u LOU CCn a tH Vilas tye ya soca "i A a 5% ai i yy Nahe Gh f Wnieay P ' nf nyt ‘ we ey aM yd! 3 iM \t rey ) vane! \ yy wy { ANG BMPs an yy 4K 1 f { ‘ yd ry tata Piety? Sah ¥ » rbey s ; Nh UT § uy Sasa a DR nts { Pv yipielnty gay yah is YEP ea | i % } aioe Ni i patriat Oney Poy 1 , , CCM TANT hy : 4 Baye yy \ Me ec Pesce Ha a hae SHY hy) ie), hd Hake at tad ) PAL aun eens Ahan ated \ ay a oy rer) Mire Rin ARV PA sonsrieta Beh led de eG daent eked rea dea aiey eaecbeb RD ne a CPs ma) tte Asa Y wea : MAA mh) yi c Paes oi Py Pay i UN ala we ia wl bred oem ee Poet bae ‘ y Wea ey Ch dy ay chewed eee ya ya wa thie M, Pe HAC AAASEY Mie ti a Oe “ie o me vil aN 5 ae t eee, an tel an ‘ Vey Wye a a sh aN Waste PAN oan le aa sf Naka att ihe % oo ve oe i Mikes ya nie ae A tan , AY KRK ou ne 4 Waihe by AERATED Rye) h bias Se ails " pee haiiiay Pose hy nish ¥ ¥ t yy) Ukr Ne iy ane a : Ane Wh if a rat ny i he : ae ae WS iri 5 H ees ae abi hash anes ts " isd ce Bh a i ier a, ate er Ae tt thy reat Naa . oo tise na ss fae 4 ne : a as oc gis me : Seas oe a he ih Os os a Re ine . ra vii fA qV Mane i, a) Bisel Pitas eee a cite Shei ev itee whe a Rau Stas \ Ry Ria i Me : a8 | ide hy Inld we a Na QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. EDITED BY — OSBERT SALVIN, MA,, F.R.S., B.LS., F:Z,S., &c. ——— VOL Hiy 31873: THIRD SERIES. Ibidis auspicio novus incipit Ibidis or x LONDON: ye d fx f JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW, / oa £ ? Y 1873. fw Cy PRINTED RY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. PREFACE. Mr. Satyrn’s continued absence in Guatemala renders it necessary for his substitute to write a few lines as preface to the third volume of the Third Series of ‘THE I[sts.’ When the British Ornithologists’ Union was in- stituted at Cambridge in 1858, who would have ventured to prophecy that the Society and its Organ would attain such dimensions and such success ? Yet our Union now comprehends ninety-four Mem- bers, and our Journal has reached its 15th volume. Nor does there seem any reason why our numbers should diminish or our volumes cease to appear. Though some of our original members have (I regret to say) become rather sparing of their contributions to ‘Tuer Isis,’ a new generation of ornithologists is arising who show no symptoms of falling behind their predecessors, either in field-work abroad or in cabinet-work at home. ‘To these, as well as to those of the older generation who have contributed to these pages and otherwise assisted us in our arduous undertaking, our best thanks are hereby offered. P. L. SCLATER, Acting Editor. 11 Hanover Square, London, W. _ February 16th, 1874. eat Bie st « srehtao SER ‘ie Ti a Baer ah): fs oT born id ah peeling abe Sy ace a i . “ated. 2); to ae Bee: We ee vote ‘dare lot) het hin ont ona - es thy 4 bhisaee Other feel at aphined stn he hot eone ee roe rbeen€ Fn) Loe nea ont tail YMaoRe oe iia cK “ pete, roy ie gota ion rotted tira Ie Eley Senet Ut i: etc elena hs Ale iis. TTA ‘is EE Por Peuatul | s"t mies “3, > Fete ra wie Ten pra’ «i iat? a ee Pca Vibes Pe Be ae FiiG a cuts aon) ad be = se vert A) seme vorteie? ao co) stone COE eae og . m na Hiss: i RON ite as efitety Deetsatiy tate ie ae Rema b ee capiuiyis. “Shs: fsnhhte ae holga asebtentee conse Om ott i = E hoa ti! Bin! att eerie vig feat es MOA ar had go ntl gecey : aa a 1 oe oid O18 14,101 eas ot (Bo OLY < Wrenite (ibe sche _ et VO rade ean te esi): Eaten aaa ‘Sait aed ed hak a iren (7 Aah, een 1a syaedon clam . rs, heajudesivaes orcsil alae swodl anette , sdk eid it ce eyoubr4 ah pe aig \iaas, oH wrenite Gee eM Bias © Berets cfeeent maps? et ke etalk, i 3 SUE CARRE eh r PAL ees Nu ys ee es ee 1 7. re HES Gl Be ' ¥@ Sa ‘ aA aaa i aes BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1873. [An asterisk indicates an Original Member. | Date of Election. 1870. Anprew Anverson, F.Z.S.; Futtehgurh, North-West Pro- vinces, India. 1872. Hansury Barctay, F.Z.S.; Churchill House, Handsworth, near Birmingham. 1873. W. T. Buanrorp, F.Z.S., F.G.8.; Geological Survey of India, Calcutta. 1870. Sir Vicror Brooxs, Bart.; Colebrooke, Fermanagh, Ireland. 1871. Arraur Basit Brooke; Cardney, Dunkeld, N.B. 1866. Henry Bucxktey, F.Z.8.; Edgbaston, Birmingham. 1868. THomas Epwarp Bucxtey, B.A., F.Z.S.; Westwood House, Beverley. 1872. Watrrr Lawry Buiter, Sc.D., F.L.S., &e.; New Zealand. 1866. ArtHur Wittiam Cricuron, B.A., F.L.S., F.Z.8.; Broadward Hall, Salop. 1865. Henry Exrres Dresser, F.Z.S.; The Firs, South Norwood, Surrey. * Henry Maurice Drummonp-Hay, C.M.Z.S., Lieutenant-Colo- nel, Royal Perth Rifles; Seggieden, Perth. 1870. Dantet Grravup Extiot, F.Z.8.; New York. 1866. Henry Joun Etwes, F.Z.S.; Miserden House, Cirencester. *THomas Campsett Eyton, F.Z.S.; Eyton Hall, Salop. 1873. Capt. H. W. Fritpnn, Paymaster, Royal Artillery, Malta. 1867. Gzuorer Gooca Fowter, B.A.; Gunton Hall, Suffolk. 1865. Rev. Henry Extiorr Fox, B.A.; 7 Park Villas. Oxford. 1873. Atrrep Henry Garrop, F.Z.8.; 11 Harley Street, W. *Freperick DuCane Gopman, F.LS., F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W. vi Date of Election. *Prrcy Sanpen Gopman, B.A., C.M.Z.8S.; Borregaard, Sarps- borg, Norway. 1871. Roserr Gray; 2 Lawrence Place, Dowan Hill, Glasgow. *Joun Henry Gurney, F.Z.S.; Northrepps, Norfolk. 1870. Joun Henry Gurney, Jun., F.Z.S.; Northrepps, Norfolk. 1873. James Fernerstonnaven Hamitton, F.Z.8.; 27 Elgin Cres- cent, Notting Hill, W. 1868. James Epmunp Harrine, F.LS., F.Z.S.; 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, 1873. Joun A. Harviz-Brown; Dunipace House, Falkirk, N.B. *Rey. Wittiam Henry Hawker, M.A., F.Z.8.; Ashford, Petersfield, Sussex. 1868. Rev. Herzert 8. Hawkins, M.A.; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk. 1873. Cuartes B. Honeson, F.Z.S.; 13 Waterloo Street, Bir- mingham. *Witrrm Hupieston Huprxsron, M.A., F.Z.S.; 23 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London. 1869. Arran Ocravian Hume, C.B.; Secretary to the Government of India. 1873. Most Hon, Caries, Marquess of Hunrry; 41 Upper Gros~ venor Street, W. 1870. Hon. Hepworth Hytron-Jotumre; Heath House, Peters- field, Sussex. 1870, Major Leonarp Howarp Irsy, Hythe, Southampton. *ArrHur Epwarp Knox, M.A., F.LS., F.Z.8.; Trotton House, Petersfield, Sussex. *Right Hon. Tuomas Lyrrieron, Lord Litrorp, E.LS., F.Z:8., &e.; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northants. 1870. C. H. T. Marsuatt, F.Z.S.; Captain, Bengal Staff Corps. 1870. G, F. L. Manswatt, F.Z.S,; Royal (Bengal) Engineers. 1864. ALExaANDER Goopman More, F.L.S. &c.; 3 Botanic View, Glasnevin, Dublin. 1872. Francis D’Arcy Wittr1am Croven Newcome ; Feltwell Hall, Norfolk. *Arrrep Newron, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S., V.P.Z.S. ; Professor of Zoology in the University of Cambridge. *Epwarp Newton, M.A., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S8., Colonial Secretary, Mauritius. 1871. Reeryatp Carew Pore, Lieutenant, Royal Navy; Yovilton, Ilchester. vil Date of Election. *Joun Wirtram Pow rett-Orpr, F.Z.8., late Captain, 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment ; Auchnaba House, Loch Gilp Head, N. B. 1872. R. G. Warpiaw Ramsay, 67th Regiment ; White Hill, Lass- wade. 1868. E. J. Ruopes ; Exchequer and Audit Department, Somerset House. 1865. Grorer Dawson Rowtey, M.A., F.Z.S.; Chichester House, Brighton. 1873. Major O. R. C. St. Joun, R.A., F.Z.S.; 49 Victoria Road, W. *OsBERT Satvin, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S8., &c.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W. 1870. Howarp Saunpers, F.Z.S.; 7 Radnor Place, Hyde Park, London. *Puitip Lutiey Scrater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &c.; 44 Elvas- ton Place, Queen’s Gate, London, W. 1873. Henry Srrsoun; Oak Lea, Collegiate Crescent, Broomhall Park, Sheffield. 1871. Ricuarp Bowpter Saree, F.L.S., F.Z.8.;. British Museum. 1870. G. Ernest Suetrey, F.Z.S8., late Captain, Scots Fusilier Guards; Avington, Winchester. 1865. Rev. Cuartes Witi1am SuepHerD, M.A., F.Z.S.; Trotters- cliffe, Kent. 1864. Rev. ALrrep Cnartes Suita, M.A.; Yatesbury Rectory, Wilts. 1867. Rowxzanp M. Sprertine, F.Z.8., Commander, Royal Navy. 1864. Henry Srevenson, F.L.S.; Unthank’s Road, Norwich. 1868. Hamon Styreman Le Srraner, F.Z.S.; Hunstanton Hall, Norfolk. *Kpwarp Cavenpisu Taytor, M.A., F.Z.8.; 74 Jermyn Street, 8.W., London. 1864. Grorce Cavenpish Taytor, F.Z.8.; 42 Elvaston Place, Queen’s Gate, S.W. 1873, Wiit1amM Bernuarp Treermerer, F.Z.S.; Finchley, N. *Rev. Henry Baxer Tristram, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., &e., Hon. Canon of Durham, Greatham Vicarage, West Hartlepool, Durham. 1864, Henry Morris Urcuer, F.Z.8.; Sherringham Hall, Norfolk. 1872. Hersert Taytor Ussuer, C.M.G., Lieut.-Governor of Tobago. 1864. Right Hon, Arraur Viscount Waxpey, F.R.S., F.LS., Pres. Z.S.; Walden Cottage, Chislehurst, Kent. Date of Election. 1871. 1860. 1860, 1860. 1860. 1860. 1870. 1860. 1860. 1869. 1860. 1862. 1872. 1872. 1873. 1872. 1872. 1872. 1872. 1872. 1872. 1872, 1872. 1872. 1872. 1872. 1872. 1872. Vili KE. Percrvat Wricut, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.8., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin. Extra-Ordinary Members. Epwarp Bryru, Hon. Memb. As. Soc. Aurrep Russe, Watzace, F.Z.8.; The Dell, Grays, Essex. Honorary Members. Professor Spencer F. Barrp, Assistant Secretary to the Smith- sonian Institution, Washington. Doctor Envarp Batpamus, Moritzwinger, No. 7, Halle a. S. Doctor Jean Casanis, Erster Custos am kéniglichen Museum der Friedrich-Wilhelm’s Universitat zu Berlin. Doctor Orro Finscu, Zoological Museum, Bremen. Doctor Gustav Harrnavus, Bremen. Epear Leopotp Layarp, F.Z.S., H.B.M. Consul in the Feejee Islands. Aveust von Prtzetn, Custos am k.-k. zoologischen Cabinete in Wren. Professor J. Reryuarpt, Kongelige Naturhistoriske Museum 1 Kjobenhavn. Rosert Swinnor, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., H. M. Consul at Chefoo, China. Foreign Members. Prof. J. v. Barsosa pu Bocagr, Royal Museum, Lisbon. Prof. J. F. Branpr, Imperial Museum, St. Petersburg. Rosert Cotterr; Christiania. Doctor Exxiorr Coves, U.S. Army, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. Atpnonsr Mitnr-Epwarps, Jardin des Plantes, Paris. Doctor Vicror Fario, Geneva. Prof. Henry Hittyer Gierrior1, Royal Superior Institute, Florence. Doctor Turopor yon Hevetr, Stuttgart. GroreEe N. Lawrence, New York. Baron Dz Szetys Lonecuamrs, Liege. Doctor A. J. Matmeren, Helsingfors. Doctor A. von Mippenporrr, Dorpat. Prof. Gustav Rappg, T%flis. Count Tommaso Sarvaportr, Royal Museum, Z'urin. Prof. Herman Scutecet, University Museum, Leyden. Prof, Cary Joann SunpEvALL, Stockholm. CONTENTS or VOL. III.—THIRD SERIES. (1873.) Number IX., January. ~—~“T. Notes on the Zrochilide. The Genus Phaethornis. By Ospert Satvin, M.A. &., and D. G. Exxior, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &c. II. On the Birds in the Imperial Collection at Vienna ob- tained from the Leverian Museum. By A. von Pxtzexy. (Plate I.) III. Notes from Archangel. By Epwarp R. Atston, F.Z.S., and Joun A. Harviz Brown RN aR UAL, 5 ates IV. On a new Species of Little Bittern from China. By Ropert Swinnoek, F.Z.8S. &e. (Plate I.) See V. On the Nidification of certain Indian Birds. Part II. By Anprew AnvErson, F.Z.S. VI. Addenda to the Avifauna of India. By Epwarp Bryvu, F.Z.S., Hon. Memb. As. Soc. Beng. ert VII. Fragmentary Notes on the Guacharo or Oil-bird (Stea- tornis caripensis). By Dr. James Moris, F.L.S. &e.. : VIII. Notes on a supposed new ee of Prion. By Tuomas H. Ports, F.L.S. ee Sete 53 ty siyiiries nen ae IX. Descriptions of new Species of Nectarinia, Sitta, and Parus from Persia and Baluchistan. By Wittram T. Bran- ForD, C.M.Z.S. . X. Description of a new Species of Cormorant from the Chat- ham Islands. By Water L. Buiter, Sc.D., F.L.S., &e. Page 14 54 74 79 81 85 90 x CONTENTS. : Page XI. Notices of some recently published Ornithological Books XII. Letters, Announcements, &c. :— Letters from Mr. Swinhoe, Major Irby, Lord Lilford, Mr. Gurney, and Captain Hutton: References to Cyanocephalus wiedi, Bp., and Bonaparte’s ‘Conspectus Ptilopterorum Syste- maticus ;” Notice of Prof. Brandt's Memoir on the Alcide . Noumper X., April. XIII. On the Birds in the Imperial Collection at Vienna ob- tained from the Leverian Museum. By A. von Prnzetn. Part 12... XIV. On a new Species of Barbet from Western India. By Capt. J. Hayzs Luoyp. Uae red MOOS a ah XV. Note on the Pyranga roseogularis of Cabot. By P. L. perarer, MA...Ph.D., RS... (PlatediL) 2 « ‘ : XVI. On a new Chinese Owl of the Genus Ketupa. By R. SwinHor, H.M. Consul at Ningpo . ao psa et Rees XVII. Ornithological Notes from the Argentine Republic. By Wr11am Brackstone Lup, B.A. oy awtsicai ie XVIII. Descriptions of six new Species of West-African Birds. By Captain G. E. Saertey “ion enact eet XIX. Notes on the Ornithology of Sardinia. By A. B. Brooke, F.Z.S. . BA Sacre WeDo: daze ge eee me XX. On the Genus Platystira and its Allies. By R. Bowpier Suarpe, F.L.S., F.Z.8., Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum. (Plate IV.) . : cane XXI. On an apparently new Species of Hornbill from Angola. By D..G.. Evtior, F-0.8., B:Z:8., &¢... Len tcaiie XXIT. Note on Homochlamys luscinia, Salvad. By T. Sat- vaporI, U.M.Z.8. : ee we i eee XXIII. On the Upuprde and their Relationships. By Dr. James Mouriz, F.L.S. &. (Plates V., VL, VII.) . 91 127 . 129 . 138 . 143 CONTENTS. xi Page XXIV. Notes on ‘Stray Feathers.’ By W. T. Buanrorp, BGS CEM S eet )0 11!) aL Bete oso XXY. Descriptions of a new Jay and a new Woodpecker from Persia. By W. T. Buanrorp, F.G.S.,C.M.Z.8.. . . . 225 XXVI. Letters, Announcements, &c. :— Letters from Mr. Swinhoe, Mr. J. H. Gurney, and Mr. Howard Saunders. Announcement of the Editor’s Departure for Gua- (RETO? IGG MPN Ree MeN ne Natit de ae R's un et eats Noumser X1., July. XXVII. Notes on the pease of Sardinia. By A. B. ROO KA VE ZS s co Tas, oa et ha EN ; fahame ey aac anes 5 XXVIII. On the Rosy Ibis of China and Japan (Jdis ge ee By Rozsert Swinnor, H.M. Consul at Ningpo . . . . . 249 XXIX. A Tenth additional List of Birds from Natal. By eebecGromnmars, BZ: 2, al teeta Mal one lee a ae ae Oe XXX. On rare or little-known Limicole. By James Epmunp Hapring, FoL.S. E4.8. (Plates Vil; and EX)... 5. 4-260 XXXI. Notes on the Trochilide. The Genera Pygmornis, Glaucis, and Threnetes. By Osserr Satvin, M.A. &e., and D. Geen nOty Hol S:. EL0i, Cr .o5 eS eds len ents eS 9269 XXXII. On two Species of Trochilide of the Genus Lo- phornis. By Ossert Sarvin, M.A. &e., and D. G. Exxioz, 2 oI LES My fo ZAI ERR Cae 5 arias Oa, Ae 7 XXXITI. Additional List of and Notes on Birds obtained in the Republic of Trans-Vaal. By Tuomas Ayres. (Commu- micated by, Joun: Henry GURNEY.) *.¢<).44 «fysl en sae 4 E1280 XXXIV. Remarks on wircc pucherani and its Allies. By Grorce N. Lawrence... china ate: ONALinx ad te el ares XXXY. Note on the Fulica alba of White. By Osserr HaEVIN, MAW Gen! (Blate:X.)ioot sak ayoui.paas hk! & vey @oa xii CONTENTS. Page XXXVI. On a Collection of Birds recently made by Lieut. Rosert Warpiaw Ramsay, F.Z.S., in the Andaman Islands. By Axrruur, Viscount Waxpey, P.Z.S., F.R.S. (Plates XL, PROD OKT) 20 oe alse | on ca ae ule ae ne prec XXXVII. Notices of ee Be ares and forthcoming Ornithological Works. . . 5 AR. eae eee XXXVIII. Letters, Announcements, &c. :— Letters from Mr. J. H. Gurney, Mr. J. E. Harting, Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, Mr. D. G. Elliot, Mr. E. L. Layard, Mr. Robert Gray; Extracts from a letter received from Mr. Salvin . . . 324 Numser XII1., October. XXXIX. Notes on the Ornithology of Sardinia. By A. B. Rooker ese viet: Jet tc. vale ore ee, A eee XL. On Rallus modestus of New Zealand. i hat Boa HUET ONG s sorutgts at vat 6 eo ik teu, <1 os Ue eas sa ie, eee XLI. Notes on the Zrochilide. The Genus Thalurania. By Ossert Satvin, M.A., F.R.S., &., and D. G. Extior, F.L.S., eee Cas iy. Ge ces) sale ae, tat elas SBN Wie cf: mys vooe XLII. Notes on Chinese Ornithology. By Roserr Swinnoez, BUS cho Aye bb. Soe: calc, Mead oy Oh ee TR eee XLIII. Additions to the List of Birds of goers By P. 1, Senaren, Mt Ae tb. EEC. . teal rare ae «| aerate XLIV. Notes on Birds observed at Para. By E. L. Layarp, Esq., H.B.M. Consul.—With Descriptions of two new Species. By PR. L. Sctarer. (Plates XTV. and XYV.).....«)5 2 syed XLY. On the Birds of the Province of Kattiawar in Western India. By J. Hayrs Lioyp, Capt. Bombay Staff Corps . . . 397 CONTENTS. Xiil Page XLVI. Letters, Announcements, &c. :— Letters from Mr. J. H. Gurney, Mr. R. Swinhoe, and Capt. F. W. Hutton ; Extracts from letters received from Mr. Salvin ; New Publications received; Recent discoveries in Fossil Or- BEMEMOLORY. is. isn, Ts. 3 ( 3) RO ee, ee See ite al SuppLeMENT, 1873. XIVII. Index to the Ornithological Literature of 1872. By P. L. Scuarer, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and O. Frnscu, Ph.D.. . 431 XLVIII. List of Periodicals in which Ornithological Papers have appeared in 1872. By F. H. Warernovusr, Librarian to the Zoological Society of London . . . . . ... . . 493 Index . A RT oN, SON toe mete oh TRO, PNR 7 00 PLATES IN VOL. III. THIRD SERIES. I. Trichoglossus pygmeeus II. Ardetta eurhythma . III. Pyranga roseigularis IV. ae 1. Diaphorophya HieeeHil Fig. 2, 3. Platystira peltata VY. Upupa epops and U. minor VI. Irrisor erythrorhynchus and I. pencoalones ; VII. Rhinopomastus, Promerops, &e. . VIII. Agialitis varius . Fay seer IX. Agialitis sancte-helene X. Notornis alba. : XI. Centrococcyx maihen iene - XII ace 1. Kittacincla albiventris Fig. 2. Sturnia andamanensis XIII. Ianthoenas columboides XIV. Picolaptes layardi XV. Thamnophilus simplex tS i ied Cae oi THE Tes No. IX. JANUARY 1873. _I.—WNotes on the Trochilide. The Genus Phaethornis. By ’ Ossert Satvin, M.A. &c., and D. G. Extiot, F.L.S., F.Z.8S., &c. « Arter careful examination of the birds composing the genus Phaethornis, we find that there are fourteen species that can be fairly characterized ; and, judging from the ample materials at our service, we consider that only those enumerated in the following list can maintain any claim to specific distinction. The genus appears to be divisible into four sections or groups, each possessing sufficiently conspicuous characters, whereby it may be easily determined to which section any species of the genus should be referred. The four sections are as follows :— A. Species with curved bills, greyish or rufescent beneath, the central tail-feathers far exceeding the rest in length. B. Species with curved bills, grey or rufescent beneath, the rectrices next to the median very long. C. Species with curved bills, dark grey or iridescent green beneath ; adult males with the extremity of the median rectrices reduced to a point. D. Species with nearly straight bills. SER. LE VOL. LiL. B 2 Messrs. Salvin and Elhot on the Trochilide. Division A. (Phaethornis, Sw.) a. Species with median gular stripe. a' Buff beneath. Rump narrowly edged with fulvous.... 1. P. superciliosus. Rump broadly edged with fulvous .... 2. P. longirostris. b' Grey beneath. Rump banded with grey.............. 3. P. hispidus. ce’ Rufescent beneath. Upper tail-coverts clear rufous ........ 4. P. syrmatophorus. b. Species with scale-like markings on the throat. d' Rufescent beneath. LATE G.... fills SOREN. SEE BE Shey: 5. P. eurynome. Malls... sak eeaceeangnUeened es core te 6. P. squaldus. é Whitishs beneath iinet. sei bie cele wise ee 7. P. anthophilus. Greyish white beneath .............. ie: apis 8. PB. august. utescomt DONeathy v6... ccc siniso eehera ee tee oieuan 9. P. pretrit. Division C. (Toxoteuches, Cab. & Hein.) iBasovorroctrices ‘black... .0i e400 wee cos stele 10. P. yaruqua. Rump and base of rectrices green .............. Ll. BP. geuye Rump and base of rectrices bluish green ........ 12. P. emilie. Division D. (Ametrornis, Reich.) Brae MOUE IDEM OMG 2% ro cep oho rmeteaue-aegausad emote te 15. P. bourcierc. Hosp Mutos HENEALN 8S. en ce eo vec bn ptee 14. P. philippit. Before proceeding to the details referrmg to the above species, we will attempt to show the amount of individual variation to which these birds are subject. As regards the bills, measuring from the posterior end of the nostril to the tip, along the chord, we find that, in Panama specimens of P. longirostris, one is 1°62 long, while another is only 1°45, showing a difference of ‘17 of an inch, others, again, being intermediate. Cayenne specimens of P. superciliosus vary in the length of their bills from 1°78 to 1°46, with interme- diate gradations. Rio-Janeiro specimens of P. squalidus vary from 1:02 to ‘90. Instances of similar variation are to be found in all the species, as regards their bills. The wing also varies in length, and we find that, m Panama specimens of P. longirostris, one is 2°1 in length, from carpal joint to tip, “ Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilide. 3 another 1°88, while others are intermediate. Cayenne examples of P. superciliosus have the wing from the carpal joint vary- ing from 2°20 to 1°80. In the coloration of the tips of the tail-feathers, the specimens of P. longirostris before us vary from rich buff to nearly pure white, and the same is the case with the examples of P. superciliosus ; and as regards the shape of the rectrices, it would appear, in this group at least, that the younger the bird the more pointed are the lateral ones. As regards the group to which P. guyi belongs, the white tips of the lateral tail-feathers disappear with age, and in the adult of P. yaruqui these feathers become of a uniform black. The geographical distribution of this genus appears to be well and plainly marked, and extends from the southern con- fines of Brazil to the northern limit of the neotropical region, to the exclusion of the West Indies. Its members are inha- bitants of the depths of the warm tropical forests, being never found in the open country nor in elevated districts. In Brazil, as restricted, to the exclusion of the Amazonian valley, we find three, perhaps four species, viz. P. eurynome and P. squalidus, both of which are common in the southern provinces; in the Province of Bahia and parts of Minas Geraes P. pretrii is found; the fourth species is P. philippii, which may occur in the far interior on the confines of Bolivia. In the great valley of the Amazon we find but three species, viz. the widely ranging P. superciliosus, P.hispidus, and P. bourcieri, the latter being met with in the upper portion. In Guiana itself P. super- ciliosus alone is found. Passing to Ecuador we obtain P. syr- matophorus, which is probably restricted to the western slope of the Andes, and P. yaruqui; while on the Pacific coast P. longirostris appears at the southern extremity of its range. We now come to Columbia; and here we find two species oc- curring in the vicinity of Bogota, viz. P. anthophilus and P. emilie ; in the valley of the Magdalena P. longirostris and P. augusti also occur. In Trinidad and Venezuela P. guyi is the prevalent form, while the latter is the headquarters of P. augusti. Costa Rica and Veragua possess P. emilie, which is not shared by the rest of Central America, wherein P. lon- girostris is found universally distributed. B 2 4 Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilide. 1. PHAETHORNIS SUPERCILIOSUS. Trochilus superciliosus, Linn. Syst. Nat. (1766) tom. 1. p- 189; Vierll. Enc. Méth. Orn. 11. p. 549, sp. 5; Less. Hist. Nat. des Col. p. 35, pl. 6; Traité d’Orn. p. 288. Phaethornis superciliosus, Swains. Class. Birds, vol.i1. p.330; Gray, Gen. Birds, vol.i.p. 104; Gould, Mon. Troch. vol.i. pl. xvi. Phaethornis malaris, Nordm. Erm. Reis. Atl. p. 2 (1835) ; Gray, Gen. Birds, vol. 1. p. 104, sp. 2; Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. tom. i. p. 67, sp.2; Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hem. Theil. im. p- 9; Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 41, sp. 17 (8vo ed.). Phaethornis moorei, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. Nat. Hist. vi. p. 258 (1858). “ Phaethornis consobrinus, Boure.,’ Reich. Aufz. Colibr. p. 17; cf. J. f. Orn. 1853 ; Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 42. Phaethornis fraterculus, Gould, Mon. Troch. vol. 1. pl. xvii. Colibri a longue queue de Cayenne, Briss. Orn. ii. p. 687 ; Buff. Pl. Enl. 600. 3. Brin blanc, male, Vieill. Ois. Dor. tom. 1. p. 37, pl. 17. Hab. Guiana; Para (Mus. J. Gould) ; Pebas (Hauxwell) ; Ecuador (Buckley) ; Columbia (Bourcier). This bird was originally described by Brisson from specimens sent to M. Réaumur by Mons. Atur, from Cayenne; and upon this description Linneus founded his Trochilus super- ciliosus. In 1835, Nordmann, in Erman’s ‘ Reise um die Erde,’ p. 2, bestowed another name upon the species, that of T. malaris, quoting Linnzeus’s name as a synonym. But the latter must of necessity take precedence, and that of Nord- mann become a synonym. In 1858 Mr. Lawrence described (J. c.) the Ecuadorian bird as Phaethornis moorei. This form is known to us from the fact of the type having been sent to Mr. Gould, and, on comparison, proved to be the same as the bird which we have been in the habit of receiving from the Upper Amazon and Ecuador, and which we now unite with P. superciliosus. The P. moorei of Lawrence has been placed by Mr. Gould, in his ‘ Introduction to the Trochilide,’ as a synonym of a species he calls P. consobrinus of Bourcier. This species has never been characterized, and the name only exists from the fact that Reichenbach, in his Aufzahlung der Colibris, Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilidie. 5 placed it as a synonym of P. malaris, which is itself a synonym of P. superciliosus. Mr. Gould, in the first volume of the ‘Tro- chilide,’ described a bird from Cayenne and the neighbouring countries as P. fraterculus, stating that its differences from P. super ciliosus consist in its smaller size and its somewhat more curved bill. We trace this small bird into New Granada and the Upper Amazon, from specimens before us ; and we cannot separate it from P. superciliosus, the differences being such as belong to individuals and sex, rather than such as can be deemed specific. In 1860 Cabanis and Heine made some radical changes in the synonymy of this and one other species of this genus. They associated P. pretrit of Lesson and De Lattre, which is the Trochilus superciliosus of Price Maximilian, with the true 7. superciliosus of Linnzeus, giving Brazil as its ha- bitat ; but we can discover no authority for saying that the Linnean bird has ever been found there. For the Cayenne bird, which is the true superciliosus of Linnzeus, they use the name malaris of Nordmann. These conclusions Mr. Gould unfortunately adopted in his ‘ Introduction to the Trochihde,’ the synonymy having been previously almost correctly given in the text accompanying his plates. We notice, on comparing Cayenne with Upper Amazon and Ecuadorian specimens, that many of the former have dark- coloured throats, but on the other hand some have the ordi- nary pale-coloured gular stripe. This would seem to show that this character cannot be relied upon as specific. We have examined the following specimens :— Cayenne: two, Mus. P.L.8.; one, Mus. D.G. EH. (ex Deyrolle). Para: three, Mus. J. Gould. Pebas: one (Hauawell), Mus. D.G.E.; two (td.), Mus. 8.&G. Peruvian Amazon: one (Bartlett), Mus. D. G. E. Ecuador: one (e# J. Gould), Mus. D.G. E. Canelos: one (Buckley), Mus. 8. &. G. Columbia: one, Mus. P. L.S.; two (Bourcier), Mus. D.G. E. +-2. PHAETHORNIS LONGIROSTRIS. Ornismya longirostris, Less. et De Lattre, Echo du Monde Savant, 1843, no. 45. p. 1070, June 15th. 6 Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilide. Trochilus cephalus, Boure. et Muls. Rev. Zool. 1848, p. 269. Phaethornis cassini, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. Nat. Hist. vin. p. 347. | Phaethornis cephalus, Gould, Mon. Troch. pl. 19. Phaethornis longirostris, Cab. & Heim. Mus. Hein. Th. iii. p- 9; Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 42. Phaethornis boliviana, Gould, Intr. Mon. Troch. p. 42. Hab. The whole of Central America from Southern Mexico to the lower portion of the valley of the Magdalena and Western Ecuador. Lesson and De Lattre first described this species in the ‘ Echo du Monde Savant’ from a specimen obtained in Vera Paz. In the ‘ Revue Zoologique’ for 1848, Bourcier and Mulsant rede- scribed the species from Central-American specimens collected by Sallé, under the name of Phaethornis cephalus. This has long been acknowledged to be a synonym of longirostris. Inthe ‘Annals’ of the New York Lyceum of Natural History for 1866, vill. 347, Mr. Lawrence described a specimen from Cartagena, collected by Mr. Schott, who was attached to the Atrato ex- pedition under Lieut. Michler, as P. cassini. This type has been examined by Mr. Gould, who pronounces it to belong to P. longirostris, thus adding another to the synonyms appertain- ing to this species. Through Mr. Gould’s kindness, we have had an opportunity of carefully comparing the type specimen of his P. boliviana, described in the ‘ Introduction to Trochilide,’ with the large series of P. longirostris now before us. The specimen in ques- tion is immature, and we cannot separate it from examples of the present species from Santa Marta and Costa Rica. We cannot but suppose that Mr. Gould is im error in giving Bo- livia as the habitat of this species. A second, similar speci- men in Mr. Gould’s collection, but of a more adult bird, and said to be from Brazil, we refer also to P. longirostris. In associating his P. boliviana with P. syrmatophorus, we think Mr. Gould to be clearly wrong, the bright rufous upper tail- coverts of that species being sufficient to separate it at a glance. The differences between P. superciliosus and P. longirostris are not very decided and; we are even in doubt whether speci- Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilide. 7 mens of the two can always be discriminated. As an almost invariable rule the fulvous markings of the lower back and rump are much clearer in longirostris than in superciliosus ; nor do we see in the Central-American bird any tendency to assume the dark-coloured throat so prevalent, but not uni- versal, in the Cayenne bird. The specimens from which our conclusions have been made come from the following lo- calities :— Mexico: one (Sallé), Mus. D. G. E. Vera Paz, Guatemala: four, Mus. D.G. E. Choctun, Vera Paz: three (Salv. & Godm.), Mus.8.&G. Vera Paz: one (Salv.), Mus. P. L.S. Chontales, Nicaragua: two (Belt), Mus. 8. &G. Costa Rica: two (Carmiol & Endres), Mus. 8. & G. Bugaba, Chiriqui: one (drcé), Mus. 8. & G. Lion-Hill Station, Isth. Panama: four (McLeannan), Mus. S. & G.; one (#d.), Mus. P. LS. Santa Martha: one (Bourcier), Mus. D. G. E. Barranquilla: one (Rippon), Mus. P. L.S. Esmeraldas: one (Fraser), Mus. P. L.S. Bolivia? one, Mus. J. Gould (type of P. boliviana). Brazil? one (Campbell), Mus. J. Gould. 3. PHAETHORNIS HISPIDUS. Trochilus hispidus, Gould, P. Z.S. 1846, p. 90. Phaethornis hispidus, Gray & Mitch. Gen. Birds, 1. p. 104, sp. 14; Gould, Mon. Troch. 1. pl. 22. Trochilus oseryi, Boure. & Muls. Ann. des Scien. Lyon, iv. 1852, p. 139. Phaethornis oseryi, Gould, Mon. Troch. pl. 23. Phaethornis villosus, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Lye. vi. p. 259. Hab. Bolivia? (Bridges); Rio Pastaza (Bourcier) ; Pebas (Hauxwell) ; Upper Ucayali (Bartlet?) ; Archidona, Ecuador (Jameson) ; New Granada (fide Gould). This species was first described by Mr. Gould from a speci- men brought home by the late Mr. Bridges, and stated to have been obtained in Peru or Bolivia. Six years afterwards M. Bourcier described a specimen from the banks of the Rio 8 Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilide. Pastaza as 7. oseryi, comparing it with P. anthophilus and P. philippii. This species has generally been recognized as distinct from Mr. Gould’s P. hispidus ; but on comparing the type of that species with several specimens from the Upper Amazon, we do not find sufficient differences to separate them. Mr. Gould’s figures of both, in his monograph, show a distinct arrangement of markings on the throat; but we do not per- ceive this to be the case, as all the specimens before us agree in the coloration of this part, even Mr. Gould’s type having a white line down the centre of the throat, although the fea- thers are so disarranged that at first sight it appears to want this character. The only difference appreciable is that the type of hispidus has a somewhat longer bill, and a very little longer wing; but as the length of bill in this species is well understood to be of no specific value, we do not deem it in this case worthy of consideration. The general coloration of all the specimens is identically the same. Mr. Lawrence, overlooking M. Bourcier’s description of P. oseryi, and misled by Mr. Gould’s plate, redescribed this species as P. villosus. We have examined the following examples :— Pebas, Peru: two (Haurwell), Mus. 8.&G.; one (Hauzx- well), Mus. D.G. E.; one (2d.), Mus. P. L.S. Peru or Bolivia: one (Bridges), Mus. J. Gould (type of species). 4, PHAETHORNIS SYRMATOPHORUS. Phaethornis syrmatophorus, Gould, Contr. Ornith. 1851, p- 189; id. Mon. Troch. pl. 20. Hab. Environs of Quito (Jameson) ; Pallatanga (Fraser). This is a very distinct and well-marked species, and has its nearest ally in P. pretriz. The following are our specimens :— Ecuador: one (ev Gould), one (Buckley), Mus. 8. & G.; one (ex Gould), one (Buckley), Mus. D. G. E.- Pallatanga: one, (Fraser) Mus. P. L.8. 5. PHABTHORNIS EURYNOME. Trochilus eurynome, Less. Troch. p. 91, t. 31. Phaethornis eurynome, Gray & Mitch. Gen. Birds, i. Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilidee. 9 p- 104, sp. 5; Gould, Mon. Troch. 1. pl. 16; Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 27. Hab. Brazil, Mattodentro, Ypanema (Nait.). This very well-known species is found in almost every col- lection coming from Rio Janeiro, but, so far as we are aware, from none of the more northern provinces. Rio Janeiro: two (Youds), Mus. S.&G.; three, Mus. DeG. EB. Brazil: two, Mus. S.&G.; one, Mus. P. L. 8S. 6. PHAETHORNIS SQUALIDUS. Trochilus squalidus, Temm. Pl. Col. 120. fig. 1 (1823), ex Natt. MS. Phaethornis squalidus, Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hein. Th. iii. p. 8. Phaethornis intermedius, Gould (nec Less.), Mon. Troch. pl. 30. Phaethornis squalidus, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 45 ; Pelz. Orn. Bras. p. 27. Trochilus leucophrys, Nordm. Erm. Reise, p. 2 (1835). Hab. South-east Brazil. This species has been figured by Mr. Gould as the P. inter- medius of Lesson ; but in his ‘Introduction’ he has changed the name correctly to that of sgualidus of Temminck. With the former species, whatever it may be, the present has nothing to do; under the latter name it is sufficiently well figured by Temminck, who described it in the ‘ Planches Coloriées.’ It is an abundant and easily recognizable species, and is sent in quantities in collections from Rio Janeiro. Natterer pro- cured many specimens in the southern and interior portions of Brazil. Our specimens are the following :— j Rio Janeiro: two, Mus. 8.&G.; two, Mus. D.G.E; one, Mus. P.L.S. Santa Fé, Minas Geraes: one (Rogers), Mus. 8. & G. 7. PHAETHORNIS ANTHOPHILUS. Trochilus anthophilus, Bourc. Rev. Zool. 1843, p.71; Boure. & Muls. Ann. des Sci. Lyon, 1843, p. 47. 10 Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilide. Phaethornis anthophilus, Gray & Mitch. Gen. Birds, i. p. 104, sp. 15; Gould, Mon. Troch. 1. pl. 24; Uricoechia, Contr. a las Cienc. 1861, p. 7. Hab. Upper part of the valley of the Magdalena, temperate region (Bourcier) ; Tibacuy (Uricoechia) ; Venezuela (Goering) . Bourcier, in the ‘ Revue Zoologique’ for 1843, described this bird from specimens in his own collection, giving as the habitat the temperate region of the upper valley of the Mag- dalena. This article appears to have been reproduced in the ‘Annals’ of the Society of Lyons under the authorship of MM. Bourcier and Mulsant, in which the precise habitat given above is omitted. Mr. Gould seems to have consulted the latter journal only, inasmuch as he states that M. Bour- cier was unaware of the locality from which his specimen came, and he (Mr. Gould) assigns it correctly to Columbia, though not for the first time. The extension of its range into Venezuela is based upon a single specimen sent direct from that country by Mr. A. Goering (P. Z.S. 1868, p. 628). The only other authority for the range of this species being greater than that already given depends on the fact that Pelzeln, in the Ornith. Brasil. p. 27, records one specimen from Engenho do Gama, collected by Natterer. It is just possible that this specimen may have been wrongly identified. We have examined the following specimens :— Venezuela: one (Goering), Mus. 8. & G. New Granada: three, Mus. D.G. E.; one (ew Gould), Mus. Pe. 5: Bogota: two, Mus. 8.&G.; one, Mus. P. L.S. Barranquilla : one (Rippon), Mus. P. L.S. 8. PHAETHORNIS AUGUSTI. Trochilus augusti, Bourc. Ann. des Scien. Phys. &c. de Lyon, . p. 623 (1847). Phaethornis augusti, Gould, Mon. Troch. 1. pl. 29; Wyatt, Ibis, 1871, p. 376. Hab.Caraccas, Venezuela (Sallé) ; Ocaiia, Columbia (Wyatt). The position of this species is rightly indicated by M. Bourcier as being next to P. pretrii, of Brazil. Besides the —_- Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilide. ll country from which the type came, it has also been obtained by Mr. Wyatt at Ocaiia, in the valley of the Magdalena. The following specimens have been examined :— Venezuela: one (Sallé), one (Bourcier), one (Bouvier), Mus. D.G.E.; one (Sallé), Mus. 8. & G. 9. PHAETHORNIS PRETRII. Trochilus pretrii, Less. et De Latt. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 20. Phaethornis pretru, Gray & Mitch. Gen. Birds, i. p. 104, t. 85. sp. 16; Gould, Mon. Troch. 1. pl. 28. Trochilus superciliosus, Max. Beitr. iv. p. 116 (1882). Phaethornis superciliosus, Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hein. Th. iii. p. 9 (1860) ; Gould, Introd. Troch. p. 45. Hab. Minas Geraes (Rogers) ; Bahia (Pr. Max. ; Wucherer). This species was first fully described by Prince Max., under the name of P. superciliosus, he having mistaken it for the species described by Linnzeus under that name. In 1839 Lesson and De Lattre redescribed it in the ‘ Revue Zoolo- gique’ as P. pretrii, which name will of course be the one for it to bear. The types of these last-named authors were pro- cured from the Brazilian province of Minas Geraes. Cabanis and Heme in their ‘Museum Hemeanum,’ for reasons we cannot appreciate, assumed this species to be the P. supercili- osus of Linnzeus, a course which unfortunately was followed by Mr. Gould in his ‘Introduction to the Trochilide, though in the body of his work he figured it under its proper name. It is a well-known and well-marked Brazilian bird, being sent not unfrequently from Bahia; and we have also before us a skin from Minas Geraes, recently sent by Mr. Rogers. The following specimens have been examined :— Pernambuco: two (Bourcier), Mus. D. G. E. Bahia: one (Youds), Mus. 8. & G.; one, Mus. D. G. E. Brazil: two, Mus. D.G.E.; one, Mus. P. L.S. Santa Fé, Minas Geraes: one (Rogers), Mus. 8. & G. 10. PHanrHoRNIS YARUQUI. Trochilus yaruqui, Bourc. Compt. Rend. no, xxxii. p. 187. Phaethornis yaruqui, Gould, Mon. Troch. pl. 27. Hab. Ecuador; environs of Yaruqui (Bourcier). ib Messrs. Salvin and Elliot on the Trochilide. This fine species is easily recognized from its allies by having the entire tail-feathers of a uniform glossy black. It appears abundant in Keuador. Our specimens are as follows :— Ecuador: two (ev Gould), Mus. D.G.E.; one (Fraser), Mus. P.L.8.; three (ev Gould), Mus. S.& G.; one (Buckley), Mus. 8. & G. 11. PHAErTHORNIS GUYI. Trochilus guyt, Less. Hist. Troch. p. 119, t. 44. Phaethornis guyi, Gray & Mitch. Gen. of Birds, 1. p. 104, sp. 6; Gould, Mon. Troch. pl. 26. Hab. Venezuela (Goering) ; Trinidad (Léotaud). This species, first described by Lesson in his ‘ Hist. Troch.,’ differs from the others of this section in having the base of the tail a bright glitterimg green. It is a native of Trinidad and Venezuela, having been procured in the latter country by Mr. A. Goering. We have examined the following examples :— Venezuela: one (Goering), Mus. 8S.& G. Trinidad: one (ev Gould), Mus. D.G. E. Trinidad: one, Mus. J. Gould; one, Mus. P. L.S. And others with localities of questionable authenticity. +12. PHAETHORNIS EMILIA. Trochilus emilie, Boure. Ann. Soe. Sci.de Lyon (1846), p.317. Phaethornis emilie, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 44. Hab. New Grenada (Bourcier); Veragua (Arcé) ; Costa Rica (Arcé). This bird was described by M. Bourcier as distinct from the P. guyi; but Mr. Gould, in his article on that species, has thrown reasonable doubts upon its specific value. From the specimens before us we find that it is difficult, perhaps impos- sible, to distinguish many Columbian examples from those from Venezuela. The Central-American specimens are a little more blue; and though we doubt if ultimately the distinctness of the two species can be maintained, yet for the present we refrain from placing both forms under the same name*. * Since the above was in type Mr. H. Whitely has sent a specimen undistinguishable from P. guyi from Eastern Peru. It may be that the Messrs. Salvin and Elhot on the Trochilide. 13) Our examples are as follows :— New Granada: three, Mus. 8.&G.; four, Mus. D. G. E. Veragua: four (Arcé), Mus. S.&G.; three (Arcé), Mus. DG. HE vone (Arce), Mus: Pallas: Costa Rica: five (Arcé), Mus. S.& G. 13. PHAETHORNIS BOURCIERI. Trochilus bourcieri, Less. Les Trochil. p. 62, t. 18 (1832). Phaethormis bourciert, Gray & Mitch. Gen. Birds, 1. p. 104, sp. 9; Gould, Mon. Troch. pl. 25. Ametrornis abnormis, Reich. Journ. fiir Ornith. 1853, p. 14; Pelz. Orn. Bras. pp. 27, 56. Hab. Pebas, Peru (Hauxwell) ; Marabitanas (Natt.). Lesson described this species from a specimen sent to him by M. Bourcier, and he says that it appears to live in Brazil. Its locality is satisfactorily fixed by specimens sent from the Upper Amazon by Hauxwell (from Pebas), and by Mr. E. Bartlett from Xeberos and Chyavetas. The Ametrornis ab- normis of Pelzeln, of which Salvin has examined the type in the Vienna Museum, is inseparable from this species. This extends the range of the species to Marabitanas on the Rio Negro, where Natterer procured his single specimen. Mr. Gould, and also Cabanis (Mus. Hein.), state that the species is found in Cayenne; but we have been unable to verify this assertion. We have examined the following examples :— Pebas, Peru: two (Hauxwell), Mus. 8.&G.; two (id.), Mus. DIG.E. 14. PHAETHORNIS PHILIPPII. Trochilus philippii, Boure. Aun. Se. de Lyon, 1847, p. 623. Phaethornis philippi, Gray & Mitch. Gen. Birds, i. p. 104, sp. 18; Gould, Mon. Troch. 1. pl. 21. Hab. Bolivia (fide Bourc.). Columbian birds referred to above really belong to this species, and that its range extends southwards in the warm valleys of the eastern slope of the Andes, the range of P. emilie extending throughout the valley of the Magdalena northwards to Costa Rica. According to Heine (J. f. Orn. 1868, p. 177) P. apicalis, Tsch. F. P. 2438, described from a specimen in the Berlin Museum, is the same as P. emilie. 14 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in The type of this species, which we believe still remains unique, is now in Elliot’s collection ; and though evidently allied (from its straight bill) to P. bourcieri, is eminently distinct from that species in coloration. We may remark that, although Mr. Gould expresses a doubt from what part of America this bird was procured, M. Bourcier, in his original description, without hesitation assigns Bolivia as its habitat. Bolivia: (Bourcier) Mus. D. G. E. (type of species). I1.—On the Birds in the Imperial Collection at Vienna obtained from the Leverian Museum. By A. von PELzELN. (Plate I.) Iv was in the year 1806 that the celebrated museum formerly in possession of Sir Ashton Lever and then of Mr. T. Park- inson, was sold by auctionin London. Rich as this collection was, its value was further increased by the circumstance that the types of a number of species described by various authors were therein included. The reigning Emperor of Austria, Francis I., resolved, on the report of Director von Schrei- bers, that some of the treasures of this collection should be acquired for the Imperial Museum at Vienna; and the well- known naturalist Leopold von Fichtel, bemg about to proceed to England, was commissioned with the negotiation of the purchase. In fulfilling his mission Herr von Fichtel bought at the auction no less than 82 mammals, more than 200 birds, 60 reptiles, 73 fishes, and other objects of various classes of the animal kingdom*. Among the birds there were included a considerable number of types, especially of species described or figured by Latham in his ‘ General Synopsis of Birds’ and ‘Index Ornithologicus,’ by White in the ‘ Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales,’ and by Shaw in the ‘ Museum Leveri- anum’ yt. Believing that it is of importance to science that the exis- * See Fitzinger, “Geschichte des k.-k. Hof-Naturalien-Cabinetes zu Wien, ii. Abth.,” in Sitzungsb. d. k. Akad. d. Wissensch. lvii. (1868) p. 1040. + Musei Leveriani explicatio anglica et latina, 1792-1796. Published by James Parkinson, proprietor of the above museum. I regret that the the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 15 tence of type specimens and the place where they are depo- sited should be known, especially in cases where only very few or no more specimens have been since collected, I pro- pose to give in the following pages a catalogue of the birds obtained from the Leverian Museum, with such remarks as seem called for respecting them. This catalogue is based on specimens still contained in the Vienna Museum, on the inventory of birds received through Herr von Fichtel of the Leverian collection, and on the old MS. catalogue of our ornithological museum. In the inventory it is said that the species obtained from dealers are marked with an asterisk; but as the whole acquisition is inscribed as from the Leverian Museum, it is probable that the birds marked in this way were bought by dealers at the auction and then purchased by Herr von Fichtel. Besides these, a number of species are contained in a separate inventory as purchased from Herr von Fichtel im the year 1806. As in a few cases it is said expressly in this catalogue that the spe- cimens are from the Museum Leverianum, and as other birds seem with the greatest probability to be from the same source, I have thought it useful, for greater completeness, to include also these species in the present paper. To separate, however, the certain from the probable, and with the intention of giving an account as accurate as possible, I have divided this paper into two parts, the first of which treats of birds obtained directly from the Museum Leverianum, the other of those obtained through dealers and purchased from Herr von Fichtel. In both lists I have added such synonyms from older works as seemed in some way useful for the determination of the species, especially the descriptions and plates, which were taken from the specimens here enumerated. Supplement ii. of Latham’s ‘General Synopsis’ is not in our library, and that therefore, respecting the species described therein for the first time, I am only able to compare the short descriptions in the ‘Index Ornitho- logicus’ and the quotations in Shaw’s ‘General Zoology.’ Under these circumstances it is not always possible to say whether specimens in our collection were Latham’s types or not. 16 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in As the importance of typical specimens was formerly not so acknowledged as now-a-days, several of the types, being in bad preservation, were transferred to the duplicates. I have there- fore given an indication in every case where the specimens no longer exist in our collection. PART I. Birds enumerated in the inventory as obtained directly from the Museum Leverianum. VULTURID. 1. SaRcoRAMPHUS GRYPHUS (Linné). (280, 51.) Condur, Latham, Gen. Synops. i. 4; Suppl. 1. p. 1. Vultur gryphus, Linné; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 1. n. 1; Shaw, Mus. Lever. vi. (1796) t. 1; Humboldt, Rec. d’Observ. 1811, i, 26-45, t. 8, 9 (Mém. lu a P Acad. 13 Oct. 1806). Vultur magellanicus, Shaw, Mus. Lever. i. (1792) t. 1. Sarcoramphus cuntur, Duméril, Zool. Anal. 1806, 32. Vultur condor, Shaw, Gen. Zool. 1809, vii. 2, t. 2 et 3, t. 4 (copied from Humboldt). Cathartes gryphus (L.), Temm. PI. Col. t. 183 (m. ad.) , 494 (caput maris), 408 (fem. juv.). The male (280) is the type of the descriptions and figures of Shaw (Mus. Lever. vi. t. 1, and Gen. Zool. t. 2) and Tem- minck (Pl. Col. 133), where also measurements are given. The female (51) was bought by Herr von Fichtel; it was not enumerated among the birds from the Museum Leve- rianum, but in another inventory of birds which were purchased (1806) from Herr von Fichtel. Nevertheless, as at this time the Leverian collection was in possession of the unique pair of this Vulture, as Shaw (Gen. Zool. 7) remarks that it is said that both specimens were purchased for the Emperor of Aus- tria, and as this is confirmed by Temminck~*, it appears doubt- * “Te Muséum Impérial & Vienne est la seule collection en Europe ou se trouve un couple de ces oiseaux ; ce sont les mémes qui ont fait partie de la belle collection du Leverian Museum a Londres; ils ont été acquis par l’Empereur d’Autriche lors de la vente de cette brillante collection ; ces deux individus sont les senls apportés en Europe depuis la découverte de l’ Amérique.” —TEMMINCK, /. c. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. a6 less that this female is the type of Vultur magellanicus, Shaw (Mus. Lever. i. t. 1), and Vultur gryphus, fem. (Gen. Zool. t. 3). The male as well as the female were brought from the Magellan coasts by Captain Middleton, of the Royal Navy. 2. SaRcoraMPuHus Papa (L.). (231.) King Vulture, Lath. Gen. Synops. 1. 7, n. 3. Latham mentions that this species was contained in the Museum Leverianum ; our specimen from that collection was transferred to the duplicates (1861). _FALCONID Zé. 3. Mirvaco austrais (Gmel.). (115.) Statenland Eagle, Lath. Synops. 1. 1. 40. - New Zealand Falcon, Lath. ibid. t. 4 (solum tab. nec descr.). Falco leucurus, Forster, Icon. ined. n. 34. Falco australis, Gmel. Syst. 259. n. 53; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 16. n. 23. Falco nove-zelandie, Temminck, Pl. Col. t. 192 et 224. Circaétus antarcticus, Less. Traité, 49. Vultur plancus fem., Forster, Descr. An. 323 (insula Novi Anni, ad Terram Statuum). Milvago leucurus, Gould, Zool. Beagle, ii. 13 et 15. The specimen was inscribed in the old inventory as Falco nove zeelandie, L. Latham’s plate 4 belongs to this species, but shows a much lighter colouring than the individual in our possession, which corresponds with Temminck’s t. 192; the inner web of one of the rectrices in our bird is pale ferru- ginous, which seems to indicate that the obscure plumage of the adult (female ?) is preceded by a dress with ferruginous tail. 4. LeucorpTerNis ALBICOLLIS, Latham. (163.) White-necked Falcon, Lath. Gen. Syn. Suppl. 30. n. 101. Falco albicollis, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 36, 81. Falco picatus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vu. 167. Spotted Eagle of the old inventory. The specimen from the Mus. Lever. is no longer in the collection. SER. UI.—VOL. III. c 18 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in 5. Tinnuncutvs sparvertius (Linn.). (265.) Male? (Tobago Hawk) not agreeing with Latham’s descrip- tion (New York Merlin, Synop. i. 107, 93, var. A; Little Falcon, /. c. 110. n. 94; St. Domingo Falcon, /. c. 111, 95). 6. [ERACIDEA NOVH ZEELANDIZ (Gmel.). (1295.) New Zealand Falcon, Lath. Gen. Syn. 1. 57. 38 (nec tab.). Falco nove zeelandie, Gmel. Syst. 1. 268. Falco nove zelandie, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 28. 62. Falco harpe, Forst. Descr. 68 et Icon. ined. 36, 37, 38. Falco brunneus, Gould, P. Z.S. 1837, 139. Mieracidea nove-zealandie, Kaup, Isis, 1847, 80; Gray, Ibis, 1862, 214; Buller, Trans. and Proc. N. Zeal. Inst. i. 106 (H. brunnea is the young of H. nove-zeal.) ; Hutton, ibid. 160; Finsch, Journ. f. Ornith. 1870, 243. Mieracidea brunnea (Gould), Gray, Gen. B. 11. 15. Hawk, S. Seas, Sale Cat. n. 2219 (old invent.). A young bird in the dress called J. brunnea. Its total length is 15"; the wing measures 9", the tail 7". 7. AccrPiTeR Fuscus (Gmel.). (190.) Striated Hawk, Jamaica, Sale Cat. n. 4497. This specimen is no longer in the collection. STRIGID A. 8. ATHENE ToRQUATA (Daud.). Spectacle Owl, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. i. 50. t. 107. Strix perspicillata, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 58, 24. The type of Latham’s description and figure, now in our museum, was originally in a collection of birds which was brought from Cayenne, and then transferred to the Leverian collection. The bird is in the transition from the white dress of the young to the plumage of the adult. 9. SyRNIUM CINEREUM (Gmel.). (88.) Sooty Owl, Penn. Arct: Zool. ui. p. 232. n. 120. Cinereous Owl, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 134. 19, et Suppl. 45. Strix cinerea, Gmel. Syst. 1. 291; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 58. 22. Stria fuliginosa, Shaw, Mus. Lever. (1796) t. Strix cinerea, Gmel. (H. fuliginosa, Mus. Lever.), in the inventory. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 19 Latham’s description is taken from a type in the British Museum ; but Shaw, /. c., gives a representation of a specimen formerly in the Leverian collection. 10. Epurarres asto (Linné). (306.) Our individual agrees well with Latham’s description of the Mottled-eared Owl (Synops. 1. 126. 11). EURYLAMIDA. 11. CyMBIRHYNCHUS MACRORHYNCHUS (Gmel.). (78.) Great-billed Tody, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 664. n. 14, t. 30. Todus macrorhynchus, Gmel. Syst. i. 446. 15. Todus nasutus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 268. 14. Latham’s type (Todus nasutus). Locality unknown. TROGONID 4. 12. Trocon viripis, Linné. (130.) Leverian Trogon, Lath. Gen. Syn. Suppl. u. 131. Trogon leverianus, Shaw, Mus. Lever. t. 177; Lath. Ind. Orn. Suppl. xxix. 1; Gray, Gen. 70. Couroucou albane mdle, Levaill. Hist. Nat. Couroue. t. 5. Trogon albiventer, Cuv. Trogon viridis, L.; Gray, Hand-l. i. 81. The male (Sale Cat. n. 4785) is the type of Shaw’s descrip- tion and plate; the abdomen has changed from yellow to white, probably by the influence of light. ALCEDINIDA. 13. Hatcyon sacra (Gmel.). (135.) Sacred Kingfisher, Lath. Gen. Synops. 1. 621. 12, excl. var. Alcedo sacra, Gmel. Syst.1.453; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 250. 15. Halcyon sacra (Gmel.), Hartl. et Finsch, Orn. Central- Polyn. 82. The type of Latham’s description (Sale Cat. n. 6084) has a pale ferruginous superciliary stripe, and agrees therefore with the birds considered by MM. Hartlaub and Finsch younger individuals. Latham’s passage, ‘under the blue beneath the eye, a nar- c2 20 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in row orange-ferruginous stripe,” is, as M. Finsch says, unin- telligible ; and on the type there is nothing corresponding with it, but a slight tinge of yellowish under the dark band over the ears. Latham gives Otaheite as habitat. 14. Hatcyon sancta, Vig. et Horsf. (266.) Sacred King’s Fisher, Phillip’s Voy. New South Wales, 149, t. 29 (fide Cab.) ; White, Voy. New South Wales, tab. ad. pag. 193. Halcyon sanctus, Vig. et Horsf.; Gould, Hand-b. B. Austr. isl28. Sauropatis sancta, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. 11. 158. A young bird. I am not quite sure whether this is the bird which was obtained from the Leverian Museum. 15. ToprRAMPHUS VENERATUS, Gmel. (182.) Venerated Kingfisher, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 623. 13. Alcedo venerata, Gmel. Syst. 1. 453. 29; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1, 251. 16. Halcyon venerata (Gmel.), Gray, Gen. 79; Pélzeln, Sitzgs- ber. d. k. Akad. xx. (1856) 501; Ornith. Novara, 47. Latham’s type (Sale Cat. n.4251) is in our museum ; it is marked as having been brought from the Friendly Isles (from the island of Apye, as Latham says in his Synopsis). TROCHILIDA. 16. PHAETORNIS sUPERCILIOsUS (Linné). (186.) Supercilious Humming-bird, Lath. Gen. Synops. ii. 747. The bird, Sale Cat. n. 6354, seems to have been the spe- cimen mentioned by Latham as contained in Leverian Mu- seum ; it no longer exists in the collection. 17. LopHornis ornata (Bodd.). (189.) Hupecol, Buffon, Ois. vii. 14; Pl. Enl. 640. 3. Tufted-necked Humming-bird, Lath. Gen. Syn. 11. 784, 55. Trochilus auratus, Gmel. Syst. 1. 497. Trochilus ornatus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 318, 58; Shaw, Mus. Lever. t. 130. A male (from Cayenne), the type of Shaw’s figure. Latham mentions that this species was represented in the the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 21 Leverian collection; but his description is evidently a repro- duction of that of Buffon. MELIPHAGID A. 18. Drepanis pacirica (Gmel.). (m. 112, f. 113.) Great Hook-billed Creeper, Lath. Gen. Synops. 11. 703. 3 (Friendly Isles, Mus. Lever.), Suppl. 126 (Owhyhee). Hoohoo, Cook’s last Voy. i. 119. Certhia pacifica, Gmel. Syst. i. 470; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 281. 3. Hoho, Audub. et Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. t. 63 (from a specimen from Mus. Lever., lent by Parkinson). Merops jaunoir, Levaill. Hist. Nat. des. Promer. t. 19 (err. New Holl.). | Drepanis pacifica (Gmel.), Temm. Man. d’Orn. 2nd ed. 1. Ixxxvi. 1820; Gray, Birds Trop. Isl. Pacif. Oc. 7; Reichen- bach, Handb. d. Sp. Orn. 253, sp.614; Gray, Hand-l. i. 113. We have two specimens from Owhyhee, marked male (no. 112) and female (118), Sale Cat. n. 2790, the types of Latham’s description, and one of them also the original of the plate of Vieillot, to whom it was lent by Mr. Parkinson. It seems probable to me that these birds are from Cook’s voyage ; I am not aware if, besides these, and the specimen formerly contained in Levaillant’s collection, other individuals are to be found in European museums. Mr. Peale (United States Expl. Exp. 1848, 149) asserts that he collected a bird, which he thought to be Drepanis pa- cifica, in the island of Kanai, one of the Sandwich group ;_ but Cassin (ibid. new edit. 1858, 172) refers it to his Mohoa braccata (Proc. Acad. Philad. vii. 1855, 440). I regret that I am not enabled to compare Cassin’s description of the latter species, this volume of the Philadelphia ‘ Proceedings ’ being incomplete in our library. 19. Psrrrrrostra psirracea (Gmel.). (79.) Parrot-billed Grosbeak, Lath. Gen. Synops. 111. 108. 3, t. 42. Parroquet, Cook’s last Voy. 11. 119. Loxia psittacea, Gmel. Syst. i. 844; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 371. 3. Qe A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Psittirostra psittacea (Gmel.), Temm. Man. d’Ornith. 2nd edit. i. Ixx. 1820; Gray, Hand-l. i. 114. Psittacirostra icterocephala, Temm. Pl. Col. 457. We are in possession of the type of Latham’s description of the male and upper yellow-headed figure. It was marked n. 79 (Sale Cat. 4270) ; and a habitat is given, Sandwich Is- lands. Temminck (PI. Col. /.c.) states that he saw the two specimens in the collection of Sir A. Lever, and thought that they were doubtless collected during Capt. Cook’s expedition. The fate of the other specimen figured by Latham is unknown tome. In the year 1840 a male, and a young male collected at Enero, Oban, 1837, were acquired from M. Deppe, of Berlin. Even the older one differs from Latham’s male bird, the mid- dle of the breast and belly and the thighs being whitish. 20. Meipuaca pHRyGIA (Lath.). (83.) Black and yellow Bee-eater, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 1. 154. 12; New Holland Birds, 13, pl. 4. - Merops phrygius, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1i., Suppl. xxxiv. 7. The specimen from the Leverian Museum (Merops phryguwus, var.) was in bad condition, and therefore not introduced into the collection. 21. ANTHORNIS MELANURA (Sparrm.). (292.) Mocking Creeper, Lath. Gen. Synops. ii. 735. 39 (Mus. Lever.), et Suppl. 129. Certhia melanura, Sparrm. Mus. Carls. t. 5. Certhia sannio, Gmel. Syst. i. 471; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 296. 48. Certhia olivacea, Forst. Descript. An. 79, et Icon. ined. 62. The specimen (Certhia sannio), probably Latham’s type, was rejected, being in bad state. ANABATIDA. 22. Srrra pusiuna, Lath. (277.) European Nuthatch, var. C, Lath. Gen. Synops. ui. 651. 1. Least Nuthatch, Lath. ibid. Suppl. 118. 9. Sitta pusilla, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 263. 5. Brown-headed Tody, Carolina, Sale Cat. n. 6191. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 23 Latham says that he saw several specimens of this species at Mr. Humphries’s, of Long Acre, but does not mention that a bird of this species was contained in the Leverian Museum. LUSCINIID A. 23. TaTaRE LonGrRosTRIsS (Gmel.). (267, 268.) T. corpore supra brunnescente olivaceo, uropygio (ob colorem marginum plumarum) flavescente, regione auriculari dorso concolori, tectricibus alarum superioribus majoribus et secundartis ultimis late flavo albido terminatis, remigibus reliquis margine angustissimo flavo, loris, superciliis et gastreo sulphurescenti-flavis (colore magis intenso quam in Tatare ex Otahiti), in gula et pectore parum olivaceo admixto, rectricibus mediis brunneis flavido terminatis, lateralibus utrinque 4-5 flavo-albidis, scapis concoloribus, rostro longo subcurvato, maxilla, exclusis marginibus, cornea, his et mandibula pallidis, pedibus flavo-corneis. Longit. 9", ale 4, caude 32", rostri a fronte 13”, a naribus 103", a rictu 18", tars. 15 (167)!". Differt a T. otaitiensi, Less.*, statura majore, rostro longiore subcurvato, corpore supra (ad uropygium usque) cum regione auriculari unicolori gastrzeo intensius flavo et rectricibus lateralibus utrinque 4-5 penitus albidist. Long-billed Thrush, Latham, Gen. Synops. 111. 67. 84 (Mus. Lever. from Eimeo). Turdus longirostris, Gmel. Syst. i. 823; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 852. 92. Tatare longirostris (Gmel.), Gray, Birds Trop. Isl. Pacif. Oc. 14; Fimsch et Hartl. Orn. Central-Polyn. 66 (partim) ; Gray, Hand-l. 1. 194 (partim). Hab. Kimeo. A male (267, Large Flycatcher, then Turdus longirostris), probably Latham’s type, and another specimen (268, Large * Gray, B. Trop. Isl. Pacif. Oc. 14; Tatare longirostris, Finsch et Hartl. Orn. Central-Polyn. 66 (partim). t+ In our specimen five of the rectrices of one side are entirely yellowish white, with the shafts of the same colour, on the other side four are similar and one with brown basal and whitish terminal half, the two me- dian rectrices brown, one with a scarcely visible, the other with a 4—5'” broad terminal whitish spot. 24 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Flycatcher, f., then philedon) were, as in bad condition, not accepted for the-collection. We are, however, in possession of another specimen from Eimeo (contained in a different inventory of the year 1806), which was obtained through Herr von Fichtel, and which agrees perfectly with Latham’s excellent description of his Long-billed Thrush. It was probably purchased at a dealer’s or from a collection in London. Comparing this bird with the other specimens of Tatare in Our museum, all from Tahiti, the differences, principally of size, seem to me so considerable that I can scarcely believe in their specific identity. The measurements of the five individuals of 7. otaitiensis, Less., in our collection are as follows :— Bill from Length. Wing. Tail. gape. nostril. Tars. Maine ANS ne inwwee tin: lin. lin. 1. Purchased by Natterer. Ta btlee evs cassie. Ars ee 7 10 3 8 3 2 15 8) 14 2. From M. Parzudaki. MPahitigeics erates cet 7 10 3 9 3 9 16 94 14 3. ? ? 8 0 3.8 33 152 9 14 4, Et Novara Exp. M. , 3 3 10 34 163 94 143 5. M. AN NO 45 gos i % 3 8 3 2 16 9 142 In all these birds the upperside is more or less variegated by yellowish margins to the feathers, the underside is of a very pale yellowish, the auricular region being of the latter colour, all the rectrices are brown, with whitish tips; only in no. 4 there are some immature lateral! tail-feathers with white tips and yellowish inner webs. My friends MM. Finsch and Hartlaub, im their excellent book on the fauna of Central Polynesia, have maintamed with cogent arguments the identity of 7. longirostris and T. otai- tiensis; but could they compare the specimens cited above, which agree so remarkably with Latham’s description, I believe they would also agree with me that there are two species, as Mr. G. R. Gray formerly (Birds Tropic. Isl.) arranged them*. The species here described (Turdus longirostris, Gmel.) in- habits Eimeo ; but according to the descriptions given of birds * [But see Grandidier on the difference between the sexes in Bernieria, an allied genus from Madagascar. Rey. Zool. 1868, p. 50.—Ep. ] the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 25 from that island in the Bremen Museum, it seems that both species would occur there*. To which species the birds in the possession of Sir Joseph Banks, said to have come from York Island, of which Latham makes mention, belong, cannot be decided. TURDIDA. 24. Turpus Fiavirss, Vieill. (199, 200.) A male (199, Thrush, Christians’ Isle) is yet in the collec- tion, but not the female (200). 25. Mimus orpHevs (Linné). (202.) Turdus orpheus, Sale Cat. 3603, Jamaica. Apparently a young bird, with pale bill, not fully adult re- miges, underside washed strongly with isabel. Shaw’s plate (Mus. Lever. p. 116) seems to represent another specimen. 26. Mimus caro.inensis (Linné). (154.) Cat Flycatcher, Lath. Synops. 11. 353. 54. Our specimen is a typical one, with red vent. Latham says that a bird of this species, which came from Kamtschatka (!), and was then in the Leverian Museum, differed in not having the vent red. 27. CopsycHuUS SAULARIS (Linné). (86.) Male (Gracula saularis, from Bengal). Latham, in describing this species (Gen. Synops. 11. 465, et Suppl. 91), made no mention of its presence in the Leverian Museum. 28. CirracrncLa MacrourRA (Gmel.). (1388.) Long-tailed Thrush, Lath. Gen. Synops. ii. 72, t. 39 (from Pulo Condore). Turdus macrourus, Gmel. Syst. 1. 820; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 354, 100. The bird from the Leverian Museum, probably the type of Latham’s description and figure, is no longer in our collection. * In the nearly related genus Calamoherpe two very closely allied species, viz. C. arundinacea and C. palustris, also inhabit the same countries. 26 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in PYCNONOTID 4. 29. GARRULAX CHINENSIS (Scop.). (257, 288.) Le petit Geay de la Chine, Sonnerat Voy. Ind. 11. 188, t. 107. Black-faced Thrush, Lath. Gen. Syn. 11. 87. 86 (China). Lanius chinensis, Scopoli, Delic. Fl. et Faunz Insubr. iu. 1786, 86. | Turdus shanhu, Gmel. Syst. 1. 814. 41. W hite-eared Jay, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 83. 42. Corvus auritus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 160. 25. Turdus melanopis, Gmel. Syst. 11. 829. 102. Garrulax chinensis (Scop.), Gray, Hand-l. 281. Male? (258) ; the other specimen (257, Sale Cat. 5943) was transferred tothe duplicates in the year 1832. A female (?) called Corvus auritus (un. 27), was bought from Herr von Fichtel. Latham (Syn. Suppl.) mdicates that this species was con- tained in the Leverian Museum. 30. TurNAGRA cRassrRostTRIs (Gmel.). (259, 260.) Thick-billed Thrush, Lath. Gen. Synop. i. 34, t. 37. Tanagra capensis, Sparrm. Mus. Carls. t. 45. Turdus crassirostris, Gmel. Syst. 1. 815; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 335. 30. Loxia turdus, Forster, Icon. ined. 145, et Deser. An. 85. Turnagra crassirostris (Gmel.), Gray, Birds N. Zealand, Ibis, 1862, 13. Turnagra turdus (Forst.), Gray, Hand-list, 1. 284. Keropia crassirostris (Gmel.), Finsch, Vog. Neuseel., Journ. f. Ornith. 1870, 322. The specimen yet in our Museum (male, 259, auct. 6834), is evidently the type of Latham’s description of the male (Synop. /. ¢.) ; a female (260) was in bad state, and therefore not retaimed in the collection. FORMICARIIDA. 31. GRALLARIA BREVICAUDA (Bodd.). (204.) A specimen from Cayenne, Sale Cat. 5870. Mentioned by Latham (Syn. 11. 86, 118) as bemg im the Leverian Museum. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 27 TYRANNID. 32. HiRuNDINEA FERRUGINEA (Gmel.). (139.) Ferruginous-bellied Tody, Lath. Gen. Synops. 11. 662. 11 (Lever. Mus., from Cayenne ?). Todus ferrugineus, Gmel. Syst. 1. 446; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 267. 11. Hirundinea ferruginea (Gmel.), Pelzeln, Orn. Bras. 118 ; Sclater, Ibis, 1869, pp. 195-198, t. 5. f. 2. Latham’s type (Sale Cat. n. 6013), from Cayenne ? CORVIDA. 33. STREPERA GRACULINA (Shaw)? (261.) Corvus graculinus, White, Journ. Voy. New-S. Wales, 1790, p. 251, pl. —. Coracias strepera, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 173. 21 (Ins. Norfolk). Noisy Roller, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. u. 121. Gracula strepera, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii. 462. Corvus strepera, Leach, Zool. Misc. ii. t. 86. Strepera graculina (White),Gould, Hand-l. B. Austr. 1. 168. The bird marked Corvus graculinus was not in good condi- tion, and therefore not preserved ; it was perhaps the type of White’s plate. 34. PirisorEus cANADENSIS (Linné). (203.) Cinereous Crow, Latham, Gen. Synops. 1. 389. 23. Black-headed Butcher-bird, Sale Cat. 3136. Latham, /. c., mentions the existence of a specimen of this species in the Mus. Lever. 35. Cyanocorax cayanus (Linné). (82.) The specimen, Sale Cat. 5491, probably that mentioned by Latham (Cayenne Jay, Gen. Synop. 1. 388. 22), is no longer in the collection. 36. Uroctssa stnensis (Linné). (205.) Long-tailed Jay of the Sale Cat. 3587. Latham says nothing about a specimen being in the Mus. Lever. 28 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in 37. Frecinus eracutus (Linné). (128.) This bird, (Sale Cat. 4267), was transferred to the duplicates in the year 1882. STURNIDA. 38. CrEADION caRUNCULATUS (Gmel.). (307, 308.) Wattled Stare, Lath. Gen. Synop. 11. 9, t. 86 (Mus. Lever.). Sturnus carunculatus, Gmel. Syst. i. 805; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 324. 6. Both specimens of the Sturnus carunculatus were, on account of their bad state, not retained; they were evidently the types of Latham’s description and figures ; and I suppose that they were collected by Forster. ICTERIDA. 39. NeEsopsaR NIGERRIMUS (Osburn). (195.) _ Icterus ater, Natterer, MSS. in collect. Icterus nigerrimus, Osburn, Zoologist, pp. 6661, 6714 (1859). Jamaica. Nesopsar nigerrimus (Osburn), Sclater, Catal. Coll. 139. Agelaius (Nesopsar) nigerrimus, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. 1866, 12. A specimen (Sale Cat. 587, var. Oriolus minor). America. a AGELAIUS HUMERALIs (Vig.). (274:) A specimen marked Yellow-shouldered Titmouse, without indication of habitat. It agrees with D’Orbigny’s description (Sagra, Ornith. Cuba, 114), except that the colour of the body is not black, but greyish brown, on the upper parts, wings, and tail glossed with metallic green, the throat almost white, a few of the greater wing-coverts and many of the rectrices showing a narrow rusty margin. According to Cassin (Proc. Acad. Philad. 1866, 11) the females and young males of A. humeralis are stated to be black (as in A. assimilis, also from Cuba); a specimen in Mr. Lawrence’s collection, which he regards as a young male of this species, is clear uniform black, the rufous of the shoulder beginning to appear. M. Gundlach, the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 29 however (Journ. f. Ornith. 1856, 14), says the younger birds are similar to the adults, but the colours are fainter. I there- fore believe that our bird ought to be considered a young one. PLOCEID. 41. HypHanrornis capiTatis (Lath.). (76.) Capital Tanager, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 1. 162, t. 112. Tanagra capitalis, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 482, n. 44. Hyphantornis capitalis (Lath.), Gray, Gen. 351; Hartl. Orn. W. Afr. 124. Tanagra capitalis, Sale Cat. 4415. Latham says that he met with a representation of this bird among the drawings of Sir Ashton Lever, but mentions also, before describing the bird, its existence in Lev. Mus. I be- heve, therefore, that our specimen is with great probability the type of Latham’s description and plate. 42. AMADINA ERYTHROCEPHALA (Linné)?. (276). The specimen called “ Sparrow of Paradise ” could not be found either in the collection or in the catalogue, though it is inscribed in the old inventory. Possibly it was the Para- dise Grosbeak mentioned by Latham (Gen. Synop. i. 122, 19) as in the Mus. Lever. 43. HypocHeRA CHALYBEATA, Mill.? (nitens,Gmel.). (275.) Black Finch, in bad state, not retained. TANAGRIDA. 44, SprinpALis ZENA (Linné). (77.) Orange Finch, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 276. This bird is no longer in our Museum. FRINGILLID. 45. ZoNOTRICHIA ALBICOLLIS (Gmel.)? (271, 272.) White-throated Finch, male and female, in bad condition, and therefore not preserved. BUCEROTIDA. 46. Bucrros rHINocEROS, Linné. (70.) The specimen from Sir A. Lever’s Museum, which was said 30 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in to have come from Java, and probably the original of Latham’s description (Gen. Synop. i. 843. 1), is no longer in the Vienna collection. 47. Buceros coronatus, Bodd. (289.) Calao des Philippines, Buff. Pl. Enl. 873. Pied Hornbill, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 349, partim. Buceros malabaricus 8, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 148. 6. Buceros monoceros, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii. 8. This bird, called “ Buceros malabaricus from East Indies,” was given in exchange to the Museum at Copenhagen in 1861. PSITTACID A. 48. PLatyceRcUs TARUENSIS (Gmel.). (121.) Tabuan Parrot, Lath. Gen. Synops. 1. 214. 16. t. 7. Tongo- Tabboe and the other Friendly Isles i the South Seas. Psittacus tabuensis, Gmel. Syst. 1. 317; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 88. 19, excl. var. Psittacus atropurpureus, Shaw, Mus. Lever. ‘ p. 142. (N. Holl.) Platycercus tabuensis (Gmel.), Finsch, Papag. 11. 231. The bird, Tabuan Parrot, from Tongo Tabboe, Sale Cat. 4747, is the type of Latham’s and Shaw’s descriptions and figures. 49. PLarycERcus ULInTEANUS (Gmel.). (126.) Society Parrot, Lath. Gen. Synop. 1. 250. (Ulietea, one of the Society Islands.) Psittacus ulietanus, Gmel. Syst. 1. 8328; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 103. 61. Platycercus ulieteanus (Gmel.), Finsch, Papag. 11. 271. Our specimen (called Psittacus fuscatus, then P. ulieteanus) is Latham’s type from Ulietea. As Dr. Finsch remarks, this and a second from Tanna, one of the New Hebrides, in the British Museum, which was formerly in Bullock’s collection, seem to be the only known individuals of this species. 50. PLATYCERCUS NOVA-ZELANDIA£ (Sparrm.). (81.) Pacific Parrakeet, Latham, Gen. Synop. 1. 252. 56 (its locality is indicated, Otaheite). the Imperial Collection at Vienna. dl Pstttacus pacificus, Gmel. Syst. i. 329; Latham, Ind. Orn. i. 104. 65. Sale Cat. n. 3510 is the type of the above description. Dr. Finsch (Papag. ii. 273-284) writes that Pl. pacificus (Gmel.) and Pl. cookit, Gray ,from N. Zealand, Pl. aucklandicus, Gray, from the Auckland Isles, Pl. rayneri, Gray, from Norfolk Isle, and Pl. erythrotis, Wagler, from Macquarie’s Island, belong to one species, viz. Pl. nove zelandie. TI believe that this question is not yet satisfactorily solved ; and thinking that any contributions tending to this end would be not unwel- come to ornithologists, I subjoin the measurements of the spe- cimens in our collection :— Bill along Wing. ‘Tail. the upper Tarsus. mandible. in. lin. in. lin. — lin. lin. . M. from Van Allen’s menagerie.. 5 6 6 9 103 | PL. cookii, - From Baron Hiigel’s voyage .... 5 4 6 9 12 93 -latham’s' type’... V2.2 SSVE 50 6 8 84 73) Pl. pacificus - Novara exped. (Auckland, Dec.). 5 0 5 3 93 8 (Gmel.). -| New Zealand, presented by | 4 3 5 0 63 73 | Pl. auck- | Wrmldadstet se sek so. AKG: Vbe8 7 Te landicus. 51. SrrracE HyacintHina (Lath.). (253.) Psittacus hyacinthinus, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 84. 5 (Mus. D. Parkinson). Psittacus augustus, Shaw, Mus. Lever. ii. (1792) 57. Sale Cat. n. 6288 is the type of Latham’s and Shaw’s de- scriptions, and of the plate of the latter. The bird was intro- duced into the Leverian Museum by the late Lord Orford, who purchased it living (Shaw). 52. TRichocLossus pyema#us (Gmel.). (273.) (Plate I.) Pygmy Parakeet, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 256.60 (Otaheite?). Psittacus pygmeus, Gmel. Syst. i. 330; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 106. 72. Trichoglossus? pygmeus (Gmel.), Pelzeln, Sitzgsber. d. k. Akad. d. Wissench. xx. (1856) 165; Gray, List Birds Brit. Mus. Psittacidee, 65; Gray, Birds Tropic. Islands, 33; Finsch, Papag. i. 870. Latham’s type (Little Green Parakeet, P. pygmeus, Sale 32 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Cat. n. 5795) is the only known specimen of this species. In the oldinventory, Botany Bayis given asits habitat ; but Latham says “it inhabits several of the islands in the South Seas.”” The specimen above described is said to have come from Otaheite. Trichoglossus pygmeus is, as Dr. Finsch remarks, nearly allied to T. palmarum (Gmel.), T. placens (Temm.), and similar species. 53. NESTOR MERIDIONALIS (Gmel.). (122.) Southern Brown Parrot, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 264. 70 (N. Zealand). Psittacus meridionalis, Gmel. Syst. 1. 333. Psittacus nestor, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 110. 85. Psittacus australis, Shaw, Mus. Lever. pl. p. 87. The type of Latham’s description and Shaw’s description and plate. 54. PsITTAcUS MADAGASCARIENSIS (Less.), var. (94.) Mascarine Parrot, Lath. Gen. Synops. 1. 265. 72 (note). Psittacus mascarinus, Linné; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 111. 87. Coracopsis mascarina (Briss.), Pelzeln, Verh. zool.-bot. Gesellsch. Wien, 1868, 934. Mascarinus madagascariensis, Less. Traité, 189. Psittacus madagascariensis (Less.), Finsch, Papag. 11. 306. The bird from the Leverian Museum (Sale Cat. n. 5828), which is affected by partial albinism, was described by Latham as a variety of the Mascarine Parrot. Further details were given by Dr. Finsch and myself as above cited. 55. Pronras MEnstRuvs (Linné). (127.) Blue-headed Parrot, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 211. 107. The Blue-headed Parrot, Sale Cat. n. 4945, was transferred to the duplicates in 1832. 56. PsirracuLa puRPURATA (Gmel.). (123.) Purple-tailed Parakeet, Lath. Gen. Synops. 1. 315. 121 (Br. Mus., Lev. Mus.). Psittacus purpuratus, Gmel. Syst. i. 350; Latham, Ind. Orn. i. 132. 150. Psittacula purpurata (Gmel.), Finsch, Papag. 11. 680. The specimen from the Museum Leverianum is not in the the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 33 collection ; nor was it included in the old catalogue, though it is enumerated in the inventory. 57. CaLyPTORHYNCHUS BANKsI (Lath.). (811.) Banksian Cockatoo, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 63, t. 109; Cook’s Voy. 11. 18; Parkin’s Voy. 144. Psittacus banksii, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 107. 76, excl. var. ; Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii. 476, excl. var. Psittacus magnificus, Shaw, Nat. Misc. ii. t. 50 (nec Mus. Lever.). Sale Cat. n. 1097 is a younger bird according to Dr. Finsch’s, or a female according to Mr. Gould’s view. As this specimen agrees very well with Latham’s descrip- tion and figure, there is some probability that it is Latham’s type; but this naturalist mentions that the bird was in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, who brought it with him from New Holland. .PICIDA. 58. CAMPEPHILUS MELANOLEUCUS (Gmel.). (252.) Buff-crested Woodpecker, Lath. Gen. Syn. 11. 558, t. 25. Picus melanoleucus, Gmel. Syst. 1. 426; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 226. 7. Picus melanoleucus, Sale Cat. n. 1937 (a female from Suri- nam) is probably the type of Latham’s description and plate. CUCULIDA. 59. Praya ptuviatis (Gmel.). (297, 298.) Sloane, Jamaica, t. 258. f. 1. Rain-Cuckoo, Lath. Gen. Synops. 11. 536. 33 (cum syn.). Cuculus pluviahs, Gmel. Syst. 1. 411; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 218. 37. Hyetornis pluvialis (Gmel.) : Sclater, Cat. Coll. 321; Cab. et F. Heine, Mus. Hein. ii. 80 (expos. synon.). Hyetomantis pluvialis, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1862, p. 253, note. Piaya (Hyetornis) pluvianus, Gray, Hand-list, i. 212. Two specimens (Sale Cat. n. 35, last day, Cuculus vetula). Not mentioned by Latham as contained in the Mus. Lever. SER. III.—VOL. III. D 34 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in 60. OxyLopuus cLtanparivs (Linné). (264.) Great Spotted Cuckoo, Lath. Gen. Synops. 1. 513. 3. Sale Cat. n. 6077 (Large Spotted Cuckoo, Africa) was in bad preservation, and is no longer in the collection. Latham describes a specimen from Gibraltar, but does not indicate that the bird was in the Mus. Lever. 61. EvpyNamys NIGRA (Linné). (141.) A female (Sale Cat. n. 6095); no longer in the collection. Not mentioned by Latham as in the Lever. Mus. 62. ScyTHROPS NOV HOLLANDIA, Latham. (98.) Psittaceous Hornbill, Phil. Bot. Bay, 165, ec. fig. Scythrops nove hollandie, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 141. 1. Anomalous Hornbill, White’s Journ. 142, c. fig. Channel-bill, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 96, t. 124. It seems not improbable that our specimen is the type of the figure in White’s Journal. COLUMBIDA. 63. CarporpHaca, sp. (312.) Large Pigeon, South Sea?; rejected, not being in a good state. 64. CoLUMBA (192.) Mercury Pigeon; in bad condition, therefore not retained in the collection. 65. PaTaAGi@NAS LEUCOCEPHALA (Linné). (250, 251.) White-crowned Pigeon, Lath. Gen. Synops. iv. 616. 5. Columba leucocephala, Linné, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 594. 5. Sale Cat. n. 4478 (Columba leucocephala, 250) is perhaps the specimen mentioned by Latham as contained in the Mus. Lever. ; another bird (251) was in bad condition, and therefore not accepted for the collection. 66. Gore ia stRIATA (Linné) (sinica, L.). (185.) Sale Cat. n. 3605 (Striated Turtledove) was referred to the duplicates, 1832 ? 67. ZeNAIDA AMABILIS, Bonap. (119, 120.) Male (119; Sale Cat. n. 8131), Cinnamon Dove, Jamaica. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 35 The female (120; Sale Cat. n. 5880, Jamaica) is no longer in the collection. Does not seem to be mentioned by Latham. 68. Leucosarcta picata (Lath.). (186.) White-faced Pigeon, Lath. Gen. Syn. Suppl. ii. 268. 4. Pied Pigeon, Lath. ibid. 2685. Columba melanoleuca, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. Suppl. lix. 1. Columba picata, Lath. 7. c. lix. 2. A female (White-fronted Dove from New Holland), perhaps one of Latham’s types. 69. Cat@nas nicoparica (Linné). (111.) Sale Cat. n. 4828. PHASIANID. 70. Gatius BANKIVA, Temm. (241, 242.) Two English Game-Cocks, one with iron spurs, no longer in the collection. 71. Mexeacris Mexicana, Gould. (71.) American Turkey, Lath. Gen. Syn. iv. 676. 1 (only the description of the male). Meleagris mexicana, Gould, P. Z. 8.1856, 61; Baird, Birds N. America, 614 & 618; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1863, 125. The male from the Leverian Museum, which was said to have come from Georgia, agrees very well with Mr. Gould’s description, but is inferior in size, its measurements being as follows—length 3! 22", bill 2”, wing 183”, tail 13", tarsus 5" 9'"; but a comparison of the measurements given by Prof. Baird (/. c. 619) shows clearly that the dimensions vary to a considerable degree. Another point wherein our specimen differs both from M. mexicana and M. gallopavo, consists in the primaries being uniform olive-brown, unadorned with white bars, the secon- daries of the same colour, with a green gloss in the second half, and with a narrow white posterior margin; the inner webs of the secondaries are freckled with buff towards the margins. I had a suspicion that the wings might have been taken from p2 36 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in another specimen; but a more accurate inspection proved such a supposition to be erroneous. As our Museum has received a pair of the true M. gallopavo in exchange from the late Prince Neuwied, bearing the locality “ Mexico,” it seems that the latter species also occurs further south. Mr. Allen (Bullet. Mus. Comp. Zool. vol. 1. n. 3. 342) believes the Mexican Turkey to be not specifically dif- ferent from the more northern bird. TETRAONID/. 72. Roiiutus coronatus (Lath.). (101.) Sonn. Vog. t. 100. , Lesser Crowned Pigeon, var. A, Lath. Gen. Synops. iv. 623. 10; t. 58. Phasianus rouloul, Scop. Del. Flor. et Faun. Insubr. 93. Phasianus cristatus, Sparrm. Mus. Carls. t. 64. Columba cristata, Gmel. Syst. i. 774; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 596 et 597, var. 8. n. 10. Perdix coronata, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. Suppl. Ixn. 1. Sale Cat. n. 6100, is the type of Latham’s description and figure. In the old catalogue of the Vienna Collection “Sumatra” was given as the locality of this specimen; but as Latham says that the bird in the Leverian Museum was met with by accident at a sale, without the least history annexed, this habitat is evi- dently wrongly assigned to this specimen. 73. TURNIX GIBRALTARICUS (Gmel.). (196.) Gibraltar Quail, Lath. Gen. Synops. iv. 790. 37. Perdix gibraltarica, Gmel. Syst. 1. 766 ; Lath. Ind. Orn. n. 656. 45. Sale Cat. n. 6004, evidently Latham’s type, is no longer in the collection. 74. Orryx cristatus (Linné). (87.) Mentioned by Latham (Crested Quail, Gen. Syn. iv. 784. 26) as in the Leverian Museum. 75. CaccaBis RUBRA (Briss.). (95.) Greek Partridge, var. A. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 37 Guernsey Partridge, Lath. Gen. Syn. iv. 768. 12 (Br. Mus., Mus. Lever.), et Suppl. 220. Perdiz rufa, B, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 647. 12. The specimen is without indication of habitat. 76. PrpI@cETES PHASIANELLUS (Linné). (810.) Edwards, t. 117. Long-tailed Grouse, Lath. Gen. Syn. iv. 732. 2, et Suppl. 212. 2. _ Tetrao phasianellus, Linné, Gmel. Syst. i. 747; Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 635. 2. Female? Sale Cat. n. 5598 (Pin-tailed Grouse). Latham does not say that a bird of this species was in the Leverian Collection. STRUTHIONID. 77. Ruea americana, Lath. A young bird. TINAMID A. 78. TINAMUS BRASILIENSIS, Lath. (103.) Great Tinamou, Lath. Gen. Syn. iv. 724. 1. Tinamus brasiliensis, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 633. 1. Sale Cat. n. 6022 was transferred to the duplicates many years ago. Latham mentions the existence of a specimen in the Museum Leverianum. OTIDID “A. 79. Oris, sp. (179.) A skin of an Ofts, called Barbary Bustard, was in bad con- dition, and therefore not received in the collection. CHIONIDID. 80. Cutonts ALBA (Gmel.). 90.) White Sheathbill, Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 268. t. 89. Chionis, Forst.; Temm. Man. d’Orn. Anal. eviii. Vaginalis alba, Gmel. Syst. 1. 705. Vaginalis chionis, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 774. 1. 38 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Our bird (called Vaginalis australis, and said to be from New Zealand) differs from Latham’s figure in the circumstance that the warty excrescences of the face are less developed, as Latham mentions is the case in young birds. HAMATOPODIDA. 81. STREPSILAS INTERPRES (Linné). (278.) Turnstone, Sale Cat. n. 5797. Adult. Latham (Gen. Syn. v. 188. 37) gives a description, made . probably from a specimen in the Museum Leverianum, which agrees in many ways with the above-cited bird; but the wing- coverts of the latter are not cinereous-brown, but ferruginous. GRUID. 82. Grus cANADENSIS (Linné). Brown Crane, Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 43. 7. Ardea canadensis, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 675. 7. Specimen from N. America. 83. Grus anTIGONE (Linné). (67.) Specimen from the East Indies. 84. Scors vireo (Linné). (304.) Demoiselle Heron, Lath. Gen. Syn. v. 35. 2. Ardea virgo, Linné, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 673. 2 A specimen without habitat. According to Latham this species was contained in the Leverian Museum. ARDEID Ai. 85. ArpeEa pacirica, Lath. (801.) Pacific Heron, Lath, Gen. Synops. Suppl. 1. 305. 20. Ardea pacifica, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. Suppl. lxv. 2. The specimen was marked in the catalogue Ardea vittata, not A. pacifica. 86. ARDEA CHRULEA, Linné. (299.) Blue Heron (Catesby), Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 78. 45 (Mus. Lever.). Ardea cerulea, Linné, Lath. Ind. or u. 689. 48, excel. var. B. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 39 Sale Cat. n. 6195 (Small Black Heron) is no longer in the collection. 87. CANCROMA CocHLEARIA (Linné). (74, 75). Boatbill (Cancr. cochl. L.), Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 26 (Mus. Lever.), t. 76 (the male). Crested Boatbill, var. B, Brown Boatbill (C. cancrophaga, L.), Lath. ibid. (Mus. Lever.) (the female). Cancroma cochlearia, Linné, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 671. 1 (cum. var. 6 et y); Shaw, Mus. Lever. p. 10, pl. (m. et f.). Male (Sale Cat.-n. 5140) and female (Sale Cat. n. 2229) from 8. America, perhaps Latham’s types, are no longer in the collection. They were also depicted by Shaw (Mus. Lever. 10). CICONIIDA. 88. Mycteria austrauis, Lath. (Temm.?). (176.) New-Holland Jabiru, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 1. 294. t. 138. Ciconia australis, Temm. Linn. Trans. v. 34. 2; idem, PI. Col. genre Ciconia, sp. 6. Mycteria australis, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. Suppl. lxiv.1; Shaw, Nat. Miscell. t. 601. The bird in our collection is probably Latham’s type. TANTALID A. 89. TanTatus LocuLator, Linné. (8.) Specimen. America. 90. GERONTICUS CAYENNENSIS (Gmel.). (305.) Courly verd de Cayenne, Buff. Pl. Eni. 820. Cayenne Ibis, Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 107. 3. Tantalus cayennensis, Gmel. Syst. 1. 652; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 704. 3. Sale Cat. n. 6178 no longer in the collection. Not mentioned by Latham as existing im the Museum Leverianum. 91. Geronticus caLvus (Gmel.). (109.) Courly a téte nue, du Cap de bonne Espérance. Buff. Pl. Eni. 867. 40 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Bald Ibis, Lath. Synops. v. 116.16 (Br. Mus., Mus. Lever.). Tantalus calvus, Gmel. Syst. 1. 649; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 708. 17. The bird, probably that mentioned by Latham (Gen. Synops. v. 116. 16), was in bad condition, and not placed in the col- lection. | RALLID. 92. Hyporznipia striata (Linné). (116, 117.) Rallus philippensis striatus, Briss. Orn. v. 167, t. 14. f. 2. Tiklin rayé, Buffon, Ois. ix. f. 72. Rallus striatus, Linné, Syst. i. 262.5; Gmel. Syst. 1. 714; Lesson, Traité d’Ornith. 536; Blyth, Catal. Cale. Mus. 285, sp. 1671; Swinhoe, Ibis, 1863, 427 (egg), et P.Z.S8. 1863, 321; Jerdon, Birds of India, 11. 726*. Philippine Rail, var. C, Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 282. Philippine Rail, var. A, Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 231. 4, t. 86. Rallus philippensis, var. 8 et y, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 756. 4. Rallus gularis, Horsf. (secundum Blyth); ? Bernstem, Journ. f. Ornith. 1861, 190 (eggs). Rallus indicus, Verreaux; Reichenbach, Rasores, t. 201. f, 2575, 2576. Railus pectoralis, Gray, Birds Tropic. Isl.52 (partim); Finsch et Hartlaub, Ornith. Centr. Polyn. 157 (partim). Hypotenidia striata, Reich.; Bonap. Compt. Rend. xl. (1856) 599; Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, Ralli, 24. Hab. Throughout India from the extreme south and Ceylon, to the foot of the Himalayas and the Punjab ; extends through Burmah to the Malayan islands (Jerdon); Malacca (Reichen- bach); Sumatra (Blyth); Java (Lesson, Schlegel); Cochinchina, China (Schlegel); Siam, Formosa (Swinhoe); Philippine Islands (Brisson); Lucon (Schlegel); Otaheite (Latham). Two specimens from the Leverian Museum, viz. 116, Sale Cat. n. 5384 (Rallus philippensis, var. otaheitensis) and 117 ; the latter probably the origmal of Latham’s description and figure. * The dimensions given by Jerdon surpass in some particulars those of our specimen. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 41 Both individuals agree very well together; their measure- ments are* :—Length 9" 3", wing 4! 8", tail 2! 1", bill from gape 18!" from the frontal plumes 12-122!", tarsus 19’, middle toe without nail 18", tertiaries 3! shorter than the longest primaries. H. striata is similar to the young male and female of H. celebensis, but differs in its inferior size, the slender tarsus, and longer toes. I am convinced that the Rallus philippensis of the older authors is a different species. Our collection is in possession of a specimen of the latter, which was obtained in the year 1815, in exchange, from the Paris Museum, as Rallus philippensis (Rale rayé des Philippines, Pl. Enl. 774), and which agrees very well with the figure of the Pl. Enl. I think it not impossible that it is the same individual which served as a model to Buffon. The bird differs from H. striata in its by far greater size, much stouter tarsi, and shorter toes, the tertiaries equalling in length the longest primaries ; the rusty red of the nape is not uniform, but streaked with dark brown, the feathers of the back are blackish brown, frmged with olivaceous, and adorned with very few white spots, these being also less numerous on the wings; the whole under surface has a tinge of yellowish. Length 11", wing 5" 4!" tail (incomplete) 1" 9!", bill from gape 18", from the frontal feather 14!", tarsus 21!", middle toe without nail 17!”. The synonymy would stand as follows :— HyPor@NIDIA PHILIPPENSIS (Linné). Rallus philippensis, Briss. Orn. v. 163, t. 14. f. 1; Linné, Syst. 1. 263, 7; Gmel. Syst. 1. 714; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 756. 4. (exel. var.) ; Lesson, Traité d’Ornith. 536; ?Gray, Birds Tropic. Isl. 51. Tiklin, Buffon, Ois. ix. 71. Réle rayé des Philippines, P\. Enl. 774. Phillippine Rail, Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 230, 4. ? Rdle tiklin, Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. Uranie, 35. * The feet of n. 116 are wanting, and are replaced by those of some other grallatorial bird. 42 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Hab. Philippine Islands (Brisson) ; Marianne Isl., Guam (Quoy et Gaim.). A nearly allied but distinct species is represented by the bird designated by most authors, and formerly also by me in the Ornithology of the ‘ Novara,’ as Rallus pectoralis, Cuvier. Pucheran has already shown (Rev. de Zool. 1851, 277) that Cuvier’s and Lesson’s bird (= Rallus brachypus (Swains.)) is very different from that introduced by Gould under this name; and I would therefore propose for the latter species the name “ australis,” on account of its habitat. H. australis is in coloration very similar to H. philippensis, but even in the young bird marked with a buff collar; it has longer wings than H. philippensis, absolutely or comparatively shorter tarsi, and the tertiaries are considerably shorter than the primaries. The dimensions of the specimens in our Mu- seum are the following :— ' Bill from Tertiaries : : Middle shorter Length. Wing. ‘Tail. frontal Tars. “106. than the opener. primaries. 1. From M. Dufresne, in. lin. in. lin. in. lin. lin. lin. lin. lin. 1815. Australia.. 10 6 5 OF 72)6 133 173 15 4 2. al Without fur- ee 3 5 9 3 0 15 20 16 6 o-pl ether date...."(11 O- ~5 5 2 9 13 18 15 5 4. F. Novara Expedi- TROT Sheet optoehh). © 10 6 5 6 2 11 122 18 14 Lt (5) tls bik One 10 35 44. 28 123 183 153 6 * The feathers probably have vot attained their full length. + Perhaps not fully grown. { This specimen, purchased from M. Parreyss in 1883, is evidently very young: the wings are very short, the upper mandible is dusky, the colours are similar to those of the old bird; but the red of the nape and the white spots of the back appear little developed, the buff collar is pale, but broader, asin adult individuals. Whether the birds enumerated by Schlegel from the Philippines (Cuming) and from Celebes (Forsten et Rosenberg), and in like manner Lallina philippensis, Wallace (P. Z. 8S. 1863, p. 36), from Bourou and the islands eastward, belong to this or the foregoing species, I cannot decide. It is also doubtful to what species the birds mentioned as Rallus phi- Lippensis, found on the Keeling or Cocos Atoll, in the Indian Ocean (Gould, Voy. Beagle, p. 33), are to be referred. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 43 The synonymy would be :— Hypor#NIpIA AUSTRALIS. Rallus pectorals, Gould, Birds Austral. vi. t.76; Reichenb. Voég. Neuholl. 159, n. 478; idem, Naturg. Novit. t. cccv. f. 2465, 2466; Cassin, Unit. St. Expl. Exped. 303; Gray, Birds Tropic. Isl. 52 partim; Pelzeln, Orn. Nov. 134; Finsch et Hartl. Orn. Centr. Polyn. 157, partim, t. 3. f. 3 (egg). Rallus philippensis, Peale, Unit. St. Expl. Exp. 222. Hypotenidia philippensis, Bonap. Compt. Rend. xliii. (1856) 599; Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, Ralli, 23; Gould, Handb. Birds Austral. 11. 334. Rallus hypotenidia (Bonap.), Verreaux et des Murs, Rev. de Zool. 1860, 437. Hab. Australia (Gould, Peale) ; Samoa, Feejee, Tonga Isles (Peale) ; New Caledonia (Verr. et Des Murs). For comparison I add the dimensions of our specimens of the two nearly related species, H. torqguata and H. celebensis. Hypotenidia torquata (Linné). i Tertiaries Bill from p i i Middl hort Length. Wing. Tail. frontal Tars. ae © hae feather. 1an tf primaries. 1. M. From M. Verreaux. in. lin. in. lin. in. lin. lin. In. lin, : Philippine Islands ..12 0 60 2 0 = 193 26 203 3 2.M. From Paris Mu- TERNS Bag dono Ggupe LZ OT GO ON SO AAG 25 183 _ Hypotenidia celebensis (Quoy et Gaim.). l.M. Gorontalo, July, coll. by Rosenberg.... 11 6 5.3 a 1G 18 24 183 10 2. F. Gorontalo, April, UROSCHBET Yo 2). sees s 10, OM, 4. 10"~ 2: 6 tf? y 19 153 10 3, M.j. Gorontalo, April, PERGSEROET Gt. tc ate as 2 10 9 5 0 2 6 14 193 153 10 M.? Celebes? From the Austrian Expedit. to Eastern Asia........ 12 OF 6. OF 2 Gira s 24 183 13 93. Porzana, ?sp. (143, 144.) Male and female (small Waterhens), were not received in the collection, being in bad preservation. Ad A. von Pelzeln on Birds in 94. Porpuyrio parvus (Bodd.). (803.) Favorite de Cayenne, Buff. Pl. Enl. 897. Favourite Gallinule, Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 256, 8 (in Mus. Lever.). Fulica flavirostris, Gmel. Syst. 1. 699. Gallinula flavirostris, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 769, 10. Sale Cat. n. 1414 (Waterhen) was given to the collection of the Gymnasium at Agram in the year 1854. 95. Notornis? atBA (White). (102.) White Gallinule, Callam, Bot. Bay, 1783 (teste Gray) ; Phillips’s Voyage to Bot. Bay, 273, cum fig. 1789; Latham, Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 327; Bennett, P. Z. 8S. 1869, 471. Fulica alba, White, Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales (1790), 238, c. tab. Gallinula alba, Wath. Ind. Orn. 768. 8; idem, Gen. Hist. ix. 428. Porphyrio albus, Lath. ; Temminck, Man. d’Ornith. ii. 701; idem, Pl. Col. genre Porphyrio, sp. 4; Steph. Gen. Zool. xii. 261; Gray, Ibis, 1862, 240 (with details from Latham’s Gen. Hist.). Porphyrio melanotus, Temm. (albino variety) ; Gray, Zool. Erebus and Terror, 19; idem, Gen. of Birds, 598. Porphyrio melanotus, Temm., var.; Bonap. Compt. Rend. xliii. (1856) 599, (tabl. Gralle). Notornis? alba (White), Pelzeln, Sitzungsber. d. k. Akad. Wissensch. xli. (1860) 828; A. Newton, Ibis, 1866, 159 (note) ; Salvin, Ibis, 1871, 443. White Bird, Hill, Lord Howe’s Island, Sydney, 1870. Porphyrio albus, Shaw ; Gray, Hand-l. 11. Suppl. 344. Our collection is in possession of White’s type (Fulica alba, Norfolk Isl.) ; the identity of the bird is proved by White’s remark in the preface to his book, that the birds from which the drawings were taken are deposited in the Leverian Museum. In a letter on Lord Howe’s Island (P. Z. 8S. 1869, p. 471) Dr. G. Bennett says that the White Gallinule figured in Phillip’s ‘Voyage to Botany Bay,’ and found only in Norfolk and the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 45 Lord Howe’s Islands, is now extinct, as it has not been seen recently on either of these islands. In Mr. Salvin’s record of Mr. Edward S. Hill’s paper on Lord Howe’s Island (Ibis, 1871), mention is made of a white bird, like a Guinea-fowl, which, if not actually extinct, seems on a fair way to become so, and which is, as Mr. Salvin remarks, very probably the same as Gallinula alba, Lath. To Mr. A. Newton (Ibis, 1866) we owe the notice that, besides the specimen in the Imperial Museum at Vienna, there is a second in the Derby Museum at Liverpool, from Bullock’s collection*. ANATID. 96. PLECTROPTERUS GAMBENSIS (Linné). (173.) The specimen, probably that figured by Lath. (Gen. Syn. vi. 452, t. 102), was transferred to the duplicates in the year 1832. It seems also to have been the original of Shaw’s plate (Mus. Lever. 231, t. 56.). 97. ANSER CHRULESCENS (Linné). (105.) Blue-winged Goose, Edwards, t. 152; Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 469. 28 (Mus. Lever.). Anas cerulescens, Linné, Syst. 1. 198. 12; Gmel. Syst. 1. 513; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 836. 13. Anser cerulescens (L.), Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. viii. (1856) 12; Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, Anseres, 108. Specimen from North America. This Goose was frequently believed to be the younger bird of Anser hyperboreus (Pall.) ; and even Baird (Rep. 761) doubts the specific difference of the two birds, a difference which seems to me to hold good. Latham mentions that this species was in the Museum Leverianum ; but his description seems to be taken from that of Edwards, with which our specimen agrees tolerably well. 98. Brernicia supata (Lath.). (145.) Hawkesbury Duck, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 358, pl. in titlepage. Anas jubata, Lath. Ind. Orn. Suppl. lxix. * Herr von Pelzeln has just forwarded us a drawing of this species, from which it is our intention to have a Plate prepared for our next Number. 46 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Bernicla jubata, Steph. Gen. Zool. xii. 63. Chlamydochen jubata (Lath.), Gould, Handb. Birds Austral. li. 354. This bird, from the Museum Leverianum (Red-winged Duck), perhaps Latham’s type, is no longer in the collection. 99. Cyenus atratus (Lath.). (288.) Transferred to the duplicates in 1832. 100. Anas cristata, Gmel. (137.) Crested Duck, Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 543. 81 (described from a plate of Sir Joseph Banks ; species from Staatenland). Anas cristata, Gmel. Syst.1. 540; Lath. Ind. Orn. 11.870. 93. Anas lophyra, Forst. Descr. Av. 340 (Terra Statuum). Anas, n. 1, Purple-winged Duck, Sale Cat. n. 5591. As Latham does not notice the specimen in the Museum Leverianum, our bird was probably a later acquisition, and perhaps from Forster’s voyage. 101. Dariza BaHAMENSIS (Linné). (114.) Teal, Surinam, Sale Cat. n. 2572; not mentioned by Latham. 102. CLancuLA ALBEOLA (Linné). (136.) Buffel-headed Duck, Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 533. 75. Anas albeola, .; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 866. 86. Gambo-goore, America. ALCIDA. 103. Lunpa cirrwata (Pallas). (100.) Specimen from Kamtschatka. URIIDA. 104. BracHyRAMPHUS MARMORATUS (Temm.). (80.) A younger bird of this species (auct. n. 5366, Uria marmo- rata) differs from Latham’s description and plate (Gen. Syn. , vi. 336, t. 96) in having the plumage of lighter hue, and in the throat and its sides being nearly unspotted white. PROCELLARIIDA. 105. Purrinus xquinoctiatis (Linné). (256.) Black Petrel, Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 398. 3 (Mus. Lever.). the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 47 Our specimen, probably that mentioned by Latham as con- tained in the Mus. Lever., is no longer in our collection. It is also possible that the same bird was the original of the plate in White’s Journ. Voy. NewS. Wales, p. 251. 106. Purrinus TENEBROSUS, Natterer. (254.) _ P. corpore supra nigrescente brunneo, subtus albo: lateribus colli pectorisque plumarum limbis albis, tectricibus alarum anguste albo marginatis, tectricibus caudz in- ferioribus lateralibus nigricantibus albo terminatis, rostro obscure corneo, maxille basi infra nares et mandibule parte inferiore flavescentibus, pedibus flavidis, tarsis solummodo linea anteriore et posteriore, digitoque ex- terno extus obscuris. Longit. 123", ale 7" 8!", ab apice rectricum ad finem secundariarum 2" 6!; rectricum me- diarum longit. 33”, lat. 9!"; rectrices laterales 8! bre- viores; tarsi longit. 1” 5”, lat. 3!”; longit. digiti externi 16", unguis 2”, digiti medii 16", unguis 3!", digiti in- terni 12", unguis 24!" rostri a fronte 11, a naribus 9", a rictu 17!" Dusky Petrel, Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 416. 23 (only the smaller specimen in the Mus. Lever. ; said to have come from King George’s Sound, on the American coast); Arctic Zool. Suppl. 73 (?). Procellaria obscura, Gmel. Syst. 1. 559 (partim); Latham, Ind. Orn. ii. 828, n. 24 (partim)'; Vieill. Gal. Ois. t. 301 (only the habitat from King George’s Sound). Puffinus tenebrosus, Natterer, Synops. MS. Hab. King George’s Sound, on the American coast (Lath.) ; Ins. Galéga (Lafr.)? Similis P. obscuro (Gmel.)*, sed minor, rostro tenuiore et 7/-* PUFFINUS OBSCURUS, Gmel. Dusky Petrel, Lath, Gen. Synops. vi. 416. 23 (Christmas Island) ; Arctic Zool. Suppl. 73? Procellaria obscura, Gmel. Syst. i. 559; Lath. Ind. Orn, ii. 828. 24; Kuhl, Zool. Beitr. 147, n. 24, fig. 11 (Mus. Paris); Temm. Man. d’Orn. 2nd edit. ii. 808 (Mediterrania), iv. 510 (Bretagne, Picardie); Atlas du Man. tab.; Vieill. Gal. Ois. ii. 230, t. 801; Gould, Birds of Europe, t. 444; Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, Procellaria, 30 (et P. nugax Bailloni, Bonap.) (Atl. Ocean, Bourbon). Puffinus obscurus (Gmel.), Cuv. Reg. Anim. 1817, 516; Bonap. Synops. Birds Unit. St. 871; Audubon, Orn. Biogr. iii. 620 (southern coast of 48 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in breviore, alis longioribus, cauda longiore, magis gradata, tarsibus extus, exceptis lineis duabus, flavidis, plantis margine obscuro nullo, plumis colli et pectoris laterum albo marginatis ; a P. nugaci (Soland.), ex Australia, statura majore, colore notzi nigricante brunneo nec schistaceo nigro, loris brunneis nec albis, tarsibus extus, exceptis lineis duabus, flavis et plantis haud nigro limbatis differt* ; ‘a P. dichroo, Hartl. et Finsch, statura majore, hypochon- drus albis et pedibus non nigricantibus aut nigricanti- cinereis diversus. Specimen, Sale Cat. n. 6079 (Petrel, from King George’s Sound, N. America). This bird, mentioned as different by Latham himself, was separated by Natterer in his MS. Synopsis as belonging to a different species, under the name Puffinus tenebrosus. I add a translation of Natterer’s MS. description (dated 19th May, 1839). “ Puffinus tenebrosus (from the Leverian Museum). “Tn form and colour strikingly similar to P. obscurus, but smaller, with thinner and shorter bill, somewhat longer wings, anda little longer, more cuneiform tail. The outside of tarsus light-coloured only a little above the articulation of the toes outwardly, and the outer side of the external toe dark brown, the margins of the webs light-coloured, the claws also not so black as those of P. obscurus. “On the entire side of the throat, from the ear as far as the side of the upper breast, the dark brown feathers are fur- nished with a broad white margin. P. obscurus has these margins only on the sides of the upper breast. Unit. St., Gulf of Mexico); Gray, Gen. 647, et App. 29; Bonap. Consp. ii. 204; Baird, Rep. 1858, 835; Gray, Birds Tropic. Isl. Pacif. Oc. 55 (excl. syn.) ; Hartl. Fauna Madag. 84 (Bourbon, Mauritius, Madagascar). Puffinus nugax, var. bailloni, Bonap. Compt. Rend. xli, (1856) 8; Tabl. Longip. sp. 80; idem, Consp. ii. 205 (Ie de France). Puffinus bailloni, Bp.; Hartl. Fauna Madag. 84. _ ™* For comparison with P. obseurus I have referred to a specimen (probably from the American coast) received in exchange from the Paris Museum in 1815, and another (somewhat smaller) from Madagascar, purchased by Natterer. Of P. nugax I have compared a specimen from New Holland, obtained from M. Verreaux. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 49 ‘The first, second, and third series of upper wing-coverts with a terminal whitish margin. “The bill is blackish brown, the basis of the upper mandible under the nostrils and the lower mandible on the under long shield lighter and verging to brownish. The entire under half of the lore, and from the margin of the upper mandible, in a straight line under the ear and upwards to the eye, dark brown-grey (in P. obscurus the under margin of the lore, and from there to the eye, white, behind the eye to the ear-region dark brown). “ The first of the remiges longest, on the right wing the first and second of equal length. “Tarsus broad, laterally much compressed, almost to a cut- ting-edge. “On the underside of the wing the dark brown margin on the forearm much narrower than in P. obscurus. “* Rectrices 12. ** Middle toe entirely light-coloured ; no dark space on the web as in P. obscurus.” Measurements as above. _In the collection of the late Baron de la Fresnaye there was a Puffinus labelled “ Puffinus assimilis, Gould, de Vile de Galéga,” which seemed to Natterer to be identical with his Puffinus tenebrosus, and of which he made (Falaise, 2nd Oc- tober, 1840) the following description (translated from the German) :—‘‘ The lora and upper half of the cheeks, or the ear-region, in a line from the angle of the bill, blackish brown, as the entire upper body. Remiges and rectrices darker, the great tectrices of the secondaries (é. e. the first row of upper wing-coverts) with a narrow white terminal margin. Under tail-coverts blackish brown, with narrow whitish apices, the long anal feathers white, the sides or loins dark blackish-brown, under wing-coverts white, feathers on the margin of the wing dark blackish-brown. The sides of the breast, reaching forward towards the middle, of the colour of the neck, but with whitish margins, quite scaly (geschuppt), which colour rises on the sides of the neck ; where SER. I1I.—VOL. II. E 50 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in the white mects with the dark, the colour on the sides of the neck and the breast is more greyish than on the back. Puffinus tenebrosus. “ Fifth and second primaries of equal length; from the end of the first to the last secondaries 2! 8" (?). Puffinus obscurus. “Length 11"; wing 7” 6", middle rectrices 3", the outer 74!" shorter ; bill 1” 34", from the nostrils 94!", from the front 1’; the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 5] tarsus 1” 31” its breadth 22”; outer toe 1” 34", claw 2"; middle toe 1" 3", claw 3"; inner toe 12”, claw 24!".” The island of Galéga, which lies north-east of Madagascar, is indeed a very remote habitat from that indicated by La- tham ; but Puffinus obscurus is also found in the South Seas, in the Indian Ocean, and on both shores of the Atlantic. I believe it also not impossible that Latham indicated erro- neously King George’s Sound on the American coast, and that King George’s Sound in Australia was meant. The dimensions of a specimen of P. obscurus, described by Natterer (19th May, 1839), are as follows :— Length 13", wing 7” 6", middle tail-feathers 2! 11” (their breadth 8"), the outer 5! shorter; from the end of the wing to the longest secondaries (in the folded wing) 2” 5!; bill, from angle of mouth 1" 7", from front 1" 4!", from nostril 1! 1"; tarsus 1” 64!" (ts breadth 3!"); outer toe 1” 6", claw 2"; middle toe 1" 5, claw 3"; inner toe 1" 4", claw 3!". Rectrices 11. Fifth primary the longest, second 1! shorter. A very narrow margin on the fore end of the web obscure. Puffinus dichrous, Hartl. et Finsch (Fauna Centralpolyn. 244), from McKean’s Island (Phoenix group), of which there is a single specimen in the collection Godeffroy, seems very similar to P. tenebrosus, but smaller, with dark hypo- chondria, black bill, and blackish feet (only the interior side of the tarsus brownish, and the webs pale brownish). The accompanying sketches, made by Natterer, will show the shape of the bill of P. tenebrosus, from King George’s Sound, and of P. obscurus. 107. DiomepeEa exuLAns, Linné. (281.) Chocolate Albatross, Cook, Voy. 11. 116. 150; Forst. Voy. 1. 258; Parkins. Voy. 83, 84 (?); Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 308. 2 (Mus. Lever.). Diomedea spadicea, Gmel. Syst. 1. 568; Lath. Ind. Orn. i, 790. 2 (excl. var. 8, which belongs perhaps to D. brachyura). Our specimen (Sale Cat. n. 37, “last day but two, Diomedea exulans grisea”) agrees well with Latham’s description, of which it is perhaps the type. E2 52 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in LARIDA. 108. Lustris parasitica (Linné). (89.) Arctic Gull, Latham, Gen. Synops. vi. 389. t. 99 (Mus. Lever.). Larus parasiticus, Linné, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 819. 15. The bird, probably the type of Latham’s description and plate, was transferred to the duplicates. 109. PacorHILa EBURNEA (Gmel.). (248, 249.) Ivory Gull, Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 377. 7 (Mus. Lever.). Larus eburneus, Gmel.; Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 816. 10. 248 (Sale Cat., last day, n. 25, Larus eburneus). It would seem to me probable that this bird is that mentioned by Latham as contained in the Museum Leverianum, were not the propor- tions different ; for Latham says that the wings exceed the tail greatly, whereas in our individual the tail is a little prominent over the wings. The other specimen (249) was sent to Tem- minck for the Museum at Leyden. PELECANIDA. 110. PHarron zTHEREUS, Linné. (296.) Common Tropic bird, Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 685. 1 (Pr. Max., Lever. Mus.). Phaeton ethereus, Linné, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 893. 1. Sale Cat. n. 1399, a specimen with long tail-feathers ; does not seem to be the type of Latham’s description. + 111. Suna pLumicuta, Jos. Natterer. (255.) S. alba vertice et nucha ochrascentibus, plumis gule inter bases gnathidiorum in angulo acuto productis, dorso superiore, scapularibus majoribus, alarum tectricibus su- perioribus et plerisque inferiorum griseo brunneis, remi- gibus primaris, prioribus nigrobrunneis, subsequentibus et secundaris utroque vel uno pogonio cinereis, rostro pedibusque rubris? Longit. 1! 10", alee 14”, caudee (in- complete) 62”, rostri a fronte 3" 2", tars. 1" 6", digiti medii sine ungue 2” 3!" Sula plumigula, Jos. Natterer, in Mus, Vind. Hab. Nova Hollandia? the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 53 Sale Cat. n. 1840, in bad state; was marked in the collection with the locality New Holland? The late Joh. Natterer, in his manuscript materials for a Synopsis of Birds (23rd January, 1840), says of this bird :— “A specimen, in very bad preservation, with only five tail- feathers—on one side three, on the other two, very much gra- duated ; the total number of rectrices is therefore unknown. The white tail-feathers, and the uniformly brown upperside of the wings, and the upper part of the back, show conclu- sively that the bird is an old one. It was determined as Pelecanus piscator, from which it is very different in the fol- lowing points. The skin of the throat is feathered forward, the feathers forming a point in it; the upper back, three fourths of the greater scapulars, upper and nearly all under wing-coverts obscure greyish brown.” In his manuscript Joh. Natterer designated the bird Dys- porus, without a specific name; the name “plumigula” is found on the label of the specimen and in the catalogue of the collection, and was probably given by Josef Natterer, the brother of the traveller, who also held an appointment in the Imperial Museum. Surely a species based on a single speci- men, -in bad condition, must rest very doubtful; but it is perhaps not useless to direct attention to further investiga- tions on the point. 112. GracuLus punctatus (Sparrm.). (107.) Crested Shag, Cook’s last Voyage (1783), i. 151. Spotted Shag, Latham, Gen. Synops. vi. (1785) 602. 18, t. 104. Pelecanus punctatus, Sparrm. Mus. Carls. i. (1786) t. 10; Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 889. 19. Pelecanus nevius, Gmel. Syst. 1. 574. The bird from the Mus. Leverianum, undoubtedly Latham’s type, being in a bad state, was not inserted in the collection. 113. PeLecanus conspicityatus, Temm. (282.) New-Holland Pelican, Lath. Gen. Hist. x. 402, Pelecanus conspicillatus, Temm. Pl. Col. 276. Pelecanus australis, Steph. Gen. Zool. xiii. i. 118. 54 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s c A specimen which had no older label, is, without doubt, that from the Leverian Museum, and possibly the type of Latham’s description, to which I have not had access. 114, Petecanus TRAcHYRHYNcHUS, Latham, (164) Rough-billed Pelican, Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 586. 8 (Mus. Lever.) ; Phil. Trans. lxu. 419. 54; Fauna Amer. 17. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus, Gmel. Syst. i. 571. Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 884. 8; Shaw, Mus. Lever. 211, c. tab. It is not without doubt, but very probable, that the old specimen in our collection is that mentioned by Latham as contained in the Leverian Museum, and the original of Shaw’s plate. 115. Prxecanus Fuscus, Linné. (104.) Brown Pelican, Lath. Gen. Syn. vi. 580. 3. Pelecanus fuscus, Linné, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 883. 3. Sale Cat. n. 1411, from North America (Catal.). This bird, which I believe to be from the Leverian Museum (though it is without label), is very young, and in bad con- dition. 116. Tacuyrrres aquitus, Linné. (106.) This specimen is in dark plumage, and seems to have been obtained from the American coast. [To be continued. | III.—WNotes from Archangel. By Epwarp R. Axston, F.Z.S., and Joun A. Harviz Brown. Tue following notes, made during an excursion to the country round Archangel, are offered as an appendix to the fuller accounts of Herr Liljeborg (Naumannia, 1852, p. 87), Herr Forstmeister Goebel (Journal fiir Ornithologie, 1871, p. 20), and Herr Meves (Cifversigt af K. Vetensk. Ak. Forhand- lingar, 1871, p. 731). Various causes detained us longer in this country than we should have wished ; and we did not leave St. Petersburg till the 8th June, having been delayed there for two days: in 5 1 Notes from Archangel. making the necessary preparations connected with our pass- ports and “ paderojna” (or posting-papers). We proceeded by steamer and canal-boat to Wuitegra (558 versts) vid the river Neva, Lake Ladoga, river Swir, and Onega canal. Thence we travelled in “ tarantasse”’” or country carts, and in a steamer on the river Dwina to Archangel, 546 versts further, reaching our destination on the 15th June, where, having been provided with letters of introduction by our kind friend Mr. H. E. Dresser, we met with a most hospitable reception. Here, once for all, we may be allowed to express our warmest thanks for all the kindness we met with during our stay at Archangel. More especially are our acknowledg- ments due to Mr. John Shergold and to Mr. Charles Birse, Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul. These gentlemen vied with one another in rendering us every assistance; Mr. Shergold had engaged collectors for us before our arrival, and Mr. Birse introduced us to the Messrs. Craemers; and to M. Piottuch, who gave us most valuable help in collecting. Such hospitality and kindness was shown to us on every side, that we never can forget our friends in the far north. We now proceed to give a short description of the country around Archangel. The Dwina is a noble river, of considerable breadth, but very shallow. Below Archangel it divides into imumerable branches, and thus forms the great delta of islands which extend about 40 versts further, to the White Sea. It is navi- gable for river-steamers and flat-bottomed lighters for over 300 miles from its mouths; and almost all the grain shipped from Archangel comes down the river from the far-off central provinces of Russia. The Dwina teems with fish ; and amongst » these, perhaps, the most remarkable is the far-famed Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus), which was formerly principally known as an inhabitant of the Volga. About 1861, however, a canal was formed in Vologda, connecting the head-waters of the Volga with those of the Dwina; and live sterlet may now be seen in numbers every market-day in Archangel. In St. Petersburg, we were told, this fish fetches three times the price of salmon. 56 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s The innumerable islands of the delta present very varied features. Some of them are composed of alluvial soil, and others of dry sand. They are covered in some instances with low tangled thickets of alder, in others with tall, straight, large-leaved birch. Some bear old pine-woods; some are overgrown with low open scrub; while the outer islands are for the most part sandy, and covered with short grass which is cut for hay, and round their edges waves the long sea-bent. The mainland is on the whole more densely wooded. Behind the town, a damp moor stretches back to the Urus river, covered with Iceland and Reindeer moss, mingled with short shrubs of juniper, dwarf birch, stunted pines, and small clumps of alder and willow, and on every side grow great quantities of “ maroushka” or cloud-berries. Here two families of Samoyedes have taken up their abode, and live by begging or working in the town, and feeding on the offal of the slaughter-houses, close to which they have pitched their camp of three filthy ‘‘ chooms,” covered with squares of birch- bark sewed together. Numbers of this curious race visit Archangel in winter; but all save these pauper families go further north in summer to find pasturage for their reindeer. At Waldushki, a village opposite Archangel on the south side of the river, the land gains an altitude of about 100 feet, and from here an extensive view can be obtained of the town and of the delta. Seen im the rich red glow of a northern sunset, all her gilded domes and minarets gleaming and changing in intensity of colour in the setting rays, Archangel appears to great advantage. Surely Mr. Hepworth Dixon cannot have stood on the heights of Waldushki on one of these glorious nights, and looked at the panorama stretched out beneath, - and then found it in his heart to describe the town as “a camp of shanties,” or the country around it as “a vast green marsh.” Verily the good folks of Archangel may well be annoyed at having their picturesque and pretty town so maligned. Making the town our head quarters, we undertook two trips to the outer islands of the delta, one to a village on the Notes from Archangel. 57 river Ijma and to a secluded lake in the midst of tall pine- forest, one to Cholmogory, about 70 versts up the river from Archangel, one to Waldushki, and a sixth trip to Sujma, a village on the south shore of the White Sea, and distant from Archangel about 90 versts. Having thus given a rough outline of the country, we will now proceed to mention the birds which came under our observation during our collecting-trips, adding as we proceed such observations upon the more interesting species as may suggest themselves upon a reperusal of our journals. We have numbered in the list only such species as were procured by us in the Archangel district, or which came under our own observation there. Others, which are repre- seuted in the Museum or in private collections, or which we met with in our journey from St. Petersburg, are included under the headings of Odbservations*. We left the bar at the mouth of the Maimax Channel on the 3rd of August, and returned home round the North Cape. 1. Fatco susspureo. Not uncommon. A male Hobby was shot and eggs taken by us on one of the outer islands of the delta on the 26th June. The nest was that of a Hooded Crow; and the eggs, three in number, were deeply incubated. Cbs.—We saw Falco esalon at Wosnesenskoi and Falco tinnunculus at Wuitegra and Kargopole. At the latter place Falco vespertinus was plentiful, perching on the fences and telegraph-wires, and flying along the road in front of us; we did not observe it ourselves at Archangel, but saw specimens in the Museum and in Herr Heinrich’s collection. In the Museum there are also examples of Falco gyrfalco and. Falco peregrinus. 2. Panpion HALiantTus. No Ospreys were seen by us; but we visited an eyry, which was said, by our guide, to have been regularly occupied for the last ten years. This nest was a huge structure, evidently of great age, placed on the very * We have followed Blasius’s ‘List of the Birds of Kurope’ both as regards arrangement and nomenclature. 58 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s top of a gigantic blasted pine—by far the largest tree we saw in Russia—and situated about 200 yards from the side of a woodland lake. Our guide said that he had seen the old birds there in the spring. 3. Borro vutearis. Buzzards were common, and were often seen circlmg over the town. We procured the young in down and an egg on the 7th July. A female obtained by us has the general plumage very rufous, especially the tail and feathers of the thighs. Obs.—Pernis apivorus is represented by a specimen in the Museum, and Buteo lagopus was once seen sailing over the Swir river. 4, Hatiarrus aupicitta. The White-tailed Eagle is com- mon on the Dwina: we saw it on several occasions, but never got within range. One which we watched for some time m the dusk of a northern midnight was much persecuted by a large Owl, probably Ulula barbata. Obs.—Of Aquila chrysaétus, we saw specimens in the Museum and in a private collection. 5. Minvus recatis. Kites were observed at Cholmogory and elsewhere, usually near towns and villages. We did not obtaim any specimens, but believe them to have been of this species, which was the one procured by Liljeborg and Meves. Obs.—Astur palumbarius and A. nisus were represented by specimens in the Museum. 6. Circus cyanus. The Hen-Harrier was not uncom- mon, and was seen often in the evenings skimming, owl-like, over the level country. 7. Aicouivs BRAcHyotus. The Short-eared Owl appears to be the commonest species of Owl around Archangel in summer, and was the only one we obtained. Obs.—In the Museum are examples of Nyctale funerea, Ulula barbata, U. uralensis, Surnia passerina, S. ulula, 8S. nyctea, and Bubo maximus. We once saw what we believed to be the Lap Owl; but we were assured that the various species of Owl are much more abundant later in the year. Notes from Archangel: 59 We were told of no less than seventeen Snowy Owls having been shot by a gentleman in one afternoon. 8. Dryocorus Martius. We shot one Great black Wood- pecker, and heard its loud laughing note on several occasions. Like the rest of the family, this bird may be easily brought within range by an imitation of its “ tapping,” produced by rapping on the stock of one’s gun with a small stick. 9. Picus Masor. Several were killed at Sujma, where they were very common in the pine-woods. 10. Picus mtnor. A pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, with their nest and eggs, were obtained. 1]. ArreRNuUs TRIDAcTYLUS. One Three-toed Woodpecker was shot in a large pine-forest at Ijma Ozéro ; its stomach contained ants and small beetles. Obs.—In the Museum there are specimens of Gecinus canus and Picus leuconotus. 12. Cucutus canorus. Very abundant. Obs.—Of the Nightjar (Caprimulgus europeus) there are eggs in the Museum. 13. CypseLus apus. The Swift was observed by us at Cholmogory. 14. CHELIDON urzBica. House-Martms were seen at St. Petersburg, Wuitegra, and at Archangel, in which latter place they met among the stone carvings of the Imperial barracks. 15. Hirunpo rustica. Seen at Wuitegra, and once at Archangel. 16. Coryty riparia. Extremely abundant, nesting in large colonies in the low steep banks of clay or sand. We took fresh eggs on the nights of 17th-18th June. These Sand-Martins appeared to us to be darker im colour than British specimens; but, unfortunately, none were preserved. 17. Muscicapa Grisota. The Spotted Flycatcher is com- mon. We received a nest with eggs on the 17th June. 60 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s 18. Lanius Excusrtor. Common in some localities, but always shy and difficult of approach. This Shrike seems to prefer perching on the tops of the highest trees near the borders of the forest. Near Waldushki one was seen to chase a Hooded Crow, at which it made repeated dashes. Obs.—One specimen of Lanius collurio is in the Museum. 19. Amprtis GaARRULA. This very beautiful species is com- mon but local, both on the mainland and islands. We did not find it breeding, but met with it both in pairs and in flocks of from three to six. These small parties seemed to consist either of male or female birds exclusively ; and, strange to say, all the latter had the breast very bare. No bird can be handsomer than the Waxwing as it springs from twig to twig of a sombre pine, now fluttering on the wing, now flirting its silky crest, constantly in motion, and ever and anon uttermg its musical tremulous whistle. It is particularly fond of perching on the topmost twigs of the pine trees. A bird of the year is preserved in the Museum. 20. Parus BoREALIS. Common, but not so abundant as in some districts of Norway. 21. Parus cristatus. We shot one in the forest of Glu- boki, near Cholmogory, but saw no other specimens. Obs.—The Museum contains one example of P. sibiricus, and also one of Sitta europea. 22. Turpus Piuaris. Very plentiful. 23. Turpus iiacus. Very common in some localities. A young bird which we obtained is described im Dresser and Sharpe’s ‘ Birds of Europe,’ part xiii. 24. TurpUS MERULA. Once seen. Obs.—In the collection of Herr Heinrich there is a speci- men of the black-bellied variety of Cinclus aquaticus, and also one of Oriolus galbula, both of which are considered very rare birds in this district. 25. RurictLta PH@NicuRA. Redstarts are common, and nest in the gardens of the town. Notes from Archangel. — 61 26. Cyanrecuta surcica. The Bluebreast is apparently rare; we obtained one specimen, which was the only one seen. Obs.—Sazicola enanthe was observed only at Wuitegra and Kargopole, and seemed to be a scarce species. 27. PRATINCOLA RUBETRA. Common. 28. SyLVIA HORTENSIS. Common. Obs.— Sylvia cinerea was heard not unfrequently at Wos- nesenskoi and at Wuitegra. 29. PHYLLOPNEUSTE SIBILATRIX. Not very common. 30. PHYLLOPNEUSTE EVERSMANNI. A small Warbler, which we found very commonly around Archangel, is identified by Mr. Dresser with this eastern form. So far as we could observe, its notes and habits are very similar to those of our own Willow-Wren. We obtained the newly fledged young, but found no nests. Herr Radde considers its song almost finch-lke. 31. CataMopyta PHRAGMITIS. The Sedge-Warbler was common in suitable localities, but was the only aquatic Warbler which came under our observation. 382. Moracitia aLBA. Common from St. Petersburg to Archangel, but not abundant. 33. Bupyres cINEREOCAPILLUS. This Wagtail was exceed- ingly abundant, principally frequenting islands with low bushes interspersed with open ground. Young birds differ remarkably from the adults, being yellowish buff below, with a well-defined gorget of dark spots. 34. AnTHUS cERVINUS. The Red-throated Pipit was not common, but was obtained by us on the outer islands, and also close to the town, frequenting the same kind of ground as the last-mentioned species. It is very distinct from Anthus pratensis, though Blasius (‘A list of the Birds of Europe’) considers it only a variety. 35. ANTHUS ARBOREUS. One specimen procured. 62 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s 36. Ataupa arvensis. The Sky-Lark was common in suitable localities. A specimen preserved is very rufous on the breast, as compared with British-killed specimens. Obs.—Otocorys alpestris. This species is represented by one specimen in the Museum, where there is also a specimen of Euspiza melanocephala 3; but the fact of the latter having been procured in the Archangel Government is unauthenti- cated, and must be regarded as very doubtful. 37. EmpBeriza aurnota. The Yellow-breasted Bunting is not found, or is extremely rare on the outer islands of the delta, according to our observation. Around Archangel, on certain islands, and higher up the river, it is extremely abun- dant, and is invariably to be found in hay-fields interspersed with low alder and birch bushes and overgrown with quan- tities of the broad-leaved Veratrum album mixed with horse- celery and long rank grass. So constantly is this the case, that whenever we noticed a patch of that weed, we always made certain of finding a colony of these birds. In this kind of ground it is extremely difficult to find the nest, all the more so because the female always runs some distance before taking wing; in one instance, we watched the female return to the nest, and found it to be quite six yards from the spot whence we had originally started her. Even when the birds were shot, and dropped amongst the long grass, it was next to impossible to find them without tearmg up, or cutting away, the grass around. The birds perched on the tall stems and broad leaves of the Veratrum, and, when disturbed, uttered rapid notes of alarm, somewhat resembling those of the Whinchat, but softer; and the males often flew close round us when their mates were killed. At other times, however, they evinced considerable shyness, and soon came to learn the deadly meaning of the reports of our stick-guns. We found several nests of this Bunting; but only one of them contained eggs. They were placed on the ground, and were simply composed of thin wiry grass circularly disposed, some having a few horse-hairs as linmg. One which we took on the 7th July, containing five eggs, is now before us ; it was placed on a dry raised bank in a marshy opening in an Notes from Archangel. 63 alder-thicket, under the shelter of the broad leaves of a plant of Veratrum album; and nearly all the others which we exa- mined were similarly situated. Of this nest both birds were procured: the male (now before us) is not in perfectly mature plumage, the chestnut collar not being complete; we subsequently found other males breeding in the same imma- ture state. An excellent series of figures of the head of this species, in its various plumages, is given in Radde’s ‘ Reisen in Ost-Sibirien,’ vol. ii. pl. iv. All the nests we found on the 13th and 14th July had newly hatched young; but we ob- tained one fully fledged bird on the latter date, and others soon after. 38. EMBERIZA CITRINELLA. The Yellow Bunting was very abundant, and more generally distributed on the islands and mainland than most other species. 39. Emperiza rustica. The Rustic Bunting is certainly much rarer than the next species. Those we procured were found in marshy pine-woods, and in openings in the forests. We had few opportunities of studying its habits. Its call- note resembles that of its congeners. 40. Emperiza pusitta. ‘This pretty little Bunting is a very common species, but apparently somewhat locally dis- tributed. It frequents both pine-woods of large growth and thickets of underwood, but seems to prefer young woods with a mixture of pine, fir, alder, and birch. These birds were exceedingly tame at all times, but more especially so when their young were in the vicinity. We often heard their sweet _ low song, more resembling the warbling of some Sylvia than of an Emberiza, which was generally poured forth from the top of a tree; they had also a low cry of alarm, which may be expressed by the words “tick, tick, tick” repeated at in- tervals of about a second. We did not find any nests, but obtained the young in several stages. 41. EMBERIZA SCcH@NIcLA. Very common and pretty gene- rally distributed. Obs.—Plectrophanes calcarata and P. nivalis are represented 64 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s by specimens in the museum. Passer montanus we identified at Kargopole, but we did not meet with it at Archangel. 42. Passur pomeEsticus was abundant in Archangel and in the villages. 43. Frrveria catess. The Chaffinch was not very plen- tiful, but was observed by us at Wosnesenskoi, Wuitegra, and at Archangel; at the latter place it was much valued as a cage-bird. 44, FRINGILLA MONTIFRINGILLA. Bramblings were com- mon, but not so abundant as in some parts of Norway. 45. AiaiotHUS RUFESCENS. Perhaps the most abundant species of land bird in the Archangel district is the Lesser Redpole, which is to be found in all kinds of situations, fre- quenting alike pine and hard-wood forests, and breeding plen- tifully in the gardens in the town. We obtained nests con- taining fresh eggs during the whole time of our stay. Obs.—Chrysomitris spinus is represented in the museum. 46. Carpopacus eryTHRiINvS. The Scarlet Bullfinch is not very abundant in the Archangel district ; and, curiously, we never met with the old males there, the only one we saw being at the side of the Onega canal. We found the females fre- quenting low underwood ; they are lively birds, constantly in motion, and have a cry closely resembling that of the Green- finch. 47. CoryTHus ENUCLEATOR, This is avery abundant species in some localities, but was only obtained by us at Sujma. ‘Two Pine-Grosbeaks, which we brought home alive and placed in the Zoological Gardens, were fed upon canary-seed and hemp- seed, but on board ship took kindly to oats, of which our cargo was mainly composed. These birds were very rapidly losing their red plumage, the yellow appearing in patches on the head and back, and this by means of a regular moult. 48. Pyrruuta ruBicittaA. We only obtained one speci- men, which seems to belong to the larger continental race (P. coccinea, De Selys). Notes from Archangel. 65 49, Loxta curvrrostra. One common Crossbill only was shot, and not preserved. No others were observed by us; but they were said to be abundant in some places, Obs.—We did not meet with Lowia leucoptera ; but there is one in the museum. Wewere told that these birds are abun- dant during some seasons and are sold alive in Archangel ; other years very few are to be obtained. 50. Corvus MonEDULA. Jackdaws were very common. ‘The grey of the nape was much clearer and better marked in all those we saw in Russia than it usually isin British specimens ; and in some the mark seemed almost white. 51. Corvus corax. Very common close to Archangel. <A pair of Ravens were nesting in the town itself, and large numbers are attracted to the neighbourhood (like the Samoy- edes) by the proximity of the town slaughter-houses. Rows of these birds might be seen sitting, after a good meal, on the tops of the slaughter-houses, and exhibiting a fearlessness very different from the wariness they display on a wild mountain- side. 52. Corvus rrucitecus. The Rook is considered very rare by the inhabitants ; but we observed a considerable number consorting with Hooded Crows near Cholmogory, and one of our party killed two specimens. 53. Corvus cornix. The Hooded Crow is extremely abun- dant; in fact the ‘“ Verone” is one of the most characteristic birds of the district. Another name for the Hooded Crow is the “‘ Russian Nightingale.” 54. Prcacaupata. The Magpie isnot very abundant. We observed it at Cholmogory. Obs.—There is one specimen of Corvus corone in Herr Heinrich’s collection, and also one specimen of Nucifraga caryocatactes. 55. Prrisorreus rnraustus. The Northern Jay is common, and was generally seen by us in small flocks or family parties in the pine-woods. Very quaint-looking birds are these Northern Jays, with the nez retroussé, their bushy heads, and SER. I1].—VOL. Ill. F 66 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s fluffy plumage. They generally perch close to the trunk of a pine, and mount up in cork-screw fashion, hopping from branch to branch, in search of beetles, which seem to con- stitute their principal food. hey will carry off a heavy shot, and when mortally wounded cling to the branches with great tenacity. We found one empty nest, built principally of lichens, placed close to the stem of a pine, not more than eight feet from the ground. Obs.—One specimen of Columba palumbus was seen at Wui- tegra, and another at Kargopole. 56. Lacorus atpus.—The Willow-Grouse is very common, frequenting principally the pime-woods, where long narrow strips of marshy ground, covered with cotton-grass and cran- berries, and studded with alders and willows, run at intervals parallel with one another. We do not remember an instance of meeting with Willow-Grouse in any other kind of ground. 57. Terrao vrocattus. Of this species we obtaimed the young in down. 58. Terrao TETRIX is not apparently a very abundant species. We obtained the young. 59. Terrastes BonastA.—This beautiful species does not appear to be so very abundant in the neighbourhood of Arch- angel, and is only found there in certain localities. We were informed that Hazel-Grouse are much more plentiful further to the north and east ; and the great numbers of this delicious game-bird which arrive at St. Petersburg later in the season, though sent from Archangel, are not, we believe, obtained in the first instance near Archangel, but at some distance from the town. The very peculiar whistle of the “ Raibchick” is imitated by the Russian sportsman on a small instrument made of a quill, and the bird thus seduced within range; but the principal destruction is by means of ingeniously laid snares of horse-hair. Obs.—In the museum is a specimen of Syrrhaptes pa-~ radoxus. 60. OrtyGion coturnix. At Sujma we saw two Quails in Notes from Archangel. 67 the flesh, which were brought in by a peasant, but which were too far gone for preservation. 61. Orrycomurra rorzana. The peculiar “ whuit, whuit ” of the Spotted Crake first attracted our attention as our canal- boat crept slowly through the great marshes between Wos- nesenskoi and Wuitegra. We afterwards procured both old and young in down at Waldushki; and at many other loca- lities this curious cry sounded in the still nights, and was taken up and replied to on every side. This must be a very abun- dant species, especially in the great marshes above mentioned. Obs.—Crex pratensis was heard at Wuitegra and at Wos- nesenskoi. Though we did not meet with it at Archangel, an imitation of its cry was readily recognized by our boatmen. 62. SquaTaRoLa HELVETICA. Grey Plovers in full breeding- plumage were procured out of a flock of five on one of the outer islands, on the 22nd of June. Our boatmen said they were very rare there and do not breed. 63. CHaRApRIUS PLUVIALIS. Golden Plovers were common in some localities, especially on some large moors in the neigh- bourhood of Sujma. 64. ANeraALiTIs HIATICULA. Notanabundant species. We found it breeding on the sandy outer islands. Obs.—Strepsilas interpres is represented in the museum. 65. Hamarorus ostraLecus. Oystercatchers were very abundant on the outer islands, and also at Cholmogory. 66. Toranus eiorris. The Greenshank is not common, and we only observed it at two different localities. 67. Toranus Guarnota. The Wood-Sandpiper was very common in the same kind of ground as that frequented by the Willow-Grouse, viz. marshy ground in the pine-woods. We did not succeed in finding the nest, but obtained the young in down. Obs.—In the museum are'specimens of Totanus fuscus and. T. ochropus. 68. Acritis HYPOLEUCA. Wemet with the common Sand- F2 68 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s piper first at Suja, on the Dwina, and afterwards in great numbers on the banks of the Ijma river, where it was more numerous than the next species ; yet we never once met with it on the islands of the delta. Itseems to be a common species, but very locally distributed. 69. Xunus cinereus. The Terek Sandpiper is very abun- dant on the delta of the river Dwina; and we met with it both on the sandy islands of the outer group, and on the closely wooded ones nearer to Archangel. We took eggs from the time of our arrival, on the 15th of June, on to the end of the month; and the young were obtained in all stages. By the 21st of July the young birds of the year were going in flocks. We were much struck by the arboreal habits of this species, which perches freely upon bushes ocr low trees, and runs along the branches with great ease, uttering a rapidly repeated cry of alarm, which may expressed by the words “tluk, tluk, thuk.” When first started, or when flying from place to place, or dashing in and out amongst the alder thickets, the more musical double note is uttered, whence its Russian name of Kuleek’-*. The nest is simply a slight saucer-shaped hollow in the ground, lined with chips of wood and bits of thick reed, and is placed in open marshy parts of the alder thickets, by the sides of “ Kourias” or creeks, or in the sand amongst bent grass. The eggs in many instances closely resemble those of Ac- titis hypoleuca, but are a little larger. ‘They bear no resem- blance whatever to the eggs of Limose; indeed all this bird’s habits, motions, cry, and quick, darting, erratic flight show its affinities with the Sandpipers, and not with the Godwits. The length of bill in different individuals varies greatly, as is the case in Tringa cinclus, Numenius arquata, and other Waders. The young soon take on the dark markings on the back which are so conspicuous in the adult birds ; and these can be traced in the nestling of a few days’ age. The young birds have the * “Kuleeki” is the name applied by the natives to all kinds of Sand- pipers, but most directly to the Terek Sandpiper. The accent is on the second syllable. Notes from Archangel. 69 legs and feet of a pale orange-colour ; in the adult they are of a dull olive-green. The full-grown birds of the year retain the yellowish margins of the feathers of the upper parts. Obs.—In the museum are specimens of Limosa rufa and L. egocephala. The latter appears remarkable for its great size—its dimensions in English inches being, tarsus 3°8, tibia nearly 2:8, middle toe 2°12, bill 4°87, wing from carpal joint 9°8. 70. Puitomacnus pucnax. Ruffs and Reeves were very abundant, especially on the outer islands. We obtained eggs on the 22nd and 26th of June, nests having been found both in marshy ground and in sand amongst bent. Young birds with slight traces of down remaining on the neck were obtained on the night of 16th-17th July. 71. Trinea suparquata. We bought a Curlew Sandpiper in full summer plumage in the Archangel market on the 18th of June, but did not meet with it on the islands. 72. Trinca minuta. One Little Stint in full summer plumage was shot on the 2lst of June, on an island where numbers of the next species were nestmg. We searched dili- gently in the hope of finding it breeding, and identified every nest we could find, but failed in discovering another specimen of the rarer species. 73. TRINGA TEMMINCKI. This pretty little Wader is plen- tiful on the outer delta, and breeds also sparingly on some of the inner islands. On the 28th of June we took several nests of eggs, much incubated, shooting the birds from four of them ; two of these incubating birds proved on dissection to be males. . We had good opportunities of observing the interesting habits of Temminck’s Stint, and especially of the way in which it rises and hovers with raised wings about 15 feet from the ground, uttermg at the same time a low trillmg note. This habit was well known to our boatmen; and Nikolai, when he wished to indicate this species to us, would hold out his arms, vibrating the fingers, and imitating the ery of the bird to perfection. 70 Messrs. Alston and Harvie Brown’s The nests were not difficult to find by watching the bird’s return. They were simple hollows in the sand sparingly lined with dry grass, and generally placed in the shelter of over- hanging tufts of sea-bent. In no case did we find a nest more than twenty yards from high-tide mark; and most of those we saw were much nearer the sea. Two nests were found in the wrack left by some unusually high tide. The birds were very tame, often tripping along the wet sand and feeding un- concernedly within a few yards of where we were standing. Obs.—Calidris arenaria. There is one specimen of the Sanderling in the museum. 74, TrLMaTras GALLINAGO. One Common Snipe was seen close to the town, but none were procured. 75. TetMatias Mason. Great Snipe were not observed by us in great numbers, as they had not yet begun to flock to their autumn feeding-grounds in the islands. Family parties, however, were met with in marshy woods; and young were obtained with the down only partially replaced by feathers. 76. Numenrus arquata. Curlews were common. We ob- served this species repeatedly perching on low bushes, and even on the very summit of high trees, especially on the open ground in the neighbourhood of Sujma, where they were very plentiful: m Scotland we have very seldom seen this bird alight on a tree. 77. Grus cinerEA. ‘The first examples of this fine bird which we met with were paired birds, and were feeding within 200 yards of the canal which leads through the great tract of marsh between Wosnesenskoi and Wuitegra, on the south shore of Lake Onega. Afterwards in the Archangel market we procured two young Cranes, and saw birds both at Chol- mogory and on the outer islands, but did not succeed im shoot- ing any specimens. The skeleton of one of the birds we ob- tained is now in the museum of the University of Cambridge. 78. ANSER cINEREUS. We saw Grey Lag Geese in the market ; and a large flock of Grey Geese seen in the distance on one of the outer islands probably belonged to this species. Notes from Archangel. 71 Specimens of wild Geese which we saw in the market had the left wing amputated at the carpal joint. We were informed that the peasants did this, owing to some superstitious motive, before bringing the birds to the market. Subsequently, how- ever, we saw a /eft wing in a peasant’s house which was used for sweeping out the oven*. Obs.—Specimens of the following species were in the Mu- seum, viz. A. segetum, A. albifrons, and Bernicla leucopsis. 79. RuyNcHaspis cLypeEATA. Abundant. 80. CYANOPTERUS QUERQUEDULA. We obtained specimens in the market, but did not observe it on the islands. 81. QuErRQUEDULA creEccA. Plentiful on the outer islands. 82. ANAS BoscHAs. Common. 83. Dariza acuta. Very abundant. ‘This species and the Shoveller appeared to be the two commonest species of Duck at this season in the delta. We obtained several Pintails’ nests, and also the young in down. 84. Mareca PENELOPE. Common. We found no nests, but procured the young birds. 85. GLaucion cLancuLA. Only one Golden-eye was seen on the outer islands. Obs.—In the Museum the following species were repre- sented :—Chaulelasmus strepera, Fuligula ferina, F. nyroca, F. marila, F. cristata, Harelda glaciahs. 86. CGipemtia Fusca. Velvet Scoters were seen on the Neva at St. Petersburg in June, and large flocks were observed on the south shore of the White Sea in the end of July. 87. Cipemi1a nigra. A female Common Scoter accom- panied by her young ones was seen on the Swir river on the 9th of June. Afterwards it was obtamed at Waldushki, and seen in immense numbers on the White Sea in July. Obs.—There is a specimen of Mergus albellus in the Mu- seum ; and Mergus castor and Mergus serrator were seen on * The Faroese also use birds’ wings for brushes; but they sew the twe wings together, back to back. 72 Messrs. Alston and Brown’s Notes from Archangel. the river Swir; but we did not meet with any of these on the islands of the delta. 88. Sterna HIRUNDO. This was the only Tern observed by us in the district. One pair of birds laid two eggs in a nest from which we had previously taken four eggs of Xenus cinereus. This species was abundant on the outer islands, and also further up the river at Cholmogory. Obs.—Chroicocephalus minutus. A few examples of this. lovely little Gull were observed on the Swir river; but we saw none near Archangel, where we expected to find them breed- ing ; nor did our boatmen seem to know the bird. There are specimens in the Museum. 89. Curorcocernatus ripisuNDUs. The Black-headed Gull was only seen at Cholmogory, where a flock of about forty individuals frequented a small shallow pond behind the town. 90. Larus canus. Very common, especially on the outer islands. 91. Larus aARGENTATUS. Common. 92. Larus Fuscus. Common. 93. Larus Marinus. Common, but breeding in single pairs, not in colonies. Obs.—There is a specimen of Lestris pomatorhina in the Museum. . 94. EupyvEs sEpTeNTRIONALIS. The Red-throated Diver is very abundant on all suitable islands; and we obtained both eggs and young birds. 95. Eupyves arcricus. Even more abundant than the last, and often seen flying in flocks of a dozen or more. Further to the north great numbers of Black-throated Divers are killed by the Samoyedes for the sake of the skin of the neck, of which very handsome muffs and trimmings for ladies’ dresses are made. %6s.—One specimen of E. glaciais was seen on the Swir river, On a new Species of Ardetta. 73 96. CoLymBus auritus. We saw large Grebes on several occasions, but never near enough for certain identification. In all probability they belonged to this species, which we saw both in the Museum and in private collections. IV.—On a new Species of Little Bittern from China. By Roserr Swinuog, F.Z.S. &e. (Plate IL.) Tue Ardetta figured by v. Schrenk (Reisen im Amurlande, Vogel, t. xii.) as the young of Ardetta cinnamomea has long been a puzzle to me. A. cinnamomea is a very common sum- mer bird in the south of China, and, knowing it in every phase of plumage, I found it impossible to associate with it v. Schrenk’s bird. What, then, could the Amoorland bird be? for no species could cross to the north of China without occurring in China itself. The doubtful bird was not A. sinensis ; with that also I was well acquaimted. I could not settle the ques- tion ; and it passed out of my mind until the other day, when a bird identical with v. Schrenk’s figure was brought to me—a beautiful bird, with its back all starred with white. The question solved itself at once. In my catalogue of the birds of China (P. Z. 8S. 1868, p. 821) mention is made under A. sinensis of a hybrid between it and A. cinnamomea pro- cured at Amoy. I obtained only asingle specimen ; and this so combined the characters of the two species, that I unhesi- tatingly put it down as a hybrid, though Mr. Gould protested at the time that it was a good species. Quite recently, whilst at Shanghai, I saw several of the same birds over a marsh close enough to distinguish them distinctly, and with the aid of Chinese boys I secured three sittings of their eggs com- posed of three eggs each. The adult is a beautiful bird, which, combined with the striking character of the immature dress (no common feature amongst birds), suggests the name Ardetta eurhythma for this species. I now describe it as follows :— 74. Mr. A. Anderson on the Nidification ARDETTA EURHYTHMA, sp.n. (Plate II.) Ardetta cinnamomea, juv., v. Schrenk, Amurl. Vogel, t. xii. fig. 3, p. 447. Ardetta (hybrid), Swinh. P. Z. 8. 1863, p. 321. Supra leté castanea, pileo versus frontem et cauda paulo nigri- cantioribus ; capitis lateribus dorso concoloribus : subtus isabellina, gula et abdomine imo albicantibus; stria media gulari a mento ad pectus fusco-brunnea: alis plumbeo- nigris, rectricibus internis apicibus albicantibus, extima in pogonio externo flavicante : tectricibus humeralibus, alula spuria externe, et tectricibus attingentibus castaneis: tee- tricibus alarum reliquis flavo-cinerascentibus: alarum tec- tricibus inferioribus et campterio albis, hoc flavo tincto : rostro yiridescenti-flavo, culmine obscure brunneo: iride _ flava: long. tota 11 poll., alee 6, caudz 1:8, tarsi 2, dig. med. cum ungue 2°1, rostri a rictu 2°3. Hab. Amoy, Shanghai, China. | This bird is easily distinguished from A. cinnamomea, in that the plumage of that species is wholly tinged with cinnamon. The most noticeable difference is in the wings, which, in the new bird, have the primaries dark plumbeous and the coverts for the most part greyish buff. A. sinensis, on the other hand, has the head and tail dark plumbeous and the back dark buff instead of chestnut. This latter bird, too, is smaller in all its dimensions, and has a much more slender bill. V.—On the Nidification of certain Indian Birds. Part II. By AnpREwW AnpeERsoN, F.Z.S. EUDYNAMYS ORIENTALIS. As the history of birds breeding parasitically is of consi- derable interest, and the habits of the Koel do not appear to have been sufficiently studied by Indian ornithologists, I am desirous of recording the result of my own observations on the subject. The only information we possess concerning the domestic economy of this bird is extremely meagre, if not incorrect. The late Dr. Jerdon appears to have been led into error in supposing that this Cuckoo “lays* one egg (only) in each * Cf. ‘ Birds of India,’ vol. i. p. 343, of certain Indian Birds. 75 Crow’s nest, and mostly, but not always, destroys the eggs of the Crow at the time of depositing her own ;” but he is correct in stating that the nest of the Common Crow (Corvus splendens) is the one almost exclusively used as a nursery for the found- lings,—this, however, not because the Koel can be said to have any partiality for this Crow in particular, but because the other species (C. cudminatus) does not lay simultaneously with herself. I firmly believe that if both species nested at the same time, they would be equally in demand as foster- parents. C. culminatus lays} as a rule, mm February and March; and I have sometimes, though rarely, seen them do so as late as May and June; C. splendens, on the other hand, does not generally commence to build till June, which suits the Koel to a nicety. Subjoined is a list of the Koel’s eggs taken in my presence at Futtehghur during the year 1871 :-— No. 1. Three Koel’s and four eggs of C. culminatus, 27th May. This nest was built in a tree at my garden gate, and was watched by me in course of construction. I frequently observed male and female Koels darting in and out of this shady tree, and during the heat of the day sitting in close - proximity to, and on terms of perfect friendship with, the rightful occupants of the nest. On the 24th May the nest contained one Crow’s and one Koel’s egg ; on the 25th I was agreeably surprised at finding that each species had laid a second egg; but on the following day, the 26th, I was amazed when my tree-climber from aloft reported that both birds had again done their duty. On the 27th I removed the contents of the nest, which contained the number above stated. The Crow on this occasion was on her nest, and the man who went up informed me that one of the small eggs (meaning the Koel’s) was placed above the other six, forming, as it were, the corner tier. The following eggs and young Koels were all taken from the nests of C. splendens :— No. 2. Two Koel’s and one Crow’s egg, 8th June—all per- fectly fresh. No. 3. One Koel’s and one Crow’s egg, 19th June—all perfectly fresh. 76 Mr. A. Anderson on the Nidification No. 4. One Koel’s and two Crow’s eggs, 19th June—all perfectly fresh. No. 5. Three Koel’s and six Crow’s eggs, 19th June. I think two Crows must have laid in this nest ; for three of their eggs were of one type and quite fresh, while the other three were well incubated, and appeared to be the produce of another pair. | No. 6. One Koel’s and three Crow’s eggs, 23rd June—the former perfectly fresh, the latter well incubated. No. 7. One Koel’s and threé Crow’s eggs, 23rd June; the Crow’s were on the point of hatching, while the intruded one appeared to have just been laid. No. 8. One Koel’s and three Crow’s eggs, 5th July. In this case the Koel’s egg was on the point of hatching, while those of the Crow were quite fresh. No. 9. One Koel’s and one Crow’s egg, 9th July—both ap- parently laid that day. No. 10. One Koel’s and one Crow’s egg, 9th July—both apparently laid that day; but the latter was found broken in the nest. No. 11. Two young Koels and three young Crows, 25th August. No, 12. Three young Koels and three young Crows, 28th August. Before drawing any conclusions from the above data, I would observe with reference to nest No. 1, that the fact of C. culminatus laying in May was as exceptionally late for that bird as it was early for the Koel. I am consequently led to infer that these three Koel’s eggs were the produce of one bird. What still further strengthens this supposition is the result of numerous post-mortems made by me; for I lost no time in examining the ovaries of as many birds as could be procured, with a view of ascertaining whether I was correct in my surmise. It is quite clear that C. culminatus is easily imposed upon, and seems to be alike unaware of and indifferent to the decep- tion practised on her ; for I never once observed the above pair attempt to drive away the Koels from the tree on which they had built. C. splendens, on the other hand, is thoroughly of certain Indian Birds. 77 alive to the trickery; and there is hardly a day, during the breeding-season, that Koels may not be seen making their escape from trees, hotly and unrelentingly pursued by one or more Crows of this species. I have twice rescued female Koels from the hands of these marauders, once on the ground when the victim was in the act of being mobbed by a horde of Crows, and on another occasion when the bird flew into the veranda of my house for protection. But the curious thing in connexion with this subject is that the male Koel is just as often the object of attack as the fe- male; and I have frequently observed both sexes flying out of the same tree simultaneously, though in opposite directions. From this it may be inferred that some strange instinct guides a male bird to the tree along with the female when she is about to deposit her eggs, the object presumably being to attract the attention of the rightful occupants of the nest while the egg is being laid. On one occasion a Koel dropped her egg on the ground whilst beating a rapid retreat ; and on another I extracted an egg which was ready for exclusion, from the oviduct of a bird I shot as she emerged from a tree. The Crow was following about a yard behind, and had evi- dently driven away her enemy before she had time to accom- plish the deed. Summing up the evidence before us, the following facts may be deduced :— Ist. That the same Koel may lay a number of its eges in the same nest. I infer this much from having found three eggs in nest No. 1, which may be apportioned to one bird. 2nd. That she does not wittingly eject the eggs of the foster- parent ; and that when there is a deficiency in the normal number, it is in all probability due to accident, owing to the Koel’s hurried movements. Nest No. 1, again, supports this theory ; for C. culminatus had in this case laid her usual num- ber undisturbed. 3rd. That C. culminatus is easily duped, while her cunning congener, C. splendens, is fully aware of the deception. 4th. That when the female Koel is about to intrude her egg, she is frequently accompanied by a male bird. 78 On the Nidification of certain Indian Birds. 5th. That it is a common occurrence to find several Koel’s eggs as well as young ones in the same nest—the produce of one or more parents. The eggs of this Cuckoo have certainly a very corvine ap- pearance, and are well adapted to represent miniature eggs of the foster-parent. All those in my collection are of one type, and may be described as thickly blotched and spotted with reddish brown on a dark green ground, somewhat confluent at the obtuse end. They vary, however, in size and shape, the longest measuring 1'4x ‘9, the smallest 1:1x-9. Five, generally, and perhaps sometimes six, is the number of eggs laid by this bird. The young birds leave the nest in August, and are very helpless for fully two months afterwards. While young Crows follow their parents as soon as they can fly, young Koels seldom leave the tree on which they have taken a stand, and are com- pletely at the mercy of their foster-parents, demanding more food and attention than their legitimate offspring. It is a mistaken idea to suppose that the “female* Koel watches the nest in which she has deposited her egg ” &c. ; for, according to my experience, she does not evince the slightest anxiety for her progeny, and clearly delegates the care of her young to the foster-parents. I never once observed these “foundlings”’ receive the slightest attention from their “ va- grant” parents. The crop of a young bird recently examined contained slugs, earthworms, and garbage. That the young of a bird which is purely frugivorous in its habits should be reared and nou- rished on carrion food, is one of the most remarkable facts in connexion with the economy of this Cuckoo. * Cf. ‘Birds of India,’ vol. i. p. 344. [t Mr. Layard, in his “ Notes on the Ornithology of Ceylon” (Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 2, 1854, xiii. p, 451), gives a brief account of the breeding of this species in Ceylon. It would appear to breed much earlier there than in the N.W. provinces of India, viz. in February and March, and to lay its eggs indiscriminately in the nests of both Corvus splendens and C. culminatus.—Ep. | Mr. K. Blyth’s Addenda to the Avifauna of India. 79 V1I.— Addenda to the Avifauna of India. By Evwarp Brytn, F.Z.S., Hon. Memb. As. Soc. Beng. In the Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, there is now a fine specimen of Acridotheres mahrattensis (Sykes) of Southern India, as distinguished from A. fuscus of Northern India and Burma; and both species may there be seen alive in adjacent cages. Not only are the irides of A. mahrattensis white, and those of A. fuscus yellow (as duly noticed by Jerdon), but the bill of the former is wholly yellow, and the median tail-feathers are more broadly tipped with white, in which latter particular it again differs from the very nearly allied A. cinereus of Celebes (figured by Lord Walden in the ‘Transactions of the Zoological Society,’ vol. vii. pl. 10). Furthermore, both in A. mahrattensis and A. cinereus the short frontal crest is conspicuously less developed than in A. fuscus. They must accordingly henceforward rank as sufficiently distinguished species. There is a Paleornis in the same collection, said to have been received from Kashmir, which is certainly a mistake ; and I find three specimens of the same race in the British Museum, obtained in the Tenasserim provinces. The living bird is labelled P. melanorhyncha, Wagler. As seen together with three living examples of P. ponticerianus, its distinctness as a species is sufficiently manifest to the eye, more so than would appear from description. The cap is bluish grey, without any of the ruddy tinge whichis always seen in the other; and itis partly bordered on the sides of the neck by a strip of red feathers of the same colour as the breast, which is a good distinguish- ing character. Moreover the irides are conspicuously white, whereas in the other they are dark. To the black colour of the bill I attach no importance, unless the specimen should prove to be a male; for in several kindred species the bill is black in the female sex, but never in the male, so far as ob- served hitherto. The same extension of the red colouring to the border of the grey cap is likewise seen in the large P. derbianus (P.Z.S. 1850, pl. xxv.)*. * T see that in the Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 1872, p. 279, Mr. V. Ball states that in the female of Palzornis erythrogenys, nobis, “the moustache is deep 80 Mr. E. Blyth’s Addenda to the Avifauna of India. In a specimen of Coracias garrula obtained in Kashmir, a trace of intermixture With C. indica is very discernible in the plumage, showing that the latter imterbreeds with C. garrula to the westward, as it does with C. affinis to the eastward. A similar hybrid Roller is noticed by Mr. Bell among some birds captured on the Red and Arabian Seas (Proc. As. Soc. Beng. 1870, p. 249). A Jackdaw in the same collection, from Kashmir, has the distinguishing crescentic mark assigned to Corvus collaris tolerably well pronounced. Mr. W. E. Brooks is of opinion that Sylvia curruca should be expunged from the list of Indian birds, as he supposes that the larger S. affinis, nobis, has been mistaken for it. Several specimens, however, obtained by myself above the tideway of the river Hugli were undistinguishable from British examples, and I have only seen S. affints from Upper and Southern India. The two differ only in size, and in this much less than do the sexes of Chetornis striatus, Megalurus palustris, or the Australian Cinclorhamphus cruralis. Sylvia jerdoni, nobis, is distinguished by its conspicuously longer bill from the European 8S. orphea. In Lower Bengal I have seen many dozens of specimens of Rallus indicus, nobis (japonicus, Schlegel), but never the true R. aquaticus ; but Mr. Gould has several examples of the lat- ter from other parts of India, and not any of the former. Hence it is probable that the more eastern form does not range westward of the valley of the Lower Ganges, but is else- where replaced in India by the western form, as Hrythrosterna leucura (of Nipal, Lower Bengal, Assam, and Burmah) is re- green, not black as in the males.” Surely a green moustache indicates the young bird, as in the Malayan P. longicaudatus, supposed by me at one time to constitute a particular species, which I named P. viridimystaa. At a late auction at Stevens’s were sold a pair of P. erythrogenys, with red and black upper mandible respectively ; and certainly my impression is that the presumed female had black moustachial marks. Together with them were sold three specimens of P. caniceps, nobis, two of them with red and one with black upper mandible. Where procured, I could not learn; but previously only two examples of P. caniceps had been recorded. Dr. J. Murie on Steatornis caripensis. 81 placed over India generally by E. parva—the Ralli, however, being permanently resident, whilst the Erythrosterne are winter visitants only. There appear to me to be two races hitherto confounded under Grus cinerea, both of which would seem to occur in Europe, but (so far as I have seen) only one of them in India. They differ much in extent of development (however old the bird, and in both sexes alike) of the crimson nude skin upon the head. In the Indian race this is confined to a narrow band crossing the vertex, whereas in the other it extends over the whole occiput and is somewhat peaked behind. There is a specimen of each form at present in the Zoological gardens. Not long ago, also, there were two specimens I then assigned to G. canadensis, which appeared to me to be of different races, a larger and a smaller. The larger (a male) had the crimson nude skin upon the head developed to exactly the same extent as G. americana, whereas in the smaller (a female, which still survives) it is continued much further backward. I have merely called attention to these diversities, which I have re- marked for many years past in several specimens assigned alike to G. cinerea. : What is the meaning of the name gingalensis as applied to the small Hornbill peculiar to Ceylon which is so desig- nated? I rather suspect that it origmated in a misprint for cingalensis. VII.—Fragmentary Notes on the Guacharo or Oil-Bird (Steat-- —— ornis caripensis). By Dr. Jamus Muriz, F.L.S. &c. I must refer the reader to the ‘ Personal Narrative’ of Baron Alexander von Humboldt for a vivid description of this remark- able bird in its native caverns, and other strange particulars con- nected therewith. The memoirs and notices of ’ Herminier*, Johannes Miiller+, Sclater{, and others contain much con- * Nouv. Ann. du Mus, 1834, p. 821; Ann. Sci. Nat. 1836, p. 60; and Rey. et Mag. Zool. 1849, p. 321. + Monatsb. Berlin, 1841, p. 172; and his Archiv f. Anat. 1842, p. 1. t P.Z.S. 1866, pp. 125, 127, 130. SER. I1I1.—VOL. III. G 82 Dr. J. Murie on the Guacharo or nected with its systematic place, anatomical structure, &c. My memoranda, as the title intimates, are but fringes to the warp and woof of its history. An adult specimen passed through my hands a few years ago; but I was only able to examine it exteriorly. The notes I made thereon have this value, that they are scrupulously exact, and may hereafter be useful to others investigating this odd form, as in some minutiz they do not coincide with previous statements. I make no comments or comparisons, the data being too trifling to justify positive deduction. Coloration.—The whole of the upper surface of the body, wing-coverts, secondaries, and tail are of a rich chestnut-brown —each individual feather, however, being barred or mottled, faintly or otherwise, according to the situation. The under- parts are lighter in hue, especially the throat and axillary regions ; but the same body-tint pervades the whole. Upon the back of the head, the throat, and the thorax the feathers possess each a double marking of white. These are in elliptical or transversely elongated patches, each white patch being sur- rounded by a narrow line of black. In the axillary region and sides of the thorax this gives a greyish tinge to the feather- ing, because of the bicolour patches being more plentifully distributed. The abdominal feathers are of a rich cinnamon- colour; they nevertheless, although partially hidden, have five white linear markings on the rachis of each feather. On the wing-coverts there are six or seven very distinct and well-defined white spots with black margins, each as large as a threepenny-piece. The outermost two are in advance of the others. The four outer primaries and two outer secon- daries present an external row of white spots; in the others there is an indistinct barring of brown edged with black. On the inner side of the vane of the remaining secondaries are more or less clear markings of white, brown, and black. The inner half of each wing-feather is much darker than its outer half. Every tail-feather has successive brown and black bars throughout, the brown being broadest beyond the middle of the tail. The two outer tail-feathers are distinguished by Oil-bird (Steatornis caripensis). - 83 six small white finger-marks, situated upon their external borders. The under surface of the tail is. altogether lighter- coloured than the upper surface ; but the opposite is the case with the wings. The billis ofarich brown tint. Feet and legs flesh-coloured and without scales or feathering. The large round pupil of the eye is dark blue; the iris, only a narrow ring, in contrast is of a deep brown. Weight.—In this specimen the fresh body weighed but six and a half ounces. Admeasurements.—Greatest stretch of the wings 32 inches ; tail from root to its free end 64 inches; from the tip of the beak to the rump 11 inches, the neck being outstretched and the tape passed in a straight line. The head and beak, taken in the median line, by external measurement, are 3 inches, but appeared only 24 inches when using a pair of callipers. Beak barely 14 inch long. Pterylosis—Rectrices ten ; primaries ten; secondaries eleven or twelve. The third and fourth primaries are the longest, the remainder graduated. Tail fan-shaped. Ouil- gland large, bare, and possessing a long, filiform, featherless nipple. All the feathers throughout the body, and more no- tably those of the tail and wing, are acuminate. There are no powder-down patches. Very many lght downy feathers, however, are present—some parts, for example the external aspect of the thighs, beg almost destitute of other longer feathers. Legs and feet.—The legs are completely devoid of feather- ing and of scales, the only cuticular appendage being a few downy hairs, which are situated near the feet and chiefly above the posterior toe. The skin hangs loosely, the flesh shining through and producing their pale and characteristic colour. Length of tibia 18 inch, of the tarsus 1 inch. The three anterior digits are subequal in length, the middle one dis- playing a slight advantage. Length of the middle digit minus the claw 1 inch, the nail increasing it by 0°4 inch. The di- rection of the front toes is nearly straight forwards and pa- G2 84. Dr. J. Murie on Steatornis caripensis. rallel to each other, whereas the short hind toe (0:4 inch without the nail) is set at right angles inwards ; but it freely bends backwards. From the dorsal surface of each anterior toe there are about a dozen rudimentary, soft and small, transverse, brownish pel- lieles or scale-like bodies. These are hardly worthy of the name of scutellz, so slight is their differentiation from the ad- * joining skin. It is very evident from the construction of the parts that this bird does not support itself on its toes, as do most birds, but, on the contrary, rests chiefly on the tarsi. The plantar surface of the foot is pale-coloured, and studded with minute, soft, but elevated hexagonal scales. The claws are slightly curved, scooped out inferiorly, without being pectinated. Head.—Viewed in profile this has some resemblance to the head of a Sparrowhawk, long and prominent rictal bristles, however, detracting from the likeness. Superiorly, or from above, it appears wedge-shaped ; whilst from the front or fa- cially the aspect inclines to what is presented by the Cariama. The eye is only of moderate size, nay, even relatively small. Around the orbit is a wide and partially bare space, which is ordinarily somewhat hidden by the feathering of the eye- lid. The rictal bristles or, rather, long dark-brown hairs are twelve in number on each side. The beak is sharply curved and with a fair-sized tooth be- neath and in front of the nostril. The nostril has an ellip- tical figure, widest in front, and obliquely set upwards and forwards: it is situate 0-4 mech from the beak’s root. The culmen presents a gothic-like arch, and proximally is about an inch in transverse diameter. The mandible, of only moderate strength and shallow, slightly overlaps the beak as far as the nostril, and thence is hidden by it. At the mandibular angle is a short tuft of mous- tache-like hairs, shorter than the rictal ones. There is a wide bare space on either side of the inframandibular median hne ; and the feathering of the throat comes up with sharp acumi- nation. Mr. T. H. Potts on a new Species of Prion. 85 VITII.—Notes on a supposed new Species of Prion. By Tuomas H. Ports, F.L.S. A sHortT time since, amongst some birds which arrived at the Canterbury Museum from Foveaux Straits, were specimens of a Prion which, upon a careful inspection, could not be re- ferred to either P. turtur or P. vittatus. This wanderer over the Southern Pacific Ocean does not appear to be entitled to any special claim on the score of rarity ; it is known to the Maories of Ruapuke as the Paréra. Although the familiar name of the Grey Duck (Anas superci- hiosa) is spelt Parera, it must be understood that the two names are pronounced by the natives differently, as the accents used are intended to indicate. This Prion breeds in holes on Papatea, or Green Island, near Ruapuke, in Foveaux Straits; descriptions are given below of the adult bird, the young, and the egg. In considering this species it is to be noted that the bill is of remarkable size; it is considerably longer than the head, it is much broader than that of P. vittatus ; the pectinated ap- paratus of the upper mandible is very fully disclosed. Of the primaries the first is quite as long as, even if it has not the advantage when measured against the second quill; the total length exceeds that of P. vittatus by some inches. Should ornithologists deem this bird to be a new species, it 1s pro- posed to call it Prion australis, as one of its breeding-places or stations is at, or near, our southern boundary. PRION AUSTRALIS, n. sp. “ Paréra;”’ Southern Prion. Diagnosis of adult :— Head dark bluish grey, mottled sparmgly with black ; ear- coverts rather slaty blue, bounded above and below irregularly with white or yellowish white ; upper surface bluish grey ; sca- pulars clouded with slaty black ; upper tail-coverts tipped with the same, under surface white ; under tail-coverts white lightly tinged with delicate ash grey ; quill-feathers, of which the first two are longest and of about equal length, outer web black, inner web white more or less stained with ash-grey ; tail bluish grey tipped with black; chin naked, the skin 86 Mr. W. T. Blanford on new marked with narrow furrows of angular form arranged in re- gular order, angle within angle. Bill longer than the head, measures in length from gape to poimt 1” 9", greatest width of bill 11", tarsus 1” 5!, middle toe and claw 1" 6", wing from flexure 8", tail 4”, total length 14!’ 3!" The young, taken from the nest November 25, clothed en- tirely with a dense covering of dark smoky grey down, lightest in colour on the neck and under surface; pectination of the upper mandible undeveloped; the length of the bill from gape to point 1”, greatest width 4!" The eggs, which give out a rancid submusky odour, are white, oval in form, and measure 2" through the axis, with a breadth of 1” 6!". Ohinitahi, New Zealand. June 7, 1872. IX.—Descriptions of new Species of Nectarinia, Sitta, and Parus from Persia and Baluchistan. By, Wituiam T. Buanrorp, C.M.Z.S. 1. NECTARINIA (ARACHNECHTHRA) BREVIROSTRIS, Sp. NOV. N. affinis N. asiatice, sed minor, rostro breviore, pileo dor- soque maris viridioribus, feminz notzo magis griseo. Long. tot. 4°5, alee 2-2, caudz 1:4, tarsi 0°6, rostri a fronte 0°54, a rictu 0°67 (poll. Angl. et dec.).. Femina vix minor. Long. tot. 4°25, ale 2:1, caude 1°25. Hab. in Baluchistan, circa Jalk, Dizak, Bampur, &c. Male in breeding-plumage—vUpper plumage, with the sides of the head and neck, very dark glossy metallic green, passing more or less into purple; in freshly moulted speci- mens almost as purple as in N. asiatica, but usually much greener; lores black, ear-coverts with less gloss than the adjoining parts. Wings and their larger coverts hair-brown, tail-feathers black with a faint purplish gloss, and sometimes, but not generally, with narrow pale tips. Chin, middle of throat, and upper breast rich metallic purple, with a shade of steel-blue, the latter separated by a narrow pectoral band, not always well marked, of copper-red, from the still darker bluish purple of the lower breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts. On the flanks behind the axil is the tuft of yellow and scarlet Species of Nectarinia, Sitta, and Parus. 87 feathers characteristic of the group to which this species belongs. The male in non-breeding plumage resembles the female, except that it has the usual purple stripe from throat to vent, the rest of the underparts being pale grey, whilst the wings and tail are rather darker than in females, and there is a tinge of purple gloss on the smaller wing-coverts and rectrices. Female.—Above, greyish brown, quills and wing-coverts hair- brown with pale margins, tail blackish brown, all the outer tail-feathers tipped with whitish, the amount being largest on the outermost feathers, on which it extends some distance up the outer web. Lower parts greyish white, with more or less pale yellow on the breast and throat, little or none on the ehin and abdomen. The measurements above given were taken from specimens in the flesh. The species may be easily distinguished from N. asiatica by its shorter bill. Besides the locality above mentioned, this form may inhabit Arabia, as I saw a Sun-bird closely resembling it at Maskat, on the Arabian coast, near the entrance to the Persian Gulf, in December. Unfortunately I did not obtain specimens. 2. SITTA RUPICOLA, Sp. NOV. ? S. syriaca, Ehr. apud Filippi, Viag. in Persia, p. 346 (nec Khrenb.). S. syriace, Khyr., similis (sive S. neumayeri)*, sed minor, fascia nigra oculari plerumque angustiore et breviore, et presertim rostro pedibusque multo gracilioribus facile distinguenda. Long. tot. 6, ale 3, caude 1:9, tars. 0°9, pedis 1:7, rostr. a fronte 0°8, a rictu 1. * (Until the publication of the fourteenth part of Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser’s ‘ Birds of Europe’ (Noy. 1872) this name had very properly been consigned to stand as a synonym of the far preferable title of S. syrtaca. It is true that Michahelles described the bird in ‘The Isis’ for 1830, some years before it was characterized in Temminck’s Manuel d’Orn. He, how- ever, did not think fit to latinize the uneuphonious specific name he selected, and, moreover, after saying that the bird was called Svtta syriaca in the Berlin Museum, he did not hesitate to commit a breach of common courtesy in setting aside a good name ready made to his hand.—Ep. } 88 Mr. W. T. Blanford on new Had. in montibus Persicis presertim in Elburz saxa sco- pulosque frequentans. Upper parts slaty grey, the inner and basal portions of all the rectrices, except the centre and outer pairs, blackish; a narrow black stripe from the base of the bill on each side through the lores and above the ear-coverts to the side of the nape, varying somewhat in breadth and length, but less developed than in S. syriaca; chin and throat white, the same but less pure on the breast ; abdomen and lower tail- coverts dull pale rufous, the colour becoming gradually darker towards the vent; iris dark brown; bill blackish, except below near the base, where it is pale grey, almost white ; legs horny grey, soles pale and slightly yellowish. Of this small Rock-Nuthatch four specimens were collected by me in the Elburz mountains, north of Tehran, where this species was common, and one at Kohrad, north of Ispahan; a sixth specimen was obtained by Major St. John, R.E., near Shiraz, in Southern Persia, where the large pale race of S. syriaca, named 8. tephronota by Mr. Sharpe, is common. The specimens of S. rupicola from Kohrdad and Shiraz are much paler in colour than those from the Elburz mountains. 3. PARUS PHAONOTUS, Sp. Nov. P.atro affinis, sed major, capite toto, preter nucham albam ma- culasque laterales pallide flavas (? interdum albas), nitente nigro; dorso olivascenti-brunneo, uropygium versus pal- lescente ; alis caudaque umbrinis, pennarum marginibus dorso concoloribus ; tectricibus alarum majoribus atque intermediis ad apices albo punctatis; gula nigra; pectore sordide albo, postice et ad latera fulvescente ; abdomine hypochondriisque fulvis. Long ale 2°7, caude 1:85, tarsi 0°77, rostri a fronte 0:4. Hab. in quercetis haud procul ab urbe persica Shiraz (Sé. John). Whole head and neck glossy black, except the white nuchal spot and the usual lateral patches occupying the cheeks, ear- coverts, and sides of the neck, which are yellowish white or pale yellow, perhaps becoming pure white in old birds; back olive-brown, becoming paler and more rufous upon the rump ; wings and tail hair-brown, the feathers with paler margins, Species of Nectarmia, Sitta, and Parus. 89 and the median and greater wing-coverts tipped with rather small whitish spots, forming a double wing-bar; chin and throat black ; breast white, not very pure, and passing gra- dually into the fulvous or isabelline tint of the flanks and abdomen ; lower wing-coverts nearly white, slightly tinged with fulvous. Three specimens were collected in the oak-forests near Shiraz, in Southern Persia, by Major St. John, at an eleva- tion of from 5000 to 7000 feet above the sea. In size this bird is intermediate between the European P. ater and the large P. bokharensis, Licht. (Evers. Reise von Orenburg nach Bokhara, p. 131). It may easily be distin- guished from all described forms of the group of P. ater by its brown back. 4. Parus (CYANISTES) PERSICUS, Sp. NOV. P. cerulco affinis, sed coloribus omnibus cbscurioribus ; dorso griseo-olivaceo ; pectore abdomineque pallide isabellino- flavis; apicibus albidis tectricum alarium majorum, fas- ciam transversalem prebentibus, latioribus; rostro mi- nore. Long. ale 2°55, caude 2, tarsi 0°65, rostri a fronte 0:3. Hab. cum precedente in quercetis prope urbem Shiraz (St. John). . Crown of the head dull verditer blue; forehead, sides of the head (except a black line from the base of the bill through the eye to the nape), and a narrow band uniting the super- cilia round the back of the head white ; nape dull dusky blue, with a small whitish spot behind it, separating it from the olive-grey back, which becomes rather lighter-coloured and greener on the rump; quills dusky brown, the secondaries and basal portion of the primaries with dull blue edges, ter- minal portion of the primaries narrowly edged with white ; wing-coverts dull blue, the greater coverts and the last secondaries broadly tipped with white, the former making a well-marked wing-bar, much broader than in P. ceruleus ; tail dull blue above, bluish grey beneath, the outermost pair of feathers with white margins externally, except near the tip; chin white and black mixed ; throat dull black ; breast and 90 Dr. W. L. Buller on a new Species of Cormorant. abdomen yellowish buff, with a line of dusky black feathers down the centre of the lower breast, middle of abdomen whitish. Four specimens of this new Tit were obtained by Major St. John in the oak-forests of Southern Persia, near Shiraz. P. ceruleus is said by De Filippi to occur and breed at Kazvin, west of Tehran, in Northern Persia (Viag. in Persia, pp. 211, 346). I had not the good fortune to obtain speci- mens. It would be well to compare skins from Northern Persia with those now described. X. Description of a new Species of Cormorant from the Chat- ham Islands. By Wauter L. Buuier, Sc.D., F.L.S., &c. PHALACROCORAX FEATHERSTONI, Sp. Nov. Diag.—Pileo et collo undique indigotico-nigris, fronte et oc- cipite conspicue cristatis, collo postico filamentis albis paullo dilatatis ornato : dorso summo cum scapularibus et tectricibus alarum olivascenti-brunneis, plumis nigro conspicué apicaliter maculatis, tectricibus minimis sor- didé indigotico-nigris : dorso postico, uropygio et supra- caudalibus indigotico-nigris : remigibus nigricanti-brun- neis, secundariis extus canescentibus : caudé nigra: sub- tus pulchré canescens, abdomine imo cum subcaudalibus subalaribusque indigotico-nigris : iride cand viridi reti- culata: rostro saturate brunneo: pedibus aurantiacis. Head, upper portion of neck, and the whole of the nape, with the vertical and occipital crests, shining indigo-black ; sides and hind part of neck ornamented with scattered fila- mentous white feathers, having the tips produced and some- what spatulate ; the shoulders, mantle, and upper surface of wings olivaceous brown, glossed with green, each feather marked with a conspicuous terminal spot of black ; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts, as well as the small wing-coverts, dull indigo-black ; quills blackish brown, the secondaries greyish on their outer webs; tail black ; lower part of fore- neck, breast, and middle portion of abdomen beautiful grey ; sides of the body, flanks, under surface of wings, lower ab- domen, and under tail-coverts indigo-black. Irides grey ws Recently published Ornithological Works. 91 streaked with green; bill dark brown; legs and feet orange- yellow. Length 22 inches; wing, from flexure, 9; tail 4; culmen 2°2; tarsus 1°6; longest toe and claw 3°25. Hab. Chatham Islands (H. Travers). A more detailed description, together with a coloured plate, of this beautiful species will appear in the forthcoming part of my ‘ Birds of New Zealand.’ XI.—WNotices of some recently published Ornithological Books. In the April number of last year’s volume of ‘The Ibis’ we gave a short account of several ornithological books then in course of preparation. We now propose briefly to draw at- tention to such of the promises then held out as have been redeemed during the autumn of the past year. Captain Shelley’s ‘ Handbook to the Birds of Egypt’ * makes a handsome volume in large octavo of 342 pages, illustrated by fourteen coloured lithographs by Keulemans. The greater portion of the work is occupied by the detailed account of the birds inhabiting Egypt between the Mediterranean Sea and the Second Cataract and between the Arabian and Libyan deserts ; but there is also a chapter of introductory matter, and some concluding remarks on birds said to occur in Egypt, but apparently upon questionable grounds. Each species is briefly described, and a reference given to some well-known illustrated work. Want of space prevents us entering upon a few critical remarks which suggest themselves; we will merely add that our attention has been called to the possible identity of Turdus sharpii with T. isabellinus of Bonaparte. There is nothing in 7. sharpii at variance with the description of T. isabellinus in Bonaparte’s ‘Iconographie des Pigeons ;7 and as to the plates in that work, we know from experience how little reliance can be placed upon their accuracy. Refer- ence to the type in the Berlin Museum would set the ques- tion at rest. Mr. Gurney has also finished his task in editing and arran- * A Handbook to the Birds of Egypt. By G. E. Shelley, F.G.S. &e. London: 1872. Large 8vo, pp. 342, 14 plates. (Van Voorst.) 92 Recently published Ornithological Works. ging Anderssou’s ‘Notes on the Birds of Damaraland’*, making a very important addition to the literature on African birds. The number of species mentioned is 428, a large num- ber when the character of the country is taken into considera- tion. Andersson’s notes chiefly refer to the localities where he found each species, the colours of the soft parts, as well as the general habits and food. Mr. Gurney has worked out the nomenclature and synonymy ; he has also added a number of useful notes of comparison with allied forms, distribution, &e. The work is full of accurate and valuable information ; and ornithologists are to be congratulated that Mr. Gurney has been able to publish these Notes, imperilled by the la- mented death of their author. Inthe employment of minute generic subdivision Mr. Gurney has, we think, gone further than a close attention to the definition of genera will allow ; bui this is a matter which must ere long force itself upon the nore serious attention of ornithologists. We also feel con- strained to enter our protest against some of the generic names adopted. We are far from indorsing the views of those who would admit only such names as have a so-called classic derivation, but Kaupifalco and Hagedashia are alto- gether too barbaric ! Dr. Buller has issued four out of the five parts of his work on the birds of New Zealand +, the last instalment consisting of two parts in one. These parts contain an account of a number of interesting species, including Notornis mantelli, of which a good illustra- tion is given. To nearly every species mentioned a very full life-history is supphed ; amongst them we would draw special attention to Mr. Potts’s account of the habits of Anarhynchus frontalis. Our readers will be well acquainted with this sin- gular form from the plate accompanying Mr. Harting’s ex- cellent paper on “ Rare or little-known Limicole,” published * Notes on the Birds of Damaraland and the adjacent countries of South- west Africa. By the late Charles John Andersson. Arranged and edited by John Henry Gurney. London: 1872. 8vo, pp. 394, 3 plates. (VanVoorst.) + A Tistory of the Birds of New Zealand. By Walter Lawry Buller, Se.D. &e. London and New Zealand: Dec. 1872. to, plates. Recently published Ornithological Works. 93 in ‘The [bis’ for 1869, p. 304. The bill of this bird is turned to the right; and, singularly enough, Mr. Buller finds that, cor- related with this character, the black pectoral of the male bird is unsymmetrical, being wider on the right- than on the left- hand side of the bird. Mr. Potts tells us that the bird obtains itsfood by probing under stones for the insects lurking beneath. It would appear that the peculiarly shaped bill would only be an efficient weapon for obtaining food in this way so long as the bird walked one way round the stone, 7. e. bearing to the off side or from west to east! The wider portion of the pec- toral band would thus be always next the stone, and more hidden than the narrower or left portion. Has running round stones always the same way been the cause which enabled those birds which practised it to survive and transmit this habit to their offspring? and has their success been further promoted by the tendency to reduce the exposed side of their pectoral band, a secondary sexual character? Or has the process been reversed and the protection given to those birds which ran one way round stones, keeping the prominent por- tions of their pectoral bands from sight, tended to produce the curvature of the bill? The development of both characters seems to hang upon the birds acquiring the habit of running only one way round stones. We hope Mr. Potts will watch these birds closely, and let us hear more of them and their singular habits*. We have mentioned this singular feature in Anarhynchus at length; but the rest. of these two parts are full of inter- esting matter. Mr. Elliot has finished his work on the Phasianide+; and a very complete monograph he has made of it. The issue of * Instances of asymmetry in the structure of birds are very rare. We can only recall the formation of the ear in some Owls—for instance Teng- malm’s Owl (Nyctale tengmalmi), well described by Collett, P. Z. S. 1871, p- 739. This may be produced by the constant habit of catching sound by always throwing the same ear forwards. The skull of the Woodpeckers is also unsymmetrical, arising perhaps from the birds’ being right- or left- handed workmen. + A Monograph of the Phasianide or Family of the Pheasants. By D. G. Elliot, F.L.S. &c. le, 94 Recently published Ornithological Works. the final part was somewhat delayed* in order to include il- lustrations of the two fine discoveries by Mr. Swinhoe near Ningpo, in China, which he described as Phasianus ellioti and Pucrasia darwini in the ‘ Proceedings’ of the Zoological So- ciety for April 1872. Mr. Elliot has spared neither pains nor expense in producing this by far the best of his works, and he deserves that every success should attend his enterprise. We spoke of the same author publishing a monograph of - the “ Birds of Paradise.” The first part + has just been issued, and gives promise of being a fit companion to the Phasianide. The plates are to our eye a little wanting in brillianey, and the birds look flat; but they of course far excel any thing of the kind yet published on this family. Is it possible to de-. pict adequately these marvellous birds ? The limits of the Paradisiide are not at present very well understood, as several other groups of birds seem to approach them. Mr. Elliot includes with them the Bower-birds (Chla- mydodera) ; how far he is justified in so dog remains to be seen. Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser continue the issue of their ‘ Birds of Europe’ { with probably as much speed and regularity as the subject will admit. Fourteen parts have now reached us ; and we have every reason to hope that the undertaking will be successfully carried through. The articles in some of the latter parts have been treated more concisely, with, we venture to think, great advantage tothe work. All possible attention should be paid to this important point. Mr. Harting has given us a usefut little work § on British * The date of the issue of this part is given, doubtless by an oversight, as March 1872. It should have been October, in which month it really saw the light. + A Monograph of the Paradisiide, or Birds of Paradise. By D. G. Elliot, F.L.S. &c. Published, for the Subscribers, by the Author. Part i. { A Handbook of the Birds of Europe, including all the species in- habiting the Western Palearctic Region. By R. B. Sharpe, F.L.S. &c., and H. E. Dresser, F.Z.S. &e. London: 4to. § A Handbook of British Birds, showing the distribution of the resi- dent and migratory species in the British Islands, with an Index to the records of the rarer visitants. By J. E. Harting, F.L.S. &e. London: 1872. 8vo, pp. 198. (Van Voorst.) Letters, Announcements, &c. 95 birds, wherein he has separated the resident and regularly migrant species from the rarer stragglers. The former are treated almost entirely as to their distribution, whilst of the latter references are given to all the recorded instances of their occurrence within the limits of the British Islands. Mr. Harting has not instituted any investigations as to the authen- ticity of the records in question concerning the latter, but left that to others, merely directing them where to begin. Yet we fancy there is room for the exercise of a good deal of of judicial spirit when we call to mind how the recorded in- stances of the Harlequin Duck and Black Woodpecker in the British Islands melted like snow before asummer’s sun under Mr. Newton’s and Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser’s inquiries. At the end of the work we have a new list of British birds, which will also be useful to those studying the birds of our islands. But such a systematic arrangement as there em- ployed, in these times, cannot but be of an ephemeral nature. XII.—Letters, Announcements, &c. The following letters, addressed “To the Editor of ‘ The Ibis, ” have been received :— Srr,—While at Shanghai lately, I paid a visit to Pére Heude, of the French Jesuit Mission established at Sikawei, a village about 54 miles from Shanghai. This venerable gentleman is told off to collect the materials for a Natural- History Museum, which the priests propose to set up, illus- trating the natural products of the province of China wherein their field of work has fallen. The worthy father had visited me some months ago at Ningpo, and had invited me to inspect his birdskins during the month of August; should I happen then to be in Shanghai, as it is during that month that the priests from all the country round gather, for a vacation, at their headquarters. I looked over the collection with great interest, and will now state what to me were novelties. 1. A charming little Hierax, probably the H. sericeus, Gray. He says he saw a pair sitting together, and shot one, taking it for a Finch until he picked it up. 96 Letters, Announcements, &c. 2. A Falcon of the size of a female Kestrel, but of the plu- mage of a Banded Saker Falcon. <A great beauty ! 3. A Nettapus Goose, about a third larger than N. coro- mandelicus, coloured a good deal like it, but with a broad collar on the lower neck=N. coromandelicus of “ David’s list”? (seen, but not procured). 4. Paradoxornis, with the curiously shaped and compressed bill of this group, but with the hind parts of Parus biarmicus— a gem of a curiosity. He had a pair of Erythropus amurensis, shot off a nest, in which there was also another pair of the same species. He had, of rare species, Aigialitis hartingi, mibi, in winter plumage, which, he says, is common about Nanking, and Chemarrhornis leucocephalus. I wanted him to give me descriptions of his novelties for publication in ‘The Ibis ;” but he seemed to fear a superior, who claimed all his discoveries for the glory of his own country and for the special glory of the J esuit Mission. I hope he may not be forestalled in priority of description. Pére David was here for a month some time back. He visited a brother priest up country, and brought back some good things. He had a Ceryle lugubris and an Aigialitis hartingi (summer). He is now away at Peking, whence he is going to travel in Shense Province. Yours, &c. RosBert SwINHOE. Ningpo, August 21, 1872. S1r,—Besides the seven species mentioned in my letter of 5th December 1871 (‘ Ibis,’ 1872, p. 199) as additional to Mr. Saunders’s ‘ List of the Birds of Southern Spain,’ I am able to add the following :— : 8. Circus PaLLipus, Sykes. Swainson’s Harrier. I have seen specimens from the vicinity of Seville. It occurs also in Morocco ; there is a specimen thence in the Norwich Museum. Letters, Announcements, &c. 97 9. Ruricitia MoussrErt, Olph.-Gall. I saw a male of this species close to Tarifa, in October, by the side of the road. Unluckily, I was riding along without a gun, some way in advance of my baggage, so could not secure it. Of course I do not consider that seeing a bird is sufficient evidence to include it in a list, and should have left it out; but as since, at Tangier on the 14th March, 1872, I obtained a fine adult male, killed close to the shore, evidently on passage (Saxicola wnanthe and S. aurita were then passing in some numbers), there is little doubt that this bird would have also crossed to the Spanish side of the straits, and that it is, though rarely, found in the south of Andalusia. The late M. Favier, whose MS. notes, I am happy to say, I have succeeded in purchasing, mentions “ one killed near Tangier in 1848;” he calls it “erythrogastra;” but his description and measurements sufficiently identify it as a male R. moussieri. He adds that “they migrate to Europe and return in October, but are excessively rare.” 10. Ficrpuna patiipa (Gerbe). Obtained near Gibraltar, is more abundant on the African side, and is one of the latest birds to arrive. I sent a speci- men to Dr. Tristram for identification. 11. Lrnora rurescens (Vieillot). Lesser Redpole. Very scarce, in the winter only, in Andalusia. It has been obtained in Morocco. 12. PHatarorvus FuLicARivs (Linn.). Grey Phalarope. One killed at the Laguna de Janda, between Cadiz and Tarifa, on 29th November 1871. 13. Furieuia Marita (Linn.). Scaup Duck. Once, Bay of Gibraltar, winter of 1870-71. +14. Lestris purront, Boie. Buffon’s Skua. Extremely rare, has been obtained twice in winter in the Straits, but not in adult plumage. ++ 15. TuarassiproMa LEAcHI (Temm.). Fork-tailed Petrel. Rare in winter, according to M. Favier occasionally found dead on the sea-shore ; he mentions having picked up six at one time. SER. III.—VOL. Ili. H 98 Letters, Announcements, &c. 16. Popicers RuBRICOLLIS, Latham. Red-necked Grebe. Obtained in the Straits in winter. I saw two specimens from Tangier so young that they must have been bred in the vicinity. M. Favier asserts that they breed at Ras Dowra, in Morocco; but I did not obtain any there. 1 17. Popicers cornutus, Gm. Sclavonian Grebe. Very scarce in the Straits in winter; I have seen three or four specimens. Possibly they may be found among the great numbers of Hared Grebes (P. auritus) which are seen in winter in the Bay of Gibraltar, and which nest m numbers in the Spanish and African lagoons. L. Howarp Irsy. Army and Navy Club, October 2, 1872. Lilford Hall, Oundle, October 3, 1872. Srr,—During my visit to the south of Spain last spring, I fell in, near Seville, with a Short-toed Lark, which I at once recognized as distinct from the ordinary Calandrella brachydactyla, from which species it is distinguished by its greyer shade of colouring as well as its distinctly striped upper surface and breast. Mr. Sharpe, to whom I submitted my specimens, has come to the conclusion, after careful com- parison, that the Lark is not new, but is C. reboudia in full breeding-plumage. I was also so fortunate as to obtain, on the 3rd of May, in the Coto de Dofana, a male example of Numenius hudsonicus. I am, &e. Lizrorp. Marldon, Totnes, December 4, 1872. Srtr,—In my letter of the 9th September last (printed in ‘The Ibis’ for 1872 at p. 472) I spoke of the Imperial Eagle of Spain under the title of “ Aguila imperialis ;” this I did because I considered that the specific distinction between the eastern and western Imperial Eagles, though rendered highly probable by the remarks of Mr. Howard Saunders, published in the ‘ Proceedings’ of the Zoological Society for Letters, Announcements, &¢. 99 1871, at p. 37, remained nevertheless an open question till a still larger series of skins had been examined. Through the kindness of Mr. H. E. Dresser and other or- nithological friends, I have quite recently had the opportunity of examining a larger series of these Eagles than I had pre- viously seen, including some splendid Indian Eagles lately presented to the Norwich Museum by Mr. W. E. Brooks and Mr. A. Anderson; and I am now quite satisfied that Mr. H. Saunders was right in considering the Imperial Eagle of the Spanish peninsula specifically distinct from its more eastern congener ; but as both species are, I understand, likely to be figured and described before long in Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser’s ‘ Birds of Europe,’ it will be needless for me here to recapitulate the distinctions which exist between them. The Spanish bird will stand as Aquila adalberti of L.: Brehm*, while the more eastern species should bear its oldest synonym (that under which its immature plumage was figured . and described by J. G. Gmelin) of Aquila mogiluik. This species is found in South-eastern Europe, whence it ex- tends eastwards to China ; and it also occurs in India, Egypt, and Abyssinia; but the geographical boundary between its western range and the eastern range of Aquila adalberti is still undetermined. Aquila bifasciata, Gray, isa third allied but distinct species, of which I have never seen specimens except from India. This species (though not in adult plumage) is well figured by Dr. J. E. Gray in his ‘ Illustrations of Indian Zoology from the collection of Major-General Hardwicke,’ and has been recently described in the ‘Proceedings of the Zoological Society’ for 1872, at p. 502, by Mr. W. E. Brooks, and at p- 619 by Mr. A. Anderson}; but there is one plumage of this Eagle to which neither of these naturalists has referred, and which I therefore think it well briefly to notice. The general appearance of the bird in this stage agrees with Dr. Gray’s plate above referred to, with the following exceptions :— * Vide Ibis for 1865, p. 359, second footnote. + I may mention that the species referred to in both these papers under the name of “ Aquila crassipes, Hodgson,” is Aguila mogilnik. H 2 100 Letters, Announcements, &c. The entire undersurface from the vent to the sternum is trans- versely barred with alternate bands of white and stone-coloured. brown, each band being from a quarter to half an inch in breadth; the tibiz are also barred with similar transverse bands, but much more narrowly ; and many of the feathers on the lower portion of the sternum have white points, forming small angular spots on that part of the plumage. I am yours &c., J. H. Gurney. Srir,—In the July number of ‘The Ibis’ a letter appears from Dr. Buller on the genus Hieracidea, in which he says, “with regard to the data furnished in Captaim Hutton’s cata- logue (Cat. N. Z. Birds, Wellington, 1871) I would simply remark that there is no evidence whatever of the sex having been in a single case determined by dissection.” As this - implies a doubt as to my scientific honesty, I should feel much obliged to you if you would allow me also to make a few “simple remarks” in reply. My catalogue was drawn up, as stated in the introduction, chiefly from the collection of 273 birds’ skins purchased from Dr. Buller by the New-Zealand Government; and the mea- surements of H. nove-zealandie were taken from his own specimens in that collection, from those obtained by Mr. H. Travers, an experienced collector, who always ascertais the sex of his specimens by dissection, and marks them, and from a pair shot together in the mountains of the South Island, and forwarded to this museum by Mr. Huddleston, so well known for the success that has attended his efforts to mtroduce birds into the Province of Nelson. Of these there can be no doubt as to the correctness of the sexes of both Mr. Travers’s and Mr. Huddleston’s specimens, and I never had any doubt about Dr. Buller’s before ; but as he says that there is no evidence of the sex having been de- termined in a single case, and as he must have been perfectly aware that the measurements of five of the birds were from his own specimens, I will not venture to contradict him; for he must know best about his own birds. However, just Letters, Announcements, &c. 101 for the sake of comparison, I ‘will give the measurements of three of his birds together with the others in this museum. His two other specimens being fastened up in cases, I cannot get at them to remeasure them. I must, however, in fair- ness state that there is a possibility of my having made a mis- take with the sexes of Dr. Buller’s birds ; for although the sign commonly used to denote “ female” is correctly placed, that used for “male” is turned upside down (Pf). Seeing that all his male birds were marked in the same way, and that he had also placed it im a similar manner in the list of his birds that he supplied to Dr. Hector, I naturally thought that it was simply a mistake caused by his slight acquaintance with the signs ordinarily used by naturalists, and that he had intended to express “male” by it; but, after his explanation in ‘ The Ibis,’ I fancy that it may have been a private mark of his own intended to mean “sex undetermined.” Table of Measurements of H. novee-zealandie. ve a(S 2 Collector. Wing.| Tail. : Tarsus. toe and toe and cere to ri claw. | claw. p- PeBullervad Ooo. 28 10:95 | 76 1:2 2°35 | 2:45 | 1:65 2. Huddleston, 9 ad. ....}11°75 | 8:2 ita 2°4 2°85 | 1:85 EL EAVOLS,, 2 BOs, 5.5.0.06 2 0 11:8 8°6 1:2 2°6 30 19 AMitivers, Pade. so. 2. P2980 1:2 | 245} 2:75 | 1:65 5. Huddleston, dg ad. ..../ 10-0 7:8 1-03) | 2:25 || 2:35 | 1:4: PE TAVOES, “GAG. «oc. a nu 10:0 74 1:05 | 2:3 2°35 | 1:45 7. Buller, juv. 9 es Pn gO 7G, GED ‘95 | 2:05 | 2:25 | 1:2 8. Buller, juv. P | sve 9:8 6-9 9 2:15 | 2:27 | 13 HT, nove-zealandie’ \ § ..)11:25 | 825] 1:2 2°5 2:75 | 1:75 From Buller’s book } Q ..)11°5 8:5 2:75 HT, brunnea 8 oll SR 6:5 "8D | 2:25 | 2:3 1°3 From Buller’s book Oe LO 80 2°5 I will make no comment on these measurements further than to observe that the four birds marked as males have all slender legs and toes, while all those marked females have their legs and toes far more robust ; and the same is the case with the other two of Dr. Buller’s specimens already men- tioned, marked in his list ad. P [sic] and juv. ? respectively —that is, supposing the first sign to mean male. 102 Letters, Announcements, &c. Of these birds those supplied by Messrs. Travers and Hud- dleston all came from the South Island. Where Dr. Buller’s birds came from I cannot say ; for not asingle bird in his col- lection has either date or locality upon it. Both Dr. Finsch and Dr. Buller seem inclined to laugh at me for attaching any importance to such a trivial character as the slenderness of a Hawk’s legs. By Dr. Buller, however, it seems to be only a “ worthless character” (Birds of N. Z. p- 4) when used by me; for three pages further on in his book (l.c. p. 7), im his observations on H. brunnea, he says, ‘ This species closely resembles H. nove-zealandie, but is decidedly smaller, and has more slender legs and claws.” Dr. Finsch, on the other hand, does not appear to find fault with me so much for mentioning this character (for he must be aware of what is well known to every falconer, that the Tiercel has always more slender legs than the Falcon) as for bemg ’so foolish as to measure dried legs. But, I would ask him, in what other way would he endeavour to convey to his readers an impression as to the amount of difference between the legs of the two? Every naturalist knows that measurements of all kinds are to be taken with considerable latitude ; and why Dr. Finsch should object to my measuring the circumference of legs because they may vary im size, while he gives such elaborate tables of measurements, all of which are variable, I cannot understand. The fact is, that the legs of dried skins do not shrink so very unequally (which is the main point), and the limits between measurements due to variation in size of living birds are far wider than those due to the shrink- ing of the skin on the tarsus. I still adhere to my opinion that the male of H. nove-zea- landie can be easily distinguished from the female by its more slender legs; and Dr. Buller’s book has not yet converted me to the opinion that that “worthless character,” slenderness of legs, is the chief characteristic of H. brunnea. F. W. Hurron. Colonial Museum, Wellington. September 6, 1872. Letters, Announcements, &c. 103 In the last volume of ‘ The Ibis’ (p. 153) we confessed our inability to find the original reference to Cyanocephalus wiedi, Bp. We have since discovered it in a small brochure published by Bonaparte in Florence in 1842, and called | “Qsservazioni sullo stato della zoologia in Europa in quanto ai Vertebrati nell’ anno 1840-1841, lette li 27 Settembre alla terza riunione degli Scienziati Italiani da Carlo Luciano Principe Bonaparte,” Xe. P In speaking casually (p. 17) of Gymnorhinus cracenalliss Wied, he says :—“ L’ultima delle quali costituisce un genere a sé, per cul mi veggo costretto a proporre il nome di Cy- anocephalus come generico, quello datogl dal fondatore tro- vandosi gia impiegato.” No characters are given. We may here add a further reference to Bonaparte’s writings which has escaped Dr. Coues’s search, who, in reviewing the literature of the subject, m an exhaustive memoir on the Spheniscide, recently published in the ‘ Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia’ (1872, p. 170 et seq.), writes as follows :— 1850-56. BoNnaPARTE, ? Ido not know where this author has treated of the Penguins ; and none of the authorities quoted give any reference. According to quotations, he has instituted a genus Hudyptila upon Aptenodytes minor, Forst., and has renamed the two species of <Aptenodytes that Gray named fostert and pennanti, callig them imperator and rex respectively. There is no excuse whatever for this.” The reference is evidently to the ‘ Conspectus Ptilopterorum Systematicus,’ appended to the ‘'Tableaux paralléliques des Pélagiens ou Gavi,’ published in the ‘Comptes Rendus’ for 1856, xl. p. 775. In this Conspectus the Spheniscidz are divided into two subfamilies—Spheniscinzee and Dasyrhamphine, the former being again subdivided into Aptenodytezx, with the following genera—l. Aptenodytes, 2. Hudyptila, 3. Chrysocoma, and 4. Pygoscelys and Spheniscez with the genus Spheniscus,— the latter containing the Dasyrhamphece with the single genus Dasyrhamphus. Eudyptila (of which no characters are given) contains 104 Letters, Announcements, &c. EF. minor (Forst.) and (doubtfully) H. wundina (Gould), which is the same species. We think, however, that Bonaparte must be acquitted of altering Gray’s names Aptenodytes forsteri and A. pennanitt ; for he adopts those names, and merely writes under the former, ‘imperator auct.,” as explaining that this is the species commonly known as the “ Emperor ;” so also under A. pen- nanti he writes “rex auct.,” the “ King Penguin” of authors. Prof. Schlegel (‘ Mus. des P. B., Urinatores,’ p. 3), seems to have fathered these two names upon Bonaparte. Even Gray takes the above view with respect to them. He omits them in his ‘ Hand-list’ (i. p. 99), though we see, from an inspection of the copy of Bonaparte’s paper formerly in his possession, that his attention had been called’ to the point. 3 _ We may further take this opportunity of callmg Dr. Coues’s attention, and that of our ornithological brethren generally, to an important paper on the Alcidz, recently published by Prof. J. F. Brandt in the ‘ Bulletin de Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Pétersbourg,’ 1870, pp. 449-497—which has hitherto escaped our notice, as well as that of the contributors to the ‘ Zoological Record.’ This paper has been rearranged in octavo to form part of the seventh volume of the ‘ Mélanges Biologiques’ (pp. 199-268). The memoir itself appears to be very complete, as it contains descriptions of and references to all the species of this family, twenty-one in number. Each genus is also characterized. We may add that the celebrated Sagmatorhina lathami, Bp., about which such various opinions have been held, is here discussed and referred to the young of Lunda cirrhata. We have taken an opportunity of examining the type specimen of Sagmatorhina in the British Museum with reference to this point, and have no doubt as to the correctness of Prof. Brandt’s conclusion. bE Bae: THIRD SERIES. No. X. APRIL 1873. ~ XIII.— On the Birds in the Imperial Collection at Vienna ob- tained from the Leverian Museum. By A. von PELZELN. [Concluded from page 54. | PART II. Birds not obtained directly from the Museum Leverianum. THe names of those birds marked with an asterisk were contained in the same inventory as the preceding; but the birds are said to have been obtained from dealers. They were probably bought by dealers at the auction, and after- wards purchased by Herr von Fichtel. The remaining birds were purchased from Herr von Fichtel and inscribed in a separate inventory. As in a few cases it is said expressly in the catalogue that the specimens were from the Museum Leverianum, and as other birds seem with the greatest probability to have been derived from the same source, I think it useful for greater completeness to enumerate these also. VULTURIDA. 117. Sarcorampuus GryPuus, fem. (51.) I have already spoken of this bird (anted, p. 16), which is doubtless from the Leverian collection. SER. I1I,—VOL. III. I 106 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in 118. GypoHreRAx ANGOLENSIS (Gmel.). (152.) Angola Vulture, Pennant, Tour in Wales, 228, t. 19; Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 18. 14. Falco angolensis, Gmel. Syst. 1. 252. Vultur angolensis, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 7. 17; Shaw, Mus. Hever. tv."p. 153, pl. According to Latham this bird was described by Pennant from the fine collection of birds at Bryn y Pys, the seat of Richard Parry Price, Esq. There were two of them, which came from Angola. They were, says he, “ very restless and querulous, and more active than is usual with this sluggish race.” ‘These, Latham continues, “are now finely preserved in the Leverian Museum ;” and it seems that the specimen bought by Herr von Fichtel is one of these birds, and perhaps the type of Shaw’s figure. Our individual agrees pretty well with Latham’s and Shaw’s descriptions and the figure ; but the great remiges are white, as represented in Shaw’s plate, and not black tipped with white, as erroneously described by La- tham and Shaw. *119. IpycTER rormosus (Lath.). (269.) Red-throated Falcon, female, Latham, Gen. Synops. Suppl. 26. 82 (nec t: 9. f. 82). Falco formosus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 38. 92 (solum femina). Ibycter formosus (Lath.), Pelzeln, Uebers. Geier u. Falken, 1862, 13. It is possible that this is the specimen described by Latham (Syn. Suppl.), which came under his inspection among a col- lection of birds brought from Cayenne. 120. Burro tineatus (Gmel.). (36.) Our specimen agrees in general with Latham’s description of his Barred-breasted Buzzard (Gen. Syn. 1. 56. 36), which is taken from a bird in the Mus. Lever.; but there are not two but five white bars on the rectrices, and the unspotted space of the quills measures only 14". *121. Ictinia puumBEA (Lath.). (255.) Spotted-tailed Hobby, Lath. Gen. Syn. i. 106. 92. Falco plumbeus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 49. 118. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 107 There is in our collection a bird from Cayenne, which is either from the Leverian Museum or, more probably, was acquired in 1815 from M. Verreaux, and which agrees well with the description quoted above. Latham’s type was in the collection of Miss Blomefield. 122. AsTUR NOVH-HOLLANDIA& (Gmel.). (5.) New-Holland White Eagle, Lath. Gen. Syn. 1. 40. 18 (com- municated by Dr. J. R. Forster). Falco nove-hollandie, Gmel. Syst. 1. 264; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 16. 22. Falco albus, White, Journ. Voy. New S. Wales, 250. c. tab. A specimen in white plumage is perhaps the type of White’s description and plate; another (5), which, according to the catalogue, was of the normal coloration, is no longer in the collection. STRIGID Ai. *123. Srrix castanops, Gould. (182.) A specimen from New Holland. CAPRIMULGID. *124, PoparGus MEGACEPHALUS (Lath.). (184.) Great-headed Goatsucker, Lath. Gen. Syn. Suppl. 1. 265. 8. Caprimulgus megacephalus, Lath. Ind. Orn. Suppl. lviu. 3. Wedge-tailed Goatsucker, Lath. Gen. Hist. vii. 368 ? This bird was called in the inventory Caprimulgus crassi- rostris. *125, AEGOTHELES NOV#-HOLLANDI# (Lath.). (1381.) Crested Goatsucker, Phill. Bot. Bay, t. p. 270. Caprimulgus nove-hollandie, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 588. 18. Caprimulgus cristatus, Shaw in White’s Voy. 241, pl. New-Holland Goatsucker, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 261. Caprimulgus cristatus, Lath. Ind. Orn, ii. Suppl. lviii. Bristled Goatsucker, Lath. Gen. Hist. vu. 342. *126. MacropipTeRyXx LONGIPENNIS, Cuvier. (68.) Caprimulgus macrodipterus, Afzel. Descr. Sierra Leone, t. ; Lath. Ind. Orn. Suppl. lx. Caprimulgus longipennis, Shaw, Nat. Misc. t. 265. I2 108 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Leona Goatsucker, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 264. 8. Africa. *127. ANTROSTOMUS CAROLINENSIS (Gmel.). (198.) N. America. *128. Caprimuteus? (222.) From Dalrymple Bay ; not retained in the collection. CYPSELID. *129. CumTura caupacuta (Lath.). (92.) Needle-tailed Swallow, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11.259. 3. Hirundo caudacuta, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. Suppl. lv. 1. ? New-Holland Swallow, Lath. ibid. 259. 4. ? Hirundo pacifica, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. Suppl. lvin. 2. It seems to me probable that a specimen from Dalrymple Bay is the type of Latham’s Hirundo caudacuta. HIRUNDINIDA. 130. PrTROCHELIDON ALBIVENTRIS (Bodd.). (17.) Cayenne. Not mentioned by Latham as existing in the Mus. Lever. CORACIAD A. 131. Eurystomus orientatts (Linné). No longer in the collection. Latham says nothing of the presence of a bird of this species in the Leverian Collection. MEROPID &. 132. Merrops papius, Gmel. (43.) No longer in the collection. *133. Merops ornatus, Lath. (212.) Variegated Bee-eater, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 155. 16; t.. 128: Merops ornatus, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. Suppl. xxxv. 11. A young bird from Botany Bay. GALBULID. 134. GaLBuLA PARADISEA (Linné). (56.) A specimen called Alcedo paradisea, from Cayenne or Su- the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 109 rinam. According to Latham this species was represented in the Leverian Collection. MELIPHAGIDA. 135. MyzomxELa sANGUINOLENTA (Lath.). (217.) Botany Bay (Certhia, sp.). *136. ACANTHORHYNCHUS TENUTROSTRIS (Lath.). (148.) Slender-billed Creeper, Lath. Gen. Synop. Suppl. 11. 165. 22, t. 129. Certhia tenuirostris, Lath. Ind. Orn. Suppl. xxxvi. 5. Male ? 137. MetipHaca Nov#-HoLtanpi# (Lath.). (20, 34.) New Holland Creeper, White, Journ. Voy. New 8. Wales, p- 186, pl. Certhia nove-hollandie, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 296. 49. . The specimen, perhaps White’s and Latham’s type, is no longer in the collection. *138. Prinotis ruavieuLa, Gould. (220f.) Dalrymple Bay, Tasmania. 139. PRosTHEMADERA NOVH-ZEELANDIA (Gmel.). (57.) New-Zealand Creeper, Brown, Ilustr. 1776, 18, t. 9 (from a stiffed specimen in the possession of Marmaduke Tunstall, Esq.) ; Forst. Voy. 1. 519. Poé Bee-eater, Cook’s Voy. i. 48. 150; Lath. Gen. Syn. u. 682. 17 (Mus. Lever.). i Merops nove-seelandie, Gmel. Syst. 1. 464. Merops cincinnatus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 275. 18. Male (n. 3, Merops cincinnatus). New Zealand. *140. ANTHOCHERA INAURIS, Gould. (150.) Male? (Merops carunculatus). Erroneously entered with the locality New Zealand. + There is in our collection a specimen of Ptilotis carunculata (Gmel.), which agrees well with Latham’s description of the individual without orange-colour under the throat (Gen. Synops. ii. 7. 33), and which may perhaps have been in the Leverian Museum. Our bird also corresponds well with Forster’s description (Descr. An. 165), except that the dimen- sions are smaller. I believe it not improbable that it was obtained during Cook’s Voyage. The old catalogue gives Tongataboo as its habitat. 110 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in 141. ANTHOCHzRA cARUNCULATA (Lath.). (34.) Female or young ; no longer in the collection. *142. TRoprpoORHYNCHUS CARUNCULATUS (Lath.)? (279.) Erroneously designated as from Otaheite. Another specimen (Merops, n. 1), bought by Herr yon Fichtel, does not appear to be that figured by White (Journ. | Voy. New 8S. Wales, 190, t.). *143. ManorHINA MELANOPHRYs (Lath.). (229.) Black-browed Thrush, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 185. 24. Turdus melanophrys, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. Suppl. xi. 15. Female? (August, 1802). New Zealand. 144, Metirureptus tunatus (Shaw). (41.) Certhia lunata, Shaw, Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. t. 61 (drawing from the living bird in the collection of Mr. Shaw, and de- scription furnished by Mr. Parkinson) ; Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. 224. i Evidently a younger bird than that represented in Vieillot’s work. *145. Gen.? Sp.? (223.) Certhia, from Dalrymple Bay; not retained in the ,col- lection. DENDROCOLAPTID A. 146. OxyRHAMPHUs FLAMMICcEPS (Temm.). (26.) Brazil. 147. DENDRoRNIS PARDALOTUS (Vieill.). (28.) Cayenne—called (Levaill. Prom. 1807, t. 30) Oriolus picus. *148. Drenpropiex picus (Gmel.). (227.) Cayenne. 149. Srrre.La cuRysopTeRA (Lath.). (16.) Orange-winged Nuthatch, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. u. 146. 3, pl. 227. Sitta chrysoptera, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. Suppl. xxxii. A specimen from New Holland, perhaps the type of La- tham’s description and figure in the Suppl. 11., with which I have not been able to compare it. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. lll MENURID. *150. Munura supersa, Davies. (286.) A female or young male (Parkinsonia superba), agreeing with Vieillot’s figure (Ois. Dor. ii. t. 16), but without the loose ends of the tail-feathers, and with 16 not 14 rectrices. TROGLODYTID/, 151. CypHoruinus musicus (Bodd.). (14.) Cayenne. Not mentioned by Latham as existing in the Mus. Lever. LUSCINIIDA. 152. Maturus cyanzus (Gmel.). (58.) Motacilla cyanea, Ellis, Narrative Voy. performed by Capts. Cook and Clerke, 1776-1780, 22; Gmel. Syst. 1. 991. 165 (incl. var. 8). Superb Warbler, Lath. Gen. Synops. iv. 501. 137. Sylvia cyanea, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 545. 142. Motacilla superba, Shaw, in White’s Journ. Voy. New 8S. Wales, 256, pl. (upper figure) ; idem, Nat. Misc. 1. t. 10. A specimen marked Sylvia cyanea. Latham says that this species was in the Museum Leveri- anum, and gives a figure of a specimen which does not agree with our bird, which seems more similar to the ingividual from the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, alluded to by Latham, and to the figure in White’s Journal (upper figure). La- tham’s figure and description seem, according to the measure- ments and the habitat, perhaps to belong to Malurus longi- caudus, Gould ; and if this supposition should be corroborated, the name of “cyaneus” must be transferred to the latter species, and for the other the next oldest denomination, 7. e. superbus, Shaw, would stand. 153. Maturus LAMBERTI, Vig. et Horsf. (156.) Male; New Holland. 154. Tatars Lonerrostris (Gmel.). (10.) Of the specimen from Himeo I have already spoken under n. 23 of this paper. 112 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in 155. Perroica ERyTHROGASTRA (Lath.). (15.) A specimen (Muscicapa erythrogastra), apparently a male, badly prepared, was transferred to the duplicates. TURDIDA. *156. GrocicHLa RUBECULA, Gould. (118.) A specimen from Java (?) ; no longer in the collection. PYCNONOTIDA. *157. CrncLosoma PuNctTaTuM (Lath.). (210, 211.) Punctated Thrush, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. ii. 187. 32. Turdus punctatus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. Suppl. xliv. 23. 158. GaRRULAX SINENSIS (Scop.). Female (Corvus auritus, n. 27) already mentioned under Heo: Male and female from Dalrymple Bay. DICRURIDA. *159. Curpia HOTTENTOT?A (Linné). (100.) This specimen, not mentioned by Latham in his descrip- tion of the Hottentot Crow (Gen. Syn. i. 380. 10), was for- merly labelled Edolius setaceus, Natterer. ARTAMIDA. *160. Ocybrerus, sp.? (221.) Dalrymple Bay ; this bird was not placed in the collection. *161. PritonoruyNcuus HoLosERIcEUS, Kuhl. (219.) Female (or young ?), from Dalrymple Bay, shot in April 1802. Iris black. ; ORIOLID A. 162. Orrouus viripis (Lath.). (33.) Female (?) ; no longer in the collection. FORMICARIIDA. *163. GRALLARIA VARIA (Bodd.). (129.) Latham does not say that a specimen of the King Thrush (Gen. Synops. iii. 89. 122) was in the Leverian Museum. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. ds 164. Prruys rurieuLa (Bodd.). No longer in the collection. MUSCICAPID 2. *165. Myiacra nitipa, Gould. (224.) Red-breasted Tody, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. u. 147, female. Todus rubecula, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. Suppl. xxi. Male from Dalrymple Bay. 166. SavLoprocta MoTAcILLorpEsS (Vig. et Horsf.). (23.) Specimen (23), under the name Twurdus volitans, from New Holland. 167. Tcuirrea paRapisi (Linné). (28.) This bird is no longer in the collection. *168. GraucuLus MELANOPS (Lath.). (157.) Black-faced Crow, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. u. 116. Corvus melanops, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. Suppl. xxiv. 1. This specimen not in the collection. TYRANNIDA. *169. ATTILA RUFIGULARIS, Pelzeln. (140.) Thamnophilus xanthopygus, Jos. (?) Natterer, in Collect. Attila rufigularis, Pelzeln, Zur Ornith. Bras. 96 et 170. Habitat not given. 170. Exainga MArtTINicA (Linné). (40, 26?) Muscicapa martinicana cristata, Briss. Orn. 11.362, t. xxxvi. 2. Gobe-mouche huppé de la Martinique, Buff. Ois. v. 249; Pl. Enl. 568. f. 1. Muscicapa martinica, Linné, Syst. i. 325. 3; Gmel. Syst. i. 930; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 483. 62. Martinica Flycatcher, Lath. Gen. Synops. ii. 352. 52. ? Muscicapa albicapilla, Vieill. Ois. Am. Sept. i. 66 (St. Domingo), partim (vill. t. 37). Myiobius martinicus (Linné), Gray, Gen. Birds, 249, sp. on Tyrannula martinica (L.), Bonap. Consp. 1. 190; Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. 1860. 375 (St. Thomas). 114 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in Elainea riisii, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1860, 313 (St. Thomas) ; A. Newton, Ibis, 1860, 307; Sclater, Catal. Collect. 217; Gray, Hand-list, i. 352 (St. Thomas, Barbadoes) ; Sclater, P. Z. 8. 1870, 834. No longer in the collection +. 171. Prraneus suLpHURATUs (Linné). (81.) Cayenne ? COTINGID A. 172. Trryra cayana (Linné). (12.) A female from Cayenne, no longer in the collection. Latham in his Synopsis only speaks of the existence of an old male in the Mus. Lever. *173. Corinea pompapora (Linné)? (226.) Grey Shrike, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 184. 86 (female or young). Ampelis cinerea, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 867. 11. A bird from Cayenne, named Lanius, sp., and Coracina cinerea, Which is not to be found in our collection, belonged probably to this species. 174. Curromacu#ris currurosa (Desm.). (32.) Black-capped Manakin, Edwards, Lath. Gen. Synops. iv. 521. 4, et var. partim (Br. Mus., Lever. Mus.). Pipra manacus, Linné; Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 556. 6, partim. Brazil. LANIIDA. *175, CoLLURICINCLA SELBII, Jardine. (215, 216.) Young male and female (Lanius, sp.), both from Dalrymple Bay. *176. Cracticus torquatus (Lath.). (152.) Clouded Shrike, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. u. 73. 10. Lanius torquatus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. Suppl. xviii. 4. Specimen called Lanius curvirostris, var. seu nova species. + A specimen marked Musicapa martinica has been recently found ; but it does not belong to this species, being a young bird of Pachyrhamphus polychropterus (Vieill.). the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 115 *177. Faucuncu.us rrontatus (Lath.), (151.) Frontal Shrike, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 75. 14, t. 122. Lanius frontatus, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. Suppl. xviii. 8. *178. ParpaLotus striatus (Lath.)? (155.) The specimen, marked Pipra striata, was in bad condition, and therefore not placed in the collection. *179. PacHYCEPHALA GUTTURALIS (Lath.). (154.) The bird named im the inventory Muscicapa pectoralis belonged probably to this species; it is no longer in our Museum. CORVID. 180. Perisorrus rnraustus (Linné). (4.) Siberian Jay, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 390. 26. Siberia (Corvus sibiricus). Latham says nothing of the existence of a specimen of this species in the Museum Leverianum. ICTERID A. 181. XANTHOsoMUS IcTEROCEPHALUS (Linné). (80.) Cayenne ? PLOCEIDA. *182. TrexTorR pANnicivorus (Linné)? (138.) A bird with the designation Loxia panicivora was trans- ferred to the duplicates in 1806. *183. EsTRELDA BELLA (Lath.). (149.) Black-lined Grosbeak, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 1. 198. 16. Nitid Grosbeak, Lath. ibid. 198. 17. t. 131. Lowxia bella, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. Suppl. xlvi. 8. Loxia nitida, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. Suppl. xlvu. 9. Male? *184. EsTrRELDA TEMPORALIS (Lath.). (218, 19.) Temporal Finch, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. u. 211. 15. Fringilla temporalis, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. Suppl. xlvii. 4. Specimen 19 (Fringilla temporalis), from New Holland, was bought by Herr von Fichtel; the other (*218) was not retained in the collection. 116 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in *185. Amapina Gurrata (Shaw). (147.) Spotted Grosbeak, Lewin, Birds New Holl. t. 9. Loxia guttata, Shaw, Mus. Lever. vi. (1796) 47. pl. ? White-headed Finch, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 1. 210. tele. Fringilla leucocephala, var., Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. Suppl. xlvui. 1. var. . Shaw’s plate is taken from a bird in the Leverian Museum ; but our specimen does not seem to be the same. TANAGRIDA. 186. EupHona LICHTENSTEINI (Cabanis). (23.) ? Golden Tanager, Lath. Synops. 11. 239. 35, partim (Mus. Lever.). ? Tanagra violacea, Linné; Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 429. 33, partim. Female or young (Tanagra violacea) from Cayenne. The bird in the collection does not agree with Latham’s description of the female, and is in such a state of preparation that I believe that the old specimen has been replaced by some more recently acquired bird. COLIID &. *187. Coxrus striatus, Gmel. (99.) Specimen (C. senegalensis?) not mentioned by Latham. RAMPHASTIDA. 188. PrrroeLossus viripis (Linné). (3.) Green Toucan, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 131. 9 (Brit. Mus., Lever. Mus.). 3 Ramphastos viridis, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 188. 9. Female? (n. 1), from Cayenne. PSITTACIDA. *189. PLatTycERCUS FLAVIVENTRIS (Temm.). (214.) Dalrymple Bay, Tasmania. *190. Brorocerys Tuipara (Gmel.). (124.) Red-fronted Parrot, Lath. Gen. Synops. i. 308. 115 (no specimen in the Mus. Lever.). the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 117 Golden-winged Parrakeet, Lath. ibid. 309.116 (Mus. Lever.). Latham’s short description of the Golden-winged Parrakeet does not agree well with our specimen. 191. Brorogrrys virescens (Gmel.). (3.) Specimen from Cayenne? (Psittacus virescens) ; given to the Zoological Museum at Troppau, Silesia, May 1859. Latham (Gen. Synops. 1. 244. 43) indicates that this spe- cimen was in the Mus.’ Lever. 192. Domicetya Tartrana (Gmel.). (29.) This bird is no longer in the collection. According to ha- tham this Parrot was contained in the Leverian Museum. *193. TRICHOGLOsSSUS CONCINNUS (Shaw). (809.) Psittacus concinnus, Shaw, Nat. Misc. ii. (1789) t. 87. Pacific Parrot, var., Phill. Voy. Bot. Bay, 155, pl. Psittacus australis, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 104. 66. Crimson-fronted Parrot, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. ii. (1802) 87; idem, Gen. Hist. 1. (1822) 181, cum varr. A, B, C. Psittacus pacificus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vin. 419. Botany Bay. *194. TRicHOGLOssUS DiscoLor (Shaw). (158.) Psittacus discolor, Shaw in White’s Voy. 263, t.; Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. Suppl. xxi. 6; Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii. 466. Red-shouldered Parrakeet, Phill. Voy. Bot. Bay, 269; Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. (1802) 90. Our specimen differs somewhat in coloration from the plate in White’s Voyage. *195. TricHoGLossus PusitLus (Shaw). (153.) Psittacus pusillus, Shaw, White’s Journ. Voy. N. 8S. Wales, 1790, 262; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. (1790) 106. 71. This bird does not agree well with the plate above quoted. *196. PronrAs MELANOCEPHALUS (Linné). (125.) This specimen is evidently that described by Latham (Gen. Synops. i. 3805. 112) as differmg a little from the author’s description ; in the black colour of the bill and the whitish ashy breast and belly this bird resembles Edwards’s pl. 169. 118 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in *197. CaLYPTORHYNCHUS SOLANDRI(Temm.). (146a, 1460.) Psittacus banksti, varr. 8 et y? Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 107. 76 B,y? Psittacus magnificus, Shaw, Mus. Lever. 1796. 17. Banksian Cockatoo, var. A, Lath. Synops. Suppl. 1. (1802) 63, et var. B. Two males; it seems to me not probable that either of them was the original of Shaw’s plate. PICID A. *198. Camptas, sp.? (228.) Cayenne (Picus, sp.; P. pusserinus, juv.). 199. CrLEus cINNAMoMEUS (Gmel.). (9.) Pl. Enl. 524, male. Ferruginous Woodpecker, Lath. Gen. Synops. 1. 592. 42 (Mus. Lever.). Picus cinnamomeus, Gmel. Syst. i. 428; Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 240. 45. Our specimen agrees very well with Latham’s description of the female, and seems to be his type. *200. CeLEUS MULTICOLOR (Gmel.). (91.) Male, from Cayenne ? Latham, in his description of the Black-breasted Wood- pecker (Gen. Synops. 11. 593. 43), does not mention a specimen in the Museum Leverianum; perhaps this specimen was a later acquisition. 201. MrLanerPEs FLAVIFRONS (Vieill.). (12.) This specimen is no longer in the collection. CUCULID. *202. CucuLus pattipus (Lath.). (208, 209.) Pale Pigeon, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 11. 270. Columba pallida, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. Suppl. Ix. 5. Adult male from Botany Bay, and young bird from Dal- rymple Bay. *203. CucuLUS FLABELLIFORMIS, Lath. (207.) Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Lath. Gen. Synops. 11. 138. 11, t. 126. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 119 Cuculus flabeliformis, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. Suppl. xxx. 6. From Dalrymple Bay, Tasmania; perhaps Latham’s type. I have not been able to compare the plate. 204. CucuLus mpEratus, Gould. Botany Bay (Cuculus, sp.). COLUMBIDZ. 205. Leproprita ruFraxitua (Rich. et Bern.). (11.) Brazil ? CRACIDA. — ¥206. Orratipa mormor (Linné). (300.) Cayenne (Phasianus motmot). PHASIANIDA. 207. PotypLecrron cuinquts (Temm.). (55.) Pavo tibetanus, Briss. Orn. i. 294, t. xxviii. A, f.2; Linné, Syst. 1. 268; Gmel. Syst. i. 731; Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 617. 4. Chinquis, Buffon, Ois. ii. 385. Iris Peacock, Lath. Gen. Synops. iv. 673. 3 (descr. nec synon.). Thibet Peacock, Lath. Gen. Synops. iv. 675. 4. Pavo bicalcaratus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11.617. 3, partim; Shaw, Mus. Lever. (1792) 73, pl. Pavo tibetanus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 617. 4. A male bought through Herr von Fichtel, is expressly said in the catalogue to be from the Museum Leverianum. It is cer- tainly the specimen mentioned by Latham (Jris Peacock, Gen. Synops. iv. 657. 3) as contained in the Museum Leverianum (though the description there seems copied from Brisson), and the type of the description of the male of the so-called Pavo bhicalcaratus, and of Shaw’s description and plate. “These birds (male and female) are indigenous to China, from whence they have been brought alive nto England, and were for some time in the possession of Dr. James Monro. [The male is now in the Museum Leverianum in the finest oreservation.”—LatTHAM. 120 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in 208. LopHorHorus impryANus (Lath.). (54) Impeyan Pheasant, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 208. 11, t. exiv. (specimens of the male bird in the Leverian Mu- seum). Phasianus impeyanus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 632. 11. Phasianus curvirostris, Shaw, Mus. Lever. iii. 191, plate. Male; no longer in the collection. TETRAONIDA. *209. Tetrao curipo, Linné. (96.) Male from Canada?; transferred to the duplicates. *210. TEetRao, sp. (325.) Grouse from North America; in bad state and therefore not retained in the collection. 211. Corurnix cotnEnsis (Linné). (21, 227.) Male and female. STRUTHIONIDA. 212. Dromaus Nova HOLLANDI# (Lath.). (50.) Young bird. TINAMIDA. *213. TinaMus vaRiecATuS (Gmel.). (97.) Latham does not mention the presence of a specimen of this species in the Leverian Museum. HAMATOPID A. 214. Hamatorus unicoxor, Forst. (H. fuliginosus, Gould). (35.) New Holland. ARDEIDA. *215. ARDEA Nov# HOLLANDIA, Lath. (821, 41.) White-fronted Heron, Phill. Bot. Bay, 163, pl.; Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. un. 304. Ardea nove hollandie, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 701. 88. One specimen (321) may possibly be Latham’s type; the other (41) was bought from Herr von Fichtel. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 121 *216. Arpra scapuLaris, Illig. (315, 316.) Two specimens from Cayenne ; one of which (315) was trans- ferred to the duplicates in 1832. Latham (Gen. Synops. v. 68. 30) says that this species was represented in the Museum Leverianum. 217. Ti@RISOMA BRASILIENSE (Linné). Specimen from Cayenne, possibly that mentioned by La- tham (Gen. Synops. v. 62, 25) as contained in the Museum Leverianum. ‘Transferred to the duplicates. 218. Nycricorax vionaceus (L.). (39.) Cayenne ; not indicated by Latham as being in the Mus. Lever. PLATALEIDA. 219. Puarauea asasa, Linné. (8.) Latham (Gen. Synops. v. 16. 2) mentions no specimen from the Mus. Lever. ; his description and plate seem to be based on that of Brisson. The bird is no longer in the collection. TANTALID A. 220. Isis ruBra (L.) (53.) Latham (Gen. Synops. v. 106. 2) remarks that this species was in the British and in the Leverian Museums. SCOLOPACIDA. —- *221. Numenivus pumorus, Linné, var. hudsonica. (270.) ‘Hudsonian Curlew, Lath. Gen. Synops. Suppl. 243. 11. Numenius hudsonicus, Lath. Ind. Orn. nu. 712.7; Baird, Rep. 744; Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, Scolop. 100. Numenius pheopus, L.; Pelzeln, Zur Ornith. Brasil. 308. Cayenne. The differences between N. pheopus and N. hudsonicus, as exposed by Schlegel /.c., seem to me not sufficient for spe- cific separation, especially in a Wader of so wide a geogra- phical distribution. SUR. I1I.—VOL. II. K ponent 122 A. von Pelzeln on Birds in « 222. RECURVIROSTRA RUBRICOLLIS, Temm. (42.) Avosetta, Damp. Voy. iii. 123, pl. f. 8 (Sharks’ Bay, New Holland). American Avoset, Lath. Gen. Synops. v. 295. 2, t. 92, partim (Mus. Lever.). Perhaps the specimen n. 28 is that mentioned by Latham as being in the Leverian Collection. RALLIDA. *223. Ratuus Macutatus, Bodd. (142.) Cayenne? ; the bird agrees very well with Pl. Enl. 775. *224. ARAMIDES CAYENNENSIS (Gmel.). (313.) Cayenne. According to Latham this species was contained in the Museum Leverianum. *225. TRIBONYX MORTIERI, Du Bus. (197.) Dalrymple Bay, Tasmania. PARRID/AS. *226. HypROPHASIANUS CHIRURGUS (Scopoli). (262.) Young or in winter plumage ; from Bengal. ANATIDA. 227. NETTAPUS ALBIPENNIS, Gould. (387). Female or young bird. In the imventory no habitat was given. In the collection it is indicated as ‘‘ India orientalis,” but probably only on account of the former descriptions of Anas coromandeliana. Besides this specimen, we are in possession of a male and female of N. albipennis from New Holland, purchased (1846) from Herr Parreyss. *228. DenpRocYGNA AUTUMNALIS (Linné). (314.) Female, Cayenne; no longer in the collection. According to Latham this species was represented in the Museum Leverianum. the Imperial Collection at Vienna. 123 229. Aix GALERICULATA (Linné). (52a et 520.) Male and female ; the male does not appear to be the ori- ginal of Shaw’s plate (Mus. Lever. 89). 230. ANAS sUPERCILIOSA, Gmel. (7.) Supercilious Duck, Lath. Gen. Synops. vi. 497. 45 (from the drawings of Sir Joseph Banks ; New Zealand). Anas superciliosa, Gmel. Syst. 1. 537; Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. 852. 51. Anas leucophrys, Forster, Drawings, n. 77; idem, Descr. An. 93 (New Zealand). Specimen from New Holland ; no longer in the collection. PROCELLARIID/A. *231. DiomeprEa ExuLaANs, Linné. (283.) An adult white Albatros without label is probably the specimen of the inventory. LARIDAL. *232. STERNA FULIGINOSA, Gmel. (213.) A specimen in the collection agrees very well with Latham’s description of the Sooty Tern (Gen. Synops. vi. 352); but it is not certain whether it is really the same as that from Dalrymple Bay, mentioned in the inventory. *233. Gyeis canpiIpA (Sparrm.). (84, 85.) Two specimens, on which Latham seems to have based the description of his White Tern (Gen. Synops. vi. 363. 17, et Suppl. 266). . Latham says it “imbhabits Christmas Island and other parts of the South Seas, seen also off the island of St. Helena.” It is probable that our birds are from the former island. PLOTID. *234. PLotus Nov#-HOLLANDIA, Gould. (293.) Male, Botany Bay ; no longer in the collection. K 2 124 On anew Species of Barbet from Western India. PELECANID&. . 235. GRACULUS SULCIROSTRIS (Brandt). (38.) Carbo sulcirostris, Brandt, Bullet. Acad. St. Petersb. in. 56 (habitat unknown). Phalacrocorax sulcirostris, Brandt ; Gray, List Birds Brit. Mus. iii. (1844) 185 (habitat unknown); Gould, Birds Austral. Wile tb. ‘O77. Haheus sulcirostris, Bonap. Consp. 1. 178. Halieus (Microcarbo) stictocephalus, Bonap. Consp. 1i. 178. Graculus sulcirostris, Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, Pelecani, 1863, 13 (Australia ?, Borneo, Amboina, Halmaheira). Phalacrocorax stictocephalus (Bonap.), Gould, Hand-b. B. Austral. 11. 495. Carbo squamatus, Mus. Vindob. MS. New Holland. 236. GRACULUS MELANOLEUCUS (Vieill.). (37, 6.) A specimen from New Holland im our Museum is probably that mentioned in the inventory. XIV.—On a new Species of Barbet from Western India. By Capt. J. Hayes Luoyp. By the kindness of Mr. R. B. Sharpe I have had an oppor- tunity of mspecting the collection of Megalzemide in the British Museum; and I find, as I have long suspected, that the small green Barbet of Western India is distinct from the Megalema viridis of Malabar and Southern India, being dis- tinguishable by its greater size and more pronounced mark- ings. In the Messrs. Marshall’s monograph of the Capito- nid, reference is made under M. viridis (the colour of the bill of which, by the way, is given correctly in the letterpress, but wrongly in the plate) to a bird obtained by Col. Sykes in the Deccan, the dimensions of which were too large for M. viridis and too small for WM. caniceps. To any one possessing local knowledge the locality quoted must sound vague ; but I have little doubt that Col. Sykes’s bird was the species of Note on the Pyranga roscogularis of Cabot. 125 which I am now writing, and that it was obtained in the Mawuls, a tract of hilly country dividing the Deccan from the Western Ghauts, I therefore propose to distinguish the small green Barbet of Western India as MurGaL#MA SYKESI, sp. Nov. Description.—Very similar to M. viridis, but the brown of the head and nape paler, with a coppery gloss, the feathers of the head pale-edged, those of the nape with pale central streaks ; throat whitish; breast and sides of neck whitish, each feather broadly margined laterally with dark brown ; wing-coverts unspotted. Bill horny brown. Dimensions.—Length 9 inches, wing 4°3, tail 3. This species is abundant in most of the mountainous wooded tracts of Western India. I have obtained it in the Peint and Soorungun districts, which border the Khandesh Dangs, all along the Western Ghauts, and on the summit of Matheran and other detached hills im the Konkan, everywhere to the exclusion of M. viridis, which seems to bear the same rela- tionship to M. sykesi that M. zeylanica does to M. caniceps. How far south M. sykest extends I am unable to say. 11 The Grove, Highgate. January 24, 1873. XV.—Note onthe Pyranga roseogularis of Cabot. By P. L. Scuater, M.A., Ph.D., F.RB.S. (Plate IIL.) In 1847 Dr. Samuel Cabot, of Boston, published in the “Boston Journal of Natural History”* a description of a new species of Tanager, of the genus Pyranga, which he had procured in Yucatan, “on the road from Chemax to Yalahao, on the 5th of April, 1842,” and proposed to call P. roseo- gularis. In 1856 (as already mentioned, P. Z.S. 1857, p. 6) I had the pleasure of examining this unique specimen at Boston, * Boston Journ. of Nat. Hist. v. p. 416 (1847). 126 Note on the Pyranga roseogularis of Cabot. through the kindness of Dr. Cabot, and came to the conclusion that it belonged to a species distinct from any then known to me. ‘Time has rolled on, and our acquaintance with Central American ornithology has greatly increased ; indeed it may be almost said that there is now hardly any portion of the tropics of which the bird-life is better known to us; yet I believe no further information has yet reached us concerning the Pyranga roseogularis. I have therefore great pleasure in reproducing a figure of this rara avis, taken from the ty- pical specimen by Mr. Ridgway. The original coloured draw- mg was sent to Mr. Salvin by Prof. Baird, with a suggestion that it would be desirable to publish it. Prof. Baird states that the drawing is perhaps a little stiff, but that the details are rigidly correct. Mr. Ridgway adds to his drawing a full description of the typical specimen, which I think it desirable to give in extenso. PYRANGA ROSEIGULARIS. Sp. Char.—Prevailing colour brownish ashy, darker on the dorsal region, where it has a faint reddish cast, and paler on the lower parts. Lores, eyelids, cheeks, and breast with a dingy yellow tinge ; ashy beneath, deepest across the jugulum and along the sides, palish on the abdomen. Whole pileum (from bill to nape, and down to the upper edge of the lores and auriculars), wings, upper tail-coverts, and tail, dusky purplish red, in marked contrast with the ashy tints. Whole throat dilute vermilion or rose-pink ; liming of wing and crissum a paler shade of the same; tibia tinged with pmkish. Wing 3°05, tail 2°75, bill from nostril -45, its depth *40, breadth °35, tarsus °80. I trust that this notice will result in some further infor- mation beg obtained concerning this interesting bird. It is singular that Dr. Arthur Schott durmg his scientific mis- sion to Yucatan does not seem to have come across it*. * See Report on his Bird-collections by Mr. Lawrence, Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. p. 198 e¢ seq. On a new Chinese Owl of the Genus Ketupa. 127 XVI.—On a new Chinese Owl of the Genus Ketupa. By R. Swinnor, H.M. Consul at Ningpo. On the 12th of November, while seated at breakfast, a coun- tryman walked into the room with a pair of huge dead Owls, and put them on the floor before me. They wore the rich buff colour and had the general appearance of the Eagle Owl; and I took them for that species, until my eye caught the bare feet, and I saw that they were of the genus Ketupa. I think this grand species well worthy of the name magnifica. KETUPA MAGNIFICA, 0. sp. Bill deep bluish black, lighter at the base, which is con- cealed by protruding feathers. Inside of mouth pale yellowish flesh-colour. Rim of eyelid deep purplish brown ; iris fine orange-yellow. Exposed portion of tarse and toes dingy, with a tinge of clay-colour, yellowish on terminal scutes of toes ; claws bluish black, fading to light leaden at their bases. General plumage rufous buff, and black. Feathers at the base of upper mandible of the bill between the eyes pure white, ending in black vidrisse ; facial disk rufous, ending in the same way; a semicircle at the back of ear of small white feathers ; feathers of the crown black, with broad buff margins narrowing to the tips, with occasional spots of the same on the black; ear-tufts formed of unequal feathers, longest 31 inches. Dorsals black, with broad basal buff mar- gins, and a few spots of buff (sometimes of white), increas- ing in size and frequency on the scapulars. Rump brownish buff, with large spots of black and buff. Tail black, with six (including the broader apical) rufous bands. On the scapulars and wing-coverts the spots and edgings begin to turn into bands, which on the quills are more regular and broader, though disconnected by the intervention of the stems of the feathers, and not evenly transverse, and the portions on the inner webs often brownerin hue. Axillaries buff, with with a few long drops of black. Chin white leading down- wards to a large white roundish patch which occupies nearly, the whole breast; a wash of buff with dark streaks divides the chin from the beast-spot, the feathers of the last being ¢ 128 On a new Chinese Owl of the Genus Ketupa. streaked centrally with long black drops bordered with buff. The rest of lower parts rufous buff, each feather with a long central drop of black, pointed at base and thickening towards tip, the feathers on the belly haying their buff sides banded with a paler hue of their colour, which does not extend across their central black. Crissum with narrower strie. Downy covering of tarse buff, whitish at back and low down near toes. The female looks rather larger than its male, and is perhaps an inch longer; but I find no appreciable difference im the other measurements. The male has more white behind the ears, and a larger white breast-patch ; and its tarse is plumed for a greater length ; but the fine down with which it is clothed seems to wear off. Measurements of the female :—Length 25 inches; wing very much arched, across are 16°75, pressed flat 174; im rounded state 3 inches short of tail-tip ; 3rd to 6th primaries equal and longest ; Ist 3:4 shorter than the longest; 2nd 1:2 shorter than the same. ‘Tail rounded, of twelve softish hog-backed feathers, 94 long; outer °75 shorter than centrals. Tarse 3°3 long, feathered with down for 2 inches in front, a little lower behind, and + inch less on sides. Middle toe 1°8, its claw 1:1; outer toe 1°5, its claw 1:05; inner toe 1°7, its claw 1°35 ; hind toe 1:2, its claw 1:1. The male has the tarse feathered in front to within 75 inch of where it meets the toes, at the back to ‘25. Dissection.—Thighs and belly and lower part of sternum with thick layers of white fat. Intestines and stomach also imbedded in fat. Lobes of liver small and thick. Stomach of female heart-shaped, empty ; epithelium thick and rugose, and slimed with a dark olive-green juice. Intestines long, thick, and white; ceca about 1°50 from rectum, about 3 inches long, of uniform thickness throughout, and about half that of intestine; cloaca globular. <A large oblong cluster of eggs. Stomach of male crammed with bones and other remains of fishes, the largest about 4imcheslong. Proventriculus 14 mch long, °75 thick at the chest. Testes °25 long, oval, and orange- Ornithological Notes from the Argentine Republic. 129 yellow. Tongue about ‘8 long, shaped like a broad arrow, rounded and split at tip, its back horny, as also edge of front half, which is thin and turned up ; central surface velvety and thick ; back angles edged and dotted with horny papille. Sternum of female rather longer than that of male, shaped much like that of the Harfang or Snowy Owl (Cuv. An. King. Lond. 1849, p. 175). This species is more nearly related to Ketupa flavipes (Hodgs.) than to the other two known species, both in the markings of its upper plumage, and in the plumed state of its shanks; but it differs from all in its bill and claws being black instead of yellowish. The pair were procured on a branch of this river, about fifty miles distant to the south-west, where the country is mountainous, with dark woody ravines, and bush-covered rocks jut out into the water. Freshwater crabs and small fish abound ; and I presume it is after these they wade with their naked feet and partially exposed legs. But the winter is at hand, and the cold has driven the crabs into hibernation ; it is, then, on fish that they now chiefly sub- sist, as the maw of the male proves. But how can they pro- cure them? Their rough and aculeate soles will hold fish well enough, when they have got them between their claws; but I do not think so clumsy a foot could catch a darting mimnow. The head must be immersed for such a purpose, and during his search for food the bird must get very wet. Our winter evenings are foggy and raw, and Owls’ feathers are difficult to dry. Perhaps he contents himself with other food when crabs are in bed for the winter, and the time is not propitious for fishing ! Ningpo, November 28th, 1872. ~~ XVII.— Ornithological Notes from the Argentine Republic. By Witiiam Buiackstone Lez, B.A. From February till July 1871 I was staying at an “ estancia” on the frontier of the Indian territory, about eleven leagues from Frayle Muerto and four or five from the small camp- village of Saladillo. On landing at Buenos Ayres I found it 130 Mr. W. B. Lee’s Ornithological Notes would be very inconvenient to get to my destination in Entre Rios on account of the civil war then gomg on, and in the Hotel de la Paix I met two gentlemen who told me they were going up country to their “ estancia”’ near Frayle Muerto, and most kindly asked me to accompany them. The journey is not very interesting; the river from Buenos Ayres to Rosario is generally clothed on both sides with a jungle of long grass and thick scrubby trees, the home of quantities of large Storks and Herons and wildfowl of several kinds. Now and then a carpincho appeared on the banks or in the water; but this was the only beast to be seen; and altogether the journey is certainly monotonous. From Rosario the railway runs to Cordova; and Frayle Muerto is about halfway. The country is of course perfectly flat ; and the only things to be seen in the way of wild animals are a few deer and Ostriches. On the banks of the river at Frayle Muerto there is some rather pretty wood ; but this disappears directly you leave the banks, and out towards my friends’ “estancia” the only trees are occa- sional small patches of scrubby brushwood scattered often at distances of several leagues from each other over the endless flat plams. These scrubby trees are chiefly algarroba and que- bracho, the former being the best firewood I ever saw ; but so little wood is there that all our firewood had to be brought from Frayle Muerto, about thirty-five miles distance. A river runs just below the “estancia;” but there is no wood along its banks, only a strip of long grass on each side, some two or three hun- dred yards wide, in which the pumas take refuge after supping on the sheep of the “ estancia.” Occasionally, but much more rarely, a jaguar made his appearance. One was killed the Sunday before I got there, and one two or three years before. They were said to be plentiful some twenty or thirty leagues further along the river. We used to ride out with as many dogs as we could collect, and beat along the banks for these animals ; but I never saw a jaguar, and only shot one puma. Deer and Ostriches were plentiful, but shy. Durig the greater part of my stay here the river was almost dry ; but we had a little rain at last; and then there were plenty of Ducks and Blue-winged Teals, and not unfrequently Geese and Swans— from the Argentine Republic. 131 the former white, with black tips to the wings—the latter white, with black necks. A small reddish Grebe was also common. Allover the camp the “small Partridge” was very abundant ; and in the long grass by the river there were always some “big Partridge.” These two birds are the only ones in the country that remind one of game, and are not bad shooting, but very dry and tasteless. The larger bird is about the size of a hen Pheasant, and rises very like one; the small is in size about halfway between a Partridge and a Quail*. Over the grass by the river there were always Harriers (Circus cinereus) beating along with Eagles and Chimangos. ‘These latter and the Caranchos were of course always to be seen wherever there ‘was a carcass. On the whole the variety of birds here was small, as one would expect from the utter absence of wood. Besides Geese, Swans, Ducks, and Partridges, I shot the fol- lowing birds, which have been identified for me by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin from the skins which I brought home :— 1. GERANOAETUS MELANOLEUCUS. A bird which I thought might be the female of this species came and sat on the chimney one night, where I shot it. It was just the same size, and the cere and legs the same colour, but the plumage dark brown, with barred markings. The natives, however, assured me that they had seen both parent birds at a nest in the same blue plumage; so perhaps this was a young bird. 2. CIRCUS CINEREUS. Very common, a most graceful bird; the brilliant yellow of the eyes and legs is very striking. +- 3. HyporriorcHIs FEMORALIS. Not uncommon. 4. 'TINNUNCULUS SPARVERIUS. Very common. 5. PHOLEOPTYNX CUNICULARIA. To be seen everywhere on the plains. * {No doubt ‘Tinamous—the larger Rhynchotis rufescens, the smaller Nothura maculosa.—Ep. | 132 Mr. W. B. Lee’s Ornithological Notes 6. STURNELLA DEFILIPPII. Not so common, and generally in larger flocks. 7. PSEUDOLEISTES VIRESCENS. Common in small flocks. Besides these I observed a bird something like a Golden Plover in shape and size, but with plumage more like a Sand- piper, called by the natives “ Chorlito.” Two kinds of Dove : —one like a very small Turtle Dove, roosting in the scrubby bush ; the other a blue Pigeon with small white spots, about the size of a Dovecote Pigeon, which only appeared now and then, in flocks. Lalso noticed a Woodpecker (Colaptes agri- cola) at a small wood about six miles from Frayle Muerto, - and another (Chrysoptilus cristatus) close to Frayle Muerto— at the former place also the Scissor-bird, Widow bird, and a little bird smaller than a Robin, with a most bril- liant red head and breast, called by the natives ‘Sangre pura.” I forgot to mention among the river-birds a ro- seate-coloured Spoonbill, and a long-legged black-and-white Plover. From July 1871 to February 1872 I was in the province of Entre Rios, on the banks of the Gato, about seven or eight leagues north-west of Gualeguaychu. The river here has a belt of wood on each side; and there are also considerable clumps of trees scattered here and there over the campo. The surface of the ground is much more undulating; and this, with the much greater extent of woods, makes the country more interesting than the country about Cordova. Deer are very scarce, and Ostriches not very common; Carpinchos very plentiful along the river ; there are no pumas or jaguars. One of these latter, however, was lassoed during my stay, at the time of a flood, about ten or twelve leagues off. The floods come down very suddenly; and any beast that has taken up his quarters in the thick wood, which in the turns of the river is often almost impenetrable, is often forced out by the water into the open plains. In the woods on the banks of the Gato I shot specimens of from the Argentine Republic. 133 the following species, which have been likewise identified by Mr. Sclater and Mr. Salvin. 1. PRoGNE CHALYBEA. This Swallow is very common. 2. CYANOCORAX PILEATUS. This bird is common in the woods ; and one generally knows its whereabouts by its noise. It is not easy to procure good specimens, as the feathers are fine and loose, and the bright yellow breast and belly show the smallest stain of blood. 3. TYRANNUS MELANCHOLICUS. Common. ‘The species, however, most frequently met with is a larger bird with a brown back, yellow breast, and a black stripe. through the eye, about as large as a Thrush; it may generally be seen near water, sitting on an overhanging bough and uttering at intervals a loud shrill ery. 4, DRyMORNIS BRIDGESI*. This species is very common. It is said by the natives to suck the eggs of poultry; but I rather doubt this statement. +5. CERYLE TORQUATA. This Kingfisher is not very often met with. Its loud note kek-kek-kek is sure to catch the ear if one happens to fly past, so that it is not likely to escape observation ; but I have not seen many specimens. 6. CERYLE AMERICANA. I do not think this species is rare; but at the same time I saw very few specimens, not more than three or four. + 7. CERYLE AMAZONA. This species is very common. 8. CaAMPEPHILUS BolmI (Wagl.). | This species is comparatively rare. It taps on the trees * [ Nasica bridgesi, Kyton, Contr. Orn. 1849, p. 130, pl. 38: Drymornis \ bridgesi, Kyt. 1. ec. 1852, p.23= Nasica gracilirostris, Burm. La Plata-Reise, ii. p. 446. Of this bird we have also received skins from Mendoza (Weiss- haupt). These are marked as being Dendrocolaptes brunneiceps of the Mus. of Santiago.—P. L. 8. & O.8.] 134 Mr. W. B. Lee’s Ornithological Notes much louder than any other Woodpecker, and can be heard a long way off. I found on dissection that it is the female which has the head entirely red. 9. CHRYSOPTILUS CRISTATUS. One of the commonest birds to be met with in the woods near Gualeguaychu. 10. Picus cacrorum. This is a very pretty and a very common little bird. It and C. cristatus are more numerous than C. agricola; but all three species are frequently to be met with, while C. boii is always scarce. The “capitan” (head man) of one of my friends, on being shown C. dota, recognized the bird at once as having been seen by him on one occasion only, a year or two pre- viously, when he was struck by the black body and brilliant red crest; but he has never again met with it. 11. CoLarrrs AGRICOLA. This Woodpecker is quite common, and is generally seen in open ground. It is often found hopping about over the grass in little parties of three or four. 12. HypropsaLis TORQUATA. This bird may often be seen in the woods on summer even- ings; but it is difficult to procure a good specimen, as one must get near to distinguish the species, and then the shot often spoil the beautiful tail-feathers. 13. NycripROMUS ALBICOLLIS. 14. PopaGuR NACUNDA. Neither of these is uncommon ; and they may be found in much the same localities as Hydropsalis torquata. 'There is a larger kind of Night-jar which sometimes gets up in flocks off the camp when one is riding in the daytime ; it has a large white patch on the wings. 15. BoLBoRHYNCHUS MONACHUS. One of the commonest birds in the country. I noticed three kinds of Parrots during my stay, viz. this species, a smaller variety, of a brighter green colour, and a rather larger bird, with an orange and red patch on the breast. The Jrom the Argentine Republic. 135 latter I often met with in the province of Cordova, but am not aware of having seen it in Entre Rios. 4-16. Rosrramus sociaRitis. So far as I know, I only procured one specimen of this species. It flew overhead by itself as we were lying on the grass. ‘The species appeared to be unknown to every one who saw it; but this evidence is not worth much, as hardly any one in the country took any interest in natural history. I believe, however, from my own observation, that this and Geranospiza cerulescens are very rare. The Geranospiza is such a remarkable-looking bird that even a native would have noticed it. 17. AccIPITER ERYTHROCNEMIS. One specimen of this bird was shot by my companion. I am not aware of having seen any others, but think it would be a very likely bird to escape observation. +18. GERANOSPIZA CHRULESCENS. Of this bird I never saw but one specimen, which I shot ; and on showing it to one or two natives, they said they had never seen one like it; nor had my friend, who had been in the habit of shooting for several years in the country. The crop was full of bits of the unfledged young of some bird ; and as there were nests of Parrots and Caranchos near, I have no doubt they supplied the victims. ‘The slate-coloured plumage, orange-red legs, bright yellow eyes, and long brightly coloured tail make this a very handsome bird. 19. 'TINNUNCULUS SPARVERIUS. This is another most beautiful little Falcon, and one of the commonest birds in the country. + 20. Hyvorrrorcuis FEMORALIS. A beautiful and most graceful Faleon, reminding one strongly both of the Peregrine and the Hobby, especially the latter, though its wings are not quite so long as those of the Hobby. ‘This bird is not uncommon, and is oftener seen at some distance from the woods than any other Hawk I have mentioned. 136 _ Mr. W. B. Lee’s Ornithological Notes 21. AsTURINA PUCHERANI™. In a walk through the woods one was islerably sure to see two or three specimens of this bird. It has a very heavy flapping flight, and may be recognized by this peculiarity, and by the very rounded shape of its wings. It is nearly always to be seen perched on the very top of a tree, its blackish head contrastmg very distinctly with its lght- coloured breast. The very pale amber-colour of the eyes is unlike that of any other Hawk that I know. I once found a small snake in the crop, and on another occasion some whitish stuff which stank most abominably. 22. BuTEO PTEROCLES. This species appears in immense flocks, remaining for a few days, and then disappearing entirely for weeks. I have seen the sky quite full of these birds ; and on one occasion, having shot several, I found their crops full of grasshoppers. ;- 23. URvBITINGA MERIDIONALIS. This bird is not at all rare. It is readily known by the red plumage and the great breadth of the wings. 24. GERANOAETUS MELANOLEUCUS. This bird is very common wherever I have been in the Ar- gentine Republic and in the Banda Oriental. It may nearly always be seen soaring over the campo. It will feed on any dead carcass; and I have also found its crop full of grass- hoppers. Why it should be called a “ Sea-Hagle” I cannot imagine. 25. HARPYHALIAETUS CORONATUS. There were generally one or two of these about the country ; but I seldom saw more of them together. The first I saw killed had been feeding on some dead sheep, and was shot by a friend of mine. It was a female bird and very savage. We had to get a heavy log, and, having knocked the bird over backwards, put the log across her breast and pressed it down on each end. Her strength of grip was very great. The wounded bird showed great courage, with crest erect, striking at every thing near her. | * Sel. et Salv. Ex. Orn. p. 177, pl. Ixxxix. from the Argentine Republic. 137 26. BuBo VIRGINIANUS. This large bird is not uncommon. I shot two specimens and saw one or two others; and it was well known. 27. OTUS BRACHYOTUS. I only got one specimen of the Short-eared Owl, and am not aware of having seen any others; but I do not fancy that it is rare. -F 28. Scors BRAsILIANUS. I shot one of this species, and saw no others; but it is of course an unlikely bird to be met with, not only from its being an Owl, but from its small size. 29. PHOLEOPTYNX CUNICULARIA. This bird may be seen all over the campo. It seems always to frequent the biscacho holes in the Argentine Republic. 30. ARDEA SIBILATRIX. This species is decidedly scarce. I only had a chance of getting two specimens, male and female, both of which I was fortunate enough to secure. + 31. Buroripes cyanuRvs. I only procured one or two specimens of this bird, and be- lieve it to be scarce. 32. PARRA JACANA. I shot this bird on a large swampy laguna some four leagues from where I was living, and it may be common in such places ; but I never met with it on the lagunas near home, which were much smaller. + 33. ERIsMATURA DOMINICA. I got one specimen of this bird, and am not aware of having seen any others. The long stiff tail-feathers seemed to me pe- culiar. It is a very expert diver; and I watched it in a deep part of the river diving and remaining under water a long time on each occasion. The above notes only apply to the banks of the Gato, seven or eight leagues from Gualeguaycht ; and such birds as Ardea sibilatrix or Butorides cyanurus mav verv likely be commoner SER. UI.—VOL. II. L 138 Capt. G. E. Shelley on six new along the larger rivers, the Gato being a good deal smaller than the river one crosses to get from it to the town. In addition to the three Woodpeckers I have mentioned, I also saw on two occasions another species, apparently rather smaller than Chrysoptilus cristatus, but marked with large vatches of black and white. I also noticed very large Storks with white breasts and black wings, a bluish grey Heron, a bird the natives call Jaca, about the size of a Turkey, with two sharp spurs on each wing ; and occasionally I think I saw in Cordova a small black Vulture, which I afterwards saw often in the Banda Oriental, and which the natives call “Cuervo.” Of course Caranchos, Chimangos, and Teroteros or Spur-winged Plover swarmed everywhere. The egg of the latter is very like that of the Pewit. Snipes I don’t think I ever saw in Cordova; but I shot two or three in Entre Rios, and my companion said he once had a decent morning’s shooting at them. The Widow bird and little “Sangre Pura” were very common about the Gato, and of course a great variety of other small birds ; but I only at- tempted to collect the Hawks, Owls, Woodpeckers, and King- fishers ; and I think I must have got nearly all there were to be found in that part. XVIII.—Descriptions of six new Species of West-African Birds. By Captain G. E. SHEttey. 1. Scops IcTERORHYNCHUS, sp. nov. Above tawny-brown, finely pencilled with dark brown; a few of the feathers of the forehead are nearly white, with black shafts; those of the crown are palest towards their centres, especially the ones forming the ear-tufts; and all are trian- gularly barred with narrow wavy streaks of dark brown; the feathers of the face above the eyes are buff, their ends narrowly edged with dark brown; those in front of the eyes have a rather more rufous tinge; and those on the cheeks and ear- coverts are similar in colour to the crown, but of a looser tex- ture; the frill of feathers round the face, towards the chin, is buff, with black ends fading into brown at their extremities. Species of West-African Birds. 139 The feathers of the back are partially barred with arrow- headed spots narrowly edged with dark brown. Tail tawny- brown, partially barred towards the centre of the feathers with a shade of paler brown, these bars imperfectly edged with black. Wings similar in colour to the back; a few feathers on the shoulders (smaller scapulars) have their outer webs buffy white, with two or three distinct black bars; and one or two of the middle scapulars are similarly marked ; the pri- maries have on their outer webs five or six broad creamy white bars, most perfect on the outer primaries; the imner web of the primaries and both webs of the secondaries are barred with blackish brown, the intermediate tawny bars fading into white towards the basal portion of the mner webs, more es- pecially of the secondaries. The lesser coverts are similar to the back, but a shade darker; the primary coverts are barred with brownish black and buffy white, and a few of the larger coverts have a broad white bar on their outer webs. The throat and under surface of the body are brownish buff, the feathers similarly marked to those of the back, with the white and dark brown more distinct on the chest. Tarsi buff nar- rowly barred with brown; claws yellow, shaded with black towards their tips. Beak yellow. Entire length 7:5, culmen 1:00; wing, carpus to tip, 5°25; tail 3°20, tarsus 0°85. Hab. Fantee: collected by Governor Ussher. 2. DRryoDROMAS NIGRICEPS, Sp. nov. Entire upper part of the head, lores, cheeks, and ear-coverts black, washed with slaty grey. Back and lesser wing-coverts yellow ; upper tail-coverts slaty grey. Wings black, with a narrow grey edging to a portion of the greater primaries ; outer web of the scapulars and secondaries edged with yellow. Tail slaty black with obsolete bars, and all the feathers broadly tipped with white, which colour runs some way down the ex- terior web of the outer one. Chin, throat, and underparts white, washed with yellow on the sides of the breast and flanks. Beak black; tarsi and feet brownish flesh-colour. Irides hazel. LQ 140 Capt. G. HE. Shelley on six new Entire length 3°4, culmen 0°45; wing, carpus to tip, 1°80; tail 1°55, tarsus 0°65. Hab. Abouri in Aguapim. The description is taken from a single specimen, which I shot on the 22nd of February 1872, in the thick foliage of a large tree ; it was active in its habits, which resemble those of the Willow Warbler. 3. BRADYORNIS MODESTA, Sp. Nov. Entire upper parts uniform hair-brown. Wings and tail brown, with narrow pale edgings to the feathers; inner web of the quills partially edged with rufous buff. A patch m- front of the eyes nearly white; sides of the head and neck pale hair-brown. Underparts white shaded with hair-brown on the breast; flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts shaded with more rufous brown; under wing-coverts and edges of the interior web of the quills rufous buff. Beak brown, paler towards the base of the lower mandible ; tarsiand feet brown ; irides brown. Entirel ength 6°2, culmen 0°55 ; wing, carpus to tip, 3°3; tail 3, tarsus 0.85. Hab. Abokobi. The description is taken from a single specimen shot by myself on the 26th of February 1872, in a clearing in the middle of thick underwood, where it was perched on a bare twig, like a common Flycatcher. | 4. HyPHANTORNIS SUPERCILIOSUS, Sp. Nov. a. Breeding-plumage.—Centre of the forehead and crown black, the feathers towards the nape being edged with olive- yellow; a broad yellow eyebrow commences at the nostril, where it is shaded with umber-brown and extends behind the ear-coverts ; cheeks, portion of the ear-coverts, chin, and upper part of the throat black. Nape and back yellowish olive, with brown centres to the feathers, shading into hair- brown on the rump and upper tail-coverts. Wings and tail brown, the feathers narrowly edged with brownish buff. Under surface of the body golden-yellow, with a deeper shade towards the throat, and shading into brownish buff on the Species of West-African Birds. 141 abdomen, thighs, and under tail-coverts ; outside of the thighs shaded with darker brown; under wing-coverts brownish buff. Beak black, shaded with horn-colour on the mandible ; tarsi, feet, and claws pale brown. Entire length 4°9, culmen 0°6; wing, carpus to tip 2°5 ; tail 1:8, tarsus 0°75. b. Winter plumage.—Cenutre of the forehead and crown black shading into brown on the nape; a broad brownish buff eyebrow commencing at the nostril, where it is shaded with rufous ; feathers in front of the eye, upper part of the ear-coverts, and a few feathers on the chin black. Back and upper tail-coverts brown, with pale edges to the feathers. Wings and tail dark brown, feathers narrowly edged with brownish buff. Under- parts brownish buff, fading almost into white on the centre of the abdomen and shaded with rufous on the throat, sides of the head, flanks, and thighs ; a few of the feathers tinged with yellow, showing the coming breeding-plumage ; under wing-coverts rufous-buff. Beak horn-colour ; lower mandible shaded with buff, and with a large buff patch towards the gape. Tarsi, feet, and claws flesh-brown. Specimen @ is probably in nearly full breeding-plumage, the brownish buff of the thighs and under tail-coverts being possibly the remains of the winter dress. This specimen is in Mr. R. B. Sharpe’s collection, and was given him by Mr. W. Wilson Saunders. 6 comes from Accra, where it was shot in the beginning of March 1872, and is now in my own collection. 5. LAGONosTICTA POLIONOTA, Sp. NOV. Very nearly allied to L. rubricata of South Africa. Centre of the forehead, crown, and nape slate-colour faintly tinged with ruby-red; sides of the forehead and head ruby- red, the basal portion of the ear-coverts slaty grey. Back and wings slaty brown ; upper tail-coverts bright ruby-red ; tail black, the basal half of the outer webs of the feathers washed with ruby-red. Chin, throat, and underparts ruby- red, with the centre of the abdomen, thighs, and under tail- coverts black washed with slate-grey towards the chest ; a few 14.2 On six new Species of West-African Birds. . white specks on the sides of the chest. Beak slaty grey ; tarsi, feet, and claws slaty brown, irides dark brown. Entire length 3°70, culmen 0°45 ; wing, carpus to tip, 2°00 ; tail 1°50, tarsus 0°50. An immature specimen has the nape, back, and wings washed with yellowish brown, no white specks on the sides of the chest ; lower parts of the chest and abdomen yellowish-brown sparingly mottled with ruby-red. The descriptions are taken from three specimens collected by myself at Cape-Coast Castle on the 6th of March. This species is nearly as abundant as L. rufopicta, which it resembles in its habits, bemg met with in small flocks at the edge of thick brushwood, and often feeding on the paths, especially the wider ones, or in the clearings. 6. CALANDRELLA BUCKLEY], Sp. Nov. Forehead, crown, and back of the neck rufous brown, each feather with a central stripe of brownish black; back and scapulars dark brown, with paler edges to the feathers ; rump nearly uniform brown, shading into rufous on the upper tail- coverts, the two centre ones of which are elongated and have a brownish black stripe down their centres. The tail has the two centre feathers rufous, with a nearly black stripe down their centres, of varying thickness; outer feather and outer web of the next one rufous buff, the former having the inner web partially edged with brownish black ; remainder of the tail brownish black. Wings brown, the feathers edged with buff ; most of the wing-coverts shading into brownish black towards their extremities, which have a partial bar of rufous with a broad buffy white edging. Sides of the head mottled with dark brown, border of the ear-coverts uniform buff. Under- parts buff, palest on the chim, throat, and centre of the abdo- domen, and shaded with yellowish rufous on the front of the chest, flanks, and tail-coverts ; the feathers on the front of the chest have a more or less perfect brown spot at their ends. Beak brownish flesh-colour, shading into dark brown towards the culmen and end of the lower mandible ; tarsi, {eei, and claws flesh-colour ; irides brown. Notes on the Ornithology of Sardinia. 143 Entire length 5.00, culmen 0°50; wing, carpus to tip, 2°80; tail 2:00, tarsus 0°85, hind toe 0°25. Hab. Accra. The description is taken from three specimens shot close to Accra by Mr. T. E. Buckley and myself. In this part of the country it is by no means uncommon. We always met with it singly or in pairs on the sandy plain, which is much inter- spersed with bushes; it was never observed to mount in the air, but flew rather in a Pipit-like manner for ashort distance when disturbed. <A fourth specimen, in Mr. Sharpe’s collec- tion, was killed at Accra in May. XIX.—WNotes on the Ornithology of Sardinia. By A. B. Brooxg, F.Z.S. Havine paid four visits to the Island of Sardinia, during which I devoted much attention to its ornithology, I am in hopes the following remarks, based almost entirely upon per- sonal observation, may prove of some interest. My visits, which extended over the greater part of the months March. April, May, June, November, and December, of the years 1869, 1871, and 1872, were exclusively confined to the south- west corner of Sardinia, which contains an area of about one sixth of the whole island, and is isolated from the remaining portion by the large flat plain which runs in a north-westerly direction from Cagliari to Oristano, a distance of nearly seventy miles. This plain, which has an average breadth of from seven to ten miles, remaining, as it does, in a great degree uncultivated, owing to its excessive unhealthiness, forms a marked feature in the physical geography of the island, with which are connected, as can be easily imagined, many zoolo- gical facts of considerable interest. In the uncultivated parts it is covered with a dense undergrowth, four or five feet in height, composed principally of cistus, myrtle, privet, heather, and lentiscus. In this sea of cover are found the haunts of very many of the smaller Warblers, the harsh grating call- notes of Melizophilus sardus, Curruca melanocephala, and Sylvia conspicillata becoming in early summer mornings, if 144. Mr. A. B. Brooke on the possible, tedious from their incessant repetition. It is also here that Otis tetrax, the only Bustard as yet discovered in Sardinia, finds a congenial home, its unrelaxing watchfulness and wildness rendering it a task of some difficulty to secure specimens in such a stronghold. In winter the plain is the favourite hunting-ground of many of the Raptores,—hares, rabbits, Partridges, and the dead or sickly individuals of large flocks of sheep and goats (which are fed there during that season) affording them constant food. To the north and south of the plain the mountains rise gradually, those on the north forming the high chain of the Geimargentu, those on the south the less elevated range of Monte Limas. The scenery of the latter range is wild and picturesque to an extreme, pos- sessing a character peculiar to itself. The lower slopes of the mountains are covered with forests of ilex, and cork trees of vast age and growth. These decrease in size as a higher ele- vation is attained, becoming dwarfed and stunted into mere pigmy shrubs, which frequently present the most eccentric shapes, their irregular arms being covered with long pendent moss. In some instances the summits of the mountains, which reach 4000 feet, are overgrown with forest continuous with that which clothes the valleys and slopes ; but more generally they are bare, rounded in form, and covered with grass and herbs, which possess a considerable aromatic fragrance. The valley of Monte Marno intersects the Monte Limas range, dividing it into two very nearly equal parts. Immediately to the north of this valley the mountains are broken up into thousands of jagged pinnacles, varying in height from 100 to 500, or perhaps 1000 feet, which jut up bare and naked from the rich forests surrounding their bases. These form the last refuge of the Moufion in this range ; and I trust that for some years to come the species may, amongst these in many places impracticable fastnesses, defy extinction. In the lower forests are found very diminutive races of the Wild Boar and Red Deer, the same law which I shall have occasion to allude to as affecting the avifauna of the island having apparently laid its mark upon the larger mammalia with still clearer impress. Ornithology of Sardinia. 145 Round Cagliari and Oristano lie numerous large brackish lagoons, of which Scaffa and Quarto, at Caghari, and 8S. Giusto, at Oristano, are the most important. These, in winter, are the haunts of large flocks of Flamingos and innumerable Ducks and Waders of different species. My time, however, was, I regret to say, too short to do justice to either of these most interesting localities. At Cagliari there is a good local museum containing a very fair collection of the’ birds of the island. It is, however, nearly useless, begin miserable dis- order, and only open for a few hours twice a week; and al- though I several times asked permission to remain a little longer, or to have the cases opened, I was never allowed to do so. In order to make these notes as easy of reference and as perfect as possible, I have in a large measure adopted the no- menclature of Professor Blasius in his ‘ List of the Birds of Europe,’ and have, where my own experience fails me, bor- rowed information from Count Salvadori’s excellent list of the birds of Sardinia, published in vol. vi. “degh Atti della So- cieta Italiana di Scienze Naturali,’ m 1864, and also from Signor Gaetano Cara’s older work, ‘ Ornithologia Sarda,’ pub- lished in 1842—the only other treatise connected with the subject with which I am acquainted being Cetti’s ancient work published at Sassari in 1766. My best thanks are due to Mr. R. B. Sharpe for the kind trouble he has taken in advising me with respect to many poimts which I have submitted to his consideration, and also to Signor Gaetano Cara, of Caghari, for the courteous kind- ness shown to me by him during my stay there. 1. Gyps FULVUS. This Vulture is by no means uncommon, is resident, and - breeds in the island. Their appearance, however, in some localities is uncertain, many days passing without one being seen. In Sardinia they are far from bold, but are extremely shy and suspicious ; and I have frequently seen them refuse to be attracted by the most tempting pieces of meat, after having soared round once or twice, and failed to satisfy them- 146 Mr. A. B. Brooke on the selves of the perfect safety of the locality. The greatest number I ever recollect having seen together was on one oc- casion near Oristano, when I counted about eighty soaring over a dead carcass. For a long time previously I had been watching them floating in from all quarters, at a great height, with marvellous rapidity. Both this and the following species seem to have a habit of resorting, night after night, to the same place to roost. One of these roosting-spots I visited. It was on the top of a bare tolerably isolated hill, between 3000 and 4000 feet in height. The highest point was composed of a cluster of precipitous rocks, with a few old stunted ilices growing along their face. Both in the rocks and trees there were evident signs of large numbers of Vultures resorting to this place to roost; and the goatherd who accompanied me told me he had frequently seen as many as thirty or forty fly out whilst passing with his goats early in the morning. On that occasion I remained till after dark, but only one bird came; this, no doubt, was on account of my visit being during the breeding-season, when the old birds were busy attending on their young, and the cock bird was probably roosting in the vicinity of the nest. 2. VULTUR MONACHUS. This species is, I think, the commonest Vulture in Sardinia, one or more of these magnificent birds being constantly in sight, floating round at various heights, often looking like a mere dot against the sky. A nest I found, as late as the Ist of June, was built high up in the mountains, on the very top of an old stunted ilex, forming a large shallow platform, about 5 feet long by 4 broad. It was roughly composed of dried sticks of considerable size, and lined with alittle goat’s-hair ; most of the latter, however, was probably the remnants of the food brought to feed their young. Numerous leg-bones &c. lying about testified to the ample manner in which this had been effected. There was only one young bird in the nest, covered with a very dark brown down ; the primaries and tail- feathers, Just beginning to show, were nearly quite black ; its legs, which were very large in proportion to its body, were a Ornithology of Sardinia. 147 dirty white faintly tinged with pale lemon-colour. There were two or three other nests close by, from which the young birds had flown, suggesting the idea that this species is in the habit of nesting in small parties. The nests can be easily seen from a long distance by ascending the mountains, as on looking down over the forests they appear like large flat plat- forms, always being placed on the very summits of the trees. The rapidity with which these birds can devour the remains of a dead sheep or bullock is extraordinary. On one occasion I had placed the skinned carcass of a moderate-sized sheep in an open vineyard surrounded by thick cover, in hopes of attracting some birds of prey. I had sat by it for several hours without any thing having perceived it, and, getting tired of waiting, moved away 200 or 300 yards. I had scarcely done so when a common Kite (Milvus ictinus), flying by, caught sight of the meat, and, after soaring round once or twice, lit ; he was hardly down when a Cinereous Vulture appeared at a great height, rapidly descending in circles, which became smaller and smaller as he neared the ground ; he was followed in quick succession by two Ravens, another Kite, another Cinereous Vulture, and an Eagle (Aguila bonellii, I think), which latter, however, did not light, but kept soaring round and round. In the mean time I stalked to the spot as quickly as possible, and managed to kill a Vulture, and then, to my sur- prise, on looking at the sheep, found literally nothing left but the clean-picked ribs, backbone, and head. I feel quite sure that I am over the mark when I say six or seven minutes was the outside limit of the time the Vultures were on the ground, and one bird not more than half that time. The one I shot was a fine old female, weighing 16} lbs.; the weight of a male I afterwards shot was only 15 lbs. ; the length of the female in the flesh was 41 inches, from carpal joint to end of wing 30 inches. Vultures do not appear to begin to hunt very early in the morning, but wait until the sun is well up; and few are to be seen during the extreme heat of the day, which seems to show that they rest at that time. Their power of going without food must be very great, as it is improbable that a comparatively small island like Sardinia supplies enough 148 Mr. A. B. Brooke on the dead carcasses to give each bird a meal every day. These birds hunt over an enormous extent of country; the pace with which they soar through the air, when going from one point to another, can only be realized from the inconceivable rapidity with which they pass out of sight on a clear day when flying at great heights. 3. GYPAETUS BARBATUS. This noble bird is decidedly common, a pair being in pos- session of every separate range of hills, which they appear to regard as their own territory, and from which they are sel- dom to be found far distant. They are generally seen single or in pairs ; but now and then I have observed three, and on one occasion four, together. As a rule they are most decidedly mountain-birds ; but occasionally a simgle bird may be seen hunting over the plains and cultivated lands, not flying more than 100 yards high. The nest of one found on the 18th of April, was built on a broad ledge of a precipitous cliff about 300 feet high, within 20 feet of the top, and was completely sheltered from the severity of the weather by a large over- hanging piece of rock. After some trouble I discovered a way by which, with a little care, I managed to get on to the ledge, much to the discomfort of the solitary inmate, a young nestling, covered as yet with a pale yellowish brown down (figured in ‘ Birds of Europe, Sharpe and Dresser, part 15). The nest itself was an accumulation of dried sticks with a cup-shaped hollow in the middle, and had evidently been used for years. In it, and on the surrounding ledge, were great quantities of the leg-bones and feet of goats Xc., and a part of a fox’s lower jaw; these being in all stages of putrefaction, the smell was abominable. The old female, on my first visit to the nest, sat extremely close, and, although I was standing over her within 7 or 8 yards, would not leave her young until I fired a shot, upon which she dashed off, dropping almost perpendicularly, and was out of range before I could fire. She flew over the valley and lit on a high pro- jecting rocky pinnacle, upon which I could see her through the telescope, sitting quietly watching all my proceedings. Ornithology of Sardinia. 149 She returned to the nest shortly afterwards, on my having retired to a little distance. Wishing to secure a specimen, I managed to obtain a difficult but unsuccessful shot as she repeated the same manceuvre. The male bird was in sight when I first found the nest, but disappeared almost imme- diately, and did not return. 4. AQUILA CHRYSAETUS is the commonest Eagle in the island. A nest found on the 21st of April was built on a grassy ledge of a small pre- cipice, and contained two eggs. One was addled; but the other was just beginning to chip; so I took it home and had it hatched under a hen; but unfortunately the young bird died in less than a week, from having been overfed during my absence. The weight of the old female, which I shot, was 11 lb. 90z.; her crop was full of mutton in a high state of decomposition. 5. AQUILA BONELLII. Common. I have seen these birds repeatedly hunting over the plain and round the “ stagnos” of Oristano. They are also abundant in the mountains. 6. HALIAETUS ALBICILLA. I never met with this bird myself; but it is mentioned in both Cara’s and Salvadori’s catalogues, the latter having seen one near Caghiari. I found what I took to be a nest of this species on the island of Vacca, off the S.W. corner of Sardinia ; it was very large, and built on the point of a precipice imme- diately overhanging the sea. This was on the Sth of May; and the young birds had flown. 7. PANDION HALIAETUS is stated not to be uncommon along the sea-shore. I saw none during the winter. The nest above mentioned might have belonged to this species. 8. CIRCAETUS GALLICUS. These birds seem to be rare on the island, only visiting it during their migration ; and I cannot find any mention of their having been discovered breeding. I saw one on the 8th of 150 Mr. A. B. Brooke on the April near Villacidro, flapping slowly and heavily over the ground, not more than 100 yards off; and afterwards I saw two more in the vicinity of St. Antioco, but never met with it elsewhere. This Eagle is generally one of the first summer migrants to appear at Genoa; and some years they pass over this place in very considerable numbers, arriving as early as the end of March. 9. BurEo Lacorpvus. There is one specimen of this bird, stuffed, in the museum at Caghari, which Cara mentions as having been killed near Iglesias in the winter of 1834. 10. Burro vuLearis. Very common, breeding in the large forests. I was greatly struck with the small size of all the Sardinian Buzzards I saw, both alive and dead, compared with continental ones. The measurements of a male taken in the flesh, killed on the 8th of March, were as follows :—Length 18:5, wing 13:7, tarsus 3°3, culmen 1:1. Their chief food in Sardinia consists of lizards, beetles, &c., occasionally varied with young rab- bits. Once I remember seeing one of these birds hovermg for a considerable time, head to wind, like a common Kestrel. 11. Mitvvus ictinvs. Very common. A pair in the habit of regularly hunting round Villacidro were the terror of all the old fowl-women in the town, and, in spite of every precaution, frequently proved too quick for them, and carried off chickens from before their very door. 12. Mitvus mMIeGRANS. There is one specimen, stuffed, in the museum at Cagliari, which I was assured positively by Signor Cara had been killed in the island. I myself, however, neither procured nor saw this bird in a state of nature. 13. FaLco PEREGRINUS. Very common, breeding in the inland cliffs and along the sea-coast, in both of which localities I have seen their nests. These birds struck me as being very much smaller than con- tinental ones. _ Ornithology of Sardinia. 151 Since writing the above, my friend, Mr. R. B. Sharpe, has communicated to me his opinion that the specimens procured by me in Sardinia are distinct from the Peregrine Falcon of continental Europe, and has done me the honour to name the species after me (Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. January 1873, p- 21). 14. Fanco SaKER. There is an immature Falcon in the museum at Cagliari, which Salvadori, in a note at the end of his list, refers to this species. It was killed on the banks of the “‘stagno” of St. Gilla in February 1842; and Cara mentions having received two other specimens. I was not able to satisfy myself with respect to this bird, owing to the careful manner (before mentioned) in which all the cases in the museum were kept locked, and the specimens stowed one behind the other in imextricable confusion. 15. Fatco BARBARUS. I shot a pair of these Falcons on the island of Vacca, on the 5th of May 1871. They were immature birds, male and female, and had a peculiar worn and faded look, caused, I think, by bad health, as on opening them I found a number of some species of entozoon in their stomachs, which I see was also the case with two Barbary Falcons shot by Mr. Salvin in the Atlas Mountains (Ibis, 1859, p. 184). At the time I took them for a pair of young unhealthy Peregrines, but afterwards, bemg puzzled by them, showed them, amongst others, to Messrs. J. H. Gurney, Gould, &c., who agreed in considering them the true F. barbarus. The measurements of my birds do not agree entirely with those given by Mr. Salvin, the female being 154 inches in length, and the male 15, whereas his birds measured respec- tively 13} and 13 inches. In length of wings they agree with Mr. Salvin’s bird, the Sardinian specimens thus ap- pearing much shorter-winged birds in proportion to their length*. * [The difference is more apparent than real, the total lengths in onr specimens having been taken from the skins.—Hb. ] 152 Mr. A. B. Brooke on the | 16. Fatco ELEONOR&. “Toro” and “ Vacca,” two barren uninhabited twin rocks, rising precipitously out of the sea, off the S.W. corner of Sar- dinia, form perhaps the principal headquarters of these beau- tiful Falcons in the Mediterranean. Vacca (which I visited) hes eight miles from the Sardinian coast, and two miles south of the small thinly inhabited island of “St. Antioco.” Its length is about a quarter of a mile, its breadth not quite somuch. “Toro” is, I believe, rather the larger island of the two, and is situated seven or eight miles further south. Owing to the extreme difficulty of landing, except in the calmest weather, these islands are seldom visited, and then only by fishermen, who occasionally land to dry their nets. The precipitous cliffs of ‘‘ Vacca,” especially those on the east side of the rock, are the favourite haunts of the Eleonora Falcon; and here they pass the entire year and breed. It was early in May when I explored these cliffs ; and although this Falcon is not supposed to breed until much later in the year, yet I feel almost certain that they were nesting at the time of my visit. If this be not so, I do not know how to account for the large number of birds (about twenty or twenty-five pairs) that I found continually on the rock during the day-time persistently returning and flying into the same holes, and that after having been fired at, and wounded, as was the case with several individuals. The man- ner also in which they flew im circles, screaming over my head, exhibited a similar annoyance to that displayed by Peregrines when thew nest is disturbed. I also fancied several times that I heard the young birds squealing in their nests. I tried unsuccessfully to make this certain by reaching the breed- ing-holes, but found that it was absolutely impossible without the ropes and tackle necessary for such an undertaking. On the top of the cliffs I found numerous chosen places where the Falcons picked their prey previously to carrying it to their young. The remnants consisted solely of the remains of Insessores, which must have been obtained on the opposite shores of Sardinia, as the only species observed by me on Vacca was the common Wheatear (S. wenanthe), of which I Ornithology of Sardinia. 153 saw a solitary pair. The stomachs of all the Eleonora Falcons examined by me (four in number) also contained the remains of small birds. Two old males that I obtained were in their beautiful adult dark slaty-blue plumage. A third, a young male, probably of the previous year, differed from adult fe- males in the much darker colour of its breast, and also in the colour of its feet, which were of a decided orange-yellow, in- stead of the pale yellow faintly tinged with green character- istic of the old female bird. The wings of the four specimens, as they lay before me in the flesh, reached almost exactly level with the end of their tails, not extending beyond. 17. Fauco suBBUTEO. I only once saw this bird, in April, hawking high in the air for flies &c. over a nearly dried-up river-course. I think it is merely a bird of passage. 18. Fatco vESPERTINUS. Passes annually in spring. 19. Fatco msaLon. A winter visitor, during which season it is not uncommon. 20. Fauco cencHRIs. I found a pair of these birds breeding in the high rocks behind Villacidro in company with great numbers of the com- mon Kestrel during the month of May. ‘They are not com- , mon, and this is the only occasion on which I observed them. They are very easily distinguished from F. tinnunculus by their cry, which is quite different, bemg much shorter, con- sisting of only three notes. Inthe stomach of a male I found the remains of a lizard and several grasshoppers. Canon Tristram informs me he observed a few pairs breeding on the south-east coast im 1856. 21. Faco TINNUNCULUS. Extremely common all the year round. Their principal food during the summer is locusts ; and I have watched them flying into their nests, eight and ten at a time, each bird holding a locust in its claws. The amount of good they must do in thus helping to lessen one of the greatest curses of the island SER. I1J.— VOL. III. M 154, Mr. A. B. Brooke on the is incalculable. They are also very fond of lizards; and the crop of one which I killed in March was crammed with their remains, both large and small. 22. ASTUR PALUMBARIUS. Very common. One day, when stalking Moufflon, I came suddenly upon an old female in a wild rocky gorge, engaged picking a Woodpigeon she had just killed ; instead of leaving it, as I expected, she gave one look of defiance over her shoulder, seized it in her claws, and dashed off down the mountain, gliding and steering her way through the thick forest in the most marvellous manner. Another, a young male, which I shot, was on the point of taking a three-quarter- grown rabbit. This bird had the remains of a Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) in his stomach. Two males weighed respectively 1 lb. 6 0z. and 1lb. 40z. I mention these ap- parently insignificant details, as I believe that all facts tending to show that permanent differentiation of form that has been effected by isolation consequent upon an island life (even though that differentiation consists in many instances in a large change as to size accompanied by but slight changes of coloration) may lead, if carefully recorded and followed out, to fresh light bemg thrown upon some questions of the highest zoological interest. 23. ACCIPITER NISUS. Not very common, and I have only observed them during the winter. 24. CIRCUS ZRUGINOSUS. Very common about the plain; and round the neighbour- hood of Oristano these Harriers swarm. A nest I found in the end of April was built in the middle of a reedy marshy lake, placed halfway up the stems of the reeds, just clear of the water; the bottom was formed of rough coarse sticks, and the interior of dried. matted rushes, in some cases with their roots attached, the egg lying carelessly in the middle. Out of all the numbers that passed under my notice, I never observed any, excepting in the dark brown plumage with the Ornithology of Sardinia. 155 yellow head, a few showing buff markings, more or less, on the scapulars &c. 25. Circus CYANEUS. During the winter Hen-Harriers are tolerably common about the plains and “ stagnos ;” but I never remember seeing them in the summer, and I think few, if any, remain at that season. 26. Circus CINERACEUS. There are two specimens in the museum at Cagliari, an adult and an immature bird. 27. CARINE NOCTUA. Common all the year round. The Little Owl seems to in- habit mountains and plain alike, on the former frequenting the rocks, on the latter the old stunted ilex, cork trees, &e. 28. Scops @1v. A few remain all the year round; but their numbers are considerably increased during the summer. I have seen spe- cimens killed near Oristano early in March. They are very common in the oak forests in the mountains; and their mo- notonous cry is to be heard on a still night from all quarters. A pair took up their abode in the old deserted bishop’s palace at Villacidro, and used to issue forth every evening at dusk, from which time their note could be heard uninterruptedly all the night through. 29. AsIo OTUS. Not common. There are two specimens in the museum at Cagliari. 30. ASIO ACCIPITRINUS. There are several specimens in the museum. Salvadori found them not uncommon in January in the salt-works near Cagliari. 31. ALUCO FLAMMEUS. Common all the year round. [To be continued. ] M 2 156 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the XX.—On the Genus Platystira andits Allies. By R. BowpLer Suarpg, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c., Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum. (Plate IV.) By all students of African ornithology the genus Platystira is admitted to be full of perplexities ; and any attempt at a mono- graphic revision of it must be a step in the right direction. I have taken some pains to examine large series of these birds, contained principally in the national and my own collections ; and by rejecting all statements which seem to be at all open to doubt, I trust that I shall be able to place the genus on a satis- factory footing, and so assist future research. Any record re- jected by me as untrustworthy at the present time will easily be reinstated afterwards, if found to be correct; or, on the other hand, my verdict will be confirmed by subsequent observation. The late Mr. G. R. Gray, in his ‘ Hand-list ’ (vol. 1. p. 329), admitted thirteen species which he considered to belong to Platystira, placmg them under the subgenera Platystira, Batis, Diaphorophya, Myiophila, Lanioturdus, and Stenostira. I have never seen the type of Myiophila; but it can scarcely be separable from Diaphorophya, and is, I suspect, the same as D. blissetti. The last two species placed by Mr. Gray in Pla- tystira, viz. no. 4951, P. plumbea, and no. 4952, P. semipar- tita, I can hardly allow within the limits of the genera now to be considered. No. 4951 is a Parisoma; and no. 4952 is not a Stenostira, but may be referable to Cassinia, where Dr. von Heuglin places it. The consideration of these two genera I must leave for a general paper on the African Muscicapide. Key to the Genera. a. Wing less than double the length of tail. a’, Eye surrounded by an erect wattle ........ 1. Platystira. b'. No eye-wattle. a''. Wing short, falling short of the tail by more than the length of the culmen; beak nL L(t REO Gioia aon Ao ator 2. Batis. b", Wing very long, reaching to the tip of the tail, or not falling short of it by the Genus Platystira and its Allies. 157 length of the culmen; beak rather com- PYESSE Cpe ete vic erst sio/ ct wre ergiteheebatsialgta apets.« 3. Lanioturdus. 6. Wing more than double the length of tail ...... 4, Diaphorophya. cea Darlee ual foi winp chee. «5 2 « 20s on operiniens eaten 5. Stenostira. Genus 1. PLAatystTrIRa. Platysteira (lege Platystira), Jard. & Selby, Il. Orn. iv Addenda (c. 1830) : type P. cyanea. Key to the Species. a. Vertical line of white down the wing. a’. Forehead black, like the crown .......++. 1. cyanea. BrpLOrenene WHE: <1: veils sissies cldaisieligern « €u%e 2. albifrons. Gaonwhiterat all: on Wing :. 4... 5 sinless see ones 3. peltata. 1. PiarysTIRA CYANEA. Gobe-mouche a collier du Sénégal, Briss. Orn. 11. p. 370, Plaxxvin. fie)? (1770). Gobe-mouche a gorge rousse du Sénégal, Buff. Pl. Ent. v. pl. 567. fig. 3, 9 (1778). Muscicapa cyanea, P. L. 8. Miller, Syst. Nat. Suppl. p.170 (1766) ; Cassin, Proc. Phil. Acad. 1864, P- 256. Collared Flycatcher, Lath. Gen. Syn. i. pt. 1, p. 330, 2 (1783). Muscicapa melanoptera, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 939 (1788). Platyrhynchus collaris, Hahn u. Kist. Vog. aus Asien, &c. * Lief. xx. Taf. 1 (1822) ; Bonn. et Vieill. Enc. Méth. ii. p. 836, 2 (1823) ; Jard. & Selby, Il. Orn. i. pl. ix. fig. 1, g (1880). Platyrhynchus melanoleucus, Boun. et Vieill. Enc. Méth. i. p. 835, ¢ (1823). Platyrhynchus desmaresti, Jard. & Selb. Ill. Orn. 1. pl. ix. fig. 2, 9 (c. 1830). Platysteira collaris et desmaresti, Jard. & Selby, Il. Orn. ui. Addenda (c. 1830). Platystera lobata, Swains. B. of W. Afr. 11. p. 49 (1837) ; id. Monogr. Flyc. p. 187, pl. xxii. 9 (1837); Jard. Contr. Orn. 1849, p. 8. Platystira melanoptera, Hartl. Orn. W. Afr. pp. 93, 272 (1857) ; Cass. Pr. Philad. Acad. 1859, p. 50; Hartl. J. f. O. 158 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the 1861, p. 169; Finsch, J. f. O. 1869, p. 335; Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 189; id. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 567; Shelley & Buckley, This, 1872, p. 287. Platysteira cyanea, Gray, Hand-l. of. B.i. p. 329; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 44 (1871) ; id. P. Z. 8S. 1871, p. 610. Adult male. Upper surface deep glossy blue-black, with a very slight greenish shade, inclining to grey on the rump, where the feathers are long and fluffy ; the nape indistinctly mottled with whitish, only seen on disarranging the feathers ; wing-coverts glossy black like the back, the median ones white, forming a distinct bar across the wing; quills greyish black, the primaries outwardly margined with a narrow whitish line, broader and more conspicuous on the outer secondaries, whence it is continuous with the alar bar described above, the inner secondaries glossed with dark green, one or two of the longer ones just tipped with whitish ; upper tail-coverts and tail-feathers glossed with dark rifle-green above, blackish below, all the feathers tipped with white, becoming broader on the outer rectrices, and forming a conspicuous lateral bor- der on the outermost ones; sides of the face like the upper surface of the body; cheeks and entire under surface of the body pure white, with a conspicuous band of blue-black across the breast, the flank-feathers long and silky; tibial plumes black, tipped with white; under wing-coverts as well as the bases of the primaries white, the small outer coverts glossy blue-black, with a little spot of white below the carpal bend” of the wing ; bill black; feet (in skin) blackish ; wattle over the eye semicircular in form and bright scarlet in life. Total length 4:8 inches, culmen 0°7, wing 2°5, tail 2:0, tarsus 0°75. Adult female. Above dusky cinereous, witha slight gloss of greenish, the rump lighter; quills and tail as in the male, the white edgings very broad and conspicuous ; chin white; throat and breast deep maroon, bordered below with a narrow band of glossy black ; rest of the under surface white ; under wing- coverts white, and the wing-lining a little hghter than in the male ; eye-wattle a little paler than in the male. Young male. Resembles the old female in the colour of the upper parts and in having more or less maroon on the throat. Genus Platystira and its Allies. 159 As this gradually disappears the black pectoral band makes its appearance; thus specimens are met with in every change of plumage, as regards the amount of rufous on the throat. Immature birds, however, may always be told by the fulvous edgings to the wings and wing-coverts; the underparts are dusky white, the flanks conspicuously greyish. One specimen now before me seems to indicate that the very young birds of this species must have a mottled plumage, as the upper surface has remains of rusty cross-barrings, while the under surface is entirely whitish, with tinges of rufous on the upper breast. Hab. West Africa, from Senegambia to Gaboon. This is one of the commonest and best-known species of the genus ; but it was some time before the sexes were properly understood. It is also one of the oldest known; for it is de- scribed and figured by Brisson, and again by Buffon. ‘The latter, I suspect, has made up and coloured his figure from the old plate and figure of Brisson; for it is to be noticed that they both omit the white chin, which is rather conspicuous in the female. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a, b, c. West Africa, purchased. d. West Africa (Sir Andrew Smith). e. Fantee (J. Gould). Mus. R. B. S.—a-g. River Gambia,.purchased. h. River Gambia (HE. L. Layard). 7. Sierra Leone (L. Fraser). j. Accra (Sintenis; cf. Finsch, l.c.). k,l. Fantee (Audinn). m, n. Sweet River, Gold Coast, Dec. 30, 1870, and Connor’s Hill, Cape Coast, Nov. 12, 1870 (H. T. Ussher). o. Yan- coomassie, Gold Coast, Dec. 1871 (H. F. Blissett). p,q. Cape Coast and Elmina, May 1872 (H. F. Blissett). 7, s. Cam- eroons (A. Crossley, cf. Sharpe, /. c.). 2. PLATYSTIRA ALBIFRONS, Sp. 1. Platysteira melanoptera, Sharpe, P. Z.S. 1869, p. 566 (nec Gm.). Similar to P. cyanea, but a little more glossy blue-black, and distinguished by its white forehead. Total length 4°8 inches, culmen 0°6, wing 2°35, tail 2:0, tarsus 0°75. Hab. Angola. 160. Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Specimens examined. Mus. J. J. Monteiro.—a. Angola (J. J. M.). 6. River Loge, Angola (J. J. M.; cf. Sharpe, /.c.). 3. PLATYSTIRA PELTATA. Platystira peltata, Sundev. Ofy. Vet. Akad. Férh. 1850, p- 105; Layard, B.S. Afr. p. 142; Gray, Hand-l. of B. i. p. 829 (1869). Adult male. Above rifle-green, the lower back and rump rather more greyish ; wing-coverts rifle-green like the back ; quills blackish, primaries margined with grey, the secondaries with rifle-green; tail black, glossed with greenish above, just tipped with white; sides of face and pectoral band rifle- green; rest of under surface white, the flanks shaded with greyish; axillary tuft rifle-green ; under wing-coverts white, the edge of the wing rifle-green ; eye-wattle scarlet ; bill black ; feet brown; iris yellow. Total length 4-9 inches, culmen 0°6, wing 2°55, tail 2°2, tarsus 0°8. Adult female. Similar to the male, but more grey on the back ; the entire throat and upper breast dark rifle-green, the chin and a spot on the fore part of the cheeks white. Hab. Lower Caffraria (Wahlberg) ; Zambesi (Kirk). This is a very distinct species of Platystira, taking the place of P. cyanea in South-eastern Africa. The male ap- proaches somewhat to that of P. cyanea, but may always be distinguished by the absence of white on the wing; the female, however, differs at a glance in having the throat and upper breast rifle-green instead of chestnut. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a, 6, 8 2. Zambesi (Dr. Kirk). Genus 2. Batts. Batis, Boie, Isis, 1833, p. 880: type B. capensis. Key to the Species. Males :— @: sPlanks ruroias Gs <.f'isaicovateretatoe ovens Meta nein stat , 1. capensis. 6, Flanks white mixed with black. a’. With a white nuchal spot. Genus Platystira and its Alles. 161 a", With a broad white eyebrow encircling the head. ay Head black. 2c ..u's. stews 2. senegalensis. 6 7tlead, bluish Prey =. . «tetera sete iar 3. ortentalis. 6". With a little white line from base of bill 4, molitor. to above the eye, not encircling the head.. (5. pririt. b’. With no white nuchal spot ................ 6. minima. Females :— AMEN TUT LEO MIS Sarees fa fia alsg = Sth =! wi Voi 9) w Serre enna 1. capensis. b. Flanks white varied with black. a', With a white nuchal spot. a", Throat white, with no spot; chest rufous. Gy DoLOH DIACK (o's 60 adress nis. ccepevgres 2. senegalensis. Giron Plead OMS NV ATC YE... sd oe so terns ara 3. orventalis. 6". Throat rufous in the centr e, forming a spot: HOS TUM OUSI ge vs ache shen rete eds ceed Sins 4, molitor. ec", Throat and breast uniform orange-rufous 5. pririt. ®. With no white nuchal spot .............+. 6. minima. 1. Batis cAPENSIS. Le Gobe-mouche du Cap de Bonne Espérance, Briss. Orn. i. p. 372, pl. xxxvi. fig. 3 (1760); Buff. Pl. Enl. v. pl. 572. fig ST (1778); Muscicapa capensis, Linn, 8. N. i. p. 327 (1766, ex Briss.). Le Mélenar, Levaill. Ois. d’Afr. iv. pl. 160 (1805). Muscicapa pristinaria, Vieill. N. Dict. d@ Hist. Nat. xxi. p. 474 (1818, ex Levaill.). Saxicola thoracica, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 32 (1828). Muscipeta pristinaria, Less. Traité d’Orn. p. 385 (1881) ; Boie, Isis, 1833, p. 880. Platysteira pristinaria, Gray, Gen. of B. i. p. 256 (1846) ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 822 (1850) ; Layard, B.S. Afr. p. 143 (1867). Platysteira capensis, Gray, Gen. of B. 1. p. 257 (1846) ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 3822 (1850) ; Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 59 (1850) ; Grill, Zool. Anteckn. p. 26 (1858) ; Gray, Hand-l. B.i. p. 829 (1869) ; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 316 (1870) ; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 44 (1871). Platystira thoracica, Licht. Nomencl. p. 20 (1854). Platystira strepitans, Licht. ut supra. Adult male. Entire head deep ashy grey, with a black line drawn from the forehead on each side, enclosing the eye and 162 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the ear-coverts, and extending down on each side of the neck so as to form a border to the grey head; the rest of the back olive-brown, the rump irregularly mottled with white, which shows more conspicuously on the disarrangement of the fea- thers ; upper tail-coverts glossy greenish black, with a white tip ; least wing-coverts olive-brown like the back, the greater ones darker, the medium and the inner greater coverts bright orange-rufous ; quills dark brown, the ner secondaries tipped with white, the outer secondaries broadly edged with orange- rufous, continuous with the coverts, which are similarly coloured ; tail black, with a very slight greenish gloss, the feathers more or less broadly tipped with white, the outer feathers margined externally with a broad white line; entire throat and sides of neck pure white ; fore part of chest black, forming a very broad pectoral band, slightly tmged on the sides with olive-brown, some of the lower feathers shghtly margined with white ; centre of belly and under tail-coverts white; sides of body bright orange-rufous; tibial plumes blackish; under wing-coverts white, the outermost small coverts brown; bill and feet black; iris yellow. Total length 3°9 inches, culmen 0°5, wing 2°2, tail 1°65, tarsus 0°65. Adult female. Forehead and eyebrow whitish, but otherwise very similar to the male on the upper parts. Underneath white, with a patch of orange-rufous occupying nearly the whole of the throat; upper part of breast and sides of body rich orange-rufous; deepening into rust-colour on the pec- toral band. Young female. Entirely olive-brown above, and having the rufous on the under surface much paler. In one specimen in my collection the bird is assuming the grey head, and the _ pectoral band is becoming deep rusty as in the adult. Hab. Cape Colony and Natal. Both sexes of this species are easily recognizable by their rufous flanks. _ Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a, 6. Cape of Good Hope. c. Cape Colony (S. Afr. Mus.). d. Cape Colony (Rev. H. J. Philipps). e. Cape Colony (Reginald Warren). f. Natal (7. Ayres). Genus Platystira and its Allies. 163 Mus. R. B. S.—a, b, 3 2.8. Africa (EH. L. Layard). c,d,3d, e, 2. Knysna, Dec. 19, 1865, and Jan. 31st, 1866 (C. J. An- dersson). f,3. Swellendam (Cairncross). g,2. Grahams Town (E. L. Layard). h,i,d 2. Grahams Town, Jan. 1870 (T. C. Atmore). 2. Batis SENEGALENSIS, Le Gobe-mouche a poitrine rousse du Sénégal, Briss. Orn. i. p. 374, pl. xxxvui. fig. 2 (1760) ; Buff. Pl. Enl. v. pl. 567. fig. 1 G73s) = 92 Le Gobe-mouche a poitrine noire du Sénégal, Briss. Orn. ii. p. 375, pl. xxxviu. fig. 3 (1760); Buff. Pl. Enl. v. pl. 567. fig. 2 (1788) = 3. Muscicapa senegalensis, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 827 (1766, ex Briss. 3, 2). Le Gobe-mouche a bandeau blanc du Sénégal, Buff. Hist. Nat. Ois. p. 528, 6 9 (1788). Senegal Flycatcher, cum var. A., Lath. Gen. Syn. ii. pt. 1, pp. 328, 329 (1788). Platyrhynchos velatus, Bonn. et Vieill. Enc. Méth. 11. p. 835 (1828). Muscylvia senegalensis, Less. Compl. Buff. viii. p. 386 (1837). Platystira succincta, Licht. Nomencel. p. 20 (1854). Platystira senegalensis, Hartl. Orn. W. Afr. p. 93 (1857) ; Gray, Hand-l. i. p. 329 (1869) ; Heugl. Orn. N. O. Afr. i. p- 447 (1870) ; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 317 (1870) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1870, p. 480; id. Cat. Afr. B. p. 48 (1871). Adult male. Crown of the head and nape dusky greyish black ; forehead and eyebrow white, produced backwards so as to form a border to the crown, and joining on the nape, form- ing a conspicuous white nuchal spot; lores and sides of the face, including the eye and the ear-coverts, glossy black, ex- tending down each side of the neck to the limits of the white nuchal patch ; back greyish, with the slightest tinge of ashy brown on the interscapular region, the white bases to the scapulars and rump showing through and producing a slightly mottled appearance ; upper tail-coverts glossy black; wing- coverts black, the median and inner greater ones broadly tipped 164 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the with white, so as to form a conspicuous alar bar; quills brown, the secondaries darker and more inclining to blackish, the outer ones bordered with white, forming a narrow white line continuous with the alar bar above mentioned; tail-feathers black, obsoletely tipped with white, the two outermost feathers broadly bordered and tipped with white; under surface of body white, with a broad pectoral band of glossy blue-black feathers, the flanks also mottled with black; under wing- coverts black, the lower ones and the inner lining of the quills white ; bill and feet black. ‘Total length 3:8 inches, culmen 0:5, wing 2°2, tail 1:6, tarsus 0°65. Adult female. Differs from the male chiefly in having the pectoral band deep chestnut instead of black; a slight tinge of rusty colour is also apparent below the nuchal spot. Young. Immature birds generally have the wing-coverts tinged with rusty. Young males at first resemble the old female, and afterwards gradually assume the black band on the breast. A specimen from Casamanze in my collection resembles the adult male except in haying the back clear brownish grey, with a decided fulvous tinge on the intersca- pulary region. Another bird, still younger, in the museum is olive-brown above, darker on the head, where it is begin- ning to get black; all the black parts of the plumage are much tinged with brown, and the white markings obscured by a wash of pale rusty fulvous; the outer tail-feather is ob- liquely white towards the tip. Hab. W. Africa, Senegambia to the Gold Coast; N. E. . Africa, Sennaar (Mus. Brit.). Buffon, in the ‘ Planches Enluminées,’ seems to have bor- rowed his figures from those of Brisson, and to have copied that of the female so badly as to render it almost unrecognizable. My list of synonyms is very meagre compared with the long array usually credited to this species ; but I believe that they are at least trustworthy. The so recent recognition of two species in North-eastern Africa precludes me from drawing up a proper account of their geographical range in that part of the continent; but my impression is, that the true B. senegalensis is a more southern bird; for I have seen many Genus Platystira and its Allies. 165 specimens from Bogos Land, all referable to B. orientalis, while the British Museum contains a pair from Sennaar, pur- chased of Herr Parreyss. These are the true B. senegalensis ; and it is probable that the bird obtained by Captain Speke in the Somali country (cf. Ibis, 1860, p. 247) was also of this species. On the west coast it ranges from Senegambia to the eastern parts of the Gold Coast. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a. River Gambia (Rendall). b,c. W. Africa (L. Fraser). d, e. Sennaar. Mus. R. B. S.—a, 3. Casamanze (Verreaux). 6. Accra (J. Smith, e don. G. E. Shelley). c, 3. River Volta (A. T. Ussher). Mus. G. E. Shelley.—a, 2 imm. Abouri (G. E. S.). 3. Batis oRIENTALIS. Platystira pririt, Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 345 (1870) ; Finsch, Tr. Z. 8. vii. p. 247 (1870). Platystira affinis, Finsch, Tr, Z. 8. vu. p. 815 (1870). Platystira orientalis, Heugl. Orn. N. O. Afr. i. p. 449 (1876). Adult male. Crown of the head and back grey, more or less clear, but not blackish ; a broad white eyebrow extending backwards till it joms the nape, forming a nuchal spot; sides of face from base of bill inclosing the eye and the ear-coverts black, extending on each side of the nuchal spot ; back grey, the outer scapulars black, with concealed white bases, the rump also slightly mottled with white, where the bases to the feathers show through ; upper tail-coverts glossy black ; wing- coverts black, the median and inner greater coverts broadly tipped with white ; quills greyish black, the primaries nar- rowly edged with whitish, the outer secondaries very broadly bordered with white ; tail-feathers deep black, slightly tipped with white, the two outer ones also broadly bordered with white for nearly a quarter of their length ; under surface of body white with a broad pectoral band of glossy blue-black, the flanks sparingly streaked with black ; tibial plumes black ; under wing-coverts black, the tips of the lower ones and inner 166 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the linings of quills white; biliand feet black ; iris yellow. Total length 4 inches, culmen 0°5, wing 2°05, tail 1°65, tarsus 0°65. Adult female. Resembles the male, but has the pectoral band chestnut instead of black. Young female——Similar to the adult, but having the white eyebrow, the nuchal spot and margins of the wing-coverts and quills tipped with rust-colour. Hab. N. EH. Africa, Abyssinian coast-land, the warmer parts of Abyssinia, Sennaar, Takah, Kordofan, and the country of the White Nile (Von Heuglin) ; Bogos Land (Blanford, Jesse, Esler). It is difficult to distinguish this form from B. senegalensis, as the shade of grey on the head varies very much as to its depth of colourmg. I am by no means sure that it is not referable to a seasonal plumage of the latter bird, as some of the West-African specimens exhibit a slight greyish tinge on the black head. As Dr. von Heuglin suggests, this species has doubtless often been confounded by authors with the true B. senega- lensis ; and it may therefore be the bird thus named by Riippell and himself in their respective lists of N.E. African birds ; but as I do not see how this can be proved without an actual ex- amination of specimens, I prefer to omit the references, in- stead of referring to them with a repeated query. Von Heuglin seems to have found the species pretty generally dis- tributed ; but I have only seen specimens from Bogos, where it appears to be by no means rare. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a,g. Near Magen, Feb. 18, 1868 (W. T. Blanford). 6,9. Ailat, June 28, 1868 (W. T. B.). Mus. R. B. S—a,juv. Waliko, July 27, 1868 (W. Jesse). b,c, 6, d,e, 2. Achor, Bogos Land (Esler). Mus. G. E. Shelley.—a, 3. Achor, Bogos (Esler). 4. Batis MOLITOR. Muscicapa molitor, Hahn & Kust. Vog. aus Asien, &c., Lief. xx. fig. 2 (1822). Platystira pririt, Cab. Mus. Hein. Th. i. p. 59 (1850) ; Grill, Genus Platystira and its Allies. 167 Zool. Anteckn. p. 26 (1858); Gurney, Ibis, 1860, p. 210; Hartl. Orn. Madag. p. 45 (1861); Gurney, Ibis, 1862, p. 156; Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 319; Schl. & Poll. Faun. Madag. p. xiv. (1866); Gray, Handl. B. 1. p. 329 (1869); Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 314 (1870); Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 44 (1871) ; Gurney, in Anderss. B. Dam. Ld. p. 131 (1872). Platystira melanoleuca, Licht. Nomencl. p, 20 (1854). Platystira molitor, Licht. ut supra. Adult male. Above dull bluish grey, the nape whitish, and the rump also mottled with white; a narrow line from the base of the bill over the eye, running as far as the hinder part of the eye, but not joining the nape, white ; lores, feathers above and below the eye, ear-coverts, and sides of upper neck deep black, extending down the back to the limit of the nu- chal spot ; wing-coverts and scapulars black, the least coverts shghtly margined with whitish, the medium and inner greater ones broadly tipped with white, forming a conspicuous alar bar; quills dark brown, very narrowly edged with whitish, the secondaries black, more broadly margined, so as to form a line continuous with the wing-band ; upper tail-coverts and tail black, slightly tipped with white, the penultimate feather a little more broadly, the outermost altogether white on the external web ; cheeks, sides of neck, and under surface of the body white, with a broad pectoral band of glossy black ; thighs black ; flanks also mixed with blackish ; under wing- coverts black, the lower ones and those along the bend of the wing white ; bill and feet black; iris yellow. ‘Total length 5:3 inches, culmen 0°5, wing 2°5, tail 2°2, tarsus 0°73. Adult female. Above similar to male, but differing below. Under surface white, sides of body mixed with grey: a patch in the centre of the throat and a pectoral band deep chestnut. Hab. From the eastern districts of the Cape Colony to the Zambesi. Found also in Damara Land. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a, 6,2. Tette (Livingstone). c, 2. Shupanga (T. Kirk). d. Natal. Mus. R. B.S.—a. 8.E. Africa. 06, 3, c,d, 2. Eland’s Post, 168 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the S.E. Africa (T. C. Atmore). e. South Africa. jf. Elephant Viey, Sept. 5, 1859 (C. J. Andersson). g,h,3,i1,2. Ova- quenyama, May 25th, June Ist and 4th, 1867 (C. J. A.). Jj. Natal. &. Zambesi (Meller). 5. Batis PRIRIT. Le Gobe-mouche pririt, Levaill. Ois. d’ Afr. iv. p. 38, pl. 161 (1805). Muscicapa pririt, Vieill. N. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. xxi. p. 486 (1818). Muscipeta senegalensis, Less. Traité, p. 885 (1831). Platystira pririt, Gray, Gen. of B.i. p. 257 (1846) ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 322 (1850). Platysteira affinis, Wablb. Ofv. k. Vet. Akad. Forh. Stockh. 1855, p. 214; id. J. f. O. 1857, p. 3; Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p- 829 (1869) ; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 48 (1871) ; Gurney in Anderss. B. Dam. Ld. p. 181 (1872). Platysteira senegalensis, Mont. P.Z.S. 1865, p. 95. Adult male. Indistinguishable from B. molitor in colour, but a little smaller. Adult female. Above clear bluish grey, the rump mottled with white; sides of neck and nuchal spot clear orange-buff ; a narrow superciliary line of white from the base of the bill ; lores, feathers round the eye, ear-coverts, and sides of upper neck black ; wings and tail as in B. moltor ; throat and entire breast clear orange-buff; abdomen and under tail-coverts white; flanks mixed with blackish; thighs black; bill and feet black. Total length 3°8 inches, culmen 0°5, wing 2°2, tail 1°7, tarsus 0°7. After mature consideration I have come to the conclusion that Wahlberg’s P. affinis is really the true “ Pririt” of Le- vaillant, as represented in his plate; for the female agrees pre- cisely, except in the black tibiz not being represented, doubt- less an omission on the part of the artist. B. pririt seems to be a more western bird than B. molitor, as it has not yet been found in Natal or South-eastern Africa, while the Zambesi bird is also B. molitor. On the west coast it extends to Benguela, whence Mr. Monteiro has a specimen Genus Platystira and its Allies. 169 (P. senegalensis, Hartl., /.c.) which I have myself examined. What the bird from Gaboon mentioned by Dr. Hartlaub (J. f. O. 1861, p. 169) may be, I am unable to say. Wahlberg describes his B. affinis as smaller than P. lee. I therefore add the measurements of some specimens for com- parison :— No. Sex. Locality. Authority. Length of wing. a. 3 S.E. Africa. Mus. R. B.S. 2°3 b. rea Eland’s Post. T. C. Atmore. 2-55 ¢. 3 Ovaquenyama, C. J. Andersson. 2°35 June 4, 1867. d. 3 do., June 1, 1867. do. 2°35 e. 3 Swakop River, do. 2°15 Jan. 51, 1864. os 3 Elephant Vley, do. 2:3 Sept. 5, 1859. gy. 3 Damara Land. do. 2°15 As the females of B. pririt measure also 2°15 in the wing, we may suppose that the two males above measured are really of this species ; but I see no other point of distinction. I am not aware of any other instance in ornithology of two birds being quite different as regards the females, the males being difficult to distinguish. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a, 3, 6,2. Damara Land (C. J. Andersson). Mus. R. B. S—a,3. Swakop River, Jan. 31st, 1864 (C.J.A.). 6,¢c,d,2. West of Tjobis, April 3rd, 1865 ; near mouth of Swakop River, April 12th, 1865; Otjimbinque, July 7th, 1866 (C. J. A.). e. Colesberg (Ortlepp). f. South Africa. Mus. J. J. Monteiro.—a. Benguela (J. J. M.). 6. Batis MINIMA. Platystira minima, J. & HK. Verr. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. e55, p. 219; Hartl. Orn. W., Air. p. 95 (1857) 5: id. J. £0; 1861, p. 169. Adult. Above cindery black, the lower back and rump slightly mottled with white ; no perceptible nuchal spot ; lores white; sides of the face black like the crown; entire throat SER. I1I.—VOL. III. N 170 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the and sides of neck white; a broad pectoral band of cindery black, rather more ashy in shade ; rest of under surface white, the flanks varied with greyish black; under wing-coverts white ; wing black, the quills slightly inclining to brown, the median and inner greater coverts white, as also the margins to the inner secondaries, forming a continuous bar of white down the-wing ; tail black, the outermost feather white along the outer web at the tip, running round on to the inner web, the two next slightly tipped with white; bill black; feet blackish brown ; iris yellow. Total length 3:5 inches, culmen 0°45, wing 1°85, tail 1:3, tarsus 0°5. Young. Similar to the adult, but browner, and having a few of the feathers on the head and back margined with buffy white. Hab. Gaboon. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a, ad. Gahboon (Verreauz). Mus. R. B. S.—a, juv. Gaboon (Verreauz). Genus 8. LANnroTuRDUS. Lanioturdus, Waterhouse, App. Alex. Exp. Int. Afr. p. 264 (1833) : type L. torquatus. Moquinus, Bp. C. R. xl. p. 820 (1856) : type L. torquatus. LANIOTURDUS TORQUATUS. Lanioturdus torquatus, Waterhouse, App. Alex. Exp. Int. Afr. p. 264 (1838); Bocage, Jorn. Acad. Lisb. 11. p. 42 (1868) ; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 48 (1871). Platystira albicauda, Strickl. Contr. Orn. 1852. p. 144. Moquinus tandonus, Bp. C. R. xn. p, 820 (1856). Moquinus albicaudus, Bp. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1857, p- 52, pl. 5. Platystira torquata, Gray, Hand-l. B. 1. p. 829 (1869) ; Gurney in Anderss. B. Dam. Ld. p. 182 (1872). Adult male. Head black, including the lores and ear-coverts, the latter produced backwards along the sides of the neck ; forehead and superciliary streak (not extending beyond the eye), cheeks, throat, sides of neck, and a large nuchal patch Genus Platystira and its Allies. 171 white ; back dark grey, the rump mottled with white ; upper tail-coverts black ; tail pure white, the two central feathers longitudinally marked with black ; upper wing-coverts black, the primary coverts white at tip, as also the inner greater coverts, which form a conspicuous patch on the wing; quills black, tipped with white, the secondaries more broadly, the primaries white at base of inner web, and the outer ones also white at base externally ; across the breast a conspicuous band of black; centre of the body white, the sides of the breast and flanks grey; tibial plumes white varied with black ; a tuft of axillary plumes under the wing white; under wing- coverts black, the lower ones tipped with white; edge of the wing white ; bill almost black ; feet very dark brown, with a whitish or lead-coloured tint about the joints ; iris greenish yellow. Total length 5:5 inches, culmen 0°7, wing 3°3, tail 1:6, tarsus 1°2. Hab. Damara Land (Andersson) ; Biballa (Anchieta). This bird, though not far removed from Platystira, is certainly not congeneric with any of the members of that genus or with Batis. It is of robust form, with a much thinner and more compressed bill, and has extraordinarily long wings, reaching almost, if not quite, to the tip of the tail. This character presents the bird with quite a peculiar aspect. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a. Damara Land (Andersson). 6, c, d, e. Da- mara Land (C. J. Andersson). Mus. R. B. S.—a, b, c. Otjimbingue, Damara Land, June 22nd, July 29, and Oct. Ist, 1866 (C. J. Andersson). d, o. Biballa, Feb. 1868 (Anchieta). Genus 4. DiapHoropHya. Diaphorophyia, Bp. C. R. xxxviii. p. 653 (1854) : type D. castanea. Agromyias, Heine, J.f.O. 1860, p. 183: type D. castanea. Myiophila, Hartl. Orn. Westafr. p. 95 (1857): type D. concreta. Stiphromyias, Heine, J. f.O. 1860, p. 133: type D. concreta. N 2 172 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Clavis specierum. a. Abdomen white. aq’. Rump ‘white or proyish) oc) .ceginigie cite o/s ns 1. castanea. b'. Rump uniform with the rest of the back ........ 2. blissetti. b. Underneath entirely orange-rufous ...............06- 3. conereta. 1. DiaAPHOROPHYA CASTANEA. Platystira castanea, Fraser, P. Z.S. 1842, p. 141: Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 257 (1846); Allen & Thoms. Exp. Niger, u. p- 498 (1848) ; Fraser, Zool. Typ. pl. 34. fig. 2 (1849) ; Bp. Consp. p. 822 (1850). Platystira leucopygialis, Fraser, P. Z. 8. 1842, p. 142; Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 25 (1846) ; Allen & Thoms. Exp. Niger, i1. p. 499 (1848) ; Fraser, Zool. Typ. pl. 34. fig. 1 (1849) ; Bp. Consp. p. 822 (1850) ; Strickl. Contr. Orn. 1851, p. 163; J. & EH. Verreaux, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1851, p. 309; id. op. cit. 1855, p. 418; Hartl. Orn. W. Afr. p. 95 (1857) ; Cass. Pr. Philad. Acad. 1859, p.50; Hartl. J.f.O. 1861, p. 169; Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p. 8329 (1869) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1870, p. 480; id. P.Z.S. 1871, pp. 188, 610; id. Cat. Afr. B. p. 43 (1871). Diaphorophyia leucopygialis, Bp. C. R. xxxvill. p. 353 (1854). Agromyias leucopygialis, Heme, J. f. O. 1861, p. 133. Adult male. Crown of head and nape, as far as the centre of the back, and wing-coverts glossy blue black ; cheeks, ear- coverts, scapulars, lower back, and rump pure silky white ; quills black, white at the base of inner web, the secondaries very narrowly margined with white externally near the base ; upper tail-coverts and tail glossy black ; under surface of body entirely pure white, with a broad blue-black band across the breast ; under wing-coverts externally black, the lower ones margined with white; axillary tuft white; bill black; feet brown; iris yellow, eye-wattle bright scarlet. Total length 3°4 inches, culmen 0°5, wing 2°3, tail 1-0, tarsus 0°65. Adult female. Totally different from the male. Above chestnut, the rump greyish varied with white ; head bluish grey ; quills brown, externally margined with chestnut ; tail blackish ; chin white ; cheeks, throat, and breast chestnut; a little spot of white under the eye; rest of under surface silky Genus Platystira and its Allies. 173 white, the flanks greyish ; outer under wing-coverts chestnut ; axillary tufts white. Young male. Chestnut like the old female, but having the head, back, and chest mixed with black, indicative of the ado- lescent plumage. Hab. W. Africa, from the Gold Coast to Angola: Fer- nando Po. MM. Verreaux consider that the male in black plumage with the white collar round the neck is the fully adult; but I believe that the bird with entirely black head and neck is really in the fully mature state. I am induced to believe this by the fact of a young bird, still retaining traces of its chestnut plumage, showing evident indications of the white collar. An adult bird in fully black plumage, with a broad white collar, also retains traces of chestnut on the wing-coverts. MM. Verreaux also state their conviction that Fraser’s P. leuco- pygialis is really the old male, and that his P. castanea is the young female; but I believe Fraser’s bird to be quite adult in both instances. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a, 3 6, 2. Clarence, Fernando Po (Fraser: types of species). c. Gaboon (Verreauxr). d. Ashantee (J. Gould). Mus. R. B. S.—a, b,c, 3 2, d,3 guv. Fantee. e,3,f,9,2. Fantee (H. T. Ussher). h,i,3,7,k, 2. Cameroons (A. Cross- ley). 1,3. Gaboon (Du Chaillu). m. Angola (C.J. Hamilton). 2. DiapHoRoPHyA BLISSETTI. (Plate IV. fig. 1.) Diaphorophya blissetti, Sharpe, Ann. N. H. (4) x. p. 451 (1872). Platystira concreta, Hartl. J. f. O. 1861, p. 169. Adult. Above dark rifle-green, slightly metallic, the tail much brighter and more metallic, the rump-feathers white at the base, showing more plainly when the plumage is disar- ranged ; wing-coverts rifle-green, a little more metallic than the back; quills blackish, externally margined with metallic green, more especially the secondaries; throat rifle-green, 174 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the slightly metallic; a tuft of feathers occupying the cheeks and sides of the neck bright chestnut ; under surface of body white, the flanks streaked with greyish; under wing-coverts black, axillary tuft white; bill black; feet brownish. Total length 3°5 inches, culmen 0°6, wing 2°15, tail 0°95, tarsus 0°75. Young. Entirely grey above, the tail with a slight metallic green~ gloss ; underneath white, the cheeks bright orange- rufous, and the fore neck washed with the same colour. Hab. Gold Coast. The typical specimen in the British Museum is apparently a female, or a younger bird than the one described and figured, as it is not so brightly coloured and has the back greyish. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—a. Fantee (A. Swanzy: type of species). 5,juv. Ashantee. Mus. R. B. S—a. Wassaw, Gold Coast (H. F. Blissett). 3. DIAPHOROPHYA CONCRETA. Platysteira concreta, Hartl. J. f. O. 1855, p. 860; Gray, Hand-l. of B. 1. p. 330 (1869). Myjiophila concreta, Hartl. Orn. Westafr. p. 95 (1857) ; id. J. f.O. 1861, p. 169. Stiphromyias concreta, Heine, J. f. O. 1860, p. 1383. Above cinereous, with somewhat of a greenish, slightly metallic, gloss ; underneath bright but deep orange-rufous, the chin and throat paler and yellowish; tail uniform with the back; lores black, marked with a small white spot; the bare skin round the eye red ; under wing-coverts white ; bill black, much broadened at the base ; tail very short, scarcely passing the folded wing; feet brown. Total length 3! 3!", beak 53", wing 2” 1", tail 83!" tarsus 8!". (Hartlaub.) Hab. Gold Coast (Mus. Lugd.). I have not had the pleasure of personally examining this species, which from the proportions of its wings and tail would fall, under my arrangement, into the genus Diaphorophya. I cannot help suspecting that a comparison of the types would prove its identity with my D. dblissetti; and this suggestion is Genus Platystira and its Allies. 175 strengthened by the fact that soon after the publication of the ‘Ornithologie Westafrika’s, when the recollection of the species would be tolerably fresh in his mind, Dr. Hartlaub identified a bird in the British Museum as his Myiophila con- creta, which is certainly referable to my D. blissetti. I have therefore, with some feeling of confidence, added the genera Myiophila and Stiphromyias as synonyms of Diaphorophya. How far this confidence is justified will be decided some day or other ; and though Dr. Hartlaub does not think the identity of the two species at all probable, I must confess that I expect to find them ultimately the same. On the other hand it must be noticed that we have apparently two sexes of D. blissetti in the Museum, one having a glossy green, the other a greyish back, and that they both possess the red tufts on the side of the head. Genus 5. STENOSTIRA. Stenostira, Cab. & Bp. in Bp. Consp. i. p. 316 (1850) : type S. scita. Empidivora, Reich. Av. Syst. Nat. pl. Ixvii. (1850) : type S. scita. STENOSTIRA SCITA. Le Gobe-mouches mignard, Levaill. Ois. d’Afr. iv. pp. 14, 154 (1805). Muscicapa scita, Vieill. N. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. xxi. p. 474 (1818). Muscicapa tenella, Licht. Verzeichn. Vog. Kaffernl. p. 12 (184.2). Platystira longipes, Swains. Monogr. Flyc. p. 185, pl. xxi. (c. 1837) ; Layard, B.S. Afr. p. 143 (1867). Platystira scita, Gray, Gen. B.1. p. 256 (1846) ; id. Hand-l. of B. i. p. 330 (1869). Stenostira scita, Cab. & Bp. in Bp. Consp. 1. p. 316 (1850). Adult male. Above greyish, a little paler on the rump; wings black; the least wing-coverts greyish like the back, with a vertical line of white extending the whole length of the wing, beginning at the outer median coverts ; tail black, the outermost feather white, the penultimate white for its apical 176 On the Genus Platystira and its Allies. half, and the next one with a little less white towards the tip ; a narrow superciliary line of white from the base of the fore- head to the hinder ear-coverts ; cheeks and ear-coverts black ; a narrow cheek-stripe and chin white, the latter with a de- licate blush of rose-colour ; lower throat and chest greyish ; lower breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts white, with a beautiful blush of rosy on the former; outer wing-coverts whitish, the outermost ones slightly shaded with grey ; tibial plumes black ; bill and feet black ; iris black. Total length 4°5 inches, culmen 0:5, wing 2°25, tarsus 0°8. Hab. South Africa, from the region of Nel’s Poort to the Transvaal Republic. The above description is taken from a beautifully prepared skin of Professor Wahlberg’s, received by me in exchange from the Stockholm museum. Another specimen in my col- lection, obtained by Mr. Atmore on the Orange River, is a little browner above and not so brightly coloured anywhere. It is probably the female. Specimens examined. Mus. Brit.—South Africa. Mus. R. B. S.—a, 8. Transvaal, Aug. 4, 1843 (Wahlberg). 6. Orange River (7. C. Atmore). Supposing that my estimate of the number of species of Platystira and Batis turn out to be correct, the geogra- phical distribution of the birds treated of in the present paper bears out the natural subdivisions into which I have divided the African continent (cf. P. Z.S. 1870, p. 320). Subregio abyssinica.—Peculiar species 1: B. orientalis. B. senegalensis occurs also. Subregio mosambicana*.—No species at all known to occur as yet. Subregio capensis —Peculiar genera 2. Peculiar species 6: Platystira peltata, Batis capensis, B. molitor (said to occur in Gaboon ?), B. pririt, Lanioturdus torquatus, Stenostira scita. * The Zambesi district does not belong to this subregion, as from a study of the collections in the British Museum, I find its affinities lie rather with the avifauna of the Cape. On an apparently new Species of Hornbill. wr Subregio guineensis.—Peculiar genus 1. Peculiar species 7: Platystira cyanea, P. albifrons, Batis senegalensis, B. mi- nima, Diaphorophya castanea, D. blissetti, D. concreta. Subregio madagascariensis.—P. molitor is stated to have been met with on the West Coast by Bojer in 1829, but has never been obtained since. XXI.—On an apparently new Species of Hornbill from Angola. By D. G. Exxiot, F.LS., F.Z.8., &e. BUcEROs SHARPII. Bill without casque, but the maxilla swollen into a promi- nent ridge, broad and corrugated at the base, becoming narrow at the anterior portion, and gradually falling into the outline of the culmen. The base, which ends abruptly about half an inch above the head, has four rather deep plaits. The man- dible is rugged and creased nearly to the end, with the cut- ting portion serrated. ‘The culmen and tips of bill yellowish horn-colour ; a broad stripe for about two thirds the length of the maxilla and nearly all the mandible (save the tip above mentioned) black. Base of maxilla beneath the nostril, and spot on base of mandible, yellowish white. Head covered with a long crest; feathers of cheeks and throat also long and loose; all these parts, together with the back, black, with a bright greenish lustre. Primaries black. Secondaries, with the exception of the three innermost ones, white for three fourths their entire length, greenish black at base ; the innermost ones same colour as the back. Under wing-coverts, lower part of breast, under tail-coverts, rump, and legs pure white. T'ail—the two median feathers black for their entire length, without any white; the ones next to the median on either side white from half their length from the tip, remaining portion like the central ones ; the lateral fea- thers pure white for their entire length, with the exception of the outermost ones, which have the basal half of the outer webs black. Total length 21 inches, wing 11, tail 9}. The above description is taken from an adult male specimen 178 On an apparently new Species of Hornbill. - from Angola in the collection of Mr. R. B. Sharpe, who kindly placed it in my hands for examination and description ; and I have much pleasure in bestowing his name upon this species, as a mark of esteem, as well as in recognition of the valuable services he has rendered to ornithology. In the collection of the British Museum are two specimens of B. sharpii, from the Gaboon and Congo respectively. One I judge to be an adult male; and it differs from the specimen just described by having the entire bill yellowish white, with only a trace of black on the central portion of the maxilla near the cutting-edge, and tending upwards in the direc- tion of the base, but not reaching the nostril. The tail is like that of the type; but the outer feathers are entirely white, only the central ones and those immediately succeed- ing having any black upon them, ‘This specimen is from the Gaboon. The third example, from the Congo, is perhaps a female. It is much smaller than the others; the mandible is only slightly ridged, with a few black spots where the ridges are found in the other two specimens; the upper portion of the maxilla near the base black. The feathers of the tail are coloured like those of the Gaboon bird, save a black spot that is seen upon all, near the base, but not reaching to it. Buceros sharpii belongs to avery well-marked group of the great family Bucerotide, to which the term Bycanistes, Ca- banis, has been applied, and contains, so far as is known, six species, including the present one. Although in their general appearance all the species closely resemble each other, yet each presents sufficient characters to distinguish it easily from its relatives. The largest is 1. B. cristatus, Riippell, from Abyssinia; distinguished by having the wings entirely black, the tail black, with the ex- ception of the extreme base and an apical band, which are white ; a spotted crest and enormous casque. 2. B. cyzinpricus, Temm. West Africa. Resembles the first but is smaller; crest unspotted ; secondaries pure white M. T. Salvadori on Homochlamys luscinia, Salvad. 179 from one-third their length from the tips, and the tail also white with a broad black band nearly in the centre. 3. B. suspcyLinpricus, Sclater. Western Africa? Resem- bles B. cylindricus, but has fully one half of the secondaries white, crest spotted, and median tail-feathers black for their entire length. 4. B. Buccinator, Temm. South Africa. Crest slightly spotted. Secondaries black tipped with white; and tail-fea- thers, except median, also white for about an inch and a half from the tip. All these four species have high casques in both sexes, those of the males projecting forward in a point nearly the entire length of the maxilla. I should place next, as being slightly larger in size, the 5. B. soarpi, Elliot. Gaboon to Angola, West Africa. Bill strongly ridged on the culmen at base. Secondaries, excepting the three outermost ones, pure white. Tail pure white, with the exception of the median feathers, which are black, and the ones next to them, which have their bases also black. 6. B. ristutator, Cassin. Fantee. Tail black, a narrow line at the base and the lateral feathers tipped with white. Secondaries black, except for about an inch and a half from their ends, which is white. XXII.—Note on Homochlamys luscinia, Salvad. By T. Satvaport, C.M.Z.S. Amone some birds which the Count Turati, of Milan, has sent me lately, I found a specimen of Calamoherpe canturiens, Swinh. The name was written on the label in Mr. Swinhoe’s handwriting, so that I think there can be no mistake in the exact determination of the specimen, which at the first sight I recognized to belong to my Homochlamys luscinia. The only difference is in the colour of the bill, which in Swinhoe’s spe- cimen is of a horny brownish, while in mine it is yellowish. This is of small moment, as in dried specimens kept for a 180 M. T. Salvadori on Homochlamys luscinia, Salvad. long time the bill very often loses its dark colour and be- comes whitish or yellowish. There is no doubt, therefore, that the specific name Juscinia must sink to a synonym, but at the same time the new genus Herbivow, lately established by Swinhoe for the same bird and two other allied species, will be superseded by Homochlamys, which was published by me in 1870. I add the synonyms. Genus Homocnuuamys, Salvad. Atti R. Acc. delle Se. di Tor. v. p. 510 (1870). Herbivox, Swinh. P. Z.S8. 1871, p. 353. HoMmocHLAMYS CANTURIENS. Arundinax canturiens, Swinh. Ibis, 1860, pp. 52, 131, 357. Lusciniopsis canturiens, Swinh. Ibis, 1861, pp. 32, 328. Calamoherpe canturiens, Swinh. Ibis, 1863, p. 306, 1867, p. 418, 1870, p. 345; and P. Z.S. (1863) p. 294. Calamodyta canturiens, G. R. Gray, Hand-l. i. p. 207, sp. 2933 (1869). Homochlamys luscinia, Salvad. 1. c. p. 511 (1870). Malacopteron luscinia, Finsch, MSS.; Salvad. /. c. Herbivox canturiens, Swinh. P. Z. 8. 1871, p. 353. Mr. Swinhoe also includes Salicaria cantans, Temm. et Schlegel, and Arundinax minutus, Swinh., in the genus Her- bivow. If these are really congeneric with H. canturiens, they will stand as Homochlamys cantans and Homochlamys minutus. Regarding the proper place which the genus Homochlamys. should hold in the avium systema, it will be noticed that Finsch and I have considered H. luscinia to belong to the Ti- maliide, while Swinhoe refers the genus to the Calamody- tine, which, I think, are much more allied to the Timalide than to the Sylviide. Zoological Museum, Turin. February 25th, 1873. Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. 181 XXIII.—On the Upupide and their Relationships. By Dr. James Muriz, F.L.S. &c. (Plates V., VI., & VIL.) I. Retrospect, embodying researches and opinions concerning the Hoopoes. 1. As grouped in conjunction with or near the Hornbills.— Some five and thirty summers have come and gone since Mr. Gould originally suggested the relationship of the Hoopoes to the Hornbills, an idea which took root and fructified under its foster-parent, Mr. Blyth. With the observations and re- marks of the latter, then, I propose to approach the group. When treating of the “ Buceroides, or the Hornbill and Hoopoe tribes,” Mr. Blyth* introduces his topic by a suc- cinct résumé of the reasons which have caused him to look upon these as two allied tribal families. The skeleton, he con- ceives, separates them from the Cantores, as do the digestive and vocal organs. The heart-shaped tongue, the elongation of the beak, and the fetid liquid feeces show agreement be- tween the Hoopoe and Hornbill. Their first plumage resem- bles that of the adult, and is not renewed till after the follow- ing breeding-season. They are equally Old-World groups, and possess only ten tail-feathers. He then proceeds to treat of the special characteristics of the Appendirostres (Horn- bills), and subsequently reverts to the Arculirostres (Hoopoes). Of the latter he particularizes points in the sternal formation, alludes to the stomach as a membranous bag, short widish intestines destitute of czecal appendages, and infers from these characters and from the smaller number of rectrices that they must be separated from the Certhiade, Promeropide, &c. My. Blyth further goes on to show that the intelligence of the Hoopoe, its lively energetic manners, its Lark-lke gait, its habit of striking with the bill, together with the structure of the latter, its coenodactyle foot (¢.e. outer and middle toes only basally united), and propensity to climb, like the Wood- pecker, all carry it away from the Hornbills, and probably from all other Syndactyli. He appears to have watched * Mag. of Nat. Hist. (Charlesworth’s) New Ser. 1838, vol. ii. p. 589. 182 Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. and studied carefully the habits of the bird in question, and brings together within a short compass much information, quoting Temminck, Bechstein, the Bishop of Norwich, Smith, Selby, Buffon, and the Earl of Derby. To peculiarities and inferences from habits I shall again take occasion to refer. The most original researches of Nitzsch* mark an epoch in bird-lore ; and one never turns over a page of his imvesti- gations into plumage without feeling his debtor. He refers three genera to his family Lipoglossz, viz. Buceros, Upupa, and Alcedo. These agree in the absence of an after-shaft on the contour-feathers, and in the feathered tip of the oil- gland, but differ in tract-distribution and in other characters of plumage. Ten rectrices connect the two former ; twelve dis- tinguish the latter, as does a dense downy covering of the inte- gument. The feather-tracts in Upupa are narrow, resembling Galbula in this respect ; the dorsal tract is uninterrupted, but, dividing into two limbs, encloses an elliptical spimal space ; the neck below has posteriorly furcate lines with broader pec- toral offshoots ; the main lines abdominally run back to near the anus. Remiges 20, the Ist small, the 2nd equal to the 7th, 3rd, 4th, and 5th longest. The oil-gland is peculiar and com- posed of two halves. In the 9, at the breeding-season, and in the nestlings a disagreeably odoured blackish fluid obtains in the gland. There is a broad snow-white skin at the angle of the mouth in the young, in which respect they resemble the Passerine and not the Picariz. He observes of U. africana and U. erythrorhyncha (=Trrisor) that, except that the former pos- sesses 19 remiges, the 4th, 5th, and 6th longest, the pterylo- — graphic characters coincide with those of U. epops. The Hoopoe, in the eyes of Nitzsch, seems to have been a more than usually interesting form; for he worked out its internal anatomy with some care in a memoir, which, after his demise, Giebel+ wisely gave to the world. Anatomical work by such * ‘Pterylographie,’ the English edition of which is that at my com- mand: Ray Soc. 1867. + Zeitschrift f. d. ges. Naturwiss. Halle, 1857, Band x. p. 236. In vol. xi. (pl. i. fig. 34) of the same publication Giebel gives an outline of the Hoopoe’s tongue in comparison with other forms. Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. 183 an able ornithologist might well bear a full translation ; but for my purpose it is enough to cull the more impor- tant points. Of the muscular system, he records that it is uncommonly Passerine in kind, taken as a whole, with, how- ever, some distinctions. The disposition of the tendons and bony grooves predisposes the similitude above stated. He describes the short triangular tongue and the presence of a pair of glands at the sides of the chink of the glottis. There is no crop; the stomach is saccular and soft; cecal diverti- cula are absent; a single left carotid artery alone obtains. Other features of the lungs, liver, kidneys, nasal glands, &c. are passed in review. Bonaparte* held views widely distinct from Strickland on this subject, inasmuch as, whilst apparently regarding the Hoo- poe as affine to the Hornbill, he threw apart the Irrisors. Concerning the former the arrangement adopted runs—Muso- phagide, Upupide, Bucerotide, Rhamphastide, Leptosomide, Cuculidze. His Upupide embraces two genera, Upupa and Fregilupus, the first with three and the second with but one species. In another section come the families Cerebide and Promeropide, then the family Irrisoridz, and subfamily Irri- sorine, containing the genera Irrisor, Rhinopomastus, and Falculia ; then the families Epimachide and Paradiseidee. Upon purely osteological data, Mr. Eytont makes a family of the Bucerotide; and this contains three subfamilies— the Momotine, Upupine, and Bucerine. Jrrisor he takes no notice of; but his short characters of the cranium &ce. of Upupa (U. epops) are explicit enough—though, quoting others, I dispense with them. Huxley’s grand Balaclava charge at the birds{ led him to toss the Upupidee among Coecygomorphe, with group “ c} the second, third, and fourth toes turned forwards, the first back- wards.” He does not seem to have given much attention to Upupa, his remark thereon being confined to the following terse sentence :—‘‘ Here the postero-external angle of the * Conspectus Generum Ayium, + Osteologia Avium, 1867, p. 59, { P.Z.S. 1867, p, 447 and p. 467. 184 Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. palatine is elongated into a slender pointed process. The septum is ossified and unites with the maxillo-palatines, which form a transverse bony rafter across the palate.” Several other writers incidentally refer Upupa to the Horn- bill family ; but it is not necessary to refer to them. 2. Considered in the light of a distinct group.—Under the present section I may as lief refer to the able paper of Mr. Strickland *—though, according to his own showing, the Upu- pide as consistently belong to the next. He first gives rea- sons wherefore the genus Jrrisor, Less., ought to be adopted, and then compares agreement and differences between Upupa and Jrrisor. The Hoopoe’s ground-habits are opposed to those of the arboreal Jrrisor ; but notwithstanding this and contrast in the plumage, he sees close links of affinity between them. The similarity in the structure of their beak and tongue, he holds, is important. The lower mandible is solid, not grooved for the reception of a lengthened tongue as in the Nectarimide. Both upper and lower mandible coincidently in the Hoopoe and Irrisor have apically and superficially a peculiar grooving, single, however, in the former, and double in the latter bird. They both nidificate in hollow trees. Wings similar, primaries graduated, 4th and 5th longest. There is a certain counterpart in the white patches on the remiges and rectrices, although the style of colouring and difference in the form of the tail suggest generic and, occasionally, specific importance. With the feet he admits a difficulty, though he thinks these neutralized by beak &c. He places Upupa and Irrisor in juxtaposition, family Upupidze, subfamilies Upupine and [risorine. In reply to the question of the position of Upupide he re- marks :—‘“ They certainly are a very insulated group, forming what in geology would be termed a remote outlier ; and it is not easy to say to which of the more continental masses they most nearly approximate.” He considers them to be remote from the South-American family Certhiidz, the likeness being only one of analogy. He concludes, “this question can- * “On the structure and affinities of Upupa, Linneus, and IDrrisor, Lesson,” Trans. Brit. Assoc. 1845, also Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. xii. p. 238, and collected works, “ Memoirs,” 1858, p. 418. Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. 185 not, I think, be answered satisfactorily till more facts are col- lected respecting the food, habits, and anatomy of this group and of others with which it may be compared. It may, how- ever, be conjectured that they are allied in one direction by means of Epimachus or Astrapia to the Paradiseide, and in another by Merops to the Alcedinidze, as shown in Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. vi. pl. 8*, and as originally suggested by Vigors in Linn. Trans. vol. xiv. p. 466. In a third direction they are perhaps connected through Lamprotornis with the Corvide.” L’Herminier has been credited with having characterized the Hoopoes by sternal formation ; but in my search through his articles in the ‘Comptes Rendus’ and ‘ Annales’ I failed to discover definite statements thereon. I may say, however, that his ‘ Recherches sur l’appareil sternal des oiseaux” I could not lay hands on in our London libraries, the memoirs ap- pended in the footnote having alone been examined by met. M. Blanchard { observes that the Hoopoes constitute a very restricted group, but so markedly characteristic that it is im- possible to join them to other types. Their sternum only dis- tantly resembles that of other birds, the Finches to wit. In his description of the sternum he points to its elongation and high keel, which quite posteriorly has a little (triangular) flattenig continued forwards some distance. The keel ante- riorly is rounded or arched; a salient episternal process or nipple-shaped rostrum surmounts it, having a most singular perforation at its root. The interior is shorter than the ex- * Map of the Alcedinidee, wherein Upupa is included, and in the above assigned position. + “Recherches sur la marche de l’ossification dans le sternum des oiseaux,” &c., Comptes Rendus (1856), vol. iii. p. 12; Ann. Sci. Nat. vi. p- 107; Comptes Rendus (1837), iv. p. 565; Ann. Sci. Nat. (1887) vii. p- 181. Since the above sentence has been in print Mr. Salvin has laid before me for inspection L’Herminier’s memoir above alluded to. Therein (p. 60) the Epopsides (17th family) connect the Picidee and Passeres ; but so distinctive does L’Herminier consider the sternum of Upupa, that he separates it from the latter, giving rank accordingly. He concludes, “Les huppes d’une part, les promérops de l’autre, appartiennent a cette famille, 4 laquelle peut-étre se rapportent aussi les tichodromes, les épi- maques et les picucules.”’ { Annales des Sciences Naturelles, 1859, 4th ser. tom. xi. p. 111. SER. III.—VOL. Il. ) 186 Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. terior ; a large pneumatic foramen is situate mesially forwards, a marked elevation bounding it anteriorly. In general con- tour there is a certain middle compression with regular curved sides. The coracoid facets are salient, with deep gutters, and are continuous but for the perforated rostral septum. The large obtusely pointed and obliquely set costal processes have a backward tilt and five rib-facets. There are only a pair of deep xiphoid notches, the external processes having enlarged tips ; and he specially calls attention to two pointed denticles at the posterior margin of the middle piece. Basing judg- ment on the posterior sternal configuration, excepting the two denticles above spoken of, according to Blanchard it agrees directly with the Finches; but anteriorly there are striking differences. ‘The development of the keel inclines to Finches, but there are other points in perfect contrast ; in the Hoopoe the rostrum is obtuse, in the Passeraux acuminate. In allusion to /rrisor he mentions that the skeleton exam- ined by him was in bad condition, but sufficient in his opinion. to justify assigning to this genus close affinity to Upupa. His remarks on the sternal characters I shall not quote, as further on I treat of this and other bones not hitherto described. Blanchard names the genera Fregilupus, Lamprolophos, Rhi- nopomastus, and Falculia as having great interest from pro- bable relationship to the Hoopoes and Irrisors ; but their os- teology he was ignorant of. The superior rank and isolated character of the Hoopoes have been indorsed by another excellent naturalist and coun- tryman of the above, Prof. Alphonse Milne-Edwards*. Re- serving for a future communication his reasons for adopting the subjoined classification, he thus subdivides the Pas- seres:—l. Aedornine (=Oscines, Bonap.); 2. Epopsine ; 3. Ocyptiline (=Cypselide, &c.) ; 4. Syndactyline ; 5. Dys- campterine (= Musophagide) ; 6. Trogonine ; 7. Phle- odrominz (= Picide, Rhamphastidze, &c.). Respecting the Hoopoes he urges, “ Les Epopsine ont été parfaitement ca- racterisés par Lherminier, ils ne renferment que le genre Huppe, auquel M. Blanchard a adjoint les Irrisors.” * Oiseaux Fossiles, tom. ii. Dr. J. Murie on the Upupidee. 187 Almost every segment of the skeleton of the Hoopoe has been descanted on by Milne-Edwards with a certain brevity as to characteristics compared with the Aedornine. I shall avail myself of his labours, inasmuch as they may abbreviate my own, adding, however, in another section such osteological items as he has omitted or cursorily touched on. The sub- joined is a free translation, and in a different order from his paragraphs. The paging after each quotation refers the reader to the original ; the subsidiary headings are my own. Skull.—In the Hoopoes, which on account of the form of the beak have been classed with Promerops by most zoologists, the osteological characters furnished by other parts of the cranium are, on the contrary, very different. The occiput, in place of being uniformly rounded, is bilobed, and the lon- gitudinal depression which separates them into two portions is continuous anteriorly with the frontal depression. The interorbital region is very large; but the supramandibular parts are still more so, and the descending branch of the la- chrymal bone detaches itself in a remarkable manner. The nasal orifices commence near to the frontals on the superior aspect of the beak, and afterwards descend obliquely upon its sides ; instead of being single, as ordinarily, they are divided into two portions by a transversely oblique lamina. As in the Aedornines, the temporal grooves are very shallow and the occipital crests feebly indicated (p. 360). Sternum and Shoulder-girdle—The remarks of Blanchard on these parts, already given, may supplant what Milne-Ed- wards curtly says thereon (pp. 334, 340, 343, 346). Humerus.—It differs much from that of the Aedornines : one never observes the median tubercle for the insertion of the long extensor of the manus; and the supracondylar tuber- osity, when it exists, is not surmounted by a little projection. These latter points suffice to characterize the humerus of the Hoopoes, which besides resembles much that of the Aedornines. Ulna.—This is very lengthened and rather slender. It presents a certain resemblance to that of the true Passeres, but it is distinguished by diminished prominence of the mus- 02 188 Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. cular impressions and tubercles for the insertion of the large wing-feathers. The olecranon process is long and conical, and the articular carpal extremity is much less in size (p. 352). Metacarpus.—An intermetacarpal apophysis is absent (p. 356.) Pelvis—The anterior portion is much flattened, and the vertebral gutters, open their whole length, are much enlarged anteriorly by following the internal curvature of the ila; the iliac fosse are remarkably small. The cotyloid segment is large and short ; there is a small median sacral crest ; and the ilio-sciatic surfaces bulge slightly above the supraischiatic crests ; the latter are salient and present behind their foramen a small denticular crest. The ischial blades spread out but slightly ; and their postexternal angle, marked by deflected outside, is prolonged only to a very moderate extent. The body of the anterior sacral vertebra is furnished below with a median crest ; and the renal fossz are completely confluent (p. 321). Femur.—Very short, and its extremities are comparatively narrow. The inferior condyles have a flattened character. Lastly the femoral head is almost sessile. Tibia.—In the Epopsines (that is to say, the Hoopoes and the Irrisors) the tibial crests superiorly have little prominence ; the shaft is cylindrical, its inferior extremity enlarged, but remarkable on account of the small development of its con- dyles. Finally, there appears only a trace of groove for the digital extensors, which run under a tendinous bridge; and this, tardily ossified, is always narrow and diminutive (p. 312). Tarso-metatarse.—The foot is constructed upon a different plan from that of the Aedornines. The tuberosity is ampler, and perforated by a single tendinous foramen. The knuckle of the internal toe, in place of conforming to the plan of the others, is thrust slightly backwards. The inferior end is large, open, and approaches close to the digital condyles (p. 303). 3. Where and wherefore ranged with the Sparrow Tribes.— Among authorities the names of Linnzus and Brisson take us back quite a century, to the infancy of systematic ornitho- Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. 189 logy. In the 12th edition of the ‘Syst. Nat.’ we find the Picee containing Trochilus, Certhia, Upupa, Glaucopis, Bu- phaga, Sitta, &c., a subsection with gressorial feet including Buceros, Alcedo, &c. Brisson* puts Upupa and Promerops in his birds of the 7th order—“ le bec menu, et un peu courbé en arc;” and before it come the Beef-eaters and Starlings, and after it the Swallows. Illiger’s+ Ambulatores comprise Angulirostres (Alcedo, Merops), Suspensi (Trochilus), Tenui- rostres (Nectarinia, Tichodroma, and Upupa), and Pygarrhichi (Certhia, Dendrocolaptes). Vieillot { puts the Epopsides as the 28rd family of this Tribe, Anisodactyles, after Anthomyses (Co- libri), and before the Pelmatodes = Bee-eaters and Kingfishers. Koch§ adopts as orders Picus, Sitta, Alcedo, Certhia, Upupa, Coracias, Oriolus, Corvus. Cuvier|| under his Tenuirostres ranges Upupa, Promerops, and Epimachus. These come after the Rollers and Birds of Paradise, and precede the Syndactyui. Temminck’s{ order Anisodactyles, in which Certhia, Ticho- droma, and Upupa find place, was followed by the Alcyones Merops and Alcedo. Latham’s** Pice nearly corresponds with that of writers of the period. With Wagler+}+ Epimachus and Upupa come after the Toucan &c., and before the Piapec. Lesson’s{t{ family “Les Upupées” contains of genera Epi- machus (Ptiloris), Falcinellus, Promerops, Upupa, Fregilupus, Fregilus, and Corcorax. In his classification of birds§§ Mr. Swainson places Upupa between Promerops and Epimachus, the three forming his subfamily Promeropidz, which follows the Humming- birds (Trochilide), and precedes the Paradise-birds (Para- diseadze), the whole constituting a family of the tribe of Te- nuirostres (Suctorial birds). He remarks, ‘‘the Hoopoes (Pro- meropide) betray so close a resemblance to the Bee-eaters, * ‘Ornithologie.’ tome il. p. 453. + Prodromus, 1811. { Dict. d’Hist. Nat. § System der Baierischen Végel, Zoologie, von Karl Ludwig Koch, 1816. || Régne Animal. { Manuel d’Ornithologie, 1820, 2nd ed. pt. i. p. 414. *& History of Birds, 1822. tt Systema Avium, 1827, tt Traité d’Ornith. vol. i. p. 319. §§ Cabinet Cyclopiedia, vol. ii. p. 143, and p. 331. 190 Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. that there can be no reasonable doubt of their affinity.” He fur- ther says that the Grand Promerops of New Guinea, inhabiting the same regions as the Paradise-birds, from analogy, may be thought to unite that beautiful family with the Hoopoes. In the well-known ‘ Genera of Birds,’ (1849), George Gray assigns the Upupide location as a group of the Tenuirostres, in proximity to the Meropide and Promeropide. His ‘ Hand- list of Genera and Species of Birds,’ 1869, pt.1., shows a slight alteration, inasmuch as the Galbulide intervene between the Upupide and Meropide. In his Upupide there are three groups—1. Upupine, 2. Irrisorine, 3. Epimachinze. The first contains Upupa; the second, Irrisor, with the rejected sub- genera Lamprolophus, Cyanepops, Scoptelus, and Rhinopomas- tus; the third gathers under its fold Ptilornis (and the dis- carded subgenus Craspedophora), Epimachus (Seleucides and Semioptera), and Falculia. In the ‘ Ornithologiska System’* of Professor Sundevall the Oscines ambulatores contain three :—1. Paradisides; 2. Epima- chides; 3. Corvides. As generain No. 2 there are Epimachus, Irrisor, Rhinopomastus, Arachnothera, and Upupa. ‘The same author, ‘Svenska Foglarna’ (1856) , groups subsidiarily by foot- structure, and looks upon the Hoopoe as allied to the Larks. My attention, furthermore, has been called by Dr. Sclater to a still more recent work+ of Sundevall’s. The publication in question is as yet incomplete; but that published con- tains sufficient for my present purpose. The order Oscines holds precedence and place. First come the series Lamini- plantares, divided and subdivided into cohorts, phalanxes, fa- milies,and genera. Its cohorts are Cichlomorphe ['Thrushes], Conirostres [inches],Coliomorphe { [Crows], Certhiamorphz * In K. Vet. Akad. Handl. Stockholm, 1835. + Methodi Naturalis Avium disponendarum tentamen ; Forsék till Fogelklassens Naturenliga Uppstallning: Stockholm, 1872. { Inignorance of Professor Sundevall’s having already adopted the term Coliomorphe for the Crows (as a group), I used the self-same term in recognition of the peculiarities and aberrance of the genus Colius (see ‘This,’ July, 1872, p. 278). Priority resting with Sundevall, I herewith cancel my use of the name, and propose instead the term PaMPRODACTYLE =‘‘having all four toes in front” (wap=ras, omnis; mpd, ante, vel pre } daxrudos, digitus), for the Coliine group. Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. 191 [Creepers], Cinnyrimorphe [Sunbirds], Chelidonomorphe [Swallows]. The second series Scutelliplantares has for co- horts Holaspidez [Larks and Hoopoes], Endaspidez ['Tree- runners], Exaspideze [Tyrant Shrikes and Todies], Pycnas- pide [Chatterers], Taxaspideze [Bush-Shrikes and Lyre- bird]. By this collocation Sundevall clearly throws apart the Irrisors and Hoopoe, still associating the former with the Crows and Paradise-birds, the latter with the Larks. M. Le Baron de la Fresnaye* also regarded Upupa as having affinities with the Larks, but more strongly connected with Upucerthia, Irrisor belonging to the Sunbirds. Enough has been said to show how diverse are the opinions of orni- thologists+ on this subject. Il. Additional data, structural and otherwise, bearing on the Upupide and pseudo-genera. 1. Upupa.—My copious allusions to and quotations of prior labours on the common Hoopoe, both as to its exterior and interior, plainly debar me from having much to say thereon. Withal a few points may bear annotation, and a word on U. minor may be of interest. As regards U. epops, specimens examined on my own ac- count indorse Nitzsch’s pterylographic remarks. In one adult ¢ I specially noted primaries 10 (5th the longest), secondaries 8, rectrices 10. Oiul-gland large, broader than long, and tipped with a considerable bunch of feathers. No trace of powderdowns. Viscera, excepting length of gut, agreeing with what has been related. Of vertebre there are 12 tothe neck. The 13th bears a tiny riblet, and therefore may be reckoned along with the dorsal ; * P.Z.S. 1840, p. 124. + I may further observe that Drs. O. Finsch and G. Hartlaub (Von der Decken’s ‘ Reisen in Ost-Afrika,’ vol. iv.) place the Hoopoes, Promerops, and Creepers among the Tenuirostres. Their Upupide comprise Upupa, viz. U. epops and U. africana; Irrisor=TJ. erythrorhynchus, I. minor, 1. cyanomelas, and I. aterrimus. They moreover do not recognize five species of Irrisor,—I. sibilator, Vieill., I. caudacutus, Vieill., I. lamprolophus, Wael., Z. caruleus, Vieill., and I. cyaneus, Vieill. 192 Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. including it and a rearward one partially anchylosed with the ilia, 7 necessarily belong to the back. There appear to be about 10 vertebral elements coalesced into the sacral piece, and behind that 6 caudal vertebrz. In this light the spinal formula would be C. 12, D.-L. 7, S. 10, Cd. 6=35. Eyton tabulates 11, 8, 10, 6 to the same species. The anterior riblet is slender, styliform, 0-2 inch long. The 2nd rib, with better-defined head and offshoot to transverse process, has a length of 0-6 inch; its apex free. The 3rd, 4th, Sth, and 6th cost bear median recurrent processes. These are wanting in the 7th and 8th, the latter rib being very slender and shorter than that which precedes. 3rd to 7th ribs have a sternal union ; midway between the recurrent and transverse processes the same ribs broaden out considerably. I may specially call attention to the great length of the slender pubic rod, and to the terminal tail-vertebra, the spi- nous process of which is very high and tapering. The quadrate bone is also worthy of note; the limbs only moderate as to length. The upper articular or tympanic limb is distinguished by being longitudinally deeply guttered on its external border, a condition by no means of common occurrence. The lower articular or mandibular superficies, as more ordinarily is the case, presents three condylar knuckles; these, however, are nearly on the same plane, or with only very shallow sulci indeed between. Thus the two outer are in a manner fused together and form a back- ward scroll, while the single inner is laterally compressed and very narrow towards its junction with fellows. The tongue-bone or hyoid comprises its usual avine ele- ments. ‘The arrow-headed or A-shaped tongue-pieces apically are cartilaginous; the posterior terminal forks osseous. The middle continuous piece (glosso-, basi-, and urohyals) has a long tapering dagger-outline slightly expanded and indented for the articulation of the posterior side rods (ceratohyals). What markedly denotes the hyoid of U. epops from that of U. minor is not only a relative elongation of the median seg- ments, but its anterior end tapers, whereas in the latter it is more expanded and cleft (compare figs. 61, 62, Pl. VII.). Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. 193 Lengths of the bones of the extremities of the adult female Hoopoe (U. epops, shown in PI. V.) in inches and decimals :— Humerus. Ulna. Metacarpus. Mid phalanges. Tot. length. Wing .... l'4inch, 1-85 0:8 0:55 4-6 Femur. Tibia. Tarso-metatarse. Mid-toe phalanges. Tot. length. er... 0 op.inch, * 1:5 0-9 0:8 4:15 Through the goodness of Prof. Alfred Newton I am enabled to describe, compare, and, I believe, for the first time figure the sternum and shoulder-girdle* of the South-African Hoo- poe, Upupa minor (Gmel.). It distinctly exhibits variation from the common European species, whilst stamped with a like generic type. Bearing in mind the distinctive characteristics of parts in that of U. epops as expounded by Blanchard (anted, p. 185), I may state of the breast-bone of U. minor, that relatively it is a shade narrower, the slenderer xiphoid processes less hori- zontally placed, and the interior surface by no means so shallow. The posterior notches (xiphoid spaces) are a trifle greater and show no signs of forming foramina. The keel, with similar curvilinear outline, is most decidedly deeper throughout. As to the rostrum, perforation + at its base be- tween the coracoid grooves and in these gutters themselves, the tendency to change is appreciable, but difficult to define. The bones of the shoulder-girdle, including furcula, are not so strong in U. minor as in U. epops; but it is noticeable that while the scapula in each is of equal length, the coracoid of the former is both considerably shorter and less expanded inferiorly. The tongue-bones of U. minor I have already incidentally mentioned. * No 776a, Newton’s MS. Osteol. Cat. + In allusion to this foramen Mr. Parker (Ray. Soc. Monog. ‘Shoulder- girdle and Sternum in the Vertebrata,’ 1868), speaking of Buceros albi- rostris, observes :—‘‘In the latter species we have a beautiful morpho- logical character—namely, a fenestra, tending to cleave the rostrum off from the rest of the entosternum—a character better developed in Upupa, and very constant in most of the Galline.” p.173. (See his pl. xiii. fig. 15, of fledgeling U. epops.) 194. Dr. J. Murie on the Upupide. According to the researches of Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser*, made upon a large collection of European, African, and Asiatic birds, there are but five good species, to wit, Upupa epops, Linn., U. indica, Layard, U. longirostris, Jerd., U. africana, Bechst., and U. marginata, Peters. As regards specific dif- ferences and validity thereof.the subject is not one for me to