by the colonists, from the absence of bushes, " Clear Land ;" the other to Ninfas Point, some forty-five miles to the north-east of the colony. The latter is one of the prin- cipal hunting-grounds of the Tehuelche Indians j and here I saw for the first time a herd of about 200 Guanacos and numerous Rheas. The only bird which occurs here, and which I did not see at the colony, was Sarcoi^hamphus gry- phus ; and though Vultures on a close acquaintance are cer- tainly not attractive, a Condor sitting nearly upright, partly supported by its tail, on the pinnacle of a lofty cliff over- looking the deep-blue waters of New Bay, was a picture to attract the eye of the most unobservant, and a fit accompani- ment of a scene of such grandeur as one witnesses there. The whole country (I speak from my own observation) within a twenty-mile radius of the village exhibits unmista- kable traces of the action of the sea. Banks evidently once shingle, little hills precisely like the present sandhills on the coast, only clothed with thick bushes and numerous deposits of marine shells, can be seen in every direction. About two miles to the north of the village is a large lagoon, the water of which is brackish, evidently a lingering remnant of the ocean, from which it is now distant at least seven miles j the shores of this lagoon in some places are literally paved with marine shells. With the exception of a few willows along the banks of the river, and some poplars which have been planted by one of 30 JNIr. H. Durnford on some Birds observed the colonists^ aud which seem to thrive, the whole country is characterized by an entire absence of trees ; and to this fact, coupled with the general flatness of the country, may be attributed the very light rainfall the colonists experience. During our visit, lasting a month, we had two or three light showers ; and this we were informed was about the average. From an old Indian burial-ground, at a distance of ten miles from the village, we disinterred the skeletons of two or three Indians, and some arrow- and spear-heads formed of flint from the same locality. Two skulls and the arrow-heads I preserved ; the former are very similar to the heads of the present Tehuelche Indians, a small encampment of whom were at the colony during our visit. It is probable that before they came into possession of horses and dogs they lived on shell-fish and what they could secure with their bow^s and arrows, exactly as the Fuegians do now. In addition to the birds included in the following list, I observed some which, from having obtained no specimen or other causes, were not satisfactorily identified ; so I think it better only to mention them. Twice during my visit I saw what I took to be a Harrier, about the size of Circus citiereus, but striped longitudinally with light and dark brown or black, the underparts lightest. It occurred on the sea-coast, and also on the tableland above the valley, perching on low bushes, and difficult of approach. When staying up the valley I saw many times, and once had a shot at, a bird slightly larger than Polyborus vulgaris, and from its habits closely allied to that species ; the only diff'erence I could detect was that it appeared to be a little larger and of a heavier build, with the plumage generally of a lighter colour than in that bird. Throughout the valley I many times observed some dark- brown Vultures, nearly as large as Geranoaetus melanoleucus , apparently of a uniform colour, but w ith the naked skin about the head red. This species is well known to the colonists, and feeds on dead horses, cattle, &c. Amongst thick rushy ground in the neighbourhood of the river is found a Rail, which, from two examples observed, I should describe as exactly like an Aramides in plumage. in the Chuput Valley, Patagonia. 31 with coral-red beak and feet, but not much more than half the size of that bird. On the sandy flats surrounding a large lagoon about two miles north of the village is found an jEgialitis in considerable numbers^ some of which, on the occasion of my visit, were, I think, breeding — the ovaries of one obtained containing eggs in a forward state. The skin of this bird was, unfortunately, eaten by a cat ; and I had no opportunity of visiting the la- goon again. The day before sailing for Buenos Ayres I saw some large flocks of the same species on the coast about the mouth of the river. It was a little larger than yE. hia- ticula, with a broader and deeper chest-band of black than that bird has. In the lagoon just mentioned, I saw several examples of a large Grebe, which I am pretty sure were Podiceps major ; but as they kept in the deep water I had no opportunity of a shot. Before concluding these remarks it afil'ordsme great plea- sure to express my thanks to Mr. John Grifiith, who through- out my visit kindly rendered me all the help he could, and to whom I owe the acquisition of many specimens. Having been a keen and accurate observer during an eight years' residence in the colony, he has made himself acquainted with most of the birds which occur in the district ; and I found his information of great assistance. MiMUs PATAGONicus, Lafr. & D'Orb. This bird is the Thrush of the river- Chuput district, and is not uncommon, being usually found near the base of the hills bordering the valley. Towards dusk, and from then till nightfall,- it may be often seen sitting on the topmost twig of a bush, whence it unceasingly pours forth its song. This, though not to be compared to that of many of our British songsters, is especially welcome on the barren hills of Patagonia, where the silence amongst birds generally is re- markable. On the 21st November I found a nest in a thorn- bush, about four feet from the ground, and formed of twigs lined with feathers ; it contained a chick, which had just left the sliell, and one egg, on the point of hatching. Both parent 33 Mr. H. Durnford on some Birds observed birds sliowed great anxiety at my presence, allowing me to come Avithin a few feet of tlicm. They appeared to be pre- cisely alike in size and plumage. Troglodytes furvus. Pretty common. The Chuput-valley Wren is smaller than any Buenos-Ayres examples I have seen. It has a slightly rufous tinge about the vent ; bat I do not think the difference sufficient to indicate that the species are distinct. Four eggs which I brought back with me are slightly smaller than eggs of T. furvus from here. It has been thought there may be two species of Wrens in Buenos Ayres ; but this question can only be decided by the acquisition of more specimens. A slight discrepancy in size alone is not sufficient to establish another species. The Chuput bird is less than the smallest race, or whatever it should be called, of our Buenos-Ayres bird. Anthus correndera"^. Common throughout the valley and on the hills where there was any grass. Progne purpurea. Pretty common about the Tosca cliff, up the valley, in the crevices of the rocks of which it was breeding. The male is uniform glossy steel-blue, and easily distinguishable from the female, whose underparts are speckled with grey, lightest about the vent. Both sexes uttered harsh screams whilst we were sitting under the cliff. A few seen at Ninfas Point. Atticora cyanoleuca. Pretty common. Nesting in holes in the banks in some of the upper reaches of the river. HiRUNDO LEUCORRHOA. Also common. On the evening of the 25th November I observed many birds of this species congregating as if for a migratory movement. * [Mr. Uiu-nforcl's collection coutaius two specimens of tliis species, one from Punta Lara, the other from Flores, near Buenos Ayres. He has not sent any from Chuput. — 0. S.] in the Chuput Valley, Patagonia. 33 Sycalis luteiventris. Common, usually in flocks. Its nest is of grass, lined with liorseliair_, and is ^jlaced in a tuft of grass or rushes close to the ground. The eggs are four in number. Very com- mon at Ninfas Point. ZONOTRICHIA CANICAPILLA'^j Gould. Abundant, both in the valley and on the hills, and often to be seen hopping familiarly about the colonists'" cottages. It nests amongst coarse grass or brushwood, making an un- pretending structure of the former material, the finer fibres being jilaced towards the interior. It lays four eggs, mea- suring -8 by "6 of an inch, of a pale green colour, thickly striated with light reddish brown spots, running into each other, and most numerous at the larger end. The eggs of the Chuput species differ from those I have from here of Z. pileata in the character of the markings, which are of a lighter colour and not so distinct, being more blotchy than in Buenos- Ayres examples. The nests are of precisely similar character. Agel^us thilius. Very common throughout the valley and in every patch of rushy ground. Though I did not discover a nest, birds were undoubtedly breeding in the neighbourhood. Sturnella militaris. One of the commonest birds in the valley, not being seen on the hills. On the 4th November I took a nest from a tuft of Pampas grass close to the river-bank, containing two eggs. It occurred in some numbers at Ninfas point. MOLOTHRUS BONARIENSIS. Not uncommon in the valley, frequenting willow-beds and clumps of brushwood. * [Mr. Durnford sends a single specimen of this species, wliich we have hitherto supposed to have been based upon the young of Z. inleata. We now see that it is fully entitled to specific rank ; see Sclater's remarks, infra, p. 46, where a figure of it is given, taken from Mr. Durnfori's spe- cimen.— Ed.] SER. IV. VOL. I. D 34 Mr. H. Duruford on some Birds obserced TjENIOPTERA rubetka. Rare. During my visit I saw only two examples, one of which I shot on the 6th November. It proved to be a male, with considerably enlarged testicles; and its stomach con- tained the remains of small beetles. LlCHENOPS PERSPICILLATUS. Very common throughout the valley, nesting in the sides of tufts of Pampas-grass along the banks of the river. From three nests I found during my visit, in every case I flushed a rufous-plumaged bird. Here, and at Chuput, I have now dissected four rufous birds, which in all cases proved to be females, whilst two black specimens examined were both males. The black bird I have seen many times chasing the rufous ones ; in fact one can scarcely take a walk in the country here during the spring, where there is any swampy land, without observing this. Hapalocercus flaviventris. Not uncommon amongst the willows along the banks of the river. An^retes parulus. Rare. During my visit I observed two pairs amongst thick bushes, and obtained a male and female ; the former has a decided black crest. On the 7th November I took a nest from a thick thorn-bush, about three feet from the ground, composed of grass, warmly lined with feathers, and containing two eggs, white in colour, and measuring '6 by •4 of an inch. Cyanotis omnicolor. Pretty common in marshy places wherever the reeds grow to the height of three or four feet, and probably breeding, though I did not discover the nest. From its brilliant and many-coloured hues of plumage, this is one of the most at- tractive birds we have ; and as it carefully works through every patch of reeds in search of insect food, now hanging head downwards from a spray, displaying its crimson crest, and the next minute running nimbly up a reed, it certainly reminds one of our Tits at home. m the Chuput Valley, Patagonia. 35 Upucerthia dumetoria. Not uncommon. On the T'tli November I took a nest from the end of a hole in the bank of a dry lagoon near the village. This nest was formed of grass, lined with fur of the Patagonian cavy, and was placed about four feet from the face of the bank. The eggs were three in number, white in colour, much incubated, and measure I'l by '9 inch. Phlceocryptes melanops. Common in reed-beds, where I found it nesting, generally two or three pairs in the same place. The nest is an oval structure, from four to five inches in diameter, supported by reeds, of the finer sprays of which it is formed, strengthened with a little mud, and generally not more than eight inches from the ground. I have found as many as five eggs in one nest, though four is the usual number ; and they differ from all other eggs of this genus I have seen in being of a uniform glossy blue colour, instead of white. Synallaxis sordida. Synallaxis patagonica. Common everywhere. The nesting-habits of these two species have puzzled me exceedingly. I will state the facts as they occurred. On the 1st November I shot a female S. patagonica from its nest, which was nearly circular in shape, a small hole near the top communicating with the interior, which was about twelve inches in diameter. The nest was formed of sticks, and was a very large structure for so small a bird ; it was lined with feathers and wool, and placed in the centre of a thick bush. It contained three white eggs, mea- suring '7 by '5 of an inch. In its immediate vicinity were other nests of precisely the same character, the owners of some of which I saw, and which were certainly S. patagonica. Two eggs from one of these nests measured '8 by "6 of an inch. On the 20th I flushed a S. patagonica from a nest in a different locality. This nest was nearly round in shape, and the interior reached by a narrow circular passage of sticks attached to the top of the nest, from which it pro- jected about twelve inches; the inside diameter was not more d2 36 Mr. H. Durnford on some Birds observed than nine inches ; but with these exceptions it was exactly like the nests found on the 1st inst. The eggs^ two in num- ber, are of the same length as the last mentioned, but slightly broader. There were several nests of the same character, viz. with a passage, in the neighbourhood. On the 26th I shot a Synallxis sordida, which proved to be a male, at the same time seeing another leave one of the nests without a passage. The result of these observations may be shortly summarized as follows : — We have two distinct classes of nests of Synallaxis, which we will call A and B (A being those having no passage to the nest, B those with this addition), both common, both built in precisely similar places, but those of one class never found in the vicinity of those of the other. In three or four instances S. patagonica is seen to leave nests classed A, and in one case a nest classed B. A ^S^. sordida in one in- stance is seen to leave a nest classed A. The eggs from two A nests differ "1 of an inch in length and breadth from each other ; and seen lying side by side it is difficult to imagine they can both belong to the same species ; at the same time two eggs from a B nest, and from which a S. sordida was flushed, are of the same size as the larger sitting of eggs from one of the A nests. These apparent discrej)ancies are diffi- cult to reconcile. Can it be that the two species construct nests of such very different characters, and that each is pa- rasitic on the other ? Both have very similar habits, when frightened creeping into the thickest part of the bush, and when driven from that shelter only flying as far as the next one. Synallaxis hudsoni, Scl. Not uncommon. Found in dry places in the valley, but not seen on the hills, and appears to live on the ground. On the 5th November I shot a male. HOMORUS GUTTURALIS. On the 27th November I saw a pair of these birds on the hills about four miles to the south-west of the village, and in the Chuptit Valley, Patagonia. 37 shot the female bird. My attention was drawn to the spot by seeing a large structure of sticks in the centre of a bush, which proved to be the nest, and which measured about three feet in diameter, nearly round, the interior being reached by a passage from the top, circular in shape, formed of small twigs, and about twelve inches in length. On my approach- ing the bush both birds uttered harsh and noisy screams, hopping anxiously about the nest; both had elongated fea- thers on the crest of the head, which they erected to show their displeasure at being disturbed ; and the only difference I could detect between them was that these feathers were slightly the longest in the male bird. The nest was appa- rently not quite completed, the interior having no lining but small twigs. The stomach of the female contained the bones of a small mammal ; and in its ovary was an egg nearly ready for exclusion. Stenopsis bifasciata. Rare ; the only specimen seen I found on the hills about four miles to the south of the village. On dissection it proved to be a female, with eggs in a forward state in the ovary. To the colonists this species is known as the " shy bird,^^ in consequence of its vigilance in eluding pursuit ; for though when flushed it never flies very far, it always seeks the shelter of a small bush, squatting flat on the ground ; and from its peculiar zigzag mode of flight, it is difficult for the eye to follow it. CONURUS PATAGONUS. A flock of about thirty of this Parrot frequented the Tosca clifi" up the valley, a few of which were breeding in the crevices, having chosen the most inaccessible part of the cliff" for that purpose. The greater number during the day were to be seen about the river, sometimes as much as fifteen miles from their stronghold ; these always kept in a compact body, re- turning before dusk to roost on the cliff". They fed on the young leaves of a species of thorn, the stomach of one shot on the 24'th November being crammed with these. 38 Mr. H. Duruford 07i some Birds observed NOCTUA CUNICULARIA. Common. Nesting in holes in the ground. Circus cinereus. Common in the valley^ not seen on the hills. In flight it is very quick and graceful : few birds are a match for this Harrier; and as it sweeps rapidly over the ground^now scarcely clearing the tops of the high grass^ and the next miniite rising to drop on some luckless victim, it is impossible not to admire its great strength of wing. The stomach of one shot on the 24th November contained the remains of a freshly killed Thinocorus rumicivorus. To the colonist it is well known ; and more than one person assured me it nested on the ground amongst long grass, and laid two white eggs ; my search, however, for the nest was unsuccessful. Legs, feet, and irides pale orange. Geranoaetus melanoleucus. Not uncommon, especially in the upper part of the valley. On the 9th November I shot a female from the nest, on a ledge high up in a Tosca cliif, thirteen miles north-west of the town, and after considerable difl&culty secured the two eggs, which are of a dirty white colour, very slightly speckled with brown, and measure 2*6 inches by 2. As they con- tained chicks about to be released from their prisons, I con- clude two is the number of eggs usually laid. On a subse- quent visit to the same cliff", and also to one in its immediate neighbourhood, which, from its peculiar shape, the colonists have named the '^''old castle,^"* I found several nests of pre- vious years, all of the same character, viz. a structure of sticks some three feet in diameter and fifteen inches in depth, the inside being lined with a few straws. Buteo erythronotus. Not uncommon on the hills, but very shy. Whilst riding on the 18th November from Ninfas Point, and about seven miles from the colony, I found a nest on the top of a bush, some nine feet from the ground, containing two chicks, ap- parently about a fortnight old. The nest was a large struc- ture of sticks, lined with a varictv of matcrials^ — bits of skin in the Chuput Valley, Patagonia. 39 from dead cattle, hare's fur, some liorse-dmig, and a few straws. This nest measured three feet in diameter. Whilst looking at the two old birds on the wing, and standing be- neath them, I could detect no difference between the male and female ; and I wounded one, which unfortunately fell too far off for recovery. In the hope that the remaining bird, which, after its mate was shot, rose to an immense height in the air, would continue to feed the young ones, I left them, intending to return on the first opportunity, which I did on the following day but one, and after sitting fruitlessly under the nest for four hours, during which time I saw nothing of the old bird, I resolved to take the chicks. From their starved and weak appearance, I am inclined to think their remaining parent had deserted them, especially as the whole time I sat under the nest they kept constantly uttering a plaintive note, not unlike that of young chickens when in search for their mother. They were covered with a snow-white down, with the exception of their wings and back, where a few rufous feathers were commencing to show themselves. The cere is dark slate-colour, legs and feet pale orange, irides dark brown. During my stay at the colony I visited several other nests of this bird, but found them empty, nor could I again get a shot at an old bird, as before I could get within range they would invariably leave their post of observation and soar to an immense height in the air. The colonists have designated this bird the '^ white horse :" whilst it sits motionless on the top of the highest bush it can find, its white underparts are seen from a considerable distance, and, when they are search- ing for their horses and cattle, frequently deceive them, TiNNUNCULUS SPARVERIUS. On the 8tli November I obtained two pairs about the Tosca cliff" up the valley, and shot a male bird. On the 15th I observed it at Ninfas Point. At the former place it was breeding ; and during a second visit, on the 24th inst, I found a nest in a slight cavity high up in the face of the cliff', com- posed of sticks, but containing no eggs ; it was probably also nesting at Ninfas Point. Seen on the wing at the same time 40 Mr. H. Durnford on some Birds observed as Proyne imrpurea, both birds anxiously circling and scream- ing over my head when their nests were threatened, in ra- pidity of flight it almost rivalled that bird, and, if not quite so quick in turning, in a fair straight race it would certainly not be behind the Swallow. To the colonists it is no friend, as it often carries oft' their young chickens. MiLVAGO CHIMANGO. Very common, nesting on the tufts of pampa- grass. I fre- quently observed this species in flocks. POLYBORUS VULGARIS. Very common, nesting, like Buteo erythronotus , on the highest bushes, but making a much smaller nest than that bird. Fish-bones, cowhide, straw, and a piece of string were in the bottom of one nest I examined, whilst another had much the same miscellaneous collection. Sarcorhamphus grypuus. A pair observed on the 15th November at Ninfas Point, the female of which I shot : its stomach was well filled with Guanaco- and Seal-flesh ; and the stench from the bird was almost intolerable. The male was considerably the larger of the two, and the white frill round the lower part of its neck much broader than in the other sex. This bird is occasionally seen in the upper part of the valley ; and when the colonists are hunting in the neighbourhood of the sea-coast, it is always the first of the numerous bird-scavengers to make its appear- ance after game has been killed ; more than one of these men told me it was their firm conviction that it was attracted to the spot by scent, and not by sight, being rarely seen when nothing was killed. Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Common about the mouth of the river, and occasionally seen up the valley some distance from the sea. Nycticorax obscurus. Not uncommon, during the day resting on the banks of the river under the shelter of the overhanging willows, and in the Chuput Valley, Patgaonia. 41 in the evening coming out to feed. The colonists call it the '' barking birdj" in consequence of its harsh cry. Ph(ENICOPTERUS ignipalliatus. A small flock, consisting chiefly of adult birds in dark pink plumage, and a few in the paler immature dress, fre- quented the large salt laguna during my visit. I obtained one of the latter on the 11th November. Iris greenish grey. Cygnus nigricollis. Common throughout the valley. Cygnus coscoroba. Occurs in considerable numbers, but is not so numerous as the preceding. Spatula platalea. Common throughout the valley. Usually found in shallow water. Nests in the neighbourhood of the colony. QUERQUEDULA FLAVIROSTRIS. Common, Often found along with Dafila spinicauda and Spatula platalea. Nests in the valley. QuERQUEDULA VERSICOLOR. Rare, During my visit I only saw two, male and female, which had been shot near the village. Q.UERQUEDULA CYANOPTERA. A few observed on the 6th November at the large salt la- goon, but not seen on any other occasion. Mareca sibilatrix (Poepp.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1876, p. 395. Common throughout the valley and at the mouth of the river, at the latter place feeding on the extensive mussel-beds in company with A. spinicauda. Dafila spinicauda. The most numerous species of Duck, nesting in thick grass in the vicinity of the river. The colonists trap these birds at night when they come to feed on the wheat-stubbles. Found in large flocks feeding on the mussel-beds just outside the harbour. 42 Mr. H. Durnford on some Birds observed Erismatura ferruginea. A single bird shot on the 24th November in a ditch up the valley, was the only one I saw, though I was informed it was not uncommon. COLUMBA MACULOSA. Common throughout the valley, being found in flocks about the wheat-stubbles, and breeding in the willows bordering the river. FULICA LEUCOPYGA. Very common. Found on almost every piece of water in the valley, but avoiding those where there is any current. Breeds numerously in the neighbourhood of the village. Thinocorus rumicivorus. Common. Seen most frequently on the higher stony pla- teaux, but occasionally in the valley. On the 3rd November, whilst Guanaco-hunting, we flushed two from a patch of dry sandy ground, some three hundred feet above the sea, and at least twelve miles from any water. During my visit this species was undoubtedly breeding in the neighbourhood, though I did not discover any eggs. Vanellus cayennensis. Common throughout the valley, breeding whilst I was there. Not seen on the hills. Oreophilus ruficollis. Common throughout the valley, frequenting the driest ground, and occasionally seen on the hills. A pair, observed on the 29th November in the dry bed of an old lagoon, amongt coarse stunted grass, from their actions, I am in- clined to think, were nesting, though my search for eggs was unsuccessful. Phalaropus wilsoni. Common, swimming gracefully in the still pools formed by the eddies of the river and in nearly all the adjacent stagnant ditches. Usually seen in pairs. RnYNCHiEA SEMICOLLARIS. Rare. I observed a single bird on the 27th November on in the Chuput Valley, Patagonia. 43 some marshy ground close to the village^ which I flushed a secoud time iu order to be sure of the species, Tringa maculata. Abundant in large flocks about the salt lagoon to the north of the village, and also on the sandy flats at the mouth of the river. In their movements and habits they closely resemble our ubiquitous T. alpina at home, flying in a body, suddenly wheeling round, displaying alternately their light underparts and dark backs, and usually raising their wings over their backs before alighting, which they all do at the same moment. Gambetta flavipes. Common along the banks of the river and in the adjacent swamps and pools. Limosa hudsonica. During my visit a small party was always to be found in the shallow water at the west end of the large lagoon to the north of the village, feeding in company with Tringa macu- lata and a species of Mgialitis. On the 13th of November I shot two birds. Sterna hirundinacea. Less. ; Saunders, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 647. During my visit a large flock frequented the banks of sand and shingle at the mouth of the harbour^ and had in- creased in number when I left on the 29th of November. On the 26th I observed amongst the adult birds some Terns with grey foreheads and indistinct black hoods, their primaries and secondaries being marked with rufous brown, beaks dark lead- colour. As, with these exceptions, they precisely resembled the black-headed birds, I conclude they were H. hirundinacea in immature plumage. I obtained specimens in both plumages. Though these birds were apparently congregating for nesting- purposes, I could not learn from any of the colonists that their breeding-place was known. Larus maculipennis. Common about the mouth of the river, and a few observed up the valley the first week of my visit. From some of the colonists I learned the following particulars concerning the 44 Mr. H. Durnford on sonic Birds obstrved nesting-ground^ or rookery^ as they term it, of Black-headed Gulls at New Bay, about forty miles from the village. About three miles east from Pot harbour, whieh is at the western- most point of New Bay, and a short distance from the beach, on low sandy ground, is a breeding-place of Black-headed Gulls. The nests are placed close together ; and three eggs is the number usually laid. I was assured by one of the colonists, an old whaler, who knows the coast well, that the birds commence to lay on or about the lOtli December ; and another colonist informed me that when on one occasion they were fishing in New Bay, they frequently went ashore to col- lect the eggs, which they prized as food, and this was about a week before Christmas ; he also told me that amongst the Black-headed Gulls were a few pairs of a large black-backed Gull (which could have been nothing else but L. dominicanus) whose eggs they were also in the habit of eating. During my visit to the colony, L. macuUjjennis was frequently pointed out to me as the bird nesting near Pot harbour ; and as that is the only Hooded Gull I saw, and is well known to the colonists, some of whom have visited the Gullery, I have little doubt my informants were correct. I had one day made partial arrangements for a journey to Pot harbour, no slight imdertaking, as water has to be taken for both man and beast for the journey to and fro, and was only prevented from completing them through being assured by the whaler mentioned above that he had many times visited the spot, and that the birds did not lay before the 10th De- cember. This agrees with my observations, as just previous to and during the first ten days of my visit this species was far more numerous than when I left on the 29th November, on which date very few birds were to be seen. Capt. Musters mentions that during his travels with the Tehuelches they came across a large Gullery in the neigh- bourhood of lagoons of considerable size a few leagues from the Cordillera, and, as far as I can make out, in about lat. 42° 50' S. It would be especially interesting to know what species this could have been ; for if L. maculipennis is regularly iti the Chuput Valleij, Patagonia. 45 in the habit of nesting close to the sea^ it would scarcely be found breeding so far inland. Larus dominicanus. Not uncommon about the mouth of the river, but seen also at Ninfas Point. I obtained specimens in both adult and immature plumage. Two adult birds from the river Chuput differ from an adult specimen from Buenos Ayres in the re- spective size of their beaks and tarsi, but otherwise they are precisely similar. The Buenos-Ayres bird is the larger. PODICEPS ROLLANDI. Common in almost every pool and ditch in the valley. PODICEPS CALIPAEEUS. On the 6tli November I saw two in the large lagoon to the north of Chuput, and during a second visit on the 11th was fortunate enough to find them again in a ditch bordering the lagoon, from which it was separated by a narrow strip of sand. Both of these I procured ; and they proved on dissection to be male and female. The former is considerably the larger; the breast and stomach are of a purer white ; the feathers on the crown of the head and throat are of a lighter grey ; and those behind the eyes and ears, forming a sort of ruff, are longer than in the female bird. I did not observe this species again. NOTHURA MACULOSA. Not so common as Calodromas elegans, but occasionally seen amongst the thick grass and rushes bordering the river. Not seen on the hills. Calodromas elegans. Common both in the valley and on the hills in very dry spots. It nests under the shelter of a small bush, and after scraping a slight hollow in the ground, lines it with a few fragments of grass and feathers, laying sometimes as many as ten eggs. The remarkable character of these, of a uniform pea-green colour, with a highly polished appearance, is well known. About dusk these birds come from the shelter of 4G Mr. P. L. Sclater on the the long grass or bushes, wliere they have lajii during the day, to feed; and at that time they can^be ^Jieard calling to each other in every direction. Their note is a loud and oft- repeated whistle uttered in a low key. Rhea darwini. Common on the higher tableland, but rarely seen in the immediate neighbourhood of the colony. The feathers of this bird form the chief article of barter Avhich the Indians give in exchange for yerba, sugar, &c. During my visit we made two hunting-excursions in search of R,heas and Gua- nacos. The former sometimes lie very close, usually under the shelter of a bush, and will then allow you to pass within a few yards of them without moving. When flushed they en- deavour to run with the wind, partly opening their wings, which act as sails. It requires a good dog to overtake an old bird when he gets a start of a hundred yards. I was told that the colonists have found as many as thirty-two eggs in one nest, and when such a number is laid they consider them the produce of more than one female ; they sometimes flush the male bird from the nest. It is an event of common oc- currence to find single eggs about the campo smaller than those in nests ; and these are supposed to have been dropped by immature birds which have not commenced to lay regularly. IV. — Note on the South- American Song-Sparrows. By P. L. Sclater. (Plate I.) It is a singular fact that, while Zonotrichia pileata is generally diffused over Central and South America, aud is in many places a most abundant species, the only other two members of the same genus that occur within the neotropical region are confined to La Plata and Patagonia. So little known, more- over, are the latter, that, with a tolerably extensive acquaint- ance with South- American birds, I have never met with but .*A** "■•■■" ***J CENTRAL Ibis 1877 PI i. ■I G.KfiuIemaiLS lith. M&N HajihiiL iini; ^jy l.ZONOTRICHJA CANICAPILLA 2, „ STRIGICEPS, South- American Song-S'parrows. 47 one or two specimens of either of tliera^ whereas the former is one of the very commonest species in collections. The two southern Song-Sparrows Zonotrichia canicapilla and Z. strigiceps were both discovered by Mr. Darwin during his celebrated " Naturalist^s Voyage/^ and described by Mr. Gould in the third volume of the ' Zoology of the Voyage of the ' Beagle \' I will say a few words about what we know of each of these birds. Z. canicapilla is generally of the size and form o£ Z.pileata, though the legs and feet_, judging from the examples now before me, are more slender. The under surface closely re- sembles that of Z. pileata ; and there is the same bright rufous patch on each side of the neck. The upper surfaces of these two birds are also much alike, except as regards the head. This in Z. canicapnlla is of a uniform grey, with narrow white superciliaries, and, as will be seen from the figure (PI. I. fig. 1), shows no signs whatever of the two broad black lines on the sides of the crown which distinguish Z. pjileata. Mr. Darwin obtained his specimens of Z. canicapilla at Port Desire, in Southern Patagonia, and on Tierra del Fuego, and found it nesting at the former locality. Mr. Durnford, as recorded above (p. 33), found it to be the " common Sparrow '^ of Chu- put, which is a rather more northern locality than Port Desire. Dr. Cunningham obtained it at Ancud, in the Island of Chiloe, and at Sandy Point, in Southern Patagonia ; but in our list of his collection (Ibis, 1870, p. 499) we did not recognize his skins as distinct from Z. pileata. I remark that in Gray^s ' Hand-list ' (ii. p. 94) Z. canicapilla is referred to Fringilla australis, Lath. ; but in my opinion Latham^s description is too vague to enable any certain conclusion to be drawn from it. Z. strigiceps, as will be seen by the figure (PI. I. fig. 2), is much more distinct from Z. pileata in plumage, and has shorter wings and more feeble feet, though not essentially different in form. It may at once be known from both the allied South- American species by the absence of the chestnut patches on the sides of the neck and of the lateral black marks on the throat. The feathers on the crown of the head are dark red, passing into cinereous on the nape, each feather 48 Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. having a median longitudinal baud of black, which renders the specific term strigiceps very apposite. Mr. Darwin gives as the locality of this species Santa Fe, on the Eio Parana. It is singular that in all the collections from the Argentine Republic which I have examined of late years, I have never met with an example of it, the only spe- cimen I have seen being one in my own collection, which I obtained in exchange from Mr. Gould some years ago, and which is probably one of Mr. Darwin's original skins. This, however, is most likely due to the fact that most of the Ar- gentine collections have been procured from the vicinity of Buenos Ayres, and that Santa Fe, as pointed out by Mr. Darwin^, belongs to a different fauna. V. — Ornithological Letters from the Bremen Expedition to JVestern Siberia. By Otto Finsch, Ph.D., Hon. Memb. B.O.U., Chief of the Expedition. On board the steamer 'Beljetschenko,' River ( )b, 3rd .Tuly, 1876. Sir, — I beg leave to send you a few notes relating to the birds observed by us during our recent trip through Western Siberia and into the northern parts of Turkestan and China. Though we left Nishni- Novgorod on the 19th March, we did not reach Omsk until the 20th of April, the roads being in a bad state, OAving to the forwardness of the spring, and the consequent melting of the snow. No opportunities oflered for making any observations on the birds of the country passed through, except as regards the few species seen on the road- * '' In the morning we arrived at Santa F^. I was surprised to observe how great a change of climate a difference of only three degrees of lati- tude between this place and Buenos Ayres had caused. This was evident from the dress and complexion of the men, from the increased size of the ombu trees — the number of new cacti and other plants, and especially fi'om the birds. In the course of an hour I remarked half-a-dozen of the latter which I had never seen at Buenos Ayres. Considering that there is no natural boundary between the two places, and that the character of the country is nearly similar, the difference was much greater than I should have expected." — Narr. Voy. Beayle, iii. p. 147. Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. 49 side. These consisted solely of European winter residents, such as Corvus cor ax, C. comix, C. frugilegus, C. monedula, Pica caudata, Emberiza citrinella, Pyrrhula vulgaris, and Ducks and Swans in great numbers, which rested on the open water of every river and lake. Before reaching Tjumen, and between that town and Omsk, we observed Tetrao tetrix and Lagopus alpinus everywhere in great numbers. Of the former we met with a flock of about sixty or more. They were feed- ing on the road, and allowed us to approach within shot. At Omsk we made the acquaintance of Professor Slovzoff, the most accomplished and diligent collector in Siberia. His collection, which forms the museum of the Military Gym- nasium, contains a number of birds, all, however, belonging to European species. A fine specimen of Gypaetus came from the Balchasch, a species said to occur in the southern Altai. We did not ourselves meet with this bird of prey. Whilst here we obtained a specimen of Parus cyaneus, being the third seen by Professor Slovzoflf during a nine years' resi- dence at Omsk. On leaving Omsk we travelled as quickly as possible across the steppe along the Kozakline to Semipalatinsk, where we arrived on the 29th of April. On the road we observed num- bers of Falco rufipes, F. cenchris. Circus cyaneus, and for the first time Alauda sibirica, A. tartarica, Motacilla citreola {one only), Charadrivs gregarius, Otis tarda, and 0. tetrax. Cranes, and large flocks of Ducks, Geese, and Swans. We saw a single H<3em,atopus ostralegus, a species we did not meet with again until reaching the Irtisch and Ob rivers. Corvus comix, C. frugilegus, C. monedula. Pica caudata, and Sturnus vulgaris were everywhere common. The Crows and Magpies built their nests, in default of large trees, on bushes, some- times only a few feet from the ground. Corvus corone we never saw, and the Raven only near woods. In the environs of Semipalatinsk we obtained Saxicola leucomela, Phyllo- scopus tristis, and Cyanecula suecica (with the maroon- coloured throat-spot) ; the same bird we afterwards found in the Chinese Altai and on the Irtisch. On the 3rd of May we went to the Arcad Mountains, SEK. IV. VOL. I. E 50 Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. where we successfully hunted the Argali sheep. Under the escort of Kirgises we were conducted to where a man possessed a Golden Eagle {Aquilafidva) trained to hunt foxes and wolves. Alauda tartarica was plentiful in the steppe, A. albigida and A. brachydactyla scarce. In the mountains we found Anas rutila, Petrocincla saxatilis, and a species of RuticUla (? aurorea) . From the Arcad we went to the large lake Ala-kul, by way of Sergiopol, where we arrived on the 7th of May, observing there for the first time Cuculus canorus and Hirundo 7'ustica — the white-vented form, the only one we met with during our voyage. The Ala-kul is the resort of thousands of water- fowl ; but it is difficult to shoot them, owing to the density of the reeds on the margin of the water. The more interesting species we observed were Larus ichtliyaetus, Pele- canus onocrotalus (?), Anas rvfina, and other Ducks, such as Anas boschas, A. strepera, A. acuta, A. peneJope, A. querque- dula, A. crecca, A. leucopldhalma, &c. Anser cinereus was the only species of Goose we saM^ ; and it had hatched its young on May the 9th. Ardea alba, Recurvirostra avocetfa, Himantopus rufipes, and Grus ci?ierea were not rare, nor were Larus ridibundus and L. canus, or a species allied to it. Of small birds I saw Saxicola rubicola, numbers of Reed- Warblers, amongst them Calamoherpe locustella and the Black- capped Wagtail. 1 paid great attention to this last-named species throughout my journey. We first met with the grey- headed form {Motacilla cinereocapilla) ; afterwards, near a place called Karakol, the true M. melanocephala, living to- gether with the former. Amongst the black-capped birds I also collected birds with the white superciliary stripe, a form which has also been separated specifically. On the Ala-kul M. melanocephala was most abundant, as also in the steppe region. Grey-headed birds, however, were nowhere absent. A Lark we obtained is apparently Alauda pispoletta. Turtur gelastes breeds on the steppe, where also we procured Turdus atrogularis, though the whole region is destitute of Dr. O. Finsch^s Ornithological Letters. 51 trees. Pastor roseus was plentiful ; but we did not find its breeding-place. On leaving lake Ala-kul we went to Lepsa^ at the foot of the Ala-taw Mountains — the mighty frontier between Russia and China. Thence we made excursions into the mountains, never being able to ascend to any great elevation on account of the snow. We now found numbers of representatives of the Indian avi- fauna which we had not previously met with. Instead of the common Wagtail, which we still observed on the Ala-kul, we had the pleasure of seeing Motacilla personata in the streets of Lepsa, a species observed along the whole road through the Tarbagatai and Altai to Kolywan. In Barnaul Motacilla alba was again the only species. We also saw Cinclus leucog aster, a species of Pica (most likely P. leucoptera) , the Himalayan Fringilla caniceps, a Petrocincla which I cannot make out at present, a species of Columba allied to C. pulumbus, but distinct, a wonderful species of Saxicola, throughout black, except the head, which was grey. This bird was shot near the interesting Dscassyl-kul, an alpine lake, situated 5000 feet above the sea-level. We also met with Cotyle rupestris, Carpo- dacus erythrinus, a Corvus smaller than C. corax, but larger than C. corone, perhaps also new. From Lepsa we went back to the Ala-kul, and by the road of Urdscha-Bacty to the Chi- nese town of Tschugutschak, and thence crossing the Tarba- gatai Mountains, which form the Russo-Chinese frontier, by the Bugutai pass to Saissan, where we arrived on the 30th of May. The greater part of our way lay through steppe region abounding with Larks. Our common species [Alauda arvensis) we found everywhere, even on the highest meadows of the Altai ; also A. brachydactyla, and a species resembling A. sibirica, but larger, and which I cannot now determine; A. albigula was also there. A. tartarica, strange to say, was absent, disappearing before we reached Sergiopol ; nor did we meet with this singular species again until we reached the desert-like steppe between Nor-Saissan and Maiterek, which is in character like the desert of Gobi, as we were told by people who know the latter. E 2 52 Dr. O. Fiusch^s Ornithologicnl Letters. A most welcome addition to our collection was a beautiful species of Emberiza, allied to E. rutila, but larger, and, so far as I can judge at present, E. iderina. This species, which we afterwards found on the north-western part of the Altai, be- hind Serianowsk, is almost restricted in its range to places where the peculiar steppe-grass, the Tschid, grows. I was surprised to find Passer domesticus to be the common Spar- row of all the villages. During our second visit to Ala-kul we observed Ibis falci- nellus, many Cormorants, apparently of the common species, Grrus virgo, Glareola torquata, and on the steppe Coracius garrula and Merops apiaster. Near Urdschar the song of the Nightingale [Luscinia philomela) was heard in the willow trees, and a Butcher-bird was procured like Lanius arenarius. In crossing the Tarbagatai Mountains Ave had to traverse several plateaux with steppe-like character. We obtained the young of Gj-us virgo, and saw many Eagles, apparently A. fulva and A. imperialis. Ascending the Tarbagatai to Sais- san, we found Pastor roseus abounding in the rocky ravines : one Hock was estimated to contain a thousand birds ; and a single shot killed twenty-five of them. In Saissan, where we resided from the 27th to the 30th of May, I had only time to make one excursion to the rocky mountains which surround the little town. Dr. Brclim, how- ever, and Count Waldburg made a trip with a Kirgis hunter to the Manrack Mountains, in order to shoot Megaloperdix, of which Dr. Brehm wae fortunate enough to secure one. It does not belong to the Altai species [M. altaicus), but may perhaps be the same as Tetr aog alius nig elli. Some specimens of a fine species of Ruticilla, unknown to me, were secured, and a fine species of Linaria, apparently the same as the Himalayan bird. It was afterwards observed in the high Altai. During this time I shot Muscicapa grisola, the only species of Flycatcher seen during our whole journey ; I also obtained Saxicola leucomela, a species of Emberiza, and a Carpodacus allied to C. githagineus, both apparently new. From Saissan we went to the Kara Irtisch, and down this beautiful river to the Nor-Saissan, a magnificent lake. Dr. O. FinscVs Ornithological Letters. 53 where birds abounded. Along the Kara or Black Irtisch we observed many Eagles, especially Haliaetus albicilla, and still more commonly H. leucorxjphus. This latter species fre- quented the lake, where Milvus melanotis was also seen. A species of Goose I was unable to determine. It had a black bill, and might have been Anser grandis ; but the size was too small. A large Gull I secured seems different from Larus marinus ; and a Panurus which frequented the reed-beds may be P. biarmicus. In addition to these species I secured Emberiza pyrrhuloides and Motacilla cinej'eocapilla, with the white eye-stripe. The Eagles unfortunately were moulting, and did not make good skins. After crossing theNor-Saissan we had to traverse the desert- like steppe of Tarik, mentioned above. There one travels for hours without meeting with water, nevertheless we found Alauda tartarica, A. brachydactyla, and a Lanius allied to L. phmnicurus. This district also is one of the favourite resorts of Equus onager, of which we observed many indivi- duals and procured a young one, which had been caught by a Cossack, Here we collected specimens of Syrrhaptes para- doxus, Otis macqueeni, Pterocles exustus, Glareola melanopjtera, and for the first time the female of the Emberiza like E. j'utila, mentioned above. We reached Maiterek, a military fort in the southern Altai, on the 4th of June, and then made, in company with General Poltaratsky, the Governor of Semipalatinsk, an interesting excursion through the Chinese high Altai, which was some- what marred by the badness of the weather. We experienced rain, snow, and very cold weather the whole time. We left Maiterek on the 6th of June, reached the interesting lake Marka-kul, 5000 feet above the sea^ on the 7th, and, descend- ing from the high pass (9000 feet) of Buricat to the valley of the Buchtarma, reached Altaiskesche Stanitzaonthe 11th, being here again on Russian territory. The unfavourable weather prevented our making the observations we should otherwise have done, and we saw comparatively few species of birds. In the more dangerous passes of the high moun- tains we observed the Himalayan Linaria, an Antlms like 54 Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. A. aquaticus, Alpine Crows^ apparently Pyrrhocorax, Aquila fulva, Saxicola cenanthe (bnt with a stouter bill) , and, strangely enoughj Cr ex prat en sis. The Marakul lake abounded with birds. I never before saw so many Eagles ; and the number of Milvus melanotis was astonishing : on a single dead tree I counted fifteen. The Eagles belonged to H. leucoryphus, a species like Aquila ra- pax, but larger, A. imperialis, and A. fulva. I shot a singular Regulus, without a stripe on the crown, which may be new. Besides these we ohtnmed Alotacilla citreola, Anthus pratensis, Turdus atrogularis, Sturnns vulgaris, and a beautiful Bunting resembling Emberiza pithyornis, but different, and perhaps new. The lake was rich with waterfowl — Anas rutila (with young broods), A. crecca, A. penelope, A. strepera, A. acuta, A. boschas, A. nyroca, &c., Podiceps cristatus and P. cor- nutus, Carbo cormoranus, Larus ridibundus. Sterna fissipes, &c. We saw neither Geese nor Pelecans. From Altaiskesche Stanitza we travelled as quickly as pos- sible by way of Serianowsk Usdkamenogorsk to Barnaul, where we arrived on the 22nd of June. During this journey we travelled too fast to observe or collect much. Above Se- rianowsk I saw a peculiar Swift, larger than Cypselus apus, but with a white rump. Dr. Brehmhas since been fortunate enough to secure a specimen at Salair, on the northern Altai, between Barnaul and Tomsk ; and I do not doubt that the species will prove to be undescribed. When going on the river Irtsch, from Werchne Pristan to Kamenogorsk, we found a large colony of Hirundo rufida, the only time we met with the species during our voyage. Near Barnaul we secured Emberiza aureola, which was very common, also Larus minutus. I hope to find time to send you a further report on the birds observed during our voyage on the river Ob. At present we have only spent two days on this magnificent stream. I can only say that hitherto I have seen comparatively few birds ; but the river is flooded. The extensive woods which border the river doubtless support a large amount of animal life ; but we see little from the deck of our steamer. Dr. O. Finscli's Ornithological Letters. 55 On board the Lotka ' Bismarck,' on the Ob river, Sept. 26th, 1876. In my last letter I sent you a few notes on the birds observed during our trip through the north-eastern part of Turkestan, the north-western frontier of China, and the high Altai, which we were obliged^ unfortunately, to cross in great haste ; for I consider these regions of the greatest interest, and a most attractive country for naturalists in general, and especially ornithologists. I can only regret that we had to travel in such haste to re^ch our destination, the Ob region, as soon as possible. We left Barnaul, the capital of the Altai, on the 28th of June, and reached Tomsk, a dis- tance of 435 versts, on the 1st of July. We chose the route of Salair in order to see the north-western part of the Altai Mountains. This region is covered with immense woods, and contains much animal life. But going always very fast in our carriage (called a tarantasse), we could only observe birds like flowers, on the road-side. In the woods we no- ticed a Buteo, the Haven, Corvus comix, Pica caudata, Cu- culus canorus, Starlings, Carpodacus eryth'inus, Tardus mu- sicus and T. v'lscivorus, and one or two species of Phyllo- scopus which I coidd not make out. From Salair to Tomsk the mountainous wood-region disappears ; and in its place is a steppe of high grass, mixed with small clumps of trees (chiefly birch trees). Here Falco vespertinus (with young able to fly) is one of the commonest birds, together with Pica caudata, Corvus cornix, Pratiacola rubicola, and Emberiza aureola. Occasionally I observed Aquila imperialis, Falco tinnunculus, and Circus cyaneus ; and Milvus niger was by no means rare. The song of Luscinia philomela was often heard in the thick bushes, as well as that of Sylvia garrula, and the harsh cry of Crex prateiisls, which was our regular night music during our whole tour through the Altai, even at the high elevations of more than 6000 to 8000 feet. We embarked in the magnificent steamer/ Beljetschenko,' belonging to our friend Ivan Ivanovitsch Ignatoff^, and left Tomsk at an early hour on the second of July. The steamers of this gentleman perform a regular service during summer 56 Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. between Tjumen aud Tomsk^ aud are very comfortable ; but, alas ! tbe luxury of tliis excellent vessel availed us only for a short time. We went down the river Ob (1300 versts), to the village of Samarowa_, a short distance up the river Irtisch, not far from the junction of this river with the Ob. Here we had to leave the steamer ; and by the liberality of Mr. Semzoff, a chief merchant of Samarowa^ we were furnished with two "lotkas," free of cost, for our voyage down the river. A " lotka ^^ is a boat about 40 feet in length, covered for its greater part with a deck, and is propelled by rowing or towing. During our voyage in the steamer we had few op- portunities for making ornithological observations. The wea- ther was not favourable and the river overflooded, so that it often resembled a great lake, bordered with woods of fir trees, and intermixed with numerous islets, covered chiefly with willows. Waterfowl were seen in great numbers, but so far off that we could not make out the species. Larus marinus and Ste7'na hirundo were plentiful. Sometimes Ave observed Haliaetus albicilla (once I got a fledgling) ; but the most com- mon bird was Cotyle riparia. Every time we passed high sandbanks we found large breeding colonies, the inhabitants of which were busy flying in and out of nest-holes. The situ- ation of the holes varies as the height of the bank ; some- times they ai'e very high, at other times so low that one can easily touch the nests ; but nevertheless it is very difiicult to catch the bird by hand. We left Samarowa in the early morning of the 6th of July, reaching the town of Berezotf on the 9th, and Obdorsk, the ultima TJmle of civilization, on the 13th, the whole distance being reckoned at little more than 1000 versts. There are more than forty stations to be called at by rowing people, most of them only Ostiakian yurt-placcs for fishing, which is the chief and only business along the river Ob. The scenery on the river is nearly the same throughout the whole of its length. On the right hand the banks are high, often per- pendicular, formed by sand, aud covered Avith magnificent woods of larch and birch trees. The left bank is low, and Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. 57 is clothed chiefly with willows. As the river was very high, the low land on the left was flooded to a great degree, and we often went for long distances in narrow channels, or crossed meadow-grounds. Here waterfowl were very numerous, but shy. We distinguished Anas acuta, A. clypeata, A. crecca, A. penelope, and A. fuUgula ; Geese and Swans kept too far off to be made out. Hcematopus ostralegus and Numenius arquata were not uncommon, but only in small companies. In the woods on the right bank we found Corythus enucleator, Fringilla montifringilla, Sylvia garrula, Phylloscopus tro- chilus, and P. tristis, the latter resembling in manner very much our P. rufus. No Flycatcher ! no Garrulus or Nuci- fraga ! Tits were heard only a few times, but not seen. Ob- servations, indeed, are very difficult. After leaving Tomsk we suffered continually from mosquitos, and it was nearly im- possible to leave the lotka. Even an English mosquito-gar- ment was of no use ; and the woods are so thick that no veil is of any benefit. The woods in general are silent ; and if a bird is to be heard, it is still more difficult to see it in the thickness of the foliage and the underwood. The most common birds were Corvus corniw and Pica caudata, Em- beriza pusilla, Fringilla montifringilla, Motacilla alba, and M. cinereocapilla, which were to be seen at every station. Passer domesticus and P. campestris are only to be found on stations where cattle live; both species occur in the town of Berezofl", but not in Obdorsk. P. campestris goes as far up as Kuschowat, the last Russian village between Berezoff and Obdorsk, but disappears during winter time, as both Sparrows do at Berezoff. Hirundo rustica we found two stations further up than Berezoff", and H. urbica only as far as Monastir Kondinsky, about 260 versts above Sama- rowa. At Tschematschefskaja, 130 versts from Kondinsky, we found Picus minor and Turdus pilaris, both with fledg- lings ; and at Balschoi Ustram I got from an Ostiak two young of Ulula lapponica. At Kuschowat we first found Fringilla linaria, if I remember right, and for the last time saw Pra- tincola rubicola. Emberiza schceniclus we observed on the stations on the left bank everywhere where willow trees with 58 Dr. O. FinscVs Ornithological Letter's. swampy ground prevail ; such localities are also occupied by Motacilla citreola, which we observed after leaving Tachty, a few stations below Obdorsk, and GaUinayo media. As we de- scended the river the larger it became, the banks being some- times out of sight. Waterfowl increased in number. Just before reaching Obdorsk we found a small colony of Larus marinus breeding. The Polui river, on which Obdorsk is situated, swarmed with Ducks, among them (Eclemia nigra and (E. fusca ; Colymbus septentrionalis was also very common. After having engaged five men, furnished with provisions, we left Obdorsk on the moriiing of the 16th of July, bound for the Schtschutschja river, which we intended to ascend as far as possible, and thence to thePodarata river and the Kara Bay, these parts, lying between the Ob river and the Ural Mountains, never having been before visited by any zoologist. We reached Janburri, an Ostiakian yurt-place to the east of the mouth of the Schtschutschja river, on the 18th of July, and with difficulty obtained two Saraojeds to act as pilots up the river, as no one was acquainted with this part of the country, which is only visited by nomad Ostiaks and Samo- jeds and their herds of Reindeer. At Kiochat, a fishing- place on the right bank of the Ob, Lai^us marinus was plen- tiful, engaged in stealing fish from the nets. I here ob- served their singular habit of perching on dead branches of high trees. As soon as we reached the left bank we came to low flooded land, cut into many silent channels, bordered with low willow-scrub. Here Motacilla citreola was not uncommon, as also even Phalaropus cinereus. At Janburri Dr. Brehm shot Anthus seebohmi, discovered last year by Mr. Seebohm on the Pctchora river, and of which new species I had been kindly provided with a description by my friend Mr. Dresser. A little above Janburri I got a species of Calamo- herpe, peculiar in its manner and song, the latter being very sweet. As soon as we entered the Schtschutschja river we came into the tundra-region, except on the right bank, which is still covered more or less Avith woods. We observed Otiis brachyotus and, for the first time, Lagopus albus, not yet in full summer plumage. Tot anus glareola was the most com- Dr. O. Finscli's Ornithological Letters. 59 mon of its kind ; and at the bifurcation of the river (20th July) Count Zeil shot a male Terekia cinerea. Anthus cer- vinus, in habits partaking both of A. pratensis and ^. ar- boreus, was plentiful, as was also Lusciola suecica. Geese [Aiiser cinereus) were not rare, nor were Swans (probably Cygnus musicus) ; but we succeeded in getting only young in down, as well as young of Harelda glacialis, CEdemia nigra, and CE. fusca. Colymbus septentrionalis was very common, but, as usual, very shy. We went up the river about 130 versts, where we found an Ostiak, with his family, who had lived here for about four years, engaged in fishery, as a small species of Corrgonus (probably allied to C. albida), called "her- ring,"^ is very plentiful. We had the good luck to engage this Ostiak as a pilot for the Podarata river, said to be about five days^ journey on foot. We went further up the Schtschu- tschja river about thirty or forty versts, when navigation, except for small canoes, became impossible. On the 29th of July we had to leave the lotka, and went, a party of eleven men, furnished with provisions for nine days, to the Podarata river, where we expected to find reindeer ; so we were told. In the upper part of the river we observed Tringa mhiuta, which lives in the thick willow-brush and has a peculiar cry, Saxicola oenanthe, MotaciUa alba, Lusciola suecica, Chara- drius hiatictda, and, for the first time, C. auratus. Once we found the nest of Tringa minuta with four eggs, which hatched in a box with cotton, into which I had put them. Larus ma- rinus and Sterna hirundo were common ; of the latter we got young in down. Phylloscopus trochilus and P. tristis were observed as far as the wood-region extended, i. e. along the whole of the river. Plectrophmies lapponica and P. nivalis we found likewise on the upper course of the river. Of rapa- cious birds we observed the Osprey, Falco subbuteo, F. cesalon, F. peregrinus, and Buteo lagopus, all of them being rare. We left our lotka on the 31st of July, and sent it with two men back to a place called Tschornejar (high black bank), as the water was rapidly falling, and it would have been impos- sible to take the lotka back later in the season. We proceded on foot, carrying our ammunition and provisions, and reached 60 Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. the Podarata river, which flows into Kara Bay, on the 2nd of August, having had the good fortune to meet on the road an Ostiak with his herd of reindeer, from whom we purchased nine animals and three sledges to carry our pro- visions. Of these animals we lost six, as the "milzbrand^^ was rapidly decreasing the herds of reindeer. The Ostiak had owned 2000 reindeer, a number now reduced to only 600 ; as many as eighty animals sometimes died in one night. At the Podarata river, by chance, we found a second Ostiak with reindeer, who promised to bring us to the liorder of the sea. We went there in reindeer-sledges in the after- noon of the 3rd of August, but to our great disappointment were obliged to stop at about from twelve to fifteen versts from the sea itself, of which we got only a glance. We reached a little above 68° N. lat. The land before us consisted of swampy ground, varied by numerous lakes and stagnant morasses, which gradually give place to the very low sea-shore. It was impossible to cross this tract, even with reindeer ; and not being provided with a boat, and there being no wood with which to build a raft, we were obliged to return without reaching the shores of Kara Bay itself. We went back with the Ostiak to Tschornejar, on the Schtschutschja river, where we found our lotka on the lltli of August, although we had lost one of our men, an Ostiak and excellent fellow, who had died three days after having tasted the meat of one of the reindeer which had been struck by the incurable disease. During the fortnight we were absent we had to cross only tundra-ground, covered with dwarf birches, dwarf willows, mosses, and morasses, and varied with larger or smaller lakes, and sometimes small rivers. Mosquitos swarmed all the time, by day and by night. I need not say how we suflfered, the more so as provisions were scarce and, on account of want of fuel for fire, not easy to cook. Our principal at- tention was paid to Lagopus albus, which went about with fledged young, and Charudrius auratus, as both species formed the chief part of our meals. Once we got a family of Geese, an old female and six pretty- well grown young ; the species was Anser albifrons ! Generally Geese and Swans were rare. Dr. O. FinscVs Ornithological Letters. 61 and the large lakes poor in animal life. Every lake was inhabited by one or two pairs of Colymbus glacialis, which went about with small ones^ or with a number of pairs of Harelda glacialis, (Edemia nigra, or (E. fusca. Anas acuta, with young, was observed on small tundra-creeks, as well as A. penelope and A. crecca. The most common tundi'a- birds, except Charadrius auratus, which was, with its downy young, to be found on every dry elevation, and whose cry was heard by day and by night, were Lestris parasitica and L. pomatorhina, both splendid-looking birds, resembling Falcons when on the wing. Of both species we found young, which on our return were already able to fly. The chief food of both species seems to be lemmings {Mijodes obensis), which are plentiful. Besides these, Larus marinas was seen every day, but only in pairs, as they were hatching their young. On the borders of the lakes we found Tringa subarquata, T. temminchii, Machetes pugnax, all of them with young, as well as Gallinago media, which did not live in swampy grounds, but on the open dwarf-birch tundra. Of small birds Plectrophanes lapponica and P. nivalis (both with fledglings) were common, so also was Anthus pratensis and A. cervinus, the latter nearer to the wood-region, where i^rm- gilla linaria again was to be found. Otocorys alpestris we observed often. On the Podarata river we again observed Motacilla alba^ Saxicola aenanthe, and Lusciola suecica (all with young ones) . Of rapacious birds Falco peregrinus and Buteo lagopus were often observed, and their nests, with three or four young in down, found. They were built on the high banks of the river, or on the bare ground of the tundra. The young had to suffer very much from mosqnitos, which they swallowed in large numbers. Otus brachyotus was common ; but the magnificent Snowy Owl {Nyctea nivea), a most splendid bird, we observed only a few times, and only one was shot by Dr. Brehm. Charadrius morinellus I observed only once, in small flocks, on the 7th of August, being appa- rently already migrating. On returning to the Schtschutschja river, which we had to cross twice, we found animal life increased. We found again 62 Dr. O. Finsch^s Ornithological Letters. Emberiza pusilla, Saxicola oenanthe, Lusciola suecica, Tardus pilaris, Fringilla linaria, Anthus cervinus, Cotyle riparia, and, nearer to tlie mouth of the river, Corviis comix and C. cor ax ; the latter we observed also a few times on the tundra. Geese and Ducks were in great numbers, but as shy as Swans, of which we got only half-fledged young, which were most welcome for our cooking-pan. At the place where Count Zeil shot Terekia cinerea, I had the pleasure of shooting a full-grown young one of this species, being only the second specimen seen during our whole voyage, Phalaropus we did not observe again ; but Larus marinus, with young, now able to fly, was the most common Gull, as it is on the Avhole Ob river, where we never saw any Lestris. We returned to Obdorsk on the 19tli of August, where we had to stop till the 3rd of September, being engaged in dry- ing and packing the collections, and making our reports. Near Obdorsk we observed large flocks of Geese [Anser ci- nereus and A. minutus) which we had already obtained on the Schtschutschja, and A. ruficollis, of which we got by chance only one specimen, although the species is by no means rare. The Polui river swarmed with Ducks ; amongst them we got our first young in down of FuUfjula marila and F. nyroca. Larus marinus was common, as well as L. ridibundus, ac- companied by young nearly able to fly. On the flooded waters near the village Totanus fuscus was not rare in small companies, being very tame. Tringa temminckii appeared in small flocks, bearing still the full summer plumage, whereas Charadrius Maticula, which went also in large flocks, had already the winter garb. Of small birds Motacilla alba and Antlms pratensis were the most common in the village ; M. citreola we got about 100 versts above Obdorsk, just moult- ing, as well as M. flava [borealis] . Count Zeil got a single specimen of Turdus atrogtdaris (young bird moulting) and Numenius arquata, which feeds at this time chiefly on berries. Nisus fringillarius, so rare in this regio-n, I observed several times near the village. Our way up the river was very tedious, as we had to strug- gle continually against contrary winds and the current. Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. 63 Besides^ the niglits were again dark^ and often we were unable to proceed ; even tlie weather was often cold and bad, and rains fell just as in the late autumn in Germany. So the distance we had gone down the river in eight days we re- quired twenty-three days to pull the lotka against the stream, and did not reach Berezoff before the 12th, the village of Samarowa not until tlie 26tli of September. The river had changed its appearance a great deal, as well as the whole landscape. Silent arms into which we had gone formerly were dried up, or had not water enough, except for Geese and Ducks ; and the high right bank, formerly touched by the water of the rivei', was bordered by a broad strand of sand or clay, covered with enormous masses of drift wood. Large banks of sand had made their appearence, and sometimes di- vided the stream for long distances into two smaller arms. The foliage of the woods was wrapped in autumnal dress ; the yellow and orange of the birch trees was varied by the red of the poplar and several smaller trees, intermixed with the light green of the larch [Larioc] and the dark black-green of pine and cedar woods. So the view of the landscape was everywhere magnificent, and one could look at it for hours, even if the ornithological life sometimes was very poor, some- times for a long while not a bird being seen. We had to land twice a day, in order to cook our meals, on a small Os- tiakian yurt-place, or where we found it most convenient ; there was now no want of wood. Every time we went on shore we went hunting for some hours, as, fortunately, mos- quitos were no longer present. The woods sometimes are impenetrable, so thick is the growth of the trees, the multi- tude of broken trees and twigs. Generally the interior of the woods was silent, although we observed more birds than when we went down the river. At that time the birds were breeding, and so hid themselves more in the immense scrub and thickets, and were less visible than now, when they had more or less united in flocks preparatory to migration. We observed nearly all the birds we had seen on the trip down, except the Swallows and the Cuckoo, which had gone already. The call of the latter we had heard up to the 64 Dr. O. Finsch's Ornithological Letters. Schtscliutsclija river. Einheriza pusilla we left behind some stations above Obdorsk; but now we found Parus cinctus j)lentiful^ and a Parus which I take to be P. camschatcensis or P. borealis. Its cry and manners are nearly the same as tliose of our P. palustris ; but besides it has a short but me- lodious song. Between Obdorsk and Berezoff we first found Sitta uralensis, which in general was very scarce^ and only seen in pairs. Besides these^ Piciis tridactylus was shot, oc- curring in willow- as well as in pine-woods ; Picus martins was seen once ; Picus minor was the most common species of Woodpecker. No Certhia ! FringiUa montifringiUa and F. linaria, both moulting and with young, went in large flocks and were to be met everywhere ; but we did not sec either Corythus or Loxia. Corvus corax was often met ; but the most common Crows were C. comix and Pica caudata, the latter chiefly in villages where cattle are tended. Here often twelve or fourteen assemble on the roof of a single house. At Berezoff" I observed, for the first time on the Ob, a large flock of Corvus frugilegus, apparently wandering ; and at the village SucharoAvskaja, 120 versts down SamaroAva, we first observed Corvus monedula and Parus major. Nucifraga ca- ryocatactes was plentiful in the woods on the right Ijank. No Garrulus ; but Perisoreus infaustus was sometimes ob- tained. It feeds on berries, beetles, and mice. We did not find Passer campestris at the village of Kuschowat, as the species is only a summer visitor there ; but we found both species at the town of Berezoff", and here, besides, Enibe^'iza citrinella. This species, which we had not once seen when going down the river, was now plentiful everywhere. Of birds of prey we observed sometimes the Osprey and a few Falcons [Falco subbuteo, and apparently a larger species, per- haps F. gyrfalco). Of Owls, Count Zeil shot a fine spe- cimen of Surnia nisoria, which we had observed a few times previously. Once I saw a small Falco cBsalon being chased by an Otus brackyotus. Having during our trip down the river only once seen Tetrao bonasia, which I shot near the village Malo Atlim, this species now was plentiful as soon as we left Berezoff'. It is a most elegant bird, and although not Dr. O. Finscli's Ornitholoykal Letters. G5 sliy^ difficult to secure without the assistance of a good dog. Tetrao tetrix and T. urogallus, the Gluchar of the Russians^ was sometimes observed, the former in large flocks of thirty and more. T. urogallus I once met in the woods, sitting very close to me on a dead tree ; but I could not bring the bird down, being provided only with dust-shot. Hazel-Grouse hunting once brought us into great difficulty, as both Dr. Brehm and Count Zeil missed their way out of a wood, and on night overtaking them were obliged to remain where they were till the morning, when I, with as many Ostiaks as I could get together, went in search of them, and fortunately came up with them in a short time. Of Thrushes we found Turdus pilaris the most common species, but far less plentiful than in Lapland ; T. musicus, T. iliacus, and T. atrogularis were rare ; once I met a pair of T. ruficoUis and shot one. Frin- gilla linaria and F. montifringilla we did not observe after the 24th of September, when we were amongst the willow-woods of the left bank. Even Motacilla alba had disappeared, An- thus pratensis was only seen sparingly, no A. cervinus ; but Otocorys alpestris appeared in large flocks. The most inter- esting small bird was one I observed a few times from the 19th to the 21st of September; it was a Sylviine bird, resem- bling much in manners our Redthroat, but having the call- note of our Ruticilla phoenicurus. This note I had heard not unfrequently when we were going down the river ; but now for the first time I caught sight of the songster^ sitting on a low elder bush, and reminding me of the female of Lusciola suecica. On shooting the bird it proved to be the Sylvia cy- anura of Pallas. I only once saw the male in its elegant garb. All the birds we shot during the last half of August, and until after the middle of September, were moulting. After about the 22nd of September we did not observe any more Phyl- loscojms trochilus or P. tristis, or Anthus cervinus. Geese and Ducks became scarcer as we ascended the river, although large flocks of Geese were still seen as late as the 25tli of September, but sparingly, and not every day as during the first fortnight of September. No Cormorant was seen along the whole length of the Ob river ! Gulls are always present. SEll. IV. VOL. I. r 66 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi Of Larus marinus mostly dark-coloured young ones are to be seen^ and L. canus and L. ridibundus, bearing now their winter dress. L. minutus and Hmnatopus ost7'alegus we did not see after leaving Berezoff, nor the Crane^ of which I got a half-grown young bird on the 7th of September. Large flocks of the last-named species were going south, and most of the birds are already emigrating and bidding farewell to the north. We are about to follow them, but in a western direction and more slowly ; for we have still to travel about 2500 versts in a carriage to the first railway, at Nishni- Novgorod, which will, we hope, take us safely and quickly home. VI. — On the Phylloscopi or Willoto-Warblers. By Henry Seebohm, F.Z.S. The Phylloscopi, or Willow- Warblers, are a group of about thirty species of birds, the synonymy of which has hitherto been in much confusion. The differences between many of the species are very slight; and the descriptions of some of them are so meagre, that it is difficult to determine to which they belong without access to the type specimens. They may be described as Warblers with more or less slender bills, varying in the colour of their plumage from olive-green to brown in the upper parts, and from yellow, with an occasional dash of buff or green, to white underneath. Some of the stout-billed species have bills as large and broad as those of the smaller species of the genus Hypolals, whilst others have bills as small and slender as in the genus Regulus. Others, again, approach the more brilliantly coloured species of the genus Abrornis, It is possible that a careful study of the allied genera may lead to a rearrangement of the whole family ; but this ques- tion must be left to a future paper. For our present purpose it will be enough to point out the following distinctions be- tween the various sections of Phylloscojms and the members of the allied genus Hypolais ; — or Willow -War biers. 67 Hypolais. Bill larger, and pale underneath ; no bar across the wings. Phylloscopus {Acanthopneuste) . Bill large, and pale un- derneath ; one, and frequently two bars across the wings. A. No mesial line on the crown. 1. borealis (Blasius). 5. teneUipes, Swinlioe. 2. xanthodryas, Swiuhoe. 6. plumb eitarsus, Swinhoe. 3. nitidus, Blyth. 7. magnirostris, Blyth. 4. viridanus, Blyth. 8. lugubris, Blyth. B. A mesial line on the crown. 9. coronata (Temminck). 12. viridipennis, Blyth. 10. occipitalis (Jerdon). 13. presbytis (Miiller). 11. trnchiloides (Sundevall). Phylloscopus [Phylloscopus .) Bill slender, more or less dark underneath : no bar across the wings. O. Axillaries and wing-lining buff. 14. schwarzi (Radde). 17. indicus (Jerdon). 15. fuscatus, Blyth. 18. fuliginiventris (Hodgson). 16. umbrovirens (Ptiippell). D. Axillaries and \ving-liniiig yellow or white. 19. 5^6^/a^n,27 (Bechstein) . 24. ^m/is, Blyth. 20. trochilus (Linnaeus), 25. neglectus (Hume). 21. gatkei, Seebohm. 26. affinis (Tickell). 22. bonellii (Vieillot). 27. tytleri (Brooks). 23. coUybita (Vieillot). Phylloscopus [Reguloides] . Bill slender, more or less dark underneath ; two bars across the wing ; a more or less distinct mesial line on the crown. 28. superciliosus (Gmelin). 31. subviridis (Brooks). 29. proregulus (Pallas). 32. maculipennis (Blyth). 30. erochrous (Hodgson). The geographical range of this group seems to be confined to the Old World, one species only having hitherto been found r2 68 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi in the western hemispliere, and that probably an accidental straggler on its first autumnal migration. The principal points to be observed in determining the various species of this genus are : — {a) the size of the bill and the colour of the under mandible ; {b) the size of the bastard primary (in the following description the exposed portion only is measured) ; (c) the wing-formula^ especially the rela- tion Avhicli the second primary bears in length to the other primaries; [d) the comparison between the lengths of the wings and tail ; (e) the jjresence or absence of one or two bars across the wings^ formed by the wing-coverts being paler in colour at their tips ; (/) the presence or absence of a pale mesial line on the crown^ which is generally accompanied by the intervening space between it and the superciliary streaks being darker than the back ; {g) the colour of the axillaries and wing-lining; and [h) the colour of the tarsus and feet*. In some cases colour alone can be relied upon to deter- mine the species; and the difficulty is increased by the great seasonal changes to wdiich both the upper and underparts are subject. The autumn plumage of most of the species^ more especially that of birds of the year, is very yellow, sometimes approaching buff, which frequently disappears entirely in the breeding-plumage of old birds, especially in the colder lati- tudes. The bars on the wing, and the mesial line on the crown, are occasionally indistinguishable when the plumage has become much abraded. There is also considerable varia- tion in size between individuals of the same species, and es- pecially between the sexes. An average variation in the length of the wing of the males will probably be about a quarter of an inch. The largest females are usually equal in size to the smallest males ; and as the females vary equally in length of wing, the total margin of variation between the smallest female and the largest male is half an inch — a very great variation in the length of the wing of such small birds. * The comparative lengths of the tail-feathers does not seem to be a character of much value. Most of the species of this group have the tail both rounded and forked ; i. e. the two outer and the two centre feathers are the shortest. or Willow-Warblers. 69 Where the dimensions given in the following descriptions do not show so much variation^ it may arise from my not having been able to procure access to a sufficiently large series. In order satisfactorily to determine the various species of this genus^ an acquaintance with the birds in a state of nature seems more than ordinarily necessary ; and this is probably the reason why this group has not been brought into better order by our cabinet ornithologists. The following attempt to reduce this refractory genus into something like order is the result of the comparison of about four hundred skins from the collections of the British Museum^ Lord Tweeddale^ Canon Tristram^ Messrs. Dresser, Swinhoe, Brooks, von Homeyer, the Indian Museum, and my own collection. I am especially indebted to my friends, Mr. H. E. Dresser for assistance in Avorking out the intricate details of the syn- onymy, and to Mr. W. E. Brooks for skins of various Indian species, wdiich have been carefully compared with Blyth's types in the Calcutta Museum. In the synonymy I have carefully avoided the pedantry of a long catalogue of useless references ; and I have endeavoured to make the descriptions of the birds as short and as easy of comparison as possible. Much remains to be done in the geo- graphical distribution ; and doubtless a few years^ researches may detect many errors in, and make some additions to, our present knowledge of this interesting group of birds. 1. Phylloscopus borealis (Blasius). Sylvia {Phyllopneuste) eversmanii, Middendorff, Sib. Reise, p. 178 (1851, nee Bonap.) ; Radde, Eeisen im Slid. v. Ost- Sibir. ii. p. 263 (1863, nee Bonap.). Phyllopseustes eversmanii, Homeyer, Cab, Journ. f. Orn. 1872, p. 202 (nee Bonap.). Phyllopneuste borealis, Blasius, Naumannia, 1858, p. 313. Phyllopseustes borealis, Meves, Cab. Journ. f. Orn. 1875, p. 429. Phylloscopus sylvicultrix, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1860, p. 53. 70 Mr. H. Seebolira on tJie Phylloscopi Sylvia flcwescens, G. R. Gray, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 349. Phylloscopus hylebata, Swiuh. J. A. S. Beng. xxiv. p. 265 (1861). Phyllopneuste kennicotti, Baird, Trans. Chicago Ac. Sc. i. p. 313 (1869). Obs. Phyllopneuste javanica (Horsfield), mentioned by Bla- sius (Ibis, 1862, p. 66) as this species, or one very closely connected with it, is pronounced by Sclater and Finscli (Ibis_, 1873, p. 475) to be a Zosterops. Bill large, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over, especially on the rump, with yellowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edges of each feather broadly margined with yellowish gi-een. Superciliary streak ex- tending to the nape. Head the same colour as the bacJc. Underparts nearly white, slightly dashed with yellow and grey on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs pale yellow. After the autumn moult the whole of the underparts are pale yellow, dashed with grey on the breast and flanks. Third and fourth primaries longest. Fifth considerably shorter. Sixth very considerably shorter still. Second intermediate in length between the fifth and sixth. The bastard primanj very small. The exposed part mea- sures "3 to "35 in adults, and •4 to '45 in birds of the year. First wing -bar distinct. Sometimes traces of second wing- bar in birds of the year. Length of wing — male 2"70 to 2*55, female 2'55 to 2*40. Length of tail— male 2-00 to I'QO, female 1-90 to 1-80. Legs and claws brown. This species breeds in the north of the palsearctic region, at or near the limit of forest-growth, and in a similar climate in the subalpine districts of Southern Siberia. It passes through China on migration, and winters in the East-India islands and the islands surrounding the Burmah peninsula. It unites an extreme south-eastern winter-range with a wider northern range than that of any other species of the genus. Collett has recently obtained it in Finmark ; and it is not un- common in summer at Archangel {Alston and Harvie Brown, or WUloiv-Warblers . 71 Ibis, 1873, p. 61) . It has been shot at Mesen {Piottuch in Mus. H. Seebohm) and on the Petchora {Seebohm snad Harvie Brown, Ibis, 1876, p. 216). Skins collected by Dr. Dy- bowski near Lake Baical are common in collections. Mid- dendorflp (fide Meves) found it as far east as Okotsk. Prje- valski found it in the breeding-season in S.E. Mongolia; and in Dresser's and Lord Tweeddale's collections are skins from Japan. It has been obtained on migration at St. Michael's, in Norton Sound {Dall & Bannister, Trans. Chicago Ac. Sc, i. p. 278), and as far west as Heligoland {Gaetke, Ibis, 1862, p. QQ). Swinhoe (Ibis, 1860, p. 53) describes this species as passing in great numbers through Amoy in spring and autumn, and notices (Ibis, 1866, p. 295) its abundance in the island of Formosa in October. It has not been found wintering so far west as Calcutta or Ceylon ; but I have identified skins from Labuan, N.W. Borneo [Low in Brit. Mus. and Mus. H. See- bohm), Gilolo [Wallace in Brit. Mus.), Timor [Wallace in Brit. Mus.), Flores and Ternate [Wallace in Mus. Lord Tweeddale), Batchian [Wallace in Brit. Mus.), and South Andaman Islands [Warcllaw Ramsay in Mus. Lord Tweed- dale). On the mainland it has been found at Malacca {Maingay in Mus. Lord Tweeddale) and in the Tenasserim provinces (Stray Feathers, ii. p. 478). The very small bastard primary of this species serves to distinguish adults from every other species of the genus, ex- cept P. sihilatrix, with which bird it cannot possibly be con- founded. Birds of the year approach P. xanthodryas very closely, but have not quite such a large bastard primary, nor quite such a large bill. I have not been able to obtain any authentic information respecting the nest or eggs of this species. 2. Phylloscopus xanthoduyas, Swinhoe. Phylloscopus xanthodryas, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 296, Bill large, under mandible pale. Upper parts yellowish olive-green. Superciliary streaK green- ish yellow. Head the same colour as the back. 73 Mr. H. Seebolim on the Pliylloscopi Underparts, axillaries, and wing- lining greenish yellow, greyer on the breast and flanks. Third and fourth jii'imaries longest. Fifth a shade shorter. Sixth, seventh, and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary equal to or a shade longer than the sixth. Bastard primary moderate, the exposed parts measuring "5 to -6. First wing-bar distinct, rudiments of upper bar. Length of wing 2'85 to 2'65. Length of tail 2*15. Legs and feet light brown. Very little is known of the geogi-aphical distribution of this species. In the British Museum is one skin from Japan, obtained by Caj)t. St. John at Hakodadi. Prjevalski records it as breeding in Camsu, and states that P. boreaUs does not breed there — a very interesting fact, as birds of the year of that species which happen to have an unusually large bastard primary are so much like P. xanthodryas as to suggest a doubt of the distinctness of the two species. Swinhoe found it at Amoy, in China, in spring, no doubt on migration ; and I have one skin obtained by Mr. Low at Labuan, N.W. Bor- neo, in winter. The nest and eggs of this species are unknown. 3. Phylloscopus nitidus, Blyth. Sylvia hippolais, Jerdon, Madras Journ, xi. p. 6 (1840, nee Linn.). Phylloscopiis nitidus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xii. p. 965 (1843). Regulus nitidus, G. R. Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 175 (1848). Abrornis nitidus, Bp. Consp. G. Av. i. p. 290 (1850). Phylloscopus nitidus, Jerdon, B. of India, ii. p. 193 (1863). Hippolais swainsoni, Hodgson, in Gray^s Zool. Misc. p. 82. no. 385 (1844). Bill large, pale underneath. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with light yel- lowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edges of each feather broadly mai-gined with light yellowish green. Superciliary streak pale yellow. or Willow- Warblers. 73 Head the same colour as the back. Undei'parts^ axillaries, and wing-lining j»a/e lemon-yellow. Third and fourth primaries longest. Fifth a shade shorter. Sixth and seventh each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary equal to the seventh, some- times a little longer. Bastard primary rather small, the exposed part measuring •5 to -6. First wing-bar distinct, upper bar wanting. Length of wing — male 2-65 to 2'5, female 2*5 to 2"35. Length of tail — male 2-05 to 1-95, female 1*9 to 1*8. Legs and claws brown. So far as is known, this species has a very restricted range, probably breeding in the North-western Himalayas, and win- tering in Bengal, Southern India, and Ceylon. Hume met with it in the Punjaub (Stray Feathers, 1873, p. 197), and Mr. R. M. Adam near the Sambhur lake (ibid. p. 382) . Blyth says (J. A. S. Beng. 1854, p. 483) that it is generally distri- buted but rare in Lower Bengal. I have skins obtained on migration by Mr. Brooks at Etawah. Jerdon mentions it as frequent in winter in Southern India, but rare near Calcutta (Birds of Ind. ii. p. 193) . Ceylon is one of its favourite winter- quarters {Legge, Ibis, 1874, p. 22), and there are several skins of this species from that island in Lord Tweeddale^s collection. Strange to say, a solitary bird of this species fell to the gun of Mr. Gaetke^s son Ludwig, in Heligoland. Mr. Gaetke^s obser- vations seem satisfactorily to prove that birds of the year migrate earlier than their parents. It is scarcely to be wondered at that, on their first journey, they should some- times stray far out of the usual track. It will doubtless be found that most of the accidental visits of birds to unusual localities are those of birds of the year on their first autumnal migration. The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown. 4. Phylloscopus viridanus, Blyth. Phyllopneuste rufa, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xi. p. 191 (1842, nee Bodd.). Phylloscopus viridanus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xii. p. 967 (1843). 74 Mr. H. Seebohm on ^Ae Phylloscopi Phyllopneuste viridanus, G. R. Gray, App. Cat. B. Nep. p. 152 (1846). Regulus viridanus, G. R. Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 175 (1848). Abrornis viridana, Bonap. Cousp. p. 290 (1850). Phyllopneuste affinis, Blyth, Aun. Nat. Hist. xii. p. 98 (1843, nee Tickell) . Abrornis teimiceps, Hodgson, Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 82 (1844). Phyllopneuste intermedia, Severtzoff, Faun, of Turkestan, p. 125 (1873)— see Ibis, 1876, p. 81. Bill large, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with yellowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edges of each feather margined Avith yellowish green. Superciliary streak pale greyish green, extending to the nape. Head a shade darker colour than the back. Underparts, including the axillaries, wing-lining, thighs, and under tail-coverts pale greyish yellow. Third, fourth, and fifth primaries longest. Sixth, seventh, and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary generally equal to the seventh ; some- times a shade shorter or a shade longer. Bastai'd primary rather small. Exposed part '5 to •6. First wing-bar distinct. Upper bar wanting. Length of wing — male 2"5 to 2'3, female 2"3 to 2*18. Length of tail — male 2*0 to 1*95, female 1*9 to 1-8. Legs and claws lead-colour (pale greenish plumbeous, Blyth ; brownish grey. Sadly, in 'Stray Feathers'). This species has a somewhat restricted range, probably breeding at a considerable elevation in the alpine districts of the Himalayas from Cashmere to Darjeeling, and migrating to the plains of North India and Burmah during the cold season. Scully records it north of the Karakorum Pass (Stray Feathers, 1876, p. 148). Brooks (Ibis, 1872, p. 31) found it during the breeding-season in Cashmere ; and Jerdon (Birds of I. ii. p. 194) records it from Darjeeling. In von Homey er's collection is a skin obtained by Meves at Tjubuk, in the Ural, 16th Aug. 1872, which, Mr. Brooks agrees with mc, cannot be referred to any other species Init this. Blyth or Willoiv-Warblers. 75 (J. A. S. Beug. xii. p. 967) speaks of it as the commonest species of the genus in the cold season at Calcutta and in Lower Bengal. I have several skins collected in winter at Cawnpore (Brooks) ; and in Lord Tweeddale's collection are skins from Moulmein and Kyouk-kyre in Burmah [Capt. Beavan). The nest and eggs of this species are unknown. The difference in colour of both the upper and under- parts seems to be the only mode of distinguishing this from the preceding species. 5. Phylloscopus tenellipes, Swinhoe. Phylloscopus tenellipes, Swinhoe, Ibis, I860, p. 53. Bill large, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over, especially on the rump, with huffish brown. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with huffish brown. Superciliary streak huffish white. Head rather darker than the back. Underparts white, dashed all over with buff, especially on the breast and flanks. Axillaries and wing-lining pale yellow. Third, fourth, and fifth primaries longest. Sixth, seventh, and eighth each considerably shorter than the prece- ding. Second primary about equal to the seventh. Bastard primary small, the exposed part measuring "5 to "53. First wing-bar distinct, the upper bar less so. Length of wing — male 2"38, female 2'3. Length of tail — male 1'86, female 1'83. Legs aiid claws pale flesh- colour . The only skins of this species which I have ever seen or heard of are two in Swinhoe^s collection, obtained by him- self at Amoy, one on the 12th Oct. 1855, and the other in April 1861, and a female in Lord Tweeddale's collection, marked "Hakodadi, Japan, 5th May, 1865." The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown. A smaller bird with pale tarsi, like this species, has been described from the Eastern Himalayas by Blanford (J. A. S. Beng. 1872, pt. 2, p. 162) as P. pallidipes. I have not seen this bird ; but Mr. Brooks has examined the type in the Cal- cutta Museum, and assures me that it is a Horornis. 76 Mr, H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi 6. Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus_, Swiuhoe. Sylvia [Phyllopneiiste) coronata, Middendorff, Sib. Reise, p. 182 (1851, nee Temm.) ; Radde, Reisen im Siid. v. Ost- Siber. ii. p. 263 (1863, nee Temm.). Phyllopneuste [PhyllobasUeus) coronatus, Homeyer, Cab. Jourii. f. Orn. 1872, p. 207 (nee Temm.). Phylloscopus plumbeliarsus, Swinlioe, Ibis, 1861, p. 330. Phyllopneuste plumbeitarsus , Homeyer, Cab. Journ, f. Orn. 1872, p. 206. Phylloscopus excoronatus, Homeyer, Cab. Journ. f. Orn. 1872, p. 207. Phyllopseustes middendot'fii, Meves, Of v. k. Vet. Ak. Forh. 1871, p. 758. Hypolais graminis, Severtzoff, Faun, of Turkestan, p. 125 (1873) ; see Ibis, 1876, p. 81. Phylloscopus viridcmus, Dresser, Ibis, 1876, p. 82 (nee Blyth). Bill large, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyisb brown, dashed all over, espeeially on the rump, with yellowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with yellowish green. Pale greenish white superciliary streak very sharply defined, and extending to the nape. Head same colour as the back. Uuderparts nearly white, slightly dashed with yellow and grey on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs pale yellow. Third and fourth primaries longest. Fifth a shade shorter. Sixth, seventh, and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary intermediate in length between the seventh and eighth. Bastard primary rather large, the exposed part measuring "5 in small females to "58 to "65 in males. First Aving-bar distinct. Uppjer bar generally equally so. Length of wing — male 2*50 to 2"35, female 2*35 to 2'2. Length of tail — male 2*05 to 1'8, female 1'8. Legs and claws lead-colour. This species appears to have a similar range to that of P. borealis, but more restricted. In the breeding-season it is found in the snbalpinc districts of the North-eastern Palae- or Willow-Wurblers. 77 arctic Region from the Ural to the Pacific. Prjevalsky (Mong. and the Tang. Country, vol. ii. p. 35) found it in the breeding- season in the pine-districts of Camsu. It passes through China on migration, and probably winters in Burma and the East-India Islands. Meves (Jour, fiir Ornith. 1875, p. 429) heard its note near Perm, and shot specimens on the eastern slope of the Ural. Skins obtained by Dr. Dybowski in the subalpine region near Lake Baical are not uncommon in col- lections ; and Middendorff (fide Meves) obtained it as far east as Okotsk. Swinhoe found it on the west coast of Hainan in March (Ibis, 1870, p. 345); and in Lord Tweeddale's collection are skins from Kyouk-kyre in British Burmah {Wardlaiv Ramsay, Jan. 1874), and Moulmein, Burmah [Cajit. Beavan, Sept. 1865). The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown. 7. Phylloscopus magnirostkis, Blyth. Phylloscopus magnirostris, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xii. p. 966 (1843). Phyllopneuste magnirostris, G. R. Gray, App. Hodgs. Cat. B. Nep. p. 15 (1846). Phyllopneuste trochilus, Hodgson in Gray^s Zool. Misc. p. 82 (1844, nee Linn) ; J. E. Gray, Cat. Mamm. & B. Nep. Hodgson, p. 65 (1846, nee Linn.). Phylloscopus javanicus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xiii. p. 393 (1844, nee Horsfield) : Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. A. S. Beng. p. 185 (1849, nee Horsfield) . Sylvia javanic a, G. R. Gray, Gen. of B. i. p. 174 (1848, nee Horsfield). Phyllopneuste javanica, Bonap. Consp. Av. p. 290 (1850, nee Horsfield) . Bill large, under mandible pale at base. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with olive-green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather margined with olive-green. Superciliary streak yellowish white. Head darker colour than the back. Underparts pale greyish yellow, greyest on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs greyish yellow. 78 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi Fourth and fifth primaries longest. Third a shade shorter. Sixth a shade shorter than the third. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second about equal to the eighth. Bastard primary large, the exposed part measuring "G to '7. First wing-bar distinct. Rudiments of upper bar. Length of wing— male 2-83 to 2-5, female 2-25 to 2-23. Length of tail— male 2-3 to 2-1, female 2-1 to 1-9. Legs and claws albescent plumbeous (Blyth) . This bird appears to be strictly an Indian species, breeding in Cashmere {Brooks, Ibis, 1872, p. 26). Mr. Brooks informs me that it is found in the north-west provinces of India only on migration. In winter it is found sparingly near Calcutta and Lower Bengal, and is generally distributed over Western, Central, and Southern India as far south as Ceylon [Legge, Ibis, 1874, p. 73). Blyth says (J. A. S. Beng. 1854, p. 483), that it has been seen on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal as far as Clmsan ; and in Lord Tweed dale^s collection is a skin from the S. Andaman Islands {Wardlaw Ramsay). The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown. 8. Phylloscopus lugubhis, Blyth. PhijUoscopus lugubris, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xii. p. 968 (1843) ; Blyth, Ann. Nat. Hist. xii. p. 98 (1843) ; Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xiv. p. 591 (1845) ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. A. S. Beng. p. 185 (1849) ; Jerdon, B. of India, ii. p. 192 (1863). Regulus lugubris, G. R. Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 175 (1848). Abrornis lugubris, Bonap. Consp. Av. p. 290 (1850). Abrornis xanthogaster , Hodgson, Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 82 (1844) ; J. E. Gray, Cat. Mamm. & B. Nep. Hodgson, p. 66 (1846). Phijllopneuste flaveolus, G. R. Gray, App. Cat. B. Nep. p. 152 (1846). Regulus flaveolus, G. R. Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 175 (1818). Abrornis flaveolus, Bonap, Consp. Av. p. 290 (1850). Bill large, under mandible pale at the base. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with olive-green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather margined with olive-green. Superciliary streak yellowish white. or TVillow-TVarblers. 79 Head rather darker colour than the back. Underparts pale greyish yellow, greyest on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs greyish yellow. Fourth and fifth primaries longest. Third and sixth a shade shorter. Seventh considerably shorter. Second primary considerably shorter than the eighth, equal to about the tenth. Bastard primary very large, the exposed part measuring '7 to -8. First bar across the wings distinct. Sometimes rudiments of an upper bar. Length of wing — male 2*6 to 2"4, female 2*4 to 2"25. Length of tail— male 2'35 to 2-0, female 2-0 to 1-85. Legs pale greenish dusky [Blyth) . This species is quite eastern in its range, wintering on both coasts of the Bay of Bengal. It probably breeds in the East- ern Himalayas. Mr. Brooks informs me that it is common at Sikkim, but is not found in the north-west provinces. Blyth (J. A. S. Beng, xii. p. 968) says that it is common in Lower Bengal during the cold season, and more or less so over the country generally. In Lord Tweeddale^s collection are skins from Assam and Pegu [Wardlaw Ramsay). Hume records it from the Tenasserim Provinces (Stray Feathers, ii. p. 478), and Dr. Steere has recently obtained a skin in the Philippines. The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown. This bird and the preceding are much darker than the nearly allied species, and are distinguishable from each other by their different wing-formulse ; their notes are said to be unlike ; and they vary somewhat in their geographical range ; otherwise they seem to be very closely allied. 9. Phylloscopus cokonatus (Temm.). Ficedula coronata, Temm. & Schl. Fauna Jap. Aves, p. 48, t. 18 (1847). Phyllopneuste coronata, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 290 (1850). Phylloscopus coronatus, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1863, p. 93. Bill large, under mandible very pale. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over_, especially on the rump, with yellowish green. Wiiigs and tail greyish 80 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with yellowish green. Superciliary streak, extending to the nape. Head darker colour than the back, with a distinct pale mesial line. Underparts nearly white, slightly dashed with yellow and grey on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs pale yellow. Under tail-coverts pale yellow. Third and fourth primaries longest. Fifth a shade shorter. Sixth considerably shorter. Second a shade shorter than the sixth. Seventh considerably shorter than the second. Bastard primary small, the exposed part about "5 to "55. First wing-bar distinct. Second sometimes wanting. Length of wing — male 2"55 to 2*4, female 2*4 to 2'25. Length of tail — male 2 to r9, female r9 to 1"8. Legs and claws light brown. This species seems to be the most easterly in its range of any of the genus. It is common in summer in Japan [Capt. Blakiston, Ibis, 1862, p. 317; Whitely, Ibis, 1867, p. 197). On the continent it has been found near the river Ussuri, lat. 48° (in Mus. von Homeyer). Swinhoe obtained it in North China from Peking (Ibis, 1863, p. 93) probably on migration. He also found it during the spring migration at Amoy (Ibis, 1860, p. 54), and again on the Island of Formosa (Ibis, 1863, p. 307), also probably during migration. In winter this species has been obtained in Java (in Stockholm Mus. fide Meves) and at Malacca {Maingay in Mus. Lord Tweeddale. I have been unable to obtain any information respecting the nidification of this bird. This species is easily distinguishable from any of its near allies by its comparatively long second primary, and by the yellowness of the under tail-coverts compared with the rest of the underparts. 10. Phylloscopus occipitalis (Jerdon). Phyllopneuste occipitalis, Jerdon, reference unknown. Phylloscopus occipitalis, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xiv. p. 593 (1845). Reguloides occipitalis, Jerdon, B. of India, ii. p. 196 (1863). or Willow-Warblers. 81 Abrornis occipitalis, Gray, Hand-list B. i. p. 217. no. 3085 (1869). Bill large, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with light yel- lowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with light yellowish green. Superciliary streak pale yellow. Head darker-coloured than the Ijack, with a distinct pale mesial line. Underparts nearly white, dashed all over, especially on the breast and flanks, with yellow and grey. Axillaries and wing-lining pale yellow. Third, fourth, and hfth primaries longest. Sixth rather shorter. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary intermediate in length between the seventh and eighth. Exposed part of bastard primary measures '55 to "7. First wing- bar rather indistinct. No upper bar. Length of wing — male 2'65 to 2"45, female 2*45 to 2"3, Length of tail — male 2'15 to 2*0, female 2*0 to 1*9. Legs and claws light brown. This species appears to have an extremely limited range, breeding in the North-west Himalayas, crossing the plains of India on migration, and wintering in Southern India. Brooks found it abundant in Cashmere (Ibis, 1872, p. 29), and says that it also breeds at Rogee and Chenee (Ibis, 1869, p. 457). Its eggs have also been taken at Murree (Stray Feathers, 1873, p, 355). Blyth says that it is found in South India in the cold season (J. A. S. Beng. 1854, p. 483). Brooks describes the nest of this species as not domed, but placed in a hole under the roots of a large tree on some steep bank-side — a loosely formed structure lined with fine grass, a little wool, and a few hairs. Eggs pure white. 11. Phylloscopus trochiloides (Sundevall). Phyllopneuste reguloides, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xi. p. 191 (1842) . Phylloscopus reguloides, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xii. p. 963 (1843). Acanthiza trochiloides, Sundevall, Ann, Nat. Hist, xviii. p. 252(1846). SER. IV. VOL. I. G 83 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi Regulus trochiloides, G. R. Gray^ Gen. B, i. p. 175 (1848). Reguloides trochiloides, Blyth^ Cat. B. Mus. A. S. Beng. p. 184 (1849). Abrornis trochiloides, Bonap. C. G. Av. p. 290 (1850) . Bill large, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with yellowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown^ wdth the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with yellowish green. Superciliary streak pale yellow. Head darker-coloured than the back, with a distinct pale mesial line. Underparts nearly white^, dashed all over, especially on the breast and flanks, with yellow and grey. Axillaries and wing-lining pale yellow. Third, fourth, and fifth primaries longest. Sixth rather shorter. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary intermediate in length between the seventh and the eighth. Exposed part of bastard primary measures "55 to '65. First wdng-bar very distinct. Upper bar less distinct. Length of wing — male 2'6 to 2'45, female 2'45 to 2'25. Length of tail — male 2-15 to 2*0, female 2'0 to 1'9. Legs and claws light brown. This species appears to have a very limited range. It is supposed to breed in the alpine districts of the South-east Himalayas, and to winter on the north and east shores of the Bay of Bengal. It is common in the breeding-seasn at Rogee and Chenee (Ibis, 1869, p. 458). Capt. Beavan found it at Darjeeling (Ibis, 1868, p. 73) . Blyth says that it visits LoAver Bengal in some abundance during the cold season (J. A. S. Beng. xxiii. p. 488) ; and Hume includes it in the list of birds from the Tenasserim provinces (Stray Feathers, ii. p. 478). The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown. This species apparently difi'ers from the preceding only in being of a darker colour on the upper parts, wdth a more or less distinct upper bar across the w'ing, which is wanting in its near ally. 12. Phylloscopus viridipennis, Blyth. Phylloscopus viridipennis, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xxiv. p. 275 (1856). or Willow -Warblers. 88 Reguloides viridipennis, Jerdon, B. of Indian ii. p. 198 (1863). Bill large, under mandible pale. Upper parts yellowisli olive-green. Wings and tail greyish brown^ with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with yellowish green. Superciliary streak pale yellow. Head darker-coloured than the back^ with a pale mesial line. Underparts yellowish white^ greyer on the breast and flanks. Axillaries and wing-lining bright yellow. Fourth and fifth primaries longest. Third and sixth rather shorter. Seventh, eighth, and ninth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary about equal to the ninth. Exposed part of bastard primary "5 to *65. Two distinct wing-bars. Length of wing — male 2*4 to 2' 25, female 2*25 to 2"1. Length of tail — male 1'9 to I'S, female 1'8 to 1"7. Legs and claws brown. This species has been supposed to breed in Cashmere and the Western Himalayas, to cross the plains of India on mi- gration, and to winter in Central India. Scully found it common in August about halfway between Leh (Ladak) and Yarkand (Stray Feathers, 1876, p. 149) . Mr. Brooks in- forms me that it is frequent in Cashmere, and that it has been found as far east as Darjeeling. In Lord Tweeddale's col- lection are skins from the Garo Hills [Godwin- Austen) ; and Hume includes it in his list of birds from the Tenasserim provinces (Stray Feathers, 1874, p. 479). The eggs and nest of this bird are unknown. 13. Phylloscopus presbytis (Miiller). Sylvia presbytis, Miill. in Leyden Museum, reference un- known. Phyllopseuste presbytis, G. R. Gray, Hand-list of Birds, i. p. 216. no. 3062 (1869). Sylvia presbytis, Blyth, Ibis, 1870, p. 169. Geryffone superciliosa, Wallace, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 491 (nee Gmelin) . Bill rather large, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all' over with yellowish 84 .Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi green. Wings and tail greyish brown^ with the outside edge of each feather margined with yellowish green. Inner web of three outer tail-feathers on each side white. Head rather darker than the baek^ with an indistinct pale mesial line. Underparts^ axillaries, and wing-lining greyish yellow, paler on the throat. Fourth and fifth primaries longest. Sixth and seventh rather shorter. Third primary equal to the seventh. Second primary equal to the eleventh or twelfth. Bastard primary rather large, the exposed part measuring "55. First bar rather indistinct, sometimes altogether abraded. No upper bar. Length of wing 2'15. Length of tail \'7 . Legs and claws lead-colour {Wallace). This species has hitherto only been found on the island of Timor. There are two skins in the British Museum, the types of Gerygone superciliosa of Wallace, and a third skin labelled ^' Sylvia {Phyllopneuste) presbytis, Timor, Wallace." I cannot detect any difference between these birds and those, collected by Midler, in the Leyden Museum. 14. Phylloscopus schwarzi (Radde) . Sylvia {Phyllopneuste) schwarzi, Radde, Reisen im Siid. v. Ost-Sibir. ii. p. 260 (1863). Phylloscopus brooksi, Hume, Stray Feath. ii. p. 505 (1874). Bill stout, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown. Wings and tail same colour. Superciliary streak huffish white. Head same colour as the back. Underparts huffish white. Axillaries, wing-lining, breast, flanks, and under tail-coverts buff. Fourth and fifth jjrimaries longest. Third and sixth rather shorter. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary equal to the eighth. Bastard primary large, the exposed part measuring "8. No wing-bar. Length of wing 2*5 to 2*45. Length of tail 2-25 to 2-05. Legs and feet light brown. But little is known of the geographical distribution of this species. Homeyer and Dresser both possess skins obtained or Willow-Warblers. 85 by Dr. Dybowski near Lake Baical ; Homeyer has one skin from Tura; and Eadde found it at Tarei-nor, in lat. 56°, and in the Bureja mountains, in lat. 58°. In winter it has been obtained near Pahpoon in India {Davison, Stray Feathers, 1874, p. 505). This species is nearest allied to P. fuscatus, but differs from that bird in the shape of the bill, which is of about the same length and width at the base, but much stouter and blunter at the point, having a profile quite Finch-like in com- parison with the slender Phylloscopine type. The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown. 15. Phylloscopus fuscatus, Blyth. Phylloscojms fuscatus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xi. p. 113 (1842) ; Jerdon, B. of India, ii. p. 191 (1863). Phyllopneuste fuscatus, Homeyer, Cab. Jour. f. Orn. 1872, p. 202. Phylloscopus brunneus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xiv. p. 591 (1845). Sylvia [Phtjllopneuste) siberica, Middendorff, Sib. Reise, p. 180 (1851) ; Radde, Reisen im Siid. von Ost-Sibir. ii. p. 260 (1863). Abrornis armandi, Milne-Edwards, N. Arch. Mus. i. p. 22 (1865). Oreopneuste davidii, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 355. Phyllopneuste maacki, Tristram, Ibis, 1871, p. 110 (nee Schrenck) . Obs. Phyllopneuste maacki (Schrenck) is an Acrocephalus or, more probably, a Hypolais. Bill slender, under mandible pale at the base. Upper parts greyish brown. Wings and tail same colour. Superciliary stripe huffish white. Head same colour as the back. Underparts huffish white. Axillaries, wing-lining, breast, flanks, and under tail-coverts buff. Fourth and fifth primaries longest. Third and sixth a shade shorter. Seventh, eighth, and ninth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary equal to the ninth or tenth. Bastard primary large, the exposed part measiiring '7 to '8. 86 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Pliylloscopi No wiug-bar. Length of wing — male 2*55 to 2-3, female 2'35 to 2*15. Length of tail— male 2-4 to 2-2, female 2*2 to 2-0. Legs and claws brown. This species is more northerly in its range than many others of the genus. It breeds in the subalpine districts of Lake Baical (skins collected by Dr. Dybowski in this district are common in collections). It passes through S.E. Mongolia {Prjevahhj, Mong. and the Tangut Country, ii. p. 36) and North China on migration {Swinhoe, Ibis, 1861, p. 330), and is common during the winter months at Amoy [Swinhoe, Ibis, 1860, p. 53), Formosa and Japan {Blijth, Ibis, 1867, p. 25). Jerdon (Birds of I. ii. p. 191) says that it is not found in South India; but in Lord Tweeddale^s collection are skins from Assam {Goclivin- Austen) , Burmah, and Calcutta. This species is said to lay pure white eggs. 16. Phylloscopus umbrovirens (Eiipp.). Ficedula umbrovirens, Biipp. Neu. Wirb. p. 112 (1835) ; idem, Syst. Uebers. no. 148 (1845). Pliyllojmeuste umbrovirens, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 301 (1869). Pliylloscopus umbrovirens, Blanford, Geol. & Zool. of Abyss, p. 378 (1870) . Bill slender, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with bright green. Superciliary stripe buff. Head same colour as the back. Underparts bvjf, slightly yellow on the axillarics and wing- lining. Sixth primary longest. Fourth and fifth a shade shorter. Third rather shorter still. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter. Second primary equal to the eleventh or twelfth. Bastard primary large, the exposed part measuring "65 to '7. No wing-bar. Length of wing 2'2. Length of tail 1-75. Legs and claws dark brown. The only two skins of this species which I have seen are or Willow- Warblers. 87 from Senafe^ Abyssinia. One is in Lord Tweeddale^s collec- tion^ and the other in the British Museum. They were ob- tained at an elevation of 7500 feet. Nothing- whatever is known of the migration or nidification of this species. 17. Phylloscopus indicus ( Jerdon) . Sylvia indica, Jerdon, Madras Journ. xi. p. 6 (1840). P/iylloscojMS indicus, Jerdon, B. of India, ii. 194 (1863). Phylloscopus griseolus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xvi. p. 443 (1847). Ficedula obscura, Severtzoflf, Fauna of Turkestan, pp. 65, 124 (1873)— see Ibis, 1876, p. 82. Bill slender, under mandible pale. Upper parts greyish brown, without any tinge of green. Wings and tail the same colour. Superciliary streak greyish yelloio, sharply defined, and extending to the nape. Head the same colour as the back. Underparts huffish yellow, darkest on the breast and flanks. Axillaries and wdng-lining buff. Third, fourth, fifth, and sixth primaries longest. Seventh, eighth, and ninth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second equal to the ninth or tenth. Bastard primary large, the exposed part measuring '75 to -8. No wing-bar. Length of wing — male 2*6 to 2*5, female 2*25. Length of tail — male 2-05, female 2'0. Legs and claws albescent plumbeous [Blyth) . This is one of the rarer species of the genus, and one having apparently a very restricted range. It probably breeds in the alpine districts of the Himalayas, in the north-east of India, migrating to the north-west provinces in the cooler weather. Brooks (Ibis, 1869, p. 56) says that it is frequently seen at Almorah, and mentions (Ibis, 1872, p. 31) great num- bers ascending the hills towards Simla about the end of April. Jerdon (Birds of I. ii. p. 195) says that it winters in Central India. The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown. 88 y\.v. 11. Socbohui on tfw IMiyllosoopi 18. rnVLLOSCOFUS FULIGIXn'EXTRlS (IloclgSOu). Hor onus fidigi venter, Ilodgsou, P. Z. S. 1845, p. 31; idem, Aun. Nat. Hist. xvi. p. 201 (18-17). Horornis fulhjlventr'is, J. E. G\\\x, Cat. M. &: B. of Nop. Hodgson, p. (vt (18I(;V ReguJus fidtifinoventris, Ir. K. Cray, Gcu. of B. i. p. 175 (18-18). Horornis fuliginiventriii. Bp. Cousp. (J. Av. p. Xl90 (1850). PhiiUoscopus fuHginiventrls, Blanford, J. A. S. Beug. 187.2, pt. ii. p. 54. Horornis fuliginivcntcr, IVlytli, Ibis, 1807, p. .*-21. J5/7/ slender, under mandiblo dark. Vpper parts sepia-brown, dashed all over with dirty buft'- green. AVings and tail sepia-brown, with tlie outside edge of each feather broadly margined with dirty butf- green. Sapereiliary streak dirty butt-yellow. Head same colour as the baek. Underparts, axillaries, wing-litiiug, and thighs dirty bnff- yellow. Fourth and tifth primaries longest. Third a shade less. Sixth a shade less than third. Seventh, eighth, and ninth eaeh rather less than the preceding. Second primary equal to about the teuth. Bastiu'd primary lai'ge, the exposed part measiuiug '7. Ko wing-bar. Length of wing .O'.O to '2'\. Length of tail 1*8 to r75. Leg's ai\d claws brown. This species frequents the hills of Nepal and Sikkim. Nothing is known respecting its niditication. 19. Phylloscopvs sibilatkix (Bechstein'^. MotaeiUa sihdatrix, Bechst. Naturforscher, xxvii. p. 47 (1793). Js'dus sibilatrij\ Bechst. Orn. Tasehenb, p. 176 (180.'2). Si/iria sib'datri.v, Bechst. Naturg. Deutschl. iii. p. 561 (1807). Fieedida sibilatrLr, Koch. Baier. Zool. i. p. 159 (1816). Citrruea sib'dafrix, Flem. Brit. Anim, p. 70 (IS^^S^i. P/it/Uopneuste sibilatrix, C. L. Brehm, Yog. Deutschl. p. 425 0831). or Willow-Warblers. 89 Sylvicola sibilatrix, Eyton^ Cat. Brit. B. p. 14 (1836). Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Newton^ in Yarr. Brit. B. ed. 4. i. p. 427 (1873). Sylvia sylvicola, Mont. Trans. Linn. Soc. iv. p. 35 (1798). Phyllopneuste sylvicola, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 426 (1831). Trochilus major, Forst. Synopt. Cat. p. 14 (1817). Phyllopneuste megarhynchos, C. L. Brelim. Vog. Deutschl. p. 525 (1831). Sylvia sibilans, Blyth, in White's Nat. Hist. Selbornc, p. 26, footnote (1858). Bill slender, under mandible pale. Upper parts olive-green, dashed all over, especially on the rump, with yellow. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with greenish yellow. Tertiaries edged with yellowish white. Primaries dipped with dirty white. Superciliary streak greenish yellow. Head the same colour as the back. Underparts white, dashed all over on the throat, and slightly on the breast and flanks, with yellow. Axillaries, wing- lining, and thighs yellow. Third primary longest. Second sometimes longer, sometimes shorter than the fourth, always much longer than the fifth. Bastard primary very small, the exposed part measuring "3 to -4. No wing-bar, but wing-coverts edged, not tipped, with yel- lowish green. Length of wing — male 2'8 to 3*1, female 2*9 to 3"0. Length of tail — male 2'0 to 2'25, female 1*85 to 1"95. Legs and claws brown. This species breeds in Central Europe, is very rare in Ire- land, common in England, and is found in Scotland as far north as Inverness. It is not found in Norway, but has been seen in Sweden as far north as Stockholm and Upsala. Harvie Brown and Alston found it at Archangel ; and it has been met with in the Ural as far north as Bogoslofisk (see Dresser^'s 'Birds of Europe'). It breeds near Gibraltar [Irby, Ibis, 1872, p. 200) and in Sardinia {Brooke, Ibis, 1873, p. 243), but passes Malta only on migration {Wright, Ibis, 1864, p. 70). It breeds in Transylvania {Danford and Harvie Brown, Ibis, 90 Mr. H. Seebolim on the Phylloscopi 1875^ p. 308) ; but in Greece and Asia Minor it is only found on migration^ as is also the case in Palestine {Tristram, Ibis, 1867j p. 83) . It winters in North Africa, having been found to the east as far south as Abyssinia, and to the west as far south as the Gold Coast [Dresser, Birds of Europe) . The most easterly locality recorded of this bird is Lankoran, on the south-western shore of the Caspian [Blmiford, Eastern Persia, ii. p. 183) . This species builds a semi-domed nest, lined with dried grass and hair, on or near the ground. The eggs are white, profusely spotted with dark purple. 20. Phylloscopus trochilus (Linnaeus) . Ficedula asilus, Briss. Orn. iii. p. 479 (1760). Motacilla trochilus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 338 (1766). Sylvia trochilus. Scop. Ann. I. Hist. Nat. no. 238, p. 160 (1769). Sylvia trochilus, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 552. Phylloscopus trochilus, Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 972. Regulus trochilus, Flem. Brit. Anim. p. 72 (1828). Phyllopneuste trochilus, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 429 (1831). Sylvicola trochilus, Eyton, Cat. Brit. B. p. 13 (1836). Ficedula trochilus. Keys. & Bias. Wirbelth. Eur. p. 56 (1840). Motacilla fitis, Bechstein, Gem. Nat. Deutschl. iv. p. 678 (1795). Sylvia fitis, Bechstein, Orn. Taschenb. i. p. 187 (1802). Ficedula fitis, Koch, Baier. Zool. i. p. 159 (1816). Phyllopneuste fitis, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 427 (1831). Trochilus medius, Forst. Synopt. Cat. p. 15 (1817). Phyllopneuste arborea, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 427 (1831). Phylloscopus acredula, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 428 (1831). Sylvia melodia, Blyth, Rennie's Field Nat. i. p. 425(1833). Bill slender, under mandible dark. or Willoiv- Warblers. 91 Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with yellowish green, especially on the rump. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather margined with yellowish green. Primaries tipped with dirty white. Superciliary streak greenish yellow. Head the same colour as the back. Underparts white, dashed all over with yellow. Breast and flanks tinged with buff. Third primary longest. Fourth a shade shorter. Fifth rather shorter. Sixth considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary intermediate in length between the fifth and sixth. Bastard primary medium, the exposed part measuring — males average '6, females average 'S. In rare instances males measure "63, and as small as •48. In rare instances females measure 'Q, and as small as "SS. No wing-bar. Length of wing — male 2'83 to 2*65, females 2"65 to 2*45. Length of tail — male 2"3 to 2"1, female 2'1 to I'SS. Legs and claws brown. This species breeds in Northern and Central Europe, and winters in South-eastern Europe, Asia Minor, Persia, and Africa. I found it common in Norway up to the North Cape, and in North-east Russia to the mouth of the Petchora. Col. Irby says that it breeds near Gibraltar (Ibis, 1872, p. 200). It breeds in Transylvania [Dmiford and Harvie Brown, Ibis, 1 875, p. 308) ; but Dr. Kriiper informs me that it is only found in Greece and Asia Minor in winter. Its extreme eastern range appears to be about long. 60° W. Its reported occurrence in India seems in every instance to have been an error ; but it occasionally winters in North-central and South-eastern Persia {Blanford, Eastern Persia, ii. p. 180). Capt. Shelley says that it winters in Egypt and Nubia (Ibis, 1871, p. 135). Tristram says that it is abundant in the oases of North Africa in winter (Ibis, 1859, p. 418). In the Strickland collection at Cambridge is a skin from Kordofan, in Abyssinia ; and in the British Museum are skins from the river Gambia, Damara Land (Andersson), Cape-town [Layard], and Natal [An- dersson) . This species builds a semi-domed nest, profusely lined with 92 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi feathers, on or near the ground, and lays white eggs, spotted with pale red. In extreme summer plumage in high latitudes every trace of yellow and green disappears, except a faint dash on the axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs ; but birds in this plumage are very rare, and all the specimens of it I have seen were ob- tained within the arctic circle. In autumn birds of the year have the whole underparts deep huffish yellow. 21. Phylloscopus gaetkei, sp. nov. Phyllopneuste major, Tristram, Ann. Nat. Hist. p. 29 (1871, nee Forster). Bill slender, under mandible darkish. Upper parts greyish brown. Wings and tail greyish brown. Superciliary streak dirty white. Head the same colour as the back. Underparts white, slightly tinged with huffish yellow on the breast and flanks. Third or fourth primary longest and nearly equal. Fifth rather shorter. Sixth considerably shorter than the preceding. Second 'prhnarii intermediate in length be- tween the sixth and seventh. Bastard primary medium, the exposed part measuring — male •5, female '4, No wing-bar. Length of wing — male 2*53, female 2"5. Length of tail — male 2*1, female 2'05. Legs and claws brown. In the 'Annals of Nat. Hist.' for July 1871, Tristram de- scribes a Phylloscopus from the south Mediterranean coast under the name of Phyllopneuste major. It is nearest allied to P. trochilus, but differs from that species in having a shorter second primary, which is intermediate in length between the sixth and seventh, instead of between the fifth and sixth. This seems a very slight difference upon which to establish a species. In the very nearly allied P. coUybita the second primary seems to be indifferently intermediate between the sixth and seventh or the seventh and eighth. Tristram appears to have felt the injustice of dividing one species on this ground without serv- ing the other in the same way. In order to be impartial he or Willow -Warblers. 93 accordingly splits P. colly bita (then generally called rufus) into P. rufus and P. brevirostris. I have repeatedly shot both forms of P. collybita, and have no doubt of their identity^ being unable to detect any diiierence in their notes or habits. With P. trochilus, however, the case is different. So far as my ex- perience goes (and I have examined some hundreds of skins), the second primary in this species is constantly intermediate between the fifth and sixth. When I was in the valley of the Petchora in 1875, just before we entered the delta of that great river, I heard the note of a small Warbler resembling the sound tzzzk, not unlike the spitting of a cat. Feeling perfectly convinced that it proceeded from a bird with which I was unacquainted, I chased it on the banks of the Petchora, heard it repeatedly utter its extraordinary note, and finally shot it. It tm-ned out to be a female of a species nearly allied to P. trochilus, but with the second primary intermediate in length between the sixth and seventh. The bastard primary Avas much smaller than usual; and in the general colour of the plumage there was an absence of the usual yellow tinge both above and below, as is exceptionally the case with P. trochilus in extreme summer plumage in high latitudes. Not liking to make a new species on somewhat slender grounds from a single example, I did not describe it (Ibis, 1876, p. 216). Turning up Tristram's description of P. major, I concluded my bird to belong to it, and to be a somewhat doubtful species, until I visited Heligoland last autumn. Gaetke then pointed out to me in the collection of birds in his studio a " Laubvogel " much greyer on the back and whiter under- neath than P. trochilus. He told me that he had been, at some trouble to shoot it in his garden, because its note was so different from that of P. trochilus. It turned out to be a male. The length of wing and of bastard primary agree with those of P. trochilus female, but are smaller than the usual size of P. trochilus male. The second primary is interme- diate in length between the sixth and seventh. A second example having thus come under my notice, I am inclined to think that Phylloscopus major of Tristram may turn out to be a good species after all ; but since the name major can- 94 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi not stand (there being already a Trochilus major of Forster, 1817, among the synonyms of P. sibilatrix), I propose to call it PhyUoscopus gaetkei, hoping that future researches may establish its right to be considered a good species upon a firmer basis. 22. Phylloscopus bonellii (Vieillot) . Sylvia bonelli, Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xxviii. p. 91 (1819). Phyllopneuste bonelli, Bp. Comp. List, p. 13 (1838). Flcedula bonelli, Keys. & Bias. Wirbelth. Eur. p. 185 (1840). Sylvia nattereri, Temm. Man. d'Orn. i. p. 227 (1820) ; Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 553. Curruca platystoma, Ehr. Symb. Phys. fol. ce (1829). Phyllopneuste montana, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 429 (1831). Sylvia prasinopyga, Gloger, Handb. Vog. Eur. i. p. 217 (1834) . Sylvia albicans, Gloger, tom.cit. p. 217 (1834). Phyllopneuste alpestris, C. L. Brehm, Vogelfang, p. 232 (1855). Phyllopneuste orientalis, C. L. Brehm, op. cit.i^. 232 (1855). Bill slender, under mandible pale. Upper parts olive-green, dashed all over with pale huffish yellow, on the rump with sulphur-yellow. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with greenish yellow. Tertiaries edged with yellowish white. Primaries tipped with dirty white. Superciliary streak huffish yellow. Head the same colour as the back. Underparts white, slightly dashed Avith pale buff-yellow on the throat, and with yellow on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs yellow. Third and fourth primary longest. Fifth rather shorter. Sixth considerably shorter than fifth. Second primary between the fifth and seventh. Bastard primary medium, the exposed part measuring -5 to "6. No wing-bar, but wing-coverts edged, not tipped, with yel- lowish green. Length of wing — male 2*75 to 2*55, female 2*5 to 2*3. Length of tail— male 2-2 to 2-05, female 2-0 to 1-8. Legs and feet light brown. or Willow -Warblers. 95 This species does not range further north in Europe than into Northern France, but breeds throughout Southern Europe, wintering in Africa, where it is found as far south as Nubia and Senegal [Dresser, Birds of Europe) . I have seen it during the breeding-season in Greece and Asia Minor. Tristram found it in summer in the Jordan valley (Ibis, 1867, p. 83) . Capt. Shelley found it in summer in Egypt and Nubia (Ibis, 1871, p. 135). It passes Malta on migration [Wright, Ibis, 1864, p. 70) . Tristram says that it is abundant in the oases of North Africa in winter (Ibis, 1859, p. 418) . Col. Irby says that it breeds near Gibraltar (Ibis, 1872, p. 300) ; and accidental visitors are obtained in autumn on Heligoland (Ibis, 1875, p. 179). This species builds a semi-domed nest on the ground, lined with fine grass. The eggs are white, profusely spotted with dark purple. 23. Phylloscopus collybita (Vieillot). Sylvia rufa, Bechstein, Orn. Taschenb. i. p. 188 (1802, nee Bodd.). Ficedula rufa, Koch, Baier. Zool. i. p. 160 (1816, nee Bodd.). Phyllopneuste rufa, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 433 (1831, nee Bodd.). Trochilus rufa, Rennie, Field Nat. i. p. 52 (1833, nee Bodd.) . Sijlvicola rufa, Eyton, Cat. Brit. B. p. 14 (1836, nee Bodd.) . Sylvia collybita, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. xi. p. 235 (1817). Phylloscopus collybita, Newton, in Yarr. Brit. B. ed. 4, i. p. 437 (1873). Trochilus ininor, Forst. Synopt. Cat. p. 14 (1817). Sylvia abietina, Nilss. K. Vet. Ak. Handl. 1819, p. 115. Regulus hippolais, Flem. Brit. Auim. p. 72 (1828). Sijlvia hippolais, Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 131, fig. 2 (1837). Phyllopneuste sylvestris, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 431 (1831). Phyllopneuste solitaria, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 432 (1831). Phyllopneuste pinetorum, C. L. Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 432 (1831). 96 Mr. H. Seebohra on the Phylloscopi Sylvia loquax, Herbert, White's Hist, of Selb. p. 55, note (1833). Sylvia brevirostris, Strickland, P. Z. S. 1836, p. 98. Phylloscopus habessiniciis, Blanford, Ann. Nat. Hist. iv. ser. 4, p. 329 (1869). Phylloscopus abyssinicus, Blanford, Geol. & Zool. Abyss, p. 378 (1870). Phylloscopus brehmi, Homeyer, Erinn. a. d. Samml. Deut- schl. Ornitli. 1870, p. 48. Bill slender, dark underneath. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with yellowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with yellowish green. Superciliary streak yellowish green. Head the same colour as the back. Underparts white, dashed all over with yellow, which is some- what buff on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing- lining, and thighs yelloAv. Third and fourth primaries longest. Fifth rather shorter. Sixth rather shorter. Seventh considerably shorter, and eighth rather shorter than the preceding. Second pri- mary considerably shorter than the sixth, frequently shorter than the seventh, and occasionally shorter than the eighth. Bastard primary medium, '5 to '65. No wing-bar. Length of wing — male 2"55 to 2"25, female 2*3 to 1*95. Length of tail— male 2-2 to 2*0, female 2-0 to 17. Legs dark brown. This species has a somewhat similar range to that of P. trochilus, but does not go so far north in summer, nor so far south in winter. It breeds in Central Europe, and winters on both shores of the Mediterranean, and has been found as far south as Abyssinia. I found it common in Norway as far north as Trondhjem ; and Collett told me he had once found it as far north as 65°. Col. Irby says it winters near Gibraltar, where a few remain to breed (Orn. Straits Gib. p. 90). It winters in Andalucia {Hoivard Saunders, Ibis, 1871, p. 213), Sardinia [Brooke, Ibis, 1873, p. 243), Pisa {Giglioli, Ibis, 1865, p. 53), Malta {Wright, 01' Willow-Warblers. 97 Ibis, 1874, p. 69), and occasionally in Corfu and Epirus [Powys, Ibis, 1860, p. 231) . Dr. Kriiper informs me that it winters in Greece and Asia Minor. Hobson told me it only occurs in winter near Constantinople ; but Danford and Harvie Brown found it common in summer in Transylvania (Ibis, 1875, p. 308) . It winters in the Canaries and Tene- riffe {Godman, Ibis, 1872, p. 174), in the oases of North Africa {Tristram, Ibis, 1859, p. 418), in Egypt and Nubia {Capt. Shelley, Ibis, 1871, p. 135), in the valley of the Jordan {Tristram, Ibis, 1867, p. 83); and Blanford found it in Abys- sinia (P. abyssinicus, loc. cit.) and Persia (Eastern Persia, ii. pp. 181, 182). This species builds a semi-domed nest, profusely lined with feathers, on or near the ground, and lays a white e^^, spa- ringly spotted with dark red. The ChiffchaflPvaries considerably in size; the smaller birds are chiefly found in South Europe, and the largest in Scan- dinavia. The smaller birds have been considered a separate species {P. brehmi) ; but I have had no difficulty in finding a complete series of both sexes. I met with the supposed smaller species at Valkenswaard, in Holland, and could not detect the least difference in its various notes and calls from those of the larger race. I have carefully examined the types of P. brehmi in the collection of Von Homeyer, of P. brevi- rostris in the Strickland collection in Cambridge, and of P. abysshiicus in the British Museum, and have not the slightest hesitation in pronouncing all three to be absolutely identical with P. collybita. 24. Phylloscopus tristis, Blyth. Sylvia trochilus, Jerd. Madr. Journ. xi. p. 6 (1840, nee Linn.). Phylloscopus tristis, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xii. p. 966 (1843). Regulus tristis, G. R. Gray, Gen. of B. i. p. 175 (1848). Abrornis tristis, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 290 (1850). Phyllopneuste tristis, Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. xvii. (1865) . Phyllopseustes tristis. Cab. Journ. f. Orn. 1875, p. 429. SER. IV. VOL. I. H 98 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi Ficedula fulvescens, Severtzoff, Fauna of Turkestan, pp. 65, 126 [see Ibis, 1876, p. 82] (1873). Phylloscopus brevirostris, Brooks, Ibis, 1869, p. 236 (nee Strickland). Phylloscopus neglectvs, Seebobm & Harvie Brown, Ibis, 1876, p. 218 (nee Hume). Phylloscopus brehmi, Blanford, Eastern Persia, ii. p. 182 (1876, nee Homeyer). Bill very slender, under mandible nearly black. Upper parts eartby brown, slightly tinged with yellowish green on the rump. Wings and tail greyish brown, slightli/ tinged with green on the outside edge of each feather. Superciliary streak huffish white. Head exactly the same colour as the back. Underparts nearly white, slightly dashed with huffish grey on the breast, flanks, and under tail-coverts ; in autumn plumage conspicuously so. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs pale yellow, which almost disappears in extreme summer plumage. Third and fourth primaries longest. Fifth a shade shorter. Sixth considerably shorter. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter than the previous one. Second generally between the seventh and eighth, sometimes equal to the seventh, sometimes to the eighth. Bastard primary rather large, the exposed part measuring '5 in the female, and "53 to "65 in the males. No wing -bar. Length of wing— male 2-58 to 233, female 2-25 to 2-1, Length of tail — male 2'3 to 2"0, female 1"9. Legs and claivs black. This species winters in the plains of India and Baluchistan. A few remain to breed in the alpine districts of the Hima- layas and the Karakorum mountains, whilst the main body passes through Turkestan on migration to their summer quarters in Siberia, which probably extend from the valley of the Petchora to Lake Baical. Harvie Brown and I found it breeding north of the arctic circle on the banks of the Petchora (Ibis, 1876, p. 217); Meves obtained it in the breeding-season at Perm (Journ. fiir Ornith. 1875, p. 430) ; Severtzoff writes that it passes on mi- gration through the Central and Lower Ural, the Kirghis or fVillow- War biers. 99 steppes^ and Turkestan {Dresser, Ibis, 1876, P-82), and skins from Lake Baical are not uncommon in collections. Hume (Stray Feathers, 1876, p. 148) says that immature birds have been found in the Karakash valley, and that it is probably found on both sides of the Karakoruni mountains ; and Blan- ford says that it is common throughout Baluchistan (Eastern Persia, ii. p. 180). In Lord Tweeddale^s collection are skins from Lahore and Umballah {Capt. Beavan) ; I have skins from Etawah {Brooks); and Blyth (J. A. S. Beng. 1854, p. 483) represents this species as common and generally diffused throughout North India during the cold season. This species breeds on the ground, makes a semi-domed nest, profusely lined with feathers, and lays white eggs spot- ted with dark red. This species is most likely to be confused with P. collybita, P.fuscatiis, and P. neglectus. P. collybita in all stages of plu- mage is much greener above and much yellower underneath, and has dark brown instead of black legs. P. fuscatus may easily be distinguished by the paler colour of its under mandi- ble and legs, and by its pale chestnut axillaries and wing-lining. It has also a longer bastard primary, and a shorter second primary. P. neglectus is a smaller bird, without any trace of yellow on the axillaries and wing-lining, and has the upper part of a more sandy brown. 25. Phylloscopus neglectus (Hume). Phyllopneuste neglectus, Hume, Stray Feathers, i. p. 195 (1873). Phylloscopus neglectus, Blanford, Eastern Persia, ii. p. 182 (1876). Bill slender, under mandible black. Upper parts ashy grey, with a slight tinge of green on the rump. Wings and tail-feathers greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with ashy grey. Superciliary streak ashy white. Head same colour as the back. Underparts ashy white, darkest on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs ashy white. Third, fourth, and fifth primaries longest. Sixth a shade shorter. Seventh, eighth, and ninth each considerably H 2 100 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi shorter than the preceding. Second primary equal to the ninth. Bastard primary rather large, the exposed part measuring Q. No wing-bar. Length of Aving — male 2'05, female 1"95. Length of tail — male V7 , female 1-6. Legs and feet black. This species has hitherto only been found in the cold season in Scinde {Hume, Stray Feathers^ loc. cit.) and Baluchistan {Blanford, Eastern Persia, ii. p. 182). Its breeding-places are unknown. Mr. Brooks has convinced me that the speci- men which I .shot in the Petchora (Ibis^ 1876, p. 218) is most probably a yerj small P. tristis in the extreme summer-plu- mage of a higher latitude, when nearly all trace of yellow disappears from the plumage, as is occasionally the case with P, trochilus. The true P. neglectus is a still smaller bird, the large males being as small or even smaller than the small females of P. tristis. Mr. Brooks tells me also that P. neglec- tus frequents dry sandy localities instead of swampy ground. 26. Phylloscopus affinis (Tickell). Motacilla affinis, Tickell, J. A. S. Beng. ii. p. 576 (1833). Motacilla affinis, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xvi. p. 442 (1847). Phylloscopus affinis, Blyth, Cat. B. M. As. Soc. p. 185 (1849). Phylloscopus affinis, Jerdon, B. of India, ii. p. 194 (1863). Abrornis affinis, Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 106. Abroi'nis want hog aster, Hodgson in Gray^s Zool. Misc. p. 82. no. 854 (1844). Regulus flaveolus, G. R. Gray, Gen. of B. i. p. 175 (1848), Abrornis flaveolus, Bp. Consp. G. Av. p. 290 (1850). Bill slender, under mandible pale. Upper parts dark olive-brown. Wings and tail greyish brown. Superciliary streak greyish yellow. Head rather darker than the back. Underparts, axillaries, and wdng-lining greyish yellow, buffer on the breast and flanks. Third, fourth, fifth, and sixth primaries longest. Seventh, eighth, and ninth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary about equal to the tenth. or Willow -War biers. 101 Bastard primary very large, the exposed part measuring "65 to -75. Length of wing — male 2'4 to 2*2, female 2"2 to 2-0. Length of tail — male 2*15 to 2"0, female 1"95 to 1*8. Legs and claws brown. This species breeds on both sides of the Himalayas, having been found in summer in Cashmere {Brooks, Ibis, 1872, p. 31) and in Thibet {v. Pelzeln, Ibis, 1868, p. 308). Jerdon (Birds of Ind. ii. p. 194) says that it is not uncommon in winter at Calcutta and all over India; and in Lord Tweeddale's collec- tion are skins from Burma (Munipur, Godwin- Austen) . The nest and eggs are unknown. 27. Phylloscopus tytleri. Brooks. Phylloscojms tytleri, Brooks, Ibis, 1872, p. 23 ; Hume, Stray Feathers, iii. p. 279 (1875). Bill very long and slender, under mandible dark. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over with olive-green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather margined with olive-green. Superciliary streak not very conspicuous. Head the same colour as the back. Underparts nearly white, slightly dashed with yellow and grey, especially on the flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs yellow. Third, fourth, and fifth primaries longest. Sixth, seventh, and eighth each considerably less than the preceding. Second primary between the eighth and ninth. Bastard primary rather large, the exposed part measuring •55 to -68. No wing-bar. Length of wing — male 2-43 to 2*35, female 2'3 to 2-2. Length of tail — male 1"85 to 1-7, female 1'7 to 1-65. Legs and claws brown. This is one of the rarest and least-known species of the genus. It breeds in Cashmere {Brooks, Ibis, 1872, p. 22). Mr. Brooks informs me that he has shot birds on migration in spring at Etawah and Almorah. It probably winters in the plains of North India. This species breeds in pine trees, and makes a cup-shaped nest, profusely lined with feathers, near the end of a branch, 102 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Phylloscopi at a considerable elevation from the ground. The eggs are pure white. 28. Phylloscopus superciliosus (Gmelin). Motacilla superciliosa, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 975 (1788, ex Lath.) . Sylvia superciliosa, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. p. 526 (1790). Phyllobasileus superciliosus, Cabanis, Journ. f. Orn. 1853, p. 81. Beguloides superciliosus, Swinhoe,Ibis,1863,p.307, etsubseq. Phylloscopus superciliosus, Newton in Yarr. Brit. B. ed. 4, i. p. 443 (1873). Regulus modestus, Hancock, Ann. Nat. Hist. ii. p. 310 (1839, nee Gould) ; Yarrell, Brit. Birds, i. p. 316 (1843, nee Gould). Phylloscopus modestus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xii. p. 963 (1843, nee Gould). Phyllopneuste modestus, Blyth, Ann. Nat. Hist, xii., p. 98 (1843, nee Gould). Reguloides modestus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xvi. p. 442 (1847, nee Gould). Regulus modestus, Cabanis, Naumannia, ii. pt. 1, p. 5 (1852, nee Gould). Regulus modestus, Gaetke, Journ. f. Orn. i. p. 91 (1853, nee Gould). Regulus modestus, Tristram, Ibis, vi. p. 230 (1864, nee Gould). Regulus inornatus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xi. p. 191 (1842). Phyllopneuste reguloides, Hodgson, Gray^s Zool. Miscl. p. 82 (1844). Phyllopneuste reguloides, Hodgson, J. A. S. Beng. xxiv. p. 575 (1855). Sylvia {Phyllopneuste) proregulus, Middendorff, Sib. Heise, p. 183 (1853, partim, nee Pallas). Ficedula jjroregulus, Schlegel, Vog. van Nederl. pp. 130, 241 (1854-1858, nee Pallas). Reguloides proregulus, Horsf. & Moore, Cat. E. I. C. Mus. i. p. 342 (1854, nee Pallas), or Willow-Warblers. 103 Phyllopneuste proregulus , Blasius, Naumanuia^ viii. p. 311 (1858, nee Pallas). Reguloides proregulus, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1863, p. 307, etante (nee Pallas). Reguloides proregulus, Jerdon,B. of India, ii. p. 197 (1863, nee Pallas). Sylvia bifasciata, Gaetke, Naumannia, viii. p. 419 (1858) . Bill very slender, under mandible dark brown. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over, especially on the rump, with yellowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with yellowish green. Outside edge of ter- tiaries pale yellow. Primaries, from about the seventh to the sixteenth, tipped ivith dirty white. Superciliary streak pale yellow, some of the feathers immediately above and below dashed with black (showing an approach to Regulus) . Head rather darker than the back, with an indistinct mesial line. Underparts yellowish white, greyer on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs pale yellow. Third, fourth, and fifth primaries longest. Sixth rather shorter. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. ' Second primary about equal to the seventh, generally a shade longer, sometimes a shade shorter. Bastard primary medium, the exposed part measuring -5 to *55. Both wing-bars very distinct. Length of wing — male 2*35 to 2'15, female 2'15 to 2 0. Length of tail — male 1'85 to 1'7, female 1"7 to 1'55. Legs and claws brown. This small and apparently delicate bird has a wider range than almost any other species of the genus. It breeds in the alpine districts of Southern Siberia, in Turkestan, and Cash- mere. Its extreme northern range extends from the British Islands to the Pacific. In Europe it is doubtless only a strag- gler on migration. It also passes through North China and North India on migration, and winters in Central India, South China, Pegu, and the Tenasserim provinces. Skins obtained by Dr. Dybowski near Lake Baical are com- mon in collections. SevertzoflF found it in Turkestan (Ibis, 104 Mr. H. Seel^olim on the Phylloscopi 1876, p. 81). Brooks found it breeding in Cashmere (Ibis, 1872, p. 26). Gaetke obtains it regularly in autumn in Heligoland (Ibis, 1875, p. 180). Its other various occur- rences in Europe are duly chronicled in Dresser^s ' Birds of Europe/ Middendorff obtained it at Okhotsk (Sib. Reise, vol. ii. pt. 2, p. 183). Swinhoe found it in spring at Chefoo, North China (Ibis, 1874, p. 441), and in autumn near Peking (Ibis, 1861, p. 330), on both occasions doubtless on migration. He also found it in winter at Amoy (Ibis, 1860, p. 54) and in Hainan (Ibis, 1870, p. 345). Brooks records it from Al- morah on migration (Ibis, 1869, p. 354). Jerdon (Birds of Ind. ii. p. 197) says that it is common in most parts of India in the cold season. Blyth says that it is common in the cold season near Calcutta. Hume includes it in his list of the birds of Upper Pegu (Stray Feathers, 1875, p. 140) and of the Tenasserim provinces (Stray Feathers, 1874, p. 478); and in Lord Tweeddale^s collection are skins from the Garo Hills {Godwin- Austen) , Munipur {Godwin-Austen), and Rangoon {Warcllaw Ramsay). Mr. Brooks describes the nest of this species as being semi- domed, lined with line grass and a few hairs, placed on the ground on a sloping bank. The eggs are white, more or less spotted with red or purple. 29. Phylloscopus proregulus (Pallas). Motacilla proregulus, Pallas, Zoogr. Rosso-As. i. p. 499 (1831). Rer/uloides proregulus, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1863, p. 307, et subseq. Phyllopneuste {Phyllobasileus) proregulus, Homey er, Journ. f. Orn. 1872, p. 208. Regidus modestus, Goulds B. of Eur. p. 149 (1837). Phylloscopus modestus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xii. p. 693 (1843). Phyllopneuste modestus, Blyth, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. xii. p. 98 (1843). Reguloides modestus, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 184 (1849). or Willow-Warblers. 105 Abrornis chloronopus, Hodgson in Gray's Zool. Miscl. p. 82 (1843). Reguloides chloronotus, Jerdon, B. of India^ ii. p. 197 (1863) . Bill very slender, dark underneath. Upper parts olive-green. Rump yellow. Wings and tail greyish brown^ with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with yellowish green. Outside edge of tertiaries yellow. Superciliary streak yellow. Head darker colour than the back, with a distinct pale mesial line. UnderpartSj axillaries, and wing-lining greyish yellow. Fourth and fifth primaries longest. Third and sixth rather shorter. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second equal to about the tenth. Bastard primary rather large, the exposed part measuring •55 to -6. First bar yellow and very distinct. Upper bar yellow, but not so distinct. Length of wing — male 2"05 to 1'95, female 1*9 to 1*8. Length of tail — male 1'65 to 1*55, female 1*5 to 1"45. Legs and claws light brown. This species has a somewhat extended but eastern range. It breeds in the subalpine districts of Southern Siberia, and throughout the alpine districts of the Himalayas, from Cash- mere to Burma. It passes through North China on migra- tion, and Avinters in South China, Burma, and Bengal. Dr. Dybowski has obtained it near Lake Baical {Dresser, Birds of Europe, art. P. superciliosus, p. 4). It breeds in Cashmere {Brooks, Ibis, 1872, p. 26) . I have skins obtained by Mr, Brooks at Sikkim; and in Lord Tweeddale's collection are skins from Darjeeling. Swinhoe obtained it in February at Hainan (Ibis, 1870, p. 345) ; and in his collection are skins from Amoy obtained in December. Hume obtained it from the pine-forests north of Pahpoon, in the Tenasserim provinces (Stray Feathers, 1874, p. 479); and it has been found beyond the south-west frontier of Bengal {Ball, Stray Feathers, 1874, p. 415). Mr. Brooks informs me that it is never seen in the plains of India. One specimen of this bird has been shot, and at least another seen, on Heligoland. This species makes a semi-domed nest, lined with feathers 106 Mr. H. Seebolim on the Phylloscopi and bits of thin birch-bark. It is placed on the bough of a pine tree, often a considerable height from the ground. The eggs are white_, richly spotted with dark brownish red. 30. Phylloscopus erochrous (Hodgson). Abrornis erochroa, Hodgson, Gray^s Zool. Misc. p. 82 (1844) . Regulus erochroa, G. E. Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 175 (1848). Reguloides erochroa, Jerdon, B. of India, ii. p. 199 (1863). Abrornis pulchrala, Hodgson, Gray^s Zool. Misc. p. 82 (1844). Reguloides ? Blanford, J. A. S. Beng. xli. pt. ii. p. 162 (1872). Bill very slender, under mandible dark. Upper parts olive-green. Rump yellow. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with olive-green. Outside edge of the tertiaries yellowish white at the tip. Inner web of three outer tail-feathers on each side white. Superciliary streak greyish yellow. Head rather darker-coloured than the back, with an indistinct pale mesial line. Underparts, axillaries, and wing-lining greyish yellow. Fourth, fifth, and sixth primaries longest. Third and seventh rather shorter. Eighth and ninth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second equal to about the tenth. Bastard primary large, the exposed part measuring '55 to "65. First bar orange and very distinct. Upper bar greyish orange and rather indistinct. Length of wing— male 2-45 to 2*3, female 2-25 to 2-1. Length of tail — male 2*0 to 1'8, female 1*75 to 1*6. Legs and claws brown. So far as is known, this species has a more limited range than almost any other of the genus. Hodgson found it in Nepaul (in British Museum) ; and I have skins from Sikkim; but Mr. Brooks tells me it is never seen in the plains of India. Nothing is known of its nidification. 31. Phylloscopus subviridis (Brooks). Reguloides subviridis. Brooks, P. A. S. Beng. 1872, p. 148. or Willow -Warblers. 107 Bill very slender, under mandible pale at the base. Upper parts greyish brown, dashed all over, especially on the rump, with dirty yellowish green. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with dirty yellowish green. Outside edge of tertiaries dirty white. Superciliary streak dirty white. Head rather darker than the back, with an indistinct mesial line. Underparts dirty yellowish white, dashed with buff on the breast and flanks. Axillaries, wing-lining, and thighs dirty yellowish white. Third, foui'th, and fifth primaries longest. Sixth rather shorter. Seventh and eighth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second primary about equal to the ninth. Exposed portion of bastard primary "48 to "6. First wing-bar very distinct. Rudiments of upper bar. Length of wing— male 2-25 to 2-13, female 2-1 to 2-05. Length of tail — male 1*8 to 1'7, female 1'7 to 1'65. Legs and feet dark brown. Mr. Brooks informs me that he obtained this species in the north-west provinces of India as far east as Cawnpore during the cold season. Its summer quarters are unknown. It is a somewhat smaller bird than P. superciliosus , with a shorter second primary, and with the white tips to the pri- maries and the upper bar on the wing very indistinct. 32. Phylloscopus maculipennis (Blyth). Abrornis maculipennis, Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 27. Beguloides ? Blanford, J. A. S. Beng. xli. pt. 2, p. 163 (1872). Abrornis chloronotus, Hume, Nests and Eggs of Ind. B. p. 372 (1874, nee Hodgson). Bill very slender, under mandible black. Back olive- green. Rump yellow. Wings and tail greyish brown, with the outside edge of each feather broadly margined with yellowish green. Outside edge of ter- tiaries tipped with white, inner web of three outside tail- feathers white. Superciliary streak white. Head grey, with a distinct Avhite mesial line. Throat greyish white ; rest of underparts, axillaries, and wing- lining yellow. Fourth, fifth, and sixth primaries longest. Third and seventh 108 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Orthotomus. rather shorter. Eighth and ninth each considerably shorter than the preceding. Second equal to about the tenth. Bastard primary proportionately large^ the exposed part mea- suring '5. Two very distinct yellow bars across the wing. Length of wing 2"0 to 1'8. Lengthof tail 1-6 to 1-35. Legs and claws brown. Very little is known of the geographical distribution of this small but beautifully coloured bird. The only skins I have seen are from Sikkim or the neighbourhood. Nothing is known of its nidification or migration. VII. — A Note on the Genus Orthotomus. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. (Plate II.) The two beautiful new species of Tailorbird described and figured in the present paper were obtained by my excellent friend Dr. J. B. Steere during his recent expedition to the Philippine Islands ; and it seems a fitting occasion to give a short review of the geographical distribution of the genus. I recognize twelve species of Tailorbirds, of which the fol- lowing is a synoptical table ; but there are still a few species which I am unable to determine. These are almost the same as those left undetermined by Mr. F. Moore in 1854, when he gave a careful revision of the genus Orthotomus (P. Z, S. 1854, p. 81) . The following is my proposed rearrangement of the species : — a. abdomine albido vel pallide fulvesceute. a', mento albido vel fiilvescenti-albo. a", interscapulio viridi. a'", macula gutturali nigra nulla. a*, fronte rufescente : vertice et nuchS, brunnescentibus : pileo interdum om- nino rufescente : rectricibus baud nigro subterminaliter raaculatis \ ^^*°^^^''- Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Orthotomus. 109 b'^. fronte castaneo ; vertice cinereo : rec- tricibus nigro subtermiualiter maculatis frontalis, b'". macula guttural! nigra distincta. c"*. minor : pileo castaneo : genis et facie lateral! albidis, regione parotica supe- riore castauea atrigularis. d'*. major : pileo cinerascente, capitis la- teribus saturatioribus : regione parotica conspicue alba cinereiceps, b". interscapulio cinereo : capite castaneo. c'". rectricibus olivascenti-brunneis, flavido marginatis et nigro subterminaliter maculatis castaneiceps, d'". rectricibus castaneis. e^. remigibus extiis olivascenti-viridibus de^-bianus. f^. tectricibus alarum et remigibus ex- terne cinereis dorso concoloribus .... rvjiceps. b'. mento cinnamomeo, faciei lateribus concolori. c". dorso cinereo : gutture et corporis lateribus etiam cinereis : abdomine medio albo cineraceus. d". dorso viridescente : gula cinerea : corporis la- ribus viridescentibus : pectore medio et abdo- mine flavicantibus septum. b. abdomine Isetissime flavo : gutture cum prtepectore et pectore summo albis. c'. rectrice extima reliquis concolori, aut in pogonio interno angustissime albo terminata cucuUattis. d'. rectrice extima intus omnino alba coronatus. 1. Orthotomus SUTORIUS"^. Hab. ^^The well-known Tailorbird is found throughout all Indiaj from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin and Ceylon, and extending into the Burmese countries^'' [Jerdon, B. Ind. ii. p. 166). Mr. Hume (Nests & Eggs Ind. B. p. 331) states that it breeds throughout India and Burmah, alike in the plains and in the hills [e.g. the Himalayas, Nilghiris, and Pegu hills) up to an elevation of from 3000 to 4000 feet, " The breeding-season lasts from May to August, both months included; but in the plains more nests are to be found in July, and in the hills more, I think, in June, than during the other months. Captain Hutton states that the birds, though common at their bases, do not ascend the hills ; but this is a * Cf. Lord Tweeddale's remarks (Walden, B. Burm. p. 120). 110 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Orthotomus. mistake ; for I have repeatedly taken nests at elevations of over 3000 feet, and Mr, Gammie, writing from Sikkim, says, ' We often find nests of this species near my house at Mong- phoo ' (which is at an elevation of about 3000 feet) . Again, writing from the Nilghii'is, Miss Cockburn remarks, 'The Tailorbird is seldom met with on the highest ranges, but appears to prefer the warmer climates enjoyed at the elevation of about 3500 to 4700 feet/ " Mr. Hume also writes (S. F. 1873, p. 194) : — ''I never met with this species myself in Sindhj but Captain Maiden informed me that he had killed a specimen at Jacobabad in March, and since my return I have had a specimen sent me from the neighbourhood of Kur- rachee/'' Major J. Hayes Lloyd (Ibis, 1873, p. 412) records it as common in Kattiawar; and Dr. Stoliczka (J. A. S. B. 1872, p. 240) speaks of his shooting " a specimen while hunt- ing for insects between large stones of an old embankment at the Sir-talao, in the south-western part of Cachh.'^ Captain Butler (S. F. 1875, p. 479) gives it as plentiful on the hills and plains near Mount Aboo and in Northern Guzerat; and Mr. Hume (/. c.) adds that it is common throughout Sindh, Cutch, Kattiawar, and Jodhpoor. Mr. Adam (S. F. 1873, p. 381) says the same of the bird near the Sambhur lake. We have in the British Museum numerous specimens from Nepal, collected by Mr. Hodgson ; and Mr. Blyth men- tions examples obtained near Calcutta (Cat. B. Mus. A. S. B. p. 144) , The late Captain Beavan, in his Notes (Ibis, 1867, p. 454), states that he found it common near Barrackpore, but rare in Maunbhoom. Mr. V. Ball (S. F. 1874, p. 414) writes : — '' The Indian Tailorbird occurs in the more open parts of the division, but is not common, as far as my obser- vation has gone, in any part of Chota Nagpur." It is in- cluded in Mr. W. T. Blanford's List of Birds obtained in the Wardha Valley (J. A. S. B. 1871, p. 273) . Dr. Leith Adams [cf. Moore, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 488) states that it is found fre- quenting the mango and other trees in the Deccan ; and it was there that the late Colonel Sykes obtained his types of O. bennetti and 0. Ungoo (P. Z. S. 1832, p. 90). Madras specimens of this bird, presented by Dr. Jerdon, are Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Orthotomus. Ill in the British Museum, It breeds in the Nilghiris, as noticed by Miss Cockburn {vide supra). In Ceylon, according to Mr. Holdsworth, it is common in all parts of the island, but especially frequents gardens and the neighbourhood of habita- tions. " It is as abundant at Nuwara Eliya as at Aripo or other parts of the low country." Major Godwin- Austen (J. A. S. B. 1870, p. 271) notices it from the North Mymensing district in the Garo hills. In Burmah Captain Beavan obtained it on the Salween river (Ibis, 1867, p. 454) ; and Dr. Anderson obtained a single spe- cimen at Bhamo, and on the right bank of the Taping river, during the second Yun-nan expedition. According toMr.Blyth (B. Burma, p. 120), Mr. Gould has had specimens from Tavoy ; and Mason states that Tailorbirds are very common at Tavoy, though rare at Moulmein. Mr. Blyth includes this as a second species under the name of 0. eclela ; but Lord Tweeddale (/. c.) says that he does not know which species is intended by Mr. Blyth, though it is probable that 0. atrigu- laris may have been the bird in his mind. The true O. sutorius has been procured at Tonghoo and in Karen-nee by Lieut. Wardlavv Bamsay. Mr. Gates (S. F. 1875, p. 135) records it from Thayet Myo as common in the plains ; and Mr. Hume states that it was found by Mr. Davison to be diffused and not uncommon in Tenasserim (S. F. 1874, p. 478) , Mr. Blyth even says that it extends as far south as Singapore, in which case 0. edela from Java may be identical [vide infra) . He records an actual specimen (Cat. B. Mus. A. S. B. p. 144) from Ma- lacca as being in the Indian Museum. To the eastward the Indian Tailorbird has been recorded from Siam on Mr. Gould's authority [cf. Blyth, B. Burma, p. 120) ; and Mr. Swinhoe states (P.Z. S. 1863, p. 294) that it is an " abundant resident in South China from Canton to Foocliow.'"' It also occurs in Formosa and Hainan {Sivinhoe, Ibis, 1870, p. 80). At Amoy, writes the same author, it is " found in all the gardens, hedgerows, &c., and is generally seen in pairs.'' 11,2 Mr. E. B. Sliarpe on the Genus Ortbotomus. 2. Orthotomus edela. Hab. Java. This is the Javan representative of O. sutorius ; but, not having seen a specimen, I am unable to state whether it is really distinct. Lord Tweeddale (Walden, B. Burma, p. 120) writes : — " The Javan O. edela and the Indian 0. su- torius are barely separable, the Javan bird being chiefly distin- guished by having the lores and superciliary stripe pale fer- ruginous, and not greyish Avhite.^^ 3. Orthotomus frontalis, sp. n. (Plate II. fig. 1.) Adult male. General colour above olive-green, the wing- coverts coloured like the back ; the quills dark brown, ex- ternally edged with the same green as the back, the inner- most secondaries exactly like the latter; tail olive-brow'n, with dusky undulations in certain lights, the feathers edged with bright olive-yellow, and tipped with whity brown, before which is an indistinct subterminal shade of darker brown ; forehead and a narrow superciliary line bright chest- nut ; crown, nape, and sides of neck ashy grey ; lores fulves- cent ; sides of face whitish, the ear-coverts shaded with ashy grey ; cheeks and entire throat silky white ; rest of under surface of body creamy white, the flanks pale greenish yellow ; thighs tawny ; bill dark horn-brown in skin, the lower man- dible yellowish ; legs fleshy brown : " iris light hazeP' [Steere) . Total length 3"7 inches, culmen 0'55, wing 1-6, tail 1*5, tarsus 0"75. Young female. DiflTers from the male in wanting the parti- coloured head, which is only a shade darker olive-green than the back, the subterminal mark on the tail is very much more pronounced than in the adult male ; entire under surface of body silky white. Total length 3*7 inches, culmen 0*55, wing 1-75, tail 1-6, tarsus 0-75. Hab. Islands of Basilan and Mindanao, Philippines. The types of this species are in Dr. Steere's collection. The species is a very distinct one, its nearest ally being 0. sutorius, from which it is at once distinguished by its grey head and chestnut forehead, and also by its having a dark subterminal spot to the tail-feathers. Ibis. 1877, PI 11. J.G Keulemans litli M&M-Hanhart imp. l.ORTHOTOMUS FRONTALIS. 2. „ CINEREICEPS. Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Orthotomus. 113 4, Orthotomus atrigularis, Hab. Borneo and Malayan peninsula, extending northwards to Tenasserim and Burmah. In Borneo Mr. Alfred Everett has procured a pair at Bintula {vide supra, p. 16); and I have already shown that this species, generally known as 0 . flavoviridis , Moore (P.Z.S'. 1854, p. 78), is the same as 0. atrigularis of Temminck, originally de- scribed from Borneo, but not since procured in that island till Mr. Everett's researches brought it again to light. The Museum contains a Sumatran specimen collected by Mr. Wallace, as well as others from Penan g and the peninsula of Malacca. The latter locality supplied Mr. Moore with the types of his O. flavoviridis. Mr. Hume (S.F. 1874, pp.478, 507) has also described a new species obtained by Mr. Davi- son at Pahpoon, Kyouknyat, and Thayetchaun, in Tenasserim, as 0. nitidus. This Lord Tweeddale (B. Burm. p. 121) has correctly shown to be the same as the Malaccan bird ; and he records it also as a bird of Burmah (/. c), as it has been pro- cured near Rangoon by Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay. 5. Orthotomus cinereiceps, sp. n. (Plate II. fig. 2.) Adult male. General colour above bright olive-green; wing- coverts and quills dark brown, all the feathers broadly edged with the same green as the back, the greater coverts margined and tipped with brighter yellow ; tail dark brown, narrowly tipped with brighter yellow, but without any darker subter- minal bar ; head dark ashy grey, the lores fulvescent ; sides of face and a malar stripe blackish grey ; ear-coverts white ; chin and sides of upper throat white ; centre of throat and jugulum black, forming a large patch; fore neck, sides of body, flanks, under tail-coverts, and thighs bright olive- green, the latter slightly tinged with rufous ; under wing-coverts yellowish, the edge of the wing bright yellow; bill horn- black, the lower mandible yellowish in skin ; feet fleshy brown in skin; iris light hazel. Total length 5 inches, culmen0*6o, wing 1*85, tail 1*9, tarsus 0"9 [coll, J. B. Steere). Hab. Island of Basilan, Philippines. This beautiful species is distinguished from all others of SER. IV. VOL. I. I 114 Mr. R. B. Sliarpe on the Genus Orthotomus. the genus Orthotomus by its grey head and pure white ear- coverts. 6. Orthotomus castaneiceps. Hah. Guimaras and Panay, Philippine Islands. This distinct species was described by Lord Tweeddale (Walden, Ann. Nat. Hist. ser. 4, x. p. 252, et Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 195) from the island of Guimaras ; and Dr. Steere obtained another, which agrees exactly with the type kindly lent me by Lord Tweeddale, in the neighbouring island o£ Panay. 7. Orthotomus derbianus. Hab. Philippine Islands. Specimens of this bird are in the Derby Museum at Liver- pool {cf. Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 309, pi. Ixxvi. descr. orig.) and in the British Museum ; but the exact island inhabited by the species has not been determined ; it will probably be found to be Luzon. 8. Orthotomus ruficeps. Hab. Malacca, Sumatra, Borneo, and Palawan. From Malacca we have in the British Museum two speci- uiens — one presented by Captain Stackhouse Pinwell, and the other procured by Mr. Wallace. A specimen from Sumatra is also in the national collection. Two specimens were also sent by Mr. Hugh Low in a recent collection made by him in North-wester-n Borneo, opposite the island of Labuan. Doria and Beccari met with it at Sarawak (Salvad. Ucc. Born, p. 249). Dr. Steere likewise obtained a specimen in the island of Palawan, Philippines. 9. Orthotomus cineraceus. Hab. Malacca, Sumatra, and Borneo. Fron- an examination of a very large series recently brought from North-western Borneo and Labuan by Mr. Hugh Low, I am able to affirm that 0. borneonensis of Salvadori (Ucc. Born. p. 247) is the fully adult male of O. cineraceus, Blyth (J. A, S. B. xiv. p. 489). It appears to be a common bird in Borneo, as it has been obtained not only in the above- mentioned localities, but at Sarawak by Doria and Beccari, Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Orthotomus. 115 at Jambusan by Mr. Alfred Everett, and at Banjermassing by the late Mr. Mottley. A Sumatran specimen, collected by Mr. Wallace, is in tlie British Museum, which also pos- sesses a skin presented to this institution by Captain Stack- house Pinwell ; it was from Malacca ; and Mr. Blytli likewise obtained his original specimens from this latter locality. 10. Orthotomus sepium. Hab. Java, Sumatra, and Lombock. This Tailorbird was originally obained in Java by Dr. Horsfield, and described by him (Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 166) . Mr. Wallace obtained it both in East and West Java; his specimens are now in the British Museum, which also con- tains an example from Sumatra ; a young bird was procured by Mr. Wallace in the island of Lombock, which we believe to be referable to the present species, and not to O. cine- raceus, although the two birds in their immature stages are rather hard to distinguish. 11. Orthotomus cucullatus. Hab. Java. So far as we know, this bird is entirely confined to the island of Java. Mr. Wallace obtained a specimen of it in Western Java in 1861. 12. Orthotomus coronatus. Hab. Eastern Himalaya, ranging eastward to the Burmese hills. The types of this species are in the British Museum. It is closely allied to O. cucullatus, but is distinguished by having the entire inner web white on the outer tail-feathers. Dr. Jerdon (B. Ind. ii. p. 168) observes : — '' I procured specimens of this new species of Tailorbird from the vicinity of Dar- jeeling, where it occurs in the warmer valleys. A nest and eggs were brought to me, said to be those of this bird, similar to that of 0. longicauda, but not so carefully made ; the leaves were loosely attached, and with fewer stitches. The eggs were two in number, white, with rusty spots.'^ Major Bulger (Ibis, 1869, p. 166) also met with this species in the plains I 2 116 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Ortliotomus. below Darjeeliiig. To the eastward it occurs in the Khasi hills, as Major Godwin -Austen, in his list of the birds of these and the North Kachar hills (J. A. S. B. 1870, p. 107), mentions a specimen being shot near Cherra Punji iu October. Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay has also obtained it in Burmah in the Tsan-koo hills at an elevation of 3000 feet [cf. Walden in Blyth, B. Burm. p. 121). Besides the above twelve species there are three which I have not been able to make out, viz. : — 0. lofigirostris, Swains. An. in Mena<'-. p. 343, Hab. Australia ! O. maculicoUis, F. Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 309, Hab. Malacca; and 0. hugelii, Pelz., Hab. New Holland (?). P.S. Since this paper was finished Mr. T. J. Moore has been so kind as to send me from the Derby Museum the type of O. maculicoUis for examination. It is said to have been obtained by Mr. Cuming in Malacca; but I think it just as probable that the real locality may ultimately turn out to be one of the Philippine Islands. It appears to be a distinct species ; for although closely allied to 0. sutorius, it differs in its blackish brown ear-coverts and sides of neck, which are distinctly and rather broadly streaked with white. The fol- lowing is a description of the type : — General colour above olive-green ; wings brown, the least wing-coverts edged with olive-green, like the back, the greater series and quills with brownish olive ; tail brown, undulated under certain lights, the feathers margined with olive-green ; crown of head rufous, the occiput and hind neck rather ashy brown ; feathers in front of and round the eye buffy whitish ; ear-coverts and sides of neck blackish brown, with distinct longitudinal streaks of white ; cheeks and imder surface of body white, the throat purest, the breast somewhat tinged with buff; flanks dull olive ; sides of upper breast dark grey ; under wing-coverts and edge of wing light buff, slightly washed with olive-yellow ; quills below ashy brown, with a tawny buflF edging along the inner web. Total length 4*3 inches, cul- men 0-55, wing 1"8, tail 1'7, tarsus 0-8. Recently published Ornithological Works, 117 VIII. — Notices of recently published Ornithological Works. 1. Pere David^s ' Third Journey in China/ [Journal de mon troisieme Voyage d'Exploration dans I'Empire Chinois : ouvrage contenaut 3 cartes. Par M. I'Abbe Armand David, de la Con- gregation de la Mission. Two vols. Paris : 1875.] Pere David's name requires no introduction to the readers of ' The Ibis.^ We all know the extraordinary success that has attended his efforts to make known to science the natural wonders of the interior of the Chinese Empire. Many of us have seen the splendid new forms and brilliant novelties with which he has enriched the Museum of Paris, and have ad- mired the grand discoveries which have thrown a flood of light on the true relations of the Chinese avifauna. Pere David^s earlier Journals^'' have been published in the Bulletin of the ' Nouvelles Archives du Museum.^ In these he has given us an account of his first expedition to Mongolia in 1860, and of his second remarkable journey to Setchuan and Moupin in 1868 and the following years. In the present volumes he presents us with a narrative of his third great journey, commenced in 1872, in which he traversed the cen- tral provinces of the empire, and made large collections in two previously unknown mountain-ranges of the interior. The pages of Pere David^s diary are rife with interesting notes on the various birds met with, to which, even when borne down by severe sickness, he appears to have devoted unflagging attention. Leaving Pekin at the beginning of October 1872, our traveller journeyed nearly due south to the banks of the Hoang-ho, which he crossed on the 24th of October, and, turning westward along its left bauk_, passed several months at various localities in the Tsiug-ling moun- tains, which lie between this part of the Hoang-ho and some of the northern confluents of the Yaug-tze. Having crossed to the south of the range, he embarked on a native boat on the 17th of April 1873^ and descended the Han to Hankow, * Journal d \m Voyage dans le Centre de la Chine et dans le Thibet Oriental. Par M. I'Abbe Armand David. Nouv. Arch. Mus. d'H. N. vol. viii. et ix. (Bulletin). 118 Recently published Ornithological Works. which he did not reach without suffering various maladies and misfortunes. After a short rest here and at Kiou-Kiang, lower down the Yaug-tze^ Pere David resolved to make another excursion into the mountains of Kiangsi, in spite of his indifferent health. With this journey he occupied the last six months of 1873, returning to Kiou-Kiang in an al- most exhausted state at the end of January 1874, and shortly afterwards to Europe. Two maps serve to point out very accurately the author's route, and add great interest to the narrative. Besides numerous notes on known species interspersed throughout the narrative, as already mentioned, Pere David gives several short indications of supposed new species dis- covered during his travels — Ithaginis sinensis (vol. i. p. 174), Pomatorhinus gravivox (ibid. p. 200), Carpodacus lepidus (ibid. p. 205), Pnoepijga halsueti (ibid. p. 210), Suthora cy- anopjhrys (ibid. p. 345), Psaltria sophi(B (vol. ii. p. 167), Po- matorhinus swinhoii (ibid. p. 269), Trochalopteronmilni (ibid. p. 271), and Machlolophus rex (ibid. p. 275). Of these new species we shall, no doubt, have fuller accounts in the work which Pere David is now preparing upon the mammals and birds which he collected in China. He also makes a new genus, Bahax (vol. i. p. 181), for Garrulax lanceolatus , Ver- reaux, and gives (vol. ii. p. 39, et seq.) a nominal list of the birds (195 in number) observed in Southern China from October 1872 to the end of April 1873. It would be of great advantage to science if Pere David would republish the Journal of his first two journeys in a similar manner, and with accompanying notes, to show us where " Moupin " and the other terrce incognitte where he made so many wonderful discoveries, really are. 2. The Marquis de Compiegne's 'yEguaiorial Africa/ [L'Afrique Equatoriale. Par le jMarquis cle Compiegue. Paris : 1876. 2 vols. E. Plon & Co.] This is hardly to be called a scientific book ; it is never- theless one which our ornithological friends will, we think, find both instruction and amusement in reading. The Mar- Recently published Ornithological Works. 119 quis de Compiegne and his friend M. A. Marche made a two years^ expedition to Gaboon in 1872 to collect objects of natural history. Their adventures are given in an entertain- ing way by the Marquis in the two small volumes now before us. They penetrated deep into the country first explored by Du Chaillu, and obtained a fine series of birds^ of which their agent^ Mons. Bouvier of Paris^ has published a lisf^. This catalogue, or a nearly corresponding one, is also given as an appendix to the present work. We may call particular at- tention to the author's account of his visit to the sacred islands of Lake Zouangue, where myriads of Darters, Ibises, and Pelicans were found breeding in community (vol. i. p. 278). 3. Riesenthal's ' German Birds of Prey.' [Die Eaubvogel Deutsclilauds und des aug-renzenden Mitteleuropas. Darstelluug und Beschreibimg der iu Deutscliland und den beuachbarten Landeru von Mitteleui'opa vorkomnienden Eaubvogel. Allen Natur- freunden, besonders aber der deutschen Jagerei gewidmet von O. v. Rie- senthal. Text, 8vo. Atlas, small folio. Cassel : 1876.] PIr. Th. Fischer has politely forwarded to us the first part of the atlas and letterpress of this proposed new work on the Raptores of Central Europe. It contains chromolithographs of Buteo vulgaris, B. lag opus, and Pernis apivorus, adult and young. The drawings are well executed and show consider- able spirit ; but we observe that the plates are rather inclined to be rubbed off against their opposite neighbours. 4. Allen's 'Birds of Lake Titicaca.' [Exploration of Lake Titicaca by Alexander Agassiz and S. W. Gar- man. III. List of Mammals and birds. By J. A. Allen, with Field- notes by Mr. Garman. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Cambridge, Mass. vol. iii. nos. 15, IG. July 1876.] The collection of birds made by Mr. Garman dming Mr. Alexander Agassiz's expeditition to Lake Titicaca in the first * Catalogue Geograpbique des Oiseaux recueillis par MM. A. Marche et le Marquis de Compiegne dans leiu* voyage comprenaut les pays suivants, Senegale, Gamble, Cazamance, Sierra-Leone, Bonny, Vieux-Calabar, Cap Lagos, Fernando-Po, Principe, Gabon, Fernand-Vaz, et Riviere Ogoou6, pendant les annees 1872-74, par A. Bouvier. 8vo. Paris : 1875. JiO Recently published Ornithological Works. months of 1875^ of which an account is given in this paper, contains about 230 specimens, referable to 69 species. '' The resemblance of the bird-fauna of Lake Titicaca to that of the neighbouring portions of the highlands not far to the eastward, visited by Mr. Whitely, is shown by the fact that, of Mr. Whitely^s small collection of 47 species, made at and near Tinta, on the Vilcamayo, south-east of Cuzco (11,000 feet above sea-level), 27, or more than one half, are contained in Mr. Garman's collection. ^^ Two species are described as new — an Ibis, Falcinellus riclg- wayi, allied to F. guarauna, and a Gallinule, Gallinula gar- mani, allied to G. galeata, but much larger and darker. The singular short-winged Grebe, Centropelma micropterum (figured in Ex. Orn, pi. xcv. p. 189), is stated to be very com- mon about all parts of the lake where the water is at all shal- low. ''It feeds on fishes, batrachians, &c. In February young were taken about two thirds grown. They are unable to rise from the water ; but by flapping their rudimentary wangs and striking the water with their feet they manage to progress quite rapidly for a considerable distance." '' They dive quickly at the discharge of a gun — so quickly that, unless taken unawares, they will dodge the shot — and escape, often swimming a long distance under water before reappearing." Thirteen specimens were obtained of this rare species, which seems to be confined to this lake. 5. 'Proceedings' of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. [The Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. Vol. i. parts 1 & 2. 8vo. Sydney : 1876.] The Linnean Society of New South Wales has been insti- tuted at Sydney " for the cultivation and study of the science of natural history in all its branches " under the presidency of Mr. W. Macleay, and seems already to number upwards of a hundred members. We have seen two parts of the ' Pro- ceedings ^ (pp. 1-168), which are both dated 1876, though a notice is stuck into the first part that the " first twenty pages of this part were printed and circulated ten months ago." Recently published Ornithological Works. 121 They contain the following ornithological papers by Mr. E. P. Ramsay : — " Description of a new Ptilotis from the Endeavour River/' p. 9 (P. macleyana = P. versicolor, Eamsay^ P. Z. S. 1868, p. 386, nee Gould) ; " Description of a new Trichoglossus" p. 30 {T. amabilis=T. aureocinctus , Layard, Ann. Nat. Hist. ser. 4, vol. xvi. p. 344) ; " Characters of a new Genus and Species of Passerine Bird from the Fiji Islands," p. 41 . [Vitia riificapilla=Drymoch(iera badiceps, Finscli) ; " De- scriptions of a new Species of Merula and Rhipidura from the Fiji Islands," p. 43 {Merula ruficeps and Rhipidura per sonata, both, we believe, also described by Mr. Layard) ; " A new Pachycephala from Fiji " [P. kandavetisis) ; " A new Pachy- cephala from New Britain," p. QQ [P. citreogaster !) ; " De- scription of a new Lamprolia," p. 68 (L. klinesmithii = L. minor, Finsch) ; " Description of a new Ptilinopus from Malacola, one of the New Hebrides," p. 133 (P. corriei) ; and "Description of a new Plover from North Australia," p. 135 [yEgialitis mastersi, allied to Hiaticula tnornata, Gould) . Mr. Ramsay also contributes " Remarks on a collection of birds lately received from Fiji,'^ and adds " A List of all the Species at present known to inhabit the Fiji Islands." The collection, from which it would appear the new species pre- viously described were obtained, contained examples of 37 species. The list of remaining species is simply compiled from Gray's ' Hand-list,' the author having apparently no knowledge of Hartlaub and Finsch's ^ Ornithologie Central- polynesiens,' by far the most important work ever published on Polynesian ornithology. Mr. W. Macleay, the President of the new Society, gives (p. 36) an interesting account of his cruise to Torres Straits and Southern New Guinea in the 'Chevert' in 1875, and of the zoological collections made during the expedition; and later on (p. 44) Mr. Masters, who accompanied the expedi- tion, gives us the first part of his report on the bird-collec- tion, which contained about 1000 specimens. In the present part Mr. Masters confines his attention to the species ob- tained in Australia and on the adjacent islands of Torres 122 Recently published Ornithological Works. Straits. Of these 136 are enumerated, amongst which are described, as new, Podargus gouldi from the Gulf of Carpen- taria, Pachycephala robusta from Cape York, Colluricincla superciliosa from Cape Grenville, Gerygone simplex from the Gulf of Carpentaria, Sericornis brunneopygius from Cape York, Zosterops ramsayi from Palm Island, Z. flavogularis from Cape Grenville and the adjacent islands, Megapodius assimilis from Dungeness and Bet Islands, Sterna nigrifrons from Warrior Reef, and Sternula inconspicua from Cape York. 6. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany.' [Ornitliological Miscellany. Edited by George DaAvson Rowley, M.A., r.L.S., r.Z.S., Member of the British Ornithologists' Union. 4to. Lon- don : Triibner & Co. Part III. January 1876 ; Part IV. May 1876 ; Part V. October 1876.] Of this most appropriately named work, which has already been noticed in 'The Ibis' (1875, pp. 261, 509), three parts have been issued during the past year, graced with many excellent plates of ornithic rarities, Messrs. Finsch, Salvin, Sharpe, and A. Newton have been invited to contribute to its pages ; and all ornithologists must be grateful to Mr. Row- ley for the liberality with which he supplies illustrations to the various memoirs. Those of the Fijian novelties [Tricho- glossus aureocinctus, Myiagra caruleo-capilla, &c.) recently discovered by Mr. E. L. Layard are specially acceptable; and we trust Mr. Rowley will not fail to continue them. 7. Blanford's ' Zoology of Eastern Persia.' [Eastern Persia, an account of the Journeys of the Persian Boundary Commission 1870-71-72. Vol. II. The Zoology and Geology, by W. T. Blanford, A.R.S.M., F.R.S. Svo. Loudon: 1876. (Macmillan"& Co.)] All ornithologists will, we are sure, accord a glad welcome to Mr. Blanford^s volume on the zoology and geology of Persia, which is quite worthy of the high reputation of the author, and fills up what has been long an important void in our science. Looking to the geographical position of Persia, between the carefully studied lauds of Europe on the one side and British India on the other, it will be at once obvious that a careful account of its zoology M'ould throw light upon many Recently published Ornithological Works. 123 problems in the faunas of both countries. Hitherto we have had no work to refer to on this subject^ except De Filippi's ' Note di un Viaggio in Persia/ and various smaller memoirs and fragmentary notices. Mr. Blanford bases his work mainly on the collections made by Major St. John^ with the assist- ance of a native collector from the Indian Museum, Calcutta, in the years 1869-71, together Avith those formed by himself in 1872 during the expedition of which an account is given in the first volume of the present work. As regards birds, the united collections contained 1236 specimens, belonging to 248 species, mostly from Southern Persia and Baluchistan, Mr. Blanford, however, has not failed to work up the refer- ences to birds collected or observed in Persia by previous travellers, so as to make his ornithological account of the country as complete as possible. Still the number of species as yet ascertained to inhabit Persia (384) is, as Mr. Blanford observes, not large, and it is probable that further research will add greatly to the list. The new species discovered by Mr. Blanford and his coad- jutors in Persia have been already described in ^The Ibis^^. Mr. Blanford now gives us excellent figures from Mr. Keu- lemans^s pencil of many of these novelties, which serve to set oflP his attractive volume. In fine we may say that Blan- ford^s ' Zoology of Persia ' is indispensable to the student of Palsearctic ornithology. 8. Finsch's ' Ornithology of the Pacific Islands ' : Part ii. [Zur Ornitliologie der Siidsee-Inseln. II. Uebei- neue imd weniger gekaunte Vogel von deu Viti-, Samoa- und Carolineu Inseln, von Dr. Otto Finsch in Bremen. Journal des Museum Godetfroy. Heft xii. 4to. Hamburg: 1876.] In this memoir Dr. Finsch continues his account of the ornithological novelties obtained by the collectors of the Mu- seum Godeffroy in the Fiji, Samoau, and Carolina Islands, in his usual excellent style. The new species described are : — Ptilotis wanthophrys from the Navigators^, and Zosterops po- napensis, Volvocivora insjjerata, Myiagra pluto, Rhipidura * See Ibis, 1873, pp. 86-90, 225-227 ; 1874, pp. 225-227. 124 Recently published Ornithological Works. kubaryi, and Aplonis jjelzelni from Ponape^ of the Seniavin group, which has lately been explored by Hr. J. Kubary, one of Hr. Godeffroy's scientific staff. Of this island also a com- plete account of the birds is given, showing that 22 species are known to occur in it. Of these one of the most remark- able is the Trichoglossus ( Chalcopsitta) rubiginosus, long erro- neously supposed to be from the Moluccas. Eight examples of this fine and distinct Lory, now known to be peculiar to the little island of Ponape, were obtained by Hr. Kubary. Dr. Finsch also gives a new name to the Artamus of the Pelew Islands {peleivensis) , which he has hitherto united with the widely spread A. leucorhynchus (sive leucogaster) ; and Hr. Th. Kleinschmidt, of Ovalau, contributes interesting notes on the habits of Chrysosna victor and Ptilotis procerior. Two good chromolithograph plates accompany the memoir and give figures of Trichoglossus aureicinctus, Layard, Petroica kleinschmidti, Finsch, Zosterops ponapensis, Finsch, Rhipidura kubaryi, Finsch, and Aplonis pelzelni, Finsch. 9. Shelley's ' Monograph of the Sun-birds.' [A Monograph of the Cinnyridse, or Family of Sun-birds. By Captain G. E. Shelley, F.Z.S., F.K.G.S., &c. 4to. Loudon : published by the author at the Office of the British Ornithologists's Union, 6 Teuterden Street, Hanover Square, W.] Capt. Shelley^s monograph of the favourite group of Sun- birds will form, when complete, an acceptable companion- volume to Mr. Sharpens ' Kingfishers ' and Messrs. Marshall's ' Barbets,' being of the same size and fashion. The figures are in Mr. Keulemans's best style ; and the letterpress contains a summary of all that is known about the various species. But why does Capt. Shelley call a Sun-bird " brasilianus " when, as he knows well, the term conveys an egregious error on the face of it ? Such a course is altogether opposed to the Stricklandian code of nomenclature, which we suppose he intends to follow. And why, on the other hand, does he call the family '' Cinnyrid?e,'' when Nectarinia is the older genus, and should consequently give the title to the larger group ? Recently published Ornithological Works. 125 While oflFering these small criticisms upon our friend^s labours^ we may also express a hope that he will not adopt the numerous minor subdivisions of Nectariniidae that have lately come into fashion^ founded, not on structural form, but simply on styles of colour. There is no sort of advan- tage to science gained by the employment of such terms gene- rically. Even our author's Urodrepanis (gen. nov.), founded upon the jEthopijga christin(B of Formosa, as having the " two centre tail-feathers abruptly narrowing into very fine points/' seems to us rather unnecessary ! It would likewise be a much more comfortable plan if the plates and descriptions of the same species were issued together in the same part. To effect this might give some little trouble to the author, as we are aware ; but it would be a great convenience to the subscribers. The ' Monograph of the Sun-birds ' will be completed, as we learn from the prospectus, in twelve Parts, " which will be published as rapidly as possible consistently with a proper execution of the plates." We cordially wish our author suc- cess, and trust that all our friends and readers who have the opportunity will not fail to assist him with specimens and intelligence. 10, Boucard's ' Catalogus Avium.' [Catalogus Avium hucusque descriptarum. Auctor Adolphus Boucard. London : 1878. 8vo, pp. 350.] This is a list of the names of the species of birds, with a slight indication of their j9a/fn«, beginning at the Struthiones and, ending with the Trochili. Mr. Boucard recognizes 1 1,030 species, divided into 2456 genera. Mr. Boucard has compiled his catalogue from Gray's '^Hand- list,' Sclater and Salvin's ' Nomenclator Avium Neotropica- lium,' and Shai'pe's ^Catalogue' (vols. i. & ii.), and has pro- duced a handy volume which will certainly not be without use to ornithologists. He has a more ambitious project in view — that is, a ' Genera of Birds,' of which the present work is merely a forerunner. The classification adopted is nearly that of the ' Nomenclator Avium Neotropicalium ' reversed. There are a good many misprints ; and the names of the new 126 Recently published Ornithological Works. " orders " are not very classically chosen. '^ Rallae " should be " Ralli/' and '' Pterocles " " Pterocletes " or " Pteroclae." To reunite the Hirundinidte with the Macrochires is a fright- fully retrogade step^ which we could not have believed our author would have been guilty of ! 11. Brdggemann's 'Birds of Celebes' * [Beitrage zur Ornithologie von Celebes und Sangir von Dr. Friedrich Briiggemann. 8vo. Bremen : 187(3.] It is with much pleasure that we welcome a "new recruit to the ranks of working ornithologists. Dr. Briiggemann founds the present essay principally upon a collection made in 1873- 74 by Dr. George Fischer^ a medical officer of the Dutch Government, partly during excursions from Menado into Minahassa, in Celebes, and partly on Sanghir Island. The Darmstadt collection, however, had previously a series of Celebes birds, mostly presented by Hrn. v. Rosenberg and Riedel. Altogether the Gra;id-ducal museum contains more than 1200 Celebes and Sanghir skins, of M'hich 1066 are due to Dr. Fischer^s researches. Dr. Briiggemann follows the arrangement of Lord Tweed- dale's well-known memoir on the birds of Celebes in the Zoological Society's ' Transactions,' but adds many additional species. He describes as new : — Astur tenuirostris , Halcyon cyanocephalon, and Cuculus vtrescens from Celebes ; Pitta palUcejis from Sanghir; Pitta kochi from Luzon; Monarcha commutata from Celebes ; Artamus brevipes from the Pacific Islands (!) ; Corvus annectens from Celebes ; C. fallaw and C. niodestus, collected as C. annectens by Rosenberg, but without localities annexed; Ptilonopus nuchalis from Sanghir ; P.fis- cheri and Carpophaga pcecilorrhoa from Celebes; Gallinula lepida, ex loc. ign. ; and (in an appendix) Cuculus asturinus from Celebes. A new genus, Schizoptila, is proposed for Rallina rosenbergi, Walden. Altogether fourteen additional species are added to the avifauna of Celebes, which now com- prises 229 species. * Cf remarks by Count T. Salvadori (Ibis, 1876, p. 385). Recently published Ornithological Works. 127 12. Gurney's ' Rambles of a Naturalist.' [Rambles of a Naturalist in Egypt and other Countries, with an ana- lysis of the claims of certain foreign Birds to be considered British, and other Ornithological Notes. By J. H. Gurney, Jun., F.Z.S. 1 vol. 8vo. London : 1876.] This volume is a kind of ornithological omnium-gatherum, containing an account of the recent travels and experiences of an ardent devotee of our science in various parts of the world, Mr. Gurney first goes "'to Russia and back/' and gives us an account of the birds to be met with in the market of St. Petersburg there, and a few notes on the museums and zoological gardens which he visited. Next we have his journey in the Algerian Sahara, where, as the readers of ' The Ibis ' already know, he made many interesting observations'^. The notes taken during the Franco- German war, which follow, relate to a much better-known fauna, but still contain some interesting information. The most important portion, how- ever, of Mr. Gurney's volume is the account of his six mouths' bird-collecting in Egypt, which is followed by a systematically arranged series of notes upon all the species of birds obtained, 223 in all. Of these Anser erijthropus, Buteo deserto7'um, Cypselus apus (as distinct from C. pallidus), and Anas angus- tirostris are added to the Egyptian list for the first time " on positive information.'' The right of admission was also con- firmed to sundry doubtful species, such as Circus cineraceus and Porzana pygmeea. Some " passing notes on the birds of Italy," together with an analysis of the claims of certain birds to be considered British, and a few minor papers conclude Mr. Gurney's interesting and instructive volume, which we beg leave to recommend most sincerely to the notice of his brother ornithologists. * See Mr. Gurney "On the Ornithology of Algeria," Ibis, 1871, pp. 68, 289. 128 Letters, Announcements, &;c. IX. — Letters, Announcements, i^c. The following letters, addressed " To tlie Editors of ' The Ibis/ " have been received : — 33 Carlyle Square, Chelsea, S.W, 6tli November, 1876, Sirs, — In glancing over the ' Catalogue of the Birds in the Museum of the East-India Company,' vol. i., my attention vras called to sp, 370 (p. 246), Pycnonotus sinensis. Among the specimens referred to this species I find "B. (P. sinensis?) Siam. From Finlayson's collection,^' and further on the note, " The specimen from Siam differs in having the head entirely black, which in the other specimens is wreathed with white, but agrees in other respects with the other.'' It will be easy to see that the Siamese bird is the same as my Ixos hainanus (Ibis, 1870, p. 253). On the Liuchow penin- sula of the Chinese main I found the same bird in company with the typical P. sinensis, and secured the latter. It is interesting to find that the Hainan form occurs in Siam. It would be further interesting to ascertain whether the true P. sinensis also occurs so far south. Yours &., Robert Swinhoe. Sirs, — In my paper on the Phylloscopi I am afraid I have been guilty of somewhat wholesale slaughter, I have endea- voured to consign Gerygone superciliosa of Wallace, Phyl- loscopus brooksi of Hume, Phyllopneuste intermedia of Severt- zoff, Phylloscopus abyssinicus of Blanford, Hypolais graminis of SevertzofF, and Phylloscopus brehmi of Homeyer to the limbo of synonyms. I regret very much to be obliged to add another victim to the list ; but in this instance at least the coup de grace comes with a better grace from me than it would from any one else. I miderstand that the present number of ' The Ibis ' will contain an account of the discovery for the first time in Asia of the Pipit [Anthus seebohmi of Dresser) which Harvie Brown and I discovered for the first time in Europe in 1875. I am afraid I hold in my hand evidence Letters, Announcefnents, ^c. 129 that this bird is the Anthus gtistavi of Swinhoe (P. Z. S. 1863, p. 90) . Mr. Swinhoe has kindly furnished me with three skins of his bird^ obtained on the 31st of May^ 1873^ in North China (see Ibis^ 1874, p. 442), suggesting that I should compare them with my Petchora skin. They agree in the rich and varied colouring of the upper parts, in the large stout bill, in the arrangement of the primaries, in the elongated hind claw, and in the lighter portion of the rectrices being dark smoky buff. This Pipit apparently breeds in the arctic regions of the Petchora, the Ob, and probably as far east as the Zena, as Swinhoe mentions (Ibis, loc. cit.) an example from Lake Baical. It passes through North and South China on mi- gration, and should be looked for in winter in the Philippine Islands and the Malay archipelago. Yours truly, Henry Seebohm. Sheffield, 24tli Dec. 1876. P.S. I may add that Mr. Dresser has compared one of the Amoy skins with his specimen of the Petchora bird, and agrees with me in the identity of the two species. The Ornithological Museum of Signor E. Turati. — The col- lection of birds belonging to Count Ercole Turati of Milan is now one of the largest and best-arranged private collections in Europe. It contains upwards of 14,600 specimens, be- longing to about 6300 species, all excellently mounted and in good order. These are arranged in several rooms in the Casa Turati, in the Via Maraviglie, at Milan. Amongst the collections now merged in the Turatian Museum may be men- tioned the Woodpeckers of Malherbe, the Paradise-birds of Elliot, the Humming-birds of Verreaux, and the Eggs of Des Murs. There are many rare and typical specimens, amongst which we may mention, as observed during a recent visit, Nestor productus, Trichoglossus ivilhelmince and T. josephinoi, Iridomis jelskii, Pipra heterocerca, Meropogon breweri, Ser- resius galeatus, and Crossoptilon drouyra. The unique spe- cimen of Syncecus lodoisicB, Verreaux, of which phenomenon 8EB. IV. VOL. I. K 130 Letters, Announcements, ^c. we have previously spoken'^j seems^ after all, to be perhaps only an individual variety of Coturnix dactylisonans. Of the fact of its having been obtained in Lombardy we believe there can be no question. No lover of birds who visits Milan should omit to pay a visit to the Casa Turati and its hospitable proprietor. New Series of the Zoologist. — The 113th number of the 'Zoologist/ issued last month, closes the second series of this popular periodical, which has done very much, as most of our readers well know, to promote the study of natural history among the rising generation. The number is for the most part very appropriately occujjied with a portrait and memoir of the late Mr. Edward Newman, the founder and, for thirty- four years, editor of the 'Zoologist.-' A new series, com- menced on the 1st of this month, is edited by our colleague Mr. J. E. Harting, whose abilities to carry on the good work satisfactorily no one is likely to question. New Work on the Fauna of Belgium. — We have received a prospectus and specimen of a new work on the fauna of Belgium, to be entitled " Fauue Illustree des Vertebres de la Belgique par Alphonse Dubois,''-' and to be published by Mu- quardt and Co., of Brussels. The series containing the birds will be issued in 140 livraisons at 2 francs each, and will give coloured figures of the birds, adult and young, and their eggs and nests. This series will ultimately form three volumes, 8vo. Tonquin and the wag there. — Amongst the Parliamentary papers lately issued is a Report by SirB. Robertson, H.B.M. Consul at Canton, of a visit lately paid by him to Haiphong and Hanoi — two new ports lately opened by the French at Tonquin. Hanoi, the capital of Tonquin, is situated on the Song-koi, or Red River, about 100 miles from its mouth. * See Ibis, 1862, p. 380, and Mr. Howard Saunders's remarks, Ibis, 1869, p. 393. Letters, Announcements, ^c. 131 The city, as here described, " rises gradually from the river, and, embedded in trees and foliage, has a charming appear- ance/" As there is a French settlement and Consul and a flourishing Christian Mission here, there would probably be neither difficulty of access nor danger for foreign residents; and the country, lying between China and Siam, would be a most interesting one for a naturalist. The nearest ground ever investigated ornithologically, so far as we know, is Hai- nan, to which Mr. Swinhoe once paid a flying visit. We should be inclined to recommend Tonquin to the notice of any wandering Member of the B. O. U. who may be looking after entirely fresh ground (a rather difficult thing to be had in these days) for his ornithological experiences. Death of von Heuglin. — We much regret to have to an- nounce the death of one of the most active and laborious ornithologists of the present day. Freiherr Theodor von Heuglin, of Ober-Tiirkheim, in the Kingdom of Wiirttem- berg, died suddenly and prematurely in November last — we believe, from a severe attack of pneumonia. We have at present no available materials for a notice of the life of this distinguished ornithologist, but understand that a memoir on the subject is being prepared by Baron E. Konig-Wart- hausen for Cabanis^s Journal, which will, no doubt, do him ample justice. Herr von Heuglin^s last and most com- plete work is his recently finished ' Ornithologie Nordost- Afrikas," which will alone render his name imperishable in the annals of ornithology. We may add that within a few weeks only of the time of his decease one of the editors of this Journal was in correspondence with him on the subject of undertaking a scientific exploration of the island of Socotra ; so unexpected was his untimely death, and so ready was he for further work of this nature. Irruption of Snowy Owls from the North. — Dr. T. M. Brewer, writing to us from Boston, U. S., speaks of an unusual mi- gratory inroad of Snowy Owls which has taken place in the N.E. portion of the United States during the past autumn. 132 Letters, Announcements, ^c. He says (under date Dec. 3rd) : — " Since September^ and before I reached home from Europe^ we have been having a most wonderful flight of Snowy Owls {Nyctea nivea). How far west it has extended I have not yet heard ; but from New Brunswick on the east to western New York State the whole tract has been covered by the extraordinary prevalence of these Owls. ' They come not single spies but in battalions ! ' Mr. Boardman, Avriting to me from St. Stephen^s, New Bruns- wick^ says, 'We have had a wonderful flight of Snowy Owls. They were in flocks of fifteens and twenties moving southwards. I never before heard of so many. Most of those seen along the coast seemed to be following the migratory birds. Some were here early in September and in very mild weather. They were easily captured.'' The same peculiarities were observed here. The Owls swarmed everywhere, and were obtained in large numbers, so that our taxidermists could not prepare all that were brought to them. At Hingham, on the coast, quite a number were killed and brought to my nephew. In Utica, New York, one was ignominiously knocked on the head by an old woman with a broomstick, the bird having been caught robbing her hen-roost. •'"' The same phenomenon, we may add, has also manifested itself in the eastern hemisphere. Three examples of the Snowy Owl, one of which was captured in Ireland, are now iu the Zoological Society's Gardens. Mr. Cross, the well- known dealer at Liverpool, says he never had so many of this bird. Every steamer from America brings in two or three, so that at one time he had nearly thirty in his possession. THE IBIS. FOURTH SERIES. No. II. APRIL 1877. X. — Revieiv of the Specimens of Trochilidse in the Paris Mu- seum, brought by D' Orbigny from South America. By D. G. Elliot, F.R.S.E. &c. Mindful of the importance of always referring to tlie types of described species of birds or mammals, when possible, in order to ascertain exactly what an author may have had before him when bestowing for the first time a name upon any animal, I have lately passed in review such of the specimens of D^Orbigny^s Humming-birds as are still to be found in the Paris Museum, which are mentioned by himself and Lafresnaye in their ' Synopsis Avium ;' and I have embo- died in the present paper whatever remarks seemed neces- sary regarding them. It is not always easy to ascertain the species to which some particular specimen of Humming- bird belongs, even when the example is present, as all Tro- chilidists well know, much less when a short and imperfect description of some of the earlier writers is all the light given upon which to form an opinion. It therefore seemed de- sirable that D'Orbigny's specimens should be critically ex- amined, as being among the most important of the earlier collections made of these difficult birds.- Some of the species SER. IV. VOL. I. L 134 Mr. D. G. Elliot ow D'Orhic/ny's Specimens of mentioned by liim are not represented among his specimens in tlie Museum ; and in certain instances, wliere lie has re- ferred them to a well-determined species represented by Lesson in one or other of his works on this family, I have retained them under the modern name of such species ; but in cases where the indications are either imperfect or do not exist at all, it seems to me that it will be necessary to exclude D^Orbigny's names from the nomenclature of the group, as, access to his specimens failing, there remains no possible way of ascertaining what were the species he intended to describe. I desire to express my thanks to Prof. A. Milne-Edwards and to Mons. E. Oustalet, Aide-Naturaliste, for the great facilities afforded me in examining the specimens and records relating to them in the Museum under their charge. The species, in the following remarks, are arranged in the order in which they stand in the ' Synopsis Avium/ Patagona gigas. Trochilus gigas, Vieill. Gal. Ois. pi. 180. Ornismya gigantea, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 26, sp. 1. Hab. Cochabamba, La Paz, Chuquisaca, Valparaiso. Several specimens of this species brought by D^Orbigny. EUPETOMENA MACRURA. Trochilus macrourus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. p. 487. Ornismya macrourus, D^Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av, ii. p. 26, sp. 2. Hab. Chiquitos, Moxos. No specimens of this bird in the Museum from D^Orbigny. COMETES SPARGANURUS. Trochilus sparganurus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. viii. p. 291, pi. 31. Ornismya chrysurus, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 26, sp. 3. Hab. Yungas. Mounted specimens. Trochilidae in the Paris Museum. 135 COMETES PHAON. Cometes phaon, Grould^ P. Z.S. 1847, p. 31. Ornismya chrysurus, var., D^Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 27, sp. 4. Hab. La Paz, Sicasica. Mounted specimens, male and female. This is undoubt- edly tlie bird described aferwards by Gould as C. j•J/^ao/^, but which D^Orbigny regarded as only a variety of C. spar- ganurus. Lesbia nuna. Lesbia nuna, Less. Suppl. Ois.-Mouches, p. 169, pi. 35. Ornismya gouldii, D'Orb, &Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 27, sp. 5. Hab. Enquisivi and Sicasica. I place O. gouldi, D'Orbigny, as Lesbia nuna, Less., from the fact that I was unable to find any specimen of L. gouldi brought by D'Orbigny in the Museum; but there are three of L. nuna, a male and two females, mounted in the gallery. The measurement given of the lateral rec- trices of 5^ ! I do not understand. If centimetres are in- tended it is too short even for the tail of a female of L. gouldi. If 15^ is intended, it would be about the right length for L. nuna, but too long for L. gouldi. I am under the im- pression that as 20^ centim. is given as the total length, 15^ centim. was meant for that of the tail, which is the mea- surement of the tail of L. nuna. The male specimen has no locality given on the ticket beyond ' Amerique meridionale ; ' but the two females are marked as from Sicasica, Bolivia. Thalurania nigrofasciata. Trochilus nigrofasciata, Gould, P. Z. S. 1846, p. 89. Ornismya furcata, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 27, sp. 6. Hab. Chiquitos, Santa Cruz, Moxos. Three skins, two males and one female, brought by D'Or- bigny from Yungas, Santa Cruz, and Moxos respectively, numbered on their tickets 324, are in the collection. I could not find any example from Chiquitos. They all belong to T, nigrofasciata, Gould. L 2 136 Mr. D. G. Elliot on D'Orbigm/s S/jecimens of Eriocnemis glaucopoides. Ornismya glaucopoides, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 27, sp. 7. Trochilus cVorbigmji, Bourc. & Muls. Ann. Sc. Phys. et Nat. Lyon, 1846, p. 320. Hab. Valle Grande, Bolivia. A single specimen from the above locality, belonging to the genus Eriocnemis, is the type of Ornismya glaucopoides of D'Orbigny. It was afterwards described by Bourcier and Mulsant as Trochilus d'orbignyi {I.e.), and has been always known to naturalists as Eriocnemis d'orbignyi. The name given by MM. Bourcier and Mulsant will now have to become a synonym of the one bestowed upon the species by D'Orl)igny, which has priority of eight years ! It is a very rare species, the type still remaining unique, no one having met with the bird since it was first discovered. Chlorostilbon splendidus. Ornismya aureoventris, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 28, sp. 8. Trochilus splendidus, \\q\\\. Nouv. Diet, Hist. Nat. tom. vii. p. 361. Hab. Moxos, Cochabamba, Yungas, and Corrientes. A single skin of this species from Cochabamba^ numbered 297 ; two mounted specimens from Corrientes and Moxos respectively ; and a third with only " Bolivia ? " given as the habitat. ACESTRURA MULSANTI. Ornismya mulsanti, Bourc. Ann. Sc. Phys. et Nat. Lyon, 1842, p. 344, t. XX. Ornismya cyanojjogon, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 28, sp. 9 (nee Lesson). Hab. Yungas. A single mounted specimen in the Museum, brought by D'Orbigny from Yungas, is that of an adult male A. mul- santi. Four others in skin are those of females and vouns;. Trocliilidse in the Paris Museum. 137 Rhodopis vesper. , Ornismya vesper, D^Orb. &Lafr. Syu. Av. ii. p. 28, sp. 10; Less. Ois.-Mouches, pi. 19. Hab. Tacna^ Peru, No specimen of D'Orbigny's is to be found. CaLLIPERIDIA ANGELiE. Ornismya angelce, Less. 111. Zool. pis. 45, 46; D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 28, sp. 11. Hab. Corrientes. Two skins of females, numbered on their tickets 154, both from Corrientes. Petasophora serrirostris. Troc/iilus serrirosiris, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. Hist. Nat. torn. vii. p. 359. • Ornismya petasophora, D^Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 28^ sp. 12. Hab. Yungas. A specimen of P. serrirostris, brought by D^Orbigny, is mounted in the gallery of the Paris Museum. This is the only instance, that I am aware of, in which this species has been procured in Bolivia, as it is a Brazilian bird, found commonly between Bahia and Rio Janeiro. It is the only species of Petasophora obtained by D^Orbigny. EUSTEPHANUS FERNANDENSIS. Trochilus fernandensis, King, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1830, p. 30. Ornismya fernandensis, D^Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 29, sp. 13. Hab. Juan Fernandez. A male and female in the collection, from Juan Fernandez. AgL^ACTES PAMELA. Ornismya pamela, D^Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 29, sp. 14. Orthorhynchus pamela, D^Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 376, t. Ix. f. 1. Hab. Yungas. The type mounted, being the only specimen in the col- lection. 138 Mr. D. G. Elliot on D'Orbigny's Specimens of Heliomastee longirostris. Trochilus longirostris, Vieill. Ois. Dor. torn. i. p. 107^ pi. 59. Ornismya longirostris, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 29, sp. 15. Hub. Guarayos. There is no specimen marked 0. longirostris of WOvhignj's in the Museum. As, however^ he refers to it O. superba, Less. Ois.-MoucheSj pi. 2, I have assigned his name to He- liomaster longirostris. EUSTEPHANUS GALERITUS. Trochilus galeritus, Lath. Ind. Orn. vol. i. p. 304. Ornismya sephanoides, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 29, sp. 16; Less. Ois.-Mouches, pi, 14. Hab. Valparaiso. No specimen in the collection from D^Orbigny^s voyage. Hylocharis cyanea. Trochilus cy anus, Yi&^i.'^owv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. tom. xxiii. p. 426. Ornismya cyana, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 30, sp. 17. Hab. Guarayos. A mounted specimen in adult plumage, but without any locality indicated on the ticket. There is also a skin of a young individual from Guarayos. Thaumatias albiventris. Ornismya albiventris, Less. Ois.-Mouchcs, p. 209, t. 76 ; D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 30, sp. 18. Hab. Moxos. A mounted specimen of this species. The habitat, however, is not given upon the stand. Leucochloris albicollis. Trochilus albicollis, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. Hist. Nat. tom. xxiii. p. 426. Ornismya albicollis, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 30, sp. 19 ; Less. Ois.-Mouches, pi. 63. Hab. Yungas, Chaluani. No specimen of D'Orbigny's is in the Museum. Trochilidae in the Paris Museum. 139 Chlorostilbon prasina. Ornismya jjrasina, Less. Ois.-Mouches, p. 188^ pi. 65. Ornismya mellisuga, D^Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 30^ sp. 20. Hab. Yungas, Sicasica^ Ayupaya. A specimen of C. prasina, Less.^ brought by D'Orbigny from Ayupaya, as ascertained by the Museum Catalogue, I believe to be the O. mellisuga of the ' Synopsis Avium,^ for the following reasons : — The locality of Ayupaya is only given twice among D'Orbigny's examples; and the present spe- cimen is the only Humming-bird brought by him that I have been able to find in the Museum as having come from that place, excepting the Metallura smaragdinicollis, about which there cannot be any difficulty. This would seem to point it out as the one intended by him as 0. mellisuga. In the Museum Catalogue it is called the Saphir-emeraude, no Latin name having been employed. The next species of the 'Syn- opsis ' he gives is 0. bicolor ; and he asks if that is not the young of the Saphir-emeraude, " Junior avis ? le Saphir- emeraude," as though he had in his mind the present species, which he called in the Museum Catalogue by that name. These two circumstances seem to show that we shall not probably go wrong if we place D^Orbigny^s 0. mel- lisuga as a synonym of Chlorostilbon prasina (Less.). Again M. Beauperthuy has placed in the gallery a specimen of C. prasina which bears on the ticket the name O. mellisuga. This seems to me also an indication that D^Orbigny^s name was intended for the same species. Two specimens of the bird called Ornismya bicolor by D^Orbigny are in the Museum, numbered 349 and 385. One of them, a male, is mounted, and has upon the stand Circe doubledayi in the handwriting of Bourcier ; the other, a skin of a female in very poor condition, is marked on the label ' Yungas,^ in D'Orbigny's writing. They are rather small delicately shaped birds, of a species apparently undescribed, belonging to the genus Thaiimatias. Most certainly they have nothing to do with Circe doubledayi. I propose to call the species 140 Mr. D. (Jr. Elliot on D'Oj'biyay'a Specimens of Thaumatias neglectus. Ornismya bicolor, D^Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 30, sp. 21. Hab. Yungas and Moxos, Bolivia. Male. Top of head, nape, and mantle metallic green ; throat and upper part of breast brilliant metallic blue, the white base of the feathers on the throat and breast showing conspicuously amid the blue ; but this may be caused by the plumage of the specimen being disarranged. Back, rump, and upper tail- coverts light greenish bronze. Wings purplish. Flanks and lower part of breast shining green. Abdomen whitish. Under tail-coverts pale brown, margined with white. Tail pale greenish bronze ; a subterminal black bar, as in many species of Thaumatias, is present upon all the feathers excepting the two median ones. Bill very slender and pointed. Maxilla black; mandible flesh-colour. Feet black. Total length 3 J inches, wing 2, tail \\, bill |. Female. Head and upper parts, sides of throat, and flanks shining grass-green. Centre of throat and underparts whitish, apparently spotted with metallic light green. Tail like that of the male, tips of lateral feathers whitish. Under tail- coverts whitish. Wing purple. Maxilla broken off, the base black; mandible flesh- colour. Feet black. Length 3| inches, wing 2, tail \\, bill |. This specimen is in a very poor state, and the coloiu* of some parts is difiicult to make out correctly. Some of the tail-feathers are wanting; those that remain resemble the rectrices of the male. Thaumatias neglectus cannot be confounded with other species of the genus, as it does not resemble any of them. Chrysuronia chrysura. Ornismya chrysura, Less. Ois.-Mouches, Suppl. p. lOT, pi. 4. Ornismya ruficoUis, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 30, sp. 22. Hab. Santa Cruz, San Juan de Chiquitos, Yungas. 1 place O. ruficollis, D'Orb., as a synonym of C. chrysura, from the fact that I find a specimen brought from San Juan by D'Orbigny in the gallery of the Paris Museum, which answers very well to his description. It is the only species to which I can refer O. r/fficol/is. Trochilidse in the Paris Museum. 141 Metallura smaragdinicollis. Ornismya smaragdinicollis, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii, p. 31, sp. 23. Orthorhynchus smaragdinicollis, D'Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 375, t. lix. f. 2. Hab. Yanacache, Prov. Yungas; Palca, Prov. Ayupaya. Represented only by the mounted type, the locality of which is given as Ayupaya. Heliangelus amethysticollis. Ornismya amethysticollis, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 31, sp. 24. Orthorhynchus amethysticollis, D'Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 376, t. Ix. f. 2. Hab. Territory of the Yuracares Indians. Represented by the mounted type. Thaumastura cor^. Ornismya corce. Less. ; D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 31, sp. 25. Hab. Lima, Peru. A poor skin of an immature individual, numbered on the ticket 340. Lampornis violicauda. Trochilus violicauda, Bodd. Tab. PI. Enl. D'Aubenton, p. 41. no. 671. Trochilus mango, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 32, sp. 26. Hab. Moxos, Guarayos. Represented by several mounted specimens. Phaethornis superciliosus. Trochilus superciliosus, Linn. Syst. Nat. tom. i. p. 189; D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 32, sp. 27; Less. Colib. pi. 5. Hab. Guarayos. No specimen of D'Orbigny's is in the collection. PyGMORNIS PYGM5iUS. Trochilus pygmmus, Spix, Av. Bras.- p. 78, pi. 80. fig. 1. 142 Count T. Salvador! on two Bii'dsfrom the Fiji Islands. Trochilus brasiliensis, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av, ii. p. 32, sp. 28. Hab. Yuracares, Guarayos. A mutilated skin, without any tail, but apparently belong- ing to P. pijgnKSUs. The ticket bears the number 376, Threnetes leucurus. Trochilus leucurus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 190 ; D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 32, sp. 29. Hab. Yuracares. A single specimen of D^Orbigny's is in the Museum. POLYTMUS VIRESCENS. Trochilus thaimiantias, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 190. Trochilus viridis, D^Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 32, sp. 30. Hab. Moxos. An adult specimen, mounted, of this species. Oreotrochilus estell/e. Trochilus estella, D^Orb. &Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 32, sp. 31 ; D'Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 376, t. Ixi. £. 1. Hab. La Paz. Represented by the type specimen, mounted. Oreotrochilus ADELiE. Trochilus adela, D'Orb. & Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 33, sp. 32 ; D'Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 377, pi. Ixi. f. 2. Hab. Chuquisaca. Represented by the type specimen, mounted. XL — Notes on tivo Birds from the Fiji Islands. By T. Salvadori, C.M.Z.S. I HAVE lately had the opportunity of examining specimens of two interesting birds, recently described, from the Fiji Islands. They belong to Count Turati's collection. Two specimens, male and female, are labelled, in Mr. Layard's handwriting, " Rhipidura albicollis, Layard, N'Gila, Taviuni, Fiji." This name is to be found in 'The Ibis/ 1876, Count. T. Salvadori on two Birds from the Fiji Islands. 143 p. 149, and in the P. Z. S. 1876, p. 493. Althongh there is no description nor reference, I suppose that the bird so named is the one previously described with the name of Rhi- pidura albogularis, Layard, P. Z. S. 1875, pp. 29, 434. I do not know if the name of alhigularis has been changed into that of albicollis by mistake or on purpose. Dr. Finsch has already hinted (P. Z. S. 1876, p. 20) that the name of albigularis cannot stand, which is quite true, as there is a Muscylva al- bogularis, Less. Zool. du Voy. de Belang. p. 264 { = Rhipi- dura albigula, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc. 1844, p. 84). I also wish to point out that neither can the name Rhipidura albicollis be used for Layard's species, as Vieillot has described 2L Platyrhynchos albicollis (N. D. xxvii. p. 13), which, accord- ing to Dr. Pucheran (Arch. Mus. H. N. vii. p. 358 ; Hartl. J. f. Orn. 1855, p. 426) is the same as Rhipidura f us coventr is, Franklin, a species which must stand as Rhipidura albicollis (Vieill.). After all this it is evident that i2. albigularis or albicollis, Layard, must be called by some other name ; and I propose that of Rhipidura layardi, which I have already at- tached to the specimens in Count Turati's collection. The other bird to which I wish to refer is Lamprolia minor, which has been mentioned by Mr. Layard (Ibis, 1876, p. 155). After stating that it has been quite lately discovered on Vanua Levu by Mr. Kleinschmidt (who proposed to call it L. minor), Mr. Layard says that it " resembles L. victories, but is about a third smaller, and the head is entirely covered with the bril- liant blue feathers. '' I have compared one male of this spe- cies, procured by Mr. Kleinschmidt on Vanua Levu, with two specimens, male and female, of L. victoria from Taviuni, obtained by the same collector. Now, on comparison, it does not appear that there is any difference about the head, as the brilliant blue feathers entirely cover the head of the males of both species ; but the L. minor, besides being much smaller, may be distinguished by the white on the two mid- dle tail-feathers reaching nearly to the tip, while in L. vic- torice the white does not go so far towards the tip, so that the black end is more extended. The following are the di- mensions of tlie two species : — 144 , Mr. R. Swiiiboe 07i Birds from Hakodadi. Bill from Length. Wing. Tail. front. Tarsus. millim. milliui. millim. millim. millim. Laniprolia minor 117 62 41 12 19 Luniprolia victoricc 140 83 ' 45* 13 23 Turin, Zoological Muse um, Nov. 2nd, 1870. ' XII. — On the Contents of a fourth Box of Birds from Hakodadi, in Northern Japan. By R. Swixhoe, F.R.S. I HAVE now to report upon a fourth box of birds received from Mr. T. W. Blakiston, of Hakodadi, North Japan, con- taining thirty- four specimens, together with additional notes, dated 30th June, 1876. I will continue my numbers, as before, from where I last left off (Ibis, 1876, p. 335). The last number noted was 142 ; but as no. 135, Uragus sibiricus, was wrongly identified, as appears from the present series, w^e must erase it, and commence by repeating the last number, 142. CiKcus spiLONOTus, Kaup. A male, in immature plumage, marked " Awomori (North Japan), 18th April, 1876, c? 21^ x 17.^' A female Merlin [Falco tesalon), from Yedo, is also sent. Mr. Blakiston speaks of having some Owls, and asks if Whitely was right in giving Syrnium rufescens, T. & S., from Hakodadi. Whitely^s specimens were without doubt correctly identified. There is a specimen of P/pastes agilis, Sykes, which was procured at Yokohama, and one of Oreocincla aurea, from the same locality, with the remark " very common in the market of Yokohama in winter." Mr. Blakiston also asks " Does Muscicapa gularis exist as a species, or are birds so called only females [Cyanoptila cyanomelmia) 1" There is no doubt in my mind that the former name has been applied to the female of the latter species (see P. Z. S. 1871, p. 380). A Japanese Jay, sent from Yokohama, is Garrulus ja- ponicus, Bp. This species does not seem to occur at Hako- dadi, where its place appears to be taken by G. hrandti. * ]>r. Finscli oives only n8-l() millinis. lor the length of the tail. Mr. R. Swinhoe on Birds from Hakodadi. 145 Cyanopolius cyanus (Pall.) . A specimen of this bird has come marked ^'Tokio, Japan (per Mr. Oda) ^J." Tokio=Yeddo; so we must not include this as yet among the birds of Hako- dadi. It wants the white tips to the median rectrices. 143. Passer montanus (L.). March. A male, from Hakodadi. There is also a female of P. rutilans ; but as it is from Yokohama, we must not in- clude it under a number. Mr. Blakiston also sends an Eophona personata, Schleg., ^ , but fromTokio = Yeddo. The Japanese name for this is marked on a separate slip of paper, " Ikarugra." The bird is blue-black round its bill near the base, as is its smaller congener of China, E. melmmra. The Japanese agrees with a winter-killed speci- men of the same species, procured by Pere David at Moupin^ but has the tomia of the upper mandible near the base of the bill inflected into a flap on each side over the lower mandible. A specimen of the same bird, which I shot near Pekin, has more white on the abdomen, and a splash of black over the whole bill. It was killed on the 29th September, 1868. There is a male Carpodacus roseus, also from Tokio. This is the bird which I wrongly identified with Uragus sibiricus. A male Emberiza elegans, Temm., likewise from Tokio. This has a separate label giving its Japanese name, " Miyama hojivo." A male Turtur risorius is also sent from Tokio. I originally guessed this bird to be of this species from Blak- istou^s description (Ibis, 1876, p. 334) . In a note, Mr. Blakiston writes, " I have among my series of skins of Alauda japonic a one rather large ; but I am uncer- tain if the species varies." It would be interesting to ascer- tain if this be our home Skylark. I have Alauda arvensis from as low on the China coast as Shanghai, where A. can- tarella is the prevailing species. " In answer to your question,"^ he continues, " on Coturnix japonica, I find some of my specimens show a little dark patch in the midst of the red on the throat." 144. SCOLOPAX RUSTICULA, L. April. A male from Hakodadi. This is more banded on 146 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Birds from Hakodadi. the underparts than a specimen ( ? , 20th February) I have from Shanghai; but one from Amoy (October) is fully as much so. He sends from the Yokohama market, procured in January, a GaU'mago solitaria (Hodgs.), with the note " Another male, 12| X 6." This is much darker and more distinctly banded than a male I procured at Shanghai on the 26tli February, 1873 ; and at first I was half inclined to admit the Japanese bird as distinct. But I have a second specimen from Shang- hai, dated Jan. 3rd, 1874, which comes very close to the Ja- panese, and seems to show that the two are inseparable. From Yokohama a male Rhynch(ea bengalensis (L.) is sent. 145. NUMENIUS PHiEOPUS, L. A Hakodadi male of this Curlew, shot on the 24th May, 1876, with the note of size "^"^ 17g x Q." This seems to be of the typical European form, and shows that all our China birds, even those procured at Shanghai, are of the allied form N. uropygialis, Gould. An immature Nycticorax griseus from Yeddo, is included; and Mr. Blakiston notes that he has also an adult male and female ; but the locality of the latter not being stated, I do not number the species. 146. CoLYMBus ADAMsi, G. E,. Gray. An immature male of this species bears the date January, with the note of measurement, "29| X 13.''^ The bill is partly yellow and partly black. It is otherwise undistinguishable from C. glacialis at the same stage. Specimens have been received from the North Atlantic with similar bills, and the best authori- ties are now, I believe, disposed to consider the Great Northern Divers of the Atlantic and Pacific to belong to one species. Blakiston wrongly identifies his specimen with C. arcticus, L. 147. Anser albifrons. This is sent as A. erythropus, L. (625 of my " List of the Birds of China," P. Z. S. 1871, p. 416) ; and a note adds that he has another female " 2,\\x 14|." 148. Anas boschas, L. A male, killed in March, from Hakodadi, and a female Mr. R. Swinhoe on Birds from Hakodadi. 147 (October) from near the same place. My attention is called to the way this species and Querquedula crecca get a rusty tinge. This I have also noticed in our Chinese birds. 149. DaFILA ACUTA (L.). A male and female from Awomori, both procured in April. 150. Querquedula CRECCA (L.). A male (April) from Hakodadi. A female (October) from S. Yesso. 151. EUNETTA FORMOSA (Gcorgi) . A male (April) from Awomori^ and a female from Mr. Oda from Yeddo. 153. Harelda glacialis (L.). A female (February) from Hakodadi. I never met with this species in China ; but it has been shot at the mouth of the Peiho river. With reference to Fidigula mariloides, sent on a former occasion, Mr. Blakiston writes, " If you are certain of the identification of the bird I sent before, then the immature male I have is this species. Otherwise I should have con- sidered it as F. cristata, of which I have two unmistakable ex- amples with crests. ^^ I was, without doubt, right, haviug procured the same species before at Ningpo*. 153. Bucephala clangula (L.). A male and female, both from Hakodadi, the latter killed in November. 154. Clangula histrionica (L.). A male from Hakodadi (June), and a female from S. Yesso (November) , I have never heard of this species being found in China, It never occurred to me. He also sends an adult female from Hakodadi of Phalacro- corax pelagicus, Pall., with no white on the flanks, and only a few points of white on the neck. He sent before the im- mature of this species ; so it has already been numbered (see Ibis, 1874, p. 164) . * See my paper " On a Scaup Duck found in China," P, Z. S. 1873, p. 411, 148 Mr. A. Whyte's Omithological Notes XIII. — Ornithological Notes taken daring a Voyage from Ceylon to England. By A. Whyte. In Ceylon and, indeed, thronghout India and the East gene- rally the migrations of birds are chiefly influenced by the two monsoons, viz. the north-east and the south-west, the former generally prevailing in Ceylon and South India from November to April, and the latter from May to October. Comparatively little, however, has been definitely ascertained as to whence the migratory birds come, and the circumstances which influence their migrations. Detailed facts and data can only be arrived at by recording long-continued syste- matic observations in different localities. In the mean time individual experience may add something to our knowledge of the subject ; and it is with this hope that I now put together these notes, taken on board the S.S. ' Duke of Devonshire' during a recent voyage from Ceylon. We sailed from Colombo, Ceylon, on the 17th Oct. 1876; and for some days we were constantly accompanied by the more common Terns, Gulls, and other Sea-birds, none of which, however, ventured on board. On the 20th Oct., when about thirty miles S.E. of Minicoy Island, the most northern of the Maldives, a Swallow flew on board, which proved to be Hirundo rustica, L. Being either alarmed or exhausted, it was soon captured. When again liberated it flew off vigorously for the island, on which could be seen a beautiful fringe of graceful cocoanut-palms. At noon, on the 22nd Oct., a Kestrel {Falco alaudarius) alighted on the rigging, and perched on one of the yards for the night. After nightfall it was captured by one of the quartermasters, and was caged as a curiosity. Next day, how- ever, it escaped, and no one observed the direction it took. On the same day a common Paddy-bird, or Heron [Ardea leucoptera) , visited us. It was quite exhausted and emaciated, and greedily devoured some minced meat. From this cir- cumstance it does not seem likely that this species is capable of catching fish or other food while on wing at sea. When liberated it went off to the south-west. during a Voyage from Ceylon to England. 149 On the 24th Oct. a Pipit (species doubtful) flew ou board, when we were about twenty miles south-east of the island of Socotra. At the same time and place several small Finches came on board ; but we could not determine their species. On the 25th Oct. a Quail {Coturnix commimis, Bonn.) made its appearance, and remained with us for several days, after- wards taking its departure for the south. The 26th October was the richest day of feathered visitors we had, when the following arrived, viz. : — a Grey Flycatcher [Muscicapa) ; about a dozen Swallows {Hirundo) ; a small Horned Owl [Ephialtes) with yellow iris and a row of distinct dark spots or markings on the wing-coverts, otherwise similar to E. bakkamasna of Ceylon (it allowed us to approach quite close to it, but it ultimately flew off to the south) ; two species of Water- Wagtail; three birds which appeared through a glass to be Rollers or allied birds ; an Artamus ; a bird the size of a small Pigeon, with rather long tail and long straight bill, which alighted on the the top of the mainmast, but could not be identified. On the morning of the 27th, when between Socotra and the Arabian coast, a Falcon {Falco peregrinator ?) flew on board, and was secured at night. If we have not mistaken our bird, this is the noble " Shaheen '' Falcon, so much prized by Indian rajahs for falconry. Being' a rare and most inter- esting bird, we took every care of it, and carried it to England safely, and presented it to the Zoological Society of London. It is now in the Society^s Gardens, and appears in the list of additions to the Menagerie under this name (see P. Z. S. 1876, p. 839). It is smaller, more compact, and even more courageous than the true Peregrine. It is a curious circum- stance that the first bird of this species described was procured by Sundevall at sea between Sumatra and Ceylon (see Jer- don^s ' Birds of India,^ p. 26) . On the 28th Oct. a Linnet (species doubtful) flew on board, as we passed up the Gulf of Aden. Great numbers of Sea- birds were here seen around the ship and along the Arabian shore. We now entered the Red Sea, when few of the fea- SER. IV. VOL. I. M 150 Notes during a Voyage from Ceylon to England. thered tribes visited us compared with those met with in the Indian Ocean. On the 29th Oct. a White-headed Noddy {Anous tenuiros- tris, Temm.) alighted on board. Vast shoals of dead locusts were seen floating around the ship; also numbers of por- poises sported around us. A Wagtail (M. dukhunensis, Sykes) paid us a visit on the 30th Oct., and remained with us all the way up the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and left us in the Mediterranean. On the 31st a Peregrine Falcon, FaIco2}€regrinus,vfQ.& seen flying around the vessel. It ultimately alighted on the main- mast for a short time, and then left us for another vessel at some distance from us"^. On this day a very handsome Owl came on board. It was about the size of Syrnium indranee of Ceylon, but of a lighter colour. It flew oS" in a straight line for the African coast ; and we were unable to identify it. We entered the Suez Canal on the morning of the 3rd Nov., and spent about two and a half days in getting through it. The birds which we recognized along the banks and lakes were principally Coots, Vultures [Neophron) , Moorhens, Hails, Ducks and Teal, Divers, Godwits, Sandpipers, Curlews, vari- ous Birds of Prey, Swallows, Pipits, Wagtails, &c. As we neared the Port-Said end of the Canal, myriads of Waders were seen fishing and pluming themselves on the lakes and lagoons. The most conspicuous were Flamingoes and Peli- cans ; and all on board agreed they had never seen a more imposing army of Waders. During our run up the Medi- terranean and the Bay of Biscay no birds visited us. We had evidently got out of the track of migration, or it had ceased for a time. During the entire voyage in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea we experienced no stormy weather, the wind, as a rule, blowing steadily from the north-east. In the Red Sea the wind was more variable. It will be seen from these notes that we met with over twenty species of land-birds in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, between the 20th and 31st of October ; and these we * This Peregrine was easily clistinguisbable from the bird I suppose to be F. peregrvmtor^ by its size and flight. On the Salicarise of Dr. Severtzoff. 151 imagine may be fairly put down as only stray birds from a regular and more numerous stream of migrants. The direction that most of these birds came from would indicate they were migrants from the coasts of Arabia and Persia, whatever their destination may have been. One conviction has forced itself on me, viz. the great influence which vessels, more especially large and fast steamers of the present day, may have on the distribution of species of birds. Some of our visitors re- mained with us for days, and landed on shores most likely out of the line of their migrations ; and in one instance a Wagtail {Motacilla) remained with us all the way up the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and found a new home on the shores of the Mediterranean. December 12th, 1876. XIV. — On the Salicarise of Dr, Severtzoff. By Henry Seebohm. In 'The Ibis' for 1876 (pp. 83 et seqq.), Dresser has given us as pretty a little ornithological puzzle as I have seen for a long time in the Salicaria of SevertzofF^s ' Fauna of Tur- kestan.^ There are no less than sixteen or eighteen of them named and, more or less, described. The descriptions of two of them, S. scita and S. arundinacea, are omitted ; but fortunately these are supplied in a letter from Dr. Severtzoff to the editor of ' Stray Feathers ' (Str. Feath. iii. p. 420) . These two articles will, I think, supply sufiicient data to unravel the tangle, Salicaria turdoides (p. 83) may be dismissed at once as Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linn.). Salicaria arundinacea (p. 83) might be thought naturally to be either Acrocephalus streperus or A.palustris. I have never had an opportunity of comparing these two birds in the flesh, and cannot distinguish any diff'erence of general colour or of colour of the legs in the skin. I find, however, that A. palus- tris has a more pointed wing. Out of five of this species in Dresser's collection I find that in one the second primary is equal to the third, and in the four others intermediate in length M 2 152 Mr. H. Seebohm on the between the third and fourth. On the other hand^ out of ten examples in Dresser's and my own collections of A. strejjerus, eight have the second primary equal to the fourth, and in two it is intermediate between the fourth and fifth. Dresser has iden- tified S. arundinacea of Severtzofl" with A.strepe7^us, without, however, giving any description. I therefore take it for granted that the bill is about the size of that bird's (say culmen -63 to -7) . From ' Stray Feathers ' {loc. cit. clause 33) I get the addi- tional information that the tail is shorter than the wing, and the second primary equal to the sixth. The wing is too much rounded for either A. streperus or A. jjalustris ; the bill is too large and the tail too short for A. agricola ; but all the three items of information we possess point to Acrocephalus dumetorum (Blyth), with which species I am accordingly in- clined to identify it. Salicaria brevipennis (p. 83) is certainly not an Acrocephalus at all, the first primary being twice as long as the coverts. We must look for this bird amongst the smaller and greyer species of Hypolais — opaca, pallida, rama, or caligata. To decide to which of these species it belongs we must have the length of the culmen. This is given as 3| lines. This is manifestly an impossible measurement. In Blanford's ^ Eastern Persia ' (ii. p. 192) we find the following measurements of the culmen of the three smaller of these species given — H. pallida '72 to •68 inch, H. rama "68 to "57, and H. caligata '55 to '5. Severt- zoff's measurements are undoubtedly those from the point of the bill to the beginning of the feathers. I shall shortly identify, from evidence independent of the length of the cul- men, the next species, S: capistrata, Sev., with Acrocephalus agricola (Jerd.). Severtzoff gives 4 lines as the length of culmen of S. capistrata. The true length of culmen of A. agricola is "SS. We may therefore construct the following table for translating Severtzoff's length of bill in lines into true length of culmen in decimals of an inch: — 3|="51, 3| = -53, 4= -55, 4i = -62, 5 = '69, which we shall find very useful as we go on. The bill of S. brevipenfiis being 3| lines, equal to culmen '53, there can be little doubt that this bird is Hypolais caligata (Licht.). Salicariaj of Dr. Severtzoff. 153 Salicaria microptera {Stray Feathers, iii. p. 425) is a new name given by Severtzoff to the preceding species to re- place S. brevipenriis, Sev. nee Dohrn, and consequently also sinks into a synonym of Hypolais caligata (Lieht.). As a further confirmation of this identification, I may say that ■ the length of wings and tail agree, as also the slightly rounded tail, and the wing-formula, — second equals seventh, or inter- mediate between sixth and seventh ; whereas in H. rama I find that out of five skins in my collection, in two the second primary is between the seventh and eighth, in two equal to the eighth, and in one between the eighth and ninth. Salicaria capistrata (p. 84) is an Acrocejjhalus, not a Hypo- lais, the first primary being only the length of the wing-coverts. The wing-formula — second primary equals the eighth — dis- poses at once of A. streperus and A. pains tris. The choice therefore lies between A. agi'icola and A. dumetorum. The principal characters of these two birds may be summarized as under : — A. agricola. Length of wing 2"35 to 2"15, tail about the same. Second primary varying in length from between the sixth and seventh to between the eighth and ninth. Culmen •56 to -52. A. dumetorum (p. 84). Length of wing 2*5 to 2'35, tail 10 per cent, shorter than the wing. Second primary varying in length from between the fifth and sixth to between the seventh and eighth. Culmen '74 to '64. In every particular S. capistrata agrees with the former and disagrees with the latter ; I therefore without any hesi- tation identify this bird with Acrocephalus agricola (Jerd.), and note that Severtzoff himself (Stray Feathers, iii. p. 425, clause 33) comes to the same conclusion. Salicaria magnirostris, Lilj. (p. 84). This bird has been correctly identified by Dresser with Acrocephalus dumetorum (Blyth) . In each of the above-mentioned four particulars it agrees with A. dumetorum and disagrees with A. agricola. Salicaria turcomana (p. 84). Judging from the length of the first primary, this bird is also an Acrocephalus. The wing-formula — second primary equals -the fourth — restricts 154 Mr. H. Seebolim on the the choice ceitainly to A. streperus or A. palustris. My own experience, as detailed under S. arundinacea, would lead one to call this bird Acrocephalus streperus (Vieill.). Salicaria macronyx (p. 84) . The length of the first primary decides at once that this bird is an Acrocephalus. The wing- formula is intermediate between those of A. streperus and A. dumetorum. The length of the culmen of A. streperus is '7 to '63 ; and by our rule the culmen of this bird is '62 ; so that we may decide that it is a small bird of whichever species it belongs to, and that in this respect the balance of evidence is slightly in favour oi A. streperus. The length of wing of A. streperus varies from 2*7 to 2'45. The length of wing of our bird is 2 inches 6 lines, or 2'5, and may be that of nearly the smallest A. streperus or the extreme largest A. dume- torum. As we have already decided, from the size of the culmen, that to whichever species it belongs it is a small bird of that sj)ecies, the argument is conclusive in favour of its being Acrocephalus streperus (Vieill.) . Salicaria eiirhyncha (p. 85) . The first primary being shorter than the coverts, there is no doubt about this bird being an Acrocephalus. The second primary being between the sixth and seventh restricts the choice to A. ayricola and A. dumetorum. The tail being one tenth shorter than the wing, and the culmen measuring '69, are both conclusively in favour of its being Acrocephalus dumetorum (Blyth), whilst the length of wing, 2'33 to 2*42, is more in favour of that bird than of ^. agricola. Salicaria sphenura (p. 86) . The length of the first primary decides at once that this is an Acrocephalus. The wing-formula — second primary equals the sixth, or is intermediate between the fifth and sixth — agrees with A. dumetorum, and dis- agrees with A. agricola, A. streperus, and A. palustris. The comparative shortness of the tail puts another black mark against A. agricola. The culmen, "62, puts a third black mark against A. agricola ; and the length of wing puts a fourth ; so that I arrive at the conclusion that this bird is Acrocephalus dumetorum (Blyth). Salicaria gracilis (p. 86). The length of the first primary de- Salicarioe of Dr. Severtzoff. 155 cides, again, that this bird is an Acrocephalus. The fact that the wings and tail are of nearly equal length decides in favour oi Acrocephalus agricola (Jerd.), and against A. streperus, A. palustris, and A. dumetorum. The wing-formula agrees with A. agricola, and disagrees with A. streperus and A. palustris, whilst the length of wing and culmen confirms A. agricola against the other three. Salicaria obsoleta (p. 87) . This bird, with first primary twice as long as the coverts, must be a Hypolais. The bill is said to resemble that of the next species, which is given as 4 lines, or culmen '55, the dimensions oi Hypolais caligata (Licht.), which I take it to be. The wing is shghtly more pointed than usual. Salicaria pallida (p. 87) agrees, in length of first primary, wing-formula, length of culmen, wing, and tail, with Hy- polais caligata (Licht.). Salicaria tamariceti (p. 88) . Mr. Dresser says that the first primary of this bird is "longer than the wing-coverts;" but ' Stray Feathers ' fortunately adds " twice as long as the coverts,'^ so that there can be no doubt about this bird being a Hypolais. The second primary being equal to the sixth or seventh, and the culmen '62 to '69, incline me to identify this species with Hypolais pallida (Ehr.). My skins from Smyrna vary in length of culmen from •64 to "68 inch, and have the second primary intermediate in length between the sixth and seventh. I am inclined to discriminate the two species as under : — H. ratna. Length of wing 2"35 to 2"53, culmen '57 to •68. Second primary between the seventh aiid ninth. H. pallida. Length of wing 2"45 to 2' 7, culmen "6 to "72. Second j^rimary between the fifth and seventh. Salicaria modesta (p. 88). From the remark in 'The Ibis* that the first primary is rather longer than the coverts, qualified by that of ' Stray Feathers ' that it is scarcely longer than its coverts, we may decide at once that this bird is an Acro- cephalus. The wing-formula restricts the choice to A. agri- cola and A. dumetorum. The remark, " bill small,"^ gives the casting vote in favour of Acrocephalus agricola (Jerd.). 156 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Heligoland. Salicaria concolor (p. 88) is identified by its first primary as an Acrocephalus. The wing-formula puts A. streperus and A. palustris altogether out of the question, and casts a doubt upon A. agricola. The length of the wing and the compara- tive shortness of the tail (measurements omitted in 'The Ibis/ but fortunately to be found in ' Stray Feathers ') dis- pose of A. agricola altogether, and leave us with the con- clusion that this bird is Acrocephalus dumetorum (Blyth), with a slightly shorter bill than usual ("oS). Salicaria scita. Dresser is probably right in identifying this bird with Hypolais caligata (Licht.). In 'Stray Fea- thers ' (iii. p. 426) we learn that the first primary is twice as long as the coverts, that the second primary equals the sixth, and that the beak is small. Salicaria scitopsis (p. 88). The first primary being twice as long as the coverts marks this bird as a Hypolais. The second primary being between the sixth and seventh, the length of wing 2*.25, and the culmen 'SI, all point to Hypolais caligata (Licht.), though the dimensions are somewhat smaller than usual. The wing is not rounded enough for Phylloscopus fuscatus or its allies. XV. — Supplementary Notes on the Ornithology of Heligoland. By Henry Seebohm. Two articles have already appeared in ' The Ibis ' on the orni- thology of the island of Heligoland. The first was in 1862 (p. 58), and consisted of a translation of a letter by Dr. J. H. Blasius which appeared in 'Naumannia' for 1858. The second article was written by Mr. John Cordeaux, and ap- peared in 'The Ibis^ for 1875 (p. 172). The information contained in these articles was so startling that an apology is scarcely necessary for adding corroborative testimony to their general accuracy, for correcting a few un- important errors, and for mentioning some still more recent novelties of special interest. Mr. Gaetke's work on the birds of Heligoland is making Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Heligoland. 157 fair progress ; and he has intrusted to me the task of trans- lating it into English and editing it in this country ; so that it is to be hoped that within the next twelve months the full details of his observations made during the last five-and- twenty years in this wonderful little island may be before the j»ublic. The authenticity of the Heligoland skins is beyond all possible question. During the rime I spent on the island, from the 23rd Sept. to the 18th Oct.^ I not only saw enough to convince the most sceptical of the botia fides of all con- cerned^ but myself shot or saw in the flesh such a variety of birds, that I could almost agree with my friend Mr. Gaetke when he stated that he would willingly exchange his collections of rare birds shot in Heligoland for those which had passed over the island without being shot. It is probable, however, that the latter bear a much smaller proportion to the former in Heligoland than in any other place. During my short stay on the island I saw quite a little epitome of the Petchora birds — Grey Plover, Little Stint, Sanderling, Snow-Bunting, Shore-Lark, Blue-throated War- bler, &c. We shot two Aquatic Warblers, a Little Bunting {Emberiza pusilla) , and had four Richard^s Pipits brought to us in the flesh. I watched a Phylloscopus superciliosus in Mr. Gaetke^s garden for some hours, listened to its call-note, and finally shot it. As we breakfasted one morning (2ud Oct.) we identified a Great Grey Shrike as it flew past the window of our room ; and a couple of hours afterwards we bought the bird for four groschen. The list of . Heligoland birds is so varied that many orni- thologists have doubted its accuracy. The fact is that Heli- goland is the ouly part of the world of which the ornithology has been exhaustively worked. Every little boy on the island is a born and bred ornithologist. Every unfortunate bird which visits the island has to run the gauntlet of about forty guns, to say nothing of scores of blowpipes and catapults. The flight and note of every bird is familiar to every islander. Each bird has its own local name in the Heligoland language. A new bird is instantly detected. The fisherman steers with 158 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Heligoland. a gun by his side ; the peasant digs his potatoes with a gun on the turf and a heap of birds on his coat. On an island where there are no cows, and sheep are kept for their milk only, meat is of course very dear, especially as it has to be brought by steamer from Hamburg, one of the dearest cattle- markets on the continent of Europe. Birds therefore natu- rally form an important article of diet to the Heligolanders. Every bird which apj^ears is whistled within range with mar- vellous skill. The common birds are eaten, the rare ones are sold to the bird-stufler or taken to Mr. Gaetke. Many of the Heligolanders are clever shots. Long before sunrise the island is bristling with guns ; and after dark the netters are busy at their Throstle-bushes ; and at midnight the birds com- mit suicide against the lighthouse. When we consider that this has been going on for a quarter of a century, and that the results have been carefully chronicled for that length of time, the Avonder is not that so many species of birds have occurred on Heligoland, but that so many have hitherto escaped detection. This must be accounted for on the theory that, alter all, the appearance of birds on Heligoland is only accidental. Under ordinary circumstances a migratory bird does not require to rest on this island. A few hundred miles to a bird on the wing is a trifle in favourable weather. It is only when overtaken by a squall, or driven out of its course by contrary winds, that a bird seeks refuge here. This is obvious after a few weeks'* experience. Certain winds and certain weather fill the island with birds. At other times the island is comparatively empty. Each bird has its time of migration; weather has apparently nothing to do Avith this date ; good weather does not apparently hasten the birds to their breeding-haunts, nor bad weather retard their starting. If the suitable conjunction of circumstances occurs during the season of a certain bird's migration, that bird visits the island. If the season goes by without such conjunction, the bird does not visit the island. The period of its migration is over. The migration of this species has taken place at high altitudes, it may be, or by other routes ; and it is in vain to look for it until its next season of migration comes round. Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Heligoland. 159 when, given the necessary wind and weather^ its appearance may be confidently expected. The period of migration of each species lasts about a month. In spring the males come first^ then the females, then last- year birds, and finally the cripples — birds which have lost their toeSj birds with half a tail, birds with one mandible abnor- mally long, or birds with some other defect. Mr. Cordeaux has fallen into an error in saying (Ibis, 1875, p. 174) that this holds good both in spring and autumn ; in autumn the order of migration is partially reversed. Astounding as the fact is, it is nevertheless true that in autumn the birds of the year are the first to migrate, birds which, of course, have never mi- grated before. This may account for the number of species which visit our shores and Heligoland in autumn only. It is not to be wondered at that on their first journey, and with- out a guide, they should stray somewhat out of the direct course. By long practice the Heligolanders know when to expect an arrival of birds. The 12th Oct. was a very unfavourable day. There were scarcely half a dozen birds on the island. This unfavourable weather had lasted nearly a week. I used to take a constitutional round the island with my gun twice or thrice a day, spending most of the rest of the time in Mr, Gaetke^s studio chatting about his birds, visiting regularly Aeuckens the bird-stuffer, to inquire if any one else had had better luck. On the 1 1th I shot three Shore-Larks. Aeuckens told me that that was a very good sign, that he had often noticed that a few birds always preceded the favourable weather, and that we might expect a change and plenty of birds soon. The next day the west wind slackened a little. In the after- noon it was a calm. In the evening Mr. Oaetke advised me to go to bed early and be up before sunrise, as birds were ex- pected. Accordingly I turned into bed soon after ten. At half past twelve I was awoke with the news that the migration had already begun. Hastily dressing myself, I at once made for the lighthouse. The night was almost pitch dark, but the town was all astir. In every street men with large lanterns and a sort of angler^s landing-net were "making for the light- 160 Mr. H. Seebolim on the Ornithology of Heligoland. house. As I crossed the potatoe-fields birds were continually- getting up at my feet. Arrived at the lighthouse, an in- tensely interesting sight presented itself. The whole of the zone of light within range of the mirrors was alive with birds coming and going. Nothing else was visible in the darkness of the night but the lantern of the lighthouse vignetted in a drifting sea of birds. From the eastern darkness clouds of birds were continually emerging in an uninterrupted stream ; a few swerved from their course, fluttered for a moment as if dazzled by the light, and then gradually vanished with the rest in the western gloom. Occasionally a bird wheeled round the lighthouse and then passed on ; and occasionally one fluttered against the glass, like a moth against a lamp, tried to perch on the wire netting, and was caught by the lighthouse-man. I should be afraid to hazard a guess as to the hundreds of thousands that must have passed in a couple of hours ; but the stray birds that the lighthouse-man suc- ceeded in securing amounted to nearly three hundred. The scene from the balcony of the lighthouse was equally inter- esting. In every direction birds were flying like a swarm of bees, and every few seconds one flew against the glass. All the birds seemed to be flying up wind ; and it was only on the lee side of the light that any birds were caught. They were nearly all Skylarks. In the heap captured was one Redstart and one Reed- Bunting. The air was filled with the warbling cry of the Larks ; now and then a Thrush was heard ; and once a Heron screamed as it passed by. The night was starless, and the town was invisible ; but the island looked like the out- skirts of a gas-lighted town, being sprinkled over with bril- liant lanterns. Many of the Larks alighted on the ground to rest, and allowed the Heligolanders to pass their nets over them. About 3 o^clock a.m. a heavy thunder-storm came on, with deluges of rain ; a few breaks in the clouds revealed the stars ; and the migration came to an end, or continued above the range of our vision. But interesting as field-work was on Heligoland, cabinet- work in Mr. Gaetke's studio was still more so. There is pro- bably no more interesting local collection in the world. Mr. Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Heligoland. 161 Gaetke was, of course, delighted to have an opportunity of chatting with Mr. Sharpe and myself about his favourite birds, and of telling the story of the capture of each. For some un- accountable reason the German ornithologists seem to have neglected Heligoland ; and Englishmen rarely visit the island. Mr. Gaetke takes a justifiable pride in the artistic way in which his birds are mounted — all the work of his own hands ; but he nevertheless allowed us to take the rarer birds out of the cases to measure and describe them, though he some- times winced when we ruffled the feathers in the process, and chaffed us good naturedly as a couple of ornithological detectives. The following information may be worth recording in the pages of ' The Ibis ' : — The bird mentioned in Mr. Cordeaux's paper in ' The Ibis ' for 1875 (p. 179, footnote) as a Hypolais with a light band across the wing, is Phylloscojms nitidus (Blyth). No Hypo- lais nor Acrocephalus has a bar across the wing. The species of Phylloscopi with a large and Hypolais-\ike bill, and one or two bars across the wing, form a well-marked group or subgenus, to which Blasius gave the name of Acanthopneuste. Of the thirteen species included in this group, the absence of a mesial line upon the crown and the peculiarities of the wing-formula restrict the choice to two — P. nitidus and P. viridanus. The bright green, approaching verdigris-green, of the upper parts, and the delicate lemon-yellow of the un- derparts, decide the point in favour of the former species. We had Indian skins of both species with us for comparison ; and Gaetke, Sharpe, and I all agreed that no doubt whatever remains on the question. Phylloscopus borealis (Bias.), Ibis, 1875, p. 179, errone- ously called Phyllopneuste javanica (Horsf.), Ibis, 1862, p. 66, is a well-marked and perfectly undoubted specimen. This species has been found recently by Collett in the breeding- season in the Porsanger fjord, slightly to the east of the North Cape"^, and ought, one would think, to occur much more fre- quently upon Heligoland than it does. Mr. Gaetke^s work will contain particulars of about five-and- * See P. Z. S. Feb. 6, 1877. 162 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Ornithology of Heligoland. twenty specimens of Phylloscopus superciliosus (Gm.) which have been shot on the island. It will also contain irre- futable evidence that Phylloscojjus proregulus (Pallas) and P. coronatus (Temm.) have likewise been shot on the island. Iduna salicaria, Pall. (Ibis, 1862, p. 66), or Lusciola ca- ligata of Cordeaux (Ibis, 1875, p. 179). Blasius is correct in his identification, as the following particulars respecting this specimen will prove-: — Hypolais caligata (Licht.) S> 28th Sept., 1851. Wing 2-35, tail 1*8, culmen -53, bastard primary '68. Second primary between the fifth and sixth. Two outside and two centre tail-feathers about "1 shorter than the longest. The second specimen mentioned by Mr. Cordeaux [loc. cit.) is Acrocephalus agricola ( Jerdon) ? , 1 2th Jan., 1864. Wing 2"05, tail 2, culmen "5, bastard primary "4 (very small and . pointed, scarcely projecting beyond the outer wing-coverts) . Second primary equal to the sixth. Centre tail-feathers longest, the two outside ones being '35 shorter. The Saxicol(B appear to have been somewhat hastily ex- amined, both by Blasius and Cordeaux. Saxicola aur'ita auctorum {8. nifescens (Briss.) of Blasius in Ibis, 1862, p. 70, and S. albicollis (Vieill.) of Cordeaux in Ibis, 1875, p. 179) is represented by a male in breeding-plumage, shot 12th May 1860, and a male in autumn plumage, shot 26th Oct. 1851. Saancola stapazina, Linn., of Blasius, in Ibis, 1862, p. 70, and Saxicola stapazina, Linnaeus, of Cordeaux, in Ibis, 1875, p. 179, by which both writers, no doubt, meant Saxicola stapazina auctorum, nee Dresser, is not represented in the collection. The two specimens mentioned by Cordeaux are, no doubt, two specimens of Saxicola deserti, Riipp., a male with black throat, in autumn plumage, shot 26th Oct. 1856, and a female without the black throat, also in autumn plu- mage, shot 4th Oct. 1855. In both these specimens the axillaries are white, with concealed dusky bases, and the black at the end of the tail extends for nearly an inch and a half. Saxicola leucomela (Pallas) of Cordeaux, Ibis, 1875, p. 179, is a fine male, in full breeding-plumage, of Saxicola mo- Mr. H, Seebolim on the Ornithology of Heligoland. 163 rio, Ehr. When the wing is expanded it shows no trace of white. The example of Acrocephalus certhiola (Pallas) agrees ex- actly with specimens in Lord Tweeddale^s collection^ except that the under surface is somewhat more streaked^ probably a sign of immaturity. Since Mr. Cordeaux's paper was written a very interesting bird has been added to Gaetke's collection^ shot on 22nd June 1875. It is a Goatsucker, exactly identical with Severtzoff^s type of Caprimulgus arenicolor (Ibis, 1875, p. 491) . In the British Museum is a skin from Egypt agreeing both with Severtzoff's and Gaetke's birds in length of wing and pro- portion of primaries. In Capt. Shelley^s collection are skins of Caprimulgus agyptius, Licht. (of which C. isabellinus, Temm., is a synonym), considerably smaller than the above-named birds, and slightly varying in the proportion of primaries; but there are also intermediate forms, leading to the inevi- table conclusion that C. agyptius, C. isabellinus, and C. are- nicolor are synonyms of one species. Mot acilla vidua, Sundevall, of Cordeaux, Ibis, 1875, p. 180, is incorrectly named. The bird shot 18th May 1866, is an undoubted M. lugubris. Ruticilla mesoleuca (Hempr. et Ehr.) . There is a fine male of this bird, shot 12th June 1864, in the collection. Among the examples of Lanius excubitor in Gaetke^s studio are two birds which differ from that species in having only one instead of two bars on the wing. The basal portion of the primaries is white ; but the secondaries are black or dark brown throughout, except that at the apex they are more or less tipped with white. One bird has no trace of cross-barring on the underparts ; but the other bird is slightly barred. These birds appear to agree exactly with Pallas^s description of Lanius major. In Dresser^s collection and in the British Museum are similar skins collected by Robson near Constan- tinople. Whether this form be really a distinct species I do not pretend to decide. It appears to be intermediate between L. excubitor and the American L. borealis. The Red-tailed Shrike, identified by Blasius as Lanius 164 Mr. H. Seebolim ow the Ornithology of Heligoland. phoenicurus, Pallas (Ibis^ 1862, p. 66), appears to belong to an allied species. Lord Tweeddale, in his article on the Rufous- tailed Shrikes (Ibis, 1867, p. 218), suggests that a description of this bird should be publislied. I give it as follows : — Length of wing 3'56 inches, tail 2*94, tarsus '85. The general colour of the upper parts is greyish brown, slightly mottled on the crown of the head, fore neck, the hinder cheeks, and the rump, caused by brown edgings to the fea- thers, possibly the remains of young plumage. An ill-defined pale line over the eye. All the wing-feathers more or less margined with paler. The primaries conspicuously tipped with paler. The third primary in one wing newly moulted, and showing the white spot at the base. Tail pale rufous. Underparts whitish. Some of the wing-coverts tipped with rufous, all with a narrow subterminal line of brown. The second primary is "08 shorter than the sixth. The tail is even, except that the two outside feathers are "4 shorter than the rest. After hearing the result of Mr. Gaetke's examination of the rufous-tailed Shrikes in the Berlin Museum, and looking over the skins in the British Museum and in Dresser^s collection, and collating the information given in ' The Ibis,^ 1867, p. 224 (Walden), ^ Stray Feathers,^ 1873, p. 174 (Hume), 'Eastern Persia,^ ii. p. 140 (Blanford), and ' Ibis,^ 1876, p. 187 (Severt- zofF), I submit that the Heligoland bird is Lanius isabel- linus, Hempr. &Ehr. (]828)=i>. arenarius, Blyth (1846),= L. phcenicuroides, Sev. (1876). The specimens of Tardus varius (Whitens Thrush) are in such perfect plumage, and so artistically mounted, that, in spite of the commandment, it makes one quite covetous to look at them. The example of Turdus rnficoUis agrees exactly in measure- ments with skins of that species from Lake Baical in Dresser^s collection. It is an immature bird. The tail is olive-brown, with a rufous cast, especially on the outermost feathers. The shafts of all the tail-feathers are reddish. The under wing- coverts and axillaries are light orange buff. The skin of Turdus swainsoni is somewhat less yellow on Mr. H. Seebohra on the Ornithology of Heligoland. 165 the throat than the skins of this species in Dresser's collec- tion^ which he kindly allowed me to take to Heligoland for comparison ; otherwise it agrees exactly. Amongst the immature specimens of Carpodacus Mr. Sharpe identified both C. roseus and C. erythrinus. Of the American species in the collection the two examples of Anthus ludovicianus agree exactly with American skins. The specimen of Dendi^ceca v'lrens is in very perfect plumage, and does not show any signs of having been in captivity. A specimen of the American Rice-Bunting [Dolichonyx oryzi- vorus) was also shot on the island ; but the wings and tail are so much broken that there is every probability of its having escaped from a cage. There is one example of Charadrius virginicus, and three of Charadrius longipes, iii the collection. The two species seem to be very distinct. In both the axillaries are ashy grey. In C. longipes the wing measures 6'3 inches, the tail 2'4, the tarsus 1*7, end of secondaries to end of wing "44 ; the second- aries reach within '12 of the end of the third primary; and the first and second primaries are of equal length. In C virginicus the wing measures 7'6, the tail 2*7, the tarsus 1"8, end of secondaries to end of wing 1"85 ; the secondaries reach to the end of the fifth primary ; and the first primary is '6 longer than the second. Of the two specimens oiEadromias asiaticus one is adult and the other young. In both birds the axillaries are pure white. There are several other birds which there is every reason to believe have been seen on Heligoland — for example, Em- beriza liiteola, Parus kamschatkensis, Phylloscopus fuscatus, Phylloscopus tristis, &c. The records of the appearance of these birds will find a fitting place in Mr. Gaetke's book. The evidence of a marine artist, trained to catch a fleeting effect of form and colour and fix it in his memory, to be transferred to canvas, is of an entirely diff'erent rank to that of the ordinary sportsman or collector ; but in an article for a severely scientific journal it will be wisest to content ourselves with quoting the witti- cism of the ''Old Bushman '': — What is hit is history, ivhat is missed is mystery. SER. IV. VOL. I. N 166 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of XVI. — Notes on the Birds of the Province of Buenos Ay res. By Henry Durnford. (Plate III.) Before commencing these notes, I feel that some apology is due to the readers of ' The Ibis ' for several mistakes which appeared in my last communication on the birds of this dis- trict (Ibis, 1876, p. 157 et seqq.), and which I will endeavour to correct in the course of the following remarks. In justice to myself I must add that the above-mentioned communica- tion was not written with a view to its being published in ' The Ibis / for a short residence in a new country had not enabled me to speak so confidently as I should have liked. Baradero, which I shall have occasion to mention frequently, is a small town about fifty-three miles further north than the city of Buenos Ayres, from which it is distant nearly ninety miles in a straight line in a W.N.W. direction. It is situ- ated on an arm, or " riacho,^' of the Parana ; but as this arm joins the main river at both ends, it is in reality a portion of the Parana itself. [Mr. Durnford^s nomenclature has been slightly altered to correspond with that of our 'Nomenclator Avium Neotro- picalium.^ The best general account of the ornithology of La Plata is that given in the second volume of Burmeister's 'Reise in die La Plata-Staaten^ (2 vols, Halle, 1851). In the P. Z. S. 1868, p. 138, and 1869, pp. 157, 631, will be found three articles on Mr. Hudson's valuable collections made near Buenos Ayres, to which references are given below. A new revision of the birds of La Plata, with such short cha- racters added as would enable observers in that country to determine the species, would be a very valuable contribution to our science. — Edd.] 1. TuRDUs LEucoMELAS (Vicill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 138. Resident. In the winter to a certain extent gregarious, and common always in the belt of trees and scrub which fringe the shore of the La Plata, preferring low land to a more ele- vated district. There is a fact about the note of this bird the Provitice of Buenos Ayres. 167 that I am anxious to record. Every one in England is familiar with the subdued but querulous chuckle of the Blackbird, which it almost invariably utters before leaving the friendly shelter of a thick bush. Now, though Turdus leucomelas has scarcely any song, certainly nothing that can be com- pared to that of a Blackbird, it has exactly this same peculiar note, and utters it under precisely the same conditions as the Blackbird ; and so much did this coincidence strike me, that I thought when I first heard the sound that an escaped Blackbird was the author of it. I look upon this as one of the many isolated facts which seem to prove descent from a common progenitor. Common at Baradero in April. 2. Turdus rufiventris, Vieill. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 138. Resident, but never observed in parties like the foregoing species. One shot on the 25th May had in its stomach re- mains of Coleoptera. Common at Baradero in April. 3. MiMUs CALANDRiA (Lafr. et D'Orb.); Scl.et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 139. A few individuals remain with us all the winter; but the greater part are spring and summer visitors. Though it is the only bird here that can boast of really having a song, its vocal powers are chiefly exercised in imitating the notes of other birds, in which it shows great proficiency. Common at Baradero in April. 4. PoLioPTiLA DUMicoLA (Vicill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 139. Observed throughout the year, but not by any means a common bird. I found it plentiful at Baradero in April, frequenting thickets and low scrub, preferring wet marshy spots. Its food consists of small insects. Iris dark wood- brown. Legs, feet, and claws black. 5. Troglodytes furvus (Gm.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 158. Resident and abundant everywhere. I stated in my last note that this bird lays five eggs. I should have said seven or eight. Common at Baradero in April. N 2 168 Mr. H. Durnford on the Bir//s of 6. CisTOTHORUs PLATENsis (Lath.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 158. On the 26th of April last I found several of these birds near Lujan bridge amongst the thick tufts of "Paja" grass, which there grows in about a foot of Avater. These it is very unwilling to leave, and, when flushed, only flies a few yards, being very anxious to seek the shelter of another tuft. On alighting it clings to a stout blade of grass, thence creej)ing, mouse-like, into the thickest part. In its mode of flight it resembles Troglodytes furvus, but frequents damper places than that bird. In the same marsh where I found it I shot Synallawis maluroides and S. sulpkw'ifera. Its food consists of small insects chiefly Coleoptera. Legs, feet, and claws light brown tinged with slate-colour, undersides lightest. Iris wood-brown. 7. Anthus correndera (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 139. Resident, found everywhere, and very common. Abun- dant up the Parana to Baradero. 8. Parula pitiayumi (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 631. I have nothing to add to my former note (Ibis, 1876, p. 158). The only specimen I have ever seen was one I killed on the 29th October 1875. Decidedly rare here. 9. Progne purpurea (Linn.) ; Scl. P. Z. S. 1872, p. 605. The dates of arrival and departure of this bird are about the same as those of P. tapera. The young are on the wing early in February. Common both in the town and country, breeding freely in chinks in walls, under the eaves of houses, and holes in trees. Preeminently a homely bird. During the summer its loud harsh notes, uttered whilst on the wing, may be constantly heard ; but when resting on a telegraph- wire or twig of a tree it has quite a pretty little song. 10. Progne tapera (Linn.) ; Scl. P. Z. S. 1872, p. 606. Arrives in September, leaving about the first week in April. It is a noisy, garrulous bird, and has a peculiar liabit of rais- the Province of Buenos Ayres. 169 ing its wings over its back in the midst of its aerial evolutions, and then dropping some distance through the air before taking flight again. In the summer these birds congregate in large parties, and seem never tired of circling about the topmost branches of some wide-spreading ombo-tree, which is their favourite resort. 11. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 14. The only occasion on which I have seen this bird was on the 25th of March of the present year, when I observed about half a dozen at different times during the day, all flying steadily in a north-easterly direction. This was about thirty miles to the west of Buenos Ayres. From their manner of flight, always keeping in the same general course, though occasionally turning aside to chase some insect, I have no doubt they were migrating : they kept about teu feet from the ground. At a distance they are not easy to distinguish from Hirundo leucorrlioa ; but on a nearer approach their greater size and chocolate throat, but more especially their reddish- brown rumps, are clearly discernible. The museum pos- sesses one specimen, killed in this neighbourhood. 12. Hirundo leucorrhoa, Vieill. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 139. Arrives early (I saw some on the 10th August last year), and does not leave us till the middle of April. I speak of the main body ; for many birds remain with us all the winter. On the 30th July I saw two or three hundred of them in the course of a long walk a little to the north of Buenos Ayres. It was quite warm and very fine, not at all like winter. This is the most common species of Swallow we have, and there is scarcely a rancho in the country that has not its one or two pairs breeding under the eaves or in the cracks of the walls. It also resorts to holes in trees for nesting-purposes. Though during cold and dull weather in the winter none are visible sometimes for weeks together, a warm bright day never fails to attract some from their temporary shelter, wher- ever that may be. Pretty common at'Baradero in April. 170 Mr. H. Dumford on the Birds of 13. Atticora cyanoleuca (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 159. Arrives at; the end of September, and generally leaves in March ; but this year I observed two, a little north of Buenos Ayres, on the 30th of April. This, the smallest species of Hirundinidse, always reminds me of the Sand-Martin at home. In its habit of flying close to the ground and frequenting the neighbourhood of pools and streams, from which it never wanders far, it is essentially like that bird. It nests in holes in the banks of arroyos, sandj)its, and similar localities. 14. Stephanophorusleucocephalus (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. P.Z. S. 1869, p. 161. Common in winter in flocks, frequenting bushes and low trees ; but I have not observed it to the south of Buenos Ayres. Its food consists of buds and young shoots. From its handsome crimson crest-feathers, and delicate grey and pale blue plumage which flanks these, it is one of the most beautiful birds we have. Iris wood-brown ; beak blue-black, under mandible slightly the lightest ; legs and feet brown- black. 15. Tanagra striata (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 139. I have only observed this Tanager here two or three times. In February I shot a young bird at Punta Lara, which must have been bred there ; and in June and July last I saw several birds, both males and females, about thirty miles to the north of Buenos Ayres. They seem fond of low damp ground where there are plenty of reeds. 16. GuiRACA GLAUcoc^RULEA (Lafr. et D^Orb.); Scl.etSalv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 139. A summer visitor, but rare. I have only seen it once, when I met with it in the riverain wood at Punta Lara. 17. Spermophila ornata (Licht.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S, 1869, p. 632. A spring and summer visitor, arriving about the end of October and leaving again towards the end of April ; during the Province of Buenos Ayr es. 171 this time it is common everywhere. I have seen the young on the wing by the middle of December -, and as I have also taken its eggs in January, I have no doubt it has two broods in the season. The nest is a very thin and flimsy structure of roots, usually placed in a bush four or five feet from the ground. The young in their first plumage resemble the adult female. 18. Paroaria cucullata (Lath.) ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 30^. I scarcely think this ought to be included in my list, as all the specimens I have seen here have probably been birds escaped from cages. I found it in April very common up the Parana at Baradero, where it frequented thickets and trees. 19. DoNAcospizA ALBiFRONs (Vicill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 161. Not nearly so common as the next species, and very dif- ferent in its habits. I am not sure whether it breeds here, having only observed it in the winter. In the marshes, where tall reeds and young willow shoots abound, this bird may be seen clinging to the highest sprig it can find, or searching diligently for insects. Its long tail renders it easily distin- guishable ; and in this, its erratic flight, and quick movements it closely resembles the Synallaxhia, and, indeed, is generally found in the same places as some members of that group. Its food consists principally of minute Coleoptera. Iris wood- brown ; beak black ; legs and feet pale horn-colour. 20. PoospizA NiGRORUFA (Lafr. et D^Orb.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 140. Resident and common in reed-beds and thickets in damp marshy ground. Common atBaradero in April. Its bright- red colouring and sprightly actions make it one of the most conspicuous birds we have. The young in their first plumage somewhat resemble the adult female, being dark dusky brown above, beneath dusky brown and yellowish white in longi- * [A skin of this bird, obtained by Mr. Hudson at Ooncliitas in 1868, is in Sclater's collection, but it seems to have been omitted from our lists. — Edd.] ] 72 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of tudinal strealvs. Generally seen in pairs in tlie winter. Beak black ; legs and feet dark yellowish brown. 21. ZoNOTRicHiA PiLEATA (Bodd.) ; Scl. ct Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 139. Occurs abundantly everywhere^ both in town and country. Very common at Baradero in April, I stated in my last communication that four eggs was the number usually laid ; I should have said five. 22. Embernagra platensis (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 140. Resident and common here and up the Parana to Baradero. Its favourite resort is thick reed-beds. Its flight. is laboured, and its tail so long that it droops, giving one the idea of being too heavy for it. A few at Baradero in April. 23. Chrysomitris barbata (Mol.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 140. Observed from the beginning of September to the end of May. They are generally seen in flocks, and in the neigh- bourhood of trees or low scrub. They have a habit of hang- ing, Tit-like, from a twig. Their food consists of small seeds, and, judging from their fondness for the large thistle, chiefly of the seed of that plant. 24. Sycalis luteola (Sparrm.) ; Scl. Ibis, 1872, p. 44. Resident and generally distributed, usually living on the ground, and in the winter going in enormous flocks ; on these occasions, when they all rise at once, the noise of their wings is like the rustling breeze. The flocks are composed of both sexes, and move in a northerly direction during the cold weather, though they never entirely leave us. The female is less brightly attired than the male; and the young at first resemble the female. The males are much valued as songsters. 25. Sycalis pelzelni, Sclater, Ibis, 1872, p. 42. Resident. This bird is readily distinguishable from the last mentioned by its superior size ; and the males can always be identified by their bright orange foreheads ; the females the Province of Buenos Ay res. 173 are of a more sombre plumage. Like S. luteola, many move in a northerly direction in winter^ at which season both sexes congregate in enormous flocks. On the 17th April of this year I witnessed a vast migratory body of this species whilst steaming down the riacho of Baradero. The flight continued for upwards of an hour^ crossing the river from south to north ; and during that time it was not possible to look in any direction without seeing hundreds of birds. They are a more tree-loving species than S. luteola, and, sometimes at least, parasitical in their breeding-habits. On the 17th October I took a nest with one egg from a nest of Furnarius rufus, which the Finch had relined for its own use, and shot the old male bird whilst standing in the doorway of its ap- propriated home. A friend of mine has taken the eggs from a nest of Synallaxis. An adult male shot on the 6th of April is — total length 5'3 inches, beak 3, tarsus 6. Forehead bright orange. Head above, neck above and on sides greenish yel- low, centre of feathers darkest. Throat and neck below chest, stomach, and under tail-coverts bright canary-yellow. Back dark greenish yellow, centre of feathers nearly black. Upper tail-coverts yellowish green. Primaries dark brown, all but the first slightly edged with pale yellow ; first and third of equal length, second rather the longest. The outer webs of the second, third, fourth, and fifth become narrower towards their extremities. Under wing-coverts canary-yellow. Tail twelve feathers, nearly black, edged with yellow. An adult female, shot on the same day, is slightly smaller than the male. Head, neck, and back dull brown, centre of feathers darkest. Upper tail-coverts dark greenish brown. Throat dirty white, with a tinge of yellow at the corner of base of lower mandible. Chest light brown, with a tinge of dull white. Stomach dull white, towards the sides light brown. Flanks light brown. Under tail-coverts dirty white, base of feathers with a tinge of yellow. Primaries dark brown, slightly edged with pale yellow, chiefly on the inner webs ; the basal half of the inner webs of these feathers is pale primrose-yellow. Greater Aving-coverts dark brown, very slightly edged with pale yellow ; lesser wing-coverts greenish 174 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of yellow, with a tinge of grey. Under wing-coverts pale canary- yellow. The young in their first plumage somewhat resemble the adult female, but have less yellow about them. 26. MoLOTHRUs RUFOAXiLLARis,Cassinj Scl.etSalv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 140. Though I have never had the good fortune to obtain this bird, I have twice been able to identify it, in October and again in May. It resembles M. bonariensis at a little dis- tance ; but the red patch on the elbow, when it is near enough to be seen, affords a ready means of distinguishing the two species. 27. MoLOTHRUs BONARIENSIS (Gm.) ; Scl. ct Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 140. Mr. Hudson^s researches on the genus which includes this bird are very exhaustive (P. Z. S. 1870, p. 671, 1874, p. 153) ; and my limited experience agrees with his accounts. I strongly recommend any one who takes any interest in the instincts of birds to read Mr. Hudson's papers. M. bonariensis is a very common and generally distributed species, in the Avinter going in large flocks. 28. MoLOTHRUs RADIUS (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 140. Resident but not so numerous as the last species, and gene- rally seen in small flocks. 29. Agel^us thilius (Mol.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 159. Resident and common throughout the province, flocking in large numbers in the autumn and winter. It frequents open country, preferring that which is low and swampy. Common at Baradero in April. 30. Amblyramphus holosericeus (Scop.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 161. Resident and common in reed-beds and marshes, but more numerous in the summer than winter. It has a loud clear the Province of Buenos Ayres. 175 whistling note, and feeds on aquatic plants. I found it com- mon at Baradero in April. 31. PsEUDOLEisTES viREscENS (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. P.Z. S. 1868, p. 140. I have only observed this bird here in April ; but it probably remains all the year a little to the north of the city. It goes in flocks, and frequents bushes on low damp land. Pretty common at Baradero in April. 32. Leistes superciliaris, Bp.; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 140. Resident and common both here and up the Parana. It frequents low marshy land, in the winter congregating in flocks of considerable size. It has a curious habit of rising almost perpendicularly in the air to chase some passing in- sect, and dropping again as suddenly to the thistle or tuft of grass on which it had been perching. The young in their first plumage diff'er entirely from adult birds. The former are light and dark brown above, instead of dull black as in the adult, and lack all signs of the brilliant scarlet of the throat and breast ; they show, however, a faint trace of pink on the elbows, and have the white transocular line as in the adult. A few seen at Baradero in April. 33. Sturnella defilippii, Bp. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 161. Very common and generally distributed. In the winter they congregate in enormous flocks. 34. Myiotheretes rufiventris (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z.S. 1868, p. 141. A winter visitor, but rare. On the 25th of March I saw a single bird at Moreno, and on the 25tli of May I shot a spe- cimen at Punta Lara. In the air its long, pointed, almost Plover-like wing, and on the ground its bold upright position, are sufficient to establish its identity. Its habits seem gene- rally like those of the other Tceniopterce ; and it is always in a restless state, flitting from a clod of earth to the top of a thistle, or making a sudden dart at some passing insect. The 176 Mr. H. Durnford un the Birds of stomach of the one I shot contained a large hairy caterpillar and some remains of Coleoptcra. Beak^ legs^ feet^ and claws black. Iris wood-brown. 35. TiENioPTERA coRONATA (Vicill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 141. Common in April at Baradero, and seen here in May and June. In its habits and food it resembles the other T(£7ii- opterce, and seems fond of going in small flocks. Beak, legs, and feet black ; iris wood-brown. 36. TiENioPTERA DOxMiNiCANA (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 633. llesident, I believe, but rare. It is generally found iu flocks; and I have only observed it twice, on the .25th May and 30th July. It, like other Tceniopterce, is a restless bird, always fly- catching or playing. Individuals vary much in plumage, from grey to Avhite on the back and uuderparts. Their food consists of larvae and Coleoptcra, Beak, legs, and feet black. Iris wood-brown. 37. SisoPYGis iCTEROPHRYS (YiciU.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 141. Not uncommon from October to the end of February. I also met with a few examples about the 10th of August. 38. LicHENOPS PERSPiciLLATus (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 141. Though I have no doubt about the specific identity of the black- and red-plum aged birds, there are one or two points which seem to favour the view of their being distinct. The black-plumaged birds in the summer are decidedly more nu- merous than the red-plumaged ones ; and in winter the propor- tion is at least eight to one. I can only suppose that there is a partial migration of the females. I have several times flushed the red-plumaged bird from the nest, but the black bird never. (J . Beak pale primrose-yellow, inside of mouth paler. Iris and naked skin round the eye primrose-yellow, but the skin round the eye paler in the female than the male. Legs, feet, and claws in both sexes black. the Province of Buenos Ayres. 177 ? . Upper mandible dark horn-colour between the nos- trils, and from there to the corner of the mouth dull primrose- yellow. Under mandible, tip horn-colour, fading into prim- rose-yellow towards the base. Inside of mouth very pale horn- colour, with a tinge of yellow under the tongue. This species is common at Baradero in April, but only black- plumaged birds are seen. 39. Machetornis rixosa (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 143. Spring visitor, arriving in August ; but it does not seem to be a common bird. 40. Centrites NIGER (Bodd.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142. Autumn and winter visitor, and common on open camp- land. Common at Baradero in April. 41. Hapalocercus flaviventris (Lafr. et D'Orb.) ; Scl. et Salv. P.Z.S. 1869, p. 160. Having only observed this bird from October to April, I suppose it is a summer visitor. Between these months it is common in the riverain wood and in low damp places where the reeds aflPord any cover. Plentiful at Baradero in April. 42. Serpophagasubcristata (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142. Resident and abundant everywhere. Common at Baradero in April. 43. Serpophaga nigricans (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142. Resident, but not so common as the last-named species. I have always found this bird amongst the bushes and thick growth of sauce- and ceiba trees near the river. 44. Cyanotis AZAR^ (Licht.); Scl. et Salv. P.Z.S. 1869, p. 159. Resident and common in reed-beds, generally found where there is a foot or so of water. It has a low piping note, which it constantly utters whilst busily hunting over the reeds for insects. Common at Baradero in April. 178 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 45. Myiodynastes solitarius (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. Nom. p. 50. A summer visitor, but not common. Shot in November at Punta Lara, and seen in February near Belgrano. 46. PiTANGUS BELLicosus (Vicill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142. The familiar cry of " Bien te veo " may be heard all the year round, but most commonly in the spring and summer, when the birds are engaged with their nests or young. It is an early breeder. I have found fresh eggs in the middle of October ; and it probably has two broods in the year. It makes a large domed nest of twigs, wool, hair, and thistle- down, lining it thickly with feathers. Plentiful in April at Baradero. 47. Pyrocephalus rubineus (Bodd.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142. "Chirinchi." An early spring visitor, arriving in Sep- tember, leaving in April, and during their stay here very nu- merous. The young are on the wing by the middle of Jan- uary, and in their first plumage resemble somewhat the adult female, having scarcely a trace of red beneath. The old birds leave us at the beginning of February, the young remaining till the middle of April. Two observed near Baradero in April. 48. Tyrannus melancholicus, Vieill. ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Spring and summer visitor, arriving in November and leav- ing in April. 49. MiLVULUs tyrannus (Linn.) ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 53. Arrives in October and leaves early in April. The nest is strongly made of grass and reeds, lined with roots, and is placed in the fork of a low tree : though it has no mud about it, it is always quite hard inside. 50. Geositta cunicularia (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S, 1868, p. 140. One can scarcely take a ride in the country here without the Province of Buenos Ayres. 179 being aware, before having gone a great distance, of a small and active bird which, constantly keeps flitting just in front of your horse, every now and then alighting on a clod of earth, but off again before you have reached it. It lives on the ground, like our familiar little Wheatear, and constantly flits its tail up and down ; it also has a habit, like that bird, of sometimes taking short quick runs and stopping as sud- denly as it started. Resident here. Pretty common at Ba- radero in April. 51. TuRNARius RUFUs (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 140. Resident and common throughout the year. One of the most homely birds we have, there being scarcely a rancho or hut in the campo that has not got its pair of Oven-birds. It has a loud and rather melodious whistle, which it constantly utters, but especially in the spring when its nest is threatened. During the winter it is busily engaged in repairing its nest for the ensuing spring. It usually lays in October ; but its breed- ing-habits are rather irregular. Common at Baradero in April. 53. CiNCLODEs ruscus (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. I spent nine days in quarantine a year ago last March on Flores Island, at the mouth of the river Plate and about twenty miles from Montevideo ; and during that time this was the only land-bird which inhabited that lonely spot, though a flock of " Chorlos " {Eudromias modest a) paid us a flying visit one morning. It feeds on small larvae and insects, and is fond of rough ground, where there is little herbage, in the neighbourhood of water, I have observed it in this district from March to the end of July ; whether it breeds here or not I do not know. In the winter it generally goes in small parties, sometimes in large flocks. Common at Baradero in April. 53. Phlceocryptes melanops (Vieill.), Synallaxis melanops, Scl. et Salv, I. s. c. Resident, and the commonest of the marsh-loving Synal- laxinae. They frequent reed-beds, especially where there is 180 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of a pretty thick growth of "sauce" or willow shoots ; and against one of these Avillow shoots, six or eight inches above the water, is constructed an oval nest of mud and reeds, lined with a few feathers and hair, the opening in the side ; it is fastened to its suj)port by reeds. The female lays five eggs, in colour uniform light blue. Common at Baradero in April. Iris wood-brown. 54. Leptasthenura ;egithaloides (Kittl.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 632. On the 2nd July of this year (1876) I saw a single bird in an ombo tree at Belgrano ; it was busily hunting over every twig and leaf in a Tit-like fashion, and uttered a low piping note. It is the only example I have seen here ; but I believe it not uncommon up the Parana. 55. Synallaxis albescens, Temm. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 141. On the 11th July, 1876, I shot a male bird at Las Conchas. It frequented low bushes and reeds by the river, and was the only one seen. Its stomach contained small insects, chiefly Coleoptera. Upper mandible dark horn-colour, base pale flesh-colour. Under mandible pale flesh-colour. Legs and feet pale brown. Iris fulvous brown. 56. Synallaxis sulphurifera, Burm.; Scl. et Salv. P.Z. S. 1869, p. 632. Resident, and not very uncommon in reed-beds, frequent- ing much the same places as Limnornis cwvirostris. I have generally found several in the same locality. Iris wood- brown. 57. Synallaxis maluroides, D'Orb. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 141. Resident but rare. Frequents beds of low reeds and thick " paja " grass in marshy places. The notes of S. sulphurifera and ^. maluroides are much alike — cree cree, uttered in a high key. I have not observed this bird where the reeds grow more than two or three feet high ; and it frequents the same the Province of Buenos Ay res. 181 situations as Cistothorus platensis. Its food, like that of the other small SynallaxinsB; consists of minute insects, chiefly Coleoptera. Iris primrose-yellow. 58. Anumbiusacuticaudatus (Less.); Scl. etSalv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 141. Synallaxis major, Gould. The Synallaxinse are largely represented in Buenos Ayres ; and, with the exception of the present species, all the mem- bers have nearly similar habits. To a stranger nothing is more striking on his arrival here than the large and untidy- looking masses of sticks, one or more of which may be seen in most of the trees of any height. These nests are altogether out of proportion to the number of birds ; but as they are strongly built, and last for years, their number may be easily accounted for. They are of enormous dimensions for the size of the bird, and consist of two rooms, a passage leading from the upper to the lower. The upper one is used, more or less, all the year round for roosting in ; and the owners are generally busily engaged in repairing their nests whenever they are not taken up with eggs or young. I am not aware when poplar trees were first introduced into this country ; but their introduction has caused a con- siderable revolution in the habits of this bird. From its short wings it is evidently not fitted for a long sustained flight ; and yet the proportion of birds that build in poplars in preference to any other tree is at least ten to one ; and these are natu- rally the highest trees in the country. Nor is this all : the motto of this bird is " Excelsior ; " and as the poplars increase in height the Seiiateros become more ambitious, and it is now quite a common sight to see two or more nests in the same tree, the highest seventy or eighty feet from the ground. Whenever the bird wishes to ascend to its nest, it starts from the ground at just sufficient distance from the nest to enable it, by taking a gradual curve, to just fetch the de- sired spot ; and if it fails to do this, it reaches it by hopping upwards from bough to bough ; for it is quite unable to turn in its flight, or to rise except by a gradual upward motion. SER. IV, VOL. I. o 182 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of The ultimate result of this may be a race of Synallaxinae "with longer aucl stronger wings, and, by correlative growth, a larger bird altogether ; thus from the present short-winged, heavy- bodied bird will probably be developed a larger and stronger form, with greater powers of flight. The tail of this bird is always much abraded, doubtless from being in such constant contact with the nest. 59. LiMNORNis cuRViRosTRis, Gould ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. I am at a loss to understand how this bird could have es- caped the observation of naturalists till Mr. Darwin^s visit to South America. It is, certainly, only found in certain spots ; but in these it is quite common. Amongst the thick reed-beds bordering the La Plata, which sometimes extend for some miles inland, L. cu7'virostris may always be found. Like the last-named species, it has a very inquisitive dispo- sition, and never allows an intruder in its neighbourhood without protesting in loud and angry cries. This note or, rather, notes it is not easy to describe ; they are a series of harsh chatterings, and can be heard at a great distance. Be- sides this it has another note, a sort of subdued low jarring, just like our little Sedge- Warbler^s note ; and this it utters when completely hidden by the reeds. Like that bird, too, if a clod of earth or stone be thrown amongst the reeds near it, it can always be provoked to rattle away. It is a true reed-bird, and lives near the ground in the thickest reed-beds. If alarmed, or its curiosity excited, it creeps upwards by a series of short jerky movements high enough to seethe object of its dislike, and then commences its loud angry screams. It is rarely found away from these reed-beds, and seems always anxious to seek their shelter. It seldom takes wing, and never flies far ; in the air it resembles the Synallaxinse, and sometimes while flying spreads its tail, I have generally seen it in pairs, both winter and summer. Its food consists of small insects, chiefly spiders. Iris chocolate. Upper man- dible dark slate-colour, under one flesh-colour. Legs and feet pale slate. the Province of Buenos Ay res. 183 60. Phacellodomus ruber (Vieiil.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Though I have only seen this bird in the springs I am in- clined to think that it is at least partially resident. It fre- quents the thick plantations of reeds, '' sauce/^ and " ceiba " trees in the riverain wood, but, from its skulking habits, is not often seen. 61. Phacellodomus frontalis (Licht.) ; Scl. et Salv. No- mencl. p. 65. Like the last species, I have only seen this bird in the spring, with the exception of one example shot in April of this year. It breeds in October; and when sitting, the old bird will allow herself to be taken on the nest. It feeds on minute insects, and seems especially fond of spiders, which abound in the reed-beds and thickets it frequents. In flight it somewhat resembles the Synallaxinae, and altogether, from its habits, would seem to be closely related to the genus Syn- allaxis, I have also met with it in August. Iris orange- yellow ; legs and feet very pale slate ; upper mandible dark horn-colour, lower mandible like legs. On the 14th April I shot a bird at Baradero which would seem to be referable to this species, but differs a little from any I have seen. Its underparts are lighter than in any I have examined ; and the edges of the under mandible for three quarters of its length from the base are orange-yellow. Belgrano bird, Baradero bird, 11th April, 1876. 14th April, 1876. Total length .... 6-2 5*0 Beak -6 -4 Tarsus '7 "7 Iris orange-yellow. dark wood-brown. 62. Thamnophilus argentinus. Cab. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 141. Spring and summer visitor, but occasionally seen in the winter. It has an exceedingly loud jarring note, somewhat resembling that of Troglodytes furvus , and for its size makes an almost incredible noise. For some time I could not make out what bird it was I constantly heard in the thickest cover o 2 184 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of of tala, sauce, and reeds, which grow abundantly in the riverain wood ; but I soon found that I had only to stand still for a few moments, and the inquisitive disposition of this bird overpowered its fear of man. It is more sluggish in its move- ments than either Phacellodomus ruber or P. frontalis, but, with this exception, seems to resemble them closely in its habits. Its food consists of small insects, principally Cole- optera. Iris light fulvous ; upper mandible dark horn-colour ; under mandible, legs, and feet pale slate. 63. Calliperidia FURCiFERA (Shaw) ; Scl.etSalv. Nomencl. p. 90. Our three Humming-birds are all summer visitors, a few remaining during the winter. This species is the most un- common, but is occasionally seen in the riverain wood, and, like the other two, may generally be found hovering over the flowers of the ceiba tree, a species of Acacia. I ob- served one on the 29th of July last, at Belgrano railway-sta- tion, perched on a telegraph-wire ; the day was very warm and bright. ? . Beak dark brown. 64. Hylocharis sapphirina (Gm.) y Scl. et Salv. /. c. p. 93. Common in the summer. Beak light flesh-colour, tip very dark brown. 65. Chlorostilbon splendidus, Vieill. ; Elliot, Ibis, 1875, p. 165. The commonest species of Humming-bird we have, and abundant in the summer. I saw one specimen on a bright warm day the beginning of last June in a sheltered garden near the river ; but it is unusual to see them in the winter. , They feed chiefly from the flowers of the ceiba tree ; and the stomach of one shot on the Tth March contained fragments of minute Coleoptera. Beak dark flesh-colour, three quarters of upper mandible from the tip black. 66. Antrostomus parvulus (Gould). Resident, but probably, from its shy and retiring disposi- tion, considered rarer than it really is. Like our Nightjar, it frequents open spots in sheltered coppices or banks under the Province oj Buenos Ayres. 185 a sheltering hedge of thorn, and may generally be found in the same place from day to day, coming out about dusk in quest of moths and other insects. Q7. Hydropsalis furcifera (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. No- mencl. p. 96. Hitherto I have obtained no specimen of this bird, though I have constantly observed it in the spring and autumn. It lives on the ground, generally in damp situations and where the grass is long and thick enough to afford some slight cover. I have always observed it in jsarties of four or five individuals. Its flight is noiseless, and performed by jerky erratic movements ; when on the ground it always squats in- stead of standing. 68. Campephilus BoiiEi (Wagler) ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 98. Resident, and common to the north o£ Buenos Ayres and on the banks of the Parana to Baradero. 69. Ceryle AMERICANA (Liuu.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 160. Not uncommon about the creeks and streams at the mouth of the Parana. Common at Baradero in April. 70. GuiRA PiRiRiGUA (Vicill.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142. A few remain with us all the winter ; but the majority leave after the breeding-time. They have two broods in the season. Their usual note is a succession of harsh screams ; but they also have a rather musical note, which is uttered in two keys, and is something like the Curlew^s note at home. Their food consists of snails, slugs, bits of meat or offal — in fact, almost any thing. In some of their habits and manner of flight they resemble our common Magpie at home, never flying far with- out alighting, and generally keeping together in small parties. During cold and cloudy weather in winter they are rarely seen ; but a bright warm day seems to endue them with fresh life and activity. 186 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 71. CoccYzus MELANOCORYPHUS (VieiU.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 633. A spring and summer visitor. Most common about the riverain wood. I have not observed Coccyzus cinereus in this neighbourhood. 72. CoNURUs PATAGONUs (Vicill.) ; Sol. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 111. Hesident, and not uncommon wherever there is a tosca- cliiF of sufficient height for nesting-purposes. In the clefts of this it breeds. It feeds chiefly on buds and the seed of the sena-sena, a species of Acacia, very common here. 73. BoLBORHYNCHUs MONACHUs (Bodd.) ; Fiusch, Papag. ii. p. 115. Last winter I observed two of these birds about ninety miles to the south of Buenos Ayres, where they are well known and often seen. Specimens are sometimes seen near the city ; but are probably escaped birds^ as it is very commonly kept there in confinement. Unlike all other Parrots here, this bird builds in trees a large structure of sticks, instead of nesting in holes in steep cliffs. 74. Otus brachyotus (Forst.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 143. Resident and generally distributed. Usually seen about dusk, when it sallies out from amongst the thistles or coarse grass where it has been concealed during the day. 75. Pholeoptynx cunicularia (Mol.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. ,s. c. Resident and very common in the spring, retiring to the campo to breed, and, as the winter approaches, coming close to the towns and villages. When necessary it burrows a hole for itself, but makes use of Viscacha holes when possible. They are seen during the day and about dusk, and have a curious and pretty habit of rising almost perpendicularly from the stone or clod of earth on which they have been perching, and toying or playing with each other in the air. Their prin- ri})al food is mice. Common at Baradero in April. the Province of Buenos Ayr es. 187 7Q. Strix flammeAj Linn. iNTocturnalj and more often heard than seen. For nesting it takes possession of Pigeon-cots^ or resorts to holes in steep banks^ where it screeches at night like our White Owls at home. 77. Circus cinereus (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. I. s. a. Rarely seen so far north as the city^ but occasionally oc- curring here. Legs, feet, and iris orange. 78. AsTURiNA pucHERANi, Scl. ct Salv. Ex. Om. p. 177, et P. Z. S. 1869, p. 634. Resident and common. A sluggish lazy bird, fond of shady secluded places ; it may always be found in the riverain wood, appearing almost as motionless as the stump or bough on which it is perched. Its food consists of rats, mice, frogs, and sometimes grasshoppers. In the immature bird the iris is grey with a tinge of yellow ; cere, legs, and feet pale orange. In the adult the iris is pale orange ; cere, legs, and feet dark orange. The plumages of the immature and adult birds also differ exceedingly ; but their changes are now well known. 79. BuTEO ALBicAUDATUs, Vicill. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 634. Resident and not uncommon. It has a curious whistling note, which it constantly utters while on the wing. Iris light reddish brown. Cere flesh-colour. Beak pale slate, tip darker. Legs and feet pale orange. 80. Hypotriorchis femoralis (Temm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 143. Winter visitor, but not common — the only specimen I have obtained being an adult female, shot by a friend on the 16th of last July. The female is larger than the male ; and the colours of her plumage are not so clear and well defined. The stomach of this specimen contained the remians of a small bird. Cere pale lead-colour. Iris dark brown. Legs and feet very pale orange. 188 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 81. TiNNUNcuLus sPARVERius (Linti.) ; Scl. et Salv. l.s. c. Autumn and winter visitor, occurring in considerable num- bers. It has an exceedingly rapid and dashing flight. Its food consists of mice and small birds. Pretty common at Baradero in April. 82. Elanus LEUcuRus (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. P.Z. S. 1869, p. 160. Resident, but not common. This is one of our handsomest birds, being very conspicuous from its lofty aerial flight. It sometimes remains circling in the air for a long time together. I found a few at Baradero in April. Iris light reddish brown. Legs and cere pale orange. Beak black. 83. RosTRHAMUs sociABiLis (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Resident and not uncommon in marshes and swamps. On the wing its white tail-coverts are an unfailing mark for dis- tinguishing the species. Its food consists of water-moUusks ; and its strong hooked upper mandible is admirably adapted for extracting the soft portions from their shells ; from this habit it has gained the name of "Aguila de caracoles.'^ Iris crimson; beak dark lead-colour; legs orange. As it in- creases in age its beak becomes l)lack and its legs a darker orange. 84. POLYBORUS THARUS (Mol.) ; P. Z. S. 1869, p. 634. Resident and abundant. Feeds indiscriminately on lizards, dead flsh, and any carrion. Common at Baradero in April. 85. MiLVAGO CHiMANGO (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 143. Resident and more numerous than P. tharus. During the winter a partial migratory movement takes place in a north- erly direction. They nest both on the ground and in low trees or bushes, building a large structure of twigs and sticks, lined with wool and hair. Common at Baradero in April. 86. Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Licht.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 146. Resident and common both in the river and large lagunas in the campo. Seen at Baradero in April, the Province of Buenos Ayres. 189 87. Ardea cocoi, Linn. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 634. Resident and the commonest Heron here. Common at Baradero in April. 88. Ardea egretta, Gm.; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 135. Not so numerous as the next mentioned, and, like that bird, in dry seasons not seen for months together. Iris dark orange. Legs dark lead-colour. 89. Ardea candidissima, Gm. ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Resident; but its absence or presence is very much de- pendent on the amount of rain we have. Iris pale yellow ; legs dark lead-colour. 90. Ardetta involucris (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 635 ; Hudson, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 623. Probably resident, though I have only observed it in the spring. It frequents the thickest reed-beds, and is very shy. When flushed it has a frightened hurried flight, and always drops again before flying far. Iris pale orange, the centre rather lighter; legs light pea-green; beak yellowish green. The young are at first covered with quite black down. 91. Nycticorax obscurus, Bp. ; Scl. et Salv, Nomencl. p. 136. Resident, and more generally distributed than the last- named species. Feeds chiefly on flsh. Iris dull crimson ; upper mandible and tip of lower one black, remainder of lower mandible yellowish green ; legs light pea-green, undersides with a tinge of yellow. 92. CicoNiA MAGUARi, Gm.; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 126. Resident, and generally very common ; but during the dry season very few are seen. In December last I saw two birds of the year at Punta Lara barely able to fly ; these may have been bred there. Common at Baradero in April. 93. Falcinellus igneus (Gm). Ibis falcinellus, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 145. Resident, though more numerous in the winter than sum- mer, very common, and generally distributed. Eminently gregarious in its habits, and flying in a large body in a V- shaped form. My statement that they feed on carrion should 190 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of be modified, as I have since found freshwater moUusks in their stomachs. All I have shot have a strong, oflFensive smell. Iris light reddish brown. Common at Baradero in April in large flocks. 94. Theristicus melanopis (Gm.). Ibis albicollis, Burm. La Plata-Reise, ii. p. 510. A winter visitor, arriving in May and leaving in October. I have not observed it north of this city. Its long, curved beak suggests an affinity to the Curlew ; but I have never seen it except on comparatively dry ground, and its habits are quite different from theirs. It is usually found in small parties, whose harsh cries can be heard at a great distance. Its flight is easy and powerful, and generally performed at a considerable height in the air. It feeds on grubs and large worms. 95. Platalea ajaja, Linn. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 145. A winter visitor, going in flocks. Feeds on soft-bodied water- insects and grubs. Generally distributed. A few at Bara- dero in April. 96. Chauna chavaria (Linn.) ; Scl. et Salv. Nom. p. 128. Resident and very common. The breeding-habits of this species are curious. On the 24th June (our midwinter) I was shooting with a friend, who found a nest containing eggs ; and on the 28th the same thing happened again in a different place. On the latter occasion the bird was seen to leave the nest. One egg taken is exactly like some I obtained last October^. The nest is a massive structure of reeds, about two feet in diameter, and from one to two feet in thickness. The bottom of the nest is always in the water. Common at Ba- radero in April. 97. Bernicla poLiocEPHALA, Scl. ct Salv. P. Z. S. 1876, p. 366. Common in winter about fifty miles to the south of the [* We hope INIr. Dm-nford will forward to England some specimens of the egg of Chauna, as they might assist in explaining the enigma of its correct position in tlie natm'al series. — Edd.] the Province of Buenos Ay res. 191 city; and I observed it last year, when we had unusually severe weather, within thirty miles of Buenos Ayres ', it rarely, however, comes as far north as this. 98. Cygnus nigricollis (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 145. Winter visitor, but the time of its arrival and departure very uncertain, depending chiefly on the mildness or severity of the season. This has been a very mild winter, and com- paratively few Wildfowl have visited us. This time last year, 22nd July, the market was well supplied with Swans and Ducks ; but the gunners have had a bad time of it this year. Common at Baradero in April. 99. Cygnus coscoroba (MoL); Scl. et Salvin, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 371. Winter visitor, like the preceding ; and, like that bird, few have come this year. 100. QUERQUEDULA FLAVIROSTRIS (ViciU.) J Scl. Ct Salv. p. Z. S. 1868, p. 146. A few breed here; but the majority of those obtained in the winter are visitors from the south. This and the follow- ing species have very much the habits of our little Teal at home — when flushed, following the course of the stream and dropping suddenly. Iris wood-brown. 101. QuERQUEDULA CYANOPTERA (Vicill.) ; Scl. Ct Salv. p. Z. S. 1869, p. 160. Pretty common in the winter, a few breeding here. Fre- quents the same situations as the two last-named species, small pools and watercourses, but not generally found in the large lagunas. Common at Baradero in April. Iris scarlet, with a tinge of carmine ; legs and feet bright orange. 102. QuERQUEDULA VERSICOLOR (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 146. Very common, many breeding in the neighbourhood. Com- mon at Baradero in April. Flocks of this species do not mix with those of any other ; but their flight and habits are similar to those of Q. flavirostris . Iris wood-brown. 193 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 103. QUERQUEDULA BRASILIENSIS (Gm.) ; Scl. Ct Salv. p. Z. S. 1869, p. 635. Common to the north of Buenos Ayres ; but I have never met with it to the south of the city. A little higher up the river than Belgrano it is quite common, frequenting pools and open water in the thick reed-beds. The male has a more brilliant speculum of metallic green than any bird I know. Iris wood-brown ; legs bright vermilion. 104. Dafila spinicauda (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 146. The commonest of the larger species of Ducks, and in the winter found in very large flocks. Common at Baradero in April. Iris wood-brown. 105. Dafila bahamensis (Linn.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Not common ; and this year I have obtained no specimens. Generally found to the south of Buenos Ayres. 106. Mareca siBiLATRix (Pocpp.); Scl. et Scl. P.Z.S. 1876, p. 395. Mareca chiloensis, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 635. With the exception of Metopiana peposaca, this is the Duck most valued for the table. From its note it is generally called the "Whistler" amongst Englishmen, and by natives "Overo" (speckled), from its beautiful mottled plumage. The greater part that come here are winter visitors ; but a few breed amongst the reeds and coarse grass in some of the extensive marshes. Like Metopiana peposaca, it prefers large lagoons to the small pools and streams frequeuted by the smaller ducks, and is generally shy and flies very high. Common at Baradero in April. 107. Metopiana peposaca (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 146. Common in the winter. The strongest and highest flyer of all our Ducks. 108. Erismatura ferruginea, Eyton ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1876, p. 404. Resident, but scarce. From the shortness of its wings it is scarcely able to fly. the Province of Buenos Ayres. 193 109. CoLUMBA MACULOSA* (Temm.) ; Scl, et Salv. Nomencl. p. 132. Common to the north of Buenos Ayres ; but I have not observed it to the south of the city. Towards dusk large flocks winj^ their way to the marshes (I suppose^ to drink) from the high ground. Immature birds want the fine grey and black transverse markings on the sides of the neck above the breast which are found in the adult. Common at Ba- radero in April. Legs redj between scarlet and carmine. 110. Zenaida maculata (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 143. Very common, in the winter congregating in enormous flocks. Its chief food is the seed of the cardoon, which here covers the face of the country ; and in June last year I took more than 700 seeds from the crop of a single bird. Com- mon at Baradero in April. Legs and feet dull scarlet, in- clining to carmine. 111. CoLUMBULA picui (Tcmm.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Very common, and found in gardens quite within the city. Partially gregarious in winter. 112. Leptoptila chalchauchenia, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 633. Seen occasionally in the riverain wood, but not a common bird. Legs scarlet, with a tinge of crimson. 113. Rallus nigricans (Vieill.); Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 139. Pretty common in reed -beds, coming out to feed in the morning and about dusk. On the 13th October last I found a nest in a clump of thick reeds frequented by Limnornis cur- virostris and Synallaxis sulphurifera, in the riverain wood close to Belgrano. From the peculiar character of the nest I was careful to identify the owner, and, after having flushed the old bird once, retired some little distance to give it time to return. This it readily did ; and on cautiously approaching and * [ C. picazuro may be the species referred to here, being the Pigeon of this group usually sent from Buenos Ayres. C. maculosa occurs near Mendoza, and further south in Patagonia. — Edd.] 194 Mr. H. Dumford on the Birds of parting the rushes I was enabled to get a second view of it sitting in the nest, which, however, it left immediately on seeing me. The nest was placed about three feet from the ground, bound to and supported by the reeds which grew close around it. It was oval in shape, and entirely composed of little bits of dead reed cleverly woven together, and forming a struc- ture ten inches in height by seven, outside measurements. The aperture was in the side, and a little over three inches in diameter. How the old bird could so readily enter and leave this hole I do not know. It sat with its head partly pro- jecting. The eggs were two in number, of a dirty white colour, measuring 1*4 inch by 1 ; and as they were con- siderably incubated, I conclude two is the full complement. The food of this species consists of mollusks, larvse ; and once I found the remains of a small fish in the gizzard. Iris dull crimson ; beak pea-green, with a coral-red spot on the side, the base of lower mandible, and the base of upper mandible when the bird is first killed, having a tinge of pale blue ; legs and feet pinkish coral. 114. Aramides ypecaha (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 144. Common in reed-beds, coming out about dusk and in the early morning to feed. Common at Baradero in April. 115. PoRZANA spiLOPTERA, sp. uov. (Plate III.) Zapornia spiloptera, Burm. MS. I have frequently flushed a small Crake from the "Paja" and rough scrub near the river at Belgrano, but never been able to obtain a specimen. On the 25th August 1876, how- ever, a gardener gave me a bird which his dog had caught in a garden at Belgrano, and which, I think, though I cannot be certain, is of the same species as the small Crakes I have seen before. As far as I can learn, the only other specimen of the bird known is in the Museum of Buenos Ayres, and will be described by Professor Burmeister under the name of Zapornia spiloptera, in his new work on the fauna of this country. This specimen, like mine, was taken in a garden almost in the city of Buenos Ayres. ibi5.]877. PlIII, ..^■ 5t* J . G.Keulemaiis liLk M kl\ HanlLarb : PORZANA SPILOPTERA the Province of Buenos Ay res. 195 P. spiloptera is nearly allied to P. spilonota (found by Dar- win in the Galapagos archipelago^ and figured and described in the ^Voyage of the Beagle ') . It differs^ however, from the Galapagos bird in having irregular white stripes, and not merely white spots, on the wings ; and the white markings on the flanks and stomach are larger and clearer than in Mr. Darwin^s bird. The back also of P. spilonota is ferruginous brown, but that of the Buenos- Ayres bird olive-brown with black markings. (^ . Total length 5*5, beak '5, tarsus '7. Head above olivaceous brown and black, forehead very dark slate, nearly black. Sides of head, throat, chest, and stomach dark slaty grey. Neck above and back olivaceous, centre of each feather broadly marked with black. Flanks very dark grey, with transverse bars of white. Primaries dull brown. Secondaries the same, but with a small white wedge-shaped mark in the centre of some of the feathers near their tips. Greater wing-coverts dark olivaceous, distinctly but irregu- larly striated with white. Tail dark brown, edges of feathers lighter. Under tail-coverts black and white in transverse bars. Beak very dark horn, nearly black. Legs and feet of a browner colour, and rather lighter. Iris crimson, in- clining to scarlet. The bird had been kept alive for a day or two; and its stomach was quite empty when I received it. 116. PoRPHYRiops MELANOPs (Vicill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 634. Not uncommon, but, from its skulking habits, rarely seen. Legs and feet pale olivaceous. 117. FuLicA LEucoPTERA, ViciU. j Scl. ct Salv. Ex. Orn. pi. 60, p. 119. Common in almost every 'arroyo^ and lagoon in the country, where reeds and aquatic plants afford any cover. 118. FuLicA ARMiLLATA, Vicill.; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 145. I have only observed this Coot to the north of Buenos Ayres ; but there it is quite common. It does not seem to mix with the last-named species. 196 Mr. H. Dumford on the Birds of 119. Aramus scolopaceus (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 161. Resident and common in marshes amongst reeds. It has a heavy laborious flight, performed by slow beats of the wings, which it sometimes raises so high as nearly to meet over its back. It has a loud harsh note, very like the crying of a child. On the 30th July I found a nest containing six eggs. It was a large structure of reeds, nearly three feet in diameter and ten or twelve inches deep, and was placed amongst reeds about a foot above the water ; it was lined with smaller reeds, a slight depression in the centre receiving the eggs. I saw the old bird standing on the edge of the nest. The eggs have a stone-coloured ground-colour, slightly polished and thickly streaked and speckled with light and dark rufous brown, the markings being chiefly on the larger end, but varying much in intensity in diff'erent examples ; they measure 2'5 x 1"8. 120. Parra jacana (Linn.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 145. I believe, very generally distributed, though I have only observed it twice. It is graceful in its movements on the ground ; its extremely long feet and claws enable it to walk without difficulty on floating aquatic plants, where it is gene- rally found feeding on small insects, which it takes from the surface. It is a slow and awkward flier, its long legs, which it trails behind it, being a considerable hindrance. Its food consists of minute mollusks and aquatic insects. Iris wood- brown ; beak orange ; legs olivaceous. 121. Vanellus cayennensis (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 162. The ubiquitous " Tero-tero " is perhaps the best-known bird in the country, being extremely common and generally dis- tributed. In the winter it usually goes in flocks, and at that season approaches close to towns. It probably has two, and sometimes three, broods in the season. During the time of courtship the male bird performs many strange antics to at- tract the female, strutting around her with tail depressed and expanded and holding his head as high as possible, the female the Province of Buenos Ayres. 197 in the mean time appearing perfectly indifferent. Sometimes two or three males are seen before a single female, and never separate without a fight. I have never seen them use their wing-spurs in their encounters, though they strike at each other with their beaks, and sometimes continue fighting in the air. To the sportsman this bird is a constant nuisance, invariably uttering its cries at a critical moment when he is creeping up to Ducks or game. Common at Baradero in April. 122. Charadrius virginicus, Borkh. ; ScL et Salv. No- mencl. p. 142. Pretty common in February and March ; but I have not observed them at any other season. About a dozen, shot on the 5th of the latter month, were in full moult. They are fond of high and pretty dry ground ; but yet I do not think they wander far from water. Iris wood- brown ; beak, legs, and feet black. I think I observed Oreophilus ruficollis here on the 21st April of this year ; but I could not satisfactorily identify it. 123. EuDROMiAS MODESTA (Licht.) ; ScL et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 144. Autumn and winter visitor; found in large flocks. 124. Thinocorus rumicivorus, Eschsch. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 143. A winter visitor, sometimes found in large flocks. In their habits they resemble the Rails and Sandpipers. Like the former they sometimes squat closely to the ground till almost trodden upon, and when put up run some distance before taking wing. They frequent very arid dry places, and also damp marshy ground. In the air their long, pointed wings, and rapid erratic flight, added to their low whistling- note, always suggests an affinity to the Tringse. In size and weight I have found these birds to differ exceedingly ; and this is not dependent on sex. The black lines which extend from the corners of the lower mandible, enclosing the white of the throat, and join the black band across the lower part of the chest, are more clearly defined in the male than in the female ; and the latter has the throat dusky white. The young 8ER. IV. VOL, I. p 198 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of resemble the females. Iris wood-brown ; feet and legs vary from dull yellowish green to orange. Their food consists of fibrous vegetable matter and seeds. A few seen at Baradero in April. 125. HiMANTOPus BRASiLiENsis, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1873, p. 454. Himantopus nigricollis, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 18G8, p. 144. Occasionally resident, the greater part leaving us in the spring and summer. Common in every marsh and on the banks of every " arroyo " in the country. Their movements on the ground are very graceful and elegant, and they walk or run with equal ease. They generally go in small parties, and when disturbed will often circle for a long time high above one's head, uttering angry screams at the intruder. Iris car- mine ; legs between scarlet and bright pink ; beak nearly black. Common at Baradero in April. 126. Phalaropus wilsoni, Sabine; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 144. The only specimens I have were shot by a friend a little to the west of Buenos Ayres in February. 127. Gallinago paraguai^ (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 144. The greater part of these birds are migratory, arriving in April and leaving in August ; but though I have not yet found any nests, I feel sure some few breed in this neighbourhood. During the winter they are sometimes extremely numerous, affording excellent sport : but their movements are very un- certain ; for where there may be hundreds one day, the next there are scarcely any to be seen. At this season they go in small parties, or in flocks numbering three or four hundred birds. During the spring they go through the same aerial movements as the common Snipe at home, rising to a great height by a circling motion* and '^ drumming" whilst descend- ing in a diagonal line. How is this curious habit to be ac- counted for in the South- American and European forms, ex- cept by the theory of inheritance from a common progenitor ? the Province of Btietws Ayres. 199 128. Rhynch^a semicollaris (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Resident and found in small parties during the winter. Its habits much resemble those of the little Jack Snipe at homCj being very reluctant to take wing^ and, having done so, dropping again before long. 129. Gambetta melanoleuca (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. I. s. c. I think a few breed here ; but this is a bird most commonly seen in winter. Its note is very like that of the Greenshank at home. Legs red with a tinge of orange. Common at Baradero in April. 130. Gambetta flavipes (Gm.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Resident, but in the winter receiving a considerable ac- cession to its numbers. Its habits are very similar to those of Gambetta melanoleuca ; and it is found in much the same situations as that bird — banks of streams and ditches, small lagoons and pools. Legs pale orange-yellow. Common at Baradero in April. 131. A.CTITURUS bartramius (Wilson) ; Scl. et Salv. No- mencl. p. 146. '' Batitu/'' " Chorlito." Very common from December to the beginning of April. During this season large quantities are shot for the markets ; and when they have been here long enough to get fat on locusts and grasshoppers, which form their principal food, they are excellent eating. The flocks are constantly arriving and departing ; and from the fact of my frequently hearing them at night passing over the place, when they whistle and call to each other, I do not think the same birds remain more than three or four weeks with us. They frequent high dry ground, preferring that covered with thistles and coarse grass, but carefully avoid low damp places. Whilst at Baradero, from the 15th to the 17th April, I learnt, from inquiries made there, that the Batitu had only left two or three days before my visit. As I could hear of none having been seen near Buenos Ayres after the 3rd April, I conclude the migratory movement takes place in a west-north-westerly direction from here. p 2 200 Mr. H. Durnford on the Birds of 13.2. Tryngites RUfEscENs (Vieill.) ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 146. I have never met with this bird myself; but a friend shot some on the 20th February a little to the west of Buenos Ayres. The stomachs of two I opened contained small seeds. Iris wood-brown ; legs and feet dull orange ; beak and claws black. 133. LiMOSA HUDSONicA (Lath.) ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 146. Common from April to September about lagoons and " ar- royos " to the south of Buenos Ayres. It is sometimes here called " Woodcock/^ In habits it much resembles the Bar- tailed Godwit at home. 134. Rrynchops nigra, Linn. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 634. I have not myself observed this species ; but my collection contains two specimens, shot respectively in January and No- vember, both near Buenos Ayres. They vary much in size. 135. Phaethusa magnirostris (Liclit.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 567. Occasionally seen near Belgrano, appearing to be a fresh- water Tern ; but of its habits I know very little. I found it common at Baradero in April in small parties ; and I watched one flock for some time, the individuals of which kept circling over a millpond, which evidently held a good supply of small fishj for they constantly kept darting into the water. This species has a note quite unlike that of any other Tern I know ; it is very like the cry of the '^ Tero-tero ■" ( Vanellus cayen- nensis); and for this bird I have often mistaken it. Beak pale orange ; legs and feet pale slate-colour. 136. Sterna trudeauii, And. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 570. In March of last year, during quarantine on Flores Island, at the mouth of the La Plata, I constantly saw a few of these birds about ; and later I saw several near Montevideo. Since then I have occasionally seen a few in this neighbourhood at the Province of Buenos Ayres. 201 every season except the spring. I shot one on the 17th Oc- tober last near Punta Lara, which was flying steadily in a north-westerly direction in company with another. Total length 13"5, beak 1*4, tarsus -5. Iris wood-brown; base and tip of beak dull yellow, remainder black ; legs and feet dark red, between scarlet and carmine ; head white, with a long- black streak in front of and behind the eye ; remainder of the plumage pearl-grey. On the 5th August I observed two Black-headed Terns fishing in some lagoons to the north of Buenos Ayres. They appeared to me to be Sterna cassini ; but I am not aware that that bird comes so far north as this*. 137. Sterna superciliaris, Vieill. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 571. Frequents shallow inland lagoons and small streams, and is also found in the river. Its habits resemble those of Sterna minuta at home. I observed specimens in May 1875 at Montevideo, and in April of the present year at Baradero. Iris wood-brown ; beak and legs pale orange. 138. Larus dominicanus, Licht. ; Scl. et Salv. I. s. c. p. 576. Pretty common and generally distributed ; but I have not seen it in the neighbourhood in the spring or summer. In the winter it wanders far inland. 139. Larus cirrhocephalus, Vieill. ; Scl. et Salv. /. s, c. p. 578. I have not observed this bird to the south of Buenos Ayres, but have constantly seen it from March to July to the north of the city. Unlike Larus maculipennis , it never wanders inland, but frequents the shallow shores of the La Plata, feeding on dead fish or ofl:al, and flocking round the fishermen when they are hauling their nets to get a share of the spoil. As a rule, this species does not mix with Larus maculipennis, though now and then they are seen together ; but all the flocks or parties I have observed when flying from one spot to * [In our paper on Neotropical Laridse we have shown that this species is found as far north as Santa Catherina, Brazil (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 570). — Edd.] 202 Mr. H. Duniford on the Birds of another have always been composed of birds of its own kind. Adults^ after once attaining their pearl-grey hood, never lose it, though in winter it becomes rather lighter, and those with white heads are immature birds, which do not attain their full plumage till after their second moult. I have seen many birds throughout May and June of the present year with well-defined dark grey hoods. Some specimens, when first killed, have a delicate faint pink tinge on their under- parts, also observed in L. maculipennis, which, however, quickly fades after death. The colour of the iris varies a good deal in different examples, being pale grey, grey with a tinge of yellow, and grey with a tinge of light wood-brown. This is probably attributable to age. The narrow rim of naked skin round the eye is dark coral-red ; legs and feet the same, but of a duller shade ; beak rather darker than the legs. 140. Larus MACULIPENNIS, Licht. ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 148. Common in the neighbourhood, except in the spring. After their second moult they attain adult plumage ; previously to that they very much resemble the young Larus ridibundus. Their times for moulting and changes of plumage are very curious. I have observed and shot adult birds in April, May, and June in what is usually considered winter plumage, viz. with a white head and black spot behind the eye, and from June to October with perfect black hoods. It is impossible to establish any thing like a hard and fast line on this subject ; for I have seen adult birds in the same flock, some with white and others with smoke-broAvn heads. Their moults probably take place in January and February and June and July ; but this doubtless depends a good deal on the age of the bird. This Gull was common about Baradero in April ; and one fine warm evening, whilst steaming down the "riacho,"' I saw a curious sight : a considerable flock of Black-headed Gulls were hawking over some low marshy ground with Swallow-like flight, apparently in pursuit of some sort of moth ; for they kept about a foot above the ground, never wandering far from each other. the Province of Buenos Ayres. 203 141. tEchmophorus major (Bocld.) -, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 151. Common^ except during spring and summer. They are found both singly and in small parties. During a severe fog which we had in June last many were killed quite close to the city. I observed this Grebe near Montevideo in May, and at Baradero in April. 142. Tachybaptes dominicus (Linn.) ; Scl. et Salv. /. s. c. Uesident and common in lagoons and "■ arroyos.^^ The female is not quite so brightly coloured as the male, and the elongated feathers on the head are shorter than in that sex. In rapidity of diving it rivals the little Dabchick at home. A few at Baradero in April. 143. Rhynchotus rufescens (Temm.) ; Scl. et Salv. No- mencl. p. 153. Was formerly common here ; but now it is necessary to go a hundred miles from Buenos Ayres to meet with them. 144. NoTHURA MACULOSA (Tcmm.) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 143. Resident and abundant wherever the rough paja-grass or thistles afford any cover. It also frequents fields of maize or other cereals in considerable numbers. On a Sunday or holi- day it is a curious sight to watch the " sportsmen " of various nationalities flocking to the different railway-stations to have a day^s '' perdiz " shooting. The dogs impressed into their service on these occasions are, like their masters, of various breeds, from a bull-terrier to a pointer, it being considered of primary importance to be accompanied by some specimen of the canine race. XVII. — 0)1 a new Form of Reed-bird fro7n Eastern Asia. By R. SwiNHOE, F.R.S. &c. (Plate IV.) In 1863 Mr. Blakiston, who was then in England, gave me a skin of a bird which he had shot in Canton. The speci- men, unfortunately, had no tail ; but I took it and carefully 204 Mr. R. Swinhoc un a new Form of compared it witli skins in the East-India Company^s Mu- seum, and came to tlie conclusion that it represented a second species of Hodj^son's genus Tribura, of wliich the type is Tribura luteiventris of Nepal. I consequently described it in the ' Proceedings •* of the Zoological Society of that year as Tribura squamiceps. On the 8th of May^ 1866, I received among a lot of birdskins from Takore, Formosa^ a second specimen of this species, whicb my hunters had procured in the mountains in tlie interior of that district shortly after my departure for Amoy. This skin was suflSciently perfect to show that the bird had a short graduated tail^, and not a long tail^ as Tribura. I never met with this species in China myself; but as I was leaving Chefoo on the last occasion, I received from Mr. Blakiston my third specimen, which he had procured at Ha- kodadi, Northern Japan, in May 1873. This specimen had nearly a complete tail (see Ibis, 1874, p. 155). M. Taczanowski, of Warsaw, under date 9th November, 1875, transmitted to me a fourth specimen of the same bird from the Ussuri district. This is a male, shot on the 25th of September. I have the species therefore from Canton, Formosa, Hakodadi, and now from Manchuria, which, I think, proves pretty well that it is a regular migrant, coming north in summer to breed. Mr. W. E. Brooks, who is now at home, writes to me from near Newcastle saying that he believes that he has an example of this same species, wliich was procured in Tenasserim. Mr. Brooks encloses me a good drawing of his specimen, which confirms his identification. Mr. Brooks urges me to have a figure of this bird pub- lished, and to assign to it the characters of a new genus, as he considers that it does not belong to Tribura, Pnoepyga, Horornis, or any other known genus, though it has certain characters in common with them. I think, therefore, that it would be as Avell to projiose for it the generic name Uro- sphena, from its wedge-shaped tail, and to characterize it as follows : — ^ CENTRAL PARi^ ^' PARK. "v^. ^lEV/ YORK. 7-ORAL H\S^^ Ibis. 1877 PI. IV. fpjif i.m JSmit del ellilli M&,N Hanliart imp UROSPHENA SQUAMICEPS. Reed-bird from Eastern Asia. 205 Bill at base exceedingly slender and much depressed. Wing of unusual power for such a little bird. Tail almost as in Pnoepyga, but somewhat more rounded. Style of coloration scaly, as in Pnoepyga. Legs and feet large, strong, and coloured as in Horornis. Lower tail-coverts very long. Mr. Brooks says, " I do not know of any genus in which this little bird can be placed : the scaly plumage separates it from Horornis, Neoi'nis, and Tribura. This, with its queer short tail, brings it near Pnoepyga ; but the bill is as slender as in Troglodytes, or more so, and the wing is quite unlike that of Pnoepyga. I wonder whether ten tail-feathers is the correct number ; that is the number in my specimen, which appears to be perfect.^' The synonymy of this bird will stand as follows : — Urosphena squamiceps. (Plate IV.) Tribura squamiceps, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 292 ; Ibis, 1866, p. 397, et 1874, p. 155. Hab. Canton (Blakiston) ; Formosa {Swinhoe) ; Hakodadi, Japan [Blakiston) ; Ussuri district, Manchuria [Taczanowski) -, Tenasserim [Davison) . The figure (PI. IV.) is taken from the specimen from For- mosa : a view of the lower surface of the tail-feathers is given below the main figure. [Since this paper was received I have been able, by Mr. Brooks^s kindness, to compare the Tenasserim specimen of this bird with Mr. Swinhoe^s type. I find them obviously identical, the former only showing more clearly the extreme slenderness of the bill. The Tenasserim skin belongs to Mr. Hume, and was obtained at Bankasoon, in the Malewoon dis- trict, in March 1875, by Mr. W. Davison. It is marked ? . The legs, feet, claws, and gape, with two thirds of lower mandible from gape, are noted as " fleshy white ; upper man- dible and rest of lower mandible horny brown ; irides dark brown.^'— P, L. S.] 206 Mr. W. E. Brooks on some XVIII, — A feiv Observations on some Species 0/ Anthus and Budytes. By W. Edwin Brooks. Anthus blakistoxi^ Swinhoe = ^. neglectus, Brooks. This Pipit was first described by Mr. Swinhoe (P. Z. S, 1863, p. 90) . The description is correct as far as colour of plumage is concerned ; but the bird^s legs and feet are conspicuously lighter in colour than those of Anthus s^nnoletta. My term of "brown '^ is better than Mr. Swinhoe^s of " blackish brown." The legs and feet of Mr. SAvinhoe's examples^ however, may have dried rather dark. I noted the colour from the fresh birds. The total length given by Mr. Swinhoe is clearly wrong ; so also with regard to length of wing. I have shot about forty examples ; and the greatest total length observed was 6'3, the longest wing 3*4, longest tail 2*65. In the ' Proceedings ' of the Zoological Society for 1871, p. 365, Mr. Swinhoe referred his A. blakistoni to A. spino- letta ; and Mr. Dresser, in his ' Birds of Europe,^ repeated the identification. This I accepted as correct; and knowing that my Anthus neglectus was as distinct from A. spinoletta as one Pipit could well be from another, I described the former as new in 'The Ibis^ for October 1876, p. 501. The fall of Anthus seehohmi led me to think further about my Pipit; and a few days ago I saw Mr. Swinhoe, who kindly showed me his specimen of Anthus blakistoni. This I found, beyond all doubt, to be identical in size and colour with my A. neglectus, which name must therefore sink to the rank of a synonym. I was able to show Mr. Swinhoe a good series of my bird, sufficient to convince him that Anthus blakistoni is a smaller Water-Pij)it than Anthus spinoletta, and differently marked on both the back and the breast. A third good species of Water- Pipit is Anthus japonicus, T. & S. This is a large bird like A. spinoletta, the back greyish and indistinctly marked ; but its breast is much tinged with reddish buff, and the spots are large and beautifully dis- tinct. Anthus spinoletta and A. blakistoni lose their breast- spots in full breeding-plumage ; certainly the male does ; but Species o/Authus and Budytes. 207 A.japonicus, judging from the examples I have seen^ appears to retain them. The breast of immature A.japonicus is still more boldly spotted than in the mature bird, and in this respect rivals the well-marked Anthus maculatus, Hodgs. ; the breast, however, possesses none of the warm tint of the adult, but is of a pale ochraceous-white ground-colour. These remarks apply to the one immature bird I saw in Mr. Swinhoe's col- lection ; others may vary. The voice oi Anthus blakistoni is very like that oi A. pra- tensis. In India the bird is only to be found in marshy loca- lities in the north-west, and not at all in Bengal, so far as I know. Of its song I know nothing, as it leaves India in March, while the birds are still in small flights. Budytes taivanus, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1870, p. 346, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 364 Unlike Anthus blakistoni, this good species has not been sup- pressed. It is a most remarkable Budytes ; and its long strong bill alone renders it distinguishable from every other species. It is a much darker-toned bird above than any of the other four green-backed Budytes; and the head in breeding-plumage is of a rich dark olive ; the broad supercilium is of a very deep yellow, and the cheeks are uniform blackish olive-brown; lower surface deep yellow, not so brilliant as in B. flavus and the other three allies, and much washed with dusky on the sides and flanks. The tail is fully a quarter of an inch shorter than in B. rayi, the outer feathers nearly all white, and the penultimate diagonally marked with white, having the greater portion of the inner web brown. There is no white on any other tail-feather of the six examples examined. The bills at front measure respectively "5, "5, '5, '48, "5, •47. To the dis- tinguishing points Avhich Mr. Swinhoe has indicated, the long strong bill should be added. With such good distinguishing marks, why should the green-backed Budytce be singled out for confusion ? If such nearly allied birds are to be lumped together, there is an end of ornithology as a science, and its greatest charm is gone. These allied species are difficult ; but the difficulty should not 208 On some Species of Anthus and Eudytes. be met by employing a fashionable theory which is baseless in face of existing facts_, many of them only to be observed by the study of these birds in life. Now. some forms of B. flavus are rather hard to separate (as sldns only) from aberrant forms of B. viriclis {cinereocapUlus) ; bnt tiiere are mature females of the latter never to be matched by any mature female of B. flavus. This the confounders of the two species do not know, or they would never dream of identity. Each species is subject to considerable variation ; and very large series of each, together with a knowledge of the birds in life, are indispensable to a correct comprehension of them. For instance, a mature female oiB. melanocephalus may have either a brownish-grey head or a black one, nearly as black as that of the male ; and the colour of the lower surface is similarly variable, from white tinged with yellow to a moderately pure yellow, save the throat and breast, which are always pale in the female. The female B. viriclis will carry the rather strong yellow right to the base of the bill ; and this female possesses a brilliancy of lower surface not possessed by any other female of the green-backed Budyta with which I am acquainted. The yellow abdomen of the female B. flavus changes to a sort of rufous tone on the breast; and this, with the broad brownish white supercilium, distinguish the species. Of the very dis- tinct female B. rayi I need not say a word ; but I have said enough to show that the study of the mature females confirms the entire distinctness of the several species. The same great variation as regards the female is obser- vable in Bitdytes calcaratus, Hodgs. ; and here let me ob- serve that B. citreoloides, Hodgs., is identical wath B. citreolus, Pallas. It is a question whether the paler females are young birds or not. The difference may be one of mere complexion, as in the Peregrines ; but I have shot light-toned examples of B. calcaratus that would have laid their eggs certainly within the week. This was in Cashmere ; and I searched long for the nests, but unsuccessfully. I spent much time in ascertaining the mature female plu- mages of the five species of Budytes of India ; and the investiga- Notes on Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 209 tion strongly confirmed their entire distinctness. With regard to the mature males^ one fact requires notice. The mature B. flavus of Western Europe seldom, perhaps never, has such pale grey and white cheeks as the Indian examples have. The west- ern birds are nearer to some forms of B. viridis ; but the cheeks are not so dark as in that bird, and are streaked with white. The supercilium, too, of B. flavus, in the fresh bird, is broader and more distinct than in any form of B. viridis, which is oftener without than with a supercilium. In India the two species are much more distinct, and separation is always easy. In skinning these birds the supercilium very often suffers, as well as the generally good condition of the head ; this ren- ders identification difficult when the head is the only guide. I have been much struck by the careful details given by Mr. Blanford in his work on the Zoology of Persia, He gives : — 1. locality, 2. date, 3. elevation at which procured (this is im- portant in a mountainous country), 4. sex, 5. total length, 6. colour of bill, legs, and feet. All this information is valu- able ; and if the collector be in ever so great a hurry, the one point of date, even to the day of the month if possible, should never be omitted. By this we can often tell whether the ex- ample is mature, and where the species breeds, to a certainty. Mr. Blanford knew all this ; and hence the completeness of his details. I make these remarks in order to remind collectors of what will greatly add to the value of their specimens. These points are well known to most readers of ' The Ibis ;' but some, in collecting, forget them. To register all these par- ticulars may not be convenient, for want of time ; but the month of the year should at all events not be forgotten. XIX. — Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Museum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. GURNEY. [Continued from ser. 3, vol. vi. p. 493.] Under the subfamily " Aquilinse " Mr. Sharpe includes nu- merous groups, several of which differ so widely from each 210 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on other that I greatly doubt its being desirable or^ indeed, permissible to refer them all to the same subfamily. In dealing with these groups I shall endeavour to allude to them in what appears to me to be the most natural order of ar- rangement, which, in the main, will be the same as that adopted by Mr. Sharpe. The genus Gypa'etus, with which Mr. Sharpe commences his series of Aquilinse, forms so remarkable and peculiar a link between the Vultures of the Old World and the typical Eagles, that I am strongly of opinion that it ought to be con- sidered as forming of itself a distinct subfamily, and that it should not be included in that of the Aquilinse, amongst which it is comprised in Mr. Sharpe's volume. The account there given of the two species of Gypaetus does not appear to require any comment, except to remark that in the sum- mary of the localities inhabited by G. barbatus, " Northern Africa " ought to be substituted for " N.E. Africa," as the mountains of Algeria are the main African stronghold of the northern Lsemmergey er *. Mr. Sharpe very appositely arranges the genus Uroaetus consecutively to that of Gypaetus ; for of all the true Eagles, none so closely approaches the Lsemmergeyer as the Wedge- tailed Eagle of Australia. From Uroaetus he proceeds, and in this case also by a very natural sequence, to consider the most typical of all the Eagles, those which form the genus Aquila. In treating of this genus Mr. Sharpe commences with A. verreauxi, a species remarkable not only for its very peculiar coloration, but also for its restricted geographical range ; Mr. Sharpe defines this as "South Africa and North-east Africa;'"' but, speaking more precisely, it may be said to be limited to the mountainous districts of Abyssinia, and to similar loca- lities lying to the south of the Orange River ; and, so far as I am aware, it has never been observed in any of the interve- ning countries, or in any other part of the African continent. Next in order to Aquila verreauxi, Mr. Sharpe arranges A. chrysaetus, including under that name all those slightly vary- * I take this opportunity of calling attention to an interesting article on this species in Lieut.-Ool. Prjevalsky's notes on the birds of Mongolia, recently published in Rowley's 'Ornithological Miscellany,' pt. G, p. 137. Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue 0/ Accipitres. 211 ing phases of coloration which are incident to the Golden Eagle, and which perhaps are, in some cases, indicative (though this is by no means certain) of distinguishable geo- graphical races. I am disposed to think that this is the wisest course, as the data which we at present possess in regard to these races do not seem sufficient to justify us in erecting them into separate subspecies. Golden Eagles vary considerably, not only in tone of colour, but also in size ; and Mr. Sharpe, in a footnote to p. 237 of his work, refers especially to the large size of North- American and of Himalayan specimens; but my own impression is, that these variations in size are almost as often indicative of individual as of geographical peculiarities ; and the following measurements of the wing from the carpal-joint, and of the tarsus, in examples from various localities, tend, I think, somewhat to confirm this view : — Ascertained or Presumed Males. Wing. Tarsus. Largest of five North-American, measured by Mr. Eidgway* 24-5 3-8 Smallest of ditto 23-0 3-65 From Texas, in the Norwich Museum .... 22 '3 3"5 From Scotland, measured by Macgillivrayt 24*0 4*0 From south of France, in Norwich Mu- seum t 24-6 3-7 From Spain, in the Norwich Museum .... 24-7 3-8 From Spain, in the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jun 24-1 3-5 From Algeria, in Norwich Museum 22-6 S-Q Ascertained or Presumed Females. Largest of seven North -American, measured by Mr. Ridgway* 27-0 4-2 Smallest of ditto 25-0 4-15 From North America, measured by Mr. Sharpe§ 26-25 4-1 * Vide ' North- American Land-Birds,' by Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, vol. iii. p. 315. t Vide Maegillivray's ' British Birds,' vol. iii. p. 207. X A specimen of the so-called Aquila barthelemyi. § Vide Sharpe's Catalogue, p. 237, footnote. Wing. Tarsus, 25-4 3-8 26-5 4-5 27-0 40 26-0 310 212 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on From Labrador, iu Norwich Museum .... From Scotland, measured by Macgillivray * From Scotland, in the Norwich Museum. . From Lapland, iu the Norwich Museum . . From south of France, measured by Mr. Humet 27-63 4-38 From Algeria, in the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jun 2.5-2 4-0 From Greece, in Norwich Museum 25-6 3-9 From the Himalayas, in the Norwich Mu- seum ^ 27-8 4-0 From Hazara district of the Punjab, pre- sented by Captain Unwin to the British Museum, and measured by Mi-. Sharpe . . 27-9 4-0 Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, in their work on the land-birds of North America, from which I have quoted some of the measurements just given, state that the American Golden Eagle, as compared with that of the Old World, " is darker in all its shades of colour, the difference being most marked in the young plumage, which, in var. chrysa'etus, has the tarsal-feathers nearly white, and in var. canadensis light brown, the brown of other portions being also considerably darker;" Mr. Sharpe, on the contrary, remarks "^I cannot separate A. canadensis, the old birds of which appear to be undistinguishable ; the young ones from America wear a pe- culiarly light plumage on the head and neck.''^ To me it appears that the only difference between the Golden Eagles of the Old and New Worlds which at all ap- proximates to a constant distinction, is that in the colour of the tarsi in young birds ; and even this does not seem to be regulated by an invariable rule. The immature male from Texas in the Norwich Museum, of which I have given the measurements above, and the locality for which rests on the testimony of the late Jules Verreaux, has the tarsi and the * Vide Macgillivray's 'British Birds,' vol. iii. p. 207. t Vide Hume's 'Rough Notes,' p. 14L Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue of Accipitres. 213 inside of the thighs white ^, whilst, on the other hand, I have examined five Old- World specimens which are characterized by the white base of the tail, indicative of immaturity, but which all have brown tarsi. As, however, they are none of them nestling- birds, it is of course possible (though I hardly think it probable) that the tarsi in these specimens may have been originally white, as they undoubtedly are in the great majoi^ity of young European examples, and may have become brown previously to the white band having ceased to exist on the base of the tail. The specimens to which I here refer are : — one from Lapland and one from the Himalayas, both of which are in the Norwich Museum ; and three in the British Mu- seum, one of which is merely recorded as from India, a second from Nepal, and the third from the Hazara district of the Punjab, the last-named specimen having been brought up from the nest by Captain W. H. Unwin, who has carefully recorded its progress towards maturity in the P. Z. S. for 1874, p. 210. Captain Unwin speaks of this bird as having originally had white down on the tarsi, but apparently not white feathers ; this specimen was taken from the nest on the 13th of May, 1871, and died in the autumn of the following year : the exact date of its death is not given by Captain Unwin ; but I gather from his account that it was then about sixteen months old. On the 1st of August, 1871, Captain Unwin made the following note respecting this nestling : — " Has grown a great deal during the past month, and has everywhere assumed the dark brown plumage shown in his mother, except on the inner and lower part of the thighs and tarsi, where a good deal of white down remains uncovered ; the head has assumed its full covering of lanceolate golden chestnut feathers, and the same colour is apparent on the shoulders and in front of the thigh-coverts ; it is everywhere of a darker and richer shade than its mother, owing probably * Since the above was written Mr. Salvin lias been so good as to send me the following memorandum respecting an immature Golden Eagle from North America in the Cambridge Museum : — " It has the tarsi and basal half of the tail of a dirty creamy white colour, the former being much paler than in the adult bird." SER. IV. VOL. I. Q 214 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on to its not having been exposed to tlie weather." This Eagle and its mother are now preserved in the British Museum, and are certainly the most richly coloured Golden Eagles that I have ever seen from any locality. They are both of them very dark-coloured birds ; and some of the newly acquired feathers of the young one approach more nearly to an actual black than those of any other specimen which 1 have examined. These birds are also especially noticeable for the colouring of the thighs, Avhich are deep purplish brown on their outer, and rich rufous on their inner sides, the latter being also the colour of the tarsi, as well as of the under-tail coverts ; the abdomen is of a dark hue, not materially differing from that of the exterior surface of the thighs. The striking manner in which the peculiarities of colouring seen in the old bird are reproduced in its oflFspring is, I think, particularly in- teresting. The British Museum also possesses a very similarly, though rather less deeply coloured specimen, which formed part of Major-Geiieral Hardwicke's Indian collection. Whilst on the subject of the variations of colouring to which the Golden Eagle is subject, I must not omit to refer to the quotation from the writings of Mr. N. A. Severtzoff, for which we are indebted to Mr. Dresser"^, and which seems to imply that, in the opinion of that eminent Russian naturalist, there exist in Central Asia and in the Southern Ural Golden Eagles in which the white base of the tail, elsewhere an indication of immaturity, is a permanent character. Of the correctness of this opinion I am not in a position to judge ; but I have ascertained, by the examination of specimens, that the white on the base of the tail of the Golden Eagle disappears with the advance of age in the following countries — North Ame- rica, Scotland, Sweden, Erance, Spain, and Greece, I have also seen two Asiatic specimens (Captain Unwin's Hazara female, and the female obtained in India by Major-General Hardwicke, to both of which I have already alluded) in which there was no white on the rectrices beyond a very slight mot- tling on the inner webs. * Vide Ibis for 1875, p. 100. Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue 0/ Accipitres. 215 Of all the aberrations of colouring incident to the Golden Eagle, the most curious appears to me to be that upon the possessors of which the appellation of Aquila barthelemyi has been bestowed ; and I regret that I am not able to add any information to that which I have already recorded on this subject in ' The Ibis ' for 1864, p. 339, and in the P. Z. S. for 1870, p. 81. I may, however, mention that the Algerian example alluded to in the former of these papers possesses the white shoulder-patch on one side only, in which peculiarity it resembles a German specimen recorded at page 35 of the ' Richesses Ornithologiques du Midi de la France/ In ' The Ibis ' for 1866, p. 422, I quoted an incident con- firmatory of the statements of Pennant and Atkinson relative to the competency of the Golden Eagle to attack the Wolf; and I take this opportunity of calling attention to two recent notices referring to this subject — one from the pen of Captain J. Biddulph, which will be found in the ' Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society ' for August, 1874, at p. 425, the other from that of Mr. J. Scully, at p. 123 of ' Stray Fea- thers ' for 1876^. In conclusion I may mention that I possessed for several years an adult living specimen of the Golden Eagle in which the iris, insteai. b'. Subcaudalibus pure flavis 3. grandis. In this table the green E. cardinalis is, I suppose, the inter- medius of most authors, whilst the red E.polychlorus is clearly what is usually called E. linnm. * In the original paper Count Salvadori has accidentally transposed these two names, as I have ascertained from a corrected copy of his paper that he forwarded to Mr. Sclater. 282 On the Parrots of the Genus Eclectus. On the whole it seems probable that we must be content with ascribing to Eclectus the most marked sexual differences in colour of any Parrots hitherto known. Aprosmictus (at least in some species, e. g. A. scapulatus) also pi-esents very well-marked sexual differences in coloration, and, as Prof. Garrod has shown (P. Z. S. 1874, p. 494), agrees very closely with Eclectus in anatomical structure. Eclectus, however, differs from all known Parrots in having the female more gaudily coloured than the male. Can it be possible that, as in the few other analogous instances where the female is the more brightly coloured (e.g. Turnix, Rhynch(Ba, &c.^), the duties of incubation devolve on the male ? If such be the case, we can easily understand the use of the green coloration being retained by the male. Unfortunately we are still totally ignorant of the habits, nidification, and immature plumage of these Parrots. Let us hope that Signor D'Albertis or Mr. Brown will soon throw some light on this, as well as on the other interesting points noted above, which still re- quire further examination. In conclusion, supposing that we assume the new views as to the sexual differences of the Eclecti to be correct, the fol- lowing list of the species will show concisely their sexual differences and geographical distribution. 1. Eclectus polychlorus (Scop.). Maximus : mas viridis colore obscuriore, lateribus rubro- puniceis, cauda minus crerulea : femina rubra, fascia in- terscapulari, abdomine et annulo periophthalmico cyaneis. Hab. in insulis Papuanis et Moluccanis Ternate, Gilolo, Batchian, Morotai, Guebe, Waigiou, Mysol, Gage, Ke, Aru, Papua, Nova Hibernia, et Nova Britannia. 2. Eclectus grandis (Gm.). Major : mas viridis, lateribus rubro-puniceis, cauda vix cse- rulea : femina rubra, fascia interscap. et abdomine cy- aneis, subcaudalibus pure flavis. Hab. in insulis Ternate, Gilolo, Batchian, Morotai, et Gage. » Vide Darwin's 'Descent of Man," vol, ii. p. 200 et seq. (1871). On Birds from the District of Lampong. 283 3. ECLECTUS CARDINALIS (Bodd.) . Minor : mas viridis, E. polychloro similis, at colore Isetiore caudaque magis cserulea distinguendus : femina rubra, fascia interscapulari et abdoraine cyaneis ; subcaudalibus auroreis vel rubro-flavis. Hab. in insulis Moluccanis Ceram, Bouru, et Amboyna. 4. EcLECTUS WESTERMANNI, Bp. Minor : mas viridis, lateribus concoloribus. Femina adhuc ignota. Hab. ? (Viv. Nat. Art. Mag. et Zool. Soc. Lond.) 5. EcLECTUS CORNELI.E, Bp. Mas ignotus ; femina punicea, colore cyaneo neque dorsi neque lateris inferioris ullo. Hab. ? (Viv. Nat. Art. Mag. et Zool. Soc. Lond.) XXIV. — On a Collection of Birds made by Mr. E. C. Buxton in the District of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. By Arthur, Marquis of Tweeduale, M.B.O.U. (Plates V. & VI.) The first systematic account of the Avifauna of Sumatra was written by Sir Stamford Raffles'^' at Fort Marlborough, near Bencoolen, of which settlement Sir Stamford was Lieutenant- Governor. Bencoolen is situated on the western shore of the southern half of the island of Sumatra ; and most of the birds enumerated were obtained in the vicinity of Bencoolen itself, or during short trips made into the interior of the district of that name during the years 1819 and 1820, partly by Sir Stamford assisted by Dr. Joseph Arnold, and partly by Messrs. Diard and Duvaucel. These two gentlemen (the first a pupil, the other the step-son of the great Cuvier) were French naturalists, whose services Sir Stamford had secured while on a visit to Bengal. ' The unfortunate misun- derstanding that soon after their arrival in Sumatra occurred * Tr. L. S. xiii. pp. 277, 330; Appendix, pp. 339, 340 (dated June 1, 1820; read March 20, 1821). The date of the volume is 1822. 284 Lord Tweeddale on Birds from between tlic Lieutenant-Governor and these two Frenchmen ledj in about twelve months, to a cessation of their labours and to their departure from Bencoolen ; and Sir Stamford was obliged to undertake the description of the materials col- lected himself, or to allow the results to be published in France. Hence his papers in the "^ Linnean Transactions^"^. The number of species therein catalogued and more or less described is about 168. But some birds obtained in the Prince-of- Wales Island and Singapore are included; and a few species, such as Psittacus ornatus and P. sumatranus, appear to have been introduced into the list through oversight and on the strength of caged birds. In 1830 Lady Raffles publishedamemoirf of her late hus- band, to which was appended a catalogue, by Vigors, of the zoo- logical specimens collected in Sumatra under the superinten- dence of Sir S. Raffles, and by Dr. Horsfield of those in Java. About 194 species from Sumatra are enumerated, that locality being stated in each instance; and some species additional to Sir Stamford^s list are discriminated and described as new by Vigors. This catalogue would have been more useful had its author identified all tlie species on which Sir Stamford had previously bestowed new titles, and had the invalid titles been reduced to synonyms — a work, however, subsequently ac- complished in the most thorough manner by Mr. F. Moore % . Since 1830 no attempt at a complete account of the birds of Sumatra has been published ; but a good many species not contained in Vigors^s list have been discovered and described, principally by the Dutch zoologists, more particularly by Temminck§ and by Salomon Muller||. Mr. Wallace, during * The collection of birds was sent to the E.I. C. Museum in Loudon in 1820, aud of drawiug-s in 1821. t Memoir of the Life and Public Services of Sir Stamford Raffles, by his Widow (1830) ; Cat. Zool. Specimens, Jves, pp. 648, 687. X A Catalogue of the Birds in the Museum of the Hon. E.I. Company, in two vols. : vol. i. (1854), vol. ii. (1856-58). § Nouveau Recueil de Planches Coloriees d'Oiseaux, in five volumes. Date of completed work 1838. II Tijdschrift voor Naturlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologic, ii. pp. 315, 354 (1835). Vpvhandelingen over de Natiunlijke Ge&chiedenis der Ne- the District of Lainpong, S.E. Sumatra. S-85 a stay of about three months, collected some birds in the district of Palembang, penetrating a hundred and twenty miles inland ; but no separate account of his collection has appeared. During a period of a little over five months, commencing the 30th of May, 1876, Mr. Edmund Charles Buxton travelled in the Lampong district, situated at the south-eastern ex- tremity of Sumatra, and there made a large collection of birds, which he has kindly placed at my disposal, and of which I now propose to give an account. He started from Telok Betang and went inland to Sockedana, a distance of about 80 miles, and obtained in all 152 species, of which two appear to be undescribed. The general character of the birds in this part of Sumatra is Malaccan. Of Mr. Buxton's collec- tion only twelve species are not inhabitants of the Malaccan peninsula as at present known ; and of these eleven are Javan species, some of them recurring in Burma and one in India. They are Dendrotypes analis, Batrachostomus cornutus, Xan- tholama rosea, Dicceum flammeum, Rublgula dispar, Oriolus coronatus, Prinia familiaris, Buchanga leucophoia, Pericro- cotus xantJwgaster, Munia leucogastroides, Crypsirhina vari- ans, Sturnopastor contra. One, Batrachostomus cornutus, is known, ouf of Sumatra, to occur in Borneo only. The proportion of species, seventy-nine, which have also a Javan habitat is large, as might be inferred would be the case from the narrowness of the straits which separate South- eastern Sumatra from the western extremity of Java. This number may eventually be shown to be still greater when the ornis of Java is better known. Some notes were kept by Mr. Buxton ; but, as they are chiefly descriptive of the plumage, I have only incorpo- rated the few observations which relate to the soft parts or to habits. The chief value of the collection consists in its enabling us to establish positively, by critical com- deiiandsche overzeesche bezittingen : Land- en Volkenkunde (1839-44) Zoologie (1839-44). 286 Lord Tweeddale on Birds from parison^ the identity or non-identity of a large number of Sumatran species with those inhabiting Java, Borneo, and Malacca, and of enabling us to add a little to our knowledge of geographical distribution. 1. MiCROHIERAX FRINGILLARIUS. Falco fr'mgiUarius , Drapiez, Diet. Class. d'Hist. Nat. vi. p. 412, t. v., "des Indes^^ (1824). A series of four individuals, identical with Malaccan ex- amples. [" Sits on naked branches at top of trees. '^ — Buxton.] 2. Haliastur intermedius. Falco pondicerianus, Gm. ; Raffles, t.c. p. 278. Haliastur intermedius, Gurney, Ibis, 1865, p. 28. 3. ASTUR TRIVIRGATUS. Falco trivirgatus, Temm. PI. Col. 203, " Sumatra'' (1824). 4. Pernis ptilorhynchus. Falco ptilorhynchus, Temm. PI. Col. 44, ''Java, Sumatra'' (1823). An example of a Honey-Buzzard was obtained by Mr. Buxton which has the feathers of the breast, abdomen, flanks, ventral region, and the thigh-coverts white or tawny white, transversely barred with two or three brown broad bands, the terminal band being narrowly fringed with tawny white or pure white. The feathers of the fore neck have darker brown drops, which occupy the terminal part of each plume, these drojDS being set between a rufo-fulvous and a white ground. The under wing-coverts are banded like the breast. The upper plumage is dark brown, the terminations of the feathers being darkest. The head and crest are black, the latter measuring about two and a quarter inches. The face is grey. The throat is white, with a central and two lateral dark brown streaks. Two broad dark brown bands traverse the middle rectrices, the latter being terminal. A third narrower band near the base of the tail is of a paler shade of brown. The intervening spaces are of a dirty yellowish white, much mottled with earthy brown. The plumage of the under surface very closely resembles the District of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. 287 that of P. celebensis in it's markings ; but the colouring differs in being dark brown, and the chest is not tawny rufous. 5. NiNOX SCUTULATA. Strix scutulata, Raffles, t. c. p. 280, " Sumatra'' (1821). Mr. Buxton obtained two adult examples of this long- wished-for species at Tarahan, S.E. Sumatra. They are ab- solutely identical with Malaccan individuals in mus. nostr. [" Iris yellow ; bill dark slate, nearly black.'' — Buxton.l 6. Rhopodytes erythrognathus. Cuculus melanognatlms, Horsf. apud Raffles, t. c. p. 287, " Sumatra." PliCRnicophaus erythrognathus, Hartl. Verz. Mus. Brem. p. 95, "Sumatra" (1844). Malaccan and Bornean examples do not differ from typical specimens. 7. Rhopodytes diardi. Melius diardi. Less. Tr. d'Orn. p. 133, "Java" (1831). Malaccan individuals do not dift'er from Sumatran. 8. Zanclostomus javanicus. Phmnicophausjav aniens, Horsf. /. c. p. 178, " Java " (1820) ; Zool. Res. Java, t. 5. Typical specimens not separable from Sumatran and Ma- laccan. 9. RhINORTHA CHLOROPHiEA. Cuculus chloroph(Bus , Raffles, t. c. p. 288, (J , " Sumatra " (1821). PhcenicophcEus caniceps, Vigors, App. Mem. Raffles, p. 671, ?, "Sumatra" (1830). Malaccan and Bornean examples do not differ from Su- matran. 10. SURNICULUS LUGUBRIS. Cuculus lugubris, Horsf. ^. c. p. 175, " Java " (1820) ; Zool. Res. Java, t. 58. Identical with typical specimens. 11. Chrysococcyx xajvthorhynchus. Cuculus xanthorhynchus, Horsf. t. c. p. 179, "^Java" (1820); Zool. Res. Java, t. 59. Undistinguishable from typical specimens. 288 Lord Tweeddale on Birds from 12. HiEROCOCCYX FUGAX. Cuculusfugax, Horsf. t.c. p. 178, "Java" (1820). Sumatran, Bornean, and Malaccan examples offer no points of difference. 13. Centropus eurycercus. Cuculus bubulus, Horsf. apud Raffles, t. c. p. 286^ " Su- matra." Centropus eurycercus, A. Hay; Blj-th, J. A. S. B. 1845, p. 551, "Malacca." Sumatran and Bornean individuals agree with typical spe- cimens. As yet I have not been able to compare them with the Javan form, which is, according to Blyth (/. c), a smaller species, 14. Thriponax javensis. Picusjavensis, Horsf. t.c. p. 172, "Java" (1820). The examples obtained by Mr. Buxton in no respect differ from Malaccan, with which the type is said to agree. 15. Ttga rafflesi. Picus raffiesii, Vigors, App. Mem. Raffles, p. 669, " Su- matra" (1830). Bornean and Malaccan individuals are inseparable. 16. TiGA JAA^ANENSIS. Picus javanensis, Ljungh, Act. Stockh. xviii. p. 134, "Java" (1797); Walden, Ibis, 1871, p. 164. Picus tiga, Horsf. t. c. p. 177 "Java" (1820). " Tiga rvfa," Raffles, /. c. p. 290, " Sumatra" (1821). Sumatran, Malaccan, and Javan individuals do not speci- fically differ. Of somewhat smaller dimensions than the race which inhabits the Burmese countries. 17. Callolophus mentalis. Picus mentalis, Temm. PL Col. 384, "Java" (1826). Sumatran and Malaccan examples do not vary. 18. Callolophus puniceus. Picus puniceus, Horsf. /. c. p. 176, "Java" (1821) ; Raffles, t. c. 289, " Sumatra" (1821). Malaccan, Bornean, and Sumatran individuals do not differ. the District of Lampony, S.E. Sumatra. 289 19. Callolophus malaccensis. Picus malaccensis, Lath. Incl. Oni. i. p. 241^ '^^ Malacca ^^ (1790). Count Salvador! has remarked [t. c. p. 51) that this species and C. miniatus of Java are distinct^ and that I had erred (Ibis^ 1871, p. 165) when, following Malherbe and others, I regarded them as belonging to tbe same species. Dr. Sclater appears to be the first author who distinguished the Javan on account of its uniform red crest and back from the Bornean and Malaccan form (P. Z. S. 1863, p. 211); but I may ob- serve that I have an example collected in East Java by Mr. Wallace, and marked a male, which has the more elongated crest-plumes red, mingled quite as much with yellow as is to be found in true C. malaccensis. The feathers also of the inter- scapular region exhibit green mixed with red, and are matched by an example from Malacca collected by Mr. Maingay. Mr. Buxton has two Sumatran examples in his collection : one has .the dorsal feathers green^ largely dashed, centred, and tinged with red ; the other has these feathers dull olive-green washed with red. 20. MiCROPTERNUS BADIUS. Picus baclius, Raffles, t.c. p. 289, "Sumatra'' (1821). I provisionally retain the above title for the Sumatran Micropternus in preference to that of brachyurus, Vieill. (N. Diet. xxvi. p. 103, 1818), because the type of Vieillot's species is said to have come from Java, and we cannot rely on Mal- herbe's statement that the two are specifically identical. Be- tween Malaccan and typical examples I am unable to detect any good distinction. Many Malaccan specimens have the crown very pale ; but this is also to be observed in one of Mr. Buxton's birds. The Bornean (south-east and north-east) species, M. badiosus, appears to differ in having the terminal portions of the rectrices uniform unhanded brown and a some- what longer bill. Count Salvador! (t. c. p. 59) mentions as a distinctive character the eye of the male being completely surrounded by red points or dots. In a N.E. Bornean male collected by Mr. Everett, and in another by Mr. Lowe 290 Lord Tweeddale on Birds from (mus. nostr.), this is the case ; and I have not observed the same character in the multitude of Malaccan birds I have ex- amined^ nor is it to be found in Mr. Buxton^s Sumatran males ; but it is to be observed in examples from Malabar, and it may merely indicate the full breeding male plumage of all the members of the genus. 21. Meiglyptes tristis. Picus tristis, Horsf. t. c. p. 177, "Java'' (1820); Raffles, t.c. p. 290, "Sumatra" (1821). Not distinguishable from Bornean and Malaccan indi- viduals. The length of wing is very variable in adults of tliis species ; and in one of Mr. Buxton's specimens, an adult male, the bill is remarkably short. 22. Meiglyptes tukki. Picus tukki, Lesson, Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 167, " Sumatra," Malaccan examples {Hemicercus brunneus, Eyton, P. Z. S. 1839, p. 106) do not differ. 23. Dendrotypes analis. Picus analis, Horsf. t. c. p. 177, "Java" (1820) , Bill longer, otherwise identical with typical examples. This Woodpecker also inhabits the island of Madura. 24. YUNGIPICUS FUSCO-ALBIDUS. Picus variegatus, Latham, apud Wagler, Syst. Av. Picus, no. 27 (1827), nee Lath. Yungipicus fusco-albidus, Salvadori, t.c. p. 42 (1874). Picus sondaicus, Wallace, Gray, Hand-1. no. 8589, 1870; Salvadori, t. c. p. 43, note, " Java." Mr. Buxton's Sumatran series of this small Woodpecker consists of examples undistinguishable from Malaccan and Javan individuals. Wagler described the species from Javan examples only [conf. Cab. Mus. Hein. iv. ii. p. 54, note); but he adopted for it Latham's (Gmelin's) title of Picus varie- gatus, bestowed on a South-American Woodpecker, and Count Salvadori has therefore superseded the title by a new one {I.e.). The title P. sondaicus, Wallace, is founded solely on the Javan bird, and must fall, no description having accom- panied the title when first published. Whatever Picus mo- the Distinct of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. 291 luccensis, Gm. (ex PI. Enl. 748. f. 2), may be^ it cannot apply to Y. fusco-albidus ; for the bird figured by D'Aubenton is without any mandibular stripes. 25. Hemicercus sordidus. Dendi'Dcopus sordidus, Eyton^ Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. xvi. p. 229, " Malacca '^ (1845). Hemicercus brookeanus, Salvadori, Atti. R. Ac. Sc. Tor. iii. p. 525, '' Borneo " (1868) ; Ucc. Born. p. 44. Hemicercus concretus (Reinw.), apud Salvadori, ex Borneo, Ucc. Born. p. 47, nee Reinw. Mr. Buxton^s series consists of three males and two females. These last are undistinguishable from Javan (P. concretus ? ) and Malaccan examples in the plumage of the female. One male is adult, and is identical with adult males from Malacca — that is, with the crest on the crown of the head deep crimson, he postoccipital crest-plumes being dark greyish olive. A second example, that of a young male, has the whole of the crown and all the crest-plumes dingy reddish buff or yellowish red. The third is intermediate, the coronal plumes being almost all pure crimson, and the postoccipital plumes passing over from the reddish tawny colour to olive-grey. I possess Malaccan shins which match these three Sumatran males. Iij all the under surface is dark olive-grey. The coronal plumes in other Malaccan examples of young males are ruddy buff, while the elongated occipital crest-feathers are all flame- red, with a yellowish buff shaft-line and tip to each plume. In another Malaccan male the postoccipital plumes are dark greyish olive, while the coronal feathers are mixed bright crimson and pale ruddy buff. The adult male of ^. concretus (Reinw.), ex Java (PI. Col. 90, f. 1), differs from H. sordidus by having the entire crest crimson, although not of so dark a shade as in H. sordidus. The occurrence of this species beyond Java rests on no good authority. It is figured by Malherbe (Picidse, t. 41, f. 5) under the title of Micropicus hartlaubi. The curious fact that in H. sordidus ^ , when immature, the whole crest is huffy flame-coloured (anyhow the postoccipital crest) — 292 Lord Twcoddalc on B'lnls from and that as the bird reaches maturity the flame-coloured postoccipital crest becomes olive-grey^ not having been recog- nized, has led to some confusion. 26. Sasia abnormis. Picumnus abnormis, Temm. PI. Col. 371. f. 3, " Java " (1825). Malaccan and Bornean examples in no respect differ from the Sumatran individuals in Mr. Buxton^s collection. 27. LoRICULUS GALGULUS. Psittacus galgulus, Linn. S. N. i, p. 150 (1766) ; Raffles, t. c. p. 281, " In the interior of Bencoolen." 28. PsiTTINUS INCERTUS. Psittacus incertus, Shaw^ Nat. Misc. ; O. Finsch, Papag. ii. p. 612. Psittacus malaccensis , Lath., Raffles, t. c. p. 281. The variation in plumage tliis species undergoes remains still, as when Dr. O. Finsch wrote, not fully explained. Un- fortunately the sexes of the four individuals brought home by Mr. Buxton were not determined by dissection. 29. Anorrhinus galeritus. Buceros galeritus, Temm. PI. Col. 520, '^^Sumatran'' (1831). [" Naked shin surrounding eyes and throat white, with a blue tint. Very common in flights of about eight or ten."" — Buxton.^ Dr. Cantor describes the same parts of the Ma- laccan bird as being black (Horsf. & Moore, /. c. p. 594) . 30. Rhytidoceros undulatus. Le Calao a casque festonne, Le Vaill. Ois. Rares, i. p. 41, t. 20, 21, ?,"Batavia'^ (1801). Buceros undtdatus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. p. 26 (1811), ex Le A^aill. t. 20, 21 ; Vigors, App. Mem. Raffles, p. 666 (1830) . Le Calao javan, Le Vaill., t. c. p. 45, t. 22, ^ juv. '' Ba- tavia." Buceros javanicus, Shaw, t.c. p. 28 (1811), ex Le Vaill. t. 22. Le Calao javan ou Calao annuaire, Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. t. 239, S adult (1806). the District of Lainpong, S.E. Sumatra. 293 Buceros niger, Vieillot, N. Diet. iv. p. 592 (1816), ex Le VailL t. 20, 21. Buceros annulatus, Dumont, Diet. Se. Nat. vi. p. 21 0(1817), ex LeVaill. t. 20, 21. Buceros pusar an, Raffles, t. c. p. 293, $ juv., "Sumatra^' (1821). Buceros annulatus, Drapiez, Diet. Class. d'Hist. Nat. iii. p. 32 (1828), exLevaill. t. 20, 21. Buceros ruficolJis, Vieill. apud Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 176 (1843), nee Vieill. Buceros pucoran, Raffles, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1843, p. 990. Buceros plicat us, Lath, apud Sundev. Om Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. p. 50 (1857), nee Lath. Calao plicatus (Lath.), Bp. Consp. i. p. 90 (1854), nee Lath. Rhyticeros plicatus (Lath.), Horsf. & Moore, Cat. E.I. C. Mus. ii. p. 598 (1856-58), nee Lath.; Moore, P.Z.S. 1859, p. 451. Rhytidoceros obscurus (Gra.), Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 85, " Sarawak " (1874), nee Gm. An adult, seemingly an aged male, is in Mr. Buxton^s Lampong colleetion. That gentleman, in his notes, describes the naked gular skin as being yellow, " with a blaek bar and greenish tinge. ^^ This bar is evident on the dried skin. Dr. Cantor has described the gular pouch of the Malaccan male as being '^rich gamboge-yellow, with two transverse blaek bars " (Horsf. & Moore, /. c.*), that of the female as ''dirty azure, with two transverse black bars,^^ of the young male as " yellow, with the transverse black bars indistinct." In a Malaccan example of an adult male I find traces of only one black bar. Schlegel (Mus. P.-Bas. Buceros, p. 2) states that the Javan bird has an oblique blue bar across the throat of the male, but does not mention any bar on that of the female. The title of this Hornbill has been by most ornithologists, commencing with Latham, confounded with that of the strictly and only Papuan member of this family, Buceros ruficoUis, Vieill. The first notice of the Papuan species occurs in Bon- * In his later account (I. c.) Mr. Moore omits all mention of the two transverse black bars. SER. IV. VOL. 1. X .294 Lord Tvveeddale on Birds from tius ; and his account was ti'anscribed by Ray in his English translation (1678) of Willughby's ' Ornithology.' By Ray it is called " Bontius his Indian Crow/^ and is said to come from the " Molucca Islands, especially Banda." An outline drawing of the bill is given (t. Ixxviii.), which accurately re- sembles the bill of an adult example of the Papuan B. rvficollis. It may here be mentioned, parenthetically, that while it is not always easy to recognize a species, or to differentiate one from another nearly allied species, through the means of a complete drawing of a bird made at the early date of Ray's edition, still the art of outline-drawing was as perfect then as it is now, and that such delineations are quite reliable. The bold broad folds on the posterior part of the culmen of the bill which characterize the Papuan Hornbill, are plainly and accurately rendered in Ray's plate ; and the total absence of lateral grooves and ridges on the basal walls of the two mandibles enables us to determine without doubt that the bill represented belonged to the Papuan, and not to its near ally, the Malayan species. On Ray's* outline drawing of the bill Latham founded his Wreathed Hornbill (Synop. i. p. 858, 1781). Gmelin gave to this species the title of Buceros obscurus (S. N. i. p. 362, 1788). In his first supplement to his 'Synopsis,' Latham (p. 70, 1787t) added a reference to a passage in Dampier's 'Voyage' (iii. pt. 2, p. 165 J, t. 3), and identified the bird, there described as having been killed in Ceram and on New Guinea, with his " Wreathed Hornbill." In the ' Index Ornithologicus ' (i. p. 116, 1790), Latham gave his " Wreathed Hornbill " a Latin title, and called it Buceros plicatus. It seems therefore that the Gmelinian title of ob- scurus and Latham's title of plicatus apply to the Papuan * I have not been able to consult an original copy of Willug-hby's work. It may be that in it Willughby gives an account of the Hornbill described by Bontius. t Can any learned bibliographer explain how Latham, in his first Sup- plement (1787), was able to quote from Gmelin's edition of the ' Systema,' published in 1788 ? X The coiTect number of the page is 231, and Latham, as well as J. R. Forster before him, transcribed the misprint on Dampier's plate no. 8. the District of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. 295 Hornbill, and not to the Malayan. In tlie ' General History ' (ii. p. 323, 1822) Latham mixed up his original species with Le Vaillant's Calao javan {I.e.) and Shawns species founded on Le Vaillant's plate (Ois. d'Afrique) ; but the plate (xxxiv.) given by Latham plainly refers to the Papuan species. In D'Entrecasteaux's 'Voyage' (ix. p. 304, t. xi.), a Horn- bill obtained in the Papuan island of Waigiou is figured, on which the title of Buceros ruficollis, Vieillot (N. Diet. iv. p. 600, 1816), was founded (Temm. PL Col. 557). But J. R. Forster had already. (Zool. Indica, p. 40, 1781) bestowed the title of B. jMcatus on Dampier's Ceram Hornbill. Vieillot's title, usually adopted for the Papuan species, there- fore ought to fall ; and that of plicatus, Forster, having pri- ority, should supersede Gmelin's title of obscurus, and. La- thatn^'s title plicatus, and stand for the Papuan Hornbill. Gmelin's title obscurus and its synonjui plicatus, Lath., being thus restored to their original owner (i. e. B. plicatus, For- ster), the oldest available title for the Malayan bird becomes undulatus, Shaw. A form very closely allied to the Malayan B. undulatus occurs in Tonghoo, which Mr. Blyth separated (J. A. S. B. 1843, p. 177) under the title of subruficollis , the synonymy of the Papuan bird and of the Malayan being at that time exceedingly involved, and the species themselves not well known. Mr. Blyth subsequently twice identified his B. sub- ruficollis with Malayan B. plicatus [op. cit. xii. p. 991, xvi. p. 998), but eventually returned to his original view, and retained B. subruficollis as distinct (Cat. Calc. Mus. p. 320, no. 191). R. subruficollis is only to be distinguished from R. undu- latus by wanting, in the two sexes, the lateral ridges on the base of both mandibles, and by the bill not being so deep and massive. It does not possess a black transverse bar on the naked gular skin of either sex"^, but that part in the male is yellow, and in the female blue, as in R. undulatus. It is remarkable that two such closely allied forms should coexist * Mr. Wardlaw Ramsay, who paid special attention to this Hornbill when in Burma, is quite positive on this point. -> x2 296 Lord Tweeddale on Birds from in the same area; and yet there seems no doubt that both inhabit Tenasserim ; and an example of a young male ob- tained at Tonghoo by Mr. W. Ramsay belongs to B. undu- latus, while the remainder of a very large series from that district consist of nothing but B. suhruficollis. There is little or no difference in the general dimensions, although Mr. Blyth considered that the body of B. imdulatus was heavier than that of its ally. B. narcondami, Hume (Str. F. i. p. 411), as described, seems to be another closely allied form. No mention is made of lateral ridges on the mandibles. 31. Carcineutes pulchellus. Dacelo pulchella, Horsf. t.c. p. 175, "Java" (1820). Carcineutes pulchellus (Horsf.); Sharpe, Mon. Alced. t. 96. This bird is not separable from Malaccan and Peguan ex- amples. 32. Halcyon pileata. Alcedo pileata, Bodd. Tab. PL Enl. p. 41 (1783). Alcedo atricapilla, Gm. ; Raffles, /. c. p. 293, " Sumatra."" 33. Sauropatis chloris. Alcedo chloris, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 49 (1783). Alcedo chlorocephala, Gm., Raffles, /. c. p. 293, ^^ Sumatra." 34. Pelargopsis fraseri, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1870, p. 65, "Java, Sumatra, Malacca;'^ Mon. Alced. t. 33, "Sumatra." Alcedo leucocephalus , Gm., Raffles, t. c. p. 293, " Sumatra." The four examples obtained by Mr. Buxton most closely resemble the Bornean form referred by Mr. Sharpe in his monograph to P. leucocephala, the cap, however, being more pronounced. They differ from the great majority of Malaccan individuals with which I have made a comparison in wanting the very dark distinct brown cap of that peninsular form. But, in truth, this group of Kingfishers requires further study ; for the variations in colouring of the cap, on which Mr. Sharpe partly relies (P. Z. S. 1870, p. 62), do not always seem to offer, as I once believed, stable characters when a large series of individuals from different, or even similar, localities are examined. the District of Lampony, S.E. Sumatra. 297 * 35. Alcedo euryzona. Alcedo cyanocephala, Shaw, Raffles, t. c. p. 293, " Su- matra/' nee Shaw. Alcedo euryzona, Temm. PI. Col. livr. 83, " Java'' (1830) ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. t. 8 ; Schlegel, Vog. Neder. Ind. Mar- tins pecheurs, p. 45, t. 1. f. 1, 2. A single example of this rare Kingfisher was obtained by Mr. Buxton. The extreme rarity of the species has prevented me comparing it with typical and Malaccan specimens. 36. Alcedo meninting. Alcedo meninting, Horsf. t.c. p. 172, "Java" (1820). Alcedo asiatica, Sw. Zool. 111. (1) t. 50 (1821). Alcedo ispida, var. bengalensis, apud Raffles, t. c. p. 293, " Sumatra." Examples of this well-marked species from Java, Borneo, and Malacca agree with those from the Lampong district. 37. Alcedo bengalensis. Alcedo bengalensis, Gm. S. N. i, p. 450 (1788). 38. Ceyx rufidorsa. Alcedo tridactyla, Linn., Raffles, t. c. p. 293, " Sumatra." Ceyx rufidorsa, Strickl. P. Z. S. 1846, p. 99, "Malacca;" Sharpe, Mon. Alced. t. 41. Ceyx innominata, Salvadori, Atti R. Ac. Sc. Tor. iv. p. 465 (1869). Identical with Malaccan and Bornean examples. 39. Merops sumatranus. Raffles, /. c. p. 294, " Sumatra" (1821). Merops bicolor, Bodd., Salvadori, Ucc. Borneo, 90, nee Bodd.; Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 33, et 1877, p. 5; conf. Wal- den, Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 150, t. 26. Sumatran, Malaccan, and Bornean examples do not differ. Are not examples with the chestnut plumage, washed with green, immature birds, of both sexes, in transition from the dark green of the young to the full dress of the adult, rather than representatives of the adult female form only, as stated by Mr. Sharpe (/. c.) ? 298 Lord Tweeddale on Birds from 40. Nyctiornis amicta. Merops amicta, Temm. PI. Col. 310, "Sumatra" (1824). Boruean and Malaccan examples in no respect diflFer. Count Salvador! (/. c. p. 91) refers iV. malaccensis, Cab., to the female, thus assuming that the female wants the crimson pectoral and pink frontal plumes. I rather incline to the belief that the adult birds of both sexes are alike, and that the uniform green birds belong to a younger stage of plumage. One of the examples obtained by Mr. Buxton is in plain green dress {N. malaccensis) , but has one small frontal plume pink. 41. Harpactes kasumba. Troffon kasumba, Raffles, /. c. p. 282 (1821), partim; Gould, Mon. Trog. t. 10. Malaccan and Bornean examples do not differ. I retain the title now usually adopted, although Sir S. Raffles con- founded two species in his description. 42. Harpactes duvauceli. Troffon duvaucelii, Temm. PL Col. 291 (1824), " Sumatra/' Gould, Mon. Trog. t. 12. Trogon kasumba, Raffles, I.e., partim. Identical with examples from Malacca, where it occurs along with H. rutilus (conf. Walden, Ibis, 1871, p. 161). Sir S. Raffles described (/. c.) this species as being the young of H. kasumba. 43. Batrachostomus cornutus. Podargus cornutus, Tevava.. PI. Col. 159, '*' Bencoolen " (26 July, 1823). The example obtained by Mr. Buxton is in full rufous plu- mage. It agrees with Bornean individuals. 44. Lyncornis temmincki. Lyncornis temmincki, Gould, Icones Avium, t. 6, '^ Borneo " (1838). Identical with Malaccan and typical examples. 45. Macropteryx comatus. Cypselus comatus, Temm. PI. Col. 268, " Sumatra" (1824). Malaccan examples do not differ. the District of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. 299 46. Macropteryx longipennis. Hirundo longipennis, Rafin. Bull. Sc. Soc. Philom. iii. an. ii. p. 158, ^^Java" (1804). Hirundo klecho, Horsf. t. c. p. 143, "Java" (1820). Identical with typical examples. 47. MegaljEMa mystacophanes. Bucco niystacophanos, Temm. PL Col. 315, "Sumatra" (1824) ; Marshall, Mon. Capit. t. 19 ; Salvadori, t. c. p. 34, t. 1. Megalaima humei, Marshall, Ibis, 1870, p. 536, " Borneo j" Mon. Capit. t. 21. Malaccan examples are identical. Among the large series collected by Mr. Buxton are examples in the transition plu- mage on which Mr. Marshall founded M. humei. 48. Megal^ma chrysopogon. Bucco chrysopogon, Temm. PI. Col. 285, ''Sumatra" (1824); Marshall, Mon. Capit. t. 18. Agrees with Malaccan specimens. 49. Megal^ma versicolor. Bucco versicolor, Raffles, /. c. p. 284, ''Sumatra" (1821) ; Marsh. Mon. Capit. t. 22. Bornean and Malaccan individuals belong to the typical species. 50. XantholjEma rosea. Bucco roseus, Dumont, Diet. Sc. Nat. iv. p. 52 (1806) ; Marshall, Mon. Capit. t. 43. The two examples collected by Mr. Buxton are identical with Javan and Negros individuals. Hitherto not recorded from Sumatra. 51. XaNTHOLjEMA HjEMACEPHALA. Bucco hcemacephalus, L. S. Miiller, Suppl. p. 88 (1776) ; Marshal, Mon. Capit. t. 42. Bucco philippensis, Linn,, Raffles, t. c. p. 283, " Sumatra." 52. Xanthol^ema duvauceli. Bucco duvaucelii, Less. Tr. d'Orn. 164, " Sumatra" (1831); Marshall, Mon. Capit. t. 33. f. 1, 2. 300 Lord Tweeddale on Birds from Bucco australis, Horsf., EalHes, t. c. p. 285^ " Sumatra/^ nee Horsf. Sumatran, Bornean^ and N.E. Malaecan examples exhibit no difference. 53. Arachnothera longirostra. Certhia longirostra, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 299, " Bengal ^' (1790). Arachnothera affinis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1846, p. 43, " East- ern coast. Bay of Bengal, from Arracan to Malacca, Mysore district. Arachnothera pusilla, Blyth, Cat. Calc. Mus. App. p. 328. no. 1348 (1849). Sumatran examples are identical, both in size and plnmage, with Javan. The only difference I am able to detect between Javan individuals and those from Malabar, Assam, and coun- tries south to Malacca, including British Burma, and also those from Borneo, is one of dimensions, these last being smaller and having shorter and perhaps slenderer bills. But I possess Javan examples, in perfect plumage, as small as any from the other localities named — that is, with a difference of three, and even nearly four, eighths in the length of the wing of the largest and smallest Javan species. These differences in size may be characteristic of sex ; but a fully plumaged Bornean male (Busan), sex ascertained by Mr. Everett, has the short wing of my smallest Javan examples. A Tonghoo male, with bright orange pectoral tufts, has a shorter wing and bill than a Javan male in like breeding- plumage. There is not, therefore, sufficient ground for sepa- rating specifically any one or more races of this spider-hunter ; and if there were, the Javan and Sumatran race would require the new title, and not the race named affinis (subsequently pusilla) by Blyth ; for it supplied Latham with the type of his C, longirostra. 54. Arachnothera flavigastra. Anthreptes flavigaster, Eyton, P. Z. S. 1839, p. 105, "Ma- lacca.'' Arachnothera eytonii, Salvador!, t.c. p. 182 (1874). the District of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. 301 Identical with typical examples. Count Salvadori has be- stowed a fresh title, on acconnt of the hybrid construction of the name given by Eyton. 55. Arachnothera chrysogenys. Nectarinia chrysogenys, Temm. PI. Col. 388. f. 1, " Java " (1826) . Certhia longirostra, Lath., Raffles, t. c. p. 299, " Sumatra," nee Lath. Sumatran, Bornean (N.E.), and Malaccan examples do not differ. 56. Arachnothera temmincki. Arachnothera temmincki, Moore, Cat. E.I. C. Mus. ii. p. 728, " Malacca ? " (1856-58) . One Lampong example, obtained by Mr. Buxton, is insepa- rable from Malaccan individuals. 57. Arachnophila simplex. Nectarinia simplex, S. Miiller, Verb. Nat. Gesch. Ned. Overz. Bez., Land- en Volkenk. p. 172, note, ''Sumatra, Borneo'-' (1843) ; op. cit. Zool. Aves, p. 62, t. 8. f. 4 (1846) ; Walden, Ibis, 1870, p. 31. Arachnophila simplex (S. Miiller) ; Salvadori, t. c. p. 172. A single example of this rare Sun-bird {^) is in the collec- tion. Reichenbach's generic title, Arachnor aphis, cannot be used, being partly founded on a Malaccan Arachnothera {A. flavigastra, Eyton) and partly on the New-Ireland Nectarinia flavigastr a, Gould { = A.frenata) . A. *mj9Ze<. the District of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. 309 90. Malacopteron majus. Malacopteron majus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 184<7, p. 461, '' Ma- lacca;^' Salvadori, Ucc. Born. p. 225. Napothera pileata, Miill., Bp, Consp. i. p. 359, " Sumatra, Borneo" (1850). , .^ Sumatran and Malaccan examples are identical ; and I may add that examples of the nearly allied M. magnum, Eyt., from Sumatra and Malacca, in my collection in no way differ. 91. Pitta boschii. Fitta boschii, Miill. & Schl. Verhandl. Nat. Gesch. Ned. Ind. Aves, pp. 5, 16, t. 1, "Sumatra'' (1839-44). There are no specific differences between Malaccan and typical examples. 92. CiTTOCINCLA MACROURA. Turdus macrourus, Gm. S. N. i. p. 820 (1788). The Sumatran examples do not differ from Malaccan, Javan, Burman, Indian, Ceylonese, and Hainan individuals. 93. COPSYCHUS MUSICUS. Lanius musicus, Raffles, t.c. p. 307, '''Sumatra" (1821) ; Walden, Ibis, 1872, p. 102. Copsychus problematicus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 36, " Borneo." Some years ago (/. c.) I endeavoured to show that the Ma- layan and Javan Copsychus, belonging to the C.-saularis section, differed from C saularis in having the under wing- coverts " white centred with black ; " and I suggested that, as the Sumatran species would in all probability be found to agree with them, they would fall under the title of musicus, given by Sir S. Raffles to the Sumatran Dayal. Comparing the specimens obtained by Mr. Buxton, I find that this sur- mise was correct. They also possess only six pairs of white rectrices, as against eight in true C. saularis — a character which is almost constant in Malaccan birds also. The Javan race has a very short bill, but is otherwise iden- tical with Sumatran C. musicus. Swainson long ago (2j Cent, p. 292) distinguished it under the title of brevirostris*. Mr, * Erroneously identified with C. amoenus ia Horsfield & Moore's . Catalogue. SEK. IV. VOL. I. Y ;3lO Lord Tvveeddale un Birds from Sliarpe [I.e.) has recently bestowed a new title, //roA/ewa^icMS, on the Bornean form, giving as its distinctive character the black-centred under wing-coverts. 94. Henicurus frontalis. Enicurus frontalis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1847, p. 156, '^ Ma- lacca;" Elwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 259, t. ix. Hitherto only recorded as inhabiting Malacca. Closely allied to H. leschenaulti, but of smaller dimensions. In one of Mr. Buxton^s examples the white tips of the fourth pair of outer rectrices overlap the black portion of the third outer pair. In another individual the fourth pair is much shorter, and the white bars on the tail appear as represented in Mr. Elwes''s plate. Both birds are otherwise alike and in full plumage, the frontal plumes being much developed and fully equalling, if not exceeding, the frontal crest of Javan H. leschenaulti. In all Ningpo examples of fully plumaged specimens of H. leschenaulti {E. chinensis) I have examined, the outer pair of tail-feathers are about an incii shorter than the second pair, whereas in typical (Jayan) H. leschenaulti, the outer pair equals the next pair ; and this holds good in individuals from the Dafla hills and Tenasserim. The Javan bird is also con- siderably smaller than the Chinese species. 95. Calobates melaxope. Motacilla melanope, Pallas, It. iii. p. 69G (1776). Motacilla bistrigata, Haffles, t. c. p. [M2, "Sumatra" (1821). 96. Budytes viridis. Motacilla viridis, Gm. S. N. i. p. 962 (1788). 97. CORYDALLA MALAYENSIS. Anthus malayensis, Eyton, P. Z. S. p. 104, " Malacca." (?) Anthus hasseltii, Temm. ; Schlegel, Handleiding Dierk. i. p. 263, "Java" (1857). Alauda pratensis, Linn., apud Raffles, t.c. p. 315, "Su- matra," nee Linn. One Sumatran example is in the collection, and does not differ from the common Malaccan C. malayensis. Count Salvadori has suggested that C. hasselti = C. malayensis ; but the District of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. 311 the former is more nearly allied to C. luyubris, if the Bornean specimen marked C. hasselti in the British Museum is cor- rectly determined. Corydalla lugubris, Walden, differs from C. malayensis in having white superciliary patches before the eye^ in the breast- markings consisting of a few sparse narrow brown lines, and not broad brown centres to the feathers, and in the ground- colour of the breast being albescent, and not pale rufous. Above, the colouring and markings of the two species are very similar. 98. Prinia familiaris. Prima familiaris , Horsf. t. c. p. 165, " Java" (1820) ; Zool. Res. Java, t. 52. MotaciUa olivacea, Raffles, t. c. p. 313, '' Sumatra" (1821). Mr, Buxton's Sumatran examples are identical with typical specimens. One of the Sumatran birds possesses white lores. The species also occurs in the island of Madura. 99. Prinia rafflesi, sp. nov. (Plate VI. fig. 1.) Mr. Buxton's collection contains two examples of a species of Prinia I am unable to identify. It may be the same as M. olivacea, Raffles (/. c.); but that bird has been determined by Horsfield and Moore (Mus. E.I. C. i. p. 320) to be P. familiaris. Above olive-green, front of head ashy. Lores, which ex- tend partly over the eye, white. Chin, throat, cheeks, and upper breast white. Lower breast, abdomen, flanks, ventral region, and under tail-coverts pure canary-yellow. Thigh- coverts yellow, tinged with ferruginous. Carpal edge and under carpal coverts yellow- white. Quills brown, with olive- green edgings. Rectrices pale brown, washed with green, and with an obscure darker brown subterminal spot and pale tips. Bill black and slender as compared with that of P. familiaris. Bill from forehead 0*72, wing 1'18, tarsus 0*75, tail 2-50. Differs from P. familiaris in wanting the conspicuous white tips to the minor and major wing-coverts, in being darker olive-green above, in the olive-green fringings of the quills y2 312 Lord Tweeddale on Birds from and colouring of the rectrices, in wanting a distinct brown cap, and in the brown snbterminal tail-bands being indistinct and obscure^ and the pale apical bands being narroAver and ill defined. It is more nearly allied to P. flaviventris, bu+ diflFers in having a longer stouter bill, by being of a much darker, less yellow, green above, and by the possession of subterminal brown spots on the rectrices, a character which is seemingly never present in P. flaviventris. I have com- pared it with twenty examples of P. flaviventris from loca- lities ranging from Rangoon to Bootan, and with nine spe- cimens of P. familiaris. 100. Orthotomus cineraceus. Orthotomus cineraceus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 589, " Ma- lacca" (1845). Orthotomus sepium, Horsf., var. ex Sumatra, Temra. Re- cueil d'Ois. livr. 101. Orthotomus borneo'ensis, Salvadori, t. c. p. 247, " Sarawak " (1874); Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 41, t. ii. f. 1; idem. op. cit. 1877, p. 116. Sumatran individuals do not differ from typical and Bornean examples. True O. sepium extends to the island of Madura. 0. edela is the Javan form of 0. sutorius, but wants the white lores and superciliary stripe of the continental species. 101. Graucalus sumatrensis. Ceblepyris ?ioi7 (>V(M\in!;-, and start ini;- in the niorninj^ a little after snni'isi^ ; hut the hird is vei'y shy, and tor this reason not easy to be killed. The C^i/r/opsiffdciis fifsc/fronfi is a very small Parrot, one of the smallest, and dilHeult to tind in the dense folia{j;e of the trees; hut it is ot'leu bronf;"ht to notice by its piereiug whist le. 1 1 is not shy ; and onee find the tree on which it feeds, and it is easily secured. It is very similar to an allied s|)eeies which 1 discovcnHl at Hall Sound, named by Mr. SelatcM- ('i/c/<)/)s///t s(h> how this bird is to hi' distinguished U'oxn C. sc/nft/Iii/i/s ; for the distinctive characters pointed out by Salvadori 1 consider dependent only on the ai;i\ and not constant in all individuals of dilhMvnt aj;e aiul ditlcrcnt sex. Many other birds of this family may be added to my list by other explorers ; for 1 saw many, especially among- the Charmoatyme ; but as I did not kill them, T do not mention thcni. liiiccros riijirol/iti is a cinnun)n biril all over New (luinea, still 1 cannot say w hethcr in the interior I saw this species, or another one, which is [)erhaps intermediate hctwccn B.rujjco/l is and the Biiccroaoi'thc Solonuni Islands; for I found some beaks of this bird in the houses of the natives so much smaller, al- tho\iii;h of adnlt birds. Therefore 1 am inclined to believe they may belonj;- to a new species. Amoui;- the Ivingfishcrs there is, accordin<>: to Salvadori, another new species — Ci/diia/ri/o/) sticioUvma ; but 1 do not think it is a good species, and I believe the ditlcrcnccs pointed out by him between this bird and C. nigrocyaiwa only de- pend on the sex or age of the specimen he had under his con- sideration. A specimen w hich 1 got in the sanu^ locality where 1 had the first one is by no means ditlcrcnt from C. nigro- ct/anea of the Am Islands. An elegant bird which attracts the attention of the traveller is the Dendrochelidon uiystacco, from its peculiar shape, and from the leuiith of its winss and its forked tail. It is seen in the Exploration of tint FLij River. 'M\7 the daytime at rest on some high dead tree; and in the even- ing and in the morning it flies about chasing the insects on which it feeds. Flycatchers were very scarce; and, indeed, I cannot mention more than the beautiful Monurcha chrysomelus, which I had never collected before, and only saw once from New Guinea''^ in Mr. Stone's collection, and which is found also in the Solomon group. Cumpephaya sloetii is a rare bird in collec- tions; but it seems to be distributed all over New Guinea, as I have found specimens on the Arfak, at Hall Sound, and lately far up the Kly llivcr, and there the most numerous ; but I could not get more than one, which I met with in a native^s garden, feeding on the small berries of a high tree. Along the banks of the river, or on some gravel-flat of the river's bed, when the water was low, I saw another interesting small bird, whicli I discovered in the streams of Mount Arfak, in 1872. It is a lively bird, and is often seen giving chase on the wing to insects, on which it lives. It has been named by Salvadori Monachella saxicolima. The Artamas leuco- gaster is an Australian bird, but very common also in the eastern and central part of New Guinea. Its abode is on some old trunk projecting in the river^s bed. There it is often seen waiting for insects, which it catches in flying, not unlike a Swallow. Near to the mouth of the river I found two little gems of the feathered family, Nectarinia frenata and N. aspusia. The first one is an Australian and Papuan bird; the second inhabits all New Guinea and many islands east and west of the same island. Perhaps on account of the flowcrless season, the Meliphagidaj were scarce in number and species ; but it is not improbable that I have found a new genus of this family. Only two species of Eupetes had been known for many years as inhabitants of New Guinea. Lately some new ones have been added — one from the west, the other from the east. The last one is also found in the bush up Fly lliver, and it has been named Eupetes niyrocrisms by Salvadori. Other species of this genus will be found in New Guinea ; so I think it will not be considered absolutely a [* The species from New Guinea is distinct — Monarcha melanonotus, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1877, p. IOO.-Edd.] 368 M. L. D^Albertis on Birds collected during Malayan form. Only two Pittas^ P. niackloti and P. novae- guinea, have been yet recorded among the Papuan birds. Now I may add a third one, which I found for the first time in New Guinea, and killed at Kataw River ; but it inhabit also Cape York, and is plentiful on many of the Torres-Straits islands ; that is, Pitta assimilis. So out of the three Pittas two are found in Australia also. Large flocks of a Calornis were seen on the Alice river hunting after an insect, probably of the Libellula tribe, which was so abundant as to cover almost the surface o£ the river from bank to bank for many miles. They were so plentiful that when seen flying about a little above the water they con- veyed to the mind the recollection of a heavy fall of snow. I could not identify this bird. Many other birds were en- gaged in a similar chase ; and I remember a Graucalus, the Gracula dumonti, the Merops ornatus, and a Eurystomus, probably E. crassirostris. Gracula dumontii is, too, a common bird all over New Guinea ; but I may mention that I never saw it so plentiful as on the upper part of Fly River. Another Grakle, which I consider to be new to science, was very scarce, and only four specimens were seen, and two killed. Its description is as follows : — Male. Head, neck, and breast rich orange golden colour ; throat and sides of the head dark blackish green ; abdomen, above and below, hlack, each feather margined with dark shining green; rump and tail-coverts deep golden orange ; belly yellow ; under tail- coverts white, tipped with light yellow ; wings and tail black ; primaries white-spotted; bill, eyes, and feet yellow. The female is very similar to the male. I name this bird in honour of the Hon. John Robertson, Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, Mino robertsoni* . Manucodia keraudreni is found in Australia and New Guinea. The specimens from Cape York, once named M. gouldi, have been recently regarded as identical ; but I have before me specimens from New Guinea and Cape York, and they are at once distinguishable from each other. The speci- [* Salvador! identifies this uew species with Melanojjyrrhus orientalis, i.e. Gracula anais orientalis of Schlegel, Bijdr. iv. p. 52 (Anu. Mus. Civ. Genova, v. p. 12). — Edd.] the Exploration of the Fly River. 369 mens from Cape York are of a uniform dark shining green, while specimens from New Guinea differ, having the wings, tail, and back of a rich shining purplish violet. Gymnocorvus senex, a very common bird all over New Guinea, is remark- able for the great differences of its plumage at different ages. It was to be expected that in the centre of New Guinea many species of Paradise-birds were to be found ; but only six species are given in ray list, and certainly many others are to be discovered there. The most beautiful of them, no doubt, is the Seleucides albus, or Twelve-wired Bird of Para- dise, and at the same tin;ie one of the rarest. On the upper part of the Fly River I saw it several times crossing the river very slowly ; and often in the morning and before sunset it was seen on the top of some high tree, motionless and uttering its mournful note. It is a very suspicious bird, and for this perhaps, is still rare in museums. It is found also on the north-west coast of New Guinea and Salawatti Island. Ci- cinnurus regius is a too common bird (also of the north coast and Aru Islands) to be spoken of. Sericulus aureus is found also all over New Guinea. I saw it on the Arfak Mountains, at Najabui, in the eastern peninsula, and now also up the Fly ; but it is a rare and shy bird. Salvadori places this bird close to the Chlamydoderce, but I cannot see more affinity in this bird with Chlamydodera than with Cicinnurus ; at the same time, however, from its head, bill, wings, and shortness of the tail, I think it nearer to Cicinnurus than to the Chlamy- dodera. To say that it has not the same habits as the true Paradise-bird is not of much value ; for nearly every species or at least every genus, has its own habits. Ptilorhis magnifica is found also in Australia and on the west coast of New Guinea and Salwatti. Paradisea raggiana, discovered at Orangerie Bay in 1873, by myself, extends its habitat up to the centre of New Guinea, and seems to be common enough ; its plumes are used by the natives as head- dresses all over the country where the bird is found. Another bird, very closely allied to the last mentioned, is Paradisea apoda, or a new species resembling it very much. If admitted to be P. apoda, is it proper to say that it is the first 370 M. L. D'Albertis on Birds collected during time this bird has been met with in New Guinea, and that it was believed to be an inhabitant of the Am Islands only. The fact of two species so alike living in the same locality is of some interest, and suggests some remarks. There are now four species of the known genus Paradisea — viz. P. apoda, P. papuana, P. rubra, and P. raggiana. The former two re- semble each other very closely in the long yellow plumes at the side of the breast, while the last two resemble each other in the red colour of the same plumes, but differ in the two middle tail-feathers &c. So far as we know, P. apoda in- habits the Aru Islands and the mainland of New Guinea, south of the Charles-Louis Mountains ; Paradisea papuana, the west to 131° long. E., and north of the above-mentioned range, so far as 141° long. E., and other islands north of New Guinea. The two red species, on the other hand, are living very far from each other; the P. rubra seems confined to Waigiou Island, and P. raggiana to the centre and eastern peninsula of New Guinea. But it is not improbable that P. rubra also may be found some day in New Guinea. From the first insight we have of the fauna of Southern New Guinea, we have learned how in this part of the country Australian forms, genera, and species are abundant, and are generally found in preference to allied species now inhabiting the north-western coast ; and I think that what applies to the animals will be also found in a less degree to apply to the plants. So we find a larger number of species inhabiting North Australia, Aru Islands, and New Guinea, because the narrow sea which separates the three countries may be easily crossed even by birds of not very great power in the wings. So far as I can guess from my last visit to the central part of New Guinea, as well as from some fossils there collected, I think that all the flat land from the coast of Torres Strait up, perhaps, to the foot of the mountains has been submerged, and raised again at a not very distant time, and probably when the Aru Islands and Australia were separated from New Guinea. Plants and animals which, during the time of sub- sidence, could live on the mountains, at the new rising of the land descended to populate it again, more or less modified ; and the Exploration of the Fly River. 371 others immigrated from the nearest land, and especially from Australia, and established themselves there, probably under- going some modifications, but at all events retaining much of the characters of the primitive type. And while the species inhabiting the lowlands on both sides of the mountains differ much, we find that those inhabiting the mountains are almost invariably the same on both sides, no matter Avhat the dif- ference of latitude or longitude may be. This may be ex- plained ; for the alpine forms were not subjected to sensible change of temperature, soil, &c., in their emigration, so long as they kept to the mountains ; on the other hand, the forms of the plain cannot cross the high mountains without mo- dification. The geological union of Australia, the Aru Islands, and New Guinea in a recent time is to me a certainty ; and I can- not consider the granitic peaks of Torres Straits but as the links of the chain which for a time joined Australia to New Guinea. Mount-Ernest Island, The Brothers, and Tawan Island, and all the other islands of Torres Straits, are faithful witnesses to this. When the fauna and flora of New Guinea and North Australia are better known and com- pared, especially reptiles, small mammals, freshwater fish, and other small animals of limited power for emigration, the fact will be proved. Although I propose to confine myself to the subject of birds, I cannot refrain from mentioning the existence of an Echidna in New Guinea. Very far up the Fly River I found in the natives' houses, carefully preserved, the quills of an Echidna, and also many arrows whose barbs are made with such quills. It is within my knowledge that the Rev. Mr. Lawes obtained at Port Moresby a young animal from the natives, which was described to me as like a Platypus ; but I am inclined to believe it was a young Echidna"^. The importance of such a discovery needs no comment. Among the Pigeon family I may mention Carpophaga spi- lorrhoa, C. zoece, C. muellerii, Megoloprepia assimilis, Ptilo- * The above had beeu written when I received from Italy the descrip- tion of Tachyglossus {Echicbia) bruijnii (W. Peters and Doria), founded on a portion of a skull found on the Arfak Mountains. 372 Recently published Ornithological IVorks. nopus superbus, P. ionozonus, P. coronulatus , P. aurantiifrons , and Ptilonopus nanus, which for the most part inhabit New Guinea, Aru Islands, and North Australia. A bird strictly Papuan, one of the largest of this family, is the Crested Pigeon, or Goura, of which four species are known, viz. — G. victories, G. coronata, G. albertisi, and G. sclateri, although the former has not been yet found on the Papuan continent. G. coro- nata is found on the north-west, and G. albertisi on the east- ern peninsulas, and G. sclateri in the central part of New Guinea, where I discovered it during my first visit to the Fly. During my second trip I found it also at Kataw River. If in the Papuan forest lives this gigantic form of the family, there we also find a dwarf in the rare and pretty Ptilonopus nanus. Dendrocygna guttata, D. vagans, Nettapus pulchellus, Pelecanus conspicillatus, Hamatopus longirostris, Mycteria australis, and Tachy petes prion, &c. are all birds common to the Aru Islands and Australia, and only lately added to the list of New-Guinea birds. I wish I could give the specific name of a beautiful Cassowary, of which I possess a skin and skeleton; but so many species of this bird have been lately described, that I do not venture to say to which it be- longs, though I am inclined to think it may be a Casuarius australis^. XXXII. — Notices of Recent Publications. [Continued from p. 249.] 30. Baldwin's ' Large and Small Game of Bengal.' [The Large and Small Game of Bengal and the North-western Pro- vinces of India. By Captain J. H. Baldwin, F.G.S. 8vo. London : Henry S. King and Co.] The larger portion of the 400 pages which compose this handsome volume is devoted to the various IVIammals which in India attract the sportsman^s first notice; but some 150 * [It is more probably the species noticed by Sclater (P. Z. S. 1875, p. 86) as C. beccarii, but which, we believe, Prof. Salvador! considers not to be identical with C. beccarii of the Aru Islands. — Edt).] Recently published Ornithological Works. 373 pages are likewise occupied with an account of the Pheasants, Pea-fowlj Partridges, Bustards, Plovers, and other so-called '^ Game-birds" of that rich and varied fauna. There is nothing scientific about the book ; but the technical names from Jerdon and short descriptions of each species are given, and the many interesting notes on the habits of the birds and sporting adventures with them will no doubt render it very- popular, 31. ' Vagrancy Acts.' [Vagrancy Acts. By A.. C. McM., 2otli March, 1875. For Private Circulation. Trimulgberry : printed at the Military-Prison Press. 1 vol., 8vo, 260 pp.] Under this curious title a well known Indian sportsman, who usually rejoices in the pseudonym of " Vagrant,^^ has re- printed a series of his papers upon the field-sports of India, amongst which are many of interest to the ornithologist. They contain chiefly observations made at some of the hill- stations of Madras and Central India, though there are also some notes on the birds of Burmah. ■ 32. Orion's ' Andes and the Amazon.' [The Andes and the Amazon ; or across the continent of South America. By James Orton, A.M. Third edition, revised and enlarged, containing notes of a second journey across the continent from Para to Lima and Lake Titicaca. 8vo. New York: 1876.] Professor Orton has published a third edition of this in- structive work, which is probably well known to most of our readers — though, except the chapter " On Condors and Hum- ming-birds," there is nothing strictly ornithological in it. In his second journey Prof. Orton ascended the Amazons to Yurimaguas on the Huallaga (about a month^s voyage, not including stoppages), and crossed thence to the Pacific by Balsa Puerto, Moyobamba, Chachapoyas, and Cajamarca. We can fancy no more interesting route for a naturalist, es- pecially when we bear in mind that Chachapoyas is the home of Loddigesia mirabilis I SER. IV. VOL. I. 2 C 374 Recently published Ornithological Works. 33. ' Log-letters from the Challenger.' [Log-letters from the ' Challenger.' By Lord George Campbell. 1 vol. 8vo, 1876, London : Macmillan and Co.] So far as regards science the author of these letters would not seem to be a very promising son of his respected father ; but he has written a very pleasant and readable book, which, as the first published narrative of the doings of the greatest scientific expedition of the period, will command the atten- tion of naturahsts. The account of the Penguin-rookeries and other sea-birds^ breeding-peculiarities at Nightingale Island (p. 60), Marion Island (p. 76), Kerguelen Land (p. 83), and Heard Island (p. 96), Avill specially interest the ornithologist. Admiralty Island was perhaps the least-known place visited, and produces "Nutmeg- Pigeons'^ {Carpophag(2) in great abundance, besides other birds, of which we shall doubtless have a correct account in due time. 34. ' The Cruise of the Challenger.' [The Cruise of H.M.S. ' Challenger.' Voyages over many seas, scenes in many lands. By W. J. J. Spry, R.N. 1 vol. 8vo, 1876. London : Sampson, Low, and Co.] ]Mr. Spry^s account of the ' Challenger^s ' voyage is not in our opinion so well written as that of Lord George Campbell, and contains even less of scientific details ; but there are a good many well-executed illustrations, and there are many passages of interest. The abstract of the log of the voyage (pp. 385-8) will be of use for reference as to dates and localities. 35. ' Stray Feathers.' [' Stray Feathers.' A Journal of Ornithology for India and its Depen- dencies. Edited by Allan Hume. 1876. Vol. iv. nos. 4, 5, 6.] These three numbers of ' Stray Feathers,^ issued in one part, conclude the fourth volume of this journal, which has certainly done much towards the advancement of our favour- ite science in India. The most important articles are those by Dr. Armstrong on the birds of the Irrawaddy delta, by JMr. F. Bourdillon and JMr. Hume on the birds of the Travan- core hills, and IVIr, Hume's account of his ornithological journey to the Laccadives and west coast. As regards the Recently published Ornithological Works. 375 Laccadives, which have not been previously examined, the birds and other animals obtained were exclusively common Indian species, and the general conclusion arrived at is that " the Laccadives have no distinctive fauna or flora/' The fol- lowing " novelties " are described : — Estrilda burmanica from Rangoon, Alcippe bourdilloni from Travancore, and Monti- fringilla blanfordi and M. mandellii from Sikim. 36. Sharpens edition of Layard's ' Birds of South Africa.' [The Birds of South Africa. By E. L. Layard, F.Z.S. &c. New edi- tion, thoroughly revised and augmented, by R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c., Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum. Part iv.] After what has been said on the subject of antedating in ^Nature' (vol. xiv. pp. 309, 330, 351, 369, 392, 424, 474) in reference to this very work, we are certainly rather sur- prised that Mr. Sharpe should continue in the face of the strictures of his brother naturalists to issue another number in March 1877, dated '' May 1875.'' It is, we suppose, the fault of the publisher, who wishes to use up his old covers ; but we cannot consider the author otherwise than co-respon- sible. So far as we can tell, Saxicola shelleyi from Victoria Falls, S. anderssoni from Great Namaqua Land, Drymceca hypoxan- tha from Natal, and Acrocephalus fulvo -lateralis from Natal are now described for the first time. But we must again re- peat [cf. Ibis, 1875, p. 506) that the omission of all syno- nyms is in our opinion a very great demerit in the present edition of Mr. Layard's work, as it is only by reading the context that these and other points can be ascertained. 37. Heuglin's 'Journey in North-eastern Africa.' [Reise in Nordost-Afrika. Sehilderungen aus dem Gehiete der Beni- Amer und Habab, mit zoologischen Skizzen und einem Fiihrer fiir Jagd- reisende, von M. Th. v. Heuglin. Zwei Bande. Braunschweig, 1877.] These volumes give an account of the late Th. v. Heuglin's last African journey. In January and February 1875 Heug- lin made a short excursion along the mountainous district 2c2 376 Recently published Ornithological Works. which borders the shores of the Red Sea between Siiakira and Massowah. In the first volume of the present work is given a narra- tive of the expedition, with some chapters of advice to hunters and sportsmen who may wish to resort to this easily accessible and thoroughly wild district. An excellent map is added. The second volume is devoted to an account of the mam- mals and birds of the district, and forms a useful handbook for those who are acquainted with German. Of birds 416 species are enumerated. Philothamna minor (p. 182) and Batis orientalis (p. 194) are figured and described as new, we believe, for the first time, the latter having been previously referred to Platystira pririt and P. senegalensis. 38. Elliot's Monograph of the Hornbills. [A Monograph of the Bucerotidse, or Family of the Hornbills. By D. G. Elliot, RR.S.E., F.L.S., &c. Part 1, small folio, 1877. Published by the Author.] Mr, D. G. Elliot has commenced the issue of another of his beautifully illustrated monographs, and has chosen on this occasion the singular group of Hornbills for his subject. The six plates in the first number are excellently drawn by Keulemans, and coloured well. They represent the follow- ing species according to Mr. Elliotts nomenclature : — Rhinoplax vigil. Anorrhinus albocristatus. Sphagolobus atratus. Bycanistes subcylindricus. Cranorrhinus waldeni. Tockus monteiri. We hope Mr. Elliot will not carry his subdivision of the genera of the Bucerotidse to an extreme point, and that he will not insist on adopting more antiquated names than he can help. Does any ornithologist (unless he has just referred to Mr. Elliot's work) know what Rhinoplax vigil is ? and must we necessarily adopt that specific name? As regards the species described and figured by T. R. Forster himself in his ' Zoologica Indica,' there can be no question ; and his names have always been in use ; but whether we are obliged to em- ploy the terms assigned to the Planches Enluminees, Edwards's Recently published Ornithological Works. 377 plates, &c. in the ' Specimen Faunulse Indicae' thereto appended (of which not Forster but Pennant is stated to be the author) , is another question. TVe are of opinion that they should be left in the obscurity in which they have remained since 1781, because to resuscitate them would cause a multitude of most inconvenient changes in our nomenclature ; and nomenclature is, after all, a matter of convenience, not of right ! The revi- val of Boddaert's ^'^ Table '^ was a great injury to ornithologi- cal nomenclature ; the revival of Pennant's ' Specimen Fau- nulse Indicse ' would be another. Mr. Elliot does not state in his text where the specimens from which the figures are taken are to be i'ound. It is always desirable to give this information, so as to facilitate sub- sequent identifications. 39. Gould's ' Birds of New Guinea.' ■ [The Birds of New Guinea aud the adjacent Papuan Islands, including any new Species that may be discovered in Australia. By John Gould, F.R.S. &c. Part iv. Folio, 1877. Published by the Author, 26 Char- lotte Street, Bedford Square, VV.C] Of Mr. Gould's 'Birds of New Guinea' we have spoken on former occasions (Ibis, 1876, p. 363). The number already issued this year contains figures of Pitta novfe-guinese. Melipotes gymnops. rosenbergii. Machserirhynchus albifrons. Paradisea sanguinea. nigripectus. raggiana. Psittacella brehmii. Melirrhophetes leucostephes. Malurus alboscapulatus. ochromelas. Parus arfaki. Melidectes torquatus. Of great interest are the new forms of Meliphagidse {Melir- rhophetes and Melidectes) now figured for the first time from specimens furnished by Dr. Meyer. Psittacella is a scarce and novel form of the Psittacidse ; but is Parus arfaki a true Parus ? 40. Gould's ' Birds of Asia.' [The Birds of Asia. By J. Gould, F.R.S., &c. Dedicated to the Honourable East-India Company. Part xxix. Folio. London : 1877. Published by the Author, 26 Charlotte Street, Bedford Square, W.C.] 378 Recently published Ornithological Works. Mr. Gould^s annual number of the ' Birds of Asia ' gives us portraits of the following species : — Rhodopechys sanguinea. Actenoides hombroni. Erytlirospiza obsoleta. lindsayi. incarnata. concretus. Pitta baudii. Sturnus unicolor. gurueyi. humii. steerii. Sutbora muiiipurensis. ussheri. The red-stained Mountain-Finches of the genus Erythro- spiza and its allied forms are of great interest^ but have been very unnecessarily cut up into too many subdivisions. Ery- throspiza incarnata of Severtzolf ought, it appears, to bear the specific name mongolica of Swinhoe. Sturnus humii of Mr. Gould and of Mr. Brooiis (Ibis, 1876, p. 500) appears to be the species just named S. ambiguus by the energetic ornithologist after whom Messrs. Brooks and Gould have in- dependently proposed to call it^. We must also remark that Mr. Gould's reasons for including S. unicolor in the ' Birds of Asia ' are rather inconsequent. 41. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany .' [Ornithological Miscellany. Edited by George Dawson Rowley, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Member of the British Ornithologists' Union. Parts vii. and viii. London : 1877, Triibner and Co.] Mr. Rowley continues to publish fresh numbers of his favourite periodical. Part vii. gives us excellent figures of Oriolus formosus of the Sangi Islands (we really cannot use the unnecessary generic term which Mr. Rowley gives to this true Oriole) , of the nest and eggs of White's Thrush, from ex- amples obtained by Mr. Swinhoe near Ningpo, China, and of Pitta rosenbergi of the Schouten Islands. Mr. Rowley also gives us, with the assistance of Dr. Meyer, an excellent article on the genus Loriculus, with illustrations of four of these beautiful little Parrots — L. catamene, L. regulus, L. exilis, and L. stigmatus. In part viii. we have a continuation of the useful transla- tion of Prejevalsky^s essay upon the birds of Mongolia and * 'Stray Feathers,' iv. p. 512. Recently published Ornithological Works. 379 Eastern Tibet^ and illustrations of two more beautiful Pittas — P. cceruleitorquata and P. sanghirana of the Sangir Islands, and of a rare and curious Pigeon — Ptilopus insolitus. 42. Beccari's Account of the Playing-places of Amblyor- nis inornata, [Le Capanue ed i Giardini dell' Amhlyornis inornata. Per 0. Beccari. Ann. Mils. Civ. Genova, ix. p. 383.] No more interesting chapter has been recently written in field-ornithology than Beccari^s account of the wonderful constructions made by the Bower-bird of New Guinea, Am- hlyornis inornata, as observed by himself during his visit to Mount Arfak in 1875. Amblyoriiis builds for its amusement a perfect circular cabin, principally of the dry twigs of an epi- phytous orch\(\.[Dendrobium) , measvmng about a metre in dia- meter, and supported by a single central pillar. Before the entrance is a beautiful garden of dimensions rather greater than the cabin, made of the greenest moss, and ornamented from time to time with brilliantly coloured flowers and fruits, such as flowers of a most beautiful species of Vaccinium. This instinct is well known to the Malay hunters, who call the bird " Tukan kobou " or " Gardener.''^ Had space permitted, we should have been glad to give a translation of Dr. Bec- cari^s most interesting paper, although we cannot quite agree with some of the philosophical deductions which he appends to it. 43. Salvadori's Recent Ornithological Papers. [(1) Osservazioni intorno alle specie del genere Myristicivora, Reiehb. Ann. Mils. Civ. Geneva, ix. p. 268. (2) Intorno alle specie del genere Talegallus, Less. Ann. Mus. Civ. Geneva, ix. p. 327. (3 ) Note intorno ad alcuni uccelli durante 1' esplorazione del Fiiime Fly. Per L. M. D'Albertis, C.M.Z.S. Ann. Mus. Civ. Geneva, x. p. 5.] Our ever-active friend Professor Salvadori continues his papers on points connected with the ornithology of New Guinea. In the first of those now before us the specific dif- ferences of three Fruit-Pigeons of the genus Myristicivora (M. bicolor, M. spilorrhoa, and M. melanura), which have 380 Recently published Ornithological Works. been recently denied by Mr. Sharpe (P. Z. S. 1875, p. 108 et seq.), are vindicated. In the second, two new species of Talegallus [T. fuscirostris from Southern New Guinea and the Arru Islands, and T. arfakianus from Mount Arfak) are described, the latter, however, being founded only on chicks. The third gives a translation with notes of D' Albertis's account of his collections on the Fly River, which we have reprinted above (p. 363 et seq.). 44. Barboza du Bocage's Thirteenth List of African Birds. [Aves das possessoes portuguezas de Africa occidental por J. V. Barboza du Bocage. (Decima terceira Lista.) Jornal de Sciencias math., pliys. e nat. no. xxi. 1877.] In this article Professor Barboza du Bocage gives a list of a collection of eighty-one specimens of birds^ representing fifty-one species, recently made in Benguela by Sr. Anchieta. A new Barbet is described as Pogonorhynchus leucogaster. It is nearest to P. leucocephalus. 45. Homey er upon German Mammals and Birds. [DeutscMands Saugethiere und Vogel, ihr Nutzen und Schaden. Von E. r. V. Homeyer. In Commission beiDr. Rev in Leipzig. 8vo, pp. SI, n. d.] Hr. E. F. V. Homeyer, a well-known devotee to our science, gives, in the present essay, a summary of the useful and noxious qualities of the mammals and birds of the Father- land, in relation to the question of their legislative protection, a topic, in all civilized countries, of rapidly increasing impor- tance. It would have been well if such a carefully drawn-up series of observations had been prepared by a competent naturalist in this country before the recent Acts for the pro- tection of such birds and waterfowl were passed. Hr. v. Ho- meyer states that the Starling [Sturnus vulgaris) is the most useful bird in Germany; and as regards that country we may well accept most of his conclusions. But when he says "in Engla7idgibt es seit Idngerer Zeit keine Filchse mehr" (!) we must come to the conclusion that he does not know much of what goes on in England. We are really afraid to trans- late the sentence, lest it should be thought suggestive of the horrible idea. Recently published Ornithological Works* 381 46. Allen's ' Progress of Ornithology in the United States.' [Progress of Ornithology in the United States during the last century. By J. A. Allen. American Naturalist, vol. x. p. 536,] This essay of Mr. Allen^s gives a succinct account of the rise and progress of the study of our science in the Uni- ted States from the days of Alexander Wilson (1808) to the present period, and is well worthy of the attention of all ornithologists. When Bonaparte finished his continuation of Wilson^s work in 1833, about 400 species of birds had been described as appertaining to the avifauna of the United States. ^' At the present time the number of generally accepted species entitled to recognition as birds of that portion of North America north of Mexico is not less than six hundred and fifty, witii, in addition, about one hundred and fifty commonly recognized subspecies, or about, eight hundred recognized forms. " The nests, eggs, and general habits of nearly all are now well known, particularly of those which occur east of the Rocky Mountains. ^^ " Another phase of progress,^^ Mr. Allen observes, " that should not pass unnoticed in this connexion is the attention that has been paid to the geographical distribution of the species, with especial reference to the determination of the different faunal areas in North America, many of which are already known with a tolerable degree of definiteness, also the tendency to study the various subspecific and specific forms from a geographical and evolutionary standpoint. Formerly the study of our birds was pursued wholly analytically, and forms from distant, little-known localities which difter'ed slightly from their near affines of neighbouring regions, were looked upon as distinct ' species.' Later, as the material for a better knowledge of the subject accumulated, specimens of an intermediate character came to light, which, so long as they were few, were naturally looked upon as probably hybrids between the forms whose characters they seemed to combine. Still later, however, it was found that certain strains of devi- ation from pronounced types occurred in a large number of species belonging to widely different families inhabiting the 382 Recently published Ornithological Works. same areas. This led to the discovery of laws of geographi- cal variation, connecting particular phases of local differenti- ation with the topographical and climatic peculiarities of the regions where they so uniformly occur. Many of the isolated facts bearing on this subject had been observed and placed on record prior even to 1880; but their full import was not rea- lized till after the lapse of another decade, during which our stores of material had become vastly increased. In 1871 the ' new departure ' was for the first time fairly entered upon, which in three years revolutionized the nomenclature of North- American ornithology, adding an important chapter on philosophical zoology, and exerting great influence in many other departments of North-American zoology. Natu- rally a view that threatened either to assign fully one sixth of the previously recognized species to the limbo of syno- nymy, or to lower them to the grade of geographical races, was not rashly espoused by those to whom belonged the credit of the recognition and description of these previously supposed specific forms ; but so overwhelming were the facts in its favour found to be, that one after another of our leading writers soon gave it their endorsement, so that probably a greater degree of unanimity of opinion respecting any pro- blem in ornithology never obtained than now exists among our ornithologists respecting the sul)jcct of geographical vari- ation among our birds, and the subspecific relationship of many forms which, when first made known, seemed unques- tionably of specific rank. "■ The next step, and apparently a wholly logical one in the revolution, will doubtless be the general adoption of a trino- mial system of nomenclature for the more convenient expres- sion of the relationship of what are conventionally termed ' subspecific,^ so that we may write, for instance, Falco com- munis anatum in place of the more cumbersome Falco com- munis, subsp. anatum. This system is already, in fact, to some extent in use here, though looked upon with strong dis- favour by our transatlantic fellow-workers, who seem as yet not fully to understand the nature of the recent rapid ad- vance ornithology has made in this country^ or to appreciate Recently published Ornithological Works . 383 the thoroughly substantial character of the evidence on which it is based. " The constant and energetic exploration of the great North and North-west, of the vast trans -Mississippian region, and of our subtropical borders, during the last two decades, by- scores of indefatigable collectors and observers, has certainly not been in vain, as witness the hundreds and often thousands of specimens of single species, representing the gradually varying phases presented at hundreds of localities, that have passed through the hands of our specialists/' 47. Pelzeln on Birds from Ecuador. [Ueber eiue weitere Sendung von Vogeln aus Ecuador. (Verb, zool.- bot. Gesellscb. in Wieu, 1876, p. 765.)] This paper contains a short list of birds, in continua- tion of a previous memoir on the same subject {op. cit. 1874, p. 171). Several of the species mentioned do not appear to have been recorded before from Ecuador. The Humming-birds seem to have come in for a large share of the collectors' attention ; and in the list of them we notice the name of the rare Eutoxeres condaminii, of which very few specimens have as yet reached Europe. One species is named with doubt Steganura underwoodi; should not this rather be called /S. melananthera, or perhaps Mr. Gould's lately described S. solstitialis ? The female of the latter is distinguishable by its rufous thighs. The exact locality in the Republic where these specimens were obtained is not stated. 48. Pelzeln on Additions to the Imperial Museum at Vienna. [Ueber sine von Herrn Dr. Richard Ritter von Drasche dem k.k. zoo- logischen Ilofcabinete zum Gescbenk gemachte Sendung von Viigelbal- gen, (Verb, zool.-bot. Gesellscb. in Wien, 1876, p. 717.)] Unfortunately the exact origin of the ninety-seven speci- mens treated of in this paper was not recorded; but the greater part of them, it is stated, came from Celebes, the re- mainder from the JMoluccas and Papuan Islands. One species {Rectes draschii), allied to R. dichrous, is described as new ; and the Pigeon recently characterized by Herr Brugge- 384 Recently published Ornithological Works. mann (Abh. Nat. Ver. z. Bremen^ 1876, p. 84) as Carpophaga pcecilorrhoa is placed in the genus Gymnophaps, and a figure (plate xiii.) of it given, 49. Pelzeln's Report on the Progress of Ornithology in 1875. [Bericlit liber die Leistungen in der Natiirgeschichte der Vogel wah- rend des Jahres 187o. (Wiegm. Arch, xsxii. pp. 144-208.)] This report upon the ornithological work of the year 1875, furnished by Herr von Pelzeln to Wiegmann^s ' Archiv/ appears, like its predecessors, to be very complete, especially as regards the list of publications bearing upon the general subject. We also notice that several past omissions are now inserted ; so that the report is perhaps enlarged somewhat beyond the dimensions due to the year to which it specially relates. There are a few points in the classification of the special portion which seem to us now to require some modi- fication. The Hlrundinidce and the Trochilidce cannot, we think, properly be allowed to continue in the positions here assigned to them. Though the Upupida have often been classed with the Passeres, and even placed near the Larks by Sundevall, their retention in that Order cannot be seriously maintained ; still less the junction of the Bucerotida with the Passeres Conirostres. Is it not time, too, to remove the Stru- thiones from the midst of the Carinatse ? In a work like the present it would be unwise to adopt every new point in classification as it appears to be made out ; at the same time we venture to suggest that some modification is oc- casionally necessary to avoid the prolonged retention of an obsolete system. 50. Baird's ' Ornithology of Utah.' [Exploration across the great Basin of Utah. Appendix K, pp. 373- 381. Ornithology. A List of Birds. By Prof. Spencer F. Baird. 4to. Washington : 1876.] This is a list of the birds obtained during an exploration of the great basin of Utah, as long ago as 1859, by the engineer- ing department of the United-States army, in charge of Cap- tain J. H. Simpson. The whole collection consisted of 258 specimens, comprising 114 species. These have been classi- Letters, Announcements, l^c. 385 fied by Prof. Baird according to the system prevailing in tlie United States^ the locality of each specimen being given. None of the species appears to call for any special comment ; but the list adds to our knowledge of the distribution of North- American birds, a subject which our Transatlantic brethren have long laboured at with great industry and success. 51. Major Godvnn- Austen's List of Birds from the Hills of the North-east Frontier of India. [Fifth List of Birds from the Hill Ranges of the North-east Frontier of India. By Major H. 11. Godwin-Austen, F.R.G.S. &c. (J. A. S. B. xlv. pt. 2, p. 191.)] A list of the birds collected by officers of the Topographi- cal Survey of India in the Munipur and Naga hills, and by Major Godwin-Austen himself in the Khasi hills, is given in this paper, which adds another to the useful series of memoirs Major Godwin- Austen has published on the birds of these remote districts. Most of the new species obtained during these expeditions have already been described in this Journal (Ibis, 1875, p. 250 et seqq.) and elsewhere ; but others are characterized in this article. Thus we have a new Alcippe from the Naga hills allied to A. hueti of Pere David, and called A. fusca, and Neornis albiventris, a new Warbler from the Munipur valley, allied to N. assimilis, Hodgs. Three species are figured (plates v., vi., vii.), viz. Acridotheres al- bocincta, Sphenocichla roberti, and Pyctorhis altirostris. XXXIII. — Letters, Announcements, ^c. The following letters, addressed " To the Editors of ' The Ibis,^ " have been received : — Sirs, — In 1875 the Asiatic Society of Bengal did me the honoui" of intrusting to me the task of editing the post- humous Catalogue of the Birds of Burma written by Mr. Blyth. While in no degree underrating the responsibility of the duty I was asked to perform, I accepted the trust with some confidence, because Mr. Blyth, not very long before 386 Letters, Announcements, l^c. his lamented death, had gone through all his manuscript with me at Chislehurst, and, while inviting the freest criticism, only made such alterations as he was satisfied in his mind were well founded. It is needless to say that I had but few corrections to suggest, and that Mr. Blyth exhibited all that accuracy, acuteness, and retentive power of memory for which he was so remarkable. In the Catalogue as it now appears in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, all the ad- ditions or observations made by me are enclosed in brackets, as stated by Mr. Grote in his introduction. On page 114, at no. 359, it will be found that jNIr. Blyth identified Pellorneum subochraceum, Swiuhoe, with his own species, Pellorneum tickelli, Blyth. Knowing that Mr. Blyth would not hazard such an identification without good grounds, and as I had never seen the type of P. tickelli, Blyth, I felt bound, as his editor, to accept Mr. Blyth's views concerning his own species ; and I therefore allowed the synonymy, as set forth by Mr. Blyth, to stand without alteration or remark. I felt that it would be somewhat presumptuous in me, with- out the type specimen in my own hand, to assume that Mr. Blyth did not know a species described by himself. I con- sequently accepted the title P. subochraceum, Swinhoe, it being of more recent date, as a synonym of P. tickelli, Blyth. In 1873 Mr. Hume described (Str. F. i. p. 298) a species of Pellorneum from Thayetmyo under the title of P. minor. This is undoubtedly the same bird as P. subochraceum, Swin- hoe (Ann. N. H. ser. 4, 1871, vii. p. 257). In the Catalogue, no. 360, I therefore remarked that P. minor, Hume, was '' a synonym of P. tickelli," accepting that title on Mr. Blyth's authority as being equal, though older, to P. subochraceum. That P. minor, Hume, was not a distinct species (I happened to possess a large series collected by Lieutenant W. Ramsay), that it had been described two years previously by Mr. Swin- hoe, was, while not a matter of great surprise, beyond all doubt when I wrote. But Mr. Gates has recently (Str. F. 1876, p. 406) endeavoured to show that I, not Mr. Blyth, have ^' made a strange mistake " in identifying P. tickelli with P. minor, or, in other words, with P. subochraceum. I do not admit that Mr. Blyth was wrong in his identification of P. Lettei's, Announcements, l^c. 387 subochraceum with P. tickelli ; ior, with the greatest respect to the superior knowledge of Mr. Oates^ I am inclined (per- haps from mere editorial partiality) to believe that Mr. Blyth was as likely to know as much^ I will not say more, about the specimen and species he himself had described, than even Mr. Oates, who had never seen it. But if there is an error on my part in referring P. minor, Hume, through P. subochraceum, Swinhoe, to P. tickelli, Blyth, it must be Mr. Blyth^s "dictum/' and not mine, "that will not be readily accepted by those who are conversant with local Indian ornithology." Mr. Oates speaks confidently of having seen and shot P. tickelli, Blyth^ on the Pegu bills. Mr. Hume, in his "List of the Birds of Upper Pegu" {op. cit. 1875, p. 119), goes no further than to " suppose " that the only specimen sent to him by Mr. Oates belongs to P. tickelli ; and Mr. Oates (/. c.) remarks that that " specimen agrees pretty well with Blyth^s meagre description." But when it becomes an object to impress on the readers of ' Stray Feathers ' that I, in my capacity of Mr. Blyth^s editor, have arrived " at hasty and, in many cases, erroneous conclusions," then the fact that it was Mr. Blyth, and not I, who identified his own species with one that is notoriously the same as P. minor, is omitted, Mr. Hume^s bare "supposition" becomes a demonstrated fact, and "Blyth's meagre description," with which Mr. Oatcs^s solitary specimen only " agrees pretty well," is considered, along with TickelFs (which is as meagre, and was also before Mr. Oates), "to give us all the really essential particulars of the plumage." But, Sir, what will probably more interest you and your readers is, whether I was justified in treating the title of P. minor, Hume (lege minus) , as a synonym of some previously described species. Upon this point there is no doubt ; for I have taken the trouble to again examine the type of P. sub- ochraceum. I remain, yours, TWEEDDALE. Ohislehurst, April 26, 1877. 388 Letters, Announcements, S^c. Sirs, — In my additional notes to Mr. Blyth's "Catalogue of the Birds of Burma/^ when dealing with Otothrix hodg- soni, I gave a bare list of all the species of the genus Batra- chostomus then known to inhabit the Indian region, and their synonymy. With regard to two species I simply wrote "no. 2. B. affinis, ^]jth,=P. parvulus, Tem.,=B. castaneus, Hume.," and " no. 3. B. moniliger, ljKyaYd, = B. punctatus, Hume." For these identifications of two of Mr. Hume's new (?) species " the editor of the ornithological part '' [sic) " of Blyth's Birds of Burma " (Str. F. iv. p. 376) has been assailed by Mr. Hume with a fretful levity and poverty of analytical perception which would have rendered it un- necessary for me to notice his remarks^ had not Mr. Blanford addressed you a letter on the subject^ published in the April number of ' The Ibis ' (antea, p. 249) ; for it need hardly be said that I receive opinions formed by Mr. Blanford on orni- thological questions with the respect that those who know him personally or through his writings cannot fail to entertain. The general conclusions I had arrived at (/. c.) were formed after repeated and anxious study of a comprehensive series of specimens and of the literature on the subject. But Mr. Blanford, I observe, makes a statement so diametrically at variance with one of my principal conclusions that, if it can be established"^", my assertion (I.e.) that B. castaneus, Hume, = B. affinis, Blyth, must be erroneous. Its accuracy or in- accuracy turns on the fundamental question. What is B. afjinis, Blyth ? Mr. Blanford asserts that " conspicuous white spots " " occur on the wing-coverts of i?. affinis " (/. c), and that the " feathers of the breast and abdomen are pale isabelline, with rufous edges, which are broader on the breast/' but that "in B. castaneus the greater portion of the lower surface is the same colour as the back, chestnut ; but many feathers on the throat, breast, and upper abdomen are white, * [Since this letter has been in type we have received a letter from Mr. Blanford requesting that his former letter (already published in our last number, p. 249) should be cancelled. lie has " looked at one of Blyth's types of Batrachostomus, and fouxid that Lord Tweeddale is right and Mr. Hume wrong !'^ — Edc] Letters, Announcements, S^c. 389 with black margins." Now, on the other hand, Blyth dis- tinctly stated, in his original description of B. affinis (J. A. S. B. 1847, p. 1180), that it "has no white spots on the wing," that the " throat and breast " are " plain rufous, with a few white feathers, having a subterminal dusky border on the fore neck and sides of the breast." Mr. Biyth intro- duces B. affinis as being " very similar to B. javensis in the plumage figured by Horsfield " (Zool. Res. Java, t. 37) — that is, with unspotted wings — but "smaller." Again, two years later [op. cit. 1849, p. 807), Mr. Blyth, when detailing the characters which distinguish B. moniliger, Layard, from P. javensis, Horsf. apud Blyth (nee Horsf., sed =P. stellatus, Go\Ad,= B.stictopterus, Cab.), and from B. affinis, remarks : — "the bright white spots on the wings" (of B. moniliger) "distinguish it as readily from B. affinis^ Indeed it is the uniform chestnut-coloured unspotted wing which at once distinguishes B. affinis, Blyth (when in rufous plumage) , from both B. moniliger, Layard, ex Ceylon, and B. javensis, Horsf. apud Blyth, ex Malacca, nee Horsf. It is essential to the argument to bear in mind that the larger of the two Malaccan forms (I am excluding B. auritus) is the bird always referred to as B. javensis, Horsf., by Blyth, except where he quotes Horsfield's plate (Zool. Bes. Java), and that Blyth, like every one else, until Dr. Cabanis descriminated and clearly described the Malaccan species (for Mr. Gould's diagnosis is too vague, and he gave Java as the habitat), assumed the latter to belong to the same species as the Javan bird. The Malaccan bird, B. stellatus=B. stictopterus , has spotted wing-coverts in both its rufous and brown phases of plumage ( ? (^ ?) ; and from Mr. Blanford's clear descrip- tive remarks, it is evidently the species identified by him in Mr. Hume's museum as belonging to B. affinis, Blyth. It is a bird of which examples occur in almost every Malaccan collection of any importance, either in the bright rufous or in the brown phase of plumage, while B. affinis does not appear to be so common. The difference in the width of the gape noted by Mr. Blanford is just the difference observable be- tween the gape of P. javensis, apud Blyth, ex Malacca (=P. stellatus, Gould), and B. a finis, Blyth. SER. IV. VOL. I. 2d 390 Letters, Announcements, i^c. Mr. Blanford inadvertently makes a slip when he states (p. 253) that "the fragments of two specimens of Batra- chostomus, from Darjeeling, briefly described by Mr. Blyth in 1849 (J.A. S.B. xviii. p. 806), were at first referred by him to B. affinis ; but subsequently, in his ' Catalogue of the Birds in the Museum of the Asiatic Society,' p. 31, he as- cribed them to ' a nearly allied but distinct species.' " The facts are exactly the reverse. Mr. Blyth announced the receipt of the fragments from Darjeeling and his opinion, above quoted, first, and not " subsequently," in the Cata- logue. Afterwards, in his " Supplemental note to the Catalogue of the Birds in the Asiatic Society's Museum " (J. A. S. B. 1849, p. 806. no. 405, paper quoted by Mr. Blanford), no. 405, being the number under which B. affinis stands in the ' Cata- logue,' Mr. Blyth published his matured opinion along with a description of the two specimens. His words are, "two specimens of what we now consider to be the young of this species "" {B. affinis) . If this were not a slip, Mr. Blan- ford's version would deprive me of the support of one of the many facts which led me to the inference that B. castaneus, Hume, =B. affinis, Blyth. Mr. Blyth's last-published opinion about B. affinis is contained in a footnote to page 83 (B, Burma) , where he alludes to B. affinis being " probably Oto- thrix hodgsoni, G. R. Gray, if the two really diff'er." Ma- laccan examples of B. affinis, in grey and brown spotted dress, are difficult to distinguish from the type of 0. hodg- soni-, but I did not venture to identify (B. Burma, no. 162) Gray's species with B. affinis and B. castaneus in the face of Mr. Hume's positive statement (Str. F. ii. p. 349) that " Mr. Hodgson's bird "" (type of O. hodgsoni) " was certainly an adult female by dissection ;" for Lieutenant W. Ramsay (B. Burma, no. 162) had determined by dissection that the sex of a species of Batrachostomus, ex Burma, hardly diff'ering from O. hodgsoni, was a male. This statement Mr. Hume has now reduced to " It is true, when I formerly wrote, I thought it (relying upon what Hodgson recorded) probable that hodgsoni was the female ^^ (Str. F. iv. p. 378). The certainty of the fact arrived at by Mr. Hodgson after dis- section, as first stated by Mr. Hume, being thus minimized Letters, Announcements, ^c. 391 to only a probability, and in the absence of the exact words used by Mr, Hodgson when recording the fact of having dis- sected the bird (if any such exist) , there need be little hesi- tation in now reframing the synonymy of the species thus : — B. affinis, Blyih, =Podargus parvulus, Temm., = Otothrix hodgsoni, G. R. Grayj=5. castaneus, Hume. But the key-stone of Mr. Blanford^s contention is the statement that the three specimens in Mr. Hume^s collec- tion, of what Mr. Blanford identifies with B. affinis (but which I venture to contend are B. javensis, apud Blyth,= B. stellatus — B. stictopterus) 'Miave been compared with Blyth's original type in Calcutta." I do not quite gather whether Mr. Blanford himself personally compared Mr. Hume^s three specimens with the type of B. affinis, or whether Mr. Blanford accepted the correctness of the identification at second hand. Will Mr, Blanford kindly investigate the history of the specimen he alludes to as being Mr. Blyth^s type of B. affinis ? Mr. Bly th described the species from a Malaccan skin obtained through Mr. Frith in 1847. If my own personal knowledge of B. javensis, apud Blyth (dating back, and continued since, some thirty years), and if the pub- lished descriptions and remarks of Mr. Blyth did not irre- sistibly oblige me to doubt the authenticity of the specimen Mr. Blanford (as described by him) accepts as the type of B. affinis, I would refrain from asking him to take the trouble of re-examining it. If it be the type specimen of B. affinis, what is B. javensis, apud Blyth, ex Malacca ? for neither B. javensis, Horsf., nor its ally, Podargus cornutus, Temm., occur in Malacca, so far as is at present known. Mr, Blanford further states his opinion that B. punctatus, Hume, is distinct from B. moniliger, Layard. Specimens of a species of Batrachostomus, from Travancore, are identified by Mr. Hume with 5, moniliger, a species described from a Ceylon example, while B. punctatus, Hume, ex Ceylon, is assumed not to belong to B. moniliger, but to be a new species. Four phases of B. moniliger are represented in my series of Batrachostomi ex Ceylon j and one of the phases, that assumed by the almost adult male, agrees, feather for feather, with Mr. Hume's de- tailed description. Mr. Hume's single example and type 392 Letters, Announcements, i^c. was obtained from Mr. H. Nevill; so were some of my spe- cimens, and another from Malabar is in the British Museum. Yet Mr. Hume remarks, " I do not think that the learned editor in question should have so positively asserted what he had no means of verifying " (Str. F. 1876, p. 377). If Mr. Bourdillon's Travancore examples specifically differ from the Ceylon B. moniliger, they, not the Ceylon bird, require a new title ; but the male, as described by Mr. Hume, but slightly differs from a Ceylon male of B. moniliger in my collection. I trust. Sir, whether my argument appears to you convincing or not, that it will enable my fellow Members of the B. O. U., and whose favourable opinion I prize, to judge of the scien- tific value of the criticism contained in the following reckless passage Mr. Hume has ventured to print (/. c.) : — " It does seem a pity that such very erroneous assertions [that B. castaneus = B. affinis, and that B. punctatus = B. moniliger] " should be put forward so authoritatively without the re- motest apparent grounds.'" Is it uncharitable to suggest that "grounds" which may not be apparent to Mr. Hume may yet be self-evident to any ornithologist who takes the trouble to acquire the rudiments of the subject on which he professes to instruct others ? I remain yours, Chisleluirst, May 16, 1877. Tweeddale. P.S. Mr. Blanford (/. c.) mentions a specimen of an adult {B. sp.) in Mr. Hume's possession, ex Sikim, "closely agreeing in general coloration with the figure oiOtothrix hodgsoni,^'' as being " marked female." Is this the same example alluded to by Mr. Hume {op. cit. ii. p. 349), the only one of his four " noted as a female, with a note of interrogation," by its col- lector, Mr. W. Mason ? If it is not, we have some evidence of dimorphism in B. affinis. If it be the same individual the note of interrogation must have escaped Mr. Blanford's attention.; — T. Sirs, — Mr. W. R. S. Ralston has kindly called my atten- tion to an account of the Petchora expedition of our friends Messrs. Seebohm and Harvie Brown which lately appeared in the correspondence of the ' Novoc Vremya ' or ' New Times ' Letters, Announcements, ^c. 393 of St. Petersburg ; and I think a few extracts, translated by Mr, F. C. Craemers, will amuse and interest stay-at-home members of the B. O. U. After alluding to one or two former travellers, the writer comes to " Messrs. John Brown & Co./' of whom he reports as follows : — " The principal object of the foreigners appears to have been the formation of a large collection of skins of all species of Birds and Mammals, and also to obtain a large series of eggs. They showed such great carefulness in their work that they minutely examined the smallest difiPerences between spe- cimens of one and the same species, and used every endeavour to obtain examples of all the species and varieties .... The inquisitive and naive Petchora people relate that before shooting a bird, the English travellers carefully examined it through a telescope or some other optical instrument, then they fired. They spent several months in the Petchora country, and were evidently satisfied with their expedition, having obtained nearly 1000 specimens of birds and beasts and also a great number of eggs — very solid material for a scientific zoologist. They also discovered a new species of bird (belonging, if I mistake not, to the Sandpiper tribe), which according to them, does not occur in Europe or Ame- rica, rich as they are in animal life. "Judging from the statements of the people, these foreigners seem to have made a very favourable impression by their liberal payment for specimens collected for them, and by the good works in which they appear to have distinguished them- selves. It is said that they had a travelling medicine-chest with them, with which they willingly and gratuitously cured the sick ; and so earnest were they in this, that whenever they heard of any one being ill they hastened to render medical aid, unmindful of either time or weather. '^ It is very satisfactory to find that the good name of the brotherhood was so well supported by " John Brown & Co. •/' but the writer goes on to regret that the investigation of the country should be left to strangers. He points out that the trade and produce of the western parts of the Government of Archangel is already mainly in foreign hands ; and, fearing a similar result in the north-east, he concludes : — 394 Letters, Announcements, ifc. " All these expeditions and explorations of natural resources are not without a purpose ! In ] 873, the Petchora was visited by Austrian travellers under Wilchek, in 1875-6 by the English zoologists ; and now the advent of the English mer- chants Bell and Gardins is expected, arising solely from John Brown & Co/s expedition Why do Russian naturalists not care for the Petchora? So many foreigners — scientific men and merchants — visit the country, and no Russians ; it is strange ! " The discovery of Anthus gustavi and Phylloscopus tristis in the Petchora country is of course quite sufficient to ac- count for this impending rush of British traders. I am, &c., Edward R. Alston. London, May 26, 1877. Sir, — I send you the following notes, trusting they will interest the readers of ' The Ibis.^ I have recently received from a gentleman temporarily stationed in the mountains of upper Colorado the very inter- esting nest and eggs of Dendroeca auduboni. It is only the second nest of this bird of which any record has been made, and differs from the first in many respects : it also shows the most eastern and southern point to which the bird has been traced in the breeding-season. The nest was taken and the parentage of the eggs identified by Mr. Edward Carter, a gentleman investigating the ornithology of upper Colorado, near Breckenridge Pass in Summit County. The two eggs I have, from a set of five, are said to repre- sent the extremes in their markings. They are, however, very much alike. Their ground-colour is a very light green or greenish white. One is spotted and blotched, only about the larger end, with a wreath of mingled shadings of very light lilac, purple, and brown, the extreme ends having a circle nearly bare of spots ; a waving line of umber, almost black in its integrity, extends almost entirely round the egg, just within the corona ; and there are a few minute dots of the same. The other egg has a similar crown, but none of the Letters, Announcements, S^c. 395 umber lines or dots, but has a few light-lilac dots scattered over the rest of its surface. They are of a rounded oval shape^ and measure '70 by '58 of an inch. The nest was in a grove of pines bordering the river-bottom, and well concealed in the fork of a horizontal limb, and about eight feet from the ground. No description can do justice to the elaboration and artistic elegance of its construction. It is large for the bird, being 3|- inches high by 2f wide ; and the hollow is 2 inches deep by 2j wide, the walls varying from ^ to 1^ inch in thickness. The framework is beauti- fully wrought of fine vegetable stems and roots, into which are woven the feathers of various birds, those of the winter plumage of Lagopus leucurus being most conspicuous, and in strong contrast with the sooty feathers of the Calamospiza bicolor. Neither its eggs nor its nest have any resemblance to those of D. coronata, as one would naturally expect to see. Mr. Hepburn found a single nest built in the forked branches of a small shrub ; but he states that they generally frequent high trees and construct their nests in the upper branches. The bird is very abundant in Montana, in Washington Ter- ritory, and parts of Oregon ; Dr. Cooper thinks they breed in the higher Sierra-Nevada, and. Dr. Coues also believes, as far south as the mountains of Arizona. In the absence of large blotches scattered over the e^^ generally, in the paleness of its marking, and in the general lightness of its coloring, this egg bears no resemblance to the egg of any other species of this genus that I have ever met with. I am yours &c., T. M. Brewer. Boston, U. S. April 27, 1877. Sir, — Mr. Yarrell, in his 'British Birds' (1st ed.), writing of the Long-tailed Duck, says that in the male bird there are " four window-like apertures " at the bottom of the trachea j but in his vignettes five are represented (B, B. iii. p. 261); 396 Letters, Announcements, 5fC. and in several specimens prepared by me there have been five. Five must therefore be considered the normal num- ber. Comparing his vignettes of the tracheal enlargements in the Duck-tribe with the specimens which I have prepared, I have only in a few instances found mine to differ from his. Perhaps the most difference I have observed is in the Shel- duck, the lobes in mine being a good deal larger than they were apparently in his ; but it is possible that his picture may have been purposely done on a small scale. In allied species of Ducks, where the outward marks of shape and colour conform, one would naturally expect a con- formity of trachea ; but any naturalist who has dissected birds can at once lay his hand on a remarkable exception. The Garganey and Teal are very near cousins; but the Garganey^s windpipe in no way resembles a TeaPs ; it is vastly larger in the labyrinth. In a specimen now before me this labyrinth, or cartilaginous box, if one may so term it, measures 2\ inches in circumference, whereas in a Teal the same part measures only \\ inch; yet neither of these speci- mens was selected as being unusually large or small. J. H. GuRNEY, Jun., Northrepps Cottage, Norwich. May 12, 1877. Sirs, — A few months ago I had an opportunity of examin- ing a large collection of Phylloscopi which had been lent to my friend Mr. Seebohm by different collectors. One bird in particular attracted my attention. It belonged to the collection of Von Homey er, and was labelled " Phylloscopus middendorffi ^ juv., Tjabuk, 16th August 1872 :" on the back of the label was, "Ural, No. 9.'' I found it to be, beyond all doubt, Phylloscopus viridanus of Blyth in its first plumage, before the slight wing-bar loses its colour and becomes whitish. Two of my examples that I had with me, early autumn birds, matched it most perfectly. The southern part of the Ural Mountains is in Russia in Europe, and does not, like the northern portion, form the boundary between Europe and Asia ; and this being the case. Letters, Announcements, S^c. 397 Tjabuk must be in Europe. It must be a little-known place ; for none of the maps that I have seen show it. In Mr. Dresser's ' Birds of Europe/ part 38^ and under the head of Hypolais caligata, I find the place referred to as being in the South-eastern Ural. I think the species ought to be added to the European list. An addition may be also made to the Asiatic list ; for I have seen an example of Acrocephalus turdoides obtained by Capt. Henry St. John, R.N., in China. The length of its wing is 3'65. The wing of A. orientalis is generally about 3'25 inches long. The form of the wing of the Chinese example above re- ferred to agrees perfectly with that of an Astracan example I have, the second primary being almost as long as the third (which is the longest) and much longer than the fourth. In the allied Eastern species A. stentorius {A. brunnescens) , the second primary is about the same length as the fifth, and is often between the fifth and sixth. It would be impossible to separate undersized examples of A. turdoides from large ones of A. orientalis by appearance only. There may be differences of voice, song, nest, and eggs ; but of these I have not any knowledge. The nest of -^. stentorius is a deep cup, substantially built of grass and long leaves of water-plants, and is firmly attached to a few reeds, like the nest of A. streperus. It is generally placed about eighteen inches above the surface of the water. The eggs are very similar to those of its European ally. It breeds plentifully around the lakes of Cashmere, where I found several nests. I did not see any other Reed-Warbler about these lakes. Yours &c., W. Edwin Brooks. 29 May, 1877. Sirs, — Having recently had an opportunity of inspecting, in the Gardens of the Zoological Society, the interesting Fal- con taken ofi" Socotra (mentioned anteh, p. 149) I trouble you with the following remarks respecting it. SEE. IV. VOL. I. 2 b 398 Letters, Announcements, &^c. The bird is still iu immature plumage ; and until after its next moult it will, I think, be impossible to determine (ex- cept by dissection in case of death) whether it is a male of Falco jieregrinus or a female of either F. barbarus or F. minor ; but 1 am decidedly of opinion that it is not an example of F. peregrinator, as that species, when in immature dress, al- ways has, so far as I have observed, the longitudinal dark marks on the breast and abdomen narrower than they are in this specimen, and the paler interspaces decidedly tinged with rufous. I am, &c., J. H. GURNEY. Sirs, — In the last number of 'The Ibis' {antea, p. 164) Mr. Seebohm gives a detailed description of the rufous-tailed Shrike, which has been shot on Heligoland. After having examined the specimen and collated with other skins, he says, '' I submit that the Heligoland bird is Lanius isabellinus, Hempr. & Ehr. (1828), = i>. arenarius, Blyth (1846), = L. phoenicuroides, Sev. {1876)." I have not had the pleasure of examining this Heligoland Shrike ; but I have received, by the kindness of Mr. Gaetke, a longer description, which I have published (Journ. fiir Or- nithologie, 1875), and from which I suppose the bird not to be Lanius phoenicurus, Pall., but a nearly allied species, pro- bably L. phoenicuroides of Severtzoif. In identifying the Heligoland Shrike with L. isabellinus, Hempr. & Ehr., Mr. Seebohm is perhaps right; but in identifying this last-named bird with L. phoenicuroides, Sev., he is not right. These two Shrikes are nearly allied, but not the same. In a little ac- count of the genus Otomela, Bp. (Journ. fiir Ornithologie, 1875), I have referred to the specific differences between these rufous-tailed Shrikes. The examination of the large series of L. isabellinus and L. phoenicuroides which Mr. Mo- dest Bogdanow has collected in Turkestan has confirmed my opinion. I am, &c., H. SCHALOW. Berlin, N., Nieder-Schonhausen, 6th June, 1877. Letters, Announcements, S^c. 399 Sirs, — Mr. Gould, in part xxix. of 'The Birds of Asia/ treating of Sturnus unicolor, quotes from part xxvi. of Dresser's work ' The Birds of Europe ' a passage where it is said that Sturnus unicolor is " common in Italy/' This is not exactly the case; and I suppose that Dresser, by a lapsus calami, wrote " Italy " instead of " Sardinia." When I wrote my work on the Birds of Italy I did not know of any instance of S. unicolor having been met with in the Italian peninsula ; but since then I heard from my friend the Marquis G. Doria, of Genoa, that in 1867 two specimens of it, caught near Genoa, had come into his hands. In any case the appearance of S. unicolor in Italy is quite accidental, while both in Sardinia and in Sicily S. unicolor is a common and stationary bird. I am, yours &c., T. Salvadori. Zoological Museum, Turin, June 8th, 1877. Roraima and its Mysteries. — The ' Spectator ' speaks very appositely of Roraima, in noticing Mr. Brown's recent work (see antea, p. 239) : — " One of the greatest marvels and mysteries of the earth lies on the outskirt of one of our own colonies ; and we leave the mystery unsolved, the marvel uncared for ! A great table of pink and white and red sandstone, ' interbedded with red shale,' rises from a height of 5100 feet above the level of the sea, 2000 feet sheer into the sapphire tropical sky. A forest crowns it ; the highest waterfall in the world tumbles from its summit, 2000 feet at one leap. As far as I can make out, only two parties of civilized explorers have touched the base of the table — Sir Robert Schomburgk many years ago, Mr. Brown and a companion in 1869 — each at different spots. Mr. Brown cannot help speculating whether the remains of a former creation may not be found at the top. At any rate, there is the forest on the summit. Of what trees is it com- posed ? They cannot well be the same as those at the base .... For millenniums this island of sandstone must have had its own distinct flora. What may be its fauna? Very 400 Letters, Announcements, ^r, few birds probably ascend to a height of 2000 feet in the air, the vulture tribe excepted. Nearly the whole of its animated inhabitants are likely to be as distinct as its plants. Is it peopled with human beings ? Who can tell ? Why not V The summit, Mr. Brown says, is inaccessible, except by means of balloons. Well, that is a question to be settled on the spot between an engineer and a first-rate ' Alpine ' But put it that a balloon is required, surely it would be worth while for one of our scientific societies to organize a balloon expedition for the purpose. No one can tell what problems in natural science might not be elucidated. We have here an area of limited extent, within which the secular variation of species by natural selection, if any, must have gone on un- disturbed since, at least, the very beginning of the present age in the world^s life. Can there be a fairer field for the testing of those theories which are occupying men^s minds so much in our days ? " We hear with great pleasure that a young ornithologist, already known to fame (Mr. Everard F. im Thurn), has re- ceived the appointment of Director of the Natural-History Museum at Georgetown, Demerara, with liberty to travel and explore for a certain portion of the year. We trust he will turn his attention to the mysteries of Roraima. Translation of Milller's Memoir on the Voice-organ of the Passeres. — We are glad to be able to announce the approach- ing publication, by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press, of a translation, by Mr. Bell, of Miiller's Classical Essay upon the organs of voice of the Passeres. Prof. Garrod has undertaken to supply a series of notes to bring the work up to the level of our present knowledge of this important sub- ject. The Academy of Berlin has most liberally granted the use of the original copper-plates, to which, however, we be- lieve, additions will be made. THE IBIS. FOURTH SERIES. No. IV. OCTOBER 1877. XXXIV. — List of Birds observed in Smith Sound and in the Polar Basin during the Arctic Expedition of \^7 '6-7 Q. By H. W. Feilden. In tlie following notes I have confined myself to an enume- ration of the various species of birds met with by the recent Arctic Expedition in Smith Sound and northward, between the seventy-eighth and eighty-third degrees of north latitude. All of the birds noted are well-known arctic forms ; and the chief interest lies in the record of their great northern exten- sion in the western hemisphere. The only other part of the globe lying within nearly the same parallels of latitude with which we are well acquainted is Spitsbergen; and though that group of islands has been frequently visited by accom- plished and painstaking naturalists, yet the number of species of birds, including stragglers, at present known to have oc- curred there is under thirty. Were I to include in this list species recorded by Dr. Bessels * from Thank-God Harbour, not met with by me, the list of the avifauna of Smith Sound and Spitsbergen would be about numerically equal, thus ac- * Bulletin de la Societe de Geographie : Paris, 1875. SER. IV. VOL. I. 2f 402 Capt. H. W. Feilden on the Birds observed cording, as far as numbers are concerned^ with the opinion pub- lished before the Expedition left England by one of the most distinguished members of our Society^ ; and^ except amongst those sanguine persons who may still cling to a belief in the ex- istence of an " open polar sea/' I think it is impossible to doubt that, both specifically and numerically, bird-life must rapidly decrease with every degree of northern latitude after passing the eighty-second parallel. If, however, there be an extension of land to the northernmost part of our globe, I see no reason why a few species of birds should not resort there to breed ; and those most likely to proceed there are Plectrophanes ni- valis, Strepsilas interpres, Calidris arenaria, Tringa canutus, and Sterna macrura. There would still be sufficient summer, if such a term may be used, for the period of incubation ; and from what I have seen of the transporting powers of the wind in drifting seeds over the frozen expanse of the polar sea, I cannot doubt that a scanty flora exists at the pole itself, if there be any land there, and that the abundance of insect-life which exists as high as the eighty-third degree will be present at the ninetieth, sufficient to provide for a few Knots, Sander- lings, and Turnstones. The arctic sea at the most northern point reached abounds with Amphipoda, such as Anonyx nu- gax, which doubtless extend all through the polar sea ; and these crustaceans supply Sterna macrura with food in those parts where the continual presence of ice prevents fish coming to the surface ; for wherever there is land there must be tidal ice-cracks, which allow these minute animals to work tbeir way up between the floes. The range of the Brent- Goose is probably coincident with the range of Sawifraga op- positifolia ; and this plant also sujiplies subsistence to the Knot and Turnstone, and probably the Sanderling, before the long arctic day has awakened the insect-life. Ross's Gull {Rhodostethia rosea) not having been met with in Smith Sound, either by our expedition or that of the ' Polaris,' its absence from Spitsbergen, Franz- Joseph Laud, and, as far as we know, the northern shores of Siberia, its not having been noticed by any of our arctic or Franklin- * Newtou, 'Arctic IVFanual,' p. 114: London, 1875. during the Arctic Expedition 1875-76. 403 search expeditions that entered Lancaster Sound, or skirted the northern shores of America from Behring's Straits, nor by observers in Alaska or the fur- countries, leads to the sup- position that it must be a species of limited distribution, having its breeding-haunts to the north of Hudson^ s Bay. I would suggest that inquiries about this bird should be made among the Esquimo of Cumberland Gulf; and as it is chiefly American vessels that winter there, the Smithsonian Institu- tion would, I think, have very little difficulty in inducing some person employed there to investigate this subject. Dr. Horner, of the yacht 'Pandora,' kindly informed me that in July 1876 he saw an example of Saxicola mnanthe at Port Foulke, a far more northern range of this species than had previously been recorded. I was much struck with the extreme shyness of all the birds we met with in the far north ; and until they had settled down to nesting it was no easy matter to get within gun-shot range. 1. Falco candicans. Greenland Falcon. The white form of Great Northern Falcon, though seen on several occasions, was not procured by us in Smith Sound. Mr. Hart noticed a pair of these birds nesting in the lime- stone clifiFs near Cape Hayes, Grinnell Land (lat. 79°41'N.), but was unable to secure a specimen. From this point to our most northern extreme this Falcon was not observed by any member of the expedition. On the 24th August, 1876, near Cape Fraser (lat. 79° 47' N.), when on our return southwards, a bird of this species flew round our vessels. The following morning, when on shore between Cape Hayes and Cape Na- poleon, I saw a magnificent example of F. candicans seated on a rock ; it permitted me to get within seventy or eighty yards ; but I failed in trying to procure it. 2. Nyctea scandiaca. Snowy Owl. This Owl is a common spring and summer migrant to the northern part of Grinnell Land. On the 2nd October, 1875, I observed an individual of this species seated on a hummock in the vicinity of our winter-quarters (lat. 82° 27' N.) . On the 29th March, 1876, an example was seen by Lieutenant 2f2 404 Capt. H. W. Feiklcu on the Birds observed Parr some three miles north of the ship. 15th May, whilst travelling up a valley (lat. 83° 40' N.) in Grinnell Land, our party disturbed a Snowy Owl from the ground. Subsequently this species was not unfrequently observed ; a pair seemed to frequent and breed in each large valley running down to the sea-shore. On the 24th June we found a nest of these birds containing seven eggs (lat. 82° 33' N.) ; the nest was a mere hollow scooped out of the earth, and situated on the summit of an eminence which rose from the centre of the valley. Several other nests were found in the vicinity of winter- quarters, and at one time there were six or seven fine young- birds caged on board. In the vicinity of Discovery Bay (lat. 81° 44' N.) this Owl bred abundantly. During the month of August, while proceeding southwards, it was no uncommon circumstance to see one or more of these birds occupying a conspicuous post on the bold headlands we were passing under. By the end of the month all had disappeared. The food of the Snowj^ Owl in Grinnell Land appears to con- sist entirely of the lemming {My odes torquatus). Hundreds of their cast pellets, which I picked up and examined, con- sisted of the bones and fur of these little animals ; and the stomachs of all I opened contained the same. 3. Plectrophanes nivalis. Snow-Bunting. After passing the 78° of north latitude this species is not met with in the same numbers as in the neighbourhood of the Danish settlements of West Greenland, but is dispersed generally along the shores of Smith Sound and the Polar Basin. On the 28th August, 1875, at Shift-rudder Bay (lat. 81° 52' N.), I observed a flock of about eighty, and a second, in which I counted over twenty, flying south. 14th September, Lieutenant Parr met with a solitary individual in lat. 82° 35' N. ; and the last one I observed that season flew past the ship on the 24th September. I first heard the note of this bird when travelling, on the 13th May 1876, in lat. 82° 35' N. ; the following day I ob- served one ; and after that day they were frequently met with. On the 27th May Lieutenant Parr, on his journey from the during the Arctic Expedition 1875-76. 405 north over the ice^ saw a Snow-Bunting near to the 83°. I found a nest of this species on the 24th June (lat. 82° 33' N.), containing four eggs, within twenty feet of the nest of a Snowy Owl ; it was neatly constructed of grasses, and lined with the Owl's feathers. On another occasion I found a nest lined with the soft wool of the musk-ox. 4. CoRvus coRAX. Raven. A pair of these birds were observed by Dr. Coppinger to be nesting in the cliffs of Cape Lupton during the month of July. While this officer was detained at Polaris Bay by the sickness of some of the sledge-crews, he noticed these birds visit their camp daily in search of offal. The Baven was not observed by any of our expedition along the shores of the Polar Basin; so that I consider Cape Lupton (lat. 81° 44' N.) the northernmost settlement of this species. 29th August, 1876, at Dobbin Bay (lat. 79° 36' N.), a female, one of a pair, was shot by Dr. Moss, who enticed it within range by laying down a dead hare and concealing himself near at hand. South of Dobbin Bay I observed this species at several points in Smith Sound — namely, at Cape Hayes, Norman-Lockyer Island, and Cape Sabine. 5. Lagopus rupestris. Rock-Ptarmigan. This Ptarmigan was obtained by our sledging parties as far north as 82° 46', two or three couples having been killed in the end of May on Feilden Peninsula. Lieutenant Aldrich found traces of Ptarmigan on Cape Columbia (lat. 83° 6' N.), the most northern land yet visited by man. On the 29th September, 1875, Captain Markham, in lat. 82° 40' N., ob- served four of these birds ; and the earliest date on which they were noticed in the spring of 1876 was on the 11th March. 6. Strepsilas interpres. Turnstone. This bird is tolerably abundant in Smith Sound and the region north of it visited by the Expedition. It was observed as late as the 5th September, 1875, in lat. 82° 30' N., and was first noticed on the 5th June, 1876, in the neigh- bourhood of the winter-quarters of H.M.S. 'Alert.' By the 12th August the young broods Avere able to fly. ■ 406 Capt. H. W. Feilden on the Birds observed 7. ^GiALiTis HiATicuLA. Ringed Plover. Only a single example of this species was observed in Smith Sound, It was obtained 4th August, 1875, on the beach bordering the valley of the Twin glacier, in Buchanan Strait (lat. 78° 48' N.). My attention was drawn to the bird by its note ; and I then observed it threading its way among the stones and stranded blocks of ice near the water^s edge. It was probably nesting in the neighbourhood, as it proved on examination to be a female, with the feathers worn off the underparts from incubation. 8. Calidris arenaria. Sanderling. I first observed this species in Grinnell Land on the 5th June, 1876, flying in company with Knots and Turnstones ; at this date it was feeding, like the other Waders, on the buds of Saxifraga oppositifolia. This bird was by no means abun- dant along the coasts of Grinnell Land ; but I observed several pairs in the aggregate, and found a nest of this species con- taining two eggs, in lat. 82° 33' N., on 24th June, 1876. This nest, from which I killed the male bird, was placed on a gravel ridge, at an altitude of several hundred feet above the sea ; and the eggs were deposited in a slight depression in the centre of a recumbent plant of arctic willow, the lining of the nest consisting of a fewwithered leaves and some of the last year's catkins. 8th August, 1876, along the shores of Robeson Channel, I saw several parties of young ones, three to four in number, following their parents, and led by the old birds, searching most diligently for insects. At this date they were in a very interesting stage of plumage, being just able to fly, but retaining some of the down on their feathers. 9. Phalaropus fulicarius. Grey Phalarope. I obtained an example of this species, a female, near our winter-quarters (lat. 82° 27' N.) on the 30th June 1876; and during the month of July I observed a pair on a small fresh- water pond in lat. 82° 30' N. ; they were apparently breeding. The female of this species is larger and brighter-coloured than the male bird. Several other examples were observed in the neighbourhood of our winter-quarters by various members of the expedition. during the Arctic Expedition 1875-76. 407 10. Tringa canutus. Knot. I was not so fortunate as to obtain the eggs of this species during my stay in the polar regions^ though it breeds in some numbers along the shores of Smith Sound and the north coast of Grinnell Land. It appears to be common throughout the Parry Islands during summer, as Sabine found it (1820) nesting in great numbers on Melville Island. I find it enu- merated in a list of birds (preserved in the archives of the Admiralty) as procured by Dr. Anderson, of H.M.S. 'Enter- prise/ at Cambridge Bay (lat. 69° 10' N.) in July 1853. On the 28th July, 1875, Dr. Coppinger came across a party of six Knots several miles inland from Port Foulke : these birds were feeding near a rill, and were very wild ; but he managed to secure a single specimen, a male in full breeding-plumage. August 25, 1875, I observed several of these birds near the water-edge in Discovery Bay (lat. 81° 44' N.) . The rills and marshes were by this time frozen, and the birds were feeding along the shore on the small crustaceans so common in the arctic seas ; in pursuit of their food they ran breast-high into the water. By this date they had lost their breeding-plumage. On 5th June, 1876, when camped near Knot Harbour, Grin- nell Land (lat. 82° 33' N.), we noticed the first arrival of these birds ; a flock of fourteen or more were circling over a hill- side, alighting on bare patches, and feeding eagerly on the buds of Saxifraga oppositifolia. Subsequently we met with this bird in considerable numbers ; but they were always very wild and most difficult of approach. The cry of the Knot is wild, and something like that of the Cuj'lew. Immediately after arrival in June they began to mate, and at times I noticed two or more males following a single female ; at this season they soar in the air, like the common Snipe, and when de- scending from a height beat their wings behind the back with a rapid motion, which produces a loud whirring noise. During the month of July my companions and I often endeavoured to discover the nest of this bird ; but none of us were suc- cessful; however, on the 30th July, 1876, the day before we broke out of our winter-quarters, where we had been frozen- in eleven months, three of our seamen, walking by the border 408 Capt. H. W. Feilden on the Birds observed of a small lake_, not far from the ship^ came upon an old bird accompanied by three nestlings_, which they brought to me. The old bird proved to be a male; its stomach, and those of the young ones, were filled Avith insects. The following de- scription of the newly hatched birds was taken down at the time : — Iris black ; tip of mandibles dark brown, bill dark olive ; toes black, soles of feet greenish yellow ; back of legs the same ; underpart of throat satin-white ; back beautifully mottled tortoise-shell. Dr. Coppinger informed me that this bird was not uncommon at Thank-God Harbour during July. In the first week of August, I saw family parties of Knots at Shift-rudder Bay (lat. 81° 52' N.) ; they were then in the grey autumn plumage. The Knot bred in the vicinity of Discovery Bay ; but no eggs were found there, although the young were obtained in all stages of plumage. 11. Sterna macrura. Arctic Tern. Is not uncommon in Smith Sound, and we found it breeding at several localities we visited on our way north . 1 1th August^ 1875, on Norman- Lockyer Island, I noticed several pairs, and picked up a bleached egg, probably an addled one of a former season. August 21st, we found eight or ten pairs breeding on a small islet oflF the north end of Bellot Island (lat. 81° 44' N.) : the land at this date was covered with snow ; and on the islet it lay about three inches deep. In one nest I found a , newly hatched Tern ; it seemed quite well and lively in its snow cradle. The parent birds had evidently thrown the snow out of the nest as it fell ; for it was surrounded by a border of snow marked by the feet of the old birds, and raised at least two inches above the general level. The Terns on this islet were rather shy, none coming within range until I had handled the young one. There seemed to be abundance of fish in the pools between the floes, as the old birds were flying with them in their mandibles. The stomach of the female which I killed was empty ; but that of the nestling contained remains offish. On the 16th June, 1876, three of these birds appeared in the neighbourhood of the winter-quarters of the ^ Alert.' By the end of June pairs of these birds were scat- daring the Arctic Expedition 1875-76. 409 tered at intervals along the coast ; and a nest, scraped in the gravel and containing two eggs, was found 27tli June, about three miles north of our winter-quarters. During the first week in August we found a pair of young birds nearly ready to fly in lat. 81° 50' N. 12. Pagophila eburnea. Ivory Gull. One of the Gulls most frequently observed in Smith Sound, but not beyond latitude 82° 20' N. I found a pair nesting in a lofty and inaccessible cliff near Cape Hayes on the 16th August, 1875. On 1st September a single example flew around the ' Alert ' when she lay moored to the ice in Lincoln Bay (lat. 82° 6' N.). On the 2nd August, 1876, I observed one of this species near Cape Union ; on the 12tli August they were common in Discovery Bay, and from there south- ward to the north water of Baffin Bay. 13. RissA TRiDACTYLA. Kittiwakc. I saw a few examples of this species flying over the open water in the vicinity of Port Foulke, 28th July, 1875 ; but we did not observe it to the northward after entering the ice of Smith Sound ; and in 1876 no specimen was seen as the ex- pedition returned south, until the north water of Baffin Bay was reached. 14. Larus glaucus. Glaucous Gull. We did not find this species breeding north of Cape Sabine ; but stray individuals were observed as far north as lat. 82° 34'. The 1st September, 1875, was the latest date in the autumn on which I noticed this species ; and it reappeared in the vici- nity of wdnter- quarters (lat. 82° 27' N.) in the middle of June. 15. Stercorarius longicaudatus. Buffon's Skua. This was the only species of Skua Gull that I met with in Smith Sound ; it arrived in the neighbourhood of our winter- quarters during the first week of June, and in considerable numbers. After that date it was to be seen during every hour of the day quartering the fells and searching for lemmings. It lays its two eggs in a small hollow in the ground, and de- fends its nest with the utmost bravery. On several occasions 410 Capt. H. W. Feilden on the Birds observed I have struck the old birds with my gun-barrel when warding off their attacks as I plundered their nests. This species can easily be distinguished from its near ally, S. parasiticus, at every age, by the mottled colour of the tarsus and webs of the feet, which in S. parasiticus are black. 16. Procellaria glacialis. Fulmar. Common in the north water of Baffin Bay ; and individuals followed our ships until we entered the pack off Cape Sabine. On the 26th June, 1876, Lieutenant Parr and I, when travel- ling on the coast of Grinnell Land (lat. 82° 30'N.), observed one of these birds ; and a few days later Lieutenant Egerton found one dead on the shore some two miles further to the north- ward. We did not observe this species again till our return to Baffin Bay in September 1876. 17. Uria grylle. Black Guillemot. The Dovekie was found breeding at various spots along the shores of Smith Sound and northward, notably at Washington- Irving Island, Dobbin Bay, Cape Hayes, and Bessels Bay ; it does not, I think, breed north of Cape Union. I saw two or three examples feeding in pools on the floe as far north as lat. 82° 33' ; but they were evidently mere stragglers. 18. Mergulus alle. Little Auk. The north water of Baffin Bay is the summer home of countless numbers of these birds ; they do not, however, pene- trate in any numbers far up Smith Sound, the most northern point where I observed them being in Buchanan Strait (lat. 79°) . I do not think that they breed to the north of Foulke Fiord ; but the talus at the base of the cliffs that flank that inlet is occupied by myriads of them during the nesting-season. On the 28th July, we found the young just hatched ; they are in that stage covered with black down. From the large amount of bones and feathers lying around the huts of the Esquimo village of Etah, it is evident that these birds contribute largely to the support of the Arctic Highlanders during summer. 19. Alga bruennichii. Bruennich's Guillemot. 1 observed two individuals of this species in August as far during the Arctic Expedition 1875-76. 411 north as Buchanan Strait (lat. 79°) ; but this bird was not seen again by me until our return southward in September 1876^ after regaining navigable water south of Cape Sabine. The north water of Baffin Bay is evidently the limit of the north- ern range of the species in that direction ; and I doubt if there are any breeding-haunts of this species north of Cape Alexander. 20. COLYMBUS . On the 2nd September, 1875, at Floeberg Beach (lat. 82° 27' N.), a Diver, I think C. septentrionulis , alighted in a pool about a hundred yards from the ship. A boat was instantly lowered ; but the noise made by pushing the boat through the young ice alarmed the bird, which rose and flew to another pool half a mile to the southward. I tried to make my way over the floe towards the bird ; but the ice was unsafe, so I had to give up the pursuit. The numerous lakes and ponds in Grinnell Land abound with a species of char [Salmo arcturus, Giinther) , which doubtless might afibrd good living to birds of this family. 21. Harelda glacialis. Long-tailed Duck. We observed a flock of this species swimming in the pools of water between the floes on the 1st September, 1875, near Floeberg Beach (lat. 82° 27' N.). On the 16th September two were shot not far from the ship. During the summer of 1876 a few of these birds visited the northern shores of Grin- nell Land ; we found them in pairs on lakes and ponds, where they were evidently breeding. From the rapidity with which they dive they are very difficult to shoot, and when secured do not repay the outlay in powder and lead. 22. SoMATERiA MOLLissiMA. Eider. This species breeds in great numbers in the neighbourhood of Port Foulke, but decreased in numbers as we advanced northwards. It became rare after passing Cape Fraser, the meeting-place of the polar and Baffin-bay tides, but was re- placed to some extent by the next species. I did not obtain an Eider north of Cape Union. Dr. Coppinger procured both Eider and King-Duck at Thank-God Harbour (lat. 81° 38' N.) in the month of July, 1876. 412 Messrs. P. L. Sclater and W. A. Forbes on the 23. SOMATERIA SPECTABILIS. Killg-Duck. I did not obtain this bird in Smith Sound during the autumn of 1875 ; but in the end of June 1876 scA^eral flocks of males and females, numbering from ten to twenty individuals, were seen near Floeberg Beach (lat. 82° 27' N.). Most of these fell a prey to our gunners ; but those that escaped settled down to breed along the coast, and several nests were found with fresh eggs in them from the 9th to the middle of July. 24. Bernicla brenta. Brent-Goose. During the first week of June, parties of these birds arrived in the vicinity of our winter-quarters (lat. 82° 27' N.) ; for some days they continued flying up and down the coast-line, evidently looking out for places bare of snow to feed on. They were very wary, and kejit well out of gun-shot range. On the 21st June I found the first nest with eggs, in lat. 82° 33' N. ; subsequently many were found. When the young are hatched the parent birds and broods congregate on the lakes or in open water spaces near the shore in large flocks ; by the end of July the old birds were moulting and unable to fly, so that they were easily secured, and afforded most valuable change of diet to our sick. The flesh of this bird is most excellent. The gander remains in the vicinity of the nest while the goose is sitting, and accompanies the young brood. In one instance where I killed a female as she left her nest the gander came hissing at me. XXXV. — On the Nesting of the Spoonbill in Holland. By P. L. Sclater and W. A. Forbes. That the Spoonbill {Platalea^ leucorodia) breeds in Holland is a fact well known to every ornithologist ; and most egg- collectors are aware that specimens of its eggs obtained in that country are to be purchased at a very cheap rate in the * Mr. Dresser (B. Eur. pt. 2o-24) uses Pkdea as the generic uame of the Spoonbill instead of Platalea. It may be hoped, however, that this is a mere oversight, and that Mr. Dresser is not prepared to dissent from the canon that Linnean names are to remain inviolate. Nesting of the Spoonbill in Holland. 413 London egg-shops. But we are not sure that any orni- thologist^ at least of this country, has actually visited the nesting-places of this bird, or, at any rate, has published any account of them. In May 1867, as is recorded in Gould^s ^ Birds of Great Britain' (vol. iv. part 30), Sclater paid a visit to a nesting-place of the Spoonbill at Nieuwer-kerk, near Rotterdam; but though he saw many Spoonbills, the nesting had not then begun ; and the lake which he visited is said to have been drained since that time. We hope there- fore that it may interest readers of ' The Ibis ' to have an account of our recent experiences on this subject. Being in Holland in the first week of May this year, Sclater made many inquiries as to where the Spoonbills could be seen performing the duties of reproduction, and finally ascertained from Hr. A. A. Van Bemmelen, Director of the Zoological Gardens at Rotterdam, that the most likely place to witness this interesting phenomenon was the Horster Meer, between Amsterdam and Utrecht. At Amsterdam it was ascer- tained that the first week in July would be a convenient period for the proposed excursion with this object, as about that time the birds would have commenced incubation. On the 3rd of July, therefore, we found ourselves at the Amstel Hotel, at Amsterdam ; and upon visiting Mr. Hegt, the Assistant-Director of the Zoological Society's Gardens there, found that he had kindly made every necessary arrange- ment for our proposed expedition next day. No railway- station being very convenient for the Horster Meer, he had ordered a carriage to take us from Amsterdam to the scene of action. Next morning we started about 8 o'clock, and had about three hours' drive, passing the villages of Abgouda and Vree- land before arriving at Overmeer an de Vecht, the little village in which Hr. van Dyk, the lessee of the Horster Meer, resided. The Horster Meer consists o£ a large tract of water reed-beds and swamp, lying on the right bank of the Vecht, and immediately to the south of the Zuyder Zee. It is between the railways going from Amsterdam to Utrecht on 414 Messrs. P. L. Sclater and W. A. Forbes on the one side_, and from Amsterdam to Amersfoort on the other. It belongs to a rich proprietor in Amsterdam^ but is farmed out at a considerable rent for the sake of the fish^ reeds, and bird^s eggs which it produces. The last-mentioned objects are collected from the nests in which they are laid, twice a week during the months of May and June, and sold in Am- sterdam to such persons as require a large supply of fresh eggs without being particular as to the source from which they are derived. On arriving at Overmeer we were received by Hr. van Dyk and escorted to a boat, which conveyed us along a short canal into the Horster Meer. No sooner had we arrived on the lake than the air above us was filled with an enormous flight of Cormorants, who well knew what a visit to their domain portended. A few minutes afterwards about 500 Spoonbills were circling in the air over our heads, their long legs stretched behind them, and their white bodies glistening in the sun. The Meer, so far as visible, was not a very ex- tensive piece of water, being closed in on all sides by enor- mous reed-beds, the homes of these and other aquatic birds. Having landed at the end of a ditch which penetrated into one of these beds of reeds, we pursued a track which led us first to a breeding-place of the Cormorants. Here was a circular space, perhaps fifty yards in diameter, cleared of reeds, in which the Cormorants' nests stood thick together on the swampy soil. They were formed of rather large sticks, piled somewhat loosely together to a height of about 18 inches above the surface. The top of the nest was only slightly hollowed out, and lined with a few broken reeds. The eggs were in no case more than two in number, the poor birds having been robbed continuously up to that time, and only within the last few days allowed to commence incubation. Having inspected the Cormorants' breeding-place, we pro- ceeded about fifty yards further through the reed-beds, over a still more treacherous swamp, to the breeding-place of the Spoonbills. The nests of these birds ^ were not situated so near together as those of the Cormorants, but scattered about two or three yards from each other, with thin patches of Nesting of the Spoonbill in Holland. 415 reeds growing between them. There was, however, a clear open space in the neighbourhood, formed of broken-down reeds, in which the birds were said to congregate. The SpoonbilFs nest, in the Horster Meer at least, is a mere flattened surface of broken reed, not elevated more than two or three inches above the general level of the swamp ; and no other substance but reed appears to be used in its construc- tion. What the proper complement of eggs would be if the birds were left undisturbed we cannot say ; for, as in the case of the Cormorants, the nests are robbed systematically twice a week, until the period when it is known by experience that they cannot produce any more eggs. Then at last the birds are allowed to sit undisturbed. At the time of our visit the season for collecting eggs was just past ; but we helped our- selves to eight fresh eggs, from different nests, laid since the last collection had been made. During all the time that we were in the reed-beds the Cormorants and Spoonbills were floating about over our heads, fully aware that there was an enemy in the camp. We were told that there were several other nesting-places of the Spoonbill in diff'erent parts of the Horster Meer, containing altogether several thousand nests ; so that we may hope that it will be some time before this fine bird becomes extinct in this locality. The only other bird we found nesting in the Horster Meer was the Black Tern, of which we captured two young chicks. After refreshing ourselves at the hostelry of Overmeer, we returned to Amsterdam in the evening by a difierent route, highly satisfied with our day with the Spoonbills. We may observe, in conclusion, that on looking over Mr. Dresser^s account of the Spoonbill in his 'Birds of Europe,' we find him quoting from Schlegel that this bird " is found in the neighbourhood of the large rivers, at Biesboch, Nieuw- erkerk, on the Yssel at Bozenburg, and on the Maas : and breeds in Holland, arriving there in April and leaving in September.''^ Again, a few pages further on, Mr. Dresser says, " It breeds in Holland ; but I do not find any record of its having of late been found nesting elsewhere in Northern Europe, though in Hungary and South-Eastern Europe it 416 Mr. D. G. Elliot on Buceros bicornis, Linn. breeds numerously/^ In Mr. Gould's folio, too, no more detailed account is given, with the exception of the record of Sclater's unsuccessful expedition ten years ago. Now our experiences as to the position of the SpoonbilPs nest certainly agree with the details given by Messrs. Dickson and Ross, who met with it breeding near Erzeroum (P. Z. S. 1839, p. 134) ; and this seems to have been the fullest account known f to Mr. Dresser at the time of writing his article. So, although there seems to be no reasonable doubt that in some cases it nests in lofty trees, we may claim to have established the fact that in Holland it breeds on the ground among the reed-beds, and to be able to assure those naturalists who happen to be in Amsterdam at the right time that there is no better way of spending a spare day than an excursion to the Spoonbills' nesting-place on the Horster Meer. We cannot conclude this short account of a most delightful day without thanking Mr. Hegt most heartily for his kind arrangements for our trip, without which we should pro- bably have encountered considerable diflEiculty in reaching our destination. It is to be feared that in England we could hardly promise to show our friends an equally interesting sight in such close proximity to our metropolis ! XXXVI. — Remarks on the Buceros bicornis of Linnseus. By D. G. Elliot, F.R.S.E. &c. In 'Stray Feathers' for 1876, p. 385, Mr. Hume expresses the opinion that the name of Buceros bicornis, bestowed by Linnaeus upon a species of Hornbill, belongs properly to the B. convexus, Temminck, described in the ' Planches Coloriees,' and figured on plate no. 530. In order to test the correct- ness of this view, it will be advantageous to ascertain, as far as may be possible, the material at Linnseus's command when he estabUshed the name of bicornis ; and to accomplish this satisfactorily it will be necessary to examine the older authors cited by him, and whom, it is very evident, he mainly followed. Willughby is among the first of those quoted by Linnaeus ; and Mr. D. G. Elliot on Buceros bicornis, Linn. 417 on turning to plate 17. fig. 1 of the ' Ornithology,' we find a very recognizable representation of the head and bill of the HoTurai, or '' Great Hornbill/' as it is called by Jerdon, with its broad flat casque, having the anterior margin curved up- wards, and terminating on both sides in miniature " horns." There can be no doubt whatever as to the species this figure is intended to represent. Brisson is another of the more important of the authors referred to, who preceded the twelfth edition of Linnseus's great work (1766), which is the one now quoted. We here find, as stated by Mr. Hume, some con- siderable confusion existing between the description of the head and casque and that of the body and tail. Brisson, however, expressly states that he had only seen the head and bill of the species called by him Hydrocorax philip- pensis ; and his description of this portion of the bird, which was at that time in the collection of M. de Reaumur, evidently proved that it was of the same species as the one figured by Willughby in his ' Ornithology.' Brisson does not state where he got the idea of the colour of the plumage of the body and tail ; but as he had never seen the bird itself, he must either have copied it from some other description, and unfortunately hit upon the wrong bird, or else have drawn upon his imagi- nation, from which source, however, it must in justice be said, Brisson seldom derived any assistance. The tail of the bird, stated to be composed of twelve feathers, ten black and two white, is very properly characterized by Mr. Hume as one " which no Hornbill in the world has,'' so far as we know at present, and could not have been described from any speci- men. But the parts which Brisson did see, the casque and bill, are accurately described ; and it is on this description and and on Willughby 's figure that Linnaeus based the name of Buceros bicornis, to which the diagnosis, " B. fronte ossea, plana, antrorsum bicorni," applies. In his description of the plumage Linnaeus is as wide of the mark as was Brisson ; and he, too, evidently had no specimen of the bird before him, but in a great degree copied Brisson's imaginary description. As, therefore, it is perfectly well established that the portions known to have been in the possession of the authors men- SER. IV. — VOL. I. 2g 418 Mr. J, H. Gurney's Notes on tioned belonged to the Homrai; or Great HornbiU, with the flat casque, curved upwards anteriorly, that bird should stand as the B. bicornis, Linn., of which name B. cavatus, Shaw, is a synonym. The descriptions given by Brisson and Linnaeus of the plumage of the body, not answering to any known species, cannot receive any consideration in connexion with B. bicornis. That of Linnaeus applies best to Buceros {An- thracoceros) malabaricus of Gmelin ; but the description of the casque shows that this species was not intended. XXXVII. — Notes on a 'Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Musemn/ by U. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. GURNEY. [Continued from p. 333.] In my last paper I alluded {antea, p. 332) to the occurrence of Aquila clanga in Spain. Since then the Norwich Museum has been enriched by the gift, from Lieut. -Col. L. H. Irby, of an adult male of that species, killed near Seville on the 11th February last, which I take this opportunity of re- cording*. The typical Eagles (those of the genera Uroaetus and Aquila) to which I am disposed to limit the term " Aquilinse," pass by an almost imperceptible gradation into the next group, the Hawk-Eagles, for which the designation of Thrasaetinse,^' suggested by the late Mr. Blythf^ may, I think, be con- veniently adopted. The Hawk-Eagles are all, more or less, distinguished from the typical Aquilinse, as above restricted, by one or more of the following peculiarities, all of which seem to me to be in- dicative of Asturine affinities, viz. wings proportionally shorter, tail relatively longer, very large and generally much * Col. Irby informs me that auotlier Seville specimen of A. clanya, a nearly adult bird, is in the collection of Lord Lilford. t Vide ' Catalogue of the Birds in the Muaeiun of the Asiatic Society,' p. 24. Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 419 curved inner and hinder claws, culmen comparatively shorter and more rounded, also, in many species, an occipital crest, and^ in many, yellow irides. In the large majority of Hawk-Eagles the tarsi are fea- thered ; but in a few instances, to which I shall have occasion subsequently to refer, they are bare of feathers and are scutellated. Those of the Hawk-Eagles which differ least from the typical Aquilinse are comprised in the genus Nisaetus ; but this genus is composed of three very distinguishable minor sections, of which I should arrange as the first the Dwarf Eagles N. pennatus and N. morphnoides — two species which form the subgenus Hieraetus of Kaup, and which, perhaps, might properly be kept distinct under that designation; secondly, N. fasciatus (the type of the genus Nisaetus) and N. spilogaster ; and, thirdly, N. bellicosus, which is placed by Mr. Sharpe amongst the Spizaeti, but which (following the examples of Blyth'^ and Jerdonf) I refer to the genus Ni- saetus, considering it decidedly too long in the wing to be appropriately arranged among the more short- winged of the Hawk-Eagles, in which company it appears in Mr. Sharpens volume. Subsequently to the publication of Mr. Sharpe's work, very full accounts of Nisaetus pennatus have appeared in Mr. Dresser^s ' Birds of Europe,' and also in M. Bureau''s inter- esting brochure, which has already been noticed in 'The Ibis •" [antea, p. 245) ; and I have nothing to add to the information there supplied, except to record that the Norwich Museum possesses a specimen from Moulmein, which is a more eastern locality than any recorded either by Mr, Sharpe or by Mr. Dresser. To Mr. Sharpe ornithologists are indebted for pointing out an excellent criterion for distinguishing this Eagle from its nearly allied Australian congener, N. morphnoides, in the fact that in the latter, and not in the former, the under surface * Vide 'Journal of the Asiatic Society/ vol. xiv. p. 174. t Vide ' Birds of India,' vol. i. p. 67 (note). 2g 2 420 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on of the primaries is conspicuously " barred throughout with greyish buff"*. The localities quoted by Mr. Sharpe for iV. morphnoides are South Australia aud Queensland^ to which West Australia should be added; as the Norwich Museum contains an ex- ample from the Swan Rivcr^ and as others from King George^s Sound are recorded at page 29 of Mr. Ramsay^s ' Catalogue of Australian Accipitres/ where some interesting information will also be found relating to the variations of plumage inci- dent to this species^ which may be compared with Mr. Sharpens additional observations on the same subject in the P. Z. S. 1875, p. 338. Nisaetus fasciatus, like N.jjennatus, has, subsequently to the issue of Mr. Sharpens volume, been the subject of an article in Mr. Dresser's ' Birds of Europe :' much valuable and de- tailed information respecting the geographical distribution of this Eagle is contained in this article ; but by some oversight the author erroneously cites Damara Land as a locality for this species, and quotes, as applying to it, the late Mr. Anders- son's remarks on its more southern congener, N. spilogaster-\. In reality there is, so far as I am aware, no trustworthy record of the occurrence of N. fasciatus in South A.frica ; and with regard to its occurrence at Biballa and Huilla, in the Por- tuguese possessions in South- Western Africa, recorded in the ' Journal fiir Ornitliologie ' for 1876, p. 308, it seems proba- ble, as suggested by Mr. Sharpe at page 38 of his edition of Layard's ' Birds of South Africa/ that an error of identi- fication may have occurred, and a further investigation may show that N. spilogaster has been mistaken for N. fasciatus — a mistake which, as I have already pointed out at p. 138 of ' The Ibis' for 1868, may readily arise from the resemblance * In Mr. Dresser's article on N. pemiattis, he speaks of the " under surface of the wings being mottled " in N. morphnoides ; but, judging from the specimens I have examined, I should say that the word " barred " describes the peculiarity more accurately than " mottled." t Vide 'Notes on the Birds of Damara Land,' pp. 7 & 8, where the original error on this point, which arose from a mistake of my ovav, will be found corrected ; Mr. Dresser, no doubt, quoted from the first edition of Mr. Layard's 'Birds of South Africa,' p. 11. Mr. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue of Accipitres. 421 between the females of N. spilogaster and the males of N. fasciatus, in size as well as in general coloration. There is, however, a variation in the markings of the under surface in specimens of N. spilogaster, to which I am desirous of briefly alluding. Two distinct phases of such markings occur in adult specimens, or at least in specimens which are so far adult as to have passed beyond the stage of plumage which characterizes this Eagle in its first year ; and one of these phases is much more analogous to the character of the lower portions of the plumage 'in A^'./asda^M^ than the other. Thus, in some individuals the white of the underparts is merely interspersed with sparse and narrow dark shaft- marks, slightly more conspicuous than the corresponding markings in N. fasciatus, but otherwise of a similar cha- ractei', whilst in other specimens the dark markings on the under surface are much more numerous and also very much broader. Whether this difference is due to sex or to disparity of age I am unable to say : the Norwich Museum possesses two nearly adult females of the former type from the Zambesi, and two adult males of the latter, one from the Zambesi and the other from Natal; on the other hand, the specimen figured on pi. 1 of Miiller's ' Oiseaux d'Afrique,^ which is there stated to be a male, is represented in the less conspicuously variegated plumage, resembling that of the two females pre- served at Norwich. As Mr. Sharpe states that this species is an inhabitant of '^ North-eastern Africa," it may be well to add that, so far as I am aware, it has never been obtained to the north of the 20th degree of north latitude. With reference to the remaining species of this genus, N. bellicosus, I may remark that the darker portions of the plu- mage in the adult bird appear somewhat liable to fade ; and Mr. Sharpens description seems to me to have been taken from a partially faded specimen. In a very fine adult example in perfect plumage, which I examined last year in the Zoolo- gical Gardens at Antwerp, all the darker portions of the plumage were slaty black, with the feathers of the upper 422 Mr. J. H. Gumey's Notes on parts, except the head and neck_, broadly barred transversely with grey, those of the mantle also showing dark shaft-marks and being narrowly tipped with white. I may further observe that Mr. Sharpens note as to the habitat of this Eagle implies that it is restricted to South Africa, which is not the case : on the western side of that continent it has been obtained as far north as Bissao, spe- cimens from that locality being preserved in the Museums at Leyden"^ and Norwich; whilst to the east it has certainly occurred as far north as Zanzibar f, and probably in Abys- sinia and on the White Nile J. From the genus Nisaetus we may naturally pass to the consideration of the more typical Hawk-Eagles ; but before doing so it will be convenient to refer to three aberrant genera, Spiziastur, Lophoaetus, and Neopus, each consisting of but a single species. Sjnziastur melanoleucus, a native of tropical America, is remarkable for the extraordinary development of its inner and hind claws, which are the most powerful, in proportion to the size of the bird, of those of any species of this group ; but for this peculiarity it might very well be included in the genus Nisaetus, which it resembles in the circum- stance of its wings being proportionally longer than those of the more typical Hawk-Eagles, and also in the very slight development of its occipital crest; in common with the majority of the Hawk-Eagles it possesses the Astiunne yellow iris §. Lophoaetus occipitalis is an African form, and remarkable for the extraordinary development of the occipital crest, which is greater, in proportion to the size of the bird, in this than * Vide 'Museum des Pays-Bas/ Accipitres, p. 50. t Vide Fiuscli and Hartlaub's ' Vog-el Ost-Afrika's,' p. 47. I Vide Vou Ileuglin's ' Systematisclie Uebersiclit,' p. 7, and ' Oruitlio- logie Nordost-Afrika's/ p. 59; it seems, however, not impossible that the species referred to, doubtfully, by Von Heuglin may have been Sinzaettis coronattis. § My authority for the colour of the iris is a memorandum attached to a specimen obtained in Guatemala by Mr. Skinner, and preserved in the N(ii'wich Museum. Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 423 in any other Hawk-Eagle : it also has a very bright yellow iris ; but in other respects its Asturine affinities appear to be but slight, its wings being proportionally more elongated than in the typical members of the group, and its bill and talons being comparatively feeble. Mr. Sharpe describes this species as having for its " range the whole of Africa," which is not quite accurate. I believe that Drs. Finsch and Hartlaub are correct in stating, at p, 51 of the ' Vogel Ost-Afrikas,'' that its northward range does not extend beyond the 16th degree of north latitude. Mr. Sharpe also omits to mention that this species is found in Madagascar, a circumstance which appears to be satisfactorily established"^. The third, and perhaps the most remarkable, of these three aberrant forms is the oriental Neopus malayensis, a spe- cies which is Aquiline in the form of its bill, in the length of its wings, and in the dark colour of the iris, but which is allied to the Hawk-Eagles by its largely developed tail, and in a still greater and (if the phrase may be permitted) in an exaggerated degree by its powerful inner toe with an enor- mous claw, which, together, are more than twice the length of the outer toe and claw, the latter being comparatively di- minutive. The claws in this species are proportionally longer and less curved than those of any other Hawk -Eagle ; and their comparatively slender shape probably renders them somewhat less powerful than would otherwise be the case. Mr. Sharpe amalgamates the genera Spizaetus and Lim~ 7iaetus ; but I think it better to separate the shorter- winged species, S. ornatus-f, S. tyr annus, and S. coronatus, under the title of Spizaetus, of which genus S. ornatus is the type, and to allow the remaining species included by Mr. Sharpe * Vide Ilartlaub's ' Ornithologischer Beitrag sur Fauna Madagascars,' p. 16, and ' Vogel Madagascars,' p. 4. t Mr. Sharpe substitutes for the specific name of '^ornatus" commonly in use, that of" mauduyti" — which I consider undesirable, as the two names were published simultaneously, and as the description given under the head of " ornatics " is the clearer of the two, being evidently taken from a more adult example. 424 iMr. J. H. Gumey's Notes on in that genus to stand under the generic name of Limnaetus, of which L. cahgatus is the type, and under which I would also include L. kieneri and L. isidori, wdiich Mr. Sharpe has separated under the generic name of Lophotriorchis, hut, as I venture to think, on somewhat insufficient grounds. I propose to refer first to the genus Limnaetus, and subse- quently to Spiza'etus. In the * Proceedings ' of the Zoological Society for 1860, p. 342, my late friend, Mr. G. R, Gray, described and figured, under the name of Aquila gurnerji, a very fine Eagle, which was first obtained by Mr. Wallace in Batchian, but which also occurs in several other islands of the eastern ocean, as enu- merated in Mr. Sharpens volume. Mr. Sharpe includes this species in the genus Spizaetus ; I am, myself, disposed to agree in this view so far as to consider it a somewhat ab- normal species of that portion of Mr. Sharpe's genus Spi- zaetus, for which I would use the more restricted title of Lim- naetus. I think, however, that there is a considerable degree of truth in the remark made by Mr. Gray in his original description of this species, that "^this fine bird partakes of the form of Aquila malayensis ;" and it is for this reason that I allude to it as next in order to that species, which it recalls by its very large (though more curved) inner claw, by its somewhat elongated bill and wings, and by its largely de- veloped and narrowly barred tail ; the iris, however, is of a different character, being stated by Mr. Wallace to be " yel- low-olive^''^. Limnaetus gurneyi appears to be always destitute of a crest, in which respect it resembles another and much more typical species, Limnaetus lanceolatus, of Celebes, respecting which I have nothing to add to the notice contained in Mr. Sharpe's volume, except to mention that it also inhabits the Sula Islands f ; and I will therefore proceed now to consider its nearly allied but more widely distributed congener, Limnaetus * Vide Ibis, 1868, p. 13. t Vide Sclilegel's ' Valk-Vogels,' pi. 7. fig. 3 ; also the Marquis of Tweed- dale's paper on the Birds of Celebes, in the ' Transactions ' of the Zoo- ogical Society, vol. viii. p. 34. Ml'. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 425 caligatus (the Spizaetus limnaetusoi Mr. Sharpens Catalogue), which is also usually, though not invariably, a crestless species, or with the crest but very slightly developed"^. This Hawk -Eagle occurs under two very distinct phases of plumage, if, indeed, both be really referable to one species : these are the white- or pale-fulvous-headed and white -breasted phase figured at ph 127 of TemmincVs ' Planches Coloriees,' under the name of Falco niveus, and the fuliginous or melan- istic phase figured at pi. 134 of the same work, and also on pi. 36 of Horsfield^s ' Zoological Researches in Java ' under that of Falco limnaetus ; besides which, specimens occur appa- rently intermediate between these two extremes of coloration. All three of the above-mentioned phases are also figured in SchlegeFs ' V alk- Vogels,^ in which very useful work the pale-headed phase is represented on pi. 6. fig. 2, from Floresf, and on pi. 8. fig. 2, from Java ; the intermediate on pi. 6. fig. 3, from Java, and on pi. 7. fig. 1, from Borneo ; and the wholly fuliginous on pi. 8. fig. 1, from Java. Mr. Sharpe describes the latter phase as the adult plumage of the species ; but it appears to be certain that it is sometimes assumed from the nest : one of the figures in SchlegeFs ' Valk- Vogels' (pi. 8. fig. 3) represents a nestling from Java in which the fuliginous plumage is immediately succeeding the down ; this is probably the same specimen which is thus de- scribed in the 'Museum des Pays Pas^ (Astures, p. 11): — " No. 30, tres-jeune individu retire du nid, revetu en partie du duvet, en partie de plumes, le duvet blanc, les plumes d^un brun-noir uniforme, Java.^' * I have never seen a specimen of either phase of colouring with a crest exceeding an inch in length ; but instances of longer crests have been recorded. t This is the only specimen I am acquainted with from any locality east of Java; Professor Schlegel remarks respecting it (' Valk-Vogels/ p. 55), "il ressemble en general a la variete a teintes claires de Java, mais il a le blanc beaucoup plus pur, tandis que le bran du dos, des ailes, et de la queue est beaucoup plus fence et presque noir." In the Supplementary Catalogue of the Museum des Pays Bas (Accipitres, p. 57) the follow- ing measurements are given of this specimen — "aile 16 ponces 3 lignes, queue 11 pouces 3 lignes." 426 Mr. J, H. Gurney's Notes on Dr. Horsfield^ in the article on " Falco limnaetus," in his * Zoological Researches in Java/ writes thus, — "Both the testi- mony of the natives and the remarks I personally made on the manners of our bird have fully convinced me that F. niveus is a species distinct from F. limnaetus." The same view was taken by Dr. Bernstein, who also resided for some years in Java, and the substance of whose remarks on this subject, extracted from his article in vol. viii. of the ' Journal fiir Ornithologie ' (pp. 419-425), I here subjoin: — "It is cer- tainly not to be deaied that there is not any difference be- tween the measurements of F. niveus and F. limnaetus, and that very dusky-coloured individuals of F. niveus occur which seem to form the transition from that species to F. limnaetus. Nevertheless, having shot numerous individuals and compared them anatomically, having observed others at the nest, taken the young from it, reared and kept them for years, I cannot do otherwise than express myself against the identity of the two species. I have found the nest of i^. limnaetus nine times, and observed the old ones at it ; both always belonged to the same species : the young are at first covered with fine white down, between which, here and there, the brown feathers of the perfect plumage begin to appear; and three which I brought up corresponded perfectly with the old ones. The nest of F, niveus I found four times ; and two of these contained a single half-fledged young bird, both of which I took and reared : in their first plumage the throat was pure white, but with three more or less distinct dusky streaks (wliich are also per- ceptible on the throat of F. limnaetus) . The breast and abdo- men are also white, but with large blackish brown longitudinal spots, whilst the thighs have rather lighter narrow transverse streaks ; the feathers of the head and nape are dirty white, assuming a brownish hue towards the tip, and with blackish brown shaft-marks ; the feathers of the back and scapulars are grey-brown, darker towards the tip, and lighter, and ulti- mately white, towards the base ; the quill-feathers are brown, with lighter transverse bars, and the rectrices similar but paler : with increasing age the dusky shaft-marks on the head, neck, and breast seem gradually to disappear till these Mr. R. B. Sharps' s Catalogue of Accipitres. 427 parts become at length pure white ; such pure white birds are much rarer than the variegated ones, and are, from their greater shyness, less easily shot. I obtained two specimens of a darker variety, in which the white on the back and under- parts is replaced by a dirty yellow-brown, which is lighter on the throat and belly than on the breast and back ; these spe- cimens, however, may be recognized as belonging to F. niveus by the very distinct transverse bars on their wings and tail. " On a minute anatomical comparison of i^. limnaetus and F. niveus some differences in the structure of the skeleton may be observed, which, however insignificant, enable me to dis- tinguish between the skeletons in my possession. Thus, for example, the space between the processus maxillares of the two bones of the palate is less in F. limnaetus than in F. niveus, and in consequence the mussel-shaped apophysis of the palate of the upper mandible-bone contribute more to the formation of the hard palate in the latter than in the former ; also in the skull of F. limnaetus, where the outer edge of the palate-bone passes over to the ossa omoidea, there is on each side a sharp angle or corner, directed out- ward and backward, whilst in F. niveus the outer edge bends gradually into the backward one. All these differences, as well as the general anatomy of these birds, I have described more minutely in a separate article in the sixth volume of the Treatises of the Society of Natural Philosophy of Batavia.^^ Mr. Sharpe gives the description of a Sumatran nestling of the paler race in the British Museum, which seems not to differ materially from the Java specimens described by Dr. Bernstein. Whether the two races are really specifically distinct, or only different in the darker being an hereditary melanism of the paler, and whether the pale birds ever assume a plumage resembling those which are melanistic ab ovo^', must, I think, remain an open question. Should the two races be admitted * A fuliginous specimen from Java in the Norwicli Museum has some yellowish white feathers scattered about the lower portion of the tarsi ; and some wholly fuliginous specimens certainly show more variation of tint than others. 428 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on as specifically distinct, the paler must stand as Limnaetus caligatus (Raffles) , and the fuliginous as L. horsfieldi (Vigors) . The irides in both races are said by Dr. Bernstein to be dusky brown ; Dr. Horsfield, however (probably describing an older specimen), speaks of the irides in L. horsfieldi as being yellow ; those of L. caligatus he does not mention. In a living specimen of L. caligatus from Upper Burmah, presented to the Zoological Society of London by Captain H. Feilden, by whom it was taken from the nest near Thayetmyo in May 1871, the colour of the irides and of the plumage was thus noted by me when I saw the bird in November 1874 : — " Iris hazel ; crest very slight ; back dark (blackish brown) ; breast and abdomen white, with large longitudinal brown marks ; transverse bars of a lighter brown on the thighs ; tarsi white ; upper surface of tail dark brown, with four darker bars besides the terminal one.^" Captain Feilden was so good as to inform me that up to the date when he last saw it (November 1873) the bird had undergone no change from its nestling-plumage, " except losing the paler edge of the wing- and tail-covert feathers common to all Hawk-Eagles.^' Between November 1874 and October 1875, when the bird died whilst moulting, the only change which I observed in its plumage was that on the abdomen and flanks the dark brown lanceolate marks had considerably extended in breadth towards the end of each feather, and also over the whole lower part of the feather in some cases, and the greater part of it in others. The skin of this specimen is now preserved in the Norwich Museum ; it proved on dissection to be a male.' Captain Feilden wrote to me that he had frequently shot adult males of this species, which were all very similar and not unlike the specimen presented by him to the Zoological Society, except that the spots on the breast were much fewer and smaller. I have measured seventeen specimens of L. caligatus from Java, Borneo, Malacca, and Nepal "^ : the largest specimen * The specimen from Upper iJm'mah, described above, is not included in these measurements, owing to the imperfect state of its wings. Mr. R. B. Sharpes Catalogue of Accipitres. 429 has the wing 17*2 and the tarsus 4*2 ; in the smallest the wing is 13"5 and the tarsus is 3'3 inches. I have also measured eight specimens of L. horsfieldi from Java^ Borneo, and Malacca : in the largest of these the wing measures 17 and the tarsus 4 ; in another specimen the wing measures 16*4 and the tarsus 4*5 ; in the smallest of the eight the wing is 15"4 and the tarsus 3'6 inches. In neither race does there appear to be any constant dif- ference in size between specimens from different localities^. I have been indebted to the kindness of the Marquis of Tweeddale for an opportunity of examining a specimen in his collection of the Hawk-Eagle inhabiting the Andaman Islands, L. andamanensis (Tytler), which appears to differ but little, except in its smaller dimensions, from L. caligatus as dis- tinguished from L. horsfieldi. The colour of the iris in this species appears to be " reddish brown " f in some specimens, and "deep yellow ^^ J or " amber "§ in others. Since the publication of Mr. Sharpens volume notices of this species have appeared in 'The Ibis' for 1874, p. 127, also in ' Stray Feathers ' for 1874, p. 142, and for 1876, p. 280, which should be consulted for further information respecting it. I propose now to refer to a Hawk- Eagle which I believe to be exclusively Indian, Limnaetus cirrhatus, respecting the geographical distribution of which Mr. Hume has the fol- lowing remark in * Stray Feathers,'' vol. iii. p. 46 : — " It is a Peninsular species ; and a line drawn from Aboo to Etawah, and thence by Shergotty to Calcutta, indicates very fairly its northern limits. '' Mr. Sharpe records two immature specimens from Nepal * Since writing the above I have received No. 1 of vol. v. of ' Stray Feathers,' which contains at p. 9 an important note on Limnaetus cali- gatus, that should by all means be consulted, especially as showing the gi'eat rarity of the fuliginous bird (Z. horsfieldi) in India, which, con- sidering its comparative abundance in Malacca and Java, is, I think, an argument in favour of its specific distinctness from L. caligatus. t Vide Hume's ' Rough Notes,' vol. i. p. 205. X Vide ' Stray Feathers,' 1874, p. 142. § Vide Ibis, 1874, p. 127. 430 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on as existing in the British Museum, which I recently had an opportunity of examining, and respecting which I came to the conclusion that they were both referable to L. caligatus. L, cirrhatus appears chiefly to differ from from L. caligatus in possessing an elongated occipital crest, which varies much in length, but, I believe, is never entirely absent, except, perhaps, very rarely in moulting specimens. So far as I know, L. cirrhatus is not subject to melanism. In ' Stray Feathers,' vol. iv. p. 356, Mr. Hume gives an account of the changes of plumage and colouring incident to this Hawk-Eagle in its progress to maturity. These changes appear to occur almost entirely in the reverse order to those observed by Dr. Bernstein in the case of Javan specimens of L. caligatus — a difference which, should it prove constant, will strongly confirm the entire distinctness of the two species ; I suspect, however, that the changes through which L. cali- gatus passes will prove somewhat variable, and that the dif- ferences between it and L. cirrhatus in this respect will not prove altogether constant. The plumage of a Sumatran nest- ling of L. caligatus, which is preserved in the British Museum and described in Mr. Sharpens volume, appears to indicate that such is the fact. I have not had an opportunity of examining many examples of the Indian L. cirrhatus ; but of four, respecting which I have preserved memoranda, the largest measured 17*4 inches in the wing and 4-5 in the tarsus, the smallest 16'3 in the wing and 3*5 in the tarsus. Limnaetus ceylonensis {Falco ceylonensis of Gmelin), the ordinary Hawk-Eagle of Ceylon, which Mr. Sharpe identifies with L. cirrhatus, is a decidedly smaller bird ; I have mea- sured ten Ceylonese specimens, of which the largest had the wing 15'2 inches in length from the carpal joint, and the tarsus 3*6, and the smallest had the wing 14 inches and the tarsus 3*4. Judging from the specimens which I have seen, I should say that the ordinary plumage of L. ceylonensis varies but little, and much resembles the first dress of L. cirrhatus as described by Mr. Hume in ' Stray Feathers,' vol. iv. p. 356. Ml'. R. B. Sharpens Catalogue 0/ Accipitres. 431 Mr. Layard, in his papers on the ornithology of Ceylon, published in the ' Annals of Natural History ' for 1851, refers to the ordinary Hawk-Eagle of that island* under the title of " Spizaetus limnaetus, Horsf./^ and appends to his account of it the following remark : — " There is a singularly dark variety of this species which I have only seen at Port Pedro, and that but very rarely /■" The only Ceylonese specimen which I have seen that could at all be called a " dark variety/^ is a living one recently presented by Captain W. V. Legge to the Zoological Society of London. This bird much resem- bles in plumage that of Captain Feilden's Thayetmyo speci- men of L. caligatus, which I have already described ; but it seemed to me to be decidedly smaller, and it has an occipital crest which, though not now much elongated, is slender and well defined ; the irides in this specimen are a pale greyish straw-colour. I understand that it is now five years old, and was taken from the nest near Point de Galle by Captain Legge, who informs me that he intends to favour the readers of ' The Ibis ' with some notes on the changes of plumage which it has undergone, and on those of the Ceylon Sjnzaeti generally. I understand from Captain Legge that the colour of the iris in this specimen is that usual to the young bird of both the paler and the darker phases of plumage, and that both these have a yellow iris when adult, which this individual has probably not acquired in consequence of having been kept in captivity. Mr. Hume's description of his L. sphijnx, from Travancoref, seems to me to be probably referable to a specimen of L. ceylonensis intermediate in coloration between the ordinary pale-chested Ceylon bird and the darker plumage exhibited in the specimen lately presented by Captain Legge to the Zoological Society. I propose now to refer to Limnaetus nipalensis, respecting which I have to remark that Japan and Formosa should be added to the localities quoted for this species by Mr. Sharpe. * One of Mr. Layard's Ceylon specimens is preserved in the Norwich Museum. t Vide ' Stray Feathers/ vol. i. p. 321. 432 Mr. J. H. Gurney's Notes on Specimens from both Formosa and Japan are preserved in the Norwich Museum ; and the only figure of this fine species yet published is, I believe^ that of a Japanese specimen, not fully adult, which is given on pi. 3 of the ' Fauna Jajjonica.^ L. nipalensis has thus a more northern range than any other species of the genus. I may here mention that by an accidental error the de- scription of a nestling of Spilornis cheela, preserved in the British Museum, has been inserted at p. 267 of Mr. Sharpe's volume as that of a nestling of Lhnnaetus nipalensis. The tarsi in this very young specimen are greatly decayed, which probably led to this mistake. It is remarkable, as has been already pointed out by the Marquis of Tweeddale *, that the peculiarity which appears in this, the largest of the Limnaeti, of the tarsal feathering extend- ing onto the first joint of the middle toe, is shared by only one other species, and that the smallest of the genus, L. alhoniger, respecting which I have nothing further to add to Mr. Sharpe's account, except to observe that the Avhite tip to the crest in the adult plumage is not a constant character, and also that the Hawk-Eagle from Java, figured in Schlegel's 'Valk- Vogels,' pi. 6. fig. 1, appears to me to be probably an imma- ture example of this species, judging from this figure and from the measurements of the bird quoted in the ' Museum des Pays-Bas,' Astures, p. 11. Another of the smaller eastern Limnaeti is L. philippensis, which appears to be confined to the Philippine Islands. Tliis species is well figured in the Marquis of Tweeddale's valuable paper on the Birds of the Philippine Archipelago f from an adult specimen in the Norwich Museum ; a slightly younger bird in the same collection is somewhat paler, especially about the head, and is less distinctly barred on the lower part of the tarsi. There is but one other eastern Hawk-Eagle, L. kieneri, which Mr. Sharpe makes the type of his genus Lophotriorchis. This bird certainly differs, in the character of its coloration, both * Vide Ibis, 1874, p. 128. t Vide '■ Transactions of the Zoological Society,' vol. ix. pi. 24. Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. 433 when immature and when adult, from the other eastern Lim- naeti ; and it also has a somewhat less development of the tail ; I doubt^ however^ as I have already mentioned, its being really generically separable from the genus Limna'etus. The immature plumage of this Hawk-Eagle will be found described in the addenda to Mr. Sharpens volume at p. 458, To the localities quoted by Mr. Sharpe for this species, Batchian, Java, and Ceylon must be added, a specimen from each of these islands being preserved in the Norwich Museum. In ' Stray Feathers,' vol. v. p. 10, Mr. Hume records this species from N.E. Cachar, and adds that " in N.E. India, as In Sikkim, for instance, it is far from uncommon; " it is, however, a decidedly rare species in European Museums. Mr. Sharpe associates with L. kieneri, in his genus Lopho- triorchis, L. isidori of N.W. South America, a much larger species, of similar colouring, both in its first and last stages of plumage, but with a more largely developed tail. Through the kindness of Dr. A. Dubois, I had the op- portunity, last year, of examining, at the Royal Museum of Natural History at Brussels, the two type specimens of " Spi- zuetus devillii," figured and described by that gentleman in the ' Bulletins de PAcademie Royal de Belgique," 2nd series, vol. xxxviii. pts. 1 & 2, and found them to be immature ex- amples of L. isidori — that figured by Dr. Dubois on pi. 1 as " S. devillii, adult,'''' being the first yearns plumage of L. isi- dori, and that represented on pi. 2 as " S. devillii, jeune," being a very curious stage, intermediate between the first dress of L. isidori and the fully adult plumage figured by Des Murs in the ' Iconographie Ornithologique,^ pi. 1. Neither of these immature stages are described by Mr. Sharpe ; but they may be readily recognized by a reference to the figures and descriptions supplied by Dr. Dubois. The Norwich Museum contains a specimen of L. isidori in its first, and also one in its last stage of plumage ; but I have never seen the intermediate dress, except at Brussels. It is worthy of note that this intermediate dress has no cor- responding phase, so far as I am aware, in L. kieneri. The two specimens of this rare species preserved in the SER. IV. — VOL. I. 2 H 434 Mr. J. H. Gurney^s Notes on Brussels Museum are from Baiza, in Ecuador ; those in the Norwich Museum are, like the type specimen figured by Des Murs, from New Granada ; and an adult example in the collection of Messrs. Salvin and Godman is from the neighbourhood of Medelhn^ in the Columbian province of Antioquia. Of the Hawk-Eagles with feathered tarsi there remain but three to notice, those to which I propose to restrict the generic name Spizaetus, viz. S. ornatus and S. tyr annus of Tropical America, and S. coronatus of Africa. These three species exhibit to a still greater extent than those of the genus Lim- naetus the short wings and largely developed tails which are more or less conspicuous in the large majority of the group which I would (as already mentioned) designate imder the title of Thrasaetinse. All these three Hawk-Eagles have a yellow iris when adult ; but it is of a brighter and deeper yellow in the two American species than in their African congener. With regard to the two first-named species, I have nothing to add to Mr. Sharpens account, except to remark with refer- ence to the definition of the principal colour of the adult of S. tyr annus as 'HDlack above and below,''^ that a specimen now living in the Gardens of the Zoological Society exhibited, when it first acquired its adult dress, a decided slaty tinge on the black portions of the plumage, and especially on the head and underparts, which probably disappears as the fea- thers become worn, and in specimens which have been long preserved. Mr. Sharpe defines the habitat of S. coronatus as " South and West Africa,^^ and in his edition of Layard^s ^ Birds of South Africa,' p. 39, gives Senegal as its north-west and Natal as its north-eastern limit, so far as has at present been ascertained. It is curious that this noble species has not yet been recognized further to the northward in East Africa ; but such is, I believe, the fact. Spizaetus coronatus bears a remarkable resemblance in its general conformation to the Great Harpy Eagle of Tropical America {Thrasaetus harpy ia); but the latter differs from it Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue 0/ Accipitres. 435 and from the other Hawk-Eagles to which I have hitherto referred^ in having its extraordinarily powerful tarsi scutel- lated instead of feathered — a peculiarity which it shares with the remaining species of this group. I have nothing to add to Mr. Sharpens account of the Harpy Eagle, except to suggest a doubt as to whether the young bird described by him may not have made some pro- gress towards the assumption of adult dress. I have a strong impression that I have seen young birds of this species with much less black about them than that described by Mr. Sharpe ; but I am not able at the present moment to refer to such a specimen, or to give the description of such a one in detail, and I will therefore pass to an allied species from Tropical America, Morplmus guianensis, which appears, from its elongated tarsi and short toes, to lead naturally to the next group which I shall have to notice, the Circaetince, or Harrier-Eagles. As Mr. Sharpe does not describe the immature plumage of M. guianensis, I add the following particulars, which I noted from an immature specimen in the Brussels Museum : — Entire head, back of neck, and crest pure white; entire mantle very pale brownish grey, finely vermiculated with darker markings of the same ; these on the scapulars assume the form of six irregular transverse bars, and of three similar bars on the primary coverts ; lower back and upper tail- coverts pure white ; bastard wing blackish slate-colour, with two transverse bars and a tip of pale mottled brownish grey ; primaries with four to five such bars (the uppermost partly white) and a light tip ; the secondaries and tertials with similar bars and a broad pale tip ; tail with ten dark transverse bars, between which are narrow interspaces mottled with two shades of brownish grey, tip of tail whitish ; similar bars are apparent on the under surface of the tail ; entire remainder of the under surface of the bird pure white. Before concluding my remarks on the Thrasaetinse, I must allude to two large birds of prey [Harjjyopsis nova-guinece and Megatriorchis dorice) recently discovered in New Guinea by Signor D'Albertis, which I have not seen, but which, I think, 2h 2 436 Notes on Mr. R. B. Sharpe's Catalogue of Accipitres. most probably belong to the Hawk-Eagles, judging from the description of them contributed in November 1875 by Count T. Salvadori to the seventh volume of the ' Annali del Mus. Civ. di St. Nat. di Genova.' As but few English ornithologists possess the work con- taining these descriptions, it may not be improper here to reproduce them : — '' Gen. nov. Harpyopsis : genus novum ex subfamilia Acci- pitrinarum, rostro robustissimo, valde alto et adunco ; naribus oblongis, verticalibus ; loris et regione circumocu lari fere nudis, rare pilosis; alis brevissimis, valde rotundatis, remigibus primariis paulo longioribus quam secundariis ; cauda longis- sima, rotundata; tarsis mediocribus, robustis, scutis latis trans- versis anticeet postice obtectis, tertio superiore antice plumosis; digitis mediocribus, externo paulo longiore quam interno, medio longiusculo ; unguibus permagnis, validissimis, inferne sulcatis ; plumis cervicis copiosis, longiusculis, latis, apice rotundatis. " H. nova-guinea. Supra fusco-brunnea, plumarum limbo apicali albido; subtus sordide alba, jugulo et pectore summo sordide griseo-tinctis; alis supra dorso concoloribus; remigibus fusco-brunneis, fasciis transversis latis obscurioribus,sed parum conspicuis notatis, fascia apicali latiore, pogonio interno re- migum albo-marmorato, remigibus subtus magna ex parte albo- et griseo-marmoratis, parte apicali grisea fusco trans- fasciata, apice ipso late fusco ; cauda supra dorso concolore, fasciis sex obscurioribus undulatis parum conspicuis notata, fascia apicali latiore, limbo apicali rectricum albido ; cauda subtus grisea, albido marmorata, fasciis tribus tantum fuscis notata, fascia apicali latiore, rectricibus rachidibus supra fuscis, subtus partim albis, partim fuscis ; rostro plumbeo fere nigro, pedibus griseis, iride obscure flava. '' Long. tot. O^i-SZO, al. 0«i-480, caud. 0^-4<10, rostri culm. 0™-058, rostri hiat. O'^-OSS, rostri alt. 0™-036, tarsi O'^'IM, digiti med. cum ungue 0'"*094, ung. post. 0'°'045. " Megatriorchis, gen. nov. Megatriorchis novum genus ex subfamilia Accipitrinarum, alis brevissimis, remigibus prima- riis paulo brevioribus quam secundariis ; cauda longissima. Mr. P. L, Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. 437 rotundata^ tarsis mediocribus, robustis, antice et postice scutis transversalibus obtectis, digitis validis^ interne breviore quam externo, unguibus digiti interni et posterioris validissimis. " Megatriorchis doria, fern. Plumis pilei et cervicis nigris, rufescente marginatisj plumis cervicis partim albo-marginatis dorso, uropygio et supracaudalibus fusco-nigris, fasciis trans- versis fusco-griseo-mfescentibus ornatis, plumarum margini- bus apicalibus griseo-rufescentibus; genis et fascia later ali occi- pitis utrinque albis^ longitudinaliter fusco-lineatis ; plumis auricularibus postice fusco- nigris, fasciam postocularem latam nigramconstituentibus; subtus albus, maculis longitudinalibus fuscis ornatus, guise et subcaudalium maculis linearibus striatis^ pectoris summi et imi latis brunneo-nigris, pectoris medii valde pallidioribus, sed linea scapuli nigra : remigibus et rectricibus supra fasciis alternis fusco-nigris et fusco-griseis notatis, subtus griseis fusco transfasciatis, caudse limbo apicali griseo, caudse fasciis supra 24 ; rostro nigro, ceromate cinereo ; iride cas- taneaj pedibus cinereis, pallidis. " Long. tot. circa 0"^-680, al. O'^-SSO, caud. 0'^-320, rostri culm. Oi^-038, rostri hiat. 0^-038, tarsi 0«i-090, digit med. cum ungue 0™"074^ ung. dig. post. 0'^*036.^' It appears that one specimen of each of these remarkable Raptores was procured on Yule Island, on the south coast of New Guinea, and that one other example of Harpyopsis novee-guinece has been obtained at the foot of Mount Arfak. [To be continued.] XXXVIII. — Description of two new Ant-birds of the Genus Grallaria, with a List of the known Species of tJie Genus. By P. L. Sclater, M.A., F.R.S. (Plates VIII., IX.) While introducing to science a fine new Ant- bird of the genus Grallaria, recently discovered by Mr. T. K. Salmon in Antioquia, together with another apparently unrecognized form of the genus, I take the opportunity of giving a complete list of the species of this group, to which many important addi- 438 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. tions have been made since the puUication of my '' Synopsis of the American Ant-birds" in 1858*. The genus Grallaria f — one of the best-marked forms amongst the Formicariidae^ and offering many points of ex- ternal resemblance to the Pittce of the Old-World tropics — may be conveniently divided into four sections^ as follows : — a. Squamigerae, containing the two species G. squamigera and G. gigantea, which are easily distinguishable from the rest of their congeners by their large size and strong thick bill. b. Reges, containing the seven representative forms of the G. rex sive varia, some of which are well defined, while others scarcely deserve specific separation. These I take geogra- phically from north to south. c. Uniformes, those with the plumage generally of a uni- form character, without flammulations upon the breast and belly. This group consists exclusively of high-ranging Andean species. d. Flammulatie, containing the remaining nine species, all of which have the under surface more or less flammulated, and lead us on to the group of diminutive species which I have separated under the name GrallariculaX. The genus Grallaria therefore, as thus arranged, contains twenty-seven species known to me. The diagnoses added under each head are taken from examples in my own collection and that of Messrs. Salvin and Godman, in which are to be found * " Synopsis of the Americau Ant-birds," pts. i., ii., iii., P. Z. S. 1858, pp. 202, 232, 272. See also supplement, P. Z. S. 1868, p. 671. t The genus Grallaria was founded by Vieillot in 1816, on Buffon's " J2oi des FourmilUers " (= G. varia). According to my views it is equi- valent to, or should comprehend the following generic terms : — 3Iyioturdus, Boie, Isis, 1820, p. 972, Type G. varia. Myiotrichas, Boie, Isis, 1831, p. r)42 = My ioturdus, Colohathris, Gloger, Hand. u. Ililfsb. d. Nat. p. 304 (1842). Type G. varia. Codonistris, Gloger, Hand. u. Hilfsb. d. Nat. p. 303 (1842). Type G. hrcvicatida. Iti/psibcmon, Cabanis, Wicgm. Archiv, 1847, pt. i., p. 217. Type G. ruficapilla. t P. Z. S. 1858, p. 283. Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. 439 examples of every species except Grallaria gigantea, G. varia, G. modesta, and G. ochroleuca. In his Kst of Grallaria, published in 1842 (Rev. Zool. 1842, p. 333) J Lafresnaye was able to include only nine species of this genus. In the *^ Nomenclator ■' (1873) Mr. Salvin and I gave twenty. Sect. A. Grallari^e squamiger^. 1. Grallaria squamigera. Grallaria squamigera, Prev. Voy. Venus, Ois. pi. 1 ; Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1842, p. 333 ; Bp. Consp. p. 204 ; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 145, et 1858, p. 280, et Cat. A. B. p. 192; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 678, 1875, p. 235, et Norn. Av. Neotr. p. 75. Myiotrichas squamigera. Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. ii. p. 6. Colobathris squamigera, Cab. Orn. Not. i. p. 217. Suprk cineracea, olivaceo in alis tincta, remigibus et rectri- cibus fuscescentibus ; loris et corpore toto subtus cum subalaribus saturate fulvo-rufis, prsecipue in gutture et in pectore fasciolis nigris irregulariter aspersis ; ventre medio et crisso immaculatis ; rostri mandibula inferiore ad basin pallida ; pedibus clare corylinis : long. tota9'5, alee 5*8, caudse 2*4, tarsi 2*4. Hah. Venezuela, Columbia, ^quatoria, Peruvia et Bolivia. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. The series of nine specimens of this bird in the collections above named presents no great amount of variation. In two skins, collected by Mr. Buckley in Ecuador, the throat is nearly white ; but I observe a tendency to this in other ex- amples from different localities, and one of the same collector's specimens from Yungas, Bolivia, agrees in every way with typical examples from Columbia. Mr. Goering obtained this species in the Sierra Nevada of Merida ; so that it appears to extend throughout the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia. 2. Grallaria gigantea. Grallaria gigantea, Lawr. Ann. L.N. H. New York, viii. p. 346 (1866) . Supra saturate brunnea, nucha cineracea; loris et corpore subtiis cum subalaribus fulvo-rufis, fasciis transversis 440 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. nigris frequenter transvittatis : long, tota 9*0, alse QO, caudae 2*6, tarsi 2'7. Hab. ^Equatoria. Obs. Sp. a prsecedente colore dorsi^ fasciis corporis subtus crebrioribus et crassitie majore diversa. Until I had actually seen the typical example of this fine Ant-Thrush, which has been most liberally intrusted to my examination by the authorities of the Smithsonian Institu- tion, I was, I confess, rather unwilling to believe in its dis- tinctness from its near ally, G. squamigera, which actually traverses Ecuador, and extends into Peru and Bolivia. But I was quickly convinced at the first sight of the bird. The only known example of this species was obtained in Ecuador by Mr. John Akhurst. It bears the number 35101 in the Smithsonian Catalogue. It is not known more exactly where the specimen was procured. Sect. B. Grallaria reges. 3. Grallaria mexicana. Grallaria guatemalensis, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1856, p. 294, et 1858, p. 280 (pt.) . Grallaria mexicana, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 381, 1863, p. 175, et Cat. A. B. p. 191 ; Scl. et Salv. Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 75. Supra olivaceo-brunnea, nucha cineracea, plumis omnibus margine angusto nigro prseditis ; rectricibus externe et Cauda tota rufis : subtus pallide fulva^ in gutture et in ventre medio albicans, torque colli interrupto nigro ; subalaribus et remigum margiuibus inteniis pallide cas- taueis : long, tota 7'5, alse 5'1, caudse 2*0, tarsi 2*1. Hab. Mexico merid. terra calida. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. The larger size and lighter colour below induced me to separate the Mexican from the Guatemalan form of this species ; but I rather doubt whether the separation will be ultimately maintainable, as there is considerable variation in G. guatemalensis when a large series is examined. 4. Grallaria guatemalensis. Grallaria guatemalensis, Prevost, Zool. Voy. Venus, Ois, Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. 441 pi. 2; Scl. et Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 119, et Norn. Av. Neotr. p. 75 ; Salvin, Ibis, 1861, p. 354 ; Scl. Cat. A. B. p. 191. ChamcBza guatemalensis , Bp. Consp. p. 204. Similis prsecedenti, sed crassitie rainore, et abdominis colore saturatiore distinguenda : long, tota 7"0, alee 4'5, caudse 1-5, tarsi 2-0. Hab. Guatemala. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. This Ant-Thrush was obtained by Mr. Salvin in the forests of Vera Paz, in those of Western Guatemala, and also on the slopes of the Volcan de Fuego^ where it ascends to a height of 8000 feet above the sea-level. In the young bird.the head and breast are blackish, curiously variegated with fulvous centre-spots. 5. Grallaria princeps. Grallaria guatemalensis, Salvin, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 146. Grallaria princeps, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 418 ; Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 196. Supra oleaginea, plumis nigro marginatis ,- pileo et collo pos- tico valde obscurioribus et cineraceo tinctis; loris et oculorum ambitu rufescentibus ; alis obscure fuscis, extus et intiis castaneo limbatis ; cauda omnino fusces- centi-castanea : subtus saturate ferruginea, pectore paulo obscuriore, gutturis medii plumis nigro variegatis ; rostro obscure corneo, mandibulse basi albicante ; pedibus cory- linis : long, tota 6*5, alse 4*3, caudse 1*7^ tarsi 1*9, rostri a rictu 1*3. Hab. Veragua, Chiriqui [Arce). Mus. S.-G. Obs. Similis G. guatemalensi, sed rostro robustiore, altiore^ colore corporis superi obscuriore, ventris autem rubiginoso saturatiore distinguenda. 6. Grallaria regulus. Grallaria regulus, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 66, et Cat. A. B. p. 192; Scl. et Salv. Norn. Av. Neotr. p. 196. Brunnescenti-olivacea, pileo cinerascentiore ; dorsi plumis nigro circumcinctis ; alis iiigricantibus, extiis bruimeo limbatis ; cauda brevissima, unicolore brunnea : subtus saturate ferruginea, gutture et pectore nigricantiore per- 442 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. fusis; torque guttural! pallide cinnamomeo, hujus plu- marum apicibus nigris; tectricibus subalaribus cum ventre concoloribus ; rostro corneo, supra obscuriore ; pedibus coryliuis; long, tota 6'3, alse 4'0^ caudse 1'2, tarsi 1'6. Hab. ^Equatoria ct Columbia. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. Obs. Sp. a G. principe crassitie minore, gutture nigrican- tiore, et abdomine magis flavicante distinguenda. 7. Grallaria haplonota, sp. nov. Supra olivacea, fere unicolor^ pileo vix cinerascentiore et plu- marum marginibus angustissimis nigricantibus ; cauda rufescente : subtus fulva, in pectore et lateribus olivaceo adumbrata ; gula media albicante^ torque colli angusto et lateribus guise indistincte nigricantibus ; subalaribus et crisso castaneis : long. tota 7*3^al8e 4'3, caudse 1'5, tarsi 1*8. Hab. Venezuela, Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. My diagnosis of this apparently new species is from an example obtained in Venezuela by Mr. Spence. Salvin and Godman's single specimen is likewise Venezuelan^ having been procured in the wood-region of the coast near Puerto Cabello by Mr. Goering in 1873. The uniform dark olive-colour of the back renders it easily distinguishable from its allies ; but it is otherwise nearly related to G. regulus. 8. Grallaria varia. Le roi des Fourmilliers de Cayenne, Buff. PL Enl. 702. Formicarius varius, Bodd. Table d. PI. Enl. p. 44. Turdus rex, Gm. S. N. i. p. 828. Turdus grallarius, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 3G1. Grallaria fusca, Vieill. Gal. Ois. pi. 154; Tsch. Faun. Per. p. 181. Pitta grallaria, Temm. PL Col. sub tab. 217. Myioturdus rex, Menetr. Mon. Myioth. p. 462. Grallaria varia, Gray^, Gen. i. p. 213; Scl. P. Z. S. 1858^ p. 280, et Cat. A. B. p. 192 ; Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 91 ; Scl. et Salv, Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 75. Colobathris rex, Cab. Orn. Not. p. 217. Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. 443 Grallaria rex, Lafr. R.ev. Zool. 1842, p. 333 ; Bp. Consp. p. 204. Suj)rk olivacea, pileo cineraceo, plumarum marginibus an- gustis nigris, scapis clare fulvis ; cauda rufa ; loris, mys- tacibus et maculis quibusdam in gula media albis ; gutture brunneo, albo striolato ; abdomiue sordide albo, briinneo variegato ; ventre medio et crisso cum subalaribus pallide fulvis : long, tota 7*5, alse 4'6j caudse 1'7 , tarsi 2*0. Hab. Cayenna et Guiana. My diagnosis of this species, whicb is scarce in collections, is taken from an example kindly lent to me by Mr. John Trotter, who has recently procured it in Demerara. Natterer obtained an example of this bird at Marabitanas, E-io Negro. 9. Grallaria imperator. Myioturdus rex, Max. Beitr. iii. p. 1027. Grallaria rex, Burm. Syst. Ueb. iii. p. 50. Myiothera grallaria, Licht. Doubl. p. 43. Grallaria imperator, Lafr. Eev. Zool. 1842, p. 333 ; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 280, et Cat. A. B. p. 191 ; Scl. et Salv. Norn. Av. Neotr. p. 75 ; Bp. Consp. p. 204. Colobathris imperator, Cab. Orn, Not. i. p. 217. Myiotrichas imperatrix. Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. ii. p. 6. Supra olivacea, nucha cineracea, plumis nigro limbatis et lineis scapas occupantibus fulvis ornatis ; cauda rufa ; loris et mystacibus latis et macula cervicali albis ; gut- ture nigro ; abdomine sordide albo, fulvo mixto, et nigri- cante frequenter transfasciolato ; subalaribus et crisso Isete fulvis ; rostro corneo, pedibus rubellis : long, tota 8"0, alse 4'9, caudse 1*7, tarsi 1*9. Hah. Brasilia merid.-orientalis. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. This is at least a well-marked species, easily distinguished from most of the other forms of this section, as here de- scribed, by its black throat, conspicuous white neck-spot, and the strong black edgings to the upper plumage. It comes nearest to G. varia, but may be recognized by its black throat and larger size. 444 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. Sect. C. GRALLARIiE UNIFORMES. 10. Grallaria nuchalis, Sclater, P. Z. S. If 59, p. 441, et Cat. A. B. p. 192; Scl. et Salv. Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 75. Saturate brunnesccnti-oleaginea, pileo rufescentiore, nucha et regione postoculari clare castaneis : subtus nigricanti- schistacea ; remigum marginibus internis fulvo-rufis ; rostro et peclibus nigris : long, tota 7*5, alae 4" 5, caudse 2'1, rostri a rictu 1*2, tarsi 2*15. Hab. ^quadoria. Mus. P. L. S, et S.-G. Since I described this species I have obtained a second ex- ample, not quite mature, from the vicinity of Quito. Messrs. Salvin and Godman have a specimen from the same district. 11. Grallaria ruficeps. (Plate VIII.) Grallaria ruficeps, Scl. P. Z. S. 1873, p. 729. Supra brunnea, pileo toto et capitis lateribus ferrugineo-rufis : subtus cinerea ; subalaribus et remigum pogoniis internis cervinis ; rostro nigro, pedibus corylinis : long, tota 8, alee 4*5, caudae 2, tarsi 2*5 . Hab. Status Antioquise, rcipubl. Columbianae. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. We are indebted to Mr. T. K. Salmon for the discovery of this fine species, of which a figure is now given, taken from the typical specimen. 12. Grallaria monticola. Grallaria monticola, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1847, p. 68; Des Murs, Icon. Orn. pi. 53; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 281, et Cat. A. B. p. 192; Scl. et Salv. Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 75. Cham<2za monticola, Bp. Consp. p. 204. Grallaria quitensis, Less. (ubi?). Supra olivaceo-brunnea cineraceo adumbrata, uropygio ful- vescente ; loris, superciliis et corpore toto subtus pallide flavicanti-fulvis olivaceo mixtis ; subalaribus et remigum marginibus internis clare cervinis ; rostro nigro, pedibus cornels : long tota 6'5, alae 4*0, caudse 2"0, rostri a rictu 1-2, tarsi 2-0. Hab. Montes reipubl. ^quatorianae. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. This species seems to be common in the Andes of Ecuador, Ibis.l877,PlVIII G.Ke-alemaiis Hth. MiW Ea-riha-rt imp. GRALLARIA RUFICEPS. Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. 445 but not to be found far outside the limits of that republic. I have specimens obtained near Pasto by Delattre^ and on Pichincha by Fraser. Mr. Buckley has recently transmitted several skins of it from Sical in Ecuador. 13. Grallaria flavotincta, sp. nov. (Plate IX.) Supra, inclusis capitis lateribus, saturate brunnea fere uni- color : subtiis sordide alba, in ventre medio clarior, gutture toto flavescenti perfuso ; hypochondriis, tibiis et crisso dorso concoloribus ; subalaribus fulvis ; rostro et pedibus nigris : long, tota 6" 8, alse 3*6, caudae 1'5, rostri a rictu 1'2, tarsi 1*9. Hab. St. Antioquise in republ. Columbiana. Mus. P. L. S. Obs. Sp, forma et crassitie G. monticolee, sed colore supr^ saturatiore et gutture flavescente prorsiis dignoscenda. This is another discovery of Mr. T. K. Salmon since his recent return to Medellin. The single example sent, marked male, was obtained near Frontino, in Antioquia, in 1876. 14. Grallaria erythroleuca. Grallaria erythroleuca, Scl. P. Z. S. 1873, p. 783. Supra Isete rufa, pileo et lateribus capitis cum Cauda saturati- oribus, ferrugineis : subtus gutture et ventre medio albis, pectore et lateribus dorso concoloribus, plumis quibusdam albo anguste terminatis ; subalaribus ferrugineis, remi- gum pogoniis internis schistaceis, ferrugineo vix margi- natis ; rostro et pedibus corneis : long, tota 7*2, alse 3*6, caudae 2, tarsi 2*1. Hab. Peruvia alta, Huasampilla {Whitely). Mus. P. L. S. This is a very well-marked species, readily recognizable by the chestnut colour of the body above, which extends onto the breast and flanks. 15. Grallaria erythrotis. Grallaria erythrotis, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1876, p. 357. Supra obscure olivacea, cinereo tincta : subtus valde dilutior et rufescenti lavata, ventre medio paene albo ; regione auriculari tota vivide rufa, fronte et superciliis hoc colore tinctis ; rostro nigro, ad apicem albicante, pedibus clarfe corylinis : long, tota 6'0, alse 3*5, caudae 2"0, tarsi 2*0. 446 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. Hab. Prov. Yungas, Bolivia. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. This species is easily known by the red colour being con- fined to the sides of the head. 16. Grallaria hypoleuca. Grallaria hypoleuca, Scl. P. Z. S, 1855, p. 88, 1858, p. 281, et 1868, p. 575. G. supra ferruginea, loris albidis : subtiis alba, lateribus magis cinerascentibus ; tibiis et hypochoudriis brunnescentibus : long, tota 6"5, alse 3*5, caudse 1*8. Hab. Columbia int. (Bogota) et ^quatoria. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. Mr. Buckley has recently transmitted a skin of this well- marked species from San Jose, near Cuenca, in Ecuador. My specimen is of the usual " Bogota '' make. 17. Grallaria griseonucha. Grallaria griseonucha, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 786. Supra rufescenti-brunnea, alis intus nigricantiljus, loris et nucha lata obscure griseis ; colli lateribus et corpore subtiis intense ferrugineis, lateribus obscurioribus ; cauda bre- vissima, subcaudalibus abscondita ; rostro et pedibus ob- scure corneis : long, tota 6, alse 3"5, caudse 1, tarsi 1*9, rostri a rictu 1. Hab. Merida in rej). Venezuelana. Mus. P. L. S. This is likewise a very distinctly marked species. Its cine- reous nape and deep-red under plumage render it quite dis- tinct from all its congeners. 18. Grallaria rufula. Grallaria rufula, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1843, p. 99; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 145, 1858, p. 283, 1873, p. 780, et Cat. A. B. p. 193 ; Scl. et Salv. Norn. Av. Neotr. p. 7Q>. Hypsibemon rufulus, Cab. Orn. Not. p. 218 ; Bp. Consp. p. 204. Obscure ferruginea, fere unicolor, subtus dilutior, ventre medio interdum alljicante ; rostro corneo, pedibus cory- liiiis : long, tota 5*0, alse 3'1, caudse 1*1, tarsi 1*7. Hab. Columbia int. et Peruvia. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. 447 Peruvian skins of this species from Cachupata {Whitely) are rather duller above, and show less of the paler colour of the abdomen ; but I cannot undertake to separate them from the Columbian form. Prom the skin of an immature bird (from Bogota) in my collection the young plumage of this species would appear to be of a blackish grey, with long white shaft- spots. Sect. D. Grallaria PLAMMULATiE. 19. Grallaria ruficapilla. Grallaria ruficapilla, Lafr. E,ev. Zool. 1842, p. 333; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 145, 1857, p. 18, et 1858, p. 282, et Cat. A. B. p. 192; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 781, et Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 75. Hypsihemon ruficapillus, Cab. Orn. Not. i. p. 217; Bp. Consp. p. 204. Olivaceo-brunnea, pileo toto et lateribus capitis castaneo-rufis : subtus alba, pectore et lateribus nigricanti-brunneo flammulatis ; subalaribus pallide rufis : long, tota 8*0, alae 4*0, caudse 2*0, tarsi 1*9. Hab. Venezuela, Columbia et ^Equatoria. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. This fine and well-marked species has a wide distribution. Goering obtained it in the wood-region of Merida, Sal- mon in Antioquia, and Buckley more recently in Ecuador. It is also not uncommon in collections from Bogota and Quito. There is no apparent difference in skins from these several localities. A nestling of this species [Mus. S.-G.) is of a nearly uni- form pale fulvous, crossed above and on the chest with nu- merous transverse bars ; throat and lower belly white ; wings and tail olivaceous. It is a most singular-looking bird. 20. Grallaria brevicauda. Le Beffroi de Cayenne, BuflP. PI. Enl. 706. fig. 1. Formicarius brevicauda, Bodd. Table d. PI. Enl. p. 44. Tardus tinniens, Gm. S. N. i. p. 827. Grallaria tinniens, Bp. Consp. p. 204; Burm. Syst. Ueb. iii. p. 51; Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1842, p. 334; Tsch. Faun. Per. p. 182. 448 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. Grallana brevicauda, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 89, et 1858, p. 282 ; Cat. A. B. p. 192 ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 978, 1876, p. 277, et Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 75 ; Pelzeln, Orn. Brasil. p. 91. Colobathris tinniens, Cab. Orn. Not. i. p. 217. Myioturdus tinniens, Menetr. Mon. Myioth. p. 469. Pitta tiniens, Temm. PI. Col. sub tab. 217. Cinnamomeo-brunnea : subtus alba, griseo flammulata ; gula et ventre medio immaculatis, albis ; subalaribus pallide rufis : long, tota 5*0, alse 3*3, caudse 1'3, tarsi 1'8. Hab. Cayenna et vallis Amazonum usque ad ^Equatoriara et Peruvian! orientalem. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. I have examples of this species from Cayenne and Eastern Ecuador, and an immature specimen, apparently of " Bogota " make. Hauxwell has transmitted it from Pebas, and Bartlett from Chamicuros, while Castelnau and Deville obtained it on the Rio Javari ; so that it is certainly widely distributed over the Amazonian subregion. 21. Grallaria modesta. Grallaria modesta, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 89, pi. 94, et p. 145; 1858, p. 281; List Bog. B. p. 17; Scl. et Salv. Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 75. Supra intense brunnescenti-olivacea, alis caudaque nigri- canti-brunneis olivaceo tinctis : subtus olivacea, flaves- centi-albido flammulata ; ventre medio flavescenti-albido ; tectricibus subalaribus pallide castaneis ; mandibula su- periore plumbea, hujus apice et tomiis et mandibula in- feriore, nisi basi, albicantibus ; pedibus pallide brunneis : long, tota 6"2, alse 3*2, cauda 1'8, tarsi 1-75. Hab. Columbia int. Bogota. The type in the British Museum is the only example that I have yet met with of this well-marked species. 22. Grallaria andicola. Grallaria andicola. Cab. Journ. f. O. 1873, p. 318, tab. i. fig. 3 ; Tacz. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 531. Supra fusca, in capite cervice postica et interscapulio striis, scapas plumarum occupantibus, pallide fulvis utrinque nigro limbatis, variegata : subtus alba, nigro squamata. Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. 449 loris, gula media et ventre imo fere unicoloribus ; sub- alaribus et remigum marginibus iiiternis pallide rufis : long, tota 5*0, alse 3"5, caudee \'T , tarsi 1"8. Hah. Peruvia interior. Mus. P. L. S. I am much indebted to Dr. Taczanowski for a duplicate example of this peculiar species, which was discovered near MaraynioCj Peru, by Mr. Jelski in 1873. 23. Grallaria perspicillata. Grallaria perspicillata, Lawr. Ann. L.N. H.N. Y.vii.pp.303 et 326 ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 357, et Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 7Q>', Salv. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 146, 1870, p. 196. Supra olivaceo-brunnea, pileo supero cineraceo -, interscapulii striis paucis, tectricum maculis apicalibus, campterio et remigum primariorum marginibus externis pallide fulvis : subtus alba, in pectore et lateribus fulvo tincta et nigro conspicue flammulata ; subalaribus et remigum marginibus internis fulvis ; rostro superiore corneo, infe- riore cum pedibus flavis ; long, tota 4*5, alse 3'0, caudse 1*3, rostri a rictu 1*0, tarsi 1'3. Hab. Panama et Veragua. Mus. P. L. S. et S.-G. Messrs. Salvin and Godman^s collection contains a good series of this species from Veragua [Arce) and Panama [M'Leannan) . I have an example from Panama, kindly pre- sented to me by Mr. G. N. Lawrence. It is certainly nearly allied to the next two species, but is much more strongly marked on the breast, and has distinct rufous terminal spots on the wing-coverts. A single skin from Costa Rica [Mus. S.-G. ex Carmiol) is remarkable for having the back grey, like the head, and the flanks strongly fulvous. It is perhaps distinct. 24. Grallaria macularia. Pitta macularia, Temm. sub PI. Col. tab. 217. Colobathris macularia, Cab. Orn. Not. p. 217, et in Schomb. Guian. iii. p. 685. Grallaria macularia, Lafr. R. Z. 1842, p. 334 ; Burm. Syst. Ueb. iii. p. 50 ; Bp. Consp. p. 204 ; Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 282 ; Pelzeln, Orn. Bras. p. 91 : Scl. et Salv. Nom. A v. Neotr. p. 75. SER. IV. VOL. I. 2 1 450 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Genus Grallaria. Olivaceo-bniunea, alisextus rufo variis, remigibas extus rufis : subtus alba, pectore confertira nigro maculato ; lateribus ochraceis ; regione auriculari nudiuscula ; ungue pos- tico brevi et valido : loug. tota 5*4, alse 3'4, caudne 1'3, tarsi 1*4. Hub. British Guiana {Schomb.),^^ Negro {Natt.). Mus. P. L. S. My single specimen o£ this species is not very perfect ; and I cannot say any thing very positive about it. It is believed to have been obtained at Oyapok, Cayenne, by M. Jelski, 25. Grallaria fulviventris. Grallaria fulviventris, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1858, pp. 68, 282, et Cat. A. B. p. 192; Scl. et Salv. Norn. Av. Neotr. p. 1(S. Olivaceo-brunnea, pileo obscuriore, alis extus raagis rufescen- tibus, loris albidis : subtus gula et abdomine medio albis ; pectore, ventris lateribus et crisso cum tectricibus alarum inferioribus saturate fulvis; pectore lineis quibusdam nigris variegato ; rostro supcriore nigro, inferiore praeter apicem flavo; pedibus pallide brunneis : long, tota 5'5, ahe 3'2, caudse 1*4, tarsi 1*5, rostri a rictu 0'95. Hab. /Equatoria occideutalis. Mus. P. L. S. I am at present uncertain whether this species is really sepa- rable from the preceding. My single specimen is darker on the back and rather longer in the leg than that of G. macularia, and has but few indications of the black markings on the breast. In general size there is little difference. 26. Grallaria dives. Grallaria dives, Salv. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 582; Lawr. Ann. L. N. H. N. Y. viii. p. 183 ; Scl. et Salv. Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 7Q. G. supra pileo et dorso cinereis, plumis omnibus nigro mar- ginatis ; uropygio obscure olivaceo ; remigibus extiis rufis ; gula et ventre medio albis ; loris pallide ochraceis ; pectore, corporis lateribus, crisso et tectricibus suba- laribus saturate fulvis, pectoris plumis nigro marginatis ; ungue postico longo et gracili; rostri mandibula supcriore brunnea, inferiore albida, apice brunnea ; pedibus pal- lide fuscis : long, tota 5'5, alai 3"1, caudse 1'4, tarsi 1*5, rostri a rictu 1. Hab. Costa Rica [Arce) ; Nicaragua [Holland) . Mus. S.-G. Lord Tvveeddale on Pellorneum tickelli^ Blyth. 451 The two type specimens of this species are the only ex- amples I have yet seen. They were collected by Arce in 1864^ at Tucurriqni, on the Atlantic slope of Costa Rica. The species is included by Mr. Lawrence in a list of birds obtained near Grey town. This Grallaria is nearest to G. fulviventris, but is greyer on the backj has the outer margins of the primaries rufous and the lores fulvous^ instead of white. 27. Grallaria ochroleuca. Myioturdus ochroleucus, Max. Beitr. iii. p. 1032; Menetr. Mon. p. 464. Grallaria ochroleuca, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1858^ p. 282 ; Pelzeln, Orn. Bras, p. 91 ; Scl. et Salv. Nom. Av. Neotr. p. 7Q. Similis G. macularicB, sed rostro multo angustiore et magis compresso, maculis externis tectricum nullis ; maculis solum in lateribus pectoris et ventris, et his minoribus et rotundis ; ungue postico gracili, elongato ; oculorum am- bitu nudo : long, tota 5"5, alae 3"0_, caudse 1"5, tarsi 1"4. Hab. Prov. Bahia, Brazil [Max.); S. Paulo [Natt.). Some years ago I took the above notes from an example of this species in the Ley den Museum. I have never yet been able to obtain one for my own collection, nor have I seen the species elsewhere. XXXIX.— iVo/e on the Pellorneum tickelli of Blyth. By Arthur, Marquis of Tweeddale, M.B.O.U. (Plates X., XI.) Since I addressed a letter relating to this species to the Editors of 'The Ibis' on the 26th of April [v.s., p. 385), I have received from Tenasserim specimens of true Pellorneum tickelli, obtained at Meetan by Mr. Limborg. These have been com- pared by Lieut. -Col. Godwin- Austen with Blyth's types, still extant in the Calcutta Museum, and identified by him as belonging to Blyth's species. These examples enable me to state that Blyth's identification of P. tickelli with P. sub- ochraceum, Swinhoe (B. of Burma, no. 359), is erroneous. I am unable even to class P. tickelli under the genus Pellor- 2i 2 452 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's Notes neum., although in his original description (J. A, S. B. 1859, p. 414) Blytli described it as being a typical Pelloi-neiim in structure. It seems to me to fall more nearly under the genus Drymocatctphus. On comparing the type of Drymocataplms /w/t7z<^', Walden (Ann. &Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xv. p. 401), with true P. tickelli, I find that my species cannot be specifically sepa- rated. And I observe that Mr. Hume (Str. Feath. 1877, p. 59) expresses an almost confident opinion that D. fulvus, ^Q\^di&n,= Tnchostoma minus, Hume, in which case T. minus will also become a synonym of D. tickelli, and not, as I had suggested (Blyth, B. Burma, no. 366), of Trichostoma abbotti. The figure (Plate X.) of P.ellorneum subochraceum, Swinh., =-Pellorneum minus, Hume, is taken from an example ob- tained by Lieutenant Wardlaw Ramsay on the Karen hills ; and examples of this species collected by Mr. Limborg above Meetan do not differ. The figures of Drymocataphus tickelli (Plate XL f. 1) and of Trichostoma abbotti (Plate XL f. 2) are from Tenasserim examjDles, obtained by Mr. Limborg. XL. — Notes on some Burmese Birds. By Lieutenant Wardlaw Ramsay, 67th Regiment, M.B.O.U. (Plates XII., XIII.) The following remarks, which are partly extracts from my note-book kept during a three years' residence in Burma, I venture to publish. As Mr. A. O. Hume, in his "List of the Birds of Upper Pegu" (S. F. ii. p. 1), and Mr. Gates (S. F. iii. J). 335) have already contributed copious notes on the birds of Burma, derived from various sources, I have endeavoured as much as possible to avoid repetition of facts which have already been made known by these gentlemen and other writers. A few ornithological occiuTcnces have come under my notice which I cannot find recorded else- where; and some of these may prove of interest to readers of ' The Ibis.' Ibis 1877. Pl.X HanhaTt imp PELLORNEUM SUBOCHRACEUM Ibis, 1877. Pi. XL J.&feulemans litt Hanhapt irap. 1 DRYMOCATAPHUS TICKELLI 2.TRICH0ST0MA ABBOTTL ^h^AJLA^j > CENTRAL PARK, ^ on some Burmese Birds. 453 1*. PaLvEORNIS magnirostris. Palceornis magnirostris , Ball. Far from being a mountain species in Burma, as stated by Blytli (J. A. S. B. 1875,,extra number, p. 51), it is rather scarce in the hills, ascending to no great elevation ; but it is found in vast numbers in the plains ; at least such is my ex- perience in the Tonghoo and Rangoon districts. About the middle of October they invade gardens where there ha]3pen to be guava trees in fruit, by hundreds, and make a terrible noise. 2. Paljjornis torquatus. I only once met with this Parakeet, and then on the lower slopes of the Karen hills. It must be rare, although I can give no reason for its being so. 6. Pal^ornis melanorhynchus. Palceornis melanorlixjnchus, Wagler. The allied species which Mr. Blyth mentions (J. A. S. B. 1875, p. 57), from the Tenasserim provinces, must have been founded on females of the common red-breasted Parakeet. In a large series of some sixty or seventy specimens from India, the Andaman Islands, the Tenasserim provinces, and other parts of British Burma, all the females (whose sex has been so determined) are in the plumage which Blyth describes as that of the allied race, but none of the males, with one exception, a black-billed adult, marked '' male " by Mr. Lim- borg. This specimen being the only adult male with both mandibles black out of a very large series, inclines me to think that Mr. Limborg^s determination was incorrect. From Blyth^s statement (p. 58) it would appear that he had never seen males of his allied race ; for he surmises that the male will be found to possess a coral-red maxilla. 12. TiNNUNCULUS ALAUDARIUS. The Kestrel is very abundant in Karen-nee, where the rocky precipices afford it good nesting-places. It is by no means common in the plains. * The numbers are those of Blyth's Catalogue (J. A. S. B. 1875). 454 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's Notes 14. POLIOHIERAX INSIGNIS. Poliohierax insignis, Walden, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 627. This beautiful species is rare at Tonghoo, whence the type came. I only once met with it during a space of two years. 20. Spilornis cheela. The Crested Serpent-Eagle is a very common bird in Burma ; its melancholy whistle may be heard in every jungle on the plains. Nearly all that I have killed have had the remains of snakes in their stomachs. At the Andaman Islands I killed a specimen of Sjnlorriis elgini, which was sitting on a mangrove stump in a tidal swamp. It had tried to swallow a snake, but apparently had failed ; for about four inches of the snake's body was hanging out of its mouth, whilst the part which had passed into the stomach was almost digested. ACCIPITER NISUS. I only once obtained the European Sparrow-Hawk at Tonghoo. Mr. J. H. Gurney and Lord Tweeddale have seen the specimen and confirmed my identification. It is appa- rently an old female. 45. MiLVUS GOVINDA. The Pariah Kites are only found in Tonghoo during the dry season, arriving at the termination of the rains, and leaving at the first burst of the next south-west monsoon. I regret that, not having preserved specimens, 1 am unable to say whether I am right in referring the Tonghoo bird to M. govinda, Sykes. 58. AsiO ACCIPITRINUS. I obtained one specimen of the Short-eared Owl at Tonghoo. 59. Athene cuculoides. Very common in most parts of the plains that I have visited, especially at Rangoon. Its note is sometimes not unlike that of XantholcEma hcemacephala. 68. DiCHOCEROS BICOKNIS. (Burmese " Ouk-chin-gyee.'') The large Hornbill is very common in the Tonghoo district^ on some Burmese Birds. 455 and found in pairs or parties of five or six^ but frequently in considerable" flocks. Its hoarse croak may be heard at a dis- tance of more than half a mile. At a place called Hmon, on the Sittang river, in January 1874, I found it very abundant and, for a wonder, very tame, so that I was able to secure seven fine specimens in the course of an hour by waiting under a large banyan tree, to which the birds were continually coming to feed on the ripe fruit. Some of the birds I shot had seven or eight banyan fruits clasped between the mandibles on either side. This tree was also the resort of numbers of Crocopus viridifrons, of which more than a dozen fell to my gun within the hour. At Tonghoo, towards the end of the hot weather (April), these birds pass over the cantonments in straggling flocks every morning and evening, going to and returning from their feeding-grounds. I have frequently seen forty or fifty of this species in a single flock. The iris of the male is lake-red, that of the female greyish white, and of an immature male brown. 69. Hydrocissa albirostris. The Pied Hornbill is extremely common, but never seen in such large parties as the last species, with which it some- times, but rarely, associates. I kept a pair alive for many months at Tonghoo : they used to fly about the house and garden, and frequently would alight on the shoulder of a small native boy who was in the habit o£ feeding them. They were extremely partial to dead snakes. On one occasion I found them on the ground, each trying to swallow the same snake, one at the head and the other at the tail. The usual method of procedure, however, was to munch the snake until it was reduced to a suffi- ciently ragged and pulpy condition to admit of its being torn into small pieces and so swallowed. 72. Rhyticeros subruficollis. Buceros subruficollis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 177. This is a local but, where found, abundant species. These birds are to be seen in the same manner as D. bicoruisj but 456 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay^s Notes in far larger flocks, flying to and returning from their feeding- places at dawn and dusk. One of my specimens (immature) , from its large size_, may be R. undulatus (Shaw) [Buceros ru- ficollis, BL, J, A. S. B. xii. p. 176), which appears to differ from the present bird only in its slightly superior size, and in having when adult a ribbed plate on either side of the base of the mandible, which does not exist in the immature bird. An old Burman one day brought me a lump of earthy composition which he had taken from the nest-hole of a Hornbill, and told me that he had been attracted to the nest by seeing the bird thrust out its bill and snap at a large iguana which was running up the tree. The Burmese have an idea that the plaster which the birds use for shutting up the entrance to their nest-holes is made of earth brought from the four quarters of the globe and mixed with a gum extracted from trees. This composition is much thought of for its supposed medicinal properties ; but in what way it is used I was unable to discover. The Burmese have endless legends about the Hornbill ; and in their poetry and plays the name is continually occurring. The female Hornbill is re- garded by the Burmese as the model of virtue. Iris [S), lake ; bill greenish white, with ridges cream-colour and fur- rows earthy ; base of bill and ribbed part of maxilla vinous brown ; facial skin and a rim round the eye also vinous brown, but brighter ; eyelids pale greenish ; skin of the throat bright lemon-yellow ; legs black. The female has the gular pouch turquoise- blue. 75. Carcineutes pulchellus. In the Madras Museum is a specimen labelled ^'Burmah''^ which has the rufous collar nearly half an inch broad. 78. Halcyon pileata. Extends only a very short distance up the Sittang from the sea ; it is unknown in the Tonghoo district. 79. Halcyon coromanda. I never saw the Ruddy Kingfisher in the Tonghoo district ; but the late lamented Lieut. Colonel Lloyd, who has con- tributed so largely to our knowledge of Burmese birds, ob- on some Burmese Birds. 457 tained specimens in tlie hills^ whichj unfortunately, were lost, together with a valuable collection, in transit to Lord Tweed- dale's residence at Chislehurst. 83. Alcedo bengalensis. I found a nest in the side of an old well in some thick jungle near Rangoon, at about five feet from the surface ; it contained seven eggs. A specimen shot at Tonghoo in October has a broad but faint pectoral band of dull blue feathers. 88. EURYSTOMUS ORIENTALIS. I never saw this bird in Burma until the month of April 1875, when descending the western slopes of the Karen hills, at an elevation of about 700 feet. I afterwards found them common at about 2000 feet. The birds may, however, be considered generally scarce. 94. MegaLjEma marshallorum. This large Barbet is very common in the Karen hills, and very noisy, keeping up its call almost incessantly during the night at certain seasons. Iris hair-brown ; bill dull yellow, tinged with green, culmen blackish ; legs dusky green. 96. MegaLtEma asiatica. 98. Megal^ema ramsayi. Megalama ramsayi, Walden, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xv. p. 400, June 1875. These two species are very common in the hills, where they take the place of M. hodgsoni, so abundant in the plains. 104. Alophonerpes pulverulentus. This large Woodpecker is extremely common in the wooded country between Tonghoo and the Pegu Yoma range. I have seen as many as twelve in one tree. Gecinus erythropygius also has a habit of going about in flocks; for I have seen as many as nine or ten following one another out of a tree, after the manner of the Chatterers [Garrulax). The Slaty Woodpecker is found up to a considerable ele- vation in the Karen hills, unlike Thriponax crawfurdi, which I have never seen except on the plains. 458 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's Notes 131. YUNX TORQUILLA. Arrives in October, and remains throughout the cold season, both in the hills and plains. 135. CUCULUS CANORUS. The European Cuckoo is abundant on the open tableland of Karen-neCj but, as far as I know, does not occur in the plains. Mr. Hume, however, has received it from Prome (S. F. iii. 78). 138. Cacomantis rufiventris. The Rufous-bellied Cuckoo is a very common bird in the plains and at moderate elevations in the hills. In Karen-nee it is especially abundant. In nearly every garden in Tonghoo a pair of these birds are to be found. The note is a long mournful whistle, which is kept up throughout the day and sometimes the greater part of the night. 140. Chrysococcyx maculatus. A specimen obtained in the Karen hills at 4200 feet has the whole throat, neck, and part of the breast uniform emerald- green like the back. 141. Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus. Ins lake-red. Bill dull orange, reddish at base and gape. The rim round the eye vermilion. Legs dull olive-green, Karen-nee, 1600 feet, March 1874 ; this locality is not given in Blyth's catalogue, 144. COCCYSTES JACOBINUS, Does not occur as far as I know to the eastward of the Pegu Yoma range. 169, Macropteryx coronatus. The following is a description of a young bird shot uear Tonghoo : — Plumage above shining dark green, with a faint trace of ashy on the head and back ; primaries tipped Avith white ; tertiaries greyish, broadly tipped with white ; throat, cheeks, and some of the tips of the feathers of the back of the neck ferruginous; crest dark bottle-green, tipped with rusty white ; lower surface ashy, with the feathers dark at the tips. 071 some Burmese Birds. 459 155. Lyncornis cerviniceps. This fine Nightjar is plentiful in the Pegu Yoma hills, where I obtained a considerable series during a march from Thyetmyo to Tonghoo. Whenever the camp was pitched on a cleared place of any size in the jungle, they were sure to be seen at dusk. 163. ACANTHYLIS GIGANTEA. The specimens which Major Lloyd sent to Lord Tweeddale were obtained in the Karen-nee hills, far beyond the British boundary. I have never seen this Swift in the Tonghoo district. 171. CORVUS SPLENDENS. Corvus insolens, Hume (S. F. ii. p. 480). The common Burmese Crow seems to me to have every right to specific distinction; but many ornithologists, Mr. Blyth and Lord Tweeddale among others, have considered it merely a melanoid race of C. splendens. 174. Dendrocitta himalayensis. I obtained two eggs of this species at an elevation of 4200 feet in the Karen hills on the 16th April 1875. The eggs are described by Mr. A. O. Hume at page 424 of his 'Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds."" This species is universally distributed in the hills. The note sounds as if the bird first cleared its throat and then whistled a long note through its nostrils. 175. Crypsirhina varians. Common at Tonghoo and Rangoon. It is very fond of sitting on the telegraph-wires or on the dead branch of a tree, from which it darts at insects like the Bee-eaters. The irides are pale blue. 176. Crypsirhina cucullata. Having never in the course of two years^ careful observa- tion met with this bird in Burma to the eastward of the Pegu Yoma range, I was under the impression that it did not cross that range, but I find a skin sent by Major Lloyd from Tonghoo in Lord Tweeddale's collection. This specimen. 460 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's Notes after all, may have been shot iu the Thyetmyo district, where it is very common ; for Major Lloyd had natives collecting in several parts of Burma. 180. Garrulus leucotis. Garrulus leucotis, Hume, P. A. S. B. 1874, p. 106. This beautiful species is a common bird in both the hills and the plains of the Tonghoo district. I first met with it in Karen-nee, not far from the Salween river, at an elevation of about 3500 feet, 100 miles north of where it was first dis- covered by Mr. Davison. 178. Urocissa magnirostris. Psilorhinus magnirostris, Blyth (J. A. S. B. 1846, p. 27). I have compared a very large series of this bird from Burma with nearly as large a series from the Himalayas. Although many of the Burmese specimens have the enormous bill on which Blyth chiefly founded the species, several fine specimens from exactly the same localities have the bill quite as small, if not smaller than Himalayan examples. The only constant point of difl:erence between the Burmese and Indian bu'ds is in the colouring of the bill, feet, and irides, as pointed out by Mr. Hume on Captain Feilden's authority (S. F. iii. p. 145). Mr. Blyth, in his original description of U. magnirostris, states that it has the wing more richly coloured than U. occi- pitalis ; but I have seen a good specimen of the latter bird with plumage in all respects as -fine as the best of my Bur- mese skins. 181. EULABES INTERMEDIA. Very common in the Tonghoo district, extending far into the plains. Mr. Hume says that Mr, Gates (S. F. iii.p. 152) doubts whether it occurs in the plains on the Thyetmyo side. 186. ACRIDOTHERES SIAMENSIS. Acridotheres siamensis, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 303. This is the only representative of the genus that 1 found on the Karen-nee plateau. on some Burmese Birds. 461 197. Saraglossa spiloptera. This bird is tolerably abundant on the thickly wooded slopes of the Karen hills^ where it is generally found in small flocks. ESTRELDA FLAVIDIVENTRIS. Estrelda flavidiventris, Wallace, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 495. Estrilda burmanica, Hume, S. F. iv. p. 484, 1876. Specimens from Burma are absolutely identical with ex- amples from the islands of Flores and Timor. 1 have com- pared birds shot at various seasons in Burma with a large series of Mr, Wallace^s skins in the British Museum and in the collection of Lord Tweeddale. The Yellow-bellied Red Waxbill is very locally distributed in Burma, but, where found, always common. I found it especially so at Yey-tho, near Rangoon, on the Prome road, in some parts of the Pegu plain, and again on the Karen-nee tableland. I have unfortunately no specimens from the latter country; so that I am unable to ^ay to what species they may belong. Specimens from Saigon are a little smaller than Indian birds, but otherwise identical. 212. Carpodacus erythrinus. The Rose-Finch is found in flocks in the bamboo jungles that have run to seed. In the month of April 1874 I found them particularly abundant at between 1000 and 2000 feet in the Karen hills. 213. EuspizA aureola. These Buntings are found in vast flocks during the cold- weather months. On the Pegu plain in December 1873 they were spread over the ripe padi-fields in such countless numbers that men or boys had to be kept incessantly on the look-out to scare away the birds that alighted. Each look-out man was posted on a raised platform of bamboo, and was provided with a sling and a basket of stones. I have seen these slings used with great eff'ect, several birds being killed by the dis- charge of a single stone. I saw a boy kill a Heron [Ardea cinerea) with a stone from one of these slings. At the end 46.2 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's Notes of February 1876 I found these birds very numerous in a seeding bamboo jungle near Pegu. They migrate northwards in April^ soon after the com- mencement of the hot weather. In Karen-nee they are also common. 214. Emberiza rutila. The common Bunting of the higher Karen hills, but also found, but rarely, in the plains of the Tonghoo district. 216. Emberiza pusilla. Also common enough at all elevations. I obtained a spe- cimen in the Andaman Islands in March 1873. 217. Melophus melanicterus. I found the Crested Bunting very common in the Karen hills up to 3000 feet, particularly so on the Karen-nee plateau in March 1874. This is by far the commonest Bunting in the Karen-nee country, where the rocky scrub-covered hill- sides seem to suit it. It is particularly fond of the neigh- bourhood of tiny streams covered over with bushes in the open country. Their note, which is uttered on the wing, is a rather pleasing whistle, quite unlike that' of any other Bunting. 230. MOTACILLA LUZONENSIS. The White-faced Wagtails arrive in Tonghoo in the early part of September, and are then found in considerable flocks on the parade-ground and other open spaces ; but after a few days they disperse, and are then invariably to be seen in pairs, male and female, about the rocks and houses. At this period the male has the head and upper parts black ; whilst in the female the head is black or grey, or mottled with both coloui's, but the back always ashy. On examining a very large series, of which the sexes have all been carefully ascer- tained by myself, it appears that in the months of September and October, although the head of the female is liable to variation in colour, yet its back is invariably ashy, whilst that of the male is black. By the end of the year the head of the female is always grey, of the same colour as the back ; on some Burmese Birds. 463 but that of the male is still black, whilst the black of the back becomes mottled with grey in some specimens. It leaves Burma in April, before the commencement of the rains. MOTACILLA ALBA. Lord Tweeddale identified two of my Wagtails as M. duk- hunensis ; but I am unable to detect them in my collection. Indian examples seem difficult to separate from Motacilla alba of Europe. Blyth remarks (Ibis, 1865, p. 49) of this Wagtail, " Like the European M. alba, but somewhat larger, and with considerably more white on the wings. '^ Specimens from Spain and Asia Minor, in both summer and winter plumage, have the wing quite as white as examples from Ahmadnagar. 238. Hydrornis oatesi. Hydrornis oatesi, Hume, S. F. i. p. 477. A common enough bird in the hills. It is perfectly fear- less. I have had one hopping about on the ground quite close to me, and turning over the dead leaves in the most unconcerned manner. It is usually found in the evergreen forests. 246. Petrocossyphus cyaneus. Arrives in Tonghoo about the middle of October. 247. Orocetes erythrogaster. The Chestnut-bellied Thrush must be added to the Cata- logue of the ' Birds of Burma ' as I obtained a specimen from the hills in January 1876. 255. Oreocincla dauma. Both this bird and 0. mollissima occur at Tonghoo and in the hills. I obtained it at 5000 feet in April. 263. Cyanecula suecica. I obtained two specimens in the Pegu plain in December 1873. 313. Garrulax pectoralis. The commonest Chatterrer of Karen-nee, where I never 464 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay^s Notes saw or shot G. belangeri or G. moniliger. I have not observed the former to the eastward of the Tonghoo hills. I obtained a nest of fledglings in March in Karen-nee. 316. Trochalopteron melanostigma. Trochalopteron melanostigma, Blyth^, J. A. S. B. xxiv. p. 268. This bird was very abundant in Karen-nee at 5000 feet. A native bird-catcher snared more than a dozen for me one day in a few hours, besides specimens of Turdus sibir'icus, T. pallidus, Oreocincla molUssima, and Sibia picaioides, using as his bait the larvse of some insect. In some specimens the ferruginous-chestnut-colour of the throat and breast is con- tinued over the whole of the lower surface. 317. AcTiNURA RAMSAYi. (Plate XII.) Actinura ramsayi, Walden, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xv. p. 402. I found this bird frequenting the jungle-covered mountain- streams in the open country of Karen-nee, at an elevation of about 3000 feet ; but I did not subsequently meet with it. 325. LlOPTILA SATURATA. Leioptila saturata, Walden, Ibis, 1875, p. 352. Only observed at between 5000 and 60C0 feet in Karen-nee. 328. LlOTHRIX STRIGULA. Obtained on Nat-toung, about 40 miles north-east of Shuay- gyeen, at an elevation of 7000 feet, in April. 320. LlOTHRIX ARGENTAURIS. I found the Silver-eared Hill-Tit very common in the Karen hills at a height of 2000 feet and upwards, generally dodging about in low scrub-jungle, but sometimes jumping about on trees, like the true Tits. I have always found that the females differ from the males, as stated by Hodgson {conf. Jerd. ii. p. 252) in having the upper tail-coverts yellowish brown instead of red. 339. Melanochlora sultanea. On one occasion, whilst trying to secure a wounded female of this species which was fluttering over the ground, I was Ibis. 1877. PI. XII. J.GKe^alemans litli. Hanhart imp ACTINURA RAM3AYI. ^ CENTRAL PAR'., NEW YORK. ^•, Jbis.l877.Pl.>ai J.G.Keuleiaaris juh liaTihari itcd. P OMAT ORHINUS OCHR^\GE ICEP 3 . on some Burmese Birds. 465 most savagely attacked by the male bird. This species is very common on the lower slopes of the Karen hills and also on the Yoma hills. SiTTA MAGNA. Sitta magna, Wardlaw-Ramsay, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 677. Described from a single specimen obtained by my collector during an expedition from Tonghoo to Karen-nee in January 1876. The bird described an*l figured is a female, not a male, as stated, by a printer's error, in the original description. 349. PoMATORHiNus ocHRACEicEPS. (Plate XIII.) Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps, Walden, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xii. p. 487. Generally distributed in the hills, but not nearly so com- mon as the following species. 350. Pomatorhinus leucogaster. All my specimens belong to an apparently distinct race ; in fact they are more nearly allied to P. olivaceus, Blyth, from which they differ in having the lateral breast-feathers and flanks ferruginous chestnut, as in P. leucogaster, Gould, and P. scMsticeps, Hodgson, and in having a broad demi- coUar of the same colour, formed by the neck-spots extend- ing across the nape. In specimens of P. olivaceus there is, as Mr. Blyth points out (J. A. S. B. 1847, p. 451), a rufes- cent tinge on the nape ; but the ferruginous flanks alone im- mediately distinguish my birds from that species. Lord Tweeddale has named my Karen- hill birds in his Col- lection P. nuchalis. This species is by far the commonest of the Scimitar Bab- blers in the Karen hills. It is very skulking in its habits. I have often had to wait a considerable time before I could even get a sight of one of these birds in a bush in which I knew it to be. 354. Pomatorhinus mari^. Pomatorhinus marice, Walden, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, XV. p. 403. This species, if not absolutely identical with P. albigularis, SER. IV. — VOL. 1. 2 k 466 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's Notes Blyth, is very closely allied, judging by the description of the latter (J. A. S. B. 1855, p. 274). POMATORHINUS OLIVACEUS. Pomatorhinus olivaceus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1847, p. 451. This species has been recently obtained in Tenasserim by Mr. Limborg. 379. Crateropus gularis. Occurs only on the western side of the Pegu Yoma range. 385. Prinia flaviventris. This species is particularly common about Monkey Point, near Rangoon, where I found its nest. It does not, I think, ascend the hills, where it and P. gracilis seem to be re- placed by P. beavmii, Wald., and P. hodgsoni, Bl. 428. Hjrundo tytleri. The Rufous-bellied Swallow was common in the plains of Karen-nee, associating with H. rustica. 430. HiRUNDO FILIFERA. Occurs at Tonghoo. 444. TCHITREA AFFINIS. I only once observed the Paradise Flycatcher in the Karen hills, and never in the plains of the Tonghoo district. 450. Leucocerca albicollis. Plentifully distributed in the hills, and generally near densely wooded streams. 457. loLE VIRIDESCENS, Blytli. 462. Alcurus striatus, Blyth. 465. Ixus BLANFORDi, Jcrdou. 466. Ixus FLAVESCENS, Blytli. These four species are extremely common in the Karen hills, and are generally found in small flocks. 464. Ixus ANNECTENS. Ixus annectens, Walden, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xv. p. 401 (June 1st, 1875). Ixus davisoni, Hume, S. F. iii. p. 301. on some Burmese Birds. 467 Lord Tweeddale described this bird from a single specimen which I obtained at Monkey Point, near Rangoon. So far as I can ascertain, his description was published several months before that of Mr. Hume, although the number of ' Stray Feathers ' in which the latter appears bears the publishing date of May. 471. RUBIGULA FLAVIVENTRIS. This species is very common in the plains, and also in the hills up to a moderate elevation. I found a nest containing two eggs in April at the foot of the Karen hills ; but they were unfortunately either lost or broken in transit ; so I am unable to give a description of them. 480. Irena puella. The Fairy Bluebird never occurs in the Karen hills, except on their western slope, according to my experience. There- fore it would appear from this fact, and the statement of Mr. Gates (quoted in S. F. iii. p. 131, line 13), that it is confined, in Northern British Burmah, to the valley of the Sittang river and the adjacent slopes of the Yoma and Karen hills. I observe, however, that (p. 130) Mr. Hume has examined specimens from Thyetmyo. 481. Analcipus trailli. In the hills only, at 2000 feet and upwards. 511. Ducula griseicapilla. Ducula griseicapilla, Walden, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xvi. p. 228. Iris greyish white ; orbital skin greyish brown ; bill red- dish plum-colour, whitish at the tip. Confined to the higher parts of the Karen hills, where I found it very difiicult to obtain. 514. Alsocomus puniceus. This is a most stupid and easily obtained Pigeon near Tonghoo. In a grove of trees where they happen to be feed- ing, any number may be secured ; for they will return almost immediately to the same spot from which they have been 2k2 468 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's Notes disturbed by a shot, and will frequently alight on a branch within a few yards of the firer's head. Iris bloodshot-amber; orbital skin purplish pink; legs and feet carnation. 521. Macropygia assimilis. Macropygia assimilis, Hume, S. F. ii. p. 441. Affects bamboo and other low jungle. I found it most numerous on the western slope of the Karen hills, and gene- rally solitary in its habits. 523. Macropygia tusalia. I found a nest containing two wliite eggs at 4000 feet in the Karen hills on the 18th March. The eggs measured roughly 1*4 by I'O inch. Iris white, surrounded by pale lilac; oi'bital skin grey, with an inner rim of purple round the eye ; bill blackish ; legs purplish pink. 528. Gallus ferrugineus. (Burmese, " Tau-kiet.'') I took eleven eggs from a nest in Karen-nce on the 14th March. The eggs were simply laid in a small hollow scratched out by the bird under a fallen branch. 532. Francolinus sinensis. (Burmese, "Ka.") This bird, although unknown in the plains of the Tonghoo district, is very abundant in the Karen-nee, and also in the Thyetmyo district to the westward of the Yoma. In the hills it frequents the sides of rocky hills and other inaccessible places. Its whereabouts may always be known by its extra- ordinary call, which it is continually uttering, and which may be rend'ered on paper by the syllables kuk, kuk, kuich, ka-kd. The flesh of this Francolin when cooked in the ordinary way is singularly tasteless. 552. Charadrius fulvus. The Eastern Golden Plover arrives in Burma about the middle of September, but does not remain very long after the termination of the rainy season. on some Burmese Birds. 469 560. Glareola orientalis. Towards the end of April, in both years that I was on the frontier of British Burma, these Pratincoles came into Tonghoo in large numbers for a few days on their way northwards. They might be seen every evening at dusk hawking after insects among the houses on the river-bank. 561. Glareola lactea. The Small Pratincoles breed in great numbers on the sand- banks of the Sittang in April and May, just before the rains commence. In the year 1875 the change of the mon- soon took place nearly a month before the usual time, and consequently the sandbanks, on which were lying hundreds of eggs of this bird, Seena aurantia, Sternula javanica, and Rhynchops albicollis, were covered with water, and in a few days every e^^ was swept away. 570. LiMOSA iEGOCEPHALA. I only once saw this Godwit in Burma. It is a rare bird, according to my experience, at Tonghoo. 583. RhYNCH^A BENGALENSIS. On the 14th September 1874 I extracted a perfect egg from a female that I had shot. This seems a late date for the bird to be breeding ; but I observe (Hume^s ' Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds,' p. 587) that Mr. Layard has known an egg taken from a Painted Snipe in November in Ceylon. 586. GrUS ANTIGONE. (Burmese, " Gyo-gya-gyee.'^) The Sarus Crane is tolerably common in the valley of the Sittang. Mr. Hume does not include it in his paper on the birds of Upper Pegu (S. F. iii.), nor in his lists of the Tenasserim birds in ' Stray Feathers.'' It breeds near Tonghoo ; but I have never myself found its nest, but have had the eggs brought to me by the Burmese. They described the nest as a pile of weeds and. mud, situated generally in the middle of a swamp. On the 29th September 1876 a Burman brought me an egg and a newly hatched Sarus chicken. He had taken the 470 Lieut. Wardlaw Ramsay's Notes eggs and placed them in the nest of a species of Ploceus for safety ; but one of the eggs hatched in transit. I gave the little bird into the charge of a common Hen, little thinking that she would adopt it. She took the greatest care of it, and showed great wrath if anybody attempted to touch it. On the morn- ing of the eleventh day, however, the little creature died. When just out of the shell it devoured worms greedily. The young bird when four days old had the upper surface of the body intense dark chestnut and the lower parts whitish brown. Legs livid ; bill fleshy yellow, whitish at tip. In the adult specimens the irides are reddish orange ; bill and coronal skin greenish glaucous ; skin of the face and neck pale brick-red ; legs fleshy pink, brownish in front. 594. CicoNiA EPiscopus. Tonghoo. 596. Leptoptilus argala. The Adjutant is extremely abundant in certain parts during the dry season. In January 1874 I found these birds very abundant on the Pegu plain, which is intersected in all directions by creeks, in which fishing is carried on on a large scale by the Burmese. The fish are caught in weirs made of bamboo ; and to these weirs the Adjutants resort in large numbers in company with crowds of other birds, the whole presenting a most wonderful spectacle. I trust I may be excused for taking the following extract from my note-book, descriptive of one of these fishing- places : — " Seena aurantia and Sternula javanica are hovering about in clouds and darting into the water, which is teeming with fish, the Pariah and Brahminy Kites look down approvingly from the top of every available stake, whilst little Alcedo bengalensis sits quietly by himself, ever and anon making a dart at some luckless fish. The water itself is covered with Pelicans and Cormorants. The shore is white with Egrets ; but here and there an old Cormorant may be seen sitting among them, with outspread wings, drying himself in the sun ; and, last but not least, the huge Adjutants stalk about majes- (ju so/lie Burmese Birds. 471 tically on the banks among the fishermen's houses hard by^ or stand motionless on the water^s edge^ whilst others are circling and wheeling about overhead in large flocks mingled with innumerable Pelicans.'' At the end of October and the beginning of November Adjutants pass over Tonghoo, flying southwards in incredible numbers. Whence they come I cannot say ; but their desti- nation we know, from what has been said above, to be the creeks which cut up the greater part of the Pegu, Rangoon, and other districts bordering on the sea, where they spend the dry months of the year. The approach of one of these migrating armies is announced nearly a quarter of an hour before it arrives by the loud noise which the birds make with their wings. Their flight is very slow -, and the usual order is single file, or at the most four abreast. I have known one of these flocks to occupy more than twenty minutes in passing over my house. Fre- quently in the course of a flight the leading birds, or sections of birds, may be seen to wheel to the right or left and com- mence flying round and round. Each bird as it arrives at the wheeling-point does the same, until the whole flock is one revolving mass ; and shortly afterwards it begins to unwind itself, and the order of flight is resumed as regularly as before. 616. Gallicrex cinereus. A common bird, which breeds in the Tonghoo district in August and September, when I have found its nest. 621. HypotvEnidia striata. The Blue-breasted Rail breeds at Tonghoo in August and September. I took a nest on the 20th September 1874 con- taining five eggs of a dull cream-colour, speckled and blotched with reddish brown and purplish stone-colour, particularly towards the larger end. The bird is common at Rangoon and Tonghoo. Jerdon's description (vol. iii. p. 726) of the soft parts does not tally with mine. He says, '^ Bill yellowish green, irides red, legs dull green /' but all the Blue-breasted Rails that I have examined in Burma have had the bill bright plum-colour, the irides red-brown, and the legs dirty 472 Notes on some Burmese Birds. buff. I observe that I have recorded my sjDecimens shot in the Andamans as having the bill purplish lake^ irides red, and legs dull pinkish buff. 626. FULICA ATRA. Occurs at Tonghoo. 629. Xema brunneicephala. Rarely found so high up the Sittang as Tonghoo. I only once obtained a specimen, in October. 635. Seena aurantia. 636. Sterna javanica. Both these species breed in large numbers on the sand- banks of the Sittang in March, April, and May. 637. Sternula minuta. Breeds on the sandbanks of the Sittang. 639. Rhynchops albicollis. The eggs, which are generally deposited on a sandbank, are very much like those of Seena aurantia ; and therefore the most careful identification of the bird to which eggs found on the sand belong is necessary. I have found the remains of fish-bones, mixed with a con- siderable amount of grit and sand, in the stomach of one of these birds. 646. Sarcidiornis melanonota. The Comb-Duck breeds in the Tonghoo district in July and August. Burmese have assured me that they breed on trees in colonies ; but I cannot vouch for the truth of this statement, as I have never myself seen the nest^. On the 21st September a native brought me three live ducklings which he had caught in a swamp. He stated that the nest in which the young birds were hatched out was situated on a low bush in the swamp. 647. Dendrocygna arcuata. (Burmese, " Tse-se-le.^^) This is the common Whistling Teal of the Tonghoo side of the Yomas, D. major being rare. On the Thyetmyo side * [ Cy. A. Anderson, Ibis, 1874, p. 220, where the nesting-habits of this species are fully described. — Edd.] Mr. R. Swinhoe on a new Bird from Formosa. 473 it would appear that the latter was the common bird ; for Mr. A. 0. Hume does not include D. arcuata at all in his ''Birds of Upper Pegu'' (S. F. iii. p. 193). I have taken the eggs in August and September. One sitting, much incubated, which I found on the 14th Sep- tember, was very much stained ; but all the fresh eggs that I have seen were pure white. The Whistling Teal often pretends to be unable to fly when disturbed from her nest. I once saw an Eagle swoop at a female Whistler as she was fluttering along the ground in front of me. For some general remarks on the district of Karen-nee my previous paper (Ibis, 1875, p. 348) may be referred to. XLI. — On a new Bird from Formosa. By R. Swinhoe, F.R.S. &c. (Plate XIV.) Dr. Steere, whose ornithological discoveries in the Philip- pines have lately attracted so much attention, also visited Formosa during his travels in the east. The portion of the island traversed by him lay towards the southern extremity, where he penetrated into the mountains of the interior, not visited by me. Amongst several interesting species ob- tained by him and submitted to me, such as Suthora bulo- machus, Sibia auricularis, Garrulax taivanus, &c., was a Lio- thrix-\\ke bird, which is quite new to me. Wishing for further information, I waited until I had an opportunity of showing the specimen to Lord Tweeddale. It was new also to him ; and he writes, " It is another evidence of the close connexion that must have existed formerly between Formosa and the Himalayan chain." I will therefore bring forward this species under the generic name. LiociCHLA, gen. nov. In general characters a Liothrix, but with the stronger legs and shorter wings of a Garrulax, and somewhat allied to Sibia. 474 Count T. Salvadori on the LiociCHLA STEEiiii, sp. iiov. (Plate XIV.) Olivaceous greeu throughout ; crown and occiput^ chin and throat, flanks and rump smoky ; patch of orange-yellow on anterior corner of eye ; streaks of yellow on sides of the nape and vent-feathers, broadly tipjied with orange ; breast, belly, and edge of wing yellow ; axillaries smoky ; bill and legs light wood-brown ; tail olive-green, feathers square at the ends and white, four central rectrices with a black bar before the white tips, three on each side with the apical portion of outer web black as well ; secondaries washed with maroon, black on inner webs and apical half, all tipped with white, yellowish green on outer webs, stems black. Length 7'5, wing 2'7, tail 3*4. XLII. — A few Words on the Parrots of the Genus Eclectus, Wagl. By T. Salvadori, C.M.Z.S. In the last number of ' The Ibis ' a paper by Mr. Forbes has appeared under the title " Recent Observations on the Parrots of the Genus Eclectus -y^' and I wish to make a few remarks on it. It seems that, although Mr. Forbes is inclined to believe Dr. Meyer's statement that the green Eclectus are the males, and the red ones the females, still he does not consider the fact fully established, on account of Mr. Brown^s state- ment that it "is a gross error." I hope that those who are still incredulous about Meyer's discovery will know before long on which side is the gross error. For my part I have not the least doubt that Meyer is right. My experience is as follows: — I have examined 128 specimens of three dif- ferent species of the genus Eclectus, collected by D'Albertis, Beccari, and Bruijn's men ; and the green ones were constantly marked males, and the red ones females. Many of them were dissected by D'Albertis and Beccari. It is worth while mentioning that some of D'Albertis's birds, and all those collected by Beccari in the Aru Islands, were obtained before Meyer made his startling statement. Ibis. 18 77. PI XIV \ ... J-GKeulsTnaTis Tith Hanhart imp. LIOCICHLA STEERII. Parrots of the Genus Eclectus. 475 Mr. Forbes gives the diagnostic table published by me in 1875 (Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. vii. p. 757) of the three better- known species, E. polychlorus, E. grandis, and E. cardinalis. He mentions that, accidentally, I have transposed in the table two names, as he has ascertained from a corrected copy of my paper that I had forwarded to Mr. Sclater. It seems that Mr. Forbes has not observed that the correction has been also properly made in the errata at the end of the volume in which my paper is contained ; anyhow, it appears to me that, knowing my accidental mistake, he should have given my table in the right way, which is as follows : — 1 Virides : lateribus rubro-puniceis. (Mares.) a. Majores. a'. Viridis, colore obscuriore, caiida minus cserulea . . 1. polychlorus. b'. Viridis, colore Isetiore, cauda magis cserulea .... 2. grandis. b. Minor, cauda vix cferulea 3. cardinalis. 2. Rubrae : fascia interscapulari et abdomine cyaneis, vel violaceis. (Feminse.) a. Annulo perioculari cyaneo 1. polychlorus. b. Annulo perioculari cyaneo mdlo. a'. Subcaudalibus pure flavis 2. grandis. b'. Subcaudalibus auroreis, vel rubro-flavis 3. cardinalis*. In the conclusion of his paper Mr. Forbes attempts to give the sexual differences and the geographical distribution of the different species. But, according to my views, he is wrong on both points. As regards the differences, leaving aside for the present E. westermanni and E. cornelia, it seems that Mr. Forbes has been misled by not having attended to the correction in my table. So of E. grandis he says " cauda vix cserulea,^" which characteristic belongs to E. cardinalis ; and of this he says '^ cauda magis cserulea,^^ instead of " cauda vix caerulea.^^ Not less important is the mistake as regards the geogra- phical distribution. Mr. Forbes says that E. polychlorus " Habitat in insulis Papuanis et Moluccanis," while in fact it is only to be found in the Papuan Islands. The three species E. polychlorus, E. grandis, and E. cardinalis are representative forms which inhabit each a peculiar area : * I have altered the order of the females to match that of the males. 476 Recently published Ornithological Works. E. cardinalis lives in the group of Ceram (Ceram, Am- boina^ and Buru), E. grandis in the group of Gilolo^ and, lastj E. polychlorus in the Papuan Islands — from Waigiou to the Solomon Islands^ and in the Kei Islands^ which^ according to my views, we must put with the Papuan Islands rather than with the Moluccas. All this I have already shown in the 3rd part [Psittaci] of my '' Prodromus Ornithologise Pa- puasise et Moluccarum " (Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. x. p. 31), where, owing to an omission of the printer, " Ceram ( Von Rosenberg , Wallace) " has been left out from the localities inhabited by E. cardinalis. The so-called E. polychlorus, from Ternate, Gilolo, Batchian, and Morotay, is the male of E. grandis. We have an evident proof of this in the fact that the so-called E. linncsi, which now we know is the female of E. polychlorus, is not to be found in the islands of the Gilolo group, but only in the truly Papuan Islands. Turin, Zoological Museum, July 25tli, 1877. XLIII. — Notices of recently published Ornithological Works. [Continued from p. 385.] 52. Salvadori on the Papuan Parrots. [Prodromus ornitliologise Papiiasiae et Moluccarum auctore Thoma Sal- vadori. III. Psittaci. Ann. Mus. Civ. Genoa, x. p. 21.] The third j)art of Salvadori^s ' Prodromus ' is devoted to the Parrots — a prominent group in Papua and the IMoluccas — no less than 92 species beiug enumerated in the present list. D^Albertis, Beccari, and Bruijn have transmitted no less than 1363 specimens of this group to Genoa, referable to 69 species. The following four new species are established : — Geoffroyus keyensis, ex inss. Key ; G. schlegeli {=rhodops, Schl., nee G. B. Gray) ; Lorius erythrothorax, ex Nov. Guin. merid.- orient. ; L. flavo-palliattis ex Obi et Batchian : and two new genera, '' Oreopsittacus " for Trichoglossus arfaki, Meyer, and " Charmosynopsis " for Charmosyna pulchella, G. R. Gray. Recently published Ornithological Works. -^77 53. Salvadori on Papuan and Moluccan Nectarinians. — [Intorno alle specie di Nettarinie della Papuasia, delle Molucclie e del gruppo di Celebes. Atti d. R. Ace. d. Sc. di Torino, xii. p. 299.] This paper supplements the aiithor^s former memoir on Hermotimia (Atti R. Ac. Sc. Torino, x. p. 201), but includes also notices of all the other Nectarinice of Papuasia, the Mo- luccas, and Celebes. There are, according to Prof. Salva- dori's views, 14 Hermotimia, 3 species oi JEthopyga, 2 of Cyr- tostomus, and 1 Anthrothreptus within these limits. 54. Salvadori on D^Albertis^s Collections of 1872. [Catalogo della prima coUezioue di uccelli fatta nella Nuova Guinea nel 1872 dal Siguor L. M. D'Albertis. Ann. Mus. Civ. Genoa, x. p. 111.] Of the collections made by D^Albertis in New Guinea in 1872 only a portion, principally the novelties, have been yet described, by Sclater in the Zoological Society's 'Proceedings,' and by Salvadori in the 'Annali' of the Museo Civico of Genoa. Salvadori now gives a complete account of theste collections, made at various points along the northern coast of New Guinea, and during the celebrated excursion to Mount Arfak, altogether embracing 499 individuals, referable to 180 species. Of these 25 were new to science, 13 of which were described by Sclater, and 12 by Salvadori. 55. Sharpe's ' Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum,' vol. iii. [Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum, vol. iii. Coliomorphte, containing the families Corvidae, Paradiseidte, Oriolidae, Dicruridse, and Prionopidse. By R. Bowdler Sharpe. 8vo. Loudon : 1877.] Mr. Sharpe has now entered upon the most difficult portion of his task — the reduction into systematic order and the de- scription of the extensive group of Passeres, or Passeriformes, as he prefers to term it, which contains the great mass of living birds. Since the time of Latham's ' General History ' no natu- ralist has attempted such a work ; and it is only one who has the resources of a central position and a great national col- lection at his back who could undertake it with any chance of success. ■478 Recently published Oniithologlciil Works. ^ The systematic arrangement adopted by Mr. Sharpe appears to be a combination of those of Prof. Garrod^ Prof. Sundevall, and Mr. Wallace. The birds treated of in the present volume are the " Coliomorphse '^ — a term applied here to the families Corvidse, Paradiseidse, Oriolidge, Dicruridse, and Prionopidse. This, it may be remarked, is a very different series from Prof. SundevalFs " Coliomorphse/^ which embraces the Icteridie, Sturnidse, Corvidse^ and Paradiseidae of most authors^ with some minor groups. The Prionopidse of Mr. Sharpe we cannot regard as a very natural family, embracing, as it does, such diverse-looking forms as Grallina, Eurocephalus, Hypocolius, and Euryceros ! But much must depend on whether jNIr. Sharpens new character of the production forwards of the " chin-angle," whereby he separates the ColiomorpliBe from the remaining " Turdiformes," will stand the test of length- ened examination. As regards the nomenclature employed by Mr. Sharpe, we may observe that the Stricklandian code now adopted by most English naturalists is not obeyed in several particulars. It is enacted thereby that " specific names, when adopted as generic, must be changed." But Mr. Sharpe maintains Corone corone and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax directly in the teeth of this wholsome regulation. It is also enacted that " a name glaringly false may be changed." Yet Mr. Sharpe rejects appropriate names in order to call an Oriole of the Philip- pines chinensis, and a Bolivian Crow chilensis — the evidence of identification in both these cases being, to say the least of it, very doubtful. We rejoice to see that in the present volume Mr. Sharpe has somewhat curtailed the length of his descriptions. Short Latin diagnoses would, we think, have been much better in a work of this kind, with a few observations added to show the relation of the species to its nearest allies. The ''keys to the species," given under each genus, are very useful in their way, but break down when you come to use them for the determination of specimens, from only one point of difference between allied species being given. The total number of species recognized by Mr. Sharpe as Recently published Ornithological Works. 479 belonging to the five families treated of in the present volume is 367, of which 315 are represented (by 2014 specimens) in the British Museum. The new generic terms used are 7 in number — namely, Heterocorax, Rhinocorax, Microcorax, Ma- crocorax, Pseudorectes, Melanorectes, and Pinarolestes. The species described as new are Strepera intermedia, Psilo- rhinus cyanogenys, Phonygama jamesii, Oriolus diffusus, O. steerii, Sphecotheres salvadorii, Irena melanochlamys, I. cri- niger, I. tweeddalii, Rectes tibialis, R. aruensis, CoUyriocincla paUidirostris, Bradyornis woodwardi, and B. diabolicus — 14 in all, besides several " subspecies." In concluding this short notice of a most important work, we cannot but congratulate Mr. Sharpe upon the energy he has displayed in attacking the formidable task of a general descriptive catalogue of birds, and express our sincere hopes that he may be able to bring it to a successful conclusion. 56. Sharpens Birds of Kerguelen's Island. [Transit-of- Venus Expedition. Zoology. — Birds. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. 4to, pp. G2, pis. vi.-viii.] Mr. Sharpe's share of this paper relates chiefly to the no- menclature of the species included in it, and to the labour of getting together all previous information respecting the birds of Kerguelen Island. The Rev. E. A. Eaton, the naturalist attached to the English Transit Expedition to this place, has furnished copious field-notes on the species observed by him, which considerably enhance the interest of the paper. The nesting-habits of many of the birds are also fully described by him ; and the memoir gives a very complete account of the ornithology of this island, A good deal of the ground traversed in the papers on the same subject by Drs. Kidder and Coues, and Drs. Cabanis and Eeichenow, the former of whom de- scribed the ornithology relating to the American, the latter to the German Transit Expedition, is necessarily gone over again. But, besides incorporating the labours of his imme- diate predecessors, Mr. Sharpe has very properly added an account of all the available materials collected by the Ant- arctic Expedition to which Sir J. Hooker was attached, as 480 Recently published Oniitholoyical Works. well as notes on EUis^s drawings^ made during Capt. Cook^s third voyage"^. Cook^s visit to Kerguelen Island is related by himself in the first volume of the ' Third Voyage ' (chaps, iv. &v.) . At the end of chapter v. a good account of the natural history is given by Mr. Anderson^ the siu'geon of the ' Reso- lution,' which includes descriptions of the birds of the island. This passage seems to have escaped Mr. Sharpens notice. The Procellariidse, so numerously represented in this island^ come in for a large share of attention ; and Mr. Sharpe has given important notes on several members of this family. He has carefully examined a large series of specimens of the genus Prion, with a view to testing the validity of some of the species for which recognition has been claimed ; the result is that he admits only two, P. vittatus and P. desolatus. Again, Tha- lassidroma melanogaster, Gould, is united (somewhat prema- turely, we think) with T. tropica of the same author, and the latter name adopted, apparently because the description of it precedes that of the former by a page in the paper where both are described t- (Estrelata mollis is introduced into the list on the authority of Drs. Cabanis and Reichenow ; but the specimen brought home by the ' Gazelle ' was really one of CE. brevirostris , and (E. mollis must, for the present, be erased from the list of Ker- guelen birds. For this error Mr. Sharpe is not responsible J. Mr. Sharpe has also discussed fully the complicated syn- * Mr. Sharpe (p. 1) speaks of Ellis as having accompanied Sir J. Banks and Capt. Cook ; but this is incorrect. Sir J. Banks only accompanied Cook during his Jiist voyage, when Parkinson and Buchan were the artists engaged. Kerguelen Island was not then visited — nor yet during the second voyage, when the two Forsters were on board. t Mr. Sharpe has on several previous occasions introduced changes of nomenclature on similar grounds. In our opinion, however, the practice is a perversion of the law of priority, which means, if it means any thing, priority of publication. When two names are published simultaneously, the question of priority does not arise, and therefore the claims of the one in most frequent use are, we think, too obvious to need asserting. J [During a recent visit to the Berlin Museum, Dr. Reichenow kindly showed me this specimen, when I at once saw that it belonged to CE. brevirostris. — 0. S.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 48 i onymy of some of the Penguins ; but here space prevents us from following him for the present. In concluding these remarks, we cannot help thinking that it is well for the indigenous fauna of this island that Transits of Venus are of rare occurrence; for such facts as '^tlie bagging of 2000 Querquedulce eatoni within a radius of eight miles/^ and '' the conversion of a whole community of Pen- guins into '^hare soup/ for the officers of one of Her Majesty^s vessels/^ read ominously for the welfare of the birds of Ker- guelen Island. 57. Lawrence on a netv Pitangus. [Descriptiou of a new Species of Bird of the Genus Pitangus. By G. N. Lawrence. Ann. Lye. N. Y. xi. pp. 288-290, Nov. ISTG.] The new species here described is called P. gahbii, after its discoverer, the well-known explorer of the Talamanca district of Costa Rica. This bird comes, however, from San Domingo, where Prof. Gabb spent the past winter. It is smaller than either P. caiidifasciatus of Jamaica, or P. taylori of Porto Rico, its nearest allies, and differs in other points from those species. We are glad to note that Prof. Grabb purposes to spend another winter in San Domingo, and trust he will not fail to turn his attention to its avifauna, our knowledge of Avhich, as the dis- covery of the present species shows, is by no means complete. 58. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany .'' [Ornithological Miscellany. Edited by George Dawson Rowley, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Member of the British Ornithologists' Union. Part ix. London : 1877, Triibner and Co.] In the present number Mr. Rowley gives us his usual varied menu. The first article treats of certain members of the genus Ptilopus, such as are especially related to the curious P. inso- litus, Schl., which Drs. Cabanis and Reichenow have recently elevated to a genus, (Edirhinus. Sclater^s notes on it in the ' Proceedings^ of the Zoological Society, 1877, are reprinted, as well as Schlegel's original remarks. Dr. Meyer, too, com- municates observations on the same subject. To these are added extracts from W. MarshalPs work relating to the bony SER. IV. VOL. I. 2 L 482 Recently pnhl'ixhed Ornithological WorJoi. protuberances of the skull of certain birds. (E. insolitus was figured in part viii. Ptilopus jobiensis is now depicted as the nearest ally of the former species. The second article is on " Bird-nets/' in treating of which Mr. Rowley reproduces some of the engravings in Wil- lughby's ' Ornithology.^ Interesting sketches represent bird- netting as jiractised at the present time on the shores of the Wash. Mr. Rowley gives many details on this subject. Next we have an article on a recent addition to the genus Loriculus, by Mr. Sclater, accompanied by a plate^ whereon L. aurantiifrons and L. tener are represented — the latter being a new species lately described in the ^ Proceedings/ from Duke-of-York Island, Finally, we have a further instal- ment of the translation of Col. Prejevalsky's work on the birds of Mongolia, to which we have before alluded [antea, p. 378). A plate of Grus nigricoUis is now given, copied from the original work. 59. E. P. Ramsay's Papers in the ' Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales.' We have just received from Mr. Ramsay some papers ex- tracted from the ' Proceedings ' of the above Society for the current year. Those relating to birds are as follows : — (1) '^ On a new Species of Platycercus from the interior of New South Wales." This species is described as P. mas- tersianus. (2) " Description of a new Species of Gerygone," called G. flavida. Specimens were obtained by Mr. Ramsay him- self in the dense scrub of Herbert river in 1874. Its nearest ally is G. albogularis. (3) "' Some further remarks on Poephila gouldce and P. mi- rabilis. The question of the distinctness or identity of these two supposed species is here further discussed; but Mr. Ramsay hesitates which view to adopt. (4) " Description of some new Species of Birds from New Bi'itain, New Ireland, Duke-of-York Island, and the South- east coast of New Guinea. ^^ Here Nasiterna pusilla is de- scribed as a new species from ''■ the dense forests in the neigh- Recently puhlished Ornithological Works. 483 bourhood of Port Moresby, New Gruinea/^ Ninox novce- britannics, sp. ii., from New Britain, probably =N. odiosa, Scl. P. Z. S. 1877, p. 108. Myzomela coccinea and M. ery- thina are two new species, tlie former from Duke-of-York Island, the latter from New Ireland. (5) " Description of some rare Eggs of Australian Birds, and a Note on the Eggs of certain Species of Megapodius." The eggs of the following species are described : — JElurmdus smithi, Hylacola pyrrliopygia^ Elanus axillaris, Pardalotus rubricatus and P. uropygialis, Entomophila rufigularis, and Poephila atropygialis, Diggles. The egg of Megapodius cuvieri is also described, and its measurements compared with those of several other species. 60. Wharton'' s ' List of British Birds.' [A List of British Birds, the Genera arranged according to SiiudevaH's Method. The Nomenclature revised by Henry Thornton Wharton, M.A., M.R.C.S., F.Z.S. 12mo, pp. 20. London : 1877, J. Van Voorst.] A useful list of British birds, in a handy form, which can be either used as a check-list, or cut up for labels. In the introduction are remarks on the uses of this list, on the limits of the British avifauna, on nomenclature, and on classi- fication. Under the head of nomenclature the rules of the British Association are given, but without the comments on them originally printed. The classification adopted is that of the late Prof. Sundevall. Though we are by no means sorry to see the stereotyped arrangement of British lists broken through, we do not think that SundevalFs system can be ac- cepted in its entirety, as, owing to the admission of external characters alone into his classification, incongruities occur in it (such as the Hoopoe being placed in the Oscines next to the Larks) which have little chance of ultimate acceptance. Without in any way detracting from the value of the ' Methodi naturalis Avium disponendarum Tentamen,' we are of opinion that the arrangement there adopted has not been so widely accepted as Mr. Wharton supposes. Classification has never been a very strong point with ornithologists who confine themselves to the study of British birds. Placed side by side 2l 2 484 Recently pablhhed Ornitholoyicul ll^orks. with older lists, Mr. Wharton's will not fail, we trust, to pro- vide food for useful reflection on this important subject. CI. Marshall's ' Birds' -nesting in India.' [Birds'-Nesting in India. A Calendar of the Breeding-seasons, and a Popular Guide to the Habits and Haunts of Birds. Illustrated. By Capt. G. r. L. Marshall, R.E., F.Z.S. &c. Crown 8vo, pp. 184. Cal- cutta: 1877.] For publishing this useful and well-arranged volume all bird's-nesters in India will^, we are sure, thank Capt. Marshall. In it the time of breeding, the shape and position of the nest, the range during the nesting-season of a large number of the birds of India, and other details are given in a concise yet clear manner. To afford still further information, a calendar is added recording the doings of birds as regards their breeding during every month of the year. To those accustomed to search for bird's-nests in more temperate countries the uncertainty of the nesting-time of tropical species is very perplexing, l^he comparative completeness of Capt. MarshalFs list shows how industriously and successfully the many ardent ornitho- logists who have of late years explored India have pursued their favourite study. Still there are gaps to till up, and points yet to be made out, before the subject is complete; and we trust that egg-collectors in India will freely respond to Capt. MarshalFs request to be supplied with fresh notes and infor- mation to be incorporated in a future edition. 62. M'Cauletfs 'Birds of the Red River of Texas.' [Notes on the Ornithology of the Region about the Source of the Red River of Texas, from Observations made during the Exploration con- ducted by Lieut. E. H. Ruifner, Corps of Engineers, U.S. A. By C. A. H. M'Cauley, Lieut. 3rd U.S. Artillery. Annotated by Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A. Extracted from the Bulletin of the Survey, vol. iii. no. 3. 8vo, pp. 655-695. Washington : 1877.] This paper is issued as part of the Bulletin of Dr. Hayden^s Survey, and relates to the ornithology of the little-known district of Texas called the Llano Estacado or Staked Plain^, a desolate treeless waste, " flat beyond comparison/' situated at an elevation of 4000 feet above the sea- level. Recently published Ornithological Works. 485 The species mentioned are not numerous^ nor are there any amongst them calling for special comment ; but the list helps to swell the knowledge of the distribution of North- American birds^ a subject which has been been so thoroughly Avorked up of late years by our American brethren. 63. Lieut. Wheeler's Reports upon Surveijs ivest of the lOOth Meridian. [Report upon Geographical and Geological Explorations and Surveys West of the One Hundredth Meridian, in charge of First Lieut. George M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. Vol. v. Zoology. 4to. Washington: 1875. And Annual Report upon the Geographical Surveys West of the One Hun- dredth Meridian, in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, and Montana, by George M. Wheeler, First Lieut, of Engineers, U.S. Army ; being Appendix J J of the Annual Report of the Chief Engineers for 1876. 8vo. Washington : 1876.] In the first of these volumes the ornithological results of Lieut. Wheeler's Survey are incorporated up to the end of the collecting-season of 1874. The second treats of the ob- servations and collections made during 1875. Both are by Mr. W. H. Henshaw, Avho has proved himself to be an accurate observer as well as a diligent collector. One of the results of the exploration of the southern districts of the United States bordering upon Mexico has been the discovery that several species, hitherto only known as inhabitants of the Mexican highlands, have a much more extensive northern range. Mr. Henshaw's labours have demonstrated this ; and his notes on these and other better-known species form the most important part of the volumes before us. Amongst the newly annexed birds is Dendrceca olivacea, originally described as a Texan species by the late Mr. Giraud, but lately believed to be solely of more southern origin, being common in the high- lands of Mexico and Guatemala. For this bird a new generic name, Peucedramus, is proposed by Dr. Coues, as it differs in some respects from typical Dendrcecce. The quarto work is illustrated by fifteen chromolithographs from Mr. Ridg- way's pencil. Though the ornithological portion of these volumes alone demands the present notice, it by no means 486 Recently published Or'nithological Works. - occupies more than its share with other zookigical matter. Nearly every branch of Zoology is treated of; and tlie work shows with what praiseworthy energy the scientific depart- ments of these surveys have been^ and are, supported by the United-States Government. 64. Finsch's Collections from Siberia. [ Westsibirisclie Forscliimgsreise 1876 unter Fuliriing von J )r. O. Fiusch. Catalog der Ausstelhmg ethnogi-aphiscber und naturwissenscliaftliclier Samnilungen. Mit erlauternden Eemerkuugeu von Dr. O. Finscli. 8vo, pp. 42. Bremen : 1877.] This catalogue is issued by the Geographical Society of Bremen, and contains a list of the specimens of various kinds obtained by the expedition sent during last year to Western Siberia under the direction of our well-known Foreign Mem- ber, Dr. Finsch. In the earlier part of this volume (pp. 48 -66) w411 be found ornithological letters, addresssd to us by Dr. Fiusch from various points of the route taken. In the present catalogue lists of the characteristic birds of the dif- ferent districts visited are given, divided as follows — the characteristic birds of the steppes, of the steppc-lakes, of the high mountains, of the valley of the Ob, and of the " tundra '^ region. A more complete account of the collection is, we believe, being drawn up. 65. Oustalet on new Species of Ibis. ["Sur ime nouvelle espece d'Ibis (Ibis yigantea)^' and "Description d'une nouvelle espece d'Ibis {Ibis harmandi).''^ BuU. Soc. Pbilomatbique, 7"'^ serie, i. pp. 25-30. Paris : Jan. 1877.] The first of these birds, indeed a giant amongst its kindred, is described from a specimen in the Paris IVIuseum, which was obtained by JMons. Harmand on the banks of the jVie- kong river, in Cambodia. jVI. Oustalet compares it with Ibis papulosa, which, however, it largely exceeds in dimen- sions, in this respect approaching the size of Tantalus. The second species appears to have l)een long represented in the gallery of the Paris JVTuseum by a specimen obtained in 1862 by IM. Bocourt in the kingdom of Siam. Additional speci- Letters, Announcements, «Sff. 487 mens^ procured by M. Harmand, enabled M. Oustalet to dis- tinguisli the species from Ibis papulosa. These differences are pointed out, and the species referred to the genus Ge- ronticus under the name G. harmandi. Figures of these ap- parently fine novelties would be very acceptable. XLIV. — Letters, Announcements, S^c. The following letters, addressed " To the Editors of ' The Ibis/ ''■' have been received : — Sirs, — Permit me, in the cause of scientific exactness, to remark that the artist has coloured the crissum of JEgithina viridissima (^ [antea, pi. v.) green instead of bright yellow, and that he has made the subdued brown marks on the under surface of the rectrices ofPrifiia rajflesi [antea, pi. vi. f. 1) ter- minal instead of subterminal. Yours, &c., TWEEDUALE. Chislehiirst, July 7, 1877. Sirs, — In the April number of "^ Stray Feathers' for this year (p. 57, note), Mr. Hume remarks that Horeites sericea, Walden (Blyth, B. Burma, no. 392), from the Karen hills, is uncommonly close to Phylloscopus pallidi'pes , Blanford (J. A. S. B. 1872, pt. ii. p. 162, t. vii. f. 1). Since describing H. sericea I have been able to compare it with Sikhim examples, marked P. pallidipes, Blanf. ; and I find that the two birds are identical. The widely erroneous generic position assigned to his species by Mr. Blanford is my only excuse for being guilty of the oflFence of bestowing a fresh title on a previ- ously described and admittedly good species. Mr. Hume also observes [t. c. p. 60) that Alcippe magnirostris, Walden, from the Karen hills [t. c. no. 369) is A. phayrei, Blyth (J. A. S.B. 1815, p. 601). Mr. Blyth may have been in error when he identified (B. Burma, no. 368) A. phayrei with A. nipalensis ; but I am unable for the moment to decide 488 Letters, Announcements, 6^c. whether A. magnirostris is the same as the Arakaii species, my collection being packed up. Besides several birds to which are given distinctive titles in this number, by Mr. Hume, '' if really new,^^* or " if con- sidered distinct," &c., jEthopyga sanguinipectus, Walden (Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xv. p. 400, 1875, & B. Burma, no. 494), receives the additional title of^jE. waldeni; and a bird well known to ornithologists, certainly to all those who consult the ordinary sources of reference before proceeding to give a new title, Turdus sibiricus, Pallas (1776), finds a place among the " if really new " novelties, and in its old age receives the title of Turdulus davisoni, Hume. Mr. Davison lately obtained it in Tenasserim, whence I also have received it from Mr. Limborg, labelled " davisoni, Hume.'^ In March 1874, Mr. Wardlaw Ramsay found it in Karen-nee, as already mentioned by me (Blyth, B. Burma, no. 252) and by Mr. Dresser (in his ' Birds of Europe ') . In the last-named work it is well figured, as it had already been in Gould^s 'Birds of Europe,^ and again in his ' Birds of Great Britain,' as like- wise by Schlegel in the ' Fauna Japonica." Yours, &c., TWEEDDALE. Chislehui-st, July 17, 1877. Sirs, — In the July number of ' The Ibis,^ in the remarks upon the first part of my monograph of the Bucerotidse, now in course of publication, you object to the names in the ' Spe- cimen Faunulse Indicse,' given in the 'ludische Zoologie" of Eorster, because he was not the author, and ask if they must be necessarily adopted — or, to be absolutely correct, if Uhi- noplax vigil, the name given to the Helmeted Hornbill, must be accepted. It is true that Pennant is stated to be the author ; and he may have produced an English version ; but he never wrote a line of the work as we see it in Forster's edition ; and I derive my authority for this statement from Pennant himself. In the second edition of his 'Indian Zoo- logy,' printed by Henry Hughs for E-obert Faulder, London, 1790, Pennant says that this ''work, or rather fragment" Letters, Announcements, S^c. 489 ('Indische Zoologie')^ "was begun in the year 1769. The descriptive part fell to my share : the expense of the plates was divided between Mr. Banks^ now Sir Joseph Banks, Baronet : John Gideon Loten, Esq. ; a governor in Ceylon ; and myself. Twelve only were engraved and published : soon after which, the undertaking appeared so arduous that the design was given over.^' . ..." I prevailed on my two friends to unite with me in presenting the learned John Reinhold FoRSTER with the plates. I also bestowed on him three others, engraven at my own expense, before the work was dropped. These were never published in England ; but when Dr. Forster left our island, he took the whole with him, and in 1781 printed, at Halle, in Saxony, an edition very highly improved, and translated into Latin and German. He prefixed to it a most elaborate lucubration de Finibus et Indole Aeris, Soli, Ma- risque Indici ; described the subjects of the three additional plates ; and inserted, after the description of the fifteenth plate, a most learned dissertation on the genus o£ the Birds of Pa- radise, and on the Phcenix. He added several notes ; and at the end ]3resented his readers with a Faunula of the qua- ydrupeds and birds of the extensive region of India and its Islands.^' It will be observed that Pennant makes no claim whatever to be the author of this ' Specimen Faunulse Indicse,' as published.in Latin in the ' Indische Zoologie;' and it can only be regarded as an act of courtesy on the part of Forster that Pennant's name was inserted as author of this Latin list. The descriptive part mentioned by Pennant as his share, must have referred, if it was in this book at all as published by Forster, to the first portion ; for there is no " descriptive part " in the list of names of quadrupeds and birds. I cannot see, therefore, how it will be possible to reject this portion of the ' Indische Zoologie,' when the rest, containing descriptions by Forster of various species, is accepted, " and his names have always been in use." P. L. S. Miiller is now, I believe, universally quoted for the species named by him; so is Bod- daert ; and so also should be Forster ; and whenever an intel- ligible reference is given by him to the species he intends to characterize, it appears to me the name he bestows must be 490 Letters, Announcements, ^'c. received. A translation of Forster^s Avork, made by Dr. Aiken of Yarmouth, was reprinted and published in 1795, as stated by Pennant, to which was added the ' Faunula ludica ' of Latham and Davies. I think, therefore, we shall be obliged to accept Rhinoplax vigil as the only proper name for the Helmeted Hornbill, and also Rhytidoceros pUcatus for the Papuan Wreathed Hornbill, the synonymy of which was so clearly given by Lord Tweeddale in the July '^Ibis.' I have always considered, Messrs. Editors, and I think you will agree with me, that it is the duty of one who writes a monograph, to state all the facts he may discover in regard to his subject, no matter what the effect may be on its nomenclature (which may previously have been but imperfectly understood), or what preconceived opinions may be shown to be erroneous, and also to give to the original describer of a species, where- ever he may be found, after 1766, the credit due to his work and the priority which is his right ; and it is to carry this out in all fairness that I have accepted Forster^s work (even if it be only a Latin or German translation of an unpublished English one) in its entirety as that of a thoroughly reliable and competent author, in the present instance to the dis- comfiture and confusion of Boddaert and Gmelin, who mis- takingly supposed they enjoyed the precedence. I am, &c.^ D. G. Eluot. Paris, 10th July. [Pennant's positive statement, as quoted by Mr. Elliot, that Forster was the author of the ' Faunula Indica,' and Forster's equally positive assertion that Pennant was its author, leave us, as far as our present information goes, in a position of complete uncertainty to whom to ascribe this work — a posi- tion from which we have no wish to rescue ourselves. As regards the work itself, it is a fragmentary list, and intended as a prelude to a more formal memoir. Its scientific value is slight indeed, as it is merely a catalogue of names (not always binomial), none of which are accompanied by any de- scription and to many no i-efereuces whatever are added. We Letters, Announcements, ^c. 491 therefore see nothing to regret, but, ou the contrary, cause for congratulation that the uncertainty of the authorship of this unfinished paper places it in the category of anonymous works, and renders it, in our opinion, unusable for purposes of no- menclature.— Edd.] Dresden, August 4, 1877. (R. Zoological Museum.) SiRs,^ — I described in the year 1874 (Sitz. Akad. Wien, Ixix. p. 493) a new genus and species of Dicruridse from New Guinea, Ch(Btorliynchus papuensis. I then had overlooked a very characteristic large spot of white feathers on the edge of each shoulder ; also Mr. Sliarpe, who has described and figured the bird in his Catalogue (vol. iii. 1877, p. 242, pi. xiii.), does not mention these white spots. The reason why they have been overlooked by both of us is this, that they are con- cealed by the feathers of the mantle when the bird is looked at with closed wings. But just having had a specimen stuffed with the wings spread, the spots appeared, and could no longer be overlooked. I am anxious to publish this valuable specific character of Chtetorhynchus papuensis, because I am afraid, if I do not, that the same bird will soon be redis- cribed under a new specific name. Yours &c., A. B. Meyer. Northrepps Hall, Norwich. 6tli September 1877. Sirs, — Allow me to correct an error which I have inad- vertently made in the enumeration of the Transvaal birds recorded in ' The Ibis ' by Mr. Thomas Ayres. In ' The Ibis ' for 1876, p. 433, is the following sentence : — "Mr. Ayres^s previous papers on the birds of Transvaal recorfl? 152 species, vide Ibis, 1874, p. 107." The latter part of the sentence ought to have run thus, — " record 213 species, vide Ibis, 1874, p. 105.^' As the result of this correction, the number of the last 492 Letters, Announceinents , !^c. species [Graadus africanus) , recorded iu the present volume of 'The Ibis' {antea, p. 354), should stand as 282, instead of 221. Yours &c., J. H. GURNEY, Sirs, — There is a peculiar white stage of plumage in which the Glaucous Gull is not unfrequently found, which, while from time to time it has attracted a good deal of notice, has never received a satisfactory solution. It is a stage at which the bird is wholly white or, to speak more correctly, a very light cream-colour. The idea that it is the garb of extreme old age is dismissed ; but there can be no doubt, I think, that it is a state which most Glaucous Gulls assume, and at no very juvenile time of their lives. Some time ago I saw at Bridlington a Glaucous Gull which was to me very inter- esting; for the mantle of grey was blotched with white in large patches, showing that it Avas passing from the white stage to the normal adult colour; at least so it seemed to me after examiniyg it as well as I could through the glass of the case. This bird had been kept alive, and, what was very remarkable about it, its eye was as Avhite as a Jackdaw's. If it be a law that the pure white phase of the Glaucous Gull is a phase which most individuals have to pass through, it is not unlikely that the same holds good of the Iceland Gull, a species so closely approximate that many good naturalists are puzzled to distinguish a large specimen of the one sort from a small one of the other. I have seen two pure white Iceland Gulls which, from their small size, I am sure were Icelanders, and not Glaucous Gulls. Yours &c., J. H. GuRNEY, Jun. Northrepps Cottage, Norwich. June 23, 1877. Sirs, — During a recent visit to Malaga I saw two live Trumpeter Bullfinches [Erythrospiza rfithagineo), both ap- Letters, Annoancemeats, 2. Fringilla australis, 47. caniceps, 51. linaria, 57, 61, 62, 64, 65. montifringilla, 57, . 64, 65. Fulica armillata, 195. atra, 472. leueoptera, 195. leucopyga, 42. Fuligula cristata, 147. marila, 62. mariloides, 147. • ■ nyroca, 62. Furnarius rul'us, 173, 179. Gallicrex cinereus, 471. Gallinago tequatorialis, 351. major, 351. media, 58, 61. paraguaiiTJ, 198. solitaria, 146. stenura, 24. Grallinida cbloropus, 25, 27. galeata, 26, 27, 120. garraani, 120. lepida, 126. sandvicensis, 25. Gallirallus lafresnayanus, 3()3. Gallus ferrugiueus, 468. Gambetta llavipes, 43. 199. melanoleuca, 199. Garrulax belangei'i, 464. galbauus, 32.5. lauceolatua, 118. mouiliger, 464. pectoralis, 464. taivanus, 473. Gari'ulus, 57, 64. brandti, 144. japonicus, 144. krynickii, 263. leucotis, 460. Gecinus eryfcliropygius, 457. viridis, 2(i4. INDEX. 501 Geoffroyus keyensis, 476. — — schlegeli, 476. Geopelia striata, 322. Geositta cunicularia, 178. Geranoaetus nielanoleu- cus, 30, 38. Geronticus harmandi, 487. Gerygone albogularis, 367, 482. flavida, 482. flavolateralis, 357. simplex, 122. superciliosa, 83, 84, 128. Glareola lactea, 469. melanoptera, 63. nordmanni, 347. - — orientalis, 23, 322, 469. pratincola, 271. torquata, 62. Glaiicopis leucopterus, 318. Glyciphila? clilorophaja, 362. fasciata, 362. incana, 362. modesta, 362. poliotis, 362. Goura, 248, 249. albertisi, 372. beccarii, 248, 249. coronata, 372. sclateri, 248, 372. • Tictoriffi, 248, 372. Gracula anais orientalis, 368. dumonti, 368. gnathoptila, 240. jayanensis, 319. — religiosa, 319. Graculus africanus, 354. Grallaria andicola, 448. • brevicanda, 438, 447, 448. dives, 400. erythroleuca, 445. erytbrotis, 445. flavotincta,446. fulviventris, 450, 451. fusca, 442. gigantea, 438, 439. griseonucha, 446. haplonota, 442. hy]3oleuca, 446. imperator, 443. maciilaria, 449, 450. Grallaria mexicana, 440. modesta, 439, 448. monticola, 444. • nuchalis, 444. ■ ocbroleuca, 439, 4.51. perspicillata, 449. princeps, 441. guatemalensis, 440, 441. quiteusis, 444. regulus, 441, 442. rex, 446. fiuficapilla, 438, 447. • ruficeps, 444. rufula, 446. squamigera, 438, 439, 440. varia, 438, 439, 442, 443. Graucalus concretus, 312. sumatrensis, 312. Grus antigone, 469. cinerea, 50. nigricollis, 482. virgo, 52. Guira piririgua, 185. Guiraca glaucoc£erulea, 170. Gymnocorvus senex, 369. Gypaetus, 49, 210. barbatus, 210. Gypohierax angolensis, 340. Hffimatopus longirostris, 372. ostralegus, 49, 57, 66. Halcyon coromanda, 456. cyanocephala, 126. — — pileata, 296. sacra, 240. Haliaetus albicilla, 53, 56. —I — leucogaster, 3. — — leucorypbus, 53, 54. — — vocifer, 340. Haliastur indus, 3. intermedins, 3, 286. sphennrus, 361. Haliplana fuliginosa, 363. Hapalocercus flayiven- tris, 34, 177. Harelda glacialis, 69, 61, 147, 411. , Harpactes duvauceli, 298. — ■ — kasumba, 298. Harpactes rutilus, 298. Harpyopsis noyffi-guineae, 435, 436. Heliangelus amethysti- Collis, 141. „|„,;.) barali, 244. Clarissa;, 338, 339. spencii, 339. strophianus, 339. taczanoyrskii, 338. Heliomaster longirostris, 138. Helminthopliaga chry- •■- soptera, 240. • leucobronchialis, 240. Hemicercus brunneus, 290. — ■ — concretus, 291. sordidus, 291. Hemipus obscurus, 20,,.,, -'ii 313. .." Henicopernis longicaudajjuj] 365. ,: .;,,<.j; Henicurus frontalis, 310. leschenaulti, 310. , ^,j5£ Herodias albolineata, ,j 363. ,,;',., rr — — garzetta, 349. intermedia, 349. ., .i noyaj-bollandiaB, •; i- 363. _ ,r:j_ Hiaticula inornata, 12l, Hierococcyx fugax, 7, ndiS 288. . Himantopus brasiIieusis^,.fT( 198. _ _ _ / , __ nigricollis, 198. rufipes, 60. r:.\-s'ii Hippolais swainsoni, 72.'|. Hirundo, 149. :,, i;.,,]^.;.^^ ■ domicola, 3l6. ,'.. i , ,'. ; — — filifera, 466. jayanica, 316 klecbo, 299. ,,,^j leucorrhoa, 32, 169j;^' longipennis, 299. _L__ rufula, 64. — rustica, 50, 57, '^Mmi.'iL 406. .S9S tytleri, 466. .^^ j,\:,\,-,r]ea. ■ — — urbica, 57. ■)<,, Homorus gvitturalis, 36,-, ,„'g Horeites pallidipes, 326. sei'icea, 487. Horornis, 75, 204, 205. fuligiventer, 88. f uliginiy entris, 88. - ^ Hydrocissa albirostris, 455. , .: - — convexa, 7. 502 INDEX. Hydrocorax philippensis, 417. Hydropsalis furcifera, 185. Hydrornis oatesi, 463. Hylacola pyrrhopygia, 483. Hylocharis cyanea, 138. sapphirina, 184. Hyphantornis mariquen- sis, 345. Hypolais, 66, 67, 85, 153, 155, 156, 161. caligata, 152, 153, 155, 156, 162, 397. graminis, 76, 128. opaca, 152. palUda, 152, 155. — ■ — rama, 152, 153, 155. HypotJEnidia philippen- sis, 363. • striata, 471. Hypothymis azurea, 18, 316. Hypotriorchis femoralis, 187. Hypsibemon ruficapillus, 447. nifulus, 446. Hypsipetes malaccensis, 13, 14. lanthcenas hypoenochroa, 362. Ibis albicollis, 190. falcinellus, 52, 189. gigantea, 486. harmandi, 486. — — papillosa, 486. Idiina salicaria, 162. Indicator archipelagicus, 8. lole olivacea, 307. viridescens, 466. lora scapularis, 14, 304. viridissima, 304. Irena criniger, 479. melauochlamys, 479. puella, 467. tweeddalii, 479. Iridornis jelskii, 129. Ithaginis sinensis, 118. Ixos hainanus, 128. phseoceplialus, 306. Ixus analis, 306. annectens, 466. ■ blanfordi, 466. davisoni, 466. flavescens, 466. Lagopus albus, 58, 60. alpinus, 49. leueurus, 395. rupestris, 40.5. Lalage dominica, 313. karu, 240. montrouzieri, 362. uajvia?, 362. Lampornis violicauda, 141. Lamprolia, 121. klinesmithii, 121. minor, 121, 143, 144. victorioe, 143, 144. Lamprotoruis metallicus, 240. Lamprotreron superba, 240. Lanius, 53. arenarius, 52, 64, 398. borealis, 163. excubitor, 1(53. insidiator, 318. isabellinus, 164, 398. lucionensis, 19. major, 163. malabaricus, 313, 314. melanocephalus, 307. musicus, 309. phoeuicuroides, 164, 398. phoenicurus,o3, 163, 398. striga, 313. xantliogaster, 316, Larus canus, 50, 66. cirrhocephalus, 201. dominicanus,44, 45, 201. glaucus, 409. ichthyaetns, 50. ma(;ulipennis,43,44, 201, 202. — — marinus, 53, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 66. minutus, 54, 66. novai-liollandia^ 363. ridibnndus, 50, 54, 62, 66, 202. Leioptila saturata, 464. Leiothrix argeutauris, 464. Leiothrix strigula, 464. Leistes superciliaris, 175. Lepoeestes porphyrome- las, 9. Leptasthenura a^githaloi- des, 180. Leptoptila chalcauchenia, 193. Leptoptilus argala, 470. Leptornis aubryanus, 362. Lesbia gouldi, 135. nuna, 135. Lesti-is, 62. parasitica, 61. pomatorhina, 61. Leucocerca albicollis, 466. javanica, 316. perlata, 18. Leucochloris albicollis, 138. Liciienops perspicillatus, 34, 176. Limnaetus alboniger, 432. audamanensis, 429. caligatus, 424, 428, 429, 430. ceylonensis, 430. cirrhatus, 429, 430. gurneyi, 424. horsfieldi, 428, 429. isidori, 424, 433. kieneri, 424, 432, 433. lanceolatus, 424. nipalensis, 431, 432. philippensis, 432. sphynx, 431. Limnornis curvirostris, 180, 182, 193. Limosa a^gocephala, 469. hudsonica, 43, 200. noviE-zealandia;, 363. uropygialis, 363. Linaria, 52, 53. Liocichla steerii, 474. Loddigesia mirabilis, 373. Lophoaetus occipitalis, 422. Lophophanes dichroides, 243. Lophophorus nigelli, 254. Lophorhina respublica, 493. Loricvdus aurantiifrons, 482. catamene, 378. INDEX. 503 Loriculus exilis, 378. galgiilus, 292. regulus, 378. stigmatus, 378. tener, 482. Lorius erythrothorax, 476. flavo-palliatus, 476. bypcenochrous, 240. tibialis, 278. Loxia, 64. maciilata, 318. maja, 318. oryzivora, 317. pMlippina, 318. Luscinia pbilomela, 52, 5.5. Lusciola caligata, 162. suecica, 59, 61, 62, 65, 82. Lyncoruis cerviniceps, 459. temmincki, 298. Machserirhynchus albi- frons, 377. nigripectus, 377. Machetes pugnax, 61. Macketornis rixosa, 177. Maclilolopkus rex, 118. Macronus ptilosus, 11, 308. Maoropteryx comatus, 298. longipennis, 299. Macropygia assimilis, 468. griseinucha, 249. keiensis, 249. turtur, 240. tusalia, 248. Malacocincla rufiventris, 12. Malacopteron magnum, 11, 12, 309. majus, 11,309. Malurus alboscapulatus, 377. Manucodia gouldi, 368. — - — keraudreni, 368. Mareca castanea, 363. chiloensis, 192. penelope, 24. sibilatrix, 41, 192. Megalsema asiatica, 457. chrysopis, 8. chrysopogon, 299. duvauceli, 9. hodgsoni, 457. — humei, 299. marshallorura, 457. mystacophanes,299. Megalsema ramsayi, 457. vei'sicolor, 299. Megaloperdix, 52. altaicus, 52. raddei, 254. Megaloprepia assimilis, 371. Megalurulus marise, 360, 362. Megapodius assimilis, 122. hueskeri, 240. Megatriorchis dorite, 435, 437. Meiglyptes tristis, 290. ^— tukki, 290. Melauocblora sultanea, 464. Melanoperdix nigra, 23. Melanopyrrhusorientalis, 368. Melias diardi, 287. Melidectes torquatus, 377. Melidipnus, 240. Melierax miisicus, 340. Meliphaga javensis, 305. MeUpotes gymnops, 377. Melirrhophetes leucoste- phes, 377. ocliromelas, 377. Melophus melanicterus, 462. Mergulus alls, 410. Meropogon breweri, 129. Merops amicta, 298. apiaster, 52, 272. bicolor, 5, 297. ornatus, 368. sumatranus, 297. Morula, 121. kessleri, 243. ruficeps, 121. Metallura jelskii, 244. smaragdinicollis, 139, 140. Metopiana peposaca, 192. Microhierax fringillarius, 21, 286. Micropicus hartlaubi, 291. Micropternus badiosus, 289. badius, 289. Microtarsus olivaceus, 307. Milvago chimango, 40, 188. Milvulus tyrannus, 178. Milvus govinda, 454. Milvus melanotis, 53, 54. niger, 55. Mimus calandria, 167. patagonicus, 31. Mino robertsoni, 368. Mixornis borneensis, 11. Molothrus badius, 174. bonariensis, 33, 174. rufoasillaris, 174. Monachella saxicolina, 367. Monarcha chrysomelas, 367. comrautata, 126. cordensis, 240. lucida, 240. melanonotus, 367. " Monticola cyanus, 269. ^^ pandoo, 13. saxatilis, 269. ^ Montifringilla blanfordi, 375. mandellii, 375. Mormon grabie, 237. Morpkuus guianeusis, 435. Motacilla, 151. ' affinis, 100. alba, .51, 57, 59, 61, 62, 65, 262, 463. bistrigata, 310. cinereocapilla, 50, 53, 57. citreola, 49, 54, 58, 62. dukhunensis, 150. fitis, 90. flammea, 302. ilava (borealis), 62. . lugubris, 163. luzonensis, 462. melanocephala, 50. melanope, 262, 310. olivacea, 311. personata, 51. proregulus, 104. sibilatrix, 88. singalensis, 303. superciliosa, 102. trochilus, 90. vidua, 163. Tiridis, 310. Munia caniceps, 248. ferruginea, 318. leucogastroides, 285, 318. maja, 318. majanoides, 318. Muscicapa, 149. azurea, 316. 504 INDEX. Muscicapa csenilea, 316. grisola, 52. gulai'is, 144. javanica, 316. pyrrhoptera, 316. Muscipeta aliinis, 316. Muacylva albigiilaris, 143. Mycteria australis, 372. Myiagra creruleo-capilla, 122. caledonica, 358. ■ perspicillata, 362. • pluto, 123. viridinitens, 362. Myiodynastes solitariiis, '178. Myiolestes obscurus, 20. Myiothera grallaria, 443. Myiotheretes rafiveatris, 175. Myiotrichas imperatrix, 443. • squamigera, 439. Myioturdu3 ochroleucus, 451. rex, 442, 443. Myristicivora bicolor, 379. melanura, 379. spilorrhoa, 379. Myzomela coccinea, 483. erytbriua, 483. erythrocepliala,362. sanguinolenta, 359, 362. Napotkera pileata, 309. Nasiterna beccarii, 248. pusilla, 482. Nectarinia, 124. • aspasia, 367. chrysogenys, 301. flavigastra, 301. frenata, 367. hasselti, 18, 302. insignis, 302. javanica, 302. pectoralis, 302. phoenicotis, 303. Nectaropliila hasselti, 302. Neophron, 150. Neopus malaiensis, 423. Neornis, 205. . albiventris, 385. — — assimilis, 385. . Nestor productus, 129. Nettapus madagascari- ensis, 354. pnlchellus, 372. Ninox lugubris, 335. novifi-britanniae, 483. odiosa, 483. scutulata, 4, 5, 287. Nisaetus bellicosus, 42, 419. fasciatu3,420, 421. niorphnoides, 419, 420. pennatus, 419, 420. spiloga3ter,419,420, 421. Nisus fringillarius, 62. Noctua cunicularia, 38. Nothura maculosa, 45, 203. Nucifraga, 57. caryocatactes, 64. Niiraenius arquata, 57, 62, 350. pha3opus, 146. 350. uropygialis, 146, 363. Nuuiida coronata, 346. vulturina, 493. Nyctea nivea, 61, 132. scandiaca, 403. Nycticorax caledonicus, 363. griseus, 146. obscurus, 40, 189. Nyctiornis amicta, 6, 298. malaceensis, 298. Nymphicus cornutus, 362. Nyroca australis, 363. Odontophorus guianensis, 239. (Edemia fusca, 58, 59, 61. nigra, 58, 59, 61. CEdirhinus globifer, 240. ■ insolitus, 482. CEstrelata brevirostris, 480. mollis, 480. rostrata, 363. Opisthocomus cristatus, 239. Oreocincla aurea, 144. dauraa, 463. raoUissima, 463, 464. Oreophihis ruficoEis, 42, 197. Oreopneuste davidii, 85. Oreopyra caloltema, 244. leucaspis, 244. Oreotrochilus adelaj, 142. estellfe, 142. Oriolus ehinensis, 308. coronatus, 285, 308. diffusus, 479. formosus, 378. steerii, 479. xanthonotus, 20, 308. Ornismya albicollis, 138. ■ amethysticollis, 141. aureoventris, 136. bicolor, 139, 140. chrysurus, 134, 135, 140. coriB, 141. cyana, 138. cyanopogou, 1-36. fernandeiisis, 137. furcata, 135. gigantea, 1.34. glaucopoides, 136. gouldi, 135. longirostris, 138. macrourus, 134. mellisuga, 139. mulsanti, 136. paraela, 137. petasophora, 137. prasina, 139. ruficoUis, 140. sephanoides, 138. superba, 138. vesper, 137. Orocetes erythrogaster, 463. Ortalida motmot, 239. Orthorhynchus amethys- ticollis, 141. pamela, 137. smaragdinicollis, 141. Orthotomus, 108, 114. atrigularis, 16, 109, 111,113. bennetti, 110. borneonensis, 114, 312. castaneiceps, 109, 114. eineraceus, 109, 114, 11.5,312. cinereiceps, 109, 11.3. coronatus, 109, 1 15. cucuUatus, 109, 115. derbianus, 109, 114. -edela, 108, 111,112. flavo-viridis, 16, 113. INDEX. 505 Orthotoinus frontelia, 109,112. liugelii, lU). lingoo, 110. longicauda, 115. loiigirostris, 116. inaculicoUis, 116. nitidus, 113. ruficeps, 109, 114. sepium, 109, 115, 312. sutoriiis, 108, 109, 111,112,116,312. Osmotreron olax, 321. Teruans, 321. Otis maequeeni, 53. tarda, 49, 273. tetrax, 49. Otocompsa personata, 306. Otocorys alpestris, 61, 65. penicillata, 270. Otothrix, 253. hodgsoni, 251, 252, 253, 388, 390, 391, 392. Otus brachyotus, 58, 61, 64,186. Pacbycephala?, sp.?, 121, 362. assimilis, 362. citreogaster, 121. kandavensis, 121. morariensis, 362. robusta, 122. vitiensis, 357. xanthetra'a, 357, 362. Padda oryzivora, 317. Pagopbila eburnea, 409. Palaeornis longicauda, 9. — — magnii'ostris, 453. melanorhynchus, 453. torquatus, 453. Pandion leucocephalus, 361. Panurus, 53. ,, s , ■ biarmicus, 53. Paradigalla earunculata, 325. Paradisea apoda, 369, 370. papuana, 370. raggiana, 325, 369, 370, 377. rubra, 370. sanguinea, 377. wilsoni, 493. Pardalotuspercussus,303. rubricatiis, 483. SER. ly. VOL. I. Pardalotus uropygialis, 483. Paroaria cucullata, 171. Parrajacana, 196. Parula pitiayumi, 168. Parus arfaki, 377. atriceps, 304. • borealis, 64. ciuctus, 64. cinereus, 304. cyaneus, 49. kamschatkeDsis, (54, 166. major, 64. palustris, 64, peregrinus, 315. Passer campestris, 57, 64. domesticus, 57, 52. montanus, 145. petronius, 270. rutilans, 145. Pastor jalla, 319. roseus, 51, 52. Patagona gigas, 134. Pelargopsis i'raseri, 296. leucocephala, 296. Pelecanus conspicillatus, 372. onocro talus, 50. Pellorueum minor, 386, 387. minus, 452. — ■ — subocbraceum, .386, 451,452. tickelli, 386, 387, 451, 452. Penelope pipile, 239. Pericrocotus ardens, 315. brevirostris, 316. cinereus, 19. flammeus, 315. 316. flammifer, 315. peregrinus, 315. xauthogaster, 285, 315. Perisoreus infaustus, 64. Pernis apivorus, 1 19. celebensis, 287- ptilorhynchus, 286. Petasophora serrirostris, 137. Petrocbelidon pyrrho- nota, 169. Petroeincia, 51. saxatilis, 50. Petrocossypbus cyaneus, 463. Petrceea, sp. ?, 362. Petroeca kleinsebmidti, 124. Peucedramus olivaceus, 485. Phacellodomus frontalis, 183, 184. ruber, 183, 184. PhiEnorhiua goliath, 362. Pbaetbornis supereilio- sus, 141. Pbaetbusa magnirostris, 200. Pbaeton candidus, 363. rubricauda, 363. Phalacrocorax brasili- anus, 40, 188. uielanoleucus, 363. pelagicus, 147. Pbalaropus, 62. cinereus, 58. fulicarius, 406. ■ wilsoni, 42, 198. Pbaleris psittacula, 237. Pbasianus argus, 322. rouloul, 322. Philentouia pyrrbo- pterum, 19, 316. velatum, 19. Philouiachus pugnax, 350. Philotliamna minor, 376. Pbloeocryptes melanops, 35, 179. Pboenicopbaus caniceps, 287. erytkrognathus, 287. javanicus, 287. Pboenicopterus ignipal- liatus, 41. Pboenicornis ardens, 315. Pboleoptynx cunicularia, 186. Phonygama jamesii, 479. Pbyllobasileus coronatus, 76. proregidus, 104. superciliosus, 102. Pbyllopneuste affinis, 74. alpestris, 94. arborea, 90. • bonellii, 94. borealis, 69. coronata, 76, 79. fitis, 90. flaveolus, 78. fuscatus, 85. — — intermedia, 74, 128. javanica, 16, 70, 77, 161. 2n 50(3 INDKX. Phyllopneuste kennicotti, 70. maacki, 85. magnirostris, 77. major, 92. megarhynchos, 89. • modestus, 102, 104. montana, 94. neglectus, 99, 100. occipitalis, 80. orieiitalis, 94. pinetoruru, 95. plumbeitarsus, 7f>. presbytis, 83. proregulus, 103, 104. regaloides, 81, 102. rufa, 73, 95. • sibilatrix, 88. solitaria, 95. sylvestris, 95. sylvicola, 89. tristis, 97, 100. trochilus, 77, 90. umbrovirens, 86. viridanus, 74. Phyllopseustes borealis, 69. eversmanni, 69. middendorffi, 76. tristis, 97. Pliyllornis cyanopogon, 15, 305. icterocephala, 15, 305. malabaricus, 305. — — mystacalis, 305. sonnerati, 1.5. Tiridinucha, 15, 305. viridis, 305. Phylloscopus, 55. abyssinicus, 96, 97, 128. acredula, 90. affinis, 67, 100. boneUii, 94, 67. borealis, 16, 67, 69, 72, 76, 161. brebmi, 96, 97, 98, 128. brCTiroslris, 93, 97, 98. brooksi, 84, 128. brunneus, 85. collybita, 67, 92, 93, 95, 97, 99. coronatus, 67, 79, 162. erochrous, 67, 106. Phylloscopus «xeorona- tus, 76. fuliginiventris, 67, 88. fuscatus, 67, 85, 99, 156, 165. gffitkei, 67, 92, 94. griseolus, 87. habessiuicus, 96. — — hylebata, 70. • indicus, 67, 87. javanicus, 77. lugubris, 67, 78. maculipeniiis, 67, 107. magnirostris, 67, 77. major, 93, 94. middendorffii, 396. modestus, 102, 104. ■ neglectus, 67, 98, 99. nitidus, 67, 72, 157. occipitalis, 67, 80. pallidipes, 75, 487. plumbeitarsus, 67, 76. presbytis, 67, 83. proregulus, 67, 104, 162. reguloides, 81. rufus, 57, 93. schwarzi, 67, 84. sibilatrix, 67, 71, 88, 89, 94. subviridis, 67, 106. superciliosus, 67, 102, 105, 157, 162. sylvicultrix, 69. • tenellipes, 67, 75, tristis. 49, 57, 59, 65, 67, 97, 100, 165, 394. trochiloides, 67, 81. trochilus, 57, 59, 65, 67, 90, 92, 93, 96, 100. tytleri, 67, 101. — — umbrovirens, 67, 86. viridanus, 67,93, 76, 161, 396. viridipennis, 67, 82. xanthodryas, 67, 71, 72. Physocorax moneduloi- des, 362. Pica caudata, 49, 65, 57, 64. ■ leucoptera, 51. Picumnus abnormis, 292. Picus analis, 290. ater, 264. badius, 289. cseruleus, 264. concretus, 291. javanensis, 288. lilfordi, 264, 272. lugubris, 264. martius, 64. medius, 264. mentalis, 288. minor, 57, 64, 264. moluccensis, 291. puniceus, 288. rafflesii, 288. sondaicus, 290. tiga, 288. tridactylus, 64. tristis, 290. tukki, 290. variegatus, 290. Pipastes agilis, 144. batchianensis, 258. Pipra beterocerca, 129. Pitangus bellicosus, 178. caudifasciatus, 481. gabbii, 481. taylori, 481. Pitta, 260. assimilis, 368. baudii, 378. bengalensis, 260. boscbii, 309. cseruleitorquata, 379. cseruleitorques, 249. cyanoptera, 10. cyanura, 200. grallaria, 442. granatina, 10. gurneyi, 378. kochi, 126. mackloti, 368. macidaria, 449. novse-guinese, 368, 377. palliceps, 126. rosenbergi, 377, 378. sanghirana, 379. steer ii, 378. tinniens, 448. ussheri, 378. Pityriasis gymnocephala, 20. Platalea ajaja, 190. leucorodia, 412. Platycercus caledonicus, 362. mastersianus, 482. INDEX. 507 Platycercus rowleyi, 244. Platyrhynchua albicoUis, 143. Platysmurus aterrimus, 20. leucopterus, 318. Platystira pririt, 37fi. seuegulensis, 376. Plectrophanes lapponica, 69, 61. nivalis. 59, 61, 402, 404. . Plocevis baya, 318. maculatus, 318. • sakalava, 335. Plotus melanogaster, 335. Pnoepyga, 204, 205. iialsueti, 118. Podargus cornutus, 298, 391. gouldi, 122. javensis, 389. ■ parvulus, 388, 391. stellatus, 389. Podiceps caiipareus, 45. cornutus, ,54. cristatus, 54. gularis, 363. major, 31. rollandi, 45. Poecile affinis, 243. sujjerciliosa, 243. Poephila atropygialis, 483. gouldse, 482. ■ niirabilis, 482. Pogonorkynchus leucoce- phalus, 380. leucogaster, 380. leucomelas, 342. Poliokierax insignis, 454. Polioptila dumicola, 167. Polophilus nigricans. 248. Polyborus tliarus, 188. vulgaris, 30, 40. Polychlorus magnus, 362. Polyplectron bicalcara- tum, 493. schleiermacheri, 493. Polytmus virescens, 142. Poaiatorhiuus albigu- laris, 465. gravivox, 118. leucogaster, 465. marifB, 465. nuchalis, 465. ocliraceiceps, 465. olivaceus, 465, 466. schisticeps, 465. swinhoei, 118. Poospiza nigrorufa, 171. Porphyrio bellus, 363. melanonotus, 363. Porphyriops melanops, 195. Porzana egregia, 352. . immaculata, 363. pygmaja, 24, 127, 351. spilonota, 195. spiloptcra, 194, 195. Pratiucola rubicola, 55, 57. Prinia beavani, 466. familiaris, 285, 311, 312. flaviventris,312,466. gracilis, 466. hodgsoni, 466. rafflesi, 311, 487. superciliaris, 16. Prion desolatus, 480. vittatus, 480. Prionochilus everetti, 16. maculatus, 17. obsoletus, 16. percussus, 303. sanghirensis, 249. tlioracicus, 17. xanthopyguis, 17. Procellaria glacialis, 410. Progne purpurea, 32, 40, 168. tapera, 168. Psalidoprocne petiti, 238. Psaltria sophia?, 118. Pseudoleistes virescens, 175. Psilorhinus cyanogenys, 479. magnirostris, 460. Psittacella brehmii, 377. Psittacus galgulus, 292. incertus, 292. malaccensis, 292. ornatus, 284. sumatranus, 284. Psitteutelesdiadema, 362. Pterocles arenarius, 273. exustus, 53. Ptilinopus, 121. aurantiifrons, 372. coronulatus, 372. corriei, 121. fischeri, 126. greyi, 362. ionozonus, 372. jambu, 23. nanus, 372. nuchalis, 126. superbus, 371. Ptilopus iusolitus, 379, 481. jobiensis, 482. Ptilorhis magnifica, 242, 369. wilsonii, 242. Ptilotis, 121. albo-notata, 249. macleyana, 121. megarhynchus, 240. procerior, 124. versicolor, 121. xantbopbrys, 123. Pycnonotus brunneus, 307. sinensis, 128. plumosus, 306. pusillus, 307. stictocepbalus, 248. xantbopygius, 263. Pyctorbis altirostris, 385. Pygmornis pygmteus, 141, 142. Pyrocepbalus rubineus, 178. Pyrrhocorax, 54. pyrrhocorax, 478. Pyrrhula europaa, 256. major, 256. vulgaris, 49. Querquedula brasiliensis, 192. crecca, 147. ■ cyanoptera, 41, 191. eatoni,481. ■ flavirostris, 41, 191. versicolor, 41, 191. Rallina rosenbergi, 126. Rallus cffirulesceiis, 351. nigricans, 193. pectoralis, 336. phtt'nicurus, 323. sumatranus, 323. Rectes aruensis, 479. dichrous, 383. drnscbii, 383. tibialis, 479. Eecurvirostra avocetta, 50. Eeguloides — ?, 106, 107. chloronotus, 105. erochroa, 106. modestus, 102, 104. occipitalis, 80. — — proregulus, 102, 103, 104. subviridis, 106. 508 INDEX. Reguloides superciliosus, 102. trocliiloicles, 82. viridipennis, 83. Regulus, 64, 66, 103. erochroa, 106. flaveolus, 78, 100. fuliginoveiitris, 88. hippolais, 95. inornatus, 102. lugubris, 78. modestus, 102, 104. nitidus, 72. tristis, 97. trochilc^ides, 82. trochilus, 90. viridanus, 74. Elxamphococcyx erythro- gnathus, 8. Rhea darwini, 46. Rhinochetusjubatus, 361, 362. Rhinoplax vigil, 376, 488, 490. Rhinortha chlorophjea, 287. Rhipidura, 121. albicoUis, 142, 143. albigula, 143. albisoapa, 358, 360, 361, 362. albogularis, 143. bulgeri, 361. fuscoveiitris, 143. fuscovirens, 240. kubaryi, 124. layardi, 143. . perlata, 19. personata, 121. rhombifer, 18. yerreauxi, 358, 361, 362. Rhodopechys sanguinea, 378. Rhodopis vesper. 137. Rhodostethia rosea, 402. Rhopodytes diardi, 287. erytbrognathus, 8, 287. Rhyncha?a bengalensis, 146,469. capensis, 351. semicollaris, 42, 199. Rhyncbops, 239. albicollis, 469, 472. Rhvncbotus rufesceus, 203. Rhyticevos plicatns, 293. subruflcollis, 455. undulaUis, 456. Rbytidoceros obscurus, 293. plicatus, 490. undulatus, 292. Rissa tridactyla, 409. RoUulus roidoul, 322. Rostrbamus sociabibs, 188. Rubigula dispar, 285, 306. flaviventris, 467. Rhyncbops nigra, 200. Ruticilla, 52. alascbannica, 243. aurorea ?, 50. • mesoleuca, 163, 269. plicenicurus, 65. Salicaria arundiuacea, 151, 152. brevipennis, 152, 153. capistrata, 152, 153. concolor, 156. eurhyneha, 154. gmcilis, 1.54. macronyx, 154. magnirostris, 1.53. microptera, 152. modesta, 155. • obsoleta, 155. palbda, 155. scita, 151,1.56. scitopsis, 156. sphenura, 154. tamariceti, 165. turconiana, 153. turdoides, 151. Saraglossa spiloptera, 461. Sarcidioriiis melanotus, 472. Sarcorhamphus gryphus, 29, 40. Sasia abuormis, 292. Saidoprocta melanoleuca, 240. Sauropatis ehloris, 296. Saxicola, 51. albicollis, 162. anderssoui, 344, 375. aurita, 162. deserti, 162. erythra^a, 269, 290. galtoni, 343. isabellina, 269. leucoinela, 49, 52, 162. Saxicola melanoleuca, 269. moi'io, 162. oenanthe, 54, 69, 61, 62, 256, 269, 403. rubicola, 50. rufescens, 1(52. sbelleyi, 324, 375. squalida, 238. stapazina, 162. tephronota, ,343. Scelospizias polyzonoides, 340. Schizoptila, 126. Scboeniclus australis, 363. Seolopax rusticiila, 145. Scops leucotis, 341. menadensis, 335. rutiUis. 335. Seleucides albus, 369. Sericornis brunneopy- gius, 122. Sericulus aureus, 369. Serinus pusillus, 269. Serpophaga nigricans, 177. subcristata, 177. Serresius galeatus, 129. Setaria affinis, 12. albigularis, 12. pectoralis, 12. Sibia picaioides, 464. Sisopvgis icterophrysw 176. Sitta magna, 465. uralensis, 64. Somateria labradoria, 244. mollissima, 411. spectabilis, 412. Spatula platalea, 41. rhynehotis, 363. Spermopbila ornata, 170. Sphagolobus atratus, 376. Sphecotheres salvadorii, 479. Sphenocicbla roberti, 386. Spbenceacus macrurus, 248. Spilopelia tigrina, 322. Spilorais cbeela, 432, 454. elgiui, 454. pallidus, 3. Spizaetus alboniger, 4. coronatus, 422, 434. INDEX. 509 Spizaetus devillei, 433. limnaetus, 425, 431. ornatus, 423, 434. tj-rannus, 423, 434. Spiziastur melauoleucus, 422. Steatornis, 239. Steganura melananthera, 383. solstitialis, 383. uBclerwoodi, 383. Stenopsis bifasciata, 37. Steuostira longipes, 345. scita, 345. Stephanopborus leucoce- phalus, 170. Stercorarius longicauda- tus, 409. parasiticus, 410. Sterna bergii, 323. cassini, 201. ■ fissipes, 54. gracilis, 363. hirundinacea, 43. hirundo, 56, 59. javanica, 472. macrura, 402, 408. media, 323. melanauchen, 363. minuta, 201. nigra, 271. nigrifrous, 122. superciliaris, 201. trudeauii, 200. Sternula inconspicua, 122. javanica, 469, 470. minuta, 472. Strepera intermedia, 479. Strepsilas interpres, 363, 402, 405. Strix castanops, 362. deli cat ula, 362. flammea, 187- ■ scutulata, 287. Sturnella defilippii, 175. ludo\iciaua, 239. militaris, 33. Sturnopastor contra, 285, 319. Sturnus ambiguus, 378. contra, 319. humii, 378. unicolor, 378, 399. vulgaris, 49, 54, 380. Surina nisoria, 64. Surniculus lugubris, 8, 287. Suthora auricularis, 473. cyanophrjs, 118. • munipurensis, 325, 378. Sycalis luteiventris, 33. luteola, 172, 173. pelzelni, 172. Sjcobius, 245. albinucha, 245. nigerrimus, 245. Sylvia abietina, 95. albicans, 94. bifasciata, 103. bonellii, 94. brevirostris, 96. ■ coUybita, 95. cyanura, 65. fitis, 90. ■ fiavescens, 70. ■ garrula, 55, 57, 269. hippolais, 72, 95. indica, 87. javanica, 77. loquax, 96. melodia, 90. nattereri, 94. orphea, 272. prasinopyga, 94. presbytis, 83. rueppelli, 269. rufa, 95. • sibilans, 89. sibilatrix, 88. . superciliosa, 102. sylvicola, 89. trochilus, 90, 97. (Phyllopneuste) co- ronata, 76. ) eversmannii, ) presbytis, 84. • ( ) proregulus, 102. ( ) schwarzi, 84. ( ) siberica, 85. Sylvicola rufa, 95. sibilatrix, 89. trochilus, 90. Synallaxis, 173, 183. albescens, 180. , hudsoni, 36. major, 181. maluroides, 168, 180. melanops, 179. patagonica, 35, 36. aordida, 35, 36. Synallaxis sulphurifera, 168, 180, 193. Synoecus lodoisife, 129. Syrnium indranee, 150. leptogrammicum, 4. rufescens, 144. Syrrhaptes paradoxus, 53. Tacliybaptes dominicus, 203. Tachypetes aquilus, 363. — ^ — minor, 363. prion, 372. Tsenioptera, 175, 176. ■ coronata, 176. dominicana, 176. rubetra, 34. Talegallus arfakianus, 380. fuseirostris, .380. Tauagra gyrola, 337. — • — ■ striata, 170. Tanysiptera Carolina', 325. Tchitrea affinis, 316, 406. Terekia cinerea, 59, 62. Terpsipkone affinis, 19. Tetrao bonasia, 64, 255. caspius, 253, 254. caucasicus, 253, 254. tetrix, 49, 65, 255. urogallus, 65. viridis, 322. Tetraogallus, 253. altaicus, 254. caspius, 267, 269. cballayei, 254. himalayensis, 254. nigelli, 52. — tauricus, 254. tibetanus, 254. Thalasseus pelecanoides, 363. poliocercus, 363. Tbalassidroma melano- gaster, 480. tropica, 480. Tbalurania uigrofasciata, 135. Tbamnopbilus argen- tinus, 183. Tbaumastura cora3, 141. Tbaumatias, 139, 140. albiventris, 138. neglectus, 140. Tberisticus nielanopis, 190. Tbinocorus rumicivorus, 38, 42, 197. Thrasaetus barpyia, 434. 510 INDEX, Threnetes leuourus, 142. Thriponax crawfurdi, 457. javensis, 288. Tiga javanensis, 9, 288. rafflesi, 288. rufa, 288. Timalia erythroptera, 308. pyrrhoph£ea, 308. trichorros, 308. Timelia maculata, 10. nigricollis, 10. Tinnunculus alauclarius, 255, 453. rupicola, 341. sparverius, 39, 188. Tockus uionteiri, 376. Todirhamphus sanctus, 362. Todua macrorhyncbus, 317. Toria nipalensis, 321. Totanus fuscus, 62. glareola, 58, 322, 351. incanus, 240, 363. ochropus, 266. Trerou capellii, 23. griseicapilla, 321. nasica, 321. nipalensis, 321. Tribura, 204, 205. • IiiteiTCntris, 204. squamiceps, 204, 205. Tricbixos pyrrbopygus, 12, Tricboglossus, 121. amabilis, 121. arfaki, 476. aureocinctus, 121, 122, 124. deplancbei, 362. flavicans, 240. josepbinai, J 29. mitcbelli, 278. siibplacens, 248. willieUuinoe, 129. (Chalcopsitta) rubi- ginosus, 124. Tricbolestes criniger, 306. rainutus, 14, 306. Tricbopbaropsis typus, 13, 14. Tricbostoma abbotti, 452. minor, 452. ■ ininutus, 306. Tringa alpiua, 43. canutus, 402, 407. Tringa glareola, 322. bypoleucos, 322. maculata, 43. minuta, 59. subai-qiiata, 61, teiumiucki, 61, 62. Tringoides bypoleucus, 322. Trocbalopteron melano- stigma, 464. milni, 118. Trocliilus adcla, 142. albicollis, 138. brasiliensis, 142. ■ cyanus, 138. estella, 142. fernandensis, 137, d'orbignyi, 136. galeritus, 138. gigas, 134. longirostris, 138. macrouriis, 134. — major, 89. mango, 141. medius, 90. . minor, 95. nigrofasciata, 1>35. pygma^us, 141. rufa, 95. serrirostris, 137. spivrganurus, 134, splendidus, 136. superciliosus, 141. tbaumantias, 142. violicauda, 141. viridis, 142. Troglodytes, 205. furvus, 32, 167, 168, 183. Trogon duvauceli. 298, kasumba, 298. Tropidorbynchus lessoni, 362. Tryngites rufescens, 200. Turdinus leucogrammi- cus, 11. Turdulus davisoni, 488. Turdus analis, 306. atrogularis, 50, 54, 62, 65. cbalyba^us, 318, cocbincbinensis, 305. dispar, 306. dominicus, 313. flammeus, 315. . grallarius, 442. gurneyi, 324. ibacus, 65. letsitsirupa, 343, Turdus leucomelas, 166, 167. macrourus, 309. melanocepbalus, 307. musicus, 55, 65. ocbrocepbalus, 306. pallidus, 464, pilaris, 65, 57, 62. rex, 442. ruficollis, 65, 164. rufixentris, 167. scapularis, 304. sibiricus, 464, 488. swainsoni, 164. terat,3]3. tinniens, 447. triostegus, 260. varius, 164, 238. viriflis, 305. -viscivorus, 55. xautbopus, 358, 362. Turnix varius, 362. Turtur gelastes. 50. risorius, 146. senegalensis, 346. T3rannus melancholicus, 178. Ulula lapponica, 57, Upucertbia dumetoria, 35. Upupa epops, 253, Uragus sibiricus, 144, 145. TJria grylle, 40. Uroaetus, 210. Urocissa magnirostris, 460. occipitalis, 460. Ui'odrepanis, 125. Urospbena, 204, squamiceps, 205, Urospizias approximans, 361. baplocbroa, 301. torquata, 361. Vanellus cayennensis, 42, 196, 200. Vinago gigantea, 321. Vitia ruficapilla, 121. Volvocivora borueoensis, 313. culminata, 312. iusperata, 123. scbierbrandi, 312. Vultur auricularis, 258. INDEX. 511 Xanl-holfema duvauceli, 9, 299. haMnacepbala, 299, 454. rosea, 285, 299. Xema brunneicephala, 472. Xylolepes validus, 9. Yungipicus fusco-albidus, 290, 291. Yunx torquilla, 458. Zanclostomus javanicus, 287. Zapornia leucophrys, 363. spiloptera, 194. Zenaida maculala, 193. ZoDotricliia canicapilla, 33, 47. pileata, 33, 46, 47, 172. Zonotrichia strigiceps, 47. Zosterops, 70. flaTOgularis, 122. griseonota, 362. lateralis, 303. palpebrosus, 303. ponapensis, 123. 124. ■ ramsayi, 122. xanthochroa, 362. END OF VOL. I. PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, BED HON COTJET, FLEET STREET. SS;^ FOURTH SERIES. a^ Vol. I. No. 1. JANUARY 1877. Frice Qs. WMcl mm IBIS, QUAETEELY JOUENAL OF OENITHOLOGY. EDITED BY OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., F.E.S., STRICKLANK CUEATOR IN THE UNIVEESITY OF CAMBEIDGE, &c. AND PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., BECEETAEY TO THE ZOOLOaiCAL 80CIETY OF LONDON. LONDON: JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATEENOSTEE EOW. Annual Subscription, payable before Slst March each year, £1 Is. j^^^ TAYLOR AND FEANCIS, PRINTERS,] [red lion court, fleet street. ';^JsJS BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. PRESIDENT. The Right Hon. Lord Lilford. SECRETARY. F. DuCane Godman, Esq. committee. The Marquis of Tweeddale. J. Edmund Harting, Esq. Edward R. Alston, Esq. The President. ^ The Editors of ^The Ibis.' > Ex officio. The Secretary. J The British Ornithologists' Union was instituted in 1858 for the advancement of the science of Ornithology. Its funds are devoted primarily to the publication of '^The Ibis/ a Quarterly Journal of Ornithology, of which eighteen volumes have now been completed. The Union consists of Ordinary Members, Honorary Members (limited to ten), and Foreign Members (limited to twenty). Ordinary Members pay an admission fee of £2, and an annual contribution of £1 on election, and £1 on the 1st of January of each subsequent year. Ordinary Members and Honorary Members are entitled to receive a copy of ' The Ibis ' gratis. Authors are entitled to 25 extra copies of their papers pilb- lished in ' The Ibis,' on applying for them to the Secretary. Persons wishing to become Members must be proposed by an Ordinary Member, and their names sent to the Secretary at least a fortnight before the Annual General Meeting, which takes place in April or May of each year. F. DuCANE GODMAN, Secretary. 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W. THE OE^ITHOLOGICAL ABVERTISER. [For Terms of insertion in the ^ Ornithological Advertiser/ which will in future accompany every Number of ' The Ibis/ apply to the Publisher, Mr. J. Van Voorst, 1 Paternoster Row, London, E.G.] OR^ITHOLOaiGAL MEMOIES LATELY PUBLISHED IN THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS FROM NORTH-EASTERN ABYSSINIA AND THE BOGOS COUNTRY. Bv Otto FiNscH, Ph.D., C.M.Z.S. With Notes by the Collector, William Jesse, C.M.Z.S., Zoologist to the Abyssinian Expe- dition. With a Map and 4 Coloured Plates. (Vol. VII. Part IV.) Price 36*. A LIST OF THE BIRDS KNOWN TO INHABIT THE ISLAND OF CELEBES. By Arthur, Viscount Walden, F.R.S., President of the Society. With a Map and 7 Coloured Plates. Also APPENDIX to the same; Avith 3 Coloured Plates. (Vol. VIII. Part 11.) Price 42s. A LIST OF THE BIRDS KNOWN TO INHABIT THE PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO. By Arthur, Viscount Walden, F.R.S., President of the Society. With a Map and II Coloured Plates. (Vol. IX. Part II.) Price 42*. ON THE CURASSOWS NOW OR LATELY LIVING IN THE SOCIETY'S GARDENS. By P. L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., Secretary to the Society. With 14 Coloured Plates. (Vol. IX. Part IV.) Price 425. ON THE AVIFAUNA OP THE GALAPAGOS ARCHI- PELAGO. By Osbert Salvin, M.A., F.R.S. With a Map and 5 Coloured Plates. (Vol. IX. Part IX.) Price 32*. These Publications may be obtained at the Society ^s Office (11 Hanover Square, W.), at Messrs. Longmans', the Society's Publishers (Paternoster Row, E.C.), or through any Bookseller. A HISTOEY OF THE BIRDS OF EUROPE (INCLUDING ALL THE SPECIES INHABITING THE WESTEEN PAL^- AECTIC EEGION). BY H. E. DPvESSEE, E.Z.S. &c., MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, OP THE IMPERIAL SOCIETY OF NATURALISTS OF MOSCOW, OF THE GERMAN ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, CORR. MEMB. OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, &C., &C. A LARGE PORTION OF THE SYNONYMY BY THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE, F.R.S., Pies. Z.S., &c. Published by the Author (by special permissiou) at the Office of the Zoological Society of London^ 11 Hauover Square, W., in Monthly Parts, price 12^. 6d. (to subscribers 10s. 6d.), each Part containing eight hand-coloured Plates and about fifty pages of letterpress. The complete work will contain illustrations of about 600 Species, and will consist of about seventy Parts, exclusive of the General Index, Introduction, Key to Genera and Species, and General Review of the subject, which will be issued separately when the main portion of the work is completed. The Author has so far collected and arranged his material that he is enabled to estimate that the work will be completed early in 1878 Previous to this the subscription list will be closed, after which the price of the work will be 12*. 6d. per Part. The Author undertakes to bind provisionally, in cloth, in Volumes of twelve Parts each, at 5s. per volume, or to supply provisional cloth cases at 2s. 6d. each. When the work is completed the Author will undertake to have it bound, properly arranged and paged ; and a Price-list, showing the cost of the various descriptions of binding, Avill in due time be issued to Subscribers. All communications to be addressed to the Author at 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. Parts I. to LVI. are now ready, price £29 8s. Just published. Price £1 Is. each. Parts I. and 11. of A MONOGEAPH OJP THE CIl^NYIlID-ffi], FAMILY OF SUl^-BIRDS. BY Captain G. E. SHELLEY, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., &c.. Author of 'A Handbook to the Birds of Egypt,' &c. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR AT THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, 6 TENTERDEN STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON, W. Post 8vo, price 6s. THE BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. BY JOHN CORDEAUX, OF GREAT COTES. "We must now take leave of this, the latest contribution to the avifauna of the British Islands, which, as a careful and painstaking record of the arrival of our migratory birds on the shores and flats of the wild and interesting region to which the author's remarks have been limited, may be regarded as almost exhaustive ; and we heartily recommend, as a model for future monographers with similar tastes and equal opportunities, this charming little volume on the ' birds of the Humber District.' "—Annals S,- Mag. of Nat. Hist, May 1873. JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW. Now ready. BRITISH-MUSEUM CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. By E. B. SHARPE. Vol. II. Catalogue of the STRIGES or NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY in the Collection of the British Museum. Svo, xii and 326 pp., with 14 coloured Plates of Owls. Cloth, price 16s. 1875. Price of Vol. I., with 14 coloured Plates of new or little-known Species of Birds of Prey, cloth, 19s. 1874, Bernard Quaritch, 15 Piccadilly, W. In the Press, and shortly to be Published, Demy Svo, Price 7s. Qd. RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST IN EGYPT AND OTHER COUNTRIES. BY J. H. GURNET, JuN. LONDON : JARROLD & SONS, 3 PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS ; AND LONDON STREET, NORWICH. Orders taken by Mr. Porter, 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. ; or by Messrs. Jarbold. Price 10s. NOMENCLATOE AVIUM NEOTEOPICALIUM: Sive avium^ quae in Regione Neotropica liucusque repertse sunt, nomina systematice disposita, adjecta cujusque specie! patria. Ac- cedunt generum et specierum novarum diagnoses. AQCTOEIBUS PHILIPPO LUTLEY SCLATER, A.M., Phil. Doct., ET OSBERTO SALVIN, A.M. This list, which gives the name and range of every species of Bird cer- tainly known to have occurred in America south of the United States, is issued by the authors preparatory to their '■ Index Avium Americanarum ' now long in preparation. It is printed in foolscap folio, with wide margins, so as to leave room for MS. notes and corrections, and can be obtained from the authors at the Office of 'The Ibis,' 6 TENTERDEN STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, W. Complete in Thirteen Parts, imp. 4to, each 21s. ; Large Paper, royal folio, each £2 2s., 186G-69. EXOTIC ORNITHOLOGY, BY PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &c., OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., F.Z.S., &c. Under this title has been completed a series of One Hundred Coloured Litho- graphic Illustrations of New or hitherto Unfigured Birds, to form a Supplement to Buffon's ' Planches Enluminees,' Paris, 1770-86 ; to Temminck's 'Planches Colorizes,' 5 vols., Paris, 1838; and to Des Murs's ' Iconographie Ornithologique,' Paris, 1845-49. The first series of this work contains One Hundred Plates. Each Part contains eight coloured plates and two sheets of letterpress. The thirteenth part contains the last four plates, and the Title and Index to the volume. Only One Hundred and Fifty copies of the work, in imperial 4to, have been printed. The price of each part is £1 Is., to be paid for on delivery. Fifteen copies have been printed on Large Paper, royal folio, to match the Large-Paper issues of Temminck and Des Mm's. The subsciiptiou price of these copies is, each part, £2 2s. PUBLISHED BY B. QUARTICH, 15 PICCADILLY, LONDON, W. The Editors of ' The Ibis ' are glad to receive copies of Books and Papers relating to Ornithology — which will be duly noticed in this Journal. List of Publications received. 1. Dr. J. G. Cooper. New Facts relating to CalifornianOrnitliology. (Proc. Cal. Ac. Sc. 1875.) 2. . Californian Garden-birds. (Ibid. ? 1876 ?) 3. . Nesting Habits of the Californian House-Wren {Troglodytes aedon, var. parkmanni). (BuU. Nuttall Orn. Club.) 4. Dr. O. FiNSCH. Ueber neue und weniger gekannte Vogel von den Viti-, Samoa- und Carolina-Inseln. (Journ. d. Mus. Godefiroy, Heft xii.) 5. J. A. Palmen. Ueber die Zugstrassen der Vogel. Leipzig : 1876. 6. E. MuLSANT. Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux-Moucbes. Tom. iii. Livr. 2. Lyon: 1876. 7. BoGDANOFP. Uebersicbt der Reisen und naturbistoriscben Untersucbun- gen im Aralo-Kaspi-Gebiet seit dem Jabre 1720 bis zum Jabre 1874. St. Petersburg: 1876. 8. T. Salvadori. Catalogo di una collezione di Uccelli dell' Isola di Buru, inviata al Museo Civico di Genova dal Signor A. A. Bruijn. (Ann. Mus. Genov. viii. p. 367.) 9. . Catalogo degli Uccelli raccolti dai Sigg. A. A. Bruijn ed 0. Beccari durante il Viaggio del trasporto da guerra olandese ' Surahaia ' dal Novembre 1875 al Gennaio 1876. (Ann. Mus. Genov. viii. p. 395.) 10. . Intorno alia supposta femmina del Diecsum retrocinctum, Gould. (Ann. Mus, Genov. viii. p. 609.) 11. . Catalogo di una seconda collezione di Uccelli raccolti dal Sig. L. M. D'Albertis nell' Isola Yule e sulla vicina costa della Nuova Guinea e di una piccola collezione deUa regione bagnata dal Fiume Fly. (Ann. Mus. Genov. ix. p. 7.) 12. . Intorno a due piccolo collezioni di Uccelli I'una di Petta (Isole SangbirJ e I'altra di Tifore e di Batang Ketcil, inviate dal Signor A. A. Bruijn al Museo Civico di Genova. (Ann. Mus. Genov. ix. p. 50.) 13. Bulletin of tbe Nuttall Ornitbological Club. Vol. i. no. 4. Nov. 1876. 14. L. Bureau. L'aigle botte, Aquilapennata (Cuvier), d'apres des observa- tions recueillies dans I'ouest de la France. (Ass. Frangaise pour I'Adv. des Sc. Cougres de Nantes : 1875.) 15. H. G. Vennob. Our Birds of Prey, or tbe Eagles, Hawks, and Owls of Canada. Montreal : 1876. CONTENTS OP NUMBEE I.— EOUETH SEEIES. Page I. Contributions to the Ornithology of Borneo. By R. Bowdlee Shaepe 1 If. Description of a new Moorhen from the Hawaiian Islands. By T. H. SxEEETS, M.D., U.S. Navy 25 III. Notes on some Birds observed in the Chupiit Valley, Patagonia, and in the neighbouring District. By H. Duenfoed . . 27 IV. Note on the South-American Song-Sparrows. By P. L. ScLATEE. (Plate I.) 46 V. Ornithological Letters from the Bremen Expedition to Western Siberia. By Dr. Otto Finsch, Ph.D., Hon. Memb. B.O.U., Chief of the Expedition 48 VI. On the Phylloscojpi or Willow-Warblers. By Heney Seebohm, F.Z.S. 06 VII. A Note on the Genus Orihotomus. By R. Bowdlee Shaepe. (Plate II.) 108 VIII. Notices of recent Publications : — 1. Pere David's ' Third Journey in China ' 117 2. The Marquis de Compiegne's 'Equatorial Africa ' 118 3. Riesenthal's 'German Birds of Prey ' 119 4. Allen's 'Birds of Lake Titicaca' 119 5. ' Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales ' . 120 6. Rowley's 'Ornithological Miscellany' 121 7. Blanford's ' Zoology of Eastern Persia " 121 8. Finsch 's ' Ornithology of the Pacific Islands ' 123 9. Shelley's ' Monograph of the Sun-birds ' 124 10. Boucard's ' Catalogus Avium' 125 11. Brijggemann's ' Birds of Celebes ' , 126 12. Gurney's ' Rambles of a Natm-alist ' 127 IX, Letters, Announcements, «fec. : — Letters from Mr. R. Swinhoe and Mr. Seebohm ; Count E. Turati's Collection ; new series of the * Zoologist ;' new work on the fauna of Belgium ; Touquin and the way to get there ; Death of Von Heuglui ; irruption of Snowy Owls from the north . . . 128 Covers for binding last year's Volume may be had on application to the Publisher. Communications may be addressed to the Editors, 6 Tenterden Street, Han- over Square, W. Advertisements &c. to the Publisher, John Van Vooest, 1 Paternoster Row, London, E.C. Members of the B. 0. U. are requested to keep the Secretary, F. Du Cane GoDMAN, Esq., 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W., informed of any change of Residence, so that the Numbers of ' The Ibis' may be sent to them without delay. FOURTH SERIES. Vol. I. No. 2. APRIL 1877. Frice 6s. m THE IBIS, QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. EDITED BT OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., RB.S., STRICKLAND CUEATOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, &c AND PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.E.S., SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. LONDON: JOHN VAN VOOEST, 1, PATERNOSTEE EOW. Annual Subscription, payable before 31st March each year, £1 Is. UHbiTAYLOE and FRANCIS, PEINTERS,] [red lion court, fleet street 9m BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. PRESIDENT. The Right Hon. Lord Lilford. SECRETARY. F. DuCane Godman, Esq. COMMITTEE. The Marquis of Tweeddale. J. Edmund Harting, Esq. Edward R. Alston, Esq. The President. ^ The Editors of 'The Ibis.' > Ex officio. The Secretary. J The British Ornithologists' Union was instituted in 1858 for the advancement of the science of Ornithology. Its funds are devoted primarily to the pubHcation of 'The Ibis/ a Quarterly Journal of Ornithology, of which eighteen volumes have now been completed. The Union consists of Ordinary Members, Honorary Members (limited to ten), and Foreign Members (limited to twenty). Ordinary Members pay an admission fee of £2, and an annual contribution of £1 on election, and £1 on the 1st of January of each subsequent year. Ordinary Members and Honorary Members are entitled to receive a copy of ' The Ibis ' gratis. Authors are entitled to 25 extra copies of their papers pub- lished in ' The Ibis,' on applying for them to the Secretary. Persons wishing to become Members must be proposed by an Ordinary Member, and their names sent to the Secretary at least a fortnight before the Annual General Meeting, which takes place in April or May of each year. F. DuCANE GODMAN, Secretary. 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W. THE OENITHOLOGICAL ABYEETISER. [For Terms of insertion in the ' Ornithological Advertiser/ which will in future accompany every Number of ' The Ibis/ apply to the Publisher, Mr. J. Van Voorst, 1 Paternoster Row, London, E.G.] Just published. Price £1 Is. each. Parts I., II., and III. of A monograph: OP THE CIKIfYEID-ai, OR FAMILY OF SU^-EIRDS. BY Captain G. E. SHELLEY, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., &c., Author of ' A Handbook to the Birds of Egypt,' &c. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOE AT THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH OENITHOLOGISTS' UNION, 6 TENTERDEN STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON, W. BULLETIN or THE NUTTALL OENITHOLOGICAL CLUB: A Quarterly Journal of American Ornithology, under the Editor- ship of J. A. Allen, S. F. Baird, and Elliott Coues. Vol. I. in 4 Parts, 6*. Prepaid Subscription for 1877, 6*. JOHN VAN VOOEST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW. OENITHOLOGICAL MISCELLANY. EDITED BY GEORGE DAWSON ROWLEY, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. Parts I.-VIL, Royal 4to, Price £6 0*. Qd. ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS COLOURED PLATES BY KEULEMANS. LONDON : E. H. PORTER, 6 TENTERDEN STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, W. A HISTOEY OF THE BIRDS OF EUROPE (INCLUDING ALL THE SPECIES INHABITINQ THE WESTEEN PAL^:- ARCTIC EEGION). BY H. E. DEESSER, F.Z.S. &c., MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, OF THE IMPERIAL SOGtETY OF NATURALISTS OF MOSCOW, OF THE GERMAN ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, CORR. MEMB. OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, &C., &C. A LARGE PORTION OF THE SYNONYMY BY THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE, F.R.S., Pies. Z.S., &c. Publislied by the Author (by special permission) at the Office of the Zoological Society of London, 11 Hanover Square, W., in Monthly Parts, price 12s. 6d. (to subscribers 10*. ikl.), each Part containing eight hand-coloured Plates and about fifty pages of letterpress. The complete work will contain illustrations o£ about 600 Sjjecies, and will consist of about seventy Parts, exclusive of the General Index, Introduction, Key to Genera and Species, and General Review of the subject, which will be issued separately when the main portion of the work is completed. The Author has so far collected and arranged his material that he is enabled to estimate that the work will be completed early iu 1878 Previous to this the subscription list will be closed, after which the price of the work Avill be 125. 6d. per Part. The Author undertakes to bind provisionally, iu cloth, in Volumes of twelve Parts each, at os. per volume, or to supply provisional cloth cases at 2s. 6d. each. When the work is completed the Author will undertake to have it bound, properly arranged and paged ; and a Price-list, showing the cost of the various descriptions of binding, will in due time be issued to Subscribers. All communications to be addressed to the Author at G Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. Parts I. to LVI. are now ready, price £29 8s. Part I. now ready, A MONOGRAPH OF THE B U C E R O T I D ^, OK FAMILY OF THE H0E2JBILLS. BY D. G. ELLIOT, F.R.S.E. &c. Under the above title it is proposed to publish a work to contain illustra- tions of all the known species of the Family, It will be issued in Nine Parts — the first eighc to contain six Plates each, with the accompanying letterpress, and the ninth to comprise the remaining Plates, Introduction, List of Subscribers, &c. The Plates will be drawn by Mr. J. G. Keulemans, and all coloured by hand. The edition will be limited to two hundred and fifty copies. The size will be Imperial Quarto, uniform with Temminck's ' Planches Coloriees,' Sclater and fSalvin's ' Exotic Ornithology,' &c. The price will be One Guinea each Part, and when completed the price of the work will be materially advanced. Intending Subscribers are requested to send their names to Mr, R. H. Porter, 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. In the Press, A MONOGEAPH OF THE FELID^, OR FAMILY OF TEE CATS. BY D. G, ELLIOT, F.R.S,E. &c. Under the above designation it is proposed to publish a Work which shall con- tain illustrations of all the known species of this Family, both existing and extinct. The drawings have been prepared by Mr. Wolf, Avhose name is a sufficient guarantee for their fidelity. Their value will be enhanced from the fact that this Work will be the last to contain a complete series of Plates from the pencil of this artist. This Work will be issued in Parts, each to contain four Plates, coloured by hand ; and it is expected that about twelve Parts will complete the publica- tion. The size is Royal Folio, One hundred and fifty copies only will be printed ; and the Drawings will be erased from the stones as soon as this number is reached. The price of each part (to Subscribers only) will be Two Pounds Ten Shil- lings, PAYABLE ON DELIVERY ; and it is expected that a subscription will be continued until the Work is complete. All communications for the Work to be addressed to Mr, R. H. Porter, () Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W., by whom Subscriptions will be received. Publication to commence in the Autumn of 1877. THE GAME BIEBS OF INDIA. BY A. O. HUME, and C. H. T. and G. F. L. MARSHALL. COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS OF ALL THE KNOWN SPECIES. IN THREE YOLUMES. The first will contain the Eustards, Florican, Sandgrouse, Peafowl, Pheasants, Jungle Fowl, and Spur Fowl. The second the Partridges, Quails, and Rails. The third the Cranes, Swans, Geese, Duck, Teal, Snipe, Godwits, Woodcock, &c. ' The price of the three volumes to subscribers will be £4 14s. 6cZ. {£1 lis. 6d. per vol.) if paid in England, or Rs. 54 (Rs. 18 per vol.) if paid in India, Enquiries, Communications. &c., may be addressed to Captain G. F. L. Marshah, R.E., United Service Club, Calcutta. A HISTOEY OF HOETH AMEEICAN BIEBS. BY SPENCER F. BAIRD, T. M. BREWER, and R. RIDGWAY. LAND BIRDS. Three Vols., 4to, witli 593 Woodcuts, 6 i Coloured Plates, and pp. 1814. Price £8 8s. Od., or Uncoloured £Q 6s. 0*. LONDON: TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL. EAMBLES OF A HATUEALIST IN EGYPT AL^D OTIIEE COUNTEIES. BY J. H. GIJRNEY, JuN. LONDON : JARROLD & SONS, 3 PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS ; AND LONDON STREET, NORWICH. Demy 8vo, Price 7s. Qd. Orders taken by Mr. Porteb, 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W, ; or by Messrs. Jabbold. The Editors of ' The Ibis ' are glad to receive copies of Books and Papers relating to Ornithology — which will be duly noticed in this Journal. List op Publications received. 1. AiTGtrsT VON Pelzeln. Ueber eine weitere Sendung von Vogeln aus Ecuador (Verb, der k. k. zool.-'bot. Gesell. Wien, 1876). 2. . Ueber eine von Herrn Dr. Ricbard Ritter von Drascbe dem k.-k. zoologiscben Hofcabinete zum Gescbenk gemacbte Sendung von Vogelbalgen (Verb, der k.-k. zool.-bot. Gesell. Wien, 1876). 3. Omitbologiscbes Oentralblatt, 1877, No. 1. 4. 0. V. EiESKNTHAii. Die Raubvogel Deutscblands. Lief. 1-5, 6. Explorations Across tbe Great Basin of Utab. Appendix K. — Ornithology. A List of Birds by Prof. Spencer F. Baird. Washington : 1876. 6. Omitbologiscber Verein in Wien. Mittbeilungen des Ausscbusses an die Mitglieder, 1876, Nos. 1-4. 7. Major H. H. Godwin- Austen. Fiftb List of Birds from the Hill-ranges of tbe North-east Frontier of India (Journ. Asiatic Soc. Beng. vol. xlv. 1876). 8. August von Pelzeln. Bericht iiber die Leistungen in der Naturge- schicbte der Vogel wabrend des Jabres 1875. 9. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany,' Part vii. March 1877. CONTENTS OP NUMBER II.— EOURTH SERIES. X. Review of the Specimens of TrochiUclce in the Paris Museum, brought by D'Orbigny from South America. By D. G. Elliot, F.R.S.E. &c 133 XI. Notes on two Bii-ds from the Fiji Islands. By T. Saivadobi, C.M.Z.S 142 XII. On the Contents of a fourth Box of Birds from Hakodadi, in Northern Japan. By R, Swinhoe, P.R.S 144 XIII. Ornithological Notes taken during a Yoyage from Ceylon to England, By A. Whtte 148 XIV. On the Salicarice of Dr. Severtzoff. By Henry Seebohm . 151 XV. Supplementary Notes on the Ornithology of Heligoland. By Henky Seebohm 156 XVI. Notes on the Birds of the Province of Buenos Ayres. By Henry Durnford. (Plate III.) 166 XVII. On a new Form of Reed-bird from Eastern Asia. By R. Swinhoe, F.R.S. (Plate IV.) 203 XVIII, A few Observations on some Species of Anihus and Budytes. By W. Edwin Brooks 206 XIX. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Mu- seum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpc (1874). By J. H. Ourney . 209 XX. Notices of recent Publications : — 13. Mosenthal's and Hartiug's ' Ostrich-farming ' 236 14, 'Bulletin' of the Zoological Society of France 237 16. D'Hamonville's Catalogue of the Birds of Eui-ope 238 16. Brown's Travels in British Guiana 239 17. Ornithological Results of the 'Gazelle' Expedition 239 18. 'BuUetin' of the Nuttall Ornithological Club 240 19. Palmen's Migration-routes of Birds 241 20. Dr. Street's Accoimt of the Fanning Islands 241 21. Dr. Ogden on a supposed new Paradise-bird 242 22. Prjevalsky's ' Mongolia and Northern Thibet ' 242 23. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany ' 243 24. Mulsant's ' Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux-Mouches ' . . . . 244 25. Barboza du Bocage's Papers on African Ornithology .... 245 26. Bureau on the Booted Eagle 245 27. Vennor's ' Canadian Birds of Prey ' 246 28. Salvadori's Recent Ornithological Papers 247 29. Salvadori's Prodromus of Papuan Ornithology 249 XXI, Letters, Announcements, &c. : — Letters from Mr. Blanford, Mr. Dauford, Mr. Harvie Brown, Lord Clif- ton, Mr, J, H. Gurney, and The Marquis of Tweeddale ; announce- ments of new works on Madagascar Birds and on Indian Game Birds, and of Explorations in Tenassei-im ; note on the con-ect name of the genus Pitta ; note on the name of Falco dickinsoiii . 249 Covers for binding last year's Volume may be had on application to the Publisher. Communications may be addressed to the Editobs, 6 Tenterden Street, Han- over Square, W. Advertisements &c, to the Publisher, John Van Voorst, 1 Paternoster Row, London, E,C, Members of the B. 0, U. are requested to keep the Secretary, F. Du Cane GoDMAN, Esq,, 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W,, informed of any change of Residence, so that the Numbers of ' The Ibis ' may be sent to them without delay. FOURTH SERIES. Vol. I. No. 3. JULY 1877. Frice Qs. W^.. THE IBIS, A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. EDITED BY OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., F.R.S., STRICKLAND CURATOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, &c. AND PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.K.S. SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. LONDON: JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATEENOSTEE EOW. Annual Suiscription, payable before 21st March each year, £\ Is. ^^^TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, PRINTERS,] [rbd lion court, fleet street. d|; ^^^ ^ BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. PEESIDEITT. The Right Hon. Lord Lilford. SECRET All Y. F. DuCane GodmaNj Esq. COMMITTEE. H. E. Dresser^ Esq. J. Edmund Harting^ Esq. Edward E. Alston, Esq. The President. ^ The Editors of ' The Ibis.^ > Ex officio. The Secretary. j The British Ornithologists^ Union was instituted in 1858 for the advancement of the science of Ornithology. Its funds are devoted primarily to the publication of "^The Ibis/ a Quarterly Journal of Ornithology, of which eighteen volumes have now been completed. The Union consists of Ordinary Members, Honorary Members (hmited to ten), and Foreign Members (limited to twenty). Ordinary Members pay an admission fee of £2, and an annual contribution of .£1 on election, and £1 on the 1st of January of each subsequent year. Ordinary Members and Honorary Members are entitled to receive a copy of ' The Ibis ' gratis. Authors are entitled to 25 extra copies of their papers pub- lished in ' The Ibis,^ on applying for them to the Secretary. Persons wishing to become Members must be proposed by an Ordinary Member, and their names sent to the Secretary at least a fortnight before the Annual General Meeting, which takes place in April or May of each year. F. DuCANE GODMAN, Secretary. 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W, THE ORNITHOLOGICAL ADVERTISER. (No. III. July 1877.) [For Terms of insertion in the ' Ornithological Advertiser/ which will in future accompany every Number of ' The Ibis/ apply to the Publisher, Mr. J. Van Voorst, 1 Paternoster Row, London, E.G.] ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S LATEST PUBLICATIONS, TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. Vol. X. Part I. Price 125. Prof. St. George Mivart, F.R.S. — On the Axial Skeleton of the Struthionidse ; with numerous woodcuts. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY for 1877. Part I., containing the papers read at the Scientific Meetings in January and February 1877. With 25 Plates, mostly coloured, 125. ; with Plates un- coloured, 3*. These Publications may be obtained at the Society's Office (11 Hanover Square, W.), at Messrs. Longman'S; the Society's Publishers (Paternoster Row, E.G.), or through any Bookseller. BULLETIN OP THE NTJTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB: A Quarterly Journal of American Ornithology, under the Editor- ship of J. A. Allen, S. F. Baird, and Elliott Coues. Vol. I., in 4 Parts, Qs. Prepaid Subscription for 1877, Gs. JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW. ORNITHOLOGICAL MISCELLANY. EDITED BY GEORGE DAWSON ROWLEY, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. Parts I.-VIL, Royal 4to, Price J6 0*. 6d. ILLUSTEATED WITH NUMEROUS COLOURED PLATES BY KEULEMANS. LONDON : R. H. PORTER, 6 TENTERDEN STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, W. A HISTOEY OF THE BIRDS OF EUROPE (INCLUDING ALL THE SPECIES INHABITINC THE WESTERN PAL.E- AECTIC REGION). BY II. E. DUESSER, E.Z.S. &c., MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORXITIIOLOGISTs' UNION, OP THE IMPERIAL SOCIETY OF NATURALISTS OF MOSCOW, OF THE GERMAN ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, CORR. MEMB. OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, &C. &C. A LARGE PORTION OF THE SYNONYMY BY THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE, F.R.S., Pres. Z.S., &c. Published by the Author (by special permission) at the Office of the Zoological Society of London^ 11 Hanover Square^ W., in Monthly Parts, price 12^. 6d. (to subscribers 10*. 6c?.), each Part containing eight hand-coloured Plates and about fifty pages of letterpress. The complete work will contain illustrations of about 600 Species, and will consist of about seventy Parts, exclusive of the General Index, Introduction, Key to Genera and Species, and General Review of the subject, which will be issued separately when the mam portion of the work is completed. The Author has so far collected and arranged his material that he is enabled to estimate that the work will be completed early in 1878= Previous to this the subscription list Avill be closed, after which the price of the work will be 12*. 6d. per Part. The Author undertakes to bind provisionally, in cloth, in Volumes of twelve Parts each, at 5^. per volume, or to supply provisional cloth cases at 2s. 6d. each. When the work is completed the Author will undertake to have it bound, properly arranged and paged; and a Price-list, showing the cost of the various descriptions of binding, will in due time be issued to Subscribers. All communications to be addressed to the Author at 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. Parts I. to LVI. are now ready, price £29 8s. Publication to ooinmeuce in the Aiituniu of 1877. THE GAME BIEDS OF INDIA. BY A. O. HUME, and C. H. T. and G. F. L. MARSHALL. COLOUEED ILLUSTEATIONS OF ALL THE KNOWN SPECIES. IN THEEE VOLUMES. The first will contain the Bustards, Plorican, Sandgrouse, Peafowl, Pheasants, Jungle Fowl, and Spur Fowl. The second the Partridges, Quails, and Pails. The third the Cranes, Swans, Geese, Duck, Teal, Snipe, Godwits, Woodcock, &c. The price of the three volumes to subscribers will be -£4 14s. 6d. (£1 lis. 6d. per vol.) if paid in England, or Es. 54 (Rs. 18 per vol.) if paid in India. Inquiries, Communications, &c., may be addressed to Captain G. F. L. Marshall, P.E., United Service Club, Calcutta. A HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. by' SPENCER F. BAIRD, T. M. BREWER, and R. RIDGWAY. LAND BIRDS. Three Vols., 4to, with 593 Woodcuts, 64 Coloured Plates, and pp. 1814. Price £S 8s. Od., or Uncoloured £Q Qs. Os. LONDON: TPUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL. RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST IN EGYPT AND OTHER COUNTRIES. BY J. H. GURNEY, JuN. LONDON : JARROLD & SONS, 3 PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS ; AND LONDON STREET, NORWICH. Demy 8vo, Price 7s. Qd. Orders taken by Mr. Pouter, 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. ; or bv Messrs, Jarrold. Part 1. now ready, A MONOGRAPH OF THE B U C E E 0 T I D ^, OB FAMILY OF THE HOENBILLS. BY D. G. ELLIOT, F.R.S.E. &c. Under the above title it is proposed to publish a work to contain illustra- tions of sill the known species of the Family. It will be issued in Nine Parts — the first eight to contain six Plates each, with the accompanying letterpress, and the ninth to comprise the remaining Plates, Introduction, List of Subscribers, &c. The Plates will be drawn by Mr. J. G. Keulemans, and all coloured hy hand. The edition will be limited to two hundred and fifty copies. The size will be Imperial Quarto, uniform with Temminck's ' Planches Coloriees,' Sclater and Salvin's ' Exotic Ornithology,' &c. The price will be One Guinea each Part ; and when completed the price of the work will be materially advanced. Intending Subscribers are requested to send their names to Mr. R. H. PoRTEK, 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. Just published. Price £1 Is. each. Parts I., II., III., and IV. of A MONOGRAPH THE CINNYRID-aS, OR FAMILY OF SUN-BIRDS. BY Captain G. E. SHELLEY, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., &c., Author of ' A Handbook to the Birds of Egypt,' &c. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR AT THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, 6 TENTERDEN STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON, W. The Editors of *^The Ibis^ are glad to receive copies of Books and Papers relating to Ornithology — which will be duly noticed in this Journal. List of Publications received since the issue of No. 2. 1. E. r. V. HoMEYEB. Deutschlands Saugethiere und Vogel, ihr Nutzenund Schaden. 2. ToMMASO Salvadori. OsserTazioni intomo alle specie del genere Myris- ticivora, Echb. (Annali del Mus. Civ. di St. Nat, di Genova, vol. ix. 1876-77). 3. . Intorno alle specie del genere Talegallus, Less. (Annali del Mus. Civ. di St. Nat. di GenoYa, vol. ix. 1876-77). 4. . Note intomo ad alcuni uccelli raccoiti durante 1' esplorazione del Fiume Fly, per L. M. D'Albertis (Annali del Mus. Civ. di St. Nat. di Geneva, vol. X. 1877). 6. . Prodromus Omitliologiae Papuasiae et Moluccarum (Annali del Mus. Civ. di St, Nat. di Genova, vol. x, 1877). 6. . Intorno alle specie di Nettariuie della Papuasia, delle Molucche e del Gruppo di Celebes (Atti della Eeale Accademia delle Sci, di Torino, vol. vii, p. 299), 7. O. Beccaei. Le Capanne ed i Giardini dell' Amlhjornis inornata (An- nali del Mus. Civ. di St. Nat. di Genova, vol. ix. 1876-77). 8. J. V. Eabeoza eu Bocage. Aves das possessoes Portuguezas de Africa occidental. Lista 13. (Jorn. de Sci, Matbem, Pbys. e Nat. no. xxi. 1877). 9. J.A.Allen. Progress of Ornithology in the United States during the Last Century (Amer. Nat. vol. x. pp. 636-550, 1876). 10. Eowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany/ Part viii. May 1877. 11. Eeport upon Geographical and Geological Surveys West of the 100th Meridian in charge of First-Lieut, Geo. M, Wheeler, — Vol, v. Zoology. 4to. Washington, 1875, 12. G. N, La WHENCE. Description of a New Species of Bird of the Genus Fitanxjus (Ann, Lye, N, Y. xi.), 13. J. A. Harvie Beown. On the Distribution of Birds in North Eufsia (Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xix. pp. 277-290). 14. Blanfoed, W. T. The African Element in the Fauna of India (Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, xviii. pp. 277-294), 15. M, E, Oustalet, Sur une nouvelle espece d'lbis {Ibis giganted) (Bull. Soc, Philomathique de Paris, 7® ser. t. i. p. 25). 16. Geographische Gesellschaft in Bremen. Westsibirische Forschungsreise 1876 imter Fiihrung von Dr. O, Finsch, Catalog der Ausstellung ethnogra- phischer und naturwissenschaftlicher Sammlungen, Mit erlauteniden Bemer- kungen von Dr, O, Finsch, 8vo, Bremen, 1877, 17. Notes on the Ornithology of the Eegion about the Source of the Eed Eiver of Texas, from observaticns made during the Exploration conducted by Lieut. E, H. Euf&er, Corps of Engineers, U,S.A, By C. A, H. M'Caulev, and anno- tated by Dr. Elliott Coues. (BuU. U.S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey of the Terri- tories, vol. iii. no. 3, 1877.) CONTENTS OE NUMBER III.— EOURTH SERIES. Page XXII. A Contributioa to the Ornithology of Asia Minor. By C. G. Danford 261 XXIII. Recent Observations on the Parrots of the Genus Eclectus. By W. A. Forbes, F.Z.S. 274 XXIV. Notes on a Collection of Birds made by Mr. E. C. Buxton in the district of Lampong, S.E. Sumatra. By Arthur, Marquess of Tweeddale, M.B.O.U. (Plates V. & VI.) . 283 XXV. Report on the Additions to the Collection of Birds in the British Museum in 1875 323 XXVI. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Mu- seum,' by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurney 325 XXVII. General Remarks on the Avifauna of Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands. By Dr. G. Hartlatjb 334 XXVIII. Description of a new Species of OalUste and of a new Humming-bird of the Genus Heliangclus. By A. von Pelzelit, Hon. Memb. B.O.U 337 XXIX. Additional Notes on the Ornithology of the Republic of Transvaal. By Thomas Atres. Communicated by John Henry Gurney. (Plate VII.) 339 XXX. Notes on the Avifauna of New Caledonia. By Edgar L. Layard, C.M.G., F.Z.S., &c., H.B.M. Consul, and E. Leopold C. Layard, Vice-Consul at Noumea .... 355 XXXI. Notes on some Birds collected during the Exploration of the Fly River. By M. L. D'Albertis, C.M.Z.S. . . .363 XXXII. Notices of recent Publications : — 30. Baldwin's ' Large and Small Game of Bengal ' S7'2 31. ' Vagrancy Acts ' 373 32. Orton's ' Andes and the Amazon ' 373 33. * Log-letters from the Challenger ' 374 34. 'The Cruise of the ChaUenger' 374 35. ' Stray Feathers ' 374 36. Sharpe's edition of Layard's ' Birds of South Africa ' . . . . 375 37. Heuglin's ' Journey in North-eastern Africa ' 375 38. Elliot's Monogriiph of the Hornbills 376 39. Gould's ' Bhds of New Guinea ' 377 40. Gould's 'Birds of Asia' 377 41. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany ' 378 42. Beccari's Account of the Playing-places oi Arnhhjornis inoniata. 379 43. Salvadori's Recent Ornithological Papers 379 44. Barboza du Bocage's Thirteenth List of African Birds .... 380 45. Homeyer upon German Mammals and Birds 380 46. Allen's ' Progress of Ornithology in the United States ' . . .381 47. Pelzeln on Birds from Ecuador 383 48. Pelzeln on Additions to the Imperial Museum at Vienna . . . 383 49. Pelzeln's Report on the Progress of Ornithology in 1875 . . . 384 50. Baird's ' Ornithology of Utah ' 384 51. Major God win- Austen's List of Birds from the Hills of the N.E. Frontier of India 385 XXXIII. Letters, Announcements, &c. : — Letters from the Marquess of Tweeddale (two), Edward R. Alston, T. M. Brewer, J. H. Gurney, jun., W. Edwin Brooks, J. H. Gurney, H. Schalow, and T. Salvador! ; Roraima and its Mysteries ; Trans- lation of Miiller's memoir on the Voice-organs of the Passeres . . 38") Covers for binding last year's Volume may be had on application to the Publisher. Cominunications may be addressed to the Editors, 6 Tenterden Street, Han- over Square, W. Advertisements &c. to the Publisher, John Van Voorst, 1 Paternoster Row, London, E.C. Members of the B. 0. U. are requested to keep the Secretary, F. Du Cank Godman, Esq., 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W., informed of any change of Residence, so that the Numbers of ' The Ibis' may be sent to them without delay. ^S9 FOURTH SERIES. ^g Vol. I. No. 4. OCTOBER 1877. Price 65. i THE IBIS, QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. EDITED BY OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., F.R.S., STBICKLANl* CUEATOR IN THE UNIVEKSITT OF CAMBRIDGE, &c. AND PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.K.S., SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. LONDON: JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW. Annual Subscription, payable before dlst March each year, £1 Is. JtATLOE and FRANCIS, PSINTEBS,] [red lion court, fleet STRE ET.^^ BEITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. PRESIDENT. The Right Hon. Lord Lilford. SECRETARY. F. DuCane GodmaNj Esq. COMMITTEE. H. E. Dresser, Esq. J. Edmund Harting, Esq. Edward R. Alston, Esq. The President. ^ The Editors op 'The Ibis.' >Ex officio. The Secretary. ) The British Ornithologists' Union was instituted in 1858 for the advancement of the science of Ornithology. Its funds are devoted primarily to the publication of 'The Ibis/ a Quarterly Journal of Ornithology, of which eighteen volumes have now been completed. The Union consists of Ordinary Members, Honorary' Members (limited to ten), and Foreign Members (limited to twenty). Ordinary Members pay an admission fee of £2, and an annual contribution of £1 on election, and £1 on the 1st of January of each subsequent year. Ordinary Members and Honorary Members are entitled to receive a copy of ' The Ibis ' gratis. Authors are entitled to 25 extra copies of their papers pub- lished in ' The Ibis,' on applying for them to the Secretary. Persons wishing to become Members must be proposed by an Ordinary Member, and their names sent to the Secretary at least a fortnight before the Annual General Meeting, which takes place in April or May of each year. F. DuCANE GODMAN, Secretary. 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W. The Editors of ' The Ibis * are glad to receive copies of Books and Papers relating to Ornithology — which will be duly noticed in this Journal. List of Publications received since the issue of No. 3. 1. Eowley's * Omitliological Miscellany,' Part ix. July 1877. 2. Annual Report upon the Geographical Surreys West of the One Hundredth Meridian, in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Ari- zona, and Montana. By Geo. M. Wheeleb, First Lieutenant of Engineers, U.S.A. ; being Appendix JJ of the Annual Report of the Chief Engineers for 1876. 8yo. Washington : 1876. 3. H. T. Whabton. a List of British Birds, arranged according to Sunde- vaU's Method. London : 1877. 4. E. P. Ramsay. Papers read before the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 1877. 5. G. F. L. Mabshall. Bird's-nesting in India. Calcutta : 1877. 6. R. B. Shaepe. Transit-of-Venus Expedition. Birds of Kerguelen Island. 7. J. A. Habvie Bbown. On the Distribution of Birds in North Russia. Pai't iii. (Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 4, Sep. 1877.) 8. R. RiDGWAY. Sexual, Individual, and Geographical Variation in the Genus Zeucosticte. (Forest and Field, Sept. 1876.) 9. R. RiDGWAY, The Birds of Guadalupe Island. (Bull. Nutt. Orn. (]lub, ii., July 1877.) 10. J. V. Babboza du Bocage. Ornithologie d' Angola. Premiere Partie. Lisbonne: 1877. CONTENTS OE NUMBER IV.— EOUHTH SERIES. Page XXXIV. List of Birds observed in Smith Sound and the Polar Basin during the Arctic Expedition of 1875-76. By H. W. Feilden 401 XXXY. On the Nesting of the SpoonbiU in HoUand. By P. L. ScLATER and W. A. Forbes 412 XXXVI. Remarks on Buceros bicornis, Linn. By D. G. Elliot, F.E.S.E. &c 416 XXXVII. Notes on a ' Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Museum,' by K. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurnet 418 XXXVIII. Description of two new Ant-birds of the Genus GraUaria, with a List of all the known Species of the Genus. By P. L. ScLATER, M.A., F.R.S. (Plates VIII., IX.) . . 437 XXXIX. Note on Pellorneum tichelK, Blyth. By Arthur, Marquis of TwEEDDALE, M.B.O.U. (Plates X., XI.) . . . .451 XL. Notes on some Burmese Birds. By Lieutenant Wardlaw Ramsat, 67th llcgiment, M.B.O.U. (Plates Xll., XIII.) 452 XLL On a new Bird from Formosa. By R. Swinhoe, F.R.S. (Plate XIV.) 473 XLII. A few words on the Parrots of the Genus Eclectus, Wagler. By T. Salvadori, C.M.Z.S 474 XLIII. Notices of recent Publications : — 52. Salvadori on the Papuan Parrots 476 53. Salvadori on Papuan and Malaccan Nectarinians 477 §4. Salvadori on D'Albertis's Collections of 1872 _ _. 477 55. Sbarpe's * Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum,' vol. iii. 477 56. Sharpe 's Birds of Kerguelen Island 479 57. Lawrence on a new Pitangus 481 58. Rowley's ' Ornithological Miscellany ' 481 59. E. P. Ramsay's Papers in the ' Proceedings of the Linnean So- ciety of New South Wales ' 482 60. Wharton's ' List of British Birds ' 483 61. Marshall's 'Bird's-nesting in India' 484 62. M'Cauley's ' Birds of the Red Rivor of Texas ' 484 63. Lieut. Wheeler's Reports upon Surveys west of tlie DOth Meridian ' 485 64. Finsch's Collections from Siberia 486 65. Oustalet on new species of Ibis 486 XLIV. Letters, Announcements, &c. : — Letters from the Marquis of Tweeddale (two), Mr. D. G. Elliot, Dr. A. B. Meyer, Mr. J. H. Gurney, Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., and Col. L. Howard Irby ; notes on Bonaparte's Lophorhina respuhlica and Dr. Briiggemann's new species of Polyplectron 487 Index 495 Title-page, Preface, List of Members of B. 0. TJ., Contents, and List of Plates, &c. Covers for binding last year's Volume may be had on application to the Publisher. Communications may be addressed to the Editors, 6 Tenterden Street, Han- over Square, W. Advertisements &c. to the Publisher, John Van Voorst, iV\ 1 Paternoster Row, London, E.C. \ Members of the B. O. U. are requested to keep the Secretary, F. Du Canb GoDMAN, Esq., 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W., informed of any change of Residence, so that the Numbers of ' The Ibis ' may be sent to them without delay. m^ N. •APR 69 MANCHESTER, INiniANA