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QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.
EDITED BY
PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., PHD, PRS.
SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
VOL. VI. 1894. SIXTH SERIES.
Cognovi omnia volatilia cceli.
LONDON:
GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW. (Succrssors to J, VAN VOORST.)
1894.
PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCTS,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
PREFACE.
It was not without some misgivings, both for public and private reasons, as I stated in 1889, that I con- sented, at the earnest request of some of my most valued friends, to undertake the sole Editorship of the Sixth Series of ‘The Ibis.’ I am now, it need hardly be said, much pleased to have brought the final volume of the series to a conclusion, which I may be pardoned in designating as not unsuccessful. The thirty-sixth volume of our Journal is not quite so bulky as the thirty-fifth, but contains the same number of plates, and many articles, I think, of
equal interest.
In undertaking a share in the Editorship of the Seventh Series, as I have now, perhaps somewhat rashly, promised to do, it is a great satisfaction to me that I shall have the assistance of my former colleague, Mr. Howard Saunders. Without his valuable aid I could not have ventured to incur
such a serious responsibility.
As regards communications to this Journal in many branches of our Science, I have received most
1V PREFACE.
efficient support during the past six years. In the departments of Anatomy and Pterylosis, however, there is still much work to be done; and I hope that some of our younger Members may be induced to devote their energies to these special subjects. It is from such researches that we may hope to find a key to the great question of the correct arrangement of the Acromyodian Passeres. ‘The new scheme pro- pounded by Mr. Oates in the ‘Fauna of British India, though it mects certain difficulties, cannot, I think, be deemed altogether satisfactory. It is possible that an attentive study of the pterylosis of these birds, especially of the structure and modifi- cations of the wing-feathers, may lead to a more generally acceptable result.
In the Anatomy of Birds there are also numerous points still open for future investigation, although the studies of Garrod, Forbes, Fiirbringer, and Gadow have of late years materially advanced our knowledge of this branch of our Science.
P.-L
3 Hanover Square, London, W. Sept. 5th, 1894.
| Ke)
r5
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1894.
[An asterisk indicates an Original Member. It is particularly requested that Members will give notice to the Secretary of the Union, 10 Chandos Street, London, W.., of any error in their addresses or descriptions in this List, in order that it may be immediately corrected. |
Date of Election.
1893. Eryest L. 8. Anne, Major; Blenkinsopp Castle, Greenhead, Carlisle.
1887. Freprerick Cuartes Artin ; Bodicote, Banbury, Oxon.
1888. Otrver Vernon Artin; Bloxham, Banbury, Oxon.
1885. James Backuovuss, Jun., F.Z.S.; Renoso, Victoria Avenue, Harrogate.
1892. E. C. Srevarr Baker; District Superintendent of Police, Gunjong, Cachar, Assam, India, and The Hermitage, Broadstairs, Kent.
1879. Dr. Vatentine Batt, C.B., F.R.S.; Director, Science and Art Museum, Dublin.
1889. Ricwarp Jamzs Barston, F.Z.8.; Springfield, Maidstone.
1890. Francis Husert Barcray; Knott’s Green, Leyton.
1872. Hansury Barctay, Colonel, F.Z.8.; Tingrith Manor, Woburn, Bedfordshire.
1885. Huen G. Barcray ; Colney Hall, Norwich.
1884. Henry E. Barnes, Lieut., F.Z.S.; Commissariat Officer, Ahmednagar, Deccan, India.
1889. Geratp Barrerr-Haminton; Kilmannock House, New Ross, Wexford.
1881. Ricaarp Mantirre Barrineton, LL.B.; Fassaroe, Bray, co. Wicklow.
1893. Ausyn B. R. Trevor-Bartye, F.Z.S., St. Margaret’s Mansions, 51 Victoria Street, S.W.
1884. Franz E. Bepparp, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.8., Prosector to the Zoological Society of London ; Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W.
1880. Epwarp Brpwert; 1 Trig Lane, Upper Thames Street, E.C.
1884. Cuartes T. Bryenam, Major (Indian Staff Corps), F.Z.S. ; Deputy Conservator of Forests, Moulmein, Burma.
20
25
30
35
40
Date of Election.
1892.
1891. 1893. 1873.
1893. 1894. 1878. 1885.
1890. 1892. 1868.
vi
The Rev. Maurice C. H. Brrp, M.A.; Brunstead Rectory, Stalham, Norfolk.
F. E. Braauw, C.M.Z.S.; s’Graveland, Hilversum, Holland.
Ernest W. H. Braee; Greenhill, Cheadle, Staffordshire.
Wit14m T,. Branrorp, F.R.S., F.Z.8. ; 72 Bedford Gardens, Kensington, W.
GrorceE Botan, F.Z.S. ; Castlegate, Berwick-on-Tweed.
Joun Lewis Bonnorr; 68 Lexham Gardens, Kensington, W.
WitriAm Borrer, M.A., F.L.S.; Cowfold, Horsham.
Wittiam F. Brocknorrs; Claughton-on-Brock, Garstang, Lancashire.
Harry Briysiey Brooxe; 33 Egerton Gardens, Kensington, W.
Witii1am E. Brooxs ; Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada.
Tuomas Epwarp Bucxtey, B.A., F.Z.8. ; Rossal, Inverness, N.B.
. Sir Watrer Lawry Butter, K.C.M.G., Sc.D., F.R.S.,C.M.Z.8. ;
Wellington, New Zealand.
. E.A.Burter, Lieut.-Col.; Brettenham Park, Bildeston, Suffolk. . Georrrey Fowrit Buxton; Sunny Hill, Thorpe, Norwich. . Ewen SomertepD Cameron, F.Z.8.; care of Mrs. Cameron,
Belmont, Tunbridge Wells.
. JouN Duncan Cameron ; Low Wood, Bethersden, near Ashford,
Kent.
. Coartes WriiitramM CampsBett, C.M.Z.S.; H.B.M. Consular
Service, China, British Legation, Peking.
. Sir Taomas Davin Grsson-CarmicHazL, Bart., F:Z.S8.; Castle
Craig, Dolphinton, N.B.
. JAMES Carter; Burton House, Masham, Yorkshire. . Cuartes Joun Purrip Cave, F.Z.S.; Ditcham Park, Petersfield. . Watrer CuamBertain, F.Z.8.; Harborne Hall, Harborne,
near Birmingham.
. A. Macoms Cuanosz, Jun., B.A.; Lawnside, Edgbaston,
Birmingham.
. Apri Caapman; 14 Thornhill Gardens, Sunderland. . Epwarp Heyry Cuapman; 17 St. Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby. . Rosert Wiiriam Cuase; Southville, Priory Road, Edgbas-
ton, Birmingham.
. SrepHeNson Rogpert Crarxe, F.Z.S.; 25 Chesham Street,
S.W., and Croydon Lodge, Croydon, Surrey.
. Wiitram Eaerte Crarxs, F.L.S.; Museum of Science and Art,
Edinburgh.
Date of
vii
Election.
45 1880. 1874. 1888. 1882. 1892,
59° 1894. 1882. 1877. 1874.
1883. 55 1893.
1889. 1883.
1880. 1865.
60
65 1866. . ArntHuR Humes Evans, M.A., F.Z.S.; 9 Harvey Road, Cam-
E. H. Coorrr, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S.; 42 Portman Square, London, W.
Joun Corpraux; Great Cotes, R.S.0., Lincoln.
Wittram Witrrip Cordeaux ; Queen’s Bays, India.
Cuartes B. Cory, F.Z.S.; 8 Arlington Street, Boston, Mass., USA:
Harotp Mrrcewent Covracy; Snowdenham, Bramley, Guild- ford,
Sir Vauncry Harpur Crewe, Bt.; Calke Abbey, Derbyshire.
Pri Crowtey, F.Z.8.; Waddon House, Waddon, Croydon.
Joun J. Daterersn; Brankston Grange, Bogside Station, Stirling, N.B.
Cuartus G. Danrorp, F.Z.8.; Hatszeg, Siebenbiirgen, Hungary. and Conservative Club, St. James’s Street, London, 8.W.
James Davipson; 32 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh.
W. E. De Winton; Graftonbury, Hereford, and 38 Great Russell Street, W.C.
WittiAm Henry Dosis, M.R.C.S.; 22 Upper Northgate Street, Chester.
Scrove B. Dota; Public Works Department, Bombay.
Arraur Dowserr, F.Z.S.; Castle Hill House, Reading.
Henry Eres Dresser, F.LS., F.Z.8.; Topclyffe Grange, Farnborough, Beckenham, Kent.
*Henry Maurice Drummonp-Hay, C.M.Z.S., Lieut.-Col., Royal
Perth Rifles; Seggieden, Perth.
. JAmes. A. G. Drummonp-Hay (Coldstream Guards) ; Guards’
Club, Pall Mall, S.W.
78. W. Artuur Durnrorp, J.P.; Elsecar, Barnsley. . Danret Grravp Exxiot, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.; American Museum
of Natural History, New York.
. Atcernon Extiorr, Deputy Commissioner, Yeotmahl, Berar,
H.A.D., India. Henry Joun Etwes, F.Z.S.; Colesborne Park, Cheltenham.
bridge.
. WitiiaM Evans, F.R.S.E. ; 184 Morningside Park, Edinburgh. . Atrrep Hart Everert, C.M.Z.8S.; Labuan, Borneo: . Wittiam Grorcze Farrprinee; 133 Long Market Street,
Capetown.
. Arrpur M. Faraunar, Commander R.N.; Drumnayesk,
Aboyne, N.B.
75
SO
85
go
Date of Election,
1873.
1886.
1881.
1886.
1885.
1892.
1879.
vill
Heryry Wemyss Fritpen, Col., C.M.Z.8.; West House, Wells, Norfolk, and Junior United Service Club, St. James’s, S.W.
Harorp Sruarr Frerevson, Lieut. Nair Brigade ; Trevandrum, Travancore.
. Lzopotp Firxp, F.Z.8.; St. Stephen’s Club, Bridge Street,
Westminster, S.W.
Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.8.; Mote House, Mote Road, Maid- stone.
Lionet Fisuer; Kandy, Ceylon.
Henry Oe Forses, F.Z.8.; Free Public Museum, Liverpool.
Wuttam Foster; The Hill, Witley, Surrey.
Witrram Worexes Fowrrr, M.A.; Lincoln College, Oxford.
Rey. Henry Exriiorr Fox, M.A.; 12 South Bailey, Durham.
. Percy Evans Frexe; 9 Sydenham Road, Dundrum, co.
Dublin.
Hans Gavow, Ph.D., F.Z.8.; University Zoological Museum, Cambridge.
Caartes Wittram Francis, Earn or Garnsporoucn; Exton Park, Oakham.
Sir Raten Payne Gatiwey, Bart. ; Thirkleby Park, Thirsk.
Joun Gerrarp; Government Inspector of Mines, Worsley, Manchester.
Ernest Grason ; care of Thos. Gibson, Esq., 1 Eglinton Court, Edinburgh.
*Freperick DuCanr Gopman, F.R.S., F.Z.S.; 10 Chandos
Street, Cavendish Square, W.
* Percy SanpEN GopMan, B.A., C.M.Z.S. ; Muntham, Horsham.
1874. 1884. 1886. 1890. 1885.
1876.
Henry Haversuim Gopwiy-Avsren, Lieut.-Col., F.R.S., F.Z.8.; Shalford House, Guildford.
Joun G. Gooncuttp, F.Z.S.; Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh.
Wirr1am Granam, F.Z.8.; Manor House, Crayford, Kent.
Witttam R. Ocitvin Grant; 26 Hereford Square, 8.W.
F. H. H. Gurtemarp, M.A., M.D., F.Z.8.; Eltham, Kent.
Apert C. L. G. Gutnrnmr, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., F.ZS.; Keeper of the Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, 8.W.
. Joun Henry Gurney, F.Z.8.; Keswick Hall, Norwich, and
Athenzeum Club, Pall Mall, S.W.
o5
100
105
IIo
rts
Date of Election.
1890. Josaua Rrynotps Gascoren GwatkIn ; Manor House,
1891.
1887. 1886.
1883. 1876.
Potterne, Devizes.
Grorce Huyry Caron Haten; Grainsby Hall, Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Joun Preypett Wivron Hatnes; The Lodge, Gloucester.
Epwarp Hamitron, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.8.; 16 Cromwell Place, Sb: W.
Lewis Vernon Harcourt; Malwood, Lyndhurst, Hants.
Henry Cuartes Harrorp, Major 2nd Wilts Regt.; Glen Froome, Nelson Crescent, Southsea.
. Epwarp Harerrr, F.Z.8.; 1 Northanger Road, Streatham
Common, S.W.
. Ernst Harrert; The Museum, Tring, Herts. . James Epmunp Hartine, F.LS., F.Z.8.; Linnean Society,
Burlington House, Piccadilly, W.
. Wittram Hartmann; Tangley Mere, Chilworth, Surrey.
. Joun A. Harvin-Brown, F.Z.8.; Dunipace House, Larbert, N.B. . Rev. Hurzert 8. Hawerns, M.A.; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk. . Caartes T. Huppert, F.Z.S.; The Rhodrons, Hook, Kingston-
on-Thames.
. C. J. Horpswortn ; Hill Top, near Kendal, Westmoreland. . Epmunp W. H. Horpsworrn, F.Z.S.; South Town, Dart-
mouth, Devon.
. Arruur H. Horranp; Sta. Elena, Soler, F. C. al Pacifico,
Buenos Ayres.
. Hersert Kyienr Horsrrerp; Ivy Lodge, Chapel Allerton,
Leeds.
. Cuartes Hose, F.Z.S.; Resident, Baram, Sarawak, Borneo. . Roserr James Howarp; Hawkhurst, Blackburn, Lancashire.
*Witrrip Hupiesron Hupieston, M.A., F.R.S., F.ZS. ; 8 Stanhope Gardens, 8.W.
. Witr1am Henry Hopson, C.M.Z.8.; Tower House, St. Luke’s
Road, Westbourne Park, W.
. Attan Octavian Home, C.B., C.S.1., F.Z.8.; The Chalet,
Kingswood Road, Upper Norwood, 8.E.
. Henry Cuartrs Vicars Hunter; Mawley Hall, Cleobury
Mortimer, Salop.
. Hepworru Hytron, Lord Hytron, F.Z.8.; Merstham House,
Red Hill, Surrey.
. Leonard Howarp L. Irsy, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S.; 14 Corn-
wall Terrace, Regent’s Park, N.W.
120
135
140
Date of Election.
1888. Freperick J. Jackson, F.Z.8.; 13 Westbourne Square, W.
1892. Henry AsuwortH James; 11 Oxford Square, Hyde Park, W.
1889. Freperick Ponsonsy Jounson; Castlesteads, Brampton, Cumberland.
1891. Henry Hamitton Jounston, C.B., F.Z.S.; The Residency, Zomba, British Central Africa, vid Zanzibar and Chindi.
1880. Henry Roserr Keruam, Major, 2nd Bn. Highland Light Infantry ; Fyzabad, India.
1894. Henry Josepn Ketsatt, R.A.; Woolwich, 8.E.
1882. Puirre M.C. Kermopvg; Hillside, Ramsay, Isle of Man.
1891. J. Granam Kerr; Christ’s College, Cambridge.
1882. Rev. Epw. Ponsonsy Knusiry, M.A.; Staveley Rectory, Leeds.
1892. Tuomas Geppres Laiwraw; Bank of Scotland, Morningside Branch, Edinburgh, and 8 Morningside Road, Edinburgh,
1884. Hersert Laneron; 11 Marlborough Place, Brighton.
1881. Hon. Grranp Lascettes; Queen’s House, Lyndhurst.
1892. Jonn Davin Dievrs ps La Toucuz; Chinese Imperial Mari- time Customs, Amoy, China.
1892. Artruur Moore Laws; Little Clacton Lodge, near Colchester.
1885. GroreE Lawson, C.B.; 36 Craven Hill Gardens, Hyde Park, We
1876. Witt1aM Vincent Luces, Col. late R.A., F.Z.S.; Cullenswood House, St. Mary’s, Tasmania.
1868. Hamon Le Srranen, F.Z.8.; Hunstanton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
1875. Pager Watrer Le Srranen, Col. R.A.; Dol-lan, Llandyssil, South Wales.
1893. Freperick Lewis; Assistant Conservator of Forests, Ratna- pura, Ceylon.
1889. CuristopneR Joun Leyrtanp; Haggerston Castle, Beal, Northumberland.
*THomas Lytrieron, Lord Litrorp, F.L.S., F.Z.8.; Lilford
Hall, Oundle.
1874. Joun Hayes Luoyp, Col., F.Z.S.; 95 Adelaide Road, N.W.
1889. ArrHur Purvis Loyp, F.Z.S. (late Major 21st Hussars) ; 3 Queen’s Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W.
1877. James Lumspen, F.Z.S.; Arden House, Alexandria, N.B.
1894. Arraur Hotre Macruerson ; 51 Gloucester Place, Hyde Park, W.
145
150
155
160
165
xi Date of Election.
1886. Rev. Hue ALEXANDER Macpuerson, M.A.; 11 Victoria Place, Carlisle.
1875. Joun Winerretp Matcorm, F.Z.8S. ; 7 Great Stanhope Street, Mayfair, W.
1878. Henry Sracy Marns, R.A., F.Z.S.; 17 Hamilton Terrace, St. John’s Wood, N.W.
1894, Arcuipatp McLean Marsuatt; 29 Queen’s Gate Gardens, S.W.
1894. James McLean Marsnatt; 29 Queen’s Gate Gardens, S.W.
1878. Rev. Murray A. Maruew, M.A., F.L.S.; Buckland Dinham, Frome, Somersetshire.
1883. Epmunp Gustavus Broomrretp Muapr-Watpo, F.Z.8.; Rope Hill, Lymington, Hants.
1886. Jonn Guitte Mitts, F.Z.S.; 2 Palace Gate, Kensington, W.
1879. Freperick SHaw Mircuert; Edmonton, Alberta, N. W. T., Canada.
1892. Sr. Grorce Mivart, Ph.D., M.D., F.R.S.; Oriental Club, Hanover Square, W.
1890. Tuomas James Monk; St. Anne’s, Lewes, Sussex.
1864. ALExanDER Goopman Morg, F.L.S.; 74 Leinster Road, Rathmines, Dublin.
1886. Grorcr Murruean, F.Z.S.; Mains of Haddo, Aberdeen.
1893. Wittiam H. Moutuens, M.A., F.Z.S.; Westfield Place, near Battle, Sussex.
1892. Pure WincuesterR Munn; Laverstoke, Whitchurch, Hants.
1885. Epwarp Neate; 43 Charlotte Street, Portland Place, W.
1882. Tuomas Hupson Netson; Sandringham House, Redcar, York- shire.
1876. Hue Nevitt; Newton Villa, Godalming.
1872. Francis D’Arcy Witi1am Crouch Newcome; Feltwell Hall, Brandon, Suffolk.
*AtrreD Newton, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.8., Professor of Zoology in the University of Cambridge ; Magdalene College, Cam- bridge.
*Sir Epwarp Newron, K.C.M.G., M.A., F.L.S., C.M.ZS. ; 23 Wellington Esplanade, Lowestoft.
1891. Diesy Servs Warritock Nicnott, F.LS., F.Z.S.; The Ham, Cowbridge, Glamorganshire.
1886. Howarp Hitt Jonn Nicnorts, M.R.C.S.; The Moat, East- bourne.
1876. Francis Nicnoxson, F.Z.8.; Oakfield, Ashley Rd., Altrincham.
170
180
185
Igo
xi
Date of Election.
1887. 1882. 1892.
1889.
ikea
1893.
Grorcr Cameron Norman, F.Z.S.; 68 Lombard Street, E.C.
Evernse Witx1am Oars, F.Z.8.; Toungho, Burma,
Frerevs Menteira Oeinvir, M.A., F.Z.8.; Sizewell House, Leiston, Suffolk.
Bertram Savitz Oate; Hill House, Steeple Aston, Oxford.
*Sir Joun W. P. Camesert-Orpe, Bart., F.2Z.8., late Captain
42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment; Kilmory House, Lochgilphead, Argyllshire, N.B.
. Henry Parker, C.E., F.Z.S., Irrigation Officer, P.W.D.;
Kurunegala, Ceylon.
Tuomas Parkin, M.A., F.Z.S.; Fairseat, High Wickham, Hastings.
Roserr Parrerson ; Tilecote, Malone Park, Belfast.
R. Lioyp Parrerson, F.L.S.; Croft House, Holywood, co. Down.
Caries Epwarp Prarson ; Chilwell House, near Nottingham.
Henry J. Pearson; Bramcote, Beeston, Notts.
Frank Penrose; 4 Harley Street, W.
E. Lorr Putriies, F.Z.8.; 79 Cadogan Square, S.W.
Gerorce THorneé Purtiies; Wokingham, Berkshire.
Tuomas Diesy Pieorr, C.B.; 5 Ovington Gardens, S.W.
Tuomas Mayer Pree, M.A.; care of R. H. Porter, 18 Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W.
Mervyn Owen Wayne Powys, B.A., F.Z.8.; 2 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, W., and Oriental Club, Hanover Square, W.
Wittram Prange Pycrart; Department of Comparative Anatomy, University Museum, Oxford.
Cuartes Rosert Evsracr Rapctyrre; Ist Life Guards, and Hyde, Wareham, Dorset.
. R. G. Warptaw Ramsay, Major, F.Z.S.; Tuillicoultry House,
Tillicoultry, N.B. Hersert Evetyn Rawson, F.Z.8.; Fallbarrow, Windermere. Ricuarp Henry Reap, L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.; Church Street, Hanley.
. Rozert H. Reap; care of Sir John Fowler, 2 Queen Square
Place, Queen Anne’s Gate, S.W., and 80 The Grove, Ealing, W.
Savite G. Ren, late Capt. R.E., F.Z.8.; Thornhaugh, Swanage, Dorset.
Percy Renpatt, M.D., F.Z.S.; Eureka City, Barberton, South African Republic.
195
200
205
210
Xili
Date of
Election.
1893. The Hon. L. Watrer Roruscurrp, F.Z.8.; Tring Park, Tring, Herts.
1894, The Hon. Narwaniet Cuartes Rotuscuirp; Tring Park, Tring.
1883. Wirtram Herserr Sr. Quintin, F.Z.8.; Scampston Hall, Rillington, Yorkshire.
*Ospert Satvin, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.8.; 10 Chandos Street, W., and Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere.
1870. Howarp Saunpers, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; 7 Radnor Place, Hyde Park, W.
*Puitip Louriey Scrater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.; Secretary to the Zoological Society of London, 3 Hanover Square, W., and Odiham Priory, Winchfield.
1891. Wittram Luruey Scrarer, M.A., F.Z.8.; Eton College, Windsor,
1881. Joun Scutty, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Surgeon-Lt.-Col.; care of Messrs. H. 8. King & Co., 65 Cornhill, E.C.
1873. Henry Szezoum, F.Z.S.; 22 Courtfield Gardens, S.W.
1889. Humpnrey Parricrus Sennousr, B.A.; The Fitz, Cocker- mouth, Cumberland.
1871. Ricwarp Bowpter Swarpr, LL.D., F.LS., F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History), South Kensington, 8.W.
1886, Wittram Carstairs SHaw; Bank of Madras, Madras.
1870. G. Ernest Suettey, F.Z.S., late Captain, Grenadier Guards; 10 Thurloe Square, S.W.
1865. Rev. Cuartes Witiiam Suepuerd, M.A., F.Z.8.; Trotters- clitfe Rectory, Maidstone, Kent.
1894. Sewattis Evetyn Surrtey; Ettington Park, Stratford-on- Avon,
1881. F. B. Smrson, F.Z.S.; Broom Hill, Spratton, Northampton.
1882. Rev. Henry H. Starer, M.A., F.Z.8.; Thornhaugh Rectory, Wansford, Northants.
1864. Rev. Atrrep CHartes Smita, M.A.; Old Park, Devizes,
Wilts.
1881. Tuomas Sournwett, F.Z.S.; 10 The Crescent, Chapel Field, Norwich.
1893. Samuet 8. Srantey; 3 Regent Grove, Leamington, Warwick- shire.
1875. A. C. Srarx. 1889. Wittt1am Sroarr; Belmont, Burnham, Somerset.
235
Date of
XiV
Election.
1893.
1881.
1887.
1887. 1882.
1873. 1889. 1886. 1891. 1893. 1894. 1864. 1894. 1890. 1884.
1881.
1891.
1886.
1881.
CHagtEs Srongam, F.R.C.8., F.Z.S.; 4 Harley Street, Cavendish Square, W.
Rozsert Wrieut Sruppy, Col. (late Manchester Regiment) ; Waddeton Court, Brixham, Devon.
Freperick Wriit1AMm Sryay, F.Z.S.; Ben Craig, Bayham Road, Sevenoaks, and Shanghai, China.
JoHn SwinpurnE; Beauregard, Hauteville, Guernsey.
Cuartes Swinuor, Col. Bombay Staff Corps, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S.; Avenue House, Cowley Road, Oxford.
. Wiotram Caaster Tarr, C.M.Z.8.; Entre Quintas 155, Oporto,
Portugal.
*Epwarp Cavenpisu Taytor, M.A., F.Z.S.; 74 Jermyn Street,
S.W.
Wittiam Bernaarp Tercermerer, F.Z.S.; 16 Alexandra Grove, North Finchley, N.
Epwarp Prravtx Tennant; 40 Grosvenor Square, W., and The Glen, Innerleithen, N.B.
Horace A. Terry, Captain (Oxfordshire Light Infantry) ; Burvale, Walton-on-Thames.
Witt1aM Brunpert THornuitt ; Castle Cosey, Castie Belling- ham, Ireland.
Dixon L. Toorrz; 41 Aglionby Street, Carlisle.
Norman Freprric Ticknursr; Winstowe, St. Leonards-on-Sea.
*Rev. Henry Baxer Tristram, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., C.M.Z.8.,
Canon of Durham; The College, Durham.
Henry Morris Urcuer, F.Z.S.; Sheringham Hall, Norfolk, and Feltwell Hall, Brandon.
Ricwarp Joun Ussnur; Cappagh House, Cappagh, R.8.0., Lismore, Ireland.
Srrpuen Venour; Fern Bank, Altrincham, Cheshire.
A. S. Verzy; Heronsgate, near Rickmansworth.
Wrtiram Wittoversy Core Verner, Major (Rifle Brigade) ; Junior United Service Club, S8.W.
C. W. ver Vis, Queensland Museum, Brisbane; care of Williams and Norgate, 14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C.
H. D. Wanr-Datron, Col.; Hauxwell Hall, Finghall, R.8.0., Yorkshire.
Tuomas, Lord Watstneuam, F.R.S., F.Z.S.; Merton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.
245
259
Date of Election
1874.
1878.
1891.
188-4. 1891. 1887. 1894. 1888. 1887.
1391,
1894. 1875.
1871.
1891. 1876. 1889. 1878. 1877.
1860.
1886. 1890. 1860. 1870. 1880. 1894.
1860.
xv
CHartes Byerave Wuarton, F.Z.S.; Hounsdown, Totton, Hants.
Henry Tuornron Wuarton, M.A., F.Z.S.; Madresfield, Acol Road, Priory Road, West Hampstead, N.W.
Bensamrn Inenam Wuitaker; Hesley Hall, Tickhill, Rother- ham.
JosepH Wurraker, F.Z.S.; Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield, Notts.
JosepH J. 8S. Warraker; Malfitano, Palermo, Sicily.
JEFFERY WuHITEHEAD ; Southwood, Bickley, Kent.
Jounson Witkrnson ; Huddersfield, Yorkshire.
Cures Josepa Witson; 16 Gordon Square, W.C.
Scorr Barcuarp Wutson, F.Z.S.; Heatherbank, Weybridge Heath, Surrey.
Frank Wirutneron; care of Messrs. Read and Campbell, No. 4 San Juan de Letran, Mexico City, Mexico.
Witi1am Vincent Woop; 8 Castelbain Road, Maida Hill, W.
Cuartes A. Wricut, F.L.S., F.Z.S. (Knight of the Crown of Italy); Kayhough, Kew-Gardens Road, Kew, 8.W.
K. Percevat Wrient, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.8., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin.
Tuomas Wrieut, M.D.; Castle Place, Nottingham.
Craupe W. Wyarr; Adderbury, Banbury.
James B. Youne, Commander R.N.; Rodwell, Weymouth.
Joun Youne, F.L.S., F.Z.8.; 64 Hereford Road, Bayswater, W.
James Herpert Yue, Lt.-Col. (2nd Bn. Devonshire Regi- ment); 41 Eaton Rise, Ealing, W.
Extra-Ordinary Member.
Atrrep Russet Wattace, F.Z.8.; Corfe View, Parkstone, Dorset.
Honorary Members.
Tuomas Ayres; Potchefstroom, Transvaal.
Graf von Brertepscu, C.M.Z.8.; Miinden, Hanover.
Dr. Jean Capants, C.M.Z.S., Friedrichshagen, bei Berlin.
Dr. Orro Finscu, C.M.Z.S.; Delmenhorst, near Bremen,
Hervricu Girke, C.M.Z.8., Heligoland.
Dr. Henry Hittyer Grertorr, F.M.Z.S.; Reale Istituto di Studi Superiori, Florence.
Dr. Gustav Hartravs, F.M.Z.S8., Bremen.
Xv1
Date of Election.
1860
1893
Io 1890.
ry Ler2.
1872. 1880.
20 1894.
. Enear Leopotp Layarp, C.M.G., F.Z.8., Budleigh Salterton, Devonshire. . Dr. Anton ReicHenow, C.M.Z.S.; Museum fiir Naturkunde, Invalidenstrasse, Berlin. Count Tommaso Satvaport, M.D., F.M.Z.S.; Royal Zoological Museum, T7wrin.
Foreign Members.
. dort AsapH Axzuen, O.M.Z.S.; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York.
. Prof. J. V. Barsoza pu Bocaez, C.M.Z.8.; Royal Museum,
LInsbon.
. Louis Burzav, M.D.; Ecole de Médecine, Nantes. . Prof. Roserr Cottert, F.M.Z.8.; Zoological Museum, Christi-
ania.
2. Dr. Exxiorr Covss, C.M.Z.8.; Smithsonian Institution, Wash-
ington, D.C.
75. Marchese Gracomo Dorta, F.M.Z.S., Genoa. 2. Dr. Vicror Fatto, C.M.Z.8., Geneva. 2. Georcr N. Lawrence, C.M.Z.8.; 45 East 21st Street, Vew
York.
2. Baron Dz Setys Lonecuampes, Lrége. 10 1866.
Dr. Juzius von Maparisz; National Museum, Buda-Pesth. . Dr. A. J. Matmeren, Helsingfors, Finland. . Prof. Orunret Coartes Marsu, C.M.Z.S8.; Yale College, New- haven, U.S.A. . Prof. Dr. Micnart Menzstnr, C.M.Z.S8.; Imperial Society of Naturalists, Moscow. . Dr. Apotpu Berwuarp Meyer, C.M.Z.S., Director of the Royal Museum, Dresden. Prof, AtpHonss Mitne-Epwarps, F.M.Z.8.; Jardin des Plantes, Paris. . M. Eniee Ovsrater, C.M.Z.S.; Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Jardin des Plantes, Paris. . Dr. THEopor Pieske, F.M.Z.S.; Imperial Zoological Museum, St. Petersburgh. Prof. Gustav Rappz, C.M.Z.8., Tiflis. Roserr Rmeway, 0.M.Z.S.; Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington, D.C. Herman Scuatow; 105 Rathenowerstrasse, Berlin, N.W.
CONTENTS or VOL. VIL.—SIXTH SERIES.
(1894.)
Number XXI., January.
I. Second List of Birds collected by Mr. Alexander Whyte, F.Z.8., in Nyasaland. By Captain G. E. Saetiny, F.ZS.
Page
o
(Plates I. & IT.) I II. On some Birds from Bugotu, Solomon Islands, and Santa Cruz. By H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.R.S. (Plate IIT.). 28 III. On the Taxonomy of the Swifts and Humming-birds : a Rejoinder. By Dr. R. W. Suurenpr, C.M.ZS. . : 32 IV. On the Birds of the Calcutta District. By Puinir W. Munn, M.B.O.U. : ; * jars eee om eee POG V. Notes on some Tunisian Birds. By J. I. 8. Warraxer, F.ZS8. 78 VI. On the Interbreeding of Rhipidura — ginosa With R., flabellifera. By J.C. McLean. ; ie en oe VII. On the Chrysotis canifrons of Lawrence. By Ernst HaARreErr . ee eee hohe ay al at 3) esa de oe ae eS VIII. Ornithology at Munich, Stuttgart, Darmstadt, Frank- fort, and Cassel. By Tue Enrror. ras . 106 IX. Description of a new Species of Grebe from Central Peru. By Hans, Graf yon Brrterscn, and Jean Srorzmann. (Plate IV.) . . 109
SER, VI.—VOL. VI. i
XVill
CONTENTS.
Page
X. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. Nos. XL., xT... is
XI. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :—
1. Allen on the Birds of Matto Grosso . 22
2. Blaauw’s Comparative List of the Birds of Holland and England . : 123 3. Gadow’s “ Aves ” in Bronn’s ‘ Thier-Reich ha 124 4, Gurney on an Immigration of the Lapland Bunting . 125 5. Hasbrouck on Dichromatism in Megascops . 125 6. Lewis on the Birds of Hertfordshire . 126 7. Meyer’s Illustrations of Birds’ Skeletons 126 8. Meyer on the Birds of German New Guinea 126 9. Nehrling’s North-American Birds . 127 10. Newton and Gadow’s Dictionary of Birds 128 11. Oustalet on Birds from India, Tibet, and China 129 12. Pavesi’s Ornithological Calendar of Pavia 130 13. Reichenow’s List of German Birds 130 14, Ridgway on two new Swifts 132 15. Ridgway on a new Odontophorus . 132 16. Rothschild on the Avifauna of Laysan 132 17. Ryder on the Form of the Fowl’s Egg 134 18. Selous on Mashunaland and its Birds 134 19. Shufeldt on a Hybrid Grouse : 135 20. Trimen on the Vertebrates of the Cape Colony 135 21. Winge on Birds observed at the Danish Light-stations 135
XII. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. :—
Letters
from Heer F. E. Blaauw and Mr. W. R. Ogilvie
Grant. Report of the British Museum for 1892; Otocorys pemcellata in Europe; Collectors in South America; The Systematic Position of pyornis; The Manus of <Archco-
pteryx. Baldamus
Obituary: Emin Pasha, Dr. George Bennett, Pastor
. 136
CONTENTS.
Number XXII., April.
XIII. On the Birds of Uruguay. ByO. V. Artin. With an Introduction and Notes by P. L. Sctarzr. (Plate V.) .
XIV. On some Birds collected in the Vicinity of Foochow. By C. B. Rickert, F.Z.S8. With Notes by Henry H. Srarer .
XV. On a Birds’-nesting Excursion to the North of Norway in 1893. By Heyry J. Pearson and Enpwarp Bmwett
XVI. On a Collection of Birds sent by Mr. Alfred H. Everett from the Sulu Archipelago. By R. Bowprer Suarre, LL.D., F.L.S., &c. (Plates VI. & VII.) . iia ths We
XVII. Descriptions of the Eggs of three Species of South Australian Parrakeets. By Atrrep J. Norru, Assistant in Ornithology, Australian Museum, Sydney . .
XVIII. A few Observations on some Species of Ph eae By W. Epwin Brooxs irre a a) toe : :
XIX. Note on the Aquatic Habits of the Chaji (Chauna chavaria). By R. Lyprexxer, F.Z.8. . ome
XX. On the Occurrence of Colymbus adamsi in Norway. By Prof. R. Cotterr, F.M.Z.8. (Plate VIII.).
XXI. On the Scientific Names of the Imperial and Spotted Eagles and on the Generic Names of Bonelli’s Eagle and the Black Eagle. By W. T. Branrorp, F.R.S. .
XXII. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. Nos. XITII-XV. . ae oF ae eT ae a at aa
XXIII. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :-— 22. Andrews on a new dipyornis . : : 23. Bittikofer on two new Birds from Sout cence : 24, Biittikefer on a new Pac/ yeephala 25. Biittikofer on two new Stoparole .
26. Biittikofer on a new Gerygone . 27. Bittikofer on new Birds trom Java and Gelenes
xix
Pago
. 149
215
. 238
XX CONTENTS.
Page 28. Biittikofer on two new Species of Gerygone . . 304 29. Dresser’s ‘ Monograph of the Rollers’ . 304 30. Elliot’s ‘ Monograph of the Pittide’ . 305 31. Fowler on the Marsh-Warbler . . 305 32. Hartert’s Remarks on German Birds . . 306 30. Hutton on the so-called Dinornis nae hee - o06 34, Kaiser on the Birds of Sinai : . 307 35. Milne-Edwards and Grandidier on Hp yornis . . 307
36. North on the Occurrence of the Corn-Crake in Aus-
PRAlaee” 4 soy. <2 oe . 308 37. North on a new Teas ee . 808 38. ‘ Novitates Zoologice.’—No. I. . . 308 39. Ogilvie-Grant on the Game Birds . . 309 40. Pycraft on the Barbs of Feathers . . ole 41. Reichenow on the Birds of Adeliland . al2 42. Rhoads on Parus hudsonicus andits Alles . . 313
43. Richmond on Birds from Nicaragua and Costa Rica . 313 44, Ridgway on new Birds from Aldabra and the adjoin-
ing Islands ‘ . 314
45. Ridgway on some Gagteieat Birds . . 314
46. Ridgway on the Genus Myiarchus . . . .-. . 314
47. Rothschild on the Avifauna of Laysan . 315
48. Sharpe and Wyatt on the Hirundinide . . 315
49. Stejneger on Japanese Birds ... . . 316
XXIV. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &¢.:—
Letters from Mr. John Whitehead, Mr. A. Everett, Heer F. E. Blaauw, Mr. L. W. Wiglesworth, the Rev. Canon Tristram, Dr. W. '. Blanford, Mr. E. Hartert, and Mr. W. P. Pycraft. The Structure and Variations of the Bird’s-Egg; Dates of Publication of Jardine and Selby’s ‘ Illustrations of Ornitho- logy’; An extinct Apterygine Bird in Australia; Sale of a Great Auk’s Eeg; The Black Crow of Somaliland; Supposed new extinct Gigantic Bird in Australia; Mr. R. C. L. Perkins
in the Sandwich Islands . . 316
CONTENTS. XXl
Nomserr XXIII., July.
XXYV. Notes on the Ornithology of China. By F. W.Sryay, eereen (late deka ec ot PR EIN ae ts ghee) 2) eve
XXVI. On the Chinese Species of the Genus Suthora. By naw SEEBOHM, U.A.0. « « © @ Se © © «© « « # ©, sade
XXVII. A Contribution towards the Me of West Jutland. By Atrrep CRAwHALL CHAPMAN. . . 339
XXVIII. On a Collection arranged to illustrate the General Characters of the Eggs of Birds. By Sir Wirt1am H. Frower, MEE Oot a ae hae a, ae Ce aI as Fake oak
XXIX. On cases of Complete Fibule in existing Birds. By Pepkeew. saurnmnt COMLZ.5... 5 s « «> = 1 «9 otde boul
XXX. List of Birds observed in Dras and Suru. By Lieut. W. Wire Corpravx, M.B.O.U. (Queen’s Bays). . . . . 367
XXXI. On the Crimson-headed Wood-Partridge (Hamat- ortyx sanguiniceps). By W. R. Oa1tviz Grant. (Plate X.) . 374
XXXII. On some new or little-known Shrikes from Central Asia. By M. Menzprer, Professor of Zoology and Compara- tive Anatomy in the University of Moscow . ... . . 378
XXXIII. Remarks on some Specimens. of Central-Asiatic Shrikes. By H. E. Dressur, F.L8.,F.Z8. . . . . . . 384
XXXIV. Descriptions de quelques Espéces nouvelles d’Oi- seaux du Pérou central. Par le Comre Hans pr Berterscy et Juan SrOnzMANN. (Plate XI). 35 6 3 a os 6 © 3 4/388
XXXY. On the Birds of the Philippine Islands.—Part I. Mount Arajat, Central Luzon. By W. R. Ocinvir Granz. With Field-Notes by Jonn WuitEHEAD . . . .. .. . 406
XXXVI. On the Distribution of Genera and Species of Non- migratory Land-Birds in the Philippines. By J. B. Sruerr, Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy in the Univer- Siete WELCH EEy 5 wy np os ok Sed Col iP amy ee nee “org shy eee
XXll CONTENTS.
XXXVII. Bornean Notes: No. II. By R. Bowpter Suarre, LE.D., E.L-S., &... : ee vy ee tee
XXXVIII. Note on some newly-discovered Eggs of the Great Auk. By Epwarp Bipwetr hac Op ghee
XXXIX. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. Nos.
Page
XVI-XVIII. 424 XL. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :— 50. Biittikofer on Birds from Celebes, Saleyer, and Flores 435 51. Chapman on the Birds of Trinidad : 436 52. Clarke on the Persecution of the Great Skua 437 53. Collett’s Contributions to the Norwegian Avifauna . 437 54. Elliot’s ‘ Monograph of the Pittidw’ 438 55. Lansdell on Birds from Central Asia . 439 56. Mathew on the Birds of Somerset . 439 57. Meyer on new East-Indian Birds . : . 440 58. Milne-Edwards on the extinct Birds of the Maseavene Islands and Madagascar : . 440 59. Milne-Edwards and Oustalet on rousntl nae Birds, 440 60. Nelson and Palmer on new Birds from Mexico 44] 61. Oustalet on Drepanornis bruijna : 441 62. Oustalet on new Birds in the Paris Gallasun : 441 63. Ridgway on the Genus Formecarius . 442 64. Ridgway on a new Storm-Petrel 442 65. Sharpe’s ‘ Monograph of the Paradiseide’ 4492 66. Sharpe on the FPulicariw and Alectorides . 443 67. Stuhlmann on Emin Pasha’s last Journey . 445 68. Wilson and Evans’s ‘Aves Hawaiienses’ . 446 69. Wyatt’s ‘ British Birds’ . . 447
'XLI. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. :—
Letters from Mr. Henry J. Pearson, Mr. William E. De Winton, Mr. J. Backhouse, Mr. Knud Andersen, Mr. C. C. Trowbridge, Mr. G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton, and Mr. Robert Patterson. Great Bustard Breeding in Captivity ; Hirundo gut- turalis at Brighton; the Nectarinia of Mount Kenia; Marbled Duck in Bavaria; Pelecanus crispus in Italy; Tinamous as
CONTENTS. XXili
Page Food; New Monograph of the Cranes; Patria of Cacatua : gymmnopis ; Ornithologists on their Travels; Anniversary Meet- ing of the British Ornithologists’ Union, 1894; Rare Birds in the Museo Civico, Milan; Meeting of the German Ornitho- logical Society. Obituary—Dr. A. v. Middendorff, Dr. L. v. Schrenck, and Herr Oberamtmann Ferdinand Heine. . . . 447
NumBer XXIV., October.
XLII. Third List of the Birds collected by Mr. Alexander Whyte, F.Z.S., in Nyasaland. By Captain G. E. Settey, ERZeso = (Plate: X11.) oe em oe a OR
XLIII. On some Birds collected on Byingyi Mountain, Shan States, Burma. By Everne W. Oars, F.Z.S. (Plate XIII.). 478
XLIV. On the Nesting of Phibalura flavirostris and Lochmias pongura. By Or Bur A. Gomrmr . 2... « +4 «+ 40
XLV. Remarks on the Birds of Antarctica. By P. L. Nena) MA Phe OMeRase i 3. ata A a ee ~ er AO
XLVI. On the Birds of the Philippine Islands.—Part IT. The Highlands of North Luzon, 5000 feet. By W. R. Oatrvie Grant. With Field-Notes by Joun Wurirennap. (Plates XIV. & XV.) el: 4 xn? On SS. 4 tee eae OE
XLVII. On a new Species of Fern-bird (Sphenwacus) from the Snares Islands. By Sir Watrer L. Buirer, K.C.M.G., emi te ay oe Ue Bie (arg en ee Ea) ah can ayy, ewes
XLVIII. Notes on the Indian Owls. By W. T. Branrorp . 524
XLIX. On some Birds from the Island of Negros, Philip- pies. By Wm. Haare Crarkr, F.LS. . . . . « « « « OSL
L. On a new Species of Guinea-fowl. By W. R. Oartvie SGReAUMI A Poss: yw ule ade Sopa te to, cei ae oe en ere)
LI. Bornean Notes: No. III. By R. Bowpter Smarr, Re Benen rely he >. ae a aL RT ee ae ome ve he. oS
XXiV
CONTENTS.
LII. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. No. XIX.
LITT. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :—
Page
546
70. Adair on the Short-eared Owl and Kestrel in the Vole-plague Districts of Scotland . 5d2
71. Andersen on the Occurrence of Ligurinus sinicus in Denmark 552 72. ‘Aquila,’ a new Haveuuan J narra of Ornithology 553 73. Bower on the Birds of Tibet . 553
74. Butler on the Distribution of Geant. in Nout America . : 554 75. Collett on Bird-life in Aree 2 Norway . 554
76. Dobie on the Birds of Cheshire, Vgabsehane and Flintshire 509 77. Elliot on the Life “al Spee of Reanton 556 78. Finsch on a rare Rail . 556 79. Flower on the Arrangement of essa : » « 896 80. Hartert on the Mode of Flight of the Accipitres. . 557 81. Hudson on Lost British Birds . . 558 82. Jouy on Birds from Central Mexico . - 058 83. Lataste on Chilian Birds 559 84, Leverkiihn on the Breeding of the Cr ae qin 560
85. Meyer and Wiglesworth on new Birds from Celebes and its neighbourhood 560 86. Oustalet on a new Cassowary . 560 87. Oustalet on new Birds from Conaclind 560 88, Oustalet on Birds from the Algerian Sahara . 5961
89. Oustalet on the Birds of Turkestan, Tibet, and Western China . 561 90. Parrot on the Size of the tee in Bias 562 91. Pycraft on the Wing of Archwopteryx 563 92. Ridgway on Birds from Alaska 563 93. Ridgway on a new Geothlypis ee 563 94. Salvadori on new Birds from New Guinea . 563 95, Salvadori on Birds from Somali-land 564 96, Seebohm on the Distribution of British Birds . 564 97. Sharpe’s Handbook to the Birds of Great Britain 565 98. Stone on the Genus Anous. 567 99. Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen’s List of fie Meri 568 100. Wickmann on the Colour of Birds’-Eggs . 568
CONTENTS. XXV
LIV. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. :—
Letters from Mr. W. L. Distant; Herr A. Nehrkorn ; Mr. W. R. Ogilvie Grant; Dr. W. T. Blanford; and Mr. Howard Saunders. The new extinct Gigantic Bird of Australia ; The Birds of Damma Island; The Jackson-Harmsworth Polar Ex- pedition ; The Destruction of Small Birds; Mr. Cory’s Collec- tion of Birds. Obituary—-Mr. Brian H. Hodgson, Dr. L.
Conlon and Mr; Po Ledouy~ 20%.) se sa vs et a 68 index ot ocienvilie Names << . . <« 2 “ “a sees esaeo tidexsofContents... ss 1): wa sac as Ok ee OUR
Titlepage, Preface, List of Members, and Contents.
General Index to the Sixth Series.
SER. VI.—VOL. VI. C
1 2
ify
j Ub sof
¥
j 6
ety As oo a — . ———— t a, - : 3 i ‘ = . ’ * . i ® ~ we * ¥ a . = = ’ ay i ‘ * e % ; ve 7 1 - _ J ~ j) = 7 UF
A He Bie ae pies
SIXTH SERIES.
No. XXI. JANUARY 1894.
I.—Second List of Birds collected by Mr. Alexander Whyte, F.Z.8.,in Nyasaland. By Captain G. E. Saeuiey, F.Z.8.
(Plates I. & If.)
My first list of the birds of Nyasaland, which was published in this Journal last year (see Ibis, 1893, p. 1), contains the names of 134 species, 12 of which were described as new. One of these, Hirundo astigma (Ibis, 1893, p. 19), is the same as H. emini, Reichen. (J. f. O. 1892, pp. 30, 215), as I have ascertained by the examination of a typical specimen of that species lately received by the British Museum. I also find that no. 75 of my first list (p. 20) is not Dryoscopus sticturus, Finsch & Hartl., but D. mossambicus, Fischer & Reichen., and that no. 78 (p. 20) is not Nilaus capensis, but its more northern representative, N. nigritemporalis, Reichen.
My present list, which is based on two collections (of about 1030 specimens together) lately received by Mr. Sclater from Mr. H. H. Johnston, C.B., having been made under his superintendence by Mr. Alexander Whyte, F.Z.S., con- tains the names of 205 species, of which 102 were not repre- sented in Mr. Whyte’s previous collections. Of these 102
SER. VI.—VOL. VI. B
2 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
species, no less than nine, which I have characterized as follows, appear to me to be new to science, namely :—
1. Prodotiscus zambesiz, p. 8.
2. Xenocichla milanjensis, p. 9.
3. Phyllostrephus cerviniventris, p- 10.
4, Andropadus zombensis, p. 10.
5. Sylviella whytii, p. 15.
6. Laniarius bertrandi, p. 15.
7. Hyphantornis nyasse, p. 20. 8, Pyrenestes minor, p. 20.
9. Francolinus johnstoni, p. 24.
Besides these novelties I find in the series one species hitherto known only from West Africa ; six which as yet have been found only in more northern portions of Eastern Africa ; while two are southern species which are now recorded for the first time from the country north of the Zambesi.
1. MeLieRAx GABAR. Melierax gabar (Daud.) ; Shelley, Ibis, 1893, p. 6. Zomba, Oct. An immature specimen.
2. AsTUR POLYZONOIDES.
Astur polyzonoides (Smith) ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 22, 796; id. Cat.1.3p. 113.
Zomba, Nov. Both adult and immature specimens.
3. BuTEO DESERTORUM.
Buteo desertorum (Daud.); Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 30, 797 ; ide@at- 2. p. 179.
Zomba, July. One fine adult bird.
4, ASTURINULA MONOGRAMMICA.
Asturinula monogrammica, 'Temm.; Shelley, |. c. p. 6.
Zomba, Nov. Adult and young. It is curious that the young bird does not appear to have been hitherto described. The one sent by Mr. Whyte had been kept in a cage, and is nearly of the size and plumage of the adult, but has a good deal of brown on the chest and brown margins to many of the wing-coverts and scapulars; it has also two white bands on the tail instead of one.
5. LopHoabtus occiPiratis.
Lophoaétus occipitalis (Daud.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 6.
Zomba, Feb. and Nov. The former is an adult, the latter a young bird.
collected in Nyasaland. 3
6. HaLiabrus vocirer.
Hahaétus vocifer (Daud.) ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 46, 798 ; id. Cat. i. p. 310.
Fort Johnston and Upper Shiré River, Nov. In adult and immature plumages.
7. Mitvus aeyrrivs. Milvus egyptius (Gm.) ; Shelley, l.c. p. 7. Zomba, Nov. An adult.
8. Baza, sp. inc. Zomba, Nov. ‘The specimen is immature, and I am unable to say whether it should be referred to B. verreausxi or to
B. cuculoides.
9. ELANUS CERULEUS.
Elanus ceruleus (Desf.) ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 52, 798 ; id. Cat. 1. p. 336.
Zomba, Oct.; Upper Shiré River, Nov.
10. Panpion HALIA‘TUS.
Pandion haliaétus (.); Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 68, 801 ; id. Cat. i. p. 449.
Upper Shiré River, Nov.
11. Buso macutosus.
Bubo maculosus (Vieill.) ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 73, 801; id. Cat. i. p. 30.
Zomba, July and Jan. Mr. Whyte has now sent four examples of this Eagle-Owl, every one of them differing in plumage from dark grey to tawny buff in general tint. Even the grey phase, as illustrated by this series, has in some cases a more or less rufous tinge ; and at present there is no evidence of the existence of absolute grey or rufous phases in this species.
12. SyrRNIUM WoopFroRDI.
Syrnium woodfordi (Smith); Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 76, 801; id. Cat. 1. p. 267.
Zomba, Nov., Dec. ‘These two specimens are both im-
mature. B2
4 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
13. GLAUCIDIUM CAPENSE. Glaucidium capense (Smith) ; Shelley, 1. ec. p. 7. Upper Shiré River, Nov. An adult bird.
14, GrLaucIDIUM PERLATUM.
Glaucidium perlatum (Vieill.) ; Sharpe, Cat. ii. p. 209.
Carine perlata, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 77, 802.
Zomba. The two specimens were reared from nestlings, and lived with Mr. Whyte for about five months. They have nearly uniform brown heads, like other young birds in the British Museum collection.
15. Srrrx FLAMMEA.
Strix flammea, Linn. ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 82, 802; id. Cat. i. p. 291.
Zomba, Nov.
16. CosMETORNIS VEXILLARIUS. Cosmetornis vexillarius (Gould) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 7. Zomba and Milanji Plain, Aug.
17. CypsELUS TOULSONI.
Micropus toulsont (Bocage) ; Hartert, Cat. xvi. p. 453.
Zomba, Oct. <A single immature specimen. This species was formerly only known from West Africa, from the Loango Coast and Angola.
18. Mprops APiASTER.
Merops apiaster, Linn. ; Shelley, |. c. p. 7.
Zomba, Aug., Dec., Feb. Two specimens collected in August are in full moult, while two others procured in December and February are in full plumage.
19. Merops sUPERCILIOSUS. Merops superciliosus, Linn.; Shelley, l.c. p. 7. Milanji Plains, Aug.
20. MERops NATALENSIS.
Merops nubicoides, Smith; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 99, 804, pl. 4. fig. 2.
Merops natalensis, Reichenb. ; Sharpe, Cat. xvii. p. 84.
Tshiromo, Sept.
collected in Nyasaland. 5
21. MELITTOPHAGUS ALBIFRONS.
Merops bullockoides, Smith; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 99, pl. 4. fiz. I.
Melittophagus albifrons (Finsch & Hartl.); Sharpe, Cat. XVil. p. 53.
Zowba, July ; Tshiromo, Sept.
22. MELITTOPHAGUS MERIDIONALIS.
Melittophagus meridionalis, Sharpe ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 7.
Zomba, July, Aug.; Upper Shiré River, Nov.
23. DicroceRcUs HIRUNDINACEUS.
Dicrocercus hirundinaceus, Vieill.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp- 101, 805 ; id. Cat. xvi. p. 43, pl. 1. fig. 1.
Zomba, July, Oct.
24. CORACIAS GARRULA.
Coracias garrula, Linn.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 102, 805; idpiCat. xvii. p. 15.
Lake Shirwa, Dec. An immature bird.
25. EurystTomMus AFER. Eurystomus afer (Lath.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 8. Zomba, Aug. An adult bird.
26. HaPALODERMA NARINA.
Hapaloderma narina (Steph.) ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 106, 806; Grant, Cat. xvii. p. 477.
Zomba, Nov. An adult bird.
27. ALCEDO SEMITORQUATA.
Alcedo semitorquata (Swains.) ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 107, 806; id. Cat. xvi. p. 153.
Zomba, Aug. An adult bird.
28. CorYTHORNIS CYANOSTIGMA.
Corythornis cyanostigma (Riipp.); Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 108, 806; id. Cat. xvii. p. 163.
Zomba, Aug., Nov. Adult birds.
29. CERYLE MAXIMA.
Ceryle maxima (Pall.) ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 111, 807; id. Cat. xvii. p. 118.
Milanji Plain, Aug. An adult bird.
6 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
30. CERYLE RUDIS. Ceryle rudis (Linn.); Shelley, |. c. p. 8. Lake Shirwa, Dec. An adult male.
31. IspIDINA NATALENSIS.
Ispidina natalensis (Smith) ; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. pp. 113, 8075 1d. Cat. xvu. p. 193.
Zomba, Aug., Nov. The August specimen is young; the November bird is adult.
32. HALCYON SEMICERULEA.
Halcyon semicerulea (Forsk.) ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 114, 807 ; id. Cat. xvi. p. 232.
Zomba, Aug., Nov., Dec. Two are adults; the December bird is immature.
33. HALCYON ORIENTALIs.
Halcyon orientalis, Peters; Shelley, 1. c. p. 8.
Zomba, August. A young bird.
34. HaLcyon CHELICUTENSIS.
Halcyon chelicutensis (Stanl.) ; Shelley, l.c. p. 8.
Zomba, July, Aug., Nov. Adults. Mr. Whyte has also sent two eggs of this Kingfisher, taken along with a female bird. They are shining white, and measure—axis 0°95, diam. 0°85 inch.
359. BYCANISTES BUCCINATOR.
Buceros buccinator, Temm.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 125.
Bycanistes buccinator, Grant, Cat. xvii. p. 421.
Lake Shirwa. Four specimens.
36. LopHocEROS MELANOLEUCUS.
Tockus melanoleucus, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 127. Lophoceros melanoleucus (Licht.) ; Grant, Cat. xvii. p. 399. Zomba, Nov.
37. UPUPA AFRICANA. Upupa africana, Bechst.; Shelley, |. c. p. 8. Tshiromo, Sept.
38. RuiNopoMASTES CYANOMELAS.
Rhinopomastes cyanomelas (Vieill.); Shelley, l.c. p. 8.
Zomba, Dec., Jan. The January bird is in immature plumage.
collected in Nyasaland. 7
39. GALLIREX CHLOROCHLAMYS. Gallirex chlorochlamys, Shelley ; Shelley, l.c. p. 9. Zomba, July, Nov.
40. 'TuRACUS LIVINGSTONII. Turacus livingstonii (Gray); Shelley, 1. c. p. 9. Zomba, July, Sept., Nov. ; Milanji Hills, Sept.
41. ScHIZORHIS CONCOLOR.
Schizorhis concolor (Smith); Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 144, 809; Shelley, Cat. xix. p. 453.
Upper Shiré River, Nov. ‘Two adults.
42. CoLius ERYTHROMELON.
Colius erythromelon, Vieill.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 551, 853 ; id. Cat. xvii. p. 344.
Tshiromo, Sept. An adult.
43. CoLIus STRIATUS.
Colius striatus, Gm.; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. pp. 555, 853 ; id. Cat. xvii. p. 339.
Zomba, Aug. An adult.
44, CUCULUS SOLITARIUS.
Juculus solitarius, Steph.; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 149, 809 ; Shelley, Cat. xix. p. 258.
Zomba, Dec., Jan. Three adult specimens.
45. CucULUS CLAMOSUS.
Cuculus clamosus, Lath. ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 9.
Zomba, July, Nov., Feb. The specimen shot in February still bears traces of the immature plumage.
46. CHRYSOCOCCYX CUPREUS.
Chrysococcyx cupreus (Bodd.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 9.
Zomba, Aug., Dec. One of the specimens shot in December is young.
47, CHRYSOcOcCYX KLAASI.
Chrysococcyx klaasi (Steph.); Shelley, l.c. p. 9.
Zomba, Aug.
48. CoccysTES CAFER.
Coccystes cafer (Licht.) ; Shelley, ].c. p. 10.
Zomba, Dec.
8 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Bards
49. CoccystEs HYPOPINARIUS.
Coccystes hypopinarius, Cab. ; Shelley, |. c. p. 10.
Zomba, Dec. to Feb. In all there are five specimens, which vary slightly in the dusky colouring of the throat, but there can be no doubt that they all belong to C. hypopinarius, which is a very well-marked race.
50. CENTROPUS NATALENSIS. Centropus natalensis, Shelley ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 10. Zomba, Dec. Two adult birds.
51. InpicaTor INDICATOR.
Indicator sparrmanni, Steph. ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 166, 810.
Indicator indicator (Gm.) ; Shelley, Cat. xix. p. 5.
Zomba, Nov. Adult.
52. [INDICATOR VARIEGATUS. Indicator variegatus, Less. ; Shelley, Ibis, 1893, p. 10. Zomba, July. Adult.
53. PRoporiscUS ZAMBESIA, Sp. U. Zomba, Dec. Only one specimen. Sunilis P. insigni, sed facie laterali et gutture pallidé cinereis, et abdomine, hypochondriis, et subcaudalibus albis dis- tinguendus. Long. tot. 5:0 poll., ale 2-8.
The type specimen is apparently not mature, but it differs from P. insignis in its ashy-grey throat and breast, this colour also prevailing on the head. These might be characters of immaturity only, but the whole of the abdomen and under tail-coverts are white instead of being dingy olive-brown, and this, I think, is a character which would hardly change with age and must consequently be specific.
54. MELANOBUCCO ZOMB.
Melunobucco zombe, Shelley, |. c. p. 10.
Zomba, July, Aug., Nov.
In the series of the species are two specimeus which have faded red throats almost intermediate in colouring between typical specimens of M. zombe and M. torquatus. The curious fact remains that the majority of the Zomba birds
collected in Nyasaland. S)
are pale-spotted, and that no similar specimens have been seen from the countries south of the Zambesi.
55. SMILORHIS WHYTII. Smilorhis whytii, Shelley, |. c. p. 11, pl. 1. Zomba, Aug. to Nov.
56. CAMPOTHERA ABINGDONI.
Campothera abingdont (Smith) ; Hargitt, Cat. xvii. p. 98. Campothera abingtoni, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 182.
Zomba, Feb. Two adult females.
57. CAMPOTHERA CAILLIAUDI.
Campothera cailliaudt (Malh.) ; Hargitt, Cat. xvi. p. 102.
Zomba, Nov., Jan., Feb. The specimens procured in November and January are both immature, while one obtained in February is an adult male.
58. DENDROPICUS ZANZIBARI. Dendropicus zanzibari, Malh.; Shelley, l.c. p. 12. Zomba, July to Nov.
59. PaocePHALUS FUSCICAPILLUS.
Peocephalus fuscicapillus (Verr. & Des Murs) ; Shelley, Pcop>l2.
Zomba, July, Aug. A series.
60. TuRDUS MILANJENSIS.
Turdus milanjensis, Shelley, 1. c. p. 12.
Milanji Hills, Sept.
61. TuRpDUS LIBONIANUS.
Turdus libonianus, Smith; Shelley, |. c. p. 12.
Zomba, July to Dec.; Tshiromo, Sept. The large series collected by Mr. Whyte includes some young birds procured in December.
62. TuRDUS GURNEYI. Turdus gurneyi, Hartl.; Shelley, l.c. p. 13. Milanji Hills, Sept. One adult bird.
63. XENOCICHLA MILANJENSIS, sp. n. (Plate I. fig. 1.) Milanji Hills. A single specimen. Similis X. tephroleme, sed major, regione parotica albido
10 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
striaté, abdomine magis viridi, et subalaribus minus flavi- cantibus distinguenda. Long. tot. 8:0 poll., ale 3°65, caude 3°5, tarsi 1:0.
Although very similar in appearance to X. tephrolema of the Camaroons, this species is at once distinguishable by its larger size and streaked ear-coverts. The abdomen and the quill-lming are much more green, and not yellow as in X. tephrolema.
64. XeNnoctcHuia Fusciceps. (Plate I. fig. 2.)
Xenocichla fusciceps, Shelley, 1. c. p. 13.
An additional specimen of this interesting species, obtained, like the former ones, on the Milanji plateau, in September.
65. XENOCICHLA PLACIDA.
Xenocichla placida, Shelley, P. Z. 8. 1889, p. 363.
Zomba, July. The typical specimen of this species was procured by Mr. Hunter on Kilimanjaro. It is interesting to meet with a second specimen from so much further south.
66. PHYLLOSTROPHUS CERVINIVENTRIS, sp. n. (Plate II. fig. 1.) Zomba, Aug. ; Tshiromo, Sept. Seven specimens. Similis P. fulviventri, Cab., sed subalaribus cervino-isa- bellinis distinguendus. Long. tot. 7°6 poll., ale 3°4, caudee 3°6, tarsi 0°9. In order to be quite certain that this species was distinct I sent a specimen to Dr. Reichenow, who kindly compared it for me with P. fischeri and P. fulviventris. It is distin- guished from both, he tells me, by the colour of the under wing-coverts, which are light tawny or isabelline instead of yellow.
67. ANDROPADUS ZOMBENSIS, Sp. 0. Zomba, July ; Milanji Hills, Sept.
Similis 4. wirenti, sed major, et corpore supra magis viridi, necnon gastreo pallidé olivaceo-flavescente diversus. Long. tot. 7°3 poll., alee 3°4, caudze 3:6, tarsi 0°85.
Nearly allied to A. virens of West Africa, but larger and paler, and of a generally greener shade. Upper parts olive,
collected in Nyasaland. 11
slightly shaded with brown on the upper tail-coverts and outer edges of the wing-feathers ; tail coppery brown, with a strong wash of olive on the edges of the feathers ; under- parts nearly uniform pale olive-yellow; under wing-coverts hke the breast; inner edges of the quills brownish white; bill dark brown ; legs paler brown.
68. ANDROPADUS OLEAGINUS.
Andropadus hypoxanthus, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 205. Andropadus oleaginus, Peters; Sharpe, Cat. vi. p. 111. Tshiromo, Sept.
69. CRATEROPUS KIRKI. Crateropus kirki, Sharpe; Shelley, 1. ¢. p. 13. Zomba, July to Nov. and Jan. A large series.
70. CossyPHA HEUGLINI. Cossypha heuglini, Hartl.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 14. Zomba, July, Aug., Nov., Jan.
71. CossyPHA QUADRIVIRGATA. |
Cossypha quadrivirgata (Reichen.); Sharpe, Cat. vu. p. 43.
Tshiromo, Sept. An adult bird.
72. CALLENE ANOMALA. Callene anomala, Shelley, |. c. p. 14. Milanji Hills. An adult.
73. CICHLADUSA ARCUATA.
Cichladusa arcuata, Peters; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 229; id. Cat. vu. p. 70.
Tshiromo, Sept. Three specimens.
74. 'THAMNOLAA SUBRUFIPENNIS.
Thamnolea subrufipennis, Reichen. J. f. O. 1887, p. 78.
Milanji Plain. A male and female. This is the most southern known locality for this species, which is replaced south of the Zambesi by the closely allied T. cinnamomei- ventris.
12
Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
75, SAXICOLA GALTONI. Savicola galtoni (Strickl.); Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 234,
818; Seebohm, Cat. v. p. 390.
Zomba, July.
76. PRaTINCOLA TORQUATA. Pratincola torquata (Linn.); Shelley, 1. c. p. 15. Zomba, Aug.
77. ERYTHROPYGIA ZAMBESIANA. Erythropygia zambesiana, Sharpe; Shelley, 1. c. p. 15. Zomba, July, Aug., Nov., Jan.
78. CisTICOLA CINERASCENS. Cisticola cinerascens (Heugl.); Shelley, l. c. p. 15. Zomba, Jan. Three specimens.
79. CISTICOLA ORIENTALIS. Cisticola orientalis, Sharpe ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 15. Zomba, July, Aug., Nov., Dec., Jan. A very large series.
80. CisTICOLA NATALENSIS. Cisticola natalensis (Smith, Jan. 1843); Sharpe, B. 8.
Afr. p. 261 ; id. Cat. vu. p. 278.
p.
Cisticola strangei (Fraser, Feb. 1843); Sharpe, Cat. vii. 276. Zomba, Nov., Jan. Three adult specimens.
81. ScHG@NICOLA APICALIS.
Schenicola apicalis (Cab.) ; Sharpe, Cat. vu. p. 110. Catriscus apicalis, Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 283, 825. Zomba, Aug., Nov.
82. BRADYPTERUS BRACHYPTERUS. Bradypterus brachypterus (Vieill.); Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr.
pp. 286, 825 ;_ id. Cat. vii. p. 113.
Zomba, Aug.
83. BRADYPTERUS NYASSA. : Bradypterus nyass@, Shelley, |. ¢. p. 16. Zomba, Aug.
collected in Nyasaland. 13
84. AcROCEPHALUS TURDOIDES.
Acrocephalus turdoides (Meyer) ; Seebohm, Cat. v. p. 95.
Acrocephalus fulvolateralis, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 289, 826.
Zomba, Jan. Two adult specimens.
85. EREMOMELA SCOTOPS. Eremomela scotops, Sundev.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 16. Zomba, July, Oct., Nov.
86. SYLVIELLA WHYTII, sp. n.
Zomba, Aug., Nov.
Similis S. rufescenti, sed minor, et rostro conspicué breviore, regione parotica cervina et fascia fusca supra-auriculari nulla distinguenda. Long. tot. 3°2 poll., ale 3:15, caude 0°95, tarsi 0°7.
Similar to S. rufescens, but smaller and with a much shorter bill ; upper parts paler ashy brown, with a distinct olive shade on the back and tail ; underparts uniform rufous buff, slightly paler on the chin; sides of the head uniform rufous buff, slightly more of a fawn-colour than the breast ; bill and legs pale brown.
To this species should be referred the Sylviella micrura, Shelley, Ibis, 1888, p. 299 (nec Riipp.), from Manda Island near Lamu (Ff. J. Jackson).
87. SYLVIA HORTENSIS.
Sylvia salicaria (Linn.); Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 504, 829.
Sylvia hortensis, Bechst.; Seebohm, Cat. v. p. 10.
Zomba, Aug., Nov., Dec.
88. DAULIAS PHILOMELA.
Erithacus philomela (Bechst.) ; Seebohm, Cat. v. p. 295.
Zomba, Jan. This is an interesting winter habitat for this Nightingale.
89. CINNYRIS FALKENSTEINI. Cinnyris falkensteini, Reichen.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 16. Zomba, July, Aug., Sept.
14. Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
90. CINNYRIS CUPREUS. Cinnyris cupreus (Shaw) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 17. Zomba, Sept.
91. CHALCOMITRA GUTTURALIS. Chalcomitra gutturalis (Linn.); Shelley, |. c. p. 17. Zomba, Aug., Nov., Jan.
92. ANTHOTHREPTES LONGUEMARII. Anthothreptes longuemarii (ess.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 17. Zomba, Jan. Adult specimens.
93. ANTHOTHREPTES HYPODILUS.
Anthodieta zambesiana, Shelley ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 321. Anthothreptes zambesiana, Gadow, Cat. ix. p. 117. Zomba, July. An adult bird.
94, SALPORNIS SALVADORII.
Salpornis salvadorii (Bocage) ; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. p. 835 ; Gadow, Cat. viii. p. 330.
Zomba, Aug.
95. MuscicaPa GRISOLA.
Muscicapa grisola, Linn.; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. pp. 338, Bes id. Cataiv.qp. loll,
Zomba, Nov. A single specimen.
96. Muscicapa CHRULESCENS.
Muscicapa cerulescens, Hartl. ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 340; id. Cat. iv. p. 154.
Zomba, July, Nov. Adult specimens.
97. PoGonociIcHLA JOHNSTONI.
Pogonocichla johnstoni, Shelley, |. ec. p. 18.
Milanji Hills, Sept.
98. SMITHORNIS CAPENSIS.
Smithornis capensis (Smith) ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 344; id. Cat. iv. p. 388.
Zomba and Milanji Plains, Aug.
99. PLATYSTIRA PELTATA. Platystira peltata, Sundev.; Shelley, 1. ¢. p. 18. Zomba, July, Aug., Sept., Nov.; Milanji Plains, Aug.
collected in Nyasaland. 15
' 100. PacHyPRORA MOLITOR. Pachyprora molitor (Hahn & Kiister) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 18. Zomba, Aug. All adult.
101. TERpPstPHONE PERSPICILLATA. Terpsiphone perspicillata (Swains.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 18. Zomba, July, Aug., Nov., Jan.
102. TRocHocERcUS CYANOMELAS.
Trochocercus cyanomelas (Vieill.); Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. p. 354; id. Cat. iv. p. 299.
Milanji Hills, Sept. An immature specimen.
103. Hirunpo rustica.
Mirundo rustica, Linn.; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. pp. 362, 840 ; id. Cat. x. p. 128.
Upper Shiré River, Nov., Dec. Mr. Whyte procured a young bird in November, and three adults in December, the latter all moulting.
104. HirunDo PUELLA. HMirundo puella, Temm.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 19. Zomba, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. All adults.
105. Lantus coLaris.
Lanius collaris, Linn. ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 19.
Zomba, Aug., Jan. In this series there is a young bird procured in January.
106. ENNEOCTONUS COLLURIO. Enneoctonus collurio (Linn.) ; Shelley, 1. ¢. p. 19. Lake Shirwa, Dec. Two males in very worn plumage.
107. LanrARIUS BERTRANDI, sp. n. (Plate IT. fig. 2.)
Milanji Hills, Sept.
Similis LZ. rubiginoso, sed fascia superciliari postica pallidé cinerea, minimé alba, distinguendus. Long. tot. 7°5 poll., culm. 0°65, alee 3°35, caude 3:2, tarsi 1:0.
Very. closely allied to L. rubiginosus, but readily to be distinguished from that bird in not having a white eye- brow, and in having the black on the head extending round the forehead between the grey and the white of the fore part of the head. I name this species after Capt. Bertram L.
16 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
Sclater, R.E., the Chief of Mr. Johnston’s Staff, who visited the Milanji Hills in 1891] and 1892. See his article on routes and districts in Nyasaland (Journ. R. Geogr. Soc. 1893, p. 403).
108. LANIARIUS SULPHUREIPECTUS. Laniarius sulphureipectus (Less.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 20. Zomba,. July, Oct.
109. LANIARIUS POLIOCEPHALUS.
Laniarius poliocephalus (Licht.); Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 387, 842; Gadow, Cat. vii. p. 156.
Zomba, Sept. to Nov.; Upper Shiré River, Nov.
110. Nicator GULARIS.
Nicator gularis, Finsch & Hartl.; Gadow, Cat. vii. p. 167. Laniarius gularis, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 390.
Tshiromo, Sept.
111. Dryoscopus cuBLa. Dryoscopus cubla (Shaw); Shelley, 1. ¢. p. 20. Zomba, July, Aug., Sept., Nov., Jan.
112. Dryoscopus MOssAMBICUS.
Dryoscopus major mossambicus, Fischer & Reichen. J. f. O. 1880, p. 141.
Dryoscopus sticturus, Shelley (nec Finsch & Hartl.), 1. e. p. 20.
Zomba, Aug., Oct., Nov., Feb.; Milanji Plains, Aug. ; Tshiromo, Sept.
A large series of this form, in which, without exception, the white on the secondaries is confined to two of the wing-feathers. It is therefore, as I consider, separable from D. sticturus, Finsch & Hartl., of which the type is one of Chapman’s specimens from Lake Ngami with white on three of the secondaries. This appears to be the common character of all specimens met with south of the Zambesi and Quanza rivers, but of very rare occurrence in examples from further north.
As regards this species and its allies, Dr. Hartlaub and Dr. Reichenow have given much attention to the subject, but —
collected in Nyasaland. 17
have apparently come to no very definite decision, so I trust I shall not appear presumptuous in endeavouring to characterize these species and in limiting the number to four :—D. ethio- picus (Gm. 1788); D. mosambicus (Fischer & Reichenow, 1880) ; D. major (Hartl. 1848); and D. guttatus (Hartl. 1865).
a. Underparts more shaded with pink. (EH, Africa.) a’. With no white on the quills (type, Abyssinia), or with only oue of the secondaries edged with white (Abyssinia and Bogos) ........ D. ethiopicus. 6’. With broad white edges to two of the second- aries (type, Mozambique) ;=also D. casatia, Hartl., from Wadelai, and D. albofasciatus, Sharpe, from the Victoria Nyanza district. Occasionally the white edges are more faintly MPC Satu ater oyss ake, ake. ee & o, ok AEER RS oe D. mosambicus. b. Underparts whiter. (W. & 8, Africa.) ce’. Slightly larger, bill stronger. With broad white edges to two of the secondaries (type, Gold Coast, and including D. picatus, Hartl., from the Gaboon). In two specimens from the Gold Coast a third secondary is edged with white, and I should consider as another variety of this species the type of D. bicolor, Verr., from the Gaboon, with no white on therquillsiwi taht se sede wget od is ates D. major. d’. Slightly smaller, bill weaker. With broad white edges to two of the secondaries (type, Benguela), but more generally with broad white edges to three of the secondaries, as in the types of D. sticturus, Finsch & Hartlaub, from Lake Ngami, and D. neglectus and D. finschi, Bocage, from Benguela ........ D. guttatus.
With regard to the geographical distribution of these species, D. ethiopicus is apparently confined to the Abys- sinian and Shoan districts of N.E. Africa; D. mosambicus ranges over East Africa from the Upper White Nile and the Niam-niam country to the Zambesi; D. major is con- fined to West Africa, north of the Quanza River; and D. guttatus is found only to the south of the Quanza and Zambesi.
SER. VI.—VOL. VI. c
18 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
113. TELEPHONUS SENEGALUS. Telephonus senegalus (Linn.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 20. Zomba, Aug. to Jan. A very large series.
114. TELEPHONUS ANCHIETZ. Telephonus anchiete, Bocage ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 20. Zomba, July, Aug., Dec., March. Adults of both sexes.
115. Nizavus NIGRITEMPORALIS.
Nilaus nigritemporalis, Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 36.
Nilaus capensis (nec Shaw) ; Shelley, |. c. p. 20.
Zomba, July to Nov. A series of specimens. Zomba is the most southern known locality for this species, which appears to be entirely replaced south of the Zambesi by N. capensis.
116. CaMPoPHAGA NIGRA. Campophaga nigra, Vieill.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 20. Zomba, July, Aug., Nov. ; Milanji Plains, Aug.
117. GravcALUS PECTORALIS. Graucalus pectoralis, Jard. & Selby ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 21. Zomba, Aug.
118. BrapyorNIs PALLIDUS. Bradyornis pallidus (Von Mill.) ; Shelley, I. c. p. 21. Zomba, July, Aug., Sept., Jan., Febr.
119. Brapyornis ATER. Bradyornis ater, Sundev.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 21. Zomba, July.
120. Stamopus TRICOLOR.
Sigmodus tricolor (Gray) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 21.
Zomba, Nov., Dec., Jan.
Young birds procured in November differ from the adults in being browner and in having white edges to the feathers, most broadly marked onthe wing-coverts and on some of the breast-feathers.
121. BucHanGa assIMILIS8.
Buchanga assimilis (Bechst.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 21.
Zomba, Aug., Dec., Feb. A young bird procured in February.
.
collected in Nyasaland. 19
122. OrIoLus NoTATus.
Oriolus notatus, Peters; Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 412, 845 ; id. Cat. iii. p. 196.
Zomba, July, Aug.
123. OrrIoLUs LARVATUS. Oriolus larvatus, Licht. ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 22. Zomba, July, Aug., Nov., March.
124. Corvus scaPULATUS.
Corvus scapulatus, Daud.; Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 416, 845 ; id. Cat. i. p. 22.
Tshiromo, Sept.
125. LamPROCOLIUS SYCOBIUS. Lamprocolius sycobius (Licht.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 22. Zomba, July, Aug.
126. PHOLIDAUGES VERREAUXI. Pholidauges verreauxi, Bocage; Shelley, 1. c. p. 22. Zomba, Aug., Sept., Febr.
127. AmypRus MoRIO.
Amydrus morio (Linn.); Shelley, 1. c. p. 22.
Zomba, Jan.; Milanji Hills, Sept. Examples of both sexes in full plumage.
128. SycoBRoTUS STICTIFRONS.
Sycobrotus stictifrons (Fischer & Reichen.); Shelley, 1. ec. p. 22.
Zomba, Nov.; Tshiromo, Sept.
129. S1vaGRA OCULARIA. Sitagra ocularius (Smith) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 23. Zomba, July; Tshiromo, Sept.
130. HyPHANTORNIS NIGRICEPS. Hyphantornis nigriceps, Layard ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 23. Tshiromo, Sept.
131. HypHanrTorNIs XANTHOPS.
Hyphantornis xanthops, Hartl.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 23.
Zomba, July, Aug., Dec., Febr. A large series. Ga
20 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
132. HypHANTORNIS VELATUS.
Hyphantornis velatus (Vieill.) ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 4389, 847; id. Cat. xin. p. 464.
Zomba, Feb. Two adult males.
133. HypHANTORNIS BERTRANDI. Hyphantornis bertrandi, Shelley, 1. c. p. 23, pl. 2. Zomba, July. An adult male.
134. HyPHANTORNIS NYAS&, Sp. 0. Zomba, Aug., Dec., Jan.; Milanji Plains, Aug.
Similis H. melanocephale, sed conspicué major, et nigredine gulz magis restricta, haud ad pectusextendente. Long. tot. 6°7 poll., culm. 0°8, ale 3:1, caudz 2°5, tarsi 0°9.
Similar in general plumage to H. melanocephala, but with the whole of the upper parts of a much more olive shade, and the black upper throat ending in an abrupt line. In these last two characters, as well as in the measurements, it agrees with H. bertrandi; but differs from that species in having the entire head black.
135. HyPpHANTORNIS CABANISI, Hyphantornis cabanisi, Peters ; Shelley, |. c. p. 24.
Tshiromo, Sept. A single immature specimen, probably of this species.
136. PyRENESTES MINOR, SP. 0. Zomba and Milanji Plains. Two apparently adult birds.
Similis P. coccineo, sed minor et pallidior, et capitis colore coccineo magis restricto distinguendus. Long. tot. 5:2 poll., culm. 0°4, alee 2°2, caude 2:1, tarsi 0°7.
Resembles P. coccineus in general appearance, but is slightly smaller, with the brown of the plumage paler and less rufous. The bright glossy scarlet is confined to the front half of the head, the upper throat, upper tail-coverts, and tail ; bill deep glossy blue, legs brown.
1387. AMBLYOSPIZA ALBIFRONS.
Amblyospiza albifrons (Vigors) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 25. Milanji Plains, Aug.
collected in Nyasaland. 21
138. STEGANURA PARADISEA,.
Steganura paradisea (Linn.); Sharpe, Cat. xin. p. 211. Vidua verreauxi, Cass.; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. pp. 452, 848. Zomba, July to Oct.
139. VipUA PRINCIPALIS.
Vidua principalis (Linn.) ; Shelley, |. c. p. 25. Zomba, July to January.
140. PENTHETRIA ARDENS.
Penthetria ardens (Bodd.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 25. Zomba, July to Dec.
141. AMAURESTES FRINGILLOIDES. Amaurestes fringilloides (Lafr.); Sharpe. Cat. xi. p. 267. Zomba, July.
142. SPERMESTES SCUTATA.
Spermestes scutata (Heugl.); Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 265.
Spermestes cucullata (nec Swains.); Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 456.
Zomba, July to Nov.
143. HypocHEeRa FUNEREA.
Hypochera funerea (De Tarrag.) ; Sharpe, Cat. xi. p. 310. Hypochera ultramarina, Hartl.; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. p. 457. Zomba, July to Sept.
144, PyROMELANA FLAMMICEPS.
Pyromelana flammiceps (Swains.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 25.
Zomba, July to November. A large series in the brown plumage: one only, procured in November, has assumed the red nuptial dress.
145. PyROMELANA NIGRIFRONS. Pyromelana nigrifrons, Bohm; Shelley, 1. c. p. 25. Zomba, July to Sept. All in the brown plumage.
146. PyRoMELANA XANTHOMELANA.
Pyromelana xanthomelena (Riipp.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 25.
Zomba, July to Feb. In brown plumage from July to August, in which latter month they begin to assume their breeding plumage.
22 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
147. ZoNoGASTRIS MELBA. ! Zonogastris melba (Linn.); Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 296. Pytelia melba, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 468.
Tshiromo, Sept.
148. Pyrevia aFra. Pytelia afra (Gm.) ; Shelley, l. c. p. 26. Zomba, July to Nov.
149. EstRinpA MINOR. Estrilda minor (Cab.); Shelley, 1. c. p. 26. Zomba, July to Nov.; Milanji Plain, Aug. to Oct.
150. LaGoNnostTicTA RHODOPARIA. Lagonosticta rhodoparia, Heugl.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 26. Zomba, July to Nov. Three specimens.
151. LaGonosticta NIVEIGUTTATA. Lagonosticta niveiguttata (Peters) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 27. Zomba, Nov.; Milanji Plains, Aug.
152. PassER DIFFUSUS.
Passer diffusus, Smith ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 480, 850 ; id. Cat. xi. pp. 336, 827.
Zomba, Nov. An adult bird.
153. PeTRONIA PETRONELLA. Petronia petronella (Licht.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 27. Zomba. A young bird.
154. SERINUS ICTERUS.
Serinus icterus (Vieill.) ; Sharpe, Cat. xu. pp. 356, 828. Crithagra ictera, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 484, 850. Zomba, July.
155. SERINUS IMBERBIS.
Serinus imberbis (Cab.) ; Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 355. Crithagra chloropsis (nec Bp.) ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 486. Zomba, July.
156. SERINUS scorTopPs.
Serinus scotops (Sundev.) ; Sharpe, Cat. xii. p. 362. Crithagra scotops, Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 487, 850. Zomha, July.
collected in Nyasaland. 23
157. FRINGILLARIA TAHAPISI.
Fringillaria tahapisi (Smith) ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 490, 851; id. Cat. xii. p. 558.
Zomba, Aug.
158. EMBERIZA FLAVIVENTRIS.
Emberiza flaviventris (Vieill.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 27.
Zomba, July to Jan.
159. EMBERIZA ORIENTALIS. Emberiza orientalis (Shelley) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 27. Zomba, Aug. to Jan. A large series.
160. Mrrarra FIscHERI.
Mirafra fischeri (Reichen.) ; Sharpe, Cat. xiu. p. 600.
Mirafra apiata, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 851.
Zomba and Lake Shirwa.
161. Macronyx crocevs.
Macronysx croceus (Vieill.) ; Shelley, |. c. p. 27.
Tshiromo, Sept.
162. ANTHUS LINEIVENTRIS.
Anthus lineiventris, Sundev. ; Sharpe. B. 8. Afr. pp. 540, 852; id. Cat. x. p. 540.
Zomba, Aug.
163. ANTHUS RUFULUS.
Anthus rufulus, Vieill. ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 27.
Milanji Hills, Sept.
164. MoracrLua LoNGICAUDA.
Motacilla longicauda, Riipp.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 27.
Zomba, Aug.
165. Moraciiua vipva.
Motacilla vidua, Sundev. ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 5438, 853 ; id. Cat. x. p. 488.
Mr. Whyte writes: “This is the common Wagtail at Fort Johnston on the Upper Shiré. It is quite tame all about the station, where it is the only familiar bird; it has a sweet note.”
166. TRERON DELALANDII.
Treron delalandii (Bp.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 28.
Zomba, July to Feb.
24 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
167. PALUMBUS ARQUATRIX. Palumbus arquatrix (Temm. & Knip) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 28. Zomba, Nov. ; Milanji Hills, Sept.
168. HapLopEeLia JOHNSTONI. Haplopelia johnstoni, Shelley, 1. c. p. 28, pl. 3. Zomba, Aug.; Milanji Hills, Sept.
169. TurTUR SEMITORQUATUS. Turtur semitorquatus MPP) Shelley, l.c. p. 28. Zomba, Aug.
170. TurtruR CAPicoLa, Turtur capicola (Sundev.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 28. Zomba, Aug., Nov., Dec.; Upper Shiré River, Nov.
171. CHALCOPELIA AFRA.
Chalcopelia afra (Linn.); Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 323 ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 570.
Zomba, Nov., Feb.
172. PreRocLEs GUTTURALIS.
Pterocles gutiuralis, Smith ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 577.
Chisila River Plains, near Lake Mweru, Oct.
This specimen was probably obtained by Mr. Alfred Sharpe, who has sent to Mr. Sclater a collection of mammal-skins and heads from the same district.
173. PreRNISTES HUMBOLDTI.
Pternistes humboldti (Peters) ; Sharpe, B. S. Afr. p. 589; Ogilvie Grant, Cat. xxi. p. 176.
Upper Shiré River, Nov.
174. FRANCOLINUS JOHNSTONI, Sp. 0. Zomba, 7, Oct.; Milanji Hills, ?, Sept.
F. similis F. hildebrandtii, sed saturatior et minus rufescens : maculis nigris longitudinalibus latis et integris nec binis distinguendus. Long. tot. 13:7 poll., culm. 1°15, ale 6'9, caude 1:4, tarsi 1°6.
Adult male. Very similar to the male of F. hildebrandti
(F. altumi, F. & R.), but differs in the general shade of the
upper parts being darker and less rufous, and more especially
collected in Nyasaland. 25
in the feathers of the throat and chest having uninterrupted dark shaft-stripes, which do not extend over more than one- third of the feather, except on the crop, where these black bands are wider ; the legs apparently bright orange.
Adult female. Similar to the type of F. hildebrandti, but decidedly duller and darker.
I name this fine Francolin after Mr. H. H. Johnston, C.B., F.Z.S., to whose scientific zeal we owe the zoological explora-
tion of Nyasaland.
175. TurN1xX LEPURANA.
Turnix lepurana (Smith); Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 608; Ogilvie Grant, Cat. xxii. p. 539.
Zomba, Oct., Nov. <A rare species here, according to Mr. Whyte.
176. Limnocorax NIGER. Limnocorax niger (Licht.) ; Shelley, 1. c. p. 29. Zomba, Sept.; Upper Shiré River, Nov.
177. GipicNeMUS CAPENSIS.
Cidicnemus capensis, Licht.; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 645, 855 ; Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 81.
Tshiromo, Sept.
178. PaRRA AFRICANA.
Parra africana, Gm.; Sharpe, B. S. Afr. p. 648. Tshiromo, Sept.; Upper Shiré River, Nov.; Lake Shirwa, Dec.
179. GLAREOLA PRATINCOLA.
Glareola pratincola, Linn.; Sharpe, B, 8. Afr. p. 652; Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 256.
Upper Shiré River, Nov.; Lake Shirwa, Dec. One of the specimens procured in December is a young bird.
180. CuRsoriIUS CHALCOPTERUS.
Cursorius chalcopterus, Temm.; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. p. 656 ; Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p, 246,
Tshiromo, Sept.
26 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Birds
181. CHARADRIUS TRICOLLARIS.
Charadrius tricollaris, Vieill.; Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 134.
Migialitis tricollaris, Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 662.
Tshiromo, Sept.
182. LoBivANELLUS SENEGALUS.
Lobivanellus senegalus (Linn.) ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. pp. 666, 855.
Lobivanellus senegaiensis, Seebohm, Geogr. Dist.Char. p.191.
Upper Shiré River, Nov.
183. LoBIVANELLUS ALBICEPS.
Lobwanellus albiceps, Gould; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. pp. 667, 855 ; Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 198, pl. 8.
Tshiromo, Sept. ; Upper Shiré River, Nov.
184, VANELLUS INORNATUS. Vanellus inornatus, Swains.; Shelley, 1. c. p. 29. Tshiromo, Sept.
185. GaLLINAGO ZQUATORIALIS, Rupp.
Scolopax equatorialis (Riipp.); Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 500.
Gallinago nigripennis, Bp.; Sharpe, B. S. Afr. p. 676.
Fort Johnston, Upper Shiré Valley. Procured by Dr. Waison.
186. RuyNcH@A CAPENSIS.
Rhynchea capensis (Linn.); Sharpe, B. S. Afr. pp. 679, 855 ; Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 456.
Fort Johnston, Upper Shiré Valley. Also shot by Dr. Watson.
187. TRINGA SUBARQUATA.
Tringa subarquata, Giildenst.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 682; Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 419.
Lake Shirwa, Dec., Jan.
188. MacHETES PUGNAX.
Machetes pugnax (Linn.) ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 685. Totanus pugnax, Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 373. Lake Shirwa, Dec. Four birds in winter plumage.
collected in Nyasaland. a7
189. TRINGOIDES HYPOLEUCUS.
Tringoides hypoleucus (Linn.); Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 686.
Totanus hypoleucus, Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 371.
Upper Shire River, Nov.
190. ToraNnus GLAREOLA.
Totanus glareola (Linn.); Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. p. 690; Seebohm, Geogr. Distrib. Charadr. p. 365.
Lake Shirwa. An immature bird.
191. Larus PHHOCEPHALUS. Larus pheocephalas, Swains.; Sharpe, B. 8S. Afr. p. 698. Lake Shirwa. Four specimens.
192. HypRocHELIDON LEUCOPTERA.
Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Meisn.); Sharpe, B. S. Afr, p-. 700.
Lake Shirwa, Dec. Four immature birds.
193. ARDEA GOLIATH.
Ardea goliath, Temm.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 707.
Upper Shiré River.
194, ARDEA MELANOCEPHALA.
Ardea melanocephala, Vig. & Childr.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 709.
Upper Shiré River.
195. ARDEA PURPUREA.
Ardea purpurea, Linn.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 710. Upper Shiré River.
196. ARDEA ARDESIACA.
Ardea ardesiaca, Wagl.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 712. Lake Shirwa. Four specimens.
197. AxDEOLA COMATA. Ardeola comata (Pall.); Sharpe, B. S. Afr. p. 718. Zomba, July ; Upper Shiré River, Nov.
198. Nycricorax GRISEUS. Nycticorax griseus (Linn.) ; Shelley, 1l.c. p. 29. Upper Shiré River.
28 Canon H. B. Tristram on Birds
199. DenDROCYGNA VIDUATA. Dendrocygna viduata (Linn.); Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 751. Lake Shirwa, Dec.
200. DeNDROCYGNA FULVA.
Dendrocygna fulva (Gm.); Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. iv. p. 1301.
Lake Shirwa, Dec. Four specimens. This is the first instance I know of this species being found so far south.
201. Pa@cILoNETTA ERYTHRORHYNCHA.
Pecilonetta erythrorhyncha (Gm.); Sharpe, B. S. Afr. p. 704.
Lake Shirwa, Dec. Four specimens.
202. ANAS SPARSA. Anas sparsa, Smith ; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 756. Zomba, Oct.
203. QUERQUEDULA HOTTENTOTTA. Querquedula hottentotta, Smith ; Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 757. Lake Shirwa, Dec. Two specimens.
204, PHALACROCORAX AFRICANUS.
Phalacrocoraz africanus (Gm.); Sharpe, B.S. Afr. p. 781.
Upper Shiré River, Nov.; Lake Shirwa, Dec. The speci- men obtained in December is a young bird.
205. PLorus LEVAILLANTI. Plotus levaillanti, Licht.; Sharpe, B. 8. Afr. p. 782. Upper Shiré River, Noy.
IIl.—On some Birds from Bugotu, Solomon Islands, and Santa Cruz. By H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.R.S.
(Plate III.)
Turovucu the kind assistance of my friend Dr. P. H. Metcalfe, I have received two small collections of birds from the Solomon group and its vicinity: one from Santa Cruz, col- lected for me by Mr. Forrest, of the Melanesian Mission, and the other from Bugotu, collected by the Rev. Dr. Welchman.
from Bugotu and Santa Cruz. 29
Both collections, though small, add to our previous know- ledge of the avifauna of these islands ; and as there are some birds among them which appear to be hitherto undescribed, I venture to send a list of the species, with descriptions and notes,
I. Brros rrom Bucorvu.
There are a few specimens belonging to species included in the list from Bugotu which I published last year (Ibis, 1892, p. 293). There are examples of my new species Grau- calus nigrifrons, also of Gr. elegans, Rams., Pachycephala astrolabi, Hombr. & Jacq., Monarcha castaneiventris, Verr., Myiagra ferrocyanea, Rams., Myzomela lafargii, Hombr. & Jacq., Calornis metallica (Temm.); all these were also included in last year’s consignment.
The following are additions to the Bugotu list :—
1. MonarcnHa BRopDIEI, Rams. Native name “ Biubirukoilo.”
2. Diczum Nev, Jacq. & Puch. Native name “ Piu.”
3. CALORNIS CANTOROIDES, Gr. Native name “ Gothe.”
4. ZosTEROPS METCALFI, sp. nov. (Plate III. fig. 1.)
Native name “ Ngeu.”
Z. capite et corpore toto superiore leté olivaceis : remigibus et rectricibus fuscis, pogoniis externis olivaceis : “loris nigris: annulo conspicuo sericeo oculos cingente :
mento, thorace, et summo pectore flavis: imo pectore albo, cinereo ad umbrato: abdomine albo: subeaudalibus flavis: rostro, tarsis, et pedibus brunneis.
Long. tot. 4°5 poll., alee 2°5, caude 1°7, tarsi °7.
This Zosterops belongs to the large group with the yellow throat and white or whitish abdomen. Its nearest allies are Z. grisewenter and Z. nove-guineae, from the former of which it may easily be distinguished by its much larger size, and by the flanks being white instead of dull ashy; and from the latter by its larger size, the purity of its white flanks, and its paler yellow throat.
30 Canon H. B. Tristram on Birds
The collection contains two specimens. I have much pleasure in naming this new species after my friend Dr. P. H. Metcalfe, to whose kind assistance I am so deeply indebted.
As a companion to this bird I give a figure (PI. III. fig. 2) of Zosterops rendove, of Rendova Island in the same group, which I described in ‘ The Ibis’ for 1882, p. 185. Concerning this species see also Dr. Gadow, Cat. Birds, vol. ix. p. 188.
5. Macrocorax VEGETUS, Sp. Nov. Native name “ Aao.”’
Macrocoract woodfordi simillima, magnitudine excepta: niger : capite, collo, et pectore viridi-nitente, corpore toto supra purpureo-nitente: rostro carneo, apice nigro : tarsis et pedibus nigris.
Long. tot. 18°6 poll., ale 12:0, caude 6:3, tarsi 271, rostri a rictw 26, culm. alt. 1-2:
For comparison, I subjoin the measurements of M. wood- fordi :—Uong. tot. 15°5 poll., ale 10°3, caude 5, tarsi 2, rostri 2°3.
The difference in size, to all appearance, is as great as that between a Rook and a Jackdaw. The culmen is very much more arched, and the bill out of all proportion more massive than in M. woodfordi.
6. Eos carpinatis (Bodd.). Native name “ Siviri.”
7. TRICHOGLOSSUS MASSENA, Bp. Native name “ Kuwlini.”
8. Hatcyon teucopyeta, Verr. Native name “ Jojotana.”
9. Hatcyon sacra (Gm.).
10. Urospiztas, sp. ine.
Native name “ Tuitui.”
This bird, a young female, I have not yet been able to identify satisfactorily, but I believe it will prove to be U. etorques, Salvad.
11. ANous MELANoGENYs (Gr.). Native name “ Manubo.”
from Bugotu and Santa Cruz. 3]
II. Brrps rrom Santa Cruz Isuanp.
This collection consists of twenty specimens, representing eight species. They are interesting, as I cannot find that any ornithologist has yet explored this island, the inhabitants of which bear an ill repute. I am indebted for my speci- mens to Mr. Forrest, of Bishop Selwyn’s Melanesian Mission.
One species is certainly undescribed—a very remarkable Zosterops of the same aberrant group as Z. rendove, but larger and with a powerful bill, which I do not think is equalled by any other species of the group. I venture, therefore, to characterize it as
1. ZosTEROPS SANCTH-CRUCIS, Sp. NOV.
Capite et dorso olivaceis, pileo subtiliter striato: loris fuscis: annulo arctissimo plumarum albarum oculos cingente: remigibus et rectricibus fusco-nigris, pogontis externis olivaceo-marginatis : thorace et pectore pallidé olivaceis : abdomine et subcaudalibus pallidé flavidis: mandibula superiore brunned, inferiore ad basin albida : tarsis et pedibus fuscis.
Long. tot. 5:3 poll., ale 2°6, caude 1°9, tarsi 0°9.
This species has no connection with Hartlaub’s genus Tephras, inasmuch as its tail is perfectly square.
2. MyzoMELA PULCHERRIMA, Rams. I can detect no difference between this and typical speci- mens from Ugi.
_3. Lavace pactrica (Gm.). . APLONIS RUFIPENNIS, Layard. . CoLLocaLia ESCULENTA (L.).
4
5
6. Pritopus grey, Gr.
7. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA, Gm. 8
. TotTanus INcANUs, Vieill.
32 Dr. R. W. Shufeldt on the Taxonomy
III.—On the Taxonomy of the Swifts and Humming-birds : a Rejoinder. By Dr. R. W. SuHurerpt, C.M.Z.S.
Ir is with no small degree of interest, and with a consi- derable degree of profit, that I have read Mr. Lucas’s recent article on the classification of the Swifts and Humming- birds *. And, coming as it does from the pen of a scientific avian osteologist as a criticism of an article of mine on the same subject +, it is especially valuable, and more than worthy of careful consideration. Some of his objections to my views I believe I have already answered in another place {; while much that I put forth in support of my convictions in ‘The Ibis’ last January he has thus far failed to meet. Believing, as we must, that this matter, when settled, will be settled by the weight of biological facts and not by the weight of authority, it would seem nevertheless that my critic is entitled to a brief reply to his question as to “ precisely who, among ornithologists, have accepted his [my] conclusions that the Swifts are practically Swallows and have no relations with the Humming-birds ” (op. cit. p. 365). In the first place, Dr. Shufeldt does not believe that the
“ Swifts are practically Swallows”; but, on the other hand, he does believe that those two groups are derived from a common ancestral stock §, and that the Swifts are not espe- cially related to the Humming-birds. It seems to me that that statement isclearenough. Next as to my “ persistently misquoting ” Professor Huxley’s views in the premises : not exactly misquoting him, as Mr. Lucas says, but using his words “ to convey a false impression.” Upon more occasions than one I have distinctly named the groups of birds that Huxley included in his “ Cypselomorphe,” and claimed that it “was done upon only too few characters, and mainly based upon the osteological ones seen at the base of the skull” ||. That can hardly be termed a “‘ most unfair kind
* ‘The Ibis,’ 1893, pp. 865-871.
+ Ibid. pp. 84-100.
¢ ‘The American Naturalist,’ 1898, pp. 367-371.
§ Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xx. p. 390. || Amer. Nat., April 1893, p. 370.
of the Swifts and Humming-birds. 33
of misquotation,” as Mr. Lucas has termed it (p. 365, foot- note). What I say here now about Professor Huxley’s statements will not be hereafter considered in the light of a misquotation, I am very sure. In his famous contribution to the “Classification of Birds” in the P. Z.S. of April 11, 1867, he has first seriously to deal with the Swallows, Swifts, Goatsuckers, and Humming-birds on pp. 452-454 inclusive. The first statement he makes is that “the Swallows com- pletely agree with the other Passerine birds in the general form and arrangement of the bones which enter into the composition of their palates” (p. 452). That is practically true, and it is a very good point to offer as an initial argu- ment. He immediately follows that statement by saying :— “ And the Swifts essentially resemble the Swallows, though the form and proportions of the palatine bones are somewhat different ” [and to prove it he refers to his figure of C. apus, fig. 34]. This statement is equally true, and the only remarkable part of it is that he makes the comparison between the Swifts and the Swallows, and not with the Swifts and the Humming-birds. Omitting now what he says about the Swifts and Caprimulgus and its allies in the next three paragraphs, we find him first referring to Trochilus on p. 454, but not comparing its palate with a Swift—simply stating that “ Trochilus has the true Passerine vomer, with its broad and truncated anterior and deeply cleft posterior end. I have not yet been able to obtain a perfectly satisfactory view of the structure and arrangement of the palatine bones in the Humming-birds.” As both Parker and I myself have pointed out for him, Professor Huxley was entirely wrong about the vomer in the Trochili, for every avian anatomist now knows quite well that the vomer of a Humming-bird is of an entirely different structure from the same bone in a Swift.
Following him along, the next paragraph that touches upon the subject under consideration is on p. 456; and there Professor Huxley simply states, what is very true, that “in their cranial characters the Swifts are far more closely allied with the Swallows than with any of the desmo-
SER. VI.—VOL. VI. D
34 Dr. R. W. Shufeldt on the Taxonomy
gnathous birds, the Swift presenting but a very slight modi- fication of the true Passerine type exhibited by the Swallow. No distinction can be based upon the proportions of the regions of the fore limb; since in all the Swallows which I have examined the manus and the antebrachium, respec- tively, greatly exceed the humerus in length, though the excess is not so great as in Cypselus.” This is actually all that occurs on these points in the descriptive part of his memoir. There is not a single comparison between a Swift and a Humming-bird, but only a gross error in the matter of the morphology of the vomer in Trochilus ; added to this, we have several favourable comparisons between Swifts and Swallows.
With this kind of information, Professor Huxley carries us on to the taxvonomical part of his memoir. The group that interests us here is found upon pp. 468 and 469—the Cypselomorphe, which he claims “ contains three very distinct families—the Trochilide, the Cypselide, and the Capri- mulgide.” The meagre list of characters upon which these families are arranged do not exist as Huxley says they do, or thinks they do. In the first place, Trochilus has a slender spine- like vomer, and the bone is not ‘‘ truncated at the anterior end”; and, moreover, the statement that “the lower larynx has not more than one pair of intrinsic muscles” is simply not true, but it is true that the morphology of the trachea and its associated parts, myology and all, are essentially very different indeed in Swifts and Humming-birds. Finally, he closes what he has to say about his “ Cypselomorphe” and their affinities without a single direct comparison between a Swift and a Humming-bird except that “the Cypselide are very closely related to the Swallows among the Coracomorphe,” in which statement I most emphatically agree with him.
The fact is Huxley, at the time he wrote his “ Classification of Birds,’ had by no means Humming-bird material enough to judge by. He had more Swift-material, and this he com- pared with four species of Swallows and could not avoid being impressed by the evident resemblances, and so stated them. His material, however, would not justify him in taking
of the Swifts and Humming-birds. 35
any other step at the time he wrote than to convert Nitzsch’s * Macrochires ” into his ‘ Cypselomorphe,” plus the Capri- mulgi—a group which Nitzsch had the wisdom to keep apart.
Sundevall (1872-74), in his ‘Tentamen,’ placed the Swifts in one “ Cohors” and the Humming-birds in another, and this was seven years after Huxley wrote his Classification. Sundevall devoted his entire life to the science of orni- thology ; he wrote a complete classification of birds, which, though faulty in many particulars, was correct in others, and was based almost entirely upon the study of their external characters.
But we have a better man than Sundevall in Macgillivray, and there is good evidence that the latter made a very careful study of nearly the entire structure of at least one species of Humming-bird. He is probably responsible, too, for the classification set forth in Audubon’s great work ; and in that work the Swifts are placed near the Swallows and far asunder from the Humming-birds. Macgillivray was aware of the extraordinarily large heart in the Trochil, of the peculiarities in the tongue, in the gizzard, the feet (‘‘ proportionally as large as those of a Cormorant”), in the pterylosis, in the air-passages, and in many other parts.
Mr. William Brewster, of Cambridge, Mass., a very distin- guished American ornithologist, believes “that a Swift is merely a peculiar kind of Swallow”*; Mr. Harting believes that ‘the relationship between the Cypseli and Trochili has been overstated, not to say exaggerated ” (Ibis, 1893, p. 93) ; and I could mention a good many others holding the same opinion. But what such men Jelieve is supported by those who have made life-long studies of the structure of birds—not only of their osteology, as Mr. Lucas has done, but of their myology, their embryology, their neurology, their pneumatology, their angiology, and everything else that relates to their biology. All these systems afford cha- racters quite as good as those offered by the skeleton. Take such a man, for instance, as was Professor William Kitchen Parker (and the world has produced but very, very few men
* Amer, Nat., April 1893 p. 370. D2
36 Dr. R. W. Shufeldt on the Taxonomy
like him): he clearly saw the relations existing among the birds we now have under consideration. A number of years ago Professor Parker read for me before the Linnean Society of London a memoir upon this subject (Linn. Soc. Journ. vol. xx.), and of it he was so good as to write me (Sept. 80, 1887) that he considered it “like Garrod’s best work and mine [his] combined”; but in another letter he gave me an opinion of his which is far more important than that. This letter was of an earlier date*, and in it he wrote that “this fact remains—the only birds out- side the huge group of the 5000 Coracomorphe that have the egithognathous palate are the Swifts: either they arose from the same stock as the Swallows, or they came from a type very nearly related,—and Newton says that the Swallows are a very isolated group of Passeres; yet they have many characters typical, inside and out.” An opinion of that kind is not a “ snap judgement,” but is written by one who daily studied the relations of birds for forty years. Some day and in another place, perhaps, I propose to pub- lish a series of Professor Parker’s letters to myself that contain much of interest to ornithologists, and views that up to the time of his lamented death he had not committed to print.
So much for a few of the authorities that Mr. Lucas so earnestly seeks ; and Dr. Firbringer, in his work, can supply him with a number of others.
My critic believes that it is through Chetura that the Swifts have relations with the Humming-birds (p. 365), and yet holds me up for having uttered “sweeping gene- ralizations based on the examination and comparison of a limited number of local forms” (p. 371). Now it was to the anatomy of Chetura that I paid especial attention in my Linnean memoir, and compared it in detail with the anatomy of several genera and species of Humming-birds ; and I failed to find then, and do not see at this moment any great amount of structural resemblance between them.
* Dated from Crowland, Trinity Road, Upper Tooting, S.W., Feb. 9, | 1887. |
|
of the Swifts and Humming-birds. 37
It is to be regretted that Mr. Lucas did not mention in his paper what Humming-bird among all the Trochili is so much like Chetura. When I have been informed upon that point I shall be in a position to see more clearly what my friend means from what he says. But, mark you, I am no longer inclined in this matter to listen to those who have only a few single sets of characters to bring forward in support of what they state. I have carefully examined the entire anatomy of several specimens of Chetura pelagica, as I have the structure of many Humming-birds ; but to use the knowledge gained therefrom J must at least have the evidence that my oppovent is equipped in a similar manner.
On p. 369 of his paper Mr. Lucas presents us with a series of figures (1-5) which are intended to show the “various steps in the transition from the humerus of the Goatsucker to that of the Humming-bird.” The bones are right humeri seen upon their anconal aspects, and several of them have been more or less enlarged. They are from specimens of Campylopterus hemileucurus, Cypselus apus, Macropteryx klecho, Chordeiles virginianus, and Progne subis. The series, then, is from a Passerine to a Trochili- dine bird more than it is from Goatsucker to Humming- bird. No descriptions nor actual comparisons whatever occur in the text of the article in regard to these bones— important matters about which we are left entirely in the dark. Glancing at the pictures of them as they stand, it must be evident to any one, osteologist or otherwise, that there are two instances in which violence has been done, and these are the insertion of the humeri of the Goatsucker and the Humming-bird in the series. But we are not after what things thus superficially “look like,’ but that better and far safer species of anatomy which takes into consi- deration the characters as they actually exist. Mr. Lucas, in conversation with me the other day, acknowledged that he thus far failed to see how it was that the humerus of a Humming-bird had come to be “‘ completely twisted round.” Permit me to suggest it may be just possible that it is
38 On the Taxonomy of the Swifts and Humming-birds.
Mr. Lucas’s taxonomy of the birds we have under con- sideration which is so completely twisted round, and not the Trochilidine humerus.
My apologies are due to those “ few benighted orni- thologists” alluded to in the first paragraph of my critic’s paper. What I said about their views was prompted by an observation made by Professor Parker in his letter of February 9th (1887) referred to above. He remarked :— “Don’t let us be in a hurry; it is a give-and-take business. In ornithotomy we come across things deeper than those seen and argued about by the mere ornithologist. Those of the latter group, here, are dead against the doctrine of Swifts being a kind of Swallow.” But Professor Parker had a very good excuse for writing as he did; for in a letter written to me in September 1887 he says of himself that “the whole Class is always flitting and flying through my mind, so that you can’t wonder at my being somewhat bird- witted, as the expression goes.” And in the month pre- ceding of the same year, or in August, he said :—“The Cypselide, although exgithognathous, I should set close to the Hirundinide, but outside the line, as the most Passerine of the utterly polymorphic Cuculines (‘Coceygomorphe’). The latter group is one-tenth the size of the Coracomorphe, and ten times as variable. . . . I should make it begin with the Swifts and end with the Parrots.”
Before closing this brief paper I desire to express my thanks to Mr. Lucas for the loan of a skeleton of Collo- calia, for the skulls of Macropteryx and Cypselus apus, with some limb-bones of the last two, and for what he has written about them in ‘The Ibis.2. As he truly remarks, Macro- pteryx is a specially interesting form, and I would add that it is of the highest importance to avian classification that the anatomy of all the Swifts and Swift-like birds now retained by ornithologists in that group should be thoroughly examined. The fact that Macropteryx mystacea apparently lacks basi- pterygoid processes, but has the mandible in one piece like the Cypseli, must be remembered in connection with Huxley’s observation—‘‘ The modification commenced in the Swift is
On the Birds of the Calcutta District. 39
greatly exaggerated in Agotheles and Caprimulgus ; while we have almost a transition to the desmognathous structure in Nyctibius”” (P.Z. 8S. 1867, p. 456). In connection with this latter fact remember, too, that the Striges are desmo- gnathous, and that such a form as Steatornis exists. Then the pterylosis of many of the Caprimulgi has an owlish pattern that means something. Remember, too, Megascops has two “colour-phases,” so have some Caprimulgi; Megascops and some other Owls have “ plumicorns,” and so have some Caprimulyi ; most Owls are nocturnal, so are many Goat- suckers ; and so we might go on, carrying the comparison far into the fields of anatomy. Do not allow too much zeal in one quarter to mask the facts in another.
Aves are a wonderfully closely-clustered group of Verte- brates, and it is extremely difficult to get at their affinities and inter-relationships. They will classify themselves to a large extent when the anatomy of four-fifths of the forms, in- cluding that of all the “outliers,” is known to us; and only when that is done and accomplished shall we be in a position to define their affinities correctly and to make a classification of them—not before. More material, and of the right kind, is what we need now, and its careful and thorough working-up. In my opinion no classification of birds has been published since the days of Linnzus that must not be considered, in many of its parts, wholly provisional. Until further pro- gress has been made it is, I think, very questionable whether any material service to ornithology is rendered by persistently propounding the new systems of avian taxonomy with which we are now often afflicted.
IV .—On the Birds of the Calcutta District. By Puitie W. Munn, M.B.O.U.
Tue following notes were made during a residence of several years at Titaghur, on the Hooghly, about twelve miles north of Calcutta, and one mile south of Barrackpore. Though they chiefly relate to the birds noticed in the neighbourhood
40 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
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of the Calcutta District. 41
of Titaghur, they are equally applicable to the immediate vicinity of Calcutta.
Except near the river, which is shut in on both banks by a strip of jungle, the country round is fairly open and quite flat, with alternate stretches of open cultivated land and of
‘marshes (called “jheels””?) surrounded by belts of trees, in which the native villages are built, among their orchards and gardens. These orchards and gardens are always raised above the level of the surrounding country, and a steep bank of earth is thrown up round, with a ditch at the bottom. Mango, jack-fruit, lichi, and plantain-trees are grown here, and cocoa-nut and betel-nut palms. The palms are planted around the tank, which is formed in every orchard for the purpose of irrigating it and watering the trees. A good deal of sugar-cane is also grown on the raised ground, and crops of tall grass, for thatching purposes.
The lower land, which in the rainy season is flooded with water, is planted principally with rice and jute. The divisions between the different fields are low, narrow banks of earth, called “bunds,” covered with grass, and these “ bunds” are the pathways through the fields during the time the country is under water. Scattered about in the open country are clumps of thorny bushes and of date-palms, and solitary babool-trees.
Some of the jheels, though very large, dry up entirely during the hot season, but during the rains they have the appearance of a vast expanse of waving reeds, with here and there patches of open water. The shallow edges are planted with paddy and jute, and the whole is surrounded by the usual belt of tree-jungle, the tall palms being the most con- spicuous trees, as they overtop the rest. The commonest trees are mango, neem, jack-fruit, tamarind, plantain, bamboo, banyan, peepul, and cotton-trees ; but, with the exception of a number of casuarina-trees at Titaghur, and some of the trees in Barrackpore Park and on the Grand Trunk Road, they are mostly small, though there is often a large banyan or peepul in the centre of the villages.
Compared with other parts of the Indian plains, Bengal is
42 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
wonderfully fertile, and the country is never so bare nor the trees so dust-laden; for during the hot season the stubble of the former crop, and the weeds which contrive to flourish in spite of the drought, as well as the quantity of grass in many places, prevent the fields from assuming that parched and arid appearance which is noticeable elsewhere. ‘The trees also are now out in the fullest leaf, most of them being ever- greens, and having both old and new leaves on in the dry season, the old ones to be dropped as soon as the young have attained their full growth. Thus the country has quite a fresh, fertile appearance, in spite of the heat and drought. The scientific names in these notes are mostly taken from Oates’s “ Birds ” in Blanford’s ‘Fauna of British India,’
and from his edition of Hume’s ‘ Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds.’
1. Corvus MacroruyNcHus. (Jungle Crow.)
The Jungle Crow is a common resident and generally dis- tributed ; although usually found in wooded parts away from habitations, it not unfrequently associates with the House Crow in the villages. It is an early breeder, usually having young by the middle of April, and in this district cocoanut- palms are preferred for nesting in.
2. Corvus sPLENDENS. (House Crow.)
Very plentiful and resident. They begin building as early as February, though the eggs are not laid much before April ; but not one half of the Crows about Titaghur breed at all, very few nests being found in proportion to the number of birds. Every evening they retire to roost in certain clumps of trees in immense numbers, in company with Acridotheres tristis and Sturnopastor contra. During a flight of locusts in November 1890, they fed greedily on the insects, catching them in the air and clumsily imitating the Kites in attempting to devour them without alighting.
3. Denprocitta RuFA. (Indian Tree-Pie.)
Very common, generally distributed, and resident. The Tree-Pie is a great robber of other birds’ nests, devouring both eggs and young. During the breeding-season they are
of the Calcutta District. 43
very shy and wary, and the nest is difficult to find. I once saw one of these birds fly out of a clump of bushes closely pursued by a King Crow, which seized the tip of the longest tail-feather of the Tree-Pie in its beak, and hung on to it for some distance, being “ towed” through all the undulations in the flight of the Pie.
This bird feeds on fruit, insects, &c., and is never seen on the ground, being entirely a tree-haunting species.
4. CRATEROPUS CANORUs. (Jungle Babbler.)
This is the only Babbler found in the district around Titaghur, and is a very common resident, generally distributed, inhabiting compounds, orchards, and jungle of every sort. The greater number lay in April, though I have found full- grown young as early as the middle of March. The hen bird sits very close, and will often allow the nest to be touched before flying off. On May 18, 1890, I found a nest containing four eggs, built on the uppermost ring of fruit on a bunch of plantains. The birds feed principally on white ants, but also on other insects, and may often be seen in small parties turning over the leaves in search of food.
5. AierrHina T1PpH1A. (Common Tora.)
The Iora is a common resident species and generally distributed, frequenting especially gardens and orchards. These birds probably have two broods in a year, one about April and the other in August or September. When their nests are meddled with the old birds are most vociferous, - erying and fluttering about quite close, and often making a curious buzzing noise with their wings. In the breeding- season the males have very little black on the upper parts, being chiefly yellowish green on the head and back, and differmg but very little from the winter plumage.
6. Mo.pastEs BENGALENSIS. (Bengal Red-vented Bulbul.) A very common bird, resident and generally distributed ; though mostly seen in pairs, they sometimes assemble in large numbers when attracted by a quantity of food. They usually lay in April and May, and I have found a nest built ina heap of cut wood, which contained two large young ones
44, Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
and one egg not yet hatched, on April 27th. The nest is usually rather small for the size of the bird.
7. Orocompsa EMERIA. (Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul.)
Not so common as the last-named (which it much resem- bles in its habits): resident and generally distributed. A favourite situation for the nest is in the dead bushes which are often tied round the trunks of fruit-trees to prevent people climbing them; and it is seldom built at any great height above the ground.
8. Dicrurvus ater. (Black Drongo.)
One of the commonest birds; to be seen everywhere, the telegraph-wires at the side of the railway being a favourite perch. It is a resident species, and breeds during the end of April and in May, usually building in babool-trees. I have taken white unspotted eggs of this bird, but they are not common. After the young are fledged and able to leave the nest, they remain for some days perched in a row on a bough near and are fed by the old ones, even after they can fly fairly well.
On bright moonlight nights these birds are often to be heard singing and calling.
9. Dicrurvs Ltoneicaupatus. (Indian Ashy Drongo.)
Not very common. I have noticed this species only during the cold season, and am sure it does not breed in the district.
10. Cuartia £NEA. (Bronzed Drongo.)
Common, resident, and generally distributed throughout the wooded parts of the country; in the open parts it is seldom seen. An early breeder, often having full-grown young by the middle of April, which sit outside the nest and are fed by the old birds, hike Dicrurus ater. Seldom more than two eggs are found in the nest, which is very difficult to find.
11. Curpia HoTTENTOTTA. (Hair-crested Drongo.) Very rare. I saw one which had been shot by a European at Khardah.
of the Calcutta District. 45
12. AcrocEPHALUS sTENTOREUS. (Great Reed Warbler.)
A not very common winter visitor, inhabiting the edges of jheels, paddy-fields, grass-jungle, and water-courses. One was found caught in a hamboo fish-trap, left high and dry in a dried-up paddy-field near Barrackpore, in November 1888.
13. ACROCEPHALUS DUMETORUM. (Reed Warbler.) A winter visitor, but not common; sometimes found in dry localities at a distance from water.
14. Orruoromus sutorivs. (Tailor-bird.)
Common, generally distributed, and resident. Commonly builds in mango-trees in April and May. The Tailor-bird does not always procure its food among the leaves of the higher trees, but may often be seen hopping silently about low down among thick bushes and brambles.
15. Cisticota curstrans. (Rufous Fantail Warbler.)
A common resident, found in grass-jungle, paddy-fields, and jheels. The only nest that I found with anything in it contained four tiny young birds on June 28th.
15a. Arunpinax akpon, (Thick-billed Warbler.)
The Thick-billed Warbler is a rather uncommon winter visitor, inhabiting marshy jungle or woods and bushes on the edges of the jheels or in the paddy-fields.
16. Lantus niericers. (Black-headed Shrike.) A rare winter visitor.
17. Lanius crisratus. (Brown Shrike.)
A very common bird during the cold season, and a few remain in the district all the year round. The telegraph- wires at tbe side of the railway are favourite perches for these birds.
18. TEPHRODORNIS PONDICERIANUS. (Common Wood- Shrike.)
Very common, generally distributed, and resident, breeding in April and May. The young birds follow the old ones about, and are fed by them for some time after they have left the nest and are fully grown. They feed on insects, usually
46 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
sought for among the foliage of trees, though I once shot one which I had watched for some time catching insects on the wing over a tank, like a Bee-eater, for it swooped after its prey over the water, generally returning to the same perch in a clump of bamboos.
19. Pericrocorus PEREGRINUS. (Small Minivet.)
Not uncommon, generally distributed, and _ resident. Usually seen in small parties, even in the breeding-season, searching for their food, of insects, among the foliage of the trees, or more rarely catching them on the wing.
20. CampopHaGa syKESI. (Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike.)
I have noticed this species only during the rainy season (from June to September), and at no other time of the year ; even then it is not by any means common.
21. Arramus Fuscus. (Ashy Swallow-Shrike.)
Arrives in considerable numbers towards the end of the rainy season, about August, and leaves again before the hot weather commences in March. They may often be seen sitting huddled together on the bare top of some tree, as many as twenty or thirty together; and towards evening many may be seen flying southwards over Titaghur, probably seek- ing some general and favourite roosting-place.
22. ORIOLUS MELANOCEPHALUS. (Black-headed Oriole.)
Very plentiful, resident, and generally distributed. They usually have eggs at the beginning of May and June, though I once shot a young one, which had not long left the nest, on April 13th.
A pair of these birds frequently inhabits the same compound, plantation, or orchard, and breeds there, often even in the same tree, year after year, if undisturbed. Their nests are, perhaps, more often pillaged by Dendrocitta rufa than by any other bird, and it is a common sight to see the robber pursued by an indignant pair of these brightly-plumaged birds.
23. STuRNIA MALABARICA. (Grey-headed Mynah.) Common, generally distributed, and resident. Breeds in
of the Calcutta District. 47
May and June, either in natural holes in trees or in those made by small Woodpeckers and Barbets; at other times of the year they assemble in small flocks.
24. AcRIDOTHERES TRISTIS. (Common Mynah.)
The Common Mynah is extremely common all over the district; although usually found more abundantly near houses, it is not uncommon at a distance from habitations. There are two broods in the year, the first eggs being laid in April and May, and the second brood being usually hatched in July. Cast skins of snakes are very often used in the construction of the nest. After a flight of locusts these birds, as well as the next, feed greedily on the insects. In the winter they roost together in immense numbers.
25. Srurnopastor contra. (Pied Starling.)
A very common resident species and universally distributed. As early as the middle of February I have seen them busily inspecting their future nesting-places ; but they usually begin building their huge untidy nests—often several m one tree—in April, and they generally have young nearly ready to leave the nest by the endof May. I have sometimes taken their eggs in June. The Shikra (Astur badius) often takes the young birds out of their nests to feed on them, and though, during the proceedings, the old birds make a great noise, they are afraid to attack and drive away the Hawk.
26. SipHiA ALBICILLA. (Red-breasted Flycatcher.) A common winter visitor and generally distributed, but always found solitary.
27. STOPAROLA MELANOPS. (Verditer Flycatcher.)
Not uncommon as a cold-weather visitor, and universally distributed, but always found singly.
A white-breasted Blue Flycatcher which I have often seen in the cold season, but of which I have never procured a specimen, must be either Cyornis superciliaris or C. astigma.
28. 'TERPSIPHONE PARADISI. (Paradise Flycatcher.) Plentiful in the wooded parts of the country, and in gardens and orchards, arriving in April and remaining until the middle
48 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
or end of October. They do not usually lay before June— at the beginning of the rains—though on June 8th, 1890, I found a nest containing young, but on the same day I found two other nests still unfinished. The nest takes about a week to build, and the female apparently does all the work, for the cock bird at this time is extremely shy, and generally remains quietly perched in a tree near the nest, and watches the operation and keeps the hen bird to her work. The nests are commonly built in mango or jack-fruit trees. In June 1890 I shot a cock bird in chestnut plumage, which had half of one of the long tail-feathers white.
I once watched a party of these birds bathing in a tank ; they were perched on a bough overhanging the water, and every now and then plunged right into the water, as a King- fisher does, returning to the same bough after every plunge to shake and preen their feathers. The cock bird is very silent ; but the presence of these birds may be detected by the sound of the female, which continually utters a harsh call-note.
29. Hyprotuymis azurea. (Black-naped Flycatcher.)
This Black-naped Flycatcher is an uncommon winter visitor, generally distributed in the wooded parts, but always found singly.
30. RuipipurA ALBIcoLLIs. (White-throated Fantail.)
Resident, generally distributed in wooded parts, and com- mon. In this district it is entirely a bird of the woods, and never found near houses. It thus differs from R. albifrontata which I have seen in the N.W. Provinces, usually in the native villages, catching insects around the cattle-sheds and yards round the huts.
31. Pratincota MauRA. (Indian Bush Chat.) A winter visitor and fairly common, in open country only.
32, RuticiLLa RUFIVENTRIS. (Red-bellied Redstart.) An uncommon winter visitor. I have seen one as late as
March 23rd.
Ee a
of the Calcutta District. 49
33. CyaNECULA suEcIcA. (Bluethroat.)
A winter visitor and fairly plentiful, especially on the edges of jheels and in damp paddy-fields, where it is usually - seen hopping under shelter of the grass growing on the bunds between the fields. It much resembles a Redbreast in its habits. On Feb. 15, 1891, I had a near and distinct view of one of these birds with a white spot on the breast (Cyanecula wolfi ?).
34. CALLIOPE CAMTSCHATKENSIS. (Ruby-throat.)
A winter visitor, usually found in rank grass-jungle, sugar- cane, or reeds, but not often seen. The male makes a plain- tive whistling noise.
35. CopsycHus sauLaRis. (Magpie Robin.)
The Magpie Robin is a very common bird in this district, and is universally distributed and resident. It breeds in May and June usually, in holes in trees, stumps, walls and buildings, often utilizing old holes made by Woodpeckers and Barbets to build in. It feeds on insects, and has a pleasing song, not unlike a Redbreast’s, but more powerful.
36. GHOCICHLA CITRINA. (Orange-headed Ground Thrush.)
An uncommon winter visitor, very shy, and therefore seldom seen. I shot one on Noy. 30, 1890, near Khardah, as it flew up from the ground, where it had been hopping about and feeding, just like the common English Thrush.
37. PLocnus Baya. (Baya.)
Common, generally distributed, and resident. During the winter they entirely desert the neighbourhood of their nesting- trees and assemble in large flocks in the open grass-jungle. They breed from May to September, usually constructing their nests in “tar” trees (Borassus flabelliformis), though occasionally babool and date-palms are selected. Sometimes an old nest is added to, with the result that there are two bulbs in the structure, only the lower one, however, being used to lay in.
38. PLocrus BENGALENSIS. (Black-throated Weaver-bird.)
Resident ; occurs sparingly in some of the larger jheels, where it breeds in small colonies among the tall reeds growing
SER. VI.—VOL. VI. E
50 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
in deep water. The nests are seldom close together, but are scattered about singly in the reed-bed ; they are suspended from the tops of several reeds drawn together and built into the upper part of the nest. As is the case with P. baya and P. manyar, the division between the nesting-pocket and the entrance is built as soon as a safe hold has been secured on the vegetation in which the nest is to be placed, and serves as a perch from which one of the birds may work. The nests are more strongly constructed and built of finer grasses than those of P. manyar, and are often without any tubular entrance at all. I have also seen them ornamented with the blossoms of the babool and other yellow flowers. The same clumps of reeds are usually resorted to every season. On visiting some unfinished nests a second time, I have found them totally destroyed: the birds are rather shy, and easily forsake their nests. The eggs, occasionally as many as four or five in a clutch, are laid in August and September.
39. PLoceus MANyAR. (Striated Weaver-bird.)
A common species in certain large reed-covered jheels, where it breeds in great colonies among the reeds, not neces- sarily in those standing in water. The nests, often built close together, are suspended in much the same way as those of P. bengalensis, but not so strongly constructed, and are composed of rather coarser grasses than that bird’s. These nests are also usually ornamented with babool blossoms and some other yellow flowers. Occasionally nests are found among jute and in tall grass. In some cases the tubular entrance is 6 or 8 inches long, but one nest I found without any entrance at all: it contained two eggs sewed up inside it. The birds frequent the same localities annually for nesting, but do not often arrive at these places before August, the eggs being laid at the end of that month and in September. I once shot a snake in one of these nests built three feet above the water, which was here four feet or more deep; it was coiled round the outside of the nest, with its head and neck thrust up the tubular entrance into the nest. Usually two or three eggs are laid, more rarely four in a clutch. When not breeding the birds assemble in large flocks in tall
of the Calcutta District. 51
grass-jungle and feed on grass-seeds and grain. They remain in the district all the year round.
40. Muntra arricapiuta. (Chestnut-bellied Munia.)
Fairly plentiful, but much more abundant during the rainy season. Resident. Breeds in July and August; in one day I have found nests containing fresh eggs, others containing half-grown young, and another nest from which the young had flown. The nests are built either in long grass—occasionally quite low down—or in trees and bushes, and both birds are often in the nest together.
41. Urotoncna maLaBarica. (White-throated Munia.)
Not common, found only in pairs during the breeding- season, but much more plentiful and gregarious during the rest of the year. On August 23, 1891, I found a pair breeding in an empty Baya’s nest, amidst a breeding colony of these birds in a solitary “tar ” tree.
42. Urotoncua PunctuLata. (Spotted Munia.)
Quite the commonest species of Munia found in the district, universally distributed and resident. It is a much more familiar bird than the other Munias, and frequently builds in compounds and close to houses, as well as in most conspicuous positions near frequented thoroughfares. It breeds in August, September, and October, building a large untidy nest in some solitary bush or shrub, particularly in babool trees. As many as seven eggs are often laid; and if the nest be robbed the birds will not forsake it, but will soon lay another clutch of eggs in the same nest.
43. SPORHGINTHUS AMANDAVA. (Red Waxbill.)
The Red Waxbill, or Amadavat, is a rather locally distri- buted species, remaining all the year round, but it is nowhere abundant. It usually inhabits grass-jungle and open country, and breeds in September and October, building its nest either on the ground among grass or low down in a bush. On October 18, 1891, I found a nest built on the ground among rough grass in a field: it was domed, with an entrance at the side, slightly made of grass and lined with downy blossoms
52 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
of the same. It then contained five fresh white eggs. The male having once assumed the full red plumage does not undergo any other change.
44. Passer pomesticus. (House Sparrow.) Common, generally distributed, and resident, with habits exactly similar to those of the House Sparrow in Europe.
45. Emperiza scue@nictus. (Reed Bunting.)
On February 2, 1889, I saw a pair of these birds in a jheel near Barrackpore, hopping about and feeding alongside a stream flowing through it.
46. CotitE stnensis. (Indian Sand-Martin.)
The Indian Sand-Martin is uncommon and local, and probably resident. A small colony had their nesting-holes in the face of a bank overhanging the Matabunga river at Kissengunge, on the E. B.S. Railway, but they were evicted, through the bank being washed away in the floods in August 1890. Another colony was noticed near Mogra on the E. I. Railway.
This species breeds at the end of the year.
47. Hirunpo rustica. (Common Swallow.)
Solitary individuals may be seen almost at any time all the year round; but they are certainly more abundant in the cold season.
48. Moracitia arpa. (White Wagtail.)
49. Moracttua personata. (Masked Wagiail.)
These Wagtails are both winter visitors, arriving in Sep- tember, and are plentiful.
50. Moracitia MELANorE. (Grey Wagtail.)
51. Moracitia porgaris. (Grey-headed Wagtail.)
These are both common winter visitors, arriving about the same time as the Pied Wagtails.
52. AntHus Macutatus. (Indian Tree-Pipit.)
A winter visitor, but not plentiful; usually seen in small flocks on the edges of woods and in gardens. It arrives in November.
of the Calcutta District. 53
53. ANTHUS RUFULUs. (Indian Pipit.)
Very common, resident, and universally distributed in the open country. Breeds throughout March, April, May, and June. The nest is usually an open structure built beneath a clod or tuft or a bush; but I have found one which was completely domed over, and with a hole at the side for entrance ; and another was completely hidden in some short, thick grass, and approached by a run through the herbage.
On one occasion I caught a male bird sitting on the eggs. The nests are made of grass and dry stalks, lined with fine grass and horse- or cow-hair.
54. Mirarra assamica. (Bengal Bush-Lark.)
Common, resident, but met with only singly or in pairs in open country. I have found a nest with half-grown young as early as March 30, and another containing fresh eggs on May 3. The nest is domed over, with a hole at the side, and loosely made of dry grass.
55. Pyrraunaupa Grisea. (Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark.)
Uncommon and sparsely distributed in the open country ; not noticed during the rains, but only in the winter and hot season.
56. ARACHNECHTHRA ZEYLONICA. (Amethyst-rumped Sun-bird.)
Very common, resident, and universally distributed. Two broods are probably reared in the year, as I have usually found nests with eggs in April and August. The nest takes from a fortnight to three weeks to build, the female doing most of the work. The babool is a very favourite tree for building in, and the nest resembles a lump of rubbish or cobwebs such as is so often seen caught on the ends of the boughs of these trees. On April 20, 1890, I found a nest from which the young ones flew, and on the same day another nest still unfinished. The latest date on which I procured fresh eggs was on September 1. These birds may sometimes be seen exhibited for sale in Calcutta, tied by the legs, with a piece of cotton, to the finger of a native.
54 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
57. Dicmum eERyTHRorHyNcHUM. (Tickell’s Flower- pecker.)
Rare. On April 20, 1890, I found a nest of this bird, from which I shot the female, built in an almond-tree on the Grand Trunk Road near Khardah; this nest was not in any way concealed by the leaves of the tree, and was sus- pended from near the end of a twig; it contained two fresh white eggs.
The bird makes a loud chirping when disturbed, and is a most inquisitive and excitable little creature.
58. Microprernus PpHmocers. (Bengal Rufous Wood- pecker.)
Uncommon, and found only in the thickly wooded parts of the country.
59. BracnyPreRNUS auRANTIUS. (Golden-backed Wood- pecker.)
The commonest Woodpecker in the district and very plentiful, universally distributed. It is very often seen on the ground, probably feeding on ants. They generally breed in holes in palm-trees.
60. Cyanors asiatica. (Blue-cheeked Barbet.)
Very common, universally distributed, and resident. They breed during the hot season, excavating their own nesting- holes in dead trees. When making the hole the bird clings to the tree and rests on its tail, ike a Woodpecker, and pecks vigorously at the wood, every now and then breaking pieces out from the sides of the hole, until it is obliged to stop, gasping from the exertion.
61. XANTHOLEMA H#EMACEPHALA. (Crimson-breasted Barbet.)
Very common, resident, and generally distributed. Breeds about the same time as Cyanops asiatica, the two species sometimes nesting together in the same tree.
62. Uprupa rvozs. (European Hoopoe.)
A cold-weather visitor, but not very plentiful, arriving in October and usually leaving again before the hot weather begins in March ; but I saw one as late as May 15 in 1889.
of the Calcutla District. 55
63. Turtur surateNsis. (Spotted Dove.)
Extremely common, generally distributed, and resident. They probably breed all the year round, for I have taken eggs in January, February, March, April, June, August, October, and November, but by far the greater number in April; they will often lay again in the same nest from which the first clutch of eggs has been taken ; and sometimes the old bird, on being disturbed from the nest, will sham lameness in order to draw the intruder away from it.
64, Turtur risorius. (Indian Ring-Dove.) Very rare ; indeed I only saw one pair in the district, and of this pair I shot one bird.
65. CHaLcopHaPs INDIcA. (Bronze-winged Dove.)
Common and generally distributed in wooded country, orchards, and gardens; but shy and wary, and much more often heard than seen.
66. CacoMANTIS PASSERINUS. (Indian Plaintive Cuckoo.)
Rare. A male shoton March 2, 1890, had attracted my attention by its single plaintive whistling note. The other occasions on which I have seen this species were all during the rainy season.
67. CoccystEs Jacopinus. (Pied Crested Cuckoo.)
Common and generally distributed, but only during the rainy season—the earliest arrival I have noted was on May 18, 1890—and leaving again after the rains, at the end of Sep- tember. They commonly deposit their eggs in the nests of Crateropus canorus, bat it must be with the second laying of this Babbler, as the first brood is hatched durmg the hot season.
68. Eupynamis HonoraTA. (Indian Koél.)
Exceedingly common, resident, and generally distributed. Lays its eggs usually in the nests of Corvus splendens, but once I found three eggs of this bird in a nest of C. macro- rhynchus, without any eggs of the rightful owner.
‘The ery of this bird is incessant during the hot season, frequently throughout the night as well as the day. Their
56 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
food consists principally of small fruits and berries, and the birds collect in some numbers in a tree covered with their favourite fruit.
69. CENTROCOCCYX RUFIPENNIS. (The Crow- Pheasant.)
Common, universally distributed, and resident. Breeds during June, July, and August, and builds a large, loosely- constructed, globular nest, with a hole at the side, among dense jungle. If in grass-jungle, the nest is composed of dry grass or reeds, but if among bushes or in a tree, usually of sticks lined with grass and leaves. The eggs are oval and white, with a rough chalky surface.
Before nesting commences these birds frequently call to each other, making a loud “ hoo”’-ing note from the top of some tree, but when breeding they seldom venture far from the vicinity of their nests.
In this district their nests are usually found among the tall rank grass growing on the edges of tanks in quiet parts of the woods, or among the thick bushes and brambles over- hanging water.
70. CENTROCOCCYX BENGALENSIS. (Lesser Crow-Pheasant.)
Rare; exceedingly shy and wary, and only found in that part of the district where there are large tracts of thick grass-jungle, especially round some of the jheels towards Baraset.
71. ALCEDO BENGALENSIS. (Indian Kingfisher.)
Common, generally distributed, and resident. Breeds when the rains have well set in, usually in July and August, in holes in banks, especially in those banks which surround orchards, gardens, &c., and not necessarily above water. The eggs are smaller than the English Kingfisher’s, white, and even more highly glossed than that bird’s.
72. CrryLe rupis. (Pied Kingfisher.)
Fairly plentiful, but local; more generally distributed during the rainy season. This species prefers running water to stagnant tanks and jheels; and indeed, except during the rainy season, is found only on running streams. I have
of the Calcutta District. 57
never taken their eggs, but they breed in the banks of the upper waters of the stream which runs into the Hooghly near the Powder Factory at Ichapore.
73. PELARGOPSIS GURIAL. (Brown-headed Kingfisher.)
Not uncommon, resident, and universally distributed. During May and June they may be heard calling plaintively to each other, preparatory to breeding, though their usual ery is a loud hoarse laugh. On July 26th, 1891, 1 found a nest in a hole in a perpendicular bank overhanging the stream
oS Fig. 2.
Young Brown-headed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis gurial), taken from nest. p, pad on the heel.
which runs into the Hooghly above Bidiabatty; this bank had evidently been the nesting-place of these birds for some years, as there were many old holes init. The nesting-hole was about 3 inches in diameter, comparatively small for the size of the bird, and about 18 inches deep, and just inside the entrance it widened out considerably, and ended in a fairly large chamber, the bottom and sides of which were trodden and worn quite smooth and hard by the movements of the birds. A few fish-bones and large scales were scattered
58 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
on the floor, and two young birds and one bad egg were in the nest; the larger of the two (fig. 2, p. 57) was half-grown and half as large again as the other; and they were both covered with large quills, none of which had yet burst. At the tip of the beak of the young bird was a small hooked knob, not found in the adult, and at the back of the heel a curious warty pad *.
The old birds were extremely solicitous for their young, and on their crying they flew round and perched close by. Later, on September 13, this nesting-hole was again occupied, and I caught the old bird in the hole, with two blind, un- fledged young, about a week old, and two bad eggs.
74, PELARGOPSIS AMAUROPTERA (Pears.), Sharpe, Cat. B. xvi. p. 97.
One was shot at Khardah during the cold season of 1889-90, the only one I have ever seen in this district.
75. Hancyon sMyrnensis. (White-breasted Kingfisher.)
Common, generally distributed, and resident. This species is frequently found at a distance from water, as it does not subsist entirely on fishes, but appears to feed chiefly on lizards, beetles, and large insects. They inhabit any sort of country, either open or covered with jungle. The greater number in this district breed in May, making their nesting- holes usually in the embankments surrounding the orchards and gardens, also in bunds dividing the fields, or in pits ; but they invariably select some cool shady part of the embank- ment to breed in. The holes are about 24 inches in diameter and 18 inches or two feet deep, with a chamber at the end, where the eggs are laid, on the bare earth, with perhaps a few fish-bones or wing-cases of insects.
During the breeding-season they are very noisy, con- tinually calling to each other, but they are very shy and wary near their nests, and it is but seldom that the bird is seen to fly in or out of the nesting-hole.
Four or five eggs are laid.
* [See Giinther, Ibis, 1890, p. 411, for description of a similar heel-pad on the foot of the Wryneck (Lynx torquilla).—ED. |
of the Calcutta District. 59
76. CypsELus AFFINIS. (Indian Swift.)
Very common, universally distributed, and resident. Their eggs may probably be found all the year round, but I think the greater number breed during the rains. Many build on the rafters which support the roof of Serampore Station, EK. I. Railway.
77. Cypsetus Batassiensis. (Palm Swift.)
Common, but rarely found at any distance from the trees in which they breed. They are said only to breed in “ tar ” trees (Borassus flabelliformis), but I think it likely that they might be found breeding in cocoanut-palms, as I have seen the birds round plantations of these trees, and at a great distance from any “tar”’ trees. Multitudes of bats usually inhabit the “tar” trees, and I have even disturbed a pair of Nightjars and a couple of small Owls when trying to get at some Swifts’ nests.
78. CaPRIMULGUs ALBoNoTatTUs. (Large Bengal Nightjar.)
Fairly plentiful and resident. This species is usually found among trees and bushes, but is not the commonest Nightjar found in the district, which is a smaller bird, about the size of C. europeus, and inhabits patches of sugar-cane, bushes, grass-jungle, and is even found in compounds.
79. CaprimuLeus asiaticus. (Common Indian Nightjar.) Fairly plentiful and resident, usually found in country similar to that which C. albonotatus affects.
80. Coracias 1npica. (Indian Roller or Blue Jay.)
Plentiful, universally distributed, and resident. Breeds during the hot season, in March, April, and May, in holes in trees, especially in the broken-off tops of dead palm-trees. They are exceedingly wary at the nest, but as they do not venture very far from it when breeding, if a bird is to be seen in the vicinity of a dead palm-tree, the nest is pretty certain to be in it. The nest is made of a considerable quantity of fine sticks, roots, grass, aud even bits of paper and rag.
81. Merops viripis. (Green Bee-eater.) Very common, generally distributed, and resident. I
60 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
found a nest on May 4, 1890, which contained six young ones of all sizes, from the largest, which flew out of the hole and escaped, to the smallest, scarcely fledged. Just inside the mouth of the hole was a cavity, where they sat to be fed by the parent birds, as they could not all possibly sit in the passage leading to the nesting-chamber; this nesting- chamber was about three feet deep in a bank, and was strewn with the legs, wings, wing-cases, &c. of insects. On being disturbed all the young retired to this chamber. Until the young are hatched the nests are exceedingly difficult to find, as they are made in such inconspicuous holes, and the birds are so shy and wary.
The nesting-holes are usually in the banks surrounding orchards and cultivated enclosures, and also in the bunds between the paddy-fields. Though these birds are so con- spicuous during the greater part of the year, during the hot season, when engaged in breeding, they retire to quiet places to rear their young, and unless these places are visited, one might think that they migrated from the district altogether during that season.
After the rains, and throughout the cold season, every evening I used to see large flocks of this Bee-eater flying overhead, probably to some favourite roosting-place.
82. Merops puitippinus. (Blue-tailed Bee-eater.)
A visitor—only during the rainy season—from June to August, and never very plentiful. They are found in small flocks and always in bad plumage. They have a fine flight, swishing from their perches after insects with a_ bold sweeping flight, and a loud snap of the beak is heard when one is caught. Between Dum Dum and _ Belghurriah stations on the E. B.S. Railway, during the season, several of these birds may always be seen on the telegraph-wires.
83. Patmornts Trorquatus. (Rose-ringed Paroquet).
Common, generally distributed, and resident. Breeds during the hot season and at the beginning of the rains, in holes in trees, temples, ruined buildings, &c., as well as
of the Calcutta District. 61
in inhabited bungalows. They are more or less gregarious throughout the year, and do great damage to the crops.
This is one of the commonest birds kept in confinement, as well as P. eupatrius, which, however, is not found in a wild state in the district.
84. PaLmorNIs puRPUREUS. (Rose-headed Paroquet.)
Not common, and only visiting the district during the rainy season, when they occur in small flocks, and at this time are always in bad plumage.
85. Srrix savanica. (Indian Barn-Owl.)
One was shot at Bally. I have often heard the cry of this bird in the night, at all times of the year, though I have never seen one.
The remark that I have seen signs—pellets, feathers, &c. —of this bird in the ruined gateways around Akbar’s tomb at Secundra, near Agra, may perhaps be of interest, though it has no reference to the Calcutta district.
86. Asio accrpitrinus. (Short-eared Owl.)
On Oct. 25, 1890, when out Snipe-shooting, one was shot at as it rose from a bund in the paddy-fields, and was brought down, apparently uninjured, for it was carried the rest of the day perched on a coolie’s arm, without attempting to escape; I kept it for some months in a cage in perfect health, but it eventually escaped. This was the only one I saw in this part of the country.
87. KrTupa CEYLONENSIS. (Brown Fish-Owl.)
Fairly common and universally distributed. Breeds during the cold season. One of a pair with two full-grown young was shot at the end of 1890 near Khardah.
88. Scors tertia. (Scops Owl.) I shot a male bird of this species on May 26, 1889—one of a pair roosting among the leaves of a “tar” palm.
89. Carine BRaMA. (Spotted Owlet.)
Very common, universally distributed, and resident. As often seen abroad during the day as in the night. It is an exceedingly noisy bird in the evening, and the author of
62 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
most extraordinary sounds. These birds are most frequently seen in pairs.
90. Crrcus arucinosus. (Marsh Harrier.)
Very plentiful in the cold season in the jheels and open country surrounding them; they remain frequently until the middle of April, but leave the district during the hot weather and rains, returning again in September. Birds in dark brown plumage with yellowish-white heads are most plentiful.
They feed principally on frogs, fishes, and snakes, and I have seen one trying to carry off a fish, in shallow water, nearly as heavy as itself.
91. Crrcus cyangeus. (Hen Harrier.)
Plentiful durmg the cold season, arriving and departing about the same time as C. eruginosus, and inhabiting the same sort of country as that bird.
This Harrier often preys on Snipes which have been shot by sportsmen and which it carries off before one can pick them up. I saw one, flying low over some standing rice, flush a Snipe and, after chasing it for a short distance through all the twists and turns in its flight, strike at it, catch it in its claws, and instantly drop down among the paddy to devour it. I drove off the Harrier and picked up the Snipe, which was quite dead, but none of it was yet eaten.
92. Circus MELANoLEUCcUs. (Pied Harrier.)
A cold-weather visitor, but not common; rarely more than one or two specimens are to be seen in a jheel where there are, perhaps, dozens of the other two sorts of Harriers.
93. Astur BADIus. (Shikra.)
A common resident and generally distributed. Breeds during April and May, building a nest not unlike an untidy Crow’s. I took three eggs from a nest on May 10, 1891, and a month later the birds had again laid in it and I took two eggs. The crop of one that had been shot contained the remains of a lizard and an unfledged young bird. I have seen one of these Hawks visit nests of Sturnopastor contra and prey on the young.
of the Calcutta District. 63
94. Aquita cLanca. (Spotted Eagle.)
One or more of these birds may generally be seen in the vicinity of the larger jheels, and then remain in the district all the year; but there is a great addition to their numbers in the cold season.
95. SpizaETus Limnabtus. (Changeable Hawk-Eagle.)
One of the commonest Eagles in the district ; universally distributed and resident. An old nest was found near Sodepore, which the birds appeared to be repairing, in March; both birds were in dark brown plumage; _ but another, shot near the same place, was in very pale plumage, and pure white beneath, marked with dark spots.
96. SPILORNIS CHEELA. (Crested Serpent-Eagle.)
Common, universally distributed, and resident. Breeds during the hot season. I found a nest on May 10, 1891, in a mango-tree—a large structure of sticks, many with the leaves on, resembling a small nest of Pseudogyps bengalensis —which contained one young bird, with the feathers on the body only just beginning to grow, but with the crest already fully developed. Its eyes were very pale yellowish white. It was very fierce, erecting its ltood and biting savagely, but did not attempt to use its claws, for its legs appeared to be very delicate and hardly able to support the weight of the bird.
I once saw one attempt to carry off a dead mongoose that had been shot.
97. Hatiaiitus Leucocaster. (White-bellied Sea-Eagle.) This species has been noticed on several occasions, usually in the larger jheels, but does not appear to be plentiful.
98. Potroaitrus tcutuyairus. (White-tailed Fishing- Eagle.)
Not uncommon in the neighbourhood of the larger jheels, and resideut. This species has a wild ringing cry, which can be heard at a great distance. Also noticed at Mogra, E. I, Railway, on the river there.
64 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
99. Hauiastur mnpus. (Brahminy Kite.)
Very common, universally distributed, and resident. Among the shipping in the Hooghly, in Calcutta, they are commonly seen lining the rigging with the Pariah Kites or snatching garbage from the surface of the water.
They assemble in great numbers at any spot where a quantity of food attracts them, and during the hot season they watch the drying up of the jheels and tanks attentively. When the natives, in many of the jheels in the hot season, are draining off the little remaining water in the pools and tanks, and searching for fishes and shell-fish in the mud, they are always attended by numbers of these birds, which swoop down, frequently snatch up a fish from among the crowd of people, and then, circling round overhead, devour it on the wing.
They breed in January and February, but most usually in the latter month, and almost invariably build in cocoanut- palms, especially in those groves of these trees which grow around tanks in the native gardens in this district, and few of these groves are without a pair of the birds breeding in the palms. The nest is thin and loosely constructed of sticks, sometimes slightly lined with grass or reeds, and the eggs are usually two in number.
They are a great nuisance to Snipe-shooters, for they wait upon them and often succeed in carrying off wounded birds.
Their cry is a querulous, cat-like wail.
100. Mitvus govinpa. (Pariah Kite.)
Exceedingly common everywhere. About the middle of June all the Kites, both old and young, leave the district entirely, and do not return again before the middle of August. Two broods are sometimes reared in the year, and the earliest date when I have seen signs of their beginning to build was in September, and the latest in April, though the greater number breed from November to February. Young birds hatched about November 12 were perched on the edge of the nest ready to fly on January 12; a week later the old birds were again repairing the nest and a second brood was being reared on March 14.
of the Calcutta District. 65
I have known a pair attempt to breed in an old nest of Corvus macrorhynchus, and another pair succeeded in bringing up their brood in a nest of Pseudogyps bengalensis, in which the Vultures had already reared a young one the same year. It not unfrequently happens that one young bird is much forwarder than the others, and therefore leaves the nest some time before them. If a nest has been once rebbed the birds often lay again in it. Building materials are sometimes carried to the nest in the claws as well as in the beak. Every evening numbers of these birds fly across the Hooghly from the Barrackpore side to roost in the casuarina-trees near the church at Serampore, while others find roosting-places in some of the high trees on the Trunk Road outside Barrack- pore Park. During a flight of locusts which visited the district in November 1890, hundreds of Pariahs, Brahminy Kites, and Crows pursued the insects, snatching them in their claws and devouring them on the wing.
101. Exanus c#rutevs. (Black-winged Kite.)
A resident species, but not common. I wounded one— I mistook it for a Tern, as it somewhat resembles one on the wing—which flew some distance before it fell; but directly it dropped it was pounced on successively by a Brahminy Kite,a Pariah, and a Changeable Hawk-Eagle, each of which in turn attempted to carry it off. Although they each succeeded in carrying it up several times, the plucky little bird compelled them, by struggling and fighting so fiercely, to relax their hold, until I had run up and driven the birds off. It sometimes hovers like a Kestrel, but its wings are not used so stiffly as that Hawk’s.
They are usually seen in the more open country, especially round the edges of the large jheels or among scattered trees in the open grass-jungle.
102. PeRNis priLtoruyNcuus. (Crested Honey-Buzzard.)
A permanent resident, sparingly distributed throughout the wooded parts of the district.
In 1890 a pair of these birds built a nest in a high casuarina-tree in a compound at Titaghur, and though the
SER. VI.—VOL, VI. F
66 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
same pair were constantly about the place the year before, they did not breed. The nest was begun in March and was a comparatively small, flimsy structure, built entirely of casuarina-twigs, broken off green from the tree in which the nest was built, and with the leaves on. I never saw either bird carry any materials to the nest from anywhere else, and the only time they spent in building was a little while in the early morning before 9 a.m. When at the nest the female continually uttered a shrill, querulous cry. I got two fresh eggs from this nest on May 10, and the male bird, a small dark-plumaged specimen, was shot off them; he sat so close that I had to shoot at the nest with a light charge before he would leave it. A fortnight later the female—a large and very light-coloured bird—was shot ; she had in the meantime found another mate, and, having pulled down the old nest, contemplated building there again. In less than a week after- wards the surviving male bird reappeared, paired with a light- coloured female, and for the rest of the year they remained about the place, but did not breed. The next year this same pair were evidently breeding close by, though I did not succeed in findimg their nest. The eggs were beautiful specimens, one being so densely spotted with blood-red as to conceal the ground-colour, the other less thickly spotted with paler red on a yellowish-white ground.
When disturbed or irritated, this bird erects the feathers round its head into a sort of hood, much as Spilornis cheela does.
They are easily distinguished on the wing by the small size of the head and the large tail, and the legs are usually stretched out straight beneath the tail.
103. Fatco succrr. (Lugger Falcon.)
Resident, sparingly distributed, and not very common. In the same casuarina-tree in which the Honey-Buzzards— mentioned above—had built in 1890, a White-backed Vulture built at the end of the same year and brought off one young bird. On January 23, 1891, having seen a pair of Falcons in and around the nest for some time, I sent a coolie up to
of the Calcutta District. 67
it, but he found only the broken shells of two or three Falcons’ eggs. As he climbed up, the birds screamed and dashed through the boughs and around the tree, every now and then making feints at him, much to his alarm. I once saw one of these Falcons pounce on and fly off with a Blue Jay from close beneath the legs of the horses in a ticca- gharry, the Jay having swooped down on to an insect on the ground just in front of the horses’ heads.
104. TrnnuncuLus aLauparius. (Kestrel.) A winter visitor, but not plentiful.
105. Gyps 1npicus. (Long-billed Vulture.)
Resident, but only locally distributed. At Mogra, on the E. I. Railway, they are plentiful; but about Titaghur they are scarce compared with the numbers of Pseudogyps bengalensis. A few breed near Khardah in tall “ tar” palms.
106. Psrupocyrs BENGALENSIS. (White-backed Vulture.)
Very plentiful, resident, and universally distributed. Just before the time comes for repairing their nests they often collect in immense flocks and wheel about in the sky, not appearing to be assembled together by the attraction of any food. They commence repairing their nests as early as September, and break off large boughs covered with leaves for this purpose. The large casuarina-trees around Titaghur and in Barrackpore Park are favourite breeding-sites, but I have besides found their nests in mango, peepul, banyan, and tamarind trees, and in “tar” and date palms. The greater number lay in November and the nests usually con- tain young in February. Often the old bird will sit so close on the egg that it is impossible to drive her off with- out the aid of a stick, and even then J have seen one refuse to move further than the edge of the nest. When the nest has been once robbed, the bird often lays again soon after.
In the young bird the eyes are dark blue.
Anyone who has watched these birds sailing about without apparent aim in the upper air cannot fail to be con- vinced that they discover their food by sight—each bird circling about at a great height, intently taking note of all
r2
~
68 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
objects below, as weil as what his comrades are doing. Suddenly one Vulture espies a likely-looking object, and commences to circle slowly downwards towards it, while the other Vultures nearest instantly become interested and hurry up to see what it has found. By this time the lucky finder will have wheeled down to the carcass with great sweeps, and with a rush of wings will have perched close to it. After waiting and looking round for a few moments, he will hobble towards it and commence tearing it with his beak, and, standing on it, will pull out great beakfuls from the part held down by his feet. The other Vultures, seeing it is a worthy prey, will now all be sweeping and circling down to it, and from every point of the compass will come hurrying up others, which from a distance have observed those birds nearest to them flying towards the point where the carcass is. Soon it will be surrounded by a tearing, gobbling, and fighting crowd,—until perhaps a Black Vulture (Otogyps calvus) appears upon the scene, when all, except perchance one or two bolder ones, retire and make way for him, standing around the carcass enviously until he has eaten his fill, and afraid to approach while he is there. After gorging themselves, leaving nothing remaining but the bones, they will remain seated around the spot until the meal is digested, when they, one by one, after a short run, aided by gigantic flappings of the wings, will launch out into the air, and, with grand swaying flight, betake themselves to their roosting- places for the night.
They are never seen carrying victuals to their young, so they probably feed their offspring on disgorged food.
107. Orocyrs catvus. _ (Black Vulture.)
A permanent resident, but not at all plentiful. Occasion- ally one may be noticed among a crowd of Pseudogyps bengalensis and Gyps indicus, but never associating with the common herd.
108. TanTaLus LeUcocEPHALUS. (Pelican Ibis.)
On June 2, 1889, I saw an immense flock of these birds resting in the dry paddy-fields near Pundua on the E. I. Railway.
of the Calcutta District. 69
109. ArpEa purPUREA. (Purple Heron.) Resident, but uncommon ; only solitary pairs noticed in some of the larger jheels.
110. Busuxtcus coromannus. (Cattle Egret.)
Resident, universally distributed, and common, but I have never found them breeding in the immediate neighbourhood, though they are equally abundant in the breeding-season as at any other time. Several of these birds are usually in attendance on any cattle feeding near their haunts.
111. Arproxa Grayr. (Pond Heron or Paddy-bird.)
Extremely abundant, resident, and generally distributed. Usually found breeding in large colonies, occasionally in some tree standing in the midst of a crowded bazaar; but not unfrequently solitary nests are found; and I have heard of their breeding in compounds in the middle of Calcutta itself. I visited a breeding colony close to Kissengunge station on the E. B. 8S. Railway, where the birds were nesting in two small peepul trees in the company of Phalacrocorax pygmeus. On August 31, 1890, the Herons mostly had eggs—some quite fresh and others ready to hatch—while the Cormorants had full-grown young, which, in many cases, struggled out of the nest and fell into the floods beneath the trees. On June 7, 1891, the Herons again had eggs in all stages of incubation, and many young already hatched, but no Cormorants were to be seen any- where near, and the Herons appeared to be occupying their old nests, which are larger and more strongly constructed. On the trees being climbed and the birds disturbed, both old and young of each species disgorged quantities of fish, frogs, and reptiles of all sorts, which fell on us and on the ground beneath in a perfect shower.
These Herons, and also their eggs, vary greatly in size; their nests are thin, flimsy structures of sticks, not unlike Crows’, and the number of eggs varies from three to five. I once found a nest in the top of a cocoanut-palm, which had a quantity of dead reeds mingled with the sticks.
70 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
112. Buroripes savanica. (Little Green Heron.)
A permanent resident, but not abundant in the immediate neighbourhood ; a very shy and solitary species, usually found on the edges of tanks quite surrounded by jungle: on being disturbed it flies up into the boughs of some over- hanging tree, and by running nimbly along them reaches the outside of the tree, whence it takes flight into the next, and by repeating the proceeding is soon at some distance off, while its disturber is still examining the boughs among which it was first lost sight of.
At Mogra, on the E. I. Railway, however, they are fairly plentiful on the banks of the river there, where it is shut in by trees on either bank. I have occasionally flushed one out among the grass in a jheel and among paddy, but rarely at any distance from tree-jungle.
113. ARDETTA CINNAMOMEA. (Chestnut Bittern.)
Nowhere very plentiful, a permanent resident, of extremely shy and skulking habits, pretty generally distributed. I once found one caught in a bamboo fish-cage in a jheel near Barrackpore. In certain localities one or two of these birds are always to be found.
114. Arprrta sinensis. (Little Yellow Bittern.)
I have noticed this species only in one locality—in a jheel near Nattagcre, where they are plentiful among the tall reed-jungle in the centre of the jheel, and may be seen perching on the stems of the reeds. On being disturbed they drop down into the thicker growth, and escape by skulking among it.
115. Boraurus steLLaris. (Common Bittern.) Rare, and a cold-weather visitor only. On one or two
occasions I have flushed them when snipe-shooting in paddy- fields.
116. Leproprinus arcata. (Adjutant.)
A visitor during the rainy season to most districts, though they probably are found all the year round at the Salt Lakes near Calcutta, where they feed with Vultures and Kites on
of the Calcutta District. 71
the refuse from the town; but to the city itself they are annually becoming rarer visitors.
They are occasionally to be seen soaring about in the air in the company of Vultures on the look-out for food.
117. Dissura episcopus. (White-necked Stork.)
Only once seen near Pundua on the E. I. Railway on April 7, 1889.
118. Crconta atBa. (White Stork.)
One of a pair was shot on January 20, 1889, in a jheel near Howrah.
119. PHatacrocorax pyemzus. (Little Cormorant.)
Common, universally distributed, and resident. As men- tioned above, I found it breeding, in August 1890, at Kissengunge, in the same tree as Ardeola grayi, but not in any great quantities. The young appeared to be most ravenous, and there was a constant stream of the old birds to and from the nests, carrying food to the young, which were fed on small fishes and frogs. Throughout the rainy season, solitary birds, or perhaps three or four, are to be seen in most of the jheels around Titaghur, but they do not appear to be nesting in the immediate neighbourhood.
120. Pretecanus, sp. inc.* (Pelican.)
On October 21, 1890, I saw four Pelicans, white with dark wings, flapping slowly northwards up the course of the river, and on April 30, 1891, two were seen on the sandbank in the river opposite Titaghur. When seated, they were apparently pure white, but on being put to flight by an approaching boat they showed dark primaries.
121. Nerrarus coromanpeLianus. (Cotton-Teal Goose.) Though such large numbers of this species find their way into the markets in the cold season, I have met with it only
* [This Pelican is probably the Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus mantt- lensis), of which four specimens, obtained by Mr. W. L. Sclater in Calcutta, are now living in the Zoological Society’s Gardens. It is a close ally of P. rufescens of Africa, but does not appear ever to get the wholly rufous back.—P. L. §.]
hy Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
once wild, when the male of a pair was shot on February 15, 1891, on a small tank near Titaghur.
122. SarcrpioRNIs MELANONOTUs. (Comb Duck.) Solitary individuals are occasionally noticed on the river, but principally towards the end of the rains.
123. Anas Boscas. (Wild Duck.)
124. ANAS STREPERA. (Gadwall.)
125. Spatuta ctyPeaTa. (Shoveller.)
126. QuERQUEDULA cREccA. (Teal.)
127. FuniguLta Nyroca. (White-eyed Duck.)
128. Fuxievza cristata. (Tufted Duck.)
Close to Titaghur, Ducks of any sort are rarely met with, but in January 1891, in a jheel about five miles to the east- ward, towards Baraset, we found a flock of two or three hundred Ducks of all sorts, among some tall reeds growing in deep water in the middle of the jheel. Among the Ducks the above-named species were identified, but specimens only of F. nyroca and A. strepera were procured.
129. Aiarauitis curonica. (Little Ringed Plover.)
Fairly plentiful on the sandbanks and shores of the Hooghly in the cold season ; at the end of July 1891 I saw several on the sandbank opposite Titaghur.
130. LosivanreLivs rnpicus. (Red-wattled Lapwing.) Resident, but not plentiful, and found only in and around the larger jheels, collecting into small flocks in winter.
131. Srrepsinas INTERPRES. (Turnstone.) On October 5, 1890, I flushed one at Mogra, on the E. I. Railway, im a wet paddy-field, when out snipe-shooting.
132. GALLINAaGo sTHENURA. (Pintail Snipe.)
133. GaLLinaco caLEstis. (Fantail or Common Snipe.)
Very abundant in the cold season, and generally distri- buted at the beginning of the season, though, as the country begins to dry up, they naturally become more local, congre- gating in localities where water still remains.
The first arrivals come in August, the earliest date when I have seen one being August 18; but the great bulk arrive in
of the Calcutta District. 73
September, and they are probably most numerous during October and November. The greater number leave again in February; but many remain throughout March and even into April in exceptionally cold seasons, and I flushed one from the edge of a tank close to some native huts on April 30, 1891.
Of the vast numbers, however, which visit the plains in the winter, I have never heard of any remaining throughout the year, though there are most likely places for them to breed in many jheels, with an abundant supply of food throughout the year.
In this district the ‘pintail” is most plentiful, three- fourths of those shot being of that species; but in certain jheels “ fantails” are always more numerous. The fantails certainly arrive later than the pintails.
A friend of mine shot a Snipe on the summit of Sun- dukphu—a mountain facing Darjecling—in October.
Snipe are seldom seen running, for, unlike the Sandpipers, when disturbed they endeavour to conceal themselves by crouching down close to the ground.
134. GALLINAGO GALLINULA. (Jack Snipe.) A winter visitor, uncommon, and very sparsely distributed throughout the district.
135. Ruyncu#ma capensis. (Painted Snipe.)
Resident, generally distributed in all suitable localities, but never very plentiful. On April 12, 1891, the female of a pair, brought down at one shot, had largish eggs in her ovaries ; the male, which was only wounded, on being approached spread his beautifully eyed wings and tail and made a sort of hissing noise. On May 11, 1890, in a jheel near Natta- gore, I flushed a pair of old birds, which rose with four young ones just able to fly, and sought refuge in a large reed-brake, on the outskirts of which they had been dis- turbed.
136. Trincorpes HypoLeucus. (Common Sandpiper.) A common winter visitor only to the shores and sandbanks of the Hooghly, and never in the jheels, being invariably
74 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
found on running water. They usually arrive in September and remain as late as the end of April; but I shot the male bird of a pair in breeding plumage on July 26, 1891, on a sandbank opposite Titaghur.
137. Toranus GtarEoLa. (Wood Sandpiper.)
Exceedingly plentiful during the cold season, especially on its first arrival in August, when it occurs in large flocks in the wet paddy-fields; as the water dries up and the country becomes parched they become scarcer, but a good many remain even into the middle of April.
138. Hetopromas ocHropus. (Green Sandpiper.)
A winter visitor, but never occurs in Jarge numbers, and always found solitary or in pairs, usually on the edges of small tanks, more rarely in jheels and paddy-fields, and not unfrequently on the edges of streams.
139. Meroripius typicus. (Bronze-winged Jacana.)
Resident and abundant, especially in the larger jheels ; in many of the smaller ones they remain until the water has almost entirely dried up, before leaving them for other quarters. They are seldom met with on the smaller tanks. If surprised in open water, they often seek safety by diving, and will remain under water for some time, with only the head above the surface, but they do not appear to swim under water.
140. HyprorHASIANUS CHIRURGUS. (Pheasant - tailed Jacana.)
Uncommon, resident. During the rainy season of 1891 a pair established themselves on a ditch at the side of the E. B. S. Railway, between Belghurriah and Dum Dum stations ; but, with this exception, I have never met with them anywhere except on the larger secluded jheels, which do not dry up during the hot season.
141. Turnix taicoor. (Bustard-Quail.)
Common, universally distributed, and resident, found alike in wet and dry situations. I have several times, when snipe- shooting, had a “ right and left” at a Snipe and a Bustard-
of the Calcutta District. 75
Quail. They are always found solitary or in pairs, and during the breeding-season never stray far from their nests.
The eggs are laid in April, May, and June, and are either two or four in number, but I have found tiny young ones at the end of October. The nest is always built in some dry situation, among grass or brambles, often at the foot of a bush, and all I have ever found were flimsy domed struc- tures of dry grass with a hole at the side, very like a field- mouse’s nest.
Chick of Bustard-Quail (Turnix taigoor).
I subjoin a description of the chick now figured (fig. 3) :— Throat yellowish white. Top of head mottled brown and pale yellow; cheeks bare and blackish, with lines of tiny white feathers; a line of white above the eyes, which are brown; a kind of hood or ruff of long hairy feathers at back of head. Beak yellowish and black at tip. Breast white, spotted with black. Wings brownish, and, except the primaries, barred with dark and yellowish brown; back marbled black and yellowish brown, with two lines of white running down it. Tail mottled brown. Flanks and underparts sandy-coloured. Legs and feet grey and shiny; thighs blackish.
The females are exceedingly pugnacious, and many are caught by natives in trap-cages, a hen bird being used as a
76 Mr. P. W. Munn on the Birds
call-bird ; the male birds, however, are very rarely caught m this way. I have had as many as eighteen females brought to me which had been thus captured, without a single male bird, and, as they were caught during the breeding-season, some of them had even laid eggs in the basket in which they were brought to me.
142, Turnix tanxi. (Larger Bustard-Quail.)
Uncommon, resident, and generally distributed, differing very little in its habits from 7. taigoor. Breeding during April and May, the nest being built among grass or brambles, and exactly resembling that of 7. taigoor, though the eggs are considerably smaller. When in the nest the bird sits very close, and I have even removed the top part of the nest before the bird flew off.
On the wing, this bird hada more reddish appearance than the Bustard-Quail.
143. Porpnyrio potiocePHaLus. (Purple Coot.)
Resident and very locally distributed. They are occa- sionally to be seen on a tank at the side of the E. B.S. Railway near Dum Dum. In January 1891 I observed great numbers among some tall reeds in the midst of a jheel near Baraset, and, wading through the water and pushing through the reeds, caused them to rise with a great commotion, several at a time.
144. Fonica arra. (Common Coot.) I have only once met with this species, in January 1891, in the same locality as the Purple Coot, mentioned above.
145. GALLICREX CINEREUS. (Water-cock.)
Generally distributed and resident, but not very often seen on account of its partiality for thick coverin the jheels and usually inaccessible places, though it is sometimes met with in paddy-fields and on the edges of small tanks.
146. GattinuLa cutoropus. (Common Moorhen.) Fairly common, resident, and found in small numbers in most of the jheels and on the larger tanks, especially those
of the Calcutta District. 77
which are surrounded by thick bushes overhanging the water, and in such they usually construct their nests.
147, Erytura pH@nicura. (White-breasted Waterhen.)
Very much commoner than the last-named; resident and generally distributed. They seem to prefer the smaller tanks in the jungle to the large open jheels, and most of these small ponds have a pair or more of these birds on them. They breed during the rains, constructing a nest either floating on the surface of the water among reeds or often in a quite exposed situation, or in the bushes overhanging the water, or built high up among a thick clump of reeds. The young leave the nest as soon as they are hatched, but return to roost in it at night; during the day, if disturbed, they skulk among the herbage or bushes around the tank. I have often found single young ones, apparently lost, wan- dering among the paddy-crops and calling plaintively.
148. Porzana MarunTTa. (Spotted Crake.)
149. Porzana BarLttont. (Baillon’s Crake.)
150. Porzana Fusca. (Ruddy Rail.)
151. Hyvormnipia striata. (Blue- breasted Banded Rail.)
On February 1, 1891, in a village on the Nattagore Road, near Sodepore Station, E. B.S. Railway, a coolie brought me a large bamboo fish-trap, in which were several live Rails of the above-mentioned species, as well as one Water-cock. The greater number were of P. maruetta, and there were four specimens of P. bailloni, only one of P. fusca, and three of H. striata. All of them had been caught in the adjacent jheel—probably in fish-traps.
All these Rails, however, are found in most of the jheels, and in some places abundantly, running over the floating weeds and taking refuge in the thicker herbage when dis-
turbed.
152. Tacnysapres rLuviaTitis. (Little Grebe.) Sparingly distributed throughout the district, in the cold season only, and always on open water.
78 Mr. J. J.S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
V.—WNotes on some Tunisian Birds. By J. J. S. Warraxer, F.Z.S.
In the early part of this year (1893), while on a shooting expedition in the south of the Regency of Tunis, I met with several interesting species of birds, some of which are suffi- ciently uncommon to merit record in ‘The Ibis.’ Acting . on the kind suggestion of Mr. Sclater, I proceed therefore to give a short sketch of my journey, with a list of the species of which I actually secured specimens, or of the identity of which I had no doubt.
I would, however, first premise that being totally unpre- pared for bird-collecting, and still less with any idea at the time of writing about them, and, moreover, having little time at my disposal, [I was unable to secure as many specimens as I could have wished, the few I obtained being mostly shot when I was actually en route from one place to another.
Passing over the journey to Tunis, and a few days spent
_there in making preparations, I may say I finally left that town by railroad for Tebessa on the 23rd of February, having previously despatched my men and horses, with tents and the heavier impedimenta, by road via Kairouan, with instructions to meet me at Kasrin, some 50 miles east of Tebessa. The railroad journey from Tunis as far as Souk-Ahras is well known to travellers, being on the direct route to Algiers, but the branch line from Souk-Ahras to Tebessa has only recently been opened to the public. The country fora considerable distance after leaving the junction is mountainous and beautifully wooded, the scenery equalling that of the lovely Medjerda Valley, through which the main line further north runs for several miles. Leaving the hilly country at last, we traversed vast plains and tracts of cultivated land, and running always due south we eventually reached Tebessa at 9 p.m., after a journey of 16 hours from Tunis.
The followmg day I devoted to sight-seeing, for the ruins of Tebessa, the ancient Theveste of the Romans, are amongst
Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 79
Outward journey ——_-----—_- =n Return do —_-__________ senses
Places Author stopped at.____--7
Lf Se loum 3 eriana
ega: 4 g BiG
? Tamera Oglet Alima |
lValker & Boutall se.
Map or Tunis.
80 Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
the most important on the African continent. On the 25th of February I made an excursion to some marshes about 10 miles north of Tebessa, where I had been told I should meet with an abundance of water-fowl of all sorts, but was disappointed, Snipe and a few Ducks being all that I saw. On the 26th, having hired mules for the journey to Kasrin, we made an early start, and after nine hours of slow travel- ling across dreary alfa plains, separated by ridges of pine-clad hills, we arrived at an Arab “ douar,” or encampment, where our guides advised our passing the night, as it was too late to reach our destination before dark. Resuming our journey the following morning, as soon as it was light enough to distinguish the track, for road there was none, we finally reached Kasrin about midday.
During this journey I saw but few birds, some pairs of Ravens (presumably Corvus tingitanus) and an occasional Lesser Bustard (Otis tetrav) on the plains, and Sazicola leucura, Athene glaux, and Caccabis petrosa among the hills, being the most noticeable. The pretty little marmot Cieno- dactylus gundi was also abundant among the rocks.
At Kasrin, where, instead of the flourishing town or village I had been led to expect, there was literally nothing but Roman ruins and a few deserted Arab huts, we spent four days very pleasantly, the air beimg splendid and the sur- rounding country and scenery charming. During my stay there, I made excursions to the neighbourmg mountains in search of mouflon ( Ovis tragelaphus) and mountain antelope (Gazella cuvieri), but only succeeded in getting two of the latter, both females, while of the former we only saw one, and that without being able to get a shot at it. In the way of birds T obtained nothing very rare at Kasrin, although, as is always’ the case in these southern parts, where water is abundant, there was no lack of bird-life, Kestrels, both Tinnunculus alaudarius and T. cenchris, Athene giaux, Columba livia, and some of the Chats and Redstarts being plentiful among the ruins and rocky hills, while Larks, Wagtails, Linnets, Thrushes, and Partridges abounded in the sprouting corn-fields and among the slender bushes lower down near the water. The
Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 8]
first Swallows of the season, both Hirundo rustica and Cheli- don urbica, I also saw here. I further saw, although without being able to identify them, one or two Eagles, Harriers, Grey Shrikes (probably Lanius dealbatus), Ravens, and Starlings.
On the 3rd of March we left Kasrin for Feriana, 22 miles to the S.W., and after a steady tramp of seven hours along a first-rate road, recently constructed by the French, we reached our destination, and put up at the only inn of which the place boasts.
Feriana is an Arab village of some importance, with a French military station, post and telegraph office. It is extremely well situated, and has a dry bracing climate, practically rainless, but never hot, I was told, even in the middle of summer.
On the 5th of March we started for Gafsa, and leaving the high road, such as it is, on our left, struck across country in a southerly direction, entering upon a succession of vast alfa plains, which extend almost the whole way to Gafsa. Here and there a few bare thorn-bushes relieved the mono- tony of the level plain, and perched on one of these we invariably saw the pale Grey Shrike (Lanius dealbatus), while an occasional Hoopoe flitted across our path. Hares were most abundant on these alfa plains, loug-eared and long- limbed (Lepus mediterraneus). ‘Towards evening we reached the neighbourhood of Sidi-Aich, where we encamped for the night. The next morning, after a very cold night, during which the thermometer must have gone below freezing- point, we struck tents, and continued our journey to Gafsa. The country now became less monotonous, patches of culti- vated land interspersed with Sarib thorn-bushes every now and then meeting the eye, and here I saw for the first time the Algerian Bush-Babbler (Argya fulva). Lanius de- albatus was also very common about here, and Pica mauri- tanica, although I failed to secure a specimen of the latter. In the sprouting corn I also flushed several Quails (Coturnix communis). Later on in the day, when nearing Gafsa, I came across the pretty little Desert Bullfinch (Erythrospiza githaginea), Alauda macrorhyncha, and Alemon alaudipes.
SER, VI.—VOL. VI. G
82 My. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
On arriving at Gafsa I visited the Caid, and presented a commendatory letter from the French Resident at Tunis, with which I had taken the precaution to provide myself, and which at once secured us lodgings in the guest-house reserved for such occasions. The next morning I paid a visit to the Gafsa oasis in search of birds, but only succeeded in obtaining specimens of Fringilla spodiogena, which was very abundant here, and of one or two other birds. I saw a good many specimens of Turtur senegalensis, but did not obtain one. The Gafsa oasis is rather more than a mile in length by about half a mile at its greatest width, and, besides date- palms, contains several thousands of other fruit-trees, with a most luxuriant undergrowth of cereals and vegetables, all watered abundantly by a warm spring, which has its rise in the town. This spring was, I believe, celebrated in the time of the Romans, its waters being used both for drmking and bathing purposes. I saw several fishes in one of the tanks (probably Cyprinodon dispar). On my return to the town, I visited the Mosque, which is here accessible to visitors, and while there I saw for the first time Emberiza sahare, one of which was on a window-sill within a yard of me. Later on in the day I obtained specimens of this interesting species.
I should have liked to spend another day or two at Gafsa, but my time being short, I left again on the 8th of March for Tamerza, some 70 miles due west, and encamped that evening on a ligh plam near Ain-Tfel. During the day I met with Saxicola mesta for the first time, and Ammo- manes deserti. Alauda macrorhyncha was also abundant about here. The following day we reached El Araissa, after some of the stiffest mountain travelling it is possible to imagine, and encamped on an open grass-plot near water, the first we had come across since leaving Gafsa. On our way I saw a pair of Otis tarda and attempted a stalk, but without success. I also saw several small flocks of Pterocles arenarius aud one or two pairs of Neophron percnopterus. The next day, accompanied hy a native sportsman, I tried the surrounding mountains thoroughly for mouflon, but without any luck, all the animals I saw being a pair of
Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 83
hyenas anda wild boar. Sazicola leucura, Ruticilla moussieri, Ammomanes deserti, and Alauda macrorhyncha were common about here, and I also saw one or two specimens of Lanius dealbatus, and a pair of Alpine Swifts (Cypselus melba).
On the 11th of March we left for Oglet-Alima, where we encamped near some water-holes dug by the Arabs in the dry bed of the Oued Seldja, a branch of the river Melah. I may here remark, en passant, that these southern rivers are nearly always dry; it is only after very heavy rains that they have any water in them. On the journey from El Araissa I secured specimens of the following birds, viz., Savicola mesta, S. deserti, S. stapazina, Lanius dealbatus, Ammo- manes deserti, Alauda macrorhyncha, Pterocles arenarius, and Hudromias morinellus. Lalso shot a jackal in the act of stalking some gazelles, which I had not previously noticed.
The next morning about 7 o’clock I saw several flocks of Sand-Grouse flying overhead, which proved to be Pterocles coronatus coming to drink at the water-holes, and I soon obtained nine specimens. Later on in the day I saw several small flocks of P. arenarius, but, except for an occasional straggler, P. coronatus had disappeared from this locality after 10 o’clock. Besides Sand-Grouse I got a few more Chats, Larks, Greenfinches, and Desert Bullfinches here ; but my small supply of shot-cartridges was rapidly coming to an end, so I was obliged to economize my ammunition as much as possible, and to disregard all except the rarer species. On the 13th of March I shot a few more Sand-Grouse (P. coronatus), which were back at the water-holes again, and then started for Tamerza, our road lying across sandy plains covered with scrub-vegetation and thorn-bushes. I here saw a good many small birds, though nothing new, and I also observed two or three Eagles, but without being able to identify the species. 'Tamerza was reached in the afternoon, and we were allotted the usual guest-house, which, however, was here little better than a stable. The town, if it can be dignified by that name, is eminently Arab, without a single European inhabitant; the houses are mere hovels, for the most
part built of loose rubble, with a thick plastering of mud to G2
84. Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
keep the walls together. The place is, however, picturesquely situated on a plateau of rocks overlooking a charming oasis, with an abundance of water. Unfortunately I had not time to visit this oasis, as we left again at an early hour the following morning for Negrine. After travelling for two or three hours in a northerly direction through some fine mountain scenery, we reached Mides, a small town near the Algerio-Tunisian frontier, and then branching off to the west again we encamped for the night near the Djebel Refou, about halfway between Tamerza and Negrine.
The weather here was most oppressively close and trying, and the water, moreover, was not good. The following day I tried this mountain for mouflon, but again without success, although my stalker saw some mountain antelopes. My climb to the top of Djebel Refou, however, was not without its reward, for I obtained a glorious view of the desert, stretching away to the south as far as one could see. On this mountain I saw several of the larger Raptores, among them, I believe, Gypaétus barbatus, but, being after bigger game, I did not secure any specimens. Resuming our journey the following day, we arrived at Negrine late in the evening, after a long march across arid scrub-plains, where I saw several herds of dorcas gazelles and numberless jerboas and other small rodents, all of the exact colour of the sandy soil. The lizards, too, were all of the same hue, and Adonis estivalis, var. lutea, with its yellow flower, replaced the ordinary deep red flower of the north. About Kasrin and Feriana I had observed this flower of an orange colour between the two. On these sandy plains my men found some chameleons and one or two horned vipers (Cerastes cornutus). These snakes are very venomous, their bite, it is said, being quickly followed by death.
At Negrine we had excellent quarters in the quondam military caserne, untenanted except by occasional travellers like ourselves, since the French vacated the town after their six years’ occupation. I visited the oasis here, hoping to find some rare birds, but was disappointed, and as the neighbouring mountains were overrun with camels and flocks,
Mr. J. J.S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 85
and therefore unlikely ground for mouflon, I determined to leave again the following day and return to Feriana and Kasrin by the most direct road possible. After considerable difficulty I succeeded in finding a native who thought he knew the way to Feriana across country, although he said we must in any case retrace our steps as far as Mides, and on the 18th of March we turned our backs on the desert and encamped that evening close to the frontier. En route I shot a few Sand-Grouse (Pterocles arenarius) and Stone- Plovers (Afdicnemus crepitans); also a couple of Alemon alaudipes. P. arenarius was in large flocks on these plains, often over a hundred birds in a flock.
On the 19th of March we travelled in a N.E. direction, and, passing through some pretty country and plains covered with white genista, encamped about sunset near the Djebel Sgrega. During the day I saw few birds of any interest, and nothing new to us except Asio accipitrinus.
On the 20th of March we made a forced march of fourteen hours and arrived at Feriana late in the evening, having gone several miles out of our way, thanks to our guide’s want of knowledge of the country! After a-day’s rest at Feriana we left again for Kasrin, and soon after starting, and within a mile or so of the town, I suddenly came on a pair of Great Bustards (Otis tarda) within 30 yards of me. Unfortunately I was not prepared for such royal game, and so lost a fine chance. With the exception of these and numberless Kestrels, which accompanied us the greater part of the way to Kasrin, perching on the telegraph-wires along the roadside, we saw little else in the way of birds.
‘The next few days I spent on Djebel Selloum after moufion, and on the 26th of March I left again for Tebessa, where I arrived on the 28th after very slow travelling, the clay plains being almost impracticable owing to some heavy rains, the first we had had during our journey. On these plains I saw large flocks of Otis tetraz, evidently fresh arrivals, a few specimens of Péerocles arenarius, some Ravens, and some Egyptian Vultures. The following day I returned to Tunis just in time to catch the weckly Italian steamer for Sicily.
86 Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
My best thanks are due to Mr. E. Cavendish Taylor for having kindly assisted me in identifying the birds, of which T add a list, with accompanying field-notes.
1. Turpvus Musicus.
Very common about Kasrin. Djebel Selloum simply swarmed with them about the beginning of March, and later on, when I visited this mountain a second time, towards the end of March, they were still plentiful, although not so numerous as before. No doubt the juniper and thuja berries, of which there was an abundance here, formed the attraction. At Feriana also, among the olive-groves, Thrushes were plentiful, feeding on the wild olives. South of Feriana I do not remember to have seen any.
2. TuRDUS MERULA.
Like the preceding species, the Blackbird, although far less numerous, was common in the wooded districts we visited north of Feriana. South of this town I do not remember
to have seen it.
3. Saxicota masta, Licht. (S. philothamna, Tristr.)
I found this rare and handsome Chat, both male and female, fairly abundant about the middle of March on the plains between Gafsa and Tamerza, but nowhere else, so far as I can recollect. I first saw it within two or three miles of Gafsa, and it became more abundant as I went further west towards Tamerza. It may, I thmk, be considered strictly a desert bird, and probably never strays very far north of the Sahara. Dr. Koenig, in his recent publication on the Tunisian avifauna (J. f. O. 1892, p. 282), mentions having met with it near Gabes, which hes in about the same degree of latitude as the country where I found it.
I generally found this species in pairs, the male at no great distance from the female, and perching on the tops of low bushes and shrubs. It is by no means a shy bird, and will often allow one to approach within a few yards before taking flight. The male has a most melodious note, and I often listened with pleasure to its short song. The speci-
Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 87
mens obtained had none of them assumed their full breeding- plumage.
4, SAXICOLA DESERTI.
This Chat I also only found in the semi-desert country lying between Gafsa and Tamerza, where it seemed to be fairly abundant about the middle of March. I was some- what surprised not to have met with it further north, but probably it was too early in the year for it to be found far from the desert. Dr. Koenig (J. f.O. 1892, p. 276) mentions having found it in the early part of May near El Djem, which is a good deal further north. The specimens I obtained were all males, but I generally saw this species in pairs. It is not particularly shy or difficult to approach. I do not remember having heard its note.
5. SAXICOLA STAPAZINA.
The only specimen. of this species that I brought home with me had the broad black throat-band. I found this Chat in the same country as the two preceding species, although not so abundant as either of them. So far as I can recollect, the few specimens I shot were all males.’ I am informed on good authority that this species is common in the neighbourhood of Tunis in spring and summer, and that it breeds there.
6. SAXICOLA LEUCURA.
This was about the commonest, or rather I should say the most ubiquitous, Chat that I met with during my journey, from beginning to end, every mountain-gorge or rocky ravine being a pretty sure find for at least a pair. It was perhaps rather more common towards the north near Tebessa and Kasrin, but I also found it on the arid mountains further south near Gafsa, and shouid say it has a fairly wide range throughout the Regency. It is essentially a mountain- or rock-loving bird, and is generally to be met with singly, perched conspicuously on the top of a rock or stone in some inaccessible spot. I saw it also, however, in pairs. It isa shy bird and not easy to approach, but I obtained a good many specimens, both male and female.
88 Mr. J.J3.S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
7. RurticILLA PHENICURUS. I found the Common Redstart plentiful in the vicinity of Kasrin, and I believe I also saw it in the oasis at Gafsa.
8. RuricILLa TITYS. The Black Redstart I also found at Kasrin.
9. RuvriciLLa MOUSSIERI.
This pretty little bird I met with constantly throughout my journey, both males and females, and particularly m the neighbourhood, of Kasrin and Feriana. I also found it further south, among the hills to the west of Gafsa, and as I have on previous occasions observed it near Tunis and iu the extreme north near Bizerta, I think we may look upon it as being generally distributed throughout the Regency. It is a timid little bird and does its best to avoid being seen, although its bright plumage renders it very conspicuous, I found it both singly and in pairs; this was throughout the month of March. I am told it breeds in the neighbourhood of Tunis.
10. SyLvIA ATRICAPILLA.
I only got one specimen of the Common Blackcap, a female, in the Gafsa oasis, but it is doubtless common in many parts of the Regency.
11. ArGya FULVA.
The Algerian Bush-Babbler I met with only twice during my journey: once on the 6th March, about fifteen miles north of Gafsa, when I saw several small lots, and secured five specimens, and a second time, just a week later, in the neighbourhood of Tamerza, when I got one other bird. Although fairly common in some parts of the south of the Regency, I should consider the range of this species as limited. M. Blane, the French naturalist at Tunis, tells me he has had two specimens which were shot in the neigh- bourhood of Tunis, but I do not think it often strays so far north. The first time I came across A. fulva I was stalking some Magpies (Pica mauritanica) in the middle of a patch of cultivated land dotted over with thorn-bushes,
ae
“ae a
Mr. J. J.S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 89
and did not at once recognize the birds as they flew out of a bush. Their flight is slow, straight, and rather feeble. They are generally to be found in small parties of from four to six among clumps of bushes, and frequenting the small patches of cultivated land to be found thinly scattered over the southern plains, where they doubtless find a richer diet than on the more arid wastes. They are wary birds, but owing to their restlessness and loquacity cannot easily escape notice.
Mr. Dresser’s work (‘ Birds of Europe’), if I remember right, contains an excellent description, given by Canon Tristram, of the peculiar habit this bird has of creeping up a bush and down again the other side, preparatory to stealing off quietly to the next bush, where the same tactics are re- peated. Of the breeding of this species I was not able to ascertain anything of a positive nature. The plumages of the male and female seem to be the same.
12. Moracitia ALBA. _The White Wagtail I found, both male and female, plentiful near Kasrin and Feriana.
13. LANIUS DEALBATUS.
This was the only Shrike I met with during my journey, and although some of the specimens I obtained differed con- siderably from the others in the shade of grey on the head, back, and rump, I have looked upon this as being due to difference in age, and not sufficient to constitute even a variety.
I found this species almost everywhere throughout my journey where there were plains and bushes, and it evidently has a wide range in the south of the Regency, taking the place of L. algeriensis in the north.
L. dealbatus is generally to be found singly, perched con- spicuously on top of a bare branch or bush. It is a most wary bird and difficult to approach, although when dis- turbed it rarely flies far, and can easily be seen and followed up. Dr. Koenig found this species breeding in numbers towards the end of April near E] Djem, and gives a very full
90 Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
description (J. f. O. 1892, p. 379) of its nest and eggs, which seem to be scarcely distinguishable from those of L. algeriensis.
14. Hirunpo rustica.
I saw the first Swallows of the season on the 28th of February at Kasrin, and met with them constantly throughout my journey.
15. CHELIDON URBICA. The House Martin I also met with constantly throughout my journey.
16. CaxpUELIS ELEGANS.
The Goldfinch is common in the north of the Regency, and I have seen it in large flocks close to Tunis. I do not, however, remember to have met with it during my late journey, except at Tebessa.
17. LigURINUS AURANTIIVENTRIS.
I found Greenfinches on two occasions during my journey, and quite in the south of the Regency, viz. at Oglet-Alima and at Refou, where they were in small flocks of from six to a dozen birds, frequenting bushes in the vicinity of water. In habits and in their note they seemed to resemble our European bird.
My specimens are of the bright-coloured form, and are, no doubt, to be referred to Dr. Cabanis’s aurantiiventris.
They differ from the ordinary European type chiefly in the colouring of the plumage, which is brighter and more uniform throughout the body generally, with a very marked absence, on the upper parts, of the drown tinge noticeable in L. chloris. Between the females of the two forms there is also a con- siderable difference in colouring.
In size perhaps ZL. aurantiiventris may be a trifle smaller than L. chloris, but Iam not yet prepared to speak as to this, and the only other difference I have at present noticed is in the bill, which in the scuthern form seems to be rather larger and straighter than in the common type.
Besides the specimens I obtained myseif last March, which would be in breeding-plumage, or nearly so, | may mention
Mr. J. J.S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 91
having received from Tunis specimens freshly killed this autumn, and J do not find the plumage of the latter different from that of the birds I got myself in the spring, the drown shade being always entirely absent.
18. SERINUS HORTULANUS. This species I met with occasionally, and obtained speci- mens at Tebessa and Gafsa.
19. ERytHRosP1ZA GITHAGINEA.
This pretty little Finch seems to be fairly abundant and generally distributed throughout the south of the Regency, and I constantly met with it after leaving Feriana. I found it in pairs and in small flocks on sandy plains and rocky ground where there was some vegetation. It is an unsus- picious little bird, and allows one to approach within a few yards. The male bird is most exquisitely coloured, but unfortunately the delicate rose tints fade a good deal after death.
20. FRINGILLA C@LEBS.
I include this species merely on account of my having seen it in cages, and having been assured that it is commen in winter in some parts of the Regency. Of its occurrence as a winter visitor there would seem to be no doubt whatever; the question is whether it ever breeds on the African continent. Dr. Koenig is opposed to the idea, although he found it near Djebel Battaria, to the south of Tunis, as late as the middle of April. It is possible, however, I think, that it may nest in some of the higher woods of the Tell Mountains, as happens in Sicily with the same species, which in spring retires for the purpose of breeding to the cool oak-woods of the lofty inland mountains, and remains there till the ap- proach of winter.
21. FRINGILLA SPODIOGENA.
The Algerian Chaffinch, male and female, I found most plentiful at Tebessa and at Gafsa, im both of which places fruit-trees abound, and where it seemed quite the commonest bird. This species is no doubt generally spread throughout the Regency, although probably only to be met with in the
92 Mr. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
neighbourhood of orchards and olive-groves, and not in the open country or far from villages. In its note and habits, as also in its nesting, it resembles our European bird. I was somewhat surprised to find it so far south as Gafsa.
22. LinotTa CANNABINA.
The Common Linnet I saw in flocks at Kasrin, but do not recollect having seen it elsewhere.
23. PassER SALICICOLA.
This Sparrow I found common at Tebessa, Kasrin, Feriana, and Gafsa, and I do not remember to have noticed P. italie.
24. PETRONIA STULTA. *
I found this species at Kasrin feeding in the fields, together with Melanocorypha calandra; in fact I shot one out of a flock of these Larks.
25. EMBERIZA MILIARIA.
Seems pretty generally distributed throughout the Regency, and I met with it on several occasions, both in the north and south, although nowhere in large numbers.
26. EEMBERIZA SAHARA.
This sober-coloured but rather rare little bird I met with only once during my journey, viz., at Gafsa, where it seemed fairly abundant, although, owing to the difficulty of bemg able to shoot in the middle of a town, I only secured two specimens, a male and female.
It iseminently a Saharan species, although not frequenting the actual desert or open country, but the neighbourhood of human habitations and buildings, from which it never strays far ; indeed I do not think I even found it in the oasis gardens. I saw it singly, as a rule, but sometimes with others of its species, and with Sparrows and other birds on a rubbish- heap or dunghill. It is a sprightly, familiar little bird, and by no means shy, partaking somewhat of the character of a town sparrow, which bird it resembles in many ways. 1 do not remember having heard its note.
27. ALaMON ALaupIPES (Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 518.) This is eminently a desert bird, and I never met with it
Mr. J. J.S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 93
far north of the desert border. I found it near Gafsa, Mides, and Negrine, but obtained only a couple of specimens. I never saw it except singly. When flying it is rather a con- spicuous bird from the distinct marking of its wings, the more apparent as it flies low and close to the ground.
28. ALAUDA CRISTATA.
This was quite the commonest Lark in the north part of the country I visited, further south its place being taken by A.macrorhyncha. I found A.cristuta very abundant at Kasrin the end of February and early part of March, and always in pairs. In its general habits and in its song it resembles our European bird to a great extent, although I do not remember to have noticed it soaring very high, and I sometimes saw it perching and singing on a bush or low shrub.
29. ALAUDA MACRORHYNCHA.
Tristram’s Lark I consider as a very good species, for although individuals of this bird may differ to a certain extent among themselves, there is always a very wide gap between them and the preceding species.
As I have just said, A. macrorhyncha seems to replace A, cristata in the south of the Regency, being quite the com- monest Lark in the southern districts I visited. I met with it constantly after nearing Gafsa, and particularly on and in the neighbourhood of mountains, which it seems to prefer to the plains. I always found it in pairs—this was at the beginning and middle of March—and I obtained several specimens, both male and female.
380. AMMOMANES DESERTI.
I found this Lark also fairly widely distributed in Southern Tunisia, although nowhere very abundant, and always either on or in the immediate vicinity of mountains, like the pre- ceding species. I met with it first near Gafsa, and subse- quently throughout my journey till within about 30 miles of Feriana. Its delicate plumage accords admirably in colour with the sandy soil and arid rocks of the desert mountains.
94 My. J. J. S. Whitaker on some Tunisian Birds.
31. CALANDRELLA BRACHYDACTYLA.
This little Lark I found abundant between Gafsa and Tamerza, about the middle of March, in large flocks on the scrub-plains. I did not notice it further north.
32, CALANDRELLA MINOR.
The only specimen I obtained of this Lark was one that I picked up dead on the road from Kasrin to Feriana. It had probably flown against the telegraph-wires running alongside of this road,
35. MELANOCORYPHA CALANDRA.
This Lark was plentiful about Kasrin in large flocks, feeding on the cultivated land, and I secured several speci- mens, male and female. I did not find it south of Feriana.
34 & 35. SrurnUs vULGARIS and STURNUS UNICOLOR.
I saw Starlings on two occasions only, once at the begin- ning of March near Kasrin, and once at the end of March near Tebessa, but not having obtained any specimens, I was unable to determine the species; at the time, however, I thought that those I saw near Kasrin were S. vulgaris, and those I saw near Tebessa S. unicolor. According to Dr. Koenig the latter breeds abundantly in the neighbourhood of Monastir, while the former is probably only a winter visitor in the Regency.
36. PicA MAURITANICA.
1 only saw the Algerian Magpie once or twice during my journey, on the plains between Feriana and Gafsa, where there were some patches of cultivated land and thorn-bushes, and I failed to obtaim a specimen. It is evidently not what one would call a common bird in the south, and being as shy and wary as its European