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FOR  THE  PEOPLE 

FOP.  EDVCATION 

FOR  SCIENCE 


LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  AMERICAN  MUSEUM 

OF 

NATURAL  HISTORY 


fi^^ 


^<^^ 


^"  cemthal  park, 

T  HE     I  B  I  S , 

A 

QUARTERLY  JOURNAL  OF  ORNITHOLOGY, 


EDITED  BY 

PHILIP  LUTLEY  SCLATER,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.R.S., 

SECRETARY  TO  THE  ZOOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON, 
AND 

HOWARD  SAUNDERS,  F.L.S.,  RZ.S. 


VOL.  III.     1885, 
FIFTH  SERIES. 

Ibis  avis  robusta  et  multos  vivit  in  annos. 

LONDON: 

JOHN  VAN  VOORST,  1  PATERNOSTER  ROW. 

1885. 


ritlNTKK   DY    TAYT.On   AND  FRANCIS, 
KK1>   I.IOX   OOl.irr.   I'l.KK'l'  STUEET. 


PREFACE. 


It  will  be  evident  that  the  Editors  have  had  no 
lack  of  contributions  to  complain  of  during  the 
past  twelve  months.  In  bulk,  at  least,  the  twenty- 
seventh  volume  of  '  The  Ibis  '  fairly  equals  the 
majority  of  its  predecessors,  and,  it  is  believed,  does 
not  fall  short  of  them  as  regards  the  interesting  nature 
of  its  contents. 

In  other  countries  also  there  seems  to  be  no  abate- 
ment in  the  love  of  our  favourite  science  ;  for,  al- 
though one  of  our  contemporaries  has  lately  come 
to  a  sudden  termination,  a  new  and  flourishing  journal 
of  ornithology  was  commenced  last  year,  and  the  first 
part  of  another  new  organ  of  ornithological  science 
has  just  made  its  appearance.  Under  such  circum- 
stances it  is  manifest  that,  notwithstanding  the 
"•  universal  depression  "  now  so  much  spoken  of,  we 
have  little  to  fear  as  regards  the  future  progress  of 
Ornithology. 

P.  L.  S. 

H.  S. 

London,  October  1st.  1885. 


BTLITISH  ORNITHOLOGISTS'  UNION. 

1885. 


[An  asterisk  indicates  an  Original  Member.] 


Date  of 
Election. 

1881.  W1LLIA.M    Randal,  Earl    of    Antrim;    St.    James's    Palace, 

London,  S.W. 
1885.  James  IIvckhouse,  Jun.  ;  West  Bank,  York. 
1879.  Valentine  Eall,  F.R.S.  ;  Science  and  Art  Museum,  Dublin. 
1872.  Hanbuky  Barclay,  Colonel,  F.Z.S.  ;  Cross  Oak,  Great  Berk- 

hampstead,  Herts. 
5    1885.  Hugh  G.  Barclay,  F.R.G.S.  ;  Thorpe,  Norwich. 

1884.  Henry  E.  Barnes,  Capt. ;  Commissariat  Department,  India ; 

care   of  Messrs.    Ridgway    &    Sons,    2    Waterloo    Place, 

London,  S.W. 
1881.  Richard  Manliffe  Barrington,  LL.B.  ;  Fassaroe,  Bray,  co. 

Wicklow. 

1884,  Frank    E.    Beddard,   Prosector   to    the  Zoological  Society ; 

9  Cleveland  Terrace,  Hyde  Park,  London,  W. 

1885.  Capt.  E.  F.  Becher,  R.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  Hill  House,  Southwell,  Notts. 
ro    1875.  John  Biddulph,  Colonel,  Bengal  Staif  Corps. 

1880.  Edward  Bidwell  ;  1  Trig  Lane,  Upper  Thames  Street,  Lon- 
don, E.C. 

1884,  C.  T.  Bingham,  Capt. ;  Moulmein,  Burmah. 

1873.  W.  T.  Blanford,  F.R.S.  &c.  ;  72  Bedford  Gardens,  Kensing- 
ton, London,  W. 

1878.  William  Borrer,  M.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  Cowfold,  Horsham. 
ic    1885.  William    F.    Brockholes  ;    Claughton-on-Brock,    Garstang, 
Lancashire. 

1870.  Sir  Victor  Brooke,  Bart. ;  Colcbrooko,  Fermanagh,  Ireland. 

1866.  Henry   Buckley,   F.Z.S.  ;    27  Whceley's   Road,  Edgbaston, 
Birmingham. 

SER.  V. VOL.    III.  d 


Date  of 
Election. 

18G8,  Thomas  Edward  Buckley,  B.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  Glenrossal,  Invershin, 

Sutherlandshire,  N.B. 
1872.  Waltek  Lawry  Buller,  C.M.G.,  Sc.D.,  F.R.S.,  F.L.S.,  &c. ; 
Wellington,  New  Zealand. 
20    1884.  E.  A.  BuxLER,  Lieut.-Col.,  6  Tenterden  Street,  London,  W. 
1884,  Geoffrey  Eowell  Buxton  ;  Sunny  Hill,  Thorpe,  Norwich. 

1879.  Thomas  David  Gibson  Carmichael;  Castlccraig,  Dolphinton, 

N.B. ;  and  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 

1884.  Abel  Ceapman;  Silksworth  Hall,  Sunderland. 

1882.  Robert  William  Chase  ;  Southfield,  Edgbaston  lload,  Bir- 
mingham. 
25    1880.  William  Eagle  Clarke,  F.L.S.  ;    18  Claremont  Road,  Head- 
ingley,  Leeds. 

1876.  Edward   Henry  Stuart,    Lord    Clifton,  F.Z.S.  ;    Dumpton 

Park,  Ramsgate. 

1880.  E.  H.  Cooper,  Lieut. -Col. ;  42  Portmau  Square,  London,  W. 
1874.  John  Cordeaux;  Great  Cotes,  Uleeby,  Lincolnshire. 

1882.  Charles  B.  Cory  ;  8  Arlington  Street,  Boston,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 
30    1882.  Philip  Crowley,  F.Z.S.  ;  Waddon  House,  Croydon. 

1877.  J.  J.  Dalgleish  ;  8  Atholl  Crescent,  Edinburgh. 

1874.  Charles   Danford,  F.Z.S. ;  Conservative   Club,  St.   James', 
London,  S.W. 

1883.  James  Davidson  ;  32  Drumshcugh  Gardens,  Edinburgh. 

1884.  William  Ruxton  Davison  ;  Ootacamund,  South  India. 
35    1883.  ScROPE  B.  Doig;  Public  Works  Department,  Bombay. 

1880.  Arthur  Dowsett  ;  54  Russell  Street,  Reading. 

1865.  Henry  Eeles  Dresser,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S.  ;    6  Tenterden  Street, 

Hanover  Square,  London,  W.,  and  TopclyfFe  Grange,  Farn- 
borough,  Kent. 
*Henry  Maurice  Drummond-Hat,  C.M.Z.S.,  Lieut.-Col.,  Royal 
Perth  Rifles  ;  Seggieden,  Perth. 

1878.  W.  Arthur  DuRNFORD ;  Tankersley,  Barnsley. 

40   1876.  George  LeC.  Egerton,  Lieut.  R.N.;  The  Lodge,  Stoke  Road, 
Gosport. 
1870.  Daniel  Giraud  Elliot,  F.R.S.E.,  &c. ;  New  Brighton,  Staten 

Island,  New  York,  U.S.A. 
1884.  Algernon  Elliott,  Assist.  Com.,  Yeotmahl,  Berar,  India. 

1866.  Henry  John  Elwes,  F.Z.S. ;  Preston,  Cirencester. 

1879.  Artuur  Humble  Evans,  B.A.  ;  Clare  College,  and  9  Harvey 

Road,  Cambridge. 


Date  of 
Election. 

45    1873.  H.  W.  Feilden,  Major,  F.Z.S.,C.M.Z.S.;  West  House,  Wells, 
JS^orfolk. 
1884.  Heney  Ogg  Forbes,  F.Z.S.  ;  Rubislaw  Den,  Aberdeen. 

1880.  William  Foster  ;  The  Hill,  Witley,  Surrey. 

1865.  Kev.  Henry  Elliott  Fox,  M.A.  ;  12  South  Bailey,  Durham. 

1881.  Percy  Evans  Freke  :  Rosemount,  Dundrum,  Co.  Dublin. 
50    1885.  Sir  Ralph  Payne-Gallwey,  Bart.  ;  Thirkleby  Park,  Thirsk. 

1881.  Hans  Gadow,  Ph.D. ;  The  JSTew  Museums,  Cambridge. 
1879.  Ernest  Gibson  ;  17  Mayiield  Gardens,  Edinburgh. 

*Frederick  DuCane  Godman,  F.E.S.,  &c. ;   10  Chandos  Street, 

Cavendish  Square,  London,  W. 
*Percy     Sanden      Godhan,      B.A.,     C.M.Z.S,  ;      Muntham, 
Horsham. 
55    1874.  H.    H.    Godwin-Austen,    Lieut. -Col.,  F.R.S.,    &e. ;    Junior 
United  Service  Club. 

1884.  J.  G.  GooDCHiLD ;  28  Jermyn  Street,  London,  S.W. 

1871.  Robert  Gray,  F.R.S.E.,  F.S.A.S. ;  Bank  of  Scotland  House, 

Bank  Street,  Edinburgh. 
1878.  Henry  Grey,  Bengal StafFCorps ;  care  of  Messrs.  Grindlay  &  Co. 

1885.  F.  H.  H.  Gfillemard,  M.D.  ;  Eltham,  Kent, 

60   1876.  Albert  C.  L.  G.  GItnther,  M.A.,  M.D.,  F.R.S.,  &c. ;  Keeper 
of  the  Zoological  Department,  British  Museum  of  Natural 
History,  London,  S.W. 
*JoHN  Henry  Gurnby,  F.Z.S. ;  Northrepps  Hall,  Norwich. 
1870.  John  Hexry  Gtjrney,  Jun.,  F.Z.S. ;  Hill  House,  Northrepps, 

Norwich. 
1877.  Edward  W.  Harcourt,  M.P.  ;   Nuneham  Park,  Abingdon. 

1883.  Lewis  Vernon  Harcourt  ;  7  Grafton  Street,  London,  W. 

65  1876.  H.  C.   Harford,    99th  Regiment ;  2  Eldon  Villa,  Granada 
Road,  Southsea. 
1877.  E.  Hargitt,  F.Z.S. ;  1  Bedford  Road,  Bedford  Park,  Chiswick. 
1868.  James  Edmund  Harttng,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S. ;    6  Oxford  &  Cam- 
bridge Mansions,  London,  N.W. 
1873.  John  A.  Harvie- Brown,  F.Z.S.;  Dunipace  House,  Larbert,N.B. 
1868.  Rev.  Herbert  S.  Hawkins,  M.A. ;  Beyton  Rectory,  Suffolk. 
70  1875.  J.  C.  Hele  ;  Knowles,  Newton- Abbot. 

1884.  C.  J.  HoLDswoRTH ;  Wilmslow,  Cheshire. 

1877.  E.  W.  H.  Holdsworth,  F.Z.S. ;  84  Clifton  HiU,  St.  John's 

Wood,  London,  N.W. 
1881.  Robert  James  Howard  ;  Blackburn,  Lancashire. 


Vlll 

Date  of 
Klection. 

*WiLFRiD    HcDLESTON   HuBLESTON,  M.A.,    F.Z.S.  ;    Oatlaiids 
Park,  Weybridge. 
75    1879.  Baron  A.  von  Hugel;  Cambridge, 

1869.  Allan  Octavian  HraiE,  C.B. ;  Simla,  India. 

1870.  Hedwokth    Hylxon,  Lord    Hylton  ;    Merstham,    Red   Hill, 

Surrey. 
1870.  Leonard  Howard  L.  Irby,  Lieut.-Col.,  F.Z.S. ;  Army  &  Navy 
Club,  Pall  Mall,  London,  S.W. 

1884.  H.  Heywood  Jones,  F.Z.S. ;    Larkhill,  West  Derby,  Liver- 

pool. 
8o   1880.  Henry  Robert  Kelham,  Capt.  74tli  Highlanders  ;  Barracks, 
Hamilton,  N.B. 
1874.  Alexander  W.  M.  Clark  Kennedy,  Capt.,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S. ; 

Henbury,  Wimborne,  Dorset. 
1882.  Philip  M.  Kermode  ;  Seabridge  Cottage,  Ramsay,  Isle  of  Man. 
*Artuur   Edward  Knos,  M.A.,  F.L.S.,   F.Z.S.,  Dale  Park, 
Arundel,  Sussex. 
1882.  Rev.  Edw.  Ponsonbt  Knubley,  M.A.  ;  Stavely  Rectory,  Leeds. 
85    1884.  Herbert  Langton  ;  115  Queen's  Road,  Brighton. 
1881.  Hon.  Gerald  Lascelles;  Queen's  House,  Lyndhurst. 

1885.  George  Lawson,  C.B.;   36  Craven  Hill  Gardens,  Hyde  Park, 

Loudon,  W. 

1876.  Vincent    Legge,    Lieut.-Col.,    R.A.  ;    Commandant's    Office, 

Hobart  Town,  Tasmania. 
1868.  Hamon  Le  Strange,  F.Z.S. ;  Hunstanton  HaU,  King's  Lynn, 
Norfolk. 
go   1875,  Paget   Walter   Le  Strange,  Lieut.-Col.    Royal  Artillery ; 
Secunderabad,  Deccan,  India. 
*Thomas  Lyttleton,  Lord  Lileord,  F.L.S. ,  F.Z.S.,  &c. ;  Lilford 
Hall,  Oundle,  and  6  Tentorden  Street,  London,  W. 

1874.  John  Hayes  Lloyd,  Major,  F.Z.S. ;  Barn-rock  House,  Bognor, 

Sussex. 

1877.  J,  LuMSDEN,  Jun, ;  Ardcn  House,  Alexandria,  N.B. 

1875.  John   Wingfield   Malcolm  ;    7  Stanhope  Street,  Mayfair, 

London,  W, 
c)5    1878.  Henry  Stacy  Marks,  R.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  17  Hamilton  Terrace, 
St.  John's  Wood,  London,  N.W. 
1870.  C.  H,  T.  Marshall,  Major,  F.Z.S. ;  Superintendent,  Chumba 

State,  via  Dalhousie,  India. 
1885.  John  Marshall,  F.L.S. ;  Belmont,  Taunton. 


Date  of 
Election. 

1878.  Rev.  Murray  A.  Mathew,  M.A.,  F.L.S. ;  Stone  Hall,  Wolf's 

Castle,  Pembrokeshire. 
1883.  Edmund   Gustavus   Bloompield  Meade-Waldo;  Rope  Hill, 
Lymington,  Hants, 
loo    1879.  Frederick  Shaw  Mitchell  ;  Clitheroe,  Lancashire. 

1864.  Alexander  Goodman   More,  F.L.S.,  &c. ;  Science  and   Art 

Museum,  Dublin. 
1885.  Edward  Neale  ;  6  Tenterden  Street,  Loudon,  W. 
1882.  Thomas  Hudson  Nelson  ;  Korth  Bondgate,  Bishop  Auckland, 

Durham. 
1876.  Hugh  Nevill  ;  Newton  Villa,  Godalming. 
105    1872.  Francis  D'Arct  William  Clough  Newcome  ;  Feltwell  Hall, 
Brandon,  Suffolk. 
*Alfred  Newton,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  F.Z.S.;   Professor  of  Zoology 

in  the  LTniversity  of  Cambridge. 
*Edward  Newton,  M.A.,  C.M.G.,  F.L.S.,  C.M.Z.S. 

1876.  Francis  Nicholson,  F.Z.S.  ;  The  Grove,  Oldficld,  Altrincham. 

1882.  Eugene   William    Oates  ;     6    Tenterden    Street,   Hanover 

Square,  London,  W. 
no  *Sir  John  W.  P.  Campbell-Orde,  Bart.,  F.Z.S. ,  late  Captain, 

42nd  (Royal  Highland)  Regiment;  Kilmorj  House,  Loch 
Gilp  Head,  Argyllshire,  N.B. 

1883.  Henry  Parker,  C.E.  ;  Public  Works  Department,  Ceylon. 
1880.  Thomas  Parkin,  M.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  Halton,  near  Hastings. 

1884.  R.    L.    Patterson,    F.L.S.  ;    Croft    House,    Holywood,    co. 

Down, 
1883.  Thomas  Mayer  Pike,  M.A.  ;  Westport,  Wareham. 
1x5    1880.  Charles  Matthew  Prior;  The  Avenue,  Bedford,  and  Trinity 
Hall,  Cambridge. 

1872.  R.  G.  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  Major,  F.Z.S.;  Whitehill,  Rosewell, 

N.B. 

1879.  Herbert  Evelyn  Rawson,  F.Z.S. ;  Coney  Hall  Farm,  West 

Wickham,  Beckenham,  Kent. 

1877.  Savile  G.  Reid,  Capt.  R.E. ;  Ashridgewood,  Wokingham. 

1873.  Sir  Oliver  Beauchamp   Coventry  St.  John,  Colonel  R.E.  ; 

care  of  Messrs.  H.  S.  King  &  Co.,  45  Pall  MaU,  London, 
S.W. 
120   1883.  William  Herbert  St.  Quintin  ;  Scampston  Hall,  Rillington, 
Yorkshire. 
*Osbert  Salvin,  M.A,,  F.R.S.,   &c.;  10  Chandos  Street,  Lon- 
don, W.,  and  Hawksfold,  Fernhurst,  Haslemere. 


Date  of 
Election. 

1870.  Howard    Saunders,  P.L.S.,    F.Z.S.,    &c. ;  7  Eadnor  Place, 

Hyde  Park,  London,  W. 
*Philip  Ltjtley  Sclater,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.K.S.,  &e. ;  44  Elvas- 

ton  Place,  Queen's  Gate,  London,  S.W. 
1881.  J.  Scully,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S. ;  care  of  Messrs.  H.  S.  King  &  Co., 

45  Pall  Mall,  Londou,  S.W. 
125    1873.  Henry    Seebohm,    F.Z.S.  ;     6    Tenterden    Street,    Hanover 

Square,  AV.,  and  22  Courtfield  Gardens,  London,  S.AV, 
J  871.  Richard  Bowdler  Sharpe,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S.  ;   Senior  Assistant, 

Zoological  Department,  British  Museum  of  Natural  History, 

London,  S.W. 
1870.  G.  Ernest  Shelley,  F.Z.S.,  late  Captain,  Grenadier  Guards; 

6  Tenterden  Street,  Hanover  Square,  London,  W. 
1865.  Rev.  Charles  William  Shepherd,  M.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  Trotters- 

clitfe  Rectory,  Maidstone,  Kent. 
188].  F.  B.  SiMSON ;  Broom  Hill,  Spratton,  Northampton. 
130    1882.  Rev.  Henry  H.  Slater,  M.A.,  F.Z.S.  ;    Irchestcr  Vicarage, 

Wellingboro',  Northampton. 
1878.  George  Monlaw  Slaughter,  Brigade-Surgeon  ;  Farningham, 

Kent. 
1864.  Rev.   Alfred   Charles   Smith,   M.A.  ;    Yatesbury  Rectory, 

Calne,  Wiltshire. 
1874.  Cecil  Smith,  F.Z.S. ;  Lydeard  House,  Taunton,  Somersetshire. 
1881.  Thomas  Southwell,  F.Z.S. ;  10  The  Crescent,  Chapel  Field, 

Norwich. 
t35    1875.  A.  C.  Stark;   1  Merchiston  Avenue,  Edinburgh. 

1864.  Henry  Stevenson,  F.L.S.  ;  22  Unthank's  Road,  Norwich. 

1881.  Robert  Wright  Studdy,  Major  63rd  Regiment,  India;  care 

of  E.  W.  H.  Holdsworth,  84  Clifton  Hill,  St.  John's  Wood, 
London,  N.W. 

1882.  Charles  Swinhoe,  Lieut.-Col.,  Bombay  Staff  Corps,  Commis- 

sariat Department,  Poena,  Bombay. 
1884.  W.  C.  Tait  ;  Oporto. 
140  *Edward  Cavendish  Taylor,  M.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  74  Jermyn  Street, 

London,  S.W. 
1864.  George    Cavendish    Taylor,   F.Z.S.  ;    42   Elvaston    Place, 

Queen's  Gate,  London,  S.W. 
1873.  William  Bernhard  Tegetmeier,  F.Z.S. ;  Finchley,  Middlesex. 
*Rev.   Henry  Baker  Tristram,   M.A.,  LL.D.,  F.R.S.,   cfec, 
Canon  of  Durham  ;  The  College,  Durham. 


Date  of 
Election. 

1864.  Henry  Morris  Upcher,  F.Z.8.  ;  Sheringham  Hall,  Norfolk, 

and  Felt  well  Hall,  Brandon. 
145    1881.  WiLLOxjGHBY  Verner,  Capt.  Royal  Rifle  Brigade ;  13  Bryan- 

ston  Square,  W. 
1884.  A.  S.  Vesey  ;  3  Campden  Villas,  Barnes,  S.W. 
1881.  Thomas,   Lord  Walsingham,  F.Z.S.  ;     Eaton  Hoiise,  Eaton 

Square,  London,  S.W,,  and  Merton  Hall,  Thetford,  Norfolk. 

1874.  Charles   Bygrave  Wharton,   F.Z.S.  ;    Hounsdown,    Totton, 

Hants. 
1878.  Henry  Thornton  Wharton,  M.A.,  F.Z.S. ;    39  St.  George's 

Road,  Abbey  Road,  London,  N.W. 
150    1884.  Joseph  Whitaker,  F.Z.S.;  Raiuworth  Lodge,  Mansfield,  Notts. 
1871.  E.  Perceval  Wright,  M.D.,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S.,  Professor  of  Botany 

in  the  University  of  Dublin. 

1875.  Charles  A.  Wright,  F.Z.S.;  Kayhough  House,  Kew-Gardens, 

Kew. 

1876.  Claude  W.  Wyatt  ;  Addcrbury,  Banbury. 

1878.  John  Yoxjng,  F.Z.S. ;  64  Hereford  Road,  Westbourne  Grove, 
London,  W. 
icc    1877.  J.  H.  Yule,  Capt.,  Devon  Regiment;  Jullundur,  BengaL 

Extra-Ordinary  Member . 

1860.  Alfred  Russel  Wallace,  F.Z.S. ;   Nutwood  Cottage,  Frith 
Hill,  Godalming. 

Honorary  Members. 

1860.  Professor  Spencer  Fullerton  Baird,  Secretary  to  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,  Washington^  B.C. 

1860.  Doctor  Eduard  Baldamus,  Moritzwinger,  No,  7,  Halle. 

1860.  Doctor  Jean  Cabanis,  Erster  Custos  am  koniglichen  Museum 
der  Friedrich-Wilhelm's  Universitat  zu  Berlin. 

1870.  Doctor  Otto  Finsch.  Bremen, 
5    1880.  Heinrich  Gatke,  C.M.Z.S.,  Secretary  to  the  Government  of 
Heligoland. 

1860.  Doctor  Gustav  Hartlaub,  Bremen. 

1860.  Edgar  Leopold  Layard,  C.M.G.,  F.Z.S.,  H.B.M.  Consul,  iN^ew' 
Caledonia. 

1869.  August  von  Pelzeln,  Custos  am  k.-k.  zoologischen  Cabinete 
in  Wien. 


Date  of 
Election. 

Foreign  Members. 

1872.  Prof.  J.  V.  Barboza  du  Bocage,  Royal  Museum,  Lisbon. 
1.875.  Hans,  Graf  von  Berlepsch,  ilfiiwc^ew,  Hannover. 

1880.  LoTjis  Bureau,  M.D.,  Ecole  de  medccinc,  Nantes. 

1873.  Robert  Collett,  Zoological  Museum,  Christiania. 

5    1872.  Doctor  Elliott  Coues,  Smithsonian    Institution,    Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 

1875.  Marchese  Giacomo  Doria,  Genoa. 

1872.  Doctor  Victor  Fatio,  Geneva. 

1872.  Doctor  Henry  Hillyer  Giglioli,  Royal  Institute  of  Superior 
Studies,  Florence. 

1872.  George  N.  Lawrence,  New  York. 
lo    1872.  Baron  De  Sely's  Longchamps,  Liege. 

1872.  Doctor  A.  J.  Malmgren,  Ifelsingfors. 

1883.  Prof.   Othniel   Cuarles    Marsh,    Yale    College,    Newhaven, 
U.S.A. 

1881.  Doctor    Adolpu    Bernard    Meyer,    Director   of  the   Royal 

IMuseum,  Dresden. 

1872.  Doctor  A.  von  Middendorff,  Dorpat. 
1 5    1872.  Prof.  Alphonse  Milne-Edwards,  Jardln  des  Plantes,  Paris. 

1881.  Colonel  N.  Prejevalsky,  Academy  of  Science  and  Art,  St. 
Petsrshurg. 

1872.  Prof.  Gustav  Radde,  Tlflis. 

1880.  Robert  Ridgway,  C.M.Z.S.,  Smithsonian  Institution,  Wash- 
ington, D.C. 

1872.  Count  TojiMASo  Salvadoki,  Zoological  Museum,  Turin. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  III.— FIFTH  SERIES. 

(1885.) 


Number  IX.,  January. 

Page 

I.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  IX.  On  the  Genus  Micro- 
pternus.     By  Edavakd  IIakoitt,  F.Z.S 1 

II.  On  the  Muscicapine  Genus  Chasiempis.  By  P.  L.  Sclater, 
M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.E.S.     (Plate  I.) 17 

III.  On  the  Aftershaft  in  the  Feathers  of  certain  Birds.  By 
F.  E.  Beddard,  M.A.,  F.Z.S.,  Prosector  to  the  Zoological  So- 
ciety of  London 19 

IV.  Ornithological  Notes  from  Corsica.  By  John  White- 
head.    (Plate  II.) 24 

V.  On  two  Birds  from  Norfolk  Island.  By  H.  B.  Tristram, 
D.D.,  F.R.S 48 

VI.  On  the  Shedding  of  the  Claws  in  the  Ptarmigan  and 
allied  Birds.     By  Leonhard  Stejneger 50 

VII.  On  the  Birds  of  Central  India.- — Part  I.    By  Lieut.-Col. 

C.  SwiNHOE  and  Lieut.  Henry  Barnes 52 

VIII.  The  Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  By  Charles  Dixon. 
(Plate  III.) 69 

IX.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

1.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway  on  the  Water-Birds  of 

North  America .     97 

SER.  V. VOL.  III.  C 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

Page 

2.  Barboza  du  Boeage  on  Birds  from  Angola     ....  98 

3.  Barboza  du  Boeage  on  West-African  Birds   ....  98 

4.  Barboza  du  Boeage  on  Cinnyris  erikssoni     ....  98 

5.  Belding  on  the  Birds  of  Guaymas 98 

6.  Belding  on  the  Birds  of  Lower  California     ....  98 

7.  Bailor  on  rare  New-Zealand  Birds 99 

8.  Cory  on  the  Birds  of  San  Domingo 99 

9.  Coues's  new  Key  to  North-American  Birds  ....  100 

10.  Cowan  on  the  Birds  of  Madagascar 101 

11.  De  VerteuiFs 'Trinidad.'     (Second  edition.)      .     .     .  102 

12.  De  Vis  on  the  Moa  in  Australia 103 

13.  Dresser's  Monograph  of  the  Bee-eaters 103 

14.  Dubois  on  a  new  Parrot  from  New  Guinea  .      .     .     .104 

15.  Filhol  on  tlie  Osteology  of  the  Penguins 104 

16.  Filhol  on  the  Diaphragm  of  the  Penguins     ....  l04 

17.  Filhol  on  the  Arterial  System  of  the  Penguins       .      .  104 

18.  Gurney  an  the  Arctic  Blue-throated  Warbler  in  Norfolk  105 

19.  Gurney  on  the  "  Hairy  "  variety  of  the  Moorhen    .      .  105 
tiO.  Haast  on  the  Grey  Pbalarope  in  New  Zciilaiid  .      .     .  106 

21.  Homeyer  and  Tancre  on  the  Bir.ls  of  the  iVlrai     .     .  106 

22.  Jouy  on  the  Birds  of  Japan .  106 

23.  Lawrence  on  a  new  Htmiprocne 107 

24.  Lydekker  on  Siwalik  Fossil  Birds 107 

25.  Milne-Edwards  on  the  Fauna  of  the  Antarctic  Begions  108 

26.  Murray's  '  Vertebrate  Zoology  of  Sind  ' 109 

27.  Nutting  on  Birds  from  Nicaragua 109 

28.  Przewalslii's  Journey  in  Tibet 110 

29.  Eadde's  '  Ornis  Caucasica  ' Ill 

30.  Reichenow  on  Parrots 112 

31.  Ridgway  on  new  Birds  from  the  Commander  Islands 

and  Petropaulovski 112 

32.  Ridgway  on  new  Costa-Riean  Birds 113 

33.  Ridgway  on  West-Indian  Birds 113 

34.  Ridgway  on  a  new  Field-Spai-row 114 

35.  Robson  on  the  Breeding  of  the  Eastern  Golden  Plover  114 

36.  Schalow  on  anew  Plaintain-eater 114 

37.  Sharpe  on  the  Birds  of  the  Voyage  of  the  '  Alert '       .114 

38.  Sharpe  on  various  Timeliidie 115 

39.  Sharpe  on  a  new  Wren  from  Timor 115 

40.  Sharpe  on  Birds  from  New  Guinea 115 


COJJTENTS.  XV 

Pag« 

41.  Sharpe  on  Birds  from  Equatorial  Africa       ....   115 

42.  Shufeldfc  on  the  forms  of  the  Patella  in  Birds    .     .     .116 

43.  Smith  on  the  Hieracidece 116 

44.  aonza  on  Bucora.v  2?y>'''hops 116 

45.  Stejaegor  on  the  Natural  History  of  the  Commander 

Islands 116 

46.  Stejneger  on  the  Genus  Ceiyphus 117 

47.  Travers  on  the  Org-anic  Productions  of  New  Zealand  .   117 

X.  Letters,  Extracts,  Announcements,  &c. ; — 

Letters  from  Mr.  L.  M.  Turner  and  Messrs.  Salvin  and 
Godman  ;  Singular  Development  oiOpisthocomus  ;  The  National 
Bird-Collection  at  Washington  ;  Ornithological  Works  in  Pro- 
gress ;  Proceedings  of  the  itidgway  Ornithological  Club       .     .117 


NlTMBER  X.,  ApriL 

XL  On  two  new  Birds  from  Borneo.  By  the  llev.  R.  H. 
8LATEK,  B.A.     (Plate  IV.) 121 

XII.  On  the  Birds  of  Central  India. — Part  II.  By  Lieut. - 
Col.  C.  SwiNHOE  and  Lieut.  Hen^ey'  Barnes 124 

XIII.  Notes  on  some  Eastern  Owls.     Bj  J.  H.  Gurnev      .   138 

XIV.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  X.  On  the  Genus  Thri- 
ponax.     By  Edward  Haegitt,  F.Z.S .   140 

XV.  A  Birds'-Nesting  Ramble  in  Lapland.  By  Alfred 
Crawhall  Chapman 158 

XVI.  On  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  the  Island  of  Cozumel. 

By  Osberx  Salvin,  M.A.,  E.R.S.,  &c.     (Plate  V.)      ....  185 

XVII.  On  a  small  Collection  of  Birds  from  Korea.     By  H. 

B.  Tristram,  D.D.,  F.li.S .   19-! 

XVIII.  A  List  of  the  Buds  ol)tained  by  Mr.  Henry  Whiteiy 
in  British  Guiana.  By  Osberx  Salvin,  M.A.,  F.E.S.,  &c. 
(Part  I.) .  195 


Xn  CONTENTS, 

Page 
XIX.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

48.  '  The  Auk  ' 220 

49.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway  on  the  Water-Birds  of 

North  America 221 

50.  Berlepsch  on  the  Birds  of  Bucaramanga 221 

51.  Bidwell  on  Sabine's  Gull 222 

52.  W.  Blasius  on  a  new  Trumpeter 222 

53.  W.  Blasius   on  Grabowsky's  latest  Bornean  Collec- 

tions        222 

54.  W.  Blasius  on  the  Breast-bones  of  Birds       ....  223 

55.  W.  Blasius's  third  Taper  on  the  Great  Auk       .     .     .223 

56.  Bogdanow  on  Russian  Ornithology 223 

57.  British  Association's  Report  on  Migration  in  1883     .  224 

58.  Buckley  and  Harvie-Brown  on  the  Birds  of  Sutber- 

landshire 224 

59.  CoUett  on  the  Great  x\.uk  in  Norway 225 

GO.  Cory  on  the  Birds  of  San  Doraiugo 225 

61.  Dresser's  Monograph  of  the  Bee-eaters 225 

62.  Fischer  on  the  Birds  of  Masai-land 226 

63.  Glanville's  Catalogue   of  the   Albany  Museum,  Cape 

Colony 226 

64.  Godman  and  Salvin's  '  Biologia  Ccntrali- Americana '  .  227 

65.  Gould's  '  Birds  of  New  Guinea ' 227 

66.  Gurney  on  the  Birds  of  Norfolk     .     .     .     .     .     .     .228 

67.  Hawtayne's  Taxidermic  Notes 228 

68.  Henke  on  the  Ostrich-question 229 

69.  Homcyer  on  a  new  Stonechat 229 

70.  Huet  on  Additions  to  the  Jardin  des  Plantes     .     .     .  229 

71.  Le  Moine  on  Canadian  Ornithology 229 

72.  Meyer  on  Birds'  Nests  and  Eggs  from  the  East  Indies  230 

73.  '  The  Naturalist ' 230 

74.  Olphe-Galliard  on  the  Ornithology  of  Western  Europe  231 
75-78.  Ridgway  on  American  Birds 231 

79.  Salvadori  on  the  Birds  of  Shoa 232 

80.  Saunders's  Edition  of 'Yarrell's  British  Birds'.     .     .  232 

81.  Smithsonian  Report  for  1882 233 

82.  Stejneger  on  Trinomials  in  Ornithology 233 

83.  Taczanowski's  '  Ornithology  of  Peru  ' 234 

84.  Vila  on  the  Ornithology  of  Gerona 234 


CONTENTS.  XVll 

Page 

XX.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c.  : — 

Letter  from  M.  Leon  OIphe-Galliard  ;  Gift  of  the  Salvin- 
Godman  Collection  to  the  British  Museum  ;  The  Hume  Collec- 
tion of  Indian  Birds;  llidgway  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago; 
News  from  the  Caucasus  ;  Black  Redstart  in  Somersetshire  ; 
Obituary— Dr.  Eiippell,  Prof.  Severtzoff,  Mr.  E.  W.  White, 
and  Mr.  E.  C.  Eye;  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen:  New  Edition  of  Buller's 
'Birds  of  New  Zealand' 235 


Number  XL,  JuJy. 

XXL  Winter  Notes  from  Morocco.     By  Capt.  S.  G.  Reid    .  241 

XXII.  On  the  Geographical  Distribution  of  Birds  in 
European  Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus. — Part  II.  Rapaces 
Nocturnge.     By  M.  Menzbier 255 

XXIII.  Notes  on  the  Breeding-habits  of  certain  Sea-Birds 
frequenting  Norfolk  Island  and  the   adjoining  Islets.     By  W. 

M.  Ckowpoot,  M.D 263 

XXIV.  On  the  Cormorants  of  Japan  and  China.  By  Henry 
Seebohm 270 

XXV.  On  some  little-known  Species  of  Tanagers.     By  P. 

L.  Sclater,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  P.R.S.     (Plate  VL) 271 

XXVI.  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Paisandu,  Republic  of  Uruguay. 

By  Ernest  Gibson,  F.Z.S.     (Communicated  by  J.  J.  Dalgxeish.)  275 

XXVII.  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Genus  Homorus  observed 

in  the  Argentine  Republic.     By  W.  H.  Hudson,  C.M.Z.S.  .     .  283 

XXVIII.  On  the  Coloration  in  Life  of  the  naked  Skin-tracts 
on  the  Head  of  Geococcyx  calif ornianus.  By  Dr.  R.  W.  Shufeldt, 
U.S.  Army,  Memb.  of  the  Am.  Ornith.  Union,  &c.     (Plate  VII.)  286 

XXIX.  Descriptions  of  three  new  Species  of  Birds  from 
South  America.     By  Hans  von  Berlei'sch 288 


XVIU  CONTENTS. 

Page 

XXX.  A  List  of  the  Birds  obtained  by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely 
in  British  Guiana.  By  Osbert  SalvIxV,  M.A.,  F.E.S.,  &c. 
(Continued.)     (Plate  VIII.) 291 

XXXI.  Ileview  of  the  Species  of  the  Family  Coliida;.  By 
Capt.  G.  E.  8HELLET,  F.Z.S 307 

XXXII.  Notices  of  recent  Oinithological  Publications  : — 

85.  Cory's  '  Birds  of  San  Domingo  ' 314 

86.  Dresser's  Monograph  of  the  Bee-eaters 314 

87.  Dubois  on  the  Genus  Otocorys 315 

88.  Dubois  on  the  Hornbills 315 

89.  Gar  man  on  Polynomials  in  Zoology 315 

90.  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Xew  Guinea  ' 31G 

91.  Gould's  '  Supplement  to  the  2Voc/i<7/(?(c '       ....  316 

92.  Langille  on  North-American  Birds 317 

93.  Lawrence  on  new  Species   of   Tyninnklce,  Cypselichf, 

and  Colamhidiv 317 

94.  Menzbier  on  the  Blue  Tits 317 

95.  '  Mittheiluugen'  of  the  Ornithological  Union  of  Vienna  318 

96.  Newton  on  Ornithology 318 

97.  Pagenstecher's  '  Birds  of  South  Georgia  '      ....  319 

98.  Protocol  of  the  International  Ornithologists'  Congress  320 

99.  Eeport  of  the  Harvard  Museum  of  Zoology  ....  320 

100.  Ilidgway  on  new  Birds  from  Cozumel  Island     .     .     .  321 

101.  Ilochebrune's  '  Birds  of  Sen egambia ' 322 

102.  Saunders's  Edition  of 'Tarrell's  British  Birds'      .     .323 

103.  Sharpe  on  the  Fringilliformes 323 

104.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  of  Ceryle  alcyon  ....  325 

105.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  of  Numenius  longirostris     .  325 

106.  Traquair  on  Biological  Nomenclature 325 

107.  Tschusi  zu  SchmidholFcn  on  the   Long-tailed   Tits   of 

Europe 326 

108.  Tschusi  zu  Schmidhoffen   on   the   Summer  Duck  in 

Styria 32(5 

109.  Vorderman  on  the  Birds  of  Batavia 326 

110.  Vorderman's  '  List  of  Javan  Birds  ' 326 

111.  'The  Young  Oologist' 327 


CONTENTS.  xix. 

Page 
XXXIII.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c.  : — 

Letters  from  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Slater  and  Mr.  Osbcrt  8alvin  ; 
Anniversary  of  the  British  Ornithologists'  Union  ;  Xew  Orni- 
thological Work  ;  Prjevalsky's  New  Expedition  ;  The  llidg^ay 
Ornithological  Club,  Chicago,  U.S.A. ;  Birds  breeding  in  Ants' 
Nests ;  Birds  at  Scotch  Lighthouses  ;  Mr.  R.  B.  Sharpe's  De- 
parture for  Simla ;  Obituary — Mr.  Ernest  William  White,  Dr. 
Eduard  Riippell,  and  Richard  Boehm  ;  News  of  Dr.  Finsch  ; 
New  Expeditions  ;  New  Work  on  the  Swallows 327 


Number  XIL,  October. 

XXXIV.  Additional  Notes  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal, 

By  Thomas  Aykes.     Communicated  by  John  Henry  Gijrney   .  341 

XXXV.  On  the  Birds  of  the  L'pper  Tarim,  Kashgaria.     By 

M.  Menzbier 352 

XXXVI.  Further  Notes  on  the  Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda. 

By  Charles  Dixon 358 

XXXVII.  Note  on  Baza  ceyJonensis,  Legge.  By  Samuel 
Bligh.     Communicated  by  J.  H.  Gurney- 362 

XXXVIII.  Further  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of 
Japan.     By  Henry  Seeboum 363 

XXXIX.  An  Autumn  Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland,  with 
some  Notes  from  the  Faroes.  By  Wm.  Eagle  Claeke,  F.L  S., 
and  James  Backhouse,  Jun.     (Plate  IX.) 364 

XL.  Stray  Ornithological  Notes.     By  W.  Edavin  Brooks      .  380 

XLI.  On  Mr.  E.  Lort  Phillips's  Collection  of  Birds  from 
Somali-land.    By  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley,  F.Z.S.    (Plates  X.-XII.)  389 

XLII.  A  List  of  the  Birds  obtained  by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely 
in  British  Guiana.  By  Osbert  Salvin,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  &c. 
(Continued.) 418 


XX 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

XLIII.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  rublications  :— 

112.  'The  Auk'      ......•••••••  "^^*^ 

113.  Blomefleld's 'lieminisccnces  of  Yarreir      .     .     •     •  ^^1^ 

114.  British  Association's  Report  on  Migration  in  18S4    .  441 

115.  Buckley  on  the  Birds  of  Kousay,  Orkney  Islands       .  442 
1 1  G.  Bunge  on  Birds  of  the  Delta  of  the  Lena    .     .     •     .  -143 

117.  Cory's  '  List  of  the  Birds  of  the  AVest  Indies  '       .     .  443 

118.  Dubois  on  Belgian  Birds •     •  '^^^ 

119.  Dvbovvski  and  Taczanowski  on  the  Birds  of  Kamt- 

J.J— t 
schatka 

120.  H.  0.  Forbes  on  the  Eastern  Archipelago  ....  444 

121.  Harvie-Brown  on  Kumlien's  Gull 445 

122.  Meyer  on  new  Birds  in  the  Dreslen  Museum  .     .     .  445 

123.  Mitchell's 'Birds  of  Lancashire" 446 

124.  More  on  Irish  Birds 446 

125.  Nehrkorn  on  Birds  from  Waigion 447 

126.  «  Ornithologist  and  Oologist ' 44/ 

127.  Reid  on  the  Birds  of  Bermuda 447 

128-142.  Ridgway  on  American  Birds 448 

143.  Salvadori  and  Giglioli   on   new  Birds   from  Cochin 

China "if 

144.  8chalow  on  the  Birds  of  Mark  Brandenburg    .     .     .451 

145.  Schiavuzzi  on  Northern  Birds  in  the  Adriatic  .     .     .  451 

146.  Stejneger  on  Lanius  rohustus 451 

147.  Stejneger  on  a  new  Sparrow 452 

148.  Taczanowski  on  Abnormal  Moults 452 

149.  Tait  on  Portuguese  Birds 452 

150.  Zeledon  on  the  Birds  of  Costa  Rica 452 

XLIV.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letter  from  Mr.  H.  E.  Dresser;  Additions  to  the  Bird-col- 
lection of  the  British  Museum  in  1884  ;  the  Hume  Collection 
of  Indian  Birds  ;  The  Development  of  the  Avian  Sternum  ; 
More  News  of  Dr.  0.  Finsch  ;  Habits  of  Raggi's  Paradise-bird  ; 
Recent  Appointments  in  the  United  States 453 

Index 4<^^ 

Titlepage,  Preface,  List  of  Members,  and  Contents. 


PLATES  IN  VOL.  IIL 

FIFTH  SERIES. 


Page 

I.     Chasiempis  sandwichcnsis .     18 

II.     Sitta  whiteheadi 28 

III.     Troglodytes  hirtensis 80 

IV.     Parus  cinerascens 122 

V.     Spindalis  exsul 189 

y-j-    f  Fig.  1.  Tachyphonus  nattereri 273 

I  Fig.  2.  Lanio  lawrencii 272 

YII.     Geococcyx  califomianus 286 

YIII.     Pachyrhamphus  griseigularis 302 

IX.     Lagopus  rupestris 378 

Y  J  Fig.  1.  Dryoscopus  ruficeps 402 

I  Fig.  2.  Telephonus  jamesi 403 

-jr-j    r  Fig.  1.  Argya  aylmeri 404 

'  1  Fig.  2.  Parus  thruppi 406 

XII.     Saxicola  phillipsi 404 


''■'^'^■Ia/^^. 


THE    IBIS. 


FIFTH   SERIES 


No.  IX.     JANUARY  1885. 


I. — Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  IX.     On  the  Genus 
Micropternus.     By  Edward  Hargitt,  F.Z.S. 

After  Mr.  Hurae^s  admirable  paper  on  the  genus  Micro- 
pternus (' Stray  Feathers/  1877^  p.  472),  it  would  perhaps 
appear  unnecessary  on  my  part  to  take  up  the  same  subject, 
and  my  notes  must  not  be  viewed  as  a  critique,  but  as  a  sup- 
plement to  Mr.  Rumen's  work.  As  regards  the  Indian  and 
Indo-Malayan  species,  I  entirely  agree  with  him ;  but  my 
views  concerning  the  Chinese  species,  M.  fokiensis  and  M. 
holroydi,  are  not  in  harmony  with  his.  This  may  perhaps  be 
accounted  for  by  my  having  had  the  opportunity  of  carefully 
examining  the  Swinhoe  collection  (now  in  the  possession 
of  Mr.  Seebohm),  which  contains  the  types,  and  by  my 
having  seen  the  specimens  in  the  British  Museum ;  while 
Mr.  Hume,  on  his  part,  frankly  tells  us  that  he  has  only 
examined  one  specimen  of  M.  fokiensis,  and  that  he  has  never 
seen  M.  holroydi  at  all.  In  my  opinion,  M.  fokiensis  is  as 
clearly  distinct  from  M.  brachyurus  as  the  latter  species  is 
from  M.  phcBOceps ;  and  the  Hainan  bird,  M.  holroydi,  may 
be  readily   distinguished    from    M.  fokiensis,  the   Foochow 

SER.  V. VOL.   III.  B 


2  Mr.  E.  ITargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

species.  I  acknowledge  my  obligations  to  Mr.  Hume  for 
the  valuable  assistance  I  have  derived  from  his  labours.  His 
thorough  knowledge  of  tlie  Indian  species,  aided  by  an 
extensive  series  of  specimens,  has  enabled  him  to  enlighten  us 
on  the  many  difficult  points  to  be  found  in  a  genus  where  the 
members  are  so  closely  allied,  and  where  the  individuals  of 
each  species  vary  so  much  in  size  and  markings  according  to 
locality  and  age. 

Keij  to  the  Species. 

a.  Top  of  the  head  uniform. 

fl'.  Feathers  of   the  chin  and   throat    uniforin    with 
the  iinderparts,  but  with  paler  margins  ;  striated 
in  character. 
<t^.  Tail  rufous,  narrowly  barred  with  black;  the  red 

on  the  face  confined  to  a  patch  uuder  the  eye.  .     p/taoceps,  p.  3. 
b''.  Tail  barred  rufous  and  black  at  the  base,  the 
apical  half  black;  the  eye  entirely  surrounded 

with  red   hadiosus,  p.  6. 

h^.  Feathers  of  the  chin  and  throat  darker  than  the 
underparts,  the  apical  portion  only  margined 
with  whitish,  scaly  in  character  ;  tail  rufous, 
narrowly  barred  with  black gularis,  p.  7. 

b.  Top  of  the  head  striated. 

c\  Above  rufous,  barred  with  black ;  underparts  rufous ; 
feathers  of  the  chin  and  throat  darker  than  the 
uudei-parts,  but  with  paler  margins,  scaly  in  cha-  [p.  10. 

racter  ;  tail  barred  e(|ually  rufous  and  black  ....     brachyurus, 
d^.  AboA'e  dark  brown,  narrowly  barred  with  rufous, 
the  barring  more  or  less  indistinct ;   underparts 
dark  brown, 
c'.  Head  and  neck  very  much  lighter  than  the  body ; 
striations   on   the   chin    and    throat    strongly 
marked  and  darker  than  the  underparts ;  back 
and  rump  entirely  barred  with  dull  rufous  :  size 
large — length  8"3  inches,  culmen  1-],  wing  5-0,  [p.  12, 

tail  2-8,  tarsus  0-85     foldensis, 

d"^.  Head  and  neck  brown,  and  only  slightly  lighter 
than  the  body ;  feathers  of  the  chin  and  throat 
unicolorous  with  the  underparts,  but  with  paler 
margins ;  rufous  barring  on  the  back  and  rump 
almost  obsolete  :  .size  .small — length  7"5  inches, 
culmen  1-0,  wing  4-5,  tail  2-4,  tarsus  0-85  ....      holroydi,  p.  15. 


of  the  Genus  Micropternus.  3 

1.  Micropternus  PHiEocEPs, 

Picus  riifus  (non  Grael.),  Gray,  Hardw.  111.  Ind.  Zool. 
pi.  xxix.  fig.  2  (1821-22) . 

Meiglyptes  badius  (non  Raffl.),  Hodgs.  in  Gray's  Zool. 
Misc.  1844,  p.  85. 

Micropternus  phaioceps,  Blyth,  J.  A.  S.  B.  xiv.  pp.  195,  551 
(1845) ;  id.  Cat.  B.  Mus.  As.  Soc.  p.  60  (1849)  ;  Bp.  Consp. 
Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9  (1854) ;  Beichenb.  Handb.  Scans.  Picinse, 
p.  403.  no.  939,  pi.  dclvii.  fig.  4373,  ?  ,  pi.  dclviii.  fig.  4377, 
?  (1854)  ;  Horsf.  &  Moore,  Cat.  B.  E.T.  Co.  Mus.  ii.  p.  667 
(1856-58);  Jerd.  B.  Ind.  i.  p.  294(1862);  id.  Ibis,  1872, 
p.  10;  Godwin-Austen,  J.  A.  S.  B.  xliii.  p.  176  (1874); 
Ball,  Str.  F.  1874,  p.  392;  Hume,  t.  c.  p.  472;  id.  & 
Gates,  op.  cit.  1875,  p.  72 ;  Blytli  &  Wald.  B.  Burm.  p.  77 
(1875) ;  Gammie,  Str.  F.  1876,  p.  511 ;  Hume,  op.  cit.  1877, 
p.  480;  id.  op.  cit.  1878,  vi.  pp.  145,  501  ;  Ball,  op.  cit.  1878, 
vii.  p.  206 ;  Cripps,  t.  c.  p.  262;  Scully,  op.  cit.  1879,  pp.  249, 
365;  Salvin,  Cat.  Strickl.  Coll.  p.  402  (1882). 

Meiglyptes  brachyurus  (non  VieilL),  Gray,  Cat.  Mamm.  &c. 
Nepal  pres.  Hodgs.  p.  117  (1846). 

Phaiopicos  bhjthii,  Malh.  Rev.  et  Mag.  Zool.  1849,  p.  534. 

Meiglyptes  phaioceps,  Gray,  Gen.  B.  iii.  App.  p.  22  (1849)  ; 
id.  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  124  (1868)  ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii. 
p.  203.  no.  8840  (1870). 

Meiglyptes  rufinotus,  Bp.  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  113  (1850). 

Phaiopicus  7'ufinotus,  Main.  Monogr.  Picid.  ii.  p.  1,  pi.  xlvi. 
figs.  1,  2  (1862). 

Micropternus phaoceps,  Beavan,  Ibis,  1865,  p.  411 ;  Bulger, 
op.  cit.  1869,  p.  157;  Hume,  Str.  F.  1879,  p.  88;  id.  op.  cit. 
1880,  p.  112;  Bingham,  t.  c.  p.  164;  Gates,  op.  cit.  1882,  x. 
p.  192;  id.  B.  Brit.  Burm.  ii.  p.  57  (1883). 

Picus  rufinotus,  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin.  p.  88  (1866); 
Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  178  (1876). 

Micropternus  burmanicus,  Hume,  P.  A.  S.  B.  1872,  pp. 
70-71. 

Adult  male.  Entirely  rufous,  the  top  of  the  head  dusky 
brown ;  the  whole  of  the  back,  as  well  as  the  wings  and  tail 
and  their  coverts,  barred  with  black,  the  barring  on  the  back, 

B  2 


4  Mr.  E.  Ilargitt  on  the  IVoodpeckers^ 

tail-coverts,  and  tail  narrow,  that  on  the  tail-feathers  about 
one  third  the  width  of  the  intervening  rufous  space ;  tips  of 
central  rectrices  and  outer  primaries  black ;  shafts  of  quills 
clear  orange- brown,  those  of  the  tail-feathei^s  darker  and 
more  of  a  dusky  brown ;  nasal  plumes,  forehead,  crown,  and 
occiput  uniform  dusky  brown  ;  the  nape  and  hind  neck  rich 
rufous  ;  occipital  and  nuchal  feathers  elongated  ;  the  feathers 
of  the  cheeks,  chin,  and  throat  of  the  same  colour  as  the 
underparts,  and  margined  on  both  webs  wdth  a  paler  and 
clearer  shade,  inclining  to  oclireous ;  under  the  eye  a  red 
spot  or  patch  ;  sides  of  the  neck  and  under  surface  of  the 
body  uniform,  the  sides  of  the  neck,  chest,  and  breast  being 
of  a  rich  rufous,  the  abdomen  slightly  dusky,  and  the  flanks 
and  thighs  barred  with  black  ;  under  tail-coverts  with  almost 
obsolete  black  barring ;  under  wing-coverts  and  axillaries 
rufous,  with  a  few  blackish  bar-like  spots.  Total  length  8*5 
inches,  culmen  1'18,  wing  4'9,  tail  2'5,  tarsus  09;  toes 
(without  claws) — outer  anteiior  0"72,  outer  posterior  0'68, 
inner  anterior  0'5,  inner  posterior  0*28. 

Adult  female.  Resembling  the  adult  male,  but  wanting  the 
red  spot  under  the  eye.  Total  length  8'0  inches,  culmen 
107,  wing  4-75,  tail  26,  tarsus  OSr). 

Mr.  Oates  gives  the  soft  parts  in  this  species  as  follows  : — 
"  Irides  brown  ;  eyelids  plumbeous  ;  bill  dark  brown,  nearly 
black,  plumbeous  at  base  of  lower  mandible;  inside  of 
mouth  rosy  fleshy ;  legs  and  feet  greyish  brown ;  claws 
horn-colour.''' 

I  have  in  my  collection  a  specimen  from  Kaukaryit  {Dar- 
ling),  which  has  the  chin  and  throat  intermediate  between 
M.  ph(Boceps  and  M.  brachyvrus  :  the  feathers  have  a  very 
dark-brown  central  stripe,  the  light  margins  being  broader 
than  in  M.  brachyiirus ;  the  tail  is  the  same  as  in  typical 
M.  phceoceps. 

The  present  species  is  perhaps  the  best  known  of  the  genus. 
It  is  found  in  North-east  and  Central  India,  Cachar,  Assam, 
and  southwards  extends  as  far  as  Tavoy  in  Tenasserim,  where 
it  is  replaced  by  M.  liracliyurus.  It  also  ranges  into  Siam, 
whence  there  is  an  example  in   the  Leiden  Museum  (Fer- 


of  the  Genus  Micropteruus.  5 

reaux).     Iq  the  British  Museum  are  specimens  from  Cochin 
China  [Pierre),  apparently  referable  to  the  present  species. 
According  to  Jerdon  M.  phceoceps  is   found    in    Kumaon, 
Nepal,  Sikkim,  Lower  Bengal,  and  in  some  of  the  forests 
of  Central  India ;    he    procured    it  in  the    Bustar   jungle, 
south-east  of  Nagpore.     Dr.  Scully  says  the  Rufous  Wood- 
pecker   seems   to    be   rather  rare  in    the   valley    of  Nepal. 
Capt.  Bulger  obtained  it  on  the  Rungmo  river,  in  Sikkiui, 
in    which    province    Jerdon    states  it   is    not    common    and 
keeps  to  the  warm  valleys,  from  1500  to  3000  feet  elevation. 
Mr.  Gammie  observed  it  at  Monghoo,  where  it  was  found 
breeding  in  ants^  nests.     Mr.  Cripps  records  it  from  Fur- 
reedpore,  in  Eastern  Bengal.     In  the  Rajmehal  Hills  it  has 
been  procured  by  Mr.   Ball,  who  observes   that  it  extends 
thence   to   the    Godaveri    valley,   being  found  in  the  hilly 
region.     Capt.  Beavan  saw  it  at  Maunbhoom.     In  my  cabinet 
are  examples  collected  by  Mr.  Inglis  in  Cachar  ;  these  spe- 
cimens are  small ;    Assam   examples,   on  the   contrary,  are 
large.     Blyth  gives  Tipperah  and  Arracan  as  habitats  of  this 
species.     Mr.  Eugene  Gates  says  it  is  "very  common  on  the 
eastern  slopes  of  the  Pegu  Hills  from  the  frontier  right  down 
to  Rangoon,   round  which  town  it  is  specially  abundant." 
Mr.  Hume's  collection  contains  examples  from  Tenasseriui 
as  follows  : — Pahpoon,  Reeling,   Thatoue,   Wimpong,  Mya  ■ 
wadee,   Ko-go-Houngthraw,   Kaukaryit,   Houngthraw  river, 
Moulmein,  Karope,  Amherst,  Meeta  Myo,  and  Tavoy.     In 
the  Appendix  to  the  "Birds  of  Tenasserim^'  ("^  Stray  Fea- 
thers,^ vi.  p.  501  :   1878),  Mr.  Hume  says,  ^' We  procured  a 
large   additional  series  of  this   species  around  the  base  of 
Nwalabo  and  in  the  country  between  this  and  Tavoy.     All 
of  them  are,  on  the  whole,  more  properly  referable  to  this 
species,  though  two  or  three  of  them  make  a  decided  approach 
to  brachyurus."     According  to  Capt.  Bingham  it  is  a  fairly 
common  bii*d  in  the  Thoungyeen  jungles.     Mr.  Hume  (Str. 
F.  1880,  p.  112)  gives  an  isolated  instance  of  its  occurrence 
at  Klang,  Salangore,  in  the  Malay  peninsula,  and  states  that 
the  example  is  a  typical  specimen  of  M.  phreoceps,  also  that 
he  has   procured  a   large  series   of  Micropterni  north    and 


6  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

south  of  that  placC;,  as  well  as  in  the  same  locality,  and  that^ 
with  this  exception,  they  have  all  been  true  M.  brachyurus. 

2.    MiCROPTERNUS  BADIOSUS. 

Meighjptes  badiosus,  Temm.  Mus.  Lugd. ;  Bp.  Consp.  Gen. 
Av.  i.  p.  113  (1850);  Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  126 
(1868);  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  203.  no.  8646  (1870). 

Micropter-nus  badiosus,  Bp.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9 
(1854);  Reichenb.  Handb.  Scans.  PiciniB,  p.  404.  no.  942 
(1854)  ;  Salvad.  Ucc.  Born.  p.  58  (1874) ;  Sharpe,  P.  Z.  S. 
1875,  p.  103;  Hume,  Str.  F.  1877,  pp.  480,  481 ;  Sharpe, 
Ibis,  1879,  p.  243  ;  id.  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  792  ;  id.  Ibis,  1883, 
p.  89. 

Phaiopicus  badiosus,  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  ii.  p.  6  (1882). 

Picus  badiosus,  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Piciu.  p.  91  (1866) ; 
Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  143  (1876). 

Adult  male.  Entire  plumage  rich  rufous,  slightly  dusky 
on  the  forehead  and  crown ;  back,  scapularies,  and  wing- 
coverts  uniform,  the  concealed  portion  of  some  of  the  fea- 
thers having  blackish  barring ;  bastard  wing  and  primary- 
coverts  barred  with  black  on  the  inner  webs  ;  quills  barred 
with  black  upon  both  webs,  the  barring  on  the  inner  webs 
broader,  the  bar-like  spots  on  the  outer  webs  of  some  of  the 
inner  primaries  almost  obsolete,  tips  of  primaries  black ; 
shafts  of  quills  brown ;  rump-feathei's  black  at  the  base_,  the 
apical  portion  having  an  intermarginal  V-shapcd  black  mark- 
ing ;  upper  tail-coverts  with  a  similar  marking  on  the  apical 
portion,  and  barred  with  black  at  the  base ;  tail-feathers 
barred  with  black  on  the  basal  half,  the  width  of  the  black 
and  rufous  barring  being  equal;  apical  half  black;  dwarf 
feather  barred  with  black  along  its  whole  length ;  shafts 
black ;  nasal  plumes,  forehead,  and  crown  slightly  dusky ; 
occipital  feathers  elongated ;  the  feathers  surrounding  the 
eye  tipped  with  crimson ;  cheeks,  chin,  and  throat  like  the 
underparts,  the  feathers  margined  with  huffy  whitish ;  sides 
of  the  face  and  neck,  fore  neck,  and  under  surface  of  the 
body  uniform,  the  flanks  and  under  tail-coverts  with  almost 
obsolete  blackish  barring ;  under  wing-coverts  and  axillaries 


of  the  Genus  Micropternus,  7 

uniform  rufous  :  "  iris  dull  red  "  (Dorla) .  Total  length  75 
inches,  culmen  I'OS,  wing  4'25,  tail  2*15,  tarsus  0"83  ;  toes 
(without  claws) — outer  anterior  0-63,  outer  posterior  0-57, 
inner  anterior  0*55,  inner  posterior  0*15. 

Another  male  (apparently  fully  adult)  from  Sandakau 
{Pryer),  with  the  feathers  entirely  surrounding  the  eye 
tipped  with  crimson,  has  the  back  and  wing-coverts  more 
barred  with  black,  the  tail  being  black,  with  indistinct  rufous 
barring  at  the  base.  It  appears  therefore  that  birds  fully 
adult  may  or  may  not  have  the  back  clearly  banded  with 
black.  In  M.  phaoceps  are  often  found  fully  adult  specimens 
having  the  back  nearly  uniform  ;  but  the  character  of  the 
majority  of  individuals  of  each  species  comprised  in  the  present 
genus  (except  M.  Aac?io5M5,  judging  from  the  examples  which  I 
have  examined)  is  to  have  the  back  banded.  I  think  that  the 
immature  and  adult  stages  of  plumage  in  Micropterni,  as  in 
many  other  genera  of  Woodpeckers,  are  more  clearly  indi- 
cated by  coloration  than  by  markings.  In  the  species  at 
present  under  notice  the  large  amount  and  brilliancy  of  the 
red  surrounding  the  eye,  and  the  bright  yellow  spot  on  the 
lower  mandible,  show  the  adult  stage. 

Adult  female.  Resembling  the  adult  male,  but  wanting  the 
red  patch  on  the  side  of  the  face.  Total  length  7*2  inches, 
culmen  1"05,  wing  4"23,  tail  2'25,  tarsus  0"83. 

This  species  is  confined  to  the  island  of  Borneo.  Mr. 
Pryer  met  with  it  in  Sandakan,  and  it  has  been  obtained 
at  Lumbidan  by  Governor  Ussher  and  Mr.  Treacher,  the 
former  gentleman  having  also  procured  it  at  Brunei.  Mr. 
Treacher  found  it  on  the  Lawas  river.  Mr.  Wallace,  as  well 
as  Marquis  Doria  and  Dr.  Beccari,  obtained  this  species  in 
Sarawak,  and  Messrs.  Mottley  and  Schierbrand  procured 
specimens  at  Banjermassing. 

3.  Micropternus  gularis, 

Micropternus  gularis,  Jerd.  Madr.  Journ.  xiii.  p.  139 
(1844);  Blyth,  J.  A.  S.  B.  1816,  p.  17;  id.  Cat.  B.  Mus. 
As.  Soc.  p.  61  (1849)  ;  Bp.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9 
(1854,  pt.);  Beichenb.  Handb,  Scans.  Picinae,  p.  403.  no.  941, 


8  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  IP'oodpeckers 

pi.  dclviii.  figs.  4375,  4376,  ?  S  (1854)  ;    Jcrd.  B.  Ind.  i. 

p.  294  (1862);  Blyth,  Ibis,  1867,  p.  297;   Hume,  Str.  F. 

1873,  p.  434;  Blanf.  Ibis,  1874,  p.  92;  Legge,  Str.  F.  1875, 

p.  201  ;    id.  Ibis,   1875,  p.  283 ;   Fairbank,   Str.  F.   1876, 

pp.  255,  265  ;   Hume,  op.  cit.  1877,  pp.  480,  481 ;  id.  op.  cit. 

1879,  p.  88;  Legge,  B.  Ceyl.  p.  200  (1880);  Butl.  Cat.  B.  S. 

Bomb.  Presid.  p.  24  (1880)  ;   Vidal,  Str.  F.  1880,  p.  53  ; 

Butl.  t.  c.  p.  386  ;  Salvin,  Cat.  Strickl.  Coll.  p.  403  (1882) ; 

Davison,  Str.  F.  x.  p.  356  (1883). 

Phaiopicos  jerdoni,  Malh.  N.  Classif.  Mem.  Acad.  Metz, 

1848-49,  p.  338;  id.  Rev.  Zool.  1849,  p.  535. 

Me'ujlyptes  gularis,  Gray,  Gen.   B.  iii.  App.  p.  22  (1849)  ; 

Bp.   Consp.  Gen.   Av.   i.  p.  113  (1850)  ;    Gray,  List  Picid. 

Brit.  Mus.  p.  125  (1868)  ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  203.  no.  8811 

(1870?;. 

Micropternus  phaioceps  (non  Blyth),  Layard,  Ann.  &  Mag. 

Nat.  Hist.  2nd  ser.  xiii.  p.  450  (1854). 

Phaiopicus  jerdoni,  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  ii.  p.  3,  pi.  xlvii. 

figs.  1,  2,  3  (1862). 

Picus  giduris  (non  Wagl.),  pt.^  Sundev.  Cousp.  Av.  Picin. 

p.  89  (1866);  Giebel,  Tlies.  Orn.  p.  157  (1876). 

Adult  mcde.  Entire  plumage  bright  rufous,  the  top  of  the 
head  and  the  throat  darker;  the  back  and  scapularies  faintly 

barred  with  blackish  ;  wing-coverts  barred  and  spotted  with 

black ;  bastard  wing,  primary-coverts,  and  quills  barred  with 
black,  the  barring  broader  on  the  inner  webs  of  the  quills, 
the  tips  of  the  outermost  being  black  and  the  shafts  reddish 
brown ;  rump  with  almost  obsolete  dusky  barring ;  upper 
tail-coverts  narrowly  barred  with  black ;  tail  also  very  nar- 
rowly barred  with  the  same,  the  bars  being  about  one  third 
the  width  of  the  intervening  rufous  space  ;  tips  of  central 
feathers  black ;  tail-shafts  brown ;  nasal  plumes,  forehead, 
and  crown  dusky  brown,  the  feathers  with  rather  lighter  and 
more  rufous  margins;  lores  and  sides  of  the  face  slightly 
lighter  tban  the  crown,  the  feathers  of  the  loral  region  and 
cheeks  edged  with  brighter  rufous ;  a  large  crimson  patch 
under  the  eye ;  the  feathers  of  the  chin  and  throat  having  a 
transverse  and  somewhat  heart-shaped  dusky-brown  spot  at 


of  the  GewM5  Micro pternus.  9 

the  tija  aud  margined  witli  whitish,  this  white  margin  con- 
fined to  the  extreme  tip  of  the  feather  ;  sides  of  the  neck  and 
from  the  fore  neck,  inclusive,  downwards  uniform,  brighter  in 
colour  on  the  side  of  the  neck,  fore  neck,  and  chest ;  the  flanks, 
thighs,  and  under  tail-coverts  faintly  barred  with  blackish, 
the  barring  almost  obsolete  on  the  under  tail- coverts  j  under 
wing-coverts  and  axillaries  rufous,  the  former  barred  with 
blackish.  Total  length  9'0  inches,  culmen  1-25,  wing  S'O, 
tail  2"6,  tarsus  0'9;  toes  (without  claws) — outer  anterior  0'7, 
outer  posterior  0*6,  inner  anterior  0'55,  inner  posterior  0'23. 
Col.  Legge  gives  the  soft  parts  in  this  sex  as  follows  : — "  Iris 
chestnut-brown  in  some,  brownish  red  in  others ;  bill  black, 
with  a  slate-coloured,  or  sometimes  a  greenish,  line  at  the 
sides  of  the  lower  mandible  ;  legs  and  feet  '  slaty  '  or  blackish 
plumbeous."^ 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  wanting 
the  red  spot  under  the  eye  :  "  bill  dull  black  ;  legs,  feet,  and 
claws  the  same, but  tinged  with  plumbeous;  irides  deep  brown '^ 
{W.  Davison).  Total  length  8*5  inches,  culmen  l-l,  wing  4"8, 
tail  2-4,  tarsus  0-88. 

The  habitat  of  this  species  is  the  peninsula  of  India  and 
Ceylon.  Mr.  Vidal  records  it  fi'om  South  Konkan.  Capt. 
Butler,  in  his  '  Catalogue  of  Birds  of  the  Southern  Portion  of 
the  Bombay  Presidency/  observes  : — "  Permanent  resident. 
It  is  not  uncommon,  and  occurs  all  along  the  Sahyadri  range 
and  in  the  adjacent  forests  as  far  north  as  Khandala.  Some 
of  the  specimens  procured  by  Mr.  Vidal  in  the  north  of 
Ratnagiri  are  pronounced  by  Mr.  Hume  to  be  intermediate 
between  gularis  and  pliaioceps!^  Mr.  Fairbank  found  it  at 
Khandala  and  Mahabaleshwar  on  the  western  declivities. 
Mr.  Davison  has  obtained  it  at  Ootacamund,  but  says  its 
occurrence  at  that  elevation  is  exceptional ;  he  further  re- 
marks— "  it  occurs,  but  nowhere  numerously,  on  the  slopes  of 
the  Nilghiris  in  the  Wynaad  and  Mysore  country.  It  avoids 
the  heavy  forest,  frequenting  thin  tree  and  bamboo  jungle. "" 
I  have  in  my  cabinet  a  specimen  from  Travancore  [Dr.  Day). 
Mr.  Layard  says  it  is  ''  decidedly  a  rare  species  in  Ceylon, 
and   almost   confined    to    the    south."      According    to    Col. 


10  Mr.  E,  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

Legge,  however,  this  species  is  Avidely  distributed  in  tiiat 
island,  although  perhaps  more  rare  in  the  north  :  it  appears  to 
be  met  with  throughout  the  low  country^  and  Mr.  Bligh  has 
seen  it  up  to  about  2000  feet  elevation.  Ceylonese  examples 
of  this  species  are  darker  above  and  more  distinctly  barred 
with  black. 

4.    MiCaOPTERNUS  BRACHYUttUS. 

Picus  brachyurus,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  Hist.  Nat.  xxvi.  p.  103 
(1818) ;  Bonn.  &  Vieill.  Enc.  Meth.  p.  1324  (1823)  ;  Wagl. 
Syst.  Av.  no.  71  (1827)  ;  Drap.  Diet.  Class.  Hist.  Nat.  xiii. 
p.  505  (1828)  ;  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin.  p.  89  (1866)  ; 
Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  145  (1876). 

Picus  budius,  Raffl.  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.  xiii.  p.  289  (1822)  ; 
Less.  Compl.  Butf.  ix.  p.  313  (1837j  ;  Sundev.  Consp.  Av. 
Picin.  p.  90  (1866)  ;  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  143  (1876). 

Hemicircus  badius,  Eyton,  P.  Z.  S.  1839,  p.  106. 

Micropternus  badius,  Blyth,  J.  A.  S.  B.  xiv.  p.  551  (1815 
id.  Cat.   B.  Mus.  As.  Soc.  p.  61  (1819)  ;  Reichenb.  Handb 
Scans.  Picina;,  p.  403.  no.  910,  pi.  dclviii.  fig.  4374  (1854) 
Horsf.  &  Moore,  Cut.  B.  E.I.  Co.  Mus.  p.  666  (1856-58) 
Hume,  Str.  F.  1875,  p.  319;  Tweedd.  Ibis,  1877,  p.  289 
Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Genov.  xiv.  p.  184  (1879)  ;  Nicholson, 
Ibis,  1881,  p.  141  ;  id.  op.  cit.  1882,  p.  55. 

Meighjptes  brachyurus,  Gray,  Gen.  B.  iii.  App.  p.  22  (1849); 
Bp.  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  113  (1850)  ;  Gray,  List  Picid. 
Brit.  Mus.  p.  125  (1868) ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  203.  no.  8843 
(1870). 

Phaiopicos  brachyurus,  Malh.  N.  Classif.  Mem.  Acad.  Metz, 
1818-19,  p.  337;  id.  Rev.  Zool.  1849,  p.  536. 

Micropternus  gularis  (pt.),  Reichenb.  Handb.  Scans. 
Picinai,  p.  403.  no.  941,  pi.  dclviii.  figs.  4375,  4376,  ?  S 
(1854). 

Micropternus  brachyurus,  Bp.  Consp.  Yolucr.  Zygod.  p.  9 
(1851)  ;  Gray,  List  Gen.  1855,  p.  94;  Hume,  Str.  F.  1877, 
pp.  480,  481  ;  id.  &  Davison,  op.  cit.  1878,  vi.  p.  145  ;  Hume, 
op.  cit.  1879,  pp.  52,  88  ;  Miiller,  Orn.  Ins.  Salanga,  p.  72 
(1882)  ;  Gates,  B.  Brit.  Burm.  ii.  p.  58  (1883). 


of  the  Genus  Micropternus.  11 

Phaiopicus  brachyurus,  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  ii.  p.  o, 
pi.  xlvi.  figs.  4,  5  (1862). 

Pious  squamigularis,  Sunclev.  Consp.  Av.  Piciu.  p.  89 
(1866). 

Meiglyptes  badiiis,  Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  126 
(1868)  ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  203.  no.  88i5  (1870). 

Meiglyptes  S(jnamigula7'is,  Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus. 
p.  126  (1868) ;  id.  Haud-l.  B.  ii.  p.  203.  no.  8844  (1870). 

Adult  male.  Entire  hack,  rump,  wings  and  their  coverts, 
tail  and  tail-coverts  rufous,  barred  with  black;  the  apical 
portion  of  the  inner  w^ebs  of  the  primaries  black  for  about 
one  inch  of  their  length;  the  black  barring  on  the  tail- 
feathers  well  defined  and  considerably  broader  than  the 
rufous  interspace,  and  the  tips  of  these  feathers  black  ;  head 
rufous-buff,  the  feathers  of  the  forehead  and  crown  centred 
with  dusky  brown,  those  under  the  eye  tipped  with  red,  this 
colour  spreading  on  to  some  of  the  ear-coverts  ;  cheeks,  chin, 
and  throat  dark  brown,  the  feathers  margined  with  and  having 
a  basal  stripe  of  buff;  nape,  hind  neck,  side  of  the  neck, 
chest,  and  breast  imiform  rich  rufous  ;  abdomen,  vent,  and 
under  tail-coverts  dusky  rufous,  barred  with  black,  the  barring 
very  faint  on  the  abdomen ;  sides  of  the  body,  flanks,  and 
thighs  rufous,  barred  with  black ;  under  wing-coverts  and 
axillaries  rufous-buff,  with  dusky  transverse  markings :  "  irides 
reddish  brown  ;  upper  mandible  black  ;  lower  mandible 
black  at  tip,  and  behind  dirty  white ;  legs  and  feet  grey  " 
{H.  0.  Forbes).  Total  length  7'5  inches,  culmen  1-05,  wing 
4-25,  tail  2-25,  tarsus  0-83;  toes  (without  claws) — outer  an- 
terior 0*62,  outer  posterior  0"57,  inner  anterior  0-47,  inner 
posterior  0'25. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  wanting 
the  red  patch  under  the  eye.  Total  length  7*0  inches,  culmen 
1-0,  wing  4-2,  tail  2-05,  tarsus  0-8. 

Immature  birds  have  the  head  lighter,  and  the  feathers  of 
the  chin  and  throat  of  a  less  dark  brown.  In  very  young 
specimens  the  dark  centres  to  these  feathers  are  of  a  still 
paler  brown,  and  the  dark  centres  of  the  occipital  feathers 
have  a  spotted  character.     A  young  female  in  my  collection 


12  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

has  some  of  the  rufous  feathers  of  the  nape  tinged  with  red  ; 
but  this  colour  I  have  never  observed  on  the  nape  of  any 
other  specimen,  and  regard  as  purely  accidental. 

This  species  does  not  appear  to  range  north  of  Tavoy,  but 
is  found  throughout  the  southern  portion  of  Tenasserim. 
Mr.  Hume^s  collection  contains  examples  from  Mergui, 
Pakchan,  Eankasoon,  and  Malewoon.  It  is  also  i'ound  in 
the  Malayan  peninsula;  and  Mr.  Hume  gives  the' following 
localities  : — Penang,  Malacca,  Pulo  Seban,  Singapore,  and 
Wellesley  Province.  I  also  have  in  my  cabinet  a  specimen 
from  the  island  of  Salanga  {Weber).  It  appears  to  be  fairly 
common  in  Sumatra,  Bangka,  and  Java  ;  the  Leiden  Museum 
contains  numerous  examples  from  these  localities.  Typical 
specimens  from  Java  are  larger  than  the  Sumatran  bird,  and 
have  the  feathers  of  the  thi'oat  blacker,  with  white  margins. 
Examples  from  Bangka  are  intermediate  between  the  Javau 
and  Sumatran  birds. 

5.    MiCROPTERXUS  FOKIENSIS. 

Brachypternus  bailius  (non  llaffl.),  Swinh.  Ibis,  1861, 
p.  267. 

Brachypternus  fokiensis,  Swinh.  P.  Z.  S.  1863,  p.  87  ;  id. 
Ibis,  1868,  p.  63. 

Micropternus  fokiensis,  Swinh.  P.  Z.  S.  1863,  p.  267;  id. 
op.  cit.  1871,  p.  393  ;  David  &  Oust.  Ois.  Chine,  p.  54 
(1877). 

Picus  fokiensis,  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Pieiu.  p.  91  (1866); 
Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  154  (1876). 

MeigJyptes  fokiensis,  Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  126 
(1868)  ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  203.  no.  8847  (1870). 

Microp)ternus  brachyurus  (pt.),  Hume,  Str.  F.  1877,  p.  481. 

Adult  male.  Upper  back  uniform  dark  brown  ;  middle  and 
lower  back,  rump,  scapularies,  and  wing-coverts  blackish 
brown,  narrowly  barred  with  rufous ;  bastard  wing  and 
primary-coverts  blackish  brown,  barred  with  rufous ;  quills 
barred  brownish  black  and  rufous  on  both  Avebs ;  shafts 
reddish  orange  on  the  rufous  portion  of  the  web,  and  blackish 
where  the  feather  is  erosscnl  bv  a  black  bar;   the  shafts  of  the 


of  the  Ge?iM5  Micropternns.  13 

inner  quills  blackish  brown ;  upper  tail-coverts  barred  black 
and  rufous  ;  tail  rufous^  crossed  by  fine  bars  of  black,  these 
bars   being  rather  narrower   than    the    rufous    interspaces  ; 
shafts  reddish  or  purplish  brown;  lores,  forehead,  crown  and 
occiput,  sides  of  the  face,  and  upper  neck  brownish  bu^ff,  the 
feathers  having  dark-brown  central  stripes ;  below  the  eye 
a  patch  of  crimson  ;  hind  neck   and   lower  side  of  the  neck 
more  rufous  than  the  head,  the  feathers  having  similar  cen- 
tral stripes ;  chin  and  throat  buff,  each  feather  centred  with 
a  very  dark  brown  stripe  ;  fore  neck  and  chest  rufous ;  entire 
under  surface  of  the  body  dark  brown,  the  flanks  and  thighs 
barred    with    rufous ;    under   tail-coverts   dull  rufous,  with 
either  an  interraarginal  blackish  line  or  transverse  and  other 
varied  blackish  markings  ;  under  wing-coverts  rufous,  varied 
with  black.     Total  length  9"0  inches,  culmen  1"12,  wing  5'1, 
tail  2'8,  tarsus  0"9  ;  toes  (without  claws) — outer  anterior  0'7, 
outer  posterior  0'7,  inner  anterior  0'55,  inner  posterior  0"23. 
Male,  ap'parenthj  nut  fully  adult  (Swinhoe's  type).    Entire 
back,  scapularies,  and  rump  blackish  brown,  narrowly  barred 
with  rufous ;  wing-coverts,   also  the  bastard  wing  and  pri- 
mary-coverts, barred  blackish  brown  and  rufous,  the  latter 
barring  broader  on   these  parts   than   on  the  back  ;  quills 
rufous,  barred  across  both  webs  with  black ;  shafts  reddish, 
those  of  the  inner  secondaries   more   dusky  brown ;    upper 
tail-coverts  clearly  barred  rufous   and  black,  the  width   of 
barring  about  equal ;  tail   rufous,   barred  with    black,    the 
latter  about  half  the  width  of  the  intervening  rufous  space  ; 
shafts  reddish  brown ;  nasal  plumes,  also  the  entire  head, 
neck,   chin,  and  throat,  light  buffy  brown,  almost   all   the 
feathers  having  a  dusky  brown  central  stripe,  these  striations 
being   strongly   marked  on  the  chin   and    throat ;    feathers 
under  the  eye  tipped   with  crimson;  under  surface  of  the 
body  dusky  brown,  brighter  rufous  on  the  chest ;  the  fea- 
thers of  the  flanks,  thighs,  and  under  tail-coverts,  also  a  few 
on  the  abdomen,  rufous,  barred  with  blackish  brown  ;  under 
wing-coverts   uniform  rufous ;  axillaries  barred   rufous  and 
black  :  "  bill  bluish  grey,  with  more  or  less  greenish  yellow 
on  the  lower  mandible ;  iris  reddish  brown ;  legs  and  claws 


14  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  IVoodpeckers 

greenish  slaty"  [Sivinhoe).  Total  length  8*5  inches,  culmen 
1*1,  wing  5-0,  tail  2-9,  tarsus  0'88  ;  toes  (without  claws)  — 
outer  anterior  0'7,  outer  posterior  0'65,  inner  anterior  0*55, 
inner  posterior  022. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  Avanting  the 
red  patch  under  the  eye.  Total  leugth  9"0  inches,  culmen 
ri5,  wing  4"95,  tail  2-95,  tarsus  0*85. 

Nestling.  In  general  coloration  and  marking  almost  iden- 
tical with  the  adult,  but  differing  in  having  the  upper  back 
barred  black  and  dull  rufous  ;  the  striations  on  the  throat  of 
a  less  dark  brown,  and  the  under  wing-coverts  almost  uniform 
pale  rufous. 

Swinhoe^s  type  specimen  of  the  female  has  the  head  darker 
and  more  washed  with  rufous-brown  than  any  other  example 
I  have  seen.  It  is  apparently  a  fully  adult  bird,  but  all  the 
other  specimens  which  I  have  examined  have  the  head  and 
neck  conspicuously  lighter  than  the  rest  of  the  body  and  of 
a  buff  colour.  The  descriptions  of  the  adult  birds  are  taken 
from  examples  in  the  British  Museum,  and  I  have  also  given 
that  of  Swinhoe^s  male  type,  a  bird  apparently  not  fully  adult. 

Swinhoe  first  recorded  this  species  in  '  The  Ibis ''  for 
1861,  p.  207,  under  the  heading  of  Brachypternus  badius. 
The  specimen  was  procured  by  himself  in  Foochow,  and  he 
afterwards  more  fully  described  the  species  in  the  '  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Zoological  Society,'  1863,  p.  87,  under  the  name 
of  Brachypternus  fohensis ,  giving  the  soft  parts  and  measure- 
ments of  both  sexes,  and  adding,  "  I  have  never  received  this 
bird  from  any  part  of  China  but  Foochow,  where  it  is  not 
particularly  common."  The  above-mentioned  ornithologist, 
in  '  The  Ibis '  for  1868,  p.  63,  mentions  having  received  from 
one  of  his  hunters  three  females  and  one  male,  collected  on 
the  Tiugchow  mountains,  about  120  miles  north-east  from 
Amoy.  Swinhoe  remarks  that  one  female  had  the  head 
and  neck  of  a  pale  reddish  cream-colour,  the  feathers  marked 
with  blackish  brown  and  chestnut  in  the  middle ;  and  this  he 
believes  to  be  the  fresh-moulted  bird.  I  would  observe  that 
examples  having  the  bill  entirely  black,  and  the  abdomen 
with  dusky  crescent-shaped  markings,  are,  in  my  opinion,  im- 


of  the  Genus  Micropternus.  15 

mature,  adult  birds  having  a  yellow  spot  at  the  angle  of  the 
lower  mandible  and  the  under  surface  of  the  body  entirely 
uniform.  Although  the  prevailing  colour  of  the  head  and 
neck  in  birds  of  this  species  is  light  ochreous  brown,  indi- 
viduals do  occur  (apparently  equally  adult)  in  which  these 
parts  are  of  a  rufous-brown.  The  Leiden  Museum  contains 
an  example  of  the  present  species  said  to  have  been  procured 
in  Cochin  China  [Verreaux) . 

Mr.  Hume  makes  M.fokiensis  a  synonym  of  M.  brachy- 
urus ;  but  I  cannot  agree  with  this  author  that,  ^"^  according 
to  Swinhoe's  own  showing,  the  Foochow  bird  is  referable  to 
M.  brachyurus,"  for  even  in  the  first  record  of  the  bird  in 
'The  Ibis^  for  18G1,  p.  267,  as  M.  badius,  Swinhoe  adds, 
p.  409,  t.  c.  : — "  The  Brachypternus  from  Foochow  is  much 
larger  (nearly  double  the  size)  than  B.  badius  of  Java.  It  is 
of  a  much  richer  brown,  but  would  appear  otherwise  similar.'^ 
These  remarks  Avere  made  before  he  described  the  Foochow 
bird  as  a  distinct  species. 

6.   Micropternus  holroydi. 

Micropternus  holroydi,  Swinhoe,  Ibis,  1870,  p.  95  ;  id. 
P.  Z.  S.  1871,  p.  393 ;  David  &  Oust.  Ois.  Chine,  p.  54 
(1877). 

Picus  holroydi,  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  159  (1876). 

Adult  male  (type).  Entire  back,  rump,  and  scapularies 
dark  brown,  with  narrow  and  almost  obsolete  rufous  barring ; 
wing-coverts,  bastard  wing,  and  primary-coverts  barred  rufous 
and  black ;  quills  barred  rufous  and  black  across  both  webs, 
tips  of  the  outermost  primaries  black ;  shafts  of  quills 
reddish,  those  of  the  inner  secondaries  inclining  to  dark 
brown;  upper  tail-coverts  rufous,  barred  with  black;  tail 
rufous,  with  not  more  than  six  transverse  black  bars,  these 
being  slightly  narrower  than  the  rufous  space  between ; 
shafts  reddish  brown ;  nasal  plumes,  lores,  and  entire  head 
and  throat  brown,  the  feathers  having  paler  margins ;  o(  ciput, 
nape,  and  sides  of  the  neck  like  the  head,  but  the  margins  of 
the  feathers  are  more  rufous;  the  feathers  at  the  base  of 
the  upper  mandible,  also  those  under  and  behind  the  eye, 


16         On  the  Woodpeckers  of  the  Genus  Micropterniis. 

tipped  with  crimson  ;  under  surface  of  the  body  i-ufous-brown, 
brighter  on  the  chest  and  breast ;  the  thighs  barred  rufous 
and  bhack;  under  tail-coverts  rufous,  faintly  barred  with 
black ;  under  wing-coverts  rufous,  covered  with  bar-like 
spots  of  black  ;  axillaries  rufous,  striped  with  blackish : 
"irides  ochreous  white;  bill  deep  bluish  grey,  with  the 
greater  part  of  the  lower  mandible  and  edge  of  the  upper 
greenish  yellow;  legs  and  claws  slate-colour,  tinged  with 
green"  {Sivinhoe).  Total  length  7  5  inches,  culmen  I'O, 
wing  4-5,  tail  2'4,  tarsus  0"85  ;  toes  (without  claws) — outer 
anterior  O'OS,  outer  posterior  0-6,2,  inner  anterior  0-47,  inner 
posterior  02. 

Achtlt  female  (type). — Differing  from  the  adult  male  in 
the  absence  of  the  crimson  spot  under  the  eye.  Swiuhoe 
gives  the  soft  parts  the  same  as  in  the  male.  Total  length 
the  same  as  in  the  male.  Total  length  7"5  inches,  culmen 
1"05,  wing  4-75,  tail  2'45,  tarsus  0"87. 

This  species  was  first  procured  by  SAvinhoe  at  Tai-ping-sze, 
Central  Hainan,  and  appears  to  be  confined  to  that  island. 
M.  holroydi  may  be  distinguished  from  M.fokiensis  by  its 
very  much  smaller  size,  its  darker  crown  and  occipital 
feathers,  and  the  paler  centres  to  the  throat-feathers.  The 
measurements  of  the  two  species  are  as  follows  : — 


M.  hob'oi/di. 

Total  length. 

Culmen.           Wing. 

Tail. 

Tarsus. 

(S  ad.      , 

7-5 

1-0                  4-5 

2-4 

0-85 

$  ad.      . 

7-5 

1-05               4-75 
M.  fokiensis. 

2-45 

0-87 

cT  ad.      , 

8-3 

M                 5-0 

2-8 

0-85 

2  ad.      . 

9-5 

1-12              5-23 

3-0 

0-83 

Mr.  Hume  (Str.  F.  1877,  p.  481)  makes  M.  holroydi  (with 
a  query)  a  synonym  of  M.  phceoceps,  but  says  that  he  has 
not  seen  the  bird. 


Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the  Genus  Chasiempis.  17 

II. — On  the  Muscicapine  Genus  Chasiempis. 
By  P.  L.  Sclater,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.R.S. 

(Plate  I.) 

Among  some  specimens  of  birds  which  the  authorities  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  have  kindly  sent  over  for  my  exami- 
nation are  the  two  skins  upon  which  Mr.  Ridgway  based 
his  Chasiempis  sclatei'i  (Proc.  U.  S.  N.  Mus.  1881,  p.  337). 
Having  had  the  opportunity  of  comparing  these  skins  with 
the  examples  of  Chasiempis  in  the  British  Museum,  I  am 
enabled  to  offer  a  few  remarks  on  this  little-known  type  of 
the  family  Muscicapidse. 

Latham  was  the  first  author  who  noticed  this  peculiar 
Sandwich-Island  form.  In  the  second  volume  of  his  'General 
Synopsis '  (p.  33 1)  is  described  the  "  Sandwich  Flycatcher/' 
from  a  specimen  in  the  "  collection  of  Sir  Joseph  Banks," 
as  follows  : — 

"  Length  five  inches  and  a  half.  Bill  black,  bristly  at  the 
base,  where  it  is  yellowish ;  forehead  buff-coloured  ;  over 
the  eye  a  white  line ;  the  upper  parts  of  the  body  brown ; 
wing-coverts  edged  with  pale  rust-colour ;  greater  quills 
brown  ;  both  of  them  tipped  with  dusky  white ;  tail  brown ; 
all  the  feathers,  except  the  two  middle  ones,  tipped  with 
white ;  the  chin  is  pale,  marked  with  dusky  streaks ;  on  each 
side  of  the  neck  a  mixture  of  white;  breast  rust-colour; 
belly  and  vent  yellowish  white ;  legs  black.  Inhabits  the 
Sandwich  Islands." 

A  little  lower  down,  Latham  gives  the  subjoined  descrip- 
tion of  this  Spotted-winged  Flycatcher,  which  is  generally 
supposed  to  be  the  female  of  the  same  species  : — 

"  Bill  black ;  base  of  the  under  mandible  yellow  at  the 
edges ;  the  plumage  on  the  upper  parts  of  the  body  ferru- 
ginous brown  ;  the  head  palest ;  on  each  of  the  wing-coverts, 
at  the  tip,  is  a  round  ferruginous  white  spot ;  the  rump  fer- 
ruginous ;  quills  dusky ;  the  underparts  of  the  body  pale 
reddish  brown,  changing  to  reddish  white  on  the  bottom  of 
the  belly  ;  vent  the  same,  but  the  feathers  tipped  with  still 

SEll.  V. VOL.  iir.  c 


18  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the  Genus  Chasiempis. 

paler  colour;  tail  brown;  the  outer  feathers  marked  at  the 
tip  of  the  inner  web  Avith  white ;  legs  black.  Supposed  to 
inhabit  the  Sandwich  Islands." 

Upon  the  first  of  these  descriptions  Gmelin  established 
his  Muscicapa  sandivichensis,  and  upon  the  second  his 
M.  maculata. 

Beyond  quoting  these  names,  subsequent  authors  appeared 
to  have  done  little  with  the  present  species  until  1847,  when 
Dr.  Cabanis  instituted  his  genus  Chasiemjns  for  Muscicapa 
sandivichensis,  and  pointed  out  the  significance  of  this 
Sandwich-Island  bird  belonging  to  the  true  Muscicapidse, 
and  not  to  the  Tyrannida?. 

Notwithstanding  this  warning,  I  inserted,  in  1862,  in  ray 
'  Catalogue  of  American  Birds  '  a  specimen  of  the  female  of 
Chasiempis  sandwichensis,  then  in  my  collection,  as  a  "  Cni- 
polegiis,  sj^.  inc."  I  had  purchased  this  skin  of  Vcrreaux,  of 
Paris,  labelled  "  Chili,"  and  was  quite  unaware  of  what  it 
really  was  (never  having  seen  an  example  of  Chasiempis 
sandwichensis)  until  I  took  it  over  to  Berlin  some  years 
later,  where  Dr.  Cabanis  kindly  determined  it  for  me  by 
comparison  with  the  specimens  of  both  sexes  of  this  species 
in  the  Berlin  Museum.  This  skin  I  sulisequently  presented 
to  the  British  Museum  *.  It  is  the  original  of  the  accom- 
panying figure  (Plate  I.  fig.  2). 

The  next  time  this  species  came  under  my  notice  was 
when  I  w^as  determining  the  birds  of  the  voyage  of  the 
'  Challenger.^  Amongst  the  specimens  collected  during  the 
short  sojourn  of  the  '  Challenger '  expedition  in  Ililo  Bay,  in 
Owhyhee,  Hawaian  group,  in  August  1875,  were  two  ex- 
amples of  Chasiempis  sandivichensis.  These  were  labelled  as 
females,  but  are,  I  think,  males  of  this  species.  They  are 
now  in  the  British  Museum,  and  the  figure  (Plate  I.  fig.  1) 
has  been  taken  from  one  of  them. 

Now  the  two  specimens  upon  which  Mr.  Ridgway  has 
based   \ns    Chasiempis  sclateri    (Proc.   U.  S.  N.  M.    1881, 

•  See  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mas.  iv.  p.  2-32.  The  specimens  at  Berliu  were 
obtained  by  the  celebrated  collector  Deppe,  in  Oahii,  as  Di\  Cabanis  kindly 
informs  me. — P.  L.  S. 


Ibis,  1885.  PI,  1. 


CHASIEMPIS    SANDWICHENSrS 


Hanliart  amp. 


C^MTHAJ 


On  the  After  shaft  of  certain  Birds.  19 

p.  337)  agree  completely  with  the  specimen  now  figured 
(Plate  I.  fig.  2),  which  was  formerly  in  my  collection.  If, 
therefore,  I  am  correct  in  referring  the  last-named  specimens 
to  the  female  of  C.  sandivichensis ,  then  C.  scIateri=C.  sand- 
wichensis  ?  .  And  should  it  prove  eventually  that  these  two 
forms  are  not  male  and  female,  but  belong  to  two  different 
species,  a  view  which  receives  some  support  from  the  fact 
that  the  two  '  Challenger '  skins  are  marked  as  "  female " 
by  the  collector  (though  I  am  strongly  of  opinion  that  this 
was  an  erroneous  determination),  yet  even  then  the  name 
"  sclateri"  will  apparently  have  to  yield  to  maculata,  Gm. — 
the  Muscicapa  maculata  of  Gmelin  having  been,  as  it  would 
seem,  based  on  a  female  of  this  species. 

It  should  be  acknowledged  that  Mr.  Ridgway  appears  in 
this  case  to  have  been  rather  misled  by  Mr.  Sharpe,  who  in 
the  '  British  Museum  Catalogue,'  iv.  p.  232,  has  omitted 
any  description  of  the  female  of  Chasiempis  sandivichensis, 
although  the  only  specimen  then  belonging  to  the  Museum 
was  of  that  sex,  and  has  only  given  a  description  of  the  male 
from  the  '  Challenger  '  expedition.  It  is  true  that  both  sexes 
are  introduced  into  the  diagnoses  (p.  231) ;  but  the  characters 
set  forth  seem  to  be  intended  to  separate  the  two  sexes  of 
Ch.  sandivichensis  from  the  corresponding  sexes  of  Ch.  di- 
midiata,  and  are  not  sufficient  to  separate  the  two  sexes  of 
Ch.  sandwichensis  from  one  another. 


III. — On  the  Aftershaft  in  the  Feathers  of  certain  Birds. 
By  F.  E.  Beddard,  M.A.,  F.Z.S.,  Prosector  to  the  Zoo- 
logical Society  of  London. 

My  attention  has  been  directed  to  a  recent  number  of  the 
'Actes  de  la  Societe  Linneennede  Bordeaux,'  which  contains 
part  of  a  memoir  by  Dr.  A.  T.  de  Rochebrune  upon  the  fauna 
of  Senegambia*. 

The  paper  in  question  deals  with  the  birds  of  this  region ; 

•  "  Faune  de  la  S^nt5gambie,  Oiseaux,"  par  le  Dr.  A.  T.  de  Rochebrune, 
Actes  d.  la  Soc.  Linn,  de  Bordeaux,  s^r.  4,  t.  viii.  Mtrch  1884,  p.  85. 

C  2 


20  Mr.  F.  E.  Beddard  on  the 

it  is  prefaced  with  some  general  considerations,  in  which  the 
antlior  brings  forward  a  great  nnmber  of  facts  relating  to  the 
presence  or  absence  of  the  structnre  known  as  the  after- 
shaft  in  the  bird's  feather,  and  in  many  cases  contradicts 
the  statements  made  by  Nitzsch  in  his  classical  work  npon 
Pterylography  *. 

Thus,  with  respect  to  the  Swifts,  in  Avhich  birds  the  feathers 
are  stated  by  Nitzsch  to  be  furnished  Avith  an  aftershaft. 
Dr.  Uochebrune  remarks  : — "  MalgTe  nos  recherches  les 
plus  minutieuses,  aucune  espece  des  genres  Cijpseliis,  Chatura 
kc,  ne  nous  a  fourni  de  plume  adventice,  et  nous  affirmons 
que  toutes  indistinctement  en  sont  depourvues." 

I  have  examined  one  species  of  each  of  these  genera,  viz. 
Chatura  zonaris  and  Cypselus  apus,  and  find  that  a  distinct 
aftershaft  is  present  in  both  of  them.     The  accompanying 


Pectoral  feather  of  Chatura  zonaris,  from  behind, 
to  .show  the  aftershaft. 

woodcut  is  a  copy  of  one  of  the  pectoral  feathers  of  the 
former  species ;  the  aftershaft  is  here  large  and  well  deve- 
loped, attaining  to  rather  more  than  half  the  length  of  the 
feather  itself. 

In  Cypselus  apus  the  aftershaft  is  entirely  similar. 

In  other  cases  it  is  rather  difficult  to  follow  Dr.  Roche- 
brune's  criticisms,  and  the  discrepancies  between  his  state- 
ments and  those  of  Nitzsch  seem  often  to  be  due  to  a 
different  conception  of  what  an  aftershaft  is.  Nitzsch  defines 
it  as  follows  {op.  cit.  p.  89) : — "  The  aftershaft  originates  from 
the  underside  of  the  feather  beneath  the  umbiliciform  pit ;  it 
resembles  the  main  shaft,  and,  like  it,  emits  two  series  of 
barbs,  thus    forming   alopg  with   the    shaft    an    apparently 

*  '  Pterylography,'  English  edition  (Loudon,  1867). 


Aftershafl  of  certain  Birds.  21 

"double  feather There  are^  however^  a  great  many 

birds  in  which  it  is  deficient,,  and  in  its  place  a  few  isolated 
barbs  occur." 

Dr.  Rochebrune,  on  the  contrary,  states  of  the  aftershaft : — 
''  La  plume  adventicCj  variable  dans  ses  formes,  ses  dimensions, 
sa  composition,  n'est  pas  toujours  unique  ;  tres  souvent  on  en 
rencontre  deux  ou  un  plus  grand  norabre,  distinctes,  inde- 
pendantes  les  unes  des  autres,  quoique  en  connexion  par  leur 
insertion  sur  la  tige  de  la  plume  principale.  Ce  mode  d^in- 
sertion  n^'est  pas  non  plus  invariablement  fixe ;  on  voit  ces 
plumes  adherer  tantot  directement  a  la  face  inferieure  de  la 
tige  principale,  tantot  en  cote,  soit  au  niveau  de  la  cavite 
orabilicale  citec  par  Nitzsch,  soit  en-dessus  ou  en-dessous, 
etre  sessiles  ou  pedicellees,  posees  en  couronne  etc.,  enfin 
dans  aucun  cas  et  sous  aucun  rapport,  elles  ne  ressemblent  ^ 
la  plume  principale," 

The  main  difference  therefore  between  the  two  definitions 
appears  to  be  that  the  aftershaft,  according  to  Dr.  Roche- 
brune,  is  not  always  single,  but  that  there  are  frequently 
several  distinct  and  separate  aftershafts  present  on  the  same 
feather.  This  may  be  true ;  but  the  facts  brought  forward 
by  Dr.  Rochebrune,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  verify 
them  by  comparison  with  the  feathers  themselves  and  even 
with  his  own  figures,  do  not  appear  to  confirm  this  statement. 
To  take  an  instance  ;  the  aftershaft  of  Numida  is  described 
by  Dr.  Rochebrune  in  the  following  words: — "On  trouve  cinq 
plumes  adventices  distinctes,  d^inegale  longueur,  sessiles  sur 
la  tige  principale  et  a  insertion  commune  ;  leurs  barbules  sont 
assez  fortes,  courtes  et  mediocrementrigides."  A  figure  {op. 
cit.  pi.  iii.  fig.  1)  is  given  o£  one  of  the  feathers  of  this  bird, 
which  is  a  sufficiently  accurate  representation  of  the  original. 
The  aftershaft  consists  of  a  short  stem  bearing  on  either  side 
two  or  three  barbs,  each  of  which  Dr.  Rochebrune,  if  I  under- 
stand him  rightly,  considers  to  be  the  equivalent  of  a  single 
aftershaft,  such  as  that  which  is  stated  to  be  found  in  Perdix. 
It  does  not  appear  to  me,  however,  that  tliis  comparisou  is 
at  all  justifiable;  the  barbs  of  the  aftershafts  are  entirely 
similar  to  those  which  spring  from  the  lower  portion  of  the 


22  Mr.  F.  E.  Beddard  on  the 

main  stem  of  the  feather  ;  the  structure  as  a  whole  only 
differs  from  that  of  Perdix  in  being  comparatively  smaller 
and  bearing  fewer  barbs ;  I  do  not  at  all  follow  Dr.  Roche- 
brune's  distinction  between  the  two  families.  If  the  after- 
shaft  be  "single"  in  Perdix  it  certainly  is  so  also  in  Nurnida. 
In  the  feathers  of  Cathartes  Dr.  Eochebrune  states  the 
presence  of  a  lai'ge  aftershaft,  while  Nitzsch  distinguishes 
this  genus  and  Pandion  from  the  rest  of  the  Accij)itrin8e 
Diurnse  by  the  absence  of  the  same  structure.  In  these  two 
genera^  however^  as  well  as  in  the  Owls,  the  aftershaft  is 
not  entirely  unrepresented,  but,  as  Nitzsch  correctly  says, 
its  place  is  occupied  by  a  tuft  of  isolated  barbs  ;  it  is  easy  to 
separate  the  individual  barbs  by  means  of  a  needle,  and  to 
assure  one's  self  that  each  springs  sepai'atelij  from  the  main 
stem  of  the  feather;  the  structure  therefore  does  not  fall 
within  Nitzsch's  definition  of  an  aftershaft.  This  difference, 
which  Nitzsch  has  pointed  out  between  the  Accipitrinse 
Nocturnse  on  the  one  hand  and  the  Accipitrinse  Diurnse,  with 
the  exception  of  the  two  genera  Cathartes  and  Pandion,  on 
the  other,  is  perfectly  plain.  Dr.  Rochebrune's  definition  of 
an  aftershaft,  however,  does  include  this  tuft  of  barbs ;  the 
aftershaft,  according  to  him,  is  occasionally  '  sessile '  upon 
the  feathershaft,  and  is  not  always  borne  upon  a  secondary 
shaft ;  the  feathers  of  Cathartes  and  Bubo  maculosus  are 
furnished  with  an  aftershaft  of  this  kind,  which  is  no  doubt 
the  equivalent  of  the  '  true  '  aftershaft  of  the  Accipitrinae 
Diurnse.  Dr.  Rochebrune  is  perhaps,  strictly  speaking, 
right  in  saying  that  the  Accipitriuse  Nocturnse  are  not 
devoid  of  an  aftershaft  ;  but  he  seems  to  have  over- 
looked that  Nitzsch  himself  had  previously  noticed  this  same 
structure,  which  he  describes  as  occurring  in  the  place  of 
the  aftershaft.  Dr.  Rochebrune  has  therefore  not  pointed 
out  a  new  fact,  but  has  merely  recapitulated  what  Nitzsch 
said  many  years  previously,  failing,  however,  to  emphasize 
the  essential  difference  between  the  '  true '  aftershaft  of  the 
Accipitrinee  Diurnae  and  the  tuft  of  isolated  barbs  which 
characterize  the  feathers  of  Cathartes  and  the  Accipitrinae 
Nocturiiae, 


Aftershaft  of  certain  Birds.  23 

In  the  Parrots,  according  to  Nitzsch,  the  contour-feathers 
have  a  large  and  distinct  aftershaft  * ;  Dr.  Rochebrune  does 
not  dispute  the  accuracy  of  the  fact,  but  makes  Nitzsch 
responsible  for  having  said  exactly  the  reverse  : — "  Pour 
Nitzsch  une  pluirie  adventicef  large  et  distincte  est  pro- 
bablement  moins  frequente  chez  les  Perroquets  que  chez 
les  autres  oiseaux/"  The  quotation  is  correct,  but  the 
omission  of  a  few  words  at  the  beginning  destroys  the  true 
sense  of  the  passage,  which  in  the  English  translation  runs  as 
follows  X  '• — "  Contour -feathers  with  a  large  and  distinct 
aftershaft,  very  sparsely  distributed,  probably  present  in 
smaller  comparative  number  than  in  any  other  birds.''' 

Dr.  Rochebrune  compares  the  aftershaft  in  the  three 
genera  Poeocephalas,  Psittacus,  and  Palaornis  to  that  of  the 
Accipitrin8eNocturn8e,a  comparison  which  does  not  hold  good. 
In  the  feathers  of  these  as  of  all  other  Parrots  which  I  have 
had  the  opportunity  of  examining,  the  aftershaft  resembles 
entirely  another  smaller  feather  attached  to  the  base  of  the 
stem,  and  is  not  at  all  like  that  of  the  Accipitrinae  Nocturnse  ; 
in  these  birds,  as  already  said,  there  is  mei'ely  a  tuft  of  barbs 
occupying  the  same  position,  and  no  doubt  corresponding 
to  an  aftershaft,  but  quite  different  in  structure. 

Dr.  Rochebrune  concludes  his  remarks  upon  the  aftershaft 
by  recapitulating  the  chief  results  to  which  he  has  been  led, 
viz.  that  this  structure  is  not  absent  in  the  Accipitrinae 
Nocturnse,  as  stated  by  Nitzsch,  but  is  absent  in  the  Cyp- 
selidse,  where  Nitzsch  describes  its  presence.  The  last 
conclusion  of  Dr.  Rochebrune  has  been  shown  in  the 
present  note  to  be  manifestly  incorrect ;  with  regard  to  the 
former,  the  tuft  of  barbs  which  represents  the  shaft  in 
the  Accipitrinae  Nocturnge  is,  as  Nitzsch  has  pointed  out, 
quite  different  from  the  true  aftershaft  of  the  Accipitrinae 
Diurnse  ;  to  confound  them,  as  Dr.  Rochebrune  has  done,  is 
to  render  useless  a  very  convenient  distinction  between  the 
two  groups. 

•  Op.  cU.  p.  95.  t  Op.  rif.  p.  9f».  X   Thid. 


24  Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithological 

IV. — Ornithological  Notes  from  Corsica. 
By  John  Whitehead. 

(Plate  II.) 

Arriving  in  Ajaccio  in  the  middle  of  Novembei'  1882,  I 
remained  in  the  neighbourhood,  shooting  and  collecting 
birds,  until  the  beginning  of  January  1883,  when  I  crossed  the 
island  to  Aleria,  and  worked  my  way  down  the  east  coast  to 
Bonifacio,  and,  via  Sartene,  back  to  Ajaccio.  A  great  storm  on 
the  12th  March,  which  lasted  three  days,  added  many  birds 
to  my  list,  some  of  which  I  did  not  meet  with  again.  On 
the  22nd  of  March  I  started  for  Bastia ;  but  as  the  shooting 
on  the  lagoon  there  proved  a  failure,  I  left  in  two  days  for 
Ajaccio  by  the  west  coast,  but  during  the  whole  journey 
hardly  noticed  a  bird.  In  April  I  returned  to  the  east 
coast,  where  I  remained  moving  from  place  to  place  until  the 
15th  of  June.  The  shooting  of  the  new  Nuthatch  induced 
a  second  trip,  but  only  added  thirty  birds  new  to  my  list. 
As  some  of  the  best  days  of  the  season  of  jjassage  were 
spent  in  the  mountains,  no  doubt  I  missed  a  few  birds. 

The  following  notes  are  the  result  of  some  fifteen  months 
spent  in  Corsica,  most  of  the  time  being  devoted  to  shoot- 
ing. During  the  hotter  months  I  kept  out  of  the  marshes 
as  much  as  possible,  so  I  was  unable  to  take  several  interesting 
nests. 

I  cannot  conclude  without  thanking  several  Corsican 
gentlemen,  who  did  all  in  their  power  to  assist  me,  also  Mr. 
R.  B.  Sharpe  for  his  notes  on  several  species. 

1.  Bearded  Vulture.     Gypaetus  barhatus. 

Seen  on  two  occasions  in  the  mountains  in  the  middle  of 
March.  The  shepherds  say  that  they  often  lose  lambs  by 
this  Vulture  in  spring.  A  schoolmaster  told  me  he  had  a 
stuffed  Eagle,  shot  near  the  town,  which,  when  I  went  to 
see  it,  proved  to  be  the  much  moth-eaten  remains  of  a 
Bearded  Vulture. 

2.  Golden  Eagle.     Aquila  chrysaetus 

I  visited  two  eyries  of  a  large  Eagle  in  the  mountains  ;  one 


Notes  from  Corsica.  25 

nest  was  touched  up  with  fresh  pine-tops,  but  on  June  12th 
was  without  eggs.  The  Eagle  came  within  100  yards  once 
or  twice ;  but  as  I  was  unable  to  shoot  it,  I  cannot  say  for 
certain  that  it  was  of  this  species.  The  following  year  a  shep- 
herd told  me  he  had  taken  an  g^^^  from  a  nest  a  short 
distance  from  the  one  I  visited;  it  is  needless  to  say  he 
smashed  it. 

3.  White-tailed  Eagle.     HaUaetus  albicilla. 

Not  uncommon  on  the  large  lagoons  during  the  winter, 
where  they  prey  chiefly  on  the  wild  fowl,  I  often  saw  a 
single  bird  in  April  and  May,  and  was  told  by  a  fisherman 
that  a  large  Eagle  nested  on  the  opposite  coast  of  Sardinia. 

4.  Common  Buzzard.     Buteo  vulgaris. 

Fairly  common  everywhere.  I  found  six  nests  during  the 
month  of  April. 

5.  Small  Peregrine  Falcon.     Falco  punicus. 

Not  uncommon  during  the  winter  on  the  east  coast.  On 
the  14th  of  May  I  found  a  nest  containing  three  young  birds 
nearly  ready  to  fly.  The  following  year,  hoping  to  take  the 
eggs,  I  visited  the  old  nest  in  the  beginning  of  April,  but 
the  birds  had  changed  their  quarters.  Seeing  the  old  birds 
about,  I  did  not  give  up  the  search,  and  on  April  16tli  found 
them  nesting  some  two  miles  from  their  old  home,  but, 
unfortunately,  the  nest  contained  four  young  about  a  week 
old. 

6.  Common  Kestrel.     Tinnunculus  alaudarius. 

Very  common  during  the  winter,  but  do  not  all  remain  to 
nest.     Took  a  nest  of  six  eggs,  quite  fresh,  on  29th  April. 

7.  Eleonora  Falcon.     Falco  eleonorce. 

Several  times  I  saw  a  pair  of  large  dark-brown  Hawks 
hovering  about  the  sea-coast,  first  seen  on  15th  April.  As 
I  was  unable  to  shoot  them,  it  is  uncertain  that  they  belong 
to  this  species. 

8.  Sparrow-Hawk.     Accipiter  nisus. 

Common  in  November,  less  so  in  the  other  winter  months. 


26  Mr.  J.  Wliitehead's  Ornithological 

The  only  proof  I  had  of  the  nesting  of  this  species  was  an 
egg  brought  in  by  a  boy  on  the  7th  June. 

9.  Common  Kite.     Milvus  ictinus. 

Plentiful  in  the  plains  throughout  the  year,  but  I  never 
found  a  nest. 

10.  IIen-Harrier.     Circus  cyaneus. 

A  few  seen  throughout  the  winter.  On  April  14th  quite 
a  flight  of  these  birds  passed  ;  I  sa^r  as  many  as  five  on 
the  wing  at  the  same  time. 

11.  Montagu's  Harrier.     Circus  cineraceus. 

I  saw  a  bird  on  November  17th  which  I  have  no  doubt 
was  of  this  species. 

12.  Marsh-Harrier.     Circus  ceruginosus. 

Plentiful  in  all  the  marshes  during  the  winter.  One  seen 
on  June  21st,  which  was  evidently  breeding. 

13.  OsPREY.     Pandion  haliaHus. 

Fairly  common  on  the  lagoons  during  the  winter.  I 
found  a  nest  on  the  23rd  April  containing  three  eggs  quite 
fresh.  The  nest  was  placed  on  a  rock  about  8  feet  high, 
some  300  yards  from  the  shore,  in  a  small  bay. 

14.  Barn-Owl.     Strix  flammea. 

A  boy  brought  in  one  alive  on  the  15th  May;  this  was 
the  only  one  seen. 

15.  Long-eared  Owl.     Asio  otus. 

The  only  one  seen  was  brought  to  me  by  a  man  on  De- 
cember 18th. 

16.  Short-eared  Owl.     Asio  brachyotus, 

I  shot  the  only  one  seen  on  December  13th. 

17.  Scops  Owl.     Scops  giu. 

This  small  Owl  becomes  plentiful  after  the  end  of  March. 
As  soon  as  the  sun  has  set  they  commence  their  soft  whistling, 
often  entering  the  villages.  I  found  them  high  up  in  the 
mountains  in  May.  1  took  a  nest  of  four  eggs  on  the  3rd  of 
June,  three  of  which  were  much  sat  upon,  the  fourth  being 
nearlv  fresh. 


Notes  from  Corsica.  27 

18.  Common  Swift.      Cypselus  apus. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  12th  April,  in  1884  on  8th  April. 
When  in  the  mountain-forests  I  noticed  the  Swifts  entering 
the  holes  of  the  Great  Spotted  Woodpecker. 

19.  White-bellied  Swift.     Cypselus  melba. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  25th  April,  in  1884  on  10th  April. 
I  found  this  species  nesting  in  some  inaccessible  rocks  in 
the  beginning  of  June. 

20.  Swallow.     Hirundo  rustica. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  16th  March,  in  1884  on  22nd  March. 
A  few  seen  going  south  on  16tli  November.  Numbers  re- 
main to  nest. 

21.  Martin.     Chelidon  urbica. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  20th  March,  in  1884  on  21st  March. 
Numbers  remain  to  nest. 

22.  Sand-Martin.     Cotile  riparia. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  11th  April,  in  1884  on  8th  April. 
Never  seen  in  numbers.  Though  the  river-banks,  in  places, 
were  suitable,  I  never  saw  any  sign  of  a  nest,  or  of  a  bird 
after  the  passage  was  over. 

23.  Crag-Swallow.     Cotile  rupestris. 

Fairly  common  and  resident.  With  bad  weather  this  bird 
comes  down  to  the  plains ;  otherwise  it  remains  high  up  the 
mountain-sides  during  the  whole  year.  I  took  a  nest  on 
May  13th  with  four  fresh  eggs. 

24.  Common  Nightjar.     Caprimulgus  europaus. 

First  heard  on  12th  May,  though  they  must  have  arrived 
some  time  before.     First  eggs  taken  28th  May. 

25.  Common  Kingfisher.     Alcedo  ispida. 

Numbers  seen  during  the  winter,  but  they  began  to  get 
scarce  after  the  end  of  January. 

26.  Common  Bee-eater.     Merops  apiaster. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  19th  April,  in  1884  on  14th  April. 

About  the  middle  of  April,  the  natives  told  me  that  it  was 

the  time  that  the  Bee-eaters  arrive,  and  a  day  or  two  after- 


28  Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithological 

wards  the  first  company  put  in  their  appearance^  flying  high 
over  the  plain^  and  uttering  their  monotonous  note^  giep,  giep. 
On  the  4th  of  June  I  opened  several  of  their  nests,  which 
were  bored  in  a  level  sandy  field,  running  in  about  9  feet 
from  the  entrance.  All  the  nests  contained  their  full  number 
of  eggs,  which  is  from  five  to  seven.  The  eggs  were  very 
dirty,  being  half  buried  in  beetle^s  wings  and  remains  of 
other  insects,  the  whole  nest  being  a  moving  mass  of  small 
maggots  and  various  kinds  of  lice.  The  Bee-eater  is  rare  on 
the  west  coast,  the  ground  being  unsuitable  to  their  nesting- 
arrangements. 

27.  Hoopoe.      Vpupa  epops. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  24th  March,  in  1884  on  30th  March. 
Fairly  common  in  the  plains.  I  took  two  nests  out  of  holes 
in  stone  walls ;  the  first  on  27th  May,  with  six  eggs,  quite 
fresh.  I  found  a  nest  in  an  old  tree  on  7th  June,  with  four 
young  fully  grown. 

28.  Great  Spotted  Woodpecker.     Dendrocopiis  major. 
Common  in  the  mountain-forests,  often  working  down  to 

the  sea-coast  in  winter.     First  eggs  taken  on  20th  May. 

29.  Wryneck.     lynx  torquilla. 

Only  two  seen,  one  on  8th  January ;  the  other  a  man  had 
just  shot,  on  17th  January. 

30.  Whitehead's  Nuthatch.     Sitta  ivhitelieadi.     (PL  II.) 
On  the  12th  June  1883,  I  left  a  small  village  to  visit  the 

nest  of  an  Fagle  which  the  shepherds  had  told  me  of.  Start- 
ing at  4  A.M.  with  a  mule  and  guide  (taking  provisions  for 
two  days),  it  was  not  until  2  p.m.  that  avc  reached  the  summit 
of  the  mountain.  As  it  was  close  upon  G  o'clock  before  the 
nest  had  been  visited,  I  decided  to  pass  the  night  in  a  small 
stone  hut  (used  by  the  shepherds  during  the  hotter  mouths). 
The  next  morning,  wishing  to  get  a  shot  at  some  Alpine 
Swifts,  which  were  nesting  in  a  high  crag  near,  I  got  up 
early,  and  when  returning  heard  a  curious  whistle,  which  I 
thought  was  that  of  the  Crested  Titmouse.  After  I  had  waited 
a  few  minutes  a  Nuthatch  crept  out  to  the  end  of  a  pine-bough 


Itis  1885.PIii. 


JlT-Keulemgois  litli. 


SIT  TA  WHITE KEADI. 


Htuiliart  imp 


Notes  from  Corsica.  29 

and  was  promptly  shot.  Tlie  bird  being  badly  bit  in  the 
head,  I  skinned  it  at  once,  and  thought  no  more  about  it 
until  the  month  of  October,  when,  wishing  to  know  if  I  had 
correctly  named  a  few  small  Warblers,  I  brought  the  skin  of 
the  Nuthatch  to  Mr.  Sharpe,  who  assured  me  that  he  did 
not  know  the  bird.  At  the  end  of  the  month,  on  the  night 
of  my  dej)arture,  he  wrote  to  me  : — "  There  is  no  doubt  your 
bird  is  a  new  species^^'^. 

It  was  not  until  the  9th  of  May  1884  that  I  was  able  to 
make  another  trip.  The  first  day  I  did  not  see  a  sign  of  the 
birds ;  but  on  the  second,  after  wandering  about  until  past 
mid-day,  without  seeing  any  thing  but  a  few  Golden-crested 
Wrens  and  European  Coal  Tits,  I  heard  the  same  curious 
whistle,  and  looking  about,  soon  saw  and  shot  a  bird  which 
proved  to  be  a  beautiful  specimen  of  the  new  Nuthatch,  the 
head  being  jet-black,  with  well-marked  and  nearly  white  eye- 
brows, the  underside  of  the  beak  being  of  a  delicate  blue, 
which  soon  faded  after  death.  Knowing  that  the  mate  must 
be  near,  I  remained  quiet,  and  in  a  few  minutes  it  shared  the 
same  fate ;  but  great  was  my  surprise,  on  picking  it  up,  to 
find  the  black  on  the  head  entirely  absent,  the  pale  blue  of 
the  back  running  up  to  the  base  of  the  bill ;  this  bird  proved 
to  be  the  female.  A  few  hours  later  I  came  across  a  small 
band,  three  of  which  I  shot. 

On  the  12th,  provisions  having  fallen  short,  I  was  forced  to 
return  to  my  head-quarters;  but  on  the  16th  I  returned  to 
search  for  the  nests  and  was  most  fortunate.  The  same 
evening  I  watched  a  pair,  which  I  had  noticed  on  ray  first  visit, 
for  some  hours,  and  saw  the  female  go  twice  to  a  very  small 
and  neatly-pecked  hole  in  a  very  old  pine-stump,  some  20 
feet  from  the  ground.  The  following  day  I  saw  the  male 
enter  twice  with  nesting-materials. 

It  was  not  until  the  20th  of  May  that  I  found  the  second  nest, 
and  on  the  following  day,  whilst  going  to  cut  it  out,  found 
another,  which  I  opened  first.  The  nests  proved  in  nearly 
every  case  to  be  most  difficult  of  access,  the  trees  being  high, 

*  See  Mr.  Sharpe's  articles,  P.  Z.  S.  1884,  pp.  233,  329,  414,  pi.  xxxvi. 


30 


Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithological 


very  rotten,  without  branches,  and  much  too  big  to  swarm  ; 
the  once  mighty  giants  of  the  forest — now  but  whitened 
skeletons,  being  in  the  last  stage  of  decay. 


Nest  of  Sitta  tvliitehcadi. 

The  first  nest  took  nearly  three  hours'  hard  work  to  reach, 
but  once  arrived  at,  was  easily  cut  out ;  it  contained  five  fresh 
eggs.  The  second  nest  was  in  a  much  worse  position  and 
quite  40  feet  high ;  but  by  climbing  up  a  neighbouring  tree, 
with  the  aid  of  a  rope  I  managed  to  swing  to  a  branch,  and 
soon  cut  open  the  nest,  which  contained  five  fresh  eggs. 

During  eleven  days  spent  in  rambling  about  hunting  for 
the  nests  of  this  species,  I  found  no  less  than  nine,  three  of 


Notes  from  Corsica.  31 

which  were  in  holes  from  70  to  100  feet  from  the  ground, 
the  trees  in  places  nearly  eaten  through  with  decay  ;  so  that 
it  would  have  been  foolish  to  have  attempted  to  reach  them. 
This  species  spends  much  of  its  time  pecking  about  at  the 
ends  of  the  pine-branches.  When  I  opened  their  gizzards  they 
contained  many  small  beetles  and  other  insects.  The  call-note 
is  a  soft  whistle,  repeated  quickly  many  times,  often  ending 
with  a  peculiar  hissing  sound,  which  sounds  like  sch-icer, 
sch-wer.  They  were  very  fearless  when  their  nest  was  at- 
tacked, the  female  often  entering  the  nest  and  refusing  to 
move  until  the  entrance  was  nearly  reached,  whilst  the  male 
would  take  up  his  position  a  few  feet  above_,  examining  every- 
thing that  was  going  on. 

All  the  nests  found  seemed  to  have  been  pecked  out  by  the 
birds  themselves,  and  in  no  case  was  clay  used  to  make  a  hole 
smaller.  The  old  holes  of  the  Great  Spotted  Woodpecker 
were  in  hundreds  in  these  trees,  and  though  tenanted  by 
Swifts  and  Titmice,  the  Nuthatches  never  used  them.  The 
holes  were  seldom  neatly  rounded,  and  in  one  instance  only 
the  sides  of  a  large  crack  were  pecked  away.  The  nest  is 
composed  chiefly  of  strips  of  bark  from  the  Mediterranean 
heath  (which  the  birds  themselves  pull  off)  and  moss,  a 
few  feathers,  and  a  small  quantity  of  hair.  The  sides  of  the 
cavity  well  padded,  so  as  to  form  a  cup. 

The  eggs,  five  or  six,  when  blown,  are  white  thickly  speckled 
with  deep  red ;  they  are  about  the  size  of  tliose  of  the  Great 
Titmouse. 

The  nest  figured  in  the  accompanying  drawing  (p.  30)  was 
cut  out  of  a  tree  which,  after  I  had  taken  the  eggs,  was 
pulled  down  with  a  rope. 

31.  Tkee-creeper.     Cerihia  familiaris. 

Not  uncommon  in  the  mountain-forest.  Besides  being  a 
large  bird,  the  Corsican  Tree-creeper  is  pure  white  below, 
like  the  specimens  in  the  British  Museum  from  the  Riviera 
and  the  south  of  France.  It  is  also  darker  above  than  ex- 
amples from  other  parts  of  Europe,  the  ground-colour  of  the 
head  being  black ;  but,  unfortunately,   I  only  brought  one 


32  Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithological 

specimen,  wliich   is  insufficient  to  make  exact  comparisons 
with. 

32.  Common  Wren.     Troglodytes  parvulus. 

Fairly  common  in  the  mountain-forests.  Found  a  nest 
with  eggs  on  June  11th. 

33.  Wheatear.     Saxicola  oenanthe. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  24th  March,  in  1884  on  30th  March. 
I  saw  a  pair  high  on  a  mountain  on  12th  May,  so  perhaps 
some  remain  to  nest. 

34.  Whinchat.     Pratincola  rubetra. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  15th  April,  in  1884  on  20th  April. 
The  Whinchat  only  remains  a  few  days. 

35.  Stonechat.     Pratincola  rubicola. 

Common  and  resident,  passing  the  winter  months  in  the 
plains,  nesting  in  the  high  valleys.  Saw  fully  fledged  young 
on  16th  June. 

36.  Black  Redstart.     RuticiUa  titys. 

Common  during  the  winter  months  ;  last  noticed  on  the 
28th  March.  I  was  unable  to  ascertain  if  this  species  breeds 
in  the  high  mountains. 

37.  Redstart.     RuticiUa  phcenicurus. 

Very  few  seen,  first  on  24th  March,  last  on  19th  April. 

38.  White-spotted  Bluethroat.     Cyanecula  wolfi. 
Shot  the  only  one  seen  on  the  28th  March. 

39.  Redbreast.     Erithacus  rubecula. 

Common  during  the  winter.  Found  numbers  nesting  in 
the  mountain-forests. 

40.  Nightingale.     Daulias  luscinia. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  19th  April,  in  1884  on  7th  April. 
This  bird  nests  in  numbers  in  all  suitable  localities.  First 
eggs  taken  on  26th  May.  A  Corsican  gave  me  a  good  reason 
why  the  Nightingale  sings  both  night  and  day  during  the 
nesting-season  : — "  Once  a  Nightingale,  after  building  its 
nest  and  laying  the  eggs,  went  to  sleep  and  forgot  all  about 
them ;  so  finding  that  she  was  not  provided  with  a  memory. 


Notes  from  Corsica.  33 

the  male  sang  night  and  day  to  keep  her  awake,  until  the 
young  were  fledged." 

41.  Whitethroat.     Sylvia  cinerea. 

Scarce^  arriving  about  20th  April.  A  few  seen  after  the 
middle  of  May  in  the  high  mountains. 

42.  Lesser  Whitethroat.     Sylvia  curruca. 

Fairly  common  and  resident.  Found  a  nest  with  four 
eggs  quite  fresh  on  the  19th  April. 

43.  Subalpine  Warbler.     Sylvia  subalpina. 
Plentiful,  arriving  about  the   middle   of  April.     The  first 

nest  was  taken  on  the  6th  May.  This  little  Warbler  spends 
nearly  all  its  time  in  the  thick  scrub,  sometimes  mounting 
liigh  into  the  air  and  uttering  a  short  but  pretty  song,  then 
diving  back  into  the  dense  bush,  its  whereabouts  being  only 
discoverable  by  a  short  chattering  note.  The  nest  is  often 
frail,  about  1  \  inch  deep,  and  2\  inches  in  diameter.  It  is  com- 
posed of  dry  stalks,  often  a  good  many  dead  thistle-leaves, 
and  lined  with  fine  dry  grass,  sometimes  with  long  horsehairs. 
The  eggs  four,  of  a  pale  yellowish  or  greenish  white,  are 
speckled  all  over,  but  especially  at  the  larger  end,  with  light 
brown  and  slate-blue. 

44.  Spectacled  Warbler.     Sylvia  conspicillata. 

Owing  to  the  difficulty  of  distinguishing  and  shooting- 
all  small  Warblers,  this  bird  escaped  me  during  my  first  year. 
It  was  not  until  the  13th  May,  1884,  whilst  hunting  up 
some  thick  scrub  high  up  on  a  hill-side,  that  I  found  a  nest 
like  that  of  the  Subalpine  Warbler ;  but  as  the  eggs  seemed 
larger,  I  snared  the  female.  The  nest  was  composed  of  the 
same  materials  as  that  of  the  Subalpine,  and  almost  the 
same  size.  The  eggs  were  similar,  but  with  more  bluish 
markings.  I  noticed  several  other  examples  of  this  species 
which  were  every  now  and  then  mounting  in  the  air  to  sing, 
often  perching  on  the  top  of  a  small  tree  or  shrub. 

45.  Sardinian  Warbler.     Sylvia  melanocephala. 
Fairly  common  and  resident.     This  bird  seems  to  prefer  a 

bush  in  a  well-sheltered  position  for  its  nest,  often  close  to  a 

SER.  V. — VOL.  III.  D 


34  Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithological 

wall.  I  found  two  nests^  the  first  on  loth  May,  with  eggs 
already  hard-set.  The  nest  is  well  made  and  solid,  about  If 
inch  deep  and  2f  inches  in  diameter,  composed  of  dry  grass 
and  other  stalks,  neatly  lined  with  long  horsehairs.  Eggs 
four,  of  a  very  light  green  tint,  thinly  speckled  with  brown, 
and  with  a  well-marked  zone  at  the  larger  end. 

46.  Blackcap.     Sylvia  atricajnlla. 

Seems  inore  numerous  in  the  winter  than  in  the  summer. 
I  found  a  nest  with  young  a  few  days  old  on  29th  May. 

47.  Dartford  Warbler.     Melizophilus  undatus. 

I  only  met  with  this  little  Warbler  in  two  localities  in 
February  1884.  I  was  unable  to  visit  the  place  again,  so 
cannot  say  if  the  birds  remained  to  nest. 

48.  Marmora's  Warbler.     Melizophilus  sardus. 

Fairly  common  and  resident.  I  found  it  more  plentiful 
high  up  on  the  mountain-sides,  even  in  winter,  than  in  the 
plains.  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  find  a  nest  with  four 
eggs,  a  good  deal  sat  upon,  on  24th  of  April.  The  nest  was 
placed  in  a  cistus  bush  only  a  few  inches  from  the  ground  ; 
it  is  very  solid  (even  more  so  than  that  of  the  Sardinian 
W'arbler),  about  If  inch  deep,  2 J  inches  diameter,  com- 
posed of  dried  grass  and  other  plant-stems,  lined  with  long 
hair  and  fine  grass.  Fggs  four,  yellowish  white,  thickly 
speckled  with  light  brown,  and  at  the  large  end  a  dull  grey 
zone.  This  Warbler  spends  most  of  its  time  chattering  about 
in  the  thick  machis,  but  in  the  spring  sings  a  pretty  song  as'it 
works  hard  with  his  wings  high  up  in  the  air ;  it  then  suddenly 
drops  into  the  scrub,  where  it  makes  its  presence  known 
only  by  a  chut,  chut,  chut,  uttered  very  sharply. 

49.  GoLDCREST.     Regulus  cristatus. 
Fairly  common  in  the  mountain-forests. 

50.  FiRECREST.     Regulus  ignicapillus. 

Fairly  common.  Remains  in  the  plains  throughout  the 
year,  though  I  found  some  as  high  as  2500  feet. 

Mr.  Bowdier  Sharpe,  writing  on  one  of  ray  specimens, 
says,  "  There  is  a  distinct  difference  between  it  and  English 


Notes  from  Corsica,  35 

examples,  as  it  has  a  grey  eyebrow  and  grey  collar  round  the 
neck,  neither  of  which  are  seen  in  British  specimens.  But  these 
occur  in  some  examples  from  Teneriffe,  and  again  in  those 
from  Japan,  from  which  it  seems  scarcely  possible  to  separate 
the  Corsican  bird." 

51.  Chiffchaff.     Phylloscopus  rufus. 

A  winter  visitor ;  none  noticed  during  the  spring. 

5.2.  Willow-Wren.     Phylloscopus  trochilus. 
Numbers  seen  on  March  21th. 

53.  Great  Reed-Warbler.     Acrocephalus  turdoides. 

I  only  met  with  this  bird  on  7th  and  8th  of  May,  during 
the  passage. 

I  shot  at  a  small  bird  on  17th  of  November,  in  the  marshes, 
with  well-marked  streaks  down  each  side  of  the  bill,  which  I 
have  no  doubt  was  the  Moustached  Warbler,  Lusciniola 
melanopogon. 

54.  Cetti's  Warbler.     Cettia  sericea. 

Common  and  resident  in  all  the  swamps.  One  of  the  hap- 
piest little  songsters  I  have  ever  met  with. 

55.  Fantail  V/arbler.     Cisticola  cursitans. 

Common  and  resident  in  all  the  swamps.  Though  I  spent 
some  time  searching  for  it,  I  was  unable  to  find  a  nest. 

56.  Hedge-Sparrow.     Accentor  modularis. 
Only  a  few  seen  during  the  winter  months. 

57.  Irby's  Long-tailed  Titmouse.     Acredula  irhii. 
Fairly  common  and  resident,  but  more  plentiful  on  the 

east  coast.  I  watched  a  pair  building  their  nest  on  2nd 
April,  which,  in  a  few  days,  they  left.  Found  two  more 
nests,  containing  seven  eggs  each,  on  20th  April  and  23rd 
May. 

58.  Great  Titmouse.     Parus  major. 

Common  and  resident.  Found  a  nest  with  eight  eggs  on 
27th  May. 

59.  Continental  Coal  Titmouse.     Parus  ater. 

Fairly  common  and  resident  in  the  mountain-forests.     I 

D  2 


36  Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithological 

did  not  find  this  species  in  the  plains  during  the  winter.     I 
saw  a  pair  building  their  nest  on  May  18th. 

60.  Blue  Titmouse.     Parus  ccemleus. 

Fairly  common  and  resident.  I  found  a  nest  with  six  eggs 
on  14th  May. 

61.  White  Wagtail.     Motacilla  alba. 
Tolerably  common  during  the  winter  months. 

62.  Grey  Wagtail.     Motacilla  luelanope. 

A  few  seen  throughout  the  year.  Several  pairs  observed 
on  the  mountain-streams  in  May. 

63.  Blue-headed  Yellow  Wagtail.     Motacilla  fiava. 

A  good  many  seen  passing  from  22nd  April  to  1st  of  May. 

64.  Blue-headed  Wagtail.     Motacilla  cinereocapilla. 
Met  with  a  large  party  of  these  birds  migrating  on  16th 

April. 

65.  Meadow-Pipit.     Anthus  pratensis. 
Common  during  the  winter  months. 

66.  Tkee-Pipit.     Anthus  trivialis. 

Met  with  a  small  flock  migrating  on  21st  April. 

67.  Tawny  Pipit.     Anthus  campestris. 

Plentiful  after  the  end  of  April,  and  remaining  to  nest  ; 
but  unfortunately  I  was  unable  to  find  one. 

68.  RocK'PiPiT.     Anthus  obscurus. 

One  shot  from  a  small  flock  feeding  in  a  marsh  on  25th 
March. 

69.  Missel-Thrush.     Turdus  viscivorus. 

Scarce  and  resident.  A  few  seen  in  the  plains  during  the 
winter.  I  found  this  bird  in  the  mountain-forests  in  the 
middle  of  May,  with  young  fully  fledged. 

70.  Song-Thrush.     Turdus  musicus. 

Very  common  during  the  winter  months ;  none  seen  after 
19th  April. 


Notes  from  Corsica.  37 

71.  Fieldfare.     Tardus  jnlaj^is. 

A  few  seen  during  some  very  stormy  weather  from.  12th  to 
16th  March,  1883. 

72.  Blackbird.     Turdus  merula. 

Very  common  during  the  winter ;  a  few  remain  to  breed ; 
I  found  nests  with  full  number  of  eggs  after  the  middle  of 
May. 

73.  E-iNG-OuzEL.     Turdus  torquatus. 

The  only  one  seen  settled  within  ten  yards  of  me  during 
the  great  storm  of  12th  March. 

74.  Blue  Kock-Thrush.     Monticola  cyanus. 

Fairly  common  everywhere,  often  coming  into  the  towns 
during  the  cold  weather.  It  was  not  until  the  14th  May  that 
I  succeeded  in  finding  a  nest,  which  was  placed  in  a  cleft  on 
some  very  high  rocks,  and  contained  four  young  birds  a  few 
days  old. 

75.  Pale-backed  Dipper.     Cinclus  albicollis. 

A  few  seen  on  most  of  the  mountain-streams.  The  breast 
is  somewhat  of  a  brownish  red,  like  that  of  the  Pyrenean 
birds,  and  shows  an  approach  to  C  cashmiriens'is. 

76.  Golden  Oriole.     Oriolus  galbula. 

First  noticed  on  24th  April.  A  few  pass ;  last  seen  29th 
May. 

77.  Spotted  Flycatcher.     Muscicapa  grisola. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  17th  April,  in  1884  on  5th  May. 
Remains  to  nest  in  numbers.     First  eggs  found  22nd  May. 

78.  Pied  Flycatcher.     Muscicapa  atricapilla. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  17th  April,  in  1881  on  22nd  April. 
A  good  many  pass ;  none  seen  after  7th  May. 

79.  Red-backed  Shrike.     Lanius  collurio. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  28th  April,  in  1884  on  5th  May. 
One  seen  on  1st  January.  This  Shrike  is  very  common, 
nesting  in  numbers.     First  eggs  taken  29th  May. 

80.  WooDCHAT.     Lanius  pomer anus. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  24th  April,  in  1884  on  15th  April. 


38  Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithuloykal 

Out  of  some  twenty  nests  I  found  only  one  which  had  the 
salmonrcoloured  eggs. 

81.  Alpine  Chough.     Pyrrhocorax  alpinus. 

Several  large  flocks  seen,  but  I  was  unable  to  identify  them 
until  the  16th  March,  1884.  The  natives  assured  me  that 
these  birds  did  not  remain  to  nest,  but  I  am  much  inclined  to 
think  that  they  do. 

82.  Common  Chough.     Pyrrhocorax  graculus. 

On  January  29th  I  saw  five  of  these  birds,  but  having 
only  small  shot,  failed  to  kill  one.  I  saw  five  birds  in  the 
same  place  again  on  16tli  March. 

83.  Common  Jay.     Garrulus  glundarlus. 

Fairly  common  and  resident.  A  boy  brought  me  five  eggs 
on  1st  June. 

84.  Jackdaw.     Corvus  monedula, 

A  few  seen  in  the  winter  along  Avith  the  large  flocks  of 
Rooks  which  winter  on  the  east  coast. 

85.  Carrion-Crow.     (Jorvus  corone. 
Rare ;  a  few  seen  during  the  winter. 

86.  HoouEJ)  Crow.     Corvus  comix. 

Very  common  and  resident ;  many  nests  taken  after  26th 
April. 

87.  Rook.      Corvus  fruyilegiis. 

Very  common  on  the  east  coast  during  the  Manter,  begins 
to  get  scarce  towards  the  end  of  February  ;  not  seen  after  the 
beginning  of  March. 

88.  Common  Raven.     Corvus  corax. 

Fairly  common  and  resident;  three  nests  taken  in  1884  on 
11th  and  16th  April  and  2nd  May. 

89.  Common  Starling.     Sturnus  vulgaris. 

Seen  in  small  flocks  during  the  winter ;  not  noticed  after 
the  end  of  February. 

90.  Goldfinch.      Carduelis  elegans. 

Very  common  and  resident.  Nests  found  from  2nd  May 
to  10th  June. 


Notes  from  Corsica.  39 

91.  CiTRiL  Finch.      Chrysomitris  citrinella. 

Commoa  and  resident.  This  little  Finch  in  winter  may  be 
seen  in  large  flocks  about  the  towns^  but  with  the  spring  retires 
to  the  higher  elevations  to  nest ;  but  on  the  29th  of  April  I 
found  a  nest  on  the  sea-coast  with  young  birds  a  few  days  old. 
On  14'th  May  I  found  a  nest  with  four  fresh  eggs  ;  but  higher 
up  the  mountains  many  birds  had  not  built  their  nests  by 
the  end  of  May.  The  nest^  generally  placed  in  an  arbutus 
bushj  is  composed  of  grass-stems,  lined  with  feathers,  being 
rather  a  rude  affair  in  comparison  with  those  of  other  Finches. 
Eggs  four,  like  those  of  the  Goldfinch. 

92.  Siskin.     Chrysomitris  spinus. 

Only  met  with  on  my  second  visit.  I  shot  a  male  on  Feb- 
ruary 4th  :  the  birds  remained  until  nearly  the  end  of  March. 

93.  Serin  Finch.     Serinus  hortulanus. 

Common  and  resident,  but  not  quite  so  plentiful  as  the 
Citril.  The  Serin,  unlike  the  Citril,  Finch  prefers  to  nest  in 
the  olive  and  cork  trees,  often  quite  close  to  the  villages. 
Both  birds  have  a  very  pretty  habit  in  the  nesting-time  of 
rocking  themselves  about  in  the  air,  singing  all  the  while, 
as  though  their  life  depended  on  it.  I  took  two  nests  with 
fresh  eggs  on  8th  and  16th  April.  The  nest  is  a  much  more 
beautiful  bit  of  work  than  the  Citril's ;  it  is  round  and 
neatly  made,  a  good  deal  of  spider's  web  and  lichen  being 
used,  and  neatly  lined  with  short  hair.  The  eggs  four,  like 
those  of  the  Goldfinch,  but  smaller. 

94.  Greenfinch.     Ligurinus  chloris. 
Common  and  resident. 

95.  Hawfinch.     Coccothraustes  vulgaris. 

Fairly  common  and  resident,  but  very  local.  I  only  saw 
one  bird  on  the  west  coast.  Took  two  beautiful  nests,  with 
six  and  four  eggs  respectively — on  16th  May  quite  fresh, 
and  6th  June  much  sat  upon. 

96.  Italian  Sparrow.     Passer  italicB. 

Very  common  and  resident.  Is  rather  a  late  breeder ; 
the  boys  brought  in  many  eggs  quite  fresh  on  8th  June. 


4-0  Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithological 

97.  Rock-Sparrow.     Petronia  stulta. 

Scarce  and  resident.  Very  few  seen  on  the  west  coast,  but 
one  or  two  small  flocks  noticed  on  the  east  during  the  winter. 
I  saw  a  few  pairs,  evidently  nesting,  in  the  high  mountains  at 
the  end  of  May. 

98.  Chaffinxh.     Fringilla  Calebs. 

Very  common  and  resident.     Found  first  eggs  11th  May. 

99.  Linnet.     Linota  cannabina. 

Common  during  the  winter ;  very  few  remain  to  nest.  I 
watched  a  pair  building  their  nest  in  a  high  valley  on  17th 
March. 

100.  Common-Crossbill.     Loxia  ciirvirostra. 

Fairly  common  in  the  pine-forests.  In  May  I  noticed  a 
few  families  of  six  or  seven  birds  flying  about ;  though  I 
shot  several,  none  had  the  bright-red  plumage. 

101.  Common  Bunting.     Emberiza  miliaria. 
Fairly  common  and  resident. 

102.  CiRL  Bunting.     Emberiza  cirlus. 

Common  in  the  plains  during  the  winter.  In  the  nesting- 
season  the  greater  number  retire  to  the  higher  elevations. 
Found  a  nest  with  young  birds  and  one  with  four  fresh  eggs 
on  6th  of  June. 

103.  Reed-Bunting.     Emberiza  schceniclus. 
Only  a  few  seen  in  the  winter  months. 

104.  Sky-Lark.     Alauda  arvensis. 

Not  nearly  so  common  as  the  Wood-Lark  ;  none  seen  after 
March. 

105.  Wood-Lark.     Alauda  arborea. 

Seen  in  flocks  during  the  winter.  I  found  numbers  of 
nests  after  13th  May. 

106.  Short-toed  Lark.     Calandrella  brachydactyla. 
Only  a  few  seen  on  the  cast,  but  on  24tli  June  in  num- 
bers on  the  Avest  coast.     I  found  two  eggs  on  that  date. 


Notes  from  Corsica.  41 

107.  Common  Cuckoo.      Cucalus  canorus. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  15th  April,  in  1881  on  4tli  April. 
Common.  I  took  five  eggs  from  the  nests  of  the  Subalpine 
Warbler  on  May  17th  and  other  dates. 

108.  RocK-DovE.      Columba  Uvia. 

Fairly  common  and  resident.  Nesting  in  numbers.  Took 
fresh  eggs  on  May  18th. 

109.  RiNG-DovE.     Columba  palumhus. 

Common  during  the  winter ;  found  a  few  nesting  in  the 
mountain-forests  in  May. 

110.  Turtle -Dove.     Turtur  communis. 

In  1883  first  seen  on  16th  April,  in  188J.  on  22nd  April, 
after  which  dates  they  became  very  common.  First  eggs 
found  May  18th. 

111.  Red-legged  Paktridge.     Caccabis  rufa. 

A  few  coveys  seen,  but  these  birds  are  shot  down  and 
poached  at  all  seasons. 

112.  Common  Quail.     Coturnix  communis. 

Not  uncommon  on  the  east  coast,  where  a  good  many  are 
resident.     First  eggs  found  on  8th  May. 

113.  Common  Pheasant,     Phasianus  colchicus. 

I  believe  at  one  time  fairly  common,  but  now  only  to  be 
found  on  the  plain  of  Fiumorbo.  Only  two  were  shot  during 
two  months  spent  in  the  neighbourhood. 

114.  Stone-Curlew.     (Edicnemus  scolopax. 

Only  met  with  on  a  sandy  plain  at  the  head  of  the  Gulf  of 
Ajaccio.  Thinking  they  might  be  resident,  I  visited  the  plain 
on  21st  June,  and,  as  I  expected,  turned  up  several  pairs. 

115.  Golden  Plover.     Charadrius pluvialis. 
Abundant  during  the  winter  on  the  east  coast. 

116.  Kentish  Plover.     JEgialitis  cantiana. 

Fairly  common  and  resident.  In  the  winter  families  of 
five  may  be  seen.  In  April  I  found  a  few  pairs  in  every  sandy 
bay,  and  eggs  were  taken  on  23rd  and  28th  of  that  month. 


42  Mr.  J.  AVliitehead's  Ornitholoyical 

117.  Little  Ringed  Plover.     j^Egialitis  curonica. 

One  shot  on  27th  April,  in  company  with  two  or  three 
others^  were  the  only  ones  seen. 

118.  Lapwing.      Vanellus  vulgaris. 

Very  common  during  the  winter ;  not  noticed  after 
March  14th. 

119.  Oyster-catcher.     Hcematopus  ostraleyus. 

Only  once  seen  at  the  mouth  of  a  river  on  the  evening  of 
26th  April. 

120.  Black-winged  Stilt.     Hiinantopus  candidus. 

The  only  one  seen  was  in  company  with  a  flock  of  Green- 
shanks  on  30th  April. 

121.  Woodcock.     Scolopax  rusticula. 

Woodcocks  are  plentiful  in  the  months  of  December  and 
January.  Owing  to  the  thickness  of  the  machis  but  poor 
sport  is  to  be  obtained;  three  or  four  a  day  would  be  thought 
very  good. 

122.  Great  Snipe.     Gallinago  major. 

I  only  met  with  three,  one  of  which  I  shot  on  25th  March. 

123.  Common  Snipe.     Gallinago  ctelestis. 

Plentiful  in  November  and  March.  A  good  many  remain 
throughout  the  winter.     I  saw  the  last  on  30th  April. 

124.  Jack  Snipe.     Limnocryples  galUnula. 

Common  in  February  on  the  east  coast,  where  this  species 
predominates.     Last  seen  27th  March. 

125.  Dunlin.      Tringa  alpina. 

A  few  noticed  during  the  winter  on  the  east  coast.  I 
shot  one  on  16th  March. 

126.  Little  Stint.     Tringa  minuta. 

Only  three  or  four  seen.  I  shot  a  pair  well  advanced  in 
their  summer  plumage  on  7th  May. 

127.  Temminck's  Stint.      Tringa  lemmincki. 
A  pair  seen  on  7th  May.  one  of  which  I  shot. 


Notes  from  Corsica.  43 

128.  Pygmy  Curlew,      Tringa  subarquata. 

This  bird  passes  in  small  flocks  of  from  three  to  fifteen  in 
number.  On  8th  May  1883  I  shot  three,  one  in  good  summer 
plumage ;  on  the  16th  May  I  saw  a  large  flock  all  in  the  red 
plumage.  On  7th  May  1884  I  saw  a  small  flock  and  shot 
one  in  full  summer  dress. 

129.  Ruff.     Machetes  pugnax. 

Saw  several  small  flocks  from  15th  to  28th  of  April. 

130.  Common  Sandpiper.     Tringoides  hypoleucus. 
Fairly  common  during  the  winter.     None  noticed   after 

30tli  April. 

131.  Green  Sandpiper.     Helodromas  ochropus. 

A  few  seen  during  the  winter,  one  as  late  as  28th  May. 

132.  Wood-Sandpiper.     Tot  anus  glareola. 

First  observed  on  April  12th,  and  from  time  to  time 
until  28th  May. 

133.  Redshank.      Totanus  calidris. 

A  few  seen  during  the  winter  on  the  lagoons.  Last  seen 
on  2nd  June. 

134.  Greenshank.     Totanus  canescens. 

A  few  seen  during  the  winter.  In  1883  and  1884  a  good 
many  passed  on  8th  of  May. 

135.  Black-tailed  Godwit.     Limosa  (jegocephala"^ 

I  saw  a  Godwit  on  23rd  April  along  with  a  Greenshank. 
When  it  flew  it  seemed  to  be  of  this  species ;  but  as  I  was 
unable  to  shoot  it,  I  cannot  say  for  certain, 

136.  Common  Curlew.     Numenius  arquata. 

Fairly  common  during  the  winter  months.  Last  seen 
11th  May. 

137.  Common  Heron.     Ardea  cinerea. 

Not  uncommon  on  the  east  coast  during  the  winter,  I 
think  they  must  nest  in  Corsica,  as  I  saw  a  few  as  late  as  the 
25th  April. 


44  Mr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornitholotjical 

138.  Purple  Herox\.     Arde a  purpurea. 

Common  ou  the  east  coast  from  14th  to  27th  April ;  not 
observed  later. 

139.  Little  Egret.     Ardea  garzetta. 

Only  two  seen,  on  19th  April.  After  hunting  them  for 
two  days  I  shot  one  on  21st;  the  other  remained  in  the 
neighbourhood  until  the  28th  April.  As  my  bird  was  badly 
shot  I  made  a  rough  skin  of  it,  which  I  handed  over  to 
Mr.  Sharpe.  Mr.  Howard  Saunders,  who  has  examined  the 
specimen,  identifies  it  as  A.  garzetta. 

140.  Squacco  Heron.     Ardea  ralloides. 
Only  one  seen,  on  25th  April. 

141.  Night-Heron.     Nydicoraw  griseus. 

A  small  flock  of  eight  arrived  on  14th  April ;  from  time  to 
time  one  or  two  more  were  added,  until  they  were  fourteen 
in  number.     Not  seen  after  23rd  April. 

142.  Bittern.     Botaurus  stellaris. 

Seen  on  13th  and  14th  December.  One  sent  to  me  on  23rd 
February. 

143.  White  Stork.     Ciconia  alba. 

Only  one  seen,  on  2nd  April,  which  had  disappeared  the 
next  morning. 

144.  Flamingo.     Phoenicopterus  roseus. 

Though  I  never  met  with  this  bird  myself,  many  natives 
gave  me  an  accurate  description  of  it. 

145.  Water-Rail.     Rallus  aquaticus. 

Common  during  the  winter.  Last  noticed  on  15th  April. 
It  is  very  likely  that  they  remain  to  nest. 

146.  Spotted  Crake.     Porzana  maruetta. 
Passes  about  the  middle  of  March. 

147.  Moor-hen.     Gallinula  chlorojms. 

Common  during  the  winter ;  numbers  remain  to  nest. 

148.  Common  Coot.     Fulica  atra. 

Some  years  Coots  swarm  on  the  lagoons  on  the  cast  coast, 


Notes  from  Corsica.  45 

but  iu  1881  I  only  counted  sixteen,  while  in  the  same  lagoon 
the  year  before  they  were  iu  hundreds.  A  good  many  remain 
to  breed. 

149.  Goose.     Anser,  sp.  inc. 

On  both  my  visits  I  saw  a  flock  of  wild  Geese  on  tlie  east 
coast.  None  remained  after  the  beginning  of  March.  As 
far  as  I  could  make  out  with  my  glass,  they  were  either  Grey 
Lag-,  Bean-,  or  Pink-footed  Geese. 

150.  Wild  Duck.     Anas  boscas. 

Plentiful  during  the  winter.  A  good  many  remain  to  nest. 
Found  young  first  out  on  27th  April. 

151.  Gadwall.     Chaulelasmus  streperus. 

The  only  one  seen  I  shot  on  flight  on  11th  February.  No 
doubt  it  is  plentiful,  but  it  is  impossible  to  distinguish  the  dif- 
ferent species  of  Ducks  which  swarm  at  times  on  the  lagoons. 

152.  Shoveller.     Spatula  clypeata. 

Shot  the  first  seen  on  30th  November;  a  few  others  seen 
during  the  winter.  It  was  not  until  the  end  of  February  and 
beginning  of  March  that  they  became  very  plentiful. 

153.  Common  Teal.     Querquedula  crecca. 
Very  common  throughout  the  whole  Avinter. 

154.  Garganey.     Querquedula  circia. 

None  noticed  until  5th  March,  after  that  date  they  became 
common.  Three  shot  on  22nd  March  were  all  males.  Last 
noticed  on  April  ]8th. 

155.  Pintail.     Dafita  acuta. 

Common  on  the  lagoons  in  February  and  March.  Several 
of  those  shot  were  young  males,  just  changing  their  plumage. 

156.  WiGEON.     Mareca  penelope. 

Plentiful  throughout  the  winter  until  the  beginning  of 
March. 

157.  Pochard.     Fuligula  ferina. 

Very  plentiful  in  February  and  in  the  beginning  of  March. 


46  jMr.  J.  Whitehead's  Ornithological 

158.  Scaup.     Fuligula  marila. 

Fairly  common  in  winter.     A  female  shot. 

159.  Tufted  Duck.     Fuligula  cristata. 

More  plentiful  on  the  rush-covered  ponds  than  on  the 
lagoons.     A  male  shot, 

160.  GoLDENEYE.     CAungula  glaucion. 

A  female  seen  in  December  and  February.  The  only  ex- 
amples noticed  were  males,  in  small  parties  of  from  four 
to  eight.  I  observed  also  one  of  the  Scoters,  either  CEdemia 
nigra  or  CE.  fusca. 

161.  White-headed  Duck.     Erismatura  leucocephala. 
The  first  of  these  curious  Ducks  I  shot  on  14th  April ;  it  was 

a  male.  On  the  7th  of  May,  in  the  same  pond,  I  noticed 
two  males  and  three  females.  The  males  were  rushing  after 
one  another,  every  now  and  then  stopping  short  beside  the 
females,  and  hoisting  their  very  peculiar  tails  straight  in  the 
air,  spreading  out  every  feather  to  its  utmost,  until  the  tails 
looked  exactly  like  a  hand  with  all  the  fingers  spread  out. 
They  were  still  in  the  same  place  on  28th  May,  and,  no 
doubt,  had  nests. 

162.  Red-breasted  Merganser.     Mergus  serrator. 

A  few  pairs  seen  on  the  west  coast  from  November  to  the 
end  of  January. 

163.  Great  Crested  Grebe.     Podice.ps  cristatus. 

A  few  seen  on  tlie  lagoons  during  the  winter.  One  shot 
on  7th  March  was  in  good  breeding-plumage. 

164.  Eared  Grebe.      Podiceps  nigricolUs. 

Very  common  on  the  lagoons  during  the  winter.  Shot 
one  of  a  jiair  in  full  breeding*pluraage  on  19th  ApriL  Saw 
another  pair  on  18th  May. 

165.  Little  Grebe.      Tachybaptes  fiuviatilis. 

Not  uncommon  during  the  winter.  Last  noticed  24th 
April. 

166.  Common  Tern.     Sterna  fluviatilis. 

Fairly  common  in  winter  about  the  port  of  Ajaccio.  A 
few  noticed  on  the  lagoons. 


Notes  from  Corsica.  47 

167.  Sandwich  Tern.     Sterna  cantiaca. 

Not  uncommon  on  the  lagoons.  A  gentleman  showed  me 
two  that  he  had  shot  near  Bastia. 

168.  White-winged  Black  Tern.  Hijdrochelidon  leu- 
copter  a. 

Two  seen  on  28th  May,  during  some  very  stormy  weather, 
hawking  some  small  dragon-flies  in  a  rushy  pond.  Thinking 
they  might  nest  I  did  not  shoot  them. 

169.  Black-headed  Gull.     Larus  ridibuyidus. 

Fairly  common  in  the  winter.  I  saw  one  on  30th  April 
during  a  storm,  in  full  breeding-plumage. 

170.  Common  Gull.     Larus  canus. 
Fairly  common  during  the  winter. 

171.  Audouin^s  Gull.     Larus  audoui/ii. 

I  found  a  wounded  bird  on  January  14th  during  a  storm, 
and  not  knowing  its  value,  did  not  keep  it. 

172.  Yellow-legged  Herring-Gull.     Larus  cachinnans. 
Very  common  and  resident.     I  found  them  nesting  in 

numbers  on  the  small  islands  round  the  coast.  The  eggs,  two 
or  three  in  number,  vary  much  in  colour,  from  deep  brown 
to  light  green.  On  2nd  May  the  eggs  were  in  all  stages  of 
incubation,  a  good  many  young  having  already  left  the  nest. 

173.  Cinereous  Shearwater.     Puffinus  kuhli. 

Fairly  plentiful  on  the  small  islands  round  the  coast,  where 
I  believe,  it  is  only  a  summer  resident.  On  2nd.  of  May  I 
visited  their  nesting-quarters,  and  though  some  birds  were 
uuder  the  rocks,  there  were  no  eggs,  while  many  were  flyino- 
close  over  the  sea  in  long  strings,  every  now  and  then  their 
white  breasts  flashing  in  the  sun.  On  the  2nd  of  June  I  made 
a  more  successful  trip.  My  spaniel  proved  very  useful,  point- 
ing the  birds  as  they  sat  under  the  rocks ;  in  every  case  a  fresh 
white  egg  was  the  result.  There  seems  to  be  an  attempt  at  a 
nest — a  few  feathers  from  the  bird^s  breast,  a  small  quantity  of 
sticks,  and  seaweed  loosely  arranged.  These  birds  proved  very 
disagreeable  customers,  biting  our  hands  severely,  which  were 


48  Canon  Tristram  on  tivo  Birds 

often  thrust  under  tlie  rocks  up  to  the  shoulder.  The  en- 
trance to  the  nest  is  difficult  to  find,  often  a  rock  in  the  short 
scrub,  sonic  distance  from  the  water,  is  the  chosen  spot. 

174.  Yelkouan  Shearwater.     Puffinus  yeJkouan. 

This  species  was  fairly  common  on  the  small  islands  round 
the  coast.  On  the  2nd  of  May,  with  the  aid  of  a  small 
dog",  I  found  eight  eggs  ;  all  were  placed  under  piles  of  large 
rocks  which  had  fallen  from  the  cliff  above.  The  eggs  were 
nearly  hatched,  the  young  in  some  having  broken  the  shells. 
While  Puffinus  kuhli  likes  to  nest  under  single  rocks  some 
distance  from  the  water,  this  species  nests  only  a  few  feet 
from  high-water  mark.  The  only  difference  between  this  and 
the  Manx  Shearwater  (P.  anglorum)  is  that  all  the  under 
tail-coverts  are  dusky  brown,  instead  of  pure  white. 

175.  Pelecanus,  sp.  inc. 

I  was  assured  by  several  Corsican  sportsmen  that  Pelicans 
sometimes  visit  the  island  in  winter. 

176.  The  Shag.     Phalacrocorax  graculus. 

Fairly  common  and  resident ;  nesting  very  early,  in 
numbers,  on  several  of  the  small  islands  visited.  All  the 
young  were  swimming  about,  full-grown,  with  their  parents, 
on  2nd  Mav. 


V. — On  two  Birds  from  Norfolk  Island. 
By  H.  B.  Tristram,  D.D.,  F.R.S. 

I  HAVE  received  from  Mr.E.L.  Layard  specimens  of  thePlaty- 
cercMS  from  Norfolk  Island,  referred  to  by  him  (' Ibis,^  1881, 
p.  173)  as  deserving  of  recognition  and  separable  from  P.pcn- 
nanti  of  the  Australian  continent.  There  is  no  difference  in 
coloration,  either  in  adult  or  immature  plumage,  between  the 
birds  from  the  continent  and  those  from  Norfolk  Island ; 
but  the  latter  are  decidedly  smaller  in  their  dimensions. 

The  measurements  of  the  continental  bird  are  : — long.  tot. 
16"0poll.,  alae  7*1,  caud.  82,  tarsi  0"6,  dig.  med.  cum  ungue 
1*2.  Of  the  Norfolk-Island  specimens  : — long.  tot.  13"0  poll., 
alse,  6*7,  caud.  7*0,  tarsi  ()'5,  dig.  med.  cum  unguc  TO. 


from  Norfolk  Island.  49 

Mr.  Layard  states  that  all  liis  specimens  agree  in  size. 
We  may  therefore  fairly^  I  think,  recognize  the  race  from 
Norfolk  Island,  as  Mr.  Layard  suggests,  by  the  name  Platy- 
cercus  pennanti,  var.  nobbsi,  in  honour  of  the  E,ev,  G.  H. 
Nobbs,  the  devoted  friend  and  guide  of  the  Norfolk  Islanders, 
the  immigrants  from  Pitcairn's  Island. 

The  Halcyon  of  Norfolk  Island  appears  to  me  to  be  de- 
cidedly distinct.  I  have  before  me  a  large  series  of  all  the 
known  species  of  the  group.  In  dimensions  it  is  rather 
larger  than  most  of  the  other  species,  its  wing  measuring 
3"9  in.  as  against  3*6  in  H.  sancta,  H.  solomonis,  Hamsay,  and 
H.  sacra,  3*7  in  H.  vagans  and  H.julia,  4*1  in  H.  chloris  and 
H.  occipitalis,  and  4'2  in  H.  tristrami.  The  frontal  buffy- white 
spot  does  not,  as  in  all  the  other  species,  except  H.  solomonis, 
extend  further  than  the  angle  of  the  eye,  so  that  the  light 
eyebrow  is  entirely  wanting.  The  under  wing-coverts  are 
light  buff,  as  in  //.  sancta,  to  which  in  general  coloration  it 
approaches  most  closely,  except  that  the  green  of  the  head 
and  back  is  decidedly  duller,  though  not  nearly  so  dark  as  in 
H.  vagans.  But  its  most  characteristic  distinction  is  the  bill, 
which  differs  markedly  from  that  of  all  its  congeners,  both 
mandibles  being  extremely  compressed,  the  culmen  being 
slightly  recurved  and  the  gonys  still  more  so.  The  width  of 
the  bill  at  the  nostril  is  0'3  inch,  while  the  nearest  approach 
to  this  is  0'4  in  one  specimen  of  H.  sancta,  all  the  other 
species  ranging  from  0*45  to  0*55  in  width  at  this  point.  At 
0"75  inch  from  the  tip  the  width  is  0"1  inch,  all  the  other 
species  ranging  from  0'15  upwards.  This  description  will,  I 
think,  justify  the  recognition  of  the  bird,  under  the  name 
which  Mr.  Layard  proposes  for  it,  as 

Halcyon  norfolkiensis,  sp.  nov. 
Diagn.  Halcyoni  sanct(B  similis,  sed  statura  majore ;  super- 

cilio  nullo  albido  nee  albescente ;  mandibulis  arctissime 

compressis  et  recurvatis. 
Hab.  Norfolk  Island. 


SIR.  V. — VOL.  in. 


50  Mr.  L.  Stejneger  on  the  Shedding  of 

VI. —  On  the  Shedding  of  the  Claws  in  the  Ptarmigan  and 
allied  Birds^.     By  Leonhard  Stejneger. 

The  fact  of  the  Ptarmigans  shedding  their  claws  regularly 
every  summer  seems  not  to  have  been  observed  personally  by 
any  of  the  many  excellent  American  ornithologists^  and  has 
thei^fore  been  comparatively  little  known  to  them.  It  may 
consequently  not  be  without  interest  to  demonstrate  this 
process^  as  I  have  material  at  hand  which  shows  the  proce- 
dure very  plainly. 

The  late  Professor  Sven  Nilssou,  the  famous  Swedish 
zoologist^  was  the  first  to  discover  this  peculiarity  in  the 
Ptarmigans.  His  countryman,  Professor  W.  Meves,  after- 
wards confirmed  his  observations,  and  at  the  same  time  proved 
that  this  singular  shedding  of  the  claws  also  occurs  in  other 
birds  of  the  family  Tetraonidas — as,  for  instance,  in  both  sexes 
of  Bonasa  bonasia,  UroyaUus  urogallus,  and  also,  in  the  female 
at  least,  of  Lyrurus  tetrix. 

As  will  be  seen  in  the  specimens  of  Lagopus  ridgwayi 
(a  new  species  which  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  detect  on 
the  Commander  Islands,  near  Kamtschatka),  shot  in  June 
and  August,  before  shedding,  the  middle  claw  measures  18-20 
millim.,  while  in  the  specimen  shot  on  the  23rd  of  August, 
and  which  has  just  thrown  the  old  ones  ofi*,  the  length  of  the 
new  claw  is  only  11  millim.  More  instructive  still  is  a  male 
shot  on  the  same  day,  as  it  has  the  claws  only  partially  shed. 
The  old  claws  have  become  loosened  from  their  base  and  are 
forced  2-3  millim.  out,  still  covering  the  tips  of  the  new  ones, 
except  on  two  toes,  from  which  they  have  already  dropped 
off.  Hence  it  is  obvious  that  the  process  is  not  a  patho- 
logical one,  in  which  the  nail  drops  oft' as  soon  as  it  is  perfectly 
separate  from  its  bed  and  has  ceased  to  receive  nourishment 
through  the  blood-vessels. 

Most  conclusive,  however,  is  a  specimen  of  a  quite  different 
species,  Lagopus  alhus,  a  specimen  collected  by  Dr.  Bean  on 
Unga,  one  of  the  Shumagin  Islands,  Alaska.     About  this 

*  Read  before  the  Biological  Society  of  Wasliington,  April  5th,  1884^ 
and  reprinted  from  the  'American  Naturalist,'  vol.  xviii.  p.  774. 


the  Claws  in  the  Ptarmigan  ^c.  51 

specimen  Dr.  Bean  remarks,  in  his  "  Notes  on  Birds  collected 
in  Alasca/'  &c.,  in  the  Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1882,  p.  163, 
as  follows  : — "  This  specimen  (shot  on  July  21st)  corresponds 
very  closely  in  most  respects  with  No.  33,548,  a  female  from 
Norway,  collected  July  2,  1862 ;  the  claws,  however,  are 
considerably  shorter  than  in  the  Norway  example  and  in  all 
other  specimens  of  L.  albus  in  the  Museum.^^  Dr.  Bean  was 
kind  enough  to  show  me  the  specimen,  when  it  was  apparent 
that  the  extreme  shortness  of  the  claws  was  due  to  the  fact 
that  the  bird  had  shed  them  just  before  it  was  shot,  except 
on  the  right  outer  toe,  on  which  the  nail  was  so  loose,  how- 
ever, that  it  dropped  off,  as  I  was  a  little  too  rough  in 
handling  it. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  shedding  takes  place  in  July 
or  August,  according  to  locality  and  other  circumstances,  at 
the  time  when  the  toes  are  most  denuded,  in  fact,  almost 
wholly  naked,  and  the  dark  summer  plumage  is  most  com- 
plete. The  claws  grow  very  rapidly,  however,  and  reach  their 
full  length  long  before  the  white  winter  plumage  with  the 
densely  clothed  toes  is  fully  developed. 

So  far  as  known,  this  process  is  confined  to  the  members 
of  the  family  of  Tetraonidae  mentioned  above,  when  in  the 
wild  state ;  but  Collett,  of  Christiania,  has  mentioned  a  case 
where  a  Quail  {Coturnix  coturnix)  shed  its  claws  in  confine- 
ment; but  this  may  have  been  due  to  some  pathological 
process. 

I  am  not  aware  that  this  peculiarity  has  been  observed  in 
any  of  the  American  Tetraonidae  except  Lagopus  albus ;  but 
there  seems  to  be  no  reason  why  it  should  not  occur,  at  least 
in  species  living  under  conditions  similar  to  those  in  Northern 
Europe  and  North-eastern  Asia.  It  is  to  be  expected  that 
we  shall  soon  hear  of  instances  from  the  Nearctic  region  also 
when  attention  has  once  been  directed  to  it. 

No  histological  investigation  has  been  made  to  ascertain 
the  causes  and  the  development  of  this  unusual  process  (at 
least  I  am  not  aware  that  any  results  of  such  an  investi- 
gation have  ever  been  published),  and  consequently  nothing 
is  definitely  known. 

E  2 


52       Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

As  to  the  use  which  the  birds  derive  from  this  extra- 
ordinary elongation  of  the  cla^YS,  I  shall  only  quote  Professor 
Meves.  He  wrote  in  1871  as  follows  : — "  They  [Lagopus  and 
Tetrao)  have^  all  through  the  winter,  to  struggle  with  the 
snow  upon  which  they  are  forced  to  walk.  The  snow  is  often 
loose,  and  with  a  foot  like  that  of  the  common  fowl  they 
would  need  much  greater  exertion  of  their  strength  in  order 
to  keep  themselves  on  the  surface.  But  the  Ptarmigan,  by 
having  the  underside  of  the  toes  thickly  coated  with  feathers, 
which  can  be  spread  out,  and  by  means  of  the  long  and 
straight  claws,  which  may  be  compared  with  snow-shoes,  are 
enabled  to  run  easily  over  the  snow;  the  usefulness  and  the 
necessity  of  the  lengthening  of  the  nails  is  self-evident.  In 
the  genus  Tetrao  (=  Urog alius  +  Lyrurus  +  Bonasa)  the  lateral 
horny  fringes  of  the  toes  render  the  same  excellent  service, 
and  may  fitly  be  regarded  as  a  kind  of  snow-shoes.  During 
the  summer  this  whole  outfit  becomes  superfluous,  which 
may  be  the  main  cause  of  the  periodical  shedding."  It  may 
in  this  connexion  be  mentioned  that  the  horny  fringes  in 
the  Tetraones  and  the  thick  feathering  of  the  toes  in  the 
Lagopodes  also  moult  during  the  summer,  at  which  time  the 
toes  of  the  latter  are  almost  wholly  denuded  of  feathers. 


VII. —  On  the  Birds  of  Central  India. — Part  I. 
By  Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  Henry  Barnes. 

No  one  appears  to  have  collected  systematically  in  Central 
India  for  any  length  of  time.  Jerdon  passed  through  Central 
India  on  several  occasions  more  than  twenty  years  ago, 
but  does  not  appear  to  have  remained  more  than  a  few  days 
at  any  of  the  stations. 

When  we,  the  writers  of  this  paper,  found  ourselves 
quartered  together  at  Mhow,  we  agreed  that  it  would  be 
advisable  to  commence  collecting  systematically  from  the 
beginning  of  our  residence,  and  to  submit  the  results  of  our 
collections  and  observations  in  a  joint  paper  to  the  readers  of 
'  The  Ibis.' 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  53 

We  went  to  Mhow  in  September  1881.  Swinhoe  remained 
there  for  ten  continuous  months  ;  Barnes  for  a  shorter  period ; 
subsequently  the  latter  went  to  Neemuch  for  some  months^ 
and  has  again  returned  to  that  station^  where  he  is  at  present 
quartered.  The  result  is  that  up  to  the  present  we  have  been 
able  to  record  the  occurrence  of  255  species  in  this  district, 
our  collections  and  observations  not  having  been  confined  to 
the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  Mhow  and  Neemuch,  but 
including  the  surrounding  districts,  and  particularly  the  lake 
countries  round  about.  Moreover  we  hope  shortly  to  be  able 
to  submit  another  paper  showing  the  further  results  of  collec- 
tions and  observations  still  being  made  by  Barnes. 

1.  VULTUR  MONACHUS,  LiuU. 

cJ .  Length  43-5  inches,  expanse  108,  tail  14"75,  tarsus  5, 
bill  from  gape  3*8. 

The  Cinereous  Vulture  is  comparatively  rare,  and  only 
occurs  during  the  winter  months.  The  one  from  which  the 
above  measurements  were  taken  was  shot  close  to  Neemuch 
in  March. 

2.  Otogyps  calvus  (Scop.). 

Length  32  inches,  expanse  86,  wing  23,  tail  10,  tarsus  4*4, 
bill  from  gape  2"9. 

The  Indian  King  Vulture  is  far  from  uncommon;  it  ap- 
pears to  be  solitary  in  its  habits,  rarely  more  than  two  being 
seen  together.  It  is  pugnacious  in  disposition,  and  will  not 
allow  others  to  approach  while  feeding.  It  is  a  permanent 
resident,  and  breeds  during  February  and  March.  A  nest 
found  on  13th  February  contained  a  single  fresh  egg;  it  was 
built  in  a  fork  near  the  top  of  a  high  tree,  and  was  a  huge 
structure,  composed  of  stout  twigs,  lined  with  finer  twigs  and 
green  leaves.  Others  were  found,  but  in  no  case  was  there 
more  than  one  Q^^. 

The  eggs  are  glossless  white,  fine  in  texture,  but  very 
strong.     The  egg-lining  is  green.     They  measure  3"6  by  2"5. 

3.  Gyps  fulvescens,  Hume. 

Length  44  inches,  expanse  101,  wing  28,  tail  13,  tarsus  4, 
bill  from  gape  31. 


54        Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swinlioe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

The  Bay  Vulture  is  not  very  common,  and  appears  to  be 
a  permanent  resident,  but  we  did  not  succeed  in  finding  a 
nest. 

4.  Gyps  pallescens,  Hume. 

Length  37  inches,  expanse  88,  wing  24,  tail  10*5,  tarsus 
3'8,  bill  from  gape  2'75. 

The  Long-billed  Pale-brown  Vulture  is  very  common 
throughout  the  district.  We  could  not  ascertain  any  thing 
concerning  its  breeding-habits. 

5.  PSEUDOGYPS  BENGALENSIS,  Gm. 

Length  35  inches,  expanse  85,  wing  23,  tail  10,  tarsus  3'7, 
bill  from  gape  2' 75. 

The  White-backed  is  the  commonest  Vulture  in  Central 
India,  and  occurs  in  great  numbers  all  over  the  district. 
It  is  a  permanent  resident,  and  breeds  in  colonies  during  De- 
cember, January,  and  February.  The  nests  are  built  in  stout 
forks  near  the  top  of  lofty  trees,  generally  banyan  {Ficus 
hengalensis) ,  and  are  huge  structures  of  a  platform-shape,  com- 
posed of  stout  twigs.  These  Vultures  never  lay  more  than  one 
e^^,  which  is  white  in  colour,  of  a  greenish  tinge  when  fresh 
laid,  but  is  generally  much  discoloured  by  the  droppings  of 
the  parent  bird ;  they  are  often  sjDOtted  and  blotched  with 
various  shades  of  reddish  brown.  The  texture  is  moderately 
fine,  and  the  shell  is  thick  and  strong;  the  egg-lining  is  a 
deep  green.  The  eggs  vary  much  in  shape  and  size,  some 
being  moderately  long  ovals,  while  others  are  nearly  sphe- 
rical.    They  average  3*26  in  length  by  2*42  in  breadth. 

6.  Neophron  gtnginianus  (Lath.). 

The  White  Scavenger  Vulture  is  very  common,  more 
especially  in  the  vicinity  of  towns  and  villages ;  it  breeds 
during  March  and  April,  generally  on  trees,  but  occasionally 
on  rocky  cliffs,  old  buildings,  and  such-like  places.  It  makes 
a  large  nest  of  twigs,  lined  with  old  rags  or  any  rubbish  it 
can  procure — straggling  if  built  on  a  cliff  or  building,  rather 
more  compact  if  on  a  tree.  Li  the  latter  situation  the  nest 
is  generally  placed  at  the  junction  of  a  large  limb  with  the 
trunk,  very  rarely  in  a  fork.     The  eggs,  two  in  number,  are 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  55 

very  handsome;  they  are  somewhat  chalky  in  texture,  greyisli 
white  in  colour,  richly  blotched  and  clouded  with  deep 
brownish  red.  They  vary  much  in  size,  shape,  and  colours. 
The  average  is  2"6  in  length  by  about  2  in  breadth. 

7.  Falco  peregrinator,  Sund. 

A  jjair  of  Shahin  Falcons  frequented  the  waterfalls  near 
Mhow  during  the  cold  season  of  1881.  Jerdon,  in  his 
'  Birds  of  India/  vol.  i.  p.  "27 ,  mentions  an  eyrie  at  this  very 
waterfall. 

8.  Falco  juggur,  J.  E.  Gr. 

(^  .  Length  \7  7o  inches,  expanse  39,  wing  12*4,  tail  7*4, 
tarsus  1"8.  $  .  Length  18  inches,  expanse  43'5,  wing  13'75, 
tail  8"3,  tarsus  J  "8. 

The  Laggar  Falcon  is  very  common,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident,  breeding  during  the  first  three  months  of  the  year, 
most  of  them  laying  in  February.  The  nest  is  found  in  a 
variety  of  situations — a  hole  in  the  face  of  an  old  building  or 
tree,  a  ledge  on  a  rocky  cliff,  a  fork  in  a  lofty  tree,  and  some- 
times they  appropriate  an  old  crowds  nest.  The  eggs,  three  or 
four  in  number,  are  oval  in  shajie,  of  a  fine  but  chalky  texture, 
reddish  or  yellowish  white  in  colour,  so  closely  freckled  and 
stippled  with  reddish  brown  as  to  leave  little  or  none  of  the 
ground-colour  visible.  At  such  times  the  egg,  unless  looked 
at  closely,  appears  to  be  of  a  uniform  brick-red.  Sometimes 
tlie  colour  is  whiter,  and  the  egg  blotched_,  clouded,  or  capped 
with  reddish  brown,  not,  however,  very  distinct.  They  are 
sometimes  very  beautiful;  measurements  2  by  1*55  in. 

9.  Falco  chicquera,  Daud. 

Length  13  inches,  expanse  27'2,  Aving  8'5,  tail  6. 

Tlie  Turumti  is  not  u.ncommon,  and  occurs  throughout  the 
district ;  it  is  a  permanent  resident,  and  breeds  during  Feb- 
ruary and  March.  It  frequents  open  country  in  the  vicinity 
of  cultivation.  The  nests  are  often  found  within  village 
enclosures.  They  prefer  rather  high  trees,  such  as  tamarind 
or  peepul,  and  in  a  fork  near  the  top  they  construct  rather  a 
neat  cup-shaped  nest  of  twigs,  lined  with  grass-roots.  It 
would  be  rather  a  difficult  nest  to  find,  were  it  not  for  the 


56        Lieut.-Col.  C.  Swiiiboe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  oji 

fussy  habit  the  bird  has  of  darting  out  and  attacking  any 
bird  that  may  happen  to  come  near  the  tree.  Jerdon  says 
that  they  do  not  hesitate  to  attack  the  Tawny  Eagle.  The 
usual  number  of  eggs  is  four,  but  Ave  have  sometimes  found 
only  three.  They  are  rather  longish  ovals^  somewhat  chalky 
in  texturCj  of  a  yellowish-  or  reddish-brown  colour,  closely 
stippled_,  blotched,  mottled,  and  clouded  with  deeper  shades 
of  the  same  colour.     They  measure  1"6  by  1'25. 

10.  Cerchneis  tinnunculus  (Linn.). 

(^  .  Length  14  inches,  expanse  29'75,  wing  9*7,  tail  7*5. 

The  Kestrel  is  a  cold- weather  visitant,  and  occurs  in  great 
numbers  from  the  close  of  the  monsoon  until  the  commence- 
ment of  the  hot  season.  Its  principal  food  appears  to  be 
lizards,  locusts,  et  hoc  genus  onme,  but  it  is  occasionally 
seen  chasing  small  birds. 

11.  ASTUR  BADIUS  (Gm.). 

(J .  Length  12*5  inches,  wing  7*45,  tail  5'2. 

The  Shikra  is  very  common.  It  commences  to  breed  early 
in  March,  but  takes  a  very  long  time  to  complete  its  nest, 
apparently  taking  no  end  of  trouble  and  pains,  placing  and 
replacing  sticks  and  twigs  a  dozen  times  over,  and  the  result 
is  a  nest  that  no  respectable  Crow  would  own.  The  eggs, 
three,  sometimes  four,  in  number,  are  oval  in  shape,  in  colour 
very  pale  bluish  white,  with  very  faint  bluish  spots.  They 
measure  1'5  by  1*2. 

12.  AcciPiTER  Nisus  (Linn,). 

The  Common  Sparrow-Hawk  is  rare;  only  one  specimen 
was  obtained,  in  April  1882. 

13.  AcciPiTER  viRGATus,  Rcinw. 

^ .  Length  11*2  inches,  wing  6*75,  tail  5'1. 

The  Besra  Sparrow-Hawk  must  be  considered  rare ;  two 
specimens  were  obtained  at  Mhow  in  October  1881.  None 
others  were  procured  or  even  seen. 

14.  Aquila  clanga.  Pall. 

^ .  Length  25*5  inches,  expanse  62*5,  wing  19,  tail  11. 
The  Spotted  Eagle  is  not  uncommon  in  the  vicinity  of  the 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  57 

larger  tanks.  It  is  generally  to  be  found  in  the  early  morn- 
ing, sitting  on  a  low  tree.  It  is  a  permanent  resident  and 
breeds  in  March. 

15.  Aquila  viNDHiANA^  Gray. 

?  .  Length  27"5  inches,  expanse  6'8,  wing  19*5,  tail  10*5. 
The  Tawny  Eagle  is  very  common ;  it  is  a  permanent 
resident  and  breeds  during  the  cold  weather.  A  nest  found 
in  February  was  built  on  a  lofty  tree ;  it  was  a  huge  platform 
of  sticks^  lined  with  a  few  green  leaves.  The  eggs  had  not 
then  been  laid;  they  are  broad  ovals,  white  in  colour, 
sparingly  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish  brown. 

16.  CiRCAETUS  GALLICUS    (Grm.). 

cJ .  Length  25*8  inches,  expanse  70,  tail  11*8,  wing  20'75. 

The  Common  Serpent-Eagle,  or  Jean  le  Blanc,  is  not  un- 
common, and  is  a  permanent  resident.  The  bird  which 
furnished  the  above  measurements  was  shot  close  to  Neemuch 
in  December. 

17.  BUTEO  FEROX  (Gm.). 

The  Long-legged  Buzzard  is  not  uncommon.  Measure- 
ments, although  carefully  taken,  have  been  mislaid. 

18.  BuTASTUR  TEESA  (Fraukl.). 

fj .  Length  16*5  inches,  expanse  36,  wing  12*25,  tail  6*5, 
tarsus  2' 5. 

The  White-eyed  Buzzard,  or  Teesa,  is  very  common,  seem- 
ing by  preference  to  frequent  gardens  and  well-watered  and 
wooded  districts,  but  is  not  altogether  absent  from  the  more 
arid  tracts.  It  is  a  permanent  resident,  and  breeds  during 
March  and  April. 

19.  Circus  macrurus  (S.  G.  Gm.). 

(J.  Length  17*75  inches,  expanse  41*3,  wing  13*7,  tail  9. 
$  .  Length  19*5  inches,  expanse  45,  wing  14*4,  tail  10*75. 

The  Pale  Harrier  is  very  common,  but  only  oOcurs  during 
the  cold  season. 

20.  Circus  pygargus  (Linn.). 

Montagu's  Harrier  also  occurs  during  the  cold  season. 


58        Lieut,-Col.  C.  Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

21.  Circus  ^ruginosus  (Linn.). 

?  .  Length  25'9  inches,  expanse  53"5;  wing  17,  tail  10. 

The  Marsh  Harrier  is  very  common,  and  is  to  be  seen 
circling  round  every  tank  and  jheel  of  any  size,  and  along  the 
course  of  every  river  in  the  district.  It  only  occurs  during 
the  cold  weather. 

22.  Haliastur  INDUS  (Bodd.). 

The  Maroon-backed  or  Brahniiny  Kite  is  by  no  means  a 
common  bird ;  it  occurs,  but  sparingly,  on  and  near  the  larger 
tanks  throughout  the  district. 

23.  MiLvus  GoviNDA,  Sykcs. 
The  Pariah  Kite  is  very  common. 

24.  Pernis  ptilonorhynchus  (Linn.) . 

^.  Length  23*5  inches,  exjjanse  50,  wing  16'4,  tail  9'25. 
?  .  Length  26  inches,  expanse  52,  wing  18,  tail  11  "75. 

The  Crested  Honey-Buzzard  is  very  common  in  all  well- 
wooded  parts.     It  is  a  permanent  resident. 

25.  Elanus  c.eruleus  (Desf.). 

(J .  Length  11*9  inches,  expanse  33*2,  wing  11,  tail  5*1. 

The  Black -winged  Kite  is  not  common.  The  specimen 
from  which  the  above  measurements  were  taken  was  shot  at 
Mhow  on  the  25th  September ;  two  other  specimens  were 
obtained,  one  at  the  Depalpore  Lake  in  December,  and  the 
other  at  the  same  place  in  January. 

26.  Bubo  bengalensis,  Frankl. 
Length  22  inches,  wing  16,  tail  9. 

The  Rock  Horned  Owl  is  very  common,  frequenting  the 
banks  of  rivers,  especially  if  rocky  and  partially  covered  with 
brushwood.  It  breeds  during  February  and  March.  The 
eggs  (there  is  no  nest)  are  placed  on  a  ledge,  sometimes  in  a 
large  hole.  They  are  three  in  number,  and  are  perfect  ovals, 
white  in  colour,  with  a  creamy  tinge.  They  are  fine  in  tex- 
ture, and  measure  2*15  by  1*75. 

27.  Bubo  coromandus  (Lath.). 
Length  23'75  inches,  wing  17*8,  tail  8*8. 

The  Dusky  Horned  Owl  is  another  very  common  species. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  59 

and  breeds  during  December  and  January,  making  a  rather 
large  nest  in  lofty  trees,  composed  of  sticks  and  twigs.  The 
eggs,  two  or  three  in  number,  vary  much,  both  in  size  and 
shape.  They  are  creamy  white  in  colour,  and  measure  2'4 
by  1-8. 

28.  Scops  pennanti,  Hodgs. 

^ .  Length  8  inches,  expanse  19'5,  wing  6,  tail  2'75. 

The  Indian  Scops  Owl  is  very  rare.  The  specimen  whose 
measurements  are  given  above  was  procured  at  Mhow,  and 
was  the  only  one  obtained. 

29.  Carine  brama  (Temm.). 

$  .  Length  8"5  inches,  expanse  19,  wing  5'8,  tail  2'6. 
The  Spotted  Owlet  is  very  common  ;  every  well  or  old  tree 
is  sure  to  be  tenanted  by  a  colony  of  these  noisy  birds.     They 
breed  during  February  and   March,   laying   three  or   four 
roundish  white  eggs. 

30.  HiRUNDO  rustica,  Linn. 

^ .  Length  7*9  inches,  wing  4*95,  tail  4*7. 

The  Chimney-Swallow  is  common  during  the  cold  season, 
appearing  about  the  middle  of  August  and  leaving  towards 
the  end  of  February. 

31.  HiRUNDO  filieera,  Steph. 

This  most  beautiful  bird,  the  Wire-tailed  Swallow,  is  very 
common,  and  is  a  permanent  resident.  It  breeds  during 
March,  April,  and  May,  building  a  half  saucer-shaped  nest 
of  mud  under  a  bridge  or  on  the  sides  of  a  well.  The  eggs,  three 
in  number,  are  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  brownish 
red  and  inky  purple.  They  vary  in  shape,  but  are  typically 
longish  ovals. 

32.  HiRUNDO  erythropygia,  Sykes. 

The  Red-rumped  Swallow  is  not  uncommon,  but  is  very 
locally  distributed  ;  one  locality  much  frequented  by  them  is 
the  railway-cutting  between  Mhow  and  Kalakhund.  They 
are  permanent  residents,  and  commence  to  breed  early  in 
June. 


60       Lieut.-Col.  C.  Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

33.  COTILE  SINENSIS  (J.  E.  Gr.). 

The  Indian  Sand-Martin  is  very  common,  and  is  a  perma- 
nent resident^  breeding  in  January  and  February  in  holes 
excavated  by  the  birds  themselves  in  the  sandy  banks  of  the 
river.  These  holes  are  from  18  to  24  inches  in  depth.  The 
eggs,  four  in  number,  are  fine  glossless  white,  oval  in  shape, 
and  slightly  pointed  at  one  end. 

34.  Ptyonoprogne  concolor  (Sykes). 

The  Dusky  Crag-Martin  is  common  ;  it  is  a  permanent 
resident,  and  breeds  during  February  and  March,  and  again 
in  October  and  November. 

35.  Cypselus  afeinis.  Gray. 

The  Indian  Swift  is  one  of  the  very  commonest  birds  in 
the  country.  It  breeds  from  January  to  August,  a  very 
favourite  site  being  under  the  doorways  of  stables.  The 
nests,  composed  of  feathers,  straws,  &c._,  are  agglutinated 
together  with  saliva.  The  eggs,  three  in  number,  are  pure 
glossless  white,  elongated  ovals  in  shape,  measuring  "84 
by  -56. 

36.  Dendrochelidon  coronata  (Tick.). 
The  Indian  Crested  Swift  is  not  uncommon. 

37.  Caprimulgus  asiaticus,  Lath. 

The  Indian  Nightjar  is  rather  common,  and  is  a  perma- 
nent resident,  breeding  during  May  and  June.  The  eggs, 
two  in  number,  are  oval  in  shape,  salmon-coloured,  with 
numerous  clouds  and  blotches  of  clayey  pink  or  brown. 
They  measure  1  by  '75. 

38.  Merops  viridis,  Linn. 

The  Indian  Bee-eater  is  very  common,  breeding  during 
March  and  April.  They  nest  in  holes  in  the  ground, 
generally  in  the  face  of  a  nullah  or  bank ;  these  are  exca- 
vated by  the  birds  themselves,  and  are  neatly  cut.  They  are 
from  two  to  three  feet  in  depth.  The  eggs,  from  four  to  six 
in  number,  are  glossy  white  and  nearly  spherical.  They 
measure  "8  by  "7. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  61 

39.  Merops  persicus,  Pall. 

The  Egyptian  Bee-eater  at  times  is  not  uncommon,  but  is 
not  a  permanent  resident.  First  observed  on  the  7th  of 
October. 

40.  CoRAciAS  iNDiCA,  Linn. 

The  Indian  Roller  is  common^  and  is  a  permanent  resident, 
breeding  in  April  and  May  in  holes,  either  in  trees,  old 
buildings,  or  banks.  The  eggs,  four  in  number,  are  nearly 
spherical,  glossy  china-white  in  colour.  They  vary  consi- 
derably both  in  size  and  shape,  but  average  1"25  by  1. 

41.  Pelargopsis  gurial  (Pears.). 

^  .  Length  15"75  inches,  expanse  21*5,  wing  6-1,  tail  3*75, 
tarsus  '75,  bill  from  gape  4"1,  bill  from  front  3'4. 

The  Indian  Stork-billed  Kingfisher  is  a  rare  straggler, 
but  has  been  procured  both  at  the  Depalpore  Lake  and  at 
Neemuch. 

42.  Halcyon  smyrnensis  (Gm.). 

The  White-breasted  Kingfisher  is  very  common,  and,  like 
most  of  the  other  Kingfishers,  is  a  permanent  resident  whiere 
found.  It  breeds  in  holes  in  river-banks,  sides  of  wells,  and 
such-like  suitable  places.  The  eggs,  five  in  number,  are 
neai'ly  spherical,  pure  white,  and  highly  glossy.  They  are 
scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from  those  of  Coracias  indica, 
and  measure  I'l  by  1. 

43.  Alcedo  bengalensis,  Gm. 

The  Indian  Kingfisher  is  very  common,  and  breeds  during 
March  and  April.  The  eggs,  five  or  six  in  number,  are  pure 
china-white,  oval  in  shape.  They  are  highly  glossy,  and 
average  '8  by  "7. 

44.  Ceryle  rudis  (Linn.). 

The  Pied  Kingfisher  is  exceedingly  common,  and  breeds 
during  March  and  April.  This  bird  is  not  in  the  habit  of 
frequenting  wells,  like  Halcyon  smyrnensis,  but  where  there 
is  plenty  of  water  there  this  bird  is  sure  to  occur.  The  eggs, 
four  or  five  in  number,  are  oval,  pure  china-white,  and  very 
glossy.     They  measure  I'l  by  "9. 


62        Lieiit.-Col.  C.  Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

45.  LoPHOCEROs  BiiiosTKis  (Scop.) :  Elliotts  Horiibills 
pi.  xlviii. 

Length  22  inches,  expanse  32,  wing  8,  tail  10'5,  tarsus 
V7o,  bill  from  gape  5. 

The  Jungle  Grey  Hornbill  is  common  in  all  the  well- 
wooded  parts  of  the  district. 

46.  Pal^ornis  eupatria  (Linn.). 
Length  20"9  inciies,  wing  8,  tail  11  •45. 

The  Alexandrine  Paroquet  is  common  in  suitable  places. 
They  make  occasional  visits  in  large  flocks  to  gardens  &c., 
returning  in  the  evening  to  their  homes  on  the  hills.  They 
are  very  noisy  when  feeding.  Specimens  were  obtained  at 
Depalpore,  Mhow,  and  Neemuch. 

47.  Pal^.ornis  torquatus  (Bodd.). 

The  Rose- ringed  Paroquet  is  very  common,  breeding  from 
the  end  of  February  to  the  commencement  of  April. 

48.  PaLvEornis  purpureus  (MiilL). 

The  Rose-headed  Paroquet  is  common,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident. 

49.  PiCUS  MAHRATTENSIS,  Lath. 

Length  7'Q  inches,  wing  4'43,  tail  2*24,  bill  at  front  'QS. 
The  Yellow-fronted  Woodpecker  is  not  uncommon  ;  it  is  a 
permanent  resident. 

50.  Chrysocolaptes  festivus  (Bodd.). 

The  Black-naped  Woodpecker  is  rare.  A  single  specimen 
only  was  procured,  at  Manpore,  in  May  1882. 

51.  Brachypternus  aurantius,  Linn. 

(^  .  Length  11"98  inches,  expanse  18,  wing  5*75,  tail  3'97, 
bill  at  front  1-28. 

The  Golden -backed  Woodpecker  is  common  near  Mhow, 
but  less  so  at  Neemuch.     It  is  a  permanent  resident. 

52.  Iynx  torquilla  (Linn.). 

Length  7*5  inches^  wing  3*52,  tail  2'49,  tarsus  '6,  bill  at 
front  "61. 

The  Wryneck  is  very  common  during  the  cold  weather. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  63 

53.  MegaLjEMa  caniceps  (Frankl.). 

Length  10"5  inches^  expanse  16^  wing  5,  tail  3*5,  tarsus  I'l, 
bill  at  front  1-35. 

The  Green  Barbet  occurs  in  the  denser  jungles^  but  is 
nowhere  common. 

54.  Xanthol^ma  h^macephala  (P.  L.  S.  MiilL). 
Length  6"37  inches^  expanse  10' 75,  wing  3' 12,  tail  1*37, 

tarsus  '75,  bill  at  gape  "87^  bill  at  front  '68. 

The  Coppersmith,  or  Crimson-breasted  Barbet,  is  exces- 
sively common ;  it  is  a  permanent  resident,  breeding  from 
the  latter  end  of  January  to  about  the  middle  of  March. 
The  eggs,  three  in  number,  are  deposited  in  a  hole  made  by  the 
birds  themselves  in  the  dead  branch  of  a  tree ;  they  are  long 
and  narrow,  of  a  pure  glossless  white ;  they  measure  1  by  '7. 

55.  CucuLus  CANORUS,  Linn. 

The  Cuckoo  is  fairly  common  on  the  hills  near  Mhow  at 
the  end  of  the  rains. 

56.  HiEROCOCCYX  VARIUS  (Val.). 

Length  13  inches,  expanse  21" 5,  wing  8,  tail  7,  tarsus  1, 
bill  from  gape  1*1,  bill  at  front   7. 

The  Common  Haw^k-Cuckoo  is  very  abundant,  especially 
after  the  end  of  the  rains. 

57.  CoccYSTEs  jACOBiNUs  (Bodd.). 

$  .  Length  12  inches,  expanse  J7'5,  wing  5*75,  tail  6*25, 
tarsus  '98,  bill  at  gape  1*1,  bill  at  front  •75. 

The  Pied  Crested  Cuckoo  is  very  common  during  and  after 
the  rains.  It  breeds  throughout  the  monsoon  quite  up  to 
the  end  of  October,  depositing  its  eggs  in  the  nests  of  Cha- 
tarrhcea  caudata. 

58.  EuDYNAMis  HONORATA  (Linn.). 

^ .  Length  15*5  inches,  expanse  23_,  wing  7*5,  tail  7'5^ 
tarsus  1*12,  bill  at  front  1.  ?  .  Length  17-5  inches,  wing 
7-9,  tail  8. 

The  Koel  is  a  very  common  bird ;  some  of  them  at  least 
are  permanent  residents_,  as  they  are  occasionally  seen  all  the 
year  round.     About  the  commencement  of  April  they  become 


64       Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swinlioe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  oyi 

far  more  numerous.  The  female  deposits  two  eggs  in  the 
nest  of  Corvus  splendens.  Generally  one  or  two,  occasionally 
as  many  as  three,  eggs  are  foimd  in  one  nest,  whether  the 
product  of  a  single  bird  it  is  impossible  to  say.  The  Koel, 
as  a  rule,  does  not  destroy  the  eggs  of  the  Crow  when  she 
leaves  her  own  eg^. 

59.  CeNTROCOCCYX  RUFIPENNIS  (111.). 

^ .  Length  20  inches,  expanse  21"5,  wing  7'5,  tail  lO'S, 
tarsus  1-7,  bill  at  front  1-3. 

The  Common  Coucal,  or,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  the 
Crow  Pheasant,  is  very  abundant,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident. 

60.  Taccocua  leschenaulti  (Less.). 

The  Sirkeer  is  not  very  common,  but  has  been  obtained 
at  Chi  tor,  Neemuch,  Mhow,  and  Manpore ;  it  is  therefore 
very  generally  distributed. 

6L    CiNNYRIS  ASIATICA  (Lath.). 

The  Purple  Honey-sucker  is  very  common.  It  commences 
breeding  about  the  end  of  February. 

62.  Upupa  epops,  Linn. 

?  .  Length  12"3  inches,  expanse  18'5,  wing  5*2,  tail  4*4, 
tarsus  "7,  bill  from  gape  2*42,  bill  at  front  1-9. 

The  European  Hoopoe  is  very  common  during  the  cold 
season,  but  does  not  remain  to  breed. 

63.  Lanius  lahtora,  Sykes. 

Length  9*6  inches,  wing  4*3,  tail  4*7,  tarsus  1"25,  bill 
at  front  '6. 

The  Indian  Grey  Shrike  is  very  common,  and  is  a  perma- 
nent resident ;  it  is  a  very  early  breeder,  nesting  from  Feb- 
ruary to  the  end  of  July.  It  frequents  low  thorny  thickets, 
generally  babool,  in  a  fork  of  which  it  builds  its  nest.  The 
eggs,  four  in  number,  are  too  well  known  to  need  description. 

64.  Lanius  erythronotus,  Vig. 
Length  10  inches,  wing  3'6,  tail  4*6. 

The  Rufous-backed  Shrike  is  common,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident.      It  breeds  during  May  and    June   in   somewhat 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  65 

similar  situations  to  its  relative  L.  lahtora ;  its  eggs,  althono-h 
much  smaller,  are  very  like  those  of  the  latter,  both  in  shape 
and  colour. 

65.  Lanius  vittatus,  Valenc. 

?  .  Length  7*2  inches,  expanse  10,  wing  3*25,  tail  3-18, 
tarsus  '75,  bill  at  gape  '87,  bill  at  front  'o. 

The  Bay-backed  Shrike  is  very  plentiful,  and  is  a  perma- 
nent resident,  breeding  from  April  to  June.  Its  eggs, 
although  small,  are  of  the  true  Shrike-like  type. 

66.  Lanius  cristatus,  Valenc. 

Length  7*8  inches,  expanse  10-2,  wing  3-36,  tail  3-57, 
tarsus  '8,  bill  at  gape  -75,  bill  at  front  -43. 

The  Brown  Shrike  is  very  rare,  a  single  specimen  only 
having  been  obtained  at  Mhow  on  the  2nd  October,  1881. 

67.  Tephrodornis  pondicerianus  (Gm.). 

^.  Length  6-8  inches,  expanse  10,  wing  3-52,  tail  2*7, 
tarsus  "75,  bill  at  front  '61. 

The  Wood-Shrike  is  very  common ;  it  is  a  permanent  resi- 
dent. Examj)les  were  taken  at  Mhow  and  Manpore  in  March, 
May,  October,  and  December. 

68.  Lalage  sykesi  (Strickl.). 

The  Black-headed  Cuckoo-Shrike  is  rare,  and  only  occurs 
in  the  cold  season. 

69.  Graucalus  macei.  Less. 
Length  11 '5  inches,  wing  6*4,  tail  4*8. 

The  Large  Cuckoo-Shrike  is  common  in  the  cold  season, 
but  does  not  occur  during  the  rains. 

70.  Pericrocotus  peregrinus  (Linn.). 

Length  6"  12  inches,  expanse  7*46,  wing  2' 78,  tail  3*4, 
tarsus  "5,  bill  at  gape  'SO,  bill  at  front  •31. 

The  Small  Minivet  is  very  common ;  it  is  a  permanent 
resident,  and  breeds  during  June  and  July.  The  nest  is  a 
very  neat  cup,  built  in  the  fork  of  a  tree,  and  is  rather  diffi- 
cult to  find.     The  eggs  are  three  in  number. 

.SER.  v. VOL.  III.  F 


66       Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swiulioe  and  Lieut,  H.  Barnes  on 

7\.  Pericrocotus  erytiiropygius,  Jerd. 
The  White-bellied  Minivet   occurs  sparingly  throughout 
the  district. 

7.2.  BucHANGA  ATRA  (Herm.). 

The  King  Crow  is  very  common^  and  is,  of  course,  a  per- 
manent resident. 

73.  BuCHANGA  LONGICAUDATA   (Jcrd.). 

A  specimen  procured  at  Mhow  in  October. 

74.  BucHANGA  c^RULESCENs  (Limi.). 

The  White-bellied  King  Crow  is  not  common  anywhere, 
but  still  occurs  sparingly  throughout  the  district. 

75.  Terpsiphone  paradisi  (Linn.). 

The  Paradise  Flycatcher  is  very  copamon,  and  is  a  per- 
manent resident. 

7Q.  Rhipidura  aureola  (Vieill.). 

(^ .  Length  7*5  inches,  expanse  10,  wing  3"3,  tail  3'75, 
tarsus  "7. 

The  White-browed  Fantail  Flycatcher  is  very  common  ;  it 
is  a  permanent  resident,  and  breeds  from  March  to  July. 
The  nest  is  small,  cup-shaped,  neatly  and  compactly  made, 
covered  on  the  exterior  with  spider-webs.  The  eggs,  three 
in  number,  are  broad  ovals  in  shape,  buffy  white  in  colour, 
with  a  nimbus  or  zone  of  buff  and  reddish-brown  spots  at 
the  larger  end. 

77.  CULICICAPA  CEYLONENSIS   (Sw.). 

The  Grey-headed  Flycatcher  is  not  uncommon,  occurring 
in  the  cold  weather  only. 

78.  Stoparola  melanops  (Vig.). 

The  Verditer-Blue  Flycatcher  is  not  uncommon,  but  is 
very  locally  distributed.  Mhow  and  Manpore  are  at  present 
the  only  places  whence  we  have  obtained  it. 

79.  SiPHIA  TICKELLI^,  Blyth. 

TickelFs  Blue  Redbreast  must  be  considered  rare.  We 
obtained  the  male  at  Mhow  and  the  female  at  Neemuch. 
Jerdon's  305  C.  banyumas  and  his  C.  tickellice  are  respectively 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  Q7 

male  and  female  of  the  same  species.  Blyth^  however,  sub- 
sequently discovered  that  the  true  C.  hanyumas  was  a  different 
bird,  and  did  not  occur  in  India.  He  therefore  named 
Jerdou^s  bird  C.jerdoni ;  but  as  he  had  previously  named  the 
female  C.  tickellice,  this  latter  name  must  stand,  and  "jerdoni " 
becomes  a  mere  synonym. 

80.  Erythrosterna  parva  (Pall.). 

The  Robin  Flycatcher  is  very  common  in  the  cold  season. 

81.  Alseonax  latirostris  (Blyth). 

The  Southern  Brown  Flycatcher  is  rare ;  a  single  specimen 
was  obtained  at  Manpore. 

82.  MoNTicoLA  cyanus  (Linn.). 

Length  8*6  inches,  expanse  13,  wing  5,  tail  3"1,  tarsus  1, 
bill  at  gape  1'2,  bill  at  front  '7. 

The  Blue  Rock -Thrush  is  a  very  common  winter  visitant. 

83.  MONTICOLA  CINCLORHYNCHUS   (Vig.). 

Length  7*5  inches,  expanse  11*2,  wing  3"8,  tail  2*75,  tarsus 
•8,  bill  at  gape  1,  bill  at  front  '58. 

The  Blue-headed  Chat-Thrush  is  rather  rare,  and  only 
occurs  during  the  cold  weather. 

84.  Pyctorhis  sinensis  (Gm.). 

(J.  Length  6'5  inches,  expanse  7,  wing  2*4,  tail  3"1, 
tarsus  "9,  bill  at  gape  "6,  bill  at  front  '43. 

The  Yellow-eyed  Babbler  is  common  and  is  a  permanent 
resident,  breeding  during  June,  July,  and  August. 

85.  DuMETiA  HYPERY'THRA  (Frankl.). 

The  Rufous-bellied  Warbler  is  perhaps  more  common  than 
it  appears  to  be,  owing  to  its  very  retiring  habits.  At  present 
we  have  obtained  it  at  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Mhow  only,  in 
March  1882  and  December  1881. 

86.  Malacocercus  terricolor  (Hodgs.). 

The  Bengal  Babbler  is  not  uncommon;  it  is  a  permanent 
resident,  and  breeds  from  March  to  the  end  of  July. 

87.  Argya  malcolmi  (Sykes). 

The  large  Grey  Babbler  is,  par  excellence,  the  Babbler  of 

r2 


68  On  the  Birds  of  Central  India. 

Central  India  ;  it  is  a  permanent  resident,  and  commences  to 
breed  as  early  as  February.  The  nests  are  generally  in  a 
conspicuous  position  amongst  the  smaller  branches  of  young 
babool  trees. 

88.  Chatakkhcea  caudata  (Linn.). 

The  Striated  Bush-Babbler  is  very  common,  bi^eedingfrom 
March  to  July. 

89.  Pycnonotus  h^emorrhous  (Gm.). 

The  Common  Madras  Bulbul  is,  as  its  name  implies,  one 
of  the  commonest  birds  in  the  district.  It  is  a  permanent 
resident,  and  breeds  during  April,  May,  and  June. 

90.  ^GiTHiNA  tiphia  (Liuu.). 

The  White-winged  Green  Bulbul  is  common,  occurring 
usually  in  pairs.  It  breeds  about  the  commencement  of  May, 
and  its  nest  is  difficult  to  find,  being  so  very  small  and  placed 
at  such  a  height  as  to  appear  to  a  casual  observer  a  mere 
excrescence  on  a  horizontal  branch.  This  resemblance  is 
further  enhanced  by  the  bird's  habit  of  using  spider-webs 
and  other  materials  assimilating  in  colour  to  the  bark  as  an 
exterior  covering  to  the  nest.  The  form  of  the  species  met 
with  in  this  district  has  a  great  deal  of  black  on  the  upper 
surface  {  =  ^.  zeylonica). 

91.  Orioltjs  kundoo,  Sykes. 

Length  8"75  to  10  inches,  expanse  16,  wing  5"3  to  5*7, 
tail  3'4  to  3*8,  tarsu.^i  -7  to  '8,  bill  at  gape  1*3,  bill  at  front 
•9  to  1-06. 

The  Indian  Oriole  occurs  sparingly  during  the  cold  season, 
but  is  very  common  just  before  and  during  the  rains.  It 
breeds  in  July  and  August.  The  nest  is  bag-shaped,  sus- 
pended between  the  prongs  of  a  fork  at  the  extreme  end  of  a 
branch.  After  the  eggs  are  laid  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  dis- 
cover the  nest,  as  on  the  appearance  of  another  bird  (no 
matter  how  large)  in  the  vicinity  of  the  nest,  it  is  at  once 
violently  attacked  and  driven  away  by  the  Orioles.  Notwith- 
standing this  the  Crows  frequently  succeed  in  abstracting  the 
eggs  or  callow  young.     It  is  amusing  to  vvatch  tlie  artful  tricks 


On  the  Ornithology  of  St.  Kildu.  69 

of  a  pair  of  Crows  who  are  intent  on  robbing  an  Oriole's 
nest.  One  of  the  pair  makes  an  attack  on  the  nest,  and  on 
being  promptly  resisted,  flies  off  pursued  to  a  distance  by  the 
parents.  The  other  Crow  then  filches  a  portion  of  the  con- 
tents of  the  nest.  Upon  the  Orioles  returning,  flushed  with 
their  fancied  victory,  they  discover  their  loss,  and  indulge  in 
a  frantic  attack  on  the  cunning  robber,  if  he  has  not  already 
made  himself  scarce  ;  during  the  time  they  are  engaged 
in  this  second  and  unequal  contest,  Crow  No.  1  slyly  returns 
and  steals  that  which  his  accomplice  was  unable  to  take 
away.  The  pirates  then  adjourn  to  a  neighbouring  tree, 
loudly  exulting.  The  simple  Orioles,  no  wiser  from  ex- 
perience, after  a  short  season  spent  in  mourning  their  loss, 
recommence  preparations  (frequently  on  the  same  tree)  for 
rearing  another  brood.  Shy  as  these  birds  naturally  are  on 
ordinary  occasions,  yet  if  their  young  are  taken  and  con- 
veyed even  as  far  as  a  mile  distant  and  placed  in  a  cage  any- 
where within  their  reach,  even  though  it  be  in  an  oijen 
verandah,  they  will  so  far  overcome  their  natural  timidity  as 
to  supply  their  young  with  food  until  long  after  they  have 
arrived  at  maturity.  The  young  birds  are  very  difiicult  to 
keep  in  confinement,  they  usually  die  suddenly,  or  else  refuse 
food,  pine,  and  die  when  no  longer  attended  to  by  their 
parents. 

92.  Oriolus  indicus,  Jerd. 

Swinhoe  observed  the  Black-naped  Oriole  at  Maupore  in 
June  1882.  The  bird  was  seen  quite  distinctly  within  a  few 
feet  of  it,  but  unfortunately  no  means  were  at  hand  for 
obtaining  the  specimen. 

[To  be  couliiuied.] 


VIII.— r^e  Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda. 
By  Charles  Dixon. 

(Plate  III.) 
Perhaps  no  part  of  the  British  Islands  is  more  interesting 
to  the  ornithologist  than  St.   Kilda.      On  this  bleak    and 


70  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

sublimely  grand  ocean-rock  some  of  the  rarest  and  the  most 
interesting  birds  in  our  fauna  find  a  congenial  home  ;  here 
alone  they  may  be  studied  at  their  breeding-places.  Now 
that  it  is  known  that  St.  Kilda  possesses  a  Wren  peculiar  to 
its  rocky  shores  the  interest  attaching  to  it  will  be  increased, 
and  the  fact  may  serve  to  draw  the  attention  of  British  orni- 
thologists to  the  little  bird's  secluded  home.  It  is  very  strange 
that  no  complete  list  of  the  birds  of  this  remote  island  has  ever 
been  compiled  by  any  modern  ornithologist,  and  stranger  still 
is  the  indifference  with  which  the  place  and  its  bird -treasares 
have  been  treated  by  British  naturalists  during  the  past  forty 
years.  Perhaps  the  difficulty  of  reaching  St,  Kilda  and  the 
hardships,  imaginary  or  real,  which  must  of  necessity  be  en- 
dured, if  the  sojourn  on  its  by  no  means  hospitable  shores  is 
for  any  length  of  time,  are  the  chief  reasons  for  its  having 
been  so  much  neglected.  Strange  it  seems  that  while  British 
ornithologists  have  journeyed  far  and  wide  over  all  parts 
of  the  known  world  in  the  interests  of  their  favourite 
science,  St.  Kilda,  the  remotest  part  of  the  United  Kingdom, 
has  been  disregarded,  and  a  bird  has  existed  there  which, 
until  the  summer  of  last  year,  was  absolutely  unknown  to 
science. 

We  find,  perhaps,  the  earliest  known  record  of  the  birds  of 
St.  Kilda  from  the  pen  of  "  M.  Martin,  Gent.,"  written 
in  the  year  1698,  in  his  'Voyage  to  St.  Kilda;  ^  but  the 
lonely  island  had  attracted  the  attention  of  several  previous 
travellers,  including  Sir  Robert  Sibbald.  Martin  gave  a  by 
no  means  bad  account  of  the  birds  of  these  famous  islands, 
specially  noting  the  Great  Auk,  which,  as  every  naturalist 
knows,  once  used  St.  Kilda  as  a  breeding-station.  He  enume- 
rates about  twenty  species,  amongst  them  being  a  Wren,  which 
for  nearly  two  hundred  years  has  remained  undetermined! 
In  addition  to  Martin,  the  following  is  a  brief  list  of  the 
principal  writers  on  the  ornithology  of  the  islands.  A  full 
account  of  the  birds  of  St.  Kilda  was  given  by  the  Rev.  J.  L. 
Buchanan,  in  his  'Travels  in  the  Western  Hebrides  between 
the  years  1782-1790.'  In  1811  MacDonald  published  his 
*  General  View  of  the  Agriculture  of  the  Hebrides,'  which 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  71 

contained  a  list  of  the  birds  of  St.  Kilda.  In  1832  Mr. 
Atkinson  published  (Trans.  Nat.  Hist.  Soc.  Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne)  an  account  of  his  visit  to  St.  Kilda^  made  during  the 
previous  year.  In  1840  John  Macgillivray^  a  son  of  the 
great  naturalist^  William  Macgillivray,  who^  however, 
refers  to  him  as  "  a  friend  of  mine ""  in  his  article  on  the 
PuflSn,  and  gives  the  date  of  his  visit  to  St.  Kilda  as  1839  ! 
(Hist.  Brit.  B.  v.  p.  369)_,  after  a  most  perilous  voyage, 
reached  St.  Kilda  (staying  there  four  days),  and  published 
an  account  of  its  bird-life  in  the  '  Edinburgh  New  Philo- 
sophical Journal'  (1812,  p.  47);  whilst  in  1812  James 
Wilson  published  an  account  of  its  ornithology  in  his 
*  Voyage  round  the  Coasts  of  Scotland  and  the  Isles.'' 
In  1848  Sir  William  Milner  published  in  the  '  Zoologist ' 
a  very  complete  account  of  the  birds  of  this  remote 
corner  of  the  British  Islands  ;  and  in  18G9  the  pages  of 
'The  Ibis''  were  enriched  with  a  graphic  account  of  St. 
Kilda  bird-life  from  the  pen  of  Captain  Elwes.  In  187G 
Sands  (who  spent  seven  weeks  in  the  islands  in  1875  and 
eight  months  in  1876-77)  published  his  ''  Out  of  the  World, 
or  Life  in  St.  Kilda,'  containing  an  account  of  its  ornitho- 
logy ;  whilst  in  the  following  year  Seton  issued  his  '  St.  Kilda, 
past  and  present,'  containing  a  chapter  devoted  to  the  birds. 
As,  however,  Seton's  experience  of  St.  Kilda  only  extended 
over  a  few  hours,  during  the  stay  of  a  pleasure-steamer,  his 
information  was  compiled  from  contemporary  writers.  In 
the  summer  of  1883  Mr.  Barrington  paid  a  visit  to  these 
islands ;  but  no  account  of  his  journey  seems  to  have  been 
published  ;  and  his  researches  were  more  of  a  botanical  than 
an  ornithological  nature. 

St.  Kilda  has  always  possessed  a  charm  for  me  ;  to  explore 
its  rocky  shores  has  been  a  long-cherished  hope  ;  but  the 
only  way  to  do  it  with  any  degree  of  thoroughness  was  to 
spend  a  week  or  so  there.  Through  the  kindness  of  my 
friend  Mr.  J.  T.  Mackenzie,  of  Dunvegan,  in  Skye,  the  pre- 
sent factor  of  St.  Kilda,  I  was  enabled  last  summer  to  visit  the 
island  in  his  smack,  and  to  stay  there  for  nearly  a  fortnight. 
Mr.  Mackenzie's  vessel  pays  two  visits  to   St.    Kilda  every 


72  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

year  (in  spring  and  autumn),  and  he  himself  generally  accom- 
panies her  on  her  spring  voyage.  This  vessel  conveys  meal, 
tea,  sugar,  salt,  tobacco,  &c.  to  the  St.-Kildans,  and  brings 
back  oil,  feathers,  cloth,  salt-fish,  tallow,  and  a  few  hides, 
the  natural  products  of  the  place. 

"We  left  Dunvegan  in  the  '  Eobert  Hadden,'  a  tight  little 
smack  of  about  eighty  tons,  at  noon  on  Tuesday  the  3rd  of 
June.     The  wind  was  light,   scarcely  sufficient  to  carry  us 
out  of  Loch  Follart  into  the  Minch,  which  we  crossed  during 
the  evening,  arriving  at  1.30  a.m.    on  Wednesday   in  the 
Sound   of  Harris,  where   we    awaited  daylight   to    navigate 
these  dangerous  straits.     All  day  Wednesday  we  were  be- 
calmed in  the  Sound ;  and  I  took  the  opportunity  of  exploring 
some  of  the  small  islets,  in  company  with  Mr.  John  Mac- 
kenzie, jun.,  and  Mr.  Campbell,  a  gentleman  going  out  to 
St.  Kilda  as  schoolmaster.     Several  of  the  small  islands  in 
the   Sound  are  frequented   by   otters,    and    seals    are    very 
common.     The  Oystercatcher,  the  Merganser,  and  the  Eider 
Duck  were  abundant,  and  the  sea  was  studded  with  Guille- 
mots, Razorbills,  and  Puffins,  whilst  every  now  and  then  a 
string  of  Cormorants  or  Shags  flew  swiftly  over  the  glassy 
water,  and  the  gaggle  of  Wild  Geese  sounded  faintly  from 
Harris  and  Uist.     We  finally  cast  anchor  off  Obb  to  take  in 
a  supply  of  fresh  water,  and  got  under  weigh  again  at  four  in 
the  afternoon.     As  soon  as  we  got  clear  of  the  island  of 
Pabbay,  we  caught  a  stiff  breeze,  and  were  speedily  bowling 
along  W.N.W.,  with  all  sails  set  for  St.   Kilda,  some  fifty 
miles  ahead.     The  sea  was  rough,  and  our  little  craft  was 
tossed  about  considerably  by  the  waves.     Just  as  dusk  was 
falling,  old  Neil,  one  of  the  crew,  sighted  the  island  of  Borreay 
from  the  rigging ;  and  the  excitement  of  "  laud  aliead  " — 
far-famed  St.  Kilda  at  last — was  enough  to  make  us  forget 
the  discomforts  of  the  protracted  voyage  and  the  by  no  means 
gentle    treatment  of  the  wind   and  waves.     About   twenty 
miles  from  St.  Kilda  we  saw  several  Manx  Shearwaters  flying 
in  the  gloom  round  the  ship,  a  few  Auks  floated  like  corks 
on  the  billows,  and  one  or  two  solitary  Fulmars  floated  Owl- 
like above  us  and  then  disappeared  again  in  the  twilight. 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  73 

As  we  approached  Borreay  the  island  became  more  distinct, 
coming  out  clearly  against  the  western  horizon,  whilst 
beyond,  again,  looming  like  a  huge  dark  cloud,  St.  Kilda 
proper  rose  weird-like  from  the  sea.  We  passed  the  large 
inaccessible  rock  Levenish,  which  stands  sentinel-like  at  the 
mouth  of  East  or  Village  Bay,  into  which  we  sailed  in  the 
darkness,  and  came  to  anchor,  as  it  seemed,  right  under  the 
frowning  hills,  at  half-past  one  a.m.  on  Thursday.  Inside 
the  bay  the  sea  was  almost  as  rough  as  outside ;  and  here  we 
were  left  to  our  fate  by  the  islanders — left  to  toss  and  roll  all 
night  almost  within  stone''s  throw  of  the  shore.  About  eight 
o'clock  the  following  morning  a  large  boat  put  off  to  the 
smack,  manned  by  half  a  dozen  St.-Kildans,  to  fetch  us  ashore. 
Glad,  indeed,  were  they  to  welcome  us,  for  they  had  seen  no 
strangers  and  had  had  no  communication  with  the  outside 
world  for  nine  months  !  The  landing  was  rather  a  difl&cult 
undertaking,  owing  to  the  treacherous  swell ;  but  once  on 
shore,  almost  all  the  population  came  down  to  meet  the 
strangers,  and  universal  hand-shaking  was  the  order  of  the 
day.  The  faithful  old  pastor,  the  Rev.  John  Mackay,  was 
first  and  foremost  in  his  welcome,  insisting  on  our  partaking 
of  his  hospitality,  and  anxiously  listening  meanwhile  to  the 
doings  of  the  busy  outside  world. 

Viewed  from  the  sea,  St.  Kilda  looks  far  more  barren  and 
dreary  than  it  really  is,  and  the  same  remarks  apply  in  an 
ornithological  sense,  for  few  birds  are  in  sight.  As  seen  from 
Village  Bay,  St.  Kilda  presents  a  grand,  majestic,  and  novel 
appearance.  The  deeply  indented  bay  is  in  the  foreground ; 
on  our  left  is  the  precipitous  island  of  Doon,  looking  for  the 
most  part  bare  and  rocky,  like  some  dismantled  fortress  or 
ruined  cathedral,  its  jagged  peaks  rising  in  many  places  sheer 
from  the  water.  Doon  forms  the  southern  horn  of  the  bay, 
and  is  only  separated  from  St.  Kilda  by  a  very  narrow  strait, 
almost  fordable  at  low  water.  Next  to  Boon  on  the  mainland 
rises  the  hill  MuUach-scaill,  or  Bald  Top  ;  then  comes  mighty 
Connacher  overlooking  all,  the  morning  mist  settling  on  his 
hoary  head,  twelve  hundred  feet  above  the  sea ;  whilst  on  the 
right  rises  MuUach-oshavall,  or  the  Top  of  Oswald,  forming 


74  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

the  northern  horn  of  this  remarkal)ly  picturesque  bay.  At 
the  extreme  western  extremity  of  St.  Kilda  is  the  smaller 
island  of  Soay,  separated  by  a  narrow  strait^  in  which  stand 
three  lofty  stacks  of  rock  (Stack  Biorrach,  or  the  pointed 
stacks  the  most  difficult  cliff  to  climb  in  the  islands^  Stack 
Soay,  and  Stack  Doonaah,  or  the  bad  stack).  On  two  of 
these  stacks  sea-birds  breed  in  great  numbers.  Soay  rises 
over  a  thousand  feet  from  the  sea,  and  affords  a  pasturage 
for  a  large  number  of  sheep,  as  well  as  a  congenial  home  for 
myriads  of  sea-fowl,  particularly  the  Manx  Shearwater,  which 
literally  swarms,  many  parts  of  the  island  being  undermined 
with  the  burrows  of  these  singular  birds.  The  Stormy  Petrels' 
nurseries  are  also  here.  About  four  miles  north  of  St.  Kilda 
stands  the  island  of  Boi'reay,  with  its  attendant  rocks  of 
Stack-an-Armin  and  Stack  Lii,  the  latter  being  the  grand 
headquarters  of  the  Gannets,  which  not  only  swarm  on  its 
flat  sloping  summit,  but  on  all  the  ledges,  nooks,  and  crannies 
of  its  lofty  sides.  Borreay  rises  over  a  thousand  feet  above 
sea-level,  and  its  mighty  cliffs  swarm  with  birds,  whilst  sheep 
graze  on  the  summit  and  the  grassy  ledges.  St.  Kilda  is  the 
only  island  of  the  group  which  is  inhabited  by  man;  and  at 
the  time  of  my  visit  in  June  1 884  its  population  numbered 
seventy-eight. 

Upon  landing,  my  trusty  henchman,  Sandy  Campbell  of 
Dunvegan,  introduced  me  to  Donald  M'Queen,  the  best  crags- 
man in  the  island,  the  best  fowler,  and  the  best  guide  to  the 
birds  of  St.  Kilda.  He  knows  them  all,  and  supplied  me 
with  much  information  respecting  their  habits.  Unfortu- 
nately he  only  speaks  Gaelic,  and  my  conversations  had 
to  be  carried  on  chiefly  by  Sandy^s  aid,  or  with  the  assistance 
of  Mr.  J.  Mackenzie  and  Mr.  Campbell.  As  soon  as  I  landed 
on  this  ornithological  paradise,  signs  of  birds  met  me  at  every 
"  step.  The  grovmd  near  the  houses  was  strewn  with  birds' 
wings,  feathers,  and  bones ;  the  houses  smelt  strongly  of 
Fulmars ;  and  in  a  dozen  different  ways  I  was  informed  that 
I  was  amongst  a  nation  of  fowlers.  The  houses  of  the  St.- 
Kildans  are  ranged  in  a  long  crescent,  about  four  hundred 
yards    from   the   shore.     Behind   and  before   them   are   the 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  75 

patches  of  cultivated  ground^  chiefly  sown  with  grain  and 
potatoes,  and  enclosed  with  a  rough  wall,  which  keeps  out 
the  sheep  and  cows.  Nearer  the  shore  stands  the  store,  the 
church,  and  the  manse.  St.  Kilda  is  plentifully  supplied 
with  the  best  of  water,  both  from  springs  and  from  the  rivulets 
which  rise  on  Connacher.  The  steep  sides  of  this  hill  are 
seared  in  several  places  by  small  ravines,  worn  out  by  the 
streams  which  dash  down  in  rainy  weather.  Climbing  the 
hill  in  a  south-westerly  direction,  and  passing  over  the 
shoulder  between  MuUach-scaill  and  Connacher,  a  wild  and 
novel  scene  presents  itself,  far  more  picturesque  than  the 
portion  of  St.  Kilda  we  have  left  behind  us.  Glen  Mor,  the 
^'Amazon's  Glen,^^  or  '^the  Glen,^^  as  it  is  known  in  St. 
Kilda,  stretches  out  at  our  feet,  sloping  gently  down  to  the 
distant  Atlantic  at  West  Bay.  The  hills  on  either  side  of 
this  romantic  glen  fall  almost  sheer  down  in  precipices  to  the 
sea,  and  on  them  the  Fulmars,  great  numbers  of  Guillemots, 
Razorbills,  and  Gulls  rear  their  young,  whilst  here  and  there, 
in  a  few  favourite  spots,  the  Shearwaters  burrow  in  the  rich 
soft  soil.  At  the  extremity  of  the  glen  the  clifl's  are  low  and 
the  shore  is  very  rocky ;  but  a  landing  can  sometimes  be 
made  here,  when  the  usual  place  in  East  Bay  is  inaccessible. 
The  Glen  contains  the  finest  pasturage  in  St.  Kilda,  and  it  is 
there  most  of  the  cows  are  grazed.  Not  a  tree  nor  a  shrub 
relieves  the  monotony  of  the  bare  hillsides  or  sheltered  valleys 
of  St.  Kilda ;  but  grass  grows  luxuriantly,  making  it  literally 
an  "  emerald  isle  ;  "  and  primroses,  sorrel,  and  many  other 
plants  thrive  on  the  cliffs  and  sloping  banks.  The  wild  hill- 
sides are  thickly  studded  with  rough  hovels,  or  "  cleats,^' 
made  of  boulders  and  roofed  with  turf,  in  which  the  St.-Kil- 
dans  dry  their  "  turfs "  and  grass,  and  in  which  the  sheep 
take  refuge  during  storms.  I  found  the  male  population 
exceedingly  civil,  obliging,  merry  fellows,  anxious  to  assist 
me  in  every  way  they  could ;  whilst  the  ladies  were  not  want- 
ing in  hospitality  to  the  "  Sassenach,^^  many  of  them  bringing 
eggs  and  birds,  as  soon  as  it  became  known  that  I  had  come 
to  their  islands  specially  to  collect  and  examine  such  objects. 
When  I  landed  scarcely  a  sea-bird  was  to  be  seen,  save 


76  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

a  few  Puffius  and  Gulls  in  the  bay ;  tlie  great  bird-nurseries 
are  away  behind  the  frowning  hills,  where  the  cliifs  fall  almost 
sheer  down  to  the  water,  and  on  the  adjoining  islands  and 
"  stacks/'  One  of  the  first  birds  to  arrest  my  attention  on 
landing  was  the  Hooded  Crow  (all  apparently  thorough-breds), 
which  perched  on  the  roofs  of  the  cottages  with  as  little  con- 
cern as  the  Sparrow  in  a  crowded  city ;  and  next  to  this  the 
Starling  and  the  Wheatear  were  the  most  common.  I  had 
not  been  ashore  long  before  the  Wren  attracted  my  notice, 
and  I  saw  at  once  that  it  was  not  the  typical  British  form, 
and  set  it  down  provisionally  as  Troglodytes  borealis.  When 
I  reached  St.  Kilda  the  egg-harvest  was  nearly  over ;  out  of 
the  hundreds  of  eggs  we  took  from  the  rocks  very  few  were 
fresh,  and  most  were  so  hard-set  as  to  render  blowing  them 
impossible.  The  St.-Kildans  eat  vast  numbers  of  eggs, 
especially  those  of  the  Fulmar  and  the  various  species  of 
Auks.  The  cliffs  of  St.  Kilda  are  divided  equally  amongst 
the  inhabitants,  and  a  man  seldom  or  never  poaches  on  his 
neighbour's  preserves.  Each  year  the  rocks  are  portioned 
out  anew,  the  Saxon  Mod,  or  council,  assembling  for  the 
purpose.  The  adjacent  islands  of  Doon,  Soay,  Borrcay,  and 
the  several  ''  stacks  "  are  common  propei'ty,  and  are  hunted 
at  intervals  by  a  party  despatched  in  one  of  the  boats  for  the 
purpose,  the  produce  of  the  expedition  being  shared  equally. 
The  St.-Kildans  are  adepts  at  catching  birds;  but  as  for 
their  feats  amongst  the  rocks,  I  saw  nothing  extraordinary, 
and  the  climbers  at  Flamborough  are  every  bit  as  daring.  In 
fact,  high  as  the  cliffs  at  St.  Kilda  arc,  they  are  compara- 
tively easy  to  climb,  being  for  the  most  part  broken  into 
ledges,  and  few  of  them  fall  sheer  down  to  the  water.  Ea  en 
the  mighty  cliff  of  Connacher  (twelve  hundred  feet  high)  does 
not  fall  sheer,  but  much  of  it  is  broken  up  into  ledges  and 
grassy  slopes,  in  Avhich  the  Fulmars  love  to  nest.  The  men 
were  very  anxious  that  I  should  not  disturb  their  Fulmars. 
No  gamekeeper  watched  his  preserves  more  jealously ;  and 
every  time  I  went  near  the  cliffs  where  they  were  breeding, 
if  I  chanced  to  have  a  gun  with  me,  several  men  or  boys 
were  sure  to  follow  and  warn  me  off  the  sacred  spot. 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  77 

As  I  was  anxious  to  obtain  a  few  examples  of  the  Fulmar, 
I  got  Donald  to  accompany  me  one  evening  to  the  cliffs  on 
the  shoulder  between  Mullach-oshavall  and  Connacher,  for 
the  purpose  of  seeing  his  method  of  catching  birds.  Every 
St.-Kildan  almost  constantly  wears  a  coil  of  rope  slung  round 
his  body,  as  well  as  a  clasp-knife,  hung  with  a  string  round 
his  neck.  After  arming  himself  with  a  rod,  about  ten  feet 
in  length,  at  the  end  of  which,  fastened  on  to  a  hazel-twig, 
was  a  horsehair  noose,  stiflened,  like  a  carriage-whip,  with 
Gannets''  quills,  Donald  started  with  me  for  the  rocks.  In 
spite  of  the  gale  that  was  blowing  from  the  north-west,  he 
fearlessly  descended  the  cliffs,  creeping  stealthily  towards  the 
Fulmars  that  were  sitting  unconsciously  on  their  nests,  and 
then  carefully  passing  the  rod  towards  one  of  them,  he  slipped 
the  fatal  noose  over  its  head  and  drew  the  fluttering  captive 
towards  him.  Its  companions  seemed  little  concerned  at  its 
fate ;  and  he  was  able  to  catch  as  many  as  we  wanted,  with 
the  smallest  possible  trouble.  All  the  sea-birds  are  caught 
in  the  same  manner.  As  soon  as  they  are  taken,  the  fowler 
usually  breaks  their  necks  and  hangs  them  in  his  belt,  or 
ties  them  hy  the  neck  in  bundles.  Most  of  the  Puffins  are 
caught  in  horsehair  nooses,  which  are  fixed  on  cords  and  set  in 
various  parts  of  the  cliffs  and  banks  which  they  frequent,  whilst 
great  numbers  are  taken  from  their  holes,  either  by  the  fowler 
himself  or  by  his  dog,  which  is  trained  for  the  purpose. 

When  climbing  the  more  difficult  parts  of  the  cliffs  the 
St.-Kildans  go  in  parties ;  sometimes  two  men  go  together, 
more  often  three  or  four — one  descending  the  cliffs,  the 
others  managing  the  ropes  above  and  assisting  their  com- 
panion to  explore  the  most  likely  parts  of  the  rocks.  One 
of  the  ropes  is  generally  fastened  round  the  climber^s  waist 
and  paid  out  by  the  men  at  the  top  as  it  is  required^  whilst 
the  other  rope  is  suspended  over  the  cliff  by  a  stake,  and  is 
used  to  relieve  the  body-rope  as  much  as  possible.  As  is 
usual  in  nearly  all  cliff-climbing,  the  greatest  danger  arises 
from  the  loose  pieces  of  rock  that  are  liable  to  fall  on  the 
fowler.  Accidents  are  not  of  very  frequent  occurrence,  and 
are  usually  the  result  of  gross  carelessness.     Donald  pointed 


78  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

out  the  place  where  his  father  lost  his  footing  and  was  dashed 
from  the  giddy  height  into  the  boiling  sea  below.  I  climbed 
over  the  exact  spot,  which  seemed  to  me  one  of  the  most 
unlikely  places  in  the  cliffs  for  such  an  accident  to  happen. 
The  great  ambition  of  a  St.-Kildan  is  to  excel  as  a  crags- 
man, to  become  a  successful  fowler ;  in  fact  until  a  man 
has  performed  certain  feats  of  daring  in  the  cliffs  he  never 
■wins  a  wife !  The  man  who  fails  to  scale  the  beetling  Stack 
Biorrach  is  said  never  to  win  a  St.-Kildan  maiden^s  heart. 
Even  the  ladies  of  St.  Kilda  are  expert  fowlers,  devoting  their 
attention  chiefly  to  the  Puffins  and  to  the  management  of  the 
snares.  Sea-birds  form  the  staple  food  of  the  people  of  this 
remote  island ;  the  Puffin,  the  Fulmar,  and  the  Gannet  are 
the  favourites.  These  birds  are  caught  in  enormous  numbers 
and  salted  down  for  future  use,  the  feathers  and  oil  being 
exported.  Great  numbers  of  Puffins  are  simply  plucked, 
split  open,  and  dried,  being  hung  in  strings  across  the  ceilings 
of  the  cottages  and  taken  down  as  required.  A  mummified 
Puffin  is  one  of  the  dainties  of  St.  Kilda !  Sands  records 
that  upwards  of  eighty-nine  thousand  Puffins  alone  were 
caught  by  the  St.-Kiidans  in  187G. 

Much  has  been  said  concerning  the  difficulty  of  landing 
and  the  anchorage  at  St,  Kilda.  The  only  place  at  which  a 
landing  is  attempted  is  on  the  rocky  shore  below  the  manse, 
and  boats  require  the  most  skilful  management,  even  in  the 
finest  weather,  for  there  is  always  more  or  less  swell  and  surf. 
During  the  whole  time  of  my  stay  there  was  a  considerable 
swell  incessantly  breaking  on  the  shore,  the  spray  often 
dashing  thirty  feet  or  more  up  the  cliffs,  especially  on  Doon. 
In  fiict,  so  bad  was  the  swell  that  I  was  prevented  from  land- 
ing on  any  of  the  adjoining  islands  and  ^'stacks,'-"  with  the 
exception  of  Doon,  which  a  few  hours'  comparative  lull 
afforded  me  an  opportunity  of  visiting.  The  heavy  seas  that 
from  time  to  time  break  over  St.  Kilda  are  almost  past 
credence ;  in  some  winters  the  spray  dashes  over  cliffs  several 
hundred  feet  high ;  the  wild  Atlantic  waves,  with  their  two- 
thousand  mile  roll,  threatening  to  overwhelm  these  rocky 
isles  that  impede  their  progress.     During  fine  weather  the 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  79 

anclibrage  of  St.  Kilda  is  one  of  the  finest  on  our  coasts,  but 
should  bad  weather  threaten_,  the  mariner  must  make  all 
possible  haste  out  of  the  treacherous  bay,  or  do  as  Mr.  Mac- 
kenzie does,  make  all  snug,  drop  another  anchor,  and  abandon 
his  vessel  to  her  fate,  to  ride  out  the  storm  or  go  to  the 
bottom  ! 

I  left  St.  Kilda  by  the  steamship  '  Dunara  Castle,^  which 
paid  the  island  a  visit,  remaining  several  hours  whilst  her 
passengers  inspected  the  wonders  of  the  place.  She  after- 
wards made  a  circuit  of  the  entire  group,  steaming  round  the 
islands,  and  firing  a  gun  at  intervals  to  scare  the  birds  from 
the  cliffs.  The  wild  grandeur  and  picturesqueness  of  St.  Kilda 
and  its  neighbouring  isles  can  only  be  seen  to  advantage 
from  the  water;  then  the  endless  variety  of  form  and  colour 
which  their  impressive  headlands  and  lofty  cliffs  assume  may 
be  viewed  in  all  their  lonely  sublimity,  the  scene  being  con- 
stantly vignetted  in  the  countless  myriads  of  sea-birds  that 
literally  darken  the  air.  I  left  the  '  Dunara  Castle '  at  Loch 
Tarbert,  and  came  on  to  Dunvegan  in  the  mail-packet,  which 
had  a  long  tedious  voyage  across  the  Minch,  and  finally 
landed  me  in  Skye  at  three  a.m.  on  Tuesday  the  17th  of  June. 
I  have  appended  the  St. -Kilda  names  of  most  of  the  birds  in 
the  following  list,  as  they  will  in  many  cases  be  found  to  difi'er 
from  the  Gaelic  names  in  use  amongst  the  Highlands. 

Haliaetus  albicilla. 

The  White-tailed  Eagle  can  only  be  regarded  as  an  acci- 
dental visitor  to  St.  Kilda.  It  would  probably  breed  there 
regularly  were  it  left  unmolested ;  but  as  soon  as  the  birds 
have  made  a  nest,  the  natives  draw  lots  as  to  who  must  under- 
take the  perilous  task  of  descending  the  cliff  and  setting  fire 
to  the  structure.  The  St.-Kildans  are  afraid  that  the  Eagles 
would  destroy  their  sheep  and  lambs. 

Falco  gyrfalco  (?). 

Mr.  Mackinnon,  presumably  a  resident  of  St.  Kilda,  in- 
formed J.  Macgillivray  that  the  Gyr  Falcon  bred  on  the  main 
island  of  the  group,  and  that  when  he  visited  a  nest  the  old 
birds  attacked  him  violently  (Macgillivray,  Brit.  B.  iii.  App. 


80  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

p.  73S).  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  Macgillivray's  in- 
formant made  a  mistake,  and  that  the  species  in  question  was 
the  Peregrine. 

Falco  peregrinus. 

The  Peregrine  breeds  sparingly  on  the  cliffs,  two  or  three 
pairs  only  tenanting  the  most  inaccessible  portions  of  the 
islands.  The  lofty  pinnacles  of  Doon  are  the  bird's  favourite 
haunt. 

Falco  tinnunculus. 

The  Kestrel  occasionally  visits  St.  Kilda,  but  I  could  find 
no  evidence  of  its  ever  breeding  there. 

Aluco  flammeus  (?). 

Donald  M'^Queen  told  me  that  he  remembered  an  Owl 
caught  here  many  years  ago,  which,  from  his  description,  I 
took  to  be  the  Barn-Owl. 

TURDUS  MUSICUS. 

I  include  the  Song-Thrush  as  a  bird  of  St.  Kilda  on  the 
authority  of  Sir  William  Milner.  It  probably  occurs  on 
migration. 

TuRDus  TLiAcus.     ''  Smcorach." 

The  Redwing  is  seen  on  St.  Kilda  during  its  annual 
migration,  in  May  and  September,  in  flocks. 

Merula  merula.     ''  Lon-dutha." 

The  Blackbird"  visits  St.  Kilda  on  spring  and  autumn 
migration,  but  never  remains  to  breed. 

Saxicola  (ENANTHE.     "  Clacharau." 

The  Wheatear  is  very  common  on  St.  Kilda,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  conspicuous  land-birds  as  it  flies  to  and  fro  over 
the  stony  hillsides.     I  did  not  observe  it  on  Doon. 

Troglodytes  hirtensis,  Seebohm.  (Plate  III.) 
The  most  interesting  result  of  my  trip  to  St.  Kilda  was  the 
determination  of  its  Wren,  called  "  Dhra-in-doun ''  by  the 
natives.  Although  this  little  Wren  was  known  to  Martin 
nearly  two  hundred  years  ago,  neither  he  nor  any  subse- 
quent naturalist  had  the  least  idea  that  the  bird  was  difi'erent 


Itis  1885.pl  m. 


'^^^.. 


/% 


J  -  &  ,Ke"ule:m.Eais  Jit  Ja . 


TROGLODYTES   HIRTENSIS 


Hanhcurt  imp 


OrmtJioIogij  of  St.  Kilda.  81 

from  the  Wren  iuliabitiug  the  rest  of  the  United  Kingdom. 
This  little  stranger  was  introduced  to  the  notice  of  ornitho- 
logists by  Mr.  Seebohm  ('Zoologist/  1884,  p.  333).  He 
writes  : — '^  The  St, -Kilda  Wren  most  nearly  resembles  Tro- 
glodytes parvuJus  pallescens  from  the  Western  Aleutian 
Islands,  but  is  much  more  distinctly  barred  on  the  back  and 
head,  and  almost  free  from  any  traces  of  spots  on  the  throat 
and  breast.  In  general  colour  it  is  quite  as  pale  and  slightly 
greyer  than  examples  of  Troglodytes  parvulus  pallidus  from 
Algeria  and  Turkestan.  The  bill  resembles  that  of  Troglo- 
dytes parvulus  borealis  from  the  Faroe  Islands.  The  eye- 
stripe  is  as  distinct  as  in  typical  examples  from  Europe,  a 
character  which  is  least  developed  in  T.  parvulus  nipalensis 
and  T.  j)arvulus  fumigatus." 

I  had  not  been  on  St.  Kilda  long  before  the  little  bird 
arrested  my  attention,  as  it  flew  from  rock  to  rock,  or  glided 
in  and  out  of  the  crevices  of  the  wails.  It  differs  very  little 
in  its  habits  from  its  congener ;  only,  instead  of  hopping  rest- 
lessly and  incessantly  about  brushwood,  it  has  to  content 
itself  with  boulders  and  walls.  It  was  in  full  song,  and  its 
voice  seemed  to  me  louder  and  more  powerful  than  that  of 
the  Common  Wren.  1  often  saw  it  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
sea,  hopping  about  the  rocks  on  the  beach ;  and  a  pair  had 
made  their  nest  in  the  wall  below  the  manse,  not  thirty  yards 
from  the  waves.  I  also  saw  it  frequently  on  the  tops  of 
the  hills  and  in  many  parts  of  the  cliffs.  It  was  especially 
common  on  Doon,  and  its  cheery  little  song  sounded  from 
all  parts  of  the  rocks. 

As  there  are  no  bushes  nor  trees  on  St.  Kilda  (except 
those  the  microscopic  eye  of  a  botanist  might  discover),  the 
Wren  takes  to  the  luxuriant  grass,  sorrel,  and  other  herbage 
growing  on  the  cliffs,  and  picks  its  insect  food  from  them. 
It  also  catches  spiders  and  the  larvae  of  different  insects  in 
the  nooks  and  crannies  which  it  is  incessantly  exploring.  It 
is  a  pert  active  little  bird,  b}^  no  means  siiy ;  and  I  used  to 
watch  a  pair  that  were  feeding  their  young  in  a  nest  not  six 
yards  from  our  door.  Its  breeding-season  must  commence 
early  in  May,  for  the  young  were  tliree  parts  grown  by  the 

SER.  V. VOL.  III.  G 


82  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

beginning  of  June.  It  makes  its  nest  either  in  one  of  the 
numerous  "  cleats/^  or  in  a  crevice  of  a  wall^  or  under  an 
overhanging  bank.  The  nest  is  exactly  similar  to  that  of 
the  Common  Wren,  and  abundantly  lined  with  feathers.  I 
had  not  the  good  fortune  to  obtain  any  of  its  eggs,  but  I 
presume  that  they  resemble  those  of  its  near  congener. 

CoRvus  coRAX.     "  Fiaeh."' 

The  Raven  is  a  rare  resident  in  St.  Kilda,  but  the  natives 
occasionally  rob  its  nest. 

CoRvus  coRNix.     "  Fannag." 

The  Hooded  Crow  is  very  common  in  St.  Kilda,  and,  when 
not  engaged  in  family  duties  on  the  cliffs,  it  lives  almost 
exclusively  near  the  cottages,  perching  on  their  roofs,  ready 
to  pounce  down  upon  any  garbage  that  may  be  thrown  out. 
The  Crows  are  incessantly  mobbing  the  Gulls  and  fighting 
with  each  other.     All  those  I  examined  were  thoroughbreds, 

CoRvus  FRUGiLEGUs.     "  Rockcish.^' 

Donald  M'^Queen  told  me  that  the  Rook  is  occasionally 
seen  in  St.  Kilda  during  winter. 

Sturnus  vulgaris.     "  Druit." 

The  Starling  is  fairly  common  on  St.  Kilda  and  breeds  in 
the  "cleats.^'  I  found  a  nest  containing  young  birds  in  a 
hole  in  the  ground  under  a  large  mass  of  rock.  At  the  time 
of  my  visit  many  Starlings  were  preparing  for  a  second 
brood. 

Passer  domesticus. 

The  House-Sparrow  is  included  in  the  lists  of  St.- Kilda 
birds  by  the  early  writers ;  but  I  am  almost  certain  that  it 
does  not  regularly  frequent  the  island.  It  may  possibly 
occur  accidentally. 

Passer  montanus. 

I  saw  a  pair  of  Tree-Sparrows  on  the  9th  of  June  and  shot 
one  of  them.  They  breed  in  the  holes  of  the  rough  stone 
walls  that  enclose  the  fields. 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  83 

Fringilla  flavirostris. 

The  Twite  is  uot  uncommon  on  St.  Kilda,  and  there  can 
scarcely  be  a  doubt  that  it  breeds  there.  In  June  I  saw  it 
in  small  flocks,  mostly  young  birds,  feeding  on  the  seed  of 
weeds  in  the  grass-fields. 

Emberiza  miliaria. 

Gray  states  that  the  Common  Bunting  extends  as  far  west 
as  St,  Kilda,  but  I  never  saw  any  traces  of  it.  Macgillivray 
says  that  it  is  common, 

Emberiza  citrinella. 

I  saw  a  solitary  Yellow  Bunting  on  the  15th  of  June  in 
the  field  near  the  manse. 

HiRUNDO  RUSTICA. 

Mr.  Mackenzie  informs  me  that  he  saw  numbers  of 
Swallows  on  St.  Kilda  in  1883,  but  he  never  observed  them 
there  before.  I  never  saw  the  Swallow  during  my  stay.  It 
never  breeds  on  St.  Kilda. 

MoTACiLLA  YARRELLii.     "  Brachd-an-t'sil." 
The  Pied  Wagtail  is  seen  on  St.  Kilda  during  spring  and 
autumn  migration.      Gray   seems  to  imply  that   this    bird 
breeds  there,  but  the  natives  say  that  it  never  remains  over 
the  summer. 

Anthus  pratensis. 

The  Meadow-Pipit  occurs  sparingly  on  St.  Kilda,  where  it 
breeds  and  is  said  to  be  a  resident. 

Anthus  obscurus. 

The  Rock-Pipit  occurs  sparingly  round  the  coasts  of  St, 
Kilda  and  Doon.  I  saw  several  pairs  on  the  cliffs  mingling 
with  the  Puffins, 

Alauda  arvensis. 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  Sky- Lark  visits  St.  Kilda. 
Macaulay  mentions  the  "  Lark  "  in  his  list,  and  Macgillivray 
states  that  it  is  common. 

a.   9 


84  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

CoRAClAS  GAKRULA. 

Gray,  writing  in  1871,  states  that  a  Roller  appears  to  have 
been  observed  on  St.  Kilda  '^  about  twenty-five  years  ago." 

CucuLus  CANORUs.     "  Cunch." 

The  Cuckoo  is  heard  occasionally  on  St.  Kilda,  and  is 
regarded  by  the  natives  with  superstitious  awe.  They  say 
it  portends  a  calamity — the  death  of  Macleod,  the  proprietor 
of  the  island  ! 

CoLUMBA  PALUMBUS. 

I  saw  a  pair  of  Ring-Do ves  on  the  stony  sides  of  jMullach- 
oshavall  within  a  few  yards  of  the  sea.  They  were  absurdly 
tame,  allowing  Sandy  and  myself  to  approach  them  within 
a  few  paces.  None  of  the  natives  ever  knew  this  bird  to  visit 
the  island  before. 

CoLUMBA  LI  VIA. 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  Rock-Dove  breeds  on 
St.  Kilda,  but  it  is  certainly  not  a  common  bird.  I  never 
saw  more  than  a  pair;  but  it  may  be  more  numerous  oti 
Soay,  Borreay,  and  the  adjacent  "  stacks. ^'' 

Tetrao  mutus, 

Wilson  was  informed  by  the  minister  that  he  once  saw  a 
Ptarmigan  on  St.  Kilda  after  strong  easterly  winds. 

Ardea  cinerea.     "  Gorridhgr-idheach." 

The  Heron  occasionally  visits  St.  Kilda^  but  rarely  survives 
long.  The  natives  generally  pick  them  up  dead — starved  to 
death,  for  the  water  is  too  deep  and  the  shore  too  precipitous 
to  admit  of  successful  fishing.  The  St.-Kildan  sometimes 
stalks  and  snares  it  as  it  stands  upon  the  rocks. 

Crex  pratensis. 

Two  hundred  years  ago  INIartiu  included  the  Corn- Crake 
in  his  list  of  St. -Kilda  land-birds,  and  from  that  day  to  this 
it  has  occasionally  visited  these  lonely  Atlantic  isles.  I 
neither  saw  nor  heard  this  species,  and  do  not  think  it  breeds 
there.  It  cannot  be  very  common,  for  I  could  not  learn  that 
the  natives  have  any  Gaelic  equivalent  for  it. 


Oriuthoh(jy  of  St.  Kilda.  85 

HvEMATOPUs  osTKALEQUs.     "  Trcallachaii." 

Martin  includes  the  Oystercatclier  in  his  list  of  the  birds 
of  St.  Kilda,  and  says  that  it  arrives  in  the  beginning  of  May. 

I  observed  perhaps  half  a  dozen  pairs  on  St.  Kilda,  and 
Mr.  John  Mackenzie  found  a  nest  containing  three  hard-set 
eggs  on  the  12th  of  June.  There  are  few  suitable  nesting- 
places  for  this  bird  on  the  islands,  and  the  nest  that  was  ob- 
tained was  on  some  rough  pebble-strewn  ground  at  the  foot 
of  the  cliflr  below  JMullach-scaill. 

Charadrius  pluvialis. 

The  minister  informed  Macgillivray  that  the  Golden  Plover 
occasionally  visited  St.  Kilda. 

Strepsilas  interpres. 

Gray  seems  to  be  under  the  impression  that  the  Turnstone 
breeds  on  St.  Kilda,  as  well  as  on  some  other  of  the  remotest 
Hebrides,  I  never  saw  the  Turnstone,  and  I  cannot  but 
think  that  the  small  parties  that  frequent  the  western  coast- 
line of  Scotland  during  the  summer  are  immature  non- 
breeding  birds,  although  I  am  aware  that  this  species  breeds  as 
far  south  as  the  southern  shores  of  the  Baltic. 

NuMENius  arquata.     ^^  Guilbuaach.'^ 

I  saw  one  or  two  pairs  of  Curlews  feeding  on  the  rocks  and 
small  patcb  of  sand  in  East  Bay.  I  think  that  they  must 
have  had  nests  either  on  Doon  or  in  Glen  Mor,  but  I  could 
not  find  them.  Captain  Ehves  says  that  although  this  bird, 
is  found  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year  on  Islay,  it  does 
not  breed  there. 

NUMENIUS  PH^OPUS. 

I  saw  a  pair  of  Whimbrels  on  the  rocks  below  MuUach- 
scaiil ;  they  were  very  wild  and  noisy. 

TOTANUS  HYPOLEUCUS. 

I  include  tlie  Common  Sandpiper  in  the  list  of  St. -Kilda 
birds  on  the  authority  of  Sir  Vv  iiliam  Milner  ('  Zoologist,' 
1848,  p.  2061),  v/ho  saw  this  species  on  the  island  on  the 
14th  of  June. 


86  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

TrINGA  ALPINA. 

Although  Gray  states  positively  that  the  Dunlin  breeds  on 
St.  Kilda,  I  fancy  there  must  besonne  mistake.  I  never  saw 
a  trace  of  this  species^  and  certainly  on  St.  Kilda  and  Doon 
there  are  no  suitable  nesting-places  for  it^  whatever  there 
may  be  on  Soay  or  Borreay.  It  is  doubtless  an  occasional 
visitor.     Macgillivray  saw  several  pairs. 

SCOLOPAX  GALLINAGO.       ''Niiskiu.^' 

The  Common  Snipe  is  said  to  be  a  resident  on  St.  Kilda, 
but  none  of  the  natives  have  ever  seen  its  eggs.  I  carefully 
explored  all  the  little  marshy  places  in  the  island,  but  with- 
out success. 

?  ScoLOFAX  RUSTicuLA.     "  Ootacac.^' 

A  description  of  a  bird  with  a  long  bill,  which  Donald 
M'Queen  gave  me,  I  could  only  refer  to  the  Woodcock.  He 
said  that  it  was  a  residetit  on  St.  Kilda,  but  so  shy  that  the 
natives  rarely  get  a  glimpse  of  it.  The  Woodcock  probably 
passes  these  islands  on  migration.  He  described  it  as  skulk- 
ing closely  under  the  shelter  of  large  stones  or  heaps  of  turf, 
especially  near  marshy  places. 

Larus  marinus.     "  Farspach." 

The  Great  Black-backed  Gull  is  common  in  St.  Kilda,  and 
breeds  in  more  or  less  abundance  on  Doon,  and  I  think  on 
Soay.  It  is  much  disliked  by  the  natives,  for  it  robs  the  Ful- 
mar^s  nests  incessantly  and  destroys  large  numbers  of  Guille- 
mot's eggs.  A  bird  of  this  species  tore  to  pieces  a  Puffin 
wliich  I  had  shot,  as  it  lay  on  the  sea,  in  spite  of  several  shots 
I  had  at  it  with  a  rifle.     Its  note  is  a  harsh  cac  cac  cac. 

Larus  fuscus. 

The  Lesser  Black-backed  Gull  breeds  in  considerable  num- 
bers on  St.  Kilda  and  the  adjoining  islands  and  "stacks.^" 

Larus  argentatus. 

The  Herring-Gull  also  breeds  on  St.  Kilda,  Doon,  and 
Borreay,  and  probably  on  Soay  and  the  "  stacks.^'  It  is  not 
very  comnion,  and  I  did  not  obtain  any  oE  its  eggs. 


Ornitholoyy  of  St.  Kilda.  87 

Larus  canus. 

The  Common  Gull  is  included  in  the  list  of  St. -Kilda  birds 
by  Sir  William  Milner,  who  states  that  it  breeds  on  Borreay. 
I  did  not  observe  this  species.  Macgiliivray  says  that  it  is 
the  least  common  of  the  Gulls. 

Larus  tridactylus.     '^  Ruideag."    • 

The  Kittiwake  is  certainly  the  commonest  Gull  in  St.  Kilda, 
and  the  steepest  part  of  the  cliffs  is  white  with  them.  Great 
numbers  breed  on  Doon  and  Soay^  and  it  also  nests  in 
smaller  quantities  amongst  the  Fulmars  at  the  back  of  Con- 
nacher.  It  breeds  on  the  several  ^'  stacks/^  and  I  heard  it 
crying  from  the  cliffs  of  Bon^eay.  It  is  said  to  arrive  in  the 
first  half  of  April  and  to  leave  in  August. 

I  never  observed  a  Tern  of  any  species  at  St.  Kilda,  nor 
do  I  find  any  recorded  from  the  islands.  The  island  of  Bor- 
reay, which  Gray  speaks  about  as  a  breeding-place  of  the 
Arctic  Tern  {Sierna  arctica),  is  an  island  of  the  Outer  He- 
brides in  the  Sound  of  Harris,  and  must  not  be  confused  with 
Borreay,  the  island  laying  four  miles  N.W.  of  St.  Kilda. 

Stercorarids  crepidatus. 

Sandy  Campbell  informed,  me  that  an  example  of  Richard- 
son's Skua  was  observed  on  St.    Kilda  in   the  summer  of 

1883. 

Stercorarius  catarrhactes. 

The  Great  Skua  visits  St.  Kilda  at  irregular  intervals. 

Mergus  serrator.     "  Sheiltach.'' 

The  Red-breasted  Merganser  is  a  rare  visitor  to  St.  Kilda. 
Sandy  shot  an  example  in  1883.  During  my  stay  Mr.  John 
Mackenzie  shot  one  in  East  Bay.  No  others  were  seen,  but 
one  of  the  natives  brought  for  my  inspection  a  "  Saw-bill," 
stuffed,  by  himself  in  a  very  rude  style,  and  which  he  treasures 
as  a  great  curiosity. 

Somateria  mollissima.     "  Gochach." 
The  Eider-Duck  is  not  very  common,  but  certainly  breeds 
on  Doon,  where  I  took  a  nest  on  the  10th  of  June.     I  have 


88  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

seen  as  many  as  lialf  a  dozen  pairs  swimming  together  in  East 
Bay.  The  natives  never  collect  the  down^  a  sure  sign  that 
the  bird  is  scarce  here. 

SOMATERIA  SPECTABILIS. 

Ornithologists  will  read  with  pleasure  that  the  King  Eider 
frequents  St.  Kilda,  I  first  became  aware  of  this  interesting 
fact  when  trying  to  stalk  the  Common  Eiders  in  the  bay. 
For  two  hours  I  lay  concealed  behind  a  huge  boulder^  watching 
the  little  party  of  Ducks  that  were  swimming  just  outside 
the  breakers.  Two  of  the  pairs  were  King  Eiders.  In  spite 
of  all  my  efforts^  both  on  this  and  subsequent  occasions^  I 
failed  to  secure  an  example.  They  were  not  more  than 
seventy  yards  away  from  me  several  times^  so  that  I  had 
every  opportunity  of  observing  them ;  and  on  more  than  one 
occasion  I  carefully  scanned  them  through  a  powerful  glass. 
They  mingled  freely  with  the  Common  Eiders  and  did  not 
differ  in  any  perceptible  degree  in  their  habits.  It  was  a 
pretty  sight  to  watch  these  rare  and  charming  birds  sporting 
in  the  heaving  waves^  the  males  and  females  swimming  side 
by  side.  As  the  mighty  rollers  broke  upon  the  shore  the 
birds  dived  through  the  bright  green  wave  just  before  it 
turned  over.  They  were  busy  feeding  on  the  small  animals 
which  Avere  disturbed  by  the  breaking  waves.  They  floated 
light  as  corks  on  the  heaving  sea,  now  high  up  exposed  to 
view,  then  deep  down  in  the  trough  of  the  waves.  As  soon 
as  they  caught  a  glimpse  of  me  they  quickly  swam  further 
from  shore.  Every  day  they  might  be  observed  in  one  par- 
ticular part  of  the  bay ;  and  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt 
that  they  were  nesting  on  the  precipitous  island  of  Doon.  Of 
course  the  natives  did  not  distinguish  them  from  the  Common 
Eider;  and  they  take  but  little  interest  in  them,  for  they  tell 
me  the  male  Eider  is  the  only  bird  of  St,  Kilda  that  they  are 
unable  to  snare. 

Anser  ferus. 

I  noticed  five  birds,  whicli  I  took  to  be  Grey-lag  Geese^ 
flying  past  St.  Kilda  on  the  second  evenijig  of  my  stay.  They 
were  flying  almost  due  Mcst,  right  out  to  sea,  and  were  pro- 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  89 

bably  a  small  flock  that  had  wandered  from  the  Long  Island, 
where  the  bird  is  very  common. 

Cygnus ? 


Swans  occasionally  visit  St.  Kilda,  but  no  one  appears  to 
have  determined  to  what  species  they  belong. 

CoLYMBUs  GLACiALis.     "  Bunna  bhuachel/^ 
Sandy  informed  me  that  a  pair  of  Great  Northern  Divers 
were  blown  into  St.  Kilda  by  the  terrible  gale  in  the  autumn 
of   1882.      One  of  the  examples  I  believe  is  still  preserved 
somewhere  in  Skye. 

Ukia  troile.     "  Lamhaidh.^^ 

St.  Kilda  is  the  grand  head-quarters  of  the  AlcidcC  ;  the  far- 
famed  Pinnacles  and  Flamborough  clitls  sink  into  insignifi- 
cance when  compared  with  the  breeding-stations  on  these 
lonely  isles  and  stacks.  The  natives  gather  the  eggs  literally 
by  boatloads_,  and  those  of  the  Common  Guillemot  are  the 
most  abundant.  A  Guillemot  I  shot  had  been  feeding  on 
herring-fry.  Iris  dark  brown;  bill  almost  black.  I  did 
not  observe  a  single  example  of  the  Ringed  form. 

Ubia  bruennichi. 

Sir  William  Milner  includes  Briinnich^s  Guillemot  as  a 
St. -Kilda  birdj  and  states  that  Graham  obtained  an  egg  on 
Soay  on  the  loth  of  June.  No  subsequent  naturalist  has  met 
with  this  species  in  the  islands,  but  the  bird  may  probably 
breed  there.  After  all,  who  knows  any  thing  about  the 
Guillemots  of  Soay  ? — far  more  unlikely  birds  than  Briinnich^s 
Guillemot  may  breed  there  for  ought  any  British  ornithologist 
knows  to  the  contrary  !  Unfortunately  the  heavy  swell  pre- 
vented me  from  lauding  on  that  wild  rugged  island. 

Uria  grylle.     "  Gearadh-breacha." 

The  Black  Guillemot  is  not  uncommon,  but  certainly  the 
least  numerous  of  the  Auks.  One  or  two  might  be  con- 
stantly seen  close  in  shore  at  the  foot  of  the  rugged  cliffs. 
Donald  got  me  a  few  eggs  of  this  species.  It  breeds  on  Doon 
as  well  as  on  St.  Kilda. 


90  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

Mergulus  alle. 

The  Little  Auk  occurs  sparingly  at  St.  Kilda  in  winter. 
Donald  recognized  at  a  glance  a  figure  of  this  species  I  had 
with  me. 

Alga  torda.     "  Falcadh.''^ 

The  Razorbill  is  almost  as  common  as  the  Guillemot^  and 
breeds  on  all  the  islands  and  stacks.  They  were  seen  sitting 
in  rows  along  the  ledges  of  the  cliffs.  Its  eggs  are  more 
difficult  to  j)rocure  than  those  of  the  Guillemot,  and  for  ten 
Guillemot^s  eggs  in  the  possession  of  the  natives  I  only 
saw  one  RazorbilTs.  I  took  an  egg  of  this  bird  from  a  deep 
hole  in  the  ground  where  the  Petrels  were  breeding,  and 
Donald  told  me  that  he  takes  an  egg  from  this  particular 
hole  every  year.  The  Razorbills  which  I  shot  had  the  irides 
hazel ;  legs  and  feet  smoky  black ;  bill  black,  streaked  with 
white ;  inside  of  the  mouth  brilliant  yellow. 

Alga  impennis.     "  An  crbhoil.^' 

St.  Kilda  was  perhaps  the  only  part  of  the  United  King- 
dom where  the  Great  Auk  ever  bred.  Martin  was  probably 
the  first  naturalist  to  give  us  any  information  from  personal 
observation  of  this  bird.  He  states  that  it  is  "  the  stateliest 
as  well  as  the  largest  of  all  the  Fowls  here  "  and  that  "  he 
flyeth  not  at  all,  lays  his  egg  [!]  upon  the  bare  rock,  which 
if  taken  away,  he  lays  no  more  for  that  year."  The  Great 
Auk,  so  far  as  we  have  any  record,  does  not  seem  to  have  bred 
there  regularly.  The  last  specimen  that  was  taken  at  St. 
Kilda  appears  to  have  been  in  1822, 

I  am  convinced  that  much  of  the  information  which  has 
been  gathered  at  St.  Kilda  respecting  the  Great  Auk  is  very 
unreliable.  I  think  that  the  Great  Northern  Diver  has  been 
its  proxy  more  than  once ;  and  that  the  bird  which  the  St.- 
Kildans  stoned  to  death  (as  I  was  informed)  forty  years  ago 
on  Stack-an-Armin,  thinking  that  it  was  an  evil  spirit,  was 
nothing  more  than  Colymbus  glacialis.  I  must,  however,  state 
that  the  old  man  who  assisted  in  this  ornithological  sacrilege 
recognized  the  plate  of  the  Great  Auk  whicli  I  had  brought 
with  me.     None  of  the  young  men  know  any  thing  about  the 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  91 

species,  not  eveu  by  name.  The  Great  Auk^s  only  link  with 
the  present  day  is  the  grey-haired  weather-beaten  old  St.- 
Kildan  with  whom  I  conversed  respecting  its  visit  so  long 
ago. 

Fratercula  arctica.     "  Bongir.'^ 

This  comical  little  bird  is  one  of  the  commonest  at  St. 
Kilda.  It  occurs  there  in  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands. 
Every  little  bit  of  suitable  cliff  contains  its  colony  of  Puffins, 
and  the  birds  may  be  seen  flymg  round  and  round  above  the 
highest  clifts,  or  dashing  from  them  in  rapid  flight  to  the 
water,  whilst  the  sea  iu  many  parts  is  almost  black  with 
them.  When  walking  under  the  clifls  I  Avas  often  startled 
by  a  shower  of  loose  pebbles  and  earth,  dislodged  by  the  busy 
Puffins  burrowing  far  above.  The  Puffin,  notwithstanding 
his  small  wings,  flies  well  and  gracefully,  and  often  hovers 
perfectly  motionless  in  the  air,  with  his  bright  orange-red 
legs  outstretched  to  guide  him  in  his  course.  Puffins  often  fly 
about  in  the  air  like  Starlings  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  or  more. 
They  dive  well,  but  not  so  frequently  as  the  Guillemot. 
The  Puffin  arrives  at  St.  Kilda  on  the  1st  of  May,  almost  as 
regularly  as  clockwork,  and  leaves  in  autumn.  Doon  is  the 
paradise  of  Puffins ;  the  whole  island  is  undermined  with 
them,  and  the  air  is  darkened  with  birds  as  they  fly  up  from 
the  grassy  banks  or  perching-places  on  the  cliffs,  or  from 
their  nest-holes.  During  the  whole  time  I  was  on  Doon  the 
Puffins  were  flying  round  us  in  tens  of  thousands,  and  quite 
a  rushing  noise  was  made  with  their  wings. 

Phalacrocorax  carbo. 

The  Cormorant  occurs  very  sparingly  at  St.  Kilda. 

Phalacrocorax  graculus.     "  Sgarbh.'^ 

The  Shag  is  commoner  at  St.  Kilda  than  the  preceding 
species,  and  breeds  in  the  several  caverns  round  the  rock- 
bound  coasts. 

Sula  bassana.     "  Souler.'^ 

The  Gaunet  breeds  in  tens  of  thousands  on  the  island  of 
Borreay  and  the  adjacent  "  stacks.^^     Stack  Lii  is  the  great 


92  ]Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

breeding-station,  and  from  a  distance  looks  as  if  it  was 
covered  with  a  gigantic  tablecloth.  The  masses  of  birds  that 
crowd  upon  its  sloping  summit  make  this  rock  a  very  con- 
spicuous object,  and  it  maybe  distinctl}^  seen  from  the  Long 
Island,  forty  miles  away,  like  a  large  ship  under  full  sail 
bending  to  windward.  When  the  birds  are  disturbed  the  air 
is  darkened,  although  but  a  small  percentage  takes  wing,  and 
the  rocks  are  not  visil)ly  decreased  in  whiteness.  Very  few 
Gannets  are  to  be  seen  round  St.  Kilda.  I  observed  on  one 
or  two  occasions  several  birds  fishing  in  the  bay,  but  they 
never  stayed  long.  The  Ganuet  is  highly  prized  by  the  St.- 
Kildans  for  its  feathers,  its  oil,  and  its  flesh.  The  great 
bulk  of  these  birds  come  here  in  May,  a  few  pioneers  a  little 
earlier,  and  they  leave  as  soon  as  the  young  (which  are  called 
"Gugha^")  are  strong  upon  the  v.'ing  in  autumn.  Many  of 
the  St.-Kilda  Gannets  obtain  their  food  in  the  Minch,  fifty 
miles  away. 

Procellaria  GLAciALis.     "  Ful-a-mair.^^ 

The  Fulmar  is  |^rtr  excellence  the  bird  of  St.  Kilda.  It  is 
a  resident  in  the  islands,  but  Donald  told  me  that  they  leave 
the  rocks  en  masse  about  the  middle  of  October  and  return 
about  the  middle  of  November.  During  this  time  not  a 
Fulmar  is  to  be  seen  except  a  few  stragglers  out  at  sea  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  islands.  The  great  haunt  of  this  bird 
is  in  the  cliffs  behind  Connacher,  and  those  between  that 
mountain  and  Mulloch-oshavall,  but  numbers  of  Fulmars 
breed  in  all  suitable  situations  throughout  the  group  of 
islands.  I  shall  never  forget  the  grandeur  of  the  scene  when 
I  first  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  Fulmar  at  home.  Just 
before  I  reached  one  of  the  shoulders  of  Connacher  I  saw  a 
few  Fulmars  sailing  in  graceful  flight  above  the  cliff's,  then 
darting  downwards  again  into  space.  When  I  reached  the 
summit  the  scene  vras  grand.  Thousands  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  Fulmars  were  flying  silently  about  in  all  directions, 
but  never  by  any  chance  soaring  over  the  land.  They  con- 
fined their  flight  to  passing  backwards  and  forwards  past  the 
face  of  the  cliffs,  or  darting  downwards  to  the  waves  eight 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  93 

hundred  feet  below.  No  bird  flies  more  gracefully  than  the 
Fulmar.  It  floats  in  the  air  with  scarcely  any  efibrt^  and 
passes  to  and  fro  for  minutes  together  without  beating  its 
wings.  It  was  very  tame  and  fluttered  in  the  air  a  few  feet 
from  the  edge  of  the  cliff  where  I  was  standing,  and  every 
now  and  then  hovered  like  a  Kestrel,  or  turned  round  as  if 
on  a  pivot.  Some  parts  of  the  cliffs,  where  the  soil  is 
loose  and  covered  with  turf,  are  almost  white  with  sitting 
Fulmars.  The  Fulmar  begins  to  lay  about  the  middle 
of  May  and  the  young  are  able  to  fly  early  in  August.  The 
bird  rarely  if  ever  burrows  deep  enough  in  the  ground  to 
conceal  itself  whilst  incubating,  and  in  the  majority  of  in- 
stances only  makes  a  hole  large  enough  to  conceal  half  its 
body.  In  some  cases  it  is  content  with  laying  its  e^^  under 
some  projecting  tuft  or  even  on  the  bare  and  exposed  ledge 
of  a  cliffy  in  a  similar  place  to  that  so  often  selected  by  the 
Guillemot.  The  nests  are  very  slight  and  in  some  instances 
are  dispensed  with  altogether.  I  noticed  that  a  little  dry 
grass  was  the  only  material  the  Fulmar  used  in  making  its 
nest. 

The  Fulmars  we  caught  ejected  a  large  quantity  of  amber- 
coloured  oil.  Most  of  this  issued  from  the  mouth,  but  a  small 
portion  came  through  the  tubular  nostrils,  especially  when 
the  bird  was  dying.  Donald  told  me  that  the  Fulmar  dives, 
and  that  it  often  takes  the  baits  from  the  long  lines.  When 
disturbed  by  the  report  of  a  gun,  the  Fulmars  filled  the  air 
like  snowflakes,  and  the  mighty  hordes  of  Puffins  looked  like 
a  huge  swarm  of  bees  darkening  the  air  as  far  as  we  could 
see.  The  natives  do  not  collect  so  many  eggs  of  this  bird  as 
I  should  have  expected,  but  their  grand  Fulmar  harA'^est  is 
when  the  young  are  almost  ready  for  flight.  The  natives 
now  and  then  take  small  nuts  from  the  crops  of  the  Fulmar. 
I  obtained  one  of  these  nuts ;  and  Sir  William  Milner  pro- 
cured several.  He  supposed  them  to  be  Brazilian,  and  they 
are  doubtless  brought  north  by  the  Gulf-stream  and  picked 
up  by  the  birds  from  the  water. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  several  races  of  Fulmar  inhabit 
St.  Kilda.      The  natives  assert  that  there  are  two  kinds^  a 


94  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

light  and  a  dark  one ;  but  the  latter  is  rare,  although  they 
sometimes  snare  it  from  its  eggs.  These  light  and  dark  races 
of  the  Fulmar  may  be  again  divided  into  a  large  and  small 
form  of  each  respectively.  Several  of  the  eggs  I  obtained 
unquestionably  belong  to  this  small  form  of  Fulmar,  but 
whether  of  the  light  or  dark  races  I  am  unable  to  say,  as  I 
did  not  take  them  myself.  There  are  two  dominant  forms  of 
Fulmar,  an  Atlantic  and  a  Pacific  one.  Curiously  enough 
the  latter  appears  to  go  through  the  same  variations  as 
its  Atlantic  ally,  viz.  a  light  and  dark  form,  each  Vv'ith  a  large 
and  small  representative.  The  light  and  dark  Pacific  birds 
are  said  to  breed  in  separate  colonies  on  Copper  Island.  All 
the  Pacific  forms  are  said  to  have  light-coloured  bills,  but  in 
the  light  form  of  the  Atlantic  Fulmar  the  nasal  tubes  are  dark, 
and  the  dark  form  of  the  latter  bird  has  the  entire  bill-  dark 
except  the  nail.  The  Pacific  dark  form  also  appears  to  be  con- 
stantly darker  than  its  Atlantic  representative ;  and  in  both 
oceans  the  dark  form  is  most  western,  and  the  light  form 
most  eastern  in  its  distribution.  For  the  above  information  on 
the  variations  of  the  Fulmar  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Seebohm, 
to  whom  it  was  furnished  by  Professor  liidgway. 

In  spite  of  what  Capt.  Feilden,  Prof.  Malmgren,  and  otlier 
naturalists  say  to  the  contrary,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that 
the  dark  birds  are  not  in  the  immature  stage  of  plumage. 
Malmgren  says  that  he  saw  intermediate  examples  between 
the  light  and  dark  forms ;  but  this,  I  think,  points  to  the  fact 
that  all  these  forms  of  Fulmar  interbreed,  as  well-behaved 
subspecies  ought  to  do. 

PuFFiNus  ANGLORUM.     "  Scrapire." 

The  Manx  Shearwater  is  far  commoner  on  St.  Kilda  than 
is  generally  supposed,  and  probably  breeds  on  all  the  islands. 
It  certainly  does  so  on  Doon,  St.  Kilda,  and  Soay.  It  is  one 
of  the  earliest  birds  to  arrive  at  the  islands  in  spring,  coming 
early  in  February,  and  it  is  amongst  the  last  to  leave  in 
autumn.  This  Shearwater  is  so  common  on  Soay  that 
as  many  as  four  hundred  have  been  caught  in  a  single 
night;    and  their  cries  arc  described  by  the  St.-Kildaiis  as 


Ornithology  of  Si.  Kilda.  95 

deafening.  The  Shearwater  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits  and  at 
night-time  becomes  very  garrulous.  Donald  imitated  its  note 
to  a  nicety^  and  it  may  be  expressed  on  paper  as  kitty -coo-roo, 
kitty -coo-r 00.  This  note  is  uttered  when  the  bird  is  flying 
and  when  sitting  on  its  nest.  Guided  by  the  note,  the  men 
are  able  to  find  the  nests  with  little  difficulty,  so  that  they 
always  prefer  to  go  in  search  of  this  species  at  night.  I 
obtained  eggs  of  this  bird  in  the  cliffs  on  the  south-west  part 
of  St.  Kilda.  Much  to  the  disgust  of  Donald  I  allowed  one 
of  the  Shearwaters  to  escape  in  order  to  observe  its  flight  and 
actions  in  the  daytime.  The  St.-Kildans  cannot  understand 
a  man  who  having  once  caught  a  bird  allows  it  to  escape 
again  ;  and  in  low  whispers  one  asked  the  other  in  Gaelic  if 
the  "  Sassenach ''  were  not  a  madman  !  The  birds  I  dissected 
had  been  feeding  on  sorrel^  and  the  stomach  contained  a  dark 
oily  substance. 

Thalassidroma  pelagica.     "■  Assilag.^' 

I  did  not  get  a  glimpse  of  the  Stormy  Petrel,  but  it  is 
very  common,  especially  on  Soay,  where  I  was  unable  to  land. 
Sir  William  Milner  obtained  its  eggs  on  Borreay  on  the  15th 
of  June;  and  it  also  breeds  on  Doon,  where  its  eggs  were 
taken  last  year.  Its  date  of  arrival  and  departure  is  said  by 
the  natives  to  be  similar  to  that  of  the  Shearwater. 

Thalassidroma  leucorrhoa.     '^Assilag." 

The  natives  do  not  distinguish  by  name  the  two  species 
of  small  Petrels  that  breed  on  St,  Kilda,  although  Donald 
seemed  well  aware  of  the  difference  between  them.  The  first 
British  examples  of  the  Fork-tailed  Petrel  were  obtained  on 
St.  Kilda  in  the  summer  of  1818  by  Bullock,  a  year  after 
it  was  first  described  by  Vieillot  ;  and  at  that  time  the 
species  was  so  rare  that  only  three  other  examples  were 
known.  I  cannot  find  that  Bullock  ever  published  any 
account  of  his  discovery,  but  his  specimen  is  described  in 
his  sale-catalogue  as  ''  an  undescribed  Petrel,  with  a  forked 
tail,  taken  at  St.  Kilda  in  1818.'"  It  is  pretty  common  on 
Doon,  and  Sir  "William  Milner  also  obtained  its  eggs  on 
Borreay  and  Soay.     It  does  not,  so  far  as  I  could  learn,  breed 


96  On  the  Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda. 

on  St.  Kilda,  and  is  said  by  the  natives  to  be  commonest  on 
Soay.  They  say  it  is  one  of  the  earliest  birds  to  arrive  in 
spring,  and  one  of  the  latest  to  depart  in  autumn.  I  obtained 
a  fine  series  of  birds  and  fresli  eggs  of  this  species  on  Doon 
on  the  10th  of  June.  The  place  where  the  Fork-tailed  Petrel 
breeds  is  on  that  portion  of  the  island  nearest  to  St.  Kilda, 
and  at  the  summit.  The  nests  were  very  close  together  and 
we  found  half  a  dozen  in  a  patch  of  grassy  land  perhaps  ten 
yards  square.  Only  one  egg  is  laid,  at  the  end  of  a  burrow 
precisely  similar  to  that  made  by  the  Puffin,  and  the  nest  is 
merely  a  little  half-dried  grass.  We  never  found  more  than 
one  bird  in  the  hole,  and  both  sexes  appear  to  take  turns  in 
incubating  the  egg.  The  bird  when  caught  emitted  a  small 
quantity  of  oil  precisely  similar  to  that  vomited  by  the 
Fulmar.  I  took  eleven  nests  of  this  interesting  little  bird, 
but  in  two  holes  there  was  no  eg^,  although  we  caught  the 
parent.  One  hole  contained  no  nest  Avhatever  and  the  egg 
lay  on  the  bare  ground.  The  holes  vary  considerably  in 
depth,  and  are  made  in  the  soft  soil,  where  it  is  very  easy  to 
uneartli  them ;  but  whether  they  are  made  by  the  Petrels  or 
are  disused  Puffin's  burrows,  I  am  unable  to  say.  Sometimes 
the  hole  has  two  entrances,  and  one  end  must  be  stopped  to 
prevent  the  bird  escaping.  Those  holes  which  were  inhabited 
by  Petrels  generally  had  a  little  dry  grass  at  the  entrance. 
The  Fork-tailed  Petrel  is  almost  exclusively  nocturnal  in  its 
habits,  and  keeps  close  in  its  hole  during  the  day.  The  birds 
which  I  dissected  had  been  feeding  on  similar  substances  to 
those  found  in  the  Fulmar  and  the  Shearwater.  Irides 
dark  hazel;  legs,  feet,  claAvs,  and  bill  black. 

Of  the  sixty-seven  species  enumerated  in  the  preceding  list 
twenty-seven  may  be  regarded  as  breeding  regularly  on  the 
islands,  four  only  breed  occasionally,  and  two  or  three  may 
breed  there  but  have  hitherto  escaped  noticed  (Curlew,  Snipe, 
Briinnich's  Guillemot).  The  remainder  are  only  accidental 
visitors  or  pass  regularly  on  spring  and  autumn  migration. 
I  have  not  the  least  doubt  that  the  list  of  occasional  visitors 
would  be  doubled  if  we  had  competent  observers  stationed  at 
St.   Kilda  during   migration-time.       I   hope  to   be  able   to 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works,  97 

furnish  some  additions  to  the  present  list^  for  Mr.  Campbell, 
the  schoolmaster,  has  promised  to  keep  a  look-out  for  any 
migrants  that  may  chance  to  call  at  these  lonely  islands. 
There  is  evidently  a  considerable  migration  over  them ;  but 
the  St.-Kildan,  as  might  naturally  be  expected,  takes  no 
interest  in  birds  with  the  exception  of  those  on  which  he  so 
largely,  nay  almost  solely,  depends  for  a  livelihood. 


IX. — Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications. 

1.  Baird,  Brewer,   and  Ridgway  on  the   Water -Birds   of 

North  America. 

[Memoirs  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  at  Harvard  College. 
Vol.  XII.  The  Water-Birds  of  North  America.  By  S.  F.  Baird,  T.  M, 
Brewer,  and  R.  Ridgway.     Vol.  I.     4to.     Boston :  1884.] 

Ornithologists  will  welcome  the  first  instalment  of  this 
long-delayed  work,  and  will  hope  that  the  final  and  completing 
volume  may  speedily  follow"^.  The  'Water-Birds  of  North 
America '  forms  alike  the  second  part  of  the  '  Land-Birds  of 
California/  published  by  the  State  Geological  Survey  of 
California  in  1870,  and  of  the  well-known '  History  of  North 
American  Birds  '  of  Messrs.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway, 
published  in  1875.  With  its  numerous  illustrations,  and 
excellent  print  and  paper,  every  one  will  be  pleased.  Nor 
will  any  one,  in  our  opinion,  be  less  satisfied  with  the  con- 
tents, although  some  of  the  changes  from  the  ordinary  nomen- 
clature, proposed  for  adoption,  look  a  little  awkward  at  first. 
Do  many  of  our  readers  know  what  Vanellus  capella  is,  or 
Charadrius  apricarius  ? 

The  present  volume  contains  an  account  of  the  Herodiones^ 
Limicolae,  Alectorides,  Phoenicopteri,  and  the  first  portion  of 
the  Anseres,  leaving  the  remaining  "  Swimmers "  for  the 
final  volume.  It  is  wisely  admitted  that  this  arrangement  is 
''not  natural,'^  but  "  adopted  for  the  convenience  of  the 
student.'"  Does  it,  however,  profit  a  student  to  learn  a  con- 
fessedly unnatural  system  ? 

.    ■.  "       ■    [*  It  has  since  been  issued. — Edi*,] 
SER.  V. — VOL.  III.  H 


98  Recently  published  Ornitholoyical  Works. 

2.  Barboza  du  Bocaye  on  Birds  from  Angola. 

[Observa96es  acerca  de  algumas  aves  d'Angola.  Por  J.  V.  Barboza 
du  Bocag-8.     Joni.  Sc.  Lisboa,  no.  xxxiv.  p.  65  (1883).] 

Critical  notes  on  some  of  the  less  known  species  of  An- 
golan birds,  of  which  the  Lisbon  Museum  has  recently  re- 
ceived specimens.  As  regards  the  singular  colouring  of  the 
sexes  in  Pionias  rueppelli,  the  author  is  disposed  to  concur 
with  the  views  recently  put  forward  by  Sclater  (P.  Z.  S. 
1882,  p.  557). 

3.  Barboza  du  Bocaye  on  fVest-Afr'tcan  Birds. 

[Aves  das  possessoes  poi-tugezas  da  Africa  occidental.  Por  J.  "V.  Bar- 
boza du  Bocage.  Vigesinia  qiiinta  lista.  Jorn.  Sc.  Lisboa,  xxxiv.  p.  81 
(188;3).] 

..  ,  Prof.  Barboza  du  Bocage's  tv/euty-fifth  article  gives  an 
account  of  Sr.  Anchieta^s  last  collection  from  Caconda,  and 
of  one  from  the  Rio  Cuce,  to  which  that  celebrated  explorer 
has  lately  made  a  short  excursion.  Fifty-one  species  are 
recorded,  amongst  Avhich  is  Neocichla  gutturalis. 

4.  Barboza  du  Bocage  on  Cinuyris  erikssoni. 

[Sur  I'identite  de  Cinnyris  erikssoni,  Trimeu,  et  Nedarinia  hidovicensis, 
Bocage.     Par  J.  V.  Barboza  du  Bocage.     Jorn.  Sc.  Lisboa,  xxxiv.  p.  105 

(1883).] 

It  is  shown  that  Cinnyris  erikssoni,  Trimen,  1883,  was 
previously  described  in  1868,  by  Prof  Barboza  du  Bocage,  as 
Nedarinia  ludovicensis. 

5.  Belding  on  the  Birds  of  Guaymas. 

[List  of  Birds  found  at  Guaymas,  Sonora,  in  December  1882  and 
April  1883.     By  L.  Belding.     Pr.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  343.] 

Enumerates  46  species,  of  which  35  are  also  found  in 
Lower  California,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Gulf — five 
others  being  represented  there  by  closely  allied  "  species  or 
races,^^  while  six  are  unrepresented  in  Lower  California. 

6,  Belding  on  the  Birds  of  Lower  California. 

[Second  Catalogue  of  a  collection  made  near  the  southern  extremity  of 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Worhs.  99 

Lower  California.     By  L.  Belcliug.     Edited  by  R.  Ridgway.     Pr.  U.S. 
Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  344.] 

Mr.  Belding  arrived  at  La  Paz  in  December  1882,  and 
remained  about  three  months.  In  the  hitherto  unvisited  Vic- 
toria Mountains,  where  a  height  of  5000  feet  was  attained, 
examples  of  41  species  were  procured.  Upon  reaching  the 
pines,  ''  the  long  sought  for  Cape  Robin  {Merula  confinis), 
the  beautiful  new  Snow-bird  [Junco  bairdi),  and  other  in- 
teresting species  were  met  with.'-"  Micrathene  whitneyi  was 
less  common  than  in  the  Cactus-region,  but  was  heard  several 
times.  Fifteen  species  were  also  added  to  the  list  of  the 
lowland  birds  from  the  vicinity  of  La  Paz  and  southwards, 
raising  the  total  number  now  recognized  by  Mr.  Belding  in 
Lower  California  to  177. 

7.  Buller  on  rare  New -Zealand  Birds. 

[On  some  rare  species  of  New-Zealand  Birds.  By  Walter  L.  Buller. 
Trans,  and  Proc.  New  Zealand  Inst.  vol.  xvi.  p.  .308.] 

Mr.  Buller  gives  interesting  notes  on  Sceloglaux  albifacies, 
Hylochelidon  nigricans ,  and  Anthoch<£ra  carimculata,  the 
last-named  bird  being  new  to  New  Zealand.  He  resuscitates 
his  Creadion  cinereus  as  distinct  from  C.  carmiculatus,  and 
Platyccrcus  alpinus  as  distinct  from  P.  nova-zealandice. 
Other  species  are  mentioned. 

8.  Cory  on  the  Birds  of  San  Domingo. 

[The  Birds  of  Haiti  ond  San  Domingo.  By  Charles  B.  Corj.  Boston  : 
1884.     Part  II.] 

In  his  second  part  Mr.  Cory  makes  good  progress  with  the 
birds  of  San  Domingo,  finishing  the  Passeres  and  commen- 
cing the  Picarise.  It  is  curions  that  two  species  of  Tody 
should  occur  in  San  Domingo ;  but  that  seems  to  be  the  case, 
and,  moreover,  both  species  occur  in  the  same  district.  Todus 
angustirostris,  according  to  Mr.  Cory,  is  quite  distinct  from 
Todus  subidatus  (sive  doniinicensis)  ,\f\ih.  which  many  authors 
have  united  it.  Figures  are  given  in  the  present  number  of 
Ph(JEnicophilns  doniinicensis,  Calyptophilus  frvgivorus,  Eu- 
phonia  nnisica,  Loximitris  dominicensis,  Icterus  dominicensis, 
TemnicriLS  roseigaster,  and  Picumnus  lawrencli. 

H  2 


100  Recent  1 1/  published  Ornitholoyical  Works. 

9.   Coues's  neiv  Key  to  North-American  Birds. 

[Key  to  North-American  Birds.  Containing  a  concise  account  of  every 
species  of  living  and  fossil  bird  at  present  known  from  the  Continent 
north  of  the  Mexican  and  United  States  Boundary,  inclusive  of  Greenland. 
Second  edition,  revised  to  date,  and  entirely  rewritten  :  with  which  are 
incorporated  General  Ornithology,  an  outline  of  the  Structure  and  Clas- 
sification of  Birds ;  and  Field  Ornithology,  a  Manual  of  collecting,  pre- 
paring, and  preserving  Birds.  By  Elliott  Coues,  M.A.  Royal  8vo. 
London  and  Boston :  1884.] 

The  first  edition  of  Dr.  Coues's  well-kuown  ^Key  to  North- 
American  Birds'  was  issued  in  1872.  The  twelve  years  that 
have  since  elapsed  have^  as  we  all  know,  been  a  period  of 
great  activity  to  the  American  ornithologists^  and  have  so 
greatly  increased  our  knowledge  of  the  Nearctic  avifauna, 
that  it  was  quite  necessary  that  the  '  Key '  should  be  revised. 
The  revised,  improved,  and  augmented  'Key'  forms  the 
second  and  third  part  of  the  present  edition.  To  the  main 
body  of  the  work  thus  constituted,  Dr.  Coues  has  prefixed  a 
reprint  of  his  '  Field  Ornithology,'  which  originally  appeared 
in  1874  as  a  separate  work,  and  is,  we  believe,  one  of  the  best 
manuals  of  instruction  for  the  field-collector,  as  regards 
the  obtaining,  preparing,  and  preserving  specimens,  ever  put 
together.  He  has  likewise  added,  as  Part  IV.,  a  systematic 
Synopsis  of  the  Fossil  Birds  of  North  America — in  the  re- 
vision of  which  he  has  had  the  advantage  of  the  assistance 
of  Prof.  O.  C.  Marsh,  the  greatest  living  authority  on  this 
subject. 

It  is,  however,  to  Part  II.  of  the  present  volume  that  we 
must  specially  direct  the  reader's  attention.  In  this  Part  there 
is  condensed  into  some  180  pages  a  more  complete  account  of 
the  structure  and  classification  of  birds,  brought  up  to  the 
present  standard  of  our  knowledge,  than  any  other  with 
which  we  are  acquainted.  After  defining  and  describing  what 
birds  in  general  are,  and  stating  the  principles  and  practices 
used  in  classification,  special  chapters  are  devoted  to  their  ex- 
ternal structure,  "  osteology,  neurology,  angeiology,  pneuma- 
tology,  splanchnology,  and  oology."  So  much  information 
that  cannot  be  got  at  elsewhere  is  brought  together  in  this 
comprehensive  treatise,  that  it  ought  to  be  in  the  hands  of 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  101 

every  ornithologist,  whether  he  is  a  special  student  of  the 
American  avifauna  or  not.  It  is,  in  fact,  our  deliberate  opinion 
that  Coues's  new  '  Key '  is,  as  one  of  the  veteran  ornithologists 
of  the  continent  has  tersely  put  it,  in  a  private  letter, "  one  of 
the  best  and  most  useful  bird-books  ever  written;''  and  we 
commend  it  to  our  readers  accordingly. 

10.   Cowan  on  the  Birds  of  Madagascar. 

[Notes  on  the  Natural  History  of  Madagascar.  By  Rev.  W.  Deans 
Cowan.     Pr.  Roy.  PIij^s.  Soc.  Edinburgh,  vol.  vii.  p.  133.] 

To  his  very  interesting  article  on  the  fauna  of  Madagascar 
Mr.  Cowan  adds  a  nominal  list  of  the  mammals  and  birds, 
and  tables  showing  their  distribution  in  three  "  well-marked 
geographical  districts  "  of  the  south-central  part  of  the  island. 
The  list  contains  the  names  of  1 15  birds.  From  Mr.  Cowan's 
general  remarks  on  the  birds,  we  extract  the  following  pas- 
sages : — 

"  In  travelling  through  the  foi'cst  of  Madagascar,  nothing 
strikes  one  more  than  what  appears  to  be  the  absence  of 
bird-life.  Now  and  again  one  hears  the  cry  of  the  Centropus 
tolou,  mostly  on  the  outskirts  of  the  forest.  One  passes  the 
brilliant  Coua  ccerulea,  making  its  way  quietly  through  the 
forest ;  but  that  is  the  most  that  is  generally  seen  or  heard 
of  the  birds  in  the  great  forest.  True,  if  we  were  to  pene- 
trate into  the  denser  forest  we  might  come  upon  the  Atelornis 
pittoides  or  A.  crossleyi,  the  Euryceros  prevosti,  the  velvety 
Philepittajala,  or  such  birds  as  love  the  recesses  and  lonely 
shades  of  these  silent  woods.  Suddenly,  and  often  unex- 
pectedly, the  trees  overhead  become  filled  with  crowds  of 
birds,  chattering  in  many  a  different  note — that  is  what  may 
be  called  a  'drive'  of  birds.  Hundreds,  sometimes  thousands 
of  them  have  congregated  for  feeding-purposes,  and  are  now 
passing  through  the  forest,  clearing  the  insects  from  trees 
and  shrubs.  Conspicuous  amongst  them  for  size  and  noise 
is  i\\QDicrurusforficatas,  Tijlas  edaardi,  and  Cumpephaga  cana ; 
of  the  smaller  birds  there  is  the  Zosterops  madagascariensis, 
the  two  Bernierice,  the  Leptopterus  viridis,  and  the  chattci'ing- 
Newionia,  with  many  others.     It  is  by  following  such  drives 


102  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

that  the  natives  are  able  to  obtain  so  many  birds  with  their 
blow-pipes.  The  birds  that  frequent  the  more  open  parts  of 
the  country  are  Pratincola  sybilla,  Cisticola  madac/ascarietisis, 
Eurystomus  madagascariensis,  and  Hypsipetes  ourovang.  The 
peculiar  little  Dromaocercus  wanders  quietly  amongst  the 
grass,  beside  the  streams  in  the  glades  of  the  forest,  and  is 
never  seen  perching,  except  in  some  natural-history  plates  ! 
The  Leptosumus  discolor,  a  rather  remai^kable  bird,  delights 
in  the  outlying  forest,  where  his  peculiar  cry  of  dre-dres  is 
frequently  heard. 

"  The  Cuculus  rochii  begins  his  spring  song  in  October,  or 
early  part  of  November,  and  farms  out  his  young  there,  as  in 
all  other  countries.  His  note  changes  considerably  just  be- 
fore he  takes  his  departure,  whether  to  the  low  countries  or 
across  the  sea,  T  cannot  say.  The  egg  is  very  unlike  that  of 
any  other  Cuckoo,  and  varies  to  some  extent  in  the  marking. 
The  nests  it  most  frequents  are  those  of  the  Pratincola  sybilla 
and  the  Cisticola  madagascariensis,  although  its  egg  is  often 
found  in  the  nests  of  Cossypha  shaipei  and  Cop sychus  pica. 
The  nesting-season  in  Madagascar  extends  from  November  to 
February  or  March,  the  common  Foudia  being  amongst  the 
last  of  the  nest-builders." 

11.  De  Vei'teuiVs  '  Trinidad'     (Second  edition.) 

[Trinidad  :  its  geography,  natural  resources,  admiuisitration,  present  con- 
dition, and  prospects.  By  L.  A.  A.  De  Verteuil,  M.D.P.  Second  edition. 
Cassell  &  Co.,  London,  Paris,  and  New  York :  1884,  1  Vol.  Bvo. 
434  pp.] 

So  little  is  done  by  the  numerous  English  residents  in  the 
West  Indies  to  aid  the  cause  of  Natural  History  that  we  are 
glad  to  call  attention  to  the  second  edition  of  De  VerteuiFs 
work  on  Trinidad  recently  issued.  It  contains  two  chapters 
on  the  birds  of  the  island,  one  by  the  author  himself  under 
the  general  head  of  the  "  Animal  Kingdom  "  (pp.  89-97),  and 
another  specially  devoted  to  the  Birds  by  Mr.  A.  Leotaud, 
well  known  as  the  writer  of  the  '  Oiseaux  de  la  Trinidad ' 
(pp.  365-381).  Mr.  Leotaud^s  list  of  species  is  old-fashioned 
in    its    nomenclature   and    occasionally,    we  fear,  incorrect. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  103 

His  remarks  are  more  valuable,  though  we  believe  that  the 
statement  that  the  sharp  noise  made  by  the  ''  Casse-noisette  " 
{Pipra  gutturalis)  is  produced  by  the  ''aid  of  its  bill"  is  not 
correct. 

12.  De  Vis  on  the  Moa  in  Australia. 

[The  Moa  (Dwornis)  in  Australia.  By  C.  W.  De  Vis,  M.A.  Proc.  R, 
Soc.  Queensland,  vol.  i.  p.  23,  plates  iii.,  iv.] 

A  portion  of  a  bird's  femur,  found  among  a  collection  of 
bones  from  King^s  Creek  presented  to  the  Queensland  Museum 
by  Mr.  J.  Daniels,  is  referred  by  Mr.  De  Vis  to  a  species  of 
Dinornis,  which  he  proposes  to  call  D.  queenslandice  (!).  The 
fragment  consists  of  rather  more  than  the  upper  third  of  a 
left  femur  minus  the  upper  part  of  the  head  and  the  trochan- 
ter. It  is  in  the  "  same  peculiar  state  of  mineralization  as 
the  great  majority  of  the  Darling-Downs  fossils.^'  Figures 
are  given  of  this  remarkable  fossil,  Avhich,  should  its  reference 
to  the  genus  Dinornis  turn  out  to  be  correct,  is  a  most  note- 
worthy discovery. 

13.  Dresser^s  Monograph  of  the  Bee-eaters. 

[A  Monograph  of  the  Meropidaj,  or  Family  of  the  Bee-eaters.  By  H.  E. 
Dresser,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S.,  &c.     Parts  I.,  II.     Small  folio.     London  :  1884.] 

We  are  pleased  to  see  the  good  progress  already  made  by 
Mr.  Dresser  with  his  'Bee-eaters.'  It  will  be  granted  by 
everj^  one  that  Mr.  Keulemaus  has  executed  his  portion  of 
the  task  well.  Mr.  Dresser  has  worked  out  his  subject 
thoroughly  and  has  succeeded  in  getting  together  a  great 
deal  of  valuable  material  in  his  text.  We  fear,  however, 
that  exception  will  be  taken  to  the  description  of  his  discovery 
of  skins  of  Merops  cyanophrys  in  the  Jardin  des  Plantes, 

The  following  species  are  figured  in  the  first  two  pares  ; — 

Part  1. 
Nyctiornis  amictus.  Merops  sumatrauus. 

athertoni.  bicolor. 

Meropogon  forsteni.  vli'idis, 

Merops  breweri. 


104.  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Part  II. 

Meropa  cyanophrys.  Merops  ornatug, 

boehmi.  philippinus. 

albicoUis.  persicus. 

14.  Dubois  on  a  new  Parrot  from  New  Guinea. 

[Description  d'lm  Ecbidn^  et  d'uii  Perroquet  inedits  de  la  Nouvelle- 
Guinee.  Par  M.  Alpb.  Dubois.  Bull.  Soc.  Mus.  R.  d'Hist.  Nat.  Belgique, 
tome  iii.  1884,  p.  109.] 

In  a  fine  collection  of  mammals  and  birds  from  New 
Guinea,  presented  to  the  Brussels  Museum  by  M.  C.  W.  R. 
van  Renesse  van  Duivenbode,  is  an  example  of  a  new  species 
of  Parrot  of  the  genus  Chalcopsittacus  which  M.  Dubois 
describes  and  figures  as  Ch.  duivenbodei. 

15.  Filhol  on  the  Osteology  of  the  Penguins. 

[Observations  relatives  aux  caracteres  ost^ologiques  de  certaines  especea 
A^Eudyptes  et  de  Spheniscus.  Par  M.  H.  Filhol.  Bull.  Soc.  Philom. 
eer.  7,  vi.  p.  226  (1882).] 

^.  Filhol  has  utilized  the  numerous  %\e\eiox\8  oi  Eudyptes 
antipodum  and  E.  chrysocome  which  he  obtained  at  Campbell 
Island,  by  a  careful  study  of  their  bones  and  a  comparison  of 
them  with  the  corresponding  bones  of  Spheniscus  demersus. 

16.  Filhol  on  the  Diaphragm  of  the  Penguins. 

[Sur  la  constitution  du  diapbragnie  des  Eudyptes.  Par  M.  H.  Filhol. 
Bull.  Soc.  Philom.  ser.  7,  vi.  p.  235.] 

The  specimens  examined  are  E.  chrysocome  and  E.  anti- 
podum. Their  diaphragm  consists  of  two  portions,  the  usual 
pulmonary  and  a  thoracico-abdominal  one ;  the  latter  is 
partly  the  continuation  of  the  ?w.  transversus  abdominis,  and 
partly  augmented  by  a  peculiar  muscular  slip,  called  by 
M.  Filhol  m.  diaphragmaticus  transversus .  The  air-sacs  are 
remarkably  well  developed,  although  these  birds  do  not  possess 
the  power  of  flight.  He  distinguishes  two  diaphragmatic,  one 
thoracic  and  abdominal,  and  two  cervical  air-sacs. 

17.  Filhol  on  the  Arterial  System  of  the  Penguins. 

[Observations  relatives  au  tri>nc  cecliar^ue  et  a  I'artere  m^spnt^riquo 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  105 

siip^rieure   de  YEudyptes  antipodes.      Par  M.  H.  Filliol.      Bull.   Soc. 
Philom.  s6r.  7,  vi.  p.'238.] 

[Observations  relatives  a  la  circulation  art^rielle  dans  I'aile  de  quelques 
especea  de  Mancliots.     Par  M.  II.  Filliol.     Ibid.  p.  242.] 

[Observations  relatives  a  la  circulation  arterielle  dans  le  niembre  in- 
f^rieur  de  quelques  especes  de  Mancliots  (Aptenodytes pennanti,  Eudyptes 
antipodes  et  E.  chrysocome).     Par  M.  H.  Filliol.     Ibid.  p.  243.] 

Descriptions  are  given  of  the  calibre  and  of"  the  successive 
order  in  which  the  arteries  supplying  the  intestines  branch 
off  from  the  common  csecial  trunk. 

The  humeral  artery  in  Eudyptes  antipodum  is  the  simple 
continuation  of  the  a.  humeralis  as  in  other  birds.  In 
E.  chi-ysocome  it  is  broken  up  into  numerous  collateral 
branches  down  to  the  elbow-joint,  whilst  in  Ajjtenodytes 
pennanti  it  is  transformed  into  a  complete  plexus. 

An  exhaustive  and  exact  description  of  the  arteries  of  the 
hind  limb  is  added.  The  Sphenisci  are  remarkable  for  the 
multiplicity  of  their  arterial  ramifications. 

18.  Gurney  on  the  Arctic  Blue-throated  Warbler  in  Norfolk. 

[On  the  Occurrence  of  a  flock  of  the  Arctic  Blue-throated  Warbler 
(EritJiacus  suecica)  in   Norfolk.     By  J.  II.   Gurney,  Jun.,  F.Z.S.     Tr. 

Norfolk  and  Norwich  Nat.  Soc.  iii.  p.  597.] 

Nine  examples  of  this  species  were  shot,  and  at  least  a 
score  seen,  at  Blakeney,  between  the  14th  and  22nd  Septem- 
ber, 1883;  and  one  more  was  killed  on  the  15th  of  the  same 
month,  near  Yarmouth.  On  the  22nd  September  one  was 
shot  on  the  coast  of  Northumberland,  and  on  the  21st  one 
was  seen  at  Teesmouth,  in  Durham.  Earlier  in  the  same 
year,  viz.  on  the  2tid  September,  one  was  obtained  on  the 
Isle  of  May,  in  the  Firth  of  Forth.  Between  September 
15-18,  1884,  several  were  shot  and  more  were  observed  on 
Spurn  Head,  in  south-east  Yorkshire,  as  has  been  recorded 
by  Mr.  Theodore  Fisher  (Zool.  1884,  p.  430). 

19.  Gurney  on  the  ''  Hairy  ''  variety  of  the  Moorhen. 

[On  the  "  Hairy  "  variety  of  the  Moorhen  {Oallinula  chloropus).  By 
J.  H.  Gurney,  Jun.,  F.Z.S.  Tr.  Norfolk  and  Norwich  Nat.  Soc.  iii. 
p.  581.] 


106  Recently  published  Ornithological  JVorks. 

An  illustration  is  given  of  a  decorticated  variety  of  a 
Moorhen,  killed  at  Beckenliam  in  Norfolk,  in  Nov.  1857,  and 
now  in  the  Cambridge  Museum.  Some  woodcuts  show  that 
the  hair-like  appearance  of  the  feathers  is  due  to  the  absence 
of  the  barbules  from  the  anterior  portion  of  the  vane  of  each 
feather,  and  with  this  substance  has  gone  a  great  deal  of  the 
colouring-matter.  Five,  if  not  seven,  examples  of  this  variety- 
have  been  obtained  in  Norfolk,  and  others  have  occurred  in 
Nottinghamshire,  Cambridgeshire,  Hampshire,  Suffolk,  Sus- 
sex, and  one  at  Athlone  in  Ireland. 

20.  Haast  on  the  Grey  Phalarope  in  New  Zealand. 

[On  the  Oftcurrence  of  PhnlaropusfuUcanas,  Pennant  (the  Eed  Phala- 
rope), in  New  Zealand.  By  Julius  von  Haast,  C.M.G.,  Ph.D.,  F.R.S. 
Tr.  and  Pr.  New  Zealand  Inst.  xvi.  p.  279.] 

An  example  of  this  straggler  from  the  north  occurred  in 
June  1883,  on  the  beach  near  the  Wairaate  lagoon.  New 
Zealand.     It  was  shot  flying  alone. 

21.  Homey er  and  Tancrt  on  the  Birds  of  the  Altai. 

[Beitriige  zur  Kenntniss  der  Ornithologie  Westsibiriens,  namontlich  der 
Altai-Gogend.  Von  E.  F.  von  Homoyer  und  C.  A.  Tuncr^.  Mitth.  d. 
ornith.  Ver.  in  Wien,  1883,  p.  81.] 

The  authors  follow  generally  the  nomenclature  and 
arrangement  of  Dr.  Finsch's  article  on  the  birds  of  Western 
Siberia  published  in  1879  (Verb,  zool.-bot.  Ges.  Wien, 
p.  115),  supplementing  it  by  the  results  obtained  by  their 
own  collector  on  the  Altai ;  the  exact  localities,  however, 
are  not  given.  The  list  contains  204-  species,  of  Avhich 
Starna  robusta  is  described  as  new.  It  is  apparently  a  larger 
and  brighter  form  of  Perdix  cinerea.  Sturnus  poltoratzkyi 
of  Finsch  is  condemned  as  a  bad  species. 

22.  Joxiy  on  the  Birds  of  Japan. 

[Ornithological  Notes  on  Collections  made  in  Japan  from  June  to 
December,  1882.  By  Pierre  Louis  Jouv.  Pr.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883, 
p.273.] 

Accompanied  by  Mr.  A.  J.  M.  Smith,  ^Ir.  .Tony  made  an 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  107 

ornithological  trip  in  the  latter  half  of  1882,  first  to  Fuji- 
yama, where  a  month  was  passed  at  Subashiri,  2500  feet 
above  the  sea-level,  and  326  specimens  were  obtained,  and 
afterwards  to  the  Nikko  mountains  and  Omachi,  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Shinshiu.  Good  field-notes  are  given  concerning 
101  species.  Most  of  them  are  well-known  Japanese  birds  ; 
but  examples  of  Accentor  erythropygius  were  obtained  on 
Fuji-yama,  and  the  Ptarmigan  [Lagnpus,  sp.  inc.)  of  the  high 
peaks  of  the  Tate-yama  range  Avas  heard  of,  tljough  not  pro- 
cured. Mr.  Jouy  considers  Pyrrhula  rosacea  of  Seebohm 
(Ibis,  1882,  p.  371)  to  be  only  a  highly  developed  stage  of 
P.  orientalis. 

23.  Lawrence  on  a  new  Hemiprocne. 

[Description  of  a  new  Species  of  Bird  of  the  Family  Cypselidae.  By 
George  N.  Lawrence.     Amials  New  York  Acad.  Sci.  ii.  p.  355.] 

The  species  described  is  Hemiprocne  minor  from  Bogota. 
It  seems  to  be  like  H.  zonaris,  but  smaller. 

24.  Lydekker  on  Slivalik  Fossil  Birds. 

[Siwalik  Birds.  By  R.  Lydekker,  B.A.,  F.G.S.,  F.Z.S.  Mem.  Geol. 
Surv.  India,  sect.  x.  vol.  iii.  pt.  4.] 

In  the  Siwaliks,  Mr.  Lydekker  tells  us,  as  in  most  other 
ossiferous  formations,  the  remains  of  birds  are  extremely 
scarce  as  compared  with  those  of  mammals,  and  such  remains 
as  do  occur  are  mostly  in  a  fragmentary  condition.  Little 
has  yet  been  written  on  the  fossil  birds  of  the  Siwaliks,  and 
Mr.  Lydekker^s  present  paper  is  intended  to  give  an  account 
of  all  the  remains  which  appear  capable  of  identification. 
Besides  some  forms,  the  exact  genera  of  which  cannot  be 
determined,  Mr.  Lydekker  describes  species  of  Pelecanus, 
Phalacrocorox,  LeptojMlus,  Mergus,  Striithio,  and  Dromceus. 
Dromceus  sivalensis  is  established  on  four  phalangeal  bones, 
which  so  clearly  resemble  those  of  the  living  Emu  as  to 
leave  little  doubt  that  a  nearly  allied,  although  possibly  not 
generically  identical,  bird  existed  in  the  Siwaliks. 


108  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

25.  Milne-Edwards  on  the  Fauna  of  the  Antarctic  Regions. 

[Recberches  sur  la  Faime  des  Regions  Australes.  Par  M.  Alph.  Milne- 
Edwards.     Paris:  1879-82.] 

We  have  to  thank  the  author  for  a  complete  copy  of  this 
important  memoir^  which^  although  finished  two  years  ago, 
has  not  yet  been  noticed  in  this  Journal.  We  will  therefore 
give  a  short  account  of  its  contents.  M.  Milne-Edwards 
commences  by  a  disquisition  on  the  great  question  of  the 
origin  of  species,  into  which  we  will  not  follow  him,  although 
we  quite  appreciate  his  distinction  between  "  especes  primor- 
diales  "  and  "■  especes  derivees."  After  some  preliminary  re- 
marks on  the  geography,  the  flora,  and  the  general  character 
of  the  fauna  of  the  Antarctic  lands,  M.  Milne-Edwards 
proceeds  to  discuss  specially  the  Antarctic  birds.  These 
are  treated  under  the  heads  of  Penguins,  Albatrosses,  Skuas, 
Gulls  and  Terns,  Petrels,  Sheathbills,  Cormorants,  Grebes, 
and  Ducks,  after  which  the  few  land-birds  known  to  inhabit 
the  Antarctic  islands  are  spoken  of.  Among  the  Penguins 
two  new  genera  {Megadijptes  for  Pygosceles  antipodum  and 
Microdyptes  for  Eudyptula  serresiana,  Oust.)  are  instituted, 
and  a  new  species  of  Eudyptes  [E.  albigidaris),  from  Mac- 
quarie  Island,  is  described.  A  new  species  of  Gannet  from 
the  Pacific  coast  of  South  America  is  described  as  Sula 
nebouxi.  Figures  are  given  of  the  heads  of  various  forms  of 
Eudyptes,  as  also  entire  figures  of  Eudyptes  albigularis,  Mi- 
crodyptes serresiana,  Sula  dactylatra,  and  S.  nebouai,  and  six 
charts  showing  the  distribution  of  the  various  groups  of 
birds  in  the  Antarctic  regions  are  added. 

But  while  we  fully  appreciate  the  value  of  M.  Milne- 
Edwards's  memoir  and  the  amount  of  information  collected  in 
it,  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  we  fully  agree  with  all  his 
statements.  We  must  conclude  that  there  is  no  specimen  of 
the  Emperor  Penguin  in  the  Paris  Museum,  or  our  author 
could  never  have  said  that  this  species  and  the  King  Penguin 
"  ne  different  que  fort  peu  Vun  de  V  autre'' ;  nor  do  we  believe 
that  Spheniscns  demersus  of  the  Cape  also  occurs  in  the 
Falkland  Islands,  or  that  our  author  is  correct  in  his  dictum 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  109 

(pt.  i.  p.  63)  as  to  the  external  sexual  distinctions  of  the 
Sphenisci.  We  believe  that  the  sexes  of  Spheniscus  are  as 
nearly  as  may  be  alike  in  plumage. 

Some  criticisms  by  Saunders,  on  the  account  of  the 
Larida  and  their  distribution,  will  be  found  in  P.  Z.  S.  1882, 
p.  5.27. 

26.  Murray's  '  Vertebrate  Zoology  of  Sind.' 

[The  Vertebrate  Zoology  of  Siud.  A  systematic  account  with  descrip- 
tions of  all  the  known  species  of  Mammals,  Birds,  and  Reptiles  inhabiting 
the  Province  ;  observations  on  their  habits,  &c. ;  tables  of  their  Geo- 
graphical distribution  in  Persia,  Beloochistan,  and  Afghanistan,  Punjab, 
North-west  Provinces,  and  the  peninsula  of  India  generally,  with  wood- 
cuts, lithographs,  and  coloured  illustrations.  By  James  A.  Murray. 
Royal  8vo.     London  and  Bombay :  1884.] 

This  will  be  a  useful  compilation  for  the  local  naturalist, 
but  the  original  information  in  it  is  not  very  extensive.  The 
number  of  birds  now  known  from  Sind  is  399,  but  consider- 
able additions  are  expected  to  be  made  to  the  list.  Short 
descriptions  are  given  of  all  the  species,  and  summaries  of 
their  geographical  distribution.  On  the  whole  Mr.  Murray's 
volume  is,  in  our  opinion,  a  very  creditable  piece  of  work, 
when  the  place  of  its  production  is  taken  into  consideration. 
Serinus  pectoralis,  from  Kurrachee,  is  described  as  a  new 
species. 

27.  Nutting  on  Birds  from  Nicaragua. 

[On  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  Nicaragua.  By  Charles  C.  Nutting, 
Edited  by  R.  Ridgway.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  372.] 

Mr.  Nutting  went  to  Nicaragua  in  the  early  part  of  1883 
for  the  purpose  of  making  a  collection  of  birds  for  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution.  Four  districts  were  visited  : — San  Juan 
del  Sur  on  the  Pacific ;  Sucuya  on  the  west  shore  of  the  Lake 
of  Nicaragua ;  Ometepe,  an  island  on  the  Lake ;  and  Los 
Sabalos,  on  the  river  San  Juan  del  Norte.  The  species  have 
been  determined  by  Mr.  Ridgway,  who  has  also  added  critical 
remarks. 


110  Recently  publis/u'd  Ornithological  Works. 

Neai'  San  Juan  del  Sur,  "  a  beautiful  harbour  surrounded 
by  low  mountains/^  where  the  banks  of  a  stream  and  dense 
marshy  forest  aiford  good  colleeting-places,  examples  of  70 
species  were  obtained,  of  which  47  are  stated  to  be  recorded 
for  the  first  time  in  Nicaragua.  At  Sucuya,  a  hacienda  on 
the  Lake  of  Nicaragua^  four  miles  north  of  Rivas,  examples 
of  88  species  were  procured,  49  of  which  are  marked  as  new 
to  the  Nicaraguan  avifauna.  A  nice  note  is  given  on  the 
'^  dance"  of  Chiroxiphia  linearis.  The  fertile  island  of  Ome- 
tepe  is  the  home  of  only  50  species,  although  numerically 
birds  are  abundant.  The  apparently  entire  absence  of 
Turdidse,  Tanagiidae,  Dendrocolaptidse,  Formicariidse,  and 
Rhamphastidai  is  noticeable.  At  Los  Sabalos,  about  30 
miles  down  the  river  San  Juan  del  Norte,  examples  of  80 
species  were  obtained,  of  which  six  are  described  as  new, 
namely,  Geothlypis  bairdi,  Oryzoborus  salvini,  O.  nuttingi, 
Contopus  depressirostris,  Cymbilanius  lineatus fasciatus  (subsp. 
nov.),  and  Porzana  leucogaster.  Besides  these  Mr.  Ridgway 
describes  GraUaria  intermedia,  from  Costa  Rica,  in  a  footnote. 

28.  Przetvalski's  Journey  in  Tibet. 

[Reisen  in  Tibet  unci  am  oberen  Lauf  des  Gelben  Flussesin  den  Jahren 
1879  bis  1880,  von  N.  von  Prschewalsld.  Aus  dem  Russischen  frei  in 
das  Deutscbe  iibertragen  und  mit  Anmerkungen  versehen  von  Stelu- 
Nordheim.     Jena,  1884.     1  vol.     8vo.     282  pp.] 

We  were  lately  complaining  that  no  English  account  of 
the  great  traveller  Przewalski's  third  journey  into  Northern 
Tibet  had  been  published.  We  have  now,  however,  an  ex- 
cellent German  translation  of  the  Russian  original  before  us, 
which  will  render  his  exploits  more  familiar  to  western 
readers.  Przewalski  is,  as  well  known,  an  excellent  field- 
observer  and  collector,  and  very  well  acquainted  with  Asiatic 
birds.  His  account  of  the  Ornithology  of  Northern  Tibet 
has  been  already  given  to  our  readers  (Ibis,  1884,  p.  242). 
But  there  are  several  passages  in  the  present  volume,  such 
as  those  on  the  bird -life  of  the  Dsungarian  Desert  (p.  23), 
of  the  Nan-sehan  mountains  (p.  73),  and  of  Lake  Kokonor 
(p.   199),   which  are  worthy   of  attention;   and    many   new 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  Ill 

species  are  mentioned^  such  as  Phasianus  satscheunensis,  Ph. 
tarimensis,  Ph.  strauchi,  Ph.  vlangalli,  Sitta  eckloni,  Pyrgi- 
lauda  kansuensis,  and  Rhopophilus  deserti,  which,  so  far  as  we 
know,  have  not  yet  been  described.  Anser  indicus  was  found 
breeding  in  the  oasis  of  Sat-schen,  north  of  the  Nan-schan 
(p.  64). 

29.  Radde's  '  Urfiis  Caucasica.' 

[Omis  Caucasica.    Vou  Dr.  G  ustav  Radde.    Lief,  i.-xvi.    4to.    Kassel : 

1884.] 

The  first  three  parts  of  this  long-expected  work  are  now 
before  us  and  carry  on  the  general  subject  to  the  middle  of 
the  Laridse.  The  introduction,  giving  an  account  of  how  the 
author  was  induced  to  undertake  the  task,  and  of  his  views 
on  species  are  worth  perusal.  Dr;  Radde  is  a  decided  "  lum- 
per ^^  as  regards  species.  For  him  Garruli  glandarius,  kry- 
nickii,  melanocephalus ,  and  hyrcanvs  are  all  one.  Sturnus 
unicolor  is  not  specifically  distinct  from  St.  vulgaris,  much 
less  ^t.  pujyurascens,  St.  nitens,  and  St.  poltarutskyi,  and  the 
same  plan  is  pursued  in  similar  cases.  Dr.  Eadde  acknow- 
ledges 367  species  and  66  varieties  of  Caucasian  birds.  We 
observe  that  he  calls  the  Caspian  species  of  Porphyrio  ''  P. 
veterumJ"  But  it  has  been  pointed  out  by  Sclater  (Ibis, 
1879,  p.  195)  that  this  name  originated  in  error,  as  will  be 
seen  at  once  by  those  that  will  take  the  trouble  to  refer  to 
S.  G.  Gmelin^s  '  Reise; '  and,  as  regards  the  validity  of  the 
species,  it  has  been  shown  by  Mr.  Seebohm  (Ibis,  1881,  p.  429) 
that  the  Caspian  bird  is  the  same  as  the  Indian  P.  polio- 
cephalus. 

The  following  species  are  figured  in  Lief,  i.-xvi. : — 

Tab.  i.  fig.  1.  Buteo  tacliardus,  var.  Tab.  iv.  figs.  2,  3.  Garrulus  glanda- 

rufus.  rius,  var.  hyrcanus. 

fig.  2.  Buteo  tachardus,  var.  v.  Garrulus  glandarius,  var. 

fusco-ater.  vi.  fig.  1.  Acredula  tephronota. 

ii.  Buteo  tacbardus,  var.  fig.  2.  Acredula  tepbronota, 

iii.  Circus  seruginosus,  var.  uni-  var.  major. 

color.  vii.  Carpodacus  rubiciilus. 

iv.  fig.  1.  Garrulus  glandarius.  viii.  fig.  1.  Montifringilla  nivalis. 


1 12  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Tab.  viii.  fig,  2.  Montifringilla  alpi-      Tab.  xi.  Biulytes     melauocephalus, 

cola.  albino. 

ix.  figs.  1-4.   Passer  domesti-  xii.  Motacilla  alba  et  var. 

cus,  tj'p.  et  var.  xiii.  fig.  1.  Sylvia  mystacea. 

fig.  o.  Passer  salicicolus.  fig.  2.  Phylloscopus  rufus, 

figs.G,  7.  Metoponiapusilla.  var.  obscurus. 

X.  fig.  1.  Crithophaga     mili-  xiv.  Accentor  ocularis, 

aria,  var.  minor.  xv.  Daulias  hafizi. 

fig.  2.  Crithophaga     mili-  xvi.  RuticiUa  ochruros. 
aria,  typ. 

30.  Reichenow  on  Parrots. 

[Vogelbilder  aus  fernenZonen.  Atlas  der  bei  uns  eingefiirhten  auslan- 
dischen  Vogel,  mit  erlauterndem  Text.  Allen  Naturfreunden,  insbesondere 
den  Liebhaberu  auslandischer  Stubenvogel  und  Besiichern  zoologischer 
Garten,  gewidmet  von  Dr.  Ant.  Reichenow.     Lief.  xi.     Folio.     Cassel : 

1883.] 

The  eleventh  part  terminates  Dr.  Reichenow's  work,  the 
original  plan  of  which  has  been  modified  so  as  to  restrict  it 
to  the  Parrots.  Of  this  group  it  forms,  as  now  completed, 
an  illustrated  monograph.  The  systematic  list  at  tlie  end 
contains  the  names  of  448  species,  and  there  are,  we  believe, 
a  few  others,  nearly  all  recently  described,  which  Dr.  Reich- 
enow has  not  included.  The  figui'cs  (by  Miitzel)  are  well 
drawn  and  coloured,  the  plates  being  33  hi  number.  The 
work  is  decidedly  of  a  useful  nature  for  the  ready  identifica- 
tion of  the  birds  of  this  group ;  but  we  regret  to  observe  the 
many  deviations  from  the  nomenclature  usually  adopted. 


31.  Ridgway  on  neiv  Birds  from  the  Commander  Islands 
and  Petropaulovski. 

[Descriptions  of  some  Birds  supposed  to  be  undescribed  from  the  Com- 
mander Islands  and  Petropaulovski,  collected  by  Dr.  Leonhard  Stejneger, 
U.S.  Signal  Service.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  90.] 

The  species  described  are  Haliaetus  hypoleucus  from  Bering 
Island,  Acrocephalus  dybowskii  from  Petropaulovski,  Anor- 
thura  pallescens  from  Bering  Island,  Hirundo  saturata  from 
Petropaulovski,  and  Anthus  stejnegeri  (if  distinct  from  A.ja- 
poniciis)  from  the  Commander  Islands. 


Recently  published  Ornitholoyical  Works.  113 

32.  Ridgivay  on  new  CoHta-Rican  Birds. 

[On  some  Costa-Rican  Birds,  with  descriptions  of  several  new  Species. 
By  Robert  Ridgway.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  410.] 

From  a  small  collection  lately  received  by  the  U.S.  National 
Museum  from  Sr.  Zeledon^  Mr.  Ridgway  describes  as  new 
Enipidonax  viridescetis,  sp.  nov.^  Psitlasoma  michleri  zeledoniy 
subsp.  nov.,  and  gives  notes  on  various  other  interesting 
species.  Mr.  Ridgway  considers  that  Empidonaoc  atriceps  of 
Salvin  is  more  properly  congeneric  with  Mitrephorus  au- 
rantiiventris . 

33.  Ridgway  on  West-Indian  Birds. 

[On  a  Collection  of  Birds  made  by  Messrs.  J.  E.  Benedict  and  W.  Nye, 
of  the  United  States  Fish-Commission  Steamer  '  Albatross,'  By  Robert 
Ridgway.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1884,  p.  172.] 

The  collection   of   birds  made  by  the    naturalists   of  the 
'  Albatross '  in  the  West  Indies,  and  on  the  shores  of  the 
Caribbean  Sea,  altliough  not  extensive,  is  of  much  interest, 
Mr.  Ridgway  deals  with  it  under  five  heads.     Ten  species 
from   St.  Thomas  and  fifteen  from  Trinidad  were  already 
known  to  us  from  these  localities.     The  third   category  re- 
lates to  the  A^enezuelan  island  of  Curacoa,  almost  terra  in- 
cognita to  the  modern  naturalist.      Here   of  six   species  of 
which  examples  were  obtained,  three  are  described  as  new 
{Mimus  gilvus  rostratus,  Dendrceca  rvfo-pileata,  and  Icterus 
curasoensis) ,  and  a  fourth  [Zenaida  vinaceo-rnfa)  is  provided 
with  a  suggested  name  in  case  it  may  not  be  identical  with 
Z.  ruficaiida,  Bp.     Mr.  Ridgway   also  inclines   to  the   view 
that  the  northern  form  of  Icterus  xanthornus  (from  Gua- 
temala, Mexico,  and  Panama)  is  distinct  from  the  southern 
(S.  American)  form,  which  would  stand  as  /.  linncei  (Bp.) .    But 
does  this  species  or  any  form  of  it  occur  north  of  Panama? 
We  know  of  no  evidence  of  such  being  the  case.     From  the 
vicinity  of  Sabanilla,  U.S.  of  Colombia,  specimens  of  eight 
species  were  procured  by  the  "^ Albatross,'  all   well  known. 
Lastly,  on  the  island  of  Old  Providence,  which  lies  in  the 
middle  of  the  Caribbean  Sea,  250  miles  north  of  Aspinwall, 

SER.  V. — -vol..   III.  I 


1 14  Recently  published  Qndtholoyical  Works. 

four  species,  all  new, "were  discovered — Ccrtliiola  tricolor,  Vireo- 
sylvia  grandior,  Vireo  opproaimavs,  and  Elainea  cineruscens. 

34.  Kidgway  on  a  new  Field-Sparrow. 

[Description  of  a  new  Species  of  Field-Sparrow  from  New  Mexico.  By 
Robert  Eidgrs-ay.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1884,  p.  259.] 

Spizella  icortheni,  allied  to  S.  pusilla  and  S.  atriyidaris,  is 
based  on  a  specimen  obtained  at  Silver  City,  New  Mexico, 
and  presented  to  the  U.S.  National  Museum  by  Mr.  C.  K, 
Worthen. 

35.  Robson  on  the  breeding  of  the  Eastern  Golden  Plover. 

[Observations  on  the  Breeding-liabits  of  the  Eastern  Golden  Plover 
{Charadritis  fuJvus).  By  C.  H.  Eobsnn.  Comniuuicated  by  W.  L. 
Buller,  C.M.G.,  Sc.D.,  F.R.S.  Trans,  and  Proc.  New  Zealand  Inst.  xvi. 
p.  308.] 

Tbe  Eastern  Golden  Plover  was  found  breeding  by  Mr. 
Robson  at  tbe  nortbern  end  of  Portland  Island,  New  Zealand, 
in  January  1883. 

86,  Schaloiu  on  a  new  Plainfain-eafer. 

[Eine  neue  Musophat/a  aus  Central-Afrika.  Von  Herman  Sehalow, 
Zeitsch.  f.  d.  gesamnite  Ornith.  Budapest,  1884,  p.  103.] 

From  tbe  western  shore  of  Lake  Tanganyika,  Dr.  R.  Bobm 
has  sent,  along  with  an  interesting  letter,  a  sketcb  of  tbe 
bead  and  a  sbort  description  of  a  species  of  a  Musophaga  allied 
to  M.  rossae,  but  wbicb  Herr  Scbalow  considers  to  be  diflerent, 
and  separates  as  M.  boehmi. 

'67.  Sharpe  on  the  Birds  of  the  Voyage  of  the  'Alert.' 

[Report  on  the  Zoological  Collections  made  in  the  Indo-Pacific  Ocean 
during  the  Voyage  of  H.M.S.  '  Alert,'  1881-82.     8vo.  Loudon  :  1884.] 

Tbe  Birds  formed  a  very  small  part  of  tbe  extensive  col- 
lections formed  by  Dr.  Coppinger  during  tbe  voyage  of  the 
'  Alert ; '  but  Mr.  Sbarpe  gives  an  account  of  77  species,  of 
wbicb  examples  were  obtained  in  tbe  islands  of  Torres  Straits, 
at  Port  Molle  and  Port  Curtis  in  Queensland,  and  at  Port 
Darwin  in  N.W.  Australia.    Fiezorhynchus  medius,  from  Port 


Recently  published  Ondthologlcal  Works.  115 

Molle,  is  described  as  new^  and  several  species  are  resusci- 
tated which  were  suppressed  by  Dr.  Gadow  in  his  receut 
volumes  of  the  British-Museum  Catalogue. 

38.  Sharpe  on  various  Timeliid{e. 

[Xotes  oil  Timeliidae.  Bj  R.  Bowdler  Sharpe.  Notes  from  the  Leyden 
Museum,  vol.  vi.  Note  xxiv.  p.  167.] 

Mr.  Sharpe  gives  notes  upon  examples  of  various  species 
of  Timeliidse  in  the  Leyden  Museum  which  he  has  exa- 
mined subsequently  to  the  issue  of  the  seventh  volume  of 
the  British-Museum  Catalogue ;  and  he  indicates  the  neces- 
sary alterations  and  additions  to  be  made  to  that  work  iu 
consequence  of  the  information  thus  obtained. 

39.  Sharpe  on  a  new  Wren  from  Timor. 

[On  an  apparently  undescribed  genus  of  Wrens  from  Timor.  "By  R. 
Bowdler  Sharpe.  Notes  from  the  Leyden  Museum,  vol.  vi.  Note  xxv. 
p.  179.] 

The  new  Wren  comes  very  close  to  Pnoepyga,  and  is  pro- 
posed to  be  called  Orthnocichla  subulata.  It  is  the  Orthoto- 
mus  subulatus  of  Miiller  (MS.). 

40.  Sharpe  on  Birds  from  New  Guinea. 

[Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  New  Guinea.  By  R.  Bowdler 
Sharpe. — Part  IX.  On  further  Collections  made  by  Mr.  A.  Goldie  in  the 
Astrolabe  Mountains.     Journ.  Linn.  Soc,  Zool.  xvii.  p.  405.] 

Notes  on  three  species^  one  of  which  [Amblyornis  subalaris) 
is  described  as  new. 

41.  Shai-pe  on  Birds  from  Equatorial  Africa. 

[Notes  on  a  Collection  of  Birds  made  by  Herr  F.  Bohndorff  in  the 
Bahr  el  Ghazal  Province  and  the  Nyam-nyam  Country  in  Equa- 
torial Africa.  By  R.  Bowdler  Sharpe.  Journ.  Linn.  Soc,  Zool.  xvii. 
p.  419.] 

Mr.  BohndorfE^s  collection  was  made  principally  when  in 
company  with  Dr.  Junker_,  the  well-known  explorer^  and  at 
Dem  Suleiman^  the  capital  of  the  Bahr  el  Ghazal.  The 
species   recorded  are  112;  whereof  are  described  as  new — - 


116  liecenthj  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Crateropus  bohndorffi,  Sigmodus  mentalis,    Pionias    crassus, 
Ceuthmochares  iyitermedii's,  and  Syrnium  bohndorffi. 

42.  Shufeldt  on  the  forms  of  the  Patella  in  Birds. 

[Concerning  some  of  tlie  forms  assumed  by  the  Patella  in  Birds.  By 
Dr.  R.  W.  Shufeldt.    Proc.  U.S.  Nat,  Mus.  1884,  p.  324.] 

Dr.  Shufeldt  points  out  that  the  patella  is  a  characteristic 
bone  in  some  cases^  and  describes  and  figures  its  form  in 
certain  water-birds. 

43.  Synith  on  the  Hieracideas. 

[On  Hieracidea  nova-zealandice  and  H.  hrunnea.  By  W.  W.  Smith. 
Communicated  by  Dr.  Duller.  Trans,  and  Proc.  New  Zealand  Inst.  xvi. 
p.  318.] 

Mr.  Smith's  careful  observations  seem  to  establish  tlie 
specific  difference  of  the  two  species  of  Hieracidea  of  New 
Zealand. 

44.  Sovza  on  Bucorax  jiyrrhops. 

[Notes  sur  le  Bucorax  pyrrhops,  Elliot.  Par  Jos6  Augusto  de  Souza. 
Jorn.  Sci.  Lisboa,  no.  xxxviii.  1884.] 

M.  de  Souza  gives  some  further  characters  to  distinguish 
Bucorax pyrrhopis  from  B.  abyssinicus,  as  observed  in  a  speci- 
men of  the  former  species  lately  received  at  Lisbon  from 
Bissao.     Two  figures  of  the  head  of  B.  pyrrhops  are  added. 

45.  Stejneger  on  the  Natural  History  of  the  Commander 
Islands. 

[Contributions  to  the  History  of  the  Commander  Islands.  By  Leonhard 
Stejneger.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  58.] 

A  very  interesting  letter,  containing  an  account  of  IVIr. 
Stejneger's  first  three  months''  explorations  in  Bering  Island, 
where  he  landed  in  April  1882.  The  laud-fauna  is  essentially 
Palsearctic.  Of  the  70  species  of  birds  of  which  specimens 
were  obtained  or  observed,  about  one  third  are  circumpolar, 
one  third  Pacific,  and  the  remainder  East-Asiatic.  The 
American  Plaliaetus  leucocephalus  occurs  thcrC;  and  a  second 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  117 

species  of  the  same  genus^  but  not  H.pelagicus.  Two  species 
of  Rissa  [R.  hotzebui  and  R.  brevirostris)  occupy  the  coast  in 
countless  numbers. 

46.  Stejneger  on  the  Genus  Cepphus. 

[Remarks  on  the  Species  of  the  Genus  Cepphus.  By  Leonhard  Stejne- 
ger.    Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1884,  p.  210.] 

Mr.  Stejneger^s  chief  points  are  that  a  black-winged  Guil- 
lemot allied  to  Cepphas  (intellige  Uria)  carbo  occurs  in  the 
North  Atlantic,  and  that  Cepphus  mcindti  is  the  ordinary 
species  of  White-winged  Guillemot  in  North  America,  al- 
though C.  grylle  may  also  occur  there.  A  synopsis  of  all  the 
species  is  added.  European  ornithologists  are  requested  to 
examine  and  report  upon  the  supposed  examples  of  the  pro- 
blematical C.  motzfeldi  in  the  British  and  Leyden  Museums. 

47.  Travers  on  the  Organic  Productions  of  New  Zealand. 

[Some  remarks  upon  the  distribution  of  the  Or^ifanic  Productions  of 
New  Zealand.  By  W.  T.  L.  Travers.  Trans,  and  Proc.  New  Zealand 
Inst.  xvi.  p.  401.] 

This  essay  contains  some  good  remarks  on  the  distribution 
of  the  species  of  birds  in  the  different  islands  of  New 
Zealand. 


X. — Letters,  Extracts,  Announcements,  ^c. 

We  have  received  the  following  letters  addressed  to  the 
Editors  of 'The  Ibis  :^  — 

Smithsonian  Institution, 

November  28,  1884. 

Sirs, — I  take  great  pleasure  in  corroborating  Mr.  Stej- 
neger's  remarks  concerning  the  "  Shedding  of  the  Claws  in 
the  Ptarmigan  and  allied  Birds,"  as  I  had  abundant  oppor- 
tunity of  observing  it  as  a  fact  while  travelling  recently  in 
Labrador  and  Ungava. 

Yours  &c., 

LuciEN  M.  Turner. 


118  Letters,  Annoimcements,  S^c. 

10  Chandos  Street, 

Cavendisla  Square, 

December  3,  1884. 

Sirs, — Though  we  have  not  had  an  opportunity  of  com- 
paring the  types^  we  have  little  doubt  that  the  Phompara 
described  from  Roraima,  in  the  last  volume  of  '  The  Ibis ' 
(1884j  J).  445),  as  P.  plueoptlla  is  the  same  as  Phompara 
fumosa,  Lawrence,  from  Trinidad  (Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  x.  p.  396, 
1874).  Both  birds  are  described  as  being  of  a  uniform 
fuHgiuous  black  above,  unreHeved  by  olive-green  on  the  back, 
as  in  the  allied  species  P.  bicolor  &c. 

We  are,  yours  &c., 

O.  Salvin  and  F,  D,  Godman. 


lingular  Development  of  Opisthocomus. — Mr.  Coale,  of 
Chicago,  sends  us  an  account  of  an  apparently  very  remark- 
able discovery  in  the  development  of  the  Hoatzin  [Opistho- 
comus cristatus)  made  by  Mr.  Edward  M.  Brigham.  The 
exact  facts  are  not  very  clearly  stated  in  the  paper  (which  was 
read  before  the  Chicago  Academy  of  Sciences  on  October 
14th,  1884),  but  the  following  passage  seems  to  contain  the 
pith  of  the  discovery  : — 

"  While  making  embryological  studies  in  the  interior  of 
the  great  island  of  Marajo,  on  the  small  river  Anabiju,  I  dis- 
covered the  quadruped-bird. 

''After  having  examined  many  specimens  of  various  ages, 
I  found  that  from  what  corresponds  to  about  the  embryonic 
state  of  development  of  the  common  fowl  at  the  tenth  day 
of  incubation^  the  fore  feet  showed  their  characters  unmis- 
takably throughout  their  egg-development,  and  to  a  period 
of  several  days  after  hatching  the  fore  feet,  toes,  and  claws 
held  their  characters  as  such,  as  unmistakably  as  those  parts 
of  the  posterior  members. 

"  Later  a  progressive  modification  manifested  itself  by  re- 
ducing the  digits,  exfoliating  the  claws,  and  developing  these 
anterior  members  into  those  characteristic  of  a  bird.  There 
is,  among  the  higher  vertebrate  animals,  so  far  as  I  know,  no 


Letters,  Annowicements,  (Sfc.  119 

other  example  of  post-natal  metamorphosisj  in  such  funda- 
mental organs,  to  any  thing  like  this  extent. 

"The  law  enunciated  by  Von  Baer — that  the  phylogenetic 
development  is  represented  in  the  ontogenetic — has  a  wide 
expression  here.  An  important  ancestral  feature  is  persistent 
beyond  the  e^^  or  pre-natal  development.  The  animal  pro- 
gressing in  its  embryonic  course  passes  into  its  reptilian 
ancestral  type,  and  before  its  evolution  has  carried  it  through 
this — its  reptilian  phase — it  emerges  from  the  egg.  Thus, 
from  an  egg  laid  by  a  two-footed  two-winged  bird,  hatches  a 
quadruped  animal. 

"  For  several  days  after  hatching  it  retains  its  quadruped 
character,  then,  in  the  open  air  and  sunlight,  one  pair  of  legs 
evolves  into  wings.     Front  legs  are  purposeless  in  a  bird." 


The  National  Bird-Collection  at  Washington. — "The  bird- 
collection  of  the  National  Museum  has  increased  from  93,091 
at  the  end  of  1883  to  100,126  up  to  October  7,  1884,-7035 
specimens  having  thus  been  added  since  January  1.  It 
may  be  of  interest  to  our  readers  to  know  that  the 
enumeration  of  the  bird-record  was  begun  with  3696  speci- 
mens, forming  Professor  Baird's  private  collection,  his 
catalogue,  written  in  liis  own  hand,  forming  Volume  i.  of 
the  '  Museum  Register  of  Birds,''  which  now  comprises 
eighteen  volumes,  containing  a  full  record  of  the  immense 
collection  built  upon  Professor  Baird's  donation.  Professor 
Baird^s  cabinet,  noAV  merged  with  the  general  collection, 
consisted  chiefly  of  specimens  collected,  prepared,  and  labelled 
by  himself  and  his  brother,  Wm.  M.  Baird,  and  its  value  is 
further  enhanced  by  many  of  Audubon's  types,  presented  to 
Professor  Baird  by  Mr.  Audubon.  All  American  ornitho- 
logists will  rejoice  that  Professor  Baird  has  lived  to  see  so 
magnificent  a  collection  grow  from  the  comparatively  small 
nucleus  which  he  formed,  and  with  which  must  be  connected 
in  his  memory  many  pleasant  associations  ;  and  they  all  hope 
that  he  may  live  to  witness  the  steadj^  development  of  what 
is  now  the  best  collection   extant  of  North-American  and 


120  Letters,  Announcements,  &;c. 

West-Indian  birds  into  one  without  a  rival  in  any  feature.'^ — 
T/ie  Auk,  i.  p.  403. 


Ornithological  Works  in  Progress. — The  next  (tenth)  volume 
of  the  '  British  ]Museum  Catalogue  of  Birds/  to  contain  the 
account  of  the  Dicteidie^  lliruudinidae^  Mniotiltidje,  and  allied 
families^  is  now  in  course  of  preparation  by  Mr.  K.  Bowdler 
Sharpe.  The  eleventh  volume^  devoted  to  the  three  great 
Neotropical  families  Coerebidre,  Tanagridce^  and  Icteridae,  has 
been  undertaken  by  Sclater,  and  will  be  issued  next  year. 

Mr.  Symington  Grieve  announces  a  history  of  the  '  Great 
Auk  or  Garefowl/  its  archaeology  and  remains,  to  be  published 
by  Mr.  T.  C.  Jack,  of  London  and  Edinburgh,  and  Mr.  F.  S. 
Mitchell  a  volume  of  the  '  Birds  of  Lancashire '  (Vau  Voorst). 
Dr.  G.  Ilartlaub  is  at  work  on  a  new  collection  of  birds  from 
Emin  Bey.  Capt.  Shelley  has  undertaken  the  determination 
of  the  birds  collected  by  Mr.  H.  H.  Johnston  on  Kilimand- 
jaro,  and  has  already  read  his  first  paper  on  this  subject 
before  the  Zoological  Society,  He  has  also  in  preparation  a 
general  list  of  all  the  known  Ethiopian  birds,  with  localities. 

Our  President,  Lord  Lilford,  we  are  j)leased  to  be  able  to 
add,  is  in  sufiiciently  good  health  to  undertake  a  new  Bird- 
book,  to  be  called  '  Coloured  Figures  of  the  Birds  of  the 
British  Islands.'  The  first  number  of  this  work  will  be 
ready  in  April  next. 


Proceedings  of  the  Ridgivay  Ornithological  Club. — The 
Ridgway  Ornithological  Club  met  at  the  Academy  of  Scioices, 
Chicago,  on  Thursday,  Dec.  4th.  A  donation  of  skins  was 
received  from  Mr.  H.L.Fulton.  Papers  read: — ''The  Genus 
Helminthophaga,"  by  Dr.  Morris  Gibbs ;  "  The  White-rumped 
Shrike  "  (impaling  insects  on  barb-wire  fences  in  Texas),  by 
George  H.  Ragsdale ;  "The  Economic  Structure  of  Birds," 
by  H.  K.  Coale. 


THE    IBIS. 


FIFTH   SERIES. 


No.  X.     APRIL  1885. 


XI. — On  two  neiv  Birds  from  Borneo. 
By  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Slater,  B.A. 

(Plate  IV.) 

In  a  small  collection  o£  bird-skins  from  the  neighbourhood 
of  Sarawak,  Borneo,  for  which  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  W. 
A.  Harvey,  there  are  two  interesting  forms,  belonging  to 
genera  not  yet  recorded  from  Borneo.  One  is  a  Myiophoneus 
(unfortunately  an  immature  individual),  on  which  some 
remarks  will  follow ;  the  other  is  a  Parus,  which  I  propose 
to  call  Parus  cinerascens. 

This  bird  belongs  to  the  P.  cinereus  group,  but  is  verv 
distinct  from  any  species  yet  described.  It  falls  as  below 
under  the  various  heads  of  the  key  given  in  the  British 
Museum  Catalogue  (vol.  viii.  p.  5)  : — 

"  F.  Neither  yellow  nor  blue  [meaning,  presumably,  bright  blue]  in 
the  plumage  ;  no  crest. 
vi.  Crown  black. 

Z('.  Mantle  and  back  blue-grey. 

e\  Sides  of  breast  and  flanks  white." 

It  differs  from  P.  cinereus,  its  nearest   ally,  in  having  no 

SER.  v. VOL.   III.  K 


122  Rev.  H.  H.  Slater  on 

visible  nuchal  patch,  though  a  few  of  the  feathers  on  the 
nape,  if  lifted,  will  show  a  small  whitish  spot  about  their 
centres.  The  black  of  the  crown  comes  much  further  down 
the  back  (as  in  P.  borealis,  when  compared  with  P.palustris); 
the  black  upon  the  chest  occupies  a  much  greater  area  than 
in  P.  cinerevs,  forming  a  large  plastron,  which  is  connected 
across  the  shoulders  with  the  black  nape,  and  from  which  a 
broad  mesial  line  proceeds  down  the  abdomen,  to  join  the 
black  patch  which  includes  the  lower  part  of  the  abdomen 
and  the  thighs.  In  P.  chierasce7is  the  back  is  much  bluer 
than  in  P.  c'mereus,  in  which  the  back  inclines  to  a  butf-grey  ; 
the  exterior  margins  of  the  remiges  and  the  lesser  wing- 
coverts  are  of  the  same  blue- grey,  the  tips  of  the  greater 
coverts  forming  a  white  bar  across  the  wings  ;  the  sides  of 
the  abdomen  are  of  a  buflisli  white,  darker  than  in  P.  cinei^eus, 
and  becoming  bluer  towards  the  flanks.  The  ujjper  tail-coverts 
are  black  (not  grey,  as  in  P.  cinereus)  ;  of  the  under  coverts, 
a  few  next  the  vent  are  white,  a  few  next  them  have  a  longi- 
tudinal white  stripe,  Avhilst  those  next  the  tail  are  black ;  the 
central  rectrices  are  of  a  deep  sooty  brown  verging  on  black  ; 
the  external  one  alone  on  each  side  marked  with  white^  which 
occupies  all  its  area,  including  the  shaft,  excepting  a  narrow 
marginal  border  to  the  inner  web_,  which  is  black.  In 
P.  cinereus  the  outer  three  or  four  on  each  side  show  more 
or  less  white,  the  outermost  being  wbolly  of  that  colour.  I 
append  a  diagnosis  and  comparative  measurements  : — 

Pakus  cinerascens,  sp.  n.      (Plate  IV.) 

P.  cinereo  consobrinus ;  capite,  collo,  pectore,  linea  abdo- 
minali  media,  crisso,  cruribus,  tectricibus  caudre  supe- 
rioribus  nigerrimis ;  capite,  collo  et  pectore  aliquid 
nitentibus  ;  macula  postoculari  alba ;  dorso  cseruleo- 
plumbeo  ;  alis  nigrescentibus  ;  lateribus  abdominis 
cinnamomeo-albidis,  crura  versus  magis  ciuereis  ;  cauda 
nigresccnti ;  rectricibus  duabus  externis  albis,  nigro 
interius  strictim  niarginatis  ;  rostro  pedibusquc  (de- 
siccatis)  nigris. 


li)is.l885.Pl.IV. 


J.G-.KeuIemans  lith. 


PARUS    CINERASCENS 


Hanliart  imp . 


two  new  Birds  from  Borneo.  123 

P.  cinerascens.  P.  cinereus, 

poll.  Angl.  poll,  Angl. 

Long,  tota 4-80  5-0 

Culminis O-So  0-45 

Alifi 2'65  2-5-2-6 

Caudae     2  03  2-3 

Tarsi    0-65  0-7-0-75 

It  is  somewhat  singular,  considering  the  extended  range  of 
P.  cinereus,  that  this  smaller  bird,  with  a  comparatively  longer 
wing,  should  not  have  been  heard  of  before. 

Wing-formula  of  Parus  cinerascens  : — First  primary  half 
the  length  of  second ;  second  much  shorter  than  third  and 
equal  to  ninth  ;  third  and  fourth  longest,  subequal,  the  third 
the  merest  shade  the  shortest ;  the  rest  gradually  decreasing. 

The  single  specimen  in  my  possession  was  obtained  by 
Mr.  Harvey  in  the  Bungal  Hills  near  Sarawak, 

The  Myiophoneus  above  mentioned  is  an  immature  speci- 
men, though  with  tolerably  well-developed  wings  and  tail, 
and  therefore  is  hardly  worth  full  description.  It  would 
have  been  expected  to  resemble  more  or  less  closely  the 
rare  Sumatran  species  M.  [Arrenga)  melanurus,  Salvad. ;  but 
the  points  of  resemblance  seem  to  lie  in  the  black  colour,  in 
the  whitish  centres  to  the  flank-feathers,  which  are  only 
seen  M'hen  the  feathers  are  ruffled  (and  in  which  it  resem- 
bles most,  if  not  all,  other  known  species),  and  in  a  faint 
purplish  gloss  upon  the  feathers  of  the  shoulders  and  lesser 
wing-coverts,  much  like  that  in  the  Purple  Sandpiper.  There 
is  no  trace  of  the  reddish  or  chestnut  colour  of  the  axillaries, 
abdomen,  and  tail  of  M.  melanurus,  which  is  described  as 
appearing  distinctly  in  the  young  bird  as  well  as  the  old.  In 
addition,  the  feathers  of  the  throat,  sides  of  the  neck,  and 
breast  are  marked  with  whitish  central  stripes,  in  which  it 
appears  also  to  differ  from  the  Sumatran  form.  Lastly,  as 
will  be  seen  below,  comparing  it  with  the  largest  described 
Sumatran  specimen,  an  adult  female,  it  is  a  somewhat  larger 
bird.  Briefly  it  may  be  described  as  sooty  brown  in  colour, 
with  whitish  stripes  on  the  throat,  breast,  and  sides  of  neck  ; 
the  under  wing-coverts  white,  edged  with  sooty  black,  and, 

K  2 


12i      Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swiulioe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

as  before   mentioned,  whitish  centres  to  the  feathers  on  the 
flank  ;   bill  and  feet  black. 

Sumatran  bird,  $  ad.         Bornean  do.,  juv. 

Length 9-50  990 

Culmen    0-90  0-9o 

Wing 4-75  5-30 

Tail 3-o0  3-40 

Tarsus 1'70  l-7o 

For  these  reasons,  I  venture  to  predict  that  further  speci- 
mens will  prove  it  to  be  distinct,  and  I  propose  to  call  it 
Myiophoneiis  borneensis.  This  bird  was  obtained  by  Mr. 
Harvey  in  the  Bungal  Hills  near  Sarawak. 

I  here  acknowledge  having  received  Mr.  R.  Bowdler 
Sharpe's  valuable  opinion  upon  both  these  birds,  and  also 
his  kindness  in  placing  the  Musevim  specimens  at  my  service 
for  purposes  of  comparison. 


XIL — On  the  Birds  of  Central  India. — Part  IL 
By  Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  Henry  Barnes. 

[Concluded  from  page  69.] 

93.  CopsYCHUs  sAULARis,  Liuu. 

^  .  Length  8*25  inches,  expanse  11*5,  wing  3'75,  tail  3"8, 
tarsus  1,  bill  at  gape  1,  bill  at  front  '63. 

The  Magpie  Robin  is  common,  and  is  a  permanent  resident, 
breeding  during  May  and  June.  The  young  can  easily  be 
reared  by  keeping  the  cage  containing  them  in  a  place  acces- 
sible to  the  parent  birds,  care  being  taken  to  remove  them 
as  soon  as  they  are  able  to  feed  themselves. 

94.  Thamnobia  cambaiensis.  Lath. 

The  Brown-backed  Indian  Robin  is  very  common,  and  is 
a  permanent  resident,  breeding  from  March  to  July. 

95.  Pratincola  caprata,  Linn. 

The  White-winged  Black  Robin  is  common,  and  is  a  per- 
manent resident. 

96.  Pratincola  ixdica,  Blyth. 

The  Indian    Bush- Chat  is  common  in  the  cold  weather. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  125 

The  first  seen  was  on  the  21st  September,  and  later  on  they 
became  very  common. 

97.  Saxicola  opistholeuca,  Strickl. 

The  Indian  White-tailed  Stonechat  is  not  uncommon 
during  the  cold  season. 

98.  Saxicola  isabellina,  RLipp. 

$  .  Length  6*3  inches,  expanse  10"8,  wing  3"G,  tail  2-5, 
tarsus  "96,  bill  at  gape  '75,  bill  at  front  "5, 

The  Tawny  Wheatear  is  by  no  means  uncommon,  and  is 
frequently  seen  in  similar  places  to  the  next. 

99.  Saxicola  deserti,  Riipp. 

?  .  Length  6'5  inches,  expanse  10*75,  Aving  3*8,  tail  2'6, 
tarsus  1,  bill  at  front  '5. 

The  Black-throated  Wheatear  is  common  during  the  winter 
months,  frequenting  open  plains. 

100.  Cercomela  fusca. 

?  ,  Length  6*52  inches,  expanse  10*4,  wing  3'4,  tail  2' 75, 
tarsus  1,  bill  at  gape  "8,  bill  at  front  •51. 

The  Brown  Rock-Chat  is  very  common,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident.  It  commences  to  breed  about  the  latter  end  of 
March,  choosing  a  variety  of  very  different  situations  for  its 
nest — a  loose  tile  on  a  roof,  or  space  between  the  beams  and 
rafters,  a  hole  in  a  bank  or  even  in  a  well,  a  niche  in  a  stone 
wall,  all  provide  sites  for  this  very  easily  accommodated  bird. 

101.  Ruticilla  RUFivENTRis,  Vicill. 

$  .  Length  6*25  inches,  expanse  9"75,  wing  3'5,  tail  2'25, 
tarsus  1,  bill  at  gape  "78,  bill  at  front  •41. 

The  Indian  Redstart  is  very  common  during  the  cold 
season ;  it  commences  to  assume  the  breeding-plumage  before 
leaving  us. 

102.  Cyanecula  suecica,  Linn. 

The  Bluethroat  is  not  common ;  it  frequents  the  rank 
vegetation  on  river-banks  and  margins  of  lakes. 

103.  Acrocephalus  stentoreus,  Hempr. 

The  Large  Reed-Warbler  is  a  winter  visitant  only. 


126      Lieut.-Col.  C.  Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

lOi.    SUTOKIA  SUTORIA   (Forst.), 

The  Tailor-bird  is  very  common^  aud  is  a  permanent  resi- 
dent.    Its  nest  is  so  well  known  that  description  is  needless. 

105.  BURNESIA  SOCIALIS  STEWARTI    (Sykcs). 

Stewart^s  Wren-Warblcr  is  very  common,  and  is  a  perma- 
nent resident. 

106.  Prinia  inornata,  Sykes, 

The  Common  Wren- Warbler  is  very  generally  distributed. 
Its  eg'gs  are  most  beautiful. 

107.  Cisticola  buchanani  (Blyth). 

The  Rufous-frouted  Wren-Warbler  is  very  common,  and 
is  a  permanent  resident,  breeding  at  the  commencement  of 
the  monsoons. 

108.  Hypolais  RAMA,  Sykcs. 

Sykes^s  Warbler  is  not  uncommon  during  the  cold  season. 
We  have  not  noticed  it  during  the  hot  weather  nor  during 
the  monsoon  ;  and  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  not  a  permanent 
resident,  and  does  not  breed  here. 

109.  Phylloscopus  indicus,  Jerd. 

The  Olivaceous  Tree-Warbler  is  not  uncommon  during  the 
cold  season.  We  met  with  it  near  Mhow,  but  have  not 
noticed  it  at  Neemuch. 

110.  Sylvia  jerdoni,  Blyth. 

?  .  Length  6*8  inches,  expanse  9,  wing  3"2,  tail  2'75, 
tarsus  '88,  bill  at  gape  '9,  bill  at  front  '6. 

The  Large  Black-capped  Warbler  is  not  uncommon  during 
the  winter  months. 

111.  Sylvia  afpinis,  Blyth. 

The  Allied  Grey  Warl)ler  is  common  during  the  winter 
months.  We  are  of  opinion  that  this  biid  is  not  specifically 
distinct  from  the  Common  Whitethroat  of  England. 

112.  MoTAciLLA  maderaspatensis,  Giu. 

Length  8*75  inches,  expanse  11,  wing  4-1,  tail  4"1,  tarsus  1, 
bill  from  gape  '88,  bill  at  front  "5  L 

The  Pied  Wagtail   is  very  comnion,  and    is   a  ]>t;rmanent 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  1 27 

resident,  commencing  to  breed  quite  early  in  February,  and 
has  at  least  three  broods  during  the  year. 

113.  MoTACILLA  ALBA,   LinU. 

The  White  Wagtail  is  fairly  common. 

114.  MOTACILLA  PERSONATA,  Gould. 

The  Black-faced  Wagtail  is  not  uncommon. 

115.  MOTACILLA  MELANOPE,   Pall. 

The  Grey-and- Yellow  Wagtail  is  very  common  during  the 
cold  season. 

116.  MOTACILLA  CINEREOCAPILLA,   SaV. 

The  same  remark  applies  to  the  Indian  Field- Wagtail. 

117.  MOTACILLA  CITREOLA,  Pall. 

The  Yellow-headed  Wagtail  is  not  very  abundant. 

118.  Anthus  TRiviALis,  Hodgs. 

The  Tree-Pipit  is  a  winter  visitant  only,  at  which  season 
it  is  very  common. 

1  19.    CORYDALLA  RUFULA,  Vicill. 

The  Indian  Titlark  is  common  and  breeds  here. 

120.  Agrodroma  campestris,  Linn. 
The  Stone-Pipit  is  not  uncommon. 

121.  Agrodroma  jerdoni,  Finsch. 

Jerdon^s  Rock-Pipit  occurs  during  the  cold  season. 

122.  ZosTEROPS  PALPEBROSA,  Tcmm. 

The  White-eyed  Tit  is  very  common,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident,  breeding  about  June  and  July.  It  appears  to  be 
much  more  common  in  the  cold  weather  than  at  other  times. 

123.  Parus  nipalensis,  Hodgs. 

The  Indian  Grey  Tit  is  very  common ;  it  is  a  permanent 
resident. 

124.  MaCHLOLOPHUS  XANTHOGENi'S,  A^ig. 

The    Yellow-cheeked    Tit    is    common    in    well-wooded 

districts. 


128     Lievit.-Col.  C.  Swiulioe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

125.  CORONE  MACRORHYNCHA,  Wagl. 

Tlie  Indian  Crow  is  very  common  ;  it  associates  with  its 
congener  C.  spkndens,  and  breeds  during  March  and  April. 

126.  CoRONE  SPLENDENS,  ViciU. 

The  Ashy-necked  Crow  is  very  common,  and  breeds  during 
May  and  June. 

127.  Dendrocitta  rufa^  Scop. 

The  Indian  Tree-Pie  is  very  common ;  it  is  a  permanent 
resident,,  and  breeds  during  April. 

128.  Sturnus  vulgaris,  Linn. 

The  Starling  is  not  uncommon  during  the  cold  weather. 

129.  ACRIDOTHERES  TRISTIS,   LiuU. 

The  Myna  is  very  common,  and  is  a  permanent  resident, 
breeding  in  June. 

130.  ACRIDOTHERES  GINGINIANUS,   Lath. 

The  Bank-Myna,  although  not  uncommon,  is  very  locally 
distributed ;  it  is  a  permanent  resident,  breeding  during 
May. 

131.  Sturnia  pagodarum,  Gm. 

The  Black-headed  or  Brahminy  Myna  is  fairly  common, 
but  is  usually  seen  singly  or  in  pairs.  It  is  a  permanent 
resident  and  breeds  in  April  and  May. 

132.  Pastor  roseus,  Linn. 

The  Rose-coloured  Starling  is  very  common,  in  winter 
only. 

133.  Ploceus  PHiLippjNus,  Linn. 

The  Weaver-bird  is  a  very  common,  permanent  resident, 
breeding  during  the  monsoon. 

134.  Ploceus  manyar,  Horsf. 

The  Striated  Weaver-bird  is  not  so  common  as  the  last. 
It  breeds  during  the  monsoons,  among  the  reeds  at  the 
edges  of  tanks. 

135.  Ploceus  bengalensis,  Linn. 

The  Black-throated  Weaver-bird  is  rare:  only  one  speci- 
men secured. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  129 

136.  Amadina  malabarica,  LIdii. 

The  Plain  Brown  Munia  is  very  common,  and  is  a  perma- 
nent resident. 

137.  ESTRELDA  AMANDAVA,  Linn. 

The  Red  Waxbill  is  very  common  in  suitable  localities. 
It  is  a  permanent  resident. 

138.  EsTRELDA  FORMOSA,  Lath. 

The  Green  Waxbill,  although  not  observed  by  us,  must 
occur,  as  on  several  occasions  caged  birds  have  been  bought 
at  Mhow  from  local  bird-catchers  of  the  Wagree  caste. 

139.  Passer  domesticus,  Linn. 
The  House-Sparrow  is  very  common. 

140.  Gymnorhis  flavicollis,  Frankl. 

The  Yellow-throated  Sparrow  is  very  common,  and  is  a 
permanent  resident,  breeding  in  holes  in  trees,  walls,  &c. 

141.  EUSPIZA  MELANOCEPHALA,  Scop. 

The  Black-headed  Bunting  is  not  uncommon  during  the 
winter  months. 

142.  EuspizA  LUTEOLA,  Sparrm. 

The  Red-headed  Bunting  is  also  common  in  the  cold 
weather. 

143.  Melophus  melan icterus,  Gm. 

The  Crested  Black-and-Chestnut  Bunting  is  common  on 
the  hills,  but  does  not  appear  to  descend  to  the  plains. 

144.  Carpodacus  erythrinus,  Pall. 

The  Common  Rose-Finch  is  not  rare  during  the  winter 
months. 

145.  MiRAFKA   ERYXUROPTERA,   Jcrd. 

The  Red-winged  Bush-Lark  is  very  common,  and  com- 
mences to  breed  in  March.     The  nest  is  domed. 

146.  MiRAFRA  CANTILLANS,  Jcrd. 

The  Singing  Bush-Lark  is  not  uncommon, 

147.  Ammomanes  PHfENK  ura,  Erankl. 

The  Rufous-tailed  Finch-Lark  is  very  abundant,  and  breeds 


130     Lieut. -Col,  C.  Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barues  on 

during  April  and  May.  Jerdou^s  measurements  for  the  bill 
appear  incorrect.  The  average  length  of  some  score  of  spe- 
cimens is  'D,  whereas  he  gives  1  inch. 

148.  Pyrrhulauda  grisea,  Scop. 

The  Black-bellied  Finch-Lark  is  very  common,  and  appears 
to  breed  at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

149.  Calandrella  brachydactyla,  Leisl. 

The  Short-toed  or  Social  Lark  occurs  in  numerous  flocks 
during  the  cold  season. 

150.  Alauda  raytal,  Blyth. 

The  Indian  Sand-Lark  is  very  common. 

151.  Spizalauda  deva,  Sykes. 

The  Small  Crested  Lark  is  fairly  common  ;  it  is  a  perma- 
nent resident,  and  breeds  during  the  monsoon. 

152.  Alauda  gulgula,  Frankl. 

The  Indian  Sky-Lark  is  common,  and  breeds  during  April 
and  May. 

153.  Crocopus  chlorogaster,  Blyth. 
The  Southern  Green  Pigeon  is  common. 

154.  COLUMBA  INTERMEDIA,  Strickl. 

The  Blue  Rock -Pigeon  is  very  common,  breeding  freely 
in  all  the  old  wells  and  mosques  throughout  the  district ;  it 
does  not  seem  to  be  venerated  so  much  as  it  is  in  Rajputana 
proper. 

155.  TuRTUR  MEENA,  Sykcs. 

The  Rufous  Turtle-Dove  is  very  common  at  and  near 
Mhow. 

156.  TuRTUR  SENEGALENSIS,   Limi. 

The  Little  Brown  Dove  is  very  common. 

157.  TuRTUR  SURATENSIS,  GlU. 

The  Spotted  Dove  is  not  uncommon,  but  is  very  locally 
distributed.     It  breeds  during  September  and  October. 

158.  TuRTUR  RisoRius,  Liuu. 
The  Ring-Dove  is  verv  common. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  131 

159.  TuRTUR  TRANQUEBARicus,  Herm. 

The  Ruddy  Turtle-Dove  is  not  uncommon,  but  is  locally 
distributed. 

160.  PtEROCLES  ARENARIUS,  Pall. 

The  Large  Sand -Grouse,  or,  as  it  is  generally  called  by 
sportsmen,  the  "  Imperial  Grouse,'^  is  common  at  and  beyond 
Nusseerabad,  but  only  occurs  in  the  vicinity  of  Neemuch  as 
a  rare  straggler. 

161.  Pterocles  fasciatus,  Scop. 

The  Painted  Sand-Grouse  is  common,  but  very  local. 

162.  Pterocles  exustus,  Temm. 

The  Common  Sand-Grouse,  as  its  name  implies,  is  exces- 
sively common,  and  breeds  apparently  all  the  year  round. 

163.  Pavo  cristatus,  Linn. 

Peafowl  are  common,  but  only  in  a  semi-domesticated 
state,  in  and  near  villages. 

164.  Gallus  sonnerati,  Temm. 

The  Grey.  Juugle-fowl  is  not  uncommon  in  bamboo- 
jungle  on  the  principal  hill-sides. 

165.  Galloperdix  spadiceus,  Gm. 

The  above  remark  applies  also  to  the  Red  Spur-fowl. 

166.  Francolinus  pictus,  Jard.  &  Selb. 

The  Painted  Partridge  is  common,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident. 

167.  Ortygornis  pondiceriana,  Gm. 

The  Indian  Grey  Partridge  is  very  common, 

168.  Perdicula  asiatica.  Lath. 

The  Jungle  Bush-Quail  is  common  in  suitable  localities. 

169.  Perdicula  argoondah,  Sykes. 
The  Rock  Bush-Quail  is  very  common. 

170.  COTURNIX  COMMUNIS,  BoUU. 

The  Large  Grey  Quail  is  very  common  during  the  cold 
season. 


132     Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swiiilioe  and  Lieut.  IL  Barnes  on 

\7\.    COTURNIX  COKOMANDELICA,   Gill. 

The  Black-breasted  or  Rain-Quail  is  very  abundant ;  it 
is  a  permanent  resident^  and  breeds  after  the  rains. 

172.  TuRNix  TAiGOOR,  Sykcs. 

The  Black-breasted  Bustard-Quail  is  not  uncomraon. 

173.  TuRNix  jouDERA^  Hodgs. 

The  Larger  Button-Quail  is  far  from  common. 

174.  TuRNix  nussuMiERi,  Temm. 
The  Button-Quail  is  rare. 

175.  Sypheotis  aurita,  Lath. 

The  "  Leek  "  is  common  during  the  rains,  at  which  sea.son 
it  breeds  ;  but  some  of  them  remain  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Mhow  throughout  the  year. 

176.  CuRSORIUS  COROMANDELICUS,  Gm. 

The  Indian  Courier-Plover  is  common ;  it  is  a  permanent 
resident,  breeding  during  April. 

177.  Charadrius  fulvus,  Gm. 

The  Asiatic  Golden  Plover  is  very  common  during  the 
cold  weather. 

178.  a-EoiALiTis  CANTIANA,  Lath. 

The  Kentish  Ringed  Plover  is  common  during  the  cold 
weather. 

179.  ^GIALITIS  DUBIA,  ScOp. 

The  Indian  Ringed  Plover  is  common. 

180.  tEgIALITIS  MINUTA,  Pall. 

The  Lesser  Ringed  Plover  is  common ;  it  is  a  permanent 
resident,  and  breeds  during  the  latter  end  of  March  and 
April. 

181.  Chettusia  viLLoivEi,  Audouiu. 

The  White-tailed  Lapwing  is  rare ;  a  single  pair  only 
were  procured  at  Kerbulla,  about  two  miles  from  Neemuch. 

182.  Chettusia  cinerea,  Blyth. 

The  Grey-headed  Lapwing  is  rare,  and  was  only  obtained 
at  Depalpore  in  January  1882. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  133 

183.  LOBIVANELLUS  INDICUS^  Boclcl. 

The  Red-wattled  Lapwing  is  very  common,  breeding  from 
April  to  June. 

184.  LoBIPLUVIA  MALABARICA,  Bodd. 

The  Yellow- wattled  Lapwing  is  very  common,  assembling 
in  vast  flocks  on  the  plains  during  the  cold  season ;  but 
about  March  they  break  up  into  pairs,  and  commence 
breeding  soon  after. 

185.  HoPLOPTERUS  VENTRALIS,   CuV. 

The  Spur-winged  LapAving  is  rare. 

186.  ESACUS  RECURVIROSTRIS,  CuV. 

The  Large  Stone-Plover  is  not  uncommon  on  the  bed  of 
the  Retam  River,  and  must  occur  on  the  Nerbudda  and 
Chambal  rivers. 

187.  GEdicnemus  scolopax,  S.  G.  Gm. 
The  Indian  Stone-Plover  is  very  common. 

188.  Gttus  ANTIGONE,  Liuu. 

The  Sarus  is  exceedingly  common,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident,  breeding  during  the  rains. 

189.  Gallinago  stenura,  Kuhl. 

The  Pintail  Snipe  is  very  abundant  during  the  cold 
weather. 

190.  Gallinago  gallinaria,  Gm. 

The  Fantail  Snipe  is  still  more  common. 

191.  Gallinago  gallinula,  Linn. 
The  Jack  Snipe  is  not  uncommon. 

192.  Rhynch^a  bengalensis,  Linn. 

The  Painted  Snipe  is  common,  and  'breeds  during  May, 
June,  and  July.     Not  observed  during  the  cold  weather. 

193.  LiMosA  iEGOCEPHALA,  Linn, 

The  small  Godwit  occurs  at  the  Depalpore  and  other  large 
lakes  in  the  cold  weather.  It  is  a  most  excellent  bird  for 
the  table. 


184      Lieut.-Col.  C.  Swiiihoe  and  Lieut.  II.  Barnes  on 

194.  NUMENIUS  LTNEATUS^  Cuv.       [?N.  ARQUATUS.] 

The  Curlew  is  rare,  once  seen  at  Gnngrar  near  ('liitoi-. 

195.  Machetes  pugnax,  Linn. 

The  Ruff  is  not  common,  and  only  occurs  during  the  cold 
season. 

196.  Tringa  minuta,  Leisl. 

The  Little  Stint  is  common  in  the  winter. 

197.  RHYACOPniLUs  glareola,  Linn. 

The  Spotted  Sandpiper  only  occurs  as  a  winter  visitant. 

198.  ToTANUs  ocHROPUs,  Liuu . 

The  Green  Sandpiper  is  also  common  during  the  winter. 

199.  Tringoides  hypoleucos,  Linn. 

The  Common  Sandpiper  is  not  uncommon.  A  few  appa- 
rently remain  to  breed,  as  occasionally  they  are  met  with 
throughout  the  hot  season. 

200.  ToTANUs  GLOTTIS,  Liuu. 

The  Greenshank  is  common  during  the  cold  season. 

201.  ToTANUS  STAGNATILIS,  BecllSt. 

The  Marsh-Sandpiper  occurs  dui'ing  the  cold  season. 

202.  ToTANus  Fuscus,  Linn. 

The  Spotted  Redshank  is  a  common  cold- weather  visitant. 

203.  ToTANus  CALiDRis,  Liuu. 

The  Redshank  is  another  very  common  but  local  visitant. 

201.     HiMAXTOPUS  CANUIDUS,  BoUU. 

The  Stilt-Plovcr  is  common,  but  does  not  remain  to  breed. 

205.  Recurvirostra  avocetta,  Bonn. 

The  Avocet  is  very  rare,  a  single  specimen  only  having 
been  obtained  at  Gungrar. 

206.  Parra  indica,  Lath. 

The  Bronze- winged  Jacana  is  common  on  the  larger  tanks  ; 
it  is  a  permanent  resident  and  breeds  here. 

207.  HynROPHAsiANus  chirurgus,  Scop. 

The  Pheasant-tailrd  Jacana  is  abundant,  and  is  a  j)ei'ma- 
nent  resident,  i)rceding  during  the  rains. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  135 

208.  PORPHYRIO  POLIOCEPHALITS,  Lath. 

The  Purple  Coot  is  a  common  permanent  resident^  breeding 
at  the  end  of  the  monsoons. 

209.  FuLiCA  ATRA,  Linn. 

The  Bald  Coot  is  very  common. 

210.  Gallinula  chloropus,  Linn. 

The  Water-Hen  is  very  common^  breeding  during  and  just 
after  the  rains. 

211.  PoRZANA   AKOOL,    SykcS. 

The  Brown  Rail  is  not  uncommon ;  it  is  a  permanent  resi- 
dent^ breeding  in  August. 

212.  PoRZANA  BAILLONIj  Vicill. 

The  Pigmy  Rail  is  common. 

213.  Rallus  indicus,  Blyth. 

The  Indian  Water-Rail  is  not  very  common,  but  occurs  in 
most  of  the  larger  tanks. 

214.  Leptoptilus  argala,  Lath. 

The  Adjutant  is  very  common  during  the  rains. 

215.  Leptoptilus  javanicus,  Horsf. 
The  Hair- crested  Stork  is  rare, 

216.  Xenorhynchus  asiaticus,  Lath. 
The  Black -necked  Stork  is  common. 

217.  CicoNiA  NIGRA,  Lath. 

The  Black  Stork  is  rare ;  it  was  seen  once  only,  but  was 
not  secured. 

218.  DissuRA  EPiscoPus,  Bodd. 
Occurs  sparingly  throughout  the  district. 

219.  ArDEA  CINEREA,  Liiiu. 

The  Blue  Heron  is  common. 

220.  Ardea  purpurea,  Linn. 

The  Purple  Heron  is  also  abundant. 

221.  PIerodias  torra,  Buch. 

The  Large  Egret  is  not  uncommon. 


136     Lieut. -Col.  C.  Swiuhoe  and  Lieut.  H.  Barnes  on 

222.  Herodias  intermedia^  Hass. 
The  Smaller  Egret  is  common. 

223.  Herodias  garzetta,  Linn. 
The  Little  Egret  is  also  common. 

224.  BUBULCUS  COROMANDUS,  Boflcl. 

The  Cattle-Egret  is  very  common. 

225.  Ardeola  grayii,  Sykes. 

Tlie  Pond-Heron  is  common,  and  breeds  during  April  and 
May. 

226.  Butorides  javanica,  Horsf. 

The  Little  Green  Bittern  is  common,  but  often  escapes 
notice,  owing  to  its  crepuscular  habits. 

227.  Nycticorax  griseus,  Linn. 
The  Night- Heron  is  common. 

228.  Tantalus  lkucocephalus,  Forst. 

The  Pelican  Ibis  is  very  common,  and  breeds  in  colonies 
about  the  end  of  March.  There  is  a  colony  at  Hir,  about 
ten  miles  from  Neemuch.  It  is  often  called  the  Painted 
Adjutant. 

229.  Platalea  leucorodia,  Linn. 
The  Spoonbill  is  very  common. 

230.  Anastomus  oscitans,  Bodd. 
The  Sliell-Ibis  is  not  very  common. 

23L  Ibis  melanocephalus,  Lath. 
The  White  Ibis  is  not  common, 

232.  Inocotis  papillosus,  Temm. 
The  Wart-headed  Ibis  is  abundant. 

233.  Falcinellus  igneus,  S.  G.  Gm. 
The  Glossy  Ibis  is  not  very  common. 

234.  Anser  cinereus,  Mey. 

The  Grey-Lag  Goose  is  very  abundant  on  the  larger  tanks. 

235.  Sarcidiornis  melanonotus,  Peun. 

The  Muktah  or  Black-backed  Goose  is  common,  and  is  a 
permanent  resident. 


the  Birds  of  Central  India.  137 

236.  Nettapus  coromandelianus,  Gm. 

Length  13'3  inches,  wing  6"5,  tail  2"74,  bill  at  front  "1^ 
tarsus  "1. 

The  White-bodied  Goose  Teal  is  common  at  Jeernn,  near 
Neemuch,  and  on  most  of  the  larger  tanks.  It  is  a  perma- 
nent resident. 

237.  Dendrocygna  javanica,  Horsf. 

The  Whistling  Teal  is  very  common,  and  is  a  permanent 
resident. 

238.  Tadorna  casarca.  Pall. 

The  Ruddy  Sheldrake,  or  Brahminy  Duck,  is  very  common. 

239.  Spatula  clypeata,  Linn. 

The  Shoveller  is  excessively  abundant. 

240.  Anas  boschas,  Linn. 

The  Mallard  is,  except  perhaps  the  Wigeon,  the  least 
numerous  of  all  the  ducks  that  frequent  the  district  in  the 
cold  weather. 

241.  Anas  poecilorhyncha,  Forst. 

The  Spotted-billed  Duck  is  very  common,  and  is  a  perma- 
nent resident. 

242.  Anas  caryophyllacea.  Lath. 

The  Pink-headed  Duck  is  very  plentiful  in  Lake  Depal- 
pore  during  the  winter  months. 

243.  Chaulelasmus  streperus,  Linn. 
The  Gadwall  is  very  abundant. 

244.  Dafila  acuta,  Linn. 
The  Pintail  is  very  common. 

245.  Mareca  PENELOPE,  Liuu. 
The  Wigeon  is  uncommon. 

246.  QUERQUEDULA  CRECCA,   LiuU. 

The  Teal  is  excessively  abundant. 

247.  QuERQUEDULA  ciRciA,  Liun. 

The  Garganey  is  another  very  common  species. 

SER.  V. VOL.   III.  L 


]88  Mr.  J.  IT.  Guniey  on 

248.  FULIGULA  FERINA,   Lillll. 

The  Pochard  is  not  very  common. 

249.  Nyroca  ferruginea,  Gmel. 

The  White-eyed  Pochard  is  very  common. 

250.  FuLiGULA  CRisTATA,  Leach. 

Tiie  Crested  Pochard  occurs  in  small  numbers  on  all  the 
tanks. 

251.  PoDicEPS  MINOR,  Gmcl. 

The  Little  Grebe  is  abundant  on  all  the  tanks,  even  on 
those  which  dry  up  during  the  hot  season.  They  breed  at 
the  end  of  the  rains. 

252.  Sterna  seena,  Sykes. 

The  Large  River-Tern  is  not  uncommon. 

253.  Sterna  melanogaster,  Temm. 
The  Black-bellied  Tern  is  common. 

254.  Phalacrocorax  fuscicollis,  Steph. 
The  Lesser  Coi^morant  is  not  very  common. 

255.  PlIALACROCORAX   PYGMiEUS,   Pall. 

The  Little  Cormorant  is  by  no  means  abundant,  and 
appears  to  be  very  locally  distributed. 

256.  PlOTUS  MELANOGASTER,  PCUU. 

The  Indian  Snake-bird  is  common,  and  is  ver}^  generally 
distributed  over  the  whole  district. 


XIII. — Notes  on  some  Eastern  Owls. 

By  J.  n.  GURNEY. 

In  the  interesting  paper  on  the  Birds  of  New  Guinea  con- 
tributed by  Mr.  Sharpe  to  the  Journal  of  the  Linnean 
Society  (Zoology),  vol.  xvii.  (referred  to  in  the  present 
vol.  of  'The  Ibis,^  p.  115),  the  author  remarks  (p.  407),  under 
the  head  of  Ninox  tJieomacha,  "  until  contrary  evidence  is 
adduced,  I  shall  consider  N.  theomacha  is  the  male  and 
N.  yoldiei  the  female  of  the  same  species  "  I  am  desirous  of 
submitting  three  items  of  "  contrary  evidence "  which  lead 


some  Eastern  Owls.  I39 

me  to  hold  that  these  two  species  are  certainly  distinct  from 
each  other. 

1st.  In  'The  Ibis/  1884,  p.  171,  I  gave  the  measurements 
of  two  males  and  one  female  of  N'mox  theomacha,  these  speci- 
mens having  all  been  sexed  by  the  collector,  Mr.  Bruijn, 
whose  accuracy  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt. 

2nd.  In  'The  Ibis/  1883,  p.  170,  I  gave  the  corresponding 
measurements  of  three  specimens  of  Ninox  goldiei,  and  my 
reasons  for  believing  that  these  three  birds  consisted  of  two 
males  and  one  female. 

3rd.  So  far  as  I  am  aware,  N.  goldiei  has  only  been  met 
with  in  South-eastern  New  Guinea,  whereas  N.  theomacha 
not  only  occurs  in  that  locality  but  also  in  Northern  New 
Guinea  and  in  the  islands  of  Jobie,  Misol,  and  Waigiou. 

I  wish  to  take   this  opportunity  of  also  referring  to  the 
geographical  distribution  of  a  nearly  allied  but  more  southern 
species,  Ninox  maculata.     Mr.  Sharpe,  in  his  '  Catalogue  of 
Striges/  gives    the  habitat  of  this  Owl   (p.   175)    as  "  Van 
Diemen's   Land^^   only;  Mr.   Gould,  however,  in   both  his 
works  on  the  Birds  of  Australia,  states  that  the  species  "also 
inhabits    South    Australia   and    New     South    Wales,    but 
in  far  less  immbers  "  than  in  Tasmania.     I  am  now  desir- 
ous of  recording  its  existence  in  another  locality.     A  speci- 
men from   Norfolk   Island   has   for  many  years   past  been 
preserved  in  the  Norwich  Museum ;  and  I  have  lately  seen 
a  second  Norfolk-Island  example,  sent  direct  to  my  friend 
Mr.   Crowfoot,  of  Beccles,  to   whose  kindness  I  have  been 
indebted  for    an    opportunity  of  examining    it.     The   label 
attached  to  this  specimen  bore  the  name  of  "  More-pork,-*^ 
which   may  perhaps  indicate   that  the   cry  of   this  species 
resembles  that  of  Ninox  nov<2-zealandi(E,  to  which  this  name 
has,  on  account  of  its  cry,  been  given  in  New  Zealand.     Mr. 
Crowfoot^s   correspondent  in  Norfolk    Island  informs   him 
that  he  has  not  met  with  the   nest  of  this  species  in  that 
island. 

The  following  particulars  may  be  worthy  of  being  here 
recorded  respecting  that  rare  little  Ceylonese  Owl  Scops 
miniitus.     My  friend  Mr.  Samuel  Bligh,  of  Catton,  Ceylon,  m 

l2 


l-IO  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

sending  me  one  of  these  Owls  as  a  donation  to  the  Norwich 
Museum,  remarks  that  before  the  bird  was  skimied,  the  wings, 
when  carefully  closed,  extended  ^q  of  an  inch  beyond  the 
tail,  whereas  in  the  otherwise  excellent  figure  of  this  species 
in  Legge^s  *  Birds  of  Ceylon,^  the  tail  is  represented  as  extend- 
ing beyond  the  wings.  I  may  add  that  the  coloration  of 
that  figure  agrees  admirably  with  the  specimen  (a  female) 
now  sent;  but  another  skin  previously  obtained  by  Mr. 
Bligh  in  the  same  locality,  and  also  preserved  in  the  Norwich 
Museum,  is  in  the  rufous  phase,  the  rufous  tints  of  its 
plumage  being  very  rich  and  bright. 


XIV. — Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  X.      On  the  Genus 
Thriponax.     By  Edward  Hargitt,  F.Z.S. 

In  pursuance  of  my  studies  of  the  genera  of  Woodpeckers,  I 
have  recently  worked  out  the  species  of  the  genus  Thripo- 
nax, which  embraces  eight  birds  of  large  size,  bearing  some 
resemblance  to  the  Great  Black  Woodpecker  of  Europe, 
Dryocopits  martins.  In  these  short  essays  Avhich  I  send  from 
time  to  tiine  to  '  The  Ibis,'  I  have  tried  to  remodel  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  species  of  Woodpeckers  rather  than  to  attempt  a 
discussion  of  the  characters  of  the  various  genera ;  and  it  may 
be  that  when  I  come  to  consider  the  latter  portion  of  the 
subject  in  its  entirety,  I  may  have  to  make  some  alterations 
in  the  generic  nomenclature  employed.  Considering  there- 
fore, for  the  present,  that  Dryocojms  and  Thriponax  can  be 
generically  separated  from  each  other,  on  account  of  the 
dense  feathering  of  the  tarsus  in  the  former  genus,  it  follows 
that  Dryocopus  richardsi  of  Tristram,  from  the  island  of 
Tzus  Sima,  is  a  Thriponax  ;  and  this  is  certainly  one  of  the 
most  interesting  points  determined  in  the  present  paper,  as 
the  locality  lies  so  far  outside  the  hitherto  supjjosed  range  of 
the  genus,  which  is  almost  characteristically  Indian,  as  op- 
posed to  Dryocopus,  which  is  esrentially  a  Pal<earctic  genus. 
I  am  now  able  to  recognize  eight  species  of  Thriponax,  an 
increase  of  six  upon  the  number  enumerated  by  Malherbe  in 


of  the  Genus  Thriponax.  141 

his  Monograph.  Cabanis  and  Heine^  in  the  '  Museum 
Heineanum/  admit  four  species — T.  javensis  [leucogaster  of 
Malherbe)^  T.  hodgsoni,  T.jerdoni,  and  T.  hodgei.  Sundevall, 
in  his  '  Conspectus  Avium  Picinarum/  follows  tlie  conclu- 
sions of  the  above-named  authors.  T.jerdoni  of  Cabanis  and 
Heine  is  T.  feddeni  (Blanford).  Both  descriptions  were 
published  in  1863,  bat  Blanford's  name  has  always  been  held 
to  have  priority.  Plcus  crawfurdl  of  Gray  also  belongs  to 
the  genus  Thriponax,  but  has  been  omitted  by  all  the  above- 
mentioned  writers;  its  validity  has  been  discussed  by  me 
below. 

My  thanks  are,  as  usual,  due  to  Dr.  Giinther  and 
Mr.  Sharpe  for  the  facilities  for  study  afforded  me  at  the 
Natural  History  Museum,  and  also  to  Captain  Wardlaw 
Ramsay  for  the  loan  of  his  series  of  Philippine  specimens, 
some  of  which  are  not  represented  in  any  other  collection. 

Key  to  the  Species. 

a.  With  red  on  the  head. 

«\  With  no  white  on  the  rump. 

a'-.  Chin,  throat,  and  under  surface  of  the  body 

black hodgei. 

b~.  Chin,  throat,  and  under  surface  of  the  body 
buffy  white,  the  chin  and  throat  striped, 
and  the  chest  transversely  vaiied  with  black    pectoralis. 

c^.  Chest  and  upper  breast  black;   a  red  malar 

patch javensis. 

d^.  "  Breast  having  a  luuulate  patch  of  slate-colour, 

with  small  dark  waves ;  no  red  malar  patch  "     crawfurdi. 
b^.  With  white  rump. 

e^.  Lower  half  of  abdomen  and  the  vent  black, 
the  wliite  on  the  underparts  confined  to 
the  sides  of  the  body  and  a  narrow  band 
across  the  upper  part  of  the  abdomen   ....     hodgsoni. 

f^.  Lower  breast,  entire  abdomen,  and  vent  bufl'y 
white ;  primaries  white  at  the  base  for  a 
third  or  more  of  their  length feddeni. 

g^.  Underparts  as  in  T.  feddeni,  primaries  entirely 

black hargitti. 


143  ^Ir.  JC.  Hiu-gitt  on  the  Ji'oodpeckers 

b.  Witli  no  red  on  the  head  of  l'eiu:do  v^male  unknown  "V 
M^^st  of  the  primaries'  tipped  with  white,  and  tlie 
white  upon  both  the  upper  and  under  parts  more 
extended  than  in  T.  A'.v?<;>'-,>.'if".  hut  otiierwiso  resem- 
blinar  it    richardsi. 

1.    TlIRlPOXAX  H01>GEI. 

Miilleripicus  /iod(/ti,  Blytli,  J.  A.  S.  B.  18(i0.  p.  105  ;  Jeni. 
B.  lud.  i.  p.  .085  (^IStVe^,  ;  Beavaii,  Ibis,  1867,  pp.  o20,  334: 
Ball,  J.  A.  S.  B.  xxxix.  pr.  .0,  p.  511  (1870)  ;  id.  op.  cit.  xli. 
pt.  3,  p.  .079  (187.0):  id.  Str.  F.  1873,  p.  63. 

T/irijJonoi'  hodpei.  Cab.  &:  Heine,  Mas.  Heiii.  iv.  p.  106 
(1863):  T^'aid.  ibis,  1873,  p.  301  :  Hume,  Str.  F.  1874, 
p.  189,  1879,  p.  87. 

Pictts  hod(fei,  Sunder.  Cousp.  Av,  Pieiu.  p.  9  ^1^66)  : 
Giebel,  Thes!  Oru.  p.  159  (1876). 

Hemilophus  hodffei.  Gray,  List  Fioid.  Brir.  ^Tus.  p.  86 
{1868\ 

Canipethera  hodgei.  Gray,  Haud-1.  B.  ii.  p.  19  i.  no.  8710 
(1870). 

Adult  male.  Foreiiead,  orowu,  aud  elongated  oeeipital  crest 
brigbt  scarlet ;  the  malar  stripe  also  scarlet,  bur  duller  in 
colour;  the  remainder  of  the  plumage  dull  black;  shafts 
of  quills  and  of  tail-feathers  black.  Total  length  15*0 
inches,  culmen  1"87,  wing  7":2,  tail  5"65,  tai-sus  1'3  :  toes 
(without  claws) — outer  anterior  0"95,  outer  posterior  0"85_, 
inner  anterior  0'7.'2,  inner  posterior  045. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the 
forehead  aud  crown  black,  the  occipital  cresfc  alone  being 
scarlet,  and  also  in  the  absence  of  the  red  malai*  patch,  the 
cheeks  being  black.  Total  length  150  inches,  culmen  1"75, 
wing  7'.0,  tail  5"4,  tarsus  12. 

Mr.  Hume  gives  the  soft  parts  of  this  species  as  follows  : — 
'•  Legs,  feet,  and  claws  blackish  plumbeous  ;  bill  black  in 
some  specimens,  but  not  in  all,  whitish  and  semitrausparent 
at  the  tip ;  irides  yellowish  white  to  pale  yellow." 

*  When  we  become  acquainted  with  the  male  of  T.  richard^-iy  it  mav 
be  necessary  to  remodel  the  present  key  tn  the  species. 


of  the  Genus  Thriponux.  143 

This  species  appears  to  be  confined  to  the  Andaman  Islands. 
Colonel  Tytler^  in  his  notes  made  at  Port  Blair  (Beavan,  Ibis^ 
1867,  p.  320),  obser\'es,  "This  noble  Woodpecker  is  not 
uncommon  on  the  mainland;  I  have  had  several  shot  and 
sent  to  me."  Mr.  V.  Ball  also  procured  it  in  the  same 
islands ;  and  Mr.  Hume  {'  Stray  Feathers/  1874,  p.  189)  says 
"this  species  appears  to  be  tolerably  common  throughout 
the  Andaman  group ;  the  total  length,  taken  from  the  fresh 
bird,  is  from  14"o  to  1. 5*7.5  in.^"  I  have  in  my  collection 
specimens  from  Port  Blair  iWimherley),  also  one  from  Mt. 
Harriet,  S.  Andamans  {IV.  Davison). 

2.  Thripoxax  pectokalis. 

Thriponux  pectoralis,  T^veedd.  P.  Z.  S.  1878,  pp  340,  379  ; 
Ptamsay,  Tweedd.  Mem.  p.  596,  &  App.  pp.  655,  670  (1881). 

Adult  male  (type  of  species) .  Back,  wings,  and  tail,  also 
their  coverts,  black,  the  extreme  base  of  the  inner  webs  of 
the  quills  white ;  shafts  of  quills  and  of  tail-feathers  black, 
those  of  the  latter  brown  at  the  base ;  a  concealed  patch  of 
white  on  the  rump,  the  feathers  being  tipped  with  black,  and 
having  a  marginal  spot  of  white  on  each  web,  these  feathers 
being  hidden  by  the  elongated  ones  of  the  lower  back  ;  nasal 
plumes  black,  the  extreme  base  buify  white  ;  forehead,  crown, 
occipital  and  nuchal  crest,  and  also  the  malar  patch,  scarlet, 
the  bases  of  the  feathers  of  the  forehead  and  crown  being 
dusky,  and  the  bases  of  the  crest-feathers  creamy  white  ; 
hind  neck  black,  a  few  of  the  feathers  haWng  red  tips;  lores 
and  orbital  region  black  ;  sides  of  the  face  and  neck,  chin, 
throat,  and  fore  neck  white,  each  feather  having  a  black  cen- 
tral stripe,  this  being  broader  on  the  feathers  of  the  neck ;  a 
few  of  the  feathers  of  the  throat  and  fore  neck  having  the 
extreme  tip  tinged  with  red ;  chest,  breast,  and  under  surface 
of  the  body  clear  pale  buff,  with  a  slight  tinge  of  yellow,  the 
feathers  of  the  chest  having  their  bases  and  centres  black 
and  partly  concealed,  those  of  the  upper  breast  having  a  par- 
tially hidden  broad  black  central  patch  on  their  basal  portion, 
on  the  lower  feathers  the  black  being  reduced  to  a  small 
longitudinal  spot  in  the  centre  and  quite  concealed;   thigh- 


l-t4  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

feathers  centred  with  black;  tibial  plumes  fulvous  white, 
with  black  bases  and  a  concealed  white  spot;  under  tail- 
coverts  black  ;  under  vviug-coverts  and  axillaries  fulvous 
white,  the  lower  coverts  being  sparingly  spotted  with  black ; 
edge  of  wing  black  :  "  upper  mandible  horay  black,  horny 
whitish  at  the  tip ;  lower  mandible  horny  black  on  the  basal 
third,  the  remaining  portion  yellowish'^  (in  skin).  Total 
length  16"5  inches,  culmen  1'9,  wing  7'9,  tail  G'65,  tarsus 
1'35  ;  toes  (without  claws) — outer  anterior  09,  outer  pos- 
terior 0"9,  inner  anterior  0*75,  inner  posterior  0'5. 

Young  male.  Resembles  the  adult  male,  but  differs  in  having 
the  chill,  throat,  fore  neck,  and  also  the  sides  of  the  face 
and  neck  (the  orbital  region  excepted)  dingy  white,  and  the 
black  striations  not  so  clearly  defined ;  the  feathers  of  the 
cheeks  dull  white,  with  diisky  bases,  a  few  assuming  their 
red  tips  ;  the  feathers  of  the  hind  neck  tipped  with  dingy 
white,  as  are  also  the  lower  scapulars  and  a  few  of  the  rump- 
feathers,  while  some  of  the  concealed  outer  feathers  of  the 
latter  region  are  becoming  pure  white,  with  a  dusky  black 
spot  at  the  tip ;  under  surface  of  the  body  less  tinged  with 
yellow  ;  under  wing-coverts  whiter. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the 
forehead  and  crown  black,  and  in  the  absence  of  the  red 
malar  patch,  the  cheeks  being,  like  the  rest  of  the  face,  white 
striped  with  black ;  the  feathers  of  the  throat  and  fore  neck 
without  a  trace  of  red  on  any  of  their  tips.  Total  length  16'5 
inches,  culmen  1"9,  wing  7*85,  tail  6"65,  tarsus  1*35. 

An  adult  male  from  the  island  of  Panaon  has  the  rump 
partly  white,  some  of  the  feathers  having  a  dusky  black 
central  stripe  at  the  tip,  others  having  the  tip  dusky  black, 
with  a  marginal  stripe-like  spot  of  white  on  each  web,  but 
the  greater  part  of  the  white  patch  on  the  rump  is  covered 
by  the  black  feathers  of  the  lower  back.  An  adult  female 
from  the  same  locality,  also  in  the  collection  of  Capt.  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  has  the  rump  considerably  damaged,  but  it  does  not 
show  any  indication  of  having  been  white.  It  is  scarcely 
probable  that  the  white  feathers  of  the  rump  are  exposed  iu 
life,  as  in  only  one  sj)ccimen  out  of  the  five  collected,  by  Mr. 


of  the  Genus  Thripouax.  145 

Everett  are  they  observed  without  removing  the  upper  black 
feathers,  and  the  skins  are  carefully  made  up.  It  would 
be  almost  impossible  for  Mr.  Everett,  with  his  experience,  to 
overlook  such  a  character,  or  that  it  should  be  lost  if  it  had 
existed.  In  the  female  bird  from  Panaon  many  of  the  feathers 
of  the  under  surface  of  the  body  have  a  large  central  stripe  or 
patch  of  black,  and  some  have  a  small  central  stripe,  more  or 
less  concealed  by  the  buff  tips  of  the  overlying  feathers. 

It  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  peculiar  phase  of  plumage 
exhibited  by  this  specimen,  which  appears  to  be  fully  adult, 
and  there  is  no  reason  for  imagining  the  stage  of  plumage  to 
be  intermediate  between  the  young  and  (what  1  take  to  be) 
the  full-plumaged  bird,  which  has  the  underparts  uniform. 
It  is,  most  likely,  nothing  more  than  an  abnormally  marked 
bird. 

This  species,  so  far  as  is  at  present  known,  is  confined  to 
the  islands  of  Leyte  and  Panaon,  of  the  Philippine  group. 
The  only  specimens  I  have  seen  are  those  sent  by  Mr.  Everett 
which  form  part  of  Capt.  Wardlaw  Ramsaj'^s  collection.  The 
types  are  from  S.  Leyte. 

3.  Thriponax  javensis. 

Picus  javensis,  Horsf.  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.  xiii.  p.  175 
(1822),  (^;  Steph.  Gen.  Zool.  xiv.  p.  159  (1826),  S ;  Vig. 
Mem.  Raffl.  p.  668   (1830);  Less.   Compl.  Buff.  ix.  p.  314 

(1837),  c?. 

Picus  leucogaster,  Valenc.  Diet.  Sc.  Nat.  xl.  p.  178  (1826), 

? ;  Wagl.  Syst.  Av.  Picus,  sp.  7,  ?   (1827) ;  id.  Isis,  1829, 

p.  509,  S  ;  Less.  Compl.  Buff.  ix.  p.  315  (1837) ;  Temm.  PI. 

Col.  iv.  pi.  501,  S  (1838);   Sundev.  Consp.  Av.   Picin.  p.  9 

(1866)  ;  Giebel,  Thes.  Oru.  p.  162  (1876). 

Picus  horsfieldii,  Wagl.  Syst.  Av.  Picus,  sp.  5,  (J  (1827). 

Dryocopus  javensis,  Boie,  Isis,  1828,  p.  326. 

Drijocopus  leucogaster,  Boie,  Isis,  1828,  p.  326. 

Picus  maximus  malayensis.  Bland,  J.  A.  S.  B,  vi.  p.  953 
(1837). 

Hemilophus  leucogaster.  Gray,  Gen.  B.  ii.  p.  439  (1846),  ?  . 

Hemilophus  javensis.  Gray,  Gen.  B.  ii.  p.  439  (1846),  J  ; 


146  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  IVoodpeckers 

Blyth,  Cat.  B.  Mus.  As.  Soc.  p.  55  (1849);  Bp.  Coiisp.  Gen. 
Av.  i.  p.  131  (1850) ;  id.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  7  (1854) ; 
Reichenb.  Handb.  Scans.  Picina,  p.  386.  no.  894,  pi.  dcxlv. 
figs.  4306,  4307,  c?  ?  (1854)  ;  Motley  &  Dillw.  Contr.  Nat. 
Hist.  Labuan,  p.  29  (1855);  Sclat.  P.  Z.  S.  1863,  p.  211; 
Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  85  (1868);  Brligg.  Abhandl. 
nat.  Ver.  Bremen,  1878,  p.  531. 

Drt/opicous  leucogaster,  Malb.  Mem.  Acad.  Metz,  1848-49, 
p.  322. 

Mulleripicus  javensis,  Horsf.  &  Moore,  Cat.  B.  Mus.  E.I. 
Co.  ii.  p.  652.  no.  946  (1856-58)  ;  Jerd.  B.  Ind.  i.  p.  285 
(1862). 

Dryopicus  leucogaster,  Malb.  Monogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  47,  pi.  xiii. 
figs.  4,  5,  c?  ?   (1861). 

Thriponax  javensis,  Cab.  &  Heine,  Mus.  Hein.  iv.  p.  105 
(1863);  Salvad.  Ucc.  Born.  p.  52  (1874);  Sbarpe,  P.  Z.  S. 
1875,  p.  103;  Hume,  Str.  F.  1875,  p.  319;  Tweedd.  Ibis, 
1877,  p.  288  ;  id.  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  pp.  689,  821 ;  Hume  & 
Davison,  Str.  P.  vi.  p.  135  (1878);  Hume,  op.  cit.  1879, 
pp.  52,  87;  Sbarpe,  Ibis,  1879,  p.  243;  Tweedd.  P.  Z.  S. 
1879,  p.  69 ;  Sbarpe,  torn.  cit.  p.  326  ;  Nicbolson,  Ibis,  1881, 
p.  141  ;  Kelbam,  tom.  cit.  p.  388;  Sbarpe,  P.  Z.  S.  1881, 
p.  792;  Miill.  Orn.  Ins.  Salanga,  p.  72  (1882);  Nicbolson, 
Ibis,  1882,  p.  54;  id.  op.  cit.  1883,  p.  89;  Gates,  B.  Brit. 
Burm.  ii.  p.  27  (1883)  ;  Kiitter,  J.  f.  O.  1883,  p.  295. 

Campether a  javensis,  Gray,  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  193.  no.  8707 
(1870). 

Adult  male.  Entire  back,  scapulars,  wings,  rump  and  up^^er 
tail-coverts,  tail,  likewise  tlie  sbafts  of  quills  and  of  tail- 
featbers,  black,  tbe  outermost  primaries  witb  only  a  spot  of 
wbite  at  tbe  extreme  base  of  tbe  inner  webs,  tbe  secondaries 
baving  tbeir  inner  webs  wbite  at  tbe  base  for  about  an  incb 
of  tbeir  lengtb ;  nasal  plumes  black  ;  forebead,  crown,  occi- 
pital crest,  and  broad  cbeek-patcb  crimson,  tbe  featbcrs  of 
tbe  forebead  and  crown  baving  greyisb  bases,  tbose  of  tbe 
occipital  crest  being  Avbite  at  tbe  extreme  base ;  face  and 
entire  neck,  cbin,  tbroat,  cbest,  and  breast  black,  under  and 
behind  tbe  ear-coverts,  also  tbcc  bin  and  upper  tbroat,  varied 


of  the  Genus  Tlmiionax.  147 

with  narrow  and  short  white  striations  ;  abdomen,  sides  of 
the  body,  flanks,  and  thighs  buify  white  or  pale  buff,  the 
thigh-feathers  having  a  broad  subterminal  black  band ;  vent 
and  under  tail-coverts  black  ;  outer  under  wing-coverts  black, 
the  inner  ones  bufFy  white ;  axillaries  bufi^y  white.  Total 
length  17"0  inches,  culmen  2'3,  wing  8'7,  tail  6"3,  tarsus 
1*3  ;  toes  (without  claws) — outer  anterior  1*05,  outer  pos- 
terior 0*95,  inner  anterior  0*78,  inner  posterior  0'52. 

Young  male.  Diflers  from  the  fully  adult  male  in  having 
the  feathers  of  the  forehead,  crown,  and  chest  more  of  a 
scarlet,  and  the  bases  of  those  of  the  forehead  and  crown 
dusky  black ;  the  feathers  of  the  malar  patch  dull  crimson 
at  the  tip  and  the  base  black ;  a  larger  amount  of  white 
behind  the  cheeks  and  ear- coverts  and  also  upon  the  chin 
and  throat,  the  chin  and  upper  throat  being  white,  striped 
with  dusky  black  ;  the  white  on  the  underparts  having  a 
slight  tinge  of  bnff";  the  secondary  quills  having  the  basal 
portion  of  the  inner  webs  white  for  about  an  inch  and  a  half 
of  their  length. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the 
forehead  and  crown  black,  the  occipital  crest  alone  being 
crimson.  Total  length  16'0  inches,  culmen  2'1,  wing  8' 75, 
tail  6-2,  tarsus  1-22. 

Mr.  Davison  gives  the  soft  parts  of  this  species  as  fol- 
lows : — "  Legs  and  feet  pale  plumbeous  to  leaden  blue ;  iris 
creamy  white,  creamy  yellow,  clear  yellow ;  orbital  skin 
very  dark  plumbeous;  bill  black,  lower  mandible  plumbe- 
ous blue  to  dusky  plumbeous. ^^ 

Specimens  from  various  localities  differ  in  size,  those  from 
the  Philip]3ines  having  the  wing  about  an  inch  shorter  than 
examples  from  Malacca,  Sumatra,  Java,  and  Borneo.  In 
the  birds  from  Luzon  which  have  come  under  my  notice  there 
is  a  greater  amount  of  white  on  the  feathers  of  the  chin  and 
throat,  as  well  as  behind  the  cheeks ;  and  the  feathers  of  the 
fore  neck  and  chest  have  not  the  slightest  trace  of  whitish 
margins,  such  as  are  found  in  specimens  from  the  above- 
mentioned  islands,  and  are  particularly  pronounced  in  an 
example  from  the  island  of  Negros,  collected  by  Mr.  Everett, 


148  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

and  now  in  the  British  Museum.  It  is  not  improbable  that 
in  the  islands  of  Luzon  and  Negros  specimens  will  be  met 
with  which  will  be  identical  with  the  typical  bird.  Luzon 
examples  have  the  bill  blacker  than  those  from  other  loca- 
lities, and  Mr.  Everett  gives  the  soft  parts  of  an  adult  male 
as  follows  : — "  Bill  black  ;  iris,  feet,  and  claws  lead-grey." 
Specimens  from  Surigao  and  Zamboanga  are  stated  to  have 
the  iris  yellow  (these  are  unmistakably  adult  birds),  and  the 
young  from  Basilan  is  said  to  have  the  iris  white. 

In  Tenasserim  this  species  may  occasionally  interbreed 
with  Th.  feddeni,  as  I  have  in  my  collection  a  male  specimen 
from  Malewoon,  given  to  me  by  Mr.  Gates,  in  which  the 
white  feathers  of  the  rump  have  a  subterminal  band  of  black. 
This,  coming  as  it  does  from  such  a  locality,  is  suggestive  of 
hybridization.  This  bird  was  shot  on  the  29th  of  January, 
and  is  apparently  fully  adult. 

The  range  of  Th.  javensis  is  very  extended,  embracing  the 
southernmost  portion  of  Tenasserim,  the  Malayan  Penin- 
sula, Sumatra,  Banka,  Java,  Borneo,  and  also  some  of  the 
Philippine  Islands.  In  Tenasserim  this  species  has  been  re- 
corded from  Mergui  by  Blyth;  Mr.  Davison  obtained  it  at 
Lanyah,  Bankasoon,  and  Malewoon.  In  writing  on  the 
birds  of  the  Malayan  peninsula,  Lieut.  Kelliam  observes : — ■ 
"  I  found  this  handsome  Woodpecker  plentiful  round  Saga- 
met,  some  sixty  or  eighty  miles  up  the  Moar  river.  I  never 
came  across  it  in  the  north  of  the  peninsvda."  Capt.  Weber 
procured  it  in  the  island  of  Salanga.  Mr.  Hume's  collection 
contains  examples  from  Wellesley  Province  {Stoliczka),  Ma- 
lacca, Pulo  Seban,  Kurroo,  and  Johore.  Messrs.  Buxton 
and  Forbes  obtained  this  species  in  South-east  Sumatra;  and 
the  Leiden  Museum  contains  specimens  from  Banka,  and 
also  from  Java,  in  which  island  it  has  likewise  been  obtained 
by  Mr.  Forbes.  In  Borneo  it  occurs  near  Sandakan  ;  I  have 
a  specimen  from  Elopura  [Fryer).  It  has  been  recorded 
from  Labuan  by  Governor  Ussher,  the  Ron.  Hugh  Low, 
Messrs  Motley  and  Dillwyn,  and  also  by  ^Mr.  Treacher. 
Governor  Ussher  and  Mr.  Low  also  obtained  it  in  Lum- 
bidan  ;    Mr.  Treacher  sent  specimens  from  the   Lawas  river. 


of  the  Genus  Thriiponsix.  149 

The  Marquis  Doria^  Dr.  Beccari,  and  Governor  Ussher 
procured  it  in  Sarawak,  and  it  was  found  at  Banjermassing 
by  Mr.  Motley.  From  the  Philippine  Islands  I  have 
examined  specimens  in  the  collection  of  Capt.  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  obtained  in  Luzon,  Surigao,  Zamboanga,  and  Basilan 
(Everett) ;  and  the  British  Museum  contains  an  example  from 
the  island  of  Negros,  collected  by  Mr.  Steere. 

4.  Thriponax  crawfurdi. 

Plats  crawfurdii,  Gray  in  Griffith's  Cuv.  An.  Kingd. 
Birds,  ii.  p.  513,  fig.  (1829). 

Dryopicus  leucoguster  (pt.),  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  47 
(1861). 

Thriponax  javensis  (pt.).  Cab.  &  Heine,  Mus.  Hein.  iv. 
p.  10.5  (1863). 

HemilophiLS  javensis  (pt.),  Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus. 
p.  85  (1868). 

Campethera  crawfurdi,  Gray,  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  194^  no.  8709 
(1870). 

Ficus  leucogaster  (pt.),  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  162  (1876). 

Thriponax  crawfurdi,  Hume,  Str.  F.  1879,  pp.  87  and 
409-410  (note). 

The  following  is  the  description  given  by  Gray  in  Griffith's 
edition  of  '  Cuvier's  Animal  Kingdom,'  Birds,  ii.  p.  513 
(1829),  along  with  a  figure  : — 

"  Crawfurd's  Woodpecker  is  from  an  Indian  drawing 
brought  to  this  country  by  Mr.  Crawfurd,  jun.  The  whole 
upper  part  (except  the  crest)  is  deep  dark  brown,  sprinkled 
with  grey  on  the  sides  of  the  neck ;  across  the  breast  is  a 
large  lunule  patch  of  slate  colour,  with  small  dark  waves; 
the  belly  is  yellow,  with  the  like  crescent-shaped  spots,  and 
the  crest  is  deep  red." 

The  present  species  is  only  known  from  Gray's  description 
and  figure  (above  referred  to),  which  were  taken  from  nature 
by  an  Indian  artist  for  Mr.  Crawfurd,  jun.  Many  authors  have 
confounded  Th.  crawfurdi  with  Th.  javensis,  and  also  with 
Th.feddeni;  but  as  the  bird  described  and  figured  by  Gray  is 


150  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  ow  the  Woodpeckers 

evidently  a  male :  the  slate-coloured  patch  on  the  breast^  as  well 
as  the  absence  of  the  red  malar  stripe^  clearly  distinguishes  it 
from  Th.javensis,  while  the  black  rump  alone  would  show  that 
it  was  not  Th.feddeni.  Mr.  Hume  (Str.  F.  1879,  p.  409,  note) 
corrects  his  former  identification  of  the  species.  The  con- 
fusion which  formerly  existed  in  his  mind  with  regard  to  it 
was  mainly  owing  to  his  never  having  seen  the  coloured 
figure  given  by  Gray.  There  is  an  obvious  slip  of  the  pen  in 
Mr.  Hume^s  otherwise  admirable  note  on  the  subject,  when 
he  states  "  the  wings  are  distinctly  separated  so  as  to  show 
the  centre  of  the  back,  rump,  and  upper  tail-coverts,  and 
these  are  all  blackish  brown,  whereas  in  crawfardi  the  lower 
back  and  rump  are  yellowish  white.^^  He  intended  to  speak 
of  Th.  feddeni,  which  has  a  white  rump,  for  he  adds  "  this 
alone  destroys  the  possibility  of  the  identity  of  Th.  feddeni 
and  crawfurdi." 

In  all  probability  the  bird  figured  for  Mr.  Crawfurd  was 
obtained  near  Ava,  where  this  gentleman  was  resident ;  and 
it  is  a  matter  of  surprise  that  other  examples  have  not  fallen 
to  the  guns  of  some  of  our  painstaking  and  enterprising 
collectors  in  the  Burmese  countries. 

5.  Thuiponax  iiocgsoni. 

Hemilophus  hodgsoni,  Jerd.  Madr.  Journ.  ser.  1,  xi.  p.  215 
(1840) ;  Gray,  Gen.  13.  ii.  p.  432  (1846) ;  Blyth,  J.  A.  S.  B. 
XV.  p.  283  (1846);  id.  Cat.  B.  Mus.  As.  Soc.  p.  55.  no.  245 
(1849);  Bp.  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  131  (1850);  id.  Consp. 
Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  7  (1854);  Reichenb.  Handb.  Scans.  Picinse, 
p.  386.  no.  895,  pi.  dcxlv.  fig.  4308,  ^  (1854) ;  Gray,  List 
Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  85  (1868). 

?  Picus  leucogaster,  Blyth,  J.  A.  S.  B.  1842,  p.  464. 

Picus  hodgsonii^  Jerd.  111.  Ind.  Orn.  pi.  v.  $  (1847)  ; 
Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin.  p.  9  (1866);  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn. 
p.  159  (1876). 

Dryopicos  hodgsonii,  Malh.  Mem.  Acad.  Metz,  1848-49, 
p.  322. 

Dryopicus  hodgsoni,  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  49,  pi.  xiii, 
figs.  1-2,  S  ?  (1861). 


o/ ///e  Genws  Thriponax.  151 

MuUeripicus  hodgsoni,  Jerd.  B.  Ind.  i.  p.  284  (1862). 

Thriponax  hodgsoni,  Cab.  &  Heine,  Mus.  Hein.  iv.  p.  105 
(1863);  Hume,  Str.  F.  1876,  p.  390,  1879,  p.  87;  Butler, 
op.  cit.  1880,  p.  386 ;  id.  Cat.  Birds  Bomb.  Pres.  p.  23  (1880) ; 
Davison,  Str.  F.  1883,  x.  p.  355. 

Campethera  hodgsonii,  Gray,  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  193.  no.  8708 
(1870). 

Adult  male.  Plumage  black,  Avith  the  following  exceptions : — 
the  rump  white ;  breast  and  upper  part  of  abdomen,  as  well 
as  the  sides  of  the  body,  buffy  white ;  the  feathers  of  the  lower 
part  of  the  abdomen  margined  at  the  tip  with  buffy  white ; 
forehead,  crown,  occipital  and  nucbal  crest,  likewise  the 
malar  stripe,  crimson,  the  bases  of  the  feathers  of  the  occiput 
and  nape  creamy  white ;  a  few  white  streaks  behind  the  ear- 
coverts  ;  primaries  with  a  concealed  white  spot  at  the  base, 
the  secondaries  having  their  basal  portion  white  for  an  inch 
to  an  inch  and  a  half,  at  most,  of  their  length;  shafts  of 
quills  and  of  tail  feathers  black ;  under  wing-coverts  and 
axillaries  buffy  white  :  "  bill  black ;  legs  dark  plumbeous ; 
irides  crimson  "  [Jerdon).  Total  length  18*0  inches,  culmen 
2"6,  wing  8"7,  tail  7'2,  tarsus  1-42;  toes  (without  claws) — 
outer  anterior  1*0,  outer  posterior  08,  inner  anterior  0*8, 
inner  posterior  0'5. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  the  absence 
of  red  on  the  forehead,  crown,  and  cheeks,  the  occipital  and 
nuchal  feathers  alone  being  crimson.  Total  length  17*5 
inches,  culmen  2'35,  wing  8*55,  tail  Q-7 ,  tarsus  1'35, 

The  habitat  of  this  Woodpecker,  so  far  as  is  at  present 
known,  is  the  southern  portion  of  India;  but  it  is  not  certain 
that  it  has  not  a  more  extended  range,  because  Mr.  Blyth, 
under  the  heading  of  Picus  leucogaster  (J.  A.  S.  B.  1842, 
p.  464) ,  describes  a  bird,  which  he  had  received  from  Bengal, 
as  follows  : — "Differs  from  hodgsoni  in  having  only  a  narrow 
and  incomplete  cross  band  of  white  on  the  rump.^^ 

Mr.  Blyth  suggests  that  this  may  be  the  Picus  maximus 
malayensis  of  Bland ;  but  the  description  given  of  the  latter 
bird  agrees  with  Th.  javensis,  as  there  is  no  mention  of  a 
white  rump.     What  Mr.  Blyth^s  bird  may  be  I  cannot  say — 


152  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

probably  a  more  northern  race  of  Th.  hodgsoni.     Dr.  Jerdon, 
writing  on  this  species  (Birds  of  India^  i.  p.  285),  says : — '^Tliis 
splendid  Woodpecker  has  only  been  fonud  in  the  most  dense 
and  lofty  forests  of  the  Malabar  coast,  both  above  and  below 
the  Ghats.     I  have  seen  it  myself,  though  rarely,  at  the  foot 
of  the  Peria  Pass^  in  the  Wynaad,  in  Coorg,  and  at  the  top 
of  the  Ghats  near  Garsoppa.^'     Capt.  Butler  in  his  "  Cata- 
logue  of  the    Birds    of    the    Deccan    and   South   Mahratta 
Country''  (Str.  F.  1880,  p.  386),  remarks :— ''Rare;  Mr. Laird 
obtained  specimens  in  North  Kanara  and  also  in  the  forests 
west  of  Belgaum.       I   have  no   other  record  of  its    occur- 
rence throughout  the  region.''     Mr.  Davison  (Str.  F.  1883, 
p.  355)  observes  : — "  This  fine  species  is  not  uncommon  in  the 
Wynaad,  where  the  country  is  well  wooded,  but  it  is  so  shy 
that  it  is  difficult  to  procure  specimens.     It  is  usually  found 
in  pairs.     Asa  rule,  the  bird  keeps  in  the  evergreen  forests  ; 
once  I  shot  a  specimen  in  some  bamboo-jungle  at  Goodalore. 
It  does  not  ascend  the  slopes  of  the  hills  to  any  height." 
Mr.  Bourdillon   obtained  it  in  Travancore,  where  it  would 
appear  to  be  not  rare ;   and  this  gentleman  says  : — "  In  tiie 
neighbourhood  of  large  undisturbed  tracts  of  forest  this  bird 
is  fairly  common  and  not  very  shy,  but  it  soon  leaves  districts 
when  the  forest  is  being  cleared  to  any  extent.     I  have  seen 
this  bird  at  from  600  to  3000  feet  elevation."     Although  by  no 
means  so  common  in  collections  as  some  of  the  other  species 
comprised  in   the   present   genUvS,    Th.   hodgsoni    is   so   well 
known  as  not  to  call  for  any  special  remarks. 

6.  Thriponax  feddeni. 

Mulleripicus  feddeni,  Blanf.  J.  A.  S.  B.  1863,  p.  75  ;  Blyth, 
Ibis,  1870,  p.  163. 

Thriponax  jerdoni,  Cab.  &  Heine,  Mus.  Hein.  iv.  p.  105 
(1863). 

Picus  jerdoni  (ex  Cab.  &  Heine),  Sundev.  Cousp.  Av.  Picin. 
p.  9(1866)  ;  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  161  (1876). 

Hem'ilophus  feddeni,  Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  86 
(1868). 

Thriponax  feddeni,   Wald.   Ibis,  1871,  p.   161;    Bingham, 


of  the  Genus  Tliriponax.  153 

Str.  P.  1879,  p.  194,;  Hume,  torn.  cit.  pp.  87  &  409; 
Bingham,  op.  cit.  1880,  p.  162;  Oates,  op.  cit.  x.  p.  190 
(1882) ;  id.  B.  Brit.  Burm.  ii.  p.  28  (1883). 

Thriponax  crawfurdi,  Hume,  Str.  F.  1874,  p.  471 ;  id.  and 
Oates,  op.  cit.  1875,  pp.  14-66;  Blytli  &  Wald.  B.  Burm. 
p.  75  (1875)  ;  Hume  &  Davison,  Str.  F.  vi.  p.  134  (1878). 

Adult  male.  Upper  and  middle  back,  scapulars,  wing- 
coverts,  bastard-wing,  primary-coverts,  and  quills  black,  the 
inner  webs  of  quills  white  at  the  base,  the  white  on  the  inner 
primaries  extending  for  about  half  their  length  ;  outermost 
primaries  tipped  with  white;  shafts  of  quills  black;  lower 
back  and  rump  white,  the  feathers  of  the  lower  rump  mar- 
gined with  black  at  the  tip  ;  upper  tail-coverts,  tail,  and 
tail-shafts  black ;  nasal  plumes  black ;  forehead,  crown,  and 
occipital  crest  brilliant  scarlet,  bases  of  the  feathers  creamy 
white ;  a  broad  scarlet  cheek-patch,  the  bases  of  the  feathers 
varied  with  dusky  and  buffy  white;  lores,  face  and  entire 
neck,  chin,  throat,  chest,  and  upper  breast  black,  below  and 
behind  the  ear-coverts,  likewise  the  chin  and  throat,  striped 
with  white ;  lower  breast,  abdomen,  vent,  sides  of  the  body, 
flanks,  and  thighs  biift'y  white,  the  thigh-feathers  having  a 
subtermiual  black  band  ;  under  tail-coverts  black,  those 
nearest  the  vent  margined  with  white;  under  wing-coverts 
and  axillaries  white ;  edge  of  wing  black.  Total  length 
15'0  inches,  culmen  2*05,  wing  8*45,  tail  5'7,  tarsus  1*25  ; 
toes  (without  claws) — outer  anterior  0*95,  outer  posterior 
0'85,  inner  anterior  0"72,  inner  posterior  0"5. 

Male,  fledgling.  In  general  coloration  and  markings  like 
the  adult  male,  but  differing  in  having  the  black  less  intense 
and  the  white  purer  ;  the  bases  of  the  feathers  of  the  fore- 
head and  crown  brownish  dusky ;  only  a  few  of  the  cheek- 
feathers  having  dull  red  tips,  the  remainder  being  black  ;  a 
patch  of  white  below  and  behind  the  ear-coverts ;  chin  and 
throat  white,  with  dusky  spot-like  stripes ;  the  feathers  of 
the  fore  neck  margined  with  white;  thighs  slightly  varied 
with  dusky. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the 
forehead,  greater  part  of  the  crown,  and  the  cheeks  black. 

SER.  V. VOL.  III.  M 


154  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

Total  length  15-0  inches,,  culmen   1*85,  wing  8-2,  tail  6*0, 
tarsus  1*25. 

Young  female.  In  general  coloration  and  markings  resem- 
bling the  adult  female,  but  having  the  black  less  intense  and 
the  white  purer ;  no  white  stripes  on  the  side  of  the  neck, 
and  the  white  margins  of  the  throat-feathers  not  so  well 
defined  ;  chin  huffy  lirown,  varied  with  white  and  dusky  stria- 
tions  ;  outer  primaries,  only,  margined  at  the  tip  of  the 
outer  webs  with  whitish. 

Mr.  Oates  gives  the  soft  parts  of  this  species  as  follows  : — 
"  Iris  yellow ;  eyelids  lavender-brown ;  legs  plumbeous  ; 
claws  horny  grey  ;  bill  bluish  black,  darkest  on  the  upper 
mandible  and  palest  on  the  lower  near  the  base/^ 

This  bird  has  not  a  very  extended  range.  It  occurs  more 
or  less  plentifully  from  a  short  distance  to  the  north  of 
Thayetmyo,  eastward  to  Tonghoo,  and  southward  as  far  as 
the  head-waters  of  the  Thoungyeen  river,  and  I  have  a  spe- 
cimen from  Pitchaburee,  W.  Siam  (C«W  Bock).  In  the 
south-western  portion  of  Pegu  it  has  been  obtained  as  far  as 
Bassein  by  Mr.  Blanford.  Mr.  Oates  states  that  it  "  occurs 
plentifully  in  portions  of  Pegu.  I  found  it  very  abundant 
near  Thayetmyo  and  in  the  country  lying  l^etween  that  town 
and  the  ridge  of  the  Pegu  hills.  On  the  eastern  slopes, 
between  the  ridge  and  Tonghoo,  I  failed  to  meet  with  it,  the 
forests  there  being  apparently  unfitted  for  it.  Capt.  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  however,  procured  it  in  Tonghoo  itself.  I  have  not 
seen  it  in  anj^  part  of  Southern  Pegu.  It  appears  to  be 
common  on  the  Arrakan  hills. ^'  According  to  Capt  Feilden 
"  it  is  a  tolerably  common  bird  ten  or  fifteen  miles  west  of 
Thayetmyo,  and  about  the  same  distance  north. ^'  Mr.  Hume^s 
collection  contains  specimens  from  Tenasserim  from  the  fol- 
lowing localities  : — Kyouk-nyat,  Pahpoon,  Thatone,  Wim- 
pong,  and  Larthorgee.  Mr.  Davison,  in  his  note  on  the 
habitat  of  this  species  in  Tenasserim  (Str.  F.  1876,  vi.  p.  134), 
says  : — "  I  oidy  met  with  this  species  at  Pahpoon  and  in  the 
hills  to  the  north  of  that  place,  in  the  plains  country  between 
the  Salvveen  and  Sittang,  and  again  near  Myawadee.  It  is 
rare,  for  1  have  not  seen  it  more  than  a  score  of  times  from 


of  the  Genus  Tliriponax.  155 

first  to  last.  I  have  shot  it  in  the  tree-jimgle  and  in  old 
clearings^  but  I  have  also  seen  it  in  comparatively  thick 
forest."  Capt.  Bingham  (Str.  F.  1879,  p.  194)  observes  :— 
"  I  procured  this  handsome  Woodpecker  at  Thaubia  on  the 
Zamee,  and  noticed  it  more  than  once  at  various  places  on 
the  Wimgeo  river,  and  on  the  Thouugyeen  at  Laidawgyee, 
Kyon-Khet,  Oukra,  and  Maigla."  The  same  author  (Str.  F. 
1880,  p.  1G2)  further  states  : — '^  I  have  procured  this  species  as 
far  south  as  the  head-waters  of  the  Thoungyeen,  and  though 
not  common  in  this  valley,  it  is  widely  spread.  In  March 
1878  I  saw  a  number,  and  shot  a  young  male  on  the 
Zammee-choung ;  again  near  Kaukarit  on  the  Houndraw 
river  it  may  be  said  to  be  fairly  common." 

7.  Thriponax  hargitti. 

Thriponax  javensis  (pt.),  Sharpe,  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.  2iid  ser. 
Zool.  i.  p.  314  (1876). 

Thriponax  hargitti,  Sharpe,  Ibis,  1881,  p.  317,  pi.  viii. 

Adult  male.  Upper  and  middle  back,  scapulars,  wing- 
coverts,  and  quills  black,  the  secondaries  having  a  white 
patch  at  the  base  of  the  inner  webs,  and  a  few  of  the  pri- 
maries having  a  white  spot  at  the  tip  of  the  outer  web  \ 
shafts  black;  lower  back  and  rump  white;  upper  tail- 
coverts,  tail,  and  tail-shafts  black ;  nasal  plumes  black ; 
entire  top  of  the  head,  occiput,  and  nape  scarlet,  the  feathers 
of  the  latter  parts  elongated  and  forming  a  conspicuous  crest, 
their  extreme  bases  being  whitish,  the  feathers  of  the  forehead 
and  crown  greyer  at  the  base ;  a  broad  scarlet  malar  patch ; 
lores,  sides  of  the  face,  chin,  throat,  entire  neck,  chest,  and 
breast  black,  the  chin,  throat,  and  posterior  half  of  the  face 
having  short  white  striations  ;  remainder  of  the  underparts, 
flanks,  and  thighs  buffy  white,  some  of  the  feathers  of  the 
vent  black  with  bulfy  white  margins ;  under  tail-coverts 
black ;  under  primary-coverts  black,  the  lower  series  varied 
with  white,  the  remainder  of  the  under  wing-coverts,  likewise 
the  axillaries,  uniform  buffy  white.  Total  length  15 "5  inches, 
culmen  2' 15,  wing   8'4,  tail  6*4,  tarsus  r35;  toes  (without 

M  2 


156  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on.  the  Woodpeckers 

claws) — outer  anterior  1"05,  outer  posterior  O'Do^  inner  ante- 
rior 0*82,  inner  posterior  0'53. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  tlie  adult  male  in  Laving  the 
forehead  and  the  greater  part  of  the  crown  black  (the  occi- 
pital and  nuchal  crest  alone  being  scarlet),  and  also  in  want- 
ing the  red  malar  patch,  the  cheeks  being  black ;  a  few  of 
the  thigh-feathers  having  a  black  sagittate  spot  at  or  near  the 
tip.  Total  length  15"5  inches,  culraen  1'9,  wing  8'2,  tail  6"1, 
tarsus  1*3. 

This  species  has  recently  been  described  and  figured  by 
Mr.  Sharpe  in  'The  Ibis/  1884,  p.  317,  pi.  viii.,  from  spe- 
cimens obtained  in  Southern  Palawan  by  one  of  Mr.  E. 
Lempriere's  collectors.  The  British  Museum  contains  an 
adult  female  of  the  present  species,  procured  by  Mr,  Steere 
during  his  visit  to  the  same  island  in  1874.  Th.  hargitti 
cannot,  with  certainty,  be  said  to  be  confined  to  the  island 
of  Palawan,  because  in  the  British  Museum  are  two  birds 
(formerly  in  the  Gould  Collection)  labelled  "^Manila,^^  which 
are  unmistakably  true  Th.  hargitti ;  but  I  would  observe  that 
two  other  specimens,  also  in  the  British  Museum  (from  the 
Gould  Collection),  and  likewise  labelled  Manila,  are  true 
Th.  javensis.  It  is  hardly  to  be  expected  that  these  two 
species  would  be  found  together,  and  the  probability  is  that 
the  birds  which  correspond  with  the  Palawan  species  were 
not  obtained  in  Luzon,  but  in  some  other  island  of  the 
Philippine  group. 

8.  Thriponax  richardsi. 

Dnjocopus  richardsi,  Tristram,  P.  Z.  S.  1879,  p.  38(5, 
pi.  xxxi. 

Mulleripicus  richardsi,  Wall.  Isl.  Life,  p.  370  (1880), 

Adult  female  (type  of  species).  Brownish  black,  having  a 
blue-black  gloss  (with  the  following  exceptions)  :  the  lower 
back  and  rump  white,  a  few  of  the  feathers  of  the  lower 
rump  having  a  small  black  spot  near  the  tip;  the  two  central 
feathers  of  the  upper  series  of  upper  tail-coverts  white,  with 
a  large  heart-shaped  spot  of  black  on  their  apical  portion, 


of  the  Genus  Thr\\)ona.\.  157 

bntj  when  the  feathers  of  the  rump  are  not  raised^  having  the 
appearance  of  being  black  feathers  margined  with  white  ; 
most  of  the  primaries  broadly  tipped  with  white,  and  their 
bases  to  the  extent  of  more  than  an  inch,  as  well  as  the  bases 
of  the  secondaries  for  at  least  two  inches,  also  white  ;  the  chin 
and  upper  throat  dark  smoky  grey  ;  the  sides  of  the  upper 
throat,  also  the  tips  of  the  posterior  cheek-feathers  and  the 
ear-coverts^  finely  streaked  with  white ;  the  feathers  of  the 
upper  breast  narrowly  margined  at  the  tip  with  bnffy  white ; 
lower  breast,  greater  part  of  the  abdomen,  and  the  sides  of 
the  body  buffy  white,  the  thigh-feathers  having  a  large  spot 
of  black  on.  their  apical  portion  ;  tibial  plumes  whitish  at  the 
base ;  lower  abdominal  feathers  black,  margined  with  bufty 
white;  under  wing-coverts  (except  on  the  edge  of  the  wing) 
and  axillaries  white,  with  a  yellowish  tinge ;  shafts  of  quills 
and  of  tail-feathers  brownish  black  :  "  iris,  feet,  and  beak 
black "  (Richards).  Total  length  19'0  inches,  culmen  2'5, 
wing  9'8,  tail  7*25,  tarsus  1*3;  toes  (without  claws) — outer 
anterior  TO,  outer  posterior  0*85,  inner  anterior  0*72,  inner 
posterior  0"55. 

Canon  Tristram  has  kindly  lent  me  this  unique  and  inter- 
esting bird.  Before  seeing  it  I  was  inclined  to  think  that 
its  affinity  to  Dryocopus  martins  would  be  closer  than  to  the 
members  of  the  genus  Thriponax ;  but  such  is  not  the  case, 
and  I  observe  that  this  has  been  appreciated  by  Canon 
Tristram,  who,  in  writing  to  me,  places  it  in  the  present 
genus.  The  only  known  specimen  is  a  female,  and  was  pro- 
cured by  Lieut.  E-ichards,  R.N.,  in  the  island  of  Tzus  Sima, 
situated  between  Japan  and  the  Corea.  It  will  be  interesting 
to  know  the  characters  possessed  by  the  male  bird.  The 
type  specimen  of  the  present  species  (but  for  the  absence  of 
red  on  the  head)  very  much  resembles  the  female  of  Th. 
hodgsoni,  but  it  has  the  white  both  above  and  below  more 
extended  than  in  the  latter  species.  The  primaries  arc 
mostly  tipped  with  white,  a  character  possessed  by  many 
species  of  Thripnnax,  but  absent  in  Dryocopus. 


158  Mr.  A.  C.  Cliapman's  Birds' -Nesting 

XV. — A  Birds'  -Nesting  Ramble  in  Lapland. 
By  Alfred  Crawiiall  Chapman. 

The  ornithology  of  the  extreme  north-west  of  Europe  has 
not  been  treated  of  for  some  years  in  '  The  Ibis/  so  perhaps 
the  following  account  of  a  trip  to  East  Finmark  during  the 
spring  of  1884  may  be  of  interest.  The  district  visited  was 
the  valley  of  the  Tana,  one  of  the  great  rivers  which  drain 
the  area  lying  between  the  North  Cape  and  the  gulf  of 
Bothnia.  The  Tana  and  the  Muonio-Tornea  rivers  have 
their  source  in  the  same  district^  the  former  flowing  north- 
wards into  the  Tana  "Fiord,  a  little  to  the  east  of  the  North 
Cape;  while  the  Muonio-Tornea,  flowing  in  a  southerly 
direction  past  Muonioniska,  the  scene  of  the  late  Mr.  Wol- 
ley^s  memorable  achievements,  empties  itself  into  the  Gulf 
of  Bothnia. 

In  crossing  the  North  Sea,  on  May  21st,  when  two  Imn- 
dred  miles  from  land,  a  Whinchatcame  on  board  the  steamer 
and  sought  shelter  near  a  warm  steam-pipe  ;  the  unfortunate 
little  bird  must  have  been  much  fatigued,  for  shortly  after- 
wards it  fell  dead  from  its  perch.  On  the  22nd,  during  a 
short  walk  in  the  suburbs  of  Bergen,  I  was  pleased  to  see 
Pied  Flycatchers,  the  males  in  fine  black-and-white  plumage. 
Between  the  23rd  and  26tli  May,  Avhen  going  up  the  fiords, 
the  usual  common  seafowl  were  to  be  seen ;  but  twice  I 
observed  brown  Eiders  with  very  pale-coloured  heads,  which 
I  took  to  be  female  King  Eiders.  On  the  27th  we  arrived 
at  Bodo,  in  Nordland  (lat.  Q7°  N.)  ;  and  after  obtaining  per- 
mission from  the  magistrate  there  to  shoot  specimens,  we 
made  our  way  across  what  v/as  formerly  a  marsh  behind  the 
village,  but  which  is  now  drained.  I  supj^ose  it  would  be 
here  that  the  Messrs.  Godman  found  the  Great  Snipe  breeding 
(Ibis,  1801,  p.  87)  ;  now  nothing  but  an  occasional  Golden 
Plover  and  numerous  Wheatears  flitted  over  the  dry  tussocks 
of  moss.  The  first  birds  that  attracted  attention  were  a  pair  of 
Northern  Marsh-Tits  [Pariis  borealis)  actively  searching  the 
lower  stems  of  the  birches  for  food.  They  appeared  to  be 
much  lighter  in  colour  on  the  underparts  than  our  Marsh- 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  159 

Tits^  and  the  long  fluffy  plumage  of  a  slate-blue  tinge  is 
wonderfully  adapted  to  resist  the  rigours  of  a  northern  winter. 
Magpies  Avere  very  common^  and  I  noticed  them  breeding  in 
low  buslies  in  the  streets  of  Bodo.  Presently  we  got  among 
a  colony  of  Fieldfares  [Turdus  pilaris),  their  nests,  which  we 
found  in  great  numbers,  being  mostly  placed  in  small  birch 
trees  from  three  to  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  I  remember 
looking  down  on  a  Fieldfare's  back^  as  she  sat  on  her  eggs,  and 
remarking  how  ill-'fitted  the  circular  nest  was  to  the  outline  of 
the  bird^s  body,  for  I  could  see  right  into  the  bottom  of  the 
nest  on  each  side  of  her  closed  wings,  although  the  eggs 
were  not  visible.  The  trees  being  small  and  stunted,  the 
nests  were  necessarily  placed  close  to  the  main  stem  ;  they 
were  constructed  of  dry  white  grass  externally,  then  about 
an  inch  and  a  half  of  wet  earth,  and  an  inside  lining,  about 
an  inch  thick,  of  dry  white  grass.  The  internal  diameter 
was  invariably  4  inches,  and  I  found  afterwards  that  those 
of  the  Redwing  {Turdus  iliacus)  were  as  invariably  Scinches. 
The  old  birds  occasionally  hovered  in  the  air  with  jerky 
flight,  after  the  manner  of  a  Pipit,  uttering  a  peculiar  cry, 
which  could  scarcely  be  called  a  song ;  but  I  think  this  is 
confined  to  the  breeding-season ;  they  also  kept  up  a  con- 
tinual cackling,  similar  to  the  familiar  note  we  hear  in 
winter.  While  selecting  some  of  the  finest  clutches  of  eggs, 
we  presently  saw  a  nest  of  sticks  in  the  top  of  a  birch  tree, 
and  on  approaching,  a  male  Merlin  (Falco  cesalon)  dashed  off 
it.  Soon  the  female  Merlin  appeared,  mobbed  by  a  screech- 
ing crowd  of  Fieldfares,  and  I  easily  secured  both  these  little 
Falcons.  The  nest  appeared  to  be  newly  built,  of  thick  birch- 
branches  loosely  put  together,  and  lined  with  a  little  moss, 
dead  leaves,  and  a  few  feathers,  but  deeper  in  the  centre 
than  the  nests  of  the  Sparrow- Hawk  or  Kestrel ;  it  contained 
three  very  dark-coloured  eggs.  It  struck  me  as  peculiar 
that  these  active  and  powerful  little  Falcons  should  be  quietly 
nesting  in  the  very  midst  of  a  colony  of  Fieldfares ;  for  there 
must  have  been  at  least  a  score  of  the  nests  of  the  latter 
within  a  short  stone's  throw  of  the  Merlin's  tree.  A  single 
Rough-legged  Buzzard  was  seen  to-day ;  on  the  low  grounds 


160  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Nestivfj 

fleed-Buntings  and  Willow-Wrens  were  very  common^  and  a 
ChiflFchaff  was  seen  and  heard  singing  lustily,  as  well  as  a  single 
Hedge-Sparrow.  Blackcocks  were  "  erooing  ^^  loudly  in  the 
still  evening,  and  occasionally  we  flushed  a  Willow-Grouse, 
which  seemed  to  be  already  in  summer  dress  ;  its  bold  bec-hec 
on  rising  exactly  resembles  the  cry  of  our  British  bird. 
Bramblings  were  numerous  in  the  birch-forests,  their  mono- 
tonous drone,  like  the  word  cree-ee,  being  continually  audible ; 
it  struck  me  as  resembling  the  note  of  the  Greenfinch,  but 
distinctly  louder  and  shriller.  I  often  saw  them  floating  about 
in  the  woods  with  quivering  wings,  somewhat  reminding  me 
of  the  Wood-W^arbler ;  but  they  were  rather  wild,  and  it  was 
some  time  before  I  procured  one.  Ring-Ouzels  w^ere  com- 
mon in  the  steep  heather-clad  gorges,  and  I  saw  one  pair  of 
Mealy  Eedpoles  sitting  together  on  a  dead  twig  projecting 
from  some  snow,  their  grey  breast-feathers  fluffed  out,  and 
looking  vei'y  disconsolate.  Where  the  ground  was  wet.  Red- 
shanks and  Snipes  kept  getting  up,  and  I  took  an  egg  from 
the  oviduct  of  a  Yellow  Hammer  which  I  got  here.  On  the 
28th  we  took  a  boat,  as  I  had  heard  that  a  pair  of  W^hite- 
tailed  Eagles  bred  annually  on  a  rocky  island  off  Bodo. 
We  did  not  find  them  at  home,  however,  so  having  landed  we 
amused  ourselves  by  watching  a  pair  of  Ravens  [Corvus  corax) 
which  had  a  nest  in  the  face  of  the  crag,  containing  several 
young  birds  nearly  ready  to  fly.  The  youngsters  frequently 
hopped  on  to  the  side  of  the  nest,  and  flapping  their  wings, 
received  their  first  lessons  in  the  art  of  flying.  Directly 
they  saw  us  they  would  drop  back  into  the  nest,  whilst  the 
old  birds  kept  flying  round,  occasionally  uttering  a  deep 
guttural  "  croak.'^ 

W^hile  watching  the  Ravens,  a  Kestrel  {Falco  tinnunculus) 
flew  into  the  crag  and  began  to  make  signs  of  disapproval  at 
our  intrusion  here.  He  seemed  to  have  come  to  the  crag  for 
the  purpose  of  feeding,  and  on  being  fired  at  dropped  a  half- 
eaten  Redwing.  Here  I  observed  a  pair  of  Redstarts,  and  a 
pair  of  Common  Scoters  were  busy  diving  in  an  enclosed  bay 
of  the  sea.  Next  day  we  found  the  nest  of  a  Hooded  Crow 
[Corvus  comix),  containing  three  newly  hatched  young  and 


Kamhle  in  Lajilartd.  161 

two  eggs  :  amongst  the  wool  whicli  lined  the  nest  was  a  fairly 
large  sheet  of  a  Bodo  newspaper.  We  also  observed  a  pair 
of  Common  Sandpipers  on  a  small  piece  of  water  rather  high 
up  on  the  hills. 

The  LofFoden  Islands  had  a  fine  but  wintery  appearance 
as  we  steamed  past  them  on  the  30th  May,  for  from  the 
summit  of  their  jagged  peaks  down  to  the  water^s  edge  was 
one  white  expanse  of  snow.  At  Harstadhavn,  where  we  waited 
several  hours,  I  observed  flocks  of  Common  Gulls  {Larus 
canus)  feeding  on  the  patches  of  cultivated  land.  Fieldfares' 
nests  were  also  numerous,  but  here  none  of  them  had  eggs  yet, 
though  a  Hooded  Crow  had  a  nest  full  of  half-grown  young. 
Magpies  were  common.  On  the  31st  I  observed  Arctic  Terns 
for  the  first  time.  The  nights  now  were  as  light  as  day,  but 
there  did  not  seem  to  be  the  least  sign  of  summer.  Tromso 
was  reached  in  the  evening,  and  there,  according  to  arrange- 
ments made  before  leaving  England,  I  met  and  engaged 
a  Norwegian  servant,  afterwards  referred  to  as  Trinus,  to 
accompany  me  on  my  journey  to  Lapland. 

June  lst-3rd.  The  hills  north  of  Tromso  were  clothed  in 
snow  to  the  water's  level,  and  we  were  greeted  by  cold  nortb 
winds  and  occasional  snowstorms.  Nevertheless,  at  Voerholt, 
in  Laxe  Fiord,  in  spite  of  the  cliffs  being  covered  with  snow, 
Common  Gulls  already  had  eggs  in  numbers.  On  the  4th 
June  we  landed  at  Stangenoes,  in  the  Tana  Fiord,  at  3  a.m., 
and  a  dull  and  dreary  look-out  it  was — great  steep  cliffs  and 
rounded  hills,  with  pure  white  snow  down  to  the  sea-level ! 
Where  could  we  expect  to  find  birds  breeding  in  such  a 
country  ?  A  pair  of  Merlins  were  hawking  about  the  shore, 
chasing  and  alarming  the  small  birds  (Wheatears,  White 
Wagtails,  and  Titlarks) ;  Cormorants,  or  Shags,  Eiders,  and 
Mergansers  seemed  plentiful,  and  seals  were  numerous.  We 
got  a  boat  to  take  us  from  Stangenoes,  at  the  head  of  the 
Tana  Fiord,  to  a  little  island  called  Gulholmen,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Tana  river ;  but  instead  of  being  able  to  go  straight 
up  the  country,  as  I  had  intended,  I  found  that  the  ice  in 
the  river  had  not  yet  broken  up,  and  about  two  miles  above 
Gulholmen  a  white  line  of  fast  ice  extended  right  across  the 


162  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Nestinff 

stream,  beyond  wliicli  it  was  impossible  to  go.  The  river- 
banks  and  the  fells  above  them  were  many  feet  deep  in 
snow  ;  the  birch-forests  were  without  a  sign  of  leaf,  and  the 
fell-lakes  were  all  solid  ice.  Sledging  on  the  frozen  river 
was  not  considered  safe,  as  summer  was  too  near  ;  the  use  of 
'^  skiddor  "  was  impracticable  on  account  of  the  soft  state  of 
the  snow ;  and  the  only  means  of  getting  about  was  to  struggle 
on  foot,  sometimes  sinking  up  to  the  arms  in  snow.  The 
natives  do  not  move  about  at  this  season  of  the  year,  but 
cither  remain  indoors  or  make  short  journeys  in  their  canoe- 
like  boats  on  the  open  water  at  the  mouth  of  the  river. 

In  rowing  up  to  Gulholmen  we  had  seen  several 
flocks  of  Duck  sitting  in  the  open  water  and  on  the  ice-floes 
in  the  river.  We  accordingly  got  a  boat  and  went  after 
them.  They  seemed  to  swim  very  high  in  the  water,  with 
their  tails  well  up,  and  kept  uttering  a  melancholy  sort  of 
note^  not  unlike  the  mewing  of  a  cat.  On  our  approach 
they  rose,  and  a  string  of  ten  flying  round  us,  I  managed  to 
drop  five,  which  proved  to  be  Long-tailed  Ducks  [Harehla 
glacicdis),  already  in  summer  plumage.  Having  landed  to 
explore  the  snow- clad  hills,  we  made  our  way  up  a  considerable 
fell,  and  were  idly  throwing  stones  over  a  precipice,  when  a 
Rough-legged  Buzzard  [Buteo  lagopus)  slipped  away  from 
nearly  beneath  us.  On  looking  over  the  crag  we  could 
easily  see  the  large  nest  below  us,  containing  three  eggs, 
lying  on  dry  white  grass.  The  old  birds  kept  sailing  around, 
uttering  a  loud  weird  cry,  but  they  would  not  come  near ; 
so  I  hid  myself  and  sent  Trinus  away  to  attract  the  bird's 
attention.  It  was  a  long  but  pleasant  wait.  The  evening 
was  very  still,  the  air  frosty,  clear,  and  refreshing,  and  on 
that  dreary  fell  not  a  sound  was  to  be  heard,  save  the  occa- 
sional merry  chirrup  of  the  male  Wheatear.  I  made  a  note  at 
the  time  how  very  much  the  initial  notes  of  the  Wheatear 
resemble  those  of  the  Merlin,  and  several  times  the  small 
Chat's  cle!ir  voice  was  mistaken  for  that  of  his  most  deadly 
enemy.  Suddenly  aroused  by  the  rapid  '"^  swish"  of  wings 
close  over  my  head,  I  raised  my  eyes,  and  could  just  see  the 
tips  of  the  tail-feathers  of  the  female  Buzzard  as  she  sat  on 


Ramble  in  Lapland,  163 

the  side  of  her  nest ;  several  loud  shouts  had  to  be  given  before 
she  realized  the  position,  and  when  she  flew  I  secured  her. 
Her  general  plumage  was  a  deep  rich  brown,  the  inside  of 
the  mouth  flesh- colour,  the  irides  hazel.  As  it  was  impossible 
to  reach  the  eggs  without  a  rope,  we  made  our  way  back 
through  the  snow  ;  and  I  well  remember  my  first  impressions 
of  the  lovely  song  of  the  Blue-throated.  Warbler  {Cyanecula 
suecica).  Hearing  the  gush  of  melody  from  amongst  some 
scrub  appearing  above  the  snow-surface,  and  approaching 
quietly,  we  presently  detected  the  rich  blue  throat  of  this 
handsome  Warbler  against  the  white  snow.  I  certainly 
think  the  song  of  this  Warbler  exceeds  any  thing  I  ever 
heard ;  at  times  it  is  soft  and  mellow  as  that  of  a  Willow- 
Wren,  suddenly  striking  up  to  the  angry  hissing  notes  of 
the  Sedge-Warbler,  and  occasionally  finishing  with  the  most 
astonishing  metallic  sound,  a  regular  "  twang,  twang,^'  not 
unlike  the  tinkling  of  a  bell — whether  in  mimicry  or  natural 
song  is  diflicult  to  define.  I  noted  that  the  Bluethroat,  as 
well  as  the  Willow- Wren,  were  in  full  song  at  midnight 
here.  How  strange  it  is  that  such  an  insignificant  little 
bird  as  the  Willow-Wren  should  have  such  an  extensive 
breeding-range,  nesting  alike  in  tlie  south  of  Spain  and  on  the 
North  Cape  !  When  we  returned  to  our  boat  to-night  great 
pieces  of  ice  were  slowly  floating  down  the  river  from  the 
frozen  reaches  above. 

June  5th.  Returned  to  the  Rough-legged  Buzzard's  nest, 
taking  with  us  some  thirty  yards  of  rope ;  but  I  failed  to 
secure  the  male  Buzzard,  although  he  was  sitting  on  the 
eggs  when  we  got  to  the  place.  By  a  little  manipulation  Ave 
managed  to  reach  the  nest,  which  consisted  of  a  mass  of 
dead  sticks  about  two  feet  thick,  with  a  layer  of  solid  ice 
about  six  inches  thick  immediately  under  the  new  grass 
lining  on  which  the  three  eggs  were  lying.  The  nest  was 
full  of  "  pellets,^''  consisting  of  a  blue  fur  and  small  bones, 
either  of  some  field-mouse  or  the  lemming,  and  was,  I  think, 
the  accumulation  of  years.  Returning  home  that  night,  I 
secured  the  male  Bluethroat,  singing  in  the  same  place  as  I 
had  seen  him  yesterday.     A  Hooded  Crow's  nest  contained 


164-  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Net^thn/ 

four  small  young  to-day.  Long-tailed  Ducks  kept  con- 
tinually flying  up  and  down  the  river^  and  I  saw  two  large 
Geese  go  up  the  river  at  night. 

June  6th.  Dull  and  cold,  like  winter.  Opposite  Gul- 
holmen,  on  tlie  other  side  of  the  river,  is  a  level  expanse  of 
snow,  from  two  to  four  feet  deep,  the  stunted  birch  trees 
rearing  their  bare  heads  above  it  all,  so  that  when  walking 
through  the  snow  it  is  necessary  to  push  one's  way  through 
the  tops  of  the  birch-forest.  In  a  few  places,  however,  the 
snow  had  melted,  leaving  water-holes,  at  the  bottom  of  which 
grass  could  be  seen  growing ;  and  in  these  open  places  many 
birds  were  seeking  food,  amongst  which  I  recognized  Tem- 
minck's  Stints  {Tringa  temminck'i)  flyiug  about,  with  wings 
erect  above  their  backs,  uttering  a  continuous  "  trilling " 
note,  and  then  suddenly  diving  down  into  the  scrub.  They 
were  very  tame,  chasing  each  other  about  and  manifesting 
signs  of  the  approaching  breeding-season.  Next  a  pair  of 
Lapland  Buntings  [Plectrophanes  Japponicci)  rose  from  a 
water-hole,  the  male  uttering  a  clear  flute-like  song  as  he 
perched  on  the  summit  of  a  birch  tree.  Tlien  a  pair  of  Wood- 
Sandpipers  {Totanus  glareola),  with  a  splendid  loud  call-note, 
flew  up,  one  of  them  deliberately  lighting  on  the  summit  of  a 
slender  bough  and  steadying  itself  witli  outstretched  wings, 
the  other  seeking  shelter  in  the  scrub.  Both  this  bird  and 
Temminck's  Stint  have  yellow-ochre-coloured  legs  and  feet. 
Bluethroats,  Titlarks,  Willow-Wrens,  and  Wheatears  were 
also  numerous.  A  thousand  feet  above  us,  in  a  line  of  lofty 
crags,  two  pairs  of  Peregrine  Falcons  {Falco  peregrinus)  and 
one  pair  of  Ospreys  {Pandion  haliaetus)  were  circling  round, 
their  fine  wild  cries  echoing  through  the  crags  ;  but  when, 
after  a  laborious  climb,  we  reached  the  summit  of  this  preci- 
pice, they  only  soared  higher,  and  we  could  see  no  signs  of  a 
nest.  While  sitting  here  a  Raven,  also  evidently  nesting  in 
the  crag,  flew  past  us,  his  throat  distended  with  the  food  he 
was  carrying  for  his  young.  I  disturbed  a  couple  of  moun- 
tain-hares here;  they  were  just  beginning  to  get  the  grey 
fur  of  summer.  Large  herds  of  reindeer  were  also  seeking 
their  scanty  living  of  lichens  on  the  highest  fell-tops ;  these 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  165 

were  the  tame  animals  belonging  to  the  Laps^  but  already 
turned  out  for  the  summer.  Here  they  are  allowed  to  roam 
at  large  until  the  autumn^  and  such  is  their  instinctive  dread 
of  the  pestilent  mosquito,  that  they  seldom  depart  from  the 
highest  and  coldest  parts  of  the  fells.  When  skinning  birds 
to-night  I  found  that  both  the  Temminck^s  Stints  and  the 
Lapland  Buntings  had  very  small  embryo  eggs  in  their 
ovaries. 

June  7tli.  On  our  return  to  the  crag  opposite  Gulholmen 
the  Ospreys  were  there,  but  only  one  pair  of  Peregrines. 
When  sitting  on  the  crag-top  the  female  Osprey  appeared, 
carrying  a  long  twisted  stick  in  her  talons,  her  long  thighs 
dangling  below  her.  It  was  evident  that  she  had  a  nest 
and  presently  we  found  it,  placed  on  the  summit  of  a  de- 
tached pinnacle  of  rock  projecting  from  the  main  crag.  It 
was  utterly  inaccessible,  either  from  above  or  below ;  but  we 
could  see  it  contained  no  eggs,  although  it  was  lined  out  with 
green  moss.  I  afterwards  shot  the  female  Osprey,  and  found 
that  she  had  very  small  eggs  in  her  ovary ;  the  legs  and 
feet  as  well  as  the  cere  were  a  pale  pea-green  colour.  On  tlie 
8th  June  I  observed  the  only  Chafiinch  {Fringilla  ccahbs) 
that  I  saw  whilst  in  Finmark. 

June  9th.  Much  snow  fell  to-day,  with  a  bitterly  cold 
wind.  On  the  sandflats  at  the  junction  of  the  Tana  with  its 
fiord  were  about  a  hundred  Geese,  sitting  on  the  bare  sand 
amongst  some  stranded  ice-floes.  Adjoining  the  sandflats 
and  between  them  and  the  snow-fjelds,  was  first  a  narrow 
space  of  rather  long  grass,  with  frequent  pools  of  snow-water 
and  then  about  half  a  mile  of  semi-inundated  birch-scrub. 
It  was  in  the  grassy  parts  that  I  first  became  acquainted 
with  the  Red-throated  Pipits  [Anthus  cervinus) .  They  seemed 
retiring  in  their  habits,  running  rapidly  along  the  ground  like 
a  mouse,  keeping  the  body  very  low  and  horizontal.  They 
were  difficult  to  see  in  this  position,  and  if  one  approached 
nearer  to  them,  a  pair  would  spring  up  into  the  air  with  a  shrill 
pipe,  and  allow  themselves  to  be  carried  by  the  wind  perhaps 
a  hundred  yards  to  leeward,  when  they  would,  with  jerky 
flight,  beat  up   again,  to  rc-alight   on  their  favourite  spot. 


166  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Nesting 

Though  I  procured  several,  I  could  not  detect  any  sexual 
difference  in  the  cream-colouring  on  the  throat. 

While  sheltering  underneath  a  sand-bank  from  a  pitiless 
snowstorm,  a  Raven  came  past  us,  his  throat  distended  with 
food.  Then  a  Rough-legged  Buzzard  with  very  light-coloured 
plumage  alighted  on  a  rock  near  at  hand  and  sat  quietly 
pluming  himself.  Presently  an  Osprey,  with  buoyant  flight, 
loomed  through  the  snow-flakes,  and  checking  his  speed, 
hovered  for  an  instant ;  then,  with  headlong  swoop,  he  dashed 
into  the  waters  of  the  fiord,  reappearing  with  a  fish  dangling 
from  his  talons.  After  shaking  himself,  he  flew  past  us, 
and,  on  being  fired  at,  dropped  the  fish;  dissatisfied,  he 
swooped  at  it  w  hen  falling,  but  did  not  succeed  in  overtaking 
it.  The  fish  proved  to  be  a  sole,  9^  inches  long  and  6  inches 
Avide,  with  but  one  claw-mark  in  the  body,  and  lived  for 
many  hours  afterwards.  While  trying  to  ascend  the  side  of  a 
fjeld  v/e  distinctly  made  out  several  Geese  feeding  on  some 
shallow^  water,  and  approaching  nearer,  I  could  easily  see  they 
were  one  or  other  of  the  two  White-fronted  species.  Whilst 
watching  them  a  male  Merganser  swam  quite  near  to  nse,  and 
having  caught  a  small  fish,  was  chased  and  bullied  by  a 
Herring-Grull  till  he  was  compelled  to  take  flight.  This 
seemed  to  disturb  the  Geese,  for  they  ceased  feeding,  and 
with  outstretched  necks  peered  around  suspiciously.  When 
I  fired  at  them  a  pair  of  Redshanks  rose  close  to  me,  and 
walking  home  that  night  I  secured  one  of  a  pair  of  Ring- 
Plovers  by  the  river-side. 

June  10th.  Heavy  snowstorms  greeted  us  to-day.  I  saw 
the  first  Grey-headed  Yellow  Wagtail  {Motacilla  cinereo- 
capilla)  this  morning,  which  had  seemingly  just  arrived  here. 
In  the  birch-forests,  though  deep  in  snow,  we  found  four 
nests  of  the  Mealy  Redpole,  all  in  course  of  construction  ; 
the  old  birds  were  absurdly  tame.  The  nests  were  very 
pretty,  lined  with  the  Avhite  woolly  material  of  the  willow- 
scrub.  The  monotonous,  though  lively  carol  of  the  Redwing, 
which  we  never  hear  in  England,  w^as  very  noticeable  this 
morning ;  and  to-day  I  found  tlic  first  nest,  with  five  fresh 
eggs,  placed   about  three  feet  from  the  ground  in  an   angle 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  167 

formed  by  the  stem  and  the  fallen  superstructure  of  a  birch 
tree.  The  nest  was  composed  entirely  of  very  fine  dry 
white  grass,  with  a  layer  of  damp  moss  at  the  foundation. 
There  were  no  sticks  about  it,  and  it  was  very  neat  and 
compact,  I  both  saw  and  heard  a  single  Tree-Pipit  {Anthus 
arhoreus)  singing  to-day,  but  I  unfortunately  missed  it.  In 
the  afternoon  we  again  ascended  the  fjelds,  where  we  observed 
Temminck^s  Stints  gyrating  in  parties  of  three  or  four  high 
up  in  the  air.  At  6.-30  p.m.  we  crossed  the  river  to  Gulhol- 
men.  All  then  looked  quiet  and  as  usual,  but  at  7.30  the 
whole  of  the  ice  in  the  upper  reaches  of  the  Tana  river  had 
broken  up  and  was  coming  down  in  tens  of  thousands  of 
tons  at  the  rate  of  about  four  miles  per  hour.  This  is  the 
first  indication  that  the  natives  have  of  the  long-looked  for 
change  from  winter  to  summer,  though  for  days  past  wherever 
one  went  the  roaring  of  waters  could  be  heard,  indicative  of 
the  rapid  melting  of  the  snow  in  the  high  grounds.  It  is 
this  natural  water-supply  that  is  tiie  primary  cause  of  the 
breaking  up  of  the  ice  ;  so  severe  is  the  winter  in  these  lati- 
tudes that  the  river  becomes  frozen  to  the  very  bottom,  and 
it  requires  the  accumulated  force  of  the  melted  snow-water, 
getting  under  the  ice,  to  lift  the  mass  bodily  up,  and  once 
afloat,  it  is  rapidly  propelled  seawards.  The  movement 
to-night  took  place  gradually  and  steadily,  nor  was  there 
so  much  of  that  rush  and  confusion  which  one  might  expect 
to  see,  where  such  a  mighty  change  was  taking  place.  It 
seemed,  however,  to  create  a  feeling  of  excitement,  not  only 
in  us,  but  in  the  birds ;  for  the  Geese  on  the  opposite  shores 
of  the  rivei',  the  Long-tailed  Ducks,  Divers,  and  other  birds 
seemed  to  make  more  clamouring  than  usual,  as  if  joyous 
at  the  signs  of  approaching  summer.  A  single  Long-tailed 
Skusx  {Stercora?~ius  parasiticus)  went  up  the  river  to-night, 
and  we  observed  a  solitary  Swallow  hawking  round  the  house 
at  Gulholmen,  evidently  just  arrived. 

June  11th.  Most  of  the  ice  had  gone  out  while  we  slept, 
and  this  morning  we  had  fine  warm  summer  weather  !  On 
the  fells  to-day  we  observed  pairs  of  Snow-Buntings  {Plec- 
trophanes  nivalis)  flitting  merrily  about ;  they  were  not  yet 


168  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -N cat iny 

breeding,  for  in  the  ovaries  of  some  whicli  I  examined  the  eggs 
were  but  slightly  developed.  The  feathers  around  their  bills 
were  always  stained  purple  with  the  juice  of  the  '^krokeboer/^ 
a  fell-berry  on  which  they  feed.  I  often  noticed  in  the  hollow 
bare  trunks  of  the  decayed  birch  trees  large  accumulations  of 
red  berries  from  which  Redpoles  and  Bramblings  frequently 
flew  up  as  one  approached ;  and  it  seems  as  if  these  berries 
form  a  winter  store  for  some  creatures  which  reside  there, 
probably  squirrels,  though  we  never  saw  any.  The  Mealy 
Kedpole  is  known  to  winter  here,  but  the  Brambling  migrates 
south.  To-night  the  midnight  sun  was  up  in  his  fullest 
majesty,  but  no  heat  seemed  to  reach  the  earth,  the  air  being 
clear  and  frosty. 

June  12th.  At  9.30  a.m.  we  left  Gulholmen  and,  with  a 
Lap  at  one  end  of  our  boat  and  a  Qvane  at  the  other,  we 
"  poled  "  incessantly  up  the  now  open  river  until  we  reached 
Pulmak  at  3.30  a.m.  on  the  following  morning.  I  was  sur- 
prised at  the  absence  of  bird-life,  although  there  were  exten- 
sive mud-banks  and  shoals,  apparently  well  adapted  for  the 
Waders.  We  landed  at  several  likely-looking  spots  on  the 
way,  at  one  of  which  a  pair  of  Wood-Sandpipers  clearly  had 
a  nest.  Common  Sandpipers,  Ring-Plovers,  Temminck's 
Stints,  and  Long-tailed  Ducks  were  all  the  birds  we  ob- 
served. About  six  miles  north  of  Pulmak,  and  about  mid- 
night, I  flushed  a  strange-looking  pair  of  birds  from  an 
"  ene'^  (juniper)  bush.  As  they  went  away  I  mistook  them 
fur  Green  Woodpeckers.  I  shot  one  of  them  as  it  glided 
away  with  undulating  flight,  and  my  surprise  was  great  to 
pick  up  a  Piue-Grosbeak  [Piaicola  enucleutor) .  Just  then 
Trinus  cried  out  that  he  had  found  a  nest,  and  on  my  com- 
ing up,  there  was  the  pretty  wickerwork  nest  with  two  eggs  of 
the  Pine-Grosbeak.  On  looking  about  we  soon  saw  the  other 
bird  sitting  callously  quite  close  to  us,  and  she  completed  the 
series.  The  occurrence  of  this  species  north  of  the  Arctic 
circle  had  not  previously,  according  to  Professor  Collett 
(Orn,  North.  Norway,  p.  22),  been  satisfactorily  established. 
The  plumage  of  the  Pine- Grosbeak  appears  to  have  always 
been  an  unsettled  problem,  so  1  will  merely  state  that  both 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  169 

these  birds^  male  and  feiuale_,  were  of  the  greyish-green  type, 
the  male  having  rather  more  of  the  orange  colour  than  the 
female.  It  is  clear  that,  although  the  scarlet  dress  is  con- 
sidered by  some  to  be  the  adult  plumage,  this  does  not  neces- 
sarily imply  that  an  immature  bird  cannot  breed ;  for  if  such 
were  the  case  here  was  a  clear  instance  of  two  immature  Pine- 
Grosbeaks  having  a  nest  and  eggs.  The  birds  were  roosting 
within  twenty  yards  of  their  nest,  and  when  skinning  the 
female  I  took  a  third  egg  from  her  oviduct.  I  afterwards 
found  near  Pulmak  a  male  in  full  scarlet  plumage  paired  and 
nesting  with  an  ash-grey  female,  and  a  third  nest  was  occupied 
by  two  greyish-green  birds.  The  nest  of  the  Pine-Grosbeak 
decidedly  resembles  that  of  the  Bullfinch,  being  constructed 
externally  of  an  extremely  light  network  of  thin  birch-twigs 
firmly  interlaced  into  each  other.  This  substructure  is  over- 
laid by  a  lining  of  fine  stiff  grass,  distinctly  visible  through  the 
network  of  sticks  from  below.  On  pulling  the  lining  to  pieces 
an  odd  horsehair  could  be  detected.  The  nest  was  placed  in 
a  small  birch  tree,  about  six  feet  from  the  ground,  and  very 
open.  I  was  rather  surprised  to  find  the  Pine-Grosbeak 
breeding  here,  as  I  thought  it  was  confined  to  the  pine  dis- 
tricts. But  I  found  several  pairs  of  this  bird  breeding  around 
Pulmak,  where  is  not  a  sign  of  any  thing  save  stunted  birch 
and  willow,  and  from  their  crops  I  took  birch -catkins.  We 
had  considerable  difficulty  in  effecting  a  landing  at  Pulmak, 
as,  owing  to  a  bend  in  the  river,  the  ice  had  become  congested 
and  piled  up  in  great  heaps,  at  least  ten  feet  high,  along  the 
shore. 

June  13tli.  Pulmak,  which  is  situate  a  little  north  of  the 
70ch  degree  of  latitude,  consists  of  some  half-dozen  Lap 
settlements  and  one  fairly  comfortable  inn.  It  is  situated  in 
a  bend  of  the  Tana,  which  is  here  perhaps  400  yards  wide. 
Around  are  low  fells,  seldom  rising  to  any  great  height, 
thickly  carpeted  with  reindeer-moss  and  clad  with  birch- 
forest  up  to  a  certain  level ;  in  many  cases  the  hills  are  so 
low  that  the  birch  reaches  and  crowns  their  summits. 
Close  to  the  door  of  our  dwelling  a  pair  of  Wigeon  [Mareca 
penelope)  rose  this  morning  and  I  secured  the  drake,  still  in 

SER.  V. VOL.   111.  N 


170  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds'' -Nesting 

full  winter  plumage.  Further  on  a  pair  of  Rough-legged 
Buzzards  had  a  nest,  and  were  ''wailing''  from  the  crag. 
The  nest,  placed,  as  usual,  on  a  ledge,  and  lined  Avith  dry 
grass,  contained  one  egg  completely  congealed,  and  much  of 
the  colour  washed  out.  I  had  to  warm  it  in  water  before  it 
would  blow,  although  otherwise  it  was  quite  fresh.  I  got 
to-day  the  first  Brambling's  nest,  a  beautiful  structure,  with 
one  very  small  egg.  A  Fieldfare's  nest  had  six  eggs,  and 
two  Titlarks'  nests  had  six  and  four  eggs,  fresh.  CuckoDs 
seemed  pretty  numerous.  I  shot  some  Golden  Plovers  to 
eat,  and  was  struck  with  their  splendid  adult  plumage, 
such  as  can  seldom  be  obtained  at  any  season  of  the  year  in 
Northumberland.  I  observe  also  that  the  male  Bramblings 
obtained,  in  breeding-dress,  on  thp  Dovre  Fjeld  in  Norway 
are  not  nearly  so  typically  adult  as  those  which  we  obtained 
in  East  Finmark. 

To-day  a  Lap  boy  brought  me  a  lovely  nest  with  seven 
eggs,  badly  incubated,  of  the  Great  Grey  Shrike  {Lanius 
major  ?)  ;  and  here  I  may  observe  that,  although  I  afterwards 
obtained  two  more  nests  and  eggs  of  this  species,  I  was 
never  fortunate  enough  to  get  the  bird.  In  all  cases  the 
nests  were  found  by  the  Laps  and  brought  to  me;  and  although 
I  invariably  returned  to  the  nesting-place  immediately  with 
the  Lap,  I  only  once  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  bird,  and  then 
I  did  not  manage  to  secure  her.  This  nest  was  placed  in  a 
birch  tree,  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  and  was  made  of 
white  grass,  profusely  lined  with  the  white  feathers  of  the 
Willow-Grouse,  with  a  few  binding  twigs  of  birch. 

June  14th.  A  White  Wagtail  {MotaciUa  alba)  had  its  nest 
under  the  turf  of  the  roof  of  our  dwelling,  and  contained  six 
fresh  eggs ;  the  nest  was  lined  with  greyish- white  reindeer- 
hair.  Two  nests  of  the  Redwing  contained  five  and  six  eggs ; 
one  of  them  was  on  the  ground  in  a  bank,  entirely  concealed 
by  an  overhanging  juniper  bush,  and  the  eggs  were  much  incu- 
bated. Although  the  fell-lakes  were  still  completely  frozen, 
Arctic  Terns  {Sterna  macrura)  were  hovering  over  some  of 
them,  and  on  two  small  islands  which  we  reached  by  walking 
across  the  ice  we  found  two  nests,  each  with  two  eggs.     A 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  171 

singular  instance  of  protective  coloration  occurred  here  :  two 
of  these  eggs  were  of  the  most  extraordinary  colour,  resem- 
bling very  rich  ]\Ierlin^s  eggs,  the  other  two  were  of  the 
ordinary  green  type.  The  ruddy  ones  were  laid  on  a  rich 
red  carpet  of  moss,  the  green  ones  on  green  reindeer-moss. 
The  yolk  and  albumen  of  these  eggs  was  quite  congealed 
with  the  cold.  On  the  edge  of  one  of  these  frozen  lakes  a 
Redshank's  nest  contained  two  eggs.  Coming  home  we 
found  a  Mealy  Redpole^s  nest  with  five  eggs,  profusely  lined 
with  feathers  of  "  ryper,^"  a  bird  which,  by  the  way,  we  had 
not  seen  or  heard  since  our  arrival  at  Pulmak. 

June  15th.  Winter  seemed  to  return,  for  it  snowed  con- 
tinuously all  day.  In  a  walk  along  the  bank  of  the  Pul- 
makelf,  a  tributary  of  the  Tana,  we  observed  a  single  male 
Goosander  busy  fishing,  also  a  pair  of  Red-necked  Phalaropes 
{Phalaropus  hyperboreus) ,  very  tame,  and  actively  feeding 
in  a  quiet  backwash  of  the  river.  They  swim  very  high 
in  the  water,  with  a  jerky  motion,  nodding  their  heads  like 
a  Waterhen,  and  are  surprisingly  quick  and  agile  in  their 
movements.  One  of  them  landed  and  sat,  like  a  tiny 
Duck,  preening  his  feathers  on  the  bank.  They  seemed  in 
mature  plumage,  the  yellow  stripes  down  the  sides  of  the 
back  being  very  conspicuous.  A  pair  of  Wood-Sandpipers 
were  very  tame,  and  allowed  us  to  come  very  close  to  them 
as  they  were  feeding,  wading  breast-high,  in  a  little  pool  of 
melted  snow-water. 

June  16th.  Coming  down  the  Pulmakelf  last  night,  I 
observed  a  thick-bodied  Duck  flying,  its  wings  rustling  in 
the  air.  I  inquired  of  the  Laps  if  any  Ducks  bred  in 
trees  about  here,  and  a  boy  assured  me  they  did,  and  that 
he  knew  of  holes  where  he  had  seen  their  nests  in  pre- 
vious years.  I  told  him  Avhere  I  had  seen  this  Duck,  and 
this  morning  he  returned,  having  found  the  nest  and  six 
eggs  of  the  Goldeneye  (^Clangula  glaucion).  When  we 
arrived  at  the  place,  I  wondered  where  the  nest  could  possibly 
be,  so  thin  and  small  were  all  the  trees ;  however,  in  an  old 
stump  about  three  feet  high,  with  a  hole  in  the  side  of  it 
large  enough  for  a  Duck's  body  to  enter,  and  about  eighteen 

N  2 


173  Mr.  A.  C.  Chiipniau's  Birds' -Nesting 

inches  down,  was  a  mass  of  dusky  white  down,  Avith  the  six 
bkiish-green  egg's.  No  bird  was  about,  and  the  eggs  were  cold, 
but  quite  fresh.  The  stump  was  at  the  top  of  a  very  steep  bank, 
perhaps  150  feet  from  the  river,  but  certainly  not  more  than 
40  feet  perpendicularly  above  the  water.  When  wandering 
in  the  bircli-forests,  we  observed  a  Great  Spotted  Woodpecker 
{Picus  major),  and  shortly  after  Trinus  saw  a  Pine- Grosbeak. 
1  secured  both,  and  then  we  commenced  to  look  for  the 
nests,  which  we  were  lucky  in  finding  close  together.  It  was 
merely  a  question  of  looking  for  a  thick  enough  tree  to  find 
the  Woodpecker's  nest.  The  first  thick-stemmed  tree  con- 
tained the  nest,  and  I  caught  the  hen  bird  on  it;  she  had 
just  hatched  her  four  eggs,  so  I  released  her.  The  Gros- 
beak's nest,  similar  to  the  one  already  desci'ibed,  contained 
four  eggs.  Presently  the  male  Grosbeak  came  up,  a  hand- 
some scarlet-plvimaged  bird.  I  never  heard  these  birds  utter 
the  slightest  note;  they  seemed  to  seek  safety  by  sitting 
perfectly  motionless  on  an  open  branch,  and  allowed  easy 
approach.     The  hen  was  a  greyish-green  bird. 

A  very  pretty  Willow-Grouse,  in  adult  summer  plumage, 
which  I  shot  to-day  in  Hussian  Finland,  had  an  egg  ready 
for  laying  in  her  oviduct.  A  Siberian  Titmouse  (Parits 
cinctus),  flying  out  of  an  old  Woodpecker's  hole,  made  me 
sure  ol:  a  nest  and  eggs,  and  I  secured  her  instantly,  but  was 
disappointed  to  find  nothing  but  dry  chips  and  no  eggs  at 
the  bottom.  The  bird  was  a  round  flufty  ball  of  hairy  fea- 
thers, with  a  rather  long  blue  tail,  and  was  the  only  example 
I  saw  of  this  species.  Titlarks  were  very  abundant,  and 
the  nests  were  everywhere  to  be  found  now.  A  large  flock 
of  Common  Scoters  rose  as  we  came  down  the  Pulmakelf  to- 
night. To-day  was  dull,  but  not  cold,  and  in  the  evening  we 
had  sunshine,  which  afterwards  proved  to  be  the  beginning 
of  that  continual  radiance  which  characterizes  the  three 
months'  summer  season  in  these  latitudes. 

June  17th.  A  Qvane  girl  brought  in  the  dark-coloured 
down  and  eight  eggs  of  what  she  termed  "  Kriksa,"  i.  e. 
Teal  {Querquedula  crecca),  which  she  had  taken  that  morning 
at  the  edge  of  a  large  lake  a  little  way  from  Pulmak.     She 


Ramble  in  Lap/and.  173 

also  brought  me  a  peculiar  open-topped  nest,  made  of  thin, 
stiff,  black  roots,  lined  with  dead  leaves,  and  containing  six 
eggs  of  the  Water-Ouzel  :  doubtless  Cinclus  melanogaster. 
The  nest  was  different  from  any  of  those  of  C.  aquaticus  I 
have  found  in  England, 

Later  in  the  day,  after  a  long  and  fruitless  search,  as  Trinus 
and  I  were  resting  on  the  edge  of  a  half-frozen  lough  far  out 
on  the  fell,  a  pair  of  Wood-Sandpipers  came  from  somewhere 
and  began  to  feed  along  the  edge  of  the  lough  ;  and  whilst 
watching  them  a  Long-tailed  Skua  came  past  us  with  very 
rapid  flight.  I  must  have  been  indulging  in  a  quiet  "  siesta/' 
when  Trinus  touched  my  coat  and  pointed  to  the  lough,  on 
which,  almost  within  gunshot,  two  large  heavy -looking  Ducks 
wei'e  swimming,  their  necks  craned  up,  suspiciously  watching 
us.  They  bad  just  alighted,  and  although  we  were  fully  ex- 
posed to  view,  they  did  not  seem  to  understand  what  we  were, 
so  motionless  did  we  lie.  Presently  the  lighter-coloured  of 
the  two  began  diving,  the  otlier  swimming  restlessly  back- 
wards and  forwards  along  the  edge  of  the  ice.  Immediately 
I  moved,  the  cat-ice  cracked  under  my  feet,  and  the  drake 
took  a  long  flight ;  but  coming  high  over  my  head,  I  killed 
him,  and  the  duck,  rising  at  the  shot,  shared  a  similar  fate. 
They  proved  to  be  an  adult  pair  of  Velvet  Scoters  {(Edemia 
fusca).  These  birds  were  evidently  seeking  a  nesting-place 
when  I  found  them  ;  but  so  arctic  was  the  state  of  the  fells 
and  their  lakes  at  this  date,  that  I  do  not  think  either  the 
Velvet  Scoter  or  the  Long-tailed  Skua  had  eggs  when  I  left 
the  country  in  the  beginning  of  July. 

A  pair  of  Whimbrels  [Nicmenius  phaeopus)  showed  great 
anxiety  long  before  we  reached  their  real  breeding-place ;  and 
although  they  used  every  endeavour  to  allure  us  away,  I  was 
most  fortunate  in  walking  right  upon  the  nest  and  four  eggs, 
slightly  incubated,  in  a  hole  scratched  in  the  reindeer-moss. 
Many  pike  were  disporting  themselves  in  some  shallow  lakes 
far  out  on  the  fells  to-day,  often  jumping  right  out  of  the 
water.  I  shot  one  to  see  what  it  was,  and  it  proved  to  be 
about  2  lbs.  weight.  We  wondered  greatly  how  these  fish 
had  ever  got  there,  and  what  they  did  in  the  long  winter ! 


174  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Nesting 

Coming  home  that  night  I  flushed  a  brace  of  Wigeon  off  the 
small  piece  of  water  near  our  house^  where  I  had  killed  the 
mature  (^ake  before  :  the  unfortunate  duck  lost  her  husband 
again,  and  I  found  he  was  half  moulted  to  summer  plumage. 

June  18th,  We  found  our  first  nest  of  the  Blue-throated 
Warbler  {Cyanecula  suecica)  to-day,  with  seven  fresh  eggs. 
It  was  placed  on  a  dry  bank  of  moss,  much  concealed,  and 
was  constructed  entirely  of  fine  dry  grass,  with  a  thick  foun- 
dation of  moss.  The  female,  which  was  very  tame,  had  a 
white  throat,  with  a  little  blue  at  the  edges  and  a  touch  of 
red  and  blue  on  the  breast.  All  the  male  Bluethroats  which 
I  saw  had  the  red  spot  on  the  throat,  A  Brambling's  nest 
contained  seven  fresh  eggs  to-day ;  and  a  Raven  which  I  shot 
w^as  in  full  moult  in  all  the  wing-feathers,  except  the  quills, 
which  had  been  renewed,  and  the  feathers  on  the  neck  and 
head,  which  were  also  new. 

Coming  along  the  edge  of  the  Tana  I  found  a  nest  and 
four  eggs  of  the  Shore-Lark  (Otocorys  alpestris).  The  nest 
was  within  ten  yards  of  the  river-side,  placed  in  a  hole 
scratched  in  the  sandy  ground  near  the  bank.  It  was  close 
in  to  Pulmak,  and  1  must  have  passed  the  place  dozens  of 
times  before,  but  even  now  I  did  not  see  the  bird.  Two 
Laps,  Trinus,  and  I  were  standing  wondering  where  the 
owner  of  the  nest  could  be,  when  we  suddenly  caught  sight  of 
her,  squatting  on  the  ground  at  our  very  feet,  her  head  turned 
towards  us  and  her  little  black  horns  distinctly  visible.  The 
nest  was  made  exclusively  of  dry  white  broad-bladed  grasses. 
The  eggs  were  of  a  yellowish  colour,  not  unlike  those  of  our 
Yellow  Wagtail.  It  is  strange  that  this  bird  should  nest 
in  such  very  different  localities,  for  I  afterwards  found  them, 
evidently  breeding,  on  the  bare  fell-tops  overgrown  with 
stunted  lichens  and  mosses,  and  strewn  with  boulders  and 
patches  of  snow.  A  Lap  brought  me  in  to-night  five  eggs  of 
what  he  called  the  "  Hauga,''-'  i.  e.  Long-tailed  Duck  {Harelda 
glacialis) .  The  nest  was  placed  on  the  river-bank  just  opposite 
Pulmak,  and  as  there  was  no  down,  I  concluded  slie  could 
not  have  laid  her  full  complement  of  eggs.  Reed- Buntings 
seemed   common   bv   the  side  of  some  fell-lakes   which   we 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  175 

visited  to  day.  Although  we  now  had  fine  summer  weather, 
there  was  not  a  sign  of  greenness  in  a  single  tree  or  plant  as 
yet,  and  many  deep  ridges  of  snow  looked  as  if  ihey  were 
never  going  to  melt.  A  single  Swallow  arrived  at  Pulmak 
in  the  evening. 

June  19th.  House-Martins  {Chelidon  urhica)  arrived  and 
sought  the  eaves  of  our  dwelling  for  a  breeding-place.  After 
breakfast  I  shot  the  female  Wigeon  as  she  rose  from  her 
nest  close  to  the  house :  the  one  egg  was  laid  on  the  dead 
leaves  under  a  willow  bush,  with  scarcely  a  sign  of  a  nest. 
This  was  the  Duck  whose  two  husbands  I  had  already 
secured,  and  now  she  fell  herself !  She  had  a  pretty 
brindled  head,  grey  and  black,  the  wing  and  tail-coverts 
mottled  white  all  over,  the  flanks  were  brown. 

June  20tli.  A  little  Lap  boy  brought  me  this  morning,  in 
a  tin  tray,  the  nest,  cut  out  of  the  ground,  containing  three 
eggs,  of  the  Dotterel  {Eudromias  mori/ieZ/Ms),  the  first  indica- 
tion I  had  of  this  bird^s  presence  near  Pulmak.  To-day 
Trinus  and  I  packed  up  our  tent  and  hired  two  Lap  boys 
to  "  pole  "  us  up  the  Pulmakelf  as  far  as  Pulmak  Vand,  a 
lake  some  seven  miles  long  and  two  miles  wide,  about 
eight  miles  from  Pulmak  and  about  forty  miles  north  of 
the  great  Lake  Enare.  We  had  intended  pitching  our 
tent  near  a  Russian  Finn^s  hut  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake, 
but  we  were  rather  amazed  to  find,  on  emerging  from  the 
high  banks  of  the  Pulmak  river,  that  the  whole  surface  of  the 
lake  was  still  frozen,  and  that  the  mountains  on  the  Russian 
side  were  deep  in  snow.  We  accordingly  pitched  our  tent  in 
the  birch-forest  near  the  frozen  lake,  and  when  the  two  Laps 
had  roasted  us  some  salmon-steaks  with  the  aid  of  a  birch 
fire,  they  returned  to  Pulmak,  and  we  were  left  alone  in  the 
solitudes  of  the  forest.  Close  to  our  home  was  the  boundary 
line  between  Norwegian  Lapland  and  Russian  Finland ;  this 
line  is  kept  distinct  through  the  birch-forests  by  means  of 
cutting  down  all  the  trees  for  a  width  of  several  yards,  and 
over  the  bare  fells  by  large  cairns  of  stones  set  on  the  tops 
of  conspicuous  fell-summits. 

When  strolling  along  a  pathway  in  the  forest  in  the  after- 


17G  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Kesting 

noon,  we  met  the  Russian  Finn's  daughter,  who  had  just 
Hiished  a  Willow-Grouse  {Lagopus  albus)  from  its  nest  and 
eleven  riehly  coloured  eggs,  laid  on  the  dead  birch-leaves  at 
the  foot  of  an  old  stump.  1  bought  these  from  her ;  but  she 
thought  they  were  worth  at  least  a  krone  for  eating.  Coming 
back  to  our  tent  that  night  I  disturbed  a  Blue-throated 
Warbler  from  her  nest  under  a  juniper  bush,  containing  five 
fresh  eggs.  As  we  lay  in  the  tent  we  made  notes  of  the 
nocturnal  bird-songs.  About  11  p.m.  the  woods  resounded 
with  the  hoarse  cackle  of  the  W^illow-Grouse.  I  learnt  that 
they  were  in  the  habit  of  flying  down  to  the  forest-streams  to 
drink  at  this  hour,  and  certainly  from  11  o'clock  till  mid- 
night they  were  very  restless  and  noisy.  For  about  half  an 
hour  at  midnight,  though  the  sun  shone  brilliantly  in  a 
yellow  sky,  all  was  hushed,  aud  the  first  bird  to  break  the 
silence  was  the  Redwing,  followed  immediately  by  the  Bram- 
bling,  and  then  the  smaller  Warblers  joined  the  chorus.  It 
is  strange  how  short  a  time  they  seem  to  allow  themselves 
for  rest.  In  the  morning,  the  Russian  Finn,  having  heard 
from  his  daughter  that  some  eccentric  individuals  were  camp- 
ing out  in  the  woods  by  the  lake,  came  and  informed  me 
that  he  had  seen  the  prints  of  seven  bears  in  the  snow  two 
days  before,  and  wanted  us  to  go  after  them ;  but  the  dis- 
tance was  great,  and  the  chance  small,  so  we  declined. 

June  21st.  On  the  fells  to-day  Golden  Plovers  and  Whim- 
brels  were  numerous.  I  took  a  ncst  of  the  former  with  four 
fresh  eggs,  and  shot  one  of  the  latter  as  he  perched  on  the 
topmost  branch  of  a  birch  tree.  W^hen  lunching  we  heard  a 
peculiar  chit-chit  note  in  some  scrub  near  us,  and  on  going 
to  see  what  it  was,  a  Common  Snipe  [Gallinago  ccelestis)  rose, 
the  only  example  of  this  species  1  observed  in  Finmark,  or 
Finland,  for  we  were  now  on  Russian  territory.  A  pair  of 
Long-tailed  Skuas  seemed  to  be  wandering  over  the  fells  in 
search  of  a  place  to  breed,  and  I  secured  a  splendid  specimen 
as  he  came,  like  an  arrow,  right  at  me.  The  inside  of  its 
mouth  was  pale  pink,  the  irides  hazel,  the  tarsus  was  a  pale 
blue,  and  the  feet  dusky  black.  We  got  our  third  nest  of 
the  Bluethroat  to-day,  with  six  eggs. 


Rumble  in  Lapland.  1 77 

June  22nd.  Two  important  observations  were  made  to- 
day :  first,  there  is  a  slight  tinge  of  green  in  the  birch-forests, 
which,  up  to  now,  have  been  as  bare  and  barren  as  winter; 
and,  secondly,  the  appearance  of  mosquitoes  in  force.  From 
this  date  life  became  hardly  tolerable  on  account  of  this 
plague.  I  found  this  morning  by  the  lake-side  a  nest  and 
six  eggs  of  the  Reed-Bunting,  and  shortly  afterwards  I  flushed 
a  Phalarope  {Phalaropus  hyperboreus)  from  her  tiny  nest  in 
the  grass,  close  to  the  water's  edge.  The  legs  and  feet  of 
this  bird  are  greenish.  A  pair  of  Wood- Sandpipers  evidently 
had  a  nest  here,  but  they  completely  deluded  us.  This  bird 
has  a  habit  of  going  high  up  in  the  air  and  gyrating  for  hours 
in  wide  circles,  at  times  shooting  up  another  fifty  or  sixty  feet 
with  a  delightful  wild  cry. 

Coming  down  the  Pulmakclf,  on  our  return  to  Pulmak,  we 
found  two  nests  of  Temminck's  Stints,  one  containing  two 
eggs,  the  other  three.  The  latter  was  placed  close  to  a  Lap's 
log-hut,  and  immediately  behind  a  dunghill  adjoining  the 
house,  a  few  paces  from  the  edge  of  the  Tana.  The  old  birds 
were  very  solicitous,  sailing  around  with  their  wings  set  over 
their  backs,  like  a  butterfly,  often  alighting  on  a  tree,  rail, 
or  stone,  or  sometimes  on  the  ridge  of  the  Lap  hut  adjoining, 
uttering  the  while  a  continual  pretty  trilling  note.  I  fre- 
quently observed  this  tiny  Wader  in  the  act  of  nest-making, 
scratching  a  hole  with  its  little  feet,  then  quickly  sitting 
down  and  turning  its  little  body  round  to  form  the  required 
depression.  Then  the  bird  jumps  up,  and  looking  at  the 
embryo  nest,  pushes  a  dead  birch-leaf  with  her  slender  beak 
into  the  tiny  hole.  I  measured  the  diameter  of  one  nest 
containing  four  eggs,  and  it  did  not  amount  to  2j  inches 
over  all.  The  eggs  are  placed  small  ends  together,  and, 
owing  to  the  depth  of  the  nest,  are  caused  to  stand  nearly 
on  end,  thus  taking  up  very  little  space ;  indeed,  if  they  lay 
on  their  sides^  the  small  body  of  this  Wader  could  not  cover 
them.  Frequently,  when  at  the  nest,  the  Stints  would  run 
round  and  round,  almost  coming  within  arm's  reach  ;  but 
their  quickness  of  flight  when  surprised  or  frightened  is 
astonishing.     They  seemed  to  have  a  special  liking  for  the 


178  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Ntst'mg 

dry  sandy  banks  of  the  Pulraakelf  close  to  its  junction  with 
the  Tana.  Here  the  sloping  sand  was  sparsely  overgrown 
with  dwarf  willows,  and  amongst  the  roots  of  the  willows  a 
coarse  grass  was  growing,  strewn  with  dead  birch-leaves,  and 
this  the  Stints  seemed  to  prefer  to  any  other  place,  although 
I  afterwards  found  them  breeding  several  hundred  yards 
from  water. 

June  23rd.  A  pair  of  Ring-Plovers  {jEgialitis  hiaticula), 
by  their  excessive  anxiety  and  solicitude,  betrayed  their  nest 
and  four  eggs  within  a  stone's  throw  of  our  dwelling.  I  had 
heard  them  nearly  all  night  long  uttering  their  fine  hollow 
cry,  as  they  flew  up  and  down  the  river.  I  got  my  last 
Pine-Grosbeak's  nest  to-day,  with  two  eggs.  A  Great  Grey 
Shrike's  nest,  built  close  to  the  place  where  we  had  obtained 
a  nest  and  seven  hard-set  eggs  on  the  14th  June,  now  con- 
tained six  fine  fresh  eggs,  evidently  a  second  laying.  This 
nest  was  constructed  almost  entirely  of  white  "ryper  "-fea- 
thers, and  was  very  warm  and  compact.  It  was  placed  in  a 
bii'ch  tree  standing  alone  in  an  open  glade  in  the  forest.  The 
white  feathers  of  the  Willow-Grouse  exactly  resembled  in 
colour  the  silvery  bark  of  the  birch  tree  on  which  it  was  l)uilt. 
We  also  obtained  to-day  a  Brambling's  nest  with  seven  eggs, 
a  Bluethroat's  with  seven  eggs,  and  a  Golden  Plover's  with 
four  eggs,  and  I  shot  a  Grey-headed  W^agtail  in  gorgeous 
plumage.  The  heat  was  great  to-day  :  the  birch-forests  are 
turning  green,  and  the  mosquitoes  are  a  living  plague. 

June  24th.  On  our  way  to  some  distant  fells  to  look  for 
Dotterel,  we  found  a  Ring-Plover's  nest  with  two  eggs  and 
two  Mealy  Redpole's  nests,  the  first  with  five  eggs,  the  second 
with  newly  hatched  young.  The  latter  have  a  very  ex- 
tended period  of  incubation,  and  probably  have  two  broods 
in  the  season.  Their  nests  are  very  pretty,  consisting  in  this 
case  of  small  twigs  outside,  then  the  soft  downy  wool  of  the 
willow-catkin,  and  then  the  snow-wiiite  lining  of  "  ryper  "- 
feathers.  When  the  pale-blue  eggs,  with  their  purple  spots, 
are  laid  in  this,  it  is  impossible  to  conceive  a  prettier  sight. 
After  a  long  climb  we  eventually  reached  the  summit  of  a 
truly  characteristic  Lapland  fjeld  ;  nothing  but  a  great  rolling 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  179 

waste  of  reindeer-moss,  thickly  strewn  with  grey  boulders  and 
stones  and  occasional  patches  of  snow.  It  seemed  to  be  a 
real  paradise  for  the  wild  and  solitary  Dotterel.  On  looking 
over  a  ridge,  we  saw  a  grey-looking  bird  get  up  and  quickly 
disappear  behind  a  knoll.  On  going  to  the  place,  there  lay 
the  "triple  clutch"  characteristic  of  the  Dotterel,  laid  in  a 
slight  hole  scratched  in  the  reindeer-moss,  without  any  lining. 
Leaving  Trinus  at  the  nest,  I  went  after  the  bird,  which  kept 
running  in  front  of  me,  and  eventually  rose,  uttering  a  deep 
croak-croak,  which  I  never  heard  afterwards.  After  a  con- 
siderable chase  I  procured  her,  and  returned  to  the  nest. 
The  eggs  were  hard-sat.  During  the  course  of  to-day  I  saw 
many  Dotterel.  Once,  when  lying  resting,  I  heard  a  low 
pipe,  and  on  looking  round  saw  the  fine  chestnut  breast 
and  white  eye-streak  of  a  Dotterel,  which  was  sitting  on  a 
stone  close  to  us.  We  did  not  move,  and  presently  two 
others  came  running  up.  Golden  Plovers  swarmed,  and 
the  notes  of  the  two  could  be  well  compared ;  that  of  the 
Dotterel  is  similar  to,  but  not  nearly  so  loud  as,  that  of  the 
Golden  Plover.  Once  I  watched  a  Dotterel  running  about, 
till  at  length  it  sat  down,  and  I  felt  sure  it  was  on  the  nest. 
Approaching  quietly,  I  got  within  six  feet  of  her,  when  I 
perceived  that  the  bird  had  gone  to  roost;  her  eyes  were 
shut,  and  she  was  fast  asleep  :  it  was  a  very  pretty  sight. 
On  looking  at  my  watch  I  found  it  was  midnight. 

Seated  on  the  top  of  a  high  fell,  some  twelve  miles  from 
Pulmak,  the  view  was  superb.  Far  as  the  eye  could  reach 
this  wild  country  presented  a  continuous  series  of  rolling 
hills,  clad  with  birch  to  a  certain  level,  the  intervening 
morasses  being  studded  with  numerous  lakes  and  water- 
courses, and  in  the  hazy  distance  great  snow-mountains 
reared  up  into  the  yellow  midnight  sky.  The  sun  shone 
brilliantly,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  occasional  low 
pipe  of  the  Plover  and  Dotterel,  or  the  lively  chirrup  of  the 
Snow-Bunting,  all  was  silent.  Frequently,  during  the  course 
of  the  day,  we  observed  small  parties  of  six  or  eight  Dotterel 
running  about  together  ;  but  they  were  wild  and  unapproach- 
able, and  I  felt  inclined  to   think   that   they  could  not  be 


180  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Nesting 

breeding.  Some  of  the  Dotterels  \^  liieh  we  examined  were  far 
blacker  on  the  crown  of  tlie  head  than  others  ;  some  had  a 
grey  crown,  but,  with  this  exception,  I  could  note  no  differ- 
ence in  the  plumage  of  the  sexes ;  the  legs  and  feet  are 
yellow ;  the  irides  hazel.  As  we  tramped  home  we  remarked 
that  the  birch-leaves  were  now  nearly  full  out ;  only  three 
days  ago  not  a  sign  of  a  leaf  was  visible  ! 

June  25th.  Temminck''s  Stints  were  just  beginning  to  lay 
now,  and  to-day  we  got  two  nests  with  four  fresh  eggs  each. 
1  succeeded  also  in  getting  a  nest  and  four  very  fine  eggs  of 
the  Rough-legged  Buzzard,  considerably  larger  than  any  I 
had  got  hefore,  and  quite  fresh.  A  Lap  boy  brought  me  a 
clutch  of  four  fresh  Whimbrel's  eggs ;  they  had  a  fine  olive- 
green  ground,  with  few  other  markings,  entirely  confined  to 
the  larger  end.  Rather  contrary  to  our  anticipations,  a  heavy 
thunderstorm,  with  vivid  flashes  of  lightning  and  deluges  of 
rain,  overtook  us  to-day.  The  rain  had  a  most  invigorating 
effect  on  the  birch-forests,  and  in  the  afternoon,  when  an 
almost  tropical  sun  began  to  shine,  the  previously  imperfect 
exfoliation  of  the  buds  was  completely  developed. 

June  26th.  We  made  an  early  start  this  morning  and 
reached  some  high  fells,  some  ten  miles  from  Pulmak,  before 
the  sun's  heat  had  time  to  strike  us.  Another  thunderstorm 
greeted  us  here,  and  when  sheltering  under  a  boulder  a  male 
Ring-Oazel  appeared  before  us,  the  only  one  we  saw  in  Fin- 
mark.  1  secured  a  pair  of  Dotterel  here,  and  then  we  de- 
scended into  a  vast  expanse  of  bog  and  morass.  It  appeared 
a  charming  place  for  birds ;  but  although  we  tramped  about 
for  many  hours  in  the  most  likely-looking  spots,  we  never 
even  saw  or  heard  any  thing  save  an  occasional  Golden 
Plover.  Coming  home,  I  secured  a  pair  of  Lapland  Bunt- 
ings and  found  several  nests  of  Fieldfares  and  Mealy  Red- 
poles  with  young.  From  a  small  lake  in  the  midst  of  a  thick 
forest,  six  Wood-Sandpipers  together  dashed  off  with  the 
wildest  screams.  I  had  been  attracted  thither  by  cries 
which  proved  to  arise  from  a  family  of  young  Siberian  Jays 
{Perisoreus  infaustus) .  They  were  hopping  about  from 
branch  to  branch  in  a  sprightly  manner,  reminding  me  of 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  181 

the  habits  of  a  Jackdaw  or  Magpie.  Two  which  I  secured 
were  fledglings^  not  a  week  out  of  the  nest,  and  were  clothed 
in  a  soft  hairy  dress,  the  rusty-red  colour  on  the  bastard 
wing  and  tail  being  conspicuous  in  all  their  movements.  I 
never  found  a  nest  of  this  species,  though  it  was  evident 
these  birds  had  been  hatched  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood. 
We  observed  Mealy  Redpoles,  generally  single  birds,  affecting 
tiie  highest  fell-tops  to-day,  and  busy  feeding  among  the 
boulders  and  reindeer-moss.  In  rowing  up  the  Pulmakelf 
on  the  27th,  we  found  several  Temminck^s  Stints^  nests  with 
broken  eggs,  caused  by  the  rising  of  the  river,  and  we  also 
got  one  with  four  fresh  eggs.  A  male  Goosander  {Mergus 
merganser)  slipping  slily  away  from  an  islet  in  a  backwash 
of  the  river,  arrested  our  attention,  as  we  had  seen  him  there 
several  times  before;  and  on  landing  on  this  island,  over- 
grown with  birch-scrub,  the  female  Goosander  slipped  away 
from  her  nest,  a  circular  hole  in  the  sandy  ground,  10  inches 
in  diameter  and  6  inches  deep,  thickly  lined  with  her  dusky- 
coloured  down,  containing  ten  cream-coloured  eggs,  quite 
fresh.  The  birds  never  came  near  the  nest  while  we  were 
there.  When  looking  for  the  nest  of  a  Greenshank  which 
we  had  disturbed,  we  found  a  Willow- Warbler's  nest,  lined 
with  the  fine  grey-mottled  feathers  from  the  back  of  a  drake 
Wigeon,  with  seven  fresh  eggs. 

June  28th.  Many  Wheatears  have  eggs  now;  their  nests 
are  made  of  the  roots  of  the  ling  and  moss,  and  lined  with 
reindeer-hair.  I  observed  a  Garden- Warbler  [Sylvia  hortensis) 
singing  quite  near  me  to-day,  and  obtained  a  Wigeon^s  nest, 
with  six  fresh  eggs.  They  were  laid  under  a  willow-bush  on 
the  banks  of  the  Tana.  House-Martins  are  busy  nesting  in 
the  crags,  and  Grey-headed  Wagtails  are  very  common.  We 
obtained  two  nests  of  the  latter  with  fresh  eggs  to-day.  A 
Lap  brought  me  a  very  interesting  nest  of  the  Great  Grey 
Shrike,  constructed,  as  usual^  of  the  white  feathers  of  the 
Willow-Grouse;  but  this  was  overlaid  with  glossy  Raven's 
feathers,  and  the  lining,  on  which  the  single  e^g  was  de- 
posited, consisted  of  i-eindeer-hair. 

June  29th.     While  we  slept  the  grass  round  our  little 


182  Mr.  A.  C.  Chapman's  Birds' -Nesting 

liouse  had  turned  green,  and  I  was  assured  it  would  be  two 
feet  high  in  ten  days'  time,  so  rapid  is  the  growth  of  plants 
and  trees  in  the  short  Arctic  summer.  We  took  leave  of 
Pulmak  and  our  kind  landlord  to-day,  and  as  we  turned  the 
bend  in  the  river,  we  could  not  help  being  struck  with  the 
wondrous  change  that  we  had  witnessed  during  our  short 
stay.  Our  journey  down  the  river  was  rapid,  and,  reaching 
Gulholmen  about  10  p.m.,  we  proceeded  to  Yagge,  the  station 
at  the  head  of  the  Tana  Fiord,  where  the  steamerwas  to  pick  us 
up.  As  we  crossed  the  fiord  a  White-tailed  Eagle  slowly 
flapped  across  in  front  of  us,  and  we  w'cre  rather  astonished 
to  see  several  hundred  Mergansers  in  a  flock  at  this  time 
of  the  year.  The  "  gaggling ''  of  Geese  on  the  flats  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Tana  gave  us  hopes  of  finding  their  eggs  on  the 
next  day.  We  then  visited  the  ground  where  I  had  seen  the 
Red-throated  Pipits  [Anthus  cervinus)  on  June  9th;  their  shrill 
pipe  again  arrested  our  attention,  and  after  a  long  search  we 
succeeded  in  finding  a  nest,  with  six  slightly  incubated  eggs. 
It  was  placed  under  a  birch  bush,  on  a  moss-hag,  surrounded 
by  water,  and  consisted  of  very  stiff"  stalks  of  grass  externally, 
and  finer  white  grass  for  a  lining,  but  the  whole  was  of  a 
distinctly  rougher  texture  and  construction  than  is  the  nest 
of  its  congener,  the  Meadow-Pipit.  I  was  very  careful  in 
the  identification  of  these  eggs ;  and  after  finding  the  nest,  we 
watched  the  female,  though  very  sly  and  retiring,  go  on  to  it, 
when  I  procured  her.  Their  habits  now  were  more  retiring 
than  formerly,  and  they  rarely  showed  themselves,  seeming 
to  prefer  creeping  along  among  the  roots  of  the  birch-scrub, 
whence,  when  unmolested,  they  uttered  a  pleasing  little  song, 
at  times  not  unlike  that  of  a  Canary.  Their  eggs  have  suf- 
fused blotches  on  them,  and  more  resemble  those  of  the 
Blackcap  than  those  of  the  Meadow-Pipit.  Presently  we 
flushed  a  Temminck's  Stint  from  her  nest  and  four  eggs, 
placed  far  away  from  water;  and  from  about  the  last  tree 
in  Europe  came  the  loud  cackle  of  a  Siberian  Jay,  which 
proved  to  be  a  fledgling  of  the  year. 

On  the  bare  fell-tops  we  found  Snow-Buntings  and  a  pair 
of  Shore-Larks ;  from  the  oviduct  of  one  of  the  latter  I  took 


Ramble  in  Lapland.  183 

an  egg  ready  for  laying.  These  birds  are  said  by  Sommer- 
felt,  the  Vadso  naturalist,  to  breed  twice ;  and  this  would 
seem  to  corroborate  his  statement.  They  must  have  a  con- 
siderable vertical  breeding-range,  for  though  breeding  at 
Pulmak  at  the  lowest  possible  level,  they  seemed  here  to  vie 
with  the  Snow-Bunting  in  the  altitude  of  their  haunts.  We 
revisited  the  Osprey's  breeding-place,  and  were  surprised  to 
find  a  new  nest,  from  which  the  bird  flew  at  our  approach, 
but  it  was  empty.  I  believe  this  nest  had  been  built  by  the 
male  bird  alone,  for  though  we  waited  some  time,  we  never 
saw  more  than  this  single  Osprey.  We  observed  to-day  a 
large  flock  of  Geese,  some  hundreds  together,  and  at  our 
approach  they  rose  wild  and  departed,  just  as  they  had  done 
on  June  9th.  Could  these  birds  be  going  to  breed  ?  We 
were  much  puzzled  by  these  flocks  of  Mergansers  and  G-eese 
at  this  season  of  the  year.  The  mosquitoes  were  beginning 
to  affect  us  seriously  now  :  the  hissing  column  followed  us 
alike  on  mountain-top  and  lowland  bog;  escape  was  impos- 
sible. In  a  short  walk  on  the  fells  in  the  evening  of  July  1st 
I  shot  a  female  Ptarmigan  {Lagopus  mutns)  ;  her  ovary  con- 
tained fifteen  undeveloped  eggs.  A  pair  of  Bramblings  were 
evidently  nesting  on  this  fell-side,  though  there  was  no  plant- 
growth  exceeding  two  feet  in  height.  Next  day,  on  a  bent- 
grass  island  in  the  fiord,  we  found  two  nests  of  Temminck^s 
Stints,  each  containing  four  eggs,  and  a  Mealy  Redpole's 
nest  had  one  fresh  egg.  On  the  3rd  the  Vadso  steamer  was 
due  at  8  p.m.  ;  but  as  the  boat  did  not  arrive  till  exactly  twelve 
hours  afterwards,  in  strict  accordance  with  Norwegian  prac- 
tice, we  passed  the  time  in  watching  the  seals  and  small 
flocks  of  old  male  Goldeneyes  in  their  mature  plumage,  the 
white  cheek-spot  being  very  conspicuous.  On  the  4th  at 
8.30  A.M.,  the  steamer  '^  Orion  ^  arrived;  we  rounded  the 
dreary-looking  cliffs  of  the  North  Cape  about  midday  (July 
5th),  and  reached  Hammerfest  at  night.  On  the  evenino-  of 
July  6th  we  reached  Tromso,  and  I  spent  the  night  watching 
the  l)irds  on  the  west  side  of  the  island.  Redshanks,  Oyster- 
catchers,  and  Ring-Plovers  were  simply  swarming,  and  I 
caught  young  in  down  of  each.      Great  flocks  of  Eiders 


184  A  Birds' -Nesting  Ramble  in  Lapland. 

ducks  and  drakes  with  theii'  young,  with  one  brood  of 
Long-tailed  Ducks^  Black  Guillemots,  Pted-throated  Divers, 
and  various  Gulls  fairly  covered  the  smooth  surface  of  the 
fiord,  and  their  cries  were  deafening  in  the  still  night  air. 
In  the  woods  Fieldfares,  Redwings^  Bramblings,  and  Willow- 
Grouse  abounded,  and  I  saw  many  fledged  young  of  the  three 
former  species. 

In  a  naturalist's  shop  in  Tromso  were  many  beautiful 
specimens  of  Bar-tailed  Godwits  in  their  rich  red  summer 
plumage.  My  servant  told  me  he  shot  them  regularly  during 
the  spring  migration.  How  strange  it  is  that  they  should 
he  so  seldom  found  in  the  breeding-season  !  Trinus  also  had 
Grey  Phalaropes,  in  their  red  summer  dress,  which  he  had 
shot  in  Spitzbergen  the  year  before.  On  July  9th  I  visited 
some  of  the  islands  lying  off  Bodo ;  but  the  season  for  eggs 
was  now  nearly  over,  and,  with  the  exception  of  one  nest  of 
Richardson's  Skua,  with  two  eggs,  many  of  the  Arctic  Tern,  and 
one  nest  of  the  Rock-Pipit  with  three  eggs,  we  got  nothing. 
A  pair  of  Turnstones  evidently  had  their  young  here.  One 
thing  which  struck  me  as  peculiar  in  the  habits  of  the 
northern-breeding  birds  was  the  large  clutches  of  eggs  laid 
by  such  species  as  Bramblings,  Bluethroats,  Willow-Wrens, 
Fieldfares,  Redwings,  Shrikes,  Wheatcars,  &c.  Nearly  all  the 
nests  contained  as  many  as  six  eggs,  and  it  was  not  unusual 
to  find  seven;  one  nest  of  a  Redstart  had  eight  eggs. 

In  concluding  my  rambling  notes,  I  take  this  opportunity  of 
thanking  Professor  Collett  for  giving  me  a  copy  of  his  excel- 
lent paper  on  the  "  Ornithology  of  Northern  Norway."  I 
have  carefully  endeavoured  to  convey  exactly  what  I  saw, 
and  I  may  add  that  this  paper  is  little  more  than  a  repro- 
duction of  what  I  jotted  down  at  the  actual  time  of  obser- 
vation. This,  I  hope,  will  give  it  freshness;  and  although 
there  may  not  be  any  thing  novel,  I  trust  there  may  still  be 
found  something  interesting,  and  perhaps  useful,  to  future 
naturalists  visiting  that  portion  of  East  Finmark  known  as 
Tanadalen. 


On  Birds  from  the  Island  of  Cozumel.  185 

XVI. — On  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  the  Island  of  Cozumel. 
By  OsBERT  Salvin,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  &c. 

(Plate  V.) 

The  collection  of  birds  described  below  was  formed  by  Mr. 
E.  C.  J.  Devis^  wlio^  after  residing  for  some  time  in  Northern 
Yucatan^  visited  Cozumel  before  returning  to  England. 

The  centre  of  Cozumel  is  situated  in  about  lat.  20°  30'  N., 
long.  86°  50'  W.  The  island  lies  off  the  east  coast  of  Yucatan, 
a  little  to  the  southward  of  Cape  Catoche.  It  is  an  irregular 
oval  in  shape,  about  twenty-five  miles  long  and  ten  wide, 
and  is  separated  from  the  mainland  by  a  channel  about  ten 
miles  wide.  The  geological  formation  appears  to  be  similar 
to  that  of  the  adjoining  coast,  and  consists  of  a  porous  lime- 
stone, through  which  all  rain  at  once  passes,  so  that  there 
are  no  surface-streams  or  rivers  anywhere  in  the  district. 
The  ground  seems  to  be  honeycombed,  and  water  collects  in 
natural  wells,  locally  called  "  senotes,^""  which  have  been  de- 
scribed by  all  travellers  in  Yucatan  (see  Mr.  G.  F.  Gaumer^s 
description  of  them,  P.Z.  S.  1883,  p.  438). 

Historically,  Cozumel  is  of  some  interest,  having  been  first 
visited  by  Juan  de  Grijalva,  one  of  the  immediate  prede- 
cessors of  Cortes,  who  himself  directed  his  ships  to  this  island 
when  he  sailed  from  Cuba  in  the  expedition  which  resulted 
in  the  conquest  of  Mexico.  At  that  time  the  island  appears 
to  have  been  thickly  populated,  and  extensive  buildings  gave 
evidence  of  an  advanced  civilization. 

After  the  visit  of  Cortes,  Cozumel  appears  to  have  again 
sunk  into  obscurity  until  Stephens  went  therein  1842  for  the 
purpose  of  exploring  its  ruins*.  Dr.  S.  Cabot  was  with  this 
expedition,  and  to  him  we  owe  the  beginning  of  our  know- 
ledge of  the  birds  of  the  island,  as  he  brought  away  with 
him  two  skius  of  a  Certhiola,  many  years  afterwards  de- 
scribed as  Certhiola  caboti,  the  nearest  relative  of  which  is  a 
species  inhabiting  the  Bahama  Islands. 

Mr.  Devises  collection  contains  examples  of  twenty-seven 
species;   and  on  comparing  them  with  the  now  well-known 

*  '  Incidents  of  Travel  in  Yucatan/  ii.  cliap.  xx. 
SER.  V. VOL.  III.  O 


186  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  a  Collection  of 

fauna  of  Yucatan  we  find,  as  might  liave  been  expected,  a 
strong  resemblance  in  tbe  two  districts  as  regards  their  birds. 
Still  there  are  features  in  the  Cozumel  fauna  that  call  for 
special  remark ;  for  besides  the  Certhiola  just  described,  we 
find  a  species  of  the  hitherto  peculiarly  Antillean  genus 
Spindalis,  also  a  distinct  Harporhynchus ,  which  has  no  ally 
nearer  than  in  the  Mexican  State  of  Vera  Cruz. 

The  characteristic  birds  which  this  island  shares  with  the 
mainland  are  Vireo  magister,  Pyranga  roseigularis ,  Centurus 
rubriventris,  C.  dubius,  and  Chrysotis  xantholora.  Many  of 
the  remainder  of  tbe  species  are  either  widely  distributed  over 
the  adjoining  continent,  or  migratory  birds  visiting  the 
island  during  their  spring  flight.  A  few,  such  as  Melanoptila 
glabrirostris,  are  restricted  to  this  coast,  and  Columba  leuco- 
cephala  and  Engyptila  jamaicensis  have  a  wider  range  over 
the  West-Indian  Islands. 

Mr.  Devis  noticed  several  other  species  which  were 
familiar  to  him,  but  of  which  he  did  not  secure  specimens. 
Some  of  these  were  a  Mimus  (most  probably  M.  gilvus),  Phmii- 
copterus  ruber  in  numbers,  a  Spoonbill  {Platalea  ajaja),  an 
Ihh  [Eudocimus  albus), the  Boatbill  {Cancroma  cochlearia) , the 
Osprey  {Pandion  haliaetus),  and  numerous  species  of  Heron. 

He  further  informs  me  that  birds  were  generally  very 
common. 

That  an  island  like  Cozumel  should  contain  so  many  dis- 
tinct species  is  an  important  fact,  and  this,  taken  with  the 
still  more  remarkable  one  that  the  only  known  species  of  the 
island  of  Old  Providence  are  all  distinct  from  their  mainland 
or  Antillean  relatives,  suggests  that  there  is  not  an  island  in 
these  seas  that  is  not  worth  the  visit  of  a  naturalist.  We 
doubt  not  that  a  harvest  is  to  be  reaped,  rich  in  novelty,  if 
not  in  numbers  of  species,  by  any  one  who  is  able  and  willing 
to  undertake  the  task  of  investigating  them. 

1.    GaLEOSCOPTES  CAROLINENSIS. 

Muscicapa  carolinensis ,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  328. 
Galeoscoptes  carolinensis,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am., 
Aves,  i.  p.  26. 


Birds  from  the  Island  of  Cozumel.  187 

"  Found  along  with  a  species  of  Mimus  amongst  trees  and 
second-growth  bushes/' 

A  well-known  bird  during  the  winter  months  in  Yucatan 
and  Eastern  Guatemala.  It  is  also  common  in  the  island  of 
Cuba  at  the  same  season. 

2.    MeLANOPTILA  GLABRIROSTRIS. 

Melanoptila  glabrirostris,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1857,  p.  275;  Salv. 
&  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i.  p.  27,  pi.  3.  f.  2. 

"  Found  on  the  edges  of  the  forest,  and  noted  as  a  sweet 
songster. ^^ 

A  species  restricted  in  its  range  to  the  eastern  coast  of 
Central  America  from  Yucatan  to  Omoa. 

3.  Harporhynchus  mblanostoma,  sp.  n. 
Supra  rufescens  fere  unicolor,  alis  fasciis  duabus  extus  albis 
intus  nigris  transvittatis ;  subtus  albus,  nigro  prseter 
gulam  et  abdomen  medium  guttatus,  crisso  sordide  ru- 
fescente,  fusco  guttato ;  rostro  omnino  nigro ;  pedibus 
obscure  corylinis  :  long,  tota  9*5,  alae  3*3,  caudse  4*2, 
rostri  a  rictu  1'3,  tarsi  1*1. 

Hab.  Insula  "Cozumel^"' dicta  (DeiJ^s). 

Mus.  nostr.  exempl.  ii. 

Obs.  H.  longirostri  proximus,  sed  statura  minore  et  mandi- 
bula  omnino  nigra  differt. 

"  A  common  bird  in  the  island,  where  it  is  found  frequently 
associating  with  Mimus  (/ilvus.  It  runs  along  the  ground  or 
flies  low,  living  in  low  bushes.^' 

This  Harporhynchus  is  allied  to  H.  longirostris  (cf  Salv.  & 
Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Ara.,  Aves,i.p.31),  and  at  first  sight  might 
easily  be  mistaken  for  it.  The  mandible  is  black  to  the  base, 
and  the  dimensions,  especially  the  wing,  are  much  less. 
Moreover  there  is  a  wide  gap  in  the  ranges  of  the  two  birds, 
H.  longirostris ,  so  far  as  we  know  at  present,  not  occurring 
in  any  locality  nearer  than  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz. 

4.    PaRULA  AMERICANA. 

Parus  americanus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  341. 
Parula  americana,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves^ 
i.  p.  119. 

o2 


188  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  a  Collection  of 

"  Found  in  shady  spots  near  the  '  senotes/  " 
A  migratory  species^  reaching  Yucatan,  Guatemala,  Cuba, 
&c.  in  winter. 

5.  SlUBlIS  AURICAPILLUS. 

MoticiUa  aurocapilla,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  334. 

Sitirus  auricapillus,  Sal  v.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.^  Aves, 
i.  p.  144. 

"  Like  Parula  americana,  found  in  shady  places  near  the 
water-holes.^' 

Also  a  migratory  species^  reaching  the  State  of  Panama, 
Cuba,  and  several  of  the  Antilles  in  winter. 

6.  Setophaga  ruticilla. 

Muscicapa  ruticilla,  Linn.  Syst.  IS  at.  i.  p.  326. 

Setopliaya  ruticilla,  Sulv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am,,  Aves, 
i.  p.  178. 

"  Also  found  in  shady  places  near  the  water-holes.'' 

A  well-known  migratory  species,  found  in  Cuba  and  most 
of  the  Antilles  and  on  the  continent  as  far  south  as  Guiana 
and  Ecuador  in  winter. 

7.  ViREO  MAGISTER. 

Vireosylvia  magister,  "Baird,"  Lawr.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  x. 
p.  20. 

Vireo  magister,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  191. 

"  Found  on  the  edges  of  the  woods." 

The  only  specimens  of  this  species  previously  known  to  me 
were  the  types  in  the  United-States  National  Museum  and  in 
the  Museum  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History. 
Though  these  are  not  accessible  now  for  comparison,  I  have 
little  hesitation  in  ascribing  Mr.  Devis's  single  specimen  to 
this  distinct  species. 

That  V.  magister  should  occur  in  Cozumel  is  not  impro- 
bable, as  the  neighbourhood  of  Belize  was  previously  its  only 
known  habitat. 


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Birds  from  the  Island  of  Cozumel.  189 

8.  Certhiola  caboti. 

CerthioJa  caboti,  Baird,  Am.  Nat.  vii.  p.  612;  Salv.  &  Godm. 
Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i.  p.  251,  pi.  15.  f.  4, 

"  Common^  frequenting  flowering  bushes  on  the  edges  of 
the  woods.^^ 

Discovered  by  Dr.  Cabot  in  this  island,  where  alone  it  has, 
as  yet,  been  met  with.  Its  nearest  ally  is  C.  bahamensis,  of 
the  Bahama  Islands,  and  this  relationship  is  in  accordance 
with  that  of  the  Spindalis  next  mentioned. 

9.  Spindalts  exsul,  sp.  n.     (Plate  V.) 

Supra  saturate  oleaginea,  cervice  postica  et  uropygio  satu- 
rate castaneis  ;  capita  nigro,  superciliis  elongatis,  meuto 
et  striga  utrinque  rictali  albis  ;  vitta  gulari  utrinque 
nigro  limbata  et  abdomine  antico  aurautiacis ;  pectore 
saturate  castaneo,  abdomine  medio  et  crisso  albis,  hypo- 
chondriis  virescentibus ;  alis  nigris,  secundariis  et  tec- 
tricibus  majoribus  albo  limbatis,  speculo  alari  quoque 
albo ;  Cauda  nigra,  rectricibus  duabus  utrinque  externis 
albo  maculatis,  duabus  mediis  albo  intus  limbatis  ; 
rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  6*0,  alse  3'1,  caudse 
2*4,  tarsi  0  7,  rostri  a  rictu  0-7. 
$  adhuc  ignota. 

Hab.  Insula  ^^  Cozumel  ^^  dicta  (Devis). 
Mus.  nostr.  exempl.  i. 

Obs.  S.  zena  ex  insulis  Bahamensibus  proxima^  sed  dorso 
saturate  oleagineo  nee  nigro,  pectore  quoque  late  castaneo^ 
manifeste  distinguenda. 

The  discovery  of  a  Spindalis  in  this  island  is  of  great 
interest,  all  the  previously  known  species  being  of  purely 
Antillean  origin.  The  interest  in  it  is  further  enhanced  from 
the  fact  that  its  nearest  ally  is  the  Bahaman  8.  zena,  and 
not  its  nearest  neighbour,  S.  pretrii,  of  Cuba.  It  thus 
follows  the  relationship  of  Certhiola  caboti  to  C.  bahamensis, 
except  that  the  genus  Certhiola  appears  to  be  not  represented 
in  Cuba. 

Mr.  Devis  tells  me  that  this  Spindalis  is  found  amongst 
trees  and  bushes  in  shady  places  near  the  senotes  or  water- 
holes.  He  saw  three  specimens  together,  one  of  which  is 
the  bird  now  described. 


190  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  a  Collection  of 

10.  Pyranga  roseigularts. 

Pyranga  roseigularis,  Cabot,  Bost.  Journ.  N.  H.  v.  p.  416; 

Salv.  &  Godm.  BioL  Centr.-Am.,  Aves^  i.  p.  293. 
"  Frequents  the  woods,  but  is  not  common.''^ 
Of  this  rare  species,  of  which  a  single  male  specimen  was 

long  the  only  one  known,  Mr.  Devis  sends  a  female.     Mr. 

Gaumer  has  recently  procured  examples  of  both  sexes  in 

Northern  Yucatan. 

11.  Phontpara  pusilla. 

Tiaris  pusilla,  Sw.  Phil.  Mag.  new  ser.  i.  p.  438. 

Phonipar a  pusilla,  Boucard,  P.  Z.  S.  1883,  p.  444. 

"  Found  on  the  ground  amongst  low  bushes  near  the  edges 
of  the  woods.'' 

A  well-known  bird  in  Northern  Yucatan  and  Mexico,  but 
more  rare  in  Guatemala.     The  specimen  is  in  bad  condition. 

12.  Cyanosptza  ciris. 

Emberiza  ciris,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  313. 

Cyanospiza  ciris,  Baird,  Brew.,  &  Ridgw.  N.  Am.  B.  ii. 
p.  87;  Boucard,  P.  Z.  S.  1883,  p.  444. 

''^  Frequents  bushes  near  the  edges  of  woods," 

A  common  species  during  the  winter  months  in  Central 
America. 

13.  Cyanospiza  cyanea. 

Tanagra  cyanea,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  82. 
Cyanospiza  cyanea,  Baird,  Brew.,  &  Bidgw.  N.  Am.  B.  ii. 
p.  82 ;  Boucard,  P.  Z.  S.  1883,  p.  444. 

"  Observed  on  the  ground  amongst  short  grass." 
Like  C.  ciris,  common  in  this  region  during  winter. 

14.  COTURNICULUS  PASSERINUS. 

Fringilla passerina,  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  iii.  p.  76,  t.  26.  f.  5. 

Coturniculus  passerinus,  Baird,  Brew.,  &  Ridgw.  N.  Am.  B. 
i.  p.  553. 

"  Observed  on  the  ground  amongst  low  bushes  in  partly 
cleared  places." 

Like  the  two  species  of  Cyanospiza,  probably  here  during 
the  winter  season. 


Birds  from  the  Island  of  CozumeL  191 

15.  DOLICHONYX  ORYZIVORUS. 

Emberiza  orizivora,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  311, 
Dolichonyx  orizivora,  Baird,  Brew.  &  Ridgw.  N.  Am.  B 

ii.  p.  149;  Scl.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  2. 

''  Only  observed  in  the  town  of  San  Miguel.''^ 

This  is    a    rare   species   in   Central  America ;    the   only 

specimens  that  I  obtained  were  shot  on  one  of  the  cays  of 

Lighthouse  Reef,  due  south  of  Cozumel. 

16.  Hadrostomus,  sp.  ? 
''  Found  in  the  woods."" 

A  female  or  young  male  specimen  of  a  species  which 
I  do  not  at  present  recognize.  The  bill  is  much  larger  than 
that  of  H.  aglaice  of  the  adjoining  coast.  Nor  does  the  bird 
agree  with  any  specimens  of  ff.  niger  that  I  have  examined . 

Without  a  specimen  of  the  adult  male  the  species  to 
which  the  single  example  belongs  cannot  be  satisfactorily 
determined. 

17.  Attila,  sp.  ? 

"  Frequents  bushes  near  clearings ;  rare." 

A  specimen  without  its  head.  It  probably  belongs  to  A. 
citreopygius,  Bp.,  but  has  the  flanks  and  rump  of  a  darker 
tawny  hue  than  any  specimen  in  our  collection.  It  still 
seems  to  fall  within  the  range  of  variation  noticeable  in  this 
form  of  Attila,  at  least  such  is  my  present  opinion.  But 
the  difl'erence  between  individuals  is  so  great  that  it  is  pos- 
sible that  more  than  one  species  may  be  included  imder  the 
name  A.  citreopygius. 

18.  Chlorostilbon  caniveti. 

Ornysmya  caniveti,  Less.  Suppl.  Ois.-Mouches,  pis.  37,  38. 
Chlorostilbon  caniveti^  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  v.  pi.  351. 
"  Common.^' 

A  male,  in  poor  condition.  The  tail  has  light-coloured 
tips,  as  in  the  Central- American  race  of  this  species. 

19.  PlCUS  SCALARIS. 

Picus  scalaris,  Wagl.  Isis,  1829,  p.  511 ;  Boucard,  P.  Z.  S. 
1883,  p.  452. 


192  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  a  Collection  of 

''  Rarer  than  the  other  Woodpeckers,  but  fouud  with  them 
in  the  uncleared  woods." 

Apparently  common  in  Yucatan,  where  all  collectors  have 
met  with  it. 

20.  Centurus  rubriventris. 

Centurus  rubriventris ,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  354 ;  Lawr. 
Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  ix.  p.  206. 

"  Tolerably  common,  being  found  along  with  C  dubius  in 
the  uncleared  forest.'' 

A  male  specimen,  agreeing  with  others  sent  from  Northern 
Yucatan  by  Mr.  Gaumer.  I  have  no  doubt  as  to  the  dis- 
tinctness of  C.  rubriventris  as  a  species^  its  characters  being 
very  definite,  as  pointed  out  by  Swainson  and  Mr.  Lawrence. 

21.  Centurus  dubius. 

Picas  dubius,  Cabot,  Pr.  Bost.  Soc.  N.  H.  i.  p.  164. 

Centurus  dubius,  Boucard,  P.  Z.  S.  1883,  p.  452. 

Centurus  aurifrons  dubius,  Ridgw.  Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus. 
iv.  p.  108. 

"  Common  all  over  the  island." 

Specimens  from  Cozumel  agree  with  others  from  Northern 
Yucatan  and  British  Honduras,  the  former  being  typical  of 
C.  dubius.  Mr.  Ridgway,  in  his  recently  published  mono- 
graph, treats  C  dubius  as  an  imperfectly  segregated  form  of 
C.  aurifrons,  or,  as  1  have  frequently  called  it,  C.  santa- 
cruzi.  The  two  forms  may  pass  into  one  another  by  insen- 
sible steps,  but  I  have  no  evidence  before  me  at  present  that 
such  is  the  case. 

22.  Chrysotis  xantholora. 

Chrysotis  scantholora,  Gray,  Salv.  Ibis,  1874,  p. 327;  Sclater, 
P.  Z.  S.  1875,  p.  157,  pi.  xxvi. ;  Boucard,  P.  Z.  S.  1883, 
p.  455. 

"  Common  everywhere  in  the  uncleared  woods. ^' 
In  Northern  Yucatan  this  species  is  found  along  with  its 
near  ally,  C.  alhifrons,  and  Mr.  Gaumer  obtained  examples  of 
both.     In  Cozumel,  too,  both  may  be  found,  but  at  present 
we  can  only  record  C.  xantholora. 


Bir'ds  from  the  Island  of  Cozumel.  193 

23.  ASTURINA  RUFICAUDA. 

Asturina  ruficauda,  Scl.  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1869^  p.  133  ; 
iid.  Ex.  Orn.  pi.  88;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  i.  p.  205; 
Boucard,  P.  Z.  S.  1883,  p.  456. 

"  Common  in  the  woods." 

Mr.  Devises  specimen  belongs  to  the  form  described  by 
Mr.  Ridgway  as  Rupornis  griseicauda. 

24.  Urubitinga  anthracina. 

Falco  anthracinus,  Nitzsch,  Pteryl.  p.  83. 
Urubitinga  anthracina,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  i.  p.  215  ; 
Boucard,  P.  Z.  S.  1883,  p.  456. 

"  Observed  near  the  sea-shore,  but  not  very  common." 

25.  COLUMBA  LEUCOCEPHALA. 

Cohimba  leucocephala,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  p.  281 ;  Gosse,  B. 
Jam.  p.  299. 

'"  Found  in  the  woods,  and  common  in  the  high  trees  sur- 
rounding the  senotes  or  water-holes." 

This  species  is  also  common  throughout  the  coral  islands 
of  the  Belize  coast,  as  well  as  most  of  the  Antilles. 

26.  Engyptila  jamaicensis. 

Columba  jamaicensis,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  283. 

Peristera  jamaicensis,  Gosse^  B.  Jam,  p.  313. 

Engyptila  gaumeri,  Lawr.  Ann.  N.  Y.  Ac.  Sc.  iii.  p.  157. 

"  Tolerably  common,  frequenting  the  senotes." 

I  am  unable  to  distinguish  a  single  specimen  brought  by 
Mr.  Devis  from  others  from  Jamaica,  the  true  E.  Jamaicensis. 
Moreover  a  skin  sent  us  by  M.  Boucard,  who  received  it  from 
Mr.  Gaumer  from  Northern  Yucatan,  seems  to  me  to  belong 
to  the  same  species,  though  Mr.  Lawrence  has  recently  de- 
scribed it  as  Engyptila  gaumeri. 

Our  two  skins  are  clearly  distinct  from  E.  albifrons,  having 
a  much  greater  extent  of  the  cinnamon  colour  on  the  under 
surface  of  the  wings,  and  in  this  respect  they  quite  resemble 
E.  Jamaicensis ;  in  the  same  way  the  metallic  reflections  of  the 
neck  are  very  much  alike.  These  points  being  similar,  I 
hesitate  to  admit  the  distinction  of  ^.  gaumeri  upon  a  slight 


194  Canon  Tristram  on  Birds  from  Korea. 

discrepancy  of  size  and  a  sliade  of  the  general  colour  of  the 
plumage. 

27.  Tringoides  macularius. 

Tringa  macularia,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat,  i.  p.  249. 

Tringoides  macularius,  Baird^  Brew.,  &  Ridgw.  Water-B. 
ofN.  Am.  i.  p.  301. 

"  Observed  amongst  the  rocks  on  the  sea-shore.''^ 

Mr.  Devis's  specimen  is  an  adult  bird  in  spotted  plumage, 
and  was  shot  in  April. 


XVII. — On  a  small  Collection  of  Birds  from  Korea. 
By  H.  B.  Tristram,  D.D.,  F.R.S. 

I  HAVE  received  a  small  collection  of  birds  made  by  Lieut.  G. 
Gunn,  R.N.,  who  has  been  for  a  few  months  employed  in 
H.M.S.  '  Flying  Fish,^  on  the  survey  of  the  coast  of  Korea. 
Lieut.  Gunn  informs  me  he  has  never  been  able  to  get  inland 
beyond  the  shore,  and  that  the  birds  were  all  obtained  at  the 
water's  edge  or  on  board  ship.  Though  there  is  nothing 
novel  in  the  collection,  which  contains  only  eight  specimens  of 
as  many  species,  yet,  as  absolutely  nothing  is  known  of  the 
avifauna  of  Korea,  I  have  thought  it  might  not  be  without 
interest  to  give  a  list  of  what  Lieut.  Gunn  has  procured.  The 
specimens  are  as  follows  : — 

1.  ASIO  OTDS  (L.).       ?  . 

2.  Scops  stictonotus,  Sharpe. 

An  unusually  dark-coloured  specimen. 

3.  Caprimulgus  jotaka,  Temm.  &  ScM.      $  . 
Also  very  dark -coloured. 

4.  Cecropis  japonica  (Temm.  &  ScliL).     ^  . 

5.  Nemoricola  indica  (Gm.). 

I  am  not  aware  that  this  bird  (shot  in  July)  has  been  re- 
corded from  this  region.  It  no  way  differs  in  plumage  from 
Indian  winter-shot  specimens,  and  was  obtained  on  a  sand 
spit. 


On  Birds  from  British  Guiana.  195 

6.  H^MATOPUs  oscuLANs^  Swinhoe.     ^  . 

7.  TOTANUS  GLOTTIS  (L.). 

8.  Larus  crassirostris^  Vieill. 

In  the  blackisli-brown  plumage  of  tlie  first  year. 


XVIII. — A  List  of  the  Birds  obtained  by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely 
in  British  Guiana.     By  Osbert  Salvin^  M.A..,  F.R.S., 

&c. 

The  following  list  of  Birds  is  based  on  a  series  of  collections 
made  by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely  in  British  Guiana  during  a 
period  of  five  years  (1879-84).  Mr.  Whitely's  travels  ex- 
tended over  a  considerable  extent  of  country.  In  his  last 
expedition  he  penetrated  into  the  mountainous  region  of 
Boraima,  and  ascended  to  an  elevation  of  upwards  of  7000  feet 
on  the  slopes  of  that  mountain. 

The  first  portion  of  his  stay  Mr.  Whitely  passed  at  Bartica 
Grove  Mission,  situated  on  the  Essequibo  River,  but  little 
above  the  sea-level.  He  then  made  an  expedition  to  the 
Mazaruni  River,  passing  some  time  at  a  place  called 
Camacusa,  and  visiting  the  Merume  Mountains,  which  lie  on 
the  south  bank  of  that  river.  His  next  expeditions  were  into 
the  Roraima  district,  which  he  explored  on  two  occasions. 
During  the  last  of  these  he  ascended  to  the  foot  of  the  clifiB 
which  form  so  remarkable  a  feature  of  the  mountain  of 
Roraima.  This  last  expedition  was  fully  described  by  Mr. 
Whitely  himself  in  a  paper  published  in  the  '  Proceedings  of 
the  Royal  Geographical  Society^  (vol.  vi.  p.  452)  in  August 
last ;  a  map  of  the  district  accompanying  this  paper  shows 
Mr.  Whitely^s  route  and  the  position  of  most  of  the  localities 
mentioned  in  the  following  list : — 

Atapurau  River. — A  stream  rising  in  Mount  Eleutewer, 
and  flowing  into  the  Carimang  River,  an  affluent  of  the 
Mazaruni  River. 

Bartica  Grove. — A  station  on  the  Essequibo  River,  near  its 
mouth,  and  almost  at  the  sea-level. 


196  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

Camacusa. — A  hamlet  on  the  south  hank  of  the  Mazaruni 
River,  in  lat.  6^^  N.,  long.  60°  W. 

Kukenam. — One  of  the  mountains  of  the  Roraima  series, 
of  similar  shape  and  elevation. 

Merum^  Mountains. — A  group  of  mountains  of  about 
2000  feet  elevation,  lying  to  the  N.E.  of  Roraima,  in  a  bend 
of  the  Mazaruni  River,  which  rises  on  their  southern  slope. 

Roraima. — A  singular  mountain,  which  reaches  an  eleva- 
tion of  upwards  of  8000  feet,  the  upper  1500  feet  or  so 
consisting  of  perpendicular  cliff  rising  out  of  a  forest-clad 
talus  of  a  similar  height.  The  country  surrounding  this 
mountain  consists  of  undulating  savanas  with  patches  of 
forest.  Until  quite  recently  the  summit  of  Roraima  was 
supposed  to  be  inaccessible,  but  in  the  early  part  of  February 
last  Mr.  Everard  F.  im  Thurm  reached  the  top  ;  the  full 
details  of  his  journey  have  not  yet  reached  this  country. 

Yw'uani  River. — Rises  in  Kukenam  and  flows  south-west- 
wards, joining  the  Caroni  and  ultimately  the  Orinoco. 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  list  of  Birds  I  propose  to  give  a 
summary  of  its  contents,  and  some  remarks  on  the  general 
relationship  of  the  avifauna  of  the  district  to  that  of  the 
surrounding  regions. 

The  only  authority  on  the  birds  of  British  Guiana  is 
Richard  Schomburgk,  who  explored  the  country  in  1840-44, 
and  an  accouut  of  whose  collections  were  published  in  his 
'  Reisen  in  Britisch-Guiana '  in  1848.  The  birds,  which  were 
determined  by  Prof.  Cabanis,  numbered  418  species,  many  of 
which  were  then  described  for  the  first  time.  I  have,  in  the 
following  catalogue  of  Mr.  Whitely's  birds,  in  all  cases 
referred  to  this  work ;  and  in  order  to  render  this  list  of 
British  Guianan  birds  more  complete,  I  have  added  the 
names  of  the  species  mentioned  by  Schomburgk,  but  not 
contained  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  series.  These  are  distinguished 
by  an  asterisk  prefixed  to  them. 

1.    TURDUS  FUSCESCENS. 

Turdus  fuscescens,  Steph.  Shawns  Zool.  x.  p.  182;  Baird, 
Brew.,  &  Ridgw.  N.  Am.  B.  i.  p.  9. 


from  British  Guiana.  197 

Camacusa^  12tli  Aprils  1882. 

This  Thrush  has  already  been  found  at  Santarem  on  the 
Amazons  and  at  S.  Vicente,  in  Matogrosso,  and  also  in  the 
State  of  Panama. 

2.  TURDUS  USTULATUS. 

Tnrdus  ustulatus,  Nutt.  Man,  i.  p.  400. 

Turdus  swainsoni,  var.  ustulatus,  Baird,  Brew.,  &  Ridgw. 
N.  Am.  B.  i.  p.  16. 

Boraima,  6th  December,  1881  (  $  ). 

Agrees  with  Central- American  specimens  of  this  race  and 
with  one  from  the  Mexican  Boundary  Survey  (1859). 

3.  Turdus  alici^. 

Turdus  alicice,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  217,  pi.  81.  f.  2  ;  Baird, 
Brew.,  &  Bidgw.  N.  Am.  B.  i.  p.  11. 

Bartica  Grove,  2nd  Feb.,  1880  (c?);  Camacusa,  29th 
March,  1882  (j). 

Two  specimens,  agreeing  with  those  sent  us  as  T.  alicioi 
from  the  United  States.  This  Thrush,  though  noticed  in 
Central  America  and  Colombia,  and  as  far  south  as  Chami- 
curos  in  Eastern  Peru,  has  not  previously  been  seen  so  far 
east  in  South  America. 

4.  Turdus  ph^opygus. 

Turdus  ph(Bopygus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  666  ; 
Seebohm,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  v.  p.  208. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima. 

Apparently  a  common  resident  species.  Mr.  Wh'itely's 
specimens  were  obtained  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and  pre- 
sent a  considerable  amount  of  variation  in  the  tint  of  the 
brown  upper  surface. 

5.  Turdus  murinus,  sp,  n. 

Supra  saturate  murinus  fere  unicolor ;  subtus  pectore  et  hy- 
pochondriis  dorso  paulo  pallidioribus,  gula  et  abdomine 
medio  albis,  ilia  murino  striolata ;  crisso  albo,  subalaribus 
vix  cinnamomeo  tiuctis;  rostro  omnino  nigro;  pedibus 
obscure  corylinis :  long,  tota  9*0,  alse  4*5,  caudse  3-9, 
rostri  a  rictu  1*0,  tarsi  1'3. 
$  .  Mari  similis,  sed  pectore  et  hypochondriis  paulo  brunnes- 
centioribus. 


198  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

Obs.  T.  ignobili  similis,  sed  pectore  clare  murino,  gula 
magis  distincte  striata,  et  abdomine  medio  albicantiore  distiu- 
guendus. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3000-5000  feet),  British 
Guiana  [H.  Whitely). 

Mr.  Wliitely^s  collections  from  the  higher  parts  of  British 
Guiana  contained  many  specimens  of  this  Thrush,  which  were 
for  some  time  considered  to  be  indistinguishable  from 
T.  iynobilis  of  Colombia.  They,  however,  present  the  differ- 
ences pointed  out  above,  and  are  so  constant  in  their  colo- 
ration that  I  venture  to  separate  them  under  a  distinct  name. 
As  they  are  inhabitants  of  distinct  mountain-ranges  it  is  im- 
probable that  T.  murinus  and  T.  ignohilis  meet  in  any  com- 
mon locality. 

6.  TURDUS  ALBIVENTRIS, 

Turdus  albiventris,  Spix ;    Cab.  in   Schoinb.   Guiana,  iii. 
p.  666;  Seebohm,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  v,  p.  216. 
Boraima  (3000-4000  feet). 

7.  Turdus  gymnophthalmus. 

Turdus  gymnoplithalmus ,    Cab.  in    Schorab.    Guiana,    iii. 
p.  665 ;   Seebohm,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  v.  p.  212. 
Boraima  (3500  feet). 

8.  Turdus  fumigatus. 

Turdus  fumigatus,  Liclit. ;   Cab.  in  Schomb.   Guiana,  iii. 
p.  665;  Seebohm,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  v.  p.  216. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

9.  Turdus  roraim^. 

Turdus  roraima,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  443. 

Boraima  (5000-6000  feet). 

Mr.  Whitely  obtained  a  good  series  of  this  interesting 
species,  including  a  young  bird  able  to  fly,  but  still  in  its 
spotted  first  plumage,  which  was  killed  on  12th  September. 

10.  Turdus  flavipes. 

Turdus  flavipes,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  N.  xx.  p.  217. 
Turdus  carbonarius,  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  37;  Seebohm, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  v.  p.  253. 
Boraima  (3500-6000  feet). 


from  British  Guiana.  199 

11.  TURDUS  LEUCOPS. 

Turdus  leucops,  Tacz.  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  p.  331. 

Merula  leucops,  Seebolim,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  v.  p.  241. 

Merume  Mountains,  Boraima. 

These  specimens  agree  fairly  well  with  others  from 
Ecuador ;  but  I  notice  that  the  bill  of  the  males  is  rather 
smaller,  and  that  the  under  tail-coverts  of  the  female  have 
much  less  white. 

Young  males  assuming  their  adult  dress  were  obtained  on 
the  11th  and  24th  June,  1881. 

12.  MiMUS  GILVUS. 

Turdus  gilvuSj  Vieill.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  ii.  p.  15,  t.  68  bis. 

Mimus  gilvus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  36;   Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  350. 

Roraima  (2700-3700  feet). 

A  young  bird  with  spotted  breast  was  obtained  on  10th 
April,  1883. 

13.  CiCHLOPSIS  GULARIS. 

Cichlopsis  gularis,  Salv.  &  Grodm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  7Q  ;  Sharpe, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  378. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  feet). 

•       14.    "^DONACOBIUS  ATRICAPILLUS. 

Turdus  ati'icapilla,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  295. 
Donacobius   atricapillus ,   Cab.    in    Scliomb.    Guiana,    iii. 
p,  674;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  361. 
Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

15.  *Campylorhynchus  bicolor. 

Campylorhynchus  griseus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  674? 

Campylorhynchus  bicolor,  Pelz.  Ibis,  1875,  p.  330 ;  Sharpe, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  187. 

There  is,  according  to  Mr.  Sharpe,  a  specimen  of  this  bird 
in  the  British  Museum  obtained  from  Schomburgk.  This 
renders  it  extremely  probable  that  the  bird  called  C.  griseus, 
Sw.,  by  Cabanis  should  be  referred  to  the  same  species. 
There  are  no  specimens  of  Campylorhynchus  in  Mr.  Whitely^s 
collection. 


200  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

16.  Cyphorhinus  musicus. 

Formicarius  musicus,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PL  Enl.  p.  44. 

Cyphorhinus  musicus,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  290. 

Cyphorhinus  cantans.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  673 
(ex  Gm.). 

Upper  Pomeroon  and  Wenamu  Rivei's  {Schomburgk). 

Merurae  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Atapurau  River. 

A  young  bird  was  obtained  on  the  Atapurau  River  on  80th 
January,  1882  ;  the  nuchal  spots  are  very  indistinct  and  the 
abdomen  rich  brown  without  any  admixture  of  grey. 

17.  MiCROCERCULUS  BAMBLA. 

Formicarius  bambla,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  44. 

Microcerculus  bambla,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  296. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa. 

A  young  bird  from  Merume  Mountains  (28th  June)  has 
the  transverse  black  marks  very  conspicuous  and  the  wing- 
band  tinged  with  fulvous.  A  still  younger  bird  (Merume 
Mountains,  20th  July)  is  nearly  uniform  dark  brown,  with 
indistinct  dark  cross  bands  and  no  wing-band  at  all. 

18.  Microcerculus  ustulatus. 

Mici'ocerculus  ustulatus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  204, 
pi.  9.  f.  2. 

Roraima  (3500-5000  ft.). 

The  young  birds  (August  and  October)  of  this  species  have 
the  under  plumage  clearly  marked  with  black  cross  bands, 
and  there  are  also  indications  of  similar  bauds  above. 

19.  Henicorhina  leucosticta. 

Cyphorhinus  leucostictus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii, 
p.  673. 

Henicorhina  leucosticta,  Sliarpe,  Cat.  B,  Brit.  Mus.  vi. 
p.  287. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa. 

All  these  birds  have  black  lieads,  a  character  distinguishing 
them  from  the  Central- American  species,  and  they  were  rightly 
separated  by  Mr.  Sliarpe.  Several  of  our  specimens  have 
white  feathers  on  the  occiput,  but  these  are  not  universally 


from  British  Guiana.  201 

found  and  are  not  confined  to  one  sex.     A  young  bird  was 
obtained  on  22nd  August  at  Bartica  Grove. 

20.  ■^Thryophilus  leucotis. 

Thryophilus  leucotis,  Lafr.  Rev.  Zool.  1845,  p.  338. 
Thryophilus  leucotis,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  207. 
Thryothorus  alhipectus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  673. 
Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collections. 

21.  Thryothorus  coraya. 

Turdus  coraya,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  825. 

Thryothorus  coraya.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  Q74^', 
Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  234. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Boraima  (3500- 
6000  ft.). 

Young  birds  of  this  Wren  were  obtained  in  the  Merume 
Mountains  in  June  and  at  Roraima  in  August  and  Sep- 
tember. 

22.  Thryothorus  rufulus. 

Troglodytes  rufulus.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  672. 

Roraima  (5000-6000  ft.)  {Schomburgk ;   Whitely). 

Mr.  Whitely  obtained  a  good  series  of  this  species,  which 
does  not  seem  to  have  been  met  with  since  Schomburgk's 
expedition.  Mr.  Sharpe  (Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  258)  has 
applied  this  name  to  the  Guiana  form  of  the  next  species ; 
but  the  specimens  we  now  possess  show  that  this  view  is 
quite  erroneous.  The  present  species  is  quite  distinct  and 
has  no  near  allies,  unless  it  be  the  island  forms  T.  marti- 
nicensis  &c. 

23.  Troglodytes  furvus. 

Brown  Warbler,  Brown,  New  111.  Zool.  p.  68,  pi.  68.  f.  2. 

Motacilla  furva,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  994. 

Troglodytes  furvus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  23,  et  auctt.  plurr. 

Thryothorus  plat ensis.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  673 
(ex  Neuw.). 

Troglodytes  rufulus,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vi.  p.  258 
(nee  Cab.). 

Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3500-4000  ft.). 

SER.  v. VOL.  Til,  P 


302  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

Mr.  Sharpe  expresses  his  inability  to  identify  the  Motacilla 
furva  of  Gmelin  with  any  known  species  of  Wreu.  I  have 
again  looked  into  the  question,  and  can  only  say  that  it 
seems  to  me  that  this  name  is  specially  applicable  to  this 
Guiana  bird.  The  description  is  certainly  brief,  but  not  in- 
accurate, and  Brown^s  figure  suits  the  bird  remarkably 
well.  The  locality,  too^  "  Surinam/-*  ^yqw  iox  T.  furvus, 
makes  the  matter  more  sure. 

24.  CiSTOTHORUS  ALTICOLA. 

Cistothorus  alticola,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  204. 
Roraima  (3500  feet) . 

25.  Anthus  rufus. 

Alauda  rufa,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  798. 
Anthus  rufus,  Scl.  Ibis,  1878,  p.  360;  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol. 
Ceutr.-Am.,  Aves,  i.  p.  108. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

26.  SlURUS  NOVEBORACENSIS. 

Henicocichla  noveboracensis,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  666. 

Siurus  noveboracensis,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am., 
Aves,  i.  p.  145. 

Bartica  Grove,  Roraima. 

27.  Parula  pitiayumi. 

Sylvia  pitiayumi,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  Hist.  Nat.  ii.  p.  276. 
Parula  pitiayumi,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  26. 
Roraima  (5000-6000  ft.). 

28.  Dendrceca  striata. 

Muscicapa  striata,  Forst.  Phil.  Trans.  Ixii.  pp.  383,  428. 
Dendrceca  striata,  Baird,  Brew.,  &  Ridgw.  N.-Am.  B.   i. 
p.  248. 

Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

29.  Dendrceca  .estiva. 

Motacilla  cestiva,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  996. 
Dendrceca  cestiva,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves, 
i.  p.  124. 

Bartica  Grove. 


from  British  Guiana.  203 

30.  Geothlypis  .equinoctialis. 

Motacilla  (squinoctialis,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat,  i.  p.  972. 
Geothlypis  aequinoctialis,  Salv.  Ibis,  1872,  p.  147. 
Geothlypis  velata,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  666  (nee 
Vieill.) . 

Yuruani  River. 

31.  Basileuterus  auricapillus. 

Setophaga  auricapilla,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  293. 
Basileuterus  auricapillus,  Berlepscli,  Ibis,  1881,  p.  240. 
Basileuterus  vermivorus,  Vieill. ;   Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana^ 
iii.  p.  667  ',  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  34. 
Horaima  {Schomburgk ;   Whitely). 

32.  Basileuterus  roraim^. 

Basileuterus  roraimce,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  x.  p.  392 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500-6000  ft.) . 

33.  Basileuterus  mesoleucus. 

Basileuterus  mesoleucus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1865,  p.  286,  pi.  9. 
f.  1. 

Camacusa. 

34.  Setophaga  ruticilla. 

Muscicapa  ruticilla,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  326. 

Setophaga  ruticilla.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  QQ7  -, 
Salv.  Ibis,  1878,  p.  305  ;  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am., 
Aves,  i.  p.  178. 

Roraima  {Schomburgk ;   Whitely). 

35.  Setophaga  verticalis. 

Setophaga  verticalis,  d'Orb.  &  Lafr.  Syn.  Av.  p.  50;  Salv. 
Ibis,  1878,  p.  311. 

Roraima  (3500-5000  ft.) . 

The  presence  of  S.  verticalis  has  been  noticed  in  Venezuela, 
but  not  previously  in  the  mountains  of  Guiana. 

36.  Setophaga  castaneocapilla. 

Setophaga  castaneocajnlla,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  667;  Salv.  Ibis,  1878,  p.  313. 

Roraima  (5000-6000  ft.)  {Schomburgk;   Whitely). 

p2 


204  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

Many  specimens  in  Mr.  Whitely's  last  collection.  These 
all  differ  from  S.  brunneiceps  in  the  characters  pointed  out 
by  me  when  I  had  the  type  (in  poor  condition)  before  me, 
while  compiling  my  synopsis  of  the  genus  Setophaga. 

37.  Granatellus  pelzelni. 

Granatellus  pelzelni,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  p.  606,  pi.  37.  f.  1 ; 
Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  216. 

Camacusa. 

Natter er,  the  discoverer  of  this  beautiful  and  rare  bird, 
obtained  his  specimens  on  the  banks  of  the  Madeira  River. 
Mr.  Whitely  has  sent  us  two  examples. 

38.  ViREO  CALIDRIS. 

Motacilla  calidi'is,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  329. 
Vireo  calidris,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  186. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

39.  ViREO  AGILIS. 

Lanius  agilis,  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  49. 
Vireosylvia  agilis,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  43. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

40.  Hylophilus  thoracicus. 

Hylophilus  thoracicus,  Temm.  PL  Col.  173.  f.  1 ;  Scl.  Ibis, 
1881,  p.  297. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

41.  Hylophilus  muscicapinus. 

Hylophilus  nmscicapinus,  Scl.  &  Salv.  Nomencl.  Av.  Neotr. 
p.  156  ;   Scl.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  299. 
Bartica  Grove. 

42.  Hylophilus  sglateri. 

Hylophilus  sclateri,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  205. 
Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500-6000  ft.) . 

43.  Hylophilus  luteifrons. 
Hylophilus  luteifrons,  Scl.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  308. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa. 


from  British  Guiana.  205 

44.  ViREOLANIUS  LEUCOTIS. 

Malaconotus  leucotis,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  341. 
Vireolanius  leucotis,  Salv.  Ibis^  1878,  p.  443,  t.  11 ;  Salv. 
&  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  77. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains. 

45.  Cyclorhis  guianensis. 

Tanagra  guianensis,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  893. 
Cyclorhis  guianensis,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  45. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

46.  *Progne  purpurea. 

Hirundo  purpurea,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  344. 
Progne  purpurea,  Cab.   in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  671 ; 
Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i.  p.  221. 
Not  noticed  by  Mr.  Whitely. 

47.  Progne  chalybea. 

Hirundo  chalybea,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  224. 
Progne  chalybea,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  244. 

Bartica  Grove. 

48.  ^Progne  tapera. 

Hirundo  tapera,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  345. 
Progne  tapera,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  672;  Baird, 
Bev.  Am.  B.  i.  p.  286. 

Not  observed  by  Mr.  Whitely. 

49.  Hirundo  erythrogaster. 

Hirundo  erythrogaster,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  45  ;  Salv.  & 
Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i.  p.  232. 
Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

50.  Tachycineta  albiventris. 

Hirundo  albiventris,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  32;  Scl.  Cat. 
Am.  B.  p.  41 ;  Baird,  Rev.  Am.  B.  i.  p.  302. 

Hirundo  leucoptera.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  672. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

51.  Atticora  fasciata. 

Hirundo  fascial  a,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  1022. 


206  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

Atticora  fasciata,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  39;  Baird,  Rev.  Am. 
B.  i.  p.  306. 

Merume  Mountains,  Atapurau  River. 

52.  Atticora  cyanoleuca. 

Hirundo  cyanoleuca,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d^Hist.  Nat.  xiv. 
p.  509. 

Atticora  cyanoleuca,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.Centr.-Am.,  Aves, 
i.  p.  229. 

Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

53.  ^Atticora  melanoleuca. 

Hirundo  melanoleuca,  Wied,  Beitr.  iii.  p.  371  ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  672. 

Atticora  melanoleuca,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  18. 
Not  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collections. 

54.  Cotile  fucata. 

Hirundo  fucata,  Temm.  PI.  Col.  161.  f.  1. 
Atticora  fucata,  Baird,  Rev.  Am.  B.  i.  p.  308. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

55.  Cotile  riparia. 

Hirundo  riparia,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  344. 
Cotile  riparia,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  240. 

Bartica  Grove. 

56.  Stelgidopteryx  ruficollis. 

Hirundo  ruficollis,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist,  N.  xiv.  p.  523. 
Stelgidopteryx  ruficollis,  Baird,  Rev.  Am.  B.  i.  p.  315. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

57.  Diglossa  major. 

Diglossa  major,  Cab.  in  Schorab.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  Q7&;  Scl. 
Ibis,  1875,  p.  214. 

Roraima  [mm-mOO  it.)  {Schomburgk ;   Whitely). 

58.  Chlorophanes  spiza. 

Certhia  spiza,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  186. 

Dacnis  spiza.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  675. 


from  British  Guiana.  207 

Chlorophanes  spiza,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves^ 
i.  p.  247. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima. 

59.  Dacnis  cayana. 

Motacilla  cayana,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  336.- 

Dacnis  cayana,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  675  ;  Salv. 
&  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i.  p.  244. 

Dacnis  cyanocephala.  Cab.  l.s.  c.  (  ?  ) . 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.) . 

60.  Dacnis  angelica. 

Dacnis  angelica,  De  Filippi ;  Bp.  Atti  Sc.  Ital.  1845,  p.  404 ; 
Salv.  Cat.  Strickl.  Coll.  p.  176. 
Bartica  Grove. 

61.  CCEBEBA  CYANEA. 

Certhia  cyanea,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  188. 

ArbelorJiina  cyanea,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  675. 

Coereba  cyanea,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  348. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.). 

62.  CcEREBA  C^RULEA. 

Certhia  ccerulea,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  188. 
Arbelorhina  ccerulea.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  675. 
Cmreba  ccerulea,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  53. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.). 

63.  Certhiola  chloropyga. 

Certhiola  flaveola,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  675. 
Certhiola  chloropyga.  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  97. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Atapurau  River,  Roraima  (3500- 
4000  ft.) . 

64.  Procnias  tersa. 

Ampelis  tersa,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  298. 
Procnias  tersa,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  54. 


208  Mr.  O.  Salviii  on  Birds 

Procnias  ventralis,  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  671. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

65.  ChLOROPHONIA  RORAIMiE. 

Chlorophonia  rorawKB,  Salv.  &  Godrn.  Tbis^  1884^  p.  444. 
Roraima  (3500-6000  ft.). 

66.  EUPHONIA  NICRICOLLIS. 

Tanagra  nigricollis,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  cFHist.  N.  xxxii.  p.  412, 
Euphonia  nigricollis,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  56. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

67.  Euphonia  minuta. 

Euphonia  minuta,  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  671 ; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  57;  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am., 
Aves,  i.  p.  258. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

68.  Euphonia  xanthogastra. 

Euphonia  a:  ant  hog  as  tr  a,  Sundev,  Vet.-Ak.  Handl.  1833, 
pi.  10.  f.  1 ;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  57. 

Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Atapurau  River. 

69.  Euphonia  violacea. 

Tatiagra  violacea,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  315. 
Euphona  violacea,  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  670; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  58. 

Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3000-3700  ft.). 

70.  Euphonia  cayana. 

Tanagra  cayana,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  314. 

Euphonia  cayana,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  i.  p.  59. 

Euphona  cayennensis.  Cab.  in  Scbomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  671 . 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

71.  Euphonia  plumbea. 

Euphonia  plumbea,  DuBus,  Bull.  Ac.  Belg.  xxii,  p.  153 ; 
Pelz.  Orn   Bras.  p.  205. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

Natterer^s  specimens  of  this  rare  species  were  obtained  at 
Barra  do  Rio  Negro  and  Marabitanas. 


from  British  Guiana.  209 

72.  Tanagrella  velia. 

Motacilla  velia,  Linn.  Syst,  Nat.  i.  p.  336. 
Hypothlypis  velia,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana^,  iii.  p.  667. 
Tanagrella  velia,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  60. 
Bartica  Grove^  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.). 

73.  Calliste  tatao. 

Tanagra  tatao,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  315. 
Callospiza  tatao,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  669. 
Calliste  tatao,  Scl.  Mon.  Call.  p.  1,  pi.  1.  f.  1. 
Merume  Mountains,  Uoraima  (3000-4000  £t.). 

74.  Calliste  punctata. 

Tanagra  punctata,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  316. 

Calliste  punctata,  Scl.  Mon.  Call.  p.  55. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Boraima  (3500  ft.) .    . 

75.  Calliste  guttata. 

Calliste  guttata,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  26  ;  Scl.  Mon.  Call, 
p.  21,  pi.  10 ;  Salv  .  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  267. 

Callospiza  punctata,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  669 
(nee  Linn,  apud  Sclater). 

Roraima  (3500-4000  ft.). 

76.  Calliste  xanthogastra. 

Calliste  xanthogastra,  Scl.  Contr.  Orn.  1851,  pp.  23,  25; 
Mon.  Call.  p.  23,  pi.  11. 

Roraima  (6000ft.),  Kukenam  (5000  ft.). 

77.  Calliste  cayana. 

Tanagra  cayana,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  315. 
Callospiza  cayana,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  670. 
Calliste  cayana,  Scl.  Mon.  Call.  p.  41,  pi.  19. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500-4000  ft.)  .^ 

78.  Calliste  gyrola. 

Tanagra  gyrola,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  315. 
Callospiza  gijrola.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  669. 
Calliste  gyrola,  Scl.  Mon.  Call.  p.  55,  pi.  25. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3500-4000  ft.). 


210  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

79.  Calliste  flaviventris. 

Tanagra  flaviventris,  Yieill.  N,  Diet.  cVHist.  N.  xxxii. 
p.  411. 

Calliste  flaviventris,  Scl.  Mon.  Call.  p.  63^  pi.  29. 
Callospiza  mexicana,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  670. 
Bartica  Grove. 

80.  Calliste  whitelyi. 

Calliste  whitelyi,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  445,  pi.  13.* 
Horaima  (5000-6500  ft.) . 

81.  Calliste  nigricincta. 

Aglaia  nigrocincta,  Bp.  P.  Z.  S.  1837,  p.  121. 
Calliste  nigricincta,  Scl.  Mon.  Call.  p.  85,  pi.  37. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

82.  Tanagra  episcopus.  j., 

Tanagra  episcopus,  Linn. ;  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  670. 

Tanagra  archiepiscopus ,  Cab.  /.  c. 

Tanagra  serioptera,  Cab.  I.  c. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3000-3500  ft.). 

83.  Tanagra  palmarum. 

Tanagra  palmarum,  Wied,  Reise  n.  Bras.  ii.  p.  76  ;  Salv. 
&  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i.  p.  279. 

Thraupis  olivascens  (Licht.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  670. 

Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3000-4000  ft.). 

84.  Rhamphoccelus  jacapa. 

Tanagra  jacapa,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  313. 

RhampJiocoelus  jacapa,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  128. 

Rhamphopis  atrococcineus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  668. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3000-3500  ft.). 

85.  PyRANGA  iESTIVA. 

Tanagra  (estiva,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  889. 


from  British  Guiana.  211 

Pyranga  astiva,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  289. 

Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

86.  Pyranga  h^malea. 

Phcenicosoma  azarce,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  668. 
Pyranga  hamalea,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis^,  1883,  p.  205. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

87.  Pyranga  ardens. 

Phoenisoma   ardens,  Tsch.   in    Arch.  f.  Naturg.    1844,   i. 
p.  207. 

Pyranga  ardens,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  126. 
Roraima  (5000  ft.). 

88.  Orthogonys  cyanicterus. 

Pyranga  cyanicterus,  Vieill,  N.  Diet.  d^Hist.  N.  xxviii. 
p.  290. 

Orthogonys  cyanicterus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  122. 
Cyanicterus  venustus,  Bp.  Consp.  Av.  i.  p.  240. 
Merume  Mountains. 

89.  Lanio  atricapillus. 

Tanagra  atricapilla,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  898. 
Pogonothraupis  atricapillus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  669. 

Lanio  atricapillus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  118. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Atapurau  River. 

90.  Tachyphonus  melaleucus. 

Oriolus  melaleucus,  Sparrm.  Mus.  Carls,  pi.  31. 

Tachyphonus  melaleucus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am., 
Aves,  i.  p.  309. 

Tachyphonus  nigerrimus  (Gm.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana, 
iii.  p.  669. 

Bartica  Grove. 

91.  Tachyphonus  luctitosus. 

Tachtjphonus  luctuosus,  d'Orb.  &  Lafr.  Syn.  Av.  i.  p.  29 ; 
Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i.  p.  310. 
Bartica  Grove. 


212  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

92.  Tachyphonus  phceniceus. 

Tachyphonus  phceniceus,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  311  ;  Scl.  & 
Salv.  Ex.  Orn.  p.  65,  pi.  33. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500-5000  ft.). 

93.  Tachyphonus  cristatus. 

Tanagra  cristata,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  898. 

Tachyphonus  cristatus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  668 ; 
Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  115. 

Tachyphonus  inter cedens,  Berlepsch,  Ibis,  1880,  p.  113. 

Bartica  Grove,  Atapurau  River. 

This  is  the  true  T.  intercedens  of  Count  Berlepsch,  the 
male  having  the  crown  a  shade  yellower  than  in  Cayenne 
examples  of  T.  cristatus,  but  the  difference  is  quite  trivial. 
Brazilian  specimens,  on  the  other  hand,  have  the  crown  of  a 
much  deeper  and  purer  red.  T.  cristatus  (verus)  passes  up 
the  Amazons  valley  to  Eastern  Ecuador. 

94.  Tachyphonus  surinamus. 

Turdus  surinamus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  297. 
Tachyphonus  surinamus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  114. 
Tachyphonus  ochrupygos.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  668. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Atapurau 
River. 

95.  Nemosia  guira. 

Motacilla  guira,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  335. 
Nemosia  guira,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  109. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3000-4000  ft.). 

96.  BUARREMON  PERSONATUS. 

Arremon personatus ,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  678. 
Buarrenion  personatus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  89. 
Roraima  (4000-6000  ft.) . 

97.  Arremon  silens. 

Tanagra  silens,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  46. 

Arremon  silens.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  677 ;  Scl. 
P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  80. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Atapurau 
River,  Roraima  (3500-4000  ft.) . 


from  British  Guiana.  213 

98.  CiSSOPIS  MEDIA. 

Cissopis  minor,  Tsch.,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  677. 
Bethylus  media,  Bp.  Consp.  Av.  i.  p.  491. 
Cissopis  media,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  79. 
Bartica  Grrove. 

99.  SaLTATOR  MAGNUS. 

Tanagra  magna,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  890. 
Saltator  magnus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.   Guiana,   iii.   p.  676 ; 
Scl.  P.Z.S.  1856,  p.  70. 

Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

100.  *Saltator  c^rulescens. 

Saltator  cmrulescens ,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  676. 
British  Guiana. 

101.  ^Saltator  olivascens. 

Saltator  olivascens,  Cab.  in  Schoinb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  676. 
Roraima. 

102.  Orchesticus  ater. 

Tanagra  atra,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  898. 
Saltator  ater.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  i577 ;  Scl. 
P.Z.S.  1856,  p.  67. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500-5000  ft.). 

103.  PiTYLUS  GROSSUS. 

Loxia  grossa,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  307. 
Pitylus  grossus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Biol.  Centr.-Am.,  Aves,  i. 
p.  331. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa. 

104.  Pitylus  erythromelas. 

Loxia  erythromelas,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  859. 
Pitylus  erythromelas,  Scl,  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  65. 
Camacusa. 

105.  Pitylus  viridis. 

Pitylus  canadensis  (Linn.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  677. 

Pitylus  viridis  (Vieill.),  Scl.  P.Z.  S.  1856,  p.  65. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa. 

106.  Guiraca  cyanea. 

Loxia  cyanea,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  303. 


214  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

Guiraca  cyanea,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  101. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

107.  Oryzoborus  crassikostris, 

Loxia  crassirostris ,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat,  i.  p.  362. 
Oryzoborus  crassirostris,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  102. 
Coccoborus  ater,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiaua,  iii.  p.  678. 
Bartica  Grove. 

108.  Oryzoborus  torridus. 

Loxia  torrida,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  884, 
Oryzoborus  torridus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  102. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,   Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.). 

109.  Spermophila  minuta. 

Loxia  minuta,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  307. 
Spermophila  minuta,  Scl.  Ibis,  1871^  p.  3. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

110.  Spermophila  castaneiventris. 

Sporophila  castaneiventris.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  679. 

Spermophila  castaneiventris,  Scl.  Ibis,  1871,  p.  7. 
Bartica  Grove. 

111.  Spermophila  lineata. 

Loxia  lineata,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  858. 
Spermophila  lineata,  Scl.  Ibis,  1871,  p.  11. 
Bartica  Grove. 

112.  Spermophila  lineola. 

Loxia  lineola,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  304. 
Spermophila  lineola,  Scl.  Ibis,  1871,  p.  13. 
Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

113.  ^Spermophila  collaria. 

Loxia  collaria,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  305. 
Spermophila  collaria,  Scl.  Ibis,  1871,  p.  9. 
Sporophila  americana,  Gm.,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana^  iii. 
p.  678. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 


from  British  Guiana.  215 

114.  Spermophila  gutturalis. 

Fringilla  gutturalis,  Licht.  Yerz.  Doubl.  p.  26. 
Spe7'mophila  gutturalis,  Scl.  Ibis,  1871,  p.  15. 
Roraima  {3500  ft.). 

115.  Spermophila  grisea. 

Loxia  grisea,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  857. 
Spermophila  grisea,  Scl.  Ibis,  1871,  p.  18. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

116.  Spermophila  plumbea. 

Fringilla  plumb ea,  Wied,  Beitr.  iii.  p.  579. 
Spermophila  jjlumbea,  Scl.  Ibis,  1871,  p.  18. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

117.  Volatinia  jacarina, 

Tanagra  jacarina,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  314. 

Volatinia  jacarina,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  106  (partim). 

Roraima. 

Roraima  birds  have  the  under  wing -coverts  and  the  inner 
edge  of  the  quills  near  the  base  white,  as  in  Brazilian  birds, 
the  true  V.  jacarina  (Linn.),  The  same  form  is  found  at 
Para. 

118.  Volatinia  splendens. 

Fringilla  splendens,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d''Hist.  N.  xii.  p.  173. 

Bartica  Grove. 

A  male  from  this  locality  agrees  with  Vieillot's  descrip- 
tion of  F.  splendens  from  Cayenne,  iuastnuch  as  the  under 
wing-coverts  and  the  base  of  the  quills  are  black  and  not 
white  as  in  V.  jacarina. 

119.  Phonipara  fumosa. 

Phonipara  fumosa,  Lawr.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  x.  p.  396;  Salv. 
&  Godm.,  antea,  p.  118. 

Phonipara  phiBoptila,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  445. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

120.  Paroaria  nigrigenis. 

Nemosia  nigrigenys,  Lafr.  Rev.  Zool.  1846,  p.  273. 
Paroaria  nigrigenys,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  108. 


216  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

Calyptrophorus  gularis,  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  678  i?). 

Camacusa. 

In  P.  gularis  the  lores  are  scarlet,  whereas  in  this  closely 
allied  species  they  are  black. 

121.  CORYPHOSPINGUS  CRISTATUS. 

Fringilla  cristata,  Gra.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  926. 

Coryphospingus  cristatus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  109. 

Bartica  Grove. 

A  single  female  specimen  of  this  widely- ranging  species, 
of  which  we  have  specimens  from  Peru,  Bolivia,  and  South 
Brazil. 

122.  Catamenia,  sp.  ? 
Roraima  (6000  ft.). 

The  three  specimens  of  Catamenia  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  col- 
lection are  all  in  immature  plumage,  and  therefore  cannot 
be  satisfactorily  determined.  They  most  resemble  examples 
of  C.  homochroa  of  Ecuador. 

123.  ZONOTRICHIA  PILEATA. 

Emberiza  pileata,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  23. 
Zonotrichia  pileata,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  113. 
Zonotrichia  matutina  (Gm.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  679. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500-4500  ft.) . 

124.  COTURNICULUS  MANIMBE. 

Fringilla  manimbe,  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  253. 

Coterniculus  manimbe,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  116. 

Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

The  grey  edgings  to  the  feathers  of  the  head  and  back  are 
rather  narrower  in  these  birds  than  in  the  Brazilian  race, 
giving  the  upper  surface  of  the  plumage  a  rather  more  ru- 
fescent  tinge. 

125.  Emberizoides  macrubus. 

Fi'ingilla  macroura,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  918. 
Emberizoides  macrourus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  118. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3000-4000  ft.). 


from  British  Gniana.  217 

126.  Chrysomitris  icterica. 

Fri7igiUa  icterica,  Liclit.  Verz.  Doiibl.  p.  26. 
Chrysomitris  icterica,  Scl.  Cat.  Am,  B.  p.  125. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

These  specimens  agree  fairly  witli  Bahia  examples  of 
C.  icterica,  the  Brazilian  form  of  C.  barbata. 

127.  ■^Sycalis  minor. 

Sycalis  minor,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  679. 
Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

128.  ^Sycalis  flaveola. 

Sycalis  brasiliensis,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  679. 
Not  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

129.  Sycalis  citrina. 

Sycalis  citrina,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  pp.  232,  334. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (2700-3700  ft.). 

The  only  specimen  of  Sycalis  obtained  by  Mr.  Whitely 
appears  to  belong  to  this  species,  which  is  distinguished  by 
having  a  white  spot  on  the  outer  tail-feathers.  Natterer^s 
specimens  were  obtained  in  the  provinces  of  Sao  Paolo  and 
Rio  Janeiro. 

130.  OSTINOPS  DECUMANUS. 

Xanthornus  decumanus,  Pall.  Spic.  Zool.  vi.  p.  1,  pi.  1. 
Ostinops  decumanus,  Scl.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  151. 
Cassicus  cristatus   (Gm.),   Cab.   in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  680. 

Bartica  Grove. 

131.  Ostinops  viridis. 

Oriolus  viridis,  Miill.  Natursyst.  Suppl.  p.  87. 
Ostinops  viridis,  Scl.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  152. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3000  ft.). 

132.  Cassicus  persicus. 

Oriolus  per sicus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  161. 
Cassicus  persicus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.   p.  681 ; 
Scl.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  157. 
Bartica  Grove. 

SER.  V. ^VOL.  III.  Q 


218  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

133.  Cassicus  affinis. 

Cassicus  affinis,  Sw.  Orn.  Draw.  pi.  3;  Scl.  Ibis^  1883^  p.  161. 
Cassicus  hamorrhous,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  681. 
Bartica  Grove^  Camacusa. 

134.  *Cassicus  albirostris. 

Cassicus  albirostris,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  681; 
Scl.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  159. 

Not  in  Mr.  "VVhitely^s  collection.  Mr.  Sclater  doubts  the 
occurrence  of  this  species  so  far  north. 

135.  Icterus  chrysocephalus. 

Oriolus  chrysocephalus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  164. 
Icterus  chrysocejjhalus,  Scl.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  359. 
Bartica  Grove,  Eoraima  (3500  ft.). 

136.  DOLICHONYX  oryzivora. 

Emberiza  oryzivora,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  311. 
Dolichonyx  oryzivora,  Scl.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  2. 
Camacusa. 

137.  *MoLOTHRUS  ATRONITENS. 

Molothrus  atronitens.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p,  6; 
Scl.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  6. 

Not  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

138.  Agel^us  imthurni. 

Agelceus  imthurni,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  213;  1884,  p.  13. 
MacragelcBus  imthurni,  Berlepsch,  in  litt. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3700-5000  ft.) . 

139.  ^Xanthosomus  icterocephalus. 

Oriolus  chrysocephalus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  15. 
Chrysomus  icterocephalus, Cab. in  Schomb.  Guiana,iii.p. 681. 
Xanthosomus  icterocephalus,  Scl.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  15. 
Not  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

140.  Leistes  guianensis. 

Oriolus  yuianensis,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  162. 
Leistes  guianensis,  Scl.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  21. 
Leistes  americanus    (Gm.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  681. 

Yuruani  River,  Roraima  (8500  ft.). 


fi'om  British  Guiana.  219 

141.  Sturnella  ludoviciana. 

Sturnella  ludoviciana,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Gmana_,  iii.  p.  683. 
Sturnella  ludoviciana  meridionalis,  Scl.  Ibis,  1884^  p.  26, 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

142.  ■^Lampropsar  tanagrinus. 

Icterus  tanagrinus,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  i.  p.  Q7 ,  pi.  64.  f.  1. 
Lampropsar  tanagrinus,  Scl.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  149. 
Lampropsar    guianensis,    Cab.   in   Schomb.    Guiana,   iii. 
p.  682. 

Not  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

143.  '^QUISCALUS  LUGUBRIS. 

Quiscalus  lugubris,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  299;  Scl.  Ibis, 
1884,  p.  162. 

Chalcophanes  jamaicensis  et  C,  minor.  Cab.  in  Schomb. 
Guiana,  iii.  p.  683. 

Not  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

144.  Cassidtx  oryzivora. 

Oriolus  oryzivorus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  386. 
Cassidix  oryzivora,  Scl.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  165. 
Scaphidura  atra   (Vieill.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  683. 

Bartica  Grove, 

145.  Cyanocorax  cayanus. 

Corvus  cayanus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  157. 
Cyanocorax  cayanus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  683 ; 
Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  iii.  p.  122. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

146.  "^Cyanocorax  violaceus. 

Cyanocorax  violaceus,  Du  Bus,  Bull.  Ac.  Brux.  xiv.  pt.  2, 
p.  103;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  iii.  p.  125. 

Cyanocorax  hyacinthinus,  Cab.  in  Schomb,  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  683. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection.     There  is  a 
skin  in  the  British  Museum  obtained  by  Schomburgk. 
[To  be  continued.] 


q2 


220  Eecenthj  published  Ornithological  Works. 

XIX. — Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications. 

[Contiuued  from  p.  117.] 
48.  'The  Auk.' 

['  Tlie  Auk,'  a  Quarterly  Journal  of  Ornitliology.  Continuation  of  the 
'  Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club.'  Vol.  I.  No.  4,  October 
1884;  Vol.  II.  No.  1,  January  1885.     Boston,  Mass.] 

In  the  number  published  last  October_,  IVLr.  W.  B. 
Burrows's  list  of  the  birds  of  the  Lower  Uruguay  is  con- 
cluded; and  there  are  several  other  interesting  papers  on 
pure  ornithology.  Amongst  these  is  a  description  of  a  new 
subspecies  of  Willow -Grouse  from  Newfoundland,  called  by 
Dr.  L.  Stejneger  Lagojms  alba  alleni,  distinguished  from 
L.  alba  by  having  the  shafts  of  the  primaries  and  secondaries 
black,  and  the  wing-feathers_,  even  some  of  the  coverts, 
mottled  with  blackish.  No  less  than  three  papers  treat, 
more  or  less,  of  the  question  of  zoological  nomenclature, 
commencing  with  one  contributed  by  Prof.  Coues,  dated 
"May  27th,  S.S.  'Oregon,'  Mid-ocean,''  and  ending  with 
the  third  series  of  the  "Analecta  Ornithologica  "  by  Dr.  Stej- 
neger. This  is  followed  by  the  Report  of  the  Second  Meeting 
of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union,  at  which  the  Editors 
of '  The  Ibis '  were  courteously  invited  to  assist ;  and  they 
take  this  opportunity  of  expressing — although  inadequately 
— their  sense  of  the  kind  attentions  they  everywhere  expe- 
rienced from  their  brother  ornithologists  in  America. 

The  earlier  papers  in  the  'Auk  '  for  January  relate  almost 
entirely  to  American  birds ;  but  Dr.  Stejneger  contributes  a 
fourth  series  of  his  "  Analecta  Ornithologica,"  and  Dr.  C. 
Hart  Merriam  (who  is  now  in  Europe,  and  may  be  expected 
to  visit  us  in  April)  gives  an  interesting  Preliminary  Report 
of  the  Committee  on  Bird-Migration.  If  hard  work  and 
elaborate  returns  from  all  parts  of  an  area  far  exceeding  that 
of  Europe  can  teach  us  some  truths  about  the  migrations  of 
birds,  we  are  now  in  a  fair  way  to  obtain  them.  Six  thou- 
sand circulars  have  been  distributed,  and  one  thousand 
returns  have  been  received  during  the  first  year !  We 
understand  that  Congress  will  vote  aid  to  the  extent  of 
®5000  (£1000)  for  the  first  year;  our  British  Migration 
Committee  receives  £35  from  the  British  Association ! 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  221 

49.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway  on  the  Water-Birds  of 
North  America. 

[Memoirs  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  at  Harvard  College. 
Vol.  xiii.  The  Water-Birds  of  North  America.  By  S.  F.  Baird,  T.  M. 
Brewer,  and  R.  Ridgway.     Vol.  II.     4to.     Boston :  1884.] 

The  concluding  volume  of  this  important  work  contains 
the  remainder  of  the  Ducks ;  the  Steganopodes,  including 
Phaeton ;  the  Skimmers^  Gulls,  Terns,  and  Skuas,  an  order 
of  sequence  which  passes  our  comprehension;  followed  by 
the  Tubinares,  and  ending  with  the  Pygopodes.  Of  the 
general  style  of  execution  it  is  impossible  to  speak  in 
other  than  terms  of  praise ;  and  as  regards  the  thoroughly 
American  species,  the  latest  available  information  will,  as  a 
rule,  be  found.  In  their  references  to  Old- World  authori- 
ties the  writers  are  not  unfrequently  at  a  disadvantage,  from 
not  being  aware  of  the  relative  trustworthiness,  or  the  re- 
verse, of  their  sources  of  information ;  and  there  is  a  ten- 
dency to  accept  as  gospel  statements  that  have  been  shown 
to  be  incorrect.  We  cannot  speak  of  Col.  Grayson^s  speci- 
mens of  the  "  Little  Gull "  from  Mazatlan,  not  having  seen 
them,  although  we  do  not  for  a  moment  suppose  that  they 
really  belong  to  our  Larus  minutus  ;  but  as  regards  the  re- 
ported occurrence  of  this  species  in  the  Arctic  regions,  it  is 
well  known  and  has  been  conclusively  proved  that  the  bird  so 
named  by  Richardson  was  Bonaparte^s  Gull  {L.  Philadelphia) , 
as  were  also  the  birds  shot  at  Bermuda  by  Major  W  edderburn. 
Nor  can  a  work  of  this  magnitude,  and  by  more  than  one 
author,  be  expected  to  be  free  from  minor  errors  and  mis- 
prints ;  but  on  the  whole  they  are  comparatively  few,  and 
do  not  materially  detract  from  the  merit  of  the  harmonious 
whole. 

50.  Berlepsch  on  the  Birds  of  Bucaramanga. 

[Untersuchungen  liber  die  Vogel  der  Umgegend  von  Bucaramanga  in 
Neu-Granada.     Von  Hans  von  Berlepsch.     J.  f.  0.  1884,  p.  273.] 

This  carefully-prepared  memoir  is  based  principally  upon 
collections  received  by  the  Llibeck  and  Bremen  Museums 


223  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

from  the  vicinity  of  Bucaramanga^  in  Colombia^  on  whicli 
district  almost  the  only  previous  authority  was  Mr.  Wyatt^s 
paper  in  this  Journal  (^  Ibis/  1871,  p.  113).  Of  151  species 
enumerated  and  commented  upon  (of  which  136  also  occur 
in  collections  from  Bogota)  three  are  described  as  new — 
Thnjophilus  minlosi,  Pcecilotriccus  lenzi,  and  PhyoUmyias 
cristatus.  The  two  former  are  also  figured.  Pcecilotriccus 
is  a  new  genus  of  TyrannidsBj  to  be  placed  between  Todi- 
rostrum  and  Euscarthmus,  and  contains  also  Tod.  ruficeps  of 
Bogota  and  Tod.  rufigene  of  Ecuador. 

51.  Bidwell  on  Sabine's  Gull. 

[On  the  Occurrence  of  Saljine's  Gull  {Xema  sahinii)  in  Adult  Plumage 
in  the  Isle  of  Mull.  By  Edward  BidweU.  Proc.  E.  Phys.  Soc.  Edinb., 
Session  1883-84,  p.  131.] 

Although  many  immature  examples  of  Sabine's  Gull  have 
been  obtained  in  the  British  Islands^  and  a  certain  number  on 
the  Continent^  yet  only  five  specimens  in  breeding-plumage 
are  recorded^  and  the  localities  ascribed  to  some  of  them  are 
open  to  doubt.  The  above-mentioned  bird  and  one  shot  in 
Bridlington  Bay  on  10th  August^  1872,  are  the  only  instances 
of  adults  in  Britain ;  and  an  adult  was  obtained  on  the  coast 
of  Brittany  on  the  25th  August_,  1872,  just  fifteen  days  later. 
[Cf.  Yarrell's  Brit.  Birds,  4th  ed.  vol.  iii.  p.  575.) 

52.  W.  Blasius  on  a  new  Trumpeter. 

[Ueber  einen  vermuthlich  neuen  Tromj^eter-Vogel  von  Bolivia  (Pso- 
phia  cantatrix,  Boeck,  in  Utt.).  Von  Prof.  Dr.  Wilh.  Blasius.  J.  f.  0. 
1884,  p.  203.] 

This  supposed  new  species  is  described  from  information 
received  from  Prof.  Eugen  von  Boeck,  Director  of  the 
Central  School  in  Cochabamba.  The  bird  in  question  is 
found  on  the  Mamore  and  Beni  rivers,  and  would  seem  to 
come  nearest  to  Ps.  leucoptera,  if  it  be  not  identical  with 
that  species. 

53.  W.  Blasius  on  GrabowsJcy's  latest  Bornean  Collections. 

[Ueber  die  neuesten  Ergebnisse  von  Herrn  F.  J.  Grabowsky's  ornitho- 
logischen  Forschungen  in  siid-ost  Borneo.     Idem.     To7n.  cit.  p.  210.] 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  223 

Prof.  Blasius  published  his  first  paper  on  Grabowsky's 
Boruean  bird-collections  in  the  '  Verhandlungen  der  zoolo- 
gisch-botanischen  Gesellschaft  ■"  of  Vienna  (1883,  pp.  1-90). 
Grabowsky  has  since  then  shifted  his  quarters,  and  sent  home 
altogether  85  more  bird-skins,  which  have  been  already  partly 
reported  on  at  a  sitting  of  the  '  Verein  f  iir  Naturwissenschaft ' 
of  Brunswick.  Prof.  Blasius  now  describes  the  new  district 
visited  by  Grabowsky  at  some  length.  It  lies  up  the  Negara, 
a  confluent  of  the  Bareto,  in  Eastern  Borneo,  and  is  shown 
in  Carl  Bock's  map.  A  list  of  about  fifty  species,  to  which 
the  birds  represented  in  Grabowsky's  last  collection  are 
referable,  follows,  and  special  remarks  upon  some  twenty-five 
of  these.  Near  Mindai,  Grabowsky  found  Mach(srhamphus 
alcinus  breeding,  and  shot  one  of  the  pair  off"  the  nest,  which 
was  placed  on  a  lofty  tree,  but  was  unfortunately  empty. 

54.  W.  Blasius  on  the  Breast-bone  of  Birds. 
[Ueber  Vogel-Brustbeine.     Idem.     Tom.  cit.  p.  228.] 

This  is  an  abstract  of  a  paper  read  before  the  German 
Ornithological  Society  at  their  Meeting  in  Oldenburg.  Dr. 
Blasius,  who  had  long  made  the  sterna  of  birds  a  special 
object  of  study,  found  in  the  series  of  the  bones  accumulated  by 
Dr.  Finsch  during  his  recent  travels  in  the  Pacific  many  forms 
of  great  interest,  and  makes  special  remarks  on  the  sterna 
of  Scythrops,  Nestor,  Ptilorhis,  Esacus,  and  Dendrochelidon. 

55.  W.  Blasius's  third  Paper  on  the  Great  Auk. 

[Neue  Thatsaclien  in  BetrefF  der  Ueberreste  von  Alca  impennis,  Linn, 
Idem.     Tageblatt  d.  Naturf.  Versamm.  zu  Magdeburg,  1884,  p.  321.] 

This  third  recent  contribution  (c/.  '  Ibis,'  1884,  pp.  205  & 
454)  to  the  history  of  the  existing  remains  of  Alca  impennis 
contains  some  additions  to  the  former  lists,  with  rectifications 
of  minor  details,  and  tracings  of  the  history  of  certain  speci- 
mens which  have  changed  hands. 

56.  Bogdanow  on  Russian  Ornithology. 

[Conspectus  Avium  Imperii  Rossici.  Auctore  Modesto  Bogdanow. 
Fasc.  1.     4to.     St.  P^tersbourg :  1884.] 


224  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

This  First  Part  commences  with  the  Columbeej  three  races 
of  C.  livia  being  recognized ;  and  this  Order  is  followed  by 
the  HeteroclitsBj  in  which  the  Glareolidse  are  located,  as  well 
as  the  Pteroclidse.  In  the  Gallinae,  Lagopus  rupestris,  suhsp. 
insularis,  described  as  new  from  Bering  Island,  is  evidently 
L.ridgwayi,  Stejneger;  Tetrao  urogaUoides,va,r.  /3.  sachalensis, 
is  a  supposed  novelty ;  and  so  is  Coturnix  ussuriensis.  The 
Grallse^  comprising  the  Bustards,  Cranes,  Plovers,  Sand- 
pipers, and  Herons,  conclude  the  volume.  Amongst  the  last 
named  is  a  new  species,  Butorides  schrencki. 

57.  British  Association's  Report  on  Migration  in  1883. 

[Report  on  the  Migration  of  Birds  in  the  Spring  and  Autumn  of  1883. 
By  Mr.  J.  A.  Harvie-Brown,  Mr.  J.  Cordeaux,  Mr.  R.  M.  Barrington,  and 
Mr.  A.  G.  More.     Svo.     Loudon  :  1884.] 

A  feature  in  this,  the  Fifth  Report,  is  a  return  from 
Skykkesholm,  Iceland,  by  M.  Thorlacius.  Mr.  Gatke  con- 
tinues to  give  us  the  benefit  of  his  observations  on  Heligo- 
land, prolific  of  rarities ;  and  the  Committee  are  again  in- 
debted to  Prof.  Liitken  of  Copenhagen  for  a  list  of  the  birds 
killed  by  striking  against  the  lantern  of  the  lighthouse  at 
StevnSj  the  projecting  part  of  Zealand.  It  is  gratifying  to 
notice  an  increase  in  the  number  of  the  schedules  filled  up 
by  the  keepers  of  the  lighthouses  and  lightships  on  our 
coasts ;  and  we  note  with  satisfaction  that  the  money-grant 
of  the  Association  has  been  slightly  augmented. 

58.  Buckley  and  Harvie-Brown  on  the  Birds  of  Sutherland- 
shire. 

[The  Vertebrate  Fauna  of  Sutherlandshire.  By  T.  E.  Buckley,  B.A, 
&c.,  and  J.  A.  Harvie-Brown,  F.R.S.E.  &c.  Being  an  Appendix  to  the 
second  edition  of  tlie  late  Mr.  Charles  St.  John's  *  Tom*  in  Sutherland.' 

1884.] 

It  would  be  impossible  to  indicate  two  naturalists  more 
eminently  qualified  to  write  the  history  of  Sutherlandshire 
and  its  productions  than  the  above-named  Members  of  the 
B.O.U.,  who  have  studied  the  natural  history  of  that  exten- 
sive county  for  the  past  seventeen  years.     The  ornithological 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  225 

portion  of  their  work  is  excellent ;  and  we  particularly  admire 
the  caution  exercised  with  regard  to  the  reported  occurrence 
of  species  which  might  not  unreasonably  be  expected  to  visit 
Sutherland_,  although  absolute  proof  is  still  wanting.  The 
relative  distribution  of  species  in  East  and  West  Sutherland 
is  very  interesting, 

59.  Collett  on  the  Great  Auk  in  Norway. 

[Ueber  Alca  impennis  in  Norwegen.  Von  Robert  OoUett.  Mittb, 
ornith.  Ver.  in  Wien,  1884.] 

The  author^s  chief  object  seems  to  be  the  rehabilitation  of 
the  testimony  (to  which,  as  before  stated  in  'The  Ibis/  1861, 
p.  377,  Wolley  demurred)  of  Herr  Brodtkorb,  who  pro- 
fesses that  in  1848  he  shot  an  Alca  impennis  off  the  coast  of 
East  Finmark.  Whether  the  attempt  be  successful  would 
take  too  long  here  to  discuss.  A  catalogue,  with  measure- 
ments, of  the  bones  of  this  species  found  on  Funk  Island  in 
1841  by  Stuwitz,  and  now  in  the  Christiania  Museum,  is  a 
useful  addition  to  the  lists  of  its  remains  hitherto  published ; 
but  are  we  really  to  believe  that  so  much  individual  variation 
is  shown  by  the  specimens  as  from  46  mm.  to  77  mm.  in  tlie 
breadth  of  the  skull,  or  is  not  the  latter  number  a  misprint  ? 

60.  Cory  on  the  Birds  of  San  Domingo. 

[The  Birds  of  Haiti  and  San  Domingo.  By  Cliarles  B.  Cory,  F.L.S. 
Part  III.     4to.     Boston:  1884.] 

]Mr.  Cory^s  third  part  of  the  Birds  of  Haiti  and  San 
Domingo  carries  on  the  subject  to  the  Scolopacidse  and 
Parridse.  The  following  species  are  figured  in  this  part : — 
Conurus  chloropterus ,  Rupornis  ridgwayi  in  three  stages  of 
plumage,  (Edicnemus  dominicensis,  and  Parr  a  gymnostoma. 

61.  Dresser's  Monograph  of  the  Bee-eaters. 

[A  Monograph,  of  the  Meropidas,  or  Family  of  the  Bee-eaters.  By  H. 
E.  Dresser,  F.L.S.    Part  III.     Small  folio.     London:  1884.] 

Part  III.  of  IMr,  Dresser's  Monograph  contains  well- 
executed  coloured  plates  of  the  seven  following  species  : — 


226  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Merops  superciliosus.  Merops  niibicoides. 

apiaster.  Dicrocercus  hirundineus. 

malimbicus.  Melittophagus  lafresnayei. 

nubicus. 

62.  Fischer  on  the  Birds  of  Masai-land. 

[Uebersicht  der  von  Dr.  G.  A,  Fischer  auf  seiner  im  Auftrage  der 
Hamburger  Geograpbiscben  Gesellscbaft  unternommenen  Reise  in  das 
Masailand  gesammelten  iind  beobacbteten  Vogelarten.  Bearbeitet  von 
Dr.  G.  A.  Fiscber.] 

In  this  memoir  Dr.  Fischer  gives  an  account  of  the  birds 
collected  and  observed  during  his  recent  journey  into  Masai- 
land  from  Pangani_,  in  which  he  passed  south-west  of  Kili- 
manjarOj  and  reached  Lake  Naivasha.  The  tAvo  principal 
places  at  which  collections  were  made  were  Great  Aruscha 
on  Mount  Maeru_,  and  the  village  of  Nguruman^  in  long, 
36°  E.,  lat.  2°  S.,  on  the  eastern  slope  of  a  mountain-chain 
which  extends  from  north  to  south  through  Masai-land. 
Between  the  coast  and  Lake  Naivasha  altogether  345  species 
of  birds  were  observed,  and  specimens  of  269  species  Avere 
obtained,  of  which  36  were  new.  The  new  species  have  been 
already  described  by  Drs.  Fischer  and  Reichenow  in  the 
'Journal  fiir  Ornithologie '  for  January  1884  (c/.  'Ibis/ 
1884,  p.  339). 

A  new  Nightingale  {Lusciola  afi'icana)  sang  morning  and 
evening  to  the  traveller  during  his  twelve  days^  stay  at 
Little  Aruscha,  near  the  base  of  Kilimanjaro  ;  and  a 
Cuckoo  with  three  tones  to  its  cry  {Cuculus  heuglini)  was  met 
with  in  many  spots  in  Masai-land.  Its  egg  was  taken 
April  28th  in  the  nest  of  Erythropijgia  leucoptera.  A  pair 
of  Cuculus  canorus  were  also  obtained  at  Little  Aruscha  on 
March  29th.  Parus  fringillinus,  Euplectes  frederichseni, 
Notauges  fischeri,  and  Drepanorhgnchus  reichenowi  are 
figured. 

63.  Glanville's  Catalogue  of  the  Albany  Museum,  Cape 
Colony. 

[Catalogue  of  the  Natural  History  Collection  of  the  Albany  Museum, 
Graham's  Town.     8vo.     Cape  Town :  1883.] 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  227 

The  Albany  Museum  at  Graham^s  Town  is  said  to  be  the 
only  institution  of  the  kind  at  present  existing  in  the 
eastern  districts  of  the  Cape  Colony,  with  the  exception  of  a 
small  collection  in  the  Gill  College,  Somerset  East.  Its 
energetic  Curator,  Mr.  M.  Glanville,  had  prepared  the  pre- 
sent catalogue  with  the  view  of  showing  what  specimens  it 
already  possesses,  and  with  the  hope  of  inducing  his  fellow- 
colonists  to  help  him  to  make  it  more  complete.  The  series 
of  South-African  birds  enumerated  (pp.  15-52)  seems  to  be 
of  considerable  extent. 

64.  Godman  and  Salvin's  '  Biologia  Centrali- Americana.' 

[Biologia  Central!- Americana ;  or,  Contributions  to  the  Knowledge  of 
the  Fauna  and  Flora  of  Mexico  and  Central  America.  Edited  by  F. 
DuOane  Godman  and  Osbert  Salvin.  (Zoology.)  Parts  XXVIII.  to 
XXXIV.  4to.  London:  1884.  Published  for  the  Editors  by  K.  H. 
Porter,  10  Ohandos  Street,  Cavendish  Square,  W.] 

Our  friends  make  good  progress  with  this  important  work. 
Seven  numbers  have  been  issued  since  our  last  notice  (Ibis, 
1884,  p.  208).  The  Bird  parts  are  in  numbers  xxviii.  and 
xxxiv.,  and  carry  on  the  Passeres  of  the  Oscinine  section 
to  the  commencement  of  the  Fringillidae.  The  following 
species  are  figured  : — Chlorospitigus  punctidatus,  C.  pileatus, 
C.  hypophcBUs,  Buarremon  capitalis,  B.  tibialis,  and  Pilylus 
celceno. 

65.  Gould's  'Birds  of  Neiv  Guinea.' 

[The  Birds  of  New  Guinea  and  the  adjacent  Papuan  Islands,  including 
any  new  Species  that  maybe  discovered  in  Australia.  By  [the  late]  John 
Gould,  F.II.S.  &c.     Parts  XYII.  &  XVIII.     FoHo.     London  :  1884.] 

We  have  two  parts  of  the  '  Birds  of  New  Guinea '  to 
notice,  containing  illustrations  of  the  following  species  : — 

Part  XVII. 

Ninox  odiosa.  Myiagra  ferrocyanea. 

Carpophaga  finschi.  Myzomela  erythrina. 

Ptilopus  lewisi.  melanocephala. 

Graucalus  pusillus.  Dicseum  aeneum. 

Khipidura  cockerelli.  Zosterops  longirostris. 

Pomarea  ugiensis.  Stigmatops  albo-auricularis. 
Piezorhynchus  richardsii. 


228  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Part  XVIII. 

Drepanornis  cerviuicauda.  Pomarea  castaneiventris. 

Charmosyna  margaritse.  Rhipiduva  leucothorax. 

Ptilopus  ricbardsi.  Piezorhyuclius  brodiei. 

Myzomela  wakoloensis.  browni. 

Dicseum  tristraini.  Halcyon  leucopygia. 

Myiagra  cerviuicauda.  Zosterops  fuscifrons. 
Pomarea  rufocastanea. 

Many  fine  sj^ecies  from  the  Solomon  Islands  are  included 
in  this  series^  and  render  it  evident  that  the  avifauna  of  this 
group  is  most  rich  and  varied^  and  worthy  of  special  investi- 
gation. Mr.  Sharpe  does  not  give  us  the  locality  of  Myiagra 
fen^ocyanea,  which  shoiild  have  been  stated  to  he  from  Gua- 
dalcanar,  Solomon  Islands. 

QQ.  Gurney  on  the  Birds  of  Norfolk. 

[Catalogue  of  tbe  Birds  of  Norfolk.  By  J.  H.  Gurney,  .Tun.  Reprinted 
from  Mason's  '  History  of  Norfolk.'     8vo.     London  :  1884.J 

This  is  an  exceedingly  useful  list_,  conveying  in  a  condensed 
form  a  large  amount  of  information.  It  is  especially  service- 
able as  regards  the  distribution  of  the  water-birds^  owing  to 
the  delay  in  the  appearance  of  those  fuller  details  which  we 
may,  perhaps,  some  day  see  in  the  long-expected  vol.  iii.  of 
Mr.  Stevenson's  '  Birds  of  Norfolk.^  The  arrangement  is  the 
only  drawback ;  for,  unfortunately,  the  author  has  adopted 
the  sequence  propounded  by  Sundevall,  so  that  it  is  no  easy 
matter  to  know  where  to  look  for  a  bird.  Who  would  expect 
to  find  the  Pigeons  between  the  Kingfisher  and  the  Barn-Owl, 
and  Pallas's  Sand-Grouse  following  the  Osprey  ?  On  the 
other  hand,  we  do  not  find  the  Pratincole  in  juxtaposition 
with  the  Nightjar,  where  Sundevall  placed  it  !  We  may  be 
partial,  but,  with  all  its  imputed  defects,  we  think  that  the 
arrangement  of  the  ^  B.  O.  U.  List '  is  better  than  this. 

Q>7.  Hawtayne' s  Taxidermic  Notes. 

[Taxidermic  and  otber  Notes.  By  a  Collector.  12mo.  02  pp.  George- 
town, Demerara :  1884.] 

Mr.  Hawtayne's  handy  little  book  will,  we  trust,  carry  out 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  229 

its  excellent  object — that  of  assisting  persons  desirous  of 
contributing  to  the  Georgetown  Museum  or  the  Exhibitions 
to  be  held  in  Georgetown  in  1885  and  in  London  in  1886. 
The  notes,  compiled  from  the  well-known  directions  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  and  other  recognized  authorities, 
relate  to  the  preparation  of  specimens  of  natural  history  and 
other  similar  objects. 

68.  Henke  on  the  Ostrich-question. 

[Beitrag  zur  Losuug  dei*  Strauasenfrage.  Von  K.  G.  Heiike.  Zeitsch. 
f.  d.  gesammte  Ornithol.  1884,  p.  210.] 

Herr  Henke  recognizes  three  different  varieties  of  Ostrich- 
eggs,  which  he  thinks  must  be  the  produce  of  three  distinct 
species.  Figures  are  given  of  eggs  of  Struthio  molybdophanes 
of  Somaliland  and  Sti'uthio  australis  of  South  Africa. 

69.  Homeyer  on  a  new  Stonechat. 

[Beschreibuug  eines  neuen  Steinschuiatzers  Saxicola  cypriaca.  Von 
E.  F.  von  Homeyer.     Zeitschr.  f.  d.  g.  Orn.  1884,  p.  397.] 

The  supposed  new  species  of  Stonechat  from  Cyprus 
resembles  S.  morio,  but  has  a  blacker  back,  a  lighter  rufous 
breast,  and  less  white  in  the  tail. 

70.  Huet  on  Additions  to  the  Jar  din  des  Plantes, 

[Note  sur  las  uaissauces,  dons  et  acquisitions  de  la  Menagerie  du  Mu- 
seum d'Histoire  Naturelle,  pendant  les  mois  de  Septembre,  Octobre,  No- 
vembre  et  Decenibre  1883.  Par  M.  Huet.  Bull.  Soc.  d'Acclimatation, 
Feb.  1884.] 

The  number  of  additions  to  the  collection  of  living  birds 
in  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  in  1883  was  319.  Of  these  the 
most  noticeable  seem  to  have  been  examples  of  Rhea  darwini 
and  Bernicla  poliocephala. 

71.  Le  Moine  on  Canadian  Ornithology. 

[Ornitbology  in  Canada  and  in  the  United  States.  By  J.  M.  Le  Moine, 
From '  Quebec  Morning  Chronicle  '  of  23rd  August,  1884 ;  separate  issue.] 

A  short  compilation  prepared  for  use  of  the  Members  of  the 
British  Association. 


230  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

72.  Meyer  on  Birds'  Nests  and  Eggs  from  the  East  Indies. 

[Notizeu  liber  Vogel  Nester  und  Eier  aus  dem  ostindischen  Arcliipel, 
speciell  liber  die  durcb  Herru  0.  Ribbe  von  deu  Aru-Inseln  jlingst 
erbalteneu.     Vou  A.  B.  Meyer.     Zeitscbr.  f.  d.  g.  Orn.  1884,  p.  269.] 

Eighty-two  species  of  birds^  mostly  from  the  Aroo  group, 
are  noticed,  and  information  of  different  kinds  supplied  about 
them.  Rhectes  analogus,  from  Aroo,  and  Xanthotis  rubiensis, 
from  Rubi,  are  described  as  new.  Two  young  females  of 
Eclectus  roratus,  hatched  in  captivity  at  Karlsruhe  (c/. 
Gefiederte  Welt,  1884,  p.  413),  are  figured.  Many  nests  and 
eggs  are  described,  and  a  selection  of  eggs  figured,  amongst 
which  is  a  (damaged)  one  of  Paradisea  apoda. 

73.  '  The  Naturalist.' 

[Tbe  Naturalist :  a  Journal  of  Natural  History  for  the  North  of 
England.  Edited  by  W.  Denison  Roebuck  and  W.  Eagle  Clarke.  Nos. 
109-115,  August  1884  to  February  1885.     8vo.     London  and  Leeds.] 

This  is,  we  presume,  a  continuation  of  the  'Yorkshire 
Naturalist '  under  a  more  general  title.  Be  this  as  it  may, 
the  first  of  the  parts  before  us  contains  some  very  interesting 
papers  and  items  of  information  from  the  Editors  and  such 
contributors  as  Messrs.  Bolam,  Cordeaux,  Whitaker,  and 
Lord  Walsingham.  Mr.  Bolam  records  the  capture  of  the 
Red-breasted  Flycatcher  {Muscicapa  parva)  in  his  garden  at 
Berwick-on-Tweed,  on  the  5th  October  1883,  the  fourth  occur- 
rence in  the  British  Islands.  In  No.  112  the  Rev.  H.  H. 
Slater  records  the  Barred  Warbler  {Sylvia  nisoria)  obtained 
on  the  coast  of  Holderness  on  the  28th  August,  and  exhibited 
at  a  recent  Meeting  of  the  Zoological  Society.  A  Teng- 
malm's  Owl  was  obtained  on  the  18th  October,  and  identified 
by  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke.  The  authenticated  breeding  of  the 
Reed-Warbler  in  Cheshire,  the  furthest  north-western  locality 
on  record,  is  interesting.  In  addition  to  the  numerous 
.articles  and  notes  on  birds.  No.  115  contains  a  useful  biblio- 
graphy for  1884  of  papers  relating  to  the  natural  history 
of  the  north  of  England ;  and  so  far  this  Magazine  appears 
to  be  worthy  of  high  and  hearty  praise. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  231 

74.  Olphe-Galliard  on  the  Ornithology  of  Western  Europe. 

[Contributions  a  la  Jt'^une  Ornithologique  de  FEurope  Occidentale. 
Par  L^on  Olphe-Galliard.     Fasc.  1.    8vo.     Bayonne  :  1884.] 

The  present  work  is  intended  to  treat  of  the  birds  of  Spain 
and  Portugal,  the  Azores_,  the  Balearic  Islands,  France, 
French  Switzerland,  the  Rhine  valley  to  the  North  Sea, 
the  coasts  of  Belgium,  the  British  Islands,  and  the  Channel 
Islands.  We  do  not  know  why  the  Canaries  are  excluded. 
Following  Scopoli,  the  class  Aves  is  dedicated  to  Edwards — 
the  author  commencing  with  the  suborder  Anseres,  com- 
prising, so  far,  the  Auks,  Divers,  and  Grebes.  There  is 
evidence  of  great  research,  but  we  have  some  doubt  whether 
the  more  recent  authorities  have  been  always  consulted. 


75-78.  Ridgway  on  American  Birds. 

[75.  Note  on  Selasphorus  torridus,  Salvin.  Pr.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  1884, 
p.  14. 

76.  Melanetta  fusca  (Linn.)  in  Alaska.     Tom.  cit.  p.  68. 

77.  Description  of  a  new  Snow-Bunting  from  Alaska.     Loc.  cit, 

78.  Description  of  a  new  Species  of  Coot  from  the  West  Indies.  Tom. 
cit.  p.  358.] 

In  No.  75  the  Selasphorus  from  the  Volcan  de  Irazii,  Costa 
Eica,  recorded  in  vol.  v.  p.  497  as  S.  flammula,  is  referred 
to  S.  torridus.  In  No.  76  it  is  stated  that  the  European 
Velvet  Scoter  has  been  obtained  by  Mr.  C.  L.  M'^Kay  in 
Alaska,  where  Melanetta  velvetina  also  occurs.  No.  77  con- 
tains a  description  of  a  very  fine  and  distinct  new  species  of 
Snow-Bunting  which  has  been  discovered  in  Alaska  by  the 
Smithsonian  collectors.  IMr.  Ridgway  calls  it  Plectrophenax 
hyperboreus ;  the  adult  male  in  spring  is  pure  white,  except 
on  the  ends  of  the  five  outer  primaries,  which  are  chiefly 
black.  According  to  No.  78,  the  new  Coot,  Fulica  caribbcea, 
from  Guadeloupe  and  St.  Johns,  W.  L,  is  allied  to  F.  ameri- 
cana,  but  differs  in  its  slenderer  bill  and  the  form  and  colour 
of  the  frontal  shield. 


232  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works, 

79.  Salvadori  on  the  Birds  of  Shoa. 

[Spedizione  Italiana  nell'  Africa  Equatoriale — Risultati  Zoologici — 
Uccelli  dello  Scioa  e  della  regione  fra  Zeila  e  lo  Scioa.  Per  Tommaso 
Salvadori.     Annali  Mus.  Civ.  Stor.  Nat.  Gen  ova,  ser.  2,  i.  1884,  p.  19.] 

The  well-known  Italian  naturalist  Antinori  went  to  Shoa, 
in  Southern  Abyssinia,  in  1876,  at  the  head  of  an  exploring 
expedition,  and  remained  there,  or  in  its  vicinity,  until  his 
death  in  1877.  During  the  six  years  of  his  stay  in  that 
country  (only  known  to  science  previously  from  the  results 
of  the  visit  of  our  countryman.  Sir  W.  S.  Harris,  and  of  a 
collector  employed  by  Riippell) ,  Antinori  made  extensive  col- 
lections in  every  branch  o£  natural  history.  Of  birds  there 
were  received  in  Italy  1531  specimens  from  Shoa,  besides 
about  30  others  from  other  localities.  These  are  worked  out 
by  Count  Salvadori  in  his  usual  accurate  and  painstaking 
manner,  and  are  referred  to  307  species  (from  Shoa),  of  which 
five  [Cajjrimulgus  frcenatus ,  Psalidoprocne  antinorii,  Eaplectes 
scioanus,  Textor  scioanus,  and  Podiceps  infuscatus)  are  re- 
garded as  new.  The  exact  localities  and  collector's  field- 
notes  are  given  of  every  specimen.  A  nest  of  Colius  leucotis 
and  two  eggs  are  in  the  collection.  The  nest  is  cup-shaped, 
only  slightly  hollowed,  and  placed  in  the  centre  of  a  dense 
thorn-bush.  The  eggs  are  rather  rounded,  whitish,  with 
(apparently)  fine  punctulations  of  dark  grey,  which,  however, 
are  perhaps  attributable  to  bad  conservation. 

80.  Saunders's  Edition  of '  Yarrell's  British  Birds.' 

[A  History  of  British  Birds.  By  the  late  William  Yarrell,  V.P.L.S., 
F.Z.S,  Fourth  Edition.  Revised  to  the  end  of  the  Second  Volume  by 
Alfred  Newton,  M.A.,  F.R.S. ;  continued  by  Howard  Saunders,  F.L.S., 
F.Z.S.     Parts  XXVL-XXYHI.     December  1884  to  March  1885.] 

Part  XXVI.  contains  the  Herodiones;  Part  XXVII.  the 
Flamingo  (which  has  occurred  three  or  four  times  in  England, 
and  always  in  autumn),  the  Geese,  the  Whooper,  and 
Bewiek^s  Swan,  the  other  Swans  and  nearly  all  the  fresh- 
water Ducks  being  comprised  in  Part  XXVIII. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  IVorks.  233 

81.  Smithsonian  Report  for  1882. 

[Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Regents  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 
showing  the  operations,  expenditure,  and  condition  of  the  Institution 
for  the  Year  1882.     8vo.     Washington:  1884.] 

The  most  interesting  portion  of  this  Report  to  ornitho- 
logists is  Mr.  Ridgway^s  account  of  the  bird-collection  in  the 
National  Museum^  which,  by  special  Act  of  Congress,  has 
been  placed  under  the  charge  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution 
(pp.  132-135).  The  total  number  of  specimens  in  the  col- 
lection when  the  Report  was  prepared  was  44,354.  Forty- 
four  papers  based  upon  materials  provided  by  the  collection 
were  published  in  1882. 

82.  Stejnerjer  on  Trinomials  in  Ornithologij. 

[On  the  Use  of  Trinomials  in  American  Ornithology.  By  Leonard 
Stejneger.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1884,  p.  70.] 

Mr.  Stejneger  gives  us  an  excellent  essay  on  trinomials, 
which  he  regards  "as  a  nuisance,  but  a  very  necessary 
nuisance."  He  shows  that,  although  now  more  generally 
employed  in  America  than  elsewhere,  trinomials  are  by  no 
means  an  American  invention.  Sundevall  was  the  father  of 
modern  trinomialism,  and  Schlegel,  in  1844,  introduced 
twenty-seven  subspecies  into  his  list  of  European  birds, 
adding  the  subspecific  name  without  any  connecting  word 
or  letter.  J.  H.  Blasius,  Bonaparte,  Middendorff,  and  others 
also  employed  trinomials  freely. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  great  objection  to  the  system  is 
the  opportunity  it  gives  to  the  ignorant  of  naming  as  sub- 
species forms  too  slightly  diflPerentiated  to  require  any  such 
formal  recognition.  Mr.  Stejneger  is  of  opinion,  in  which 
we  agree  with  him,  that  a  more  injurious  use  of  trinomials 
is  liable  to  be  made  in  reducing  good  and  distinct  species  to 
mere  races  or  varieties.  But  he  shows  clearly  that  the  recog- 
nition of  the  minor  differences  on  which  subspecies  are  based 
is  of  vital  importance  to  the  study  of  birds.  He  is  also  of 
opinion  that  these  subspecies  ought  to  have  separate  names, 
and  that  the  best  way  of  effecting  this  is  the  trinomial 
designation. 

SER.  V. VOL.   III.  R 


234  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

83.  Taczanowski's  '  Ornithology  of  Peru.' 

[Ornithologie  du  Peroii.  Par  Ladislas  Taczanowski.  Tome  ii.  Eoyal 
8vo.     Rennes:  1884.     666  pp.] 

The  second  volume  of  this  laborious  and  most  useful  under- 
taking continues  the  account  of  the  Passeres  and  concludes 
with  the  911th  species  from  the  commencement  of  the  work. 
Short  Latin  diagnoses  and  French  descriptions  are  given  of 
every  species_,  besides  general  observations  by  the  author  and 
notes  by  the  collector.  The  following  species  (besides  sub- 
species) are  described  as  new  : — 

Thamnopliilus  berlepschi.  Myiopatis  wag£e. 

Dysitbamnus  tambillanus.  Elainea  gracilis. 

Synallaxis  paucalensis.  Chloropipo  imicolor. 

Auabazenops  ruficollis.  Pbcenicotbraupis  peruviauiis. 

Muscisaxicola  grisea.  Nemosia  pectoralis. 

jiminensis.  Buarremon  albiceps. 

Leptopogon  rufipectiis.  Anteretes  nigricristatus. 

M.  Taczanowski  refers  Sericossypha  albocristata  (p.  387) 
to  the  Cotingidse.  He  seems  to  have  omitted  Fyranga  rubra, 
already  recorded  from  Peru  in  P.  Z.  S.  1874/p.  514. 

84.  Vila  on  the  Ornithology  ofGerona. 

[Fauna  Ornitologica  de  la  Provincia  de  Gerona,  6  sea  breve  descripciou 
de  las  aves  sedentarias  en  la  misma  y  las  de  paso  accidental  6  periodico, 
sus  costumbres  y  aliraentacion  bajo  el  punto  de  vista  de  utilidad  6  perjuicio 
para  con  el  hombre  y  la  agricnltura  en  general,  por  D.  Estanislao  Vayreda 
J  Vila.     8vo.     Gerona :  188o.] 

From  the  title  it  will  be  seen  that  the  object  of  this  work 
is  ambitious ;  but  the  result  is  far  from  satisfactory.  It  is 
only  likely  to  be  read  by  those  who  are  already  familiar  with 
Spanish  ornithology,  to  whom  it  will  do  no  harm,  inasmuch 
as  they  are  capable  of  separating  the  wheat  from  the  chaff, 
and  they  may  even  find  some  few  grains  of  comfort  in  it. 
It  positively  bristles  with  what  we  will  charitably  call  mis- 
prints ;  and  the  misstatements,  if  less  numerous,  are  more 
serious.  The  Catalan  names  of  the  common  species  may  be 
found  useful  by  those  who  can  properly  identify  the  birds  to 
which  they  apply. 


Letters,  Announcements,  6fc.  235 

XX. — Letters,  Announcements,  8^c. 

We  have  received  the  following  letter  addressed  to  the 
Editorsof  ^ The  Ibis:'  — 

Heudaye,  le  22  Jauvier,  1885. 

Messieurs, — Je  prends  la  liberte  de  vous  envoyer  quelques 
notes  ornithologiques  en  vous  priant  de  vouloir  bien  les  faire 
inserer  dans  le  prochain  numero  de  I'Ibis. 

Les  narines  exterieures  des  Cormorans  sont  fort  difficiles  h 
decouvrir,  et  ne  consistent  qu'en  des  simples  fentes  situees  a 
Fextremite  d'une  rainure,  qui  s'etend  lelong  du  bee.  Cuvier 
les  avait  refusees  aux  Fous  {Sula),  et  Brandt  ue  Icur  donnait 
d^autre  issue  que  de  petits  trous  perces  dans  la  peau  a  la 
base  du  bee.  Monsieur  J.  C.  Ewart  (Journ.  Proc.  Linn,  Soc. 
XV.  p.  455,  1881)  dit  que  ces  narines  sont  presque  obliterees; 
cet  auteur  parait  admettre  qu'elles  ne  servent  pas  h.  Tintro- 
duction  de  Fair  dans  les  poumons  lorsque  le  bee  est  ferme. 

L'experience  suivante,  que  j'ai  repetee  plusieurs  lois, 
semblerait  confirmer  ce  fait.  Apres  avoir  ferme  le  bee  d'un 
de  ces  oiseaux  avec  soin  et  avoir  bouche  avec  du  mastic  les 
bords  de  la  mandibule  superieure  et  de  Finferieure,  j'ai  plonge 
dans  Feau  toute  la  tete  de  Foiseau;  puis  j'ai  fait  aFaide  d'un 
soufflet  penetrer  avec  force  Fair  par  I'extremite  inferieure  de 
la  trachee.  Ce  fluide  finissait  toujours  par  se  frayer  un  passage 
au  travers  du  mastic,  qu'il  soulevait  dans  certains  endroits, 
mais  jamais  je  ne  Fai  pu  voir  sortir  par  les  narines.  J'ai  fait 
la  meme  experience  sur  un  oiseau  de  cette  meme  famille  mais 
vivant,  et  j'ai  toujours  obtenu  le  meme  resultat.  J'en  ai 
done  conclu  que  les  narines  des  Cormorans  ne  sont  pas  en 
communication  avec  la  trachee.  Cependant  tous  les  doutes 
a  cet  egard  pourraient  etre  leves  par  de  nouvelles  experiences 
dirigees  par  les  anatomistes. 

Mr.  Ewart  ajoute  que  cette  structure  des  narines  explique 
la  fagon  avec  laquelle  les  Cormorans,  apres  un  vol  prolonge, 
tiennent  leur  bee  ouvert,  comme  pour  recevoir  I'air  qui  leur 
est  necessaire,  et  en  faire  provision.  Je  demanderais  encore 
si  la  disposition  des  cellules  aeriennes  souscutanees  chez  les 
Fous,  et  dont  les  Cormorans  offrent  aussi  des  traces,  n'a  pas 


236  Leitcrs,  AiDwuncemtnts,  6;c. 

pour  but  de  former  comme  des  reservoirs  d'air  destines  k 
diminuer  la  frequence  des  inspirations  lorsque  I'oiseau  plonge 
ou  lorsqu'il  vole. 

On  trouve  assez  communement  sur  la  plage  d'Hendaye 
une  Corneille  qui  differe  autant  du  Corvus  corone  que  beau- 
coup  d^autres  oiseaux  different  de  leur  similaires  dont  ils  ont 
ete  distingues  specifiquement.  Cette  Corneille  offre  une 
taille  plus  petite,  ce  qui  se  remarque  au  premier  coup  d'oeil. 
Les  poils  des  narines  ne  s'avancent  jusqu\a  la  moitie  du  bee, 
tandis  quails  sont  plus  courts  chez  le  C.  corone. 

La  faune  ornithologique  des  Basses-Pyrenees  pent  encore 
s'enricber  du  Lams  affinis,  Eeinbardt,  dont  trois  exemplaires 
ont  ete  recueillis  a  Hendaye.  Le  Larus  leucophoius  etait  tres 
commun  Fannee  derniere,  mais  il  ne  paraitpas  I'etre  presente 
vers  la  fin  de  1884  ni  au  commencement  de  1885. 

Recevez,  Messieurs,  I'assurance  de  maparfaite  consideration. 

Leon  Olphe-Galliard. 


Gift  of  the  Salvin-Godma7i  Collection  to  the  British  Mu- 
seum.— As  has  been  recorded  in  tlic  '  Times  '  o£  March  6th, 
Messrs.  Salvin  and  Godman  have  given  to  the  nation  their 
unrivalled  collection  of  American  birds,  containing  upwards 
of  20,000  specimens.  These  will  be  transferred  from  their 
present  situation  in  Chandos  Street  to  the  Museum  of 
Natural  History  at  South  Kensington  in  groups,  as  the 
various  families  treated  of  in  the  '  Biologia  Centrali-Ame- 
ricana' are  finished.  There  is,  we  believe,  a  stijoulation  in 
the  terras  of  gift  that  any  specimen  required  by  the  donors 
may  be  removed  on  loan  from  the  Museum  during  the  life- 
times of  the  donors  or  the  survivor  of  them. 


The  Hume  Collection  of  Indian  Birds. — Another  very  im- 
portant addition  which  the  National  Museum  of  Natural 
History  is  likely  to  receive  shortly  is  Mr.  A.  O.  Hume's  col- 
lection of  Lidian  birds,  consisting,  it  is  said,  of  an  enormous 
series  of  some  60,000  specimens.  As  many  of  our  readers 
are  already  aware,  negotiations  have  been  for  some  time  in 


Letterfi,  Announcements,  ^c.  237 

progress  for  the  transfer  of  tliis  collection  to  tlie  British 
Museum.  That  the  terms  of  transfer  have  been  now  finally 
arranged^  we  may  assume  from  the  fact  that  in  the  Civil- 
Service  Estimates  of  the  coming  financial  year  an  extra  sum 
of  ^300  is  among  the  votes  (p.  374)  for  "  packing  and  trans- 
mitting from  Simla  to  England  a  part  of  Mr.  Hume^s  col- 
lection of  Indian  Birds  presented  by  him  to  the  Trustees."" 


Ridgway  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago. — At  a  meeting  held 
on  the  8th  of  January  last  the  papers  read  were  : — "  Notes  on 
the  Humming-Birds  of  California/^  by  Mr.  B.  T.  Gault^  and 
"  Notes  on  some  Australian  Birds/^  by  Prof.  R.  Ridgway.  At 
the  meeting  held  on  March  5tli,  Mr.  Jos.  L.  Hancock  read 
a  paper  on  the  Birds  of  Corpus  Christi,  Texas^  in  which  the 
occurrences  of  94  species  observed  there  in  the  months  of 
March  and  April,  1884,  were  recorded. 


News  from  the  Caucasus. — Dr.  Radde  was  intending  to 
leave  Tiflis  in  February  last  on  a  scientific  expedition  into  the 
new  Trans-Caspian  provinces  of  Russia,  and  was  expecting 
also  to  have  an  opportunity  of  exploring  the  adjoining  moun- 
tains of  Northern  Chorassan.  Dr.  Radde  informs  us  of  the 
occurrence  of  Halcyon  sniyrnensis  at  Talysch,  on  the  S.W. 
shore  of  the  Caspian,  in  June  last.  This  species  is  new  to 
the  Russian  avifauna. 


Black  Redstart  in  Somersetshire. — On  Jan.  14th,  walking 
along  the  shore  from  Weston-super-Mare,  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Axe,  I  saw  five  Black  Redstarts  {Ruticilla  tithys).  The 
first  four  were  immature  birds,  the  last  was  an  apparently 
adult  male  in  full  plumage.  They  were  picking  about  on 
the  heaps  of  dead  seaweed  and  other  refuse  thrown  up  by 
the  tide,  and  flitted  from  heap  to  heap  as  I  approached, 
sometimes  alighting  on  the  neighbouring  stone  wall.  On 
the  25th  of  the  same  month  I  revisited  the  spot,  but  could 
not  find  them  again ;  nearer  Weston,  however,  I  observed  a 
single  specimen,  close  to  the  further  end  of  the  new  Parade. 

P.   L.  SCLATER. 


238  Letters,  Announcements,  5fc. 

Obituary.  Dr.  Ruppell,  Prof.  Severtzoff,  Mr.  E.  TV.  White, 
and  Mr.  E.  C.  Rye. — The  veteran  naturalist  Dr.  E,  Ruppell, 
whose  name  is  well  known  to  all  students  of  the  Ethiopian 
fauna^  died  at  Frankfort  on  December  10th,  1884,  aged  90 
years.  In  our  next  number  we  hope  to  be  able  to  give 
some  details  of  his  career  and  work  from  the  pen  of  one 
who  is  preeminently  acquainted  with  them. 

Nikolai  Alexsyewich  Severtzoff  was  born  in  1827  and 
educated  at  the  University  of  Moscow.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  he  became  acquainted  with  the  well-known  exjjlorer 
G.  S.  Karelin,  and  from  that  time,  according  to  his  own 
account,  the  scientific  investigation  of  Central  Asia  became 
the  object  of  his  life.  In  1857  the  opportunity  of  realizing 
his  dream  was  afforded  him  by  a  mission  from  the  Academy 
of  Sciences  to  proceed  to  the  Syr-Darya  ''to  investigate  tlie 
continental  climate,  and  explain  the  geographical  distribution 
of  animals  by  physical  conditions  of  terrestrial  surface.^'  On 
this  expedition,  in  which  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Turko- 
mans, receiving  many  sabre-wounds,  the  hideous  cicatrices 
of  which  those  who  knew  him  will  well  remember^  he  acquired 
an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  Ural  Steppes  and  the  Aralo- 
Caspian  basin.  While  occuj)ied  in  the  working-out  of  the 
rich  materials  thus  obtained,  and  Avhen  on  the  point  of  accept- 
ing a  professorship,  the  chance  came,  and  was  immediately 
grasped,  of  visiting  Tashkend  in  connection  with  Genei'al 
TchernaieFs  campaign  of  1864.  The  result  was  seen  in  the 
important  work  published  in  Moscow  in  1873,  the  title  of 
which  may  be  rendered  as  "  The  Vertical  and  Horizontal 
Distribution  of  Animals  in  Turkestan,"  of  which  an  abbrevi- 
ated translation,  edited  by  Mr.  H.  E.  Dresser,  appeared  in 
'  The  Ibis  '  for  1875-76.  Severtzoff  also  contributed  some 
notes  on  Central  Asiatic  birds  to  '  The  Ibis '  and  to  '  Stray 
Feathers 'for  1875,  as  well  as  to  the  'Journal  fiir  Ornithologie.' 
In  1880  he  commenced  a  valuable  treatise  on  the  lines  of  bird- 
migration  in  Central  Asia,  particularly  in  the  Pamir  disti'ict, 
giving  the  results  of  his  experiences  on  the  Russian  scientific 
expeditions  from  1877-79,  and  embodying  the  observations 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  2.39 

of  our  Indian  and  other  naturalists  in  Central  Asia.  A 
translation  of  liis  remarks  on  the  birds  of  the  Pamir  region, 
with  notes  by  Mr.  Seebohm,  was  published  in  '  The  Ibis  '  for 
1883.  On  his  estate  at  Petrovskoe,  in  the  Government  of 
Voroneje,  Severtzoff  had  been  engaged  for  the  last  four 
years  in  arranging  and  elaborating  his  materials,  when  the 
catastrophe  came  which  ended  his  life.  On  the  evening  of 
the  8th  of  February,  when  driving  in  a  carriage  along  with  a 
friend  on  a  beaten  track  on  the  frozen  river  Ikorts,  a  tribu- 
tary of  the  Don,  the  carriage  was  suddenly  plunged  into  the 
water  owing  to  an  unperceived  rotten  place  in  the  ice,  but  all 
managed  to  extricate  themselves.  His  friend  urged  him  to 
make  for  the  nearest  house ;  but  Severtzoff  delayed,  exclaim- 
ing "Whereas  my  portfolio?^'  walked  a  few  steps,  and  fell 
down  in  a  fit ;  the  driver  was  frozen  to  death  a  few  minutes 
later.  With  that  sublime  British  ignorance  of  the  climate 
of  South  Russia  which  sent  many  of  our  soldiers  to  the 
Crimea  with  an  equipment  suitable  for  the  tropics,  a 
leading  journal  has  stated  that  Severtzoff  was  "  drowned 
while  hatJmig  in  the  Don.'"' 

With  regret  we  record  the  premature  death,  at  Philadelphia, 
U.S.A.,  on  the  29th  November  last,  of  Mr.  Ernest  William 
White,  F.Z.S.,  for  some  time  resident  in  Buenos  Ayrcs, 
Mr.  White  was  well  known  to  many  of  us  as  an  energetic 
traveller  in  the  Argentine  Republic  and  as  a  collector  of  its 
Birds ;  he  was  also  author  of  a  work  on  that  country, 
entitled  '  Cameos  from  the  Silverland,'  and  of  several  j)apers 
in  the  '  Proceedings  '  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London. 

The  late  Mr.  E.  C.  Rye,  who  succumbed  to  an  attack  of 
small-pox  on  the  7th  of  February,  was  not  nominally  an 
ornithologist ;  but  his  attainments  as  a  practical  naturalist 
demand  a  few  words  of  recognition  even  in  a  Journal,  like  the 
present,  devoted  to  a  special  subject.  Although  principally  an 
entomologist,  it  would  have  been  impossible  for  any  one  to 
have  edited  the  '  Zoological  Record '  during  eleven  years  as 
he  did,  with  singular  ability,  without  having  a  considerable 


240  Letters,  Announcements,  iSfc. 

grasp  of  other  branches  of  science;  hut  how  minute  that 
knowledge  was_,  can  only  be  known  to  those  who,  like  the 
writer,  were  brought  into  frequent  discussion  with  him  in 
connection  with  the  above  work.  The  Recorder  of  Aves 
during  five  consecutive  years  cannot  let  this  opportunity 
pass  of  testifying  to  Mr.  liye^s  remarkable  acquaintance  with 
ornithological  literature.  His  heart  was  thoroughly  in  his 
work,  and  whenever^  in  the  extensive  course  of  reading  neces- 
sary for  the  preparation  of  the  notices  of  new  books  for  the 
^Proceedings''  of  the  Royal  Geographical  Society,  he  came 
upon  a  work  containing  any  references  to  Zoology,  there  w  as 
sure  to  be  a  w^ord  of  indication  of  Avhich  the  Recorder  might 
avail  himself  if  he  chose.  Few  men  have  been  more  deserv- 
edly regretted  and  will  be  more  difficult  to  replace. 


Mr.  J.  A.  Allen. — We  are  pleased  to  be  able  to  announce 
that  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  has  been  ap- 
pointed Curator  of  Mammals  and  Birds  in  the  American 
Museum  of  Natural  History,  Central  Park,  New  York,  and 
will  enter  upon  his  new  duties  on  the  1st  May.  We  cannot 
doubt  that  under  Mr.  Allen's  care  the  bird-collection  of  this 
important  museum  will  attain  fresh  development. 


New  Edition  of  Buller's  '  Birds  of  New  Zealand.' — Dr. 
Buller  is  preparing  for  the  press  a  new  and  enlarged  edition 
of  his  '  History  of  the  Birds  of  New  Zealand/  and  will 
proceed  to  England  shortly,  in  order  to  give  the  work  his 
personal  superintendence.  The  Plates  will  be  drawn  by 
Mr.  Keulemans.  The  price  (to  Subscribers)  will  be  ten 
guineas.  Subscribers'  names  should  be  sent  to  the  author, 
"Wellington,  New  Zealand." 


^■\} 


THE    IBIS. 

FIFTH   SERIES. 
No.  XI.     JULY  1885. 


XXI. — Winter  Notes  from  Morocco. 
By  Capt.  S.  G.  Reid. 

In  December  1884  and  January  1885  Capt.  Gould  (late  of 
the  Royal  Engineers)  and  I^  prevented  from  visiting  more 
promising  localities  by  the  certainty  or  probability  of  cliolera- 
quarantine,  found  ourselves  once  more  in  our  familiar 
hunting-grounds  in  Morocco.  During  our  wanderings  in 
search  of  sport  (which  was,  unfortunately,  very  indifferent 
and  much  interfered  with  by  bad  weather)  I  made  a  few  notes 
on  the  birds  met  with  ;  and  some  of  the  species  being  rare,  if 
not  previously  unrecorded,  in  Morocco,  I  have  ventured  to 
prepare  the  following  list  of  them  for  publication  in  '  The 
Ibis.^ 

I  fear  the  number  of  species  included  in  this  list  is  not 
very  great ;  we  should  doubtless  have  added  a  good  many 
more  to  it  if  we  had  not  been  so  engrossed  in  the  pursuit  of 
the  Snipe  and  Ducks.  Among  the  few  good  things  obtained 
or  examined  in  Olcese's  collection  at  Tangier,  I  am  pleased  to 
be  able  to  record  specimens  of  Rutidlla  moussieri,  Cyanecula 
wolfi  (found  wintering  in  considerable  numbers),  Sitta  ccesia 
(not  previously  recorded),  Coccothraustes  vulgaris,  Fringilla 
Calebs,  Garrulus  glandarius  x  cervicalis  (the  first  Jay  obtained 
in  Morocco),  Asio  otus,  and  Francolinus  bicalcuratus. 

SER.  v. VOL.  III.  S 


242  Capt.  S.  G.  Reid— Winter 

1.  TURDUS  VISCIVORUS. 

In  Mr.  Tyrwhitt-Drake's  ''  List  of  the  Birds  of  Tangier 
and  Eastern  Morocco  "  (Ibis,  1867,  p.  426)  tliis  species  is 
included  in  a  bracket  with  T.  musicus  and  T.  merula  as  "  very 
common ;  "  but  Col.  Irby  (Ornith.  Gibr.)  merely  quotes  from 
Favier's  MS.  to  the  elFect  that  it  occurs  near  Tangier  "  always 
singly  and  very  sparingly,  in  company  with  T.  musicus  en 
passage ;"  and  though  I  have  paid  several  visits  to  Morocco, 
I  never  met  with  it  there.  I  think  therefore  that  the  words 
"  on  passage "  or  "  during  migration ''  should  have  been 
added  in  Mr.  Drake's  list;  for  though  a  pair  remained  to  nest 
near  Tangier  (tlie  nest,  with  two  eggs,  having  been  taken)  in 
the  spring  of  1884,  this  was  looked  upon  as  a  most  unusual 
occurrence  by  Favier's  successor,  Olcese,  who  showed  me 
the  eggs  as  great  rarities. 

2.  TURDUS  MUSICUS. 

Very  common  in  the  wild  olive-trees  everywhere. 

3.  TuRDUS  ILIACUS. 

Very  rare,  apparently.  Favier  only  obtained  two  speci- 
mens (Irby,  op.  cit.  p.  74).  Olcese  showed  me  another,  killed 
near  Tangier  in  the  winter  of  1884-85. 

4.  TuRDUS  MEKULA. 

Common  everywhere. 

5.  Pratincola  rubicola. 
Abundant  in  all  suitable  localities. 

6.  RUTICILLA  MOUSSTERI. 

Olcese   has   a   specimen   obtained   near  Tangier   in    May 

1884-^. 

7.  Cyanecula  wolfi. 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Tyrwhitt-Drake  as  ''  not  rare,"  but  only 
obtained  four  times  by  Favier.  I  found  these  birds  wintering 
in  considerable  numbers  on  the  rushy  margin  of  the  lake  of 
Masharalhaddar,  my  attention  being  first  called  to  them 
by  their  lively  movements  and  by  the  peculiar  way  in  which 

*    [Saunders  has  received  examples  from  tlie  same  localit}^ — Eod.] 


Notes  from  Morocco.  243 

they  elevated  their  tails  when  settled  oa  the  ground,  I 
obtained  one  or  two  specimens  for  identification,  and  saw 
many  others,  only  finding  them,  however,  among  the  rushes 
and  reeds  near  the  water's  edge. 

8.  Erithacus  rubecula. 

Common.  I  was  rather  surprised  to  meet  with  this  bird 
in  the  thickest  parts  of  the  "sotos"  in  the  Laraish  valley, 
where  the  water  was  over  a  foot  deep  under  the  tangled 
bushes. 

9.  Sylvia  melanocephala. 

Numerous  in  the  wild  olive-groves  and  in  the  cork- scrub 
on  the  hills. 

10.  Melizophilus  undatus. 

Not  uncommon  in  the  thick  scrub  at  the  foot  of  the  hills. 

11.  Phylloscopus  rufus. 

Common  in  the  stunted  cork-trees  on  the  hills  and  in  the 
groves  of  wild  olive-trees  round  the  "  santos  "  or  tombs,  so 
frequently  met  with  in  Morocco. 

12.  Phylloscopus  trochilus. 

Obtained  in  the  "  sotos  "  in  the  Laraish  valley. 

13.  Cettia  sericea. 

Commonly  heard,  not  often  seen,  in  the  thick  clumps  of 
bushes  in  the  ''  sotos,"  or  wooded  swamps. 

14.  Cisticola  cursitans. 
Very  common. 

15.  Parus  teneriff^. 

Common,  especially  in  the  olive-groves  at  Aiacha. 

16.  Parus  major. 

A  small  gathering  among  some  large  tamarisk-trees  in  the 
Laraish  valley.     Not  observed  elsewhere. 

17.  SiTTA  c^.sia. 

Olcese  obtained  five  or  six  specimens  from  the  ^'  montaiias," 
or  low  hills,  near  Tangier.  These  are  the  first  recorded 
from  Morocco,  where  neither  Mr.  Tyrwhitt-Drake  nor  Col. 
Irby  observed  them. 

s2 


244  Capt.  S.  (>.  Uek\—Winler 

18.  Troglodytes  parvulus. 
Abundant. 

19.  MOTACILLA  ALBA. 

Numerous  everywhere. 

20.  MOTACILLA  LUGUBRIS. 

Frequently  seen  on  newly-ploughed  land,  and  one  obtained 
for  identification. 

21.  MOTACILLA  SULPHUREA. 

22.  BUDYTES  FLAVUS. 

Common,  and  specimens  obtained. 

23.  Anthus  pratensis. 

Only  too  common.  These  birds  proved  a  constant  source 
of  irritation  to  me,  and  I  vented  my  wrath  in  fervent  wishes 
that  Cuckoos  might  lay  their  eggs  in  a// their  nests  in  spring. 
I  hope  I  am  not  singular  in  my  dislike  of  the  miserable 
squeaking  little  wretches.  I  shot  one  out  of  a  small  party  of 
four  or  five  on  the  top  of  a  very  high  tree  near  our  camp  in 
the  Tzelatza  valley. 

24.  Anthus  campestris. 

I  obtained  two  males  from  Olcese,  which  he  had  killed  on 
the  "  Marshan/''  an  open  plain  near  his  house,  in  May  1884. 

25.  Pycnonotus  barbatus. 

Abundant,  and  very  noisy  and  inquisitive,  in  the  thick 
bushes,  both  in  gardens  and  ^'sotos.'' 

26.  Lanius  algeriensis. 

Invariably  met  with  wherever  there  were  patches  of  thick 
bush  affording  shelter.  They  are  to  be  seen  a  long  way  oft' 
as  they  sit  perched  on  the  topmost  twigs. 

27.  Telephonus  erythropterus. 

Only  one  observed,  in  some  dense  cork-scrub,  in  the  Tze- 
latza valley ;  very  shy. 

28.  Cotile  rupestris. 

Seen  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  Laraish  valley  on  two 
consecutive  warm  sunny  days,  but  not  at  any  other  time  or 
place. 


Notes  from  Morocco.  245 

29.  Carduelis  elegans. 

Very  abundant,  in  flocks^  on  the  plains. . 

30.  Serinus  hortulanus. 

Flocks  of  this  bird  met  with  in  the  Tzelatza  valley. 

31.  COCCOTHRAUSTES  VULGARIS. 

Undoubtedly  rare  in  Morocco.  Olcese  had  one  skin,  now 
in  my  possession,  obtained  recently  near  Tangier.  It  is 
somewhat  strange  that  so  few  should  occur  here,  while  the 
bird  is  so  common  across  the  Straits  in  Spain. 

32.  Passer  domesticus. 
Common. 

33.  Fringilla  celebs. 

Not  obtained  by  Mr.  Tyrwhitt-Drake  or  Col.  Irby.  I 
found  them  tolerably  numerous  in  one  place  in  the  Tzelatza 
valley  and  obtained  specimens,  being  rather  surprised  to 
hear  their  familiar  pink-pink  there.  Olcese  obtained  a  male 
near  Tangier  lately,  now  in  my  collection. 

34<.  Fringilla  spodiogena. 

Common  everywhere,  their  note,  tzak-tzak-tzak,  being  very 
striking. 

35.  LiNOTA  cannabina. 
Not  uncommon. 

36.  Emberiza  miliaria. 
In  flocks  on  all  the  plains. 

37.  Emberiza  schoeniclus. 

Numerous  at  the  lake  of  Masharalhaddar,  in  the  rushes 
near  the  water,  where  I  obtained  several  specimens. 

38.  Stubnus  vulgaris. 

39.  StURNUS  UNICOLOR. 

Common. 

40.  Pyrbhocorax  graculus. 

Olcese  recently  obtained  a  number  from  Tetuan.  Not  ob- 
served by  myself. 


246  Capt.  S.  G.  UeiA— Winter 

41.  GaRRULUS  GLANDARIUS    X    CERVICALIS^. 

Three  were  obtained  near  Tangier  in  February  1883  by 
Olcese,  one  of  which  I  purchased  from  him.  They  were 
shot  in  the  '^  montaiias  "  to  the  east  of  the  town,  and  are,  I 
believe,  the  first  Jays  recorded  from  Morocco. 

42.  CORVUS  MONEDULA, 

Several  from  near  Tetuan,  where  Mr.  Tyrwhitt-Drake  met 
with  the  species  in  flocks,  are  in  Olcese's  collection.  They 
were  procured  in  February  1883. 

43.  CoRVUS  TINGITANUS, 

Very  common.  Usually  seen  in  pairs,  but  a  flock  of 
twenty-one  passed  over  us  one  day.  Note,  gok,  quok,  or  ok, 
repeated  two  or  three  times,  according  to  individual  faucy. 

44.  Alauda  arvensis. 
Tolerably  common. 

45.  Alauda  cristata. 
Very  abundant. 

46.  Calandrella  brachydactyla. 
Common,  in  flocks. 

47.  LULLULA  ARBOREA. 

Olcese  obtained  two,  male  and  female,  on  the  "  Marshan  " 
in  June  1884.  These  must  have  been  nesting  in  the  countiy, 
I  imagine. 

*  [Capt.  Reid  has  sent  us  one  of  these  specimens  with  a  request  that 
we  should  determine  it  for  him.  It  seems  to  belong  to  a  form  intermediate 
between  G.  cervicalis  and  G.  ylandarius,  having  the  striated  head  of  the 
latter  and  the  white  eye-region  of  the  former.  Mr.  Dresser,  who  has  also 
examined  the  specimen,  writes  as  follows  concerning  it : — 

"I  have  compared  the  Jay  with  my  series,  and  find  it  certainly  very  fairly 
distinguishable  from  our  European  Garrulus  gUmdarius.  It  has  the  crown 
blacker,  the  back  much  greyer,  the  sides  of  the  head  much  whiter,  and  in 
some  respects  it  reminds  one  of  Gairtdus  cervicalis,  but  is  as  different  from 
that  species  as  it  is  from  G.  ylandarius,  not  having  the  crown  nearly  so 
black,  and  the  rufous  on  the  nape  in  this  bird  is  of  a  vinous  tinge,  whereas 
in  G.  cervicalis  it  is  of  a  rusty  red.  I  do  hot  think  that  it  is  G.  minor  of 
Verreaux,  because  Verreaux  wrote  me  that  his  bird  was  merely  a  small 
form  of  G.  f/landarius,  and  I  have  several  specimens  of  this  latter  species 
no  larger  than  the  Tangier  bird." — Epp.] 


Notes  frum  Morocco.  247 

48.  Alcedo  ispida. 

Several  times  seen  in  the  Laraish  valley  and  near  the  lake 
of  Masharalhaddar. 

49.  COCCYSTES  GLANDARIUS. 

Though  I  did  not  myself  come  across  this  species,  my 
companion,  Capt.  Gould,  informs  me  that  on  a  previous 
visit  to  the  lake  of  Masharalhaddar,  in  Januaiy  1876, 
he  saw  a  flock  of  about  twenty  in  some  old  fig-trees  near  the 
lake,  and  shot  one  for  identification.  The  occurrence  of 
the  birds  in  such  numbers  together  appears  to  be  rather 
extraordinary. 

50.  Strix  flammea. 

I  only  once  saw  this  Owl,  a  single  bird  flying  out  of  a 
dense  mass  of  creepers  in  a  "  soto  "  almost  into  my  face.  It 
is  stated  by  Favier  to  be  "  nearly  as  abundant  as  Athene 
noctua,  inhabiting  ruins  and  holes  in  rocks  "  (Irby,  op,  cit. 
p.  56).  Their  haunts  not  being  likely  spots  for  Snipe  and 
Ducks,  I  naturally  did  not  see  very  many. 

51.  Asio  OTUs. 

One  obtained  by  Olcese  in  the  montanas  near  Tangier  in 
the  summer  of  1884.  This  is,  I  imagine,  the  first  recorded 
example  from  Morocco  (Dresser,  B.  of  Europe,  vol.  v.  p.  254). 

52.  Asio  capensis. 
Common. 

53.  Syrnium  aluco. 

One  disturbed  in  a  snug  hollow,  overgrown  with  arbutus, 
myrtle,  giant  heather,  and  stunted  cork-trees,  on  the  19th 
December,  1884.  Olcese  had  a  specimen,  which  I  obtained 
from  him,  procured  on  the  montanas  near  Tangier.  It  is 
of  the  grey  variety  alluded  to  by  Col.  Irby  {op.  cit.  p.  57). 

54.  Athene  noctua. 

Very  common  and  noisy  at  night.  I  once  walked  close 
past  one,  uttering  its  monotonous  mewing  or  crying  notes 
in  the  middle  of  the  day  on  the  exposed  branch  of  a  leafless 
tree. 


248  Capt.  S.  G.  Reid— Winter 

55.  Circus  iERUGiNosus. 

ConsideriDg  the  amount  of  marshy  ground  visited,  1  saw 
very  few  of  these  Harriers,  and  only  one  was  obtained. 

56.  Circus  cineraceus. 
Several  met  with,  chiefly  males. 

57.  BUTEO  DESERTORUM. 

Abundant  everywhere.  One  name  the  Moors  had  for  it 
was  ''  el  dieb/'  the  thief  ! 

58.  NiSAETUS  EASCIATUS. 

Frequently  seen.  When  Partridge-shooting  one  day  in 
the  Tzelatza  valley,  one  of  these  Eagles  made  several  magni- 
ficent stoops  at  our  wounded  birds,  on  one  occasion  settling 
in  a  small  tree  within  thirty  yards  of  the  shooting-party. 

59.  ACCIPITER  NISUS. 

Not  uncommon.  I  shot  two  in  the  marshes  with  my  left 
barrel  in  hot  pursuit  of  Snipe  wounded  by  my  right,  and 
•was  not  a  little  surprised  to  meet  with  them  in  such  open 
ground. 

60.  MiLVUS  ICTINUS. 

These  graceful  birds  often  paid  a  visit  to  our  camp,  and 
circled  round  it  for  a  considerable  time.  I  did  not  try  to 
shoot  one ;  but  when  in  Morocco  in  November  1873, 1  killed 
a  beautiful  male  hovering  over  our  small  stock  of  poultry  at 
Sharf-el-Akab. 

61.  MlLVUS  MIGRANS. 

According  to  Favier  (Irby,  op.  cit.  p.  48)  this  Kite  does  not 
remain  in  the  vicinity  of  Tangier  during  the  winter,  but  I  am 
almost  positive  I  saw  several  during  my  recent  shooting-trip. 
My  companion,  Capt.  Gould,  an  excellent  observer,  agreed 
with  me  on  several  occasions  that  the  birds  we  were  looking 
at  could  be  nothing  else  but  Black  Kites.  We  both  know 
the  bird  well  in  Spain,  and  can  hardly  have  been  mistaken. 
I  much  regret  not  having  obtained  an  example  to  make  sure, 
but  I  did  not  at  the  time  realize  the  fact  that  there  was  any 
thing  unusual  in  their  presence. 


Notes  from  Morocco.  249 

62.  Elanus  c^eruleus. 

Though  said  by  Favier  to  be  scarce  near  Tangier  (Olcese 
had  two  specimens^  male  and  female,  in  his  collection),  it  is 
certainly  common  enough  down  the  coast  to  the  south-west. 
Near  Laraish  and  the  lake  of  Masharalhaddar  it  was  fre- 
quently seen  suspended  like  a  Kestrel  over  the  open  marshes. 
We  saw  Kestrels,  by  the  way,  on  several  occasions  sadly 
tormenting  these  pretty  little  Kites,  which  appear  to  be  most 
peaceful  and  inoffensive  birds. 

63.  Falco  feldeggi. 

The  Lanner  was  not  uncommon,  sailing  along  the  hill- 
sides and  passing  high  over  our  heads  in  its  impetuous  course. 
I  shot  a  splendid  old  male  at  Aiacha  on  the  17th  January, 
1885. 

64.  Falco  jEsalon. 

Seen  once  or  twice.  I  had  to  apply  a  dose  of  No.  8  shot 
one  afternoon  to  a  bold  little  fellow  who  carried  off  a  dead 
Snipe  under  my  very  nose.  He  dropped  the  bird  and  dashed 
off,  apparently  none  the  worse. 

65.  TiNNUNCULUS  ALAUDARIUS. 

Very  common  everywhere. 

66.  TiNNUNCULUS  CENCHRIS. 

Met  with  near  Laraish,  also  at  Aiacha,  where  a  good  many 
flew  past  us  as  we  were  Partridge-shooting,  one  of  which 
I  shot. 

67.  Pandion  haliaetus. 

One  seen  at  the  lake  of  Masharalhaddar  on  the  29th  De- 
cember, 1884,  another  in  the  Straits,  near  Tangier,  on  the 
25th  January,  1885. 

68.  Phalacrocorax  carbo. 

A  good  many  at  Masharalhaddar  on  the  29th  December, 
1884. 

69.  Sula  bassana. 

Common  between  Gibraltar  and  Tangier. 


250  Capt.  S.  G.  lieid—fJ  niter 

70.  Ardea  cinerea. 
Tolerably  numerous. 

71.  Ardea  bubulcus. 

Very  common  everywhere.  I  came  across  a  group  of 
twenty  or  thirty  stick-nests  in  a  thicket  in  one  of  the  "  sotos  " 
in  the  Bon-Safi  valley,  which  must  have  belonged  to  these 
birds. 

72.  Ardea  garzetta. 

Only  once  satisfactorily  identified — at  Masharalhaddar, 
where  I  crept  through  the  rushes  to  Avithin  a  few  yards  of 
one  before  it  took  flight,  the  black  legs  and  bill  being  un- 
mistakable. 

73.  BoTAURUS  STELLA ris. 

Very  common,  though  more  often  heard  than  seen. 

74.  ClCONIA  ALBA. 

A  familiar  object  in  the  marshy  plains. 

75.  Plegadis  falcinellus. 

Undoubtedly  breeds,  or  has  bred,  near  Tetuan ;  for  Olcese 
has  received  the  eggs  from  that  district. 

76.  Phcenicopterus  roseus. 

A  large  gathering,  perhaps  a  thousand,  at  the  lake  of 
Masharalhaddar  at  the  end  of  December,  ranged  in  lines  of 
fifty  or  more  together  in  the  shallow  water,  and  very  shy. 

77.  MaRECA  PENELOPE. 

In  countless  numbers  at  Masharalhaddar.  Common  also 
in  the  Koos  river  above  Laraish. 

78.  Dafila  acuta. 

Gould  and  I  both  identified  a  small  flock  of  these  Ducks 
at  Masharalhaddar,  but  could  not  get  within  shot  oC  them. 

79.  Anas  boscas. 

80.  Querquedula  crecca. 

81.  Spatula  clypeata. 

Common,  especially  in  tlie  Ijaraish  valley. 


Notes  from  Morocco.  251 

82.  COLUMBA  PALUMBUS. 

Not  uncommon  in  the  Tzelatza  valley,  but  not  seen  in  any 
great  numbers. 

83.  CoLUMBA  LIVIA. 

A  large  flock  frequented  a  grove  of  leafless  trees  in  the 
Tzelatza  valley.     Many  also  seen  at  Aiacha. 

We  did  not  meet  with  C.  oenas  during  our  visit. 

84.  Francolinus  bicalcaratus. 

Though  this  bird  has  been  received  from  Mogador,  and 
appears  to  be  common  there,  it  is  an  interesting  fact  that 
Olcese  received  a  consignment  oi:  six  live  ones  from  near  Casa 
Blanca  this  winter,  and  tried  hard  to  keep  them  alive.  They 
all  died,  however,  probably  from  the  unusual  severity  of  the 
winter,  and  were  converted  into  skins,  one  of  which  I  brought 
home  with  me. 

85.  Caccabis  petrosa. 

One  can  hardly  find  any  thing  new  to  say  about  such  a 
well-known  species  as  this ;  but  it  may  interest  sporting  as 
well  as  ornithological  readers  to  hear  that  the  coveys  we  met 
with  on  this  occasion  consisted  on  an  average  of  eight  or 
ten  birds,  some  being  as  many  as  twelve  or  even  thirteen  in 
number  ;  also  that  the  birds  we  shot  appeared  to  be  unusually 
large  and  heavy  (one  weighing  If  lb.),  and  proved  to  be  ex- 
cellent eating,  notwithstanding  all  that  has  been  said  to  the 
contrary. 

86.  COTURNIX  COMMUNIS. 

Our  shooting-grounds  did  not  lie  in  places  suited  to  the 
Quail,  and,  though  doubtless  not  uncommon,  we  only  once 
met  with  the  species  in  the  Tzelatza  valley,  where  I  shot  a 
solitary  bird  among  some  dry  thistle-beds. 

87.  TURNIX  SYLVATICA. 

Not  identified  during  our  visit ;  but  I  include  this  species 
in  my  list  as,  on  a  former  occasion,  in  November  1873, 
I  shot  several  at  Sharf-el-Akab,  about  twelve  miles  from 
Tangier. 


252  Capt.  S.  U.  Reid—fFi?iter 

88.  PORPHYRIO  C^RULEUS. 

We  were  very  much  astouished  at  uot  sceiug  tliis  bird  in 
the  marshes  and  "  sotos/''  especially  as  we  very  often  heard 
its  call-note.  The  Moors  invariably  concluded  that  we  could 
only  be  fools  enough  to  flounder  about  in  the  mud  and  water 
in  pursuit  of  this  handsome  bird  ;  they  do  not  see  the  object 
of  shooting  such  a  miserable  little  creature  as  a  Snipe.  The 
local  name  of  the  Purple  Waterhen  varied  from  "  Kazeid  " 
to  "  Kongeid/'  and  we  never  heard  the  name  "  Kazir/'  given 
by  Favier  (Irby,  op.  cit.  p.  146). 

89.  Gallinula  chloropus. 

Tolerably  common.  It  is  somewhat  odd  that  we  never 
obtained  any  Rails  or  Crakes^  and  only  saw  one  bird  belong- 
ing to  the  family,  probaljly  Porzana  maruetta,  at  Masharal- 
haddar. 

90.  Grus  communis. 

A  good  niauy  seen,  usually  on  the  wing  in  small  flocks, 
very  noisy. 

91.  Grus  virgo. 

A  pair  of  birds  seen  on  several  occasions  by  Capt.  Gould 
and  myself  when  Duck-shooting  in  the  marshes  in  the  Laraish 
valley  were  unhesitatingly  recorded  in  my  diary  under  the 
above  head.  I  do  not  think  we  could  have  been  mistaken, 
as  the  birds  passed  within  200  yards  of  us  once  or  twice ;  still, 
seeing  is  not  believing,  and  the  bird  being  apparently  of  rare 
occurrence  in  Morocco,  I  can  only  give  the  note  for  what  it 
may  be  worth. 

92.  Otis  tarda. 

Olcese  has  a  small  specimen,  a  female,  obtained  recently 
near  Tangier.  Capt.  Gould  informs  me  that  in  January 
1875  he  saw  and  vainly  pursued  three  Great  Bustards  near 
Masharalhaddar. 

93.  ffiniCNEMUS  SCOLOPAX. 

Common  on  the  plains  in  small  flocks.  Once  seen  in  a 
larger  flock  of  about  flfty  birds. 

94.  Charadrius  fluvialis. 
Very  common  on  the  plains. 


Notes  from  Morocco.  253 

95.  Squatarola  helvetica. 

One  obtained  from  Olcese,  a  male,  in  perfect  summer 
plumage,  had  been  shot  near  Tangier  on  the  20th  June,  1883. 

96.  Vanellus  vulgaris. 
Very  abundant  everywhere. 

97.  HiMANTOPUS  CANDIDUS. 

Favier  states  (Irby,  op.  cit.  p.  164)  that  this  bird  is  not 
found  near  Tangier.  I  shot  three  in  November  1873  in  the 
marshes  at  Sharf-el-Akab,  only  twelve  miles  from  Tangier. 

98.  scolopax  rusticula. 

99.  Gallinago  ccelestis. 

100.  limnocryptes  gallinula. 
Common  in  suitable  places. 

101.  Tringoides  hypoleucus. 

Frequently  seen,  especially  on  the  banks  of  the  tidal  river 
Koos,  near  Laraish. 

102.  Helodromas  ochropus. 

We  met  with  the  Green  Sandpiper  repeatedly. 

103.  TOTANUS  calidris. 

Abundant  in  the  Laraish  valley,  and  universally  dis- 
tributed. 

104.  LiMOSA  iEGOCEPHALA. 

Only  one  recorded  by  us,  in  a  small  freshwater  lagoon 
uear  El  Hemis. 

105.  NUMENIUS  ARQUATA. 

Very  common  at  Masharalhaddar,  also  in  the  Laraish 
valley. 

106.  NUMBNIUS  TENUIROSTRIS. 

Abundant  in  the  Laraish  valley,  where  I  obtained  speci- 
mens from  flocks  numbering  from  twenty  to  a  hundred. 
Numerous  flocks  also  met  with  at  Masharalhaddar.  The 
note  is  like  that  of  A'^.  arquata  {"  cur-wee,  cur-wee  "),  but  not 
so  loud  or  musical. 


254  Winter  Notes  from  Morocco. 

We  did  not  identity  the  Wliimbrel,  A'',  phaopus,  during 
our  stay.  Fa\  ier  is  doubtless  correct  in  stating  that  it  does 
not  remain  in  the  vicinity  of  Tangier  during  the  winter. 

107.  Sterna  fluviatilis. 

A  few  of  these  Terns  were  fishing  in  the  shallow  water 
at  Masharalhaddar  on  the  29tli  December,  1884. 

108.  RiSSA  TRIDACTYLA. 

Common  in  the  Straits  in  December  and  January. 

109.  Larus  argentatus. 

Common  at  Gibraltar,  also  noted  at  Masharalhaddar. 

110.  Larus  fuscus. 

111.  Larus  ridibundus. 
Very  abundant. 

112.  Larus  minutus. 

While  vainly  endeavouring  to  get  within  shot  of  the  swarms 
of  Wigeon,  Mallard,  Teal,  &c.  at  Masharalhaddar  in  a  clumsy 
Moorish  boat,  built  of  bundles  of  reeds  and  propelled  from 
behind  by  a  nude  Moor  up  to  his  shoulders  in  the  lake^  I 
found  myself  accompanied  or,  rather,  preceded  for  some  dis- 
tance by  a  flock  of  about  a  dozen  Little  Gulls.  I  took  very 
little  notice  of  them  at  first,  thinking  they  were  L.  ridi- 
bundus ;  but  my  attention  was  soon  excited  by  their  small 
size  and  airy  flight,  and  I  watched  them  carefully,  not  daring, 
unfortunately,  to  shoot  one,  for  fear  of  spoiling  my  chance 
at  the  Ducks.  They  passed  sometimes  within  a  few  yards  of 
the  boat. 

113.  Procellaria  leucorrhoa. 

Olcese  has  a  specimen  of  the  Fork-tailed  Petrel,  recently 
picked  up  dead  on  the  beach  near  Tangier. 

114.  PUFFINUS  ANGLORUM. 

I  noticed  a  great  many  Shearwaters,  as  usual,  in  the  Straits 
on  the  voyages  to  and  from  Tangier,  but  could  not  identify 
any  to  my  satisfaction.  There  seemed,  however,  to  be  no 
doubt  about   this    species,  and  a  larger  one  was  certainly 


Bi7'ds  of  European  Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.      255 

P.  kuhlii,  while  (as  noticed  by  Col.  Irby)  there  appeared  to 
be  another,  though  what  it  may  be  I  am  unable  to  suggest. 

115.  PODICEPS  CRISTATUS. 

Common  at  Masharalhaddar  at  the  end  of  December. 

116.  PODICEPS   NIGRICOLLIS. 

A  pair  seen  in  company  with  P,  cristatus  at  Masharal- 
haddar. 

117.  TaCHYBAPTES   FLUVIATILIS. 

Common  at  Masharalhaddar  and  on  the  river  which  falls 
into  this  lake,  as  well  as  in  all  other  suitable  localities, 

118.  Alca  torda. 

Abundant  in  Gibraltar  Bay  and  in  the  Straits. 


XXII. —  071  the  Geographical  Distribution  of  Birds  in 
European  Russia  north  of  tlie  Caucasus. — Part  II.  Rapaces 
Nocturnse^.     By  M.  Menzbier. 

Strix  flammea. 

Like  the  Common  Buzzard  and  Red  Kite,  the  Barn-Owl 
is  distributed  only  throughout  the  western  and  south-western 
parts  of  Russia. 

It  is  resident  in  Courland  and  is  not  uncommon  in  Poland, 
but  we  do  not  know  any  thing  of  its  breeding  in  the  Upper 
valley  of  the  Dnieper.  According  to  the  testimony  of  many 
of  our  ornithologists  the  Barn-Owl  is  a  rare  resident  in  the 
Governments  of  Kharkov  and  Kiev,  more  commonly  distributed 
in  the  Government  of  Podolia,  and  numerous  enough  in  Bessa- 
rabia. East  of  the  last-mentioned  locality  it  only  occasionally 
occurs  in  the  steppes  of  New  Russia,  probably  as  far  east  as 
the  Lower  Dnieper.  In  Central  Russia  this  species  is  a  very 
rare  resident,  except  in  the  Government  of  Orel,  whence  it 
strays  into  the  southern  part  of  the  Government  of  Tula. 

Syrnium  lapponicum. 

The  Lapp  Owl  breeds  regularly  in  the  extreme  north  of 

*  Continued  from  '  Ibis,'  1884,  p.  31-5. 


256  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

the  large  expanse  of  the  forest  country  or  the  "  Taiga,"  but 
only  accidentally  further  south. 

It  is  resident  in  Lapland  and  Finland  as  far  south  as  lat. 
Q7°,  but  in  the  southern  portions  of  that  countiy  it  is  said 
to  be  found  only  during  the  winter.  It  has  been  frequently 
obtained  in  the  Government  of  St.  Petersburg,  and  it  is  a 
resident  in  the  large  forests  near  Lake  Peypus  (lat,  59°) .  It  is 
found  and  perhaps  breeds  in  the  eastern  parts  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  Pskov,  and,  according  to  Mr.  Dzieduszycky,  breeds  in 
the  district  of  Dzisniensk,  in  the  Government  of  Vilna  flat. 
55^°).  In  the  Government  of  Minsk  and  in  other  parts  of 
Lithuania  it  is  said  to  breed  by  Mr,  Tyzenhaus,  who  informs 
us  that  it  has  several  times  been  observed  in  the  Governments 
of  Grodno  and  Lublin ;  consequently  we  must  study  the 
breeding-range  of  the  bird  in  North-western  and  Western 
Russia  more  carefully,  this  country  being  very  interesting 
from  a  zoo-geographical  point  of  view.  During  the  winters 
of  1866  and  1881  the  Lapp  Owl  was  found  near  Moscow, 
and  in  one  instance  it  was  obtained  at  the  same  season  in 
the  Government  of  Orel, 

East  of  Finland  it  is  not  rare  near  Archangel,  and  it  is 
found  near  Ustug  and  in  the  Government  of  Vologda,  but 
nothing  is  known  of  its  breeding-range  in  the  country  be- 
tween the  Dvina  river  and  the  Ural.  In  the  last-mentioned 
locality  the  bird  was  obtained  about  30  versts  from  Polevsky 
Lavod,  and,  according  to  Mr,  Pleske,  during  the  winter  of 
1872  was  obtained  in  Tevkelevsky  Khutar,  only  13  versts 
from  Orenburg.  It  is  very  possible  that  it  breeds  in  the 
Ural  Mountains  more  to  the  south  than  we  know  of  at 
present. 

Syrnium  uralense. 

The  Ural  Owl  is  common  and  resident  in  all  the  forests  of 
Northern  Russia ;  it  is  also  a  local  breeding  bird  in  Central 
Russia,  and  in  some  instances  has  been  found  as  far  south  as 
lat,  54°-53°, 

It  is  more  or  less  common  and  resident  in  all  parts  of 
Finland  and  Lapland,  from  the  Gulf  of  Finland  in  the  south 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  257 

to  the  limit  of  forest-growth  in  the  north.  More  to  the  east 
the  Ural  Owl  is  not  uucommon  near  Archangel,  Pinega,  and 
in  the  large  forests  of  the  Governments  of  Vologda,  Wjatka, 
and  Perm ;  but  we  do  not  know  its  northern  breeding-limit 
in  the  country  near  the  Petchora.  According  to  Mr.  Bog- 
danow,  this  bird  breeds  regularly  throughout  the  country 
of  the  Middle  Volga,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Kama  river 
to  the  Samarskaja  Luka;  but  more  to  the  west,  in  Central 
Russia,  the  Ural  Owl  does  not  go  so  far  south,  and  has  been 
found  in  this  direction  only  in  the  Governments  of  Kostroma 
and  Moscow.  In  Western  Russia  it  is  not  rare  in  the  Govern- 
ments of  Novgorod  and  Pskov,  and  breeds  throughout  the 
forests  of  the  Baltic  Provinces ;  but  on  the  testimony  of 
Mr.  Taezauowsky  it  is  very  rare  in  Poland.  According  to 
Mr.  Eichwald  the  Ural  Owl  is  resident  in  the  Government  of 
Minsk,  and  according  to  Mr.  Tyzenhaus  it  breeds  through- 
out Lithuania. 

During  the  winter  this  bird  has  been  occasionally  seen  in 
the  woods  of  the  Obschy-Syrt  as  well  as  in  the  Governments 
of  Jaroslav  and  Moscow, 

UlULA    ALUCO. 

The  Tawny  Owl  is  distributed  throughout  the  woods  of 
Central  and  Southern  Russia  as  far  north  as  lat.  60°-61°, 
and  as  far  east  as  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Ural  Mountains. 

In  Finland  this  bird  is  extremely  rare,  being  found  only 
on  the  north-western  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  Finland.  In  some 
parts  of  the  Government  of  St.  Petersburg  it  is  not  uncommon. 
In  the  Government  of  Novgorod  the  Tawny  Owl  has  hitherto 
been  observed  only  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  country. 
More  to  the  east,  in  the  Governments  of  Jaroslav  and  Kos- 
troma, as  well  as  in  most  parts  of  the  Governments  of  Wjatka 
and  Perm,  this  bird  is  one  of  the  commonest  Owls ;  but  on 
the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Ural  Mountains,  which  are  about 
its  eastern  breeding-limit,  it  is  very  rare.  On  the  wooded 
spurs  of  the  Ural,  in  the  forests  near  the  Volga,  in  Central 
and  Southern  Russia,  in  Lithuania,  in  Poland,  and  in  the 
Baltic  Provinces  this  species  is  very  common,  but  it  is  only 
found  occasionally  in  the  steppes  of  New  Russia. 

SER.  v. VOL.   III.  T 


258  M.  Menzbicr  on  the  Birds  of  European 

According  to  Mr.  Shatilov,  the  Tawny  Owl  breeds  in  the 
mountains  of  the  Crimea. 

AsiO    OTUS. 

The  Long-eared  Owl  is  distributed  throughout  almost  the 
whole  of  Russia  with  the  exception  of  the  more  northern 
part  of  the  country. 

In  Finland  it  breeds  as  far  north  as  lat.  63°,  but  is  common 
only  near  the  Gulf  of  Finland^  on  the  Oeland  Islands,  and  near 
Lake  Ladoga.  In  the  Government  of  Archangel  the  Long- 
eared  Owl  is  very  rare,  though  it  has  been  several  times  obtained 
there,  especially  near  Archangel.  More  to  the  east,  in  the 
country  between  the  Dvina  and  the  Kama,  its  northern 
breeding-limit  is  more  south,  and  in  the  Ural  Mountains  this 
Owl  has  been  found  only  as  far  north  as  lat.  58^-59°.  It  is 
very  common  throughout  the  whole  of  Central  Russia,  not 
uncommon  in  the  woods  of  Southern  Russia,  and  is  found 
also  on  the  northern  slopes  of  the  Caucasus. 

In  the  Crimea  this  bird  is  met  with  only  during  the  winter. 

AsiO    ACCIPITRINUS. 

The  Short-eared  Owl  is  distributed  throughout  Russia, 
from  the  extreme  north  to  the  southern  limit  of  the  country, 
where  it  breeds  in  the  Crimea,  as  well  as  in  the  steppes  of  the 
Government  of  Stauropol,  and  in  the  valleys  of  the  Terek 
and  the  Kuban. 

In  Central  and  Southern  Russia  a  few  may  be  seen  in 
winter. 

Nyctale  tengmalmi. 

Tengmalm's  Owl  is  a  very  typical  member  of  the  avifauna 
of  Northern  Russia,  and  breeds  throughout  the  forest-country 
as  far  south  as  the  southern  limit  of  the  pine-forests  {Pinus 
sylvestris). 

It  is  common  and  resident  almost  throughout  Finland,  as 
well  as  near  Lakes  Ladoga  and  Onega,  and  in  Karelia ;  but 
in  Northern  Finland  and  in  Lapland  it  is  rare,  though  found 
nearly  as  far  north  as  the  limit  of  forest-growth.  In  the 
country  about  the  Dvina  it  is  common  as  far  as  Archangel ; 
but  more  to  the  east,  in  the  Governments  of  Vologda,  Wjatka, 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  259 

and  Perm^  its  northern  breeding-limit  trends  from  N.N.W. 
to  S.S.E.  and  in  the  Ural  Mountains,  according  to  Mr. 
Sabanaev,  tins  Owl  is  found  only  as  far  north  as  lat.  59°. 
Its  southern  breeding-limit  is  still  insufficiently  known;  but 
according  to  Eversmann  it  still  nests  in  the  woods  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  Governments  of  Orenburg  and  Saratov. 
We  know^  nothing  as  to  the  distribution  of  this  bird  in  the 
Governments  of  Penza  and  Tambov,  but  it  is  common  in  the 
Government  of  Riazan ;  not  uncommon  in  the  northern  jmrt 
of  the  Government  of  Tula ;  and  is  found  throughout  all  the 
forest-country  from  the  Gulf  of  Finland  in  the  north  to  the 
country  about  the  Pripet  river  in  the  south,  as  well  as  in 
Poland.  Russow  states  that  it  rarely  breeds  in  the  Baltic 
Provinces. 

During  the  winter  this  Owl  strays  as  far  south  as  Guriev, 
and  is  not  uncommon  in  the  woods  of  Southern  Russia. 

Messrs.  Carte,  Blakiston,  and  Shatilov  include  Tengmalm's 
Owl  in  their  respective  lists  of  the  birds  of  the  Crimea.  But 
neither  Carte  nor  Blakiston  obtained  skins  for  identification, 
and  all  the  specimens  of  the  supposed  Nyctale  tengmaJmi 
in  Shatilov's  collection  are  merely  darkly  coloured  examples 
of  Athene  noctua. 

Athene  noctua. 

The  Little  Owl  is  very  common  in  Southern  and  in  some 
parts  of  Central  Russia,  but  in  the  northern  parts  of  Central 
Russia  it  is  very  rare. 

We  do  not  know  its  northern  breeding-limit  in  the  Baltic 
Provinces,  but  it  probably  breeds  in  the  south-western  part 
of  Courland,  as  it  is  found  in  the  Government  of  Grodno 
and  is  common  in  Poland.  Its  distribution  in  the  valley  of 
the  Upper  Dnieper  is  still  unknow^n ;  but  in  Central  Russia  it 
breeds  in  the  southern  part  of  the  Government  of  Tula,  as 
well  as  in  the  Government  of  Riazan,  and  is  occasionally 
found  near  Moscow.  More  to  the  east  it  inhabits  the  Govern- 
ments of  Penza,  Simbirsk,  and  Orenburg ;  but  we  do  not  know 
the  eastern  and  southern  breeding-limit  of  this  species  be- 
tween the  Lower  Volga  and  the  Ural  Mountains,  and  it  is 

T  2 


2(30  M.  Meiiz])icr  on  the  Birds  of  European 

very  possible  that  near  tlie  Caspian  Sea  Athene  noctua  may 
be  replaced  by  Athene  orientalis. 

In  Southern  Russia,  from  the  Volga  to  the  northern  slopes 
of  the  Caucasus  and  Bessarabia,  the  Little  Owl  is  very  com- 
mon and  partially  resident. 

In  the  Crimea  Athene  noctua  is  very  common,  but  the 
specimens  procured  in  that  country  differ  froiu  those  of 
Central  Russia  in  being  more  greyish  brown,  like  Athene 
meridionalis. 

Glaucidium  passerinum. 

The  Pygmy  Owl  is  distributed  throughout  the  northern 
forests  of  Russia.  Generally  it  is  resident,  but  the  birds 
of  the  extreme  north  winter  in  Central  Russia. 

In  Finland  it  is  found  as  far  north  as  lat.  68^°,  but  it  is 
rare  near  the  northern  limit  of  its  breeding-range;  and  though 
it  occasionally  occurs  near  Archangel,  it  is  not  found  in  the 
valley  of  the  Petchora.  In  the  Ural  Mountains  it  occurs 
only  as  far  north  as  Ekaterinburg.  Further  south  it  breeds  in 
the  forests  of  the  northern  part  of  the  Government  of  Oren- 
burg, in  the  Government  of  Kazan,  and  generally  in  the 
country  of  the  Middle  Volga  as  far  south  as  the  Govern- 
ment of  Simbirsk.  It  is  common  in  the  Government  of 
Vologda  and  in  Finland,  but  rarer  in  the  Governments  of 
St.  Petersburg,  Tver,  Jaroslav,  Moscow,  in  the  Baltic  Pro- 
vinces, in  Poland,  and  in  Lithuania.  In  the  central  portions 
of  Russia  the  Pygmy  Owl  is  said  to  be  resident  in  the  Govern- 
ment of  Riazan ;  but  in  the  Governments  of  Tula  and  Orel  it 
is  found  only  during  the  winter  migration. 

SURNIA  ULULA. 

Like  Nyctale  tengmalmi  and  Glaucidium  passerinum,  the 
Hawk-Owl  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  northern  forest-country 
or  "  Taiga  ^^;  but  it  ranges  further  north  than  either  of  these 
birds,  as  far  as  the  limit  of  forest-growth. 

In  the  Kola  Peninsula  this  bird  is  found  up  to  lat.  67°-68°, 
and  in  the  country  between  the  White  Sea  and  the  Ural 
Mountains  as  far  north  as  lat.  66-67°.  Throughout  the 
forests  of  Northern  Russia,  from  the  Gulf  of  Bothnia  in  the 


Ratisia  north  of  the  Ciuicasas.  J2Gl 

west  to  the  Ural  Moimtaius  in  the  east,  the  Hawk-Owl  is  a 
commou  resident  j  but  its  southern  breeding-range  being  still 
insufficiently  known,  I  can  ouly  enumerate  some  of  its 
breeding-localities  in  Central  Russia.  According  to  Evers- 
man  the  Hawk-Owl  is  not  rare  in  the  southern  forests  of  the 
Ural  Mountains,  in  the  woods  of  the  northern  part  of  the 
Government  of  Orenburg,  and  throughout  all  the  Government 
of  Kazan.  It  probably  breeds  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
Government  of  Riazan,  and  undoubtedly  in  the  Government 
of  Moscow,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Government  of  Tula, 
and  in  the  Government  of  Smolensk.  In  the  wooded  country 
between  the  Gulf  of  Finland  and  the  Upper  Dnieper  this 
Owl  is  not  uncommon ;  but  Russow  states  that  it  only 
occasionally  breeds  in  the  Baltic  Provinces.  Mr.  Tyzenhaus 
informs  us  that  this  bird  is  resident  and  not  uncommon  in 
Lithuania,  and  Taczanowsky  says  that  it  occurs  in  Poland 
during  the  winter. 

In  winter  the  Hawk-Owl  strays  as  fai'  south  as  lat.  49°-48°. 

Nyctea  scandiaca. 

The  Snowy  Owl  is  a  bird  of  the  tundra  and  of  the  large 
marshes  dispersed  through  the  northern  forests.  More  to 
the  south  it  breeds  only  irregularly  and  very  rarely. 

It  is  common  and  partially  resident  on  the  islands  of 
Novaja  Zemlja,  on  Waigatz,  and  throughout  the  Kola  Penin- 
sula, from  the  Varanger  fiord  in  the  north  as  far  south  as 
lat.  67°.  In  the  country  near  the  White  Sea  it  breeds  near 
the  town  of  Onega,  near  Archangel,  on  the  Kaninskaja  tundra, 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Pinega  and  Mezen.  In  the  valley 
of  the  Lower  Petchora  this  species  was  found  as  far  south 
as  Ust-Zylma,  and  the  Ural  Expedition  observed  it  between 
lat.  68"  and  lat.  70°.  Mr.  Sabanaev  informs  us  that  this 
bird  breeds  in  the  Ural  Mountains  as  far  south  as  lat.  56° ; 
but  this  information  is  very  doubtful,  as  well  as  his  state- 
ments respecting  the  breeding  of  the  Snowy  Owl  in  some 
districts  of  the  Governments  of  Jaroslav,  Moscow,  and  Orel 
{fide  Mr.  Evreinov).  Neither  Mr.  Lorenz  nor  I  obtained 
this    species    in   the    last-mentioned   localities    during    the 


262  M.  Menzljier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

breediug-season,  though  it  is  common  enough  there  during 
the  winter.  In  exceptional  cases  the  Snowy  Owl  breeds  in 
the  Government  of  St.  Petersburg  and  in  Livonia. 

During  the  winter  the  Snowy  Owl  is  distributed  through- 
out the  whole  of  Russia,  as  far  south  as  the  shores  of  the 
Caspian  Sea  and  Taganrog  on  the  Sea  of  Azov. 

Bubo  maximus. 

The  Great  Horned  Owl  is  distributed  throughout  Russia 
with  the  excej)tion  of  the  tundra,  but  it  is  nowhere  very 
common  in  our  country.  Tlie  specimens  of  this  bird  pro- 
cured east  of  the  Volga  differ  from  those  of  Central  and 
Western  Russia  in  being  paler  and  whiter,  like  the  Siberian 
Great  Horned  Owl ;  but  the  veritable  Bubo  maximus  var. 
sibh'ica  occurs  only  east  of  the  Ural  Mountains.  In  Bash- 
kiria the  pale  variety  of-  the  Great  Horned  Owl  meets  with 
the  pale  variety  of  the  Central-Asiatic  Bubo  turcomanus. 
The  south-eastern  limit  of  the  distribution  of  B.  maximus  in 
the  country  between  the  Upper  Ural  river  and  the  mouth 
of  the  Volga  is  still  unknown. 

Bubo  turcomanus. 

Some  ornithologists  confound  Bubo  turcomanus,  Eversm., 
with  Bubo  sibiricus,  Licht.,  and  on  this  ground  connect  the 
former  with  Bubo  maximus.  This  confusion  has  arisen 
from  the  fact  that  the  pale  variety  of  Bubo  turcomanus, 
which  is  probably  only  a  climatic  variety  of  the  Central- 
Asiatic  bird,  bears  a  superficial  resemblance  to  the  Siberian 
form  of  Bubo  maximus  ;  but  the  dimensions  and  the  character 
of  the  coloration  of  the  two  birds  are  very  different.  Both  in 
their  pale  varieties  and  in  the  typical  forms,  B.  turcomanus 
is  not  so  large  as  B.  maximus,  and  has  not  the  large  longi- 
tudinal black  streaks  on  the  lower  breast  and  abdomen. 
Typical  specimens  of  B.  turcomavus  being  very  similar  to  B. 
ascalaphus,  it  seems  to  me  that  this  bird  is  an  intermediate 
form  between  B.  maximus  and  B.  ascalaphus. 

The  geographical  distribution  of  the  Turcoman  Great 
Horned  Owl  is  as  follows — the  south-western  part  of  Siberia 
as  far  north   as   lat.   b^F  (Upper   Uralsk),  where   this   bird 


Russia  norllt  uf  the  Caucasus.  263 

meets  with  the  Siberian  Great  Horued  Owl,  Ust-Urt,  Russian 
and  Eastern  Turkestan,  and  the  Pamir.  Skins  of  jB.  turcomanus 
obtained  near  Irkutsk  and  Kultuk  were  received  by  us  from 
the  late  Mr.  Shvedov.  It  is  probably  the  same  species  of 
Great  Horned  Owl  which  inhabits  Tibet  and  the  highlands 
of  Persia. 

The  north-western  limit  of  the  breeding-range  of  Bubo 
turcomanus ,  between  the  Lower  Volga  and  Upper  Ural,  is 
still  unknown.  Probably  the  ranges  of  the  two  species 
overlap  in  that  country. 

Scops  giu. 

The  Scops  Owl  is  commonly  distributed  in  South-eastern 
Russia  ;  it  is  rare  in  the  southern  and  south-western  portions 
and  is  very  local  in  the  central  governments. 

It  breeds  commonly  in  the  forests  of  the  Southern  Ural, 
and  in  the  outlying  spurs  between  the  Sakmara  and  Tandyk 
rivers ;  it  is  not  uncommon  in  the  forests  near  the  Ural 
river  and  the  Lower  Volga,  but  is  very  rare  near  Astrakhan, 
where  it  is  said  to  be  a  resident. 

We  do  not  know  any  thing  of  its  distribution  in  the 
Governments  of  Ekaterinoslav  and  Kherson,  nor  of  its  breed 
ing-range  in  the  Governments  of  Kursk,  Chernigov,  and 
Smolensk ;  but  it  is  a  very  common  resident  in  the 
Crimea,  and  it  breeds  in  Bessarabia,  the  Government  of 
Kiev,  the  Government  of  Orel,  the  southern  portion  of 
the  Government  of  Tula,  and  probably  in  the  district 
of  Laraisk  in  the  Government  of  Riazan.  According  to 
Mr.  Taczanowsky  it  is  a  rare  resident  in  Poland  and  Li- 
thuania. 

During  migration  this  bird  is  very  common  near  Guriev 
(at  the  mouth  of  the  Ural  river). 


XXIII. — Notes  on  the  Breeding-habits  of  certain  Sea-Birds 
frequenting  Norfolk  Island  and  the  adjoining  Islets.  By 
W.  M.  Crowfoot,  M.D. 

For  the  following  notes  I  am  indebted  to  ray  friend  Mr=  P. 


264         Dr.  W.  M.  Crowfoot  on  the  Breeding -habits 

Metcalfe,  Resident  Medical  Officer  at  Norfolk  Island.  The 
skins  of  the  Terns  which  accompanied  the  eggs  were  kindly 
identified  for  me  by  Mr.  Saunders,  the  Petrels  by  Mr.  Salvin, 
and  the  other  birds  by  Mr,  Sharpe. 

Anous  stolidus  (Linn.).     Noddy  Tern. 

This  bird  breeds  on  Philip  and  Nepean  Islands  and  the 
adjacent  rocks.  Philip  Island  is  a  small  uninhabited  rocky 
island  lying  about  four  and  a  half  miles  S.S.E.  of  Norfolk 
Island,  Nepean  Island,  also  lying  to  the  S.S.E.  of  Norfolk 
Island,  and  half  a  mile  distant  from  it,  is  a  flat  barren  rock 
covered  with  sand.  The  Noddies  begin  to  lay  about  a  month 
after  the  Sooty  Terns,  i.  e.  in  October,  though  a  few  eggs 
may  be  found  earlier.  The  eggs  are  not  laid  in  large  colonies, 
but  here  and  there,  in  convenient  spots,  all  over  the  island. 
The  Noddy  always  makes  some  kind  of  nest ;  I  have  seen  it 
made  of  dry  grass,  bits  of  sea-weed,  dry  sticks  or  twigs,  and 
fish-bones.  As  a  rule,  there  is  nothing  but  a  basement  made. 
The  material  is  merely  laid  in  a  heap,  as  it  were,  in  a  shallow 
hollow,  and  the  egg,  only  one,  is  laid  thereon.  In  one  in- 
stance I  found  a  considerable  attempt  at  building  a  nest  on 
the  top  of  a  dead  tree-stump,  about  3  feet  from  the  ground ; 
it  consisted  of  a  mass  of  grass,  twigs,  and  sea- weed,  but 
there  was  no  interweaving  of  the  materials,  and  it  resembled 
the  base  of  a  common  English  Blackbird's  nest  after  the 
nest  itself  has  been  taken  and  the  foundation  left.  The 
bird  was  sitting  when  I  saw  it.  Noddies'  eggs  vary  very 
little  in  appearance  and  size  :  the  yolk  is  bright  yellow. 
The  breeding-time  lasts  from  the  beginning  of  October  till 
January.  The  eggs  may  occasionally  be  obtained  till  the  end 
of  that  month,  but  the  greatest  number  are  laid  in  October 
and  November,  The  nests  may  be  placed  on  sand,  rock, 
tree-stumps,  or  grass;  but  sandy  spots  are  the  ones  most 
frequently  selected.  I  have  never  seen  more  than  one  egg 
in  a  nest. 

Angus  melanogenys,  G.  K.  Gr. 

The  smaller  Noddy  Tern  is  called  by  the  Norfolk-Islanders 
[lie  ''  Titissack,"  from  the  noise  it  makes.     This  bird  breeds 


of  Sea-Birds  frequenting  Norfolk  Island  ^c.  265 

ou  Norfolk  and  Philip  Islands^  but  not  on  Nepean  Island^  as 
there  are  no  trees  there.  It  makes  a  beautiful  slightly  cupped 
little  nest  of  fresh  sea-weed^  which  it  firmly  cements  to  the 
bough  of  a  tree.  The  nests  are  placed  all  along  the  boughs, 
sometimes  six  or  more  on  the  same  bough  a  short  distance 
apart,  and  in  the  forks  as  well.  One  e^^  only  is  laid  in  each 
nest.  The  birds  are  very  tame,  and  may  be  taken  oif  their 
nests,  though  they  strike  hard  with  their  bills  at  intruders. 
The  larger  Noddy  and  the  Sooty  Terns,  on  the  other  hand, 
will  not  allow  themselves  to  be  taken  off  their  eggs,  nor  can 
they  be  caught,  though  they  come  so  near  as  to  be  readily 
knocked  over  with  a  stick  or  stone.  The  eggs  of  A.  mela- 
nogenys  vary  but  little;  they  measure  1*75  inch  by  1*25, 
and  much  resemble  Noddies*  eggs  in  colour  and  markings. 
The  tree  on  which  I  have  always  seen  the  nests  of  this 
bird  placed  is  the  white  oak  [Lagunaria  patersoni).  I  have 
seen  them  on  small  trees  growing  on  the  coast,  a  few  feet 
above  the  sea,  and  fully  exposed  to  the  wind ;  but  the  site 
usually  chosen  is  a  sheltered  valley  about  half  a  mile  from 
the  sea. 

Anous  cinereus,  Gould. 

These  Grey  Terns,  called  by  the  Norfolk-Islanders  the 
"Little Blue PetreV  are  fairly  numerous  during  the  breeding- 
season.  They  lay  their  eggs  on  Philip  and  Nepean  Islands 
and  the  neighbouring  rocks.  The  eggs  are  usually  placed  on 
inaccessible  ledges,  but  often  on  the  sand,  sometimes  not 
many  feet  above  the  sea,  but  usually  at  from  80  to  2000  feet. 
They  make  no  attempt  at  a  nest,  and  lay  only  one  egg,  which 
is  the  most  easily  broken  of  all  the  sea-birds^  eggs  found  on 
these  islands.  The  eggs  much  resemble  those  of  the  other 
species  of  Noddy,  but  the  ground-colour  is  rather  darker,  and 
the  spots  are  numerous,  small,  and  more  generally  distributed 
over  the  whole  surface  than  in  the  eggs  of  the  other  species. 
They  measure  on  an  average  1*6  inch  in  length  by  1'12  in 
breadth,  and  vary  but  little  either  in  size  or  in  markings. 
These  birds  do  not,  as  a  rule,  lay  in  colonies,  but  here  and 
there,  like  the  larger  Noddy,  though  sometimes  one  comes. 


2Gii         Dr.  W.  M.  Crowl'oot  on  Ike  Breediuy-hubits 

across  a  number  close  together  on  the  sand.  The  nestlings 
are  almost  of  the  same  colour  as  the  parent  birds.  These 
Terns  are  not  tame,  and  cannot  be  taken  off  the  nests  like 
A.  melanogenys.  I  have  taken  the  eggs  as  early  as  the  26th 
of  September,  but  I  think  they  begin  to  lay  sooner,  and  I 
found  an  egg  incubated  on  Philip  Island  on  June  15th,  so 
that  the  breeding-period  extends  from  September  to  January 
for  certain.  The  birds  frequent  these  islauds  all  the  year 
round. 

Sterna  fuliginosa,  Gm. 

The  Sooty  Tern,  or  "Whale-bird  ^^  of  the  islanders,  is  the 
commonest  sea-bird  here.  It  commences  to  lay  in  September, 
and  breeds  in  colonies,  generally  on  the  sand.  The  eggs  are 
sometimes  laid  so  close  to  each  other  that  one  can  hardly 
walk  between  them ;  they  are  also  laid  on  ledges  of  rock, 
but  generally  near  the  water.  On  Philip  Island  there  is  a 
bit  of  sandy  beach  which  is  always  covered  with  these  birds. 
Occasionally  one  sees  an  attempt  at  a  nest,  such  as  a  few 
twigs  or  dry  grass  in  a  little  heap  under  the  egg ;  but  gene- 
rally they  are  placed  on  the  bare  sand.  One  e^^  only  is 
laid.  These  eggs  vary  greatly,  both  in  size  and  colour.  On 
an  average  they  measure  2*1  inches  by  1"4,  but  two  speci- 
mens, which  were  distinctly  double-yolked,  measured  2*5 
inches  by  1'55.  A  few  specimens  out  of  a  series  of  nearly 
one  hundred  are  white,  with  a  faint  tinge  of  green,  and  with- 
out any  spots  or  markings  of  any  kind ;  but  most  of  them 
are  richly  marked  with  reddish-brown  spots  and  blotches. 
The  yolk  is  of  a  deep  red  colour,  and  this  character  will 
always  serve  to  distinguish  these  eggs,  when  fresh,  from  those 
of  the  Noddy  Tern,  of  which  the  yolk  is  bright  yellow, 

GyGIS  CANDIDA  (Gm.). 

The  "  Little  White  Sea-bird  "  of  the  Norfolk-Islanders  is  a 
very  interesting  bird.  It  is  said  in  some  places  to  breed 
in  colonies,  but  it  certainly  does  not  do  so  here.  It  lays  its 
egg  on  trees,  and  here  and  there  one  finds  two  or  three  trees 
occupied  in  the  same  valley.  I  have  seen  eleven  trees  used 
in  one  locality  ;  but  I  never  saw  two  eggs  on  one  tree,  though 


of  Sea-Birds  frequenting  Norfolk  hland  ^c.  267 

I  have  seen  them  on  adjoining  trees.  The  egg  is  laid  on  the 
bare  branch,  sometimes  in  a  slight  depression  or  against  a 
piece  of  roughened  bark ;  once  I  have  seen  it  in  a  fork. 
Generally  it  lays  its  egg  on  an  outstanding  branch,  and 
balances  it  in  a  truly  wonderful  manner.  There  is  not  a 
trace  of  a  nest,  and  often  not  even  of  a  depression.  One  egg 
only  is  laid.  I  have  seen  it  placed  on  a  branch  about  20 
feet  from  the  ground,  and  also  at  a  height  of  60  feet  or  more  ; 
30  to  40  feet  is,  perhaps,  the  average  height  at  which  it  lays. 
It  always  chooses  a  sheltered  situation,  generally  in  a  valley, 
and  at  a  variable  distance  from  the  sea,  from  300  to  800 
yards  in  the  cases  I  have  seen.  Year  after  year  this  bird  lays 
on  the  same  tree,  on  the  same  branch,  aye,  and  on  the  same 
spot  on  the  branch.  There  is  one  tree  where  I  have  seen 
the  old  bird  sitting  once  last  year  and  twice  this  year,  for  I 
got  both  eggs.  The  first  I  took  on  the  27th  of  December, 
1883.  It  was  incubated.  The  second  was  all  but  quite  fresh 
on  the  25th  of  January,  1884.  In  four  other  trees  I  have 
also  found  eggs  on  the  same  spots  as  I  found  eggs  or  young 
birds  last  year.  These  Terns  are  very  tame,  and  in  one  case 
we  lifted  up  the  bird  to  take  the  egg.  It  is  interesting  to 
watch  the  careful  way  in  which  the  old  bird  gets  off  her  egg 
when  goiug  to  fly.  The  young  birds  are  very  comical-looking 
little  objects.  I  have  found  the  eggs  on  three  different  kind 
of  trees,  viz.  the  white  oak  [Lagunaria  pater soni) ,  the  iron- 
wood  {^Notelcea  longifolia),  and  the  blood-wood  [Baloghia 
lucida).  How  do  the  eggs  and  young  birds  keep  on  in  windy 
weather  ?  In  November  1882  I  was  looking  for  a  specimen 
to  send  to  you,  and  seeing  one  on  a  tree,  I  shot  it.  I  was 
sorry  to  see,  when  it  fell,  that  a  young  one  was  under  it. 
However,  this  year  I  found  another  bird  sitting  on  an  egg 
in  the  same  spot.  I  took  the  eg^,  and  four  weeks  afterwards 
I  went  back  and  again  the  bird  was  sitting  on  another  e^^, 
which  I  also  took.  I  am  told  that  this  bird  nests  exten- 
sively on  banyan-trees  in  Pitcairn^s  Island.  The  eggs  vary 
in  length  from  1*62  inch  to  1*87,  and  from  1*17  inch  to  1*40 
in  breadth.  They  are  oval  in  shape,  and  generally  large  at 
both  ends.     The  ground-colour  varies  from  creamy  white  to 


268  Dr.  W.  M.  Crovvl'oot  on  the  Bvetdhuj-ltah'ils 

buff.  They  have  underlying  markings  of  a  grey  colour^  and 
are  streaked  and  blotched  with  light  and  dark  brown.  They 
somewhat  resemble  in  colour  some  varieties  of  the  eggs  of 
the  Stone-Curlew. 

Phaeton  rubricauda  (Bodd.) .     The  Tropic-bird. 

This  bird  breeds  on  Norfolk  Island,  Nepean  Island,  and 
Philip  Island,  but  the  last-mentioned  island  is  its  principal 
resort,  and  here  it  may  be  counted  by  hundreds.  It  lays  its 
single  egg  on  ledges  of  rock^  in  cracks  of  the  cliffs,  under 
overhanging  boulders,  and  in  such-like  situations.  The  bird 
defends  its  egg  with  its  strong  beak,  and  may  be  easily  caught 
on  the  nest.  On  Norfolk  Island  the  eggs  are  difficult  to  get, 
but  on  Philip  Island  they  may  be  readily  obtained.  The 
young  Tropic-bird  is  a  curious-looking  object,  being  com- 
pletely covered  with  thick  snow-white  down.  The  eggs  vary 
in  length  from  2*65  inches  to  2*85,  and  in  breadth  from  1*75 
inches  to  2*16.  They  have  a  reddish-brown  ground-colour, 
and  are  covered  all  over  with  fine  dark  reddish  and  violet- 
brown  markings.  Some  have  the  colouring-matter  appa- 
rently partially  washed  off. 

PUFFINUS  SPHENURUS,  Gould. 

This  Petrel,  called  by  the  Norfolk-Islanders  ''Mutton- 
bird"  or  "Ghost-bird,"  from  its  child-like  cry  at  night,  lays 
its  egg  on  Norfolk,  Philip,  and  Nepean  Islands.  Its  breeding- 
period  extends  over  a  considerable  time.  I  have  seen  young 
birds  nearly  fledged  on  the  27tli  of  October,  and  have  obtained 
fresh  eggs  on  the  15tli  of  January.  This  bird  digs  out  a 
hole  in  the  soft  soil  on  the  faces  of  the  cliffs,  also  in  the  sand 
on  flat  ground.  Some  of  the  burrows  are  six  feet  and  more 
in  length.  The  bird  also  lays  extensively  on  Philip  Island  in 
shallow  recesses  under  overhanging  boulders  and  in  colonies, 
I.  e.  many  may  be  found  close  together.  On  Norfolk  Island 
its  holes  are  always  isolated  and  the  burrows  deep.  One  egg 
only  is  laid.  Both  bird  and  egg  have  a  very  strong  peculiar 
smell,  and  I  can  usually  tell  a  fresh  hole  from  an  old  one  by 
the  smell  of  the  entrance.  There  is  no  nest.  The  eggs, 
which  arc  pure  white,  vary  from  2'5  inches  to  2*75  in  length. 


of  Sea-Birds  freqimiimg  Norfolk  Island  &;c.  2G9 

and  from  1-5  inch  to  I  75  in  breadth.  Some  are  equally 
rounded  at  both  ends ;  others  are  much  pointed  at  one 
end. 

PUFFINUS  ASSIMILIS^  Gould. 

Of  this  bird,  the  Norfolk-Island  name  of  which  is  "  Lao/^  I 
know  but  little.  The  eggs  are  white  and  like  those  of  the 
Mutton-bird,  but  smaller.  The  egg  is  laid  in  a  recess  or 
shallow  hole  under  an  overhanging  rock,  but  always,  I  believe, 
on  sand.  There  is  no  nest,  and  one  egg  only  is  laid.  I  have 
seen  only  three  birds  of  this  species,  and  found  one  egg 
myself  in  a  solitary  recess  on  sand  under  an  overhanging 
rock.  The  bird  was  very  shy.  I  believe  this  species  to  be 
scarce  here.  It  breeds  on  Philip  and  Nepean  Islands  and 
on  outstanding  rocks.  The  single  egg  which  I  found 
measures  2*1  inches  in  length  by  1'3  in  breadth;  it  is  long 
and  narrow,  and  more  or  less  pointed  at  both  ends. 

SULA  PERSONATA,  Gould. 

This  Gannet  breeds  on  Nepean  and  Philip  Islands,  but  not 
on  Norfolk  Island.  It  makes  no  nest,  except  that  it  some- 
times places  a  few  dry  grass-stalks  or  rushes  under  its  eggs. 
As  a  rule  the  eggs  are  laid  on  the  ground,  and  are  usually 
two  in  number.  This  is  the  only  sea-bird  breeding  on  these 
islands  that  lays  more  than  one  egg. 

The  Gannet  commences  laying  certainly  in  the  earlier  part 
of  October,  as  I  have  seen  a  young  bird  upwards  of  a  week 
old  on  the  27tli  of  that  month.  I  have  also  obtained  a  fresh 
egg  in  the  first  week  of  January.  The  young  Gaanet  is, 
when  fledged,  much  darker  in  colour  on  the  wings  and  back 
than  the  parent.  The  old  birds  are  very  tame,  and  have  to 
be  driven  off  their  eggs,  but  they  peck  sharply  at  intruders 
with  their  formidable  beaks.  The  eggs  vary  from  2'5  inches 
to  2'75  in  length,  and  from  1*75  to  1-9  in  breadth.  They 
have  a  greenish-white  ground-colour  and  chalky-white  coat- 
ing, like  those  of  the  Common  Gannet,  Some  specimens  are 
much  stained  with  brown  colouring-matter,  probably  derived 
from  the  nest-materials  or  the  soil  on  Avhich  they  are  laid. 

Other  Norfolk-Island  birds    sent   by  Mr.    Metcalfe,    and 


270  On  the  Cormorantu  of  Japan  and  China. 

identified  for  me  by  Mr.  Sharpe  are  : — Petra'ca  multicolor 
(Gra.) ;  Eudynamys  taitensis{S[^&Yrm.);  Ninox  macidata  (Vig.); 
Aplonisfuscus,  Gould;  jEgialitis  hicincta,  Jerd. ;  Porphyrio 
melanotus,  Temm.  ;  Rhipidura  pelzelni,  Gm.  ;  Zosterops 
teniiirostr is,  GouXd;  Gerygone  modesta,  Pelz.  ;  Symmorphus 
leucopygius,  Govi\d;  and  Pachycephala  £eanthoprocta,  Gould. 
I  hope  in  time  to  have  sufficient  materials  for  a  paper  on 
the  land-birds  of  Norfolk  Island. 


XXIV. — On  the  Cormorants  of  Japan  and  China. 
By  Henry  Seebohm. 

The  numerous  collections  of  Japanese  birds  recently  sent 
to  this  country  have  enabled  me  to  amass  a  series  large 
enouo-h  to  clear  up  some  of  the  difficulties  which  have  hitherto 
presented  themselves  in  an  attempt  to  unravel  the  tangle 
into  which  the  Cormorants  of  China  and  Japan  have  fallen. 

Temminck  and  Schlegel,  in  the  '  Fauna  Japonica/  enu- 
merate three : — 

1.  Carbo  cormoranus. 

2.  ,,     filamentosus  vel  capillatus. 

3.  „      bicristatus. 

The  second  in  this  list  bears  the  former  name  in  the  text, 
and  the  latter  on  the  plates  ;  but  Schlegel,  in  his  '  Museum 
d'Histoire  Naturelle  des  Pays-Bas/  gave  up  the  species 
(incorrectly,  as  I  hope  to  show  presently) ,  and  treated  botli 
names  as  synonyms  of  the  Common  Cormorant. 

Swinhoe  accepted  Schlegel's  union  of  No.  1  and  No.  2 
under  the  name  of  Phalacrocorax  carbo,  and  in  1871  called 
No.  3  Graculus  bicristatus,  after  having  in  1867  described  it 
as  new  under  the  name  of  Phalacrocorax  ceolus ;  but  in  1874 
he  identified  this  supposed  new  species  as  P.  pelagicus. 

The  conclusions  at  which  I  have  arrived  are  that  there  are 
three  Cormorants  found  in  China  and  Japan. 

Phalacrocorax  carbo. 

The  Common  Cormorant  appears  to  breed  in  Japau  and 
North  China  and  to  winter  in  South  China.     It  may  at  once 


On  some  little-hioimi  Species  of  Tanagers.  271 

be  recognized  by  its  white  gorget,  and  by  the  colour  of  the 
scapulars  and  wing-coverts,  which  are  bronzy  brown  margined 
with  black. 

Phalacrocorax  capillatus. 

Of  Temminck's  Cormorant  I  have  skins  of  five  adults, 
besides  those  of  several  immature  birds.  The  dated  adults 
are — Amoy,  Feb. ;  Amoy,  April ;  Hakodadi,  Feb. :  so  that  we 
may  assume  it  to  be  a  resident  in  both  China  and  Japan. 
It  is  an  excellent  species.  Like  the  Common  Cormorant  it 
has  fourteen  tail-feathers,  but  it  is  a  slightly  larger  bird ;  the 
gorget  is  profusely  streaked  with  greenish  black,  and  the 
scapulars  and  wing-coverts  are  bronzy  green  narrowly  mar- 
gined with  black  as  in  the  Shag. 

Phalacrocorax  pelagicus. 

The  Violet-green  Cormorant  is  really  a  Shag,  having 
only  twelve  tail-feathers.  I  have  summer  examjales  from 
Kamtschatka,  Japan,  and  North  China  (Cheefoo),  and  winter 
examples  from  South  China  (Amoy).  None  of  the  feathers 
of  the  back,  which  are  metallic  green,  or  the  scapulars,  which 
are  metallic  violet,  have  any  black  margin,  and  in  all  the 
skins  the  frontal  feathers  extend  to  the  base  of  the  bill. 

P.  bicristatus  (Pall.),  which  appears  to  be  identical  with 
P.  wile  (Gmel.),  has  the  forehead  bare  of  feathers.  There  is 
no  evidence  that  it  has  ever  occurred  in  China  or  Japan, 
though  it  has  been  recorded  from  Kamtschatka. 


XXV. —  On  some  little-known  Species  of  Tanagers. 
By  P.  L.  ScLATER,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.R.S. 

(Plate  VI.) 

Having  been  favoured  by  friends  in  other  countries  with  the 
loan  of  the  typical  specimens  of  some  little-known  species 
of  Tanagers,  in  aid  of  a  fresh  revision  of  the  group  upon 
which  I  am  now  engaged,  I  wish  to  record  a  few  observations 
on  these  interesting  specimens  before  I  return  them  to  their 
respective  owners. 


272  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  some 

1.    EUPHONIA  PURPUREA. 

Eu2ihonia  purpurea,  Lawrence,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  vol.  viii. 
p.  466  (1867). 

I  cannot  s(;parate  tliis  species,  of  which  the  type  has  been 
kindly  lent  to  me  by  its  dcscriber,  from  E.  violacea  of 
Cayenne.  It  agrees  very  well  with  skins  of  that  species 
from  Cayenne  in  my  collection. 

It  is  possible  that  Mr.  Lawrence  may  have  compared  it 
with  the  Brazilian  subspecies  Eiiph.  violacea  lichtensteini. 

2.  Ph(ENICOTHRAUPIS  peruvianus. 

Phoenicothraupis  peruvianus,  Tacz.  Orn.  du  Per.  ii.  p.  198. 
M.  Taczanowski  has  kindly  sent  me  the  typical  specimen 

of  this  species  for  comparison.  It  is  an  adult  male,  obtained 
by  M.  Stolzmann  at  Monterico.  It  is  rather  more  rosy  below 
than  the  type  of  P.  rhodinolcema  of  Salvin  and  Godman  (Biol. 
Centr.-Am.  Aves,  i.  p.  300),  obtained  at  Sarayacu,  Ecuador, 
by  Buckley ;  but  I  do  not  think  these  two  species  can  be  fairly 
separated,  and  the  last-mentioned  name  has  a  slight  priority 
in  point  of  date. 

3.  Lanio  lawrencii,  sp.nov.     (Plate  VI.  fig.  2.) 
Tachyphonus  atricapillus,  Lawr.  Proc.  Acad.  Sc.  Phil,  1868, 

p.  360. 

Above  olive-green,  with  indications  of  black  coming  out 
on  the  intcrscapulium  ;  wrings  and  tail  brownish  black,  edged 
with  olive ;  upper  surface  of  head  and  nape  black ;  sides  of 
head  greyish ;  throat  greyish  white ;  middle  of  abdomen 
ferruginous  orange ;  sides  passing  into  olive ;  under  wing- 
coverts  white;  bill  blackish,  pale  at  the  base  below;  feet' 
clear  brown.     Whole  length  4"8,  wing  2-4,  tail  2*2  inches. 

Hah.  Trinidad  [Alexander). 

Obs.  Mr.  Lawrence  having  kindly  sent  me  his  unique 
example  of  this  species  for  examination,  I  have  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  it  is  a  young  male  of  a  new  species  of  Lanio, 
allied  to  L.  versicolor,  and  remarkable  for  its  small  size.  As 
in  L.  versicolor,  there  is  scarcely  more  than  an  indication  of 
a   commissural  tooth.     There  l)eing  already  a  Lanio  airica- 


Ibis  ^188  5.  PL  VI, 


Ha-Mharl;   urnp. 


LTACHYPHONUS  NATTERERT  ,</. 
2LANI0    LAWRENClIy/-, 


^«._" 


^  CENTRAL  PARK,  ^ 
H'lV/  YORK, 


little-known  Species  of  Tcmagers.  273 

pillus,  I  propose  to  change  the  name  of  this  species  to  Lanio 
lawrencii. 

4.  Tachyphonus  napensis. 

Tachyphonus  napensis,  Lawrence,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  viii. 
p.  42. 

I  have  carefully  compared  Mr.  Lawrence's  type  of  this 
species  (which  is  apparently  an  Indian  skin  from  the  Rio 
Napo)  with  the  series  of  T.  surinamus  in  my  collection  and 
that  of  Messrs.  Salvin  and  Godman.  As  Mr.  Salvin  and  I 
have  already  pointed  out  (P.  Z.  S.  1867,  p.  571),  the  Upper 
Amazonian  form  of  this  bird  is  slightly  different  from  the 
typical  form  of  Cayenne,  but  I  can  only  regard  it  as  a  sub- 
species, which  may  be  called  Tachyphotms  surinmnus  napensis. 

5.  Tachyphonus  nattereri.     (Plate  VL  fig.  1.) 
Tanagra  cristatella,  Natt.  MS. 
Tachyphonus  nattereri,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  214. 

Niger ;  crista  pilei  medii  exsurgente  aurantiaca ;  dorso  postico 
fulvescente ;  alarum  tectricibus  superioribus  minoribus 
et  subalaribus  necnon  remigibus  ad  basin  albis.     Long, 
tota  5"4,  alae  2"7,  caudse  2"4.     Fern.  Rufescens;  subtiis 
et  in  remigum  marginibus  dilutior. 
Hab.  Villa  Maria,  Mato  Grosso  {Natt.) . 
Obs.  Sim.  T.  delattrii,  sed  alarum  tectricibus  albis  et  uro- 
pygio  fulvescente  diversus. 

This  is  an  excellent  species,  approaching  T.  delattrii  in 
form,  but  easily  distinguishable,  as  above  mentioned.  I  am 
greatly  indebted  to  Herr  v.  Pelzeln  for  sending  me  the  typical 
specimens  from  Vienna  for  examination. 

6.  Nesospingus  speculiferus. 

Chlorospingus  speculiferus ,  Lawr.  Ibis,  1875,  p.  383,  pi.  ix. 
fig.  1 ;  Gundl.  J.  f.  O.  1878,  p.  168,  1882,  p.  161  (nest),  et 
An.  Soc.  Esp.  H.  N.  1878,  p.  190. 

Above  nearly  uniform  dark  earthy  brown;  head  rather 
darker,  and  with  indications  of  longitudinal  striations  on  the 
cap;  a  small  white  speculum  on  the  fourth  and  fifth  and 
sixth   primaries ;  under  surface  white,  slightly  varied  with 

SER.  V. VOL.  III.  u 


274 


On  some  little-knonm  Species  of  Tanagers. 


grey;  bill — upper  mandible  brown,  lower  white;  feet  brown. 
Whole  length  G"5,  wing  34,  tail  2*5  inches. 

Hab.  Porto  Rico. 

This  peculiar  Antillean  form  can,  I  think,  hardly  be  re- 
ferred to  Chlorospingus ;  it  has  a  much  stouter  and  thicker 


Structure  of  Nesaqmu/iis  spcculiferns. 

bill  and  large  Fringilline  feet.  I  am  not  sure  that  its  correct 
position  is  not  with  the  Ground-Finches  (Pipilo  &c.),  but  for 
the  present  I  propose  to  leave  it  among  the  Tanagers  under 
a  separate  generic  name.  I  am  much  indebted  to  the  autho- 
rities of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  for  an  opportunity  of 
examining  the  typical  specimen  of  this  rare  bird. 

7.  Chlorosfingus  flavo-virens. 

Buarremon  flavo-virens,  Lawrence,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  viii. 
p.  467. 


On  the  Birds  of  Paisandu,  Uruguay.  275 

This  bird  seems  to  me  to  be  a  species  of  Chlorospingus. 
Mr.  Lawrence  has  kindly  lent  me  his  unique  specimen.  The 
skin  is  apparently  of  the  ordinary  "  Quito  "  make. 

C.  flavo-virens  is  remarkable  for  its  uniform  olive  plumage, 
which  is  strongly  fringed  with  yellow  below.  Its  beak  is 
rather  short  and  strong,  so  that  it  goes  best  among  the  typical 
Clilorospingi,  next  to  C.  phcsocephalMS.  In  coloration  there 
is  no  species  which  much  resembles  it. 

8.  BUARREMON  SORDIDUS. 

Buarremon  sordidus,  Lawrence,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  x,  p.  138 
(1874). 

The  typical  specimen  of  this  species,  which  Mr.  Lawrence 
has  kindly  lent  to  me,  is,  I  am  quite  convinced,  only  B.  pal- 
lidinuchus  in  immature  plumage. 

9.  Pyrgisoma  albiceps. 

Buarremoti  albiceps,  Tacz.  Orn.  d.  Per.  ii.  p.  533. 

This  is,  I  think,  after  examining  the  typical  specimen 
kindly  lent  to  me  by  the  Warsaw  Museum,  not  a  Buarremoti, 
but  a  species  of  Ground-Finch  of  the  genus  Pyrgisoma,  as 
shown  by  its  large  feet  and  short  wings.  I  may  add  that 
after  again  examining  specimens  of  the  Pipilo  mystacalis  of 
Taczanowski  (P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  521),  a  bird  which  I  subse- 
quently described  as  Buarremon  nationi  (P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  485), 
I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  M.  Taczanowski  was  more 
nearly  right  than  I  was  as  to  the  proper  classification  of  this 
bird,  and  that  it  is,  in  fact,  a  Ground-Finch,  and  not  a 
Tanager.  But  I  should  be  inclined  to  place  it  rather  in 
Pyrgisoma,  near  to  P.  rubricatum  and  its  allies,  instead  of 
Pipilo. 


XXVI. — Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Paisandu,  Republic  of  Uruguay. 
By  Ernest  Gibson,  F.Z.S.  (Communicated  by  J.  J. 
Dalgleish*.) 

The  district  of  Paisandu  is  very  much  broken  by  irregular 
hill  and  dale,  the  former  of  very  little  height,  and  of  such  a 

*  [These  notes  are  the  results  of  observations  made  by  Mr.  Gibson 

u2 


276  Mr.  E.  Gibson  on  the  Birds 

gradually  sloping  ascent  as  not  to  cliccl<  a  horse's  gallop.  In 
most  of  the  vallcj^s  arc  streams  or  rivulets^  as  a  rule  of  little 
importance.  The  soil  is  exceptionally  fine,  except  where  in- 
terrupted by  the  approach  of  the  stony  ''  tosca  "  formation  to 
the  surface.  Along  the  river  Uruguay  exists  a  strip  of  wood, 
more  or  less  broad^  consisting  of  "  sauce  "  [Salix  humbold- 
liana?),  '^nioya"  {Moj/a  spinosa't),  "seybo"  [Erythrina 
cris(a-(/fi//i),  "  ta\ii"  [CeUis  tala),  '' coronillo  ^'  {Scutia  buxi- 
folia),  and  "  quebrachillo  "  [Qmbrachia,  sp.  ?),  together 
with  a  great  number  of  shrubs.  These  trees  also  extend  for 
a  certain  distance  up  the  valleys  of  the  larger  streams,  tribu- 
taries of  the  Uruguay.  On  the  higher  land  they  are  replaced 
by  the  stunted  "algoroba^'  [Prosopis  julijlor'a'i) ,"  e%\)m.\\\o'' 
[Acacia,  sp.),  and — a  very  fe^v — "nandubay^'  [Prosopis 
nandubey),  gradually  thinning  out  as  they  retire  from  the 
vicinity  of  the  great  river.  The  grasses  are  a  mixture  of 
what  is  called  "  hard  ^^  and  "  soft,"  interspersed  Avith  a  con- 
siderable variety  of  other  plants.  The  wealth  and  beauty  of 
the  wild  flowers  iu  spring  is  something  extraordinary ;  the 
ground  is  one  blaze  of  colour,  to  an  extent  probably  unknown 
in  any  other  country  ;  the  three  varieties  of  verbenas,  scarlet, 
mauve,  and  white,  greatly  predominate.  In  the  woods  are 
also  to  be  found  very  pretty  ferns,  creepers,  cacti,  and  air- 
plants.  At  this  season  also  the  "^  espinillo  "  and  ^'  quebra- 
chillo "  trees  are  a  mass  of  golden  feathery  bloom,  and  literally 
perfume  the  air.  It  is  rather  curious,  though,  in  view  of  the 
foregoing,  that  I  only  counted  about  twenty-five  species  of 
butterflies,  and  was  equally  disappointed  by  the  paucity  in 
both  numbers  and  species  of  other  insects,  barring  mosquitos 
and  tarantulas.  Round  the  house  in  which  I  resided  were 
several  paddocks,  containing  a  few  espinillo-trees  and  several 
coverts  of  hard  grass,  the  latter  two  or  three  feet  high.  In 
these  and  their  accompanying  hedges  of  napinda  [Acacia  hona- 

diiring  a  short  stay  made  1)y  him  in  the  above  district  during  the  mouths 
of  October,  November,  and  December  1883.  They  accompanied  a  small 
collection  of  skins  and  eggs,  the  former  of  which,  so  far  as  necessary, 
have  been  kindly  identified  by  Mr.  Sclater.  The  notes  I  give  in  Mr. 
Gibson's  own  words. — .T.  J.  D.] 


of  Paisandti,  Uruguay.  277 

riensis)   I  found  the  majority  of  the  following  species  of 
birds. 

1.  TuRDUs  RUFivENTRis,  Vieill. 

Only  seen  in  one  locality,  the  woods  in  the  valley  of  the 
Cangiie  river,  a  tributary  of  the  Uruguay,  about  ten  miles 
below  Paisandu. 

2.  MiMUs  CALANDRtA  (d^Orb.  et  Lafr.). 
Very  abundant. 

3.  Anthus  correndera  (Vieill.). 

4.  Progne  chalybea  (Gm.). 

Very  abundant,  appearing  first  on  15th  September,  and 
breeding  about  the  middle  of  November. 

5.  Progne  tapera  (Linn.). 
Appeared  on  29th  September. 

6.  Petrochelidon  pyrrhonota  (Vieill.). 

Found  a  nest  in  a  wall  of  outbuildings  18th  November, 
containing  young  and  an  addled  egg. 

7.  Spermophila  hypoxantha  (Cab.). 

One  shot  in  pasture  near  head  station  lltli  November. 

8.  DoNACospizA  albifrons  (Vieill.). 

Is  probably  abundant,  but  difficult  to  distinguish  from 
other  grass-covert  frequenting  species.  A  female  was  shot 
off  the  nest  in  grass-pasture  near  head  station  28tli  October. 
It  had  no  note.  The  nest  was  placed  in  the  top  of  a  thick 
clump  of  grass,  and  was  built  of  dry  grass  and  fine  hair-like 
roots,  and  lined  with  the  latter.     Number  of  eggs  three. 

9.  PoospizA  NiGRORUFA  (d'Orb.  et  Lafr.). 
Appeared  ( (;J )  on  1st  October. 

10.  DiUCA  MINOR,  Bp. 

Not  uncommon.  I  generally  observed  it  in  pairs,  fre- 
quenting the  small  scattered  trees  in  the  open,  and  each  pair 
very  local  in  its  habits.  The  note  is  very  sweet,  aud  so  ex- 
ceedingly like  that  of  Paroaria  cucullata,  that  I  was  never 
able  to  distinguish  them  during  the  M'hole  of  my  stay. 


278  Mr.  E.  Gibson  on  the  Birds 

11.    ZoNOTRICHIA  PILEATA   (Bodd.) . 

13.  Embernagra  platensis  (Gm.). 

Abundant  and  breeding.  Unfortunately,  the  only  nest  I 
found,  in  a  grass-covert,  contained  young,  so  the  eggs  of  this 
species  are  still  unknown  to  me. 

13.  Sycalis  pelzelni,  Scl. 

14.  Sycalis  luteola  (Sparrm.). 
Abundant.     Breeding  generally. 

15.  MOLOTHRUS  bonariensis  (Gm.). 

16.  MoLOTHRUS  BADius  (Vieill.). 

17.  Xanthosomus  flavus  (Gm.). 

Abundant,  frequenting  the  open  camp  and  grass-coverts. 
I  discovered  a  breeding-colony  in  the  former,  where  a  herd 
of  cattle  of  over  2000  head  used  to  be  rounded  up  every 
alternate  morning,  and  where  a  patch  of  thistles  about  150 
yards  long  by  30  yards  broad  had  sprung  up.  Here  some 
ten  or  twelve  pairs  had  taken  up  their  abode.  They  did  not 
seem  to  be  much  put  about  by  their  proximity  to  the  busy 
scene,  unless  when  some  thick-skinned  and  perverse  bull 
made  a  dash  through  the  belt  of  five-feet  high  thistles.  I, 
of  course,  in  view  of  such  an  attraction — the  birds,  not  the 
bull — was  very  zealous  in  detecting  incipient  stampedes  on 
that  side,  and  continually  sneaking  round  the  thistle-bed. 
The  nests  were  situated  sometimes  in  the  centre  of  the  place, 
sometimes  at  the  edge,  fairly  well  concealed  by  the  leaves, 
and  about  two  feet  from  the  ground.  They  were  built  of  dry 
grass  and  lined  with  a  fine  quality  of  the  same  and  a  few 
horsehairs.  Four  was  the  general  number  of  eggs,  five  being 
the  maximum  and  three  the  minimum,  and  most  of  the  nests 
contained  eggs  by  the  end  of  November.  The  birds  were 
very  tame  and  the  females  sat  close.  This  species  has  bred, 
too,  in  a  district  I  know  well  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Cape 
San  Antonio,  Province  of  Buenos  Ayres,  to  which  its  range 
extends  in  the  months  of  December  and  January  with  con- 
siderable annual  regularity. 


of  Paisandd,Uruyuuy.  279 

18.  PSEUDOLEISTES  VIRESCEN8   (Vieilh). 

Breeding  in  end  of  November.  A  typical  nest  was  placed 
in  the  thickest  and  highest  part  of  the  clump  of  thistles  above 
mentioned,  about  two  feet  from  the  ground.  It  was  built  of 
dry  grass,  then  a  thick  layer  of  mud,  still  moist,  and  was 
sparsely  lined  with  some  fine  grass  or  rootlets.  It  contained 
five  eggs. 

19.  LeISTES  SUPERCILIARIS,  Bp. 

This  species  was  abundant  during  all  the  time  of  my  stay, 
frequenting  the  open  camp  and  grass-coverts.  Latterly  I 
had  strong  suspicions  of  its  breeding,  but  did  not  succeed  in 
getting  a  nest.     The  note  is  harsh  and  unmusical. 

20.  T^NIOPTERA  DOMINICANA   (Vicill.). 

A  not  uncommon  bird,  and  very  conspicuous  from  its 
plumage,  generally   to  be  seen  in  pairs ;    but  I   found  no 

nests. 

21.  Alectorurus  guiru-yetapa  (Vieill.). 

I  was  much  struck  by  the  appearance  and  habits  of  this 
species  and  the  contrast  between  the  male  and  female.  The 
bare  part  of  the  throat  in  the  former  is  of  a  reddish  colour, 
not  pleasing  to  the  eye.  It  was  not  uncommon,  frequenting 
localities  where  a  few  trees  were  associated  with  high  grass, 
thistles,  and  isolated  plants  of  a  similar  height,  preferring  to 
alight  on  the  latter.  The  flight  is  singularly  weak  and 
feeble,  not  necessarily  low,  but  like  the  fluttering  passage  of 
a  butterfly  through  the  air.  The  tail  is  not  expanded,  but 
floats  along  behind  in  a  semi-detached  way.  One  nest  which 
I  succeeded  in  obtaining  was  placed  on  the  ground  among 
some  weeds;  it  was  neatly  built  of  grass,  lined  with  the 
same  and  a  few  feathers,  and  contained  three  eggs.  The 
date  was  21st  October. 

22.  Machetornis  rixosa  (Vieill.). 
Not  uncommon. 

23.  Hadrura  pecturalis  (Vieill.). 
Not  rare. 


280  Mr.  E.  Gibsou  on  the  Birds 

24.  PiTANGUs  BELLicosus  (Vieill.). 

25.  Pyrocephalus  rubineus  (Bodd.). 

Appeared  on  lOtli  September  and  became  very  abundant. 

26.  Tyrannus  melancholicuSj  Vieill, 

Not  uncommon  and  paired^  probably  breeding  about  28th 
October,  when  a  male  was  shot  in  the  garden. 

27.  MiLVULUs  TYRANNUS  (Linn.). 

Very  abundant.  Appeared  first  on  20th  September,  and 
was  breeding  generally  by  the  end  of  November,  One  nest 
which  I  took  contained  four  eggs  :  the  first  occasion  on  which 
I  ever  saw  the  usual  number  of  three  exceeded.  It  was 
placed  in  a  stunted  "  espinillo  ^'  tree,  about  six  feet  from  the 
ground,  and  was  built  of  dry  stems  of  plants  and  lined  with 
fine  roots,  some  wool,  and  some  horsehair.  The  date  was 
30th  November. 

28.  Geositta  cunicularia  (Vieill.). 

29.  Furnarius  rufus  (Gm.). 
Abundant. 

30.  Leptasthenura  ^githaloides  (Kittl.). 

31.  Synallaxis  phryganophila,  Vieill. 

One  shot  7th.  October  in  "  iiapinda "  hedge  near  head 
station.  This  was  the  only  specimen  I  saw,  though  I  fre- 
quently looked  for  it  afterwards.  These  hedges  were  such 
horrid  things  that  one  had  to  look  for  the  birds  to  appear  at 
the  surface  some  distance  oif  or  else  push  the  muzzle  of  the 
gun  in  among  the  branches  and  blow  the  specimen  to  pieces  ; 
and  the  birds  generally  showed  a  marked  preference  for  the 
latter  course.  On  this  occasion  I  was  strolling  along  with 
the  setting  sun  in  my  eyes,  when  a  small  bird  showed  on  the 
outside  at  a  fair  range.  It  might  have  been  a  Wren  or  any 
thing  common,  for  all  I  could  judge;  but,  arguing  from  the 
general  perversity  of  "napinda^'  hedges  and  their  denizens, 
I  selected  to  satisfy  myself,  and  fired.  Hence  this  exulta- 
tion and  dissertation. 


of  Paisandu,  Uruguay.  281 

33.  Synallaxis  sordida,  Less. 

Another  single  specimen  was  procured  of  this  bird  on 
28th  October,  regarding  which  I  can  offer  no  further  infor- 
mation. 

33.  Anumbius  acuticaudatus,  Less. 

Very  abundant.  Every  stunted  little  tree  had  one  or  more 
nests,  new  or  old. 

34.  Phacellodomus  ruber  (Vieill.). 

A  rather  common  species,  but  very  difficult  to  get  hold  of, 
as  it  either  keeps  in  the  centre  of  the  hedges  when  ap- 
proached or  in  grass-coverts,  hides  itself  and  refuses  to  be 
put  up.  On  the  whole  it  makes  little  use  of  its  wings. 
Perched  on  one  spot  it  gives  utterance  to  a  single  harsh 
monotonous  note,  which  it  keeps  reiterating  for  hours  at  a 
time,  and  which  can  be  heard  at  a  considerable  distance.  A 
dull  brown  bird  with  a  dull  brown  voice  would  fully  de- 
scribe it !  It  also  feeds  on  small  beetles,  another  fact  I  find 
chronicled,  as  if  desperately  hard  up  for  points  of  interest  in 
its  life-history.  However,  its  nest  is  worthy  of  description. 
It  is  usually  placed  at  the  extremity  of  a  branch  in  some  small 
tree  or  hedgerow,  occasionally  over  a  stream  at  about  six 
feet  from  the  ground,  and  without  any  attempt  at  conceal- 
ment ',  it  is  built  of  small  twigs,  after  the  manner  of  Anum- 
bius acuticaudatus,  that  is,  with  a  passage  leading  into  a 
chamber,  but  in  this  case  horizontally.  The  nesting-chamber 
is  lined  with  woven  hairs,  fine  roots,  and  feathers.  The  eggs 
number  four,  and  the  breeding-season  seems  to  be  the  end  of 
October  and  November,  nests  having  been  taken  from  21st 
October  to  1st  December. 

35.  Thamnophilus  argentinus.  Cab. 

I  only  observed  one  of  this  species  during  my  stay,  and 
this  I  shot  in  a  hedge  near  head  station  on  28th  October. 

36.  Chlorostilbon  aureiventris  (d^Orb.  et  Lafr.). 

I  was  disappointed  on  finding  this  to  be  the  only  species 
of  "Humming-bird  to  be  met  with  in  this  district.  One  or 
two  old  nests  which  I  saw  were  attached  to  the  thatch-eaves 
of  a  deserted  house. 


282  On  the  Birds  of  Paisandii,  Uruguay. 

37.  PODAGER  NACUNDA   (VicilL). 

A  clutch  of  two  eggs  obtained  14th  October,  There  was 
no  nest.  The  female,  which  I  shot,  sat  close  and  only  flew 
a  few  yards.     The  food  in  the  crop  was  principally  beetles. 

38.  Chrysoptilus  cristatus  (Vieill.). 

39.  BOLBORHYNCHUS  MONACIIUS   (Bodd.)  . 

Only  once  seen,  when  a  flock  of  three  or  four  passed  over- 
head in  the  direction  of  the  river. 

40.  GuiRA  PiRiRiGUA  (Vicill.). 
Abundant. 

41.  PhOLEOPTYNX  CUNICULARIA   (MoL). 
Abundant. 

43.  MiLVAGo  ciiiMANGo  ( ViciU.) . 
Abundant. 

43.  POLYBORUS  THARUS    (Mol.) . 

Abundant. 

44.  Ardea  egrktta  (Gm.). 
One  or  two  seen  about  the  river. 

45.  CicoNiA  maguari  (Gm.). 
One  or  two  observed. 

46.  CoLUMBA  maculosa,  Temm. 

47.  Zenaida  maculata  (Vieill.). 

48.  CoLUMBULA  picui  (Tcuim.). 
Only  one  solitary  specimen  seen. 

49.  Vanellus  cayennensis  (Gm.). 
Common. 

50.  Gallinago  paraguai.'K  (Vieill.). 

I  shot  one  of  a  pair  at  a  small  swamp  on  1st  October.  It 
has  a  cry  which  at  once  attracts  one^s  notice. 

51.  NoTiiuRA  maculosa  (Temm.). 

Very  abundant.  On  21st  October  I  saw  one  nest  with  ten 
eggs.  Others  seeu  the  same  day  contained  seven,  six,  and 
five   eggs.     Tbey   were  generally  situated  in  comparatively 


On  Birds  of  the  Genus  Homorus.  283 

open  ground^  but  occasionally  in  the  centre  of  a  thick  tuft 
of  grass. 

52.  Rhea  amekicana^  Lath. 

Not  uncommon  in  a  semidomesticated  sort  of  way.  One 
nest  which  I  saw  contained  about  fifty  eggs  in  two  tiers ; 
they  looked  like  round  china  bowls.  It  is  decidedly  awkward 
to  approach  a  nest  unless  one's  horse  is  a  hundred  years  old, 
and  consequently  accustomed  to  everything ;  otherwise,  when 
the  Ostrich  suddenly  rises  and  dashes  at  the  intruder,  its 
outspread  and  drooping  wings  sweeping  the  ground,  and  its 
beak  rattling  like  a  pair  of  castanets,  the  horse  is  sure  to 
bolt  or  buck,  sometimes  both. 

Besides  the  foregoing,  I  certainly  saw  upwards  of  thirty 
species  which  I  am  unable  to  name.  Of  course,  had  I  had 
more  time  at  my  disposal,  and  been  oftener  in  the  woods  or 
about  the  river,  the  number  of  species  would  have  been  much 
greater. 


XXVII. — Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Genus  Homorus  observed 
in  the  Argentine  Republic.     By  W.  II.  Hudson,  C.M.Z.S. 

1.  Homorus  lophotes,  Reichb.* 

This  species  interested  me  greatly,  but,  owing  to  its  rarity 
in  the  district  where  I  observed  it  and  to  its  recluse  habits, 
my  knowledge  of  it  is  very  scanty.  In  the  province  of 
Buenos  Ayres  its  presence  is  confined  to  the  narrow  strip  of 

*  [This  species  is  usually  called  Homonis  unirufus  (d'OrL.  et  Lafr.), 
and  is  the  bird  so  designated  in  our '  Nomeuclator/  p.  65  :  it  is  also  termed 
Anahates  unirufns  by  Burmeister  ('  La  Plata-Reise,'  ii.  p.  466).  It  is, 
however,  as  Graf  v.  Berlepsch  has  pointed  out  to  me,  not  the  Anumbius 
(sive  Anabates)  unirufus  of  d'Orbigny's  '  Voyage '  (Aves,  p.  259,  pi.  55. 
fig.  1),  which  is  much  more  like  Homorus  cristatus  (Spix)  ;  but  it  may 
probably  be  ^^  Anabates  cristatus,  Spix,"  of  d'Orbigny's  '  Voyage '  (p.  258), 
although  Spix's  bird  is  certainly  quite  different.  Under  these  circum- 
stances the  first  specific  name  applicable  to  this  species  appears  to  be 
'^lophotes'''  of  Eeichenbach  (Handb.  p.  182,  tab.  dxxv.  fig.  3628). 
Whether  it  is  really  the  Anabates  hphotes  of  the  Leyden  Museum  (quoted 
in  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  210)  does  not  much  matter,  as  that  is  only  a  MS, 
name. — P.  L.  S.] 


284  Mr.  W.  H.  Hudson  on  Birds  of  the  Genus 

subtropical  wood  fringing  the  low  shores  of  the  river  Plata, 
and  this  shows  that  the  bird  comes  to  us  from  the  north. 
Possibly  its  true  home  is  somewhere  in  the  South-Brazilian 
subregion. 

When  surprised  its  white  eye,  blue  dagger-like  beak,  and 
raised  crest  give  it  a  strikingly  bold  angry  appearance,  the 
effect  of  which  is  heightened  by  the  harsh  rasping  scream  it 
utters  when  disturbed.  This  resentful  look  is  decej)tive, 
however,  for  the  bird  is  the  shyest  creature  imaginable.  Its 
language  has  the  shrill  excited  character  common  to  this 
most  loquacious  family;  and  at  intervals  throughout  the 
day  two  birds,  male  and  female,  meet  together  and  make 
the  woods  echo  with  their  screaming  concert.  For  many 
weeks  after  I  had  become  familiar  with  these  loud-sovmdiug 
notes,  while  collecting  in  the  littoral  forest  where  it  is  found, 
the  bird  was  still  to  me  only  a  "  wandering  voice ;"  but  I 
did  not  give  up  the  pursuit  till  1  had  seen  it  several  times 
and  had  also  secured  two  or  three  specimens.  I  found  one 
nest,  though  without  eggs,  a  rough-looking  domed  struc- 
ture, made  with  material  enough  to  fill  a  barrow.  I  also 
discovered  that  the  bird  feeds  exclusively  on  the  ground, 
close  to  the  boles  of  low-branching  trees,  where  there  is 
usually  an  accumulation  of  fallen  bark,  dead  leaves,  and 
other  rubbish.  Here  the  bird  digs  with  its  sharp  beak  for 
the  small  insects  it  preys  on.  When  approached  it  does  not 
fly  away,  but  runs  swiftly  to  the  nearest  tree,  behind  the 
trunk  of  which  it  hides,  then  scuttles  on  to  the  next  tree, 
and  so  escapes  without  showing  itself. 

2.  HoMORUs  GUTTURALis  (d'Orb.  et  Lafr.). 

I  found  this  bird  quite  common  on  the  dry  open  plains  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  Patagoniaii  Rio  Negro.  It  avoids 
close  thickets.  Like  the  northern  Homorus,  it  is  shy,  and 
being  paler-plumaged  and  without  the  bright  beak  and  eye- 
tints,  has  not  the  bold  striking  appearance  of  that  bird  ;  still 
I  do  not  think  any  ornithologist  can  meet  with  it  and  fail  to 
be  strongly  impressed  with  its  personality,  if  such  a  word 
can  be  applied  to  a  bird.     Dendrocolaptine   birds  are,   as  a 


Homorus  observed  in  the  Argenti7ie  Republic.        285 

rulCj  builders  of  big  nests  and  very  noisy ;  H.  gutturalis  is,  I 
believe^  the  loudest  screamer  and  greatest  builder  of  the 
family.  Male  and  female  live  together  in  the  same  locality 
all  the  year  ;  the  young,  when  able  to  fly,  remain  with  tbeir 
parents  till  the  breeding-season,  so  that  the  birds  are  found 
occasionally  in  pairs,  but  more  frequently  in  famiUes  of  five  or 
six  individuals.  When  feeding  they  scatter  themselves  about, 
each  bird  attaching  itself  to  a  large  bush,  scraping  and  prodding 
for  insects  about  the  roots ;  and  at  intervals  one  of  the  old 
birds,  ascending  a  bush,  summons  the  others  with  loud  shrill 
cries,  on  which  they  all  hurry  to  the  place  of  meeting,  and 
from  the  summits  of  the  bushes  burst  forth  in  a  piercing 
chorus,  which  sounds  at  a  distance  like  screams  of  hysterical 
laughter.  At  one  place,  where  I  spent  some  months,  there 
were  some  bushes  over  a  mile  and  a  quarter  from  the  house 
I  lived  in,  where  these  birds  used  to  hold  frequent  meetings, 
and  in  that  still  atmosphere  I  could  distinctly  hear  their 
extravagant  cries  at  that  distance.  After  each  performance 
they  pursue  each  other,  passing  from  bush  to  bush  with  a 
wild  jerky  flight,  and  uttering  harsh  angry  notes. 

They  select  a  low,  strong,  wide- spreading  bush  to  build  in ; 
the  nest,  which  is  made  of  stout  sticks,  is  perfectly  spherical 
and  four  to  five  feet  deep,  the  chamber  inside  being  very 
large.  The  opening  is  at  the  side  near  the  top,  and  is  ap- 
proached by  a  narrow  arched  gallery,  neatly  made  of  slender 
sticks  resting  along  a  horizontal  branch,  and  about  fourteen 
inches  long.  This  peculiar  entrance,  no  doubt,  prevents  the 
intrusion  of  snakes  and  small  mammals.  So  strongly  made 
is  the  nest  that  I  have  stood  on  the  dome  of  one  and  stamped 
on  it  with  my  foot  without  injuring  it  in  the  least,  and  to 
demolish  one  I  had  to  force  my  gun-barrel  into  it,  then  prize 
it  up  by  portions.  I  examined  about  a  dozen  of  these 
enormous  structures,  but  they  were  all  found  before  or  after 
the  laying-season,  so  that  I  did  not  see  the  eggs. 

I  wish  to  notice  here  the  ajjparent  relationship  to  Homorus 
of  a  species  belonging  to  a  different  genus,  I  mean  Synal- 
laxis  patagonica  (D^Orb.  Voy.  p.  249;  see  also  P.  Z.  S.  1872, 
p.  544) .     Its  nearest  allies  appear  to  be  S.  sordida  and  S. 


286         Dr.  11.  W.  Shiifcltlt  ua  the  naked  Skin-tract!^ 

modesta,  and  I  do  not  donbt  that  its  affinities  are  with  these 
and  other  members  of  the  somewhat  complicated  group  it  is 
classed  with;  but  in  its  habits  it  is  a  little  Homorus,  and 
unlike  a  Synallaxis.  Being  a  little  feeble  bird,  it  does  not 
live  at  the  roots  of  trees  and  large  bushes,  but  is  found  under 
diminutive  scrubby  plants  in  open  arid  situations.  About 
the  roots  of  these  wiry  little  bushes,  12  to  18  inches  high, 
the  bird  searches  for  small  insects,  and  when  disturbed  has 
a  feeble  jerky  flight,  which  carries  it  to  a  distance  of  ten  or 
twenty  yards.  It  is,  however,  very  difficult  to  make  it  rise ; 
for  when  approached  it  runs  swiftly  away,  leaving  one  in 
doubt  as  to  whether  he  has  seen  a  mouse  or  a  bird  darting 
across  the  naked  spaces  between  the  shrubs.  Probably  it  has 
acquired  these  habits  in  the  desolate  situations  it  frequents  : 
anyhow,  I  am  so  convinced  of  the  variable  character  of  habits 
in  general,  that  I  am  very  far  from  imagining  that  the  re- 
semblance of  this  species  to  Homorus  points  to  community 
of  descent;  on  the  contrary,  I  believe  that  it  is  entirely 
accidental. 


XXVIII. — On  the  Coloration  in  Life  of  the  naked  Skin-tracts 
on  the  Head  of  Geococcyx  californicus.  By  Dr.  R.  W. 
Shufeldt,  U.S.  Army,  Memb.  of  the  Am.  Ornith.  Union, 
&c. 

(Plate  VII.) 

The  latest  authoritative  work  that  has  appeared  upon  North- 
American  Ornithology,  the  second  edition  of  Professor  Elliott 
Coues^s  '  Key  to  North-American  Birds,'  presents  us,  it 
seems  to  me,  with  a  very  inadequate  description  of  the  ex- 
tent of  the  naked  skin-tracts  about  the  eye  and  on  the  head 
of  Geococcyx,  or  even  their  coloration  in  life.  This  author 
simply  tells  us  that  there  is  "  a  naked  area  around  the  eye," 
and  that  this  ''bare  space  around  the  eye  [is]  bluish  and 
orange."  So  far  as  I  am  aware,  no  other  ornithological  work 
gives  us  any  better  description  than  the  '  Key.'  Now  the 
true  condition  of  the   tracts  in  question  is  so  far  different 


on  the  Head  of  Gcococcyx  californicus,  287 

from  this  that  I  feel  justified  in  making  an  accurate  drawing 
of  the  head  of  a  fine  specimen  of  the  Ground-Cuckoo,  pre- 
sumably a  male,  which  was  presented  me  in  the  flesh  a  few 
days  ago.  This  drawing  I  here  present  to  my  ornithological 
friends  who  may  not  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  have  had 
the  opportunity  of  examining  Geococcyw  as  I  had,  and  ob- 
serving the  interesting  state  of  affairs  which  I  will  now 
describe. 

The  hindmost  feathers  which  go  towards  the  formation 
of  the  crest  of  this  Cuckoo  are  of  a  deep  prussian  blue 
colour,  quite  black  in  some  lights,  being  untipped  by  bright 
ochre,  as  the  anterior  ones  are.     Just  behind  the  crest  proper 
occur  the  ochre-and- white-tipped  feathers  that  are  the  con- 
tinuation of  the  feather-tracts  that  pass  over  the  eye.     Below 
these,  again,  we  find  a  median  tract  of  feathers,  a  little  more 
than  a  centimetre  long  and  only  five  millimetres  wide,  ex- 
tending down  towards  the  nuchal  region.     On  either  side  of 
this  latter  tract,  overlying  the  'parietal  region  of  the  skull, 
we  discover  a  naked-skin  area,  about  three  fourths  the  size 
of  a  shilling,   and  of  a  deep,  though  very  bright,  orange- 
colour.     These  orange-coloured  spaces  are  really  on  the  back 
of  the  head,  being  simply  separated  from  each  other  by  the 
aforesaid  narrow  median  line  of  feathers.     When  the  bird 
becomes  excited  and  elevates  its  crest  and  the  feathers  be- 
hind the  head,  then  upon  lateral  view  this  orange  space  will 
show  as  I  have  depicted  it  in  my  drawing.     Its  rounded 
posterior  outline  is  the  same  as  the  outline  of  the  smooth 
posterior  surface  of  the  skull,  as  already  stated,  it  being  its 
sole  covering  in  this  region.     In  life  the   eye  of  Geococcyx 
is  entirely  surrounded  by  a  naked  area  of  skin,  whieb  both 
above  and  anteriorly  is   coloured  a  deep  prussian-blue  tint. 
Beneath  the  eye  this   gradually   passes  into  a  pale   bluish 
white,  almost  quite  white  in  some  lights.     The  naked  space 
behind  the  eye  is  the  most  extensive  of  all.     Posteriorly  this 
merges  into  the  orange  of  the  parietal  skin-tract  described 
above,  while  anteriorly  it  blends  with  the  other  colour  just 
mentioned.     It  is  divided  into  three  fairly  distinct  horizontal 
bands  of  colour,  the  upper  and  lower  being  dark  prussian 


288  Hans  von  Berlepscli  on  new  Species 

blue,  tlie  middle  one  a  bluish  white  of  a  similar  shade  to  that 
described  as  tinting  the  skin  beneath  the  eye. 

These  colours,  especially  the  brilliant  orange,  must  be 
quite  striking  in  the  living  bird  ;  and  it  is  easy  for  us 
to  imagine  that  they  may  ''  change  colour  ^'  with  the  mood 
of  their  possessor,  blushing  much  in  the  same  manner  as 
the  head  of  the  Turkey  cock  is  wont  to  do  under  certain 
circumstances. 

Fort  Wingate,  New  Mexico, 
April  13tli,  1885. 


XXIX. — Descriptions  of  three  neio  Species  of  Birds  from 
South  America.     By  Hans  von  Beklepsch. 

1.  Chlorospingus  reyi,  sp.  nov. 

Ch.  superciliari  (Lafr.)  proximus,  sed  superciliis  albis  nullis 

et  pileo  toto  usque  ad  nucham  cinereo,  colore  dorsi  oli- 

vaceo  Isetiore  et  colore  subtus  intensius  flavo  primo  visu 

distinguendus.      Long.  al.  &7^,  rostr.  culm.  11^,  tars. 

21^  mm. 

Habitat.  Merida,  Venezuela  (typ.  in  Mus.  H.  v.  B.) . 

To  Dr.  E.  E-ey,  of  Leipzig,  who  has  furnished  me  with  a 

large  and  interesting  collection  of  bird-skins  received  by  him 

direct  from  a  collector  residing  at  Merida,  Venezuela,  this 

new  species  is  dedicated.     Unfortunately,  the  single  specimen 

of  Ch.  reyi  contained  in  that  collection  is  not  in  good  condition, 

and  the  tail  is  wanting.     Nevertheless,  there  can  be  not  the 

slightest  doubt  that  it  belongs  to  a  Chlorospingus  which  is 

new  to  science.     Its  nearest  ally  may  be  Ch.  superciliaris 

(Lafr.) ;  but  at  first   sight  it   differs    from  that  species  in 

altogether   wanting   the    white  superciliary  stripe  and  the 

white  feathers  under  the  eye,  always  to  be  seen  in  true  Ch. 

superciliaris:     In  the  latter  species  the  cinereous  colour  is 

confined  to  the  front,  while  in  Ch.  reyi  it  covers  the  whole  of 

the  pileus,  coming  down  as  far  as  the  nape.     The  lores  are 

also  grey.     On  the  upper  edge  of  the  eye  there  commences 

a  broad  olivaceous  stripe   which  borders  the  cinereous  cap 

and  further  involves  the  upper  edge  of  the  auriculars,  then 


of  Bb'fls  from  Sovth  America.  289 

joins  with  the  olive-green  of  the  back.  All  the  rest  of  the 
sides  of  the  head  and  all  the  underparts  of  the  body  are  yellow, 
bnt  of  a  deeper  shade  than  in  Ch.  superciliaris .  The  sides  of 
the  body  and  the  under  tail-coverts  are  more  tinged  with  olive- 
green  than  in  Ch.  superciliaris ;  the  upper  parts  of  the  body 
are  of  a  pnrer  and  clearer  olive-gi'een  than  in  the  last-named 
species. 

2.    0CHTH(ECA  CONSOBRINxV,  sp.  IIOV. 

O.  corpore  supra  obscure  olivaceo,  pileo  ardesiaco  induto; 
corpore  subtus  suljihureOjgula  pectoreque  olivaceo  lavatis 
sen  flammulatis;  alis  caudaque  nigro-brunneis^rectricibus 
olivaceo  limbatis,  remigum  primariorum  3,  4,  5,  6  po- 
gonio  toto,  sequentium    dimidio   apicali,  olivaceo-fulvo 
limbatis,  ultimis  extus  latins  sordido  albo  marginatis ; 
tectricum  mediarum  et  maximarum  macuHs  apicalibus 
(duas    vittas    formantibus)  late  fulvis.     Long.    al.    63, 
caud.  62,  rostr.  9j,  tars.  17^  mm. 
Habitat.  Bogota  in  Nov.  Granada  (typ.  in  Mus.  H.  v.  B.). 
In  general  coloration  this  new  species  reminds  one  of  some 
species  of  the  genera  Tyranniscus  and  Leptopogon,  but  in 
form  it  agrees  closely  with  several  species  of  the  genus  Och- 
thceca,  or  more  properly  with  those  of  the  subgenus  Meco- 
cerculus.     The  bill  is  very  slender  and  compressed,  even  a 
little  more  so  than  in  0.  setophagoides.     The  nostrils  are  of 
precisely  the  same  form  as  in  the  last-named  species.      The 
bristles  on  the  bill  are  very  short  and  feeble.     In  colour  0. 
consobrina  is  quite  unlike  any  other  species.     The  back  is 
of  a  very  dark  olive-green,  the  top  of  the  head  presenting  a 
slight  suffusion  of  a  dark  ashy  or  blackish  colour.     The  chin, 
lores,   and   feathers   round  the   eye,  as  well  as  an  incon- 
spicuous or  ill-defiued  superciliary  stripe,  appear  dull  whitish. 
The   ear-coverts  are  yellowish   olive-green,   bordered   with 
blackish  on  their  tips.     The  whole  under  surface  of  the  body 
is  of  an  intense  sulphur-yellow,  suffused  or  flammulated  with 
olive-green  on  the  throat  and  breast.     Wing  and  tail-feathers 
blackish  brown,  the  latter  margined  with  olive-green.     The 
primaries,  from  the  third  to  the  sixth,  are  margined  with  rusty 
yellowish  from  the  base  to  a  short  distance  from  the  tip,  while 
in  the  secondaries  these   margins  do  not    begin    until   the 

SER.  V. VOL.   III.  X 


290  On  Birds  from  Soift/i  America. 

middle  of  the  featlier  and  extend  to  tlie  tip  itself.  The  ter- 
tiaries  show  broader  margins  of  soiled  white.  The  medium- 
sized  and  the  longest  of  the  upper  wing-coverts  are  marked 
on  their  tips  with  large  fulvous-yellow  spots,  presenting  two 
well-marked  bands  on  the  wing-coverts.  Bill  and  feet  dark 
brown^  the  mandible  paler  at  the  base  below. 

The  typical  specimen  was  received  with  a  lot  of  Bogota 
skins  forwarded  by  Mr.  Edward  Gerrard,  jun.,  of  London, 
and  shows  the  peculiar  make  of  all  skins  prepared  by  the 
Indians  of  that  country. 

3.  Attila  griseigularis,  sp.  nov. 

A.   cmereo    simillimus,   sed    differt    gula    tota    cum   jugulo 

albo  et  griseo  variegatis,  pectore  pallidius  rufo^  abdo- 

mine  toto  citrino-fiilvo ;  capite  snpra  clarius  cinereo  et 

hoc  colore  magis  in  dorsum  producto  ;  dorso,  uropygio 

caudaqne    pallidius    rufo-brunneis  ;    tectricibus    caudse 

superioribus    pallide    fulvis.     Long.    al.    17,   caud.    74, 

rostr.  37^,  tars.  25^  mm. 

Habitat.   Sta.  Catharina,  Brazil  (?)  (typ.  in  Mus.  H.  v.  B.). 

My  specimen^  which  I  got  from  Mr.  F.  F.  G.  Umlauff,  of 

Hamburg,  is  labelled  as  coming  from  Sta.  Catharina.     A  skin 

of  Dendrocinc/a  tnrdina  (Licht.),  of  similar  preparation,  is 

also  said  to  be  from  Sta.  Catharina ;  therefore  I  have  little 

doubt  that  the  habitat  assigned  is  correct. 

Of  A.  cinereus  (Gmel.)  1  have  several  skins  from  Bahiaand 
one  from  Soiithern  Brazil  (Rio  or  S.  Paulo?),  all  of  which 
have  only  the  upper  part  of  the  throat  (or  chin)  whitish, 
variegated  with  dark  grey ;  while  in  the  new  sjiecies  the  whole 
throat  and  jugulum  to  the  breast  are  of  this  coloration,  in 
which  the  white  more  predominates.  There  are  other  points 
of  difference,  which  are  expressed  in  the  diagnosis. 


On  Birds  from  British  Guiana.  291 

XXX. — A  List  of  the  Birds  obtained  by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely 
in  British  Guiana.     By  Osbert  SalviNj  MA.j  F.R.S.^ 

[Continued  from  page  :?19.] 
(Plate  VIII.) 

147.  OXYRHAMPHUS  HYPOHLAUCUS. 

Oxyrhamphus  hypoglaucus,  Salv.  &  Godra.  Ibis,  1883, 
p.  206. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

148.  OCHTHCECA  SETOPHAGOIDES. 

Tyranmda  setophagoides ,  Bp.  Act.  Soienz.  Ital.  Med. 
p.  405. 

Ochthoeca  setophagoides ,  Cab.  &  Hein.  Mus.  Hein,  ii.  p.  48. 

Mecocerculus  leucophrys,  Scl.  Cat.  Ara.  B.  p.  199  (nee 
d'Orb.  &  Lafr.). 

Roraima  (5000-6000  ft.) . 

These  specimens  agree  with  others  from  the  liighlands  of 
Venezuela  and  the  Andes  of  Colombia. 

149.  Fluvicola  PICA. 

Muscicapa  pica,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PL  Enl.  p.  42. 
Fluvicola  hicolor,  Sw.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  703. 
A  common  species  in  British  Guiana,  but  not  represented 
in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collections. 

150.  Arundinicola  leucocephala. 

Pip)ra  leucocephala,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  340. 
Arundinicola  leucocephala,  Cab.   in   Schomb.   Guiana,  iii. 
p.  703. 

Bartica  Grove. 

151.  COPURUS  LEUCONOTUS. 

Copurus  leuconotus,Jja,fr.  Rev.  Zool.  1842,  p.  335;  Scl. 
Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  204. 

Copurus  poecilonotus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Gniana,  iii.  p.  702. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collections.  The  Guianan 
Copurus  is  united  to  that  of  Colombia  and  Eciiador  by 
Mr.  Sclater  in  his  '  Catalogue  of  American  '  Birds  and  else- 
where. 

x2 


292  Mr.  O.  Salvia  un  Biii/a 

152.  Platyrhynchus  mystaceus. 

Platyrhynchus  mystaceus,  YieiW.  N.  Diet,  d'Hist.  N.  xxvii. 
p.  14;   Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  207. 

Roraima  (3500-6000  ft.). 

These  birds  agree  with  Brazilian  examples  which  I  believe 
to  be  P.  tnystaceus,  Vieill.  A  male  specimen  has  the  man- 
dible dark-coloured  and  thus  differs  from  females,  which  have 
a  pale  yellow  mandible.  The  difference  is  probably  due  to 
the  immatiirity  of  the  former. 

153.  Platyrhynchus  saturatus. 

Platyrhynchus  saturatus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  78. 
Camacusa,  Merumd  Mountains. 

154.  Platyrhynchus  superciliaris. 
Platyrhynchus  superciliaris,  Lawr.  Ibis,  1803,  p.  184. 
Bartica  Grove. 

Besides  Mr.  Whitely^s  examples  we  have  two  others  from 
Albina  in  Surinam,  obtained  in  1866  by  Mr.  Clarence 
Bartlett.  These  are,  in  my  opinion,  undistinguishable  from 
Panama  specimens  of  P.  s?iperciliaris,  Lawr.  The  most 
nearly  allied  species  is  P.  coronatus,  Scl.,  of  Eastern  Ecuador, 
a  somewhat  larger  darker  bird  with  less  clearly  defined  yellow 
colour  beneath. 

155.  TODIROSTRUM  CINEREUM. 

Todus  cinereus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  178. 
Todirostrwn  cinereum,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  207. 
Triccus  cinereus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana_,  iii.  p.  702. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

156.  TODIROSTRUM  MACUi.ATUM. 

Todus  muculatus,  Desmarest,  Tod.  pi.  70. 

Todirostrum  maculatum,  Scl.  &  Salv.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  267. 

Bartica  (xrove. 

This  is  the  true  T.  maculatum,  as  distinguished  from  the  bird 
of  the  Amazons  valley,  the  T.  signatum  of  Sclater  and  Salvin 
Ibis,  1881,  p.  267. 

157.  Euscarthjmus  russatus. 

Euscarthmus  russatus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  445. 
Roraima  (5()0()-60()()  ft.). 


from  British  Guiana.  293 

158.  COLOPTERUS  GALEATUS. 

Motacilla  galeata,  Botld.  Tabl.  PI.  Eul.  p.  24. 

Colojjterus  galeatus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  210. 

Colopterus  cristatus,  Cab.  in  Schornb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  702 
(ex  Gmel.). 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

A  young  specimen  from  Bartica  Grove  (7th  June)  has  no 
crest,  the  vertex  being  of  nearly  the  same  colour  as  the  back. 

159.  Hapalocercus  pectoralis. 

Sylvia  pector alts,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  N.  xi.  p.  210. 
Serphophaga  pectoralis,  Cab.  &  Hein.  Mus.  Hein.  ii.  p.  53. 
Hapalocercus  pectoralis,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  103. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

160.  Mionectes  olbagineus. 

Muscicapa  oleaginea,  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  55. 

Mionectes  oleagineus.  Cab.  iu  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  703. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima 
(3500-6000  ft.). 

These  specimens  agree  with  others  from  Bahia,  the  true 
M.  oleagineus  (Licht.) . 

161.  Leptopogon  amaurocephalus. 

Leptopogon  amaurocephahis ,  Cab.  Arch.  f.  Naturg.  p.  251. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 
Mr.  Whitely's  specimens  agree  fairly  with  South-Brazilian 
skins. 

162.  Leptopogon  nigrifrons. 

Leptopogon  nigrifrons,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  446. 
Roraima  (5000  ft.). 

163.  Phyllomyias  semifusca. 

Phyllomyias  semifusca,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1861,  p.  383. 
Bartica  Grove. 

These  examples  agree  with  specimens  from  Northern 
Colombia,  whence  the  type  of  this  species  was  obtained. 

164.  Ornithion  inerme. 

Omit/lion  inerme,  Hartl.  J.  f.  Orn.  1853,  p.  35;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S. 
1873,  p.  577. 
Bartica  Grove. 


294  Mr.  O.  Salviii  on  Birds 

165.  OrNITHION   PUSILLUM. 

Myiopatis pusilla,  Cab.  &  Heine^  Mus.  Heiu.  ii.  p.  58. 
Ornithion  pusillwn,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1873^  p.  577, 
Bartica  Grove. 

166.  Tykannulus  elatus. 

Sylvia  elata,  Lath.  Iiul.  Oi-ii.  ii.  p.  549. 

Tyrannulus  elatus,  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  70.^. 

Bartica  Grove. 

167.  Tyranniscus  griseickps. 

Tyrimniscus  yriseiceps,  Scl.  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1870^  p.  841. 
Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

168.  Tyranniscus  gracilipes, 

Tyranniscus  gracilipes,  Scl.  &  Salv.  P,  Z,  S.  1867,  p,  981  ; 
1870,  p.  843. 

Roraima  (3500-5000  ft.). 

169.  Tyranniscus  acer. 

Tyranniscus  acer,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p,  .206. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

170.  Elainea  pagana. 

Muscicapa  pagana,  Licht.  Verz.  Doiibl,  p,  54. 
Elaenea  pagana.  Cab.  in  Scliomb,  Guiana,  iii,  p.  701. 
Elainea  pagana,  Scl.  Cat.  Am,  B,  p,  216;  P.  Z.  S,  1870, 
p.  834. 

Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

171.  Elainea  albiceps. 

Muscipeta  albiceps,  d'Orb.  &  Lafr.  Syn,  A  v.  p.  47. 
Elainea  albiceps,  Scl.  P,  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  834, 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft,). 

172.  Elainea  olivina. 

Elainea  olivina,  Salv,  &  Godm,  Ibis,  1884,  p,  146. 
Camacusa,  Roraima  (5000-6000  ft,), 

173.  Elainea  ruficeps. 

Elainea  ruficeps,  Pelz.  Orn.  Brus.  pp.  108,  179, 
Merume  Mountains. 

Several  specimens  of  this  distinct  species,  which  was  dis- 
covered by  Natterer  at  Boi'ba  on  the  Rio  Madeira, 


I'roiu  British  Guiana.  295 

174.  Elainea  elegans. 

Elainea  elegans,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  pp.  107,  179  ;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S. 
1870,  p.  835. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume   Mouutaius,   Roraima 

(3500  ft.). 

175.  Elainea  brevirostris. 

Elainea  brevirostris,  Tsch.  Fauna  Per.  p.  159;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  701  ;  Tacz.  Orn.  Per.  ii.  p.  272. 

According  to  Dr.  Cabauis  specimens  of  this  species 
obtained  by  Scliomburgk  near  the  coast  agree  with  others 
from  Peru.  We  have  not  been  able  to  recognize  the  bird  in 
Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

176.  Legatus  albicollis. 

Tyrannus  albicollis,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  N.  xxxv.  p.  89. 
Elaenea  albicollis,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  701. 
Legatus  albicollis,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  218. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

177.  Myiozetetes  cayennensis. 

Muscicapa  cayanensis,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  327. 
Elaenea  cayanensis,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  701. 
Myiozetetes  cayennensis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1871,  p.  752. 
Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

178.  Myiozetetes  sulphureus. 

Muscicapa  sulphurea,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  p.  16,  pi.  20. 
Myiozetetes  sulphureus,  Scl.  P.  Z.S.  1871,  p.  734;  1880,  p.  28. 
Tyrannus  luggeri,  Ridgw.  Pr.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  i.  p.  166. 
Bartica  Grove. 

179.  Rhynchocy^clus  sulphurescens. 
Ptatyrhynchus  sulphurescens,   Spix,  Av.   Bras.  ii.  p.   10, 

pi.  12.  f.  1. 

Rhynchocyclus  sulphurescens,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  220. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraina 
(3500  ft.). 

180.  Rhynchocyclus  flaviventkis. 

Plaiyrhynchus  flaviventris,  Spix,  Av.  Bras,  ii,  p.  12,  pi.  15. 
f.  1. 


296  Mr.  ().  Salvin  on  Hird.s 

Cyclorhynchas  flavivenfris,  Cab.   iu    Schomb.   Guiana,  iii. 
p.  700. 

Rhynchocyclus  flaviventris,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  221. 
Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

181.  Rhynchocyclus  ruficauba. 

Platyrhynchus  ruficauda,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  p.  9,  pi.  ii. 

Rhynchocyclus  ruficauda,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  221. 
FAaenea  spadicea,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  702. 
Bartica  Grove_,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains. 

182.  PiTANGUS  LICTOK. 

Lanius  Victor,  Liclit.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  49. 
Saurophagus  lictor,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  698. 
Pitangus  lictor,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  221. 
Bartica  Grove. 

183.  Pitangus  parvus. 

Pitangus  parvus,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  pp.  Ill,  181. 
Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains. 

Several  specimens.      Natterer^s  types  of  this  little-known 
bird  were  obtained  at  Marabitanas. 

184.  Pitangus  sulphuratus. 

Lanius  sulphuratus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat,  i.  p.  137. 
Saurophagus  sulphuratus.  Cab.  in  Schomb.   Guiaua,  iii. 
p.  698. 

Pitangus  sulphuratus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  222. 
Bartica  Grove. 

185.  Myiodynastes  audax. 

Muscicapa  audax,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  934. 
Scaphorhynchus    audax,    Cab.    in    Schomb.    Guiana,    iii. 
p.  699. 

Myiodijnastes  audax,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  223. 
Bartica  Grove. 

186.  Megarhynchus  pitangua. 

Lanius  pit angua,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  136. 
Megarhynchus  pitangua,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B,  p.  224. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 


> 


^ 


00 
00 


RH 


..^^' 


.x^ 


from  British  Guiana,  297 

187.  MUSCIVOKA   llEGJA. 

Todus  regius,  Gra.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  445. 
Muscivora  regia,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  224, 
Camacusa. 

188.  HlRUNDINEA  FERRUGINEA. 

Todus  f err ugineus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  446. 
Hirundinea  ferruginea,  Scl.  Ibis,  1869,  p.  196,  pi.  5.  f,  2. 
Roraima  (5000  ft.). 

189.  Myiobius  barbatus. 

Muscicapa  harhata,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  933. 

Myiobius  barbatus,  Cab.  in  Scbomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  701 ; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  225. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.),  Atapurau  River. 

190.  Myiobius  roraima. 

Myiobius  roraimce,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  207. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

191.  Myiobius  erythrurus. 

Myiobius  erythrurus,  Cab.  Arch.  f.  Naturg.  p.  249,  t.  5. 
f.  1;   Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  701. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

192.  Myiobius  n^evius. 

Muscicapa  ncevia,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  34. 
Myiobius  navius,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  227. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

193.  Pyrocephalus  rubineus. 

Muscicapa  rubinus,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  42. 
Pyrocephalus  rubineus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  227. 
Myiarchus    coronatus,    Cab.    in    Schomb.    Guiana,    iii, 
p.  700. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

194.  Empidochanes  olivus. 

Muscicapa  oliva,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  34. 
Empidochanes  olivus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  228. 
Bartica  Grove. 


2'J«  Mr.  O.  Salviu  on  Birds 

195.  EmPIDOCHANES   PtEClLUKUS  ? 

Ei/fpidochanes  pcecilurus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1862,  p.  112. 

Roraima  (5000  ft.) . 

We  have  skins  attributed  to  this  species  from  Peru  and 
Northern  Colombia.  Both  have  nearly  the  whole  of  the 
inner  web  of  the  outer  rectrices  fulvous.  Two  of  Mr. 
AVhitely's  specimens  have  also  this  character,  but  to  a  less 
extent.  Two  others  have  these  rectrices  nearly  uniform 
fuscous.  The  latter  are  marked  male,  the  former  female ;  so 
the  question  arises  whether  the  colour  of  the  rectrices  is  a 
sexual  character  !  Our  other  specimens  do  not  help  us  in 
this  matter,  the  sex  not  being  recorded,  and  on  the  whole  we 
prefer  to  leave  the  question  of  the  specific  position  of  these 
Guiana  birds  in  abeyance  for  the  present. 

196.  CONTOPUS   ARDESIACUS. 

Tyrannula  ardesiaca,  Lafr.  Rev.  Zool.  1844,  p.  80. 
Myiochanes  ardesiacus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  232. 
Eoraima  (5000-6000  ft.). 

197.  Myiarchus  tyrannulus. 

Musclcapa  iyrannulus,  P.  L.  S.  Mull.  Syst.  Nat.  Suppl. 
p.  169. 

Myiarchm  tyrannulus ,  Coues,  Pr.  Ac.  Phil.  1872,  p.  71. 

Myiarchus  ferooc  (Gm.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  700. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

198.  Myiarchus  PHiEONOTus. 

Myiarchus  phceonotus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  207. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

199.  Myiarchus  nigriceps. 

Myiarchus  nigriceps,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1860,  p.  68;  Cat.  Am. 
B.  p.  234. 

Camacusa,  Merurae  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

200.  Empidoxomus  varius. 

Muscicapa  vuria,  Vicill.  N.  Diet,  d^liist.  N.  xxi.  p.  458. 
Empidononius  rarias;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  R.  p.  234. 


from  British  Guiana.  299 

Tyrannus  rujinus  (Spix),  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana^  iii. 
p.  700. 

Bartica  Grove,  Horaima  (3500  ft.). 

201.  Tyrannus  melancholicus. 

Tyrannus  melancholicus,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d^Hist.  N.  xxxv. 
p.  84;  Cab.  iu  Seliomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  700;  Scl,  Cat.  Am. 
B.  p.  235. 

Bartiea  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Korainia 
(3500  ft.). 

202.  MiLVULUS  TYKANNUS. 

Milvulus  tyrannus  (Linn.),  Cab.  in  ScLomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  699. 

Milvulus  violentus  (Vieill,),  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B,  p.  237. 
Bartiea  Grove,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

203.  PiPRITES  chlorion. 

Heinipipo  chlorion,  Cab.  Arch.  f.  Naturg.  1847,  p.  234  ; 
in  Scliomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  697. 

Piprites  chlorion,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  78. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

204.  Chloropipo  uniformis. 

Chloropipo  uniformis,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  447. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500-6500  ft.). 

205.  Xenopipo  atronitens. 

Xenopipo  atronitens,  Cab.  Arch.  f.  Naturg.  1847,  p.  235 ; 
iu  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  697. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima. 

206.  PiPRA  AUREOLA. 

Pipra  aui'eola,  Linn.  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  696; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  248. 
Bartica  Grove. 
A  female  specimen  apparently  of  this  species. 

207.  Pipra  cornuta. 

Pipra  cornuta,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  p.  5,  pi.  7.  f.  2 ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  696;   Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  248. 
Roraima  (3500-3700  ft.) . 
A  common  species  in  this  region. 


300  Mr.  O.  Salvin  o/i  Birds 

208.  PjPRA  IRACUNDA. 

Pipra  iracunda,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  j).  447. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

209.  Pipra  auricapilla. 

Pipra  aurocapilla,  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  29 ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  696  ;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  249. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Atapuran 
River,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

210.  Pipra  leucocilla. 

Pipra  leucocilla,  Linn.,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  697  ;   Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  249. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains. 

211.  Pipra  virescens. 

Pipra  virescens,  Pelz.  Oru.  Bras.  pp.  128,  187;  Salv.  & 
Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  208. 

Tyranneuies  brachyurus,  Scl.  &  Salv.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  269. 

Camacusa. 

Natterer's  types  of  this  species  were  obtained  at  Marabi- 
tanas  and  other  places  on  the  Rio  Negro. 

212.  Pipra  suavissima. 

Pipra  Serena,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  697  (nee 
Linn.). 

Pipra  suavissima,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p,  79,  pi.  1. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Atapurau  River, 
Roraima  (3500-4000  ft.). 

213.  Pipra  gutturalis. 

Pipra  gutturalis,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  340  ;  Scl.  Cat.  Am. 
B.  p.  250. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima. 

214.  Chiroxiphia  pareola. 

Chiroxiphia  pareola  (Linn.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  695 ;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  251. 
Not  observed  by  Mr.  Whitely. 

215.  Chiroxiphia  caudata. 

Pipra  caudata,  Shaw,  Nat.  Misc.  v.  pi.  153. 


from  British  Guiana.  30 L 

Chiroxiphia  longicauda  (Vieill.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana, 
p.  695. 

Included  in  Scliomburgk^s  list,  but  probably  erroneously, 
as  the  species  seems  to  be  unknown  except  in  the  forest- 
region  of  South  Brazil. 

216.  Neopipo  cinnamomea. 

Pipra  ?  cinnamomea,  Lawr.  Pr.  Ac.  Phil.  1868,  p.  429. 
Neopipo  cinnamomea,  Scl.  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  p.  283. 
Neopipo   rubicunda,   Scl.  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.   1869,   p.   438, 
pi.  30.  f.  3. 
Camacusa. 

217.  CniROMACHiERIS  MANACUS. 

Pipra  manacus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  340. 
Chiromacharis   manacus,    Cab.    in   Schomb.    Guiana,   iii. 
p.  696 ;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  252. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

218.  Heteropelma  amazonum  ? 

Heteropelma  amazonum,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1860,  p.  466. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Roraima, 

These  specimens  seem  to  belong  to  H.  amazonum,  but  they 
vary  to  some  extent  among  themselves,  and  the  genus 
being  in  some  confusion  their  determination  is  somewhat 
uncertain. 

219.  Heteropelma  igniceps. 
Heteropelma  igniceps,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1871,  p.  750. 
Elaenea   aurifrons,  Cab.  in   Schomb.   Guiana,  iii.   p.   701 

(nee  Neuw.). 

Camacusa,  Roraima. 

220.  TiTYRA  cayana. 

Lanius  cay  anus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat,  i.  p.  137. 

Tityra  cayana.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  697;  Scl. 
Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  238. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Meriime  Mountains,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.) . 


802  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

221.  Hadrostomus  minor. 

Querula  minor,  Less.  Traite  d'Orn.  i.  p.  3G3. 
Hadrostomus  minor,  Cab.  &  Heine,  Mus.   Hein.  ii.  p.  85  ; 
Scl.  Cat.  Ara.  B.  p.  240. 
Bartica  Grove^  Camacusa. 

222.  Pachyrhamphus  griseigularis.     (Plate  VIII.) 
PachyrhamphMS  (/riseiyularis,  Salv.   &   Godni.    Ibis,  188.3, 

p.  208;   1881,  p.  448. 

(^ .  Supra  olivaceus,  capite  svimmo  nigro,  geiiis  olivaceis, 
loris  albis ;  alis  et  caiula  nigris,  secundariis  internis  et 
tectricibus  illarum  omnibus  sordide  olivaceo  marginatis ; 
subtus  gula  et  pectore  griseis  albo  striatis,  ventre  medio 
et  crisso  albis ;  rostro  pkirabeo-uigro,  tomiis  albidis ; 
pedibus  plumbeis:  long,  tota  5*4,  abe  8,  caudse  2'2, 
rostri  a  rictu  0*9,  tarsi  0*8. 
2  .  Supra  olivacea,  capite  summo  paulo  obscuriore ;  alis 
fusco-nigris,  secundariis  internis  olivaceo  marginatis, 
tectricibus  omnibus  Ifete  cinnamoraeis;  subtus  grisea 
albo  striata,  ventre  medio  et  crisso  albis,  liypocbondriis 
viridi  lavatis  ;  rostri  maxilla  corylma,  raandibula  albida; 
pedibus  pallidis  :  long,  tota  ^y(\,  aire  3,  caudse  2*3,  rostri 
a  rictu  0'8,  tarsi  0'8. 
Hab.    Roraima.  Guiana  Brit,  ad    alt.    3.500    pedum     (//. 

Whitely). 
Obs.  Affinis  P.  viridi,  sed  differt  cervice  postica  olivacea, 
pectore  griseo   nee  flavo,  et  tectricibus    alarum    et    secun- 
dariis internis  nigris  nee  olivaceis. 

223.  Pachyrhamphus  niger. 

Pachyrhamphus  niger,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  p.  32,  pi.  45.  f.  1 ; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  241. 

Bathmidurus  niger,  Cab.  in  Scbomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  698. 
Roraima  (3500-4000  ft.). 

224.  Pachyrhamphus  atricapillus, 
Lanius  atricapillus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  302. 
Pachyrhamphus  atricapillus,  Cab.  in  Scbomb.  Guiana,  iii. 

p.  698 ;   Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  242. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa. 

225.  LaTHRIA   CINKREA. 

Ampelis  cinerea,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d^Hist.  N.  viii.  p.  1G2. 


Ibis.  1885. PI  Vlfl 


J.RK'evileniansliblT  .  HanViart   imp. 

PACHYRHAIPHUS    GRISEl  G[JLARIS,(?e^  9  . 


from  British  Guiana.  303 

Lathria  cinerea,  Salv.  Cat.  Strickl.  Coll.  p.  325. 

Lipaugus  cineraceus,  Cab.  in  Schorab.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  693  ; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  243. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.). 

226.  Lathria  streptophora. 

Lathria  streptophora,  Salv.  &  Godm,  Ibis,  1881-,  p.  448, 
pi.  14. 

Roraima  (5000  feet). 

227.  AULIA  HYPOPYRRHA. 

Ampelis  hypopyrrha,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  N.  viii.  p.  164. 

Aulia  hypopyrrha,  Salv.  (^at.  Strickl.  Coll.  p.  325. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

This  is  probably  the  true  A.  hypopyrrha  of  Vieillot,  which 
was  based  upon  the  Guianan  bird.  Both  sexes  have  a  few 
chestnut  feathers  tipped  with  black  upon  the  abdomen ;  these 
are  apparently  absent  from  the  Brazilian  bird,  which,  if  dis- 
tinct, should  bear  the  name  Aulia  sibilatrix  ( Wied).  Ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Whitely^s  dissections  the  yellow  spot  on  each 
flank,  as  distinguished  from  the  chestnut  one,  is  not  a  sexual 
peculiarity. 

228.  Lipaugus  simplex. 

Muscicapa  simpler,  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  53. 
Lipaugus  simplex,  Cab.  in   Schomb.    Guiana,  iii.  p.  694  ; 
Scl.  &  Salv.  Ex.  Orn.  p.  6. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains. 

229.  AtTILA  BRASILIENSIS. 

Attila  brasiliensis,  Less.  Traite  d'Orn.  p.  360;  Scl.  Cat. 
Am.  B.  p.  195. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

Several  specimens  agi'eeing  so  closely  with  Brazilian  ex- 
amples of  A.  brasiliensis  that  I  am  reluctant  to  attempt 
their  separation.  They  seem  rather  darker  and  greener  iu 
general  coloration,  characters  of  but  slight  importance  in 
this  o;enus. 


:VM  Mr.  O.  Salvia  on  Birds 

230.  Attila  spodiostethus. 

Attila  spodiostethus,  Salv.  &  God-n.  Ibis,  18S3,  p.  209. 
Bartica  Grove. 

231.  Attila  uropygialis. 

Dasycephala  uropygialis,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Gaiaua,  iii. 
p.  686. 

Bartica  Grove. 

A  single  specimeu  agreeing  witli  the  description  of  this 
species.  Its  nearest  ally  appears  to  be  A.  spadacens,  bnt  it 
is  altogether  lighter  in  the  colour  of  its  plumage. 

232.  Attila  thamnophiloides. 

Muscicapa  thamnophiloides,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  p.  19,  pi.  26. 
f.  1. 

Dasycephala  thamnophiloides,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  686. 

Attila  thamnophiloides,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  195. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

233.  RupicoLA  crocea. 

Pipra  rupicola,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  338. 
Rupicola  crocea,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  691;  Scl. 
Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  253. 

Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Atapurau  River. 

231.  Ph(enicocercus  carnifex. 
Ampelis  carnifex,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  298. 
Phosnicocercus    carnifex,   Cab,    in    Sciiomb.    Guiana,    iii. 
p.  695  ;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  253. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

235.  Pipreola  whitelyi. 

Pipreola  whitelyi,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  18S1,  p.  119. 
Roraima  (6000  ft.) . 

236.  COTINGA  CiERULEA. 

Ampelis  catrulea,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Kist.  N.  viii.  ji.  161  ; 
Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  693. 

Cotinya  cerulea,  Scl.  Cat,  Am.  B.  p.  256. 

Ampelis  cotinya.  Cab,  in  Schomb,  Guiana,  iii.  p.  693. 

Bartica  Grove,  Atapurau  River. 


from  British  Guiana.  305 

237.  COTINGA  CAYANA. 

Ampelis  cayana,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  268;  Cab.  in 
Scliomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  693. 

Cotinga  cayana,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  256. 
Bartica  Grove. 

238.  XiPHOLENA  POMPADORA. 

Ampelis  pampador a,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  298. 

Xipholena  pompadora,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  693 ; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  329. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Atapurau 
River. 

239.  loDOPLEURA  LEUCOPYGIA,   Sp.   U. 

lodopleura  pipra,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  697. 
/.  piprcR  ex  Brasilia  affinissima,   sed  uropygio  albo  distin- 

guenda,  capite  summo  quoque  dorso  fere  concolori. 
Hah.  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.,  nostr. 

Mr.  Whitely's  collections  do  not  contain  examples  of  this 
bird,  but  we  have  long  had  in  our  possession  two  skins  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Whitely,  sen.,  with  the  locality  ''  British 
Guiana  "  attached  to  them.  These  skins  are  of  the  usual 
make  of  that  country,  and  differ  from  7.  pipra  of  Brazil 
in  the  above-mentioned  small  but  very  definite  character. 

240.  loDOPLEURA   FUSCA. 

Ampelis  fusca,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d^PIist.  N.  viii.  p.  162. 
lodopleura  fusca,  Salv.  Cat.  Strickl.  Coll.  p.  330. 
Pipra  laplacii,  Gerv.  Mag.  Zool.  1836,  el.  ii.  pi.  68. 
Bartica  Grove. 

241.  QUERULA  CRUENTA. 

Muscicapa  cruenta,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PL  Enl.  p.  23. 
Querula  cruenta,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  257. 
Bartica  Grove. 

242.  HjEMatoderus  militaris. 

Coracias  militaris,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  Suppl.  p.  xxvii. 
Threncedus  militaris.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  690. 
Hamatoderus  tnilitaris,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  257. 
Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

SER.  v. VOL,  III.  Y 


306  On  Birds  from  British  Guiana. 

243.  Chasmorhynchus  niveus. 
Ampelis  nivea,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  49. 
Chasmorhynchus  niveus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  258. 
Chasmorhynchus   carunculatus   (Gm.),  Cab.    in    Schomb. 

Guiana,  iii.  p.  692. 

Bartica    Grove,    Merume    Mountains,    Atapurau    River, 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

244.  Chasmorhynchus  variegatus. 
Ampelis  varieyatus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  841. 
Chasmorhynchus  variegatus,  Salv.  Cat.  Strickl.  Coll.  p,  331. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

245.  Gymnocephalus  calvus. 

Corvus  calvus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  372. 
Gymnocephalus  calvus.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  690  ; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  258. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

246.  Gymnoderus  fcetidus. 

Gracula  fcetida,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  164. 
Gymnoderus  fvetidus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  691  ; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  258. 

Not  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

247.  Pyroderus  scutatus  ? 

Coracias  scutatus,  Shaw,  Mus.  Lev.  p.  199. 

Pyroderus  scutatus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  259. 

Threiioedus  rubricollis  (Vieill.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana, 
iii.  p.  690. 

Schomburgk^s  specimens  were  named  by  Prof.  Cabanis 
T.  rubricollis,  a  synonym  of  P.  scutatus,  but  the  bird  should 
probably  be  referred  to  the  allied  P.  orenocensis.  There 
being  no  skins  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection  I  am  unable  to 
decide  the  question. 

248.  Cephalopterus  ornatus. 

Cephalopterus  oryiatus,  Geoffr.  Ann.  Mus.  xiii.  pi.  15; 
Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  691  ;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B. 
p.  259. 

Not  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

[To  be  cuiitiinied.J 


On  the  Species  of  the  Family  Coliidse.  307 

XXXI. — Review  of  the  Species  of  the  Family  Coliidae. 
By  Captain  G.  E.  Shelley,  F.Z.S. 

The  Coliidse  form  a  very  distinct  family,  not  closely  allied  to 
any  other,  but  may,  I  think,  with  advantage  be  retained  next 
to  the  Musophagidae  until  some  more  suitable  position  be 
definitely  fixed  for  them.  Their  anatomy  is  principally 
known  to  me  by  the  following  papers  : — Murie,  Ibis,  ]  873, 
pp.  262-280;  (iarrod,  P.  Z.  S.  1876,  pp.  416-419,-  Forbes, 
Ibis,  1881,  p.  24.  This  family,  which  is  confined  to  Africa, 
consists  of  eight  species,  including  four  or  five  more  or  less 
well-marked  races.  They  are  all  referable  to  the  one  genus 
Colius,  Briss.  Orn.  iii.  1760,  p.  201<,  type  C.  capensis.  The 
minor  divisions  proposed  by  Bonaparte — Rhabdocolius  for 
C.  sty^iatus  and  its  allies,  and  UrocoUus  for  C.  erythromelon — 
present  no  definite  characters. 

The  Colics  are  all  fruit-eaters,  live  in  small  bands,  frequent 
thick  bushes,  and,  when  disturbed,  fly  straight  to  some  neigli- 
bouring  covert.  Owing  to  their  peculiar  structure,  they 
place  themselves  in  the  most  extraordinary  attitudes  when 
they  rest  or  scramble  amongst  the  boughs,  and  they  roost  at 
night  in  tightly  packed  companies  for  warmth,  generally,  if 
not  always,  with  their  feet  above  their  heads.  Their  nests 
are  cup-shaped  and  placed  in  thickish  bushes  at  a  few  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  some  if  not  all,  of  the  species,  frequently 
add  green  leaves  to  the  interior  of  their  nests  during  incuba- 
tion. The  eggs  are  rough,  rather  obtuse  ovals,  and  generally 
white. 

In  life  the  dark  portions  of  the  bill  are  blue-grey,  but 
become  black  in  the  dried  skins,  and  the  legs,  which  are  red 
in  life,  fade  to  buff.  The  bare  skin  round  the  eye  and  the 
pale  portions  of  the  bill  in  C.  macrourus  and  C.  erythromelon 
are  bright  red  in  living  specimens,  while  in  all  the  other 
species,  I  believe,  the  bare  skin  is  slaty  black  and  the  pale 
portion  of  the  bill  buff"  or  huffish  horn-colour. 

There  are  now  examples  of  three  species  of  this  genus  living 
in  the  Zoological  Society's  Gardens.  They  are  admirably  adap- 
ted for  cage-birds,  being  active,  bold,  and  apparently  hardy, 
and  the  quaintness  of  their  attitudes  is  interesting  to  watch. 

^    9 


308  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  the 

Key  to  the  Species. 

a.  A  sharply  defined  basal  half  of  the  upper  man- 
dible red,  and  the  bare  skin  round  the  eyes  of 
the  same  colour  (fading  in  dried  skins  into 
buff) ;  remainder  of  the  bill  black,  with  the 
exception,  occasionally,  of  the  basal  portion 
of  the  lower  mandible.  Tail-feathers  dis- 
tinctly narrower.  Upper  parts  more  or  less 
shaded  with  green.  No  trace  of  bars  on  any 
portion  of  the  plumage. 
a'.  Nape  pale  blue,  strongly  contrasting  with  the 

crest  and  mantle 1.   C.  macrourus. 

b\  Nape  uniform  with  the  crest  and  mantle  ....      2.   C.  erythromelon. 

h.  No  portion  of  the  lower  mandible  black.     Upper 

mandible  black,  generally  with  a  pale  portion, 

but  never  with  a  sharply  defined  pale  basal 

half.    Tail-feathers  distinctly  broader.    With 

no  green  shade  on  any  portion  of  the  plumage. 

i'.  With  some  bright  chestnut  on  the  rump. 

6^.  Middle  and  lower  back  black,  with  a  broad 

white  band  down  the  centre 3.   C.  capensis. 

<?.  Middle  and  lower  back  bright  chestnut ....     4.   C  castanonotus. 

c'.  Entire  back  dull  brown,  nearly  uniform  with 

the  wings  and  tail.     Throat  with  distinct 

bars. 

c^.  Cheeks  and  ear-coverts  brown  like  the  crown. 

c^.  Forehead  jet-black.     A  larger  amount  of 

black  on  the  throat.     Upper  mandible 

with  a  pale  patch    5.   C.  nigricollis, 

cP.  Forehead  never  jet-black.    A  less  amount 
of  black  on  the  throat.     Upper  mandi- 
ble blackish  with  no  pale  patch    ....      6.   C.  striatus. 
d'^.  Cheeks  and  ear-coverts  white  or  nearly  so. 
With  a  pale  patch  on  the  upper  man- 
dible. 

d^.  Crown  brown    7,  C.  leucotis. 

e^.  Crown  white 8.    C.  leucocephalus. 

1.    CoLIUS  MACROURUS. 

Lanius  macrourus ,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  1766^  p.  134. 

Colius  seneffalensis,  Gni,  S.  N.  i.  1788,  p.  842;  Hartl. 
Orn.  W.-Afr.  1857,  p.  155;  Fischer,  Zeitsehr.  ges.  Orn. 
(Madaraz),  1844,  p.  363  (Pangani). 

Colius  macrourus,  Gray  &   Mitchell,   Gen.    B.   ii.    1849, 


Sjyecies  of  the  Family  Coliidse.  309 

p.  393,  pi.  96  (good)  ;  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  1869-71, 
pp.  712,  cliv;  Finsch,  Tr.  Z.  S.  vii.  1869,  p.  275;  Blanf. 
Geol.  &  Zool.  Abyss.  1870,  p.  318 ;  Antin.  &  Salvad.  Ann. 
Mus.  Civ.  Geneva,  1873,' p.  416  (Bogos) ;  Bocage,  Orn. 
Angola,  1877,  p.  130  (Angola,  Hartl.  ?) ;  Rochebrune,  Faun. 
Senegamb.  1884,  p.  127. 

Hab.  N.E.,  E.,  and  W.  Africa.  Between  about  15°  N.  lat. 
and  5°  S.  lat.  Bogos,  Abyssinia,  Kordofan,  White  Nile, 
Masai-land  to  Pangani,  Gaboon,  Sierra  Leone,  Casamanse, 
Senegambia. 

A  small  immature  specimen  in  the  British  Museum, 
labelled  ''  Lebka  R.,  2500  ft.  {Blanford)/'  has  no  blue  on 
the  nape,  and  the  entire  bill  is  pale. 

2.    COLIUS  ERYTHROMELON. 

'^  Loxia  cinerea,  Sparrm.  Mus.  Carls.  1786-88,  pi.  88  (not 
recognizable) . 

Colius  indicus,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  i.  1790,  p.  370  (incorrect 
locality) . 

Colius  coi'omandelicus,  Licht.  sen.,  Hamb.  Nat.  Verz.  1793, 
p.  42  (incorrect  locality). 

Le  Coliou  Guiriva,  Levaill.  Ois.  d'Afr.  vi.  1808,  p.  42, 
pi.  258  (good). 

Culius  erythromelon,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet.  vii.  1817,  p.  378; 
Gurney,  in  Anderss.  B.  Dam.  Ld.  1872,  p.  203  ;  Sharpe,  ed. 
Layard's  B.  S.  Afr.  1884,  pp.  551,  853;  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1884, 
p.  473,  pi.  45.  figs.  2,  3  (good). 

Colius  senegalensis,  Less,  (nee  Gm.),  Traite  d'Orn.  1831, 
p.  453. 

Colius  quiriva,  Riipp.  Mus.  Senk.  iii.  1845,  p.  43 ;  Kirk, 
Ibis,  1864,  p.  329  (Zambesi). 

Colius  erythromelas,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  iii.  186(5,  p.  97; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  1870,  p.  469;  Bocage,  Orn. 
Angola,  1877,  p.  128  (Benguela). 

Colius  macrurus,  Strickl.  &  Sclat.  Contr.  Orn.  1852, 
p.  151. 

Colius  capensis,  Layard  (nee  Gm.),  B.  S.  Afr.  1867,  p.  222. 

Hah.  S.  Africa,  Zambesi,  Matabele,  Transvaal,  Cape 
Colony,  Damara,  Benguela. 


310  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  the 

3.  COLIUS  CAPENSIS. 

Loxia  colius,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  1766^  p.  301. 

Colius  capensis,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  1788^  p.  842;  Giiruey,  Ibis, 
1868,  p.  47  (Natal)  ;  id.  in  Anderss.  B.  Dam.  Ld.  1872, 
p.  202;  Sbarpe,  ed.  Layard's  B.  S.  Afr.  1884,  pp.  552,  853. 

Colius  eri/thropus,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  p.  842 ;  Ay  res.  Ibis, 
1871,  p.  259  (Transvaal). 

Colius  leuconotus,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  i.  1790,  p.  369. 

Le  CoHou  a  dos  blanc,  Levaill.  Ois.  d'Afr.  vi.  1808,  p.  39, 
pi.  257  (good). 

Colius  erythropygius,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet.  vii.  1817,  p.  377. 

Hub.  S.  Africa,  Transvaal,  Natal,  Cape  Colony,  Damara. 

I  have  rejected  tlie  oldest  title  colius  on  account  of  its 
having  been  previously  employed  by  Brisson  for  the  genus. 

There  are  two  specimens  of  this  species  now  living  in  the 
Zoological  Society^s  Gardens. 

4.  Colius  castanonotus. 

Colius  castanotus,  E.  &  J.  Verr.  Rev.  et  Mag.  Zool.  1855, 
p.  351  (Gaboon)  ;  Hartl.  Orn.  W.-Afr.  1857,  p.  155;  Mon- 
teiro,  Ibis,  1862,  p.  333  (Angola);  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1876, 
p.  413,  pi.  35  (good)  ;  Bocage,  Orn.  Angola,  1877,  p.  129 
(Beuguela)  ;   Sharpe,  ed.  Layard's  B.  S.  Afr.  1884,  p.  554. 

Hub.  S.  and  W.  Africa,  Benguela,  Angola,  Gaboon. 

In  the  otherwise  good  illustration  of  this  bird  in  the 
P.  Z.  S.  the  upper  mandible  should  not  be  so  uniformly 
coloured,  but  should  have  a  large  pale  blotch  extending  over 
the  basal  half  of  the  culmen. 

5.  Colius  nigricollts. 

Le  Coliou  raye  a  gorge  noire,  Levaill.  Ois.  d'Afr.  vi.  1808, 
p.  45,  pi.  259  (good). 

Colius  nigricollis,  YieiW.  Nouv.  Diet.  vii.  1817,  p.  378; 
Hartl.  Orn.  W.-Afr.  1857,  p.  155  (Angola)  ;  Sharpe,  P.  Z.  S. 
1873,  p.  717  (Congo)  ;  Bocage,  Orn.  Angola,  1877,  p.  129; 
Reichenow,  J.  f.  O.  1877,  p.  15  (Loango  Coast)  ;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S. 
1884,  p.  530,  pi.  45.  fig.  1  (good)  ;  Rochebrune,  Faun. 
Senegamb.  1884,  p.  128  (Casamanse,  Gambia). 

Hab.  Central  and  W.  Africa.     Ndoruma  in  Central  Africa, 


Species  of  the  Family  Coliidie.  311 

about  5°  N.  lat.  and   25°  E.  long.      On  the   West   Coast, 
Angola,  Congo,  Loango  Coast,  Casanianse,  and  Gambia. 

There  is  a  fine  specimen  in  the  British  Museum  labelled 
"  Ndoruma  {F.  Bohndorjf)  "  There  is  also  a  living  specimen 
in  the  Zoological  Society ^s  Gardens. 

6.    COLIUS  STRIATUS. 

Tanagra  macroura,  Scop,  (nee  Linn.)  Del.  Flor.  et  Faun. 
Insubr.  ii.  1786,  p.  95. 

Colius  striatus,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  p.  369;  Sharpened. 
Layard's  B.  S.  Afr.  1884,  pp.  558,  853. 

Colius panayensis,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  p.  843. 

Le  Coliou  ray^,  Levaill.  Ois.  d'Afr.  vi.  1808,  p.  36,  pi.  256 
(fair.  Cape  Colony). 

Colitis  minor,  Cab.  J.  f.  O.  1876,  p.  94  (Natal). 

Hab.  S.  Africa,  Sliire  R.,  S^vaziland,  Transvaal,  Natal, 
Cape  Colony. 

The  present  species  includes  three  subspecies, 

a.  With  a  more  or  less  distinctly  marked  chestnut  forehead. 

1.   C.  striatus  intennedius,  Shelley.     Cape  Colony. 

b.  Forehead  perfectly  uniform  with  the  crown. 

¥.  Larger 2.  C.  striatus  typicus,  Gm.     Eastern  S.  Africa. 

c^  Smaller 3.   C.  striatus  minor,  Cab.     Shire  R.  and  Natal. 

In  the  British  Museum  there  is  a  small  specimen  from  the 
Shire  R.  possibly  immature ;  this  I  believe  to  belong  to  the 
C.  nmior,  Cab.,  of  which  I  have  not  been  able  to  examine  the 
type.  An  immature  specimen  from  the  Knysna  in  the 
British  Museum  has  the  entire  upper  mandible  pale  and  the 
lower  mandible  nearly  black. 

I  have  proposed  the  title  C.  intermedius  for  the  Cape 
Colony  subspecies  as  it  is  intermediate  between  typical 
C.  striatus  and  C.  nigricollis. 

7.  Colius  leucotis. 

Colius  leucotis,  Riipp.  Mus.  Senk.  iii.  1845,  p.  42,  pi.  2. 
fig.  1  (good)  ;  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  1869-71,  pp.  710,cliv; 
Finsch,  Trans.  Z.  S.  vii.  1869,  p.  276;  Blanf.  Geol.  &  Zool. 
Abyss.  1870,  p.  316;  Finsch  &  Ilartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  1870, 
p.  472;  Antin.  &  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1873,  p.  416 


312  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  the 

(Bogos) ;  Sharpe,  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  p.  714  (Mombas)  ;  Nichol- 
son, P.  Z.  S.  1878,  p.  358  (Dar-es-Salaam)  ;  Cab.  J.  £.  O. 
1878,  p.  237  (Kikaraba)  ;  Fischer  &  Reichen.  J.  f.  O.  1878, 
p.  252  (Takaimgu)  ;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884, 
p.  100  (Shoa). 

?  Colius  capensis,  DesMurs  (nee  Gm.)  in  Lefebvre's  Voy. 
Abys.  1845,  p.  123;  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  1869-71,  pp.  714, 
cliv  (ex  DesMurs). 

Colius  striatus,  Sclat.  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  pp.  107, 112  (Usaramo); 
Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  1869-71,  pp.  711,  cliv.  (part  N.E. 
Afr.  ex  Sclat.) ;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  1870,  p.  471 
(part  E.  Afr.  ex  Sclat.). 

Hub.  N.E.  and  E.  Africa.  Between  15°  N.  lat.  and  8° 
S.  lat.  Bogos,  Abyssinia,  Shoa,  White  Nile,  Masai-land, 
Zanzibar  Province  to  Dar-es-Salaara. 

Colius  leucotis,  which  is  the  north-eastern  representative 
of  C.  striatus,  presents,  like  that  species,  two  if  not  three  sub- 
specific  phases,  Avhich  may  enable  the  practised  eyeto  recognize 
the  districts  from  which  they  come, 

a.  Larger  :  wing  3-8  to  4.  Tail-feathers  generally  slightly  broader. 

Neck  and  back  generally  more  distinctly  barred. 

1.  C.  leucotis  ti/picus.     N.E.  Africa, extending 

southward  to  Kitui  in  Ukamba. 

b.  Smaller :  wing  3'85  to  3*76.     Tail-feathers  generally  slightly 

narrower.     Neck  and  back  generally  less  distinctly  barred. 

2.  C.  leucotis  affinis.        E.  Africa  ;    Upper 

White  Nile  to  Dar-es-Salaam. 

The  small  race  h  shows  the  strongest  variation  in  two 
specimens  from  Dar-es-Salaam  ;  in  these  the  back  is  entirely 
without  signs  of  bars,  the  upper  parts  are  slightly  more 
rufous,  and  the  white  on  tlie  throat  and  sides  of  the  head 
clearer  and  more  strongly  contrasted  with  the  surrounding 
brown  of  the  plumage. 

These  subspecies  appear  to  run  into  each  other. 

8.  Colius  leucocephalus. 

Colius  leucocephalus,  Reicheu.  Orn.  Centralbl.  1879,  p.  114 
(Kikomba);  Reichen.  &  Schalow,  J.  f.  O.  1879,  p.  313; 
Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  (Madaraz),  1884,  p.  362. 

Hub.  E.  Africa,  Kikomba  in  Masai-land. 


Species  of  the  Family  Coliidae. 


313 


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Upper  White  Nile. 

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Masai-land. 

:      * 

!     1  Kitui. 

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I 

Mombas. 

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Pangani. 

*           : 

Zanzibar. 

* 

Dar-es-Salaam. 

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ff 

Shire  R. 

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iiambesi. 

* 

Matabele. 

* 

Swaziland. 

* 

*          * 

TransTaal. 

*     * 

*           '. 

Natal. 

* 

*          * 

Cape  Colony 

*          * 

Damara. 

*              * 

Benguela. 

*     * 

Angola. 

*     : 

Congo. 

*     ; 

Loango. 

:     *                * 

Gaboon. 

:                       * 

Sierra  Leone. 

'.                      * 

Bissao. 

*                      * 

Casaraanse. 

* 

Seneganibia. 

314  Recently  imhl'ished  Ornithological  Works. 

This  species  is^  I  believe,  only  known  by  the  single  type 
specimen,  which  I  have  not  been  able  to  examine.  Its 
measurements  agree  well  with  the  small  race  of  C.  leucotis, 
which  T  have  proposed  to  distinguish  as  C.  I.  affi/iis.  Should 
its  characters  prove  to  be  due  only  to  a  partial  albinism,  the 
name  C.  leucocephalus,  Reichen.,  will  take  the  place  by 
priority  of  my  C.  I.  affinis. 


XXXII. — Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications. 
[Continued  from  p.  234.] 

85.  Cory's  'Birds  of  San  Domingo'  (completion). 

[The  Birds  of  tlaiti  and  San  Doniing-o.  By  Charles  B.  Cory,  F.L.S. 
Part  IV.  (completing  the  work).     Boston  :  Estes  and  Lauriat.] 

We  congratulate  Mr.  Cory  on  the  successful  accomplish- 
ment of  his  meritorious  work.  It  is  a  most  useful  volume, 
and  deserves  great  commendation.  Mr.  Cory  has  not  only 
much  increased  our  knowledge  of  the  peculiar  avifauna  of 
San  Domingo,  but  has  likewise  brought  together  a  resume  of 
previous  authorities  on  the  subject,  and  made  his  work  a 
complete  monograph.  We  can  only  regret  that  he  has  not 
given  us  a  little  longer  essay  by  way  of  introduction.  Thirty- 
two  species  are  stated  to  be  peculiar  to  the  San-Domingan 
avifauna.  The  following  six  genera  are,  we  believe,  so  far  as 
is  known,  restricted  to  this  island  : — Microligea,  Dulus,  Phoe- 
nicophilus,  Calyptophilus,  Loximitris,  and  Temnotrogon.  But 
there  is  a  second  Dulus  {D.  nuchulis)  known  to  science,  of 
which  the  exact  habitat  has  not  yet  been  ascertained. 

Mr.  Cory  has  finished  San  Domingo.  But  there  are  many 
other  islands  in  the  Antilles  that  require  similar  treatment 
(ormthologically),  and  will  well  reward  the  researches  of 
Mr.  Cory  and  his  collectors. 

86.  Dresser's  Monograph  of  the  Bee-eaters. 

[A  Monograph  of  the  Meropidff,  or  Family  of  the  Bee-eaters.  By  H, 
E.  Dresser,  F.L.S.    Part  IV.     Small  folio.     London  :  1H84.] 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  315 

In  his  fourth  part  Mr.  Dresser  figures  the  following  species 
of  Melittophagus : — 

Melittopliagus  sonninii.  MelUtopIiag-us  gularis. 

pusillus.  muelleri. 

quinticolor.  bullockoides. 

lescbeiiaulti. 


87.  Dubois  on  the  Genus  Otocorys. 

[Remarques  sui*  les  Alouettes  du  CTenre  Otocorys.  Par  M.  Alph.  Dubois. 
Bull.  Mus.  Roy.  d'Hist.  Nat.  Belgique,  iii.  1884,  p.  223.] 

M.  Dubois  reviews  the  Larks  of  the  genus  Otocorys,  and 
proposes  to  reduce  the  various  forms  to  one  species^  which 
"  may  be  divided  into  five  or  six  races  or  varieties  "  !  Oto- 
corys  is  certainly  a  difiicult  group  to  handle,  but  we  doubt 
whether  this  Avay  of  cutting  the  Gordian  knot  will  be  generally 
adopted.  M.  Dubois  has,  perhaps,  never  had  the  opportunity 
of  examining  specimens  of  O.  bilopha. 

88.  Dubois  on  the  Hornbills. 

[Revue  critique  des  Oi?eaux  de  la  Famille  des  Bucerotides.  Par  M. 
Alph.  Dubois.     Bull.  Mus.  Roy.  d'Hist.  Nat.  Belgique,  iii.  1884,  p.  18.] 

]VI.  Dubois  uses  IVIr.  Elliot's  IVionograph  as  a  basis  for  a 
review  of  the  Bucerotidse.  He  proj)oses  to  reduce  Mr. 
Elliot's  nineteen  genera  to  four — Rhinoplax,  Buceros,  Alo- 
phius,  and  Bucorvus — and  many  of  the  representative  species 
to  varieties.  He  describes  and  figures  as  a  new  species 
Buceros  leucopyg'ius  from  the  Niam-Niam  country.  Central 
Africa,  belonging  to  the  section  Bycanistes.  He  observes 
that  B.  sabquadratus,  Cab.,  of  the  same  group,  is  identical 
with  B.  subcylindricus,  Sclater,  in  which  we  are  disposed  to 
agree  with  him.  He  characterizes  a  form  from  Lake  Tan- 
ganyika, allied  to  B.  nasutus,  as  Buceros  nasutus,  var.  dubia. 


89.  Garman  on  Polynomials  in  Zoology. 

On  the  use  of  Polynomials  as   Names  in  Zoo' 
3C.  Boston  Soc.  N.  H.  1884.] 

Mr.  Garman  urges  various  well-known  objections  to  the 


[On  the  use  of  Polynomials  as   Names  in  Zoology.     By  S.  Garman 
Proc.  Boston  Soc.  N.  H.  1884.] 


316  liecentlij  published  Ornithological  Works. 

use  of  polynomials  in  zoology,  and  in  reply  to  the  assertion 
that  "there  is  no  other  and  better  method  '  of  designating 
variations  in  form  not  sufficient  for  specific  separation,  ex- 
plains a  plan  (which  he  has  adopted  in  his  '  List  of  North- 
American  Batrachians  and  Reptiles')  of  using  symbols 
attached  to  the  binomial  name,  such  as  (A)_,  (B),  (C),  (D). 
Thus  "(D)  Ambly stoma  tigrinmn"  would  mean  the  fourth 
form  of  that  Salamander.  This  symbol  is  prefixed,  so  as  not 
to  stand  in  the  way  of  the  authority. 

90.  Gould's  'Birds  of  Neiv  Guinea.' 

[The  Birds  of  New  Guinea  and  the  adjacent  Papuan  Ishinds,  induding 
any  new  Species  that  may  be  discovered  in  Australia.  By  [the  late]  John 
Gould,  F.R.S.  &c.     Part  XIX.     Folio.     London  :  188-5.] 

The  nineteenth  part  of  this  work,  with  the  letterpress  by 
IMr.  R.  B.  Sharpe,  contains  figures  of  the  following  species  : — 

Cacatua  gymnopis.  Ptilopus  solomonensis. 

ducorpsi.  Halcyon  tristrami. 

Cyclopsitta  occidentalis.  Pachycephala  fuscoflava. 

Pristorhamphus  versteri.  Zosterop-s  brunneicauda. 

Urocharis  longicauda.  uropygialis. 

Glycychijera  fallax.  Myiagra  fulviventris. 
Carpophaga  rubricera. 

It  would  have  been  better  to  have  taken  the  second  figure 
in  the  plate  of  Ptilopus  solomonensis  from  the  female  speci- 
men— on  which  the  sjDccies  was  first  established — instead  of 
giving  two  figures  of  the  male  bird. 

91.  Gould's  '  Supjjlement  to  the  Trochilidse.' 

[Supplement  to  the  Trochilidae,  or  IIummiDg-Birds.  By  [the  late] 
John  Gould,  F.H.S.  &c.     Part  IV.     Folio.     London  :  1885.] 

The  fourth  part  of  the  'Supplement  to  the  Trochilid?e' 
contains  an  account  of  twenty-nine  species  not  included  in 
the  monograph,  or  concerning  which  further  information  was 
required.     The  species  figured  are  : — 

Campylopterus  phainopeplus.  Diphlogfena  aurora. 

Diphlogfena  hesperus.  Oroopyra  calolaema. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  317 

Oreopyra  cinereicauda.  Agyrtria  taczanowskii. 
Coeligena  liemileuca.  Uranoiuitra  viridifrons. 
Agyrtria  bartletti.  Timolia  lerchi. 
fluviatilis.  Eugeues  spectabilis. 

The  fifth  part  will;  we  believe,  conclude  the  work. 

92.  Langille  on  North- American  Birds. 

[Our  Birds  in  their  Haunts  :  a  popular  Treatise  on  the  Birds  of  Eastern 
North  America.     By  Rev.  J.  Ilibbert  Langille,  M.A,     8vo.     Boston: 

1884.] 

The  object  of  this  work,  as  the  author  tells  us,  is  to  ''  render 
as  popular  and  attractive  as  possible,  as  well  as  to  bring 
within  a  small  compass,  the  sum  total  of  the  bird-life  of 
Eastern  North  America.''^  No  systematic  arrangement  is 
employed,  but  the  narrative  "  follows  in  the  main  the  order  of 
the  seasons,  and  groups  itself  about  certain  interesting  loca- 
lities, such  as  the  Niagara  river  and  St.  Clair  flats."  The 
book  is  written  "  almost  entirely  from  personal  observation." 
It  is  dedicated  to  Dr.  Coues,  whose  scientific  nomenclature 
is  followed  throughout. 

93.  Lawrence  on  new  Species  of  Tyrannidse,  Cypselidae, 
and  Columbidse. 

[Description  of  supposed  new  Species  of  Birds  of  the  Families  Tyran- 
nidje,  Cypselidae,  and  Columbidae.  By  George  N.  Lawrence.  Ann. 
N.Y.  Acad.  Sci.  iii.  p.  15G.] 

Mr.  Lawrence  describes  in  the  present  paper  three  sup- 
posed new  species  from  specimens  collected  in  Yucatan  by 
Mr.  Geo.  F.  Gaumer  during  his  recent  (second)  expedition  in 
1884.  These  are  Contopus  albicollis,  Chatura  yucatanica, 
and  Engyptila  gaumeri.  Mr.  Salvin  [supra,  p.  193)  has 
already  stated  his  opinion  that  the  last-mentioned  specimen 
is  not  different  from  E.  Jamaicensis. 

94.  Menzbier  on  the  Blue  Tits. 

[M^moires  sur  les  Paridse. — 1.  Le  Groupe  des  Mfeanges  Bleues  {Cy~ 
anestes,  Kaup).  Par  Michel  Menzbier.  Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  1884, 
pp.  239-302.] 


318  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

This  appears  to  be  a  carefully  prepared  and  exhaustive 
treatise  upon  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge  o£  the  Blue 
Tits  (^Cyanistes)  and  their  distribution  and  varieties.  M. 
Menzbier  divides  the  group  into  two  sections^  ''brevicaudates^' 
and  "■  longicaudates,"  with  five  species  in  the  first^  and  two 
species  and  one  subspecies  in  the  second  section.  The 
synonymy,  description,  and  distribution  of  each  species  are 
fully  given,  and  the  intermediate  forms  between  Paruspleskei 
and  P.  cyanus  and  P.  cyaaus  and  P.flavipectus  are  described. 
The  existence  of  these  supposed  "  hybrids  "  leads  the  author 
into  an  important  disquisition  on  the  effect  of  crossing  upon 
the  extinction  of  species. 

95.  '  Mlttheilungen'  of  the  Ornithological  Union  of  Vienna. 

[Mittheilungen  des  oi'uithologisclien  Vereiues  in  Wien.  8  Jahrg, 
nos.  1-12,  1884.] 

Dr.  G.  V.  Hayek's  excellent  periodical  is,  as  usual,  devoted 
mainly  to  papers  on  the  birds  of  "  the  fatherland  "  and  ad- 
joining districts  and  to  other  kindred  subjects.  But,  as  con- 
tributions of  more  general  interest,  we  may  venture  to  allude 
to  Prof.  Eugen  von  Boeck's  '^  Ornis  of  the  Valley  of  Cocha- 
bamba'^;  Collett^s  "  Alca  impennis  in  Norway'^;  and  Drs, 
Radde  and  Von  Pelzeln's  article  upon  a  collection  of  birds 
from  the  Caucasus  (already  alluded  to).  We  are  not  aware 
that  Cochabamba  lias  been  visited  by  a  European  naturalist 
since  the  valley  was  trodden  by  d'Orbigny  in  1830.  Prof.  v. 
Boeck's  list  of  birds,  which  has  been  carefully  edited  by 
Dr.  W.  Blasius,  contains  the  names  of  eighty-seven  s^jccies. 
Some  of  these  are  but  approximately  determined,  and  it  is 
to  be  hoped  that  Prof.  v.  Boeck  and  Dr.  Blasius  will  continue 
their  communications  upon  this  interesting  subject.  We 
may  remark  that  Rupicola  saturata  (sive  sanguinolenta)  is  a 
subspecies  of  R.  peruviana  peculiar  to  Western  Ecuador,  and 
that  the  Bolivian  form  is  probably  not  identical. 

96.  Newton  on  Ornithology. 

[Ornithology.  By  Alfred  Newton,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  &c.  Reprinted  from 
the  '  Encyclopajdia  Britaunica  '  by  special  permission.  For  Private  Cir- 
culation.    50  pp.     4to.] 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  319 

Prof.  Newton's  excellent  essay  on  ornithology  will  be  read 
with  pleasure  and  interest  by  every  one  who  is  attached  to 
the  fascinating   study  of  birds.      In  the   first  part   of  the 
memoir  is  a  most  instructive  account  of  the  principal  writers 
on  ornithology,  beginning  with  Pliny,  and  carried  down  to  a 
recent,  though,  perhaps,  not  quite  to  the  most  recent,  period. 
After  works  on  general  ornithology,  those  on  faunas  and  the 
principal  illustrated  publications   on  birds  are  also  shortly 
reviewed.     But  the  latter  half  of  the  article,  which  contains 
an  historical  account  of  the  progress  made  since  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century  towards  a  correct  classification  of  the 
class  Aves,  will  be  that  which  will,  perhaps,  attract  greatest 
attention.     Prof.  Newton  rightly  considers  Blasius  Merrem 
as  the  "  virtual  starting-point  of  the  latest  efl"orts  in  syste- 
matic  ornithology,"  and  traces  the   different   ameliorations 
subsequently   made  down   to    the   ^'  systems "  proposed  by 
Sclater  in  this  Journal  for  1880.     Much  to  our  regret,  Prof. 
Newton  declines  to  propound  his  own  arrangement  of  birds 
further  than   by  showing  that  their  primary  division  into 
Saururse,  Ratitaj,  and  Carinatae  can  be  regarded  as  thoroughly 
substantiated.       But    taking    Sclater's    arrangement  of  the 
Carinatse  for  his  text,  he  proceeds  to  make  numerous  criti- 
cisms thereupon,  of  the  force  of  many  of  which  the  author 
of  that  arrangement  is  fully  convinced.     It  is  a  misfortune, 
we  venture  to  think,  that  these  criticisms  are  so  much  more 
of  a  destructive  than  a  constructive  character,  though  we  are 
glad  to  see  that  Prof.  Newton  has  pronounced  definitely  on 
one   or  two  controverted  points,   such    as    the    alliance    of 
Cariama  to  the  Accipitres  and  the  independence  of  the  Striges 
from  the  Accipitres. 

97.  Pagenstecher's  'Birds  of  South  Georgia.' 

[Die  Vogel  Siid-Georg-iens  nach  der  Ausbeute  der  deutschen  Polar- 
station  in  1882  uud  1883.  Von  Prof.  Dr.  Pagenstecher.  [Jalirb.  d. 
wissenschaftl.  Anst.  zu  Hamburg,  II.)     Hamburg  :  1885.] 

The  German  expedition  to  the  remote  South-Atlantic 
island  of  South  Georgia  was  quartered  at  Royal  Bay  in  that 
island  from  the  21st  of  August,  1882,  to  the  5th  of  Sep- 


320  Recently  published  OrnitJioloyical  Works. 

tember  1883 ;  and  a  collection  of  birds  was  made,  of  which 
the  principal  series  was  assigned  by  the  German  Polar  Cora- 
mission  to  the  Natural-History  Museum  of  Handjurg.  Dr. 
Pagenstecher,  the  director  of  that  institution,  now  gives  us 
an  account  of  the  collection,  comparing  the  avifauna  of  South 
Georgia  with  that  of  the  somewhat  similarly  placed  Island  of 
Kerguelen  in  the  South  Indian  Ocean,  and  adding  remarks 
on  the  habits  and  breeding  of  the  birds  contributed  by  Dr. 
H.  Will.  Altogether  23  species  of  birds  were  met  with  in 
South  Georgia,  of  which  18  were  found  to  breed  there,  while 
the  corresponding  numbers  for  Kerguelen  are  42  and  37. 
South  Georgia  differs  from  Kerguelen  in  having  a  resident 
Passerine  bird — a  Pipit,  which  has  lately  been  described  by 
Dr.  Cabanis  as  Anthus  antarcticus.  The  Sheathbill  of  South 
Georgia  {C/donis  alba)  is  represented  in  Kerguelen  by  a 
different  species  {Ch.  mitior).  Whether  the  Teal  of  South 
Georgia  is  really  the  same  as  that  of  Kerguelen  [Querquedula 
eatoiii)  seems  to  be  rather  doubtful.  Besides  these  three 
species,  the  avifauna  of  South  Georgia  consists  entirely  of 
oceanic  birds — Penguins,  Petrels,  Albatrosses,  Gulls,  Terns, 
and  Cormorants. 

98.  Protocol  of  the  Inter iiational  Ornithologists'  Congress. 

[Sitzungs-Protokolle  des  ersten  inteniationalen  Ornitliologen-Con- 
gresses  welcher  unter  dem  Protectorate  Sr.  kaiserl.  und  konigl.  Ilolieit 
des  durchlaucbtigsten  Kronprinzen  Erzlierzog  Rudolf,  vom  7.  Lis  11. 
April,  1884,  in  W ien  abgelialten  wurde.     4to.     Wien  :  1884.] 

This  is  the  official  account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  first 
meeting  of  the  International  Ornithologists^  Congress,  which 
was  held  at  Vienna  in  April  1881,  under  the  presidency  of 
Dr.  Gustav  Radde.  It  is  noteworthy  that  no  official  repre- 
sentative of  Great  Britain  attended  the  meeting.  There 
seems  to  have  been  some  mismanagement  here,  either  on  the 
part  of  our  authorities  or  of  those  of  Vienna. 

99.  Report  of  the  Harvard  Museum  of  Zoology. 

[Annual  Report  of  the  Curator  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 
at  Harvard  College,  to  the  President  and  Fellows  of  Harvard  College, 
for  1883-84.     8vo.     Cambridge :  1884.] 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  331 

A  good  work  for  ornithology  has  been  done  in  1884  by 
the  Harvard  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  by  the  issue, 
in  two  volumes  of  its  'Memoirs/  of  the  long-expected 
history  of  the  Water-Birds  of  North  America,  already  noticed 
above  (pp.  97, 221).  Mr.  Agassiz,  in  his  general  report,  seems 
rather  concerned  at  the  accumulation  of  the  collections  under 
his  charge,  and  thinks  that  the  resources  of  the  Institution 
will  hardly  prove  adequate  to  supply  the  additional  room  re- 
quired for  their  storage  and  the  new  assistants  for  their  care. 
Mr.  Allen's  special  report  on  the  mammals  and  birds  tells  us 
that  the  latter  collection  has  been  increased  by  the  addition 
of  68  mounted  specimens  (58  species)  and  107  skins  (61 
species) — the  latter  mainly  to  fill  deficiencies  in  the  North- 
American  collection.  There  have  also  been  added  three 
mounted  and  three  unmounted  skeletons.  The  birds  in  the 
Systematic,  South- American,  and  Australian  Rooms  have 
been  labelled,  and  considerable  progress  has  been  made  in  the 
preparation  of  the  systematic  or  index-catalogue  of  the 
skins. 

100.  Ridgway  on  neiv  Birds  from  Cozumel  Island. 

[Description  of  some  new  Species  of  Birds  from  Cozumel  Island,  Y  u- 
catan.     By  Robert  llidgway.     Proc.  Biol.  Soc.  Washington,  vol.  iii.] 

The  present  paper  contains  descriptions  of  the  following 
new  species  and  subspecies  of  birds  from  a  collection  made 
in  Cozumel  in  January  last  by  Mr.  J.  E.  Benedict,  of  the 
U.S.  Fish  Commission  : — Harporhynchus  guttatus,  Troglo- 
dytes beani,  Dendroica  petechia  rufivertex,  Vireosylvia  cinerea, 
Vireo  bairdi,  Cyclorhis  insularis,  Spindalis  benedicti,  Euetheia 
olivacea  intermedia,  Centurus  leei,  Attila  cozumel<s,  Lampornis 
thalassinus,  Chlorostilbonforjicatus,  Empidonax  gracilis,  My- 
iarchus  platyrhynchus ,  Cardinalis  saturatus. 

Of  these,  Harporhynchus  guttatus  and  Spindalis  boiedicti 
are,  no  doubt,  the  birds  described  by  Mr.  Salvin  in  our  last 
number  {antea,  pp.  187,  189)  as  Harporhynchus  melanostoma 
and  Spindalis  exsul.  The  Vireo  called  by  him  V,  magister 
is  V.  cinerea  of  the  present  paper  ;  Phonipara  pusillu  = 
Euetheia  olivacea  intermedia  ;  Attila  sp.?  perhaps  =A.cozu- 

SEK.  V. VOL.   III.  Z 


322  Recently  published  Ornithological  Wurhs. 

mela ;  Centurus  dubius=C.  leei;  Chlorostilbon  caniveti=C. 
forficatus. 

Mr.  Ridgway's  paper  is  merely  a  preliminary  one,  and  we 
look  forward  with  interest  to  his  promised  fuller  account. 

101.  Rochebrune's  'Birds  of  Senegambia.' 

[Faune  de  la  S6n4gambie   par   A.-T.    de    Rochebrune.      (Oiseaux.) 
Royal  8vo,     Paris:  1884.] 

An  account  of  the  birds  of  the  French  colony  of  Sene- 
gambia has  long  been  wanting,  and  we  are  always  glad  to 
welcome  a  new  worker  into  the  wide  field  of  ornithology, 
although  it  is  necessary  to  say  that  we  are  not  quite  satisfied 
with  the  present  volume.     Dr.  Rochebrune  gives  us  an  ac- 
count of  686  species  of  birds  which  he  attributes  to  the  fauna 
of  Senegambia.      Of  these    Scotopelia   oustaleti,   Psittacus 
rubrovarius,  j^githalus  calotropiphilus,  Nilaus  edivardsi,  and 
Estrelda  savatieri  are  said  to  be  new  discoveries ;  but  the 
Psittacus  is  certainly  only  a  variety  of  Ps.  erithacus,  and 
we  are  a  little  suspicious  about  some  of  the  other  supposed 
new  species.     But  the  important  question  is  whether  we  may 
safely  rely  on  the  author's  assertions  that  all  the  686  species 
mentioned  in  the  work  are  to  be  found  within  the  limits  of 
Senegambia.     For  example.  Dr.  Rochebrune  maintains  that 
he  has  "  seen  and  hunted  "  three  diflerent  species  of  Bucorvus 
(usually  supposed  by  those  who  admit  them  to  be  geogra- 
phical representatives  of  each  other),  all  in  Senegambia.     Dr. 
Rochebrune   likewise   includes    in    his   list   Gyps   rueppelli, 
Poeocephalus  robustus,  Schizorhis  leucogastra,  and  many  other 
species  hitherto  believed   to   be   confined  to   Eastern   and 
Southern  Africa.     Now  we  ask,  in  all  seriousness,   has  our 
author  actually  procured  in  Senegambia  examples  of  all  these 
species,  and  have  they  been  determined  by  competent  autho- 
rities, or  are  they  only  identified  by  recollection  ?     It  would 
have  been  much  more  satisfactory  to  have  followed  Count 
Salvadori's  excellent  plan  of  giving  a  list  of  the  specimens 
of  each  species  obtained,  with  their  exact  dates  and  localities. 

As  regards  what  Dr.  Rochebrune  calls  the  "  ovologie  '•'(!)  of 
his  volume,  we  fear,  again,  there  must  be  some  errors.     Does 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  323 

Cuculus  solitarius  really  nest  in  the  "  trous  des  vieux  arbres  "? 
If  so,  it  is  a  most  remarkable  Cuckoo.  Are  the  eggs  of 
Pogonorhynchus  really  spotted^  as  stated  p.  108,  and  figured 
pi.  xxix.  fig.  3  ?  Does  the  Tufted  Umbrette  in  Senegambia 
lay  such  eggs  as  are  figured  in  plate  xxiv.  ?  If  so,  former 
excellent  authorities  on  this  subject  have  been  egregiously 
deceived.  Dr.  Rochebrune  seems  to  be  well  pleased  with  his 
coloured  plates,  and  there  is,  indeed,  much  spirit  in  some  of 
the  drawings ;  but  the  colouring  is,  in  some  cases,  awful. 
Nor  can  we  see  any  use  or  excuse  for  such  barbarisms  as 
''  Strigi  "tl  "  Columbi "  !  "  Steganopodi  "  \  &c.  Dr.  Roche- 
brune's  hallucinations  as  regards  Nitzsch  and  the  aftershaft 
have  been  already  treated  of  by  Mr.  Beddard  (Ibis,  1885, 
p.  19),  so  we  need  say  nothing  more  on  this  part  of  the  sub- 
ject, except  that  our  author  appears  to  be  too  great  a  patriot 
to  allow  that  anything  good  can  come  out  of  Germany. 

102.  Saunders's  Edition  of  '  YarreU's  British  Birds.' 

[A  History  of  British  ]3irds.  By  the  late  William  Yarrell,  V.P.L.S., 
F.Z.S.  Fourth  Edition.  Revised  to  the  end  of  the  Second  Volume  by 
Alfred  Newton,  M.A.,  F.R.S. ;  continued  by  Howard  Saunders,  F.L.S., 
F.Z.S.    Parts  XXIX.  &  XXX.     1885.] 

Parts  XXIX.  and  XXX.  conclude  the  Ducks  and  Mer- 
gansers and  the  entire  work.  A  short  preface  to  Vol.  III. 
contains  some  remarks  on  the  species  which  have  been  added 
to  the  British  list  during  the  progress  of  this  edition,  and 
not  figured  or  fully  described  in  it. 

103.  Sharpe  on  the  Fringilliformes. 

[Catalogue  of  the  Passeriformes,  or  Perching  Birds,  in  the  Collection  of 
the  British  Museum.  Fringilliformes :  Part  I.,  containing  the  Familiea 
Dicseidse,  Hirundinidae,  Ampelidse,  Mniotiltidie,  and  Motacillidse.  By 
R.  Bowdler  Sharpe.     London  :  1885.     682  pp.,  12  coloured  plates.] 

Mr.  Sharpens  unrivalled  energy  has  already  produced 
another  contribution  to  the  British  Museum  Catalogue 
of  Birds,  which  has  thus  reached  its  tenth  volume.  Mr. 
Sharpe  now  commences  the  great  group  of  nine-primaried 
Oscines — the  ''Tanagroid  Passeres'^  of  Wallace,  which  he 

z2 


324  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

prefers  to  call  "  Fringilliformes/'  and  gives  us  an  account  of 
five  '^families  "—the  Dicseidse,  Hirundinidae,  Arapelidse, 
Muiotiltidffi,  and  Motacillidse.  Besides  these  he  embraces  the 
members  of  the  genns  Polioptila,  which,  as  he  rightly  states, 
is  qnite  ont  of  place  here,  and  ought  to  have  been  inserted  in 
a  previous  volume.  But  is  he  not  a  little  severe  on  Mr. 
Seebohm  for  rejecting  Polioptila,  when,  as  he  allows,  its  most 
natural  place  is  among  his  own  Muscicapidse  ?  Altogether 
448  species  are  treated  of  in  the  present  volume,  illustrated 
in  the  National  Collection  by  4590  specimens.  Of  these 
88  are  "  types."  Of  32  species  allowed  as  good,  the  British 
Museum  has  not  yet  acquired  examples.  Among  the  Dicseidae, 
which  our  author  admits  "  cannot  be  defined  in  exact  terms/' 
Mr.  Sharpe  includes  the  anomalous  Hawaian  genera  Hemi- 
gnathus,  Drepanis,  and  their  allies,  which  will  eventually,  we 
suspect,  be  allowed  to  constitute  a  distinct  family.  At  any 
rate,  Dicaum  should  not  have  been  put  in  the  middle  of  them. 
The  ''  family  "  is  rendered  further  irregular  by  the  fact  that 
7  out  of  the  13  genera  present  a  "  distinct  bastard  primary," 
— that  is,  are  really  not  nine-primaried  !  Similar  difficulties 
to  those  who  stick  to  the  division  of  the  Oscines  solely  by 
the  number  of  their  primaries  will  be  found  to  occur  in  the 
Vireonidae,  Fringillidas,  and  Alaudidte. 

In  the  present  volume  Mr.  Sharpe  has  rejected  all  tri- 
nomial designations,  but  admits  occasional  subspecies  with 
binomial  names. 

The  following  species  and  subspecies  are  provided  with 
new  names  : — Dicceum  sulaense,  Cotile  shelleyi,  Petrochelidon 
iimoriensis,  Dendroeca  granadensis,  Basileuterus  auricularis, 
B.  meridanus,  B.  rorahnce,  B.  bolivianiis,  B.  veraguensis, 
Setophaga  guatemala,  Polioptila  sclateri,  P.  lactea,  Motacilla 
xantkophrys. 

The  following  generic  terms  seem  to  be  new : — Pinaroloxias 
for  Cactornis  inornata,  Gould ;  Xanthocorys  for  Anthus  nat- 
tereri,  Sclater ;  and  Oreocorys  in  place  of  Heterura,  Hodgson, 
previously  used. 

Twelve  nicely  drawn  plates  by  Keulemans  conclude  the 
volume. 


Recently  published  Oj-nithulugicul  Works.  325 

104.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  of  Ceryle  alcyon. 

[Osteology  of  Ceryle  alcyon.  By  K.  W.  Shufeldt.  Joiirn.  Auat.  & 
Phys.  xviii.  p.  279.] 

Dr.  Shufeldt  gives  a  careful  account  of  the  osteology  of 
this  bird  and  some  excellent  illustrations.  But  we  do  not 
quite  understand  him  when  he  says  that  some  Kingfishers 
'^  possess  zygodactylous  feet,  agreeing  in  this  respect  with  the 
Bucerotidae^^  (!).  Is  the  word  ''zygodactylous^^  here  a  mis- 
print for  ''  syndactylous.  Neither  Kingfisher  nor  Hornhill 
has  what  is  usually  called  a  ''zygodactylous"  foot. 

105.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  of  Numenius  longirostris, 

[Osteology  of  Numenius  longirostris,  with  Notes  upon  the  Skeletons  of 
other  American  Limicolse.  By  R.  W.  Shufeldt.  Jouru.  Anat.  &  Phys. 
xix.  p.  51.] 

Another  elaborate  memoir  by  Dr.  Shufeldt,  likewise  illus- 
trated by  two  well-drawn  plates.  The  comparisons  of  the 
various  bones  of  Numenius  with  those  of  other  Limicolse 
give  this  treatise  greater  interest  in  a  systematic  point  of 
view  than  some  of  those  which  have  preceded  it. 

106.  Traquair  on  Biological  Nomenclature. 

[Remarks  on  Biological  Nomenclature.  Introductory  Address  deli- 
vered before  the  Royal  Physical  Society  of  Edinburgh,  19th  Nov.,  1884. 
Session  1884-85.     By  R.  H.  Traquair,  M.D.,  F.R.S.,  F.G.S.] 

Those  who  wish  to  understand  the  question  of  Biological 
Nomenclature,  concerning  which  so  much  discussion  has 
lately  taken  place,  both  in  this  country  and  in  America,  will 
do  well  to  read  Dr.  Traquair^s  recent  Presidential  Address  to 
the  Hoyal  Physical  Society  of  Edinburgh.  The  whole  sub- 
ject is  here  explained  in  simple  language,  and  without  strong 
bias  in  favour  of  any  of  the  contending  parties.  At  the 
same  time  Dr.  Traquair  gives  us  clearly  to  understand  that 
he  does  not  much  approve  of  trinomials,  the  time  not  yet 
having  arrived  ''for  any  radical  interference  with  the  bino- 
mial system."  Neither  do  we  quite  like  trinomials,  yet  it  is 
difficult  to  see  how  in  certain  cases  their  use  can  be  avoided. 


326  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

107.  Tschusi  zu  ^chmidhoffen  on  the  Long-tailed  Tits  of 
Europe. 

[Bemerkungen  iiber  Acredula  caudata,  Linn.,  und  Acredula  rosea,  Blyth. 
Von  V.  Tscliusi  zu  Schmidkotfen.     Mitth.  orn,  Ver.  Wien,  1884,  p.  103.] 

This  accurate  student  of  the  European  ornis  tells  us  that 
in  the  district  of  Salzburg  not  only  do  both  the  (so-called) 
species  Acredula  rosea  and  A.  caudal  a  occur,  but  also  every 
possible  form  intermediate  between  the  pure  white-headed 
and  the  black-striped  birds. 

108.  Tschusi  zu  Schmidhoffen  on  the  Summer  Duck  in 
Styria. 

[Anas  sponsa,  Linn.,  in  Steiemiark.  Von  v.  Tschusi  zu  Schmidhoften 
Mitth.  orn.  Ver.  Wien,  1884,  p.  SO.] 

The  author  gives  several  instances  of  the  occurrence  of  the 
Summer-Duck  of  North  America  (jEx  sponsa)  in  Styria 
(on  the  Mur  near  Gratz,  in  December  1883,  and  on  the 
Kainach  several  years  before) .  But  there  can  be  little  doubt 
that  these  are  either  birds  escaped  from  ornamental  waters 
or  descendants  of  imported  birds,  the  Summer-Duck  being  a 
purely  Nearctic  species,  replaced  in  Northern  Asia  by  jEx 
galericulata. 

109.  Vorderman  on  the  Birds  of  Batavia. 

[Bataviasclie  Vogels. — Part  VI.,  and  Alphabetische  Index.  Door  A. 
(t.  Vorderman.     Fsatuurk.  Tijds.  v.  Nederl.  Indie,  Deel  xliv.  Afl.  3.] 

Mr.  Vorderman  now  gives  us  a  sixth  part  of  his  '  Bata- 
vian  Birds '  and  an  Index  to  conclude  the  series.  Alto- 
gether in  the  six  parts  182  species  have  been  described  and 
10  others  mentioned  in  an  appendix.  But  we  should  imagiue 
that  the  number  of  birds  to  be  found  within  a  reasonable 
distance  of  Batavia  must  be  far  greater  than  this. 

110.  Vorderman's  '  List  of  Javan  Birds.' 

[List  of  the  Birds  from  Java.  Compiled  by  A.  6.  Vorderman.  Na- 
tuurk.  Tijds.  v.  Nederl.  Indie,  Deel  xliv.  Afl.  3.] 

This  is  a  nominal  list  of  the  birds  of  Java,  compiled  from 


Letters,  Announcements,  &)C.  327 

the  works  of  Horsfield,  Temminck,  Bonaparte,  Schlegel,  and 
other  authorities,  and  arranged  on  the  system  of  Prof. 
SchlegeFs  '  Dierentuin."  404  species  are  enumerated,  of 
which  the  author  claims  14  as  due  to  his  explorations  of  the 
neighbourhood  of  Batavia  and  Mount  Salak.  Of  these  14, 
one,  Brachypteryx  salacensis,  is  stated  to  be  new,  but  no 
description  is  given.  We  are  glad  to  be  told  that  Mr.  Vor- 
derman  has  in  preparation  a  monograph  on  the  birds  of 
Java,  on  the  same  plan  as  Salvadori's  excellent  work  on  the 
birds  of  Borneo. 

111.  'The  Young  OologistJ 

[The  Young  Oologist.     Vol.  I.  No.  10.     8vo.     Gaines,  N.  Y. :  1885.] 

We  have  been  favoured  with  a  specimen-copy  of  this  newly 
started  journal,  which  contains  a  series  of  communications 
upon  the  birds  and  eggs  of  North  America,  and  seems  likely 
to  foster  the  study  of  field-ornithology  in  the  United  States. 


XXXIII. — Letters,  Announcements,  &^c. 

We  have  received  the  following  letters  addressed  to  the 
Editors  of  ^  The  Ibis:'— 

Irchester  Vicarage,  Wellingboro', 
April  16,  1885. 

Sirs, — I  am  concerned  to  find  that  the  specific  name 
cinerascens  cannot  stand  for  my  Parus,  described  in  the  last 
number  of  '  The  Ibis/  having  been  previously  given  to 
another  Titmouse  (P.  afer,  Gmelin)  by  Vieillot  (Nouv.  Diet. 
XX.  p.  316,  1818)  ;  I  therefore  propose  that  it  should  be 
known  as  Parus  sarawacensis. 

Yours  &c., 

Henry  H.  Slater. 


Hawksfold,  Fernhurst,  Haslemere, 
May  23, 1885, 

Sirs, — That  the  birds  of  the  island  of  Cozumel  should 
have  remained  unnoticed  for  upwards  of  forty  years,  and  have 


338  Lettei's,  Announcements,  ^c. 

then  supplied  two  coUectious,  to  Mr.  Ridgway  and  myself, 
almost  at  the  same  moment,  is  unfortunate  only  as  regards 
the  last  coincidence,  inasmuch  as  we  have  supplied  several 
birds  each  with  a  superfluous  name. 

My  reason  for  writing  this  letter  is  to  ascertain  which 
name  is  applicable  in  future  to  these  species. 

The  facts  are  these  : — My  paper  was  published  in  your 
pages  on  or  about  April  5  of  the  present  year. 

Mr.  Ridgway^s  will  form  part  of  the  third  volume  of  the 
Biological  Society  of  Washington,  1884-85.  Extra  copies  of 
this  paper  were  printed  on  "  February  26,  1885,'^  and  posted 
by  Mr.  Ridgway  to  his  friends  on  March  2nd. 

The  date  of  its  publication  I  am,  as  yet,  unable  to  supply. 

Personally  I  am  quite  ready  to  accept  Mr.  Ridgway^s 
names ;  but  I  think  no  harm  can  be  done  by  asking  what  is 
the  status  of  names  issued  in  an  "  extra  "  in  advance  of  the 
actual  publication  of  the  periodical  of  which  they  are  to  form 
a  part. 

The  date  of  printing  is,  of  course,  nothing,  and  it  seems  to 
me  that  the  distribution  of  printed  copies  by  an  author  does 
not  technically  differ  from  sending  Avritten  letters  to  the 
same  eff'ect  to  his  various  correspondents. 

Publication  is  something  more  than  this.  I  believe  that 
our  practice  in  England  is  not  to  issue  "  extras  '^  to  authors 
until  after  the  actual  publication  of  the  paper,  and  this  seems 
to  me  to  be  the  right  course.  In  America  a  different  system 
seems  to  prevail,  and  authors  can  have  copies  of  their  papers 
often  many  months  before  their  formal  publication.  In  by 
far  the  majority  of  cases  no  harm  is  done.  Occasionally,  as 
in  the  present  instance,  a  preliminary  distribution  clashes 
with  an  actual  publication. 

Yours  &c., 

OSBERT  SaLVIN. 


Anniversary  of  the  British  Ornithologists'  Union. — The 
Annual  Meeting  of  the  B.  O.  U.  was  held  at  6  Tenterden 
Street,  on  AVednesday,  the  20th  May,  at  6  p.m.,  Mr.  Sclatek 
in  the  Chair. 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  339 

The  Minutes  of  the  last  Meeting  having  been  read  and 
confirmed,  the  B.  O.  U.  Committee  presented  the  following 
Report : — 

Your  Committee  have  much  pleasure  in  pointing  out  that 
the  B.  O.  U.  continues  in  a  prosperous  condition.  As 
compared  with  last  year  the  finances  are  in  a  very  satis- 
factory state,  more  than  half  the  heavy  debt  incurred  by 
the  publication  of  the  '  Ibis  List  of  British  Birds  '  having 
been  wiped  off,  while  by  careful  economy  the  expenses  of 
publication  of  the  Journal  have  been  decreased. 

At  the  last  Anniversary  Meeting  the  number  of  Members 
amounted  to  150,  viz. : — 124  Ordinary  (Mr.  Foster  having 
been  returned  in  error  as  dead),  1  Extraordinary,  9  Honorary, 
and  16  Foreign  Members.  At  the  present  Anniversaiy  the 
total  number  of  Members  on  the  roll  has  been  increased  to 
174,  viz. : — 146  Ordinary,  1  Extraordinary,  8  Honorary,  and 
19  Foreign  Members.  The  Committee  are  pleased  to  be 
able  to  say  there  has  been  only  one  death  among  the  Mem- 
bers, viz.  that  of  Mr.  Arthur  Basil  Brooke,  whose  loss  will 
be  sincerely  regretted  by  all  the  Union.  The  only  other 
vacancy  is  that  caused  by  Major  G.  F.  L.  Marshall,  who  has 
resigned.  There  are  9  Candidates  for  admission  at  this 
Anniversary. 

The  Accounts  for  'The  Ibis'  for  1884  were  then  dis- 
cussed and  passed,  and  the  following  new  Members  were 
balloted  for  and  elected  : — James  Backhouse,  Jun.,  West 
Bank,  York ;  Hugh  G.  Barclay,  F.R.G.S.,  Thorpe,  Nor- 
wich; Capt.  E.  F.  Becher,  R.A.,  F.Z.S.,  Southwell,  Notts; 
William  Fitzherbert  Brockholes,  Claughton-on-Brock,  Gar- 
stang,  Lancashire;  F.  H.  H.  Guillemard,  M.D.,  Eltliam, 
Kent ;  Sir  Ralph  Payne-Gallwey,  Thirkleby,  Thirsk ;  George 
Lawson,  C.B.,,  36  Craven  Hill  Gardens,  Hyde  Park,  W. ;  John 
Marshall,  F.L.S.,  Belmont,  Taunton;  Edward  Neale, 6  Ten- 
terden  Street,  W.  The  President  and  Secretary  having  been 
re-elected,  Mr.  W.  T.  Blanford,  F.R.S,,  was  elected  on  the 
Committee  in  place  of  Captain  Shelley,  who  retired  by  rotation. 

A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Chairman  (as  also  to  Captain 
Shelley  for  the  use  of  his  room)   was  proposed  by  Mr.  F. 


330  Letters,  Announcements,  6^c. 

DuCane  Godman^  seconded  by  Mr.  Howard  Saunders,  and 
carried  unanimously. 

The  Meeting  then  adjourned^  and  the  Annual  Dinner  was 
held  at  the  Cafe  Royale,  and  was  attended  by  about  twenty- 
five  Members  and  quests. 


Neiv  Ornithological  Work. — We  are  glad  to  hear  that  Mr. 
Edward  Bartlett,  Curator  of  the  Maidstone  Museum,  has  been 
for  some  years  collecting  materials  for  a  great  work  on  the 
Ploceidae  and  Fringillidse,  upon  which  his  MS.  is  becoming- 
very  voluminous.  He  has  besides  a  fine  collection  of  the 
birds  themselves,  and  will  feel  truly  grateful  for  odd  papers 
or  notes  on  any  of  the  species.  Mr.  Bartlett  says  that  the 
work  has  been  a  labour  of  love  to  him,  with  little  idea  of 
compensation,  and  he  hopes  it  will  be  of  value  to  science,  as 
well  as  to  persons  who  are  fond  of  this  beautiful  group  of 
birds  in  confinement. 


Prjevalsky's  New  Expedition. — The  '  Times '  of  May  25th 
publishes  a  letter  from  Col.  Prjevalsky  dated  Lob  Nor, 
Feb,  10th,  in  which  he  states  that  the  collections  of  natural 
history  during  the  present  expedition  "  are  not  inconsiderable. 
The  poorest  is  that  of  the  birds — 1000  specimens — of  which 
one  only  is  new,  Leucosticte  roboivoskii.''' 

"  We  have  passed  the  autumn  and  winter  in  the  western 
regions  of  Zaidan  and  Northern  Tibet,  where  we  made 
many  geographical  discoveries.  We  arrived  at  Lob  Nor 
yesterday,  and  shall  pass  the  month  of  February  here,  ob- 
serving the  migration  of  birds.  In  March  we  shall  start  for 
the  town  of  Kiria,  where  our  collections,  loaded  on  ten 
camels,  will  remain,  while  we  pass  the  summer  in  the  moun- 
tains of  Northern  Tibet,  with  the  intention  of  re-entering 
Turkestan  in  the  autumn.  We  have  heard  no  news  from 
Europe  for  twelve  months,  and  have  not  seen  another  human 
being  for  three  months." 


The  Ridgway  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago,  U.S.A. — March 
5th,  1885.  J.  L.  Hancock  read  a  paper  on  the  Birds  of  Corpus 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^r.  331 

Christi,  Texas,  recording  ninety-four  species  observed  in 
March  and  April  1884. — April  2nd.  A  specimen  of  Swain- 
son's  Warbler  {Helmintherus  sivainsoni) ,  lent  by  Mr.  Brewster, 
was  exhibited.  A  paper  was  read  by  Dr,  Gibbs  on  the  Wood- 
peckers of  Michigan.  Mr.  H.  K.  Coale  gave  a  bird-skinning 
exposition. — May  15th,  Mr.  Coale  read  a  paper  containing 
notes  on  the  Birds  of  Arizona. 


Birds  breeding  in  Ants'  Nests. — Two  interesting  letters  on 
this  subject  have  lately  appeared  in  ^  Nature.'  These,  with 
the  kind  permission  of  the  Editor  of  '  Nature,'  we  reproduce. 
The  first  is  from  Mr.  W.  Davison,  who  writes  from  Ootaca- 
mund,  Jan.  18th,  and  says,  in  reply  to  inquiries  from  Mr. 
Grant  Duff  {'  Nature,'  vol.  xxxi.  p.  438)  :— 

"  The  Southern  Chestnut  Woodpecker  {Micropternus  gu- 
laris)  always,  as  far  as  I  have  observed,  uses  an  ants'  nest 
to  nest  in,  and  Mr.  Gammie,  the  Superintendent  of  the 
Government  Cinchona  Estates  at  Mongphoo,  .near  Darjee- 
ling,  has  noticed  the  same  thing  with  regard  to  the  allied 
northern  species,  Micropternus  jjhaioceps ;  and  the  peculiarity 
probably  extends  also  to  the  allied  species  found  in  Burmah, 
Siam,  &c. 

"  Mr.  Gammie  thinks  that  when  an  ants'  nest  has  been 
taken  possession  of  by  the  bird  the  ants  desert  the  nest. 
This  is  a  point  on  which  I  cannot  speak  with  certainty. 
Mr.  Gammie  has  taken  nests  of  the  northern  species  in 
which,  although  the  bird  had  laid,  the  ants  remained,  and 
he  has  taken  other  nests  where  not  a  single  ant  remained; 
but  there  is  nothing  to  show  that  these  nests  were  not  de- 
serted before  the  bird  took  possession.  I  myself  have  taken 
nests  of  the  southern  form,  in  which,  though  the  eggs  were 
partially  incubated,  the  ants  remained,  showing  that  some 
considerable  time  must  have  elapsed  since  the  bird  took  pos- 
session. This  is  a  point  that  I  hope  to  be  able  to  elucidate 
within  the  next  few  months,  when  the  birds  will  be  breeding. 

'^  When  Micropternus  is  breeding  the  feathers  of  the  head, 
tail,  and  primaries  of  the  wings  get  covered  with  a  viscid 
matter,  having  a  strong  resinous  smell,  and  this  substance  is 


332  Letters,  Announcements,  &^c. 

usually  rather  thickly  studded  with  dead  ants  {vide  '  Stray 
Feathers/  vol.  vi.  p.  145). 

"  Two  species  of  Kingfishers  also  to  my  knowledge  nidi- 
ficate in  ants^  nests — viz.  Halcyon  occipitalis,  confined  to 
the  Nicobar  Islands^  and  H.  chloris,  which  ranges  from  India 
as  far  south  as  Sumatra. 

''At  Merguij  in  South  Tenasserim,  I  found  a  nest  of 
H.  chlo7ns  in  a  hornets'  nest,  and  although  I  saw  the  birds 
repeatedly  enter  the  hole  they  had  made  in  the  hornets' 
nest  the  hornets  did  not  seem  to  mind  it,  but  they  resented 
in  a  very  decided  manner  my  attempt  to  interfere  with  the 
nest." 

In  the  number  of  '  Nature '  for  May  (vol.  xxxii.  p.  52) 
is  the  following  letter  from  Mr.  Charles  Bingham,  Deputy 
Conservator  of  Forests,  British  Burmah,  on  the  same  sub- 
ject :— 

"  Oamp  Meplay,  Thoung-yeen  Valley,  Tenasserim, 
April  20,  1882. 

"  This  morning,  in  going  from  my  camp  to  the  Meplay 
Forest  Reserve,  I  had  to  pass  through  several  densely  over- 
grown phonzohs.  While  making  my  way  along  with  some 
difficulty,  I  startled  a  brown  Woodpecker  {Micropternus 
phceoceps)  from  a  small  pyingado  tree  (Xylia  dolabriformis). 
Looking  up  into  the  branches  I  saw  a  large  ants'  nest,  in  the 
centre  of  which  appeared  a  circular  hole  so  exactly  like  the 
borings  made  by  Woodpeckers  ordinarily  in  the  trunks  of 
trees,  that  I  sent  up  a  Karen  boy  who  was  with  me  to  ascer- 
tain whether  it  was  possible  the  Micropternus  had  been 
boring  into  the  ants'  nest,  as  I  had  heard  was  the  bird's 
curious  habit.  The  ants'  nest  was  only  about  ten  feet  above 
the  ground,  placed  in  the  fork  of  the  pyingado,  two  small 
branches  of  which  passed  clean  throiigh  it.  Climbing  up, 
putting  in  his  fingers  and  then  a  twig,  my  Karen  follower 
announced  that  there  were  two  eggs.  Leaving  the  nest 
alone  for  the  time  being,  in  the  evening  I  returned  by  the 
same  route,  and  was  able  not  only  to  cut  off"  and  carry  into 
camp  the  whole  nest  as  it  was ;  but  I  managed  to  secure 
also  the  bird  as  she  flew  from  the  eggs.     Arrived  in  camp,  I 


Letters,  Announcements,  S^c. 


383 


got  the  two  eggs  out^  and  then  very  carefully  made  a  cross- 
section  through  the  ants'  nest,  so  as  to  divide  the  boring 
made  by  the  Woodpecker  longitudinally. 


a,  entrance-tunnel  made  by  Woodpecker ;  b,  retort-shaped  nesting-cham- 
ber of  Woodpecker;  c,  excavations  made  by  the  ants;  ddd ..  .  .d, 
entrances  to  them ;  ///• . . ./,  tunnels  made  by  the  ants  ;  fff/,  fork  of 
pyingado  branch— one  twig  passing  through  the  egg-chamber  ex- 
cavated by  the  Woodpecker. 

"The  accompanying  is  a  rough  diagrammatic  sketch  of 
the  appearance  of  the  cross-section  of  the  nest  as  hollowed 
out  by  the  Woodj)eckers.  The  ants'  nest  was  a  large  sphe- 
rical solid  mass  of  leaves  and  clay,  the  leaves  outside  being 
arranged  one  over  the  other  something  like  the  tiles  on  the 
roof  of  a  house,  but  riddled  in  many  places  with  the  entrance- 
tunnels  made  by  the  ants — a  small  black  and  red  species  of 
Myrmica,  the  trivial  or  specific  name  of  which  I  do  not 
known.  It  is  probably  closely  allied  to  the  Myrmica  men- 
tioned by  Sir  J.  Lubbock  in  his  '  Ants,  Bees,  Wasps,'  as 
having  been  described  by  Sykes  in  the  '^  Trans.  Ent.  Soc' 
vol.  i.     Very  few  of  the  ants  remained  in  the  nest,  and  the 


334  Letters,  Announcements ,  ^c. 

few  tliat  were  about  seemed  agitated  and  stung  virulently. 
Probably  the  mass  of  them  had  been  driven  off  or  eaten  by 
the  Woodpeckers.  The  tunnel  the  latter  had  made  was 
about  two  inches  in  diameter  and  four  inches  long,  bored 
horizontally  in,  and  ending  in  an  irregular-shaped  egg- 
chamber  about  ten  and  a  half  inches  in  cross  diameter,  but 
narrowed  by  the  branch  of  pyingado,  which  pierced  the  nest 
through  and  through,  and  crossed  the  egg-chamber  diagonally. 
The  bottom  of  this  chamber  alone  was  smooth,  but  there  was 
no  lining,  and  the  two  translucent  white  eggs  of  the  Wood- 
pecker had  rested  on  the  bare  boards,  so  to  speak,  of  the 
ants'  house.  In  the  excavations  c  c  c  made  by  the  ants 
themselves  there  were  neither  eggs,  larvae,  nor  pupse ;  pro- 
bably these  all  had  been  removed  when  the  Woodpeckers 
invaded  the  nest.^' 


Birds  at  Scotch  Lighthouses. — At  the  meeting  of  the  Royal 
Physical  Society  of  Edinburgh  held  on  the  20th  of  May 
last^  the  Secretary  drew  the  attention  of  the  meeting  to 
several  interesting  birds  that  had  been  taken  during  the 
month  on  the  island  of  May  by  Mr.  Agnew,  lighthouse 
keeper,  and  forwarded  to  Mr.  J.  A.  Harvie-Brown,  in  whose 
collection  they  have  since  been  placed.  These  were  two 
specimens  of  the  Ortolan  Bunting  and  others  of  the  Pied 
Flycatcher  and  Red-backed  Shrike.  The  Secretary  remarked 
that  these  birds  had  appeared  during  their  spring  migration, 
and  that  in  the  case  o£  the  Ortolan  Bunting,  the  capture 
proved  that  any  Scotch  specimens  of  the  birds  that  have  been 
recorded  could  not  be  said  to  be  escaped  birds,  seeing  that 
they  had  been  in  company  with  well-known  migratory 
species,  and  were  in  all  likelihood  on  their  way  to  Scandi- 
navia, where  they  are  known  to  breed. 


Mr,  R.  B.  Sharpens  Departure  for  Simla. — In  our  last 
Number  {supra,  p.  236)  we  spoke  of  the  negotiations  going 
on  for  the  transfer  of  Mr.  Hume's  celebrated  collection 
of  Indian  birds  to  the  British  Museum.  Mr.  Sharpe  started 
for    Simla    the    end   of  April    to   superintend    the    packing 


Letters,  Announcements,  i^c.  385 

of  the  collection,  which  will  shortly  be  on  its  way  home. 
Writing  from  the  s.s.  "^  Ancon/  in  the  Red  Sea,  on  May  5th, 
he  complains  much  of  the  intense  heat.  '^  It  is  just  as  well,^' 
he  says,  "  that  one  of  the  Editors  of  '  The  Ibis  '  is  not  on 
board.  He  would  tear  his  hair  at  seeing  about  twenty  spe- 
cimens of  Larus  hemprichi  in  full  breeding-plumage  following 
the  ship,  and  not  to  be  got  at.  But  I  hope  to  obtain  some 
at  Aden.  A  small  Tern  of  the  group  ;S.  minuta  was  common 
near  Suez,  and  again  off  Perim,  where  a  larger  Tern  with  a 
black  head  also  appeared  in  pairs.  The  only  other  birds 
seen  were  a  few  Gannets  (brown  with  belly  white)  and  a 
Kite  and  a  Stonechat  g-oins:  north. •'^ 


Obituary. — Ernest  William  White,  whose  untimely  death 
was  briefly  recorded  in  our  last  Number,  was  born  at  Ey  thorne, 
near  Dover,  on  the  20th  June,  1858,  and  when  six  years  of  age 
accompanied  his  parents  to  South  America,  Very  delicate 
from  birth,  it  was  with  great  difficulty  that  he  was  reared. 
Books  were  forbidden  him,  and  thus,  untrammelled,  he  roamed 
abroad  and  communed  with  nature,  early  displaying  a  fond- 
ness for  everything  that  lived.  But  it  was  when  Henry 
Durnford  came  to  Buenos  Ayres  that  Whitens  passion  for 
natural  history  burst  forth.  They  were  bosom  companions, 
and  it  was  only  by  his  father^s  command  that  White  was 
debarred  from  accompanying  Durnford  in  his  last  ill-fated 
expedition. 

At  his  own  request  White  was  now  sent  to  London  to  make 
the  acquaintance  of  naturalists.  He  there  became  a  Fellow 
of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London^  and  entered  into  ar- 
rangements with  Mr.  Edward  Gerrard,  jun.,  to  perfect 
himself  in  the  preparation  of  specimens.  During  his  resi- 
dence in  London,  White,  in  his  passion  for  learning,  took  no 
heed  of  weather,  and  thus  developed  tuberculosis,  the  seeds 
of  which  were  in  him  from  his  birth.  He  was  consequently 
called  home,  and  on  the  voyage  burst  a  blood-vessel  on  the 
lungs  and  lost  a  great  quantity  of  blood.  He  scarcely 
reached  home  alive,  and  was  then  instantly  despatched  to 
Mendoza,  where   he   was  enabled  to  gratify  his  passion  for 


38G  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c, 

natural  history  in  a  new  and  little-explored  region  and,  by 
roughing  it,  to  regain  health  and  strength. 

For  five  years  in  this  district  White  roamed  about,  sleeping 
amongst  the  snows,  travelling  on  mule-back,  battered  and 
tossed  by  wind  and  rain,  dust  and  heat,  until  at  last  he  re- 
turned home  robust,  and  sought  for  a  wife  ready  to  accompany 
and  aid  him  in  future  toil.  He  found  her  and  married  ;  and 
then  the  next  thing  was  to  consider,  as  he  had  now  con- 
tracted obligations,  how  to  choose  a  profession  that  should 
first  pay  the  expenses  of  his  future  explorations,  and  secondly 
occupy  the  minimum  of  time  in  preparation. 

His  first  idea  was  medicine,  which  he  had  studied  in  Buenos 
Ayres  previously;  but  considering  that  all  the  dentists  of 
Buenos  Aires  are  rich  men,  and  that  the  teeth  of  Argentines  are 
about  the  worst  in  the  world,  he  fixed  upon  dentistry,  which 
he  could  combine  with  natural  history  in  his  projected  travels, 
wherein  he  was  determined  to  exhaust  the  Argentine  Republic. 

White  first  tried  the  London  schools ;  but  the  restrictions 
were  so  onerous  and  the  climate  so  bad,  that  he  was  forced 
to  migrate  to  Philadelphia.  Here,  after  his  two  j^ears'  course, 
he  was  on  the  point  of  attaining  his  qualification,  when  a 
wave  of  malignant  typhoid  fever  swept  over  the  city  and 
carried  White  away  amidst  its  earliest  victims,  on  the  29th 
of  November  last,  at  the  early  age  of  26  years. 

Dr.  Eduard  RiJppELL. — The  death  of  Dr.  Eduard  Riippell, 
of  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  which  we  announced  in  our  last 
Number  (see  p.  238),  cannot  be  allowed  to  pass  in  this 
Journal  without  honourable  notice  of  so  eminent  a  traveller 
and  naturalist. 

Dr.  Riippell  was  born  in  Frankfort  on  the  20th  November, 
1794<,  the  son  of  an  official  in  the  postal  service  of  the  Grand 
Duchy  of  Hesse.  After  leaving  the  Gymnasium  he  was 
placed  in  business ;  but  his  love  for  natural  history  led  him 
to  visit  Egypt  as  early  as  1817,  after  which  he  became  resi- 
dent in  Italy.  The  assistance  rendered  to  him  by  the 
Senckenbergian  Society  of  Naturalists,  which  was  founded 
in  that  year  in  his  native  city,  enabled  Riippell  to  attend 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  337 

regular  classes  at  the  Universities  of  Pavia  and  Genoa,  and 
thus  to  prepare  himself  carefully  for  scientific  travel.  The 
result  was  the  two  great  expeditions  of  1822  and  1832.  In 
the  first  of  these  Riippell  explored  Egypt,  Nubia,  and  Kor- 
dofan.  This  expedition,  as  well  as  the  second,  of  which  the 
object  was  the  exploration  of  the  then  almost  unknown  fauna 
of  Abyssinia,  resulted  in  the  discovery  of  a  large  number  of 
new  species  in  every  branch  of  natural  history,  besides  estab- 
lishing many  others  up  to  that  time  very  little  known.  The 
number  of  new  birds  discovered  by  Riippell  amounted  to  130 
at  least,  and  his  labours  in  the  cause  of  ornithology  in  these 
countries  must  always  place  his  name  amongst  those  of  the 
first  rank  in  the  history  of  the  birds  of  Africa.  Indeed 
RUppeirs  w^orks  have  formed  the  ground  upon  which  all 
subsequent  labours  on  the  ornithology  of  North-eastern  Africa 
have  been  based. 

The  three  works  which  bring  everlasting  fame  to  the  name 
of  Riippell  are  : — (1)  The  'Atlas  zu  der  Reise  im  nordlichen 
Afrika,'  published  at  Frankfort  in  1826  ;  (2)  his  'Neue 
Wirbelthiere  zu  der  Fauna  von  Abyssinien  gehorig'  (Frank- 
fort, 1835) ;  and  (3)  his  '  Systematische  Uebersicht  der  Yogel 
Nordost-Afrika's '  (1845) . 

The  last-mentioned  work,  in  8vo,  contains  a  summary  of 
the  ornithological  portions  of  the  two  former,  and  is  further 
remarkable  for  the  excellent  illustrations  annexed  to  it,  pre- 
pared by  the  master  hand  of  Joseph  Wolf.  Besides  these 
great  works  Riippell  published  several  smaller  ornithological 
memoirs,  chiefly  in  the  '  Abhandlungen '  of  the  Museum 
Senckenbergianura.  He  also  contributed  a  paper  containing 
descriptions  of  two  new  species  of  Touraco  to  the  '  Trans- 
actions of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London,'  of  which  Society 
Riippell  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  the  senior  Foreign 
Member. 

As  is  well  known,  Riippell  gave  the  whole  of  his  rich  col- 
lections to  the  Senckenbergian  Institution  of  his  native  city, 
where  every  opportunity  is  offered  to  those  who  wish  to  ex- 
amine the  typical  specimens.  It  is  also  to  one  of  RiippelFs 
trained  collectors,  Martin  Bretzka,  that  science  is  indebted 

SER.  V. VOL.  in.  2  A 


338  Letters,  Announcements ,  ^c. 

for  our  first  acquaintance  with  the  birds  of  Shoa^  in  Southern 
Abyssinia.  Riippell  died  at  Frankfort  in  the  91st  year  of 
his  age. 


We  are  much  indebted  to  Dr.  H.  Schalowfor  the  subjoined 
notice  of  Dr.  Richard  Boehm^  the  well-known  African 
traveller  and  ornithologist : — 

Dr.  Richard  Boehm. — By  a  short  note,  received  through 
Dr.  Gerhard  Rohlfs,  of  Zanzibar,  we  are  informed  of  the 
death  of  the  well-known  young  zoologist  Dr.  Richard  Boehm. 
The  words  of  the  telegram  leave  no  doubt  that  the  unfortu- 
nate traveller  has  been  murdered  by  the  wild  tribes  westward 
of  lake  Tanganyika,  but  the  exact  locality  where  this  took 
place  is  not  yet  known.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  all 
the  rich  ornithological  collections  and  most  of  the  notes 
made  during  Boehm^s  five  years'  stay  in  Eastern  Africa  have 
been  lost,  except  a  few  specimens  collected  in  Kakoma  and 
on  the  Ugalla  river.  In  this  lamentable  way  has  ended,  at 
the  early  age  of  30  years,  the  career  of  one  of  the  most 
promising  young  zoologists  of  Germany.  Richard  Boehm 
was  born  at  Berlin,  October  1st,  1857,  the  eldest  son  of  Dr. 
Boehm,  a  distinguished  physician.  After  his  zoological 
studies  at  the  Universities  of  Jena  and  Berlin,  under  the 
direction  of  Haeckel,  Peters,  Cabanis,  and  others,  Boehm 
devoted  himself  especially  to  ornithology,  and  prepared 
for  his  African  travels.  In  April  1880  he  left  Germany. 
During  the  following  five  years  he  visited  the  countries 
between  Zanzibar  and  Lake  Tanganyika,  mostly  never  ex- 
plored by  a  zoologist.  In  1882  all  the  collections,  journals, 
maps,  and  drawings  of  Boehm  were  destroyed  by  fire,  A 
year  later  the  traveller  received  two  shots  through  his  thigh 
from  a  native.  After  his  recovery  he  set  out  to  exj)lore  the 
country  near  lake  Moero  (between  long.  28°  E.  and  lat.  8°  S.), 
never  visited  by  any  European  naturalist,  and  here,  probably, 
he  met  his  death. 

Among  the  scientific  papers  of  the  late  Dr.  Boehm,  we 
may  call  special  attention  to  "  Helgolander  Leptomedusen  " 
(Jenaische  Zeitschrift,  Band  xii.),  "  Ueber  die  Pycnogoniden  '' 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^-c.  339 

(Bericht  der  Akad.  d.  Wissenscli.  Berlin,  1879;  often  men- 
tioned and  well  spoken  of  in  Hoek^s  Pycnogonidse  of  the 
'  Challenger'  Expedition),  besides  various  papers  on  African 
ornithology  jiublished  in  the  '  Ornithologisches  Centralblatt ' 
and  in  the  '  Journal  fiir  Ornithologie/  A  short  account 
of  the  birds  collected  by  Boehm  has  been  published  by  Dr. 
Schalow  (J.  f.  O.  1883,  p.  337)  ;  a  second  paper  will  follow 
in  the  next  number  of  that  periodical. 

To  Boehm  are  dedicated  the  genus  Boehmia  of  Hoek  and 
many  species  of  Eastern  African  birds. 


News  of  Dr.  Finsch. — Our  excellent  correspondent  Dr.  O. 
Finsch  of  Bremen,  who  disappeared  from  Europe  somewhat 
mysteriously  more  than  a  year  ago,  and  was  generallv 
supposed  to  have  been  sent  off  by  Prince  Bismark  to  take 
possession  of  New  Guinea  for  the  Fatherland,  writes  to  us 
from  Mioko,  Duke-of-York  Island,  under  date  of  the  27th  of 
February  last.  Dr.  Finsch  preserves  a  judicious  reticence  as 
to  the  exact  business  he  has  been  transacting,  but  admits  that 
he  has  "  travelled  a  good  deal  in  New  Guinea,  and  visited 
parts  of  that  island  where  scarcely  any  white  men  have  been 
before.'^  But  he  also  announces  an  important  ornithological 
discovery.  At  Cooktown,  in  the  preceding  month,  he  had 
purchased  a  fine  collection  of  birds  just  made  on  the  southern 
slopes  of  the  Owen-Stanley  range,  in  New  Guinea,  at  an 
elevation  of  from  7000  to  8000  feet.  Amongst  many  rare 
birds  in  this  collection  were  some  quite  new  and  of  great 
beauty — a  new  Paradise-bird  of  prevailing  blue  colour  and 
a  new  form  allied  to  Astrapia,  both  generically  distinct,  and 
a  most  wonderful  neAV  Amblyornis,  with  a  bright  flame- 
coloured  crest.  These  novelties  have  been  transmitted  to 
Dr.  A.  B.  Meyer,  of  Dresden,  for  description. 


New  Expeditions. — Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes,  having  issued  his 
'  Naturalist's  Wanderings  in  the  Eastern  Archipelago,'  with 
a  full  account  of  his  last  journey,  has  started  again  for  the 
East,  this  time  having  the  Owen-Stanley  range,  in  New 
Guinea,  for  his  principal  object.     He  will  call  at  Taentre 


340  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

and  pick  up  Lis  trained  staft'  of  Moluccan  bird-hunters. 
Mr.  Forbes  lias^  we  believe,  received  excellent  promises  of 
support  from  some  of  the  Australian  colonies,  and  l)ears 
letters  of  introdiu;tion  to  Sir  Peter  Scratcbley,  tlie  newly 
appointed  (Governor  of  "  Torresia/'  as,  we  suggest,  the  portion 
of  Southern  New  (Juinea  which  Prince  Bismark  has  kiiully 
allowed  us  to  retain  ouglit  to  be  called. 

Two  pupils  of  Prof.  Moscley,  who  have  recently  distin- 
guisjied  themselves  in  the  "  Science  Sciiools/'  are  likewise 
shortly  leaving  l^ngland  for  oi)posit(!  ((uarters  of  the  globe. 
Mr.  G.  C.  ]3ourne  departs  for  Diego  (jareia,  the  south(;rn- 
raost  island  of  the  Chagos  group,  in  the  Indian  Ocean,  never 
before  visited  by  a  naturalist,  and  said  to  be  tenanted  by 
peculiar  land-birds  and  other  endemic  creatures.  Mr.  W. 
Jj.  Selatcr  goes  to  British  Guiana,  to  spend  the  winter  under 
the  hospitable  roof  of  Mr.  E.  F.  im  Tiuirn,  when  he  will  pay 
some  attention  to  the  birds  of  the  Pom  croon  llivcr,  and 
especially  to  the  four-footed  embryos  of  Opistliocomus  [supra, 
p.  118),  if  he  can  find  them  !  Both  these  youthful  explorers 
have  promised  to  report  progress  to  the  Editors  of  'The  Ibis.' 


Neiv  Work  on  the  Swallows. — Messrs.  Henry  Sotheran 
&  Co.  have  issued  the  prospectus  of  a  '  Monograph  of  the 
Hirundinida;,'  or  Family  of  Swallows,  to  be  prepared  by 
Mr.  J{.  Bowdler  Sharpe  and  Mr.  Claude  W.  Wyatt.  The 
work  will  be  issued  in  parts  at  lOs.  6d.  each,  and  completed 
in  seventeen  or  eighteen  parts,  of  which  Mr.  Sharpe  will 
j)repare  the  letterpress  and  Mr.  Wyatt  the  plates.  Tt  will 
be  nearly  uniform  in  general  character  with  the  well-known 
'  Monograidi  of  the  Kingfishers'  by  the  former. 


THE    IBIS. 


FIFTH   SERIES. 


No.  XII.     OCTOBER  1885. 


XXXIV. — Additional  Notes  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 
By    Thomas    Aykes.       Communicated    by    John    IIknky 

GURNEY. 

[Continued  from  '  The  Ibis,'  1884,  p.  2:3;?.] 

[In  the  following  notes  the  species  not  previously  recorded 
from  the  Transvaal  by  Mr.  Ayres  are  numbered  consecutively 
with  his  previous  lists. — J.  H.  G.] 

Gyps  rueppellIj  Bon.     Riippell's  Vulture. 

Male,  Vaal  river  near  Potchefstroom.  Total  length  27 
inches,  wing  22'5,  tail  10*5,  tarsus  4,  bill  from  gape  2"25, 
middle  toe  with  claw  5*25. 

My  brother,  whilst  shooting  some  thirty  miles  down  the 
Vaal  river,  found  these  Vultures  breeding  rather  plentifully, 
and  brought  me  from  one  of  their  nests  an  egg  wliich 
measures  3'75x2'75  inches.  This  egg,  which  was  taken 
15th  June,  1884,  still  (March  1885)  smells  very  strongly  of 
the  musky  odour  peculiar  to  the  Vultures ;  the  g^^  was 
somewhat  incubated,  and  as  there  was  but  one  in  the  nest, 
that  is  probably  the  number  usually  laid.  It  is  a  white  egg, 
very  sparsely  and  rather  faintly  marked  with  reddish-brown 
spots  of  eccentric  shapes,  which  are  rather  more  numerous  at 
the  thick  end  of  the  egg  than  elsewhere  ;  the  shell  is  rough 

SER.  V. VOL.   HI.  2  B 


312         Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Orn'itholoijij  of  Transvaal. 

and  clialky ;  the  nest  was   a  ponderous   strneture  of  rough 
sticks  placed  on  the  top  of  a  large  and  very  thorny  mimosa. 

CiRCAETUS  PECTORALis,  Smith.  Black-clicsted  Harrier- 
Eagle. 

In  the  winter  of  1883  but  very  few  of  these  Eagles  ap- 
peared in  the  neighbourhood  of  Potchefstroom,  but  the  fol- 
lowing w'inter  not  less  than  a  dozen  made  their  appearance 
and  were  seen  soaring  round  on  various  occasions.  Dan 
Voorie^  a  Dutch  sportsman  here,  tells  me  that  he  saw*  one 
take  a  hare  and,  carrying  it  a  considerable  height,  let  it  fall, 
doubtless  for  the  purpose  of  killing  and  eating  it ;  but  toads, 
frogs,  lizards,  and  snakes  appear  to  be  the  principal  food  of 
this  species. 

TiNNUNCULUs  CENCHRis  (Naum.).  Western  Grey-winged 
Kestrel. 

Female,  shot  near  Potchefstroom,  25th  October,  1883. 

In  October  1883  this  species  was  plentiful  in  the  patches 
of  mimosa  bush  near  Potchefstroom ;  in  a  female  which  I 
shot  the  stomach  was  crammed  with  large  spiders. 

TiNNUNCULUs  RUPicoLOiDEs  (Smith).  Greater  South- 
African  Kestrel. 

In  '  The  Ibis,'  18G9,  p.  288,  I  spoke  of  these  Kestrels  as 
"  tolerably  common  in  the  open  country  surrounding  Pot- 
chefstroom,^^ but  they  are  now  decidedly  fewer  in  number  in 
this  neighbourhood. 

369.  Scops  capensis,  Smith.     Cape  Scops  Owl. 

Male,  shot  25th  October,  1883.     Iris  light  yellow. 

Mr.  Lucas  sent  me  this  scarce  little  Owl  from  the  Rusten- 
burg  district,  where  it  is  just  as  difficult  to  get  as  elsew  here ; 
generally  one  only  meets  with  these  Owls  by  chance,  and  it 
is  very  difficult  to  see  them  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening  as 
they  sit  quietly  in  a  tree,  and  there  utter  tlieir  monotonous 
kroo-kroo. 

Merops  apiaster,  Linn.     European  Bee-eater. 

Three  males  shot  at  Potchefstroom,  2Gth  October,  1883 ; 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  oii  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.        343 

one  adult,  with  the  iris  crimson,  the  other  two  younger  birds, 
with  the  iris  reddish  brown. 

Meuops  persicus.  Pall.     Blue-cheeked  Bee-eater. 

These  Bee-eaters  breed  in  considerable  numbers  during 
our  summer  months  in  the  banks  of  the  Vaal  river,  twenty 
or  thirty  miles  from  Potchefstroom.  I  am  not  aware  that 
they  breed  elsewhere  hereabouts,  though  there  are  other 
localities  apparently  suitable. 

Merops  nubicoides,  Des  Murs.  Carmine-throated  Bee- 
eater. 

Shot  near  the  junction  of  the  Crocodile  and  Notuane 
rivers,  in  January  1884<,  by  Mr.  Lucas,  who  wrote  to  me  in 
February  that  this  species  is  more  numerous  amongst  the 
Magaliesbergen  than  it  used  to  be  in  former  years,  when  it 
was  scarcely  known  in  the  Rustenburg  district;  now  it  is 
by  no  means  uncommon.  This  Bee-eater  appears  to  assume 
its  nuptial  dress  later  than  most  of  the  family,  not  acquiring 
its  best  plumage  till  the  latter  end  of  December. 

370.  Halcyon  semic.^rulea  (Forsk.).  African  White- 
headed  Kingfisher. 

The  specimen  sent  is  the  first  I  have  seen  or  heard  of  in 
this  part  of  the  country ;  it  was  shot  in  September  whilst 
quietly  sitting  on  a  tree  overhanging  a  pool  of  water  some 
ten  miles  from  Potchefstroom  by  our  ex-Landrost  Mr. 
Andries  Goetz,  who  kindly  presented  it  to  me  in  the  flesh. 

[The  bird  sent  is  marked  as  a  female,  and  is  apparently 
adult.— J.  H.  G.] 

Ceryle  maxima.  Pall.     Great  African  Kingfisher. 
This  species  becomes  scarcer  every  year  about  Potchef- 
stroom. 

Chrysococcyx  cupreus  (Bodd.).     Didric  Cuckoo. 

At  the  accustomed  time  last  spring  these  Cuckoos  appeared 
in  more  than  their  usual  numbers,  and  there  is  little  doubt 
that  this  species  is  fast  increasing  about  here;  they,  how- 
ever, disappeared  this  year  (1885)  much  sooner  than  they 
usually  do,  and  for  the  last  three  months,  from  January  to 

2  B  2 


314       Mr.  T.  Ayreis  on  the  Ornitkoloyy  of  Transvaal. 

the  end  of  March^  scarcely  one,  either  old  or  young,  was  to 
be  seen,  and  if  by  accident  one  was  observed,  it  was  silent 
and  slunk  away,  making  as  little  sign  as  possible. 

CoccvsTES  sERRATUS  (Sparrm.) .     Crested  Black  Cuckoo. 

Female,  shot  25th  October. 

This  species  is  exceedingly  scarce  about  Potchefstroom. 

Pycnonotus  layardi,  (rurn.     Layard's  Bulbul. 
Male  and  female,  Rustenburg,  26th  and  27tli  November, 
1882. 

Nest  and  eggs  taken. 

AcRocEPHALUs  B^TiCATUs  (Vicill.) .  Lcsscr  South-Afrlcan 
Reed-Warbler. 

Shot  amongst  reeds  near  Potchefstroom,  14th  September, 
1884. 

This,  I  believe,  is  about  the  time  when  the  earliest  of  these 
migrants  appear. 

Stenostira  scita  (VieilL).     Fairy  Flycatcher. 

Male,  Potchefstroom,  8th  August. 

This  species  is  a  very  early  visitor  to  the  Transvaal,  ap- 
pearing about  this  time,  which  is  the  end  of  our  winter  and 
still  very  cold.  These  tiny  birds  are  restless  in  the  extreme, 
and  I  suppose  they  manage  to  keep  themselves  warm  by 
constant  motion. 

Urolestes  melanoleucus  fJard.  &  Selby).  South-African 
Long-tailed  Shrike. 

This  Shrike  is  not  uncommon  amongst  the  mimosa  bush 
in  some  parts  of  the  Potchefstroom  district,  but  is  more 
frequently  found  in  the  warmer  bush-veldt  districts. 

Hyphanturgus  OLivACEUS  (Hahu) .  Olive -and-yellow 
Weaver-bird. 

In  the  summer  of  1884  these  Weaver-birds  were  much 
more  plentiful  than  usual  in  our  neighbourhood;  but  this 
year  they  are  unusually  scarce,  for  which  there  is  no  apparent 
reason. 


Mr.  T.  Ayi'es  on  the  Ornitholoyy  of  Trausvaal.        345 

Hyphantornis  velatus  (Vieill.).  Black-veiled  Weaver- 
bird. 

In  December  1882  I  took  a  ne^t  of  this  species  from  the 
twigs  of  a  bush  overhanging  a  stream  at  Sterkstroom_,  in  the 
Rustenburg  district.  The  eggs  of  this  species  arc  consider- 
ably smaller  than  those  of  H.  mariquensis,  but  do  not  other- 
wise differ^  and  are  equally  variable  in  coloration,  assuming 
various  shades  of  verditer-speckled,  pink-speckled,  greenish 
speckled  white,  &c.  The  nest  above  mentioned  contained 
two  blue  eggs. 

Pyromelana  oryx  (Linn.) .  Larger  Southern  Red  Bishop- 
bird. 

Pyromelana  TAHA  (Smith).     Taha  Bishop-bird. 

The  males  of  both  these  species  are  this  year  losing  their 
breeding-plumage  much  earlier  than  usual ;  there  is  now 
(1st  March,  1885)  not  a  red  specimen  of  the  first  to  be  seen, 
and  the  males  of  the  second  are  rapidly  losing  their  gaudy 
coats  and  assuming  their  brown  winter  dress.  Both  these 
species,  and  also  CAer«  J9ro^/^e,  are  less  numerous  this  year 
than  usual. 

371.  Vidua  verreauxi,  Cass.     Verreaux^s  Widow-bird. 

This  handsome  Vidua  is  becoming  much  more  plentiful 
amongst  the  Magaliesbergen  than  it  used  to  be  years  back. 
Then  it  was  scarcely  known  in  the  Rustenburg  district,  where 
it  is  now  by  no  means  uncommon.  This  species  assumes  its 
nuptial  plumage  later  in  the  season  than  most  of  the  family, 
not  being  in  full  dress  till  the  latter  end  of  December,  or 
even  January,  and  on  into  February. 

Treron  DELALANDii,  Bou.     Dclalaudc^s  Pigeon. 

I  found  a  nest  of  this  species  amongst  the  Magaliesbergen 
towards  the  end  of  November  1882 ;  the  nest  was  composed 
of  the  usual  layer  of  sticks  and  was  not  more  than  ten  feet 
from  the  ground  ;  it  contained  a  well-fiedged  young  bird  and 
an  addled  white  e^^. 

CoLUMBA  ARQUATRix,  Tcmm.     Ramcrou  Pigeon. 

In  the  summer  of  1882  these   Pigeons  appeared  in   con- 


346        Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 

siderable  numbers  amongst  the  ravines  of  the  Magalies 
mountains^  feeding  on  the  sweet  and  large  berries  of  a  tree 
called  by  the  Caftres  "  moople/'  which  during  that  summer 
were  very  plentiful. 

Pterocles  gutturaliS;,  Smith.  Yellow-tliroated  Sand- 
Grouse. 

This  species  is  not  at  all  uncommon  near  the  village  of 
Rustenburg ;  in  certain  bare  spots^  where  tliese  birds  find 
tbe  peculiar  seeds  they  are  partial  to  :  from  twenty  to  thirty 
in  a  flock  may  often  be  seen. 

372.  TuRNix  LEPURANA,  Smith.     Kurrichaue  Hemipode. 
This  is   a   scarce   species   with   us ;  it  inhabits   the  open 

veldt_,  is  solitary  in  its  habits^  and  is  seldom  or  never  found 
on  the  corn-lauds  with  the  Common  Quail. 

Its  length  is  given  by  Layard  as  4^  inches^  but  it  measures 
in  the  flesh  as  much  as  G  inches. 

Crex  egregia  (Peters) .     Greater  African  Crake. 

Female,  Potchefstroom,  6th  July,  1883.  Iris  and  bare 
eyelid  crimson;  bill  bluish  ash,  with  the  ridge  dusky  and 
the  basal  part  rose-red ;  tarsi  and  feet  dusky  ash-brown. 

This  is  an  exceedingly  scarce  Rail  in  these  parts ;  the 
specimen  sent  was  killed  with  a  long  whip  by  a  small  boy, 
whilst  running  about  on  wheat-land,  the  blades  of  the  wheat 
being  then  only  a  few  inches  high. 

PoRZANA  BAiLLONi  (Vicill.) .     Baillou^s  Crake. 
Male,  immature    in   change,    Potcliefstroom,    18th    July, 
1883.     Iris  brownish  red. 

This  Crake  is  obtained  here  occasionally. 

373.  PoRPHYRio  ALLENi  (Tliomps.).     Allcu's  Porphyrio. 
Male,  Rustenburg,  11th  December,  1883,  shot  on  the  Hex 

river.  Iris  reddish  brown  ;  tarsi  and  feet  crimson  ;  bill  dark 
red,  frontal  shield  dusky. 

This  very  scarce  bird  was  sent  to  me  by  Mr.  W.  Lucas, 
who  had  it  in  the  flesh  and  noted  the  particulars  above 
transcribed. 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornitholoi/ij  of  Transvaal.        347 

FuLicA  cRisTATA,  Gmel.     Red-knobbed  Coot. 

The  knob  of  the  male  bird  during  life  is  of  the  most  lovely 
and  brilliant  crimson,  and  was  particularly  striking  in  one 
shot  in  April. 

CuRsoRius  RUFUSj  Gould.     Burchell's  Courser. 

I  think  this  species  has  increased  in  numbers ;  it  appears 
plentifully  in  June  and  July,  breeding  in  August  and  Seji- 
tember. 

•  374.   HiMANTOPUs  CANDiDUs,  Bonu.     Black-winged  Stilt. 

Female,  shot  28th  July,  1883.  Iris  crimson;  bill  black; 
tarsi  and  feet  bright  rose-red ;  wings  greenish  black,  with  a 
metallic  lustre;  scapulars  and  tertials  dusky  brown;  tail 
pale  brownish  grey  ;  the  rest  of  the  plumage  white,  with  a 
slight  grey  tinge  on  the  head  below  and  behind  the  eye,  and 
some  little  mingling  of  a  similar  tinge  (but  very  slight)  on 
the  back  of  the  head  and  neck. 

This  specimen  was  shot  by  my  brother  on  a  marsh  about 
nine  miles  from  Potchefstroom ;  it  was  a  solitary  bird,  and 
had  been  feeding  on  small  freshwater  snails,  which  formed 
the  contents  of  the  stomach. 

The  Stilt  is  one  of  our  rarest  visitors,  and  I  never 
succeeded  in  shooting  one,  though  occasionally,  years  ago, 
I  used  to  see  a  couple  on  a  swamp  a  few  miles  from 
Potchefstroom. 

[In  the  present  specimen  the  brown  colouring  of  the 
scapulars  and  tertials,  coupled  with  the  worn  appearance 
of  that  portion  only  of  the  plumage,  affords,  as  it  seems  to 
me,  a  strong  indication  of  immaturity,  leading  to  the  infer- 
ence that  the  nearly  pure  white  head  and  neck  are  not,  as 
some  ornithologists  have  supposed,  exclusively  characteristic 
of  very  old  individuals. — J.  H.  G.] 

Gallinago  nigripennis,  Bon.     Black-quilled  Snipe. 

While  Snipe-shooting  on  25th  May,  1884,  my  pointer 
stood  like  a  rock  at  something,  and  for  some  little  time  I 
could  not  make  out  what  it  was ;  but  looking  carefully 
amongst  the  grass  I  found  a  wee  Snipe,  not  long  hatched,  a 
pretty  little  fellow  with  a  bill  about  |  of  an  inch  long,  and 


348        Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithologij  of  Transvaal. 

rich  dark  brown  downy  jjlumage  spotted  with  Avhite.  He 
stood  fearlessly  on  my  hand  till  I  carefully  put  him  back, 
and  on  moving  some  distance  from  the  sjjot,  I  had  the  satis- 
faction of  seeing  the  old  bird  quietly  skim  along  and  settle 
down  by  the  youngster. 

Gallinago  major  (Gmel.).     Solitary  Snipe. 

Male,  8th  March,  1883. 

Male,  26th  November,  1883. 

Male,  5th  December,  1883. 

Numbers  of  these  Snipes  arrived  in  November  1883,  but 
they  were  not  so  large  and  heavy  as  those  obtained  in  Mai'ch 
and  April,  the  usual  time  for  the  appearance  of  this  species ; 
an  occasional  specimen  may,  however,  be  met  with  here  at 
any  time  of  the  year. 

Machetes  pugnax  (Linn.).     Ruff. 

Female,  Potchefstroom,  25th  September,  1883. 

This  species  occurs  in  gradually  increasing  numbers, 
appearing  pretty  regularly  in  September  and  remaining 
throughout  our  summer  months;  during  the  past  summer 
(1884-85)  it  has  been  very  plentiful,  considerable  flocks 
feeding  on  the  cultivated  lands,  wheat,  stubbles,  &c. 

Tringa  minuta,  Leisl.     Little  Stint. 
Potchefstroom,  December  1883. 

A  few  of  these  tiny  Sandpipers  occur  in  this  neighbourhood. 
[The  specimen  sent  retains  a  few  feathers  of  the  nesting- 
plumage,  but  otherwise  it  is  in  winter  garb. — J.  H.  G.] 

ToTANUS  glareola  (Liuu.).     Wood-Sandpiper. 

Female,  Potchefstroom,  28th  August,  1883. 

Female,  Potchefstroom,  8th  December,  1883. 

I  fancy  that  this  species  is  yearly  becoming  more  common. 

[Of  the  two  specimens  sent,  that  killed  in  August  is  in 
the  breeding-dress,  which  the  December  bird  has  in  great 
measure,  though  not  entirely,  lost. — J.  H.  G.] 

Tringoides  hypoleucus  (Linn.).     Common  Sandpiper. 
Female,  Potchefstroom,  15th  August,  1883. 
This  is  a  scarce  species  here,  but  a  solitary  bird  is  occa- 
sionally seen. 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.        349 

375.  Nycticorax  leuconotus,  Wagl.  White  -  backed 
Night- Heron. 

The  specimen  sent,  which  is  the  first  I  have  met  with,  was 
one  of  a  pair  shot  by  Mr.  Lucas  on  the  river  Hex,  in  the 
Rustenburg  district.  Mr.  Lucas  informs  me  that  this  pair 
of  birds  had  a  nest  "  composed  of  rushes  on  water/^  and  con- 
taining five  eggs ;  one  of  these,  which  Mr.  Lucas  sent  to  me, 
is  white,  with  a  faint  tinge  of  green,  and  measures  1]^  x  1  ^''g 
inch. 

376.  Herodias  alba  (Linn.).     Great  White  Heron. 
Female,  Potchefstroom,  September  1883.     Total  length  in 

flesh  30  inches.  L'is  yellow;  bill  and  skin  round  the  eye 
yellow;  tarsi  and  feet  entirely  black. 

[I  have  taken  the  following  additional  measurements  from 
this  specimen,  in  which  the  decomposed  feathers  of  the  back 
are  very  slightly  developed  : — Bill  from  forehead  4"1  inches, 
do.  from  gape  5;  wing  14'7,  tarsus  5'7;  middle  toe  s.  u.  3  5. 
—J.  H.  G.] 

Female,  Potchefstroom,  19th  January,  1884.  With  long 
back-plumes.  Length  in  the  flesh  38  inches,  bill  from  gape  5i 
[from  forehead  4-1. — J.  H.  G.],  wing  15,  tarsus  6.  Iris  pale 
yellow ;  bill  chrome-yellow  with  black  edges ;  bare  skin  at 
the  base  of  the  bill  and  about  the  eye  greenish  ;  shanks,  legs, 
and  feet  black  ;  decomposed  tufts  of  feathers  on  the  rump 
and  breast  creamy  white. 

This  lovely  Heron  is  generally  scarce  and  difficult  to  get 
in  our  district. 

[The  above  measurements  may  be  compared  with  those  of 
a  specimen  of  Herodias  intermedia  given  by  Mr.  Sharpe  in 
'  The  Ibis,^  1877,  p.  349.— J.  H.  G.] 

Plegadis  falcinellus  (Linn.).     Glossy  Ibis. 

Male,  neaidy  adult,  Potchefstroom,  4th  March,  1884.  Iris 
umber-brown ;  bill  ashy  bottle-green ;  a  narrow  line  of 
dingy  white  immediately  before  the  feathers  of  the  head  just 
at  the  back  of  the  eye ;  tarsi  and  feet  pinkish  ash-colour. 

Female,  nearly  adult,  Potchefstroom,  10th  August,  1883. 

The  Glossy  Ibis  is  always  a  scarce  bird  here. 

[I  have  taken  the  following  measurements  from  the  above 


Tai-sus. 

Middle  tues.?(. 

lU. 

in. 

3-8 

2-7 

3-2 

2-35 

—J.  H.  G.] 

350         Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Unidhobyy  of  Transvaal. 

pair  of  birds,  which  show  the  ditt'ereiice  iu  size  between  the 
sexes  in  this  species  : — 

Bill  from  forehead 
along  the  course 

of  the  culiiien.  Wing, 

in.  in. 

Male 0-4  11-3 

Female 4-3  10-6 


Platalea  tenuirostris,  Teraui.     Slender-billed  Spoonbill. 

Female,  shot  on  the  Mooi  river  near  Potchefstroom,  21)th 
October,  1882. 

This  species,  thongh  seldom  obtained,  can  hardly  be  called 
a  scarce  visitor  to  these  parts  during  our  winter  months. 

Casarca  cana  (Gmel.).     South-African  Shell-Duck. 
This   is  always  a  very  scarce  species  with  us ;  it  is  more 
like  a  Goose  than  a  Duck  in  its  habits  and  appearance. 

PoDiCEPs  CRisTATUs  (Liuu.).     Great  Crested  Grebe. 

Male  in  full  breeding-dress,  shot  2nd  September,  1883. 

This  Grebe  is  exceedingly  scarce  with  us ;  the  specimen 
sent  was  obtained  by  my  brother  on  the  river  near  Potchef- 
stroom. 

[I  annex  the  measurements  of  this  specimen,  together 
with  those  of  four  other  South-African  examples  :  two  of 
the  latter  have  already  been  recorded  in  '  The  Ibis,'  18()9, 
p.  303,  but  I  repeat  them  here  for  the  sake  of  comparison  ;  the 
other  two  have  been  kindly  lent  to  me  by  Canon  Tristram. 

Bill  from 
Wing.  Tarsus.  forehead, 

in.  in.  in. 


A.   S,  Trausvaal  (wV/e  Ibis, 

1809)    

0-rjO 

2-25 

175 

B.    c?,   Trausvaal   (recorded 

above)  

G-95 

2-20 

1-80 

C.  Transvaal    (Canon    Tris- 

tram's collection)     

7-40 

2-25 

1!)0 

D.  "South  Africa"  (do.)  .  . 

7-10 

2-20 

1-8--, 

E.    2,    Walvisch  Bay  (wo'e 

Ibis,  ISGO)   ' 

7-00 

2-25 

1  "r. 

Bill  from 

tarsus. 

forehead. 

111. 

in. 

275 

200 

2-25 

r75 

2-35 

1-90 

2-40 

2  00 

Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ormtliology  of  Transvaal.        351 

These  measurements  are,  for  tlie  most  part,  somewhat  less 
than  those  of  four  European  examples  with  which  I  have 
compared  them,  and  which  I  find  to  be  as  under : — 


Wing. 

in. 

c?,  Norfolk 7-25 

$ ,      Do 7-45 

Do 7-70 

Leadenliall  Market 7  "90 

I  think  it  also  worthy  of  remark  that  the  three  South- 
African  specimens  which  I  have  marked  as  B,  C,  and  D, 
though  in  full  breeding-dress,  show  no  trace  of  the  white 
line  immediately  above  the  eye,  wdiich  is  usual  in  British 
specimens  w^hen  in  full  plumage,  and  which  has  only  been 
absent  in  one  such  example  that  I  have  examined,  a  Noi^folk 
specimen  killed  in  August,  when  the  nuptial  dress  was  no 
longer  at  its  fullest. 

Unfortunately^  the  tw^o  South-African  skins  which  I  re- 
ferred to  in  '^The  Ibis^  for  1869  are  not  now  in  my  possession, 
and  I  am  unable  to  say  whether  the  white  superciliary  line 
was  absent  in  them  also. — J.  H.  G.] 

PoDiCEPS  MINOR  (Liuu.).     Little  Grebe. 

Male,  Potchefstroom,  12th  August,  1883.  In  very  nearly 
full  breeding-dress. 

This  species,  though  by  no  means  numerous  in  the  Trans- 
vaal, breeds  there  in  suitable  localities,  but  shows  itself  more 
in  winter  than  in  summer. 

[I  have  examined  two  skins  of  this  species  from  Natal 
and  two  from  Transvaal,  all  of  which  exhibit  a  slightly 
greater  amount  of  white  on  the  secondaries  than  is  usual  in 
British  specimens,,  but  less  than  I  have  found  on  the  secon- 
daries of  an  Indian  example  which  I  have  also  examined. — 
J.  H.  G.] 


352  M.  Meiizbier  on  the 


XXXV. — On  the  Birds  of  the  Upper  Tarim,  Kashgaria. 
By  M.  Menzbier. 

Since  my  return  from  Western  Europe  I  have  been  favoured 
•with  an  inspection  of  a  small  but  interesting  collection  of 
birds  formed  in  the  district  of  the  Upper  Tarim  river,  in 
Kashgaria,  presented  by  Messrs.  Majev  and  Wilkins  to  the 
University  of  Moscow.  As  I  believe  some  of  the  species 
represented  therein  to  be  of  very  great  importance,  I  take 
this  opportunity  of  bringing  a  list  of  the  birds  before  the 
notice  of  ornithologists. 

The  district  of  the  Upper  Tarim  was  previously  quite  un- 
known from  an  ornithological  point  of  view.  The  Lower 
Tarim  was  explored  by  Col.  Prjevalsky.  The  desert  south- 
ward from  Kashgar  and  Kashgar-Darja  lias  been  visited  by 
the  English  expeditions,  and  the  fauna  of  the  vast  mountain- 
system  of  the  Tian-shan  was  studied  by  the  late  Mr.  Severtzov; 
but  no  ornithologist  had  visited  the  country  of  thcTaushkan- 
Darja  before  the  above-mentioned  expedition  of  Messrs.  Majev 
and  "Wilkins.  All  the  specimens  mentioned  in  our  list  were 
obtained  by  the  last-named  gentlemen  along  the  route  from 
Kyzil-bulak  (soutliw^ards  from  the  Muzart  gorge,  lat.  41°  45' 
and  long.  80°  50'),  to  Ulugchat  (lat.  39°  45'  and  long.  74°  20'j, 
and  on  the  river  Uital,  during  the  months  of  September, 
October,  and  November.  The  average  height  of  this  north- 
western border  of  the  tablelands  of  Central  Asia  is  from 
3000  to  6000  feet  above  the  sea-level.  Along  the  southern 
slopes  of  the  Koushaal-tan  there  is  no  sharp  limit  between 
the  tableland  and  the  mountain-country.  Southwards  from 
tlie  Taushkan-Darja,  as  far  as  the  middle  of  the  route  be- 
tween Kujuk-tokai  and  Kashgar,  the  plateau  reaches  more 
than  6000  feet.  But  we  find  througliout  the  whole  of  the 
Upper  Tarim  the  uniform  character  of  the  tableland  of 
Central  Asia,  and,  as  our  list  shows,  we  have  in  it  only  a  part 
of  the  Central-Asian  ornithological  district. 

I  now  proceed  to  notice  the  s})ecies  represented  in  the 
collection  : — 


Birds  of  the  Upper  Tariin.  353 

1.  PODOCES   HENDERSONI. 

A  beautiful  specimen  of  this  remarkable  bird  was  shot  at 
Kyzil-bulak  (5335  feet),  on  the  12tli  of  November. 

2.  Cyanistes  cyanus  tian-schanicus. 

This  bird  was  found  at  Kyzil-kumbez  in  the  beginning  of 
November. 

3.  Leptop(ecile  SOPHIA  MAJOR,  subsp.  nov. 

L.  sop  hue  similisj  sed  major,  ala  obtusiore,  colore  cseruleo 
nee  ultramarino  praedominante. 
Some  specimens  of  this  pretty  bird  were  obtained  by  the 
expedition  on  the  Taushkan-Darja  about  Ush-turfan  in  the 
beginning  of  October,  and  on  the  river  Koushaal  at  the  end 
of  that  month.  I  think  that  it  is  the  same  desert  race  of 
Leptopcecile  that  was  found  by  Col.  Prjevalsky  on  the  Lower 
Tarim  and  was  recorded  by  him  as  Leptopcecile  sophice. 

4.  Sturnus  purpurascens. 

This  species  was  obtained  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Kara- 
zhodja  at  the  end  of  September  and  near  Kyzil-kumbez  in 
the  beginning  of  November. 

5.  Carpodacus  rhodoghlamys. 

The  conspicuous  R,ose-mantled  Grosbeak  was  found  at 
Ush-turfan  on  the  19tli  of  October,  and  along  the  Ui'tal  on 
the  20tli  of  the  same  month. 

6.  Carpodacus  rubicilla. 

A  male  of  this  species  was  shot  at  Kyzil-kumbez  on  the 
2nd  of  November. 

7.  Erythrospiza  obsoleta. 

This  pretty  bird  was  found  by  the  expedition  near  the 
Taushkan-Darja  at  Ush-turfan. 

8.  Bucanetes  mongolicus. 

Some  specimens  of  this  bird  were  obtained  by  Mr.  Majev 
at  Kyzil-bulak  and  at  Egin,  along  the  confines  of  the  desert. 

9.  Pyrgita  petronia. 

Several  specimens  of  this  bird  were  obtained  near  Ush- 
turfan  at  the  end  of  September  and  at  Jaman-su  about  the 
middle  of  October. 


354  M.  Menzbicr  on  the 

♦ 

10,  Pyrgitopsis  ammodendri. 

This  species  was  obtained  near  the  Taushkan-Darja  at 
Ush-turfan  as  well  as  more  to  the  west,  at  Djigda  and  at 
Djai-tiibe. 

11,  Emberiza  cioides. 

This  bird  was  obtained  on  the  Beliauty  at  11,350  feet,  in 
the  beginning  of  November. 

12,  Alaudula  leucoph.i«:a. 

Several  specimens  of  this  species  were  obtained  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Kara-khodja  and  neai*  Jaman-su  at  the 
end  of  September  and  in  the  beginning  of  October. 

13,  Otocorys  albigula. 

The  Eastern  Shore-Lark  was  obtained  by  the  expedition 
near  Kyzil-bulak  on  the  11th  of  September  and  near  Kulan- 
saryk  on  the  22nd  of  October. 

14,  Galerita  magna. 

This  Crested  Lark  was  found  near  Kara-khodja  and  along 
the  river  Ui'tal  at  the  end  of  September. 

15,  Anthus  spinoletta. 

Some  specimens  of  the  Water-Pipit  were  obtained  about 
Ush-turfan  on  the  27th  of  September  and  near  Janji-shar  on 
the  22nd  of  November, 

16,  Atraphornis  aralensis, 

A  male  of  this  species  was  shot  on  the  23rd  of  October  near 
Kulan-saryk, 

17,  Rhopophilus  deserti. 

1876.  Rhopophilus pekiiiensls,  ^.  var,  major,  Prjev.  ^Mon- 
golia, the  Tangut  Country'  (in  Russ.),  p.  32. 

1878,  Rhojjophilus  deserti,  Prjev.  'Expedition  to  Lob-nor' 
(in  Russ.),  p.  23;  Ibis,  1878,  p.  375. 
R.  pekinensi  similis,  sed  major  et  pallidior. 

Dimensions.      J"  :    length  200-201  millim,,  expanse  205- 
225,  tail  98-105,  wing  69-72,  bill  15-16-5,  tarsus  24-25. 
?  :  length  190-201  millim.,  expanse  200-210,  tail  93-95, 
wing  68,  bill  14-15,  tarsus  22-25. 


Birds  uf  the  Upper  Tarlm.  355 

Description.    Legs   and   feet   flesh-coloured ;    bill  brown ; 
lower  mandible  fleshy^  except  at  the  tip;  iris  dark  brown. 

Plumage.  Above  pale  brown  (the  desert  colour)  ;  under 
surface  of  the  body  white.  The  top  and  back  of  the  head, 
back  of  the  neck,  back  and  scapulars  pale  slightly  greyish 
brown,  each  feather  with  a  narrow  dark-brown  central 
shaft-stripe;  on  the  back  of  the  neck  the  shaft-stripes  are 
only  slightly  pronounced.  The  rump  pale  brown,  without 
any  central  dark  streaks  on  the  feathers.  A  long  delicate 
grey  superciliary  stripe  from  the  nostrils  over  the  lores, 
eyes,  and  ear-coverts.  A  faint  dusky  streak  through  the 
lores  to  the  eyes  and  ear-coverts.  Cheeks  and  ear-coverts 
brownish.  A  dark-brown  moustachial  stripe  from  the  gape 
under  the  cheeks  and  ear-coverts.  Flanks  of  the  neck 
greyish,  each  feather  with  reddish-brown  shaft-stripe.  Coverts 
and  quills  pale  brown,  with  more  darkly  coloured  primaries, 
and  with  a  tinge  of  grey  on  coverts.  Chin,  throat,  breast, 
and  abdomen  white,  tinged  on  the  flanks  and  tibial  feathers 
with  rufous  buff,  each  feather  on  the  sides  of  the  breast  and 
of  the  flanks  with  a  narrow  reddish-brown  shaft-stripe. 
Lower  wing-coverts,  axillaries,  and  under  tail-coverts  pale 
rufous  buS"  or  buffy  white.  Tail  brown;  two  middle  tail- 
feathers  brown,  more  darkly  coloured  along  the  shafts,  and 
with  numerous  narrow  close-set  obsolete  bars  only  visible  in 
certain  lights  ;  the  other  tail-feathers  dark  brown,  with  paler 
tips  and  outer  webs  margined  throughout  their  length  with 
pale  brown;  the  two  exterior  feathers  tipped  and  broadly 
margined  on  the  outer  webs  with  whitish  or  white. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Strauch,  Director  of  the 
Zoological  IMuseum  in  the  Academy  of  Sciences,  and  of  Mr. 
Biichner,  Ornithological  Curator  of  the  same  institute,  I 
have  received  for  comparison  three  specimens  of  Rhopophilus 
obtained  by  Col.  Prjevalsky  during  his  first  journey  through 
Mongolia:  two  R.  pekinensis,  /3.  var.  niajor  {  =  R.  deserti), 
from  Zaidam,  and  a  male  of  R.  pekinensis  from  Northern 
China.  After  a  careful  examination  of  all  these  specimens, 
and  after  a  comparison  of  R.  deserti  with  R.  pekinensis  and 
R.  albo-superciliaris  {'  Lahore  to  Yarkand,'  p.  218,  pi.  xviii.), 


356  M.  Mciizbier  on  the 

I  am  convinced  that  R.  deserti  is  a  species  intermediate 
between  the  eastern  R.  pekinensis  and  the  south-western 
R.  albo-superciliaris'^ . 

Specimens  of  this  bird  were  obtained  by  Mr.  Majev  in 
the  bushes  along  the  Taushkan-Darja,  at  Ush-turfan,  and 
Jaman-su  in  the  middle  of  October. 

18.  Accentor  fulvescens. 

Some  specimens  of  this  comparatively  rare  bird  were  ob- 
tained on  the  20th  of  October  near  the  Upper  Uital, 

19.  Accentor  atrogulakis. 

A  male  of  this  bird  was  obtained  on  the  20th  of  October 
near  the  Upper  Ui'tal. 

20.  RUTICILLA  erythrogastra. 

Numbers  of  Giildenstadt's  Redstart  were  met  with  on 
the  Taushkan-Darja  near  Ush-turfan  in  the  beginning  of 
October. 

21.  Saxicola  salina. 

This  Chat  was  obtained  on  the  22nd  of  October  near 
Kulan-saryk. 

22.  TURDUS  mystacinus. 

This  species  was  found  near  Kashgar-tokai  on  the  30th  of 
October  and  near  Kyzil-kumbez  on  the  1st  of  December. 

23.  Merula  maxima. 

The  Great  Blackbird  was  obtained  in  the  same  localities  as 
T.  mystacinus. 

24.  Lanius  mollis. 

A  very  old  female  of  this  most  remarkable  bird  was 
obtained  by  Mr.  Wilkins  near  Ulugchat  on  the  12th  of 
October. 

*  [With  all  due  respect  for  our  worthy  correspondent's  opinion,  we 
must  assert  that,  after  careful  comparison  of  his  two  examples  of  R. 
deserti,  Prjevalskj^,  with  the  type  specimen  of  R.  superciliaris  (Hume), 
in  the  British  Museum,  we  have  no  doubt,  nor  has  Mr.  Seebohm,  who 
has  also  examined  them,  as  to  their  specific  identity.  If  our  view  prove 
correct,  then  Hume's  name  bas  priority  of  several  years.— Edd.] 


Birds  of  the  Upper  Tarim.  357 

25.  Lanius  homeyeri. 

Two  examples  of  this  species  were  obtained  by  the  expe- 
dition :  a  female  in  intermediate  jilumage  near  Ush-turfan 
on  the  16th  of  October,  and  a  young  one  near  Djigda  on  the 
9th  of  November. 

26.  Lanius  isabellinus. 

The  Desert-Shrike  was  observed  by  the  expedition  near 
Aksu  on  the  20th  of  September  and  near  ,Taraan-su  in  tlie 
beginning  of  October. 

27.  Upupa  epops. 

A  female  of  the  Hoopoe  was  obtained  near  Jangishar  on 
the  22nd  of  November. 

28.  TlCHODllOMA  muraria. 

We  have  an  example  of  the  Wall-creeper  from  Ush-turfan, 
obtained  on  the  26th  September. 

29.  PiCUS  LEPTORHYNCHUS. 

A  female  of  this  species  w^as  shot  on  the  19th  of  September 
near  Aksu. 

30.  CUCULUS  CANORUS. 

A  specimen  of  the  Cuckoo  was  obtained  on  the  24<th  of 
September  near  Kara-khodja. 

31.  Streptopelta  torquata. 

Mr.  Majev  has  sent  us  some  skins  of  this  pretty  bird  from 
Aksu,  as  well  as  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Kashgar. 

32.  Pterocles  arenarius. 

Two  specimens  of  this  Black-bellied  Sand-Grouse,  a  male 
and  a  female,  were  obtained  about  Kulau-saryk  on  the  23i'd 
of  October. 

33.  TOTANUS  CALIDRIS. 

The  Redshank  was  found  on  the  Kashgar-Dai'ja  on  the 
27th  of  November. 

34.  Anas  strepera. 

The  Gadwall  was  obtained  near  Kashgar-tokai  at  the  end 
of  October. 

>5Er.  v. — VOL.  m.  2  c 


358  Mr.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

35.  Anas  penelope. 

The  Wigeon  was  obtained  near  Kashgar-tokai  on  the  30th 
of  October. 

36.  Q.UERQUEDULA  CIRCIA. 

At   the  end  of  October  the  Garganey  was   found    near 
Kashgar-tokai. 

37.  QUERQUEDULA  CRECCA. 

A  single  specimen  of  the  Teal  was  received  from  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Kashgar-tokai. 

38.  FULIGULA   NYROCA. 

The  White-eyed  Duck   was  obtained  near  Aksu  on  the 
20th  September^  and  at  Kashgar-tokai  on  tlie  20th  October. 

39.  Clangula  glaucion. 

The  Golden-eye  was  found  on  the  Upper  Kashgar-Darja 
in  the  beginning  of  December. 

40.  PODICEPS  MINOR. 

An  example  of  tlie  Little  Grebe  was  obtained  near  Kashgar- 
tokai. 


XXXVI. — Further  Notes  on  the  Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda. 
By  Charles  Dixon. 

The  following  additional  information  on  the  ornithology  of 
St.  Kilda  forms  a  supplement  to  my  paper  on  the  subject 
(Ibis,  1885,  p.  G9).  Unfortunately,  I  was  not  able  to  visit  the 
grand  bird-bazaar  myself  this  season,  as  1  had  intended;  but 
the  subjoined  notes  have  been  furnished  to  me  by  my  friend 
Mr.  John  Mackenzie,  Jun.,  who  spent  his  usual  fortnight 
there  between  the  1st  and  14th  of  June.  This  gentleman 
has  also  supplied  me  with  a  fine  series  of  the  St.  Kilda  Wren 
and  also  with  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  new  British  species. 
The  birds  were  very  late  in  laying  this  season,  especially  the 
Giiillemots,  owing  probably  to  the  bad  weather  and  the 
exceptionally  backward  spring. 


Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.  359 

ACCIPITER  NISUS. 

The  Sparrow-Hawk  must  now  be  added  to  the  list  of 
St.  Kilda  birds.  Mr.  Mackenzie  observed  on  the  7th  of 
June  an  example  several  times  on  Mullach-Scall^  the  large 
shoulder  which  bounds  Village  Bay  on  the  south-west^  op- 
posite to  the  island  of  Doon.     It  may  breed  there. 

Troglodytes  hirtensis. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  the  St.  Kilda  Wrens  '*  are  not 
nearly   so  numerous  as  last  year.^'     Mr.  Mackenzie  found 
two  nests   built  in  the  "  cleats  "  (stone  hovels  in  which  the 
sheep  take  refuge  during  rough  weather  and  where  the  St.- 
Kildans  dry  their  hay)^  each  containing  six  much  incubated 
eggs,  so  that  this  number  is  probably  the  full  clutch.     One 
of  the  nests  and  five  of  the  eggs  are  now  before  me.     The 
eggs,  when  blown,  are  pure  white   in  ground-colour,  boldly 
spotted  and  minutely  freckled  with  brownish  red,  and  with 
a  few  indistinct  paler  underlying  markings  which  in  some 
cases  approach  violet-grey.     The  spots  are  most  numerous 
on  the  large  end  of  the   egg,  where  they  form  an  irregular 
zone,  but  on  one  specimen  they  are  more  evenly  distributed 
over  the  entire  surface.     These  eggs  very  closely  resemble 
typical   eggs  of  the    Great    Titmouse    {Parus   major) ;    but 
others  are  pure  white,  without  spots  of  any  kind,  these  cha- 
racters running  through  an  entire  clutch.     In  shape  also  they 
resemble  those  of  the  Great  Titmouse,  but  others  seen  by 
Mr.   Mackenzie    were  almost  as  much  pointed  at  one   end 
as   at   the   other.     The  eggs  that  I   have  received  vary  in 
length  from  '72  to  "69  inch,  and  in  breadth  from  '58  to  "55 
inch.     The  nest  accompanying  them  is  a  very  beautiful  struc- 
ture, and  was  built  in   a  crevice  of  one  of  the  "  cleats."     It 
closely  resembles  that  of  the  Common  Wren,  bu.t  appears 
to  be  a  trifle  more  open  and  not  so  globular.     The  outside  is 
almost  exclusively   made   of  moss,  with  here  and   there    a 
scrap  of  dried  grass,  the  inside  being  lined  abundantly  with 
feathers,  especially  those  of  the   Starling,  Crow,  and  Gull. 
An  interesting  feature  in  the  materials  of  this  nest  deserving 
of  notice  is  the  abundance  of  hair  in  the  lining.     No  horses 

2c  2 


360  ^Ir.  C.  Dixon  on  the 

are  kept  on  the  islands,  and  long  cowliairs  (from  tlie  tail) 
are  used  ;  also  a  few  long  horsehairs^  which  can  only  be 
obtained  from  the  hundreds  of  Puffin-snares  which  are  set 
in  all  parts  of  the  islands.  The  nest  measures  about  19 
inches  in  circumference,  2\  inches  in  depth,  and  the  entrance- 
hole  about  2  inches  in  diameter.  I  should  also  add  that  the 
female  resembles  the  male  in  colour,  but  is  a  little  smaller 
in  size. 

Mr.  Mackenzie  has  sent  me  the  following  note  on  this 
bird  : — "  The  habits  of  the  St.  Kilda  Wren  differ  considerably 
from  those  of  the  Common  Wren.  Its  song  is  much  louder 
and  harsher,  and  does  not  possess  so  many  notes.  Its 
favourite  places  for  singing  are  on  the  tops  of  the  '  cleats  '  and 
on  the  highest  stones  of  the  dykes  or  walls.  It  is  particu- 
larly fond  of  nesting  in  the  roof  of  a  '  cleat '  or  in  the  centre 
of  a  cairn.  I  noticed  three  pairs  of  this  bird  on  Doon.'^  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  Macleod  of  Macleod,  the  present  pro- 
prietor of  St.  Kilda,  will  endeavour  to  protect  this  inter- 
esting little  bird  and  prevent  its  extinction  by  prohibiting 
the  wholesale  collection  of  specimens,  either  by  the  natives 
themselves  or  by  the  tourists  that  visit  the  islands  in  the 
summer  months,  when  the  birds  are  engaged  in  rearing  their 
young*. 

CoRVUS  CORAX. 

When  I  was  at  St.  Kilda  last  year  the  Raven  was  rare ; 
this  year  Mr.  Mackenzie  informs  me  that  it  is  very  abun- 
dant, but  the  Hooded  Crows  are  much  scarcer.  He  counted 
seven  pairs  of  Ravens  within  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the 
back  of  the  school-house. 

HiRUNDO  RUSTICA. 

Last  year  I  did  not  observe  the  Swallow  during  my  stay, 
but  this  season,  I  am  informed,  it  was  very  common.  One 
was  shot  for  identification  on  the  6th  of  June.  Mr.  Mac- 
kenzie was  of  opinion  that  they  were  breeding  in  the 
rocks  at  the  back  of  the  '^  stone  houses,"  as  he  saw   them 

*  [AVe  are  not  aAvnre  that  any  specimens  of  this  species  have  been 
obtained  bv  ntlier  collectors  than  Messrs.  Dixon  and  Maclcenzie. — Edd.] 


OndthuJogij  of  Si.  Kilda.  361 

entering-  the  holes  and  remaining  there  for  some  time.  My 
statement  that  it  never  breeds  on  St.  Kilda  will  perhaps  have 
to  be  modified. 

Ardea  cinerea. 

A  Heron  visited  the  island  of  St.  Kilda  last  winter,  but 
soon  died  from  want  of  food. 

Crex  pratensis. 

The  Corn-Crake  was  very  common  in  the  islands  last 
autumn  on  migration ;  Mr.  Campbell  obtained  an  example. 
The  St.  Kilda  name  for  this  bird  is  "  Trieu." 

Cygnus,  sp.  ? 

Two  Swans  visited  the  island  last  winter,  and  one  of  them 
died  for  want  of  food ;  but  unfortunately  its  skin  was  not 
preserved,  so  that  the  speeies  is  still  undetermined. 

COLYMBUS  GLACIALIS. 

Mr.  Mackenzie  informs  me  that  he  shot  an  iamiature 
example  of  this  species.  He  says  that  there  were  several 
swimming  along  with  the  Eiders  in  the  bay  ;  but  that,  owing 
to  the  heavy  sea,  he  was  unable  to  recover  his  prize  until  it 
had  been  so  mutilated  by  the  Great  Black-backed  Crulls  as 
to  be  worthless  for  preserving. 

Fratercula  arctica. 

Mr.  Mackenzie  writes  : — "  The  natives  told  me  a  very 
curious  thing  about  the  Puffin.  They  said  that  these  birds 
never  breed  except  on  the  weather  sides  of  the  islands." 

PUFFINUS  ANGLORUM. 

Mr.  Mackenzie  was  informed  that  the  Manx  Shearwater 
is  in  the  habit  of  diving  and  taking  the  baits  off  the  long 
lines,  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  Fulmar,  as  already  men- 
tioned in  my  former  paper. 

Thalassidroma  leucorrhoa. 

Mr.  Mackenzie  obtained  two  nests  of  the  Fork-tailed  Petrel 
on  the  island  of  Doon ;  but  he  was  too  early  for  the  regular 
breeding-season,  which  generally  commences  about  the 
second  week  in  June. 


362  Mr.  S.  Bligli  on  Baza  ceyloueusis. 

I  have  heard  nothing  more  of  the  King  Eiders  ;  but  I  can 
name  no  part  of  the  "British  Islands  which  will  more  amply 
repay  a  careful  investigation  of  its  bird-riches  than  St.  Kilda. 
The  place  must  be  seen  to  be  thoroughly  appreciated  ;  and  I 
have  little  doubt  that  other  discoveries  await  the  ornitho- 
logist in  this  lonely  group  of  Atlantic  isles.  Much  remains 
to  be  done  amongst  the  Fulmars;  and  the  Shearwaters  that 
breed  there  are,  I  think,  very  imperfectly  known.  Will  not 
some  member  of  the  B.  O.  U.  take  a  peep  at  this  wonderful 
bird-paradise  and  tell  us  more  about  the  ornithology  of  this 
remote  corner  of  the  British  Islands  ?  believe  me,  he  will  be 
well  repaid ! 


XXXVII. — Note  on  Baza  ceylonensis,  Legrje.     By  Samuel 
Bligh,   Catton,   Koslander,  Ceylon.      Communicated  by 

J.   H.  GURNEY. 

The  first  specimen  of  Baza  ceylonensis  which  I  have  had  in 
the  flesh  was  shot  by  a  coolie  on  the  top  of  a  precipice  above 
here  and  over  5000  feet  high,  on  the  27th  of  March,  1885. 

It  was  a  male,  with  the  testes  very  large,  and  its  stomach 
contained  the  remains  of  a  large  lizard,  the  long  tail  of  which 
had  been  sm  allowed  whole.  This  specimen  weighed  just  over 
one  pound ;  its  length  was  17  inches,  wing-measurement  11^, 
spread  of  wings  38,  tail  8j,  longest  crest-feather  2|,  tarsus 
1  \,  naked  part  of  tarsus  in  front  |,  from  point  of  closed  wings 
to  end  of  tail  2.  The  legs,  in  a  fresh  state,  were  not  yellow, 
as  described  by  Col.  Legge  ('Birds  of  Ceylon,^  p.  94),  but 
dull  dirty  white,  pervaded  by  a  visible,  though  faint,  stain  of 
plumbeous ;  the  cere  and  the  base  of  the  bill  were  perfectly 
of  one  colour,  and  might  be  called  black,  though,  perhaps, 
with  a  tinge  of  brown,  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible  and 
the  lower  base  of  the  upper  being  lead-coloured,  as  were  also 
the  bare  skin  of  the  lores  and  that  above  the  eyes ;  the  irides 
were  orange. 

I  found  on  skinning  this  specimen  that  the  eye  was  un- 
usually large  for  the  size  of  the  bird  ;  not  that  the  visible  part 


Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.       363 

of  tlie  eye  was  so,  but  the  ball  and  horny  sheath,  these  being 
also  of  an  ovoid  shape,  so  that  it  required  no  measurement  to 
see  that  the  length  of  the  eye  considerably  exceeded  its 
height. 


XXXVIII. — Further  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan. 
By  Henry  Seebohm. 

Amongst  a  small  number  of  birds  which  have  been  sent  to 
me  for  examination  by  the  Government  of  Japan,  through 
Mr.  H.  Pryer,  are  several  deserving  of  notice. 

DiOMBDEA  NIGRIPES. 

This  Albatross  was  first  recorded  from  Japan  a  year  ago 
(Ibis,  188-1,  p.  176),  a  female  having  been  shot  on  the  17th 
of  May.  I  have  now  to  record  a  second  example  obtained 
on  the  coast  of  the  province  of  Sagami,  near  Yokohama.  It 
is  a  male,  the  label  being  dated  the  27th  of  February. 

NUMENIUS  MINOR. 

The  sole  record  of  the  occurrence  of  this  little  Curlew  in 
Japan  has  hitherto  been  that  of  the  '  Fauna  Japonica '  of 
Temminck  and  Schlegel,  and  this  is  now  confirmed  by  a 
female  example  obtained  at  Giotoku,  near  Yokohama,  on  the 
3rd  of  October,  1883.  This  species  may  be  regarded  as  the 
Asiatic  representative  of  the  Eskimo  Curlew  :  breeding  in 
Eastern  Siberia,  passing  along  the  coasts  of  China  and  Japan 
on  the  spring  and  autumn  migration,  and  wintering  in 
Australia. 

TOTANUS  CALIDRIS. 

A  young  male  Redshank,  in  first  plumage,  obtained  on  the 
4th  of  September,  1883,  at  Giotoku,  not  very  far  from  Yo- 
kohama, adds  a  new  bird  to  the  Japanese  list.  It  is  remark- 
able that  a  bird  breeding  almost  throughout  the  Palsearctic 
Region  and  wintering  in  Africa,  India,  Burma,  and  the 
islands  of  the  Malay  archipelago,  should  not  have  been  found 
long  ago  on  migration  in  Japan. 


364     Messrs.  W.  E.  Clarke  afid  J.  liackliouse — Autumn 

TOTANUS  PUGNAX, 

The  distribution  of  the  Kutf  is  somewhat  similar  to  that 
of  the  Redshank^  but  hitherto,  so  far  as  I  know,  only  one 
example  has  been  said  to  have  occurred  in  Japan,  viz.  at 
Hakodadi  (Ibis,  1884-,  p.  33).  I  have  now  to  record  two 
more  examples  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Yokohama,  a  male 
in  winter  plumage  and  a  male  in  first  plumage,  obtained  on 
the  13th  of  October. 

Alca  troile  arra. 

A  series  of  Pallas^s  Guillemot  from  Japan  and  the  Kurile 
Islands  appears  to  justify  me  in  the  conclusion  that  this  is  an 
intermediate  form  between  the  Common  Guillemot  and 
BriinnicVs  Guillemot.  An  almost  complete  series  of  forms 
intermediate  in  the  length  and  thickness  of  the  bill  and  the 
conspicuousness  of  the  pale  base  of  the  tipper  mandible  may 
be  said  nearly  to  bridge  over  the  distance  from  one  to  the 
other,  so  that  these  Guillemots  can  scarcely  be  regarded  as 
more  than  subspecifically  distinct. 


XXXIX. — An  Autumn  Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland,  with 
some  Notes  from  the  Faroes.  By  Wm.  Eagle  Clarke, 
F.L.S.,  and  James  Backhouse,  Jun. 

(Plate  IX.) 

The  morning  of  the  2nd  of  September,  1884,  found  us  oti 
board  the  Danish  Royal  Mail  Boat  '  Thyra,'  steaming  down 
the  Forth  en  route  for  Iceland,  via  the  Faroe  Islands.  At 
about  11  A.M.  on  the  3rd  we  sighted  the  Orkneys,  and  these 
passed,  a  north-westerly  course  "was  shaped,  carrying  us 
south  of  the  Shetlands,  of  which  group  only  Fair  Island  and 
Foul  a  w^ere  seen  from  afar.  The  Faroes  should  have  been 
in  sight  early  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  but  the  islands 
were  shrouded  in  drizzling  mist,  a  characteristic  feature  in 
the  climate  of  the  group.  Numerous  Fulmars  sailing  round 
the  vessel  heralded  our  approach,  and  in  due  course  the  l)old 
•mtliuc  of  Sudcroe  loomed  through  the  veil  of  mist,  Avliilc  to 


Rumble  in  Eastern  Iceland  t^-r.  365 

the  eastward  the  coiie-capped  Dimons  appeared^  illumiued 
by  a  stray  sun-ray.  At  11  a.m.  the  anchor  was  dropped  off 
the  settlement  of  Tveraa,  and  we  took  an  opportunity  of 
going  ashore  in  search  of  birds.  The  Rock-Pipit  was  very 
abundantj  being  often  in  parties  of  from  six  to  a  dozen  birds, 
and  soon  a  speciality  was  seen  in  the  shape  of  the  Faroese 
Wren  {Ti'oglodytes  horealis),  and  an  exciting  pursuit  of  the 
tiny  bird,  as  it  flitted  among  the  rocks  at  the  water's  edge, 
or  crept  like  a  mouse  under  and  about  them,  resulted  in  its 
falling  to  a  lucky  snap-shot.  The  Grey  Crow  was  very 
numerous  and  tame ;  here,  no  doubt,  he  is  at  least  useful  as 
a  scavenger,  devouring  the  garbage  cast  out  by  the  fisher- 
men. Several  White  Wagtails  were  seen  and  one  obtained ; 
the  other  species  noted  were  the  Raven,  Meadow-Pipit, 
Merlin,  Whimbrel,  Oyster-catcher,  Ringed  Plover,  the  Dun- 
lin, and  several  common  sea-fowl.  Another  Wren  was  seen, 
and  might  have  been  secured,  but  since  it  haunted  the  simple 
family  graveyard  adjoining  a  detached  cottage,  the  peace- 
fulness  of  the  scene  was  not  disturbed  by  an  explosion  of 
gunpowder.  On  our  return  to  the  boat  we  observed  at  close 
quarters  a  Garden-Warbler  [Sylvia  hortensis)  seeking  food 
on  some  low  herbage  adjoining  the  houses  ;  and  this  is  inter- 
esting, as  it  is,  we  believe,  the  first  record  of  its  occurrence 
in  the  Faroes. 

Early  on  the  5th  we  arrived  at  Thorshaveu.  Here  we  were 
informed  that  shooting  was  not  allowed,  owing  to  an  alarm- 
ing decrease  in  the  number  of  birds  ;  and  it  was  only  after  an 
annoying  delay  that  a  generous  landowner  granted  per- 
mission to  shoot  over  his  estate  on  the  hills  behind  the 
town.  Birds  were  in  fewer  numbers  here,  and  during  a  long 
round  we  only  saw  Oyster-catchers  on  the  hills  and  a  sprink- 
ling of  Rock-  and  Meadow-Pipits  and  Grey  Crows  on  the 
lower  ground.  Another  Garden-Warbler  was  watched  as  it 
fed  on  the  red  currants  in  a  small  storm-swept  garden.  We 
also  paid  a  pleasant  visit  to  Herr  Miiller,  the  ornithologist 
and  man  of  many  offices.  In  the  afternoon  we  left  Strtimoe, 
and  our  next  place  of  call  was  Klaksvig,  where  we  went 
ashore. 


366     Messrs.  W.  E.  Clarke  and  J.  Backhouse — Autumn 

After  experiencing  some  very  heavy  weather,  the  glistening 
snow-capped  mountains  of  Eastern  Iceland  were  sighted  on 
the  9thj  and  we  entered  Sey^isfjor^r  early  in  the  evening. 
It  is  a  narrow  picturesque  inlet  of  the  sea,  and  perhaps  the 
most  important  one  on  the  east  coast.  Its  northern  pro- 
montory, rising  almost  perpendicularly  from  the  ocean,  is 
the  resort  of  myi'iads  of  sea-fowl  in  the  summer,  but  now 
only  a  few  Puffins  and  a  small  flock  of  Eiders  were  seen. 
After  steaming  for  some  miles  in  sheltered  waters,  we 
dropped  anchor  at  dusk  within  a  few  yards  of  the  strand  at 
the  head  of  the  fjorSr.  Next  morning  we  took  up  our 
quarters  at  the  "  Hotel  Island/'  probably  one  of  the  most 
primitive  inns  in  the  world,  where  guests  and  host  and 
hostess  all  sup  in  company.  A  stroll  on  the  margin  of  the 
fjor'Sr  was  disappointing,  ornithologically,  for  we  only  ob- 
served a  family  party  of  White  Wagtails  and  a  solitary 
Wheatear ;  and  several  hours  of  careful  investigation  in  the 
valley  at  the  head  of  the  fjor^r  only  added  Meadow-Pipits 
and  a  pair  of  Ravens  to  our  list.  Another  ramble  on  the 
shores  of  the  fjor'Sr  in  the  afternoon  resulted  in  our  seeing 
another  pair  of  Ravens  and  a  few  Great  Black-backed  Gulls. 
This  extreme  poverty  of  bird-life  at  the  coast  made  us 
anxious  to  proceed  inland  with  all  possible  speed ;  so  the  fol- 
lowing day  (the  11  th)  found  us  busy  making  arrangements 
for  the  journey,  such  as  hiring  ponies  for  riding  and  baggage 
purposes.  We  left  SeySisfjor'Sr  about  midday  on  the  12th, 
riding  in  company  with  a  party  of  some  seventeen  Icelanders 
across  the  mountains  (2500  feet)  in  a  westerly  direction. 
The  ascent  was  steep,  rough,  and  in  many  places  dangerous, 
and  we  soon  experienced  the  wonderful  adroitness  and  sure- 
footedness  of  the  ponies.  The  "  col "  reached,  we  crossed 
several  swamps  and  large  beds  of  snow,  and  skirted  the 
margins  of  some  likely-looking  tarns  ;  but  here,  there,  and 
everywhere  around  us  was  an  appalling  solitude,  the  silence 
of  which  was  only  broken  by  the  hoarse  croak  of  a  Raven. 
The  great  valley  of  the  Lagarfljot — Iceland's  longest  lake, 
forty-five  miles  in  length — into  which  we  descended  in  the 
evening  light,   presented   a  most  weird  aspect,  the  marshy 


Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland  S^c.  367 

shores  of  the  dark  lake  being  intersected  or  dotted  by  nume- 
rous silvery  streams  or  pools^  while  the  entire  absence  of 
woodland,  and  consequently  apparent  barrenness  of  its  sur- 
roundings, added  much  to  an  impressive  scene.  Here  we  had 
our  first  peep  at  the  great  Snsefell  (6000  feet),  forty  miles 
away  to  the  west  beyond  the  lake.  Long  after  dark,  wet  from 
fording  rivers,  ravenously  hungry,  sore  and  stiff,  we  arrived 
at  the  house  of  the  hospitable  clergyman  at  Vallaness,  who, 
in  spite  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  set  before  us  his  choicest 
smoked,  but  raw,  mutton  and  salmon,  with  flat-bread  and 
milk — fare  not  to  be  despised  after  ten  hours  in  the  saddle 
in  such  an  appetizing  air. 

During  an  early  stroll  on  the  14th  along  the  shores  of  the 
lake,  whose  waters,  mainly  derived  from  the  northern  slopes 
of  that  vast  glacier,  the  Vatna  Jokull,  are  of  a  thick  milky- 
white  hue,  not  a  bird  was  to  be  found.  Our  route  lay  along 
the  lake-side,  and  midday  found  us  approaching  the  birch- 
clad  slopes  of  Hallormsta'Sr,  a  place  of  much  promise,  since 
trees  are  only  to  be  found  in  one  other  locality  in  the  island, 
the  scrub-clad  valley  of  the  Fnjoska.  These  trees,  which 
are  entirely  birch,  were,  as  a  rule,  only  of  stunted  growth, 
but  here  and  there  a  monarch  of  Icelandic  forest-growth 
raised  its  head,  crowned  with  graceful  golden  foliage,  to  the 
proud  height  of  twenty  feet !  Such  a  favoured  locality  was 
not  to  be  passed  by,  so  arrangements  were  made  to  remain 
the  night  under  the  hospitable  roof  of  the  neighbouring  farm- 
house. The  afternoon  was  devoted  to  an  examination  of  the 
birch-covered  hill-side,  intersected  by  several  ravines  coursed 
by  mountain-torrents,  while  here  and  there  a  rocky  escarpment 
or  a  craggy  shoulder  added  to  its  ruggedness.  The  birches,  as 
a  rule,  were  little  more  than  brush- wood,  and,  along  with  an 
abundant  carpet  of  bilberry,  crowberry,  and  Dryas  octopetala, 
formed  an  excellent  cover.  Meadow-Pipits  were  fairly  abun- 
dant, and  a  Merlin  was  several  times  observed  beating  over 
the  hill;  a  Wheatear  was  also  noted,  and  several  Eavens 
flying  high  overhead.  Ornithologically  we  had  as  yet  done 
nothing,  but  the  next  bird  brought  to  bag  went  far  toAvards 
making  up  for  past  disappointments,  for  in  it  we  obtained 


8()8     Messrs.  W.  E.  Clarke  and  J.  Backhouse — Autumn 

the  chief  object  of  our  visit  to  Iceland  at  this  season,  namely, 
the  Rock-Ptarmigan  [Lagopus  rupestris)  in  autumn  plumage, 
in  which  stage  it  was  previously  unknown  to  ornithologists. 

It  may  be  well  here  to  make  a  few  observations  on  the 
habits  of  this  species  in  this  locality,  where  we  had  many 
opportunities  for  observing  it  during  our  stay  in  Iceland. 
The  Rock-Ptarmigan  was  found  to  be  abundant  on  the  hill- 
slopes  as  far  as  the  birch-growth  extended,  which,  so  far  as 
elevation  is  concerned,  would  be  about  600  feet.     At  first, 
family  parties,   consisting    of    old    birds   in    dark    mantles, 
accompanied  by  six  or  eight  young,  in  size  their  equals,  but 
in  their  upper  plumage   of  a  much   lighter  hue,  were  com- 
monly met  with.     After  being  shot   at  a  few  times  these 
family  gatherings  were  broken  up,  and  single  birds,  or  now 
and  then  two  or  three  together,  were  to  be  found  scattered 
all  over  the  birch-cover.      At  first  they  were   wonderfully 
tame,    allowing    a    close    approach,  but    they   soon    became 
initiated  to   the  terrors  of  the  gun.     Before  taking  flight 
they  were  occasionally  observed  to  indulge  in  dropping  a 
curious  series  of  curtsies,  reminding  one   of  the  movements 
of  the  domesticated  Muscovy  Duck.     On  rising  they  were 
silent,  and  no  note  or  call  was  heard,  except  the  guttural  croak 
with  which  the  old  cocks  announced  approaching  danger  and 
tlieir  own  proximity.     They  Avere  mostly  to  be  found  abroad 
feeding  during  the  early  morning  and  evening,   and   their 
favourite  haunts  were  little  grassy  dells  fringed  with  bilberry 
or  Dry  as  octopetala  and  surrounded  by  birches.     Some,  perhaps 
all,  have  the  habit  of  resting,  with  puffed-out  feathers,  on  the 
lower  branches  of  the  bushes  ;  but  as  they  were  only  observed 
in  such  positions  in  the  early  morning,  it  may  be  a  customary 
roosting-place.     The  food  of  all  shot  at  Ilallormsta^r  con- 
sisted entirely  of  the  fruit  of  the  bilberry,  with  which  their 
crops  were  greatly  distended.     Considering  the  richness   of 
this  diet,  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark  that  their  flesh  was 
delicious,  and  their  bodies,  when  skinned  and  cooked,  formed 
a  most  acceptable  change  from  the  perpetual  mutton  of  the 
Icelandic  bill  of  fare.     In  winter,  as  we  were  informed  by  our 
estimable  friend  Pastor  Sigurdar  Gunuarsson,  the  chief  food 


Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland  t^-c.  369 

of  the  species  consists  of  the  leaves  of  Dryas  octcpetala, 
called,  on  this  account,  in  the  Icelanrlic  vernacular/' Rjupa- 
Isef/^  "Rjupa"  being  the  native  name  for  the  Rock-Ptar- 
migan. 

This  bird  seems  to  be  decidedly  local  in  the  island  ;  indeed 
our  brother  M.  B.  O.  U.,  the  Rev.  E.  Ponsonby  Knubley,  who 
spent  three  months  in  Western  Iceland,  did  not  meet  with 
it.  The  species  is  still  numerous  in  several  northern  districts, 
although  its  numbers  were  sadly  diminished  by  the  long  and 
severe  winter  of  1880-81,  when  in  some  places  it  was  exter- 
minated, and  in  most  brought  to  the  verge  of  extinction.  At 
HallormstaiSr  thousands  perished,  and  many  starving  birds 
approached  the  house  and,  losing  all  fear,  entered  the  build- 
ing where  the  hay  was  stowed,  to  feed,  in  the  presence  of 
the  proprietor  and  his  servants,  on  the  seeds  scattered  on  the 
floor. 

In  winter  the  Rock- Ptarmigans  arc  captured  by  means  of 
rude  string  nooses  set  in  the  snow,  and  around  which  hay- 
seeds are  scattered.  In  this  way  enormous  numbers  were 
formerly  taken  and  sent  to  Denmark ;  and  we  should  be 
afraid  to  say  how  many  thousand  brace  the  captain  of  the 
mail-steamer  informed  us  he  had  taken  on  a  single  voyage  in 
years  gone  by ;  now  he  seldom  sees  any.  In  many  places, 
however,  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  at  other  seasons  the 
birds  enjoy  immunity  from  persecution;  for  the  Icelander 
lacks  even  a  dash  of  the  sportsman  in  his  nature. 

The  morning  of  the  14*th  found  us  again  in  the  saddle 
continuing  our  journey  towards  the  head  of  the  Lagarfljot 
valley.  At  noon  we  had  reached  the  head-waters  of  the  lake, 
and  crossing  the  numerous  channels  of  the  affluent  river,  we 
proceeded  to  Valthjofsta^r,  situated  at  the  point  where  the 
valley  bifurcates,  and  on  the  western  branch  of  the  river  which 
rises  on  the  north-eastern  slopes  of  the  Vatna  JokuU.  At 
the  invitation  of  our  congenial  travelling  companions,  Pastor 
Gunnarsson  and  his  good  wife,  we  decided  to  make  this 
place  our  headquarters,  in  order  to  explore  the  immediate 
neighbourhood  from  this  point.  As  we  approached  Valth- 
j-ofstaSr  a  migratory  party  of  Golden  Plover  passed  overhead, 


370     IVIessrs.  W.  E.  Clarke  and  J.  Backhouse — Autumn. 

flying  S.E.  The  morning  of  the  15tli  was  devoted  to  an  in- 
spection of  the  marshy  land  adjoining  the  river,  and  extending 
for  some  four  miles  towards  the  lake.  On  tlie  numerous 
sedgy  pools  Mallard  were  abundant,  but  difficult  to  approach 
owing  to  the  entire  absence  of  cover ;  consequently  we  only 
managed  to  bag  a  couple.  Before  these  could  be  retrieved 
or  the  gun  recharged,  a  bold  little  Merlin  endeavoured  to 
carry  one  of  tliem  off  under  our  very  noses.  The  Golden 
Plover  were  now  evidently  leaving  the  islands,  several  parties 
passing  over  in  a  soutli-westerly  direction.  The  only  other 
birds  seen  were  Meadow-Pipits,  a  few  of  which  were  scattered 
over  the  pasture-lands  of  the  valley.  Next  day  we  observed 
a  solitary  Wheatear  about  the  church,  the  last  of  the  species 
seen  by  us  in  Iceland.  Having  decided  to  visit  the  moun- 
tain-lakes, which,  we  were  informed,  existed  to  the  west,  we 
ascended  the  escarpment  behind  ValthjofstaSr,  a  southern 
portion  of  the  chain  of  mountains  forming  the  western  flank 
of  the  Lagarfljot  valley,  named  on  the  maps  the  Fljotsdals 
liei"Si.  After  a  tough  climb  of  2500  feet  to  the  summit  of 
one  of  the  many  peaks,  a  sublime  panorama  lay  before  us. 
Away  a  few  miles  to  the  south-west  was  the  noble  Snaefell, 
the  grandest  and  second  highest  mountain  m  Iceland  (6000 
feet),  with  the  summit  and  sides  for  3000  feet  clothed  in 
perpetual  snow.  Behind,  and  trending  away  far  to  the  south 
and  west,  but  to  all  appearances  quite  close,  were  the  hun- 
dred sunlit  shoulders  of  Vatna  Jokull,  the  largest  glacier  in 
Europe,  covering  an  area  of  3000  square  miles.  North,  west, 
and  east  the  scene  was  similar  to  that  to  the  south,  all 
round,  except  in  the  immediate  foreground,  being  a  series  of 
snowy  mountain- peaks,  seen  to  perfection  under  a  cloudless 
sky.  In  the  western  foreground  were  numerous  silvery  tarns 
embosomed  in  broken  hummocky  ground,  here  and  there 
scantily  clothed  with  crowberry,  Dryas  octopetala,  and  little 
tufts  of  Silene  acaulis  and  the  large  yellow  Saxifraga  liir- 
culus.  The  few  Ducks  on  the  nearest  of  these  lakes  had 
noted  our  approach,  and  floated  in  the  middle,  well  out  of 
reach.  On  the  next  and  smaller  lakelet  a  couple  of  Ducks 
gave  us  practical  illustration  of  their  diving-powers.     The 


Ramb/e  in  Eastern  Iceland  ^c.  371 

sheet  of  water  was  not  more  than  eighty  yards  in  diameter, 
and  considering  we  were  on  different  sides  of  it,  the  birds 
should  have  been  well  within  reasonable  range,  even  if  they 
had  strictly  kept  to  the  middle,  which  they  did  not.  How- 
ever, a  serious  expenditure  of  No.  4  resulted  in  nil;  for 
the  birds  dived  at  the  flash,  our  only  consolation  being  to 
observe  the  shot  sweep  over  the  spot  which  a  fraction  of  a 
second  before  was  occupied  by  the  bird  or  birds.  They 
seemed  to  have  no  desire  to  take  flight ;  and  an  examination 
of  the  water  proving  it  to  be  only  some  two  feet  deep,  with 
a  firm  bottom  of  granulated  pumice  (erupted  from  Askja  in 
1875),  we  resolved  to  try  wading  to  closer  quarters,  with  the 
result  that  the  first  shot  turned  one  of  them  over.  It  proved 
to  be  a  young  Long-tailed  Duck  [Harelda  glacialis),  mth 
nestling  down  still  adhering  in  places.  The  remaining  bird 
was  not  so  easily  brought  to  bag ;  although  fired  at  more  than 
once  at  not  more  than  fifteen  yards,  it  disappeared  like  magic, 
but  must  have  received  some  of  the  shot.  At  last  it  was 
obtained  by  firing  the  moment  the  surface  of  the  water  showed 
signs  of  breaking  on  its  reappearance  after  a  dive,,  and  proved 
to  be  a  very  old  female  of  the  same  species.  Why  this  bird, 
in  the  full  possession  of  her  primary  feathers,  did  not  resort  to 
her  wings  as  a  possible  means  of  escape  must  remain  a  puzzle. 
A  little  later  we  had  another  illustration  of  the  early  develop- 
ment of  this  faculty  of  diving.  A  solitary  Long-tailed  Duck 
was  surprised  on  a  small  pool  and  dived  instantly,  but  too 
late ;  for  it  came  to  the  surface  mortally  wounded,  and  when 
picked  up  proved  to  be  little  more  than  a  mere  nestling,  its 
upper  plumes  being  a  mass  of  down,  while  its  wing-quills 
were  sprouting  from  the  pen,  and  only  some  two  inches  long. 
This  was  an  interesting  specimen,  inasmuch  as  it  afforded 
evidence  of  the  late  breeding  of  the  species.  Duck  were  to 
be  seen  on  most  of  the  tarns,  some  of  them  taking  flight 
on  our  approach,  while  others  kept  well  out  of  range.  On 
the  largest  lake  we  managed  to  secure,  in  a  little  bay,  four 
young  but  full-grown  Long-tailed  Ducks,  none  of  which 
offered  to  rise,  but  trusted  to  diving  as  a  means  of  escape. 
Here,  too,  were  a  pair  of  Whoopers  {Cygnus  musicus),  which. 


872     Messrs.  W.  E.  Clarke  and  J.  Baekhouse — Autumn 

we  were  informed,  had  annually  nested  on  a  rocky  islet 
safe  from  intrusion.  These  birds,  disturbed  by  the  firing, 
flew  trumpeting  within  easy  range ;  but  to  have  shot  them 
would  have  been  wanton,  for  there  were  no  means  of  ob- 
taining them  from  the  ice-cold  water.  There  were  no 
cygnets  on  the  lake.  Had  they  already  departed  for  the 
south  without  parental  guidance,  or  had  they  fallen  victims 
to  the  prowling  Arctic  foxes,  with  which  the  neighbourhood 
abounded?  A  pair  of  Great  Northern  Divers  floated  and 
dived  in  the  middle  waters,  and  of  these  we  had  to  be  content 
with  a  binocular  examination.  The  only  other  birds  seen 
during  the  day  were  Ravens,  and  in  the  valley  near  to  head- 
quarters a  flock  of  Golden  Plover  feeding  on  a  stony  patch 
by  the  river-side. 

A  beat  over  the  birch-cover  at  HallormstaSr,  ten  miles 
distant,  resulted  in  a  bag  of  ten  Ptarmigan  and  a  few  Meadow- 
Pipits.  The  Merlin  and  Raven  were  again  observed,  and 
also  a  small  flight  of  Redpolls  [Linota  linaria?),  passing  over 
in  a  southerly  direction,  their  note  much  resembling  that  of 
L.  rufescens,  The  early  morning  of  the  ]  9th  added  ten  more 
''Rjui)a  "  to  our  score,  and  we  might  have  shot  almost  any 
number ;  but  we  had  already  obtained  as  many  as  we  could 
well  spare  time  to  skin,  and  we  did  not  further  molest  them. 
Six  Ravens,  a  pair  of  Golden  Plovers,  another  migratory  flock 
of  Redpolls,  and  a  solitary  Redwing  among  the  birches  com- 
pleted our  list  of  birds  for  the  day.  We  were  afterwards 
rather  surprised  not  to  have  met  with  the  Redwing  in  some 
numbers,  for  friends  of  ours  shooting  about  tliis  date  in 
Northern  Iceland  found  them  commonly  in  the  birch-cover 
in  the  Fnjoska  Dalr,  and  the  species  has,  indeed,  but  little 
choice  of  breeding-stations  in  the  island. 

The  exceptionally  fine  weather  which  had  hitherto  been 
so  much  in  our  favour  changed  during  the  early  hours  of  the 
20th,  and  heavy  rain  prevailed  during  the  whole  of  that  day, 
followed,  on  the  21st,  by  a  severe  gale.  At  midday,  however, 
the  rain,  at  least,  ceased,  and  a  large  party  of  us  visited  the 
celebrated  waterfall  Heugi-foss,  or  Hanging  Fall,  situated  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Lagarfljot,  almost  oi)posite  to  Hallorms- 


Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland  ^c.  373 

taSr.  On  the  22nd  the  weather  took  a  turn  for  the  worse, 
and  the  advent  of  winter  proclaimed  itself;  for  snow  fell  un- 
ceasingly during  the  day,  reminding  us,  as  well  as  our  feathered 
friends,  that  we  must  soon  turn  our  faces  southwards  ;  and  the 
accompanying  fall  in  the  temperature  uncomfortably  mani- 
fested itself  in  our  stoveless  room.  The  23rd  being  fine  but 
cold,  we  decided,  in  spite  of  the  snow  now  entirely  clothing 
the  mountains,  to  visit  again  the 'tarns  of  the  Fljotsdals  hei'Si. 
The  climb  proved  a  laborious  one,  the  snow  lying,  as  a  rule, 
fifteen  inches  deep ;  but  in  places  drifts  of  several  feet  in  depth 
had  to  be  crossed.  The  snow-hidden  streams,  however, 
proved  most  annoying,  a,  step  into  one  of  them  resulting  in  a 
tumble.  The  first  birds  seen  were  a  party  of  Snow-Buntings, 
twittering  cheerily  and  evidently  seeking  the  lower  lands. 
On  the  ridge  we  crossed  the  spoor  of  a  party  of  birds  judged 
to  be  Ptarmigan,  which  we  followed  up  carefully  for  some 
distance,  keeping  a  most  diligent  look  out  ahead  and  finally 
pulling  up  suddenly  within  ten  yards  of  five  "Rjupa,"  looking 
remarkably  pretty  on  the  snow.  The  tracks  of  the  Arctic  fox, 
too,  were  numerous,  bearing  out  the  report  that  it  was  a 
common  species  in  the  district.  All  the  smaller  tarns  proved 
to  be  ice-locked,  and  the  Ducks,  almost  entirely  Long-tails, 
had  congregated  on  the  surface  of,  or  were  flying  around, 
the  larger  or  Swan-lake,  where  the  margins  only  were  fringed 
with  ice.  The  Great  Northern  Divers  still  floated  uncon- 
cernedly in  the  middle,  but  the  Swans,  not  so  indifferent 
to  the  great  change  come  over  the  scene  since  our  last 
visit,  had  bidden  farewell  to  their  summer  haunts.  On  our 
homeward  march  w^e  fell  in  with,  and  secured,  a  solitary 
"  Ejupa,''^  an  old  male  bird.  Although  to  some  extent  the  day 
was  a  little  disappointing,  yet  we  were  very  pleased  to  have 
obtained  Ptarmigan  at  a  much  greater  elevation  than  we  had 
hitherto  observed  them,  viz.  2500  feet :  and  it  is  very  doubtful 
if  we  should  have  found  them  at  all  without  the  aid  of  the 
tell-tale  snow. 

Our  last  two  days  at  Valthjofsta^Sr,  the  24th  and  25th, 
were  spent  in  duck-shooting  in  the  marshy  meadows  in  its 
immediate  vicinity,  \fhere  Mallard,  Wigeon,  and  Teal  had 

SER.  V. VOL.  III.  2d 


374!     Messrs.  W.  E.  Clarke  and  J.  Backhouse — Autumn 

become  much  more  numerous  since  the  snowstorm  on  the 
22nd.  Some  few  of  the  Wigeon  had  moulted  their  primary- 
quills  and  were  quite  unable  to  fly.  On  the  25th  an  adult 
Iceland  Falcon  was  observed  ranging  over  the  pools,  and  a 
capital  view  was  obtained  of  it,  especially  as  it  made  off  on 
our  appearance,  when  the  black-and-white  became  very  dis- 
tinct against  the  background  formed  by  the  mountain-side 
to  which  it  sped.  As  a  consequence  of  its  visit,  the  Duck 
skulked,  and  were  most  difficult  to  find.  On  the  2Gth  we 
left  our  comfortable  quarters  at  Valthjofsta'Sr  e7i  route  for 
SeySisfjorSr,  to  join  the  steamer  '  Craigforth,^  which  was  to 
sail  for  Scotland  on  the  29th.  We  had  hoped  to  ride 
back  via  HallormstaSr  for  the  birch-forest ;  but  the  swollen 
state  of  the  rivers  made  fording  impossible,  and  we  had,  in 
consequence,  to  take  the  western  side  of  the  lake,  passing  the 
night  at  the  farmhouse  at  As  (pronounced  "  Ous  ") .  Close  to 
As,  a  fine  crag  abuts  on  the  lake,  where,  we  were  informed,  a 
pair  of  large  Falcons  had  nested  in  the  spring,  driving  away 
a  pair  of  Ravens  from  their  favourite  breeding-haunts.  These 
birds,  we  were  assured,  were  not  Iceland  Falcons,  which  are 
well  known,  being  described  as  rather  smaller ;  and  had  the 
Peregrine  been  a  recognized  Icelandic  bird  we  should  have 
supposed  it  to  be  that  species. 

On  the  27th  we  continued  our  journey  along  the  margin 
of  the  lake,  passing  through  some  promising  bird-country, 
both  crag  and  marshland,  no  doubt  in  summer  the  haunt  of 
many  interesting  species,  but  now  the  Raven  was  the  only 
bird  seen.  In  a  crag  by  the  side  of  a  waterfall  a  this  year's 
nest  of  the  Iceland  Falcon  was  pointed  out  to  us.  Crossing 
the  lake  by  boat,  with  the  ponies  in  tow  at  the  stern,  we 
ascended  the  lofty  pass  of  the  Fjardar  hei'Si,  or  Fjord-Heath, 
lying  between  us  and  the  sea,  now  snow  and  ice-covered,  the 
latter  strong  enough  to  bear  the  weight  of  man  and  horse, 
and  arrived  at  SeySisfjorSr  in  the  evening. 

Our  last  day  in  Iceland,  the  28th  of  September,  was  a 
most  wintery  one,  snow  falling  at  intervals  all  day  accom- 
panied by  a  north-westerly  gale.  At  midday  we  went  on 
board  the  '  Craigforth,'  and  from  its  deck  watched  several 


Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland  ^c.  375 

Iceland  Gulls  in  mature  and  immature  plumage  which  the 
approach  of  winter  had  brought  into  the  fjords.  They  often 
came  close  to  the  ship,  whereby  we  had  ample  opportunity 
afforded  us  for  observing  them  minutely.  Just  after  day- 
break on  the  29th  we  steamed  down  the  fjord,  watching 
numerous  Eiders,  Cormorants,  and  Gannets,  and  left  behind 
us  a  country  peopled  by  a  highly  civilized  and  educated  race, 
a  people  from  whom  we  had  received  the  greatest  consi- 
deration and  hospitality.  To  Pastor  Sigurdar  Gunnarsson 
and  his  most  excellent  wife,  under  whose  roof  some  of  the 
happiest  days  of  our  lives  were  spent,  we  shall  ever  be 
indebted  for  the  greatest  kindness  and  for  their  unceasing 
solicitude  to  make  our  trip  a  success.  We  reached  Leith 
on  the  3rd  of  October,  after  a  very  stormy  voyage,  during 
which  the  barometer  fell  to  27'8  inches. 

We  will  now  proceed  to  offer  a  few  remarks  upon  the 
results  of  the  trip  and  a  description  of  the  autumn  plumage 
of  Lagopus  rupestris. 

Our  experience  may  throw  some  light  on  the  date  of  de- 
parture of  the  summer  visitors  to  Iceland.  The  chief  of 
these  belong  to  the  order  Limicolse,  and  at  the  date  of  our 
arrival  on  the  10th  of  September  all  had  departed  save  a  few 
Golden  Plover,  the  last  of  which  were  observed  on  the  25th. 
We  noted,  however,  the  Ringed  Plover,  Oyster-catcher, 
Common  Snipe,  Whimbrel,  and  Dunlin  on  the  Faroes, 
between  the  4th  and  7th,  and  in  all  probability  these  species 
at  least  had  not  left  Iceland  many  days  before  our  arrival. 
The  Red-necked  Phalarope,  an  extremely  common  species  in 
the  district  visited  by  us,  had  also  departed;  andtheWhoopers, 
as  already  stated,  left  between  the  16th  and  23rd  of  Septem- 
ber. As  against  this  great  blank,  amongst  the  Waders,  we 
noted  the  presence  of  all  the  few  migrants  to  Iceland  among 
the  Passeres,  viz.  the  Redwing,  Wheatear,  White  Wagtail, 
Meadow-Pipit,  and  the  rarer  Redpoll.  Most  of  these  were 
somewhat  frequently  observed,  even  to  a  late  date,  while  the 
Meadow-Pipit  was  still  common  at  Valthjofsta^r  on  the  day 
of  our  departure,  the  26th.  These  observations,  bearing  on 
the  date  on  which  the  summer  migrants  leave  Iceland,  were 

2d  2 


S76     Messrs.  W.  E.  Clarke  and  J.  Backhouse — Autumn 

made  during  a  season  regarded  by  the  inhabitants  as  a  more 
than  usually  fine  one. 

We  were  both  surprised  and  disappointed  not  to  have  seen 
the  Northern  Wren  {Trogloihjtes  borealis)  in  Iceland;  for 
although  very  locally  distributed  in  the  country^  yet  since  it 
occurs  in  the  brushwood  of  the  Fnjoska,  we  had  fully  expected 
to  find  it  at  Hallormsta-Sr.  It  does,  however,  occur  in  the 
Lagarfljotj  for  our  friend  Dr.  Kjerulf,  no  mean  ornithologist, 
told  us  that  it  was  not  uncommon  about  the  farmhouses,  where 
it  is  chiefly  seen  in  the  early  morning.  From  this  gentleman 
we  also  learnt  that  a  Snowy  Owl  was  shot  in  the  forest  at 
Hallormsta'Sr  during  the  late  summer  of  1882,  and  that 
several  others  Avere  observed  there  about  the  same  time,  no 
doubt  a  family  party  from  a  nest  somewhere  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood. Mr.  Gunnarsson  had  seen  the  bird  shot,  when 
still  in  tlie  flesh,  and  described  it  as  being  almost  entirely 
white  with  only  a  few  black  spots.  Another  bird,  the  occur- 
rence of  which  the  Doctor  considered  worthy  of  notice,  was 
a  Heron,  also  shot  in  the  Lagarfljot  valley,  in  the  autumn 
of  ]88.2. 

During  our  stay  at  ValthjofstaSr  we  had  related  to  us  by 
Mrs.  Gunnarsson's  mother  some  reminiscences  of  the  Great 
Auk.  This  old  lady,  Mrs,  Simondson  by  name,  now  in  her 
seventy-ninth  year  and  in  full  possession  of  all  her  mental 
faculties,  informed  us,  through  her  daughter,  that  she  well 
remembered  many  "  Geir-fugr^  being  brought  into  Eeykjavik, 
some  of  which  she  had  seen  alive,  and  well  described  the 
upright  posture  assumed  by  them.  She  especially  remem- 
bered one  occasion,  when  she  "was  grown  up  and  was 
at  least  twenty  years  of  age,^^  the  mail-boat  making  a  large 
capture,  and  she  herself  saw  a  ''  sackful  "  on  board.  These 
were  obtained  no  doubt  while  the  vessel  was  becalmed  off  the 
islets  of  the  S.W.  coast,  where  the  species  was  by  no  means 
uncommon  early  in  the  present  century. 

The  specific  identity  of  the  Ptarmigan  of  Iceland,  Lagoims 
mpestris  (Gmelin),  has  been  a  matter  of  some  uncertainty. 
Professor  Newton  in  his  useful  contribution  to  Mr.  Baring 
Gould's  '  Iceland,  Its  Scenes  and  Sages  '  (1863),  says  of  this 


Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland  b^c.  ^77 

species  (under  the  title  of  Lagopus  islandorum,  Faber) : — "  it  is 
by  no  means  certain  to  me  whether  the  former  [the  Icelandic 
species]  is  not  identical  with  that  of  Greenland  [Lagopus 
rvpestris,  Brehm),  and  this,  again_,  with  Tetrao  rupestris  of 
older  authors/^  Mr.  W.  G.  Lock,  in  his  useful  '  Guide  to 
Iceland^  (1882),  is  much  less  happy  in  his  remarks,  for  he 
says  "  there  is  little  doubt  that  there  are  three  varieties  [of 
Ptarmigan  in  Iceland],  the  Ptarmigan  [Lagopus  alpina, 
Linn.),  identical  with  the  Norwegian  Fjeld-ryper;  the  Willow- 
Grouse  [L.  subalpina,  Nilss.),  identical  with  the  Norwegian 
Dal-  or  Scov-ryper,  and  a  hybrid  produced  by  the  inter- 
breeding of  these  birds/^  As  we  cannot  for  a  moment 
countenance  such  ideas,  we  refer  our  readers  to  page  7Q 
et  seq.  of  Mr.  Lock's  book,  and  to  his  article  in  the  '  Field' 
(July  5tli,  1879),  for  further  information  and  "  proofs.'' 
We  handled  some  fifty  specimens,  in  the  flesh,  of  Ptarmigan 
obtained  in  Eastern  Iceland,  at  elevations  varying  from  100 
to  2500  feet,  and  from  the  wooded  valley  of  the  Fnjoska  in 
the  north  near  Akureyri.  All  of  these,  it  is  almost  needless 
to  remark,  belonged  to  the  one  species  found  in  Iceland, 
Lagopus  rupestris. 

Lastly,  in  a  paper  entitled  a  "  Brief  review  of  the  Lago- 
podes,'*  contributed  to  the  '  Zeitschrift  fiir  die  gesammte 
Ornithologie,'  188-1,  p.  90,  Dr.  Leonhard  Stejneger  while 
"provisionally''  considering  this  a  separate  species,  Lagopus 
islandorum  (Faber),  confesses  that  for  want  of  material  he  is 
at  present  unable  to  point  out  its  characters  and  affinities  with 
certainty;  but  he  remarks  that  it  is  said  to  be  distinguished 
by  a  heavier  bill,  larger  size,  and  browner  plumage  than  its 
nearest  allies. 

Autumn  plumage  of  Lagopus  rupestris  *. 

Adult  male.  Upper  parts  with  each  feather  vermiculated 
with  brownish  grey  and  brownish  black  in  about  equal  pro- 
portions, giving  them  a  generally  brownish-grey  tint.     The 

*  Through  the  kindness  of  Professor  Newton  we  have  been  enabled  to 
compare  our  series  with  specimens  in  his  collection  obtained  in  summer 
in  Iceland  and  in  early  autumn  in  Greenland. 


378     Messrs.  W.  E.  Clarke  and  J.  Backhouse — Autumn 

younger  specimens  show  a  tendency  to  have  the  brownish 
grey  replaced  by  an  approach  to  the  orange-brown  of  summer 
plumage.  The  underparts,  in  tint,  resemble  generally  the 
summer  plumage,  the  chief  difference  being  the  presence  of 
a  few  black  feathers  on  the  chin  and  a  greater  prepon- 
derance of  white  on  the  abdomen.  In  one  or  two  of  our 
specimens  the  white  plumage  of  winter  shows  itself  on  the 
throat. 

The  specimen  figured  (Plate  IX.)  was  obtained  on  the 
Fljotsdals  hei^i,  at  an  elevation  of  2500  feet,  on  the  23rd  of 
September,  1884,  and  is  in  Backhouse^s  collection. 

Adult  female.  Upper  parts. — As  compared  with  a  specimen 
shot  in  Iceland  on  the  4th  of  July,  1858,  our  specimens  (five 
in  number)  differ  in  having  the  feathers  of  the"  hind  neck 
barred  with  black  and  buff,  whilst  in  the  July  specimen  the 
neck  and  head  very  much  resemble  the  back,  and  are  boldly 
blotched  and  barred  with  pale  cinnamon-brown  and  black. 

Under  surface. — The  barring  on  the  chin  more  or  less 
obscured  by  the  white  of  winter  plumage.  The  neck  and 
upper  breast  barred  creamy  white  and  black.  Breast  and 
abdomen  white.  A  few  of  the  cinnamon  and  black  feathers 
of  summer  still  show  on  the  flanks,  and  one  or  two  on  the 
abdomen,  but  are  very  loose  and  readily  become  detached  if 
handled.  The  mandibular  portion  of  the  black  transocular 
patch  is  more  or  less  pronounced.  The  tail  tipped  with 
white.  The  barred  throat  is  the  chief  characteristic  of  the 
adult  female. 

Birds  of  the  year.  The  twelve  males  and  females  of  our 
series  make  it  clear  that  the  sexes  are  practically  alike,  both 
resembling  the  mother  bird  in  having  the  neck  both  before 
and  behind  barred  with  buff  and  brownish  black.  They 
appear  to  be  further  advanced  towards  winter  plumage  on 
both  surfaces  than  the  adult  birds,  that  is  to  say,  there  is  a 
greater  admixture  of  j)ure  white  with  the  coloured  feathers. 
The  back-feathers,  especially  the  scapulars,  are  brownish 
black  with  lateral  bars  of  pale  orange-buflF,  not  quite  reaching 
the  centre  of  the  feather.  Forehead  chiefly  white,  with  a 
few  coloured  feathers.    Tail  black,  broadly  tipped  with  white. 


Ii)is.l885,Pl,]X. 


V 


J  G  Keulernans  lith 


HaJihart  imp. 


LAG  OPUS  RUPESTRIS    $. 


Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland  ^c.  379 

Underparts. — On  the  upper  throat  the  bars  are  broad^  on  the 
lower  throat  narrow^  and  both  of  the  same  tint  as  the  feathers 
of  the  back^  i.  e.  brownish  black  and  buff.  Breast  and  abdo- 
men white,  with  a  few  barred  black  and  buff  feathers  on  the 
flanks.  Chin  Avhite,  with  more  or  less  trace  of  the  coloured 
feathers.  The  young  males  have  the  transocular  patch  more 
pronounced  than  the  females. 

Professor   Newton^  to   whom   a  series  of  skins   was   sub- 
mitted   for    inspection,   and    who    instituted    a  comparison 
between  them  and  those  of  various  Lagopodes  in  his  posses- 
sion, makes  the  following  interesting  remarks  : — "  Without 
doubt    they   fully  substantiate    the   opinion    I    have  before 
expressed,  that  Lat/opus  I'upestris  does  not  in  autumn  assume 
the  ash-grey  plumage  seen  at  the  same  season  in  L.  mutus, 
but  I  never  before  had  convincing  evidence  to  that  effect. 
One  of  the  most  remarkable  things  about  your  series  is  that 
so  many  of  the  male  specimens  show  traces  of  the  orange- 
coloured  feathers  (barred  w^ith  black)   on  the  neck,  breast, 
and  flanks,  which   I   had   thought  to  be  indicative  of  the 
female  only.     Though  I  see  that  some  of  these  are  marked 
by  you  '  adult,''  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  they  must  be 
birds  of  the  year.    Your  specimen  obtained  on  September  18th 
is  almost  feather  for  feather  like  one  I  have  from  Mr.  Whym- 
per  from  Greenland  (and  therefore  L.  reinhardti  of  authors) 
bearing  on  its  ticket  '  Lichtenfels,  14th  Sept.  1873.^     Diverse 
as  is  the  plumage  of  your  specimens,  I  see  in  it  only  individual 
variation  such  as  Mr.  Buckley  (P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  112)  showed 
to  occur  in    Red   Grouse  killed  on  the  same  ground  and 
at  the  same  time  of  the  year.     I  should  decline  considering 
L.  rvpestris  to  be  divisible  into  local  races,  as  regards  at 
least  Greenland  and  Iceland.      I  have  no  specimen,  unfortu- 
nately, from  the  American  continent,  and   Spitsbergen  ex- 
amples certainly  seem  to  be  bigger  than  those  from  Greenland 
or  Iceland,  but  otherwise  I  fail  to  distinguish  them.     Now  I 
know  that  size  means  very  little  in  the  true  Ptarmigan;  ex- 
amples from  the  Norwegian  '  Alps '  are  much  smaller  than 
those  from  (e.  g.)  the  island  on  which  Hammerfest  stands, 
and  therefore  I  attach   not  much  importance  to   this  fact. 


380  Mr.  W.  E.  Brooks's  Stray 

The  great  differences,  as  appears  to  me,  are  these — (1)  that 
L.  mutus  ^ ,  in  spring,  has  the  breast  clothed  more  or  less 
in  deep  black  feathers,  not  one  of  which  is  to  be  seen  in 
L.  rupestris,  and  (2)  that  L.  mutus  (of  both  sexes)  in  autumn 
puts  on  a  lavender-grey  upper  dress,  of  which  there  is  only 
the  least  trace  in  any  examples  of  L.  rupestris  (your  nos.  5 
and  6  [both  adult  males  and  one  of  which  is  figured]  showing 
the  most  of  it  that  I  have  ever  seen),  while  the  majority 
[being  younger  birds]  have  not  any  trace  of  such  a  colour. 
The  female  specimens  of  your  series  are  also  very  interesting, 
but  call  for  no  particular  remark,  except  that  the  coloured 
portion  of  their  plumage  is  darker  than  I  had  expected  to  see, 
judging  from  others,  killed  in  autumn,  that  I  have/' 


XL. — Stray  Ornithological  Notes.     By  W.  Edwin  Brooks, 
Milton,  Ontario,  Canada. 

Since  I  came  to  Canada  I  have  principally  paid  attention  to 
the  birds  of  European  affinity,  to  the  neglect  of  the  so-called 
"  Warblers "  of  Canada,  with  their  sharp-pointed,  almost 
Parine  bills,  although  my  youngest  son  takes  a  great  intei'cst 
in  the  latter. 

One  of  our  commonest  birds  in  Ontario  is  the  Shore-Lark 
(Otocorys  alpestris).  During  the  comparatively  mild  open 
winter  of  1881-1882  some  of  these  birds  remained  here  the 
whole  winter.  Even  in  January,  during  fine  frosty  mornings, 
I  heard  them  singing,  usually  seated  on  the  top  of  the  fence- 
posts  ;  we  have  no  hawthorn  hedges  here,  only  wooden  rail 
fences.  The  song  of  the  Shore-Lark  has  been  sometimes 
spoken  of  as  very  melodious,  but  1  do  not  think  any  bird  has 
a  poorer  one ;  it  is  almost  exactly  like  that  of  the  European 
Common  Bunting,  a  sort  of  monotonous  drawl.  Unlike  any 
other  species  with  which  I  am  acquainted,  this  bird  has  a 
second  song,  perhaps  even  less  melodious  than  the  drawl,  a 
feeble  unmusical  twitter,  which  it  does  not  often  utter,  and  I 
only  remember  hearing  it  as  the  bird  soared  round,  some- 
thing in  the  manner  of  a  Sky-Lark  ;  but  it  also  sometimes 


Ornithological  Notes.  381 

sings  its  first  and  principal  song  on  tlie  wing.  However,  the 
Shore-LarVs  is  not  tlie  only  very  poor  song  that  has  been 
termed  pretty. 

This  species  begins  to  breed  very  early.  On  the  2nd  April, 
1884,  I  took  a  nest  in  a  pasture-field  about  200  yards  from 
my  house,  with  three  eggs,  which  were  somewhat  incubated, 
and  must  have  been  laid  by  the  27th  of  March,  the  building 
of  the  nest  having  been  commenced  perhaps  a  week  earlier. 
There  was  a  fall  of  snow  after  the  female  had  begun  to  sit, 
and  her  warmth  had  melted  a  small  hole,  about  five  inches  in 
diameter,  above  the  nest.  A  month  or  so  later,  my  son  Allan 
found  a  nest  of  young  birds  in  one  of  my  wheat-fields.  This 
year  we  found  another  nest  with  four  eggs_,  in  a  clover-field 
close  to  the  house,  on  the  27th  of  May,  the  eggs  in  it  being 
somewhat  incubated ;  but  the  spring  this  year  was  a  late  one, 
the  snow  remaining  on  the  ground  till  the  beginning  of  April. 
I  have  only  seen  one  species  of  Shore-Lark  here,  viz.  0.  al- 
pestris.  The  amount  of  yellow  about  the  throat  is  variable, 
and  it  fades  away  as  the  summer  advances,  often  leaving  the 
part  formerly  yellow  quite  white.  After  the  autumn  moult 
the  yellow  is  regained. 

During  the  winter  of  1882-3  I  procured  a  good  number 
of  Mealy  Redpoles,  Linota  linaria  (Linnaeus),  which  remained 
about  till  the  beginning  of  April,  and  I  frequently  heard  the 
males  singing.  The  song  is  even  poorer  than  that  of  the 
Shore-Lark,  being  the  same  note  very  rapidly  repeated;  and 
those  who  have  heard  the  song  of  the  American  Chipping 
Sparrow  will  understand  the  style  of  that  of  the  Mealy  Red- 
pole.  Its  voice  and  song  differ  from  those  of  the  Lesser 
Redpole,  L.  rufescens ;  it  is,  too,  a  much  larger  bird,  the 
largest  I  got  measuring  5*7  inches;  but  about  5  inches  is 
the  length  of  an  average  male.  Males  in  the  red  plumage 
may  be  obtained  as  soon  as  they  arrive,  in  the  beginning  of 
November ;  they  are  then  browner  and  less  mealy-looking. 
As  the  spring  advances,  the  fulvous  feathers  fade  to  almost 
or  quite  white.  The  males,  however,  become  much  brighter 
red  as  summer  ajaproachcs,  a  male  dated  May,  given  to  me  by 
Mr.  Dresser,  being  intensely  red.     It  should  be  remembered 


382  Mr.  W.  E.  Brooks^s  Stray 

that  the  red  plumage  is  as  much  a  winter  plumage  as  any,  inas- 
mucli  as  it  is  assumed  at  the  autumn  moult  by,  I  believe,  young 
birds  of  the  year  only.  The  great  majority  of  the  males  were 
in  the  grey-brown  (or  female)  plumage,  including  the  large 
5*7  in.  bird,  before  mentioned.  As  in  the  case  of  Cross- 
bills, Pine-Grosbeaks,  and  other  red-j)lumaged  birds,  the 
line  red  colour  appertains  only  to  the  young  male,  and, 
once  moulted,  is  never  regained.  The  rump  and  under  tail- 
coverts  are  always  boldly  streaked. 

I  frequently  heard  Redpoles  flying  by,  in  the  fall,  uttering 
a  different  note  from  this  species,  and  some  of  them  aj)peared 
to  me  decidedly  larger  than  it.  This  year  some  settled  in 
my  orchard ;  and  Allan  procured  a  very  fine  rosy  male  on  the 
3rd  of  February,  out  of  a  mixed  flock  in  which  the  ]\Iealy 
Redpole  was  much  the  more  numerous.  We  heard  the  call- 
note  of  the  second  sj)ecies,  and  agreed  that  it  was  diff'erent 
from  that  of  the  Mealy  Redpole ;  and  the  above  example  I 
identified  as  L.  ezilipes  (Coues).  It  measured  5 '3  inches  in 
the  flesh,  so  that  it  can  hardly  be  said  to  be  a  larger  bird  than 
L.  linaria.  Speaking  of  this  species,  Mr.  Seebohm  says  : — 
''  Some  writers  make  a  fourth  species,  L.  exiUpes  (Coues), 
which  may  be  said  to  be  intermediate  between  the  Arctic  and 
the  Greenland  forms.  In  the  valley  of  the  Petchora  we 
found  both  L.  linaria  (Linn.)  and  L.  exUipes  (Coues),  and 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  latter  is  nothing  but  the 
fully  adult  winter  plumage  of  the  former  "  ('  Siberia  in 
Europe,^  p.  51). 

Now  why  was  such  a  conclusion  arrived  at  ?  Mr.  A.  O. 
Hume  and  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  buff"  plumage 
of  Aquila  fulvescens  (Gray  and  Hardwicke)  was  the  young 
plumage  of  Aquila  clanga  (Pallas)  ;  but  Ave  made  a  notable 
blunder.  I  first  jumped  to  the  conclusion,  I  hardly  know 
why,  and  my  friend  coincided  !  The  two  species  were  in 
company,  searching  for  frogs  in  a  dried-up  marsh.  But  a 
rash  conclusion  should  not  be  drawn  because  birds  are  in 
company ;  for  how  often  have  I  seen  Snow-Buntings  mixed 
with  Redpoles.  Even  to  oblige  my  friend,  I  can  never  con- 
sent to  the  suppression  of  such  a  fine  species  of  Linnet  as 


Ornithological  Notes,  383 

L.  exilijjes,  and  the  man  who  discriminated  it  deserves  all 
credit.  The  points  o£  distinction  are: — (1)  difference  in 
voice ;  (2)  its  spotless  rump  ;  (3)  its  white  unstreaked  under 
tail-coverts ;  (4)  the  few  and  narrow  streaks  on  the  flanks  ; 
(5)  the  very  pale  blush-red  breast  and  rump^  contrasted  with 
the  vivid  red  of  L.  linaria ;  (6)  the  very  broad  white  edgings 
to  the  tertials  and  tail-feathers ;  (7)  the  very  much  whiter  or 
mealy  tone  of  the  upper  plumage ;  (8)  the  most  decidedly 
smaller  and  shorter  bill. 

Now  I  think  half  this  number  of  distinctive  points  would 
be  ample  to  separate  any  small  bird  from  another ;  and 
all  the  points  I  have  noted  are  good  ones.  One  Sunday  a 
number  of  L.  exilipes  came  and  settled  in  a  tamarac  or  larch 
tree,  about  five  yards  from  my  bedroom  window.  I  examined 
them  for  some  time  as  they  fed  on  the  cones,  and  they  closely 
resembled  the  specimen  I  have,  but  I  did  not  observe  any 
with  the  pale  rosy  tint  on  the  breast.  We  searched  hard  for 
them  the  next  day,  but  not  one  was  to  be  seen. 

Last  winter  I  went  to  Hamilton  to  examine  a  pair  of  the 
Greenland  Redpole,  L.  hornemanni,  killed  in  January  1860, 
near  Gait,  which  is  about  35  miles  from  here ;  they  are  now  in 
the  possession  of  Mr.  T.  Mcllwraith,  who  bas  mounted  them 
beautifully.  From  the  difference  in  size,  they  appear  to  be 
male  and  female.  The  male  looks  about  one  third  larger 
than  my  L.  exilipes,  of  similar  white  mealy  plumage,  but  has 
not  the  broad  white  edgings  to  the  tail-feathers,  the  tail  being 
more  like  that  of  the  ordinary  Mealy  Kedpole,  as  far  as 
amount  of  white  edging  is  concerned.  The  bird  is  very  grey- 
and- white  all  over,  with  a  few  streaks  about  the  breast  of  a 
greyish  brown,  and  very  few  narrow  pale  ones  on  the  flanks ; 
there  is  the  faintest  possible  rosy  blush  on  the  breast,  like 
that  observable  on  old  examples  of  the  Mealy  Redpole  which 
have  passed  their  red  stage.  The  females  of  the  latter  have 
also  sometimes  this  faint  pink  blush,  as  well  as  those  minute 
specks  of  reddish  brown  on  the  cheeks.  The  lower  back  of 
the  large  Greenland  bird  is  very  white,  with  one  or  two  pale 
grey-brown  dashes  on  the  upper  tail-coverts.  The  bill  is 
the  full  size  of  that  of  the  ordinary  Mealy  Redpole.     The 


384  Mr.  W.  E.  Brooks's  Stray 

sides  of  the  face  are  white,  with  a  few  small  grey  streaks,  and 
there  is  none  of  the  fulvous  tinge  sometimes  observable  on 
the  cheeks  of  L.  exilipes. 

This  Greenland  bird  may  be  briefly  described  as  a  white 
bird  streaked  with  slate-grey.  I  noticed  one  narrow  grey- 
brown  streak  on  the  central  lower  tail-coverts,  and  the  supposed 
female  is  more  boldly  streaked  on  the  lower  tail-coverts.  With 
reference  to  the  example  of  L.  hornemanni  killed  at  Whit- 
burn in  England,  Mr.  Hancock  writes  : — ''  I  have  examined 
the  Whitburn  bird,  and  it  has  a  streak  or  two  on  the  under 
tail-coverts ;  and  another  specimen  like  it,  which  I  had  from 
Seebohm,  is  also  streaked  on  the  under  tail-coverts."  All 
the  specimens  I  have  seen  of  L.  linaria  and  of  L.  rufescens 
are  boldly  streaked  on  the  lower  tail-coverts.  As  far  as  I 
have  ascertained  at  present,  the  spotless  under  tail-coverts  of 
L.  exilipes  form  a  good  distinction,  apart  from  the  general 
white  tone  of  the  bird.  By  any  one  who  has  even  a  moderate 
power  of  observation  it  should  never  be  confounded  wdth  L. 
linaria.   Both  ends  of  the  bird  strongly  proclaim  distinctness. 

Mr.  Mcllwraith^s  female  L.  hornemanni  strongly  resembles 
the  male  ;  but  the  slate-grey  predominates,  while  in  tlie  male 
the  white  predominates.  It  appears  also  to  be  of  the  size  of 
an  ordinary  male  L.  linaria.  I  could  not  take  any  measure- 
ments, as  they  were  in  a  large  closed  glass  case  with  numerous 
other  small  birds. 

To  separate  L.  exilipes  from  L.  hornemanni  we  have  there- 
fore: — (1)  superior  size  of  the  latter;  (2)  the  want  of  the 
broad  white  edgings  to  tertials  and  tail-feathers ;  (3)  larger 
bill ;  (4)  longer  wing.  I  forgot  to  mention  that  my  male 
L.  exilipes  has  a  wing  exactly  3  inches  long. 

When  in  good  plumage  I  do  not  think  there  need  be  any 
difficulty  in  separating  these  four  species  of  Linota.  We 
hear  a  great  deal  about  "  intermediate  forms,'"'  said  to  bridge 
over  between  species ;  but  it  is  a  curious  thing  that  I  have 
not  come  across  anything  of  the  kind,  and  I  have  worked 
amongst  small  birds  as  much  as  most  men.  The  fact  is,  men 
strongly  imbued  with  Darwinian  principles  are  not  in  a  fit 
state  of  mind  to  distinguish  one  species  from  another,  and 


Ornithological  Notes.  385 

tlieir  powerful  bias  impels  them  to  confound  things  which 
differ.  Species  are  not  species  with  them,  but  evolved  forms, 
and  so  it  must  be  till  they  die  ;  but  it  is  not  necessary  that 
every  one  should  follow  their  line  of  thought,  which  is  most 
decidedly  inconvenient  in  natural  history.  A  man  labours 
hard  to  discriminate  a  species,  and  the  evolutionists  would 
abolish  it  in  a  moment  if  they  could.  Fortunately  they 
have  never  yet  brought  forward  anything  in  the  way  of 
proof  ■^. 

A  subject  to  which  I  should  like  once  more  to  refer,  if  not 
out  of  place  here,  is  the  question.  What  is  Milvus  govinda  of 
Sykes  ? 

Lately,  Mr.  Gurney  was  kind  enough  to  send  me  his  '  List 
of  the  Diurnal  Birds  of  Prey  in  the  Norwich  Museum,^  in 
which  he  says,  in  a  footnote  (p.  80)  : — "  Mr.  Brooks  here 
repeats  the  reasons  which  he  had  previously  given  in  '  Stray 
Feathers,''  vol.  iv.  p.  272,  for  considering  that  '  Milvus 
govinda '  of  Sykes  was  intended  by  him  as  a  designation  of 
the  larger  migratory  Indian  Kite  for  which  I  have  used  the 
specific  name  of  '  melanotis;'  but  the  habits  of  ' M.  govinda,' 
as  described  by  Sykes,  are  not  those  of  this  species,  but  of 
the  smaller  Indian  Kites,  which  are  non-migratory.^^ 

This  note  of  Mr.  Gurney^s  will  not  settle  the  question 
against  me.  I  have  closely  observed  the  habits  of  M.  affinis, 
(Bgyptius,  and  govinda,  and  they  are  perfectly  identical,  as 
far  as  bold  impudence  is  concerned.  At  Assensole  both  the 
large  and  the  lesser  Indian  Kites  were  very  common,  and  no 
one  could  distinguish  them  by  tlieir  habits,  so,  with  all 
deference  to  Mr.  Gurney,  Sykes's  description  of  the  habits 
will  most  perfectly  fit  the  large  Kite.  We  have  one  of 
Sykes^s  types,  a  large  Kite  of  the  species  which  Mr.  Gurney 
calls  M.  melanotis ;  and,  again,  we  have  his  description  ap- 
plicable only  to  the  large  bird,  for  the  dimensions  are  those 
of  the  large  bird.  The  accident  of  the  small  bird  being  in 
the  same  case  does  not  invalidate  the  description,  or  render 
it  inapplicable  to  the  bird  it  clearly  fits.     Sykes  did  not  know 

*  [It  is  almost  needless  to  say  that  we  are  not  responsible  for  our 
correspondent's  opinions. — Edd.] 


386  Mr.  W.  E.  Brooks's  Stray 

tliere  were  two  species,  and  he  has  not  described  the  lesser 
one  at  all,  which,  if  not  identical  with  Milvus  affinis,  as  Mr. 
Gurney  once  supposed,  requires  a  name;  and  this,  I  am  afraid, 
would  have  to  be  the  very  inappropriate  one  of  Milvus 
palustris,  Anderson,  applied  to  immature  examples  of  the 
lesser  Indian  Kite  {vide  Pr.  Asiatic  Soc.  Bengal,  July  1873, 
pp.  142-147).  I  wish  all  ornithologists  who  are  interested  in 
this  subject  would  carefully  weigh  what  I  have  advanced, 
and  would  iu  future  forbear  to  apply  the  term  govinda  to  a 
Kite  to  which  it  is  clearly  inapplicable. 

Mr.  Hume  has  often  insisted  that  there  were  three  species 
of  Kite  in  India ;  but  I  think  this  is  a  mistake,  for  both  the 
larger  and  the  lesser  Kites  are  very  variable  as  to  size.  The 
lesser  one,  M.  affinis  as  I  term  it,  is  also  very  variable  in  its 
plumage,  which  ranges  from  uniform  sooty  brown  to  warm 
reddish  brown,  and  much  spotted.  In  Cashmere,  the  large 
Kite,  M.  govinda  (the  M.  melanotis  of  Messrs.  Gurney  and 
Hume),  abounds;  and  I  had  very  good  opportunities,  when 
there,  of  observing  its  habits.  I  took  its  eggs  also  in  Cash- 
mere :  they  closely  resemble  those  of  M.  affinis,  but  are 
slightly  larger. 

And  now  that  I  have  touched  upon  Indian  birds,  I  should 
like  to  add  a  few  corrections  respecting  some  of  them.  In 
the  first  vol.  of  the  Catalogue  of  Birds  in  the  British  Museum, 
Mr.  Sharpe  does  not  admit  the  distinctness  of  Aquila  ful- 
vescens,  Gray  and  Hardwicke,  from  A.  vindhiana  (footnote, 
p.  243) .  A  good  many  examples  of  this  fine  Eagle  have  been 
obtained,  and  it  is  now  known  in  its  different  stages  of  plumage, 
which  are  quite  distinct  from  those  of  other  Eagles.  The  barred 
or  non-barred  tail  is  of  little  consequence;  but  the  style  of 
barring  on  the  tails  of  A.  vindhiana  and  A.  fulvescens,  when 
barred  (which  they  sometimes  are  very  slightly),  is  quite  differ- 
ent, theone  beingdiagonalandthe other  square  across.  Besides 
this  we  have  a  circular  nostril  in  A.  fulvescens,  and  an  oblong 
one  in  A.  vindhiana  and  A.  rapax.  However,  A.  fulvescens 
is  well  able  to  speak  for  itself  as  to  identity,  and  I  shall 
let  Mr.  Sharpe  alone  till  the  British  Museum  has  an  example 
of  this  rare  Eagle.     It  had  not  one  when  I  was  there,  and 


Ornithological  Notes.  387 

perhaps  Mr.  Sharpe  liad  not  then  seen  the  bird.  In  his 
Catalogue  Mr.  Gurney  protests  against  suppressing  this 
Eagle,  and  refers  to  Mr.  Sharpens  footnote  above  mentioned. 

Sylvia  minuscula,  Hume. — This  bird  is  only  found  in  dry 
semi-desert  places,  and  is  not  spread  over  India  like  ^S'.  affinis. 
In  voice  and  habits,  as  well  as  in  plumage,  it  strongly  differs 
from  S.  affinis.  I  frequently  met  with  it  in  Scind.  About 
Sehwan  it  was  very  common. 

Phylloscopus  viridanus. — In  vol.  v.  of  the  British  Museum 
Catalogue,  Mr.  Seebohra  gives  P.  seebohmi  as  a  synonvm. 
I  examined  the  specimen  very  carefully  and  found  the  remains 
of  the  upper  wing-bar.  It  was  from  Burmah,  and  none  of 
the  supposed  P.  viridanus  from  that  country  were  correctly 
named.  A  very  worn  P.  plumb eitai'sus,  such  as  P.  seebohmi 
was,  is  not  easily  separated  from  P.  viridanus  similarly 
worn. 

Phylloscopus  vii^idipennis ,  Blyth. — I  made  a  verv  careful 
examination  of  the  two  specimens  (one  of  them  the  type)  in 
the  Calcutta  Museum  some  years  ago  :  they  were  small-sized 
examples  of  P.  trochiloides.  The  name  of  the  white-tailed 
Burmese  bird  should  stand  therefore  as  P.presbytis,  Miiller. 
Mr.  Seebohm,  in  a  footnote,  contends  that  Miiller^s  name 
must  give  way  to  Blyth's  earlier  name  of  virid/pennis ;  but 
let  Mr.  Seebohm  show,  if  he  can,  that  Blyth  described  the 
white  tail-feathers.  All  I  can  say  is,  lam  absolutely  certain 
Blyth's  birds  were  P.  trochiloides,  a  species  which  varies  in 
size  as  much  as  P.  rufus  does ;  and  Blyth  was  misled  in  dis- 
criminating the  small  ones  just  as  I  was  mistaken  in  calling 
small  P.  rufus,  P.  tristrami.  Blyth  was  much  too  good  an  orni- 
thologist to  overlook  the  white  tail-feathers  of  P.  presbytis. 
Blyth's  specimens  were  in  a  very  dilapidated  condition  when 
I  last  saw  them,  and  by  this  time  any  conclusion  drawn  from 
them  would  be  valueless ;  but  P.  trochiloides  was  obtained 
by  Jerdon  at  Darjeeling,  where  the  white-tailed  bird  is  not 
found.  Mr.  Hume  has  often  contended  that  the  white- 
tailed  bird  is  P.  viridipennis ;  but  such  contention  is  useless 
when  the  type  is  P.  trochiloides,  and  the  description  does  not 
suit  the  white-tailed  bird.     If  there  be  any  doubt  as  to  what 


388      Mr.  W.  E.  Brook's  Stray  Ornithological  Notes. 

bird  Miiller  meant  by  P.  presbytis,  1  have  defined  the  white- 
tailed  bird  smaller  than  P.  trochiloides,  but  similarly  coloured, 
by  that  name.  At  all  events  a  synonym  of  P.  trochiloides 
cannot  be  applied  to  it. 

Phylloscopus  affinis. — Mr.  Seebohm  says  (B.  M.  Cat.  v. 
p.  65)  : — ''  This  species  appears  to  be  subject  to  little  or  no 
seasonal  change  of  plumage ;  nor  does  the  slight  abrasion  of 
the  feathers  which  takes  place  in  summer  make  any  appreci- 
able change  in  the  appearance  of  the  bird."  What  can 
Mr.  Seebohm  have  seen !  Frequently  the  bird  loses  all  its 
green  and  all  its  yellow  except  the  eye-stripe  or  a  portion  of 
it,  and  it  is  indeed  hard  to  tell  wliat  the  little  faded  l)ird  is. 

Phylloscopus  tytleri. — Only  one  example  on  record  from 
"  the  plains  of  India  "  (p.  67) .  I  think  it  must  winter  in 
the  lower  hills. 

Phylloscopus  huraii. — Winters  all  over  India,  and  not  only 
^'in  the  valley  of  the  Ganges''  (p.  G7). 

Hypolais  caligata  (p.  86) . — "  This  subspecies  "  !  Its  note 
differs  from  that  of  H.  rama,  and  when  newly  moulted  this 
bird  is  red-brown  as  contrasted  with  the  mouse-grey  of 
H.  rama.    No  two  species  could  be  more  thoroughly  distinct. 

Acrocephalus  bistrigicej)s  (p.  94). — It  is  also  found  in 
Burmah. 

Lusciniola  indica  (p.  127). — "  Jcrdon's  GVa^^-Warbler  "  is 
a  strictly  arboreal  bird  and  winters  in  the  plains  of  India 
generally. 

Lusciniola  fuscata  (p.  128). — 'VBIyth's  Grass-W avhler"  is, 
if  anything,  more  truly  arboreal.  Neither  are  L.  schwarzi 
nor  L.  fuliginiventris  "  Grass -Warblers." 

Lusciniola  flaviveiitris  (p.  131). — This  is  an  Horornis. 

Lusciniola  neglecta  (p.  131). — "Hume's  Gra**- Warbler." 
No  grass  where  I  met  with  it.  It  affects  babool  (acacia)  and 
tamarisk  jungle. 

Lusciniola  melanopogon  (p.  133).  —  "  Gra^s-Warbler  " 
again  !     It  is  an  aquatic  bird,  a  Reed- Warbler. 

Cettia  fortipes  (p.  136). — The  Horornis- gvonip  cannot  be 
put  into  the  same  genus  as  Cettia.  I  protest  also  against  my 
H.paUidus  being  suppressed.  I  know  both  it  and  i/./or- 
tipes  in  life,  and  they  are  distinct. 


On  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  389 

Cettia  pallidipes  (p.  139). — A  so-called  Cettia,  which  is 
green  above  and  white  below  ! ! 

Cettia  squamiceps  (p.  142). — Worse  and  worse!  This  is 
not  a  Cettia  anyhow. 

I  notice  that  Dr.  Scully  (Ibis,  1881,  pp.  90,  583),  in  qviotiug 
my  name,  Alauda  guttata,  for  the  common  Sivy-Lark  of  Cash- 
mere, says  he  can  only  distinguish  it  from  A.  gulgula  by  its 
superior  size.  When  freshly  moulted  the  two  birds  are  of 
very  different  shades  of  brown,  the  Cashmere  one  being  dull 
purplish  brown,  while  the  bird  of  the  plains  is  warm  reddish 
brown.  The  Sky-Larks  are  the  most  difl&cult  group  there  is  ; 
but  clearly  such  a  bird  as  A.  dulcivox  is  distinct  from  the 
little  A.  gulgula. 

XLL — On  Mr.  E.  Lort  Phillips's  Collection  of  Birds  from 
Somali-land.     By  Captain  G.  E.  Shelley,  F.Z.S. 

(Plates  X.-XII.) 

Mr.  E.  Lort  Phillips,  E.Z.S.,  accompanied  by  his  friends 
Messrs.  James,  Aylmer,  and  Thrupp,  left  Berbera,  on  the 
Gulf  of  Aden,  on  the  22nd  December,  1884,  and  returned 
there  again  towards  the  middle  of  the  following  April.  They 
journeyed  nearly  due  south  along  the  parallel  45°  E.  long,  to 
about  5°  N.  lat.  On  leaving  Berbera  they  crossed  for  the 
first  eight  miles  a  low  flat  country  and  then  ascended  to  the 
high  plateau-land  3000  feet  above  the  sea.  This  plateau  is 
a  parched  desert  for  about  six  months  in  the  year,  and  it  was 
during  this  period  that  most  of  the  specimens  were  collected. 
The  Egyptian  Vulture,  although  a  constant  visitor  to  their 
camp  so  long  as  water  was  obtainable,  was  never  seen  during 
their  long  desert  march  of  fourteen  days  between  the  wells  of 
Bourou  and  Gerlogobie,  while  Crows  (probably  Corvus  affinis) 
never  failed  to  appear  in  the  neighbourhood  as  soon  as  the 
tents  were  pitched.  Nearly  all  the  Crows'  nests  contained 
eggs  of  the  Great  Spotted  Cuckoo,  and  in  one  nest  there 
were  twelve  eggs,  four  only  belonging  to  the  rightful  owner. 
The  tableland,  which  extends  from  north  to  south  for 
about  280  miles,  is  dotted  over  with  thousands  of  gigantic 

SER.  V. vol.   III.  2  E 


390  Capt.  (t.  E.  Sliollcy  on  a 

ant-hills,  wliicli  often  rise  to  a  height  of  30  feet  or  more ; 
and  these  during  their  return  journey,  in  the  latter  end  of 
March  and  heginniug  of  April,  afforded  building-resorts  for 
many  species  of  birds,  especially  Little  Owls  and  Parrots. 

When  the  rains  set  in,  the  country  soon  presents  a  very 
different  aspect,  the  plateau  becomes  quickly  covered  with 
fine  grass,  and  the  mimosas,  which  during  the  dry  season 
resemble  gooseberry-bushes  in  winter,  become  a  mass  of 
tender  green  leaves  and  yellow  blossoms,  which  prove  very 
attractive  to  the  gaily  coloured  Sun-birds. 

Wherever  rock  appears  upon  the  surface  the  rain-water 
collects  and  forms  shallow  lakes,  commonly  called  pans, 
which  are  soon  tenanted  by  water-fowl.  At  Harradegit, 
one  of  these  pans,  there  were  some  hundreds  of  Egyptian 
Geese,  evidently  mated,  as  they  were  grazing  in  pairs;  at 
first  they  were  very  easy  to  approach,  but  soon  became  shy 
and  watched  the  country  from  the  tops  of  the  ant-hills  or 
the  boughs  of  the  higher  trees.  The  highest  trees  always 
grow  near  these  pans,  and  are  selected  by  Textor  dmemelli 
for  their  nests. 

To  the  south  of  the  plateau  runs  the  Webbe  Shebeyli,  or 
Haynes  river,  through  a  fertile  plain  on  which  the  natives 
grow  an  abundance  of  corn  ;  and  here,  amongst  the  numerous 
water-birds,  the  Sacred  Ibis  was  remarked  as  being  extremely 
abundant. 

An  excellent  account  of  this  journey  was  read  by  Mr. 
F.  L.  James  before  the  Royal  Geographical  Society  on  the 
29th  of  June  of  the  present  year. 

The  collection  of  birds  contains  specimens  of  sixty-two 
species,  of  which  I  consider  to  be  new  to  science  six  species 
and  one  subspecies  ;  these  are  : — Coracias  lorti,  Dryoscopus 
ruficeps,  Telephonus  jamesi,  Argya  aylmeri,  Saxicola  phillipsi, 
Parus  thruppi,  and  the  subspecies  Cursorius  gallicus  soma- 
lensis.  Of  the  remainder  over  forty  are  new  to  Somali-land. 
As  the  specimens  are  mostly  in  good  condition,  I  have  con- 
sidered it  advisable  to  give  full  descriptions  of  some  of  the 
most  interesting.  Mr.  Lort  Phillips  has  kindly  furnished 
me  with  some  field-notes. 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  391 

At  Mr.  Lort  Phillips's  request  I  have  naraed  a  species 
after  each  of  his  companions;  and  I  am  sure  all  ornitholo- 
gists will  agree  that  they  justly  deserve  this  mark  of  our 
appreciation  of  the  great  service  they  have  rendered  to  our 
science. 

1.  Melierax  gabar. 

Le  Gabar,  Levaill.  Ois.  d'Afr.  i.  1799,  pi.  33. 

Falco  gabar,  Daud.  Traite,  1800,  p.  87. 

Nisus  gabar,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  pp.  73,  xxviii; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  86;  Hartl.  Abh.  nat.  Ver. 
Brera.  vii.  1881,  p.  116  (Lado)  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1855, 
p.  121. 

Melierax  gabar,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  i.  p.  89.    • 

Micronisus  gabar,  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  72 
(Shoa). 

Hub.  Africa  generally  south  of  about  25°  N.  lat.,  except 
the  West  Coast  from  Sierra  Leone  to  Angola. 

''  Fairly  plentiful.'-' 

2.  BUTEO  AUGUR. 

Buteo  augur,  Riipp.  Neue  Wirb.  1835-40,  p.  38,  pi.  16. 
figs.  1,  2  (good);  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  pp.  92,  xxxv; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  57;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit. 
Mus.  i.  p.  175  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  122  (Mombas). 

Buteo  hydrophilus,  Riipp.  torn.  cit.  p.  39,  pi.  17.  figs.  1,  2 
(good) . 

Pterolestes  augur,  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  51 
(Shoa). 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  between  about  15°  N.  lat.  and  4°  S.  lat. 

"  Only  a  single  specimen  was  met  with  in  the  mountains 
about  30  miles  inland  from  Berbera.^' 

3.  POLIOHIERAX  SEMITORQUATUS. 

Falco  semitorquatus,  Smith,  Rep.  Exp.  Centr.  Afr.  1836, 
p.  44;  id.  111.  Zool.  S.  Afr.,  Av.  pi.  l,^  (good)  ;  Heugl.  Orn. 
N.O.-Afr.  p.  38,  pi.  1,(5"  ju.v.  (back  chestnut,  as  in  $  ad.). 

Hypotriorchis  castanonoius,  Heugl.  Ibis,  1860,  p.  407; 
Sclat.  Ibis,  1861,  pi.  12  (good,  ?  ad.). 

2e  2 


392  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

Hypotriorcli'is  semitorqnatns,  Selat.  P.  Z.  S.  ISGl,  p.  107 
(Bogue). 

PoUohierax  semitorquatiis,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  i. 
p.  370;  Salvad.  Ann.  iMns.  Civ.  Gen.  1881,  p.  03  (Shoa)  ; 
Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  12.2  (Tana  river). 

Hab.  E.  and  S.  Africa,  from  Abyssinia  to  the  Transvaal, 
and  thence  to  Damara. 

"  Frequently  seen  perched  on  the  tops  of  the  low  mimosa- 
bushes  on  the  plateau.  In  March  a  pair  appeared  to  be  pre- 
paring to  breed  in  a  deserted  nest  of  Te.vtor  dinemeUi,  in  the 
midst  of  a  colony  of  those  Weaver-birds.  The  crops  of  the 
three  specimens  preserved  contained  lizards.^' 

4.  TlNNUXCULUS  TINNUNCULUS. 

Falco  tinnunculus,  Linn.  S.  N.  1760,  p.  127  ;  Heugl.  Orn. 
N.O.-Afr.  pp.  40,  xvi;  Dresser,  B.  Eur.  vi.  pi.  381. 

Cerchneis  tinrmnculus,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  i.  p.  425. 

Tinnunculus  alaudarius,  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1881, 
p.  64  (Shoa). 

Hah.  Africa,  south  to  about  5°  N.  hit.  in  E.  Africa,  and  10° 
N.  lat.  in  AV.  Africa. 

5.  Bubo  lacteus. 

Strix  lacteus,  Temm.  PI.  Col.  ii.  pi,  4. 

Bubo  lacteus,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  pp.  112,  xliii ; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  101 ;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit. 
Mus.  li.  p.  33;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  122. 

Hab.  Africa,  south  of  about  15°  N.  lat.,  with  the  exception 
of  the  forest-region  of  the  West  Coast. 

"  Shot  in  February  near  Faf,  in  the  Ogadayn  district." 

6.  Carine  glaux. 

Noctua  (jlaux,  Savigu.  Descr.  Egypte,  Ois.  p.  287. 
Noctua  veterum,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  pp.  118,  xlv. 
Carine  glaux,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  ]Mus.  ii.  p.  135. 
Athene  glaux,  Uresser,  B.  Eur.  v.  pi.  318. 
Hab.  N.  and  N.E.  Africa  southward  to  Somali. 
The  single  specimen  is  peculiarly  small. 
"  Fairly  common  throughout  the  country,  living  in  holes  in 
the  ant-hills." 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Soiaah-lund.  393 

7.  PcEOCEPHALUS  RUFIVENTRIS. 

Piomts  rufiventris,  Riipp.  Syst.  Uebers.  1845,  p.  83^  pi.  32 
(Slioa). 

Pionias  rufiventris,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  pp.  741^  clvii, 

Pceocephalus  rufiventris,  Speke_,  Ibis^  1860,  p.  243  (Somali) ; 
Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  372  (Masai)  ;  Salvad. 
Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Geu.  1884,  p.  78  (Slioa)  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O. 
1885,  p.  122. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  Abyssinia  to  Masai-land. 

"  First  seen  ou  reaching  the  tableland,  and  afterwards  fairly 
plentiful  throughout  the  tour.  They  were  generally  seen  in 
twos  or  threes,  and,  like  most  Parrots^  were  very  noisy.  They 
breed  in  the  ant-hills." 

8.  Dendropicus  hempkichi. 

Plcus  hernpricliii,  Hemp.  &  Ehr.  Symb.  Phys.  1828,  fol.  2, 
p.  2;  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  804;  Finsch  &  Ilartl.  Vog. 
Ostafr.  p.  514;  Shalow,  J.  f.  O.  1883,  p.  3i7  (Kakoma). 

Dendrobates  liemprichii,  Riipp.  Syst.  Uebei-s.  pi.  35. 

Dendromus  hemprichii,  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  245  (Somali). 

Dendropicus  hemprichi,  Hargitt,  Ibis,  1883,  p.  433 ; 
Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  370  (Masai)  ;  id.  J.  f.  O. 
1885,  p.  125.  ■ 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  Abyssinia  to  Zanzibar. 

The  specimen  from  South  Mozambique  referred  to  as 
Dendrobates  hemprichii,  Bianc.  Spec.  Zool.  Mosamb.  fasc.  18, 
p.  327,  was  preserved  in  spirits,  and  its  determination,  I  con- 
sider, must  consequently  be  uncertain. 

This  and  the  next  species  of  Woodpecker  were  fairly 
plentiful  where  the  Euphorbias  grew,  as  they  select  these 
cactuses  to  breed  in. 

9.  CaMPOTHERA  NU15ICA. 

Picus  nubicus,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  p.  439;  Heugl.  Orn. 
N.O.-Afr.  p.  881;  Finsch  &  HartL  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  508; 
Hartl.  Abh.  nat.  Ver.  Brem.  vii.  1881,  p.  109  (Lado). 

Dendromus  cethiopicus,  Riipp.  Syst.  Uebers.  pi.  36. 

Dendrobates  athiopicus,  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  244  (Somali). 


394'  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

Campothera  nubica,  Hargitt  Ibis,  1883,  p.  451 ;  Fisciicr, 
J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  126  (Pangani). 

Stictopicus  nuhicus,  Salvacl.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884, 
p.  88  (Shoa). 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  Sonthern  Nubia  to  Pangani. 

10.  Trichol.ema  stigmatothorax. 

Tricholama  stigmatothorax,  Cab.  J.  f.  O.  1878,  pp.  205, 
240  (Ndi)  ;  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  371  (Masai)  ; 
id.  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  125. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  between  10°  N.  lat.  and  5°  S.  lat. 

T.  stujmatothorax  is  very  nearly  allied  to  T.  melanocephala, 
from  which  it  differs  in  the  dark  portions  of  the  head  and 
throat  being  dark  brown  instead  of  black,  in  the  feathers  of 
the  forehead  and  front  half  of  the  crown  being  more  or  less 
spotted  with  small  yellow  tips  to  the  feathers.  lu  a  speci- 
men labelled  "  Rouga  {Fischer) "  the  brown  of  the  throat  is 
uniform ;  in  the  present  specimen,  from  Somali,  the  feathers 
of  the  throat  have  mostly  small  white  tips. 

"■  Fairly  abundant  throughout  the  tableland.  ' 

11.  Trachyphonus  erythrocephalus. 
Trachyphonus  erythrocephalus ,  Cab.  J.  f.  0. 1878,  pp.  206, 

218,  240,  pi.  2.  figs.  1,  2  (Kitui) . 

Hah.  E.  Africa,  Somali  and  Kitui. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  examine  the  type  of  T.  erythro- 
cephalus. The  Somali  specimen  differs  from  the  illustrations 
/.  c.  in  having  a  distinct  black  crest,  the  eyebrows  yellow, 
and  the  cheeks  washed  with  yellow  towards  the  eyes.  It  is 
also  apparently  rather  smaller:  total  length  7'1  inches, 
culmen  0*9,  wing  3"1,  tail  3*1,  tarsus  0'95.  Forehead  and 
crown  glossy  black,  the  feathers  elongated,  forming  a  slight 
crest;  margin  of  the  forehead,  eyebrows,  and  remainder  of 
the  head  and  neck  yellow,  shading  into  bright  red  on  the 
nape,  ear-coverts,  and  hinder  portion  of  the  cheeks ;  a  red 
band  passes  down  the  sides  of  the  neck,  and  is  surmounted  by 
a  white  band,  which  extends  over  the  back  of  the  ear-coverts  ; 
the  feathers  of  the  nape  and  back  of  the  neck  are  tipped  with 
black ;  throat  yellow,  with  a  broad   black   band  down  the 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  395 

ceutrCj  chin  fading  into  buff,  base  of  the  throat  tinted  with 
red. ;  a  narrow  pectoral  baud,  back,  and  wings  black,  with 
large  pearl-shaped  huffish- white  spots  ;  similar  spots  on  the 
quills  form  four  partial  white  bands ;  rump  yellow ;  upper 
and  under  tail-coverts  crimson;  tail  black,  each  feather 
with  five  or  six  large  yellowish- white  spots,  passing  into  bars 
toAvards  the  outer  feathers  ;  remainder  of  the  body  huffish 
yellow,  with  the  axillaries  and  under  wing-coverts  brownish 
white. 

"  Shot  on  the  plateau.  On  another  occasion  three  rose  out 
of  a  dry  well,  where  they  were  probably  hunting  for  insects. 
Iris  brown,  bill  brownish  red,  feet  black." 

12.  Halcyon  semic/Erulea. 

Alcedo  seniic(srulea,  Forsk.  Descr.  An.  1775,  p.  2. 

Dacelo  semicarulea,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  J  90. 

Halcyon  semiceerulea,  Sharpe,  Monogr.  Alced.  p.  173,  pi.  64; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  160;  Hartl.  Abh.  uat.  Ver. 
Brem.  vii.  1881,  p.  110  (Lado) ;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ. 
Gen.  1884,  p.  113  (Shoa)  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  126. 

Hub.  The  whole  of  Africa  between  about  17°  N.  lat.  and 
25°  S.  lat. 

"  These  birds  are  never  found  far  from  water,  and  are  appa- 
rently very  plentiful  at  all  seasons  on  the  Webbe  Shebeyli 
south  of  the  plateau,  and  were  also  met  with  in  the  low 
country  near  Berbera.  They  only  visit  the  tableland  during 
the  rainy  season.^'' 

13.    IllRISOR  ERYTHRORHYNCHUS. 

Upupa  erythrorhynchos,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  i.  1790,  p.  280. 

Falcinellus  senegalensis,  Vieill.  N.  D.  xxviii.  p.  168. 

Pi'omerops  melanorhynchus  (Licht.),  Gray  &  Mitchell,  Gen. 
B.  i.  pi.  31  (good). 

Irrisor  senegalensis,  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  244  (Somali). 

Irrisor  erythrorhynchus,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  214; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  202 ;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus, 
Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  106  (Shoa);  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885, 
p.  127. 

Hah.  The  whole  of  Africa  south  of  about  16°  N.  lat. 


396  Capt.  G.  E.  Slielley  on  a 

The  present  specimens  (an  apparently  adult  and  an  imma- 
ture bird)  have  the  bill  black  5  and  Mr.  Lort  Phillips  assures 
me  that  although  the  bird  is  common  in  Somali^  he  never 
saw  a  red-billed  specimen. 

They  belong  to  the  dark-billed  race^  well  figured  by  Gray 
and  Mitchell,  /.  c.  This  race  inhabits  Somali,  Shoa,  Abys- 
sinia, and  Senegambia,  and  to  it  belong  the  nine  specimens 
recorded  by  Count  Salvadori  as  collected  by  the  Marquis 
Antinori  in  Shoa,  seven  specimens  in  the  British  Museum 
fi'om  Abyssinia,  and  nine  specimens  I  have  examined  from 
Senegambia. 

To  the  typical  red-billed  race  belong  thirty-seven  speci- 
mens I  have  examined  from  localities  south  of  the  equator ; 
of  these,  twenty-three  S. -African,  and  seven  E. -African  from 
Dar-es-Salam  to  Mombas,  have  entirely  red  bills,  and  the  re- 
maining seven  have  black  bills,  but  show  evident  signs  of 
immaturity. 

My  reason  for  not  separating  these  races  rests  upon  the 
following  data  : — There  are  two  typical  red-billed  specimens 
in  the  British  Museum,  labelled  respectively  ''  Darfur  "  and 
"  N.E.  Africa.^^  One  of  Mr.  Blanford^s  specimens  from  the 
Anseba  valley  has  the  bill  half  red  and  half  black ;  the  black 
in  this  specimen  extends  on  the  upper  mandible  in  a  sharply 
defined  broad  band  from  the  nostrils,  and  covers  the  end 
third  of  both  mandibles.  Von  Heuglin  describes  in  his 
.  large  work  an  entirely  red-billed  bird,  which  I  presume  was 
a  N.E.- African  specimen. 

In  the  British  Museum  there  is  a  remarkably  purple- 
coloured  specimen,  labelled  "  (J,  Objimbique.^''  It  has  a 
reddish-black  bill.  These  colours,  however,  are  not  sharply 
contrasted  as  in  all  the  mottled-billed  birds  I  have  seen  from 
north  of  the  equator. 

In  the  black-billed  race  the  plumage  is  almost  invariably 
more  purple,  the  presence  of  a  bright  green  gloss  on  the 
crown  and  mantle  being  rare,  although  occasionally  present, 
but  never,  it  appears  to  me,  to  the  same  extent  as  in  the 
typical  red-billed  specimens. 

Although  generally  the  northern  and  southern  forms  may 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  397 

be  easily  distinguished,  their  characters  are  not  always  very 
sharply  defined  nor  very  constant ;  and  as  the  typical  red- 
billed  form  occurs  in  Darf  ur,  their  ranges  overlap  in  the  White 
Nile  region  J  and  we  may  presume  they  would  interbreed. 

14.  Irrisor  minor. 

Promerops  minor,  Riipp.  Syst.  Uebers.  1845,  pp.  25,  28. 

Epimachus  minor,  Riipp.  tom.  cit.  pi.  8. 

Irrisor  minor,  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  244  (Somali) ;  Heugl. 
Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  218;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  206; 
Oustalet  in  RevoiFs  Faune  et  Flore,  Comalis,  Ois.  1882,  p.  7. 

Hab.  N.E.  Africa,  Shoa  and  Somali. 

In  the  present  specimen  the  white  bar  on  the  wing  crosses 
the  inner  webs  of  the  second  to  the  seventh  primaries,  and 
there  is  a  white  spot  on  the  outer  webs  of  the  seventh  and 
eighth  primaries. 

I  would  here  correct  an  error  with  regard  to  Rhino- 
pomastes  cabanlsi,  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  306.  The  sentence 
should  read  thus  : — "  This  species  is  closely  allied  to  R.  minor, 
but  may  be  readily  distinguished  by  the  absence  of  any  white 
on  the  primaries." 

15.  Upupa  epops  senegalensis. 

Upupa  senegalensis,  Swains.  B.  W.  Afr.  ii.  1837,  p.  114; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  199,  note ;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus. 
Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  105  (Shoa). 

Hab.  N.E.  and  W.  Africa :  Abyssinia,  Shoa,  Somali,  and 
Senegambia.  I  am  unable  to  define  exactly  what  may  be 
the  full  range  of  this  subspecies. 

The  two  specimens  brought  home  from  Somali  agree  per- 
fectly with  a  specimen  from  Senegambia  in  my  own  collection. 
They  are  smaller  than  the  true  U.  epops,  but  in  other  respects 
similar,  with  a  similar  white  band  across  the  primaries. 

''  Common  everywhere." 

16.  Merops  nubicus. 

Merops  nubicus,  Gm.  S.  N.  1788,  p.  464;  Heugl.  Orn. 
N.O.-Afr.  p.  199;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  183; 
Hartl.  Abh.  nat.  Ver.  Brem.  vii.  1881,  p.  Ill  (Lado);  Salvad. 


398  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  an  a 

Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  92  (Shoa)  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O. 
1885,  p.  127  (Lamu). 

Hab.  E.  and  W.  Africa,  south  from  about  16°  N.  lat.  to 
Zanzibar  on  the  east  coast  and  to  Bissao  on  the  west. 

"  Fairly  plentiful  on  the  Webbe  Shebeyli,  generally  in 
flocks." 

17.  Melittophagus  pusillus  cyanostictus. 

Mf^rops  pusillus,  P.  L.  S.  Miill.  S.  N.  Suppl.  1776,  p.  95. 

Merops  erythropterus,  "Gm.,"  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr. 
p.  208;  Hartl.  Abb.  nat.  Ver.  Brem.  vii.  1881,  p.  Ill  (Lado). 

Merops  variegatus,  "  Vieill.,"  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr. 
p.  193. 

Merops  cyanostictus,  Cab.  in  v.  d.  Decken's  Reise  Ostafr. 
iii.  1869,  p.  34;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  110 
(Shoa)  ;  Bohra.  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  47. 

Melittophagus  pusillus,  Shelley,  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  569. 

Melittophagus  cyanostictus.  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  127. 

Hab.  E.  and  S.  Africa,  from  Abyssinia  to  Pangani. 

South  from  Pangani  and  in  Benguela  the  specimens  are 
nearly  intermediate  between  this  subspecies  and  the  common 
South-African  form,  and  the  common  South-African  form 
is  again  intermediate  between  these  latter  specimens  and 
those  of  West  Africa,  which  are  entirely  without  the  blue 
frontal  and  superciliary  band.  In  the  colouring  of  the  head 
and  throat  the  present  subspecies  much  resembles  M.  lafres- 
nayei,  but  is  smaller. 

"  Apparently  not  common ;  only  seen  along  the  water- 
courses.    Iris  red,  bill  and  feet  black." 

18.  Melittophagus  revoili. 

Merops  revoilii,  Oustalet  in  RevoiFs  Faune  et  Flor.  Co- 
malis,  Ois.  1882,  p.  5,  pi.  1  (bad). 

Hab.  Confined  to  Somali-land. 

Crown  grass-green,  with  paler  shaft-stripes,  which  are 
tinted  with  cobalt-blue  towards  their  ends  ;  sides  cf  the  fore- 
head and  a  broad  eyebrow  cobalt-blue  ;  ear-coverts  and  a 
broad  loral  band  through  the  eye  black  ;  back  of  neck  and 
front  of  back   rufous- baft",   with   the    ends   of   the    feathers 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  399 

washed  with  bluish  green ;  lower  half  of  the  back  and  upper 
tail-coverts  cobalt-blue ;  scapulars  and  wings  green^  shading 
into  brown  on  the  inner  webs  and  tips  of  the  quills,  which 
have  their  shafts  also  brown ;  tail  green,  partially  Avashed 
with  blue,  and  with  an  ill- defined  rufous  terminal  edging  to 
all  but  the  four  centre  feathers ;  cheeks,  chin,  and  upper 
throat  white,  shading  on  the  remainder  of  the  throat  and 
breast  into  deep  rufous-buff,  slightly  glossed  with  green  ; 
vent  and  under  tail-coverts  bright  cobalt-blue;  under  wing- 
coverts  and  inner  margins  to  the  quills  rufous-buff;  re- 
mainder of  the  quills  and  under  surface  of  the  tail  ashy  brown  ; 
bill  and  legs  black.  Total  length  6*2  and  6"7  inches,  culmen 
1"1,  wing  2*9  and  3*1,  tail  2'9,  tarsus  0'4. 
"  Common  on  the  plateau/^ 

19.  CORACIAS   N^VIA. 

Coracias  ncevia,  Daud.  Traite,  ii.  1800,  p.  258  (Senegal)  ; 
Sharpe,  Ibis,  1871,  p.  190,  part.;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ. 
Gen.  1884,  p.  114  (Slioa). 

Hab.  E.  and  W.  Africa :  Abyssinia,  Upper  White  Nile, 
Somali,  Senegambia,  and  Bissao. 

Coracias  pilosa,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  173. 

The  two  specimens  in  this  collection  have  the  crown  pink, 
not  shaded  with  olive,  and  thus  differ  somewhat  from  the 
South-African  bird,  which  should,  I  think,  be  recognized  as 
a  subspecies  under  the  title  of  C.  ncevia  levaillanti. 

"  First  seen  about  twenty  miles  south  of  Berbera,  and  was 
afterwards  fairly  plentiful,  generally  near  water."" 

20.  Coracias  lokti,  sp.  n. 

Very  similar  in  size  and  plumage  to  C.  caudata ;  but  dif- 
fers in  the  lower  half  of  the  throat  and  entire  chest  being 
green,  of  the  same  colour  as  the  abdomen,  the  pink  of  the 
throat  not  extending  beyond  the  line  of  the  end  of  the  ear- 
coverts.  Total  length  13*2  inches,  culmen  1*3,  wing  6*3, 
tail  7,  tarsus  1. 

Hab.  Somali-land. 

"  Seen  only  on  two  or  three  occasions  on  the  plateau.  Iris 
brown,  bill  black,  legs  grey.''"' 


400  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

21.  Centropus  superciliosus. 

Centropus  superciliosus,  Hempr.  &  Ehr.  Symb.  Phys.  1828^ 
fol.  2  j  Kupp.  Neue  Wirb.  pi.  21.  fig.  1 ;  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.- 
Afr.  p.  797;  Sharpe,  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  p.  620;  Shelley,  P.  Z.  S. 
1881,  p.  595;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  96 
(Shoa) ;  Bolmi.  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  41 ;  Fischer,  torn.  eit. 
p.  123. 

Hub.  E.  Africa,  between  abont  16°  N.  lat.  and  8°  S.  lat. 

''  Only  found  frequenting  the  thick  bushes  and  grass  near 
the  water-courses.^^ 

22.  SCHIZORHIS  LEUCOGASTER. 

Schizcprhis  leucogaster,  lliipp.  P.  Z.  S.  1842,  p.  9;  id. 
Trans.  Z.  S.  iii.  pi.  17  (good). 

Schlzor'his  leucogaster,  Spoke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  245  (Somali)  ; 
Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  707  ;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr. 
p.  477;  Hartl.  Abb.  nat.  Ver.  Brem.  viii.  1882,  p.  210; 
Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  364  (Masai)  ;  Salvad. 
Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1881,  p.  99  (Shoa)  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O. 
1885,  p.  122  (Usaramo). 

Hub.  E.  Africa,  between  about  12°  N.  lat.  and  5°  S.  lat. 

"  Very  common  throughout  the  country.  Feeds  on  the 
berries  of  the  nebbuk  thorn,  and  the  cry  exactly  resembles 
the  bleat  of  a  goat.     Bill  and  legs  black.^' 

23.  Terpsiphone  cristata. 

Muscicapa  cristata,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  p.  938. 

Muscicapa  duchaillui,  Cass.  Journ.  Philad.  iv.  pi.  50. 

Muscicapa  speciosa,  Cass.  Journ.  Philad.  iv.  pi.  50. 

Terpsiphone  melanogastra,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  441 ; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  309. 

Terpsiphone  cristata,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  iv.  p.  354; 
Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  124  (Shoa) ;  Shelley, 
P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  577. 

Terpsiphone  ferreti,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  353 
(Masai). 

Hab.  E.  and  W.  Afinca,  between  about  16°  N.  lat.  and 
6°  S.  lat. 

"  Frequents  the  shade  of  the  high  trees  which  grow  along 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  40 1 

the   water-courses,     Male — iris,  bill,   and   feet    slaty   blue ; 
female — iris  red,  bill  and  feet  black." 

24.  BUCHANGA  ASSIMILIS. 

Corvus  assimilis,  Bechst.  Lath.  Allg.  Uebers.  Vog.  ii, 
p.  562. 

EdoUus  lugubris,  Hempr.  &  Ehr.  Symb.  Phys.  1828,  pi.  8. 
fig.  3. 

Dicrurus  lugubris,  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  247  (Somali). 

Dicrurus  divaricatus,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  422;  Finsch 
&  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  323;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  131. 

Buchanga  assimilis,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  iii.  p.  247. 

Ilab.  The  whole  of  Africa  south  of  about  16°  N.  lat. 

"  Common  throughout  the  country.  Iris  red,  bill  and  legs 
black.^' 

25.  Lanius  dorsalis. 

Lanius  [Fiscus)  dorsalis,  Cab.  J.  f.  O.  1878,  pp.  205,  225 
(Ndi). 

Lanius  dorsalis,  Oustalet  in  Revoil's  Faun,  et  Flor.  Co- 
malis,  Ois.  p.  10. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  Somali  to  Ndi. 

Upper  half  of  the  head  and  hinder  half  of  the  neck  black ; 
back  and  scapulars  grey,  fading  into  white  towards  the  ends 
of  the  scapulars  and  on  the  tail-coverts  ;  tail,  four  centre 
feathers  entirely  black,  the  remainder  black  with  broad  white 
ends  and  an  entirely  white  outer  web  to  the  outer  pair  of 
feathers;  underparts  white;  axillaries  black;  under  wing- 
coverts  white,  with  a  large  dusky  patch ;  quills  black,  with 
about  the  basal  half  of  the  primaries  white ;  a  dark  rufous 
patch  on  the  sides  of  the  chest  (a  sexual  character  only)  ;  iris 
brown;  bill  and  legs  black.  Total  length  8'2  inches,  culmen 
0"65,  wing  3'75,  tail  3*6,  tarsus  1*1. 

This  species  is  nearly  allied  to  L.  antinorii,  Salvad.,  from 
which  it  differs  in  the  scapulars  being  grey,  not  white  ;  the 
secondaries  entirely  black,  not  tipped  with  white ;  a  less 
amount  of  white  on  the  two  pair  of  outer  tail-feathers ;  the 
axillaries  being  black,  not  white ;  and  it  is  also  slightly 
smaller.    This  comparison  is  taken  from  Mr.  Gadow's  descrip- 


402  Capt.  a.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

tion  of  the  type  of  L.  antinorii  (Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  viii.  p.  255) . 
The  present  species  has  been  overlooked  in  that  vokime. 

"  Only  met  ■with  on  the  tableland^  "where  they  appeared  to  be 
fairly  plentiful.     Female — iris  brown^  bill  and  legs  black. ^' 

26.  Dryoscopus  ruficeps^  sp.  n.     (Plate  X.  fig.  1.) 
Forehead  and  sides  of  the  crown  black ;  crown  and  nape 

very  bright  rufous ;  a  broad  white  eyebrow  extends  over 
the  sides  of  the  forehead  to  behind  the  ear-coverts ;  lores, 
cheeks^  ear-covertS;  and  sides  of  the  neck  black ;  remainder 
of  the  upper  parts  black,  partially  washed  with  grey  towards 
the  neck  and  lower  back ;  a  broad  white  longitudinal  band 
down  the  wing,  formed  by  the  greater  portion  of  the  median 
series  of  wing-coverts  and  the  broad  white  edges  to  about 
three  of  the  middle  secondaries;  the  lower  back  is  strongly 
mottled  with  white ;  outer  web  of  the  tail  broadly  edged  with 
white,  and  the  three  pairs  of  outer  tail-feathers  have  broad 
white  tips;  entire  underparts  white,  very  faintly  tinted  with 
rufous  on  the  flanks  and  thighs ;  under  wing-coverts  white, 
with  the  outer  ones  near  the  edge  of  the  wing  black,  and  a 
large  dusky  patch  ;  under  surface  of  the  quills  black,  broadly 
edged  with  white  on  their  inner  webs  towards  their  base ; 
iris  brown;  bill  black;  legs  dark  grey.  Total  length  7  inches, 
culmen  0*7,  wing  3,  tail  3*4,  tarsus  I'lS. 

Hab.  Somali-land. 

"  Shot  on  the  2nd  of  January  and  seen  on  a  few  occasions 
afterwards.     Iris  brown,  bill  black,  feet  grey." 

27.  Laniarius  cruentus. 

Lanius  cruentus,  Hempr.  &  Ehr.  Symb.  Phys.  1828,  fol.  c, 
pi.  3. 

Laniarius  cruentus,  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  247  (Somali) ; 
Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  354;  Gadow,  Cat.  B.  Brit. 
Mus.  viii.  p.  152. 

Dryoscopus  cruentus,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  462. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  about  15°  N.  lat.  to  Somali-land. 

"  Rather  scarce  :  only  seen  on  the  plateau.  Male — iris 
brown,  bill  black,  legs  grey."" 


Itis.l885,ri  X 


j.G.feuicmansiib.  i.DRYOSCOPUS  RUFICEP5 

2.TELEPH0NUS     JAM  EST. 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  403 

28.  Telephonus  jamesi^  sp.  ii.     (Plate  X.  fig.  2.) 

Upper  parts  brownish  ash ;  a  broad  black  band  down  the 
centre  of  the  forehead,  crown,  and  nape;  a  black  band  from 
the  lores  through  the  eye  to  over  the  ear-coverts ;  sides  of 
the  forehead  and  crown  fading  almost  into  white,  forming 
an  indistinct  eyebrow  ;  wing-coverts  and  broad  outer  edges 
to  the  quills  chestnut,  a  few  of  the  outer  wing-coverts  ashy 
brown,  externally  margined  with  white ;  edges  of  the  wing 
white,  remainder  of  the  quills  dark  brown  j  tail,  two  centre 
feathers  brownish  ash  obsoletely  barred,  remainder  black, 
with  broad  white  ends,  broadest  towards  the  outer  pair  of 
feathers,  wdiich  have  also  the  greater  portion  of  the  end  half 
of  the  outer  web  white  ;  cheeks,  throat,  abdomen,  and  under 
tail-coverts  white,  shading  into  pale  brownish  ash  on  the  ear- 
coverts,  chest,  and  flanks  ;  under  wing-coverts  whitish  ash  ; 
under  surface  of  the  quills  ashy  brown.  Total  length  7  inches, 
culmen  0"65,  wing  2'65,  tail  3"5,  tarsus  0"9. 

Hub.  Somali-land. 

''Only  met  with  on  two  occasions  on  the  plateau.  Iris 
brown,  with  five  beautiful  white  spots  round  the  pupil ;  bill 
black ;  feet  grey." 

29.    PrIONOPS  POLIOCEPIIALUS. 

Lanius  poliocephalus,  Stanley  in  Salt^s  Trav.  Abyss.  1814, 
App.  p.  50. 

Prionops  cristatus,  Riipp.  Neue  Wirb.  pi.  12.  fig.  2, 

Prionops  poliocephalus,  Sclat.  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  p.  109  (Usui) ; 
Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  454  ;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  iii. 
p.  231;   Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  120  (Shoa). 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  about  15°  N.  lat.  to  Usui  in  3°  S.  lat. 

"  Met  with  on  three  occasions  in  flocks  on  the  tableland. 
Iris  and  eye-wattles  yellow,  bill  black,  legs  red.""' 

30.    EUROCEPHALUS  RUEPPELLI. 

Eurocephalus  anguitimens,  Rlipp.  (nee  Smith),  Syst.  Uebers. 
1845,  p.  53,  pi.  27. 

Eurocephalus  rueppelli,  Bp.  Rev.  et  Mag.  Zool.  1853,  p.  440; 
Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  487 ;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus. 
iii.  p.  280 ;   Ilartl.   Abh.  nat.   Ver.  Brem.  vii.  1881,  p.  97 ; 


404  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

Shelley,  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  307  ;  Shalow,  J.  f.  O.  1883,  p.  357 ; 
Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  350  (Masai)  ;  id.  J.  f.  O. 
1885,  p.  130  (Barawa). 

Hub.  E.  Africa,  from  about  15°  N.  lat.  to  7°  S.  lat. 

"  Common,  but  shy,  singly  or  in  pairs,  frequenting  the  top- 
most boughs  of  trees.     Iris  brown  ;  bill  and  legs  black/' 

31.  Argya  aylmeri,  sp.  n.     (Plate  XL  fig.  1.) 

Upper  parts  uniform  ashy  brown,  shading  into  deep  rufous- 
brown  on  the  crown  and  forehead ;  nape  and  sides  of  the  head 
slightly  more  rufous  than  the  back,  and  fading  into  buff  in 
front  of  the  eyes ;  chin  and  throat  buff  with  ashy-brown 
bases  to  the  feathers,  giving  a  somewhat  scaled  appearance  to 
these  parts ;  remainder  of  the  underparts  more  rufous-buff, 
washed  on  the  flanks,  thighs,  and  under  tail-coverts  with 
ashy  brown,  under  wing-coverts  and  partial  inner  margins  to 
the  quills  rich  rufous-buff,  remainder  of  the  quills  ashy 
brown;  bill  brownish  yellow;  legs  brownish  flesh-colour. 
Total  length  8*4  inches,  culmen  0*7,  wing  2'8,  tail  4*8, 
tarsus  1. 

Hab.  Somali-land. 

"  Probably  plentiful,  but  difficult  to  see,  as  they  frequent 
the  thick  bushes  and  grass.  They  are  very  active,  and  con- 
stantly utter  a  cry  somewhat  resembling  that  of  a  mouse.'' 

32.  MONTICOLA  RUFOCINEREA. 

Saxicola  rufocinerea,  Riipp.  Neue  Wirb.  Vog.  1835-40, 
p.  7Q,  pi.  27. 

Thnmnolcea  rufocinerea,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  369. 

Monticola  rufocinerea,  Seebohm,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  v. 
p.  327;  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  188 1,  p.  302  (Masai)  ; 
Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  1(50  (Shoa)  ;  Fischer, 
J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  142  (Maiwascha  in  0°  30'  S.  lat.). 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  Abyssinia  southward  to  Somali  and  Masai- 
land. 

"  Common  about  the  mountains  near  Berbera.  In  their 
actions  they  much  remind  one  of  the  Robin." 

33.  Saxicola  phillipsi,  sp.  n.     (Plate  XII.) 

Crown,  back  of  the  neck,  upper  back,  and  scapulars  ashy 


l]ois,I885,PlXI 


J  G .  Keul e in a.n s    liih. 


Hatthart  iixip . 


l:ARGYA  AYLMEUT 
2.  PATIUS  THRUPPI. 


Ibis,I885,Pl,Xri, 


J  G-Keulemans-  lith. 


HaJihapt  imp  . 


SAXICOLA  PHILLIPSI 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Sonudi-hmd.  405 

grey  ;  forehead  and  a  broad  eyebrow  white  ;  the  wing-coverts 
paler  grey  than  the  back  and  with  dark  shafts;  the  spurious 
wing  and  the  quills  black,  with  broad  white  partial  edges  to 
a  few  of  the  secondaries;  rum p^  upper  tail-coverts,  and  a 
large  portion  of  the  tail  white  ;  remainder  of  the  tail  black  ; 
two  centre  feathers  black,  with  the  base  white,  the  white 
diverging  up  the  feathers  for  about  one  third  of  their  length ; 
the  black  on  the  remaining  feathers  forms  a  partial  subter-' 
minal  band  and  passes  down  their  outer  webs  next  to  the 
shafts  in  a  very  acute  angle  for  about  two  thirds  of  the 
length  of  the  feathers,  and  is  broadest  on  the  outer  feather, 
where  it  reaches  to  the  margin  for  two  thirds  of  its  length ; 
cheeks,  ear-coverts,  chin,  throat,  front  of  the  chest,  axillaries, 
and  under  wiug-coverts  black  ;  remainder  of  the  body  and 
under  tail-coverts  white ;  under  surface  of  the  quills  dusky 
with  a  silver  gloss ;  bill  and  legs  black.  Total  length  5  inches, 
culmen  0'5,  wing  3'3,  tail  2,  tarsus  TOS. 

The  most  marked  characters  for  this  species  may  be  shortly 
summed  up  by  comparing  it  with  the  figure  of  S.  seebohmi, 
Ibis,  1882,  pi.  14.  In  the  present  species  the  black  of  the 
throat  descends  much  lower,  on  to  the  front  of  the  chest ;  the 
wing-coverts,  with  the  exception  of  the  spurious  wing,  are 
pale  grey  or  ashy  white  ;  the  tail-feathers,  with  the  exception 
of  the  centre  pair,  are  tipped  with  white,  and  two  thirds  of 
the  outer  web  of  the  tail  is  black  ;  the  thighs  are  white. 

Hah.  Somali-land. 

'^  Shot  on  the  29th  of  December  on  the  summit  of  the 
mountains  near  Berbera,  and  not  observed  elsewhere.''^ 

•  34.  Saxicola  deserti. 

Saxicola  deserti,  Teram.  PI.  Col.  1825,  pi.  359.  fig.  2; 
Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  352;  Seebohm,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus. 
V.  p.  383 ;  Dresser,  B.  Eur.  ii.  p.  215,  pi.  27. 

Hab.  N.  and  N.E.  Africa  as  far  south  as  Somali-land. 

"  Common  throughout  the  plateau.^' 

35.  Saxicola  isabellina. 

Saxicola  isabellina,  Riipp.  Atlas,  1826,  p.  52,  pi.  34.  fig.  b  ; 
Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  247  (Somali-land)  ;  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.- 

SER.  V. VOL.  III.  2f 


406  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

Afr.  p.  344;  Dresser,  B.  Eur.  ii.  p.  199,  pi.  22;  Seebohm, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  v.  p.  399 ;  Fisclier,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn. 
1884,  p.  305  (Masai)  ;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884, 
p.  164  (Shoa). 

Hub.  N.E.  Africa,  from  the  Mediterranean  to  Somali  and 
Masai-land. 

'^'Very  common.'' 

36.  Erythropygia  leucoptera. 

Salicaria  leucoptera,  Riipp.  Syst.  Uebers.  1845,  p.  38, 
pi.  15. 

JEldon  leucoptera,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  279 ;  Cab. 
J.  f.  O.  1878,  p.  221  (Ndi)  ;  Schalow,  J.  f.  O.  1883,  p.  366 
(Merumi);  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  136 
(Shoa). 

Erythrojiygia  leucoptera,  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vii. 
p.  79;  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1881,  p.  308. 

Hah.  E.  Africa,  between  about  15'^  N.  lat.  and  7°  S.  lat. 

"Common  amongst  the  low  bushes." 

37.  CiNNYRIS  HABESSINICUS. 

Nectarinia  habessinica,  Hempr.  &  Elir.  Symb.  Phys.  1828, 
pi.  4 ;  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  247  (Somali-land)  ;  Heugl.  Orn. 
N.O.-Afr.  p.  229;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  221; 
Oustalet,  in  Revoil's  Faun,  et  Flore  Comalis,  Ois.  1882, 
p.  8. 

Cinnyris  habessinicus ,  Shelley,  Monogr.  Nect.  p.  205, 
pi.  63;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  139  (Shoa). 

Hub.  E.  Africa,  between  about  16°  N.  lat.  and  7^  N.  lat., 
from  Kordofan  to  Somali-land. 

"  Very  common  amongst  the  mimosa  trees  throughout  the 
country.  The  only  other  Sunbird  seen  was  C.  albiventris, 
which  was  also  fairly  abundant,  but  not  so  common  as  the 
present  species.'' 

38.  Parus  thruppi,  sp.  n.     (Plate  XL  fig.  2.) 
Forehead,  lores,  clieeks,  ear-coverts,  and  back  of  the  neck 

white;  crown,  sides  of  the  neck,  throat,  and  centre  of  the 
breast  glossy  black ;  chin  mottled  with  white ;  back,  scapu- 
lars, and  least  series  of  wing -coverts  ashy  grey ;  remainder 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  407 

of  tlie  wing  black,  with  broad  white  edges  to  the  feathers, 
these  edges  broadest  on  the  median  and  greater  wing-coverts 
and  the  inner  secondaries ;  upper  tail-coverts  and  tail  black, 
with  white  margins  to  some  of  the  centre  feathers  and  narrow 
white  tips  to  the  remainder;  breast,  thighs,  and  under  tail- 
coverts  sandy  buflP,  shading  into  ashy  grey  on  the  sides  of 
the  body;  under  surface  of  the  quills  brown,  with  partial 
pale  inner  margins ;  under  wing-coverts  white ;  bill  black ; 
legs  slate-colour.  Male  and  female  similar  in  plumage. 
Total  length  4'65  and  4*3  inches,  culmen  0'4_,  wings  2*45, 
tail  2  and  r9,  tarsi  0*7. 

The  nearest  ally  of  this  species  is  apparently  P.  afer,  from 
which  it  differs  in  its  smaller  size,  white  frontal  band^  white 
mottling  on  the  chin,  and  in  the  colour  of  the  breast,  thighs, 
and  under  tail-coverts. 

Hab.  Somali-land. 

"  Only  met  with  on  one  occasion,  near  the  centre  of  the 
plateau,  where  they  were  in  a  small  party  of  about  six.  Iris 
brown,  bill  black,  feet  greyish  black.  ^' 

39.    MiRAFRA  CORDOFANICA  (?)  . 

Mirafra  cordofanica,  Strickl.  P.  Z.  S.  1850,  p.  218,  pi.  23 
(Kordofan). 

Geocorajj/ius  cordufanicus,  Heugl,  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  687. 

Above  cinnamon  with  dark  shaft-stripes ;  sides  of  the  fore- 
head and  eyebrows  buff ;  edges  of  the  wing-coverts  and  of  the 
primaries  slightly  paler  ;  inner  webs  of  the  quills  dark  brown, 
broadly  edged  towards  their  base  with  cinnamon ;  upper 
tail-coverts  slightly  browner  than  the  back ;  tail-feathers  dark 
brown,  the  centre  pair  broadly  edged  and  washed  with  cinna- 
mon, the  next  four  pairs  are  narrowly  edged  but  more  broadly 
tipped  with  rufous-buff,  the  outer  pair  have  nearly  their 
whole  outer  webs  and  broad  ends  buff;  cheeks  buff,  shading 
into  cinnamon  on  the  ear-coverts;  underparts  buff,  fading 
into  white  towards  the  chin  and  passing  into  cinnamon  on 
the  sides  of  the  chest ;  the  feathers  of  the  lores  and  crop 
have  a  few  dark  triangular  terminal  shaft-spots  ;  under 
wing-coverts  and  basal  inner  margins    to  the    quills  deep 

2f2 


408  Capt.  G.  E.  Sbelley  ow  « 

rufous -buff,  remainder  of  the  quills  brown  with  narrow 
rufous-buflp  outer  margins;  bill  horn-colour,  passing  into 
flesh-colour  on  the  greater  portion  of  the  lower  mandible ; 
legs  flesh-colour.  Total  length  5 "6  inches,  culmen  0*5,  wing 
3-2,  tail  2-1,  tarsus  0*9. 

Hub.  Kordofan,  Somali-land,  and  Damara. 

Although  I  refer  the  present  species  to  M.  cordofanica,  it 
difters  from  the  type,  mostly  in  its  darker  colouring  and  in  the 
absence  of  pale  borders  to  the  wing-coverts,  which  I  regard 
as  possibly  due  to  season.  It  agrees  well  with  a  specimen  in 
the  British  Museum  labelled  ''  M.  africanoides,  (^ ,  12/6166, 
Objimbinque  (Andersson),  no.  78.  10.  26.  350.'' 

"  Only  met  with  on  a  few  occasions,  near  the  centre  of  the 
plateau.  It  perches  on  the  topmost  boughs  of  the  trees, 
which  it  leaves  with  a  quivering  flight,  like  our  Wood-Lark, 
pouring  forth  a  pecvdiarly  sweet  song.'' 

40.  Gymnorhis  pyrgita. 

Xanthodina  jyyrgita,  Heugl.  J.  f.  O.  1862,  p.  30;  id.  Orn. 
N.O.-Afr  p.  627,  pi.  21.  fig.  2  (head) ;  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges. 
Orn.  1884,  p.  321  (Masai). 

Gymnorhis  pyrgita,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  App.  p.  cxl. 

Hah.  E.  Africa,  from  about  15°  N.  lat.  to  4°  S.  lat. 

"  I  only  observed  on  one  occasion  a  small  flock  of  these 
Finches  near  the  centre  of  the  plateau.  Iris  brown,  bill 
purple,  feet  black." 

41.  URiEGINTHUS  lANTHINOGASTEE. 

Urasgintkus  ianthinog aster,  Reichen.  Orn.  Centralbl.  1879, 
p.  120  (Masai)  ;  Reichen.  &  Schalow,  J.  f.  O.  1879,  p.  326; 
Fischer  &  Reichen.  tom.  cit.  p.  353,  pi.  2.  figs.  1,2;  Fischer, 
Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  324;  id.  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  135 
(Barawa,  Massa,  and  Little  Arucha).. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  Somali-land  to  Masai-land. 

Head  and  neck  cinnamon,  sides  of  the  forehead  and  cheeks 
ultramarine-blue;  mantle  and  wings  brown,  washed  with  cin- 
namon towards  the  edges  of  the  feathers ;  rump  and  upper 
tail-coverts  uJtramarine-blue;  tail  brownish  black;  breast 
and  under  tail-coverts  ultramarine- blue,  mottled  on  the  front 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  409 

and  sides  of  the  chest  with  cinnamon,  and  thus  the  blue  of 
the  throat  is  detached  into  a  collar;  iris  and  bill  red;  legs 
black.  Total  length  4'8  inches,  culmen  0*5,  wing  2*15, 
tail  2-4,  tarsus  0*6. 

The  specimen  before  me  is  not  in  very  good  condition,  but 
I  have  described  it  because  the  figure  of  this  species  (J.  f,  O. 
1879,  pi.  2.  fig.  1)  is  very  misleading.  The  collar  in  the  Somali 
specimen  is  broader  than  in  the  illustration  and  lower  down, 
being  only  separated  from  the  blue  of  the  breast  by  two  or 
three  feathers,  and  all  the  blue  parts  are  uniform  in  colour 
and  ultramarine.     The  original  description  is  fair. 

"Not  uncommon  in  small  flocks  throughout  the  tableland. 
Iris  red,  bill  coral-red,  feet  black." 

42.  Pyromelana  franciscana. 

Loxia  franciscana,  Isert,  Schrift.  Gesell.  Nat.  Freunde 
Berlin,  ix.  1789,  p.  332,  pi.  9. 

Fringilla  ignicolor,  Hempr.  &  Ehr,  Symb.  Phys.  1828, 
pi.  2. 

Euplectes  petiti,  Kirk,  Ibis,  1864,  p.  322  (Zambesi  and 
Shire  valley). 

Euplectes  ignicolor,  Sclat.  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  p.  109  (Unyoro). 

Eiiplectes  franciscanus,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  571  ; 
Hartl.  Abh.  nat.  Ver.  Brem.  vii.  1881,  p.  103  (Lado)  ; 
Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  184  (Shoa). 

Pyromelana  franciscana,  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vdg.  Ostafr. 
p.  412. 

Hab.  E.  and  W.  Africa :  E.  Africa  from  the  Second 
Cataract  of  the  Nile,  22°  N.  lat.,  to  Unyoro  1°  N.  lat.,  and 
also  from  the  Shire  valley ;  in  W.  Africa  from  the  Gold 
Coast  to  Senegambia. 

''  Only  plentiful  on  the  Webbe  Shebeyli  in  the  cornfields, 
where  it  frequently  assembles  in  large  flocks  of  from  fifty  to 
one  hundred." 

43.  Textor  dinemelli. 

Tea-tor  dinemelli,  Horsf.  in  Rlipp.  Syst.  Uebers.  1845, 
pp.  72,  7Q,  pi.  30;  Gray  &  Mitchell,  Gen.  B.  ii,  pi.  87; 
Sclat.    P.  Z.  S.    1864,  p.    109    (Unyamuezi) ;    Heugl.   Orn. 


410  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

N.O.-A£r.  p.  534;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  38G; 
Shelley,  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  307 ;  Schalow,  J.  f.  0. 1883,  p.  361 ; 
Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  333  (Masai)  ;  Salvad. 
Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  194  (Shoa)  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O. 
1885,  p.  132. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  between  12°  N.  lat.  and  7°  S.  lat. 

'^  These  birds  are  fairly  common  throughout  the  country, 
frequenting  the  mimosa  trees.  They  are  very  noisy  when  on 
the  wing,  and  breed  in  colonies.  Their  eggs  are  green,  thickly 
speckled  with  dark  brown,  and  0*95  inch  long.  In  one  of 
these  colonies  a  pair  of  the  small  Hawk,  Foliohierax  semi- 
torquatus,  had  usurped  a  nest,  but  were  regarded  apparently 
as  welcome  visitors  by  these  sociable  Weavers." 

44.  TeXTOR  INTERMEDIUS. 

Textor  intermedius,  Cab.  v.  d.  Decken's  Reis.  iii.  1869, 
p.  33,  pi.  ii. ;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  385  ;  Fischer, 
Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  333  (Masai). 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  between  about  10°  N.  lat.  and  4°  S.  lat. 

"  Very  plentiful  in  flocks  near  Faf  in  the  interior  of  the 
plateau,  which  in  the  rainy  season  becomes  a  lake.  In 
March  they  were  busily  building  colonies  of  nests  in  the  higher 
trees.  In  habits  they  much  remind  one  of  Starlings,  especi- 
ally when  feeding  in  flocks  on  the  ground." 

Iris  brown,  feet  black ;   ^  bill  red,  ?  bill  dark  brown. 

45.  BUPHAGA  ERYTHRORHYNCHA. 

Tanagra  erythrorhyncha,  Stanley  in  Salt^s  Trav.  Abyss. 
1814,  App.  p.  58. 

Bupliaga  habessinica,  Hempr.  &  Ehr.  Symb.  Phys.  pi.  9. 

Btiphaga  erythrorhyncha,  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  246  (So- 
mali) ;  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  716;  Finsch  &  Hartl. 
Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  384 ;  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  334 
(Masai);  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  196  (Shoa); 
Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  132. 

Hab.  The  whole  of  Africa  south  of  about  16°  N.  lat. 

"  Common  throughout  the  country.  Iris  and  eye-wattles 
vellow,  bill  coral-red,  feet  brown." 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  411 

46.    COSMOPSARUS  REGIUS. 

Cosmopsarus  regius,  Reichen.  Orn.  Centralbl.  1879,  p.  120 
(Masai) ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1879,  p.  299;  Reichen.  &  Schalow, 
torn.  cit.  p.  324 ;  Fischer  &  Reichen.  torn.  cit.  p.  349,  pi.  1 . 
fig.  1  ;  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  336 ;  id.  J.  f .  O. 
1885,  p.  132  (Massa  and  Pare). 

Head  and  neck  deep  metallic  green,  shading  into  blue  on 
the  ear-coverts  and  into  bluish  violet  on  the  back,  wings,  and 
crop ;  median  and  greater  series  of  wing-coverts  with  black 
terminal  spots,  more  or  less  marked  on  each  feather ;  tail 
bronze,  obsoletely  barred  and  glossed  with  violet  and  blue 
towards  its  base  and  on  portion  of  the  inner  webs  of  all  but 
the  centre  feathers  ;  the  outer  tail-feathers  occasionally 
marked  near  their  shafts  and  edges  with  buff;  breast,  thighs, 
under  tail-coverts,  and  inner  under  wing-coverts  rich  golden 
yellow ;  remainder  of  the  under  wing-coverts  metallic  greenish 
blue  ;  under  surface  of  the  quills  and  tail  black  ;  bill  and  legs 
black.  Total  length  12"3  to  13*3  inches,  culmen  0*7,  wing 
4-7  to  5-25,  tail  7  to  9,  tarsus  1*15  to  1-3. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  between  about  10°  N.  lat.  and  4°  S.  lat. 
''  Fairly  abundant  in  small  flocks  throughout  the  plateau, 
where  they  frequent  the  ground  and  low  bushes.     Iris  white, 
bill  and  legs  black." 

47.  Pholidauges  bicolor. 

Speculipastor  bicolor,  Reichen.  Orn.  Centralbl.  1879,  p.  120 
(Kipini)  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O  1879,  pp.  281,  300;  Reichen.  & 
Schalow,  tom.  cit.  p.  234 ;  Fischer  &  Reichen.  tom.  cit.  p.  349, 
pi.  1.  figs.  2,  3 ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  132  (Kipini  and 
Wapokomo-land) . 

Upper  parts  and  entire  head  and  neck  glossy  black,  with 
about  the  basal  third  of  the  primaries  white ;  breast,  under 
tail-coverts,  and  under  wing-coverts  creamy  white,  with  the 
outermost  under  wing-coverts  and  the  bastard  primary  black ; 
bill  and  legs  black.  Total  length  7*1  inches,  culmen  0*6, 
wing  4*6,  tail  3'4,  tarsus  1*1. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  between  about  10°  N.  lat.  and  2°  30'  S.  lat., 
from  Somali-land  to  the  Tana  river. 


412  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

"  Only  met  with  iu  flocks  on  two  or  three  occasions.  They 
were  very  shy^  and  flew  at  a  considerable  height^  frequently 
uttering  their  peculiar  cry^  which  consists  of  a  single  whistling 
note.  Native  name  'Shimber  Arnot '  (Sheep-bird).  They 
are  said  to  be  common  in  the  Gudabirsi  country  to  the 
west.^^ 

48.  NOTAUGES  SUPERBUS. 

Lnmj>rotornis  superba,  Riipp.  Syst.  Uebers.  1845,  pp.  65, 
75,  pi.  2(3  (Shoa). 

Notauge.^  superhus,  Speke,  Ibis,  I860,  p.  245  (Somali); 
Heugl.  Oru.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  517  ;  Shelley,  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  583 
(Ugogo  and  Dar-es-Salaam) ;  Hartl.  Abh.  nat.  Ver.  Brem. 
vii.  p.  106  (Lado)  ;  Schalovv,  J.  f.  O.  1883,  p.  360;  Fischer, 
Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  335  (Masai) ;  Salvad.  Ann. 
Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  199;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885, 
p.  132. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  about  10"  N.  lat.  to  7°  S.  lat. 

"  Very  common  throughout  the  country  in  flocks.  They 
were  breeding  in  March.  Their  nests  ar(3  constructed  of  grass, 
and  are  nearly  spherical,  \^'ith  a  hole  at  the  side,  the  whole 
structure  covered  over  with  thorny  boughs,  after  the  fashion 
of  a  Magpie^s  nest :  they  are  placed  near  the  ends  of  the 
boughs.  Native  name  'Shimber  Lo '  (Cow-bird).  Iris 
white,  bill  and  legs  black. ^'' 

49.  NoTAUGES  HILDEBRANDTI. 

Notauges  hildebrandii,  Cab.  J.  f.  O.  1878,  pp.  205,  217, 
233,  pi.  2.  fig.  1  (Kikamba)  ;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  132 
(Massa). 

Head,  throat,  crop,  back,  scapulars,  least  and  median  series 
of  wing-coverts,  a  broad  outer  margin  to  the  wings,  and  the 
tail  glossy  violet-blue;  back  of  the  neck  deep  glossy  olive- 
green  ;  greater  wing-coverts,  secondaries,  and  inner  primaries 
deep  glossy  green;  median  and  greater  wing-coverts  witli 
large  subterminal  broad  black  spots  ;  breast,  thighs,  under 
tail-coverts,  and  inner  under  wing-coverts  chestnut;  re- 
mainder of  the  under  surface  of  the  wings  and  tail  black, 
strongly  glossed  with  violet  on  the  smaller  wing-coverts  ;   bill 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  413 

and  legs  black.  Total  length  8"3  inches,  culmen  O'Q,  wing 
4i'Q,  tail  3'6_,  tarsus  1'15. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  Somali-land  to  Massa  and  Kikamba. 

"  Very  rare,  only  seen  on  two  or  three  occasions  on  the 
plateau.  They  were  remarkably  shy,  went  in  small  flocks, 
and  much  resembled  N.  superbus  in  their  habits.^' 

50.    NOTAUGES  ALBICAPILLUS. 

Spree  albicapillus ,  Blyth,  J.  A.  S.  Bengal,  1856,  p.  301 
(Somali-land). 

Notauges  albicapillus,  Speke,  Ibis,  1860,  p.  246,  pi.  vii. ; 
Heugl.  Oru.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  520;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr. 
p.  379. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  confined  to  Somali-land. 

Forehead  and  entire  crown  huffish  white ;  loral  band  in 
front  of  the  eye  black ;  cheeks  and  ear-coverts  dusky  olive- 
brown  ;  back  of  the  neck,  back,  tail,  inner  secondaries,  and  the 
primaries  glossy  olive  shaded  with  green;  wing-coverts  buffiish 
white,  with  a  large  portion,  especially  the  median  and  inner 
greater  coverts,  greenish  bronze ;  spurious  wing-  and  primary- 
coverts  glossy  green,  like  the  back  ;  outer  secondaries  huffish 
white  for  the  greater  portion  of  their  outer  webs,  with  the 
remainder  of  these  feathers  dusky  black  glossed  with  green ; 
the  feathers  of  the  lower  back  and  upper  tail-coverts  are 
mostly  tipped  with  buff,  and  some  of  the  outer  tail- coverts 
have  shaft-stripes  of  that  colour ;  the  tail-feathers  are  obso- 
letely  barred;  chin,  throat,  and  chest  dusky  olive,  with  a 
slight  greenish  gloss,  each  feather  with  a  broad  buffish-white 
shaft-stripe ;  abdomen,  thighs,  under  tail-coverts,  and  under 
wing-coverts  huffish  white  ;  under  surface  of  the  quills  dusky 
black,  with  buif  outer  margins  to  some  of  the  secondaries  ; 
bill  and  legs  black.  Total  length  10*8  and  10*6  inches,  cul- 
men 095,  wing  6,  tail  4-9,  tarsus  r55  and  1*6.  The  sexes 
are  similar  in  plumage. 

'^Fairly  plentiful  towards  the  southern  portion  of  the 
plateau.  They  breed  in  colonies  in  March,  and  are  very 
noisy.    Tlieir  nests  are  very  similar  to  those  of  A^^.  superbus  J' 


414  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  a 

51.  Treron  waalia. 
Columba  waalia,  Gm. 

Columba  ahyssinica,  Temm.  &  Kuip,  Pig.  i.  pi.  9. 

Treron  waalia,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  817;  Finsch  & 
Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  533  ;  Hartl.  Abli.  nat.  Ver.  Brem.  vii. 
1881,  p.  117(Lado);  Shelley,  Ibis,  1883,  p.  2G5 ;  Salvad. 
Aim.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  206  (Shoa). 

Hab.  N.E.  Africa,  Somali-land,  Socotra,  and  Senegambia. 

"  Only  met  with  on  the  mountains  where  the  fig-trees 
grow.^^ 

52.  NUMIDA  VULTURINA. 

Numida  vulturina,  Hardw.  P.  Z.  S.  1834,  p.  52;  Finsch  & 
Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  575. 

Acryllium  vulturinum,  Elliot,  Monogr.  Phasianidse,  ii. 
pi.  38;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  119  (Barawa,  Massa,  and 
Pagani). 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  Somali-land  to  Mozambique.  It  has 
been  recorded  by  Dr.  Hartlaub  from  W.  Africa  on  the 
authority  of  Capt.  Probyn,  and  has  been  introduced  into 
Madagascar. 

''  Very  plentiful  in  large  flocks  in  company  with  A^.  ptilo- 
rhyncha,  but  only  met  with  in  the  Ogadayn.^' 

53.  Francolinus  grantt. 

FrancoVinus  yranti,  Hartl.  P.  Z.  S.  1865,  p.  665,  pi.  39. 
fig.  1 ;  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  891 ;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog. 
Ostafr.  p.  589;  Shelley,  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  597;  Fischer, 
Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  p.  382  (Masai)  ;  id.  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  119. 

Francolinus  rovunia.  Gray,  List  Gall.  Brit.  Mus.  v.  1867, 
p.  52. 

Francolinus  shoanus,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  891  ;  Salvad. 
Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  110  (Shoa). 

Francolinus  ochrogaster,  Hartl.  Abh.  nat.  Ver.  Brem.  vii. 
1881,  p.  118;  viii.  1882,  pp.  218,  230  (Lado). 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  from  about  10°  N.  lat.  to  7°  S.  lat.,  from 
Shoa  to  the  Rovuma  river. 

"  Common  throughout  the  country." 

54.  Dendrocygna  viduata. 

Anas  viduata,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  1766,  p.  205. 


Collection  of  Birds  fro7u  Somali-land.  415 

Dendrocygna  viduata,  Dubois,  Orn.  Gal.  1839,  p.  7\,  pi.  44 ; 
Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  1298  ;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr. 
p.  806 ;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  242  (Shoa) ; 
Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  115. 

Hub.  The  whole  of  Africa  south  of  about  16°  S.  lat. 

''  Only  met  Avith  a  single  pair  o£  these  birds  in  M  arch.  Iris 
brown;  bill  black,  with  the  nostrils  and  tip  lavender;  feet 
black  in  the  male,  lavender  in  the  female. ^^ 

55.  PCECILONITTA  ERYTHEORHYNCHA. 

Anas  erythrorhyncha,  Gm.  S.  N.  1788,  p.  517;  Finsch  & 
Hjirtl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  808;  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn. 
1884,  p.  394  (Masai)  ;  Bolim,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  62. 

Poecilonitta  erythrorhyncha,  Smith,  111.  Zool.  S.  Afr,  pi.  104 ; 
Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  244  (Shoa). 

Querquedula  erythrorhyncha,  Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr.  p.  1325; 
Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  115  (Galla-land). 

Hab.  E.  and  S.  Africa,  from  Abyssinia  throughout  the 
"whole  of  East  and  South  Africa. 

"  Shot  on  three  occasions.  Iris  brown,  bill  black  and  light 
I'ed,  feet  black.'^ 

56.  Ibis  hagedash. 

Tantalus  hagedash,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  ii.  1790,  p.  709. 

Ibis  chalcoptera,  Vieill.  Gal.  Ois.  pi.  246. 

Ibis  hagedash,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  1141  ;  Finsch  & 
Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  735 ;  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn. 
p.  386;  Bohm,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  38;  Fischer,  torn.  cit. 
p.  107. 

Hab.  The  whole  of  Africa  south  of  about  16°  N.  lat. 

"  Fairly  plentiful  on  the  Webbe  Shebeyli.  Iris  yellow,  bill 
black,  with  the  basal  half  of  the  culmen  red,  feet  black.^' 

57.  CURSORIUS  GALLICUS  SOMALENSIS,  Subsp.  U. 

Char adrius  g alliens,  Gm.  S.  N.  1788,  p.  692. 

Cursorius  gallicus,  Heugl,  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  965  ;  Dresser, 
B.  Eur.  vii.  p.  425,  pi.  514. 

Hab.  Typical  race  :  N.  and  N.E.  Africa.  Subspecific  race  : 
Somali. 

I  have  deemed  it  advisable  to  refer  the  present  specimen 


416  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  07i  a 

to  a  subspecies  on  account  of  its  small  size.  Total  length 
8*3  inches,  culnien  0'95,  wing  5*3,  tail  2*5,  tarsus  2*3.  In 
colouring  it  resembles  the  typical  race,  but  is  much  smaller, 
about  equal  in  size  to  C.  senegalensis  and  C.  burchelli. 

''  Fairly  common  in  small  flocks  throughout  the  plateau. 
Legs  white.'^ 

58.  Rhinoptilus  cinctus. 

Cursorius  cinctus,  Heugl.  Syst.  Uebcrs.  1856,  no.  555  ;  id. 
Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  972;  Fischer,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  115  (Massa 
and  Masai). 

Hemerodromus  cinctus,  Heugl.  Ibis,  1863,  p.  31,  pl.'i. 
(good). 

Hab.  N.E.  and  E,  Africa:  Upper  White  Nile,  Somali, 
Massa,  and  Masai. 

"  Only  one  pair  met  with,  on  the  hills  near  Berbera^  about 
the  middle  of  April^  at  which  season  they  were  apparently 
breeding.^' 

59.  Rhinoptilus  gkacilis. 

Corsorius  gracilis,  Fischer  &  Reichen.  J.  f.  O.  1844,  p.  781 
(Masai);  Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  390 ;  id.  J.  f.  O. 
1885,  p.  115. 

(^  ad.  Above  pale  cinnamon,  fading  into  sandy  buff  on  the 
neck  ;  crown  with  a  black  irregular  subterminal  bar  to  each 
feather;  back,  scapulars,  wing-coverts,  and  inner  secondaries 
with  a  black  subterminal  bar  to  each  feather,  with  the  broad 
margins  beyond  sandy  buff ;  quills,  secondaries,  and  inner 
primaries  cinnamon,  passing  gradually  into  dark  brown  on 
the  outer  primaries  and  the  primary-coverts;  upper  tail- 
coverts  huffish  white ;  tail  pale  cinnamon,  fading  into  white 
towards  the  outer  feathers,  the  middle  feathers  with  blackish 
centres  and  a  partial  subterminal  bar,  these  dark  portions 
gradually  fade  away  towards  the  outer  feathers,  where  they 
are  finally  only  represented  by  a  dusky  blotch  on  the  inner 
web  near  the  end  of  the  outer  feather.  Underparts  and  sides 
of  the  head  buff,  fading  into  white  on  the  upper  throat ;  two 
black  collars  above  and  below  the  crop ;  the  feathers  of  the 
lower  throat  have  mostly  very  narrow  dusky  shaft-stripes; 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali-land.  417 

under  surface  of  the  wing  buflf,  mottled  with  dusky  black  on 
the  coverts,  and  passing  into  rufous  shaded  with  dark  brown 
towards  the  outer  webs  of  the  larger  primaries ;  bill  black, 
paler  towards  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible ;  legs  white. 
Total  length  8  inches,  culmen  0-6,  wing  5 "6,  tail  2'8, 
tarsus  1'85. 

$  ad.  Similar  in  plumage.  Total  length  7  inches,  culmen 
0'55,  wing  5*2,  tail  2'5,  tarsus  1-9. 

Hab.  E.  Africa,  Somali-land  and  Masai-land. 

"Fairly  plentiful  throughout  the  plateau,  where  tliey  were 
breeding  in  March  and  April.  They  reminded  me  of  the 
Lapwing  in  the  manner  they  showed  their  anxiety  when  we 
got  near  to  their  eggs." 

60.  Chettusia  coronata. 

Charadrius  coronatus,  Gm,  S.  N.  1788,  p.  691. 

Pluvier  du  cap  de  b.  esp.,  Buff.  PL  Enl.  800. 

Chettusia  coronata,  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  636; 
Fischer,  Zeitschr.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  p.  391  (Masai)  ;  Bohm, 
J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  51 ;  Fischer,  tom.  cit.  p.  116. 

StepJianibya  coronata,  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884, 
p.  220  (Shoa). 

Hab.  The  whole  of  E.  and  S.  Africa  between  about  10° 
N.  lat.  and  30°  S.  lat. 

"  Very  plentiful  throughout  the  country,  and  very  noisy  at 
night  if  in  any  way  disturbed.  They  were  breeding  on  the 
plains  in  March  and  April.  Iris  black;  base  of  bill  pink, 
with  the  end  black ;  legs  pink.^' 

61.  tEgIALITES   TllICOLLARlS. 

Charadrius  tricollaris,  Vieill.  N.  D.  xxvii.  p.  147,  pi.  233. 
fig.  4;  Heugi.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  1027,  pi.  34.  fig.  5  (head)  ; 
Schalow,  J.  f.  O.  1883,  p.  340 ;  Finsch  &  Hartl.  Yog.  Ostafr, 
p.  655. 

yEffialiies  tricollaris,  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884-, 
p.  218  (Shoa). 

Hab.  E.,  S.,  and  W.  Africa  :  Bogos,  Abyssinia,  Somali- 
land,  the  whole  of  South  Africa,  and  Senegambia. 


418  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

"  Common^  frequenting  the  streams  in  tlie  mountains  near 
the  coast.     Eyelids,  base  of  bill,  and  legs  pink.'^ 

62.    PODICEPS   FLUVIATILIS  CAPENSIS. 

Colymbus  fluviatUis,  Tunstall,  Orn.  Brit.  1771,  p.  3. 

Podiceps  capensis,  Licht.  Nomencl.  1854,  p.  104;  Salvad. 
Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Gen.  1884,  p.  252  (Shoa). 

Podiceps  minor,  Heugl.  Orn.  N.O.-Afr.  p.  1363 ;  Finsch 
&  Hartl.  Vog.  Ostafr.  p.  811 ;  Bohm,  J.  f.  O.  1885,  p.  38. 

Hab.  The  whole  of  Afriea. 

This  subspecies  may  be  distinguished  from  the  typical 
P.  jiuviatilis  by  the  secondaries  being  white,  more  or  less 
washed  with  brown  towards  the  ends  of  the  outer  webs.  It 
is  also  rather  smaller.  The  present  specimen  is  apparently 
exceptionally  small.  Total  length  8  inches,  culmen  0'7, 
wing  3"65,  tarsus  1*25. 

"  Some  half  dozen  were  met  with  in  a  pan  near  the  middle 
of  the  plateau.''^ 


XLII. — A  List  of  the  Birds  obtained  by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely 
in  British  Guiana.     By  Osbert  Salvin,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  &c. 

[Continued  from  p.  306.] 

249^.    FURNARIUS  LEUCOPUS. 

Furnarius  leucopus,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  325 ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  688 ;  Pelz.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  406. 

Originally  described  from  Guianan  specimens,  but  not 
represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

250.    LOCHMIAS  NBMATURA. 

Myiotfiera  nematura,  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  43. 

Lochmias  nematura,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  149. 

Kukenam  (5000  ft.) . 

Except  that  the  bill  is  a  little  darker  and  the  dark  margins 
of  the  feathers  of  the  under  surface  a  little  wider,  the  single 
specimen  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection  does  not  differ  from 
Brazilian  examples  of  L.  nematura.     L.  obscurata,  Cabauis, 


from  British  Guiana.  419 

whicli  ranges  from  Veuezaela  to  Bolivia^  differs  in  wanting 
the  superciliary  stripe.  A  synonym  of  the  latter  bird  is 
L.  soruria,  Scl.  &  Salv. 

251.  SCLERURUS  CAUDACUTUS. 

Thamnophilus  caudacutus,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d^Hist.  N.  iii. 
p.  310. 

Bartica  Grove^  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains^  River 
Atapurau. 

This  is  doubtless  the  true  T.  caudacutus  of  Vieillot^  the 
Brazilian  bird,  often  so  called,  being  Myiothera  umbretta, 
Lichtenstein,  aud  that  from  the  Upper  Amazons  and  Colombia 
Sclerurus  brunneus,  Sclater.  I  believe  them  to  be  all  separable 
as  species. 

252.  Synallaxis  brunneicauda. 

Synallaxis  brunneicauda,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  pp.  62,  457, 
1874,  p.  8. 

Roraima  (3500-5000  ft.). 

253.  Synallaxis  albescens. 

Synallaxis  albescens,  Temm.  PI.  Col.  227.  f.  2 ;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S. 
1874,  p.  9. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

According  to  Mr.  Sclater  there  are  Guianan  specimens  of 
this  species  in  the  Berlin  Museum.  May  not  this  be  the 
bird  called  by  Cabauis  S.  ruficapilla  {=S.  frontalis),  a  species 
unrepresented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection  ? 

254.  Synallaxis  guianensis. 

Motacilla  guianensis,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  988. 
Synallaxis  guianensis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  11. 
Bartica  Grove. 

255.  Synallaxis  adusta. 

Synallaxis  adusta,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  450. 
Roraima  (5000-6000  ft.). 

256"^.  Synallaxis  cinnamomea. 
Certhia  cinnamomea,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  480. 
Synallaxis  cinnamomea,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  13. 
Synallaxis  ruficauda.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  689. 


420  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

A  common  widely-spread  species^  but  not  represented  in 
Mr.  WLitely's  collection. 

257.  Synallaxis  demissa. 

SynaUaxis  demissa,  Salv.  &  Godra.  Ibis^  188 i-,  p.  449. 
Rorairaa  (5000-6000  ft.) . 

258.  AUTOMOLUS  sclateri. 

Anabates  sclateri,  Pelz.  Sitz.  Ak.  Wien,  xxxiv.  p.  1.32 ;  Orn. 
Bras.  p.  41. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

These  specimens  are  rather  smaller  than  those  from  more 
typical  localities,  and  they  have  faint  indications  of  striation 
on  the  throat. 

259.  Philydor  pyrrhodes. 

Anabates pyrrhodcs,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  689. 
Bartica  Grove. 

260.  Philyuor  turdinus. 

Anabates  turdinus,  Pelz.  Sitz.  Ak.  Wien,  xxxiv.  p.  109;  Orn. 
Bras.  p.  11 . 

Bartica  Grove. 

Mr.  Whitely^s  specimens  agree  fairly  with  a  typical  ex- 
ample of  Anabates  turdinus  in  Mr.  Sclater's  collection,  but 
the  head  is  hardly  so  rufescent,  and  in  slight  contrast  with 
the  colour  of  the  back.  They  certainly  more  closely  resemble 
this  type  than  a  typical  example  of  A.  ochrolanms,  Tsch.,  wuth 
which  I  have  also  compared  them. 

261.  Philydor  erythrocercus. 

Anabates  erythrocercus,  Pelz.  Sitz.  Ak.  Wien,  xxxiv.  p.  105 ; 
Orn.  Bras.  p.  39. 
Camacusa. 

262.  Philydor  albogularis. 

Philydor  albogularis,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  450. 
Boraima  (3500-6000  ft.). 

263.  Xenops  genibarbis. 

Xenops  genibarbis,  111.  Prod.  p.  213 ;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B. 
p.  159. 


from  British  Guiana.  421 

Xenops  dentirosiris,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  353 ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana^  iii.  p.  689. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa^  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

264.  SiTTASOMUS  OLIVACEUS. 

Sittasomus  olivaceus,  Neuw.  Beitr.  iii.  p.  1146 ;  Scl.  &  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  630. 

Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

265.  Glyphorhynchus  cuneatus. 

Dendrocolaptes  cuneatus,  Licht.  Abhandl.  Ak.  Berl.  1818, 
p.  204. 

Glyphorhynchus  cuneatus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  161. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Boraima  (3500  ft.). 

266.  Dendrocincla  fumigata. 

Dejidrocolaptes  fumigatus,Jj\c\ii.  KhhdiU^.  Ak.  Berl.  1819, 
p.  201. 

Dendrocincla  fumigata,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  42. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Boraima  (3500  ft.). 

267.  Dendrocincla  merula. 

Dendrocolaptes  merula,  Licht.  Abhandl.  Ak.  Berl.  1819, 
p.  208. 

Dendrocincla  merula,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  42. 
Bartica  Grove. 

268.  Dendrocincla  longicauda. 

Dendrocincla  longicauda,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  pp.  42,  60. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains. 

269.  Dendrocolaptes  certhia. 

Picus  certhia,  Bodd.  Tabl.  PI.  Enl.  p.  38. 

Dendrocolaptes  certhia,  Scl.  &  Salv.  Nomencl.  Av.  Neotr. 
p.  67. 

Premnocopus  undulatus.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  689. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.). 

270.  Dendrocolaptes  plagosus. 

Dendrocolaptes  plagosus ,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  210. 
Camacusa. 

SER.  V. vol.  III.  2  G 


422  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

271*.  Dendroplex  picus. 
Oriolus  picus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  384. 
Dendroplex  picus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  690; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  165. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

272.  Dendrornis  guttatoides. 

Nasica  guttatoides,  Lafr.  Rev.  Zool.  1850,  p.  587. 
Dendrocolaptes  guttatus,   Cab.    in    Schomb.    Guiana,   iii. 
p.  690  (nee  Licht.)  ? 
Bartica  Grove. 

273.  Dendrornis  pardalotus. 

Dendrocopus  pardalotus,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  N.  xxvi. 
p.  117. 

Dendrornis  pardalotus,  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  164. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima 
(3500  £t.). 

274.  Dendrornis  polysticta. 

Dendrornis  polysticta,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  210. 
Bartica  Grove. 

275.  PiCOLAPTES  ALBOLINEATUS. 

Dendrocolaptes  albolineatus,  Lafr.  Rev.  Zool.  1846,  p.  208. 
Picolaptes  albolineatus,  Lafr.  Rev.  Zool.  1850,  p.  278. 
Roraima  (3500-5000  ft.),  Kukenam. 

These  specimens  agree  closely  with  others  from  Venezuela 
and  Colombia,  showing  that  the  species  has  a  wide  range. 

276.  Picolaptes  puncticeps. 

Picolaptes  puncticeps,  Scl.  &  Salv.  Nomencl.  A  v.  Neotr. 
pp.  69,  160. 

Merume  Mountains. 

Described  from  a  Guianan  skin,  with  which  Mr.  Whitely's 
examples  agree  exactly. 

277.  XiPHORHYNCHUS  TROCHILIROSTRIS. 

Dendrocolaptes  trochilirostris,  Licht.  Abhandl.  Ak.  Berl. 
1818,  p.  207,  pi.  3. 

Xiphorhy7icJius  trochilirostris,  Cab.  in  Schomb,  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  690. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 


from  British  Guiana.  433 

278.  Cymbilanius  lineatus. 

Thamnophilus  lineatus,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  N.  iii. 
p.  318. 

Cymbilanius  lineatus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858_,  p.  206. 
Bartica  Grove^  Camacusa. 

279.  Thamnophilus  lunulatus. 

Lanius  lunulatus,  Less.  Traite  d^Orn.  p.  375,  pi.  45.  f.  2 
(ex  Cuvier). 

Thamno^ihilus  fuliginosus,  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.  1837,  p.  80;  Scl. 
P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  208. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

280*.  Thamnophilus  major. 

Thamnophilus  major,  Vieill.,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  687;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  209;  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  75. 
Not  represented  in  Mr.  Wliitely's  collection. 

281.  Thamnophilus  n^evius. 

Lanius  ntevius,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  308. 
Thamnophilus  ncevius,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  687; 
Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  173. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

282.  Thamnophilus  ruficollis. 

Thamnophilus  ruficollis,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  p.  27,  pi.  37. 
f.  1 ;  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  687. 

Thamnophilus  amazonicus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  214, 
pi.  139. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

283.  Thamnophilus  murinus. 

Thamnophilus  murinus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1867,  p.  756;  Pelz. 
Orn.  Bras.  p.  77. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains. 

284'^.  Thamnophilus  atricapillus. 
Lanius  atricapillus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  303. 
Thamnophilus  atricapillus,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  215. 
Thamnophilus  cirrhatus  (Gm.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.   Guiana, 
iii.  p.  687. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely^s  collection. 

2g  2 


424  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

285.  Thamnophilus  insignis. 

Thamnophilus  insignis,  Salv,  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884^  p.  450. 

Eoraima  (5000  ft.). 

286*.  Thamnophilus  doliatus. 
Lanius  doliatus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  136. 
Thamnophilus  doliatus,  Cab.  in  Scbomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  687 ; 
Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  217. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

287.  Dysithamnus  spodionotus. 

Dysithamnus  spodionotus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  211. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

288.  Dysithamnus  ardesiacus. 

Dysithamnus  ardesiacus,  Scl.  &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  18G7,  p.  756. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains. 

289.  Thamnomanes  glaucus. 

Thamnomanes  glaucus.  Cab.  Arch.  f.  Naturg.  1847,  i. 
p.  230,  et  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  688;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858, 
p.  223. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

290.  Herpsilochmus  sticturus,  sp.  n. 

Cinereus,  dorso  medio  extus  nigro  intus  albo  ;  pileo  nigro ; 
superciliis  et  corpore  medio  subtus  albis  ;  alis  iiigris,  re- 
migibus  et  tectricibus  albo  marginatis  ;  cauda  nigra,  rec- 
ti'icibus  duabus  mediis  in  pogonio  interno  albo  bi- 
maculatis,  rectricibus  reliquis  albo  terminatis ;  rostro  et 
pedibus  nigricanti-plumbeis  :  long,  tota  3*8,  alie  1'75, 
caudae  1*4,  tarsi  0'7,  rostri  a  rictu  0'65. 
$   mari  similis,  sed  pilco  medio  rufesccnte  ornato. 

Hah.  Bartica  Grove  et  Camacusa,  Guiana  Brit.  {H. 
Whitehj). 

Mus.  nostr.  et  P.  L.  S. 

Ohs.  H.  jnleato  ex  Brasilia  affinis,  sed  dorso  nigricantiore 
et  pictura  caudse  certe  diversus. 

There  are  several  specimens  of  this  species  in  Mr.  Whitely's 
collection.  It  may  readily  be  distinguished  from  H.  pileatus 
by  the  central  tail-feathers  having  two  large  spots  on  the 
inner  web  instead  of  a  continuous  white  margin. 


from  British  Guiana.  435 

291.  Herpsilochmus,  sp.  inc. 

Herpsilochmus  dorsimaculatus ,  Pelz.  Oru.  Bras.  pp.  10, 
151  (?). 

Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

Count  H.  V.  Berlepsch  has  kindly  sent  me  a  note  on  this 
bird,  in  which  he  points  out  certain  differences,  chiefly  in  size, 
between  it  and  the  types  of  H.  dorsimaculatus  with  which  he 
has  compared  Guianan  examples.  I  venture  to  leave  him  to 
describe  it,  should  he  think  proper,  in  one  of  the  useful 
papers  on  South-American  birds  with  which  he  from  time 
to  time  favours  this  journal. 

292.  Myrmotherula  pygm^a. 
Muscicapa  pygmisa,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  933. 
Formicivora pygvtKEa,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  688. 
Myrmotherula  jjygmcea,  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  23Jj. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

293.  Myrmotherula  surinamensis. 

Sitta  surinamensis,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  442. 
Myrmotherula  surinamensis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  234. 
Formicivora  quadrivittata,  Licht.,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana, 
iii.  p.  688. 
Camacusa. 

294.  Myrmotherula  guttata. 

Myrmotherula  guttata,  Vieill.  Gal.  Ois.  p.  251,  pi.  155. 
Rhopoterpe  guttata.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  688. 
Mijrmotherula  guttata,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  235. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

295.  Myrmotherula  gutturalis. 

Myrmotherula  gutturalis,  Scl.  &  Salv.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  269. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  R.  Atapurau. 

296.  Myrmotherula  axillaris. 

Myrmothera  axillaris,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d^Hist.  N,  xvii. 
p.  321. 

Formicivora  axillaris,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  688. 
Myrmotherula  axillaris,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  236. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains. 


426  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

297.  Myrmotherula.  longipennis. 
Myrmotherula  longipennis,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  pp.  82,  153. 
Bartica  GrovCj  Camacusa. 

A  species  closely  allied  to  M.  menetriesi,  d'Orb.,  as  we 
understand  that  species.  It  differs  in  having  the  black  of 
the  throat  more  restricted,  and  in  the  tail-feathers  having 
white  ends.  It  is  also  a  somewhat  larger  bird.  For  the 
identification  of  the  species  we  are  indebted  to  Count  H.  v. 
Berlepsch,  who  has  compared  some  of  Mr.  Whiteljr's  examples 
with  Herr  v.  Pelzeln's  types. 

298.  Myrmotherula  unicolor. 

Myrmothera  imicolor,  Menetr.  Mon.  Myioth.  p.  480,  pi.  2. 
f.  1. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

299.  Myrmotherula  cinereiventris. 
Myrmotherula  cinereiventris,  Scl.   &  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.   1867, 

p.  736. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

300.  FORMICIVORA  GRISEA. 

Turdus  griseus,  Bodd.  Tabl.  d.  PI.  Enl.  p.  39. 
Fo7'micivora  grisea.  Cab.  in   Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  687; 
Scl.  P.Z.S.  1858,  p.  238. 
Merume  Mountains. 

301.  Terenura  spodioptila. 

Terenura  spodioptila,  Scl.  &  Salv.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  270,  pi.  9. 
f.  1. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

302.  HHAMPHOCiENUS  ALBIVENTRIS. 

Rhamphocmnus  albiventris,  Scl.  Ibis,  1883,  p.  95. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

303.  Cercomacra  cinerascens. 

Formicivora  cinerascens,  Scl.  P.Z.S.  1854,  p.  112. 
Cercomacra  cinerascens,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  245. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 


from  British  Guiana.  427 

304.  Cercomacra  tyrannina. 

Pyriglena  tyrannina,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1855,  pp.  90,  147,  pi.  98. 
Cercomacra  tyrannina,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  245. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

305.  Heterocnemis  n^evia. 

Sitta  7i(svia,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  442. 
Heterocnemis  navia,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  247. 
Holocnemis  lineata  (Gm.),   Cab,   in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  685. 
Camacusa. 

306.  Heterocnemis  leucostigma. 

Percnostola  leucostigma,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  pp.  86,  160. 

Heterocnemis  simplex,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  573. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains. 

Count  H.  V.  Berlepsch  tells  mo  that  he  has  compared  some 
of  Whitely^s  specimens  (undoubtedly  H.  simplex,  Scl.)  with 
the  types  of  P.  leucostigma,  Pelz.,  and  finds  they  belong  to 
the  same  species.     The  latter  name  has  priority. 

307.  Heterocnemis  saturata,  sp.  n. 

H.  leucostigmati  affinis,  sed  omnino  obscurior,  corpore  subtus 
quam  dorsum  vix  dilutiore :  rostro  et  pedibus  nigri- 
cantibus.      ?  subtus  quoque  pauilo  obscurior. 

Boraima  (3500  ft.). 

I  think  this  bird  must  be  separated  from  H.  leucostigma 
(vel  simplex) .  The  under  surface  of  the  male  is  very  much 
darker,  instead  of  being  pale  ash-colour,  and  the  feet  and  bill 
are  also  blacker. 

We  have  only  two  specimens,  one  of  each  sex,  from  Mr. 
Whitely^s  Boraima  collection,  where  perhaps  it  replaces  the 
more  lowland  paler  form. 

308.  Myrmeciza  cinnamomea. 

Turdus  cinnamomeus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  825. 
Myrmonax    cinnamomeus,  Cab.  in   Schomb.   Guiana,  iii. 
p.  684. 

Myrmeciza  cinnamomea,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  249. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 


428  Mr.  O.  Salviu  on  Birds 

309.  Myrmeciza  atrothorax. 

Formicarius  atrothorax,  Bodd,  Tabl.  d.  PI.  Enl.  p.  44. 
Myrmeciza  atrothorax,  Scl.  Cat,  Am.  B.  p.  187. 
Cercomacra  atrothorax,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  245. 
Merume  Mountains. 

310.  Hypocnemis  cantator. 

Formicarius  cantator,  Bodd.  Tabl.  d.  PI.  Enl.  p.  441. 
Hypocnemis  cantator,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  250. 
Hypocnemis  tintinnabulata  (Gm.),  Cab,  in  Schomb.  Guiana, 
iii.  p.  684. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

311.  Hypocnemis  pcecilonota. 

Hypocnemis  pcecilonota.  Cab,  in  Schomb,  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  684. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  R.  Atapurau,  Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

This  is  the  true  H.  pcecilonota.  The  bird  from  the  Upper 
Amazons  frequently  called  by  this  name  has  been  separated 
as  H.  lepidonota  (Scl.  &  Salv,  P,  Z,  S.  1880,  p,  160). 

312.  Hypocnemis  leucophrys, 

Pithys  leucophrys,  Tsch.  Faun,  Per,  p,  176,  pi.  11,  f.  2. 
Myrmonax  leucophrys.  Cab.  in  Schomb,  Guiana,  iii,  p,  684. 
Hypocnemis  leucophrys,  Scl.  P.  Z,  S.  1858,  p,  252. 
Bartica  Grove. 

313.  Hypocnemis  melanopogon. 

Hypocnemis  melanopogon,  Sci.  P,  Z,  S.  1857,  p.  130  ;  1858, 
p.  253. 
Camacusa. 

314.  Pithys  albifkons. 

Fipra  albifrons,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  1000. 

Pithys  albifro7is.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  685 ; 
Scl.  P.Z.  S.  1858,  p.  273. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.). 

315.  Pithys  rufigula. 

Tardus  rufigula,  Bodd.  Tabl.  d.  PI,  Enl.  p.  39. 
Pithys  rufigularis,  Scl.  P.Z.  S.  1858,  p.  273. 


from  British  Guiana.  429 

Pithys  pectoralis  {Latb.)^  Cab.  in  Scbomb.  Guiana^,  iii. 
p.  685. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

316"^.  Pyriglena  funebris. 

Lanius  funebris ,  Licbt.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  47. 

Pyriglena  funebris,  Cab.  in  Scbomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  684. 

I  bave  not  been  able  to  apply  tbis  name  of  Licbtenstein^s 
to  any  of  Mr.  Wbitely^s  Formicariidae.  It  was  originally 
proposed  for  a  species  from  Cayenne  said  to  be  allied  to 
P.  leucoptera. 

317.  Rhopoterpe  torquata. 

Formicarius  torquatus,  Bodd.  Tabl.  d.  PI.  Enl.  p.  43. 
Rhopoterpe  torquata,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  275. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

318.  Formicarius  nigrifrons. 

Formicarius  nigrifrons,  Gould,  Ann.  &  Mag.  N.  H.  ser.  2, 
XV.  p.  344;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  277. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

I  bave  only  seen  specimens  of  tbis  form  from  Guiana,  and 
of  tbe  true  F.  cayennensis  from  Brazil.  Can  Buffon  bave 
made  an  error  in  ascribing  bis  bird  to  Cayenne  ?  Tbe 
evidence  before  me  implies  tbat  tbis  was  tbe  case. 

319.  Formicarius  hoffmanni. 

Myrmornis  hoffmanni,  Cab.  J.  f.  Orn.  1861,  p.  95. 

Formicarius  hoffmanni,  Finscb,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  568. 

Myiothera  analis,  Cab.  in  Scbomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  686 
(necd'Orb.). 

Myrmornis  crissalis,  Cab.  J.  f.  Orn.  1861,  p.  96. 

Camacusa. 

I  agree  witb  Dr.  Finscb  tbat  M.  crissalis  and  M.  hoffmanni 
are  bardly  specifically  distinct. 

320.  Cham^eza  fulvescens. 

ChamcEza  fulvescens,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  79. 
Merume  Mountains,  Camacusa,  Roraima  (3500  ft.) , 


430  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

321.  Grallaria  varia. 

Formicarius  varius,  Bodd.  Tabl.  d.  PI.  Enl.  p.  44. 
Grallaria  varia,  Scl.  Ibis,  1877,  p.  442. 
Camaciisa. 

322.  Grallaria  regulus. 

Grallaria  regulus,  Scl.  P.Z.  S.  1860,  p.  QQ ;  Ibis,  1877, 
p.  441. 

Roraima  (5000  ft.). 

A  single  specimen  in  Mr.  Wliitely's  collection  agrees  with 
Andean  examples  of  tbis  species. 

323.  Grallaria  brevicauda. 

Formicarius  brevicauda,  Bodd.  Tabl.  d.  PI.  Enl.  p.  44. 
Grallaria  brevicauda,  Scl.  Ibis,  1877,  p.  447. 
Colobathris  tinniens  (Gm.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  686. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

324.  Grallaria  simplex. 

Grallaria  simplex,  Salv.  &  Godm.Ibis,  1884,  p.  451. 
Roraima  (5000  ft.). 

325.  Grallaria  macularia. 

Pitta  macularia,  Temm.  sub  PI.  Col.  217. 
Colobathris  macularia.  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  685. 
Grallaria  macularia,  Scl.  Ibis,  1877,  p.  449. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  R.  Ata- 
purau. 

326.  Grallaricula  nana.   . 

Grallaria  nana,  Lafr.  Rev.  Zool.  1842,  p.  334. 
Grallaricula  nana,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  284. 
Kukenam  (5000  ft.). 

327.  Corythopis  anthoides. 

Muscicapa  anthoides,  Pucb.  Arcli.  Mus.  vii.  p.  334. 
Corythopis  anthoides,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  288. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  R.  Ata- 
purau,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 


from  British  Guiana.  431 

328.  Glaucis  hirsuta. 

Trochilus  hirsutus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  490. 
Glaucis  hirsuta,  Salv.  &  Elliot,  Ibis,  1873,  p.  276. 
Trochilus  br'asiliensis  (Lath.)?  et  Trochilus  dominicus  (L.), 
Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  708. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

329.  Phaethornis  superciliosus, 

Trochilus  superciliosus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  189;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  708. 

Phaethornis  superciliosus,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  i.  pi.  17 ; 
Salv.  &  Elliot,  Ibis,  1873,  p.  4. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  R.  Ata- 
purau. 

330.  Phaethornis  augusti. 

Trochilus  augusti,  Bourc.  Ann.  d.  Sc.  Phys.  &c.  de  Lyon, 
i.  p.  623. 

Phaethornis  augusti,  Gould,  Mon.  Trocb.  i.  pi.  29  ;  Salv. 
&  Elliot,  Ibis,  1873,  p.  10. 

Roraima. 

Agrees  with  Venezuelan  and  Colombian  examples. 

331.  Phaethornis  bourcieri. 

Trochilus  bourcieri.  Less.  Troch.  p.  62,  pi.  18. 
Phaethornis  bourcieri,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  i.  pi.  25  ;  Salv. 
&  Elliot,  Ibis,  1873,  p.  13. 

Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  R.  Atapurau,  Roraima. 

332.  Pygmornis  longuemareus. 

Trochilus  longuemareus,  Less.  Troch.  p.  15,  pi.  2;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  709. 

Phaethornis  longuemareus,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  i.  pi.  31. 
Pygmornis  longuemareus,  Salv.  &  Elliot,  Ibis,  1873,  p.  271. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Roraima  (3000-3500  ft.). 

333'^.  Pygmornis  pygm^eus. 

Trochilus  pygmceus,  Spix,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  708. 

Phaethornis  pygmeeus,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  i.  pi.  41 ; 
Elliot,  Syn.  H. -Birds,  p.  20. 


432  Mr.  O.  Salviu  o?i  Birds 

A  recognized  Guiana  bird,  but  not  represented  in  Mr. 
Whitely's  collection. 

334.  Campylopterus  largipennis. 

Trochilus  laryipennis,  Bodd.  Tabl.  d.  PI.  Enl.  p.  41. 

Campylopterus  latipennis  (Lath.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana, 
iii.  p.  709 ;  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  ii.  pi.  48. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  R.  Ata- 
purau. 

335.  Campylopterus  hyperythrus. 

Camjnjlojiterus  hyperythrus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,- iii. 
p.  709. 

Roraima  (6000  ft.). 

Until  Mr.  Whitely's  last  collection  arrived  this  species 
was  only  known  from  the  type  in  the  Berlin  Museum,  ob- 
tained by  Schomburgk  at  Roraima.  The  sexes  are  similar, 
the  femalcj  as  usual  in  this  genus,  wanting  the  swollen  shafts 
to  the  outer  primaries. 

336.  TOPAZA  PELLA. 

Trochilus  pella,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  189;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  707. 

Topaza  pella,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  ii.  pi.  66. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  R.  Ata- 
purau. 

337.  Lampornis  violicauda. 

Trochilus  violicauda,  Bodd.  Tabl.  d.  Pi.  Enl.  p.  41. 
Trochilus  mango.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  706. 
Lampornis  mango,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  ii.  pi.  74. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

338*.  Lampornis  gramtneus. 

Lampornis  gramineus  (Linn.),  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  ii. 
pi.  77. 

Trochilus  pectoralis,  Lath.,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  706. 

A  recognized  Guianan  bird,  but  not  represented  in  Mr. 
Whitely's  collection. 


from  British  Guiana.  433 

339.  AVOCETTULA  RECUllVIROSTRIS. 

Trochilus  recurvirostris,  Sw.  Zool.  111.  ii.  pi.  105. 
Avocettula  recurvirostris,  Gould^  Mon.  Trocli.  iii.  pi.  201  ; 
Elliot,  Syn.  H. -Birds,  p.  162. 
Bartica  Grove. 
A  single  female  example. 

340.  Hemistephania  johann^. 

Trochilus  johanncB,  Bourc.  P.  Z.  S.  1847^  p.  45. 

Doryphera  johan7i(B,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  ii.  pi.  87. 

Hemistephania  johawKs,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  80. 

Merume  Mountains,  Roraima. 

These  specimens  agree  very  closely  with  others  from 
Colombia.  There  is  a  trifling  difference  in  the  colour  of 
the  crown  of  the  males,  but  too  slight  for  formal  recognition. 

341.  Heliodoxa  xanthogonys. 

Heliodoxa  xanthogonys,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  80. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 

342.  Thalurania  furcata. 

Trochilus  furcatus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  486 ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  708. 

Thalurania  furcata,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  ii.  pi.  101. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima 
(3500  ft.). 

343.  Florisuga  mellivora. 

Trochilus  mellivorus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  193 ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  706. 

Florisuga  mellivora,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  ii.  pi.  113. 
Merume  Mountains,  R.  Atapurau. 

344.  LOPHORNIS  ORNATUS. 

Trochilus  ornatus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  497 ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  705. 

Lophornis  ornatus,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  iii.  pi.  117. 
Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

345.  POLEMISTRIA  PAVONINA. 

Lophornis  pavoninus,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  81. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3000-3500  ft.) . 


434  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

Mr.  Whitely^s  last  collection  contained  several  specimens 
of  this  beautiful  bird,  including  old  and  young  males  and 
females. 

346.  DiscuRA,  sp.  inc. 

Trochilus  platurus  (Vieill.),  Cab.  in  Scliomb.  Guiana,  iii, 
p.  709  ? 

R.  Atapurau. 

A  female  or  young  male  of  a  species  of  this  genus,  but 
not  determinable  without  the  adult  male. 

Dr.  Cabanis  includes  T.  platurus,  Vieill.,  =  i)i5CMra  lonyi- 
Cauda  (Gm.),  in  his  list,  perhaps  referring  to  the  same 
species. 

347.  Calliphlox  amethystina. 

Trochilus  amethijstinus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  496. 
Calliphlox  amethystina,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  iii.  pi.  159. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

348.  Heliothrix  auritus. 

Trochilus  auritus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  493;  Cab.  in  Schomb. 
Guiana,  iii.  p.  707. 

Heliothrix  auritus,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  iv.  pi.  213. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  R.  Atapurau. 

349*.  Chrysolampis  moschitus. 

Trochilus  moschitus,  L.,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  705. 

Chrysolampis  moschitus,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  iii.  pi.  204 ; 
Elliot,  Syn.  H.-Birds,  p.  176. 

A  common  Guianan  bird,  but  not  represented  in  Mr. 
Whitely's  collection. 

350.  Petasophora  germana. 

Trochilus  anais,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  707. 
Petasophora  germana,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  451. 
Roraima  (5000-6000  ft.). 

351.  Petasophora  delphin^. 

Ornismya  delphince,  Less.  Rev.  Zool.  1839,  p.  44. 
Petasophora  delphincB,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  iv.  pi.  229. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3000-5500  ft.). 


from  British  Guiana.  435 

352.  Chrysobronchus  virescens. 

Trochilus  virescens,  Dumont^  Diet.  Sc.  Nat.  x.  p.  49. 
Chrysobronchus  virescens,  Gould_,  Mon.  Troch.  iv.  pi.  230. 
Trochilus  viridis  (Vieill.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.   Guiana,  iii. 
p.  707. 

Roraima(3500ft.). 

353.  Chrysobronchus  viridissimus. 

Trochilus  viridissimus,  Vieill.  Ois.  Dor.  i.  p.  84,  pi.  42. 
Chrysobronchus  viridicaudus,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  iv.  pi. 
231. 

Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains. 

354.  Heliomaster  longirostris. 

Trochilus  longirostris,  Vieill.  Ois.  Dor.  i.  p.  107,  pi.  59. 
Heliomaster  longirostr-is ,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  iv.  pi.  259. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

355.  Agyrtria  tobaci. 

Trochilus  tobaci,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  498. 
Thaumatias  tobaci,  Elliot,  Ibis,  1878,  p.  49. 
Thaumatias  linnm,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  v.  pi.  302. 
Bartica  Grove,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

356^.  Agyrtria  leucogaster. 

Trochilus  leucogaster  (Lath.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  705. 

Agyrtria  leucogaster,  Elliot,  Syn.  H. -Birds,  p.  202. 

A  recognized  Guiana  bird,  but  not  represented  in  Mr. 
Whitely^s  collection. 

357.  Amazilia  cupreicauda. 

Amazilia  cupreicauda,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  452. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500  ft.) . 
Many  specimens,  all  agreeing  with  one  another  as  regards 
their  specific  characters. 

358.  EUCEPHALA  C.ERULEA. 

Trochilus  caeruleus,  Vieill.  Ois.  Dor.  i.  p.  82,  pi.  40. 
Eucephala  ccerulea,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  v.  pi.  330. 
Bartica  Grove. 


43G  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

359.  Hylocharis  cyanea. 

Trochilus  cyanus,  Vieill,  Enc.  Meth.  558. 
Hylocharis  cyaneus,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  v.  pi.  344. 
Merume  Mountains,    Camacusa,  E,.  Atapurau,   Koraima 
(3500  ft.). 

360.  Hylocharis  sapphirina. 

Trochilus  sapphirinus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  496 ;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  706. 

Hylocharis  sapphirina,  Gould,  Mon.  Troch.  v.  pi.  342. 

Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa,  Merume  Mountains,  Roraima 
(3000  ft.). 

361.  Chlorostilbon  prasixus. 

Ornismya  prasina,  Less.  Ois-Mouches,  pi.  65. 
Chlorostilbon  2)rasinus,  Elliot,  Ibis,  1875,  p.  163. 
Roraima  (3500-4000  ft.). 

Besides  the  species  of  Trochilidae  mentioned  above  as 
included  in  Prof.  Cabanis's  list  of  Schomburgk's  birds,  the 
following  are  also  mentioned,  but  their  occurrence  in  Guiana 
requires  confirmation,  viz.  : — 

Trochilus  ruhineus=^Clytol(Ema  rubinea,  Brazil. 

„         rivolii  =  Lamprokema  rhanii,  Mexico  and  Gua- 
temala. 
,,         brevirustris^  Agyrtria  brevirostris ,  Brazil. 
„         auriculatus  =  Heliothrix  auriculatus,  Brazil. 
„        j)etasophorus  =  Petasophora  serrirostris,  Brazil. 
„         bicolor=Thalurania  wagleri,  Brazil. 

362.  Panyptila  cayennensis. 

Hirundo  cayennensis,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  1024. 

Panyptila  cayennensis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1865,  p.  607. 

Merume  Mountains. 

Mr.  Whitely  procured  one  specimen  of  this  Swift,  the 
range  of  which  extends  over  a  large  portion  of  South 
America  from  Panama  to  South  Brazil. 

363.  CHiETURA  ZONARIS. 

Hirundo  zonaris,  Shaw,  in  Mill.  Cim.  Phys.  pi.  55. 


from  British  Guiana.  437 

Ch<2tura  zonaris,  Scl.  P,  Z.  S.  1865,  p.  609. 

Acanthylis  collaris  (Neuw.),  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  709. 

Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

Mr.  Wbitely's  specimens  are  much  smaller  than  the  usual 
size  of  this  species,  the  wings  measuring  only  7*4  inches 
instead  of  8"1  inches.  They  may  be  referable  to  the  bird 
from  Colombia  recently  described  by  Mr.  Lawrence  as 
Hemiprocne  minor,  or  in  part  at  least  to  H.  albicincta,  Cab. 
(J.  f.  Orn.  1862,  p.  164).  But  are  these  small  birds  speci- 
fically distinct  ? 

364.  ChjEtura  cinerbiventris. 

Chatura  cinereiventris,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1863,  p.  101,  pi.  14. 
f.  1,  1865,  p.  612. 

Merume  Mountains,  R.  Atapurau,  Roraima  (3500  ft.). 

365.  ChvEtura  spinicauda. 

Cypselus  spinicaudus,  Temm.  Tabl.  Meth.  p.  78. 
Chatura  spinicauda,  Scl,  P  Z.  S.  1865,  p.  612. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

366.  Ch^etura  rutila. 

Hirundo  rutila,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  Nat.  xiv.  p.  528. 

Cheeturu  rutila,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  82. 

Merume  Mountains. 

Most  probably  the  true  H.  rutila,  Vieillot,  as  distinguished 
.from  Chmtura  brunneitorques,  Lafr.,  of  the  Northern  Andes 
and  Central  America. 

367.  Nyctibius  grandis, 

Caprimulgus  grandis,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  1029. 
Nyctibius  grandis.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  711; 
Scl.  P.  Z.S.  1866,  p.  128. 
Camacusa. 

368.  Nyctibius  longicaudatus. 

Caprimulgus  longicaudatus,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  p.  1,  pi.  1. 
Nyctibius  grandis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  128. 
BarticU  Grove. 

SER.  V. — VOL.  III.  2  H 


438  Mr.  O.  Salvin  on  Birds 

369.  Nyctibius  jamaicensis. 

Caprimulgus  jamaicensis,  Gm.  Syst,  Nat.  i.  p.  1029. 
Nyctibius  jamaicensis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1886,  p.  129. 
Bartica  Grove,  Roraima  (3700  ft.) . 

370*.  Nyctibius  bracteatcs. 

Nyctibius  bracteatus,  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.  1846,  p.  1 ;  Scl.  & 
Salv.  Ex.  Orn.  p.  39,  pi.  20. 

Nyctibius  rufus,  Cab.  in  Sclioml).  Guiana,  iii.  p.  711. 

Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection.  We  now 
have  beautiful  specimens  of  this  rare  species  obtained  by 
Mr.  C.  Buckley  at  Sara}acu  in  Eastern  Ecuador. 

371^.    PODAGER  NACUNDA. 

Caprimulgus  nacunda,  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  N.  x.  p.  240. 
Podager  nacunda,  Cab.  in  Schorab.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  711. 
Not  represented  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection. 

372.  LUROCALIS  SEMITORQUATUS. 

Caprimulgus  semitorcjuatus,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  1031. 
Lurocalis  semitnrquatus ,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  132. 
Bartica  Grove. 

373.  Antrostomus  nigrescens. 

Caprinmlgus  nigrescens,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  710. 
Antrostomus  nigrescens,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  138. 
Bartica  Grove,  Camacusa. 

374.  Antrostomus  whitelyi,  sp.  n. 

Supra  nigricans,  rufo  maculatus  et  tectricibus  alarum  sparse* 
albo  notatis ;  subtus  mento  et  pcctore  nigris  fulvo  vix 
fasciatis,  gula  alba,  abdomine  toto  nigricante  et  sordid e 
albo  interoiixto,  valdeindistincte  transfasciato;  remigum 
1^  et  2^  pogoniis  ambobus  fascia  alba,  rachideinterrupta, 
notatis  ;  caudse  rectricibus   2^  et  3*^  in  pogonio  interno 
tantum  albo  terminatis  :  long,  tota  8'5,  ake  6*3,  caudse 
4-0. 
$    mari  similis,  sed  remigibus  1°,  2"  et  3°  in  pogonio  interno 
fascia  fulva  notatis,  caudai  maculis  albis  vix  ullis. 
Hab.  Roraima  (3500  ft.),  Guiana  Brit.  {H.  Whitely). 
Obs.  A.  nigrescenti  proximus,  sed  major,  et  abdomine  minus 
distincte  transfasciato,  remigibus  et  cauda  aliter   albo  pic- 
turatis,  certe  distinguendus. 


from  British  Guiana.  439 

There  are  two  specimens  of  this  species  in  Mr.  Whitely's 
collection^  one  of  each  sex.  The  spots  on  the  tail  in  A.  ni- 
grescens  are  terminal  and  embrace  both  webs  ;  in  this  species 
one  web  only  is  involved.  The  outer  quill  of  the  wings  has  a 
white  bar,  the  same  quill  in  A.  niffrescens  being  wholly  black. 

375.  Stenopsis  cayennensis. 

Caprimulgus  cayennensis,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  1031 ;  Cab. 
in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  710. 

Stenopsis  cayennensis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  140. 
Merume  Mountains,  Roraima  (3500-4000  ft.). 

376.  Stenopsis  ruficervix. 

Stenopsis  ruficervix,  Scl.  P.Z.  S.  1866,  p.  140,  pi.  14. 

Caprimulgus  decussatus,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  710 
(nee  Tsch.). 

Roraima  (5000  ft.). 

It  is  most  probably  this  species  to  which  Prof.  Cabanis 
refers  under  the  name  C.  decussatus,  Tsch. 

377.  Hydropsalis  schomburgki. 

Hydropsalis  schomburgki,  Gray,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  142. 
Hydropsalis  furcifer,  VieilL,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii. 
p.  711? 
Camacusa. 
A  female  belonging  apparently  to  this  species. 

378.  NyctidrOxMus  albicollis. 

Caprimulgus  albicollis,  Gm.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  p.  1039;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  710. 

Nyctidromus  albicollis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  144. 
.    Bartica  Grove. 

379.  Steatornis  caripensis. 

Steatornis  caripensis,  Humboldt,  Rec.  d'Obs.  Zool.ii.  p.  141 ; 
id.  Nouv.  Ann.  Mus.  1834,  p.  321  ;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1866, 
p.  130. 

Roraima. 

A  single  specimen,  of  which  Mr.  Whitely  says : — ''This  bird 
was  brought  to  me  alive  yesterday  (Oct.  2,  1883).  It  had 
come  down  from  some  crevice  in  the  vertical  rocks  of 
Roraima." 

2h  2 


440  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

XLIII. — Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications. 

[Contiuued  from  p.  327.] 

112.  'The  Auk.' 

['  Tbe  Auk,'  a  Quarterly  Journal  of  Ornithology.  Continuation  of  the 
'Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club.'  Vol.  II.  No.  2,  April; 
No.  3,  July,  1885.     Boston,  Mass.] 

IVIr.  J.  A.  Allen  contributes  an  important  paper  on  "  Sexual 
Selection  and  the  Nesting  of  Birds  ''  to  the  April  number 
of  our  contemporary ;  and  amongst  other  interesting  papers 
on  American  birds  is  one  by  Mr.  Beckham  on  91  species 
obtained  at  Pueblo,  Colorado.  IMr.  Ridgway  makes  remarks 
upon  a  fine  series  of  that  hitherto  rare  species,  the  Californian 
Vulture  ;  he  has  also  a  paper  on  the  Brown  Condor,  Sarco- 
rhamphus  (squutoriaUs,  Sliarpc,  and  regards  it  as  the  young 
of  S.  gryphus,  which  certainly  retains  its  immature  plumage 
until  at  least  seven  years  old.  Dr.  Shufeldt  describes  and 
figures  four  stages  of  development  in  the  bill  of  the  Short- 
tailed  Albatross  [Diomedca  hrachyura),  from  specimens  sent 
in  alcohol  from  Alaska.  The  "  Analecta  Ornithological^  of 
Dr.  Stcjneger  reach  their  fifth  series.  A  paper  by  Mr. 
Brewster  on  a  new  species  of  Eock-Ptarmigan  [Lagopus 
welchi)  from  Newfoundland,  and  one  by  Dr.  Merriam  ou 
change  of  colour  in  the  wing-feathers  of  the  Willow-Grouse 
of  Newfoundland,  will  be  read  with  interest  by  the  side 
of  the  remarks  on  the  Iceland  Ptarmigan  in  our  present 
issue  {supi'a,  p.  377).  Mr.  John  Murdoch^s  critical  notes 
on  some  species  of  birds  attributed  to  Point  Barrow, 
Alaska,  by  Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson  have  called  forth  a  re- 
joinder in  the  July  issue.  The  papers  in  the  latter  relate 
principally  to  birds  of  the  United  States  and  Territories  ; 
but  there  is  one  which  cannot  be  summarily  disposed  of, 
bearing,  as  it  does,  the  heading  "The  Eggs  of  the  Knot 
{Tringa  canutus)  found  at  last.'^  Lieut.  A.  W.  Greely, 
U.S.A.,  commander  of  the  late  unfortunate  expedition  to  Lady 
Franklin  Sound,  writes  to  our  friend  Dr.  C.  II.  Merriam  : — 
''The  specimens  of  bird  and  egg  were  obtained  in  the  vicinity 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  441 

of  Fort  Conger^  latitude  81°  44'  N.  The  egg  was  1-1  inch 
in  the  longer  axis  and  1  inch  in  the  shorter.  Colour  light 
pea-green,  closely  spotted  with  brown  in  small  specks  about 
the  size  of  a  pin-head/''  It  will  be  remembered  that  Major 
H.  W.  Feilden,  the  naturalist  to  H.M.S.  'Alert/  obtained 
the  three  nestlings  now  in  the  British  Museum  of  Natural 
History,  but  the  eggs  eluded  his  research.  Even  now  it  is 
by  no  means  clear  that  any  identified  specimens  have  been 
brought  back ;  and  if  not,  we  are  no  better  off  than  we  were  in 
the  days  of  Parry,  more  than  sixty  years  ago,  for  that  the  eggs 
were  then  obtained  there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt.  They 
were  even  described,  after  a  fashion  :  some  were  probably 
brought  home  ;  but  the  question  still  is.  Where  is  a  genuine 
Knot's  egg  to  be  seen  ? — and  Echo  makes  her  proverbial 
answer. 

113.  Blomefield  '  Reminiscences  of  Yarrell/ 

[Reminiscences  of  William  Yarrell.  By  Leonard  Blomelield  (late 
Jenyns).     8vo.     Batli:  1885.     (For  private  circulation.)] 

Of  the  many  who  are  acquainted  with  the  works  of  the 
Rev.  Leonard  Jenyns,  and  are  accustomed  to  look  upon  his 
'  Manual  of  British  Vertebrate  Animals '  as  a  classic,  compa- 
ratively few  are  aware  that  under  the  name  of  Blomefield  we 
have  still  the  pleasure  of  counting  him  among  the  four  or 
five  surviving  original  members  of  the  Zoological  Society. 
In  the  present  pamphlet  he  has  given  us  a  slight  but  pleasant 
sketch  of  Yarrell,  with  whom  he  was  intimately  acquainted 
for  nearly  thirty  years,  and  in  whose  company  he  made  many 
excursions.  One  of  the  best  of  his  reminiscences  is  that  of 
the  shepherd-boy  whom  the  two  friends  found  on  the  downs 
above  Eastbourne,  and  who  imagined  that  the  sole  purpose 
for  which  Parliament  met  was  to  determine  the  exact  day 
when  Wheatear-catching  should  begin  ! 

114.  British  Association's  Report  on  Migration  in  1884. 

[Report  on  the  Migration  of  Birds  in  tlie  Spring  and  Autiniin  of  1884. 
By  Mr.  J.  A.  llarvie-Brown,  Mr.  Cordeaiix,  Mr.  R.  M.  Barrington.  Mr. 
A.  G.  More,  and  Mr.  W.  Eagle  Clarke,     8vo.     London  :  1885.] 


412  Recently  published  Ornithological  Wurhs. 

To  this  Report  a  useful  sketch-map  is  prefixed,  showing 
the  stations  marked  in  red ;  and  in  addition  to  the  informa- 
tions from  the  stations,  some  interesting  "  Ocean  Notes  "  are 
supplied  by  the  officers  of  various  steamers  and  by  Capt.  D. 
Gray  of  the  whaler  'Eclipse'  of  Peterhead.  A  little  more 
system  might  be  shown  in  the  arrangement  of  the  Reports 
under  Families,  Genera,  and  Species.  For  instance,  at  p.  20 
we  find  Phylloscojnnfe  followed  by  a  paragraph  headed  "^  Tit- 
mice'"'— why  not  Paridcst  At  p.  22,  Motacillidce  are  suc- 
ceeded by  "  Pipits  "  ;  Corvidce  are  divorced  from  "  Ravens,'' 
which  are  separated  from  Sturnince  by  the  insertion  of  Cyp- 
selidce ;  "  Larks "  precede  Emberisida,  which,  again,  are 
pages  away  from  Fringillida  and  next  to  Caculida  !  Such 
errors  as  Motacilladce,  Muscicap«dcC,  Charadriadae,  seem  to 
show  a  want  of  attention  to  detail;  and  we  have  not  gone 
over  the  Report  hypercritically, 

115.  Buckley  on  the  Birds  of  Rousay,  Orkney  Islands. 

[A  few  Notes  on  the  Mammals  and  Bii'ds  of  Eousay,  one  of  the  Orkney 
Islands.  By  T.  E.  Buckley,  B.A.,  F.Z.S.  Tr.  Nat.  Hist.  See.  Glasgow, 
i.  (N.  S.)  1885,  pp.  44-76.] 

As  the  author  justly  remarks,  tlie  Orkneys  seem  to  be 
the  district  of  Scotland  to  which  the  least  attention  has  been 
paid,  from  a  zoological  point  of  view,  of  late  years  ;  no  Gray 
or  Saxby  having  arisen  to  do  for  them  what  these  and  other 
naturalists  have  done  for  the  Hebrides  and  the  Shetlands. 
Even  in  Scotland  little  appears  to  be  known  about  this 
group,  for  the  Edinburgh '  Scotsman,'  in  its  record  of  Grouse- 
shooting,  has  of  late  more  than  once  informed  us  that  the 
Orkneys  in  general,  and  Kirkwall  in  particular,  are  in  the 
Shetlands,  where,  as  it  happens,  there  are  no  Grouse  at 
all !  The  more  welcome  are  these  notes  on  Rousay ;  and, 
as  an  instance  of  their  value,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  in 
them  the  record  occurs,  apparently  for  the  first  time,  of  the 
authenticated  occurrence  in  summer  of  the  Black-throated 
Diver  {Colymbus  arcticus),  the  partial  distribution  of  which 
has  always  been  a  puzzle.  The  species  has  not  yet  been 
recorded  from  the  Shetland  Islands. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  443 

116.  Bunge  on  Birds  of  the  Delta  of  the  Lena. 

[Naturliistorische  Beobaclitangen  uud  Falirten  im  Leua  Delta.  Von 
Dr.  Alex.  Bunge.  Aus  Briefen  an  den  Akademiker  L.  v.  Schrenck. 
Melanges  Biol.,  Bull.  Acad.  Imp.  Sc.  St.  Petersbourg,  xii.  i.  pp.  .31-107.] 

The  greater  part  of  this  interesting  paper  is  devoted  to 
mammoth-remains  found  at  the  mouth  of  the  Lena;  but 
about  eighteen  pages  refer  to  the  birds  observed^  in  order  of 
date,  on  an  expedition  to  Sagastyr  Island.  All  three  Palse- 
arctic  species  of  Swan  (C.  musicus,  C.  beivicki,  and  C.  olor) 
were  found  there  in  the  breeding-season  ;  and  authenticated 
eggs  of  the  Grey  Plover  and  of  the  Little  Stint  were  obtained, 
but  not  those  of  the  Sanderling  and  the  Curlew- Sandpiper, 
although  these  birds  were  shot.  Sabine's  Gull  was  procured, 
and  was  probably  breeding  ;  but  the  greatest  prize  of  all  was 
a  pair  of  Ross's  Rosy-breasted  Gull  {Rhodostethla  rosea), 
shot  on  the  8th  July  out  of  a  flock  of  other  Gulls  of  three 
or  four  species. 

117.  Cory's  'List  of  the  Birds  of  the  West  Indies.^ 

[A  List  of  the  Birds  of  the  West  Indies,  including  the  Bahama  Islands 
and  the  Greater  and  Lesser  Antilles,  excepting  the  Islands  of  Tobago 
and  Trinidad.     By  Charles  B.  Cory.     4to.     Boston  :  1885.] 

IMr.  Cory's  list  contains  the  names,  in  systematic  order, 
of  the  birds  that  are,  up  to  the  present  time,  known  to  occur 
in  the  West  Indies,  the  islands  in  which  each  species  occurs 
being  added.  Great  progress,  certainly,  has  been  made  of 
late  years  in  our  knowledge  of  Antillean  ornithology,  but 
very  much  more  remains  to  be  done.  As  shown  by  the 
recent  discoveries  in  Cozumel  [supra,  pp.  185,  321),  even 
the  most  unlikely  islets  may  be  found  to  possess  peculiar 
species. 

118.  Dubois  on  Belgian  Birds. 

[Revue  des  Oiseaux  Observes  en  Belgique  ;  par  M.  Alph.  Dubois.  Bull. 
Mus.  R.  d'Hist.  Nat.  Belgique,  iv.  1885.     (Separate  copy.)] 

This  list  is  in  reply  to  an  invitation  from  the  Belgian  dele- 
gates of  the  International  Ornithological  Committee  inaugu- 


444  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

rated  last  year  at  Vienna.  Altogether  the  species  mentioned 
amount  to  336^  of  which  70  are  resident_,  57  summer  and 
39  winter  visitors,  49  are  of  regular  passage,  105  irregular 
or  stragglers,  and  16  are  regarded  as  "  varietes  clima- 
teriques."  The  dates  of  arrival  and  departure,  the  Flemish 
names  of  the  species,  and  other  particulars  render  this  a  very 
useful  and  interesting  compilation. 

119.  Dybowski  and  Taczanowski  on  the  Birds  of  Kamts- 
chatka. 

[Liste  dea  Oiseaux  du  Kamtschatka  et  des  iles  Oomandores.  Par  le 
Dr.  B.  DyLowski  and  L.  Taczanowski.  Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  1884, 
pp.  145-161.] 

The  field-notes  by  Dr.  Dybowski  have  already  been  noticed 
(Ibis,  1884,  p.  207),  and  we  have  now  a  complete  list  of 
the  species  of  which  he  collected  specimens  (IGl  in  number), 
followed  by  remarks  on  and  descrijotions  of  some  of  the 
more  interesting,  together  with  some  rectifications  of  former 
statements. 

120.  H.  0.  Forbes  on  the  Eastern  Archipelago. 

[A  Naturalist's  Wanderings  in  the  Eastern  Archipelago,  a  Narrative  of 
Travel  and  Exploration  from  1878  to  1883.  By  Henry  O.  Forbes, 
F.E.G.S.     London:  1885.] 

IVIembers  of  the  B.  O.  U.  will,  we  are  sure,  all  enjoy  IMr. 
Forbes's  account  of  his  wanderings  in  the  Eastern  Archi- 
pelago, in  the  course  of  which  he  explored  the  Cocos-Keel- 
ling  Islands,  Java,  Sumatra,  Timor-Laut,  Burn,  and  Timor, 
and  devotes  a  section  of  his  work  to  each  of  these  localities. 
Numerous  allusions  to  birds  observed  will  be  found  through- 
out the  volume,  and  the  various  appendices  contain  lists  of 
the  avifaunas  of  the  Cocos-Keeling  Islands,  Sumatra,  Timor- 
Laut,  and  Buru,  which  will  be  very  useful  for  reference. 
We  may  also  call  special  attention  to  IVEr.  Forbes^'s  account 
of  the  habits  of  Buceros  galeatus  (p.  154)  as  novel  and  inter- 
esting, to  his  notice  of  the  rare  birds  met  with  at  the  summit 
of  IViount  Dempo  in  Sumatra  (pp.  207-209),  and  to  his 
general  remarks  on  the  birds  of  Timor-Laut  (p.  337).     The 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  445 

Honey-eater  [Myznmela  annabell(R)  named  after  Mrs.  Forbes 
worthily  occupies  the  coloured  titlepage,  and  an  uncoloured 
figure  of  Geocichla  machiki  (p,  337)  is  also  given. 

121.  Harvie-Brown  on  Kumlien's  Gull. 

[Exhibition  of  and  Remarks  upon  a  specimen  of  Lams  Immlieni, 
Brewster,  from  Cumberland  Inlet,  North  America,  (fee.  Pr.  R.  Phys.  Soc. 
Edin.  1885.     (Separate  copy.)] 

This  very  interesting  specimen,  which  has  been  kindly  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  Ilarvie  Brown  to  Saunders,  was  shot  in  August 
1884  by  Mr.  John  Henderson,  attached  to  the  steam- whaler 
'  Maude,^  of  Dundee,  other  examples  being  observed.  The 
species  was  first  recorded  from  Cumberland  Inlet  by  Mr. 
Kumlien,  of  the  Howgate  Polar  Expedition,  as  the  North- 
Pacific  L.  glaucescens,  a  statement  which  (accompanied  by 
others  still  more  improbable  had  hardly  had  time  to  raise 
Sunders's  scepticism  when  the  point  was  cleared  up  by  his 
friend  Mr.  Brewster,  who  pronounced  the  species  from  Cum- 
berland Inlet  to  be  quite  distinct,  as  it  undoubtedly  is.  The 
bird  is  only  of  the  size  of  the  Iceland  Gull,  but  it  has  pale-grey 
markings  on  the  primaries — a  distinction  worthy  of  notice, 
because  the  species  may  not  improbably  occur  on  our  northern 
coasts  in  severe  winters,  having  already  been  obtained  as  far 
south  as  New  York  State.  On  the  Pacific  coast  a  Gull, 
similar  in  wing-pattern,  but  of  the  size  of  the  Glaucous  Gull, 
has  been  obtained,  and  named  L.  nelsoni,  Heushaw.  Mr. 
Henderson  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  acquisition  of  this 
rarity ;  would  that  there  were  more  observers  like  him  on 
our  whalers  ! 

122.  Meyer  on  new  Birds  in  the  Dresden  Museum. 

[Ueber  neue  und  ungeniigend  bekannte  Vogel  im  konigl.  zoologischen 
Museum  zu  Dresden.  Von  A.  B.  Meyer.  Zeitschr,  f.  d.  ges.  Orn.  1884, 
pp.  193-222,  taf.  vii.-ix.] 

After  referring  to  his  previous  paper  [see  'Ibis,^  1884, 
p.  458],  Dr.  Meyer  enumerates  37  species,  and  proceeds  to 
describe  the  following  as  new  : — Sauropatis  australasice  (V.), 


446  Recently  imhlished  Ornithological  Works. 

var.  n.  minor,  Timor-Laut  ;  Leptotodus,  gen.  n.,  type  L. 
tenuis,  sp.  n.  (figured),  Amberbaki,  New  Guiuea;  M'lcro- 
lestes,  gen.  n.,  type  M.  arfakianm,  sp.  n.^  Arfak  Moun- 
tains, New  Guinea ;  Gerygone  biniaculata,  sp.  n.,  Arfak 
Mountains,  New  Guinea ;  Grancalus  timorlaomsis ,  sp.  n. 
(figured),  Timor  Laut ;  Corvus  latirostris,  sp.  n.,  Timor  Laut ; 
Pachycepliala  a-ffinis,  sp.  n.,  Arfak  Mountains  ;  Oxypogon 
stuebelii,  sp.  u.,  Volcano  of  Tolima,  Colombia  ;  Chlorostilbon 
stuebelii,  sp.  n.,  Yungas,  Bolivia;  Cinnyris  henkei,  sp.  n. 
(figured),  coll.  Frank;  Zosterops  incerta,  sp.  n.  (locality  un- 
known);  Turdinus  sepiarius  (Horsf.),  var.  n.  minor,  Java; 
Geocichla  schistacea,  sp.  n.  (figured),  Timor  Laut;  Macro- 
pygia  timorlaoensis,  sp.  n.,  Timor  Laut  ;  T7-opidorhynchus 
aruensis,  sp.  n.,  Aru  Islands ;  Stigmatops  salvadorii,  Timor 
Laut,  and  S.  kebirensis,  Kebir,  spp.  nn. 

123.  Mitchell's   '  Birds  of  Lancashire.' 

[The  Birds  of  Lancashire.     By  F.  S.  Mitchell.     8vo.     Loudon  :  1885.] 

This  is  an  excellent  book,  and,  in  its  way,  almost  perfect 
— which  is  saying  a  good  deal.  The  introductory  remarks, 
especially  those  on  the  value  of  observations  on  migration, 
deserve  careful  consideration  at  the  present  time,  when  there 
is  a  distinct  tendency  to  the  mere  accumulation  of  a  mass  of 
undigested  facts — a  joroceeding  which  must  end  in  weariness. 
A  map,  coloured  plates  by  Keulemans  of  those  Lancashire 
rarities  the  Black-throated  Wheatear  [Saxicola  stapazind) 
and  the  Wall-creeper  [Tichodroma  murarici),  and  woodcuts  of 
decoys  &c.  embellish  the  work.  Worthy  of  notice,  as  a  fact 
not  generally  known,  is  the  remarkable  decrease  of  late  years 
in  the  numbers  of  the  Green  Woodpecker  and  of  the  W^ry- 
neck — the  latter  seldom  breeding  in  Lancashire  now,  although 
it  appears  to  have  been  a  regular  visitor  there  up  to  about 
the  middle  of  the  century. 

124.  More  on  Irish  Birds. 

[A  List  of  Irish  Birds,  showing  the  Species  contained  in  the  Science 
and  Art  Museum,  Dublin.  By  A.  G.  More,  F.L.S.,  M.R.LA.,  Curator  of 
the  Natural-History  Museum,  Dublin,  1885,  pp.  32.] 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  447 

In  this  useful  list  all  the  species  obtained  in  Ireland  are 
enumerated^  those  in  the  Museum  being  distinguished  by 
Egyptian  type^  while  those  not  possessed  are  in  italics.  It 
must  not  be  forgotten  that  some  of  the  rarer  stragglers  to 
Ireland,  sucli  as  the  Giiffon-Vulture,  Spotted  Eagle,  Great 
Sjjotted  Cuckoo,  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  Great  Auk,  and 
others,  are  in  the  Museum  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  and 
that  there  is  no  reason  for  their  transfer  to  the  Museum  in 
Kildare  Street.  But  surely  the  latter  should  not  long  remain 
without  one  or  more  of  the  Irish  specimens  of  Montagu's 
Harrier,  Red-backed  Shrike,  Marsh-Tit,  White  Wagtail, 
Wood-Lark,  Mealy  Redpole,  Stock-Dove,  &c.  which  have  been 
obtained  of  late  years,  and  which  are  neither  heirlooms  nor 
have  been  lost  sight  of  in  the  course  of  the  change  of 
ownership  incidental  to  so  many  local  collections. 

125.  Nehrkorn  on  Birds  from  Waigiou. 

[Zur  Avifauna  der  Insel  Waigou.  Von  A.  Nehrkorn,  J.  f.  0.  1885, 
p.  30.] 

In  the  winter  of  1883-84  the  well-known  collector  Dr. 
Platen  paid  a  visit  to  Waigiou,  and  amassed  a  series  of  636 
bird-skins.  The  species,  103  in  number,  are  given  according 
to  Salvadori's  nomenclature  ;  and  of  these,  22  are  new  to 
Waigiou.  The  eggs  of  several  species  are  described,  amongst 
others  those  oiRhectes  leucorhynchus  and  Pitta  mackloti.  Of 
Diphjllodes  wilsoni,  formerly  considered  so  rare,  40  adult 
males,  10  young  males,  and  4  females  were  in  the  collection  ! 

126.  '  Ornithologist  and  Oologist.' 

[Ornitliologist  and  Oologist.     Vol.  s.  No.  5.] 

The  recent  number  of  this  periodical,  published  by  Mr. 
Frank  B.  Webster  at  Pawtucket,  Rhode  Island,  contains 
many  interesting  notes  on  American  birds. 

127.  Reid  on  the  Birds  of  Bermuda. 

[The  Birds  of  Bermuda.  By  Capt.  Savile  G.  Reid,  R.E.,  F.Z.S.  Bull. 
U.S.  Nat.  Mas.  No.  25,  pp.  163-279.] 


448  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works, 

Most  ol"  these  excellent  notes  have  already  appeared  in 
the  '  Zoologist '  for  1877 ;  hut  a  complete  synonymy  is  now 
supplied  to  each  of  the  18G  species  recorded  as  occurring 
in  this  group  of  islands;  and  Deyidrceca  maculosa,  Regulus 
satrapa,  and  Hydrochelidon  nigra  are  added  to  the  list, 
together  with  some  additional  matter.  Our  American 
cousins  have  acted,  wisely  in  annexing  these  notes  on  "  the 
still  vexed  Bermoothes/^  albeit  the  islands  remain  as  yet 
a  British  possession. 

128-142.  Ridgway  on  American  Birds. 

[128.  Description  of  a  new  Race  of  tlie  Red-shouldered  Elawk  from 
Florida.     Pr.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1884,  p.  514.     (Published  Jan.  19,  1885.) 

129.  Ou  two  hitherto  unnamed  Sparroww  from  the  Coast  of  California. 
Tom.  cit.  p.  516.     (Published  Jan.  19,  1885.) 

130.  On  CEstrelata  jisheri  and  (E.  dejilip'piana.     Op.  cit.  1885,  p.  17. 

131.  Icterus  cticullatus,  Swainson,  and  its  Geographical  Variations. 
Tom.  cit.  p.  18. 

132.  Description  of  a  new  Species  of  Conto2)us  from  Tropical  America. 
Tom.  cit.  p.  21. 

133.  Note  on  Anser  leucopareius  of  Brandt.     Tom.  cit.  p.  21. 

134.  Description  of  a  new  Warbler  from  Yucatan.     Tom.  cit.  p.  23. 

135.  Description  of  two  new  Birds  from  Costa  Rica.     Tom.  cit.  p.  23. 

136.  Description  of  three  supposed  new  Honey  Creepers  from  the  Lesser 
Antilles,  with  a  Synopsis  of  the  Species  of  the  Genus  Certhiola.  Tom. 
cit.  p.  25. 

137.  On  Cathartcs  huirovianus,  Cassiu,  and  C.  urubitinga,  Pelzehi, 
Tom.  cit,  p.  34. 

138.  On  Onychotes  gruberi.     Tom,  cit.  p.  36. 

139.  Remarks  on  the  type  specimen  of  Buteo  o.rgpterus,  Cassin.  To7)i. 
cit.  p.  75. 

140.  Description  of  a  new  Species  of  Boat-billed  Heron  from  Central 
America.     Tom.  cit.  p.  93. 

141.  Description  of  a  new  Hawk  from  Cozumel.     Tont.  cit.  p.  94. 

142.  On  Peuccea  mexicana  (Lawr.),  a  Sparrow  new  to  the  United  States. 
Tom.  cit.\.  98.] 

We  have  here  a  batch  of  fifteen  papers  by  our  energetic 
Foreign  Member  Mr.  Ridgway.  In  No.  128  he  describes 
the  Floridan  form  of  Buteo  lineatus  as  a  new  subspecies, 
B,  lineatus  alleni ;  it  is  smaller  than  typical  B.  lineatus,  the 
adult  much  paler  in  colour,  the  young  decidedly  darker.     In 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  449 

No.  129  a  new  Sparrow,  Passer  cuius  beldingi,  sp.  nov.^  from 
Southern  California,  is  described  as  similar  to  the  darker  form 
of  P.  sandwichensis  from  the  salt-marshes  of  San  Francisco 
(for  which  he  proposes  the  name  P.  sandwichensis  bryanti, 
subsp.  nov.),  but  is  again  much  darker  and  has  a  larger  bill. 
It  seems  that  Passerculus  anthinus  of  Bonaparte,  from  Alaska, 
is  a  pure  synonym  of  his  P.  alaudinus.  In  No.  130  Mr.  llidg- 
way  announces  the  discovery  of  a  specimen  of  the  Petrel 
(Estrelata  defilijjpiana  in  the  American  Museum  of  Natural 
History,  New  York,  and  shows  that  it  is  "  very  distinct " 
from  (E.  fisheri,  with  which  he  had  previously  supposed  it 
might  be  identical.  In  No.  131  he  proposes  to  separate  from 
Icterus  cucullatus  two  new  snhsiiecies — (1)  the  paler/,  c.  nelsoni 
from  Western  Mexico,  Southern  California,  and  Arizona, 
(2)  the  ruddier  /.  c.  igneus,  from  Yucatan,  leaving  the  inter- 
mediate form  from  Southern  and  Eastern  Mexico  as  I.  cu- 
cullatus.  According  to  No.  132  Contopus  pileatus,  sp.  n.,  is 
a  small  member  of  the  genus  with  a  "  sooty  grey  cap,^^  based 
on  a  single  specimen,  from  an  unknown  locality,  in  the  Ame- 
rican Museum  of  Natural  History,  New  York.  In  No.  133 
the  specific  name  "  minima  "  is  proposed  for  the  small  form  of 
Canada  Goose  from  the  Pacific  coast  called  Bernicla  cana- 
densis leucopareia  in  the  lately-issued  'Water-Birds  of  North 
America/  i.  p.  456,  because  Anser  leucopareius,  Brandt  =  ^. 
hutchinsi,  Sw.  et  Hichards.  In  No.  131j  the  form  of  Grana- 
tellus  salkei  from  Yucatan  is  separated  subspecifically  as 
G.  sallm  boucardi.  In  No.  135  Mr.  Hidgway  describes  a  new 
Blue  Crow  allied  to  Cyanocorax  ornatus,  from  the  Atlantic 
slope  of  Costa  Rica,  under  the  name  of  C.  cucullatiis,  and  a 
new  subspecies  of  Vireolanius,  from  Costa  Kica  to  Panama,  as 
V.  pulchellus  verticalis.  The  latter  differs  from  the  northern 
form  in  having  the  whole  crown  light  green.  In  No.  136  he 
describes  Certhiola  finschi,  from  an  uncertain  localit;^,  as  like 
C.  martinicana,  but  smaller  and  with  yellow  superciliaries ; 
C.  sundevalli,  like  C.  do?ninicana,  but  with  yellow  supercili- 
aries and  the  upper  parts  more  slaty,  from  Guadeloupe  and 
Dominica ;  and  C.  sancti-thoma,  from  St.  Thomas.  He  adds 
a  new  and  useful  "  key  "  to  the  genus,  in  which  19  species 
are  recognized,  the  principal  synonyms  being  added. 


450  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

In  No.  137  Mr.  Ridgway  shows  tliat  Cathartes  burro- 
vianus  of  Cassin  is  the  same  as  C  urubitinga  of  Pelzchi  (ex 
Natterer),  Gassings  name  having  the  priority.  In  No.  138 
we  learn  that  Mr.  Hidgway  has  solved  the  long-existing  puzzle 
of  Onychotes gruberi,  by  proving  that  tliis  supposed  Californian 
species  (see  Ibis,  1881,  p.  39G,  pi.  xii.)  is  no  other  than  Buteo 
solitarrus  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  He  states  in  No.  139 
that,  although  smaller  than  any  example  in  the  National 
Museum,  B.  oxypterus  is  unquestionably  referable  to  B. 
swainsoni.  But  the  specimen  described  in  '  North- American 
Birds'  (iii.  p.  266)  as  the  melanistic  adult  of  " B.  swainsoni, 
var.  oxypterus,"  is  not  B.  sivainsoni  at  all,  h\xi  B .  fuUginosus , 
Scl.,  "which  is  said  (and  probably  with  truth)  to  be  the 
melanistic  phase  of  B.  brachyurus."  In  No.  140  the  Boat- 
billed  Heron  of  Central  America,  from  Mexico  to  Veragua, 
is  separated  as  a  new  species,  Cancroma  zeledoni,  differing 
from  C  cochlearia  in  having  the  neck  and  breast  deep  buff 
instead  of  ashy  white,  the  upper  parts  of  a  deeper  grey,  and 
the  crest  far  less  developed.  In  No.  141  Rupornis  gracilis,  as 
it  is  proposed  to  call  the  new  species  from  Cozumel,  is  de- 
scribed as  similar  to  R.  ruficauda  griseicauda,  but  decidedly 
smaller,  and  with  the  thighs  and  under  wing-coverts  nearly 
or  quite  immaculate.  Lastly,  the  specimens  of  Peuccea  from 
Texas  referred  to  P.  arizona  by  Messrs.  Kidgway  and  Merrill 
in  their  joint  article  on  the  ornithology  of  Southern  Texas 
(Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  i.  p.  127)  turn  out  to  be  the  same  as 
Coturniculus  mexicanus,  Lawrence  (Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  viii. 
p.  474),  from  the  mountains  of  Colima.  The  species  must 
therefore  stand  as  Peuccea  mexicana. 

143.  Salvadori   and  Giglioli  on   new   Birds  from  Cochin 

China. 

[Due  miove  specie  di  Uccelli  della  Cocincina  raccolte  durante  il  viaggio 
della  R.  Pirofregata  Magenta  e  descritte  da  T.  Salvadori  ed  E.  Giglioli. 
Atti  R.  Accad.  Sci.  Torino,  xx.  p.  427.] 

An  apparently  very  conspicuous  new  species  of  Cissa  (C. 
hypoleuca)  and  a  new  Mirafra  {M.  erythrocephala)  are  de- 
scribed from  specimens  collected  in  Cochin  China  in  1846, 
during  the  voyage  of  the  '  Magenta '  round  the  world. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  451 

144.  Schaloiv  on  the  Birds  of  Mark  Brayidenburg. 

[Zur  Ornis  der  Mark  Brandenburg.  Ein  dritter  Beitrag.  Von  Herman 
Schalow.     Zeitscbr.  f.  d.  ges.  Orn.  1885,  pp.  1-44.] 

This  is  tlie  third  paper  which  Herr  Schalow  has  published 
upon  the  subject,  the  two  former  having  appeared  in  the 
'Journal  fur  Ornithologie  ^  for  the  years  1876  and  1881 
respectively.  The  number  of  species  observed  has  increased 
during  the  past  nine  years  from  259  to  267.  Any  British 
ornithologist  who  is  desirous  of  investigating  the  avifauna  of 
the  district  between  the  Elbe  and  the  Oder  will  find  that, 
in  addition  to  other  information,  this  contribution  affords  him 
an  excellent  opportunity  of  acquiring  at  least  so  much  of 
the  little-known  Wendish  language  as  relates  to  birds. 

145.  Schiavuzzi  on  Northern  Birds  in  the  Adriatic. 

[Sulla  comparsa  di  specie  nordicbe  nella  regione  Adrialica  settentrionale. 
Zeitscbr.  f.  d.  ges.  Orn.  1884,  pp.  93-103.] 

An  important  addition  to  our  knowledge  of  the  visits  of 
northern  species  to  that  little-known  arm  of  tbe  IMediter- 
ranean,  the  Gulf  of  Adria.  We  gather  from  an  announce- 
ment in  the  above-named  journal  that  Dr.  Schiavuzzi 
published  in  1883  an  account  of  all  the  birds  of  the  Trieste 
district,  but  we  have  not  yet  seen  a  copy  of  this  memoir. 

146.  Stejneger  on  Lanius  robustus. 

[Eemarlis  on  Lanius  rohushis  (Baird),  based  upon  an  examination  of 
tbe  Type  Specimen.  By  Leonbard  Stejneger.  Pr.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Pbilad. 
1885,  p.  91.] 

IVIr.  Stejneger  has  re-examined  the  Shrike  in  the  JMuseum 
of  the  Philadelphian  Academy,  which  Cassin  identified  with 
Swainson^s  Lanius  elegans,  and  Baird  subsequently  named 
Collurio  ludovicianus ,  var.  robustus.  There  is  no  proof  what- 
ever of  this  specimen  having  been,  as  was  supposed,  ob- 
taiaed  in  California.  As  Prof.  Baird  has  already  stated,  it 
is  "  quite  diff'erent  from  any  recognized  American  species  •/' 
and  Mr.  Stejneger  is  of  opinion  that  it  agrees  most  nearly 
with  Lanius  algeriensis,  L.  fallax,  and  L.  uncinatus.  Lanius 
robustus  may  be   therefore  excluded  from  the  American  list. 


452  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

147.  Stejneger  on  a  new  Sparrow. 

[^Passer  saturatus,  a  new  Species  of  Tree-Sparrow  from  the  Liu-kiu 
Islands,  Japan.  By  Leouhard  Stejneger.  Pi-oc.  U.S.  National  Mus. 
1885,  p.  19.] 

Mr.  Stejneger  describes  as  Passer  saturatus  an  insular 
form  of  P.  montanus  from  the  Liu-kiu  (or  Loochoo)  Islands, 
"North  Pacific. 

148.  Taczanoivski  on  Abnormal  Moults. 

[Notice  sur  la  Mue  anormale  de  certains  Oiseaux.  Bull.  Soc.  Zool. 
France,  1884,  p.  303.] 

This  notice  was  elicited  by  a  paper  by  Baron  d'Hamon- 
ville  in  a  former  number  of  the  above  journal,  respecting 
the  simultaneous  shedding  of  the  flight-feathers  in  the  male 
o{  Anas  boscas.  M.  Taczanowski  states  that  not  only  was 
this  supposed  novelty  well  known  to  most  sportsmen,  but  also 
that  it  has  been  observed  in  many  other  members  of  the 
Anatidse,  and  also  in  the  male  of  Tetrao  tetrix. 

149.  Tail  on  Portuguese  Birds. 

[As  Aves  en  rortugal.  By  W.  Tait.  Revista  Soc.  d.  Instruc9ao  do 
Porto,  vol.  iii.  pp.  459,  519,  vol.  iv.  p.  80.] 

This  is  the  excellent  beginning  of  a  work  which  will  pro- 
bably never  be  finished  in  the  language  of  the  country  in 
which  it  was  commenced.  The  Editors  of  the  Eeview  for 
which  the  series  of  articles  was  undertaken  by  our  corre- 
spondent do  not  seem  to  have  appreciated  his  work,  and  have 
delayed  their  issue  so  long  as  to  have  exhausted  his  patience. 
Mr.  Tait  has  therefore  decided  to  publish  his  notes  on  the 
Birds  of  Portugal  in  English,  and  in  the  pages  of  this  .Journal. 
Our  gain  will  be  the  loss  of  Portugal — a  pity,  it  is  true ;  for 
there  is  certainly  no  list  of  birds  so  good,  as  far  as  it  goes, 
in  the  language  of  her  larger  neighbour,  Spain, 

150.  Zeledon  on  the  Birds  of  Costa  Rica. 

[Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Costa  Ilica,  indicating  those  Species  of  which 
the   United  States  National   Museum  possesses    Specimens   from   that 


Letters,  Announcements,  Sfc.  453 

Country.     By  Jos(5  C,  Zeledou,  of  San  Jos6,  Costa  lliea.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat. 
Mus.  1885,  p.  104.] 

Mr.  Zeledon,  the  well-known  naturalist  of  San  Jose,  Costa 
Rica,  during  a  short  residence  at  Washington,  has  revised 
his  former  Catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Costa  Eica,  published  at 
San  Jose  in  1882,  and  added  the  new  species,  the  list  now  con- 
taining the  names  of  692  species,  arranged  according  to  the 
system  emjjloyed  in  the  United  States  National  Museum. 


XLIV. — Letters,  Announcements ,  S^c. 

We  have  received  the  following  letter  addressed   to   the 
Editors  of 'The  Ibis :^  — 

TopclyiFe  Grange,  Farnljorougb,  Kent, 
July  24,  1885. 

Dear  Sirs, — On  the  4th  November  last  the  Rev.  H.  H. 
Slater  exhibited  at  the  Zoological  Society's  Meeting  a  speci- 
men of  the  Barred  Warbler  {Sylvia  nisoria),  shot  by  himself 
on  the  Yorkshire  coast  on  the  28tli  August,  1884,  and  at  the 
same  time  I  exhibited  one  shot  by  Mr.  Power  at  Blakeney, 
in  Norfolk,  on  the  4th  September,  these  being  the  second 
and  third  recorded  occurrences  of  this  Warbler  in  Great 
Britain.  When  exhibiting  the  above  bird^  I  mentioned  that 
Mr.  Shaw,  of  Shrewsbury,  had  written  to  me  to  say  that  a 
young  Orphean  Warbler  shot  at  Broadford,  Skye,  had  been 
sent  to  him  for  preservation,  and  on  my  asking  him  to 
send  it  to  me  for  examination,  as  I  thought  it  might  pos- 
sibly be  a  Barred  Warbler,  had  replied  that  he  was  unable 
to  do  so,  but  that  he  felt  sure  it  was  really  an  Orphean 
Warbler.  Subsequently  I  met  Mr.  Shaw  in  London,  and 
from  his  description  of  the  bird  I  felt  more  and  more  con- 
vinced that  he  was  wrong  in  his  identification,  and  he  kindly 
urged  the  owner  of  the  bird,  Mr.  George  Dunville  Lees,  of 
Woodhill,  Oswestry,  to  let  me  examine  it.  Mr.  Lees  brought 
the  bird  to  me,  and  I  am  now  able  to  state  positively  that  it 
is  an  immature  Barred  Warbler,  closely  resembling  the  bird 
exhibited  by  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Slater.     Mr.  Lees  writes  to  me 

SER.  v. VOL.  ui.  2  I 


454  Letters,  Annuuncements,  i^c. 

as  follows  : — ''On  the  IGtli  August,  1884_,  I  was  out  rabbit- 
shooting  near  Broadford,  in  the  Isle  of  Skye,  when  I  saw  a 
bird  unknown  to  me  flyiug  up  a  ravine,  and  I  followed  it  up 
aud  shot  it.  This  is  the  bird  you  pronounced  to  be  Sylvia 
nisoria.  A  friend  of  mine  had  previously  drawn  my  atten- 
tion (close  to  where  I  shot  the  young  one)  to  the  note  of 
a  bird  which  I  did  not  know/^  From  this  it  would  appear 
that  there  was  in  all  probability  an  adult  Barred  Warbler  at 
Broadford,  besides  the  young  lird  which  Mr.  Lees  obtained. 
Thus  it  seems  not  improbable  that  this  species  may  have  nested 
in  the  Isle  of  Skye  in  1884,  and  that  all  the  above-named 
three  specimens  may  have  belonged  to  the  same  brood. 

When  I  was  working  at  the  '  Birds  of  Europe,'  Major 
Feilden  wrote  to  me  to  say  that  he  had  found  the  Sardinian 
Warbler  {Sylvia  melanocephala)  in  Malta  in  the  summer  of 
1874,  and  had  little  doubt  that  it  remained  to  breed  there. 
This  surmise  is  shown  to  be  correct  by  the  following  extract 
from  a  letter  which  I  have  lately  received  from  Dr.  David 
Bruce,  who  is  now  quartered  at  Malta  : — "  So  far  as  I  am 
aware_,  there  is  no  i*ecord  of  the  nest  of  the  Sardinian  Warbler 
having  been  found  here  [Malta].  This  summer  these  birds 
are  moderately  common^  and  I  have  found  two  nests,  one 
emj)ty,  the  other  with  three  eggs.  To  make  sure  of  the  fact, 
I  shot  the  female  off  the  nest,  and  I  send  you  by  this  post  a 
sketch  of  the  nest  and  eggs.  The  nest  was  placed  in  the  fork 
of  a  carob-tree,  about  four  feet  from  the  ground,  very  loosely 
constructed  of  dry  grasses,  stalks  of  umbelliferous  plants,  and 
lined  with  yellow  fibrous  threads^  of  which  I  enclose  samples, 
and  I  also  enclose  sketch  of  the  male,  as  I  believe  there  has 
been  some  subdivision  of  the  species.  The  only  rare  birds  I 
have  shot  this  spring  are — one  Dartford  Warbler  [Melizophilus 
provincialis) ,  only  once  previously  recorded  by  Schembri ;  one 
Great  White  Heron  {Ardea  alba),  which  was  included  by 
Mr.  C.  A.  Wright  in  his  '  List  of  the  Birds  of  Malta,'  also 
on  Scherabri''s  authority ;  aud  two  Cream-coloured  Coursers 
{Cursorius  gallicus)."  Yours  &c., 

H,  E.  Dresser. 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  455 

Additions  to  the  Bird-collection  of  the  British  Museum  in 
1884. — We  subjoin  the  portion  of  the  Parliamentary  Report 
on  the  British  Museum   for  1884  that  relates   to   the  class 
Aves.     Of  the  3623  specimens  added  to  the  collection  during 
the  year^the  mostimportant  acquisitions  were  the  following: — 
A   series   of  Cormorants  in   different  plumages  from  Corn- 
wall, and  a  similar  series  of  Black  Guillemots  from  Thurso  ; 
presented  by  Dr.  A.  Giinther,  F.R.S.      A  pair  of  Norfolk 
Plovers  with  their  eggs,  and  a  pair  of  White  Wagtails  with 
nest  and  young ;  presented  by  Lord  Walsingham.     A  pair  of 
Woodcocks  with  nest  and  young  ;  presented  by  Lord  Lovat. 
Nests  of  the  Song-Thrush,  Blackbird,  and  Kingfisher,  with 
the  young    and    parent    birds ;    presented    by  T.    Harcourt 
Powell,  Esq.      Two  pairs  of  Dartford  Warblers  with  nests, 
eggs,  and  young ;  presented  by  Colonel  Irby.     Two  pairs  of 
Redshanks  with  nests,  eggs,  and  young ;  presented  by  the 
Rev.  H.  A.  Macpherson.      A  pair  of  the  Meadow-Pipit  and 
Reed-Warbler,  with  nests  and  young;  presented  by  R.  Rowd- 
ier Sharpe,  Esq.     The  specimens  of  Picus  villosus  (an  Ameri- 
can Woodpecker)   shot  near  Whitby  in  1848;  presented  by 
F.  Bond,  Esq.     Forty-one  Wagtails  and  Pipits  from  Norway ; 
presented  by  the  Christiania  Museum.     Sixty-nine  specimens 
(skins  and  eggs)  from  Corsica,  including  the  types  of  Sitta 
whiteheadi ;  presented  by  John  Whitehead,  Esq.      Twenty- 
eight  Wagtails  and  Pipits  from  Italy  ;  presented  by  Professor 
Giglioli.      Seven  hundred  and  seventy-five  specimens  illus- 
trating the  plumages  of  Swallows,  Wagtails,  and  American 
Warblers;    presented  by  R.    Bowdler    Sharpe,  Esq.      One 
hundred  and  nineteen  American  Warblers  {Mniotiltidce)  and 
twenty  Swallows  {Hirundinidce)  ;  presented  by  the  United 
States  National  Museum.     Five  birds,  among  them  the  type 
of  Xema  sahinii ;  presented  by  the  executors  of  the  late  Sir 
Edward  Sabine,  F.R.S.    Twenty-eight  specimens  from  Japan, 
including  the  type  of  Bubo  blakistoni  •  presented  by  Captain 
Blakiston.     Two  hundred  and  fifty-four  skins  of  birds  from 
Nagasaki ;    presented  by  F.  Ringer,  Esq.      Three  hundred 
and  thirty-two  specimens  from  Central  India;  presented  by 
Colonel  Swinhoe.      Ninety  specimens  from  Mysore  and  the 


456  Letters,  Announcements,  H^c. 

Nilgliiri  Hills ;  presented  by  W.  Ruxton  Davison,  Esq. 
Twenty-seven  birds  from  Bourou  and  Amboyna,  including 
four  species  new  to  the  collection,  as  well  as  the  types  of 
Myzomela  wakoloensis ;  collected  by  Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes; 
purchased.  Four  hundred  and  twenty-six  specimens  pre- 
sented by  the  executors  of  the  late  W.  A.  Forbes,  Esq.,  in 
accordance  with  his  request — this  collection  consisting  of 
skins  obtained  by  Mr.  Forbes  on  the  Niger,  and  his  private 
collection  of  Finches  and  Cuckoos.  One  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  specimens  from  the  Niam-Niam  Country,  Central 
Africa,  collected  by  Hr.  F.  Bohndorff,  containing  six  species 
new  to  science  and  ten  new  to  the  collection ;  purchased. 
Sixty-four  specimens  from  the  Zambesi,  including  a  specimen 
of  Psalidoprocne  antino7'ii ;  presented  by  Sir  John  Kirk, 
K.C.M.G.  Nineteen  specimens  from  Ashantee,  including 
the  type  of  Laniarius  laydeni ;  presented  by  Godfrey  Lagden, 
Esq.  The  type  of  Gecinus  iveberi,  and  examples  of  two  rare 
Plantain-eaters  [Schizorhis  teopoldi  and  Corythaix  fischei'i)  ; 
purchased.  Eight  specimens  from  Aden ;  presented  by  Major 
Yerbury,  R.A.  Three  rare  Warblers  from  Jamaica,  one 
[Helminthotherus  sivainsoni)  being  new  to  the  collection  ; 
presented  by  Edward  Newton,  Esq.,  C.M.G.  Twelve  speci- 
mens from  the  Solomon  Islands,  of  which  six  belong  to 
species  not  before  represented  in  the  Museum;  purchased. 


The  Hume  Collection  of  Indian  Birds. — Mr.  R.  Bowdler 
Sharpe,  whose  departure  was  announced  in  our  last  Number, 
has  returned  to  London,  after  having  packed  and  despatched 
from  Simla  the  whole  of  the  large  collections  presented  to 
the  British  nation  by  Mr.  A.  O.  Hume,  C.B.  Ornithologists 
are  considerably  indebted  to  Mr.  Sharpe  for  disregarding 
his  personal  convenience  and  undertaking  a  journey  to  India 
in  the  hot  season,  for  the  purpose  of  packing  the  collection 
and  shipping  it  to  England  before  the  rains  commenced. 
Mr.  Hume^s  many  engagements  had  prevented  him  from 
personally  superintending  the  packing  of  the  cases,  and  the 
time  which  had  elapsed  (nearly  two  years)  since  the  collec- 
tion was  oflered  to  the  British  Museum  had  naturally  ex- 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  457 

posed  it  to  great  risk  of  destruction  from  moth  and  damp. 
It  was^  in  fact,  an  intimation  from  Mr.  Hume  that  several 
thousands  of  birds  had  ah'eady  been  eaten  by  insects  that 
induced  Mr.  Sharpe  to  volunteer  to  go  to  India  at  once  and 
pack  the  collection  before  another  rainy  season  commenced 
and  further  damage  ensued.  He  reached  Simla  on  the  19th 
of  May,  having  started  on  the  24th  of  April  from  London, 
and  on  his  return  .  arrived  at  Plymouth  on  the  10th  of 
August,  having  completed  his  task  in  less  than  four  months. 
Altogether  the  collection  consists  of  63,000  birds,  500  nests, 
18,500  eggs,  besides  400  skins  of  Mammalia. 

Mr.  Sharpe  wrote  to  us  more  than  once  during  the  pro- 
gress of  his  work,  and  the  following  account  of  Mr.  Hume^s 
museum  may  interest  our  readers  : — "  I  arrived  at  Rothney 
Castle  about  10  a.m.  on  the  19th  of  May,  and  was  warmly 
welcomed  by  Mr.  Hume3  who  lives  in  a  most  picturesque 
situation  high  up  on  Jakko,  the  house  being  about  7800  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea.  From  my  bedroom  window 
I  had  a  fine  view  of  the  snowy  range.  Although  somewhat 
tired  with  my  jolt  in  the  tonga  from  Solun,  I  gladly  ac- 
companied Mr.  Hume  at  once  into  the  museum,  for  I  was 
only  too  glad  to  find  some  work  to  do  after  my  month^s 
enforced  idleness  during  the  voyage.  I  had  heard  so  much 
from  my  friends,  who  knew  the  collection  intimately,  such 
as  Mr.  Davison,  Capt.  Bingham,  and  others,  that  I  was  not 
so  much  surprised  when  at  last  I  stood  in  the  celebrated  mu- 
seum and  gazed  at  the  dozens  upon  dozens  of  tin  cases  which 
filled  the  room.  Before  the  landslip  occurred,  which  carried 
away  one  end  of  the  museum,  it  must  have  been  an  admirably 
arranged  building,  quite  three  times  as  large  as  our  meeting- 
room  at  the  Zoological  Society,  and,  of  course,  much  more 
lofty.  Throughout  this  large  room  went  three  rows  of  table- 
cases  with  glass  tops,  in  which  were  arranged  a  series  of  the 
birds  of  India  sufficient  for  the  identification  of  each  species, 
while  underneath  these  table-cases  were  enormous  cabinets 
made  of  tin,  with  trays  inside,  containing  series  of  the  birds 
represented  in  the  table-cases  above.  All  the  specimens 
were  carefully  done  up  in  brown-paper  cases,  each  labelled 


458  Letters,  Announcements ,  6fc. 

outside  with  full  particulars  of  the  specimen  within.     Fancy 
the  labour  this  represents  with  60,000  specimens  !     The  tin 
cabinets  were  all  of  materials  of  the  best  quality^  specially 
ordered  from  England,  and  put  together  by  the  best  Calcutta 
workmen.     At  each  end  of  the  room  were  racks  reaching  up 
to  the  ceiling,  and  containing  immense  tin  cases  full  of  birds. 
As  one  of  these  racks  had  to  be  taken  down  during  the  repairs 
of  the  north  end  of  the  museum,  the  entire  space  between 
the  table-cases  was  taken  up  by  the  tin  cases  formerly  housed 
in  it,  so  that  there  was  literally  no  space  to  walk  between 
the  rows.     On  the  western  side  of  the  museum  was  the 
library,  reached  by  a  descent  of  three  steps — a  cheerful  room, 
furnished  with  large  tables,  and  containing,  besides  the  egg- 
cabinets,  a  well-chosen  set  of  working  volumes.     One  ceases 
to  wonder  at  the  amount  of  work  its  owner  got   through 
when  the  excellent  plan  of  his  museum  is  considered.     In  a 
few  minutes  an  immense  series  of  specimens  could  be  spread 
out  on  the  tables,  while  all  the  books  were  at  hand  for  imme- 
diate reference.     It  did  not  take  me  many  hours  to  find  out 
that  Mr.  Hume  was  a  naturalist  of  no  ordinary  calibre,  and 
this  great  collection  will  remain  a  monument  of  the  genius 
and  energy  of  its  founder  long  after  he   who  formed  it  has 
passed  away.     After  explaining  to  me  the  contents  of  the 
museum  itself,  we  went  below  into  the  basement,  which  con- 
sisted of  eight  great  rooms,  six  of  them  full,  from  floor  to 
ceiling,  of  cases  of  birds,  while  at  the  back  of  the  house  two 
large  verandahs  were  piled  high  with  cases  full  of  large  birds, 
such  as  Pelicans,  Cranes,  Vultures,  &c.     An  inspection  of  a 
great    cabinet  containing   a  further   series   of  about  5000 
eggs  completed  our  survey :  Mr.  Hume  gave  me  the  keys  of 
the  museum,  and  I  was  free  to  commence  my  task  at  once. 
In  anticipation    of  being  able  to  pack  the  collection  him- 
self, Mr.  Hume  had  engaged  a  staff  of  carpenters,  and  had 
ready  twenty-six  wooden  cases  made  for  as  many  tin  cabinets, 
which,  it  was  hoped,  would  convey  the  collection  to  England. 
I  thought,  for  the  first  few  days,  that  this  number  would 
have  sufficed ;  but  as  the  great  boxes  were  brought  up  from 
below,  and  their  contents  packed  in  the  museum,  it  became 


Letters,  Announcements,  6fc.  459 

evident  that  more  would  be  required,  and  ultimately  the  birds 
and  mammals  occupied  forty-seven  huge  cases,  weighing,  I 
suppose,  on  an  average,  nearly  half  a  ton  apiece.  The  out- 
side cases  were  of  great  strength,  all  dove-tailed  and  screwed. 
Not  a  nail  was  used,  even  the  iron  bands  being  screwed  on ; 
and  to  the  care  with  which  Mr.  Hume  designed  the  con- 
struction of  the  wooden  cases,  all  of  the  best  deodar  wood, 
I  attribute  the  safe  carriage  of  the  collection  to  England. 
At  first  it  was  difficult  to  find  space  to  pack  a  single  box,  but 
as  the  room  began  to  be  cleared  the  work  proceeded  rapidly. 
Through  Mr.' Hume's  influence,  the  Public  Works  Depart- 
ment lent  me  the  services  of  Babu  Kumud  Chundra  Mu- 
kerjee,  who  turned  out  a  most  useful  and  intelligent  help  to 
me  (for  I  was  at  first  somewhat  put  out  by  my  absolute 
ignorance  of  Hindustani),  as  my  foreman  (Narain  Singh  by 
name)  and  the  thirty  Sikh  carpenters  under  him  could  not 
understand  a  word  of  English.  In  a  very  few  days,  how- 
ever, I  had  caught  up  enough  Hindustani  to  give  direc- 
tions to  my  staff";  and  should  I  ever  desire  to  emulate  the 
immortal  author  of  '  English  as  she  is  spoke,'  and  rush  into 
print  with  a  similar  work  for  the  benefit  of  ''  studious 
English  youth  "  in  India,  I  should  at  least  be  able  to  supply 
a  useful  chapter  "  For  to  pack  a  box.''  Of  course,  after  the 
arrival  of  the  Babu,  which  was  delayed  for  some  days,  I  had 
no  difficulty. 

"  The  weather  was  intensely  hot  for  the  greater  part  of  my 
stay  in  Simla,  and  I  worked  mostly  in  my  shirt-sleeves,  for 
I  superintended  the  despatch  of  every  box  and  packed  all 
the  bird-skins  and  the  bulk  of  the  eggs  with  my  own  hands. 
I  therefore  had  no  leisure  to  examine  any  of  the  specimens, 
and  I  do  not  suppose  that  I  looked  at  fifty  birds  during  the 
whole  time  I  was  at  Simla.  Of  course,  in  cases  where  moths 
had  commenced  an  inroad,  I  had  to  examine  a  good  many 
skins  to  find  out  the  extent  of  the  damage;  but  in  most 
instances  the  attacks  had  only  been  made  on  single  speci- 
mens. Had  the  collection  remained  much  longer,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  serious  damage  would  have  been 
done;  for  in  some  boxes  the  cocoons  were  suspended  round 


4G0  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

the  interiors  in  hundreds,  and  there  was  a  sufficient  supply  of 
them  to  have  swept  away  the  whole  collection  in  a  few  months. 
Luckily  the  excellence  of  Mr.  Hume^s  cabinets  had  defied  so 
far  the  ravages  of  insects  on  the  principal  series.  By  dint 
of  Avork  from  six  in  the  morning  till  sunset,  the  birds  were 
packed  and  despatched  in  about  three  weeks,  and,  thanks 
to  the  assistance  received  from  Mr.  Higgins,  the  post- 
master at  Simla,  and  the  post-master  at  Umballa,  they  were 
rapidly  sent  ofl'  to  Bombay  and  shipped  to  England.  I  have 
also  to  acknowledge  the  help  which  was  rendered  to  me  by 
the  station-masters  at  Umballa,  Delhi,  and  again  at  Sabar- 
mati,  at  all  of  which  stations  the  cases  had  to  be  transferred 
to  fresh  lines  for  conveyance.  In  fact,  every  one  interested 
themselves  in  the  work ;  and  Mr.  Duxbury,  the  able  traftic- 
manager  of  the  Bombay,  Baroda,  and  Central  India  Railway, 
was  particularly  obliging  in  procuring  the  rapid  despatch  of 
the  cases,  so  that  all  were  delivered  in  good  order  to  the 
P.  &  O.  Co.  at  Bombay,  and  were  by  them  sent  to  England 
with  great  care  and  rapidity.  It  so  came  to  pass  that,  when 
I  reached  the  Natural  History  Museum  myself,  forty  of  the 
cases  had  already  been  delivered.  Thirty-eight  I  brought  on 
board  the  '  Ballarat '  with  me,  and  the  last  two  cases  followed 
in  about  ten  days.  Thus  within  four  months  from  my 
leaving  the  Museum  I  had  the  gratification  of  finding  the 
whole  of  this  most  valuable  collection  safely  landed  within 
its  walls. 

"The  packing  of  the  18,500  eggs  proved  a  long  and  tedi- 
ous aftair.  They  were  first  separately  rolled  up  in  wool  and 
arranged  in  small  boxes.  These  were  afterwards  care- 
fully packed  and  padded  in  large  cases.  So  far  as  I  can 
see,  they  have  all  arrived  in  good  condition.  Of  course, 
when  once  delivered  at  the  railway,  the  risk  of  damage  to  the 
cases  Avas  greatly  diminished ;  but  before  reaching  the  train 
at  Umballa  there  was  the  task  of  getting  them  down  the 
mountains,  and  the  Bullock-train  office  at  Simla  was  at  a 
distance  of  a  mile  from  Mr.  Hume's  house.  My  staff  of 
coolies  proved  insufficient  for  the  task  of  lowering  the  heavy 
weights  down  the  trap-door  of  Mr.  Hume's  museum,  and  I 


Letters,  Announcements,  i^c.  461 

engaged  some  more  of  these  worthies ;  but  as  they  only 
managed  to  carry  two  cases  down  the  mountain  in  a  day^  and 
further  distinguished  themselves  by  dropping  a  case  some 
eight  or  ten  feet,  I  applied  to  Mr.  Higgins  at  the  Simla  post- 
office,  who  despatched  some  of  the  men  employed  by  him  to 
my  assistance.  These  were  sturdy  fellows  from  Nahun,  who 
come  to  Simla  during  the  season  and  earn  a  living  as  carriers. 
I  was  assured  by  the  Babu,  and  can  quite  believe  it,  that  they 
often  carry  on  their  backs  three  maunds  (  =  340  lbs.),  and  this 
on  a  hill-road.  Anyhow,  they  soon  managed  the  portage  of 
the  cases,  sixteen  of  them  working  in  a  gang  (eight  for  carry- 
ing and  eight  for  a  relay),  and  they  would  sometimes  convey 
as  many  as  six  in  a  morning  down  the  steep  descent  from 
Mr.  Hume's  house  to  the  Bullock-train  office.  Thence  the 
boxes  were  despatched  along  the  narrow  road  on  the  side  of 
the  mountains  which  connect  Simla  with  Kalka,  and  so  on  to 
Umballa  along  a  flatter  and  more  level  road,  this  portion 
of  the  journey  occupying  about  two  and  a  half  days. 

"These  details  may  seem  trivial,  but  I  think  that  some 
interest  attaches  to  the  despatch  of  the  collection  and  its 
departure  from  the  home  which  it  adorned  so  long ;  and 
I  trust  that  my  few  notes  will  have  given  some  idea  of 
the  energy  and  prowess  which  Mr.  Hume  displayed  in  the 
formation  and  management  of  such  a  museum.  Before  my 
arrival  he  had  been  obliged  to  destroy  a  number  of  specimens 
which  had  been  eaten  by  Bermestes ,  and  he  believes  that  at 
least  20,000  skins  were  lost  in  this  way.  As  I  said  before, 
however,  the  principal  series,  amongst  which  are  the  types, 
appears  to  be  nearly  intact,  and  the  losses  are  nearly  con- 
fined to  the  Ceylonese  birds  and  to  Mr.  Chiirs  Oude  collection; 
but  a  large  number  of  skins  of  Turdidse  and  Sylviidae  also 
perished. 

'^  Besides  the  collections  made  by  Mr.  Hume  himself  in  the 
North-west  Provinces,  Scinde,  and  other  parts  of  India,  there 
are  the  immense  series  procured  by  Mr.  Davison  in  Tenas- 
serim  and  the  Malay  Peninsula,  as  well  as  in  Southern  India^ 
the  Andamans,  and  the  Nicobars ;  a  splendid  series  of  skins 
collected  in  Munipur  by  Mr.  Hume  himself;   and  large  selec- 

SER.  V. VOL.  III.  2  k 


462  Letters,  Announcements,  &^c. 

tions  from  the  collections  of  Mr.  Brooks,  Major  Butler,  Mr. 
Gates,  Capt.  Bingham,  and  others  of  the  band  of  workers 
who  contributed  by  their  labours  to  the  publication  of  the 
eleven  volumes  of  'Stray  Feathers.''  Then  there  is  the  fine 
collection  of  Darjeeling  birds  made  by  the  late  Mr.  Man- 
delli,  besides  hundreds  of  other  interesting  specimens  from 
all  parts  of  the  British  Asian  Empire.  The  richness  of  the 
efifff-collection  is  well  known  from  Mr.  Hume's  notes  on 
the  'Nests  and  Eggs  ot  Indian  Birds,'  while  the  number  of 
specimens  speaks  volumes  for  its  extent  and  value. 

"  It  is  not  too  much  to  affirm  that  such  a  private  collection 
as  Mr.  Hume's  is  not  likely  to  be  formed  again ;  for  it  is 
doubtful  if  such  a  combination  of  genius  for  organization 
with  energy  for  the  completion  of  so  great  a  scheme,  and 
the  scientific  knowledge  requisite  for  its  proper  development, 
will  again  be  combined  in  a  single  individual, 

"  I  have  now  explained  how  the  Hume  collection  was  packed 
with  all  speed  to  get  it  out  of  India  into  England,  where 
moth  and  rust  do  corrupt,  it  is  true,  but  not  with  such 
rapidity  as  in  the  moist  climate  of  Simla  during  the^rains. 
Time  did  not  allow  of  sorting  specimens,  or  of  packing 
them  in  any  order  of  classification,  and  therefore  the  whole 
work  of  rearranging  the  collection  will  have  to  be  done  in 
England.  I  shall  do  my  best  to  get  through  this  as  speedily 
as  possible,  in  order  that  Mr.  Hume's  princely  donation 
may  be  rendered  available  for  the  purposes  of  science. 
The  arrangement  will  doubtless  be  facilitated  by  the  care 
with  which  the  specimens  are  labelled ;  but  still  it  is  best 
to  recognize  the  fact  that  its  incorporation  in  the  general 
collection  of  birds  at  the  Natural  History  Museum  must  be 
a  work  of  some  years. 


The  Development  of  the  Avla?i  Sternum. — A  remarkable 
memoir  on  the  development  of  the  sternum  in  Birds,  prepared 
by  Miss  Beatrice  Lindsay,  of  Girton  College,  and  communi- 
cated to  the  Zoological  Society  of  London  by  Dr.  H,  Gadow 
at  their  meeting  on  June  16th  last,  will  appear  in  the  forth- 
coming number  of  the  Society's  '  Proceedings.'    Miss  Lindsay, 


Letters,  Announcements,  S^c.  4G3 

after  close  investigation  of  the  embryonic  condition  of  different 
stages  in  five  types  of  bird-structure  (the  Ostrich,  Guillemot, 
Gull,  Domestic  Fowl,  and  Gannet),  has  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  keel  of  Carinate  Birds  is  a  special  outgrowth 
of  the  true  sternum  peculiar  to  Birds,  and  not  homologous 
with  the  episternum  or  interclavicle  of  Reptiles,  as  has  been 
held  by  Gotte  and  others.  According  to  Miss  Lindsay's  ob- 
servations, there  are  no  traces  whatever  in  the  embryonic 
stages  of  the  Ostrich  of  the  existence  of  any  rudiments  of  the 
clavicles  or  keel.  If  this  be  the  case,  it  follows  that  the  view 
held  by  some  Morphologists  that  the  Ostrich  may  be  a  de- 
graded descendant  of  some  Carinate  form  can  no  longer  be 
supported.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  Miss  Lindsay  may  be 
induced  to  continue  her  investigations  on  the  other  existing 
forms  of  Batite  Birds,  so  as  to  settle,  if  possible,  the  vexed 
question  as  to  the  unity  of  this  group. 


Mure  Neivs  of  Dr.  0.  F'msch. — In  April  last  Dr.  Finsch  was 
at  Mioko,  Duke  of  York  Islands,  whence  he  sends  us  descrip- 
tions of  two  new  birds  from  New  Ireland,  which  will  appear 
in  our  next  Number.  Dr.  Finsch  speaks  of  the  extraordinary 
form  of  the  trachea  in  Matiucodia  comrii,  which  he  had  met 
with  in  the  D^Entrecastaux  group  of  islands.  Nothing,  he 
says,  can  exceed  the  beauty  of  this  bird  when  fresh.  Un- 
fortunately Dr.  Finsch  had  no  collector  with  him,  and  having 
much  work  in  other  ways,  he  has  been  unable  to  make  a  large 
collection ;  but,  as  we  all  know,  he  is  well  acquainted  with 
the  Papuan  avifauna,  and  he  never  fails  to  record  his  orni- 
thological observations  in  his  diary. 


Habits  of  Raggi's  Paradise-bird. — So  little  is  known  of 
the  habits  of  the  Paradiseidae  that  the  following  account  of 
Paradisea  raggiana,  extracted  from  '  Work  and  Adven- 
ture in  New  Guinea,'  by  Messrs.  Chalmers  and  Wyatt,  will 
be  of  interest : — "  One  morning  we  had  camped  on  a  spur 
of  the  Owen  Stanley  Range,  and  being  up  early,  to  enjoy  the 
cool  atmosphere,  I  saw  on  one  of  the  clumps  of  trees  close  by 
six  Birds   of  Paradise,  four  cocks  and  two  hens.     The  hens 

2k  2 


464  Letters,  Announcements,  &;c. 

were  sitting  quietly  on  a  branch,  and  the  four  cocks,  dressed 
in  their  very  best,  tlieir  ruffs  of  green  and  yellow  standing 
out,  giving  them  a  large  handsome  appearance  about  the 
head  and  neck,  their  long  flowing  plumes  so  arranged  that 
every  feather  seemed  carefully  combed,  out,  and  the  long 
wires  stretched  well  out  behind,  were  dancing  in  a  circle 
round  them.  It  was  an  interesting  sight ;  first  one,  then 
another  would  advance  a  little  nearer  to  a  hen,  and  she, 
coquette-like,  would  retire  a  little,  pretending  not  to  care 
for  any  advances.  A  shot  was  fired,  contrary  to  my  ex- 
pressed wish ;  there  was  a  strange  commotion,  and  two  of 
the  cocks  flew  away,  the  others  and  the  hens  remained.  Soon 
tlie  two  returned,  and  again  the  dance  began  and  continued 
long.  As  I  had  strictly  forbidden  any  more  shooting,  all 
fear  was  gone ;  and  so,  after  a  rest,  the  males  came  a  little 
nearer  to  the  dark  brown  and  certainly  not  pretty  hens. 
Quarrelling  ensued,  and  in  the  end  all  six  birds  flew  away. 

"  Passing  through  a  forest  at  the  back  of  the  Astrolabe,  I 
saw  several  more  engaged  as  above ;  our  approach  startled 
them,  and  away  they  flew. 

"  Anxious  to  taste  the  flesh,  I  had  one  cooked  after  being 
skini7ed  ;  but,  although  boiled  for  several  hours,  it  was  as 
tough  as  leather,  and  the  soup  not  much  to  our  taste.  For- 
tunately we  had  other  things  for  dinner,  so  put  the  paradise- 
dish  aside. •'^ 


Recent  Appointments  in  the  United  States. — We  have  much 
pleasure  in  announcing  that  Mr.  William  Brewster,  of  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  has  been  appointed  to  succeed  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen 
in  the  care  of  the  ornithological  collections  of  the  Museum 
of  Comparative  Zoology  at  Cambridge  ;  also  that,  a  branch  of 
"  Economic  Ornithology  "  having  been  established  under  the 
Division  of  Entomology  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
in  the  U.S.  Government,  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam  has  been 
selected  as  Ornithological  Agent  to  take  charge  of  this  work. 
Dr.  Merriam^s  headquarters  will  be  the  "U.S.  Department 
of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.C.^' 


1 1\  1)  E  X. 


Acantbylis  coUaris,  437. 
Accentor  atrogularis,  356. 

erjthropygius,  107. 

fulvescens,  356. 

modularis,  35. 

ocularis,  112. 

Accipiter  nisus,  25,  56, 

248,  359. 

variegatiis,  56. 

Acredula  caudata,  326. 

•  irbii,  35. 

rosea,  326. 

tephronota.  111. 

,  var.  major, 

111. 
Acridotheres  ginginianiis, 

128. 

tristis,  128. 

Acrocephalus  bseticatus, 

344. 

bistrigiceps,  388. 

dybowskii,  112. 

stentoreus,  125. 

turdoides,  35. 

Acryllium  vulturiniini, 

414. 
Aedon  leucoptera,  406. 
iEgialitis  bicincta,  270. 

cautiana,  41,  132. 

curoniea,  42. 

- — —  dubia,  132. 

hiaticula,  178. 

miniita,  132. 

trieollaris,  417. 

^Egithalus  ealotropiphi- 

lus,  322. 
^gitbina  tiphia,  68. 

zeylonica,  68. 

jEx  galericulata,  326. 

sponsa,  326. 

AgeliBus  imfcburni,  218. 
Aglaia  nigrocincta,  210. 
Agrodroma  catupe.stris, 

127. 


Agrodroma  jerdoni,  127- 
Agyrlria  bartletti,  317. 

— bre-virostris,  436. 

fliiviatilis,  317. 

leueogaster,  435. 

taczanowskii,  317. 

tobaci,  435. 

Alauda  arborea,  40. 

arvensis,  40, 83, 246. 

cristata,  246. 

duleivox,  389. 

gulgula,  130,  389. 

guttata,  389. 

raytal,  130. 

riifa,  202. 

Aland ula  leucophfea,  354. 
Alca  impennis,  90,  223, 

225,  318. 

torda,  90,  255. 

troile  arra,  364. 

Alcedo  beugalensis,  61. 

ispida,  27,  247. 

seraicrerulea,  395. 

Alectorurus  guiru-yetapa, 

279. 
Alseonax  latirostris,  67. 
Aluco  flam  mens,  80. 
Amadina  malabariea, 

129. 
Amazilia  ciipreicauda, 

435. 
Amblyornis  subalaris, 

115. 
Amblystoma  tigrimim, 

316. 
Aramomanes  phoenicura, 

129. 
Ampelis  ccerulea,  304. 
— —  carnifex,  304. 

cay  an  a,  305. 

ciuerea,  302. 

cotinga,  304. 

fusca,  305. 

bypopyrrha,  303. 


Ampelis  iiivea,  306. 

pampadora,  305. 

tersa,  207. 

variegatus,  306. 

Anabates  cristatus,  283. 

erytlirocercus,  420. 

lophotes,  283. 

ochroia'iuLis,  420. 

jjyrr bodes,  420. 

sclateri,  420. 

turdiiius,  420. 

unirufus,  283. 

Anabazenops  ruficollis, 

234. 
Aiiieretes  nigricristatus, 

234. 
Anas  boscas,  45,  137,  250, 

452. 
caryoiihyllacea, 

137. 
erythrorbynclia, 

415. 

penelope,  358. 

• pcejilorbyncha,  137. 

sponsa,  326. 

strepera,  357. 

viduata,  414. 

Aiiastomus  oscitans,  136. 
Anorthura  pallescens, 

112. 
Anous  cinereus,  265. 
melanogenys,  264, 

265,  266. 

stolidus,  264. 

Anser,  sp.  inc.,  45. 

cinereus,  136. 

ferus,  88. 

hutchinsi,  449. 

• iudicus.  111. 

■  leucopareius,  448, 

449. 
Anthochfera  carunculata, 

99. 
Anthus  antarcticus,  320. 


466 


INDEX. 


Anthus  arboreus,  1G7. 

campestris,  36,  244. 

cervinu'^,  ItiS,  182. 

correndera,  277. 

" japoniciis,  112. 

nattereri,  .324. 

obscurus,  36,  83. 

pratensis,  36,  83, 

244. 

rufus,  202. 

sjjinoletta,  354. 

stejnegeri,  112. 

trivialis,  36,  127. 

Antrostomus  nigrescens, 

438,  439. 

whitelji,  438. 

Amimbius  acuticaiidatus, 

281. 
Aploiius  fuscus,  270. 
Aptenodjtes  pennanti, 

10.3. 
Aquila  cbi-ysaetus,  24. 

clauga,  56,  382. 

fulvescens,  382,  386. 

rapas,  386. 

viudbiaiia,  57,  386. 

Arbelorhina  CiTrulea,  207. 

cyanea,  207. 

Ardea  alba,  454. 

bubulcus,  250. 

cinerea,  43,  84,  135, 

250,  361. 

egretta,  282. 

garzetta,  44,  250. 

purpurea,  44,  135. 

ralloides,  44. 

Ardeola  grayii,  136. 
Argya  aylmeri,  390,  404. 

inalcolmi.  67. 

Arremon  personatus,  212. 

sileus,  212. 

Ariiudiuicola  leucoce- 

phala,  291. 
Asio  accipitrinus,  258. 

brachj'otus,  26. 

capensia,  247. 

otus,  26,  194,  241, 

247,  258. 
Astiu*  badius,  56. 
Asturina  ruficauda,  193. 
Ateloiuis  crossleyi,  101. 

pittoides,  101. 

Athene  glaux,  392. 

meridionalis,  260. 

noctua,  247,  259, 

260. 

orientalis,  260. 

Atraphornis  aralensis, 

354. 
Atticora  cyanoleuca,  206. 


Atticora  fasciata,  205, 206. 

•  fucata,  206. 

luelanoleuca,  206. 

Attila,  sp.,  191. 

brasiliensis,  303. 

cinereus,  290. 

citreopygius   191. 

— —  cozumehv,  .321. 

griseigularis,  290. 

•  spadaceus,  304. 

spodiostethus,  304. 

thamnopbiloides, 

304. 

uropygialis,  304. 

Aulia  bypopyrrba,  303. 

sibilatrix,  303. 

Autornolus  sclateri,  420. 
Avocettula  recurvirostris, 

433. 

Ba.sileuterus  aurieapillus, 

203. 

auricularis,  324. 

boliviaims,  324. 

uieridanus,  324. 

mesoleucus,  203. 

•  roraima?,  20.3,  324. 

veragueusis,  324, 

verinivorus,  203. 

Batbiuidurus  niger,  302. 
Baza  ceylonensis,  362. 
Bernicla  canadensis  leu- 

copareia,  449. 

poliocepbala,  229. 

Betbyhis  media,  213, 
Bolborbvncbus  mona- 

chus,  282. 
Bonasa  bouasia,  .50. 
Botaurus  stellaris,  44, 250. 
Bracbypternus  aurantius, 

62. 

badius,  12,  14. 

—  fokiensis,  12,  14. 

Bracliypteryx  salacensis, 

327. 
Buarremon  albiceps,  234, 

275. 

capitalis,  227. 

■  flavo-virens,  274. 

nationi,  275. 


pallidinuchus 


275. 


personatus,  212. 

sordidus,  275. 

tibialis,  227. 

Bubo  ascalaphus,  262. 

bengalensis,  58. 

blakistoui,  455. 

coromandus,  58. 

lacteus,  392. 

macules  us,  22. 


Bubo  maximus,  262. 
,  Yar.  sibirica, 

262. 
turcomanus,  262, 

263. 
Bubulcus  coromandus, 

136. 
Bucanetes  mongolieus, 

353. 
Buceros  galeatus,  444. 

leuoopygius,  315. 

uasutus,  31.5. 

,  var.  dubia,  315. 

subcylindricus,  315. 

subquadratus,  315. 

Buchanga  as^irailis,  401. 
atra,  66. 

Cffirulescens,  66. 

longicaudata,  66. 

Bucorax  abyssinicus,  116. 

pyrrhops,  116. 

Budytes  melanocepbalus, 

112. 
Bupliaga  erytbrorbvncba, 

410. 

babessinica,  410. 

Burnesia  socialis  stewarti, 

126. 
Butastur  teesa,  57. 
Buteo  augur,  391. 

• bracbyurus,  450. 

deiertorum,  248. 

I'erox,  57. 

— —  fuligiuosus,  450. 

bydropliilus,  391. 

lagopus,  162. 

liueatus,  448. 

• — alleni,  448. 

oxypterus,  448,  450. 

•  solitarius,  450. 

swainsoni,  450. 

,  var.  oxypterus, 

450. 

tacbardus.  111. 

— '■ -,  var.  fusco- 

ater,  111. 

-,  var.  rufus.  111. 

vulgaris,  25. 

Butorides  javanica,  136. 
scbrencki,  224. 

Caeatua  ducorpsi,  316. 

gymnopis,  316. 

Oaccabis  peti-osa,  251. 

—  rufa,  41. 
Cactornis  inornata,  324. 
Calandrella    braebydac- 

tyla,  40,  130,  246. 
Calliplilox     ametbvstina, 
434. 


INDEX. 


467 


Calliste  eayana,  209. 

■ flaviveiitris,  210. 

guttata,  209. 

gyrola,  209. 

nigridncta.,  210. 

puucta-ta,  209. 

tatao,  209. 

whitelyi.  210. 

xantliogaster,  209. 

Callospiza  eayana,  209. 

gyrola,  209. 

mexicaiia,  210. 

punctata,  209. 

tatao,  209. 

Calyptopliilus  frugivorus, 

99. 
Calvptrophorus     gularis, 

216. 
Campepliaga  cana,  101. 
Canipelhera      crawi'urdi, 

149. 

liodgei,  142. 

— — -  liodgsonii,  151. 

javensis.  146. 

Oampotliera  nubica,  393, 

394. 
Campvlopterus     hypery- 

thriis,  432. 

largipennis,  432. 

phainopeplus,  316. 

Campylorhyuchus     bi- 

color,  199. 

griseus,  199. 

Cancromacochlearia,  186, 

450. 

zeledoni,  460. 

Caprimulgus     albicoUis, 

439. 

asiaticuB,  60. 

cayennensis,  439. 

decussatus,  439. 

europseus,  27. 

frsenatus,  232. 

grandis,  437. 

jamaicensis,  438. 

jotaka,  194. 

longicaudatus,  437. 

nacunda,  438. 

nigresceus,  438. 

semitorquatus,  438. 

Carbo  capiUatus,  270. 

cormoranus,  270. 

bicristatus,  270. 

filamentosus,  270. 

Cardinalis  saturatus,  321. 
Carduelis  elegans,  38, 245. 
Carine  brama,  59. 

glaux,  392. 

Carpodaons    ervtb rinus, 
129. 


Carpodacus  rhodoehla- 

mys,  353. 

rubicilla,  353. 

rubicillus.  111. 

Carpophaga  finscbi,  227. 

rubicera,  31(5. 

Casarca  cana,  350. 
Cassicus  afHnis,  218. 

albirostris,  218. 

cristatus,  217. 

hffiuiorrhoiis,  218. 

persicais,  217. 

Cassidix  oryzivora,  219. 
Catamenia,  sp.,  -16. 

honioclu'oa,  216. 

Oathartps     burro  vianus. 

448,  450. 

urubitinga,  450. 

Ceeropis  japoniea,  194. 
Centrococcyx    ruQpeauis, 

64. 
Centropus    suporciiiosus, 

400. 

tolou,  101. 

Centurus    aurifrons    du- 

bius,  192. 
dubius,    186,    192, 

322. 

leei,  321,  322. 

rubriyentris,     186, 

192. 
—  —  santacruzi,  192. 
Oephalopterus    ornatu3, 

306. 
Cepphus  carbo,  117. 

grylle,  117. 

niandti,  117. 

motzfeldi,  117. 

Cerchneis     tinnunculus, 

56,  392. 
Cercoraacra  atrotliorax, 

428. 

cinerascens,  426. 

tyrannina,  427. 

Cercomela  fusca,  125. 
Certhia  casrulea,  207. 

cinnamomoa,  419. 

cyanea,  207. 

familian's.  31 . 

spiza,  206, 

Certliiola    bahamensis, 

189. 

caboti,  185,  189. 

cbloropyga,  207. 

•  dominicana,  449. 

finschi,  449. 

flaveola,  207. 

martinicaua,  449. 

sancti-thomai,  449. 

sundevalli,  449. 


Certliiola  tricolor,  114. 

Ceryle  alcyon,  325. 

maxima,  343. 

rudis,  61. 

Cettia  p;illidipes,  389. 

fortipes,  388 

■  .sericea,  35,  243. 

squamieep.s,  389. 

Ceuthiijochares    iiitermo- 
dius,  116. 

Cha^tura    brunneitorques, 
4.37. 

cinereiventris,  437- 

rutila,  437. 

spinicauda,  437. 

— —  yucatanica   317. 

zonaris,    20,    436, 

437. 

Ohalcophaupa    jamai- 
censis, 219. 

minor,  219. 

Chalcopsittacus     duiveu- 

bodei,  104. 
Clianuiiza  fulvescens,  429. 
Cliaradrius  apricarius,  97. 

coronatus,  417. 

fulvus,  114,  132. 

gallicus,  415. 

pluvialis,    41,    85, 

252. 

tricoUaris,  417. 

Charmosyna    margarita;, 

228. 
Chasiempis  dimidiata,  19. 

sandwichensis,    18, 

19. 

sclateri,  17,  18,  19. 

Chasmorhyncbus     carua- 

culatus,  306. 

niveuB,  306. 

variegatus,  306. 

Cliatarrhcea  eaudata,  63. 

68. 
Chanlelagnuis    streperus, 

45,  137. 
Chelidon  urbica,  27,  175. 
Chera  progne,  345. 
Chettusia  ciuerea,  132. 

coronata,  417. 

villotsei,  132. 

Chionis  alba,  320. 
— —  minor,  320. 
Chiromacbteris  man^cus, 

301. 
Chiroxiphia  eaudata,  300. 

linearis,  1 10. 

longicauda.  301. 

pareola,  300. 

Chlorophanes  spiza,  206, 

207. 


468 


INDEX. 


Chlorophonia    rorainije, 

208. 
Chlopopipo  uuicolor,  234. 

uuiforniis,  2i)9. 

Cblorospingiis     flavo- 

virens,  2? J,  275. 

hjpophteu.s,  227. 

• pbseocephalus,  275. 

pileatus,  227. 

punctulatus,  227. 

reyi,  288. 

speculit'erus,  273. 

superciliaris,    288, 

289. 

Chlorostilbon    aureiven- 

tris,  281. 

caniTeti,  191,  ,322. 

forficatus,  321,  322. 

pi'asinus,  436. 

stuebelii,  -146. 

Cbrysobroncbus     \ires- 

cens,  435. 

viridicauclus,  435. 

viridissimus,  435. 

Chrysococcyx   cupreus, 

343. 
Chrysocolaptes    festivus, 

(i2. 
Chrysolampis  moscbitus, 

434. 
Cbrysoruitrisbarbnta,217. 

citrinella,  39. 

ieteiica,  217. 

spinus,  39. 

Chrysomus     icterocepba- 

lus.  218. 
Cbrysoptilus    cristatus, 

282. 
Chrysotis  albifrons,  192. 

xantbolora,  186,192. 

Cichlopsis  gularis,  199. 
Ciconia  alba,  44,  250. 

maguari,  282. 

■ nigi'a,  335. 

Cincbis  albicollis,  37. 

aquaticu?,  173. 

casbmiriensis,  37. 

luelanogasfer,  173. 

Ciimyris  asiatica,  64. 
erikssoni,  98. 

—  —  babessinicus,  406. 
— • —  lienkei,  44(). 
Circaetus  gallicus,  57. 

pectoralis,  342. 

Circus    seruginosus,    26, 

68,  248. 
,  var.  unicolor, 

111. 

cineraceiis,  26,  248. 

cyaneus,  26. 


Circus  macrurus,  57. 

pygargiis,  57. 

Cissa  hypoleuca,  450. 
Cissojois  media,  213. 

minor,  21.3.. 

Cisticola  bucbanani,  126. 

cursitans,  35,  243. 

madagase;;riensis, 

102. 
Cistotborus  alticola,  202, 
Clangula    glaucion,    46, 

171,  358. 
Clytolreiua  rubinea,  436. 
Cuipolegus,  sp.  inc.,  18. 
Coccoborus  ater,  214. 
Coccotbraustes    vulgaris, 

39,  241,  245. 
Coccystes  glandarius,  247. 

jacobinus,  63. 

serratus,  344. 

Coeligena  bemileuca,  317. 
Cccreba  cajrulea,  207. 

cyanea,  207. 

Coliiiscapen.sis,  307,  308, 

309,310,311,313. 
— ■ —  castanonotiis,    308, 

310,  313. 

coromandelicus, 

309. 

erytbromelas,  309. 

erytbromeloii,  3o7, 

308,  309,  313. 

erytbropus,  310. 

ervtbropvgius,  310. 

indicus,  309. 

leiicocepbalus,  308, 

312,  313,  314. 
leuconotus,  310. 

leiicotis,   232,   308, 

311,  312,  314. 

aflinis,    312, 

313,  314. 

typicus,   312, 

313. 

macrourus,  307,  308, 

313. 

niacnii-us,  .309. 

minor,  311. 

nigricollis,  308,  310, 

313. 

panayensis,  311. 

quiriva,  309. 

senegalensis,  308, 

309. 
Btriatus,  307,  308, 

311,312. 

,  intermedins, 

311,  313. 

minor,  311, 

313. 


CoHus    striatus    tvpicus, 

311,313. 
CoUurio   ludoTicianus, 

var.  robustus,  451. 
Colobatbris  macularia, 

4,30. 

tinniens,  430. 

Colopterus    cristatiis, 

293. 

galeatus,  293. 

Columba  abj'ssinica,  414. 

arquatrix,  345. 

intei-media,  130. 

jamaicensis,  193. 

■'  leucocepbala,   186. 

193. 
livia,  41,  84,  224, 

251. 

maculosa,  282. 

oenas,  251. 

palumbus,  41,  84, 

251. 

waalia,  414. 

Columbula  pieui,  282. 
Colviubus  fluviatilis, 

418. 
glacialis,   89,  90, 

361. 
Contopus  albicollis,  317. 

ardesiacus,  298. 

depressirostris,  110. 

pileatus,  449. 

Coniu'us   cbloropterus, 

225. 
Copsycbus  pica,  102. 

saularis,  124. 

Oopurus  leuconotus,  291. 

poecilonotus,  291. 

Coracias  caudata,  399. 
— - —  garrula,  84. 

indica,  61. 

levaillanti,  399. 

lorti,  .390,  399. 

railitaris,  305. 

njBvia,  399. 

pilosa,  399. 

scutatus,  300. 

Corone  macrorhynclia, 

128. 

splendens,  128. 

Corviis  afRnis,  389. 

•  assimilis,  401. 

calvus,  306. 

cayanus,  219. 

coVax,  38,  82,  160, 

360. 

cornix,  38,  82,  160. 

corone,  38,  2,3(). 

frugilegus,  38,  82. 

latirostris,  446. 


INDEX. 


469 


Coi'vus    monedula,  38, 

246. 

splendens,  64. 

tingitaiius,  246. 

Corjdalla  ruf'ula,  127. 
Coryphospingus   crista- 

tus,  216. 
Corytliaix  flscberi,  456. 
Corythopis   anthoides, 

430. 
Cosraopsarus  regius,  411. 
Cossypha  sbarpei,  102. 
Ootile  I'ucata,  206. 

riparia,  27,  206. 

rupestris,  27,  244. 

shelleyi,  324. 

sinensis,  60. 

Cotinga  crerulea,  304. 

cayana,  305. 

Cotuniiculus  uianimbe, 

216. 

niexicanus,  4.50. 

passerinus,  190. 

Coturuix  communis,  41, 

131,  251. 

coromandelica,  132. 

coturnix,  51. 

ussuriensis,  224. 

Crateropus  bohndorffi, 

116. 
Creadion   caruuculatus, 

99. 

cinereus,  99. 

Crex  egregia,  346. 

pratensis,  84,  361. 

Critbopbaga   miliaria, 

112. 
,  var.   minor, 

112. 
Crocopus   cblorogaster, 

1.30. 
Cuculus  canorus,  41,  63, 

84,  226,  357. 

■ beuglini,  226. 

rocbii,  102. 

solitarius,  323. 

Oulicicapa   ceylunensis, 

66. 
Cursorius  burcbelli,  416. 

cinctus,  416. 

coromandelicus, 

132. 

•  gallicus,  415,  454. 

• somalensis, 

390,  415. 

gracilis,  416. 

rufus,  347. 

senegalensis,  416. 

Cyanecula  siieoica,   125, 

163,  174. 


Cyanecula  wolfi,  32.  241, 

242. 
Cyanicterus    Aenustus, 

*211. 
Cyanistes   cyanus   tian- 

schanicus,  3.53, 
Cyanocorax  cayanus,  219. 

cucuUatus,  449. 

byacintbinus,  219. 

ornatus,  449. 

violaceus,  219. 

Cyanospiza  ciris,  190. 

cyauea,  190. 

Cyanus,  sp.  ?,  361. 
Cyclopsitta  occidentalis, 

"316. 
Cyclorbis  guianensis,  205. 

insularis,  321. 

Cyclorbynebus  liaviven- 

tris,  296. 
Cygniis,  sp.  inc.,  89. 

bewicki,  443. 

musicus,  371,  44.3. 

olor,  443. 

Cymbilanius   lineatus, 

423. 

fasciatus,  110. 

Cypborhinus    cantans, 

200. 

leucostictus,  200. 

■ •  musicus,  200. 

Cypselus  afBnis,  60. 

apus,  20,  27. 

melba,  27. 

spinicaudus,  437. 

Dacelo  semicaerulea,  395. 
Dacnis  angelica,  207- 

cayana,  207. 

cyanocepbala,  207. 

spiza,  206. 

Dafila  acuta,  45, 137,  250. 
Dasycepbala  thamuophi- 

loides,  304. 

uropygialis,  304. 

Daulias  hafizi,  112. 

luscinia,  32. 

Dendrobates   aithiopicus, 

393. 

bempricbii,  393. 

Dendrocbelidon  corona- 

ta,  60. 
Dendrocincla    fumigata, 

421. 

longicauda,  421. 

merula,  421. 

turdina,  290. 

Dendrocitta  rufa,  128. 
Dendrocolaptes  alboline- 

atus,  422. 


Dendrocolaptes  certbia, 
421. 

cuneatus,  421. 

fumigatus,  42] . 

giittatus,  422. 

merula,  421. 

plagosiis,  421. 

^ —  trocbilirostris,  422. 
Dendrocopus  major,  28. 

pardalotus,  422. 

Dendrocvgna  javanica, 

137.    ' 

viduata,  414,  415. 

Dendroeea  a'stiva,  202. 

granadensis,  324. 

maculosa,  448. 

petecbia  rufivertex, 

321. 

rufo-pileata,  113. 

striata,  202. 

Dendromus  ietbiopicus, 

393. 

bempi'icbii,  393. 

Uendropicus  hempricbi, 

393. 
Dendroplex  pic  us,  422. 
Dendrornis  guttatoldes, 

422. 

pardalotus,  422. 

polysticta,  422. 

Dicreum  leneum,  227. 

sulaense,  324. 

tristrami,  228. 

Dicrocercus  birundineus, 

226. 
Dierurus  divaricatus,  401. 

forficatus,  101. 

Ingubris,  401. 

Diglossa  major,  206. 
Dinornis  queenslandiae, 

103. 
Diomedea  bracbyura,440. 

■  nigripes,  363. 

Dipbloga^na  aurora,  316. 

hespenis,  316. 

Diphyllodes  wilsoni,  447. 
Dissura  episcopus,  135. 

longicauda,  434. 

Diuca  minor,  277. 
Dolicbonyx  oryzivorus, 

191,  218. 
Donacobius  atricapillus, 

199. 
Donacospiza  albifrons, 

277. 
Dorypbera  jobanna;,  433. 
Drepanorbyncbus  reiche- 

nowi,  226. 
Drepanornis  cervinicau- 

da,  228. 


470 


INDEX. 


Droma^us  sivalensis,  107. 
Drj'ocopus  javen.sis,  145. 

leucogaster,  145. 

martins,  140,  157. 

richardsi,  140,  156. 

Dryopicus  bodgsoni,  150. 
leucogaster,    14(i, 

149. 
Drvoscopiis    criientus, 

402. 

riificei^s,  390,  402. 

Dulus  nuclialis,  314. 
Duraetia  liypervthra,  67. 
Dysithnmnus  ardesiacus, 

424. 

spodionotus,  424. 

taiubillaiius,  234. 

Eclectus  roratus,  230. 
Edolius  lugubris,  401. 
Elaiuea  albiceps,  294. 
- —  albieoUis,  295. 

auritr(>ns,  301. 

brevirostris,  295. 

cayanensis,  295. 

cinerascens,  1 14. 

elegaiis,  295. 

gracilis,  234. 

oliviiia,  294. 

pagan  a,  294. 

ruficeps,  294. 

spadicea,  296. 

Elanus  cieruleus,  58,  249. 
Eitiberiza  cioides,  35'J. 

ciris,  190. 

cirlus,  40. 

citrinella,  83. 

miliaria,  40, 83,  245. 

orizivora,  191,  218. 

pileata,  216. 

schoeniclus,  40,  245. 

Emberizoides    macrurus, 

216. 
Embernagra  platensis, 

278. 
Empidocbanes    olivus, 

297. 

poecilurus,  298. 

Empidonax  atriceps,  113. 

gracilis,  321. 

viridescens,  1 1.3. 

Euipidonomus    varius, 

298. 
Engyptila  albifrons,  193. 

■ -'  gauraeri,  193,  317. 

jamaicensis,    180, 

193,  317. 
Epimachiis  minor.  397. 
Erismalura  leiicocephala, 

46. 


Eritliacus  rubecul.i,  .32, 

243. 

siiec'iea,  105. 

Erytliropvgia  leucoptera, 

22(i,  406. 
Erytliro.spiza  obsoleta, 

353. 
Erytbrosterna  parva.  67. 
Esacus    recurvirostris, 

133. 
Estrelda  amandava,  129. 

formosa,  129. 

saAatieri,  322. 

Eucepbala  casrulea,  43.5. 
Eudocimus  albiis,  186. 
Eudromias    morinellus, 

175. 
Eudynamis  honorata,  63. 

taitcnsis,  270. 

Eudyptes    antipodr.m, 

104,  105. 
cbrysocome,   104, 

105. 
Eudvptula  albigularis, 

108. 

serresiana,  108. 

Euetbeia   olivacea   inter- 
media, 321. 
Eugenes  spectabilis.  317. 
Euphonia  cayana,  208. 

cayennen.sis,  208. 

ininuta,  208. 

musica,  99. 

nigricollis,  208. 

pluiubea,  208. 

purpurea.  272. 

viulacea,  208,  272. 

— —  ■ licbteusteiui, 

272. 

xantbogastra,  208. 

Euplectes    franciscanus, 
409. 

frederichseni,  226. 

ignicolor,  409. 

petiti,  409. 

seioanus,  232, 

Eurocepbalus    anguiti- 

meus,  403. 

rueppelli,  403. 

Euryceros  prevosti,  101. 
Eurystomus     madagas- 

cariensis,  102. 
Euscartbraus  russatus, 

292, 
Euspiza  luteola,  129. 
melanocepbala,  129. 

Falcinellus  igneus,  136. 

senegallensis,  395. 

Falco  agalon,  159,  249. 


Falco  aulbraciiiu.s,  193. 

ciiicquera,  55. 

eleonora;,  25. 

feldeggi,  249. 

gabar,  391. 

gyrfalco,  79. 

jugg"'":  55. 

peregrinator,  55. 

peregrinus,  80,  161. 

punicus,  25. 

seniitorquatus,  391. 

tinnuncubis,  80, 160. 

392. 
FlorisLiga  inellivora,  433. 
Fluvicola  bicolor,  291. 

pica,  291. 

Formicarius  bambla,  200. 

brevicauda,  430. 

cayennensis,  429. 

botf'maiini,  429. 

musicus,  200. 

nigrilrons,  429. 

torquatus,  429. 

• vnrius,  430. 

Formicivora    axillaris, 

425. 

cinerascens,  426. 

grisea,  426. 

pygniaja,  425. 

quadrivittata,  425. 

Francolinus  bicalcaratua, 

211,  251. 

granti,  414. 

oebrogaster,  414. 

pictus,  131. 

•  rovuma,  414. 

sboanus,  414. 

Fratercula  arctica,  91, 

.361. 
Fringilla  cajlebs,  40,  165, 

241,  245. 

cristatus,  216. 

fliivirostris,  83. 

■ gutturalis,  215. 

ictcrica,  217. 

ignieoliir,  409. 

macroura,  216. 

manimbe,  216. 

passerina,  190. 

plunibea,  215. 

splendens,  21.5. 

spodiogena,  245. 

Fulica  ainericana,  231. 

atra,  44.  135. 

caribba3a,  231. 

cristata,  347. 

Fiiligula  cristata,  46,  l.'^8. 

ferina,  45,  1.38. 

marila,  46. 

nvroca,  358. 


INDEX. 


471 


Furnarius  leiicopus,  418. 
rufus,  280. 

Galeoscoptes  carolinensis, 

18<>. 
Galei'ita  magna,  354. 
Gallinago  caslestis,  42, 

176,  253. 

gallinaria,  133. 

gallinula,  133. 

major,  42,  348. 

nigripennis,  347. 

paraguaiffi,  282. 

stenura,  133. 

Gallinula  cbloropus,  44, 

105,135,252. 
Galloperdix  spadiceus, 

131. 
Gallus  sonnerati,  131. 
Garrulus  glaudarius,  38, 

111. 
cervicalis,  24) , 

246. 
,  Tar.  byrcanus, 

111. 

hjrcaniis,  111. 

krynickii,  111. 

melanocephalus, 

111. 

minor,  246. 

Gecinus  weberi,  456. 
Geocicbla  machiki,  445. 

scbistacea,  446. 

Geococcyx    californicus, 

286. 
Geocorapbus  cordofani- 

cus,  407. 
Geositta    cunicularia, 

280. 
Geotblypis  aequinoctialis, 

203. 

bairdi,  110. 

velata,  203. 

Gerygone    bimaculata, 

446. 

modesta,  270. 

Glaucidium  passerinum, 

260. 
Glaucis  birsuta,  431. 
Glycycbffira  fallax,  316. 
Glypborbampbus  cunea- 

tus,  421. 
Gracula  foetida,  306. 
Graoulus    bicristatus, 

270. 
Grallaria     breTicmda, 

430. 

intermedia,  1 10. 

niacularia,  430. 

nana,  430. 


Grallaria  regulus,  430. 

.simplex,  430. 

varia,  430. 

Grallaricula  nana,  430. 
Granatellus  sallsei,  449. 

boueardi,  449. 

pelzelni,  204. 

Graucalus  raacei,  65. 

pusillus,  227. 

timurlaoensis,  446. 

Grus  antigone,  133. 

communi.s,  252. 

Tirgo,  252. 

Giiira  piririgua,  282. 
Guiraca    cyanea,    213, 

214. 
Gygis  Candida,  266. 
Gyinnocepbalus   calvus, 

306. 
Gymnoderus    foetidus, 

306. 
Gyuinorbis  pyrgita,  408. 
Gymnornis    flavicollis, 

129. 
Gypaetns  barbatu.s,  24. 
Gyps  fulvescens,  53. 

pallescens,  54. 

rueppelli,  322,  341. 

Habrura  pecloralis,  279. 
Hadrostomus,  sp.,  191. 

aglaifE,  191. 

minor,  302. 

iiiger,  191. 

H:ematoderus  militaris, 

305. 
Hseraatopus   osculans, 

195. 

ostralegiis,  42. 

Halcyon  chloris,  49,  332. 

j  ulia5,  49. 

leucopygia,  228. 

norfolkiensis,  49. 

occipitalis,  49,  332. 

sacra,  49. 

sancta,  48. 

semicierulea,    343, 

395. 
smyrnensis,    61, 

237. 

solomouis,  48,  49. 

tristrami,  49,  316. 

vagans,  49. 

Haliaetus  albicilla,  25, 

79. 

bypoleucos,  112. 

leucocephalus, 

116. 

pelagicus,  117. 

Haliastur  iudus,  58. 


Hapalocercus  pectoral  is, 

293. 
Harelda    glaeialis,    162, 

174,371. 
Harporbyncbus  guttatus, 

321. 

longirostris,  187. 

melanostoma,  187. 

Heliodoxa  xanthogonys, 

433. 
Heliomaster  longirostris, 

435. 
Heliotbrix  auriculatus, 

436. 

aiiritus,  434. 

Plelmintberus  swainsoni, 

331,  456. 
Helodromas  ocbropus, 

43,  253. 
Henierodromus  cinctus, 

416. 
Hemicircus  badius,  10. 
Herailopbus  feddeni, 

152. 

bodgei,  142. 

hodgsoni,  150. 

javensis,  145,  149. 

leucogaster,  145. 

Hemipipo  cblorion,  299. 
Hemiprocne    albicincta, 

437. 

minor,  107,  437. 

zonaris,  107. 

Hemistepbania  jobannse, 

433. 
Henicocicbla  novebora- 

censis,  202. 
Henicorbina  leucosticta, 

200. 
Herodias  alba,  349. 

garzetta,  136. 

■ intermedia,   136, 

349. 

torra,  135. 

Herpsilocbmus    dorsi- 

maculatus,  425. 

pileatus,  424. 

sticturus,  424. 

Heterocnemis      leuco- 
stigma,  427. 

najvia,  427. 

saturata,  427. 

simplex,  427. 

Heteropelma    amazo- 
num,  301. 

ignicep.s,  301. 

Hieracidea  brunnea,  116. 

noviE-zealandiae, 

116. 
Hierococcyx  varius,  63. 


472 


INDEX. 


Hiraantopus  candid  us, 

42,  13-1,  253,  347. 
Hirundinea  ferruginea, 

297. 
Hirimdo    albiveiitris, 

205. 

cayeniiensis,  436. 

chalybea,  205. 

— —  cyanoleuea,  2(Xi. 

erythrogaster,  205. 

erytbropygia,  59. 

fascial  a,  205. 

filifera,  59. 

fiicata,  20(i. 

leucoptera,  205. 

melanoleuca,  206. 

purpurea,  205. 

— —  rij^aria,  206. 

ruficoUis,  206. 

rustica,  27,  59,  83, 

360. 
— . —  rutila,  437. 

gaturata,  112. 

tapera,  205. 

zonaris.  436. 

nolocnemis  lineafa,  427. 
Hoiiiorus  gutturalis,  284, 

285. 

lophotes,  283. 

uiiirufus,  283. 

Hoplopterus  ventralis, 

133. 
Horornis  fortipes,  388. 

pallidas,  388. 

Hydrochelidon    leuco- 
ptera, 47. 

■  nigra,  448. 

Hydrophasianus  chirur- 

gus,  134. 
Hydropsalis    i'urcifer, 

439. 

schomburgki,  439. 

Hylocbaris  cyanea,  436. 

sappbirina,  436. 

Hylocbelidon  nigricans, 

"99. 
Hylophilas     luteifrons, 

204. 

muscicapinus,  204. 

sclateri,  204. 

■  thoracicus,  204. 

Hyphantornis  mariquen- 

sis,  345. 

velatus,  345. 

Hypbanturgus  olivaceus, 

344. 
Hypocnemis    cantator, 

428. 

lepidonota,  428. 

leucopbrys,  428. 


llvposnemis  melanopo- 

gon,  428. 

jjoecilonota,  428. 

tintinnabulata,  428. 

Hypolais  caligata,  388. 

rama,  126,  388. 

Hypotblypis  velia,  209. 
Hypotrion-his    castauo- 

notus,  391. 

semitorquatus,  392, 

Hypsipeles    ouroTang, 

102. 

Ibis  chalcoptera,  415. 

bagedash,  415. 

melauocepbaluB, 

136. 
Icterus  chrysocepbalus, 

218. 

cucullatus,  448,  449. 

igneiis,  449. 

nelsoni,  449. 

. ■  curasoensis,  113. 

douiinicensis,  99. 

linnasi,  113. 

tanagrinus,  219. 

xantlioruis,  113. 

Inocotis  papillosus,  136. 
lodopleura  f  usca,  305. 

leucopygia,  305. 

pipra,  305. 

Irrisor  eryt.brorhyncbus, 

395. 

minor,  397. 

seuegalensis,  395. 

lynx  torquilla,  28,  62. 

Junco  bairdi,  99. 

Lagopus  alba  alleni,  220. 

albus,  50,  51,  176. 

alpina,  377. 

insularis,  224. 

islandorum,  377. 

niutus,    183,  379, 

380. 

reinbardti,  379. 

ridgvvayi,  50,  224.. 

rupestris,  224,  368, 

375,  376,  377,  379,  380. 

subalpina,  377. 

welcbi,  440. 

Lalage  sykesi,  65. 
Lampornis  gramineus, 

432. 

mango,  432. 

ornatus,  433. 

pavouinus,  433. 

tbalassinus,  321. 

violicauda,  432. 


Lauiprulajma  rbami,  436. 
Lampropsar    guianensis, 

219. 

tanagrinus,  21  9. 

Lainprotornis    superba, 

412. 
Laniarius  cruentus,  402. 

lagdeni,  456. 

Lanio  atricapillus,  211. 

lawreneii,  272,  273. 

versicolor,  272. 

Lanius  agilis,  204. 

algeriensis,  244,  251. 

■ antinorii,  401,  402. 

atricapillus,    302, 

423. 

cayanus,  301. 

collurio,  37. 

cristatus,  65. 

cruentus,  402. 

doliatus,  424. 

• dorsalis,  401. 

elegans,  451. 

erytbronotus,  64. 

failax,  451. 

■ — •-  funebris,  429. 

bomeyeri,  357. 

■  isabellinus,  357. 

. lalitora,  64,  65. 

lictor,  296. 

lunulatus,  423. 

macrourus,  308. 

major,  170. 

mollis,  356. 

nffivius,  423. 

pitangua,  296. 

poliocepbalus,  403. 

pomeranus,  37. 

robustus,  451. 

sulpluiratus,  296. 

uncinatus,  451. 

vittatus,  65. 

(Fiscus)   dorsalis, 

401. 

Larus  aftinis,  23(i. 

argentatus,  86,  254. 

audouini,  47. 

cacbinnans,  47. 

canus,  47,  87,  161. 

crassirostris,  195. 

fuscus,  86,  254. 

glaucescens,  445. 

hempricbi,  335, 

kumlieni,  445. 

leucopbaius,  236. 

marinus,  86. 

niinutus,  221,  254. 

nelsoni,  445. 

pliiladelpbia,  221. 

ridibundus,  47,  254. 


INDEX. 


473 


Larus  tridactylus,  87- 
Latbria    cinerea,   302, 

303. 

streptophora,  303. 

Legatus  albicoUis,  295. 
Leistes  auierieanus,  218. 

guiaaensis,  218. 

superciliaris,  279. 

Leptasthenura     ffigitha- 

loides,  280. 
Leptopcecile  sophifE,  353. 

major,  353. 

Leptopogon    amauroce- 

phalus,  293. 

nigrifrous,  293. 

rufipectus,  2.34. 

Leptopterus  viridis,  101. 
Leptoptilus  argala,  135. 

javanieus,  135. 

Leptosomus     discolor, 

102. 
Leptotodus  tenuis,  446. 
Ligurinus  cliloris,  39. 
Liiunooryptes  gallinula, 

42,  253. 
Limosa  segocephala,  43, 

133,  253. 
Linota  cannabina,  40, 

245. 

exilipes,  382,  383, 

384. 

hornemanni,  383, 

384. 

linaria,  372,  381, 

382,  383,  384. 

rufescens,  372,  381, 

384. 

Lipaugus  cineraoeus,  303. 

■ simplex,  303. 

Lobipluvia  malabarica, 

133. 
Lobivanellus     indicus, 

133. 
Lochmias  nematura,  418. 

obsourata,  418. 

sororia,  419. 

Lopboceros  birostris,  62. 
Loxia  ciaerea,  309. 

eolius,  310. 

collaria,  214. 

crassirostris,  214. 

curvirostra,  40. 

cyanea,  213. 

erythromelas,  213. 

franciseana,  409. 

grisea,  21.5. 

grossa,  213. 

lineata,  214. 

•  lincola,  214. 

minuta,  214. 


Loxia  torrida,  214. 
Loximitris  dominicensis, 

99. 
Lullula  arborea,  246. 
Lurocalis  semilorquatus, 

438. 
Lusciniola    flaviventris, 

388. 

I'uliginiveutris,  388. 

f  uscata,  388. 

• indica,  388. 

melanopogon,  35, 

388. 

neglecta,  388. 

sebwarzi,  3S8. 

Lusciola  afrieana,  226. 
Lyrurus  tetris,  50. 

Madia3rliamphus  alciniis, 

223. 
Machetes  puguax,  43, 

134,  348. 
Machetornis  rixosa,  279. 
Maclilolopbus   xantho- 

genys,  127. 
Macragelajus    imthurni, 

218. 
Macropygia  timorlaoea- 

sis,  446. 
Malacocereus   terricolor, 

67. 
Malaconotus     leucotis, 

205. 
Manucodia  comrii,  463. 
Mareca  penelope,  45,  137, 

169,  250. 
Mecocerculus  leucopbrys, 

291. 
Megaltcma  caniceps,  63. 
Megarbynchiis  pitangua, 

296. 
Meiglyptes  badiosus,  6. 

badius,  3,  11. 

bracbym'us,  3,  10. 

fokiensis,  12. 

gularis,  8. 

phaioeeps,  3. 

riifinotus,  3. 

squamigularis,  11. 

Melanetta  velvetina,  231. 
Melanopl  ila  glabrirostris, 

18(5,  187. 
Melierax  gabar,  391. 
Melittophagus    bullock- 
oides,  315. 

cyanostictus,  398. 

gularis,  315. 

lafresnayei,  226, 

398. 
leschenaulti,  315. 


Melittophagus   muelleri, 

315. 

pusillus,  315,  398. 

cyanostictus, 

398. 

•  quinticolor,  315. 

revoili,  398. 

souninii,  315. 

Melizophilus  provincialis, 

454. 

sardus,  34. 

undatus,  34,  243. 

Melophus  melanicterus, 

129. 
Mergulus  alle,  90. 
Mergus  merganser,  181. 

seri'ator,  46,  87. 

Meropogon  ibrsteui,  103. 
Merops  albicollis,  104. 

apiaster,   27,  226, 

342. 

bicolor,  103. 

boehmi,  104. 

bi-eweri,  103. 

cyanopbrys,    103, 

104. 

cyanostictus,  398. 

erytliropterus,  398. 

malimbicus,  226. 

nubicoides,    226, 

343. 

nubicus,  226,  397. 

ornatus,  104. 

■ persicus,  61,    104, 

343. 

pliilippinus,  104. 

pusillus,  398. 

revoilii,  .398. 

sumatranus,  10.3. 

superciliosus,  226. 

variegatus,  398. 

viridis,  (iO,  103 

Merula  confinis,  99. 

leucop.s,  199. 

maxima,  356. 

merula,  80. 

Metoponia  pusilla,  112. 
Micrathene     wbitneyi, 

99. 
Microcerculus  bambla, 

200. 

ustulatus,  200. 

Microdyptes  serresiana, 

108. 
Microlestes    arfakianus, 

var.  minor,  446. 
Microni.«us  gabar,  391. 
Micropternus  badiosus, 

2,  6,  7 
badius,  10,  15. 


474 


INDEX. 


Micropternus  brachy- 
iirus,  1,  2,  4,  5,  C,  10, 
12.  15. 

buriuanicas,  3. 

f'okiensis,   1,  2,  12, 

iri,  16. 

gularis,  2,  7,  9,  10, 

331. 
holrovdi,  1,  2,  15, 

16. 
phseoceps,  1,  2,  3, 

4,  5,  7,  16. 
phaioceps,  3,  8,  9, 

331,  332. 
Milvago  chi mango,  282. 
Milvulus  tjraniius,  280, 

299. 

violentus,  299. 

Milvus  regyptiiis,  385. 
affiiiis,  386,  386. 

goviiida,  58,  385, 

386. 

ictinus,  26,  248. 

uielauotis,  385,  3fi(>. 

migrans,  248. 

palustris,  386. 

Mimus  calandriii,  277. 

gilvus,    186,    187, 

199. 

rostratus,  113. 

Mionectes    oleagiueus, 

293. 
Mirafra  africanoides,  408. 

cantillans,  129. 

cordol'anica,  407. 

erythrorejjhala,  4r.0. 

erythroptera,  129. 

Mitrephorus    aurautii- 

vent.ris,  113. 
Molothrus    atronitens, 

218. 

badius,  278. 

bonariensis,  278. 

Monticola    cinclorhyn- 

chus,  67. 

cyan  us,  37,  67. 

rufocinerea,  404. 

Moutifringilla  alpicola, 

112. 

nivalis,  111. 

Motacilla  tvquinoctialis, 

203. 

sestiva,  202. 

alba,  36,  112,  127, 

170,  244. 

auricapilla,  188. 

calidris,  204. 

■ — —  cay  ana,  207. 

■ cinereocapilla,  36, 

127,  166. 


MolaeiUa  citreola,  127. 
llava,  36. 

furva,  201,  202. 

■ galeata,  293. 

guianensis,  419. 

gnira,  212. 

liigubris,  244.. 

maderaspateusis, 

126. 

nielanope,  36,  127. 

■  personata,  127. 

sulphureaj  244. 

velia,  209. 

xantliophrys,  324. 

yarrellii,  83. 

Miilleripicus      feddeni, 

152. 
hoilgei,  142. 

liodgsoni,  150. 

javeiisis,  146. 

riehardsi,  156. 

Muscieapa     anthuides, 

430. 

ntricapilla,  37. 

audax,  296. 

barbata,  297. 

carolinensis,  186. 

cayanensis,  295. 

cristat.a,  400. 

cruenta,  305. 

duchaillui,  400. 

grisola,  37. 

niaciilata,  18,  19. 

nsevia,  297. 

oleaginea,  293. 

oliva,  297. 

pagana,  294. 

parva,  230. 

pica,  291. 

pygmtea,  425. 

rubinus,  297. 

niticilla,  188,  203. 

sandwichensis,  18. 

simplex,  303. 

speciosi,  400. 

striata,  202. 

sulphurea,  295. 

thaninophiloides, 

304. 
tyrannulns,  298. 

vai-ia,  298. 

Muscipeta      albicejis, 

294. 
Muscisa.vicola     grisea, 

234. 

juninensis,  234. 

Museivora  regia,  297. 
Musophaga  boehmi, 

114. 
rosste,  114. 


Myiagra    cervinicauda, 
228. 

terrocyanea,    227, 

228. 

— —  fiilviventris,  316. 
Myiarclius     coronatus, 
297. 

-  ferox,  298. 
nigriceps,  298. 

plia;onotus,  298. 

■ platyrbynchus,  3''1. 

tyrannulus,  298. 

Myiobius  barbatus,  297. 

erythunis,  297. 

naivius,  297. 

roraima?,  297. 

M\iocliaues    ardesiaeus, 

298. 
Myiodynastes      audax, 

■296." 
Myiopatis  pusilla,  294. 

waga-,  234. 

Myiophoneu.s  borneensis, 

124. 

(Arrenga)  nielanu- 

rus,  123. 

Myiothera  analis,  429. 

nematura,  418. 

uiubretta,  419. 

Myiozetetes  cayennensis, 

295. 

sulphiireus,  295. 

Myrmeciza     atrolborax, 

428. 

cinnamomea,  427. 

Myrnioiiax  cinnamonieiis', 

427. 

leucoplirys,  428. 

Myrmornis  cri^salis,  429. 

■ bofimanni,  429. 

Myrrnotbera    axillaris, 

425. 

unicolor,  426. 

Myrmotherula  axillaris, 

425. 

cinei'eivcntris,  426. 

guttata,  425, 

guttural  is,  425. 

longipennis,  426. 

nienetriesi,  426. 

■  pygmrea,  425. 

surinamensis,  425. 

unicolor,  426. 

Myzomela  annabellae, 

445. 

eryllirina,  227. 

— —    melauocepbala, 

227. 

wakoloensis,  228, 

456. 


INDEX. 


475 


Nasica  guttatoides,  422. 
Neetarinia    habessiniea, 

98,  40fi. 

ludovicensis,  98. 

Nemoricola  indica,  194. 
Nemosia  guira,  212. 

nigrigenys,  215. 

pectoralis,  234. 

Neocichla  gutturalis,  98. 
Neophron    gingiuianus, 

64. 
Neopipo    cinnamomea, 

3U1. 

rubicunda,  301. 

Nesospingus  speculiferus, 

273,  274. 
Nettapua  coromandelia- 

nus,  137. 
Nilaus  edwardsi,  322. 
Niiiox  goldiei,  138,  139. 
maculata,  139,  270. 

noTK-zealandiaB, 

139. 

odiosa,  227. 

theomacba,   138, 

139. 

Nisaetus  f'asciatus,  248. 
Nisus  gabar,  391. 
Noctua  glaux,  392. 

veteruui,  392. 

Notauges    albicapilliis, 

413. 
fischeri,  22*i. 

-  hildebrandti,  412. 

sviperbus,  412,  413. 

INothui-a  maculosa,  282. 
Numeniiis  arquata,  43, 

85,  253. 

lineatus,  134. 

■ longirostris,  824. 

minor,  3ti3. 

pbseopus,  85,  173, 

254. 

tenuirostris,  253. 

Numida  vultiirina,  414. 
Kyctale  fengmalmi,  258, 

259,  2G0. 
Nyctea  seandiaca,  261. 
Nyctibius      bracteatus, 

438. 

grandis,  437. 

jauiaicensis,  438. 

longicaudatus,  437- 

rufus,  438. 

Nycticorax  griseus,  44, 

136. 
- — -  leuconotus,  349. 
Nyctidromus    albicolli.s, 

439. 
Nyctiornis  amictus,  103. 


Nyctiornis  atbertoni,  103. 
NyrOLM  ferruginea,  138. 

Ocbthoeca      cousobriua, 

289. 
setophagoides,  289, 

291. 
Qi^dt'mia  fusca,  46,  173. 

nigi'a,  46. 

ffidieuemus  dorainicensis, 

225. 

scolopax,  41,  133, 

252. 

Qistrelata    defilippiaua, 

448,  449. 

fisheri,  448,  449. 

Onychotes  gruberi,  448, 

450. 
Opisthocomus  cristatus, 

118. 
Orchesticus  ater,  213. 
Oreopyra  caiolaiua,  316. 

cinereicauda,  317. 

Oriolus  cbrysocpphalus, 

218. 

galbula,  37. 

guianensis,  218. 

indicus,  69. 

liundoo,  68. 

melaleucus,  211. 

oryzivorus,  219. 

persicus,  217. 

pifus,  422. 

viridis,  217. 

Ornithiou  inei'me,  293. 

piisillum,  294. 

Oi'nysiiiya  caniveti,  191. 

delpbii;£e,  434. 

Ortliiiocicljla     subulata, 

115. 
Orthogonys  cyanicterua, 

211. 
Orthotomus     subulatus, 

115. 
Ortvgornis  pondicei'iaua, 

131. 
Oryzoborus  crassirostris, 

214. 

nuttingi,  110. 

salvini,  110. 

torridus,  214. 

Ostinops     decumanus, 

217. 

viridis,  217. 

Otis  tarda,  2.32. 
Otocorys  albigula,  354. 
al'pesiris,  174,  380, 

381. 

•  bilopba,  315. 

Otogyps  calvus,  53. 


Oxypogon  sUicbelii,  446. 
Oxyrbamphns   bypoglau- 
cus,  291. 

Pachycepbala  afSnis,  446. 
fuseoflava,  316. 

xanllioprocta,  270. 

Pacbyrhampbus  atrica- 

pillus,  302. 

griseigularis,  .302. 

niger,  302. 

viridis,  302. 

Pala-ornis  eupatria,  62. 
purpureus,  62. 

torquatus,  62. 

Pandion   baliaetus,  26, 

11)4,  186,  249. 
Panyptila     cayenner.sis, 

436. 
Paradisea  apoda,  230. 
Paroaria  t  ucullata,  277. 

gularis,  216. 

nigiigenis,  215. 

Parra  gymuostoma,  225. 

ii.dica,  134. 

Parula  americana,   187, 

188. 

pitiayumi,  202. 

Parus  afer,  327,  407. 

americanus,  187. 

ater,  35. 

borealis,  122,  158. 

— —  cajruleus,  36. 
cinctus,  172. 

cinerascens,    121, 

122,  12.3,  327. 

cinereus,  121. 

cyan  us,  318. 

fiavipectus,  318. 

iViugillinus,  226. 

major,    35,    243, 

359. 

nipaleusis,  127. 

paluBtris,  122. 

pleskei,  318. 

sarawacensis,  327. 

teneriflie,  243. 

tbruppi,  390,  406. 

Passer    douiesticiis,    82, 

112,  129,245. 

italic,  39. 

montauus,  82,  452. 

salicicolus,  112. 

saturatus,  452. 

Passerculus     alaudinus, 

449. 

anthinus,  449. 

beldingi,  448. 

■ — —  sandwiebensis,  449. 
bryanti,  449. 


476 


INDEX. 


Pastor  roseiis,  128. 
Pavo  cristatus,  131. 
Pelargopsis  gurial,  CA. 
Pelecanus,  sj).  iuc,  48. 
Percnostola  leiicostigma, 

427. 
Perdicula  argoondah,1.31. 

asiatica,  131. 

Perdix  ciiierea,  IDI). 
Pericrocotus  erythropj- 

gius,  (J6. 

peregrinus,  6.i. 

Perisoreus  iiifaustus,  180. 
Peristera      jainaiceasis, 

193. 
Pernis  ptilouoi'liynchus, 

58. 
Petasophora    delpliiiire, 

434. 

germana,  4.34. 

serrirostris,  43l3. 

Petrochelidon     pvrrho- 

nota,  277. 

timorieiisis,  324. 

Petroeca  multicolor,  270. 
Petronia  stulta,  40, 
Peueiea  arizona;,  4.50. 

niexicana,  448,  450. 

Phacellodoiims      ruber, 

281. 
Pliaethornis  augusti,  431. 

boiircieri,  4.31. 

loiiguemareus,  431. 

pygmseus,  431. 

supereiliosus,  431. 

Phaetou  rubricauda,  2(i8. 
Pliaiopicus  badiosus,  fi. 

blytbii,  3. 

■ bracbyurus,  10,  11. 

jerdoni,  8. 

ruflnotus,  3. 

Phalacrocorax      aeolus, 

270. 
bicristatus,  271. 

capillatus,  271. 

carbo,91,249,  270. 

fuscicollis,  138. 

graculus,  48,  91. 

pelagicus,  270,  271. 

pygmffius,  138. 

urile,  271. 

Phalaropus     fulicarius, 

106. 
byperboreus,     171, 

177. 
Plmsiauus  colcliicus,  41. 

satscheunensis.  111. 

strauchi  ,111. 

tarimensis,  111. 

vlangalli,  111. 


Pbilydor  albogularis,  420. 

erythroeercus,  420. 

pyrrhodes,  420. 

turdinus,  420. 

Phoenicocercus     carnifex, 

304. 

Pbcenicophilus  doraini- 
censis,  99. 

Pboeuicopter  us  roseus,  44, 
250. 

ruber,  18(i. 

Plioeuicosoma  azara?,  211. 

Plioenieothaupis  Peruvi- 
an us,  234,  272. 

rhodiuolfema,  272. 

Pbajnisoma  ardeiis,  211. 

Pholeoptynx  cunicularia. 
282. 

Piiolidauges  bicolor,  41 L. 

Pbonipara  bicolor,  118. 

fumosa,  118.  215. 

phaoptila,  118,  215. 

pusilla,  190,321. 

Phvllomyias    cristatus, 

222. 

seiuifusca,  293. 

Phylloscopus  atRuis,  388. 

butuii,  388. 

iiidicus,  12(i. 

plumbeitarsus,  387. 

presbytia,  3S7,  388. 

ruf'us,  35,  243,  387. 

,  var.  obscurus, 

112. 

seebohmi,  387. 

tristrami,  .387. 

trocliiloides,  387, 

388. 

trocbilus,  35,  243. 

tytleri,  388. 

viridaous,  387. 

• vindipenuis,  387. 

Pieolaptes   albolineatus, 

422. 

puncticeps,  422. 

Pieumuus  lawreucii,  99. 
Picus  badiosus,  0. 

■ badius,  10. 

braohyurus,  10. 

certbia,  421. 

erawfurdi,  141,  149. 

dubius,  192. 

Ibkieusis,  12. 

gularis,  8. 

beniprichii,  393. 

hodgei,  142. 

bodgsonii,  150. 

bolroydi,  15. 

horsfieldii,  145. 

iavensi.s  145. 


Picus  jerdoni,  l.")2. 

leptorbyncbus,  3.57. 

leucogaster,     145. 

149,  150,  151. 

mahrattensis,  (>2. 

major,  172. 

maximus   malayen- 

.-^is,  145,  151. 

nubicus,  393. 

• rufinotus,  3. 

rufus,  3. 

scalaris,  191. 

squaiiiigularis,  11. 

viliosus,  455. 

Piezorbyucbus    brodiei, 
228. 

•  browui,  228. 

medius,  114. 

ricliardsii,  227. 

Pinaroloxias     inoniata, 
324. 

Pinicola  enucleator,  168. 

Pionias  crassus,  llti. 

■ rueppelli,  98. 

rufiventris,  393. 

Pipilo  mystacalis,  275. 

Pipra  albit'rons,  428. 

aureola,  299. 

aurocapilla,  300. 

caudata,  300. 

cionaraouiea,  301. 

cornuta,  299. 

gutturalis,  103,300. 

iraounda,  300. 

lajjlacii,  305. 

leueocephala,  291. 

leucocilla,300. 

niauacus,  30l. 

rupicola,  304. 

serena,  300. 

suavissima,  300. 

•  virescens,  300. 

Pipreola  wbitelyi,  304. 
Pipritos  cblorion,  299. 
Pitangus  bellicosus,  280. 

Tiutor,  296. 

parvus,  296. 

sulpburatus,  296. 

Pithys  albit'rons,  428. 
leucopbrys,  428. 

pectoralis,  429. 

rufigula,  428. 

Pitta  mackloti,  447. 

macularia,  430. 

Pitylus  canadensis,  21.3. 

celoiuo,  227. 

erytbromelas,  213. 

grossus,  213. 

viridis,  213. 

Platalea  ajaja,  186. 


INDEX. 


477 


Plata! ea  leucorodia,  136. 

tenuirostris,  350. 

Platycercus  alpiiius,  99. 

novtB-zealandiaj,  99. 

peunanti,  48. 

,    var.    nobbsi, 

49. 

Platyrhynchus  coronntiis, 

292. 

flaviventris,  295. 

naystaceus,  292. 

riifieauda,  296. 

saturatus,  292. 

sulphuresc-ens,  295. 

supsrciliaris,  292. 

Plectroplianes   lapponica, 

164. 

nivalis,  167. 

Plectrophenax    hyper- 

boreiis,  231. 
Plegadis  falcinelliis,  250. 

349. 
Ploceus  bengalensis,  128. 

manyar,  128. 

philippinus,  128. 

Plotus     melanogaster, 

138. 
Podager    nacunda,    282, 

438. 
Podiceps  capensis,  418. 

cristatus,    46,   255, 

350. 

fluviatilis,  418. 

capensis,  418. 

iufuscatus,  232. 

minor,     138,    351, 

358,  418. 

nigi'icollis,  46,  255. 

Podoces  bendersoni,  353. 
Pcecilouitta     erytbro- 

rhyncha,  415. 
Poe-ilotriccu3  lenzi,  222. 
Poeocepbalus    robustus, 

322. 

rufiventris,  393. 

Pogonotbraupis      atrica- 

pillus,  211. 
Polemistria     pavonina, 

433. 
Polioliierax  semitorqua- 

tus,  391,  392,  410. 
Polioptila  lactea,  324. 

sclateri,  324. 

Polyborus  tbarus,  282. 
Pomarea  castaneiventris, 

228. 

rufocastanea,  228. 

ugiensis,  227. 

Poospiza  nigrorufa,  277. 
Porphyrio  alleni,  346. 
SER.  V. —  VOL.   III. 


Povpbyrio  cajruleus,  252. 

nielauotus,  270. 

— —  poliocepbalus.  111, 

135. 

veterum.  111. 

Porzana  akool,  135. 

bailloni,  135,  346. 

leucogaster,  110. 

maruetta,  44,  252. 

Pratincola  caprata,  124. 

indica,  124. 

nibetra,  32. 

riibicola,  32,  242. 

sybilla,  102. 

Premnocopus  undulatus, 

421. 
Prinia  inornata,  126. 
Prionops  cristatus,  403 

poliocepbalus,  403. 

Pristorbampbus  versteri, 

316. 
Procellaria  glacialis,  92. 

leucorrhoa,  254. 

Procnias  tersa,  207. 

ventralis,  208. 

Progne  cbalybea,  205,277. 

purpurea,  205. 

tapera,  205,  277. 

Promei'ops    melanorbyn- 

cbus,  395. 

minor,  397. 

Psalidoprocne    antinorii, 

232,  456. 
Pseudogyps    bengalensis, 

.54. 
Pseudoleistes    vireseens, 

279. 
PsiLtacus  eritbacus,  322. 

rubrovarius,  322. 

Psittasoma     niicbleri 

zeledoni,  113. 
Psopbia  cantatrix,  222. 

leucoptera,  222. 

Pterocles  arenarius,  131, 

357. 

exustus,  131. 

fasciatus,  131. 

gutturalis,  346. 

Pterolestes  augur,  391. 
Ptilopus  lewisi,  227. 

ricbardsi,  228. 

solomouensis,  316. 

Ptyonoprogne  concolor, 

60. 
PutSnus    anglorura,    48, 

94,  254,  361. 

•  assiuiilis,  269. 

kubli,  47,  48,  255. 

spbeuurus,  268. 

PufRuus  yelkouan,  48. 


Pycnouotus  barbatus,  244. 

—  bsemorrbous,  68. 

layardi,  344. 

Pyctorbis  sinensis,  67. 
Pygmornis  longuemareus, 

431. 

pygmajus,  431. 

Pygosceles  antipodum, 

108. 
Pyranga  .nestiva,  210,  211. 

ardens,  211. 

cyanicterus,  211. 

biBtnalea,  211. 

roseigalaris,  186, 

190. 

rubra,  234. 

Pyrgilauda  kausuensis, 

111. 
Pyrgisoma  albiceps,  275. 

rubricatum,  275. 

Pyrgita  petronia,  353. 
Pyrgitopsis  ammodendri, 

354. 
Pyriglena  funebris,  429. 

leucoptera,  429. 

tyrannina,  427. 

Pvrocepbalus  rubineus, 

'280,  297. 
Pyroderus    orenocensis, 

306. 

scutatus,  306. 

Pyromelana   franciscana, 

409. 

oryx,  345. 

taba,  345. 

Pyrrbocorax  alpinus,  38. 

graculus,  38,  245. 

Pyrrbula  orieutalis,  107. 

rosacea,  107. 

Pyrrbulauda  grisea,  130. 

Querquedula  circia,  45, 

1.S7,  358. 
crecca,  45,  137,  172, 

250,  358. 

eatoni,  320. 

erytbrorbyncha,415. 

Querula  cruenta,  305. 

minor,  302. 

Quiscalus  lugubris,  219. 

Rallus  aquaticus,  44. 

indicus,  135. 

Recurvirostra   avocetta, 

134. 
Eegulus  cristatus,  34. 

ignicapillus,  34. 

satrapa,  448. 

Rhampbocsenus  albiren- 

tris,  426. 

2l 


478 


INDEX. 


Rhampboca'lus    jacapa, 

:210. 

Rhampliopis   atrococci- 

neiis,  210. 
Khea  americana,  283. 

diirwini,  220. 

Khectes  analogus,  230. 

leucorliynchus,  447. 

Ehinopoinastes    cabanisi, 

397. 

. minor,  397. 

Eliinoptilns  cinctus,  416. 

gracilis,  41(1 

Rliipicliira  aureola,  66. 

cockerelli,  227. 

leucothorax,  228. 

pelzelui,  270. 

Ehodostethia  rosea,  443. 
Ehopnphilus  albo-super- 

ciliaris,  3.'")5,  3.56. 
■ deserti,    111,   354, 

355,  356. 
— pekiuensis,  354,  355, 

356. 
,  var.  major, 

354,  355. 

superciliaris,  356. 

Ehojjoterpe  guttata,  425. 

torquata,  429. 

Ehyacophilus  glareola, 

134. 
Rliyncbtea  beugalensis, 

1.3.3. 
Ebynrhocjclus  flaviven- 

tVis,  295. 

ruficauda,  296. 

sulphiirescens,  295. 

Rissa  brevirostris,  117. 

kotzebui,  117. 

tridactvla,  254. 

Eupicola  crocea,  304. 

peruviana,  318. 

sanguinolenta,  318. 

■ saturata,  318. 

Ruporuis  gracilis,  4.50. 

griseicauda,  193. 

ridgwayi,  225. 

— '—  rufieauda    grisei- 
cauda, 4.50. 
Ruticilla   erytbrogastra, 

356. 

■  moussieri,  241,  242. 

ocbruros,  112. 

pbcenicurus,  32. 

■ rufnentris,  125. 

tithys,  237. 

titys,  32. 

Salioaria  leucojitera,  406. 
Saltalor  aler,  213. 


Saltator  caTulcsceiis,  213. 

magnus,  213. 

olivascens,  213. 

Sarcidiornis  melanono- 

tus,  i:!6. 
Sarcorbauiphus   a^qua- 

torialis,  440. 

grypbus,  440. 

Sauropatis  australasiu?, 

445. 
Sauropbagus  lictor,  296. 

sulpburatus,  29'V 

S  ixicola  cvpriaca,  229. 

deserti,  125,  405. 

isabellina,  125,  405. 

■ inorio,  229. 

ceiiantlie,  32,  80. 

opistbolcut^a,  125. 

pliillipsi.  .390,  -104. 

rufooiuerea,  404. 

salina,  35(5. 

• .seebobnii,  405. 

stapazina,  446. 

Scaphidura  atra,  219. 
Scai^liorbvncbus  audax, 

296. 
Sceloglaux  albifacies,  99. 
Scbizorbis  leopoldi,  4.56. 
leucogastra,   322, 

4<X». 
Scleraru.s  brunneus,  419. 

caudacutus,  419. 

Scolopas  gallinago,  86. 

rusticula,  42,86,253. 

ycops  capensis,  342. 

• giu,  26,  263. 

minutiis,  139. 

pennanti,  59. 

stictouotus,  194. 

Scotoj>elia  oustaleti,  322. 
Selaspborus  flammula, 

231. 
- — -  torridus,  231. 
Sericossypba  albooristata, 

234. 
Seriiuis  bortulanus,  39, 

245. 

peetoralis,  109. 

Serpbophaga  peetoralis. 

293. 
Setopbaga  auricapillus, 

203. 

briinneiceps,  204. 

castaneocapilla,  203. 

-; guatemalaj.  324. 

ruticilla,  188,  203. 

verticalis,  203. 

Signiodus  nientalis.  ll(>. 
Sipbia  tickcllia',  (iC). 
8itta  cajsia,  241,  243. 


Sitta  eckloni,  1 11. 

naivia,  427. 

surinaiuensis.  425. 

wbitebeadi.  28,  455. 

Sittasonius  olivaeeus,  421. 
Siurus  aiu-icapillus,  188. 

noveboracensis.  202. 

Somateria  uiollissinia,  87. 

spectabilis,  88. 

SpaUila  clvpeata,  45,  137, 

250. 
Speeulipastor   bicolor, 

411. 
Sperinopliila  castaneiveu- 

tris,  214. 

collaria.  214. 

grisea,  215. 

guttural  is,  215. 

liypoxantba,  277. 

liueata,  214. 

lineola,  214. 

miniita.  214. 

pluinbea,  215. 

SplienisL'us    deniersiis, 

104.  108. 
Spindalis  benedicti,  321. 

exsul,  189. 

pretrii,  189. 

zena.  189. 

Spizalauda  deva,  130. 
Spizella  atrigularis,  114. 

pusilla,  1 14. 

wortbeni,  1 14. 

Sporopbila  auierieaua, 

214. 

castaneiventris,  214. 

Spreo  albicapillus,  413. 
Squatarola  belvetica,  2.53. 
Starna  robusta,  106. 
Steatoruis  caripensis,  439. 
Stelgidopteryx    ruiicollia, 

2(36. 
Stenopsis   cayennensis, 

439. 

rufi cervix,  439. 

Stenostira  scita,  344. 
Stepbanibvx    coronata, 

417. 
Stercorarius  catarrbacles, 

87. 

crepidatus,  87- 

parasiticus,  167. 

Sterna  arctica,  87. 

cautiaca,  47. 

fliiviatibs,  46,  254. 

fuliginosa,  26(5. 

macrura,  170. 

uielanogaster,  1.38. 

ininuta,  .335. 

seeua,  138. 


INDEX. 


479 


Stietupicus  luibiL'us,  M94. 
ytiginatops    albu-auricii- 

lans,  227. 

kebirensis,  44(>. 

salvadorii,  446. 

Stoparola  melanops,  (>(*>. 
Strepsilas  iiiterpres,  85. 
Streptopelia    torquatus, 

357. 
Strix    flammea,   2(i,   247, 

265. 

■ lacteiis,  392. 

Strvitbio  australis,  229. 
nioljbdopljane.s, 

229. 
kSturnella    ludoviciaua, 

219. 
■ uieridionalis, 

219. 
Sturuia  pagoda  nun,  128. 
iSlurims  niteiis,  111. 
polturatzkyi,     10(). 

111. 
piirpurasceiis,  111, 

353. 

unicolor.  111,  245. 

vulgaris,  38,  82, 

111,  128,245. 
Sula  bassaiia.  91.  249. 

dactylatra,  108. 

iiebousi,  1()8. 

personata,  269. 

Surnia  ulula,  260. 
Sutoria  sutoria,  126. 
Sycalis  brasiliensis,  217. 

ci  trill  a,  217. 

flaveola,  217. 

luteola,  278. 

nuiior,  217. 

pelzelui,  278. 

Sylvia  affinis,  126,  387. 

atricapilla,  34. 

einerea,  33. 

couspicillata,  33. 

curriica,  33. 

data,  294. 

hortensis,  181,  365. 

jerdoiii,  126. 

melanocepbala,  33, 

243,  464. 

minu.scula,  387. 

mystacea,  112. 

nisoria,  230,  453, 

464. 

pectoralis,  293. 

pitiayuuii,  202. 

subalpina,  33. 

Syiuinurplms   leucopy- 

gius,  270. 
Synallaxis  adusla,  419. 


Sviiallaxis  albescent), 
'419. 

briiiineicauda,  419. 

ciniiaiuoiiiea,  419. 

deriiissa,  420. 

frontalis,  419. 

guianensis,  419. 

modesta.  286. 

patagoniia,  28.5. 

pancalensis,  234. 

pbrvgaiKjpbila,  280. 

ruflcapilla,  419. 

ruflcauda,  419. 

sordida,  281,  285. 

Sypheoti.s  aurita,  132. 
Syi'iiinm  aliico,  247. 

• bohndorffi,  116. 

lapponicum,  255. 

uralense,  256. 

Taccoeua  lesohenaulti, 

64. 
Tac-liybaptes  fliiviatilis, 

46 ; 255. 
Tachycineta  albiventris, 

20.5. 
Tachvphonus    atricapil- 

lus,  272. 

cristatus,  212. 

delattrii,  273. 

intercedens,  212. 

— — -  liictuosus,  211. 
nielaleucus,  211. 

■ — —  napensis,  273. 

uattereri,  273. 

nigen-iniiis,  211. 

ochropygos,  212. 

phoeniceus,  212. 

Surinam  us,  212,  273. 

napensis,  273. 

Tadorna  casarca,  137. 
Tienioptera  doaiiniL-aiia, 

279. 
Tauagra  i»stiva,  210. 

archiepiscopus,  210. 

atra,  213. 

atricapilla,  211. 

crista!  ella,  273. 

cristatus,  212. 

cyana,  208,  209. 

cyauea,  190. 

episcopus,  210. 

erythrorbyncba, 

410. 

flaviveutris,  210. 

guiaiiensis,  205. 

gyrola,  209. 

— . —  jacapa,  210. 
jaearina,  215. 

maeroura.  311. 


Tanagra  magna,  213. 

nigricollis,  208. 

])almavum,  210. 

punctata,  209. 

serioptera,  210. 

silcns,  212. 

tatao,  209. 

violacea,  208. 

Tanagrella  velia,  209. 
Tantalus  bagedasb,  415. 

leucocephalus,  136. 

Teiephonus   erytbropte- 

rus,  244. 

jamesi,  390,  403. 

Temnurus  roseigaster,  99. 
Tephrodornis  pondiceri- 

anus,  6.5. 
Terenura    spodioptila, 

426. 
Terpsiplione  cristata,  400. 

ferreti,  400. 

melanogastra,  400. 

paradisi,  66. 

Tetrao  mutus,  84. 

tetrix,  452. 

urogalloides,  yar. 

sacbalensis,  224. 
Te.xtor  dinemelli,   390, 

392,  409. 

intermedins,  410. 

scioanus,  232. 

Tbalassidroma  leucor- 

rboa,  95,  361. 

pelagica,  95. 

Tbalurania  fureata,  433. 
Tbainnobia  cainbaiensis, 

124. 
Tbainnolaa  rufocinerea, 

404. 
Thamnomanes   glaucus, 

424. 
Tbarnuopbilus  amazoni- 

cus,  423. 

argentinus,  281. 

atricapillus,  423. 

berlepschi,  234. 

candacutus,  419. 

cii-rbatus,  423. 

doliatus,  424. 

fuliginosus,  423. 

insiguis,  424. 

lineatus,  423. 

lunulatus,  423. 

major,  423. 

murinus,  4:'3. 

utevius,  423. 

ruflcoUis,  42.3. 

Thaumatias  linnici,  435. 

tobaci,  435. 

Tbranpis  cilivaseens,  210, 


480 


INDEX. 


Threnoedus  militaris,  305. 

rubricollis,  3()(). 

Tiiripouax     crawfitrdi, 

141,  149,  LjO,  153. 
feddeni,  141,  148, 

149,  150,  152. 
liargitti,  141,  l."i5, 

156. 

hodgei,  141,  142. 

hodgsoni,  141,  150, 

151,  1.52,  157. 
javensis,    141,    145, 

14(i,  147,  149, 150,  151, 

155. 

jerdoni,  141,  152. 

leueogaster,  141. 

pectoralis,  141,  143. 

richardsi,  142,  156. 

Thryo  philus  leucotis,201 . 

minlosi,  222. 

Thryothorus  albipectus, 

201. 

CO  ray  a,  201. 

martinicensis,  201. 

■  platensis,  201. 

rupLilu.s,  201. 

Tiaris  pusilla,  190. 
Tichodroma     muraria, 

357,  446. 
Timolia  lercbi,  317. 
Tinnunculas    alaudarius, 

25,  249,  392. 

cenchris,  249,  342. 

rupicoloides,  342. 

tinnunculiis,  392. 

Tityra  cayana,  301. 
Todirosti'uni  cinereuiu, 

292. 

maculatum,  292. 

ruflceps,  222. 

rufigene,  222. 

■  signatuiu,  292. 

Todus  angustirostris,  99. 

cinereiis,  292. 

feri'ugineus,  297. 

maculatiis,  292. 

regius,  297 

subulatus,  99. 

Topaza  pella,  432. 
Totaniis  calidris.  43,  134, 

2.53,  357,  363. 

canescens,  43. 

fuscus.  1.34. 

glareola,  43,  1(>4, 

348. 

glottis,  134,  195. 

•  hypoleucus,  85. 

ocbropus,  134. 

•  pugnax,  364. 

stagnatilis,  134. 


Traehypljouiis  crythro- 

ceplialiis,  394. 
Treroii  delalandii,  345. 

waalia,  414. 

Ti'icciis  eiiiereus,  292. 
Tricholajina  melanoce- 

phala,  394. 
stigmatothorax, 

394. 
Tringa  alpina,  42,  86. 

■  canutus,  440. 

iimcularia,  194. 

inimita,  42,  134, 

348. 

subarquata,  43. 

teairaiucki,  42, 

164. 
Tringoides  hypoleucus, 

43,  134,  2.53,  348. 

macularius,  194. 

Trochilus  ametbystinus, 

434. 

anais,  4.34. 

•  augusti,  431. 

aurieulatus,  436. 

aiiritus,  434. 

bicolor,  436. 

bourcieri,  4.31. 

brasiliensis,  431. 

brevirostris,  436. 

cairuleus,  435. 

- — —  cyaneua,  436. 

dominicus,  431. 

furcatus,  433. 

hir.sutus,  431. 

johannte,  4.33. 

largipennis,  432. 

leueogaster,  435. 

longirostris,  435. 

longuemareus,  431. 

mango,  432. 

mellivorus,  4-33. 

moschitus.  434. 

ornatus,  433. 

pectoralis,  432. 

pella,  432. 

petasophoriis,  436. 

platurus,  434. 

pygmteus,  431. 

recurvirostris,  4.33. 

rivolii,  436. 

rubiiieus,  436. 

sappbirinus,  436. 

superciliosus,  431. 

tobaci,  4.35. 

violicauda,  4.32. 

virescens,  435. 

■  viridis,  435. 

viridissiuius,  435. 

Troglodytes  beani,  .321. 


Troglodytes  borealis,  7t>, 

31)5.  37(). 

f'urvus,  201. 

hirteusis,  80,  359. 

parvulus,  32.  244. 

borealis,  81. 

fuuiigatus,  81. 

nipalensis,  81. 

pallescens,  81. 

rufulus,  201. 

Tropidorhynchus  aruen- 

sis,  446. 
Turdiuus  sepiarius,  var. 

minor,  446. 
Turdus  albiventris,  198. 

aliciiE,  197. 

atrieapillus,  199. 

atrothorax.  428. 

cantator,  428. 

carboiiarius,  198. 

■ — —  cinnamomeus,  427. 

coraya,  20 1 . 

fla\ipes,  198. 

f'umigatus,  198. 

f'usceseens,  196. 

gilvus,  199. 

griseus,  426. 

gymnophthalmus, 

198. 

ignobilis,  198. 

iliacus,  80,  159. 

leucops,  199. 

merula,  37,  242. 

murinus,  197. 

musicus,  36,  80, 242. 

mystacinus,  .356. 

pbseopygus,  197. 

pilaris,  37,  159. 

roraiinae,  198. 

rufigularis,  428. 

rufiveatris,  277. 

surinamus,  212. 

svvainsoni,  var.  u^- 

tulatus,  197. 

torquatus,  37. 

ustulatus,  197. 

viscivorus,  36,  242. 

Tnrnix  dussumieri,  1.32. 

joudera,  132. 

lepurana,  346. 

sylvatica,  251. 

— —  taigoor,  132. 
Turtur  communis,  41. 

meena,  130. 

risorius,  130. 

senegalensis,  130. 

suratensis,  130. 

tranquebaricus, 

131. 
Tylas  eduardi,  101. 


INDEX. 


481 


Tyranneutes  brachyuriis, 

300. 
Tyranuiscus  acer,  294. 

■ gracilipes,  294. 

griseiceps,  294. 

Tyrannula    ardesiaca, 

298. 

setopbagoides,  291. 

Tyranuulus  elatus,  294. 
Tyranims  albicollis,  295. 

luggeri,  295. 

melancliolicus,  280, 

299. 
"rufinus,  299. 

Ulula  aluco,  2.57. 
Upupa  epops,  28,  04, 

357,  397. 
senegalensis, 

397. 
erythrorbyncbiis, 

395.  ' 

senegalensis,  397. 

Ura?gintbus  iantbiuogas- 

ter,  408. 
Uranomitra  viridifrons, 

317. 
Uria  bruennicbi,  89. 

grylle,  89. 

troile,  89. 

Urocbaris  longicauda, 

316. 


Ui'ogallus  urogallus,  50. 
Urolestes  nielauoleucus, 

344. 
Urubitinga  antbracina, 

193. 

Vanellus  capella,  97. 
cayennensis,  282. 

vulgaris,  42,  253. 

Vidua  verreauxi,  345. 
Vireo  agilis,  204. 

approximans,  114. 

b.irdi,  321. 

calidris,  204. 

niagister,  186,  188, 

321. 
Vireolanius  leucotis,  205. 
— —  pulcbellus  vertiea- 

lis,  449. 
Vireosylvia  agilis,  204. 

cinerea,  321. 

■ grandior,  114. 

niagister,  188. 

Volatinia  jacarina,  215. 

splendens,  215. 

Vultur  raonacbus,  53. 

Xanthocorys  nattereri, 

324. 
Xantbodina  pyrgita,  408. 
Xantbolsemabseniacepba- 

la,  63. 


Xantbornus  deeumanus, 

217. 
Xantbosomus  flavus,  278. 

icterocepbalus,  218. 

Xantbotis  rubiensis,  230. 
Xenia  sabinii,  222,  455. 
Xenopipo  atronitens,  299. 
Xenops  dentirostris,  421 . 

genibarbis,  420. 

Xenorliyncbus  asiaticus, 

135.  " 
Xipbolena  pompadora, 

305. 
Xipborbyncbus  trocbili- 

rostris,  422. 

Zenaida  maculata,  282. 

ruficauda,  113. 

vinaceo-rufa,  113. 

Zonotricbia  matutina, 

216. 

pileata,  216,  278. 

Zosterops  brunneicauda, 

316. 

fuscifrons,  228. 

incerta,  446. 

■ lougirostns,  227. 

madagascariensis, 

101. 

l^alpebrosa,  127. 

tenuirostris,  270. 

uropygialis,  316. 


END  OF  VOL.  III. 


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CONTENTS  OF  NUMBER  IX.   {continued). 

30.  Eeichenow  on  Parrots i 

31.  Ridgway  on  new  Birds  from  the  Commander  Islands  andi    112 

Petropaulovski j 

32.  Ridgway  on  new  Costa-Rican  Birds (     n  q 

33.  Ridgway  on  West-Indian  Birds ^    lid 

34.  Ridgway  on  a  new  I'ield-Sparrow i 

35.  Robson  on  the  Breeding  of  the  Eastern  Golden  Plover     .  (     , ,  . 
3G.  Schalow  on  a  new  Plantain-eater f" 

37.  Sharpe  on  the  Birds  of  the  "Voyage  of  the  '  Alert '  .     .     .  ) 

38.  Sharpe  on  various  Timeliidse ) 

39.  Sharpe  on  a  new  Wren  from  Timor (.    1 1  k 

40.  Sharpe  on  Birds  from  New  Guinea >-     lio 

41.  Sharpe  on  Birds  from  Equatorial  Africa j 

42.  Shui'eldt  on  the  forms  of  the  Patella  in  Birds     .     .     .     .  ) 

43.  ^vaxih.  on  XhQ  Hieracidece LllR 

44.  ^o\xz?i  on  Biicora.x  pyrrhops >-lio 

45.  Stejnegerou  the  Natural  History  of  the  Commander  Islands  ) 

46.  Stejneger  on  the  Genus  Ci?;;i/?7w.s I     117 

47.  Travel's  on  the  Organic  Productions  of  New  Zealand    .     .  | 

X.  Letters,  Extracts,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letters  from  Mr.  L.  M.  Turner  and  Messrs.  Salvin  and  Godman ; 
Singular  Development  of  Opisthocomtis ;  The  National  Bird- 
CoUection  at  Washington ;  Ornithological  Works  in  Progress  ; 
Proceedings  of  the  Ridgway  Ornithological  Club 117 


Publications  received  since  the  issue  of  No.  8,  Fifth  Series, 

AND  not  noticed  IN  THE  PRESENT  NuMBER. 

1.  'The  Auk.'    Vol.  I.  Nos.  3,  4. 

2.  Berlepsch.     Untersuchungen  Uber  die  Vogel  der  Umgegend  von  Buca- 
ramanga  in  Neu-Granada.     (J.  f.  O.  1884.) 

3.  Blasius.     Neue  Thatsachen  in  BetrefF  der  Ueberreste  von  Alca  impennis, 
Linn.     (Tageblatt  d.  Naturf.  Versamm.  zu  Magdeburg,  1884.) 

4.  Blasius.     Ornithologische  Forschungen.     (J.  f.  0.  1884.) 

5.  Blasius.     Ueber  eiuen  vermuthlich  neuen  Trompeter- Vogel  von  BoUvia. 
(J.  f.  0.  1884.) 

6.  Blasius.     Ueber  Vogel-Brustbeine.     (J.  f.  0.  1884.) 

7.  Bbhm's  Reisen  in  centralem  Ostafrika.      (Zeitsch.  f.  omith.  imd  practische 
Gefliigelz,  1884.) 

8.  BoLAM.     Red-breasted  Flycatcher  in  Northumberland.     (The  Naturalist, 
Aug.  1884.) 

9.  Catalogue  of  the  Natural  History  Collections  of  the  Albany  Museum, 
Grahamstown.     (8vo.  Cape  Town,  1883.) 

10.  CoLLETT.     Ueber  Alca  impennis  in  Norwegen.     (Mitth.  ornith.  Ver.  in 
Wien,  1884.) 

11.  GuBNEY.     Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Norfolk.     (8vo.  London,  1884.) 

12.  Hawtayne.     Taxidermic  and  other  Notes.     (12mo.  Demerara,  1884.) 

13.  Henke.     Beitrag  zur  Losung  der  Straussenfrage.      (Zeitsch.  f,   d.  ge- 
sammte  Ornithol.  i.  1884.) 

14.  Htjet.     Note  sur  les  naissances,  dons  et  acquisitions  de  la  Menagerie  du 
Museum  d'Histoire  Naturelle.     (Bull.  Soc.  Nat.  Acclim.  France,  1884,) 

15.  Le  Moine.     Canadian  Ornithology,     (Quebec,  1884.) 

16.  Report  on  the  Migration  of  Birds.     1883. 

17.  Salvadoei.    Uccelh  dello  Scioa  e  della  regione  fra  Zeila  e  la  Scioa, 
(Annali  Mus.  Civ.  d.  Stor.  Nat.  Genova,  ser.  2,  vol.  i.) 

18.  Smithsonian  Report.     1882. 

19.  Stejnegeb.    On  the  use  of  Trinomials  in  American  Ornithology. 


CONTENTS  OE  NUMBER  IX.— EIETH  SElllES. 

Page 
I.  Notes  on  "Woodpeckers. — No.  IX,  On  the  Genus  MicrOjjternus. 

By  EuwARD  Haegixt,  F.Z.S 1 

II.  On  the  Muscicapine  Genus    Ghasiempis.      By  P.  L.  Sclatek, 

M.A.,  Ph.D.,  r.ll.S.     (Plate  I.) 17 

III.  On    the  Aftershaft    in  the  Feathers   of    certain    Birds.      By 
F.  E.  Beddaed,  M.A.,  F.L.S.,  Prosector  to  the  Zoological 

Society  of  Loudon 19 

IV.  Ornithological  Notes   from  Coj-sica.       By  Joun  WuixEHEAn. 

(Plate  II.) 24 

V.  On  two  Birds  from  Norfolk  Island.    Bv  II.  B.  Tiustkam,  D.D., 

F.R.S ' 48 

VI.  On  the  Shedding  of  the  Claws  in  the  Ptarmigan  and  allied 

Birds.     By  LEoiraARD  Sxejnegek 50 

VII.  On  the  Birds  of  Central  India.— Part  I.     By  Lieut.-Col.  C. 

Swinhoe  and  Lieut.  IIexey  Barnes 52 

VIII.  The  Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.    By  Charles  Dison.    (Plate  IIL)     60 
IX.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

1.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway  on  the  Water-Bu-ds  of  North 

America 97 

2.  Barboza  du  Bocage  on  Birds  from  Angola "j 

3.  ]3arboza  du  Bocage  oa  West- African  Birds j 

4.  Barboza  du  Bocag-e  oa  Cinnyris  erikssoni J;-     f>8 

5.  Bekling  on  the  Birds  of  Giiaymas I 

6.  Beldi:]g  ou  the  Birds  of  Lo\Ter  California J 

7.  Bullcr  on  rare  New-Zealand  Birds ;       „ 

8.  Cory  ou  tlie  Birds  of  Sau  Domingo \ 

9.  Coues's  new  Key  to  Ndrlli-American  Bird,^ 100 

10.  Cowan  on  the  Birds  of  Madagascar .  K)  1 

11.  Da  Verleuil's 'Trinidad.'     (Second  edition.) 102 

12.  De  Via  on  the  Moa  in  Australia j         ., 

18.  Dresser's  Monograph  of  the  Bee- eaters \ 

14.  Dubo;s  on  a  new  Parrot  from  New  Guinea ) 

15.  Filhol  on  the  Osteology  of  the  Penguin; (mi 

16.  Filhol  on  the  Diaphragm  of  the  Penguins ( 

17.  Filhol  ou  the  Arterial  System  of  the  Penguins    .     .     .     .) 

IS.  Guruey  on  tlie  Arctic  Blue-tliroaled  \Varblor  in  NoivJk.  (  ,„. 

19.  Guniey  on  the  "  Hairy  "  variety  of  the  Moarliea      .     .     .  j 

20.  Haast  ou  the  Grey  Phalarope  in  New  Zeah/ud    .     .     .     .   i 

21.  Honieyer  and  Tancre  on  the  Birds  of  the  Altai  .     .     .     .    •  100 

22.  Jouy  on  the  Birds  of  Japan | 

23.  Lawrence  on  a  uew  Hemiprocne \  m\- 

24.  Lydekker  on  Siwalik  Fossil  Birds {  ^^' 

25.  Milne-Edwards  on  the  Fauna  of  the  Antarctic  Regions    .     .108 

26.  Murray's  '  Vertebrate  Zoology  of  Sind' I  in'> 

27.  Nutting  ou  Birds  from  Nicaragua ( 

28.  Przewalski's  .Journey  in  Tibet 110 

20.  Radde's  '  Oruis  Cauca;-ica ' Ill 

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CONTENTS  OF  NUMBER  X.  (continued). 

Page 

79.  Salvador!  on  the  Birds  of  Shoa j  „ 

80.  Saunders's  Edition  of  Yarrell's  British  Birds'     .     .     .     .  f  "^"^^ 

81.  Smithsonian  Report  for  1882 I 

82.  Stejneger  on  Trinomials  in  Ornithology j  *  " 

83.  Taczanowski's  '  Ornithology  of  Peru ' I 

84.  Vila  on  the  Ornithology  of  Gerona J  2d4: 

XX.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letter  from  M.  Leon  Olphe-Galliard ;  Gift  of  the  Salvin-God- 
man  Collection  to  the  British  Museum ;  The  Hume  Collection 
of  Indian  Birds;  Ridgvvay  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago; 
News  from  the  Ciiucasus ;  Black  Redstart  in  Somersetshire ; 
Obituary— Dr.  Riippell,  Prof.  Severtzoff",  Mr.  E.  W.  White, 
and  Mr.^E.  C.  Rye ;  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen ;  New  Edition  of  Buller'a 
'  Birds  of  New  Zealand ' 235 


Publications  received  since  the  issue  of  No.  9,  Fifth  Series^ 

AND  NOT  noticed  IN  THE  PRESENT  NuMBER. 

20.  Annunl  Report  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege, Cambridge. 

21.  Dubois.  Revue  critique  des  oiseaiLx  de  'la  famille  des  Bucerotides. 
(Bull.  Mus.  R.  d'Hist.  Nat.  Belgique,  tome  iii.) 

22.  Dubois.  Remarques  sur  les  Alouettes  du  Genre  Otocorys.  (Bull.  Mus. 
R.  d'Hist.  Nat.  Belgique,  tome  iii.) 

23.  Gaeman.  On  the  Use  of  Polynomials  as  Names  in  Zoology.  (Proc. 
Boston  Soc.  N.  H.  1884.) 

24.  Sitzungs-Protokolle  des  ersten  Internationalen  Ornithologen-Congresses, 
Wien,  1884. 

25.  Lawrence.  New  Species  of  Birds  of  the  FamiHes  Tyrannidce,  Cypselidce, 
and  Columhidce.     (Ann.  N.  Y.  Acad.  Sci.  iii.) 

26.  Menzbier.     Memoires  sur  les  Puridce.     (Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  1884.) 

27.  Mittheilungen  des  ornithologischen  Vereines  in  Wien.  (Section  fiir 
Geflus-elzucht  &c.  1884,  Nos.  26,  27,  28;  1885,  Nos.  1-25.  Section  fiir 
Vogeikunde  &c.  1886,  Nos.  1-12). 

28.  RiDGWAY.  Description  of  some  new  Species  of  Birds  from  Cozumel 
Island,  Yucatan.     (Pr.  Biol.  Soc.  Washington,  iii.) 

29.  ScHMiDHOEFEN.  Auas  spoHsa,  Linn.,  in  Steiermark.  (Mitth.  omith 
Ver.  Wien,  1884.) 

30.  ScHMiDHOFFEN.  Bemei'kungen  liber  Acredula  caudata,  Linn.,  und -4. 
rosea,  Blyth.     (Mitth.  ornith.  Ver.  Wien,  1884.) 

31.  Shufeldt.      Osteology  of  Ceryle  alcyon.     (Joum.  Anat.  &  Phys.  xviii.) 

32.  Shufeldt.  On  the  Osteology  of  Numenius  longirostris,  &c,  (Joum. 
Anat.  &  Phys.  xix.) 

33.  VoRDERMAN.  Bataviasche  Vogels. — Part  VI.,  and  AJphabetische  Index. 
Natuurk.  Tijds.  voor  Nederl.  Indie,  Deal  xliv.  All.  3.) 

34.  VoRDERMAN.  List  of  Birds  from  Java.  (Natuurk.  Tijds.  voor  Nederl. 
Indie,  Deel  xliv.) 

35.  The  Young  Oologist.    Vol.  L  no.  10. 

36.  Zeitschrift  fiir  die  gesammte  Ornithologie,  1884,  Heft  4. 


CONTENTS  or  NUMBEE  X.— PIETH  SEEIES. 

Page 
XI.  On  two  new  Birds  from  Borneo.     By  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Slatee, 

B.A.     (Plate  IV.) 121 

XII.  On  the  Birds  of  Central  India.— Part  II.     By  Lieut.-Col.  C. 

SwiNHOE  and  Lieut.  Henut  Barnes 124 

XIII.  Notes  on  some  Eastern  Owls.     By  J.  H.  Gurnet  ....  138 
XIV.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No,  X.  On  the  Genus  Thriponax. 

By  Edward  Hakgixt,  F.Z.S 140 

XV.  A  Birds'-Nesting  Eamble  in  Lapland.     By  Alfred  Craw- 
hall  Chapmak 158 

XVI.  On  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  the  Island  of  Cozumel.     By 

OsBERT  Salvia,  M.A.,  F.ll.S.,  &c.     (Plate  V.)     .     .     .     .  185 
XVII.  On  a  small   Collection  of  Birds   from  Korea.     By  H.  B. 

Tristram,  D.D.,  P.R.S 194 

XVIII.  A  List  of  the  Birds  obtained  by  Mr,  Henry  "Whitely  in'British 

Guiana.     By  Osbert  Salvia,  M.A,,  P.R.S.,  &c.    (Part  I.).  195 
XIX.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

48.  'The  Auk' 220 

49.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway  on  the  Water-Birds  of  North  I 

America i    221 

50.  Berlepsch  on  the  Birds  of  Bucaramanga ) 

61.  Bidwell  on  Sabine's  Gull 1 

52.  W.  Blasius  on  a  new  Trumpeter I    222 

53.  W,  Blasius  on  Grabowsky's  latest  Bornean  Collections .     .  j 

54.  W,  Blasius  on  the  Breast-bones  of  Birds i 

55.  W,  Blasius's  third  Paper  on  the  Great  Auk I    223 

56.  Bogdanow  on  Russian  Ornithology | 

67.  British  Association's  Report  on  Migration  in  1883    .     ,     .  J     e)i)A 

58.  Buckley  and  Harvie-Brown  on  the  Birds  of  Sutherlandshire  f    ""^ 

59.  Collett  on  the  Great  Auk  in  Norway 

60.  Cory  on  the  Birds  of  San  Domingo 

61.  Dresser's  Monograph  of  the  Bee- eaters 

62.  Fischer  on  the  Birds  of  Masai-land 

63.  Glanville's  Catalogue  of  the  Albany  Museum,  Cape  Colony 

64.  Godman  and  Salvin's 'Biologia  Centrali- Americana'    .     , 

65.  Gould's 'Birds  of  New  Guinea' 

66.  Gurney  on  the  Birds  of  Norfolk 

67.  Hawtayne's  Taxidermic  Notes 

68.  Ilenke  on  the  Ostrich-question 

69.  Homeyer  on  a  new  Stonechat 

70.  Iluet  on  Additions  to  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  ,     .     . 

71.  Le  Moine  on  Canadian  Ornithology 

72.  Meyer  on  Birds'  Nests  and  Eggs  from  the  East  Indies  .     .  /     non 

73.  'The  Naturalist' f    "^'^" 

74.  Olphe-Galliard  on  the  Ornithology  of  Western  Europe     .  [    no, 
75-78.  Ridgway  on  American  Birds | 

^Contents  continued  otipage  3  of  Wrapper.^ 


225 

226 
227 
228 

229 


■[-    22 


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CONTENTS  OF  NUMBER  XI.   {continued), 


97.  Pagenstecher's  '  Birds  of  South  Georgia ' 319 

98.  Protocol  of  the  International  Ornithologists'  Congress  )     „n(\ 

99.  Report  of  the  Harvard  Museum  of  Zoology   .     .     .     .  j 

100.  Ridgway  on  new  Birds  from  Cozumel  Island      ....  321 

101.  Rochebrune's  '  Birds  of  Senegambia ' 322 

102.  Saunders's  Edition  of  '  Yarrell's  British  Birds  ' .     .     .1     qoo 

103.  Sharpe  on  the  Fringilliformes j 

104.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  of  Cen/le  alcyon    .     .     .     .  j 

105.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  of  Numenius  longirostris     .  K    n^f. 

106.  Traquair  on  Biological  Nomenclature j 

107.  Tschusi  zu  Schmidhoffen  on  the  Long-tailed  Tits  of  "I 

Europe I 

108.  Tschusi  zu  Schmidhoffen  on  the  Summer  Duck  in  Styria  ^  326 

109.  Vorderman  on  the  Birds  of  Batavia | 

110.  "Vorderman's 'List  of  Ja van  Birds' J 

111.  'The  Young  Oologist' 327 

XXXIII.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letters  from  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Slater  and  Mr.  Osbert  Salvin ; 
Anniversary  of  the  British  Ornithologists'  Union ;  New 
Ornithological  Work ;  Prjevalsky's  New  Expedition ;  The 
Ridgway  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago,  U.S.A. ;  Birds 
breeding  in  Ants'  Nests ;  Birds  at  Scotch  Lighthouses ; 
Mr.  R.  B.  Sharpe's  Departure  for  Simla;  Obituary — Mr. 
Ernest  William  White,  Dr.  Eduard  Riippell,  and  Richard 
Boehm;  News  of  Dr.  Finsch;  New  Expeditions;  New 
Work  on  the  Swallows 327 


Publications  received  since  the  issue  of  No.  10,  Fifth  Series, 
and  not  noticed  in  the  present  number. 

37.  Beckham.  Notes  on  some  of  the  Birds  of  Pueblo,  Colorado.  (The 
Auk,  vol.  ii.) 

38.  BLOALEFrELD.     Reminiscences  of  Wilham  Yarrell.     (8vo.  Bath,  1885.) 

39.  CoEY.     A  List  of  the  Birds  of  the  West  Indies.     (4to.  1885.) 

40.  Dubois.  Revue  des  Oiseaux  observes  en  Belgique.  (Bull.  Mus.  R. 
d'Hist.  Nat.  Belgique,  iv.  1885.) 

41.  Mitchell.     The  Birds  of  Lancashire.     (Svo.  1885.) 

42.  Mittheilungen  des  ornithologischen  Vereines  in  Wien.  (Section  fiir 
Gefliigelzucht  &c.  1885,  Jahr.  2,  Nos.  11-14.  Section  fiir  Vogelkunde  &c. 
1885,  Jahr.  9,  No.  4.) 

43.  Nathusius.  Ueber  die  charakteristischen  Unterscheidungszeichen  ver- 
schiedener  Straussen-Eier.     (J.  f.  0.  1885.) 

44.  Nehkkorn.     Zur  Avifauna  der  Insel  Waigeu.     (J.  f.  O.  1886.) 

45.  Ornithologist  and  Oologist.     Vol.  x.  no.  5. 

46.  SalvadorI  e  Giglioli.  Due  nuove  specie  di  Uccelli  della  Cocincina. 
(Atti  R.  Accad.  Sci.  Torino,  xx.  1885.) 

47.  Shufeldt.  Variations  in  the  Form  of  the  Beak,  that  take  place  during 
its  Growth,  in  the  Short-tailed  Albatross.     (The  Auk,  vol.  ii.) 

48.  Stejneger.  Remarks  on  Lanius  rohiistus.  (Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci. 
Philad.  1885.) 

49.  Tait.  As  Aves  em  Portugal.  Parts  1-3.  (Revista  da  Sociadade  de 
instruc^ao  do  Porto,  1883-84.) 


CONTENTS  OE  NUMBEE  XI.— EIETH  SERIES. 


Page 
XXI.  Winter  Notes  from  Morocco.     By  Capt.  S.  G.  Reid  .     .     .241 

XXII.  On  tlie  Geographical  Distribution  of  Birds  in  European 
Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus. — Part  II.  RapacesNocturn^e. 
By  M.  Menzbier 255 

XXIII.  Notes  on  the  Breeding-habits  of  certain  Sea-Birds  fre- 

quenting   Norfolk    Island    and    the    adjoining    Islets. 
By  W.  M.  Crowfoot,  M.D .263 

XXIV.  On   the   Cormorants   of  Japan   and   China.     By  Henry 

Seebohm 270 

XXV.  On   some  little-known  Species  of  Tanagers.     By  P.    L. 

ScLATER,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  P.R.S.     (Plate  VI.) 271 

XXVI.  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Paisandu,  Republic  of  Uruguay. 
By  Ernesi  Gibson,  F.Z.S.  (Communicated  by  J.  J. 
Dalgxeish.) 275 

XXVII.  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Genus  Homorm  observed  in  the 

Argentine  Republic.     By  W.  H.  Hudson,  C.M.Z.S.    .     .  283 

XXVIII.  On  the  Coloration  in  Life  of  the  naked  Skin-tracts  on  the 
Head  of  Geococcijx  californianvs.  By  Dr.  R.  W.  Shufelbt, 
U.S.  Army,  Memb.  of  the  Am.  Ornith.  Union,  &c. 
(Plate  VII.) 286 

XXIX.  Descriptions  of  three  new  Species  of   Birds   from   South 

America.     By  Hans  von  Bkrlepsch 288 

XXX.  A  List  of  the  Birds  obtained  by  Mr.  Henry  Vvliitely  in 
British  Guiana.  By  Osbert  Salvin,  M.A.,  E.R.S.,  &c. 
(Continued.)     (Plate  VIII.) 291 

XXXI.  Review  of  the  Species  of  the  Family  Coliidae.     By  Capt. 

G.  E.  Shelley,  E.Z.S 307 

XXXII.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

85.  Cory's  *  Birds  of  San  Domingo ' i  qiA 

86.  Dresser's  Monograph  of  the  Bee-eaters j  ' 

87.  Dubois  on  the  (xeuus  Otocorys j 

88.  Dubois  on  the  Ilorubills i  315 

89.  Garman  on  Polynomials  in  Zoology ) 

90.  Gould's 'Birds  of  New  Guinea' I  „_ 

91.  Gould's 'Supplement  to  the  ^roc7^^7^■(^«' ^  -.ib 

92.  Langille  on  North-American  Birds j 

93.  Lawrence  on  new  Species  of   Tyrannidce,  Cypsclid<s,  (  ^,  _ 

and  Columhidce >  oil 

94.  Menzbier  on  the  Blue  Tits ) 

95.  '  Mittheilungen  '  of  the  Ornithological  Union  of  Vienna  [  „,  ^ 

96.  Newton  on  Ornithology J  31» 

\_Contents  continued  onjmye  3  of  Wrapper,'] 


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H.  E.  DRESSER, 

Secretary. 

(i  Tenterdeu  Street,  Hanover  Square,  AV. 

Noiu  ready. 

A  NEW  LIST  OP  BRITISH  BIRDS. 

A  List  of  Britisli  Birds  compiled  bv  a  Committee  of  the  British  Ornithologists' 
Union.     229  pp.     8vo.     Price  10s.  dd. 

London  :  John  Van  Voorst,  1  Paternoster  Row,  E.G. 

Members  of  the  British  Ornithologists'  Union  can  obtain  the  above  of  Mr. 
R.  H.  Porter,  6  Teuterden  Street,  Hanover  Square,  W.,  at  the  reduced  price  of 
7s.  C)d,  cash. 


CONTENTS  OF  NUMBER  XII.  {continued). 


144.  Schalow  on  the  Birds  of  Mark  Brandenburg .... 

145.  Scbiavuzzi  on  Northern  Birds  in  the  Adriatic    .     .     .  ^    451 

146.  Stejneger  on  Lanius  rohustus ) 

147.  Stejneger  on  a  new  Sparrow ) 

148.  Taczanowski  on  Abnormal  Moults (     .to 

149.  Tait  on  Portuguese  Birds ?■    40.i 

150.  Zeledon  on  the  Birds  of  Costa  Rica ) 

XLIV.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c.  :— 

Letter  from  Mr.  H.  E.  Dresser ;  Additions  to  the  Bird-collec- 
tion of  the  British  Museum  in  1884 ;  The  Hume  Collection 
of  Indian  Birds  ;  The  Development  of  the  Avian  Sternum ; 
More  News  of  Dr.  0.  Finsch ;  Habits  of  Raggi's  Paradise- 
bird;  Recent  Appointments  in  the  United  States   ....  453 

Index  ., 465 

Titlepage,  Preface,  List  of  Members,  and  Contents. 


Publications  received  since  the  issue  of  No.  II,  Fifth  Series, 

AND  not  noticed  IN  THE  PRESENT  NuMBER. 

50.  Behxepsch  and  Jheking.  Die  Vogel  der  Umgegend  von  Taquara  do 
Mundo  Novo,  Prov.  Rio  Grande  do  Sul.     (Zeitschr.  f.  d.  gesammte  Ornithol. 

1885.) 

51.  Blasius.  Naturhistorische  Studien  imd  Reiseskizzen  aua  Schweden  und 
Norwegen  im  Friihjahre  1884.     (Mitth.  d.  ornithol.  Vereins  in  Wien,  1884.) 

52.  Blasitjs.  Naturhistorische  Studien  und  Reiseskizzen  aus  der  Mark  imd 
Pommern.     Parts  i.,  ii.     (Monatschr.  deutsch.  Ver.  zum  Schutze  d.  Vogelwelt, 

1884,  Nos.  7-10.) 

53.  BxJTTiKOFER.    Zoological  Researches  in  Siberia.    (Notes  Leyden  Mus. 

1885.) 

54.  Dixon,  C.     Evolution  without  Natural  Selection.     (London,  1885.) 

55.  Evans,  W.  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Island  of  Eigg.  (Proc.  R.  Phys. 
Soc.  Edinburgh,  vol.  viii.) 

56.  Evans,  W.  Note  on  the  Breeding  of  the  Marsh  Titmouse  in  Stirlingshire 
in  1884.     {Ibid.) 

57.  GiGLiOLi,  H.  II  primo  Congresso  Ornitologico  Internazionale  tenuto  a 
Vienna  dal  7  al  14  Aprile,  1884.  CoUe  proposte  per  attuare  il  programma  del 
Oomitato  internazionale  ornitologico  permanente  in  cio  che  riguarda  1'  Italia. 
Roma,  1885. 

58.  Mittheilungen  des  ornithologischen  Vereines  in  Wien.  (Section  fiir 
Vogelkunde,  &c.  1885.     Jahr.  9,  Nos.  8-15.) 

59.  OusTALET,  E.  Rapport  sur  le  Congres  et  I'Exposition  Ornitholoffiques 
de  Vienne  en  1884.     (Paris,  1885.)  ^ 

60.  OusTALET,  E.  Description  de  deux  especes  nouvelles  faisant  partie  de 
la  Collection  Ornithologique  du  Museum  d'Histoire  NatureUe  de  Paris.  (Extr. 
du  Journal '  Le  Naturaliste,'  1885.) 

61.  Salvadori  e  Giglioli.  Due  nuove  specie  di  Picchi.  (Atti  R.  Accad. 
Sci.  Torino,  vol.  xx.) 

62.  Ornis.    Internationale  Zeitschrift  fiir  die  gesammte  Ornithologie.   (Wien 

1885.  IHeft.)  ^       ^         ' 


CONTENTS  OV  NUMBER  XII.— EIETH  SEEIES. 

Page 
XXXIV.  Additional  Notes  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.     By 

Thomas  Axkes.     Communicated  by  John  Henry  Gurney  341 

XXXV.  On  the  Birds  of  the  Upper  Tariui,  Kashgaria.     By  M. 

Menzb]er 352 

XXXVI.  Further  Notes  on  the  Ornithology  of  St.  Kilda.      By 

Charles  Dixojsf 358 

XXXVII.  Note  on  Baza  ceylonensis,  Legge.      By  Samuel  Bligh. 

Communicated  by  J.  H.  Gurney 362 

XXXVIII.  Further  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.     By 

Henry  Seebohm 363 

XXXIX.  An  Autumn  Ramble  in  Eastern  Iceland,  with  some  Notes 
from  the  Faroes.  By  Wm.  Eagle  Clarke,  F.L.S.,  and 
James  Backhouse,  Jun.     (Plate  IX.) 36-i 

XL.  Stray  Ornithological  Notes.     By  W.  Edwin  Brooks  .     .  380 

XLI.  On  Mr.  E.  Lort  Phillips's  Collection  of  Birds  from  Somali- 
land.     By  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley,  F.Z.S.     (Plates  X.-XII.)  389 

XLII.  A  List  of  the  Birds  obtained  by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely  in 
British  Guiana.  By  Osrert  Salvin,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  &c. 
(Continued.) 418 


XLIII.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications 

441 


112.  '  The  Auk ' 440 

113.  Blomefield's  '  Reminiscences  of  Yarreir    .... 

114.  British  Association's  Report  on  Migration  in  1881 . 

115.  Buckley  ou  the  Birds  of  Rousay,  Orkney  Islands    .     .     .  442 

116.  Bunge  on  Birds  of  the  Delta  of  the  Lena ] 

117.  Cory's  '  List  of  the  Birds  of  the  West  Indies '    .     .     .1    443 

118.  Dubois  ou  Belgian  Birds j 

119.  Dybowsld  andTaczauowskiontheBirdsofKamtschatka  1      ,, . 

120.  H.  O.  Forbes  ou  the  Eastern  Archipelago ^444 

121.  Llarvie-Browu  on  Kumlien's  Gull i      ,  <  _ 

122.  Meyer  on  new  Birds  in  the  Dresden  Museum      .     .     .  j 

123.  Mitchell's  '■  Birds  of  Lancashire  ' '      .... 

124.  More  on  Irish  Birds \    ^^ 

125.  Nehrkorn  on  Birds  from  Waigiou j 

126.  '  Ornithologist  and  Oologist ' i    447 

127.  Reid  on  the  Birds  of  Bermuda | 

128-142.  Ridgway  on  American  Birds 448 

143.  Salvadori  and  Giglioli  on  new  Birds  from  Cochin  China  .  450 

[Contents  continued  on  page  3  of  Wrapper J\ 


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