(i ¥. at Raat nN aie Poe PBL Ss. A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. EDITED BY PRIBLP GLUTLEYSSCLATHWR: M.A, Ph.D), E-RS., SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, EIEN, VOle Vis--189a: SIXTH SERIES. Cognovi omnia volatilia cceli. FON DON: GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW, (Successors To J. VAN VOORST.) 1893. ALERE FLAMMAM. PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCTS RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. PREFACE. In bringing the thirty-fifth volume of ‘The Ibis’ to a conclusion, the Editor has but few words to say by way of preface. He may, however, justly con- eratulate his brother Members of the British Orni- thologists’ Union on the long life of their Journal and on its present prosperous condition. Not only is the latest number a full one, but valuable materials are already in hand nearly sufficient to fill the first number for next year, and other con- tributions from various excellent correspondents are promised for future issue. The Editor trusts, there- fore, that he may be able to conduct the Sixth Series of ‘The Ibis, the sole Editorship of which he did not consent to undertake without very serious hesita- tion, to a successful end. Ornithology has made much quiet progress during the past twelve months, although there is, perhaps, no event of specially transcendent importance to be chronicled. The publication of Count Salva- dori’s well-executed volume on the Pigeons brings the great Catalogue of Birds one step nearer to its conclusion, besides supplying us with a manual 1V PREFACE. on this much-esteemed group manifestly ‘‘up to date.” The appointment of Herr Ernst Hartert to the responsible post in this country as Curator of the ‘Tring Museum will also be welcomed by Ornitho- logists, as bringing a most able and active recruit into a position where he will have great opportunities for doing valuable service to our beloved Science. Our best thanks are due to Mr. Rothschild for this admirable selection. Lastly, we must call attention to the establishment of the British Ornithologists’ Club, which has taken place since we last addressed our readers, and to the very successful accomplishment of its First Session. Nearly all the working Members of our Union have already joined the new Association, and its prosperity fully justifies those who planned the scheme and carried it out. We have no doubt that its meetings and records, which we propose to continue to chronicle in this Journal, will be of material advantage to the progress of Ornithology. Ps Tess: 3 Hanover Square, London, W. Sept. 28th, 1893. Io 5) BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1893. [An asterisk indicates an Original Member. It is particularly requested that Members will give notice to the Secretary of the Union, 10 Chandos Street, London, W., of any error in their addresses or descriptions in this List, in order that it may be immediately corrected. | Date of Election. 1893. Ernest L. 8. Anne, Major; Blenkinsopp Castle, Greenhead, Carlisle. 1887. Freprerick Cuartes Artin ; Bodicote, Banbury, Oxon. 1888. Oxtver Vernon Artin; Bloxham, Banbury, Oxon. 1885. James Backuouss, Jun., F.Z.8.; Renoso, Victoria Avenue, Harrogate. 1892. E. C. Srevarr Baker; District Superintendent of Police, Gunjong, Cachar, Assam, India. 1879. Varentine Barr, F.R.S.; Science and Art Museum, Dublin. 1889. Ricuarp James Batston, F.Z.S.; Springfield, Maidstone. 1890. Francis Hupert Barctay; Knott’s Green, Leyton. 1872. Hanspury Barctay, Colonel, F.Z.8.; Tingrith Manor, Woburn, Bedfordshire. 1885. Huen G. Barctay ; Colney Hall, Norwich. 1884. Henry E. Barnes, Lieut., F.Z.S.; Commissariat Officer, Ahmednagar, Deccan, India. 1889. Grratp Barrerr-Hamitton; Kilmannock House, New Ross, Wexford. 1881. Ricuarp Manuirre Barrineton, LL.B.; Fassaroe, Bray, co. Wicklow. 1893. Ausyn B. R. Trevor-Barryr, F.Z.S., St. Margaret’s Mansions, 51 Victoria Street, S.W. 1884. Franx E. Bepparp, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.8., Prosector to the Zoological Society of London ; Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W. 1880. Epwarp Bipwett; 1 Trig Lane, Upper Thames Street, Lon- don, E.C. 1884. Cuartes T, Bryenam, Major (Indian Staff Corps), F.Z.S. ; Deputy Conservator of Forests, Moulmein, Burma. 25 30 40 Date of Election. 1892. 1891. 1893. 1873. 1893. 1878. 1885. 1890. 1892. 1868. vi The Rev. Maurice C. H. Brrp, M.A.; Brunstead Rectory, Stalham, Norfolk. F, KE. Braauw, C.M.Z.8.; s’Graveland, Hildersum, Holland. Ernest W. H. Brace; Greenhill, Cheadle, Staffordshire. Witt14Mm T. Buanrorp, F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; 72 Bedford Gardens, Kensington, W. Grorce Boram, F.Z.S.; Castlegate, Berwick-on-Tweed. Wi11AM Borrer, M.A., F.L.S.; Cowfold, Horsham. Wit1am F. Brocxnorts; Claughton-on-Brock, Garstang, Lancashire. Harry Brriystty Brooxe; 33 Egerton Gardens, Kensington, W. WitriaMm E. Brooxs; Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada. Tuomas Epwarp Bucktey, B.A., F.Z.8. ; Rossal, Inverness, NSB. . Sir Warter Lawry Borrer, K.C.M.G., Sc.D., F.R.S.,C.M.Z.8. ; Wellington, New Zealand. . E. A. Burier, Lieut.-Col. ; Herringfleet Hall, Lowestoft. . Georrrey Fowrrt Buxton; Sunny Hill, Thorpe, Norwich. . Ewen SomERLeD Cameron, F.Z.S8. . Joun Duncan Cameron ; Low Wood, Bethersden, near Ashford, Kent. . CHartes Wriitiam Campsett, C.M.Z.8.; H.B.M. Consular Service, Shanghai, China. . Joun Campsett, Colonel, Governor-General of Prisons; Perth. 79. Sir Toomas Davin Grpson-CarmicuaeEL, Bart., F.Z.S.; Castle Craig, Dolphinton, N.B. . JAMES Carter; Burton House, Masham, Yorkshire. . Cuartes Joun Puitip Cave, F.Z.8.; Ditcham Park, Petersfield. . Watter Cuampertarn, F.Z.8.; Harborne Hall, Harborne, near Birmingham. . Apri Cuapman; 14 Thornhill Gardens, Sunderland. . Roserr Wirt1am Cuasr; Southville, Priory Road, Edgbas- ton, Birmingham. . SterHeNson Rosert Crarke, F.Z.8.; 25 Chesham Street, S.W., and Croydon Lodge, Croydon, Surrey. . Witrram Eaete Crarxe, F.L.S.; Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. . E. H. Cooprr, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S.; 42 Portman Square, London, W. . Joun Corpravx; Great Cotes, R.S.O., Lincoln. 45 5° 55 60 65 Date of Election, 1888. 1882. 1892. 1882. NO Tid. 1874. 1883. 1893. vu Wittram Witrrip Corpraux ; Queen’s Bays, India. Cuartes B. Cory, F.Z.S.; 8 Arlington Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A. Harotp MrrcuettCourace; Snowdenham, Bramley, Guildford, Puitie Crowtey, F.Z.8.; Waddon House, Waddon, Croydon. Joun J. Daterutse; Brankston Grange, Bogside Station, Stirling, N.B. Cuarues G. Danrorp, F.Z.8.; Hatszeg, Siebenbiirgen, Hun- gary, and Conservative Club, St. James’s Street, London, S.W. James Davipson; 32 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh. W. E. De Winron; Graftonbury, Hereford, and 38 Great Russell Street, W.C. . Witttam Henry Dosis, M.R.C.S.; 22 Upper Northgate Street, Chester. 83. Scrorpe B. Dore; Public Works Department, Bombay. . Arraur Dowsert, F.Z.8.; Castle Hill House, Reading. >. Henry Ertes Dresser, F.LS., F.Z.8.; Topclyffe Grange, Farnborough, Beckenham, Kent. *Henry Maurice Drummonp-Hay, C.M.Z.8., Lieut.-Col., Royal Perth Rifles; Seggieden, Perth. . James A. G. Drummonn-Hay (Coldstream Guards); Guards’ Club, Pall Mall, §.W. . W. Agruur Durnrorp, J.P.; Elsecar, Barnsley. 76. Guorce Le C. Eexrrron, Capt. R.N.; Bury Grange, Alver- stoke, Hants. . Dantet Grravup Exxiot, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.; American Museum of Natural History, New York, . Ateprnon Exriorr, Deputy Commissioner, Yeotmahl, Berar, HAL D.~ India; . Henry Jonn Etwes, F.Z.S.; Colesborne Park, Cheltenham. . Artour Humste Evans, M.A., F.Z.S8.; 9 Harvey Road, Cam- bridge. . Witt1aM Evans, F.R.S.E. ; 184 Morningside Park, Edinburgh. . AtrreD Hast Everett, C.M.Z.S.; care of Central Labuan Co., Labuan, Borneo. . WittmmM Grorce Farrpripen; 133 Long Market Street, Capetown. 73. Henry Wemyss Fritpen, Col., C.M.Z.S.; West House, Wells, Norfolk, and Junior United Service Club, St. James’s, 8.W. 7° 75 So go vill Date of Election. 1886. Harop Srvarr FErevson, Lieut. Nair Brigade ; Trevandrum, Travancore. 1891. Leoporp Frep, F.Z.8.; St. Stephen’s Club, Bridge Street, Westminster, S.W. 1892. Frayx Finn, B.A., F.Z.S.; Mote House, Mote Road, Maid- stone. 1890, Lionen Fisner; Kandy, Ceylon. 1884. Henry Oce Forses, F.Z.S.; 104 Philbeach Gardens, S.W., and care of O. E. Janson, 44 Great Russell Street, W.C. 1880. Witriam Foster ; The Hill, Witley, Surrey. 1887. W. W. Fowrrr, M.A.; Lincoln College, Oxford. 1865. Rev. Hewry Exzrorr Fox, M.A.; 12 South Bailey, Durham. 1881. Percy Evans Frexr; 9 Sydenham Road, Dundrum, co. Dublin. 1881. Hans Gapow, Ph.D., F.Z.S.; University Zoological Museum, Cambridge. 1886. Caartes Wizviam Franers, Earn or GarnsporoucH ; Exton Park, Oakham. 1885. Sir Rare Payne Gattwey, Bart. ; ; Thirkleby Park, Thirsk. 1892. Jonny Gerrarp ; Government Taeneetor of Mines, Worsley, Manchester. 1879. Eryxst Grpson ; care of Thos. Gibson , Hsq., 1 Eglinton Court, Edinburgh. *Freperick DuCanr Gopmay, F.R.S., F.Z.S.; 10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London, W. * Percy Sanpen Gopmay, B.A., C.M.Z.S. ; Muntham, Horsham. 1874. H. H. Gopwin-Avsrey, Lieut.-Col., F.BR.S.; F.Z.8.; Shal- ford House, Guildford. 1884. Joun G. Gooncuinp, F.Z.8.; Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. 1886. Witr1am Granam, F.Z.S.; Manor House, Crayford, Kent. 1890. Wittram R. Oeinviz Granr; 26 Hereford Square, S.W. 1885. F. H. H. Gumzmanp, M.A., M.D., F.Z.S. : ; Eltham, Kent. 1876. Aupert C. L. G. Gutnrner, M. A. M.D: ERS. EZS); Keeper of the Zoological Desnathicae British ees (Natural History), London, S.W. 1870. Joun Henry Gurvey, F.Z.8.; Keswick Hall, Norwich, and Atheneum Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 95 100 105 110 115 Px Date ot Election. 1890. Josova Reynotps Gascor6n Gwatxin ; Manor House, Potterne, Devizes. 1891. Grorer Henry Caron Haren; Grainsby Hall, Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire. 1887. Joan Prrypett Witron Haines; The Lodge, Gloucester. 1886. Epwarp Hamrtron, M.D., F.LS., F.Z.8.; 16 Cromwell Place, S.W. 1883. Lewis Vernon Harcourt; Malwood, Lyndhurst, Hants. 1876. Hunry Cartes Harrorp, Major 2nd Wilts Regt.; Glen Froome, Nelson Crescent, Southsea. 1877. Epwarp Harerrr, F.Z.S.; 1 Northanger Road, Streatham Common, S.W. 1893. Ernst Harrerr; The Museum, Tring, Herts. 1868. James Epmunp Harrine, F.LS., F.Z.S.; Linnean Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W. 1893. Witt1am Hartmann; Tangley Mere, Chilworth, Surrey. 1873. Joun A. Harvin-Brown, F.Z.S.; Dunipace House, Larbert, NEB: 1892. Epwarp Surer Hassett; Victoria, British Columbia. 1868. Rev. Herserr 8. Hawwins, M.A.; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk. 1887. Coartes T. Hespert, F.Z.S.; The Rhodrons, Hook, Kingston- on-Thames. 1884. ¢. J. Hotpsworrn; Hill Top, near Kendal, Westmoreland. 1877. E. W. H. Horpswortn, F.Z.8.; South Town, Dartmouth, Devon. 1891. Arraur H. Horranp; Sta. Elena, Soler, F. C. al Pacifico, Buenos Ayres. 1888. Hersert Knicur Horsrietp; Ivy Lodge, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. 1893. Cuartes Hosp, F.Z.S.; Resident, Baram, Sarawak, Borneo. 1881. Roserr James Howarp; Hawkhurst, Blackburn, Lancashire. *Witrrip Hupieston Hupresron, M.A., F.RS., F.ZS. ; 8 Stanhope Gardens, 8.W. 1893. Witriam Henry Hupsoy, C.M.Z.8.; Tower House, St. Luke’s Road, Westbourne Park, W. 1869. Attan Octavian Hume, C.B., C.S.1., F.Z.8.; The Chalet, Kingswood Road, Upper Norwood, 8.E. 1890. Henry Cuartes Vicars Hunrer; 45 Lennox Gardens, 8.W. 1870. Hepworru Hyrron, Lord Hytroy, F.Z.8. ; Merstham House, Xed Hill, Surrey. 120 130 Date of Election. 1870. 1888. 1892. 1889. 1891. 1880. 1882. 1891. 1892. 1882. 1892. 1884. 1881. 1892. 1892. 1885. 1876. Leonarp Howarp L. Irpy, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S.; 14 Corn- wall Terrace, Regent’s Park, N.W. Freperick J. Jackson, F.Z.8.; 13 Westbourne Square, W. Henry Asuwortn James; 11 Oxford Square, Hyde Park, W. Freprrick Ponsonsy Jounson; Castlesteads, Brampton, Cumberland. Henry Hamitton Jounston, C.B., F.Z.S.; The Residency, Zomba, British Central Africa, vi@ Zanzibar and Chindi: Henry Roperr Keruam, Major, 2nd Bn. Highland Light Infantry ; Fyzabad, India. Puitie M.C. Kermopr; Hillside, Ramsay, Isle of Man. J. Granam Kerr; Christ’s College, Cambridge. Francis Arnotp Kyicur; Brynmelyn, Weston-super-Mare. Rey. Epw. Ponsonsy Knusiry, M.A.; Staveley Rectory, Leeds. Tuomas Gepprs Larmraw; Bank of Scotland, Morningside Branch, Edinburgh, and 8 Morningside Road, Edinburgh. Hersert Laneron; 11 Marlborough Place, Brighton. Hon. Geratp Lascettes; Queen’s House, Lyndhurst. Joun Davin Dievxs pr La Toucuz ; Chinese Imperial Mari- time Customs, Amoy, China. Artuur Moors Laws; Little Clacton Lodge, near Colchester. George Lawson, C.B.; 36 Craven Hill Gardens, Hyde Park, W: Witiiam Vincent Lreer, Col. R.A., F.Z.S. ; Commandant’s Office, Hobart Town, Tasmania, and Cullenswood House, St. Mary’s, Tasmania. . Hanon Lz Srranee, F.Z.S.; Hunstanton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. . Pager Watrer Le Srranes, Col. R.A.; Dol-lan, Llandyssil, South Wales. . Freperick Lewis; Assistant Conservator of Forests, Ratna- pura, Ceylon. CuristopHeR Jonn Leyranp; Haggerston Castle, Beal, Northumberland. Haroitp Lirrreparzr, B.A.; Vice-Principal, The College, Baroda. *THomas Lyrrieron, Lord Linrorp, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; Lilford Hall, Oundle. X1 Date of Election. 140 1874. 1889. S77: 1886. 1875. 145 1878. 1878. 1883. 1886. 1879. 150 1892. 1890. 1864. 1887. 1886. 155 1893. 1892. 1885. 1882. 1876. 160 1872. Joun Hayes Luioyp, Col., F.Z.S.; 95 Adelaide Road, N.W. Artuur Purvis Loyp, F.Z.S. (late Major 21st Hussars) ; 3 Queen’s Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W. James LumspeEn, F.Z.S.; Arden House, Alexandria, N.B. Rev. Huan Atexanper Macpuerson, M.A.; 11 Victoria Place, Carlisle. Joun Wrinerretp Matcor, F.Z.S. ; 7 Great Stanhope Street, Mayfair, W. Henry Sracy Marks, R.A., F.Z.S.; 17 Hamilton Terrace, St. John’s Wood, N.W. Rey. Murray A. Marnew, M.A., F.L.S.; Buckland Dinham, Frome, Somersetshire. Epmunp Gustavus Broomrrerp Mreapr-Waxpo, F.Z.8S.; Rope Hill, Lymington, Hants. Joon Guitte Mitnats, F.Z.8.; 2 Palace Gate, Kensington, W. Freperick Saaw Mircuert; Edmonton, Alberta, N. W. T., Canada. Sr. George Mivart, Ph.D., M.D., F.R.S.; Hurstecote, Chil- worth, Surrey. Tomas James Monx; St. Anne’s, Lewes, Sussex. ALEXANDER Goopman More, F.L.S.; 74 Leinster Road, Rathmines, Dublin. Grorce Morean, Lieut.-Col.; Biddlesden Park, Brackley. Grorcr Murirueap, F.Z.8.; Mains of Haddo, Aberdeen. Wittiam H. Mutiens, M.A., F.Z.S.; Westfield Place, near Battle, Sussex. Puitip WincuesterR Munn; Laverstoke, Whitchurch, Hants. Epwarp Neate; 43 Charlotte Street, Portland Place, We Tuomas Hupson Netson; Sandringham House, Redcar, York- shire. Hvueu Nevitt; Newton Villa, Godalming. Francis D’Arcy Witiram Croven Newcomer; Feltwell Hall, Brandon, Suffolk. *AtrreD Newton, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S8., Professor of Zoology in the University of Cambridge ; Magdalene College, Cam- bridge. *Sir Epwarp Newron, K.C.M.G.; M.A., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. ; 23 Wellington Esplanade, Lowestoft. xu Biecion. 1891. Diesy Seys Wurttocx Nicnoxt, F.LS., F.Z.S.; The Ham, Cowbridge, Glamorganshire. 1886. Howarp Hitt Jonn Nicnorts, M.R.C.S.; The Moat, East- bourne. 165 1876. Francis Nicnoxson, F.Z.S.; Oakfield, Ashley Rd., Altrin- cham. 1887. Grorce Cameron Norman, F.Z.S.; 68 Lombard Street, E.C. 1882. Everne Witiram Oates, F.Z.8.; Toungo, Burma. 1892. Frareus Menrerta Ocitvin, M.A., F.Z.8.; Sizewell House, Leiston, Suffolk. 1889. Berrram Savitz Octe; Hill House, Steeple Aston, Oxford. 170 *Sir Joan W. P. Campsett-Orpg, Bart., F.Z.8., late Captain 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment; Kalmory House, Lochgilphead, Argyllshire, N.B. 1883. Henry Parker, C.E., F.Z.S., Irrigation Officer, P.W.D.; Kurunegala, Ceylon. 1880. Tuomas Parkin, M.A., F.Z.8.; Fairseat, High Wickham, Hastings. 1891. Roserr Parrerson; Tilecote, Malone Park, Belfast. 1884. R. Liuoyp Parrerson, F.L.S.; Croft House, Holywood, co. Down. 175 1891. Henry J. Pearson; Bramcote, Beeston, Notts. 1891. Frank Prenrosr; 4 Harley Street, W. 1886. E. Campriper Puriirs ; The Elms, Brecon. 1886. E. Lorr Purtiirs, F.Z.8.; 79 Cadogan Square, S.W. 1888. Grorce TuHorne Putiires; Wokingham, Berkshire. 180 1893. THomas Diesy Pieorr, C.B.; 5 Ovington Gardens, S.W. 1883. Tuomas Mayer Pier, M.A.; care of R. H. Porter, 18 Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W. 1888. Mervyn Owen Wayne Powys, B.A., F.Z.S.; Oriental Club, Hanover Square, W. 1893. Wirtram Prane Pycrart; Department of Comparative Anatomy, University Museum, Oxford. 1888. CHartes Rosert Evsrace Rapctyrre; 1st Life Guards, and Hyde, Wareham, Dorset. 185 1872. R. G. Warpiaw Ramsay, Major, F.Z.S.; Tillicoultry House, Tillicoultry, N.B. Hersert Everyn Rawson, F.Z.S.; Fallbarrow, Windermere. Rosert H. Reap; care of Sir John Fowler, 2 Queen Square Place, Westminster, S.W. Igo ROS 200 205 xil Date of Election. 1877. Savite G. Rei, late Capt. R.E., F.Z.8.; Froyle House, Alton, Hants. 1893. Percy Renpatt, M.D., F.Z.S.; Eureka City, Barberton, South African Republic. 1893. The Hon. L. Watrer Roruscurtp, F.Z.8.; Tring Park, Tring, Herts. 1883. Wittram Hersert Sr. Quintin, F.Z.8.; Scampston Hall, Rillington, Yorkshire. *OsBERT Savin, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S.; 10 Chandos Street, W., and Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere. 1870. Howarp Saunpers, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; 7 Radnor Place, Hyde Park, W. *Puitip Luriry Scrater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.; Secretary to the Zoological Society of London, 3 Hanover Square, W., and Odiham Priory, Winchfield. 1891. Wittram Lurtry Scrarer, M.A., F.Z.8.; Eton College, Windsor. 1881. Joun Scurry, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Surgeon-Lt.-Col.; care of Messrs. H. 8. King & Co., 65 Cornhill, E.C. 1873. Henry Srrsonum, F.Z.8.; 22 Courtfield Gardens, S.W. 1889. Humpprey Parricrus Sennousr, B.A.; The Fitz, Cocker- mouth, Cumberland. 1871. Ricoarp Bownier Suarpr, LL.D., F.LS., F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History), South Kensington, 8.W. 1886, Witttam Carstairs SHaw; Bank of Madras, Madras. 1870. G. Ernest SHettey, F.Z.8., late Captain, Grenadier Guards ; 10 Thurloe Square, 8.W. 1865. Rev. Coartes Witt1AmM SHEPHERD, M.A., F.Z.S.; Trotters- clitfe Rectory, Maidstone, Kent. 1881. F. B. Suvson, F.Z.S8.; Broom Hill, Spratton, Northampton. 1882. Rev. Henry H. Starter, M.A., F.Z.S.; Thornhaugh Rectory, Wansford, Northants. 1864. Rev. Atrrep Cuartes Smita, M.A.; Old Park, Devizes, Wilts. 1881. THomas Sournwett, F.Z.S.; 10 The Crescent, Chapel Field, Norwich. 1893. Samuet 8. Stantey; 3 Regent Grove, Leamington, Warwick- shire. 1875. A. C. Srarx. 210 225 Date of Election. 1589. 1893. 1881. 1887. 1887. 1882. 1884. * * X1V Witttam Sroatre ; Belmont, Burnham, Somerset. Cuartes SronnAm, F.R.CS., F.Z.5.; 4 Harley Street, Cavendish Square, W. Rosert Wrieut Sruppy, Col. (late Manchester Regiment) ; Waddeton Court, Brixham, Devon. Frepericx Wirtiam Sryay, F.Z.S.; Ben Craig, Bayham Road, Sevenoaks, and Shanghai, China. Jomn SwrnsurnE; Beauregard, Hauteville, Guernsey. Cartes Swinnor, Col. Bombay Staff Corps, M.A., F.LS., F.Z.S.; Avenue House, Cowley Road, Oxford. Wixtram C, Tarr, C.M.Z.8.; Oporto, Portugal. Epwarp Cavenpisu Taytor, M.A., F.Z.S.; 74 Jermyn Street, S.W. . WittiAM Bernuarp Trcermerpr, F.Z.S.; 16 Alexandra Grove, North Finchley, N. . Epwarp Priavtx Tennant; 40 Grosvenor Square, W., and The Glen, Innerleithen, N.B. . Horace A. Terry, Captain (Oxfordshire Light Infantry) ; Burvale, Walton-on-Thames. . Witr1am Brunpett THornuitt ; Castle Cosey, Castie Belling- ham, Ireland. . Dixon L. Toorprz; 41 Aglionby Street, Carlisle. Rev. Henry Baxer Tristram, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., C.M.Z.S., Canon of Durham; The College, Durham. . Henry Morris Urcuer, F.Z.S.; Sheringham Hall, Norfolk, and Feltwell Hall, Brandon. . SrePHEN Venour; Fern Bank, Altrincham, Cheshire. . Wirt1AmM Witiovensy Core Verner, Major (Rifle Brigade) ; Junior United Service Club, 8.W. . A. S. Verry; Heronsgate, near Rickmansworth. . C. W. pz Vis, Queensland Museum, Brisbane; care of Williams and Norgate, 14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C. . H. D. Waver-Datron, Col. 2nd Batt. Middlesex Regiment, Quetta. . Tuomas, Lord Watstnenam, F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; Merton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk. . Cuartes Byerave Wuarron, F.Z.S.; Hounsdown, Totton, Hants. . Henry Tuornton Wauarton, M.A., F.Z.8.; Madresfield, Acol Road, Priory Road, West Hampstead, N.W. XV Date of Election. 1891. Breysamin Inenam Wuitaker; Hesley Hall, Tickhill, Rother- ham. 1884. JosepH Wurraker, F.Z.8.; Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield, Notts. 1891. Joseen J. 8S. Warraker; Malfitano, Palermo, Sicily. 235 1887. Jerrery Wurtenxad ; Southwood, Bickley, Kent. 1888. CuHaries JosepH Witson; 16 Gordon Square, W.C. 1887. Scorr Barcaarp Whitson, F.Z.S.; Heatherbank, Weybridge Heath, Surrey. 1891. Frank Wirutneron ; Rancho Salispuedes, Apertado de Torres 111, Tuxpan, Mexico. 1875. Cuartus A. Wricut, F.LS., F.Z.8. (Knight of the Crown of Italy); Kayhough, Kew-Gardens Road, Kew, 8.W. 240 1871. E. Percevat Wricut, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin. 1891. Tuomas Wricut, M.D.; Castle Place, Nottingham. 1876, Craupe W. Wyarr; Adderbury, Banbury. 1889. James B. Youne, Commander R.N.; Rodwell, Weymouth. 1878. Joun Youne, F.Z.S.; 64 Hereford Road, Bayswater, W. 245 1877. J. H. Yuur, Major (Devonshire Regiment); 41 Eaton Rise, Ealing, W. Extra-Ordinary Member. 1860, Atrrep Russet Watrace, F.Z.S.; Corfe View, Parkstone, Dorset. Honorary Members. 1886. Tuomas Ayres; Potchefstroom, Transvaal. 1860. Dr. Epvarp Barpamus; Moritzwinger, No. 7, Halle. 1890. Hans, Graf von Beruerscu, C.M.Z.S.; Miinden, Hanover. 1860. Dr. Jean Canants, C.M.Z.S., Friedrichshagen, bei Berlin. 5 1870. Dr. Orro Fryscu, C.M.Z.8.; Delmenhorst, near Bremen, 1880. Hetyricn Girxe, C.M.Z.8., Heligoland. 1860. Dr. Gustav Hartravs, F.M.Z.8., Bremen. 1860. Epear Leoporp Layarp, C.M.G., F.Z.8., Budleigh Salterton, Devonshire. 1893. Dr. Anton Rercuenow ; Museum fiir Naturkunde, Invaliden- strasse, Berlin. 190 1890. Count Tommaso Satvapvorr, M.D., C.M.Z.S.; Royal Zoological Museum, J'wrin. | Ke) 15 Date of Election 1890. 1872. 1880. 1873. 1872. 1866. 1872. 1883. 1881. 1872. 1872: 1890. 18/2. 1880. XVi . Foreign Members. Jont AsapH Anien, C.M.Z.S.; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York. Prof. J. V. Barsoza pu Bocaer, C.M.Z.S.; Royal Museum, Lisbon. Lovis Burrav, M.D.; Ecole de Médecine, Nantes. Prof. Roperr Cotiert, F.M.Z.S.; Director Zoological Museum, Christiania. 2. Dr. Exxiorr Cougs, C.M.Z.S.; Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington, D.C. . Marchese Gracomo Doria, F.M.Z.S., Genoa. . Dr. Victor Farto, C.M.Z.S., Geneva. . Dr. Henry Hittyrer Greriorr, F.M.Z.8.; Real Instituto di Studi Superiori, /lorence. . Grorer N. Lawrence, C.M.Z.8.; 45 East 21st Street, New York. Baron Dz Serys Lonecuampes, Liége. Dr. Juxtus von Mapardsz; National Museum, Buda-Pesth. Dr. A. J. Matmeren, Helsingfors. Prof. OrunteL Coartes Marsu, C.M.Z.8.; Yale College, New- haven, U.S.A. Dr. Apotpu Bernuarp Meyer, C.M.Z.S8., Director of the Royal Museum, Dresden. Dr. A. von Mippenvorrr, Dorpat. Prof. ALpHonsr Mitnz-Epwarps,C.M.Z.S.; Jardin des Plantes, Paris. M. Entice Ovstater, C.M.Z.S.; Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Jardin des Plantes, Paris. Prof. Gustav Ravpg, C.M.Z.8., Tiflis. Ropert Ripeway, C.M.Z.S.; Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington, DC. CONTENTS or VOL. V.—SIXTH SERIES. (1893.) Number XVIL., January. I. List of Birds collected by Mr. Alexander Whyte, F.Z.S., in Nyassaland. By Captain G. E. SHetiey, F.Z.8S. With a Preface by Tue Eprror. (Plates I.-III.) II. On the Osteology, Pterylosis, and Muscular Anatomy of the American Fin-foot (/eliornis surinamensis). By Frank E. Bepparp, M.A., F.R.S., Prosector to the Zoological Society of London, Examiner in Biology to the Roy. Coll. Surg. . III. On the Extinct Giant Birds of Argentina. By R. LYDEKKER ye IV. Notes on the Birds of the Loo-Choo Islands. By Henry SEEBOHM . OES ac V. On Five apparently new Species of Birds from Hainan. By F. W. Sryan, F.Z.S8. . VI. On the Birds of Aden. By Lieut. H. E. Barnus, F.Z.8. (Plate LV.) . a chi ore epee an . ee VII. Comparative Notes on the Swifts and Humming-birds. By R. W. Saurerpt, M.D., C.M.Z.S. . VIII. Notes on Collecting in Kona, Hawaii. By R. C. L. Perkins, B.A. IX. Descriptions of Three new Birds from the Sandwich Islands. By the Hon. Watrer Roruscuinp SER. VI.—VOL. V. b 30 40 47 54 57 84. selOr XVlll CONTENTS. Page X. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. Nos. I-III. 114 XI. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :— OIA MN wd . Allen on the Woodpeckers of North America Allen on Birds from Venezuela. Allen on a new Gallinule . Bendire’s Life- Histories of North- eee Birds . . Bocage on Birds from Benguela Bocage on Birds from Dahomey . Buller on New-Zealand Birds . Buller on Apteryx maxima . . Buttikofer on the Genus Tatare . Bittikofer on Thamnolea nigra . Buttikofer on Birds from Liberia . . Buttikofer on a Sumatran Weaver-bird . ; . Buttikofer on Birds from Flores, Sumba, and Rotti . Cherrie on two new Tyraniide . Clarke’s Report on the Great Skua . Collett on the Birds of Arctic Norway . . D’Urban and Mathew’s ‘ Birds of Devon’ . Evans on the Birds of the Melrose District . . Evans on the Grebe of Ross-shire . . Forbes on Extinct Birds of New Zealand . Forbes on Cyanorhamphus erythrotis . : . Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Garlirali™ Aumarioan ee . Hamilton on Moas’ Gizzard-stones . . Hamilton on the Genus Aptornis . . Hartert on a new Batrachostomus . . Hartlaub on Birds from China . : . Harvie-Brown and Buckley on the hance of is oil and the Inner Hebrides . Hutton on the Moas . Junker’s Travels in Africa . Macpherson and Ferguson’s ‘feetsheats Fans of Lakeland ” . Merriam on Geographical Distribution in North . 139 America 2. Meyer on Birds fon Kar -W atheists . Meyer on the Birds of Sumba . . . Meyer and Helm’s Sixth Report on the Birds of coe . 124 _ 125 Real 2,5 . 126 ~ 126 127 . 127 2; 227: 128 . 128 . 128 . 129 » 129 . 129 . 129 . 130 » 13h « £32 . 133 . 133 140 . 141 141 CONTENTS. xix Page 35. Nicolls and Eglington’s ‘Sportsman in South Africa’ 141 36. North on Australian Nests and Eggs. . . . . . 142 37. Parker on the Development of Apteryx . . . . 148 38. Quelch on the Birds of Prey of British Guiana teen a3 39, Regalia on the Claws and Spurs of the Bird’s-hand . 144 40. Report of the International Ornithological Congress at’ Budapest ... . . ee ce greene 41. Rhoads on the Birds of iPeeas oral pone: ty ear 42. Ridgway on the Humming-birds. .. . 5 EZ: 43, Ridgway on two new Subspecies of Delonte us « . 148 44, Scott’s ‘Notes on the Birds of Florida’. . . . . 148 45, Stone on the Birds of West Greenland . . . . . 149 46. Suchetet on Wild-bred Hybrids . . . . 149 47. Winge on Birds observed at the Danish pene stahone 150 XII. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &e. Letters from Heer F. E. Blaauw; Heer H. W. de Graaf; Mr. H. E. Dresser; and Mr. W. B. Fairbridge. Report of the British Museum for 1892; The Bird-collections in the Oxford University Museum ; The Godwin-Austen Collection of Birds ; Birds of Antigua, W. I.; The Preservation of Native Birds in New Zealand ; Sarraines. taken from Birds ; New Ornithological Periodical; Prince Albert’s Lyre-bird in Captivity; The British Museum Catalogue of Birds; Naturalists Abroad and at Home. Obituary: Harry Berkeley James and Robert W. PARTING SONG Pen eat ol sk te aes shh se ee ae ee OO. Noumser XVIII, April. XIII. On the Birds of Aden. By Lieut. H. E. Barus, F.Z.S8. 165 XIV. On the Occurrence of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (LTringa acuminata) in Norfolk. By Henry Sresonm. With anemppendixyby ue Hprror. (Plate V.)° 3. 5 =| 2. 3 18h XV. List of Birds observed in the Canary Islands. By E. Ge MirtniceWARDO: ..% “satsen cl ca) “et pope me setae at WIS XVI. On a remarkable new Finch from the Highlands of Bolivia. By Hans, Graf von Berterscu. (Plate VI.) . . . 207 XxX CONTENTS. XVII. Remarks on the Birds of the Gilbert Islands. By ea WAGELERWORTH. : i. 1: Soe sE uel oer erage 20) sacar ine XVIII. On the Bird indicated by the Greek “AAkvoy. By eb ER isTRAM, DD). JF ARS: ali are ecu ele. ol ee emis XIX. On the Species of Zosterops found in the Island of Java. By Heney Sesonm, F-78905. 2. o. sence XX. On the Species of Merula found in the Island of Java. By Henny SueponM, FZ.8, ce) Woe) oe ee eee XXI. Notes on Birds observed during a Collecting Expedition to Eastern Africa. By Franx Finn, B.A., F.Z8. . . . . 2238 XXII. On some Genera of Oriental Barbets. By W. T. IBGANRORD SE OHASs soa) vss icc gaia Ue Wget eco uc? cakeuy Reems XXIII. On Acredula caudata and its allied Forms. By H. i SDREsses MG EAS 4s i a es eS ee eee) XXIV. Notes on Paramythia montium and G2. No. 55, g. Zomba, Jan. This is the first record of the occurrence of this species north of the Zambesi. 81. GRAUCALUS PECTORALIS, Graucalus pectoralis, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 843; id. Cat. lv. p. 29. Nos. 11,103. Zomba, Sept. Four examples. This species has never been procured before in the Zambesi district. 82. BRapYORNIS PALLIDUS. Bradyornis pallidus, Sharpe, Cat. i. p. 310; Reichen. Jets O; 18895 p. 277. Nos. 49, 74. Zomba, Jan. 21 (nestling), Febr. The last specimen agrees perfectly with the type of my B. modestus from the Gold Coast. This is the most southern known limit for the species, which was likewise obtained by Dr. Stuhlmann at Quilimane. 83. BRapyoRNIS ATER. Bradyornis ater, Sund.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 405 ; id. Cat. lil. p. 314, Nos. 55, 71. Zomba, Jan. One of these specimens and an unlabelled one are young birds in spotted plumage, the black being spotted with chestnut-buff. 84. PRIONOPs TALACOMA. Prionops talacoma, Smith; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 406, 844; id. Cat. in. p. 821. No. 38. Zomba, Sept. 85. SIGMODUS TRICOLOR. Sigmodus tricolor (Gray), Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 407; id. Cat. i. p. 325. Sigmodus graculinus, Sharpe, Cat. i. p. 325. Nos. 27, 33, 62, 63, 72. Zomba, Sept. and Febr. 86. BUCHANGA ASSIMILIS. Buchanga assimilis, Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 408, 844; id. Cat. i. p. 247. Nos. 53, 59. Zomba, Sept. (ad.), Febr. (jr.). 22 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds 87. ORIOLUS LARVATUS. . Oriolus larvatus, Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. pp. 418, 845 ; id. Cat. il. p. 217. Nos. 16, 46. Zomba, Aug., Sept., and Jan.; Milanji Plains, 4000 feet, Oct. The series collected by Mr. Whyte shows great variation in the colour of the wing-coverts, which are grey in some specimens, in others yellow, and in others grey washed with yellow. The characters for the separation of this species and Oriolus brachyrhynchus, given by Dr. Sharpe in the ‘Catalogue,’ seem to me to require further examination. 88. CoRVULTUR ALBICOLLIS. Corvultur albicollis, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 417; id. Cat. 111. p. 24. Nos. 8, 25. Zomba, Sept. and Oct.; Milanji Plateau, 6000 feet, Nov. 89. LAMPROCOLIUS SYCOBIUS. Lamprocolius sycobius, Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 426, 846; id. Cat. xi. p. 178. No. 40. Zomba, Sept. 90, PHOLIDAUGES VERREAUXI. Pholidauges verreauzxi, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 428, 846 ; id. Cat. xiii. p. 123. Nos. 28, 50, 104. Zomba, Aug., Sept., Jan., and Febr. 91. AMYDRUS MORIO. Amydrus morio (L.), Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 481, 846; id. Cat. xii. p. 161. No. 18. g 9, Aug. and Sept. 92. SycoBROTUS STICTIFRONS. Sycobrotus bicolor, Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 432 (pt., “ Living. stone Expedition ”’). Sycobrotus stictifrons (Fischer & Reichen.), Sharpe, Cat. Kill. p. 424. Symplectes stictifrons, Reichen. J. f. O. 1889, p. 281 (Quilimane). No. 65. Zomba, Jan.; Milanji Plateau, 4000 feet, Oct. collected in Nyassaland. 23 and Nov. The four specimens are nearly similar in plumage, but two of them have the throat brown and two yellow, probably a sexual difference. 93. SITAGRA OCULARIA. Hyphantornis ocularius (Smith), Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 435. Sitagra ocularia, Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 427. No. 42, g¢. Zomba, Febr. 94. HyPHANTORNIS NIGRICEPS. Hyphantornis nigriceps, Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 436; id. Cat. p. 456. No. 57, ¢. Zomba, Jan. 95. HyPpHANTORNIS XANTHOPS. Hyphantornis xanthops, Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 438; id. Cat. xiii. p. 447, Nos. 56, 39, 41, 47. Zomba, Aug., Sept., and Febr.; Milanji Plains, 4000 feet, Dec. I doubt whether, in the face of the series now sent by Mr. Whyte, Dr. Sharpe’s H. jamesoni can be maintained as distinct from H. xanthops. 96. HYPHANTORNIS BERTRANDI, sp. n. (Plate II.) H. similis H. heuglini, sed major, et fascia nuchali transvers& nigra distinguendus. Long. tot. 6°3 poll., ale 3:3. Nos. 41, 47. Zomba, Aug. and Sept.; Milanji Plains, 4000 feet, Oct. Crown rufous, shaded yellow; nape, entire sides of the head, and the upper half of the throat black, followed by golden yellow, which extends almost across the hind neck ; remainder of the upper parts uniform olive-yellow, with slight indications of brown shafts to the feathers of the mantle; median and greater wing-coverts and the quills dark brown, broadly edged with bright olive-yellow ; remainder of the underparts rich golden yellow, with a very faint rufous shade on the middle of the throat ; under wing-coverts, shafts, and inner margins of the quills bright yellow, with the remainder of the quills ashy brown; bill black; legs and claws pale brown. ‘Total length 6:3 inches, culmen 0°85, wing 3°3, tail 2°6, tarsus 1. 24 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds A second specimen (Oct. 16th) is similar, only it has a few black feathers intermixed with the yellow of the crown. A third specimen (Sept. 26th) is a young male, with a pale- coloured lower mandible, crown and sides of head olive-green ; chin and upper throat yellow, these parts slightly mottled with black. From the form of the bill, measurements, and general appearance, it is evidently a young bird of this species. I propose to name this species after Capt. Bertram Lutley Sclater, R.E., Mr. Johnston’s principal officer in Nyassaland, and Commander of his police force. 97. HyPpHANTORNIS CABANISI. Hyphantornis cabanisi, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 443; id. Cat. xi. p. 461. No. 18, 9. Mpimbi, Febr. This species extends from Damaraland and Natal northwards to Lamu. 98. HyPHANTORNIS XANTHOPTERUS. Hyphantornis xanthopterus, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 443 ; id. Cat. xiii. p. 444, pl. 13. fig. 2. Ploceus xanthopterus, Reichen. J. f. O. 1889, p. 281. No. 81. Mpimbi, Febr. This species appears to be very local, as it is known only from the Shiré Valley and Quilimane. 99. ANAPLECTES RUBRICEPS. Malimbus rubriceps, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 444, 847. Anaplectes rubriceps, Sharpe, Cat. xin. p. 411; Reichen. J. ft OF18895 sp. 28: Nos. 50, 85. Zomba, Sept. and Dec. ; Mpimbi, Febr. 100. PLocripassER PECTORALIS. Ploceipasser pectoralis (Peters), Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 247. No. 83. Mpimbi, Febr. Previously this species was known only from the type from Inhambani, and from specimens collected by Sir J. Kirk at Tete, on the south bank of the Zambesi. The young bird has the back and edges to the secondaries more rufous than in the adult. collected in Nyassaland. 25 101. AMBLYOSPIZA ALBIFRONS. Amblyospiza albifrons, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 449; id. Cat. Xi, p. 501. No. 23. Zomba, Aug. and Sept. This is the first instance of this species being found to the north of the Zambesi. 102. VipUA PRINCIPALIS. Vidua principalis, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 453, 848; id. Cat. xiii. p. 203. No. 37. Zomba, Jan. and Febr. ; Mailanji Plains, 4000 feet, Nov. 103. Hyprocuera NIGERRIMA, Sharpe. Hypochera ultramarina, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 457 (part). Hypochera nigerrima, Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 311]. No. 99. Zomba, Dec. 104, PeENTHETRIA aRDENS (Bodd.). Vidua ardens, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 455, 847. Penthetria ardens, Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 215. Nos. 45, 47, 80. Zomba, Sept. and Jan.; Milanji Plains, Oct. ; Mpimbi, Febr. 105. PENTHETRIA ALBONOTATA (Cass.). Penthetria albonotata, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 460; id. Cat. Mill. pelo. No. 80. Mpimbi, Febr. 106, PYROMELANA FLAMMICEPS. Pyromelana flammiceps, Sharpe, Cat. xiii, p. 228 ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1889, p: 282. No. 95. Zomba, Jan. Altogether eight full-plumaged specimens are in the collection. This is the furthest locality south known for the present species. 107. PyROMELANA NIGRIFRONS. Pyromelana nigrifrons, Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 233. No. 82. Mpimbi, Febr. ‘This is the first time the present species has been procured so far south. 108. PyRoMELANA XANTHOMELANA. Pyromelana xanthomelena, Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 239. 26 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds No. 45. Zomba, Jan. ; Milanji Plain, 4000 feet, Oct. This species may be distinguished from its allies south of the Zambesi (P. minor and P. capensis) by its black thighs. 109. Pyrezia arra (Gm.). Pytelia afra, Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 302. No. 40. Zomba, Jan. and Febr. This is the most southern locality for this species yet registered. 110. CryprosPizA REICHENOW! (Hartl.). Pytelia reichenowi, Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, p. 41, pl. 2. nie Cryptospiza reichenowi, Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 254 (Cama- roon Mountains). No. 10. Milanji Plateau, Nov. This specimen is not in full plumage, and it is difficult to determine it with cer- tainty, but its measurements agree well with the type of C. reichenowi. Total length 4°2 inches, culmen 0°45, wing 2°], tail 1-7, tarsus 0°7. 111. Coccopyera purResnit (V.). Estrelda dufresnei, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 469, 849. Coccopygia dufresnii, Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 305. No. 11. Milanji Plateau, Nov. This is the most northern known locality for the present species. 112. Esrritpa MINOR. Estrilda minor, Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 393. No. 68. Zomba, Febr.; Milanji Plains, 4000 feet, Oct. South of the Zambesi this form is replaced by typical E. astrild. 113. Estrrupa ancotensis (L.). Ureginthus cyanogaster, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 473, 850. Estrilda angolensis, Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 402. No. 86. Mpimbi, Febr. 114. LaconostTicTA RHODOPARIA. Lagonosticta rhodoparia, Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 282. collected in Nyassaland. 27 No. 60. Zomba, Febr. This is the southernmost locality known for this species, which ranges along the east coast to Bogos-land in N.E. Africa. 115, Laconosticra Niveteutrata (Peters). Hypargus niveiguttatus, Shelley, P. Z. S. 1881, p. 558, pl. 52. fig. 2; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 477. Lagonosticta nveiguttata, Sharpe, Cat. xiii. p. 274, Nos. 59 and 57. Zomba, Sept. ; Milanji Plateau, 6000 feet, Oct. and Nov. 116. Perronia PETRONELLA. Petronia petronella, Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 481, 850; id Cat. xii. p. 297. No. 62. Zomba, Febr. 117. EMBERIZA FLAVIVENTRIS. Fringillaria flaviventris, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 491, 851. Emberiza flaviventris, Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 499. No. 38. Zomba, Jan. and Febr. 118. Emperiza oRIENTALIS (Shelley). Fringillaria orientalis, Shelley, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 308. Eimberiza orientalis, Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 502. Nos. 48, 38. Zomba, Aug., Sept., and Jan. This is the most southern known locality for the present species. 119. Macronyx crocevs. Macronye striolatus, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 532. Macronyx croceus, Sharpe, Cat. x. p. 626. No. 26. Zomba, Dec, and Jan. 120. ANTHUS RUFULUS. Anthus caffer, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 534, 852. Anthus rufulus, Sharpe, Cat. x. p. 574. No. 2. Milanji Plateau, 6000 feet, Oct. 121. Moracitia Ltonercaupa, Riipp. Motacilla longicauda, Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 544; id. Cat. x. p. 495. No. 77. Zomba, Sept. 28 Capt. G. HE. Shelley on Birds 122. TRERON DELALANDII. Treron delalandii, Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 270; Sharpe, BS. Att. p: O08; No. 10. Zomba, Aug. 123. PALUMBUS ARQUATRIX. Palumbus arquatriz, Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 283; Sharpe, Bas. Afr. p.o61, No. 4. Zomba, Sept. 124. HaAPLOPELIA JOHNSTONI, sp. n. (Plate III.) H, similis H. larvate, sed supra letior, subtis valdé satura- tior : notzo vinaceo-rubro conspicué adumbrato. Long. tot. 11 poll., ale 6:1. No. 20. Milanji Plateau, 6000 feet, Oct. ; two young and one adult. Similar to H. larvata, but brighter; and differs in having a rich vinous gloss on the wings, back, upper tail-coverts, and centre tail-feathers; under surface of the body and under tail-coverts slightly darker ; sides of the body and the entire under surface of the wings greyer ; bill blackish ; legs bright red. Total length 11 inches, culmen 0°7, wing 6:1, tail 4°3, tarsus 1-1. This is a handsome species, closely allied to H. larvata. I propose to name it after Mr. H. H. Johnston, C.B., F.Z.S., to whose scientific zeal and energy we are indebted for our first knowledge of the birds of the high interior of Nyassa- land. 125. TuRTUR SEMITORQUATUS. Turtur semitorquatus, Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 303; Sharpe, BOS. Afr-p. 566, No. 5. Zomba, Aug. and Sept. 126. Turtur cApicona. Turtur capicola, Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 312; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 567. No. 6. Zomba, Sept. collected in Nyassaland, 29 127. TYMPANISTRIA TYMPANISTRIA. Tympanistria tympanistria, Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 326; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 571. No. 7. Zomba, Aug. 128. PrerNIsTES HUMBOLDTI. Pternistes humboldti, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 589; Shelley, PZ. S. 1889, p. 370; Grant, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 6, vii. p. 145. No. 82. Zomba, Jan. 129. VANELLUS INORNATUS, Swains. Vanellus inornatus, Seeb. Geogr. Distr. Charadr. p. 225 (1888). No. 84, ¢. Mpimbi, Feb. 28. 130. Crex crex (L.). Crex crex, Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 611. No. 44. Zomba, Jan. 131. Limnocorax NIGER. Limnocorax niger, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 618. No. 79. Mpimbi, Upper Shiré, Febr. Two specimens, probably male and female, one being more blackish brown than the other. 132. RuyYNCHOPS FLAVIROSTRIS. Rhynchops flavirostris, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 706. No. 77. Mpimbi, Upper Shire, Febr. 133. BusButcus rBIs. Bubulcus ibis, Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. p. 717. No. 76. Mpimbi, Upper Shiré, Febr. 134, NycrTicorax GRISEUS. Nycticorar griseus (L.), Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 724. No. 75. Mpimbi, Upper Shiré, Febr. 30 Mr. F. E. Beddard on the Il.—On the Osteology, Pterylosis, and Muscular Anatomy of the American Fin-foot (Heliornis surinamensis). By Frank E. Bepparp, M.A., F.R.S., Prosector to the Zoo- logical Society of London, Examiner in Biology to the Royal College of Surgeons. Tue Heliornithide, comprising the two genera Heliornis and Podica, have been investigated anatomically by Brandt*, Nitzsch+, Giebel{, Gadow§$, and myself]. The affinities of these birds have been furthermore discussed by Furbringer 4. The American Fin-foot, Heliornis, is at present less well known than the African form. Nitzsch has described its pterylosis, Giebel gave a few brief notes upon the muscular anatomy, while Gadow has investigated the intestinal coils. Having had the opportunity two years ago of examining and reporting upon the structure of the African Fin-foot, I am particularly glad to be able now to supplement that paper by some account of the American Fin-foot. The material upon which the present paper is based I owe immediately to the kindness of Mr. Sclater, and more indirectly to that of Mr. J. J. Quelch, the Superintendent of the Museum, George Town, British Guiana, who, at Mr. Sclater’s request, obtained the speci- mens. The object of this paper is to compare the structure of the two genera Heliornis and Podica in those points as to which I was not able to make a comparison in my paper upon the anatomy of the latter. The comparisons now made * “Kinige Bemerkungen iiber Podoa und ihr Verhiltniss zur Fulica, Podiceps, und den Steganopoden,” forming section iii. of “ Beitriige zur Naturgeschichte der Vogel” &c., Mém. Ac. St. Pétersbourg, sér. 6, t. iii. (1840). t ‘Pterylography.’ Engl. transl. by P. L. Sclater. Ray Society. 1867. t “ Zur Naturgeschichte des Surinamischen Wasserhuhn’s (Podoa surinamensis),” Zeitschr. ges. Naturw. Bd. xviii. (1861) p. 424. § “On the Taxonomic Value of the Intestinal Convolutions in Birds,” P. Z. S. 1889, p. 303. || “On the Anatomy of Podica senegalensis,” P. Z. S. 1890, p. 425. 4] ‘Untersuchungen zur Morphologie und Systematik der Végel, p. 1029 et segg. American Fin-foot. 31 chiefly concern the muscular anatomy. I have not attempted any further discussion upon the affinities of the Heliornithide to other families of birds. The facts which I have been able to make out with regard to Heliornis do not render neces- sary any modification of the opinions which I expressed in my paper upon Podica senegalensis. Such differences as exist in the anatomy of the two genera appear to me to be correlated with the smaller size of Heliornis. In many groups of the animal kingdom we find that the smaller members show a simplification of structure as compared with the larger forms. I. Pterylosis. The pterylosis of this bird has been already described by Nitzsch (op. cit. p. 127, pl. viii. fig. 9). When the bird is plucked the feather-tracts are rendered rather inconspicuous by the presence of down feathers, which are scattered more or less uniformly all over the back, and which occur on the ventral surface of the body, particularly along the line of the sternal keel. I find that, as Nitzscb has stated, the neck is nearly continuously feathered, there being no lateral, and only a short ventral, bare tract. The dorsal tract is strong between the shoulder-blades and is distinetly forked; each branch of the fork is only two or three feathers wide; the hinder portion of the tracts is weak, but the feathering becomes strong soon after they have joined posteriorly ; the junction of the two tracts occurs at the anterior end of the pelvis. Nitzsch says nothing of the ventral tracts in his special description of Heliornis, but distinguishes the genera Fulica, Heliornis, and others by the undivided ventral tracts. This was certainly the arrangement in the specimens which I examined. The median ventral apterion extends about an inch up the neck. Il. Muscular Anatomy. The patagial muscle is, as in Podica senegalensis, single ; just before the origin of the two tendons into which it divides ae Mr. F. E. Beddard on the it receives a strong tendinous slip from the deltoid ridge of the humerus. There is another slip reinforcing the longus tendon. The tensor patagii brevis tendon is perfectly similar to that of the African Fin-foot ; the biceps slip, however, instead of ending freely upon the patagium, as it does in that bird, joins the tendon of the tensor patagii brevis, which is also an unusual arrangement, it being, of course, more com- monly attached to the tendon of the tensor patagii longus. The actual dispositions and connections of the several muscles Patagial muscles of Heliornis surinamensis.—T.p., tensor patagii ; Bu. biceps; Bi.s., biceps slip ; 2, tendinous slip inserted on patagium (?). and tendons, which are somewhat complicated, are shown in the accompanying drawing (fig. 1). The biceps slip passes, of course, below the tendon of the tensor patagii brevis ; on the distal side of this tendon it ends in a tendon which runs down the patagium and is inserted on to the tensor patagii tendon just before its insertion. The tendon of the biceps slip is exceedingly fine, and not always, for this reason, visible ; in one specimen it appeared to be inserted independently on to the fascia covering the muscles of the forearm; in another specimen the tendon of the biceps slip was bifurcate just at its end. Where the other tendon lettered x in the American Fin-foot. 33 drawing ended I am unable to say. Evidently, therefore, there are differences in respect of this muscle between the American and African Fin-foots. In many birds, for instance in the Duck (see Fiirbringer, loc. cit. Taf. xx. fig. 4), the biceps slip joins the tendon of the tensor patagii longus just at the imsertion of the fan-shaped tendon which very commonly unites that tendon with the tendon of the patagii brevis at its insertion. I am inclined to think that the long and delicate tendon connected with the biceps slip of Heliornis is the equivalent of that tendon which has lost its attachment to the tendon of the tensor patagu longus; if so, then the tendons of the patagium of Heliornis are less abnormal than one would otherwise regard them. Latissimus dorsi.—This muscle is composed of the usual two parts: the anterior portion is, also as usual, the weaker of the two; it arises from the spines of the dorsal vertebree ; the origin of the posterior half of the muscle follows imme- diately upon it; the posterior half of the latissimus dorsi arises also from the front border of the ilium. The anterior half of the muscle has a broad tendinous insertion, which com- mences just behind the short, flat, and narrow glistening tendon by which the posterior half of the muscle is attached to the humerus. Anconeus longus.—This muscle appears to arise and to be inserted precisely as in Podica senegalensis. ‘The accessory tendon, which is about one half the width of the tendon of insertion of the posterior half of the latissimus dorsi, is inserted on to the humerus above the latter. Expansor secundariorum.—In the fact of the presence of this muscle the American Fin-foot agrees with the African form. ‘The tendon is very thin, though strong; it increases somewhat in thickness as it approaches the teres. Pectoralis primus.—I could not detect any division of this muscle into two layers, such as occurs in many birds, in- cluding Podica senegalensis. The pectoralis secundus extends back in its origin nearly to the end of the sternum. SER. VI.—VOL. V. D 34: Mr. F. E. Beddard on the The deltoid is well developed ; it is inserted on to rather more than the first half of the humerus. The biceps arises by the usual long tendon from the scapula. Both the rhomboidei have, as in Podica senegalensis, an aponeurotic origin from the vertebral column. The super- ficial rhomboideus is quite double the length of the deeper muscle, and overlaps it for nearly its whole length. The tensor fascie is large ; the anterior half of the muscle has a tendinous origin, the posterior half a muscular origin, which extends a long way behind the acetabulum. The diceps is at its origin completely covered by the last muscle ; indeed, the origin of the tensor fascize extends con- siderably beyond the point where the origin of the biceps leaves off; this muscle is comparatively slight, only 8 mm. in diameter at its origin, which is fleshy. The biceps has two insertions : one of these is like that found in nearly all other birds, @. e. it ends in a stout tendon, which passes through a tendinous loop, and is imserted on to the tibia; the second insertion is on to the fascia covering the gas- trocnemius. In describing the anatomy of Podica senegalensis 1 had occasion to point out* the very remarkable conformation of the biceps femoris in that bird, which has three separate insertions, and is more complicated than in any other bird of which the muscular structure is known. It will be observed that the biceps femoris of the American genus is like that of the African, with the only exception that it wants the third insertion present in the former. The condition of this muscle in the two genera of Heliornithide seems to show that the smaller American form has a more simplified structure when compared with its larger African relative. I point out later that the skull-characters show the same kind of reduction, which I camnot help associating with the size of the bird. The semitendinosus and the semimembranosus may be con- sidered together, for they form one continuous mass at their origin, of which the two constituent parts were indistin- * Op. cit. p. 429. American Fin-foot. 35 guishable in the individuals which I dissected ; the origin of these two muscles commences exactly at that point where the origin of the tensor fasciz leaves off. The insertion of the semimembranosus is flat and tendinous; it lies above the insertion of the semitendinosus, which is also flat and tendinous; the tendinous insertion of the semitendinosus is 9 mm. across; it nearly completely overlaps the 6 mm. wide insertion of the semimembranosus, when the thigh is examined from the inside. In Podica senegalensis these two muscles are inserted one above the other, the insertions not overlapping at all, indeed not quite meeting. As is the case with Podica senegalensis, Heliornis surinam- ensis has no accessory semitendinosus. It has, however, hke the former bird, both the femoro-caudal and accessory femoro-caudal. There are two adductors and, of course, an ambiens. ‘The gastrocnemius has a large outer and inner head ; there is a very slender middle head ; its tendon is ossified. The tibialis anticus is partly covered over, as is frequently the case, by the peroneus brevis. It has a single insertion, and its tendon is ossified up to within 1 mm. of the ankle- joint. Both peroneal muscles are present. The peroneus brevis, as has already been mentioned, partly covers over the tibialis anticus ; its tendon of insertion is at first ossified ; it is rather broad, and seems partly, at least, to join the tendon of the gastrocnemius at the insertion. The peroneus longus is also covered by the peroneus brevis ; it runs alongside of the ¢ibialis anticus; its tendon is also ossified and is inserted in the usual way. The tendon of the extensor communis digitorum (fig. 2, a, p- 36) has two separate ossifications, one just at its commence- ment, the other along the metatarsus ; at the commencement of the second ossified tract a branch is given off, which supplies the second and third toes; at the end of the ossified tract the tendon divides into two for the third and fourth toes. The superficial flexor tendons, which are, as usual, seven in number, are ossified. D2 36 Mr. F. E. Beddard on the The arrangement of the deep flexor tendons is illustrated in the accompanying drawing (fig. 2,4). It will’ be observed that each tendon splits into three, apart from the special branch to digit 1 given off from the flexor hallucis. Fig. 2. Heliornis surinamensis.—a. Tendon of extensor communis digitorum supplying second, third, and fourth digits (2, 3, 4). 6. Deep flexor tendons: A. Flexor hallucis; B. Flexor communis. The slips going to the digits are numbered in accordance ], 2, 3, 4. The ossified region of the tendon is indicated by dots. Ill. Visceral Anatomy. I do not think that it is necessary to give a detailed account of the alimentary tract of this bird. In the first place, the viscera were not in a very good condition for furnishing a careful report; they were softened by the action of the weak spirit in which they bad been preserved, and were at the same time much adherent. In the second place, the main characteristics of the viscera are precisely as in Podica; in both genera the right liver-lobe is larger than the left, and there are a pair of moderately long ceca present. In the syrinx the bronchidesmus is incomplete, there being a gap of about 2 mm. in length between the diverging bronchi. There are ten to twelve bronchial semirings on each side. The last three or four tracheal rings are partly fused (incompletely in front) to form a box. ‘The single pair of intrinsic muscles is present. American Fin-foot. 37 IV. Skull. The skull of Heliornis (fig. 3) differs but slightly, as I have already pointed out, from that of Podica. It is smaller, and the remaining differences may perhaps be accounted for by this: that is to say, the processes and fosse from which muscles arise, or to which they are attached, are less strongly marked in the more slightly built Heliornis. Skull of Heliornis surinamensis, nat. size. Particularly is this the case with the temporal fosse. In Podica (ef. fig. 4, p. 88) these fossz, although not nearly so marked as in the Grebes, are fairly deep and extend back to the posterior face of the skull. In Heliornis, on the contrary (see fig. 3), the fossee are slight ; they only extend over half the lateral surface of the brain-case ; furthermore, the two processes of the skull-wall (postfrontal and zygomatic) which limit, above and below, the commencement of the temporal fossze are directly above and below each other respectively in Heliornis ; in Podica the lower process, which corresponds to the zygomatic process of the squamosal in mammals, does not jut out so far forward as to lie beneath the superior process. In my paper upon Podica senegalensis I drew attention to a point of difference between the Rails and the Grebes in the large size of the maxillo-palatines of the former. In such a Rail as Ocydromus australis the maxillo-palatines are com- paratively large inflated bones, which, although covered, are 38 Mr. F. E. Beddard on the not concealed by the narrow anterior part of the palatines which underlie them; in Podiceps cornutus the maxillo-pala- tines are much slighter and only just appear on the inner side of the palatines. Podica senegalenis (figs. 4 and 5) is more Rail-like than Grebe-like in this structural feature. On the other hand, the American Fin-foot is rather more Grebc- like than Rail-like. The maxillo-palatines are thin curved Fig. 4. Skull of Podica senegalensis, lateral view ; nat. size. (From P. Z. 8. 1890, p. 433.) Fig. 5. Skull of Podica senegalensis, ventral view ; nat. size. (From P. Z. 8. 1890, p. 434.) plates of bone, which are even less exposed than in Podiceps cornutus when the skull is viewed from below; this is owing to the fact that they are more curved, with the hollow surface directed outwards; in the Grebe these plates are nearly parallel with the long axis of the skull, the concave surface being directed downwards : in reality, therefore, the resem- blance of the maxillo-palatines of Heliornis to those of the Rail is closer than to those of the Grebe; the outer plate of bone which would convert the thin scroll-like maxillo-palatines of Heliornis into the inflated maxillo-palatines of Ocydromus or of Podica is wanting. In the Grebe the form and direction of the maxillo-palatines are snch that an additional American Fin-foot. 39 plate of bone could not convert them into the similitude of the inflated bullee of the Rails. Other smaller points of difference will be apparent from a comparison of the accompanying figures of the skulls of Helhornis and of Podica*. V. Sternum. The sternum, as will be seen by the figures (6 and 7), does . lod Bigs 7, Fig. 6.— Heliornis surinamensis. Sternum, ventral view ; nat. size. Fig. 7.—Sternum of Podica senegalensis, ventral view; nat. size. Co., coracoid ; ¢l., clavicle (removed on right side). (From P.Z.S. 1890, p. 435.) Co * For the use of the figures of Podica lam indebted to the kindness of the Publication Committee of the Zoological Society. 40 Mr. R. Lydekker on the not widely differ from that of Podica; the lateral margins are more concave, since the lateral processes jut out at a larger angle with the median axis. These processes, moreover, do not extend beyond the posterior margin of the sternum. The sternum also is shorter in proportion to its length in the American than in the African Fin-foot. The measurements of the sternum of Heliornis are as follows :—Length 35 mm. ; least breadth 16 mm. With these measurements may be compared those of Podica:—Uength 68 mm.; least breadth 20 mm. The median interclavicular piece of the merrythought is not prolonged forwards, as it is in Podica. VI. Pelvis. There are hardly any points of difference between the pelvis of Helornis and Podica. All the characteristic features of this part of the skeleton as described in Podica exist in Heliornis. The ridges on the ischia are, however, less conspicuous in the American Fin-foot. I have already compared the ribs and vertebre of these two birds, and need not recapitulate here what has been said in my paper in the P.Z.S. (¢.c.). III.—On the Extinct Giant Birds of Argentina. By Rh. Lypexxer. For the last few years the paleontological world has been flooded with accounts of the wonderful discoveries of mam- malian remains belonging to new or little known types which have been made in the Tertiary deposits of Argentina. These discoveries have rendered it certain that, instead of having to do merely with a single fauna of Pleistocene age, we have there laid before us a whole series of faunas, which evi- dently occupied a considerable portion of the Tertiary period. The geologists and paleontologists of Argentina are, indeed, of opinion that the deposits yielding vertebrate remains are eqnivalent to the whole of the European Tertiary series, from Extinct Giant Birds of Argentina. 4] the Pleistocene to the Lower Eocene, inclusive. Personally, however, I have considerable doubts whether the inferior beds are really as old as the Lower Eocene, although they contain certain mammalian groups more or less closely allied to those of the European Eocene; but it must be admitted, in any case, that they occupy a position some con- siderable way down in the Tertiary series. Now it is from these lowest beds that there have lately been brought to light the fine series of remains of giant extinct birds which have been described by Sefores Ameghino, Mercerat, and Moreno in the memoirs cited below *. With that peculiarly unfortunate fatality which appears to be inseparable from vertebrate paleontology in Argentina, these fossil birds have, however, already become involved in a labyrinth of confusion and pnzzling synonymy, comparable to that which renders the study of the fossil mammals of those regions so disheartening and repulsive to the European student. The mischief began by the first of these remains being described by Professor Ameghino in 1887 as mammalian, under the uncouth name of Phorusrhacos ; and it was not till 1891 that its describer found out that the presumed Edentate jaw was in reality part of an Avian mandible. In referring this jaw (which is figured, p. 42, reduced from the original given by Prof. Ameghino) to a bird, Prof. Ameghino took the opportunity of describing part of a cranium and some limb-bones belonging either to the same or a Closely allied bird, also of amending the name to Phororhacos + ; which term, it is quite evident, in spite of its uncouthness, is the one which must stand for the * AMEGHINO, C. ‘Aves fosiles Argentinas,” Revist. Argent. Hist. Nat. vol. i. pp. 255-259 (1891). ——. “Enumeracion de las Aves fosiles de la Reptiblica Argentina,” ibid. pp. 441-453. Moreno, F., and Mercerat, A. “Los Pajaros fésiles de la Reptiblica Argentina,” An. Mus. La Plata, vol. i., plates (1891). + [We might suggest its further emendation to Phororhacis, its deri- vation being, we suppose, dopew and paxis, a branch.—Eb. | 42 Mr. R. Lydekker on the bird in question. Beyond the figure of the typical mandible, this memoir was unfortunately not illustrated, and the author made no attempt to determine the systematic position of the newly discovered bird. Lateral and inferior views of the front portion of the mandible of Phororhacos longissimus. + nat. size. The want of illustration in Prof. Ameghino’s memoir was fully remedied by the folio work of Sehores Moreno and Mercerat, which contains a large number of finely engraved plates fully illustrating the osteology of the limbs of these giant birds. The remains were referred by these authors to no less than nine distinct genera, under the names of Phororhacos, Brontornis, Paleociconia, Mesembriornis, Stere- ornis, Patagornis, Dryornis, Darwinornis, and Rostrornis. And here I may remark that the barbarism of such terms as Darwinornis and Owenornis is only paralleled by the bi- lingual origin of the name Rostrornis. The authors of this memoir arrived at the conclusion that these birds belong to a totally distinct primary group, of equal rank with the Ratitee and Carinate, for which the name Stereornithes was suggested. No characters of sufficient importance to justify Extinct Giant Birds of Argentina. 43 such a bold innovation were, however, given, the main feature upon which the authors appear to have relied being the absence of a pneumatic foramen in the femur. Shortly after the appearance of this memoir—which must always bear a high value on account of the excellence of its illustrations—Prof. Ameghino published another paper criticizing and revising the work of Sefores Moreno and Mercerat. The results of his investigations were to the effect that, while the genus Brontornis (with Rostrornis as a synonym) was entitled to stand, the whole of the other names proposed were merely synonyms of the original Phoro- rhacos, of which six species were admitted. The author added, however, a third genus, which he named Opisthodac- tylus, distinguished by a peculiarity in the position of the facet for the hallux on the tarso-metatarsus. It may be added that, although Sefores Moreno and Mercerat considered the birds described in their memoir to indicate no less than four distinct families, yet Prof. Ameghino included the whole of the three genera that he admitted in the single family Phororhacide, which was placed among the Ratite. Although we remember the lesson taught by the Moas as to the difficulty of separating generically well-marked avian forms upon the evidence of the limb-bones alone, yet, so far as we can judge from the materials at hand, Prof. Ameghino appears to have been perfectly justified in ruthlessly cutting down the genera of his confréres in the manner he has done. Having said thus much as to the historical aspect of the subject, we are in a position to consider what can be deter- mined as to the affinities of these remarkable birds, which appear to have been very common in Argentina during the Tertiary period. And here I may remind my readers that giant flightless birds occur in the Lower Kocenes of Europe (Gastornis and Dasornis) and of North America (Diatryma) ; but that at present none are known between that period and the Pliocene, unless, indeed, these Argentine forms belong to some portion of the intervening gap. As regards dimensions, it appears that these Argentine birds not only rivalled but in some cases actually excelled dd. Mr. R. Lydekker on the the largest of the New Zealand Moas—the tibia of Brontornis measuring 304 inches in length, against 39 inches in the tallest Mca; while the skull of Phororhacos longissimus 1s considered to indicate a bird much larger than either Brontornis or the most stately Dinornis. The most peculiar feature of these birds is undoubtedly the form and structure of the skull, which is quite unlike that of the Moas or that of any existing Ratite bird. Un- fortunately the cranium is at present only known to us by a brief description, without a figure, and we have accordingly to rely mainly on the mandible. In the typical mandible of Phororhacos, of which the anterior portion is figured in the accompanying woodcut (p. 4:2), the most note- worthy features are the enormous size of the specimen, the extreme narrowness and length of the symphysis, the large size of the lateral vacuity, and the somewhat sigmoid profile and upturned point of the entire ramus. ‘To give some idea of the size of this jaw, it may be mentioned that the length of the symphysis is upwards of 6; inches, while to the hinder third of the lateral vacuity the length is fully 144 inches. It may accordingly be estimated that the total length of the whole jaw could not have fallen short of between 20 and 24 inches. Such a jaw must have been as large as that of the extinct Edentate Scelidotherium, and Prof. Ameghino may therefore be well excused for having at first taken it for that ofa mammal. In general contour this mandible is more like those of Psophia and Cariama than that of any other living bird. In the cranium the beak is described as compressed and curved, with its tip overhanging that of the mandible; but the most remarkable feature is the occurrence of two alveoli on either side of the upper jaw, which are considered to have carried large teeth. Itis further inferred that the skull was surmounted by a horny casque, owing to the presence of rugosities on the frontal region. It may be remarked here that Prof. Lemoine* has de- scribed, in the alveolar border of the premaxilla of Gastornis, a large circular swelling which he regards as having been the * Rech. Oiseaux Fossiles, pt. ii. (Rheims, 1881). Extinct Giant Birds of Argentina. 45 base of a tooth-like process formed by the jaw itself. It appears to me, however, that this swelling looks much more like a true dental alveolus, which, owing to the shedding of its tooth, had been filled up with bone. And I may add that, as the skull of Gastornis is known only by mere fragments, its restoration by Lemoine (in which a length of about 12 inches is assigned to the mandible) is largely conjectural. Prof. Ameghino considers that Phororhacos longissimus was of about double the dimensions of Brontornis burmeisteri, in which the length of the tibia was 304 inches ! With regard to the limb-bones of these birds *, the most characteristic features appear to be that the femur had no pneumatic foramen, that the tibia had a bony bridge over the extensor canal at its distal extremity, and that its anterior intercondylar gorge was very deep, with the condyles very prominent. The tarso-metatarsus is of considerable length, and very wide above, with the intercotylar tuberosity very tall and the upper part of the upper surface deeply exca- vated. In the latter respect this bone resembles the tarso- metatarsus of Apyornis; but in that genus there is no intercotylar tuberosity to this bone, and no distinct inter- condylar gorge to the tibia. Gastornis has a more slender tarso-metatarsus with a prominent intercotylar tuberosity, and a deep intercondylar gorge to the tibia. It was at first thought that the hallux was wanting, but subsequent re- search proved this to be incorrect. Unfortunately, nothing appears to have been discovered of the sternum; and the information relating to the wings is still very meagre, although these appear to have been present in some form or other. That birds of the gigantic dimensions of Phororhacos and Brontornis must have been flightless is self-evident ; and, so far as the present descriptions and figures admit of forming a judgment, there appear no characters by which they, in common with Gastornis and Dasornis, can be satisfactorily separated from the Ratitee. Inthe presence of a bony bridge * Casts of some of the limb-bones of Brontornis have recently been received at the British Museum. 46 On the Extinct Giant Birds of Argentina. over the extensor groove of the tibia, the South American forms resemble the Dinornithide, and thereby differ from all existing representatives of the Ratitew. They likewise approximate to Dinornis (as distinct from the other Moas) and Gastornis in the general proportions of the tibia and tarso- metatarsus ; the trochlez of the latter bone having, indeed, precisely the same relative lengths asin the European genus. It is true that the lower end of the tibia has not the inflection characteristic of Gastornis, but the Moas show that this feature is not of more than generic importance. So far, therefore, as the limb-bones go, Phororhacos and Brontornis might apparently be distantly related to Gastornis and the Moas. The skulls of the latter show, however, that the giant New Zealand birds are of a type widely different from those of South America; although, if we believe in an affinity between the Moas and the Kiwis, we must not attach an undue weight to this point of difference. With regard to Gastornis, the case is more difficult. According, however, to Lemoine’s restoration, the mandibular symphysis was short, and the upper jaw wider than in Phoro- rhacos. Still, however, we have a declination of the tip of the premaxilla comparable to the description of the latter ; and, for what it is worth, the presence in both of alveolar- like structures. That both Gastornis on the one hand, and Brontornis and Phororhacos on the other, cannot be excluded from the Ratitz as at present defined, appears, as I have already said, certain. If, however, they be rightly included in that group, and the presumed affinity of Gastornis to the Anseres be sustained, while the apparent resemblance of the jaw of Phororhacos to Psophia indicates a relationship, then we shall have confirmatory evidence in favour of the modern German view that the Ratitz form a compound group, of which the various sections have been independently derived from several perfectly distinct Carinate ancestors, and that their mutual resemblances to one another are solely owing to the effects of adaptation. I confess, however, that the supposed Anserine affinities of Gastornis appear far from clear to me, while I On the Birds of the Loo-Choo Islands. AZ always feel that the great difficulty in admitting the multiple origin of the Ratitz is that if this had been the case there would have been far less structural similarity to one another among the various groups than we find to prevail. IV .—Notes on the Birds of the Loo-Choo Islands. By Henry Sersoum. My collector, Mr. Holst, has just returned from a visit to the Loo-Choo Islands * and has sent me a box of birds, amongst which are some specimens of great interest. The numbers prefixed to the names in the following list are those of my book on ‘The Birds of the Japanese Empire.’ Except when stated to the contrary, the birds were col- lected on Okinawa-sima, the largest island in the central group of the Loo-Choo Islands. ‘To other localities belong only a couple of birds obtained during the voyage in the northern group, and afew skins from 'T'su-sima. 7. MERULA PALLIDA. A female shot on the 80th of March, probably a winter visitor. 8. MeERULA CHRYSOLAUS. Four examples. They are said to be winter visitors, from November to May. Great numbers passed through on mi- gration during March. The most numerous Thrush on the islands. Y, MERULA PALLENS. Two examples. 12. ERITHACUS NAMIYEI. Mr. Holst has sent two examples of this very distinct species, an adult male and an immature male, which, along with the adult female in the Pryer collection, make a very interesting series. The adult male is described as having the irides dark brown, the bill jet-black, and the legs flesh-coloured. The immature male resembles the female in the colour of * See Ibis, 1892, p. 575. 48 Mr. H. Seebohm on the the upper parts, and on the underparts the black feathers of the chin and throat of the adult male are replaced by dark brown, margined with grey. 16. MontIcoLa CYANUS. Two adult males are typical examples of the Eastern form of this species, Monticola cyanus solitarius, with the under- parts below the middle of the breast deep chestnut. 22. TARSIGER CYANURUS. Two males, one shot on the 3rd of January and the other on the 29th of December on Tsu-sima, add another species to the list ef birds found on that island. 30. HypsiPETES SQUAMICEPS. Three examples shot in February and March belong to the small race known as Hypsipetes squamiceps pryeri. Two of them (males) measure 4°7 inches in length of wing from the carpal joint, but the third (a female) is less than any I have previously seen, only measuring as follows: wing 4°3, tail 3°75 inches, bill ‘9, tarsus °8 inch. 32. ZosTEROPS PALPEBROSA. Four examples vary somewhat in size. They are all dark in colour. Wing 2°35 to 2°1 inches, bill from frontal fea- thers ‘45 to °35 inch. They evidently belong to a large race of Zosterops palpebrosa simplex. 38. ACROCEPRALUS ORIENTALIS. An example was caught on board the steamer on the 24th of May about forty miles north of Nase-Osima, one of the northern group of the Loo-Choo Islands. 44, CETTIA CANTANS. A female shot on the 3rd of April measures 2°6 inches in length of wing and 2°5 in length of tail. 45. CETTIA CANTILLANS. Three examples shot in March and April measure about 1 inches in length of wing and tail. 47. CIsTICOLA CISTICOLA. Two males in summer plumage, with a buff band across Birds of the Loo-Choo Islands. 49 the tail and no stripes on the crown, are dated 9th and 11th of April. They measure 2°2 and 2°15 inches in length of wing, and may be regarded as belonging to the large race of the Eastern form. The exposed part of the bastard primary measures ‘5 inch, and the second primary is ‘95 longer, and only ‘1 inch shorter than the longest. 52. PARUS ATRICEPS. An example shot on the 30th of March is almost typical, but a slight shade of green on the mantle shows its affinity to Parus atriceps minor. 53a. Parus CASTANEIVENTER, Gould. Two examples, one shot on the 8th of February (wing 23 inches) and the other on the 14th (wing 2°9 inches), agree with the Formosan P. castaneiventer in having very much less chestnut on the mantle than the Japanese species, P. varius. 61. Corvus MACRORHYNCHUS. Two examples shot in February belong to the small race known as Corvus macrorhynchus levaillantt (wimg 12-124 inches ; height of upper mandible at centre of nostrils 52-6 inch). 78. PeRICcROCOTUS TEGIM, Two examples (male and female) shot on the 4th of April. 85. MoraciLia BOARULA. Two examples shot on the 26th and 27th of January show that the Grey Wagtail is a winter visitor to the Loo-Choo Islands. 86 a. Moracitia Taivana*, A very handsome male, with brilliant yellow eye-stripe, flew on board the steamer about forty miles north of Nase- Osima, in the northerly group of the Loo-Choo Islands, Trides dark brown; bill black, paler at the base of the lower mandible ; legs greyish black. 92. CoccoTHRAUSTES VULGARIS. Two examples shot on the 15th of April may have been * [ Cf. Sharpe, Cat. B, x. p. 514.—Ep.] SER. VI,—VOL. V. E 50 _ Mr. H. Seebohm on the passing through on migration. Two examples from 'Tsu- sima, shot early in January, make an addition to the known birds of that island. 107. PyRRHULA GRISEIVENTRIS. An example from Tsu-sima, shot on the 29th December, adds another species to the list of birds found on that island. It is a typical example of the race known as Pyrrhula griset- ventris rosacea, 108. PassER MONTANUS. Two examples are typical in colour, both males. 116. EmBeriza PERSONATA, A male killed on the 4th of April is described as having had the irides light yellow; legs flesh-colour; upper man- dible brownish black, with a light grey base ; lower brownish, with a brownish-yellow base. 133. Picus NoeucHII. Sapheopipo noguchii, Harg. Cat. B. xvii. p. 378. Mr. Holst has sent an adult male and two adult females of this fine species. The irides are described as_ reddish brown and the pupil as blue ; bill pale greyish blue, browner at the base of the upper mandible, and slightly so at the base of the under mandible. Legs and feet brownish grey. The figure of the type (‘ Ibis,’ 1887, pl. vii.) is a fair repre- sentation of the adult, except that the light brown on the throat ought to extend further down the middle of the breast, and the crimson on the underparts is too pronounced on the breast, and not brilliant enough on the belly and under tail- coverts. In the female there is no crimson on the crown or nape. In both sexes the upper parts are much suffused with crimson, but there is no crimson on the wing-coverts. As regards its generic characters, this bird belongs to the group in which the nasal aperture is concealed by bristles ; the fourth digit the longest ; the tail much longer than the second primary ; the nasal shelf broad ; the nasal aperture low ; the chin-angle hidden by bristles, and about halfway between the eye and the tip of the bill. In all these respects it agrees 1 Ot Birds of the Loo-Choo Islands. with Picus major, but it differs from it in having a larger bastard primary, which varies in length from 1°8 to 1°5 inch, being considerably less than half of the length of the second primary. 138, IyNnerpicus KISUKI. A female shot on the 7th of February, and two young birds caught in the nest on the 27th of April, may be referred to the small dark race, Iyngipicus kisuki nigrescens. Mr. Hargitt has pointed out to me that the Tsu-sima birds belong to the typical form, and not to the larger paler race to which I have erroneously referred them (‘ Ibis, 1892, p- 95). 142. TurruR ORIENTALIS. A male shot on the 20th of February is a typical example of the species. 146. Treron PERMAGNA. Two examples (presumably males) measure 8:2 inches in length of wing from carpal joint, whilst a third (sexed female) measures 7°75. ‘There is no trace of orange on the crown of any of them. 147. CoLUMBA IANTHINA. On the label of an example shot on the 21st of February Mr. Holst has written “ Very rare, but said to be common in autumn.” 150. CucuLus cANorwus. An example shot on the 30th of March measures 8°4 inches in length of wing. The dark transverse bars across the lower breast and belly are rather broad. 156. ALcEDO ISPIDA. Two adults belong to the Eastern race known as Alcedo ispida bengalensis. An immature example shot on the 6th of May has a much shorter bill, the chestnut on the under- parts is suffused with greenish brown, and there is more green and less blue on the upper parts. Ea 52 Mr. H. Seebohm on the 167. Nrnox scuTuULATA. An example shot on the 15th of April had its stomach full of the remains of small beetles. 168. Scops sEMITORQUES. An example from Tsu-sima makes an addition to the list of birds found on that island. 171. Scors PRYERI. This well-marked species has hitherto only been known from two examples, an adult in the Norwich Museum, and an immature example in my own collection; it is conse- quently very satisfactory to receive an adult male shot on the 30th of April. The irides are described as amber- coloured, veined nearest to the blue pupil with streaks of light yellowish green. The bill is described as greenish yellow. This species very closely resembles Scops semi- torques, but it has a longer tarsus and a larger foot, and the feathering only reaches to the base of the toes. 178. Burastur INpIcUus. Two examples, February and March. 192. AcCIPITER GULARIS. A female shot on the 19th of April had light yellow irides and yellowish-green feet, with black claws. Bill black, basal half light blue. 202. ARDEA ALBA MODESTA. An example shot on the 11th of March has black legs and a yellow bill; wing 144 inches; irides bright yellow. 210. ARDEA JAVANICA. An example shot on the 4th of April (wing from carpal joint 8°] inches) belongs to the large race known as Ardea javanica stagnatilis. Irides light yellow; bill black, except the tip and the basal half of the under mandible, which are yellowish green; legs green, shading into rich yellow underneath the toes and at the back of the tarsus. Birds of the Loo-Choo Islands. 53 255. Murcus sERRATOR. A winter visitor; an example shot on the 26th of February. 288. LARUS CACHINNANS, Probably a winter visitor ; an example shot on the 22nd of December. 303. CHARADRIUS FULVUS. Four examples shot in February appear to belong to the typical race (wing from carpal joint 64 to 64 inches). Mr. Holst says that they were very common on the sea-shore. 306, CHARADRIUS MINOR. Winter visitor ; an example shot on the 27th of January. 309. CHARADRIUS CANTIANUS. A female shot at Nagomagiri Choda, on the island of Okinawa-sima, on the 9th of February, is a very remarkable bird. On the right foot there is a perfect hallux, with claw complete ; on the left foot the hallux is there, but the claw has never been developed or has been broken off. The bird appears to have very pale legs, and consequently belongs to the Chinese race known as Charadrius cantianus dealbatus. 329. ToraNus HYPOLEUCUS. Two examples (one shot on the 7th of February and the other on the 4th of April) appear to be both adult, but the April bird is insummer plumage. Compared with the winter example, the streaks on the upper breast are far more dis- tinct, as are also the dark bars on the upper parts. 367. GALLINULA CHLOROPUS. An example shot on the 15th of April. 371 a. PopicErs CRISTATUS. There is no authentic specimens of the Great Crested Grebe, so far as I know, to be found in any collection of birds from Japan, but an example shot on T'sn-sima in January admits the species into the avifauna of the Japanese Empire. The example is, of course, in winter plumage, and has white lores. DA Mr. I’. W. Styan on new V.—On Five apparently new Species of Birds from Hainan. By I’. W. Styan, F.Z.8. Mr. B. Scumacker, of Shanghai, a well-known conchologist and enthusiastic collector of birds, has kindly placed in my hands a number of bird-skins from the interior of Hainan obtained by his hunters in 1891 and 1892. Among many rare and interesting species represented are five which appear to he new to science, of which descriptions are appended. The rest of the collection I hope to deal with later on, 1. GRAMINICOLA STRIATA, Sp. nov, /« Phan, Ue Similar to Gy bengalensis, but with the feathers of the rump narrowly streaked with black instead of bemg uniform, the lores and eyebrows pale buff instead of white, and the car-coverts tawny buff very narrowly streaked with black. The pale tips of the rectrices are tawny on the outer and pale buff on the inner webs. d. Length 65 in., wing 2°26, tail 3°2, tarsus 0:9, culmen 0'6. Only two specimens obtained, 2, PINAROCICHLA SCHMACKERI, Sp. NOV. lorchead, crown, and crest rufous brown ; mantle greenish olive, shading into olive-brown on the lower back and rump; upper tail-coverts deep rufous brown, Tail, upper surface dull rufous brown; under surface paler with shining golden brown shafts; no pale tips. Primaries and second- aries deep brown, with olive-brown edgings on the outer webs; greater wing-coverts similar, lesser wing-coverts and scapulars like the mantle. Lores, eyebrows, sides of face, cheeks, and ear-coverts dusky grey streaked with blackish, the car-coverts washed with rufous. Throat and fore neck dull white ; breast dusky olive-grey streaked with olive-yellow, shading into clearer yellow on the abdomen and bright buff on the under tail-coverts ; flanks like the breast but rather darker. Under wing-coverts pale buff, the least ones yellowish, axillaries olive-yellow ; under surface of wing- feathers pale buff on edges of inner webs of secondaries and Birds from Hainan. 5D basal halves of inner edges of primaries. Legs and claws (in skin) deep brown, Culmen black, paler at tip; lower mandible horn-colour, pale at base. Tris dark brown. Length 8:9 in., wing 42, tail 4°25, culmen 0°7, tarsus 0°85, Several specimens from the interior of the island, This bird is readily distinguishable from P. euptilosa by the absence of white tips on the rectrices. 3. CryeroLoria BICOLOR, sp. Nov. General colour above bright greenish yellow, brighter on lower back and rump; beneath greyish white very faintly washed with yellow, rather clearer on the throat and centre of the abdomen; flanks and thighs slightly washed with yellow; under tail-coverts bright sulphur-yellow. Lores, feathers round the eye, sides of face, and ear-coverts dusky white like the underparts. Feathers of the crown with narrow dark shaft-streaks, and clongated into a well-marked crest. Primaries blackish, outer webs bright greenish yellow, basal portion of inner webs edged with bright sulphur-yellow ; secondaries similar, with the inner webs edged for the whole length ; innermost secondaries entirely greenish yellow, Tail-feathers eutirely bright greenish yellow, with edgings of sulphur-yellow on the inner webs. Under wing-coverts sulphur-yellow, axillaries white washed with yellow. Legs, feet, and claws (in skin) pale fleshy brown, Bill pale horn, darker on upper mandible. 3. Length 4°35 in., wing 2°45, tail 1:9, tarsus 0°65, culmen 0'5. Several specimens from the interior obtained in May, 4. CrYPSIRMINA NIGRA, SP. NOV. Mntire plumage deep sooty black, with a blue metallic gloss on the crown, wings, and tail. Tail-feathers spatulate and deeply notched at the tip; as, however, they are all much abraded, it is difficult to say how much of the notching is due to nature and how much to accident. I place this bird in the genus Crypsirhina, but it is not improbable that a new genus may have to be created for it, The forehead, lores, and chin are covered by a thick tuft of 56 On new Birds from Hainan. bristly feathers, and between the eye and the gape is a small triangular bare patch, which, however, may be due to the worn condition of the skin. 6. Length 12°25 in., tail 7:5, outermost feathers 2°8, culmen 1, wing 4:7, tarsus 1. Bill, feet, and claws black. Iris magenta. One specimen only from the interior, dated 12th December. 5. ARBORICOLA ARDENS, Sp. NOV. Upper parts, including back, scapulars, and rump, olive- brown, regularly barred with black ; crown of head and nape more rufous brown, and the barring so small as to have a spotted character. Forehead, lores, chin, throat, sides of face above and beneath the eye, and sides of neck black ; ear- coverts black, except basal half, which is pale buff with a vinous tinge ; the black of the throat consists of spots through which a reddish-buff ground appears. Above the black eye- brow a narrow streak of pale vinous buff. On the lower throat and upper breast a patch of lanceolate feathers of flaming scarlet, the same colour extending in the form of a collar round the hind neck, where it is paler, more orange, and over- laid with black spots. Breast and sides of body bluish grey washed with carthy brown, the flank-feathers with white shaft-streaks. Centre of body and abdomen buffy white, washed, like the centre of the breast, with vinous. Thighs buffy white. Under tail-coverts earthy brown, mottled with black and tipped with white. Primaries and bastard wing dark brown, the former slightly edged at the extremities with pale brown. Secondaries dark brown, edged externally with pale rufous brown, these edgings broader and more rufous on the inner feathers. Tertiaries, basal portion rufous, followed by a band of pale olive-brown, a subterminal black bar, and a rufous tip. The inner secondaries are similarly marked at the extremity and also the greater coverts, the result being to give the closed wing the appearance of having three series of bars of these colours. Under wing-coverts greyish brown, tipped with white ; least series all white. Tail wanting. Beak black. Legs, feet, and claws (in skin) golden brown. Length Lieut. H. E. Barnes on the Birds of Aden. 57 apparently about 9 in., wing 4°8, tarsus 1:3, beak from gape ‘85. Iris black. One specimen only, from the interior, in bad condition and without the tail; it is sexed as female and has no spurs, but the bright plumage would lead one to think it a male. Shanghai, 11th August, 1892. VI.—On the Birds of Aden. By Lieut. H. E. Barnes, F.Z.S8. (Plate IV.) ADEN is situated on the south coast of Arabia, in the province of Yemen (the Arabia Felix of the Ancients), and is 118 miles east of the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, in latitude 12° 47! N., and longitude 45° 0! E. The settlement consists of two small rocky peninsulas, Aden proper on the east and Little Aden on the west, sepa- rated by a bay forming the harbour, and a strip of land on the Arabian coast, about six miles long and three broad. The total area is about 70 square miles. The inhabited part, known as Aden proper, is a high rocky peninsula, almost an island, and is connected with the main- land by a narrow, flat, sandy isthmus. It is about five miles long and three wide, and consists of hills of bare brown rock, the highest, Shum-shum, attaining a height of 1760 feet. Its voleanic origin is shown by the existence of a large extinct erater situated at the north-east corner. From this spurs project in all directions into the sea, and the surface is much broken up and is uninhabitable, except in a few places. The lava is of different colours, but brown and grey pre- dominate. Gypsum and pumice-stone are also found, and several thousand tons of the latter are annually exported to Bombay. The hills are not so bare of vegetation as at a distance they appear to be. After a fall of rain (of late years no uncommon occurrence) patches of verdure appear ; and if the 58 Lieut. H. E. Barnes on the Birds of Aden. fall has been heavy or continuous, the hill-sides are soon covered with a mantle of green, consisting principally of wild portulaca. To one who, like myself, has revisited the settlement after. a lapse of 25 years the recent change in the climate is very noticeable. During my first stay in Aden (1866-—7-8) it rained but once, yet this was sufficient to fill the tanks; while during my last stay (1890-1-2) it raimed frequently, more often during the prevalence of the south-west monsoon. Mammal-life is not very abundant in Aden—a few foxes, dogs, and an occasional jackal are to be met with, and I believe that a small colony of monkeys eke out a scanty existence in the ravines near the summit of Shum-shum. Insect-life is abundant, and there are a few snakes, some of which are venomous. . The resident species of birds are few in number—kites, rock-chats, doves, and pigeons being most numerous. Fishes are good and plentiful, give fair sport, and afford a welcome addition to the scanty fare of the settlement. Lobsters, crabs, and oysters, as well as other shell-fish, should be avoided by those who wish to keep their health. At the last census the population, including 7000 at Shaik Othman, was upwards of 38,000, in addition to the floating population amounting to 2000, making 40,000 in all. The majority of the inhabitants consist of Arabs and Somalis in about equal numbers. They have mostly been born in the settlement, but many are immigrants from Yemen and from the opposite African coast; as a rule, how- ever, the latter are only temporary residents. These two races differ considerably in appearance: the Arabs are short, sturdy, and muscular, with light brown complexions; on the other hand, the Somalis are tall, thin, and weak, and black in colour. In religion both are Mahomedans. Other races in Aden are Turks, Persians, Egyptians, Seedees, Hindoos, a few Chinese, and Europeans of all nations. The principal shopkeepers are Parsees. The Jews, who hold a monopoly of the feather-trade, are a very distinct people and Lieut. H. E. Barnes on the Birds of Aden. 59 have the usual characteristics of their race fully developed. There are but few non-official Europeans, and these are mostly engaged in commerce. The water-supply of Aden is obtained from several sources, the chief being the condensers, of which there are several, belonging both to Government and to private individuals, The supply next in importance is the aqueduct from Shaik Othman, completed-in 1867, the water of which becomes slightly brackish en route and among Europeans is used only for ablution. ‘The remaining sources are the wells and tanks dependent upon the rainfall; but the water in most of the former is brackish and unfit for drinking and cooking purposes. Cattle and sheep of good quality are imported from Ber- bera and other adjacent African ports; the few coming from the interior of Arabia are not so good. The sheep are noted for the amount of fat in their tails, and a belief is prevalent amongst the soldiers of the garrison that this is due to the sheep always grazing uphill, which causes the fat to accumu- late in that portion of their bodies (this may be taken cum grano salis). R. torquate affinis et eyusdem stature, necnon coloribus plerumque similis; sed capite summo obscuriore, uropygio et cauda fuscescentioribus, remigibus in pogo- nio externo ad apicem cervino distincte notatis, maculis celatis in pogonio interno cervinis (nec albis), et tec- tricibus majoribus late cervino terminatis distinguendus. « Hab. Nicaragua; Santo Domingo. “We also find in Mr. Richardson’s collection a single specimen of Conurus finschi, originally described from Panama specimens ; and a pair, taken at Leon, of the pretty little Gampsonyax swainsoni, a well-known bird in South America, but quite new to the Central-American fauna.” A second communication from Mr. Sarvin related to a new species of Petrel. In the collection of birds made by Mr. Hawkins on the Chatham Islands were two specimens of an Mstrelata be- longing to a species allied to CZ. cookt, but which differed in several marked characters. The skins were not quite adult, but were marked male and female ; the birds had been shot on the south-east island on the 8th of May, 1892. Mr. Salvin proposed to describe the species as follows :— CEsTRELATA AXILLARIS, Sp. 0. G. cooki affinis, sed minor ; rostro breviore et magis robusto ; supra pallidior, tectricibus alarum mediis cinerascentibus albo limbatis, rectricibus lateralibus magis cinereis ; axillaribus et tectricibus subalaribus secundariis nigris: rostro nigro, pedibus carneis, digitis et palamis plerum- que nigris ad basin carneis. Long. tota circa 12-0 poll., alee 8°3, caude rectr. med. 3°8, rectr. lat. 3°2, rostri a rictu 1°3, tarsi 1:2, dig. med. cum ungue 1°5. Hab. Chatham Islands. Recently published Ornithological Works. 265 Mr. E. Harrerr exhibited the type-specimens of Hemi- gnathus lanaiensis, Rothschild, from Lanai, described at the last Meeting of the Club, as well as examples of its nearest allies. Mr. Harrerr also exhibited the skin of a Goose, supposed by him to be a hybrid between Bernicla brenta and Anser albifrons. Mr. Henry Srrsonm gave a short explanation of a theory propounded by Dr. Nicholski, of St. Petersburg, to account for the variations in the shape of birds’ eggs. Mr. W. R. Ocitvir-Grant made some remarks on the classification of the Game-Birds and on the changes of the plumage in the Tetraonide. Mr. Scrater drew attention to the protected district round Aden as being very convenient for an ornithological excursion, and a place where it was evident, from Lieut. Barnes’s recent article in ‘The Ibis,’ that much more good work remained to be done. XX VII.—Notices of recent Ornithological Publications. [Continued from p. 150.] 48. Biittikofer on the Species of Rhipidura. [A Review of the Genus RAipidura, with an Enumeration of the Speci- mens in the Leyden Museum. By J. Buttikofer. Notes Leyden Mus, xv. p. 65.] Mr. Biittikofer gives a complete list, with diagnoses, of the species of this numerous Oriental genus of Muscicapide, and excellent critical notes on those of which he has ex- amined specimens. He includes Leucocerca, Neomyias, and Sauloprocta in the genus Rhipidura, and recognizes 78 species, of which 5 are now described as new, namely, R. ce- lebensis and R. teysmanni, from Celebes; R. sumbavensis, from Sumbava; R. rosenbergi, from Aru; and R. hoedti, from Lettie, Timor group. 266 Recently published Ornithological Works. 49. Cory’s ‘Catalogue of West-Indian Birds,’ [Catalogue of West-Indian Birds, containing a List of all Species known to occur in the Bahama Islands, the Greater Antilles, the Caymans, and the Lesser Antilles, excepting the Islands of Tobago and Trinidad. By Charles B. Cory. 4to. Boston: 1892.] Mr. Cory’s new ‘Catalogue of West-Indian Birds’ is another valuable contribution to our knowledge of the avi- fauna of the Antillean Subregion, which the author has-long made a subject of successful study. In his preface Mr. Cory divides the West Indies into three groups—the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, ana tne Lesser Antilles. To the first - category are attributed 33 component islands, to the second 17, and to the third 33, making altogether 83 islands, which have been more or less critically examined by Mr. Cory and his collectors—operations which have resulted in a splendid series of from 14,000 to 15,000 specimens of birds. Mr. Cory commences with a “ table of genera and species peculiar to the West Indies,” and a complete list of ornitho- logical publications on the subject, arranged first geographic- ally and then chronologically. The former of these enables one to see at a glance what work has been done in the case of each individual island, and will be very useful to future investigators. ‘The systematic catalogue of the birds, which follows, is arranged according to the fashion of the American Code. It enumerates 585 species and subspecies, of which 298 are peculiar to the Antillean Subregion, as shown in the annexed Table (p. 267). There are 38 genera of birds restricted to the West Indies, of which 1 is peculiar to the Bahamas, 24 to the Greater Antilles, and 8 to the Lesser Antilles. After the general list are given a very useful list of species and subspecies restricted to the different islands, and an Ap- pendix, which contains a variety of critical notes. The plan adopted of referring to the different islands by numbers only is not, we think, a good one, and saves little space, while it gives unnecessary trouble and is likely to lead to error. Nor is the map quite so clear as it ought to be. There are also some very obvious misprints in the scientific Recently published Ornithological Works. 267 names, which the author, as he kindly tells us, will correct in subsequent issues of the work. But this useful sum- mary of Mr. Cory’s prolonged labours on this interesting avi- fauna deserves the cordial recognition of all ornithologists. Order. Species. | Peculiar. | Order. Species. | Peculiar. Pygopedes ...... 3 | Brought forward| 148 12 Longipennes .... 19 hk Gallings: irene « 5 1 Mubinares .....; 6 ie ||) Columbraey.-rcpy 21 12 Steganopodes....| 12 eet eaptoress . sive 39 19 SISCTOS .... ss. « 30 I Peittack fs nei. 15 14 Odontoglosse .,.. 1 WCoceyges: ... . as 22 16 Herodiones...... 20 PeBEACIG cide niet 17 16 Paludicole ...... 19 6* || Macrochires ....| 35 21 Dimmicole, ...... 38 dy WiRasseresy 3/22 cig0ac 283 182 Carried forward} 148 12 otal ae seve: 585 293 50. Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Centrali- Americana,’ + [Biologia Centrali-Americana; or, Contributions to the Knowledge of the Fauna and Flora of Mexico and Central America. Edited by F, DuCane Godman and Osbert Salvin. (Zoology.) Parts CV. & CVI. 4to. London: 1892-93. Published for the Editors by R. H. Porter, 18 Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W. | The sixteen pages devoted to Birds in the present parts of the ‘ Biologia’ enable the authors to finish their account of the Trochilide with the genera Stellula, Lophornis, and Prymnacantha, and to commence the Cypselide with Aéro- nautes, Panyptila, and Chetura. 51. Hartlaub on four rare Rails. [Vier seltene Rallen. Von Dr. G. Hartlaub. Abh. naturw. Ver. Bremen, xii. p. 389. } The four rare Rails which our much-esteemed Foreign Member discourses upon are Aittlitzia (gen. nov.) monasa * Mr. Cory is, we believe, in error in making Rallus maculatus a species peculiar to Cuba. It has a wide range in South America. See Sel. et Huds, Arg. Orn. ii. p. 148. + For last notice of this work see above, p. 184. 268 Recently published Ornithological Works. from Ualan, Pennula ecaudata and P. sandwichensis of the Sandwich Islands, and Pennula palmeri* from Laysan Island, North Pacific. On this paper Dr. Sharpe’s remarks (above, p. 252) and Dr. Hartlaub’s reply (p. 256) should be con- sulted, 52. Lilford’s ‘Coloured Figures of British Birds, [Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Islands. Issued by Lord Lilford, I.Z.8. &¢., President of the British Ornithologists’ Union. Part XVIII., April 1891; XIX., July 1891; XX., December 1891; XXI., August 1892, 8vo. London. | Since we last noticed the progress of Lord Lilford’s work (Ibis, 1891, p. 455) four more parts have been published, making 21 in all now issued. We need hardly say that the recently issued figures quite maintain the high standard of accuracy and artistic treatment displayed in the previous numbers of this work, which, we trust, will be shortly brought to a successful conclusion. 53. Martorelli on the Migration of Birds. [Le Mute regressive degli Uccelli Migranti e il loro scambio tra gli Emisferi Nord e Sud. Memoria del Prof. Giacinto Martorelli. 8vo. Milano: 1892. Lstratto degli Atti della Soc. Ital. d. Sci. nat. 1892, ] Prof. Martorelli discusses the question of the relation of the moulting of birds to their migrations, and alludes espe- cially to the writings of Messrs. Seebohm, Parker, and Tristram. He sums up his results in twenty conclusions. l‘or these we must refer our readers to the original article, which well merits the attention of those interested in this obscure subject. 54. Middendorff on Bird-life on the Russian Lighthouses. | Vogelleben an den Russischen Leuchtthiirmen des Schwarzen, Kas- pischen und Weissen Meeres. Von I. vy. Middendorff. 8vo. Wien: 1892. ] Dr. E. v. Middendorff has compiled this report in com- [* Porzanula palmert, Frohawk, Ann, N. H. ser, 6, vol. ix, p. 247 (1892), Recently published Ornithological Works. 269 phance with the demands of the International Ornithological Congress of 1884 for such information. It contains an account of the occurrences of birds at 29 Light-Stations,—8 on the Caspian, 1 on the White Sea, and the remainder on the Black Sea and Sea of Azof. In the systematic part 113 birds are enumerated, but in many cases the exact species has not been determined, 55. Mockler-Ferryman’s Voyage up the Niger. [Up the Niger. Narrative of Major Claude Macdonald’s Mission to the Niger and Benue Rivers, West Africa. By Captain A. F. Mockler- Ferryman, F.R.G.S., F.Z.8. To which is added a chapter on Native Musical Instruments, by Captain C. R, Day. 8vo. London: 1892.) There are several allusions to birds in the course of Capt. Mockler-Ferryman’s narrative of Major Macdonald’s expe- dition, and in the Appendix (p. 310) will be found a list of 33 species of birds of which specimens were obtained on the Niger and Benue. ‘The names have been furnished by Dr. Sharpe, and examples of most of the species have been deposited in the National Collection. Wemay mention that “ Agdydipna” in the list is a misprint for Hedydipna., 56. North on the Nesting of Manucodia. [Note on the Nidification of Manucodia comrit, Sclater. By A. J. North. Rec, Austral. Mus. ii. p. 82. | The Rey. R. H. Rickard found Manucodia comrii breeding on Fergusson Island, 8.E. New Guinea, in July 1891. The nest was a loosely-made, open structure, placed in a bread- fruit tree, 20 feet from the ground. The egg (which is figured on a coloured plate) is elongate ovoid in form, of a warm isabelline ground-colour, with purplish dots, blotches, and streaks, and measures 1°65 by 1°13 inch, 57. North on Additions to the Tasmanian Avifauna. [Additions to the Avifaunas of Tasmania and Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. By A. J. North. Rec, Austral. Mus. ii. p. 86, ] Amongst the rare grallatorial and natatorial birds that 270 Recently published Ornithological Works. have recently appeared Mr. North chronicles Erismatura australis and Spatula variegata in Tasmania, and three species new to the ornis of Norfolk Island. 58. Pigott on London Birds. {London Birds and London Insects (Revised Edition) and other Sketches. By T. Digby Pigott, C.B. Royal 8vo. London: 1892.] Mr. Pigott’s sketches of bird-life in London, the Shetlands, St. Kilda, and elsewhere are evidently those of an ardent observer who is devoted to a favourite subject. They have already become known to many of us in the pages of the ‘Contemporary Review’ and other periodicals, and will be much appreciated in their collected form. In the Appendix is given a list of wild birds noticed in London, based upon Dr. Hamilton’s list of 1879 (‘ Zoologist,’ 1879, p. 273). It records 94 species. 59. Schalow on Pratincola rubicola in N.E. Germany. [Ueber das Vorkommen von Pratincola rubicola (L.) im dstlichen Nord- deutschland. Von H. Schalow. Sitz.-Ber. Ges. nat. Freunde, Berlin, 1892, p. 141.] Just as the Elbe in Northern Germany divides the areas occupied by Corvus corone on the west and C. cornix on the east, so, it would appear from Herr Schalow’s observations, does it separate the ranges of Pratincola rubicola and P. ru- betra, except that between the Elbe and the Weser both species arefound. ast of the Elbe P. rudetra is the ordinary species, though it occurs occasionally on the west of that river, whereas west of the Elbe P. rubicola is by far the most pre- dominant form. (Cf. Hartert, Ibis, 1892, p. 357.) 60. Shufeldt on the Fossil Birds of the Oregon Desert Region. [A Study of the Fossil Avifauna of the Equus Beds of the Oregon Desert. By R. W. Shufeldt, M.D. Journ. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad. ix. p. 389. ] Dr. Shufeldt now gives us a complete account of the very Recently published Ornithological Works. 271 interesting fossil avifauna of the “ Hquus-beds” of Silver Lake in Central Oregon, concerning which he has previously published the “results of an initiatory study” (cf. Ibis, 1892, p. 574). Silver-Lake Region has been described by Prof. Cope in the ‘American Naturalist’ (1891, p. 970). The “ Equus-beds” belong to the latest tertiaries, and are so called from containing abundant remains of several species of extinct horses. After preliminary remarks on the physical characters of the district, its existing fauna, and the nature and condition of the abundant bird-remains found in the old lake-bottom, the author discusses the fossils group by group. Many of them are referable to existing species, but there are a large number which necessitate classification as extinct forms of recent genera. Some of these have been already described by Prof. Cope, but Dr. Shufeldt now characterizes as new Larus robustus, L. oregonus, Anser condoni, Branta propinqgua, Phenicopterus copei, Ardea paloccidentahs, Fulica minor, Pediecetes lucasi, P. nanus, Paleotetrix (gen. nov.) gilli, Aquila sodalis, Scolecophagus affinis, and Corvus annectens. Finally the bird-life of the ancient lake is pictured as fol- lows :— “Great flocks of Swans, Geese, and Ducks were there, feeding on the marshy shores of the lake or disporting them- selves upon its waters. With but few exceptions they were of modern genera and species. A ponderous Goose appeared among them, perhaps but sparingly during Pliocene time, for it must then have been nearly extinct. And a Swan, too, whose race has since died out, was also there, but it was of a size quite in keeping with present-day Swans. Several species of Grebe swam upon and dived in those ancient waters; they were all like our existing Grebes, and most probably had similar habits. To these groups we must add many individuals of a great, strange Cormorant (Phalacro- corax macropus), larger than any of our existing Cormorants, though probably, too, with habits not unlike theirs. Gulls and Terns in numbers were in the air, and doubtless files of Pelicans along the shore-lines. But the strangest figure 272 Recently published Ornithological Works. upon the scene among the birds was a true Flamingo. It could not have been very abundant, for it has left but scanty remains. Still it was there, and its presence has its meaning—it may even suggest ideas as to what the climate may have been in those times. Herons were to be seen, and in the marshes cackled Coots and flew flocks of Blackbirds, no doubt with notes and habits very similar to those of their descendants of the present day. Tringee and Phalaropes coursed along the shores of the lake’s margin, while upon its more rugged borders may have been seen Ravens perching, or even some representative of the Raptorial gronp. Further back from the lake’s limits we would meet with several species of Grouse, and these were perhaps occasionally preyed upon by the Falcon-like Eagle and its companion, the lesser form, which may have been seen circling in the air over- head.” 61. Stejneger on Additions to the Japanese Avifauna. [Two Additions to the Japanese Avifauna, including Description of a new Species. By Leonhard Stejneger. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xv. p. 371.) The additions made to the Japanese avifauna in this article are Tringa temmincki, obtained near Tokyo in the autumn of 1891, and Acanthopneuste ime, sp. nov., from the Idzu Islands, previously referred by the author to Phyllopseustes coronatus (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1887, p. 486). 62. Stejneger on Mr. Henson’s Collection from Yezo, Japan. [Notes on a Collection of Birds made by Harry V. Henson in the Island of Yezo, Japan. By Leonhard Stejneger. Proc, U.S. Nat. Mus. xv. p. 289. ] Mr. Harry V. Henson’s “large and interesting ” collection from the vicinity of Hakodadi is now in the U.S. National Museum, and Dr. Stejneger gives us a complete account of it. The specimens are referred to about 62 species, which are commented upon to a greater or less length. We note the following points :—The Little Grebe (Tachybaptes fluvia- lilis of the B. O. U. List) is now proposed to be called by the specific name nigricans, ex Colymbus nigricans, Scop. Recently published Ornithological Works. 273 Aun. I, Hist.-Nat. p. 77 (1769). This takes two years’ pre- cedence over fluviatilis of Tunstall, which is moreover (in Dr. Stejneger’s opinion) a “ nomen nudum.” * Five specimens of Hurynorhynchus pyymeus were obtained at Hakodadi during the “ fall migration ” of 1884-5 and ’86. Dr. Stejneger proposes to change the name of the large Himalayan Ceryle from Ceryle guttata to Ceryle guttulata, “because Alcedo guttata of Vigors (1831) is preoccupied by Alcedo guttata of Boddaert (1783).” He regards Ceryle lugubris of Japan as distinct. A fine pair of Picus martius are in Mr. Henson’s collection. They are of an intense black, and the bill is somewhat larger than in European specimens. (Cf. Blakiston, Ibis, 1862, p. 325.) The Japanese Wagtails are discussed at great length, and Motacilla lugens, Kittlitz, is distinguished from M. grandis, Sharpe. The generic term Cichloselys of Bonaparte is proposed to be limited to Turdus sibiricus, which is considered to be generically distinct from Geocichla, though closely allied. The new generic term Urophlexis is substituted for Uro- sphena, ‘ preoccupied ”—it is not stated where or how. Parus hensoni of Yezo is described as a new Tit of the palustris group, while the Parus japonicus of Seebohm, from Hondo, is proposed to be called Parus seebohmi. There are thus three forms of the subgenus Pecile in Japan. Hypsipetes amaurotis hensoni is a new subspecies from Yezo. 63. Thomson’s ‘ British New Guinea,’ [British New Guinea. By J. P. Thomson, F.R.S.G.S. London: 1892. | This book appears to have been written principally for the laudification of Sir William Macgregor, the Administrator of British New Guinea, who, however, quite deserves all the attentions paid to him. It is useful to the student of the Papuan avifauna, as containing a quantity of geographical * [This is not quite the case, in my opinion, as the English and French names identify it without a doubt.—P. L. 8. | 274 Recently published Ornithological Works. information, but, except in the Appendix, is singularly des- titute of all references to natural history. We have, how- ever, managed to find one paragraph that will be interesting to ornithologists. Speaking of the S.E. promontory of British New Guinea, the author says :— “The forests of the upper Kemp-Welch abound in birds of every kind, from modest forms to the most gorgeously plumaged Birds of Paradise and the most charming Pigeons. The successful capture of these Paradise-birds is an occupation only to be learned by experience. They usually congregate upon a certain tree called, in sporting parlance, ‘ the dancing- tree.” Here they meet at a certain hour to exhibit their gorgeous plumage by numerous elegant motions towards one another. Male birds usually possess the most brilliant colours, diffused over the whole surface of their glossy plu- mage, and appearing as tints of the most exquisite blending. They hop from branch to branch and from limb to limb, bowing and curtseying to one another gracefully and ele- gantly. The mountain natives make use of a very clever device for catching these beautiful birds by trapping. The most.favourable place in the jungle is selected, and a clearing made, about thirty feet wide at one end, and gradually con- verging to a point like the letter V, where it terminates in a framework constructed of saplings crossing oue another at intervals, and supported by their ends to two suitable trees. This structure is then perfected by attaching numbers of snares thereto, so placed as to trap the unwary birds in their flight through the tempting opening in the jungle. The skins of these birds, even to the native, possess some com- mercial value for ornamental purposes. The long feathers of the tails and wings are used for personal adornment, and the shorter feathers for the beautification of spears, shields, and other implements of war. That these beautiful birds are provided by nature with such gorgeousness of plumage for some specific purpose there can surely be no reasonable doubt ; whether that purpose be sexual attraction, or is an effect produced by the influence of local environment, we do not venture to advance an opinion.” Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 275 64. Traquair’s Address to the Royal Physical Society. [Address delivered at the Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh, by Dr. R, H. Traquair, F.R.S., on the word “ Museum.” Proc. R. Phys. Soc. Edinb. xi. p. 173.] We venture to call the attention of all those interested in the arrangement of museums to Dr. Traquair’s excellent remarks on this important subject. ‘It is not necessary that all the contents of a public museum should be exposed in glass cases.” At the same time the exhibited collection should be as large, and contain as well selected a series of typical forms, as circumstances will allow, besides objects of general popular interest. Dr. Traquair endorses Sir William Flower’s well-known views as to the “ unfortunate separation of Paleontology from Biology.” XXVIII.—Leiters, Extracts, Notices, &c. We have received the following letters, addressed to the Editor of ‘ The Ibis’? :— Srr,—In reply to your enquiries I have great pleasure in placing at your disposal the following memorandum respecting the “ Crocodile-bird ”’ of the Nile :— In the latter part of February or the first days of March 1876, I, with several other members of my family, on the Nile between the first and second cataracts, noticed on a very large sand-bank near Derr (the capital of Lower Nubia) some crocodiles of considerable size, and several of the birds which are called by all the natives of the Nile Valley the “ Crocodile-bird.” As we had plenty of time to spare, I decided with my brother-in-law, Mr. John E. Hodges (who has recently died), that we would spend a few hours in watching the crocodiles and the Crocodile-birds. For this purpose, during the dark hours, we had a small pit dug on the western side of the large sand-bank in question, and about the peep of day the following morning we ensconced ourselves in the pit with the intention of remaining some hours, if necessary, until the crocodiles came on to the 276 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. bank, as we believed they did every day, to bask in the sun- shine and sleep. We watched patiently until about noon, when two large crocodiles came out of the water on to the bank, and appa- rently were soon asleep. Several Crocodile-birds commenced flitting over them, and through our field-glasses we watched one bird and saw it deliberately go up to a crocodile, appa- rently asleep, which opened its jaws. The bird hopped in, and the crocodile closed its jaws. In what appeared to be a very short time, probably not more than a minute or two, the crocodile opened its jaws, and we saw the Crocodile-bird go down to the water’s edge. As the sand-bank was, I should say, at least half a mile across, and the bird’s back was turned towards us, we could not see whether it vomited in the water or drank, but in the course of a few seconds it returned to the crocodile, which opened its mouth again, and the bird again entered. ‘The mouth was closed, and in a short time was opened again for the bird to come out, and the same operation was repeated at the river-bank. We saw the same bird enter the crocodile’s mouth three times, and on three occasions run to the water to either vomit or drink. Having satisfied our curiosity, and knowing that we could not bag the crocodile, and there being two or three Crocodile- birds about, I took aim and shot two of them. I could not assert positively that I shot the actual bird that we had seen eo in and out of the crocodile’s mouth, but one of the birds was presented to the Leicester Museum, and the other I have in a case at home. Both my late brother-in-law and I have told these cireum- stances, since 1876, a hundred times or more, I suppose, and never knew that the fact of the Crocodile-bird entering the crocodile’s mouth was seriously doubted until the con- versation I had the pleasure of having with you and Mr. Seebohm at the Geographical Club on Monday the 14th inst. I am, Sir, Yours &c., Ludgate Circus, Joun M. Cook. 23rd November, 1892. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. ai? [We have great pleasure in giving publicity to Mr. Cook’s interesting memorandum coucerning a story universally believed on the Nile, but, so far as we know, not confirmed by eye-witness since the days of Herodotus (Hist. 11. ch. 68), Aristotle (Hist. An. ix. ch. 8), and Aulian (Nat. An. xii. 15). It will be found alluded to by Geoffroy St.-Hilaire (Deser. d’Egypte, éd. 2, xxiv. p. 439, 1829), Mr. E. C. Taylor (Ibis, 1859, p. 52), Dr. A. L. Adams (‘ Nile Valley,’ p. 54, 1870), Dresser (B. Europe, vil. p. 522), and numerous other writers, but not as confirmed by recent observations. Curiously enough, a somewhat similar story is told of the crocodile of San Domingo (Crocodilus americanus) by Des- courtilz (Voy. d’un Nat. ii. p. 26, 1809). In a subsequent letter Mr. Cook identifies the Crocodile- bird as Hoplopterus spinosus (Shelley, B. Egypt, p. 232), not as Pluvianus egyptius, often supposed to be the species in question. I have applied to the authorities of the Leicester Museum, but they cannot ascertain that any ‘“ Crocodile- bird” presented by Mr. Cook is now in that collection.— Ep. | Srr,—In the last part of ‘The Ibis’ (1892, p. 481), Mr. De la Touche mentions, in his list of Foochow and Swatow birds, that Mr. Baun procured a specimen of a Barbet, said to have been shot near Foochow (it was at the village of Puching), which he sent to me for identification, This is quite correct. In December 1886 I received the bird in a parcel from Mr. Baun, and I immediately replied, telling him that it was (as Mr. Sclater also suspected) the common Malaccan Megalema versicolor. In 1890 I showed the specimen to Mr. Seebohm, who agreed with me that it was very doubtful whether it was a Foochow bird. I am, Sir, Yours &c., Christiania, 17th Dec., 1892. R. Cottert. Sir,—On the 25th and 26th October, 1892, I visited Dassen Island, about 33 miles northof Cape Town. I found SER. VI.—VOL. V. U 278 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. a Cormorant breeding there which I have little doubt is Phalacrocorax neglectus (Wahlberg’s Cormorant). It appears to correspond sufficiently well with the description of that species quoted in Sharpe’s edition of Layard’s ‘ Birds of South Africa’ (p. 779) from Gurney’s ‘ Birds of Damaraland’ (p. 869). The men on the islands call them “ Bank Duikers.” I had been on the look-out for this bird for some time, as I had a suspicion that it might prove to be P. neglectus. 1 had occasionally seen Cormorants which were apparently neither P. capensis, nor P. lucidus, nor P. africanus, but I had never been able to obtain a specimen. This Cormorant was breeding in most cases in small colonies by itself, but in one instance I saw its nests and those of P. capensis placed together on the same rock. On Dassen Island P. capensis generally makes its nest on the ground, but all the nests of P. neglectus that I saw were placed on rocks near the sea. In some cases they were stuck or balanced on the top or edge of the rocks, where the seaweed, of which they were composed, enabled them to adhere. Sea- weed usually formed the whole material of the nest, the lining being made of the finer and softer material. In a few instances the foundation of the nest was composed of the coarse dried stems of a plant that grows on the island, seaweed forming the top and lining of the nest. P. capensis, on the other hand, prefers sticks and stalks of plants when they are obtainable. In shape the nests of P. neglectus were cylindrical, from 2 or 8 to 8 or 10 inches in height, with a good depression at the top. The eggs in character exactly resemble those of our other Cormorants. They average larger than those of P. capensis, but vary in size. I did not find more than three in a nest, and two seemed to be the usual number. The birds were very tame at the nest, in marked contrast to P. capensis and P. lucidus. I had actually in some cases to drive them off the nest to see if there were any eggs, and found sometimes that it was a new empty nest they were thus guarding ! Letters, Extracts, Notices, &e. 249 The specimen sent was captured on the nest, and I could have caught others. When approached they uttered a loud, melancholy cry. The feathers on the forehead, immediately above the beak, are erected in life so as to form a short but very distinct crest. On the skin they lie flat. The specimen sent is a male. The iris was brown above, greenish on the lower portion. The skin of the eyelid, and at the base of the lower mandible, as well as the legs, feet, and claws, are inky black. 'The bill was black, tips lighter. The throat was not bare. Length, in flesh, from tip of bill to end of tail, 2 feet 33 inches. The eggs sent, procured at Dassen Island, are marked “26.10.92.C.” 2 specimens ; *26.10.92.q.” 1 specimen. Subsequently, when lying off Jutten Island, in the mouth of Saldanha Bay, I heard what was evidently the cry of the same species. I am, Sir, &c., W. G. FarrsrinGe. 21st December, 1892. [Professor Newton informs us that the specimen above mentioned as having been sent to England corresponds in all respects with Wahlberg’s description of his Graculus neglectus (Journ. fir Orn. 1857, p. 4), leaving little room for doubt that Mr. Fairbridge is right in assigning his birds to that species, to which probably belonged the examples obtained by Mr. Layard and Captain Sperling in Simon’s Bay in 1867 (Ibis, 1868, pp. 120, 121), there referred by the former to Phalacrocorax carbo, but suggested by our prede- cessor to belong to some other species.—Eb. | Sir,—In a recent paper by Dr. Oustalet on Nias birds (Bull. Soe. Philom. (8) iv. pp. 107-122), he mentions a specimen of Cittocincla tricolor (Vieill.) from that island ; and the presence of this species, together with my Cittocincla melanura, induces him to believe that the latter, after all, may not be quite so distinct as I had supposed. I wish to mention that when Dr. Oustalet kindly showed me his materials, during a recent visit to the Paris Museum, 280 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. I immediately noticed that the skin of the example of Citto- cincla tricolor was of a very different “make” from that of those belonging to C. melanura, and I have no doubt what- ever that it was a Sumatran or Malaccan skin, which had accidentally become mixed with the Nias birds. The series C. melanura in the Paris Museum proyes in the most evident way that the species is a perfectly distinct one ; there is not the least gradual transition from C. tricolor, with the lateral tail-feathers broadly white-tipped, to the uniform black-tailed C. melanura, and the slight whitish edges at the tip of the tail-feathers of some young specimens of the latter evidently disappear bv abrasion, I am, Sir, Yours &c., Turin, Zoological Museum, T, SALVADORI. 25th Jan., 1893. Sirj—On page 133 of ‘The Ibis’ for January I observe a short critique on a paper by me on Cyanorhamphus erythrotis from Antipodes Island, which appeared in the last volume of the ‘ Transactions’ of the New Zealand Institute. “ Mr. Forbes is not correct, we believe,” it is stated, “in his iden- tification of the Cyanorhamphus of Antipodes Island belonging to the group of C. nove-zealandie.” I am quite ready to agree with Count Salvadori that the Antipodes-Island bird is the same as that described by Mr. Reischek as C. hochstetteri, the description of which I regret I had over- looked when writing the paper referred to. I am not, how- ever, prepared to admit that C. hochstetteri is distinct from C. erythrotis. At all events, though Count Salvadori con- siders them different (and his opinion is one to be dissented from only with the greatest caution), he could not, when com- paring them along with me, point out any real distinguishing characters beyond a slight difference in the shade of the yellow, and the fact that they had different habitats. I feel confident that, when the skeleton of C. erythrotis is compared with that of the Antipodes-Island bird, the same charac- teristic strength in the wing- and leg-bones seen in the latter Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 281 will be also present in the skeleton of the former. In the British Museum Collection there are two specimens of Cyano- rhamphus erythrotis, one without locality and the other from the Macquarie Islands, both of which I have most carefully examined and compared with my own specimen from An- tipodes Island now in the British Museum, and I can find nothing by which they can be separated from each other, Indeed, the two specimens of C. erythrotis in the Museum present between themselves greater differences than the Antipodes-Island specimen does from either. I have shown the three specimens to Dr. Sharpe, and he quite agrees with me that they all belong to the same species. The name of C. hochstetteri becomes, therefore, in my opinion a synonym of C. erythrotis. I am, Sir, Yours &e., 1 Philbeach Gardens, Henry O. Forses. Earl’s Court, S.W. 8th Feb., 1895. Srr,—Mr. A. H. Everett has forwarded for my inspection a small collection of birds obtained by Dr, Haviland on Kina- Balu in the spring of 1892. The only species of interest represented in it is Zusterops squamifrons, Sharpe, a species discovered by Mr. Hose on Mount Dulit, in Sarawak, and now recorded for the first time from Kina-Balu. Dr. Haviland also procured the young of Androphilus accentor, Sharpe. It differs from the adult in having no white on the throat nor ashy grey on the breast, these parts being brown, slightly lighter on the throat, where the fea- thers terminate in dusky-black spots. The labels bear the date of April, and the altitude of some of the specimens is given as 11,000 feet. All my examples of this form were obtained at about 8000 feet. I am, Sir, Yours &c., Joun WHITEHEAD. Sir,—When I published my description of Loxops ochracea (Ibis, 1893, p. 112) Mr. Scott Wilson had not issued the 282 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. fourth part of his ‘Aves Hawaiienses.’ Now, however, this part has appeared, and I observe that its authors have applied to the bird from Mauai the name aurea, Finsch (nee Dre- panis aurea, Dole), and have put it in the genus Himatione. I therefore am bound to justify my name of “ Loxops ochracea,”’ and to endeavour to disentangle the confusion which surrounds this species. Judge Dole, in the ‘ Hawaiian Almanack’ for 1879 (p. 45), described the young of Loxops coccinea of Hawaii under the name Drepanis aurea. Next, Dr. Finsch, in ‘The Ibis’ for 1880 (p. 80), described a bird from Mauai as Hypoloxias aurea, and identified it with the Drepanis aurea of Dole. Finally, Dr. Sharpe (Cat. B. x. p. 50) followed Dr. Finsch in putting the bird into the genus Hypoloxias, but applied to it the older generic name of Lowops. In his new part, Mr. Wilson, in trying to unravel this confusion, has unfortunately made it much worse by retaining Dr. Finsch’s name aurea and putting the bird into the genus Himatione. This is entirely a mistake, because the bird from Mauai is, as I can prove by my very large series of males, females, and young, a true Loxops. The male only differs from the male of Loxops coccinea in colour, and the females of both species are barely distinguishable. Now it is arule in zoological nomenclature that a name once used in a genus, even if only a synonym, cannot be used a second time; therefore I maintain that the term “qurea,’ having been used by Dole for Loxops coccinea of Hawaii, is inadmissible for the Mauai bird, which must stand as follows :— Loxors ocuracea, Rothsch. Ibis, 1893, p. 112. Hypoloxias aurea, Finsch, Ibis, 1880, p. 80. Lowxops aurea, Sharpe, Cat. B. x. p. 50. Himatione aurea, Wilson, Aves Haw. pt. iv. 1893. f am, Sin, Yours &c., Tring Park, W. RoruscHisp. March 6th, 1893. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 283 The Preservation of the Native Birds of New Zealand.— In our last number (above, p. 158) we gave an abstract of an excellent memorandum drawn up by Lord Onslow, late Governor of New Zealand, on a plan for the preservation of the native birds of that colony by setting apart two islands for this purpose, namely Little Barrier or Hauturu Island in the north and Resolution Island in the south. As regards the first of these islands, we have received a copy of the Report by Mr. Henry Wright (addressed to the Hon. John Ballance, Premier of New Zealand) upon the subject. Ac- cording to Mr. Wright, Hauturu Island, in the Gulf of Hauraki, which is almost circular in shape, and contains an area of from 9000 to 10,000 acres, rising in the middle to an elevation of about 2000 feet, is very well adapted for the purpose required. Writing with a thorough know- ledge of the whole of the North Island, Mr. Wright is able to say that there is no other part of it where the native birds are to be found in anything like such profusion and variety. He gives a list of forty species to be met with within its limits, and mentions the Stitch-bird or Kotihe (Pogonornis cincta) and the large dark Kiwi (Apteryz bulleri) as both found there. ‘There are slight difficulties in the way of the project, such as the presence of about a dozen Maoris now living on the island, and of a claimant for the timber, which, in the shape of Kauri pine (Dammara australis), is present in large quantities. There are no wekas in the island to destroy the birds’-eggs, and there are no bees, which, for some reasons, are considered to be inimical to the native birds in New Zealand. The wild pigs, formerly numerous, have been killed out, and the Mutton-bird ((stre- lata gouldi), the young of which were formerly eaten by the pigs, will consequently be able to breed again undisturbed. Cats, unfortunately, are very numerous, but Mr. Wright proposes to offer at once a reward for their destruction, which is, of course, of great importance. Mr. Wright’s report seems quite convincing as to the suitability of Hauturu Island for the object in view, but we regret to hear that some difficulties have arisen in the Parlia- 284. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. ment of New Zealand as to the appropriation of the funds required for the purpose. Lord Onslow, however, is not disposed to let the matter drop, and will, we are sure, be strongly supported by Lord Glasgow, the present Governor of New Zealand, in carrying the plan to a successful issue. The Zoological Society of London, whose attention has been called to the scheme, have passed a series of resolutions in its favour. News of Ornithologists Abroad.—Mr. F. Wirnineton now writes to us from new quarters near Tulancingo, in the State of Hidalgo, Mexico, and says :—‘I have changed my place, and have come here to see what I can do in planting. Iam now some 30 leagues from Tulancingo, and about 15 from Tuxpan, on the Atlantic, which you will find on the map between Vera Cruz and Tampico. ‘The tunnel-contract at Mexico City did not turn out well, and I am now going to try my luck in coffee. This place is quite tropical, tree- ferns abound, and there is any amount of birds, which I am now returning to work at with great zest.” Mr. O. V. Arvin writes from Santa Elena, Monzon, Uru- guay, on January 8th, as follows :—“I am now making this my head-quarters, though I have spent some weeks on and off in the (new) Department of Flores, at an estancia only three leagues from here, and therefore in the same district. I have also made a journey to the Rio Negro, near where the Gee and our Arroyo Grande flow into it. I remained there about ten days and got examples of nearly twenty new species, including the beautiful Blue Tanager figured in your book (Stephanophorus leucocephalus) , and a fine Parrot, which does not seem to be included in the ‘ Argentine Ornithology.’ It is dark green all over, a few red feathers on the neck of the male, and the under surface of wings red and yellow. It is (improperly) called the ‘ Barranquéro,’ but nests in hollow trees. A Curassow is also found there and well known as ‘ Pavo del monte.’ I saw one, having a good view of it, but I only had my small gun, and when waiting for a friend to come up Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 285 with a 12-bore it slipped away and escaped in the thick ‘monte.’ From descriptions by Englishmen, and from what I saw, I have little doubt it is the Cra sclateri. Perhaps I may get a skin of it from a man whom I taught to skin there. I have obtained specimens of about 100 species, and identified a good many of the larger birds besides. Vultures have been abundant, on account of the seca and the numbers of dead cattle. Cathartes atratus breeds here, and C. aura has been a fairly numerous visitor, but does not breed, so far as I know. This has been a very bad season for a naturalist. The fearful drought, which has brought the country into a most serious condition, is such that I can get hardly any plants or butterflies, so I shall do very badly in this way.” Dr, Percy Renpaxt, I.Z.S., has accepted an appointment as Resident Medical Officer to the Sheba Gold- Mining Com- pany in the Barberton District of the Transvaal, and has left England to take up his quarters at Eureka City, at an elevation of 5000 feet above the sea-level. Dr. Rendall made a good collection of birds during his recent residence at Bathurst, on the Gambia, of which he gave us an account in ‘The Ibis’ for last year (Ibis, 1892, p. 215). His new appointment will give him excellent opportunities for ad- vancing ornithological knowledge in a little-explored district. The Humming-birds of Paraguay.—Dr. Carlos Berg sends us for examination a skin of a Humming-bird from Paraguay, belonging to the National Museum of Buenos Ayres, which Mr. Salvin has kindly determined as Polytmus thaumantias (Cat. B. xvi. p. 174). As examples of this species were obtained at Chapada, in Matto Grosso, by H. H. Smith (op. cit. p. 175), it may well occur in Paraguay. It should be therefore added to the list of Humming-birds of Paraguay given in Graf v. Berlepsch’s Catalogue (J. f. O. 1887, p. 120), as may be also Hylocharis sapphirina (Cat. B. xvi. p. 245), of which specimens were procured by Mr. Graham Kerr on the Pilcomayo (cf. Ibis, 1892, p.135). The recognized SER. VI.—VOL. V. x 286 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &e. Trocluilidie of Paraguay will therefore be (using Mr. Salvin’s nomenclature and arrangement) six, namely :— 1. Chlorostilbon splendidus. 4, Polytmus thaumantias. 2. Lampornis violicauda. 5. Hylocharis sapphirina. 3. Heliomaster furcifer. 6. Chrysuronia ruficollis. To these should probably be added Sparganura sappho, Leucippus chiogaster, and perhaps Leucochloris albicollis, which occur in Northern Argentina (see Arg. Orn. vol. 11.), and will ultimately, no doubt, be found in Paraguay. A series of birds from Paraguay would make a valuable addi- tion to the great collection in the British Museum, which has scarcely any well-autheuticated specimens from that country. The Sheathbill in Treland.—At the Meeting of the Zoo- logical Society of London on the 28th of February last the Secretary, on behalf of Mr. R. M. Barrington, exhibited a specimen of the Antarctic Sheathbill (Chionis alba), killed at the Carlingford Lighthouse, co. Down, Ireland, in De- cember last. Full particulars concerning this remarkable occurrence will be found recorded by Mr. Barrington in the ‘Zoologist’? for January last (Zool. ser. 3, vol. xvi. p. 28). There can be no doubt that the bird in question is an adult example of the Antarctic Sheathbill (Chionis alba) in nearly perfect plumage. This species is known to occur only in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. We may presume that the specimen in question could hardly have occurred so far from its native home without the assistance of man- kind in some shape. an New British Polar Expedition—Mr. Frederick George Jackson, F.R.G.S., who is organizing the New British Polar Expedition, is anxious te meet with a naturalist, of vigorous frame and suitable temperament, to accompany him in his daring enterprise. Mr. Jackson hopes to leave England this summer and to pass the winter in Franz Josef’s Land, so as to devote the following year to the investigation of the ques- tion how far that land extends towards the North Pole. We Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 287 need hardly point out what an excellent opportunity is here afforded for a young and ardent ornithologist to explore a wholly unknown region, and perhaps discover the true home of the Knot and the Curlew Sandpiper. Obituary.—The Rev. F. O. Morris; Henry Warrety. The Rev. FrancisOrpen Morais, Rector of Nunburnholme, in Yorkshire, during the past 39 years, though he did not claim to be a scientific ornithologist, was passionately devoted to the study of our native birds, and took a leading part in the well-justified agitation that has lately spread so far for their protection. Mr. Morris was born at Cove, in Ireland, on the 25th March, 1810, and was educated at a private school and at Worcester College, Oxford, where he took his B.A. degree in 1833. His principal work was a ‘History of British Birds,’ of which a third edition in six volumes was issued some two years ago. He was also the author of ‘The Nests and Eggs of British Birds ’ (3 vols. London, 1856-61), and of many other popular works on the Natural History of the British Islands. His name is well known to readers of ‘The Times’ from numerous letters contributed to the columns of that newspaper for a long series of years on subjects connected with natural history. He died at Nunburnholme on the 10th of February last. Henry Wuirety.—Intelligence has been received in this country of the death, in the interior of British Guiana, on the 11th of July last year, of Henry Whitely, Jun., the weli- known traveller and collector. Whitely was born at Wool- wich on June 18th, 1844, the son of Mr. Henry Whitely, of Woolwich, formerly Curator of the Royal Artillery Institu- tion. He made his first expedition to Japan in 1864, and the ornithological results were published in this Journal*. - After returning to Europe, Whitely proceeded, in 1867, to Western Peru, and made good collections of birds at various * “Notes on Birds collected near Hakodadi, in Northern Japan.” By Henry Whitely, Jun. Ibis, 1867, p. 195. 288 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. points in the provinces of Arequipa and Cuzco*. Here he discovered, amongst other novelties, the splendid Oreonympha nobilis (Gould, Trochilide, Suppl. pl. 42), pronounced by Gould to be “one of the finest Humming-birds”’ he ever described. After passing some time in Southern Peru, Whitely pro- ceeded north, and crossing the Andes descended the Amazons to Para. On his way down he stayed some time at Yquitos, in Eastern Peru, and collected a fine series of the birds of this rich and varied avifauna. The last years of Whitely’s life were devoted to the explora- tion of the wilds of British Guiana, in which he passed the greater part of his time, accompanied only by his Indian followers. During this period he made large collections of birds, and added materially to our knowledge of the Guianan avifauna. Mr. Salvin has contributed to this journal a complete list of the species obtained by Mr. Whitely, which were upwards of 600 in numbert. Among Whitely’s most notable discoveries in British Guiana, and there were many of great interest, we may allude especially to Calliste whitelyi (Ibis, 1884, p. 445, pl. xin.), Lathria streptophora (Ibis, 1884, p. 448, pl. xiv.), Pépreola whitelyi (Ibis, 1884, p-. 449), and Lophornis pavoninus (Gould, Monogr. Troch. Suppl. pl. 36), all very remarkable additions to the groups to which they belong. Whitely also did a considerable amount of geographical work, and in 1884 published an account of his explorations of the extraordinary table-topped mountains Roraima and Kukenam, in the ‘ Proceedings’ of the Royal Geographical Society f. * “On Peruvian Birds collected by Mr. H. Whitely.” By P. L. Sclater and Osbert Salvin. Pt. I. P. Z. S. 1867, p.982; II. 1868, p. 173; III. 1868, p. 568; IV. 1869, p. 151; V. 1869, p. 596; VI. 1873, p. 184; VII. 1873, p. 779; VIII. 1874, p. 677; IX. 1876, p. 15. + “A List of the Birds obtained by Mr. Henry Whitely in British Guiana.” By Osbert Salvin. Ibis, 1885, pp. 195, 291, 418, and 1886, pp. 57, 168, 499. ¢ Proc. R. Geogr. Soe. vi. p. 462. eet i belcs. SIXTH SERIES. No. XIX. JULY 1898. XXIX.—On the Birds of the Islunds of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. By Ernst Warrerr. (Plates VIIL., IX.) CoNTENTS. Page Healmitroduchiones cho) detec ck teste ok 989 eB irdsyoreAriubar ter ae nd ween tae 293 ELE Birds | of/ Curacao. o.a.ck av odeaciy «ce ; eli bVAN birds om Bonainerwa yee tele nne ee 3826 iV. General) Conelusions’ a:4 4.60.0 haoe 337 I. Introduction. Tue three Dutch West-Indian Islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire (see map, Plate VIII.) are situated off the western part of the north coast of Venezuela. Aruba, being only about 16 miles from Cape San Roman, the north point of the peninsula of Paraguana, is nearest to the continent ; Curacao lies about 43 miles to the east; and Bonaire, the most oceanic of the three, still further to the east. Although near to the mainland, these islands do not, like Trinidad, belong geologically to the continent, but are of a different formation. They are surrounded by a coral-limestone belt, and for the most part are covered with a thick coral-limestone capping, and parts of coral-reefs are scen near Willemstad SER. VI.—VOL. V. ¥, 290 Mr. E. Hartert on the Birds of on Curacao, and on the east coast of Bonaire; while Aruba, for almost its entire length on the leeward side, is skirted by a coral-reef, inside of which is a calm and beautiful lagoon. The interior parts of the islands consist of sedimentary rocks, in several places pierced by volcanic rocks, while on Aruba grey granite is said to predominate, and many quartz veins are found, containing a considerable amount of gold. Deposits of phosphate are distributed over the islands (ef. Blackburn, ‘ Aruba-Phosphate,’ p. 5). The geologist, Professor K. Martin, who ee the islands in 1885, came to the conclusion that they were formerly atolls; but his conclusion is questionable, for a similar coralline belt is found on many West-Indian islands. The same naturalist (cf. ‘Bericht tiber eine Reise nach Niederliindisch Westindien,’ 1887) came to the conclusion “that the islands of Aruba and Curacao (the materials col- lected on Bonaire were too incomplete for any conclusions) are zoologically closely allied to the continent of South America, and, on the other hand, that the fauna of both differs in many points.” Both these conclusions of the learned author—whose excellent book was of much service to me—must, however, be qualified in some way, although they are not altogether wrong. It is true that the greater part of the fauna is similar to that of the northern parts of Venezuela, but there are likewise a great many forms of West-Indian origin, and this not only among the birds, but also among the reptiles, and, according to Dr. Kobelt, very strikingly among the land-shells. The ornis and the whole fauna of the three islands are generally similar, although there are some remarkable differences. The idea that the fauna of these islands is the same as that of the adjacent parts of the continent, together with their barren and rocky appearance from the sea, and the exaggerated reports of their heat and dryness, are perhaps the reasons why the ornis of Aruba and Bonaire remained unexplored until my researches, and why that of Curacao has only quite recently, and incompletely, been explored. No tropical forest is found on the islands, but trees of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. 291 different kinds abound, many of them introduced. The date- palm and the tamarind have been introduced and grow splen- didly ; the cocoanut-palm grows wherever it is planted. The bitter orange is grown in several large gardens to supply the valuable peel with which the famous Curacao-liqueur is made. 95. Extremely common on Aruba, also common on Curacao, but most numerous on Bonaire. Peters (J. f. O. 1892, p- 113) mentions this species under three names—No. 13. “ Ala duro,” No. 14. “ Blauw Duiff,’ and No. 15. “ Patruchi.”’ All three names apply to Zenaida vinaceo-rufa. “ Ala duro” is the most familiar name for the adult bird; “ Patruchi,” a name that is by some of the islanders erroneously applied to Eupsychortyx gouldi, is lessin use ; and “ Blauw Duiff” is the Dutch name, mostly given to the young bird, which many natives believe to be a distinct species. Columba portoricensis is sometimes called by the last name on Bonaire. The young bird is more rusty above and beneath than the adult, most of the feathers have white edges and white lanceolate spots at the tips. The females are much darker in colour. Wing of adult 5:2 to 5°5 inches. I found the nest—a flat and loose structure, like all Pigeons’ nests—about 10 feet high in a dividivi-tree. The two eggs are ovate in shape (cf. Ridgw. Nomencl. Col. pl. xvi. fig. 1), and in colour plain white, with a fait gloss. The weights are 460 and 455 milligramms, and they measure 1°23 x 0°86 and 11 x 0°84 in. 425. LepropriLa VERREAUXI (Bp.). My honoured friend Count Tommaso Salvadori has kindly examined some of my skins of this bird, and refers them to L. verreauxi. The species is rather rare on Curacao. Wing 5:4 inches. Iris pale orange or yellowish brown, bill black, feet red. I believe this to be Peters’s No. 11 (J. f. O. p. 118), for the islanders call it “ Tortel Duiff,” and there is no such thing as Columba plumbea on Curacao. Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. 825 +26. CoLUMBIGALLINA PASSERINA PERPALLIDA, Hartert. See above, p. 304. Extremely common. +27. Eupsycuortyx cristatus (L.). See above, p. 305. Not rare. Often kept in confinement and sold for food. +28. ArpEA HEROpDIASs, Linn.; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1884, p. 177. Messrs. Benedict and Nye have obtained examples of this species on Curagao. I did not shoot it, but once saw a huge Heron near Savonet at sunset, which I think belonged to this species. +29. ARDEA CANDIDISSIMA, Gm. White Herons are of irregular occurrence on Curacao, and as I shot A. candidissima on Aruba, I suppose that they belong to this species. -+30. ButoripEs VIRESCENS (Linn.). See above, p. 307. I saw this bird several times on Curacao. + 81. Toranus MacuLarivs (Linn.). Actitis macularia, Peters, J. f. O. 1892, p. 120. I saw a few of these birds on the Schottegatt, but did not shoot any. + 32. Himantorus MExicaNnus (Miill.); Peters, J. f.O. 1892, p. 121 (‘teste Ludwig’’). Flocks of old and young of this Stilt were seen in June on the lagoon of Savonet. The immature birds were very young indeed, and were probably bred on the island. ‘The wing of my adult male measures 8°8 inches, bill 2°65, tarsus 45 ; female adult, wing 8°4, bill 2°66, tarsus 4. Iris bright red; bill black ; feet coral-red. In young birds the feet are paler, the iris somewhat dull red, and the bill grey. + 83. Hemarorus paLuiatus (Temm.); Peters, J. f.0. 1892, p. lei. Herr Ludwig has seen and shot examples of this species. 326 Mr. E. Hartert on the Birds of 34, PeLecanus Fuscus, Linn. Occasionally seen on the coast. 35. Freeata aquiza (Linn.). Occasionally seen on the coast or sailing over the island. ~ 86. PHALACROCORAX BRASILIANUS (Gm.). Peters (J. f. O. 1892, p. 122) mentions that he saw a Cormorant which can hardly belong to any other species . than this. +-37. Srerna MAxima, Bodd. See above, p. 309. A few of these Terns were seen on the coast. +88. STERNA HIRUNDO, Linn. A few Terns belonging to this species (or to S. dougalli, see above, p. 310) were seen on the Schottegatt and near Beekenburg. 39. Larus arriciiya, Linn. Seen on the harbour of Curacao. IV. Birds of Bonaire. Bonaire, the most oceanic island of the three, is generally more wooded than the other two, although some parts of it are very bare. Nothing has yet been published on the birds of Bonaire. Professor Martin, who stayed on the island for five days only, mentions that he saw Columbigallina passerina and a Conurus different from that of Aruba, as also from C. per- tinax, and it will be seen that his surmise on this point was correct. We also know that Dr. A. A. Julien informed Mr. Lawrence that the Chrysotis of Aruba, which was de- scribed by the latter as C. canifrons, was common on Bonaire. It will be seen, however, that it is not the same, but an allied species. I am obliged to several residents of Bonaire, above all to our kind host Mijnheer van den Brandhof, the Dutch Official of Bonaire, to Mijnheer Boyé, and Mijnheer Hachett, for much assistance during our visit to this island. Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. 327 + 1. Marearops ruscatus (Vieill.). This typical West-Indian bird was common in the gardens near Fontein, on the north-east coast of Bonaire, but I saw it nowhere else. I have compared my skins with specimens from the Bahamas, Haiti, Porto Rico, and St. Thomas, and am not able to distinguish between them. My specimens are somewhat pale, but all are in, more or less, worn plumage, and there are quite similar ones from the Greater Antilles in the British Museum. These “ Tjutjubis ” are peculiar birds, running and hopping quickly through the foliage, and sometimes making a great noise by chattering, warbling, and whistling together. They are, I believe, entirely fruit-eaters, for I did not find any- thing else in their stomachs, and are destructive to the fruits of the date-palms, of the Carica papaya, and other trees. They are so fond of the papaya-fruits that they used to come through the lattice of the window into the room when we had these fruits on the table and soon made away with them. The native name is “ Zjutjubi spagnol.” Iris yellowish white in adult birds, brown in the young ones; bill brownish horn-colour; feet light brown. The occurrence of this species here is remarkable, especially as another subspecies, Margarops fuscatus densirostris (Vieill.), is found on the Lesser Antilles. +2. Mimus GILvus rostratus, Ridgw. Common. — 3. DENDRa@CA RUFOPILEATA, Ridgw. Very common. 4. CERTHIOLA UROPYGIALIS (Berl.). Extremely common. “+ 5, AmMopROMUS SAVANNARUM (Gm.). Common in grassy places on “ Aruba-Estate,’” near Kralendijk, on Bonaire. It is called ‘‘Raton de cero,” or “ Para de cero.’ Mt Tamudae 30007 7dt. Kalulong ca NW Nil; RNY Walker & Boutall se. Part of Northern Sarawak. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 383 finished, and I hope on my return to explore the other parts of the mountain. For that reason I have not at present attempted a comparison of the avifauna of Dulit with that of Kina Balu, as given by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe in ‘ The Ibis” for July 1890. All one can say at present is that many species appear to range higher on Dulit than they do on Kina Balu, the avifauna of which was so thoroughly studied by my friend Mr. Whitehead. I have given references to Dr. Sharpe’s papers on the birds of Dulit, and in the order of classification I have followed Mr. Everett’s useful list of Bornean birds in the ‘ Journal of the Straits Branch of the Asiatic Society’ for 1889. Family Turpip. 1. GEocICHLA EVERETTI. Geocichla everetti, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, pp. 323, 431. Discovered on my first expedition to the mountain. It lives in the damp moss-covered top of Dultt. 2. ERITHACUS CYANE. Erythacus cyaneus (Pall.) ; Everett, t.c. p. 98; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 432. This is a bird of the low country, and is not found at any great height on the mountain. 3. MyilopHoNEUS BORNEENSIS. Myiophoneus borneensis, Slater; Everett, t. c. p. 98; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 482. This Whistling Thrush occurs from 3000 to 5000 feet on Dulit. I also found it breeding, the nest being placed on a stump; there were two young birds in the nest, one of which my Dyak hunter ate, and the other is now in the British Museum. It is one of the few Bornean birds which are good whistlers. Native name “‘ Blankin.”’ 4, CopsycHUS MUSICUS. Copsychus musicus (Raffl.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vu. p. 65; Hiverett, t. c. p. 99. Found on the lower portions of the mountain and on 384 Mr. C, Hose on the Avifauna of clearings only throughout the district. Also a good songster. Makes a nest like a Robin in a stump or in a bank, 5. TRICHIXUS PYRRHOPYGUS. Trichiaus pyrrhopygus, Less.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 32; Everett, t.c. p. 99. Occurs on Dulit up to 2000 feet. 6. CITrociNCLa SUAVIS. Cittocincla suavis, Scl.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 87; Everett, t.c. p. 100. Extends all through the low country, and I have found it as high as 3000 feet on Dulit, and again on Batu Song to 2000 feet. The native name is “ Nandak,” and the species is an important “omen” bird. 7. CrrrociNCLA STRICKLANDI. Cittocincla stricklandi (Motl. & Dillw.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 88; Everett, t.c. p. 100. Ascends Dulit to 2000 feet, up to which elevation it is tolerably common. A great frequenter of mountain-streams. So far as I know this bird never occurs south of Bintulu. 8. HyprocicHLa FRONTALIS. Hydrocichla frontalis (Blyth) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vu. p. 321 ; Everett, t.c. p. 101. Up to 1000 feet on Dulit. Native name “ Ensing Batu.” 9. HyprocicHLA RUFICAPILLA. Hydrocichla ruficapiila (T.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 319; Everett, t.c. p. 101. Also found up to 1000 feet, but common throughout the low country. 10. OrrHOTOMUS RUFICEPS. Orthotomus ruficeps (Less.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 224; Everett, t.c. p. 101. This red-headed Tailor-bird does not ascend beyond 1000 feet. The nest is a pretty structure placed below a leaf, which is drawn over it. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 385 11. OrtHoToMUS CINERACEUS. Orthotomus cineraceus, Blyth; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 325; Everett, t.c. p. 102. Very comnion in the low country, particularly in cleared land and young jungle. Only occurs within the 1000-feet limit of the base of the mountain. 12. BuRNESIA SUPERCILIARIS. Burnesia superciliaris (Salvad.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 206; Everett, t.c. p. 102. Native name “ Wnkarink.” Common everywhere below the 1000-feet limit. Family Time. 13. GaRRULAX SCHISTOCHLAMYS. Garrulax schistochlamys, Sharpe; Everett, t.c. p. 103. Occurs between 3000 and 4000 feet. On my second ascent I got the young of this species. There were three of them in the nest. Native name “ Empulu arang.” 14. RHINOCICHLA TREACHERI. Rhinocichla treacheri, Sharpe; id. Cat. B. vii. p. 453; Everett, t.c. p. 103. From 8000 to 5000 feet. Very common. This species feeds on some kind of berry, which passes into the intestines, and there forms a kind of blue dye, which pervades the whole abdomen and dyes the fingers blue when the bird is being skinned. On account of this disagreeable peculiarity the natives will not eat the bird. 15. ALLOCOTOPS CALVUS. Allocotops calvus, Sharpe; Everett, t.c. p. 104. 9? juv. Dulit, 5000 feet, May 1892. As in the typical specimens obtained by Mr. Whitehead, the young bird sent differs from the adult in its feathered crown. This bird is met with from 4000 to 5000 feet. It has a peculiar kind of note, resembling a hoot. Three or four are generally found in company. SER. VI.—VOL. V. 2E 386 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 16. PoMATORHINUS BORNEENSIS. Pomatorhinus borneensis, Cab.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 411 ; Everett, t.c: p. 104. Ascends the mountain to 2000 feet, and is fairly common in the low country. 17. STACHYRIS BORNEENSIS, Stachyris borneensis, Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 449; Everett, t.i¢.3p: 105. Fairly common about 4.000 feet. 18. CyaNnopERMA BICOLOR. Cyanoderma bicolor (Blyth) ; Everett, t. c. p. 105. Mizxornis bicolor, Sharpe, Cat. B. vu. p. 581. Common all through the low country and at the foot of Dulit. 19. CHLOROCHARIS EMILI®. Chlorocharis emilie, Sharpe, Ibis, 1888, p. 392, pl. x1. fic. 1; Everett, t.c. p. 105. Very rare on Mount Dulit, and met with only between 4000 and 5000 feet. Only two specimens, as yet, have been procured. 20. ALCIPPE CINEREA. Alcippe cinerea, Blyth; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 622; Everett, t. c. p. 106. Found on Dulit at about 3500 feet. This bird is usually seen about pools and waterfalls, and was named by our party “the Bather,” because it came every day with the utmost regularity about 3 o’clock to bathe in a little pool near our camp. 21. STAPHIDIA EVERETTI. Staphidia everetti, Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 447; Everett, teeiapehOs: Tolerably common on Dulit at 2000 feet. Whenever a clearing was made round a hut in the dense forest this little Jungle-Tit would immediately make its appearance and fre- quent the neighbourhood in the most inquisitive manner. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 387 22. Macronus PTiILosus. Macronus ptilosus, T. & S.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 583; Hverett, t-c. p. 108. Common up to 1000 feet. It is called by the natives “Enkeririk Landak” (porcupine), because of the bristly plumage on the back, which really has a resemblance to the quills of a tiny porcupine. It has likewise a very curious note, like “ p’wish,” which it utters with every movement, accompanying the notes by raising its feathers in a jerky manner, 23. TURDINUS CANICAPILLUS. Turdinus canicapillus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 450; id. Ibis, 1892, p. 433; Everett, t.c. p. 108. High up on Dulit, occurring at about 5000 feet. 24. TURDINUS ATRIGULARIS. Turdinus atrigularis (Bp.), Sharpe, Cat. B. vu. p. 549; Hiverett,; t. c. p. 109. A low-country bird, but found up to 4000 feet on Dulit. It creeps about beneath the roots of trees, and is a thorough ground-bird in its mode of life. The native name is “Gendang plandok.” This species has a pleasant whistling note, which is not usual among the Timeliide of Borneo. 25. DRYMOCATAPHUS CAPISTRATOIDES. Drymocataphus capistratoides (T.), Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p: 559; Everett, t. c. p. 109. Foot of the mountain, ranging to about 1000 feet. 26. TRICHOSTOMA ROSTRATUM. Trichostoma rostratum, Blyth; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 562; Hverett, t..c. p. 109. Low-country bird, ranging about 1000 feet on Dulit. 27. KeNOPIA STRIATA. Kenopia striata (Blyth); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 573; Everett, t. c. p. 109. Found in the Baram district and extends up Dulit toa low elevation. 2E2 388 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 28. PritopyGa RUFIVENTRIS. Ptilopyga rufiventris (Salvad.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vit. p. 585 ; Everett, t.c. p. 110. Common in the low country, not extending above 1000 feet. 29. PriLOPYGA LEUCOGRAMMICA. Ptilopyga leucogrammica (Bp.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 586; Everett, t.c. p. 110. By no means common. Found on Dulit up to 2000 feet. Its habits are similar to those of Turdinus atrigularis. 30. ANUROPSIS MALACCENSIS. Anuropsis malaccensis (Hartl.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vil. p. 588; Hverett, t. c. p. 110. Common in the low country. 31. EuPETES MACROCERCUS. Eupetes macrocercus, Temm.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vii. p. 338. Mr. Everett first found this species in Borneo on Mount Penrisen (cf. Sharpe, Ibis, 1890, p. 367). It occurs on Mount Dulit at 4000 feet, and is always found on the peaks of the mountains, living an isolated life in these places. My native collectors met with it on Batu Song, where it evidently breeds, as they got the young birds. Their elevations are givenas from 4000 to 7000 feet, and though these figures must be received with caution, it may be taken for certain that the species inhabits the highest peaks on Batu Song. The young birds differ considerably from the adults. They are much duller and browner in colour, and the crown is reddish brown instead of bright chestnut. The throat is white and the under surface is slaty black. The sexes appear to be alike in colour, and a young female is gaining the adult plumage by a moult. 32. TURDINULUS EXSUL. Turdinulus exsul, Sharpe, Ibis, 1888, p. 479; Everett, tea aT: Discovered on Kina Balu by Mr. Whitehead, at 4000 feet. T found it on Dulit at the same elevation. It is exceedingly rare, and is very hard to find in the jungle, owing to its small size, dull coloration, and creeping habits. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 389 Family Bracuypopip2. 33. IoLE OLIVACEA. Lole olivacea, Blyth; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 55; Everett, ten p. Lit. Common everywhere, and ascends Dulit to about 3000 feet. 34, Hemixus MALACCENSIS. Hemixus malaccensis (Blyth) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 52; Wivereti;t:-c. p: 111. A low-country species, common up to 2000 feet. 35. HeMIxUs CONNECTENS. Hemizxus connectens, Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 446; Everett, te. p. 111. Found on Dulit at 3000 feet, and met with also on Batu Song. It has a curious habit of puffing out its throat- feathers every time it utters its note, which is a kind of sh-sh.” 36. PINAROCICHLA EUPTILOSA. Pinarocichla euptilosa, Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 62 ; Everett, ie. p; 112. Found in the low country and ascending Dulit up to 1000 feet. 37. Micropus MELANOCEPHALUS. Micropus melanocephalus (Gm.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 65 ; Everett, t.c. p. 112. Common in low country and ascending Dulit up to 1000 feet. 38. Micropus MELANOLEUCUS. Micropus melanoleucus (Eyton) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 69; Everett, t.c. p. 112. Common everywhere through the low country. It whistles at night, and is one of the species which always come to clearings and round about the houses. Native name “ Tiup api.” 390 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 39. CRINIGER PHHOCEPHALUS. Criniger pheocephalus, Hartl.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 743 Everett, t..c. p. 112. Common in the low country. Native name “ Empulloh hilin,”’ 40, CRINIGER DIARDI. Criniger diardi (T.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 76; Everett, t. e. p. 11s. Similar to C. pheocephalus, but having a yellow-tipped tail. It has the same distribution as that species, being also one of the low country birds. 41. CRINIGER GUTTURALIS. Criniger gutturalis (Bp.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 80; Hverett, t.c. p. 113. This is a low-country bird, and common everywhere. Native name “ Empulloh.” It is fond of inflating its throat and puffing out the feathers. 42. CRINIGER RUFICRISSUS. Criniger ruficrissus, Sharpe; id. Cat. B. vi. p. 81; Everett, t.c..p. 113. This species represents the preceding bird on the mountain above 1000 feet. 43. CRINIGER FINSCH1. Criniger finschi, Salvad.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 84; Everett, t. e. p. 113. Found on Dulit and Batu Song at 3000 feet. 44, TRICHOPHOROPSIS TYPUS. Trichophoropsis typus, Bp.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 88; Everett, t.c. p. 113. Common everywhere in low country, but does not ascend the mountains beyond the base. 45. TRICHOLESTES CRINIGER. Tricholestes criniger (Blyth); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 80; Everett, t.c. p. 113. Found on Dulit and Batu Song up to a moderate height. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 391 46. 'TRACHYCOMUS OCHROCEPHALUS. Trachycomus ochrocephalus (Gm.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p- 93; Everett, t.c. p. 114. This bird is common along the rivers and is called by the natives ‘ Maki Boyah’ or ‘ Alligator Bird,’ a name given to it from its supposed habit of annoying the alligator. 47. PycNoNOTUS ANALIS. Pycnonotus analis (Horsf.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 140; Everett, t.c. p. 114. Common all through the low country, but does not ascend the mountains. 48, PycNoNoTUS PLUMOSUS. Pycnonotus plumosus, Blyth; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 152 ; verett, tc. p. 115. Common in low country. 49, PycNONOTUS SIMPLEX. Pycnonotus simpler, Less.; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 153; Everett, t.c. p. 115. Also inhabits the low country. 50. PycNonoTus SALVADORII. Pycnonotus salvadorii, Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 401; Everett, teres. LLG: This little Bulbul ascends the mountain to about 2000 feet. Like its congeners, it is a somewhat uninteresting bird. One of my specimens from Batu Song has the throat pale yellow instead of grey ; it seems to be adult. 51. RuspicguLa WEBBERI. Rubigula webberi (Hume); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 171; Everett, t.c. p. 115. This bird occurs on Dulit and Batu Song up to 4000 feet. It is a fruit-eating bird, and we got several on one occasion on a berry-bearing tree. 52. RusBiGuLa PAROTICALIS, Rubigula paroticalis (Sharpe); id. Cat. B. vi. p. 170; Kyerett, t. c. p. 115. 392 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of This grey-breasted Bulbul is found up to 3000 feet on Mount Dulit. 53. RuBIGULA MONTIS. Otocompsa montis (Sharpe) ; id. Cat. B. vi. p. 162. Rubigula montis, Everett, t. c. p. 115. A mountain bird, occurring on Dulit at 5000 feet. 54. /ANGITHINA VIRIDISSIMA. Aigithina viridissima (Bp.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 6; Everett, t. c. p. 116. A low-country bird, not very common. 55. CHLOROPSIS ZOSTEROPS. Chloropsis zosterops (Vig.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 24; Everett, t. c. p. 116. Common all over the low country and on Dulit up to 8000 feet. Native name “ Cunchit.” 56. CHLOROPSIS CYANOPOGON. Chloropsis cyanopogon (T.); Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 32; Everett, t. c. p. 116. Found in the low country, not ascending Dulit beyond 1000 feet. 57. CHLOROPSIS VIRIDINUCHA. Chloropsis viridinucha, Sharpe; id. Cat. B. vi. p. 31, pl.1.; Everett, t. c. p. 117. This little Green Bulbul is fairly common everywhere. It reaches 3000 feet on Dulit. 58. CHLOROPSIS KINABALUENSIS. Chloropsis kinabaluensis, Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 445 ; Everett, t. c. p. 117. I met with this bird on Dulit from 4000 to 5000 feet, and found it only in old jungle, which the bird evidently prefers. 59. IRENA CRINIGERA. Trena criniger, Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 267 ; Everett, t. e. p. Uy: Ascends Dulit to 2000 feet. It is a very plentiful bird in the low country, and one of the most beautiful species we have. The young males take two years to get the full Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 393 brilliant plumage, and after the first moult they have more or less blue and black plumes. These generally appear first on the vent and under tail-coverts, afterwards being sprinkled over the back, and at the second moult the perfect plumage is assumed. Family OrioLipa. 60. ORIOLUS XANTHONOTUS. Oriolus wanthonotus, Horsf.; Sharpe, Cat. B. iii. p. 218; Everett, t.c. p. 119. This little Oriole is common all through the low country, and on Dulit up to 2000 feet. It has rather a pretty whistle, and by imitating its note it is possible to decoy it quite close to one, 61. Oriotus Host. (Plate X.) Oriolus hosti, Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. no. it. p. iv; Ibis, 1393; p- 117. This new and remarkable species was found by me on the top of Mount Dulit at 5000 feet, living in the damp moss- covered stunted jungle. I had not much opportunity for watching its habits. Family Sirrips. 62. DuENDROPHILA CORALLIPES. Dendrophila corallipes, Sharpe, Ibis, 1888, p. 479 ; Everett, tc. p. 120. This pretty Nuthatch is a low-country bird, ascending Dulit to 3000 feet. Family Lani. 63. LANIUS LUCIONENSIS. Lanius lucionensis, L.; Everett, t. c. p. 121. This Shrike is a monsoon visitor, and is found all through the low country, where it is by no means rare. Its habits resemble those of the ordinary English Butcher-bird. 64. PiryRIasis GYMNOCEPHALA. Pityriasis gymnocephala (T.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 121. Dr. Sharpe thinks that this bird is a Shrike, but Count 394 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of Salvadori considers that it is a Starling, akin to Gracula. When I go back I intend to investigate the life-history of this curious species more closely; but meanwhile my notes on its habits may be interesting, and at present I am inclined to agree with the idea thrown out by Count Salvadori. First of all it selects a hole in a tree for its nesting-place. I once felled a tree in which was a nest, but in falling all the eggs were hopelessly smashed, and I am only speaking from recollection as to what they were like. I did not know at the time of the interest attaching to the species, and so did not take particular notice of the colour of the eggs, but, to the best of my recollection, they were of a creamy or bluish white. This bird is particularly fond of a small berry, which is bluish black in colour and about the size of a pea. It shells the fruit off the stone with its bill and devours the pulp. In habits it is decidedly gregarious, and I found that when one was shot, the others very foolishly flew down to their dead comrade. It has a very harsh note, but at times it utters a whistle like that of a Mynah. The native name is “ Tiong balli,’ which means “ False Mynah,’’ “ Tiong” being the native name for the Mynah. I procured several young birds just able to fly, and they presented some very curious differences from the adults. When quite young the head is bald, but after leaving the nest some scanty red feathers, or red-and-black ones, make their appearance on the crown, which is otherwise quite smooth. The red on the bind neck is interspersed with black spots. The eyelid in the young bird is black, with small red feathers round the rim: none of this is seen in the old bird. Instead of being black, the ear-coverts are red like the cheeks, the plumage is soft, not stiffened, and the feathers of the fore neck likewise are not stiffened as in the old bird. The whole of the centre of the breast is red; but the thigh-feathers are black instead of being red. 65. TEPHRODORNIS GULARIS. Tephrodornis gularis (Katl.); Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 278; Everett, t. c. p. 121. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 395 Common in gardens in any of the cleared parts of the low country, especially along the coast. 66. HyLorerre GRISOLA. Hyloterpe grisola (Blyth) ; Everett, t. c. p. 122. Found in the low country only. 67. HyLoreRPE HYPOXANTHA. Hyloterpe hypoxantha, Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 451; Everett, t c. p. 122. Occurs on Dulit at 3000 feet. 68. Hemirus CAPITALIs. Hemipus picatus, Sykes; Everett, t. c. p. 123. Hemipus capitalis (M‘Clell.); Oates, Faun. Brit. Ind., Birds, 1. p. 472. Occurs on Dulit at 4000 feet. Family Dicrvurip2. 69. CHIBIA BORNEENSIS. Chibia borneensis, Sharpe, P. Z.S. 1879, p. 246; Everett, t. c. p. 1238. Found on Mount Dulit from 3000 to 4000 feet. 70. CHAPTIA MALAYENSIS. Chaptia malayensis, Blyth; Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 244; Everett, t.c. p. 124. Inhabits only the low country. 71. BucHANGA STIGMATOPS. Buchanga stigmatops, Sharpe, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 247. Found on Dulit at 5000 feet and very rare. 72. DisSEMURUS PLATURUS. Dissemurus platurus (V.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 124. All over the low country, ascending Dulit to 2000 feet and Mount Batu Song to 3000 feet. Family CamporHaGip2. 73. ARTAMIDES NORMANI. Artamides normani, Sharpe, Ibis, 1889, p. 190. The young bird has a good deal of white speckling on the breast. Found on Dulit at 4000 feet. 396 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 74, ARTAMIDES SUMATRENSIS. Artamides sumatrensis (S. Mull.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 12; Everett, t. c. p. 125. A low-country species, which occurs on Dulit up to 2000 feet. 75. PERICROCOTUS XANTHOGASTER. ' Pericrocotus xanthogaster (Rafil.); Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 74. A low-country bird, not yet met with on Dulit. 76. PERICROCOTUS MONTANUS. Pericrocotus montanus, Salvad.; Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 439 ; iHiverett, t.c."p. 125. This Minivet is found on Mount Dulit at 5000 feet. 77. LALAGE TERAT. Lalage terat (Bodd.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 95; Everett, hc, p: 126. Common in the low country, but I have not yet seen it on Dulit. 78. LALAGE CULMINATA. Lalage culminata (A. Hay); Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 104; Everett, t. c. p. 126. This Cuckoo-Shrike is found at the foot of Dulit up to about 1000 feet. It is spread over the low country. Family Muscicarip#. 79. ERYTHROMYIAS MUELLERI. Erythromyias muelleri (Blyth) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 200, pl. iv. fig. 2. I found this pretty Flycatcher at 5000 feet. It was also met with on Penrisen by Mr. Everett. 80. MuscicaPULA HYPERYTHRA. Muscicapula hyperythra (Blyth); Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 206 ; Everett, t. c. p. 127. I found this little Flycatcher on Dulit at 3000 feet. 81. XANTHOPYGIA NARCISSINA. Xanthopygia narcissina ('T.); Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 249; Everett, t. c. p. 128. Mount Dulit aud the Baram District. 397 Found in the low country and also on Mount Dulit at 3000 feet. 82. TARSIGER HODGSONI. Tarsiger hodgsont (Moore) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 275; Everett, t. c. p. 128. This tiny Blue Flycatcher was met with only on Mount Dulit at 4000 feet. 83. HyporHyMis occiPiraLis. Hypothymis occipitalis (Vig.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 275 Everett, t. c. p. 128. Only a low-country bird; not very common. 84. RuipipURA ALBICOLLIS. Rhipidura albicollis (V.); Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 317; Everett, t. c. p. 129. A mountain bird, occurring on Dulit at about 3000 feet. 85. RHIPIDURA JAVANICA. Rhipidura javanica, Sparrm.; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 332; Hiverett, t.c. p. 129. Common all through the low country, especially among the young undergrowth. 86. RHIPIDURA PERLATA. Rhipidura perlata, 8S. Mill. ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 328 ; Everett, t. c. p. 129. This Fan-tailed Flycatcher occurs on Dulit up to 4000 feet, and at about the same height on Batu Song. Native name “ Burong Kanji.” 87. TERPSIPHONE AFFINIS. Terpsiphone affinis (Blyth); Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 349; Bverett, t. c. p. 130. Only in the low country and on Dulit up to 1000 feet. Native name “ Lemujan.” 88. PHILENTOMA VELATUM. Philentoma velatum (T.); Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 365; Everett, t. c. p. 130. This Flycatcher is a low-country species, known to the natives as ‘‘ Burong Kubok.”’ 398 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 89. PHILENTOMA PYRRHOPTERUM. Philentoma pyrrhopterum ('T.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 366; Everett, t. c. p. 130. Also a Flycatcher of the low country. 90. RHINOMYIAS PECTORALIS. Rhinomyias pectoralis (Salvad.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 68; Everett, t. c. p. 1380. In the low country round the foot of the mountain. 91. RHINOMYIAS RUFICRISSA. Rhinomyias ruficrissa, Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 441 ; Everett, taesyps, Lol: Found at 5000 feet on Mount Dulit. 92. CULICICAPA CEYLONENSIS. Culicicapa ceylonensis (Sw.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 369; Kverett, t. c. p. 131. This little Flycatcher is found on Dulit, and also in the low country round about. 93. CRYPTOLOPHA SCHWANERI. Cryptolopha schwaneri (T.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 403; Everett, t. c. p. 131. Procured on Mount Dulit at 5000 feet. 94. SIPHIA BANYUMAS. Siphia banyumas (Horsf.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iv. p. 449; Everett, t. c. p. 132. Occurs on Dulit, where I met with it only at 2000 feet. 95, SIPHIA NIGRIGULARIS. Siphia nigrigularis, Everett, Ibis, 1891, p. 45. This is the usual low-country form of Blue Flycatcher. It occurs only at the foot of Mount Dulit. 96. SIPH1A BECCARIANA. Siphia beccariana (Salvad.); Sharpe, Cat. iv. p. 452; Everett, t. c. p. 133. A young male from Batu Song is interesting as showing the first blue feathers appearing on the back; otherwise it resembles the adult red-tailed female. The species also occurs on Dulit up to 2000 feet. None of these Blue Fly- catchers can be called common. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 399 97. SIPHIA EVERETTI. Siphia everetti, Sharpe, Ibis, 1890, p. 366. Found on Mount Dulit at 4000 feet, where, however, it is very rare. Family Hirunpinip%. 98. HiRUNDO JAVANICA. Hirundo javanica, Sparrm.; Sharpe, Cat. B. x. p. 91; Everett, t. c. p. 134. This is the common Swallow of the district, building under the eaves and floors of the bungalows, which, I must remind the reader, are raised off the ground. Family NecTARINIID®. 99. ADTHOPYGA TEMMINCKI. Aithopyga temmincki (S. Mill.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 135. I found this red Sun-bird on the top of Dulit at 5000 feet on the small low bushes in the moss. 100. ASTHOPYGA SIPARAJA. Aithopyga siparqa (Raffl.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 135. This is the low-country Red Sun-bird, and is common in gardens and cleared Jand. 101. CHALCOSTETHA INSIGNIS. Chalcostetha insignis (Jard.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 185. Found only in the low country. 102. CINNYRIS PECTORALIS. Cinnyris pectoralis (Horsf.) ; Everett, t. ec. p. 136. Common in low country. Also on Dulit up to 1000 feet. 103. ANTHOTHREPTES HYPOGRAMMICA, Anthreptes hypogrammica (S. Mill.) ; Everett, t. c.p. 186. Goes to 3000 feet on Mount Dulit. 104. ANTHOTHREPTES SIMPLEX. Anthreptes simplex (S. Mill.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 186. Only found in the low country. 105. ANTHOTHREPTES MALACCENSIS. ¢ ' Anthreptes malaccensis (Scop.) ; Everett, t. c: p. 187. 4.00 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of This bird is called “ Cunchit Malacca.” It is a low-country species and goes up Dulit to 1000 feet. 106. ANTHOTHREPTES RHODOLAEMA. Anthreptes rhodolema, Shelley ; Everett, t. c. p. 137. On Dulit at 2000 feet. 107. ARACHNOTHERA MODESTA. Arachnothera modesta (Kyton) ; Everett, t. c. p. 137. This Spider-hunter is found on Dulit at 2000 feet. 108. ARACHNOTHERA LONGIROSTRIS. Arachnothera longirostris (V.); Everett, t. c. p. 137. Found on Dulit at 3000 feet. Native name “ Enkrasak.”’ 109. ARACHNOTHERA JULIA. Arachnothera julie, Sharpe, [bis, 1887, p. 451, pl. xiv. Found on Dulit at 5000 feet. It is very rare. 110. ARACHNORHAPHIS ROBUSTA. Arachnorhaphis robusta (M.&8.); Everett, t. c. p. 138. This Spider-hunter is a low-country bird, and occurs on Dulit up to 2000 feet. 111. ARACHNORHAPHIS CRASSIROSTRIS. Arachnorhaphis crassirostris (Reichenb.) ; Everett, t. ec. p. 138. Also a low-country bird. Native name “ Enkrasak.”’ 112. ARACHNORHAPHIS FLAVIVENTRIS. Arachnorhaphis flaviventris (Kyton) ; Everett, t.c. p. 138. Arachnothera flaviventris, Gadow, Cat. B. ix. p. 109. Found only in the low country. Family Dicaipa. 113. DiczuM NIGRIMENTUM. Diceum nigrimentum, Salvad ; Everett, t. c. p. 139. This is the ordinary little Flower-pecker of the low coun- tries, and I have seen it on Dulit up to 1000 feet. 114. Dicaum MoNTICOLA. Diceum monticola, Sharpe ; Everett, t. c. p. 139. I procured only three specimens of this little bird on Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 401 Mt. Dulit at 5000 feet. These are one young male and two females, and of course without the fully adult male it is difficult to say whether the Dulit bird is identical with the Kina Balu species or not : at present the surmise is that they are the same, but further strict comparison is necessary. 115. Dicmum cHRYSORRH@UM. Diceum chrysorrheum, 'T.; Everett, t. c. p. 139. Ascends Dulit to 1000 feet. 116. PrRioNocHILUS XANTHOPYGIUS. Prionochilus xanthopygius, Salvad. ; Everett, t. c. p. 140. Procured on Dulit at 4000 feet. 117. PRioNocHILUS MACULATUS. Prionochilus maculatus (T.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 140. Also procured on Dulit at 4000 feet. Family ZosteERoPID2. 118. ZosTHROPS SQUAMIFRONS. Zosterops squamifrons, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 323. Found on Mount Dulit at a height of 3500 feet. Only one example was seen, and that was shot just outside my hut at the camp. Family Procrip#£. 119. MuNIA BRUNNEICEPS. Munia brunneiceps, Wald.; Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 338; Everett, t. c. p. 142. Very common throughout the low country. 120. URoLoncHa FUSCANS. Munia fuscans (Cass.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 142. Uroloncha fuscans, Sharpe, Cat. B. xi. p. 364. The little Black Rice-bird is fairly common in the paddy- fields over the low country. 121. UroLoncHa LEUCOGASTRA. Uroloncha leucogastra (Blyth); Sharpe, Cat. B. xiii. p. 862; Everett, t.c. p. 142. The White-bellied Rice-bird is the rarest of our species. I have met with it only at Niah. SER. VI.—VOL. V. 2 F 402 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of Family SturNip2&. 122. CALORNIS CHALYBEA. Calornis chalybea (Horsf.); Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 143; Everett, t.c. p. 143. This is the common Glossy Starling of the country, filling the Casuarina trees. In habits very like our common English bird. Native name “ Empialing.” 123. GRACULA JAVANENSIS. Eulabes javanensis (Osbeck) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 102 ; Everett, t.c. p. 144. Gracula javanensis, Blyth (cf. Sel. Ibis, 1892, p. 102). Common everywhere, in pairs. A good whistler and talker, and often trained by the Malays and Chinese. Native name “ Tiong.” Family ArramMip&. 124, ARTAMUS LEUCOGASTER. Artamus leucorhynchus (li.); Everett, t.c. p. 144. Artamus leucogaster (Val.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xiii. p. 4. This Wood-Swallow nests at a good height, generally about twenty-five or thirty feet from the ground, and the nest is placed on the summit of a stub, where the tree has been broken off. The habits of the bird are peculiar. It is fond of perching on the dead bough of a tree, whence it sails off with a swallow-like flight. It is essentially a bird of the clearings, and does not affect the jungle. Family Corvipa. 125. CorvUs TENUIROSTRIS. Corvus tenuirostris, Moore; Everett, t.c. p. 145. Native name “ Burong Kak.’ These Crows are common all through the low country, but do not ascend the moun- tains to any great height. 126. DENDROCITTA CINERASCENS. Dendrocitta cinerascens, Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 250, pl. vin. ; Everett, t.c. p. 147. This pretty Magpie was one of the features of Mount Dulit between 3000 and 5000 feet, where its anvil-sounding Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 403 note was heard everywhere. The bird could, notwithstanding, not be called plentiful. 127. Cissa JEFFERYI. Cissa jefferyt, Sharpe, Ibis, 1888, p. 383; Everett, t. c. p. 146. I found this Green Magpie on Mount Dulit at 5000 feet. It is very rare on the mountain. 128. PLATYSMURUS ATERRIMUS. Platysmurus aterrimus (T.); Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 91; Everett, t.c. p. 146. Fairly common all over the low country, and ascends Mount Dulit up to 2000 feet. It has a very harsh ‘ Jay’- like note. 129, PLATYLOPHUS CORONATUS. Platylophus coronatus (Rafil.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 318 ; Everett, t.c. p. 147. Known as the “Kajampang” or “the Rain-bird,” from its unerring faculty of foretelling a storm. Whenever its whistle is heard, rain is always to be expected. The long crest-feathers are raised erect when the bird utters its note, accompanying the whistle with a jerky erection of the crest. Family Prrripe. 130. Pirra CYANOPTERA. Pitta cyanoptera, T.; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 420; Everett, GC. pe ly. Common all the year round in ‘country and on the mountains to about 1000 feet. name “ Burong Pat.” 131. Prrra GRANATINA. Pitta granatina, T.; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 430; Everett, t. c. p. 148. This Pitta is common in the low country and ascends the mountain to about 2000 feet. 132. Pirta aRcUATA. Pitta arcuata, Gould; Scl. Cat. B. xii. p. 431; Everett, t.c. p. 148. 22 ~ 404. Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of Occurs on Dulit from 2000 to 4000 feet, breeding on the mountain in September. I procured the young birds, which are very different from the adults. 133. Pirra MUELLERI. Pitta muelleri, Bp.; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 489; Everett, t. ec. p. 149. This is a low-country bird, and occurs at the foot of the mountain. 134, Prrra BAUDI. Pitta baudi, Mill. & Schl. ; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 444; Everett, t. c. p. 149. | This beautiful Pitta occurs in the low country and ranges up to 2000 feet on the mountain. It is an old-jungle bird, preferring the forests, and not visiting clearings lke P. granatina. The female is very difficult to procure, being probably concealed by its duller coloration. 135. Pirra sCHWANERI. Pitta schwaneri, Bp.; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 445; Everett, t. c. p. 149. Found only on the mountains, and cccurs on Dulit from 3000 to 4000 feet. Family EuryL2Mip&. 136. CaLYPTOMENA VIRIDIS. Calyptomena viridis, Raffl.; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 456; Everett, t.c. p. 150. This is the little Green Broadbill of the low country, but it extends up the mountain to 8000 feet. Native name « Pantap daun.” 137. CALYPTOMENA WHITEHEADI. : Calyptomena whiteheadi, Sharpe ; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 457; Everett, t. c. p. 150. I was pleased to find this splendid bird on Mount Dulit, where it occurs at 5000 feet. 138. CALYPTOMENA HOSII. Calyptomena hosii, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 438, pl. x. The first specimen of this bird was shot by one of my men Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 405 in a ravine on Mount Dulit, at an elevation of 3000 feet. I was with him at the time, and we were attracted by the curious note, not unlike the subdued cooing of a Dove. It is a bird of the dark forests, and builds a hanging nest at the end of a bough, similar to that of C. whiteheadi. 139. PsaRISOMUS PSITTACINUS. Psarisomus psittacinus, 8. Mill. ; Everett, t.c. p. 150. This pretty Broadbill occurs on Mount Dulit at 4000 feet. It must evidently nest there, as I procured four young birds together. 140. EurYL&@MUs OCHROMELAS. Eurylemus ochromelas (Rafil.) ; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 465 ; Everett, t.c. p. 150. A low-country Broadbill, ascending to 2000 feet on Dulit. Native name “ Kong kong madi.” 141. EuryYL@MUs JAVANICUS. Eurylemus javanicus, Horsf.; Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 468 ; Everett, t.c. p. 150. This is also a low-country Broadbill, and extends up the slope of Dulit to about 1000 feet. 142. CyMBIRHYNCHUS MACRORHYNCHUS. Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchus (Gm.); Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 468; Everett, t.c. p. 151. Common along the banks of the rivers. It is fond of placing its nest over the water, suspending it from the up- standing boughs of some tree which has fallen in. 143. CorypoN SUMATRANUS. Corydon sumatranus (Raffl.); Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 466; Everett, t.c. p. lol. . This large Broadbill is an inhabitant of the low country and ascends Dulit to about 2000 feet. Family CypsELip&. 144. CoLLOCALIA FUCIPHAGA. Collocalia fuciphaga (Thunb.) ; Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 498. 4.06 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 145. CoLuocaLia Lowt. Collocalia lowi (Sharpe) ; Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 498. 146. CoLLocaLiA LINCHI. Collocalia linchi, Horsf. & Moore; Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p- 508. All these three Swiftlets occur in the district, but I will defer my remarks on them to a future occasion. 147. CHETURA GIGANTEA. Chetura gigantea (T.); Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 475; Hiverett, t. c. p. 151. This big Swift is found sitting on the top of dead trees and is very rare. 148. CH#£TURA LEUCOPYGIALIS. Chetura leucopygialis (Blyth) ; Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 490. Chetura coracina, Scl.; Everett, t. c. p. 152. Is found in the low country, frequenting the clearings. 149. MacropreRyX LONGIPENNIS. Macropteryx longipennis (Rafin.); Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 514; Everett, t.c. p. 152. This Crested Swift is only found in the low country, and I have not met with it on the mountain. It is very fond of sitting on the boughs of dead trees. 150. Macrorreryx CoMATUS. Macropteryx comatus (Tick.); Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 512 ; Everett, t. c. p. 152. Generally seen on the banks of the rivers and ascends the mountain to about 1000 feet. Family CapriMULGID#. 151. CapRIMULGUS MACRURUS. Caprimulgus macrurus, Horsf. ; Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p..537 ; Everett, t.c: p. los: This is the common Goatsucker of the low country, and occurs on the mountain up to 1000 feet. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 407 152. CaPRIMULGUS CONCRETUS. Caprimulgus concretus, Bp.; Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 576; Everett, t.c. p. 153. Found on the plains and cleared land of the low country. Has a monotonous note, “ tok-tok-ta-thar,” which it keeps up all night long. It comes out about six in the evening, as the sun goes down. Family Picip#. 153. SAsIA ABNORMIS. Sasia abnormis (T.) ; Hargitt, Cat. B. xix. p.557; Everett, t.c. p. 1d4. This little Piculet occurs all through the low country, where it is fairly common ; it ascends Dulit to 1000 feet. 154. CHRYSOCOLAPTES VALIDUS. Chrysocolaptes validus (T.) ; Hargitt, Cat. B. xviii. p. 458. Xylolepes validus, Everett, t.c. p. 154. This is a low-country Woodpecker. 155. Hemicercus sorpivvs. Hemicercus sordidus (Eyton); Hargitt, Cat. B. xviii. p. 483; Everett, t.c. p. 155. In the low country, reaching to the foot of Dulit. Native name “ Entagris.” 156. LepocrstEs PORPHYROMELAS. Lepocestes porphyromelas (Boie) ; Hargitt, Cat. B. xvi. p. 882; Everett, t.c. p. 155. This is a low-country Woodpecker, which ascends Dulit to about 3000 feet. It is an “omen” bird, called by the natives “ Kotok.” 157. CHRYSOPHLEGMA MALACCENSE. Chrysophlegma malaccense (Lath.); Hargitt, Cat. B. xvii. p: 126; Everett, t.c. p. 155. Chrysophlegma humit, Hargitt ; id, Cat. B. xvin. p. 126; Everett, t. c. p. 155. A low-country species. 4.08 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 158. HeMILOPHUS PULVERULENTUS. Hemilophus pulverulentus (T.) ; Hargitt, Cat. B. xvi. p. 494. Muelleripicus pulverulentus, Everett, t.c. p. 156. This large Woodpecker is found only in the low country, and is not at all common. 159. THRIPONAX JAVENSIS. Thriponax javensis (Horsf.); Hargitt, Cat. B. xvii. p. 498 ; Everett, t.c. p. 157. Native name “ Blatok Tauong.” A very noisy bird in the low country, and it ascends Dulit to about 2000 feet. p) 160. Tica JAVANENSIS. Tiga javanensis (Lijung.); Hargitt, Cat. B. xvii. p. 412; Everett, t.c. p. 157. Only one specimen, obtained at Niah. 161. GAUROPICOIDES RAFFLESI. Gauropicoides rafflesii (Vig.) ; Hargitt, Cat. B. xix. p. 182. In the low country. Family ALCEDINIDA. 162. ALCEDO BENGALENSIS. Alcedo ispida, pt.; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvii. p. 143. Alcedo bengalensis (Gm.) ; Everett, t.c. p. 158. I found this Kingfisher at the mouth of the Baram River on several occasions. 163. ALCEDO ASIATICA. Alcedo meninting, Horsf. ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvi. p. 157. Alcedo asiatica, Sw.; Everett, t. c. p. 159. This Kingfisher is distributed over the low country. 164. PELARGOPSIS LEUCOCEPHALA. Pelargopsis leucocephala (Gm.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvu. p. 98; Everett, t.c. p. 159. Usually seen at the mouths of the rivers, frequenting the mangrove-swamps, and is occasionally found inland as far as 100 miles. Native name “ Kaka Blengang.” Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 409 165, Creyx EUERYTHRA. Ceyx rufidorsa (nec Strickl.) ; Everett, t. ce. p. 159. Ceyx euerythra, Sharpe, Cat. B. xvii. p. 179. This little Kingfisher is found in the low country. 166. Cryx DILLWYNNT. Ceyx dillwynm, Sharpe ; id. Cat. B. xvu. p. 177; Everett, te: p. 160. Found on Dulit up to 1000 feet. 167. Hatcyon coroMANDA. Halcyon coromanda (ath.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvii. p. 217; Everett, t. c. p. 160. Only two or three specimens have occurred to me in the low country. 168. Hancyon PILEATA. Halcyon pileata (Bodd.); Sharpe, Cat. B. xvii. p. 229; Everett, t.c. p. 160. This Kingfisher is pretty common along the banks of the rivers. Native name “ Kaka.” 169. Hatcyon concreta. Halcyon concreta (T.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvii. p. 285; iverett, tcp, 160: This is a species found only in the old jungle, frequenting the dense forest and the watercourses high up at 4000 feet on Mount Dulit. 170. Haxcyon cHtoris. Halcyon chloris (Bodd.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvii. p. 273; Hiverett, t.c. p. 161. : The common low-country species, frequenting gardens and cleared land by the sides of rivers. 171. CaRcINEUTES MELANOPS. Carcineutes melanops (Bp.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvi. p. 200; Everett, t.c. p. 161. This is a low-country bird, but ascends Dulit to 2000 feet. It is an “omen” bird. Native name “ Membuas.” 410 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of Family Bucrrorips. 172. BucEROoS RHINOCEROS. Buceros rhinoceros, L.; Grant, Cat. B. xvi. p. 352; Everett, t.c. p. 162. Fairly common in the low country, but is also fond of frequenting hills, ascending Dulit, for instance, to 3000 feet. Native name “ Kenegalang.” 173. RHINOPLAX VIGIL. Rhinoplax vigil (Forst.) ; Grant, Cat. B. xvi. p. 427; Everett,.t.c.p. 162. Met with on the mountains, up to 3000 feet on Dulit. Native name “'Tajak.”’ The long tail-feathers are worn by the Kayan chiefs in their war-caps and are of considerable value. 174. AHTHRACOCEROS CONVEXUS. Anthrococeros convexus (T.); Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 364; Everett, t.c. p. 162. A low-country bird, which I believe does not ascend the mountains. Native name “ Burong Bulu.” 175. ANTHRACOCEROS MALABARICUS. Anthracoceros malabaricus (Gm.); Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 865; Everett, t.c. p. 162. A low-country species. This bird is called “ Bowin” (a pig), because it makes a noise exactly like a pig squealing. 176. CRANORRHINUS CORRUGATUS. Cranorrhinus corrugatus (T.) ; Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 379 ; Hyverett, t.c. p. 163. Very rare low-country Hornbill. 177. RuyTIDOCEROS UNDULATUS. Rhytidoceros undulatus (Shaw); Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 382; Everett, t.c. p. 163. This chestnut-headed Hornbill is found on Dulit up to 4000 feet; it also occurs in the low country, but is rare. Native name “ Kuku-kua.” Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 411 178. RayYTIDOCEROS SUBRUFICOLLIS. r Rhytidoceros subruficollis (Blyth); Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p- 384; Everett, t.c. p. 163. This species also occurs on Dulit at 3000 feet. 179. ANORRHINUS GALERITUS. Anorrhinus galeritus (T.); Grant, Cat. B. xvu. p. 391; Everett, t.c. p. 163. A common low-country species. Native name “Tekallau.” 180. BerENIcORNIS COMATUS. Anorrhinus comatus (Raffl.) ; Everett, t. ce. p. 165. Berenicornis comatus, Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 423 The White-crested Hornbill is a very important “omen” bird among the Kayans. Family Merrorrip. 181. NycriorNiIs AMICTA. Nyctiornis amicta (T.); Sharpe, Cat. B. xvii. p. 90; Everett, t.c. p. 164. This beautiful Bee-eater is a low-country bird, but is found on Dulit up to 1000 feet. 182. Merops sUMATRANUS. Merops sumatranus (Raffl.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvi. p. 61; Everett, t.c. p. 164. This Bee-eater is usually found on the coast, occasionally occurring along the banks of the rivers. Family Coraciip2. 183. EuRysToMUS ORIENTALIS. Eurystomus orientalis (i.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xvi. p. 33, placate Hverett, tcp. 16d: This Roller is found only in the low country in the neigh- bourhood of clearmgs. Native name “Tiong Manang.” Family TRrRoconip%. 184, Harpactes WHITEHEAD. Harpactes whiteheadi, Sharpe ; Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 488 ; Kverett, t: c. p. 166. Found on Mount Dulit at 5000 feet. 412 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 185. Harpacres DIARDI. Harpactes diardi (T.) ; Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 482; Everett, tc. p, 1166: A low-country Trogon, found on Dulit up to 5000 feet. 186. Harpactes KASUMBA. Harpactes kasumba (Raffl.) ; Grant, Cat. B. xvi. p. 483; Everett, t.c. p. 166. This Trogon occurs throughout the low country, and also on Mount Dulit up to about 2000 feet. Native name “ Papaw.” 187. HarpactEs DUVAUCELI. Harpactes duvauceli (T.); Grant, Cat. B. xvu. p. 491; Everett, t.c. p. 166. Found all through the low country, and on Mount Dulit to 3000 feet. Native name “ Baragai.” 188. HarpacrEes DULITENSIS. Harpactes dulitensis, Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 502, pl. xvi. This beautiful yellow Trogon was obtained on Mount Dulit at 5000 feet. 188 a. Harpacres vipva. Harpactes vidua, Grant, Cat. B. xvi. p. 501. Only a single female specimen obtained. Family Popareipm. 189. BarRACHOSTOMUS AFFINIS. Batrachostomus affinis, Blyth; Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 643. Of this bird I got only a single specimen on Mount Dulit at about 2000 feet. 190. BaTRACHOSTOMUS HARTERTI. Batrachostomus harterti, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 323 ; Hartert, Cat. B. xvi. p. 638. Discovered at the foot of Mount Dulit at about 1000 feet. The specimen was captured in a small jungle-hut, into which it had flown in the dusk, evidently attracted by the light. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 413 191. Barracnostomus MIXTUS. Batrachostomus mixtus, Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. no. i. p- iv; Ibis, 1893, p. 117. Found on Dulit at 5000 feet. Family Capironipa. 192. CuoroRHEA CHRYSOPSIS. Chotorhea chrysopsis (Goffin) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 59. Megalema chrysopsis, Everett, t. c. p. 167. This yellow-eared Barbet was procured on Mount Dulit at 3000 feet, where it was fairly common. Native name « Tegok.” 193. CHOTORHEA VERSICOLOR. Chotorhea versicolor (Raffl.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 59. Megalema versicolor, Everett, t. c. p. 167. Common all through the low country and ascending Mount Dulit to 2000 feet. 194. CyaNops HENRICII. Cyanops henricii (T.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 67. Megalema henracii, Everett, t. c. p. 168. Found in the low country, but rare; one specimen was obtained on Mount Dulit at 2000 feet. 195. CyaNoPs MYSTACOPHANES. Cyanops mystacophanes ('T.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 72. Megalema mystacophanos, Everett, t. c. p. 167. This pretty little Barbet is found all through the low country, and on Mount Dulit up to 2000 feet. 196. CyaANoPs MONTICOLA. Cyanops monticola, Sharpe; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 74; Everett, t. c. p. 168. Found on Dulit at 4000 feet, where it is very common. 197. Mrsosucco DUVAUCELI. Mesobucco duvauceli (Less.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 85. Xantholema duvauceli, Everett, t.c. p. 168. __ A common little low-country bird, found en Dulit up to 2000 feet. Native name “ Kara.” 414. Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 198. Mrsonucco EXIMIUs. Mesobucco eximius, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 324, 1893, pl. xi. Found on Mount Dulit at 4000 feet, and also on Mount Batu Song at the same elevation. 199. CaLORHAMPHUS FULIGINOSUS, Calorhamphus fuliginosus (Temm.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. ol; Everett; tc. p. 168. A low-country species, also occurring on Dulit up to 2000 feet. Family Iypicatorip&. 200. InpIcaTOR ARCHIPELAGICUS. Indicator archipelagicus, 'T.; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 4; iiverett, t.'¢. pl169. The Honey-Guide is a very rare bird indeed. I have met with a specimen only on one occasion in the low country. Family CucuLip2. 201. CucuLus CANoRUS. Cuculus canorus, L.; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 245. Cuculus canorinus, Everett, t. c. p. 169. A Cuckoo, which I believe to be the same as the English bird, occurs on migration on the coast. 202. CucuLUS SONNERATI. Cuculus sonnerati, Lath. ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 262 Everett, t.c. p. 170. A low-country bird. 203. Hierococcyx NANUS. Hierococcyz nanus, Hume; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 238; Everett, t. ¢..p.271- Occurs at Baram. (Cf. Everett, 1. c.) 204. CACOMANTIS MERULINUS. Cacomantis merulinus (Scop.); Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 268; Everett, t.c. p. 172. A low-country species. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 415 205. SURNICULUS LUGUBRIS. Surniculus lugubris (Horsf.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 227; Hyverett, t. c: pe 172: A low-country Cuckoo, occurring on Dulit to 2000 feet. 206. CHALCococcyx XANTHORHYNCHUS. Chalcococcyx xanthorhynchus, Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 289. Found on Dulit at 4000 feet, but it is rare there. 207. CoccysTES COROMANDUS. Coccystes coromandus (l.); Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 214; ivyerett, t-c. p. 173: Occurs on the coast on migration. Native name “ Entera- cup.” 208, RHINORTHA CHLOROPH#A. Rhinortha chlorophea (Raffl.); Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 393; fiverett,.t.e. p. Lid: This small brown Cuckoo is common in the low country. 209. RuopopyYTES DIARDI. Rhopodytes diardi (Less.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 390; Everett, t.c. p. 174. A low-country species. 210. Urococcyx ERYTHROGNATHUS. Urococcyx erythrognathus (Hartl.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 398. Rhamphococcyx erythrognathus, Everett, t. c. p. 174. Found all over the low country, and on Dulit to 2000 feet. 211. ZANCLOSTOMUS JAVANICUS. Zanclostomus javanicus (Horsf.); Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 380; Everett, t. c. p. 175. All over the low country, and on Dulit to 3000 feet. Native name “ Mindoo jugum.” 212. Carpococcyx RADIATUS. Carpococcyxz radiatus (T.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 415; Everett, t.c. p. 175. A very rare bird, only found on the ground. Native name “ Kruai Manang.” 4.16 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 213. CENTROCOCCYX EURYCERCUS. Centrococcyx eurycercus (Hay) ; Everett, t. c. p. 175. Centropus sinensis (Steph.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 343. 214. CENTROCOCCYX JAVANENSIS. Both these species of Centrococcyx are found all over the low country, and on the mountains to 2000 feet. Family Psrrracipé&. 215. PAL#ORNIS LONGICAUDA. Paleornis longicauda (Bodd.) ; Salvad. Cat. B. xx. p. 475 ; iverett, tcp: 177. This is the common Parrot of the district. It nestsin my garden at Claudetown, the birds selecting a hole in a big tree about 60 feet from the ground. Native name “ Bayan.” 216. Psirrinus INCERTUS. Psittinus incertus (Shaw); Salvad. Cat. B. xx. p. 501; Hiverett, t. ¢. p. L777. Rather rare with us, and found only in the low country. Native name “ Bayan Kadiman.” 217. LoricuLus GALGULUS. Loriculus galgulus (.); Salvad. Cat. B. xx. p. 531; Everett, t..c. p. 177. This little Lorikeet is found on all cleared land, and ascends Mount Dulit to 2000 feet. It is caught by the natives in large numbers. Native name “ Entalit.” Family Busonip. 218. KerruPa JAVANENSIS. Ketupa javanensis, Less.; Sharpe, Cat. B. u. p. 8; Everett, t. c. p. 177. Rare in Baram. 219. Buso ORIENTALIS. Bubo orientalis (Horsf.); Sharpe, Cat. B. 1. p. 39; Everett, t. c. p. 178. Found on Dulit at 3000 feet. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 417 220. Scorps LEMPIJI. Scops lempyt (Horsf.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 91; Everett, te; par l7s. This is the ordinary Eared Owlet of the low country. 221. Scops BRooxut. (Plate XI.) Scops brook, Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. ii. p. iv; Ibis, 1893, pe blz. Found on Mount Dulit at 5000 feet. It must be very rare, as only one specimen was seen. I need not give a detailed description of this new species of Scops, for the characters by which it is distinguished are very easily stated. It belongs to the group of S. magicus, so far as appearance goes, and is wonderfully like S. dour- uensis, Sharpe (Cat. B. u. p. 73), in the colour of the under surface ; but on the upper surface it is quite different, being much more rufous, more coarsely mottled with black, and it differs from S. dowruensis and all its allies in having the triple band on the head and hind neck white instead of ochraceous, the pattern being the usual one of the group, viz., a white occipital spot; a second, larger one, on the nape ; and a third on the hind neck, forming a broad cervical collar. The broad band on the side of the crown, extending to the ear-tufts, is also white. Another peculiarity of the species is in the tibial joint, which has a large patch of chestnut barred with black. I may add that 1 have compared the specimen of this Owl with examples of Scops everetti, which is the nearest species in geographical position to which it could be allied, and that there is no connection between them. 222. HerTeroscors LUCIA. Heteroscops lucie, Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 77, pl. ii.; Kverett, t. c. p. 178. Found on Dulit at 4000 to 5000 feet. 223. PHOTODILUS BADIUS. Phodilus badius (Horsf.); Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 309; Everett, t. c. p. 178. The Bay Owl is found in the low country. — It frequently SER. VI.—VOL. V. 2G 418 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of enters houses at night, where it is captured by the natives. Native name “Burong Pok.” In its mode of life this species is very like a small Barn Owl. 224, NINox scUTULATA. Ninox scutulata (Raffl.); Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 156; Everett, t..e. p: 1179. This Hawk-Owl makes a melancholy cry at night, on account of which it is very much disliked by the natives as a foreteller of death. Native name ‘‘ Pongok.” 225. SYRNIUM LEPTOGRAMMICUM. Syrnium leptogrammicum ('T.); Sharpe, Cat. B. 1. p. 264; Everett, t. c. p. 179. This Wood-Owl occurs on Dulit at about 2000 feet. Family Fatconip2. 226. ASTUR TRIVIRGATUS. Astur trivirgatus (T.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. 1. p. 105; Everett, t, c. p. 180. Found only in low countries, as far as I know. 227. ACCIPITER RUFOTIBIALIS. Accipiter rufotibialis, Sharpe, Ibis, 1887, p. 437, 1889, p. 68, pl. 11. This little Sparrow-Hawk was shot on Mount Dulit at 4000 feet. 228. ACCIPITER VIRGATUS. Accipiter virgatus (T.); Sharpe, Cat. B.1. p. 150 ; Everett, t} G, ps 180. I procured this species on the Bakong River in the Baram district. 229. SPIZAETUS ALBONIGER. Spizaétus alboniger (Blyth) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. 1. p. 271; Everett, t. c.p. 181. This small Crested Eagle is found in the low country and on Dulit to 1000 feet. 230. SPIZAETUS LIMNAETUS. Spizaétus limnaétus (Horsf.); Sharpe, Cat. B.1i. p. 272; Everett, t. c. p. 181. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 419 This large Black Eagle plays havoc with the fowls, and is found everywhere, ranging on Dulit to 3000 feet. 231. LopHorrioRCHIs KIENERI. Lophotriorchis kienert (Geoffr.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 255 ; Everett, t. c. p. 182. A very rare bird with us. Only one specimen has been obtained by me at Claudetown. 232. SPILORNIS PALLIDUS. Spilorms pallidus, Wald.; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 290; Everett, t. c. p. 182. This little Serpent-Eagle is found usually along the banks of the rivers, perched on stumps of dead trees. Native name “ Zangburik.” 233. BUTASTUR INDICUS. Butastur indicus (Gm.); Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 297; Everett, t. c. p. 183. One specimen shot at Baram mouth. 234. HaLianTUs LEUCOGASTER. Haliaétus leucogaster (Gm.); Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 307; Everett, t. c. p. 183. This large Sea-Eagle is fairly common and nests on the coast. It makes a big nest on the top of a dead tree. 235. HaiasTUR INTERMEDIUS. Halastur intermedius, Gurney ; Sharpe, Cat. B.i. p. 314; Everett, t.c. p. 183. Found everywhere all over the low country whenever the natives are burning for their farms. Native name “ Sing- alang Burong.” 236. MacH&®RIRHAMPHUS ALCINUS. Macherhamphus alcinus, Westerm.; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 342; Everett, t.c. p. 184. Found in the low country, frequenting the Bat-caves. It feeds on the Bats, and is by far the quickest-flymg Hawk that we have. Native name “ Rajah Wali.” 2G2 420 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 237. MicROHIERAX FRINGILLARIUS. Microhierax fringillarius (Drap.); Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p- 367; Everett, t.c. p. 185. This little Hawk is found throughout the low country. It frequents very high dead trees. Family PLoripa. 238. PLoTrus MELANOGASTER. Plotus melanogaster (Penn.) ; Salvad. Uce. Born. p. 367 ; Everett, t.c. p. 188. I found the Darters nesting in rookeries in Loagantujoh, where numbers of white-coated young were sitting in the nests ; the latter were placed on the trees surrounding the lake at a height of about 30 feet. Family ArpEIp™. 239. ARDEA SUMATRANA. Ardea sumatrana, Raftl.; Salvad. Uece. Born. p. 344; Hverett, t.c. p. 188. Found along the coast and in the mouths of rivers. Native name “ Burong raia.” 240. ARDEA PURPUREA. Ardea purpurea, L.; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 345 ; Everett, t. ¢. p. 18s: The “ Kuju” is found along the banks of the rivers, and extends quite a hundred miles inland. 241. Nycricorax GRISEUS. Nycticorax griseus (L.) ; verett, t. c. p. 190. The Night Heron nests with us on Lake Ansok. Salvad. Uce. Born. p. 356; Family CoLuMBID&. 242. TURTUR TIGRINUS. Turtur tigrina (T.); Everett, t. c. p. 193. Spilopelia tigrina, Salvad. Uecc. Born. p. 296. This isa common Turtle Dove, found on all the native farms and clearings. Native name “ Tekukor.”’ Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 421 243. MACROPYGIA RUFICEPS. Macropygia ruficeps (T.); Salvad. Uce. Born. p. 298 ; Everett, t. c. p. 193. . Occurs on Mount Dulit from 2000 to 4000 feet. 244. CHALCOPHAPS INDICA. Chalcophaps indica (l.); Salvad. Uecc. Born. p. 299; Hverett, t.c. p. 194. This little Ground Pigeon is common all through the low country and is found on Dulit up to 3000 feet. Native name ‘‘ Hmbok.” 245. CARPOPHAGA ANEA. Carpophaga enea (L.) ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 290; Everett, tc. p. LO. The common Fruit-Pigeon of the country, ascending Dulit to 2000 feet. Native name ‘ Pergum.”’ 246, CARPOPHAGA BADIA. Yarpophaga badia (Rafil.); Salvad. Uce. Born. p. 291; Hiyerett, t- ¢: p. 195. This species occurs on Dulit at 5000 feet. It is also found in the low country. 247. TRERON NASICA. Treron nasica, Schl.; Salvad. Uce. Born. p. 283 ; Everett, fae. Palo. Native name “ Punai.” 248. TRERON VERNANS. Treron vernans (l.) ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 286; Everett, t. c. p. 196. 249. 'TRERON OLAX. Treron olax (T.); Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 289; Everett, tCap. 196. 250. 'TRERON BARAMENSIS. T. fulvicollis baramensis, Meyer, J. f. O. 1891, p. 73. All these Pigeons occur in the low country, the only one ascending Dulit to any great height bemg 7. olax, which was found at 4000 feet. 422 Mr. C. Hose on the Avifauna of 251. 'TRERON CAPELLEI. Treron capellei ('T.); Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 285; Everett, tcp: LOG, Only in the low country. 252. PriLopus JAMBU. Ptilopus yambu (Gm.); Everett, t. c. p. 197. Ptilonopus jambu, Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 289. A low-country species, but found on Mount Dulit at 5000 feet. Family Puastanipa. 253. ARGUSIANUS GRAYI. Argusianus grayi, Elhot; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 305; iBverett, t.'c. p. 197: Found on Mount Dulit up to 2000 feet and on the hills in the low country. 254. LoBioPHAsIs BULWERI. Lobiophasis bulweri, Sharpe ; Everett, t. c. p. 198. Bulwer’s Pheasant is only found on the mountains, though it does not ascend very high, not extending beyond 2000 feet as far as I know. The actions of this bird are entirely Fowl-like, and it is much more like a Jungle-fowl in its ways than a Pheasant. ‘The picture in the ‘ Birds of Asia’ gives a wrong idea of the carriage of the bird, and I very much doubt whether it ever sits up in the way there depicted. On the contrary, it skulks along through the jungle, carrying its tail in a curve like a fowl. It is often trapped by the natives and is essentially a ground-bird, seldom taking flight, but preferring to run through the jungle to save itself. I believe that it takes quite three years before the full white tail is assumed. Native name “ Bagier.” 255. EvpLocamus 1cnttTus, Shaw. Euplocamus nobilis, Scl. ; Everett, t. c. p. 199. This Fireback is a bird of the low country. Native name “ Sempidan.”’ 256. EupLocaMUS PYRONOTUS. Euplocamus pyronotus (Gray) ; Everett, t.c. p. 199. Mount Dulit and the Baram District. 4.23 This Pheasant is a low-country bird, but is decidedly rare. Native name “ Singgier.” 257. MELANOPERDIX NIGRA. Melanoperdix niger (Vig.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 199. Not a common bird with us. Found in the low country, but does not ascend the mountain. Native name “ Pipit hantu.” I have found three nests, each containing five eggs, 258. RoLLULUS ROULROUL. Rollulus roulroul (Scop.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 200. Common everywhere, going in coveys. Native name “ Sengayan.” 259. CALOPERDIX BORNEENSIS. Caloperdix borneensis, Ogilvie Grant, Bull. B.O.C. 11. p.v; ibis; 1893, .p: 117. I found this new species on Mount Dulit at a height of 5000 feet in the moss. Only one specimen was obtained. 260. HasMatortTyx SANGUINICEPS. Hematortyx sanguiniceps, Sharpe; Everett, t.c. p. 200. Found in the same locality as the former, and under the same conditions. 261. EXcALFacTORIA CHINENSIS. Excalfactoria chinensis (li); Everett, t.c. p. 200. Only in the low country in the grass and low scrub. Native name “ Empitu.” Family Ratu. 262. ERyTHRA PH@NICURA,. Erythra phenicura (Penn.); Everett, t. c. p. 202. A low-country bird, frequenting the sides of rivers and marshes, Native name “ Kruak.” Family GLAREOLIDz. 263. GLAREOLA ORIENTALIS. Glareola orientalis, Leach; Everett, t. c. p. 204. This Pratincole occurs during the N.E. monsoon in con- siderable numbers all over the low country, and is often 424, Mr. F. W. Styan on the found sixty miles inland, not frequenting merely the rivers, but even the interior parts, such as the clearings. Family CuarapRup&. 264. CipicNEMUS MAGNIROSTRIS. (idicnemus magnirostris, Geoffr. ; Everett, t. c. p. 203. Found on the coast at Baram mouth during the N.E, monsoon. 265. CHARADRIUS FULVUS. Charadrius fulvus (Gm.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 204. The Golden Plover comes in the monsoon. It spends the winter with us, and changes to summer plumage before it leaves. 266. SQUATAROLA HELVETICA, Squatarola helvetica (.) ; Everett, t. c. p. 204. The Grey Plover also spends the winter with us. XXXIX.—On the Birds of Hainan. By F. W. Styan, E-Z:8., M.B:0.U. (Plate XIT.) Tuer island of Hainan lies opposite the extreme southern point of the mainland of China, from which it is separated by a channel only a few miles in breadth. It is about 150 miles long and 50 broad, and is well within the tropics, the 20th parallel passing through its northern extremity. The coast-line is flat, but mountains rise in the interior, forming a high mass in the south-west, from which extend ranges in every direction; one long straight ridge runs north-east through almost the whole length of the island. A consider- able part of this mountainous region is inhabited by the Les, an independent aboriginal tribe, who appear to be friendly enough to strangers, but to have little liking for the Chinese, with whom they trade in a small way, but to whom they acknowledge no allegiance. The island has hardly been explored beyond the coast-line, Birds of Hainan. ‘ 425 and but for Swinhoe’s researches (see Ibis, 1870, pp. 77, 230, 342) next to nothing would be known of its fauna. When Consul at Kiungchow Swinhoe worked with his well-known activity, and through his native collectors obtained examples of a large number of the birds inhabiting the island, among which were an astonishing number of novelties. An interest- ing account of a trip through a great part of the interior, embracing much of the country of the aboriginals, will be found in a book published in 1886, ‘ Ling-Nam, cr Interior Views of Southern China,’ by B. C. Heury. Since the days of Swinhoe’s discoveries, I believe I am right in saying that no one has visited the island with a view of studying its avifauna; and the collections made by Mr. B. Schmacker through his Japanese hunter Tetsu are therefore of great interest. ‘Tetsu has paid two visits to the island, and the results of the first were examined and reported on by Dr. G. Hartlaub*. These, I believe, were mainly col- lected near Hoihow on the northern coast. The second collection, the result of two trips to the mountainous regions of the south-west, made between May 1891 and January 1892, was kindly put into my hands by Mr. Schmacker. In the ‘ Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club’ for November 1892, I described as apparently new five species, but with regard to some of these I regret to say I was mistaken. The others and several of doubtful identity I sent to Dr. Bowdler Sharpe to examine, and his report on these birds will be found in the ‘ Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club’ + for December 1892. The total number of species of which examples were obtained by Mr. Schmacker’s collector was about 40—a good result, considering that little attention was paid to sea-birds or waterfowl, and that the real object of his visits was Concho- logy. This raises the total number of Hainan species to 159. Of these 159 species, 17 are, so far, as is known, confined to Hainan—an astonishingly large number, seeing * “Kin Beitrag zur Ornithologie Chinas,” Abhandlungen des natur- wissenschaftlichen Vereins zu Bremen, 1892. + Bull. B, O. C. no. iv. p. xix. 4:26 Mr. F. W. Styan on the that the distance from the mainland is so little, that to all intents and purposes the island is no more than a peninsula, and there could be no difficulty in birds of very weak flight crossing over the strait. These 17 peculiar species are :— Dryonastes monachus. AXthopyga christine. Pomatorhinus nigrostellatus. Cinnyris rhizophoree. Graminicola striata. Temnurus schmackeri. Pycnonotus hanianus. Micropternus holroydi. Hemixus castanonotus. Cyanops faber. Hypsipetes perniger. Osmotreron domvilii. Chloropsis lazulina. Macropygia swinhoei. Psaropholus nigellicauda. Arboricola ardens, Campophaga saturata. Possibly, when more is known of the birds of Tongking and Yunnan, some of these species may be found to inhabit the mainland. Eight other species appear not to have been previously met with in China, viz. :— Garrulax moniliger, Merops sumatranus, Siphia pallidipes, Harpactes erythrocephalus, Rhipidura albicollis, Treron nipalensis, Lepocestes pyrrhotis, Alsocomus puniceus, and not improbably some of these may be found to differ from the typical forms. The general facies of the avifauna of Hainan is tropical, being allied in many ways to that of the Malay Peninsula, and, through Cochin China and Burmah, to that of India; several species, not found on the mainland of China, connect it with Formosa. In the appended list the species in brackets are those which were identified by Dr. Hartlaub, but are not repre- sented in the later collections. As regards localities mentioned, Hoihow is the main port of the island, on the northern coast opposite the mainland ; the Hummocks are volcanic peaks not far from Hoihow ; Nodouha (No Tai) and Nam Fung are in the interior, in a valley opening northwards from the great central highlands ; Ting On, Liuwowan, and Leimumon (Leimoi) are on the Birds of Hainan. 427 north of the long range running N.E., Ting On being on the river which runs down to Hoihow, and the other two places are apparently small villages on the northern slope of the range. 1. Meruta carpis (T'emm.). 2. [MervuLa MANDARINA, Bp.| 3. Monricota sorirarivus (P. L. 8. Mull.). 4, [Monricoxa cyanus (L.).] ; 5. Copsycuus sauLaris (L.). 6. CirracINcLa TRICOLOR ( Vieill.). & ¢, Nodouha, May. These specimens belong to the Javan race, with black bases to the outer rectrices. ‘The female resembles the male, but has a much shorter tail, and is paler on the belly and under tail-coverts ; the primaries are edged with brown. 7. GARRULAX MONILIGER (Hodgson). d, one specimen from Liuwowan. Neither Swinhoe nor David records this species ; a near ally, G. pectoralis, is found on the mainland. 8. Dryonastes MonacHus (Swinhoe). Peculiar to Haman. Several specimens. 9. 'TROCHALOPTERUM CANORUM (L.). 10. PoMATORHINUS NIGRO-STELLATUS, Swinhoe. This species, which is peculiar to Hainan, belongs to the same group as P. ruficollis, P. stridulus, P. styani, and P. musicus. In the specimen procured the centres of all the feathers on the fore neck and throat are chestnut, bordered with blackish and edged with white. 11. Burnesia sonrrans (Swinhoe). 12. Prinia 1InorNatA, Sykes. 13. [Suroria suroria (Forster). | 14, GramiInicoxa striata, Styan, Bull. B. O. C. ii. p. vi; Ibis, 1893, p. 54. The two typical specimens were obtained at Leimumon or Leimoi. 4.28 Mr. F. W. Styan on the 15. [Cisticota cisticoLa (Temm.).| 16. Pratincota MAuRA (Pall.). 17. [RurictL1a RUFIVENTRISs, Jerd. | 18. ERrrHacus CALLIoPE (Pall.). 19. [Errrmacus sipizans (Swinhoe). | 20. [PHyYLLoscopus suPERCILIOSUS (Gm.).| 21. [Luscinioza ruscata (Blyth).] 22. Moraciiua’Leucopsis, Gould. 23. MoraciLua MELANOPE, Pall. 24. ANTHUS RICHARDI, Vieill. 25. ANTHUS CERVINUS (Pall.). 26. [AntHus macuLatus (Hodgson). | 27. ALCIPPE MORRISONIA, Swinhoe. A single specimen with ashy grey head. I cannot dis- tinguish between the Formosan and Chinese continental forms of this species. 28. HERPorNIs TYRANNULUS, Swinhoe. Cryptolopha bicolor, Styan, Bull. B. O. C. 11. p. vi (1892) ; Ibis, 1893, p. 55. Herpornis tyrannulus, Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. iv. p. xix. I have lately met with a description of this bird, and have no doubt that my supposed Cryptolopha is nothing but this species. 29. PycNoNoTus HAINANUS, Swinhoe. A single specimen. ‘This species is peculiar to Hainan. 30. Hrmixus castTanonotus, Swinhoe. The figure in P. Z. 8. (1890, p. 346, pl. xxvii.) is misleading, the type from which it was taken having been either abraded or dirty. In perfect specimens the underparts are quite as pure as in H. canipennis ; the breast in both species is suffused with a wash of bluish grey ; but in only one specimen—an abraded one—is there any trace of smoky brown on the underparts, and then it is confined to the breast. In good skins the basal half of the rectrices is externally edged with yellow ; in the male the chestnut back is deeper coloured than in the female. This species is peculiar to Hainan. 31. [Spizixus CINEREICAPILLUS, Swinhoe. | Birds of Hainan. 429 32. HypstPeTes PERNIGER, Swinhoe. Peculiar to Hainan. Several specimens from the Hum- mocks. 33. CRINIGER PALLIDUS, Swinhoe. Pinarocichla schmackeri, Styan, Bull. B. O. C. i. p. vi (1892) ; Ibis, 1893, p. 54. Crimger pallidus, Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. iv. p. xix. Specimens from Nodouha in May, and from Liuwowan in December. 34. CHLOROPSIS LAZULINA, Swinhoe. Peculiar to Hainan. Specimens from Nodouha and Leimumon. 35. OrroLus pirFusus, Sharpe. 36. [PsaRopHoLus NIGELLICAUDA, Swinhoe. | 37. BUCHANGA LEUCOGENYS, Walden. 38. Bucuanea arra (Hermann). 39. [BucHanca crneRAcEA (Horsf.).] 40. 'TEPHRODORNIS PELVICUS (Hodgson). Nodouha in May; Liuwowan in December. 41. CAMPOPHAGA SATURATA, Swinhoe. One @ from Leimumon. Peculiar to Hainan. 42. Graucatus Mactr, Lesson. 43. Prricrocotus ELEGANS, M‘Clell. In a series of 13 males, 5 have red on the central tail- feathers, 8 have none. This would point to their being P. speciosus ; it is, however, a very uncertain and unsatis- factory mark of distinction, for specimens shot at the same time and locality differ énter se. I prefer, therefore, to judge these by wing-measurements, which are 3°6 in. to 3°8 in. It seems, however, very doubtful whether the two species are really distinct. 44, Lantus Fuscatus, Lesson. A single abraded female. Nodouha, 15th May. 45. Lantus surercitiosus, Latham. 46. [Lanius scuacu, L. | 430 Mr. F. W. Styan on the 47. Hypornymis occtptTatis (Vigors). Lower parts washed with purplish grey, but only lightly ; doubtfully distinct from H. azurea. 48. [NitTava CYANOMELANA (Temm.).] 49, SipHIA PALLIDIPES (Jerdon) ? Three specimens from Leimumon (Dec. and Jan.) and Nodouha (May). ‘These belong either to this species or to one closely allied to it; they appear to be much smaller than the Indian bird. Length. Wing. Tail. in. in. in. limeluciay @n8. tee Cer 2°9 25 aman he eee ave. 5:3 2°55/2°65 2D The sides of the breast are deep blue like the throat and chest, but the centre of the breast is mottled with white tips to the feathers; below that the feathers are mottled grey and white, flanks washed with grey, only the abdomen and under tail-coverts pure white. In two specimens the underparts and under wing-coverts are partly washed with pale orange-buff, which seems due to immaturity. As the Indian bird has not been met with in Burmah, it was not unlikely that this would have proved to be a new species, but Dr. Sharpe tells me that he cannot distinguish it. 50. TERPSIPHONE PRINCEPS (‘Temm.). Hoihow, 10th October, a single male. 51. MuscicaPa ALBICILLA, Pall. 52. ALSEONAX LATIROSTRIS (Raffl.). 53. Ruriprmpura ALBIcoLLis (Vieill.). Two specimens. An Indian and Burmese species not yet recorded from China. 54. ANTHOPYGA CHRISTIN”, Swinhoe. Liuwowan, December. 55. CinNYRIS RHIZOPHOR# (Swinhoe). One male, Hoihow, 15th November; in winter plumage. There are no metallic feathers on the forehead, no traces of Birds of Hainan. 431 maroon on the underparts, only a broad gular streak of purple; a few stray metallic-green feathers on the sides of the neck will probably be dropped. 56. Dic#um cruENTATUM (L.). 57. EmBeriza Fucata, Pall. 58. [EmBeriza aurznota, Pall. | 59. Munta roreta, Swinhoe. 60. ALAUDA WATTERSI, Swinhoe. Two very dark specimens apparently belong to this race of A. galgula. 61. SruRNIA srnENsts (Gm.). 62. [Spopropsar sERIcEus (Gm.). | 63. [Spop1opsaR CINERACEUS (‘Temm.). | 64. [Corvus Levattianti, L.] 65. [Corvus rorquatus, Less. | 66. Pica Pica (L.). 67. [Urocissa ERYTHRORHYNCHA (Gm.).] 68. DenpRociITTA stNENSIs (Latham). 69. TEMNURUS NIGER. Crypsirhina nigra, Styan, Bull. B. O. C. i. p. vi; Ibis, 1898, p. 55. Temnurus niger, Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. iv. p. xix (1892). A single specimen from Liuwowan, 22nd December. Colour of eyes given as “ magenta.” 70. MickorpTERNUS HOLROYDI, Swinhoe. Nine specimens, eight of which were shot in May at Nodouha. The breast is more rufous than the throat or lower parts, and this tint extends in the form of a collar round the hind neck. These birds seem very careless of their plumage; most of them are stained about the head with pitch or resin, and one female is covered with it all over; they were probably nesting in pine-trees. Peculiar to Hainan. 71. Iynerpicus KALEENSIS, Swinhoe. 72. DenprRocorpus caBANtsI, Malh. 73. Lerocrstrs pyrruoris (Hodgson). One male from Liuwowan, 12th December. 4.32 Mr. F. W. Styan on the Not previously recorded from China proper or from Hainan. 74. Upupa rnpica, Reichenb. One specimen, dated “ Liuwowan, 1st December.” Bill, measured along culmen, 2 inches. 75. MEROPS SUMATRANUS. Two small Bee-eaters from the Hummocks (18th Sept.) seem to belong to this species, but neither of them is in full plumage, and it is impossible to decide the question without other skins to compare them with. Specimen a. Unsexed. General colour above dark green washed with blue on wings and tail; rump brilliant pale blue; throat grass-green washed with pale blue; breast grass-green, paler towards the abdomen, where it is almost white and is washed with pale blue, more so on under tail-coverts; a black stripe through the eye. The two central tail-feathers extend 0°3 inch beyond the others, but are worn and should perhaps be longer. Over the crown and mantle a number of chestnut feathers are appearing. Under surface of wing chestnut. Probably in full plumage this bird would have chestnut head and mantle and a bright blue throat. Length (including worn feathers) 84 in., wing 4°3; tail, outer feathers, 4; bill from gape 1:7. Specimen 8. ¢. Apparently younger. Central tail- feathers partially grown. No signs of chestnut on the mantle. Throat very faintly washed with blue. Tail washed with blue, but wings green like the back. Bill only 1°3 in. 76. Eurystomus caLonyx, Sharpe. ?. Hoihow, 29th Sept. Head, back, throat, and breast very dusky; throat-spot not very bright. Tail-feathers washed with blue for their whole length, tipped with greenish. Wing 7°5 in. 77. CyaNops FABER, Swinhoe. Peculiar to Hainan. Specimens from Nodouha. Forehead and crown black ; a broad scarlet band across the occiput ; in some specimens this is separated from the Birds of Hainan. 433 green back by a narrow band of bright blue continued from the ear-coverts ; in other specimens this band is very faint or obsolete. There is also a faint indication of a yellow or green band between the scarlet and the black crown. 78. Harpacres ERYTHROCEPHALUS, Gould. Three specimens from Leimumon, 6th Dec. They agree well with Mr. Oates’s careful description of this bird, which has not hitherto been discovered in any part of China. A comparison of skins does not show any difference in this island species. 79. CucuLus MicroprERus, Gould. 80. Ruopopytes TRistis (Less.). One specimen from Leimumon. 81. [CacoManTIs MERULINUS (Scop.). | 82. Eupynamis Honorata (L.). 83. CENTROPUS BENGALENSIS (Gm.). 84. [CenrRopPus sINENsIs (Steph.). 85. CeryLe currata, Vigors. 86. CreryLe rupis (L.). 87. Hatcyon piteatus (Bodd.). 88. Hatcyon sMyRNENsIs (L.). 89. Pauzornis FascratTa (Miull.). Ting On, 13th Jan.; Nam Fung (26th May) ; Leimumon. 90. [Orus accipirrinus (Pall.).] 91. Circus #rvueinosus (L.). 92. Circus sPILonotus, Kaup. 93. [Crrcus MacruRus (Gm.).] 94. [Circus MELANOLEUCcUs (Forster). ] 95. Butzo pLumrees (Hodgs.). 96. [Burro nemixasius, T. & S8.] 97. [Asrur pottopsis, Hume. | 98. [Fatco communis (Gm.).| 99. SPILORNIS MELANOTIS, Jerdon, A female from Liuwowan (19th Dec.) apparently belongs to this small race of S. cheela. The breast is uniform, SER. VI.—VOL. V. 2H 434 Mr. F. W. Styan on the strongly barred. Length 24 in., wing 16°75, tail 11, tarsus 3°7. 100. Potioabtus pLumMBeEus (Horsf.). One female, Liuwowan, 15th Dec. General colour above earthy brown, with indistinct pale margins and faint dark shaft-streaks , paler towards the head and neck, which are ashy brown; this colour deepens again on the breast, and becomes dark earthy brown on the lower breast; below this the underparts, including the thighs and under tail-coverts, are pure white. Quills black, the bases shghtly mottled with white; secondaries brownish on outer web. Tail, upper aspect dark brown, an indistinct broad subterminal bar blackish, tipped with pale brown; under aspect, subterminal bar blackish brown, below that finely mottled blackish and white. Under wing-coverts and axillaries dark earthy brown like the breast. Length 23 in., wing 18, tail 9°8, tarsus 3. This specimen is very small, yet I cannot think it is a bird of the year. 101. PeLecanus MANILLENSIS, Gm. 102. PHatacrocorax carso (L.). 103. [ARDEA crnEREA, L.] 104. [Heropras carzetra (L.).] 105. ARDEOLA PRASINOSCELES, Swinhoe. 106. ARpErTa sINENSIS (Gm.). 107. ARDETTA FLAVICOLLIS (Lath.). 108. Nycricorax erisEevs (L.). 109. Isis MELANOCEPHALA (Lath.). a. Unsexed, Hoihow, 10th November. Wing 12°75 in., tarsus 3°75, tail 5, bill from gape to tip in straight line 54. Entire plumage white; a narrow black line in centre of primary shafts towards the tip. Tertiaries one inch shorter than primaries, and not much broken. Feathers of lower neck broken but not lengthened. Neck bare 4 inches from crown behind, 1+ in. lower in front. B. 9, Hoihow, 7th September. Much larger. Wing 14°25 in., tarsus 41, bill 6°5, tail 6. Shafts of primaries entirely black towards extremity. A good deal of blackish — Birds of Hainan. 435 brown on the outer webs, tips, and some on inner webs of primaries. ‘Tertiaries equal to primaries, greyish brown and broken. Bare skin on head only extends to just behind the eye ; the rest of head and neck covered with short downy feathers, white in front, brownish black on head and hind neck. These two birds I believe to be of one species, though at first sight they do not appear to be so. The one with feathered head I take to be immature, though it is a very much larger bird than the other. 110. Nerrarus coROMANDELIANUsS (Gm.). 111. QueRQueEDutLa crecia (L.). A female in late summer plumage; lower parts deep rust- colour. 112. Turtur rvricora (Pall.). 113. Turtur numitis, Temm. 114. [Turrur cHInEnsis (Scop.).] 115. Treron nrpaLensis (Hodgson). Count Salvadori considers the specimens I sent home to be identical with the typical form. 116. OsmMorreron pomvitit, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1870, p. 354. Nam Fung and Liuwowan. Very similar to O. bicincta. 117. Cuatcornaprs rinpica (L.). Liuwowan, Nodouha, Hummocks. 118. Macropyeta swinnoet, Wardlaw Ramsay, Ibis, 1890, p. 218. M. minor, Swinhoe. Nam Fung in May. Peculiar to Hainan. 119. Atsocomus Ppunicerus (Tickell). Three specimens from Nam Fung. Mantle chestnut, sides of neck bright brown. Not yet recorded from China, and a comparison with Burmese skins may show some differences in plumage. 120. GaLLus FERRUGINEUS (Gm.). 121. FRanconinus cuinEens1s (Osbeck). 436 On the Birds of Hainan. 122. ARBORICOLA ARDENS. (Plate XII.) Arboricola ardens, Styan, Bull. B. O. C. ii. p. vi (1892) ; Ibis, 1893, p. 56. This species is most nearly allied to A. atrogularis from Upper Burmah and A. crudigularis from Formosa, but differs widely from both, as well as from all the other members of the genus, in having an orange-scarlet patch of feathers on the fore part of the neck and middle of the chest. This striking departure from the olive-brown, black, and rufous colours ordinarily found in these birds is most surprising, and would at the first glance incline one to believe that the unscrupulous “Chinee” had been improving on nature, and that this orange- scarlet patch had been artificially produced. But after a very careful examination it seems certain that this is not the case, and that the tint is natural. The texture of this patch of brightly-coloured feathers bears a peculiar resemblance to spun glass, the vanes being rather stiff, hair-like, and shining. It reminds one strongly, both as regards colour and texture, of a similar patch met with in some of the Horned Pheasants, such as Tragopan satyra and T. melanocephala. The only specimen yet obtained of this remarkable bird was met with at Liuwowan in December. 123. [Corurnrx communts, Bonn. | 124. [Turnrx pussumrert (Temm.). | 125. GatLicREex ciNEREvS (Lath.). 126. [GaturnuLa cuLororts (L.).] 127. [Fuxica arra, L.] 128. CHARADRIUS FULVUs, Gm. 129. CHARADRIUS HELVETICUS (L.). 130. CHarapRivs GEOFFROYI, Wagl. 131. CHaRrapRivUs MONGOLICUS, Pall. 132. CHarapRivs canTIANUs, Lath. 133. STREPSILAS INTERPRES (L.). 134. ScoLopax rusticuta, L. 135. [GaLLinaco steNURA (Bp.).| 136. Ruyncu#a caAPENsIs (L.). 137. TrineGa cRAssIROsTRIS, Temm. et Schl. 138. [Trinea canutus, L.] 139. 140. 141. 142. 143. 144, 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 151. 152. 153. 154. 155. 156. 157. 158. 159. XL.— Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. TRINGA CINCLUs, L. TRINGA suBARCUATA, L. TRINGA PLATYRHYNCHA, Temm. TRINGA RUFICOLLIS, Pall. [TRiINGA TEMMINCKI, Leisl.] EuRYNoRHYNCHUS Pyemaus (L.). CaLipRis ARENARIA (L.). [TRiINGoIDEs HyPoLEUcus (L.).] Toranus Fuscus (L.). [Toranus cauipris (L.). | [Toranus eLaREzota (L.). | Toranus Giortis, L. ToraNus sTaGNATILIs, Bech. [| TEREKIA CINEREA (Gm.).] Limosa MELANUROIDES, Gould. NumMentus variecatus (Scop.). [NumeEntius LinzEatvs, Cuv. | Larus saAuNDERSI, Swinhoe. STERNA SINENSIS (Gm.). [Srerna caspra (Pall.).] ['TACHYBAPTES FLUVIATILIS (Tunst.). Nos. VIT.-IX. No. VII. (March 28th, 1893.) 437 Tue sixth meeting of the Club was held at the Restaurant Frascati, 32 Oxford Street, on Wednesday, the 15th of March, 1893. Chairman: St. Georce Mrvart, F.R.S. Members present :—E. Bipwett, P. Crowxiey, H. E. Dresser, W. R. Ocitvis-Grant, F. Penrose, Roserr H. Reap, P. L. Scrater, F.R.S., J. T. TristraM-VaLEntIne. Guests: E. Harrert, C. Hoss, Prof. G. Martorettt. On behalf of the Hon. Water Roruscuixp, Mr. EK. Harterr exhibited the type specimensof a new genus and species of 438 Bulletin of the British Fringilline bird from the Sandwich Islands. Mr. Rothschild had proposed for it the name of Pseudonestor xanthophrys, and had prepared the following description :— PsEUDONESTOR, gen. Nov. This genus is nearest allied to Psittacirostra, but differs in the following points :— 1. Male and female are similar in colour and markings, whereas they are quite differently coloured in Psittacirostra. 2. The female is considerably smaller than the male, whereas the sexes are similar in size in Pséttacirostra. 3. The principal difference is that, whereas the female of Pseudonestor has a beak similar to that of Psittacirostra though much more curved, the male of Psewdonestor has an enormously hooked bill, much resembling in shape that of a Nestor Parrot, the maxilla being nearly twice the length of the mandible. In Psittacirostra, on the other hand, the bills of the sexes are the same. PsEUDONESTOR XANTHOPHRYS, Sp. NOV. Adult male. Top of head and whole upper surface bright olive-green. Lores and superciliary stripe golden yellow. Throat and breast dull yellow, with an olive tinge, which is strongly pronounced on the flanks; under tail-coverts yellow, under wing-coverts yellowish white. Wings and tail blackish brown, each feather bordered with olive-green. Wing 3 inches, tail 1:9, culmen 1°1, lower mandible 0°5, tarsus 0°9. Adult female. Similar to the male in colour, but much more grey on the back and the abdomen much more tinged with olive. Wing 2°6 to 2°7 inches, tail 1°6, culmen 0°65, lower mandible 0:4, tarsus 0°8. “Tris dark hazel; upper mandible dark grey, basal half paler; feet slate-colour, soles orange ” (Palmer). Hab. Island of Mauai, Sandwich Islands. Mr. Harrerr also exhibited some interesting specimens of birds from the Sandwich Islands and Laysan :—Rhodacanthis palmeri and R. flaviceps, Rotbsch., from Hawaii; Telespiza cantans, Wilson, and 7’. flavissima, Rothsch., from Laysan ; Ornithologists’ Club. 439 Chloridops kona, Wilson, from Hawaii; Loxioides bailleui, Oust., from Hawaii, A communication from Dr. BowpLER Sarre referred to the distribution of the Fin-feet (Heliornithide). He pointed out that the Burmese Podica personata had hitherto been considered to be congeneric with P. senegalensis of Africa. Dr. Sharpe showed, however, that its affinities lay with the American Heliornis fulica, which had the same-shaped bill and wings and the same soft tail, very different from the stiff-ribbed rectrices of P. senegalensis. The webbing of the toes was different in the two genera, and Dr. Sharpe proposed for the Burmese species the new generic name of HELIopAts, gen. n. H. similis generi ‘ Heliornis’ dicto, sed digitis tantum ad basin palmatis, nec flavo fasciatis distinguendus. Typus. Podica personata, Gray. Dr. Sarre also communicated the diagnoses of some apparently new genera of Cranes (Gruide), as follows :— 1. LIMNOGERANUDS, gen. n. Genus simile generi ‘ Grus’ dicto, sed genis anticis nudis, pileo usque ad nucham nudo, loris nudis, regione sub- oculari et postoculari plumosé distinguendum. Typus. Limnogeranus americanus (L.). 2. SARCOGERANUS, gen. n. Genus simile przecedenti, sed pileo antico tantum nudo, pileo postico plumoso, genis posticis quoque plumosis, loris et regione oculari nudis distinguendum. Typus. Sarcogeranus leucogeranus (Pall.). 3. PsEUDOGERANUS, gen. n. Genus simile generi ‘ Antigone’ dicto, sed regione parotica genisque plumosis, regione supra- et infra-oculari et .taciei lateribus nudis, collo postico plumoso, usque ad verticem anticam producto, distinguendum. Typus. Pseudogeranus leucauchen ('T.). 440 Bulletin of the British Mr. Harrerr laid on the table some specimens of a new Finch which he had discovered during his recent visit to the Dutch West India Islands. He proposed to call it + EUETHEIA SHARPEI, Sp. nov. ¢. E. bicolori affinis, differt colore nigro supra ad frontem restricto, nec ad occiput extenso, noteei colore pallidiore, pectore nigro minus clariore. ©. E. bicolori simillima. Al. 2 ad 2°15 poll. Hab. Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba. Mr. E. Bivwett exhibited the humerus of a Coot, which showed a comminuted fracture afterwards completely healed. Mr. Rosert Reap made some remarks on the changes of plumage in the Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), and exhibited the head of a recently killed specimen which clearly proved that the black hood was gained in the spring by a change of colour in some of the feathers as well as by a complete moult in others. No. VIII. (May Ist, 1893.) Tne seventh meeting of the Club was held at the Restaurant Frascati, 32 Oxford Street, on Wednesday, the 19th of April, 1893. Chairman: P. L. Sctater, F.R.S. Members present :—E. Bipwett, P. Crowrey, H. E. Dresser, W. R. Ocitvre-Grant, St. Grorce Mivarr, F.R.S., H. J. Pearson, F. Prenrost, Rosert H. Reap, Howarp Saunpers (Treasurer), Henry Srrsoum, R. Bowp- LER Sarre, G. E. Suetiey, J. Sronenam, J. T. Tristram- VALENTINE. Guests: KE. Hartert, W. Hartmann, R. B. Newron, Hon. Watter Rotuscuitp, W. H. Simpson. Ornithologists’ Club. 441 Mr. W. R. Octtvise-Grant exhibited some skins of rare species of Game-Birds, the principal being Caccabis magna, Prjev., and Phasianus satscheunensis, Prjev., specimens of which had recently been sent in exchange to the British Museum by Dr. Pleske. Mr. Ernst Harter exhibited a new Scops-Owl, which he characterized as follows :— PIsORHINA SOLOKENSIS, Sp. N. Top of head and neck deep brown, nearly blackish; ear- tufts white, with black on the tips and outer webs of the feathers ; a white line, varied with some small blackish spots, extending from the ear-tufts over the eyes, and meeting on the forehead ; a white spot on the occiput ; a broad, whitish, nuchal band and another one on the lower hind neck. Back and rump blackish brown, with pale rusty brown spots and blotches. Rectrices similar in colour to the back, but some- what duller. Primaries deep brown, with very pale brown, almost whitish, spots along the outer webs; secondaries spotted on both webs. Wing-coverts deep blackish brown, with very large white spots on the outer webs. Throat and breast mixed pale brown, rusty, blackish, and whitish, more albescent towards the abdomen. Lower abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts white. Tarsal plumes nearly white. Under wing-coverts brown and white. Toes entirely bare up to the tarsus, which is thickly feathered, yellowish brown (in skin). Bull whitish horn-colour (in skin). Total length about 10 inches, wing 6:7, tail 3°1, tarsus 1°2, middle toe 0°9, culmen 1:2. Hab. Hills of Solok, west coast of Sumatra. Remarks. The type-specimen belongs to the Stuttgart Museum, and was sent me for comparison by Count von Berlepsch, who believed it to be new to science. Its nearest ally is Scops everetti, from which it is chiefly distinguished by the great amount of white on the ear-tufts and wing- coverts and by the white bands on the neck, as well as by the pure white lower abdomen and whitish tarsal plumes. I am indebted to Professor Lampert, of the Stuttgart 4.4.2 Bulletin of the British Museum, and to Count Berlepsch, for the opportunity of de- scribing this new species from an island in the natural history of which I am particularly interested. The Hon. Water Rotuscuitp exhibited an example of a new species of Rail, which he described as follows :— RaLLUS MUELLERI, Sp. n. Upper surface of head, occiput, and neck brownish red, faintly and irregularly striated with black; back and rump bright chestnut, with the centres of the feathers black ; wings brownish black, faintly edged with rufous grey ; cheeks red- dish grey; centre of the throat reddish white; lower part of throat and breast rufous grey; flanks, abdomen, and under tail-coverts black, each feather tipped with pale rufous, and with two white bands ; tail rufous, with indistinct grey bands. Wing 3°3 inches, culmen 1°], tarsus 1:1, central toe with claw 1:3, tail 1°3. Hab. Auckland Island, south of New Zealand. Remarks. This little Rail im general appearance resembles Rallus lewini from Australia, but on comparison presents so many important differences that it might almost be separated generically. The chief distinguishing feature of the new species is the enormous development of the feathers on the back and rump, which have become a huge bunch lke that of the Puff-birds (Bucco) of South America. The single specimen was sent to me for description by Count Berlepsch, who considered it to belong toa new species. It is the property of the Stuttgart Museum. It is named in honour of the famous botanist, Baron von Miller, of Mel- bourne, who presented the specimen. The Hon. Water Rotuscuitp exhibited three new birds which he had lately received from his collector in the Sand- wich Islands, and characterized them as follows :— ACRULOCERCUS BISHOPI, sp. 0. Adult male. Head and occiput black, with a shght gloss ; shafts of the feathers rather paler. Rest of the upper and Ornithologists’ Club. 4.43 entire under surface smoky black, with narrow white shaft- lines to the feathers. Axillary tufts smaller than in A. nobilis, but also bright yellow. Ear-coverts with an elongated tuft of very narrow feathers about an inch long and of a deep golden yellow. Under tail-coverts golden yellow. Under wing-coverts sooty black, with indistinct white patches. Tail shorter than in A. nobilis, but more pointed, as in A, apicalis. Total length about 11 inches, wing 4:5, tail 6°5, tarsus 1:5, culmen 1:4. Adult female. Similar to the male, but considerably smaller. Wing 4 inches, tail 5, tarsus 1°35, culmen 1°2. Hab. Island of Molokai. Named in honour of Mr. Bishop, of Honolulu. HIMATIONE NEWTONI, Sp. n. Closely allied to H. montana of Lanai, but has the upper surface dark olive-green instead of olive-yellow. Rump and upper tail-coverts green instead of bright yellow. The yellow on the forehead is much less extended. The under- parts, instead of being entirely yellow, are only yellow in the central area; flanks and sides of body olive-green. Under tail-coverts yellowish white instead of yellow as in H. mon- tana. Wing 2°5 to 2°6 inches, tail 2 (2°75 in H. montana, according to Mr. Scott Wilson), tarsus 0°87, culmen 4°75. Hab. Island of Mauai. HIMATIONE WILSONI, Sp. nN. Similar to H. stejnegeri of Kauai, but smaller, the beak considerably less and straighter, in this respect resembling H. virens of Hawaii. General colour more yellowish, espe- cially on the rump and under surface. Female paler than the male. Wing 2°45 inches, tail 1°65 (nearly 2 inches in H. stejnegeri), culmen 0°55 (uearly or fully 0°8 in H. stejne- geri), tarsus 0°8. Hab. Island of Mauai. Dr. Bowpter SHarre stated that during a recent visit to Leyden he had examined the type of Rallus sandwichensis of Latham, and wished to apologize to Dr. Hartlaub for 444 Bulletin of the British having suggested that the bird was probably the same as Pennula ecaudata. The specimen had probably faded con- siderably from its original colour, as appeared to be proved by the deep vinous chestnut of the lower abdomen and vent, these parts having been more shaded from the light, and here the colour of the under surface approximated to that of P. ecaudata. The rest of the under surface was of a rusty vinous colour, and seemed to be much as Latham described it originally. Nothing, however, could have altered the colour of the back, which still retained the streaked appearance indicated by Latham. Dr. Sharpe also stated that an examination of the type of Grus cinerea longirostris, T. & 8., in the Leyden Museum, showed that this name applied to Grus mexicana and not to Grus canadensis, as was generally supposed to be the case. Mr. SciaterR made some remarks on the splendid series of mounted birds, illustrative of the Italian avifauna, which had been collected for the Museum of the Reale Istituto degli Studii Superiori, of Florence, by Dr. E. H. Giglioli. The most recent addition to the ornis of Italy was stated to be Lanius algeriensis. He also mentioned the migratory birds which had visited the s.s. ‘Oruba,’ between Gibraltar and Malta, from March 29th to April lst. He had been disappointed at the small numbers observed. Those recognized were the Swallow, hen Redstart, Song-Thrush, Wheatear, and Robin. A Nightjar was on the ship for several hours on April lst, when nearing Naples. The Hon. Watter Roruscuitp exhibited a curious me- lanistic variety of a Razorbill (Alea torda), and examples of some interesting Asiatic species, Merula kessleri, Ibido- rhynchus kaufmanni, &c. Mr. Roserr Reap exhibited a Black-headed Gull, which had nearly attained the plumage of the adult, but had the bill and feet of an orange colour. Ornithologists’ Club. 445 Dr. Bowpter Suarre made some remarks illustrated by diagrams, on fossil birds, showing our present state of knowledge of extinct species. No. [X. (June Ist, 1893.) Tue eighth meeting of the Club was held at the Restaurant Frascati, 32 Oxford Street, on Wednesday, the 17th of May, 1898. Chairman: Henry SEEBOHM. Members present :—E. Browrti, W. E. De Winton, H. E. Dresser, H. O. Forses, W. Granam, HE. Harrerr, A, P. Lioyp, F. Penross, Hon. Watrer Roruscuitp, Howarp Saunpers (7reasurer), R. Bowpter Sarre, Cuarres Ston- Ham, Col. R. W. Stuppy, J. T. Tristram-Varentine, H. M, UpcuHeEr. Mr. H. O. Fores exhibited the eggs of some rare species of birds from the Chatham Islands, amongst which were those of Thinornis nove zealandie and Gallinago pusilla, of which birds the nestlings were also shown. He also exhibited the egg of Cabalus modestus, which had been obtained on Mangare, one of the Chatham group, by Mr. Hawkins. The egg was white, but its Ralline character was indicated by a faint double spotting of grey and rufous. It measured :— axis 1°45, diam. 1°1. Mr. Forzss also exhibited adult males, females, and young birds of Cabalus modestus, and remarked that there could now be no question of the validity of this species, as distinct from C. dieffenbachii, and that he must retract his former opinion on this point (above, p. 253). Dr. Bowpter Suarpre observed that it was a singular fact that this little Rail should possess im its adult plumage the 4.46 Bulletin of the British exact dress which might have been expected to characterize the young of C. dieffenbachii; and even with the evidence now before them it was difficult to believe that the birds were fully adult. Count Salvadori’s opinion (above, p. 255) with regard to the specimen exhibited at the third meeting of the Club had now been proved to be the correct one. The CuarrmMan read a paper on behalf of Canon Tristram, F.R.S., entitled “On an undescribed Species of Snipe from the New Zealand region,” in which the author made the following remarks :— In 1846 Mr. G. R. Gray, in the ‘ Birds of the Erebus and Terror,’ described a Snipe from the Auckland Islands as Gallinago aucklandica. There is no evidence that this bird has ever occurred in New Zealand. In ‘ The Ibis’ for 1869, p- 41, Sir W. Buller described a second species from the Chatham Islands as Gallinago pusilla. Very few specimens have been received, but the species has twice been obtained in New Zealand (to which it is evidently an occasional wanderer) : once by Sir James Hector in the Gulf of Hauraki, and once by Mr. F. B. Hill on Little Barrier Island. All doubts as to its being a distinct species have recently been set at rest by the large number of specimens obtained in the Chatham Islands by the collectors of the Hon. Walter Rothschild and Mr. H.O. Forbes. I have examined more than twenty specimens, and find that all of them agree in every respect, and cannot be confused with the Auckland Island species. But when Sir W. Buller published his second edition of the ‘Birds of New Zealand,’ he had unfortunately sent back to New Zealand his only specimen from the Chatham Islands, and borrowed from me a specimen which had been obtained by Baron A. von Htigel on the Snares, seventy miles south of the southern extremity of New Zealand. This I had put down as Gallinago pusilla, having at that time never seen a Chatham Island specimen. It is very accurately figured and coloured in Buller’s second edition ; but it proves to be very different from the true G. pusilla. The only other example in existence, so far as I am aware, is a second specimen obtained on the Snares at the same time by Baron A. von Ornithologists’ Club. 447 Hiigel, and in the collection of the Hon. Walter Rothschild. I propose to discriminate it as GALLINAGO HUEGELI, sp. nov. G. pileo et loris nigro-fuscis ; corpore supra rufescente cer- vino variegato ; plumis rufo stricté marginatis ; cervice rufescente, brunneo densé striata; pectore et abdomine castaneis brunneo densé fasciatis; remigibus brunneis ; rectricibus quatuordecim, tribus externis perangustis, margine albo; tarsis et pedibus albidis. Long. ale 41, rostri 2, tarsi ‘9. Hab. Snares Islands. This species may at once be distinguished from its con- geners by its much redder hue, and especially by the remarkable fineness and delicacy of its markings, the edgings of the upper plumage and the striation and bands on the lower surface being very much smaller, closer, and more distinct. In the other two species the abdomen and thighs are whitish, while in this they are thickly barred. In this species the three outer tail-feathers on each side are attenuated with a white edging; in the others only the two outer pairs of tail-feathers appear to be so attenuated. There would therefore appear to be three species of Gallinago in the islands round New Zealand :—G. auck- landica in the Aucklands, G. pusilla in the Chathams, and G. huegeli in the Snares, all being sedentary, or nearly so, in their several localities. To these further research will probably add a fourth from Antipodes Island, whence a single specimen has been received by Sir Jas. Hector, who states it to be larger, darker in plumage, and with a more curved bill than the Auckland species. Unfortunately he has not described it. I subjoin the measurements of the three species :— Bill. Wing. = Tarsus. inch. inch, inch. Gallinago aucklandica ........ 2:2 4:2 10 i ipl ae eee = 4] 10 Ge RUC OCLs siereieacs sits Saray svc ays 2:0 4] ‘9 CEP BUBUUD ctele eave welt Oaths aiae vey 36 pt. AbINe UCU dena BOO ODN LEY) a5 PRR ee svar anc 1-6 3:7 ‘8 aA bec ea 2S Stats Win bac AL 15 35 8 ‘8 5 448 Bulletin of the British The Hon. Watrer Rortuscuitp exhibited and deseribed a new species of Albatross :— |. D1ioMEDEA IMMUTABILIS, Sp. nl. Adult. Head, neck, lower rump, and entire under surface pure white; space in front of the eye sooty black; wings and wing-coverts blackish brown; interscapular region, back, and upper part of rump paler and more smoky brown ; tail black, fading into white at the bases ; under wing-coverts mixed, blackish brown and white: “bill grey, darker at base, tip blackish brown; base of under mandible pale yellow; iris brown; tarsi and feet fleshy pink”? (H. C. Palmer). Wing 19 inches, bill 4, tarsus 3:2, middle toe with claw 4°3. Remarks. This Albatross belongs to the typical section of Diomedea as limited by Mr. Salvin, and is at once distin- guished by attaining the coloration of the adult bird in the first plumage. The young in down is pale brown with a blackish-brown bill. Hab. Laysan Island, North Pacific. Mr. Howarp Saunpers made some remarks upon the distribution of Birds in France, especially with reference to some species which passed beyond that country as far as Great Britam. He pointed out that a great part of France consisted of elevated table-land, and that one main line of migration passed along the Rhone Valley and across the Langres Plateau on the east; while on the west side the line ran parallel with the coast until it was deflected east- ward by the high ground in Britanny and Manche—so that the Channel Islands received few visits from rarities. In Normandy, however, Tichodroma muraria, Gyps fulvus, Larus melanocephalus, and many other unusual visitants to England had occurred several times; Passer petronia, Emberiza cia, Aigithalus pendulinus, and Vultur monachus had also been obtained, while Aquila pennata had even bred there. On the other hand, Picus martius, said—falsely as he believed—to have occurred in England, had never been met with in Normandy. He further remarked upon Ornithologists’ Club. 4.49 the Brenne district in the centre of France as promising an unusually fine field for ornithologists, and mentioned some limestone cliffs in the Cevennes, which were un- doubtedly frequented by Vultures, although proof of their breeding there was as yet wanting. Mr. Ossert Satvin, F.R.S., contributed descriptions of two supposed new species of Humming-birds of the genus Metallura from Ecuador, which he proposed to call :— ¢+ 1. MeraLLura ATRIGULARIS, Sp. 0. dad. Similis MW, primoline sed gula media intense nigra, plumis ad basin castaneis et medialiter fascia transversa angusta amethystina notatis. Aliter feré ut in sp. cit. 2. Gula inornata, rectricibus lateralibus albido terminatis. Long. alz 2°2 poll., caude 1:5, rostri a rictu 0°65. Hab. Ecuador: Hills near Sigsig, not far from Cuenca, alt. 12,000 feet (O. 7. Baron). 2. METALLURA BARONI, Sp. 0. gad. Supra saturate cupreo-viridis, capite obscuriore ; subtus cum tectricibus subcaudalibus ejusdem coloris ; gula tota saturate amethystina micante ; cauda saturate viridi infra nitentiore. Long. ale 2°2 poll., caudee 1°4, rostri a rictu 0°65. @ ad. Mari similis, sed subtus plumis omnibus ad basin cervinis, abdomine toto maculis discalibus obscure viri- dibus; gula maculis saturate amethystinis notata; rec- tricibus externis vix sordide albo-terminatis. Hab. Ecuador: Hills near Cuenca, alt. 12,000 feet (O. T. Baron). Mr. O. T. Baron had recently submitted to Mr. Salvin beautifully prepared specimens of both sexes of these species, which were quite distinct from any other species known to him. Both of them belonged to the same section of the genus as J/. primolina. Dr. BowpLer SHarPe proposed the following new genera for the Otides or Bustards :— Herterotis, gen. n. Simile gener ‘‘ Compsotis”’ dicto, sed tarso brevi distinguendum. Typus est Heterotis vigorsi (Smith). SER. VI.—VOL. V. 21 450 Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. Other species belonging to this new genus were H. rueppellt (Wahlb.) and H. humilis (Blyth). Neotis, gen. n. Simile generi “ Lissotis”’ dicto, sed rostro longiore, culmine digitum medium cum ungue excedente. Typus est Neotis ludwigt (Riipp). Other species of this genus were N. burchelli (Heugl.), N. denhami (Childr.), N. caffra (hicht.), and N. heuglini (Hartl.). Hovsarorsis, gen. n. Simile generi ‘‘ Houbara” dicto, sed plumis jugularibus valde elongatis, pileo nuchaque aliter cristatis, tarsis longissimis distinguendum. Typus est Houbaropsis bengalensis (Gm.). The Hon. Waxtrer Roruscuitp exhibited a fine pair of Paradisea gulielmi-secundi from Kaiser Wilhelm’s Land in N.E. New Guinea. Mr. H. O. Forses wished to make a correction with reference to the genus he had described at a former Meeting of the B. O. C. as Diaphorapteryx (see above, p. 254). He had accepted the opinion of Prof. Newton that the remains from Mauritius and those from the Chatham Islands be- longed to distinct genera, and had adopted his suggestion of the name Diaphorapteryz ; but after personally examining the Mauritian remains at Cambridge, Mr. Forbes could not see his way to agree that the two forms were generically different. He was therefore constrained to discard his new genus and to reinstate that of Aphanapteryx for the Ocy- dromine remains from both the above-named islands. Mr. Forbes also exhibited the Dinornithine tibiz on which he had based a new genus, Paleocasuarius, and pointed out that the bone differed from the tibia of Dinurnis (in its widest sense) in being straighter and less twisted on itself, so that the position of the ridge forming the inner wall of the groove for the tendons of the extensor muscles ran along the inner side of the bone, as in Casuarius. As in the latter genus also, it took a marked bend inwards and backwards before joining the epicnemial crest, while a line joing the Recently published Ornithological Works. 451 centre point between the distal condyles and the epicnemial ridge left a considerable space between it and the wall of the groove. ‘There was no intercondylar eminence in the inter- condylar channel, and the orifice of the extensor foramen opened more longitudinally than in Dinornis and pointed downwards. Mr. Forbes described two species, P. haasti and P. velox, distinguishing them by their size. XLI.—WNotices of recent Ornithological Publications. {Continued from p. 275. ] 65. Agassiz on the Progress of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. [Annual Report of the Curator of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College to the President and Fellows of Harvard College for 1891-92. Cambridge, U.S.A., 1892.] The Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College, Cambridge, has received a valuable contribution during the past Academic year by the donation to it of the “ Greene- Smith Collection ” of about 1200 mounted North-American birds, “in many respects the most complete and valuable “that has ever been brought together, at least by private effort.” An important addition has also been made by the purchase from Mr. Scott B. Wilson of a series of birds from the Sandwich Islands. Prof. Agassiz complains, not without reason, we think, that in consequence of the great increase in size of the under- graduate classes at Harvard, the whole time of the Professors of the Museum is taken up by teaching, instead of being mainly devoted to original investigation, for which the Museum was primarily intended. It is not the province of the Museum, he alleges, to supply such instruction. This should be done by the University. 66. Biittikofer on a Species of Rhipidura. [A Complementary Note to my Review on the Genus Rhipidura. By J. Biittikofer. Notes Leyden Mus. xv. p. 113.] Mr. Buttikofer, referring to his recent review of the genus 212 452 Recently published Ornithological Works. of Flycatchers (see above, p. 265), is now able to distinguish a new species, Rhipidura meyeri, of the Arfak Mountains, from R. cinnamomea, of Eastern New Guinea. He had previously done this in MS., but had changed his views and had abolished the name which he now resuscitates. 67. Biittikofer on Merula javanica and its allies. [On Merula javanica and its nearest Allies, By J. Biittikofer. -Notes Leyden Mus. xv. p. 107. | The results of this paper have been already stated by Mr. Seebohm (above, p. 219). Mr. Biittikofer describes Merula celebensis as new, and vindicates the claims of Merula schlegeli, from Timor, to stand as distinct. 68. Chapman on Cuban Birds and on the Origin of the Antillean Avifauna. [Notes on Birds and Mammals observed near Trinidad, Cuba, with Remarks on the Origin of West-Indian Bird-life. By Frank M. Chapman. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. iv. p. 279.] Mr. Chapman appears to have made a most pleasant and successful excursion to the south coast of Cuba in the spring of last year. The town of Trinidad, which he selected as his centre of operations, lies inland between 3 and 4 miles from the port of Casilda, and is situated 400 miles from the eastern and 350 miles from the western extremity of the island. The fertile valley of Trinidad itself is mostly devoted to sugar-cane; but various spots in it and on the adjacent hills are good for collecting, and amongst these the valley of San Juan de Letran, eight miles north of Trinidad, at an elevation of 2000 feet in the San Juan Mountains, is specified as the “ realization of a naturalist’s dream of the Tropics.” En- sconced here in an “‘ unoccupied thatched cabin,” the fortu- nate naturalist found birds “‘exceedingly abundant,” attracted to a focus by the numerous fruit-trees in the adjacent clearing. On one occasion, sitting under a tree, Mr. Chapman observed examples of 18 species within a period of ten minutes. In the systematic part of the paper the author gives notes Recently published Ornithological Works. 453 on 99 birds obtained or observed during his excursion, amongst which Conurus enops, Priotelus temnurus, and Todus multicolor were “‘common.” The following species and sub- species are described as new :—Rallus longirostris cubanus and Columbigallina passerina terrestris from Cuba; Pitangus jamaicensis from Jamaica; and Dendroica petechia flaviceps from the Bahamas. Scolecophagus atro-violaceus is referred to a new genus of Icteridie called Pti/oxena, from the peculiar structure of its contour-feathers. The concluding section of the paper is devoted to remarks on the origin of West-Indian Bird-life, which it is rather difficult to follow without the aid of a map. It must suffice to say that the generally- recognized division of the Antilles into two groups, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, is fully recognized, as also that the zoological influence of the Lesser on the Greater Antilles is of comparatively recent date, the former having been raised, as Prof. A. Agassiz has shown, “long after the range of the greater West Indian Islands existed.”” The Greater Antilles were probably connected with the continent by land extending between the Mosquito coast and Jamaica at a time when sea-passages between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific were still open, and when the representatives of some 12 families now characteristic of the Central-American Ornis had not arrived from the south. For this reason these families are not represented in the Ornis of the Greater Antilles, which contains only survivors of the forms of the ancient fauna of Central America, “ preserved through the isolation afforded by an insular life.”’ 69. Chapman and Buck’s ‘Wild Spain. [Wild Spain (Espana Agreste). Records of Sport with Rifle, Rod, and Gun, Natural History and Exploration. By Abel Chapman, F.Z.S., and Walter J. Buck, C.M.Z.S., of Jerez, With 174 illustrations, mostly by the Authors. London: Gurney and Jackson, 1893. | Mr. Chapman’s name is already well known to readers of ‘The Ibis,’ and will not fail to call immediate attention to the present volume, in which he and his coadjutor, Mr. Buck, furnish us with a large quantity of most interesting informa- 454 Recently published Ornithological Works. tion on the birds of the Peninsula and on other cognate subjects. Perhaps we may fairly say that the Bustards, the Flamingoes, and the Raptores of Spain are the heroes of the book, although the four-footed animals of the sierras and marismas have their share of attention. Nor are the smaller Passerimes overlooked, although, as we are informed, the work is planned essentially from the view of the “ sportsman- naturalist.” Besides the many references in the text, a List of Spring Migrants to Spain, with date of their arrivals in Andalucia, is given in the Appendix, and Mr. A. C. Chapman contributes some interesting “ Spring-Notes”’ on the birds of Navarre. The numerous illustrations, taken mostly from the authors’ sketches, relate mainly to birds, and are, in the majority of cases, capital. Altogether, ‘Wild Spain’ will be found to be a rare treat to the ornithologist. 70. Collett on Lanius excubitor and allied forms, (Om Lanius excuditor, og dens forskjellige Formers Optreden i Norge. Af R, Collett. Archiv f. Mathem. og Natury. Kristiania, xvi. p. 50.] Prof. Collett writes on Lanius excuditor and the various forms of it that occur in Norway, which he arranges under six heads. These exhibit a series of stages, beginning with extra-typical ZL. excuditor (?. e. the so-called ZL. homeyert) and passing through typical L. excudiéor and several intermediate forms into L. major and nearly typical L. derealis. Remarks on the distribution of Z. excuditor in Norway, and its habits, are appended. 71. Collett on Birds from the New Hebrides. [On a Collection of Birds from Tonga, New Hebrides. By R. Collett. Vidensk.-Selskabs Forhandl. Christiania, 1892, No. 13.) An account is given in this paper of a small collection of birds in spirit made by Mr. O. Michelsen in the New Hebrides. The specimens are referred to 20 species, amongst which is a Rhipidura probably new, but the example is not in a suf- ficiently perfect state to warrant description. Recently published Ornithological Works. 4 Ot Or 72. Foster's Bibliography of American Naturalists. [Bulletin of the United States National Museum. No. 40, Biblio- graphies of American Naturalists. IV. The Published Writings of George Newbold Lawrence, 1444-91. By L.S. Foster. 8vo. Washington: 1892. The 40th number of the Bulletin of the U.S. National Museum is occupied by a very thoroughly compiled index to the published writings of Mr. G. N. Lawrence, of New York, the Nestor of American ornithologists. This is prefaced by a biographical sketch and portrait of our much-esteemed Foreign Member, now nearly 87 years of age. His first ornithological paper was written in 1844, and his last in 1891. Altogether, his memoirs are 121 in number. In the case of all these, besides the full title, Mr. Foster gives a list of the species referred to in every paper, and the pages at which they are mentioned. This is followed by an alphabetical list of the new species and subspecies described by Mr. Lawrence, 323 in all, which will be very useful to the working orni- thologist. The genus Lawrencia of Ridgway, of the family Tyrannidz, is called after his name, besides which 19 species, instituted by various authors, bear the specific term “ law- rencit.” Few of our craft, indeed, have accomplished such long and good service in the cause of Science. 73. Giglioh and Manzella on Italian Birds. (Iconografia dell’ Avyifauna Italica, ovvero tavole illustranti le specie di Uccelli che trovansi in Italia, con brevi descrizioni e note. Testo del Dott. Enrico Hillyer Giglioli; tavole di Alberto Manzella. Fase. xxviii-l. Folio. Prato: 1885-92.) Since we last noticed this work, nearly seven years ago, cousiderable progress has been made, parts 28-50 having been issued ; and we are not without hopes that it may be brought ultimately to a conclusion within a reasonable period. It will be a great satisfaction to the subscribers, and no doubt to Professor Giglioli also, to be able to arrange the plates and bind up the volumes. ‘The figures of the ‘ Icono- grafia, though not always above criticism, are mostly well drawn and nicely coloured, and render the species easily recog- 456 Recently published Ornithological Works. nizable. The work, when complete, will form a lasting testimony to the zeal and energy of the Professor in accumu- lating the excellent collection of Italian birds in the “ Reale Istituto ”’ in Florence, upon which it has been mainly based. Among interesting species lately figured, we may call at- tention to Picus lilfordi from Dalmatia, Sitta whiteheadi from Corsica, Cypselus affinis and Ruticilla moussieri, two stragglers upon the Italian coast, and Caprimulgus a lately taken near Genoa. 74. Gordon on ‘ Our Country’s Birds’ [Our Country’s Birds and How to Know Them. A Guide to all the Birds of Great Britain. By W. J. Gordon. With an Illustration in Colour of every Species and many original Diagrams by G. Willis and R. E. Holding. 8vo. London: 1892.] ‘Our Country’s Birds’ is certainly an_ ornithological multum in parvo of no ordinary description. All the 383 “* British Birds ”’ are described in a small volume of 150 pages, and figured in 32 coloured plates. Moreover, chapters are given on “ sortation,” ‘identification,’ and “ classification,” and a great deal of useful information besides. Saunders’s Manual’ is certainly more to our taste, but many of the figures in this little book are very nicely drawn, and its author is in many respects evidently quite “ up to date.” 75. Harvie-Brown on the Birds of the Shetlands. [Contributions to a Fauna of the Shetland Isles. Autumn Notes. By J. A. Harvie-Brown, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. Ann. Scottish Nat. Hist. 1893, p. 9. ] Mr. Harvie-Brown has paid two visits to the southern portion of the Shetland group in the autumnal months, and gives us as the results a list of 84 species of birds met with, and notes upon them. The Raven (Corvus corax) was *“ often seen in dozens and half-dozens,” the Merlin (Falco esalon) was “very common,” and several examples of the Spotted Crake (Porzana maruetta) are spoken of, Recently published Ornithological Works. 457 76. Hudson’s ‘ Idle Days in Patagonia,’ [Idle Days in Patagonia. By W. H. Hudson, C.M.Z.S. London: Chapman and Hall, 1893. ] This is not at all a “ bird-book ” in the ordinary accepta- tion of the term, but it contains numerous allusions to and illustrations of birds, and will be read with pleasure by those who have appreciated the author’s charming volume ‘ The Naturalist in La Plata.’ The present work does not contain a complete account of the author’s visit to the Rio Negro district of Patagonia (which took place as long ago as 1871), but is made up of a series of essays based on his experiences during that excursion. Some of these have been already published, more or less com- pletely, in certain Reviews and Magazines, but are now combined into a harmonious whole. As already stated, many allusions to our feathered favourites occur throughout the volume, and a whole chapter is devoted to bird-music in South America. In this essay the author endeavours to prove that the ordinary idea that tropical birds, though they doubtless excel those of temperate countries in beauty of plumage, are inferior in melody, is erroneous. It is shown, on the contrary, that South America at least is “ not wanting in songsters,” the fact being that its ornis comprehends some 1200 Oscines—the section of Passerine birds in which the singing-organs are most highly developed. 77. Koenig on the Birds of Tunis. [Zweiter Beitrag zur Avifauna von Tunis. Von Dr. A. Koenig. 8yo. Naumburg, 1895. (Separatabdruck, J. f. O. 1892-93.) ] Dr. Koenig has kindly favoured us with a separate copy of his second essay on the birds of Tunis, extracted from the ‘Journal fiir Ornithologie’ for 1892 and 1898, the first article on the same subject having appeared in the same journal for 1888. During the intervening period the author has worked hard to make additions and corrections to his former account of this interesting avifauna, and in May, 1891, made a journey to the Beylik for the special purpose 458 Recently published Ornithological Works. of augmenting his knowledge of this subject. The first part of the present article is devoted to an account of this journey, while the second contains a systematic list of birds of Tunis, with copious notes on the results arrived at. The route taken by Dr. Koenig on this occasion, which is illus- trated by a map, was from Susa to Gabes parallel to the coast, while excursions were also made from Susa_ north- wards. The systematic list contains the names of 228 species, thus adding 28 to the author’s former summary of the Tunisian avifauna. Upon some points in this list we will offer a few remarks. The occurrence of Cypselus affinis in Tunis is of great interest. Examples of this eastern species were obtained by Dr. Koenig on Djebel el Meda, near Gabes, in the month of March. Specimens of Hirundo rufula, purchased from a dealer in Tunis, were stated to have been killed in the neighbour- hood. 3 The Raven of Tunis is now recognized to be Corvus tingi- tanus, not C. corax. Dr. Koenig vindicates the claims of Galerita macro- rhyncha, Tristram, to be distinct from G. cristata, to which it has been recently united in the ‘Catalogue of Birds’ (xiii. p. 628), and considers G. randont, Loche, to be the same species. He met with it in the vicinity of Gabes. One example of Clot-Bey’s Lark (Rhamphocorys clot-bey) _was obtained at Djebel el Meda. Dr. Koenig holds fast to the distinctness of his Alemon margarite (described from specimens collected during his former journey), of which he again obtained examples in the desert near Gabes. Dr. Bowdler Sharpe (Cat. B. xii. p- 526) has united it to Chersophilus duponti, from which, however, it would appear to be perhaps subspecifically different. It has hitherto been supposed that the Chaffinch (Fringilla celebs) is entirely replaced in North Africa by the nearly allied F. spodiogenys and similar forms. It would appear, however, that the European Chaffinch visits Tunis in winter, Recently published Ornithological Works. 459 and occasionally lingers there far into spring. Dr. Koenig met with it in flocks in March and April in two localities north of Susa. Three coloured plates, illustrating Drymeca sahare, Sazi- cola mesta, and Rhamphocoris clot-bey, are annexed to this essay, which is of great interest to students of the European Ornis. We hope that Dr. Koenig will find means to visit Tunis again and bring home still further information on its attractive avifauna, 78. Le Souéf on the Nesting of Ptilorhis victorie. [Nest and Egg of Queen Victoria’s Rifle-bird (Péilorhis victoria). By D. Le Souéf. Proc. R. Soc. Victoria, 1892.] Mr. D. Le Souéf now figures and describes the nest and egg of the Victorian Rifle-bird (Péilorhis victorie), obtained by himself and Mr. H. Barnard in November, 1891, on one of the Barnard Islands (cf. Ibis, 1892, p. 350). 79. Lorenz on the Birds of Austro-Hungary. [Die Ornis von Oesterreich-Ungarn und den Occupationsliindern im k.k. naturhistorischen Hofmuseum zu Wien. Zusammengestellt von Dr. Ludwig, Ritter Lorenz von Liburnau. Ann. d. k.k. nat. Hofmus. vii. p. 806, 1892.] This is a systematic list of the specimens contained in the separate collection of the new Vienna Museum, which is devoted to the illustration of the avifauna of the Austro- Hungarian Monarchy. It appears that the series contains about 1600 mounted and 10,900 unmounted specimens, of which the dates, localities, and authorities are given. In an appendix the desiderata are specified. A similar catalogue of the specimens in the British Collec- tion at South Kensington would be very desirable, and would, no doubt, lead to the acquisition of many additional specimens of our native birds. 80. Meyer on Aquila rapax from Astrachan. [Aquila rapax (Temm.) von Astrachan, nebst Bemerkungen tiber ver- wandte Formen, besonders Aguila boeki, Hom. Von A. B. Meyer. Abhandl. Gesell. ‘Isis’ in Dresden, Abh. 1892, p. 67.] 4.60 Recently published Ornithological Works. Dr. A. B. Meyer discusses at some length the proper determination of the specimen of Aquila from Astrachan, obtained by Henke in 1874, and referred by Mr. Seebohm (Ibis, 1882, p. 206) to A. rapax. Dr. Meyer finally comes to the conclusion that Mr. Seebohm was correct in his view, though it necessitates an extension of the previously known range of this eagle into the delta of the Wolga, which, how- ever, is not very far from Turkey and Palestine, where it is certainly met with. Aguila boeki of Homeyer, after exami- nation of the type, is considered to be a young A. nevia with a tendency to bright coloration. 81. Salvadori on a new Fruit- Pigeon. [Descrizione di una nuova specie di Colombo del genere Péilopus, Per Tommaso Salvadori. Boll. dei Mus. Zool. ed Anat. Comp, R. Univ. Torino, vii. no. 135.) Under the name Ptilopus tristrami, the author describes a new species of the numerous genus from Hivaoa, Marquesas group, based on a specimen in Canon Tristram’s collection. The species is allied to P. mercieri, with which it has been confounded by prior authorities. 82. Satounine on the Birds of Moscow. [Congrés Internationaux d’Anthropologie et d’Archéologie préhisto- rique et de Zoologie 4 Moscou, 1892. Matériaux réunis par le Comité d’organisation des Congrés concernant les expositions, les excursions et les rapports sur des questions touchant les congrés. Primitize Faune Mosquensis. Aves. Par K. Satounine. Royal 8vo. Moscou: 1892. } « The memoirs collected for the benefit of the attendants at the International Congress of Anthropology, Archeology, and Zoology held at Moscow last August contain a nominal list of the birds of the surrounding district—233 in number. The categories under which the species are classed in this list seem to us to be well selected, and the abbreviations appropriate. We add a list of them :— s. = sedens, resident. hn. = nidulans, breeding. e. = estivus, summer visitor, Recently published Ornithological Works. 461 h. = hyemalis, winter visitor. t. = transvolans, on passage. e. = erraticus, accidental visitor. it. =" rarus; rare. R.R. = rarissimus, very rare. 83. Sharpe’s ‘ Monograph of the Paradiseide.’ [Monograph of the Paradiseide, or Birds of Paradise, and Ptilono- rhynchide, or Bower-Birds. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, LL.D., F.L.S., &c. Part IT. Folio. London: H. Sotheran & Co., 1893. ] We are glad to see that Dr. Sharpe’s ‘ Monograph of the Paradise-Birds’ is making progress. Part II. with ten beautiful plates is now before us. The following species are figured in it :— Ptilorhis paradisea. Rhipidornis gulielmi-tertir. Craspedophora intercedens. Manucodia chalybeata. Astrapia nigra. Lycocorax obiensis. Paradigalla carunculata. Amblyornis inornata. Paradisornis rudolphi. Atluredus stonii. Of these Paradisornis rudolphi is, as truly said by Dr. Sharpe, “among all the extraordinary birds that inhabit the earth, one of the most striking.” Some of the plates will be recognized as old friends. 84. Sharpe’s ‘ Index’ to Gould’s Bird- Books. [An Analytical Index to the Works of the late John Gould, F.R.S. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, LL.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., &. With a biographical memoir and portrait. 4to. London: Henry Sotheran & Co., 1893. | Indexes are quite in fashion now-a-days, and they are unquestionably of the greatest use to the literary “ working- man” of every description. When a job is to be done it is always assigned to the most hard-worked individual to do it. It therefore naturally became the duty of Dr. Bowdler Sharpe to make an index to Gould’s works; and here it is, with a portrait and biographical memoir of the great “ Bird- man” to set it off. This is followed by a complete list of Gould’s published works, which has been copied by per- 462 Recently published Ornithological Works. mission (with a few additions and corrections) from Count Salvadori’s excellent memoir of Gould (Att. Acc. Se. Tormo, xxi. p. 1). The list shows that Gould’s publications were altogether 320 in number, whereof 18 are illustrated folio works and the remainder ‘opuscula.2. The ‘ Analytical Index’ of names and references, which forms the main part of the volume, fills 376 quarto pages, and is stated to contain nearly 17,000 references, which have been checked by the author with the aid of “his faithful attendant, Mr. Charles Chubb.” We can easily understand, therefore, that the labour involved in its production has been of no small amount. In fact, the author tells us it has taken as many years to finish as he expected it would have taken months. 85. Stolzmann on the Ornithology of Transcaspia. [Contribution a l’Ornithologie de la Transcaspie, d’aprés recherches faites par M. Thomas Bary (1888-1891). Par Jean Stolzmann. Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscou, 1892, p. 382.] M. Thomas Bary, a correspondent of the Branicki Museum at Warsaw, went to Transcaspia on a collecting expedition in 1889, and visited Askabad, Merv, Saraks, and other localities along the Persian and Afghan frontiers. The list of the birds obtained at Askabad has been already published (Mém. Soc. Zool. France, 1890, p. 88). A com- plete account of the results of M. Bary’s expedition as regards birds is now given by M. Stolzmann. There are 230 species represented in the collection, of which 17 are new to the avifauna of Transcaspia. Podoces panderi was obtained in many localities. M. Stolzmann is inclined to unite Sitta rupicola, Blanford, to S. syriaca, and shows how variable this species is, even in the same district. The name of “ Phasianus principalis,” of which a fine series of 19 examples was obtained by M. Bary on the Afghan frontier, is attributed to “Condie Stephen”! It was, how- ever, invented by the Editor of this Journal, though based on specimens transmitted by Mr. Condie Stephen to the Prince of Wales. See P. Z. 8. 1885, p. 324. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 463 86. Wilson and Evans’s ‘ Aves Hawaiienses.’ [Aves Hawaiienses: the Birds of the Sandwich Islands. By Scott B. Wilson, F.Z.S., assisted by A. H. Evans, M.A., F.Z.S. Part IV., January 1893.* 4to. London: R. H. Porter. | We are much pleased to welcome the fourth part of the ‘Aves Hawaiienses,’ and trust that the fifth and concluding part will quickly follow. Messrs. Wilson and Evans cannot expect to render their account of the birds of this highly interesting ‘Subregion ” perfect, as we know that the fertile avifauna of the Sandwich Islands is by no means yet exhausted. But they will at all events have established a solid base for future workers, and have given us, in an excellently illustrated volume, sufficient materials to form accurate views as to the general character of the Hawaiian Avifauna. The following species are figured in this part :— Corvus tropicus, Chloridops kona, Ciridops anna, Himatione manda, Bernicla sandvicensis, Anas wyvilliana, Gallinula sand- vicensis, Oceanodroma cryptoleucura, Puffinus cuneatus. XLII.—Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. Tue following letters, addressed to the Editor, have been received :— Sir,—I wish, with your kind permission, to record in your next issue the recent occurrence of a very rare visitor in this country, namely the Bohemian Waxwing (Ampelis garrula), a fine specimen of which was shot near Ballinderry, Co. Antrim, on 22nd February last. The bird has occurred in this locality before (vide Thompson, Watters, and others), but I have met with no recent record whatever of its appearance. Croft House, Holywood, Yours &e., Co. Down, 7th March, 1893. R. Luoyp Parrerson. Sir,—The method of snaring Birds of Paradise in the interior of the Port Moresby district has been correctly described by Mr. Thomson, as cited in the last number of ‘The Ibis’ (above, p. 274). The “dancing-tree” there * For notice of Part III. see Ibis, 1892, p. 575. 464 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. mentioned corresponds with the “ spel-tree” of the Caper- cailhe, and such trees are well known to the native bird- catchers of New Guinea. They are frequented by the males during the pairing-season, in order to attract the hens by showing off their gorgeous plumage in numerous elegant motions towards one another, as described by Mr. Thomson (/.c.). These “plays of love” have also been described by the Rev. James Chalmers in his interesting ‘Work and Adventures in New Guinea, 1877 to 1885’*. As regards the mode of catching Birds of Paradise we find (op. cit. p- 246) the following notes :—“ The inland natives kill them with arrows; sometimes they catch them with gum smeared over the branches of the tree. The natives know their favourite resorts, and many are thus snared.” When in New Guinea I became acquainted only with the latter method of capture, which is used also by the natives of Milne Bay, and to prevent error it is worth while to mention that the inland natives do not shoot Birds of Paradise with arrows. ‘These weapons or hunting imple- ments have only a very limited use in New Guinea. Bows and arrows are unknown to the natives inland of Port Moresby, and to the tribes on the Astrolabe and Owen Stanley Mountaims. The drawing in Chalmers’s work (op. cit. p. 246), “Shooting Birds of Paradise,” which shows a native hidden under a shelter of leaves on a tree aiming at these birds, is therefore quite misleading, and does not refer to New Guinea, but to the Aroo Islands. As _ has already been mentioned by mef, this illustration is merely a book-maker’s invention, having been copied from Wallace’s ‘Travels’ (frontispiece to vol. 11. p. 364, German edition). The birds there figured are also clearly of the Aroo-Island species—Paradisea apoda, and not P. raggiana, which is peculiar to the south-eastern portion of New Guinea. Delmenhorst (near Bremen), Yours &c., March 1893. Dr. Orro FINscH. * London, 1885. + Annalen d. k.-k. naturhistorischen Hofmuseums, Bd. iii. Heft 4, p. 334 (120) (1888) (note). Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 465 Sir,—I dare say the following fact will interest you. Mr. Hudson, in the ‘ Argentine Ornithology’ (vol. ii. p. 115), says he believes there are two species of Roseate Spoonbills : one, the typical Ajaja rosea, with bare head, excrescences on the beak, yellow tail, crimson wing-marks, and breast-tuft ; and a second one with feathered head, pale-coloured plumage, smooth bill, rose-coloured tail, and no breast-tuft. Mr. Hudson’s opinion was that the true A. rosea has all its characteristic marks &c. from its youth up, and that the pale-coloured birds do not undergo any change. I can now prove that these pale-coloured birds are not a distinct species, but are simply immature specimens of the bright-coloured Ajaja rosea. In June 1889 the Zoological Garden of Amsterdam acquired two Spoonbills answering exactly the description that Mr. Hudson gives of his pale-coloured species, as he calls it. I have observed these birds ever since their arrival; they did not vary much until March of the present year (1893), when both birds completely changed their plumage into that of typical A.rosea. The heads have become bare, the excres- cences on the beak have appeared, the tails are yellow, and the bright wing-spots and the breast-tuft are also present. The fact that these birds have kept their immature plumage for four years sufficiently explains why on the pampas bright- coloured mature birds are comparatively rare. The immature bird Mr. Hudson shot must have been, not a bird just out of the nest, but a bird just acquiring the characters of the adult. ‘This would explain the excrescences on the bill being soft. The pale-coloured bird of Mr. Hudson’s friend, which did not change for seven years, was probably not kept under favourable circumstances as to its food. This may have hindered its acquiring the fully adult plumage. So, for instance, I have observed that specimens of Tantalus ibis fed on meat instead of fish never acquire their bright red wing-feathers. Perhaps also the number of years the bird was kept had not been accurately noted. SER. VI.— VOL. V. 2K 466 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. There remains still the different structure of the trachea, but I do not see why that should not also acquire its new form only when the bird is fully adult. I am, ’s Graveland, Hilversum, Yours &ce., Holland, April 1893. ¥, E. BLAAUW. Sir,—In some “ Oological Notes” by Mr. Alfred North (Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. (2) vii. pp. 893-398, 1892), the author makes remarks on the eggs of Cyanorhamphus rayneri, Gr., from Norfolk Island, and, after having alluded to my identification of this bird with C. cooki (Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xx. p. 585; see also Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) vil. p. 64), comes to the followimg conclusion :—“‘If C. raynert of Norfolk Island is the same as C. cooki of New Zealand, as stated by Count Salvadori, I should not be surprised to find, upon the examination of a large series of skins of the Red- fronted Parrakeet of Norfolk Island, that it is only an occasional, and by no means constant, variety of C. nove- zealandia, not meriting even subspecific distinction.” Mr. North, who does not seem to have ever seen a Cyano- rhamphus from Norfolk Island, is mistaken as regards my admitting that the type of C. cooki ever came from New Zealand. In fact, as the “habitat” of this species (op. cit. p- 585) I have given “ Norfolk Island” only. The locality “New Zealand” to specimen a (the type of Platycercus cooki) is included between square brackets, which means that, according to my belief, it is wrong. In fact, the alleged locality is not supported by any reliable authority, the speci- men having belonged to the old “ Bullock Collection.” In conclusion I may say that I am quite persuaded that the type of C. cooki (like the type of C. rayneri) is a specimen from Norfolk Island, which has been wrongly labelled “ New Zealand,’ and that C. cooki is a perfectly distinct species, quite different from C. nove-zealandie. If the Australian and New-Zealandian naturalists will take the trouble to bring together specimens of the genus Cyano- Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 467 rhamphus from the different islands, they will find that they belong to insular forms perfectly distinct from one another. I take this opportunity also to answer some remarks on the Cyanorhamphus from Antipodes Island, made by Mr. H.O. Forbes in the last number of ‘The Ibis’ (p. 280). Whether this bird, which no doubt is C. hochstetteri, Reischek, is different, as I am inclined to believe, or not from C. erythrotis from the Macquarie Islands, is a question which must be left sub judice till we have a good series of specimens from both localities to be compared together, Till then I think it safer to consider the Antipodes-Island bird distinct, more especially as, besides some slight differences, C. hochstetteri and C. ery- throtis have different habitats, a fact which warns us to be very cautious before we identify birds from different islands. In this particular case caution is the more necessary because the only available specimen from Antipodes Island (brought home by Mr. H. O. Forbes, and now in the British Museum) is imperfect and without a tail. I am, Sir, Zoological Museum, Turin, Yours &e., April 21st, 1893, T,. SALVADORI. Srtr,—I should like to correspond with residents in this country who are interested in the subject of the migration of various birds. There are certainly many routes taken, but the greater part of these routes are indefinable, as the inland being so very uniform in character, the migrants, as a rule, travel direct, instead of following rivers or valleys. Why some birds, such as Alectrurus risorius, Tenioptera dominicana, and Myiotheretes rufiventris, should only be found migrating due south-east and north-west, and breeding (except the last) 150 miles south and 100 miles west of Buenos Aires, and never appearing nearer to the capital, except as stragglers en route, is very puzzling. Ageleus flavus is also only found, though resident, beyond this same limit. In fact, one could draw a line beyond which certain species are never found, so that their occurrence would tell the traveller in which part of the country he was not, without other guides. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 468 ‘ajnor yeroeds ON ‘puno.s uodo Aq ATquqorg geqnod [eeds on ‘wURIv | IOATL SUOTY ‘agnor [Broods oN g oynot [woads ON ‘syuvq-1aAlt Suopy ‘aqnor peroeds ON ‘ALAOY ney OF TA "M'N ¥'N 9} D'S “ANN PN 02'S pues BOISN ‘N99 'S i Seon ‘NOT'S ‘NOILOGUICT -(a109) sally soueng puno1 So[IUl QOT JO sniper y ‘(UM0}) Solty souong Jveu Surssed you ‘Aunseiwg pur [izeiq ‘(UMO} ‘SaITY souoncy jo snipet sari Qo UIYZIA ydeoxe) BUIMED.W ** (04) Salty souoncy * BUIWOsIy 'BOLIOUW 410K] tee Temeage Cue Wael arg aSue) (6) 9) ne SS Aha p OL “''* BUMUNSTY 010989 AA, BUIUISIY “W'S W'S DUIoani Oa "+ B1m08RyV gq ae DEL ee Ss neag . CIO Oa BINODLIV Dee ae Stee BU OMIT ** (mao}) salry soueng TR SITIOS fai alec roh aig oe se pamnanu DULL], e eieie a ago eae vunhiniynrd DINADT | “"* *828wadDuUog DLLDUD J, odnznard nqunjod SNALOSUL SNLNAIIIT YP | sraquarnd sagasayqouipy | nopumyyns syynrbsp | naghoyo aubouy | "WOU ‘DUA “DIS niunjisy qo squvsbiyy ysauowwos ayy fo IsvT “TWY NT Letiers, Extracts, Notices, &c. 469 I find that the localities mentioned in ‘ Argentine Orni- thology’ are often very misleading, such as, for example, “Buenos Aires.” If this means the province, it is far too broad ; if the town, it should be so stated, and also whether the species is a “ straggler,” a “ regular visitor,” or a “ resident.” For example, Ageleus flavus, Alectrurus risorius, and a great many other species are absolutely unknown close to the town of Buenos Aires, but common in the west of the pro- vince of the same name. Again, there are birds that pass by the river to the neighbourhood of Buenos Aires (town), such as Tanagra bonariensis, which are only known there, and never seen further south. I give (see p. 468) a short list of a few of the commonest migrants which pass in March and April, according to my observations, and their resorts, so far as I can ascertain them from ‘ Argentine Ornithology.’ In the stream of migrants which arrived here on March 5th last, passing northwards, were some four hundred individuals of the following species, which also all departed together :— Mimus triurus, Troglodytes furvus, Poospiza torquata, Cata- mema analis, Tenioptera coronata, Lichenops perspicillatus, Elainea albiceps, Pyrocephalus rubineus, Myiarchus feroz, Tyrannus melancholicus, Milvulus tyrannus, Phytotoma rutila, Synallaxis albescens, 8. hudsoni, and Coccyzus melanocory- phus. Tam, Su, Estancia Sta. Elena, Media Luna, Yours &c., Soler-F. C. al Pacifico, A. H. Hoxvanp. Argentine Republic, March 25th, 1893. Sir,—Among some bird-skins obtained several years ago from Formosa, which I have not hitherto been able to examine carefully, I find a Bulbul which appears to be undescribed. In its olive-yellow wings and tail it much resembles Pycnonotus sinensis and P. hainanus, but differs from them in its greyer back and in the absence of yellow streaks both on back and lower parts. Its head, with plain black cap, black moustache, and scarlet spot at the gape, is 470 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. very like that of P. vanthorrhous but for the lght ear- coverts. There is only a single example, undated and un- sexed, which may be described as follows :— PYCNONOTUS TAIVANUS, Sp. NOV. Crown of head and nape black; lores and ear-coverts silvery buffish white; throat white; moustache black, with a small red spot at the base of the lower mandible. Hind neck light earthy brown; back, scapulars, lesser wing- coverts, and rump dull ashy brown, very lightly washed with olive. Greater coverts, remiges, and rectrices dark brown, washed externally with bright olive-yellow. Under surface buffish white, washed on flanks and thighs with ashy brown ; under tail-coverts edged with olive. Bull black. Legs and feet deep brown (in skin). Length apparently 7? mches, wing 3:4, tail 3°3. Two years ago my collector shot for me near Ichang three specimens of a Diceum ( 3 g ¢?) in which the upper parts of the male are of so much a deeper blue than in my specimens of D. ignipectus from South China that it would appear to be worthy of specific rank. The females I am unable to dis- tinguish. I propose to name this species Dic#UM CYANONOTUM, Sp. Nov. Similar to D. ignipectus, but with the upper surface deep steel-blue instead of steel-green ; the lesser wing-coverts and rump are greenish. The pale olive edgings to the feathers of back and rump in D. ignipectus are wanting, also the olive edgings to the secondaries. The chest-spot is more orange, less crimson. I am, Sir, Kiukiang, Yours &c., April 20th, 1893. F. W. Srvan. The Crocodile and its Bird. —The ‘Saturday Review’ of May 6th last contains an article on Crocodile-birds, based on Mr. J. M. Cook’s letter in our last number (above, p. 275). In reference to the Editorial remark that the story in ques- tion “had not been confirmed by eye-witness since the days Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 47] of Herodotus,” the Saturday Reviewer writes as follows :— “No doubt, until Mr. Cook made his observation, the story had not ‘been confirmed by recent observations’; but Giovanni Leone, perhaps better known as Leo Africanus, an author and traveller, who lived and wrote in the latter part of the fifteenth and the early part of the sixteenth century—. e. at least 1300 years after /Ahan—and whose accounts of what he saw are singularly devoid of fable, tells the story in a manner which makes it hard to believe that he was not relating facts which actually came under his own observation. He tells us—we quote from the French trans- lation of his ‘ Description of Africa,’ published in 1556—that he was on the Nile, ‘distant de Caire environ quatre cens mille” when he saw several crocodiles upon some little islands in the middle of the river, ‘qui estoyent étendus au Soleil, les gueules bées; dans lesquelles aucuns oysillons de blanc panage, & grandeur d’une grive, entroyent dedas, la ou ayans sejourné quelque espace de temps s’en retournoyent, dressans leur vol ailleurs. Dont estat curieus d’entendre la raison de cela, je m’en enquis, & me fut dit, qu entre les dens du crocodile demeurent quelques filés de chair, ou poisson pendans; lesquels venans & se putrifier, se conver- tissent en vers, qui les molestent aucunement, & estans aperceus remuer par ces petits oyseaus volas, viennent i entrer dans la gueule pour les mager, ce que ayans fait, crocodile ingrat tache a les engloutir, mais se sentant piqtie au palais d’une dure & peignante épine (que Poyseau a sur le sommet de la téte) il est cotramt de desserrer, donnant lieu a la fuitte de Poyseau, & avenat q j’en puisse recouvrer un, je raconteray cette histoire plus surement, & a la verité.”’ Again, Paul Lucas, who wrote in 1719, though by no means an exact author or worthy to be too implicitly believed, distinctly says that he saw close to his boat some birds ‘like a Lapwing, and near it in bigness,’ which went ‘into the crocodiles’ mouths or throats, .... . and after they had stayed a little while the crocodiles shut their mouths, and opened them again soon after to let them go out.’ He was told by the people that the birds in question ‘ feed themselves 472 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. on what remains between this animal’s teeth by picking them, and as they have a kind of spur or very sharp thorn in the tops of their wings, they prick the crocodile, and torment him when he has shut his mouth, till he opens it again, and lets them out; and thus they secure themselves from the danger they were in.” And he adds the suggestion that “ likely these are the birds which Pliny calls Trochilos.” Anniversary Meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Union, 1893.—The Annual General Meeting of the British Orni- thologists’ Union was held at the rooms of the Zoological Society of London, 3 Hanover Square, on Wednesday, the 3rd of May, at 6 p.m. In the absence of The President, Mr. Paitie Lutiey Sciater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., was in the Chair. The Minutes of the last Annual Meeting having been read and confirmed, the Report of the Committee was read. It stated that two Ordinary Members (Col. J. Biddulph and Mr. A. I. Muntz) had withdrawn, and two (Mr. W. Davison and Mr. G. M. Slaughter) had died since the last Anniversary. The number of the Members of the Union at the close of 1892 was 261, consisting of 231 Ordinary, 1 Extra-ordinary, 9 Honorary, and 20 Foreign Members. ‘There were 18 Candidates for the Ordinary Membership, and 1 for the Honorary Membership, now to be balloted for. The accounts for the year 1891 were then presented by the Secretary, and approved by the Meeting. The following Ordinary Members were balloted for and declared to be duly elected :— Major Ernest L. S. Anne, Blenkinsopp Castle, Green- head, Carlisle. Ernest W. H. Blagg, Greenhill, Cheadle, Staffordshire. George Bolam, F.Z.S., Castlegate, Berwick-on-Tweed. W.E. de Winton, Graftonbury, Hereford ; and 38 Great Russell Street, W.C. Ernst Hartert, The Museum, Tring, Herts. William Hartmann, Tangley Mere, Chilworth, Surrey. Charles Hose, F.Z.S., Baram, Sarawak, Borneo. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 473 William Henry Hudson, C.M.Z.S., Tower House, St. Luke’s Road, Westbourne Park, W. Frederick Lewis, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Ratnapura, Ceylon. William H. Mullens, M.A., F.Z.S., Westfield Place, near Battle, Sussex. Thomas Digby Pigott, C.B., 5 Ovington Gardens, S.W. W. P. Pycraft, University Museum, Oxford. Percy Rendall, M.D., F.Z.S., Eureka City, South African Republic. The Hon. L. Walter Rothschild, F.Z.S., Tring Park, Tring, Herts. Samuel S. Stanley, 3 Regent Grove, Leamington, Warwickshire. Charles Stonham, F.R.C.S., F.Z.8., 4 Harley Street, Cavendish Square, W. Dixon L. Thorpe, 41 Aglionby Street, Carlisle. Aubyn B. R. Trevor-Battye, F.Z.S., St. Margaret’s Mansions, 51 Victoria Street, S.W. Dr. Anton Reichenow, C.M.Z.S., of Berlin, was also bal- loted for and elected an Honorary Member. The outgoing President and Secretary were then re- elected, and Mr. Howard Saunders was chosen into the Committee in the place of Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, who retired by rotation. The Officers for the year 1893-94 are therefore as fol- lows :— President. Tue Rient Hon. Lorp Litrorp. Secretary. F. D. Gopman, Esq., F.R.S. Editor. P. L. Scuater, Esq., M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. Committee. Henry Seesonm, Esq. OsBErt Savin, Esaq., M.A., F.R.S. Howarp Saunpers, Esq. SER. VI.—-VOL. V. 21 474: Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the Meeting adjourned. The Annual Dinner, subsequently held at Limmer’s Hotel, was attended by 82 Members and guests. Parus colletti, Strsnecer.—In his ‘Mindre Meddelelser vedrorende Norges Fuglefauna i Aarene 1881-1892’ (now being printed), of which a set of the sheets has been forwarded to us, Prof. Collett makes (pp. 34, 35) the following remarks (which have been kindly translated for us by Mr. A. Heneage Cocks) on “ Parus colletti,’ a “ species ”’ instituted by Dr. Stejneger in 1888, as being the representative of Parus borealis in Western Scandinavia :— “In the Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1888, p. 71, Dr. Stejneger has sought to maintain that Parus borealis makes its ap- pearance in Scandinavia in two forms—a western form, which is stated in the main to inhabit Norway, and the typical form, which is more eastern and inhabits generally Sweden. “The western form, of which Dr. Stejneger had a pair of examples before him, shot near Bergen in June and August 1887, differs, he says, from the eastern, of which he has six examples, shot in the winter months in Sweden, chiefly in the colour of the hood and of the edge of the secondaries, a dif- ference which he considers as constant, and so important that he sets up the western form as a peculiar species under the name of P. colletti, by the side of the typical (eastern) P. borealis. “The diagnosis of the two species is given as follows (p. 74) :— Parus colletti. Parus borealis. Top of head and nape pure black, without gloss. brownish black *. Back smoke-grey. pale buffy grey. Outer margins of secondaries like the back, scarcely lighter. whitish. Under tail-coverts smoke-grey, like the back. whitish. * [In the original diagnosis the colour of the hood in the two forms is exchanged, which is obviously a misprint. Thus it is found (at the foot of p. 74) stated :-— “Tn the Norwegian birds (P. collet?) the top of the head is deep black against brownish black in those from Sweden.” Professor Collett has himself let slip an obvious misprint in copying the English diagnosis, “hand” being printed instead of “head.”—A. H. C. | Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 475 “ In endeavouring to decide the question about these two forms, I have examined the greater part of the material of P. borealis which is at the present time preserved in the dif- ferent museums of the country. The University Museum * possesses in all 39 examples, of which 26 are from the most southerly parts of Norway (the districts about Christiania, Drammen, Hamar, and Dovre), 3 from the west coast of the country (Sodndfjord, in Bergen diocese), 2 from Fin- marken (Alten, Varanger), besides 8 from Mid-Sweden (Upsala). “‘ Among all these examples, which come from the most easterly, the most northerly, the most westerly, and the most southerly portions of Scandinavia, I have not been able to detect the slightest constant difference. “The greyish-white margins of the secondaries may, it is true, vary somewhat in breadth and in purity of colour, just as the sides of the belly may be in some individuals more reddish grey, in others (at the same time of year and loca- lity) of a purer white. Examples obtained in summer have, as a rule, whiter abdomens, but somewhat narrower (more worn) edges to the webs of the secondaries, than winter-killed specimens. In the young in nestling-plumage (Bosekop in Alten, July 22, 1880; Hamar, July 4, 1889; Gausdal, July 24, 1889; Jonset, July 17, 1890) these edges are brownish grey, and not whitish grey, and these examples come perhaps nearest the two examples of his P. colletti described by Dr. Stejneger+. But any constant difference between the individuals from these widely separated parts of the country does not exist. “ P, colletti must therefore, according to my judgment, be considered as founded on individual variations of P. borealis, which may make their appearance anywhere amongst the normal individuals.” Bailly’s ‘Ornithologie de la Savoie.—It should be remem- * Christiania. + Which, however, are expressly stated to have been old individuals, not young ones. 476 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. bered that Bailly, in his ‘Ornithologie de la Savoie’ (Paris, 1853-55), has given to a few well-known species new names, which have not been referred to in the ‘ Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum.’ As it may happen that some orni- thologists, not finding these terms in this standard work, may think themselves at liberty to use them for other species, I think it advisable to point them out to the readers of ‘The Ibis.’ They are as follows :— Aquila fluvialis, Bailly, Orn. de la Savoie, 1. p. 104 (1853) (=Pandion haliaétus). Hirundo sociabilis, Bailly, op. cit. 1. p. 268 (= Chelidon urbica). Lanius ruficapillus, Bailly, op. cit. 1. p. 32 (=L. auricu- latus). Garrulus glandivorus, Bailly, op. cit. ii. p. 118 (=G. glan- darius).—T. SaLvaport. Tristram’s Grakle in Captivity— Lord Lilford early in January last added to his living collection an example of Tristram’s Grakle (Amydrus tristrami), figured in Gould’s ‘Birds of Asia,’ vol. v. pl. 45, the Palestine species of this interesting group, which was discovered by Canon Tristram in the Gorge of the Kedron in 1858, but which had not pre- viously been seen in captivity. This bird is still alive and well, and in general habits, Lord Lilford tells us, resembles the Mynahs very closely, except that it will not bathe. It exceedingly enjoys being “sprayed” with water. Lord Lilford hopes to receive more of these birds from his correspondent in Palestine during the summer. This bird is evidently a female; her note is a frequently- repeated, monotonous, and somewhat harsh cry, with a certain indication of powerful vocal organs. Great Bustards in the Zoological Society’s Gardens.—The hen of the pair of Great Bustards (Otis tarda) which have been for some time in the Zoological Society’s Gardens has made Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 477 a nest and commenced sitting on two eggs, this being, so far as is known, the first instance of the Great Bustard, which is notoriously a shy bird, breeding in captivity. The cock appears to take no part in the duties of incubation.—P. L. S., June 13th, 1893. Ornithologists on their Travels—We are pleased to be able to announce that arrangements have been made for Mr. R. Lydekker to visit the museums of the Argentine Republic this autumn, in order to examine the extraordinary series of fossil bird-bones which have lately been discovered there. In the preface to ‘The Ibis’ for 1892 we expressed a hope that it would be found possible:to obtain the judgment of an experienced paleontologist upon these specimens. No ‘one in England is more qualified for the purpose than the author of the recently-published ‘ Catalogue of Fossil Birds in the British Museum,’ and the Royal Society have done right well in granting the necessary expenditure on this object from their Donation Fund. Mr. O. V. Aplin’s return from his expedition to Uruguay is expected immediately. We hope to be able to give some account of his results in our next number. As will be seen by the letter amongst our correspondence, Mr. A. H. Holland has not forgotten the birds in his new residence at Estancia Sta. Elena. We have just received from him a collection of skins, with accompanying field- notes, which will be published in our next number. Mr. F. Withington, whose change of quarters we have already noted (above, p. 284), has now settled at Rancho Salisipuedes, near Tuxpan, in Mexico, and hopes to be able to commence a collection of birds very shortly. Mr. Charles Hose, with whose successful ornithological explorations in Northern Borneo all readers of ‘The Ibis’ are well acquainted, is now returning to his residency at Claude Town, on the Baram River, where he will not fail to continue the researches which have already made his name 478 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. famous in the ranks of ornithological collectors and observers. Mount Dulit is by no means yet exhausted, and Mounts Kalulong and Tamuduk still afford an ample field for Mr. Hose’s exertions. Borneo is by no means worked out. Mr. John Whitehead, we understand, is contemplating a new expedition to the East, and will start shortly ; first, probably, for some of the less-known islands of the Philippine group, after which he will investigate certain portions of the Papuan Subregion, of which we at present know too little. Mr. Whitehead’s great experience and previous success render it certain that he will employ his time well. Dr. Percy Rendall has arrived at his new quarters, Eureka City, near Barberton, in the Transvaal. Birds he finds at present “‘ very scarce,” as they are “all moulting,” so he is devoting himself to other natural objects for the present. Obituary—M. Orrne-Gaxiiarp and Mr. W. R. Davison. Vicror Aimr Leon OtpHE-Gatiiarp,a French ornithologist devoted to the study of the birds of his native country, died at Hendaye, Basses Pyrénées, on the 2nd of February last, at the age of 68 years. M. Olphe-Galliard is principally known as the author of an illustrated octavo work, entitled ‘ Contri- butions a la Faune Ornithologique de |’Europe occidentale,’ which was issued at Bordeaux in 40 fasciculi from 1884 to 1892. He also published in 1891 a ‘ Catalogue des Oiseaux des environs de Lyon, and was the first describer of the charming little Algerian bird, Moussier’s Redstart (Ruticalla moussieri), from specimens obtained in the province of Oran by M. Moussier in 1846 (Ann. Sci. Phys. et Nat. de Lyon, sér. 2, iv. p. 101). Witiiam Ruxton Davison, F.Z.S., Curator of the Raffles Museum, Singapore, whose death took place at Singapore on the 25th of January last, belonged to a good family in the north of England. His father, having married a lady of somewhat inferior position, enlisted and went out to India Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 79 with his wife. Being a clever fellow, he was quickly taken out of the ranks, and rose to be an executive engineer in the Public Works Department in Burmah, where Davison him- self and his sister (afterwards Mrs. Davidson) were born. After the father’s early death, Davison’s mother, a good, sensible, hard-working woman, settled at Ootacamund, in India, and, with the assistance of friends, started a boarding- house. Here Davison got a good education in “ Pope’s Academy,” and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to the analytical chemist employed in the Nilgiri Cinchona plantations. Some years later Dr. King, the Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, Calcutta, on visiting the Cinchona plantations, discovered Davison’s merits as an intelligent observer of animal-life, and recommended him to Mr. A. O. Hume, C.B. Mr. Hume engaged Davison as his collector, and, after a year’s preparatory training at Simla, sent him every year for six or seven months to various parts of India to collect birds. Each year he returned with the results of his labours, which were carefully gone over by Mr. Hume, whe by systematic cross-examination extracted from Davison all he had learnt and seen, for although Davison was a close observer and had a capital memory, he had not the gift of expressing himself very clearly, either on paper or in con- versation. The excellent results obtained by these periodical excursions and collections are well known to ornithologists from various papers in ‘Stray Feathers,’ and from the splendid additions thus made to the great “ Hume” collec- tion of birds. In 1883 Davison came to England for the only time in his life, and then returned to Ootacamund, whence he wrote to the Editor of this Journal in January 1886 (see ‘ Ibis,’ 1886, p. 203). Shortly afterwards he married an English lady, and later on (at the end of 1887) accepted the post of Curator of the Raffles Museum, Singapore, which he con- tinued to occupy until the time of his death. During this period, though often in weak health, he was in frequent communication with the Zoological Society of London, and 480 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. was of much service to them in superintending the packing and transmission from Singapore to England, in the autumn of 1889, of the only example of the Gaur (Bos gaurus) that has ever reached Europe alive. Mr. Hume, to whom we are indebted for most of these particulars of Davison’s life, speaks of him as having been a thorough gentleman, most upright and steady in all matters of business, but always rather delicate in health. His train- ing as an analytical chemist had given him a nicety and delicacy of touch such as few men, and not many women, can boast of. The “make” of his bird-skins was excellent, as most ornithologists know. He was an accomplished lin- guist, and could speak Hindustani, Tamil, Burmese, and Malay fluently. Davison was always kind to the natives and managed them thoroughly well; the native shikaris and skinners who were sent with him by Mr. Hume usually became much attached to him and served him faithfully. In Davison we have lost before his time one of the most active and successful bird-collectors of the epoch. So far as we know, Davison’s published articles were only five in number, namely :— (1) A Revised List of the Birds of Tenasserim. By A. O. Hume and W. Davison. Stray Feathers, vi. p. 1 (1878). (2) Letter from, containing descriptions of Trochalopterum cinnamomeum and Merula erythrotis. Ibis, 1886, p. 203. (3) Notes on some Birds collected on the Nilghiris and in parts of Wynaad and Southern Mysore. Stray Feathers, x. p. 329 (1887). (4) Letter on the Birds of Travancore. Ibis, 1888, p. 146. (5) Descriptions of some new Species of Birds from the Eastern Coast of the Malayan Peninsula. Ibis, 1892, p- 99. A good portrait of Davison will be found in the third volume of Oates’s edition of Hume’s ‘ Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds,’ published in 1890. THE IBIS. SIXTH SERIES. No. XX. OCTOBER 1893. XLILI.—On the Egg of the Empress Augusta-Victoria’s ’ Paradise-bird. By Dr. A. B. Meyer. (Plate XIII.) TuHovucH Birds of Paradise have been known for centuries, and though we are now acquainted with more than fifty species of this most interesting family, we are almost com- pletely ignorant of everything concerning their nests and eggs. It is, so far as I am aware, only ten years ago that the first egg of a Paradise-bird (s. s.) was described by Mr. E. P. Ramsay in the ‘ Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales’ (vol. viii. p. 26, 1883), viz. that of Paradisea raggiana. To this I was able to add a year later the description and figure of the egg of P. apoda, from Aru (Zeitschr f. ges. Orn. 1883, p. 293, pl. xvii. fig. 2), though I was not quite sure then that the broken egg in my possession really belonged to a Paradise-bird. That this, however, was the case is proved by the two eggs which I now have the privilege of describing and ae as certainly belonging to Paradisea auguste-victorie*. The general superficial impression made by these eggs calls to mind the eggs of certain Rails,—some specimens of * [This species was first described by Dr. Cabanis, J. f. O, 1888, p. 119, and is figured op. cit. 1889, pl. ii —Ep.] SER. VI.—VOL. V. 2m 4.82 On the Egy of a Paradise-bird. the eggs of Crex pratensis, for instance, having a similar appearance. The shell is coarse, with fine indentations and single deep pores, as in Coracias; it is everywhere polished and glossy, except a few of the paler and smaller spots, which are dull and glossless. The ground-colour is pale pinkish- buff (¢f. Ridgway, Nomencl. of Col. v. 14, but lighter), longitudinally streaked and spotted over the greater part of the large end. The darker streaks are remarkable for their length (10-15 mm. long, 2-4 mm. broad, or even narrower) ; the deeper-lying spots are rosy grey, the darker longitudinal streaks mostly reddish brown (walnut-brown, Ridgway, pl. 111. 7), but mixed with lighter and darker tints. There are several very dark spots, others are smaller and of a glossless brownish yellow ; others, again, of this same colour are glossy. The small end of the egg has few spots; the pole of the large end is almost clear of spots. The form is ovate (Ridgway, xvi. 1), but more lengthened ; the size 38 x 25°5 and 36°5 x 25 mm., and the weight 0°7 gr. The egg of P. apoda is darker, with spots of the same colour, but with much broader and more isolated streaks and dashes, and the space round the pole of the large end some- what spotted. The egg of P. raggiana, as described by Ramsay (I. s.c¢.), appears to be of a similar character. The two eggs described and figured (Plate XIII.), each from two sides and from above, were taken by the brothers Geisler, in the month of August 1890, near the village of Jakema on the Saddle Mountain (“ Sattelberg ”’), Huon Gulf, East New Guinea, at about 250-300 ms. above the sea-level. A native having told them that he had discovered the nest of a Paradise-bird, they proceeded to the spot, but found the tree too high and big to climb it themselves. The native, however, ascended it and brought down two eggs, unfor- tunately leaving the nest torn to pieces between the twigs. Several females fluttered and cried around while the native was thus employed, a male having been shot just before on a neighbouring tree. The breeding-season of P. auguste-victorie begins in July, On the Birds of Estancia Sta, Elena. 483 when the males, in companies of from three to six, hold their dancing-parties on the high trees. Females on the wing bearing nesting-materials were often seen, but for a long time no nest could be discovered. The males were also observed with lke materials in their bills, though they generally dropped them again. At the end of October a young bird made its appearance on the mountains behind Butaueng on Huon Gulf. At this time of the year the rainy season (S.E. monsoon) generally ceases, and the dry N.W. monsoon then prevails till the beginning of April. The moulting of the Bird of Paradise begins at the end of October; in January the gorgeous new feathers begin to sprout, but it is only in July that the breeding-plumage becomes fully developed in its finest phase. The brothers Geisler once observed this Paradise-bird robbing the nest of Chalcophaps stephani; a specimen kept in captivity also sucked other eggs with avidity. According to the present state of our knowledge, P. auguste-victorie has only a narrow range along the borders of Huon Gulf, north of which, in Astrolabe Bay, P. finschi occurs, and in South and South-east New Guinea P. raggiana, which is represented on the d’Entrecasteaux Islands by P. decora. It appears that red and yellow Paradise-birds do not occur together, but represent each other. According to the Geislers, P. auguste-victorie never changes its hunting- ground. XLIV.—Field-Notes on the Birds of Estancia Sta. Elena, Argentine Republic. By A. H. Horuann. With Remarks by P. L. Scuater. (Mr. Hoxtanp has sent me specimens of all these species for examination. Ihave verified the names, and have added a few remarks where necessary.—P. L. 8.1 1. Mrmus rriurvs (Arg. Orn. 1. p. 8). Rare, arriving here in November, The iris of this speci- men was certainly pale greenish, so Mr. Hudson, who calls it 2M 2 484. Mr. A. H. Holland on the Birds “ orange-red”? (Arg. Orn. i. p. 8), appears to have been mistaken, and Azara to have been correct, unless the varia- tion be due to sex or age. 2. CoTruRNICULUS PERUANUS (Arg. Orn. 1. p. 60). Fairly common throughout the year, in winter, living, during the daytime, in small companies, and at sunset collecting in large numbers to roost amongst the tall herbage. When thus collected together they break into their feeble twitterings. In spring-time the flocks break up, and the birds pair off, scattering about the quintas and plantations, though a few resort to the camp. During the breeding-season the plumage becomes much darker. The male at this season sometimes soars to about 30 feet in height, with head thrown back and the feathers erected, tail raised and expanded, the wings beating quickly. During this performance the bird twitters a short feeble song, striving after high notes, but failing sadly, as if it possessed a sore throat. In habits this species is shy and retiring, preferring to run along at a great pace with its body crouched down, resembling a mouse, to flying away, when disturbed. It perches alike on trees, weeds, buildings, and elsewhere. The nest is placed on the ground under a tuft of grass, and is composed of dry grass, slightly lined with horsehair. The eggs are three, white, pear-shaped, and rather shiny. 3. CoRYPHOSPINGUS cristatus (Arg. Orn. i. p. 48). Obtained on July 38rd, after a heavy wind. Iris black. 4. Poospiza TorquaTA (Arg. Orn. i. p. 51). Several of these birds arrived in March and departed a few days ago, evidently on their way north. They frequent trees and buildings, making short flights after insects from the former. In disposition they are tame, but very restless, and mix freely with almost any flock of other Finches, such as Chingolas and Sycales. They utter a faint but pleasing song. Their flight is short and in curves. The belly con- tained a few insects and minute seeds. [Mr. Holland’s specimen, about which he was in doubt, is of Estancia Sta. Elena. 485 certainly a young example of this species, which had not been previously met with in this part of Argentina.—P. L. S.] 5. CaTAMENIA ANALIS (Arg. Orn. i. p. 57). Rare, arriving in November. Iris hazel. It inhabits the weeds and trees, and is of a very shy disposition. It feeds chiefly on grass-seeds, and in its flight closely resembles Chrysomitris icterica, for which, in a bad light, it might be easily mistaken. [Mr. Holland sends examples of both sexes of this Finch, which is new to this part of Argentina. In the short description in ‘ Argentine Ornithology ’ the white wing-spot is not mentioned.—P. L. S.j 6. LEISTES SUPERCILIARIS (Arg. Orn. 1. p. 108). On November the 20th, when I was chasing deer, I came across a specimen of this species with its primaries and secondaries of both wings pure white. It had a very striking appearance with its red breast, black body, and white wings. It was amongst a flock of this species, and in all other respects was similar. I induced the “ peones” to try to “holear ” it, but without success, and next day it had dis- appeared from the spot. 7. ALECTRURUS RIsoRIUs (Arg. Orn. i. p. 123). Plentiful everywhere, arriving in September and departing in February. The males arrive first and the females, along with their last year’s young, soon afterwards. These young birds at first closely resemble each other, but the males soon change, first one bare tail-feather for a webbed one, then the other; next the black ring appears on the breast, but the plumage otherwise remains brownish. The old male courts his mate, who perches on a tall weed or grass-stalk, by flying round her in small circles, but keeping on her level, in a perfectly upright position, having his tail and head in the same straight line and the wings fluttering at a great pace, with his breast always facing the female. The male also occasionally takes an upward flight much resembling that of a butterfly, with tail closed and elevated on ascending, but slightly expanded and with the vanes inclined mwards on 486 Mr. A. H. Holland on the Birds descending, the body being horizontal. At other times he chases the female for a comparatively long distance, flying fairly fast in a horizontal line with the head and _ tail stretched out and resembling a thick arrow. In habits the male is rather bold, while the female and young are shy. They are always quietly moving about, flying from one clump of herbage to another, catching insects as they pass- The webbed side of the two tail-feathers is always carried uppermost, the bare side being below. The nest is cup-shaped, placed on the ground under a tuft of grass, and is composed of dry grass and lined with a few feathers. The eggs are three in number, of a pure pale cream-colour; they are blunt and brittle. 8. HapaLocERcus FLAVIVENTRIS (Arg. Orn. 1. p. 137). Fairly common in the reeds, where it breeds. It arrives in September, and departs in February. Inis hazel. 9. Haprura Pecroratus (Arg. Orn. 1. p. 138). Fairly common, arriving in October and departing in February. These birds inhabit the quinta, and are of a very restless disposition before nesting, constantly hurrying from one weed-stalk to another in search of insects. They prefer long grass and weeds, and, as their flight is very low and straight, are hard to perceive. They live in pairs, and during the breeding-season the male is most pugnacious, driving away from his nesting-place any stranger of the same species in a most determined way. On one’s approaching the nesting-place the male has a peculiar habit of rushing up into the air some 20 feet, making a loud whirring noise (with its wings, I fancy) to intimidate the intruder ; at other times it is very shy and easily escapes observation, This bird breeds at the beginning of November; the nest is cup-shaped, placed some inches off the ground in a clump of weeds, several stalks being interwoven in the structure, by which it is suspended. It is a minute bit of work, being 1 in. x 14 im. deep in internal measurement, and composed of fine rootlets thickly lined and interwoven with grass- down, so that it has a white appearance. It is far superior tu most nests in its firmness and beauty. The eggs are three of Estancia Sta, Elena. 487 in number; they vary greatly in shape, but are of a uniform faint yellowish tinge in colour. 10. Myiarcuus Frerox (Arg. Orn. i. p. 156). This species also appeared at the same time as the other migrants and passed a week here, when it frequented the trees, making rapid flights after insects. Its flight is very erratic and powerful. Sometimes it darts upwards to a good height with great velocity, at others it dashes through the branches at a reckless pace. It was very wary and hard to approach. The two or three birds of the same species that were here went off to the northward. 11. Emprponomus AURANTIO-ATRO-CRISTATUS (Arg. Orn, 1. p. 157): Another doubtful species, obtaimed at the same time. This Tyrant also inhabits trees, and catches insects on the wing, but is less shy than the former and does not possess such a powerful flight. [The specimens sent (nos. 180 ¢ and 181 ?) are both young birds of the Black-and-yellow-crested Tyrant, which in a subsequent communication Mr. Holland tells me is “ fairly common”? in his district. The head is black, but there is a single feather of the orange crest just coming up in the male: the superciliaries are pale brownish, and the wings are broadly edged with fulvous.—P. L. S. | 12. Puytoroma ruTILA (Arg. Orn. i. p. 164). I think this is a female of the Plant-cutter, but, not being acquainted with the birds, cannot say for certain. Several of this species, all hens or immature birds, stayed here a few days on their way north or west, frequenting the trees and catching insects, after the manner of the Tyrants, in short flights from the topmost branches of trees. Until I shot this specimen | imagined that it was one of the Tyraunide. [The skin sent (174 9) is undoubtedly that of a female of Phytotoma rutila—P. L. 8. ] 13. SyNALLAXIS sorDiDA (Arg. Orn. i. p. 184). This species inhabits the uudergrowth of the monte, flying low and swiftly from one tree to another. It is very shy 488 Mr. John Whitehead on the and restless; when feeding it does so after the manner of a Tree-creeper, searching the bark for insects, climbing upwards around the trunk and swinging under branches, until, having passed the undergrowth, it darts to the base of another tree. [The two specimens sent (178 ¢ and 182 ¢?) are both young birds, and show no traces of the fulvous throat-spot which distinguishes the adult.—P. L. S.] 14. SYNALLAXIS, sp. inc. [The specimen sent (176 6) is quite a young bird in iminature dress, probably referable to S. albescens (Arg. Orn. l. py 179)2-—P8.] —l5. Fatco rusco-ca@ruuescens (Arg. Orn. ii. p. 69). Fairly common from March to August. It seems to consider “ Tinnunculus cinnamominus” its special enemy. I have often seen the latter chased away from the roosting- place of the former when it had ventured too near. The chase is very spirited, the smaller hawk, by its abrupt turns, easily baffling its pursuer. [The skin sent (162 ¢) is that of a male in full plumage. “Tris black.”—P. L.8.] XLV.—A Review of the Species of the Family Pittide. By Joun WHuiteHEAD. Tue objects of this paper are: to bring up to date our knowledge of the Pittide, to correct a few errors in previous descriptions of the colours of the soft parts, to propose to unite certain species which I do not regard as distinct, to separate others which appear to me to have been wrongly united, and to suggest a more natural arrangement of the members of the family. The colouring of the soft parts of these birds, when recorded, appears to have frequently been taken from the dried skins. For example, the feet of Hucichla boschi are variously described as “brown” (Sclater, Cat. Birds B. M. xiv. p. 447), “ olive- brown” (Wallace, Ibis, 1864, p. 105), and “dirty blue in front, Species of the Family Pittide. 489 pale straw-colour behind” (H. O. Forbes, Ibis, 1882, p. 63). Again, Mr. Sclater’s statement that the feet of Pitta granatina are “brown,” and Mr. Wallace’s assertion that they are“ black,” must surely be disregarded in favour of Mr. Everett’s record (Ibis, 1877, p. 10) that they are “ leaden blue,” inasmuch as those of its ally, Pitta ussheri, are light bluish grey. In the ‘ Birds of Asia’ Mr. Gould has coloured the legs of the Pittas according to fancy—those of Eucichla boschi being shown as light brown, and those of /. baudi as pink, while the legs of several other species are also wrongly coloured. The eggs of the Pittas, are either white, or white slightly spotted with dark purple, not unlike those of the Orioles. The young have a plumage peculiar to immaturity and very different from that of the adult bird. The nestling plumage, generally speaking, is brown, resembling that of the adult in Hydrornis and that of the female of Gigantipitta, which forms are probably more like the ancestral typical Pitte than any other members of the genus. This opinion I find is contrary to that of Mr. Wallace, who, writing on the two genera above mentioned, says, ‘these species depart most from the typical characters of the genus.” In point of date the buff-breasted group, of which P. cyanoptera may be regarded as the type, is certainly older than the green-breasted section, of which P. cucullata is typical. The nestlings of the buff-breasted section are somewhat like the adults, while those of the green-breasted division are certainly more like those of the first-mentioned group than their own parents. The young of Pitta maxima gives us an interesting illustra- tion of this fact, having buff on the breast. The ornamental shoulder-patch and rump-band are generally either absent or very dull in the first plumage ; but some species seem to be gradually abandoning such ornamentation (such as P. maxima and perhaps P. nove-guinee), so that the young of the first-mentioned species has a clearer rump-band than the adult; but I have not seen nestlings of P. nove-guinee. The ancestral plumage retained by the nestling sometimes reappears in the fully adult ; for example, I have a perfectly mature specimen of Pitta muellert which has the white throat 490 Mr. John Whitehead on the of the first plumage. I do not attach any value to the amount of white on the primaries in distinguishing species, as it is greatly a question of age. Some species have, when mature, abandoned the white, such as P. forstenit and P. stecrii, though this mark appears on the wings of the latter species in its first plumage, and probably in the young of P. forsteni, with which I am unacquainted. Other species, on the other hand, have increased the amount of white on the primaries. P. muelleri and P. atricapilla when adult have more white than when immature. The young of the section of P. ussheri are somewhat differ- ent from those of other Pittas ; nevertheless many characters are still present. An interesting link in coloration 1s, however, to be found in the young of P. arcuata. This might be easily mistaken for the young of one of the section of P. erythrogastra, which are, generally speaking, insignificant dull brown birds, and somewhat resemble Hydrornis. In Eucichla also, so far as I have been able to make out, the nestlings are dull brown. So we may conclude that, as the young of the Pittidz in nearly every case are dull brownish birds, their ancestors were similar in plumage to Hydrornis and Gigantipitta. The coloration of the adults im the Pittide is generally gorgeous—green, blue, scarlet, and yellow being the general colours of the family. Ornamentation usually takes the form of highly glossy metallic shoulder-patches, uropygial and pectoral bands, and in the Eucichla section, which are not thus adorned, of striped breasts and gaudy heads and tails. Hydrornis has not become very beautiful and has no ornamental plumage. The male of Gigantipitta has gained a clear pale blue back, which is absent in its female. P. cyanoptera and its allies differ much in the amount of their ornamentation, though the general coloration of this group is very similar. Pitta cyanoptera and its geographical allies have much larger shoulder-patches and rump-bands than the other members of the group from Australia and the islands to the east of Java, though at the same time they Species of the Family Pittidee. 491 have less or no black on the chin and on the median patch, This to some extent applies to the green-breasted group, which is closely allied to the buff-breasted section. The green Pittas of the Sondaic Islands and the Philippines have also larger ornamental patches than the members of their group found in New Guinea and Celebes. The Sanghir species, I should imagine, is a somewhat modern immigrant to that island, as the species is very similar to P. atricapilla of the Philippines. Pitta maxima and P. steerii have small rump- bands—the former species having almost abandoned this mode of ornamentation,—but they have more wing-decoration than any other members of their group. The green Pittas of New Guinea are of a very much darker green in general coloration, and have the flanks of deep purple and blue. All the species of these two groups have a median patch of bright scarlet, which is in some cases edged with black, on the abdomen. The group of Pitta ussheri is very different in coloration from the last two groups, and is connected through one member of its section (P. arcuata) with the next or group of P. erythrogastra—all the birds of these two sections having bright scarlet underparts with black or white bases to the feathers. P. venusta is somewhat different, looking like a dull specimen of P. ussheri. The dull blue and green backs of the group of P. erythro- gastra approach somewhat the coloration of Gigantipitta. Thelast group, Hucichla, may be divided into two sections— those inhabiting the mainland of Asia, without a white bar on the wings (E. boschi excepted), and those from the Asiatic Islands of the Archipelago, which have all a white bar on the wings. The insular forms, with one exception, have longer tails. The general coloration of this group is: above brown or red; heads ornamented with yellow or orange superciliaries or with a blue crown; breasts barred— sometimes the bars are massed, as in EH. baudi, HE. boschi, and E. gurney, the pectoral band of EL. cyanura, and median- patch of EF. schwaneri. E. cyanea retains the dull bluish back and is less conspicuously ornamented. The female of 492 Mr. John Whitehead on the E. elliott has a dull green back. Both these species are con- tinental. The sexes differ, the underparts of the females of FE. gurneyi, E. baudi, and EF. boschi bearing but slight resem- blance in colour to their males. In #. baudi the pattern of the markings in the male differs from that of the markings in the female, but the coloration of the back is often similar in both sexes. Any remarks that might be made in attempting to account for the present geographical distribution of Pittas must neces- sarily be purely conjectural. The elevation and submergence of the different islands, together with the consequent migra- tions and remigrations of specics, make any attempt at de- scribing the former ranges of the Pittas as compared with their present distribution impossible. For example, Pitta muelleri is found in Borneo and Sumatra, P. dangkana on the inter- vening island of Banka, and on the nearest large area of land is P. cucullata. If the last-mentioned species were also found in Sumatra, or if the green Pitta of Sumatra were peculiar to it, it would easily be understood. Java has apparently been missed by all migrations except that of Kucichla. That the greater number of species and subgenera (with the exception of those of the P. erythrogastra group) are to be found on the mainland of Asia, and in the great Asiatic island of Borneo, and that the young of nearly all species resemble an Asiatic genus more than they resemble their own parents, are facts which suggest the theory that the Asiatic branch is the most ancient, and has moved least from its original position. According to this supposition the submerged parts of the continent between Southern Asia and Borneo would be a centre from which the lines of mi- gration would radiate, and the focus of the genus. The mainland of Asia and the island of Borneo together possess no less than 19 species of Pittide; by the addition of the great islands of Sumatra and Java and Banka only three species are added, making in all 22. The islands of Sumatra and Java are remarkably poor in isolated species, 2. venusta Species of the Family Pittidee. 493 only being peculiar to Sumatra; though, on account of the resemblance E. boschi bears to the Lucichle of Java and Borneo, I think that it was probably at one time peculiar to that island and has migrated to the Malay Peninsula. Java has one species peculiar to it—£. cyanura, Of the 27 species left, one is African. Of the 26 found throughout the rest of the Archipelago and Australia, twelve belong to the section of P. erythrogastra (some of these being of dubious validity), which is not represented amongst the true Asiatic forms. If the 5 species that inhabit the Philippines (which belong, perhaps, rather to the Asian division of land) be deducted, we find the great Austro-Malayan division reduced to 21, only two more than the division of the Asian mainland and Borneo. After these preliminary remarks I will proceed to review the different genera of the family. Genus I. Hyprornts. Hydrornis is composed of three species, two of which are distinct, and one (H. soror) is of doubtful value. The size is large, the general colouring beneath dull brown, above dull bluish green. A fourth species (Gigantipitta) is closely allied to this genus, especially as regards its female, which is without the black crown on the head and is of a dull brown all over, except the rump and tail, which are light blue. The super- ciliary stripes of the male, the black crown, and the blue back remind us of true Pitta. Range. The members of this group are not widely dispersed, Hydrornis being found in the countries to the north of the Malay Peninsula, whilst Gigantipitia extends over the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. 1. HypRoRNIS NIPALENSIS. Pitta nipalensis, Scl. Cat. B. xiv. p. 414. « Bill dusky, fleshy at the base ; legs ruddy flesh-coloured ; nails iong, whitish ; irides lightish brown ” (Jerdon). 49 4 Mr. John Whitehead on the 2. HypDRoRNIS SOROR. Pitta soror, Scl. op. cit. p. 415. There seems some doubt as to the locality of the single specimen of this species, and as to whether it may not be merely a slightly abnormal specimen of H. nipalensis; but until further examples are received I am unable to express an opinion on it. 3. HypRoRNISs OATESI. Pitta oatesi, Sci. op. cit. p. 416. Genus II. Gieanripirra. GIGANTIPITTA CHRULEA. Pitta cerulea, Scl. op. cit. p. 416. This species forms a connecting-link between the first section (Hydrornis) and the second (true Pitta), and for that reason I have adopted a generic title for it, so as to distinguish it from both sections of the genus. Genus III. Prrra. a. Group of P. cyanoptera. A compact group composed of nine species. The general colours are: chin and throat white or black or of both colours, breast buff or greenish yellow, median patch dark or light crimson only or crimson and black ; head brown and black, with superciliary stripe of yellow, at times with a bluish tinge; shoulder-patch large or small, green; rump-band broad or narrow, of deep glassy blue or light silvery green. P. angolensis is slightly exceptional in its general distribution of markings. The sexes are similar. 1, Pirra cCYANOPTERA. Pitta cyanoptera, Scl. op. cit. p. 420. Tris and bill greyish black ; legs pale yellowish pink. 2. PITTA MEGARHYNCBA. Pitta megarhyncha, Scl. op. cit. p. 421. Similar to P. cyanoptera ; but the crown of the head more dusky brown, the central black stripe almost absent ; back, scapulars, and inner secondaries of a brownish green, very different from the clear glassy green of the upper parts of P. cyanoptera, Bull considerably larger. Species of the Family Pittide. 495 3. Pirra NYMPHA. Pitta nympha, Scl. op. cit. p. 425. Pitta berte, Scl. op. cit. p. 425. The specimen of P. derte in the British Museum answers equally well to Swinhoe’s descriptions of Pitta nympha and P. berte. Dr. Sclater is unable to separate P. nympha from P. oreas, and is doubtful as to the validity of P. berte. There is little doubt in my mind that P. berte is identical with P. nympha, and that the specimen was of accidental occurrence in Borneo. The pale washed-out colours of the underparts of this species, resembling as it does a pale-coloured Pitta cyanoptera, is most interesting, and is probably due to climatic influences. A similar differentiation may be noticed in specimens of P. brachyura, but that species is not far enough advanced in modification to be separated into two. Supposing, however, the paler specimens were by some geographical change to be isolated from the darker ones, they would doubtless soon show as great differences as those now exhibited by P. cyano- ptera and P. nympha., 4, PITTA BRACHYURA. Pitta brachyura, Scl. op. cit. p. 423. The young have the superciliary feathers greyish brown, edged with black ; the upper part of the back greyish green, the lower part dull green; shoulder-patch and rump-band smaller than in the adult and dull blue; the upper part of the breast greyish yellow; the lower belly and crissum pale pink. The green and blue feathers of the back in some specimens are broadly centred with black ; this is probably the second plumage. Specimens from the district of Mount Aboo (North-west India) differ from their more eastern representatives in being greener throughout ; the superciliaries have a distinct greenish tinge ; the breast is of a lighter sandy buff, with a greenish tinge on the sides ; the back of a lighter greenish blue, the ochreous tinge being absent; the shoulder-patch and rump-band are of a lighter silvery green. This species in the more western portion of its range has 4.96 Mr. John Whitehead on the had its coloration influenced by climate (probably by greater rainfall), and shows a decided tendency to increase the bright- ness of the green upper parts, and to lose the yellows of the head and underparts, which have now attained a decided green gloss. On the other hand, specimens from Eastern India are often of a decided yellowish tinge on the upper part of the back. The same causes joined to more perfect isolation have probably brought about the differences between Pitta cyano- ptera and P. nympha. 5. Pivra ANGOLENSIS. The young are: above dull brownish green, throat pinkish white, belly pale scarlet, while the terminations of the wing-coverts are not so large nor so vividly blue as in the adult. The nearest geographical ally of this interesting species is Pitta brachyura, which species P. angolensis most nearly resembles. The scarlet of the underparts is more developed than in any species of this group of Pittas, the chin and throat being also suffused with the same colour; the wing- and rump-adornments are also highly developed, the climate of West Africa having agreed with the descendants of what at some distant period was in all probability an emigrant flock of P. brachyura. 6. Pirra VIGORSI. Pitta vigorsi, Scl. op. cit. p. 426. To the localities of Banda and Timor-laut, the Island of Dammar may beadded. ‘‘ Bill black; iris dark brown ; feet pale yellowish horn-colour” (Wallace). 7. PITTA CONCINNA. Pitta concinna, Scl. op. cit. p. 426. The young are brown on the breast, they have the flanks brownish buff and show a pale pink median patch ; the back is duller brownish green; the shoulder-patch and rump-band are smaller and less bright in colour. ‘* Bill black ; iris dark brown; feet pale yellowish horn-colour”’ (Wallace). Species of the Family Pittidee. 497 8. Pirra IRENA. Pitta irena et P. crassirostris, Scl. op. cit. p. 427. Similar to P. concinna, but differs in having the tail black and tipped with green, whereas in the latter species the whole of the feathers are decidedly greenish; the super- ciliary stripe is uniformly narrow, and of a pale sandy yellow changing into pale blue on the nape. The black is confined to the chin and does not stretch down the throat as in P. concinna. ‘This species also comes near to P. vigorsi, but has a black chin and a lighter buff under-surface. In my opinion P. crassirostris has no claim to specific rank, being only a very slightly removed subspecies. The only differences are its slightly larger dimensions. Mr. Wallace no doubt founded P. crassirostris on a com- parison of it with Pitta vigorsi and P. concinna; while, if he had compared it with Pitta irena, it is doubtful whether he would have distinguished it. 9. Pirra STREPITANS. Pitta strepitans, Scl. op. cit. p. 428. Dr. Sclater rightly regards Pitta simillima as only sub- specifically distinct from Pitta strepitans, the differences between the two races being merely of size. The young in the second plumage have little signs of the black median patch, no feathers being entirely free from scarlet markings; the chin is also less black ; the feathers of the back, as in P. brachyura, are broadly centred with black. In the first plumage the crown of the head is dull brown, the feathers being edged with black; the upper part of the breast of a dull yellowish brown, lighter on the flanks; chin whitish grey, slightly yellow on the throat ; lower belly pale pink, without a black patch; the upper parts dull green. b. Group of P. cucullata. This group is composed of twelve species, the first six of which are closely allied. The next three (Nos. 7, 8,9), forming the New Guinea division, are much darker in general colora- tion. No. 10, the darkest, stands alone. The last two species SER. VI.—VOL. V. 2N 498 Mr. John Whitehead on the (11, 12) are very different from the rest of this section, but still undoubtedly belong to it. The general colouring of this group is green above and beneath, black in No. 10; the median patch is scarlet, or black and scarlet; the metallic ornamentation is as in the group of P. cyanoptera. 1. Pirra cUCULLATA. Pitta cucullata, Scl. op. cit. p. 442. Young: breast brown; head light brown, back dull green ; rump and wing-patches dull blue. 2. Pirra BANGKANA. Pitta cucullata, Sci. 1. c. (part.). Dr. Sclater has united this species with P. cucullata in his synonymy, though an example from Banka Island appears in his list of specimens under P. muellert ; but im my opinion P. bangkana is distinct and intermediate between P. cucullata and P. muelleri. Head rusty black, more brownish on the forehead, general colouring of more yellowish green ; and upper part of median patch slightly blacker than in P. muelleri. Hab. Island of Banka or Bangka. 3. PrirrTa ATRICAPILLA. Pitta atricapilla, Scl. op. cit. p. 438. Young, first plumage. Head rusty brown; cheeks, nape, and sides of head rusty black ; throat at base of bill dusky black ; rest of throat and piles of neck dull white; back, scapulars, and outer secondaries dull brownish green ; breast and flanks brownish buff; median patch pale pink. No shoulder-patch ; a broad rump-band of bright blue. Wings : primaries black, with a large white speculum; secondaries dusky black, broadly edged with green ; six secondary coverts centred with a large white spot, forming a distinct white bar. Bill brown tipped with orange ; legs brown. (Described from Palawan specimens.) This species is easily distinguished from P. muelleri by having the centre of the belly black, the scarlet on the Species of the Family Pittidee. 499 underparts covering less than half the space when com- pared with that species. The metallic colour of the shoulder- patch and rump-band is also deeper and of a silvery blue. Gould, in the ‘ Birds of Asia’ (vol. v. pl. 76), has undoubtedly figured P. muelleri under the impression that he was figuring P. atricapilla. 4. PITTA MUELLERI. Pitta muelleri, Scl. op. cit. p. 439. Similar to P. atricapilla, but centre of abdomen and crissum bright scarlet ; shoulder-patch and broad rump-band very bright shining greenish blue; tail black, sometimes tipped with blue-green. Young. Similar to the young of P. atricapilla, but head less rusty in colour, being, like the chin, decidedly blacker. Perhaps P. muellert should be placed next to P. bangkana on account of the absence of black in the centre of the belly. 5. Pirra SANGHIRANA. Pitta sanghirana, Scl. op. cit. p. 440. The larger black median patch allies this species to P. atricapilla. 6. Pirra FORSTENI. Pitta forsteni, Scl. op. cit. p. 442. Larger than P. atricapilla and P. sanghirana, and having a green tail, uniform black remiges, and the rump-band and shoulder-patch smaller than in the other five species of this sub-group. It would be interesting to know whether in the first plumage the young of this species have any white on the remiges. 7. PITTa NOVH-GUINEZ. Pitta nove-guinee, Sci. op. cit. p. 440. The variations of colour in this species are most interesting. This Pitta is apparently gradually abandoning the ornamental metallic rump-band. Some specimens now before me are already quite free from this mark, and in all it is very dull 2N2 500 Mr. John Whitehead on the and narrow when compared with the band in the section of this genus allied to P. cucullata. This loss of ornamenta- tion is bemg compensated for by a bright metallic band on the breast, directly beneath the black throat. 8. PITTA MAFOORANA. Pitta mafoorana, Scl. op. cit. p. 441. I have never had an opportunity of examining specimens of this species, but from Gould’s figure it seems to be inter- mediate between P. nove-guinee and P. rosenbergi. 9. Pirra ROSENBERGI. Pitta rosenbergi, Scl. op. cit. p. 441. This species differs from P. nove-guinee in having the centre of the belly scarlet, instead of black and scarlet, in the absence of the metallic necklace, and in having purple instead of bluish-green flanks. The rump-band in four specimens now before me is narrow, but clearly defined and of a silvery green. The purple on the flanks of the female is not so bright as in the males, and the median patch in one specimen, probably a young female, is mixed with pale pink feathers. 10. Pitta 1Ris. Pitta iris, Sel. op. cit. p. 444. This interesting Pitta, peculiar to tropical North Australia, is very rare in collections ; unfortunately I have been unable to examine specimens in the first plumage. Whether such specimens would bring this bird more to the yellow-breasted or to the green-breasted group is an open question ; but its nearest ally is apparently P. nove-guinee. 11. Pirra Maxima. Pitta maxima, Scl. op. cit. p. 419. I venture to place this superb bird amongst the green- breasted Pittas, for reasons which I will proceed to point out. The metallic blue rump-band, which in the adult is at the present time réduced to a few feathers, but is, as might be expected, more clearly defined in the first plumage, shows us that this species has been greatly modified. These few bright Species of the Family Pittide. 501 feathers are the remains of what was probably at one time a broad band, which has now almost totally disappeared, and leads me to believe that the back of this species was, at some former period, green, the brighter ornamental feathers of the rump-band having taken longer to become modified than the general colouring. The same abandonment of ornamentation is also taking place in P. nove-guinee, as has been already pointed out. The great physical development of P. maxima is probably owing to an abundant food-supply and to a suitable climate. The young in the first plumage are most interesting, as they show by their whitish throat and yellowish breast a decided resemblance to the members of the buff-breasted group, which was probably their ancestral type. This lovely bird, we are told by Mr. Wallace, inhabits the rocky forests of the mountainous island of Halmaheira, where it hops about with great activity in the dense tangled forests bristling with rocks. Thinking that the white breast of this Pitta might be caused by the bird’s surroundings, I wrote to Mr. Wallace, asking him to kindly let me know the colour of the rocks amongst which it lives. In answer to my question whether they were white, he replies:—-‘ The district where my specimens of Pitta maxima were obtained was all coral-limestone, very rugged, and covered with scanty shrubby vegetation. This limestone is always full of holes and small caverns, so that it would offer patches of almost white or greyish-white rock, with almost black shadows. The black is, I think, the more important, as being protective to the bird, when seen from above by birds of prey, while the white of the breast would also be assimilated to the rock when seen horizontally by carnivorous reptiles (lizards or snakes), for there are no carnivorous mammals. I believe the bird is also found in the volcanic districts of Gilolo, but here also there is rugged rock full of holes and chasms (black) and scanty vegetation.” It is an interesting speculation whether the continued cast-up glare from the white rock may have influenced the change of colour of the breast of this species. 502 Mr. John Whitehead on the 12. Pirta sTEERII. Pitta steerti, Scl. op. cit. p. 442. The young have the breast greyish, the median patch pink, each feather being edged with black ; there is a distinct speculum on the primaries, which is absent in adults. This species, as Count Salvadori has pointed out, is allied to P. maxima. c. Group of P. ussheri. This section is composed of five distinct species, four of which grade into each other, while the fifth, P. arcuata, connects this group with that of P. erythrogastra. P. ar- cuata has the bright post-superciliaries, and, to a less degree, the bright edgings to the wing-coverts of this section,—the green back, chestnut head, and white bases to the scarlet breast-feathers of the next section. The bases of the breast- feathers of the species 2, 3, and 4 are dusky black, which dulls down the vitality of the crimson. In P. coccinea the bases of the head-feathers are partly white, while in P. grana- tina they are decidedly blacker. The sexes are similar. 1. Prvrra veNnustTA. Pitta venusta, Scl. op. cit. p. 429. “ Trides dark brown ; bill black; legs and feet a beautiful shade of pale blue” (H. O. Forbes). The bases of the centre breast-feathers are white like those of P. arcuata, but those of the flanks are dusky black. 2. Pirra USsHERI. Pitta ussheri, Scl. op. cit. p. 430. Irides dark brown; bill black; legs and feet slate-blue (Whitehead). The young bird described and figured by Gould in his ‘ Birds of Asia’ (vol. v. pl. 75) I take to be the young of the next species, P. granatina, as the head shows traces of a pink tinge where the scarlet patch would be in that species. 3. PITTA GRANATINA. Pitta granatina, Scl. op. cit. p. 430. Specimens of this species vary much, the black on the Species of the Family Pittide. 503 breast of some of them being much more glossed with purple, while others have a much brighter shade of purple on the back, so much so that Gould thought they might belong to two species, for one of which he proposed the MS. name of P. adoranda. The soft parts are most likely similar to those of P. ussheri, i. e. legs pale slate-blue, In the young in first plumage the head and upper parts are dusky black, with a pink tinge on the crown; the post- superciliaries dark blue and scarcely visible ; the underparts dusky grey, mixed with pale pmk; the wings and tail dull black, glossed and edged with blue; the bill tipped with orange. 4, PITTA COCCINEA. Pitta coccinea, Scl. op. cit. p. 431. Similar to P. granatina, but the scarlet on the head com- mences closer to the base of the bill, and is of a lighter or more rosy crimson, which difference in colour is brought about by the bases of the feathers being much whiter than in P. granatina. The post-superciliary stripe and wing- coverts are of a deeper blue; while the feathers of the throat are tipped with scarlet. Some specimens are much lighter on the throat than others, and are probably females. The colours of the soft parts are probably lke those of P. grana- tina; the young are also similar to those of that species. 5, Prvpa ARCUATA. Pitta arcuata, Sel. op. cit. p. 431. The young of this species bears a very close resemblance to those of the next group, and P. arcuata may be looked upon as the connecting-link between the two sections. They are brown above, shading into dull bluish green on the rump and tail; under surface dull brown, shading into pale pink on the lower part of the belly; flanks and under tail-coverts without a sign of the blue pectoral band; the post-super- ciliaries are dull green and hardly noticeable. This plumage is almost identical with the nestling plumage in the group 504: Mr. John Whitehead on the of P. erythrogastra, whereas the adult plumage joins this species to the section of P. ussheri. Tris blackish brown; bill dull brown, greyish at the base of lower mandible ; legs slate-grey. d. Group of P. erythrogastra. It is almost impossible to arrange this group satisfactorily, because of the lack of material in the British Museum. Six species (namely, P. ceruleitorques, P. palliceps, P. pro- pinqua, P. finschi, P. lorie, and P. kochi) out of the twelve are not represented in the National collection. It may be said, however, that the group is very compact, all the species having brown or black-and-brown throats, beneath which is a pectoral band of shining greyish blue, sometimes flanked with green, and divided by a black band or otherwise from the bright scarlet breast. The backs are green-and-blue or blue; the heads brown, sometimes striped with blue; the napes brown, chestnut-brown, or bright — scarlet. P. finschi and P. lorie must be very closely allied to P. mackloti, specimens of that species differing very much inter se in the amount of brown onthe nape. In some specimens of P. mackloti the brown of the crown changes into dull chestnut on the nape, in others into bright brick-red. Again, the crown is often striped with blue as in P. celebensis. P. mackloti might probably be split up into a dozen species, all showing slight local variations. All the young of this group im the nestling plumage are similar, of a dull brown with indistinct pale pink median stripes and dull slate-blue rumps and tails. The legs and feet of the whole group are, I believe, greyish blue, like those of P. erythrogastra, and not brown. 1, Pirta ERYTHROGASTRA. Pitta erythrogastra, Scl. op. cit. p. 432. The young in first plumage are dull brown above, with greenish-brown secondaries ; upper tail-coverts and tail dull slate-blue; beneath, feathers dull whitish brown, edged with darker brown, and of a lighter and more buffish brown on the Species of the Family Pittidee. 505 flanks; centre of belly and under tail-coverts pale pink. . Beak tipped with orange. The soft parts of the adults are: iris hazel; bill black ; legs and feet slate-blue. 2. PITTA PROPINQUA. Pitia propinqua, Scl. op. cit. p. 433. Of this form [ have never seen adult examples, but on com- paring the original description with some specimens of the last species, 1 am much inclined to doubt its claim to specific rank. 3. PirTa CHRULEITORQUES. Pitta ceruleitorques, Sci. op. cit. p. 433. 4, PITTA RUFIVENTRIS. Pitta rujiventris, Scl. op. cit. p. 434. “Bill dark horny, feet light bluish lead, iris light olive- brown ” (Wallace). 5. PitTa CYANONOTA. Pitta cyanonota, Scl. op. cit. p. 435. 6. Pirra RUBRINUCHA. Pitta rubrinucha, Sel. op. cit. p. 435. Bill blackish horny, feet light bluish lead, iris light olive- brown. 7. PirTa CELEBENSIS. Pitta celebensis, Scl. op. cit. p. 436. Iris greyish brown, bill black, feet greyish black (Meyer). 8. Prrra PALLICEPS. Pitta palliceps, Scl. op. cit. p. 436. 9. PITTA MACKLOTI. Pitta mackloti, Scl. op. cit. p. 436. The young in first plumage is similar to that of P. ery- throgastra. Specimeus from New Britain have blue lines on the crown of the head (Finsch). 506 Mr. John Whitehead on the 10. Pirra FINscHI. Pitta finschi, Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales, ix. p- 864 (1885). This form is said to be distinguished from. P. mackloti by having the whole back blue instead of dark green; but specimens are met with intermediate between the two, 7. e. with green scapulars. Hab. Astrolabe Mts., New Guinea. 11. Pirra Loriz. Pitta lorie, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 2, ix. p. 579. This Pitta is distinguished by having no red on the nape. Hab. Island Su-a-u, South Cape, New Guinea. 12. Pirra KocHt. Pitta kochi, Scl. op. cit. p. 433. This is a somewhat distinct species of this group, judging by Gould’s figure (vol. v. pl. 71) in the ‘ Birds of Asia.’ Genus IV. Evcicuta. The genus Eucichla is composed of seven distinct species, not all closely allied, but still sufficiently so to unite them under one generic title. The first four species have shorter tails than the last three; the first three species are without white markings on the wing-coverts, while the last four are conspicuously marked with that colour. EH. baudi (sp. 4) 1s therefore the connecting-link between these two subgroups. The sexes are different. 1. EucitcHLa CYANEA. Pitta cyanea, Scl. op. cit. p. 417. Though the tail of this species is considerably broader than that of true Hucichle, there is little doubt that its nearest allies are to be found in that genus, in which Oates has rightly placed it. The feathers of the breast are barred ; the general idea gained by a glance is that they are spotted, but on examining the hidden parts of these feathers they will be seen to be distinctly barred as in true Eucichla. The superciliary stripe is intensified on the nape, as in Eucichla boschi. Species of the Family Pittide. 507 2. HucicHLA ELLIOTI. Eucichla ellioti, Scl. op. cit. p. 448. I have not been able to examine specimens of this rare. Pitta, but venture to place it next to HE. cyanea on account of the absence of white on the greater wing-coverts and secondaries, and because its tail is shorter than in typical Eucichla. 3. HEucICHLA GURNEYI. Eucichla gurneyi, Scl. op. cit. p. 448. The absence of white on the greater wing-coverts and on the secondaries, the pale blue tail, and blue head are sufficient to indicate the relationship of this species to LE. ellioti. 4. HucicHLA BAUDI. Pitta baudi, Sci. op. cit. p. 444. This beautiful Pitta must, I think, find its place between EF. gurneyit and EH. boschi. The blue head (of which the feathers in both species are long and narrow) and its blue tail and tail-coverts show its relation to the first species, while its broadly white-edged greater and secondary wing-coverts and dark blue breast betray its alliance to the latter. In Borneo I was fortunate in shooting a male, which I judge to be in the second plumage; it differs, at any rate, somewhat considerably from specimens from Baram. It has no blue band on the nape, the blue crown near the nape is distinctly marked with crimson; the black on the breast descends further down; the sides of the upper part of the breast are of a coppery reddish purple; the belly is bluish purple; the flanks are slightly barred with orange-red; the lower belly and crissum are pinkish white. The first plumage of the male I have not seen. ‘The iris and bill of this species are black and the legs slate-blue. The unbarred under surface of the female might raise ob- jections to placing this species with Eucichla, but the wings and the sudden change of colour from brown to blue at the tail-coverts are surely true appurtenances to Lucichla. Gould remarks of the figures in Elhot’s Monograph that they “ are represented with a conspicuous white band across 508 On the Species of the Family Pittide. the lower rump, of which there is no trace in the bird itself.” In the four males now before me two have the lower belly and crissum dull pinkish white; as these feathers are long they often (as in other skins of true Eucichle) get crossed over the upper tail-coverts, and in this position they have doubtless been depicted by the artist. 5. Eucicuia Bosc#l. Eucichla boschi, Scl. op. cit. p. 447. The dark blue breast, white throat, and white edgings to the wing-coverts and secondaries ally this species to H. baudi, while its long dark blue tail and golden-orange superciliary stripe assimilate it to the next species. “‘ Trides dark brown ; bill black; legs in front dirty blue, behind pale straw-colour” (H. O. Forbes). The young in first plumage is similar to the adult female, but without any yellow or orange on the superciliary stripe, which is yellowish brown, the feathers slightly edged with black ; the throat is pale whitish brown, the feathers being edged with black on the sides of neck; the white on the wing-coverts is less, and the tail is of a lighter blue ; the bill has been tipped with some lighter colour, probably yellow. Males in not quite full plumage (probably the second moult) differ from the fully adult male slightly; the orange on the head does not commence so near the eye, and the feathers of the flanks are also slightly barred with orange, as in LE. baudi. 6. EucICHLA SCHWANERI. Eucichla schwaneri, Sci. op. cit. p. 446. I did not note the colour of the soft parts in this species, but I should imagine bluish grey would be the colour of the legs and feet—not brown as is given in the B. M. Catalogue. The young of this species I have not seen. 7. EvcicHLA CYANURA. Eucichla cyanura, Scl. op. cit. p. 445. In this species there is less white on the wing-coverts than in E. schwaneri. The bill is black, the iris blackish brown, and the legs dull bluish grey. Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. 509 Some males are of a richer or more orange-yellow on the breast and superciliaries, and of a richer reddish-brown tinge on the back than others. In the first plumage the young male has no yellow on the head ; the feathers of the crown are brown edged with black ; the superciliary stripe is light yellowish brown; the stripe beneath the eye is similar to that of the adult female; the throat and sides of the neck are dull white, the feathers slightly edged with black ; there is no black pectoral band ; the breast is light brown, the feathers being tipped with black, not barred; the wing-coverts are spotted with brown; the back is dusky brown; there is no blue on the rump. XLVI.—WNotes on certain Species of New-Zealand Birds. By W. W. Smiru, Ashburton, N.Z. AurHoucH the New-Zealand avifauna is the most perfectly known division of our zoological province, new facts in the life-history of some of the species are occasionally presented to the ornithologist. Sir Walter Buller’s charming delinea- tions of bird-life in all its peculiar forms in New Zealand, together with Mr. Keulemans’s exquisitely finished and life-like pictures of many species illustrating Buller’s work, have pro- duced an ever-increasing and lasting interest in our remark- able birds. If Mr. Keulemans had studied bird-life in forests and lakes and sea-shores in New Zealand for many years, he could not have depicted the birds in more natural postures, or painted their haunts to greater perfection. In the individual history of most species Buller has left little of interest to be added; in others additional features in their habits will transpire as colonization spreads and the country becomes more settled. Since the second edition of the ‘ Birds of New Zealand’ appeared in 1887, I have been able to gather additional notes on the habits of many species, some of which I now offer; I also add some observations on the causes of the extinction and gradual disappearance of certain native birds. 510 Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. MytoMor1ra MACROCEPHALA, Gray. In the month of January, when the family cares are over for the season, many adults and young leave their inland bush haunts and disperse over the plains, visiting the gardens and the plantations of the settlers. They remain about farm home- steads and are common in the vicinity of towns till the month of August, when they again return to the bush to pair and breed. ‘The migratory habit is due to the presence of more food in the settled districts than in the vicinity of the bush. The ploughing of paddocks and digging of gardens and orchards offer an abundance of food for them in the form of earthworms and beetle larvee—the latter (Odontria sp.) seriously affect paddocks ; and while ploughing is proceeding the birds venture far into the open. GERYGONE FLAVIVENTRIS, Gray. This is another visitant to the smaller plantations and hedgerows in settled districts in winter. The Grey Warbler is oftener heard trilling its pleasant song in the hedgerows than the bird is seen. Its active flitting motions are well adapted to threading its way through the thick hedgerows or the dense undergrowth of the bush. It frequents clumps of close-growing young manuka trees and flax-flats, where it obtains abundance of food. On the 14th of November last I heard an adult singing in the willow-trees growing on the river-bank. I have no record of the Riroriro nesting anywhere on the plains, and its presence in the willows in November, thirty miles from the nearest native bush, is remarkable. There are several large clumps of manuka trees still existing on the plains, and as the young saplings are a favourite site for the Riroriro’s nest, they may occasionally breed in them. Several of its foster children, the Long-tailed Cuckoo (Kudy- namis taitensis), were shot here in February, but they were all adults. Possibly we may yet be able to record the nest- ing of the Riroriro on the plains. RHIPIDURA FLABELLIFERA, Gray. RuIPIDURA FULIGINOSA, Sparrm. Both these Flycatchers visit and remain in settled districts Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. 511 all over the plains in winter. They do not decrease, as they reappear in undiminished numbers annually. The presence in gardens and the airy graceful movements of the “ gentlest representatives of the New-Zealand avifauna” are always objects of delight to both old and young people. Miro AuBirrons, Gray. The tame and inquisitive Wood-Robin is still fairly plentiful at Peel Forest, Mount Somers, and Albury Bush. Like the Anthornis it is slowly increasing, and at present it bids fair to flourish in good numbers in a few years. It, however, never leaves the bush, and is the first bird to greet the visitor on entering it. ScELOGLAUX ALBIFACIES, Gray. During the last five years I have paid occasional visits to the limestone rocks at Albury to obtain specimens of this fine Owl, but without success. The rocks were formerly a favourite haunt of the Sceloglaux, and were for several years my “happy hunting-grounds ” for this and other rare species of native birds. At that time (twelve years ago) the rocks were badly infested with rabbits, and in order to reduce their numbers the owners of the land on which the rocks are situated liberated a large number of ferrets in the district; in a few years the rabbits decreased, and with them the Sceloglauz. Its laughing call is still heard occasionally about the Kakahu rocks, fourteen miles from Albury, and about the rocks in the Opihi Valley, midway between these two districts; it also occurs about rocks in the Clutha Valley, Otago, but is annually becoming one of our rarest species. LaRvUS DOMINICANUS, Licht. At the freezing-works now established in several districts in New Zealand great quantities of offal daily accumulate and are removed from the slaughter-yards into the adjoimmg paddocks to be again removed. The offal is a great attraction to the Sea-Gulls, and large numbers of these birds daily fre- quent the yards and paddocks, subsisting on both the fresh and putrid refuse. Itis teresting to watch the Gulls tearing off and bolting large pieces of fat or intestine, and occasionally 512 Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. disputing each other’s right to the morsels. I have seen num- bers of them sitting about in the vicinity of the works with distended crops, gorged to repletion. Both young and old revel in the feast, and their wild excited cries are heard a long distance from the works. ARDEA EGRETTA, Gm. Last August Mr. A. Craighead, of Black Forest Station, McKenzie Country, wrote to me to say that he had recently seen a specimen of the White Heron near the head-waters of the Waitaki River. This is the only record of its occurrence east of the main range for fifteen years. ANTHORNIS MELANURA, Gray. The history of this delightful songster of the New-Zealand bush is so perfectly given by Buller that nothing need be added to it here. The sudden disappearance of this species from many of its old haunts in the North Island, and the apparently inevitable extinction that similarly threatened it in the South Island, was truly deplored by all naturalists. The causes to which are attributed the gradual or rapid disappearance of certain species of New-Zealand birds have been fully discussed by Buller; these include the probable effects of the introduced honey-bee on the habits of the Meliphagide, the changed environment produced by the perfect or imperfect clearing of open swampy lands and forests, and the introduction of predatory animals. In discussing the various causes and their effects, he contended that the honey-bee theory was “quite insufficient to meet the case,” and stated, “As the result of long observation I have come to the conclusion that, apart from the effects produced by a gradual change in the physical conditions of the country, the chief agent in this rapid destruction of certain species of native birds is the introduced rat.” Refer- ring in 1887 to the disappearance of A. melanura, Buller wrote: ‘‘ Doubtless it is only a question of a few years, and the sweet notes of this native songster will cease to be heard in the grove; and naturalists, when compelled to admit the fact, will be left to speculate and argue as to the causes of its Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. 513 extinction ’?*. After a lapse of six years I now venture to give a more hopeful view of the case by demonstrating that some cause favouring the native meliphagous birds is again on the ascendant, which bids well at present to re-estab- lish A. melanura within the next decade, at least if no counteracting force comes into play. For several years I have frequently visited Alford Forest and Mount Somers bush in Mid-Canterbury, Peel Forest and Albury bush in South Canterbury, and have on the occasion of each visit found this species to be considerably increasing. I lately stayed ten days at Winwood, Mount Somers, and daily found the birds, both adults and young, in good numbers inhabiting the warm wooded valleys of the Gawlor Downs. When at Albury, two months ago, IT again found A. melanura in considerable numbers inhabiting the bush-covered slopes of the Tengawai Gorge. Twice I was on the top of Rocky Peninsula at daybreak listening to the waking melody of the Bell-bird echoing across the gorge from the opposite bush. Both mornings were serene and beautiful, and the mingling of the songs of numerous birds with the soft murmur of the river far below presented one of those enchanting scenes in bird-life daily realized by the ornithologist in New Zealand. Iam informed by Mr. R. Beck, inspector of roads and bridges for Westland, that the Korimako is still plentiful in some of the districts that he visits. The causes which have exter- minated some species of birds and have greatly reduced the numbers of others on the eastern side of the Alps cannot have so materially affected or reduced the numbers of the same species inhabiting the forest-clad region of Westland. The forests on the eastern side of the South Island are of limited extent, and were the first to be worked or cut out by the colonists of the South Island for building-timbers and fuel. The thinning and clearing of the smaller forests of many trees and shrubs bearing melliferous flowers would appreciably affect the honey and insect supply of food of both meli- phagous and insectivorous birds in a short space of time. To see a number of Korimakos in the spring months regaling * Birds of N. Z. ed. 2, vol. i. p. 87. SER. VI.—VOL. V. 20 514 Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. themselves on the sweet flowers of the kowhai, ngaio, papa- uma, tawhiwhi, and manuka trees is one of the naturalist’s charms of the year. But, alas! from several districts, where only a few years ago these sylvan scenes were present, the forest flowers and the sweet song of the Korimako have vanished, and the flocks of the farmer now occupy their sites. While studying the changes in the New-Zealand avifauna it is imperative to first consider the primitive state of the islands. The remote and long separation of New Zealand from any continental area, and the development of the re- markable extinct and existing avifaunas within its limits, would require long and steadily evolving epochs to develop the numerous bygone and the living anomalous species peculiar to the New-Zealand region. Let us take a glimpse at the natural features and climatic conditions of New Zealand twenty-five to forty years ago, and the methods of colonization practised by the settlers, and we shall readily understand how the results were so disastrous to the native birds. The plains of Canterbury were “billowy bays of grass ” inhabited by the native Quail (Coturnix nove-zea- landie). The rich forests then clothing the flats and spurs of the lower ranges existed in their natural freshness, and were replete with many forms of endemic birds. In a few years the whole of the plains had been repeatedly swept by grass- fires, and as a result the Quails vanished rapidly. The fires would occasionally sweep through extensive flax-flats, and destroy the prospects of a good flowering season. The stately and melliferous flowers of the flax yield a rich supply of food to the Korimako and Tui (Prosthemadera nove-zea- landie) and to the Kaka Parrot (Nestor meridionalis) in the early summer months. It is very interesting to watch these birds flying from flower to flower and licking up the nectar with their brush-like tongues. Many of the rich flax-flats, like the smaller forests, have been cleared and now form excellent pasture-land. The colonizing operations have pro- duced a serious effect on the climate, and have been, I believe, the direct cause of the unequal seasons experienced in New Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. 515 Zealand during the last sixteen or eighteen years. As an illustration of seasonal derangement, I may instance the several irruptions of native birds which have occurred within that time. The frugivorous and meliphagous birds were most affected. All the species of Parrakeets (Platycercus) swarmed into the settled districts and consumed the garden fruits in a few weeks. The green currants, gooseberries, cherries, plums, apples, pears, and quinces were alike attacked and ravenously devoured. Ina former paper * on the Parrakeets I wrote as follows :—“ During the last two irruptions they perished in thousands, as every possible method was tried to trap and destroy them ; yet they compensated the settlers to a great extent by consuming the seeds of many noxious weeds, which they attacked when the green fruit in the orchards had been destroyed by them. I often observed them in large flights, consuming the seeds of Chenopodium urbicum, an introduced weed, which grows to the height of 4. ft. and 5 ft. and spreads rapidly. They vigorously attacked the seeds of the various species of Sonchus, or sow-thistles; the dock (Rumea obtusi- folius), which grows in large masses on the bottom of sluggish watercourses ; the Yorkshire fog (Holcus mollis) ; and many other injurious plants.” By the Ist of March they had returned to the native bush, but in sadly reduced numbers. Along with the Parrakeets, many of the honey-eating birds visited the settlers’ gardens and subsisted for weeks on the blossoms of the wattle-trees, blue gums, fuchsias, pentstemons, and many other plants growing in the flower-borders. In the same years several districts in the north and west coast of the South Island were invaded by vast numbers of bush- rats. These animals, which, as Buller and other writers have shown, subsist during the greater part of the year on the fallen mast of forest trees, were compelled, from the same cause, to migrate in search of food. In the autumn, when the forest trees have ceased blooming for the season, the honey-eaters attack the ripening fruits of the early-blooming species, and subsist through the winter on the luscious pulp and juice, combined with insect food. The latter consists of larva and * Transactions of the N.Z. Institute, vol. xxi. p. 212 (1888). 202 516 Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. chrysalises obtained in the decaying limbs of trees and in moss-covered trunks, everywhere abundant in the bush. A comparatively bloomless season of the forest-flora would also materially affect the more strictly insectivorous birds by in- ducing the Lepidoptera to migrate to other districts in search of flowers, and thus cause ascarcity of food the following season. I cannot entertain the theory of favourable breeding-seasons producing more individuals than the food-supply will support. It is unquestionably the reverse cause that produces the irruptions of certain species of birds and insects into Britain from European and Asiatic countries at varying intervals of years. In New Zealand birds of all species thus affected are invariably in an extremely emaciated and starving condition. Several native insectivorous birds are chiefly ground- feeders ; the latter do not suffer so much from lack of insect- food as others do, as they are able to subsist on earthworms and coleopterous larvae common in the layer of humus covering the bottom of the bush. As the irruptions of native birds and the total or gradual disappearance of certain species were unknown to the Maoris before the European colonization of New Zealand, we may safely infer that they are due to certain causes operating with greater effect as colonization proceeded. The older colonists are fully aware that the seasons in the early days of Canterbury settlement were much more genial and equable than they have been of late, the summers were hotter, and the winter rains were much heavier and more periodical with fewer frosts. Whenthe Canterbury plains were thickly clothed in tussock-grass, the latter absorbed and retained the sun’s heat until cooled by showers of rain. In the spring months when the north-west or snow-melting winds blew across the plains, they took up the dry heat from the tussocks and became the ‘‘hot nor’-wester.”” These winds in blowing across the alpine snow-fields frequently became charged with mois- ture, which fell in copious showers along the base of the ranges and on the western portions of the plains. The latter are now almost cleared of native tussock, and as a result the north-west winds blow much cooler, while the north-west Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. 517 showers annually reach farther across the plains. The removal of the heat-absorbing tussock-grass from the plains, and of much of the bush from the base and slopes of the lower ranges on their west, is the main cause of the modification of the climate, with its disastrous effects on both insects and birds. On the cause of the irruptions of native birds I wrote in 1888 as follows: —“ The cold winter of 1883, followed in the spring by severe late frosts, and the continuous cold wet summer of 1883-84, produced a wide-spread failure of the food of many species of birds. In the winter and spring followed the irruption of Parrakeets, extending over the whole of the east coast of the South Island, and on the west coast the ‘ plague’ of rats, which swarmed into some of the towns and villages. The Tui and Korimako left their home in the bush and migrated across the open country to procure food. All were in miserable condition and on the verge of star- WMaAtIONs 2 3Sa 2 The same season the Wood-Pigeon was miserably lean, being compelled to feed on the leaves of the kowhai and other trees, which cannot nourishand fatten like the fleshy nutritious berries of the miro and others. In the same year the habits of the Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) and the Silver-eye (Zosterops cerulescens) were affected in a similar manner and from the same cause. I collected several specimens of the former in a plantation of English trees near Oamaru, all in a wretchedly weak and lean condition. Their presence was a rare occurrence in the district, which is about thirty-five miles from the nearest native bush. The Silver-eye, or ‘ Blight-bird,’ frequented the gardens in the settled districts in unusual numbers, and attacked the ripe fruits, nothing coming amiss to them. All the species affected were in wretched plumage, and their bodies were infested with a species of Acarus”*, These facts illustrate the effects of changes of climate and environment on the economy of the native birds, but they do not explain the cause of the rapid disappearance of certain species. The Quail, the Stitch-bird (Pogonornis cincta), and Notornis mantelli have vanished, according to Buller, in obedience to “some inscrutable law * Op. cit. p. 206. 518 Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. of Nature.” 'The loss of the species affected is due to some general cause, and with the able author of the ‘ Birds of New Zealand’ I implicitly agree that it is attributable to the ravages of rats. There is no doubt that the Norway rat was intro- duced into New Zealand in the early days of colonization, perhaps even in the earlier days of the visits of whalers to the South Seas, and that, there being no indigenous Mustelide or other natural enemies, excepting the native hawks, they multi- plied in our genial climate at an astounding rate. Precisely the same thing is happening at the present time in the districts where the introduced stoats and weasels have been liberated to wage war against the rabbits. They first turn their attention to, and appease their voracious appetites on, the easily captured native birds. A writer in the ‘New-Zealand Journal of Science’ recently stated that a certain district in Southern Westland was now cleared of the interesting native birds by these bloodthirsty little mammals. Alas for the wisdom of the Colonial Legislature in introducing these fell destroyers into the beautiful Islands ! A few instances showing the numbers and distribution of rats in New Zealand may be of interest. About twenty- five years ago, when Peel Forest was first opened for timber- cutting, several of the bushmen afterwards informed me that wherever they pitched their tents or huts their stores were attacked in a few days by rats. Mr. Eugene Lorgerie, an old resident in the forest, once informed me that he had shot a large rat while in the act of running along a high hmb of a totara tree. But the most remarkable fact about the occurrence of rats in remote places in the early days was illustrated during the gold fever onthe westcoast. Amid great hardships the diggers penetrated into unknown regions in that great forest country in search of the precious metal ; no matter where the hardy fellows went, up lonely rivers or wooded mountain spurs, they found themselves invariably preceded by the ubiquitous rat, and the greatest precaution had to be taken to preserve their scanty supplies of food from the attacks of these animals. Rats are common everywhere in the Westland bush at the present time, and are unpleasantly Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. 519 numerous about many homesteads of the settlers on the Canterbury plains, and on all the Downs Country under the main range. There are two unfortunate drawbacks to most species of native birds, namely their exceeding tameness and their easily accessible nests. Before the advent of the Anglo- Saxon and his accompanying evils in New Zealand the native birds had practically no enemies to contend with, and in many districts in the South Island peace and harmony had reigned in their domain for long ages. Hence their tameness. The causes favouring the present increase of the honey- eating birds are not very clear to me. I will mention a few facts which seem to me to have some bearing on the question, although they may be wide of the true cause. What effects the honey-bee can have, if any, on the economy of the honey-eaters, it would be difficult for the advocates of the theory to explain. But there is one fact which must be noted, namely, that the honey-bee has been a comparative failure in some districts for the last five or six years. The failure has been sometimes attributed to the introduced species of humble-bees, which have increased, like many other alien animals, at rates unprecedented in any country in the world. Fromobservations on the habits of humble-bees in New Zealand it has been ascertained by several able observers that with the exception of six or seven plants they do not visit the native flora, and therefore cannot counteract the effects of the honey-bee on the honey-eating birds. Mr. W. H. Hudson has recently suggested in ‘The Field’ the possibility of the birds being stung to death when attacking and eating the bees. Such a result would be very probable if the species now disappearing attacked bees, but many of them are ground-feeders, and are confined to the dense bush where bees never enter: Glaucopis cinerea, Turnagra crassirostris, Creadion carunculatus, Miro albifrons, Apteryx australis, and A. oweni are some of the species referred to. The remarkable Stringops habroptilus, which feeds during the night in the dense bush, is also on the list of doomed species, yet it never eats bees. That the bees rob the honey-eaters of a little nectar during the season no man would doubt. But, 520 Mr. W. W. Smith on New-Zealand Birds. after long and careful consideration of this question, I can positively say that I have never observed the bees in such numbers as to affect the honey-eaters. I have watched them daily for years regaling themselves together on the yellow kowhai blossom, and during all that time I never saw the honey-eaters attack the bees. I have also watched them feeding for hours together on the peach-blossom in spring without the least sign of molestation, nor have I ever observed them feeding on any of the numerous species of Diptera that frequent those blossoms in fine weather. It isacommon feature of many of the New-Zealand plants to find ripe fruit and the next-season’s blossom together on them, and on these and minute larve the honey-eaters subsist. Their habits and structure are specially adapted to their mode of living on honey and fruits, and their presence constitutes a daily charm in the New-Zealand bush.~ The honey-bee theory in its bearing on the disappearance of any of the native birds is, I am convinced, an utter fallacy. I do not know that the bees may not, in some cases, have acted beneficially on the economy of the honey-eaters by fertilizing the fiowers and rendering the trees more fruitful; but this question I leave at present. The nests of the honey-eaters, like those of other species gradually disappearing, have suffered from the attacks of rats ; and from the causes which have diminished the nuin- bers of these animals in certain districts, I am able to show that the honey-eaters and other species are again increasing. About fifteen to twenty years ago, while the thinning-out of the chief timber-trees in the larger forests of Canterbury was proceeding; much of the undergrowth and the half-grown trees were left intact. The clearing away of the larger timber enabled the younger trees to grow more freely, and at the present time they have grown into good-sized fruitful trees, bearing berries annually. Many of the forest-lands have been enclosed and are used as grazing paddocks. In the forests and patches of bush on private estates sheep and cattle are allowed to graze, and during hot dry weather they roam through them feeding on the undergrowth. I have seen considerable areas of the latter cleared in a few years Birds inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 521 by cross-bred sheep, which are not so delicate in their tastes as the merino. It is therefore evident that the clearing- away of the undergrowth of the bush, and the compression of the humus and rotten wood by the animals grazing thereon, deprive the rats of their places of concealment, causing them to leave the bush and to seek food elsewhere. The stimulus given to sheep-farming by the development of the frozen meat trade has made farmers increase their flocks and use every available piece of land for pasturage. As the scrub of the bush growing on sloping spurs becomes cleared by sheep, there is the most reassuring prospect that many of the species now becoming rare will be re-established in a few years, and this apparently is one of the causes favouring the slow increase of the native honey-eaters and other species inhabit- ing the bush in Canterbury. In addition to the visits of Anthornis melanura to the blooming acacia trees in spring, the birds have of late years attacked the ripening apples on the trees in the orchards near the bush, and on that account do not get a very good name from their unkindly owners. At the present time when the attention of naturalists is drawn towards our remarkable birds, and the apparently inevitable fate of many species, any reassuring remarks con- cerning any of them will, no doubt, be welcome. But in the forests of Westland, where rats are numerous and weasels and stoats are increasing, there is at present little hope of saving them from extinction. It is truly a melancholy pros- pect to know that many of the species belonging to the most remarkable avifauna ever evolved in any zoological region are rapidly vanishing from the earth, and that there are no apparent means available to counteract the catastrophe. XLVII.—A List of the Birds inhabiting the Chatham Islands. By... Forsrs, F.R.G:S., M:B.O%U- (Plates XIV., XV.) Tue Chatham Islands, which form a portion of the New- Zealand region, lie in about S. lat. 44° and W. long. 176° 30’, 522 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds some 500 miles east and a very little south of the latitude of Lyttelton, in the province of Canterbury, N.Z. The group consists of about a dozen separate islands, of which Whare- kauri (Chatham Island) is the largest, and Rangiauria (or Pitt’s Island), to its south-east, the next in size. On the east side of Pitt’s Island lies Rangatira (or South-east Island), the third largest of the group, and off its west coast is situated the small islet of Mangare and other rocks and fragments of land. To the north and west of Cape Young, a promontory of Wharekauri, lies the rocky group of the Sisters, or Rangitutahi. Still further to the east of the main island than any of its satellites which I have named, the sea washes round Matahara, or the Forty-fours, rocks so- named from their lying all but on the 44th degree of South latitude *. This little archipelago was discovered by H.M.S. ‘Chatham,’ the companion of H.M.S. ‘ Discovery,’ the vessels which formed the expedition of Captain Vancouver in the Pacific Ocean from 1790 to 1795. The two vessels were parted from each other during a storm, after their departure from New Zealand, and did not sight each other again till their port of rendezvous in Tahiti was reached. Each had then to report a discovery, the ‘Chatham’ having found the island of Wharekauri, on which her commander, Lieut. Broughton, landed and conferred its name in honour of the Earl of Chat- ham, while the ‘ Discovery’ had narrowly escaped disaster upon a low rocky islet to the south of New Zealand, to which Capt. Vancouver gave the significant name of “The Snares,” from its dangerous position in the fairway of vessels rounding the southern end of New Zealand. Both islands have proved of much ornithological interest. Sir Walter Buller, in the second edition of his ‘ History of the Birds of New Zealand,’ has in most instances mentioned the species found in the Chatham Jslands. Since the * [On these Islands generally, see “ An Account of the Chatham Islands,” by Dr. E. Dietfenbach (Journ. R. Geogr. Soc. xi. p. 195 (1841) ; and “The Chatham Islands: their relation to a former Southern Con- tinent,” by H. O, Forbes (Suppl. Papers R. Geogr. Soc, vol. iti. p. 607 (1895).—Eb. | inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 523 publication of that work, however, a good deal of additional information has been obtained through the collections made there at the expense of the Hon. Walter Rothschild, and through the exertions of my excellent correspondent Mr. Hawkins, after the visit I was fortunate enough to be able to pay to the islands in January 1892. On that occasion my time was chiefly devoted to the investigation of the extinct avifauna, and I could give but a very small portion of it to the study of the species now living there. I was happily, how- ever, able to persuade Mr. Hawkins, who was my guide and assistant on that occasion, to undertake the task of collecting and observing the species inhabiting the different islands. To his exertions therefore I am indebted for much of the material on which the present communication is founded. I had specially drawn his attention to the interest attaching to the two known species of Cabalus (C. dieffenbachi and C. modestus), and I am sure that ornithologists will agree with me that our best thanks are due to him for the thorough way in which his search has been conducted, and which has resulted in the re-discovery of the long-lost Cabalus modestus. His investigations have, however, I fear, made it certain that C. dieffenbachi, of which the last specimen was obtained by Dr. Dieffenbach half a century ago on the main island, has ceased to exist. The same fate, I regret to think, awaits C. modestus, as I learn that cats have been introduced into the isolated islet-home where this bird has survived so long, for the purpose of exterminating the rabbits. These pernicious rodents, having somehow obtained a footing there, are devouring the pasture intended for the flocks, of the wool and flesh of which the struggle of civilization has necessitated that even a so distant, small, and inaccessible sea-girt rock shall contribute its quota. Since the colonization of the Chatham Islands, both by Maoris and Europeans, about fifty years ago, the birds have lamentably decreased in number. Dr. Dieffenbach, the Naturalist to the New-Zealand Company, who visited the archipelago in 1840, has left it on record * that “ vast flocks * See J. R. G.S. vol. xi. p. 207, 524, Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds of the common Grey Duck, Snipes, Plovers, Curlews, and Red-bills inhabit the lakes and sea-shores, and a Sand-Lark, which builds its nest on the ground, abounds in the bushes of Phormium [the New-Zealand flax] and fern. In summer the ducks’ eggs furnish the natives with a favourite article of food. The forest is enlivened by numerous Tuis, or Mocking-birds.” Some of these birds have become scarce, for the introduction of cats, dogs, and especially pigs, and the constant persecution of every sort of bird—indeed, of every living thing—by the natives, have produced, and are still pro- ducing, the inevitable result—the slow but certain extermi- nation of all the original land-birds. I now proceed to enumerate the birds of the Chatham Islands, giving references to the last edition of the ‘ Birds of New Zealand.’ 1. Mrro TRAVERsI. Miro traversi, Buller, Birds of N. Z. 2nd ed. i. p. 38. Found on Mangare islet. I have received specimens marked also “ Little Mangare.” 2. My1loMoIRA MACROCEPHALA. Myiomoira macrocephaila, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 42. This bird occurs also in South Island of New Zealand and on the Auckland Islands. 3. GERYGONE ALBOFRONTATA. Gerygone albofrontata, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 49. 4, SPHENGACUS RUFESCENS. Spheneacus rufescens, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 62. This bird has, I fear, now become extinct on the group. 5, ANTHUS NOVE-ZEALANDIA. Anthus nove-zealandie, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 63. Still abundant on most of the islavds. 6. RHIPIDURA FLABELLIFERA. Rhipidura flabellifera, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 69. 7. RHIPIDURA FULIGINOSA. Rhipidura fuliginosa, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 72. OU rw) on tnhabiting the Chatham Islands. 8. ZOSTEROPS CHRULESCENS. Zosterops cerulescens, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 77. These birds at certain seasons frequent the shores of Hanson’s Bay in myriads, feeding on the little sand-hoppers (crustacea of the Amphipodous group). 9. PROSTHEMADERA NOVE-ZEALANDIZ. Prosthemadera nove-zealandie, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 94. 10. ANTHORNIS MELANURA. Anthornis melanura, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 85. This bird is found on Wharekauri, Rangiauria (Pitt’s Island), and on the small islet of Mangare, where it lives in association with A. melanocephala. Several skins of young birds received from Mangare, which for the present I attribute to this species, are much larger and of a darker green on the underside than the specimens of young and females of A. melanura from New Zealand in the British Museum. They may represent a new species; if so, they belong to the group A. melanura; for they possess the pale breast-plumes under the angle of the wing which are so characteristic of the young and old of both sexes of that species, and which are absent in the type of A. melanocephala in the National Collection, the only specimen of this species I have been able to examine. 11. ANTHORNIS MELANOCEPHALA. Anthornis melanocephala, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 92. My specimens were obtained on Little Mangare, which is, according to Mr. Hawkins, “now terribly difficult to reach, as the cliffs have fallen down.” Dr. Dieffenbach noted in 1840 that ‘‘ the Mako-mako, the finest songster in New Zealand, is also found here, and is larger than it is there, which raises the suspicion of its being another species of the Honey-eater” (J. R. G.S. xi. p. 207). The museum of the Hon. W. Rothschild at Tring contains, I understand, a large series of this species. 12. EupyNAMIS TAITENSIS. Eudynamis taitensis, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 127. 526 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds 13. CHRyYsOcocCYX LUCIDUS. Chrysococcyx lucidus, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 182. The Shining Cuckoo which visits the Chatham Islands is of the same species as the Australian, which is found in New Zealand also. The belief some time prevalent, therefore, that one species migrated to New Zealand, and that a different species passed to the Chatham Islands, but did not rest in New Zealand, is quite a mistake. 14, CyYANORHAMPHUS NOV#-ZEALANDIA. Platycercus nove-zealandia, Buller, op. cit. i. p. 137. This bird was, in Dieffenbach’s time, 1840, very much more abundant than it is now. It is found on Wharekauri and on Rangiauria, but not on Mangare, where Cyanorham- phus forbesi only occurs. Dr. Dieffenbach, in the account of his visit to the Chatham Islands (J. R. G. S. vol. xi. p. 207), observes that “a little green Parroquet flocks in hundreds to the potato-fields, and proves a great nuisance to the farmer by picking up the seed as soon as it is sown. This bird is generally a little larger than the New-Zealand Parroquet, and is perhaps a different species.” 15. CyANORHAMPHUS FORBESI. Platycercus auriceps, Travers, Tr. N.Z. Inst. v. p. 216; Buller, op. cit. i. p. 142. Cyanorhamphus forbesi, Rothsch. P. Z. S. 1893, p. 529. At the meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Club on the 17th of May last I exhibited a skin of this bird which I had obtained from my correspondent, Mr. W. Hawkins, in the Chatham Islands, and observed that it seemed to me to differ from Cyanorhamphus auriceps of New Zealand in several points, but that my limited material did not enable me to come to a decision upon the subject. The Hon. Walter Roth- schild, in whose collection there is an unrivalled series from the same locality, has investigated the question and has arrived at the conclusion that the species from the Chatham Tslands differs from that on the mainland. He has done me the honour to associate my name with the species. It is found on the little islet of Mangare. inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 527 ~ Its eggs are pure white and rotundo-ovoid in shape. The only two eggs which I have seen measure 1:05 x 0°85 and 1:00 x 0°85. 16. Circus GouLpt. Circus gouldi, Buller, op. cit. i. p. 206. This bird is now becoming very rare on the group. I found its remains, associated with those of other extinct birds, far from uncommon, showing that at one time it must have been much more abundant than it is now. 17. CaRPpoPHAGA CHATHAMENSIS. Carpophaga nove-zealandie, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 229. Carpophaga chathamensis, Rothsch. P. Z. 8. 1891, p. 312. Carpophaga chathamica, H. O. Forbes, Nature, vol. xlvi. p- 252 (1892). Carpophaga chathamensis, Salvadori, Cat. B. vol. xxi. p. 252. The native name is “ Kuku,” or “ Kukupa” according to Dr. Dieffenbach. I obtained my first specimen of this bird on the 31st of January, 1892 ; it was shot for me by Mr. Hawkins at a great altitude with his rifle. On its fall I was surprised to observe that it appeared quite distinct from the New-Zealand species—although I could scarcely think it possible that it should have been overlooked by three such good ornitho- logists as Dr. Dieffenbach, Mr. Travers, and Mr. Potts, who must all have eked out their scanty provisions there by feeding on these Pigeons. This was nevertheless the case. I consequently proposed and published, with a short descrip- tion in ‘ Nature’ (oc. cit.), the name of C. chathamica for the species, in which I was, however, anticipated by Mr. Rothschild, whose collectors had obtained it the year before and sent it to Tring. This Pigeon is now becoming scarce, and at present is most abundant on the south coast, where it loves to play in the strong up-current that towers into the air, rebounding from the perpendicular face of the cliffs, when a strong sea-breeze is blowing; and on the north coast, on the estate of Mr. Chudleigh, who does all he can to protect the native birds, by prohibiting their being shot on his property. 528 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds “The old Maoris and Maorioris say,” writes Mr. Hawkins, “that years ago, at a certain time of the year, the Pigeons used to come in thousands: in fact, that you could sit under a tree on one of the little rises in the bush and spear thirty to forty in anafternoon. A singular fact about them was that in their crops and maws there was nothing but kelp, and that they all landed on the high land round Waitangi where the township now is; [that is, on the west coast of the portion of the island to the south of Petre Bay]. They came in the early spring, about August.” However this may be, this Pigeon feeds also on the fruit of the “ Karaka ” (Corynocarpus levigatus), likewise on the berries of a species of Smilax, and on the “Tutu” or “Tut” fruit, which formed the contents of the stomachs of the birds I personally examined. 18. CHARADRIUS BICINCTUS. Charadrius bicinctus, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 3. 19. THINORNIS NOV4:-ZEALANDIZ£. (Plate XIV. figs. 5, 6, egg; Plate XV. fig. 2, young.) Thinornis nove-zealandie, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 11. This bird is found on the Rangitutahi, or the Sisters, a group of rocks to the north-west of Wharekauri, and on Mangare, whence my specimens were obtained. Its breeding- ground is confined to the Chatham Islands; stragglers only have been obtained in New Zealand. The young of this group are very difficult to describe in words so as to convey any idea of their coloration. Mr. Keulemans’s excellent figure, given on Plate XV. fig. 2, explains itself. The eggs of this species are in shape pyriform. Their dimensions are:—1‘42x1:02, 1°47x101, 1:40x 1°01, 1:40x1:0. Their ground-colour is olive-buff, marked pretty evenly all over, but more abundant at the larger end, with fine spots and fine linear streaks and markings of clove- brown, often becoming almost black. The Thinornis lays three eggs. inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 529 20, GaLLINAGO PUSILLA. (Plate XIV. figs. 1, 2, egg; Plate XV. fig. 1, young.) Gallinago pusilla, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 33. The eggs of this Snipe are now described and figured for the first time. In shape they are ovoid ; in dimensions : ihe x 46027 67 x 115, 5 xT, 67x bie; | Theperound= colour varies from a dark pinkish to a dark ocbraceous buff, covered with dark seal-brown spots and smudges, more thickly crowded round its widest circumference. Some speci- mens have pale lavender-grey blotches and spots round that region, which are more sparsely distributed over the rest of the egg. The smaller end is nearly free from spots. Through the kindness of the Editor, I am able to give a figure of the young of this species also. My correspondent, Mr. Hawkins, writes me as to the habits of this bird :—‘‘'This Snipe has all the habits of the Rail, feeding at might, and making a twittering noise while so domg. During the day it hides in hollow trees and in bunches of thick undergrowth—in fact, wherever it is dark. When the young are first hatched they feed in the day- time; but in about a week they feed at night. This bird lays three eggs.’’ 21. LimMosa NOV&-ZEALANDI®. Limosa nove-zealandie, Buller, op. cit. ii. p. 40. 22. Larus DOMINICANUS. Larus dominicanus, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 47. 23. Larus scopuLinvs. Larus scopulinus, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 55. The eggs of this species vary in shape from a rotundo- to an ellipso-ovoid; their dimensions are as_ follows :— PAGX LAT, 219'x 1°5, 2°10 x 1-47, 2:19 K 1-57, 210 xe 52, 2°09 x 1°5, 2°19 1°5, 2°0 x 1°6, 2°10 x 1°47, 2°12 1°45. In ground-colour the eggs vary very much from cream-colour through olive-buff to an olive; they are spotted sometimes sparsely all over, sometimes chiefly round the widest cireum- ference, sometimes evenly and thickly all over. The spots are of three shades of colour, from tawny olive to cinnamon, SER. VI.—VOL. V. 2” 530 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds French-grey, and cinereous. In the darker drab eggs the spots are blotchy and dirty brown. One specimen has a ring of pale sea-green near its pointed end. 24, LARUS BULLERI. Larus bulleri, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 58. 25. STERNA FRONTALIS. Sterna frontalis, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 68. The eggs of this species vary in shape from a narrow to a rounded ovoid; their dimensions are 1°9x1°2, 1°85 x 1:2, P8122; 1:8 x 1-2, 187x125, Y77 x l2:. “The sronnae colour varies from olive-buff to rich cream-buff, the spots and blotches varying from seal- to olive-brown, tawny olive, and blue-grey fading to faint pearl. These markings are some- times small and distributed more or less generally over the egg, though always more abundant round its larger circumference. In some specimens they are few and large, while in others there is a long confluent blotch round the larger circumference. 26. STERNA ANTARCTICA. Sterna antarctica, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 70. 27. STERCORARIUS ANTARCTICUS. Stercorarius antarcticus, Buller, op. cit. ii. p. 68. This bird has a very wide distribution :—The Falkland Islands, Kerguelen Land, St. Paul’s’ Rocks, Tristan d@’Acunha, Cape of Good Hope, Madagascar, the Crozets, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, the Chatham Islands, Camp- bell and Macquarie Islands. The eggs of this bird vary from ovate to cylindrical-ovate in shape. Their ground-colour varies from cream-buff to tawny drab, covered with spots and blotches, more abundant at the thick end and round their greater circumference; the spots vary from umber and olive to fecal brown or black, inter- spersed with others of faded lavender. The following are the dimensions of four specimens 3-02 x 2:12, 3:1x2°1, o1x 2:17, 35°0 x21. 28. PorpHyRIo MELANONOTUS. Porphyrio melanonotus, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 79. This Blue Water-hen is still abundant in the larger islands. inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 531 29. PoRPHYRIO CHATHAMENSIS. Porphyrio chathamensis, Sharpe, Cat. B. xxi. p. 202. Dr. Sharpe has kindly supplied me with the following diagnosis of his new species :— “Similis P. bello, sed gutture toto nigro, pileo concolore ; preepectore saturate cyaneco: tibiis nigris, abdomine imo concoloribus.” “'The tints are difficult to describe, but the differences are well seen on comparison with P. bellus.” 30. ORTYGOMETRA TABUENSIS. Ortygometra tabuensis, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 101. These little Rails frequent the grassy swamps and the dense rush-like terahina-scrub. As they almost never take to flight, they are very rarely seen. We hunted with a dog well trained to the capture of these birds in the grass by running them down; but it was only after a many-hours’ hunt that we succeeded in securing a specimen. It was evident from the behaviour of the dog that there was a fair number of birds, but they can move between the stems so fast that they are able to make good their escape in nearly every case of pursuit. In New Zealand I have had these birds brought in dead but unharmed by our domestic cat. Besides the case recorded by Sir W. Buller, I have known this to occur not unfrequently in different parts of the country. My own cat used to devour in secret birds, rabbits, and hares, which she was very expert in catching, while she would bring in and lay down unharmed on the floor these little Rails. 31. ORTYGOMETRA AFFINIS. Ortygometra affinis, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 103. 32. CABALUS DIEFFENBACHI. Cabalus dieffenbachii, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 121. No other than the type-specimen of this species, which is in the British Museum, has ever been met with. ‘‘ A new kind of Rail,’ says Dr. Dieffenbach in his paper read before the Royal Geographical Society, “was formerly very com- mon, but since cats and dogs have been introduced it has 2P2 532 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds become very scarce. The natives call the bird Meriki, and catch it with nooses. I often heard its short shrill voice in the bush, and after much trouble obtained a living specimen ” —which has proved to be the last of its race. The abund- ance of its remains in the Wharekauri sand-hills indicates that it must have once been very numerous. This Crake lived on Wharekauri, but its remains, though not uncommon there, have not yet been found elsewhere. 33. Capatus Moprstus. (Plate XIV. fig. 4, egg.) Cabalus modestus, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 128. Cabalus dieffenbachii (young), H. O. Forbes, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, i. p. xx (1892). Cabaius modestus, H. O. Forbes, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, 1. p. xlvi (1893). This has been so rare a bird that up till November 1892 only two specimens were known—the type, which has totally disappeared for years, and the example I received at that date from my correspondent, Mr. Hawkins. The plumage of this latter bird was so remarkable that, notwithstanding the opinion of Count Salvadori to the contrary, I could not but believe that it was a young bird, and the young of Cadalus dieffenbachi. It was only on the receipt of further speci- mens that I was convinced that this distinguished ornitho- logist was quite right and that they were adult birds. They possess ‘in their adult plumage the exact dress which might have been expected to characterize the young of C. dieffenbachii”’*. ‘The young ones,” writes Mr. Haw- kins, ‘‘ are always the same colour as the old. They nest in holes in the ground, and when the young are hatched they get into fallen hollow trees. ‘They live on insects, principally the sand-hoppers [Crustacea Amphipoda], which travel into the bush here a long way. There is no sand at all on the island {[Mangare] where the birds are.” The egg of this bird, of which only one specimen has as yet been discovered, is nearly white, but its Ralline character is indicated by a faint double spotting of grey andrufous. It measures, axis 1°45, and in diameter 1°1. * R. B. Sharpe, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, i. p. xlvi. inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 533 This species is now confined to the islet of Mangare, where I fear its fate is sealed, owing to the recent introduction of cats into its hitherto foeless home. Bones referable apparently to this species have, however, been found among the sub-fossil remains in Wharekauri. 34, ARDEA EGRETTA. Ardea egretta, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 124. This bird was at one time abundant, I was told, on the islands of this group; but it has become, if not absolutely extinct, extremely rare. Just before my visit (in 1892) a pair had arrived in a very exhausted condition, and fell a prey in a few days to the gun of a native. My corre- spondent, Mr. Hawkins, tells me that two pairs have arrived on Wharekauri (the main island) since my visit. This bird is now rare on New Zealand itself; but as it has a very wide range, it is not easy to discover from what land the few examples that have arrived recently have come. 35. BorauRUS PQCILOPTILUS. Botaurus peciloptilus, Buller, op. cit. u. p. 141. The Maoriori name for this bird is Matuku. 36. PHALACROCORAX NOVH-HOLLANDI€. Phalacrocorax nove-hollandie, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 145. 37. PHALACROCORAX BREVIROSTRIS. Phalacrocoraz brevirostris, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 168. 38. PHALACROCORAX FEATHERSTONI, Graculus africanus, Hutton, Tr. N.Z. Inst. v. p. 224 (1872). Phalacrocorax featherstoni, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 166. The eggs of this species are in colour and shape simi- lar to those of P. rothschildi. In size they vary slightly : 2°25 x 1°35, 2°25 x 1°40, 2°30 x 1°50, 2°40 x 1°50. 39. PHALACROCORAX ONSLOWI, Sp. 0. Phalacrocoraz imperialis, Buller, op. cit. u. p. 153. Phalacrocoraxz cirrhatus, Hutton, Tr. N.Z. Inst. xi. p. 336 (1879). In his ‘ Birds of New Zealand,’ Sir Walter Buller, in both editions, describes and figures the same species of Cormorant from the Chatham Islands—in the first edition under the name 534 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds of P. carunculatus, and in the second under P. imperialis. P. imperialis was first described by Captain King on his return from the Straits of Magellan, where he discovered the species. His account specifies that his bird was a crested Cormorant, with the hind neck and the upper surface of the body deep purple; wings and scapulars greenish black ; remiges and rectrices (of which there were 12) fuscous black ; the underside of the body, the alar bars, and a spot in the middle of the back greyish white ; the beak black and the feet yellow. Now this description agrees, with the exception of the crest, with the specimens more recently brought from the Straits of Magellan, now in the British Museum. Of these, one was brought back by the ‘ Challenger,’ and was figured as P. imperialis by Mr. Sclater in his Report on the ‘Challenger ’ Birds, p. 120, pl. xxv. No one who compares the figures I have referred to can for a moment doubt their distinctness. The figure in the second edition of Sir Walter Buller’s ‘ History’ clearly shows how inefficient cbhromo- lithography is to represent the coloration of certain species of birds. The figures in both editions have been prepared, it appears, from the same specimen, and yet they are scarcely recognizable as of the same bird. The crest in the figure of the first edition is steel-blue with a slight tinge of green, and the neck and back steel-blue, whereas in the chromolitho- graphed plate in the second edition there is no sign of blue, only bright green ; yet the description states that these parts are “steel-blue, with a beautiful gloss.” It will be apparent on comparing Mr. Sclater’s figure of P. wmperialis with the better of Sir Walter Buller’s two figures, that is of P. carun- culatus in the first edition of his book (which is= P. imperialis of the second edition), that the dark feathering in the former commences opposite or just under the eye, and then con- tinues backward to the hind neck, while in the latter it commences at the lower edge of the mandibles, and then retreats toward the hind neck, covering, however, much more of the sides of the neck than in P. imperialis. The naked skin in front of and round the eye in the two species is also totally distinct, being bright orange in the Chatham- imhabiting the Chatham Islands. 535 Island and gamboge-green in the Magellan birds. Sir Walter’s description of P. imperialis also conflicts with itself in several points. In describing the young of this Chatham- Island bird he says “lower back and rump glossed with steel-blue instead of green as in the adult,” and “ there is likewise a blue gloss intermixed with the green on the head and hind neck” ; whereas his words in describing the adult on the same page are: ‘ back, rump, thighs, and upper tail- coverts dark purplish or steel-blue,”’ and “ head, including the crest, cheeks, hind part and sides of neck ... dark purplish or steel-blue with a beautiful gloss.” The mid-line of the gular region in the Chatham-Island bird is plumose, while in the 8.-American form it is not so. The bird from the former locality is also described in the work cited as “having the feathers composing the alar bar largely tipped with white,” while in the latter the bar is formed of a line of white feathers in the wing-coverts. From the fact that in some birds in mature and splendid plumage there occurs either no dorsal spot or no alar bar, and that in others both alar bar and dorsal spot are wanting, I am very strongly of opinion that both these characters are neither sexual nor seasonal, but truly specific. In the young of those species which ultimately have an alar bar, it appears in the young birds, but at what precise age I am unable to say, as a pale line in the grey of the wing, as may be seen in the young of Phalacrocorax imperialis from the Straits of Magellan, in P. albiventris, and in P. rothschildi (a new species which I describe below) in the collection of the British Museum. Sir Walter Buller states that the young birds of P. carunculatus (that is, the New-Zealand bird) in their first year’s plumage have no dorsal spot and no alar bar. Both these characters must, therefore, appear after the first year. In none of the specimens of P. albi- ventris in the British Museum which I have examined (and there are some of them quite mature and in magnificent plumage) is there any dorsal spot. Mr. Sclater has pointed out that in none of the examples of P. verrucosus is there the slightest appearance of either a dorsal spot or an alar 536 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds bar, and I have re-examined these specimens and have found this to be so. I therefore beheve that the alar bar appears after, perhaps, the first year, and that only after several further moultings does the dorsal patch present itself, in- creasing in extent with the greater maturity of the bird. The dorsal patch does not occur in its greater extent in P. rothschildi till after the bird is fully adult and after it has even bred. In two specimens of this species, both in beautiful feathering, with distinct not antrorsal crests (one more marked than the other) and in breeding plumage, which have been sent to me along with the eggs, the dorsal spot is small and not well developed ; in another, obtaimed by Von Hiigel at the Bluff, in the South Island of New Zealand, it is more developed ; while in a fourth (from the Chatham Islands) it is still larger, and is accompanied by two scapular patches of white, very similar to these described by Sir Walter Buller as occurring in P. carunculatus from New Zealand. In two other immature specimens from the Bluff, from the col- lection of Von Hiigel, this spot is wanting. In all these specimens the alar bar is present. Out of four specimens of P. imperialis in the British Museum (three young and one old), all of them have the alar bar and only the mature one the dorsal spot. There can be little doubt but that almost all Cormorants assume a more ornamental plumage during the breeding- season, and the crest is, I believe it will be found, one of those adornments that appear during that season. Mr. Haw- kins writes me in reference to the species now under dis- cussion : ** When they pair off for breeding both the males aud the females get crests, and as soon as the young can leave the nest the parents lose their crests and become plain and quite ugly. The male and female take turn about at hatching. When making their nests they don’t hesitate to rob another nest if the owners are away from home.” The examples of P. imperialis from the Magellan region have no distinct crest either in the specimen in the British Museum or in that figured by Mr. Sclater; but their coronal feathers are slightly elongated and are green, whereas in the inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 537 Chatham-Island form the crest, according to Sir W. Buller’s text (not his plate in the second edition), is of the same colour as the back and neck, ‘‘ dark purplish or steel-blue.”’ The carunculations also are developed apparently during the breeding-season. Buller’s figure of P. imperialis (=P. onslowt) has no carunculations, while Sclater’s from South America shows them. As the type of P. imperialis of King was a Magellan Straits’ specimen, this name must necessarily be retained for the South-American form, so that, if Sir W. Buller is right in separating the New-Zealand from the Chatham-Island birds, under the name of P. carunculatus, the bird from the Chatham Islands requires anew name. I have therefore taken the liberty of associating with it that of the Earl of Onslow, to whom ornithologists are deeply indebted for the measures he instituted, when Governor of New Zealand, for the protection of the singular but fast-vanishing avifauna of those islands, as well as on account of the personal interest he has taken in the Phalacrocoracide of that colony. Mr. F. W. Hutton has proposed to designate the Chatham- Island Crowned Shag as P. cirrhatus of Gmelin; but this is inadmissible, if not on other grounds, for the reason that Gmelin’s type had 14 rectrices, while P. imperialis, carun- culatus, onslowi, colensoi, and rothschildi all have only 12. Phalacrocoraz onslow?t inhabits Rangitutahi, or the Sisters, a few rocky islets to the north of the main island. 40, PHALACROCORAX ROTHSCHIEDI, sp. n. This is a more beautiful species in my estimation than any of the others from the Southern Ocean. At first I was inclined to place it under P. colensvt of Buller, but the de- scription given by him in the 2nd edit., vol. 11. p. 161, of his ‘Birds of New Zealand, differs in so many respects from the bird I have received from the Chatham Islands, that I find myself under the necessity of describing it as a new species under the name of P. rothschildi, in compliment to the Hon. Walter Rothschild, who has taken so much interest in the birds of the Chatham Islands. Adult. The feathers on the crown of the head forming a 538 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds distinct, though not very tall or conspicuous, crest, and on the cheeks and sides of the head, as far back as the posterior end of the rami of the mandible, also elongated, forming a Grebe-like ruff, all rich glossy green. Occiput, head, and lower neck, an interscapular line, back, rump, and thighs very dark purple or deep steel-blue, richly glossed. Shoulders, mantle, and wing-coverts olive-green, the middle wing-coverts white, forming a long and conspicuous alar bar; on the back a squarish patch of white, more or less distinctly divided into two, which appears not to be developed in birds of the first year, but becomes more marked with maturity. I have described above the changes that take place in this species, while speaking of P. onslowi. The gular region has a deeply feathered line of white, commencing in front of the level of the eye; this expands slightly under the throat into a white stripe of dense and elongate feathers, separating the green ruff (above spoken of) as far back as the posterior end of the rami of the mandible, where the white stripe expands (in shorter feathers) on the sides of the fore neck and still more on the front of the lower neck, thus constricting the rich blue on the upperside of the lower neck opposite where it begins to change into the green of the mantle. This approximation of the dark feathers of the head is very cha- racteristic; the whole of the rest of the underside is pure white. Bare skin in front of, round the eye, and around the gape, with the carunculations on the sides of the face, orange- red. Bill dark brown. Legs and feet orange. Wing- feathers black, washed with olive-green. Under surface of quills blackish brown. Tail-feathers 12 in number, dull black, with the shafts white at base. Total length 24°5-27°75 inches, wing from flexure 10°5-11, tail 4°75-5, tarsus 2°42. Under his description of P. colensoi, Sir W. Buller observes that “in the British Museum there are two examples (in moulting condition) obtained by Baron A. von Hiigel at the Bluff, in the provincial district of Southland,’ New Zealand. I have examined these two skins as also a third in the same collection, also obtained from the same locality by Von Hiigel, and there can be no deubt that they inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 539 all belong to the same species as that I am now describing from the Chatham Islands. But there can be as little doubt that they do not agree with Sir Walter Buller’s description. That author says :—“ The adult is similar to P. carunculatus, but conspicuously less ; it is without carunculations ; posterior portion of back slightly marked with a white spot. Crown of the head, shoulders, feathers composing the mantle, wing- coverts, and scapulars bronzy brown, with a green gloss in certain lights ; hind part and sides of neck, lower portion of back, rump, and thighs blue-black with a fine metallic gloss.” He describes also on the same page a young of P. colensot. His species is described from the Auckland Islands, and, on account of Baron von Hiigel’s specimens, from the south of New Zealand also. Sir Walter also examined many of the “ twenty or more specimens” collected in the Auckland Islands by Mr. Burton, of the Colonial Museum, Wellington, N.Z. Eggs.—tThis bird, my correspondent informs me, lays three eggs. In form they vary from ellipso-ovoid to cylindrical ovate. Size: 2°32 x 1-55, 2°37 x 1°52, 2°5 x 1°6, 2°35 x 1-60, 23x15, 2°3x152, 2°37x14, 2°45x152, 2°52x 1-50. The ground-colour is that of all Cormorants’ eggs, milky blue, plastered with patches of cream-coloured chalk. Of the Cormorants, therefore, in the Southern Seas, having a white underside and a steel-blue hind neck and back, there appear to be eight distinct species, which I may characterize shortly, while on the subject, as follows :— 1. Phalacrocoraz onslowi, mihi, from the Chatham Islands, has the dark colour of the head commencing along the lower edge of the ramus of the mandible. Face and carunculations orange-red; a line on the gular region plumose; an alar bar and doubtfully a dorsal spot of white, as it is absent in the specimen, though mature and crested, described and figured by Sir W. Buller. 2. Phalacrocoraz carunculatus (Gm.). New Zealand and S.America. This bird has an alar bar and a dorsal spot of white, a feathered gular pouch, aud a patch of white 540 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds on the outer scapulars. The naked space round the eyes is greyish brown ; the raised orbits of a beautiful blue colour; caruncles orange-yellow. Legs flesh-white at all ages. 3. Phalacrocorax rothschildi, mihi. Chatham Islands and south of New Zealand. This species is at once distin- guished by the approximation of the dark plumage of the head beneath the throat, leaving a comparatively narrow white stripe between them. White alar bar and dorsal spot. Feathers elongated into a crest on the top of the head, and elongate feathers on the sides of the head and under throat. Bare skin about the face orange- red ; plumose line on gular pouch. 4. Phalacrocorax colensoi, Buller. Auckland Islands. This species can be separated from P. rothschildi by the colour of its upper parts being bronzy brown instead of steel- blue. It has an alar bar and a dorsal spot of white, but the adult has no carunculations and no crest according to Sir W. Buller. 5. Phalacrocorax albiventris, Less. Falkland Islands and Straits of Magellan. In this bird the dark plumage of the head commences opposite the gape; it has no plumose line along the centre of the gular pouch and no dorsal spot of white, but the alar bar is present. There is one specimen in the British Museum Collection, inseparable, so far as I can detect, from P. albiventris, which has no alar bar. It may be an individual variety, or turn out to be of a different species, distinguished from P. albiventris by the possession of an alar bar. 6. Phalacrocorax verrucosus, Cab. Kerguelen Land [and perhaps N. Zealand]. This bird has neither alar bar nor dorsal spot of white, and can be distinguished also by the dark plumage of the head commencing at the underside of the jaw on the inner side of the ramus of the mandible, the dark blue, almost black, plumage of the sides of the head being separated by a short wedge of white. The top and sides of the head blue. No plumose line along the centre of gular pouch. inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 541 One of the specimens collected during the Antarctic Expedition, and presented to the British Museum by the Admiralty, bearing the name “ P. carunculatus, New Zealand,” is undoubtedly P. verrucosus. I suspect that there is some error as to the locality, and that not improbably it has become dissociated from the other specimens collected at Kerguelen during that voyage, and presented to the Museum by the Admiralty at the same time. The specimen was probably, therefore, from Kerguelen Land, and not from New Zealand, 7. Phalacrocorax imperialis, King. Straits of Magellan, Chili, Chiloe Island. This species is distinguishable from P. onslowi by the dark plumage of the head arising opposite to, or a little under, the eye, and not intrud- ing on the fore neck. The bare skin about the face gamboge-green. No plumose line on gular pouch. An alar bar and dorsal spot of white present. Figured in the Report of the Birds collected by the ‘ Challenger,’ plate xxv. 8. Phalacrocoraz cirrhatus (Gm.) has 14 rectrices. +41. DiomEDEA EXULANS. Diomedea exulans, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 189. The outlying rocky islets off Pitt’s and Wharekauri Islands —Pyramid Rock, the Sisters, and the Forty-fours of the chief breeding-places of this species. The eggs and young are yearly collected in thousands by the Maoris for food-purposes, are some 7 42. DioMEDEA MELANOPHRYS. Diomedea melanophrys, Buller, op. cit. i. p. 198. 43. PELECANOIDES URINATRIX. Pelecanoides urinatriz, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 207. Eggs.—These vary in form from oval to nearly round and are more or less pointed at one end; ground-colour white. Dimensions: 1:40 x 1:15, 1:40 x 1:10, 1°50 x 1°10, 1°35 x 1°10, LAs 4-15,. 1-30:« I-10, 1°50 x 1-25 1°45 ¥ 1:15, 1°30 x E10: 542 Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds 44, PrLECANOIDES BERARDI. Pelecanoides berardi, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 298. This bird breeds on Pitt’s Island. 45. Prion TURTUR. Prion turtur, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 209. 46. Prion viTTatus. Prion vittatus, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 212. Eggs.—Elongate, ellipsoid, and sometimes wider at one end than the other. Dimensions: 2°2 x 1°39, 1:91 x 1:40, 1:80 x 130, 1:88 x 1:40. Colour yellowish white. +47, CEstRELATA AXILLARIS, CEstrelata azillaris, Salvin, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, i. DP. Xe RTE. 148. OssIFRAGA GIGANTEA. Ossifraga gigantea, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 225. +-49. PUFFINUS GRISEUS. | Puffinus griseus, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 232. The eggs vary in form from ovate to rotundo-ovate and oblongo-ovate. Colour white. Dimensions: 3:1 x 2°15, a2x20, 2°85 x 1:95, 3:0 x 1°95, (S°2 x 2:0, 23x 202 ote o Lx FO. 27 x 82,01 x 9) 302 Kr 9: ,-50. PELAGODROMA MARINA. Pelagodroma marina, Buller, op. cit. i. p. 248. Eggs.— Elliptical in shape. Dimensions: 1'4x 1:0, 1:4.x 1:0. Ground-colour white at one end, covered with fine dots of heliotrope-purple and lavender-grey, with a few of seal-brown interspersed, and at the other end sparsely with vinaceous buff. In some specimens the end is thickly dusted over with the finest vinaceous-rufous dots, while on the rest of the egg they are scarcely recognizable. 51. Garropia NEREIS. (Plate XIV. fig. 3, egg.) Garrodia nereis, Buller, op. cit. 1. p. 247. Figg.—Form short ellipsoid. Dimensions: 1:2 x 1:0. Ground-colour white, on which are a ring of drab-reddish and fine hair-like streaks round one end. inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 543 This bird is found both in New Zealand and on the Snares. 52. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA. Anas superciliosa, Buller, op. cit. i. p. 251. 53. RHyYNCHASPIS VARIEGATA. Rhynchaspis variegata, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 269. 54. Eupypres pACHYRHYNCHUS. Eudyptes pachyrhynchus, Buller, op. cit. 11. p. 287. 55. EupypruLa MINOR. Eudyptula minor, Buller, op. cit. ii. p. 300. The eggs of this bird are rotundo-ovate and of a white colour. Jn size they are as follows :—2°3 x 1:7, 2:2 x1°7, mex ley, 235x175, 2:15. x 1:65, 2°15 X 1°70, 2:25. x17: It will be seen from this list that the birds still existing in the Chatham group are 55 in number, besides two introduced European species (Alauda arvensis and Passer domesticus). Since the publication of the second edition of Sir Walter Buller’s ‘ History’ in 1889, six new species have been dis- covered there, namely, Cyanorhamphus forbesi, Carpophaga chathamensis, Porphyrio chathamensis, Phalacrocorax roth- schildi, P. onslowi, and Cistrelata axillaris. There occur on the Chatham Islands 13 species which, so far as is known, are endemic. Since Dr. Sharpe has relegated the Ocydromus sylvestris, Scl., of Lord Howe’s Island, to the genus Cabalus, the Chatham Islands have been deprived of their sole supposed endemic genus among their living forms. My investigations among the remains of their former, but now extinct, bird-life have brought to light the fact that many other species, some of them well-known New-Zealand birds, were once abundant in these islands. It may be in- teresting to enumerate the extinct species so far identified. List of Extinct Species. [1.] Patszocorax MorioruM, Forbes. Paleocorax moriorum, H. O. Forbes, ‘ Nature,’ vol. xlvi. p22. Bull, Bi OFC... p. xxi. 544, Mr. H. O. Forbes on the Birds This aberrant Raven seems to have also occurred in New Zealand, associated with a smaller species on the North Island, for which I propose the name of P. antipodum. [2.] Nestor noraBiLtis, Gould. Portions of the skeleton sufficient to identify the occur- rence of this species have been found. [3.] Nestor MERIDIONALIS, Gm. The same remark applies here. Mr. A. Shand, a gentleman who was born in Wharekauri, and a good observer, and Tapu, an aged Moriori, informed me that the Kakapo, Stringops habroptilus, occupied, in the early days of the Settlement, various parts of Wharekauri in considerable numbers, and both remember their burrows, though the former cannot recall having himself seen the birds. I did not, however, succeed in finding any of their remains, nor has my correspondent, Mr. Hawkins, been more successful. [4.] SceLocGLavux AaLBoracizs (Gm.). Portions of the skeleton of several specimens. [5.] Harpa Nov&-ZEALANDIZ (Gm.). [6.] Harea Ferox, Peale. [7.] CoLumBa, sp. I have not yet been able to assign the crania of a Pigeon that I have received to any known species. [8.] CaBaLus DIEFFENBACHI (Gray). The remains of this bird are sufficiently abundant to show that it must have been once quite common. [9.] CaBaLts Moprstvs, Hutton. I have obtained sub-fossil remains from Wharekauri. This is the species I have designated as Ocydromus pygmeus in ‘Nature,’ vol. xlvi. p. 252. [10.] PatzoLimnas (gen. nov.) NEwront, Milne-Edwards. This is the bird I have elsewhere [‘ Nature,’ xlvi. p. 252] referred to under the name of Fulica newtoni. The limb- bones and pelves correspond so closely to those of F. newtoni, from Mauritius, that 1 have not been able to separate them. inhabiting the Chatham Islands. 545 The head of the type is, however, unknown. Among the bones from the Chatham Islands, collected by myself, were several heads which I was unable to allocate to any known genus. Of these I have recently received additional speci- mens, and I have been able to decide that they belong to the bird the limb-bones and pelves of which I had identified as belonging to Fulica newtoni. They indicate a form of Rail so aberrant that they must be removed from the genus Fulica. The most remarkable points in the structure of the skull are its extraordinarily curved form, the deeply marked glandular impressions over the eyes, and the great pneumaticity of the frontal bones. Remains of a species, if not the same a very closely related one, have been discovered by Mr. A. Hamilton in New Zealand in the cave in Otago, whence he obtained some remarkably complete skeletons of ) Bull..B..O. €51. p. 1. This bird must have been abundant at one time in Whare- kauri, to which island it was apparently confined. [12.] Ocypromus ?austTRaLis, Sparrm. Oue or two bones which occur in the collection apparently belong to this species. [13.] GALLINAGO CHATHAMICA, Sp. n. A very much larger species than G. pe The bill is 3 inches in length. [14.] Hamartorus unicotor, Wagl. [15.] CHenopis suMNERENSIS, Forbes. This is the same species as I discovered in the Sumner Cave in New Zealand (cf. Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiv. p. 188). It must have been enormously common on Wharekauri. [16.] AwNas sp. inc. (17.] FunicuLa Nov#-zEaLanpia (Gm.). SER. VI.— VOL. V. 2a 546 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. PuaTE XIV. Figs. 1, 2. Ege of Gallinago pusilla, p. 529. 3. Ege of Garrodia nereis, p. 542. 4. Ege of Cabalus modestus, p. 582. 5, 6. Egg of Thinornis nove-zealandia, p. 528. PuaTE XV. Fig 1. Young of Gallinago pusilla, p. 529. 2. Young of Thinornis nove-zealandia, p. 628. XLVIII.—Bornean Notes. By R. Bowpier Suarre, LL.D., F.LSt, Se. Tur following notes embody my observations on several collections from Sarawak and Northern Borneo, submitted to me by Mr. Charles Hose, Mr. A. H. Everett, and Mr. Edward Bartlett, the Curator of the Sarawak Museum. I have divided these notes into the following headings :— I. First List of Birds from Mt. Kalulong, in Sarawak : p- 546. II. A List of the Birds collected by Mr. A. H. Everett on Mt. Penrisen and Mt. Poeh, in Sarawak: p. 550. III. Description of a new Spilornis from Borneo: p. 552. IV. A Note on the Baza of Borneo: p. 553. V. Notes on Mr. A. H. Everett’s Collections of Birds from Northern Borneo and Sarawak: p. 559. VI. Additions to the Avifauna of Mount Kina Balu: p. 560. VII. Description of the Nest and Eggs of Staphidia everett: : p. 563. I. First List of Birds from Mt. Kalulong, in Sarawak. A small collection of birds from Mt. Kalulong has recently been made for Mr. Charles Hose by his hunters. The present paper can be regarded only as a preliminary list of the avifauna of the mountain, as no altitudes have been marked by the native hunters, and it is evident that they have not as yet collected at any great height. It will be seen that some of the peculiar Kina Balu forms occur on Kalulong also. Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 547 The following is a complete list of the species in the collection. The nomenclature used is that of Mr. Everett (Journ. Straits Branch R. Asiatic Soc. 1889, p. 91), unless the contrary is stated. Trichixus pyrrhopygus. Hydrocichla ruficapilla. Pomatorhinus borneensis. Stachyris poliocephala. leucotis. maculata. Cyanoderma bicolor. Malacopterum cinereum. magnum. affine. Alcippe cinerea. Staphidia everetti. Macronus ptilosus. Turdinus canicapillus. atrigularis. kalulongze, sp. nov. tephrops, sp. nov. Drymocataphus capistratoides. Ptilopyga leucogrammica. Anuropsis malaccensis. Turdinulus exsul. Tole olivacea. Hemixus malaccensis. connectens. Criniger diardi. gutturalis. —— ruficrissus. finschi. Tricophoropsis typus. Pycnonotus simplex. salyadorii. Rubigula weberi. paroticalis. /Xgithina viridissima. Chloropsis zosterops. Irena criniger. . Oriolus xanthonotus. Dissemurus platurus. Lalage culminata. Xanthopygia cyanomelena. Hypothymis occipitalis. Rhipidura perlata. Terpsiphone affinis. Philentoma velatum. pyrrhopterum. Rhinomyias ruficrissa. Siphia everetti, Sharpe *. beccariana. —— nigrigularis, Everett t. Ethopyga temmincki. Anthothreptes phoenicotis. Ayrachnothera julie. modesta. longirostris. Arachnoraphis robusta. Prionochilus xanthopygius. Platylophus coronatus. Pitta arcuata, Eucichla schwaneri. Calyptomena hosii. Buceros rhinoceros. Rhytidoceros undulatus. Anorrhinus galeritus. Berenicornis comatus. Nyctiornis amicta. Harpactes duvauceli. —— kasumba. erythrocephalus. Megalzema chrysopsis. mystacophanes. Mesobucco duvauceli. eximius, Sharpe f. Caloramphus fuliginosus. Rhinortha chlorophea. * This, 1890, p. 366. t Ibis, 1892, pp. 324, 441. + Ibis, 1891, p. 45. 2Q2 548 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. Urococeyx erythrognathus. Miglyptes grammithorax. Glaucidium borneense, sp. nov. —-— tukki. Calyptomena viridis. Micropternus badiosus. Euryleemus ochromelas. Ceyx euerythra, Sharpe *. Cymborhynchus macrorhyn- Halcyon concreta. chus. Carcineutes melanops. Corydon sumatranus. Zanclostomus javanicus. Xylolepes validus. Carpococcyx radiatus. Hemicercus sordidus. Palzornis longicauda. Lepocestes porphyromelas. Loriculus galgulus. Chrysophlegma malaccense. Treron vernans. humii. Ptilopus jambu. Gauropicoides rafflesii. Lobiophasis bulweri. The following notes relate to some of these species. HypDROCICHLA RUFICAPILLA (T.): Everett, t.c. p. 101. Mr. Hume has shown the distinctions between the sexes of this species (Str. Feath. vi. p. 361), and the observations of Count Salvadori as to the invalidity of my species, H. rufidorsalis (Sharpe, Ibis 1879, p. 255), are fully borne out by the series of specimens now in the Museum. Mr. Hose’s collection from Kalulong contains a fine adult male with the black back, and a young bird, said to be a male. This young bird has the markings of the adult, but the rufous colour of the head and back is much obscured and more dingy, the black of the back overwashed with rufous. TURDINUS KALULONG. Similis 7. magnirostri, sed pileo infuscato, gutture imo et preepectore toto cinereis minime striolatis, distinguen- dus. Long. tot. 6 poll., culm. 0°65, ale 3°3, caudee 2°8 tarsi 0°8. Two specimens are in Mr. Hose’s collection and I have compared them with a large series of 7. magnirostris from the Hume collection. They are easily distinguished by their dusky grey head, which contrasts with the brown back, whereas in 7. magnirostris the crown is brown like the back. There is a little blackish patch on the chin, which causes the pure white of the throat to stand out in bold relief against I * Cat. B. xvii. p. 179. Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 549 the grey of the lower throat and fore neck, these parts, moreover, not showing any of the dusky streaks which are a constant feature in T. magnirostris. TURDINUS TEPHROPS. Similis 7. sepiario, sed pileo saturate griseo, haud dorso con- colore, hypochondriis et subcaudalibus lete cervinis, et gutture imo et prepectore cinereo striatis distinguendus. Long. tot. 5:2, culm. 0°8, ale 3°0, caude 1°55, tarsi 11. This species is like 7. sepiarius on the upper surface, but has a dark head contrasting with the back, and is easily distinguished by its having buff flanks and under tail-coverts, as well as by the grey streaks on the throat. On the other hand, the tawny colour on the underparts allies the Kalulong bird to 7’. abbotti, but it is distinguished from the latter by its dusky cap and by the grey streaks on the fore neck. CatypTomena Host, Sharpe. The young male differs from the adult only in having the blue on the breast less bright and less extended. The black markings on the upper surface are also present, whereas in the females they are absent on the nape and hind neck ; at least this is the case with the birds now sent from Kalulong. GLAUCIDIUM BORNEENSE. G. simile G. brodiei et G. sylvatico, sed ab ambobus fascia cervicali alba distinguendum. Long. tot. 6:0 poll., culm. 0°55, alee 3°65, caude 1°9, tarsi 0°8. Mr. Hose has sent in his collection an adult of this species from Mt. Kalulong, and Mr. Everett has forwarded a young male from the Kinokok Valley on Mount Kina Balu. I have compared these two specimens with the fine series of G. brodiei which we have in the British Museum from the Hume collection, and I cannot match them with any of our large series. We have no specimen which combines a grey head, a white neck-collar, and a dark back of rufous brown. Nearly every one of the adults from Tenasserim and from the Eastern Himalayas has a greyish back, not unlike the head in tint, and the back is ochreous. Of course I am not alluding to the spots and bars which occur in all adult birds, 550 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. but to the general tone of the coloration. I may remark that Glaucidium pardalotum of Swinhoe, from Formosa, is certainly not to be distinguished from true G. brodiei, now that we have a better series with which to compare it, instead of the meagre one which was at my disposal when I wrote the second volume of the ‘ Catalogue of Birds.’ Of course it is just possible that the Bornean species may turn out to be identical withthe Sumatran G. sy/vaticum (Bp.), but this also seems to have an ochreous neck-collar (¢f. Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 215). Il. A List of the Birds collected by Mr. A. H. Everett on Mt. Penrisen and Mt. Poeh, in Sarawak. Mr. Everett has also explored Mount Penrisen and the ad- jacent hills, and his collectors have obtained some examples of interesting species, a list of which will be of use. Myiophoneus borneensis, Penrisen Mt., June. Hydrocichla ruficapilla. Penrisen Hills; Poeh Mt., 3500 feet. Orthotomus ruficeps. Perisen Mt.; Poeh Mt. eineraceus. Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Burnesia superciliaris. Poeh River; Penrisen Mt. Pomatorhinus borneensis. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4500 feet. Stachyris leucotis. Penrisen Hills; Poeh Mt. borneensis. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Cyanoderma bicolor. Poeh Mt., 4800 feet, Malacopterum cinereum. Penrisen Mt. Alcippe cinerea. Penrisen Mt.; Penrisen Hills; Poeh Mt., 3000 feet. (The specimen from Mt. Poeh is rather greyer on the head than examples from other localities, and has faint grey streaks on the throat.) Herpornis brunnescens. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt. Staphidia everetti. Poeh Mt., 4000-4500 feet. Turdinus canicapillus. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. atrigularis. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Trichostoma rostratum. Penrisen Mt. Eupetes macrocercus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1890, p. 867. Penrisen Mt. Anuropsis malaccensis. Penrisen Hills. Turdinulus exsul. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Tole olivacea. Penrisen Mt. Hemixus malaccensis. Penrisen Mt. connectens. Penrisen Mt. ; Poeh Mt., 4000-4800 feet. Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 551 Cringer diardi. Poeh Mt., 8500-4000 feet. gutturalis, Penrisen Mt. ruficrissus. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4800 feet. ——finschi. Penrisen Mt. Pycnonotus simplex, Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt. salvadortt. Poeh Mt., 3500 feet. Rubigula webert. Penrisen Hills. paroticalis. Penrisen Hills. Chloropsts zosterops. Penrisen Mt. viridinucha. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt. kinabaluensis. Penrisen Mt. Dendrophila corallipes. Penrisen Mt. Pteruthius eralatus. Poeh Mt., 4500 feet. Pityriasis gymnocephala, Poeh Mt. Hyloterpe grisola, Poeh Mt. whiteheadi. Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Hemipus obscurus. Penrisen Mt. picatus. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Buchanga stigmatops. Penrisen Hills; Poeh Mt., 4000-4500 feet. Pericrocotus vanthogaster. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4000-4500 feet. Muscicapula hyperythra. Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Erythromyias muellert. Penrisen Hills; Poeh Mt., 4000-4500 feet. Rhipidura perlata. Penrisen Hills. Terpsiphone affinis. Penrisen Hills. Philentoma velatum. Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. pyrrhopterum. Penrisen Hills; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Rhinomyias pectorahs, Poeh Mt.; Penrisen Mt. gularis. Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. —— ruficrissa, Penrisen Hills. Culicicapa ceylonensis. Penrisen Hills.; Poeh Mt., 3000 feet. Cryptolopha schwaneri. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Siphia beccariana. Penrisen Hills, 900 feet. everett?7, Sharpe, Ibis, 1890, p. 366. Poeh Mt., 4500 feet. (Described from Penrisen.) — mgrigularis, Everett, Ibis, 1891, p. 45. Penrisen Mt. turcosa. Penrisen Hills. An thopyga temminckt. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Cinnyris pectoralis. Poeh Mt, Anthothreptes hypogrammica, Penrisen Mt. simplex. Penrisen Mt. phenicotis. Poeh Mt. Arachnothera modesta. Penrisen Mt. longirostris. Penrisen Mt. Diceum monticola. Penrisen Mt. trigonostigma, Penrisen Mt. q 552 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. Diceum chrysorrheum, Poeh Mt. Prionochilus xanthopygius. Penrisen Mt. Zosterops squamifrons, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 823. Penrisen Mt., 3500 feet. aureiventer. Penrisen Mt.; Poeh Mt. Munia fuscans. Foot of Poeh Mt. Pitta arcuata, Penrisen Hills; Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. baudi. Poeh Mt. Chetura coracina. Poeh Mt. Collocalia linchi. Poeh Mt. Chrysophlegma humii. Poeh Mt., 4000-4500 feet. Gecinus puniceus. Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Harpactes diardi, Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Megalema chrysopsis. Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Mesobucco duvauceli. Penrisen Mt. eximius, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 824. Penrisen Mt. Rhamphococcyx erythrognathus. Poeh Mt. Zanclostomus javanicus. Poeh Mt., 4000 feet. Loriculus galgulus. Penrisen Mt. Rhizothera longirostris. Penrisen Mt. Melanoperdix nigra. Poeh River, Rallina fasciata. Poeh Mt. III. Description of a new Spiloruis from Borneo. Among the birds submitted to me by Mr. Edward Bartlett for identification is a specimen of a Spilornis obtained near Kuching on the 10th of June, 1892. On comparing it, I find that it is a representative of the rufous-chested group of the genus, hitherto known only from Celebes and the Sula Islands, viz. Spilornis rufipectus and S. sulaensis (cf. Cat. B. i. pp. 291, 292). I think, however, that it must be considered to be distinct from both these species. From S. rufipectus it differs in being much more closely banded underneath, S. rufipectus being broadly banded and spotted with white below. The tint of rufous on the chest is about the same as that of S. rufipectus, and is not so pale as that of S. sudaensis, to which, however, the Kuching bird bears a greater general resemblance. It may be diagnosed, as follows :— SPILORNIS RAJA, Sp. NOv. Similis S. su/aens?, sed fasciis albidis pectoralibus et abdomi- Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 553 nalibus et axillarium valde crebrioribus distinguendus. Long. tot. 18°5 poll., alee 12°2, caudz 7:0, tarsi 3°25. Nearly adult. General colour above brown, with a slight purplish gloss, all the feathers margined with pale rufous on the hind neck and mantle, and with whitish on the rest of the upper surface of the body, including the wing-coverts ; bastard-wing and primary-coverts and outer primaries black, tipped with white; rest of primaries blackish brown on inner web,. all tipped with white and banded across with black, these black bands more conspicuous on the secondaries, which have the base of the feathers much broken up with white ; tail-feathers black, tipped with white, crossed by two bands of equal width, a subterminal one of black preceded by a brown band, much broken up with white; crown of head and crest-feathers black, tipped with pale sandy colour, the forehead and eyebrow decidedly whiter; ear-coverts ashy grey, black posteriorly ; cheeks and throat white, with a few dusky streaks on the latter; lower throat, fore neck, and chest dark tawny rufous; remainder of under surface from the breast downwards thickly barred with white arranged in twin spots or bars, the corresponding bands being pale rufous—these bands inclining to dusky brown on many of the flank-feathers, the dusky bars beimg very much narrower on the thighs and under tail-coverts; under wing-coverts and quill-lining white, with an irregular patch of rufescent and dusky bars on the former; the axillaries pale rufous, with large twin spots of white ; quills ashy below, whitish at base, the black bands showing very distinctly. Hab. Kuching, Sarawak. Amongst other interesting birds from the neighbourhood of Kuching sent by Mr. Bartlett are specimens of Lyncornis temmincki, Prionochilus everetti, and Cuculus micropterus. IV. A Note on the Baza of Borneo. Mr. Edward Bartlett has also submitted to me for ex- amination three skins of a Baza from Borneo, which are the first of this genus that I have ever had in my hands from that island. These specimens were all procured in the 554 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. Baram district by my friend Mr. C. Hose, and were added to the Sarawak Museum, which has a fine set of Mr. Hose’s collections. The history of Baza in Borneo is very simple, the first recorded occurrence in the island being a female bird pro- cured by Diard near Pontianak and recorded by Schlegel in his ‘Museum des Pays-Bas’ as Baza reinwardti (Pernes, p- 6). In the ‘ Accipitres ’ of the ‘Oiseaux des Indes Néer- landaises,’ this same specimen is figured (pl. 28. fig. 5) as the young of Baza magnirostris. Salvadori (Ucc. Born. p- 11) united the Bornean species to Baza jerdoni (Blyth), and considered B. sumatrensis, Lafr., to be the same. In my ‘ Catalogue of Birds’ (vol. 1. p. 358) I united Baza jerdoni of Blyth to B. reinwardti, and I figured B. sumatrensis (pl. xi. fig. 1). In 1876 Dr. Briiggemann (Abhandl. nat. Ver. Bremen, v. p. 47) applied the name of B. borneensis to the Bornean bird. In 1875 Mr. Hume (Str. F. ui. p. 313) described very fully some specimeus of Baza, one from Native Sikhim and the other from Southern Tenasserim, and suggested the name Baza incognita for them, though he stated the probability of their being identical with the Baza sumatrensis of my ‘ Catalogue.’ The receipt of the three specimens from the Sarawak Mu- seum goes far to clear up the difficulties connected with the above-mentioned identifications, but the specimens of Baza are so rare in collections that even now the series before me is meagre enough, though it contains the types of Baza incognita and B. magnirostris. One thing is quite evident, viz. that the possession of white tips to the crest-feathers merely indicates immaturity, a further sign of which is the white or pallid margins to the wing-coverts aud the number of dark bars on the tail. In this latter character Baza follows Pernis, and the bands on the tail decrease to three in the adults and are four in number in the young. My characters for B. sumatrensis in the ‘ Catalogue’ are those of a young bird, and the absence of the throat-stripe is also a sign of immaturity. Thus the ‘ Key’ to the genus Baza of the ‘ Catalogue’ requires revision, as follows :— Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 555 e’, Throat white or buff, washed slightly with rufous, and showing a distinct central streak. ec’. Fore neck uniform grey...........+.. magnirostris, p. 556. d'’, Fore neck broadly streaked, with tawny buff or black. a‘, Streaks on fore neck and chest black; bands on flanks deep rufous brown ; entire under surface of body with a deep tawny, NGC osc ace es sees «ans borneensis, p. 557. b*. Streaks on fore-neck and chest pale ; p an 5 Aas CMMAMON TULOUS 0.6 66% sie 0 os es \ gerdon, p. 557. | ceylonensis, p. 556. The confusion concerning the two British-Museum speci- mens of Baza magnirostris may now be considered as dissi- pated, but the circumstances require some explanation. When I wrote the ‘ Catalogue of Birds’ I followed Gray’s published ‘List of Accipitres, 2nd edition, 1848, apparently without going back to the registers—a somewhat rash proceeding, as I have learnt from subsequent experience. All the Accipitres were mounted in 1872, when I began to write the first volume of the ‘Catalogue,’ and one of my first duties was to unmount and place in the skin-collection all specimens of historical value, in which case the information on the stands was transferred to the labels on the skins when unmounted. Thus the two specimens of Baza magnirostris, entered on p. 41 of the ‘ List of Accipitres,’ were transferred to the skin-collection and catalogued (op. cit. p. 856) as an adult male and young female, the former being figured. Soon after I seem to have had some doubts as to the identification of the female, as Colonel Legge states that I informed him that it was probably Baza jerdoni, when he wrote his work on the ‘ Birds of Ceylon.’ Having now to go into the whole matter again, I have examined the original register of Cuming’s collection, and I find that in February 1842 245 specimens were purchased of Mr. Cuming, of which about 70 skins were from Malacca and the bulk from the Philippines. No. 121, the type of Baza magnirostris, is registered “ June, Island of Manilla, South” !! Therefore, although no one has since discovered 556 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. a Baza in Luzon, it is quite possible that this species will be found to be confined to that island. No. 163. Baza lophotes, 8. Malacca. Then follows a note :— Exchanged with Mr. Gurney, of Norwich, 15th Dee. 1853.” No. 164. Baza lophotes, 9. Malacca. The specimen which bears this register still is the example of Baza jerdoni which did duty in Gray’s ‘ List’ and in the ‘Catalogue’ for the young female of B. magnirostris. In this same list one specimen of B. /ophotes from Malacca is recorded, but it is quite evident that there were two, because, besides the one given to Mr. Gurney in exchange, there was another, mounted in the gallery and recorded by me (Cat. B. i. p. 353, sp. d), and this specimen is in the Museum still. It bore, however, no register number, and had no doubt been confused by Mr. G. R. Gray with the female B. jerdoni, or vice versd. The synonymy of the allied species will thus have to be modified as follows :— 1. Baza Magnrrostis (Kaup). Baza magnirostris, Gray, List Accipitr. Brit. Mus. p. 19 (1844: nomen nudum); Strickl. Orn. Syn. p. 127 (1855) ; Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p. 25, no. 2380 (1869) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. 1. p. 356, pl. x. fig. 1. (1874, pt.). Hytiopus magnirostris, Kaup, Isis, 1847, p. 343 (ex Gray: descr. prim.). Aviceda magnirostris, Bp. Consp. 1. p. 20 (1850) ; id. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 535. Pernis crassirostris, Kaup, Isis, 1847, p. 339; id. Contr. Orn. 1850, p. 77. 2. Baza CEYLONENSIS. Baza ceylonensis, Legge, Str. F. iv. p. 247 (1876) ; Whyte, Str. F. v. p. 202 (1877); Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 94, pl. iii. (1879) ; Hume, Str. F. vin. p. 151 (1878: Wynaad). Apparently a form closely allied to Baza maynirostris, with a grey chest in the adult. According to Legge it is known from the Central Province Sub-ranges of Ceylon, and Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 557 a young bird has been procured by Mr. Darling in the Wynaad. 3. Baza JERDONI. Lophastur jerdoni, Blyth, J. A. 8. Beng. xi. p. 464 (1842), xv. p. 4 (1846). Faleo (Lophotes) reinwardti, Mill. & Schl. Verh. nat. Gesch., Aves, p. 35 (1839-44, pt.). Perms jerdoni, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 24 (1845). Aviceda sumatrensis, Lafr. Rey. Zool. 1848, p. 210. Baza sumatrensis, Gray, Gen. B. iii. App. p. 2 (1849) ; Wall. Ibis, 1868, p. 18; Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p. 25, no. 232 (1869) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 357, pl. xi. fig. 1 (1874); Hume, Str. F. i. p. 313 (1876) ; id. & Davison, Str. F. vi. p- 25 (1878). Baza incognita, Hume, Str. F. ui. p. 314 (1875: Native Sikhim, S. Tenasserim). 4. Baza BORNEENSIS. Baza reinwardti, Schl. Mus. Pays-Bas, Pernes, p. 5 (1862, pt.). Baza magnirostris, pt. Schl. Ois. Ind. Néerl., Accipitr. p. 75, pl. 28. fig. 5; id. Mus. Pays-Bas, Accipitres, p. 135 (1873). Baza jerdonu (nec (Blyth), Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 11 (1874). Baza borneensis, Briggem. Abhandl. nat. Ver. Bremen, v. p. 47 (1878, descr. nulla). I have adopted Dr. Briiggemann’s name for this species, though he seems to have suggested it without the least acquaintance with it. As, however, the title has been placed on record, I describe the species under Brigge- mann’s name. I may add my belief that, when a large series of B. borneensis and B. jerdoni are available for comparison, the former bird will not be distinguishable from the latter. The adult bird from Malacca is almost identical with the two adult birds from Borneo, but the latter have browner and less rufous bars on the flanks. I add a description of B. borneensis. 558 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. Adult male. General colour above dark brown, all the feathers being ashy brown, with a broad ending of blackish brown, which is slightly glossed with purple; hinder neck and mantle more rufescent, the feathers having black centres and rather broad rufous margins; wing-coverts like the back, with the same blackish ends to the feathers, the median and greater series pale rufous at the ends, the greater coverts glossed with bronzy brown and with indications of two blackish bars, the second one subterminal, so that the greater coverts resemble the secondaries ; bastard-wing and primary- coverts black; quills brown, with purplish-black bands, four in number, the subterminal one broader with a whity- brown margin; tail earthy brown, with a narrow tip of the same colour and crossed with three black bands, the sub- terminal one very broad; crown of head black, with a long occipital crest of black feathers, with remains of small whitish tips; the base of the forehead and eyebrow rufous brown ; lores and eyelid black ; sides of face and sides of neck dull rufous ; ear-coverts washed with grey ; throat white, as also the chest, the feathers having more or less rufous on their edges and centred with a triangular patch of black, the throat with a mesial line of black; the lower breast and abdomen buffy white, broadly barred with pale rufous, these bars much broader on the flank-feathers and inclining to dark brown, the light bars being correspondingly narrow and in fact almost disappearing on some of the feathers; axillaries like the lower flanks and similarly barred; thighs nearly uniform white, with a few reddish spots; under wing- coverts rufous, with paler edges to the feathers ; quills ashy below, white at the base, with the black bands strongly indicated. Total length 18 inches, culmen 1°05, wing 11°5, tail 7°5, tarsus 1°45. A second specimen, which is a male, is still more rufous about the head, throat, neck, and chest, having the black throat-stripe and the black streaks on the fore neck very strongly developed, while the rufous-brown bars on the flanks are exceedingly strongly marked. Total length 18 inches, culmen 1, wing 12, tail 7:9, tarsus 1°55. Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 559 V. Notes on Mr. A. H. Everett’s Collections of Birds from Northern Borneo and Sarawak. Among the collections recently sent home by my friend Mr. A. H. Everett there are several species deserving of notice, and one or two new to the Avifauna of Borneo. 1. Fatco communis, Gm.: Everett, J. R. A. Soc. Straits Branch, 1889, p. 186. A female from Pappan Island, Labuan, Feb. 1892. This is the true Peregrine Falcon of northern latitudes, and has evidently been shot in its winter-quarters. It is not the dark form of Peregrine which occurs in Java and the other Indo-Malayan islands, which has been identified by Mr. Gurney and others with F. melanogenys of Australia. 2. MicRoH1ERAX LATIFRONS, Sharpe: Everett, t. c. p. 185. An adult bird from the Lower Kinabatangan River, Jan. 5, 1892. 3. Scops MANTANANENSIS, Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. i. p. iv. The two typical specimens of this pretty eared Owlet were procured on the island of Mantananiin December 1891. It is surprising to find an isolated form of Scops in such a southern locality, where its nearest ally is Scops elegans of the Japanese islands. It much resembles the last-named bird, but is more broadly streaked with black below, and is easily recognized by the white tips to the wing-coverts forming a double band. 4, ANTHIPES OLIvACEA (Hume): Oates, B. Ind. ii. p. 84, Two specimens are sent by Mr. Everett, one from Bongon and the other from Marudu River in Northern Borneo. I cannot separate the Bornean specimens from typical examples from Tenasserim. Mr. Oates likewise gives Java and Borneo as a habitat. Javan birds are in the Museum, but do not seem to me to be strictly identical with the Tenasserim birds ; but there is no example of this species from Borneo, and it is not included in Mr. Everett’s list. So far as I know, this is the first record of it for the island. 560 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 5. Picumnus innominatus (Burton): Hargitt, Cat. B. Xvill. p. 549. A female bird from Bongon in North Borneo, Jan. 7, 1893. “Tris orange-brown : orbital skin blackish: bill black: feet and claws bluish grey. Shot on low hills covered with old forests at Timbang Batu, Bongon River.” The occurrence of this species in Perak and Sumatra rendered its capture in Borneo probable, but this is the first instance of a recorded specimen. VI. Additions to the Avifauna of Mount Kina Balu. In Mr. Everett’s last collection are several birds procured by his hunters on Mt. Kina Balu, some of which form interesting additions to Mr. Whitehead’s list, though the small number of species added to the mountain fauna since that gentleman’s celebrated exploration shows with what extraordinary completeness he did his work. 1. Grocicuia EVERETTI, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 2. The specimen now sent from Kina Balu agrees with the type-specimen from Mt. Dulit. The throat is not so pure white as in the Dulit example. The under tail-coverts are perfect in Mr. Everett’s skin: they are orange-buff, only a little lighter than the flanks, the lateral ones externally light brown, producing a broad border to some of the skins. 2, Eritruacus cYANE (Pall.): Everett, J. R. A. Soc. Straits Branch, p. 98. 3. BuRNESIA SUPERCILIARIS (Salvad.) : Everett, t. c. p. 102. 4, Micropus MELANoLEvcus (Eyton): Everett, t.c. p. 112. 5. Orzrotus Macutatus, V.: Everett, t. c. p. 118. Mr. Everett has sent a young bird from Melangkok, Kina Balu. It seems to me to be referable to this species, which has been already included in the Bornean list by Mr. Everett on the strength of some specimens from South Borneo in the Leyden Museum. Some doubts had been felt as to the cor- rectness of the latter locality for the species, but it is probably quite correct. 6. Lanius tucionensis, L.: Everett, t.c. p. 121. Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe—Bornean Notes. 561 7. GERYGONE SALVADORIL. Gerygone salvadorii, Biittik. Notes Leyden Mus. xv. p. 175. A female from Kinokok, Kina Balu, Nov. 1892. There can be no doubt that Mr. Biittikofer is correct in se} arating the Bornean Gerygone from G. flaveola and G. sulphurea, but the question is whether it is distinct from G. modighanii of Salvadori (=G. pectoralis, Davison). Cf. Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. no. ii. p. vii. I have compared it with the type of G. pectoralis, and the only difference that I can see is that the Bornean bird is a trifle darker. 8. Hirunpo rustica, L.: Everett, t.c. p. 134. 9. ARACHNORAPHIS EVERETTI, Sp. 0. A. similis A. affini, sed major, rostro longiore, et colore virides- centiore distinguenda. Long, tot. 7:2 poll., culm. 1°7, ale 3°6, caudee 2°15, tarsi 0°85. Mr. Everett’s collectors obtained eight specimens of this large Spider-hunter on Kina Balu, and on comparmg them with a series from Java the difference in the olivaceous colour of the upper surface is very recognizable, as the Javan birds are more golden than olive-green. The under surface is very perceptibly lighter, the lower breast and abdomen being conspicuously ashy white. 10. Prionocuitus macutatus (T.): Everett, t.c. p. 140. 1]. Zosrrrors squamirrons, Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 323. 12. Catornis cHaLyBeEA (Horsf.) : Everett, t.c. p. 143. 13. Corone Macroruyncua (T.): Everett, t.c. p. 145. 14. HarpactEs DULITENSIS, Grant, Cat. B. xvii. p. 501, pl. 17. 15. Evrystomus orrentatis (L.): Sharpe, Cat. B. xvii. p. 33, pl. 1. fig. 1. Mr. Everett has very kindly procured a series of nine specimens of this Rollerfrom Kudat, Merabah, and Labuan, in order to test the occurrence of Eurystomus calonyx in Borneo. They all belong to true EL. orientalis, which is the resident form SER. VI.—VOL. V. 2R 562 Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe— Bornean Notes. in the island. The only specimen of E. calonyx from Borneo that I have seen is the specimen procured by Mr. Everett on Mt. Penrisen and recorded in the ‘ Catalogue’ (p. 39). I cannot make out where Mr. Dresser finds a difficulty in recog- nizing these two species, and he will have to produce true Eurystomus orientalis from Mantchuria or China or the Himalayas, if he wishes to convince ornithologists who value geographical distribution at its proper worth. E. calonyx is a summer visitor to China and Mantchuria, and breeds in those countries. It doubtless also inhabits and breeds in the Himalayas, where it finds an altitude which corresponds with the conditions of its north- eastern summer habitat. FE. orientalis is the resident form in the Indo-Malayan region, and these localities are visited by E. calonyx during winter. I should never be surprised to learn that some of the visitors interbreed with the resident birds, and this may account for the slight variation sometimes seen in the extent of blue on the tail of E. orientalis ; but I have examined a large number of EH. calonyx in the collections of Mr. Styan and Mr. De La Touche, and have not found the least difficulty in recognizing them as thoroughly distinct from E. orientalis. The latter is a more massive bird and has a much larger and stronger bill than #. calonyz. 16. Butastur rnpicvs, Everett, t.c. p. 182. 17. Pernis PTILORHYNCHUS, Everett, t.c. p. 184. 18. Fatco severus, Horsf.: Everett, t. c. p. 186. This species was previously known only from Moera Teweh in the Island of Borneo. Mr. Everett sends a beautiful male specimen. 19. GLAUCIDIUM BORNEENSE, Saarpe, above, p. 549. A young male from the Kinokok Valley, in the rufous phase, but differing from the corresponding stage of G. brodiei. There will always be a chance, until exact comparisons of a series have been made, that G. borneense may be identical with G. sylvaticum from high Sumatra, but my recollection The Upper Mandible in the Scolopacide. 563 of the latter bird in the Leyden Museum advises me that the two species are not the same. 20. Nrorus matayensis, Everett, t.c. p. 181. 21. Turrur ticrina, Everett, t.c. 193. 22. BamBusicoLa ERYTHROPHRYS, Sharpe: Everett, t. c. p. 200. My name is a little unfortunate for this species, as it seems to get a black head, and the rufous eyebrow disappears. This is seen in a beautiful adult male sent by Mr. Everett. VII. Description of the Nest and Egys of Staphidia everetti. This nest, which was procured by Mr. Everett at Matang in Feb. 1892, is a good-sized cup-shaped structure, made almost entirely of fibres, with an external covering of fine rootlets and moss, with a few dead leaves interwoven. The eggs are white, thickly mottled and spotted with reddish brown, particularly at the larger end; the underlying spots are dark grey and very distinct. Axis 0°73 inch, diam. 0°55. XLIX.—On the Mechanism of the Upper Mandible in the Scolopacide. By R. W. Suurretpt, M.D., C.M.Z.S. Mr. W. P. Pycrarr contributes a very interesting article, “On a Point in the Mechanism of the Bill in Birds,” to ‘The Ibis’ for July 1893, and I am thankful to him for a copy of it which I have recently received. Mr. Pycraft in that communication very well describes the peculiar power that the Dunlin (Tringa a/pina) possesses of elevating the distal extremity of the superior mandible. I am inclined to believe that any true Scolopacine bird can voluntarily accomplish the same act at any time. Upon several occasions I have observed the performance of the feat in Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata), and there can be no doubt but what the achievement, taken in connection with the extreme sensitiveness of the end of the upper beak in these birds, enables them to both quickly detect and seize their food in the soft ooze wherein they probe for it. 2Z2R2 564. Dr. R. W. Shufeldt on the Mechanism of My friend Mr. Gurdon Trumbull has very accurately described the act performed by the Woodcock *, and he says that “I had heard from Dr. 8., who secured this Woodcock for me, that he and his friend Mr. B. had seen the bird turn up the end of its upper mandible in a very peculiar and inexplicable manner. I was urged to watch carefully for a repetition of the occurrence. At the time I paid but little attention to the statement,—I was watching for so many other events; but while carrying my bird out into the country that last day of its confinement my friend's remark was most vividly recalled. I was holding the bird in my hand with a handkerchief around him, covering all but the bill, when suddenly, as he was making one of his frequent struggles to get away, I saw that the upper mandible was thrown upward as I have represented it in the lower outline of the accompanying woodcut. Elevation of the end of the upper mandible in the American Woodcock (Philohela minor). After Trumbull. “For an instant I thought that the bird must have met with an accident in some way, but as I touched the lifted man- dible it was lowered to the usual position. ‘Twice more during my walk he threw up the mandible in the same fashion, and each time I held him directly in front of my eyes and studied most carefully the exact curvature. There was no ‘dilation,’ nor any change of form other than that * ‘Forest and Stream,’ vol. xxxv. No, 21. New York, Dec. 11, 1890, p. 412. the Upper Mandible in the Scolopacide. 565 which I describe. He once held the bill in this strange position for nearly, if not quite, half a minute. “« After liberating my captive and reaching home, I imme- diately procured a Woodcock that had been recently killed, and found that I could easily curve its mandible into the precise position into which my live bird could curve his own at will.” In the future it will be both interesting and important to ascertain which of all the Limicole have this power. I doubt if any of the typical Plovers can perform the act, or the Curlews, or the Phalaropes, or the Avocets and Stilts. About the Godwits (Limosa) there might be a doubt, and it may be that it will be found to be confined to the true Snipes and Sandpipers or the typical “ probers ” among the Scolo- pacidee. Of course, no such power would be of any use to the Oyster-catchers (Hematopus), and I do not know about Aphriza. The development of such a power among these birds, in the history of the group, can easily be imagined, and requires nothing from me here. Its advantage is also quite appareut—an advantage very similar to that possessed by the new pattern of bullet-forceps over the old style of that surgical instrument, permitting as it does sudden seizure at the distal extremity, and extraction without a parting of the entire continuity of the jaws. This peculiar mechanism of the beak of Scolopacine birds I believe to be worthy of more extended research on the part of biologists; and, indeed, there should be nothing of that kind considered to be beneath their notice. A thorough comprehension of the affinities and natural taxonomy of the Class Aves will require on our part a full knowledge of everything that in any way pertains to them. We cannot afford to overlook any “ point’? whatever, and it devolves upon each and all of us to contribute to the common stock of information whenever the opportunity affords. This being so, Mr. Pycraft’s observation upon Tringa alpina is of importance, notwithstanding the fact that it has been pre- viously described, by an American naturalist, for a bird belonging to the same group. 566 On the Validity of Chrysotis canifrons. L.—On the Valdity of Chrysotis canifrons. By Gro. N. Lawrence. Mr. E. Harrert, in his list of birds from the island of Aruba(above, p.303), speaking of Chrysotis ochroptera, says:— “There can be no doubt that Chrysotis canifrons of Lawrence was described from an example of this species with a dirty forehead, such as I have seen in several cases. Among my specimens of Chrysotis rothschildi from Bonaire are several that show a somewhat ashy colour on the forehead.” Mr. Hartert procured three adult males of C. ochroptera. His description of them is as follows :— “They are very bright-coloured, forehead and lores white with a faint ashy hue, the greater part of the top of the head, and in all three specimens some of the feathers on the neck also, rich yellow with rosy-orange bases; the entire sides of the head and chin of the same colour, corresponding with Brisson’s description and Levaillant’s very good figure.” In deciding that C. canifrons is merely C. ochroptera with a dirty forehead, Mr. Hartert speaks only of the forehead of my species, and strangely ignores any further comparison with C. ochroptera. If, instead of simply making this asser- tion, he had compared my description of C. canifrons with C. ochroptera, he would have found cause for doubt, and would have seen that they differ in nearly all particulars of plumage, although alike in the green colour of their bodies. In C. canifrons the chin and upper part of the throat are greyish ash, the sides of the head dull yellow. These parts in C. ochroptera are ‘‘rich yellow with rosy-orange bases.”’ The bend of the wing in C. canifrons is yellow, with scarlet next the body; in C. ochroptera ‘the whole of the bend of the wing is yellow, and only a few scanty red feathers are some- times to be seen next the body.” The primaries in C. cani- frons are dark blue, those of C. ochroptera being black. Mr. Hartert, in his description of C. ochroptera, does not mention the primaries, but they are black in his figure of the species, and Salvadori (Cat. Birds, xx. p. 288) states them to be of that colour. The thighs of C. canifrons are grey, in C. ochroptera they are yellow. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. 567 I think that the colour of the forehead in my C. canifrons is correctly described ; from my recollection it was of a clear uniform greyish ash, with no appearance of being soiled, and the bird-dealer who had it in charge said that while it had lived (say for three months) there had been no change in its colour. But, whether described correctly or not, I have shown con- clusively, by pointing out other differences of plumage, that it is very distinct from C. ochroptera. There are some points in which Mr. Hartert’s new species (C. rothschildi) closely resembles C. canifrons. They are much alike in the colours on the bend of the wing, 2. e. yellow, with scarlet next the body ; the primaries of both are dark blue, and in both the outer web of the outer tail-feather is bluish. I think that there are three distinct, closely allied species of this group of Chrysotis, all of them being bluish on the abdomen and having a broad terminal band on the tail of pale yellowish green. The dimensions of C. canifrons somewhat exceed those given of the other two species. I am surprised that speci- mens of C. canifrons were not obtained by Mr. Hartert, but Aruba may not be its exact habitat. New York, August 12th, 1893. LI.— Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. No. X. (July 4th, 1893.) Tue ninth meeting of the Club was held at the Restaurant Frascati, 82 Oxford Street, on Wednesday, the 21st of June, 1893. Chairman: P. L. Sctater, F.R.S. Members present :—R. S. Crarke, H. E. Dresser, H. O. Forzes, W. R. Ocitvie Grant, E. Harrertz, A. P. Loyp, E. Nears, Frank Penrosz, R. H. Reap, Hon. Wa ter Roruscuitp, Howarp Saunpers (ZJreas.), H, Seesoum, R. Bowpier Suarre, E. Cavenpisu Tayxor, J.T. Trisrram- VALENTINE. Guests: T. F. Autuaus, J. S. Wurraker (of Palermo). 568 Bulletin of the British A letter received from Prof. ALpHonsE Mitnn-Epwarps stated that his attention had been called by the Editor to the fact that the names of the genera Pelargopsis and Tachyornis, as proposed by him, had been preoccupied ; he therefore wished to propose for Pelargopsis the amended name of Pelargocrea, and for Tachyornis the amended name of Belornis. Dr. Bowpiter Suarre exhibited the type specimen of Rallus plateni, which had been lent to him by Professor. W. Blasius. This fine Wood-Rail had been discovered by the well-known traveller Dr. Platen, at Rurukan in Minahasa, W. Celebes. It was singularly like Aramides in appearance and build, while the barring of the flanks recalled Hypotenidia. Its long bill proclaimed it to belong to the section of Rails which included Gymnocrex, Aramides, Megacrex, and Habro- ptila ; but its closest ally was evidently the South-American Aramides, on which account Dr. Sharpe proposed to call the genus ARAMIDOPSIS, gen. n Genus simile generi “ Aramides’’ dicto, sed rostro longiore et graciliore, ad basin hallucem haud zequante, et sulco nasali longius producto distinguendum. Typus est Aramidopsis plateni (Blasius). The bill was very long and slender, and of nearly equal width the whole way, so that when measured at the base it was found to be less than the hind toe, whereas in Aramides the depth of the bill at base was about equal to the hind toe. Dr. Bowpier SuHarpe also drew attention to the following new species of birds, of which Mr. Hose had recently received examples from Mount Kalulong, in Sarawak. Dr. Sharpe proposed the following names for them :— TURDINUS KALULONGS, Sp. 0. Similis 7. magnirostri, sed pileo infuscato, gutture imo et preepectore toto cinereis minimé striolatis distinguendus. Long. tot. 6 poll., culm, 0°65, alee 3°3, caude 2°8, tarsi 0°8. TTURDINUS TEPHROPS, Sp. 0. Similis 7. sepiario, sed pileo saturate griseo, haud dorso con- Ornithologists’ Club. 569 colore, hypochondriis et subcaudalibus leté cervinis, et gutture imo et prepectore cinereo striatis distinguendus. Long. tot. 5°2 poll., culm. 0°8, ale 3:0, caude 1°55, tarsi 1-1. GLAUCIDIUM BORNEENSE. G. simile G. brodiei et G. sylvatico, sed ab ambobus fascia cervicali alba distinguendum. Long. tot. 6:0 poll., culm. 0°55, ale 3°65, caude 1:9, tarsi 0°8. A further communication from Dr. Sharpe described a new species of Spilornis from Sarawak, with the following diagnosis :— SPILORNIS RAJA, Sp. 0D. Similis S. sw/aensi, sed fasciis albidis pectoralibus et abdomi- nalibus, axillaribusque valde crebrioribus distinguendus. Long. tot. 18°5 poll., alee 12°2, caude 7:0, tarsi 3°25. Mr. W. R. Ocitvin Grant gave an account of a successful expedition which he had made to Banffshire with Capt. Savile Reid, to obtain the nests of the Snow-Bunting (Plectro- phenax nivalis) and the Dotterel (Eudromias morinellus). The probable locality of the breeding-places of these two species had been indicated to him by Mr. F. D. Godman, F.R.S., with such foresight that Mr. Ogilvie Grant had obtained the nests of both species on the first day of his expedition. The nests of these two rare species of British birds would be shortly exhibited in the series of naturally mounted groups at the British Museum. Mr. Scrater exhibited a skin of the Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), apparently of a bird assuming summer plumage, from Chili, transmitted to him by Dr. R. A. Philippi, of Santiago, C.M.Z.S., and remarked that the occasional visits of this Phalarope to Chili had been already noted by Mr. Salvin (P. Z. 8. 1883, p. 429). Mr. Saunders (‘ Manual,’ p. 551) had stated that the Red- necked Phalarope (P. hyperboreus) also occurred in Chili, but Mr. Sclater had not been able to find any authority for this, though Wilson’s Phalarope of N. America (P. wilsoni) was an occasional visitor to Chiliand Patagonia (see Seebohm, 570 Bulletin of the British ‘ Plovers,’ p. 343, and James’s ‘ New List of Chilian Birds,’ pe Le Mr. Scrater also exhibited a skin of a rare Pigeon (Geo- phaps plumifera) (cf. Gould, ‘ Birds of Australia, v. pl. 69] from Northern Queensland, one of ten which had been received alive at the Zoological Gardens, Antwerp. Mr. Gould’s type of the species was for many years unique, but more recently several specimens had been obtained in North- western Australia by the late Mr. T. H. Bowyer-Bower, and were now in the British Museum. The Hon. Waiter Roruscuixp exhibited specimens of three species of Chasiempis from the Sandwich Islands. Of all of these species he had received examples of young and old birds from Mr. Henry Palmer. Mr. Rothschild pointed out that, while most of the genera of Sandwich Island birds were distributed all over the archipelago, the genus Chasi- empis was confined to the islands of Kauai, Hawaii, and Oahu. While Mr. Sclater had maintained that there was only one species of Chasiempis in the Sandwich Islands, Dr. Stejneger had recognized no less than five different forms, this result being attained by separating the rufous- rumped birds, which were the young ones, from the white- rumped birds, which were the adults. Mr. Rothschild pomted out that there were three distinct species, as follows :— Chasiempis sclateri, of Ridgway, from Kauai; C. ridgwayi, Stejneger, from Hawaii; and C. sandwichensis (Gmelin), from Oahu. Mr. Roruscuitp also exhibited and described examples of the following species :— Loxors WOLSTENHOLMEI, sp. Nov. This little species can be at once distinguished from L. coc- cinea (Gm.), and ZL. ochracea, Rothsch., by its smaller size and the dull cinnabar-red of the upper surface. The rump and belly are also cinnabar, but strongly flushed with orange. Ornithologists’ Club. 571 Wings and tail brown, each feather bordered on the outer edge with buffy red. Wing 2°2 inches, tail 1°7. Hab. Island of Oahu, Sandwich group. Named after Henry Palmer’s companion, who shot the only specimen at present known. VIRIDONIA MACULATA (Cab.). This bird was originally described by Professor Cabanis from an adult female and an immature male from Oahu, and placed in the genus Himatione (Mus. Hein. i. p. 100, note, 1851). A large series of this rare species had been sent in April last by Henry Palmer from Oahu, which proved that the bird was not a true Himatione, but formed a second species of the genus Viridonia (Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 6, x. Pell). Adult male. Upper surface bright olive-green ; forehead, throat, and under surface bright golden yellow, less bright on the under surface, and fading almost to white at the vent. Flanks slightly mottled with olive-green. Hab. Island of Oahu, in thick jungle high on the moun- tains. -+- ANOUS HAWAIIENSIS, Sp. nov. This species, which is confined to the Hawaiian group of islands, differs from its nearest congener A. melanogenys, Gray, in that the grey colour, instead of being confined to the crown of the head, is spread over the neck and inter- scapular region. The tail and rump also, instead of being black, are pale grey. Under surface of neck also slightly washed with grey, instead of being uniform black as in A. melanogenys. The wing in the new species seems to be shorter, varying from 0°5 to 0°75 inch. The beak is slightly stouter and a little less pointed. Types in Mus. W. Rothschild and in Brit. Mus. + (ésTRELATA NIGRIPENNIS, Sp. Nov. i. defilippiane, Gigl. et Salvad., affinis, sed rostro multo breviore et robustiore, ad basin latiore ; margine alarum 572 Bulletin of the British subtus latiore, nigricanti-griseo; remige externo subtus (parte exposita) in pogonio interno fere omnino nigyro, reliquorum parte proxima tantum alba; axillaribus albis. Long. tot. circa 12 poll., al. 8°7, caud. rectr. med. 4°1, rectr. later. 3°25, rostri a rictu 1°25, tars. 1°15, dig. med. et int. 1°35, dig. ext. 1-1. (Type in Mus. W. Roth- schild.) Hab. Kermadec Islands. Obs. This species belongs to the “ GZ. cooki (Gray) ” section of the genus istrelata, of which (. defilippiana is also a member. It differs from all its congeners in having a short, stout, wide bill, and in the almost total absence of white on the inner webs of the outer primary beneath, the under wing- coverts, with the exception of a rather wide margin, being white as well as the axillary feathers. ‘ 'THALASSOGERON SALVINI, Sp. NOV. Similis Th. cauto, sed rostro multo minore, ad basin minus elevato, plumbescente nec albido, tarsis et digitis brevi- oribus quoque dignoscendus. ? mari similis. Hab. New Zealand. Obs. This is the “ Diomedea cauta” of Buller and other writers on New Zealand birds. On comparing my series of specimens with one of Gould’s types of 7. cautus in the British Museum, the differences above pointed out are apparent. In coloration this species is apparently greyer on the head and neck, the dark loral mark in front of the eye being very conspicuous. This species, as well as T. cautus, belong to Mr. Ridgway’s genus Thalassogeron, the sides of the culmi- nicorn being nearly parallel to the base and separated from the latericorn by an interval of soft skin. ' DIOMEDEA BULLERI, Sp. Nov. Thalassogeronti culminato quoad colores similis, sed rostro pallidiore, culmine ad basin latiore, ad latera attingente, culmine omnino flavo; alis subtus niveis. Hab. New Zealand. Type in Mus. W. Rothschild. Obs. This is the “ Diomedea culminata”’ of Buller and other Ornithologists’ Club. 573 New-Zealand writers, but it differs materially from the true Thalassogeron culminatus (Gould), a species of Ridgway’s genus Thalassogeron, the base of the culminicorn being separated by an interval of soft skin from the latericorn. In this respect the present species is somewhat intermediate between Diomedea and Thalassogeron, but the base of the culminicorn, though not so well developed, distinctly spreads and has a well-defined posterior margin. It is just possible that this species may prove to be Diomedea gilliana of Coues, from an unknown locality, but the bill is differently coloured, and the under wing-coverts are white instead of the same colour as the upper surface. These three species of Procellariide in my collection were pointed out to me as new by Mr. Osbert Salvin, who has kindly confirmed the diagnoses. The Members then adjourned to the large room at the Frascati Restaurant, where Mr. Rothschild exhibited speci- mens of all the new species described by him at the Meeting, and called attention to other rare birds from his collection. Among these were examples of Phalacrocorax featherstoni of Buller, of which a living example and many skins were shown, as well as skins of Tetraophasis szechenyi and Pale- ornis salvadori. Mr. Rothschild likewise exhibited living specimens of the various species of Apteryx, 9 in number, viz. :— 2 Apteryx mantelli, 3 2. 2 i 8 lawryt; So 2. 2 sf owent, a2 . 2 3 haasty, oo. 1 » occidentalis, 2. The following paper was then read, and was illustrated by the exhibition of nearly 100 specimens of Apteryges :— “ Notes on the Genus Apteryz. By the Hon. Watrer Roruscuixp. “Since my controversy with Mr. H. O. Forbes in the pages 574 Bulletin of the British of the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History,’ on the subject of Apteryx haasti, 1 have gone exhaustively into the history of the genus Apteryx, and I hope soon to publish a complete Monograph on the subject. « Possessing, however, a large series of skins, and examples of no less than five species in a living state, I thought it would be interesting to the Club to exhibit this series of skins, along with the living specimens, and I add a few re- marks on the geographical distribution and synonymy of this very strange family of birds. “‘ Hitherto five species of Apteryx have been described and accepted, viz. :— “« Apteryx australis, Shaw. A. mantelli, Bartlett (syn. A. bulleri, Sharpe). A. maximus, Verreaux. A. oweni, Gould. A, haasti, Potts. “On these five species there have been many discussions, especially with regard to A. mantelli, A. haasti, and A. maximus. “ As regards A. mantelli, I can only point out that Dr. Otto Finsch maintained that Mr. Bartlett’s diagnosis was founded on a false basis, and he, moreover, believed that the North- Island Apteryx was barely worthy of subspecific rank. Sir Walter Buller, however, and all other ornithologists who have expressed any opinion on the subject, maintain, and I am convinced rightly, that the North-Island bird is distinct from A. australis. But Sir Walter Buller unfortunately misled Dr. Sharpe into re-naming the North-Island bird by omitting to state that, however faint were the characters which Bartlett used to diagnose his species, he most em- phatically stated (P. Z. S. 1850, p. 276) that all the specimens of his 4. mantelli came from the North Island. This fact, I think, establishes without a doubt the priority of Mr. Bartlett’s name of Apterya mantelli. “By many people it has been maintained that