FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY r HE IBIS, A QDAliTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY KDITED BY WILLIAM LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., F.Z.S. VOL. ]IL 1921. ELEVENTH SERIES. He prayeth well, who lovefh well Both man and bird and beast. PUBLL^HED BY TEE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION AND SOLD BY WHELDON & WESLEY, LTD., 28 ESSEX STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.2. 1921. PUTNTED BY TAYLOR AXD FKANCIS, K.ED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. DATES OF ISSUE OF THE PARTS OF 'THE IBIS' FOR 1921. ELEVENTH SERIES. VOLUME III. Number 1. issued January 1st. 2. „ April 4th. 3. „ July 4th. 4. ,, October 4th. Officers of the Britisli Ornitliologists' Union, Past and Present. Presidents. 1859-1867. Col. Hexby Maurice Drummoxd-Hat. 1807-1896. Thomas Lyttleton Powys, Lord Lilfobd. 1897-1913, Frederick DuCane Godman, F.E.S. 1913-1918. Col. Robert George Wardlaw-Ramsat. 1918-1921. William Eagle Clarke, I.S.O., LL.D. 1921- Henry John Elwes, F.R.S. Secretaries and Treasurers. 1858-1864. Prof. Alfred Newtox, M.A., F.R.S. 1864-1870. OsBERT Salvin, M.A., F.R.S. 1870-1882. Frederick Du Cane Godman, F.R.S. 1882-1889. Henry Feles Dresser. 1889-1897. Frederick Du Cane Godman, F.R.S. 1897-1898. OsBERT Saltin, M.A., F.R.S. 1898-1901. Eugene William Gates. 1901-1913. John Lewis Bonhote, M.A. 1913- Edward Charles Stuart Baker, J.P., O.B.E. Editors. 1859-1864. Philip Lutlet Sclater, M.A., F.R.S. 1865-1870. Prof. Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S. 1871-1876. OsBERT Salyin, M.A., F.R.S. 1877-1882. OsBERT Salyin, M.A., F.R.S., and Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A., F.R.S. 1883-1888. Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A., F.R.S., and Howard Saunders. 1889-1894. Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A., F.R.S. 1895-1900. Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Howard Saunders. 1901-1912. Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Arthur Humble Ev^ans, M.A. 1913- William Lutley Sclater, M.A. SER. XI. VOL. III. ^ . LIST OE THE MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. 1921. [An asterisk indicates an Original Member. It is particularly requested that Members sliould give notice to tlie Secretary of the Union of any error in their addresses or descriptions in this List, in oi-der tliat it may be corrected.] Date of Election. 1916. Adams, Ernest Edward ; Lloyd's, Royal E.xchango, E.G. 3. 1914. Aldworth, Ca|)t. Thomas Preston, D.S.O., 3rd Battn., West, Kent Hegt., Mesopotamia. 1911. Alexander, Horace Gundry; 7S Gibbins Road, Selby Oak, Rirminglia-m. 1920. Andrews, William Henry Makens ; Hethersetfc, Norwich, 1888. Aplin, Oliver Vernon; Stonehill House, Bloxham, Oxoii. 1919. Archer, Sir Geoffrey Frances, K.C.M.G. ; Government House, Berbera, Somaliland. 189G. Archibald. Charles E. ; 2 Darnley Road, West Park, Leeds, Yorks. 1919. Arnold, Edwin Carleton ; The College, Eastbourne. 1896. Arrigoni degli Oddi, Count Ettore, Professor of Zoology, University, Padua; and Ca'oddo, Monselice, Padua, Italy. 1901. Arundel. Major Walter B., F.Z.S. ; High Ackworth, Ponte- fract, Yorks. 1915. Ashby, Edwin ; Wittunga, Blackwood, Adelaide, S. Australia. 1901. Ashby, Herbert; Broadway House, Brookvale Road. Southampton. 1908. Ashworth, John Wallwork, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.. F.R.G.S., E.G.R. : Thorne Bank, Heaton Moor, near Stockport, Cheshire, 1918. A STLEY, Arthur ; Freshficld, Ambleside, Westmoreland. SER. XI. — VOL. III. h VIU Date of Election. ^5 1897. AsTLET, Hubert DELiVAi, M.A,, F.Z.S, ; Brinsop Court, Hereford. 1919. Backhotise, Thomas Porter; Trinity College, Cambridge; and 24 Green Street, Cambridge. 1921. Bailey, Major Feedeetck Marshman, C.I.E. ; 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh. 1921. Baker, Captain Cyprian Thurlow ; Kaduna, Northern Province, Kigeria. 1802. Baker, Edward Ciiaeles Stuart, J.P., O.B.E., F.Z.S., F.L.S., H.F.A.O.U. ; 6 Harold Road, Upper Norwood, S.E. 19. {Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.) 2o 1001. Baker, Joun C, M.B., B.A. ; Ceely House, Aylesbury, Bucks, 1906. Bannerman, David Armitage, M.B.E., B.A., F.R.G.S. ; 6 Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, W. 8 ; and British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. 7. 1890. Bakclat, Francis Hubert, F.Z.S. ; The Warren, Cromer, Norfolk. 1885. Baeclat, Hugh Gurney, F.Z.S. ; Colney Hall, Norwich, Norfolk. 1903. Bartels, Max. ; Pasir Datar, Halte Tjisaiit (Preanger), Java, Dutch East Indies. 25 190G. Bates, GeorctE L., C.M.Z.S. ; Bitye, vu2 Ebolowa, Cameroon, West Africa. 1913. Baynks, George Kenneth; 120 Warwick Street, S.W. 1. 1912. Brebi^ William, C.M.Z.S. ; Tropical Research Station of the New York Zoological Society, Katabo, Bartica District, British Guiana. 1910. Beeston, Harry ; Sunnymead, South Street, Havaiit, Hants. 1920. Belcher, Charles F. ; Zoraba, Nyasaland. 3c 1897. Benson, John, P.O. Box 2G2, Vancouver, B, Columbia. 1897. Berey, William, B.A. , LL.B.; Tayfield, Newport, Fifeshire. 1917. Beetram-Jones, John William ; Kelvcdon Hall, Brentwood, Essex. 1921. Best, Miss Mary G. S. ; 32 Dover Street, W, 1. 1914. Betham, Brigadier-Goneral Robert M. ; Fiveways, Church Plill, Camberley. 35 1907. Bethell, The Hon. Richard, F.Z.S. (Scots Guards); 12 Man- cli(;.ster Square, W. 1. 1921, Bkttington, John Brindley; New College, Oxford. IX Date of Election. 1921. Bdven, John Osmund, M.A., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; The Portland Hotel, Great Portland Street, W. 1. 1920. Beveridge, Frederick Spencer ; St. Leonards Hill, Dun- fermline. 1907. Bickerton, William, F.Z.S. ; Kingsmuir, 21 Oxhey E,oad, Watford, Herts. 40 18S0. BiDWELL, Edward; 1 Trig Lane, Upper Thames Street, E.G. 4. 1919. Bigger, Dr. William Kenneth, M.G. ; P. ^1.0., Nazareth, Galilee, Palestine. 1892. Bird, The Rev. Maurice C. H., M.A. ; Brunstead Rectory, Stalham, S.O., Norfolk. 1891. Blaauw, Frans Ernst, C.M.Z.S. : Gooilust, 'sGravelaud, Hilversum, Noord-Holland. 1913. Blackwood, Lt. George Glendinning, M.C. (Seaforth High- landers) ; 1 Blackness Crest, Dundee, N.B. 45 1903. Blathwayt, I'he Rev. Francis Linley, M.A. ; Melbury Rectory, Dorchester, Dorset. 1914. Blyth, Robert Oswald, M.A. ; 35 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow. 1897. BoNAR, Tlie Rev. Horatius Ninian, F.Z.S. ; 22 Blackford Road, Edinburgh. 1905. Bone, Henry Peters. 1894. Bonhote, John Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Park Hill House, Carshalton. 50 190G. Bookman, Staines; Heath Farm, Send, Woking, Surrey. 1898. Booth, George Albert; The Hermitage, Kirkham, Lan- cashire. 1904. Booth, Harry B., F.Z.S. ; Rybill, Ben Rhydding, via Leeds, Yorks. 1920. HoRMAN, Major Frank William; 43 « Bow Lane, E.G. 4 ; and M.G.C. (1), The Residency, Cairo. 1908. BoRRER, Cliefohi) Dalison; 6 Durham Place, Chelsea, S.W. 3. (Committee.) 55 1918. Boyd, Capt. Arnold Whitwoeth, M.C. (Lancashire Fusiliers); Frandloy House, Northwich. 1915. Bradford, Arthur Danby, F.Z.S. ; Upton Lodge, Watford, Herts. 1895. Braueord, Sir John Rose, K.C.M.G., C.B., M.D., D.Sc, F.R.S., F.Z.S ; 8 Manchester Square, W. 1. h2 Date of Election. 1*J09. Eriggs, Thomas Henrt, M.A., F.E.S. ; Sefton, Dawlish, South Devon. 1902. Bristowe, Bertram Arthur ; Ashford Farm, Stoke ])'Abernon, Cobbam, Surrey. 60 1919. Brockelbank, Lt.-Col. Eichard Hugh Rotds, D.S.O., 9th Lancers ; Watergate House, Bulford, Wilts. 1908. Brook, Edward Jonas, F.Z.S. ; Hoddani Castle, Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire. 1920. Brooks, Major Allan, D.S.O. ; Okanagau Landing, British Columbia. 1912. Brown, Thomas Edward ; c/o Messrs. G. Beyts & Co., 11 Port Tewfik, Suez, Egypt. 1900. Bruce, William Speirs, LL.D., F.B.S.E. ; Scottish Ooeano- graphical Laboratory, Surgeon's Hall. Edinburgh. 65 1911. Buchanan, Captain Edavard Mackenzie Murray; Leny, Callandar. 1907. Buckley, Charles Mars : 4 Hans Crescent, S.W. 1. 1906. BucKNiLL, Sir John Alexander Strachey, K.C, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Supreme Court, Patna, India ; and Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 1. 1908. BuNYARD, Percy Frederick, F.Z.S. : 57 Kidderminster lload, Croydon, Surrey. 1907. Butler, Author Gardiner, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; 124 Beck- enham Boad, Beckenhara, Kent. 70 1899. Butler, Arthur Lennox, F.Z.S. : St. Leonard's Park, Horsham, Sussex. 1905. Buxton, Anthony ; Knighton, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. 1912. Buxton, Dr. Patrick Alfred ; Department of Health, Government House, Jerusalem. 1896. Cameron, Major James S. (2nd hn. lloyal Sussex llegt.); Low Wood, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent, 1888. Cameron, John Duncan; Low Wood, ]5othersden, Ashford, Kent. 75 1909. Carroll, Clement Joseph ; Bocklow, Felhard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. 1904. Carruthers, Alexander Douglas ; Barmer Hall, King's Lynn, Norfolk. 1908. Carter, Thomas; Wensleydale, Mulgravelld., Sutton, Surrey. 1890. Cave, Capt. Charles John Philip, M. A., F.Z.S.; Ditcham Park, Petersfield, Hants. Date ol Election. 1919. Chance, Edgar P.; 9 Hay Hill, Berkeley Square, W. 1. So 1919. Chartf.ris, The Hon. Guy Lawrence ; 26 Catherine Street, Buckingham Palace Poad, S.W.I. 1882. Chase, Pobekt William ; Heme's Nest, Bewdley, Worcestershire. 1921. Chasen, Frederick Ndtten; Paffles Museum. Singapore. 1908. Cheesman, Major Robert E. ; c/o The High Commissioner, Baghdad, Mesopotamia. 1910. Chubb, Charles, F.Z.S. ; British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, S.W. 7. ^S 1918. Chubb, Capt. Patrick Arthur; c/o London Joint City & Midland Bank, 8 New Coventry Street, W. 1. 1912. Clark, George WixNgeield, M.A., P.Z.S. ; "Homeland," Lode, Cambridge. 1904. Clarke, Major Goland van Holt, D.S.0.,E.Z.S. ; Chilwbrth Court, Pomsey, Hants. 1916. Clarke, John Philip Stephenson; Borde Hill, Cuckfield, Sussex. 1889. Clarke, Col. Stei'henson Robert, C.B., F.Z.S. ; IJorde Hill, Cuckfield, Sussex. 90 1880. Clarke, William Eagle, I.S.O., LL.D., F.L.S,, F.R.S.E. ; 53 North Castle Street, Edinburgh. 1901. Cochrane, Capt. Hexrv Lake, R.N. ; The Chase, Whaddon, Bletchley, Bucks. 1898. Cocks, Alfred Heneage, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Poynetts, Skirmett, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxon. 1895. Coles, Richard Edward; Rosebank, New Milton, S.O., Hants. 1911. CoLLETT, Anthony Keeling; 5 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C. 2. 95 1904. Collier, Chakles, F.Z.S. ; Bridge House, Culmstock, Devon ; and Windham Club, St. James' Square, S.W. 1. 1919. CoLLiNGE, Dr. Walter Edward, D.Sc, M.Sc, F.L.S. F.E.S. ; The Museum, York. 191G. Cor.TART, Dr. Henry Neville; " Makum." Alexander Road, Epsom, Surrey. r.)09. CoNGREVE, Capt. William Maitland, M.C. ; The Forest, Kerry, Montgomeryshire. 1913. Cook, James Pembbrton ; Kiora, Kjambu, British East Africa. I)iitu of Election. loo 1!)14. CouRTOis, The llev. li. L., S.J. ; Director of the Sikawei Museum, near Shanghai, China. 1913. Cowan, Francis; Wester Lea, Murrayfield, Midlotliian. 1920. Coward, Thomas Alfued, F.Z.S., F.E.S. ; Brentwood, Eow- dou, Cheshire, 1894. Crewe, Sir Vaxjncey Harpur, Bt. ; Calke Ahhey, Derliy. 1917. Cunningham, JosiAs, II. N.V.E. ; Eernhill. Belfast. 105 191G. CuRRiE, Algernon James ; Chief Audit Officer, S.P.R., Shiraz, vici Bushire, S. Persia. 1915. Currie, lloRERT Ale.xander (Chinese Customs); The Custom House, Hankow, China. 1899. Curtis, Frederick, F.li.C.S. ; Alton House, lledhill, Surrey. 189G. Danfoed, Lt.-Col. Bertram W,Y., li.E. ; c/o Messrs. Cox & Co., 16 Cliaring Cross, S.W. 1. 1883. Davidson, James, F.Z.S.; 32 Drumsheugli Gardens, Edin- hurgh. 1 10 1921. Davies, Capt. Eichard IIees ; Carreg-yr-Halen, Mcuai Bridge, Anglesey. 1905. Davis, K. J. Acton, M.C, F.R.C.S., F.Z.S. ; 24 Upper Berlveley Street, W. 1. 1921. Deane, Robert Heward ; " Bariken," 23 Grange lload, Ealing, W. 5. 1920. Delacour, Jean; Chateau de Cleres, Seine Inferieure, France. 1909. Delme-Eadcuffe, Capt. Alfred (105th Maratha Light Infantry); c/o Messrs. Cox & Co., Bombay, India. 1 15 1920. Delme-IIadcliffe, Lt.-Col. Henry; c/o Cox & Co., 16 Charing Cross, S.W. 1. 1921. Dempster, George Edward William ; 224 Tufnell Park Eoad, N. 19. 1902. Dent, Charles Henry ; Snow Hall, Darlington, Durham. 1916. Despoit, Giuseppe, Curator of the Natural History Museum, The University, Malta. 1921. Dewhurst, Capt. Frederick Wynford ; " Elmwood," Xorth- end Eoad, Hampstead, N. 3. 120 1893. De AVinton, William Edward, F.Z.S. ; 19 Eunisniore Gardens, S.W. 7. 1896. DoBBiE, James Bell, F.E.S. E., F.Z.S. ; 12 Soutli Inverleith Terrace, Edinburgli. xlii Jjate of Election, 1889. DoBiE, William Henky, M.K.C.S. ; 2 Hunter Street, Chester. 1920. Donald, Chakles Hilliard ; Director of Fisheries, Dharra- sala, Panjah, India. 1904. Drake-Brockman, Lt.-Col. lULPn Evelyn, D.S.O., M.ll.C.S., L.E.C.P., F.Z.S.; "Eldama," Salvington, Worthing. 125 1890. Drtjmmond-Hay, Col, James A. G. 11.- (Coldstream Guards); Seggieden, by Perth, 1878. DuRNFOKD, W. Arthur, J.P. ; Elsecar, Barnsley, Yorks. 1903. Earle, Edward Vavasour ; " Riverside," South Dareiith, Kent. 1914. Edwards, Laurence Albert Curtis, M.A.; 61 Elphinstone Road, Hastings. 1895. Elliot, Edmund A. S., M.R.C.S. ; Woodville, Kingsbridge, South Devon. 130 1884. Elliott, Algernon, C.I.E. ; 41 Stanley Gardens, Hamp- stead, N.W. 3. 1866. Elwes, Henry John, F.R.S., F.Z.S.; Colesborne, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, (President.) 1920. Evans, Lt. -Commander Arthur, K.N. ; H.M.S. ' Vimeria,' c/o G.P.O., London. 1879, Evans, Arthur Humble, M.A., F.Z.S. ; 9 Harvey Road, Cambridge. 1888. Evans, William, F.R.S.E. ; 38 Morningside Park, Edin- burgh. ^35 1916. Ezra, Alfred, F.Z.S. ; Foxwarren Park, Cobham, Surrey. 1892. Fairbridge, William George ; 141 Long Market Street, Capetown, South Africa. 1916. Falkiner, Capt. John McIntire, I, M.S., F.R.C.S. ; 22 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. 1909. Fanshawe, Capt. Richard D. (late Scots Guards) ; The Cottage, Rrimpton, Berks. 1921. Faruuhar, Arthur McNeill; 55 Hans Road, S.W. 3. 140 1894. FARauHAR, Admiral Sir Arthur Murray, K.C.B., C.V.O.; Acheron, Aboyne, N.B. 1898. Farquhar, Rear-Admiral Stuart St, J,, R.N, ; Naval & Military Club, Piccadilly, W, 1. 1921. Feasey, Gilbkrt George; 3 Oakdalo Road, Streathanu S.W. 16 ; and Abinsi, via Ljkoja, Northern Nigeria. 1921. Field, Frank James Richard; Gonda, Oudh, India. iiV Date of Election. 1921. Finch, Lieut. Harold Bingley, M.C. ; "Arundel," Prospect lload, Shaiiklin, Isle of Wight. 145 lyOl. FiNLiNsoN, Horace W., F.Z.S. ; 5 Eosamond Road, Bedford, 1921. Fisher, Kenneth; The Briary, Eton College, Windsor. 1885. Fitzherbert-Brockholes, William Joseph ; Claughton Hall, Garstang, Lancashire. 1902. Flower. Major Staxlex Smyth, F.Z.S. ; Kedah House, Zoological Gardens, Giza, Egypt. 1912. Floyd, James Francis Mlrray, B.A. ; The University, Glasgow. 150 1912. Foster, Arthur H., M.E.C.S., L.R.CP. ; Sussex House, 8S Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts. 1903. Foster, Nevin Harkness, F.L.S., M.K.I.A. ; Hillsborough, Co. DoAvn, Ireland. 1880. Foster, William ; 39 Colville Gardens, Bayswater, W. 11. 1921. Francis, Richard Taunton, F.Z.S. ; "Fairhaven," Peak's Hill, Purley, Surrey. 1881. Freke, Percy Evans ; South Point, Limes Pioad, Folkestone. 155 1895. Frohawk, Frederick William, F.E.S. ; Uplands, Thunders- ley, Essex. 1909. Frost, William Edward, J. P. ; Ardvreck, Crieff, Perth- shire. 1881. Gadow, Hans, Ph.D., F.P.S., F.Z.S. ; Cleramendi, Great Shelford, near Cambridge. 1886. Gainsborough, Charles William Francis, Earl of ; Exton Park, Oakham, Rutland. 1 907. Gandolfi, Alfonso Otho Gandolfi-Hornyold, Duke, Ph.D. ; Blackmore Park, Hanley Swan, Worcestershire. 160 1921. GiBB, David Eric Wilsok ; Bridgehouse, Gerrard's Cross, Bucks. 1902. GiBBiNS, William Bevington, F.Z.S. ; Ettington, Stratford- on-Avon, Warwickshire. 1921. Gilbert, Capt. Humphrey Adam; New University Club, St. James's Street, S.W. 1. 1921. Gill, Edwin Leonard, M.Sc, Curator of the Hancock Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle-on-Tyne. 1919. GiLLON, Mrs. Nina; 1-1 Carlton Terrace, Edinburgh, 165 1903. Gladstone, Capt. Hugh Steuart, M.A., F.Z.S., F.R.S.E., F. S.A.Scot.; Capenoch, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire; and 40 Lunnox Gardens, S.W. 1. {Committee.) xV Diitf of Election. 1021. Glegg, William Edwin ; Tlie House, Albion Brewery, AVhitechapel Eoad, E. 1. 1021. GoDMAN, Miss Eva M. ; Soutli Lodge, Horsliam. 1908. GouMAN, Lt.-Col. Edwakd Shiklky (2iid Dorset Eegimeiit) ; Hampsteel, Cowfold, Sussex. *1858. GoDMAN, Percy Sanden, 13. A., C.M.Z.S. ; Hampsteel, Cowfold, Sussex. {Gold Medallist.) 170 1006. Goodall, Jeremiah Matthews; The Kest, Bembridge, Isle of Wight. 1900. Goodfellow, Walter, F.Z.S. ; The Poi^ars, Kettering, T^orthants. 1920. Gordon, Mrs. Addeey ; Otterburn Tower, Utterburn, Is'orthumberland. 1921. Gordon, John G. M. ; Corsemalzic, Whauphill, Wigtown- shire, N.B. 1906. Gordon, Seton Paul, F.Z.S. ; Aucliintoul, Aboj'ue, Aberdeenshire. 175 1012. GossE, Major Philip, M.R.C.S., L.ll.C.P., R.A.M.C. ; Savile Club, Piccadilly, W. 1 ; and 25 Argyle Road, Kensington, W.8. 1899. Gould, Francis Herbert Carkuthers, F.Z.S.; Matham Manor House, East Molesey, Surrey. • 1895. Gkabham, Oxley, M.A. ; The Museum, York. 1920. Graham, Major Claude ; IS'orthampton Regt., Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 1 ; and Talodi, Nuba Mts. Province, Sudan. 1909. Grant, Capt. Claude Henry Baxter, F.Z.S. ; c/o The Chief Secretary to the Government, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika Territorj^ ; and Sports Club, St. James's Square, S.W. 1. 180 1918. Grant, Francis ; 22 Bushmead Avenue, Bedford. 1913. Greening, Linnaeus, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Faiiiight, Grappenhall, near Warrington, Cheshire. 1909. Grey of Falloden, The Rt. Hon. Edward, The Viscount, K.G., P.C., F.Z.S. ; Falloden, Christon Bank, R.S.O., Northumberland. 1906. Griffith, Arthur Foster ; 59 Montpellier Road, Brighton, Sussex. 1920. Gkiscom, Ludlow, 37 Fifth Avenue, New York, U.S.A. 185 1885. Guillemard, Francis Henry Hill, M.A., M.D., F.Z.S. ; Old Mill House, Trumpington. Cambridge. Date of Election. 1908. GtJKNKV, Gerard Hudson, F.Z.S., F.E.S. ; Keswick Hall, Norwich, Norfolk. J 870. GuRNEY, John Henry, F.Z.S. ; Keswick Hall, Norwich ; and Atheiifeum Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 1. 1896. Gurney, lloBERT, F.Z.8. ; Ingham Old Hall, Stalham, Norfolk. 1891. Haigh, George Henry Caton, F.Z.S. ; Graiusby Hall, Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire. 190 1887. Haines, John Pleydell Wilton ; 17 King Street, Gloucester. 1898. Hale, The llev. James Kashleigh, M.A. ; Boxley Vicarage, Maidstone, Kent. 1913. Hardy, Rear Admiral Ernest Clifford, H.N. ; Wolwich House, Wymyngswold, nr. Canterbury, Kent. 1900. Harper, Edmund William, F.Z.S. ; 6 Ashburnham Road, Bedford. 1900. Harris, Henry Edward; " Sunnycote," 53 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth. 195 1921. Harrison, .Dr. James M., D.Sc, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; St. Anne's, 1 Tubs Hill, Sevenoaks. 1893. Hartert, Ernst J. 0., Ph.D., F.Z.S. ; The Zoological Museum, Tring, Herts. 1921. Harvey, Robert Elliott; 46 Lewin Road, Streatham, S.W. 16. 1900. Hasluck, Percy Pedley Harford ; The Wilderness, South- gate, N. 1-4. 1 898. Hawker, Richard Macdonnell, F.Z.S. ; Bath Club, Dover Street, W. 1 ; and c/o Messrs. Dalgety & Co., 96 Bishops- gate, E.C. 2. 200 1918. Heudert, Capt. Edward Grevile, R.A.F. ; c/o Messrs. Cox & Co., R.A.F. Branch, 111 St. Martin's Lane, W.C. 2 ; and Bangkok, Siam. 1902. Hett, Geoffrey Sbccombe, M.B., F.Z.S. ; 8 Wimpole Street, W. 1. 1913. Hewitt, John, M.A. ; Director of the Albany Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa. 1900. Hills, Lt.-Col. John Waller ; 98 Mount Street, W. 1. 1884. HoLDBWoBTH, Charlbs Jambs, J. p. ; Fernliill, Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Date of Election. 205 1920. HoLLAXD, Eaedlijy, F.R.C.S. ; 55 Queen Anne Street, Caven- dish Square, W. 1. 1905. HoPKiNSox, Emilius, M.B., D.S.O., F.Z.S. ; 45 Sussex Square, Brighton, Sussex; and Bathurst, Gambia, West Africa. 191(5. HoPwooD, CvRiL (Indian Forests) ; c/o Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son, Rangoon, Burma. 1888. HoRSFiELU, Hbhkert Knight ; Crescent Hill, Filej-, Yorks. 1895. Howard, HEifRr Eliot, F.Z.S. ; Clarelands, near Stourport, Worcestershire. 210 1881. Howard, Robert James ; Shearbank, Blackburn, Lanca- shire. 1911. Hudson, Reginald; 16 Warwick Road, Stratford-on- Avon. 1920. Humphreys, George Rayner; Ivy Lodge, Drumcondra, Dublin. 1920. HuxHAM, Engr.-Lt.-Commdr. Harold Hugh, D.S.O., R.N. ; H.M.S. 'Dartmuth,' South American Station, c/o G.P.O. London ; and "The Firs," Valloy Road, Chandlers Ford, Hants. 1918. Inglis, Charles McFarlane; Baghownie Factory, Laheria, Serai P.O. Behar, India. 215 1901. Ingram, Capt. Collingwood, F.Z.S.; "The Grange," Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent. 1902. Innes Bey, Dr. Walter Francis ; 6 Square Halim Pasha, Cairo, Egypt. 1913. Iredale, Tom ; 39 Northcote Avenue, Ealing, W. 5. {Committee). 1888. Jackson, Sir Frederick John, K.C.M.G., C.B.. F.L.S., F.Z.S. 1892. James, Henry Ashworth, F.Z.S. ; Hurstmonceux Place, Hailsham, Sussex. 220 1920. Janson, Charles Wilfrid ; 6 Hyde Park Square, W. 2. 1896. Jesse, William, B.A., F.Z.S. ; Meerut College, Meerut, India. 1891. Johnston, Sir Harry Hamilton, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., F.Z.S. St. John's Priory, Poling, near Arundel, Sussex. 1920. Jones, Alexander Edward ; Tattersall House, Ambala, India. 1909. Jones, Surgeon-Commander Kenneth Hurlstone, M.B., Ch.B., F.Z.S., R.N. ; H.M.S. 'Fisgurd,' Portsmouth. XVIII Date of Election. 225 1899. JouKDAiN, The Eev. Francis Chahles lloBKKT, M.A. ; Apple- ton Rectoiy, Abingdon, Berks. 1902. Joy, Norman Humbkkt, M.H.C.S., L.R.C.P. : Thcale, Berks. 1880. Keluam, Brigadier-General Henky Robert, C.B. (late High- land J.ight Infantry); Arm}' and Navy Club, Pall Mall S.W. 1. 1894. Kelsall, Lt. Col. Harry Joseph, B.A.: c/o Messrs. Cox & Co., 16 Charing Cross, S.W. 1. 1897- Kelsall, The Rev. John Edward, M.A. ; Milton Rectory, New Milton, Hants. 230 1904. Kelso, John Edward Harry, M.D. ; Braeside, Edgewood, Lower Arrow Lake, British Columbia. 1914. Kennedy, Cnpt. John Noble, M.C, R.G.A. ; The Manse, Port Patrick, Wigtownshire, Scotland ; and United Service Club, S.W. 1. 1891. Kerr, John Gbaham, P\R.S., E.Z.S,, Regius Professor of Zoology; 9 The University, Glasgow. 1895. KiNGSKORD, "William Edwakd : Cairo, Egypt. 1902. KiNNEAR, Norman Boyd, C.M.Z.S. ; British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, S.W. 7. 235 1910. Kloss, Cecil Boden, E.Z.S., F.R.A.I. ; Assistant Director of Museums, Kuala Lumpur, Federated Malay States. 1921. Knight, Capt. Charles William Robert, M.C. ; Jessons, Sevenoaks. 1892. Laidlaw, Thomas Geddes ; Bank of Scotland House, Duns, Berwickshire. 1913. Lambert, Godfrey Charles ; Woodcote, Esher, Surrey. 1917. Lampard-VachelL; Benjamin Garnet; Pembroke College, Cambridge. 240 1884. Langton, Dr. Herbert; St. Moritz, 01 Dyke Road, Brighton, Sussex. {Committee.) 1881. Lascelles, The Hon. Gerald William, F.Z.S. ; Tillington House, Petworth, Sussex. 1892. La Toucue, John David DiauES, C.M.Z.S. ; c/o Custom House, Mengtze, Yunnan, China. 1898. Learoyd, a. Ernest; G Lowndes Street, S.W. 1. 1910. Lemon, Mrs. Margaretta Louisa, F.Z.S. ; Hillcrest, Redhill, Surrey. 245 1898. Le Souef, Dudley, C.M.Z.S. ; Director of the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. XIX Date of B lection. J 921. Lewis, Stanley ; Highfield House, Hillfield, Cheddar, Somerset. 1921. Lewis, Thomas, F.E.S., C.B.E. ; 10 Chesterford Gardens, Hampstead, N.W. 3. 1897. LiLFOKD, John, Lord, F.Z.S.; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northants, 1909. Lings, George Herbert ; Richmond Hill, Cheadle, Cheshire. 150 1897. Lodge, George Edward, F.Z.S. ; Hawkhouse, Park Road, Camberlej', Surrej-. 1908. Long, Sydney Hiirbert, :\r.D., F.Z.S. ; 31 Surrey Street, Norwich, Norfolk. 1919. Longstaff, Capt. Tom George, M.A., M.D., F.Z.S. ; Picket Hill, Ringwood, Hants. 1921. Low, Dr. George Carmichael, M.I)., M.R.C.P. ; 6 Bentinck Street, W. 1 . 1904. Lowe, Percy Roycroft, B.A., M.B., B.C. ; British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. 7. (Committee.) 255 1914. Lowe, Wieloughby Pkescott : Gorsemoor, Throwleigh, Okehampton, Devon; and c/o Postmaster, Khartoum, Sudan. 1920. Loyd, Captain Lewis Richard William ; The Lookout, Branscombe, Beer S.O., S. Devon. 1921. Lucas, Nathaniel Sampson, M.B. ; 19 Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, W, 2. 1920. Ludlow, Frank, M.A.; Club of Western India, Poona, India ; and Priory Gate, Dunster, Somerset. 1920. Luke, Leonard Percival ; 9 Piggott Street, Brighouse, Yorks. 260 1904. Lynes, Captain Hubert, C.B., C.M.G., R.N. ; 23 Onslow Gardens, South Isensington, S.W. 7. 1920. Mackenzie, Colonel Alexander Francis, C.M.G., M.V.O. (late Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders) ; Old House, \[uir of Ord, N.B. 1917. Mackenzie, John Mitchell Douglas, B.A., C.M.Z.S., Indian Forest Service ; c/o Thos. Cook & Son, Rangoon, Burma, India ; and 6 Tlie Circus, Bath. 191G. Mackworth-Praed, Cyril W. ; Dalton Hill, Albury, Surrey; and 51 Onslow Gardens, S.W. 7. 1906. Macmillan, William Edward Frank; 42 Onslow Square, S.W. 7. Patp of Elertion. 265 1920. Madoc, Lieut. -Colonel Henry William ; Ashfield, Douglas, Isle of Man. 190G. Magrath, Lt.-Col. Henry Augustus Frederick, Indian Army (retired) : Junior Constitutional Club, Piccadilly, W. 1. 1921. Maidstone, Viscount; 23 Manchester Square, W. 1. 1917. Malcomson, Herbert Thomas; Glenorehy, Knock, Belfast. 1917. Mann, Capt. Edward Hamilton, M.C, K.H.A. ; Junior United Service Club, Charles Street, S.W. 1. 270 1907. Mann, Thomas Hugh, F.Z.S. ; Trulls Hatch, Rotherfield, Sussex. 1904. Manson-Bahr, Brevet-Major Philip Henry, D.S.O., M.D., M.R.C.P., R.A.M.C. ; 32 Weymouth Street, W. 1. 1904. Mapleton-Bree, Harvey AYilliam, M.A. ; Gable End, Allesley, Coventry. 1894. Marshall, Archibald McLean, F.Z.S. ; Great Chitcombe, Brede, Sussex. 1894. Marshall, James McLean, F.Z.S.; Bleaton Hallet, Blair- gowrie, Perthshire. 275 1898. Massey, Herbert; Ivy Lea, Burnage, Didsbury, Manchester. 1921. Mathews, Allister William; Foulis Court, Fair Oaks, Hants. 1907. Mathews, Gregory Macalister, F.L.S., F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. ; Foulis Court, Fair Oak, Hants. 1915. May, William Norman, M.D. ; The White House, Sonning, Berks. 1921. McCoNNELL, Arthur Frederick ; Camfield Place, Hatfield, Herts. 2S0 1921. McNeile, John Henry ; 11 Embankment Gardens, S.W. 3. 1883. Meade-Waldo, Edmund Gustavus Bloomeield, F.Z.S. ; Hever Warren, Hever, Kent. 1912. Meiklejohn, Lt. -Colonel Eonald Forbes, D.S.O. (1st Bn. Itoyal Warwickshire llegiment) ; 147 Victoria Street, S.W. 1. 1899. Meinertzhagen, Colonel Richard, D.S.O. , F.Z.S. (Royal Fusiliers) ; 63 Bedford Gardens, Kensington, W. 8. 1880. Millais, John Guille, F.Z.S. ; Compton's Brow, Horsham, Sussex. 285 1910. Millard, Walter Samuel, F.Z.S.: 22 Boyne Park, Tun- bridge Wells. ZZl Date of Election. 3 903. Mills, Canon Heney Holroyd, M.A., F.Z.S. : The Rectory, St. Stophen-in-Erannel, Grampound Road, Cornwall. 1879. Mitchell, Fredekick 8nA,w ; Hornshaws, Millstream, B.C., Canada. 1901. Mitcoell, p. Chalmers, M.A., D.Sc, LL.D., P.R.S., F.L.S., r.Z.8. ; Secretary to the Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, N.W. 8. 1919. Montagu, The Right Hon. Ebwin Samuel ; 24 Queen Anne's Gate, S.W. 1. 290 1920. Moon, Dr. Haeolp Joseph, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; Go South Drive, St. Anne's-on-the-Sea, Lancashire. 1914. MouLTON, Major John Coney, M.A., B.Sc, F.L.S., F.R.G.S., F.E.S. ; Fort Canning, Singapore ; The Hall, Pradford- on-Avon, Wilts. , 1886. ]V[tjiehead, George, F.R.S.E. ; Speybank, Fochabers, Morayshire. 1893. Mullens, Major William Herbert, M.A., LL.M., F.Z.S. ; Westfield Place, Pattlc, Sussex. 1892. MuNN, Capt. Philip Winchester, F.Z.S. ; Puerto Alcudia, Majorca, Balearic Isles, Spain. 295 1918, MuNT, Harry Raymond ; 10 Ashburn Place, South Kensing- ton, S.W. 7. 1897. MuNT, Henry, F.Z.S,; 10 Ashburn Place, South Kensington, S.W. 7. 1910. Murray, Capt. Herbert Willaume, F.Z.S.; The Old House, Epsom, Surrey. 1920. MussELAVHiTE, DoNALD WooDAVARD ; 7 Jcssica Road, Wands- worth Common, S.W. 18. 1907- Neave, Sheffield Airey, M.A., D.Sc, F.Z.S., F.E.S. ; Bishop's House, Beaconsfield. 300 1895. Nesham, Robert, F.Z.S., F.E.S.; Utrecht House, Poynder's Road, Clapham Park, S.W. 4. 1920, Nevill, Captain Tuomas jN'evill Carlton ; Bramall Hall, Cheshire. 1920. Newman, John ; Oare House, Oare, Brendon, North Devon. 1904. Newman, Thomas Henry, F.Z.S. ; Verulam, Forty Lane, Wemblej' Park, Middlesex. 1917. NiCHOLL, Archibald M, C. ; Royal Naval College, Osborne, Isle of Wiirht. XXll Date of Election. 305 1902. Nichols, John Bruce, F.Z.S. ; Parliament Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W. 1. 1900. Nichols, Walter Buchanan ; Stour Lodge, Bradfield, Manningtree, Essex, 1870. Nicholson, Francis, F.Z.S.; Kavenscroft, Windermere, Westmoreland. 1902. NicoLL, Michael John, F.Z.S. ; Valhalla House, Zoological Gardens, Giza, Egypt. 1921. O'CoNNELL, John Henry, L.R.C.P. & S.l. ; 38 Heathfield Eoad, Liverpool. 310 1920. O'DoNEL, Harry Victor; Hasimara T.E., Hasimara P.O., E.B. Railwaj', Duars, India. 1907. Oldham, Charles, F.Z.S. ; The Bollin, Shrublands Road, Berkhamsted, Herts. 1906. OsMASTON, Bertram Beresford (Imperial Forest Service); Pachmarhi, C.P., India. 1913. Owen, John Hugh ; Old School House, Felsted, Essex. 1921. Owen, Owen Rodenhurst ; Bank House, Knighton, Radnor- shire. 315 1919. Page, Wesley Theodore, F.Z.S. ; Langstone, Lingfield, Surrey. 1921. Paget-Wilkes, Arthur Hamilton ; 16 Holywell, Oxford, and Lincoln College, Oxon. 1883. Parker, Hknry, C.E. ; 26 St. George's Road, St. Anne's-on- the-Sea, Laiics. 1880. Parkin, Thomas, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S.; Fairseat, High Wickham, Hastings, Sussex. 1908. Paton, Edward Richmond, F.Z.S. ; Hareshawrauir, By Kilmarnock, Ayrsliire, Scotland. 320 1921. Patten, Charles Joseph, M.A., M.I)., Sc.D. ; University, and 18 Broomhall Road, Sheffield. 1911. Patterson, William Harry; 25 Queen's Gate Gardens, S.W. 7. 1904. Pbarse, Theed ; Courtenay, British Cokimbia. 1894. Pearson, Charles Edward, F.L.S. ; llillcrest, Lowdham, Notts. 1902. Pease, Sir Alfred Edward, Bt., F.Z.S. ; Pinchinthorpe House, Guisborough, Yorkshire ; and Brooks's Club, St. James's Street, S.W. 1. Date of Election. 325 1891. Penrose, Francis George, M.D., F.Z.S. ; llathkeale, 51 (Surrey Koad, Bournemouth. 1900. Percival, Arthur Blayney, F.Z.S,; Game Eanger, JSTairobi, British East Africa ; Sports Club, St, James' Square, S.W. 1. 1912. Pershouse, Major Stanley; c/o Messrs. Cox & Co., 16 Charing Cross, S.W. 1. 1886. Phillips, Ethelbert Lort, F.Z,S. ; 79 Cadogan Square, S.W. 1. 1920. Phillips, Montague Austin, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Devonshire House, Reigatc, Surrey. 330 1920. Phillips, Captain William Watt Addison ; Anasigalla, Matugama, Ceylon ; and Bowden Lodge, Russell Terrace, Leamington. 1914. Pitman, Capt. Charles Robert Senhouse (27th Punjabis) ; P.O. Box 39, Nakuru, Kenya Colony, East Africa. 1908. Player, W. -J. Percy ; Wernfadog, Clydach P.S.O., Glamor- ganshire. 1907. Pocock,ReginaldInnks,F.R.S.,F.L.S.,F.Z.S.: Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park, N.W. 8. 1917. PoLiAKOV, Gregory T. (Editor ' Messager Oi'nithologique') ; Moskva-Nijiiinovgorod Railsvay, Station Obiralovka, Savvino, Russia. 335 1896. Popham, Hugh Leyborne, M.A, ; Houndstreet House, Pens- ford, Somerset, 1920. Pratt, Herbert ; 62 Lyford Road, Wandsworth Common, S.W^ 18. 1898. Price, Athelstan Elder, F.Z.S. ; Salisbury Hall, St. Albans. 1903. Ralfe, Pilcher George; The Parade, Castletown, Isle of Man. 190)3. Ratcliee, Frederick Roavlinson ; 29 Connaught Square, W.2. 340 1917. R.vttray, Col. RuLLioN Hare (retired); 68 Dry Hill Park Road, Tonbridge. 1917. Raw, AViLLiAM ; 170 Newbridge Street, Newcastle-on-Tyue. 1894. Read, Richard Henry, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; Church Street, Hanley, Staffordshire. 1888. Re.ad, Robert H.; 8rt South Parade, Bedford Park, W. 4. 1917. Reeve, Capt. John Sherard, F.Z.S.; Leadenham House, near Lincoln. 345 1903. Renaut, William E. ; Royal Academy of Music, York Gate, Marylebone Road, N.W. 1. SER. XI. VOL. III. C XXIV Date of Election. iyu8. RjcHARDsoN, NoBMAN Peederic, F.R.G.S. ; " Lynton," Brigstock Koad, Thornton Heath, Surrey. 1907. IticiiMOND, Herbert William, M. A., F.R.S. ; King's College, Cambridge. 1895. lliCKETT, Charles Boughet, F.Z.S. ; 27 Kendrick Road, Heading, Berks. 1920. IliNGRosE, Bernard John ; Wilford Rise, Bromeswell Heath, Woodbridge, SufFold. 350 1896. Bippoi^, Lt.-Col. George, F.Z.S. ; The Clump, Buekland, Lymington, Hants ; and United Service Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 1. 1907. Ritchie, Captain Archibald Thomas Ayres ; c/o British East African Corps, Mombassa, B.E. Africa; and 16 Wilton Street, S.W. 1 . 1902. RivijjRE, Bernard Beryl, F.R.C S. ; St. Giles's Plain, Norwicli, Norfolk. 1898. Robinson, Herbert C, C.M.Z.S. ; Selangor State Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Federated Malay States. 1912. Robinson, Herbert William, F.Z.S.Scot. ; Patchctts, Caton, near Lancaster. 355 1917. Robinson, Sydney Maddock ; c/o Col. J. H. Evans, Fraser Road, Rangoon, Burma. 1019. Robinson, Thioodore Richard; Brunswick Lodge, Dunton Green, Kent. 1896. Rogers, Lt.-Col. John Middleton, D.S.O., F.Z.S. (late 1st Dragoons); Riverhill, Sevenoaks, Kent. 1913. Rogers, Reginald jSTankivell ; Carwinion, near Falmouth, Cornwall. 1893. Rothschild, Lionel Walter, Lord, D.Sc, Ph.D., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; Zoological Museum, Tring, Herts. 360 1894. Rothschild, The Hon. Nathaniel Charles, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Arundel House, Kensington Palace Gardens, W. 8. 1918. Rowan, William, The Dept. of Biology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta, Canada. 1910. Russell, Harold, F.Z.S.; 16 Beaufort Gardens, Chelsea, S.W. 3. 1883. S'l'. QuiNTiN, William Herhert, F.Z.S. ; Scampston Hall, Rillington, Yorkshire. . 1903. Sandeman, Lt.-Col. Robert Preston (R. Gloucester Hussars) ; Dan-y P'uc. Crickhowell, S. Wales. XXV Date of Election. 3^5 1889. Sapswortii, Aknolb DuEK, F.Z.S. ; 30 Sussex Place, llegeiiL's Park, N.W. 1. 1914. Satter, Dr. Hans, F.Z.S. ; Bath Club, Dover Street, W. 1 ; and Pinners Hall, Austin Friars, E.G. 2. 1909. Savage, The Rev. Ernest Urmson; Eaughton Head Vicarage, Dalston, R.S.O., Cumberland. 1921. ScHAANNiNG, Hans Thomas Lange ; Konservator, Stavanger Museum, Norway. 1891. ScLATER, William Lutley, M.A., F.Z.S. 10 Sloaue Court, Chelsea, S.W. 1. (Editor.) 370 1908. Seppings, Lt.-Col. John William Hamilton, A.P.D. ; The Castle. Cape Town, South Africa. 1899. Serle, The Rev. William, M.A., B.D. ; The Manse, Dudding- ston, Edinburgh. 1901. Seth-Smith, David, F.Z.S.; 34 Elsworthy Road, South Hampstead, N.W. 3. 1904. Seth-Smith, Leslie Mofeat, B.A., F.Z.S. ; Tangley, Caterham Valley, Surrey ; and Kampala, Uganda. 1909. Seton, Sir Malcolm Cotter Cakiston, K.C.B. : 13 Clarendon Road, Holland Park, W. 11 ; and Union Club, Trafalgar Square, S.W. 1. 375 1917. Shipton, William, B.A., M.D. ; 2 The Square, Buxton, Derbyshire. 1921. Shoktridge, Guy Chestkrton, M.B.E. ; The Ivaffrarian Museum, King Williamstown, Cape Colony. 1921. SiBouR, The Vicomte Lodis de, F.Z.S., F.L.S., F.R.M.S. ; Albert Villa, Shanklin, I. of Wight. 1920. Skea, Ernest Marcellus ; Chief Assayor of Gold Alining States, Ltd., P.O. Box, 46 Pilgrims Rest, Transvaal. 1918. Sladbn, Major Alexander George Lambart ; Kingswood House, The Lee, Bucks ; and Junior Carlton Club, S.W. 1. {Committee.) 380 1908. Smalley, Frederic William, F.Z.S. ; Windermere, 4 Black- heath Park, S.E. 3. 1918. S.MEKD, Major Cecil William, R.F.A.; Miland, West- bourne, West Sussex. 1920. Sjiith, Desmond Abel ; Longhills, near Lincoln. 1914. Smith, Major John Lindsay (Indian Army) ; Supply & Transport Corps, Commdt. Camel Corps, Multan, Punjab, India. xivl Bate of Election. 1918. Smith, Thomas ; Whiston Eaves, Froghall, Stoke-on-Trent. 385 1906. Snouckaekt van Schaubukg, Baron IIen^ Charles : Doom, Holland. 1921. SowEUBY, Arthur de Carle ; c/o H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd., 136 Gower Street, W.C. 1. 1903. Sparrow, Colonel Hichaed, C.M.G., D.S.O., F.Z.S., F.ll.G.S. (late 7th Dragoon Guards); llookwoods, Sible Hedingham, Essex. 1906. Stanford, Surgeon-Coramdr. Charles Edward Cortis, B.Sc, M.B., B.N. ; 94 Jerinyn Street, S.W. 1. 1910. Stanford, Edward Eraser; 12 a Maddox Street, Kegent Street, W. 1. 390 1913. Stanford, Major Henry Morrant, M.C, R.F, A., 115 Batterj*. B.E.F., France ; c/o Messrs. Edward Stanford, Ltd., 12-14 Long Acre, W.C. 2. 1913. Stanford, Capt. John Keith, M.C. ; c/o Messrs. Edward Stanford, Ltd.. 12-14 Long Acre, W.C. 2. 1915. Staples-Browne, Capt. Richard Charles, B.A., F.Z.S. (^ew Zealand Med. Corps) ; Brashfield House, Bicester, Oxon. 1900. Stares, John William Chester ; Portchester, Hants. 1921. Stendall, Jesse Austin Sydney; 12 Rossmore Avenue, Bally nafeigh, Belfast. 395 1902. Stenhouse, Surgeon -Capt. John Hutton, M.B., R.N. ; Caledonian United Service Club, Edinburgh. 1910. Stevens, Herbert; Gopaldhara, Mirik P.O., Kurseong, Darjiling Himalayan Rly., India. 1906. Steward, Edward Simmons, F.R.C.S. ; 30 Victoria Avenue, Harrogate, Yorks. 1914. Stewart, John; Mainshill, Beith, Ayrshire. 1921. Stocks, Andrew Denys ; 8 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C. 2 ; and Union Club. 400 1917. Stoneham, Capt. Hugh Frederic, O.B.E., F.E.S., 1st Battn. East Surrey Eegt. & Asst. Chief Signal Officer, Northern Command ; " Stoneleigh," Reigate, Surrey ; and Army & Navy Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 1. 1 921. Stoney, Cecil Vesey, J. P., 1).L. ; Oakfield Park, Raphoe Co. Donegal. 1881. Studdy, Col. Robert Wright (late Manchester Regiment); Westbury, Paignton, Devon. iXVll Date of Election. 1887. Sti'an, Frederick William, F.Z.S. : Stone Street, near Sevenoaks, Kent. 1914. Sutherland, Lewis IIobertson, M.B., CM., Afedical School. Dundee, N.B. ; Wellgate House, West Newport, Fife- shire. 405 ]n05. SwANN, Harold, F.Z.S. ; The Lordship, Standon, Herts. 1920. Savann, Harry Kirke, F.Z.S. ; Thoracombe, Lyonsdown Itoud, New Barnet, Herts. 1882. Swinhoe, Col. Charles, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S.; 4 Guuterstone Eoad, West Kensington, W. 14. 1884. Tait, William Chaster, F.Z.S.; Entre Quintas J5.5, Oporto, Portugal. 1911. Talbot-Ponsonby, Charles Grorge ; 5 Crown Office Row, Temple, E.C. 4. 410 lyll. Tatton, Reginald Arthur; Cuerden Hall, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lanes. 1014. Tavistock, Hastings William Sackville, Marquis of, F.Z.S.; Warblington House, Havant. 1905. Taylor, Lionel Edward, F.Z.S.; Bankhead, Kelowna, British Columbia. 1886. Terry, Major Horace A. (late Oxfordshire Light Infantry); Compton Grange, Compton, Guildford, Surrey. 1921. Thomas, Mrs. Rose Haig ; 13 Arlington Street, S.W. 1. 415 1916. Thomasset, Bernard Charles, F.Z.S.; The Manor House, Ashmansworth, near Newbury, Berks. 1904. Thompson, Major William R., R.G.A. ; R.A. Mess, Sierra Leone. 1911, Thomson, A. Landsborough, O.B.E., D.Sc, F.Z.S. ; 9 Addison Gardens, Kensington, W. 14. 1900. Thorburn, Archibald, F.Z.S. ; Hascombe, Godalming, Surrey. 1920. Thornhill, Lt.-Colonel Cudbert John Massy, C.M.G., D.S.O., Indian Army, Bath Club, Dover Street, W. 1. 420 1893. Thorpe, Dixon L. ; Loshville, Etterby Scaur, Carlisle, Cumberland. 1903. Ticehurst, Claud Buchanan, M.A., M.D., M.R.C.S. ; 121 London Road North, Lowestoft. 1894. Ticehurst, Norman Frederic, M.A., M.B., F.R.C.S., F.Z.S. ; 24 Pevensey Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex. XXVIU Date of Election. 1902. TowNsuND, Reginald Gilliat, M.A. ; Critchells, Lokerle}*, Komscy, Hants. 1893. Tkevor-Battve, Aubyn, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Ashford Chace, Pefcerstield, Hanta : and Royal Societies Club, St. James's Street, S.W. 1. 425 1913. TdCKWELL, Edwaed Hk:n^ey, F.Z.S. ; Bertliope, Compton, near Guildford, Surrey. 1921. TuTi, JouN Francis Donald, M.R.C.V.S., F.L.S., F.E.S., F.R.M.S., F.Z.S. ; 1 St. Cross Road, AYinchcster, Hants. 1911. TrKWHiTi-DKAKE, Hugh Garrard, F.Z.S. ; Cobtree, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent. 1918. Vaizey, George db Horne ; 53 The Pryors, Hampstead, N.W. 3. 1918. Vaizest, Ker George Russell ; 26 Cornwall Gardens, S.W. 7. 430 1910. Van Someren, Dr. Robert Abraham Logan ; Jinja, Uganda, British East Africa. 1912. Van Sojieren, Dr. Victor Gurnet Logan; c/o Medical Dept., P.O. Box 1-10, Nairobi, B.E. Africa. 1913. Lt.-Col. Venning, Francis Esmond Wingate ; The Croft, Yateley, Hants. 1881. Verner, Col. William Willoughby Cole (late Rifle Brigade) ; Hartford Bridge, Winchfield, Hants ; and United Service Club, S.W. 1. 1886, Wade-Dalton, Col. H. D. ; Hauxwell Hall, Finghall R.S.O., Yorkshire. 435 1916. Wait, Walter Ernest, Deputy Collector of Customs, Colombo, Ceylon. 1918. Walker, ALE.XANDKR Hope, M.D., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. ; The Commoji, Cranleigb, Surrey. 1914. Wall-Row, John ; 51 Courtfield Gardens, S.W. 5. 1895. Wallis, Henry Marriage; Ashton Lodge, Christchurch Road, Reading, Berks. 1920. Ward, Major Edward Hugh : R.M.A, ; H.M. Wireless Station, Horsea Island, Portchester, Hants. 440 1903. Watt, Hugh Boyd, F.Z.S. ; 12 Great James Street, Bedford Row, W.C. 1. 1920. Waydelin, Frederick John ; Haverhill, Whitchurch, Hants. XXIX Pate of Election. 1920. Webbee, Captain William Beakk Incledon ; Buckland House, Branton, N. Devon. 1912. Wells, Charles Henky ; Broomfield, 80 Brookhouse Hill, Fulwood, Sheffield. 1921. Wells, Thomas ; N"atiiral History Museum, South Kensing- ton, S.W. 7. 445 1912. Wenner, Max Victor ; Lake House, Sutton, near Maccles- field, Cheshire. 1913. Whistler, Httgh, F.Z.S. (Indian Police) ; Caldbee House, Battle. Sussex; and c/o Messrs. King, King & Co., Bombaj-, India. 1918. Whitaker, Capt. John Albert Charles (Coldstream Guards); Babworth Hall, Retford, Notts. 1891. Whitaker, Joseph I. S., F.Z.S. ; Malfitano, Palermo, Sicily. 1909. AVhite, Henrt Luke; Belltrees, Scone, New South Wales, Australia. 450 1903. White, Stephen JosKPH, F.Z.S. 1912. Whymper, Sawtjel Leigh ; Oxford ]\ransions, Oxford Street, W. 1 ; and Oriental Club, Hanover Square, W. 1. 1914. Wickham, Percy Frederic ; c/o Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son, Rangoon, Burma. 1915. Wild, Oliver Hilton ; Ariel Lodge, Cheltenham, Gloucester- shire. 1894. Wilkinson, Johnson; Vermont, Huddersfield, Yorkshire. 455 1912. Wilkinson, William Arthur, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Lindum House, Anchorage Road, Sutton Coldfield, nr. Birmingham. 1910. Williamson, Walter James Franklin, C.M.G., F.Z.S. (Financial Adviser to the Government of Siam); Bangkok, Siam. 1920. Wilson, Commander Alec Thomas Lee, J. P., R.N. ; Garth House, Garth, Brecknocksliire. 1897. Wilson, Allan Read, B.A., M.I)., B.Ch. (Oxon.) ; Eagle House, Blandford, Dorset. 1888. Wilson, Charles Joseph, F.Z.S.; 14 Suffolk Street, Pull Mall, S.W. 1. 460 1897. WiTHERBY, Harry Forbes, M.B.E., F.Z.S. ; 12 Chesterford Gardens, Hampstead, N.W. 3. 1908. WiTHERiNGTON, GwYNNE ; 19 Sumucr Place, South Ken- sington, S.W. 7. XXX Date of Election. 1899. WoLLASTON, Alexandee Feederick Richmond, B.A.; 20 Moore Street, S.W. 3. 1912. Wood, Martin Stanlky, M.D., E.A.M.C. ; Cheadle Royal, Cheadle, Cheshire. 1917. Woodford, Capt. Charles Edward Montgomekie (1st Battn. Sherwood Foresters) ; 8 Dry Hill Park Road, Tonbridge, Kent. 465 1912. WooDHOusE, Cecil, 11.]). ; Coaxdon Hall, Axmiiister, South Devon. 1921. WoEDiE, Major William, O.B.E., M.A. ; 52 Moutgomerie Drive, Glasgow. 1902. Workman, William Hughes, F.Z.S. ; Lismore, Windsor, Belfast, Ireland. 1908. Wynne, Richard Owen ; Foulis Court, Fair Oak, Hants. 469 1916. Zambra, Rag. Cav. Vittorio ; Corso Umberto, I. 49, Rome, Italy. Extra- Ordinary Member. 1899. Godwin-Austen, Lt.-Col. Henry Haversuam, F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; Nore, Hascombe, Godalming, Surrey. Honorary Members. 1907. xIllen, Joel Asaph, Ph.D., F.M.Z.S. ; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York, U.S.A. 19 L7. Chapman, Frank Michler ; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York, U.S.A. 1919. Menegaux, Henri August; Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. 1905. Oberholser, Harry Church ; United States National Museum, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. 5 1915. Richmond, Charles Wallace ; United States National Museum, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. 1903. Ridgway, Robert, C.M.Z.S. ; Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington, D.C., U.S.A. 1890. Salvadori, Count Tommaso, M.D., F.M.Z.S. ; Royal Zoological Museum, Turin, Italy. 1919. Stejneger, Leonhaed, C.M.Z.S.; Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. 1921. Van Oort, Dr. Eduard Daniel; Museum of Natural History, Leyden, Holland. Date of Honorary Lady Members. 1910. Bate, Miss Dorothea M. A. ; Bassendean House, Gordon, Berwicksliire. 1911. Baxter, Miss Evelyn Vida ; The Grove, Kirkton of Largo, Fifeshire. 1910. Bedford, Mary, Duchess of, F.Z.S. ; Wol)urn Abbe}-, Beds, 1916. Haviland, Miss Mattd D. ; Old Hall, Newnham College, Cambridge. 5 1915. Meinertzhagen, Mrs. Annie C. ; Swordale, Evanton, Eoss- shire. 1911. Riktoul, Miss Leonora Jeffrey ; Lahill, Largo, Fifeshire. 1915. Snethlage, Dr. Ejiilte : Goeldi Museum, Para, Brazil. 1910. Turner, Miss Emma Louisa, F.Z.S. ; Langton Close, Girton, Cambridge. Colonial Members. 1904. Campbell, Archibald James ; Bulgaroo, Broughton Eoad, Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia. 1908. Faruuhar, John Henry Joseph, B.Sc, N.D.A. ; Assistant Conservator of Forests, Calabar, Southern Nigeria, West Africa. 1910. Fleming, James H., C.M.Z.S^ ; 267 Rusholme Iload, Toronto, Canada. 1909. Haagner, Alwin Karl, F.Z.S. ; Director of the Zoological Gardens, Box 754, Pretoria, South Africa. 5 1908. Hall, Uobert, F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. ; c/o Tasmanian Museum, Hobart, Tasmania. 1914. Leach, John Albert, M.A., D.Sc. ; c/o Education Depart- ment, Melbourne, Australia. 1905. Macoun, John, M.A., F.B.S.C. ; Naturalist to the Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. 1907. Swynnerton, Charles Francis Massy, F.L.S. ; Poste Ees- tante, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika Territory. 1919. Taverner, Percy A.; Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa, Canada. lo 1912. White, Capt. Samuel Albert; Wetunga, Fulham, South Australia. SEK. XI. VOi.. III. d XXXll Date of Foreign Members. Election. "^ 1919. Bangs, Otjtram ; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cam- bridge, Mass., U.S.A. 1880. BuEEAtr, Dr. Louis ; Ecole de Medecine, Nantes, .France. 1906. BiJTTiKOFEK, Dr. Johannes, C.M.Z.S. ; Director of the Zoological Garden, Rotterdam, Holland. • 1906. BuTURLiN, Sergius a. ; Alotyri, Gouv. Simbirsk, East Russia. 5 1921. Cory, Charles Barney ; Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago. 1919. Dabbene, Dr. Roberto; Museo Nacional, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 1919. Grinnell, Dr. Joseph ; Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley, California, U.S.A. 1919. Gtldenstolpe, Count Nils ; Royal Zoological Museum, Stockholm, Sweden. 1902. Ihering, Dr. Heemapt von, C.M.Z.S. ; Director, State Museum of Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil. TO 1918. KuRODA, Nagamachi ; Fukuyoshi Cho, Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan. 1914. Lonnbeeg, Prof. Dr. A. J. Einar, F.M.Z.S. ; Director of the Zoological Museum, Stockholm, Sweden. 1921. McGregor, Richard C. ; Bureau of Science, Manila, Philippine Islands. 1894. Menzbier, Prof. Dr. Michael, C.M.Z.S. ; Moscow, Russia. 1921. Reiser, Dr. Okiar ; Ober Pickern, b. Marburg, A.D. Yugo- slavia. jc 1914. Stone, Dr. Witmer ; Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila- delphia, Pa., U.S.A. 1902. SusHKiN, Dr. Peter, C.M.Z.S. ; Petrograd, Russia. 1896 WiNGE, Herluf, C.M.Z.S.; University Zoological Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark. CONTENTS OP VOL. III.— ELEVENTH SERIES. (1921.) Number 1, January, Page I. On a recentlj' described Woodpecker from Siam. B3' E.G. Stuart Baker, M.B.O.U. (Plate I.) 1 II. Notes on the Birds of North-East Chihli, in North China. Part III. By J. D. D. La Todcoe, CM Z.S., M.B.O.U 3 III. On some Western Australian Birds collected between the North-West Cape and Albanj^ (950 miles a])art). By Thomas Cartce, M.B.O.U., M.K.A.O.U. Witli Noraenclatiire and Remarks by Crkgory M. :Mathews, :M.B.0.U., M.B.A.O.U. (Text-figure 1.) 48 IV. Remarks on rare and otherwise interesting Birds con- tained in Collections made by j\fr. G. L. Bates in Southern Cameroon. By David A. Bannerman, ]\r.B.E., B.A., il.B.O.U. 81 V. On the Genus Macros plienns Cassin, with special reference to the races of JllacrosjJie^iiis favicans. By David A. Bannerman,M.B.E., B.A., M.B.O.U 121 VI. A Note on the Breeding Birds of Crete. r>y Col. R. Mrinertzhagex, D.8.O., M.B.O.U., F.Z.S 120 VII. The Economic Status of the Kingfisher, Alcedo isphJa Linn. By Walter E. Collinge, D.Sc, F.L.S., M.B.O.U. (Text-figure 2.) 139 VIII. Obituary: Sir John Arthur Brooke, Bt. ; George Wtman Bury ; William Dutcher ; Robert Etheridge ; John Geerard; Charles William Sheppard ; Herbert Hux- tington Smith • 153 SER. XI. — VOL. III. e CONTENTS. IX. Notices of recent Ornitholoj^ical Publications Page Cory's Catalop-iie of American Birds ; Cory on the Genns Rhynchocyclus ; Hellmayr's recent papers ; Kingston's Hima- layan observations : Howard ou Bird Territories ; Laubmann on the Kingfisher ; Lonnberg on the Birds of Juan Fernandez and Easter Islands ; McClymont's Ornithological Essays ; Mathews on Australian Birds; Mullens, Swann, and Jour- dain's Bibliography ; Ogilvie on British Birds ; Ritchie on the Influence of Man on Animals ; Robinson and Kloss on Simiatran Birds ; Stresemann on the Birds of Macedonia ; Taverner's recent papers on Canadian Ornithology ; Todd on new Colombian Birds; Townsend and Wetmore on Pacific Island Birds ; Wetmore on lead-poisoning in Ducks ; Wood on the eye of the Buri'owing Owl ; Aquila ; The Auk ; El Hornero; List of other Ornithological Publications received. 156 X. Letters, Extracts, and Notes : — Letters from A. L. Butler on the Birds of the Sudan, from the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain on the Breeding-places of the Black-headed Gull, and from Capt. Collingwood Ingram on Nestling Birds ; Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union; Wild Bird* Protection Acts ; Rnssinn Ornithologists; Personalia 180 NuMBKR 2, April. XI. Field Notes on the Birds of Macedonia. With special reference to the Struma Plain. By F. N. Chaskn, Castle Museum, Norwich 185 XII. Some preliminary remarks on the Velocity of Migra- tory Flight among Birds, with special reference to the Palaearctic Region. By Colonel E. Meinretzhagen, D.S.O., M.B.O.U., F.Z.S. . . ' 228 XIII. Field Notes on the Birds of Lower Egypt. By W. Raw, M.B.O.U. With contributions by Colonel R. Sparrow, C.M.G., D.S.O., M.B.O.U., and the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A., M.B.O.U. . . , 238 C0NTENX3. XXXV Page XIV. The Birds of Tasso and adjoiuiug Islands of the Rokelle River, Sierra Leone. Hy Willoughby P. Lowe, M.B.O.U. With notes by David A. Banneuman, B.A., M.B.O.U. (Text-figure 3.) 2G5 XV. A Systematic List of the Birds of Sierra J^eoiie. By David A. Bannerman, M.B.E., B.A., M.B.O.U 283 XVI. J. F. Miller's Icones. By C. Davies SHERnoKJS and. Tom Iredalb 302 XVII. Report of the Sub-Committee, consisting of Dr. E. Hartert, Messrs. T. Iredale, and W. L. Sciater, on Amend- ments and proposed Alterations to tlie Names in the B. 0. U. List of British Birds, as accepted by the Committee of the B. 0. U. on the British Bird List 310 XVIII. Obituary : Robert Bxkkbeck ; Charles Edward Pagan, C.B.E., I.S.O. ; Henry Jones 317 XIX. Notices of recent Ornithological rublicatioiis : — Bartscli on the Birds of the Tortugas ; Cliapmau on variation in Ostinops decumaruis ; Christiaiii on a new lluck-Pipit ; Coward on Bi'itish Birds ; Howard on Territory in Bird- Life ; Hellmayr's recent papers on Neotropical Birds ; Laubmauu on Lesson's Types; Lavauden on Tunisian Birds; McGregor on PhiUppiue Birds ; Mathews on Australian Birds; Mathews on the dates of Ornithological Publications; Murphy on the Sea-buds of Peru ; Peters on a new Jay ; Ridgway on new Genera of Birds; liiley on new Malayan Birds ; Robinsou and Kloss on the names of the Jungle-Fowls ; Skovgaard on Danish Birds ; Stresemaun on the races of Long-tailed Tits aud Bullhuches ; Bird-Lore ; The Condor ; Eauua ocli Flora ; Le Gerfaut ; Irish Naturalist ; Scottish Naturalist ; and List of other Ornithological Publications received 319 XX. Letters, Extracts, aud Notes : — Letters from P. R. Lowe and C. Mackworth-Praed on the Last Phase of the Subspecies, from J. L. Bouhote on the Nomenclature of Plumages, from E. G. B. Meade-Waldo on NestUug Owls, and from II. C. Robinson on the Status of Ficus rubricollaris Baker; The Annual General Meeting of the British Ornithologists' Union; The Oxford University Spitsbergen Expedition ; Personalia 314 CONTENTS. XtrilBER '3, Jul)/. Page XXI. Field Xotes on the liiids of Lower Egypt. By W. Kaw, M.B.O.U. With contributions by Colonel 11. Spap.kow, C.M.G., D.iS.O., M.B.O.U., and the Hcv. E. C. B. Joijrdain, M.A., M.B.O.U 359 XXII. First Impressions ot" Tunisia and Algeria. By David A. Bannerman, M.B.E., B.A., M.B.O.U., E.B.G.S. (Blates II.-V.) 387 XXIII. Xotes on the Birds of Alderiiey. By Major W. It. Thompson, Il.A., M.B.O.U 415 XXIV. Xotes on Birds in South llussia. By Capt. J. X. Kennedy, M.C, Il.A., E.Il.a.8., M.B.O.U 453 XXV. On the correct jiame of D'Aubenton's "• Manucode a Bouquets." By Lord Hothscuild 465 XXVI. Ilesults of a Study of Bird-Migration by the Marking Method. By A. Lanusborough Thomson, O.B.E., M.A., D.Sc, M.B.O.U 466 XXVII. iSome Thoughts on Subspecies and Evolution. By Colonel K. Meineiuzhaoen, D.S.O., M.B.O.U 528 XXVIII. Obituary : Bobert George Wardlaw-Kamsay (ITateVI.); Henry Morris Uvcher ; John Burroughs . . 538 XXIX. Xotices of recent Ornithological Publications; — Baugs and I'enard on American Birds : Beebe ou the I'lieasants ; Boubier on Migration Itoutes ; Chapman on South American Birds; Courtois on the Birds of China; Griscom and iS'ichols on the Seaside Sparrows; Guruey on Nurl'olk Ornithologists ; Gurnej ou the Annals of Orni- thohigy ; llankin on Soaring Flight ; Ilartert on the Palaearctic Birds; Ilartert on the Types at Tring; Kuroda ou new Japanese and Formosau birds; Mathews and Ire- dale's Manual of Australian Birds ; Mathews on Australian Birds ; Saunders ou the lilixh of Montana ; Soderberg ou COKTENTS. XXXVil Page Austmliau Birds; Swartli on the genus Fasserella; Swarth on the Birds of Arizona ; Todd on new South American Birds ; To-\vnsend on the Birds of Massaclinsetts ; Bird Notes; Bulletin of the Essex Count}' Ornithological Club; Journal fiir Ornithologie ; I/Oiseau ; Oologists' Kecord ; 8outli African Journal of Natural History ; Yearbook of the Dutch Bird-Club ; and List of other Ornithological Publications received o-i-k XXX. Letters, Extracts, and Notes : — Letters from IL F. Witherby on the i'lumages of Nestling Owls and Ironi W. IJaw on the corrections to his " Birds of Lower Egypt" ; News from Capt. Lyuus and Mr, Willoughby Lowe ; The Plumage Bill ; Personalia 667 Number 4, October. XXXI. Bird Notes from Southern Spain. By J. H. Sxen- HousE, M.B.O.U 573 XXXIL Some Notes on the Winter Avifauna of the Caraargue. JJy Ludlow Gkiscom, M.A.O.U., M.B.O.U. . . 595 XXXllL A note on the genus Lauipylbis in East and Central Africa. By James V. Chapin, M.A.O.U 6U9 XXXIV. An account of the birds met with during a two months' shooting trip in Nortliern Kliodesia. By Colonel Stephenson li. Clakke, C.B., M.B.O.U. (Plate ^il.) . . . (311 XXXV. Notes on some Birds from the Near East and from Tropical East Africa. By Colonel II. Meinertzhagen, D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Text-ligurc 4.) 621 XXXVI. Notes on the Birds of Alcudia, Majorca. By Captain P. W. Munn, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Plate VIII.). . . 672 XXX^^1I. Subspecies and their part in Evolution. By J. Lewis Bokhote, M.A., M.B.O.U 720 XXXVIU CONTENTS. Page XXXVIII. Obituary: Henry AVemyss Feilden ; William Wakbe Fowler ; Alphonse Dubois ; Max Furbringer . . . 726 XXXIX. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications : — Arrigoni degli Oddi's list of papers ; Bretsclier on Bird- migration in Middle Europe; Cbapin on new African Birds ; Foster on tbe Birds of llillsborougb ; Guruey's Ornitbological Report for Norfolk ; Hartert on the Birds of tbe Soutbern Sahara ; liellmayr on d'Orbiguy's South American Collec- tions ; Lavauden on tbe Mediterranean Peregrines ; Mathews on Australian Birds ; Riley on new Celebes Birds ; Rothschild on the Birds of Y'unnan ; Schiller on Danitib Birds: Shufeldt on pictures of the Passenger Pigeon ; Stresemann on Sumatran Wuodpeckers ; Wollaston's Lile of Newton ; Aquila ; British Birds ; The Emu ; El Hornero ; South Australian Orni- thologist ; Tori ; List of other Ornitbological Publications received i • • 732 XL. Letters, Extracts, and Notes :^ Letters from Mr. II. W. Robinson on Bird-migration and the Marking Method, from Mr. H. G. Alexander on Birds of Alderney, from Miss Maud B. Ilaviland on Subspecies and Evolution, and from Mr. J. L. Bonhote on Nestling Plumages of Owls ; The Ornitbological Society of France ; The Oxford University Expedition to Spitsbergen, 1921 ; News of Capt. Lynes ; The Godman-Salvin Medal (Plate IX.) ; The Plumage Act; Notice to Members of tbe B. O. 0. ; Russian Ornitho- logists ; The late Lieut. G. Wyman Bury 7'jO Index of Scientific Names 761 Index of Contents 795 Titlepage; Dates of Issue of ' The Ibis ' for l!i21 ; Officers of the IJ.O.U., ])ast and present : List of Members ; Contents ; List of Plates ; and List of Text-figures. LIST OF PLATES. LIST OF PLATES IN VOL. III. ELEVENTH SERIES. Page I, Picits rnhricoUaris 1 II. 1. A t;3'pical landscape, Hamraam - ]\Ieskoiitine. 2. Tlio Oued bou Hamflane,IIaramaiii-^reskoutine. 40l' III. The Gorge of the lUimmel, Constantiiie .... 405 IV. Wl)ite Storks on their nests in the Arab Town, Constantino 407 V. 1. The Desert, nearing Temaein. 2. The Oasis of Temacin, Algerian Sahara 412 VI. Robert George Wardlaw-Ramsay • 538 VII. 1. Lyhius lencocepalns. 2. Lyhius 'mhrifanes. 3. Lyhius clwplini 620 VIII. Map of the North-East part of Majorca 672 IX. Godman-Salvin Medal, obverse and reverse . . . 75ii LIST OF TEXT-FIGUEKS. List of Text- Figures. 1. Map of part of ^''estern Australia to show ^fr. Carter's localities and route 50 2. Food-chart of the Common Kingfisher 147 3. Sketch-map of the Itokelle Kiver and its Islands, Sierra Leone 269 4. Sketch-map of Egypt to show llie distribution of tlie races oi Ammomaves desert i 632 rl^ THE IBIS. ELEVENTH SERIES. Vol. III. No. 1. JANUARY 1921. T. — On a recently described Woodpecker (Picus rubricollaris) from Siam. By E. C. Stuart Baker, jNI .B.O.U. (Plate I.) Among tlie numerous new species and subspecies of birds recently found by Messrs. Herbert, Gairdner, Williamson, and others in 8iam, there are few more handsome or conspicuous than the subject of the frontispiece of this number of ' Tlie Ibis,' obtained by Mr. E. G. Herbert's collectors. Descriptions of both male and female of this fine Woodpecker were given by me in the Bulletin of the B. O. C. vol. xli. p. 10 (October 1920), where it was named Picus rubricollaris, and are here reprinted. Adult male. Whole crown brilliant crimson-scarlet changing to pure scarlet on the nape, the feathers of the crown with black bases whicli show through in places; sides of tlie head SER. XI. VOL, 111. B 2 On a recently described Woodpecker from Siam. [Ibis, dull olive-green ; a line of red running from above the gape to the neck and a tiny line of reddish above the lores ; chin and throat greenish-white ; back to end of tail-coverts bright, but dark, yellowish-green ; tail black, greenish at the base and with broken white bars on the central rectrices ; lesser and median wing-coverts and inner secondaries like the back, but with a bronze sheen and inner webs blackish; greater coverts, primaries, and outer secondaries blackish-brown barred with white ; upper breast dull crimson-red, forming with the scarlet nape a complete red collar^ the two colours blending on the sides of the neck ; lower breast dark green, abdomen, flanks, and under tail-coverts lighter, more yellowish -green Avith white and pale yellowish markings. "Eyes reddish-brown ; bill black ; legs and claws yellow " [Herbert). Wing 136 mm., bill from front 36 mm., tarsus 30 mm. The female is like the male, but has the crown dark green ; the collar is less strongl}' developed on the upper breast, but is equally intense scarlet on the nape. " Eyes reddish-brown ; bill black ; legs green, claws brown " (Herbert). Wing 139 mm., bill from front 34'5 mm., tarsus 29*5 mm. Types. (^ , no. 262, l?an Hoi Mak, Camp no. 39, Siam, 29. ii.20; ? , INl nong Lep, Camp no. 15, Sianj, 16. i. 20. Mr. Herbert is now unfortunately absent in America, and I am therefore unable to add any field- notes to the description. The plate shows well the more conspicuous features, especially the wholly scarlet crown of the male, the equally brilliant nape of the female, and the strongly marked collar on the breast of both. The green of both sexes is also noticeably darker, yet brighter, than it is in the other species of the same genus. 1 92 1.] On the Birds of North-East Chihli. 3 II. — Notes on the Birds of North-East Chihli, in North China. Part III.* By J. D. D. La Touche, C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 182. Cohimba livia intermedia (Strirkl.). Cohimba intermedia D. & O. p. 384. I shot a Pigeon out of a .flock of (\ rnpestris on 21 May, 1911. It was without any white on the tail or rnmp, and was })rohahly an Indian Blue Rock-Pigeoii. 183. Cohimba rupestris Pall. Colionba rupestris D. & O. p. 385. The Bar-tailed Rock-Pioeon is a common resident in the mountains near Chinwangtao, and ju'obably all over north- east Chihli. This Pigeon was common in the mountains of the Liautung Peninsula in February, 1890. 184. Turtur risorius (L.). Turtur risorius D. & O. p. 387. The Indian Ring-Dove is a very common resident a few miles inland of the port, frequenting the large trees round about the country houses and villages and the willow, poplar, and pine groves on the plains. A winged bird obtained in the spring of 1911 soon became very tame, and after keeping it for seven years, I gave it to a friend in Shanghai witii my other birds. 185. Turtur orientalis Lath. Turtur rapicola D. & 0. p. 385. Turtur orientalis La T. p. 578. The Eastern Turtle-Dove is a very common migrant in north-east Chihli and appears to nest in this district. It passes Chinwangtao from the end of March to well on into June and thronghout September until at least the 15th of October and probably later. * For Parts I. and II. ride Ibis, 19L'0, pp. 0:29-671, and pp. 880-920. B 2 4 Mr. J. D. D. La Touclie on the [Ibis, Two A'oung l)ircls were brought to me from the momi tains on the IGth of July, 1917. Tliey were still in the first nestling plumage and were unable to feed by tliemselves. The head, neck, wing-coverts, and mantle were of a rich deep brown, the feathers of the wing-coverts and mantle being edged with chestnut; the back was slate coloured and the breast chestnut-brown. The bill was of a very dark brownish horn. They retained this plumage until about September, when they changed gradually into adult plumage. They were fed without difficulty by hand with crushed kaoliang and small millet moistened with warm water, and remained very tame until they could feed by themselves, after which they would not allow one to handle them so freely. One of these birds developed an abnormal liking for raw^ beef, and I had to hide carefully the minced beef prepared for the other 'hirds, as this dove w^ould pounce on it and devour it all up. Sometimes, if it saw me distributing this food, it noidd fly down to i^natch it from my hands. It would pursue the Cuckoo to get his meat from him. The other young dove Avas almost equally fond of bread and milk, and both birds would eagerly devour this when I gave them any. The meat appeared to disagree with the dove, and 1 prevented it from eating this as much as possible. On my leaving Chinwangtao I gave them liberty and had at first some difficulty in i;etting tiiem to go out. The native wlio sold me these birds told me that one of the villagers had one which he had reared at liberty and which remained perfectly tame. The Eastern Turtle-Dove is very common in southern Manchuria and breeds at Newchwang. 186. Syrrhaptes paradoxus (Pall.), Syrr/taptes paradoxus D. & 0, p. 389. Pallas^s Sand-Grouse is of very irregular occurrence at Chinwangtao. In the very cold year of 1905, I believe, it was seen in great numbers, but since then it does not appear to have occurred until tlie autumn of 1912. That year, on the 10th of November, I met several flocks flying very swiftly towards the uortheabt. They flew low as a rule^ 1 92 1.] Birds of North-East Chihii. 5 twittering continuously. Some packs ke])t wheeling round, but none settled that day. During that mouth a great number appeared to have passed, some from west to east, others in an opposite direction. They jrrohably came from the interior via the Chihii Plain. Many flocks must have settled on the plain in this vicinity and farther north, as the market during tlie winter was stocked with both live and dead birds. The former were kept in baskets like chickens or quail and seemed quite tame. They were fed on kaoliang (sorghum). I saw birds flying also during December^ but all passed at a considerable distance, and I had to fall back on the market for specimens. The immigration must have ceased early in the winter as no fresh specimens were to be seen in the market after December or maybe January, and the birds must have returned inland during the latter month. After this, I did not see any more, neither were any exposed for sale in the Chinwangtao market. 1 was much astonished to hear from Mr. A. L. Hall, to whom I am indebted for much information and for specimens from the extreme north of the province, that this Sand-Grouse is unknown in the Chihfeng district. Mr. C. B. Rickett wrote to me in the spring of 1913 that o;reat numbers of Sand-Grouse were imported that season into England from Russia, so that 1912-13 must have been a great Sand-Grouse year. Pallas's Sand-Grouse is also of irregular occurrence at Newchwang and is occasionally very abundant there. During the winter 1889-90 I saw but one flock and none were brought to market. 187. Phasianus colchicus karpowi Buturlin. Phasianus torquatus, var. «, D. & O. p. 409. . The North China Ring-necked Pheasant is very abundant in the mountainous country north of Chinwangtao, but does not occur commonly within twelve miles of the port. From the beginning of November to the beginning of March the market is stocked with these pheasants brought down from localities twenty to sixty miles distant from the coast. The characteristic features of the North China Pheasant 6 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the [Ibis, are said to be a wide and complete white collar and dark flanks, to which Pere David adds a white spot, often present, below the ear. The examination of, I may say^ hundreds of these pheasants, during seven. winters at Chinwangtao, has convinced me that, whereas the more or less broad white collar is a constant feature, the depth of colouring of the flanks, as also the development of the eyebrow, the green of the lower back and rumj), and the ear-spot are variable features. The last-mentioned character may be put aside as of no distinctive value ; some birds have it, others not. A few birds obtained in the market have the white on the neck so extended that the base of all the green feathers from the ring to the ear is white. The Avidth of the ring is also extremely variable and the hinder part of it is often very narrow, the feathers being edged with black or green. Some birds procured in the market have the flanks and the base of the hind neck of a very rich and dark orange colour, and these have also generally the ridge of the back and rump of a deep olive colour with a bright emerald sheen. Very occasionally one comes across a specimen which is no darker than Lower Yangtse birds. Again, the edging of the copper- red breast-feathers is variable and cannot be taken into con- sideration ; some birds have this edging broad and complete, others have but a mer^ apical speck. On the other hand, the scapulars show very little variation, such as is not uncommon in Lower Yangtse birds. Several examples, shot at twenty to twenty-flve miles north of the port, may be specially inentioned. These have all dark flanks and the green on the back and rump is brilliant; but one bird (not purchased), whicii was evidently a bird of the year, had very little green on the back. The eyebrow is very white and broad in thiee examples, dull or of medium development in six others. Tiie ear-spot is present in five and absent in four. The width of the white ring varies: in front from about 2 in. to 1 in. ; on the sides from l:^in. to 2 in. ; behind, from about half an inch to 0'20 in. In comparing the north-east Chihli Pheasant with the Lower Yangtse Pheasant, there is only one constant feature 1 92 1.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 7 by which the two birds may be always distinguislied from one another^ and that is the colouring of the sides of the neck above the white ring. In P. turquatus this is violet, except just next to the liiig; in the north-east Chihli bird it is green , The Pheasant of north-east Chihli may therefore be characterized as follows : — 1. Eyebrow more or less broad. 2. Sides of the neck above the white ring shot with green. 3. White ring, generally broad and always complete. 4. Flanks and base of hind neck more oi' less deep orange. 5. Ridge of back and rump olive with a more or less brilliant emerald-green sheen. Of the above characters, only Nos. 2 and 3 are absolutely constant. Among the series of Ring-necked Pheasants procured here, three may be specially mentioned. One, apparently hermaphrodite, purchased in the market on the 23rd of January, 1916 ; and a female^ also obtained in the local market, which has the black markings of the upper parts replaced by a delicate lavender-grey. The former bird has the general colouring of the male P. karpowi, the coppery- red upper breast-feathers are not edged with black, having only a black apical speck, the webs on either side of this have a straw-coloured spot at their extremity. The flank- spots are very small, the white collar has just below it on the hind neck a broad edge of coppery chestnut and is edged with straw-colour in front. The wing-coverts are marked with chestnut. The colouring of the back resembles neither that of the male nor that of the female : the feathers are black in the centre with a brownish-buff spot towards the base, the shaft of the same light colouring, the rest of the feathers is chestnut waved with black and with a broad border of dull olive-grey. The rump feathers are dark brown, barred with brownish buff and with a metallic green apical fringe. The upper tail-coverts are huffish grey with broad oval-shaped bars encircled with chestnut. The tail (central rectrices missing) is of the usual golden olive with 8 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche 07i the [Tbis, violet fringes and has rather narrow bar.-*. The bird weighed only If Ib.^ but was in good condition. Dissection showed one testis and wliat looks like a diseased ovary. The parts have been preserved in spirit. Culmen ()"90in., wing 8"60in;^ tarsus 285 in. Tlierc are no spurs. The tliiid bird, which was sent to nie by my collector after I had left Chinvvangtao, is labelled a male, but it is of the size of a female, without spurs. There are traces of female plumage on the head and upper parts and the deep yellow tiank-feathers are plain. 188. Phasianus colchiciis pallasi Rothschild. An example from Chihfeug in north Chihli, a locality adjoining the Gobi desert and about 190 miles as the crow flies noi'th of Chinwangtao, has pale bufiish-red scapulars, the back very blue-grey, the collar moderately broad, a white ear-spot, the central and the next two pairs of rectrices with a small terminal white spot, and the tail nnich washed with grc\-. Two other examples from tlje same place, however, are much the same as Chinwangtao birds except that they have the eyebrow much more developed. A female is much paler than that of P. karpoivi. The Chihfeug country is probably on the southern limit of P. c. pallasi. I am much indebted for these specimens to JNlr. A. L. Hall, who kindly sent me some by post and brought down others himself. 189. Pucrasia xanthospila Gray. Pucrasia .canthospila D. & O. p. 407, pi. 104. The North Ciiina Pueras Pheasant is occasionally found in the Shanhaikuan and (Jhinwangtao markets. I have seen one or two males nearly every winter in the latter market and two females; one of the females was said to have been brought from a locality which is about sixty miles to tiie north of Chinwangtao. This Pheasant ajiparently is not found in the near vicinity of Chinwangtao, but only in the wooded country at least thirty miles north of the port. Reevess IMieusant {Sijrntaticus reevcsii) occurs in the mountains surrounding the Imperial Tombs (Tung Ling) 1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 9 ai)cl in the nortli-western [)arts of the province. Swinhoe^s Eared Pheas^ant [Crossopt'don muncliuricum) is also supposed to occur in the Tung Ling and appears to be not uncommon in the province of Sliansi. Neither of, these pheasants is known in the mountains of this district. IDO. Coturnix coturnix (L,). CoturnioD communis 1). & O. j). 346 (part); La T. p. 579. The Common Quail passes Chinwangtao in March and Aprilj and is very abundant during October and in the early part of November. Some remain all the winter. 19L Coturnix coturnix japonica T. & S. Coturnix communis 1). & O. p. 346 (part). Coturnix japonica La 'V. p. 579. The Japanese Quail is usually very abundant towards the middle of May and some are to be found until the l)eginning of June. It is again met with in August and September and most probably breeds here. A live male example, brought from Chilifeng in north Chihli by Mr. A. L. Hall in October, had the characteristic red sides of head and throat. This colour disappeared during the winter leaving the bird with a streaked face and throat. Owing probably to uniavourable food conditions, the red colouring was not fully assumed until July following, and on the 14th of June the sides of the head and throat liad still a good deal of white. The red of the head and throat was again lost in the autumn : the cheeks and throat became streaked with pale red, a reddish-brown streak and a malar stripe of the same colour remaining, 192. Caccabis chukar pubescens Swinhoe. Caccabis chukar D. & O. p. 395. The Chukor is common in the mountainous parts of north-eastern Chihli. Four eggs, taken in the Shanhaikuan Mountains on the 4th of May, 1915, were brought to me together with the hen bird. These eggs are highly glossy, buff, speckled with dull pinkish led. One egg is thickly speckled all over and has a slight cap, and large pink-red spots on the 10 Mr. J. D. D. La Touclic on the [Ibis, apex. The others are very sparsely marked. They measure 1-52X 1-21, 1-58 X 1-20, 160x1-22, and 1-66 x 1-20 in. Tlie man who brought me these eggs said that sometimes as many as twenty eggs were found in one nest. 193. Perdix daurica Pall. I'erdix barbata D. & 0. p. 392. The Mongolian or Bearded Partridge is very common on the hills of north-eastern Chihli. It occurs also in good numbers on the hills, near Chinwangtao, and the market is fairly well supplied with them during the season. I found this Partridge common in February 1890 in the mountains of the Liautung Peninsula. 194. Tiirnix blanfordi Blyth. Turnix macula f us D. &. O. p. 398. Turnix blanfordi La V. p. 579. Blanfoid^s Button Quail is a very common migrant in north-east Chihli. It passes Chinwangtao from about the middle of May to about the 7th of June, and from the last week in August to well on into October. I have no doubt that it breeds here. A live female example given to me by Mr. A. L. Hall in October 1915 constantly uttered a cry which might be syllabled as " krek.'' During March it began to utter what is presumably the breeding call. The bird began by making a low sound which exactly resembled the deep, but veiy distant hoot of a steamer's whistle. After this there was a short pause, then another low hoot with the same ventriloquistic effect, but a little louder, after which another pause, and the same sound was uttered again ; after the filth call or so it developed into a weird moan. The calls were repeated at short intervals, the three or four last being heartrending, very humanlike moans ; these increased in intensity, and were altogether about eight or nine in number; the bird as it made these sounds bowed its head and slightly depressed its wings. The calling of tliis bird became very frequent during the first half of May, and on the 1-lth, noticing that it was calling more than usual, I went to find out what was the matter, and I 1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 11 found the bird crouching in a corner of tlie cage as if it waiited to la}^ or incubate. I thereupon put a quantity of dry grass into the cage^ which the Quail took immediate possession of, hollowing out a depression and taking tlie grass and throwing it over its back so as to form a dome to the nest. Next day the Heraipode appeared to have given up the idea of laying, but on the 16th I discovered hidden among the grass a miniature egg, apparently laid the previous day, as that same day at noon I found a second egg, this one about one-third the usual size, also hidden away among ' the grass. None was laid on the 17th, but on the 18th I found a third egg, resembling the second one in size. No others were laid, and the calling became less frequent and intense. I was unfortunately unable to procure a male. The Hemipode, on being shown a skin of one of its own species, became greatly excited, puffed out its feathers, bowed and " kreked " as if pleased. On the 31st of the month, I happened to pick up another female, slightly wounded in the wing, which, when healed, I placed in the cage, together with the other Turnix and two male Coturnix japonica. The Turnix, beyond giving the newcomer a gentle peck now and then during the first day, did not attempt to molest it, and the four birds lived in harmony until the 16th of July, when one of the Japanese Quail, a young bird of the previous year, was found killed (by the other male probably). The new Turnix showed signs of wanting to lay soon after it had been placed with the others, and on the 21st of June I found three eggs laid by it. On the 22nd, 26th, 27th and 28th, four more eggs were found, presumably laid by the same bird. On the 6th of July I found another. All these were very small eggs, much under half size ; but on the 17th, a much larger egg, about half size, was found, and on the 20th and 21st two more minia- ture eggs. On the 23rd of July I had to take the new Turnix out of the cage as it was badly pecked about the head, evidently by the old bird. When the Japanese Quail remained alone with the latter, it made violent love to it and attempted to pair, but without any encouragement from 12 Mr. J. D. D. La Touclie on the [Ibis, tlie rienii[)ode, which invariably tried to escape from it. The foUowiiip; year only one egg was hiid by the new (^)uail. The otlier bird Iiad unfortunately been attacked by a rat and was so injured that 1 had to chloroform it. Tliis bird at the time of its death iiad assumed an extraordinary melanistic pluuuige, probably due to insufficient insect-food. I fed these Quail on kaoliang and small millet, and gave them besides bread and milk and insects when in season. 195. Ealliis indicus Blyth. HaUus iudicus D. & O. p. 489. I have an adult male of the Indian Kail which was brought down to me alive from Chilifeng in northern C^hihli by Mr. A. L. Hall, who had obtained it at the begin- ning of May. I shot an immature bird in the crops here on the 21st of September and a half-grown bird on the 28th of September^ so that this Kail evidently breeds here. The soft parts of the adult male are : iris orange-red, culmeu brownish, the edge of the upper mandible and lower man- dible orange-vermilion, legs rosy grey. I shot out of a ditch on the plains near Newchwang in southern Manchuria on the '^Gth of May, 1889, an example of Amaurornis pai/kulU (Ljuugh). 196. Porzana pusilla (Pall.). Porzana pyynuea D. & O. j). 487. Porzana pusilla La T. p. 579. Pallas's Crake passes during the latter half of May to the beginning of June, and is met with again in wet fields and marshes from the beginning of August to the last week in October. It is extremely abundant during the autumn passage. It is said by David to summer near Peking, and probably also breeds near Chiuwangtao. 1 saw this Crake in summer near Newchwang. 197. Gallinula chloropus parvifrons Blyth. Gallinula cliloroims D. & O. p. 485. The Indian Common Moorhen summers in the marshes. I have three eggs taken at the end of June. 1 92 1.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 13 198. Gallicrex cinerea (Grin.). Gallicrex cinerea D, & O. p. 484 ; La T, p. 579. A single male example was taken by my local collector at Shanliaikuan in April 1913. I believe that I saw one on the 27th of August, 1912. This is probably the northernmost breeding-limit of the Water-Oock. 199. Fulica atra L. Fulica atra D. & O. p. 489 ; La T. p. 579. Coots are extremely abundant in the marshes during most years in September and October. They are uncommon in spring. The Coot is a common migrant at Newchwang. 200. Grus grus lilfordi Sharpe. Grus cinerea D. & O. p. 434. Grus sp. (part), La T. p. 579. I have examples of the Eastern Grey Crane, shot in the vicinity of Chinwangtao in December and January. A few of these winter here. Immense flocks of Cranes pass over Chinwangtao in spring during March and early in April, and again in October. These are mainly, I believe, composed of birds of this species. As a rule, they fly so high that it is not easy to identify them except by the call. On the 12th of October, 1915, I counted some 28 flocks passing from 4.30 P.M. to dark — there were from 40 to 70 birds in each flock. At 8 P.M. they were still passing. Thousands must have gone over that day. 201. Grus leucaiichen Temminck. Grus vipio D. & O. p. 435. I have a handsome adult male obtained at (Jhiuwangtao on 10 October, 1918 — wing 22i in., culmen 5*8 in., tarsus 9'5 in. Legs crimson-lake; bill (dried) dull greyish. The under tail-coverts are grey. 202. Grus japonensis Miiller. ,Grus viridirostris D. & O. p. 435. An adult example of the Manchurian Crane was liaMked round in November 1916. It had been shot 14 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the [Ibis, near Shanliaikuan. I believe tbat examples of this Crane are occasionally obtained in tlie neiglibonrhood, but during six years' residence at Chinwangtao, I know of two only having been captured. Among the flocks of Crane Avhich pass over I have seen white Cranes with black wings which were either of this or the next species. The following- dates may he particularly mentioned : 12 October, 2 Nov- ember, 1913, 30 March, 1915. The birds seen on this last-mentioned date are noted in my diary as follows: — "At 3.15 P.M. two very large flocks of (*ranes flew over accompanied by a couple of small parties: some were white with black primaries so far as I could make out, others were grey birds. All were flying together, a patch of white birds and then a lot of grey ones. The eff'ect of the variegated V^s was very curious. There must have been 300 of the birds.'' These white Cranes have a rather shrill call : '^ coo-kee." 203. Grus leucogeranus Pall. Grus lecucogeranus D. & O. p. 436. I have an example of the Great White Crane, shot at Hsieh Chia Ying in the spring of 1915. With the exception of the bastard wing and primaries Avhich are black, the bird is entirely white. The colouring of the soft parts in tlie dried skin are : — bill dull livid purple, apical part pale horn ; skin of crown and face dusky reddish yellow ; legs dull reddish pink. The bill is serrated at its extremity for about 2*20 in. Measurements : — Culnien 7'20, wing 24.*00, tail 8*20, tarsus 9*50 inches. 204. Otis dybowskii Tacz. Otis tarda D. & O. p. 421. Otis dyhowskii La T. p. 579. The Eastern Great Bustard passes Chinwangtao from early in March to the end of April or beginning of May. On tiie ]Oth of May, 1916, two of these birds flew over the port, but these were doubtless belated travellers. In autumn, from October until about the 10th of November is the time of 1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 15 passage. These birds proljubly begin to pass in September or possibly at the end of Augnst, but I have no positive records. As tlie kaoliang (sorghum) is not down much before the beginning of October — and the birds, as a rule, fly very low, — observations at that season are difficult imtil the plain is more or less cleared of the liigh crops. My predecessor at this port once shot eight in the course of an afternoon at the beginning of October, out of a laige number which flew over the port that day. These Bustards fly in flocks which occasionally contain from 40 to 50 birds ; but, as a rule, 10 to 20 individuals is the usual number. Very wary, they seldom alight while migrating, except in the vicinity of decoys and in very open places. After the middle of November and during winter, the Great Bustard may be found on the bare high ground inland and on the plains. The natives shoot the Eastern Great Bustard on passage, by means of decoys, both in spring and in autumn after the crops have been cut *. Large circular pits are dug on the plain in the line of flight of the Bustards. These are furnished witli a flat roof of kaoliang stalks, the roof being a very few inches above the level of the ground. The edge of the roof is hung with grass so as to conceal the interior. A few paces from the pit, Bustard skins stuffed so as to represent the birds in an expectant attitude are planted all I'ound. These Bustard skins have the orbits stufl'ed with cotton painted black, the legs are cut off and replaced by a stout stick, the tail is spread in the characteristic manner, and the skins, in which the wing-quills have been pulled out, are stuffed in such a way as to show a great deal of white on the flanks, the wings being tightly bound to the body. The professional shooting-men come daily to these decoys during the times of passage and remain thei'C throughout the day. On the approach of the Bustards thev conceal themselves in the pits. The Bustards, on sighting the decoy, generally fly straight to it and after wheeling round once * Since the above was written, I have been informed by my collector that the birds are also taken with nets. 16 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the flbis, or twice settle in its vicinity — as a rule, within easy range of the men's guns. The guns used are single-barrelled, and as the occupants of the ])it are two in number one or tM'o birds remain as the result of a successful shot. These are instantly deprived of the flight- and sometimes even of the tail-feathers, which are made up into bundles for sale to feather merchants, and the mutilated body is sent to market. The Chinwangtao market is stocked witli Bustards in spring and autumn, and in winter many birds are brought from inland. The price varies according to size from $0.50 to '^1.00, the latter price being asked for birds which have perfect wings and tail ; otherwise a large mutilated bird may be had for a couple of dollars. Young birds are not bad eating, but old males are very rank in flavour. The Eastern Great Bustard takes at least three or perhaps four years to develop to its full size and j)lumage. Young males of the } ear have the liead, neck^ and breast of a somewhat darkish grey, the primaries are spotted at their extremity, the side-rectrices are doubh-barred, and the weight varies from 6 to 10 lbs. In the following spring a short beard is assumed, but no other change takes place beyond the moulting of the primaries and secondaries. In the second spring (third year of the bird) the bird has a clear grey crown with an inconspicuous central dark stripe, a fair-sized beard, the neck and breast remain as in autumn (clear pale grey with a trace of lengthening and disintegrating of the fore-neck feathers). The wing- coverts have some of the immature markings, but the outer rectrices have the single subterminal black bar of the adult plumage. The male evidently assumes in the second autumn the clearer grey head, neck, and breast of the adult bird. The male when three or more years old has in spring the head, nape, and upper hind-neck of a very pale grey ; the dark coronal stripe has almost disappeared ; the chin, throat, and upper lower neck arc white, tinged with buff on the neck. The beard is four or more inches long, and the leathers of the fore-neck are disintegrated and almost as 1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 17 long as the beard, and grade into chestnut at the base of the lower fore-neck. The breast has become chestnut by the moulting of the feathers, which are now lanceolate, slightly disintegrated, and of considerable lengtli. The lesser wing-coverts are pure pale grey, spotted with white. The wing measures from 'l^h to 244 inches. The adult bird in autumn and winter has the throat whitish, the head, fore-neck, and breast of a clear light grey, the feathers of the breast being rounded, with occasionally a few dashes of chestnut. There is a well-developed narrow crest which in spring is almost as light-coloured as the rest of the head. The female plumage undergoes apparently much the same development as the male with regard to the wing-quills and rectrices. The breast has in spring a slight admixture of tawny chestnut. The foregoing description of the male in spring plumage is taken from four males shot in spring at Chinwangtao or Shanhaikuan : — one adult in full breeding dress, one adult moulting into the full breeding dress, a male in its third year, and a young male ot the previous year. Besides these, I have seen another adult spring male and, on the 4th of February, 1912, in the market, an adult male with disin- tegrated neck-feathers and a quantity of fulvous on the sides of tlie lower neck, so that probably the breeding- plumage is assumed very early in the year. Adult males generally weigh from J 5 to 19 lbs. and over. I have been told l)y foreign sportsmen that they had seen birds of 30 lbs. in weight, but these are not commonly met with. Females weigh from 7 to probably 9 lbs. 1 may mention here that the Chinese shooting-men in north-eastern Chihli have three separate popular names for the Bustard. Adult males are called Yang Pu (Sheep Bustard), younger males are called Ch'hig Pu (Dark Bustard), and very small males and females are called Chi Pu (Chicken Bustard). The last are undoubtedly the " Ki Pou" of Pere David (Nouv. Arch. Mus. Paris, Bulletin, 1867, p. 38), quoted by Swinhoe (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 402) as SER. XI. VOL. III. C 18 Mr. J. D. D. La Tonche on the [Ibis, " Kepoo." So far as is known, there is but one Bustard in China. Bustards pass the port of Newchwang on migration, and winter on the neighbouring plains. 205. Glareola orientalis Leach. Glareola orientalis D. & O. p. 431 ; La T. p. 579. The Eastern Pratincole passes from the middle of April to the bef^inning of j\Iay. It is very abundant on the return passage from the end of August to the end of September. The birds oenerally fly in very scattered order and in large flocks. Solitary specimens as well as flocks may be seen settled on the plain and in the marshes during the migration season. This bird summers on the plains about Newchwang. 206. Arenaria interpres (L.). Strepsilas interpres D. & O. p. 433. The Turnstone was obtained by the Rev. Geo. D. Wilder at Peitaiho, the well-known summer resort situated about 10 miles west of Chinwangtao, in August. I observed this bird near Newchwang in May 1889. 207. Van^lliis cristatus Wolf & Meyer. Vanellus cristatus D. & O. p. 422 ; La T. p. 580. The Lapwing passes from early in March until the last ten days in April. In autumn I have seen it as early as the 21st of September and as late as the 9th of November. 208. Microsarcops cinereus (Blyth). Chettusia cinerea D. & O. p. 422. Microsarcops cinereus La T. p. 580. The (Jrey Lapwing is apparently not common in sprino-. At this season I have seen it on the 26th jNlarch and in April. On the return passage it is extremely abundant from the middle of August and throughout September. In 1913, 1 saw one as late as the 10th of October. Large flocks follow one another on suitable days, many of these settling for a time on the marshes or on the plain. 1921.] Birds of Nortk-East Chihti. 19 '209. Charadrius dominicus fiilvus Gm. Charadrius falvus D. & O. p. 424. The Eastern Golden Plover is rare at Chinwaiigtao. I shot one on the 1st of October, 1911, and iiave not identified any others since. I believe, liowever, that I have seen flocks passing at the end of August. I found this Plover common at Newchwang at the end of August and in September, 210. Squatarola helvetica (L.). Squat aro/a helvetica D. & O. p. 424 -, La T. p. 580. The collectors shot on the 24th of May 1913, an example in full breeding plumage of the Grey Plover and saw a few others on the 20th and 23rd of April and on the 8th and 24th of Mav of that year. One was seen on the 19th of October, 1911. 211. Ochthodromus veredus (Gould). yEgialitia veredus D. & O. p. 425 ; La T. p. 580. I saw a flock of the Eastern Dotterel on the 14th of April, 1911, on the plain, but iiave seen none since. 212. Ochthodromus geofFroyi (Wagler). JE(jialitis geoffroyi D. & O. p. 426; La T. p. 580. An example of the Large Sand-Plover was shot by the collectors on the 22nd of May, 1913, One was obtained by Mr. A. de C. Sowerby at Peitaiho on the 20th of July, 1916. 213. Ochthodromus mongolicus (Pall.), j^gialiiis niongulicus D, & O, p, 427 ; La T, p. 580. Two examples of tlie Mongolian Plover were shot by the collectors on the 16th of May, 1913, and three others were seen on the same day. 214. ^gialitis placida (Gray). ^gialitis placidus D. & 0. p. 428; La T. p. 580, yEgialitis placida Dresser, Ibis, 1908, p. 488, pi. x. (egg). Hodgson's Ringed Plover summers in the district. I saw two at the end of May, 1911, which were apparently paired, 20 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the [This, and in 1915 a number of eggs were brought to me by my collector, avIio bad taken them on the stony beaches of the Shanhaikuau River (Shih Ho) in April and May. On the 2nd of May of that year, 1 went out to search for the eggs myself with the collector, and during the course of a day's hunt saw a number of empty nests. One containing four eggs was found. The old bird sneaked away at once, hut ou our lying down a few yards from the nest, it was soon seen running cautiously among the stones and it settled down again on the eggs. An attempt to photograph the bird on its nest having failed, I took the eggs, which were incubated, but not too far advanced to preserve. This nest, like all the others seen that day, was a rounded depression among the shingle and had a thin lining of scraps of twigs or grass. The nests were placed among the stones some distance from the water. The birds lay from about the middle of April to the first week in May. There are four eggs in a clutch. These vary in shape from an ovate with a much pointed apex to a pyriform shape, occasionally much pinched in at the apex. There is a moderate gloss. The ground-colour is a pale greyish green, sometimes a dull reddish clay. The eggs are finely speckled with light or dark reddish brown and lilac. The latter colour is on the surface as well as within the shell. The speckling is often thicker on the large end, but few have it so dense as to form a cap. Thirty eggs average ]'4I x 1"04 in., and measure from 1'37 to 1*51 in. in length and from 0'99 x 1-07 in breadth. The plate in 'The Ibis' represents a very dull and red type which only a few of my specimens resemble. 215. .ffigialitis dnbia (Scop.). ^^il(jialitis dubius D. & O. p. 429. ^gialitis minor La T. p. 580. The Lesser Ringed Plover arrives early in April and is common during that month in the marshes. It breeds commonly on the stony reaches of the Shih Ho, from which 1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 2l locality I have clutches dated 12th and 80th April, 14th, 15th, 18th, and 29th May, aud June. May is, however, the month when eggs are most commonly found. While search- ing for eggs on the 2nd of May, 1915, I saw only empty nests. Tiie birds were numerous that day and were noticed pursuing one another and calling loudly as they flew. The nests are merely depressions among the shingle and contain no lining, a few small pebbles only being found in them. The eggs are buff, rarely pale buff, avid are marked all over with specks aiul short lines of very dark and light brown over underlying grey spots. A few eggs are, in addition, scantily marked with large spots of blackish brown. One egg out of a series of 39 has the ground-colour white with a tinge of grey. Another from the same series has a cap of uniform dull brown, overlaid with the usual markings, and the apical half has a coat of dark buff, only a ring of the true buff ground-colour showing between the two. The eggs are without gloss. The most general shape is a pyriform-ovate, but pyriform eggs are common, an ovate sometimes occurs, and the apex is often much pinched in. Thirty-nine eggs range from 1"25 in. to I'lO in. in length and from 0'92 in. to 0"83 in. in width, the largest being 1*25 x 0*89 in. and the smallest 1-12 x 0-83 in. They average 1-17 x 0*87 in. 216. ^gialitis alexandrina (L.). j^gialitis cantianus D. & O. p. 430; La T. p. 580. The Kentish Plover is common in spring on the mud flats and shores of tidal creeks. It passes again in September. 217. HsBmatopus osculans Swinhoe. Hcematojnis osculans D. & O. p. 432 ; La T. p. 580. The Chinese Oystercatcher is not commonly seen in the vicinity of Chinwangtao. I saw one flying over on the 20th of May, 1911, another was reported as having been shot in March 1912, and two were seen by the collectors on the 22nd of May, 1913. 22 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the [Ibis, 218. Himantopus candidus Bonuat. HimantopHs candidus D, & O. p. 462 ; La T. p. 580. I liave an example of the Black-winged Stilt, which was shot in May 1911 at Lanchow. In 1913 Stilts were seen several times at Chinwangtao between the 12th of April and the 16th of May. 219. Recurvirostra avocetta (L.). Recur virostra avocetta D. & O. p. 461. I saw two Avocets in the Chinwangtao market one late autumn. I noticed this bird on the banks of the river Liao near Newchwatig in April 1889. 220. Ibidorhynchus struthersi Vigors. Ibidorhynchus struthersii D. & O. p. 456, pi. 118. Pere David states that the Ibis-Bill is a resident in the mountains of Chihli and that it nests among the shingle on the banks of the mountain streams. It was only in the spring of 1915 that I was first made aware of the occurrence of this bird in this vicinity by my collector bringing me two eggs taken by him on the 23rd of Aprils which he said belonged to a Curlew-like bird of grey plumage with red bill and legs. On the 2nd of May following, I set out with my man to try to find the bird and secure more eggs. We worked up the stony bed of the Shih Ho (Shanhaikuan River) to the place where the eggs mentioned above had been taken^ and the empty nest was shown to me. It was a saucer-shaped depression among the stones of a shingly beach, not far from the banks of the main stream some two or three miles from the mountains. This depression Avas lined, as described by Mr. Uresser (Ibis, 1907, p. 323], with small stones, all of much the same size, and it was about eight inches in diameter. A few paces further on we came on another empty nest resembling the first nest, and on our way back to the river-bank we found a third nest — this one with an adiiled egg in it. During the afternoon, as I was searching 1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli, 23 the neighbourhood of this reach, I saw au Ibis-Bill feeding in the shallows a couple of huudred yards from me, which my man identified as the kind of bird to which the eggs he had brought me belonged. This one flew oft' at long range, and my collector told me the birds were extremely wild during the nesting-season. In winter they are more easily approached, and at that season they are to be found among the mountains. Owing to its protective colouring this bird is, hardly visible against a background of water and shingle. The flight is low, not rapid, and reminds one of that of certain Sandpipers. My collector subsequently brought me two more eggs taken on the 22nd of May following ; in 191G a clutch of four were taken on the 9th of April, and subse- quently a clutch of four were taken by him in the same locality on the 14th of April, 1918; these last were sent to the British Museum without being measured. He also shot on the 20tli of September, 1915, a bird of the year in immature dress. The bill of this bird was dark red, the legs pale pinkisli-mauve. The eggs taken on the 23rd of April and 22nd May, 1915, and 9th April, 1916, bear a general resemblance to those figured by Mr. Dresser (Ibis, 1907, pi, vi.), but are perhaps rather greener. The ground-colour is, when fresh, of a greyish-green, which turns somewhat red after a time. The spots are reddish-brown and reddish-purple. The addled egg found on the 2iid of May is greyer and the markings, which are large, are faint — possibly washed out. It is of a somewhat broad-ovate, while the other eggs are of a truer ovate. These nine eggs measure as follows : — 23 April, 1915, two eggs 1*99 x TSO, 2-06 x 1*48 inch. 2 May, „ one egg l*88x 1"50 inch. 22 „ „ two eggs 1-88 X 1-42 „ 9 April, 1916, four „ 1-97 X 1*47 „ 1-97 X 1-49 „ 207x1-42 „ 2-05 X 1-45 „ 24 Mr. J. D. B. La Touche on the [Ibis, 221. Numenius arquatus (L.). Numenius li neat us D. & O. p. 457. Numenius arquatus La T. p. 58L Curlew are met with in spring from the last decade in JNIai'ch to the end of May, and pass again very early in July. I have heard tliem calling at niglit as early as the end of June, but it may be that birds heard so early in the season were wanderers from neighbouring breeding-grounds. I saw tbree nndoubtcd Common Curlew on the 21st of April, 1912, and the collectors recorded seeing them from the 31st of Marcb to the 28th of May, and shot one out of three on the 28th of August, 1917 ; but, as a rule, the Curlew in this vicinity keep to the inaccessible mud-flats, and it is difficult to ascertain with certainty whether the birds belong to this or the following species. The Curlew passes Newchwang on migration. 222. Numenius cyanopus Vieillot. Numenius tahitiensis D. & O. p. 458. Numenius cyanopus La T. ]). 581. The Eastern Curlew was noted in 1913 from the 12th of April to the 3rd of May. It is very probable that the birds heard at night in summer are of this species. I have seen them in Septeiiiber. This Curlew breeds, I believe, on the plains near Newchwang. 223. Numenius phaeopus variegatus Scop. Numenius jihaopus D. & O. p. 457. Numenius variegatus La T. p. 581. Tlie collectors recorded the Eastern Whinibrel througliout May 1913. I have seen it passing on the 27th of August and on other dates. It is quite a common migrant both in spring and in early autumn. I noticed this bird on migration at NewchAvang. 224. Mesoscolopax minutus (Gould). Numenius minutus D. & O. p. 458. Mesuscolopax minutus La T. p. 581. The Little Curlew passes in spring during the latter half 1921,] Birds of North- East Chrhli. 25 of April and the first week in May. It is extremely abundant on passage during September. 1 noted this bird as a migrant at Nevvchwang in 1889. 225. Limosa limosa melanuroides Gould. Limosa brevipes D. & O. p. 460. The Eastern Black-tailed Godwit passes in August. I shot a young bird out of a party of three on the 25th of August, 1912, and was shown another a couple of years afterwards on the 9th of August. This Godwit was very abundant at Newchwang in April 1889, and was observed again at the end of August and in Se^jtember of that year. 226. Terekia cinerea (Giildenst.). Terekia cinerea D. & 0. p. 460; La T. p. 581. The Terek Sandpiper was observed and shot by the collectors from the 1st to the 16th of Mny, 1913. Mr. Sowerby procured an example in breeding plumage at Peitaiho in July 1916. This Sandpiper was observed by me at Newchwang in April. 227. Tringoides hypoleucus (L.). Trinyoides hypoleucus D. & O. p. 467. Tetanus hypoleucus La T. p. 581. The Common Sandpiper passes in May, August, and September. 228. Totanus glareola (L.). Totanus glareola D. & O. p. 464 ; La T. p. 581. The Wood-Sandpiper appears to be the commonest Sand- piper at Chinwangtao. It passes towards the beginning of May and from the beginning of August to the first week in September. 229. Totanus ochropus (L.). Totanus ochropus D. & O. p. 465 ; La T. p. 581. The Green Sandpiper passes from the end of April to probably the end of May. A pair seen inland on the l)anks 26 Mr. J, D. D. La Touche on the [This. of a stream were very possibly preparing to breed. It no doubt passes with the other Waders in August and September, but I liave no recorded observations for those months. I have, however, observed it on the 11th of October. 230. Totanus calidris (L.). Totanus calidris D. & O. p. 464 ; La T. p. 581. The Redshank passes at tlie end of March and was also recorded during the first half of May 1913 by the collectors. I believe I have seen it in August. This Sandpiper and the preceding three species were observed on migration at Newchwang in the late summer and early autumn of the year 1889. The Green Sandpiper was the first to appear, and was to be seen singly or in small parties on the banks of pools and in marshy spots. 231. Totanus fuscus (L.). Totanus fuscus D. & 0. p. 463; La T. p. 581. The Dusky Redshank has been observed at the end of March and beginning of April, in Septembei', and early in October. 232. Totanus incanus brevipes Vieillot. Totanus incanus D. & O. p. 466. On the 13th of September, 1915, I saw on the shores of the Junk Harbour at Chinwangtao two grey Sandpipers which appeared to me to be the Eastern Grey Sandpiper, The Rev. Geo, D. Wilder shot an example in summer plumage at Peitaiho in August 1916, and I have seen two others shot in the same locality in September by Mr. Hubbard of Paoting-fu. 233. Totanus glottis (L.). Totanus glottis D. & O. p. 462. The Greenshank passes in September and October. It doubtless passes also in spring, but I have no records. Mr. Sowerby obtained one in summer plumage at Peitaiho on the 15th of July, 1916. • This Sandpiper was seen by me at Newchwang in 1889 in spring and on the return passage. 1921.] Birds of North- East Chihii. 27 234. Calidris arenaria (L.)- Calidris areauria D. & O. p. 467; La T. p. 581. Tringa acuminata La T. p. 58L On the 22nd of May, J 911 I shot on the seashore at Chinwatigtao two Sandpipers in breeding-dress which I noted down as Sharp-tailed Stints and put away without comparing tliein. On examining one ot" these birds lately, I found it was a Sanderling. I unfortunately recorded the i)arty of Sandpipers out of which I shot these examples in my paper on Chinwangtao migrants (Ibis^ 1914, p. 581) as Tringa acuminata. This species, although there is no doubt that it passes there, must for the present be eliminated from my list. A second party of Sanderlings was met with by me at the same place on the 18th of May, 1913, out of which I shot three examples which formed part of the collection made that year for the Migration Committee of the B. 0. C. Mr. Sowerby obtained an example in summer plumage at Peitaiho on the 17th of July, 1916. 235. Tringa minuta ruficoUis Pall. Tringa ruficoUis D. & O. p. 472 (part). Mr. A. de C. Sowerby obtained the Eastern Little Stint in summer plumage at Peitaiho on the 16th of July, 1916. This bird was abundant on the marshy plain near Newchwang in September 1889. 236. Tringa damacensis Horsf. Tringa 7'uficollis D. & 0. p. 472 (part). The Long-toed Stint was obtained by Mr. Sowerby in worn summer plumage at Peitaiho on the 14tli of July, 1916. I shot this bird at the marshes near Chinwangtao on the 22nd of August and 3rd of September following. 237. Tringa temminckii Leisl. Tringa temminckii D. & O. p. 473. I shot a Temminck's Stint on the 25th of August, 1912. 28 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the [Ibis, 238. Tringa crassirostris T. & S. Tringa crassirostris D. & O. p. 468. The Eastern Knot was obtained by Mr. Sowerby in summer dress at Peitaiho on the 17th of July, 1916. 239. Tringa caniitiis (L.), Tringa canutus D. & O. p. 469. The Knot was also obtained by Mr. Sowerby at Peitaiho on the 17th of July, 1916. The specimen submitted to me was in full summer dress. 240. Tringa subarquata ((iiildenst.). Tringa subarquata D. & O. p. 472. A specimen of the Curlew-JStint in part summer plumage (worn above and mixed with winter plumage on the under- parts) obtained by jNlr. Sowerby at Peitaiho on the 18th of July, 1916, was sent to me for investigation together with the other Waders mentioned above. 241. Tringa cinclus americana Cass. Tringa cinclus J). & O. p. 471. Tringa americana La T. p. 581. The collectors shot on the 3rd of May, 1913, a Pacific Dunlin \n summer plumage out of a party of five. I shot one of two birds on the 12th of October following. This bird is a young bird putting on winter plumage. Mr. Sowerby procured at Peitaiho on the 14th, 16th, and 18th of July, 1916, three examples in summer plumage. Dunlins were abundant on the Newchwang plain in September 1889. 242. Tringa platyrhyncha Temm. Tringa platyrhyncha D. & O. p. 470. A Broad-billed Stint in summer plumage, shot on the 14th of July^ 1916, was among the Waders sent to me by Mr. Sowerl)y from Peitaiho. 243. Scolopax rusticola L. Scolopax rusticola D. &■ O. p. 475 ; La T. p. 582. The Woodcock is found at Chinwangtao during April and 1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 29 May and again in Scpleniber. It is not at all nncommon during the latter month. Woodcock were not rare on passage at Newchwang during September in the 'eighties of last century. 244. Gallinago solitaria (Modgs.). GalUnago solitaria D. & O. p. 476, pi. 122. I have a handsome example of the Himalayan Solitary Snipe bought in the Chinwangtao market on the 20th of December, 1914. It was in perfect condition and must have been shot only a few days previously. It is evidently a Avinter resident in the mountains of Chihli, as on the Yangtse. 245. Gallinago megala Swinhoe. GaUinago megala D. & O. p. 477; La T. p. 582. Swinhoe's Snipe passes in May and during the last ten days o£ August. It is much less common about Chinwangtao than the Pintail and Common Snipe. 246. Gallinago stenura IIorsF. GaUinago stenura D. & 0. p. 478 ; La T. p. 582. The Pin-tailed Snipe passes in May and again throughout August and during the first few days of September. It is more or less abundant, according to the state of tiie ground. 247. GaUinago ccelestis Frenz. GaUinago scolopacina Y). & 0. p. 478. GaUinago ccelestis La T. p. 581. The Common Snipe ai'rives towards the end of March or early in April, according to the season, and remains during the first half of May. I shot a belated bird on the 16th of June, 1913. It begins to pass again during the last half of August, and in suitable spots remains throughout September. Laggards may be found in October and even in IMovember, I put up one from a stream iu the uplands north of the port on the 26th of November, 1911. The temperature that dav was so coM that the water we had with us for drinkius:- purposes froze solid in the bottle. 30 Mr. J. D. T). La Toiiclie on the [Tbis, In September 1913, owing probably to the favourable condition of the marshes in this vicinity, Snipe of this species swarmed there during the first half of the month. As a rule, April, May, and September are the months during which the birds are most abundant. 248. Limnocryptes gallinula (L.). Gallinago yallinula D. & O. p. 479. Sir Francis Aglen, K.B.E., Inspector-General of the Chinese Maritime Customs, informed me that he had shot a Jack-Snipe near Peitaiho, the well-known seaside resort near Chinwangtao, towards the end of August 1915. Pere David states that foreign sportsmen assured him that they had shot this bird near Peking. I have the wings, legs, and head of a plucked bird which had been purchased in the Shanghai market, and also a skin of a bird shot at Foochow on the 12th of October, 1910, for which I am indebted to Mr. C. B. Rickett. 249. Rostratiila capensis (L.). Rliynch(Ea capensis 1). & O. p. 480. I have a single male example of the Painted Snipe shot by Sir Francis Aglen, K.CE., at the marshes near Chin- wangtao on the 11th of September, 1916. It is the only bird of this species seen by me from that locality, 250. Larus ridibundus L. Chroicocephalus ridibundus D. & O. p. 520. Larus ridibundus La T. p. 582. jNIigrating parties of the Laughing Gull appear towards the middle of March and the birds are abundant until the first week in May, after which they disappear, to begin passing again early in July. Birds seen travelling in July appeared to still have the hood. They may be seen in July and August flying along the coast, going south-west. I have seen them until very late in November on the tidal creeks, but I do not think that any winter here. The Laughing Gull was common at Newchwang during my stay there in 1889. 1 92 1.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 31 251. Lams canus L. Larus canus D. & O. p. 517. I have seen one Common Gall hanging in tlie market, and noticed medium-sized Galls about the harbour and coast which were doubtless of this species. This Gull was common at Newchwang in 1889. 25.2. Larus argeiitatus vegae Stejn. Larus occidentalis D. & O. p. 520. Larus vega vel cachinnans La T. p. 519. Large Herring-Gulls pass at much the same seasons as the Laughing Gull, and are to be seen often during the winter about the harbour or passing over the plain. Those seen at fairly close quarters appeared to be the Pink-legged Herring-Gull. A few specimens are to be seen hanging in the game-shops in winter. Larus crussirostris was common at Newchwang in 1889, but T have no certain note of its occurrence at Chinwang-tao. If it does occur, it is very rare. 253. Larus cachinnans Pall. Larus cachinnaas D. & O. p. 520. On the 29th of November, 1914, I saw an immature example of the Mediterranean Herring-Gull hanging in a game-shop in the village, 254. Larus glaucus Briinn. On the 5th of February, 1917, I observed among a number of Gulls in the harbour two Glaucous Gulls, I had not noticed this species at Chinwangtao before, but it is quite possible that I had overlooked it. The winter 191G-1917 was exceedingly cold and the port was ice-bound for some time, so that the presence of these Gulls here was probably due to the severe weather-conditions prevailing at the time. 255. Hydrochelidon hybrida (Pall.). Hydruchelidon hybrida D. & O. p. 524. The llev. Geo. D. Wilder shot a specimen of the Whiskered Tern between Peitaibo and Chinwangtao on the 31st of July, 32 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the [Ibis, 1916, and saw that day many flocks of tliis Tern passing down the coast. 256. Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Schinz). HydrocheUdon leucoptera D. & O. p. 524 ; La T. p. 582. The White-winged Black Tern passes in spring and is very abundant during the latter half of August, when it travels along the coast in flocks. I noticed this Tern on the Nevvchwang plain in May and June, and on the River Liao on the 11th of August, 1889. 257. Gelochelidou anglica (Mont.). Sterna anglica La T. p. 582. A single example of the Gull-billed Tern was seen at the port on the 4th of May, 1913. 258. Sterna hirundo tibetana Saunders. Sterna fluviatitis D. & O. p. 525. I have seen numbers of medium-sized Tern passing in flocks during August and September which were probably tins species or S. longipennis, but none were collected. My collector, however, brought me at the beginning of July 1915 ten eggs and an example of S. tibetana from the coast, about twenty miles W.S.W. of Chinwangtao, wheie he found this Tern breeding among the sand-dunes. These eggs are brownish olive^ deep buft", and yellowish-green, with spots and large blotches of dark brown over inky purplish-grey blotches, the latter being on the surface as well as within the shell. The shape varies from a somewhat oval-ovate to broad-ovate. The longest egg measures l'75x]*18 in., the shortest 1*53 x 1-17 in., the broadest 1-66 x 1*23 in., and the narrowest l-64xl'13in. The ten eggs average l-64xl-18in. 259. Sterna sinensis Gm. Sternula sinensis D. & O. p. 527. Sterna sinensis La T. p. 582. The Chinese Tern arrives about the fourth week in May and breeds commonlv in the district. It lays three eggs in 1 92 1.] Birds of Nurth-East Chihli. 33 a depression in saiid-l)anks in the vicinity of water (rivers or sea). I have eggs dated 29th May, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 8th June, end of June, and July, taken on the Slianhaikuan River and down the coast. The eggs are huff", greenisli-buff, and pale yellowish-green, spotted with brown or reddish and purplish-grey, the latter in different shades and botli on the surface and witliin the shell. The spots are generally small and sometimes are partly concentrated in a rough zone. The general shape is ovate or oval-ovate. Thirty-two eggs average 1*29 x 0'96 in. The longest measures r37 x 0"9G in., the shortest l'19x 0-92 in., the broadest 1-28 x 0-98 in., and the narrowest diameter (three eggs) is 0'91 in. This Tern remains somewhat late, and may be seen fishing in the marshes until about the middle of October. I saw flocks of this Tern flying over the plain near Newchwang in May and June, and also on the River Liao on thp 11th of August, 1889. 2G0. Phalacrocorax carbo (L.). Phalacrocorax curbo D. & O. p. 532 ; La T. p. 582. Cormorants pass in spring from the end of March to the end of April, and are not uncommonly seen during the autumn passage. One observed sitting on the rocks on the 11th of August, 1912, appeared from its size to be P. pelagicus. 261. Fregata ariel (Gould). Attagen minor D. & O. p. 534. I saw on the 19th of August, 1915, circling over the clifl^s and harbour at Chiuwangtao, a large bird which must have been a Lesser Frigate-bird, On the 5th of October following, a friend saw circling over the harbour a large black bird with deeply forked tail, which was doubtless another example of this bird. The Smaller Frigate-bird occurs in summer on the coast of south-east China and has been seen or taken on the Lower Yangtse and at Shaweishan, but until 1915 it had not been noticed so far north on the China coast. SER. XI. VOL. III. D 34 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the [Ibis Towards the end of July 1889, I saw on the river at Newchwaiig a brown Albatross. Tliis bird allowed a native to fire at it repeatedly at very close range without rising from the water. After several shots had been fired, it rose, apparently none the worse, and sailed away, passing a hundred yards or so from the boat I was in. 262. Ibis melanocephala (Lath.). Ibis melanocephala D. & O. p. 452. A white Ibis with black head and neck seen at the marshes on the 5th of October, 1913, was without doubt an example of the White Ibis. When at Newchwang, in 1889, I was given a skin of the Japanese Crested Ibis {Nipponia nippon) by Mr. Farmer, then Constable of H.B.M.^s Consulate at the port, who told me that he liad seen a breeding-colony of these birds some way up the Hiver Liao. I saw a flock fly over the settlement towards the end of the autumn. 263. Platalea leucorodia L. Plutalea major D. & O. p. 451 (part). I saw a Spoonbill passing on the 13th of October, 1912, and shot another on the 12th of October, 1913. The latter bird, a male, is in fresh immature plumage. The shafts of the wing-quills and the tips of these are black. Tlie colours of the soft parts were as follows: — Iris dull burnt-sienna; bill livid violet-black at the base, the greater part of the upper mandible yellow with black stripes ; skin of throat and lores yellow ; legs and feet black, the soles spotted with yellowish. Bill 9'35 in., wing 15"5 in. 264. Ciconia ciconia boyciana Swinhoe ? Ciconia boyciana D. & O. p. 450. Four very large white birds with black wings seen passing on the 20th of November, 1910, were most probably White Storks. I have a male example purchased in the market at Chinwangtao. It is almost adult. 1 92 1.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 35 265. Ciconia nigra L. Ciconia nigra D. & O. p. 450. The Black Stork breeds^ I am informed, among the high rocks in the mountains about 30 miles nortli of Chinwangtao. I saw it soaring overhead on the 30tli and 31st of October, 1911. It passes regularly in spring and autumn. I have two adult specimens shot in this neighbourhood : — ? , 2nd Nov., 1915. Bill crimson, skin round the eye and chin vermilion ; legs crimson, the scales on the front of the tarsus and on feet black, soles of feet vermilion. Total length 41*20 in,, wing 22 in., tarsus 8 in., tail 9*30 in., culmen 7"30 in. $ , 4th March, 191G. Soft parts as above. Total length 4375 in., wing 23-30 in., tail 10'-20 in., culmen 7-4 in., tarsus 8'40 in. I saw, while riding on the plain near Newchwang, in 1889, two large birds, which were without doubt Black Storks. 266. Ardea manillensis Meyen. Ardea purpurea D. & 0. p. 438. Ardea manillensis La T. p. 583, The Eastern Purple Heron is common on migration. It was specially abundant in 1911, when I saw numbers in the marshes on the 14th of April. On the 6th of October following, some 200 passed over the plain. It passes in April, JNlay, September, and October. 267. M'dea cinerea L. Ardea cinerea D. & O. p. 437; La T. p. 582. The Grey Heron is an abundant migrant. It ))asses from the latter half of March to the end of May and from the last ten days of July to the end of October. A few must summer in the vicinity of Chinwangtao, as I have seen twice in the early summer a pair which were evidently settled for the breeding-season. Hard-sat eggs were brought to me on the 26th of May, 1917, and two young birds tlie following June. I saw the Grey Heron at Newchwang in May 1889. 'd2 36 Mr. J. D. D. La Touclie on the [Ibis, 268. Herodias alba L. Herodias alba D. & O. p. 439. A single Great Egret was seen at the marshes on the 5th of November, 1911. Large wliite Herons, seen near Newchwang on the 19th of May, 1889, were most probably of this species. 269. Butorides javanicus amurensis Schrenck. Butorides macrorhynchus D. & O. p. 413. Butorides amurerisis La T. p. 583. The collectors saw an example of the Little Green Heron on the 31st of May, 1913 ; I saw another at the port on the 22nd of May, 1914. A friend sent me a live adult bird on the 4th of June, 1914, which I released after taking measure- ments and noting the colour of the soft parts. These were as follows : — Iris yellow, lower mandible and sides of upper mandible and skin of lores greenish-yellow, legs yellowish- green. Wing 7*80 in., culmen 2"50 in. 270. Botaurus stellaris (L.). Botaurus stellaris D. & O. p. 446 ; La T. p. 583. The Bittern is often seen on migration. It occurs from the end of March and during April, and during the latter half of September and the first few days of October. 271. Nyctiardea nycticorax (L.). Nyctiardea nycticorax D. & 0. p. 444 ; La T. p. 583. The Night-Heron was shot by the collectors on the 29th of March, 1913, and seen by them on the 29th of April following. I believe that I saw one in the marshes on the 28th of September, 1913. 272. Ardetta eurythma Swinhoe. Ardetta eurythma D. & O. p. 447 ; La T. p. 583. Von Schrenck's Little Bittern summers in the district. I saw a specimen on the 28th of May, 1911, the collectors shot one on the 20th of May, 1913, and I have a specimen taken in autumn by a native hunter. I collected a male example at Newchwang on the 19th of May, 1889. 1 92 1.] Birds uf North-East Chihli. 37 273. Ardetta sinensis (Gm.). Ar delta sinensis D. & O. p. 448. I have not obtained any specimens of the Chinese Little Bittern in the vicinity of Chinwangtao, but I liave a number of the eggs of the bird, which were brought to me from the Hsien Chia Ying marshes and which had been taken in June and July. 274. Cygnus cygnus (L.). Cygnus ferns D. & O. p. 493. An example of the Whooper was exposed for sale in the market during January 1912. A handsome adult Swan, which I originally took to be of this species but which I now think must be an adult male C.jankoivskyi, was brought to me alive on the 19th of March, 1917. It had been snared and was quite uninjured. This bird lived in our yard throughout the summer and did not appear to suft'er from the summer heat. It was successfully taken to Shanghai when we left Chinwangtao in the follow- ing October and was given to Pere Courtois, the Curator of the Sikawei Museum, who has placed it, together with the other wild fowl presented to him by me that autumn, in a large ench^sure attached to the Museum. This Swan refused all food until the 22nd of March, when it ate some soaked bread. The next day it ate boiled green beans, and until late in the summer, when it began to eat the bran and kaoliang given to the other wild fowl in the yard, it would touch nothing but these boiled green beans. It became fairly tame after a few weeks, but never came up to ask for its food like the wild geese did. At the end of March it began to call, the sound being a gentle " cook cook.'' Later in the summer and in the autumn it occasionally uttered a loud call sounding something like " waw '' or "wow." Several times during the spring this bird and its companion in captivity (a (\ jankoivskyi) were seen to perform a curious wild dance round the yard, running madly with open wings and uttering love screams. I did not witness these performances myself, but they tcjok place in the presence of my children, who reported the facts to me. 38 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche on the [Ibis, The somewhat orange-yellow patch on the bill and fore- head of this Swan does not extend beyond the nostril, reaching only to the posterior end of the aperture. It measured from the feathers on the forehead 1*4< in. in length. The culmen and bare forehead together measured ■1'4 in. The shape of the head is rounded^ the featliering stopping at a line above the eye. 275. Cygnus jankowskyi Alpheraky. Cygnus mitior D. & O. p. 494. Cygnus jankowskyi La T. p. 584. I saw Swans on five occasions during March 1911, and the collectors saw several large parties and flocks in March 1913^ and on the 1st of April that year. Since then I have not noticed them passing, but most probably overlooked the passage. An example shot at the Hsieh Chia Ying mai'shes by the collectors was identified by Mr. Ogilvie- Grant as being a specimen of Jankowski^s Swan. I have two others : an adult bird shot here on the 19th of March, 1911, and an immature bird from Shanhaikuan, shot at the end of March or beginning of April 1914. I purchased a winged adult bird on the 17th of March, 1917, which I kept in our yard until the following October, when I took it to Shanghai with the other Swan mentioned above. This bird recovered from its wound after a few weeks, but it was several days before it would feed. Eventually it took to a diet of boiled green beans and, like its unwounded companion, ended by eating also the soaked bran and kaoliang given to the other wild fowl. Many weeks passed, however, before it would eat in the presence of anyone. The iris of this bird when it was in my possession was greyish, and the bird's facies was very different from that of its companion. The line of the forehead feather- ing was prolonged at an angle over the base of the upper mandible, the feathering reaching to a distance from which a line could be drawn through the centre of the eye, whereas in the other Swan, as noted above, this feathering stopped 1 92 1.] Birds of North-East fJhihli. 39 above the eye. Tlie shape of the head was also different, being angular, not rounded as in the other bird. Pere Courtois considers these two Swans to be both jankoivskyi (see Ois. du Musee de Sikawei, p. 120, Man. cone. PHist. Nat. de I'emp. Chinois, Tome v. 3™^ cahier, 1918). Swans were abundant on passage at Newcliwang during the spring of 1890, and the natives brought several, both alive and dead, for sale. Mr. A. L. Hall, who was for some years stationed in northern Chihli, on the borders of the Gobi desert, informed me that he had shot Snow-Geese there. These birds are said to occur near Tientsin. Cyytius davidi so far has not been re-discovered. The type has been apparently lost. 276. Anser cygnoides (L.). Anser cygnoides D. & O. p. 493. The only Swan-Goose seen by me here is one which I shot at the marshes on the 10th of October, 1912. It was a wounded bird, a male in poor condition, probal)ly a bird of the year, as the bill showed no sign of a tubercle. Culmeu 2*5 in., wing 16*7 in. This Goose used to be abundant at the mouth of the River Liao (near Newcliwang). 1 shot several there in 1889 from the beginning of September. 277. Anser anser rubrirostris Hodgson. Aviser cinereus D. & O. p. 491. Anser rubrirostris La T. p. 583. The Eastern Grey Lag-Goose appears to be uncommon. Two specimens shot in March at the Hsieh Chia Ying marshes are in the British Museum. 278. Anser segetum (Gm,). Anser segetum D. & O. p. 491 (part) ; La T. p. 583. The Bean-Goose is apparently very common during times of passage, judging from the proportion of these birds shot 40 Mr. J. D. D. La Touclie on the [Ibis, as compared with the other Bean-Geese. S})ecimeiis col- lected in the spring of 1913 were all shot from the 19th to the 31st of March. Geese pass in spring from the end of February to the middle of April, and in autumn from the end of August or beh I spent several days at the {)lace where the last known birds were seen some years ago ; but the localities where these birds may still be living extend along- such a great stretch of the coast, and are so densely clothed in scrub, that it is very easy to miss seeing such a very shy and seclusive species. Artamus leucorhynchus leucopygialis. The first time White-rumped Wood-Swallows were ever seen by me was at Carnarvon on 24 September, 1911, when a small party was flying about Babbage Island, but were very wild. Many of these birds were seen at exactly the same place and same day of month in 1911), and some specimens obtained. No examples were seen in 191G. Campbellornis personatus. Masked Wood-Swallows were numerous about Broome Hill in early January 1916. These birds are very erratic in their visits. Austrartamus cinereus tregellasi. Black-vented Wood-Swallows were seen in the Gascoyne and Minilya districts on all three trips, but were most plentiful in 1916, when many nests containing eggs or young were seen in September. A nest with three eggs was seen at the Minilya on 9 September, 1911. Angroyan cyanopterus. Wood-Swallows were common in the south-west districts. Micrartamus minor derbyi. Little Wood-Swallows were only seen in Shark Bay, and in some of the deep gorges in the North-West Cape ranges, where they breed in holes of the clitls. When at the Yardie Creek on 26 August, 1913, I saw the parent birds feeding their young in a nest that was out of sight in a crevice of the root of a large cave. 64 Mr. T. Carter on some [Ibis, CoUnriciiicla rufiventris rufiventris. BufF-bellied Shrike-Thrushes were common about Broome Hill and south-west localities. In the Gascoyne and Point Cloates districts these birds are mostlv found in stony ranges, and are common in all the gorges ot" the North- West Cape ranges, where their song is quite different from that of the southern birds. On 7 August, 1916, I found a nest, four feet from the ground, in the fork of a small white-gum tree, in a gorge near the North-West C^ape ; it contained two young birds about half-grown, and the male bird was sitting on them. Grallina cyanoleuca cyanoleuca. Magpie-Larks were more numerous about Broome Hill than any other locality. They do not occur much in heavily . timbered districts. When at Lake Muir in March 1919, Mr. Muir asked me tlie name of a pair of these birds, which were feeding near his homestead, as he said he had never seen them before during his long residence there, and that the birds had only recently arrived. Gymnorhina liypoleuca dorsalis. Western White-backed Magpies were noted in all districts between Woolundra and Broome Hill, at which latter place they are very abundant, but I think they are even more plen- tiful about the Vasse River. They do not occur in the heavily timl)ered south-western localities, but are gradually working their way along there as the country is cleared and opened out. None were sf>en at the Margaret River or Augusta, and only odd birds at the C'ollie. On 1(5 January, 1910, I saw fledged young being still fed by the parent birds at Broome Hill ; and on 24 February, 1917, I saw a tame bird of the previous year that was completely white in plumage, with pale fleshy bill and legs. The irides were blue, with u slight tinge of pink. It would be about five months old. When at the Yasse River on 27 February, 1916, I saw these Tvlagpies eating many figs off the trees at a homestead, and also digging up with their beaks, and eating, freshly planted grains of maize. 1 92 1.] Western Austruliun Birds. 65 Cracticus nigrogularis kalgoorli. Western Black-throated Butcher-birds were breeding on the Lyndon River on 5 September, 1911. They were rather 3onimon in May 1919 about Woolundra, which is probably near their southern limit of ranoe. Bulestes torquatus leucopterus. White-winged Butcher-birds were common about Broome Hill and south-western localities, excepting Augusta and the Margaret River, where none were seen. Several of them were observed at Woolundra, where the Black-throated birds give them a bnd time, by constantly attacking them. A specimen of the W^hite-winged was obtained by me on 13 September, 1916, about midway between the Gascoyne and Minilya rivers, the first time this bird was ever seen by me in that district. Shortridge does not mention having seen this subspecies about the Gascoyne River in 1908 (Ibis, 1909, p. 669> Falcunculus frontatus leucogaster. White-bellied Shrike-Tits were commonly seen about Broome Hill, especially early in 1919. Adult birds were seen feeding recently fledged young on 4 March, 1919. r Oreoica gutturalis westralensis. Western Crested Bell-birds were exceedingly scarce about Broome Hill in early 1919, where they are usually plentiful at all seasons. They were, as usual, fairly common in the Gascoyne and Minilya districts in 1911, 1913, and 1916. Aphelocephala castaneiventris minilya. Several small parties of Murchison Whitefaces were seen in mid-September, 1916, in scrubby country midway between the Lower Gascoyne and Minilya rivers, where I had never previously seen anyof these birds ; but I had obtained speci- mens in 1904 at Mullewa, three hundred miles to the south. Shortridge found them " fairly numerous as far north as the Upper Gascoyne River (Clifton Downs Station) " in 1908 (Ibis, 1909, p. 667) ; so, at present, the locality where my SER. XI, VOL. Ill, F 66 Mr. T. Carter on some [Ibis, specimens were obtained is the most northerly record, being- sixty miles farther north, and about one hundred nearer to the coast (westwards) than Clifton Downs. The birds were tame, feeding on the ground below short scrub, into which they took shelter when disturbed. This bird was first described by Mr, G. M. Mathews (Bulletin B. 0. C. vol. xl. 1920, p. 75). Since writing the above, I have been able, through the courtesy of Dr. F. R. Lowe, to compare the specimens obtained by me with those obtained by Mr. Shortridge, now in the Balston collection at the British Museum (Natural History), and find that the Minilya birds are more rufous on the mantle than any of the others, which were mostly obtained in localities to the south-east — as Laverton, 600 miles south-east from the Minilya, and Day Dawn, about 300 miles to the south-east and midway between the Minilya and Laverton. The specimens from Day Dawn are almost white on the whole of the under- parts, and can be separated easily from any of the others. Those obtained on the Minilya can hardly be distinguished from the Clifton Downs birds, which they most resemble. Sphenostoma cristatum occideiitale. Westralian Wedgebills were, as usual, abundant in the Lower Gascoyne and Minilya scrubs, particularly about the banks of the rivers. I proved that both sexes utter the vvouderful metallic ringing notes. Neositta pileata broomi. South-west Black-capped Tree-runners were seen in sm:ill parties in several south-western localities, including the Margaret, Blackwood, and Warren rivers, and Lake Muir. They were most plentiful about Broome Hill. Whitlocka melanura wellsi. The Allied Black-tailed Tree-Creeper (Ogilvie-Grant Ibis, 1909, p. tjtl4) was first obtained by Shortridge on the Upper Gascoyne liiver, apparently about 1908. I had never 1 92 1.] Western Australian Birds. 67 seen a single Tree-Creeper during my long residence in the Griiscoyne (Lower) and North-West Cape districts ; but in 1900 I found a deserted egg, that was new to me, in a nest soaked with rain-water in a cavity o£ a small tree, about sixty miles inland from Point Cloates. I forwarded the egg to Mr. A. J. Campbell at Melbourne, for identification, and he replied that it was undoubtedly the egg of some species of Climacteris, and lie published a description of it in the 'Emu/ vol. X. p. 299. The first time I was in the Gascoyne district again, after Mr. Ogilvie-Urant's 1909 ' Il)is ' paper was published, was in August 1911, and I kept a good look out for (!'. m. loellsi, but saw none on the lower part of the river. However, when travelling south by mail-coach from the Minilya river, on 12 Sept(Mnber, I caught a glimpse of what I felt sure were Tree-Creepers in some Jam (Acacia) timber through which we passed, but of course could not follow them. Almost exactly the same thing happened on 18 August, 1913, in the same patch of Jam trees ; but when there next time, on 13 September, 1915, I was able to accept the kind hospitality of my old friend Mr. Harry Campbell, and stay a few days at his station homestead, in the vicinity of which I had seen the birds. Mr. Campbell drove me out a few miles that day, but we had no luck with Tree-Creepers ; but on the 14th I had a long walk round and obtained three specimens of the bird, and found a nest with two young- birds almost full grown. The " Jam " trees grow to a height of about twenty-five feet, with trunks from a foot to twenty inches in diameter, and derive their local name from the sweet scent of the timber, which always reminded me of violets. I was scanning the scattered trees as I walked along through them, and saw ahead of me something rapidly moving in and out from a hole, about eight feet from the ground, in one of them. At first I thought this object was the head of one of the large lizards, or monitors, that are great robbers of eggs and young birds, but getting nearer, saw F 2 ()8 INTr. T. Carter (m some [Ibis, that it was the head of a bird, so I shot at it with my •410 gnn, and it disappeared in the hole. Upon climbing the tree I found that it was hollow nearly down to the ground, and, thrusting my arm in, could feel a bird flut- tering upwards into the upper part of the trunk, which was also hollow. I then withdrew my arm, ])lugged the hole with my cap, aud from the ground carefully examined the lower {)art of the tree, and through a crevice was fortunate enough to catch sight of the extended wing of a bird, with a buff band across it, so knew I had got a Tree-Oreeper at last. I then cut away the extremely hard wood from the edges of the crevice with my knife, until it was large enough to enable me to extract the dead bird, which was an undoubted fledgling of W. m. wellsi. I then plugged this hole, and also the larger one above, with bunches of dry grass, and withdrew some little distance to await the return of the parent birds, both of whichi obtained in aboutfive minutes; they were just commencing to moult. I then walked l)ack to the station to obtain a small axe, and returning with it to the tree in the afternoon, cut the latter open, but could not And the other young bird. On the following day I saw another pair of the birds, and by watching them, located another nest, about twelve feet from the ground, in a crevice formed by a split in the main fork of a large, dead Jam tree. The nest was simply a large handful of sheeps' wool, laid on chips of wood, about eighteen inches from the top of the crevice. It contained two young birds, about half-grown. No wool was seen in the first tree that I cut open the previous day. I saw several other adult birds in the next two days of my visit, but found no more nests, and was apparently too late for any eggs, but have no doubt myself that the egg obtained in 1900 was the egg of this new subspecies, which is the only Tree-Creeper found in that area. In habits these birds much resemble W. r. rufa, often feeding on the ground, on fallen trunks and branches of trees laid on the ground, as well as on the trunks of standing trees. 1 92 1.] IVestern Australian Birds. 69 Whitlocka rufa rufa. Rufous Tree-( Creepers were coimnou about Broome Hill, and also seen at Woolundra. Whitlocka rufa obscura. Allied Rufous Tree-l'reepers were observed, and specimens obtained, at Lake Muir, tlie Warren, Blackwood, Margaret, and Collie rivers. Tliey were all of tliis darker subspecies, and confirm its validity. Tlie darkest coloured birds were obtained on Big Brook, a tributary of the Warren River from the east. Zosterops gouldi. Green-backed White-eyes were comraon through all the districts visited. Small young were seen in a nest at C-arnarvon on 4 August, 1911. These birds were feeding freely on small orange-coloured berries from bushes near the beach at Vasse in February 1916. Zosterops lutea balstoiii. Carnarvon White-eyes were common in the mangroves near (-arnarvon in all my tri[)s, and some specimens shot there on 17 September, 1011, were evidently breeding, but I failed to find any nests. A few of these birds were seen in mangroves near the North-West (/ape on 2 August, 1916. None were seen in the mangroves of the Peron Peninsula, in Shark Bay, that year. Austrodicaeum hirundinaceum tormenti. Western Mistletoe-birds were only seen on two occasions, viz., a pair on the ranges near Point (Uoates on 11 July, 1916, and those already recorded (Ibis, 1917, p. 608) on Dirk Hartog Island. Mathews (Ref. List, 1913) only gives North-west Australia and Northern Territory as the range of this bird. Milligan recorded it from the Wonoan Hills (100 miles north-east from Perth), and Shortridge from near Kalgoorlie, and I have seen them at several places along the Midland Railway route. 70 Mr. T. Carter on some [Ibis, Pardalotus punctatus whitlocki. Western Red-rumped Pardalotes were common in the Karri forests of the south-west, but not always easy to see^ and still less to shoot, when they are high up in the giant trees that average two hundred feet in height, and in the Warren River district often reach three hundred feet. Pardalotus rubricatus pallidiis. Pale Red-browed Pardalotes were, as usual, fairly plentiful about the beds of the Gascoyne and Minilya rivers, and occasionally seen far out from water-courses. On 10 Sept- ember, 1916, I shot a female at the Minilya River that contained a fully-formed white egg. On 18 September I noted that a pair of these birds were feeding their young, which were being reared inside a perpendicular iron pipe about two inches in diameter and seven feet in height ; this was set upright in the ground just outside a large shearing shed^ where shearing was in full progress. The nest was apparently some distance down the pipe. Pardalotus striatus westraliensis. Western Pardalotes were common about Broome Hill and all south-western districts. On 1 September, 1916, I shot a pair at the Minilya River, where I had never previously seen any of these birds, nor were they met with at the Gascoyne. Melithreptus lunatus chloropsis. Western White-naped Honeyeaters were observed all through the south-west area, where they are one of the commonest birds. Melithreptus atricapillus leucogenys. A few Western Brown-headed Honeyeaters were seen about Broome Hill and Gnowangerup in February 1916, and s))ecimens obtained. Cissomela nigra westralensis. Western Black "Honeyeaters were only seen on one occasion, viz. on 21 June, 1916, when I shot one out of a pair at Maud's Landing. They were very wild and restless. 1 92 1.] fVestern Australian Birds. 71 Acanthorhynchiis superciliosus wilsoni. White-browed Spiuebills were coninion in the south-west, especiall}^ about Lake Muir. Gliciphila melanops westernensis. A7estern Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters were common about Broome Hill, Gnowangeruj), and some of the coastal scrubs in the south-west. They frequent open country more than heavily timbered places. Pumella albifrons albifrons. White-fronted Honeyeaters, like the above birds, are found in open scrubby country, and are erratic in their movements. They used to be fairly common about the Grascoyne and Point Cloates after heavy rains, but I never saw any in the south-west. They were only noticed on two occasions on my trips to the north, viz., on IJ: July, 1916^ when some were seen on the ranges near Point Cloates, and on 23 September, 191G, when there were a few near Car- narvon and I obtained specimens. It is a verv restless and shy species. Certhionyx variegatus. Pied Honeyeaters were seldom seen in the Gascoyne and Minilya districts in 1911 and 1913, but were abundant in 1916, which was a good (wet) season. On 21 August^ 191G, I found a nest containing three fresh eoos at Maud's Landino-. It was about two feet from the "round in a small bush, and made of small twigs, roots, and grass, and lined with some soft bark or tibre. Several nests containing young birds of various sizes were seen in the few days following this date, when travelling by camel-waggon through the scrubb}' coast-hills between Maud's Landing and Cape Farquhar. Stigmatops indistincta indistincta. Least Honeyeaters were seen in most localities, but not in any numbers, from the south-west to the North-AVest Cape, where this species is fairly common in the scrubby gorges of the ranees. 72 Mr. T. Carter on some [Ibis, Meliphaga virescens virescens. Singing Honeyeaters were commonly observed in all the districts visited. Fledged young were seen at Carnarvon on 11 August, 1913, and Point Cloates on 14 July, 1916. Mr. G. M. Mathews appears to have inadvertently described Meliphaga virescens hartogi as a new subspecies {vide Bulletin B. 0. C. vol. xl. 1920, p. 76). The type of the species itself was obtained on Dirk Hartog Island by the French expedition of 1818, as mentioned in ' The Ibis ' (1917, p. 609), and was described by Vieillot (N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xiv. p. 329). Lichenostomus cratitia occidentalis. Wattle-cheeked Honeyeaters were very plentiful in the sand-plain scrubs east of Gnowangerup in February 1919, the only locality where any were observed. Lichenostomus keartlandi mungi. Western Grey-headed Honeyeaters were plentiful all along the ranges of the North- West Cape peninsula, but were not seen elsewhere. They were breeding from July to August, 1916. The song of this bird is a very sweet trilling warble, and other shorter notes are uttered. Lichenostomus ornatus ornatus. Western Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters were common at Lake Craigie (fifteen miles north of Perth), where specimens were obtained on 8 April, 1916. Lichenostomus ornatus wensleydalei. Inland Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters w^ere very plentiful about Broome Hill, where they mostly fed in the white- gum timber. Many recentlj^ fledged young birds were seen in early February, 1916. Ptilotula penicillata carteri. North western White-plumed Honeyeaters were, as usual, abundant on the scrubby bunks and islands of the Gascoyne River, the bushes and white-gum trees being full of the birds, with their cheerful notes and lively movements. 1 92 1.] Western Australian Birds. 73 They were also common on the Minilya River and the Yardle Creek pools, but exce[)ting near these pools in the North West Cape ranges, their place is taken by Lichenostomus keartlandi. Most of the young birds are fledo-ed in Auo-ust or early Septeml)er. The notes of the birds from the Minilya northwards are different from those on the Gascoyne. Meliornis novsehollandise longirostris. Long-billed Honeyeaters were common in all south- western districts. Meliornis niger gouldi. Moustached Honeyeaters were only seen at Augusta, when several were feeding on the honey in J3anksia blossoms, in company with many M. longirostris. and specimens were obtained on 8 April, 1910. These birds seem to be very local, and are always very restless and shy. Myzantha flavigula lutea. Yellow IVlinahs were common on the Lower Gascoyne Kiver, and a few were seen on the Minilya and Lyndon rivers. Fledged young were noted on 9 Se[)tember, 1911. Coleia carunculata woodwardi. Western Red Wattle-birds were common about Broome Hill and all south-western districts. In early April^ 1019, thousands of them were feeding in the coastal scrub and timber near the Vasse River. Anthochsera chrysoptera lunulata. Little Wattle-birds were not commonly seen, except at the Vasse River, in April 1919, when many were feeding in company with (Joleia carunculata. Acanthogenys rufogularis flavacanthus. Western Sjjiny'-cheeked Honeyeaters were fairly common in the scrubs about (/arnarvon, the Minilya district, and North-West Cape ranges, and a good many were seen at Woolundra in May 1919, eating the last of the grape-crop. 74 Mr. T. Carter on some [Ibis, These birds were noticed breeding on the Lyndon River on 5 September, 1911, and at Carnarvon on 23 September, 1913. Both sexes utter the peculiar gurglino- notes, and I observed that these birds north o£ Point Cloates have quite a different note and whistle from those of the Carnarvon district. Mr. G. M. Mathews described the Woolundra bird as A. r. woolundra (Bulletir^ B. 0. C. xl. 1920^ p. 76). Aiithus australis bilbali. Western Pipits were common about Broome Hill, and in open or cleared localities through the south- and mid- west areas. They are not seen in heavy timber in its natural state, but extend their range as the. country is cleared. Two small young were seen in a nest at Carnarvon on 13 August, 1911, and three fresh eggs in a nest there on 22 September, 1913. Specimens of Anthus obtained at Peron Peninsula and Dirk Hartog Island (both in Shark Bav) and at Carnarvon are slightly more rufous in general colourino- than birds from Broome Hill. Point Cloates birds arc distinctly more rufous than those at Carnarvon, and near the North-West Cape I obtained specimens that agree with Mathews' llufous Pipit {Anthus australis subrufus), of which I found a nest containing three eggs, about twenty miles south of North-West Cape, on 29 July, 1916. They were very similar to those of more southern Pipits. Mirafra horsfieldi woodwardi. Specimens of the Onslow Bush-Lark were obtained by me at the Minilya River on 20 August, 1911. It was the first time I had seen these birds so far south. Fledged young were seen at the same place on 20 Sept- ember, 1911. Several were seen at Maud's Landing, Point Cloates, and near the North-West Cape. Zonaeginthus oculatus. Red-eared Finches were common in the Paper-Bark tree [Melaleuca] swamps about Albany in 1913, and I saw some at Lake Muir (which is thirty-tive miles from the sea) on 1 January, 1916, and a good many at a large swamp close 1 92 1.] Western Australian Birds. 75 io Cape Leeuwin in March 1916. Some of their nests o£ the previous year were examined in scrub between the swamp and the beach ; the}' were made of fine grass and fibre, and partly domed. Boys from the lighthouse quarters said they found nests there every year. A few of these birds were seen, and specimens obtained, on 25 March, 1919, in dense scrub below Karri Forest on the Warren River. Taeniopygia castanotis wayensis. Chestnut-eared Finches were fairly common, for a short time, about 14 October, 1911, at Broome Hill and to the east of there. It was a very dry year. A specimen was obtained by me at Lake Muir on 1 January, 1916, which is the farthest south locality where I have seen this bird. They were, as usual, abundant from Carnarvon, northwards, on all visits there. Many nests contained eggs there on 7 September, 1911, and early September 1913 and 1916. Mr. G. M. Mathews described the Dirk Hartog specimens of this species, collected by me in 1916, as Ta'niopygia c. hartogi subsp. nov. (^vide Bulletin B. 0. C. xl. 1920, p. 76). Emblema picta coongani. Painted Finches were seen in some numbers on parts of the North- West Cape ranges. On 27 July, 1916, I saw a flock of more than twenty in a deep gorge, and shortly afterwards, at a water-hole high up on the ranges, there were many of these birds engaged in drinking. Several specimens were obtained there on different days, but none of the birds wevQ breeding. When I was at Carnarvon in 1913 a bird-fancier, who specialized in Finches and had a large aviary of them there, assured me that he had found occasional nests of Emblema picta in the vicinity. Chlamydera maculata nova. The first specimen of the Cape Spotted Bower-bird was obtained by me early in February 1892, and not 1902 as stated in the 'Emu,' vol. iii. p. 37, and as that record may not be familiar to the readers of ' The Ibis,' I repeat the 7C) Mr. T. Carter oti some [Ibis, main facts. A distressing (lrou<^lit had been prevailing for two years, and I bad been obliged to move all my stock, with much trouble and loss, from Point Cloates to the then virgin country on the west side of the Exmouth Gulf, only to have several hundred sheep poisoned by some unknown shrub, soon after reaching there. So I returned to the west side of the peninsula ranges with a native boy, in order to open out a "soak " or black-fellow^s well, at which we had obtained enough water for our horses when driving the sheep up. The water was a few feet below the ground- surface in a dense patch of scrub, on rocky ground. The weather was intensely hot, and we found three putrid poisoned dingoes in the water-hole, so had to dig it out thoroughly before we could obtain any water to drink. It was not long before the boy smashed one of his big toes with a heavy sledge-hammer, so that he could not work, and I was picking and shovelling alone, in a very bad temper, when 1 heard some extraordinary chuckling noises in the scrub where the native was nursing his injured toe, so called out to him : '' If you cannot work you need not make such idiotic noises " ; when he rej)lied, "• That not me, that a bird." So I jumped out of the hole (o see what it was, and shot it, with my onl}^ firearm at the time — a '450 Colt's revolver — as it was creeping about in the scrub. It seemed to me to tally with Clilamijdera guttata, according to Gould's Handbook, which, as usual, I had with me, when camping out. The bird of course was badly smashed, but I sent what was left of its skin to the Melbourne Museum for identification ; they informed me that only a mass of loose feathers had arrived. After I had finished mnking the well, where there was a splendid sup[)ly of good water, I moved most of my sheep back there ; but although I was camped there for several weeks, in which time I was constantly tramping the surrounding ranges, in order to shoot kangaroo, emn, etc., for food, no more of the birds were seen ; but when back at Point C'loates again in April the same year, i saw one of them in a deep rocky gorge among dense fig-trees, but did not shoot at it, hoping that 1 92 1.] Ifcstcrii.AustnilJa)/ Birds. 77 it might breed, but I saw no more of it, or any others, during the eleven years that I afterwards lived in that district. After thirteen years' absence, I was again at the same part of the ranges where I had shot the first Bower-bird, and on G August, l'.)l(j, Mr. A. Campbell, who now resides there, and myself were searching son^e of the deep rugged gullies of the ranges, where clumps of thick scrub, :ind large wild fig-trees grow in patches, when a thick-set bird was seen perched in tall l)ushes ahead of us. I shot it, and found it to be one of the long lost Spotted Bower-birds. Then we noticed two nests, about twenty feet from the bottom of the gully, in a snudl tree ("Eel-bya"),and (Campbell climl)ed up to examine them. Directly he reached tlieni, another Bower-bird perched in the tree a few feet ;djove his head, and I asked him to turn his face away so that I could shoot it, which I promptly did without doing him any damage. He called down to me that one nest was very old and dilapidated, and that the other one was empt}'^ ; so I asked him to descend and let me climb up and examine them, while he stood below with the "410 gun. Just as I was near the nests^ Mr. Campbell called out : "Another of them has just settled above j/our head, shall I shoot it ? " ; and as my back was towards him, I replied, "" Shoot away," and a third bird fell. As Campbell was picking it up, it uttered a harsh cry, and a fourth bird appeared in the bushes where we had seen the first, and that was also secured. The whole affair only lasted a few minutes, and we were both considerably excited. The only bird that uttered any sound was the third one, as mentioned above. Both the nests were similar in structure, being about ten inches in diameter, and made entirely of sticks, with small twigs for lining material. The nesting cavity was shallow in the better of the two, and nearly filled with birds^ droppings and some fallen leaVv'^s. It had probably been used a few months previously, and I think undoubtedly, by a pair of these birds. When skinning the specimens later in the day, three were found to be females, and none of them showed any indications of breeding. They had been feeding on snudl round berries and leaves 78 Mr. T. Carter on some [Ibis, off: some busb. A careful search in the vicinity failed to find any bowers or playgrounds, and none were seen either in tliat gully, which we followed to its head, or any of the other numerous ones that were examined on that and following days. On the 7th of August I walked out to the place where the birds had been obtained, and took photograplis of it, and the tree with the two nests ; but the prints obtained, and also the negatives, were lost with the bulk of my luggage on the s.S. ' Medina,' when she was torpedoed in the English Channel in April 1917. I then again searched all the likely gullies in the vicinity, but only saw one Bower-bird, that was shot when feeding in a clump of fig-trees. I was out again the next day, but tramped many miles on the rugged ranges without any results, except seeing a single Bower-bird fly from a clump of fig-trees some distance from me. On the 9th of August Mr. Campbell drove me some miles in order to search fresh ground, and after examining several likely-looking places, the female bird that was figured (Ibis, 1920, pi. xiv.) w^as obtained. Two others were seen to fly from a large mass of fig-trees, near where we were having our lunch, and a single bird from other fig-trees, when returning in the afternoon. Apparently these birds feed largely on wild figs. Their flight is straight, with rapid strokes of the wings, and resembles that of Magpies [Gymnorldna) ; they look large when flying. Whitlock, in his paper " On the East Murchison," Emu, vol. ix. ji. 218, says of Chlamydera m. subguttata that the nuchal band is much smaller in the female bird than in the male. This is certainly not always the case with C. m. nova. The nuchal bands of all the birds obtained by me are mostly of a vivid pink colour, but they all contain a few bluish-purple feathers scattered in with the pink ones. I also noticed that the markings which ajjpear to be black on the edges of the tawny spots on the crown of the head, show a distinct green when held at a certain angle. The North- West Cape is about 480 miles north-west of the locality where Mr. Whitlock obtained his birds. ig2i.] Westeryi Australian Birds. 79 It is curious that my old natives at the North-West Cape told me that the Bower-birds were strange to them, and they had no aboriginal name for them ; but a native who came from the Ashburton district told me that he had seen similar birds to the north of that river, and far inland. A white man to whom I showed the specimens, asking him if he had ever seen any like them, at once replied that he had seen the same or similar birds at a locality that corresponded with the one described by the native, viz. about 180 miles east of the Cape. Through some mistake, the letterpress accompanying the plate of this fine new subspecies (' Ibis,' 1920, p. 499) is headed " On a new species of Bower-bird." Corvus coronoides perplexus. Southern Ravens were common in all south-western districts, and were seen near the mouth of the Warren River. Some were also seen at Broome Hill on 14 February, 1919, where Ravens seldom occur. Corvus bennetti bonhoti. Western Small-billed Crows were common about the Gascoyne and Minilya districts, A breeding female was shot at Carnarvon on 9 August, 1911. It had the bill and inside of mouth black ; irides with a bright blue centre, and white around it. A male obtained at the Minilya River, 19 August, 1911, had the bill and mouth black; irides hazel. Corvus cecilae cecilse. Northern Crows were also common in the above districts, and I cannot say which bird is the most abundant, but pro- bably C, c. cecilce, and the following notes may be taken as ajiplying to this species : — 5-9 September, 1911, Many young, of large size, in nests at the Lyndon and Minilya rivers, and one nest containing eggs. 17 September, 1913. Many young birds in nests at Minilya. 22 Jul}^ 1916. Took seven eggs, incubated, and of a pale blue colour without markings, from a nest ten feet from the ground in a stunted tree at Yurdie Creek. 9 July, 191G. Shot a male at Point 80 On some JVrstern Avstralhin Birds. [Ibis, Cloates, apparently not breeding. IG September, 191(). Shot a fledgling that had just left the nest, and could not fly much : the irides were bright pale blue. A bird, shot at the Yardie Creek on 4 August, 191(J, had been feeding largely on caterpillars and salt-bush berries. Crows were a nuisance at my lonely camp at the Yardie that year, turning all sorts of things over when I was away from it. I had shot two specimens of Rock Wallaby (Pefrof/ale lateralis) lor food, and pegged out the skins on the ground, but the (h'ows damaged them; so next time I left the camp I buried the skins, laid flat, some inches deep in the sand, but on my return found that the (-rows had pulled them up. On 9 September, 1913, I shot one of a pair of Crows, for identification, at Carnarvon, and was carrying it by its feet, when the other bird followed me for about a mile, cawing and flying close round me. It was presumably a female, as the one shot was a male. Corvus cecilse hartogi. My notes on the Dirk Hartog Crow were published in ' The Ibis,' October 1917, p. 610. It has since been described as Corvus hartogi in the lUilletin B. 0. C. vol. xl. p. 76, 30 January, 1920. Neostrepera versicolor plumbea. Leaden (^row-Shrikes were common all through the south- western area. Their northern limit seems to be about the Murchison River. Corrections. Referring to ray paragraph in ' The Ibis,' July 1920, bottom of page 693, re CJdiclonias leucoptera : as no speci- mens were obtained of this "' White-winged Tern " I deleted it from the proof-sheets, which were received by me at a very late date, and apparently too late to make the required omission, which I regret. On page 709 of the same j)aper, in the fourteenth line from the bottom, /or " length " read " height," 1 92 1.] On rare Birds collected in Southern Cameroon. 81 Daption capensis. Since I recorded the appearance of Cape Pigeons on ilie Western Australian coast, in the first part of this paper ('Ibis,' 1920, p. G93), a specimen of this bird has been obtained at Cottesloe, near Freniantle, in August this year (1920), and is now in the Perth (W. Australia) Museum, together with other rare species obtained during the winter gales. I first read the records in a cutting from the ' West Australian ' newspaper, sent me by a friend, and by last mail have had them confirmed in a letter from Mr. Glauert of the Perth Museum. IV. — Remarks on rare and otherivise interesting Birds contained in Collections made hy Mr. G. L. Bates in Southern Cameroon. By David A. Bannerman, M.B.E., B.A., M.B.O.U.* The birds here referred to were collected by Mr. G. L. Bates in the southern part of Cameroon, for the most part on the River Ja, but a number were secured on the Rivers Bumba and Nyong {vide map, Ibis, 1908, pi. xi.). Two distinct collections are represented: the first was sent to the British Museum before the war in 1911, and on these birds Mr. Bates has already published his interesting notes (Ibis, 1911, pp. 479-545 & 581-631). The second collection was received by us in 1915, and these birds Mr. Bates has now generously [)resented to the National Collection. The period during Avhich these two collections were made extends over a number of years : — Collection I, from 1908-1911. Collection 2, from 1912-1915. In the following pages I have dealt only with the non- Passerine Birds. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant has already published some notes on the rarer Passerine birds which Mr. Bates sent * PuLlishecl by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum. SEll. XI. — VOL. III. G 82 Mr. D. A. Baimerman on rare Birds [Il)is, home in these two collections ; his remarks will he found in 'The Ihis,' 1917, pp. 72-90. I thoroughly agree with Mr. Ogilvie-Grant's plan in not giving a complete account of these collections. It is quite unnecessary, and indeed a waste of time and space, to enumerate all the species which were obtained ; the constant repetition of notes and observations on the same species over and over again in the pages of ' The Ibis ' is strongly to l)e deprecated, and serves no useful pur[iose whatever. I therefore gladly follow Mr. Ogilvie- Grant's example, and have only mentioned tiiose birds about which there is something of real interest to say which to the best of my knowledge has not been said before. Thanks to Mr. Bates, the British Museum is now very rich in material from southern Cameroon, and to my mind the time has come when the knowledge whicli has been gained from the study by various museum authorities of Mr. Bates's magnificent collections should be collated in book form. As Mr, Ogilvie-Grant has truly remarked, from 1902 onwards papers on Mr. Bates's collections have followed one another in a constant stream fiom the pen of the late Dr. Bowdler Sharpe or Mr. Ogilvie-Grant, and last, but not least, we have several extremely able [)a})ers con- tributed to 'The Ibis ' by Mr. Bates himself. The following are the references to papers describing Mr. Bates's collections from Cameroon : — " On a small collection of Birds from Efulen in Cameroon." Sharpe, Ibis, 1902, pp. 89-96. " On furtber collections of Birds from the Efulen District of ' Cameroon." Sharpe, Ibis, 1904, Part I. pp. 88-100; Part 11. pp. 591-638. " Field-Notes on the Birds of Efulen in the West-African colony of Kamerun." Bates, Ibis, 1905, pp. 89-98. " On further collections of Birds from the Efulen District of Cameroon." Sharpe, Ibis, 1905, pp. 461-476; Shai'pe, Ibis, 1907, pp. 416-464; Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, pp. 117-129; Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, pp. 317-357. " Observations regarding the Breeding Seasons of the Birds in Southern Kamerun." Bates, Ibis, 1908, pp. 558-570. " Field-Notes on the Birds of Southern Kamerun, West Africa." Bates, Ibis, 1909, pp. 1-74. 1 92 1.] collected in Southern Cameroon. 83 " Further Notes on the Birds of Southern Cameroon" (with descrip- tions of the Eggs by W, R. Ogilvie-Graut). Part I., Bates, Ibis, 1911, pp. 479-545; Part II., Bates, Ibis, 1911, pp. 581-631. 1 Letter, de.scribing a trip to the Nj'ong River. Bates, Ibis, 1914, pp. 109-172. " Some facts bearing on the affinities of SmWiomis." Bates, Ibis, 1914, pp. 495-502. " Remarks on some recent Collections of Birds made by Mr. G. L. Bates in Cameroon." Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1917, pp. 72-90. Dendropicus lafresnayi camerunensis. Dendrojjicus camerunensis Sharpe, Ibi.s, 1907, p. 443 — Type locality : R. Ja, Cameroon. Dendropicus lafresnayi Malli. ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1904, p. 620; Bates, Ibis, 1909, p. 31. Mr. Claude Grant (Ibis, 1915, p. 461) pointed out that the type of D. lafresnayi Malh. came from Gaboon, and until we had a seiies of typical birds from the Gaboon River it would be impossible to say whether the Congo or the Cameroon bird would be true D. I. lafresnayi. I do not agree with this decision. The type of D. camerunensis Sharpe (Ibis, 1907, p. 443) was described from the River Ja, Cameroon, and as pointed out in the original description, has the ground-colour of the upper parts darker than birds from the Congo. This is ackiiowledged by Mr. Claude Grant. As typical D, lafres- nayi was described from Gaboon, Congo birds are much more likely to be similar to Gaboon specimens than to Cameroon highland birds. I think we can therefore safely consider D. I. camerunensis a well-defined race. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant agrees with these conclusions. I am aware that this is the opposite opinion to that expressed by me in ^ The Ibis/ 1915, pp. 490 & 647. I then believed that the type locality of D. I. lafresnayi was (as given in Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1849, p. 533) " ? Africa," and I compared my specimens from Cameroon Mountain and the Manenguba Mountains with birds from southern Cameroon and could not distinguish them. I now unite all Camei'oon birds from both the north and the south under Sharpe's name, and restrict the typical birds to Gaboon and the Belgian Congo. G 2 84 Mr. D. A. Bantiennan on rare Birds [Ibis, Mr. Bates has now obtained six more specimens of this species from Bitye, River Ja. Mesopicus xantholophus Hargitt. Mesopiciis elliotti Cassin. Dendromus caroli (Malh.). Dendromus permistus Reichw. Dendropicus gabonensis (Verr.). Mr. Bates has sent further specimens of all these Wood- peckers from Bitye. lynx torquilla torquilla. lyrix torquilla Linn. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, p. 112 — Type locality : Sweden. I record a specimen shot by Mr. Bates at Bitye, River Ja, on the 19th of November, 1913, as we have far too little data of European migrants in West Africa. It is nnfor- tunate tliat collectors who must often have the opportunity of procuring European birds on passage entirely ignore these in favour of local species whose range is often much l)etter known. It is a fact that several European birds pass regularly through the Canary Islands in spring and autunm, which have never been taken in Africa soutli of that latitude. Indicator conirostris conirostris *. Meli-. The range of ('. inornatus seems to be very peculiar if all the skins in the National Collection have been correctly identified. The following localities are represented there : — Southern Arabia, Bahr el Ghazal, Somaliland, Abyssinia, British East Africa, Uganda, northern Belgian Congo. Alexander obtained the bird at Angu on the Uelle River and also on the Ubangi River in the ( *ongo region. It is Avorthy of note that all the specimens obtained in the Belgian Congo and Cameroon were shot during the winter months, November to February. The occurrence of this Nightjar in Cameroon is of sjjecial interest. Caprimulgus binotatus. (uprhitulyus binotatus Bonaparte, Conspect. Gen. Av. 1850, p. 60 — Type locality : Dal)ocrom, Gold Coast ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1904, p. 612; Hates, Ibis, 1911, p. 516. jNIr. Bates has now sent two more examples of this extremely rare and interesting Nightjar, and with great generosity has presented them with other rare things to the Britisli Museum. He had already ])rocured a single male bird at Efulen in March 1902, and this bird, which is in the National Collection, was duly recorded and commented upon by the late Dr. Sharpe (/. c). The next specimen (No. 4107) Avas obtained at Bitye, River Ja, on the 19th of February, 1910, and is likewise a male — the occurrence of this particular bird has already been noted by Mr. Bates (Ibis, 1911, p. 516). In this i)apcr Mr. Bates remarked that in specimen 4107 there was a distinct diagonal buff band on the feathers of the scapulars, and expressed his opinion that these characters were distingnlshing marks of the male sex, "supposing the original description to have been made from a female.''^ In this surmise Mr. Bates is perfectly correct, as he has now himself proved by securing yet a third example — a female I921.] collected in Southern Cameroon. lOl tliis time — on the 9tli of Marcli, 1915, at Bitye. This bird lacks any trace of the diagonal bar on the scapulars. The most remarkable character exhibited by this Nightjar is the entire absence of spots on the inner web of the quills, which are uniformly coloured, and as Dr. Sharpe pointed out when the first of Mr. Bates's specimens came under his notice, resembles in this respect C. concretus of Borneo. The wing-measurements of Mr. Bates's three specimens are as follows : — S (Efulen), 153 mm. ; ^ (No. 4107, Bitye), 141 mm. (barely) ; ? (No. 5942, Bitye), 148 mm. Caprimulgus binotatus is recorded only from (*ameroon and from the Gold Coast (Dabocrom) [Hartlaub, J. £. O. 1855, p. 355]. Caprimulgus batesi. Caprimulgus batesi Sharpe, Bull. B.O. C. xix. 1906, p. 18 — Type locality : River Ja, Cameroon. Caprimulgus batesi Sharpe, Ibis, 1907, p. 433 ; Bates, Il)is, 1909, p. 25. We had already received four adult specimens of Bates's Nightjar, collected on the River Ja in January, March, July, and August, at the British Museum. The present collection includes four adult birds collected at Bitye in February, July, and August. Numbers 3481 and 4936 are retained for the National Collection. Cosmetornis vexillarius. Semeiophorus vexillarius Gould, Icones Avium, 1838, pi. 13— Type locality : Sierra Leone. Cosmetornis vexillarius Sharpe, Ibis, 1907, \). 432 ; Bates, Ibis, 1909, p. 26. There are three specimens of the Pennant-winged Nightjar in the present collection (Nos. 4140, 5987, 5947), all of whith were obtained in March 1910, 1914, and 1915. No. 4140 is a male with the white belly barred with brown, while the other two are females. These are not the three birds men- tioned by Mr. Bates (/. c.) and already recorded by Sharpe 103 Mr. t). A. Bannerman on rare JBii'ds [Ibis, {I. c), but it is noteworthy tliat all six birds were obtained in March "at the end of the dry season," as Mr. Bates tells us in his paper. C. vexillarius apparently only visits this part of Cameroon at this time of year. In an interesting footnote Messrs. Sclater and Praed (Ibis, 1919, p. 659) point out that we may accept as the type of this species a bird in the British Museum collection, Brit. Mus. Reg. No. 55/12/19/63, obtained by James Barlow, Esq., from Siena Leone. From information on the label it appears to have been the bird originally descril)ed by Gould. I agree with Messrs. Sclater and Praed that Ave may accept this bird as the type of the species. Merops persicus chrysocercus. Merops chrysucercus Cabanis & Heine, Mus. Hein. ii. J 860, p. 139— Type locality : Senegal. The two specimens obtained by Mr. Bates at Akonolinga, Nyong River, do not belong to the typical race but to M. persicus chrtjsocercus. There is a specimen in the British Museum named by Dr. Ilartert M. p. chryso- cercus from Oued Nca, whicli almost exactly resembles Mr. Bates's bird (No. 5272) both in the colouring of the upper parts and in the length of the two middle tail- feathers. The back has not got the golden wash ascribed to this species. The second specimen obtained ])y Mr. Bates is immature. I cannot find that Mr. Bates Ir s obtained tliis Blue-cheeked Bee-eater previously in Cameroon. Melittophagns gularis australis. Merupiscus yularls australis Reichw. J.f. O. 1885, p. 222 — l^ype locality: Gaboon and Cameroon. Mtlittophagus austruiis Sharpe, Ibis, 1904, p. 611; 1905, p. 465; 1907, p. 431 ; Bates, Ibis, 1908, p. 564. Melittophagus (jularis australis J^aics, Ibis, 1909, p. 24. Without counting the two birds from Bitye which Mr. Bates obtained in 1909 and 1910, there are seven other speciuiens in the British Museum i'roni Cameroon whicli Mr. Bates obtained at Efulen and on the Ja River. These 1^21.] collected in Southern Cameroon. lOS all sliow the characters which Reichenow assigned to this race. In no single specimen is there any trace of the pale hlue eyebrow streak as in M. g. gularis, and in all but two the feathers of the breast are streaked intermittently with red. In addition to the specimens obtained by Mr. Bates in Cameroon, there are in the British Museum two birds from north Angola obtained by the late Dr. Ansorge and eight birds from the northern Belgian Congo (Uele River and Aruwimi River districts). There is no question but that these birds belong to the southern form M. g. australis. Besides the specimens enumerated we have five birds from Gaboon, and here we are faced with a difficulty. Reichenow ( Vogel Afrikas, ii. p. 313) calls the Gaboon bird M.g. australis, and obviously this should be the case ; but of the five birds before me, three at any rate are inseparable from typical M. g. (fulariSy having the wide pale blue eyebrow streak and no indication of red on the feathers of the breast. On the other hand, two other specimens from Gaboon have the characters of 31. g. australis clearly shown. Had the speci- mens similar to the typical form been secured in Cameroon and not in Gaboon (two were collected by Du Chaillu and the other is from the Gould collection), it would have been easier to explain their presence than is the case now. Melittophagus variegatus variegatus. Merops variegatus Vieill. Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. vol. xiv. 1817, J). 25 — Type locality: Malimbe, Loango. The five adult specimens of the Variegated Bee-eater are the first which Mr. Bates has sent home from Cameroon, and it is noteworthy that all were obtained by him in January 1913 on tiie Nyong River at a place called Akono- linga. Mr. Claude Grant figured a race of this Bee-eater from Rhodesia (Ibis, 1915, p. 297, pi. iv.), and in the text of his paper remarks tliat most specimens of M. v. variegatus from western Africa '" have no snperciliaiy stripe or only an incomplete one," noting, however, that he was unable to handle a sufficient number of well-collected sj)eciniens from lOi Mr. D. A. Bannerman on rare Birds [Ibis, the west. The tive beautiful sidus in Mr. Bates's preseut collectiou show the blue superciliar}' stripe very distinctly. With the material avaihible 1 do not feel inclined to accept Mearns's name for the East African race wiiich that ornitho- logist considered separable from the typical race. The range of M. v. variegatus seems to be as indicated by Mr. C. Grant in his paper quoted. Eurystomus gularis neglectus. Eurystonms gularis neglectus Neumann, Orn. Monatsber. xvi. 1908, p. .'iS — Type locality : Canhoca, Angola ; Bates, Ibis, 1911, p. 510. Eurystomus gularis Sharpe, Ibis, 1904, p. 606. Having compared the series of E. gularis in the British Museum, I agree that the t\vo races must be recognised. In the series before me the distribution seems to be as follows : — E. gularis gularis. Sierra Leone, Gold Coast, and Northern Nigeria. E. g?daris neglectus. Southern Nigeria, Cameroon, Gaboon, Angola, Belgian Congo. E. g. neglectus are certainly more violet-coloured on tlie under surface than typical specimens, and most of the ten specimens examined have a distinct violet wash on the basal lialf of the two middle tail-feathers, although, as instanced by specimen No, 3262 and pointed out by Mr. Bates himself (Ibis, 1911, J). 606), this character is not always present. Agapornis Zenker i. Agupornis zenkeri Eeichw. Orn. Monatsber. 1895, p. 19 — Type locality : Yaunde, Cameroon ; Shai'pe, Ibis, 1904, p. 605 ; Bates, ibis, 1905, p. 89. The present collection contains three examples of this little Parrot [Nos. 4285, 4290, and 5496], which Mr. Bates tells us (Ibis, 1911, p. J97) were shot amongst otliers "with bows and arrows." Specimens of this Parrot liave been obtained by jNIr. Bates in Cameroon at Efulen and at Bitye, River Ja. Reiehenow (Yiigel Afiikas, ii. p. 19) gives only 1921.] collected in Southern Cameroon. 105 two localities i'roin which specimens were then known, Yaunde and Manjema. The first-named town is, of course, in Cameroon, while Manjema is in the Belgian Congo imme- diately west of the northern end of Lake Tanganyika. Recently this bird Mas obtained by Dr. Christy at Bosabangi in the Belgian Congo and at Poko on the Uele River. There are also two specimens in the British Museum from Bompona on the Congo River. It appears, therefore, that this little Parrot extends its range right across central Africa from Cameroon to the eastern boundary of the Belgian Congo. Judging from the few specimens which travellers and collectors have brought back, it must be either very rare or very locally distributed. Accipiter sharpei. Accipiter sharpei Reichw. Yog. Afr. i. 1901, p. 564 — '^^'yP® locality : [? Gaboon] ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1904, p. 101. Accipiter batesi Sharpe, Bull.B.O.C. xiii. 1903, p. 50. The present collections contain two additional specimens of this beautiful little Hawk — a male [No. 4663] shot on the 25th of December, 1911, and another male [No. 4926] shot on the 6th of August, 1912, at Bitye (2000 ft.). Unfor- tunately Mr. Bates failed to secure a female. I'he bird which Sharpe named A. batesi is said by Mr. W. L. Sclater to be tiie female of A. hartlauhi sharpei. Including this latter bird, which was procured at Efulen, Cameroon, there were hitherto only three specimens in the British Museum — a male from Gaboon and a male collected by Bates at Efulen in May 1903. I am doubtful whether sharpei and batesi will prove to be synonymous. Certainly the two birds were procured from localities not far separated from one another. Only further material can settle this point satisfactorily. Buteo augur alls. Buteo auguralis Salvad. Atti Soc. Ital. viii. 1865, p. 377 ■ — Type locality : Abyssinia. The female shot on the 2nd of March, 1915, at Bitye 106 Mr. I). A. Bannerman on rare Birds [Ibis, seems to Ijc the first record of this species from (Jame- rooD. We have specimens iu the British Museum from the Egyptian Sudan and Abyssinia in the east, and from Sierra Leone, Gold (*oast, French Congo, and Portuguese Congo in the west. Spizaetus africanus. Limna'etus africanus Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. 1865, p. 4 — Type locality : Ogobai River, Gaboon. Tiie only specimen which Mr. Bates procured of this rare bird — a male shot on the 16th of December, 1913, at Bitye, R. Ja— was described by Mr. W. L. Sclater (Bull. B. O. C. xxxix. p. 87) as Spizaetus batesi, sp. nov. Mr. Sclater had then overlooked the fact that what must evidently be the same bird had l)een already described by Cassin : l)ut he discovered and corrected his mistake himself in the following number of the ' Bulletin' (vol. xxxix. pp. 93, 94'). Pteronetta hartlaubi. Querquednla Jiartluubi Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. 1859, p. 175 — Type locality: Camma and Ogobai (Gaboon). Pteronetta tiartlaubi Sliarpe, Ibis, 1904, p. 98, 1907, p. 425; Bates, Ibis, 1909, p. 6, 1911, p. 482. Pteronetta hartlaubi albifrofis Neumann, Bull. B. O. C. xxi. 1908, p. 42. In 1908 Oscar Neumann gave a name to the form of Hartlaub's Duck from the Upper Congo, Ituri, and Uele Rivers, n;iming it P. h. albifrons. He separated it from typical examples of P. hartlaubi ((Jassin) on account of adults of both sexes having " a large white patch on the forehead, extending to the middle of the vertex,^' noting "in the West-African form the females never had any white on the head, but in the males there were sometimes a few white feathers on the forehead.'' In 'The Ibis,' 1911, p. 482, Mr. Bates makes the following interesting observation: — " ^lale specimens (Nos. 3661 and 4143) from (Jameroon have a small white spot on the fore- K)!!,] collected in Southern Cameroon. 107 head at tlie base of the bill, but have not nearly so much white as the birds which Neumann has called 1'. h. albifrons (Bull. 13.0.C. xxi. p. 42). All my female examples (Nos. 29, 33, 4142, and 4459) have either no white or a very faint 'ticking' of white on the forehead. This white spot is a sexual marking of the male, which is beginning to be acquired by fully adult or old females; it is more developed in birds from the Upper Congo region than in tln)se from the West Coast." Mr. Bates has now forwarded the birds mentioned, in the above note to England^ together with three male birds (Nos. 4592, 4664, and 554'5) which he oljtained since writing in ' The Ibis' for 1911. The series which are now before me clearly show that Neumann was in error in thinking the white patch of the forehead a subspecific character. Mr. Bates was clearly right Avheu he pointed this out, although it does not appear to be confined to the male bird alone. The three male birds above noted have an equally large (if not larger) white patch at the base of the bill as any birds from the northern Belgian (/Ongo, specimen's of which, named «Z6i/"rons, in Mr. Neumann's own handwriting, are in the British Museum. It is therefore clearly not more developed, as Mr. Bates suggested, in birds from the Congo than in West Coast examples. As to this patch being a sexual character of the male, an examination of Mr. Bates's birds from Cameroon would lead one to think that this was the case ; there are, however, adult females in the National Collection from the Congfo disti'ict showing as much white at the base of the bill as any males I have examined. The tine series now sent home by Mr. Bates includes two beautiful downy nestlings. The range of this species appears to be Sierra Leone [Kelsall), Liberia {Pye- Smith), N. Belgian Congo, Boma [Harrison), Uele River {B. Aleu:ander) , Tingasi [Emin Pasha), Ituri Forest (Camburn), Gaboon (Dm Chaillu), S. Cameroon {Bates). Reichenow, Vog. Afrikas, i. p. 123, includes other localities in the districts mentioned here. 108 Mr. D. A. Bannerman on rare Birds [Ibis, Lampribis rara. Lampribis vara Hotlisch., Hart., & Kleiiisclini., Nov. Zool. iv. 1897, p. 377 — Type locality : Denkera, Gold Coast. Ill 'The Ibis/ 1914, pp. 622-636, I attempted to dis- entangle the confusion into Miiicli Lcmiprilns rara and Lampribis olivacea luul rallcn. 1 then showed that Ibis olivacea Dii Bus ought not to have been confused with L. rara ; and I then accepted the following as the range of these two very distinct species : — L. rara. Ashanti, Cameroon, Upper Congo. L. olivacea. Prince's Isl., St. Thomas Isl., Cameroon, and the coast of Guinea. Further material has induced me to considerably alter the views then expressed with regard to the range of these two birds, but all I wrote as regards the confusion of the two forms I now stand by. My jiaper was apparently overlooked by Dr. Clhapman when in Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. xxxi. 1912, p. 235, he gives a description of a bird obtained by Du Chaillu on the Muni River, which is obviously a specimen of Lampribis rara, and calls it erroneously Lampribis olivacea, Elliot's wrongly named figure (P. Z. S. 1877, pi. li.) leading him into the same error which I tried to correct in 1914. Unfortunately, when 1 wrote about these Ibises in ' The Ibis' (I.e.), I myself overlooked a much more important paper, written by Reichenow (Orn. Monatsber. xi. 1903, pp. 132-136). In this paper Reichenow reviews the forms and recognises four (liflerent birds : — 1. Lampribis rara, from the Gold Coast to Angola. 2. Lampribis splendidus, from Liberia. 3. Lampribis cupreipe/mis, from Cameroon. 4. Lampribis olivaceas, from Prince's Island and St. Thomas. 1. Lampribis kaka. Lampribis rara Rothsch., llart., and Kleinschm. [Nov. Zool. iv. p. 377. 'J'ype loe. : Denkera, Gold Coast. '^l\ype specimen in the British Museum, collected by Ussher 5/11/71.] 1 92 1.] collected in Southern Cameroon. 109 As tlie authors of this species named Usshei's ])ird from Deiikera, specimens from the (irohl Coast must bear the above name. The bird is figured in P. Z. S. 1877, p. 477, pi. liv and tliere erroneously named Ibis olivacea. We have only specimens from the Gold Coast, Came- roon, and the Upper Congo in the British Museum ; wiiile Reichenow records it from Gaboon and Angola in addition. 2. Lampribis splendidus. Lampribis splendidus Salvadori, Ibis, 1903, pp. 184-185 — Type locality : Liberia. I have not seen specimens of this Ibis, but a complete description of the bird is given by Salvadori [I.e. p. 185). From the description the Liberian bird seems to be more nearly allied to L. olivacea than to the spotted-breasted Ijampribis rara. AVe have no examples of this bird in the British Museum. It may be only a subspecies of Lampribis olivacea. [Lampribis cupreipennis. Theristicas cupreipennis ReichenoAV, Orn. IMonatsber. xi. 1903, p. 134 — Type locality : Cameroon. In the 'Ornithologische Monatsberichte ' for 1903, Reiche- now gives a description of a bird which he obtained froui Cameroon, and which he named L. cupreipennis. The description agrees with a bird in the British Museum, which was obtained by Mr. G. L. Bates at Efulen, ( 'ameroon (No. 158), on the 19th of May, 1903, and which in 'The Ibis,' 1914, p. G23, I referred to Lampribis olivacea, thinking it might be an immature exam[)le of that Ijird. At first sight, therefore, it would appear that we must call the Cameroon bird Lampribis cupreipennis of Reichenow, but before we accept this name for the uniform-breasted, bronze- winged, short-billed Ibis from Cameroon, let us examine the next species, L. olivacea, mentioned by Dr. Reichenow in his paper (/. c), of which species we shall find that L. cupreipennis is a synonym !] 110 Mr. D. A. Banneriiian on rare Birds [Ibis, 3. Lampribis olivacea. Ibis olivacea Dii Bus, Hull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bclg. 1837, p. 105, pi. iv., et Esquisses Oniitliologiqiies, 1845, p. 5, pi. iii. — Type locality : " La cote de Gtiinea.^^ The Coast of Guinea ! Clearly this is tlie type locality of Lampribis olivacea and not Prince's Island, so that if it is proved that the Prince's Island bird and the bird from the mainland are different, the name Lampribis olivacea (Du Bus) must apply to the mainland bird, and the Prince's Island bird requires a new name. This I named in the ' Bulletin ' of the British Ornithologists' Chib, vol. xl. 1919, pp. 4-7, to which I must refer the reader ; and in this paper, as the Prince's Island bird was left without a name, I named it Lampribis rothsc/iildi, and made the type an adult male in the Genoa Museum, collected on the 26th of January, 1901, by Leonardo Fea at Infante d'Henrique, Principe. I have given a full description of this bird in the ' Bulletin ' (/. c. p. 7), and will not therefore repeat it here. Briefly, then, we have the following forms in this genus in West Africa : — Lampribis rara. Gold Coast (terra typica), C!ameroon, Gaboon, and Upper Congo. Lampribis olivacea. The Coast of Guinea (terra typica), S. Cameroon. Lampribis rothschildi. Prince's Island (terra typica), St. Thomas Island. Lampribis SPLENDIDUS. Liberia (terra typica). Nycticorax leuconotus. Ardea leuconotus Wagl. Syst. Av. 1827, p. 189 (sp. 33) — Type locality : Senegambia. Nycticorax leuconotus Bates, Ibis, 1911, p. 485. The immature male Heron (No. 4042) which Mr. Bates obtained at Bitye on the 29th of November, 1909, can be none other than N. leuconotus^ to which species he correctly assigned it in ' The Ibis' {supra). It is quite a young bird, but is not nearly so spotted on the wing-coverts as other young birds of A^. leuconotus in the British Museum. 192 1.] collected in Southern Cameroon. Ill Phalaropus fulicarius. Tringa fulicaria Linn. Syst, Nat. lOtli ed. 1758, p. 148 — Type locality : Hndson Bay. The interesting occurrence of the Grey Phalarope in Cameroon is worth recording here. Mr. Bates shot a male at Bitye on the 27th of March, 1912. The Grey Phalarope is said in the B. O. U. List of British Birds to be an accidental visitor to North-West Africa ; nothing is said of its ranging in Africa down the west coast. The present is the most southerly record of which I am aware. Mr. P. R. Lowe obtained it at sea near the Cape Verde Islands and Mr. C. Chubb has recorded it from Liberia. Canir alius oculeus batesi. Canir alius bate si Sliarpe, Bull. B. O. C. x. 1900, p. Ivi. — Type locality : Rio Benito^ French Congo ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1904, p. 95. Sharpe separated as a distinct species the Rail, inhabiting the French Congo and Cameroon, from the allied Cani- raJlus oculeus of the Gold Coast. In any case C. batesi is but a subspecies of C. oculeus, and indeed is so close to that form that Reichenow unites all birds from Liberia to the Congo under one name. I do not think he is correct in doing so, as tlie Gold Coast birds, of which we have five specimens in the British JMuseum, are distinctly paler olive- green on the u])per parts, with less of a rufous tinge than is exhibited by most of the birds from Cameroon and the Rio Benito. The two birds just sent home by Mr. Bates are a male and female (Nos. 4671 and 4426). The female is much more rufous on the neck and nape than the male, which is more olive above and has the underparts paler reddish-chestnut than the female. Himantornis haematopus haematopus. Himantornis Juematopus Ilartl. J.f. O. 1855, p. 357 — Type locality : Dabocrom, Gold Coast; Sharpe, Ibis, 1904, p. 95, 1907, p. 421; Bates, Ibis, 1911, p. 483. 112 Mr. D. A. Baiiiieriuaii on rare Birds [Ibis, Three more examples of this bird have now been sent by ]\lr. Bates to the Mnseuiii. It will interest him to know that we have recently acquired, through the kindness of the Belgian authorities, a further exam])le of the rare rufous- backed Himantornis iK^matojms tvhitesidei Sharpe, obtained by Dr. Christy at Poko on the Uele Kiver, Belgian Congo — the first since the type was discovered. Sarothnira elegans reichenovi. Sarothrura reichenovi Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxiii. 1894, p. 121— Type locality : Cameroon ; Bates, Ibis, 1909, With a series of sixteen males and females from south- east Africa and from Cameroon before me, I have been able to form an opinion on the validity of S. reichenovi. I consider that it must be kept as a subspecies of S.elegans, the Natal form, and that Sharpe's original description of S. reichenovi is very misleading. The three male birds of S. e. reichenovi sent home by Mr. Bates, together witii the four specimens he had sent in former collections, has enabled me to satisfy myself that the above comparison is correct. Dr. K.eichenow did not recognise this form himself (Vogel Afrikas, i. p. 287), but I am sure that he will do so on further examination, provided that he has plenty of material, as also Mill Mr. Chapin. Sharpe maintained that it was "everywhere mucli darker in colour" than S. elegans, ''the rufous of the head and breast being deep chestnut instead of orange-rufous,, this chestnut colour extending over the whole throat to tlie base of the bill." I have now five adult males from Cameroon to compaie with the seven adult males from Natal, and in only one bird from Cameroon (No. 4620) is the chestnut of the throat and breast darker than in any of the Natal specimens. The females are practically indistinguishable. 1 measured the wings, thinking there might be something in the size, but males from Cameroon measure 85-90 mm.; from Natal, 80-88 mm. 1921.] cnllected in Sontl/ern Cameroon. 113 A comparison of Sharpe's desciiptiou with actual s|)eci- mens is tliei'cfore very misleading-, and withont a series of both forms one would be inclined to say that »S'. relclienovi and S. elegans are synonymous. A closer examination, however, reveals the fact that these two Rails, as might certainly be expected from their distri- bution, are separable on characters which Sharpe oveilooked. Dr. van Soraeren pointed out the differences to me, and they are plainly visible: — The spots on the back o^ S. e.reichenovl ^ve\(i^% numerous and less sandy-coloured than in S. e.e/er/aits ; the bill is also shorter and iieavier. These characters serve to distinguish the two forms from one another. Besides the Cameroon and Natal s|)ecimcns, we have in the British Museuni a single female which closely resembles the female of this species h'on\ ]\Iubinde, Uganda, but which may prove to be se[)aiable when further material is available, or it may be the female of >S', e. lurinr/i. The present range appears to be very douljtful— Uganda and Cameroon. We have, therefore : — Sahothrura elegans elegans (Smith) — Type localitv : Port Natal. Banff e. Natal. Sahothrura elegans reicfiknovi Sharpe — Type localitv: Cameroon. Ranc/e. Cameroon and ? Uganda, Sarothjiura elegans buryi Ogilvie-Grant— Type locality : Dubar. Range. Wiigga Mountains, N. Somaiiland. Sakothrura elegans loringi Mearns * — J ype locality: Mt. Kenia. Range. ? Kenya Colony. We have only a single female (the type) of S. buryi ; but I feel certain that when the male is discovered, it will prove to l)e a subspecies of S. elegans., and I tlierefore include the Somaiiland bird as a subspecies of the Natal bird. * I have not seen the type or any specimens oi S. e. lorinyi Mearns [Smithson. Miscell. Cull. 00. No. l-"]. 191.j, p. 8], and iiiohule it here on the opinion of Mr. Chapin of tlie American ."Mnsenni o\ Xaliiral Ilistoiv. SER, XI. VOL. 111. ( 114 Mr. D. A. Bannerman on rare Birds [Ibis, Sarothrura pulchra svibsp. Examination o£ the Rails formerly named Sarothrura pulchra (Gray) reveals the interesting fact that there are apparently three or fonr distinct races of this form, as has already been pointed ont l)y Nenmann. The type of Crex pulchra Gray [Griffith's Cuv. Anim. King. vol. viii. Aves, p. 410] is in the British Museum. It is an adult male, but the sex Avas not ascertained. The only locality on the label is " Africa.^' In the Catalogue of Birds, vol. xxiii. p. 117, "West Africa" is supplemented for the locality from which it was obtained. In the original description no type locality is mentioned. The next mention of this Rail is in Gray\s Zool. Miscell. 1831, p. 13, where no locality is mentioned either. Gray therefore does not himself designate a type locality for this species. The first mention of a locality from which this Rail has been ol)tained is given, prior to Gray's work appearing, by Latham in his '^History of Birds,' vol. ix. 1824, p. 379, where, under the English heading, "Rufous-headed Rail," he gives the description of a feniale bird which he says inhabits Sierra Leone. This description can only apply to the female of Sarothrura pulchra, and we may therefore accept Sierra Leone as the first designated locality of this species. It is next noted by Swainson in his 'Birds of West Africa,' 1837, p. 243, but again no particular habitat is mentioned. There is only one other name for this Rail, i. e. Rallus cinnamonieus Lesson [Rev. Zool. 1840, p. 99], where the bird from Casamauce (Portuguese Guinea) is thus designated. I have not seen a single specimen from Sierra Leone, but there can be little doubt that it is the same as the Gold Coast bird which Ave know to be S. jmlchra of Gray {cf. Schlegel, Mus. Pays-Bas, lirUles, 1865, p. 26 — Gold Coast). I have also before me several specimens from Fantee and Bibiani, as well as birds from Portuguese Guinea and the Gambia, 1 92 1.] collected in Sonthern Cameroon. 115 and these all belong to the same race and must be known as Sdvothrura pulclira pnlclira. Hitherto this species has been said by Siiarpe (Cat. Bds.) and Reicheiiow (Viigel Afrikas, i. p. 286) to range from Senegatnbia to Gal)ooii and Angola, east to the Congo. Neumann (Bull. H. O. C. xxi. p. 45) describes two races of S. pulchra : — (A) S. p. centralis — Type loc. : Mswa, on the west shore of Lake Albert. Habitat. Lake Region of Central Africa. (B) S. /J. -enkeri — Type loc. : Bipinde, S. Cameroon. Habitat. South Cameroon. In both, the males are almost indistinguishable from S. p. pulchra, and the females are therefore best dealt with separately. In the first place, the female of S. p. pulchra has the ground-colour of the back black, closely barred with pale chestnut ; the bars of pale chestnut and the bars of black are almost the same width. This is an important point to bear in mind. The black bars on the tail are, moreover, either wanting or only faintly indicated. In the original description of /S. ^j. centralis the female is said to be similar to the female of S. p. pulchra, but the tail lias broad black bars, while in S. p. pulchra it is nniforra chestnut or with only an indication of thin black bars. Now, I have before me five females from the Jackson collection, collected at Mabiraand Bugoma, IFganda. These birds bear out the character of the broadly banded tail, but they can be distinguished from 6'. p. pulchra much more readily by the barring on the upper parts (which from Neumann's description one would imagine to be similar to the barring in S. p. pulchra). The pale chestnut bars are, however, much narrower than the black bars, which are at least three times as wide as the pale bars. Thus the back has a much blacker appearance than in typical specimens. Although Neumann has omitted to mention this strikina 116 Mr. D. A. Bannerman 07i rare Birds [Ibis, character, these Uganda specimens can only be referred to S. p. centralis. In S. p. zenkeri the female is said by Neumann in the original description to have the head and neck darker than in S. p. pu/chra or S. p. centralis. Moreover, S. p. zenkeri is said by Neumann to be easily distinguished from both by having the upper side bhick, with but few brown bars, the intermediate black bars being from six to eight times broader than the brown bars. The black bars of the underside are also much broader tlian the brown ones; the tail is said to be black, with a few defined chestnut bars; the measurements are less than those of S. p. pulchra and S. p. centralis. . Now, the female type of S. p. zenkeri came from Bipinde, and the habitat is said to be " South Cameroon " ; so when we recently received specimens of S. pulchra from Mr. Bates^ collected at Bitye, R. Ja, S. Cameroon, I naturally expected these birds to be typical S. pulchra zenkeri. They do not, how^ever, agree with the description of the type (which is in Berlin) any more than Sir Frederick Jackson's birds from Uganda agree with Neumann's descri[)ti()n of S. p. centralis. In fact, the female birds which Mr. Bates obtained in southern Cameroon (Nos. 5443 and 5453) agree with female specimens fi'om northern Angola, Tingasi, and Ndoruma, and only differ from Uganda birds in having the chestnut colour of the head, neck, and breast brighter. We cannot possibly accept Neumann's name zenkeri for these bii'ds, as the intermediate black bars on the back are only al)()ut three times as broad as the ])ale burs {nut six times broader as they are said to be in zenkeri)-^ the black and chestnut bars of the tail are al)out equal in breadth, and the tail cannot, therefore, by any stretch of imagination be called "black with a few defined chestnut bars"; moreover, the head and neck is, if anything, brighter chestnut than in S. p. centralis, not darker, as I gather Neumann infers his S.p. zenkeri to be, although in the original description this is very badly expressed. We have the choice, therefore, of uniting birds from Lower 1921.] collected in Southern Cameroon. Il7 Guinea witli S. p. centralis, or of coiisiilcring it a di>tinct race distinguished from ;S'. p. pu/c/ira, by having the black bars on the back decidedly broader ; from S. [>. zeiikeri, by having a tail unifonidy banded in black and chestnut, and by having tlie black bars of the back only three limes as broad as the chestnut bars (instead of six times as broad )j and by having a brighter chestnut head ; and from S. p. centralis, by having the chestnut of the head brighter. If we consider the Cameroon, Angola, and western Belgian Congo birds as distinct from centralis., we shall have the following races of S. pulchra : — SaROTHKUKA rULCIIKA PUIXIIKA. [_Crc.v pulchra Gray, in (jriflith's Cuv. Anim. King, vol. viii. Aves, p. 410 — Type locality : Sierra Leone (Latiiam's Hist. Birds, ix. 1824, p. 379).] Ran(/e. The Gambia, Portuguese Guinea, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast. ). S. PULCHRA subs} Raiiffc. N.W. Belgian Congo (Tingasi and Ndorunn Cameroon (11. Ja), N. Angola (N'Dalla TandoJ. S. PUI.CHRA ZENKEIU. [Sarothrura pulchra zenkeri Neumann, Bull. B. O. C. xxi. p. 45 — Type locality : Bipinde, S. Cameroon.] Range. Bipinde District, S. Cameroon. S. YULCnRA CENTRALIS. \_Sarotlirura pnlchru centralis Neumann, Bull. 15. O. C. xxi. p. 45 — Type locality : Msvva, on the west shore of Lake Albert.] Range. Lake liegion of Central Africa ; Uganda, and northern Kavirondo to Nandi. 118 Mr. D. A. Baunermau on rare Birds [Ibis, Sarothi'ura bohmi bohmi. Sarothrnra hohni Reicliw. Vogel Afrikas^ i. 1900, p. 290 — Type locality : Likulwe^ Congo. This distinct species was described by lleiclienow from Liknhve, just north of Katanga in the southern Belgian Congo. Unfortunately we have no typical ])irds in the British Museum ; in fact, the specimen now sent home by Mr. Bates, shot at Bityp, R. Ja, on the 29th of November, 1913, is the first of its kind which we have seen. The occurrence of this Bail so far from its typical locality at once suggested the possibility of its being a distinct form. Dr. van Someren recently obtained two specimens of this Bail — one from the Nairobi Rifle-range, the other from Kisuniu. These birds differ from the Cameroon specimen iu the highly streaked appearance of the wing-coverts caused by each feather having two pronounced submarginal white streaks, considerably wider than the streaks on the back. 1 am inclined to think that the bird which Mr. Bates obtained at Bitye has not yet attained the fully adult plumage, as only three feathers of the greater wing-coverts are submarginally streaked with white. Mr. Chapiu now writes to me from America that he has specimens of S. bohmi from Faradje (Upper Uele) and from Medje. It is, of course, quite possible that this Rail extends its range across central Africa, and that the Cameroon birds are identical with the Nairobi specimens ; but should further specimens be received from Cameroon and from the typical locality, it will be worth while coniparing the specimens very carefully, as the possibility of a distinct West African race must not be overlooked. In any case, the occurrence of this Rail in Cameroon is oi considerable interest. Since writing the above, I have examined a female Rail obtained at Machakos, Brit. E. Africa, which 1 have named Surothrura somerciii. It is (piite unlike any other Rail which I have seen (a full description of this bird appeared in Bull. B. 0. C. vol. xl. 1920, ])p. 8 & 28), and Dr. van Somereu 1921.] collected in Southeryi Cameroon. 119 thinks it is probaljly the female of liis two male birds from Nairobi and Kisnmn, which he believes are distinct from S. bohmi. If this is the case, it must, of course, be known as Sarothnira bohmi somereni. While this paper was in the press I received yet another form of this Rail, caught at sea in lat. 10° 0' N., long. 15° 30' W. off the coast of French Guinea by Mr. W. P. Lowe. I have named this bird Saruthrura bohitii danei in the Bull. B. O. C. xli. p. 5, October 1920. It is very much blacker on the underparts than the typical form and is darker on the back, but other differences exist and are set forth in the original description. If Dr. van Someren is correct in thinking »S'. somereni a race of biJhmi, we shall have : — 1. Sarothruka bohmi bohmi Rchw. Type loc. : Likulwe, Belgian Congo. Range. Belgian Congo, probably westwards to Came- roon. 2. Sarothrura bohmi somereni Bannerman. Type loc. : Machakos. Range. Kenya Colony. 3. Sarothrura bohmi danei Bannerman. Type loc. : At sea off French Guinea. Range. Unknown. Sarothrura rufa bonapartei. Corethrura bonapartei llartl. Syst. Orn. Westafr. 1857, p. 242 — Type locality : Gaboon. A. single example of this Rail appears in the collection which Mr. Bates has now sent to us. It is a male bird iu adult plumage. Whilst working at this group of Rails, I had the advantage of examining a series of birds which Dr. van Someren sent to me for my opinion as to their being one or two new subspecies represented. I arrived at very much the same concUisions as Dr. van Someren Iiad done working at Triiig, aiul as he has now descrii)ed two of these forms in the Bull. B. O. C. vol. xl. 1919, p. 20, I will 120 On rare Birds collected in Southern Caineroa//. [Il)is^ publish tlic notes which I made on the various forms while working through his birds. We liad s[)eciniens from Cajje Cohmy, Natal, Angola, Cameroon, Galjoon, Sierra Leone, J>ritish East Africn, and Uganda ; in addition to which a race had i)een described from the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, oL" which we had no examples. AVe recognised Hve distinct forms as follows : — 1. Sarothrura Rui'A RUFA (Vieill.j — ^'yv^ locality: " Africa.^' Range. Natal, Cape Colony, Transvaal. 2. Sarothrura rufa lugens (Bolnn) — Type locality: Ugalla (East of Lake Tanganyika). Range. East of Lake Tanganyika. 3. Sarothrura rufa elizabetHvI': van Someren— Type locality : Kisumu. Range. Uganda, from Entebbe east to Elgon and . Kisumu in Kenya Colony. 4. Sarothrura kufa ansorgei van Someren — Type locality : Duque de Braganza. Range. Angola. 5. Sarothrura rufa bonapartei (Hartl.) — Tyi;e locality : Gaboon. Range. Gaboon, Cameroon, extending north to Sierra Leone. We have no specimen of Sarothrura nntouii (INIadarasz & Neumann, Orn. Monatsber. 1911, j). 186 — Ndas^ckera and Borders of Kenya Colony and Tanganyika Territory). Mr. Chapin thinks it will [)rove to be synonymous with S. lugens. Haplopelia simplex plmnbescens. llaplupelia plinnbesrens Sliarjx-, Ibis, lUOl, p."!)5 — Type locality : Efulcn, S. Cameroon ; Hates, Ibis, UJl], p. 488. Mr. Hates has sent four more s{)ecimeiis of these interesting Pigeons — two males and two females. It is gratilying to find that these s})ecimens Ht in well with the key to the species which I prepared in my review of this 1 92 1.] On the Genus Macrospheuus Cassin. 121 genus (Ibis, 191(5, \)\). 1-16). JNlr. Bates has remarked on tJie back of one of his hibels that he believes thd species named H. plumbescens Sliar[)e is identical with H. simplex, but he will see in my p;iper cited that this is not the case. //. s. si)iij)lex is I'estrictcd to the island of St. Thomas in the Gulf of Guinea {cf. Ibis, 1915, p. 119). I should like to take this opportunity to correct an error which appeared in my review of this genus (/. c). On pp. IT and 14 I gave the same i-angc for tjoth Haplopelia simplex inornata and 7/. s. plumbescens. It should be as t'oUows : — H. s. inuniuta. Range. Cameroon ^Mountain. II. s. plumbescens. Raiifje. Southern Cameroon (except Cameroon Mountain). l\i\er Ja district. Aplopcliu tcsmunni Rchw. described from Bebai, S.Came- roon, is synonymous with H. s. plumbescens. V. — On the Genus Macrospheuus Cassin, with special reference to the races of Macrospheuus flavicans. By David A. Bannerman, M.B.E., B.A., M.B.O.U. The type of the genus Macrosphenus is M. jiavicans of Cassin (Proc. Philad. Acad. 1859, p. 43), and this species was described from the Camnui River, Gaboon. Macrosphenus flavicans flavicans Cassin. From material in the British Museum I consider that this species, of which we have seventeen examples in the British Museum, extends from western Cameroon, through Gaboon to Landana at the mouth of the Congo, and 1 also unite with it Macrosphenus pocnsis of Alexander (Bull. B. O. C. xiii. 1903, p. 30) which inhabits Fernando Po, as I cannot see any distinction between this and the mainland bird. It is also evident, as suggested by Sharpe and confirmed l^y Ogilvie-Grant (Trans. Zool. Soc. xix. 1910, p. 378), that Macrosphenus zcnkerl lieichw. (Orn. Monatsber. 1898, p. 23), 122 Mr. I). A. Banneriiian on the [Ibis, described from Jauiidc, Cameroon, and figured in Reiche- now^s Atlas, 1902, is founded on an iuimature example of M. flavicans. Besides M . jfuvicmis flavicans, there are at any rate three, and probably four, well-defined races in Africa, as follows : — M. flavicans hypochondriacum (llchw.). This name was [jroposed b}^ Keichenow (Orn. Monatsber. 1893, p. 32) for a specimen obtained at Kiujawanga, imme- diately north of lluwenzori, and I accept it for the birds inhabiting the northern Belgian Congo eastwards (the Uele and Aruwimi Rivers districts aud the eastern Congo forest). Specimens from these localities are appreciably brighter coloured (more golden and less olive) on the under surface tlian ty[)ical examples from Cameroon and Gaboon, and liave in addition a slightly shorter bill. We have ten examples in the National Collection of this race. M. flavicans angolensis Bannermau. This race was described by me (Bull. B. O. C. vol. xli. 1920, p. 6) from northern Angola — Type locality : N'Dalla Tando. 1 separated it from the typical species on account of its much shorter bill — varying in five specimens from 14"5-15 mm. (exposed culmen). M. flavicans leoninus Neumann. This is another subspecies which has been described (Bull. B. O. C. xxiii. 1908, p. 46— Sierra Leone) from Avestern Africa, a single example having been obtained by Robin Kemp at Rotifunk. Opinions differ as to whether the bird in question is an adult specimen. Ogilvie-Grant believed that it was an immature of M. flavicans. I am doubtful whether the bird is immature — as it has a yellowish throat, whereas quite immature examples of M. /. flavicans sliow traces of the grey throat at an early stage. Jt has a remarkably long t)ill (18 mm. exposed culmen, 21 mm. measured from the ga[)e) for an immature bird, and the fact that no representative of M. flavicans is known to exist north of Cameroon is sufficient justification for the name to be kept up. 1 92 1.] Genus Macrosphenus Cassin. 123 M. flavicans ugandae van Someren. Tliis form was described from jNIabira (Bull. B. O, C. XXXV. p. 126)j and is said to inhabit tlie Uganda forests. It is darker than the typical form and is richer yellow on the underside. The only other species in the jjeuus besides M. jiavicans and its subspecies are : — Macrosphenus kretschmei-i Rchw. & Neumann (Orn. Mon. 1S95, p. 75 — Kiboscho), of which I have never seen a specimen and wiiich is only known to occur in the Kili- manjaro region; likewise Macrosj>henus griseiceps Grote (Orn. Monatsber. 1911, p. 162 — Mikindani, late German E. Africa), compared by the author with M. kretschmeri, and M. alblgula Grote (Orn. Monatsber, 1919, p. 62 — Mlalo, Usambara, Tanganyika Territory), I have not seen specimens of either. Macrosphenus kempi (Sharpe) and Macrosphenus concolor (Hartl.), concerning which two forms the following remarks may be of interest : — In the first place I wish to transfer the bird hitherto known as Aniaarocichla kempi Sharpe from the genvis in which Sharpe placed it and put it in the genus, Macrosphenus^ as it is evident that it has nothing Avliatever to do with Aniaarocichla bocagei. * The bird figured as Amaurocichla kempi (Ibis, 1905, plate V. faciiig p. 231), named and placed in the genus Amaurocichla by Shstrpe (Bull. B. O, C. xv. p. 38, 1905), cannot in my opinion be assigned to that genus, although Sharpe was himself the author of the genus Amaurocichla. The generic characters. are given by Sharpe in P, Z. S, 1892^ p. 228, and are as follows : — " Similar to Crateroscelis, but distinguished by the shape of the wing^ the first primary being nearly as long as the second. Additional characters are :^The bill is as long as the head, aiul rictal bristles are absent, while the tail-feathers are somewhat acuminate.^' The type of the genus is Amaurocichla bocagei. Now, the bird which has hitherto been known as Amauro- cichla kempi ditl'ers markedly from Amaurocichla bocagei. 124: Mr. 1). A. Biiuuerniau on the [I^i*? Ill the first [)lace the prineipal eharacter of tlie genus AniaurocicJda — ?". e., tlie first primary being- nearly as long as the second primary, Avliich is long — is not borne out by examination of the type of kcnqyi. In the type from Sierra Leone the first primary is actually 14- nun. shorter tlian the second primary, which is short. The bill is longer (not as long as) the head, and the general as[)ect of tlie bird is entirely dissimilar. I unhesitatingly transfer the bird figured as Amuurocichla kempi to the genus Macrosphenns, and anyone examining the three specimens of M. kempi now in the British Museum will, I feel sure, endorse my action. Compared with 3I(icrosphenus Jlavicans jiavicuns, the most obvious diflerences are in the length of the tail — very much longer in M. f. //avicans,^a.nd the totally different colour, olive-green in M. /lavlcaiis and subspecies, grey and rufous in M. kempi. Mr. Willonghby Lowe, who has recently obtained a speci- men of M. kempi near Lagos in southern Nigeria, tells me that in iiabits the bird resembles a Nuthatch, and that it has in life a strikingly elongated neck, out of all proportion to the size of the bird. Once seen alive it is a species which can never be forgotten. If future workers do not agree with me in temporarily placing this bird in the genus Macrosplieniis., an entirely new^ genus will have to be created for it — a course which I do not favour until we know more about this remarkable form and can compare its skeleton with a skeleton of M. Jlavicans. The other species which I include in this genus, thereby following a suggestion of Mr. Oscar Neumann (Bull. 15. O. (\ xxiii. J). 4<7), is Macrosphenns concolor (Hartl.) (Syst. Orn. Westafr. p. 63) — a s])ecics which has been usually included in the genus < 'amaroptera. It has, however, a hooked ui)])er mandible, thereby ditl'ering from all the true members of the genus Cainaroptera, and in general appear- ance seems to resemble a Macrosphe/tus. It however posse>>>ses 1 92 1.] Genus ^Nlacrosplieims Cdssin. 125 rictal bristles, thereby differing from the other members of the genus Macrosphenus. To recapitulate, we have : — Macrosphenus flavicans flavicans Cassin. Type loc. : Camma River. Range: Cameroon to the mouth of the Congo. Synonyms: 71/. ^;oera.s«5 Alexander. (Fernando Po.) M. zenkeri Rchw. (Yaunde, Cameroon.) Macrosphenus flavicans angolensis Bannerman. Type loc. : N'Dala Tando, N. Angola. Range: N.Angola. Macrosphenus flavicans hypochondriacum Rchw. Type loc. : Kinjawanga, near ]\It. Ruweuzori. Range : N. Belgian Cona-o, Uganda. Macrosphenus flavicans leoninus Neumann. Type loc. : Rotifunk, Sierra Leone. Range : Sierra Leone. Macrosphenus concolor (Marti.). Type loc. : '' Guinea." Range: Sierra Leone. Gold Coast^ Cameroon, Fernando Po, N. Belgian Congo, Uganda. *Macrosphenus kretsch.meri (Rclnv.). Ty[)e loc. : Kiboscho. Range : Kilimanjaro liegion, Kenya Colony. Macrosphenus griseiceps Grcjte. Type loc. : Mikincbuii (late German E. Africa). Range : Tanganyika Territory. Macrosphenus kempi (Sharpe). Type loc. : Sierra Leone, Range : Sierra Leone and Southern Nigeria. Macrosphenus albigula (jlrote. Type loc. : JNllalo near Willielnistal. Range: U.sambara, S.K. shores of Victoria Nyanza, 'I'anganyika Territory. * Now placed in tliis jivniis on tlie uutlujrity of Ifeic-lienuw, vide Viio-el Afrikas, iii. p. CM. 126 Col. R. ^Meineitzhitocn o/< the [Ibis, VI. — A Note on. the Breeding/ Birds of Crete. By Col. \l. Meixertzhagen, B.S.O., M.l^.'o.U.. B^Z.S. I ARitiVED in (h-ete on the -ttli of June, 1920, ami left the island in early July, liaving had my visit cut short for official reasons. H. L. Powell accompanied me as taxidermist. Landing at (^uidia I collected for three days in the neigh- bourhood and then went direct to Monnt Ida, the central hill-mass of Crete. Here I remained for about a fortnight. No collecting was done outside the Candia district. The area comprising this district falls easily into three areas : — (a) Below 2500 feet. Human habitations and cultivation, mostly olives, vines, orchards, and corn. (/>) Between 3000 and 4500 feet. Ilex forest on mountain slopes. {(•) Above 4500 feet. The bare wind-swept hills of Ida and Nidha with the remarkable Nidha Plain. The summit of Ida is 8200 feet elevation, and snow was still lying about in drifts of many acres in extent above ()500 feet. Travelling in Crete in summer is easv. The weather is perfect and one can sleep anywhere, though the nights on Ida were bitterly cold. I always bedded down in some o-arden, havino- taken no tent with mo. On Mount Ida one has difficulty in avoiding an incessant wind, as shelter is rare, but we usually managed to get in a hollow. Staple foods can be obtained everywhere and good water abounds. Mule transport is the rule, a beast carrying about 400-450 pounds the whole day without fatigue. There is but one great drawback — expense. A naturalist, living simply, witiiout tent or luxury, must be prepared to spend £100 per month, excluding his ticket to the island. Mules cannot be hired for less than £1 a day each. A guide-interpreter costs from £12 to £15 per month. My expenses were par- ticularly heavy, as I was compelled to retain in my service the numerous policemen and consular messengers who were S(>archinir for me for three weeks. 1 92 1,] Breeding Birds of Crete. 1.27 The Cretans are charming and ver}- helpful, more especially the sheplierds o£ Mount Ida, whose evil reputation I em- phaticallv deny. They are robbers by nature and are a law unto themselves, but it one appreciates that spirit of freedom and contem|)t tor th(» soft civilization of plenty, they rank as nature's foremost gentlemen. The chieftain of Ida, one George Nikolokakis, though doubtless a thorn in the side of the (*retan ])olice and the officials, was kindness itself to me, and I look back to his rough kind face and his imperious manners, with a desire to accept his kind invitation to stop with him for a com|»lete summer. Though I speak not a word of modern Greek, my derelict knowledge of ancient Greek was most useful. It was pleasant to hear the Cliukar called '' Caccaba," the Vultures " Gyps," the Ravens " Mavro Corax," the Larks " C^ory- dallos," the Nightingale " ^don," the Swallow " T^helidon," and the Eagle " mio^r Finally, I must again thank Dr. Hartert for the nngrudgino- help he always gives me at Tring, and Lord Rothschild for allowing me to make every use of his collection. Specimens were obtained of every species mentioned, unless it is stated to the contrary. Wing-measurements taken flat, culmen-measurements from the junction of upper mandible and skull. Corvus corax corax (L.). Two yoni]g males oljtained, both moulting into adult plumage. They belong to the typical race, there being no trace of the oily blue on the wing-coverts or brown on the upper parts as in C. c. laurenrei. It seems doubtful whether the Ravens of eastern Greece are C. r. Jaurencei, as stated by Reiser (Orn. Balcan. iii.). Gengler (J. f. 0. April 1919) thinks they are some un- described race, but the few I have seen mvself in Greece are the typical race as in Crete [cf. also Stresemann, Avif. Macedon. p. 1). The Raven is to be seen at all elevations in Crete, breeding in the hills apparently in ]\Iarch, 128 Col. R. iMeiuertzliageii on the [Ibis, Coi'vus cornix minos IMeiiiertz. Corms c. minos Meinertzhagen, Bull. B. 0. (J. xli. 1920, p. 10 : Candia. This new race is pale and very similar to (\ c pallesfens from Cyprus, but has a longer wing and a deejier and longer cubnen. It is a common bird, ascentiing to the Nidha Plain at 5000 feet. It breeds in olive and oak trees, the young- being well on the wing by the end of June. Garrulus glandarius cretorum Afeinertz, (lai')'tilus (/. cretoi'iim Meinertzliagen, Bull, R. 0. C. xli. 1920, p. 19 : Mount Ida. Very near (i. ff. icJinutur from Sardinia, but with a slightly redder neck and greyer back. Similar in size. Not seen below 4000 feel, and appai'ently confined to the Ilex forest. Both fidl-grown and half-grown y(Hing seen in the middle of June. Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (Ij.). The Chough was Jibundant on Mount Ida l^etween 5000 and 7000 feet. About 100 pair were nesting in the Kamares Cave in June, the young being wtdl on the wing and a few still in the nest in mid-June. The young iiave a peculiar call, not unlike that of M('r(>/>s apiaxter. Several smaller colonies were found in other smaller caves. l)oubtless the "•Yellow-billed Chougln '" reported bv Miss Bate (Trevor-Battye : 'Camping in Crete ' J were the young of this species. Chloris chloris subsp. ? A single adult nuiie obtained in worn plumage. In size it is nearest to C. e. cldorotica, but in general coloration is nearest ('. e. maderaszi from Cyprus. It is certainly not C. c. muhlei, which is a darker and larger bird than my (/retan specimen. Common from sea-level to 4500 teet, both in cultivation and in the Ilex forest. Fnll-grown vouiig seen on 7 June, 1 92 1.] Breedinf/ Birds of Crete. 129 Carduelis carduelis harmsi Reichw. Four adults in worn breedino- plumage agree well with l>irds in similar plumage from Palestine. After a further examination of birds from the Caucasus, Asia Minor, Palestine, and (/jprus, I am confident that only one race of the Gold- finch occurs as a breeding species in these localities. The difference in the intensity of the colour on the back among freshly-moulted birds and worn birds is very renuirkable, and accounts for the many races which have been described from the range of C. c. harmsi. Acanthis cannabina mediterranea Tschusi. I cannot agree with Stresemann (Avif. Macedon.) that A. c. mediterranea becomes a synonym of A. c. hella. The latter race was described from Syria, and all Syrian birds which I have examined are most certainly A. c.frin- (jillirostris. Stresemann appeal's only to have examined birds from Asia Minor, and these are quite likely A. c. mediteri-anea. It does not follow that Syrian and Asia Minor birds are similar. A. c. hella must therefore remain a synonym of A. e. fringillirosiris. A common breeding bird, but not seen below 2000 feet. Full-grown young were seen in early June. When I first saw these birds on Mount Ida, far away from bushes and among rocks and dwarf alpine plants, I thought they were Twites, more especially as I believe Drummond reported Twites from the island. I shot several of tliese Mount Ida Linnets, and I do not think the Twite exists in Crete. / Fringilla ccelebs subsp.? Four males in worn breeding plumage appear to be less brown on the upper back than birds from the continent, and they are on the small side, the wings varying from 84 to 88 mm. The (chaffinch is a common breeding bird from sea-level to the top of the Ih^x forest at 5000 feet. Young were just out of the nest by the middle of June. Cretan name " spinos.'' SER. XI. VOL. III. K 130 Col. R. Meinertzliagen on the [Ibis, Passer italiae (Vieill.). Cretan s|)eciinens are indistinguisliable from birds from Italy. (Common about all human habitations up to 2000 feet, and always nesting in buildings. Young were not out of the nest by the middle of June, when all hen birds were still being fed by the cocks. Emljeriza calandra calandra L. Two birds obtained do not differ from typical examples. Not uncommon in suitable country from sea-level to 2000 feet. A nest with four incubated eggs was found on 13 June. Ember iza hortiilana L. Quite common and breeding between 2000 and 4000 feet, and a few at sea-level near Candia. Adults were feeding young in the nest in early June. Calandrella brachydactyla brachydactyla (Leisler). Five adults are typical, wings varying from 88 to 98 mm. Found breeding commonly at two places, on the Nidha Plain at 5000 feet and near Varavara on the southern slopes of Mount Ida at 2000 feet. Galerida cristata meridionalis Brehm. Six birds were obtained in very worn plumage, but I have been fortunate in being able to compare a winter bird in the Tring (Collection with specimens from Greece and Albania. A common breeding bird up to 2500 feet. First young seen out of the nest on 29 June. Lullula arborea subsp. ? Five birds in worn breeding plumage seem nearest to L. a.Jfavescens from the Balkans, but until autumn or winter birds are obtained I refrain from defining their race. Fairly common above 1500 feet and reaching up to GOOO feet. Five incubated eggs were found on 18 June, and several broods seen on the wing at ihe end of the same month. I92I-] Breeding Birds oj Crete. 131 Anthus campestris campestris (L.). Four obtained are identical with others from sonthern Europe. Common in suitable country between 2000 and -4000 feet, and a few were breeding at GOOO feet on Mount Ida. Certhia brachydactyla subsp. ? Tree-Creepers were found at 4500 feet at the top of the Ilex forest on the soutliern slopes of Mount Ida, and three adults and three young were obtained. The former are in such worn plumage that it is inipossible to say to which race they belong. Parus major peloponnesus Parrot. Five adults in worn plumage appear to agree with birds from Greece. Common from sea-level to the limit of the Ilex forest, say 4500 feet. Full-grown young were seen about by early June. Parus caeruleus ogliastrae Hartert. An adult female and a young bird obtained. But I have examined Witherby's adult male collected by Lynes at Suda Bay, and I agree with AVitherby (Ibis, 1912, p. 145) that the Cretan form belongs to this race. They are certainly not the typical race as stated by Jourdain (' Eggs of European Birds '). The wing of my female measures 61 mm. Not uncommon in wooded country from sea-level to 5000 feet. Young were well on the wing by early Jun^. Parus sp. ? On two occasions on Mount Ida at 5000 feet in Ilex forest I heard and saw a brown Tit which I failed to secure. It was not the Marsh or Coal Tit. Lanius senator niloticus (Bp.). Two breeding males have less white at the base of the central tail-feathers than Palestine breeding birds, and in this respect approach the typical race. Perhaps the formula Lanius s. niloticus > senator would be a convenient way of expressing this, as is done by Stresemann (Avif. Macedon.). k2 132 Col. R. Meinertzhagen on the [Ibis, Birds from Crete certainly do not belono- to the typical form as stated by Jourdain (' Eggs of European Birds '). A scarce breeding })ird, occurring from sea-level to 4000 feet. A nest with five incubated eggs was found at Gnossos on 13 June. Muscicapa striata striata (Pall.). Two males obtained are identical with birds from C'Onti- nental Europe. The Spotted Flycatcher is a common breeding bird from sea-level to 4500 feet. A nest with five incubated eggs was found at 2000 feet on 11 June. Locustella luscinioides luscinioides (Savi). A male and fully-fledged young bird were obtained near Candia in early June. They agree with birds from southern Europe, but the male is small, having a wing of barely 60 mm., and a culmen of only 15 mm. Not otherwise seen. Hippolais sp. ? Probably //. /xillida. Seen and heard on several occa- sions below 2000 feet. Not obtained. Sylvia communis communis Lath. Two males in worn breeding plumage were obtained. They ap[)roach nearest to the western race, though they are rather grey on the upper parts. A fairly common breeding bird up to 2000 feet. Sylvia melanocephala melanocephala (Gm.). The breeding Cretan bird undoubtedly belongs to the ty[)ical race, though they are on the small side, wings of males varying from 57 to 59 mm., but the coloration is that of the typical race. Birds from the hills appear darker below than those from the plains. The Sardinian Warbler is a scarce breeding species below 2000 feet. On Nidha Plain they were especially common at 5000 feet, where young were on the wing by the third week in June. 1 92 1.] Breeding Birds of Crete. 133 Tardus merula subsp. ? Only one bird, an adult male, obtained. Wing 11,'? and culmen 25 mm. This is smaller than any other adult male I have examined from Europe, and from what I saw of the Blackbird in Crete, they all seemed uncommonly small. It seems likely that this is a new insular race, but a larger series are necessary before it can be named. A pair of live birds were brought to Egypt, where they are doing well in the Giza Zoological Gardens. The Blackbird occurs throughout the country, but is very shy and difficult to obtain. Trevor-Battye (' Camping in Crete ') thought the hill bird smaller than the plain bird, but I did not notice this difference. Cretan name " kotsifos," Monticola solitarius solitarius (L.). A female obtained belongs to the western race. Occurs as a breeding species in all suitable country from sea-level up to 6000 feet. Cretan name " petro kotsifos." (Enanthe cenanthe virago Meinertz. (Enanthe ce. virago Meinertzhagen, Bull. B. 0. C. xli. 1920, p. 20 : Mount Ida. Adult male with a more silvery mantle and larger culmen than in the typical race. Adult female closely resembling the male and not brown. Juvenile plumage tinged with grey, whereas there is no grey in the young of the other races. A common breeding bird on Mount Ida above about 4000 feet and ascending to the summit of Ida at 8200 feet. Fully-fledged young are about by the end of June. These birds appeared to be equally at home in the Ilex forest, on the wind-swept slopes of Ida or among the snow drifts, perching with equal ease on tree or rock. Mr. Witherby kindly lent me five birds from Suda Bay obtained by Capt. Lynes in March and early April. The four males have wings varying from 93 to 98 and culmens from 17"5 to 19 mm. One has a broad white forehead, two have 134- Col. R. Meinertzliagen on the [Ibis, moderate white foreheads, and the fourth has a narrow wliite forehead. The female is typicnl of (J^nanthe «?. (cnanthe, and has a wing of 90 and culmen of 17 mm. These birds, un- doubtedly on s|)rino; passage, all belong to the typical race. (Enanthe hispanica melanoleuca (Griild.). Sa.i'icola h. xantliomehrna (H. & E.) ; Hartert, Vog. pal. Fauna, p. 6riotes or kahi/loram. The plumage of the adults is so worn that I have been unable to say definitely whether they are a new form or not. They appear to be greyer and more streaked on the back than other closely-allied forms, but this might be due to abrasion and bleachino-. 192 1.] Breeding Birds of Crete. 135 The Wren was common on IMount Ida at over 4500 feet. Full-grown young with their parents were about in parties by the middle of June. Accentor collaris subalpinus (Brehm). A single bird shot is referable to this Balkan race. I only saw them at Nidha Cave at 5500 feet. Trevor Battye (' Camping in Crete') found them common on Mount Ida at 7500 feet in June. Stresemann (Avif. Macedon.) unites this race with the typical form. In this I cannot agree; my bird resembles others in the Tring Museum from the Balkans, and accords well with Hartert's description (Vug. pal. Fauna, p. 763). Hirundo rustica rustica (L.). A single breeding male obtained on 8 June. The specimen is white below, slightly tinged and blotched with chestnut. If the race //. r. hoissonneauti Temm. is recognised it may belong to it, bnt I have not had any Balkan specimen with which to compare my examples. The Swallow is a plentiful breeding bird wherever there are human habitations. Three nests found at Gnossos on 8 June had fresh eggs, hard-set eggs, and half-fledged young. Riparia rupestris (iScop.). Common at all elevations where caves or rough craggy country occurs. Apus apus apus (L.). Three breeding birds obtained agree with others from western Europe, and are not .1. a, marwitzi or A. a. pekinensis. Swifts were breeding abun(iantly at (Jandia and on all the small coastal islands off Candia. A few were seen in com- pany with Ajyus melba on the summit of Mount Ida on 23 June, but I doubt whether they were up there for any other purpose but food. Apus melba melba (L.). A common breeding species in the hills and on Dia Island off Candia. Three obtained are typical. 136 Col. R. Meinertzhagen on the [Ibis, Caprimulgus europaeus meridionalis Hartert. A male obtained at 2000 feet on 13 June was tlie only one seen. Trevor-Battye ('Camping in Crete') saw them frequently in summer. Cretan name " arno vysastra," a literal translation of Goat-sucker. Otus scops powelli Meinertz. Otus scops pou-eUi Meinertzhagen, Bull. B. 0. C. xli. 1920, p. 21 : Candia District. This new race, intermediate between the typical form and 0. s. cyprius, was common from coast-level to 2000 feet, and a few were heard in the Ilex forest at 4000 feet. Two clutches of eggs were taken from holes in buildings on 13 and 15 June, the former consisting of four incubated eggs, and the latter of two fresh and one incubated egg. Birds were frequently heard calling by daylight, and it was not ditiicult at dusk to call them to quite close quarters. Falco peregrinus subsp. ? A small Peregrine was twice seen in the hills, ])ut none were obtained. Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus L. I obtained two breedino' males, with wnnos measuring 223 and 245 mm. respectively. One of these birds is much redder Ijelow than most European birds^ whilst the other is normal. I have recently examined a series of 157 Kestrels, and I find that in the southern part of their breeding" range birds tend to become more red below than those breeding in central and northern Europe and Asia, though, of course, such red birds occur fre(piently in both the British Islands and throughout Europe. I am going full}'^ into this question at a near date, Init all that concerns us for the moment is that the Cretan breeding bird can only be referred to the typical form. Kestrels were seen everywhere in small numbers. Two nests, both with half-grown young, were- found in buildings. In lioth cases the cock bird was feeding the chicks, visiting 1 92 1.] Bi-eeding Birds of Ci'ete. 137 tlie nest only about three times a day. I never saw the hen bird at the nest in either case. Falco eleonorae Gene. One obtained. There are hirge colonies of these Falcons on Dia and Paximadi IsLands north of C^andia, and I sin- cerely trust no ravening oologist will abuse this information. Occasional birds were also seen in olive gardens near the coast, and flying high over (Jrete at dusk. Aqiiila chi't/sat'tos^ a Buteo, Gi/ps fulvus, and (jrijpa'eLos harhatus were frequently seen but not obtained. Ardea rinerea was often seen on the coast near Candia, and had apparently bred on a small island^ where an empty nest and full-grown young were seen. Botanrns stellaris was twice seen near C'andia in June, and may have been breeding. Fhalarocorax carbo breeds in colonies on the small rocky islands near Candia, where many empty nests were found in late June, and about 30 young seen. Adults and full-grown young of Anas platyrliynclios were seen on the Halmyros stream near Candia on 2 July. No examples of the above species were obtained. Columba livia palaBstinae Zedl. The Cretan Rock-Pigeon is referable to this race, being much paler than Cohtmha I. liv/a on the upper parts and slightly smaller. Two birds obtained have white lower backs, and compare well with a large series from Palestine, Syria, and, curiously enough, Solium in western Egypt. It would therefore appear that C. I. pahestime occurs not only in Palestine, Sinai, and Arabia, but in the eastern Mediter- ranean, with the exception of the Egyptian Delta, where the smaller C. I. schimperi occurs. The wings of my two Cretan birds measure 216 and 220 mm., both males. Rock-Pigeons were breeding commonly on all the islands near Candia, on the coast, and in the hill caves of Mount Ida. Let he who fancies himself at shooting try his hand 138 On the Br eediny Birds of Crete. [Ibis, at a Rock-Pigeon coming out of Kamares (.*ave ; if he recovers one bird for every three cartridges he will do well. Most of the young birds were on the wing by the middle of June. Columba palurabus palumbus L. A pair of breeding birds obtained agree in colour with continental birds, but are small, the wing of a male measuring 246 mm., and that of a female 236 mm. Wood-Pigeons were common in the Ilex forest between 3000 and 4500 feet, coming down to 3000 feet to feed. No young were seen on the wing by the middle of June. Alectoris grseca Cypriotes Hartert. Tbree males and two females were obtained, all adult birds. Wing of males 155, 160, and 163, and of the females 148 and 151 mm. ( 'yprus birds vary from 162 to 169 in males, and from 153 to 157 in females, so the Cyprus birds are somewhat larger. Such a slight difference in a large bird cannot count for much, and as they agree absolutely in colour with breeding birds from Cyprus, I unite them with the Cyprus race. The Chukar is thinly distributed below 3000 feet, above which they are abundant. Young birds from newly-hatched young to birds slightly larger than quail were seen in the last week in June. Coturnix coturnix (L.). A pair were flushed out of some vines at 2000 feet on 30 June. None were obtained. Fulica atra atra L. A single adult male was obtained at Halmyros, near Candia, on 2 July. The bird had not bred during the year. All its pinions were in very shoi't cjuill. Burhinus cedicnemus saharae (Reich w.). Only one was seen — a male, shot near Candia on D June. W^ing 239 mm. Its pale sandy colour agrees absolutely with birds in similar plumage from the Sahara and Palestine. 1921.] On the Kconomic Status of the Kingfisher. 139 Tringa ochropus L. A Hock of five birds were seen on 2 July near (Jandin, out oE which a pair were shot. They were in complete l)reeding plumage, were very fat, and showed no signs o£ having bred. Larus argentatus cachiiuuDis was common off the coast near Candia, and had bred in a large colony on Paximadi Island ; a young bird was found in the nest, but all the rest were on the wing. Fufimis piijfinus yeJkouan and Procellaria jielagica were common at sea off eastern Crete throughout June, but I could not locate any breeding quarters. VII. — On the Economic Status of the Kingfisher, Alcedo ispida Linn. By Walter E. Collinge^ D.Sc, F.L.S., M.B.O.U. (Text-figure 2.) I. Introduction. The brilliant external colouring of the Kingfislier [Alcedo ispida Linn.) makes it one of the most beautiful birds we have in this country, in consequence of which Yarrell (10) states, it is " so much sought after by tlie idle and thoughtless that its numbers, probably iiever very great in any part of the country, have of late years very sensibly decreased .... but the most constant persecution the species undergoes arises rather from the deliglit .... so many people take in possessing its stuffed skin ; . . . . and to this end more Kingfishers are probably shot or netted for English bird- stuft'ers than any other species.'^ Although this statement Avas made nearly fifty years ago, it is equally true to-day. So recently as 1891 Mr. A. H. Cocks (2) reported that a local bird-stuffer had nearly a hundred Kingfishers sent to him to set up that year. Further, as a frequenter of streams, brooks, and rivers, this bird has generally been regarded as injurious to fish- culture, and consequently has been ruthlessly shot. 140 Dr. W. E. Collinge on the [Ibis, Some little time ago the writer was appealed to for some definite information as to the precise nature of the food of the Kingfisher. Unfortunately, as in the case of so many- other British birds, no such information was available; the present investigation was therefore undertaken. The results here set forth are based upon the examination of 120 nest-contents, obtained from sixteen counties ; 53 pellets ; and the stomach-contents of 27 birds obtained from eight counties during all the months of the year excepting May, June, and December. Numerous field observations have also been made. The method adopted throughout for estimating the food percentages is that known as the volumetric one (3). Table I. — Showing number of adult Kingfishers and nest-contents examined in this investigation, arranged to show locality and month in which collected. County. Jan. Feb. Mch Apl. Maj^ J une July. Aug . Sept . Oct. Nov. Dec. Totals. Birds Nests. Bedford . . . 1/2 1/2 1/3 1/3 4 10 Cheshire . . . 1/ 1/ /I 1/1 /2 /2 3 6 Cumberland . /2 /"■^ 1/ ... ... /2 1/6 /I /I 2 14 Devon ... /3 /I /2 0 6 Dorset /4 /2 /I 0 7 Hants /3 /I /2 0 6 Hereford . . . 1/ 1/ 1/ ... 1/ 1/4 /3 1/2 6 9 Leicester . . . /2 /5 /I 0 8 Lincoln /2 /I /I 0 4 Middlesex . . 1/ 1/ 1/ ... 1/7 /4 1/ 5 11 Nottiiig:hani . ... 1/ 1/3 2 3 Norfolk ... ... /2 /2 0 4 Warwick . . . 1/ ... ... /3 /2 /I 1 6 Worcester . /2 1/ 1/ ... 1/5 1/2 /I 4 10 Yorkshire . /5 /4 /2 /3 0 14 Ireland 2/6 .5/3 /I ... 5/1 ... /I /5 /3 0 27H 2 Totals ... 1/11 2/3 4/16 4/35 3/29 1/8 -120 The figures on the left denote the number of birds, and those on the right the number of nest-contents. 1 92 1.] Economic status of the Kingfisher. 141 I acknowledge witli many thanks the kindness of the Carnegie Trnst for the Universities of Scothand, in defray- ing the whole of the expenses in connection with this investigation. II. Historical. References to tlie food and feeding habits of the King- fisher are exceedingly few. Yarrell (10) states : " Its food consists of small crnstaceans, aqnatic insects, such as dragon- fliesj water-beetles, and little fishes — especially minnows and sticklebacks, while leeches are also said to enter into its diet." Butler (1) writes: "Although very fond of small fish, these by no means constitute the sole food of the Kingfisher, for it is very fond of tadpoles and water-beetles ; moreover, many of the small fry which are eaten are quite useless for human consumption, so that the bird has been treated with undeserved severity by pisciculturists, many of whom lose no opportunity of shooting it.'' Newstead (8) examined the stomach-contents of nineteen specimens, in most of which he found minute and small fish- bones, one small gudgeon (Gobio fldviat His), and remains of several water-boatmen (^Notonecta glauca). Forbush (4) refers to the American species as eating grasshoppers, and Mason (7) quotes certain autliorities as to A. ispida, in India, feeding upon small tishes, tadpoles, and aquatic insects. III. Field Investigations. 1. Abundance. — So far as I can learn from information supplied by difierent corresjjondents, the number of nesting sites has decreased during the last ten or twelve years, particularly in the following counties : — Cumberland, Cheshire, Devon, Hereford, Leicester, Middlesex, Warwick, Worcester, and Yorkshire. Messrs. Jourdain and Witherby (5), in their valuable ■ report on the effect of the winter 1916-1917 on our resident birds, state : " The diminution in the breeding stock is 142 Dr. W. E. Collinge on the [Ibis, shown l)y the fact that whilst most of its favourite breeding phices on the lower reaches of the Thames were occupied in 1917, the up[)er reaches weve deserted, though the birds have reappeared in 1918. In Devon, Worcester, Cheshire, and Cumberland considerable decreases were noted, and some diminution in Kent, Surrey, and Middlesex, while no change is reported from Radnor and Beds.^^ 2. Nesting Habits. — Further observations on the nesting habits of the Kingtisher are very desirable. All the nests I have met with have been iu the banks of streams. I doubt if they are always dug out by tlie birds, as on two or three occasions I have found that the old burrows of the water- vole have been utilized, and in another case tlie hole was formed by part of the bank of the stream being washed away beneath tlie root of a tree. In all the nests examined I have found an accumulation of fish-bones and other indigestible portions of food, and only these. While in many cases I have failed to observe any attempt at arrangement of the different items, in others there is undoubtedly a very definite nest formed, described by Yarrell (10) as follows : — " The eggs are laid, sometimes on the bare soil, but at others on the fish-bones already ejected by the birds and allowed to accumulate until they amount to a handful or more. These bones are cast up as pellets, but are apijarently Avorked by the bird's movements, as she sits, into the shape of a cup ; and, whether by pressure, by the moisture of the soil, or by both, they generally cohere so as to form a very pretty nest, more than an inch deep and quite smooth within, whicii with care may be removed so as to preserve its structure." During the time the young occupy the nest the passage leading lo the terminal cliamber becomes almost filled with castings, excreta, etc. In many cases two broods are reared in the season. Here, in Fifeshire, I have never known more than one. ?), Food hrotight to the Nest. — Fish, tadpoles, crayfish, and 1921.] Economic Status of the Kingfisher. 143 the larvpe of various insects have been observed in the bircFs beak when alighting before entering the nest, Fisli are sometimes hehl crosswise, in which case the bird jerks them upwards catching them head downwards. In other cases they are held lengthwise, either by the head or the tail, and swallowed, this action being accompanied by a throw-back of the head. When newly hatched the young are fed by the parents, but after a time they frequently do no more than deposit the food about half-way along the passage. In some cases it is allowed to remain there and become trampled down into the putrid mass of material which has accumulated there. 4. Depredations. — Tiie opinion is frequently expressed that the Kingfisher destroys large numbers of young trout, and such an opinion seldom loses anything in its repetition, so that among a certain class of people this bird has come to be regarded as an enemy and injurious to all fishing preserves and hatcheries. As is frequently the case where the food of a bird is con- cerned, careful observation and investigation do not bear out or even lend any support to the views just mentioned. Indeed, one can scarcely imagine any other factor that Avouhl remove so many enemies of fish ova and fry with so little injury. Unfortunately, once a bird is given a bad name, it is difficult to clear its character, and writers who should know better persist in repeating the inaccurate stories as to the number of fish destroyed, etc. The ultimate result of all this condemnation is that in many parts of the country the Kingfisher is shot down mercilessly, and is slowly but surely becoming rarer, much to the detriment of all trout streams. IV. Examination of Old Nests and Pellets. 1. Nest Contents. — An examination of one hundred and twenty nest-contents shows them to consist entirely of animal remains, of which fish constitutes 59*5 per cent., 144 Dr. W. E. CoUinge on Me [Ibis, injuiioTis insects 15*5 percent., neutral insects 4"5 per cent., Crustacea 6*5 per cent., molluscs 5*5 per cent., tadpoles 4"0 per cent., worms 1"5 per cent., and miscellaneous animal matter 3'0 per cent. The lightest nest-content weighed 12"5 grains and the heaviest 320 grains, the average being 142 grains. In all probability the heavier ones represent the contents accumu- lated over more than one season, but on this point I have no definite information. Of the 59*5 per cent, of fish, minnows constituted 39*5 per cent., stickleback 31"0 per cent., gudgeon 14"5 per cent., trout 12"5 per cent., and 2'5 per ceist. of unidentifiable fish- remains. 2. Pellets. — The average weight of the pellets was 15 grains. The analysis of the fifty-three specimens shows that they consist wholly of animal matter of which fish constitutes 590 per cent., injurious insects 15'0 per cent., Crustacea 6"0 per cent., tadpoles 5*5 per cent., moUuscs 5"0 per cent., neutral insects 5*0 per cent., worms 1*5 per cent., and miscellaneous animal matter 3'0 per cent. V. Examination of Stomach Contents. Practically all the stomachs examined were full. The average weight of the contents was 32'5 grains. Only twenty- seven stomachs have been examined. It was evident at a very- early stage of this inquiry that the pellets and nest-contents afforded a very valuable source of information, and one Avhich was in close agreement with the results obtained from the post-mortem examinations. It was, therefore, not thought desiral)le to destroy a large number of birds for the purpose of examining the stomach-contents. Many of those examined have been kindly sent to me by taxidermists, to whom the birds had been sent or brought to be set up. 1. Nature of the Food. — An examination of the stomach- contents shows that the whole of the food consists of animal matter. Specimens have been examined in all the months of the year excepting May, June, and December. 1921.] Economic Status of the Kingfisher. 145 Unfortunately, I have not been able to obtain any birds feeding on river estuaries or near to the coast. Analysis shows that of the total bulk of food consumed, fish of various kinds forms the major portion, viz., 63-5 per cent. ; injurious insects, either adult or in their larval con- dition, form the next largest item, viz., 16-5 per cent., neutral insects constitute 6*0 per cent., molluscs 4*0 per * cent., tadpoles and Crustacea each 3*5 per cent., Avorms 1'5 per cent., and miscellaneous animal matter 1'5 per cent. Only two items call for s[)ecial remark, viz., the fish and the injurious insects. A reference to Table II. showing the monthly percentages shows that fish-remains were present in the stomachs collected in every month ; the highest pei'centage was taken Table II. — Showing the monthly percentages of the food items of the adult Kiniifisher. Jan. Feb. Moll. Apl. May June . July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Averages. Fish 80-5 75-0 63-5 41-5 ... 49-5 54-5 59-5 G7-0 80-5 ... 63-5 Tadpoles . ' Molluscs . 2-5 3'5 4-0 8-0 2-5 12-5 ... 1-5 ... 0-5 2-5 1-0 4-5 G-5 7-5 4-5 ... 3-5 4-0 Injurious Insects . 8-5 10-5 16-5 27-5 ... 22-0 22-0 20-0 1.3-5 8-0 ... lG-5 Neutral 'Insects . 1-0 3-0 4-5 11-5 ... 10-5 9-0 G-5 5-5 2-5 ... G-0 Crustacea . G-0 3'5 2-0 2-5 ... 4-0 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-0 ... 3-5 Worms ... •5 "5 1-5 1-0 ... 2-5 3-5 1-5 1-5 1-0 ... 1-5 Miscell. ... 1-0 1-5 2-0 ... 2-5 2-0 2-5, 1-5 •5 ... 1-5 Totals . . . 100-0 100-0 100-0 100-0 ... 100-0 100-0 100-0 100-0 100-0 ... 100-0 irj November and January, 80"5 per cent, in each month, and the lowest percentage in April, 41 "5 per cent. It is significant that in the months when there are no fry or ova about, the percentage stands the highest ; thus we have 75'0 per cent, in February, 67*0 per cent, in October, G3'0 per cent, in March, 595 per cent, in September, and 54"5 per cent, in August. SEK. XI. VOL. III. L 146 Dr. W. E. Collinge on the [Ibis, Tadpoles or very young frogs were present during five months, and tlie remaining food items occurred in each month. The liighest percentage of injurious insects was found in April, viz., 27*5 per cent., and the lowest', 8'0 per cent., in Novem])er. L^rom observations made in the open this item Avas thought to be considerable, but the large j)ercentage found from February to October was somewhat surprising. Tlie species consist very largely of those that are classed as injurious because, either in their adult or larval condition, they feed upon fish ova and the fry, such for instance as the Dragon-fly (^^scfina cyanea Miill.), and all the species of Coleoptera. Table III. shows the different percentages side by side of the food items obtained from the stomach-contents and the nest-contents and pellets, and the averages. Table III. — Showing percentages and averages of the different food items found in (i.) the nest-contents, (ii.) the pellets, and (iii.) the stomachs. Nest Food item. ^ , ' , Pellets. Stomachs. Averages. Fish 59-5 59-0 63-5 60-67 Tadpoles 4-0 Molluscs 5'5 Injurious Insects 15"5 Neutral Insects 4*5 Crustacea ., 6-5 Worms 1"5 5-5 3-5 4-33 5-0 4-0 4-83 15-0 ir.-5 15-66 5-0 0-0 5-16 G-0 3-5 5-33 1-5 1-5 1-50 Miscellaneous 3-0 3-0 1-5 2-50 Totals 100-0 100-0 100-0 99-98 Of the various species of fish four only could be identified. The minnow forms the chief item, totalli)ig 390 per cent, of the total fish-content, the stickleback approaches this very closely with 32"0 per cent., then we have 15 0 per cent, of gudgeon and 13'0 per cent, of trout ; the unidentifiable fish- remains were 1*0 per cent. 1 92 1 . ] Economic Status of the Kingfisher. 147 In view of all that lias l)een laid to the charge of this bird, and especially its destruction of trout, the figures here given are worthy of very careful consideration. Moreover, it is important to note that in none of tlie stomachs was any trace of fish ova found. Text.fig. 2. /A \: TROUT Ao f \f\ 1 INJURIOUS INSECTS. 15-66 K } 1 {IIIIIIIIMlMI 1 100 NEUTKAL FISHES. 33-33 The portion shaded by longitudinal lii'es represents food that it is beneticial the bird should eat ; that stippled, food that it is injurious it should eat ; and the blank portions food of a neutral nature. Summarizing these figures, we find that 77'04 per cent, of the food is of a neutral nature, 15-6G per cent, is beneficial, and only 7*28 per cent, injurious (text-fig. 2). If the estimate were taken upon only a local record, the injuries might possibly be shown to be greater, but estimated l2 148 Dr. W. E. Collinge on the [Ibis, upon tlie records from a number of districts there can be no doubt as to the economic status of this bird. The benefits it confers are twice as great as the injuries it inflicts, whilst the bulk of its food is of a neutral nature. 2. Classified List of the I< Anipliibia. Tadpoles and younu- frogs. Fishes. Miunow. Stickleback. Gudgeon. Trout. Mollusca. Linmaa sfai/7i(ihs Linn. palustris Miili. auricularia Linn. percijra Mull. IHanorhis sp. Crustacea. Cr&y^&h {AstacuspalUpeshQi'tib.). Freshwater Shrimp {Gtiviinarus index Linn.). Tnsecta. Hemiptera. Water Boatman {Nutonecta ylauca Linn.). Plectoptera. Mayfly {Ephemera vulyata Linn.). Odonata. Drag'ou-fiy {Aischiia cyaiiea Miill.). Neuroptera. Alder-fiy (Sialis Iiitarius Linn.). 'uod. Coleoptera. Large Water Beetle {I)ytincHs marginalis Linn.). Great Water Beetle {Hydro- pliilus piceus Linn.). Small Water Beetle {Hydro- /ji'us fuscipes Linn.). Whirligig Beetle (Gyrimis ncdator Scop.). Trichoptera. Caddis-Hies, various species. Lepidoptera. Noctuid larvse. Diptera. liiver Sand-fly (Sinudh/m sp.). riarlequin-fl}' ( Chironomns spp.). Pliiintom LarvfB (Coret/tra jdiimicorn is Fabr . ) . Gnat (Cule.v 7ie})iorosi(s Mg.). Annelida. Oligochfeta. Earth worm (Lumhricus sp.) and cocoons. Red-worms ( Tubifex rivu- lonnn Miill.). Ilirudinea. Small Pond Leech {Nephdis vulyaris Linn.). VI, Sumniarij and Conclusion. An examination of the contents of one hundred and twenty nests, fii'ty-three pellets, and the stomach-contents of twenty- seven Kingfishers, shows tliat the bulk of this bird's food consists of (ish. 1 92 1.] Economic status of tJie Kingfisher. 149 The species which go to form the total of 60'67 i)er cent, consist almost entirely of neutral species, 7'28 per cent, only consisting of trout. The highest percentage of fish is consumed in the raontlis of October, November, January^ February, and ]\Iarch, and the lowest in April. Insects, most of which are injurious to trout, constitute 15'66 per cent, of the total bulk of food, and tlie highest percentage is taken iu the spring (March, April, and June), so that much of this material consists of voracious larvpe, most of which occasion a large amount of damage to fish ova and fry. Only 5'33 per cent, of Crustacea are taken, most of which are referable to Gammarus pulex, wiiich species I. am informed attacks the eggs of fishes. The consumption of worms and molluscs is only small. A summary of the percentages of the various food items shows that 77*4 per cent, of tlie food is of a neutral nature, 15"66 per cent, is beneficial, and only 7'28 [)er cent, is injurious. It is obvious, after considering the results obtained in this investigation, tliat the pisciculturist is grossly mistaken as to the economii; position of the Kingfisher, and that despite the small percentage of trout that it destroys, it is really a very beneficial bird iu that it destroys a much larger percentage of acknowledged enemies. Moreover, tlie little damage it occasions is not altogether beyond prevention. In view of these results it is sincerely to be hoped that very strict and rigorous protection will be afforded this bird for the future. A clause in any new Act of Parliament affecting wild birds, making it an offence to stuff or set up specimens of the Kingfisher, excepting under a permit, would certainly tend to reduce the present senseless destruction. 150 Obituary. [Ibis, Bibliography . 1. BuTLEB, A. G. — British Birds, with tlieir Nests and Eggs. London, 189G : vols, i.-vi. 2. Cocss, A. H. — " Destruction of Kingfishers." The Zoologist, (3) vol. XV. 1891, p. 154. 3. CoLLiNGE, Walter E. — "On the Value of the Different Methods of Estimating the Stomach Contents of Wild Birds." Scot. Nat. 1918, pp. 103-1 OS, 2 figs. 4. EoRBusii, E, H. — Useful Birds and their Protection. Boston, 1907, pp. XX + 437 ; Ivi pis. & 171 figs. 5. JouRDAix, F. C. E., & WiTUEKBY, H. F.— " Tlie Effect of the Winter of 1916-1917 on our Resident Birds." Brit. Birds, vol. xi. 1918, pp. 266-271 ; vol. xii. pp. 26-35. 6. Keee, Helen M. Eait. — " Field Notes on the Kingfisher." Ibid. pp. 36-38. 7. Maso.x, C. W.— "The Food of Birds in India." Mem. Dept. ^gric. India, Entom. Ser., 1912, vol. iii. pp. 1-371. 8. Newsteau, R. — "The Food of Some British Birds." Suppl. Journ. Bd. Agric. vol. xv. 1908, pp. viii + 57. 9. Rowan, AV. — "Notes on the Kingfisher {Alcedo ispida).'' Brit. Birds, vol. xi. 1918, pp. 218-225. 10. Yarbell, William. — A History of British Birds. London, vols, i.-iv., 1871-1874. YUl.— Obiluary. Sir John Arthur Brooke, Bt. Sir Jolin Arthur Brooke of. Feuay Hall, Huddersfield, Yorks, who died on 12 July last, was a prominent mau of business in the north and a Director of Messrs. John Brooke & Sous, Limited, worsted manufacturers, Hud- ders field. Sir John Brooke was born in 1844, and was the fourth son of the late Thomas Brooke. He was educated at Repton and Oriel College, Oxford, graduated B.A. in 1865, and was created a Baronet in 1919. His chief interests were in his business and in politics, and he \vas for many 1921.] Obituary. l5l years chairman o£ the Hucklersfield Conservative Association. He was elected a member of the Union in 1898^ but his interest in ornithology was purely that of an araatenr. He was a keen observer of bird-life^ and had made in his younger days a very fine collection of British Birds^ eggs. He was also a collector of books on all subjects relating to ornithology and natural history. George Wyman Bury. The ornithological exploration of south-western Arabia must always be associated with the name of Lieut. G. Wyman Bury, R.N.V.li., whose recent death at Helouan, near Cairo, at the age of 46, we regret to learn from the pages of the ' Times.' Bury was born at Mancetter Manor House in Warwick- shire, and was educated at Atherstone Grammar School and at Army crammers. In 1894 he received a commission in the 3id Batt. R. Warwick Regt. ; in the following year he was in southern Morocco with the rebel tribes. During the next six or seven years he was in the Aden hinterland and other parts of southern Arabia, making archaeological and zoological investigations and acquiring a wonderful knowledge of the Arab tribes. He was political officer at Aden in 1903-4. On the outbreak of the war he joined the Intelligence Staff on the Egyptian front, and later on was attached to the Red Sea Patrol. His first ornithological collections were made in 1899 -1900, when he was attached to the expedition under the leadershij) of Messrs. W. Dodson and A. B. Percivalfor the exploration of the hinterland of Aden, the results of which were worked out by Mr. Ogil vie- Grant and published in ' Novitates Zoo- logicse^ (vol. vii. 1900, pp. 243-266). Further collections of birds were made l)y him in the following year when attached to an Austrian expedition which visited south-eastern Arabia for archa3ological investigation. Tlie account of the birds then collected was published in the ' Journ. filr Ornithologie ' of 1901 by Messrs. L. von Lorentz and C. E. Hellmayr. 152 Obiiuary. [Ibis, In 1905 Mr. Bury, at the instigation and with the assistance of Mr. Ogilvie-Grant, made a collecting expedition to Soraali- land, but was unable on account of political difficulties to reach tlie high ranges behind Cape Guardafui as he had intended. The Somaliland collection was worked out by Mr. Bannerman (' Ibis,' 1910, p. 291). Finally, in 1912-13 Mr. Bury explored the Yemen country of south-east Arabia, never previously visited by an ornithologist and even by very {q'n Europeans. The collection of birds was worked out by Mr. W. L. Sclater (' Ibis/ 1917, pp. 129-186). Mr. Bury published an amusing account of his travels in Yemen under the title ' Arabia Infelix ' in 1915. He was also the author of ' The Land of Uz,' 1911, and 'Pan-Islam.' He leaves a widow but no children. He was never a Member of the Union. William Dutcher. From the last number of the 'Auk' we learn tliat Mr. Wm. Dutcher, President of the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals, died on the 1st of July at his home in Chevy Chase, near Washington, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. To Mr. Dutcher, more than any other individual, is due the present interest in wild bird conservation in America, the organization and (leveloj)ment of the National Association of Audubon Societies, of which he was President from the time of its conception until his death, and the manifold activities which have grown out of this organization. In his young days Mr. Dutcher was an active field-student, working in Long Island, and he published many important papers on the birds of that region, l)esides forming a valuable collection, which is now at New York in the American Museum of Natural History. Later on he was elected Chairnuin of the A. O. U. Committee on Bird-Protection, the work of which was eventually taken over by the National Association of the Audubon Societies. This great institution is the federal bond linking together 1 92 1.] Obituary. 153 tiie Auduljoii Societies in eaeli State of the Uiiion^ and is besides, tlirougli the energy and enthusiasm of its President, possessed of amjjle means, which are devoted to the main- tenance of special bird-reserves, to work among the schools and school-children, and to jjropaganda and the guiding of the legislatures in the various States of the Union in regard to the protection and conservation of wild life. Mi'.Dutcher was a Fellow of the American Ornithologists' Union and a 3Iember of their Council. Robert Etheridge. Mr. Robert Etheridge, the son of the distinguished geologist and paheontologist of the same name, died after a short attack of pneumonia at Colo Vale, near Sydney, on the 4th of January of last year. He was elected a Member of the Union in 1914. Born in 1847 in England, he early took up geological work in Australia in the middle sixties. He returned to England and was for a short time, together with his father, on the staff of the Geological Department of the Natural History Museum. In 1887 he went back to Australia as palsecnto- logist to the Geological Survey of New South Wales and to the Australian Museum at Sydney, of which latter institution he subsequently became Director. His scientific work and publications were, we believe, entirely concerned with geology and [)ahcontology, and his interest in ornithology was purely that of an amateur. John Gerrard. John Gerrard, F.G.S., M.B.O.U., who died at the age of 70 at his residence at Worsley, Lancashire, on 28 July last, was born at Ince Hall in the heart of the Lancashire colliery district, and inherited from his father, a mining engineer, some of the gifts which proved so useful during his long life of practical experiment and investigation. He was educated at Wigan Grammar School, and entered the service first of the Ince Hall and then of the St. Helens 154 Obituary. [Ibis, collieries, but at the age of 23 lie was appointed an Assistant Inspector of Mines. In 1893 lie became Chief Inspector for the Manchester and Irish areas, and held this post until 1914. Perhaps his most important scientific work was his investigation of the causes of coal-dust explosions ; after the terrible explosion at the Pretoria pit he was amongst the first who descended to the rescue. His interests, however, were not confined to engineering or geology, although he was one of the leading geologists in the North. He was keenly interested in ornithology and certain branches of entomology, and during trips to the west coast of Scotland, the Orkney, Shetland, and Faroe Islands, he accumulated interesting collections of birds and eggs, which, through the kindness of his sister. Miss E. M. Gerrard; have found a home in the Wigan Mining and Technical College. He supported any move- ment which he considered would further science; thus he was a member of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, and for many years served on the Committee of the Manchester Museum. He was elected a member of the British Orni- thologists' Union in 1892. He was always genial, always sympathetic, and his advice when sought was willingly given and sound. — T. A. C. Charles William Sheppard. We regret to have to record the death on the 20th of September last of one of the oldest Members of the Union — the Rev. Chas. William Sheppard — at the age of 84. He was elected a Member of the Union in 1863, Canon Tristram being his projjoser. He had been rector of Trottescliffe, near Maidstone, in Kent since 1875. Mr. Sheppard was born at Trottescliffe Rectory in 1838, where his father, the Rev. Edward John Sheppard, was rector before him from 1827 to 1875 ; so that father and sou held the same benefice for over 90 years. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School (then in Thames Street) and also at Charterhouse, and subsequently at Trinity College, 1 92 1.] Obituary. 155 Cambridge, where lie took his degree of B.A. in 1861 and M.A. in 1864. He was ordained in 1870, and acted as his fatiier's curate for four years before succeeding him in the living which was his only cure. His interest in Natural History was very considerable, and in his younger days, accompanied by Mr. Upclier and the late Mr. G. G. Fowler, of Gunton Hall, who was for many years a Member of the Union, he made an excursion to Iceland, and visited the north-western peninsula, a portion of the island not previously explored by any English traveller. The results of this visit, both ornithological and otherwise, are related in a little book, ' The North-west Peninsula of Iceland,' published in 1867 (see ' Ibis,' 1867, p. 239). Mr. Sheppard and Mr. Upcher subsequently accompanied Canon Tristram to Palestine in 1864-5, and the results of that expedition will be found recounted in the pages of ' The Ibis ' for 1865 and onwards, where Mr. Sheppard's name is often mentioned. The only other ornithological publication with which Mr. Sheppard's name is connected is ' Notes on the Birds of Kent/ published in 1907, in which he collaborated with Messrs. R. J, Balstou and E. Bartlett. Mr. Sheppard had a fine collection of Ducks, both British and foreign, the foundation of which was made during his visit to Iceland. Eor nearly half a. century he had been the father of his parish, and was greatly respected and beloved by all the people of his neighbourhood, though he was not perhaps so well known among the younger ornithologists of to-day as he deserved to be. Herbekt Huntington Smith. Mr. Smith, wlio met with his death through a railway accident on the 22nd of March, 1919, at Tuscaloosa, Alabanui, U.S.A.j v^'as Curator of the Alahama Museum of Natural History, and one of the earliest and most experienced of American field-naturalists. Between 1881 and 1886 Mr. Smith, accompanied by iiis 156 Rccenthj published Ornithological Works. [Ibis, wife, M'lio was liis constant companion and herself a first- rate collector, Avas in the vicinity of Cliapada and Cuyuba, in the Province o£ Matto Grosso in Brazil. The large collection of birds secured in that region is now divided between tlie British Museum and the American Museum o£ Natural History. In 1889 the Smiths collected in Mexico for Mr. Godman, who was then amassing material for the MUolo^na Centrali- Americana.' From 1890 to 1895 they were in the West Indies, in the interests of the West Indian Committee of the Royal Society and British Association. Later he collected in Colombia for the Carnegie Museum. Here, however, he became so seriously ill that he had to give up all further work in the Tropics. A sketch of his life by Dr. W. J. Holland will be found in ' Science ' (vol. xlix. 1919, pp. 481-483). IX. — Notices of recent Ornitliological Publications. Cory's Catalogue of American Birds. [Catalogue of Birds of the Americas and the adjacent Islands in the Field Museum of Naturid History. By Charles B. Cory. Pt. ii. nj. 2. Families Trogonidfe, Cuculidse, Capitonidc-E, Rhamphastidse, Galbulidse, Bucconidfe, and Picidas. Pp. 317-607, 1 col. pi. Field Museum of Natural History Publication no. 203, Zool. ser. vol. xiii. Chicago, U.S.A., Dec. 31,1919.] The second part of Mr. Cory's Catalogue of the Birds of the Americas contains the lists of the species of the remaining families of Picarian birds left over from Part I. published in 1918 and reviewed in ' The Ibis ' (1918, p. 500). The present part follows the lines of the previous one, and contains descriptions of all those species not mentioned in the Cata- logue of the Birds in the British Museum or in Ridgway's ' Birds of North and Middle America.' We are very glad to see a great improvement in the proof-reading, and have hardly noticed any of the misprints which disfigured the first part. 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 157 We have found (lescriptions of about seven new species and subspecies in tlie text, and it would be a great convenience to woi'kers if a list of these were printed in the introduction. They are as follows : — Coccyzns mimv caymaneusis (dayman Ts,, W.L, Nystulus niaculatns nuc/uilis Ceara, Brazil, Soroplex campestris cear. 0. Club, published Nov. 30, 1918 ; Hellmayr renamed it Corvus brachycercus in his Miscel. Orn. iv., published June 1919. In the ninth paper on our list Dr. Hellmayr criticises three recently published check-lists of European birds : our own B. O. U. list, to which he gives a good deal of praise ; that of Rsichenow and Hesse (published in the ' Journal fiir Ornithologie ' for 1916) of German birds, which meets with scant approval as being reactionary ; and, finally, a Swiss list, published at Berne in 1915 and compiled by Th. Studer and G. von Burg, '^i'he 13th item on the list is Dr. Hellmayr's own contribution to the check-lists, and a comparison of the names used by him in his Bavarian list with those of the B. O. U. list shows that thei-e are but ^ew points of disajireement between them. 192 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 159 Hhigstori's Himalayan observations. [A Naturalist in Himalaya. j5j R \V. G. Hingston, M.C., M.B., I.M.S. Pp. xii+300; 24 illustr. ; 1 map. London (Witlierby), 1920. 8vo.] Captain Kingston is a close observer of nature, and has had the good fortune to be stationed in an interesting and little-knowu vallej' of the Himalayan range. This valley, the British territory of Hazara, runs in the form of a wedge between the native state of Kashmir and the territory of the independent Afghan tribes of the Black Mountain. Our previous knowledge of the birds of this area is due to the late Major C. H. T. Whitehead, who spent a short time at Kagan, in the upper part of the district, and contributed a few notes on liis visit to ' The Ibis ' and 'Journal of the liombay Natural History Society.' Through Hazara apparently a big stream of migration passes in spring and autumn, ami it is to Ije regretted, from the point of view of readers of this Journal, that Captain Hingston did not pay as much attention to birds as he did to ants and spiders. True, he gives us a good picture of the local migration from the plains of the Punjab to the lower valleys and hills of Hazara, but this is only a general sketch with practically no details. Like iiiany of us, Captain Hingston has been fascinated by the soaring of birds, and has made a special study of it. His remarks on the soaring of the Common Kite, or was it not rather Milvus melanotis, which take up nearly the whole oC the single chapter on " Ornithological Observa- tions," will be read with interest. The book is illustrated with a number of good photographs, including one of a male Paradise i^'lycatcher in fully-adult plumage. Howard on Bird Territories. [Territory in Bird-Life. By IL Eliot Howard. Witli illustrations by G. E. Lodge and H. GriJnvold. Pp. xiv-|-.j08 ; 11 illustr. ; 2 plans. London (Murray), 1920. 8vo. Price 21s.] Most of our readei's will remember Mr, Howard's beautiful 160 Recently published OmUliological Works. [Ibis, book on the Eritisli Warblers and of tlie theory wliicli lie first promulgated in that work of bird-territories and of the great importance of exclusive possession of a tract of land in bird-life. In this new work he has developed his views, and he endeavours to prove that the struggles and battles of male birds in spring are due, not so much to contention for the possession of mates as for the possession of tracts of land or estates to provide hunting-grounds from which to secure food for the young brood. This new volume is of great interest, and if the author's conclusions are correct has a most important bearing on many biological problems. We hope to present to our readers a more extended and critical notice of it in the next number of ' The Ibis.' Laubmann on the Kingfishe7\ [Beitriige ziu- Keinitnis des Formenlireises Alcedo atthis. Von Dr. A. Laubmann. Arch. Naturges. Berlin, vol. 84, pt. A, 19:^0, pp. 43-82.] Dr. Laubniann's paper deals with the subspecies of the bird which we have hitherto called Alcedo ispida ; but owing to the fact that Linnaeus described the Egyptian Kingfisher six pages before the familiar A. ispida under the title of Graculn attliis, the latter name must become the specific name of our familiar British bird. As, however, the British bird is subspecifically distinct from the Egyptian, we can retain the name Alcedo atthis ispida for our own form. Dr. Laubmann has added another terror to systematic ornithology by making use of four names instead of three, and that something which comes between the species and the subspecies he calls a " formengruppe." According to this system our bird becomes Alcedo atthis atthis ispida, the Egyptian A. attliis atthis atthis, and together with several other subspecies makes up the " formengruppe " Alcedo atthis attliis, while another "formengruppe^'' is made up of three Moluccan subspecies and is termed Alcedo atthis hispidoides. The subspecific races as revised by Hartert numbered four; 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. IGl to tliese Dr. Laubmaiin has added four more, two of which {A. a. corsicana and A. a. formosana from Corsica and Formosa respectively) are new. In addition, some five intermediate races are separately listed which have to be designated l)y no fewer than five names, i. e. Alcedo atthis atthis at this ispida, an intermediate race between that of northern Euroj)e and Corsica which occurs in northern Italy. We fear Dr. Laubmann's quadrinomial system is too heavy a burden for the already harassed ornithologist to carry, and we sliali be interested to see whether it is adopted, even among the more advanced systematists. The paper contains a good historical levievv of the King- fisher's systematic liistoiy, and paragraphs on individual and geograpliical variation and on the phylogeny of the group. Lonnherg on the Birds of Juan Fernandez and Easter Islands. [The Birds of the Juan Fernandez Islands and Notes on Birds from Easter Island. By Prof. Dr. Einar Lomiberg. Extracted from ' The Natural History of .luan Fernandez and Easter Island,' edited by Dr. Carl Skottsberg. Vol. iii. : pp. 1-24 (separately paged).] This is an account of the birds collected during the Swedish Pacific Expedition in 191G-17 under the direction of Dr. Carl Skottsberg. Mr. Kare Backstrom was the zoologist of the expedition, and has furnished some interesting notes and observations on the birds obtained. The Juan Fernandez Islands are two in number — Masa- tierra and Masafuera, the former being the island always associated with Defoe's ' Robinson Crusoe.' They are over 100 miles apart, and lie in the southern Pacific, some 400 miles from the coast of Chile. There are eight species of indigenous land-birds out of a total bird population of about 30 species. These are all listed by Dr. Liiuuberg with some interesting comments on their status and habits. Cinclodes oustaleti baeckstroemii and Fterodroma cooki masafuera are described as new, and a photograph of the nest of the indigenous and peculiar Ilumming-bird [Eustephanus fernan- densis) taken by Dr. Skottsberg is reproduced. SER. XI. VOL III- M 162 Recently published Ornithological Works. [Ibis, The expedition stayed on Easter Island only a short time, and the collections thence are not so complete. There are said to be twelve species inhabiting the island. Of these, examples of six were obtained, all sea birds. Procelsterna caerulea shottsbergii and Pterodioma lieraldica paschte are described as new. It is interesting to note that the holy bird o£ the Easter Islands, about which Mrs. Routledge has written (' The Mystery of Easter Island/ London, 1919) and which is called locally '-JManntara,^^ is identified by Mr. Bixckstroin as Sterna lanata Peale, while Mrs. Routledge believes it to be tliC Dusky Tern, Anous stolidus unicohr. McClymont''s Ornithological Essays. [Essa_Ys on early Ornithology and kindred subjects. By James Pt. McClymont. Pp. 1-34; 3 plates. London (Quaritch), 1920. Sm. 4to.] In this little work Mr. McClymont endeavours to identify the birds mentioned 'in some of the old travellers' narratives, a fascinating task, though often difficult to bring to a satisfactory conclusion. His first attempt is to identify Marco Polo's " Rukh/' a bird said to liave an expanse of wing of thirty paces. This he frankly gives up in despair. The birds met with during the first voyage of Vasco da Gama to India are perhaps less fanciful. Penguins still exist on the coasts of South Africa in very^ considerable numbers, as well as seals or, rather, sea-lions (Arctocephalus pusiUus), though the latter are stated by our author to be no longer denizens of those regions. A reference to the volume on Mammals in the 'Fauna of South Africa' would have put this matter right. Other essays deal with the early voyages to the Banda or Spice Islands and to Western Australia and New Zealand. We would suggest that the diving bird '•' plongeon," met with by Crozet on the island, since named Marion Island, in the southern Indian Ocean, is the Diving Petrel, Pele- canoides exul, a species which is very abundant in those waters. 1 92 1.] Recently published Oi-nithological Works. 163 rt is interesting to find that tlie earliest use of the name Emu in English occurs in ' Pnrchas his pilgrimes,' where the bird is stated to occur on Banda Island in tlie Molucca group. The bird referred to was probably a Cassowary^ which had been brought to Banda from Ceram. Skeat and the New English Dictionary state that Enie or ]*]nia (whence Emu) is a Portuguese word for an Ostrich or Crane, but Mr. McClymont believes that the derivation is from ^' neama," an Arabic name for the Cassowary, distorted by the Portuguese into " uma ema " and thence into Emu. The volume is illustrated by three well-produced ))lates in black and white, and is a beautiful example (jf book- making. Mathews on Australian Birds. [The Birds of Australia. By Gregory M. Matliews. Vol. viii. pts. 3 & 4, pp. 14r)-24, pis. 382-394. Loudon (Witlierby), Aug. & Oct. 1920. 4to.] In these two parts Mr. Mathews continues his account of the Muscicapidte with the genera Ethelornis, Fseudo- gerygune, Ireclideornis, FwciJodryas, Tregellasia, Kemjjiella, PachycephaJa, and Lewinornis. This family has always been a source of troul)le, as it has sonu'times been included in the Turdidie, while certain genera have been referred to the Laniid^e, as for instance Pachycephala. Ethelornis was formed by Mr. Mathews to contain most of Sharpens species of Fseudogerygune ; they are compara- tively large-billed, and all the nine members are of modest coloration. They are largely found in mangrove-swamps, but the habits of the various forms, both in this genus and its nearest neighbours, are but little known, except in the aggregate. Two subspecies are recognised. E. cairnsensis is now raised to specific rank; it is hrannei- pectus of Sharpe, from Australia, but not New Guinea. Here again there are two subspecies, one [robini) being new. E. tenebrusHs has three subsijccies, of which one (^ivhitlocki) was formerly referred in error by Mr. ^lathews to M 2 164 Recently published Ornithological Works. [Ibis, magnirusfris. E. chlorunotns lias also three subspecies, E. lavigaster is restricted to the iiortli-west and Northern Territory west of the Roper River, cantator, mould, and mastersi being now considered full species. E. Icsvigaster has two new subspecies out of four, while mastersi has a couple and cantator has one that is new. E.fuscus proving to be the same as E. cuHcivorus, both of Gould, the former name has priority, and six subspecies are admitted. The yellow-breasted, black-throated Pseudogen/go7ie palpe- brosa is allowed to stand in a separate genus, with three Australian and two New Guiiiean subspecies — on considera- tions of colour. Very different is that fine bird, Iredaleorms cinereifrons, of the Cardwell district, which has a near ally {ariniti) in Papua. The P/rcilodn/as series is divided, and Leucophanes is kept ; while Plcsiodryas is founded as a uew genus for Megalestes of Salvador], Papualestes for Myiolestes cyanus of that author, Gennceodryas for Eopsaltria placens of Ramsaj^, not to mention Tregellasia and other forms. Poccilodryas superciliosa has two subspecies, P. ccrvini- ventris four, I'regellasia capita three, T. leucops two, but the type-species is exti-alimital. It will be remembered that the name Kempiella kempi was bestowed in 1913 by the author on a new bird from Cape York, of which little is yet known. The Thickheads are nn interesting series of Australian forms, well known for their fine songs and lively coloration. Three species are recognised of the yeilow-l)reasted forms, Pactiycephala pcctoralis, P. robusta, and P. metanura with eleven, six, and two subspecies respectively, of which P. r. intercedens is new, as are P. p. betthiytoni. myponga^ and interjecta. The Rufous-bieasted Thickhead is still called Lennnornis, and L. rufiventris has several subspecies, which will be tabulated in the next j)art. Since AYatling in his drawings figured P. pectoralis and Latham described it, there has been teri'ible confusion in I921.] Recently jmhlisJied Ornithological Works. 1G5 the genus, as will be seen by reading p. 21G ; while Mr. Mathews will doubtless wish us to emphasize his regrouping, which has the coloration of the female as a distinctive feature. Mullens, Stcann, and Jourdain's Bibliograptiy. [A Geographical Bibliography of British Ornithology from the earliest times to the and of 1918, arranged under counties. By W. H. Mullens, II. Kirke Swann, and IJev. F. C. R. Jourdain. Pts. 4-6, pp. 289-558 (completed). London (Witherby), 1920. 8vo.] On the conclusion of tliis most useful piece of work, for which ail British ornithologists must feel grateful to the authors, it is our pleasant duty to congratulate them on its completeness and accuracy. We have been carefully through the pages, and find little to suggest in the way of alteration, should a second impression be called for. We do not like the abbreviation " s " for " shire." as Banffs foi- Banffshire, especially as it is not used consistently. The omission of "Co" in many Irish records would [)()ssibly have been an equal saving in printing ; but this is a small nuitter. A very important point is the collection of records from newspapers, such as 'The Field/ and from small local periodicals ; here workers will be saved an enormous amount of trouble in hunting through the annual files. It is to be hoped that all readers will send a note to the authors of any omission ; as a supplement, if not a new edition, is sure to be the outcome of this compiehensive work. So far we have noticed no such omissions. Oyilvie on British Birds. [Field observations on British Birds. By a Sportsman Naturalist (the late Fergus Menteitli Ogilvie, M.A., M.B., etc.). Edited by Henry Balfour, M.A., with a foreword by Mrs. John Massie. I*]). Avi + 228 ; t) pis. ; portr. ; o maps & 14 text-ijgs. London (Selwyn & Blount), 1920. 8vo.] It is not necessary to read more than Number 1 — "On some of the commoner Wading Birds " — of the eight sections into which this book is divided to realize that Mr. Ogilvie 166 Recently published Ornithological Works. [Ibis, was a remarkal)ly close and accurate observer of bird-life, and that lie was able to record his observations in a delight- fully simple and charming manner. JNIany interesting accounts are given of a variety of birds — the Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, Norfolk Plover. Nightjar, Stoneeliat, SliDrt-eared Owl, and several Aecipiti-ine l)irds are a few concerning which the author sup|)lies information, gathered in every case at first hand. His essay on the Snipe is a really valuable contribution to ornithology ; no fewer than thirty-three p;iges are devoted to this species, and not one line is dull reading. In his essay on the Grey Partridge, Mr. Ogilvie pays a well-deserved compliment to Mr. Ogdvie-Grant as being the first authority to point out the plumage differences of the male and female Partridge, finally exploding the old incorrec^t theory, still so often held by sj)ort!smen, that the male bird alone has a horseshoe on its breast. Mr. Ogilvie lully bears out Mr. Ogilvie-Grant^s deductions, and cor- roboration from so careful a source is always welcome. Both the Grey and the French Red-legged Partridge are dealt with in this ariicle^ which may be strongly recom- mended to future monographers of the birds in question. It is worthy of note that Mr. Ogilvie puts forward a strong plea on behalf ot the " Frenchman," and anyone who has shot these sporting birds will surely endorse his views. A chapter of peculiar economic interest, both to sportsmen and agriculturists, contains the results of the author's in- vestigations into the food of the three Scotch game-birds — the lied (j rouse, the Blackcock, and the Ptarmigan, and, incidentally, of the Cuckoo ; while in a later chapter the food of some of our commoner Falconidae is discussed. Attention is drawn to the desirability ,of altering, by Act of Parliament, the opening date when Black Game may be shot from the 20th of August to the 1st of October, and correspondingly the close (season commencing on the 1st of February instead of the 10th of December, as is at present the ease — a change which from every point of view seems advisable. 1921.] liecenthj puhlislied Ornithological Works. 167 Mr. Ogilvie's views ou the Wild Birds Protection Act and the anomalies which he cites may be commended to the Standing Committee recently chosen to advise the Home Secretary on this controversial subject. x\ delightful description of Mr. Ogilvie^s first meeting with procession ary caterpillars [Onethocampa pityocampa) in southern France, though hardly within the scope of this review, serves to show that he Avas a natur;dist whose interests were not cramped within the narrow limits of a collector's horizon. In his chapter on Wild Geese we would specially draw attention to plates iv. and v., depicting the colours of the soft ])arts of Arise?' cinereus and A. albifrons, from coloured drawings done by the author immediate!}^ after death ; the colouring there produced is admittedly different from plates usually accepted as correctly portraying the soft parts (not excepting Alplieraky's celebrated work). Mr. Ogilvie's remarks on this subject are well worthy of careful study. That Ogilvie was a keen collector is perhaps to put it too mildly, and in this connection his carefidly considered remarks on pp. 12 and 13 on the shooting or collecting of rare wanderers will provide food for reflection and some for criticism; but it must be remembered that Ogilvie made exceptionally good use of every rare bird he shot, and judged from his own standpoint, his arguments are perfectly sound. No finer working series of British Birds has ever been made, as the reviewer can testify from personal examination of the Ogilvie Collection in the British Museum. In a book in which accuracy seems to be the keynote, it seems a pity that the Latin names occasionally employed should not, in a number of cases, have been brought up to date : for instance, on p. 107, out of four of the scientific names there mentioned, three are incorrect according to modern nomenelatural methods. An editorial note to this effedt would liave been a simple matter. Perhaps the editor has long since gi^en up attempting to march with the constant changes in nomenclature to which we are subjected. 168 Recenthj imblished Ornithological Works. [Ibis, The B. O.U. List of British Birds (1915) might, however, have been consulted witli advantage, if only for the sake of that uniformity whieh we are all striving to reach. At the time of liis death Ogilvie was engaged in writing an important ornithological work which will now, unfor- tuiiateiv; never be published. If iiis " Fiekl Observations on J^iitisli J?irds^^ are anything to judge by, ornithology has, by the author's untimely death, been robbed of an exceptionally valuable contribution, even in these days of accurate observers and accomplished writers. Ornithologists and sportsmen alike owe a debt of gratitude to Mr, Henry Balfour, who has edited this volume "as a tribute," we are told in the Preface, "to one whose death involved a great loss to ornithological science,'' how great a loss only those who read Mr. Ogilvie's book for themselves can properly appreciate. — D. A. B. Ritchie on the Iiiffuence of Man un Animals. [The lutlueiice of Man on Animal Life in Scotland : A study in faunal evolution. By James IJitcliie, M.A., etc. Pp. xvi+o50, many illustr., and 8 maps. Cambridge (Univ. Press). 1920. Laige 8vo.] This work is based on a series of lectures delivered by the author in Aberdeen in 1917, and deals at length with the effects produced by man and his manifold works on the various forms of animal life. The author endeavours to trace the ditterent ways in wliich man's power has worked and is working, and to realize to what degree a fauna of to-day owes its character and composition to his interference with nature. For the purpose of this study a fauna of a manageable compass «as necessary, and Scotland was found to be most suited to form a basis. An introduction deals with the arrival of man in Scotland, which did not take place till comparatively late, as the whole country appears to have been covered with an ice-sheet long after man inhabited the south of England, and the earliest S(!ots belonged to the Neo- lithic period of culture. Part I. deals with the deliberate iuterference by man with animal life under the headings 1921.1 Recently published Ornithological Works. 169 of domestication, destruction for safety, food or sport, protection, and the deliberate introduction of new animals. Part II. recounts man's indirect interference with animal life by the destruction of forest, the increase of cultivation, and other minor factors. As regards birds, the author traces the history of the Domestic Pigeon in Scotland, and also of two ancient Scottish breeds of fowls, the Dumpy and tlie Scots Grey. The history of the destruction of tiie larger birds of prey and the Great Auk are told with considerable detail, and of the introduction and spread of the Pheasant and Caper- caillic ; the gradual extension of the range of the latter is illustrated by a map. The woik is written in charming style with many quota- tions fiom the okler Avriters and poets, and the illustrations are numei'ous and well chosen, and though it is on the larger mammals that the effects of man's influence has been mostly felt, it is remarkable how human civilization has affected even the less conspicuous and more humble forms of life. We can thoroughly recommend the book to ornithologists and otlieis as full of information and interest. RoblnsGii and Kloss on Sumatran Birds. [On a Collection of Birds fioai N.E. Suiuatra. lly J J. 'C. Robinson and C. Boden Kloss. Journ. Straits Brancli 11. Asiatic Soc. no. 80, 11)19, pp. 73-1 o3; 1 map.] In this paper Messrs. Robinsou and Kloss deal with a collection of birds made by a Dutch planter, Heer A. C. F. A. van Heyst, in the Deli district of north-eastern Sumatra. The country in which the collection was made ranges from the mangrove forest of the coast, tlirough the low-lying districts planted with tobacco, and thence to the central mountainous couutrv, rising to elevations of 4000 to 5000 feet, llepresentatives of 2VZ species were obtained and four new forms are described, namely — Macropygia rujiceps sumatranus, BracJiyloplms chlurolophus vanlieysti, Cyornis vanheysti, and Bachanga leucophcca batakensis. Four other species are recorded from Sumatra for the first time. A good 170 Recently publuhed Ormlhologkal Works. [Ibis, outliiie-ina|) shows very clearly the exact situation of each collecting-station. Stresemanri on the Birds of Macedonia. [Avifauna Macedonica. Die ornitliolooischen Ergebnisse der Kor.-ch- uno-sreisen unternommeu iiacli Alazedouieii durch Prof. Dr. Dofleiii und Prof. L. Miiller-Mainz in Ann Jahren 1917 imd 1918. Von Dr. Erwin Stresemann. Pp. xxiv + 270; G pis. Mlinclien (Diiltz), 1920. 8vo.] During the occupation of the greater part of Macedonia by the German forces a Survey Commission was formed for tlie zoological exploration of the country, which was up to that time hardly known. Some 3258 bird-skins, repre- senting 168 species and subspecies, were collected by Professors Uollein and Miiller during a period of about sixteen months in 1917 and 1918, and these were all deposited in the State Museum at Munich. A very full and complete report on these collections has been drawn up by Dr. Stresemann. Many of the species wore collected in long series of often over 50 specimens. This has enabled him in many cases to give detailed accounts of the development of the different plumages and of the moult. There are also paragraphs on individual and geographical variation, and on distribution and biology or habits in Macedonia, these last being compiled chiefly from Prof. Miiller's notes. A complete list of the specimens of all the species with Ming-measurements and other details is given, and the nomenclature is of the most adi^anced character. We notice only two new names — Galerida cristata muhlei uom. nov. pro G. c. ftrriiginea Miihle for the Crested Lark of Greece, and Budytes fiavus macronyx subsp. n. for the Yellow Wagtail of north-eastern Siberia; but several foruis mentioned in the account of the collection, such as Carduelis c. balcunica, Cettia cetti miilleri, Cinclus cinclus orientalis, Bryobutcs wujor balcanicus, Picas viridis dojleini, have been described as new m a previous publication. Following the description of the collections is a notice of other species recorded from Macedonia, and finally a complete systematic list of all the birds hitherto known Irom that country. 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 17 1 Four of the plates contiiiu pliotographic views of some of the localities where collections were formed, and on two others, illustrated l)y a graphic method, the variation of the wing-lengths of several forms. Wc must congratulate Dr. Stiest-mann on having acoom- '' plished a fine piece of work, which will be essential for all future students of the fauna of south-eastern Europe. Tdverner's recent papers on Canadian urnithuloyij. [Birds of ]']astern Canada. By P. A. Taverner. Canada, Geological Survey Memoir 104 (no. 3, l^iological series), pp. iv + 297; 49 col. pis., G8 text-ligs. Ottawa (Govt. Printer), 1919. 8vo.] [The Birds of tlie lied Deer River, x\lberta. By P. A. Taveruer. Auk, xxxvi. 1919, pp. 1-21, 248-205 ; 4 pis.] [Bird-houses and their Occupants. By P. A. Taverner. Ottawa Naturalist, xxxii. 1919, pp. 119-126.] [The Jiirds of Shoal Lake, Manitoba. Id., ibid, xxxii. pp. lo7-144, 157-104 ; xxxiii. pp. 12-20.] The first and most impcH'taut of Mr. Taverner^s publications is his handbook of the birds of eastern Canada. It contains a large amount of concise information packed into a com- paratively small com{)ass, and deals with 766 species of Canadian birds, all those likely to i)e met with in C-anada from the woodlands of the eastern half of IVTanitoba to the Atlantic coast. The species are emphasized at the expense of the subspecies, which are merely mentioned in a paragra])!!. Under each species is given the recognized English name, other vernacular names in use, the French-Canadian name, and the scientific name from the A. 0. U. Check-list. Tiien follow short [)aragraphs on distinctive characters, field-marks, nesting distribution, subspecies, and economic status. The coloured illustrations, two on each plate, are necessarily somewhat small, but are on the whole very successful, and will be found most useful for identification. They are prepared by Mr. Frank Hennessey, of Ottawa, and reflect great credit on the artist. In the first part of the work is a good key, based on that in Mr. Chapman's ' Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North 172 Recently published Ormthologicctl IVorks. [Ibis, America/ which will be of great lielp to the beginner. In fact, the book is essentially a popular one in the best sense of the word, and is just such a one as should be placed in the hands of any newcomer with ornithological tastes I arriving in Canada. The second publication has already been mentioned in our notice of the 'Auk/ in which it was published. The third paper gives directions and nseful hints for the constrnction and fixing-up of nesting-boxes^ especially for the Purple JNlartin {Frogne subis), for which a very elaborate construction resembling a pigeon-house is often built in America. The last pai)er deals with the avifauna of Shoal Lake, situated about 35 miles from Winnipeg, a favourite resort oL' many different kinds of water-birds and ducks which breed there in considerable numbers. 7 odd on new Colombian Birds. [Descriptions of apparently new Colombian Birds. ]5y W. Vu. Clyde Todd. Proc. Biol. Soc. NVashiugton, vol. 32, 1919, pp. 113-118.] Nineteen new forms are characterized, all with one exception obtained Ijy Mr. M. A. Carrikcr, jr., in dilferent parts of Colombia. The list of these will be found in the ' Zoological Record/ and it does not seem worth while repeating them here. It would appear that the ornitliological riches of the northern portion of the South American continent are even yet unexhausted, so constant is the stream of new species and sul)species still being described. Townsend and Wetmore on Pacific Island Birds. [Reports on tire scientific results of the expedition to the tropical Pacific in charge of Alexander Agassiz, on the U.S. Fish Commission steamer 'Albatross' from August 1899 to March 1900, Commander Jefferson F. Moser, U.S.N., commanding. XXI. The Birds. By Charles Haskins Townsend and Alexander Wetmore. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Cambridge, Mass., Ixiii. 1919, pp. 151-225.] The voyage of the 'Albatross' in the winter of 1899-1900, under the direction of the late Mr. Alexander Agassiz, was made for the purpose of studying the formation of coral-reefs 1 92 1.] Becently published Ornithological JVorks. 173 and making investigations in the marine fauna, especially of the deeper parts of the Pacific, and the collection of birds was quite a secondary consideration. Nevertheless, some 390 skins, 93 species and subspecies, were collected from 83 different islands ; and this report, though somewhat belated, is of considerable importance, and must be consulted by anyone interested in the Pacific avifauna. The land-birds, though few in number, have been subjected to isolation, and a study of their variation, due doubtless to this cause, is of very great interest. The first portion of the paper by Mr. Townsend, who accompanied the expedition, contains a journal of the islands visited, with remarks on their physical characters. The groups where collections were made included the Marquesas, Paumotu, Society, Tonga, Fiji, Gilbert, Caroline and Ladrone archipelagoes. The second half of the paper by Mr. A. Wetmore contains an annotated list of the sjiecies obtained, with a good many interesting remarks on taxonomy and classification, and descriptions of a certain number of new subspecies. Mr. Wetmore apj)ears to have been somewhat hampered in his determinations by the absence of sufficient material for comparison in the Museum at Washington, and in some cases his views by no means coincide with those of Mr. G. M. Mathews, especially in regard to the name of the E/ed- footed Booby, which he believes must retain Linna^us's name, Sula piscator. It is interesting to learn that on some of the Pacific Islands the Frigate-birds are domesticated, and used like Carrier Pigeons for carrying messages from one island to another. Wetmore on lead-poisoning in Ducks. [Lead-poisoning iu Water-fowl. By Alexander Wetmore. Wash- ington, D.C., U.S. Dept. Agr. Bull. no. 7i>3, 1919, pp. 1-12; 1 pi] Mr. Wetmore finds that in many parts of America, where duck-shooting is carried on on a large scale, the mud-fiats become full of shot, which are eaten in considerable quantities by the water-fowl, and cause a distinct sickness, the symptoms 174 Recently published Ornithological Works. [This, of wliicli lie describes. As lead is known to be an aborti- facient in the females of mammals, it is probably also so in birds, and some experiments confirming this have shown that lead has a powerful effect on the virility of domestic fowls. No suggestions for the alleviatiou of this trouble is pro- posed by Mr. Wetmore at the present time, but the cause and symptoms of the jioisoniiig are described in order to bring it under wider notice, in the hope that some method may be discovered iu the future of preventing this malady. JT'ood on the eye of the Burroiving Owl. [The eyes of the Burrowing Owl [S2)eoti/to cuniciilaria liypocicea], with special reference to the fundus oculi. By Casey A. Wood, M.D. Extr. from ' Contributions to Medical aud Biological research,' dedicated to Sir William Osier, in honour of his seventietli Ijirtliday, July 12, 1919, by his pupils and co-workers. Pp. 818-823 ; 1 col. pL] This short paper by Dr. Wood, who has made the special study of the avian eye (see 'Ibis,'' 1920, p. 306), shows that the structure of that organ of the Burrowing Owl is very distinctly adapted to nocturnal vision, aud that this is correlated with its habits which are distinctly nocturnal, though it is sometimes seen in daytime. The paper is illustrated with a beautiful coloured plate, showing the appearance of the eye when viewed with the oi)hthalmoscope. This was prepared from a drawing made by Mr. A. W. Head in the Zoological Gardens in London. As the paper aj)pears in a special volume of memoirs dedicated to Sir Wm. Osier, it is not likely to be seen by many ornithologists, and for this reason we have drawn special attention to it. Aquila. [Aquila : Periodical of Ornithology. Vols, xxi.-xxv. for the years 1914-1918. Ikidapest.] The annual volumes of 'Aquila,' the official journal of the central government office for ornithological studies in Hungary for the yeai's of the war, have recently reached us, and the troublous times do not appear to have diminished 192 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 175 the activity of the Hungarian ornitliologists, or to have re- stricted the publication of the results of their investigations. Otto Herman, the original editor and foinider of the organization, died on 27 December, 1914, and was suc- ceeded by Titus Csorgey for the 1915 volume; since then the responsible editor appears to be Stefan Chernel von Chernelhaza. The volumes are bilingual, in Magyar and German. Here we can do little more than indicate the principal contents. The 1914 volume has a sympathetic memoir on Dr. Herman, Avith a portrait and a bibliography of his published work. Tliere are papers on the osteology of the Occllated Turkey [Agriochoris ocellatd) by Dr. Shufeldt of Washington, on the morphology of the avian metacarpus and on some Pleistocene bird-bones by Dr. Lambrecht, Messrs. J. Schenk and K. Hegyfoky report on migration in Hungary during the previous year ; while Dr. J. Greschik writes on anatomy and histology, and Messrs. E. Csiki and G. Bittera on the food and economic status of various Hungarian birds. Tlie other volumes contain papers on the same or similar topics, all more or less closely concerned with Hungarian ornithology. The last volume of the series contains an account of the historical development of the study of Hungarian Orni- thology by Mr. J. Schenk, and two appendices. The first of these, b}' the Editor, is a Nomenclator Avium Regni Hungariae, a checklist drawn up on the lines of the B.O. U. List, but without any distribution, followed by notes on the nomenclature in disputed or doubtful cases. Dr. Chernel does not follow the International rules altogether. He will not use the same generic and specific names, and calls the White-eyed Pochard Nyroca ferrnginea instead of Nijroca nyroca. He also sticks to Anas buschas for the Mallard and Turdus musicus for the Song-Thrush, and gives his reasons for so doing. The second supplement to the 1918 volume contains an elaborate memoir on the former and present breeding places of the two White Egrets, He.rodias alba 176 Recently published Ornithological Works. [Ibis, .'ind H. garzetta, in Hungary, illustrated with maps and jdaiis in view of their possible preservation by special legis- lation in the near future. The Auk. [Tlie Auk : A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Vol. xxxviii. for 1920.] The volume of the ' Auk' for last year contains a good many articles of general interest as well as many faunal papers which are more attractive to those living on the other side of the Atlantic. Mr. H. n. Beck writes on the occult senses in birds, one instance of which is the "homing" sense which exists to a remarkal)le degree not only in the homing pigeon but also in certain sea-birds. The experiment undertaken at the marine laboratory of the Tortugas in releasing Sooty Terns many hundreds of miles away from those islands and the return of these marked birds, has proved the existence of one of these. An instance of another mysterious sense is the food-finding instinct. A carcass of a dog hidden in a hole and quite invisible from above was discovered within three hours by a pair of Buzzards (Cathartes), although there were known to be none of these 1)irds within many miles, and Mr. Beck believes that it would have been impossible to detect the carcass either by sight or smell. In an article entitled " sequestration notes " Mr. J. Grinnell develops a thesis that among certain non-Hocking foraging birds, such as Ruby- crowned Kinglets [Regulus) and Audubon Warblers (Deiidroica), a special note exists to warn other birds to keep out of territory already occupied; while Mr. J.T. Nichols writes at length on the voices of the Wadeis or Shore-birds, of which he has made a life-long study, especially on Long Island. A valuable paper on the generic and specific characters of the Ceryline group of Kingfishers is contributed by Mr. W. de W. Miller. Tiiesc he groups in three genera, Megaceryle, Ceryle, and Chloroceryle. Mr. Loomis identifies Procellaria alba of (xmelin, fouiulcd on a bird obtained during; Cook's 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 177 second voyage, as the species now known as Pterodroma parvirostris (Peale) from Christmas Island of the Fanning group. Mr. W. E. Clyde Todd monographs the South American Crested Quails of the genus Eupsychortyx, and illustrates their distinctive characters by a coloured plate and tlicir distribution by two maps. Dr. J. Dwight, wlio has long been engaged in the study of moult and change of plumage, has an interesting and instructive article on the Gulls. He believes that the smaller gulls attain their adult dress in the second year, while in the largest forms this process is prolonged until the fourth year. He also points out that younger birds can be detected by the more pointed shape of the primaries and by the more rounded ends of the tail-feathers. The successive plumages of Larus philadelplda and L. argentatus are described at length and illustrated on five carefully drawn plates. The question of tlie distinctive characters of the Common and Barrow's Golden-eye are discussed at length by Mr. Allan Brooks, as well as some other points in regard to the ducks of British Columbia ; his remarks are illustrated by some fascinating drawings from his own brush. The Killdeer Plover {Oxyechus vociferus), a common North-American bird, has long been known to range to South America, but was supposed to go there oidy during the winter months as a migrant. Recently Mr. Harry WatkinSj who has been collecting for the American Museum in New York, has sent to Mr. Chapman fourteen examples of the Killdeer which he found breeding on the coast of Peru. The bird turns out to be separable from the North- American one, and is named Oxyechus vociferus peruvianus by Mr. Chapman. Another new bird described is a duck of the Mallard group found in New Mexico and named by Mr. W. Huber Anas 7iovimexicana. Of the faunal papers, Mr. S. Cobb writes on the birds of the Catskill Mountains in New York, Mr. L. Griscom on those of Texas, and Mr. P. C. Lincoln on Colorado* birds, Messrs. Fleming & Lloyd on Ontario birds, and Mr.Wetmore SER. XI. VOL. III. N 178 Recently puh/islied Ornithological Works. [Ibis, on tlie birds of Lake Buvford in New Mexico. Mr. G. D. Hauna, who has spent six summers and four winters on tlie Pribilof Islands in Beliring Sea, has added a good many species to the list of birds occurring there, including four species new to the North American list — the Falcated Teal {Eunetta falcatn), the Sea-l*^agle [T/ialassoaetns jtchu/icns)^ a Wader {Heteroscelus brevipes), and a Pipit {^Antlius spino- letta joponicus) . The frontispiece of the volume is a fine portrait of the late William Brewster, whose memory is honoured in a sympathetic appreciation by Mr. H. W. Henshaw. There is also a long notice, with a portrait, of Lyman Belding the Nestor of Californian ornithologists, who died in 1917 at the age of eighty-eight years, by Mr. A. K. Fisher. El Hornero. [El Ilornero. Revista de la Sociedad Ornitologica del Plnta. Vol. i. 1917-1919.] The first volume of 'El Hornero,' consisting of four parts, is now com})lete, and we must congratulate the editor. Dr. B. Dabbene, and his contributors on the success of their venture. Each number contains several good articles on some subject of Argentine ornithology, many shorter notes, and some personal paragraphs. The illus- trations are chiefly from photographs. Dr. Dabbene himself has an article running through three numbers on the Laridse of Argentina, in which all the species are listed, with distribution and keys for the determination of the species, and useful outline sketches of bills, wings, and feet. Sefior L. Dinelli has some field-notes on the niditication of birds collected by him in the north-west of Argentina some years ago, which were worked out by Dr. Hartert and Senor Yeniuri in the ' Novitates Zoologicse' in 1909. In an article on "The fantastic ornithology of the Conquestadorcs," Senor Carduso recalls the observations and records of the earlier explorers from Magallanes in 1520 onwards, and reproduces some of their quaint 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 179 illustrations ; Senor Serie gives ample directions for tlie preparation and conservation of bird-skins ; Avhile M. Doello-Jurado writes a special article on the curious nests of the two species of Oven-bird (Furnarius cristatus and F. rufus), called Hornero in the Spanish vernacular, from which the journal takes its name. Several new forms are described : Batara cinerea argen- tina from the Jnjuy Province^, by Mr. Stewart Sliipton; Penelope nif/rifrons and Spinas icterus magiiiroslris, also from the mountainous regions of the north-western Argentina, by Dr. E,. Dabbene. List of other Ornithological Publications received. Baktsch, p. Tho Bird Rookeries of the Tortugas. (Smiths. Hep. for 1917, pp. 409-500.) Chapman, F. M. Uuiisiuil types of apparent geographic variation in colour and of individual variation in size exhibited b^"^ Ostinops decumanus. (Proc. Biol, Soc. Wash. vol. 33, pp. 25-32.) Christian!, A. Den Vestnorske Skaerpiber [Anthus iietrosns schi April. W^ieatear 29 March. Nightingale 7 April. Swallow 21 March. House-Martin 1 April. Bee-eater 4 May. Hoopoe '6 April. Roller 17 April. (yuckoo 6 April. Lesser Kestrel 8 March. White Stork 13 March. The following species were found breeding : — Jackdaw, Magpie, Hooded Crow, Starling, House-Sparrow, Tree- Si)arrow, Rock-Sparrow, Corn-Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Calandra Lark, Crested Lark, Lesser Grey Shrike, Woodchat, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 1 92 1.] Birds of Macedonia. 189 Cetti's Warbler, Blackbird, Nightinoale, Wlieatear, Night- jar, Roller, Little Owl, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, White Stork, Turtle- Dove, Collared Dove, Stone-Curlew, and Little Ringed Plover. To these Major Sladen has added Spanish Sparrow (Karasuli and Hirsova), Short-toed Lark, Nuthatch, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Black Tern, Osprey and Kingfisher, as well as a few more species included in his own papers. Other species were seen continually throughout the breeding-season or showed other signs of having nests, e. g., Raven, Chaffinch, Ortolan, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Red-backed Shrike, Stonechat, Kite, Common Buzzard, and (yommon Snipe. Some of these have been recorded as breed- ing in Macedonia, but as localities are not mentioned — and the occupied territory was so vast — the nests may have been a great, distance from the area with which we are concerned — anywhere, in fact, between the Adriatic and Black Seas. [CoRViD^. — Vast flocks of Jackdaws, Rooks, and Hooded Crows frequent the Struma j)lain during the winter months. From December 1916 to January 1917 the numbers were truly terrific, but the comparatively milder v\ inter of 1917— 191^5 did not witness such laroe conoregations. During the summer months very different conditions were in force, some Ravens, scattered pairs of Hooded Crows, and a number of Jackdaws representing the Corvidae. Generally speaking, there was a withdrawal of Crows in the very early spring. The numbers diminished before March, during which month a marked movement of Rooks to the W. and N.VV. took place. After this Rooks were not seen at all — although some may have bred beyond the area of observation. (There are nests by the side of the Orient railway line between Salonica and Larissa.) A daily increase in the number of Hooded C-rows and Jackdaws in September and October may have been due to the gregarious habits of young birds bred in the preceding months. A large influx of "foreign" Jackdaws and Hooded Crows occurred in late autumn, and with these lUO Mr. F. N. ClKiscii on th,t [Ibis, Ciiiiie tlic Hi^lits of Uooks that were to })0[)iilate tlie dirty acres of the phiiii for the ^vinter. My diaries contain frequent notes concernino- the entire absence of Crows from sundry localities during tlie period April to Ano'ust. One of the laro-est C'orvine movements was during tlie first few days of October liU7. when immense flocks of high-flying birds (s|i. ?) passed over Orljak, but I'roni such varied points that I could not nauie the general trend of the movement by the compass. A point worth}^ of notice was the unsuspiciousness of the wintering Crows in Macedonia. In the winter of 1910 my duties frequently caused me long rides across the plain, and I often walked my horse quite through flocks of Rooks, flocks cliat on occasions could almost be measured by the acre, without disturbing any but those birds in the direct path. They were certainly far more approachable than the Crows in Western Europe.] Corvus cor ax. Raven. Often seen on the hills, but not evenly distributed. It is resident and usually met within pairs, although small flocks of anything up to fourteen individuals were noted. The road leading from Orljak to Kohcan-Mah wends througli several good places for Ixavens. Several seen at Paprat in autumn. In the case of unsavoury meals the Ravens would often be at the feast before the Vultures had them located. Corvus cornix Hooded (Jrow. Abundant in winter, but less numerous than the Jackdaws or Rooks, During the spring odd birds were seen about the hills, where I located a few nests. On 13 January a Goose was shot from the bank of the Struma. It fell in a very awkward position, just on the edge of some ice piled up auainst the opposite bank. It was scarcely an hour before this Goose was retrieved, but when I did get it, it was comjiletely spoiled by the Hooded Crows, who bad pulled it about most audaciously. I was within thirty yards of the Goose from beginning to end, but in spite of this no amount of stone-throwing or shouting would shift the birds. The 1 92 1,] Birds of Macedonia. 191 cranium had been broken open and the brain-cavity com- pletely cleared. After this a large hole had been made in the region ol: the clavicles, and finally the Crows had devoted themselves to the large and fleshy pectoral muscles. On 7 April I found three pairs breeding at Aracli. One nest had certainly been built in the same spring. The nests were about fourteen feet from the ground, in the forks of slender oak-trees, and two of them were quite accessible to a fairly active man. The new nest, to which I paid particular attention, appeared to be finished by 12 April. During the time that building-operations were taking place, the birds roosted at night in a tall fruit-tree (in full blossom), about two hundred yards away from the nest. On 18 April there was one egg in the nest. Both parents were very demonstrative when I was getting up the tree, flying round and cawing loudl}^ but later they showed great cunning in not loitering in the vicinity of the nest when I was about. The hen bird always slipped away at the first sign of danger. The nest itself was very conspicuous, composed of twigs, and neatly lined with horse-hair and a few feathers. Corvus cor one. Car r ion-Crow. I found a dead bird in December, but could not be sure of further occurrences. Corvus frugilegus. Rook. Large flocks about the plain during the winter of 1916-17. Especially numerous in December, 1916. On 19 March, 1916, a steady stream of Rooks was seen flying across the plain in a westerly direction at mid-day. Some of them (I am sure very weary birds) stopped for a rest in a clump of trees, and resumed their journey at dusk. The majority of the birds left their winter quarters at the end of February or beginning of March. The general direction of the movement seemed to be towards the N. and N.W., in which case it may be assumed that the flocks seen on 19 March were birds from a region to the S.E. of my area, following a line similar to that taken by the Macedonian Rooks. As 192 Mr. F. N. Cliasen on the [Ibis, nea/as I could judge, this line crossed the mountains some- where to the W. of Rupel. There was a complete absence of Rooks in spring and summer — at any rate from the places visited. The evening flights of Rooks on the Struma plain are sometimes of stupendous size and easily mistaken for genuine migratory movements. An immense flock passed overhead on the 2nd of March, and the number of birds was so great that for several minutes there was a noise like the whirr of a sharp breeze. The movements of some flocks observed in early spring would lead one to believe that there is some justification for the old saying that Rooks go mad in the spring. Thirty or more would separate themselves from a larger flying flock and swoop towards the earth, performing the most wonderful antics for a short time. They would twist about, and on occasions topple over in most extraordinaiy style. When the whole crowd suddenly dropped to the earth, the noise was not unlike that of an approaching shell. Corvus monedula. Jackdaw. This is one of the most common birds in the country, and large numbers breed. Some of them paired as early as the middle of February, but there were flocks about several weeks later. A great deal of competition took place in Macedonia for available nesting-sites. This was due to the large number of Jackdaws inhabiting the country. Some of them did not breed at all, and flocks composed of from six to ten birds were roaming over the country, without showing signs of pairing, all through the spring and summer. The Jackdaws showed great adaptability in their choice of nesting-sites, and within a short radius from where I was living there were nests in the following sites : — In the minaret of a mosque and also somewhere in the ruinous roof of the same building, under the eaves of native houses (otherwise unoccupied), and in holes in a steep bank. The most interesting nest of all was [)laced in the lower branches of a Stork's nest. The Storks and Jackdaws seemed to be on the most amicable terms, but the advantages of this 1 92 1.] Birds of Macedonia. 193 strange union are rather liard to divine. One thing is certain, however, and that is the Storks must have been indebted to the Jackdaws for one thing, because the hitter birds were constantly bringing sticks and re-arranging the twigs about their own nest. Storks do but little nest- building on their own account, and the Jackdaws' efforts undoubtedly made the home of this particular pair more sub- stantial, as it was in a precarious state after weathering the previous winter. When both Storks were away from home, and then only, the Jackdaws would sit on the edge of the cnp- like mass, i. e., in the larger birds' domain. Some interestino- possibilities presented themselves, but I never got any farther into the matter. The Jackdaws surely had to restrain themselves where the Stork's eggs were concerned ; but then, again, supposing this difficulty to have been over- come, I should, imagine that the Storks would have found newly hatched Jackdaws a nice change from frogs. I noticed the act of mating on 29 March. Eggs 23 May. Newly hatched young at the latter end of April and 2o May. Young were being fed in the nest at the beginning of June. A bird of the year was flying on 1 June, and several broods flying about in the neighbourhood of their home by the end of the month. By the 1st of September flocks of sixty or more birds were common, and these had already associated them- selves with their companions for the coming winter — the Hooded Crows. A battle that took place at noon on a sunny day in February seems fairly typical of the methods adopted by this species when fighting. One bird was lying on its back on the ground with its beak directed at its opponent's head. It fought primarily with its feet, which were entamded in the feathers of the abdomen of the uppermost bird. The second bird stood bodily on the under bird, and balancing itself on out-stretched wings, it repeatedly pecked at its- opponent's head. These two birds fought in a methodical manner. They wrestled for a few moments and then, as if by mutual agreement, separated and flew up to a low bouoh hanging over the chosen arena.. On this occasion there were five distinct " rounds.'* The same bird was undermost each 194 Mr. F. N. Cliasen on the [Ibis, time, niid, indeed, it seemed as il: it preferred to adopt this tactic throuiihout tlie fis^t, because each time the strife commenced anew it vohintarily assumed the position described. It was, however, a bad choice, because the upper- most Jackdaw was undoubtedly the conqueror. Another point worthy o£ mention, although it has been remarked upon many times before, is connected with the feeding of the young. When the parent birds are returning from a long foraging expedition, their mouths are frequently so full of food that the space between the rami of the lower mandible is distended to form a very visible pouch, which is conspicuous enough to be noticed when the bird is fljing past. This fact did not prevent the Jackdaws from making as much noise as usual. The only differences were, firstly, that the call was produced with the beak closed instead of ga[)ing, as it usually is, and secondly, that the note was, in consequence, rather throaty in tune. The Jackdaws at Orljak used horsehair, grass, native cotton, and string (among other materials), for their nests. At Ormanli twigs were collected with great energy for repairing purposes, and hunuin hair (found under the tiles in native houses) was a favourite building material. Regarding the identity of Macedonian Jackdaws, many birds were certainly very light on the neck, but others a})pcared quite normal, and as near as I could say from observation alone, they were typical examples of Corvus monedula monedula. Major Sladen, however, has much better grounds to work upon, for be shot a number and writes : — " All that I examined appeared to belong to the subspecies 6". monedula collaris Dxummond, and all of them had more white above the neck than the tyjjical bird. I found that it was not unusual to come across individuals which had a rusty red tinge all over. I remember an instance of one in a flock near Snevce, which was almost mahogany colour, but I was unable to secure it. 1 noticed the same thing to a lesser degree in individuals of Corvus cornixy 1 92 1.] Birds of Macedonia. 195 Pica pica. Magpie. A very coninion bird and rarely out of one's sight, being- found pretty well everywhere. In Macedonia it certainly does not show any preference for the wooded districts. Magpies were numerous at most of the places, visited, and only occasionally scarce or absent, as at Baisili, in August. The large numbers that frequent the plain in winter, often feeding in the company of Jackdaws and Rooks, do not stop to breed in their winter quarters, although quite a number do nest in the country. There was a decline in numbers during the summer months, and an influx in the autumn. During cold weather in Decemlier there were chattering flocks of Mag[)ies in nearly every leafless tree near the river. On the hills in the autumn, flocks of from twelve to twenty birds ■ could be seen leading the life of true Crows, foraging for food on the stony ground. A good many kept in pairs throughout the winter. Nests were fairly common but often well hidden, some in trees, others in tall dense bushes. Several pairs bred in the neighbourhood of Ormanli ; none actually in the village. Young birds were seen in the nest during the first week in May. Broods flying 19 May. The peculiar hal»it that the Magpie has of jei'king- its tail upwards when alighting- served the species in good stead on the muddy Struma levels. I feel sure that the movement is accentuated when the bird alights on wet or dirty ground, and possibly there is a clue to the origin of the habit to be found here. The Magpies in Macedonia were fond of roosting in old nests, and a stone flung into an old Stork's nest in the evening would often cause as many as eight birds to leave in single file. A partiality for selected roosting-places was a noticeable habit, and a regular flight to these places, often groups of trees of a o-ood heiuht. in the evenino- reminded one of the Rooks' evening flights. The Magpies would settle down to rest with many chuckles, but once settled they sat close. I witnessed a good demonstration of this habit on 16 June at Kopriva. At sunset a large number of Magpies passed over the village from the direction of the hills. They went towards a clum[) of trees half-way across the plain, and 196 Mr. F. N. Cliasen on the [Ibis, I judged them to be birds that had spent tlie day wanderiiig about at the foot of the hills and banded toirether in the late afternoon. Later, I saw several Hocks leave the ground and mount high into the air — they always fly high on these occasions — and take a straight line for the roosting-place, exactly like a mob of Rooks. Small flocks of about a dozen birds followed at intervals, from various points, for some time. I rarely saw more than thirty Magpies in one compact flock. Several times during the latter end of May — when some of the young were beginning to fly — I saw cases of what appeared to be lack of parental affection in this species. Garrulus glandarius. Jay. Seen in the wooded districts which are few and restricted in area. A local bird, not straying over the country like the Magfiie. After severe weather and snow on the hills, odd birds appeared on the Struma plain, especially in December. Sturnus vulgaris. Starling. A common resident. Flocks on the open ground in winter and also other birds in the villages. The Starlings diminished in numbers in July and August, when I noticed a comp'ete absence from certain haunts. They breed mainly in the villages. There were evening flights to roosting-places near the Struma — usually large clumps of reeds — which reminded one of the Starling's habits on the Norfolk Broads. Starlings breeding in Elisan had purple heads. Oriolus oriolus. Golden Oriole. Several seen in June. • [FiiiNGiLLiDiE. — Very few Finches of any species were seen in the spring, and I found no nests other than those of S[)arrows.] Coccothraustes coccothraustes. Hawfinch. One record only. 2o January, near Lozista. Chloris chloris. Greenfinch. Small flocks common from October to February, but this was by no means a conspicuously abundant species. A few seen in the spring. IQ2I.] Birds of Macedonia. 197 Carduelis carduelis. Goldfinch. Not seen during the breeding-season, but ver}^ connuon for the rest of the year. The small villaoes situated at the foot of the hills were strongholds for this bird. The once cultivated patches of tobacco, cotton, and vegetables, but now only patches of weeds with a remnant of the original crop showing through here and there, always attracted the Goldfinches in winter. They drank regularly, even in the most severe weather, and had qaite a novel method of doing so. Small parties would fly to the reed-beds, and the birds would cling to the bases of the reeds about two inches above the water and drink by bending over to the surface. After this they would often alight on the snowy flotsam and flutter in the water to their content. A Marsh- Harrier attended one of these particular watering-places day iifter day, and levied a regular toll on the birds as they came to drink. Spinus spinus. Siskin. Several seen in sheltered corners of the plain from December to March. One pair frequented a small patch of reeds near a pond for at least nine consecutive weeks in the cold weather. I took some pains to find out the nature of the food, and found that it consisted of the seeds of half rotten " blackberries " which were still hanging on the bushes. The Siskin's confiding habits were most pronounced. " To-day a pair of Siskins were feeding in some pink ground-nettles only a yard or so from my feet. Another little hen sat on a small bush, beside the stream. I stood quite by the side of the bush but she was not in the least disturbed. I seized a twig and gently pulled it until the whole bush was swaying, but still the bird remained. At last I took a step nearer and stretched out a hand to seize her, upon which she fluttered away.'^ (Diar}', 17 March.) Acanthis cannabina. Linnet. Snudl flocks in autumn and winter. 198 Mr. F. N. Chasen on the [Ibis, Serinus serinus. Serin. Floclvs in earlj October at Cakirli. A few remained (actually in the village) at Orljak through the winter. Severe weather alwavs had the effect of brinoing more into the village, where they found shelter and food. Pyrrhula pyrrhula. Bullfinch. A few seen in the winter, usually alone or in pairs. A curious feeding habit was noticed on 7 February. A male [)lucked a berry from a slender twig overhanging the water, while it was on the wing. Tlie bird remained for a few seconds fluttering, or rather hovering, by the side of the berry before snatcliing it. The twig would have been scarcely stout enough to bear the weight of the bird. Fringilla ccelebs. Chaftinch. Extremely numerous in winter. The common Finch of many districts, in some cases outnumbering the Tree-Sparrow. Most of the Chafhnches withdrew from their winter haunts in March. The nest was not found, but a few birds, obviously j)aired, were seen through the spring. An influx in October. Fringilla niontifringilla. Brambling. On 4 January a number were mixed u ith the Chatflnches in Orljak. The weather was severe and there was snow on the ground. There were also some independent flocks of considerable size near the river. These birds went as suddenly as they had appeared, and a few days later not one was to be seen. One or two others identified at odd times during the winter. Passer domesticus. House-Sparrow. Passer montanus. Tree-Sparrow. Both species common almost everywhere. I\ montanas predominates in a large number oF districts, and I should say is numerically superior in most parts of Macedonia. Both species breed freely. Although both kinds could be seen in mixed flocks during the day, there was a strong tendency to roost in specific bauds. P. montanus preferred willow- trees for this purpose. 1 92 1.] Birds of Macedonia. 199 Passer hispaniolensis. Spanish Sparrow. Seen occasionally with other Sparrows, but apparently- very local in distribution. Several could usually be found in Elisan. Petronia petronia. Tiock-S{)arrow. I have only one record and that concerns a pair breeding at Orljak. I found a nest with young in a high bank. Tbe nest was in a hole about fifteen feet from the ground, and there is but little doubt that the hole was found ready made. The behaviour of the female and the loud wheezv chiri'uping of the young made the detection of this nest inevitable by every person who passed by. Otherwise it would have been difficult to locate on account of the many similar but unoccupied holes in the same bank. Whenever I approached both parents were somewhere near the hole. The male would fly off to a wire fence about 15 yards away and remain watching. It would call incessantly using a double note, but nevertheless this parent would not excite itself unduly. The female, however, would hopelessly betray the nest. It would remain at the hole till the last moment in a very agitated state. It would also return to the brood at the earliest possible moment, and more often than not fly straight into the hole. Emberiza calandra. Corn-Buntinir. Very common. Abundant in winter, and twittering little flocks were seen everywhere. The gregarious habits continued well into March, but when I went along the Orljak- Kopriva road on the llth of April they seemed to have settled down a bit. At Karamatli they nest side by side with the Sjn-ikes and E. melanocephala. Nests were also plentiful at Gramatna, at which place I found eggs up to the end of June. Young birds at the beginning of July. A favourite site for the nest was in a low bramble-bush growing near the headland of a poor wheat or barley crop. In February mixed flocks of (■orn- Buntings and Goldfinches were 200 Mr. F. N. Cliasen on Ike [Ibis, Emberiza citrinella. Yellow Bunting. Two records only, and, curiously enough, both on 12 Janu- ary (1917 and 1918). The former a small number near the Struma, the latter a single bird. Emberiza cirlus. Cirl Bunting. Common. Found in flocks all the winter, and in some districts the predominating species as at Oakirli in October. Small flocks could be seen along the road from this place quite up the hills to Sivri, over a scrubby broken area, where the ascent was very rough, and few other birds could be seen. I found some nests at Karamatli and eggs during the latter half of April. Flocks were seen again on the 1st of September, although broods were still being fed on that date. Emberiza hortulana. Ortolan. Seen in summer. Common at Aracli and Karamatli in April. Mixes freely with E. cirlus. Emberiza cia. Meadow-Bunting. Seen commonly in winter and spring. {E. schooniclus, a bird at Ormanli in February, was almost certainly a female.) Emberiza melanocephala. Black-headed Bunting. A common summer bird. Seen 28 April, but I think there were earlier arrivals. It was usually found fre- quenting the cultivated or more or less open stretches of ground. Its chosen haunts were usually where fruit was growing, a patch of currant-bushes, a group of fig-trees, or a vineyard, for instance. The pleasant little song has more music in it than that of most other Buntings. It commences with a " Chit-chit-chit,'^ which is followed by a short musical bar, nicely warbled and repeated twice or, perhaps, three times. The introductory notes may be faltering with a good pause between each note, but the final part of the song comes out with a rush. The introductory notes were omitted by many males heard singing in June. I found nests at Mirova, Kurkut, Karamatli, and 1 92 1.] Birds of Macedonia. 201 Grainatna. The rolling hills between the two last-named places were especially good breeding-grounds. These hills are very bare. The ground is stony and clothed with short grass, with uneven clumps o£ l)rambles here and there which are in some places so dense that they constitute a thicket. There is only an occasional group of trees or any- thing that resembles a hedge. It is, in fact, ideal country for Shrikes, Bantings, and Whitethroats. I was not in time for early eggs, but on the 1st of July there were five nests each containing four eggs, and in all cases well incubated. Youns birds seen in the nest at the end of June and begin- ning of July. The nests were fairly well made, not models of neatness exactly, and usually placed in the thickest part of an individual spray on a low bush. None of the nests were down in the centre of the bushes, and they were all easy enough to find. The male would sit on a top twig near the nest, singing. The hen would dart off the nest when you had started to poke the bush about with a stick, and rarely before. The bushes chosen were mostly below the waist in height. Lullula arltorea. Wood-Lark. Seen from September onwards. A few in August. Small parties of from four to six birds at Baisili in autumn. Alauda arvensis. Sky-Lark. Frequent, but not found breeding. The level ground between Orljak and the river was a good place to find them in winter. Melanocorypha calandra. CJalandra Lark. Oonnnon, but not nearly so numerous on the Struma plain as (jralerida rristata. Eggs at intervals in April. Calandrella brachydactyla. Short-toed Lark. A pair near the Struma on 26 May were probably breeding, but I could not find the eggs. Other pairs seen in June on the hills (Mirova and Kurkut). Found breeding at Kara- suli and Dadular (a camp quite near to Salonica) by Major Sladen. SEB. XI. — VOL. III. P 202 Mr. r. N. Cliasen on the [Ibis, Galerida cristata. Crested Lark. The commonest Lark of the districts I visited and a resident bird. No pronounced migration was notice 1, but a good deal of local movement took place. In one case this local movement was very decided — namely, the withdrawal of the birds from their winter quarters {e.g.^ the interior of the villages) in the early spring to the vicinity of their breeding-grounds. In the winter small parties of from six to twelve birds were met with in a variety of places. Unlike many other species of birds they showed no extreme gre- oarious habits in severe weather, and rarely more than a dozen were seen together. Immediately the weather im- proved the small flocks broke up, and signs of pairing were evident at an early date. Indeed, a fair ])ercentage of birds had remained in pairs all the winter. As early as 13 Feb- ruary, one of these Larks was making a laudab'e attempt to sine-. It was a sunny day and the blue sky was quite sj)i-ing- like, but there was a bitter wind blowing that ruffled the sonoster's plunuige to confusion as it sat on an old mud wall! hi the villages they are fond of running about the rough roads and rolling about in " sand-baths,*' their vigorous actions in the^e raising little clouds of dust. Some bred on the level grountl near the liver. During the breeding-season they were very tame^ running about in the long grass about twelve feet away and only reluctantly takiniT wing. Far more, however, nest on the hills, and in favoured places 'a good many nests may be found in a' small area. There were plenty of nests between Mirova and Kurkut in June, but the most [)rolific district seems to have been the country included by a radius of, say, four kilo- metres from Karamatli. I saw eggs during the third anil fourth week in June and first week in July, but lack of observation is responsible for absence of earlier dates. Most of these were placed in the middle of a tussock of grass and stumbled iij-on when hunting for the eggs of Black-headed Buntings. 1^'ive nests found in one day each contained three eggs, but tliese may have been inconiplete clutches. 1 92 1.] Birds of Macedonia. 203 Some of; the nests situated on the hillsides had very little cover. The young bii-ds enjoyed themselves in the tobacco patches after leaving the nest and ke{)t in broods even when full-grown. The high-pitched voice [i.e. the call-note) was lieard never so commonly as when the snow was deep. In the winter the species estiiblished very intimate relations wiih the troops, and we had regular visitors to our bivouacs and huts for the table-scraps. Like AUuida arvensis this bird mounts into the air and sings aloft, but its performance on these occasions ditfers a good deal from that of the better-known bird. The Crested Lark does not soar in a steadfast manner, nor does it remain for a long period poised on quiver- ing wings. It appears to wander into the air rather aindessl}^ and does not attain the altitude usual to the Skylark. It does not remain in the air for any length of time, nor does it mount with any great frequenc3% Jn one point, however, the two species are almost alike, for both birds drop abruptly when nearing the ground — cutting the song sliort. In the hot weather these Larks run about with dragging wings and gaping beaks. The hea})S of mule duno- and associated clouds of insects attract laroe numbers. A word as to the usual tactics employed in battle. First, the two birds face each other and make sundry " feints^' in a manner that is good to see. Both then jump upwards and meet in the air with a slight collision. A short chase follows. Some of the combats last a considerable time and take the principals a long way from the starting-point. The voice is very Lark-like with a specific note easily detected. The syllables used and the tone of the voice are not unlike those of the Skylark, but when compared with this bird the Cresled Lark is very unmusical. There is no ])ei'sistence or quality in the song. When the bitter Vardar winds were blowing across the plain and the piissing skeins of Geese were the onl}^ other signs of bird-life, the Crested Lark could always be seen running along the snowy parapet searching for our table scraps ; at times the little bird would squat right down on its tarsi, and with crest ei'ected to its fullest extent p 2 204 Mr. F. N. Chasen on the [Ibis, and beak pointed abnost vertically to the sky, would chatter its cheery little bar so near to us that ue could see its throat bubbling with every note. Motacilla boarula. Grey Wagtail. Seen throughout the year, but most plentiful in autumn and winter. In the latter season they were observed in the evacuated villaoes runnino- about the roofs and mud-brick' walls, searching under tiles where possible and commonly entering houses. The Grrey Wagtails fell an easy prey to the troops with their primitive bird-traps, but weve so unsuspicious that it was considered bad sport to catch theui. Tiie same bird would walk into the most obvious trap time after time. Motacilla alba. AVliite Wagtail. Very common in October and seen tliroughont the winter. Much less plentiful in spring, and very few seen in summer. Some young birds on 5 July and a pair of adults at Baisili, 5 August. Motacilla flava flava. Blue-headed Wagtail. Several adults at Cakirli 24 September {circa). They came with crowds of Redstarts and Spotted Flycatchers. Motacilla flava rayi. Yellow Wagtail. Large numbers in flocks of from thirty to sixty birds, or even more, appeared in the vicinity of Karamatli during the last few days in August and beginning of September. Some of them loitered about for several days. These flocks were largely composed of immature birds, i. e. birds of the year. Adults of the present race were seen, and for this reason [ have included all these Yellow Wagtails under the heading of M. f. raijL Further discrimination of species without skins would be impossible. I could not identify the adult of i1/. melanocephala to my satisfaction, but Mnjor Sladen has skins obtained at the mouth of the Vardar. Anthus campestris. Tawny Pipit. Some noticed simultaneouslv with the increase of AVjiotails in the autumn. 1Q2I.] Birds of Macedonia. 205 Anthus trivialis. Tree-Pipit. Aracli, G April. Anthus pratensis. Meadow-Pipit. Struma plain in winter. When the snow fell these Pipits came to our tents for food, mixing with the White Wagtails and Crested Larks. Sitta europsea. Nuthatch. Common on the hills, hut local in distribution. In spring at Aracli. Particularly plentiful in small woods near Lahana in October. Regulus regulus. Groldcrest. Some on the hills in October. One at Grumisdere, 7 November ; another at Kopriva, 24 December. Parus major. Great Titmouse. The commonest Titmouse, Found on the hills wherever there is a trace of cultivation, and often in the scrub in quite desolate places. Most frequent from October to January, but numerous in April. Parus cseruleus. Blue Titmouse. Practically as P. major, but not so common. Parus lugubris. Sombre Titmouse. Two records. A pair haunted some pear-trees on which the fruit was rotten, in October and November at Paprat. Another pair at Aracli in April. .ffigithalus caudatus. Long-tailed Titmouse. A few on the hills in autunm. Common in April and May. Lanius excubitor. Great Grey Shrike. Seen near the Struma in winter, especially in January. I remember one bird of a pair keeping in front of my horse for more than a mile, darting from its perch and skimming low over the ground, a short distance ahead, and then sud- denly rising and perching on the top of a bush again. 206 Mr. F. N. Chascu on the [Ibis, Lanius minor. Lesser Grey h>hrike. Plentil'ul enonramble l)ush to another, keeping close to tlie ground in their short flights. The Woodchat is by no means a restless bird. A pair will take up their position on a clump ot: tall, woody and thorny undergrowth, post themselves about tew yards apart, and wait for coming events with great jiatience. They will crouch on a hough wdth their white breasts towards you and remain inactive for as long as six minutes by the watch. I say " inactive,'.^ but really the birds are very alert. The head is constantly moved, being cocked at every conceivable angle as the bird looks for passing insects. If an insect is caught by one of the pair, the less fortunate bird will flit over to its mate to watoh the }»rocess of thrashing the insect to death against a small twig, and then return to its own " look-out " and resume the same seemingly indolent but really alert position. The short note is pleasing, but the call-notes are harsh. The white rump is very conspicuous in flight. Nests between Karamatli and Gramatna. Lanius coUurio. Red-backed Shrike. A common summer bird. First seen 8 May. There were plenty near our camp during the second week in October. A diary note remarks their absence on 9 October, but I expect the last birds had gone before I ap[)reciated the fact. Stagnant water near the river, the extensive beds of red popi)ies, and, above all, the high ground on the hillsides, where there were no hedges but acres of short thorny 1921.] Birds of Macedonia. 207 vegetalioii, were their f;ivourite haunts. I was siiiguhirlv unfortiiiiate with i-eiiaril to nests, but had noted flvini'- broods — in barred juvenile [)luniaoe — bjthe 1st of September. Quite a number frequented the country in the vicinity of our camp, and it was not surprising that their familiar habit of impaling insects on the thorns of bushes should be l)rouoht to notice quite commonly. I fancy the Shrike's butchering habits have been pretty well worked out by now, but I should like to include a tield- note that describes the whole performance : — "12 September, noon and very hot I was lying under a bivouac-sheet thrown over a short tig-tree, persuading myself that 1 was in the shade, when I noticed a Shrike operating only a few yards away. It was a young bird, but it had already learnt the dexterous manipulation of large insects and the family method of treating them. The bird caught a large grasshopper, on the wing. (The grasshopper was about li inches long and had bright red under-wings.) It was then carried in the beak — and it looked a large bundle com- pared with the size of the bird — to a tali bramble bush, where, seated on the topmost bough, the Shrike p;insed for a minute. Then descending to a twig about half-way down the bush and on the outside, it thrust the insect, back upwards, on a long slender thorn. A slight shuflBing pre- ceded the impaling, and was evidently the attempt to kill and to get the grasshopper into a convenient position. The thorn was pushed into the middle point of the under surface of" the thorax. The point penetrated about one-third of an inch and thus did not protrude through the insect's back. When I examined it a little later the prey was appnrently quite deiid. There were no more insects on this particular bush, but a search of the neigiibouring brambles revealed three more plentifully-stocked larders of which large grass- hoppers formed a prominent part."' [Sylviid.e. — The geograi)hical conditions of many parts of Macedonia are unsuited to the habits of Warblers, but never- theless quite a goodly number do frequent the more likely 208 Mr. F. N. Chasen on the [Ibis, places, and in the antumn, when birds of passage are in the country, the vineyards and streamsides literally teem with little Phylloicopine birds. In June also there were plenty ot" Warblers in the vicinity of the villages, bnt, as 1 was not in a position to use a gun, I could only identify the more familiar species. I found the hillside vegetation well worthy of notice during the last week in Auoust. The bushes were loaded with blackberries, and Warblers of a dozen species could be seen dodging about, little birds, yellow, grey, or brown in colour, all slipping through the undergrowth here and there and rarely giving a good chance of observation. Flujlloscoints was usually the predominating genus. On 7 September Warblers were still common, — thronos of Whitethroats. Garden- Warblers, and Blackcaps (these last still in pairs) being found wherever there was a scanty hedgerow or wooded corner. On 12 September 1 made the following note : — '^ It would be diflftcult for any person who has not witnessed such a sight to credit the number of ' Willow-wrens^ — I used the word loosely — in the district where we are camjied at present (C'akirli). The ground is very rough, there are no habitations, cultivated patches, or roads, but simply the hills, broken by gullies and rough tracks. The ground is covered with a kind of dwarf oak — at present bearing acorns, prickly bushes, and brambles. This scrub is haunted by scores of Warblers." Without means of verifi- cation I shall not attempt to describe species, but the (!hi£f- chaft" and Willow-wren were certainly there. These were still common on 3 October. I have added a few notes on the species I could actually name.] Phylloscopus collyMta. ChitFchaff. The Chifichatf winters in Macedonia, althouoh in no oreat numbers, and no bird can be more reserved in its choice of winter quarters. The Struma plain is intersected by tiny waterways which follow a tortuous course, eventually finding their way into the river. These irregular waterways, together with many isolated ponds, are overgrown with 1921.] Birds of Macedonia. 209 aquatic ve(2;etation. Beds of reed-mace usually fill the centre oE the |>onds. In these thick masses of reeds and in the half-rotten and wind-hruised " flags " oTowino- on the banks the (.Jhiffchatt's spent the winter months. There was a certain phice near Ormanli where I could always rely on finding one or more of these birds, even in the most severe weather in January and February. In windy weather they would be difficult to see and would spend the day creeping about the undergrowth near the ground or water. At the end of March they disappeared, but immigrants arrived very earlv. I infer that the birds wintering in Macedonia go north to breed and move before birds that winter farther to the south appear in their place, but as birds of passage only. Not seen in summer. Phylloscopus trochilus. Willow-AVarbler. Cettia cetti. Cetti's Warbler. Numerous in the summer. The nests were extremely difiicult to find. I was unsuccessful in the breeding-season, but have no doubt that this Warbler breeds in suitable places between the Seres Road and Kopriva. A nest at Orljakwas situated quite in the middle of a dense mass of brambles ; another in a tall and very thick hedge corner. Both these were found in the autumn, long after the birds had gone and the leaves fallen, although I had searched diligently for them in the previous May. Acrocephalus schcenobaenus. Sedge-Warbler. Sylvia borin. Garden Warbler. Sylvia atricapilla. Blackcap. Sylvia communis. Whitethroat. Seen 12 April ; heard singing the same evening. Found commonly over the country by 14 April. Breeds commonly. According to other observers my first date is a late one, but although there may have been Whitethroats in the country before 12 April I never saw them on the Struma plain. 210 Mr. F. N. Chaseu on the [Ibis, Sylvia cuiTUca. Lesser Wliitethroat. Seen 7 April. Still in pairs 20 September. On 3 August a brood s})eiit tlie greater j)art of the day picking up ants a few yards from the door of my bivouac. Turdus pilaris. Fieldfare. Seen from the beginning of January to the middle of March. l)ut never in very large numl)ers. A small move- ment, a[)[)arently to the south, in January, small flocks flying over Orljak in an intent manner. Single birds seen later were not at all shy. They spent their time grubbing about on the ground under cover of the bramble bushes iind were loath to take wing. When poked out with a stick they would merely skim along the ground to the next cover. Turdus philomelos. Song-Thrush. Occasionally in February and March on the Struma plain. Turdus inerula. Blackbird. Resident, but not very common. Several pairs bred near Karamatli. A nest with four eggs at Aracli, 14 April. This nest was in an extraordinary position. It was con- spicuously placed on a projecting root on the side of a gully, which was about three feet deep^ the nest being therefore really below ground-level. This nest was subsequently destroyed by reason of the gully assuming its original function of a waterway after some heavy rain. Phcenicurus phcenicurus. Redstart. (Common in summer and especially numerous in Sep- tember ; 14 October and 1 November at Orljak. Phcenicurus gibraltariensis. Black Redstart. Frequent from November to March. At the beginning of December a number near the sea at Salonica (some tired Buzzards and a coasting-movement of Finches noted at the same time). November was the best month for them on the plain, but they rarely stayed in a given place for long and were usually met with alone or in pairs. 1 92 1 . ] Birds of Macedon ia. 211 Erithacus rubecula. Uedhreast. Sufficiently rare to be noted when seen. A few near the Butkova River, 23 January. Others at intervals in winter. One at Sivri, 2 October. Luscinia megarhyncha. Niglitingale. Oonnnon sunnner bird. Noticed 5 A})ril, 191G at Kopriva. Siiioinu well, 14 April. Several nests in June, a lar^e pro- portion of the eggs being light in colour. By 4 July broods in s[)otted plumage were hopping about the thickets. In 1917 the first record was 7 April, on which date a bird was singing lustily in the evening. I was much impressed with the very sedentary habits of this species. In several cases a pair appeared in April in a small piece of cover, quite isolated from other vegetation^ reared their young there, and could always be seen in the same small area until the time for departure arrived in the autumn. The Nightingales at Kopriva were still in their secluded corners on 15 September. Saxicola rubetra, Whinchat. Plentiful in autumn, es})ecially the first week in September, when they outnumbered the Stonechats. Saxicola rubicola. Stonechat. A common resident, wintering in selected localities at intervals along the Seres Road an& on the border o£ the plain. All the birds I saw in winter were quite adult and in pairs. I formed the opinion that birds of the year did not stay in the country. The parents of a brood seen on 5 August were very dark in colour and not in the least brown or reddish on the underparts. The voice was that of the present species. (Enanthe cenanthe. Wheatear. A common bird in Macedonia^ where there are large tracts of country suited to its requirements. It spends the greater part of the year in the country, being seen from the end of March to October. In the blizzard of the 29th of March Wheat-ears were i-unnino- about in the snow at Lahana. •212 Mr. F. N, Chasen 07i the [Ibis, Several nests were found. The number of adult birds was augmented in September, but by 9 October the species was absent from some places where it had been common during the preceding months. CEnanthe hispanica. Black-eared Wheatear. A pair at Orljak, 26 May. C)ne — an adult male of the l)lack-t!iroated variation — at Aracli, 13 x4pril A few others throughout May. Accentor modularis. Hedge-Sparrow. Only three records. l\vo seen in February and one in January, all on the Struma plain. All observers seem agreed as to the scarcity of the Hedge-Sparrow in southern Macedonia. Cinclus cinclus. Dipper. Found in a few widely scattered localities, but the country is not at all suited to their requirements. In October heavy rains had the effect of changing the dry pebbly river-bed at Gumisdere into a torrent, and a few Dippers appeared. They stayed until the water ceased to rush down from the hills, which was only a matter of a fev/ days. Troglodytes troglodytes. Wren. Frequently seen, but not common. Noticed on the banks of the Struma in February and January, and at Aracli in April. Muscicapa striata. Spotted Flycatcher. Oonnnon in spring and autumn, especially so at the latter season. Seen 16 April. For the last half of August and first tew days of September they were very numerous, the increase in numbers corresponding to similar increases in the ranks of the Redstarts, etc. I have rarely seen so many as in the fruit-growing district of Sirt Dere on 8 September. In fact, a jiair or more seemed a necessary adjunct to each fig-tree or vine. On 20 September they were still common, but there was a decrease by 3 October. These Flycatchers would ignore the butterflies swarming about them, but would dart at the largest of the Hynienoptera, giving each a sharp 1921.] Birds of Macedonia. 213 nip before swallowing them. I saw one bird catch an insect which was far too large for it to treat with its accustomed neatness. The Flycatcher battered it against a twig with a great show o£ fury, flattering from bush to bush with its burden, and was still working at the insect in terrier-fashion when it passed out of sight. Muscicapa hypoleuca. Pied Flycatcher. Karamatli in April (first date 12 April). Hirundo rustica. Swallow. The most common of the Hirundines. First dates 9 and 21 March (1017), 27 March (1918). Mating, 7 April ; nest- building, 1 April. Eggs well incubated, 21 May. Breeds in most of the villages on the plain — if not all. Delichon urbica. Martin. Seen 1 April, but not in any nuudjers until the end of the season (19 September). Some passing flocks, 21 August. Riparia riparia. Sand-Mariin. Abundant along the Struma. Crowds at Kopriva Bridge in May. Picus viridis. Green Woodpecker. Struma plain in January. Karamatli in September. Dryobates major. Great Spotted Woodpecker. Seen at all seasons of the year. Paprat was a good locality for them. Some would be met with on the open hills, nudving their way across country from one copse to another, the loud ^^ j>ic-pic-j)ic"' announcing when they settled. They were particularly attracted by the leafless fig-trees in winter. A pair seen at Aracli in April may have been nesting. I have no record of J), medius, although it is stated to be the common Woodpecker of Macedonia. Cuculus canorus. Cuckoo. Seen G April, and numerous through the spring of 1918. Very few seen in 1917, but from all accounts 1916 was a good year for Cuckoos. 214 Mr. F. N. Chasen on the [Ibis, Micropus apus. Swift. Seven at Oriuaiili, 22 May. They stayed about two hours. Not seen again till August. ' On 21 August some flocks appeared in eouipan}^ with Martins and were evidently on passage. Caprimulgus europseus. Niglitjar. 28 May. On Struma plain in September. At Salonica in October. Two eggs found by a friend about last week in June on the hills near Gramatna. Merops apiaster. Bee-eater. Common in summer. Present 4 May in pairs, and 19 Sep- tember. One of the commonest sounds on the Struma ])lain in Slimmer is the strange cry of the Bee-eater. I was never fortunate enough to find a nest myself, but had eggs brought to me from a native cemetery. Major Sladen tells nie that he has found them breeding near Janis and Dudular in hobs in the ravines. TJpupa epops. Hoopoe. Common in summei'. In the spring of 1017 I was not in a favourable position to observe, and the first Hoopoe was not seen till 10 April. In 1918 six were seen, 3 April. Still numerous, 19 September, Tlie Hoopoes were very shy birds, but their preference for particular localities ofi'ered oppor- tunities for observation. One or two could usually be found in the dense foliage of a line of willows fringing a small stream near the Struma. It was quits useless to try to stalk these birds at midday. Tliey were most vivacious, and would fly from tree to tree forbidding a close approach. They' were seen under the most favourable conditions on the hills, but even there their solitary, shy habits were well marked. I usually contented myself with listening to their peculiar voice. The call of the Hoopoe is a clear " coo-coo/" or " coo-roo-foo." In tone it is between the monotonous cooing of the Doves and the clear penetrating voice of the CuL'koo, and with both these it might be very well confused. Unlike the note of the Dove, in which tlie last syllable is 1921.] Birds of Macedonia. 215 accentuated and sometimes raised in tone, the Hoopoe's notes are quite uniform. The double or triple note — or perhaps bar is the best word to use — is repeated a varying number of times. There may be a short " song " of only a dozen or even less bars, and these may be all of the triple or double kind. In a spirited bird the song is long, and t)ie bird may be said to " coo " continuously for ten minutes or so. At first I was inclined to think tiiiit there was some method or significance in the use of the double or triple call, but a mass of statistics — if I may use the word — com])iled later, gave poor results. For instance, a song of 02 bars included Salouica in November 1*'1G. Podiceps uigricollis. Black-necked Grebe. A pair on a pond near Salonica, 4 May. Small Grebe on the Strnnia in January were probably of this species. Colymbus sp. ? Seen from the shore at Salonica in November. Columba palumbus. Wood-Pigeon. One record only, Hamzali in October. Columba cenas. Stock-Dove. Small flocks in winter. A large flock of Doves — attributed to this species — travelling north on 4 March, were flying rather low. Streptopelia turtiir. Turtle-Do ve. Common in summer, but avoiding the villages, thereby differing greatly from the next species. Quite a number bred in the Gramatna area. In many cases the nests were out on the hills a good distance from the villages. As late as 1 July I found several nests with eggs — in one case three eggs in the clutch. In the majoi'ity of cases the nests were built on branches that sprang out directly from the mnin trunk of a tree. They were often very accessible, being sometimes about six feet from the ground. Tvro nests were found, only separated by a distance of about as many yards, and one of them was so exceptionally frail that it was really wonderful that the eggs di which previous writers have recorded, but which cannot be regarded as reliable. Gatke claims that -Hoddecl Crows fly at 108 miles per hour ancl, IJluethroats at 180 whilst on passage, and especially in the spring. lie claims that Bluethroats pass from between 10 and 27 degrees of northeru latitude to the 54th degree of northern latitude in nine hours. He also assumes that the American Golden Plover takes but fifteen hours from Labradoi- to northern Brazil, supporting this theory by his personal observations on Godwit and Curlew covering over 7000 yards in sixty " seconds, or at the rate of over 4 miles a minute ! His estimate of Hooded Crow flight is based on the assumption that their line of flight is from east to west over Heligoland, and that they make for the east coast of England. This apparently is not the case, for their line of autumnal flight over Heligoland is from north-east to south-west, and these are probably not the birds which 230 Col. K. Meinertzliagen on the [Ibis, arrive in such numbers on our central east coast. The Bluethroat estimate is based ou the assumption that birds fly direct from Egypt to Heligoland in one nigiit, which is certaiuly not the case. His estimate of the flight of Godwit and C'Urlew, on \yhich he bases his estimate of the flight of the American Golden Plover, is, I fear, but an example of the tremendous enthusiasm of this charming character for his subject. But Gatke is not alone in over-estimating the velocity of fliglit. Many other writers have erred through basing a theory on bad evidence or no evidence at all, one of the most remarkable of these being Crawfurd (' Round the Calendar in Portugal^), who convinced himself that Turtle- Doves flew at such an astonishing pace that by leavinsr Kent at (hiwn they would be in Portiigai a few hours later ! As regards more accurate data, it was my fortune during the recent war to have the opportunity of using anti-aircraft arrangements for my purpose. It was excellent practice for the men, and the results can be taken as accurate for all practical purposes. In conjunction with observations of an accurate nature from other sources, I have compiled the following table. Unless the authority is stated iu brackets, the observations . are my own. The following notes refer to the table : — Note A, Observations taken at Quetta b_y two persons with stop- watches over a measured distance varying from 400 to 660 yards. All birds were below 1000 feet, and in no case were they migrating'. NoTR B. Observations taken in East Africa in the autumn of 1915 on migrants by using theodolites on a base of ll!00 feet. NoTK C. Observations made at Dar-es-Salaaui bj a system of two persons with stop-watches stationed 440 yards apart f.nd timing birds fljing between points aligned by two stakes. All observations taken on still evenings when birds were flying to and from their breeding-grounds. Note D. Observations made near Rata in sonthern Palestine during the autumn of ]917 by means of theodolites at two anti- aircraft gun-stations on a base of 3926 feet, the stations being connected by telephone. I92I.] Note E. Note F. Velocity of Migralnry Flight among Birds. 231 Observations taken in southern Palestine by stop--^atclies at 440 yards distance and timing birds Hying' between two points aligned by posts. Observations made near Moutreuil in nortli-east France by means of theodolites on a 1420-foot base and small balloons to ascertain the velocity of the wind at the altitude of flieht. All birds believed to be on misration. Ground Species. Place. speed : m.p.h. Ravens S.Palestine. 32-39^ Eooks N.E.France. *4.5 Rooks do. 39 Rooks do. Rooks and Jack- do. daws. Rooks do. Hooded Crow Rossitten. Jackdaw do. Chough Quetta. Starling do. Starling S.Palestine. Starling Rossitten. Rose-coloured Quetta. Starling. Finches Rossitten. 38 40 39i 31-5 39-6 in 43-49 45-48.i 46-5 38, 40i 33 Remarks. Eleven observations. Birds pass- ing to and from roosting. Wind calm. Altitude of flight 310- 840 feet. See note D. ^ Taken with air-sjieed indicator from aeroplane. (R.A.F.) Altitude of flight 1740 feet. Wind 17 m.p.h. side. See note F. Altitude of flight 2120 feet. Side wind of 31 m.p.h. See note F. Altitude of fliglit 690 feet. Slight side wind on ground. See note F. Altitude of flight 2008 feet. Head wind 12 m.p.h. See note F. Average of observations on 20 birds. (Thienemanii.) Average on several birds. ( Th ie- aemann.) Very strong head wind. See note A. Thirteen observations. Wind calm. See note A. Twenty-two observations. Alti- tude of flight 120-325 feet. Wind calm. See note D. A single bird. (Thienemann.) Two observations. Weather calm. See note A. Six observations. {Tliiene - mann.) Air-speed. 232 Col. R. Meinertzhasren on the [Ibis, Species. Crossbill Corn-Bunting's Calandra Lark Red-throated Pipit. Red-throated Pipit. Place. Rossitten. Palestine. do. East Afi'ica. Palestine. Pipits Tuscar Rock. Wagtails East Africa. Wagtails do. Swallow France. Swallow East Africa. Swallow do. Swifts Mesopotamia. Roller East Africa. Lanner Falcon ... S. Palestine. Kestrel East Africa. Kestrel do. Kestrel do. Marsh-Harrier ... Qnetta. Marsh-Harrier ... S. Palestine. Ground speed : Remarks. m.p.h. 37*5 Average of two observations. {Thienemann.) 20| Average of two observations, Birds flying to water. See note E. 34 Average of three observations. Birds coming from water. See note E. 2r,-,5 Altitude of flight 2in feet. Wind calm. See note B. 20^ Birds coming to water. Average of two observations. See note E. 20 (Patten, ' Zoologist.") 30-1 Altitude of flight 160 feet. Slight following wind. See note B. 29 Altitude of flight 240 feet. Calm. See note B. 100 A Swallow was taken from Roiibaix to Paris, distance 160 miles, and returned to Roubaix 90 minutes after its liberation. {' Zoologist; 1887, e.r ' Globe.") 37j| Altitude of flight 235 feet. Wind calm. See note B. 34 Flying at ground-level. Strong head wind. See note B. well over Large flock at 6000 feet, feeding 68 over Mosul. They circled round machine and easily overtook it. Flying speed 68 m.p.h. (R.A.F.) 38-7 Altitude of flight 720 feet. Slight head wind. See note B. 48 Bird not hunting. See note E. 40i Altitude of flight 210 .feet. Weather calm. See note B. 43-9 Altitude of flight 310 feet. Weather calm. See note B. 22 Altitude of flight 150 feet. Strong head wind. See note B. 31, 36 Observations on two males hunting. Weather calm. See note A. 37^ Single bird hunting. See note E. 1 92 1.] Velocity of Mhjratory Flight among Birds. 2S3 Species. Place. Lammergeier Quetta. Lammorgeier Italy. White Stork Mesopotamia. Grey Heron France. Gannets Eastbourne. Pelican S. Palestine. Geese ? Ground speed : m.p.h. 79| *110 Remarks. *48 under *45 *48 51 44-3 Geese . . France. *55 Geese and Duck . .. Mesopotamia. 42-48, slightly faster. Geese . France. 50| Duck ? 47-8 Duck . Quetta. 51-59 Brent Geese . Scotland. *45 Mallard ? *50 Mallard . France. under *50 Teal . S. Palestine. 44 Houbara Bustard . Quetta. 42i Gliding to food at angle of 12 degrees to horizontal. Strong side wind. See note A. Bird nose-diving to escape from a pursuing aei-oplano. Obser- vation taken with air-speed indicator. (E.A.F.) Birds on spring passage at 4200 feet over Baghdad. Birds drew in their necks and legs when machine was near. (E.A.F.) By air-speed indicator. (E.A.F.) By air-speed indicator. (E.A.F.) Altitude of flight 1240 feet. A side wind of 15 m.p.h. See note D. Altitude of flight 905 feet. Measured by theodolite. (Clay- ton, ' Science,' n. s., vol. v. No. 105.) By air-speed indicator. (E.A.F.) Frequent observation by air- speed indicator. Birds usually on passage, biit all below 3000 feet. (E.A.F.) Altitude of flight 4210 Head wind of 9 m.p.h. note F. Altitude of flight 958 Measured by a sj^ecial dolite. (Clayton, ibid.) Eleven observations, calm. See note A. By air-speed indicator. (Wynne.) By air-speed indicator. Birds believed to be on passage. ( Wynne.) By air-speed indicator. (E.A.F.) Single bird flying low and leisurely. See note E. A single bird. Wind calm. See note A. feet. See feet, theo- Wind * Air-speed. SER. XI. VOL. 111. 234 Col. R. Meinertzhagen on the [Ibis, Species. Place. Stock Dove S. Palestine. Turtle-Dove Sinai. Geoffrey's Plover Palestine. (C'/i. geoffroyi). Kentish Plover . . . do. Caspian Plover East Africa. (Ch. asiaticus). Caspian Plover . . , do. Dotterel S. Palestine. Golden Plover ... England. Ground speed : m.p.h. 37 Sand-Grouse Quetta. 43| (Pi. orientalis). Sand-Grouse S. Palestine. 47* (Pt. senegallus). Pheasant — 33-8 Pheasant — 38-1 Partridge — 32-1 Partridge — *40 Quail Mediterranean. 57 34 34 51 ~ 47 46, 50i *60 Remarks. Fairly strong head wind. Bird flying to water. See note E. Several tests made on birds flying their best alongside a train. Speed of train obtained from kilometre posts. No record of wind. Bird flying from water. Slight head wind. See note A. Bird flying from water. Altitude of flight 460 feet. Weather cahn. See note D. Experiment in covered gallery. ('Field; Feb. 1887.) Experiment in the open. ( ' Field,' Feb. 1887.) Experiment in the open. (' Field, ' Feb. 1887.) By air-speed indicator. (R.A.P.) Timed at sea over 500 yards distance. Birds on passage. (Lynes, Brit. B. vol. iii.) Timed by speedometer in the Bay of Acre, birds flying directly in front of the car. Birds could , be pressed up to 39 m.p.h., after which the car could overtake them. Wind calm. Same as for Geoffrey's Plover. Birds flying very low on passage. Wind calm. See note B. Birds flying at 480 feet. Strong side wind. Birds on passage. See note B. Two observations. Birds flying very low. Strong side wind of 11 and 21 m.p.h. respectively. See note D. Birds being pressed. By air- speed indicator. {Wynne.) * Air-speed. 1 92 1.] Velocity of Migratory Flight among Birds. 235 Species. Place. Pacific Plover Pacific. (Gh. domiulcus). Lapwing S. Palestine. Lapwing France. Lajjwing do. Lapwing do. Little Stint East Africa. Terek Sandpiper... do. Greenshank do. Marsh-Sandpiper .. do. Oystercatcher . . . do. Ciirlew do. Whimbrel do. Grronnd speed : m.p.h. 50-75 37 50 *40-45 42 49 48-51 46,49 48,51, 51i 45-49 42-48:^ 43-52 Remarks. Not founded apparently on accu- rate observation. {Henshatv, Smithson. Inst. Eep. 1910.) Single bird, flying against head wind of 12 m.p.h. Altitude of flight 860 feet. See note D. Altitude of flight 5500 feet. Flying against a north wind on spring passage. Means of estimate imknown. {Portal, 'Field,' 17.iii.l7.) Observation by air-speed indi- cator. (E.A.F.) Altitude of flight 1410 feet. Slight side wind at ground- level. See note F. One observation. See note C. Four observations. See note C. Two observations. See note C. Three observations. See note C. Seven observations. See note C. Seventeen observations. See note C. Nine observations. See note C. * Air- So much for observations on the flight of wild birds. I shall now briefly record some of the more accurate observations on the rate of flight of Carrier Pigeons. Tegetmeier declares (' Field/ 22. i. 87) that the average speed of Carrier Pigeons is 36 miles per hour, whilst on two occasions a speed of 55 miles per hour was maintained for foiir hours in succession. From experiments carried out in a covered gallery (' Field,' 1887, p. 242) it was shown that a Pigeon flew at 33*8 miles per hour, whilst in the open another flew at 27'9 miles per hour. In the ' Homing Fancier's Annual ' of 1892 it was recorded that in covering 82 miles in good weather a bird maintained 23G Col. R. Meiaertzhageii on the [Ibis^ just over 71 miles per hour. From the Scilly Islands to Wiltshire (315 miles) a bird kept up a speed of 50^ miles per hour. In 170 miles a bird made 54 miles per hour, and in 104 miles it made 57^ miles per hour. In a race from Banff to Hampshire a bird maintained 6.2 miles per hour in very favourable weather. Finally^ a celebrated bird called " Volonel " on two occasions maintained over 60 miles per hour. Doubtless other figures have been published, but I have been unable to trace them. From the data available it appears tliat the normal velocity o£ a Carrier Pigeon is from 30-36 miles per hour, but that when '' homing " they can attain up to 60 miles per hour or over. Again arises the question as to whether migrants can accelerate their speed when actually migrating, in the same manner that a " homing " Pigeon can hurry on its way when " homing. '^ For reasons already given, I do not think they do, and there is (.'ertainly no evidence which even suggests it. The cases of Rooks in the above table were certainly those of migrating birds, and indicate no hurry. The Rossitten birds were all on passage, and show no excessive speed. In fact, the only excessive speeds we have in the table are those of the two Lammergeier which were taken under abnormal conditions, tlie (jrolden Plovers which were escaping pursuit, and the Roubaix Swallow. It is remarkable that this bird was also " homing," which may account for such an abnormal speed. But Swallows are most deceptive birds as regards their Hight. They are in locality neither strong nor rapid fliers, and personally I do not attach too much reliance in the data of the Roubaix Swallow. I do not believe any Swallow is capable of anything approaching that speed unless assisted by a tail wind of 30 or 40 miles an hour, which, as is well known, is a hateful condition to a travelling bird. The case of the Mosul Swifts is interesting. The birds were probably not on passage, but simply feeding. It is known that Swifts travel great distances in search of food and ascend great altitudes. In the Middle Atlas of Marocco, in the Himalayas, in Crete and Palestine, 4000 or 5000 feet 1 92 1,] Velocitij of Migratory Flight among Birds. 237 and 50 miles or so in distance seems nothing to these incomparable fliers. I have had splendid opportunities of observing botii the Alpine, Common, and Spine-tailed (Chcetura) Swifts, and it has been a great disappointment to me that I have never been able to get a satisfactory- estimate of their rate of flight, as they never continue on an even course. On a small island off the coast of Crete, I was recently given a good exhibition of what an Alpine Swift can do. I was watching some of these birds feeding round cliffs in which several pairs of Eleonora's Falcon were about to breed. Now, this delightful Falcon is no mean flier, and as these Swifts passed their cliff, the Falcons would come out against them like rockets. The Swifts would accelerate, and seemed to be out of sight before the Falcons were well on their way. So confident were the Swifts in their superior speed, that every time they circled round the island they never failed to " draw '' the Falcons, and seemed to be playing with them. I may add that these same Falcons have little difficulty in overhauling and striking a llock-Pigeon — itself no mean performer. I have also seen on record the case of Falcons and Swifts somewhere in India, when the former failed time after time to come up with his quarry. I unfortunately cannot trace the reference. I hesitate to even guess at the speed to which a Swift can attain when the necessity arises, but the main point is that this, the fastest of birds, can increase his ',' feeding " speed of, say, 70 miles per hour to a velocity which must exceed 100 miles per hour. There is little doubt that the speed of the Golden Plover in the table is an accelerated speed. Pilots in Mesopotamia have told me that whereas Geese cannot to any great extent accelerate, Duck, when pressed, could attain a speed of about 60 miles per hour. To conclude, 1 find that birds have two speeds — a normal rate which is used for every-day purposes and also for migration, and an accelerated speed which is used for pro- tection or pursuit, and which in some cases nearly doubles tiie rate of their normal speed. Some of the heavier birds 238 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, can probably only accelerate to a slight extent. In this conclusion I am naturally excepting " courtship " flight, which is usually of an accelerated nature. I also find, after eliminating abnormal conditions and observations based . on meagre evidence, that the normal and migratory rate of flight in miles per hour is as follows : — CorvidEe 31-45 Starlings 38-49 Smaller Passeres. 20-37 Falcons 40-48 Geese 42-55 Ducks 44-59 Tame Piiieons ... 30-36 Sand-Grouse ... 43-47 Waders 34-51, but mostly from 40-51. XIII. — Field Notes on the Birds of Lower Egypt. By W. Raw, M.B.O.U. With Contributions hy Colonel R. Sparrow, G.M.G., D.S.O., M.B.O.U., and the Rev, F. C. R. JouRDAiN, M.A., M.B.O.U. From August 1915 until April 1919 I was resident at the Wireless Station of Abu Zabal. The village of that name is situated some twenty miles nortli-east of Cairo, and my quarters were a further mile in the same direction, right on the Cairo-Ismailia canal, where it skirts the edge of the desert. Thus I had easy access to the cultivation, desert, and palm-groves, while some two hundred acres of useful swamps (known as the Birket Accrashi) were within half-an-hour's walk. The locality was therefore ideal for ornithological observation. Throughout my stay I kept a daily diary, and the follow- ing notes are culled from its pages. I endeavoured to secure as much information on the breeding birds of Egypt as I could, and for the purpose of putting my observations and other information on record, I propose to include all my oological data in this paper, although much of it was secured outside the six-mile area included in the Abu Zabal district. Due reference will be made to such divergence. To my friend Mr. J. Lewis Bonhote, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., 1 92 1.] Birds of Loiver Egypt. 239 M.B.O.U., I am deeply indebted for much kindly assistance in many ways. His thorough knowledge of the Birds of Egypt, his genial hospitality, and advice were ever at my disposal, and I shall always associate him with any success which fell to my lot. Mr. M. J. Nicoll, M.B.O.U., and Captain S. S. Flower, F.L.S., M.B.O.U., of the Egyptian Zoological Service, also rendered me many kindnesses which I gratefully acknowledge. I must also pay tribute to Lieut. D. Paton, Major P. H. Manson-Bahr, D.S.O., M.B.O.U., Captain W. Shipton. M.B.O.U., Captain W. Bigger, M.C., M.B.O.U., Major F. W. Borman, M.B.O.U., Lieut. D. W. Musselwhite, M.B.O.U., and Dr. Beven, all of whom assisted me in many ways, and in whose company much of my work was done. The Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A., M.B.O.U., has kindly revised the nomenclature and furnished the list of literature. The supplementary notes in square brackets on the breed- ing of Egyptian birds are from observations made by Col. Sparrow in the yeajs 1893-94, 1908-09, and refer with few exceptions to the Delta or the desert bordering it. As these notes agree closely with my own, it was not thought necessary to confirm my observations in all cases, but his remarks are confined to those instances in which additional information was available or some divergence of habits noted. The nomenclature adopted is that of the International Rules, and in the main we have followed Hartert's ' Vogel pal. Fauna,' with some necessary modifications. The order followed is that of this work, and a list of the principal notes and papers on the Ornithology of Lower Egypt is also appended. It is not intended to be exhaustive, and only those papers which are likely to be useful to British ornithologists and are readily accessible are included : — 1859. E. Cavendiijli Taylor. Ibis, pp. 41-55. Ornithological Reminis- cences of Egypt. 1860. „ „ Ibis, p. 199 (Corrections). 1861. J. Cavafy. Ibis, p. 210 (Letter on Bnch/tes cinereo- capillus and Chettusia leucura). 240 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, 18G2. S, Stafford Allen. Ibis, pp. 357-361. Notes on the Birds of Egypt. 1863. ,, „ Ibis, pp. 32-34, 156-7. Notes on the Birds of Egypt. „ ,, „ Ibis, pp. 363-4 (Letter on CMce 250 Mr. W. Raw nn the [Ibis, at the British Museum, and refer them to the above sub- species. 49. Phylloscopus trochilus. Willow-Warbler. Numerous in spring, but less so in the autumn. 50. Phylloscopus bonelli, Bonelli's Warbler. Seen occnsionally feeding in the sont-trees in both spring and autumn. Specimens obtained. 51. Phylloscopus sibilatrix sibilatrix. Wood-Warbler. Observed only in tjie s})ring except a single specimen seen on 11 September, 1917. Abu Zabal Avas not an ideal spot for observing the autumn migration, as I am certain manv species rested near the coast and passed over Abu Zal)al in the next lap of their journey. [Phylloscopus s. erlangeri ? Erlanger's Wood- Warbler. On 17 April, 1916, I saw a bird which I believe was referable to this subspecies. It was in my garden, but I did not shoot it as I had hopes of trapping it alive.] 52. Locustella luscinioides luscinioides. Savi's Warbler. Large numbers were observed roosting in the reed beds of the old canal in April 1917. 53. Acrocephahis arundinaceus. European Great Reed- Warbler. I believe this species may occur at Abu Zabal, although I never secured one there. I did, however, shoot a specimen at Inchas, not far distant, in the spring of 1918. 54. Acrocephahis stentorens stentoreus. Clamorous Eeed- Warbler. Connnon and resident in the reed-beds on the Birket Accrashi. I found the eggs of this bird on 11 May, 1910. Some were 75 per cent, incubated, others fresh, and I found several uncompleted nests on the same day. Fresh eggs and young birds were also observed in the Wadi Natrim late in May 1918. 1 92 1.] Birds of Lower Egypt. 251 [Four eggs in the Fayum and three at Inclias appear to be the normal chitch ; I never found five. At Lake Qarun in the Fayura I took two fresh clutches of four on 30.iii. 10. At Inchas the beginning of June is the best time for fresh clutches, though I took fresh eggs between 28. iv. 09 and 27. vi. 09, but clutches o£ three taken on 15. v. 09 and 6. vi. 09 were slightly and very much incubated. — R. S.] 55. Acrocephalus scirpaceus scirpaceiis. Common Reed- Warbler. On 10 March, 191G, I picked up a Reed-Warbler which had been injured by flying against our aerial wires. Also observed in the vicinity of the Birket Accrashi in April, and again in early September. 5G. Acrocephalus schoenobsenus. Sedge- Warbler. Common during both migrations. Several were observed so late in the s})ring — May — that I thought they must be breeding, but I never found any trace of nesting, and they subsequently disappeared, to return sometimes as early as 14 August. 57. Hypolais pallida pallida. Olivaceous Warbler. Very connnon from the end of March until the end of August. Numbers breed at Abu Zabal, commencing to build soon after their arrival. As building-sites they usually select lime, orange or tangerine trees, but I found several in geranium bushes with the nest neatly built into a fork about two feet from the ground. Two broods are reared in a season, the second about the end of June ; but I have occasionally found young birds still in the nest as late as the second week in August. Two to three is the usual clutch, and I only once found one of four. I have two sets of very pink eggs taken at Abu Zabal on 9. vi. 16 and lo. v. 16. [The normal clutch consists of three eggs : only one set of four observed. 10 May is the usual date for fresh eggs. — R. S.] s3 252 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, 58. Hypolais rama. Sykes's Warbler. I shot a specimen at Inchas on 30 September, 1917, which Mr. M. J. Nicoll refers to this species. It is in the Giza collection. Although closely resembling the preceding species, I thought its note differed ; and, moreover^ it was late for //. p. palVuIa to be seen. 59. Sylvia atricapilla. Blackcap Warbler. Seen sparingly in early spring. A specimen shot on 10 March. Never observed in autumn. 00. Sylvia communis communis. Common Whitethroat. Common during the spring, migration l)oiiig most numerous in mid-April. Observed but rarely in Septomljer. (U. Sylvia curruca curruca Lesser Whitethroat. Abundant in the s[)ring. Usually first observed about 16 Februarv. Not uncommon in September. 62. Sylvia rueppelli. Rueppell's War])ler. Common at Abu Zaljal from 8 ]M:ircli to mid-April. Rarely observed in autumn. G3. Sylvia melanocephala melanocephala. Sardinian Warbler. Several obtained. One caught alive on 23 March, 191G. Also shot on 25 Februarj^ 1917, and in Septend)er. 64. Sylvia melanocephala momus. Bowman's Warbler. The only specimen 1 met with was one which I shot at Abu Znbal on 30 October, 1918. 05. Sylvia melanocephala norrisae. Nicoll's Warbler. I secured a sinole addled eii'o- from a nest containino- tlu-ee young of this spf^cies on 21 March, 1917. The nest was built in a tamarisk bush on the small island in Lake Qariin, Fayum, and was about two and a half feet from the ground. The nest was well built, and something like that of the Greenfinch, but smaller, and a quantity of old fish-netting was used in the outside structure. The young- were just about to fly when the nest was discovered by 1921.] Birds of Lower Egypt. 253 Captain W. Sbipton, who observed the birds hauutino- the bush whilst he was hiid up waiting for ducks to flight. The female of this subspecies is of a very skulking disposition and extremely difRcult ro obtain in the tamarisk thickets. I succeeded in shooting two females and several males, and also another young bird just on the wing. Apart from this locality, I also met with these birds near the Moeris Hotel, on the opposite shore of Lake Qarun ; and, on a subsequent visit, found it common at the eastern end of the lake, where I secured further s|iecimens. I believe it to be fairly numerous in suitable places around the lake ; but I never met with it at Tamiya or elsewhere in the Fayian Province. The egg is very similar to some types of the (*ommon Whitethroat, being greenish and closely spotted. [I can confirm Mr. flaw's notes on this species, as I obtained a young bird unable to fly, and found several old nests of the year on an island in Lake Qarun on 29. iii. 10. I also found a new nest without eoo-g. The nests I saw Avere chiefly composed of the stems of tamarisk bushes. — R. S.] 66. Sylvia cantillans albistriata. Subalpine Warbler. Observed sparingly in early spring from 15 March to 12 April. Never identitied in the autumn. 67. Agrobates galactotes galactotes. Rufcous Warbler. This, our only real song-bird, arrives towards the end of March; and is abundant and tame until the end of August. Two broods are raised annually, and dwarf date-palms are frequently selected to build in, although heaps of rubbish and clumps of prickly pears are also much resorted to. The middle of May is usually the time for the first full clutches, and I have found fresh eggs on 18 June. Two to three is normally all that one finds in a clutch, but some years sets of four are more common. Major F. W. Borman found clutches of five not uncommon farther north, near Lake Borollos, in June 1018. It also breeds in the Wadi Natrun 254 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, in May. I once found fre.sh eggs o£ this species in a House- Sparrow's nest, eight feet from the ground, in an orange- tree. Nothing had apparently been added to the sparrow's nest by the Rufous Warljlers. I had previously taken the eggs of both pairs of birds. [In 1909-10 I found four eggs the normal clutch for first layings, and May 10 the best date for fresh eggs. In the Fuyuin a nest had four fresh eggs on 5 May, 1910. — R. S.] &d>. Scotocerca inquieta inquieta. Scrub-Warbler. Although not occurring at Abu Zabal, where the desert is too void of rocks and bushes to suit its requirements, I found this species breeding in the Wadi Hof, about twenty miles south of (Jairo, and it also occurs in the wadis behind the citadel. Mr. M. J. Nicoll has found eggs in the Wadi Hof as early as the first of March, and Major J. W. Borman found them there, I think, equally early. I, however, found one full clutch of five fresh eggs, one of four, and a single egg in the same place on 24 March, 1918. Several nests were then seen, yet unfinished. This bird is very tame whilst breeding, and the nuile has a pleasing song. The nest, whicli resembles that of a Long- tailed Tit minus the lichen trimmings, is lined with feathers, pieces of string, or soft rag, and is to be found in the largest of the bushes which find an existence in the bottom of the wadi. The nest is usually about two feet from the ground, and not well concealed, [In the Wadi Hof I found two nests wath one and two fresh eggs respectively on 13 March, 1910, and another with four hard-set eggs on 6 April, 1910. One nest was lined entirely with Woodcocks' feathers, probably collected from a dead migrant. — R. S.] 69. Prinia gracilis gracilis. Fayum Graceful Warbler. This species does not occur at Abu Zabal, but I secured its eggs in the Fayum, where it is abundant, on 14 March, 1917. The nest, eggs, and habits differ in no way from the two following subspecies. 192 1.] Birds of Loiver Egypt. 355 70. Prinia gracilis deltse. Delta Giaceful Warbler. This bird is coniinon and resident at Abu Zabal, where I found its eggs, usuidly about the beginning of March ; but they continue to breed throughout the spring, and 1 have seen young birds in the nest as late as 14 August. Tamarisk bushes, small palius, sont bushes, and creepers like honey-- suckle are the usual building-sites for the nest, which is generally built of grasses and lined and decorated with pieces of raw cotton. [The nest of this bird is entered by a hole in the side, near the top. The usual clutch consists of 3 or 4 eggs, and I never met with 5. April and May appear to be the principal breeding months. — 11. S.] 71. Prinia gracilis natronensis. Natrun Graceful Warbler. I secured the eggs of this subspecies in the Wadi Natrun late in May, 1918. Beyond one very deep red clutch of eggs I saw no difference in the nest, eggs, or habits from the preceding race. • 72. Cisticola cisticola cisticola. Fantail Warbler. ( ;ommon and resident. I found the eggs of this species as early as 19 February and as late as early June, but April is the month when they are most numerous. My collection contains a wonderful variety of types, ranging from pure white through red-spotted on a white ground to Linnet- and even Thrush-like types, whilst the only five clutch 1 found consisted of eggs siniilar to those of the Spotted Flycatcher in colour. Two to four appears to be the normal number of eo-D-s in a clutch. The nest is beautifully built and resembles the type of purse which is provided with a string to draw tight the mouth. It is usually built in the rank grass which borders the fields and canals, and is generally fairly near the ground. Occasionady a clump of rushes or other herbage surrounded by water is selected. Many nests are destroyed by the natives, who burn the grass to destroy locusts, etc. Another peculiarity of this species is its habit of building more than one nest, for uo apparent reason, in 256 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, close pvoximiiy to one another. Should the first clutch be taken, it immediately utilizes one of these nests for the second laying. It never moves far, which I easily proved by observing the particular type laid by certain pairs. I found one nest built in a stray clump of barley in a bean- lield. The stems of the barley were neatly woven into the side of the nest. I gave this specimen to the Giza Museum. [I have a five clutch of Blue Tit type taken at Inch;is ;50.iii. 10. My earliest date for a clutch of three at Matarieh is 25. iii.09, and my latest 18. vi. 1909. The majority of nests found at Inchas between the end of May and middle of June contained three eggs, but most likely there were several broods. — R. S.] 73. Tardus pilaris. Fieldfare. Two seen at close range on 17 February, 1916 *, were all I ever saw at Abu Zabal. 74. Turdus philomelus philomelus. Song-Thrush. Observed every winter, usually singly, in the gardens or palm groves. Never seen later than mid-March. 75. Turdus merula syriacus. Blackbird. Observed every winter in the gardens, corn-fields, and palm-groves. Five seen together on 10 February, 1916. 76. Monticola saxatilis. Rock-Thrush. Fairly common during the tirst fortnight of April each year. I appear to have no record during autunni. 77. Monticola solitarius transcaspicus. Blue Rock-Thrush. Passes thruuiih Abu Zabal between 10 March and 15 April, being generally seen perched on mud-walls, native houses, and old wells. [* In Captain A. W. Boyd's paper in 'The Ibis," 11)17, p. 541, it is stated that Turdus visci varus had not been previously recorded i'roni Egypt. This is a mistake, as Schrader described it as an occasional visitor in hard winters as far back as 1892. — F. C. R. .1.] tgii.] Birds of Lower By ypt. 257 78. (Enanthe cenanthe subsp. ? C.*oininon Wheatear. Numerous both in spring and autumn. This species passes through from hite March until late in May, and during the month of Se[)tember. I have not yet examined my skins of this bird, so cnnnot sa}' to which form they belong. I have frequently seen many birds sitting in the sont-trees, in the shade of a branch, gaping with the heat, at which time they are easy to approach, and are readily caught in a net-trap baited with a mealworm. 79. (Enanthe deserti deserti. Desert Wheatear. Seen occasionally throughout the year. A brood of young birds usually appeared during August, but I never dis- covered the nest. Frequently observed perching on trees. Adult males are commoner during the latter part of April. An immature bird shot on 8 August, 1917, had a large green tick adhering to its eyelid. 80. (Enanthe deserti albifrons. Eastern Desert Wheatear. In, I think, March 1917, I shot an adult male, which Mr. M. J. Nicoll referred to (J^. d. atrogidaris { = albifrons). I later (8-15 March, 1919) shot other birds which appeared to belong to this form when compared w'ith (J^J. d. deserti ; but one of them, which Dr. Hartert kindly examined, is believed by him to be referable to the latter form. As I have no more of my skins by me I must leave the question in this unsatisfactory condition. 81. (Enanthe hispanica xanthomelaena. Eastern Black- throated Wheatear. Both Black-throated and Black-eared forms of this species pass through the Abu Zabal on both migrations somewhat later than the (Common Wheatear, the male being earlier than the female in each case. 82. (Enanthe leucomela cypriaca. Eastern Pied Wheatear. On 5 November, 1919, I shot the first authenticated specimen of this species in Egypt. The skin is in the Giza 258 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, Museum. It was an adult male, and I tried in vain to secure another male ■which liaunted the rocky bed of an old canal for several days about the same time. This species must have been overlooked, for on 1 November, 191(S, I shot another adult male, and during the succeeding week I saw upwards of a dozen and shot several, which are in my collection and that of Mr. J. L. Bonhote. All the specimens shot and seen were males, and, although I kept a good look- out, I never saw a single female. 83. (Enanthe melanoleuca finschii. Araluan C'hat. A feauile shot on 12 February, 1*J17, and three males during November, l'Jltian Swallow. (Jommon and resident. Usually builds in native houses, under verandahs and railway bridges, and has been found by Major F. W. Bornian in dug-outs on the Suez Canal. In the last week in April I saw a nest under a wharf on the Suez Canal within a few feet of the water. I have also seen nests in some of the busiest streets in Cairo, such as Mohamed Ali Street, just clear of the heads of pedestrians. The eggs are usually laid about the beginning of May, though sometimes earlier. There is considerable variation in the size of the eggs, some specimens being very small, and others as large as normal eggs of the European Swallow. [My dates are — four eggs incubated oJ . iii. 09 ; nests with eggs21. iii. 94, 15. iv. 94 ; eggs and also young 8. vi. 1893 — so it is evidently double- or treble-brooded. Four is the usual clutch. — R. S.] 1 92 1.] Birds of Loiver Egypt. 261 09. Hirundo daurica rafula. ReJ-rumped Swallow. Rarely observed at Abu Zabal, but on 1 May, 1917, a fair number of these birds were seen hawking for flies over the reed-beds at tlie Birket Accrashi. •100. Delichon urWca urbica ? House-Martin. Never very numerous, but observed at various times in spring and autumn. Six seen on 18 April, 191G. 101. Riparia riparia riparia. Sand-Martiu. This species passes through Abu Zabal in fair numbers, but is not readily distinguished from the following sub- species, and, in consequence, I am not certain of dates. 102. Riparia riparia littoralis. Shelley's Sand-Martin. Abundant from the end of March throughout the summer, breeding in colonies in the sand-banks. One large colony had their nesting-holes in a sand-bank not more than eighteen inches high in a sand-pit near the Birket Accrashi. 1 took eggs there on 10 April, 19 16, and had difficulty in finding a clutch of five. On 8 April, 1918, I found many nests containing five eggs. Major F. AV. Borman showed me a thriving colony in some trenches at the School of Instruction close to a busy camp at Zeitoun. [Very large colonies at Shubra Island and in both banks of the Nile between Rod-el-Farag and the Barrage. It also nests at Abbassia and at Abu Roash. I took many eggs between 18-22 March in 1909-10.— li. S.] 103. Riparia obsoleta obsoleta. Pale Crag-Martin. Although this species was never observed at Abu Zabal it is not uncommon near the Citadel in Cairo and in the clifEs behind. I found a nest there in an old lime-kiln on 2 April, 1918, on which the bird was sitting. Owing to the position of the nest I was unable to investigate it. This species also breeds inside the domes of some of the houses in the main streets of Heliopolis, and I have seen them feeding- young there in Aj)ril. Captain W. Bigger found fresh eggs at Luxor on 19 February, 1917. 262 Mr. W. Kaw on the [Ibis, [The only eogs taken of this species were found in a buildino- at Abbassia on 80 March, 18114 ; the clutch consisted of three, and the eggs are spotted with chestnut brown instead of red, and are easily distinguishable from the eggs of //. r. savigmi. — R. S.] 104. Apus murinus murinus. Pallid Swift. On 12 February, 1917, several were observed flying over the Birket Accrashi, where they were noted until 27 February. Single birds observed at various times of the year. I never identified the European Swift, but probably it also occurs. .1. m. murinus was common near Lake Karim in March 1917, and I shot several there. [This bird is common at Cairo, and nests in the holes of walls in the mosques of the Tombs of the Khalifs. I took one clutch of fresh eggs on 1. iv. 10, and found young fledged on 27. iv. 09.— E. S.] 105. Capnmulgus europaeus europaeus. European Nightjar. The only sj)eciuien ever met with at Abu Zabal was shot on 18 April, 1919. I found ( '. e. eurojvius to be not un- connnon near Lake Menzaleh in September 191G. 106. Caprimulgus asgyptius segyptius. Egyptian Nightjar. This species was occasionally seen and obtained at Abu Zabal. It is extremely abundant between 18 August and tlie end of September, when bunches of upwards of fifty annually ap[)eared on some rough ground near my quarters. ^Vlien walking over this place there seemed to be a Nightjar to every vard. Of four which I shot on 9 September, 1917, two were males and two females. They were deep in moult. Major F. W. Borman and Lieut. D. W. Musselwhite found two pairs of eggs and shot a bird of this species on 29 May at Sidi Salem. The eggs were much incubated, and were laid under the shelter of a small bush close up to the roots, on some uncultivated ground. [This species was common in the desert on IG. iii. 09. — R.S-] 192 1.] Birds of Lovjer Egypt. 263 107. Caprimulgus segyptius saharae. Nightjai-. On 20 May, 19 IG, I sliot a female which had well-defined incubation patches, at Abu Zabal. T never discovered eoos or young, but saw another adult on 25 May near the same place — the edge of the desert. In 1917 I again saw a pair of birds in the same locality on 30 May and 4 July. A systematic search^ however, brought no luck. I shot other specimens, but appear to have mislaid the data, and the skins are in the collection of the Cliza Museum or that of Mr. J. L. Bonhote. [A pair shot on 25. v. 10 at Gattah had their reproductive organs very much developed, but I failed to obtain any eggs.— R.S.] 108. Merops apiaster. 'European Bee-eater. Large numbers pass through Abu Zabal during both migrations. Average dates 9 April and mid-September. These birds roost in the same clumps of trees every year. 109. Merops persicus persicus. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. Large straggling flocks annually pass over Abu Zabal, sometimes at a great heioht and somewhat earlier than the preceding species. It breeds at Iiichas in fair numbers, and I have taken full clutches there on 12 May, which date is very consistent. [This Bee-eater also breeds between Farash-hour and Damietta ; also between Abu Hammad and Mahsama. In 1904 Mr. Malcolm took fresh eggs between 2-25 May. Atlnclias on 12. v. 09 I dug out several nest-holes, but the birds had not laid. The last week in May is apparently the time for full clutches, which range from four to six. — R. S.] 110. Merops orientalis cleopatra. Green Bee-eater. Five seen on 17 October in the garden at Abu Zabal is the only record I have for that place. It is, however, fairly numerous round Caii-o in the winfer, and breeds no farther south than Mazohouna, where I took fresh eggs on 27 April, 1918. If is interesting to note that I found an addled egg of the previous year in amongst a fresh clutch, thus shov.ing that the same hole is sometimes used again as a nesting-site. Some of their holes were on quite flat open 264 On the Birds of Lower Egy Jit. [Ibis, crronnd, but the majority were amongst prickly pears in little sand-pits. Five a]ipears to be the full clutcli. [Mr. H. Malcolm took a clutcli of seven eggs at Damietta on 16 April, and fresh eggs at Minieh on 6. v. 04. At Mazghouna I took clutches of 6, 5, 5, slightly incubated, on 4. v. 10, and found two fresh eggs and one nest in which the birds had not yet laid. — R.S.] 111. XJpupa epops epops. European Hoopoe. This subspecies occurs annually, but owing to its great resemblance to the next on tlie list its dates of arrival and departure nre hard to judge. I have obtained it several times during the winter months, and have observed it well out on the desert, obviously migrating in April. 112. TJpupa epops major Brehm. Brehm's Hoopoe. (Common ;nid resident. I took a clutch of six fresh eggs out of a hole 20 feet up in the wall of our engine-house on 3 March, 1917. Other dates are : 0/4, 10 April, 1916 ; 0/6, 3 May, 1917 ; and 0/7, 0/7 at Inchas, 12 May, 1918. This bird uses many sites for depositing its eggs, and I never found any nesting material in their filthy holes. I quote a few sites which came under my observation : — '■ Hole inside native hut, hole in a tree, old nesting-hole of the Pied Kingfisher nearly flush with water in a deep canal, firebox of old obsolete oven which was leaning against a wall, drain-pipe carrying water off a roof, and high up under the eaves of our engine-house, where presumably the same pair rais(^d three broods in 1918. Hoopoes were again breeding there when I left in April 1919. [The hole in a wall or under the eaves of a native house seems to be the usual site of nest. My dates for eggs are : Luxor, six fresh and three hard-set, 18. iii. 10 ; Inchas, six fresh, three fresh, on 30. iii. 10. At Inchas on 29. v. 09 I found seven young fourteen days old and five young ten days old ; also four fresh eggs on 27. vi. 09, and it is evidently double- or treble-brooded. — 11. S.] [To be continued.] 1921.] Birds of Tasso and aojoining Islands. 265 XIV. — The Birds of Tasso and adjoininf/ Islands of the Rokelle River, Sierra Leone. By Willoughby P. Lowp], M.B.O.U. With Notes hy David A. Bannerman, B.A., M.B.O.U. (Text-figiire 3.) Preface. — By D. A. Bannerman, The collection of birds obtained by Mr. W. P. Lowe in Sierra Leone in the early s])ring of 1920 comprises 207 skins, representing 118 species and subspecies. As Mr. Lowe has explained in his introductor}' remarks, the collection was made principally on the three islands — Tasso, Mayahgba, and Yatward — M'hich lie in the wide mouth of the Rokelle River ; these islands have never been explored, and it has therefore been thought advisable to give a complete list of the birds known to inhabit each. The position of these islands will be seen by referring to the map (text-figure 3) which has been specially prepared by Lieut. Mansergh, R.N., of H. M.S. ' Dwarf.' During his comparatively short stay in Sierra Leone, Mr. Lowe was successful in adding a nvimber of species to the list of Sierra Leone birds hitherto unrecorded from the ( !olony. All were obtained, unless the contrary is noted, viz, : — Ortygosjnza atricollis ansorgei, Anticltromus miimtns miiuifus, f Cisticola terrestris subsp. undetermined, Cisticola rufopileata rufopileata, Penthohea frontalis, Brady- ornis murinus modest us, Batis senegalensis togoensis, Tchitrea viridis viridis, Riparia riparia riparia, Clamator glandarius, Centropus francisi, Micropus ceqxiatorialis loivei, subsp. nov., Lophoceros nasutus nasi/tus, Bi/canisies fstidator, Bubo africanus cinerascens, *Aquila icahlhergi, * Spizaetus coronatus, *Cuncuma vocifer, Circaetus cinereus, *Pandion haliaetus * Not obtained, but identified without a doubt. t A single specimen only was obtained ; recently we have received a further single specimen in breeding-plumage from Miijor Scovil, R.A. The bird is most nearly allied to C t. eximia, Heugl., and, when a series are obtained, will probably prove to belong to an undescribtd race. SER, XI. VOL. III. T 260 Mr. W. P. Lowe om the [Ibis, Jialiaetus, ^Pelenums sj). uncertain, "^Ardea c/oViatJi, Mcht- nophoyx ardesiaca, Ardeola ibis Uti.'t, Triiu/a ferruriinea ferni(/inea, Totanns tot anus, Rhyacophihis /anea), so well known and loved by all Avhite people who visit the Colony. I am here giving a com[)lete list of the birds obtained on this and other islands, as well as those seen and whose identitication is Ijeyond doubt. I am greatly indebted to Mr. David A. Bannerman for having named the collection, and for compiling a complete list of Sierra Leone l)irds, which will not only be useful to compare with the island lists here given, but will also be of Hreat service to those who will continue the iuterestino- study of Sierra Leone birds. I have also to thank Lieut. M. J. Mansergh, R.N., of H.M.S. ' Dwarf,' for preparing this the first correct map of the little-ktiown liokelle River and its islands. There are still, doubtless, many birds in Sierra Leone which have not yet been recorded, but Mr. Bannerman's list will at least bring our knowledge of Sierra Leone birds up to date. An asterisk denotes that the bird was s«en beyond doubt, but no skins were preserved. 272 Mr. \y. P. Lowe on the [Ibis, List of the Birds of Tasso Island, liokelle Miver, Sierra Leone, icith Field-notes. Corvus scapulatus. Pied Crow. On Tasso Island during March these birds were very scarce, only an odd bird was to be seen. During April their numbers greatly increased, and small flocksof twenty were to be seen. Cinnyricinclus leucogaster leucogaster. Amethyst Starling. Fairly common on Tasso Island. A pair were nesting in a hollow stump of a dead sapling, two feet high, on 10 April. A single well-fledged bird was found in the hole, one foot deep. There was no sign of any nest. Hyphantornis cucullatus. Rufous-necked Weaver. Quite common and nesting in a cottonwood tree on 18 March. Sitagra ocularius brachypterus. Swuinson's Spectacled Weaver. Not nearly so plentiful as the former species. Budytes flava flava. Yellow Wagtail. Several seen on the pond near the village, which was nearly dried up. Anthus leucophrys gouldi. Gould's Pipit. A common bird amongst the cassava, where it nests. Cyanomitra verticalis verticalis. Green-headed Olive Sunbird. Tolerably common, but much more plentiful on the mainland. Cinnyris chloropygius chloropygiiis. Scarlet-collared Sun- bird. This beautiful little Sunbird is, no doubt, the commonest species. 192 1.] Bi7'ds of Tasso and adjoining Islands. 273 Anthothreptes gabonica. Little Browu-and-white Sunbird. Moderately common about Tasso village, iu company with the former species. Cisticola lateralis. Grass- Warbler. A Eairly common species, possessing a beautiful song, which is uttered in the early morning from the top of some small bush. The same spot is used daily for this purpose. Prinia mystacea melanorhyncha. Black-billed Wreu- Warbler. Noticed sparingly in March amongst low bush. Hylia prasina. Cassin's Warbler. One shot 9 April^ but unfortunately not recovered. They arc moderately common in thick bush. Pycnonotus barbatus inornatus. Dusky Bulbul. A pair of these birds used to sing behind our bungalow ; they were the only ones seen. Phyllastrephus simplex. The Plain Bulbul. Tolerably common. Breeding 17 March. Campophaga phoenicea. Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike. I only met with two (both young birds). *Hiriindo rustica rustica. (Jommon Swallow. Swallows were irregular during the latter part of March. Some days only two or three were seen, whilst another day they were numerous and in fairly large flocks. Dendropicus lugubris. Mournful Woodpecker. A well-fledged bird was brought to me on 14 April by a child whose father had cut down a small dead tree. I could not get the child to part with it. Crinifer africana africana. African Plantain-eater. Only noticed twice. The first time three were observed in some thick bush and two specimens were secured. Clamator glandarius. Great Spotted Cuckoo. Not common. The oviduct of one shot on 31 March contained an egg. 274 Mr. W. P. Lowe on the [Ibis, Centropus senegalensis senegalensis. ISenegal Coucal. One of the coiumonest birds, occurring everywhere. Ceuthmochares aereus flavirostris. Yellow-billed Coucal. A I'airly coniinon bird. Tachornis parvus brachypterus. Short-winged Palm-Swift. One of the most common birds. Scotornis climacurus. Long-tailed Nightjar. This is quite a common bird. On 16 March I found n bird sitting on some reddish-coloured ground amongst the cassava. I went close u[) to it and it refused to move until I practically touched it with my hand, when it flew away a short distance, leavino- two eoos which were brought home. Their colour matched the ground wonderfully well. Lophoceros semifasciatus. Half-barred Hornbill. Tolerably common. Bycanistes fistxilator. Piping Hornbill. Moderately conunon and noticed feeding on berries. *Bucorvus sp. ? Ground-Hornbill. A pair of Ground-Hornbills inhabifed the island. Unfor- tunately, I was not able to obtain a specimen, though I and others saw them many times. In size they resemble B. alnjss'inifus, but differ from that bird in being entirely black throughout, including the head and neck. They are known to the natives as "Woodcock," and are said to occur on the mainland, but I failed to find any. The beat of the wing is audible at a considerable distance. [It seems very probable that the Clround-Hornbill seen by Mr. Lowe on Tasso Island will prove to be an entirely new, undescribed species. A race (if recognised as such) of B. ahyssinims is certainly known to inhabit parts of West Africa, and is recorded by Reichenow from Portuguese Guinea. This form was named by Schlegel "■ Buceros caruncidatns, var. guineensis," on account of its supposed smaller size etc., but Reichenow (' YOgel Afrikas,' ii. p. 234) 1 92 1.] Birds of Tusso and adjuinlng Islanda. 275 does not accept it. In any case, tins AVest-African bird resembles the Abyssinian species in liavino- \chHe prinuiries, whereas the bird Mr. Lowe saw had entirely hJach primaries. Should any naturalist or sportsman have an opportunity of procuring one o£ these birds, the chance should not be neglected ; and may I beg him to forward the skin to the Director, British Museum (Natural History), London, S.W., where it will be most gratefully received, tying on to its feet a label bearing the lociility where obtained, date, and name of collector, and, if possible, the sex of the bird. — J). A. /j.] Merops persicus chrysocercus AV'est-African Persian Bee-eater. On II) March only a single bird was to be seen, whilst on 25 March they were tolerably common, flying about the large pond at back of Tasso village. Aerops albicollis albicollis. White-necked Bee-eater. Tolerably common on Tasso Island, 22 March. *Eurystonnis afar afar. (Jinnamon Roller. Common. A very pugnacious bird, attacking anything that comes near its favourite haunt. Halcyon malimbicus forbesi. Forbes's Kingfisher. Tolerably common. *Ceryla rudis nidis. Pied Kingfisher. Fairly common around the island. Psittacus erithacus timnah. Timneh Clrey Parrot. Heard nearly every morning at daybreak flying over the village of Tasso. They were tolerably common at the southern end of the island, feeding on palm-nuts. Bubo africanus cinarascens. Grreyish-spotted Eagle-Ovvl. I only saw two of these birds ; they were in some very tall mangi-ove-trees. The one shot had been feeding on rodents. Two young birds were obtained at Freetown, and were sent to the Zoological Gardens, London, where they are doing well. 276 Mr. \V. P. Lowe on the [Ibis, Otus lencotis leucotis. AVhite-fiiced Scops Owl. Some children found a nest on 29 March in the fork of a large mango-tree. It contained two young birds which were just able to fly, one of which was caught and subsequently went to the Zoological Gardens. The site chosen was ten feet from the ground, and there was no sigti of any nest, the tiny young birds merely sitting among a few bones and pellets. The bird when caught had quite a ])rownisli shade over- laid with sulphur-j'ellow. After a few weeks of captivity this disappeared. I visited this bird at the Gardens on 5 September, not having seen it for many months. I was pleased to find it remembered me, although very sleepy, and frequently responded to my call. Buteo auguralis. Lesser Augur-Buzzard. Found nesting in a cottonwood-tree about forty feet up. On 8 April I shot the female, which w-as alarmed for the safety of her young. On the following day T visited the nest and found the male had obtained another mate to assist in rearing the young. This seems very often to happen, and I have noticed it even amongst Orioles in America. *Aquila wahlbergi. Wahlberg's Eagle. One seen several times near Tasso, ])erched and Hying. Evidently uncommon, as it was the only one noticed. [Mr. Lowe cannot have made any mistake in the identifica- tion of this species. AVe have a skin in the British Museum, obtained at Bissao, Portuguese Guinea (ex Verreaux C-ol- lection), so that there is little doubt Mr. Lowe correctly identified his bird. — iK A.B.'] *Cuncuina vocifer. Vociferous Sea-Eagle. Tolerably common up the Rokelle River. Several times seen perched or flying on or around Tasso Island. [This seems to be the first record from Sierra Leone. We have specimens in the Museum from Senegal and Cameroon.— i>. A. B.] *Kaupifalco monogrammicus monogrammicus. African Buzzard-Eagle. Several seen. A fairly connnon bird. 1921.] Birds of Tasso and adjoining Islands. 277 *Grypohierax angolensis. Vultuiiiie Sea-Eagle. A very common and cons})icaous Ijird, and much liked by the natives for food. *Pandion haliaetus haliaetus. Osprey. Seen several times at the southern end of the island, where the natives have fish-traps. *Necrosyrtes raonaclms monachus. Hooded Vulture. Abundant in and around the village of Tasso. The dif- ference between these Vultures and those of British East Africa struck me as curious. We often shot Antelope and lel't them in a tree or by the roadside, and they were never molested ; whilst in British East Africa Vultures appear at once when game is killed, and, if not carefully guarded, soon commence to devour it. [An immature female specimen of this Vulture, nf). 5G2, now in the British Museum, obtained by Mr. Lowe at Murray town. Sierra Leone, on 27 April, 1920, is in very peculiar " head dress." I have never seen any Vulture in this state of plumage, and, as I can find no description of it in any paper, I describe it as follows : — Skin of the head immediately above the eye and below the eye absolutely bare of feathers, the bare skin divided on the top of the head by very short black feathers growing in tiny hair-like tufts, these bkack feathers dividing and passing over the base of the skull so as to completely encircle a pure white fluffy tuft measuring 3« X 10 mm. Both the eyes and the ears are surrounded with black hair-like feathers. The hind neck, from the base of the occiput to the commence- ment of the long feathers on the nape, is covered with close, almost fur-like, buff-coloured feathers. The lower part of the throat and the under sides of the neck are entirely bare of feathers, and only the skin from the base of the lower mandible for a distance of 5,5 mm. is covered with numerous small black hair-like tufts. At the extreme base of the neck on the under surface, and below the bare patch, there is a patch of rather long dark brown feathers, dividing tlie bare 278 Mr. W. P. Lowe on the [Ibis, patch of the lower nock from the sliort l)ro\vn feathers of the breast.— Z>. .-I . Z?.] *Pelecamis sj). uncertain. One or two Pelicans were noticed daily, either flying or fishing off the mud-flats. I was unfortunately unable to obtain a specimen, but they were [)robably P. onocrotaJus sharpei. [It does not yet seem to liave been settled definitely whether the Pelican of West Africa (terra tt/pica, Angola), named P. sharpei by Bocage, is a distinct subspecies or merely a colour-variety. Dr. Peichenow inclines to the latter view (Vog. Afr. i. p. 100). Apparently more specimens are badly recpiired in the National Collection. — 1). A. B.^ Scopus umbretta umbretta. Hammer-head Stork. Several seen wading about on the pond in company with Bubulciis ibis. T saw none elsewhere. Ardea cinerea. (Jommon Heron. I only saw the one obtained, but I have no doubt they are tolerably common. Demigretta gularis gularis. White-throated Shity Heron. Early in Mtii'ch these birds are very plentiful, but towards April their numbers are greatly tiecreased. At Freetown the}' nearly all disappear to their breeding-ground, wherever that mav be, and only an odd straggler is left behind. Ardeola ibis ibis. Bufli'-backed Egret. Very (common on the pond. Sometimes as man}' as fifty seen together. Rhyacophilus glareola. Wood-Sandi)iper. Common on the beach and also noted in mangrove-swamps. Tringa ferruginea ferruginea. Curlew-Santlpiper. Ordy noticed along the beach, where it is fairly common. It does not ap|)enr to have been recorded from Sierra Tjeone previously. 1 92 1.] Birds of Tasso and adjoininff Islands. 279 *Numeniiis arquatiis arquatus. Curlew. Abounds alono- mud-flats. Numenius phaeopus phseopus, Wliiinbrel. A very counnon bird, whose numbers become much reduced by the end of April. A few were seen on 2o May, whilst a single bird was seen near Freetown on 20 June. Squatarola sqiiatarola. Clrey Plover. A common sjiecies, retreating at high water to the niangrove-bi-anchos in companv with other Waders. Arenaria interpres interpres. Turnstone. Common along the shoi-es at low water. When the tide I'ises they, as well as other Waders, take refuge in the tali mangroves, where one nuiy find lots of fifty or more all huddled together. *Lariis cirrhoceplialus. Grey-headed Gull. The most common Gull. Very numerous at Freetown during the winter, but they nearly all depart for their breeding-grounds in the interior in April. *Larus fuscus affinis. British Lesser Black-backed Gull. Tt is obviously the light-backed race of this Gull which occurs sparingly oti' Tasso Island. Common at Freetown as late as 11 May, at which date only two or three used, in comj^any wMtii a single Larus ciri'/iocephalus, to visit our ship daily. No actual specimen was obtained during this A isit. Lariis fuscus fuscus. Continental Lesser Black-backed Gull. A single specimen of the dark-backed race of this Gull was obtained on 11 ]\Liy at Freetown. [The specimen obtained on 11 May is undoubtedly an example of the dark-backed race, Larus fti.'iCKs fascus. It is, of course, far out of the supposed range of this species, which is usually considered to be Scandinavia and eastwards (breeding). In winter it visits the eastern Mediterranean, 280 Mr. W. P. Lowe on the [Ibis, ranoing to tlie head of the Persian Gulf. I have, however, Jcnown the dark race to occur once in the Canar}^ Islands ((.;/'. Ibis, 1920, p. 757\ so that apparently stragglers may be looked for on the West Coast of Africa, where there can be no limit to its wanderings. Undoubtedly the note supplied by Mr, Lowe must apply to the British Lesser Black-backed Gull (Lams fuscus af^nis), which is known to winter in the western Mediterranean, in the Azores, Madeira, and Canary Islands, passing down the West African coast as far as Southern Nigeria. Mr. Lowe has himself obtained a specimen of the light-backed race in Sierra Leone on a former trip ; this was recorded by myself (lbis> 1912, p. 229) as L.fascus. — D.^i.B.^ *Sterna maxima. Giant Tern. A flock of about fifty were seen daily off the shore. Streptopelia semitorquata erythrophrys. Red-eyed Turtle- Dove. Yerv common. Youno- birds, well-flediied, were obtained 9 April. *Chalcopelia afra afra. Blue-spotted Wood-Dove. Moderately common. Vinago calva calva. Bald-fronted Fruit-Pigeon. Scarce. Two or three seen in the tall mangroves. Fancoliniis bicalcaratns thornei. Thome's Double-spurred Francolin. This is undoubtedly by far the most common bird on the island. In the cassava it fairly swarms, coveys of thirty or more rising continuously as one walks through. They do a great deal of damage to the crops, and the natives, having no guns, are completely at the mercy of the bird. My last visit to their feeding-grounds, 23 May, showed they had paired and receded into the bush, as only an odd bird was to bfl seen, where a few weeks previously there were hundreds. 192 1.] Bh'ds of Tasso and adjoining Islands. 281 List of the Birds of j\Ia>/aJufha Island. *Tscliagra senegala senegala. A sinule l)ird seen on ^(S March. *Cisticola lateralis. Tolerably coiuinon, and in fnll song on 2S March. Platysteira cyanea cyanea. Breeding on the island on 27 March, when a specimen was procured. *Lybiiis bidentatns bidentatus. A single pair seen on 2.] Demigretta giilaris gularis. *Ardea goliath. A single bird seen on 2% March. [Curiously enough, this is apparently the first record of A. goliath from Sierra Leone. It is known from many parts of West Africa, and has an enormous range throughout the Avhole of tropical Africa. — D. A . 7?.] Numeniiis arqiiatus arquatus. Numenius phseopus phaeopus. *Francoliniis bicalcaratus thornei. Very conunon. *Numida nieleagris. Only four seen. They are found with FranroJiit^is hicajcix- ntfiis tJiornei in an open space in the centre of the island. List of the JJirds of Yatward Jsland. Hy2)ha)itornis cucullatus. *JL'rtai(Io rustica rustica. *Tachoritis parvus hrachyptevKs. Halcyon malimbicus forhesi. *Psittacus erithaciis thnneh. *Astuy hadius sphenurus. '*Milvus miyra7is parasitus. *GypoJii('rax angolcnsis. *Demiyretta yularis yularis. *Butorides atricapilla. * lihyacojjliilus glanota. *Ai-cnaria interprcs xnterpres. *Hterna maxima. 1 92 1.] Systematic List of tlie Birds of Sierra Leone. 283 XV. — ^i Systematic List of the Birds of Sierra Leone. By David Bannerman, M.B.E., B.A., M.B.O.U. There appears to be very little literature dealing with Sierra Leone Ornitliology, and only three papers which deal exclusively with Sierra Leone birds. The following is a short list of the papers I have consulted : — L. Fraser. 1839. Proc. Zool. Soc. p. 34. [On a new species of Corythaix.] L. Fraser. 1842. Proc. Zool. Soc. p. 190. L. Fraser. 1843. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. xii. p. 367. [Description of a new Pitta (P. j^ulih).'] Sundevall. 1849. Ofversigt K. Sv. Vet.-Akad. Forhandlingar, pp. 156-163.. [This list contained the description of a new Hornbill Bitceros cuUratus (= Ceratogymna elata), and the names of 23 birds (17 of which appear to be genuine, while 6 ai'G indeterminable), including Caj)rimulgus inacro- dipterus Afzel., which has been used by most .authors for the Long-plumed Nightjar. The name cannot stand, for the reasons pointed out by Claude Grant (cf. Ibis, 1915, p. 302, footnote).] Cassiii. 1851. Proc. Philad. Acad. p. 347. [Ee-described ( 'Jiaunonotits suhini under name C. carbonarius, and descrilies Grmtcalas azureus.\. Jardilie. 1852. Contrib. to Ornith. p. 57. [First record of Ihdcyon striolata {^=^11. chellcuti) from Sierra Leone.] Sundevall. 1852. Jardine's Contrib. to Ornith. pp. 161, 162. [Makes minor corrections to his description of Buceros cidtratus.'\ Gray, G. R. 1867. List of specimens in Brit. Mus., pt. v. p. 44. [(juttera cristata, recorded from Sierra Leone.] Jardine, Sir W. 1874. Catalogue of skins in the Jai'dine Col- lection. [Contains names of 42 birds from Sierra Leone collected by Fergusson, a few by Forbes and P. .Neil. The skins were sold by auction in London on 17 June, 1886, and a numljer were then secured for the British, Cambridge University, and Royal Scottish Museums.] u2 284 Mr. D. Bannerman : A Systimatic List [Ibis, Kemp, Robin. 1905. 'Ibis; pp. 213-247. [With notes by Dr. Bowdler Shai'pe,] Bannerman, David A. 1912. ' Ibis,' pp. 219-268. [An account of jNIr. Willougbby Lowe's West African collections whilst naturalist on H.M.S. ' Mutine.'] Kelsall, H. J. 1914. ' Ibis,' pp. 192-228. [An account of his own collection.] Lowe, Willoughby P. 1921. ' Ibis,' pp. 2(55-282. [An account of the l)ir(ls collected on his second trip to iSierra Leone on H.M.S. ' Dwarf,' with notes by myself.] For the interest of those who haA'e not access to the past numbers of 'The Ibis,' I have prepared a short account of the Avork done by the three most important collectors, Mr. Robin Kemp, Col. II. J. Kelsall, and Mr. W. P. Lowe : — Mr. Robin Kemp landed in Sierra Leone on the 7th of March, 190.2, and remained there over three years. His collections, which were made in the Mendi country — the south-eastern part of the colony, — comprised 6,20 skins referable to 145 species. The majority of the birds were shot at Bo (4.")0 ft.), but quite a uumber at Rotifunk, situated on the Bumpe River, much nearer Freetown and tie coast. The Mendi country is described as being '' entirely covered with busli or small forest broken here and there by rice-farms and swamps, and has six large rivers flowing in a southerly direction.'' Kemp's birds are now in the British Museum. Mr. Willoughby P. Lowe was the next collector to visit Sierra Leone. He stayed there from the 28th of Jauuarv to the 6th of Februar\% 1911, and again from the 7th to the 12th of March of the same year, when naturalist on board li.M.S. ' Mutine,' at the invitation of Captain Hardy, R.N. During these two short visits Mr. Lowe secured 60 dif- ferent species of birds. Tliese and the rest of Mi'. Lowe's collection, made during the voyage of the 'Mutine,' Avere worked out by myself, and the results published iu ' The 192 1. J of the Birds of Sierra Leone. 285 Ibis/ 1912, pp. 219-208. I should like to take tliis oppor- tunity of" making some corrections in this paper, two of which have already been pointed out by Major Kelsall. The birds recorded as Fijrenestes ostrinus were in reality P. coccineus (pp. 224 & 232) ; likewise the immature birds recorded from Sierra Leone and Liberia as Chalcumitra ucik are C. splencUdus, while that from St. Paul de Loanda is C. gutturalis (p. 225). Specimens of Ardea gularis were, owing to an unaccount- able slip, recorded as Melanophoi/x ardesiaca (p. 22S). These two small Herons cannot possibly be confused. We did not iu those days pay such minute attention to the geographical races of birds described, and in consequence several birds recorded as species have now been sunk to the level of subspecies, while others are now recognized as distinct races of the species then recorded. Mr. Lowe's collections were presented to the British Museum by Captain Hardy. Colonel H. J. Kelsall, R.A. (then Major), was stationed in Sierra Leone from August 1910 to August 1911, and again from February 1912 to February 1913. His col- lection numbered 941 specimens, embracing 215 species. Major Kelsall worked out this collection himself, and published a valuable paper, together with an excellent map of the Protectorate. Kelsall carried out most of his observations in the Peninsula, but also toured through the central and southern portions of the Protectorate, an itinerary of which journey will be found in his paper {I.e. p. 193). On another occasion he spent a short time in the Hibbi and Bumpe Chiefdoms. His geographical and topographical notes are much fuller than those given by Kemp, and add largely to the value and interest of his paper. KelsalPs collections were tiixided between the British, Tring, and Dublin Museums, only 42 specimens belonging to 29 species and subspecies coming to the first named. 28(i Mr. D. Bannermau : A Si/stemutlc List [Ibis, Mr. Willoughby Lowe's second collection was made in the spring o£ last year (1920), mainly on the islands of the Rokelle River, when the guest of Commander Dane, R.N., as naturalist on board H.M.S. 'Dwarf.' This collection, -which I had the opportunity of working out, comprised 207 skins, representing 118 species and subspecies, including 32 birds new to the colony, and forms the basis of Mr. Lowe's paper published in the current number of 'The Ibis' {cf. pp. 265-282). Commander Dane has generously presented the birds obtained to the Natural History Museum, where they form a most valuable addition to our West African collections. In the following pages I have attempted to bring up to date the list of birds known to have occurred in the Sierra Leone Protectorate, somewhat on the lines of Professor Neumann^s List of Birds of the Lower Senegal Region {cf. Journ. Oruith. lxv. vol. ii. 1917, pp. 189-213.) The specific or subspecific name of the race to which the form is now supposed to belong is given in full, together with the author of the name used. Following this are the names of the collectors who have actually obtained the birds against which the names are placed. With the exception of Afzelius, Kemp, Kelsall, and W. P. Lowe, the other collectors mentioned have only obtained a few odd birds, which have either been noticed casually (as, for instance, those of Dr. Fergusson) in such works as ' The Catalogue of the Birds in the Collection of Sir William Jardine,' or by C-assin or Fraser, who, in the various publications to which they contributed (vide List of Literature), usually mentioned the source from which their Sierra Leone birds had been obtained, and thus gave a clue to the actual collectoi' of the birds described by them. Other collectors' names, again, have sim|)ly been copied from labels of Sierra Leone Ijinls in the British Museum Collection. Lowe i. following a bird's name in the List signifies that 1 921.] of the Birds of Sierra Leone. 287 that particular species was obtained by Mr. Willoughby Lowe during his first visit to tiic Colony in 1911, while Lowe ii. signifies that the bird was obtained by him daring his recent visit in 1920. Anyone cheeking this List must remember that nonieu- clatu/e is in Avhat may be termed a transition stage at the present time, and in consequence many of the names used by Kemp in 1905 and by myself in 1912 have been rejected ill favour of one we now know to be more correct. All old references are included, but often under a difterent name. Tiie specific nomenclature has been carefully revised and brought up to date^ but individual judgment in accepting new names or discussing old ones has, in certain cases, been exercised by the writer. Systematic List of the Birds of Sierra Leone, with names of Collectors. Family CoRViDyE [Crows]. Corvus scapulatus Daud. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.j Picuthartes gymnocephalus (Temm.). (Kelsall.) ? Cryptorhina apa (Linn.). (Fergussoii *.) Family Dicrurid^ [Drongos]. Dicrurus assimiiis atactus Oberholser. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Dicrurus atripennis Swains. (Fergusson, Kelsall.) Dicrurus assimiiis ? divaricatus (Licht.). (Fergusson.) Family Okiolid.e [Orioles]. Oriolus nigripennis Verr. (Kemp, Kelsall.) Oriolus awatus Vieill. (Kelsall.) Oriolus larvatus ruUeti Salvad. (Kelsall.) * In this List, birds collected by Fergusson in Sierra Leone were nauied by Sir William Jardine, and duly recorded by him iu liis Catalogue of the Jardine Collection (1874). 288 Mr. D. Bumicimaii : A Si/steniatic List [Il)is, Family Stuhnid.k [Starlings], '^ Buphaga africana Linn. (Fergussou.) Ciiinyricinclus leucoyaster leucogaster (Gmel.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Oiujchognathas hartlaahi Gray. (Kemi).) Lainprucolius cupreicuudu Hartl. (Kemp.) Lamprocolius splendidus (Vieill.). (Kelsall.) '^ Lamprotornis caudatus (Miill.). (Fei'gussou.) Family Ploceid/e [Weavers]. ? Steganura '^ paradisea (Linn.). (Fergusson.j Vidua Serena (Linn.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Coliuspasser concolor (Cass.). (At'zelius, Kelsall.) Penthetriopsis viacrura (Gmel.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Fyromelana hordacea-]' Jiordacea (Linn.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Pyrumelana afra (Gmel.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Pyrenestes ostrimis coccineus Cass. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Quelea erythrops (Hartl.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Spermestes bicolor (Fraser). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Spermestes cucuUatus Swains. (Afzelius, Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Amaiwesthes frinyilloides (Lafr.). (Kemp.) Ortyyospiza atricollis ansorgei Grant. (Lowe ii.) Laganosticta senegala (Linn.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Layunosticta polionota Shelley. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Lagonosticta hrunnticeps Sliarpe. (Lowe i.) ■* It 18 doubtful til whicli form tlie Paradise Weaver, said to liave been obtiiined by Fergussoa iu Sierra Leone, Avould belong. Tlie North African race is S. p. verreau.vi (Cassin), wliile tlie birds from the Gambia and Senegal have been named jS. p. nucupum by Neumann. t Pyromelanajiammicep:^ (Swains.) et auct. {cf. Ibis, IDiiO, p. 840). 1 92 1.] of the Birds uf Sierra Leone. 289 Hijparyos schlegeh (Sliar})e). (Sabine, Kemp, Kelsall.) Ni(jrita biculor (Hartl.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Nigrita eniilice Sharpe. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Estrilda inelpoda (VieilL). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Estrilda subjiava (VieilL). (Kemp.) Estrilda astrild occidentalis Eraser. (Kemp, Kelsall.) Sitagra ocularius bracfiypterus (Swains.). (Fergussou, ? Forbes, Kemp, Kelsall, Ijovve i, ii.) Hijphantornis cucutlatus (MilU.). (Afzelius, Kemp, Keisall, Lowe i, ii.) Packypliaides scutatus superciliosiis (Shelley). (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Mel^nopteryx castaneofuscus (Les^.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Melanopteri/.v fuscocastaneus (JBoc.j. (Sabine, Kemp, Kelsall.) Melanopteryx albinacJia (Boc). (Kemp.) Malimbus nutliinbicus melanobrephos Hartert. (Kemp, Kelsall.) Malimbus rubricullis bartletti Sharpe. (Kemp.) Malimbus nitetis (Gray). (Afzelius, Sabine, Kelsall.) Malimbus scutatus scutatus (Cassiu). (Brit. Mus. e.v Tweed- dale Coll.) Sperinospiza hcematlna leoiuua Neum. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Family FKi\GiLLiD-t: [Finches]. Serinus kartlaubi (Bolle). (Kelsall.) Anomalospiza iinberbis (Cab.). (Kemp.) Family Motacillid^ [Wagtails and Pipits]. Budytes flava flava (Linn.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Motacilla vidila Sund. (Kelsall.) ? AnthuS campestr'is (Linn.). (Fergussou). 290 Mr. B. Banneruiau .- A Si/sleniatic List [ll)is, AnthiLs leucophrys gouldil Fraser. (^Keiu[), Kelsall, Lowe i, ii,) Anthus trivialis trivialis (Linu.). (Kemp.) Macronijx cruceus croceus (Vieill.J. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Family Nectariniid.e [.Suubirds]. Cinnyris cupreus (Shaw). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Cinnyris Johanna Verr. (Kemp.) Cinnyris splendldns (Shaw). (Fergusson, Kelsall, Lowe i.) Chmyris venustus venustus (Shaw). (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Cinnyris chloropygius ckloropyyius ( Janl.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Chalcomitra senegalenus senegulensis (Linn.). (Fergusson.) Cyanoniitra obscura ahscura (Jard.) . (Kemj), Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Cyanoniitra verticaUs verticalis{\jd,t\\.). (Fergusson, Kemp^ Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Aiithuthreptes coUaris liypodila (Jard.). (Keuip. Kelsall, Lowe i.) Aitthotlireptes gubonica (Hartl.). (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Anthothreptes idia Oberh. (Kelsall.) Family Zosteropid^ [White-eyes]. Zosterops senegaleasis senegalens'is Bonap. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Family PARiDiE [Titmice]. Melaniparus niger guineensis Shelley. (Kelsall.) Pholidornis rushice ussheri Hartert. (Kelsall.) Family Laniid^ [Shrikes]. Fiscus coUaris smithi (Fraser). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Laitius senator senator Linn. (Fergusson.) Laniarius Itucorhynchus (Hartl.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) 1921.] of the Birds of Sierra Leone. 291 Laniarius turatii (\'err.j. (Kelsall, Lowe \\.) Laniarius bai'harus heleiue Kelsall. (Kelsall.) Laniarius barbarus barluirus (Linn.). (Fergusson '', Clai'k t.) Dnjoscopus ycDiibensis ganibensis (Licht,). (Afzelius, Fraser, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Chaimonutus sabini sabini (Gray). (Sabine, McDowell, Kenjp, Kelsall.) Tschagra senegala seiieoala (Linn.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Tschagra australis ussheri (SliarpeJ. (Kemp, Kelsall.) Antichromus minutus minulas (Hartl.). (Lowe ii.) ? Malaconotus o/ivaceas u/ivaceus (Vieill.). (Forbes.) Malaconotus craentus (Less.^. (Kemp.) Chloruphoneus multicolor (Gray). ( Kemp, Kelsall.) ChluropJiuneus sulfureopectas sulfureopectus (Less,). (?Fergussou, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Nicator chloris chloris (Less.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Sigmodus caniceps caniceps Bonap. (Kemp.) Corviiiella corvina corvina (Shaw). (Fergusson.) Family Phionopid^ [Wood-Shrikes]. Fraseria prosphora Oberh. (Kelsall.) Family Sylviid^ [Warblers]. Melucichla mentalis mentalis (Fraser). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Cisticola rufopileata rufopileata Rchw. (Lowe ii.) Cisticola erythrops erythrops (Hartl.). (Kemj), Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Cisticola brachyptera (Sharpe). (Lowe i, ii, Kelsall, Scovil.) Cisticola lateralis (Fraser). (Kelsall, Lowe ii, Scovil.) Cisticola cisticola uropygialis (Fraser). (Kelsall.) * Kecorded by Jardiue in his Catalogue. t Ilecorded by Reiclienow, Vog. Afr. ii. p. 588. 29.2 Mr. D. BaDiieimaii : A Syslc/iiatic List [Ibis, Cisticola terrestris, subsp. ? (Lowe ii, Scovil.) Cisticola natalensis strangei (Fraser). (Kelsall.) Cisticola seinitorques swanzii (Sbarpe). (Kelsall.) Sylvia simplex Latli. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe \, ii.) Plnjlluscopus trochilus trochilus (Liuu.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Sylvlella fluviventris jiaviventris (Shai'pe). (Kelsall.) Sylvidla hardy i Bannerm. (Kelsall, Lowe i.) ? Eremo7nela badiceps (Fraser). {EiV Jardine Coll.) Ei'emoniela pusilla Hartl. (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Pi-inia mystacea melunorhyncha (Jard.). (Kemp, ? Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Hylia prusina Uass. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) StiphrGniis erythrothurux Hartl. lyEjc Jardine Coll., Kelsall.) Caiiiuroptera griseiviridis tincta Cass. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Cauiaroptera chluronota Rchw. (Kelsall.) Camaruptera superciliaris (Fraser). (Kelsall.) Family TuRDiDyE [Tbrushes]. Tardus libonianus lugubris Bodd. (Kelsall, Kemp, Lowe i, ii.) Luscinia megarhynchos nieyarhynchos Breliin. (Kelsall.) * Bessunoriiis verticalis verticalis Hartl. (Kelsall, Lowe i.) ^^ Bessonornis cyanocampter cyanocampter (Bonap.). (Kelsall.) ^ Bessonornis albicapilla albicapilla (Vieill.), (At'zelius, ? Fergusson.) Alethe diademata (Bonap.). (Kemp.) Alethe poliocephala castanonota Sharpe. (Kelsall.) Penthola'a frontalis (Swains.). (Lowe ii.) Saxicola rabetra rubetra (Linn.). (Fergusson, Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i, ii). (Enanthe amanthe kucorrhoa (Gmel.). (Kemp, Lowe i.) * Cossypha aiict. (/s quadribrachys Boiiap. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i.) Corythornis cristata (Vroeg). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i.) Ispidina picta picta (Bodd.). (Kemp, Lowe ii.) Ispidina Uucuguster (Eraser). (Kelsall.) Family Psittacid.t: [Parrots]. Psittacus erithacus timneh Fraser. (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) *Agapornis imllarius pidlarius (Linn.). (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Family Strigid.t: [Owls]. Bubo leucustictus Hartl. (Kemp.) Bubo poensis Fraser. (Kemp.) Bubo africanus cinerasceiis Guer. (Lowe ii.) Otus levcotis leucotis (Tenim.). (Fergusson, Kemp, Kelsull.) ■\Tyto alba alba (Scop.). (Kemp.) Syrnium nuchale Sharpe. (Kemp, Lowe ii.) Family Falconid.* [Hawks]. Gymnogenys typicus (Smith). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i.j Astur badius sphenurus (Riipp.). (Kemp, Low^e ii.) Astur tachiro macroscelides (Temm.). (Kemp.) Accipiter liartlaubi Jiartlaubi (Verr.). (Kemp.) Buteo auguraUs Salvad. (Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) * The type-locality of tins species is NuLia. West African examples may eventually require separating. -f This bird is not T. a. macidnta (Brelim) as Kemp recorded it, or, as it should now be called, T. a. affinis, the ordinary African Barn-Owl. Tt is almost pure white on the underside, and hardly spotted at all. The upper-parts are very grey and much paler than in African specimens. As Sclater and Praed remark, it is nearer typical T. alba alba. 1 92 1.] of the Birds of Sieira Leone. 399 *Aquila ivahlbergi Sundev. (Lowe ii.) * Spha'etus coronatus (Linn.). (Lowe ii.) Kaupifalco monogrammicus monogrammicus (Temm.). (Fergusson, Kerap, Kelsall, Lowe ii,) * Cuncuma vocifer (Daud.). (Lowe ii.) Circaetus cinereus Vieill. (Lowe ii.) Milvus migrans J) (17- a situs Daud. (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Elanus cceruleus cceruleus (Desf.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Aviceda cuculoides cuculuides (Swains.). (Kemp.) *Pandion halia'etus halia'ctus (Linn.). (Lowe ii.) Gypohierax angolensis (Gmel.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowef ii-) Family Vulturid^ [Vultures]. Necrosyrtes monachus monachus (Linn.). (Lowe ii.) Family PelecanidtE [Pelicans]. Pelecanus, species uncertain. (Lowe J ii.) Family Phalacrocoracid.i: [Cormorants], Phalacrocorax africanus (Gmel.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Anhinga rufa (Lacep., Daud.). (Kemp^ Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Family Anatid^ [Ducks]. Dendrocygna viduata (Linn.). (Kemp, Kelsall.) Pteronetta cyanoptera ('remm.). (Kelsall.) Famiiy Ibidid^ [Ibises]. Plegadis autumnalis (Hasselq.). (Kemp.) [falcinellits, auct.] * These species were seen only, not obtained. T Seen only by IMr. Lowe and not obtained. t Mr. Lowe believed the Pelican he saw off Tasso Island to be P. 07wcrot(dus &harpei\ he did not succeed in procuring a specimen. 300 Mr. D. Bannerman : A Systematic List [Ibis, Family Ciconiid.t: [Storks]. Dissonra episcopus microscelis (Gray). (Kelsall.) Family Scoptd^ [Hammer-heads]. Scopus umbretta umbretta Gmel. (Kelsall.) Family ArdeidvE [Herons]. * Ardea goUath Cretsclim. (Lowe ii.) Ardea cinerea Liim. (Kemp, Lowe.) Demigretta gularis gularis (Bosc). (Lowe i, ii.) Melanophoyx ardesiaca (Wagl.). (Lowe ii.) Nycticorax nycticorax nyctlcorax (Linn.). (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Buturides atricapilla (Afzel.). (Kemp, Kelsall^ Lowe i, ii.) Tigrornis leucolopha (Jardiiie). (Kemp.) Ardeola ibis ibis (Linn.). (Lowe ii.) Ardeirallus sturmi (Wagl.). (Kelsall.) Family Heliornithid/e [Fin-feet]. Podica senegalensis senegalensis (Vieiil.). (Kelsall.) Family Charadriid^ [Waders] . Gallinago galUnago gaJIinago (Linn.). (Kemp.) Tringa ferruginea ferruginea Briinnicli. (Lowe ii.) Calidris arenaria (Linn.). (Kelsall.) Tutanus totarms (Linn.). (Lowe ii.) Totanus nebularius (Gunn.). (Kelsall^ Lowe i.) Totanus hypohucus (Linn.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i.) Bhyacophilus glareola (Linn.). (Lowe ii.) Numenius arquatus arquatus (Linn.). (Kelsall, Lowe * ii.) Numenius phoiopus phceopus (Linn.). (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Himantopus himantopus (Linn.). (Kelsall.) • * Seen only by this collector. 1921.] of the Birds of Sierra Leone. 301 *Squatarola squatarola (Lowe ii.) Stephanibyx lugubris (Lesson f)- (Kelsall.) [= ,S. iuoruatus, auct.] Oxyechus forbesi (Shelley). (Kelsall.) Charadrius hiatiada Jdaticula (Linn.). (Kelsall.) Pluvimms ceffi/ptius (Linn.), (Kelsall.) Arenaria interpres interpres (Linn.). (Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Family Larid.^ [Gulls and Terns]. Larus fuscus fuscus (Linn.). (Lowe ii.) Larus fuscus afinis (Reinli.). (Lowe i.) Larus cirrhocephalus Vieill. (Lowe i, ii.) Sterna maxima Bodd. (Kelsall, Lowe i, ii.) Sterna sandvicensis sandvicensis Lath. (Kelsall, Lowe i.) Sterna, sp. [? dougutli Mont.]. (Lowe ii.) Hydrochelidon nigra (Linn.). (Lowe ii.) Hydrochelidon hybrida (Pall.). (Lowe ii.) Family Rallid^ [Rails]. Sarothrura bohmi danei Bannerm. (Kemp.) Porphyria alleni Thorns. (Kelsall.) Family Columbid^ [Pigeons]. Streptopelia semitorquata erythrophrys (Swains.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe * ii.) Turturwna iriditorques (Cass.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Calopelia puella (Schl.). (Ea' Jardine Coll., Kemp, Kelsall.) Turtur afra afra (Linn.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe ii.) Tympanistria tympanistria (Temra.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe i.) Vinago calva calva (Temm.). (Kemp, Kelsall, Lowe * ii.) * Seen only, not obtained. t lugv,brk Lesson has priority over iiiornatus Swains, [ef. 0. Grant, < Ibis/ 1915, p. 56). 303 Messrs. C. D. Sherboni and T. Iredale on [Ibis, Family Tuknicid^ [Hemipodes]. Turnix nana (Sand.). (Kelsali.) Family Phasianid.e [Game-Birds], Fruncolinus bicalcaratus thornei Grant. (Thorne, Parks, Kemp, Kelsali, Lowe i, ii.) Fraricolinus lathanii lathami Hartl. (Kemp.) Fi'ancoUnus ahantensis Temm. (Kemp, Kelsali.) ? Ptilopachus fuscus fuscus Vieill. (P. Niel ex .Tardine Coll.) ^Coturnix cotuniix. (Kelsali.) Excalfacturia adansoni (Verr.). (Kelsali.) Guttera cristatn (Pall.). (Afzelius, Manger.) Nuniida meleagris Linn. (Lowe ii.) XVL— J. F. Miller's Irenes. By (J. Davies Shbrborn and Tom Iredale. Miller's Icones Aniinalium : [Various Subjects of Natural History] 177G-1785, may be regarded as a rare book. Drvander, Cut. Bibl. Banks, states "10 pp., 60 pis."; Pritzel copies him ; Watts gives no details, but wrote " London, 1785 : Large folio. £6. 6. 0." Lowndes says " 1785. 17l! pp., 12 pis. and 2 leaves of text" ; Engelmann contents himself with " In Nos. 1785." Eliminating Lowndes' entry which is obviously incorrect, the conclusion can be reached that the book was issued in 10 parts and contained GO plates, which is the extent of the ' ( *imelia Pliysica,' a well-known work. The ' Cimelia Physica ' was issued in 1796, and consists of 60 plates by Miller with 106 pages of explanatory text written by George Shaw. When Sherborn completed the 'Index Animalium' 1758- 1800, the only known (to him) copy was in the British Museum from Sir Joseph Banks's library, and this contained * Named binominally and no author given, aa it is not clear which Quail is intended. 1 92 1.] J. F. Miller s Icones. 303 only od plates with six sheets of explanatory text. The names there introduced were duly recorded in the Index. A few days ago Sherborn secured a fine copy which contained 54 plates and 9 sheets of text. These sheets are bound in position each with six plates succeeding, so that the work was apparently issued in parts^ each })art with 1 sheet and () plates ; and thus now we have evidence of the first nine parts, the tenth being yet unknown to us in the original state. From internal evidence we conclude the parts were issued at about the following dates : — pt. i. 177G ; pt. ii. 177G ; pt. in. 1777 ; pt. iv. 1777 or 1778; pt. v. 1779 or 1780 ; pt. VI. 1782 ; pt. vii. 1782 ; pt. viii. 178:'); pt. ix. 1784, and pt. x. 1785. That it was issued in parts seems certain from Latham's quotations, as instance : in the first volume of the ' General Synopsis of Birds ' in the synonymy of the Secretary Vulture (p. 20) Latham cited '" Falco serpentarius J. F. Miller t. 28." As Latham's preface is dated Jan. 1, 1781, Miller's ])late apparently appeared prior to that date. At the end of vol.ii. Latham includes " A Catalogue of the Principal Authors," and there gives : — ^'■Miller Lllustr. 1 By this is meant Miscellaneous J. F. Miller, Misc. Flates J Plates of Quadrupeds, Birds, &c. coloured, in folio. By Jolui Frederick Miller.'' Latham's book was published in 1785, and he only cites the first thirty-six plates, which suggests the only copy he referred to was the one in the Banksian Library. In the Nat. Miscellany, under pi. 533, Shaw wrote : — " The figure liei-e given is copied from the beautiful repre- sentation published by Mr. Millar {sic) in his splendid plates of natural history" ; and he (juoted as well as " Cimelia Physica, p. 96, t. 52," " Millar (sic) lllustr. nat. hist, pi 52," which we regard as confirmation of independent publication. As the ' Cimelia Physica ' is an easily accessible work the details hereafter given are compared with that book. The date of this is 1796, and the title-page states : 304 Messrs. C. B. Sherborn and T. Iredale on [Ibis, " Figures by John Frederick Miller. AVith descriptions by George Shaw." The plates are not so well coloured, and in cases of doubt reference to the original edition should be made. All the plates in the ' Cimelia Pliysica' are lettered, while in the original edition this is not so. The names in the text of the ' Cimelia Physica ' are sometimes altered by Shaw, as are also some of the localities given by Miller in the original. A complete collation is here ap[)ended, with notes on some interesting points. Pt. I. Plate 1. Loxia orix, dated Mch. 10, 1776. Antliolyza cunonia Bot. 2. Loxia coronata, dated 1776 : in C. P. the text is headed Loxia coronata var. L. dominicanx. Alstromeria ligta Bot. 3. Loxia longicauda, dated 1776: in C. P. the text is headed Emheriza imperialiti. Gnaphalium eximiuin Bot. 4. Psittanis atricapilhis, dated 1776 : in C. P. the text is headed Psittacus inelanocephalu^. Chelone penstemon Bot. : also later altered to Peiistemon Isevigata. 5. Psittacus aurantiiis, dated 1776: in C. P. the text is headed Psittacus solstitialis. Illicinm fioridanuin Bot. 6. Upupa promerops, dated 1776. Eryngium alpinum Bot. Pt. II. Plate 7. Barringtoiiia speciosse Bot., dated 1776. 8. Ampelis caroline)isis. Plate dated 1776, but not named. Locality given as ''America septontrionali," all the preceding being without localities. In C. P. the text is headed Am2yelis garrulus. Ainanjllis crispa Bot. : later altered to A. undidata. 9. A)itholyza setliiopica Bot. Plate dated 1776, but not named. 10. Cervus alces Mamm. do. do. 11. Lacerta cliameelion Rept. do. and named. 12. Larus albus, do. but not named. Locality given as "in Regionibus septentrionalibus." Pt. III. Plate 13. Lemur inurinus Mamm. Plate named and dated 1777. 14. Struthio casuarius. Plate dated 1777, but not named. Locality given as "Asia, Sumatra, Molucca, Banda." In C. P. the text is headed Casuuriutt galeatus. 1921.] J. F. Millers Icones. 305 Plate 15. Muscicapa striata. Plate dated 1777, but no names. Locality given as '• Ad fretum Hudsonis." Amzielis cristata. Loc|ility "in America." 16. CoUunba coronafa. Plate dated 1777, but not named. Locality " Capite bonae spei." 17. Falco jdancns. Plate dated 1777, but not named. Locality " Tierra del Fuego." 18. Falco fuscHn. Plate dated 1777, but not named. Locality " Greenlandia." Pt. IV. Plate 19. Canis hysena Mamm. Plate neither named nor dated. Canis Lupus, niger. 20. Viverra tetradadyla Mamm. Plate named but not dated. 21. Pariis Jnidsonicus. Plate dated 1777, but no names. Locality " in America sept." Fringilla hudsonica. Same locality. Emberiza leucoplirijs. do. In C. P. in the text the name of the second is altered to Emberiza hyemalis. 22. Platalea leucorodia. Plate dated 1777, but not named. Locality " Europa." 23. Aptenodytes patagonica. Plate named but not dated. Locality "in Mari antarctico." 24. Cuculus indicator. Plate named but not dated. Locality " C. B. Spei." Fringilla cyaiiocapilla. Locality " Senegal." Pt. V. Plate 25. Brucea antidysenterica Bot. Plate lettered " Brucea " only and not dated. 26. Testudo sulcata Rept. Plate neither named nor dated. 27. Homo Lar Mamm. Plate named but not dated. In C. P. the text is headed Siynia longimanus. 28. Falco serpentarius. Plate named and dated 1779. Locality " Cap. B. SjDci." In C. P. the text is headed Vidtur secretarius. 29. Psittacus guineensis. Plate named but not dated. Locality " Guinea." 30. Truchilus gularis. Plate named but not dated. Locality " India orientali." Fringilla torquator (on plate, torqnata in text). Same locality. Motacilla gularis. Locality " America meridionali." Pt. VI. Plate 31. Jerboa capensis Mamm. Plate named but not dated. 32. Lemur hicolor Mamm. do. and dated 1782. 33. Otis indica. do. but not dated. Locality " India orientali." 34. Aptenodytes magellanica. Plate named but not dated. Locality " Terra magellanica." Text in C. P. headed Pinguinaria magellanica. 306 Messrs. C. D. Sherboni and T. Iredale on [Ibis, Plate 35. 36. Pt. VII. Plate 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. Pt. VIII. Plate 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. Pt. IX. Plate 49. .50. 51. 52. 53. 54. Ardea nxvia. Plate named but not dated. Locality '•America meridionali." Anlea forquata. Plate named and dated May 16, 1782. Same locality. In C. P. these two plates are transposed and text headed to agree, though the plates retain the original numbering. Carolinea priiu-eps Bot. All plates from here to encj named but not dated. MotaciUa thoracica. ''India orientali." In C. P. text headed MotaciUa aurata. Heliconia tnarantifolia Bot. Felis capensis Mamm. " C. B. Spei." Aptenodytes antarctica. '" in Antarctico.'' Text in C. P. headed Piiiguinarla antarctica. Comcias versicolor. " in Surinamo." Friiigilla hrevicola. " Zeylona." In C. P. the text is headed Loxia zeylonica. Fringilhi atrocephala. " America meridionali." In C. P. the text is headed Friiigilla melanocephala. Hibiscus caiinabiiia Bot. In C. P. this is altered in text to Hibiscus speciosus. Antirrhinum quadrifoliuni Bot. Aristolochia hirsuta Bot. Sciurus fulvus Mamm. '• America meridionali." Trochilus w-aculata. '■America meridionali. " Rallus ecaudata. " in Otaheita." Cnctdus aurocephalus. " America meridionali." In C. P. the text is headed Cuculus clirysocejilialus. Aptenodytes crestata. " Falkland Island." In C. P. the text is headed Pinguinaria cirrhata. Fringilla forjicata. "Zeylona." Rallus nigra. " Otaheita." In C. P. the text is headed Ralhis tabnensis. Cucidus crestata. " India orientali." In C. P. the text is headed Cuculus discolor. Promerops purpureus. " India orientali." In C. P. the text is headed " Upupa erythrorhyncbo)<.'' Oriolus gularis. " America meridionali." In C. P. the text is headed " Oriolus pictus." Picus quadrimaculata. " Zeylona." At this point the original co})y studiod ends, but as there are only 60 plates in the ' Cimelia Physica " the remaining six are here noted, all at present dating from 1796, though probably they will later prove to have been published in 1785, as suggested by Watts's entry : — 1921.] J. F. Miller's Icones. 307 Plate 55. Hinindv zonaris. 56. Artonia capensis Bot. Oriol us trifaaciatus. 57. Rdmjjhastos indicus. 58. Alcedo formosa. 59. Golumba rosea. 60. Jerboa capensis Mamm. Ik is probable tbat were the first thirty-six [)lates carefully examined some alterations in ornithological nomenclature would be necpssary. In the 'Auk/ 1908, p. 269 note, Riley comments upon Falco fuscus in connection with Buteo jilati/pteriis, but he does not appear to have seen the original edition, as he does not give the definite locality there men- tioned, and, moreover, only quotes the book as appearing in six parts, each with six plates. In 'The Ibis,' 1915, p. 235, Claude Grant gave particulars of the plate of the Secre- tary Bird. He apparently did not go through the British Museum copy or he would have noted Cucvlus indicator, which he discussed in the same paper. It is strange how African ornithological nomenclature is still in such a con- fused state with so many workers interested in the birds of that continent. Thus Cuculus indieator was first published by Sparrman in the Philos. Trans, vol. Ixvii. pt. i, p. 43, 1777, and the genus name Indicator was first published by Stephens in Shaw's Zoology, vol. ix. p, 138, 1815, yet neither of these references is correctly quoted. The two most important changes noted in the foregoing are also in connection with African birds. Phceniculus purpureus (Miller). This now will be the correct name for the bird lono" known as Irrisor viridis, afterwards as /. erythrorhynchus. Kallus nigra Miller. This name is undoubtedly earlier than Rallns niyer Gmelin, and as it refers to a very different species two changes are necessary. In both complications can be observed, as i5?rt//«5 nigra Miller is the bird long known as Porzana tabuensis (Gmelin), but the correct application of the latter name is 308 Messrs. C. D. Sherburii and '[\ Iredale un [Ibis, not definitely ascertained. Thus J. Iv. Forster described a black bird, but noted there was a brown variant. His son painted the Black Rail from "Taheitee,'' and this painting is preserved in the British Museum (Natural History), No. 130, with the native nauie " Maho " pencilled on it. This drawing was copied and published with little alteration by Miller under the name Rallus nigra. Forster's MS. name was RaUus niinutus, and his localities were " Otaheitee et in Tonga-Tabu." Latham's descriptions wore incorporated by Gmelin, who introduced Latin names, and this was called Rallus tahuensis, though Latham did not appear to have had specimens from Tongatabu. It is probable that the Tahitian Rail is distinct from the Tongatabu species, es[iecially as a black Rail is known from Henderson Island, viz. P. atra North {^ — iivirrayi 0. -Grant). However, it is impossible to continue the name Limnocorax niyer (Gmelin) for the African Black Rail, and the choice seems to be between Rallus carinatus Swainson and GalUnula Jiavirostra Swainson, the latter introduced as the former was inapplic- able and also indeterminate. Thence it would be that the African Rail would be called Limnocorax Jiavirostra (Swain- son), but subspecies may be determinable. Pennula ecaudata (King). Why this name was ever accepted is one of the puzzles provided for the })resent generation by the previous one of British ornithologists. The identification of "a rail, with very short wings and no tail, which on that account-, we named rallus ecaudotus (sic)," is surely impossible, and for- tunately the publication of Miller's plate under the same name negatives any further discussion. Miller's Rallus ecaudata was from Otaheita, and proves to be an absolute copy of G. Forster's painting No. 127, which has been continually accepted as referable to the '' Otaheitean "' form of the Philippine Rail. What the name of the Sandwich Island Pennula is, appears again puzzling, as various students have arrived at different results, but probably Rothschild's usage of Pennula millsi with the other species Pennula sujulwichensis is the best. 1 92 1.] J. F. Miller's Icones. 309 Aptenodytbs crestata Miller. The complications around this name will be discussed later, as this is an Aiistral-Neozelanic species, and the details are very confusing. Ardea n.evia Miller. This is earlier than Ardea mvvia Boddaert in use for the American form of J^ycticorax nycticorax, and it appears doubtful whether these are exactly the same thing. Otis indica Miller. This name was first proposed by Forster in 1781, but a[)pears as an absolute nomen michtm. It has been used ex Ginelin, whose account is based solely on Miller, but has lately been rejected in favour of Latham's aurita. The beautiful painting seen in the original edition of Miller's plates so exactly api)lies to the '"'' Syplieotis'''' that the name must be revived and the bird known as Sypheotides indica (Miller). These notes will draw attention to the necessity of recon- sidering the whole of the names involved in these works, and recourse can always be made to the volume here studied, which has been placed' in the librarj' of the British Museum (Natural History). Mr. B. B. Woodward has pointed out to us that in Rees' New Cyclopj^pdia, Vol. xxxii., under the article about George Shaw, it is definitely stated that sixty plates were puldished by Miller under the title '^ Various Subjects in Natural History, wherein are delineated Birds, Animals, and many curious Plants," but that the lack of letterpress proved a drawback, and consequently these plates were republished under the title " Cimelia Physica," descriptions being supplied by George Shaw, The title above cited agrees with that given by Watts, who adds " with the parts of Fructification of each Plant, all of which are drawn and coloured from Nature." 310 Report on Amendments and Alterations [Ibis, XVTT. — Report of the Suh-committee, consisthiff of Dr. E. Haktert, Messrs. T. Iredale and W. L. Sclater, on Amendments and proposed Alterations to the Karnes in the B. 0. U. List of British Birds, as accepted hy the Committee of the B. 0. U. on the British Birds List. The following recommendations were made : — 1. Tliat the nomina conservanda in the B. 0. U. List should not be used any longer, but the correct names under the rules should now be universally adopted. There are thirteen ot* these nomina conservanda, and a list of them with their equivalent under the Rules of Nomenclature is given on p. 355 ot the B. 0. U. List, in A])pendix IT. 2. That in future, when a species has been divided into two or more subspecies, the typical subspecies should always be named trinominally. For example, the typical race of the Starling should be called Sturnns ruU/aris vuhjaris and not Sturnns inih/aris, as the use of the binomial form of the name causes confusion lietween the typical subspecies ami the species as a whole, including all the races. 3. That the names in Vroeg's Catalogue be acce[)ted. The followino" chanestris Linn. p. 78. For Genus Lusciniola substitute Herbivociila ^winhoe, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1871, p. 353. Type by monotypy IJ. fiemiiuil = Sylria srlncarzi Radde. Lusciniola melanopoyon, lately added to the B. 0. U. List, will of course remain in the genus Lusciniola, oi which it is the type. * For generic changes, see below on pp. 312, 313, 312 Report on Amendments and Alterations [Ibis, p. 78. For Genus Ilj/polais Brehiii substitute Hippolais Baldenstein, Neue Alpina, ii. p. 27, 1827. Type l)y nionotypy //. italica Bald. = H. poh/glotta (Vieill.j. The generic names of the Icterine, Melodious, and Olivaceous Warblers must also be changed to Hip- polais (^i-ide Mathews and Irodalc, Austr. Av. Rec. iii. p. 122). p. 127. For Flammea substitute Tyto Billberg, Synops. Faun. Scand. i. pt. 2, 1828, tab, A. Type Strix alba Scop. (t;/". Mathews, Nov. Zool. xvii. 11)10, p. 500, and Auk, i920, p. 444). p. 216. The type of the genus '/'rinr/a is not T. camitus but T. ocliropus. as was first pointed out by Mathews (Nov. Zool. xviii. 1911, p. 5). This and Richmond's discovery of the Anonymous reviewer in the Allg. Lit. Zeit. {cf. P. U.S. Nat. Mus. liii. p. 581) will involve considerable changes in the genera of the Stints and Sandpipers as follows : — Genus Calidris Anon. Allg. Lit. Zeitung, 1804, vol. ii. col. 542. Type by tautonymy 7rinf/a calidris Linn.= Trimja cainihis Linn. Genus Erolia Vieillot, Analyse, 1810, p. 55. Type by monotypy E. rariegataW.i^\\\.=^Tringaferuyinea Brihi. ; and the following species will stand as : Kroliaminuta, E.minutilla, E.temmincl-i, E.macu- lata, E. acnmijiata, E. bairdi, E. fuscicollis, E. mari- tima, E. alplna, and E. ferriigiiiea. For l^otanus substitute Tringa, type by tautonymy 7\ ochropus Linn., and the following species will stand as : Triruja totanus, T. eryihropus, T. melajioletica, T. //ar/yi>^5, T. stagnatilis, T. nebularia, T. liypo- leiica, T. macidaria, T. ocJiropns, T. glareola, and T. solitaria. 1 92 1,] in the B. 0. U. List of British Birds. 313 p. 224, For Genus Calidris substitute Crocethia Billbero-, Synop. Faun. Scand. i. [)t. 2, 1828, tab. A, p. 132. Type by nionotypy Triiuja arenaria Linn., since Calidris is preoccui)ied (ef. Riclnnond. P. U. «. Nat. Mns. liii. p. 581, and Auk. JU20, p. 443). The only species is Crocetlda alha (Pallas) (see above). p. 225. For Genus Machetes substitute Philomachus Anonymous, Allg. Lit. Zeit. 1804, vol. ii. col, 542, Type by nionotypy Tringa pngnax Linn. (r/', Richmond supra). p. 241. Charadriiis. The type of this genus by Linnean tautonymy is C hiaticula Linn, not C. apricarivs, and the species listed under ^Egialitis must become Charadi-ius. For Genus Charadriiis substitute Pluvialis Brisson, Ornith, v. p, 42, 1760. Type by tautonymy F. aiirea Brisson = Cluwadrius apricarins Linn. • p. 243. Genus Squatarola Cuvier, Regne Anim. i., 1816, p. 467. Type by mouotypy and tautonymy Tringa squatarola Linn. The reference to Leach in the B. 0. U. List is to an unpul)lished nam(% as Leach's work, though printed, was never published. p. 290. For Genus (J^strelata substitute Pterodroma Bonapai-te, Comptes Rend. xlii. 1856, p, 768, Type by subsequent designation (Cones, Proc. Acad.'^Nat, Sci, Philad. 1866, p, 137) Procel- laria macroptera Smith, p, 312. For Genus Caccahis substitute Alectoris Kaup, Skiz. Entw.-Geschichte u. Nat. Syst. Eur. Thiei'w. p. 180, 1821*. Type by nionotypy Perdid' jjetrosa ij inA. = P. barbara Bonn. {cf. Hartert, Nov. Zool. xxiv. p. 275). SER. XI. VOL. Iir. Y 314 Report on Amendments and Alterations [I'^i^, 5, Tho following specific altorations wore also aoreed to : — p. 44. For Motacilla fehlenecies,E. g7'iseognlaris, has four subspecies, of which loongani and quoiji, both from Western Australia, are new. Attention should be drawn to two pages of corrections of the Check-List printed in this part. Mathews on the dates of ornithological publications. [Dates of ornitliological works. By Gregory M. Mathews. Austral Av. Record, iv. 1920, pp. 1-27.] In Appendix B of the last part o£ volume vii. of 'The Birds of Australia^ Mr. Mathews attempted to provide a list of the exact dates of publication of the ornithological works quoted by him. Tliough a good many investigations into this difficult bibliographical question have been made, especially by Mr. Sherborn and Mr. Waterhouse, no one has collected their results into one place easily accessible to the working ornithologist, and now Mr. Mathews has reprinted with additions and corrections this valuable piece of research in a more accessible form. The publications dealt with are primarily those in which the Australian birds are described ; but the list will un- doubtedly be of the greatest use and service to all systematic ornithologists, and we would tender our best thanks to Mr. Mathews for this excellent and laborious piece of work. Mmyhy on the Sea-birds of Peru. [The sea-coast and islands of Peru, Pts. I., II., Sc III. By Robert Cushman Murphy. Brooklyn Museum Quarterly, vii. 1920, pp. 69-95, 165-187, 239-272.] In these three articles, and there appear to be more to SER. XI. VOL. III. Z 330 Recently published Ornithological Works. [Ibis. " follow, Mr. Murphy, Curator of the Brooklyn Museum in New York, gives us an account of his recent visit to Peru and its bird-islands, which he terms the Peruvian Littoral Expedition, and which he was enabled to undertake through the generous bequest of the late Col. R. B. Woodward, a benefactor of the Brooklyn Museum. The chief objects of the expedition were observation and research, the collecting of specimens, and the obtaining of motion-picture records of the life on the coast and of die Peruvian guano industry. As is well known, owing to the cold Humboldt current which, partly coming up from the southern latitudes, and partly owing to the welling-up of colder water fi'om i)elow the surface, due to the trade winds blowing south of the equator in a north-westerly direction, the coasts of Peru have a fauna which is quite unlike that of ordinary tropical coasts, and instead of Frigate-birds and Man-o^-War birds, the characteristic birds are Penguins, Diving Petrels (Pe/e- canoides), and Larus dominicanus. In addition to this, owing to the fact that the great height of the Andes, extending like a gigantic cliff along the whole western coast of South America, drain the trade wind« blowing across the continent from the Atlantic of all their moisture, the coast- lands of Peru and the northern part of Chile are almost entirely rainless ; the result is that the guano deposited on the islands off the coasts by the innumerable sea-birds accumulates in great quantities, and has been a source of wealth to Peru for the last hundred years or so. In past times the guano deposits have been worked in a most reckless manner and were rapidly becoming exhausted, while no efforts were made to conserve the bird-life to which this valuable manuring agent owed its origin. Of recent years, however, a new regime has been in- augurated, and the whole industry is under the control of the government and of a company, the " Corapania Ad- ministradore del Guano/' and very careful steps are taken to work the deposits without unduly disturbing the birds. 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornitholoijical IVorks. 331 It is iuteresting" to observe that ou the soutli-west coasts of Africa^ where conditions are very similar, the same course has been adopted, though there tlie control of the islands is directl}^ under the government of the Union of South Africa. Tiie three most important guano-producing birds are the Alcatraz (Pelecanus thagus), the Piquero {Su.la variegata), and the Camanay {Sii.la vehoiuvi). Of these, and of the methods and operations of obtniuing the gnauo, Mr. Murphy has given a most lucid account illustrated by numerous and beautifully reproduced {)hotograplis, and the articles are well worthy of perusal by all those interested in the in- dustrial application of ornithology. To his two predecessors in the investigation of the guano islands, Dr. H. O. Forbes and Mr. R. E. Coker, of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, Mr. Murphy pays a well-deserved tribute. An interesting discovery is that these seas are the winter home of the Northern or Red- necked Phalarope {Pluilaropus lobatiis) ; its winter quarters in the New World had been hitherto unknown. Peters on. a new Jay. [A new Jay from Alberta. By James Lee Peters. Prno. New Englaud Zoul. CI. vii. 1920, pp. 51-52.] Mr. Peters describes Perisoreus canadensis albescens as a distinct race from Red Deer, Alberts, Canada. It is distin- guished from all the other races of the Canada Jay by its much paler coloration. The type is in the Museum, of Comparative Zoiilogy at Cambridge, Mass. Ridgway on neiv Genera of Birds. [Diagnoses of some new Genera of Birds. By Robert Ridgwav. Smitlison. Miscel. Coll. Washington, vol. Ix.xii, no. 4, 1920, pp. 1-4.] The following new Genera of Hawks and Rails are proposed, no doubt in anticipation of a forthcoming volume of the 'Birds of North and Middle America' : — Oroa'etus for type Spizaetus isidori (Vieill.) ; Phceoaetus for type 7.2 332 Recently published Ornithological Works. [Ibis, Spizaetus limna'etus (Horsf.) (Limna'etus Vigors, a synonym, is antedated by Limruetus Bowdicli, the latter a synonym of Buteo) ; Morphnarchus for type Leucopternis princeps Scl. ; Percnohierax for type Rupornis leucorrhous (Q. & G.) ; Hapalocrex for type Rallus flaviventris Bodd. ; Limnocrex for type Porzana cinereiceps Lawrence; Thryocrex for type Corethrura rubra Scl. & Sal v. Riley on new Malayan Birds. [Four new Birds from the Philippines and Greater Sunda Islands. By J. H. Rile3\ Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. xxxiii. 1920, pp. 55-58.] Mr. Riley describes as new from Mr. Raven's collection tbe following : — Anthreptes malacensis paraguce from Pala- wan, A. m. bornensis from Borneo, Enodes erythrophrys centralis from Celebes, and Munia punctulata particeps also from Celebes. Robinson and Kloss on the names of the Jungle-Fowls, [On the proper name of the Red Jungle-Fowl from Peninsular India. By H. C. Robinson and C. Boden Kloss. Records Indian Mus. xix. pt. 1, 1920, pp. 13-15.] The nomenclature of the Indian Red Jungle-Fowl has been discussed lately by several writers. Messrs. Robinson and Kloss consider that the correct specific name is Gallus ferruyineus (Gmel.), founded on Sonnerat's bird, probably fi'om the Philippine Islands, as he visited no area in India proper where he could have procured the Red Jungle-Fowl, and that the typical subspecies G. f. ferrugineus is the Malayan bird also occurring in Burma and Hainan. To the Javan race, which is distinguished by the dark colour of the hackles, the authors assign the name G.f. bankiva Temm., while the bird of India proper has to receive a new name. For this form Gallus ferrugineus murghi is proposed, the subspecific name being apparently derived from the common Hindustani word for a chicken, familiar to every Anglo-Indian. 1 92 1,] Recently published Ornithological Works. 333 Skovgaard on Danish Birds. [Den Sorte Stork, saerlig i Denmark, i tekst og billeder af P. Skovgaard. Pp. 1-5G ; manj- photographs. Viborg- (Backhauseus), 1920. 8vo.] [Danske-Fugle : Organ for Dansk Oruithologisk Central ved P. Skovgaard. Viborg. Aarg. 1, no. 1, 1920.] The first of these publications contains an account of the life-history of the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) in Denmark. There is a map showing the breeding-stations, from which it appears that it is most abundant in the eastern half of Jutland, less so in the islands, and is hardly found at all in the western half of the peninsula. It arrives at its breeding- places generally in April, though occasionally in March, and leaves as a rule in August or early September, The paper is illustrated with a number of very fine photographs, all taken by the author himself. The second publication is a new magazine devoted to Danish Birds, though the whole of the articles are apparently from the pen of Mr. Skovgaard. One of these deals with the food of the White Stork as deduced from an examination of the stomach. Another has an account of Air. Skovgaard^s activities in bird-ringing, and there is also a list of a collection of Danish birds belonging to Mr. C. Reimers of Viborg, with a map and some photo- graphs of the rarer species. We congratulate Mr. Skovgaard on his industry and hope that he will be able to continue his studies, and that his magazine will have a long life. Stresemann on the races of Long -tailed Tits and Bullfinches. [Uber die Formen der Gruppe ^(jithalos caudatus und ihre Kreuzuugen. tJber die europaischen Gimpel (mit einer Kart ihrer Verbreituug). Von Erwin Stresemann. Beitrage zur Zoogeographie derpalaarktisclien Region. Herausgegeben von der Ornith. Gesellsch. in Bayeru. Heft 1, 1919, pp. 1-56.J In the first of these essays Dr. Stresemann reviews the very variable group of the Long-tailed Tits, among which 334 lieceittlii ]ii(blis/ied Ornitholoyical IVorks. [Ibi?, he distinguishes fourteen races spread over the Palsearctic Region. He divides these fourteen races into three groups, and he believes that when individuals belonging to different groups extend their range towards one another's territory hybridization occurs, and that such hybrids follow the Mendelian laws. Also that in some cases pure-blooded individuals revert to the more primitive types from which they are sprung, and that a clear distinctioii should be drawn between them and the hybi-ids. By means of these hypotheses lie endeavours to account for the many varying forms of Long-tailed Tits met with in the Palaearctie Region. With regaid to the Bullfinches the pi'oblem appears more simple, but here, too, the explanation is hybridization between two comparatively distinct forms. The larger, Fyrrhula p. pyrrhula, of the east and north, and the smaller, Pyrrhula p. minor and P. p. pileata^ of the west, have spread out since the Ice Age and met in southern Germany, where a mixed or hybrid form, known as P. p. (/ermanica, has established itself. Such in brief appears to be the views of our author on these difficult and com- plicated questions. Bird- Lure. [Bird-Lore : A bi-monthly Mag^azine devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds. Vols. xxi. & xxii. for 1919 & 1920.] The two volumes of 'Bird-Lore' under notice contain a number of articles of considerable interest, especially to the bird-lover in America, to whom they are specially addressed. We must confine ourselves to mentioning some of those of more general interest. The Editor, Mr. Prank Chapman, during the last part of the war was a travelling com- missioner for the American Red Cross and, in that capacity, made a rapid journey tlircugh South America, visiting Peru. Chile, and the Argentjne. His impressions on the bird-life of those countries will be found in a series of vivid articles illustrated with photographs and draw ings. Perhaps 1 921.] Recently ptihlished OtiiitJwlogical Works. 335 one of the most remarkable is tliat of a Giaut Humming- bird {Patagona giyas) capturing on the wing a common small species (^Eustephanus galeritus), a sight which he witnessed in the foot-hills of the Andes, near Santiago. Other articles by the Editor deal with a visit to Selborne, in England, and with the life of the late William Brewster, with whom he was connected by a special tie of affection. One of the great features of ' Bird-Lore ' is the Christmas Bird census. All readers of the Magazine are invited to send to the editor a list of all the species of birds they have been able to identify during a walk or excursion on or about Christmas day. Many returns are sent in from all parts of the United States. In 1919-20 the greatest number of species observed in the northern and eastern Atlantic States were 43, while at Santa Barbara^ on the Californian coast, as many as 109 were tabulated. The present writer, who was in America during Christmas 1919, with the help of some kind and sharp-eyed hosts, was able to make a return of ,21 species observed on the coast of Long Island. Other interesting features of ' Bird-Lore^ are the seasonal reports from all parts of the States in each number, and the articles on the plumages and migrations of American birds. These last are accompanied . by coloured plates in each number. It is a remarkable fact that the European Star- ling, which is dealt with on p. 213 of volume xxii., was introduced into the United States about 1890, when a number were liberated in New York City, and it has now spread far and wide from Maine to Ohio and Alabama; in some places it has become enormously abundant. We fear it may prove to be as great a nuisance as the Sparrow. A large part of each number of the Magazine is devoted to the interests of the Audubon Societies, which have been started in every State of the Union for the protection and conservation of bird and animal life, and which are guided and controlled by the National Association of the Audubon Societies in New York. 336 Rectutly published Ornithological Works. [Ibis^ The Condor. [The Condor : A Magazine of Western Ornithology. Vols. xsi. & xxii. for 1919 & 1920.] [Second ten-year Index to the ' Condor.' Vols, xi.-xx., 1909-1918. By J. R. Pemberton. Hollywood, California, 1919.] Readers of the ' Condor ' and Members of Cooper Ornitho- logical Club ought to be very grateful to JMr. Pemberton for his most carefully constructed and ingenious Index to the ten volumes of the 'Condor,' from 1909 to 1918. The preparation of it occupied eighteen months of his time, but the result appears to be extremely satisfactory, and all the information contained in the vokimes can be referred to at once, without any trouble. The longest article contained in the two volumes of the 'Condor' under review is that of JMrs. IMerriam Bailey on her wanderings in the Dakota Lake region, in which she recounts in a charming style her experiences and observations on the birds of the western prairie region. A new feature of the * Condor ' is a series of autobiographies, the longest and most important of which is that of Mr. H. W. Henshaw, until recently the Chief of the Biological Survey at Washington. In his early days, in the seventies and eighties of the last century, Mr, Henshaw was attached to the United States Geological and Geographical Survey and travelled extensively all over the Western States. It was during these years that he amassed the large collection of American birds which sub- sequently, through the generosity of the late Mr. Godman, found a home in our Natural History Museum at South Kensington. The 1919 volume contains, in addition, a number of articles on the nesting-habits of some of the less well-known western birds, generally illustrated by excellent photographs beautifully reproduced. Such are the accounts of the nesting of Townsend^s Solitaire (^Myadestes townsendi) near the snow-line on Mt. Shasta in northern California by Mr. W. L. Dawson, of the Short-eared Owl in Washington State by Mr. E. H. Kitcliiu, and of the Red Crossbill in British Columbia by Mr. J. H. Munro ; Mr. G. Willett, 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 337 who was for some time stationed on Laysaii Island^ an outlier of the Hawaiian Islands, gives us some information on the nesting- haljits of two rare Petrels — Pterodroma hypoleuca and Oceanodroma tristraini. As showing the effects of untimely weather, Mr. E. R. Warren tells us of the effects of a snow-storm at Colorado Springs on the 5th of May, when eight inches of snow covered the ground and did much damage to the migrants, who were then arriving and passing m great numbers. An obituary notice of a young collector, JNIr. M. P. Anderson, who accidentally met with his death in a ship- yard at Oakland, near San Francisco, in February 1919, where he was patriotically doing war-work, is of interest to English naturalists, as it was Mr. Anderson who was chosen some years ago to conduct the collecting expedition of the Duke of Bedford in eastern Asia, and all the birds and mammals then collected are now in the British Museum. The volume for 1919 contains descriptions of two new races, both from Lower California, by Mr. H. Oberholser — Junco oreganiis pontills and Fipilo fuscus aripoVms. The 1920 volume contains three articles of general in- terest by Mr. A. Wetmore. In the first of these he suggests that the plug of feathers nearly always found in the pyloric diverticulum of the stomach of the Grebes acts as a strainer to prevent the passage of larger particles of bone or Hsh- scales from the stomach into the intestines. In another paper, as the result of observations on a young Great Blue Heron, he believes that the mysterious powder-down patches in the pelvic and pectoral regions of Herons and some other birds are used by the younger birds to oil and dress the contour feathers of the body, especially as the uropygial gland, often used later in life, develops slowly, and does not become functional till subsequently. Mr. Wetmore's third article deals with the wing-claw in the Swifts. Out of some 48 species belonging to the genera examined, he found the claw absent only in a few species of Callocalia, though often minute and rudimentary, and obviously of no functional importance. In the genus 338 Recenthj published Ornithological Work:^. [ibis, Hemiprocne, usually placed in a distinct family, the wing- claw was not found. Major Allan Brooks contributes a list of the Wading- birds of southern British Columbia. He believes that no group of birds has been so neglected by western ornitho- logists, and that there is still much to be learned about them. Mr. Grinnell, the Editor, argues that the life of the sea-birds must be a comparatively safe one, as most of the species only lay one or at the most two eggs, and seldom, if ever, rear a second brood, and if the numbers remain constant it shows that the struggle for existence cannot be very severe. Mr. Grinnell also describes a new subspecies of Brewer's Blackbird separating those from the Pacific slope from those of eastern North America under the name Euphayas cijauo- cephalus laiiiusculus. Mr. H. Oberholser has a new race of Shore-Lark, Otocoris alpestris sierrce, breeding in the Sierra Nevada of California, and Mr. W. P. Taylor a new race of Ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus runierensis, from Mt. Ranier, in Washington State, where it lives at an elevation of from 6000 to 8000 feet. Fauna och Flora. [Fauna och Flora. Popular Tidskrift fiir Biologi. Utgifveu af Einar Loimberg. Vols. xiv. & xv. for 1919 & 1920, 6 uo^. to eacli vol.] This excellent magazine, edited by our foreign membez-. Dr. Lonnbergj deals with zoology and botany in all its aspects, as its title implies ; but there is a good proportion of articles on bird-life, chiefly, of course, of local interest, such as rare occurrences and lists of birds of special districts in Sweden. There are also a good many articles of more general interest. Such is the series by Mr. L. Cx. Andersson containing an account of the travels of Carl Thunberg to South Africa in 1770-1779, an article on bird-psychology by Mr. A. Adlersparre, and several by Dr. Lonnberg himself. Two of these deal with a large collection from Mongolia and north- west China which have recently reached the Stockholm Museum from Mr. P. J. G. Anderson, and another on 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornitliohigical Works. 339 tlie birds of Juan Fernandez and Easter Islands in the south-eastern Pacific. The editor also writes on a Green- fincii X Gohlfiiieh hybrid, and Mr. K. Kolthoff on another between Dryobales leuconotus and D. major. Mr. S. Bergmann contributes some notes on the birds of" Egypt which he made wliile on his way to Kamchatka to collect for the Stockholm Museum. There is an obituary notice of Prof. J. A. Palmen (1845-1919), that well-known Finnish ornithologist who first drew up a list of the proljable flight-lines of migrating birds, and another of Prof. Tycho TuUberg of Upsala, who died at the nge (jf 77 in 1920. His mother was a great grand-daughter of Linngeus. There are portraits with both these articles. It is interesting to note that a Starling marked in Sweden 8 July, 1915, was captured near Middlesbrough iu Yorkshire on the 1st of February, 1918. Le Gerfaut. [Le Gerfaut. Kevue beige d'Ornithologie. Publi6e sous la direction de M. Marcel de Contreras. 5e-9'' Aimee 1919 and IQe Annee 19l^0.] We have now received the complete set of the ' Gerfaut' for 1919 and 19.20, the first two numbers of which were noticed in 'The Ibis' for 1919 (p. 782), and must briefly review the rest of the volumes, M. L. Coopman discusses the Pipits, their migrations from eastern Europe and their occuiience in Belgium, especially that of Anthus cervinus, and Dr. Mairlot has a good article on the habits of the Yellow Bunting. In an early number of the magazine, that for May 1912, the first capture of Briinnich's Guillemot in Belgium is recorded. This bird, which was taken at Ostend, turns out to have been a young Razorbill, and the correction will be found on p. 87 of the 1919 volume. The 1920 volume o^Jcus with a portrait and a eulogy of M. Ivan Braconier, a leading Belgian ornithologist, who was unfortunately killed in a motor accident. Another article of interest is a comparison of the birds of Devonshire with those of Belgium by M. Th. Bisschop, who during the German invasion found a home at Torquay. The 340 Recently published Ortiithological Works. [Ibis, absence from Devonshire of the Nightingale. Great Reed- Warbler, Marsh- Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Crested Tit, Shore-Lark, Ortolan Bunting, Tree-Sparrow, and Hazel Hen, all more or less abundant in Belgium, is noted. M. A. Paque records the occurrence for the first time of Branta ruficollis in Belgium. It was taken on the Scheldt, near Antwerp, on 3 December, 1919, and is figured in a coloured plate. Another rare bird found nesting recently in Belgium is the Great Black Woodpecker. No satisfactory record of the occurrence of this bird in the British Islands is known. There are a number of other useful and interesting con- tributions dealing with the avifauna of Belgium in its varied aspects, and we hope that the ' Gerfaut ' is now firmly established and will continue to prosper. Irish Naturalist. [The Irish Naturalist : A monthly Journal ou General Irish Natural History. Vols, xxviii. & xxix. for 1919 & 1920.] There are not very many articles dealing with ornitholo- gical topics in the last two volumes of the ' Irish Naturalist.' Perhaps the most interesting and novel is that of Mr. J. P. Burkitt on the so-called " cocks' nests " of the Wren. From careful observations carried out by the author he concludes that the several nests are built by the male alone before the arrival of the female, and that the male during this period of anticipation keeps in touch with all the nests, roosting in them at night. On the arrival of the female, and until the young birds are out of the nest, the male takes little interest in his family. Some of these observations are controverted by Mr. E. P. Butterfield, who is familiar with the Wrens in Yorkshire, where their habits may be somewhat different. In another article Mr. Burkitt deals with the question of the length of the song-period of certain Warblers. He believes that song ceases as soon as incubation begins, and that all the later singing males are mateless. Mr. Moffat's address to the Dublin Field Naturalists' 1921.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 341 Club, printed in the May 1920 number of the journal, deals with colours of birds in relation to their habits. He suggests that the conspicuous white rump and wing- patches of many birds are useful as a signal of alarm and danger, A new bird to the Irish list is the Carolina Crake or Sora Rail {Porzana Carolina), an example of which struck the lantern of the lighthouse at Slyne Head, co. Galway, on 11 April, 1920, and is recorded by Prof. C. J. Patten in the June 1920 number. According to the B. O. U. List there are four British records — one for England, one for Wales, and two for Scotland — of this North American bird. Scottish Naturalist. [The Scottish Naturalist : A monthly Magazine devoted to Zoology. 1920 ; 6 nos.] The * Scottish Naturalist,^ under the able editorship of our ex-President, continues to flourish so far as its contents are concerned, though somewhat reduced in size, and now appearing only every two months owing to the increased cost of production. The principal ornithological contributors to the present volume are the Misses Baxter and Rintoul, whose report on Scottish Ornithology for 1917 occupies the whole of the July-August number. This is a most valuable piece of work, most carefully and clearly carried out. The most important ornithological occurrence during the year is the breeding of the Whooper Swan, an event which has taken place during the last two years in west Perthshire. It formerly nested in Orkney, but has not been proved to have bred previously on the mainland. The Misses Baxter and Rintoul have also commenced a series of articles on the breeding species of Scottish Ducks, and have dealt in the present volume with three species — the Gad wall, Wigeou, and Shoveler. They also record the occurrence of the American Wigeon or Bald pate in Fife, while Mr. J. A. Anderson has observed it in Stirlingshire, and with his 34"2 Recently published Or nJi hoi onical IForks. \lh\^. notice sends a delicate sketch from life of tiie (Common and American species swimming together in one Hock. Several contributors notice the increase in numbers and in breeding-range of the Great Crested Grebe in Scotland. Mr. Donald Guthrie concludes his notes on the birds of Sotith Uist, and Mr. WilHaiu Evans gives a list of the breeding-places of the Black-headed Gull in the Foith area, one of which in Midlothian according to evidence in his possession has been occupied since the eighteenth century. Another contribution from Dr. Eagle Clarke tells us of a surprising account of the attempted nesting of a pair of Bee-eaters in Midlothian. Though occurring not infre- quently in the south of England, it has never yet been known to have nested, although it would probably do so if unmolested. Another new record is that of Catherine and T. E. Hodgkin^ who fotxnd a nest of tlie Hrambling in Sutherland in May last. The late Mr. E. T. Booth stated that he had found a nest in Perthshire in 1866, but the record has always been looked on as doubtful. Altogether the volume of the ' Scottish Naturalist ' for last year is full of interesting matter, not only in ornithology but in other departments of natural history, and we hope that the appeal of the editor for more sub- scribers and additional funds to carry on the magazine will meet with the response wiiich it deserves. List of other Ornithological Publications received. Bangs, O. and Penard, T. E. Notes ou American Birds. (Bull. Mus. Comp. ZoiU. Ixiv. pp. 365-.397.) Chapman, F. M. Descriptions of apparently uew Birds from Bolivia, &c. (Amer. Mus. Novitates, no. 2.) [CouKTOis, K P.] Les Oiseaux du Mus(5e de Zi-ka-wei. (Mem. concern. I'hist. nat. de I'Empire Chinois, v. pt. 3, fasc. 1-4.) Grinnell, J. The Caliibruian race oi tlie Brewer Blackbird. The existence of sea-birds a relatively safe one. (Condor, xxii, pp. 101- 103, 1. '52-155.) 1 92 1.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 343 Geiscom, L. Notes on tlie winter birds of San Antonio, Texas. (Auk, XXX vii. J)]). 49-55.) Griscom, L. and Nichols, J. T. A revision of the Seaside Sparrows. (Abstr. Proc. Linn. Soc. New York, no. 32, pp. 18-30.) GuRNEY, J. H. Early Annals of Ornitbdlogy. Pp. 1-240, many illustr. London, 1921. 8vo. GuRNEY, J. H. Presidential Address, Norfolk and Norwicb Nat. Soc, 1920. (Trans. Norf. Norw. Nat. Soc. xi. pp. 1-22.) Hartert, E. Types of Birds in the Tring Museum. (Novit. Zool. xxvi. pp. 123-178 ; xxvii. pp. 425-505.) KuRODA, N. Descriptions of three new forms of Birds from Japan and Formosa. (Dobuts. Zasshi, xxxii. pp. 243-248.) Mathews, G. M. The Birds of Australia. (Vol. xi. pt. 1.) Oberholser, H. C. Collection of 44 papers reprinted from various journals. Saunders, A. A. A distributional list of the Birds of Montana. (Pacific Coast Avifauna, no. 14.) SwARTH, H. S. Birds of the Papago Saguaro National Monument and the neighbouring region, Arizona. Pp. 1-63. Washington (Nat. Park Service), 1920. SwARTH. H. S. In Memoriam : Frank Slater Daggett. (Condor, xxii. pp. 129-135.) Todd, W. E. C. Descriptions of apparently new South American Birds. (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. vol. xxxiii. pp. 71-76.) Todd, W. E. C. A revision of tbe genus Eupsychnrty.r. (Auk, xxxvii. pp. 189-220, pis. v., vi.) Townsend, C. W. Supplement to the Birds of Essex County, Massa- chusetts. (Mem. Nuttall Oi-n. Club, no. a-.) WiTHERBY, II. F. and others. A Practical Handbook of British Birds. (Pt. X.) Audubon Bulletin. (Fall, 1920.) Auk. (Vol. xxxviii. no. 1.) Australian Avian Record. (Vol. iv. nos. 4, 5.) Avicultural Magazine. (Vol. xii. nos. 1,2.) Bird-Lore. (Vol. xxiii. no. 1.) Bird Notes. (Vol. iv. nos. 1, 2.) British Birds. (Vol. xiv. nos. 8-10.) Bull. Essex County Ornith. Club. (1919 & 1920.) Canadian Field Naturalist. (Vol. xxxiv. nos. 6, 7.) Cas.sinia (for 1920). Condor. (Vol. xxiii. no. 1.) Emu. (Vol. XX. no. 3.) Fauna och Flora. (1921, pt. 1.) Ilornero. (Vol. ii. no. 2.) 344 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. [Ibis, Irish Naturalist. (Vol. xxx. nos. 1-.3.) Journal of the Bombay Nat. Ilist. Soc. (Vol. xxvii. no. 2.) Journal of the Federated Malay States Museum. (Vol. x. no. 2.) Journal of the Natural History Society of Siam. (Vol. iii. no. 5.) Journal fiir Ornithologie. (Vol. 69, no. 1.) Oolofj:ists' Record. (Vol. i. no. 1.) Ornithologische Monatsberichte. (Vol. 29, nos. 1/2, 3/4.) Revue Fran9ai3e d'Ornithologie. (Nos. 140-143.) Revue d'Histoire naturelle appliquee. L'Oiseau. (Vol. i. no. 12 ; vol. ii. nos. 1,2.) Scottish Naturalist. (1921, nos. 109, 110.) South African Journal of Natural Plistory. (Vol. ii. no. 2.) South Australian Ornithologist. (Vol. v. no. 4.) Tori. (Vol. ii. no. 10.) Verhandl. Orn. Ges. Bayern. (V''ol. xiv. pt. 4.) XX. — Letters, Extracts, and Notes. The Last Phase of the Subspecies. Sir, — The interestiug letter from Mr. Loomis ia the October number of ' The Ibis ' will be welcomed by many ornithologists on this side of the Atlantic, and not least by some of those who might be termed " subspecies" men. It seems to us that up to the present the excuse — in fact, the necessity — for trinomialism lies in the fact that binomial names, and consequent recognition of complete specific distinction, had been conferred on many mere geographical variations. The trinomialist then arrived on the scene, and did much good by reducing such geographical forms to their true position as races, or mere climatic variations, of one species. He also named and continues to name other races, which he considers as distinct as those which have names already. Now, even those who oppose all trinomialism will agree tliat, as the species is the only definite minor unit in nature, any system which enables us at a glance to appreciate properly the true specific relationship of a form whose rank as a distinct species had previously been misconceived, would 1 92 1.] Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 345 be welcomed by any ornitliologist. It must be remembered that a multitude of races have been named of late years, yet the number of species inhabiting,, say, a continent like Africa is known now to be considerably less than was supposed ten years ago. Tlie last phase, as Mr. Loomis says, now approaches, for tbe whole of the geographical variations of many species are now known, and the question arises " of what scientific value are these variations ? " Well, it seems to us personally that trinomialism supplies a handy (not invariably handy) adjective Avhich is inter- nationally understood, and which designates birds from a certain locality in a short and concise way. By the recog- nition of subspecies we can also map out migration-routes of birds from any given locality, and can note the effect of environment on any given species throughout its range. But beyond this we venture to suggest that the value of subspecies is small, and that their taxonomic value is, in many cases, nil. On the other hand, to those who accept m toto the Darwinian theory — or what is commonly accepted as the Darwinian theory — and all that it implies, all sub- species will appear of great value as "incipient species." Now, for our part it has always been a matter of the greatest difficulty to imagino how a geographical form, which, in fact, is already a s[)e(;ies, can be termed an "incipient" one: for surely if any given specific group has, we will say, c^ forms or variations, those x forms have all equal specific entity, differing slightly or super- ficially by the increment or decrement of some small characteristics. Indeed, if we believe with ultra-Darwinians in the " little by little '"' theory of evolution, there is no obvious reason why the " typical form '' of any specific group should not be just as much an incipient species as its most distant geographical race. Speaking for ourselves, however, we no longer believe in the "little by little" theory of evolution, nor incidentally in " Natural Selection," except in its purely selective, as opposed to creative, sense — and even in this sense we feel SER. XI. VOL.111. 2 a •^46 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. [Ibis, sceptical on the point as to whether Natural Selection, acting on even discontinuous variations, can have any practical effect on the formation of species, or whether it is not superfluous to invoke the action of Natural Selection at all — nor do we believe in the action of en- vironment in the initiation of new species. The only thing in our opinion which can give rise to a new species is the conjugation of two gametes possessed of some unusual factor or other to form a zygote. We believe that the beginnings of a new species may occur from the union of any two birds anywhere, and is a matter of the chance presence or absence, stimulation or suppression, of factors in the germ-plasm. It must be remembered, however, that over so small a part of the world's history do man's obser- vations extend in point of time, that we cannot definitely state whether or not species are being formed at all at the present day. There is, moreover, a point in this question of the value of subspecies to which we cannot help thinking ornitholo- gists in general have not hitherto paid sufficient attention. They appear, indeed, to have ignored the very probable fact that there are two main forms of variations — one known as '^mutational," in which the variation is discontinuous and dependent on the presence in the organism of definite factors which are resident in the (jerni-plasm, and iv/iich are therefore heritable, the other known as a " fluctuatioual," " environmental," or continlious variation, which is directly due to the action of the environment on the soma during the lifetime of the organism, and which effect cannot be passed on to future generations. We think there can be little doubt that many — indeed, by far the majority — of our present-day subspecific forms belong to this last category, and are mere environmental, unstable, and essentially superficial variations, which would quickly disappear if the organism were transferred from its normal environment to some other of a different nature. Many such environmental subspecies present variations which are 1 92 1.] Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 347 merely quantitative as opposed to qualitative, and it would be interesting in this connection to make a comparative examination of the number of present-day subspecies oc- curring in a genus where the colours are due to peculiarities of structure in the feathers and the reflection of light upon them — as, for example, in many species of Cinnyris or Nectarinia, — and, on the other hand, in a genus where the colour is directly due to pigment which can be acted on by humidity, light, etc. Mutational variations, on the other hand, present charac- teristics which are directly derived from the action of factors resident in the germ-plasm, which are totally independent in their origin of the action of environment, and which are stable — o-iveu favourable conditions. jNIutational variations iu all probability never intergrade, and they are dependent on isolation whatever form that isolation may take, either geographical or physiological. Natural selection may here play a decisive part in determining their future. The ignoring by ornithologists of these two different forms of variation has led, in our opinion, to the making of sub- species, which, in fact, have very different values and rank. It appears, therefore, that before we can answer the question propourided by Mr. Loomis " Of what scientific value is a subspecies?", it behoves us to set our subspecific lu)use in order with a view to gaining a more accurate and definite appreciation of the exact rank of our subspecies, and if necessary to note their quality by some definite nomenclatural method. Finally, we would like to add that if subspecies are sought for and recognized solely with a view to the intensive study of variation, and if their recog- nition tends to throw any light on the still more elusive question " What is a species and how is it formed?" we are all in favour of their recognition. P. R. Lowe. Natural History Museum, C. MaCKWORTH-Praed. 12 February, 1921. 2a2 348 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. [Ibis, The Nomenclature of Plumages. Sir, — In the January number Capt. CoUingwood Ingram draws attention to an error in his paper (Ibis, 1920, p. 857), and states tliat it is important " as it largely vitiates my definition of Mesoptile/' Capt. Ingram was apparently unaware of my remarks in the '^ Bulletin' (vol. xxvii. p. 83), when I dealt with the four plumages of the young Eagle-Owl and pointed out that the B;irn-Ovvl was excep- tional and that the third plumage was suppressed in that species. Further investigations have led to the conclusion that in other groups of birds we may also have three generations of plumage prior to the first adult dress. jNIr. Pycraft, apparently being unaware of this fact, called these plumages protoptiles, mesoptiles, and teleoptiles, and I suggested that the generation immediately preceding the adult dress should be known as heiniptiles. ]\Iy nomen- clature therefore agrees with Capt. Ingram's in calling the " second generation of feathers " mesoptiles, but these do not immediately precede the adult feathers. Mesoptiles, as I understand them, are the generation preceding the hemiptiles, which in the Passeres are what is commonly known as the juvenile plunuige. It is expedient in this, as in other branches of Ornithology, to keep our nomen- clature as uniform as possible. J. Lewis Bonhote. CarslialtoD, 8 January, 1921. Nestling Owls. Sir, — Captain Collingwood Ingram in his letter correcting the mistake he had made between the Barn Owl and Tawny Owl might have added the Scops {Scops giu) to the list of Owls which do not have any intermediate down between the first nestling down and the assumption of the complete feather plumage. This is recorded in the 'Avicultural Magazine," August 1899, page 160 : — " The white down in the nestling is replaced by a plumage almost precisely resembling that of the adults, so they differ 1 92 1.] Letters, Extracts^ and Nutes. 349 from all the Owls, except the Bara Owls, in having no intermediate down between the casting of the white down and the assumption of fall plumage." Incidentally, I may draw attention to other facts men- tioned in the same article on the breeding of the Scops Owl, which point out how widely the Scops differ from all other Owls. Incubation only lasts twenty-three to twenty-four days. The young, instead of remaining long in the nest and being tended by the parents for a long time afterwards, are just the reverse. Young hatched on 10 June left the nest strong perchers on 1 July, and by 10 July were strong fliers and independent. It will thus be seen that the young Scops is full grown, full Hedged^ and independent at thirty days old. All the other Owls are in the nest or, at any rate, dependent on their parents for at least three months. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo. Hever, Kent, 6 February, 1921. The Status of Picus rubricollaris Baker. Sir, — In a letter dated January 7th, 1921, my colleague, Mr. C. Boden Kloss, has asked me to point out that the handsome Woodpecker described by Mr. Stuart Baker and figured in the last number of ' The Ibis ' as Picus ruh-i- collaris is wrou^^ly attributed to Siam, the localities in which it was collected being, as a matter of fact, both in French Laos, on or near the River Mekong. Further, the new "species" appears to be identical with, or extremely closely allied to, a bird figured and described by Oustalet twenty-two years ago as Gecinus rabieri (Bull. Mus. d'Hist. Nat. 1898, p. 12 ; id. Nouv. Arch, du Mus. (4) i. 1899, p. 255, pi. vii.) founded on two unsexed specimens, considered males, but evidently females; from Tonkin. I have myself compared Mr. Baker's types with Oustalet's figures and description, and have not the least doubt that Mr. Kloss IS perfectly correct. The slight differences between the actual bird from the Mekong. and the figure 350 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. [Ibis, of Gecinus rabieri are not more tliaii can be accounted for by the notorious incorrectness of the plates in the Nouv. Arch,, which frequently do not agree with tlie text. The fiiiures in ' The Ibis ' also are unfortunately not all ~ that can be desired — the male especially is shown with the red collar far too pronounced. Yours truly, London, HERBERT C. ROBINSON. 7 February, 1921, The Annual General Meeting of the British Ornithologists' Union. The Annual General Meeting of the British Ornitholo- gists' Union for 1921 was held on Wednesday, March 9, at the Offices of the Zoological Society of Loudon, Mr. G. M. Mathews in the Ciiair. There were 36 members present. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and con- firmed. Mr. H, J. Elwes, F.R.S., F.Z.S., was unanimously elected President of the Union in place of Dr. W. Eagle Clarke resigned. Before proposing members to fill vacancies on the Com- mittee, the Chairman informed tlie meeting that he proposed to put up the three members nominated by tlu^ Committee, and to then take the feeling of the meeting as to whether the remaining two vacancies should be filled at once or in accordance with the method approved at tlie i)revious Annual Meeting. The Rev. Y. C. R. Jourdaiu at tliis point interposed, objecting to this method of procedure on the grounds that Major Sladen had not been proposed merely for the purpose of filling one of the two existing vacancies, but to fill any one of the three or five vacancies which the meeting should decide to fill. After some discussion the Chairman decided that the meeting should be asked to express their opinion by voting. On a show of hands the motion proposed by Mr. Bonhote and seconded by Mr. Smeed 1 92 1.] Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 351 that all tlie vacancies should all be filled at once was carried by 15 to 9j many members not voting. The five members nominated were then unanimously elected;, with the exception of Mr. C. D. Borrer, who was elected by 11 votes to 8. The following Foreign Member was elected Honorary Member : — Dr. E. D. Van Oort. The following were elected Foreign Members : — Dr. Otmar Reiser. Mr. Hichard C. McGregor, Mr. Charles 13. Cory. The Chairman then called upon the Secretary to read the Report of the Committee for 19.20, viz. : — " The Committee regret that they have to report that the financial position for 1920 is even more unsatisfactory than that for 1919j and the year under re[)ort ended with an adverse balance of practically £190. The reason for this adverse balance is entirely the great cost of publishing ' The Ibis,' which increased from .€1000 in 1919 to practi- cally j£l300 in ]920. At the same time it should be noted that 'The Ibis' for 1920 contained a greater number of pages than that of a normal year. " To meet the deficit in the Society's funds, the Com- mittee recommended at a special General Meeting called together on tlic 13th of October that the subscription should be raised to £'2. This recommendation was unanimously adopted, and will be put before the present meeting for confirmation. The Committee are very glad to report that, pending this confirmation, a large majority of tiie members of the Union have already subscribed the full M2 for the present year. "The Trustees of the British Museum have, we regret to say, declined to again give us any donation towards the cost of publishing Museum articles in ' The Ibis,' but it is still hoped that they may be induced to contribute something towards the actual expenses of such articles. 352 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. [Ibis, "The Committee anticipate tluit with the increase of the subscription to £2 and entrance fee to £4, the funds received will he sufficient to cover the expenses of the Union and to provide a small balance. "The present volume of 'The Ibis' is the sixty-second^ and is the second of the Eleventh Series. It contains 1023 pages, and is illustrated with five coloured plates, thirteen uncoloured plates, and three text-figures — that is to say that 'The Ibis' for 1920 contains nearly 200 pages more than that for 1919, although even for tbat year 'The Ibis' was much larger than usual. "The Committee have given instructions that 'Tlie Ibis' be sold to the [)ublic at the rate of 12^. 6d. per number and to members at 10^. Members will, we trust, appreciate the fact that we sell 'The Ibis' for less than it costs to print and publish. "The Committee regret to report the deaths of the fol- lowing jnembers : — Sir J. A. Brooke, C. G. Finch Davies. R. Etheridge. J. Gerrard. Hev. C. W. Shejjherd. " The following gentlemen have resigned : — Major W. B. Arundel. Brig. -General A. Bailward. Captain G. Blaine. D. 0. Campbell. J. Drummond. (t. H. Duckworth. Rev. A. E. Ellison. C. Garnett. A. R. Gillman. Lt.-Col. A. E. Hamerton. J. C. Hawksbaw. G. B. Honey. E. Hudson. Major H. Jones. E. B. Maton. B. S. Ogle. Sir T. D. Pigott. Lt.-Col. A. E. St. V. Pollard. J. T. Proud. Capt. C. G. E. Russell. A. St. G. Sai-geaunt. W. L. Sturge. Lt. G. Swann. M. Vaughan. Commdr. R. E. A^aughan. E. M. Wade. Lt.-Col. H. J. Walton. H. Wormald. Lt.-Col. J. W. Yerbury. 1^21.1 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 353 "The name of Mr. B. A. E. Buttress has been removed from the list of members under Rule 6. "The membership of the Union is given below in com- parison with the last five years : — 1921. 1920. 1919. 1918. 1917. 1916, Ordinary Members. .. 423 418 418 4-23 416 420 Extraordinary ., .. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Honorary ,, .. 9 9 7 8 9 9 Hon. Lady ,, .. 8 8 8 8 9 8 Colonial .. 10 10 9 9 10 10 Foreign ,, .. 16 IG 13 •:o 19 19 " There are 49 candidates for ordinary membership and the fact of so large a number of gentlemen coming i'orvvai'd for election to the Union is most satisfactory, and one which iias not been lost sight of by the Committee wlien considering the increase to the subscription to the Union.'^ The accounts were then approved and passed, after Mr. Bunyard had asked the Secretary what the legal charges were for. The resolution approved l)y the Special General Meeting " that the annual subscription be raised from £,\ bs. to £2 "—Rule 5 to read :— '^ Every new Ordinary Member shall pay an Entrance "Fee of ^fil., and an Annual Subscription of .€2 on his "election, and every Ordinary Member shall pay an "Annual Subscription of £2 on the 1st January of "each year. Every new Ordinary Member failing to "pay his Entrance Fee and his first Annual Subscrip- " tion before the 31st December immediately following " his election, shall have his election annulled, unless " he shall furnish a satisfactory explanation." was then put to the meeting for confirmation and was carried unanimously. The Chairman then put to the meeting a recommendation of the Committee that Rule 13 be amended by adding after 354 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. [Ibis, the words " can be summoned by " the words " by the Committee or" — Kule 13 to read : — '^ A special General Meeting can be summoned by "the Committee or by any ten members of the Britisli '^ Ornithologists^ Union on a written requisition ad- '' dressed to the Committee for that purpose, which " recjuisition shall specify the object of such s[)ecial " meeting. At such special Meeting the special business "to consider which it was convened, shall alone be ''discussed. The Honorary Secretary when calling a "meeting on any application shall allow at least ten " days to intervene betw-eeu the date of issue of the " notices and the date fixed for the meeting." This was also carried unanimously. A third recommendation of the Committee that Rule 17 be amended by adding after the words " Annual General Meeting^' the words " or at a General Meeting called by the Committee for that purpose" — Rule 17 to read: — " Any alteration or addition made to these rules may "be adopted by a majority of two-thirds of the members " present at tlie Annual General Meeting or at a " General Meeting called by the Committee for that " purpose provided due notice shall have been given " thereof in the circular convening the meeting.'" There was a little discussion before the motion was voted on, one or two members making certain remarks in reference to the words "a majority of two-thirds." After this it Ava^ put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Before proceeding to the next recommendation of the Committee with respect to the Committee appointed to consider records of occurrences of rare and hitherto un- known bird visitors to Great Britain, the Chairman informed the meeting that Dr. Eagle Clarke had expressed a desire that his name should be removed from the Committee, although he would be very pleased to act in an advisory capacity with regard to any Scotch records. 1921.] Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 355 The Chairman then read the recommendation of the Committee : — "That the Committee, viz. Mr. A. H. Evans, Dr. E. J. 0. Hartert, Mr. T. Iredale, Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, Mr, G. M. Mathews, Mr. W. L. Sclater, Dr. N. Ticehurst, Mr. H. F. Witherhy, and Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker as Secretary to tlie Committee, elected at the last Annual General Meeting for five years to coincide with the election of the President of the Union to consider records of occur- rences of rare and hitherto unknown bird visitors to Great Britain be, owing to the resignation of the President, re-elected en bloc." This was carried 7iem. con. The Rev. J. R. Hale and Mr. J. L. Bonhote were elected and consented to act as Scrutineers. The following 49 candidates for Ordinary Membership were then balloted for and elected : — Major Frederick Marshman Bailey, CLE. Lieut. Cyprian Thurlow Baker. Miss Mary Best. John Brindley Bettington. John Osmund Beven, M.A., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. Frederick N. Chasen. Capt. Richard Rees Davies. Robert Heward Deane. George Edward William Dempster. Capt. Frederick Wynford Dewhurst. Arthur McNeill Farquhar. Gilbert George Feasey. Frank James Richard Field. Lieut. Harold Bingley Finch, M.C. Kenneth Fisher. Richard Taunton Francis, F.Z.S. David Eric Wilson Gibb. Capt. Humphrey Adam Gilbert. Edwin Leonard Gill, M.Sc. William Edwin Glegg. Miss Eva M. Godman. 356 Letters, Extracts, and Noia. [Ibis^ Jolm G. M. Gordon. Dr. James Harrison, INl.K.C.S. Robert Elliott Harvey. Capt. Charles William Robert Knight, M.C. Stanley Lewis. Thomas Lewis, F.R.S., C.B.E. Dr. George Carmicliael Low, M.R.C.P. Nathaniel Sampson Lucas, M.B. Arthur Frederick McConiiell. The Viscount Maidstone. Allister William Mathews. John Henry McNeile. Cecil Norman. John Henry O'Connell, L.R.C.P. & S.L Owen Rodenhurst Owen. Arthur Hamilton Paget-Wilkes. Charles Joseph Patten, M.A., M.D., ScD. Hans Thomas Lange Schaanniug, Guy Chesterton Shortridge, M.B.E. The Vicomte Louis de Si hour, E.Z.S. Arthur de Carle Sowerby. Jesse Austin Sydney Stendall. Andrew Denys Stocks. Cecil Vesey Stoney, J. P., D.L. Mrs. Rose Haig Thomas, John Francis Donald Tntt, M.R.C.V.S., F.R.M.S., F.Z.S. Thomas Wells. Major William Wordie, O.B.E., M.A. Before the Meeting dissolved, the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain explained the objects of the Oxford expedition to Spitsbergen, and after some remarks by Messrs. Trevor-Battye and H. J. Elwes, Lord Rothschild proposed and Mr. Elwes seconded a vote of thanks to the Zoological Society for the use of the Meeting-room. 1 92 1.] Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 357 Mr. Seth Smith proposed and the Kev. J. R. Hale seconded a vote of thanks to the Auditor. These were carried unanimously, as was also a vote of thanks to the Chairman. The Annual Dinner after the Meeting was well attended, over 100 members being present. The Oxford Expedition to Spitsbergen. An expedition to Spitsbergen is being organized by the University of Oxford, and a sum of at least £3000 is required to carry out the work. The Oxford expedition is entirely scientific in its objects and aspirations. Special attention will i)e paid to ornithology. The breeding-habits and migratory movements of many of the raier Arctic species are practically uidcnown, and the problem of reversed sexual selection, a subject very inadequately investigated, is found exclusively among birds whose breeding-grounds are in the north. The ornithological members of the party will make close and extensive observations and will not confine them- selves to eg"s and skins. The expedition has the sanction and support of the University of Oxford, as well as of the heads of all the scientific departments concerned. It is proposed that two parties shall go out in sealing-sloops, the first early in June and the second a few weeks later, when the north coast is more likely to be free from ice. Altlumgh, as we have said, a sum of at least £3000 is necessary, if a larger sum is forth- coming the scope of the expedition, which will last only two or three months, could be profitably enlarged. The Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain is Chairman of the Committee, and con- tributions will be welcomed by and should be addressed to Mr. G. Binney, Hon. Secretary, Oxford University Ex- pedition to Spitsbergen, Mertou College, Oxford. 358 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. [Ibis, 1921. Personalia. The marriage of Col. Richard Meinertzhagen, D.S.O., and Miss Annie C. Jackson, 'oliich took place on March 3 last, unites two well-known ornithologists and Members of the British Ornithologists' Union, and is an event nnique in our history. We offer onr heartiest congratnlations and best wishes to the newly married pair, in which we are sure all our members will join us. Mr. A. F. R. Wollaston, M.B.O.U., has been appointed naturalist and medical officer to the Mt. Everest Expedition, which is being organized under the joint auspices of the Royal Geographical Society and the Alpine Club. We hope he will not forget the claims of ornithology, and that he will devote some of his spare time to observing and collecting the birds of Tibet and the high country sur- rounding Mount Everest. Our late President, Dr. W. Eagle Clarke, who has been Keeper of the Natural History Department of the Royal Scottish Museum since 1906, retired under the Civil Service age limit on March 15 last. W'e understand that the post of Honorary Supervisor of the bird collections has been offered to Dr. Eagle Clarke by the Secretary for Scotland, and has been accepted by him, so that his connection with the Royal Scottish Museum will not be entirely severed. We congratulate the Royal Scottish Museum on being able to retain Dr. Eagle Clarke's valuable services for a further period. W^e learn that Mr. Frank M. Chapman, Curator of Birds of the American Museum of Natural History, is shortly arriving in England for a visit. rn THE IBIS. ELEVENTH SERIES. Vol. III. No. 3. JULY 1921. XXI. — Field Notes on the Birds of Lower Egi/pt. By W. Raw, M.B.O.U. With Contributions hy Colonol K. Sparrow, C.M.G., D.S.O., M.B.O.U., and the Rev. F. C. R. JouRDAiN, M.A., M.B.O.U.* 113. Coracias garrulus garrulus. Roller. Numerous, passing tli rough Abu Zabaal from 8 August onwards. Never observed there in the spring, but was common at Kantara at the end of April 1919. 114. Ceryle rudis rudis. Pied Kingfisher. Common and resident. I took a clutch of four effffs at Abu Zabaal on 26 April, 1917, and another of five fresh eggs at luchas on 12 May, 1918. The nesting-hole was about four feet long in a bank overhanging a canal. [The only clutch taken was at Ayat on 11 May, 1910, and consisted of four eggs sliglitly incubated. The nest-hole was in the Nile bank a few feet above the water. — R. S.1 -1 * Continued from p. 264. SER. XI. — VOL. III. 2 B 360 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, 115. Alcedo atthis atthis (= A. isp'ula pallida auct.). Kingfisher. Arrives at Abu Zabaal towards the end of August and remains throughout the winter, leaving again in April. I have compared specimens from Abu Zabaal at the British Museum and refer them to this form. 116. lynx torquilla torquilla. Wryneck. More numerous as a spring migrant than in the autumn. Average dates 5 April and 12 September. 117. Cuculus canorus canoms. Cuckoo. Not uncommon on Ijoth migraiions. I shot a male as late as 6 May, 1916, and another on 15 September, 1918. 118. Cuculus canorus telephonus. Cuckoo. I include provisionally under this name a race of Cuckoos which pass through Abu Zabaal each spring. A bird shot by me on 6 May, 1916, was identified by Mr. M. J. Nicoll as C. c. saturatus. Every successive spring I obtained specimens, and a pair were shot out of a bunch of nine seen on 17 April, 1917. On 21 May, 1917, I shot a beautiful hepatic form out on the desert, and a bird only less red and beautiful was shot at the Birket Accrashi on 5 May, 1917. I gave all my specimens except one to the Giza Museum and Mr. J. L. Bonhote. I compared my s[)ecimen with birds in the British Museum, and matched it with five or six laro'e- winged birds from western Asia. These were as yet un- identified,and may possibly be a new race hitherto undesci'ibed. I hope to compare the birds in Mr. Bonhote's collection shortly. I submitted my bird to Dr. E. Hartert, and he kindly gave me his opinion on it as follows : — " Your bird is as large as largest telephomis, but it does not show a particularly finely-barred underside. No such race is known which comljines the larger size of telephonus with the stronger barring of C. c. canorus. I would therefore call it telephonus.''' It certainly is not C. c. satwatus, which Dr. Hartert informs me should be called Cuculus optatus, and which is unlikely to occur in Egypt. 1 92 1.] Birds of Lower Egypt. 361 119. Clamator glandarins. Great Spotted Cuckoo. Not uncommon at Abu Zabaal, and observed at various times tliroughout the year. I shot a bird of the year there on 30 April, 1916, and an adult male on G May, 1916. I had very little luck with the eggs of this species, and despite much work done in searching the nests of Hooded Crows, I only found one egg. This was in a nest containing also three eggs of the Hooded (Jrow on 6 June, which must be a very late date indeed, as the Crows have finished breeding at this date as a rule. [The only three eggs of this species I have from Tijgypt were taken by a native at Luxor on 22 March, 1910, from a nest of the Hooded Crow, and were considerably incubated. — R. S.] 120. Centropus aegyptius. Lark-heeled Cuckoo. [Common at Ibshawai in the Fayum at the end of March 1910, where it is undoubtedly resident, but I never found its nest. — R. S.] 121. Bubo bubo ascalaphus. Egyptian Eagle-Owl. I only saw three birds at Abu Zabaal daring the whole of my stay. Two of these I wounded, and are, or were when I left Egypt, still alive in the Giza Zoo. All were of the pale form. The dates were 23 June, 26 August, and 8 October. C^aptain W. Bigger found a nest containing three young birds in a crevice of rock on the Moqattam Hills behind the Citadel, Cairo, on 20 May, 1917. It is said to breed on the Pyramids at Giza and Dahshur, but I was never able to find it there. [This Owl used to nest near all the Pyramids : eggs are laid under an overhanging rock, and the full clutch is three. Eggs, Pyramids of Giza, March 1893. Eggs, Abu Roash, 20. iii. 94, one fresh, one hatching; clutch of three slightly incubated at Dahshur, 28. iii. 09. Saqqara, one egg hard- set, 23. iv. 09.— R. S.] 2 B 2 362 Mr. ^\. Raw 07i the [Ibis, 122. Asio flammeus flammeus. Short-eared Owl. I have met with this Owl annually in the spring, but never in the autumn that I remember. It is very often to be seen sittinof on the desert in the full glare of the sun with no protection whatever. It is most numerous between the last week in March and the second week in April. 123. Athene noctua glaux. Southern Little Owl. Abundant wherever suitable places offer shelter. I have found fresh eggs as early as the first week in April and as late as the middle of May. The clutch consists of four to six eggs ns a rule. [This Owl frequently nests in large heaps of stones. I found a clutch of seven eggs once, though six seem to be the usual clutch. It nests at Mena, Abu Sueir, and Abu Roash. ]\Iy earliest date for fresh eggs is 1 Apri! (a clutch of six), and two fresh eggs as late as 18 June^, so it is probably double-brooded. — R. S.] 124. Tyto alba subsp. ? Barn-Owl. Seen and heard occasionally at various times throughout the year. Is sometimes fairly numerous at Abu Zabaal, especially in October, when it preys on the large flocks of Spanish Sparrows which roost in the reed-beds and orange- groves. I only secured its eggs twice, — a pair of fresh eggs at Abu Roash on 1 April, and a clutch of four in an old shed near the Barrage on 2 May, 1918. This latter nest had two dead mice near it. [This species nests commonly near the Pyramids at Abu Sueir, Giza, Bedrashein, and also at Abu Roash, generally at the bottom of a shaft from which a mummy has been removed. I have taken fresh eggs between 20 March and 14 April. Clutch frequently five or six. — R.S.J 125. Falco peregrinus [calidus?]. Peregrine Falcon. A specimen of one of the large northern races of this species, probably the Siberian form, was seen but not obtained at Abu Zabaal on 24 February, 1917. 1921.] Birds of Louder Kgypt. 363 126. Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides. Barbary Falcon. Mr. M. J. NicoU and myself saw a pair of Barbary Falcons feeding young in a nest on the Dahshur Pyramids on 12 April, 1918. The site was about sixty feet up on the eastern slope and in an impossible place to examine. The Egyptian riots prevented me looking it up again in 1919. [On 28 March, 1909, I took three fresh eggs from a low ledge on the Dahshilr Pyramid. The eggs are decidedly smaller than those of the Lanner, averaging 49'7 x38"l mm. in size, and in appearance not unlike Hobby's eggs. — R. S.] 127. Falco biarmicus tanypterus. Lanner Falcon. Seen occasionally perching on our tall wireless masts : usually in the autumn. Ckptain W. Bigger found a nest on which the bird was sitting, on an inaccessible ledge in the clitfs behind the Citadel in Cniro, on 30 March, 1917, and another in the Moqattam Hills, which probably coutained young birds, on 5 April, 1917. I found no trace of its breeding on the Great Pyramids. [Used to breed annually on the north side of the second Pyramid at Giza, from which place T had four young on 30 April, 1893. In 1894 I took a clutch of four eggs, slightly incubated, on 18 March, from the same place. Three of these eggs are like dark Kestrel's eggs in type, the fourth plum-coloured. Average size 52*7 x 43'2 mm. — R. S.] 128. Falco concolor. Sooty Falcon. On 18 April, 1918, a Sooty Falcon was observed near the Birket Accrashi, and was still in the same vicinity on 20 April. I shot a fine immature bird at Abu Zabaal on 6 August, 1918 : it was chasing some Hooded Crows at the time. Major F. W. Borman obtained some information about this species breeding near Solium, on the Mediter- ranean seaboard, but the lull jiarticulars are not yet to hand. 129. Falco subbuteo. Hobby. Seen sparingly in the winter months. One shot on 19 October, 1916, at the Birket Accrashi. 364 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, 130. Falco columljarms aesalon. Merlin. Not uncommon during the winter, arriving on the heels of the autumn migration and remuinino- until March. Examples obtained on 12 November, 1916, and 15 January, 1917. 131. Falco vespertiuus vespertimis. Red-footed Falcon. About the same number observed as of the preceding species and at about the same times. Examples shot on 19 and 22 October, 1916. 132. Falco naumanni naumanni. Lesser Kestrel. I appear to have no record of meeting with this bird during autumn or winter. It is very common during the last week in March and early in April, at which season I have observed quite fifty at a time flying round the Birket Accrashi. 133. Falco tinnunculus rupicolseforinis. Egyptian Kestrel. Common and resident. This species is very fond of build- ing in holes in the sides of native houses. Old nests of the Hooded Crow are also favoured as sites, and one pair nested annually on the top of a palm-tree which had died and shed its leaves. Another pair reared two broods in the cage at the top of one of our wireless masts, 300 feet above the ground. It lays from the end of March until the end of May, from three to five being a clutch. Lizards and locusts form a large part of their food in the breeding-season, and I seldom observed them take birds. [My dates range from 30 March to 30 April. I took one nest from No. 3 Signal Tower on the Suez road. My largest clutch is four. — R. S.] [As compared with eggs of the Common Kestrel, those of the Egyptian bird are decidedly small. The average of fifty-five eggs collected by Mr. Raw and Colonel Sparrow is 35'8 X 30*2 mm., whereas British eggs average 39"7x31*7 mm.— F.C.R. J.] 1921.] B'lrds of Loxi^er Egyjit. 365 134. Aquila heliaca heliaca. Imperial Eagle. I several times observed Eagles soaring in the vicinity of Abu Zabaal, but was unable to identify them to my satisfaction. One "which I saw sitting on the desert on 14: February, 1914, 1 was able to identify as the above S[)ecies, from skins in the Giza Museum and notes made on the spot. 135. Buteo buteo rufiventer. ( = B. desertorum auct.) Steppe-Buzzard. I never shot one of these birds, although they were not uncommonly seen, but were always wide awake and difficult of approach. A single bird remained in the vicinity of Abu Zabaal throughout September 1918. Also observed at odd times throughout the winter and early spring. It is quite possible that some of those seen were referable to Buteo feroa', but I was never quite satisfied that such was the case. Colonel Meinertzhagen has, moreover_, shown that B.ferox cirtensis ranges into southern Palestine (Ibis, 1920, p. 241). [Mr. M. J. Nicoll saw a pair in the Wadi Hof, apparently breeding, on 1 March, 1910. I saw a pair in the same place on 5 May, 1909. Another pair frequented the Giza gardens in May 1910, and probably bred there, as in June they were seen accompanied by two young birds. — R. S.] 136. Circus aeruginosus. Marsh-Harrier. One or more birds haunted the Birket Accrashi through- out the winter. These were, almost without exception, immature birds. They were frequently mobbed by Hooded Crows, and waxed fat on any wounded birds we were unable to retrieve. A pair seen in the Wadi Natrun on 24 May, 1918, were possibly nesting. [I saw a pair at Inchas on 12. v. 09, and a single bird at Gheit-el-Nasara on 20. v. 09, so it is quite possible some pairs remain to breed in the Delta. — R. S.j 137. Circus cyaneus cyaneus. Hen-Harrier. Less numerous than the t'ollowing species. Two or three obtained during the winter and early spring. 366 Mr. W. Raw on the [Ibis, 138. Circus macrourus. Pallid Harrier. Frequently observed beating the fields and swamps. Several were obtained, one of: which, shot on 4 April, 1918, had its hind claw badly ingrown into the pad at the bottom of its foot. 139. Circus pygargus. Montagu's Harrier. Although I never actually shot an example, I Ijelieve I have seen specimens during the M'inter months. A bird ooserved on 31 March, 1916, by Mr. M. J. Nicoll and myself v/as, I believe, referable to this species. 140. Accipiter nisus nisus. Sparrow-Hawk. This hawk was frequently observed between late autumn and spring, and I shot several specimens in order to try to identify Accipiter hrevipes at Abu Zabaal, but in this I was unsuccessful. 141. Milvus migrans aegyptius. Yellow-billed or Egyptian Kite. Common and resident, but does not breed at Abu Zabaal, merely hawking around for food, of which dead fish form a not inconsiderable part. Extremely abundant in Cairo and its suburbs as a resident species, where it is tame and very darino-. I have seen these birds swoop down and take cakes off a tea-table spread out of doors, and others diving down in crowded thoroughfares to snatch up a choice piece of garbage and make otf with it. It selects various sites for its nest, but favours tall trees the most, where a large accumulation of nesting material is collected. Ledges on the cliffs behind the Citadel and at Helouan, window-ledges in deserted houses and ruins, and even the flat tops of inhabited houses, are sometimes resorted to. It commences to build very early in the season, and I have taken eggs at the beginning of February, and have observed birds repairing their nests in December in the grounds of the Continental Hotel in Cairo. On the other 1 92 1.] B'lrcii^ of Lower K3. Charadrius morinellus. Dotterel. Occasionally small parties were observed at Abu Zabaal. Usually seen on dry fallow land or tbe open desert. In some winters more numerous tlian otliers. Is always tame and confiding. Specimens obtained on ID December and 2 January. 194. Himantopus himantopus himantopus. Black-winged Stilt. This species passes through Abu Zabaal in spring and autumn. Observed between 22 March and 16 April and during the first fortnight in September. Major F. W. Borman and I found six pairs breeding in a n.ost foul swamp at the Wadi Natrun in 1*J18. We found three nests containing eggs much incubated on 25 May. Two nests contained three eggs, and one nest two. 195. Hoplopterus spinosus. Spur-winged Plover. Common and resident at Inchas, and fairly numerous at Abu Zabaal. This species breeds from 10 April onwards, and I saw a clutch of four eggs near the Birket Accrashi as late as 10 August, 1910. The eggs ai-e frequently laid on the margin of a pool of stagnant water, and sometimes are quite conspicuous by being shown up in the white salty deposit left by the r(;ceding water. Four is the usual clutch, but I have found the bird sitting on two or tliree only. This species is very wary, and is much detested by shooters, as it gives a very noisy alarm on the approach of danger. Eggs were taken in the Wadi Natrun, and newly- hatched chicks seen at the end of May 1918. [My dates for fresh eggs taken at Inchas vary from 20 April to 27 June, thougli mid-May seems to be the best time. I have one pair of eggs, incubated when found, which have a very strong erythristic tendency. — R. S.] 19G. Eecurvirostra avosetta avosetta. Avocet. A flock of twelve were identified when fivins; over Abu Zabaal on 2S September, 1916. 1921.] Birds of Lower Egypt. 381 197. Chettusia leucura. White-tailed Plover. A single bird observed at the Birket Accrashi on 19 Sep- tember, 1917, where it remained for a week. Several shot near Tamiia, in the Fayum, in February and March. 198. Vanellus vanellus. Green Plover. Large flocks appear at intervals at Abu Zabaal from October to March. Four were seen as late as 16 April, but I found no evidence of any remaining to breed in Egypt. 199. Erolia ferruginea. Curlew Sandpiper. Never observed in the spring, but noted and obtained in the autumn ; notably, on 6 October, 191G, when I shot four out of a large bunch, on the Birket Accrashi. They were then in full winter plumage. 200. Erolia alpina. Dunlin. Rather uncommon at Abu Zabaal, but occurs sparingly every winter. A specimen was shot on 11 October, 1916. 20 L. Erolia minuta. Little Stint. Most numerous in October and March, when flocks haunt the open pools on the Birket Accrashi. Small lots appear at intervab throughout the winter. 202. Erolia temminckii. Temminck's Stint. Less numerous than the preceding species, with which it consorts. Examples of each were shot ouc of the same flock. 203. Triiiga tetanus totanus. Redshank. Not uncommon at the Birket Accrashi during the winter months. Usually arrives in early October, and noted as late as 10 May. 201. Tringa stagnatalis. Marsh Sandpiper. A large flight observed and specimens obtained on 6 October, 1916, on which date the Birket Accrashi was alive with Waders of various species. Observed sparingly throughout the winter. 382 Mr. W. Raw on tlie [Ibis, 205. Tringa nebularia. Green sluink. Occurs singly and rarely at Abu Zabaal. It was noted on 14 August, 24 August, 7 September, 10 October, and 11 February. 20G. Tringa ochropus. Green Sandpiper. Winters at Abu Zabaal, and on the rice-fields at Marg. Arrives as early as 10 August, on which date, in 1918, I saw at least twenty. It is usually observed alone^ and is not nearly so gregarious as the following species. Some few birds remain until May before taking their departure. 207. Tringa glareola. Wood-Sandpiper. More numerous than the preceding species. Small parties observed as early as 14 August, and as late as 22 Msij. Between these dates it is common at the Birket Accrashi. 208. Tringa hypoleuca. Common Sandpiper. Single birds observed during nearly all the months of the year. Several seen on 21 Juh', and four on 8 August, 1917. Frequents the sides of the canals, and is rarely seen on the Birket Accrashi. I have no evidence of its breeding in Egypt, but should not be surprised if such is the case. 209. Philomachiis pugnax. Buff. Large numbers of Bufi's are to be seen at the Birket Accrashi, especially in October and March, but less numerously between these dates. Early arrivals were noted on '6 September, and late birds linger until 1 May. I never saw one in anything" like full summer plun)age. 210. Niimenius arquatus arquatus. ( 'urlew. Rarely observed at Abu Zabaal, but single birds noted on 30 August, 7 September, 4 October, and 15 October, etc. 211. Limosa liniosa limosa. Black-tailed Godvvit. Observed and obtained at the Birket Accrashi in sjiring and autumn, and seen sparingly throughout the winter. On 22 Marih, 19J6,a bird of this species struck our aerial wires. 1921.] Birds of Lower Egypt. 583 and damaged its wino-. It lived for a considerable time in one of the aviaries at Giza. Earliest arrival noted on 22 September. 212. Limnocryptes gallinula. Jack Snipe. Not uncommon at the Birket Accrashi, where I have shot it from 7 October to 11 April. 213. Scolopax rusticola rusticola. Woodcock. This species winters sparingly in the palm-groves at Alag and Marg, near Abu Zabaal. I shot specimens there on 23 December, 1917, and 6 February, 1918, and have seen others between these dates. 214. Rhynchaea bengalensis. Painted Snipe. Odd pairs are resident, but it seems to prefer small swamps to the Birket Accrashi, where it was but seldom observed. Its well-known skulking habits make observation largely a matter of luck. Dr. Beven found four fresh eggs in a small marsh, south of the Pyramids, on 7 April, 1918 ; and Major F. W. Borman and myself found a nest, con- taining three incubated eggs, in the Wadi Natrun, on 25 May, 1918. 215. Gallinago gallinago gallinago. Common Snipe. Numerous on the Birket Accrashi, where it affords good sport, from September to March. Early arrivals have been noted on 14 August, and some few remain until early May. 216. Hydrochelidon ieucoptera. White-winged Black Tern. Small parties observed on the Birket Accrashi in spring and autumn. Noted on 30 April, 20 May, 27 August, 1 September^ and 17 September. Examples wen^ obtained in both winter and summer plumage. Numbers were observed in the Wadi Natrun at the end of May 1918, but we found no trace of their breeding, although it looked a likely place. C^aptain Boyd records in ' The Ibis,' 1917, p. 55G, having seen 384 Mr. W. Baw on the [Ills, Hydroclielidon hyhrida (= leucopareia) at Abu Zabasil, but I never met with it there myself. 217. Larus ridibnndus. Black-heatled Gull. Observed only twice at Abu Zabaal. Two seen together on 17 January, 1918, and a single bird shot on 30 December, 1917. 218. Megalornis grus. Common Crane. On 30 April, 1918, I saw a large flock of Cranes flying over Abu Zabaal. d'hey were going due north. 219. Eallus aquaticus aquaticus. Water-Rail. There can be little doubt that this species is a resident in the vicinity of Abu Zabaal, but the good cover lends itself to the Water-RaiFs skulking habits. I shot a specimen on 30 December, 1916, and have seen and heard it on numerous occasions, but never found a nest there. As a breeding-bird it is very common in the Wadi Natrun, and Major F. W. Bormau and I found three nests, with hard-set eggs, there on 27 May, 1918. These nests were all found within a hundred yards radius, and were in a dense reed-bed. They contained six, seven, and eight eggs respectively. [This species nests at Inchas, and probably in many suit- able localities in the Delta. My dates are : Two eggs, addled, 30.iii. 10; five eggs, fresh, 15.vi.09 ; four eggs, fresh, 10. iv. 10 ; so that it is probabl}^ double-brooded. — R. S.] 220. Porzana pusilla intermedia. Baillon's Crake. In addition to the specimen mentioned below, as having been shot on 19 April, 1917, I only secured one more, namely, a bird shot on the Birket Accrashi, on 3 October, 1917. It is my opinion that both species breed in the Egyptian delta. 221. Porzana parva. Little (h-ake. I first met with this species on 12 October, 1910, when I shot a s})ecimen on the Birket Accrashi. I shot a second specimen there on 20 October, 1910, and on 2"^ December, 1921.] Birds of Lower Egypt. 385 1916, a third on the old canal swamp near my quarters. During that winter, and throughout my stay in Egypt, I saw Crakes during each month of the year. (I shot a bird on 19 A{)ril, 1917, which was wrongly identified as a Little Crake. It was in breeding condition. On 5 August, 1917, when com[>aring skins in the Giza Museum, this bird proved to be F. pusilla intermedia.) I searched diligently for a nest, and on 29 April succeeded in finding one containing six eggs, fifty per cent, incubated. These 1 took to belong to P. parva at the time, but subsequent comparison by the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain with a large series, proves them to be^ in all probabilit}', F. p. intermedia. I could have made definitely certain, had 1 known at the time that any doubt existed, for, on 3 May in the same year, I caught two young Crakes ali\e in the same patch of reeds, and saw the parent birds creeping about several tiines^ but refrained from destroying them. Efforts were made by the Giza Zoological Service to rear these chicks, but were un- successful. I was never able to clear the matter up to my own satis- faction^ but shot specimens of F. parva on 28 February and 2(j March, 1917, in the same locality as that in which I discovered the eggs and young, and on the old canal swamp on 28 December, 1918. In the latter place I saw young- Crakes on 19 May, 1918, but was unable to obtain an adult. [At Inchas on 20. iv. 10 I shot a (Jrake, which Mr. NicoU identified as F. parva, and I believe the skin is still in the Giza Museum. From the late date it ought to have been breeding, but I failed to find a nest. — R. S.] 222. Gallinula chloropus. Moorhen. This species is a resident in suitable places, but is not very numerous at Abu Zabaal in the breedins-season. Its numbers are increased in the winter, at which season I often saw it. I found incubated eggs at Inchas on 17 May, 1916, and also on 12 May, 1917, in the same locality. On 29 Septem- ber, 1917, I shot a young bird, at Inchas, still unable to fiy. 386 Oh the Birds of Loiver Egypt. [Ibis, [A common breeding species at Incbas. Dates for fresb eggs varied from 15 May to 15 June in 1909. The largest clutcb obtained was one of six. — R. S.] 223. Porphyrio madagascariensis. Green-backed Galli- uule. At the end of April 1919 I was at Kantara. A gang of natives were cutting down the reeds, and the corporal in charge of this anti-mosquito measure informed me that he had had some eggs brought to him the previous day, which, from his description, I think must have belonged to this species. Unfortunately, they had been destroyed. I cer- tainly found the birds numerous in the immediate vicinity on the shores of Lake Menzaleh. I once saw Gallinules at Inchas. 224. Fulica atra atra. Coot. Arrives in October, and remains at Abu Zabaal until March. In some winters very numerous, and in others com- paratively rare. AVhen shooting, on one occasion, I saw these birds in such numbers that two collided in mid-air, and both fell and were picked up dead. 225. Coturnix coturnix coturnix. Quail. A few are resident, but are rarely met with. From 3 February to the end of March large numbers pass through, affording good sport. The second week in March marks the height of the migration at Abu Zabaal. Fewer birds are met with on their return flight in September. On 18 April, 1916, I took a clutch of eight Quail's eggs, in a field at Inchas. They were quite fresh. On 20 January, 1917, a native brought me three fresh Quail's eygs, which were all that were left of eight found in a nest, also at Inchas, and, when shooting there in May 1917, a single fresh egg was also brought to me. [Fresh eggs were brought to me by a native in April, 189-1, from Ayat, and two fresh eggs from Luxor, on 22 March, 1910. An oviduct egg with hard shell is unspotted and the colour of a pale English Partridge's egg. — K. S.] 1 92 1.] First Impressions of Tunisia and Algeria. 387 226. Ammoperdix heyi nicoUi. Nicoll's Desert Partridge. I saw a single specimen near Gebel Asfur (south of the Birket Accrashi) on 28 November, 1917. I am familiar with this subspecies, having shot it on tlie Wadi Hof and the Wadi Resheid, near Helouan. A female shot in the the former Wadi, on 11 March, 1918, was within a fort- night of laying, and was flushed from under a large rock, which concealed, what Dr. Beven and I thought looked like the beginning of a nest. Several pieces of grass and a lot of plant-heads were gathered together, with a slight depression in the centre. Dr. Beven informs me that he obtained young birds, just on the wing, in the Wadi Resheid, at the beginning of May 1919. I hope these slight indications will help future observers in Egypt to discover the eggs of this interesting recently described Partridge. Ebratum. — On p. 249 line 11, for Abbassia read Ibshawai. XXII. — First Impressions of Tunisia and Algeria. By David A. Bannerbian, M.B.E., B.A., M.B.O.U., F.R.G.S. (Plates II.-V.) Of late years considerable attention has been given by British Ornithologists to the ornis of northern Africa. Lord Rothschild and Dr. Hartert have, by their exhaustive explorations in Algeria, made the birds of that fascinating- country comparatively well known, whilst valuable supple- mentary notes have appeared from the pens of Messrs. Jourdain, Wallis, and Ratclilf. It is, therefore, with extreme diffidence that I present this short paper to the readers of 'The Ibis.' In the first place, it contains nothing new, and, in the second [)lace, it is not the narrative of an Ornitho- logical Expedition : it is merely the account of a journey through Tunisia and Algeria which some ornithologists have already made and doubtless many others will make in the future. It is to give these latter some idea of the birds they may expect to encounter, and of the scenery they will pass through, that I have ventured to publish my notes. 388 Mr. D. A. Bannerman : First Impressions [Ibis, Field-glasses were substituted for the cullector^s gun, and much of my time — some eight weeks in all —was taken up in visiting the marvellous Roman and Punic remains of which northern Africa holds such a woudert'nl store. We left Marseilles on a bitterly cold morning of February last, in the S.S. ' Due d'Aumale' — the best steamer of the r^fompagnie Transatlantique plying between that port and Tunis. The voyage was calm but uneventful, and to my surprise neither Petrels nor Shearwaters were seen. The change in twenty-four hours from heavy clouds and chilly east winds to a cloudless sky and hot sun was as welcome as it was sudden ; and as we passed along the entire ^^esterly coast of Sardinia within easy sight of the little white houses dotted along its cliffs, an interesting, though restricted, view of this island was obtained. From the sea it looked somewhat uninterestino-, monotonous low hills succeeding one another until the more mountaiuous southern extremity of the island was reached. In the early morning of the 4th of February we steamed past the ruins of ancient Carthage into the calm waters of the Bay of Tunis — up the canal wliich tlie French have ingeniously constructed through the lake to the pros- ])erous capital of Tunisia. Tunis strikes the traveller immediately as being a thoroughly well-planned, well- administered town — the French have shown their wisdom in preserving intact the large Arab quarter, the souks and bazaars of whicli are probably without rival anywhere in the world. But it is of the impressions of an ornithologist that I wish to write, in the hope that others may be stimulated to follow the excellent example set by Mr. Joseph Whitaker and make Tunisia their "happy hunting-ground." The town of Tunis is itself by no means a bad centre for the ornithologist ; many delightful excursions can be made, and highly-interesting localities visited within a short dis- tance of the city. The electric train which runs to Carthage and La Marsa crosses and then partly encircles the wide Lac de Tunis — a broad sheet of water which has long been the haunt of the Flamingo (Plioenicopterus antiquoruni). 1 92 1.] of Tunisia and Algeria. 389 A glimpse of these nne birds standing knee-deep in the lake may often be enjoyed from the windows of the train, and the sight of a flock rising against the cloudless l)lne sky with the sunlight catching their rosy plumage is alone almost recompense for the long journey from England. The number of Coots {Fulica atra atra) on this lake is really astounding. They are absolutely tame here, and paddle about in hundreds within a few yards of the line. Bordering the railway-track on the northern side of the lake is a low stone wall, the haunt of numbers of Redshanks (and doubtless other waders besides), which, usually shy birds in England, here do not even cease feeding as the train rushes by. Herons (^Ardea cinerea^ stand sentinel on the wall every hundred yards or so ; Little Grebes {Podiceps rnficollis) in pairs swim about close to the shore exhibiting little more alarm than their companions ; while out on the open water flocks of ducks skim over the surface, keeping, however, well out of gunshot of the shore. Like most salt or brackish lakes, the Lac de Tunis is absolutely devoid of vegetation around its shores, and in consequence those birds which do frequent its muddy margin are easily observed with field-glasses. Quite apart from the wonderful Roman and Punic reniains so skilfully excavated by Pere Delattre, the environs of Car- thage are well worthy of a visit for the sake of the birds which frequent this world-famous site. In the brilliant sunlight the fields are remarkably green in the month of Febrnary, and even the sea-cliffs present nothing of the barrenness usually associated with the north African coast in the minds of home- dwelling ornithologists. From the young corn many Crested Larks * sprang up as we passed, gently quivering to eiirth with wings and tail fully extended, plainly showing the three pairs of dark tail-feathers contrasting with the pale outer and central pairs. Tunisia is, as Whitaker has said, par excellence the land in which to study these remarkably interesting birds, though doubtless Hartert would cite Algeria, and Nicoll Egypt, as * The long-billed form of this district is Galerida cvistata carthaffinis, the short-billed form Galerida thcklce harterti. 390 Mr. D. A. Bannerman : First Impreftswns [Ibis, the countries where the burning- questions associated with them may best be settled ! Of the varied races of the Crested Lark known to inhabit Tunisia, I shall have more to say later : the country between Carthage and La Marsa is suited rather to Blackbirds, Thrushes, Chaffinches, "Whin- chats, Whitethroats, Grrey Wagtails, Blackcaps, Black Red- starts^ and Serin finches, all o£ which werenoted in lesser or o-reater numbers on the walk along the cliffs. The Sparrows of Tunisia and Algeria have long been a source of ])erplexity to systematic ornithologists. Whitaker tackled the question in his delightful book (' Birds of Tunisia,' vol. i. pp. 203-204), and showed that the common Sparrow of the Regency was Passer hispaniolensis hispaniolensis, though P. domest'icus inhabited the western districts and interbred extensively with the Spanish Sparrow : while in the south Sparrows which he referred to P. italice were obtained. Hartert has discussed the status of the Algerian Sparrows at great length (Nov. Zool. xviii. 1912, pp. 479-482), and from his care- fully considered observations we find that Passer Jiispaniolensis hispaniolensis occurs in Tunisia, as noted by W^liitaker, but that the House Sparrow of Tunisia, which interbreeds so largely with the Spanish Sparrow, is Passer domesticus tinyi- tanns, while the Sparrows from southern Tunisia (Gafsa) were named fucldgeri by Zedlitz, though they are in reality only hybrids, and are not therefore eligible for snbspecific rank. These are the birds which Whitaker and others placed under the name P. italice, though Whitaker pointed out that they were by no means typical examples. An excursion of exceptional interest both to the ornitholo- gist and the archffiologist is to motor from Tunis to Dougga, the site of the most w^onderful collection of Roman ruins in Tunisia. Dougga lies over 100 kilometres to the south-west of Tunis, and the excellent road passes through varied scenery. In the immediate vicinity of Tunis the country is very flat, a wide and remarkably fertile plain stretching for miles. Just after leaving the outskirts of the town a delightful view of the Sebkra es-Sedjounii is obtained from slio-htly rising ground. The lagoon which lies on the south- 1 92 1.] of Tunisia and Algeria. 391 west of the town is surrounded bj a wide stretch of sand, or, rather, mud, and must be largely resorted to by Waders. We wore too far from it to note what birds were about, but two Herons (^Ardea cinerea) were recognised flying heavily from shore to shore^ just as the sun was rising and tipping the distant hills with gold. In all directions the hind was under cultivation, green with the young corn, or else in course of being ploughed up by teams of eight oxen. Crested Larks wore here observed in great numbers, and as the car flew along many seemed to court death by dusting themselves in the road, escaping the wheels as if by a miracle. Quite a number of Lapwings were noticed, not in flocks but singly or two or three together, and all very tame, not attempting to stir as we passed. Corn-Buntings, Starlings, Sparrows, and Goldfinches were all numerous in flocks, particularl}- the Goldfinches (^Ca^'duelis carduelis afr'icana). Brown Linnets [Acanthis cannahitta mediterranea) were also seen, but not in such numbers. Gradually the aspect of the country began to change, green fields gave way to olive-orchards, where Blackbirds* and Thrushes were noted for the first time. Several Common Kestrels were circling overhead, and as we dashed over a bridge a pair of Southern Little Owls (^Athene noctua glaux) dai'tod out of an old olive-trunk. The road now began to ascend, and the slopes were everywhere thickly covered with scrub. Several Moorish Magpies {Pica jnca mauretauira) were hero noticed, while the Algerian Shrike (Lanius e.reubitor algeriensis) was seen perched on the summit of a thorn-bush. As we gradually reached higher altitudes the sun was completely blotted out by many clouds which our chauffeur informed us always lay like a blanket over this particular part of the hilly countryside. Certainly it was unpleasantly cold, but as we neared Dougga the sun again flooded the landscape and lit up the truly wonderful ruins * It does not seem to have been settled whether the Blackbird inhabiting northern Tunisia is T. m. algirus — the race which inhabits northern Algeria — or whether it is T. m. mauretanicus — the race which is found in southern Tunisia and southern Algeria ; probably it will prove to be the former. SER. XI. — VOL. III. 2 D 392 Mr. D. A. Bannerman : First Impressions [Ibis, we liaJ come to see. Surrounded by olive-trees, imposingly situated on the mountain-slope, from which a magnificent view of the adjoining country is obtainetl, the i-uined Roman Capitol, Temples, and Theatre bear silent witness to the wonders of the Roman occupation.- It was on the terraced steps of the Theatre that I made the acquaintance of one of the most delightful of Tunisian birds^ Moussier's Redstart (^J)iplootocus moiissieri), a male bird with his orange-brown breast and rump, black wings and head, and strikingly pure white frontal band, eye-stripe and alar patch, making a charming picture in such unique surroundings. Moussier's Redstart is a typically northern African mountain bird, and certainly reminds one more of a Redstart than a Stone- chat. It is to be met with in both the northern and southern Atlas Ranges of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. I found it myself both at Dougga and at Hammam Meskoutine in the northern Atlas in February, while Hartert and Rothschild record it from the southern Atlas Ranges during the breed- ino-season and from the northern S:diara in winter. It is common in the Aures mountains of Algeria, and Whitaker notes that it is plentiful in the southern oases of Tunisia, leaving these districts in spring for the liigher altitudes farther north. In the Moroccan Atlas this species is met with up to consitlerable altitudes, ant! Ca})tain Lynes recently found it breeding commonly in the "Middle-Atlas" Range (Ibis, 1920, p. 296). Birds were plentiful in the olive-groves of Dougga, Star- lino's and Thrushes (both winter visitors), Cliaffinches, and Blue-Tits being observed. The former is a resident Tunisian subs[)ecies [Frinyilla cwlebs spodiogenys), while the latter is the common north-west African race of the Blue Titmous(^ (Parus cdiruleus ultramarinus) . In some high cliffs close to Dougga a number of Rock-Pigeons were observed. As none were obtained, I cannot say to which race they belonged. Considering that the day was spent in examining Roman remains, the number of birds seen which could be identified without any doubt was distinctly encouraging, for of course a few others were noted which I dare not attempt to name. 1 92 1.] of Tunisia and Algeria. ' 393 Certainly more than one species of Lark and Pipit were seen, but who would dare to name a Pipit from a passing car ! The return journey to Tunis added no fresh species to my list, save a couple of Ravens flying high overhead. The Moroccan Raven (Corviis corax tingitanus) is an extremely abundant resident in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Once more v^e disturbed the Liltle Owls, which had returned to the same olive-tree from which we had already frightened them, and by 5 P.M. we were again in busy Tunis. Two days after returning from Dougga I made, in company with the Editor of ' The Ibis,' a delightful trip by car to the Arab city of Kairouan, thence journeying south to El Djem, the most southern point we reached, and thence again to Tunis via Susa, an insignificant port on the coast. Though birds were not the prime object of our journey, the expedition afforded us an opportunity of seeing for the first time (at any rate as far as the writer was concerned) a number of interesting species, and we obtained a good first- hand knowledge of the varied types of country through which we passed. Whitaker, in the Introduction to his ' Birds of Tunisia,' notes that " Tunisia has been divided by geographers into three natural divisions or regions, each of these differing from the other two in its climate, hydrography, and topography, and consequently in its flora and fauna." In the excellent map provided in his book these three regions are differently coloured, and the divisions can thus be seen at a glance. Whereas Tunis itself lies at the north-east of the northern division, the towns we set out to visit are all situated in the central division, that which lies between the Atlas Mountains and the southern region of the Chotts and deserts. It was not until we had passed through the broken chain ol mountains, which run in a north-easterly direction from El Oubira to Hammamet, and had gained the great plains which stretch almost uninterruptedly to Kairouan, that we noticed the change in the avifauna. North of the mountains we had seen only the usual species which frequent the more fertile parts of the Regency, such as Goldfinches, Brown 2d2 394 Mr. D. A. Bunnerman : First Impressions [Ibis, Linnets, Corn-Bantings, innumerable Sparrows, Starlings, etc., but once the semi-desert plains with their scrubby veoetation were reached, these lovers o£ cultivated lands were left behind, and instead we saw Common Cranes, Sand- Grouse, Bustards, and close to Bdj el Menzel, near a sheet o£ water, innumerable small wading birds which, however, we were quite unable to identify from the car. Crested Larks* were again numerous, but other small birds were seldom seen, save an occasional Shrike or so. Cranes flying in small parties over the scrub, or else standing in little groups on the plain feeding unconcernedly within a few hundred yards of the car, made a charming picture, especially as w e had somehow never expected to meet them. According to Whitaker the Common (h-ane is abundant in Tunisia in winter and during migration, and is then to be seen in large flocks close to Tunis and Clarthage. We had not, however, seen any in the northern part of the Regency during our brief visit. It has not been known to breeil in Tunisia, but, curiously enough, the Demoiselle Crane {AntJiropoides virgo), though quite a rare species in Tunisia, has been known to breed near Susa. We passed close to Sebkra Kelbia, a great expanse of water which looked very much out of place in this flat and otherwise arid landscape. These inland lakes are very remarkable, and must surely be the haunt of vast numbers of waterfowl at certain seasons of the year. From the nature of their position, surrounded by the open plain, and their entire lack of undergrowth, birds resting on the surface would be quite unapproachable from any direction. To explore thoroughly these vast plains and Sebkras it would be necessary to take a tent and camp, the distances being too oreat to work the ground conveniently from the nearest French hostelry, though much good work could certainly be done by a naturalist staying in Kairouan itself. The climate of Tunisia is delightful, the rain-fall, particularly in the central and southern divisions of the Regency, very small, and we may take Mr. Whi taker's word for it that "as a * Probably Galerida thekke superjiua, but none obtamed. 1921.] of Tunisia and Algeria. 395 country for caravan-travel and nomad-life the Tunisian Regency is perhaps unrivalled.'' No naturalist, however narrow his interest may be, can fail to be delighted with his first impression of Kairouan, up till the entry of the French in 1881, one of the four sacred Mohammedan cities, through the gates of which none but the followers of the Prophet durst enter. Kairouan is a town of purely Arabic type, surrounded by a remarkably high vvall. With its beautiful domed Mosques and towering minarets, and its entirely unspoilt appearance, tliis wonderful white city has an atmosphere which it is quite impossible to describe, but which grips one from the moment its ancient gates are entered. Wandering through the streets we often encoun- tered Arabs hawkino- large bunches of Starlinos for sale, evidently netted close to the town and eaten largely by the natives. The loathsome practice of bird-liming is also carried on here, and we saw a number of miserable Corn- Buntings being tortured by their thoughtless youthful captivators in the streets of the town and we hastily put them out of their «misery. Many of the Arabs keep cage-birds, the African Goldfinch being evidently the favourite, though Blackbirds were also seen and occasionally Turtle-Doves. On our way to the " Mosque of the Barber " we were interested to see a Southern Little Owl {Athene noctua glaitx) perched on a tomb in the Arab Cemetery, quietl}^ sleeping in the blazing sun. Within a short distance of the Owl the white hunched-up figure of an Arab rocked in prayer, but the bird seemed undisturbed by the proximity of the droning voice. Our Mohammedan guide told us that the '"Booma" — as they call the Little Owl — was a very wicked bird at whose door many vile charges are laid. The bird, he explained, would attack young babies the moment the mother's back was turned, and by swiftly pecking the child's forehead would cause its death unless prevented in time ! This astounding story was evidently implicitly believed in by the narrator, and as he had witnessed such a deed " with his own eyes " it would have been but waste of time to question its authenticity ! 396 Mr. D. A. Bannerman : First Impressions [Ibis, The Southern Little Owl is abundant throughout Tunisia, frequenting both the olive-groves of the north and the deserts of the south. Unlike the Scops Owl (Otus scoj^s scops), which we did not meet with, but which, according to Y/Hiitaker, is found frequently nfter the end of March, the Little Owl is often to be seen in the day-time, as I had already proved for myself. From the minaret of the Great Mosque a magnificent view of the surrounding country is obtained, and we then realised how isolated this once sacred town really is. On all sides stretched the great plain, not reddish or golden as the Sahara, but uniformly brown save where the crops were shooting through the sunburnt soil, stony in nature and partially covered with plant-growth or camel-grass. This was unquestionably the country of the Crested Lark, and, indeed, save for an occasional Hawk or Harrier, the land- scape was otherwise singularly devoid of bird-life. The Crested Larks of Tunisia have been dealt with at length by Mr. Whitaker in his book, and the members of the genus found in Algeria have been Veviewed by Dr. Hartert in Nov. Zool. xviii. 1912, pp. 488-496. Of the long-billed form G. cristata, Whitaker recognises only two subspecies, arenicola (a pale race) and macrorliyncha (a darker race), but he does not give the exact range of these two forms in the Regency : macrorliyncha^ he notes, inhabits country where " plains and large tracts of level country appear .... and where plains adjoin or are not far distant from mountains"; arenicola, on the other hand, is said by Whitaker to be confined to the inland semi-desert districts of the centre and south of the Regency, not extending north of the Atlas, or even (as far as he was aware) to the sea- coast" — Whitaker found it plentiful on the plains west of Gafsa and on the dry salt marshes of the Chott district. Since Whitaker published his book_, Kleinschmidt and Hilgert have turned their attention to the long-billed Crested Larks of Tunisia, naming, between them, three forms. They showed that the bird which Whitaker referred to as macrorhynclia from northern Tunisia was distinct from the 1921.] of Tunisia and Algeria. 397 Algerian bird and required a new name, and tliey proposed to call it G. c. cartha(jinis (Klein. & Hilg. Orn. Men. 1905, p. 188 : Tunis). In this tliey seem to have been quite correct. The bird which Whitaker referred to as arenicola thoj apparently split up, naming those from Gabes to Gafsa Galerida crhtata (jafs>r, (Orn. Mon. 1904, p. 189 : Seggi), while the birds from the region of the Chott el Djerid (Tozer, Douz, Kebilli) they named Galerida cristata reichenoun (Orn. Mon. 1905, p. 189 : Kebilli). Hilgert, in his (Catalogue of the Erlanger Collection^ 1908, pp. 102-104:, again reviews these Larks and upholds the three names. Hartert, in his Vog. Pal. Faun. yoI. i. p. xxvi, footnote, states that he considers both gafscc and reiclienoxci to be synonyms of arenicola, which he evidently believes to range from the line El Kantara-Touggourt-Bledet-Ahmar in Algeria eastwards through the deserts of southern Tunisia. The British Museum is singularly deficient in Crested Larks from Tunisia and Algeria, but the few we have at our disposal does not prove Hartert to be wrong ! It certainly appears to me that the long-billed Crested Larks from the extreme south-east corner of Tunisia (a district cut oft" from the rest of the desert country by a range of mountains — the Djebel Matmata) is distinct and requires a name, but as we have not sufficient material from this region, I shall refrain from giving it one for the present. Birds from Tatahouine appear to be much more rufescent in colouring than either so-called reichenowi or gafsa\ Of the short-billed group Whitaker recognised four forms in Tunisia : (a) Galerida tliehlai major, (b) G. t. saperjiua, (c) G. t. deicJderi, (d) G. t. Carolina'. Three of these names still hold good, but the bird which inhabits the north of the Regency extending to the Atlas Mts. which Whitaker called G. t. major, we now know by the name of G. t. harterti — the same form which is found in the north of Algeria. Mr. AVhitaker notes that the bird found at the higher elevations is still darker than his major, so that there may be yet another form. 398 Mr. D. A. Bannermaii : Fh'st Impressions [Ibis, G. t. stiper/iaa, according to AVhitaker, inhabits tlie central division of Tunisia and the less desert-like districts of the south. G. t. deichleri is an isabelline form which inhabits the semi-desert inland country of southern Tunisia and does not occur apparently north. of Gnfsa, while G. t. carolince is a rufous form inhabiting tlie rocky inland plains of the south- east of Tunisia. Until we have a very large series from Tunisia of these Larks we catniot add anything to tlie distribution as given by Mr, Whitaker in his ' Birds of Tunisia.' It seems desir- able to ascertain the range of each particular form of both the long-billed and short-billed Crested Larks with more precision than has been done in the past. A list of actual localities from which the various races have been obtained would greatly help in defining the territory inhabited by the six races up to now described. Dr. Hartert and Lord lioth- schild have already carried this out as regards the Algerian species and subspecies. As I did not collect anv Larks I can add nothino; to the discussions which have already taken place, but should I return to Tunisia I shall certainly obtain a series wherever I go. That representatives of both the long-billed (Galerida cristata) and short-billed (^Galerida theklcr) species are very abundant I can testify from the tour I took in the northern and central parts of the Regency, and I did not enter the southern desert zone at all, where the Larks are of even greater interest than those from the north. Tunisia is indeed a wonderful country for Larks of many species. Apart from the several forms of Crested Lark (of which there are at least six and possibly more), Whitaker enumerates no fewer than fifteen other species and subspecies belonging to the family Alaudida3 ; the genera Akcmon, Chersopliiliis, Alauda, Ammomanes, Calandrella, Melano- corypha, liliamplwcorys, and Otocorys, all being represented by one or more forms. Unquestionably there still remains good work to be done in determining the exact range of these birds, particularl}'^ as regards the members of the genus Galerida. 1 92 1.] of Tunisia and Algeria. 399 Two nights were spent in Kairouan, and from there we travelled south over the vast plain passing the great salt lake Sebkra Sidi-el-Hani, and thence in a south-easterly direction to El Djera. Quite a number of Cranes were seen on this part of the journey, but little else of interest save the ever present Larks. El Djem boasts a railway station, a small but quite comfortable hotel, an exceedingly filthy Arab village, ami the finest monument left by the Romans in Tunisia, an Amphitlientre, colossal in size and wonderfully well preserved, rivalling the Colosseum in Rome. The Amphitheatre is evidently the breeding-place of numerous Rock-Pigeons (^Cohimba liria) and many Kestrels, Six or eight of the latter could be seen snaring above the ruin, or else busily engaged in nesting preparations on the highest remaining tiers. Near the Arab village, I remarked a Crested Lark with exceptionally pale sandy-coloured plumage, but as I did not obtain it, I will not venture to give it a name. One would not expect to find either of the true desert forms so far north as El Djem. The first part of the route from El Djem to Susa passes through much the same type of country, the same desert aspect and the same paucity of bird-life as observed between Kairouan and El Djem. As we neared the latter town the landscape quickly changed, rolling olive-clad hills, broken up by deep nullahs, succeeded the plains, and the birds of the orchards at once made their appearance : Turtle-Doves were seen for the first time^ as well as Blackbirds, Thrushes, Buntings, Warblers, etc. Staying the night at Susa, we returned to Tunis by the coast-road. From what I saw of the north I am sure a tour in the south — Gabes, Sfnx, Gafsa, Neftaj etc. — would prove ot" exceptional interest, especially to anyone attracted, as I am, by desert scenery and desert fauna and flora. A very pleasant trip, and one which would give the traveller an excellent insight into desert life, would be to travel from (jrabes — a port on the south-east coast of Tunisia — by train or car to Nefta, and from there by camel caravan into Algeria via El Oued and Touggourt, whence the railway would bring him to Biskra in nine hours. While at 400 Mr. D. A. Bannerman : First Impressions [Ihis, Tunis I had, with Mr. Sclater, the pleasure of meeting- Monsieur Lavauden, a French ornithologist, who is in charge of the "Woods and Forests" department of the Government in Tunisia. Mons. liavauden has an excellent knowledge of Tunisian birds, and gave us much interesting- information on the suoject ; he has compiled a most useful little brochure on the Tunisian birds, which is noticed in the last number of ' The Ibis ' {cf. p. 326). Mr. Sclater also visited Mons. Blanchet, a local naturalist of considerable repute, whom 1 regret I did not have the pleasure of meeting. Both these gentlemen would, I feel sure, be willing to give unstintingly of their ornithological knowledge to any members of the B. 0. U. who niay chance to visit Tunisia. tShooting restrictions in Tunisia are much simpler than in the adjoining country of Algeria. Firearms may be taken into the country so long as they are declared at the port of arrival. Grun licences cost under two francs, and only a small tax is charged on the importation of loaded cart- ridges. In the south game is said to be plentiful, the widely dis- tributed Dorcas Grazelle {^Gazella dorcas dovcas) and Loder's Gazelle {Gazella leptoceros loderi), as well as the Addax Antelope (^Addax nasomaculatus nasomacxdatus), with its fine spiral horns, being found. The ordinary shooting-season lasts from the middle of August, at which early date few sportsmen will be tempted to brave the blazing sun of the plains, until the end of February; while doubtless the season would be extended for anyone collecting for scientific purposes, the French authorities looking with a friendly eye on all such pursuits. We left Tunis with deep regret in the early morning of February 16th, travelling by train into Algeria. Our destination was Hammam-Meskoutine, which took eleven hours to reach, but the magnificent scenery through which the line passes prevented any thought of tedium. Passing at first through fertile valleys, olive-clad slopes, and then bare hills, the scenery becomes grander as the higher alti- tudes are approached, often skirting, often crossing and 1 92 1.] of Tunisia and Algeria. 401 re-crossing the great bed of the Medjerda river, the course of which the line follows tor a considerable distance ; the train gradually ascends until surrounded on all sides by a tumbling mass of mountains clothed at the highest points with maoiiificeiit forests of ('ork and Evergreen Oaks. I do not know whether any ornithologist has ever worked in this country, but 1 can imagine no more suitable district for studying the mountain and forest fauna than that just described, particnlarly when the Tunisian-Algerian boundary has been crossed. The stretch of mountain scenery between Souk-Ahras (2297 ft.) and Ain-Tahamimine (1100 ft.;, which reaches at Laverdure an altitude of over 2500 ft. with mountains of 4150 ft. towering above, is incomparably beautiful. Eagles on more than one occasion were seen, one bird flying for some distance parallel with the train and almost within gunshot of the carriage. Owing to the sun I was unable to get a satisfactory view of its plumage, but I believe it to have been the Golden Eagle, which is found sparingly throughout the northern Atlas Mountains of Algeria and generally throughout the more mountainous parts of Tunisia. Tlie line now gradually descends, and as we neared Hammam-Meskoutine the country opened out, olives once more clothed the slopes, and in every direction the country bore a highly [irosperous and luxuriant appearance. Hammam-Meskoutine or The Baths o£ the Petrified, as its name implies, from an ancient Arab legend, is charm- ingly situated from an ornithologist's point of view. The hotel and farm buildings are almost the only houses in sight. In the pretty courtyard, round which the hotel is built, palms, orange and lemon trees are the haunt of numerous Dusky Bulbuls {Pycnonotus harhatus harhatus), the first we had met with. Redbreasts {Eritliacns ruhecula subsp. ?) hopped about under the shade of the trees, a Grey Wagtail (^Alotacilla cinerea cinerea) frequented the irrigation stream, and innumerable Sjiarrows filled the air with their noisy chatter. Lord liothschild and Dr. Hartert paid particular . attention to the Sparrows at Hammam-Meskoutine and 402 Mr. D. A. Bannerman : First Imp^'essions [Ibis, collected a large series here. Typical exani})les o£ both Passer hispaniolensis h'lspaniolensis and P. domesticus tingi- taaus were obtained by them, and their remarks on the interoradino' of these two forms as observed at Hammam- Meskoutine will be found in Nov. Zool. xviii. 1912, p. 4bl). I had the advantage of having a copy of this paper with me, and with the aid of my powerful field-glasses was able to match from live birds under my observation quite a number of the Sparrows' heads depicted in PI. xi. of the paper cited. The Redbreasts puzzled me somewhat. They appeared very pale-breasted, but then I am used to watching the fine Erithacxis ruhecula superhus of certain of the Canary Islands, with its rich coloured breast. Mr. Jourdain believed that most of the Robins which Mr. Wallis met with at Hammam- Meskoutine in 1910 were migrants from I'hirope. Dr. Hurtert, in addition to many typical specimens, shot an example of E. r. luitherhyi at this place in February 1911. I confess I am unable to tell this race apart in life. So many ornithologists have worked in this district that the birds of the neighbourhood are now comparatively well known. A short description of the surrounding country may, however, be of interest to those who have not seen it for themselves. Hammam-Meskoutine lies in the northern Atlas range at a height of 1312 ft. In the vicinity of the hotel the country is very open, and in February wonderfully green, the wide valleys are everywhere sown with corn, the lower hill-slopes covered with grass for grazing or planted with olive-trees, which in some directions cover the hillsides as far as the eye can reach. Hot springs bubble up in many places, and the water, which issues from the ground at a temperature of 205° F., finds its way through a tangle of luxuriant vegetation down the bed of the valley, its course clearly visible by the constantly rising steam. Great clumps of palm-trees grow luxuriantly in these valleys, their presence appearing somewhat incongruous in this typically park-like landscape (Plate II. fig. 1). On all sides mountains rise in the distance, covered closely with scrub four or five feet in height, or else bare save for the scant coarse grass which IBIS. 1921 PL. 1. A typical landscape, Hammam-Meskoutine. 2. The Oued bou Hamdane, Hammam-Meskoutine. 1 92 1.] of lunisia and Algeria. 403 gives a patchy appearance, resembling from a distance a well-burnt Scottish moor. Every day for two weeks I rode over these hills on the excellent little Arab horses to be hired at the hotel, or else explored the river-bed of the Oued bou Haiiidane (Plate II. fig. 2), in places almost dry save for two or three narrow channels easily fordable at almost any point. No matter what direction is taken birds are everywhere really plentiful. Close to the hotel, in the thick under- growth of the valleys and on the olive-clad slopes, we observed Greenfinches ( Chloris cliloris aurantiiventris) in small numbers almost every day. Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs africana), numerous Blackbirds {Turdus merida algirus), Song-Thrushes {Turdus pMlomelus philomelus), Redbreasts (apparently Erithacus ruhenda ruhecula), Dusky Bulbuls {Pgcnonotus harhatus barhatiis), Brown Linnets {Acantliis cannxdnna meditery'anea) in small flocks, and Goldfinches {Carduelis carduelis africana) in consider- able numbers, Starlings (Sturmis vulgaris vulgaris) in huge flocks, Sparrows, Corn-Buntings {Emberiza calandra ealandra), Blue Titmice [Parus ca'ruletis idtramarinus) very few. Blackcaps (Si/lvia atricapilla atricapilla) rather rare. Sardinian Warblers {Sglvia melanocephala melanocephala\ and Kestrels ( Cerclineis tinnuncidtis tinnunculus) . On the more rocky ground, covered with grass, small scrub, and olives, the Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara barbara) is plentiful. All were paired by the time I arrived on the 17th of Februar3\ In the reeds of the dry river-bed I caught a hasty glimpse of a Warbler, but am uncertain of the species to which it belonged. Birds of Prey were nearly always observed once the higher ground had been reached. Most commonly seen was the Golden Eagle (Agtula chri/saetus). On the 25tli of February I saw three together sailing majestically along the hillside, whilst another eagle, observed on one occasion only^ was, I believe, Bonelli's Eagle {Eutolmaetus fasciatus fasciatus), a bird with which I am unfamiliar. Bonelli's Eagle is recorded by Messrs. Wallis and Jourdain (Ibis, 1915, p. 157) as breeding at 404 Mr, D. A. Bannerman : First Impressions [Tbis, Hanimani-Meskoutine in February 190G, uinl the species was seen b}-- the former observer iu 1910 and 1912 in the same locality. Hartert also records Bonelli's Eagle (Nov. Zool. xviii. p. 534) from the same place, so that I feel pretty sure of my identification. Ii-by-'s Raven [Corvus corax tmgitanits) was also occasion- ally seen in pairs. Crested Larks are very plentiful on the cultivated lands, and they seem to love particularly the grassy strips left on either side of the dusty main roads. It is a dark race, as might be expected, which frequents this district, known as Galerida tlieklce harterti. I can only add two species (by name) to the list of Hammam-Meskoutine birds recorded by Rothschild, Hartert, Wallis, and Jourdain, one being Moussier's Redstart (IHplo- otocus moussieri). On two occasions I saw a male of this unmistakable species, once close to the " Petrified Arabs," the huge cone-shaped deposits of calcareous tufa, which are such a remarkable sight close fo the boiling waterfall, and a single bird was seen on higher ground when Mr. Sclater and I were out riding on the 21st of February. The other bird, which I believe has not previously been seen, though Hartert heard it, was the Barn-Owl. Just as we were leaving on the 26th of February, my attention was called to a tree in the hotel garden in which a number of Bulbuls were making a tre- mendous noise. On approaching I found tliey were mobbing a Barn-Owl, which, I believe, from its very white breast, to have been Ti/to alba alba. The Bulbuls were keepiug a very respectful distance from their unwelcome visitor, ex- tending their tails and wings, which they kept in a constant state of motion, while twittering and scolding incessantly. The Barn-Owl is evidently a rare bird in Algeria. Only once did I see a bird during my stay at Hammam which really puzzled me. I was forcing my horse along a moun- tain path in the direction of Roknia, through particularly thick scrub, when I saw^ something i-unning under a bush. Pushing the horse towards it off the track, I managed to flush a bird, which might have been a glorified quail. It IBIS. 1921. PL. III. The Gorge of the Rumtnel, Constantine. 1 92 1.] of Tunisia and Algeria. 405 certainly had no tail to speak of, and had very rounded wings, dark upper parts, not a particularly lono bill, and the legs were not visible. It seemed quite dazed by tlie sun, anil with slow almost butterfly-like flight dropped into the bush again some 20 feet from me, whence I failed to dis- lodge it. It was not an Owl as has been suggested. It might have been a short-legged Rail, but what a curious place in which to find one ! In size it reminded me of a young Partridge on the 1st of September. Quite a number of birds recorded by other ornithologists were not seen by me at Hammam-Meskoutine, as, for in- stance, the Hawfinch {Coccothraustes coecothraustes buvryi), ' noted by Hartert, and met with by Mr. Wallis abundantly in March and April 1911, the Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriohis oriolus), recorded by Wallis on 1st March, and Hartert on 20th May, the Serin (Serinus canarius serinus), recorded by Wallis on 21st April, and by Hartert in February, the Siskin (Carduelis spimcs), seen by Hartert in February 1911. The ('Onnnon Chaffinch [Fringilla coelehs coelehs) was seen in this district by Hartert, as well as F. c. africana, but all those observed by me belonged to the latter North African race. The African Ilock-Bunting {Emberiza cia africana), recorded by Wallis in April, was absent, and a long list of other species including a number of birds of passage, all of which will be be found enumerated in the two papers cited. No true migrants were observed, Swifts, Swallows, and Martins were conspicuously absent, and members of the Warbler family were remarkablv scarce. The great rush to Europe had not yet commenced. Hammam-Meskoutine is indeed a splendid centre from which to gain a first-hand knowledge of the birds of the more mountainous parts of northern Africa. We left this interesting district on the2Gth of February, making our way west to Constanline, a town about wdiich much has ah-eady been written. The line passes close to the rugged Ujebel Taya, famous as the habitat of the North African Bearded Vulture {GypaetKS harhatus harhatas). Constantine enjovsa unique position on a hill surrounded on three sides by the 406 Mr. D. A. Bannerman : First Impressions [Ibis, wonderful Ruinmel Grorge (Plate III.), varying in places from 330 to 690 £t. in depth and from 230 to ioO ft. in breadth. Its precipitous sides are the breeding-place of countless numbers of Lesser and Common Kestrels, Jackdaws, and Rock-Pigeons. It is, as Dr. Hartert has, I think, already said, one of the few places in the world where one may stand in a busy thoroughfare and gaze down upon all, these birds soaring below, and maybe a Peregrine Falcon will be seen, as I had the luck to see one, dashing under the great suspension bridge (,551 ft. in length and 671 ft, above the river) which leads to the hospital; Egyptian Vultures and Ravens were also seen in the Gorge, and later in the season it is frequented by numerous Alpine Swifts, which, however, had not arrived by the 3rd of March. All round the top of this gorge runs a fine carriage drive, from which is obtained one of the finest views imaginable. To the west and north-west stretches a tremendous valley backed as far as the eye can reach with mountains. Whether viewed under the merci- less rays of the noon-day sun, or during the softer lights at sunset, the panorama is exceedingly beautiful. Pallid Swifts had not yet made their appearance, but on the 1st of March a number of House-Martins, which were certainly not there on the previous days, were seen flying up to their old nests under the eaves of a public building on the ramparts. I counted the nests on this building, and I found 91 old, but for the most part habitable, nests on the front alone. The building had a frontage of 93 ft., two feet of which were occupied by water-pipes. At the back there were 90 nests at least, and on one of the sides 15, while on the other side the architecture did not allow of one nest to be built. The total was the prodigious number of 196 nests on only a moderate-sized building. On the hillside east of the town lies a small forest of fir-trees singularly devoid of bird-life on the day of my visit, while below the River Rummel winds through the wide valley towards El Guerrah, the junction of th'j line to Biskra. Constantine will live in my memory, not only for the unique Rummel Gorge and the marvellous views obtained from the ramparts, but also for the remarkable IBIS. 1921. PL. IV. c c eg t/i c o O o I- JD c o O 1 92 1.] oj Tunisia and Algeria. 407 number of Wbite Storks (Ciconia ciconia ciconia) which make their home in the Arab quarter of the town. On the picturesque old red roofs of the houses which rise in tiers to the north-east of the bridge of El Rached (Plate IV.), I counted as many as forty Storks sitting or standing by their great nests, while a number of others w^ere flying overhead, their long necks and legs stretched out to their full extent. This, of course, is the usual position in which the Stork flies, but I have also seen them wheeling overhead at a considerable altitude with their legs drooping down, as if preparatory to alighting. Unmolested by the Arabs, the Storks of Con- stantino add greatly to the already wonderfully picturesque Eue Perregaux, from various points of which the great birds and their nests may be observed at close quarters. In the early morning of 3rd March we left Constantine for Biskra by the now well-known tourist route to the oasis on the fringe of the desert. At this early hour numerous Storks Avere seen in the fields, busily feeding ; at Kroubs, where they were particularly numerous, I noticed four huge nests built in one small tree bare of leaves, which hardly appeared large enough to support one such ungainly structure. Between Ain M'lila and Ain Yagout the train traverses an immense flat stony plain, for the most part covered with grass, to the west of which rugged limestone hills rise abruptly. Lapwings, Starlings, Larks, and great numbers of Sparrows were constantly seen from the train. East of the line the distant mountains were white with snow. Several shallow salt-lakes were passed surrounded by rough, rush-covered ground with here and there inviting pools, where a great many small wading birds were observed. The line runs close to the Salt Chotts Tinzilts and Ez Zemoul absolutely bare of vegetation around their edges. To my disappointment not a bird was to be seen. On the 20th of Febrjiary, thirteen years previously. Dr. Hartert found on the former sheet of water many Ducks, a few Grulls, and hundreds of Flamingoes. The station, " Les Lacs," is on the very edge of the lake, and as the train pulls up there for a few minutes and then sweeps round one side SER. XI. VOL. III. 2 E 408 Mr. D. A. Bannerman : First Impressions [Ibis, o£ Cliott Tinzilts, birds, if present, could not escape notice. Backed by distant snow-capped mountains, the blue expanse o£ water, surrounded by low, absolutely barren, reddish- tinted hills, made a singularly attractive picture, and only needed the Flamingoes to complete the scene. Beyond " Les Lacs " great plains stretch to El Mahder, covered when not under cultivation with camel grass, where numerous large flocks of Starlings {^Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris) were observed. Considering the poor quality of much of the soil, the extent of land under cultivation is really remarkable. As we neared Batna the mountains, still deeply capped with snow, increased in altitude, and were, as we soon discovered, thickly clothed with forest and scrub; the forest covers a large area as seen from the train alone, and consists, I believe, chiefly of cedar mixed with oak. Batna, which is also the home of a great number of White Storks, is perhaps the best centre from which to explore the Aures Mountains. It was from here that Dr. Hartert set out to ascend Djebel Mahmel^ the type-locality of Seebohm's Wheatear ((Enanthe cenantlie seehohmi), whilst the oak woods above Lambese may be conveniently worked from that place. Between Batna and Biskra the train carries one past varied scenery — first through a wide valley flanked on either side by hills thickly covered with cedar forest, known as the Forct d'Ichali, then through plains partly cultivated, partly grazing land, but with every kilometer the vegetation becomes more scanty and less green than farther north. By the time Tamarin is reached the country has already taken on quite a desert aspect. Close to the little station, where pome- granates, apricots, and tamarisks — the fruit-trees in full blossom — seemed to be almost the last sign of cultivation, six Common Cranes were seen in a field. South of Tamarin, barren undulating hills, cut up by dry nullahs, heralded the approach of the desert, and soon the line ascended into wild mountainous country, where the rugged hills were clothed only with the scantiest of plant-life. There was not a tree in sight, not even a nomad's tent. We were now close to the famous gorge of El Kantara, and eagerly scanned the 1 92 1.] of Tunisia and Ah/eria. 409 sky for a chance sight of a Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus harhatus harhatus) . Just before the gorge is entered the train pulls up at the station of El Kantara. Ornithologists are recommended to make a stay at the Hotel Bertrand, which has been built in a picturesque position almost in the mouth of the gorge itself. Apart from the possibility of seeing the Bearded Vulture, the great cliffs of the Djebel Metlili and the imme- diate ranges east of El Kantara are the breeding-place of Egyptian Vultures [Neophron percnopterus percnopterus), Golden Eagles {Aquila chri/saetus), and Bonelli's Eagles [Fjutolmaetus fasciatus fasciatus), African Buzzards (Bufeo ferox eirtensis), Algerian Lanner Falcons (Falco hiarmicus erlannt, and a pair may usually be met with along the shore or cliffs, attention being probably first attracted to them by their well-known harsh cry. At least one pair breed here, and in February 1911 I visited a nest which contained six eggs. It was a pleasure to find that the same nest was still being occupied in 1920. The bird also breeds in Guernsey where, in 1909, I visited a nest. It contained five nearly fledged young ones, and I was induced to take one as a pet. It was an interesting and amusing bird, and no trouble so long as it had sufficient food ; but eventually its appetite grew to such an extent and it did so much damage in the garden, by biting off' the young shoots and buds, that I gave it to the Brighton Zoological Gardens, where, however, it did not live long. Mr. Cecil Smith, writing in 1879, was of opinion that the bird did not breed on any of the islands. He says : "The Raven can now only be looked upon as an occasional straggler. I do not think it breeds at present in any of the islands, as I have not seen it anywhere about in the breeding season since 1866, when I saw a pair near the cliffs on the south end of the island (Guernsey) in June ; but as the Raven is a very early breeder, these may only have been wanderers." Mr. Eagle C'larke saw three Ravens in Sark on tli(^ 29th of September, 1898, which he concluded, and no doubt rightly, were residents. It would therefore appear that the Raven is not only holding its own, but actually increasing in numbers, at any rate locally. 420 Major W. R. Thompson on the [Ibis, Corvus corone. Tho Carrion-Crow. A very common resident, and becoming more so. It is to be found nesting on the low trees on the island, but more commonly, owing no doubt to the scarcity o£ trees, it nests on the outlying rocks, often close to the ground and not far above high-water mark, ('uriously enough it does not appear to make much us(^ of the safer situation afforded by the high cliffs of the southern shore, although a few pairs do nest there'. The birds arc more nuuierous in the autumn and winter months, but this may be due to the young birds remaining with the family until th(^ approach of the next breeding-season, when they probably depart to make a home for themselves elsewhere. These birds are very bold during the breeding-season and frequently take toll of young chickens. Corvus comix. The Hooded Crow. I saw one of these birds on the 20th of November, 1918, and a flock of ten — the largest number 1 have seen together on the island — on the 30th of October, 1919, and another on the 15tli of November, 1919. L. tells me he sees some during the month of October every year, and that they usually arrive just before the first Woodcock, their appear- ance being looked upon by the islanders as an indication that Cock may be expected. Several Cocks were shot on the day after I had seen the floidv of ten Crows mentioned above. Mr. Cecil Smith says : '' The Hooded Crow can only be considered an occasional autumnal and winter visitant — Mr. MacCulloch writes me word that the Hooded Crow is a very rare visitant, and only, as far as he knows, in very cold weather ; and, he adds, it is strange that we should see it so rarel}', as it is very common about St. Malo." Neither Langlois nor myself, with the exceptions of the two birds mentioned above as seen in November, and which I prefer, owing to the extreme mildness of the season, to regard as late migrants, have seen this bird in Alderney during the winter months, even in hard weather, and it must therefore, at present, be considered as a bird of passage only, although I92I-] Birds of Alder neij. 421 there would appear to be no reason why it shouhl not be met with in winter. I have no record o£ it in the spring. Corvus monedula. The Jackdaw. This bird breeds here and is a resident, although not common outside the breeding-season, and frequently almost entirely absent. Those which breed here arrive, doubtless from the adjacent French coast, in the early spring, when for some days a flock of perhaps twenty or thirty birds may be seen performing evolutions in the air, at intervals returning to ground, and evidently reconnoitring the cliffs foi- a suit- able nesting-place. After the breeding-season they disappear except for a few isolated individuals, the flock appearing again at uncertain intervals during summer and winter, to depart again after a few days' visit. Pica pica. The Magpie. I have not observed this bird myself on the island, and it must be considered as a rare visitor only, the absence of high trees and tall undergrowth no doul)t accounting for this. L. saw three of them together in about the year 1000, but is uncertain of the date. He also saw three in September 1919, and tells me that during the hard winter of 1870 they were very numerous, and that many were caught atid kept as pets by the islanders. The bird is fairly common in Guernsey. Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. The Chough. Mr. Cecil Smith writes : "In Sark the Choughs have by no means so easy a time, as the Jackdaws outnumber them about the cliffs, and will j)robahly eventually drive them out of the islantl ; indeed, I am afraid they have don(^ this in Alderney, as I did not see any when there in the sunnner of 1876, nor in this last summer (1878). I, however, saAV some there in previous visits, l)ut now for some reason, probably the increase of Jackdaws, the Choughs appear to be nearly, if not quite, to have deserted the island." This is, and probably will remain, the last record of the Chouoh in 422 Major W. R. ThoiDpson on the [Ibis, Aklernoy, and it disappeared from the cliffs o£ the Dorset coast opposite not many years later. I have been unable to obtain any record of its having been seen here by the " oldest inhabitant," although the bird is one not difficult to describe. However, we may yet hope to record Choughs in Alderney, as I see in one of our latest works — ' A Practical Handbook of British Birds ' — the Channel Islands are given as a habitat for it, and in ' British Birds ' for February 1920, one is recorded by Mr, H. B. Baillie as having been seen by him in Guernsey on the 22nd of April, 1919. Sturnus vulgaris. Tlie Starling. A common resident, ))ut less common in summer than winter, when their number is largely increased by arrivals from overseas. Chloris chloris. The Greenfinch. This bird is a resident in small numbers and breeds here, but a large proportion of the residents a|)pear to leave the island for the purpose of breeding, owing probably to the limited number of suitable hedgerows, returning again in July and the rest of tlie summer and wintering here. Its numbers are also temporarily increased in spring and autumn l)y birds of passage. It is more common some years than others. Coccothraustes coccothraustes. The Hawfinch. Mr. Tourgis, of Alderney, has in his possession a stuffed specimen, which was shot on the island by Mr. R. Herival. Mr. Cecil Smith, writing in 1879, states : '■ The bird- stuffer and carpenter in Alderney had one spread out on a board and hung up behind his door, which had been shot by his friend who shot the Greenland Falcon, in the winter of 1876-1877, somewhere about Christmas." Carduelis carduelis britannica. The British Goldfinch. The bird is resident in small numbers and breeds here. As a \nvd of passage it occurs in fair numbers in spring and autumn. 1921.] Birds of Alderney. 423 Passer domesticus. The Houso-Sparrow. A common residdit. Its numbei-s appear to x'omain con- stant throughout the year. Less numerous than in most parts of England. Fringilla ccelebs. The Chaffinch. A resident breeding here, but its numbers are greatly increased during the winter months by migration. Mr. Eagle Clarke, who visited the island in September, 1898, for about a week, considered it decidedly uncommon — a mistake due doubtless to his short stay, when possibly the main body was on one of its periodical visits to the French coast. Acanthis cannabina. The Linnet. A common resident. Its numbers are increased during the winter months by migration^ and as a bird of passage it is in some years extremely numerous for a few days or weeks, according to circumstances, most probably the weather conditions. In the spring of 11)19, from the 1st to the 5th of May, after a continuance of ver}^ cold north winds, large flocks were present on the island. I estimated these flocks to contain many thousands of individuals. Pyrrhula pyrrhula pileata. The British Bullfinch. A scarce resident, at least one pair breeding here, and I have occasionally met with it at irregular intervals in both summer and winter. At times it appears to be entirely absent, probably visiting the French coast. This is the only record I can find of the occurrence of the Bullfinch in Alderney, and the inhabitants do not appear to have noticed it. As I write (7th of July, 1920) a family of recently fledged young ones are not far away, the nest, which I found wdth eggs in the middle of May, having fortunately escaped the attention of the boys. Emberiza calandra. The Corn-Bunting. L. has shot five on the island, one in the autumn of each of the following years :— 1892, 1893, 1894, 1896, and 1911. SEK. XI. VOL. Ill, 2 F 424 Major W. R. Tliompson on the [Ibis, It is not a rosiJent, so tliat tliosc shot must liave been mioratin^i;', and it may probably best be considered as a rare bird of passa<4('. I have not my self observed it. L. has one of the five birds mentioned above in his collection. Emberiza citrinella. The Yellow-Ham mer. This bird has so fur defeated me, and I can only conclude that it has disappeared from the island in reqent years, as I have never come across it. Mr. Cecil Smith, writing in 1879, says : " The Yellow-Hammer, though resident and breeding in all the islands, is by no means so common as in many parts of England. In Alderney it is perhaps rather moie common than in Guernsey, as I saw some near the Artillery Barracks this summer, 1878, and Captain Hubbach told me he had seen two or three pairs about there all the yoar.- Mr. Eagle Clarke reports it as being common in Alderney in September 1898, and L. tells me that he has fre(|uently found it nesting here. Emberiza cirlus. The Cirl Bunting. I killed a specimen of this bird on tho 24th of December, 1913. It was at the time feeding on a dust-heap, in com- pany with a mixed flock of linnets, sparrows, and chaffinches. I also observed it on the following occasions, when it was doubtless on migration to th(^ south coast of England, where it breeds : — 20th of April, 1914— a flock of about twelve. 22nd of April, 1914 — several in my garden. 23rd of April, 1914 — one near Fort Tourgis. I have not seen it during the summer months, and do not think it breeds here, but on the 21st of January, 1919, I noticed on(> or two amongst a number of Rock-Pipits, so probably it occasionally winters h(u-e. Mr. Cecil Smith, writing in 1879, says of this bird : " 1 have never seen the Cirl Bunting in any of the islands, nor has it, as far as I know, been recorded from them, which seems rather sur- prising, as it is common on the south coast of Devon, and 1 92 1.] Birds of Alderney. 425 migratory, but not nuraerons on the north coast of France, so it is very probable that it may yet occur." Mr. Smith's prophecy has been realised after a lapse of thirty-four years. Plectrophenax nivalis. The Snow-Bunting. Mr. Cecil Smith states : " Captain Hubbach writes me word that ho shot three out of a flock of five in Aldevney in January 1863." Alauda arvensis. The Sky-Lark. A common resident. Its numbers are, however, augmented during the winter months by migration. Motacilla alba. The White Wagtail. Four birds of this species settled in my garden on the evening of the 15th of March, 1919, having evidently just arrived from overseas. They were fairly numerous on the 24th of March, 1919, after which I saw none until the 6th of April, when I observed a single individual. It is a bird of passage. Motacilla lugubris. The Pied Wagtail. I have met with this bird at rare intervals in both summer and winter, so 1 think it must be looked upon as a scarce resident, although I have not found it nesting here. As a bird of passage it is not uncommon. Mr. Eagle Clarke found it quite common in September 1898. Motacilla cinerea. The Grey Wagtail. As a winter visitor this bird is not uncommon, and during this period single individuals can almost always be met with if searched for along the numerous small streams. I have never seen it here in the summer. Motacilla rail. The Yellow Waotail. Is very common as a bird of passage, especially during the spring migration, but is also a summer visitor, a few pairs remaining to breed every year, more having remained this year (1920), I think, than usual. During the spring of 1919 the migration of all birds was much delayed by bad weather, and a iiock of these birds passed over the island, going north, as late as the 7th of May. 2f2 426 Major W. R. Thompson on tie [Ibis, Anthus trivialis. The Tree-Pipft. Mr. Cecil Smith, writing in 1879, says o£ this bird : " A very numerous summer visitant to all the islands, breeding in great numbers in parts suited to it.'' I found this bird to be common on migration during the latter part of August 1920. I obtained one on the 23rd of August, 1920. Anthus pratensis. The Meadow-Pipit, A common resident, I do not think its numbers are much, if at all, increased by migration. Anthus petrosus. The Rock-Pipit. A common resident, more common than the last species. It breeds on all the outlying rocks, as well as the main island. I do not think its numbers are increased by migration. Certhia familiaris britannica. The British Tree-Creeper. I constantly observed a single individual of this species throughout the winter of 1919-1920, and hoped that it would remain to breed, and I even put up a nesting-box for its acconnnodation, but in the spring, instead of being joined by a mate, it disappeared. Regulus regulus. The Golden-crested Wren. I have only noticed this bird on one occasion — on the 2nd of November, 1919. On this date I saw three in my garden, and there were doubtless others, but it was towards evening and getting dark. I only noticed the first one by almost stepping on it amongst some weeds which I was polling up. Poor little birds, they appeared to be quite done up after a week of strong cold north-east winds. I went to the house for a butterfly-net, and had no diffi- culty in catching one for identification, thinking it might be the Fire-crest, after which I let it go. Mr. Eagle Clarke saw many of these birds on the island on the 25th and 26th of September, 1898, and L. tells me that it is usually very numerous as a bird of passage ; but I 1921.] Birds of Alderney. 427 think few have occurred since the severe winter of 1916- 1917j when there were so many casualties. Parus major newtoni. The British Great Tit. A common resident breeding here, but more numerous outside the breeding-season and especially in winter. Like so many of the other residents, and doubtless owing to the restricted area of the island, the majority are absent from the island durino- the breedino-season, Throuo-hout the whole of the autumn and winter of 1919-1920 there was a (juite abnormal numl)er of these birds al)out, and a few were nt^arly always in sight, in fact it must have been almost the com- monest bird on the island, but nc^arly all departed on the approach of spring. Parus caeruleus obscurus. Th(^ British Blue Tit. A scarce resident. Its numbers are not noticeably affected by migration. Lanius excubitor. The Great Grey Shrike. L. shot one of these birds on the island in 1888, and has it in his collection. This is, I think, the only record of this bird for the island. Ampelis garrulus. The Waxwing. Mr. A. C Tourgisj of Les Chevaliers, Alderney, has one of these birds in his collection. He shot it at Rose Farm, Alderney, in the autumn of 1897. Sylvia communis. The Whitethroat. A common summer visitor, and bird of passage. Con- siderable numbers remained to breed in 1920. Sylvia curruca. The Lesser Whitethroat. I have only noticed this bird in small numbers as a bird of passage. Doubtless it occasionally remains to breed, as there are many suitable places for it. Sylvia simplex. The Garden-Warbler. Not uncommon during migration, especially in some years. I have not found it breeding here, nor have I seen it during the summer months. 428 Major W. R. Thompson on the [Ibis, Sylvia atricapilla. The Blackcap. Occurs regularly as a bird of passage. The males were very numerous here on the 6th of May, 1919, but, as already remarked, the spring migration was much delayed that year. Acrocephalns scirpaceus. The Reed-Warbler. In the ' diannel Islands,' by Ansted & Latham, Mr. Galliene in his remarks accompanying his list of Birds of the Channel Islands, says : — " I have put the Reed-Warbler as doubtful for Guernsey, but I have seen a nest of this bird found at Alderney." I have not myself seen this bird and do not think it now breeds here. Phylloscopus trochilus. The Willow-Warbler. A common bird of passage. I have not found it breeding here. Phylloscopus collybita. The Chiffchaff. A common bird of passage, a few generally remaining to breed. A few individuals wintered here during 1919-1920, and so it must also be looked upon as a scarce resident. Turdus viscivorus. TIk^ Missel-Thrush. Common in winter during cold weather. L. tells ire that he has found it nesting here, but I think it has almost, if not quite, ceased to do so, as I have not observed it during the breeding-season. Turdus musicus clarkii. The Song-Thrush. A common resident. Turdus iliacus. The Redwing. Common in winter during cold spells, or continuous strong north-east winds. At other times not often seen. Turdus pilaris. The Fieldfare. As in the case of the last species, it is common during cold weather or strong north-east winds, but unlike that species, it does not disappear so quickly on the weather moderating, and a few may usually be met with throughout the winter, even in mild weather. 1921.] Birds of Alderney. 421) Turdus merula. The Blackbird. A common resident^ being slightly more numerous than the Thrush. Turdus torquatus. The Ring-Ouzel. L, tells me that these birds are usually common durino- th(i autumn migration, arriving towards the end of: September and remaining about a month. Dr. Eagle Olurke noticed it here in September 189b, and it appears to be more numerous in autumn than in spring. I saw one near my house on the 20th o£ April, 1919. Phcenicurus phcenicurus. The Redstart. A common bird of passage. Phcenicurus ochrurus gibraltariensis. The Black Redstart, A few generally winter on the island, but I saw none here last winter, and think that it was absent that year (1919- 1920). Erithacus rubecula melophilus. The Robin. A common resident. I do not think its numbers are at all affected by migration. Saxicola rubicola. The Stonechat. A connnon summer visitor, a lew remaining through the winter, and therefore also a scarce resident. I shot one on the 10th of December, 1913. Saxicola rubetra. The Whinchat. A bird of passage in small numbers. I have only noticed it during the spring migrations, and do not think that it ever remains to breed, although there seems to be no reason why it should not do so. Mr. Eagle Clarke saw it here in September 1898. (Enanthe cenanthe. The Wheatear. A conmion bird of passage and a summer visitor, many remaining to breed. Accentor modularis. The Hedge-Sparrow. A connnon resident. I do not think its numbers are at all affected by migration. 430 Major W. R. Thompson on the [Ibis, Cinclus cinclus britannicus. The Dipper. Mr. Cecil kSinith states in regard to this bird: "Ca[)tain Hubbach writes me word he saw one in Alderney in the winter of 1861-1862." This is the only record of this bird, and I do not think it now occurs. Troglodytes troglodytes. The Wren. A common resident. I do not think its numbers arc affected by migration. Muscicapa grisola. The Spotted Flycatcher. A connnon bird of passage. I do not know that it over remains to breed. Muscicapa atricapilla. The Pied Flycatcher. A few occur annually as birds of passage. Mr. Eagle Clarke records one in " female " plumage, as seen by himself and his friend Mr. Laidlaw in the island on the 27th of September, 1898. Hirundo rustica. The Swallow. A common summer visitor. Delichon urbica. The Martin. Mr. Cecil Smith says of this bird : *' It is spread over all the islands, but confined to certain spots in each. In Alderney there were a great many nests about Scott's Hotel and a few more in the town." None of these birds are breeding here this year (1920). I have been round the whole town and carc^f ally inspected Scott's Hotel, and there is no sign of a nest, nor are there any birds about. Unfortunately I did not pay much attention to this bird last year, but do not think it bred, as otherwise there should be some sign of the old nests under the eaves of the houses. I cannot under- stand why it should not breed here, as conditions appear suitable, and it is a common bird of passage. This year a large flock remained several weeks on the island, and indeed did not depart until the 24th of May, when they all left together. 1921.] Birds of Aldevne;/. 431 Riparia riparia. The ?^aii(]-Martin. A common birtl ot" passage. It never remains to breed ; there are no suitable nesting-places for it. Dryobates sp. ? The Spottetl Woodpecker. L. tells me that a Spotted Woodpecker, either the Great or Lesser, was shot here in Novend^er 1891, by a Mr. Levens, who has left the island. Unfortunately it does not appear to have been preserved. lynx torquilla. The Wryneck. A common summer visitor. As Mr. Cecil Smith says, its numbers vary considerably in different years. It is particu- larly numerous in Alderney this year, and at present (the middle of July 1920) the young may be met with along almost any wall or hedgerow. Cuculus canorus. The Cuckoo. A common summer visitor, more numerous than I have anywhere seen it in England. Its numbers vary in different years. In 1919 it was unusually numerous. Micropus apus. The Swift. A very common summer visitor, breeding numerously, not only in the old forts and houses on the island, but also in the cracks and crannies of the sea-cliffs. Caprimulgus europasus. The Nightjar. Occurs annually as a bird of passage in both spring and autumn. I have not found its nest, but it probably breeds here, as one or two may be seen at intervals throughout the summer. Merops apiaster. The Bee-eater. L. has one in his collection. It is a male bird, and he obtained it in his garden on the 18th of May, 1917. This is, I think, the only record of it for Alderney. Upupa epops. The Hoopoe. Mr. Cecil Smith says of this bird : " I have one obtained in Alderney in August, though I have not the exact date," 432 Major W. R. Thompson on the [Ibis, neither does he give the year, but it must have been prior to 1879, when his book was pubhshed. I have not myself seen it here, nor does an3'one seem to have preserved a specimen ; but I have several notes of its occurrence, and as it is a bird that caunot well be mistaken, and as I obtained the records from good observers, I think they are worth giving. L. has seen two on the island, one in September 1910, and the other about the year 1877. He tells me that the late Mr. R (>. May, of Alderney, once shot one here. Mr. Nicholas Gaudion tells me that he shot one back in the seventies, but he has not the exact date. Alcedo ispida. The Kingfisher. Before the war the Kingfisher was a not uncommon bird on the island, and one or two could always be seen in winter around the cliffs or fishing from the rocks. It was also present during the summer months, though less numerous, and I have little doubt it occasionally nested here. During the last two years, however, I have not seen a single specimen, nor do I know of anyone who has, and it seems to have quite disappeared ; it is hoped not permanently. Mr. Eagle Olarke found it not uncommon during his visit in September 1898. Flammea flammea. The Barn-Owl. A resident, but by no means common. L, has two in his collection, and tells me he has shot four in all, and has observed it on several other occasions. I had noticed one of these birds about all last summer and located the hole occupied by* it, but it was not easy of access and I did not visit it, although I felt pretty certain it was breeding there. This year, however, seeing it in the same vicinity, I determined to clear up the question, and, with the aid of a rope, descended to the hole. No sooner had my feet come opposite the hole than a barn-owl left it and disappeared round a corner, and on looking into the hole I saw three young ones, two nearly fledged and the other much younger and about half the size of the other two. This, I think, is the first record of the Barn-Owl breeding in Alderney. Dat(^ of visiting nest, 18 July, 1920. I921.] Birds of Alderney. 433 Asio otus. The Lono-eared Owl. A bird o£ passage^ but by no means common, and so far only noticed in the autunni. L. has one in his collection and has shot four of them — one in the autumn of each of the following years, 1893, 1899, 1900, 1904. Bearing in mind how seldom even our common residential owls are seen, the fact of this species having been observed on four occasions in twenty-seven years, whilst passing through the island on migration, argues that it is of frequent occurrence as a bird of passage, and is probably a regular visitor. It is curious how seldom this bird is noticed during the spring migration. It usually occurs here in November, so it would appear to be a late migrant at this period. I have not myself seen this bird. Asio accipitrinus. The Short-eared Owl. A common bird of passage and also a winter visitor, but the numbers remaining for the winter months vary consider- ably in different years. As a bird of passage it occurs more frequently in the autumn than the spring. L. tells me he once shot a specimen here in August. Circus aeruginosus. The Marsh-Harrier. L. has two in his collection — a male and a female. He shot the male on the 21st of August, 1899, and the female the following day. Mr. A. C. Tourgis also had a young male in his collection. He shot it here about the year 1894. Circus pygargus. Montagu's Harrier, Mr. Cecil Smith says of this bird : " Miss C. B. Carey records one in the ' Zoologist' for 1873 as having been shot in Alderney in July of that year. She adds that it was an adult male in full plumage, and that she saw it herelf at Mr. Couch's shop." The above is the only record I have for this bird. Buteo buteo. The Buzzard. L. tells me he shot one in the autumn of 1886. The only other record for the occurrence of this bird in 434 Major W. R. Thompson on the [Ibi^i, Aldernev that T can find is contained in the following quotation from Mr. Cecil Smith's book : " The Buzzard is a tolerably reoular, and by no means unconnnon, autumnal visitant, sj)ecimens occurring from some of the islands almost every autumn. Rut it is, I believe, an autumnal visitant only, as I do not know of a single specimen taken at any other time of year, nor can I find a record of one. I have seen examples in the flesh from both Alderney and Herm, in both of which islands it occurs at least as frequently as it does in Guernsey, though still only as an autumnal visitant." 1 do not think it ever visits the island at the present time. Buteo lagopus. The Rough-legged Buzzard. Mr. Cecil Smith, in his book, states that on his visit to Alderney in June 1878,. h(^ found one of these birds at the bird-stufFer and carpenter's shop there which had been shot in Alderney about two years previously. I have no other record of this bird. Haliaetus albicilla. The White-tailed Eagle. L. has one in his collection^ which he shot on the 7th of November, 1887. It is a young bird and said to be a male, though its measurements scarcely bear this out — 3 feet 2 inches, across wings 7 feet 6 inches. On the 2nd of November, 1871, a specimen was shot by a Mr. Edwards and is now set up in Scott's Hotel. This is no doubt the bird spoken of by Mr. Cecil Smith — at all events the dates coincide. On the 26th of October, 1899, one was shot by Mr. A. C. Tourgis on Burhou, the measurements beino- the same as the 1887 specimen mentioned above. Mr. Tourgis has it in his collection. In the autumn of 1908 one was shot by Mr. T. Simon of Alderney. It is, I think, a not uncommon occasional visitor to the island in autumn and winter, but owing to the fact that it keeps principally to the outlying rocks and Burhou, it is not often seen. During the autumn and winter months, owing to the danger of approach, a bird might remain in 1 92 1.] Birds of Alderney. 435 such situations unmolosted for comparatively lono- periods, whilst the rabbits on Burhou would doubtless aftord a very succulent dietary. Accipiter nisus. The Sparrow-Hawk. An occasional, and not uncommon visitor during both winter and summer, except during the breeding-season, but it is more usually met with in winter. L. has one in his collection, and tells me he has shot six at various times. It is_, I think, becoming less common. Hierofalco islandus candicans. The Greenland Falcon. Mr. Cecil Smith records that, during his visit to Alderney in 1878 he saw a stuffed specimen of this bird, which had been shot on the island somewhere about the autumn of 1876. This is the only record I have. Falco peregrinus. The Peregrine Falcon. L. has shot two— a female on the 28th of October, 1889, and a male on the 12th of March, 1891. Mr. Eaole Clarke saw one on the cliffs on the 20th of September, 1898. It is somewhat surprising that it has not been more often recorded, as there are several ap])arently suitable breeding-places for it at Alderney. I have not myself noticed it. Falco subhuteo. The Hobby. I saw one of these birds on the afternoon of the 19th of April, 1920. It stooped to one of the swallow tribe, which it missed, and in doing so came within twenty yards of me, affording an excellent view. I again saw it later on the same afternoon in my garden, but it was doubtless on migration, as it was not about the next day. Falco assalon. TIk^ IMerlin. L. tells me he has seen two, both daring autumn, and that Mr. May of Alderney once shot one. Mr. Eagle Clarke noticed one at the west end of the island on the 23rd of September, 1898. 436 Major W. "R. Thompson on the [Ibis, Falco tinnunculus. The Kestrel. A common resident ; in fact, more nnmerons here than I have ever seen it in any part o£ Enoland, except possibly in one locality in the Isle of AVight last autumn, when it may, perhaps, have been migrating. Mr. Eagle (-lark found it extremely abundant during the last weeks in September 1898, and concluded thorefrom that, in the case of Alderney, Mr. Cecil Smith was mistaken in his assumption that its numbers are not increased during the migratory season. My own opinion, however, based on several seasons^ observation, is that Mr. Cecil Smith was correct and that this bird does not visit Alderney as a bird of passage, at least to any appreciable extent. The number actually present on the island is constantly varying throughout the year by interchange of visits to and from the coast of France, and I think that very likely during Mr. Eagle Clarke's visit some of the French birds may have been here, but it may also be that he underestimated the number of residential birds. In walking round the island I should expect to encounter, in normal times, from twelve to twenty birds and very possibly more, whilst the occnsions when one or two are not iji sight are rare. If this number were collected together on one part of the ishmd for any reason, such as the abundance of coleoptera, it might easily account for the number seen, and if in addition, and probably for the same reason, individuals had arrived from France, the numb(n' would be still more easily accounted for. Phalacrocorax carbo. The Cormorant. An uncommon winter visitor, and possibly a resident in very small numbers, but I have not myself found it breeding here, nor do I think that I have seen it here in the breeding- season, and I only include it as a resident on the authority of Mr. Cecil Smith, who states that one or two pairs breed at Bnrhou. Mr. Eagle Clarke found this species very abundant during his visit in September 1898. I have myself only very occasionally noticed it in the winter months, and have only once seen as many as three together. According 1921."! Birds of Alderneij. 437 to my experience, one would not expect to find the cor- morant here except as a casual visitor, as the locality with its strong tides, deep water, and rough rock-bound coast is not suited to it. A cormorant's natural habitats are shallow land-locked bays, and shallow muddy harbours and estuaries. Phalacrocorax graculus. The 8hag. A coannon resident breeding here in some numbers, and as in most green water situations, taking the place o£ the cormorant. I cannot understand how Mr. Eagle Clarke failed to observe it here in September 1898^ as I cannot recall having ever failed to find several when I wished to, either feeding in the tide-way, or, as is often their habit, obtaining their food from the seaweed on the rocks exposed at low water. Sula bassana. Th(^ Gannet. This bird is not often seen near the shore, althouoh it is a regular visitor outside the breeding-season, and usually in winter. In December 1912 an immature bird was found on the golf links here with a broken wing and was killed by the man in charge of the links. It had doubtless tried conclusions with a telephone wire. On the 8th of December, 1918, T was so fortunate as to have under close observation for some time from a point of vantage on shore, an adult male of this species. It was fishing at the entrance to Longy Bay, and I was on the top of an old fort overlooking and within 150 yards of it. The water was extremely clear and the surface smooth, and I could distinctly see the bird's movements under water. In one of its dives it turned through a considerable angle just beneath the surface, apparently by aid of its wings, and in order to follow its })rey. On another occasion it entered the water ahnost horizontally at great speed, and moving rapidly just below the surface, either with its remaining velocity, or perhaps by use of its feet — it did not ai)pear to use its wino-s — emeroed from the water not less than 8 or 10 feet from the point of 438 Major W. "R. Thompson on the [Ibis, piitrance. I have not before had the opportunity of studying this bird at close quarters, and cannot say if this is its usual method, but have always thought that it fell vertically on to its prey. The only time I have seen this bird here in any numbers was on the 19th of May, 1920, when a flock consisting of nine adults and two immature birds were observed fishing close to the shore. At this time, it was reported by the fishermen that large quantities of small pollack were off the coast, and a herd of at least fifty porpoises (J)elphimis phoca'iia) of all ages was constantly patrolling round the island, so there were certain abnormal conditions to account for this, and the same conditions obtained still a week later, when large numbers of gannets were reported between Alderney and Guernsey. Anser anser. Th<- Grey-lag Goose. L. tells me that this bird is an occasional winter visitor, coming to the island during hard wcuthei-, and usually in small trips of six oi* seven individuals, A number have been shot at various timers. I have not myself observed it, but the winters 1 have passed on the island have been comparatively mild. Anser brachyrhynchus. The Pink-footed Goose. I killed one of these birds durino- a strono- north-east gale on the 19th of December, 1913. It was by itself and rose from the rough grass bordering Longy Bay. Branta bernicla. The Brent Goose. Small trips of these liirds are often seen off the rocks during th<^ winter months. A winter visitor, but varying much in numbers according to the se\erity of the weather. Anas boschas. The Wild Duck. A winter visitor in small nund)ers and during severe weatluM- only. They do not remain long, as they are almost immediately shot at. I have observed it occasionally in the autumn as a bird of passage. 1 92 1.] B'nxls of Alderney. 489 Querquedula crecca. The Teal. A winter visitor in small numbers during hard weather and never remaining long. L. tells me he usually sees a few in August and September, so it is also a bird of passage. Mareca penelope. The Wigeon. As in the case of the last two, this bird is a winter visitor in hard weather only, and in quite small numbers. It departs as soon as the weather modifies, if not in the meantime accounted for by the local sportsman. I cannot find that it ever occurs as a bird of passage. Dafila acuta. The Pintail. ]Mr. Cecil Smith says of this bird: — " ( 'apbiin Hubbach writes me word that he shot one in Alderney in January 18G3.^' (Edemia nigra. The Common Scoter. Mr. Cecil Smith says : — "The Scoter is a common autumn and winter visitant to all the islands, generally making its appearance in considerable flocks." ] am afraid its numbers must have sadly diminished since Mr. Smith's day, as I do not remember seeing it when stationed in Guernsey, nor on my fairly frequent winter passages between Alderney and Guernsey. 1 shot an immature female of this species in Longy Bay on the 9tli of August, 1919. It was by itself and dou1)tless a straggler from some flock. I have no other record oi it for the ishind, though it no doubt visits Burhou and some of the outlying rocks during winter. Mergus merganser. The Goosander. Mr. Cecil Smith says: — " The Goosander is a regular and tolerably numerous visitant to all the islands, arriving in the autumn and remaining throughout the winter." I have no other record of it, but birds which keep the sea, such as the divers and diving-ducks^ are difficult to observe from land. Had I the facilities for going afloat during winter, I have little doubt but that this list could have be(m added tO;, In one or two particulars. SEE. XI. VOL. III. 2 G 440 jMajor "\V. R. Thompson on the [Ibis, Mergus serrator. The Red-broasted Merganser. This bird is occasionally seen in the autumn as a bird of passage, and a few visit the island in winter, usually during hard weather, or strong winds. Mergellus albellus. The Smew. I saw one of these birds, either a female or immature male, in Longy Bay in December 1918. It had been blowing hard from the north-oast for some days. Ardea cinerea. The Heron. This bii-d pays the island an occasional visit both in the late summer and in winter. They presumably come from the French shore, and, so far as my observations go, usually make their appearance during spring-tides, when, doubtless, the fishing amongst the rocks at low water is better and more secure. I have never seen more than one at a time and they do not stay long. L. saj^s they are occasionally seen in winter, and on one occasion a pair remained throughout the summer. In 1917 he, on one occasion, saw three together on the rocks in Longy Bay. Ardea purpurea. The Purple Heron. Mr. (Jecil Smith records one as being shot in Alderney about the middle of May^l878, and quotes Mr. MacCulloch as the authority for another one shot here on the 8th of May. 1867. Botaurus stellaris. The Bittern. Mr. Cecil Smith says of this bird : — " The birdstufFer in Alderney (Mr. Grieve) and his friend told me they had shot Bitterns in that island, but did not remember the date.'^ Mr. Tourgis informs me that he once shot a Bittern here. It was durino- the winter of either 1892 or 1893. L. tells me that his father, Mr. J. A. Langlois, and a Mr. Sandford each shot a Bittern here sometime between 1880 and 1882. Platalea leucorodia. The Spoonbill. Mr. Godfrey, of Mannez Farm, Alderney, informs me 1 92 1.] Birds oj Aldernei/. 441 that he shot a Spoonbill on the rocks near Longy Bay, about fifteen years ago, and that he kept the beak for some time. Neither this nor the preceding bird can easily be mistaken for others, and I have little doubt that they were correctly identified. (Edicnemns cedicnemus. The Stone-Cnrlew. L. tells me that he shot one out of a little lot of four in December 1887. Mr. Tourgis also once shot one. Phalaropus fulicarius. The Grey Phalarope. Mr. Cecil Smith says : — " The Grey Phalarope is a tolerably regular and occasionally numerous autumnal visitant to all the islands.'^ This does not apply now, and if it occurs at all it does so very seldom, although there seems to be no reason why it should not, as it is still, at times, fairly numerous on the opposite coast of Dorset. Scolopax rusticola. The Woodcock. It is to these birds that the islanders owe the greater part of their sport. They come over from the French coast in some numbers during the winter months, when the wind is in the east, or, better still, the south-east. They also come in calm weather and especially when there is a fog, and would doubtless remain were it not for the sporting proclivities of the inhabitants. They are met with princi- pally on the cliffs, and a good spaniel is necessary to insure sport. The Woodcock may often be soon coming over from the opposite coast at dusk, more especially if there is a moon, and I think that, in favourable weather, these birds, as well as the Snipe, make a regular flight across the Race, arrivino- here soon after dark, and the majority leaving for the French coast just before daylight. The followino- table giving the date of the first Cock of the season shot in Alderney since 1889, has been very kindly given to me by L., and since it possesses a certain human, as well as a scientific, interest, I give it here in its entirety and as received from him. 2g2 •142 Major AV. R. Thompson on tlie [Ibis. Record of f lie date tJie first Woodcod. has been sJiot in Alderney since 188'J. Year. 1889. Month. Shot by. Locality. Wind. Remarks. Oct. 18. Mr. L. J. A. Langlois. Martin's W. Bridge. 1890. Oct. 19. Mr. J. Herivel. La Quoire. S.E. 1891. Oct. 24. Mr. A. C. Tourgis. Bon Terre. N.W. 1892. Oct. 14. Serg-t.-Maj. R. McLernon. Clonque. W. 1893. Oct. 20. Mr. J. Brooks. Telegraph. s.w. 1894. Oct. 16. Mr. N. Gaudion. Begignes. w. 1895. Oct. 17. Mr. H. Oliver. Giffoine. N.W. 189G. Oct. 17. Mr. R. G. May. Vallongy. N.E. 1897. Oct. 19. Mr. T. Brooks. Val du Sud. S. 1898. Oct. 21. Mr. A. C. Tonrgis. Bon Terre. N.W. Missed by V. Petite on the 15th. 1899. Oct. 23. Capt. L. J. A. Langlois. Vallongy. N.E. 1900. Oct. 12. Mr. R. G. May. Essex. S.E. 1901. Oct. 29. Mr. A. C. Tourgis. Begignes. W. 1902. Oct. 17. Mr. N. Gaudion. Trois Vaux. w.s.w. Flushed on the 11th by R. Herivel. 1903. Oct. 23. Mr. Jas. M. Gautier. Longy drain. S.E. Seen flying over Braye j on the 19th. 1904. Oct. 3. Mr. J. Brooks. Bon Terre. N.W. 1905. Oct. 11. Capt. Theobald. Essex. E.S.E. 1906. Oct. 12. Mr. J. Brooks. W. 1907. Oct. 21. Mr. R. G. May. Essex. E.S.E. 1908. Oct. 20. Manor L. .J. A. Langlois. Mouriaux. N.N.W. Mrs. L. Langlois . flushed it on the 18th. 1909. Oct. 26. Mr. W. LeCocq. Trois Vaux. W.S.W. 1910. Oct. 17. Mr. Jas. M. Gautier. Longy drain. S.E. 1911. Oct. 2. Mr. A. C. Tourgis. Trois Vaux. W.S.W. 1912. Oct. 23. Mr. J. P. Simon. Essex. E.S.E. 1913. Oct. 16. Mr. E. Gautier. Manez. N.E. V. Petite missed one on the 11th. 1914. Oct. 15. ! Major L. J. A. Lang-lois. Essex. E.S.E. Mrs. L. Langlois flushed one in Pre gardens on 5th, and Major H. de L. Walters missed one in Essex on the 8th. 1915. Oct. 20. Mr. C. Cooley. N.E. 1916. Oct. 20. Mr. W. LeCocq. S.W. 1917. Nov. 5. Major L. J. A. Langlois. Val du Sud. S. 1918. Oct. 19. Mr. V. Petite. W. 1919. Oct. 9. Mr. N. W. Gaudion. Essex. N.E. 1921.] Birds of A Iderneij. 443 Gallinago gallinago. The (Vjinmon Snipe. A few are nearly always to be met with during" tlie winter nionth.s, but it becomes more numerous durino- spells of hard weather. L. tells me that in 1899 Mr. AV. LcOocq shot one of the dark variety of this bird formerly known as Sabine's Snipe, but. it was unfortunately not preserved. I am of the opinion that, in favourable weather, this bird, as well as the Woodcock, pays regular visits to the island, crossinp; the Race at dusk and returning to the Cotentin at dawn. I have on several occasions seen it arriving in the evening from the direction of France. Gallinago media. The Great Snipe. Ij. tells me that he once saw one of these birds_, and that Mr. R. G. May has, at various times, shot three. None of them seem to have been preserved, and this is the only record I can iind of it. Limnocryptes gallinula. The Jack Snipe. A few usually to be met with during the winter months, becoming more numerous in severe weather. Tringa maritima. Tlie Purple Sandpiper. I had one of these birds under close observation for over half an hour on the 13th of December, 1913. It was feeding among the seaweed on the rocks at the base of the breakwater. I have no other record of this bird, which is not uncommon, in suitable localities, on the opposite coast of Dorset. Tringa alpina. The Dunlin. The Dunlin occurs most numerously as a bird of passage, although a few invariably winter here, and in hard weather it even becomes plentiful. A flock of six of these birds in summer plumage frequented Longy Bay during the first week of May, 1919. Calidris arenaria. The Sanderling. Mr. Cecil Smith says : — " The Sanderling