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LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY |
THE IBIS,
A
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
EDITED BY
PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, D.Sc, F.R.S.,
SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDO.V, AND
A. H. EVANS, M.A., F.Z.S.
1 ^cv^:/ "T^
VOL. L 190L EIGHTH SERIES.
Quatu niiignificata sunt opera tua, Domine.
LONDON:
GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW.
(Successors to J. VAN VOORST.)
1901,
PRINTED BY TATLOK AND FRANCIS, RED IiION COURT, FLEET STUEET.
PREFACE.
The Editors cannot allow the first volume of the Eighth Series of ' The Ibis ' to be brought to a close without takuig the opportunity of thanking their many contributors for the constant support given to them. It will be observed that the present volume is of ample dimensions, and yet it has been necessary to defer the publication of more than one important paper owing to want of space, while several others are already promised for the immediate future.
In truth, the very increase in the articles, grati- fying though it undoubtedly is, forms a matter for serious consideration. The welfare of such a Journal as this naturally depends upon the commu- nications that it receives, and the Editors would not wish them to be less by a single paper ; at the same time they feel a certain anxiety, which they beUeve is shared by many other Ornithologists, at the gradual augmentation in bulk of the annual volume. It would be to the mutual advantage of all authors if
they would compress their information as far as is
a2
IV
compatible with a proper treatment of their subjects. Thus their facts would stand forth more clearly, and their valuable notes be better appreciated, than when they are imbedded in a certain amount of matter of less immediate importance, which is perhaps hardly necessary. The mere number of pages that a worker has now to turn over is fast becoming a laborious task. With regard to the subjects which we venture to commend to Ornitlndogists as worthy of special at- tention, we may remark that in the Pterylography and Anatomy of Birds much yet remains to be done, especially as by their means fresh light may be thrown upon the arrangement of the Passerine Birds, which, it must be recollected, constitute nearly one-half of the Class Aves. A renewed study of the wing- structure of the Passeres might lead to valuable results, and enable us to introduce some order into the present chaotic state of that most important group.
P. L. S. ■) A. H. E.i
3 Hanover Square, September 24th, 1901.
BRITISH OIINITIIOLOGISTS' UNION. 1901.
[An asterisk indicates an Original Member. It is particularly requested that Members will give notice to the Secretary of the Union, 3 Hanover Square, Loudon, W., of any error in their addresses or descriptions in this List, in order tliat it uiay be corrected.]
Date of Election.
1896. Alexander, Capt. Boyd, F.Z.S. (7th Bn. Rifle Brigade) ;
Wilsley, Cranbrook, Kent. 1901. Allchin, James H. ; 24 Bower Mount Road, Maidstone. 1888. Aplin, Oliver Vernon ; Bloxham, Banbury, Oxou.
1896. Archibald, Charles ¥.; 9 Cardigan Road, Headingley,
Leeds. 5 1896. Arrigoni degli Oddi, Count Ettore, Professor of Zoology,
University, Padua ; and Ca' oddo, Monselice, Padua, Italy. 1901. Arundel, Major Walter B. ; High Ackworth, Pontefract. 1901. AsHBY, Herbert ; Pinehurst, Basset, near Southampton.
1897. AsTLKY, The Rev. Hubert Delaval, F.Z.S. ; Beuham Park,
Newbury, Berks. 1885. Backhouse, James, F.Z.S. ; Daleside, Harrogate. lo 1901. Bailwaed, Lt.-Col. A. C. (R.F.A.) ; 1 Princes Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W. 1892. Baker, E. C. Stuart, F.Z.S. ; District Superintendent of Police, Dibrughur, Assam, India; care of Messrs. H. S. King & Co., 65 Cornhill, E.C. 11)01, Baker, John C, M.B., B.A. ; The Mount, Witley, Surrey. 1899. Balfour, Frederick: Robert Stephen ; Dawyck, Stubo, N.B. ;
and Bachelors' Club, Piccadilly, W. 1889. Balston, Richard James, F.Z.S. ; Springfield, Maidstone. 15 1890. Barclay, Francis Hubert, F.Z.S.; The Warren, Cromer, Norfolk. 1872. Barclay, Colonel Hanbury, F.Z.S.; Tingrith Manor,
Woburn, Bedfordshire. 1885. Barclay, Col, Hugh G., F.Z.S. ; Colney Hall, Norv^rich. 1889. Barrett-Hamilton, Capt. Gerald E. H., F.Z.S. (5th Royal
Irish Rifles) ; Kilmanock, Arthurstown, Ireland. 1881. Barrington, Richard Manlifee, LL.B. ; Fassaroe, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
VI
Date of Election.
20 1884. Beddard, Frank E., M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S., Vice-Secretary and Prosector to the Zoological Society of London ; Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent's Park, N.W. 1897. Benson, John ; Tlie Post Office, Vancouver, B.C.
1897. Beret, William, B.A., LL.B. ; Tayfield, Newport, Fife-
shire. 1880. BiDWELL, Edward ; 1 Trig Lane, Upper Thames Street, E.G.
1884. Bingham, Lt.-Col. Charles T. (Indian Staff Corps), F.Z.S, :
care of Messrs. H. S. King &. Co., 65 Cornhill, E.G. 25 1892. Bird, The Rev. Maurice C. H., M.A. ; Brunstead Rectory, Stalham, S.O., Norfolk. 1891. Blaauw, F. E., C.M.Z.S. ; Gooilust, 'sGraveland, Noord- HoUand.
1898. Bland, Ivers ; Newbold Firs, Leamington.
1873. Blanford, William T., LL.D., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; 72 Bedford Gardens, Kensington, W.
1893. BoLAM, George, F.Z.S. ; Berwick-on-Tweed.
30 1897. BoNAR, The Rev. Horatius Ninian ; Free Church Manso, Salton, Pencaitland, East Lothian, N.B.
1894. BoNHOTE, John Lewis, F.Z.S.; Ditton Hall, Fen Ditton,
Cambridgeshire.
1898. Booth, George Albert ; Phoenix Iron Works, Derby Street,
Preston ; and Fern Hill, Grange-over-Sands, Lanes.
1895. Bradford, Dr. J. Rose, F.Il.S. ; 8 Manchester Square, W.
1885. Brockholes, William Fitzherbeet ; Claughton-on-Brock,
Garstang, Lancashire. 35 1890. Brooke, HaertBrinsley; 33 Egcrton Gardens, Kensiugton,W.
1899. Brooke, John Arthur, J.P. ; Fenay Hall, Hudderstield ; and
Fearn Lodge, Ardgay, Ross-shire.
1900. Bruce, William Spiers ; Zoological Laboratory, Surgeons'
Hall, Edinburgh. 1868. Buckley, Thomas Edward, B.A., F.Z.S.; Rossal, Inverness,
N.B. 1895. Bulgaria, H.R.H. Ferdinand, Prince of; Sophia, Bulgaria. 40 1872. BuLLER, Sir Walter Lawry,K.C.M.G.,Sc.D.,F.R.S.,C.M.Z.S.;
122 Tinakori Road, AVellington, New Zealand. 1899. Butler, Arthur Lennox, F.Z.S. ; Superintendent, Wild
Animals Department, Khartoum, Sudan. 1884. Butler, Lieut.-Col. E. A.; Plumton House, Bury St. Edmunds,
Suftblk.
Date of Election.
1896. BtjTTERFiELD, W. C. J. llusKiN ; 4 Stanhope Place,
St. Leoiiards-on-Sea. 1900. Buttress, Bernard A. E. ; The Cross House, Fawkham, Kent. 45 1884. Buxton, Geoffrey Fowell, F.Z.S. ; Dunston Hall, Norwich.
1895. Buxton, S. Gurney, F.Z.S. ; Catton Hall, Norwich.
1896. Cade, Francis J. ; Teighmore, Cheltenham.
1889. Cameron, Ewen Somerled, F.Z.S. ; Tighnamara, Dornoch,
Sutherlandshire. 1896. Cameron, Lieut. James S. ; 1st Bn. Royal Sussex Uegt., South Africa ; and Low Wood, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. 5° 1888. Cameron, John Duncan; Low Wood, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. 1892. Campbell, Charles William, C.M.Z.S., H.B.M. Chinese Consular Service; British Legation, Peking, China.
1888. Carter, James; Burton House, Masham, E.S.O., Yorkshire.
1899. Cartwright, Thomas Leslie Melville ; Newbottle Manor,
Banbui-y.
1890. Cave, Charles John Phflip, F.Z.S. ; Ditcham Park, Petersfield. 55 1888. Chamberlain, Walter,F.Z.S.; Bromesherrow Place, Ledbury.
1894. Chance, A. Macomb, Jun., B.A. ; Lawnside, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
1884. Chapman, Abel, F.Z.S. ; 9 South Bailey, Durham.
1882. Chase, Robert William ; Southville, Priory Road; Edgbas- ton, Birmingham,
1900. Chatterton, Frederick J. S. ; 78 Clissold Road, Stoke
Newington, N. 6o 1897. Cholmley, Alfred John, F.Z.S.; Place Newton, Rillington, Yorkshire.
1889. Clarke, Stephenson Robert, F.Z.S.; Borde Hill, Cuckheld,
Sussex. 1880. Clarke, William Eagle, F.L.S. ; Museum of Science and Art,
Edinburgh. 1898. Cocks, Alfred Heneage, F.Z.S.; Poynetts, Skirmett, near
Henley-on-Thames. 1898. Coke, Hon. Richard ; 1st Bn. Scots Guards, South Africa. 65 1895. Coles, Richard Edward ; Ashley, Arnewood.
1880. Cooper, Rt. Hon. Lieut.-CoL E. H,, P.C, F.Z.S.; 42 Portman
Square, W. 1888. CoRDEAUx, Captain William Wilfrid (21st Lancers) ;
Westgato Court, Canterbury.
Date of Election.
1882. CuRY, Charles B., F.Z.S. ; Third National Bank, State Street,
Boston, Mass., U.S.A. 1899. CowiE, Archibald ; St. John's School, Leatherhead. 70 1890. CowiE, Major Alexander Hugh, K.E,, F.Z.S. ; care of H.
Ward, Esq., Yeatton, Lymington, Hants; and St. Lucia,
West Indies. 1896. Crawford, Francis C. ; 19 Ro3'al Terrace, Edinburgh.
1894. Crewe, Sir Vauncey Haepur, Bt. ; Calke Abbey, Derbyshire. 1896. Crockett, Samuel Rutherford; Bank House, Penicuik,
Midlothian.
1895. Crossley, Sir Savile B., Bt., F.Z.S. ; Somerleyton, Lowestoft ;
and 12 Carlton-House Terrace, S.W. 75 1898. Crossman, Alan F. ; St. Cuthbert's, Berkhamsted, Herts.
1898. Crowley, Reginald Alwyn ; Highfield, Alton, Hants; and
22 High Street, Croydon.
1899. Curtis, Frederick ; The College, Guy's Hospital, S.E. 1877. Dalgleish, John J. ; Brankston Grange, Bogside Station,
Stirling, N.B.
1898. Dalrymple, Hon. John James; 1st Bn. Scots Guards, South
Africa. 80 1896. Danford, Bertram W. Y., R.E. ; Bermuda.
1897. Darnley, Ivo Francis Walton, Earl; Cobham Hall,
Gravesend ; and Clifton Lodge, Athboy, Co. Meath. 1883. Davidson, James, F.Z.S. ; Karwar, Kanara, Bombay ; and 32 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh.
1899. Da VIES, Lt. Sutton A. (2nd East Lanes. Regt.); JuUundur,
Punjab, India. 1891. De Vis, Charles AV. ; Queensland Museum, Brisbane; and
care of B. Quaritch, 15 Piccadilly, W. 85 1893. De Winton, W. E., F.Z.S. : Graftonbury, Hereford ; and
59 Charlotte Street, Portland Place, W. 1896. Dobbie, James B., F.Z.S. ; 2 Hailes Street, Edinburgh. 1889. Dobie, William Henry, M.R.C.S. ; 2 Hunter Street,
Chester. 1895. Donovan, Capt. Charles, I.M.S., ; Madras, India. 1865. Dresser, Henry Eeles, F.L.S., F.Z.S, ; 110 Cannon Street,
E.C. 90 1890. Drewitt, Dr. Frederic George Dawtrey, M.A., M.D.,
F.R.C.P., F.Z.S.; 14 Palace Gardens Terrace, Ken- sington, W.
Date of
Election.
1890. Dkummond-Hat, Major James A. G. ; 1st Bn. Coldstream Guards, South Africa ; and Seggieden, Perth, N.B.
1878. DuRNFORD, W. Aethtje, J.P. ; Elsecar, Barnsley.
1 896. DuTHiE, Lt.-Col. W. H. M, ; The Presbytery, North Berwick. 1870. Elliot, Daniel Giraud, P.R.S.E., F.Z.S, ; Field Columbian
Museum, Chicago, U.S. 4.. 95 1895. Elliot, Edmund A. S., M.E.C.S. ; \yoodville, Kingsbridge,
South Devon. 1884. Elliott, Algernon, Civil and Sessions Judge, Amraoti Camp,
Berar, H.A.D., India. 1866. Elwes, Henry John, F.R.S., F.Z.S.; Colesborne, Cheltenham. 1895. Erlanger, Freiherr Carlo von; Nieder Ingelheim, Rhein
Hessen, Germany.
1879. Evans, Arthur Humble, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 9 Harvey Road, Cam-
bridge. (Editor.) loo 1888. EvANS,WiLLiAM, F.R.S.E.; 38 Morningside Park, Edinburgh. 1892. Fairbridge, William George; 133 Long Market Street,
Capetown, South Africa. 1895. Falconer, John J. M. ; St. Ann's, Lasswade, N.B. 1894. Farquhae, Capt. Arthur M., R.N. ; Granville Lodge, Aboyne,
N.B. ; and H.M.S. ' Diana," Mediterranean Squadron. 1898. Farquhar, Commr. Stuart St. J., R.N. ; H.M.S. 'Pembroke,'
Chatham ; and Drumnagesk, Aboyne, N.B. 105 1873. Feilden, Col. Henry Wemyss, CM. Z.S.; West House, Wells,
Norfolk; and Junior United Service Club, S.W.
1897. Fenwick, Edward Nicholas Fhnwick ; Oxford and Cambridge
Club, Pall Mall, S.W.
1886. Ferguson, Lieut. Harold Stuart, F.Z.S.; Nair Brigade,
Trevaiidrum, Travancore, India, 1901. FiNLiNSON, Horace W. ; Goldiugtou Avenue, Bedford. 1892. Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S. ; Indian Museum, Calcutta, no 1890. Fisher, Lionel ; Kandy, Ceylon.
1884. Forbes, Henry Ogg, LL.D., F.Z.S. ; Free Public Museums,
Liverpool.
1898. Foster, George E. ; Brooklands, Cambridge.
1880. Foster, William ; Braeside, The Heath, Weybridge.
1887. Fowler, William Warde, M.A. ; Lincoln College, Oxford. 115 1865. Fox, The Rev. Henry Elliott, M.A. ; The Croft, Lytton
Grove, Putney Hill, S.W.
1881. Freke, Percy Evans; 7 Limes Road, Folkestone.
Date of
Election.
1895. Feohawk, Frederick William ; 42 Waddoii Road, Croydon, 1881. Gadow, Hans, Ph.D., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; University Zoological
Museum, Cambridge. 1886. Gainsborough, Charles William Francis, Earl of; Exton
Park, Oakham. I20 1900. Garnett, Charles; 9 Porchester Gardens, W. ; and New
University Club, St. James's Street, S.W.
1900. Gainer, Francis; Beech Holm, Sunderland ; Kings' College,
Cambridge ; and 20 Queen Square, W.C. 1892. Gerrard, John, Government Inspector of Mines; Worsley,
near Manchester. 1879. Gibson, Ernest ; 1 Eglinton Crescent, Edinburgh. * 1858. GoDMAN, Frederick DuCane,D.C.L.,F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; lOChan- dos Street, Cavendish Square, W. President. 125* 1858. GoDMAN, Percy Sanden, B.A., C.M.Z.S. ; Muntham, Horsham.
1901. GooDCHiLD, Herbert ; 119 Gloucester Road, Regent's
Park, N.W.
1900. GooDFELLOw, Walter ; Rosedale, Broadstone, Dorset. 1899. Gould, Frank Herbert Carruthers ; Amherst, Grove Road,
East Molesey, Surrey.
1895. Grabham, Oxley, M.A. ; Thornton Dale, Pickering,
Yorks. 130 1890. Grant, William R. Ogilvje- ; 29 Elvaston Place, S.W.
1885, Guillemard, F. H. H., M.A., M.D., F.Z.S. ; Old Mill House,
Trumpington, Cambridge. 1876. GiJNTHER, Albert C. L. G., M.A., M.D., F.R.S., F.Z.S.;
2 Lichfield Road, Kew Gardens, S.W. 1898. GuRNEY, Lieut. Anthony Francis, R.N. ; North Runcton Hall,
King's Lynn ; and H.M.S. ' Pembroke,' Chatham. 1870. GuRNEY, John Henry, F.Z.S. ; Keswick Hall, Norwich ; and
Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 135 1897. Gurney, J. Nigel ; Sprowston Hall, Norwich.
1896. Gurney, Robert ; Sprowston Hall, Norwich.
1890. GwATKiN, Joshua Reynolds Gascoign ; The Manor House,
Potterne, Devizes.
1901. Haagner, Alwin C. ; South African Constabulary, Modder-
fontein. South Africa.
1891. Haigh, George Henry Caton ; Grainsby Hall, Great Grimsby,
Lincolnshire.
Date of K lection.
140 lb98. Haines, Charles Reginald, M.A. ; Meadhurst, Uppingham, Rutland. 1887. Haines, John Pleydell Wilton ; 17 King Street, Gloucester. 1898. Hale, The Rev. James Rashleigh, B.A. ; The Vicarage, Horton Kirby, Dartford, Kent,
1886. Hamilton, Edward, M.D.,F.L.S.,F.Z.S.; 16 Cromwell Place,
S.W. 1900. Harpek, Edmund William, F.Z.S. ; 1a Camac Street,
Calcutta. 145 1900. Harris, Henry Edward ; Overton, Torquay. 1893. Hartert, Ernst ; The Museum, Tring, Herts. 1868. Harting, James Edmund, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Linnean Society,
Burlington House, Piccadilly, W. 1896. Hartland, John Cole; c/o Messrs. Hunt & Co., P.O. Box 11,
Yokohama, Japan. 1893. Hartmann, William; Tangley Mere, Chilworth, Surrey. 150 1899. Harvey, Capt. Robert Napier, R.E. ; Stanhope Lines,
Aldershot. 1873. Harvie-Brown, John A., F.Z.S. ; Dunipace House, Larhert,
N.B. 1900. Hasluck, Percy Pedley Hareord; The Wilderness, South- gate, N. 1898. Hawker, Richard M., F.Z.S. ; Bath Club, Dover Street, W. ;
and c/o A. Scott, Esq., 83 St. Clement's House, Clement's
Lane, E.C.
1887. Herbert, Charles T., F.Z.S. ; The Rhodrons, Hook, Kingston-
on-Thames. 155 1899. Heywood, Richard ; St. Margaret's Place, King's Lynn, Is^orfolk.
1900. Hills, John Waller; 14 Victoria Grove, Kensington, W. ; and Corby Castle.
1895. HiNXMAN, Lionel W., B.A. ; Geological Survey of Scotland, Edinburgh.
1884. HoLDswoRTH, Charles James ; Sunnyside, Wilmslow, Cheshire.
1877. HoLDswoRTH, Edmund W. H., F.Z.S. ; South Town, Dart- mouth, Devon. 160 1891. Holland, Arthur H. ; Estancia Sta. Elena, Halsey, F.C.O., Argentine Reiniblic ; and Holmhurst, Copse Hill, Wim- bledon, S.W.
Date of Election.
1888. HoESFiELD, Herbert Knight ; Ivy Lodge, Chapel Allerton,
Leeds. 1893. Hose, Chaeles, D.Sc., F.Z.S. ; Baram, Sarawak, Borneo.
1895. Howard, Henry Eliot ; Clarelands, near Stourport.
1881. Howard, Robert James ; Shearbank, Blackburn, Lanca- shire. i65*1858. HtTDLESTON, Wilfrid Hcdleston, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S.;
8 Stanhope Gardens, S.W. 1893. Hudson, "William Henry, F.Z.S. ; Tower House, St. Luke's
Road, Westbourne Park, W. 1869. Hume, Allan Octavian, C.B., C.S.I., F.Z.S.; The Chalet,
Kingswood Road, Upper Norwood, S.E. 1890. Hunter, Heney Chaeles Vicars ; Mawley Hall, Cleobury
Mortimer, Salop. 1901. Ingeam, Collingwood ; The Bungalow, Westgate-on-Sea ;
and c/o Lady Ingrain, 65 Cromwell Road, S.W. 170 1870. Irby, Lieut.-Col. Leonaed Hoavaed, F.Z.S.; 14 Cornwall
Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W.
1888. Jackson, Fredeeicz J., C.B., F.L.S. ; The Red House,
Aldeburgh, Suffolk. 1892. James, Heney Ashwoeth; Hurstmonceux Place, Hailsham, Sussex.
1896. Jesse, William ; La Martiniere College, Luckuow, Oudh,
India.
1889. Johnson, Feedeeick Ponsonby, B.A., J.P., D.L. ; Castlesteads,
Brampton, Cumberland. 175 1891. Johnston, Sir Harry Hamilton, K.C.B., F.Z.S.; Queen
Anne's Mansions, S.W. 1900. Jones, Major Heney (late 62nd Regt.) ; East Wickham
House, Welling, Kent. 1899. JouEDAiN, The Rev. Feancis Chaeles Robert, M.A. ; Clifton
Vicarage, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. 1880. Kelham, Col. Heney Robert (1st Bn. Highland Light
Infantry) ; 52 Lisbury Road, Hove, Brighton. 1894. Kelsall, Capt. Haeey Joseph (R.G.A.); c/o J. W.Jameson,
Esq., Roxborough, Bowdon, Cheshire. 180 1897. Kelsall, The Rev. John Edwaed, M.A. ; Milton Rectorj',
Lymington, Hants. 1882. Kermode, Philip M.C; Hillside, Ramsay, Isle of Man. 1891. Keee, J. Geaham, F.Z.S. ; Christ's College, Cambridge.
Date of Election.
1895, KiNGSFOED, William Edwaed ; Horsell, Woking, Surrey. 1900. KoNiG, Dr. Alexander Ferdinand ; Professor at Bonn
University, Coblenzer-Strasse 164, Bonn, Germany. 185 1882. Knubley, The Rev. Edw. Ponsonby, M.A.; Steeple Ashton
Vicarage, Trowbridge. 1892. Laidlaw, Thomas Geddes ; Bank of Scotland, Morningside
Branch, 8 Morningside Road, Edinburgh. 1884. Langxon, Herbert; 11 Marlborough Place, Brighton. 1881. Lascelles, The Hon. Gerald ; The King's House,
Lyndhiirst.
1892. La Touche, John David Digues, C.M.Z.S, ; Lt.-Governor,
N.W.P., Government House, Allahabad, India. 190 1892. Laws, Arthur Moore ; Ayrshire Mine, Lamagundi, Mashona- land, South Africa. 1898. Learoyd, a. Ernest ; Rawthorpe Hall, Huddersfield.
1876. Legge, Col. William Vincent (late R. A.), E.Z.S. ; Cullenswood
House, St. Mary's, Tasmania. 1898. Le Souef, Dudley; Zoological and Acclimatisation Society,
Zoological Gardens, Melbourne. 1868. Le Strange, Hamon, E.Z.S. ; Hunstanton Hall, King's Lynn,
Norfolk. 195 1875. L'EsTRANGE, Col. Paget Walter, R.A. ; Llwynbedw, Bon-
cath, R.S.O., South Wales.
1893. Lewis, Frederick ; Assistant Conservator of Forests, The
Kachchiu, Colombo, Ceylon. 1889. Leyland, Christopher John ; Haggerston Castle, Beal,
Northumberland . 1897. LiLFORD, John, Lord, F.Z.S. ; Lilford Hall, Oundle,
Northants. 1874. Lloyd, Col. John Hayes, F.Z.S. ; 95 Adelaide Road, N.W. aoo 1898. Loat, William Leonard S., F.Z.S. ; Newland, Coleford,
Gloucestershire ; and The School of Medicine, Cairo,
Egypt. • 1897. Lodge, George Edavard, F.Z.S. ; 5 Verulam Buildings, Gray's
Ian, W.C. 1889. LoYD, Major Arthur Purvis, F.Z.S. (late 21st Hussars);
Harnham Cliff, Salisbury.
1896. Lubbock, Percy ; 26 Cadogan Gardens, S.W. ; and King's
College, Cambridge.
1877. Lumsden, James, F.Z.S. ; Arden House, Alexandria, N.B.
Date of Election.
205 1896. LuTTMAN-JoHNsoN, James Arthur, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 101 Mount
Street, W. 11)00. AIcCoNNELT., Frederick Vavasour : 37 Cranley Gardens,
South Kensington, S.W. 1897. McLean, John Chambers ; Waikohu Station, Te Karaka,
Gisborne, New Zealand. 1899. Macmillan, George Augustin ; 19 Earl's Terrace, Ken- sington, W. 1894. Macphekson, Arthur Holte ; 51 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde
Park, AV. 210 1886. Macpherson, The Rev. Hugh Alexander, M.A.; The
Rectory, Pitlochry, Perthshire. 1875. Malcolm of Poltalloch, John Wingfield, Lord, C.B.,
F.Z.S. ; Poltalloch, Lochgilphead, Argyllshire ; and
23 Great Cumberland Place, W. 1899. Marais, Johann van Oosterzee; c/o J. Hammond Toone, Esq.,
Department of Agriculture, Cape Town, Cape Colony. 1894. Marshall, Archibald McLean; 29 Queen's Gate Gardens,
S.W. 1894. Marshall, James McLean ; Estates Office, Dunskey, Port-
patrick, N.B. 215 1899. Martin, Basil William ; Elm House, Elm Row, Hampstead,
N.W. ; and Barley Abbey, Derby. 1901. Martin, William K., R.A. ; Dartington, Totnes, South
Devon.
1897. Mason, Col. Edward Snow ; 20 Minster Yard, Lincoln.
1898. Masset, Herbert; Ivy Lea, Burnage, Didsbury, Manchester.
1899. Mathews, Arnold ; Ballynahinch Castle, Toombeola, Co.
Galway. 220 1898. Maxwell, Capt. Aymer Edward, D.S.O., V.C. ; 3rd Bn.
Grenadier Guards, South Africa. 1896. Maxavell, Rt. Hon. Sir Herbert E., Bt., P.C., M.P., F.R.S. ;
49 Lennox Gardens, S.W. 1883. Meade-Waldo, Edmund Gustavus Bloomfield, F.Z.S. ;
Stonewall Park, Edenbridge, Kent.
1899. Meinertzhagen, Richard ; Mottisibnt Abbey, Romsey ;
25 Rutland Gate, S.W. ; and Royal Fusiliers.
1900. Metcalfe, Geoffrey Bryan Theophilus ; 8th (King's Royal
Irish) Hussars ; and Roche Court, Salisbury. 225 1886. Millais, John Guille, F.Z.S.; Comptons Brow, Horsham.
Date of
Election.
1879. Mitchell, Frederick Shaw ; Clyderhowe, Edmonton, Alberta,
N.W.T., Canada. 1901. MrrcnELL, P. Chalmers, M.A., D.Sc, F.Z.S. ; 32 Devonshire
Place, W.
1897. Mitchell, William ; 5 Bury Street, St. James's, S.W.
1898. Monro, Horace Cecil ; Queen Anne's Mansions, Queen Anne's
Gate, S.W. 230 1900. Montagu, Edwin S. ; Trinity College, Cambridge ; and
12 Kensington Palace Gardens, W. 1900. Mugford, Frederick Ernest ; 16 Buckingham Street, Strand,
W.C. 1886. MuiRHEAD, George; Speybank, Fochabers, Co. Moray, N.B. 1893. Mullens, William H., M.A., F.Z.S.; 9 St. James's Place,
S.W. 1892. MuNN, Philip Winchester ; Laverstoke, Whitchurch, Hants. 235 1897. Munt, Henry ; 83 Kensington Gardens Square, W.
1900. Musters, John Patricius Chawokth, D.L., J. P. ; Annesley
Park, Nottingham.
1885. Neale, Edward; 43 Charlotte Street, Portland Place, W. 1882. Nelson, Thomas Hudson ; The Clifie, Eedcar, Yorkshire. 1895. Nesham, Robert, F.Z.S., F.E.S. ; Utrecht House, Queen's
Road, Clapham Park, S.W. 240 1897. Neumann, Oscar ; 10 Potsdamer Strasse, Berlin, W.
1872. Newcome, Francis D'Arcy William Clough ; Thurston Lodge, Bury St. Edmunds, Suifolk.
1899. Newman, John Leonard ; Park Field, Mill Hill, Middlesex. * 1858. Neavton, Alfred, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S., Professor of Zoology
in the University of Cambridge ; Magdalene College, Cam- bridge.
1886. Nicholls, Howard Hill John, M.B.C.S. ; Braraber Lodge,
Downview Road, West Worthing. 245 1900. Nichols, Walter Buchanan ; Stour Lodge, Bradfield,
Manningtree, Essex. 1876. Nicholson, Francis, F.Z.S.; 84 Major Street, Manchester ;
and Heathside, Knutsford, Cheshire. 1895. Noble, Heatley ; Temple Combe, Henley-on-Thames.
1887. Norman, George Cameron, F.Z.S. ; 68 Lombard Street, E.C. ;
and Mount Melville, St. Andrews, N.B. 1882. Oates,EugeneWilliam, F.Z.S. ; 1 Carlton Gardens, Ealing, W. ; and Savage Club, Adelphi Terrace, W.C.
Date of
Election.
250 1892. Ogilvie, Fergus Menteith, M.A., F.Z.S. ; The Shrubbery,
72 Woodstock Eoad, Oxford. 1889. Ogle, Bertram Savile ; Hill House, Steeple Aston,
Oxford. 1883, Parker, Henry, C.E., F.Z.S., Irrigation Officer, P.W.D.,
Kurunegala, Ceylon. 1880. Parkin, Thomas, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Fairseat, High Wickham,
Hastings. 1891. Patterson, Robert, F.Z.S. ; Malone Park, Belfast. 255 1884. Patterson, R. Lloyd, D.L., F.L.S. ; Croft House, Holywood,
Co. Down. 1894. Pearson, Charles Edward ; Hillcrest,Lowdham, Nottingham. 1891. Pearson, Henry J. ; Bramcote, Notts. 1898. Penn, Eric Frank ; Taverham Hall, Norwich. 1891. Penrose, Frank, M.D., F.Z.S. ; 84 Wimpole Street, W. 260 1900. Percival, Arthur Blayney, F.Z.S. ; Somerset Court, Brent
Knoll, Somerset; and The Treasury, Mombasa, East Africa
Protectorate. 1886. Phillips, E. Lort, F.Z.S. ; 79 Cadogan Square, S.W. 1888. Phillips, George Thorne ; Wokingham, Berkshire. 1893. PiGOTT, Thomas Digby, C.B. ; 5 Ovington Gardens, S.W. 1893. Pike, Thomas Mayer, M.A. ; care of Mr. Porter, 7 Prince's
Street, Cavendish Square, W. 265 1899. Pope, Walter Henry ; Windermere, Salisbury.
1896. Popham, Hugh Leyborne, M.A. ; 5 Ryder Street,
St. James's, S.W. ; and Oxford & Cambridge Club, Pall
Mall, S.W. 1898. Price, Athelstan E. ; Broxbourne, Herts. 1901. Proud, John T. ; Dellwood, Bishop Auckland.
1893. Pycrapt, William Plane, F.Z.S. ; British Museum (Natural
History), Cromwell Road, S.W. 270 1888. Radclyffe, Charles Robert Eustace; Hyde, Wareham, Dorset. 1879. Rawson, Herbert Eyelyn, F.Z.S.; Fallbarrow, Winder- mere.
1894. Read, Richard Henry, L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. ; Church Street,
Hanley. 1888. Read, Robert H. ; 7 South Parade, Bedford Park, W. 1877. REiD,Capt. Savile G. (late R.E.), F.Z.S.; The Elms, Yalding,
Maidstone.
xvn
Date of Election.
275 1893. Kendall, Percy, M.D., F.Z.S. ; Ewell, Surrey; and Devonshire Club, St. James's Street, S.W.
1895. RicKEXT, Charles BouGnET ; Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank,
Foochow ; and care of Messrs. H. S. King & Co., 65 Corn- hill, E.C.
1896. RiPPON, Lt.-Col. George, F.Z.S. ; 7th Burma Batn., Bhamo,
Upper Burma.
1898. EoBiNsoN, Herbert C. ; Holmwood, Aigburth, Liverpool. 1896. Rogers, Capt. J. Middleton, F.Z.S. ; 1st (Royal) Dragoons ;
and Riverhill, Sevenoaks, Kent. 280 1893. Rothschild, The Hon. L. Walter, M.P., D.Sc., F.Z.S. ; The
Museum, Tring, Herts. 1894. Rothschild, The Hon-. N. Charles, F.Z.S. ; Tring Park,
Tring, Herts. 1883. St. Quintin, William Herbert, F.Z.S. ; Scampston Hall,
Rillington, Yorkshire.
1899. Sapsworth, Arnold Duer, F.Z.S. ; The Dower House, Ember
Court, East Molesey, Surrey.
1870. Saunders, Howard, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; 7 Radnor Place, Hyde
Park, W. (^Secretary.) 285 1898. Scherren, Henrx, F.Z.S. ; 9 Cavendish Road, Harringay, N. * 1858. ScLATER, Philip Lutley, D.Sc, F.R.S., Secretary to the Zoological Society of London, 3 Hanover Square, W. ; and Odiham Priory, Winchfield, Hants. {Editor.) 1891. Sclater, William Littley, M.A., F.Z.S. ; South African Museum, Capetown, South Africa.
1899. Selous, Frederick Coueteney, F.Z.S. ; Heatherside, Worples-
don, Surrey. 1889. Senhotise, Humphrey Patricius, B.A. ; The Fitz, Cocker- mouth, Cumberland. 290 1899. Seele, The Rev. William, M.A., B.D. ; Davidson's Mains, Midlothian, N.B.
1900. Service, Robeet ; Maxwelltown, Dumfriesshire.
1899. Shaemak, Feedeeic ; Yate Lodge, Bedford.
1871. Sharpe, Richard Bowdlee, LL.D.,F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Assistant
Keeper, Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History), South Kensington, S.W.
1900. Shelford, Robert; Curator of the Sarawak Museum, Kuching,
Sarawak, British North Borneo ; and Hill House, Harvey Road, Guildford.
SER. VIII. VOL. I. b
Date of Election.
205 1870. Shelley, Capt. G. Eenest, F.Z.S. (late Grenadier Guards) : 39 Egerton Gardens, South Kensington, S.W.
1865, Shepherd, The Eev. Chaeles William, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Trottis- clitfe Rectory, Maidstone Kent.
1900. SiMEY, Athelstane Iliff ; The College, Durham, and King's College, Cambridge.
1882. Slater, The Rev. Henry H., M.A., F.Z.S. ; Thornhaugh Rectory, Wansford, Northants.
1901. Smith, David Seth, F.Z.S. : Alleyne, Caterham, Surrey. 300 1896. Sondes, Earl ; Lees Court, Faversham.
1881. Southwell, Thomas, F.Z.S. ; 10 The Crescent, Chapel Field, Norwich.
1893. Stanley, Samuel S. ; 3 Regent Grove, Leamington, Warwick- shire.
1900. Stares, John William Chester ; Portchester, Hants.
1898. Stirling, William, J. P., D.L. Co. Ross ; Monar, Ross ; and Kinellan Lodge, StrathpefFer, N.B. 305 1889. Stoate, William ; Ashleigh, Burnham, Somerset.
1893. SroNHAM, Charles, F.R.C.S., F.Z.S, ; 4 Harley Street, Cavendish Square, W.
1897. Streatfeild, Capt. Eric ; 2nd Gordon Highlanders.
1881. Studdt, Col. Robert Wright (late Manchester Regiment);
Waddeton Court, Brixham, Devon. 1887. Styan, Frederick William, F.Z.S. ; Ben Craig, Bayham Road, Sevenoaks ; and Shanghai, China. 310 1887. Swinburne, John ; Carlton Lodge, Catel, Guernsey.
1882. Swinhoe, Col. Charles (Indian Staff Corps), M.A., F.L.S.,
F.Z.S. ; Avenue House, Cowley Road, Oxford. 1884. Tait, William Chaster, C.M.Z.S,; EntreQuintas 155, Oporto,
Portugal. * 1858. Taylor, Edward Cavendish, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 74 Jermyn Street,
S.W. 1873. Tegetmeier, William Bernhabd, F.Z.S. ; 16 Alexandra
Grove, North Finchley, N. ^15 1889. Tennant, Edward Priaulx; 40 Grosvenor Square, W. ; and
The Glen, Innerleithen, N.B. 1886. Terry, Major Horace A. (late Oxfordshire Light Infantry) ;
The Lodge, Upper Halliford, Shepperton. 1900. Thorburn, Archibald ; High Leybourne, Hascombe, near
Godalming, Surrey.
Date of Election.
1893. Thoiipe, Dixon L. ; Loshville, Etterby Scaur, Carlisle.
1894. TicEHFRST, NoEMAN Feedekic ; Guy's Hospital, S.E.
320 1893. Teevoe-Battye, AubynB.E., F.Z.S.; 2 Whitehall Gardens, S.W. * 1858. Teisteam, The Rev. Heney Baker, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S. C.M.Z.S., Canon of Durham ; The College, Durham. 1864. Upchee, Heney Moeris, F.Z.S. ; East Hall, Feltwell, Brandon,
Norfolk. 1896. Uewick, William F. ; 27 Bramham Gardens, S.W.
1894. UssHEE, Richard John ; Cappagh House, Cappagh, R.S.O.,
Mallow, Co. Waterford, Ireland. 325 1890. Venotie, Stephen; Fern Bank, Altrincham, Cheshire.
1884. Veeey, Alfeed Sainsbtjey ; Heronsgate, near Rickmans-
worth. 1881. Verner, Lt.-Col. William Willoughby Cole ; Junior United Service Club, S.W.
1886. Wade-Dalton, Col. H. D. ; Hauxwell Hall, Finghall, R.S.O.,
Yorkshire.
1895. Wallis, Henry Marriage ; Ashton Lodge, Reading.
330 1881. Walsingham, Thomas, Lord, F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; Merton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.
1899. Walton, Herbeet James, M.B., F.R.C.S. ; Indian Medica
Service, Eden Hospital, Calcutta ; and c/o Messrs. King, King, & Co., Bombay. 1872. Wardlaw-Ramsay, Lt.-Col. R. G., F.Z.S. ; Whitehill, RoseweU, Midlothian, N.B.
1896. Watkins, Watkin ; Highfield, Harrow ; and Wellington
Club, S.W.
1900. Westell, William Percival ; 5 Glenferrie Road, St. Albans,
Herts. 335 1891. Whitaker, Benjamin Ingham ; Hesley Hall, Tickhill, Rother- ham. 1891. Whitaker, Joseph I. S., F.Z.S,; Malfitano, Palermo, Sicily.
1887. Whitehead, Jeefery, F.Z.S. ; Newstead, Wimbledon,
Surrey.
1897. Whymper, Charles; 7 James Street, Haymarket, S.W.
1898. WiQLESWOETH, -TosBPH, M.D. ; County Asylum, Rainhill, Lanes. 340 1894. Wilkinson, Johnson ; Vermont, Huddersfield, Yorkshire.
1896. Williams, Capt. Lionel Arthur ; Llangarran, Salisbury ; 91 Victoria Street, S.W.; and Isthmian Club, Piccadilly,W.
b2
Date of
Election.
1897. AYiLsoN, Allan Eeid ; Easthill, East Bank Eoad, Sheffield.
1888. Wilson, Charles Joseph ; 34 York Terrace, Eegent's Park,
N.W. 1900. Wilson, Edward Adrian ; Westal, Cheltenham. 345 1 887. Wilson, Scott Barchard, F.Z.S. ; Heatherbank, Weybridge
Heath, Surrey. 1897. WiTHERBT, Harrt Forbes, F.Z.S. ; 10 St. Germans' Place,
Blackheath, S.E. 1899. Wollaston, Alexander Frederick lliCHMOND,B.A.; Wotton-
under-Edge, Gloucestershire. 1875. Wright, Charles A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Kayhough, Kew-
Gardens Road, Kew, S.W. 1871. Wright, E. Perceval, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Professor of Botauy
in the University of Dublin. 350 1891. Wright, Thomas, M.D. ; Castle Place, Nottingham.
1895. Yerbury, Lt.-Col. John William (late R.A.), F.Z.S. ; 8 Duke
Street, St. James's, S.W. ; and Army and Navy Club, S.W.
1889. Young, Capt. James B., E.N. ; Eidgway House, Ottery
St. Mary, Devon. 1897. Young, John Joseph Baldwin, M.A. ; Eichmond Park, near SheBield.
Exh'a- Ordinary Members.
1899. Godwin-Austen, Lt.-Col. Henry Haversham, F.E.S., F.Z.S. ;
Shalford Park, Guildford. 1860. Wallace, Alfred Eussel, F.E.S., F.Z.S. ; Corfe View, Parkstone, Dorset.
Honorary Members.
1886. Atres, Thomas ; Potchefstroom, Transvaal Colony, South Africa.
1890. Berlepsch, Graf Hans von, C.M.Z.S. ; Schloss Berlepsch,
Post Gertenbach, Witzeuhausen, Germany. 1860. Cabanis, Dr. Jean, C.M.Z.S. ; Friedrichshagen, bei Berlin.
1900. Collett, Prof. Eobert, F.M.Z.S. ; University Museum,
Christiania. 5 1870. FiNSCH, Dr. Otto, C.M.Z.S. ; Zool. Eijks Museum, Leiden. 1894. GiGLioLi, Dr. Henry Hillyer, F.M.Z.S. ; Eeale Istituto di Studi Superior!, Florence.
Bate of
Election.
1898. GoELDi, Dr, Emil A,, C.M.Z.S. ; Director of the (ioeldi Musei;m, Para, Brazil.
1893. Reichenow, Dr. Anton, C.M.Z.S. ; Museum fiir Naturkunde,
Invalidenstrasse, Berlin. 1890. Salvadori, Count Tommaso, M.D., F.M.Z.S. ; Eoyal Zoological Museum, Turin.
Foreign Members.
1890. Allen, Joel Asaph, Ph.D., F.M.Z.S. ; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York City, U.S.A.
1900. BiANCHi, Dr. Valentine ; Imperial Zoological Museum, St. Petersburg.
1872. Bocagb, Prof. J. V. Barboza du, F.M.Z.S. ; Eoyal Museum, Lisbon.
1880. Bureau, Louis, M.D. ; Eeole de Medecine, Nantes.
5 1875. DoRiA, Marchese Giacomo, F.M.Z.S. ; Strada Nuova, 6, Genoa,
Italy. 1872. Fatio, Dr. Victor, C.M.Z.S., Geneva. 1886. Madarasz, Dr. Julius von ; National Museum, Buda-
Pesth.
1894. Menzbier, Prof. Dr. Michael, C.M.Z.S. ; Imperial Society of
Natui'alists, Moscow.
1881. Meyer, Dr. Adolf Bernhard, C.M.Z.S., Director of the Royal
Museum, Dresden. 10 1890. OusTALBT, Dr. Emile, C.M.Z.S.; Museum d'Histoire Naturelle,
Jardin des Plantes, Paris. 1894. Pleske, H.E. Dr. Theodor, F.M.Z.S.; Office of the Company
" Nadeshda," St. Petersburg. 1872. Radde, Prof. Gustav, F.M.Z.S. ; Tiflis. 1900. Reiser, Dr. OrHiviAR ; Landes Museum, Sarajevo, Bosnia,
Austro-Hungary. 1880. RiDGWAY, Robert, C.M.Z.S, ; Smithsonian Institution^
Washington, D.C. 15 1894. ScHALow, Herman ; 15 Schleswiger Ufer, Berlin, N.W.
1900. Stejneger, Leonhard, C.M.Z.S. ; Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, U.S.A. 1896. WiNGE, Herluf; University Zoological Museum, Copenhagen.
CONTENTS OF VOL. I.— EIGHTH SERIES.
(1901.)
Nttmber I., January,
Page
I. On a Specimen of the Extinct Dromceus ater discovered in the Royal Zoological Museum, Florence. By Henry H. GiGLioLi, H.M.B.O.U,, F.M.Z.S,, Director of the Museum . . 1
II. On a new Species of Blue Wren from King Island, Bass Strait. By A. J. Campbell (Melbourne) 10
III. Ornithological Notes from South Brazil. By H, von Ihering 12
IV. Birds'-nesting Notes from the Transvaal. By Alwin C. Haagner 15
V. Notes on the Nesting and other Habits of some South- African Birds. By R. H. Ivy 18
VI. On the Specific Validity of PJoceus megarhynclius Hume. By F. Finn, Deputy Superintendent, Indian Museum, Calcutta. (Plate I.) 29
VII. List of Birds obtained in British East Africa. By F. J. Jackson, C.B., F.Z.S.— Part II. With Notes by R. Bowdler Sharpe, LL.D. &c. (Plates II. & III.) 33
Xxiv CONTENTS.
VIII. On the Anatomy of the Kingfishers, with Special Reference to the Conditions in the Wing known as Eutaxy and Diastataxy. By P. Chalmers Mitchell, F.Z.S., F.L.S. (Plates IV. & V.) , . . 97
IX. lleport on the Anniversary Meeting of the Deutsche ornithologische Gesellschaft. By E. Habtbrt (Delegate of the B.O.U.) 123
X. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : —
1. ' Annals of Scottish Natural History ' 126
2. ' The Auk ' 127
3. Bangs on a new Geotrygon 128
4. Bucknill's ' Birds of Surrey ' 128
5. Butler on the Birds of the Andamaus and the Nicobars 129
6. Biittikofer on the Birds of Central Borneo . . . .130
7. Cook on the Antarctic Oruis 131
8. Carrie on a new Bird of Paradise 132
9. Euler on the Nests and Eggs of Brazilian Birds . . 132
10. Finn's ' Fancy Waterfowl ' 133
11. Ihering on the Birds of Cantagallo and Nova Friburgo 133
12. Ihering on the Birds of Rio Grande do Sul .... 134
13. Ihering on the Nesting of Brazilian Birds .... 134
14. ' Irish Naturalist ' 134
15. Kastschenko on the Birds of the Altai 135
16. Le Souef on the Mud-nest-building Birds of Australia 135
17. Loomis on Californian Water-birds 135
18. Merriam on the Birds of Mount Shasta 136
19. Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society's Transac-
tions 136
20. North on a new Australian Bird 138
21. Palmer on Economic Ornithology in the U.S. . . . 138
22. Palmer on the Bird-Laws of the United States. . . 140
23. Pike on Bird-land 341
24. Pycraft on the Pterylosis of the Megapodes .... 141
25. Reichenow's Birds of Africa 142
26. Seebohm's ' Monograph of the Thrushes ' . . . . 143
27. Selous on Sport and Travel 144
28. Sharpe's ' Hand-list of the Genera and Species of
Birds,' Vol. ii 144
CONTENTS. XXV
29. SheUey's ' Birds of Africa,' Vol. ii. pt. 2 146
30. Stirling and Zietz ou Genyornis neivtoni 147
31. Ussher and Warren's ' Birds of Ireland ' 147
32. ' Victorian Naturalist ' 149
33. Vorderman and Finsch ou the Birds of Java . . .150
34. Westell's ' Year with Nature ' 150
35. Winge on the Birds of the Danish Lighthouses, 1899. 150
XI. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. : —
Letters from Messrs. D. Le 8ouef, E. Shelford, and W. L. Sclater ; The Birds of Antarctica ; Ridgway's Birds of North and Middle America; Attempted Re-introduction of the Great Bustard into England ; Mr. Wiglesworth's Expedition to the Pacific ; Balceniceps in East Africa ; Ornithology at the Ex- position Universelle ; The Usage of the Generic Term Qavia ; New British Birds ; Prof. Newton's Royal Medal : The Birds of Yorkshire 151
XII. Obituary. — Dr. John Anderson, Dr. Gustav Hartlaub . 159
Number II., April.
XIII. On some Collections of Birds from the Protectorate of British Central Africa, received in 1899 and 1900. By Captain G. E. Shelley, F.Z.S. With an Introduction by
P. L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., E.R.S 161
XIV. On Moult and Alleged Colour-change in Birds. By WiTMER Stone 177
XV. Description of a new Species of Bush-Shrike from the Knysna District of Cape Colony. By W. L. Sclater, M.A., F.Z.S., Director of the South-African Museum. (Plate VI.) . 183
XVI. A Visit to a Nesting-Colony of the Straw-necked Ibis.
By D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. (Melbourne) 185
XXVI CONTENTS.
Page
XVII. Ornithological Notes from the Transvaal. By Alwin C. Haagnee 190
XVIII. Notes on the Cassowaries of the Dresden Museum,
By Dr. A. B. Meter 194
XIX. On the Habits and Haunts of the Noio or Hawaiian Noddy Tern. By H. W. Henshaw 196
XX. On the Anatomy of the Radiated Fruit-Cuckoo ( Car^jo- coccyx racUatus). By Fkank E. Beddard, M.A., F.R.S. . . 200
XXI. On the Birds observed during a Second Zoological Expedition to the Gran Chaco. By J. Graham Kerr . . . 215
XXII. An Ornithological Expedition to the White Nile.
By Harry F. Witherby, F.Z.S 237
XXIII. On the Birds collected by Mr. J. J. Harrison between Zeila and Lakes Rudolf and Baringo, Eastern Africa. By "W. R. Ogilvie-Grant. With an Introduction by J. J. Harrison. (Plate VII.) 278
XXIV. Results of an Ornithological Journey through Colombia and Ecuador. By Walter Goodfellow, F.Z.S. (Plate VIII.) 300
XXV. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : —
36. Allen on the Birds of Santa Marta 319
37. Aplin on the Birds of Carnarvonshire 321
38. Astley on Birds in Freedom and in Confinement . . 321
39. Bangs on a new Rice-Grackle 322
40. Bangs on Birds from Panama 322
41. Beal on the Food of the North-American Ictendce . 323
42. Bingham and Thompson on Birds from Uijper Burma 323
43. Bishop on the Birds of the Yukon Region .... 324
44. Cardiff Naturalists on the Birds of Glamorgan . . 324
45. Clarke on the Migration of Birds 325
46. Cooke on the Birds of Colorado 326
47. Druitt's (Mrs.) Memoir of Lord Lilford . . . .326
48. Dubois' ' Synopsis Avium ' 326
CONTENTS. XXvii
49. Finn on the Tracheal Bulb of Ducks 327
50. Finn on the Cormorant of the Crozettes .... 327
51. Finn on the Birds of the Indian Museum .... 328
52. Finn and Turner on two rare Indian Pheasants . . 329
53. Finsch on Birds from New Guinea 329
54. Finsch on a new Dicceum 329
55. Finsch on the Cuculi of the Leyden Museum . . , 329
56. Forbes on Birds in the Derby Museum, Liverpool . 330
57. Fricker's ' Antarctic Regions ' 330
58. Godman and Salvin's ' Biologia Centrali-Americana' 330
59. Grant and Percival on the Birds of Southern Arabia 331
60. Hall on the Birds of Victoria 332
61. Hall upon Changes of Plumage 332
62. Hall on Birds from Kalgoorlie, W.A 333
63. Hartert on the Birds of Burn 333
64. Hartert on some Palsearctic Birds 333
65. Hartert on the Genus Scceorhynchus 334
66. Harterl on the Birds of the Lingga Islands . . . 334
67. Hartert on the Birds of the Banda Islands . . . 334
68. Hartert on Turacus chalcolojjhxis 335
69. Hellmayr on the Genus Polioptila 335
70. Hudson's ' Nature in Downland ' 335
71. Jacobi on the Eating of Gravel by Birds .... 336
72. Jacobi on the Avifauna of Japan 336
73. Madarasz on Birds from German New Guinea . . 337
74. Martens on Antarctic Birds 337
75. Meade-Waldo on the Birds of Hampshire .... 338
76. Neumann on the Avifauna of Eastern and Central
Africa 338
77. North on a new Australian Parrot 339
78. Eegalia on Birds' Wing-claws 339
79. Rothschild on the Avifauna of Laysan 340
80. Rothschild and Pycraft on Cassowaries .... 341
81. Salvadori on Birds from Matto Grosso and Paraguay 345
82. Seebohm's ' Monograph of the Thrushes ' . . . . 346
83. Shufeldt on the Crania of the Owls 346
84. Sharpe on a new Bird from Mount Roraima . . . 347
XXVI. Obituary.— Mr. C. AV. Wyatt, Dr. G. Hartlaub, The Baron E. de Selys-Longchamps, and Mr. P. Crowley . . . 347
XXViii CONTENTS.
Page XX.VII. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. : —
Letters from Heer F. E. Blaauw, Dr. C. W. Andrews, Messrs. Abel Chapman, Osley Grabham, J. Backhouse, D, Le Souef, and Capt. G. E. Shelley ; The Great Belted Kingfisher in Holland ; Birds of the outlying Islands of New Zealand ; Capt. Boyd Alexander at Kumasi ; Eecent Change of Habits in Buplicuja ; Decoys in Chitral, India ; Falcon-catching in Chitral 353
Number III., July.
XXVIII. On the Ornithology of the Var and the adjacent Districts. By J. H. Gurney, E.Z.S 361
XXIX. Field-notes on some Birds observed in Western China. By Capt. H. R. Davies 408
XXX. On Indian Birds' Eggs and their Variations. By E.
C. Stuart Baker, F.Z.S 411
XXXI. The Cage-Birds of Calcutta. By F. Finn, Deputy Superintendent, Indian Museum, Calcutta 423
XXXII. On some rare or unfigured Palaearctic Birds' Eggs.
By H. E. Dresser. (Plate IX.) 445
XXXIII. Supplementary Notes on the Birds of the Yenisei River. By H. Leyborne Popham. (Plate X.) 449
XXXIV. Results of an Ornithological Journey through Colombia and Ecuador. By Walter Goodfellow, F.Z.S. . . 458
XXXV. On the Ornithology of the Gambia River. By John S. Btjdgett, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge .... 481
XXXVI. Proceedings at the Anniversary Meeting of the British Ornithologists' Union, I9U1 497
CONTENTS. XXIX
Page XXXYII. Notices of receut Ornithological Publications : —
85. Borchgrevink's ' First on the Antarctic Continent ' . 499
86. Chapman on the Genus Sturnella 499
87. Chun on the German Deep-sea Expedition . . . 500
88. Dwight on the Plumages of Passerine Birds . . . 500
89. Fisher's Eeminiscences of a Falconer 501
90. Godman's ' Biologia Centrali- American a ' . . . .501
91. Goeldi's ' Birds of Brazil,' Vol. II 501
92. Grant on Additions to the List of Arabian Birds. . 502
93. Grinnell on the Birds of Kotzebue Sound .... 502
94. Hall on the Distribution of Australian Birds , . . 503
95. Hartert on the Birds of the Key Islands and Ceram-
Laut 503
96. Hartert on the Brehm Collection 504
97. Hartert on Javan Birds 504
98. Loomis on Calif ornian Water-birds 505
99. Macoun on Canadian Birds 505
100. Martorelli on Dichroism in the Herons 506
101. Paddock on the Birds of Shropshire 506
102. Palmer and Olds on the Game-Laws of the U.S.A. . 506
103. Rothschild and Hartert's Notes on Papuan Birds . 506
104. Salvadori on Birds from Patagonia 507
105. Salvadori on Birds from Portuguese Guinea . . . 508
106. Seebohm's ' Monograph of the Thrushes ' . . . . 508
107. Seebohm's ' Birds of Siberia ' 509
108. Sharpe's Edition of White's ' Selborne ' .... 510
109. Shelford on the Museum of Sarawak 511
110. Shufeldt on tlie Osteology of the Woodpeckers . . 512
111. Shufeldt on the Osteology of the Striges .... 512
112. Shufeldt on the Sand-Grouse 513
113. Stejneger on the Wheatears of North America . . 513
114. Stuart Baker on Indian Ducks 514
115. Zoological Address-Book 514
XXXYIII. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. : —
Letters from Mr. W. Percival Westell, Count T. Salvadori, Herr Herluf AVinge, Mr. 0. V. Aplin, Mr. W. L. Sclater, and Mr. W. E. Ogilvie-Grant ; The Library of the late Mr. Philip Crowley ; The Intestinal Tract of Birds ; New Expedition to
XXX CONTENTS.
Page
the Malay Peninsula ; The ^githognathous Palate ; Birds of the outlying Islands of New Zealand ; Mr. Pease's Birds from Abyssinia ; News of Mr. A. B. Percival, M.B.O.U 515
Nttmber IV., October.
XXXIX. On the Birds of the Southern Shan States, Burma. By Lieut.-Colonel G. Rippon, 7th Burma Battalion. (Plate XI.) 525
XL. An Introduction to the Study of the Drepanididce, a Family of Birds peculiar to the Hawaiian Islands. By RoBEET C. L. Perkins, B.A., F.E.S 562
XLI. On a Collection of Birds from Nyasaland. By Captain G. E. Shelley, F.Z.S 586
XLII. On two recently discovered Additions to the Genus Calliste. By P. L. Sclatee, D.Sc, F.R.S. (Plate XII.) . . 595
XLIII. On a few Additions to the Birds of Lucknow. By William Jesse 597
XLIV. On the Birds collected during an Expedition through Somaliland and Southern Abyssinia to Lake Zwai. By W. R. Ogilvie-Geant and R. J. Reid. With Field-notes by the Col- lector, Mr. Alfked E. Pease. (Plate XIII.) 607
XLV. Results of an Ornithological Journey through Colom- bia and Ecuador. — Part III. By Waliee Goodfellow, F.Z.S. (Plate XIY.) 699
XLVI. Description des trois Espc-ces nouvelles d'Oiseaux du Perou du Museum Branicki. Par le Comte Hans von Berlepsch et Jean Stolzmann. (Plate XV.) 716
CONTENTS. XXXI
Page XLVII. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : —
116. 'Annals of Scottish Natural History' 719
117. 'The Auk' 720
118. Berg's Critical Eemarks on Chilian Birds .... 722
119. Berg's Ornithological Notes 722
120. Blanford on the Distribution of Indian Animals . . 723
121. Campbell's 'Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds' . 723
122. Chapman on the Great Blue Heron of America . . 724
123. De Vis on a new Parrot 725
124. Finsch's Lists of the_ Birds of the Leydcn Museum . 725
125. Finsch on a new Eruit-Pigeon 726
126. Forbes on rare Birds in the Derby Museum . . .726
127. Hartert on the Birds of the Key Islands and of
Ceram-Laut 726
128. Hartert on the Birds of Timor- Laut 726
129. Heathcote on the Birds of St. Kilda 727
130. Hellmayr on the Parkhe, Siftulce, and Certliiidce . . 727
131. Helms on the Food of Danish Owls 728
132. Jacobi on Biogeographieal Distribution 728
133. Le Souef on the Birds of the Riverina District of
New South Wales 729
134. Lorenz-Liburnau's History of Ornithology in Austria 729
135. Nelson on the Birds of Yorkshire 730
136. Nisbett and Finn on the Kaleege Pheasants . . . 730
137. North on the Destru.ction of Birds in Australia . . 731
138. Oates's Catalogue of Birds' Eggs 731
139. Reichenow's 'Birds of Africa' 732
140. Rothschild and Hartert on Papuan Birds .... 733
141. Shufeldt on the Osteology of the Penguins . . . 733
142. Shufeldt on Scopus and Balmiiceps 734
143. Shufeldt on the Herodiones 734
144. Slater on the Birds of Iceland 735
XLVIIL Letters, Extracts, Notices, tfec. : —
Letters from Messrs. F. Finn, Francis C. R. Jourdain, W. Ruskin Butterfield, and Abel Chapman ; Sale of Alphonse Milne-Edwards's Library ; Honorary Degree for an Ornitholo- gist; The Collection of Birds in the British Museum; Spring Birds at Mashad, N.E. Persia ; The Honey-guide in Abyssinia ;
XXXll CONTENTS.
Nesting-habits of Hornbills ; The Australasian Ornithologists' Union ; The Para Museum ; New Ornithological Periodical ; Birds in the Zoological Garden, Cairo ; Additions to the U.S. National Museum 737
XLIX. Obituary. — The Abbe Arm and David, Mr. Lionel Wiglesworth, and Mr. William Doherty 748
Index of Scientific Names 753
Index of Contents 775
Titlepage, Preface, List of Members, and Contents.
PLATES IN VOL. I.
EIGHTH SERIES.
Page
I. Ploceus megarhynohus 32
II. 1. Dryoscopus nandensis 41
2. Calomonastes simplex «>-J
III. 1, Crypt olopha mackeiiziana 91
2. Euprinodes einereus 65
IV. V.
VI. Laniarius maraisi 183
VII. Pyrrhiilauda harrisoni 286
VIII. Myiadestes coracinus 311
IX. Eggs of Siberian Thrushes 449
X. 1. Emheriza citrinella molessoni ; 2. E. c, brehnii . 453
XL 1. Trochalopterum ripponi 529
2. ^githaliscus pulchellus 528
XII. 1. Calliste einilia^ ; 2. C. johannge 595
XIII. Prodotiscus peasii 667
XIV. Head of Gymnoderus foetidus, ad 714:
XV. Chlorochrysa hedwigse, c? 2 716
Alar Muscles of Kingfishers 122
SER. VIII.
^n
THE IBIS
EIGHTH SERIES
No. I. JANUARY 1901.
I. — On a Specimen of the Extinct Dromseus ater discovered in the Rorjal Zoological Museum, Florence. By Henry H. GiGLioLi, H.M.B.O.U., F.M.Z.S., Director of the Museum.
About the 9th or the 10th of April, 1802, a French exploring expedition, consisting ol the sliips ' Geographe/ ' Naturaliste/ and ' Casuariua/ under the orders of Baudin, to which also were attached the well-known naturalist F. Peron and tlie able draughtsman Lesueur, sailed along the south coast of New Holland and discovered a large island, which they named '' Isle Decres/^ It lies across the two deep indentations of the mainland now known as Encounter and St. Vincent Gulfs, opposite the mouth of the Murray River, and facing that fertile portion of the flourishing Colony of South Australia where the city of Adelaide now stands ; then :
" Stei-ilis profiiiidi vastitas squalet soli, Et fceda tellus torpet feterno situ." — Seneca.
This island is now well known under the name of Kangaroo Island, an appellation bestowed on it by Captain Flinders, who discovered it a few months before the arrival of Bandings expedition. On their first visit to the island the French explorers suffered from bad weather, hunger, and scurvy, and were unable to complete their exploration being compelled to leave to get fresh provisions.
SER. VIII. — VOL. I. B
2 Dr. H. H. Giglioli on a Specimen
They returned at the end of 1802, and during the month of January 1803 the island was thoroughly explored. It was found to be arid, nearly devoid of water, and covered with scanty " bush.'' Not a single human being Avas met Avith, but the Frenchmen were struck with the large number of Kangaroos and Emeus living on that desolate spot : " On voyoit accourir du fond des bois de grandes troupes de Kanguroos et de Casoars, qui alloient demander k I'Ocean une boisson que la Terre leur refusoit sans doute." And further on Peron writes : ^' Mais de tous les oiseaux que rile Decres regut en partage de la Nature, les plus utiles k I'homme sont les Casoars : ces gros animaux paroissent exister sur Tile en troupes nombreuses ; mais comme ils sont tres agiles h. la course, et que nous mimes peu de soin k les ehasser, nous ne pumes nous en procurer que trois individus vivans."
P^ron, in the narrative of the expedition, besides the above quotations, describes the Emeu found on Kangaroo Island ; and in the accompanying Atlas gives a fair plate representing the male, female, and young *. The three living specimens captured on L'lle Decres were evidently hardy birds ; they reached Paris safely on the return of Baudin's expedition in 1804, and were presented to the Emperor Napoleon. One was placed in the Menagerie at the Jardin des Plantes ; the other two were sent to " La Mal- maison," where the Empress Josephine then held her court.
Two of these birds certainly lived until 1822, when one of them was mounted entire and placed in the Ornitho- logical Gallery of the Parisian "Museum"; the other was prepared as a skeleton, which was placed in the Comparative Anatomy department of the same Museum. I have examined both of them. The third specimen disappeared, or, at least, no mention is made of its ultimate fate; but of that anon.
Peron was evidently under the impression that his bird was identical with the " Casoar de la Nouvelle Hollande,"
* P(5ron et Freycinet, ' Voyage de d(?couvevtes aux Terres Australes, 1800-1804,' tome i. p. 326, tome ii. pp. 71-78; Atlas, pis. xxxvi., xli, (Paris, 1807-1816).
of the Extinct Droraaeus ater. 3
as Droniceus novce-hoUandice was then called ; and it does not seem qnite certain who first discovered that there was a " Great " and a " Lesser " Emeu. From a letter to ' Nature ' by Prof. Alfred Newton, to which I shall refer later, it would appear that such a distinction was made in Bullock's Museum as early as 1812. Vieillot proposed the name which the small Emeu now bears in 1817 (Nouv. Diet. x. p. 212), but he did not then properly define the species, being evidently, as is shown by what he wrote on the subject, under the impression that the smaller and darker specimens were birds which had not attained their full growth. It was, so far as I am aware, first thoroughly defined by Bonaparte as late as 1856 (Comptes Rend, xliii. p. 841. n. 5), when he gave full zoological and anatomical differential characters distin- guishing D. ater from D. novcs-hollandue . Fuller details of the distinctive characters of T). ater, and an excellent coloured plate of the mounted specimen in the Paris Museum, were published thirty-seven years later by A. Milne-Edwards and E. Oustalet * ; a few further notes on the same bird, with sketches of the head from life by Lesucur, Avere published by the same authors in the ' Bulletin du Museum d^Histoire Naturelle,' 1899, n. 5, p. 206. The most important point contained in these notes, based on MSS. of Lesueur now in the Museum at Havre, is that, previous to their visit to Kangaroo Island, viz. in December 1802, the French naturalists of Baudin's expedition landed and camped for some days on King Island, off the western entrance to Bass Straits. Thev found there six sealers headed by one Cowper, who showed them considerable attentions; from him they learnt that a small dark ''Ilemeo,''' as the English name is spelled, or ^'Casoar," was so common on the island that Cowper asserted that he had himself killed 300. This easily explains how, through the agency of sealers and their dogs, the Emeu on King Island soon became extinct; it is quite possible that it was the Lesser one, 1). ater, but that has not been proved.
* A. Milne-Edwards et E. Oustalet, '* Notice sur quelques Espece.s d'Oiseaux actuellemeut ^teintes," etc., etc., in 'Volume commt^raoratif du Centeiiaire de la Fondation du Museum,' p. 251, pi. v. (Paris, 1893).
b2
4 Dr. TT. H. Giglioli on a Specimen
This episode of Bavidin's expedition shows how the exter- mination of D. ater on Kangaroo Island took place. I have been told that in the early days of South Australia a settler squatted on the island and that he deliberately made an end of the Lesser Emeu ; but no date has been given, and we do not even know when the painful fact of the total extinction of this most interesting species was made patent to ornitho- logists ; it was, however, not very long ago ! The worst is that, so far as positive information goes, no specimens except those at Paris have been preserved ; and this is in part a consequence of the general ignorance, until quite recently, of its specific distinction from the Emeu of the Australian main ; even Gould, in his monumental work on 'The Birds of Australia,'' gives D. ater as a synonym of D. nuvce-JwUandi(B. Thus I agree with the last oflScial statement regarding D. ater, that of my friend Salvadori in his masterly work, volume xxvii. of the ' Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum,^ p. 589 : ''Hub. Decres or Kangaroo Island, but now extinct, and only known from a single stuffed specimen and the skeleton in the Paris Museum."
Many years ago my attention was called to a mounted skeleton of a Ratite in the old didactic collection of our Museum. It was not in first-rate condition, having some portions replaced by imitations in wood of the missing bones, and was remarkable for its small size. It is a three-toed form, certainly not a Rhea, and is labelled "Casoario" ; but the skull is quite smooth above, there being not the slightest trace of the bony support of the horny helmet, and the bill is de- pressed, not compressed as in the Cassowaries. The specimen was kept apart in a store-room and used by students; every time I saw it I felt that it was a problem to be solved, and yet other and incessant occupations kept me from the attempt. And it was only last spring, during a visit of Mr. Walter Rothschild, on his telling me that he was working out the Cassowaries, that I remembered the enigmatical skeleton. A closer inspection showed us that it was without the least doubt a specimen of the extinct Dromaus ater.
Mr. Rothschild asked me to lend him the specimen,
of the Extinct Dromseus aler^ S
and I willingly made an exception to our rules in his favour, as he is engaged on a nearly allied group, while I was also glad to give an opportunity of inspecting so rare a relic to my colleagues of the 13.0.U., it being more accessible to them at Tring than in Florence. I sent a note to ' Nature ' on the important discovery * and also made a communication on the same subject to the International Ornithological Congress at Paris in June last. My communication to ' Nature ' called forth a short, but highly interesting, note from my learned friend Professor Alfred Newton t ; from wliich we learn that so long ago as 1812 a ^'Lesser" and a " Great Emea " were recognized as distinct in Bullock's Museum, and that a specimen of each was preserved in that remarkable collection. Further that when Bullock's Museum was dispersed under the auctioneer's hammer in May 1819 the two birds were bought by the Linnean Society of London for £7 \0s. and £\Q \0s. respectively. I quite agree with Professor Newton that the " Lesser' Emea " was most probably a specimen of the unfortunate D. ater, and I am surprised that both specimens should have so entirely disappeared that Prof. Newton has in vain endeavoured to trace the smaller. If found and identified according to our suppositions, it would stand as the fourth known specimen of D. ater. Professor Newton concludes by saying that it may still exist unrecognised ; and this lack of recognition of a most distinct species for nearly a century is the corner-stone and basis of the sad history of the Lesser Emeu. I may here remark that even Professor Newton, in whom I hail the most erudite of living ornithologists and the highest authority on lately extinct birds, had up to a recent date not recognised this species. In his excellent ' Dictionary of Birds ^ (part i. p. 214: London, 1893) he gives us sad news regarding the imminent extermination of the larger Emeu, and tells us how it was totally destroyed in Tasmania and is said to have once existed on the islands of Bass Straits; but he makes no mention of D. ater, and gives
* 'Nature,' vol. Ixii. p. 102 (London, May 31, 1900). t Tom. cit. p. 151 (London, June 14, 1900).
6 Dr. H. II. Giglioli on a Specimen
a note criticiziiiji; Latham's distinction of a '' Van. Diemen's Cassowary,'" which, from what little wc know about it, may possibly have been specifically identical with the l)ird Pcron found so abundant ou Kangaroo Island.
But returning to the Florence specimen of Druuueus aler, my first care was to try to ascertain how it had come to this Museum. Unfortunately our old catalogues were very badly kept, and although each addition was duly numbered and entered, rarely indeed was any note made of its origin. I easily found out that the skeleton of D. aler was first catalogued in 1833 as " Scheletro del Casoario mas. della Niiova Olanda," as no. 3623 in the ' Appeudice ai Cataloghi di Anatomia Zoologia e Botanica/ vol. ii. p. 37; then as " Schelelro di Casoario," no. 467, it was entered in the first 'Catalogo dei Mammiferi^ in 1839; and lastly as no. 1673 it got into the ' Catalogo degli Uccelli,' 13th March, 1843. This was not much, and I was pondering over the matter and contemplating the skeleton, which had indeed a centenarian aspect, when I noticed for the first time something written on one of the leg-bones. Cleaning the spot with a brush, I found neatly written, in that clear round hand so common in the earlier years of the 19th century, " Casoar mdle'^ ; a further application of the brush brought to light a similar inscription on almost every bone, and made it clear that the skeleton came from France. I finally found out that, besides the well- known fact that the Florence Museum was for a while, shortly after Peron's return, a de[)endency of the French Imperial Household, an exchange of specimens had taken place during the latter days of Cuvier, between 1825-30, between the Paris and Florence Museums, though no list of those specimens has been found. On due consideration, however, I have very little hesitation in identifying the Florence skeleton as the tliird specimen of D. aler brought home by Peron in 1804, which has hitherto been unac- counted for.
This precious skeleton is mounted (see fig. 1, p. 7), and, as I have already remarked, has been badly kept, exposed to dust, and has a soiled and ancient aspect. The following portions
of the Extinct DromseUs ater.
Fia-. 1.
Skeleton of Dromcem attr hi Hit; lioyal Zoological xUuseum, Florence. About I nat. size.
8 Dr. H. H. Giglioli on a Specimen
are missing and have been replaced by very faithful imitations in wood, evidently copied from those of the perfect mounted skeleton iu the Paris Museum; these are the pectoral arches, both icings, the patella, two distal phalanges in the right foot and one in the left, in the hind limbs ; besidesj in the skull, the maxillo-jugal rod is restored iu wood, whilst the palatines, jiterygoids, the vomer, and the maxillary processes of the nasals are missing. The first pair of cervical ribs and two lumbar ribs, the left one of the first pair and the right one of the second, are also missing.
The right tarso-metatarsal had been fractured, and an irregular anchylosis had been formed during life. The bones are undoubtedly those of a fully adult, I would add of a very old, bird. There are : 20 cervical vertebne, the last two with movable ribs ; 5 dorsal vertebras, with ribs articulating with the sternum through corresponding sternal ribs ; 1 9 lumbar-sacral vertebrae, the first two Avith rudimentary or rather short ribs ; 8 caudal vertebrae, the last three anchy- losed into one mass. The different bones correspond well with the description furnished by A. Milne-Edwards and Oustalet {op. cit. p. 65) . The height of the Florence skeleton, as it stands, is 1*092 m. I shall now give the separate measurements of the various bones, comparing them with those of the Paris specimen recorded by Milne-Edwards and Oustalet {op. cit. p. 66) : —
D. afei; c? ad. D. ater.
Floreuce. Paris.
m. m.
Leng-tli of vertebral column (followmg curves) . 1-040 1'190
„ the cranium (occiput to apex of biU). 0'121 0'170
„ „ (occiput to frontal suture) 0-0(55 O'OSO
Greatest width of the cranium 0'058 O'OGt)
Width of the iuterorbital space 0-020 0-029?
„ „ maxillary region O-Otio
„ „ premaxillary region, 1 centim.
from apex 0-010
Length of the lower jaw 0-111 0-1.34 ?
„ ,, sternum (mesial line) 0-093
., ,, sternum (Ibllowing curve) 0-120 0-138
Width of the sternum above (straight line) . . 0-087 0-120
of the Extinct Dromseus ater. 9
D. ater, S ad. D. ater. Florence. Paris,
m. m.
Width of the sternum below (straight line) . . 0-054 0-08G
Length of the pelvis (mesial line, curve) .... 0-270 0-340
From the anterior margin of the acetabulum to
anterior iliacal crest 0-083
From the posterior margin of the acetabulum
to the extremity of the ilium 01 27
From the posterior margin of the acetabulum
to the extremity of the pubis 0'135
From the posterior margin of the acetabulum
to the extremity of the ischium 0130
Width of the pelvis across the posterior margins
of the acetabula 0-076 0092
Width of the pelvis above the acetabula .... O'OGS 0-075
Length of the femur 0-168 0-180
tibia 0-300 0-343
„ „ right fibula (point broken) .... 0-162
„ „ tarso-metatarsal 0 240 0-290
„ „ external digit (toe) 0-067 0080
„ „ median digit 0-106 0110
„ „ internal digit (right) , . . . . 0-070 0-070
Setting aside those measurements which are so apt to vary according to the manner in which they are taken, and which are therefore of little value,, Avhat strikes us at once, on looking through the comparative series, is the fact that the Florence specimen — Avliich is an adult, and I may add an old bird and a male (if what is written on almost every bone is correct, and there is no plausible reason for doubt) — is a notably smaller bird. Let us for examples take a few measurements in which only one method can be used. Thus the Florence D. ater has the femur 0168, tibia 0"300, tarso- metatarsal 0*240, the middle digit of the foot 0"106 in length ; whilst in the Paris specimen the corresponding measurements are: O'lSO, 0-343, 0290, O'llO. The only measurement in which both specimens agree is the length of the internal digit (toe) 0*070. In some instances the measurements, if correct, differ enormously; thus the length of the pelvis along the mesial curve, 0*270 in the Florence specimen, is given as 0*340 in the Paris one.
10 Mr. A. J. Campbell on a new Species of
And now I shall conclude this short contribution to the history of a highly interesting bird, which has so utterly disappeared through the ruthless agency of man, by ex- pressing the hope that we may no longer be guilty of such barbaric vandalism, and that the touching appeal written by Gould to the Australians thirty-five years ago for the preser- vation of the Larger Emeu may be attended to.
Royal Zuulogical Museum, Florence, L'Otli August, 1900.
II. — Oti a new Species of Blue Wren from Kiny Island^ Bass Strait. By A. J. Campbell (Melbourne).
There are no more popular and pleasing little birds than the beautiful Blue Wrens of Eastern Australia. The speci- mens of this form procured on King Island, Bass Strait, by the Expedition of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria (in Nov. 1887), were thought by collectors (myself included) to be Malurus gouldi. But I have since obtained a series of skins of Blue Wrens from Tasmania and thence to the Tropics, and find the King Island bird to be quite distinct. Its characteristics are that it is the largest of all, and that it has a decidedly darker shade of blue — brilliant ultramarine being the nearest colour. The tail is very dark blue, while there is also quite a wash of blue on the bufty-white under surface beneath the band of velvety black, and on the outer webs of the primaries. The female is similar to that of M. cyaneus, but much larger and slightly darker brown in colour, with a bluish tinge on the feathers of the tail.
Out of compliment to my wife, who has greatly assisted me by transcribing and correcting the draft of a work on the ' Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds,' now in the hands of a British publishing firm, I propose the name M. elizabethcE for this new variety ; but to be known in the vernacular list as the Dark Blue Wren, in contradistinction to Dr. Sharpens Silvery (Light) Blue Wren {M. cyanochlamijs), the most northern form.
The greatest favourites about our camps on King Island
Blue Wren from Kwy Island, Bass Strait. 11
were the Dark Blue Wrens, because of their thrilling little songs, and more especially on account of the beauty of the males in their rich plumage of exquisite blue set in velvety black. These l)irds did not seem at all shy, but boldly displayed their lovely little bodies, with tail erect, on the top of any convenient bush. A nest I took in tussock-grass near our main camp on the Yellow Rock rivulet is similar to those of the other species, Avhile the eggs are the largest of all those of the Maluri.
Comparative dimensions in inches of Blue Wrens (males) :
Length. Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.
M.ellzabeUM o-7o •;« 2-1 2 3-) TO
M. (jouldi (Sharpe) o'O -33 2'0o 2-3 -8
M. a/aneus (Ellis) .rO -28 2-0 2-2 -8
M. ci/anochlami/s (Sharpe) . . 4-7-5 '3 2-0 2-O.j 'To
Possibly some ornithologists will be inclined to regard these four birds as referable to one species under different environments. If so, then they will have to show cause A\hy the following should not also be united, namely : — M. dorsalis (Lewin) with M. nielaiiocephalas ( Vig, & Horsf.), M. melanotus (Gld.) with M. caUahms (Gld.), and M. lamberti (Vig. & Horsf.) with M. pulcherrimus (Gld,), becanse in these three pairs of birds the individuals have apparently been separated one from another on the base of colouring only, the shade of colouring, however, being constant within their respective geographical areas.
While touching on geographical distribution, I may mention that the western bird, M. pulcherrimus, which has not been recorded further east than Central Australia, I have found more than once in theMallee district of Victoria, where it has a black throat. This bird Gould has figured and described as having the throat and breast " intense indigo-blue," while Dr. Sharpe in the British Museum Catalogue describes these parts as "deep black." Should there really be a Malurus in South-west Australia with an indigo throat, then there is also a black-throated variety intermediate between it and M. laiuberti on the east coast, or else, as I have endeavoured to explain, M. pulcherrimus and M» lamberti are possibly synonymous.
12
Herr H. vou Ihering — Ornithological
III. — Ornithological Notes from South Brazil. By H. VON Ihering.
In the fourth volume of the ' Revista ' of the ' Museu Paulista ' lately published will be found some ornithological papers, concerning which I propose to offer a few additional notes.
The " Descripcao de Ninhos e Ovos das Aves do Brasil/' by Carlos Euler, is a revised and corrected translation of his various papers published in the ' Journal fiir Ornithologie ' from 1862 to 1868. Mr. Euler's observations are certainly amongst the best that have ever been made in Brazil on the life-habits of birds. As the original papers are without any index, and as the nomenclature used is in some cases not easy to understand, and in other cases inexact, this new and revised edition will be useful not only to Brazilian naturalists, but, I hope, to ornithologists elsewhere.
As an " Appendix " to this paper of Herr Euler I have published in the same Journal a list of all the species of birds hitherto observed in the mountainous interior of the State of Rio de Janeiro, especially at Cantagallo and Nova Friburgo. Since I published this list I have received the second part of Dr. E. Goeldi's ' As Aves do BrasiP (Rio de Janeiro, 1900). I have therefore studied this book with the intention of completing my list by adding to it the names of the species observed by Dr. Goeldi in the Colonia Alpina, Theresiopolis, and not included in my List. These are : —
Oi'tliogonys viridis {Spiir). Sperinopbila gutturalis (Licht.). Chi'TSomitris icterica {Licht.). Cassidix oryzivora (Gmel.). Cnipolegus comatus {Licht.). Pseudotriccus diops (Temm.). Phyllomj'ias burmeisteri {Cab.). Ornithion obsoletum {Temm.). Empidouomus varius ( Vieill.).
Furnarius rufus (Gm.). Lathi'iii pliuubea {Licht.). Caprimulgus ocellatus {Tsch.), Nj'ctibius jamaicensis {Gm.). Oolaptes campestris {Gm.). Picumnus temmincki (Lafr.). Ara nobilis {Linn.). Rostrliauius sociabilis ( Vieill.).
I have not accepted Arremon silens, because the bird thus termed by Goeldi seems to he A. semiturquatus (observed
Notes from South Brazil. 13
also by Euler), as is evident from the note on the yellowish colour of its lower mandible.
The number of species of birds of the interior of Rio de Janiero is raised by this addition to 385. It would be useful if European ornithologists would co-operate with me in completing these lists of the local faunas of Rio de Janeiro, S.Paulo, and Rio Grande do Sul, which I have thus attempted to set in order.
My ' Catalogo critico-comparativo dos Ninhos e Ovos das Aves do Brasil,^ published in the same volume of the ' Revista ' (pp. 191-300), is a synopsis of all that is yet known of the nidification and eggs of Brazilian birds. This is, in truth, a very difficult subject to deal with satisfactorily. All those who have taken up collecting-work in this country have been misled by the native assistants' practice of attributing eggs to birds to which they have no relation whatever. Thus the literature of this subject is full of wrong descriptions and mistakes. For example, such an egg as that of Ammodromus manimbe (Sbarpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 691) has been described several times, but always wrongly. It is evident that much further work and study, based upon special knowledge, is required to separate the good observations from the doubtful.
The above-mentioned paper is, however, not altogether a compilation, for many new observations are added to what was previously known. Among these may be especially noticed the very singular suspended nest of Thripophaga sclateri with two chambers [op. cit. p. 246, figs. 20, 21).
Since I published the paper, I have obtained some new eggs from S. Lourenco, Rio Grande do Sul. These may be described as follows : —
Ceophlceus erythrops (Val.).
The eggs are thin and transparent, of a uniform bluish- white colour, polished, and lustrous. The measurements are 30-31x24-25 mm.
Chrysotis vinacea (Vieill.).
This is an egg of 38 x 30 mm. in dimensions and of oval form. The poles are subequal, the surface is smooth, little
14 Ornithological Notefs from South Brazil.
polislied, and with some scattered deep pores. The nest from which it was taken was a hole situated very high in a colossal Murta-tree. The level of the nest was at 2 m. below the entrance, and to obtain the eggs it was necessary to make a second opening with an axe.
PlONOPSITTACUS PILEATUS (ScOp.).
This nest was also in the hollow of a tree with the aperture far above. The eggs are of rounded form, not polished, measuring 26 x 22-22* 5 mm.
It may be remarked that in the case of many of the most common and familiar Brazilian birds nothing whatever has been recorded of the nests and eggs. Therefore it may be useful to say a few words respecting the principal authorities on this little-known snbject. It is quite natural that the observations and collections that I had made myself should have formed the principal basis of my work. Of other authorities, who have themselves worked in Brazil and published numerous and exact observations, there are two in particular of the highest value — those of Euler, referring to birds of Rio de Janeiro, and those of Herbert Smith on the birds of Matto Grosso, as published by Allen. Of other recent works the most important seems to me to be the egg-catalogue of Nehrkorn. This author has, however, received manyincorrect indications, and Avhen the descriptions of material supplied to him are at variance with those of Herbert Smith I always accept the latter's information, as he himself collected the nest, eggs, and birds, and gives their exact dates and localities. Thus Nehrkorn says that the egg of Coereba cyanea is black, and Allen (quoting Smith) says that it is white, with fine reddish spots. The description of Allen is in harmony with my specimens of the eggs of Dacnis cayana and with Euler's account of those of Certhiola chlorojnjga. There can be little doubt that Nehrkorn Avas deceived in this case, as in many others also. Another series of valuable observations which I have utilized are in the publicatioJis of Dalgleish and Aplin on Argentine and Uruguayan birds, the greater number of which occur in Brazil also.
Birds' -nesting Notes from the Transvaal. 15
To these contributions on Brazilian ornithology I may add, lastly, a reference to one which I published in 1899 (" As Aves do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul ") in the ' Annuario do Estado do Rio do Sul ' para anno de 1900 (Porto Alegre, 1899). There are here admitted 363 species as occurring in this State. In vol. iv. of the ' Revista do Museu Paulista^ I have already been able to add six more species, and amongst them some of special interest, such as Dacnis cayana from Novo Hamburgo. It seems really quite doubtful whether many species exist in the State of St. Catharina which are not also represented in the northern part of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The other additions are MacropsaJis creagra, Asia accipitrinus, Falco fusco- ccerulescens from Novo Hamburgo, and Porphijr'whi mar- tinica and Gisella iheringi from S. Lourenfo.
I have also lately received from Porto Alegre examples of GaUinago gigantea.
S. Paulo, 4th June, 1900.
IV. — Birds' -nesthig Notes from the Transvaal. By Alwin C. Haagner.
On the 3rd September, 1899, while strolling along the shore of a dam in this district, I found the nest of a " Quicky " [Motacilla capensis L.). It was constructed of coarse grass and lined with feathers ; it contained one abnormally coloured egg. This was of a salmon-grey colour, without spots or markings. Proceeding from the dam to a clump of mimosa- trees {Acacia horrida), I found an unusual number of nests of the Pied Shrike {Lanius col/aris). They all contained three eggs, and were, without exception, constructed of a plant with white silvery flowers, which was just then in bloom, and were lined with twine and feathers. I also found several nests of the common Sparrow of this district {Passer arcuati(s) . The eggs of these birds are subject to an enormous amount of variation. I have taken eggs almost black in colour, owing to the profusion and darkness of the blotches,
16 Mr. A. C. Haaguer — Birds' -nesting
and others from the same nest almost white, the blotches being very light in colour and sparsely distributed. I also found in one of their nests an unknown egg, presumably that of a Cuckoo {Chrysococcyx cupreus), which is known locally as the " Diederic." The egg was smaller than that of the real owner of the nest, and of a dirty white^ blotched in the form of a ring round the obtuse end with purplish and greyish brown. These Cuckoos are known to generally deposit their eggs in the nests of Passer arcuatus ; which knowledge, and the fact of seeing and hearing the bird in the vicinity, made me think that it was the parent. These birds have a loud and very plaintive call, which may be described on paper thus — " dee-dee-dee, deederic " ! oft repeated. At the same time I found several nests of a Weaver-bird [Hyphantornis velatus), one of which contained three eggs : two of a green colour blotched with reddish and purplish brown, and one of a pinkish cream, blotched with the same colours as the green examples.
On the 15th of October I found a clutch of five eggs of a Kestrel {Tinnunculns rupicoloides) in a large deserted nest of the Secretary-bird (Serpentarius secretarius) , which was used by tlie latter birds three years ago. The nest was built in a mimosa-tree, and was constructed of stems and twigs, some of the thickness of a man's finger. The diameter of the nest across the top must have been 3 feet. In the middle, in a hollow slightly lined with hair, wool, and rags, the five pretty eggs of the Kestrel were deposited. It was a sight to gladden the heart of any ornithologist ! The birds being extremely destructive to chickens (when they get the chance), I annexed the whole clutch. The eggs were rather variable in coloration, two being of a cream-coloured ground, thickly spotted and blotched with light and dark brown, and three being of a pinkish hue, both ground-colour and blotches, although the latter were, of course, of a much darker shade. On blowing the eggs, I found that those that were pinkish were fresh, whereas the others were addled; so I conclude that the pink examples would have attained the same shades as the brown had they been in the nest long enough. I
Notes from the Transvaal. 17
may mention tliat the parent bird flew off the nest when I came up, and I had a good view of her, so that I am sure of the identity.
On the 15th September I found two eggs of a Wader (Totanus?)^ on the shore of our dam. They were about 15 yards from the water's edge, in an open spot, and were deposited in a hollow in the dry mud, wliich was heaped up a little all round, and contained a few bits of grass &c. The eggs were nearly embedded in the grass and small mud- clots, and were so admirably concealed by virtue of their wonderful " protective resemblance/^ that I had to look again for a few seconds every time I took my eyes off the spot. They were of a dark cream-colour, thickly spotted, blotched, and streaked with various shades (light and dark) of brown and slaty brown. Axis 30 mm., diameter 23 mm.
I noticed that the parent bird approached the eggs from the land side, and not from the water : it would have been much more easily detected had it come from the latter direction, whereas its approach from the former was covered by the weeds. The parent birds also possess the advantage of a wonderfully protective coloration.
On the 20th October, 1899, I shot a splendid male speci- men oi Nectarinia famosa (Lay. & Sharpe, B. S. A. p. 306) in the Transvaal, a rare bird here — at least this is the opinion of writers on South-African birds. Dr. Holub, in his ' Beitrage zur Ornithologie Siid-Afrikas,' says nothing
* [Mr. Haagner sends us the following description of the Totamis, which we are not able to determine : —
" Head and hind-neck brownish grey ; mantle and upper and lower back darker brown-grey, the feathers with a dark streak down the middle and edged with a lighter shade ; coverts brownish grey, shot with light green (this is, however, only visible in certain lights) ; secondary and median coverts tipped with white, webs also bordered with white ; the two (juter primary-coverts reddish brown ; throat, abdomen, and under tail-coverts white ; breast and fore-neck grey ; upper tail-coverts partly white, and a few reddish with black markings. Length 10|^" ; wing (measured in a straight line from base to tip and along the front edge, when stretched out) S^" ; tail 2^" ; culmeu liV". Irides carmine ; bill black ; legs dirty yellow." — Edd,]
SER. VIII. VOL. I. C
18 Mr. R. H. Ivy on the Nesting
of having met with it north of the Cape Colony. This is the second example I have seen here dnritig a residence of fonr years. The above-mentioned bird was in full and splendid dress.
On the 22nd of October my brother shot a female speci- men of the Greenshank {Tutanus canescens) still in winter plumage. They are scarce in these parts. The Bronze Cuckoo [Chnjsococcyx cnpreus) is common hereabouts (Pretoria district). On the 22nd October I shot a specimen in typical and glorious plumage. The bird was really gorgeous in its brilliant and fiery golden (and in some lights bronzy) green colour. Naked skin round eye light scarlet ; irides light carmine ; culmen and tip of lower mandible horn, remainder of lower mandible light bluish slate-colour ; legs and toe-nails brownish black.
After rather a long absence the Hoopoes (Upupa africana) have once more made their appearance in our district, and in no small numbers. On October the 22nd I shot three specimens. On the 5th August, 1899, 1 obtained a specimen of the Bakbakkiri Busk-Shrike {Laniarius gutturalis) in interesting plumage. The whole chin, throat, breast, and underparts were of a blackish-yellow colour, without the black and yellow markings on the three former regions. Iris yellowish brown ; base of lower mandible light horn- colour, rest of bill black.
Moddeifontein,
3rd April, 1900.
V. — Notes on the Nesting and other Habits of some South- African Birds. By R. H. Ivy *.
1. Lamprocolius melaxogaster (S\v.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xiii. p. 182.
This bird is not common here, and though I have seen several clutches of eggs, I myself have only once found the
* [Mr. Ivy, a resident at Grahamstown, in the Eastern Province of Cape Colony, has sent me the following notes on the habits of some of
of some South- African Birds. 19
nest, which was placed in a hole in a tree situated in a deep kloof; the eggs, two in number, were of a light sky-blue, peculiarly roughened and quite unspotted.
2. Petkonia petronella (Licht.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 297.
I have found many nests of this species in the decayed centres of the br^jjuches of the euphorbia-trees. The bird makes a small opening in the bark, and on a deposit of a few feathers and down in the hollow of the branch lays from three to four dull brown unspotted eggs. It breeds in companies, and the eggs are difficult to obtain, as the branches of the euphorbias are high up above the ground, and though heavy are brittle and rotten, so that the only way of securing the eggs is to cut ofiP the branch at the base. The eggs are very unlike those of the Common Sparrow [Passer arciiatus).
3. Emberiza flaviventris Bonn. etVieill. ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 499.
I have never found the nest of this bird in a low bush or on the ground, though I have seen many hundreds of them. Those I have seen have usually been placed on the outer branches of an acacia-tree, from 6 to 10 feet above the ground. The nest is cup- shaped, about 2^ inches across, and is composed of fine twigs and roots, and lined with finer material of the same description. The eggs, four or five in number, are never merely spotted, but are scrolled round the obtuse end with purplish brown on a white ground.
4. CiNNYRis vERREAUxi Smith; Gad. Cat. B. ix. p. 75. This bird, like C. chalybeus, was very rare here until about
the year 1895, when both became plentiful, and still remain so. In this district it always builds in a place such as no other Sun-bird would select, either in dense shade under
the birds observed by him in the neighbourhood of that town. His observations on the Cuckoos and Honey-guides seem to me particularly interesting, and to be well worth recording, as so little is known of these birds in South Africa. — W. L. Sclateb.]
c 2
t-
20 Mr. R. H. Ivy on the Nesting
heavy bush or sometimes on the side of a krantz or precipice, suspending the nest from a runner or creeper. The fabric is unmistakable at first sight, being more like that of a spider on a large scale than anything else. The inside and central portion, with the sheltering porch, are neat and compact, while it is lined with down-feathers and other fine materials ; but around the whole, and often hanging down in a dangling manner for some inches below, is a loose mass of dead leaves and twigs, all interwoven with cobweb. In fact, though the nest be quite new, it often looks like some weather-worn cobweb-structure. The eggs are stated by Stark to be two in number, and mottled and spotted ; but according to my experience they are from three to five in number, and of a rich coffee-brown, without markings of any sort. There must be an error somewhere.
5. Upupa africana Bechst. ; Salv. Cat. B. xvi. p. 14. This Hoopoe nests in hollow trees, also in ant-heaps. The
eggs, four or five in number, are of a creamy fawn-colour. The nesting-season is from October to January.
6. Irrisor viridis (Licht.) ; Salv. Cat. B. xvi. p. 17.
I have found this bird nesting in the deserted hole of a Woodpecker in a " yellow-wood '^ tree [Podocmyus), also in euphorbias, in November and December. The eggs are three in number and blue in colour. The bill of the young is much shorter than that of the adult.
On another occasion, at Fish-River Randt, in December 1894, I found this bird making use of a deserted nest of Parus afer in a hole in the trunk of a sanga (Cusconia) . On felling the tree we found three eggs, but only one not broken.
7. Indicator sparrmanni Steph. Indicator indicator Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 5.
On the 4th of November, 1894, I saw one of these birds leave a nest of Hirundo albigularis. An examination showed that the nest contained two small white eggs of the Swallow and one large oval egg of the Honey-guide.
of some South-African Birds. 21
8. Indicator major Steph. ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 6. In November 1891^ at Blue Krantz, in the Uitenhage
division, I noticed one of these Honey-guides being chased by two Drongos, the nest of which we saw on the top of a high euphorbia. We could distinctly make out the trans- parent egg of the Honey-guide along with the more opaque- M'hite eggs of the Drongo, of Avhich there were three.
9. Indicator variegatus Less. ; Shelley, Cat, B. xix. p. 7. In February 1895 I was encamped on the Zwart-kop
river^ near Springfield, in the Uitenhage district. Here every day one of these birds came up close to our camp, and on six occasions led us to the nests of wild bees among the trees and neighbouring rocks. The Honey-guide would perch ou some tree and commence calling " cha-cha-cha," to attract our attention. We followed its lead, talking to the bird all the while, as I was assured by my companions that unless we " kept up the conversation " the bird Avould leave us : so we answered in such terms as " Pretty Jennie,'^ " Good bird,^^ or '' Here we are.'" When we got to the vicinity of the nest, the bird would not go close, but kept a little distance off, leaving us to search for the exact spot, which was easily found by watching the passing bees *.
10. Indicator minor Steph. ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 9.
I have often watched this bird killing bees at a hive, but have never known it lead any one to a nest of wild bees. At Blue Krautz, in October 1898, I was nesting up a gorge, and heard some strange noises in the dense bush overhead. I therefore lay in the shade to watch, thinking it was some small mammal fighting. After some time I saw a Honey- guide fly to a hole in the trunk of a tree and endeaA^our to enter. It was, however, opposed by a male Barbet [Melano- lucco torquatus) , which was shortly afterwards joined by the female, and the Honey-guide was very soon hustled out, and flew off across the gully, closely followed by the female Barbet, chattering and fighting all the while.
In about five minutes the Honey-guide reappeared, and
* [On this subject see the letter in ' The Ibis/ 1900, p. 691.— Edd.]
22 Mr. R. H. Ivy on the Nesting
the same scene took place^ and this continued for about an hour. We theu shot all three birds with one charge. The Honey-guide fell at our feet, and had an egg protruding from the vent, being covered with skin, probably an evagi- nated portion of the lower part o£ the oviduct. Fortunately the egg was unbroken ; it was very transparent and the yolk showed through. In the nest itself were two of the usual white eggs of the Barbet, quite fresh.
11. Melanobucco torquatus (Dumont) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 24.
In November 1893 I saw a pair of these birds boring away at a decayed Avillow-tree overhanging a stream. Beneath the tree, lying on some damp sand, were four eggs of the same bird, quite fresh and obviously just deposited.
12. Tkichol.ema leucomelas (Bodd.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 31.
1 found a breeding-place of this bird at Walmer, near Port Elizabeth, in November 1892. It was in an old tree-trunk, and was somewhat like that of Melanobucco torquatus, being merely a hole about 1^ inch in diameter, running about 2 inches inwards, and then downwards about 6 inches. At the bottom were four white eggs, resting merely on some fragments of rotten wood.
13. CoccYSTES glandarius (Linn.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 212 ^.
Mr. B. Campbell, of Rocklands, Fish River, brought me, in December 1892, two eggs of this bird. They were of a pale dull blue, with small blackish spots ; they had been found in a nest of the Black Crow [Corvus capensis), along
* [This Cuckoo breeds also in Southern Spain and Northern and North- eastern Africa, where it usually selects a Magpie or Crow's nest to deposit its eggs. The breeding-season in this case is in April or May. It is very remarkable, therefore, to find the same bird in South Africa breeding in December. Do our southern birds migrate as far as the northern breeding- area, and again lay eggs in the spring of the northern hemisphere ? or do they only go as far as Central Africa in April, spending our winter-season there and returning south to breed in our southern spring? — W. L. S.]
of some South- African Birds. 23
Avith three of the typical pink-cream speckled eggs of that bird.
In the same month of the same year I found a nest of the Red-winged Starling {Amydrus morio) placed on a ledge on the face of a krandah, 12 feet from the ground. The nest, which was cup-shaped, and made of fibres and roots, supported on a mud base, contained a young Great Spotted Cuckoo. I kept this bird in a large well-lighted room, feeding it on larvae and chopped meat. It developed its feathers and began to fly about two weeks after I found it. It resembled the adult bird, except that the grey of the back was much darker and the buff of the chest more intense. The bird became very tame, flying to my shoulder on my calling to it, and often taking journeys outside my room. In April it became very restless, dashing against the walls and windows, and finally died about the middle of the month.
I have seen a pair of old birds of this species with five young all flying together late in February. 1 believe that the old birds collect their broods previously to migrating.
14. CoccYSTEs jACOBiNUs (Bodd.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 217.
This bird was seen by Mr. F. Pym to leave the nest of a Bulbul [Pycnonoius tricolor) in the Belmont valley, near Grahamstown. On examination the nest was found to con- tain one Cuckoo's egg (white) and two of the BulbuFs (spotted with pinky red). In November 1894 I found a nest of Andropadus importunus, containing two of the usual eggs (white with brown and purple marbling) in addition to five large Cuckoo's eggs. These all together more than filled the small cup-shaped nest, the rightful occupants of which were flitting about in an excited state. Close by three Cuckoos [Coccystes jacobinus, Coccystes serratus, and Cuculus clamosus) were observed, and from the diflPerent sizes and shapes of the eggs I believe that all these thiee Cuckoos had utilized the one tiny nest.
On another occasion I found an egg of this bird in the
24 Mr. R. H. Ivy on the Nesting
nest of Campophaga liartlaubi, together with a young bird belonging to the host. The egg turned out to be addled ; but that it did belong to this Cuckoo was evidenced by the fact that a Coccystes jacobinus had been seen to visit the nest.
15. Coccystes serratus (Sparrm.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 223.
In December 1897 1 saw one of these birds leave the nest of a Coly {Colius erythromelon). The nest contained three eggs of the host (white with a few pinky scratches), together Avith one egg of the Cuckoo (pure white) .
16. CucuLus soLiTARius Stcpli. ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 258.
In November 1896 I found an egg of this Cuckoo in the nest of a "Cape Robin" [Cossi/pha caffra), together with two eggs of the latter bird.
In the same month I found a young Cuckoo of this species in the nest of a Rock-Thrush [Monticola mpestris) (see fig. 2, p. 25). The nest, which was placed on a ledge of a krantz or cliff, had been extended on either side with a packing of loose moss, so as to prevent the young Cuckoo from upsetting it. One broken egg of the Rock-Thrush lay on the ground below the nest. We waited an hour for the foster-parents, who had flown off on our first approach, to return, but they did not do so, although an adult Cuckoo (C. solitarius) flew past.
In December 1897 I saw a pair of Caj^e Robins [Cossypha caffra) flying in attendance on a young Cuculus sulitarius ; they were much more demonstrative than is their usual habit with their own young. Tiie two flew before us for over a mile along a water-cut, M'hile the old Cuckoo kept calling out.
On November the 9th, 1897, I found a nest of Cossyp/ia caffra in a neighbouring garden, containing two of the usual pmky-cream eggs, one of which had been deposited only that morning. This nest Avas only about six inches distant from another, where presumably the same parents had hatched a brood in September. On revisiting the nest next day I
of some Sunth- African Birds.
25
H
aq
o
^
3
3?'
26 j\rr. R. 11. Tvy on the Xest'nu/
found, in addition to the Robin's eggs, which were quite fresh, an egg of Cuculus solitarius, partly incubated.
In December 1898 I found another nest of Monticola riipestris containing two eggs of the Rock-Thrush and one of Cuculus solitarius.
In November 1899 I found a single egg of Cuculus soli- tarius in a nest of the So"'th-African Stone-Chat [Pratincola torquuta), situated in tlie wall of an ohl kraal close to Grahamstown ; there were three eggs of the Stone-Chat in the nest.
17. Cuculus clamosus Lath. ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 260. In December 1891 I watched one of these birds for several
hours, and finally saw her fly into a thorn-bush close to a picnic party. On going to the bush I found a nest of Dendropadus importunus containing two eggs with the usual markings of grey and brown, together with a single large white Cuckoo^'s egg, sliglitly incubated, while the others were fresh. I have noticed that both this and the former species {Cuculus solitarius) seem to return to the same neighbourhood every year.
18. Chrysococcyx smaragdineus (Sw.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 280.
This bird is not common in the eastern portion of the Cape Colony ; during twenty years' observation I have only seen two, a male near Grahamstown and a female in the Uitenhage division.
19. Chrysococcyx cupreus (Bodd.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 285.
The Didric Cuckoo is plentiful in the Fish-River district to the north of Grahamstown, and I have obtained speci- mens there all through the winter. In December 1890 also, while encamped on the Modder River near Bloemfontein, I found this bird very plentiful and easily to be recognized by its plaintive cry. After a long search I observed that one Cuckoo frequented a small acacia-bush, from which it repeatedly called " di-di-dideric,'' and on passing the bush just before leaving the district I noticed a Red -vented Fly-
of some Souih-African Birds. Fiff. 3.
27
Nest and eggs of Centropus 7iatalensis, (From a pliotogTaph.)
28 On tlie Neslimj of some SoiitJi- African Birds.
catclier {Parisuma subcceruleum) cliattering iu au excited state, which suggested that au Owl or a snake was close by. An examination at once revealed the presence not only ot* a puff-adder (which was quickly dispatched), but also of a nest, about 3 feet from the ground, containing three eggs — two white, with faint grey blotches, of the usual type of Parisoma ; the third larger and white, and showing the yolk through the transparent shell. This, I have little doubt, is the egg of the Didric Cuckoo, and although the identi- fication is not absolute, it is nearly as good as one can expect for a Cuckoo's egg.
20. Chrysococcyx klaasi (Steph.) ; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 283.
This is one of the commonest Cuckoos in the Albany division. On November the 9th, 1892, 1 noticed one of these birds flitting about some low bush in the Belmont valley near Grahamstown, and, contrary to its usually shy nature, perching Avithin a few feet of our heads. We searched the vicinity thoroughly, and found several nests, but could not discover the egg of the Cuckoo, although we were certain it was close by. Later in the evening Mr. Pym, my companion, found a nest of the Malachite Kingfisher [Corythornis cyano- stigma) in the bank of a stream, just below where the Cuckoo was calling; it contained six small round eggs of the usual Kingfisher-type, and one longer egg, beautifully transparent, showing the yolk through the shell. On blowing this egg Ave found that the yolk was of a much deeper shade of orange than that of the Kingfisher.
21. Centropus natalensis Shelley; Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 362.
This bird is not parasitic, but builds a nest in a thick hush. One I found near Belmont, in NoA^ember 1894, was placed on a platform of dried stems of Aveeds and over- shadoAved by a wild vine; it contained five white eggs (see fig. 3, p. 27).
On the Specific Validity of Ploceus megarliynchus. 29
VI. — On the Specific Validity 0/ Ploceus megarhynchus Hume.
By F. Finn, Deputy Superintendent, Indian Museum,
Calcutta.
(Plate I.) The large Indian Weaver- bird described by A. O. Hume as Ploceus megarhynchus has been united by Dr. R. B. Sharpe in the ' Catalogue of Birds/ and by Mr. E. W. Gates in the 'Fauna of British India/ with the eastern form of the Baya Weaver-bird, although this appellation was bestowed by Mr. Hume on what he considered to be a distinct species. Mr. Hume^s types, obtained from Kaladoongi, below Naini Tal, are in the British Museum, and a recent examination of these specimens has fully confirmed me in the view that I previously held o£ the specific distinctness of Ploceus megarhynchus and P, baya.
In July 1899 I exhibited to the Asiatic Society two living specimens of a large Weaver which I had recently obtained for the Indian Museum from our well-known Calcutta dealer in animals, Mr. W. Rutledge, of Entally. To these birds, considering them to represent an undescribed form of Ploceus, I gave the name of Ploceus rutledgii, and briefly diagnosed the species as similar to the male of P. baya in breeding- plumage, but easily distinguishable by the larger size and the entirely yellow under surface {' Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal,' July 1899, p. 77). As one of the birds was more stoutly built than the other, and was constantly singing and weaving grass into the wire of the cage, I thought that the two specimens were possibly a pair, the more so as some of the Weavers show very little sexual difl'erence in plumage. As time went on, however, the birds (which, according to Mr. Rutledge's stipulation, I had kept alive) began to change into undress plumage, and in this dress much resembled the corresponding phase of our common Weaver of this district, which, in the British Museum Catalogue, is called P. atrigula. Their colour was, however, darker and more uniform, and closely corresponded with that of Mr. Hume's bird. I had noticed that their great size was a point of resemblance to P. megarhyyichus, and the
30 "Mv. r. Finn on the Specific
assumption of a similar plumage left in my mind no doubt as to their identity. To that little-known form I accordingly referred them in a paper entitled " Notes on Plocelda," published in the ' Journal of the Asiatic Society ' (vol. Ixviii. pt. ii. 1899). Therein I gave a fuller description of the summer plumage, which the birds had then assumed, taken from them when in full colour, which I quote below : —
" General colour bright yellow (brightest on head and dull and impure on rump), with the following exceptions : — lores, round the eye below, and ear-coverts dark brown ; a dull- black patch on each side of the breast before the shoulder ; nape and hind neck dull blackish brown ; upper back, wings, and tail blackish brown, each feather edged, entirely or externally, with light brown, on the uppermost part of the back with yellow ; under wing-coverts dirty white.
" Iris bright light brown ; bill black, fleshy white at base ; feet dark brownish fleshy, claws blackish horny. ^'
1 had a coloured drawing (Plate I. fig. A) of the finer bird made by one of the museum artists, A. C. Chowdhary, and took its measurements as well as I could. The length was about 6^ inches, bill from gape about 08, wing about 3^ tail about 2\, and tarsus about 0'95.
The same bird, when out of summer plumage, had its portrait again taken (Plate I. fig. B). Both specimens survived the winter, and in due course reassumed their yellow garb, without the slightest alteration from that which they had worn when I first saw them ; so that we may, I think, fairly conclude that captivity had not affected them in any way, and that the plumage is normal and definitely characteristic of the breeding male of the species. I am now quite convinced that both birds are males, as the second specimen has been singing and otherwise comporting itself in a more masculine manner than it did at first.
On visiting the British Museum, when in London last August, I was, by the kindness of Mr. W. R. Ogilvie Grant, enabled to inspect the series of Ploeeus atrigula, and found that I could easily pick out therefrom the types of Mr. Hume's P. megarhynchus, so closely did their plumage correspond
Validity of Ploceus megarhynclnis. 31
with that which I had seen assumed by the living birds above mentioned when in undress. Mr. Rutledge had obtained these from Naini Tal, though no doubt they had not been captured there, but, lilce the types of P. merjarhynchus, at a much lower elevation. The deadly nature of the climate of the Terai at the season when these birds are in full feather will, no doul)t, account for the fact that the breeding-plumage has been hitherto unknown, since the species of Ploceus, at any rate when breeding, are very conspicuous wherever they occur.
Jt is possible, however, that this particular form is really rare, for the native from whom Mr. Rutledge procured the birds last year did not succeed in getting any to bring down to Calcutta this season. Mr. Rutledge had, moreover, never seen the bird before he received the two specimens which he sold the Museum, and his experience as a dealer in animals extends over forty years. This fact seems to dispose of the suggestion, which has been made to me by an eminent ornithologist, that the bird might possibly have been im- ported. Moreover, the present bird does not at all agree with the description of any African species, while in its winter plumage, as has been already said, it corresponds very closely with Hume's types of Ploceus megarhynchus, which it also resembles in size, as may be judged from the measurements above given.
It seems to me, therefore, obvious that JMr. Hume's P. megarhynchus is a good and valid species, easily dis- tinguishable from all other Indian forms of Ploceus by the large preponderance of yellow in its coloration when in summer plumage, and to a less extent by its more uniformly stinted winter dress. Its large size is a less important cha- racter, as in this respect it is almost, if not quite, equalled by some specimens of the buff-breasted form which in the British Museum Catalogue is called P. atrigula. The appli- cation of the name P. megarhynchus to the latter bird by Mr. E. W. Gates in the 'Fauna of British India' is thus shown to be a mistake, and the question that now remains to be solved is the exact range of the large yellow species,
32 On the Specific VaUdily of Ploccus megarhynclius.
P. megarhynckm, for it can hardly be supposed to be con- fined to the Terai region below Naini Tal.
I append the synonymy and diagnosis of the species : —
Ploceus megarhynchus. (Plate I.)
Ploceus megarhynchus Hume, Ibis, 1869, p. 357; 1871, pp. 36, 37 : id. Stray Feathers, iii. 1875, pp. 153, 406, 407; vi. 1878, p. 400; viii. 1879, p. 106.
Ploceus atrigida Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. vol. xiii. (1890) p. 491 (part.).
Ploceus megarhynchus Oates, Faun. Brit. Ind., Birds, vol. ii. (1890) p. 177 (part.).
Ploceus rutledgii Finn, Proc. A. S. B., July 1899, p. 77. Ploceus megarhynchus Finn, J. A. S. B. Ixviii. pt. ii. pp. 250-252 (1899).
Mas in vestitu (estiva. Maxima ex parte corporis flavus; sed alis cautlaque fuscis fulvo marginatis; necnon nucha atque macula pectorali utriuque sordide nigris ; capitis lateribus fusco lavatis maculam forraantibus : i^ostro nigro, ad basin carneo-albo ; iridibus castaneis ; pedibus obscure carneis. Mas in vestitu hieniali. Brunneus, supra sparsim fusco- striatus ; alis caudaque fusois fulvo marginatis ; gula pallidiore, abdomine cum crisso albo : rostro carneo- albo, culmine cum apice nigro. Long. circ. 6*5 poll.; rostrum a rictu 0"8 ; ala a carpo 3; Cauda circ. 2 ; tarsus circ. 0 9. Obs. Similis P. bnyce atque P. atrigulce, sed in vestitu sestivo colore flavo in totum corpus infra extenso, et plerumque statura majore facillime distinguendus; in vestitu hiemali magnis P. utriguloi exemplis persimilis, sed colore obscuriore, atque minus striato dignoscendus.
Habitat in saltibus subhiraalayanis infra oppidum " Naini Tal '' dictum.
EXPLAXATIO^' OF PLATE I.
Ploceus megarhynchus.
Fig. A. Male in summer plumage.
B. The same bird in undre«s phmiage. Both figures are taken from sketches made at Calcutta, from the li^■ing bird, by A. C. Chowdhary.
Wibus
■:-";ie
li-l t^
£ %
tr„.S*L.f-..,.*
f- fC T ^
32 Oa ^rr P.
nf I'ioccits megarliynchus.
!ly he supposed to be con- . ..aiiii Tal, d diagnosis of the species : —
opiate T.)
M. 357; 1871,
,-.". inn, 1,07,
■'i.t ui.rty \ ■,
lies, Fann T?rif voi. li. (18y(); p. 177 (part.).
Ptoceus rutledgii Finn, Proc. A. o. j).j ,iu\\ xh.-v, p, 7/. Vloceus megarliynchus Finn, J. A. S. B. Ixviii. pt. ii. pp. 250-252 (1899).
Mas in vestitu ^■r --mih, sed
alis cf'via-: .:ion nucha
af'. sorduiti iiix*'i'^ ; (^'^pitis
■,^ •! ibrmantilrss ; >-'\-:vo
iridibuseasti
Mm
l/ci ■
tbdomlne cum cris.s
^ ;^r;o- V 1 Ui:u'^i,;;ai.i> i guia
albo, cuimme cum apice nigro. L<.'ng. circ. 6*5 poll.; rostrum a i'^
Cauda circ. 2; tar.sus circ. 0 '. Ods. Similis P. hmjce atque P. atn/iUlie, ^:il ra vcitiiu asstivo colore flavo in totum corpus infra* ( xtf-r^o. et pleramque slatura raajore facillime distinguend estiiu hiemali
magr.is P. atriguloi exemplis persimilis, i.td colore obscuriore, atque raious striato dignoscendus.
Habiiai in saltibus subhiraalayanis infra oppidurn "Naiiii TaP' dictum.
3^XI LaNATIOK of P;
Ploceus megar^'
J. ;j^. A. >ialc Jli j.uiu:irl- pluUiage.
B, The same bird in undies.s plumage. Both figures are iaken from sketches made ai liucutts, trow, ilia li\ing bird, by A. C. Chowdhary.
ILis,1901.Pl.l
Min-temBros irap.
J.Snut del etlitK,
PLOCEUS MEGARHYNCHUS. I'uj.A.Malp, u^ sammer plumafie. Fig. B. The same hifd irv u/idress plvma/jQ.
On Birds obtained in British East Africa. 33
VII. — List of Birds obtained in British East Africa. By F. J. Jackson, C.B., F.Z.S.— Part 11.^ With Notes by R. BowDLER Sharpe, LL.D. &c.
(Plates II. & III.)
[In this paper Mr. Jackson continues the account of his collection down to the end of the Passeres. The number of purely West-African species which occur in the interior of British East Africa is a very interesting fact, though Mr. Oscar Neumanu''s expedition had already made us acquainted with the presence of many of them. — R. B. S.]
Fam. LaniidtE.
128. Lanius minor.
Lanius minor Gm. ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 157 (189^) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 52 (1896).
No. 106. c? • Ndeva, Teita, April 4, 1898.
This Shrike was very plentiful in pairs, along with L. col- lurio and L. caudatus.
No. 68. S ad. Kedong Valley, April 17, 1896. Iris brown ; bill and feet black. Not noticed here in January, but now evidently migrating north along with L. cullurio. Large numbers seen all along the road from Kikuyu to the Ravine.
No. 82. ? ad. Swamps east of the Ravine, April 26, 1896.
No. 968. c? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 12, 1898. Iris brown ; bill black ; feet slaty black. Migrating north. Only a few seen about.
129. Lanius excubitorius,
Lanius excubitorius (Prev. et Des Murs) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 597 (Turquel) ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 39 (Mengo ; Bukorae) ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. i. p. 156 (1894); O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 263.
Fiscus excubitorius Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 52 (1896).
a. ? ad. Ntebi, June 7, 1895. Iris crimson-brown ; bill black ; feet slate-colour, scaly.
* See ' Ibis,' 1899, pp. 687-640.
SER. VIII. VOL. I. D
31 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
Nos. 255, 256. ^ ? . Elgeyu, 3700 feet, Aug. 14, 1896. Iris brown; bill and feet black. Plentiful at Njeraps.
[The sexes seem to be exactly alike in colour and markings. — R. B. S.]
130. Lanius humeralis.
Lanius humeralis Stanl. ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 597 ; Reiclien. J. f. O. 1892, p. 39 (Bukoba) ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 157 (1891); Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1895, p. 476 (Tuago) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 149 ; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1900, p. 606.
Fiscus cvllaris Shelley, B, Africa, i. p. 51, partim (1896).
Lanius collaris huniei'alis O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 264.
No. 49. ? ad. Ravine, Mau, March 23, 1896. Iris brown ; bill black ; feet dull slate. Very plentiful at the Ravine in the shambas, where they can command a good view of their surroundings from some bare branch.
Nos. 106, 115. S ad. Ravine, June 20, 23, 1896.
No. 187. S juv. Ravine, July 21, 1896. Iris brown ; bill black, with gape yellow ; feet slaty black.
No. 232. S juv. Mount Elgon, 5000 feet, Aug. 10, 1899. Iris brown ; bill dull brownish black, with lower mandible bluish flesh-colour; feet pale horn-blue.
No. 436. ? juv. Ravine, Dec. 11, 1896. Bill brownish black ; feet black.
No. 575. ? ad. Ravine, March 29, 1897. Very plentiful, building in a small tree nine feet from the ground. Three eggs. Shot on leaving nest.
Nos. 669, c? ad. ; 670, ? juv. Ravine, July 18, 1897.
No. 919. c? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, March 25, 1898.
No. 1149. S juv. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 25, 1898. Iris brown; bill brownish black, lower mandible horn-blue; feet horn-blue.
131. Lanius mackinnoni.
Lanius mackinnoni Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, pp. 444, 596, pi. xiii. (Bugemaia) ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 40 (Bukoba) ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 157 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 52 (1896).
ohlaiaed in British East Africa. 35
No. 155. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July Q>, 1896. Iris brown ; bill and feet black.
No. 164. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 7, 1896. This bird has a patch of russet-brown under the wings, not observable when they are closed.
No. 994. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 15, 1898. Iris brown ; bill and feet brown.
No. 1238. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 26, 1898. Iris brown; bill and feet black.
[By some mistake the typical specimen described by me in 'The Ibis ' for 1891 (p. 596) was recorded as an adult/em«/e. This was a misprint for " male,^^ and it will be seen that the only bird then known was a male.
Mr. Jackson now sends the female, whicii is like the male, but differs in one noteworthy respect, in that it has a chestnut patch on the flanks, as in the species of Fiscus. Wing 3'5 inches. This character and its white-tipped tail-feathers suggest that it may more reasonably be placed in the latter sub-genus than in Lanius, and in this case its name would be Fiscus mackinnoni. — R. B. S.]
132. Lanius collurio.
Lanius collurio Linn.; Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 595; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 457 (1894) ; Hinde, Ibis, 1898, p. 580 (Machako's) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 265.
Enneoctonus collurio Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 53 (1896).
Nos. 104, 105. c? ? . Ndeva, Teita, April 7, 1892. Bill black at tip, horn-blue at base ; feet dark slate-colour ; iris brown.
This bird was very plentiful in Teita in April 1892, when it was doubtless on its way north to its breeding-grounds. It was also very abundant at Machako's, some 200 miles further north, in April 1889. As I noticed a great number of pairs, I was inclined to think that certain individuals were remaining to breed, especially as the country was interspersed with thick thorn-bushes and well adapted for the purpose.
[I think that it is unlikely that L. collurio would breed in East Africa. The birds were probably only on their north-
o2
36 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
ward migration. The specimens are in lovely plumage. — R.B.S.]
No. 422. Juv. Ravine, Mau, Nov. 20, 1896. Iris brown ; bill fleshy- white horn-colour, with dusky tip; feet dusky horn-blue. The first seen since the beginning of May. These birds are evidently on their way south.
133. Lanius caudatus.
Lanius caudatus Cab. ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 156 (1894); O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 264.
Fiscus caudatus Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 52 (1896).
No. 107. S' Ndeva, Teita, April 7, 1893.
This Shrike is very common along the coast, west to Kili- manjaro, and north to Machako^s. Although I have many times found its nest with young, I have never seen the egg. It appears to breed any time from April to September. The nest is not unlike that of the Common Blackbird, and is generally found in a thick thorn-bush from 5 to 10 feet from the ground.
134. Dryoscopus funebris.
Dryoscopus funebris (Hartl.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 598 (Nroni) ; Reichenow, J. £. O. 1892, p. 38 ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 162 (1894); Sharpe, P. Z. S. 3895, p. 478 (Sillul) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 54 (1896); Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 147.
Laniarius funebris O. Neum. J. f. O. 1899, p. 409; id. op. cit. 1900, p. 271.
a. Ad. Kinani.
No. 71. S ad. Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 31, 1892.
This is another bird which is confined to the very dense bush, and, though rarely seen, is decidedly plentiful. It has a peculiar soft musical call, which, though difficult to describe, when once heard cannot be mistaken.
135. Dryoscopus suahelicus.
Dryoscopus cubla (Shaw) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 164 (1894).
Dryoscopus cubla suahelicus O. Neum. J. £. 0. 1899, p. 414; id. op. cit. 1900, p. 271.
obtained in British East Africa. 37
No. 63. cJ ad. Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 18, 1892. Iris crimson ; feet horn-blue ; bill black.
136. Dryoscopus major.
Laniarius major Hartl. Beitr. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 51, pi. 5 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 54 (1896).
Dryoscopus albifasciatus Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 598 (Mt. Elgon).
Dryoscopus major (Hartl.) ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 38 (Bukoba) ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 163(1894: Usegua N'guru) .
Laniarius cethiopicus major O. Neum, J. f. O. 1899, p. 406 ; op. cit. 1900, p. 270.
No. 44. S ad. Ntebi, Oct. 2, 1895.
Nos. 92, 93. S ? ad. Ravine, June 17, 1896. Iris dull crimson ; bill black ; feet horn-blue.
Nos. 161, 162. (^ $ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 8, 1896. For the most part in pairs in thick bush.
No. 216. (^ ad. Nandi, 8700 feet, Aug. 3, 1896. Bill black, base horn-blue.
Nos. 319, 320. c? ad. Kamassia, 6000 feet, Aug. 23, 1896.
No. 402. ? ad. Ravine, Oct. 8, 1896.
No. 555. c? ad. Ravine, March 25, 1897. Plentiful and always in pairs. In thick bush.
No. 656. ? ad. Ravine, July 16, 1897.
No. 880. (? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, Feb. 17, 1898.
No. 944. cJ ad. Kakamega, Ichuku river, April 7, 1898.
No. 1080. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 7, 1898.
This fine Shrike is almost invariably found, in pairs, and either in or on the outskirts of thick bush. Its cry may be heard throughout the day in the localities it frequents, but can scarcely be considered a call-note in the true sense of the word, as the two birds are nearly always quite close together when they give utterance to it. It has a beautiful bell-like note. The cock bird repeats it three times, the hen only once. I have several times watched them in the act of calling.
No. 1081. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 7, 1898.
38 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
No. 1215. S ad. Naudi, 6500 feet, June \7 , 1898.
No. 126-1. S ad. „ „ July 3, 1898. Iris
brown; bill dull slaty black; feet briolit liorn-blue. Evidently a bird of the year, batched probably in March or April.
137. Dhyoscopus pringlii.
Dryoscopus pringlei Jackson, Bull. B. O. C. iii. p. iii (1893) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 55 (1896) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1899, p. 416.
No. 5. c^ juv. Mauungu Wilderness, Dec. 29, 1891.
No. 91. (J ad. Between River Tsavo and Kufuraika, April 5, 1892. Iris crimson ; bill black, base of lower mandible horn-blue; feet horn-blue.
Both these birds were shot in the thick thorny wilderness so common in East Africa. D. salinns and D. cubla are more confined to the thick evergreen forests and are very partial to mango and other big trees. D. pringlii is such a small species that it cannot w^ell be confounded with either D. gamhensis or D. cubla.
[Although the character given by Mr. Jackson as to this species being very like 1). gambensis but much smaller does not suggest that the two birds are very distinct, yet, on comparison, they will be found to be so, and the female bird is quite different from the hen of D. gambensis. It is uniform light ashy brown above, with whitish edgings to the "wing-coverts and quills ; the lores are whitish, the ear- coverts ashy brown ; cheeks and throat white, as also the abdomen ; the fore-neck, breast, and sides of the body washed with light ochreous ; thighs ashy brown; under tail-coverts and under wing-coverts white. Total length 5'6 inches, culmen 0'65, wing 2*6, tail 23, tarsus 0-8.
The specimen here described was obtained by Mr. F. Gillett on the Webi Shebeli Biver on the 5th of September, 1894', and is, I believe, the only female known. I should not be surprised to find that 1). pringlii is the same as Hartlaub^s J), hamatus from Somali-laud (P. Z. S. 1863, p. 106), which has never been rediscovered since Speke procured the first specimen at Kazeh. — R. B. S.]
|
No. |
201. c? ad, |
|
No. |
666. S ad |
|
No. |
667. 2 ad |
obtained in British East Africa. 39
138. DllYOSCOPUS NYANZ.^.
Dryoscopus, sp. incogii., Sliarpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 598.
Dryoscopus malzacii nyansa O. Neumann, J. f. O. 1899, p. 412; op. cit. 1900, p. 272.
Dryoscopus gambensis (nee Licht.) ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 37.
a. ($ ad. Ntebi, May 4, 1895.
No. 40. ? ad. Ntebi, Oct. 1, 1895.
b. ^ ad. Busoga, Nov. 15, 1894.. Iris orange; bill black; feet horn-blue.
No. 192. ? juv. Ravine, July 23, 1896. Ravine, July 25, 1896. Ravine, July 18, 1897. Ravine, July 18, 1897. Bill black ; lower mandible horn-blue; feet slate-colour; iris crimson- orange.
No. 695. c? ad. Ravine, July 25, 1897. Feet greenish slate.
No. 699. ? ad. Ravine, July 27, 1897.
No. 1240. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 26, 1898. Iris bright orange, fading into yellow round the pupil. Scarce.
No. 1262. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 3, 1898. Stomach contained beetles, for which the bird hunts in the thick foliage of trees.
[As Mr. Oscar Neumann points out, while the males of D. gambensis can scarcely be distinguished in the various parts of Africa in which they occur, there are very decided differences in the female birds. Thus the forms must be determined on the females alone, and in this connection we find that they can be separated into two sections distinguished by the colour of the head — D. gambensis and D. congicus having a grey head and a grey or light brown back, while D. malzacii, D. nyanza, and D. eryfhrea all have brown backs and blackish-brown heads very slightly darker than the mantle; the three last-named species also have decidedly smaller bills. The bird which I call D. congicus is from Ste. Antoine and Conde on the Lower Congo (specimen m of Gadow^s Cat. B. viii. p. 147). The Conde specimen is in
40 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
the Shelley Collection, and Mr. Neumann thinks that both will turn out to be females of D. angolensis. This cannot, however, be the case, for they have black legs. The heads are dull slaty grey, contrasting with the brownish colour of the back, from which the lower back and rump scarcely differ. The chief distinction, however, lies in the deep cinnamon-colour of the under surface, the wing-coverts and quills being also edged with cinnamon. The black mantle of the male generally shows some traces of brownish edges to the feathers. D. gambensis is also a large-billed form, the female being light ashy brown above, \vith the head scarcely greyer; the edges to the wing-coverts and the tint of the under surface are both very pale cinnamon, quite different from the rich colour of D. congicus. The male of D. gambensis seems always to have the mantle glossy blue- black like the head.
D. malzacii is very like D. gambensis, but certainly has a smaller bill, and the female is brown above with a darker brown or blackish head.
D. erythrecE of Neumann belongs also to the small-billed group, but has a decidedly darker female with a blacker head and the under surface of a deeper ochreous tint. To this race I believe all Lord Lovat's specimens belong [cf. Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 147), but Esler^s collections from Bogos-land apparently comprise examples of both D. erythrece and D. malzacii. I notice also that Lord Lovat's birds were collected in February, whereas the others (D. malzacii) were obtained in July. They are decidedly paler underneath, and appear to me to be in worn plumage, which may account for the lighter brown of the upper surface, and I doubt very much if these two races can be separated.
In D. nyanzce, which is the third small-billed form, the female is of a rich colour below, deep ochreous like the hen of D. gambensis, but not so cinnamon as D. congicus. The back of the male generally shows a wash of brown on the mantle. Two males from Ntebi and Busoga have rather larger bills than some of the others and show an approach to D. congicus. — R. B, S.]
Ibis 1901,P1.II.
<7c-xyc
GE. Lodge deletlitK.
l.DRYO SCOPUS NANDENSIS. 2.CALAM0NASTES SIMPLEX.
MiTitemBr OS iriLp
obtained in British E^fff Africa.
41
139. Dhaoscopus nandensis. (Plate II. fig. 1.)
Dryoscupus nandensis Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. xi. p. 28 (Nov. 1900).
Similis D. angolensi et pedibus rubentibus ; pileo nigro, schistaceo induto, ct rostro conspicue minore distin- uuendus. Long. tot. G'5 poll., culm. 0*8, alse 3'3; caudae 2*7oj tarsi 09.
No. 1253. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 29, 1892. Iris bright claret-colour, with fine inner ring of bright crimson ; bill brownish black, with rather paler tip and edges horn- white; UiQX flesh colour, wHh a bluish shade. The first example seen It was creeping about in the thick foliage of a tall trw;.
[This species is very closely allied to D. angolensis, of which we iiave the type in the British Museum. It differs, however, in lU much smaller bill, which is horny white \xX the tip, and it is of a somewhat clearer pearl-grey below, with a white throat and abdomen. Mr. Oscar Neumann, in his revision of the Laniarians (J. f. O. 1899, p. 410), has placed D. angolensis in close proximity to D. gambensis and its allies. It seems to me, however, that it belongs to a different section of the genus distinguished by the reddish legs. The female, which I have not seeu, is described by Dr. Reichenow (J.'f. O. 1896, p. 26) as having the " Fiisse hellrotlich."— R.- B. S.]
140. Dryoscopus luehjderi.
Lon.iarius luehderi Reichenow, J. f. O. 1874, p. 101 ;
SheHv-^' H ^--••' ' - --■:i<>-'A\. O. Neum. J. ^ r< i^^-oo
p. iOv
Dryoscopus coroiutlus biiarpe, P. Z. S. J874, p, 205, pi. xxiii. fig. 2.
Laniarius casta neiceps Sharpe, Iljia, 1891, pp. 445, 59S • Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 53 (1896).
Nos. 986, 987. S ? ad. Nandi, iyow teer, .iprn ij, 1898. Iris dull brown; bill black; feet horn bhu'. First seen. In thick bush in forest-belts
No. 990. ^ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. Apnl i.;«, ib^M.
No. 1009. $ ad. ,, ., April 19, 1898.
4- • V
r- f- i.
t- * W. t'.._;
' ..S. •t^K.. *^*-'.
^
;i'-
Dr.F^
:!Lt...^
7--Ai:^e
obtained in British East Africa. 41
139. Dryoscopus nandensis. (Plate II. fig\ 1.)
Dryoscopus nandensis Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. xi. p. 28 (Nov. 1900).
Similis D. angolensi et pedibus rubentibus ; pileo nigro, schistaceo induto, et rostro conspicue minore distin- guendus. Long. tot. 6*5 poll.j culm. 0*8, alse 3"3, caudae 2*75^ tarsi 0'9.
No. 1253. <$ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 29, 1892. Iris bright claret-colour, with fine inner ring of bright crimson ; bill brownish black, with rather paler tip and edges horn- white; feet flesh-colour, with a bluish shade. The first example seen. It was creeping about in the thick foliage of a tall tree.
[This species is very closely allied to D. angolensis, of which we have the type in the British Museum. It differs, however, in its much smaller bill, which is horny white at the tip, and it is of a somewhat clearer pearl-grey below, with a white throat and abdomen. Mr. Oscar Neumann, in his revision of the Laniarians (J. f. O. 1899, p. 410), has placed D, angolensis in close proximity to D. gamhensis and its allies. It seems to me, however, that it belongs to a different section of the genus distinguished by the reddish legs. The female, which I have not seen, is described by Dr. Reichenow (J. f. O. 1896, p. 26) as having the " Fiisse hellrotlich.'^— R. B. S.]
140. Dryoscopus luehderi.
Laniarius luehderi Reichenow, J. f. O. 1874, p. 101 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 53 (1896) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1899, p. 400.
Dryoscopus coronatus Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 205, pi. xxiii. fig. 2.
Laniarius castaneiceps Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, pp. 445, 598 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 53 (1896).
Nos. 986, 987. S ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 13, 1898. Iris dull brown; bill black; feet horn-blue. First seen. In thick bush in forest-belts.
No. 990. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 15, 1898.
No. 1009. ? ad. „ „ April 19, 1898.
42 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
No. 1102. 6 ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 12, 1898. Iris dark crimson-brown.
No. 1142. 6 ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 24, 1898.
[On comparing Mr. Jackson's series -with the type specimen of D. coronatus from Gaboon, I am unable to find any differences between them, and my L. castaneiceps, founded on two young birds, must be suppressed.
The female is similar in colour to the male, and a pair measure as follows : —
? . Total length 7-4, ciilmen 085, wing 3-1-, tail 2-9, tarsus 1*2.
c?. Total length 7-4, culmen 0-9, wing 3-45, tail 30, tarsus 1-2.— R. B. S.]
141. Laniarius erythrogaster.
Laniarius erythrogaster (Cretzschm.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 599 (Turquel) ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 38 (Bussisi ; Itale) ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 159 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 54 (1898); Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 148; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1899, p. 407; id. op. cit. 1900, p. 270.
a. S ad. N'tebi, May 31, 1895.
Nos. 254, 263. J ad. Elgeyu, 3700 feet, Aug. 14, 15, 1896. Iris straw-colour ; bill and feet black. Plentiful in the Molo valley.
142. Laniarius chrysogaster.
Laniarius chrysogaster (Sw.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 600.
Laniarius sulphureipectus (Less.) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 159, fig. 72 (1891).
Malaconotus sulphureipectus Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 56 (1896).
Cijsmophoneus sulphureopectus suahelicus 0. Neum. J. f. O. 1899, p. 395 ; id. op. cit. 1900, p. 269.
No. 27. 6- Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 4, 1892. This bird is confined to the dense bush, and though fairly plentiful on Manda and Lamu islands, in Witn and other suitable places, it is rarely seen.
a. Ad. Ukambani, Oct. 1891.
obtained in British East Africa. 43
No. 287. 6 ad. Njeraps, 3700 feet, Aug. 18, 1896. Bill black ; feet horn-blue ; iris brown.
No. 288. 3 ad. Njemps, 3700 feet, Aug. 18, 1896.
[Mr. Oscar Neumann (J. f. O. 1899, p. 395) lias divided this well-known species into four races. The typical Cos- mophoneus sulphur eipectus , according to him, is from West Africa, has a yellow forehead, a well-developed yellow super- ciliary streak, and black ear-coverts. This last is the only character of any value in Mr. Neumann's diagnosis.
The South-African form (C. similis) is supposed to differ in its orange-coloured frontal baud and in having the ear-coverts black or greyish black. The latter character again holds good only to a certain extent. The larger and more developed breast-spot, on which Mr. Neumann relies, is not a character of importance, a Fantee bird not being distinguishable in this respect from a Swazi-land example. The orange-colour on the edges and tips of the tail-feathers is also a character found in West- and South-African specimens. These last features are not of specific value, and seem to me to depend upon age; the older birds having more orange on the frontal band and breast and more of an orange tint on the tail.
The East-African form (L, suahelicus) has, according to Mr. Neumann, a yellow frontal band, while the yellow super- ciliary streak extends only a little above the eye, and the ear-coverts are grey. After comparing Mr. Jackson's series with a number of specimens from difierent parts of South Africa, I must confess that I have failed to discover the slightest cause for separating the two forms. A Landana bird also seems to be L. similis and not true L. sulphure/pectus, nor do I believe L. modestus, Bocage, to be different [cf. Neumann, /. c. p. 396).— R. B. S.]
143. Laniarius approximans.
Laniarius approximans (Cab.) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost- Afr. p. 159, fig. 71 (1894) ; Jackson, Ibis, 1898, p. 137 (Witu).
Malaconotus approxitnans Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 57 (1896) ; O. Nenm. J. f. O. 1899, p. 392; id. op. cit. 1900, p. 269.
44 Mr. F. J. Jackson un Birds
No. 338. ? ad. Kamassia, 6500 feet, Aug. 24, 1896. Bill black ; feet horn-blue ; iris bright yellow.
144'. NlLAUS MINOR.
Nilaus minor Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1895, p. 479 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 53 (1896) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 273.
No. 40. ? . Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 9, 1892.
No. 56. S. „ „ March 15, 1892. Bill
black, base of loM'er mandible horn-blue ; feet horn-blue ; iris brown.
These were the first and only two specimens I saw in 1892. On March 6th I found them building their nest, so gave them six days to allow them to finish building and lay eggs. On the 9th I shot the female as it left the nest, but did not succeed in getting the male till the 15th, although it never left the locality, and constantly kept up its call, which was easily recognizable. The nest, which is about 3 inches in diameter, is neatly made of lichens, and lined with fibre, and was placed on the branch of an acacia tree at a height of 25 feet. It is not unlike a Chaffinch's. The eggs, two in number, are of a grey stone-colour, rather sparingly spotted with black, with larger spots of very dark brown shading into the ground-colour on their edges.
Nos. 367, 368. S ad. Njemps, Sept. 19, 1896. [This species diff"ers from N. capensis in having the median dorsal streak tinged with fawn-colour and not so white. The lower back is white in the centre, slightly varied with black- edged feathers and having the sides mostly black. In N. capensis the lower back is entirely ocellated with black- edged white feathers, and these are characteristic of the female also. In N. minor the wing is scarcely more than 3 inches long, though one of Mr. Jackson's specimens from Njemps has the wing 3'2. The British Museum also contains a specimen of this small Bush-Shrike from Teita, presented by Sir Robert Harvey.— R. B. S.]
145. NlCATOR CHLORIS.
Nicator chloris (Less.) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 56 (1896) ; Sharpe, Bull. B. O. Club, vi. p. xlviii (1897 : Ntebi).
obtained in British East Africa. 45
a. ^ ad. Ntebi, Aug. 3, 1895.
b. c? ad. „ Aug. 9, 1895.
c. S ad. „ Aug. 15, 1895. Iris brown ; bill dusky black ; feet pale horn-blue.
d. S ad. Busoga, Nov. 16, 1894. In thick bush.
146. Telephonus senegalus.
Telephonus senegalus (L.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 601 ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 158 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 55 (1896) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 267.
No. 33. (? . Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 7, 1892. Irides blue ; bill black ; feet pale horn-blue.
This bird is very plentiful, and is one of the few species in East Africa that has a song. It sings on the wing, and much resembles the Tree-Pipit in this respect. It may often be seen taking a short flight 200 feet or so in the air, and descending with an undulating jerky motion.
Nos. 696, 697. S ad. Ravine, Mau, July 26, 1897. Bill black ; feet pale horn-blue ; iris dark slaty blue.
147. Telephonus emini.
Telephonus minor (nee Reichen.); Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 600.
Telephonus emini Reichen. ; Vog. deutsch, Ost-Afr. p. 159 (1894: Bukoba) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 55 (1896).
Telephonus australis emini O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 2QQ.
a. Ad. N'tebi, June 6, 1895. Bill black; feet horn- blue ; iris brown.
Nos. 91, 99. ? ad. Ravine, Mau, June 17, 19, 1896. Iris brown, with inner ring of stone-grey.
No. 273. ? ad. Elgeyu, 3700 feet, Aug. 16, 1896. Very plentiful. Sings on the wing like a Tree-Pipit.
No. 281. S ad. Elgeyu, 3700 feet, Aug. 17, 1896. Nest of roots, not unlike that of a Bullfinch, two feet from the ground, in dead bush, surrounded by long grass. Eggs two.
No. 326. S ad. Kamassia, Aug. 26, 1896. Iris brown, the lower half only with inner ring of blue- grey ; bill black ; feet horn-blue.
|
No. 316. |
6 a( |
|
stone-grey. |
|
|
No. 390. |
S ad. |
|
No. 720. |
S ad. |
|
No. 803. |
S ad. |
|
No. 858. |
? ad. |
46 Mr. F. J. Jacksou o)i Birds
Ravine, Man, Aug. 30, 1896. Iris
Kamassia, Sept. 29, 1896. Lake Naivaslia, Aug. 5, 1897.
Aug. 23, 1897. Nandi, 6500 feet, Feb. 13, 1898. Iris broAvn, with an inner ring of dull grey.
No. 972. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 13, 1898. Iris dark brown, with an inner ring of pale brown.
No. 973. S ad. Nandi, April 12, 1898.
No. 984. S ad. „ April 13, 1898.
No. 1084. ? ad. „ May 9, 1898. Iris brown ; bill black, the lower mandible slaty blue.
No. 1203. S ad. Nandi, June 11, 1898.
No. 1208. ? ad. „ June 13, 1898.
No. 1210. ? ad. „ June 14, 1898. Iris brown,
with inner ring of dark lilac.
\T. emini is a very dark form of T. trivirgatus (Smith) of South Africa, and is distinguished by its dark greyish flanks (slightly tinged with buff). I consider Colonel Manning's specimens from Karonga in Nyasa-land to be also T. emini.
T. minor is a pale little bird, Mhich the British Museum has from Tete on the Zambesi and from the Usambara Hills, obtained in both places by Sir John Kirk. It has light flanks and under tail-coverts very pale fawn or creamy buff, and has scarcely any grey on the chest, so that the throat and centre of the body appear purer white than in any of the allied races. T. minor, according to Dr. Reichenow (Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 158) has a wide range in East Africa, but Mr. Jackson has never met with it. — R. B. S.]
148. Telephonus jamesi.
Telephonus jamesi Shelley ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 601 ; id. P. Z. S. 1895, p. 479 i Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 56 (1896); Jackson, Ibis, 1898, p. 138 (Witu).
No. 89. S • Ngavumga Ngomeni-Tsavo, April 4, 1892.
This is the first specimen that I have procured so far south, and I am inclined to think that the Rivers Tisavo and Sabaki
obtained in British East Africa. 4-7
are probably its soutlieru limit. At Lamu it is very coinmoiij and it is also very plentiful iu the bushy country of Karakan, a district of the Silk country which is in the same latitude as Somali-landj where it was first obtained. At Lamu I once found a nest with two young in it. It was placed in a small bush, quite exposed to view, and was built of small twigs, fibres, &c., being not unlike that of our Bullfinch.
149. Telephonus minutus.
Tdephonus minutus Hartl.; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 39 (Mengo) ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 159 (1894) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 146.
Bocagia miiiuta Shelley, B, Africa, i. p. 55 (1896).
No. 140. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 2, 1896. First seen. Bill black ; feet slate-colour ; iris pink.
No. 640. ? ad. Nandi, May 6, 1897. Feet dark horn- blue. Hare. Nest and two eggs. Nest woven on to three dead stalks like Reed- Warbler's and made entirely of rootlets and cobwebs.
No. 969. [ ? ad.] Nandi, 6500 feet, April 12, 1898.
No. 1024. ? ad. „ „ April 22, 1898. Feet
dusky horn- blue. Is very partial to marshes and is rarely seen far from them.
No. 1054. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 2, 1898.
No. 1113. ? ad. Kakamega, May 15, i898.
No. 1205. c? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 12, 1898. Breeding. Nest, containing two eggs, placed in a small bush in a swamp. Very much exposed.
Fam. Prionopid^.
150. PrIONOPS PULIOLOPHUS.
Prionops poliolophus Fischer & Reichen. J. f. O. 1884, p. 180 (Lake Naivasha) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 162 (1894) (Lake Naivasha); Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 49 (1896) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 275.
No. 65. ? ad. Kedong Valley, April 17, 1896. Iris bright yellow ; eyelids dark slate-colour ; bill black ; feet orange. Obtained out of small flock.
48 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
No. 66. S juv. Kedong Valley, April 17, 1896. Feet pale orange.
[A very distinct species. It has a long crest like P. plu- matus, but composed of slaty-grey plumes. The fore part of the crown and sides of face are pearly grey^ recalling P. talacoma, and the white greater coverts and white-edged secondaries are also like those of P. talacoma, and differ from the entirely black wings of P. cristatus.
One of Mr. Jackson^s specimens is a young bird. It is much more dingily coloured than the adult, the general colour of the upper surface disclosing a tinge of brown; the white on the wing-coverts and secondaries is not quite so much extended; the head is of a dingy grey ; and the crest-feathers are shorter and of a dull slate-colour. — R. B. S.]
151. SiGMODUS GRACULINUS.
Sigmodus retzii graculinus (Cab.) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 274.
a. Ad. Samia_, Kavirondo, Nov. 1894. [Mr. Oscar Neumann (Orn. MB., June 1899, pp. 89-91) has given a review of the genus Sigmodus, and recognises the following races of the S. 7'etzii group : — Sigmodus retzii nigricans. „ (typical). „ „ intermedins.
„ „ tricolor.
,, ,, graculinus.
Of the first four forms with a white band on the primaries below, the British Museum seems to have the true S. retzii from Damara-land (c/. Sharpe, Cat. B. iii. p. 324). From the Congo {Sharpe Coll.) and from Humbe {Shelley Coll.) are two specimens obtained by Anchieta, apparently Sigmodus nigricans of Neumann, which therefore is not confined to Northern Angola, as its describer believed. As regards the blue or green gloss on the black head and underparts, it is difficult to see any diff'erence in the Museum specimens ; but in true S. retzii the brown back is certainly more sharply defined from the head than in
obtained in British East Africa. 49
S. nigricans, iu whicli, as Mr. Neumann justly remarks, the black of the head fades oflp gradually into the black of the back.
Sigmodus intermedins I cannot judge of, as the Museum possesses no specimens from Tanganyika or the Victoria Nyanza. It is described by Mr, Neumann as a little lighter in colour than typical S. retzii.
S. tricolor, of whicli we have the types in the Museum, is an inhabitant of the Zambesi and Nyasa regions, whence we have a considerable series. It varies a good deal in the tint of the back, and quite as much as Mr. Neumann^s western races of S. retzii ; but I believe the variation as regards S. tricolor to be due to the wear and tear of the plumage, tlie darker ones being those in fresher feathering. The Museum has examples of S. tricolor from Oliphant's Hiver in the Transvaal {T. Ayres), and from Mozambique (//. S. H. Cavendish: cf. Sharpe, Ibis, 1900, p. 112). To the north- ward in East Africa, we have specimens from Dar-es- Salaam, Mamboio, and Ugogo, obtained by Sir John Kirk (Shelley, P. Z. S. 1881, p. 581), as well as from the Usambara Hills. Here and at Mamboio also occurs true S. gracu- linus Cab., a species represented in the Museum from Dar-es-Salaam, Mombasa, and Lamu ; but from the Usam- bara Hills are two specimens showing only a faint trace of the white spots on the primaries, and suggestive of the interbreeding of S. tricolor and S. yraculinus.
It must also be noticed that the more northern specimens of S. tricolor, from Ugogo and other places in East Africa, are of a decidedly lighter drab colour on the back than is the case with the Nyasa series as a whole ; but in the latter are many light-backed individuals, and an absolute intergrada- tion between dark and light forms can be traced.— R. B. S.]
152. Bradyornis murinus.
Bradyornis murinus Finsch & Hartl. ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 152 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 93 (1896) ; Hinde, Ibis, 1898, p. 580 (N'Goleni, Machako^s) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 258.
SEB. VIII. — VOL. I. E
50 Mr. r. J. Jackson on Birds
Bradyornis oatesi Sharpe, Ibis, 1897, p. 510 (Zulu- land).
No. 72. ^ ad. Gil Gil River, April 21, 1896. Bill black, base of lower mandible born-blue ; feet black ; iris brown. Saw tbree or four of tliem together flying along in front of me after the manner of Honey-guides.
No. 341. c? ^^- Kamassia, 6500 feet, Aug. 24, 1896.
No. 475. c? ad. Eavine, Man, Feb. 21, 1897. Iris brown ; bill and feet black.
No. 592. (? ad. Ravine, March 31, 1897.
153. Bradyornis subalaris.
Brady amis subalaris Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 713, pi. clviii. fig. 1.
No. 310. S ad. Elgeyu, 3700 feet, Aug. 20, 1896. Iris brown ; bill and feet black. Fairly plentiful.
[The wing in this specimen measures 3*2 inches, and I cannot see any difference between Mr. Jackson^s bird and the typical example of B. snbalaris. — R. B. S.]
154. Bradyornis pallidus.
Bradyornis pallidus (v. Miill.) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 151 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 93 (1896) ; Jackson, Ibis, 1898, p. 139 (Witu) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 150; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 259.
No. 593. $ ad. Ravine, Mau, March 3, 1897. Iris brown ; bill and feet black.
[This seems to be the large form of brown Bradyornis, which is the true B. pallidus of Miiller. Wing 3*75 inches. (C/. Ogilvie Grant, /. s. e.)— R. B. S.]
155. Bradyornis ater.
Melcenornis ater (Sundev.) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost- Afr. p. 151 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 93 (1896). Melanornis ater tropicalis 0. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 256. No. 55. J ad. Kibwesi, 3000 feet, March 15, 1892, No. 58. c? ad. „ „ „ 16, 1892.
No. 62. ? ad. „ „ „ 17, 1892.
No. 70. <S ad. „ „ ,, 23, 1892.
obtained in British East Africa, 51
156. Mel^nornis edoloides.
Melanornis edoloides Swains.; Sharpe^ Ibis^ 1891, p. 602; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 93 (1896).
No. 1237. c? ad- Nandi, 6500 feet, June 26, 1898. Iris brown ; bill and feet black.
This bird and another had been noticed in the kitchen- garden very early (before sunrise) on three mornings; they sat on a tree-stump and darted at insects like a Drongo. One also settled on the ground for a moment.
Fam. SvLviiDiE.
157. AiioON PSAMMOCHROA.
Aedon psammochroa Reichen. Orn. Centralbl. 1879, p. 139.
Sylvia psammochroa Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 231 (1894).
«. ? . Ngomeni, April 3, 1892.
[This species appears to be distinct from A. galactodes and A. familiaris. It is a browner bird than either of them, and has the whole of the throat, breast, and flanks vinaceous isabelline. — R. B. S.]
158. Sylvia atricapilla.
Sylvia atricajnlla L. ; Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v. p. 23 (1881) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 231 (1894) (Victoria Nyanza) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 81 (1896); O. Neumann, J. f. O. 1900, p. 310 (Kibwezi, Kilimanjaro); Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 151.
No. 590. (?• Ravine, Man, March 31, 1897. Iris brown ; bill brownish black, the lower mandible horn-blue ; feet pale horn-blue.
No. 606. ? . Ravine, April 4, 1897. Iris brown ; bill dusky black, the lower edge of upper mandible and lower mandible horn- blue; feet pale horn-blue.
[The first record of our Black-cap wintering in the Mau district. Lord Delamere, however, has sent several speci- mens from the Athi River, and Mr. Oscar Neumann records it at Kibwezi in South Ukamba in December, and again at Moschi on Kilimanjaro in the same month. — R. B. S.]
e2
52 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
159. Sylvia simplex.
Sylvia hortensis Reichen. \o^. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 231 (1894) (Kageyi); O. Neiim. J. f. O. 1900, p. 310 (Kavi- rondo) .
Sylvia simplex Lath.; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 81 (1896). No. 564. S afl- Ravine, Man, March 27, 1897. Iris brown; bill olive-brown, lower mandible yellowish-wliite horn, with dusky tip ; feet pale horn-blue.— May 28th. Very plentiful and in full song like a Garden-Warbler. Very shy and creeps off out of sight directly it catches a glimpse of the intruder. Very difficult to see in the thick foliage amongst which it sits whilst singing.
No. 598. S ad. Ravine, Man, April 2, 1897. Bill dark horn-blue, lower mandible horn-blue.
Nos. 607, 608. c? ? ad. Ravine, Mau, April 4, 5, 1897. [In addition to the synonym of Bradyornis woodwardi, which I had to merge in that of Sylvia simplex, I have also to state that my Muscicapa ussheri (P. Z. S. 1882, p. 591) is nothing but a Garden-Warbler, as my friend Capt, Shelley has pointed out to me. The typical specimen is in full moult, and therefore there was no chance of recognising the proportions of the primaries, while the plumage looks very pale and peculiar. — R. B. S.]
160. Phylloscopus trochilus.
Pliylloscopus trochilus (L.) ; Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. V. p. 56 (1881) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 153 (Machako's) ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 59 (Uganda) ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 232 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 80 (1896); Hartert, Afr. Sun, App. p. 354 (1899) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1890, p. 152; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 310; Hinde, Ibis, 1900, p. 497.
No. 43. S ad. Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 10, 1892.
No. 52. ? ad. „ „ „ 12, 1892.
Iris brown ; bill dusky brown, lower mandible paler, with yellowish tint ; feet olive-brown, claws paler. The Willow- Wren was very plentiful at Kibwezi in the second week in March, where it was evidently on its way north. On
obtained in British East Africa. 53
March 20th, 1889, I also obtained one at Machako's, about 100 miles north of Kibwezi.
a. S ad. Ntebi, March 2, 1895.
b. S ad. „ Oct. 3, 1895.
No. 33. S ad. Ravine, Man, March 15, 1896. Iris brown ; bill dark brown, lower mandible pale brown, fading into dull yellow at the base ; feet dark brown. Moulting.
No. 509. ? ad. Ravine, Mau, March 4, 1897. Iris brown ; bill brown, base of lower mandible yellowish ; feet dark brown, toes brownisli flesh-colour. Several seen. Going north.
Nos. 546, 547. c? ad. Ravine, March 20, 1897. Iris hazel; bill dusky olive-brown, lower mandible dusky yellow; feet brown.
No. 947. ? ad. Kakamega, Kavirondo, April 7, 1898. Plentiful. On the way northwards.
[It is very interesting to see that some of Mr. Jackson's specimens are in full moult in March, and that some of them retain a considerable amount of yellow on the under surface, while others are decidedly greyer below. Some of the latter look like ChifEchaffs as regards their plumage ; but I believe the whole series to belong to P. trochiJus, though the moulting quills in some of them make it difficult to identify them with absolute certainty. — R. B. S.]
161. Hypolais pallida.
Hypolais pallida (Hempr. & Ehr.) ; Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. V. p. 82 (1881); Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 232 (1894: Igonda) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 80 (1896).
No. 77. S ad. Mts. of Ndai-Kinani, April 2, 1892.
No. 102. S ad. Ndeva, Teita, April 7, 1892. Iris brown; bill dusky, lower mandible yellowish white; feet pale brown.
As in the case of the Willow-Wrens, I was first attracted to these birds by their song.
162. ACROCEPHALUS PHRAGMITIS.
Acrocejihalus pJiraymitis (Bechst.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 153 (Ukambani) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 151. a. S • Ntebi, March 7, 1895.
54 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
163. ACROCEPHALUS TUllDOIDES.
Acrocephalus turdoides (Meyer) ; Seebohm^ Cat. B. v. p. 95 (1881).
No. 825. c? . Berkeley Bay, Victoria Nyanza, Feb. 2, 1895. Iris brown; bill dark brown, the lower mandible whitish horn with dusky tip ; roof of mouth bright orange- red; feet pale slaty grey.
Several heard in the long reeds and papyrus. The note is loud and grating. This was the only specimen seen, though I got within a few yards of several as they sang concealed in the tall reeds.
164. Calamonastes simplex. (Plate II. fig. 2.) Calamonastes simplex (Cab.); Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 154;
Keichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 225 (1894); Sharpe, P.Z. S. 1895, p. 482; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 72 (1896) ; Hartert, Afr. Sun, App. p. 353 (1899) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 308.
Nos. 6, 7. cJ ? • Mauungu Wilderness, Dec. 30, 1891. Irides hazel ; bill black ; feet dark '^ shrimp '^-brown, rather paler in the female.
This species is very plentiful in suitable places, but it is essentially a bird of the wilderness. It is particularly abundant between Tara and Mt. Mauungu, also in the wilderness between the River Voi and Kibwesi. In 1890 I also obtained a specimen in Turquel in the Siik country. This bird is more often heard than seen, as it is in the habit of perching on the top of some acacia or other tree, and keeps up a curious metallic call.
Inside the female I found a fully-formed egg, rather smaller than a Hedge -Sparrow^s, light blue, with pale brown speckles.
165. Calamocichla leptorhyncha.
Calamonastes leptorhynchus (Fischer & Reichen.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 154.
Calamocichla leptorhyncha Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 58 (Bukoba); id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 219 (1894) (Karema,
obtained in British East Africa. 55
Kageyi); Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 79 (1896) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 302.
a. ^ ad. ^
b, c. ? ad. t Ntebi, March 7, 1893. d. ? juv. J
[The young of this species is much more rufous above than the adult, and the underparts are of an isabelline colour.— R. B. S.]
166. SCHCENICOLA APICALIS.
Schoenicola apicalis (Cab.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vii. p. 110 (1883); Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 77 (1896).
Bradypterus apicalis Hartert, Nov. Zoo), vi. p. 48 (1900).
No. 1019. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 30, 1898. Iris greyish hazel ; bill brown, lower mandible white; feet bluish flesh-colour.
No. 1114. S afh Kakamega, 4600 feet, May 15, 1898. Iris hazel-brown ; bill black, lower mandible horn-blue ; feet brown, with slaty tint.
In Nandi this bird is plentiful in the marshy hollows where the grass, reeds, and rushes grow rank and tall, and where there is excellent cover. When it is flushed, which is a somewhat difficult task, it will fly only a short distance, twenty yards or so, before dropping into some rank thicket, from which it is almost useless to try and move it. Occasion- ally the birds will settle on a tall reed or grass-stem suffi- ciently long to enable them to survey the cause of their alarm. This is the most favourable opportiinit}' for a shot, since, if it be successful, this bird can easily be marked down. If killed in flight they are most difficult to retrieve, owing to the lack of any landmark, and many are lost in consequence. In Kakamega they frequent the open country away from the marshy hollows, but here the grass is tall and exceedingly rank and rush-like.
No. 1115. ^ ad. Kakamega, 4600 feet. May 15, 1898.
167. Melocichla mentalis.
Melocichla mentalis (Fraser) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 7Q (1896) ; Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. vi. p. xlviii (1897 : Ntebi).
56 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
Cisticola mentalis Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vii. p. 241
(1883).
No. 55. 2 ad. N'tebi, Oct. 4, 1895.
[This appears to me to be the true M. mentalis of West A.frica, aud not the eastern racc^ M. orientalis. — R. B. S.]
168. Cisticola terresthis.
Cisticola terrestris (Smith) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mas. vii. p. 266 (1883) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 74 (1896); Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 159; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 303; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1900, p. 607.
No. 173. S juv. Man, 8500 feet, July 11, 1896. Bill brownish black, lower mandible pale horn-blue; feet flesh- colour ; iris hazel.
Nos. 174, 175. S ? ad. Mau, 8500 feet, July 12, 1896. Iris hazel ; bill brownish black, lower mandible yellowish ; feet pale yellowish flesh.
169. Cisticola hindii.
Cisticola hindei Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. vi. p. vii (1896) ; Hinde, Ibis, 1898, p. 580, pi. vii. fig. 2 ; Hartert, Nov. Zool. vi. p. 49 (1900) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 303 ; Hinde, Ibis, 1900, p. 498.
Nos. 740, c? ; 741, 742, ? ad. Lake Naivasha, May 8, 1898,
170. Cisticola tinniens (Licht.) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 74 (1896).
a. S ad. Mau plateau, Dec. 20, 1895.
No. 171. S ad. Mau, 8500 feet, July 11, 1896. Iris hazel ; bill black, lower mandible pale horn-blue ; feet brownish flesh-colour.
No. 1016. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 20, 1898. Bill brownish black, lower mandible dusky white ; feet flesh- colour. Never seen, excepting in close vicinity to a marsh or swampy hollow.
No. 1059. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 4, 1898. Bill black, lower mandible very pale horn-blue; feet yellowish flesh-colour. First seen in a marshy hollow.
Nos. 1066,1067. S ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 4, 1898.
obtained in British East Africa. 57
This Warbler is rarely found away from marshes and the edges of swamps. It is not difficult to recognise it among other Cisticoke on account of its well-marked tail and wings. In Nandi it is plentiful in the marshy hollows, but is not found on the higher ground.
[I have carefully compared Mr. Jackson's series of this Warbler witli South-African specimens, and I cannot discover any specific differences between them, though this fact appears to be remarkable enough. — R. B. S.]
171. CiSTICOLA STRANGII.
Cisticola strangei (Fraser) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost- Afr. p. 221 (1894); Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 74 (1896); Hartert, Afr. Sun, App. p. 353 (1899); id. Nov. Zool. vi. p. 49 (1900) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 303.
a, b. (J $ ad. Kampala, April 6, 1895. Iris hazel ; bill dark brown, lower mandible horn-blue; feet fleshy brown.
172. Cisticola subruficapilla.
Cisticola subruficapilla (Smith) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 74 (1896) ; Jackson, Ibis, 1898, p. 138 (Witu) ; Hartert, Afr. Sun, App. p. 352 (1899) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 162; Hinde, t. c. p. 498.
No. 48. $ ad. Ravine, Mau, March 28, 1896. Iris hazel ; bill black, lower mandible dusky white ; feet flesh- colour.
No. 561. ? ad. Ravine, March 26, 1897. Bill pale brown, lower mandible fleshy white. Found in scattered bush and long grass.
No. 580. S ad. Ravine, March 29, 1897. Bill dark brown, lower mandible whitish horn-colour.
[This is a smaller bird than C. cheniana, and I cannot separate it from the true C. subruficaplUa of South Africa. The measurements of INIr. Jackson's three specimens are as follows : —
S . Wing 2-15-2-25 inches, tail 1-6-1-85. $ . Wing 2-0 inches, tail r75.— R. B. S.]
58 Mr. P. J. Jackson on Birds
173. ClSTIUOL\ CHENIANA.
Gisticola cheaiam (Snith) ; R3ich3n. Vog. deutsch. Ost- Afr. p. 222 (1894) (Lake Naivasha); Ogilvie Grant, Ibis 1900, p. 161 ; O. Nenm. J. f. O. 1900, p. 303.
No. 22. S ad. Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 1, 1892. No. 245. J ad. Elgeyu, 3703 fest, A.ug. 13, 1S93. Iris hazel; bill black, with lower raaniible horn-blu3; feet flesh- colour. Very plentiful.
No. 326. ? ad. Elgeyu, 3700 feet, Aug. 15, 1896. Bill dasky black, with lower mmdibb whitish horn. Nest in tuft of grass near a stream, very loosely CDnstructed, entirely of coarse grass lined with finer. Eggs three, pale blue with dusky spots like those of a Linnet.
No. 380. ? ad. Njeraps, Sept. 20, 1896. Nos. 757, 769. ^ ad. Lake Naivasha, Aug. 11, 13, 1897. No. 812. c? ad. Lake Naivasha, Aug. 28, 1897. [One specimen from Elgeyu seems to me to be inseparable from the true C. chemana of South Africa. Another from the Athi River (C. subruficapilJa Hinde, Ibis, 1900, p. 498) also apparently belongs to this paler race. The majority of the specimens, however, are darker birds, with dull rufous heads, the crown obscurely, but the back broadly, striped with blackish brown, and at first sight they appear to represent a dark broadly-striped race. I find, however, that many speci- mens from other parts of Africa approach them in colour, and for the present, at least, I think it better to keep all these East-African birds under the heading of C. cheniatia. — R. B. S.]
174. CiSTICOLA PROCEIIA.
Gisticola procera Peters; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 158; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 75 (1896); Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1900, p. 607.
No. 181. S ad. Man, 8500 feet, July 12, 1896. Iris hazel; bill black, lower mandible horn-blue.
Nos. 359, 360. ^ ad. et imm. Molo River, Sept. 17, 1896. Iris stone-grey ; bill brown, lower mandible yellow ; feet bluish flesh-colour. In buildinff the nest this bird weaves leaves together to form the roof.
obtained in British East Africa. 59
175. CiSTlCOLA NUCHALIS.
Cisticola erythrogenys (nee Riipp.) ; Sliarpe, Ibis, 1893, p. 156 (Sotik, Mount Elgon) ; Hartert, Nov. Zool. vi. p. 49 (1900).
Cisticola nuchalis Reicheu. Oru. MB. 1893^ p. 61.
Nos. 146, 147. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 4, 1896. Iris hazel ; bill dusky, lower mandible horn-blue; feet flesh- colour.
Nos. 558, 559. S ad. Ravine, March 26, 1897. Bill very dark brown ; lower mandible whitish horn, darker towards the tip ; feet flesh-colour, and rather thick and coarse for the size of the bird.
Nos. 642, 6i3. S ad. Nandi, May 10, 1897. Bill black; base of lower mandible horn-blue. Very plentiful. Build- ing nest in tuft of low grass. Blades of grass woven on top of nest. Very difficult to see. Nest of dry grasses, lined with seed-heads of flue grass and bracken. Entrance at side. Three eggs, like those of the Great Tit.
No. 844. c? ad. Kakaraega, Kavirondo, Feb. 8, 1898. mandible with patch of horn-white at
Nandi, Feb. 15, 1898. Nandi, 6500 feet, March 21, 1898. May 4, 1898. May 4, 1898.
This Grass-Warbler is very plentiful in Nandi on the open grassy downs, which it frequents in preference to either bush or marshy hollows. It breeds in April and May. The nest is placed in a tuft of grass, beautifully hidden by blades of the grass bent over the top. It is a loose and somewhat flimsy structure of long grass, with little or no liuiug of finer materials. The eggs are mostly three in number, pale greenish blue, profusely mottled at the obtuse end with reddish brown. It is a noisy bird.
No. 1076. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 6, 1898. No. 1083. ? ad. „ „ May 7, 1898.
Nos. 1185, 1186. ^ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 2, 1898. No. 1198. $ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 8, 1898.
|
Bill black. |
lower |
|
base. |
|
|
No. 873. |
? ad. |
|
No. 920. |
S ad. |
|
No. 1058. |
. ? ad, |
|
No. 1068. |
, ? ad |
60 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Bh'ds
Breeding. Nest a slight structure of dry grass in a tuft, the long blades woven over the top forming a dome.
No. 1201. $ ad. Naudi, G500 feet, June 11, 1898.
[When Professor Reichenow was in England he showed me the type of a Grass-Warbler which he proposed to call C. nachalis. It was a small form of C. erythroyenys, and measured : total length 4-2 inches, culmen 0*55, wing 2-2, tail 1*5, tarsus 0'95.
I identify with this C. nuchalis a female bird from Nandi (No. 147), which has the wing 2*3 and the tail 1'6 inches. I find, moreover, that it is the same species which in 1892 I identified as C. erythrogenys from Sotik and Mount Elgon (Ibis, 1892, p. 157), and the series collected by Mr. Jackson shows that it is the common species of the country.
It is very much smaller than the true C. erythrogenys, which I now believe to be confined to Abyssinia. The latter is a large bird, conspicuously rufous on the wing-coverts and external aspect of the quills ; the thighs, vent, and under tail-coverts are deep fawn-colour, almost cinnamon. It has no blackish streaks or lines on the flanks.
The bird which I identify as C. nuchalis has more or less distinct lines of black or dusky brown on the sides of the body.
The following are the dimensions of Mr. Jackson's series of specimens, which vary somewhat, as they have been col- lected at different times of the year, and of course those in summer plumage are always smaller : — S. Wing 2-6-2-8 inches, tail 1-75-2-0. $. „ 2-25-2-4 inches, „ l-6-r8.
Then there is a third race, C. ambigua Sharpe, which has also been identified with C. erythrogenys. It is the bird from Machako's and N'gong obtained by Dr. Hinde (Ibis, 1900, p. 498). It is smaller than C. erythrogenys, and of about the same size as C. nuchalis. It may perhaps be identical with the latter, but at present I think that it may be dis- tinguished by the absence of streaks on the flanks. The measurements are as follows : —
obtained in British East Africa. 61
S (Masai-land, &c.). Wing 2-5-3-7, tail 1-9-20.
$ (do.). ,, 2-35, ,, 1-75.
S (Man, Ravine, &c.). Wing 2-7-2-9, tail 1-9-2-05.
?. „ 2-5, ,, 1-8.-R.B.S.]
176. CiSTICOLA AMBIGUA.
Cisticola erythrogtnys (nee Riipp.) ; Hinde, Ibis, 1900, p. 498 (N'gong ; Macliako's).
Cisticola ambiyua Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. xi. p. 28 (Nov. 1900).
a. ^ ad. Man, 8000 feet, Oet. 30, 1895. Bill dusky brown, lower mandible fleshy white; feet flesh-colour; iris hazel.
No. 90. 6 ad. Ravine, Mau, June 15, 1896. Plentiful.
No. 560. $ ad. „ March 26, 1897. Bill
black, lower mandible horn-blue. Plentiful at the Ravine in the scattered low bush and long grass. A very noisy little bird.
Nos. 568, 569. S ad. Ravine, March 28, 1897.
Nos. 576, 577. 6 ad. „ March 29, 1897. Bill
black, base of lower mandible bluish horn-white.
177. Cisticola fischeri.
Cisticola fischeri Reichen. J. f. O. 1891, p. 162; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 221 (1891) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 75 (1896).
No. 432. c5' juv. Ravine, Dec. 5, 1896. Bill brown, the lower mandible flesh-colour ; feet brownish flesh-colour, with duller joints.
No. 1217. $ juv. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 17, 1898.
[Both these specimens are young birds, but they are very tawny in colour, and must apparently be C. fischeri. — R. B. S.]
178. Cisticola emini.
Cisticola emini Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 56 (Bussissi) ; id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 220 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 75 (1896).
a. d ad. Ntebi, April 29, 1895.
Nos. 317, 318. 6 $ ad. Kamassia, 4000 feet, Aug. 22, 1896.
62 Mr. r. J. Jackson on Birds
Iris liazel ; bill black, base of lower mandible horn-white ; feet brownish flesh-colour. Plentiful.
179. CiSTICOLA CHUBBI.
Cisticola chubbi Sharpe, Ibis, 1892^ p. 157 (Mount Elgon) ; Reichen. J, f. O. 1892, p. 56 (Bukoba) ; id. Vog, deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 220 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 75 (1896) ; Hartert, Nov. Zool. vi. p. 48 (1900).
No. 144. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 3, 1896. Bill black ; feet flesh-colour ; iris brown.
Nos. 921, 922, 6; 929, 930, ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, March 21-23, 1898. Iris bright crimson-brown ; bill black, with base of lower mandible horn-blue. In bush ; several seen together.
No. 1015. 6 ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 20, 1898. Iris brown ; bill brownish black, base of lower mandible white.
Nos. 1031, 1032, 1033. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 24, 1898. Iris crimson-brown.
Very plentiful in the bush and thick vegetation at the edge of the forest belts. Extremely noisy : three or four will sit together and setm to vie with each other as to which will call loudest.
No. 1038. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 26, 1898.
No, 1064. 6 ad. „ „ May 5, 1898.
Very plentiful in Nandi, where it is found in small parties of three or four together in the bush. It is a noisy bird at all times, but particularly when three or four of them meet in the bush. Here they sit together, spread out their tails, and sway their bodies in all kinds of positions up and dow^n, sideways, &c.j the whole time chattering in a loud and comical chorus.
No. 1065. ? ad. Nandi, May 4, 1898. Bill brownish, lower mandible horn-blue, except the tip.
No. 1082. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 7, 1898. Feet flesh-colour with pinky tint.
180. Cisticola erythrops.
Cisticola erythrops (Hartl.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vii. p. 250 (1883) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 221
obtained in British East Africa. 63
(1894); Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 75 (1896); O. Neuiu. J. f. O. 1900, p. 303.
No. 143. $ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 3, 1896. Bill black, lower mandible dusky horn-blue; feet flesh-colour: iris hazel.
181. ClSTlCOLA RUFA.
Cisticola rvfa (Fraser) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 221 (1894: Karagwe; Bukoba) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 75 (1896).
a. Juv. Sannia, Nov. 14, 1894.
b. ? ad. Kampala, April 3, 1895.
182. Prinia mystacea.
Prinia mystacea Biipp. ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 155 (Mt. Eigon) ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 57 (Uganda); id. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 225 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 73 (1896) ; Jackson, Ibis, 1898, p. 138 (Witu) ; Hinde, t. c. p. 580 (Machako's) ; Hartert, Afr. Sun, App. p. 352 (1899) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 308.
No. 50. ? ad. N'tebi, Oct. 3, 1895.
Nos. 148, 149. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 4, 1896. Iris hazel ; bill black ; feet flesh-colour.
Nos. 198, ? ; 199, c? ad. Ravine, Man, July 24, 1896. Bill black, with base of lower mandible horn-blue; feet brownish flesh-colour.
No. 424. c? juv. Ravine, Nov. 20, 1896. Bill brown, lower mandible horn-blue.
No. 512. c? ad. Ravine, March 5, 1897. Eyelids light brown. Plentiful. Generally three or four together in the long grass and. coarse herbage that grows in spots formerly cultivated. Very restless and keej)s up a perpetual twitter as it darts about in the herbage.
No. 516. c? ad. Ravine, March 6, 1897.
No. 571. c? ad. „ March 28, 1897. Bill very dark
brown, the base horn-blue with dusky tip.
Nos. 581, 582, 583. (? ad. Ravine, March 29, 1897.
No. 809. $ ad. Lake Naivasha, Aug. 27, 1898.
64 Mr. r. J. Jackson on Birds
Nos. 926, 928, (J ; 927,$ ad. Naiidi, 6500 feet, March 23, 1898. Iris ochraceous hazel.
183. BURNESIA MELANOPS.
Burnesia melanops Eeichen. & Ncum. Orn, MB. 1895, p. 75 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 73 (1896) ; Neum. J. f. 0. 1900, p. 308.
No. 960. $ ad. Nandi forest, 6000 feet. April 10, 1898. Iris ochrcous hazel ; bill black ; feet slate. In thick under- growth ; only one seen.
[Originally discovered by Mr. Oscar Neumann on the Man hills.-R. B. S.]
184. Burnesia reichenowi.
Burnesia reichenoivi Hartl. J. f. O. 1890, p. 151 ; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 57 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 73 (1896) ; Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 308.
Bvrnesia leucopogon (nee Cab.) Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. vi. p. xlviii (1897 : N'tebi).
Burnesia Uganda Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. vii. p. vi (1897) ; id. Ibis, 1898, p. 146.
Prinia reichenoivi Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 225 (1894) (Bukoba).
No. 19. S ad. N'tebi, Sept. 19, 1895. Type of 5. w^fm^/«.
Nos. 949, 750. S ? ^^- Kakamega, Ichuku river, Kavi- rondo, 5000 feet, April 7, 1898. Iris bright crimson brown ; bill black ; feet brownish pink. First seen. Found in open bush.
Nos. 1017, 1018. d ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 20, 1898. Very plentiful in thick brush and among the small trees in forest-belts.
No. 1048. 6 ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 29, 1898.
[There can be no doubt that Mr. Oscar Neumann is right in stating that my Burnesia ugandce is the same as B. reiclenowi of Hartlaub, the description of which I had overlooked.
There is no difference in the colour of the sexes, and the male (wing 2-2-2'3) is scarcely larger than the female (wing 2"2). A young male from N'tebi resembles the adults in
Ibis 1901, pi.m.
G.E.Lodrfe del etlitli MirLteT-TuBros imp
].CRYPTOLOPHA MACKENZIANA- 2 -EUPRINOTDES CINEREUS.
ohtain.p
:^h Eas;t J Mr a.
colli ., :, .. :■:■ „..:
p.. ■ iuffs to tl ; has browaer
mai ''e quills. ' . ;
18o. .)>*i>i>DROMAS RL/fiiiuj-
Dryodromaa rufidorsalis Si\:..\^ .. .: . .- ... ... .t. ,, . ..a
(1897); Hartert, Ansora^e's African Run, p. 352 (1899^^ (Kinani).
a, (3' ad. Tsavo Rnci^ .^i feet pale shrimp-brown; iri>' I
[This species is very si; 189f> " . but has a ru the ,.wn. The ui.
ocliit'o'.vs buff, hat this colour
'■'. smilhi and 0>ay be seascic- i, .
i86. El FRiNoDES cim: Iv^. 'L)
Eupr'modi'H cinerevs b' i. p- 155 (^1
Elgon) .
A'palis drier 'n Sheiley, Ji. Afinca, i. p. 71 (IbUCi;.
Euprinodes schistaceus (wex) Casri.' .- ILn tcrt. Ans;- Afr. Sun, p. 353 (1899).
No. 172. S ad. Mau, b500 teet, July li, 1896. LiU black; feet f^ ■'-'•'-' •'^l"'i/'' • i*" !"fi"'1 '^ i-li^u i .- \o^r<i\v . T,- thick bush.
No. 853. d ad. Nautiij 6500 ftei, Feb. 12, L-
black.lo— ^^^....^;n.
N(. s.
Nos. lor 1898. Iriso,' base of lower mai,'
N<;. 1196. 6 ad. cinnaiuuu-brown, fad)
., r.500 feet. Feb. 13, 1898.
G500 feet, April 20,
i5w feet, June 7, 1898. Iris ir, (o yellow round the pupil; eyelids brown ; 'bill slaty black ; feet sbrimph^own.
No. 1197. ? uii. Aundi; bright hazel, fading into yellow r^^aud ib.c jjupii, e}c -iv LglU brown.
No. 1251. 6 ad. Nandi, 6500 ieet, June 28, 1898, Iris bright brown, fading into ochraceous hazel roun;: Si R. vrn. — A w . T- F
|!
1" %r
i. 4-. ij* P It' *> - * .. *% ^ '
A- r ::4.
obtained in British East Africa. 65
colour, but is a little duller, does not shovr such distinct pale edgings to the feathers of the crown, and has browner margins to the quills. — R. B. S.J
185. DllYODROMAS RUFIDORSALIS.
Dryodromas rvfidorsalis Sharpe, Bull, B. O. C. vi. p. xlviii (1897); Hartert, Ansorge's African Sun, p. 352 (1899) (Kinani).
a. S ad. Tsavo River, Sept, 20, 1894. Bill horn-blue; feet pale shrimp-brown; iris light hazel.
[This species is very similar to D. smithi (Sharpe, P. Z. S, 1895, p. 482), but has a rufous back, only a little lighter than the rufous crown. The under surface of the body is also bright ochreous buif, but this colour is occasionally seen in specimens of D. smithi and may be seasonal. — R. B. S.]
186. EUPRINODES CINEREUS. (Plate III. fig. 2.) Euprinodes cinereus Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 155 (Mount
Elgon) .
Apalis cinerea Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 71 (1896).
Euprinodes schistaceus (nee Cass.) ; Hartert, Ansorge's Afr. Sun, p. 353 (1899).
No. 172. S ad. Mau, 8500 feet, July 11, 1896. Bill black ; feet flesh-colour ; iris hazel, eyelids pale brown. In thick bush.
No. 853. 6 ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, Feb. 12, 189S. Bill black, lower mandible yellow.
No. 861. $ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. Feb. 13, 1898.
Nos. 1019, 1020. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 20, 1898. Iris bright hazel, eyelids pinkish brown ; bill black, base of lower mandible horn-blue.
No. 1196. 6 ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 7, 1898. Iris cinnamon-brown, fading into yellow round the pupil ; eyelids brown ; bill slaty black ; feet shrimp-brown.
No. 1197. $ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 7, 1898. Iris bright hazel, fading into yellow round the pupil, eyelids light brown.
No. 1251. J ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 28, 1898. Iris bright brown, fading into ochraceous hazel round the
SER. VIII. VOL. I. F
66 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
pupil. Found in thick foliage of tall trees in the early mornings and late evenings darting and flitting about in search of insects.
[The series from Nandi presents scarcely any variation in colour. Sometimes the brown of the head is a little deeper in tint, while the under surface is rather more ochraceous in some specimens than in otliers. — R. B. S.]
187. EUPRINODES FLAVOCINCTA.
Euprinodes jlavocincta Sliarpe ; Eeichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 57; Hartert, Nov. Zool. vii. p. 49 (1900).
Chlorodyta jlavocincta Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 72 (1890). Apalis flavocincta (Sharpe) ; Reichen. Vog. deutseh. Ost- Afr. p. 225 (1894) (Bukoha) ; O. Neum. J. f. 0. 1900, p. 306. No. 469. 6 ad. Ravine, Mau, Feb. 19, 1897. Iris hazel ; bill black ; feet very dark brown, toes light brownish flesh- colour, claws dark brown. The first seen. Flitting about in a tree like a Camaroptera.
No. 508. S ad. Ravine, March 4, 1897. Eyelids pale brown.
No. 579. ? ad. Ravine, March 29, 1897. No. 621. $ ad. Ravine, April 10, 1897. Iris hazel, with yellowish round ring ; feet dark brown, toes flesh-colour. [The two females show only a very small black chest- spot. As it was extremely difficult to identify this species without comparing the types, I sent one over to Prof. Reichenow, who declared it to be the true E. flavocincta. Mr. Oscar Neumann (/. c.) says that E. flavocincta has the crown olive-green like the back, and E. golzi is the grey-headed form figured by Reichenow as E. flavocincta in the ' Vogel deutseh. Ost- Afrika^s ' (p. 224). Then there is a third species mentioned by Mr. Oscar Neumann {op. cit. p. 307) and described by him as E. (equatorialis. This, he says, is similar to E. golzi, while it has the upper surface lighter and more greenish yellow, has a broader yellow band on the crop, and is larger. As Mr. Neumann says nothing about any green on the head, I take it that the crown is grey as in E. golzi. He mentions that it has a white throat, which separates it from "Apalis flavida, Striekl."
obtained in British East Africa. 67
E. flavocincta has a white throit and greenish head, and is very closely allied to E. w^^fcc/a of Alexander (Ibis, 1900, p. 113) ; but the latter has the fore-neck very bright yellow, not greenish on the sides, and the yellow extends to the lower throat, leaving only the chin and upper throat white. It is not E. viridiceps (Hawker), which is duller green above, has white tips and edges to the outer tail-feathers, and the crojD-patch pale greenish yellow.
Dr. Reichenow has described Euprinodes florisuga from a MS. name [Sylvia florisuga) of Lichtenstein in the Berlin Museum. This is undoubtedly Alexander's E. neglecta, which thus becomes a synonym of E. florisuga (Reichen. J. f. O. 1898, p. 314, ex Licht.).— R. B. S.]
188. Apalis pulchra.
Apalis pulchra Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 119; id. op. cit. 1892, p. 155, pi. iv. fig. 1 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 71 (1896).
No. 977. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 12, 1898. Iris bright ochreous hazel; bill black; feet dusky brown, toes slightly paler.
No. 983. $ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 13, 1898.
No. 992. S ad. „ „ April 15, 1898.
No. 1041. $ ad. „ „ April 26, 1898.
I'airly plentiful in thick vegetation and bushes in belts of forest.
189. Apalis porphyroltema.
Apalis porphyrolama Reichen. & Neum. Orn. MB. iii. p. 75 (1895); Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 71 (1896) ; O.Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 307.
Nos. 124, 125. c? ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 29, 1896. Iris crimson, with inner ring of ochreous yellow; bill black ; feet brownish flesh-colour. First seen in Nandi, but since observed at the Ravine on the 12th of September, 1896.
No. 587. 2 ad. Ravine, Mau, March 30, 1897. Spreads out its tail, twitching it from side to side with drooping wings as it flits about amongst the tree-tops in search of insects.
f2
68 Mr. F. J. Jacksou on Birds
No. 591. S ad. Ravine, March .31, 18L>7. Iris hazel, eyelids light brown.
Nos. 673, ? ; 674, 675, S ad. Ravine, July 20, 1897.
No. 1097. ? ad. Nandi,6500 feet. May 10, 1898. Iris hazel, with ring of yellow round the pupil, which gives the eye an appearance of being ochreous yellow ; eyelids brown ; bill black ; feet yellowish flesh-colour.
[The sexes are alike in colour, but the male is the larger bird (c?, wing 2*15, tail 2-25-2-5 j ?, wing 2*05, tail l*9-2*0). The specimens killed in July are decidedly greyer than those procured from March to June, which have a somewhat browner shade above. — R. B. S.]
190. Eminia lepida.
Eminia lepida Hartl.; Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 57 (Bukoba); id.Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 225 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 71 (1896); Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 308.
No. 39. 2 juv. Ntebi, Sept. 30, 1895.
No. 58. c? ad. Ntebi, Oct. 5, 1895.
No. 955. c? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 9, 1898. Iris bright crimson-brown ; bill black ; feet pale flesh-colour. Sings very sweetly, with some notes not unlike those of a Nightingale.
No. 1027. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 24, 1898. Plentiful in the brush, but difficult to see. Creeps about in the thick matted vegetation. Stomach contained beetles.
Nos. 1035, 1040. S ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 25, 26, 1898. Note very loud.
No. 1074. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 5, 1898.
[The immature female is decidedly a paler bird than the male, with a lighter grey head, and somewhat less chestnut on the throat. A young female from Ntebi has the chestnut on the throat paler, the head light grey, with a wash of yellowish green on the occiput; there is likewise very little tinge of chestnut on the under tail-coverts.
The female is smaller than the male and has a shorter bill. The wing is 2-65-2-75 inches in the female and 2 85-3-0
obtained in Britit^h East Africa. 69
in the male. The tail in the male is 2'6-2"9 inches in length and 2-25-2-35 iu the female.— R. B. S.]
191. CaMAROPTERA BRBVICAUDATA.
Camaroptera brevicaudata (Riipp.) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 69 (1896) ; Jackson, Ibis, 1898, p. 138 (Witu) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 157.
No. 36. ? ad. Ravine, Man, March 17, 1896. Iris hazel, eyelids yellowish brown; bill black, lower mandible horn-blue j feet dusky.
No. 565. S ad. Ravine, March 27, 1896.
No. 619. S ad. Ravine, April 10, 1897. A bird fond of creeping about amongst dead brushwood and scrub.
No. 626. ? ad. Ravine, April 13, 1897.
No. 758. ? ad. Lake Naivasha, Aug. 11, 1897.
Nos. 1079, S; 1089, ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 6, 9, 1898. Iris bright hazel, eyelids ochreous ; bill dark brown, lower mandible horn-blue ; feet bluish flesh-colour.
192. Syi-viella baraka.
Sylviella virens Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 56 (nee Cass.) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 306.
Sylviella baraka Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. vii. p. vi (1897).
a. $ ad. Ntebi, Feb. 14, 1895. Iris hazel; bill dusky, lower mandible yellowish ; feet brownish flesh-colour.
b. S ad. Ntebi, April 21, 1895.
[Mr. Ogilvie Grant, Il)is, 1900, p. 156, states that this species *' appears to be founded on immature examples of S. virens (Cass.)." I still see no reason for doubting that the two species are quite distinct. — R. B. S.]
193. Sylviella jacksoni.
Sylviella jacksoni Sharpe, Bull. B. 0. C. vii. p. vii (1897) ; O. Neum. J. f. 0. 1900, p. 305.
No. 32. S ad. Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 7, 1892.
Nos. 59, 60. S ? ad. Kibwezi, 3000 feet, March 16, 1892.
[Mr. Ogilvie Grant (Ibis, 1900, p. 154) has given areview of the genus Sylviella, and in the main points of his revision I
70 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
agree, especially in the distinctions drawn between S. micrura (Rlipp.) and S. brachyura (Lafr.). Dr. Reichenow has also given a key to the species of Sylviella {" Ueber Sylviella- Arten ") in the ' Ornithologische Monatsberichte ' for 1900 (pp. 21, 22).
Mr. Grant thinks that there can be no doubt that my S. jacksoni is the same as S. ivhytii of Shelley, but, with some more specimens of the former before me, the two seem to me to be easily recognizable.
Of S. pallida I am unable to judge without seeing the type. One specimen presented to the Museum by Capt. Boyd Alexander appears to have a dark eye- streak, and to be Sylviella flecki of Reichenow (Orn. MB. ]900, p. 22). Another specimen from Tete is determined by Mr. Grant as S. pallida, but seems to me to be *S^. whytii. — R. B. S.]
194. Sylviella leucophrys.
Sylviella leucophrys Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 120; id. op. cit. 1892, p. 159; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 70 (1896).
No. 1063. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 4, 1898. Iris bright crimson-brown ; eyelids brown ; bill pale brown, lower mandible paler still ; feet light brown with pinkish tint. Types procured on Mount Elgon. First seen since its discovery in February 1890, This little bird creeps about in thick bru:<li like Camaroptera brevicaudata.
Fam. T u R D I D iE.
195. COSSYPHA lOL/EMA.
Cossypha caffra (nee L.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 160 ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 226 (1894) (Kilima- njaro) ; Shelley, B. Afr. i. p. 84 (18 J6, partim).
Cossypha caffra mauensis O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 309.
No. 122. S juv. Mau, 8000 feet, June 2Q, 1896. Iris brown; bill, upper mandible dull brown, lower mandible yellowish white ; feet bluish flesh-colour.
No. 200. S ad. Ravine, Mau, July 25, 1896, Ins brown ; bill and feet black. Plentiful in thick bush, though not often seen.
obtained in British East Africa. 7\
No. 229. ^ juv. Elgeyu, 5000 feet, Aug. 10, 1896.
No. 230. (^ ad. Elgeyu, 5000 feet, Aug. 10, 1896. Bill black ; feet dark slate-colour.
No. 477, c? juv. Ravine, Feb. 21, 1897. Iris brown; bill black, gape yellow ; feet brownish black.
No. 495. cJ ad. Ravine, March 2, 1897. Scarce. Found in thick brush. Sings very sweetly, generally in the evening, perched on a dead bush. Very shy, and disappears at once on the approach of danger into the bush, where it can be heard giving vent to a curious low grating noise.
No. 543. ? ad. Ravine, March 19, 1897. Very shy. Hides itself in clumps of dead sticks overgrown with creepers, &c., in which it hops about, taking a peep at the intruder now and again. This is about the only time it gives anyone a chance of an observation, and no time must be lost in taking advantage of it.
No. 755. 6 ad. Lake Naivasha, Aug. 10, 1897.
No. 768. ? ad. „ Aug. 13, 1898.
[I think that Prof. Reichenow is right in separating Cos- sypha iolcema, from Nyasa-land and Kilimanjaro^ from the typical C. caffra of South Africa ; but I cannot separate the Man bird, which Mr. Oscar Neumann has called C. mauensis, from C. iolama. They appear to me to be absolutely identical, and I have compared a good series of both forms.
C. iolcema is a greyer bird than C. caffra, and has a darker and more slate-coloured head, but examples in freshly- moulted plumage, which are browner, are very difficult to distinguish. — R. B. S.]
196. CoSSYPHA MELANONOTA.
Cossypha melanonota (Cab.) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost- Afr. p. 227 (1894) (Bukoba; Siriralsl.) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 84 (1896).
a. ? ad. Ntebi, May 31, 1895. Iris brown ; bill black ; feet dull slate-colour.
b. ? ad. Ntebi, August 1, 1895.
No. 152. S juv. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 5, 1896. Iris brown ; bill brownish black ; feet pale horn-blue.
72 Mr. F. J. Jack!^oll on Birds
No. 1026. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 24, 1898. In very thick bush, and so seldom seen that it is difficult to say whether it is a rare bird or not.
197. CoSSYPHA HEUGLINI.
Cossypha heuglini Hartl. ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost- Afr. p. 226, fig. 101 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 84 (1896) ; Hartert, Nov. Zool. vii. p. 52 (1900).
No. 474. S ad. Ravine, Mau, Feb. 21, 1897. Iris brown ; bill black ; feet very dark brown. Fairly plentiful in thick bush, but not often seen.
No. 689. ? juv. Ravine, July 23, 1897.
Nos. 1046, 1047. S ? ad. Naudi, 6500 feet, April 29, 1898.
No. 1075. $ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 6, 1898. Feet, dark slate-colour.
No. 1178. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 31, 1898. Iris dark grey; bill black, tip dull yellow, gape white; feet slaty black ; lower eye-scales white.
198. ClCHLADUSA GUTTATA.
Cichludusa guttata Heugl. ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 160; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 228 (1894) ; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1895, p. 484; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 84 (1896;; O. Neura. J. f. O. 1900, p. 310.
a. Ad. Ukambani, Oct. 1894.
No. 246. S ad. Elgeyu, 3700 ftet, Aug. 13, 1896. Iris brown ; bill black ; feet horn-blue. Plentiful in the bush.
No. 289. ? ad. Elgeyu, 3700 feet, Aug. 18, 1896. Nest of red earth, cup-shaped, on horizontal bough in bush. Two eggs ; blue.
199. Erythropygia leucoptera.
Erythropygia leucoptera (Rupp.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vii. p. 79 (1883) ; id. P. Z. S. 1895, p. 483 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 82 (1896) ; Hartert, Ansorge's Afr. Sun, p. 353 (1899) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 170.
No. 14. $ ad. River Tsavo, Jan. 11, 1892.
obtained in British East Africa. 73
No. 88. $ ad. Ngomeue, River Tsavo, April 4, 1892.
No. 90. S ad. River Tsavo, Kufumika, April 5, 1892.
No. 92. ^ ad. Kufumika, Teita. April 5, 1892. Iris brown ; bill dusky brown, base of lower mandible dull yellow ; feet pale horn-blue.
This bird is very plentiful in bush-country, and is far more often heard than seen. Its song is very noticeable, and much resembles that of the Nightingale.
200. Erythropygia ukambanensis.
Erythj'opygia ukambensis Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C. xi. p. 28 (1900).
a. Ad. Ukambani, Oct. 1894..
[This species is larger than E. leucoptera, and easily distinguished by the black stripes on the fore-neck and sides of the upper breast. The bill is conspicuously longer and the crown is dusky brown. — R. B. S.]
201. GeOCICHLA PIAGGIiE.
Geucichla jnaggia (Bouv.) ; Sharpe, in Seebohm's Mon. Turdid. i. p. 41, pi. xiii. (1898)
Turdus piaggii Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 88 (1896).
No. 898. ? ad. Ravine, 7500 feet, Feb. 5, 1898. Iris brown ; bill black ; feet dusky flesh-colour, toes darker. In thick forest.
Nos. 902, 903. ? ad. Ravine, 7500 feet, March 6, 1898.
No. 915. $ ad. Ravine, 7500 feet, March 10, 1898.
202. TuRDUS PELIOS.
Turdus pelios 1 p.; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 88 (1896) j Sharpe, in Seebohm^s Mon. Turdidse, i. p. 328, pi. Ixxvi. fig. 2 (1899) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 163.
Turdus bocagei (nee Cab.) ; Reichen. J. f . 0. 1892, p. 60 ; id. Vcig. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 232 (1894).
a. (5^ ad. Busoga, Nov. 17, 1894. Bill yellow; feet dull pale yellow ; iris bright brown.
b. (^ ad. Ntebi, March 1, 1895.
c. d. ^ ad. Ntebi, Aug. 2, 8, 1895. Eyelids olive greenish yellow ; feet yellowish ochre.
74> Mr, F. J. Jackson on Birds
203. TURDUS ELGONENSIS.
Merula elgonensis Sharpe, Ibis^ 1891^ p. 445.
Turdus elgonensis Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 88 (1896); Sharpe, in Seebohm's Mon. Turdiclse, i. p. oil, pi. Ixxii. (1899); O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 309.
Turdus deckeni (iiec Cab.) ; Hartert, Afr. Sun, App. p. 354 (1899).
No. 37. S ad. Ravine, Man, March 17, 1896. Iris brown; eyelids yellow; bill bright orange; feet dusky yellow. Much worn plumage, just beginning to moult. In habits the biid resembles the Blackbird (T. merula).
No. 472. ? ad. Ravine, Feb. 20, 1897. Generally singly or in pairs.
No. 539. ? juv. Ravine, March 18, 1897. Iris brown ; eyelids greenish yellow ; bill dull brown, lower mandible dusky orange; feet pale olive-brown.
No. 604. (^ ad. Ravine, April 4, 1897. Stomach con- tained berries.
No. 661. S juv. Ravine, July 17, 1897. Bill dusky brown with yellow edges ; feet dusky yellow.
No. 662. S ad. Ravine. July 17, 1897.
No. 865. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, Feb. 14, 1898. Eye- lids yellow; bill orange-red ; feet dull yellow.
Nos. 1227, 1228. S ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, June 21, 1898.
No. 1263. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 3, 1898. Bill orange-yellow. Plentiful. Habits identical with those of the Blackbird. If disturbed its call is like that of a young Blackbird when scared on being hunted out of gooseberry- bushes at home. Stomach contained beetles, picked up from the ground.
204. MONTICOLA SAXATILIS.
Monticola saxatilis (L.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 161 ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 235 (1894); Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1895, p. 485; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 89 (1896); Hinde, Ibis, 1898, p. 581 (Machako's) ; Hartert, Afr. Sun, App. p. 354 (1899); Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 162; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 312.
obtained in British East Africa. 75
No. 34. S ad. Ravine, Mau, March 16, 1896. Iris brown ; bill brownish black ; feet dark brown. All birds appear to be moulting, and a great number of them are now going about in pairs, March 16, 1896.
No. 833. S ad. Samia Hills, Kavirondo. Feb. 3, 1898. Bill dusky black, greenish horn at base ; feet black.
No. 845. S ad. Nandi, 5500 feet, Feb. 2, 1898. Fairly plentiful both singly and in pairs. Several seen up to end of March, when they all disappeared.
No. 846. S ad. Nandi, Feb. 9, 1898.
No. 859. ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, Feb. 13, 1898.
205. MONTICOLA RUnCINEREA.
Monticola rvfocinerea (Riipp.) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 161 ; Reichen. Yog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 235 (1894) (Lake Naivasha) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 89 (1896) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 163.
No. 322. S ad. Kamassia, 6000 feet, Aug. 23, 1896. Iris brown; bill and feet black. Plentiful on the Man plateau in open bush.
206. Pratincola rubetra.
Pratincola rubetra (L.) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 234 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 85 (1896) ; Hartert, Nov. Zool. vii. p. 52 (1900); Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 167; 0. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 312.
a,b. c? ? ad. Kampala, March 23, 1895.
No. 1006. S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 17, 1898. June 1. With the exception of the Stonechat there are no Chats about at this place.
207. Pratincola axillaris.
Pratincola axillaris Shelley; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 161 ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 234 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 86 (1896) ; Hartert, Nov. Zool. vii. p. 52 (1900); O. Neum. J. f. 0. 1900, p. 312 ; Hinde, Ibis, 1900, p. 499.
No. 31. S ad. Ravine, Mau, March 9, 1896. Iris brown ; bill and feet black.
Nos. 150, S ad.; 151, ? imm. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 4, 1896.
76 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
Nos. 159, IGO. S ? juv. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 6, 1896.
No. 207. (? ad. Ravine, July 30, 1896.
No. 483. c? ad. Ravine, Feb. 25, 1897.
Plentiful and resident tlironghout the year. Generally seen in pairs or singly, perched on a dead tree or stump, from which it keeps a sharp look-out for its prey : this it takes for the most part on the ground, though it often captures insects on the wing, after the manner of a Flycatcher. It is a confiding little bird, and appears to be partial to the vicinity of dwellings, frequenting the shambas both deserted and cultivated, where it doubtless finds its food more abundant.
No. 550. c? ad. Ravine, March 21, 1897.
No. 1138. Juv. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 23, 1898.
No. 1144. c? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 24, 1898.
No. 1273. c? imra. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 30, 1898.
208. Saxicola (enanthe.
Saxicola oenantlie (L.) ; Shaipc, Ibis, 1892, p. 162; Reichen. Yog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 236 (1894) ; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1895, p. 486; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 90 (1896) ; Hinde, Ibis, 1898, p. 581 (Machako's, Dec. to March) ; Hartert, Ansorge's Afr. Sun, p. 351. (1899) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 165 ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 313.
No. 32. S ad. Ravine, Mau, March 15, 1896. Iris brown ; bill and feet black.
Nos. 53, 54. S ? ad. Ravine, March 24, 1896.
No. 385. ? ad. Njemps, Sept. 26, 1896. Plentiful.
No. 889. S ad. Ravine, 7500 feet, Feb. 25, 1898.
Nos. 892, 897. S ? ad. Ravine, 7500 feet, March 4, 1898.
209. Saxicola isabellina.
Saxicola isabellina Cretzschm.; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 162; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 236 (1894) (Kipini) ; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1895, p. 485 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 90 (1896) ; Hartert, Ansorge's Afr. Sun, p. 354 (1899) ; id. Nov. Zool. vii. p. 52 (1900) ; Ogilvie Grant, Ibis, 1900, p. 166; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 313.
obtained in British East Africa. 77
No. 4G7. Tmm. Ravine, Mau, Feb. 19, 1897. Iris brown ; bill and feet black.
No. 694. S juv. Ravine, Aug. 25, 1897.
No. 890. S ad. Ravine, 7500 feet, Feb. 25, 1898.
Nos. 891, 895, 896. S ad- f^avine, 7500 feet, March 4, 1898.
210. Saxicola schalow^i.
Saxicola schalowi Fisch. & Reichen. ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 163; Reicben. Vog. deutscb. Ost-Afr. p. 237 (1894: Lake Naivasha) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 91 (1896) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 313.
No. 16. S ad. Lake Naivasha, Jan. 4, 1896. Iris brown; bill and legs black. This Chat was plentiful along the eastern shore of Lake Naivasha, particularly in the hills to the east.
No. 61. ? ad. Lake Naivasha, April 4, 1896.
No. 756. $ ad. „ Aug. 10, 1897.
211. Saxicola pleshanka.
Saxicola morio H. & E. ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 162; Hinde, Ibis, 1898, p. 581.
Saxicola pleshanka (Lepech.) ; Reiclien. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 237 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 91 (1896); Hartert, Ansorge's Afr. Sun, p. 354 (1899) ; id. Nov. Zool. vii. p. 52 (1900) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 313.
No. 531. S ad. Ravine, Mau, March 15, 1897. Iris brown ; bill and feet black. Sings very sweetly, and has two notes emitted at the same time, so different in sound, that they appear as if there were two birds calling instead of one.
Nos. 893, 914. c? ad. Ravine, 7500 feet, March 4, 9, 1898.
212. Saxicola pileata.
Saxicola livingstonei Tristr. ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 163 ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 236 (1894).
Saxicola pileata Gm. ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p 90 (1896). Saxicola pileata albinotataO. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 313. Campicola livingstonei Tristr. ; Hinde, Ibis, 1900, p. 499,
78 Mr. F. J. Jackson on Birds
Nos. 732, 733. 6 ad. Lake Naivasha, kwg. 7, 1897.
No. 814. S afl. Lake Naivasha, Aug. 29, 1897.
No. 1011. ? ud. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 19, 1898. One of a pair breeding near tlie fort. Failed to find its nest, which is made in a rat- or other hole in the ground.
[1 am afraid that the white tips to the tail-feathers, on which Mr. Oscar Neumann relies for his Saxicola albinotata, are not a stable character. Not all of Mr. Jackson^s specimens show them, while, on the contrary, they are present in many South-African examples, and are, I believe, only a sign of fresh plumage, disappearing with age. — R. B. S.]
213. Myrmecocichla nigra.
Myrmecocichla nigra (V.) ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost- Afr. p. 235 (1894) (Bukoba) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 91 (1896); Ilartert, Ansorge's Afr. Sun, p. 354 (1899); id. Nov. Zool. vii. p. 52 (1900) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 312.
a. S ad. Ntebi, April 24, 1895.
b. S ad. „ Aug. 27, 1895.
214. Myrmecocichla cryptolkuca.
Myrmecocichla cryptoleuca Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 163 ; Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 234 (1894) (Lake Naivasha) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 91 (1896) ; Hartert, Ansorge's Afr. Sun, p. 354 (1899) ; id. Nov. Zool. vii. p. 52 (1900) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 312; Hinde, Ibis, 1900, p. 498.
a. $ ad. Lake Naivasha, Nov. 4, 1894. Iris brown ; bill black ; feet olive-black.
No. 527. $ juv. Ravine, March 12, 1897.
No. 633. ? ad. „ April 15, 1897. Plentiful.
No. 672. ? ad. „ July 19, 1897.
No. 1090. $ ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 9, 1898.
Nos. 1271, 1272. $ ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, July 7, 1898. Fairly plentiful in Nandi. Confined to open ground, where it may be seen sitting on some bush, dead twig, or ant-heap. Except during the breeding-season, these birds go about in small companies, perhaps family-parties, of three or
obtained in British East Africa. 79
four together. Their flight is weak, and they rarely go far at a time. When flying they move their wings very rapidly. They breed in large holes in the ground.
Fara. Tim e l i i d^.
215. Crateropus buxtoni.
Crateropus buxtoni Sharpe, Ibis, 1892, p. 164 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 58 (1896).
No. 332. 2 ad. Kamassia, 6500 feet, Aug. 24, 1896. Iris bright yellow ; bill black ; feet dark horn-blue. Plenti- ful in family-parties.
[Agrees with the typical specimens in the Museum and in Mr. Jackson^s first collection. C. buxtoni is a lighter and greyer bird than C. plebeius and inclines to white on the lower abdomen, while the chin is pure white, in strong- contrast to the throat. — R. B. S.]
216. Ckatehopus sharpii.
Crateropus sharpei Reichen. J. f. O. 1892, p. 56 ; id. Vdg. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 218 (1894) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 58 (1896) ; Hartert, Nov. Zool. vii. p. 49 (1900) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 302.
a. S ad. Ntebi, May 11, 1895. Iris white; bill black: feet dusky black.
Nos. 966, 967. S ? ad. Nandi, 6500 feet, April 10, 1898. Iris silvery white ; bill black ; feet dark brown. Breeding. Nest very roughly made of dry grass-stems, in a bush covered with dead creepers.
Nos. 1156, $ ad.; 1157, 1158, S ad. Nandi, 6500 feet. May 26, 1898. Feet slaty black. Goes about in small parties of four or six, and is found only in open bush country. It is a noisy bird, is very shy, and has a most annoying way of sneaking out of shelter, one bird after the other with a short interval between each, leaving the opposite side of a bush as anyone approaches. I have known this action to be repeated several times from bush to bush without the chance of a shot being offered.
No. 1177. S juv. Nandi, 6500 feet, May 30, 1898.
80 Mr. F. J. Jackson un Birds
217. Crateropus plebeius.
Crateropus plebeius (Riipp.) ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 58 (1896).
No, 202. 2 ad. Ravine, July 28, 1896. Iris yellow; bill black ; feet slaty black. In small family-parties. Plentiful.
Nos. 692, $ ad.; 693, S juv. Ravine, July 25, 1897.
[These birds agree with a specimen of the true C. plebeius from Lado. — R. B. S.]
218. Argya rufula.
Argya rufula Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. iv., App. p. cccxii (1874); Reichen. Vog. deutsch. Ost-Afr. p. 219 (1894); Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1895, p. 488 ; Shelley, B. Africa, i. p. 58 (1896) ; Hartert, Afr. Sun, App. p. 352 (1899) ; O. Neum. J. f. O. 1900, p. 302.
No. 325. S ad. Kamassia, GOOO feet, Aug. 23, 1896. Iris dull ochreons yellow ; bill dusky brown, lower mandible paler; feet pale horn-blue. <